ThreadGI.biz: PlayStation exclusive games received 38% of all the nominations at this year's BAFTA Game Awards (41 Total)
Reading much of ResetEra, particularly the PlayStation Studios thread, you'd be forgiven for thinking Sony had lost its touch. And then you see stats like this...
ThreadGIBiz: Returnal, Skyward Sword, Ratchet & Clank and the value of video games
I think far too many people are stuck in the mindset of "full-price or bomba". The reality is that games have much longer sales tails than they've ever had thanks to PS Store. So while I don't really agree with the £70 price point of Returnal, I have to imagine there are smart people at Sony who know X number of people will buy it at £70, but Y number of people will buy it at £50, and so on.
Surely they plan the game's sales trajectory around multiple promotional points now, rather than look at it as, "Oh it bombed at £70, so now we have to panic price drop." I'm sure they have a rough idea of when they're going to discount the price, how much they're going to discount it by, and what they expect the sales to look like at each stage.
ThreadI'm kind of.........underwhelmed by this new generation so far.
I'm enjoying it so far. I really like the PS5 and have been playing more than usual. The backwards compatibility obviously helps with that, but I generally find -- aside from a few obvious oversights -- the whole experience of using the system is much better than the PS4.
Besides, it's barely been, what, three months?
As far as I'm aware, there is no "strategy" for you to lose faith in. They may port some more games to PC in the future; they may not. You should expect nothing really, though.
ThreadThe Persistence dev Hiring For VR Game Based On ‘Multimillion Selling Console IP’
I was lucky enough to visit London Studio around the time Blood & Truth was coming out and they took us on this cool tour. It'd be surprising if they weren't doing VR anymore because they seemed HEAVY into it back then. Although, obviously, this was like two weeks before Blood & Truth was due out.
ThreadThe Persistence dev Hiring For VR Game Based On ‘Multimillion Selling Console IP’
Interesting. It's a weird one because, honestly, I'm not sure what else they would actually do... The studio seemed small to me, and while I know they've made other stuff like SingStar and EyePet, I kinda got the impression that they'd put everything into VR over the past five or so years, starting with PSVR Worlds and then Blood & Truth.
They really gave me a "we are the experts on this" kinda vibe.
ThreadThe Persistence dev Hiring For VR Game Based On ‘Multimillion Selling Console IP’
Yes, but there was also some speculation that London Studio was doing it, too. Given the scale of the project, wouldn't be crazy if they were both working on it, as London Studio is quite small.
ThreadLittle Nightmares II Review Thread | "It's a nightmare you won't want to end"
The art direction is amazing but I found the controls unbearable and puzzle solutions very stiff and rigid. The game relies massively on trial and error which started to get on my nerves:
Like I say, absolutely unreal art direction, though.
ThreadHideki Yasuda, Senior Analyst, Ace Research Institute: Nintendo has practically eradicated Playstation from Japan
I'm not going to say they don't care, because obviously they'd to be doing well in Japan as well, but I think they look at the bigger picture here and know that globally they're executing better than ever. They'd have to invest significant effort specifically into Japan to reverse this course, and they know it's not worth it for one country when those resources could be better spent on strengthening their position in virtually every other country on the planet (including emerging markets, where they're also seeing success).
ThreadSony needs to address the SSD storage issue on ps5
A couple of times it's told me I didn't disconnect it properly when waking it up from Rest Mode, but I just click okay and carry on like normal. So no real issues, no.
ThreadSony needs to address the SSD storage issue on ps5
I've actually been getting on okay with it so far. I've got all my PS4 stuff on an external drive, and then I've got FIFA, Madden, NBA, and Call of Duty all installed for multiplayer rotation. There's still room for Watch Dogs, Bugsnax, DIRT 5, and Hitman 3 leftover!
While it is bizarre, I guess ultimately it does make sense. Sony need the license to make this game; MLB want to reach as many players as possible. While the franchise is extremely popular, it's probably not a system mover in the same way as a God of War or The Last of Us. It's still Sony's game, so I imagine 99.9% of the promotion will be for the PlayStation versions. But by reaching a wider audience, there's massive microtransaction potential.
It's definitely a weird one, but it probably works for all involved parties really. I doubt there was any strong-arming or anything like that.
ThreadMicrosoft Looking to Make Bethesda Size Acquisition
Then I anticipate full clarification from all those that are "hinting" outlining exactly what they've heard. But I'm going to assume they're not going to do that and just allow this thread to spiral with ridiculous speculation.
ThreadMicrosoft Looking to Make Bethesda Size Acquisition
There's absolutely no substance to this rumour beyond it being "corroborated" (without any additional information added, I'd hasten to add) by people who supposedly are in the know.
So either someone puts their credibility on the line and elaborates on what they've heard, or this is just a continuation of what Microsoft has already been saying for months now.
ThreadI think Xbox is becoming very future proof, are Nintendo and Sony behind? Will it hurt them in long term?
Game Pass is a business model that Sony could probably adopt and implement overnight if the numbers made sense for them. They have all the infrastructure, IPs, and content pipeline they'd need to make it work; the only thing that doesn't work for them, right now, are the figures.
ThreadDaniel Ahmad (ZhugeEX) on the MS Xbox Live Gold situation: Gamepass biggest focus moving forward and MS looking to acquire IPs to bolster the service.
So, what happens if they don't achieve their goals with this? What happens if they can't achieve the subscriber numbers they need to make this viable?
ThreadOfficial Update on Xbox Live Gold Pricing from Microsoft
"If you’re an existing online 12-month or 6-month Xbox Live Gold member, there’s no price change. If you choose to renew your membership, it will renew at the current price."
So does this mean that if you already have a recurring 12-month membership, as long as you don't cancel it, you don't have to pay the new $60 bi-annual fee?
I'm really glad I decided to wrap up the remaining Trophies I have leftover in Hitman 2 before doing this progress transfer thing. By the time I'm done, it should all be running smoothly. Well, I hope so anyway!
Does anyone know the process for importing Hitman 2 on a disc into Hitman 3? Also, does anyone know if you have to have imported Hitman 1 into Hitman 2 in order to get Hitman 1 in Hitman 3?
I can transfer my Hitman 2 save at any time, right? I actually already reviewed Hitman 3, but I figured I'd wrap up 100% Trophies in Hitman 2 before I import my save and it's probably going to take me a few more weeks.
I know they said it'd wipe Hitman 3 progress, but I'm fine with that to be honest as I want to start it over anyway. Presumably this is all fine, right?
There's a pretty good recap that explains everything from the outset, but honestly while I enjoyed the plot it's not really the focus anyway. Definitely not a story game.
Another absolutely superb game from IO Interactive, . As a compilation this is one of the best packages ever in my opinion. So much good stuff, and the new levels are great. - 9/10
ThreadYIIK: A Postmodern RPG |OT| Turn Based Battles and Avocado Toast (Pronounced Y2K)
- 5/10
"YIIK: A Postmodern RPG, sadly, never shines as brightly as it does during its opening hours. There's enjoyment to be had here, sure, especially for anyone with love for the '90s – but all of the references to and Pogs in the world can't balance out the pleasure-less battle system and overly complicated levelling up mechanics."
ThreadLTTP: Days Gone on PS5(No unmarked spoilers)
Just wrapped up the Platinum on PS5 over the holidays. It was already good on PS4 Pro but it's like a new game on PS5; looks and runs really well, and I feel like the doubled framerate improves the combat gameplay a lot. I like this game a lot.
It's a weird one because I do think it's a 7/10 game and I agree with practically all the criticisms, but there's just something about it that's very fun and moreish. You can tell a lot of love and passion went into it.
I think there's so much they could do with a sequel to really take this series to the next level, and I hope they get that opportunity. Bend is a really likeable team.
ThreadI find PS Now a great service, why it's not talked of more?
It's definitely good value for money, it's just not been marketed that heavily, presumably because it's not available in all the regions Sony sells consoles in. I think we're going to see a lot of growth and changes to both PS Now and PS Plus this gen, and I'm excited to see where they go with all this stuff.
ThreadCan we safely say that lower computation power in PS5 is not going to result in lower performance than XSX even in future
I think we can probably conclude at this point that the gap is so close 99% of people are going to rely on Digital Foundry's super in-depth testing procedures to even know what the difference is to begin with.
And if that's the case, I'd ponder whether it even matters.
ThreadJim Ryan: “The Sony stance is that the Japanese market remains incredibly important to us,”
It is. There are a significant number of people on this board who absolutely rip into everything he says, even when there's no real controversy to his comments at all. Wild!
ThreadThe Last of Us Part II - Abby Story Trailer [MOD EDIT: No, there's no multiplayer or next-gen enhancements in the trailer]
Worth remembering that, just because people on this site may have already played and beaten the game, it's still an important title in Sony's software portfolio and it makes sense to give it a second push before Christmas -- especially when it's poised to win a lot of awards.
Also, this is the first time they've publicly acknowledged these aspects of the story.
ThreadGI.biz: PS5 comes out top in massive month for console sales | UK Monthly Charts
One thing that really interests me, and I never see anyone really discussing it in good faith, is you've got these shareholder meetings with Nadella where he talks about Microsoft targeting three billion people with games and stuff. Obviously that's not going to happen overnight, but I never see anyone even considering the possibility that it just... It just doesn't take off.
Obviously, Game Pass is a loss-leader right now. They're spending to establish it and they have super high ambitions for it. But what if the model just doesn't stick? What if they don't attract the numbers they're obviously targeting?
It was a lesser investment in comparison, but they wanted Mixer to be big too and spent big money bringing Ninja et al over. But look at what happened there.
ThreadDo you care about achievements and trophies in your games?
I enjoy them. While I see why others may not care, you can easily disable the notifications on PS5 so you never really need to think about them if you don't want to.
Ah, we're doing the old ResetEra reductive thing, are we? Jim Ryan is part of the reason the "PlayStation brand is too big to fail now", but carry on...
ThreadSo what are the facts with how PS5 games are outperforming XSX?
It tears on both platforms. The thread is about "PS5 outperforming XSX" when in reality the differences are so minuscule that I genuinely don't believe anyone would know the differences without on-screen framerate counters attaching a scientific result to these comparisons.
ThreadWe need to have a talk about Digital Foundry comparisons
It's absolutely absurd how people are arguing over 60 frames-per-second vs 58 frames-per-second in rare circumstances, or one console having a few extra lines of pixels compared to the other. The people arguing these things wouldn't even be able to see the difference without the data being put in front of them.
ThreadVideo Games Chronicle: "Sony 'isn't hearing' PS5 storage criticism, says PlayStation CEO"
I genuinely believe that we've now reached a point where people just dislike him and are going to rip apart everything he says. Even when he's talking sense the threads end up like this.
ThreadVideo Games Chronicle: "Sony 'isn't hearing' PS5 storage criticism, says PlayStation CEO"
I mean, he suggests they clearly have data that shows they know how people are using their hard drive on PS4? In which case, what they're seeing probably suggests this is true.
Doesn't make it any less of a problem for enthusiasts, though.
ThreadVGTech: Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War PS5 vs Xbox Series X|S Frame Rate Comparison
The differences in all these games has been basically nothing so far. I mean, when we're talking 59.99fps vs 60fps or 5 second loading times vs 6 second loading times, I really don't think any of this matters in the slightest.
Firstly, I was very, very cautious of describing the PS5 as "silent" during my review coverage. It's not: you can hear it when it's turned on if you get up close to it. I don't think that's a problem, though.
My console only kicks up in volume when it's spinning a disc, otherwise it's barely audible at all. Not experienced this "coil whine" personally.
ThreadHave Sony got away with it again? First with the PS4 PS Plus multiplayer requirement - now with PS5 almost doubling software prices
Ultimately, the market will decide. These companies still want to sell lots of software, so if the sales aren't looking particularly great, they're going to plunge the price fast.
ThreadWe are all in agreement that Sony is hands down publisher of the year, right? This is their best year ever.
They've absolutely smashed it, yeah. Very impressive. I think even more stunning is that they have a killer 2021 on the horizon, too, so it's not like they've blown their load!
ThreadGamestop telling customers not to put PS5 in rest mode(want opinions)
Been using PS5 for a couple of weeks and have had it in Rest Mode pretty much the entire time. No issues. And yes, I also have an external HDD attached.
ThreadAssassin's Creed Valhalla: NX Gamer's Next Gen Console Comparison - PS5 | Series X
I feel like this is such an overreaction. Like, the two versions are so similar that you're perfectly fine with either of them. I'm not sure either console is "running this game better".
On the topic of the firmware, they clearly have another one in the pipeline because there are actually still a few things embargoed. While I don't have any insider info, I'd generally inferred that there's probably a system update going out next week that will finalise a few things for launch.
Correct, it's integrated into the console now. The PS Store is just like every other element on the UI. The only delay you may encounter is while it downloads new information and artwork, otherwise it's a seamless part of the interface.
ThreadDigital Foundry | Devil May Cry 5 SE: PS5 vs Xbox Series X - The First Next-Gen Performance Face-Off
It's how it's going to be, though! The differences, in my opinion, were already very small, and they're going to be even smaller this time. The Digital Foundry analysis is interesting, but I would personally never base a purchasing decision on these kinds of things.
ThreadKotaku | PS5 And Xbox Series X Loading Times, Compared on DMCVSE and NB2K21 (They’re Close)
When they're both this fast, any differences are pretty much negligible. A second is nothing.
The obvious upside to all this is the fact that on both consoles games are SUPER fast. What a refreshing improvement!
I got about 7 hours on DualSense, but that's primarily playing Astro/Spider-Man which I think kill it a bit more. I'll continue testing in other games and BC.
ThreadBloomberg: Japan has been sidelined in Sony's PS5 marketing plans; Microsoft seeking acquisitions in Japan
A lot of Japanese publishers are also thinking more globally these days. Just because Japan, the region, may have diminished in value to Sony due to terrible home console hardware sales, doesn't mean Japanese games aren't important to them.
And for publishers, any system with a massive global install base is going to be an important destination for them.
I spent an absolute mammoth amount of time putting together our , so please do check it out and read through it. There's so much content in it, I hope you will enjoy it: Other stuff:This is a very cool console. Only real caveats are storage space and the fact that BC is being done better elsewhere. Take on its own merits, though, and Sony nailed it!
ThreadPS5's Activities cards in action with Astro's Playroom | Cold boot, no logos, 7 seconds load time and straight to the level.
The problem with the way this one works is Capcom has added in some extra screens that are your typical kinda "Save Game Loaded" and "Checking for Add-On Content" things. It's still really fast, but those tiny pauses for those unnecessary dialogues slows it down a lot.
It's still early days, though, and I'm sure developers will gradually get better at doing this. The Sony examples so far are excellent!
ThreadPS5's Activities cards in action with Astro's Playroom | Cold boot, no logos, 7 seconds load time and straight to the level.
Wait until you see a Spider-Man example. There are side-quests in the game and they surface as Activities. With the game closed, you can go from the main menu to the beginning of the side-quest in approximately 10 seconds. If you've already got the game loaded, you can jump to the beginning of the side-quest in about 2.5 seconds.
Nuts!
ThreadIGN: PS5 games can be stored on an external HDD but need to be copied back to the SSD to play
I don't think this is correct. If it is then I certainly haven't been able to figure out how to do it. As I mentioned in my review, you can copy PS4 games but not PS5 games:
Maybe IGN found an option I didn't?
ThreadPS5 / XSX Backwards Compatible Load Time Comparisons
I did some loading test comparisons as well. It's definitely faster than the PS4, no doubt, but it's not as fast as the Xbox Series X. I put it down to the implementation of the BC:
At the end of the day, though, ultimately you're probably going to want your PS4 games on an external HDD as there's just not enough space.
To be clear, I timed from the beep of the console to the user login screen. Let me try again now.
EDIT: I got 8.31 seconds, from beep to user login screen, with Days Gone suspended and a PS4 game downloading in the background.
ThreadTom Warren video: Xbox Series X vs. PS5 boot times / resume from standby
Sony provided me with a firmware update and required I install it before testing anything on the console. I assume all journalists got the same file, so I have to imagine Tom is using the same build as everyone else.
ThreadTom Warren video: Xbox Series X vs. PS5 boot times / resume from standby
I get about 5 seconds from Rest Mode to the User Login screen. Then another 3 seconds from User Login to a suspended game. Didn't watch his video so not sure what he's doing differently to me, but those are the numbers I've been getting.
More in my review here:
ThreadDualsense and Astrobot's Playroom impressions
Bound by the same embargo as everyone else so can only really talk about the Cooling Springs stage, but Astro's Playroom is absolutely phenomenal. I'm sitting here giddy over this and the DualSense controller.
Weirdly, the last time I felt like this was when Astro Bot Rescue Mission came out for PSVR, which also left me bursting to tell everyone how utterly incredible it is.
ThreadPhil Spencer interview : Bethesda exclusivity, XGS E-rated games, investing in XGS, expect more acquisitions, monetisation and Game Pass + GAAS
Maybe it'll all work out, but I'm just curious what they're going to do if this big Game Pass experiment doesn't work. Like, I know it's a negative way of looking at things, but what if they hit the subscriber numbers they're targeting? What if they plough cash into this and it, y'know, work out? What happens then?
I like these courtside reports in concept, but they get so specific sometimes that even as a fan of the NBA 2K games they fly right over my head. I'm not entirely sure what they're trying to tell me here, for example.
ThreadVICE: The PS3 and Vita Are Being Buried Alive; "The bottom line must be preserved. Never the games that originally built it."
Do you expect everything to remain the same for all eternity? You can still buy and download PS3 games, you just can't do it on your web browser. The console is 14 (!!!) years old!
ThreadVICE: The PS3 and Vita Are Being Buried Alive; "The bottom line must be preserved. Never the games that originally built it."
This is a very dramatic take on the removal of two years-old products from the web-based PS Store in my opinion. I still play my PS Vita, too, but I think a bit of perspective is needed.
ThreadSony is launching a new Web / Mobile PS Store later this month [2020-10-19] (and will also remove PS3 / VITA / PSP games from the webstore)
I really think they're starting over with the wishlist, not getting rid of it entirely. Let's be honest, that existing wishlist is rubbish, and while it's frustrating you may have to re-add stuff to it -- well, let's hope they do it properly this time.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT15| Compatible with 99% of Previous OTs (See threadmarks for list of unsupported OTs)
Can't believe some waited months and months for the UI, and have decided to only discuss what's not there rather than what is.
I must admit I'm really looking forward to the way Cards are implemented. The way games are designed now, the way they constantly change and evolve, it just seems great to be able to jump into what's new directly from the home screen.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT15| Compatible with 99% of Previous OTs (See threadmarks for list of unsupported OTs)
I could have told you this weeks ago. It was also obvious that once the UI was shown Quick Resume was always going to be set up as the new point of concern.
Never, in the history of console launches, has hardware gone out to press this early. It's just unprecedented. It's cool that Microsoft got their system out to media so fast, but this is not how things usually go.
ThreadXbox Series X and Xbox Series S Will Be the Best Place to Play 1000s of Games From Across Four Generations of Xbox (new info on framerate doubling)
Fallout 4 looks smooth. Wonder if they'll unlock the framerate on PS5, too? It's part of the PS Plus Collection, I believe!
ThreadSony is launching a new Web / Mobile PS Store later this month [2020-10-19] (and will also remove PS3 / VITA / PSP games from the webstore)
Because it's a complete mess having themes for PS3, PS4, and presumably even PS5 all on the same webstore. You have to put disclaimers on everything and people don't bother to read. Makes more sense to have those items available on the storefronts directly for the console they're designed for. They don't need to be on the webstore.
Same with apps. What value is added having multiple versions of a free Netflix app all on the same webstore, when you could just download it directly to your chosen console?
ThreadSony is launching a new Web / Mobile PS Store later this month [2020-10-19] (and will also remove PS3 / VITA / PSP games from the webstore)
With regards to the wishlist, and this is my own personal speculation to be clear here, I get the impression they've overhauling how all that works on PS5. I imagine they're doing it properly this time, you're just going to have to start over.
ThreadJohn (Digital Foundry) on PS5: ''Just talking to developers...I think people will be surprised in a good way about the PS5''
I'm not sure what point you're evening trying to argue anymore? It seems you're fixated on the fact that there'll be a difference between PS5 and Xbox Series X, which, yes, there will be.
But I feel other people are trying to point out to you that it's likely to be so imperceptible that it may not even matter. Ultimately, if you're going to rely on Digital Foundry to invest several man hours counting pixels, magnifying assets, and using software to read the framerate then... Yeah, you're right, there'll be a difference!
For most human beings looking to enjoy a video game, though, the reality is that they're going to be so close that it's going to be borderline impossible for 98% of people to see any kind of difference at all.
ThreadJohn (Digital Foundry) on PS5: ''Just talking to developers...I think people will be surprised in a good way about the PS5''
That was also absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. While I could see a difference in some of those early PS4/Xbox One comparisons, I'd still argue it was relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. It's not like the games were markedly different or anything!
ThreadJohn (Digital Foundry) on PS5: ''Just talking to developers...I think people will be surprised in a good way about the PS5''
I mean, I felt like you needed to zoom in on most PS4 Pro and Xbox One X games to see a meaningful difference between them, and apparently the hardware difference is even smaller this time. For 98% of people, they're going to be virtually the same.
ThreadNBA 2K21 Next Gen Gameplay Courtside Report #1
Bit concerned about them going even harder on the Pro Stick. I like NBA 2K21 a lot on PS4, but I feel like they're designing primarily for e-sports players these days -- even when it's a relatively mainstream game.
ThreadNext-Gen Graphics Comparison NBA 2K21 PS5 vs PS4 Gameplay
The craziest thing to me is that, if you'd asked me yesterday, I'd have told you NBA 2K21 is a great looking game on PS4. But it looks AWFUL compared to the PS5 version.
ThreadThe PS5 is the first PlayStation platform to launch in Japan without any retail 3rd party JP game alongside it [Discussion]
The home console industry isn't what it once was in Japan, though, is it? It's not a huge surprise to me at all, we've been heading this way for a while.
ThreadLinks to ALL PS5 hands-on videos from Japanese YouTubers for YouTube Gaming Week
"This video is just a concept, i decided to post it as a supposed "leak" to see how everyone would react to it and promote my work as a motion artist, thanks everyone for the positive and negative feedback i appreciate you all."
ThreadLinks to ALL PS5 hands-on video's that premiere tomorrow
It's cool that Microsoft got its console out so early, but you have to understand this is completely unprecedented. Obviously, under the circumstances, with coronavirus being an issue all-year, it's awesome what they've allowed the media/influencers to do, but it also comes with the caveat that they've effectively only allowed people to play old games on it.
Sony's focus throughout this entire next-gen cycle has been to emphasise new games, and thus even if their hardware is ready to go, it'll want to wait for the software to be ready before people get their hands on it.
The information you crave is coming, it's just still too early for the media to have this machine.
ThreadJim Ryan: PlayStation about big blockbuster games that cost a lot to make, Game Pass model would not make financial sense
Not even PS Plus has 50 million subscribers and it's significantly cheaper and practically essential. This also assumes that subscribers would retain their subscription for 12 months despite tentpole titles only launching in three of those months.
ThreadJim Ryan: PlayStation about big blockbuster games that cost a lot to make, Game Pass model would not make financial sense
Firstly, I don't know why this kind of discussion is always fixated on Sony and never Nintendo. Why doesn't Nintendo offer its own version of Game Pass as well? Could it be that Nintendo believes there's more money to be made selling games like Animal Crossing and Zelda full-price at retail than offering them as part of a subscription?
Sony's just come off the back of a generation breaking first-party sales records back-to-back. It'll definitely be crunching the numbers, and it'll know how much it costs to maintain its arsenal of first-party studios, what the budgets are for its games, and how much revenue it can potentially earn through a hypothetical Game Pass-esque subscription service. Clearly it doesn't believe, at this moment, that the sums add up.
There is absolutely no way Microsoft is profiting from Game Pass in its current scenario, hence why it rarely discusses the actual numbers. Game Pass is a loss leader, and either the figures are going to have to tilt favourably or it'll have to steal significant marketshare away from Sony and Nintendo before either completely alter their established (and very effective) business models.
ThreadDirt 5 won't transfer progress from PS4 ------> PS5 (but it will on Xbox One ------> Xbox Series)
I think it's down to the developer. There are tons of games that share the same ID across multiple platforms, and cross-save was a very common feature on PS3, PS Vita, and PS4.
Odin Sphere, for example, shares the same ID across PS4, PS3, and PS Vita:
Sony's just not mandated it, so it's up to the individual developers how they want to handle things. I know most people here won't care, but the upshot of keeping things separate is that you can earn all the Trophies twice.
ThreadWhy is there such a dichotomy between the hyper-popular games and the traditional gamers?
Personally, I've always thought about this like when an underground band no one has heard of gets a number one hit. A lot of the fans who loved the band while they were "unknown" suddenly think they're shit, because they're no longer a hidden secret anymore.
Gaming is obviously a gigantic, gigantic industry, but I think some people like to be snobbish about it, and couldn't possibly like something that the mass audience enjoys.
Thread[Eurogamer] We need to talk about the cost of next-gen video games
Surely Americans have to pay tax on top of the $70, right?
Despite that, I'm pretty relaxed about all this. Sales will probably drop as a result of the higher prices, and publishers are going to have to adjust their pricing models as a result. The prices will surely come down.
ThreadPS5 is an obvious pre-order success, but what up with Sony's PR/Marketing strategy?
The other way you could look at this is, with a month and some change still to go, they potentially have dozens of massively exciting announcements left to make. So they could theoretically sprint to the finish line.
I mean we still don't have hands on impressions or know anything about the UI which is sounding like a major shake up, while Microsoft has already played pretty much every card.
ThreadPS5 is an obvious pre-order success, but what up with Sony's PR/Marketing strategy?
The main thing is that we're getting new information now, so let's hope it continues to flow from here. None of this has anything to do with Shawn Layden.
ThreadDirt 5 won't transfer progress from PS4 ------> PS5 (but it will on Xbox One ------> Xbox Series)
I guess it's up to developers to choose how they want to incorporate cross-save on PS5. Bit of a shame a couple of games aren't taking advantage of it.
ThreadGames or story everyone raved about that didnt meet your expectations?
Persona 5. I can't believe how highly rated that game is. The themes aren't consistent, the localisation is bland, the dialogue is repetitive, the twists are signposted a mile off, and it's far too long for its own good.
I will understand the universal praise for this game.
ThreadDoes anyone else find it a bit insulting that Sony has Digital Deluxe Editions of all their first party games that cost $20 more?
Just don't buy them? There's been some shit things recently that genuinely deserve criticism, but this is not one of them. It's totally optional and the extra content is not essential at all.
There's loads we don't know about the PS5 yet, so hopefully we get more information soon. Impressive that the console sold out with so little detail, though!
ThreadPSBlog: Slam, smash, and boost your way to fame in Destruction AllStars, coming to PS5
It doesn't actually confirm microtransactions, although I guess that's where they're going with it. "AllStar Currency can be earned through online play. This boost should give you a head start on customizing your racing stripes whilst you earn the rest!"
ThreadXbox Series X hands-on previews coming soon. Update: BC, interface, load times, quick resume impressions live.
Sounds like a very familiar, faster experience overall based on these previews. Obviously they've been limited by what they can see and do, though. Will be interesting to see how the PS5 experience compares, because obviously there's going to be a new UI and controller to discuss as well.
Really excited for those faster loading times! I used to literally go and make a cup of tea while waiting for Odyssey to load!
ThreadWhy do people get upset over Timed Exclusivity Deals but not so much when Console Manufacturers buy Game Studios?
I still don’t really understand the idea that 6-12 months of timed exclusivity is worse than permanently removing a dozen historically multiformat franchises from another system, but it seems this is genuinely where we’re at.
You can’t really compare the Insomniac Games or Ninja Theory (for example) acquisitions to the Bethesda buyout because, in Insomniac’s case at least, its biggest franchises were Sony IP anyway.
ThreadSports Interactive boss explains why Football Manager 2021 is on Xbox Series X but not PlayStation 5
I don't understand why Sony didn't allocate at least PS4 devkits. They're owned by SEGA, and Football Manager is a pretty big franchise that Sony has even partnered with in the past for the PS Vita version.
What are they doing over there?
Sony won't do it unless they're absolutely fucked because it'll take away software sales from the PS Store, which is where they make the bulk of their money.
There could potentially be some deal struck that would include just Microsoft published titles, but I'm not sure why Microsoft would go for that either.
So, yeah. No chance.
ThreadPhil Spencer on Yahoo Finance talking about potential Bethesda exclusives
I dunno. If Microsoft had bought up Bethesda timed exclusivity in perpetuity, I'd feel a bit happier about all this knowing I could play those games . As it is, I'm going to have to get used to the idea that I'll probably never play them now.
It sucks, but it's happened now so it is what it is.
ThreadPhil Spencer on Yahoo Finance talking about potential Bethesda exclusives
Yeah, these games aren't coming to PlayStation anymore, besides the existing contracts and the service games like Fallout 76. It sucks, but that's just the way it is.
When these games are eventually announced as Xbox exclusives, they'll just say it's because PS5 doesn't support Game Pass.
Fortunately, we have a few years to get used to the idea.
Yeah, PS Now is actually really good, and well worth the price of admission (which is surprisingly reasonable!)
Definitely give it a try if you haven't already.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT14| Let's be honest: |OT13| could have been a lot smoother
The engagement has been off the scale this year, so it's hard to say they've done a bad job. They clearly know what they're doing. And they've effectively sold out of pre-orders, so in a way, their job is kinda done.
Having said that, there's obviously a LOT they still need to talk about -- things I'd expected us to know months and months and months ago.
I guess the one advantage to how they've been doing things is that they still have so many big things to talk about that when they do eventually speak again, assuming it's good news, there's going to be a real avalanche of hype through to launch.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT14| Let's be honest: |OT13| could have been a lot smoother
Haha, they don't tell us anything! We know as much as all you in this thread. It's very frustrating because we're desperate to write about PS5, but we've mostly been feeding on scraps for the entire year.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT14| Let's be honest: |OT13| could have been a lot smoother
I wonder if Sony will also send PS5 units out to media, as they can't really do preview events anymore. I also wonder if the media has to return those Xbox units once they're done.
ThreadMicrosoft CEO Nadella: ZeniMax/Bethesda acquisition is "all about future of software", will consider buying even more video game companies in future
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT14| Let's be honest: |OT13| could have been a lot smoother
But it is fantasy football, isn't it? Reminds me of how when one sports team signs a player then fanbases of all the other teams get antsy and demand their team sign a player. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as that.
I do hope this thread can eventually calm down, but unfortunately I foresee this kind of discussion running for a time.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT14| Let's be honest: |OT13| could have been a lot smoother
I don't know how anyone in this thread could possibly know what any of these executives do during their normal day job. Just because you connect better personally with the personality of one of these suits over another does not mean they're solely responsible for all the good you see at PlayStation and vice versa.
Also, there's nothing that Jim Ryan, Andrew House, Shawn Layden, or Shuhei Yoshida can feasibly do if Microsoft wants to throw out $7.5 billion. They've put together an impressive slate of software for the first 12 months of the PS5, and will continue to ensure they have a strong content pipeline. Beyond that, I'm not sure what you expect them to realistically do? (I know, you want them to buy a publisher as well, but this is just fantasy football chatter.)
ThreadJeff Grubb/Venturebeat: Xbox's Bethesda acquisition is evidence of blockbuster gaming's volatility
This doesn't really make total sense. A publisher paying for timed exclusivity could also reduce the risk on a project, and still allow it to release everywhere at a later date.
I agree with the article in general, though, as it did feel like Bethesda games were dropping in price rapidly after release. Presumably they weren't performing as well as they could.
It's good that it ends up being cheaper and it's a fine idea, but it's not something I'd personally ever do to be honest. The thing is, by the time you've paid it all off, the Xbox One will probably cost less anyway. And I get that you're getting the console right away so you can start playing and stuff but... I think I'd just rather buy it outright. That's just me personally, though -- others may prefer a plan like this.
Will be interesting to see what adoption is like.
ThreadWith the scalper/bot menace going on, PS5 shadow drop preorders are the way to go.
I know some people have had a nightmare, but it was a relatively simple process for me as well. Assuming the item actually gets delivered, I just clicked the link and pre-ordered. Took me less than a minute.
Obviously, if I'd been out at that time, though, I wouldn't have been so lucky. Which I guess is the problem.
ThreadEurogamer - PS5 is a surefire hit, but Sony's broken promises are eroding trust
I really wouldn't be surprised if it ends up just working to be honest. I mean, you make a great argument here -- it really doesn't make much sense. I bet the DualShock 4 will just work on PS5 for most games and features to be honest. They might just add in a warning saying some functionality might not work as intended or whatever. But I really wouldn't be surprised if, come launch day, you can just use a DualShock 4.
ThreadSpider-Man will not get a free next-gen upgrade -- Eric Monacelli, Marvel Games Director of Production
I've asked Sony for a comment on this but the existence of the Miles Morales Ultimate Edition at a higher price suggests there'll be no free upgrades here.
ThreadEurogamer - PS5 is a surefire hit, but Sony's broken promises are eroding trust
I agree with the article, the showcase was a home-run and they needed to be better prepared for all that followed it. I don't think it's a change in strategy or mentality, and I don't think it's "arrogant Sony".
I hope they learn from this a bit and are able to do better next time. Console and games look ace, though!
ThreadJim Ryan: PlayStation about big blockbuster games that cost a lot to make, Game Pass model would not make financial sense
If that's the direction the market goes, yes. But they clearly don't believe that right now they can make more money putting all their games on a subscription than they do selling 10 million-plus units individually.
They'll obviously have monitored the numbers closely.
ThreadJim Ryan: "The PS4 community will continue to be incredibly important to us for three or four years"
But... They've literally been saying all year that they won't abandon PS4 once the PS5 comes out. I feel like I've read them say that in at least three or four interviews this year.
Again, I'm genuinely surprised Horizon is cross-gen, but I never expected them to completely abandon the PS4 once the PS5 comes out. I don't think that was the plan.
ThreadJim Ryan: "The PS4 community will continue to be incredibly important to us for three or four years"
That's not entirely fair. I too am surprised about Horizon being cross-gen, but they were always very clear that they'd continue to support and promote PS4.
ThreadCan Sony position the PS4 Pro against the Series S this holiday and beyond?
No, but I do think they could position the PS4 as the "cheap" entry point option that plays FIFA, Call of Duty, and many others. Coronavirus may have upset their plans, but I'm a little surprised they don't have a PS4 Super Slim ready to go for Xmas.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT13| The One With the Price and Release Date. Maybe ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I mean, yeah, hard to argue with that. Totally fair point. There's also an argument you could make that those type of players may be more interested in a bargain bin PS4 or Xbox One, as those systems will still play FIFA and NBA fine.
I guess we need to wait and see how this thing actually holds up. There's still a lot we don't know after all!
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT13| The One With the Price and Release Date. Maybe ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I think it's absolutely a threat to Sony, and something they're going to have to tackle somehow. There's definitely a large sector of gamers who play games like FIFA and Call of Duty and will just plump up for the best deal.
Sony's going to be more expensive now, that's simply a fact, so they're going to need to demonstrate effectively why they're demanding a premium price point. I think the controller has absolutely been a factor these past few months, and is a real tangible difference that they've focused on a lot.
Yeah, I must admit I'm pretty disappointed with it this year as well. I know the OP talks a lot about how things haven't changed, but I actually think there's quite a lot of regression.
It's actually made me worried about other games due out later this year, because I'm genuinely curious if the pandemic fucked up their final few months of development and this is the best they could deliver.
ThreadMicrosoft sings 4K 60-120hz all day for XSX marketing. Has the PS5 targeted this as well?
I think Sony's decided to focus more on the "experience", like the DualSense controller and 3D audio stuff. Obviously, doesn't rule out the possibility of 4K or 120fps, though -- it's just not what PlayStation's marketing has focused on.
ThreadKotaku mobile allows for a whole 3 lines of copy per page to make room for ads
It really sucks that major websites like this provide such a poor experience for users because it pushes people towards adblockers, and for sites like ours where we try to be more considerate it means we lose out on important revenue.
I don't think that's the point of this ad really. Obvious the references are there for those who want to dig in, but I think the primary message they want to convey is that "new console is cool and unlike the console you've got".
Future commercials will be more obvious.
It's a cool initial ad. Sets the mood for "new experiences", and I think it will intrigue the more mainstream audience even if they don't fully understand what it's trying to demonstrate right away.
ThreadFortnite has been removed from Apple & Google app stores after breaking rules on both platforms[Update: Epic filing Lawsuit against Apple & Google]
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Microsoft and Sony also taking a 30% cut on V-Bucks purchases? What's the difference here?
ThreadVentureBeat: "Why the Xbox Series S is such a smart move by Microsoft"
They do have a point, though. My brother, for example, is a very casual player. He has an Xbox One and enjoys Call of Duty occasionally. I've told him to subscribe to Game Pass because it's great value, but he's not interested in paying when he's happy with his Call of Duty. And he can't get Call of Duty on Game Pass.
Now I'm not sure how representative my brother will be of the wider market, but I think convincing people to pay £10 a month for games they don't necessarily want to play is not quite the easy sell so many here see it as.
ThreadVentureBeat: "Why the Xbox Series S is such a smart move by Microsoft"
I feel it could go two ways really. It could either be an absolute sensation that will sell like absolute crazy, or it'll be the "peasant" platform that no one really wants.
Realistically, it'll probably do fine, but I think the majority will be looking to buy either the PS5 or Xbox Series X -- and, frankly, I'm including "casuals" in that.
We need more information really, though.
ThreadShinobi on Xbox "Stuff that was planned for this month pushed to next month."
I'm curious: do people believe this is what's happening? Surely both companies decided on prices for their devices a long time ago? The fact we're being kept in the dark has to have more to do with coronavirus and the fact that they're still waiting on final allocation numbers and delivery dates, right?
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT12| Timed Exclusive until |OT 13|
I agree with that, but there's even less substance to "journalist says Sony or Microsoft may do something". That timed exclusive rumour has over 50 pages of discussion and nothing's even been announced!
Bit much.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT12| Timed Exclusive until |OT 13|
It does make me laugh how the big talking points on this site ebb and flow depending on the latest rumours. We had days and days of Xbox Live Gold being free and what will Sony do about it, and now we're going to have days and days of timed exclusives on PS5 and what will Microsoft do about it. Both stories started and fuelled by little more than "insider" teases.
Just seems a bit crazy. I know it's a gaming discussion board, but lately I feel like there's very little substance to what's actually being discussed.
Thread[Verge] Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S console confirmed in leaked controller packaging
Weirdly, I wonder if it could hurt Sony in some way. I assume the Xbox Series S will also not have a disc drive, so I wonder if some people might think the PS5 without a disc drive is "less powerful" than the standard PS5 as well...
Thread[Verge] Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S console confirmed in leaked controller packaging
Ah, I see, so the super low-ball price estimates stem from people expecting Microsoft to massively eat the cost. I was going to say, if it shares many of the components it surely can't be cheap!
Thread[Verge] Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S console confirmed in leaked controller packaging
I haven't really been following this as closely as I should. This "low end" console will need to ship with many of the same components as the Xbox Series X, right? For example, it'll need the same SSD in it?
I saw some people estimating it'll cost $200 in this thread, but that's utterly insane, isn't it?
ThreadConfirmed: Spider-Man is exclusive to PlayStation editions of Avengers
All the PS5 marketing is going to focus on Spider-Man. He's the Master Chief of the PS5 launch. I don't really agree with it, but I understand why they would want to make this deal.
Of course, it's a shame for people planning to purchase this on other systems.
ThreadGuerrilla Games is moving to a new building, hopes to increase employees to 400 from 250
Don't listen to the Reset Era scuttlebutt, Sony's head is very much still in the game and they know what they're doing. They've been saying for a couple of years now that a key business objective moving forward is to strengthen their already exceptional first-party output.
ThreadPlayStation Studios |OT12| Timed Exclusive until |OT 13|
Thought it was a great State of Play considering I didn't really know what to expect based on the statements they'd made prior. I actually really enjoyed it.
ThreadNowhere Prophet dev: "Our opening weekend sales on PS4 were 5% of our Switch opening weekend sales"
Obviously very disappointing for this dev but it doesn't surprise me. There's just so much competition on the PS Store these days, and sadly this game doesn't exactly jump out to me. I'd be interested to know, outside of the aforementioned discount, whether he feels there's more Sony could have done to help promote it or if this is just the nature of the beast at this point.
ThreadHow Red Dead Redemption 2 nails open world discovery where Ghost of Tsushima fails
I agree that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a much better "life" simulation, but I think Ghost's strengths sit with the way it organically leads you around its world and points of interest, without relying on minimaps and markers.
ThreadSony needed to support the Vita with first party games more
It would have barely moved the needle. PS Vita was a great handheld, but it wasn't the right product for the time and Sony rightly turned its attention to the PS4, which looking at how things turned out proves it made the right decision.
I love the PS Vita a lot as well, but an inFAMOUS game from Sony Bend wasn't going to remotely reverse its fortunes.
ThreadSuper Eyepatch Wolf: Shenmue 3 is a Terrible Game and I’ve Wasted My Life
My expectations were so low that the final product ended up surprising me in a good way. I thought it was pretty decent, personally. I mean, it was repetitive and it didn't really go anywhere, but I think it captured the essence of Shenmue in places.
ThreadXbox vs. PlayStation - Who had the better games showcase?
Both presentations were clean and punchy with a variety of content, but the PlayStation games just appeal much more to me. I'm definitely a PlayStation fan, but they delivered on several games I'm excited for. I also quite liked the hardware reveal, too.
ThreadXbox GamePass' value is becoming hard to ignore. Sony needs to step up.
It's a business model thing, isn't it? Sony could probably have all their content in a subscription overnight, but the financials need to work for them. While Microsoft is making a compelling argument from a value perspective, the reality is that PlayStation games are selling better than they ever have.
EDIT: Also, why does Nintendo never get brought into these discussions?
ThreadSony contacted Vice due to more critical review of The Last of Us Part II
Naughty Dog doesn't have a PR team, I don't think. Sony PR is the direct contact for media with regards to review code, assets, etc. Their job is literally to provide the media with the tools they need to produce content based on the game.
In this case, it'll be Sony PR who will have provided Vice with the materials they needed to write their review. And while I can't possibly comment on the exchange that occurred here, I'd imagine they felt some of the details in the review needed some clarification.
ThreadSony contacted Vice due to more critical review of The Last of Us Part II
As mentioned elsewhere in the thread, this kind of thing is generally rare but it does happen. I've been asked to clarify a handful of Push Square's reviews over the years; sometimes the publisher reaches out to check we were aware of a feature/detail that we may have missed, and other times it's for clarification of a certain criticism.
This is almost always a polite and professional conversation with a swift resolution.
Worth mentioning that it'll be Sony PR who contacted Vice about this and not Naughty Dog.
ThreadThe Power of Gamepass - All those PS5 games look great but I would have to buy them.
Phil Spencer will know better than me, so I can't argue against that. But I still maintain that there will be very intelligent people at both Sony and Nintendo crunching the numbers and, presumably, they've come to a different conclusion. At the moment.
ThreadThe Power of Gamepass - All those PS5 games look great but I would have to buy them.
You can be certain that Sony (and Nintendo) have been crunching these numbers like crazy for the past couple of years, and they've come to a different conclusion at the moment. That might change in the future, but Game Pass is a loss leader right now. The onus is still on Microsoft to prove this is viable.
ThreadWill Sony slip up with the PS5 pricepoint in comparison to Microsofts offerings?
Honestly, I don’t think there’s really a massive risk even if they do price it high. They will sell out at launch as long as it’s $500 or less, and then if they need to adjust in 2021 due to significantly slowing sales, they’ll do that.
ThreadWith all the new trailers we've seen, is next gen meeting your expectations graphically?
I think developers are beginning to be less constrained by the hardware and more by budget and time. That said, the Ratchet & Clank demo felt immediately "next-gen" to me.
ThreadSony does not get enough credit for having 9 PS5 games to show when it wasn't at the expense of a PS4 content drought
Gamers are insatiable. They announced Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Demon’s Souls last night. And those were just the . They could have had a great show with just two or three of these.
It was a crazy selection.
Haven't read the full review but I disagree with this quote. Without elaborating too much, certain characters see the bigger picture because they're utterly obsessed -- that's kinda the point of the plot. It's about the cost of that obsession, and was it all worth it.
Also, not everyone is as irredeemable as this quote suggests.
Anyway, interesting perspective.
ThreadWith Playstation 5 show over was it a good decision to stream it on 1080p or should they have delayed it for 4k
I mean obviously it would have been better at a higher resolution and frame-rate, but it was good enough and the main thing is that the 4K trailers are available now.
ThreadI've been replaying Naughty Dog's games and man, gameplay is not their strong suit
I don't think the original Uncharted trilogy has aged particularly well, but I think Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy play great. And The Last of Us is excellent as well.
ThreadDumbass at Push Square puts out tone deaf PS5 event tweet and article
Thanks for the constructive feedback in this thread. I authored the article and take full responsibility for it. It should not be taken as a reflection of the website.
Clearly this article was in poor taste, and I do genuinely apologise for the offence caused.
I kept my preview quite brief because I felt like there were a lot of restrictions on what we could write about and, well, I didn't want to spoil much. But, yeah, if anyone's interested:
ThreadI wish Sony took PS Now serious like what Microsoft does with Xbox Gamepass.
They have different business models. Game Pass is almost certainly losing enormous sums of money at the moment, but Microsoft is playing a long game with it.
Sony’s games are breaking records frequently, so they will never compete on the level you expect with PS Now until that changes — or they believe the Game Pass business model will be more profitable than what they’re already doing.
That doesn’t mean they can’t still improve PS Now (which they have been doing to be fair) but I don’t think they’ll ever be directly comparable. Not in the near future anyway.
ThreadI think that PSNow has the most potential to swing people who are on the fence about PS5 or Xbox SX.
I feel like this conversation will go around in circles forever. Game Pass is surely an enormous loss-leader for Microsoft. Maybe it's going to pay off for them in the end and drive crazy profit over time, but right now there's no real need for Sony (and Nintendo!) to abandon their established business model while it continues to work for them.
That may change down the line, as you suggest, but it's not going to happen any time soon.
You're right, though, there's still things they can do with PS Now to make it a more attractive options.
ThreadIs it time for Phil Spencer to get more aggressive?
Contrary to what some posters on ResetEra think, this isn't a sport. Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all have their own plans and strategies and they stick to them.
ThreadIn hindsight, what was the goal of the Xbox’s May showcase?
I think they failed to properly manage expectations in the end, but it's really not a big deal. Coronavirus has messed everyone's plans up, and I guess they just wanted to put something out and strike while the iron is hot.
It didn't work out, but it's not the end of the world.
ThreadThe PS4 has surpassed 110 million units, do you think it will surpass the PS2 lifetime sales?
I don't think it will beat it but it's going to come close. There will be life in PS4 beyond PS5's release, and it actually benefits Sony to keep the PS4 alive, because those new consumers coming in will be PS Plus subscribers who will build up a library that will transfer to the new console when it becomes more affordable.
The key will be making PS4 cheaper, but it's going to become a very compelling entry-level box, I think.
ThreadThese random game announcements and teasing/hyping that don't deliver make me miss E3
Just manage your expectations, be realistic, accept there's a pandemic happening, and don't centre your entire day around an announcement you may or may not care about. It's all good.
ThreadThe Outer Worlds is really scratching that itch.....(LTTP)
I was rather enjoying it at first, but I bounced off it hard after about six or seven hours. I plan to return but realistically I'm not sure I'll bother.
ThreadPlayStation Worldwide Studios |OT8| My DualSense is tingling
I do agree that it's probably about time they shared a roadmap now, but I continue to be baffled by reactions like this. Ultimately, as long as you have the required information before launch, does it matter how it's delivered?
Again, I agree the cloak and daggers stuff is getting tedious now, but I'm really not sure I agree that the "messaging is a mess".
ThreadXbox 20/20: Join Us as We Look into the Future of Xbox
They're both going to sell out this Christmas anyway to be honest. Going early isn't necessarily better if software isn't ready, etc. We'll just have to wait and see.
ThreadWith somes games, graphics tire my eyes so easily (see The Outer Worlds)
Just started playing The Outer Worlds and have been feeling exactly the same. I feel like I'm looking through the screen. The game looks good, don't get me wrong, but I find it so difficult to read and perceive depth.
I have the same problem with The Witcher 3, and thought it was just me.
ThreadMS: "90 million active Xbox Live Users (up from 64 last quarter); more than 10 million GamePass subs"
Those are very strong numbers. You have to imagine Sony and Nintendo are looking at this very closely. I guess the issue is that when you've got titles like Animal Crossing and Spider-Man doing extraordinary numbers at retail, it's difficult to "give up" that money in favour of a subscription -- even if a subscription may mean more income in the long-run.
They'll definitely be crunching the numbers.
ThreadI have this gut feeling that MS is going to announce a partnership with a major 3rd party publisher to bring their games to Game Pass day 1
This thing has already got to be deep in the red. Which is fine, because I get Microsoft is looking at it from a long-term perspective. But at what point do they have to make it profitable? They can't just keep throwing money at it, right?
ThreadVGC: Guerrilla Games is planning a Horizon Zero Dawn trilogy - co-op, larger scope than HZD1
This makes a lot of assumptions about how the game will be designed and structured. If they're so time constrained, perhaps they should consider not wasting time worrying about the nature of a game that hasn't even been announced yet?
ThreadThe EDGE 10/10 list - What are your thoughts on it?
I think it's fairly reasonable. There are a few on there that stick out to me and perhaps haven't stood the test of time, but most of the games on that list are classics.
ThreadPS4 BC on the PS5 to work on “overwhelming majority” of the library, games to benefit from improved frame rates and resolutions
They're just being conservative. Practically everything will work, but they can't guarantee there won't be bugs with, for instance, Just Dance 2014 and Alekhine's Gun. In which case, they cover their asses by saying "overwhelming majority".
ThreadIt appears no one at Xbox has actually promised every XB1 game will be allowed to boot on Series X yet
Neither company will be able to guarantee 100% compatibility. Microsoft is better at this, but the reality is that they're probably still testing and tweaking exactly the same as Sony. Sony just did a terrible job explaining what they mean.
It was exactly what they said it would be but it was also a blunder because they had 600k people watching this thing and they didn't give them what they wanted.
ThreadUK Charts: PS4 exclusives Yakuza and Dreams crack Top Ten
Dreams is borderline impossible to market and very few people will want to own this physically anyway. Stop worrying about the financials and be grateful such a wonderful game got made in the first place.
Are we not tired of concern trolling about this game's sales potential yet? Just enjoy the game and stop worrying about it. If people want to buy it they will buy it.
ThreadPlayStation Worldwide Studios |OT6| The only JRPGs we're getting are Jim Ryan Party GIFs
XD Hahaha! I suspect there'll be other reviews right around the corner, as we were mainly just waiting on Art's Dream and the launch day patch to run it.
Sensational game in my opinion, I'm fascinated to see where other reviews land.
ThreadPlayStation Worldwide Studios |OT6| The only JRPGs we're getting are Jim Ryan Party GIFs
We were looking to run it on Wednesday, but our reviewer is involved in a livestream for the game on launch day. So it's probably going to be at the weekend.
ThreadPlayStation Worldwide Studios |OT6| The only JRPGs we're getting are Jim Ryan Party GIFs
The way they're handling it means there is no review embargo. I can't really speak for other publications, but in Push Square's case we'll get the patch to upgrade the Early Access version at the same time as everyone else.
ThreadPlayStation Worldwide Studios |OT6| The only JRPGs we're getting are Jim Ryan Party GIFs
I don't know what's going on with other publications, maybe they did get review code. But my understanding is that everyone's just waiting for the Early Access copies to update to the final version.
I think some of you need to get over this. Sony's not trying to sabotage anything -- in fact, here in the UK I know for a that they really want this game to be a success -- but ultimately Media Molecule's made something here that's extremely difficult to package in a 30-second commercial.
I can already see the doom and gloom forum threads emerging when this game inevitably lands in the low 30s of the UK sales charts next week, but the circumstances for this project are so unique that you can't really compare it to traditional AAA fare. It's a prestige project for Sony and it will have a long lifespan.
ThreadLife is Strange 2 is My Most Disappointing Game of This Console Gen (spoilers)
I was also pretty disappointed with it. There were parts where I just outright hated the characters. I respect that they tried something different, and I was one of the few that didn't really want more Max and Chloe, but this just didn't work for me.
Still had good moments, but... Yeah. :(
ThreadMicrosoft And Xbox Are Holding The Golden Key To The Future Of Gaming [Forbes]
The thing with Game Pass is that it's easily replicatable. I'd wager that Sony and Nintendo could offer a comparative service overnight on their respective platforms, but the economics don't make sense for either of them.
As soon as the economics make sense, the model will be copied by everyone. It's my view that Microsoft is in heavy loss-leader mode, and it's only really adopted this strategy because its games don't sell particularly well.
ThreadNinja Theory sets a new benchmark in video game animation
Hellblade has unbelievable facial animation on PS4, so it’s no real surprise that that Ninja Theory’s first next-gen project will be a step up from that.
The first next-gen projects from Quantic Dream and Naughty Dog will also inevitably impress.
What will be interesting about Hellblade 2 is how they expand upon the scope of the project. The original worked around its budget limitations in intelligent ways, but it was obvious where it had to cut corners. That shouldn’t happen with this sequel.
ThreadHow will Sony move PS4 players to PS5 "at a Scale and Pace That We’ve Never Delivered on Before"?
Backwards compatibility. PS Plus retention. Game upgrade programme for service-based games. Trade in deals. Sequels to the generation’s biggest exclusive games.
ThreadHorizon Zero Dawn has sold well over 10 million copies worldwide (2 year anniversary update)
The gameplay was so good in Horizon: Zero Dawn. Fighting the robots was just superb. Played like a proper, linear action game despite being an open world RPG.
ThreadHorizon Zero Dawn has sold well over 10 million copies worldwide (2 year anniversary update)
He's still kinda right, though. On the PS3, for example, there were loads of critically acclaimed exclusives, but they didn't sell huge numbers. They did okay, but not amazing. That's changed this generation, as they're now finding both critical commercial success.
Just set my review live after finishing the game earlier if anyone's interested:
I kinda liked it, but none of the control options really fit PSVR properly. The game's built on very strong foundations and it looks stunning even on PS4 Pro (can't imagine how good it looks on PC). But yeah, it just doesn't feel like it was designed with any of the PS4's controllers in mind really, although I did end up playing fine with the DS4 in the end.
Also, here's my PS4 controls video from earlier just in case anyone missed it:
Makes sense, but still awkward IMO. I do show in the video an encounter where I'm twisting round on the spot shooting a dude and it's just not quite right IMO.
All of the control options are adequate and the game is certainly very playable with any of them, but none of them feel like the game's been designed with them in mind.
I did a video showing all of the control options:
There's also an article here:
It doesn't really feel right with any of the control options IMO. Looks stunning, though.
ThreadPhil Spencer "VR is not a focus of Project Scarlett because our customers aren't asking for it."
While I do understand this point of view, I think PSVR2 is potentially the most exciting thing about PS5. It'd also be nice to see Microsoft enter the space because it would mean greater incentive for devs, which is a good thing for the medium.
It's a bit of a shame about the image quality on the PS4 Pro because we've seen better solutions in other games that aren't necessarily native 4K. I'm not too worried about the very minor performance dips.
Will be interesting to see how Red Dead Online fares on the base units!
ThreadThis gen really needs more arcade racing games.
The problem is that they just don't sell like they used to, unfortunately. Unless you're Gran Turismo, Forza, or Mario Kart you pretty much may as well go home these days.
I think Crash Team Racing could be a big hit, though.
ThreadPlayStation to open Malaysian development studio in 2020
To all the "shouldn't just be a support studio" people, you do realise that games require tons of resources, right? Teams like this are necessity in order to make the kind of games you expect from WWS.
ThreadSony's Jim Ryan: We had to make changes to deliver our PlayStation 5 dream
It's a great interview, so I'm not surprised there are a couple of know-it-alls dragging him on one tiny error he made. I think he knows what he's doing -- he's saying all the right things.
Maybe, but it's also disrespectful to assume that a handful of position changes will significantly disrupt the work that literally of people you never hear about do on a day-to-day basis, too.
ThreadYeah, I think I’m done with the game community.
I think the most embarrassing thing of all is that, when taken as a whole, the reviews are really, good. There are a few outliers, of course, but not nearly to the degree of the narrative that's trying to be pushed through.
ThreadIs the announcement of Death Stranding for PC going to affect the sales of the game on PS4?
It will affect sales, but only among people that fit the following criteria: 1) They want to play Death Stranding; 2) They own a capable computer powerful enough to run Death Stranding at a higher standard than the PS4; 3) They're happy to wait six months to play it.
Ultimately, the number of people that check all three boxes will be negligible, even if it's not non-existent.
ThreadNext-gen PS5 and next Xbox speculation launch thread |OT7| - nm
"someone who addresses their views with an amount of passion is said to be standing on their soapbox."
It's just an opinion post or a blog, whatever you want to call it. A forum thread with good grammar if you prefer. You people are absolutely ruthless sometimes. XD
Even in the unlikely event Death Stranding is a 3/10, it's refreshing to see something a little out of the ordinary in the AAA space. I'll be playing it and making up my own mind.
ThreadMicrosoft’s Project xCloud formally announced: Out to the public in 2019
I get all the optimism for Microsoft doing this "the right way" given that it has the right kind of infrastructure to make a play in this space, but I mean... Like PS Now has been around for like four or five years now and hasn't really been pulling up trees. In fact, the only thing I ever really heard about PS Now was people asking for them to add downloads.
I don't really see the big deal? I imagine they're going to do a better job than Sony on it but... Like if you want this kind of thing, you've been able to try it for years now.
ThreadHas Sony done enough for indie games this gen?
I mean, the answer’s obviously yes. For years the PS4 was know as an ‘IndieStation’. They continue to put tons of energy into PSVR which is primarily supported by indie devs, and practically every major indie release launches on PS4 with promotion on the PS Store, PS Blog, PS YouTube, and more.
It’s obviously not quite the same focus it was at the start of the generation, but it wouldn’t be fair to say they haven’t done enough when you take the gen as a whole.
ThreadI’m legitimately impressed with PSnow and I have shit internet (700KBPS average)
It’s always been much better than people think. I’m not sure why it’s always been excluded from the streaming conversation when it’s still the only tangible service on the market.
ThreadLayoffs hit Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
The thing is Jim Ryan is the man behind a lot of the success in Europe, so if anyone is ever going to understand this, it’s him.
I’m sure it’ll be fine, even if it does seem a bit odd from the outside.
I'm not sure, to be honest. I think not including it in the most recent State of Play is a legitimate criticism, but I'm not really sure what else they can do to help the people on the first page of the thread understand it's coming out. There'll obviously be more trailers and videos along with the reviews next week, but I don't know what else was expected.I'm almost certain you'll get one of those on Monday or Tuesday.Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with you. But I can see how Sony maybe looked at the feedback to previous State of Plays and thought that including a launch trailer for Concrete Genie after they spotlighted it during a previous one would attract criticism. You know as well as I do how brutal the reaction to these livestreams is. Must be difficult deciding what content to include.I previewed it a few months back and it screamed sleeper hit to me. I expect the reviews to pleasantly surprise everyone. (No, I'm not reviewing it!)I remember plenty of criticism for practically everything that wasn't The Last of Us in the most recent State of Play.
Well, I actually got the impression from the preview event I went to that they want to keep the combat as a surprise. I can't say for certain, but I think the developer wants to keep that underwraps.
I would like to turn the question to OP and ask what kind of marketing he expects that the game hasn't received. How do you think it should be promoted?
It's gotten plenty of promotion and the reviews will be good. Internal sales expectations will be modest because it's not a AAA bonanza. I don't know what some of you on this site expect sometimes.While it shouldn't really influence Sony's decisions, you just know if it was included in the most recent State of Play it would have been dubbed "filler" or something similarly irksome. Can't win these days.
ThreadPlayStation Now Subscriptions Start at $9.99 Monthly; GTA V, God of War, More Blockbuster Games Added
I think what you'll eventually see with Microsoft is smaller games (on the Hellblade scale) released regularly. That fits the profile of many of the studios they've acquired, and will work well in a subscription environment. I don't think you can have God of War, Death Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima, and The Last of Us: Part II back-to-back-to-back and this be viable. It'd work with stuff like MediEvil and Concrete Genie.
Microsoft's in loss-leader mode, I think it'll be a while before we see the kind of impact this has on game development. We're just going to have to wait and see.
ThreadSony Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden is leaving SIE [UPDATE: Sony PR saying he is retiring]
With regards to the "power struggle" thing, I guess there was no where else for Layden to go. Jim Ryan got the top job, maybe Layden wanted it, but with Ryan unlikely to leave anytime soon, I guess he felt it was time to move on.
The exact same thing happened with Tretton by the way, I remember him deciding to move on when Andy House got the top job.
ThreadSony Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden is leaving SIE [UPDATE: Sony PR saying he is retiring]
Or they've been at the company a long time, are confident the future is bright, and feel it's the right time to step aside while the brand's on a high?
ThreadDear Websites: If you're going to guilt me into turning off my adblocker don't assault me for doing it
As someone who runs a gaming website, this frustrates me too because it affects all of us. I fully understand why people turn to AdBlock when they're forced to deal with bad experiences on other sites. But of course, if you leave it on then we're penalised as well. :(
I don't understand why some of you are saying Sony no longer cares about non-AAA titles when they've got Concrete Genie, ReadySet Heroes, and MediEvil in October, and last month they had Erica. Clearly they still care lots -- am I missing something?
Maybe not in terms of sales, but I think there's an argument to be made in terms of the calibre of software support and the overall quality of the unit as an additive experience. I also think it has a much better outlook in terms of continued investment/support as a product than others ultimately did.
So I guess it all depends on how you measure success.
ThreadWhy is the Boxart for Playstation Exclusive Games so abysmal?
I mean, clearly there are people on really big salaries who do lots of research on this with the primary objective being to sell as many copies as possible.
ThreadYou Don't Have To Understand Death Stranding
The game's easy to understand if you absorb the media available. I personally think it looks great because I'm eager to try something a little different, but I appreciate it won't appeal to everyone. That's fine.
They'll grow organically, I think, assuming that Sony delivers good content. I think the end of the generation was the wrong time to launch State of Play really, but I guess they can get a feel for what works and doesn't work before they go big with PS5.
The thing with Sony sometimes is that they don't fully commit to things; if they want State of Play to be a big deal like Nintendo Direct, then they need to make it their focus over press conference-style events moving forwards. (Although obviously the PS5 reveal should be live.)
ThreadThe appeal of Xbox Game Pass doesn't exactly fit with the realities of modern gaming
The way games are designed now, with prolonged engagement, surely makes them a good fit for Game Pass?
They want to keep you subscribed, right? One way to do that is with a good stream of new content. But the other way is to keep the existing content relevant.
ThreadOpinion: So many games, and only three are being showed EACH Days in videogames media.
You have to write about games that people are interested in otherwise your site simply won't survive. With regards to Push Square, our PlayStation focus means that we have the ability to delve into some of the more niche stuff (like PSVR, for example) in a way that the multiformat sites don't/can't.
But the reality is that Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us: Part II put up big numbers for us; Control, for example, does not. This is just how it is, unfortunately.
ThreadWhy I think the Order 1887 (sequel to 1886) should be made. Do you?
No, it's over. The universe had potential, but what they delivered is essentially the prologue to a much greater story, rather than anything meaningful or particularly memorable.
They focused their attention in the wrong areas, and it's too late now.
ThreadSo just for fun, I made a Roster for a PlayStation fighting game. What do you guys think?
They should partner with Arc System Works to do a more traditional 2D-style fighter. I like the roster, but I'd cut some of the characters to make it a bit leaner.
ThreadSIE Worldwide Studios |OT5| It's backwards compatible with |OT4|
I get the impression he has a lot of sway within SIE.
Besides, I know people point to Forza Horizon and Mario Kart, but I really think the arcade racing genre is dead.
ThreadSIE Worldwide Studios |OT5| It's backwards compatible with |OT4|
I genuinely believe that Polyphony Digital won't allow it. They could have easily rebranded Evolution Studios as Polyphony Digital UK or something, and both branches could have collaborated on the franchise.
I just don't think Kaz will allow it.
ThreadSony announces TGS 2019 lineup, An Old Ghost of Tsushima trailer will be shown
There are some wild overreactions in this thread. They're just showing trailers for a ton of upcoming games in their booth; Ghost of Tsushima is one of them. It'll reappear when it's ready (which we can all probably assume will be when the PS5 is announced).
It's so obvious that Sony's on lockdown until the PS5 is announced that none of us should be surprised anymore, but apparently plenty still are.
ThreadSIE Worldwide Studios |OT5| It's backwards compatible with |OT4|
I really think Sony is publishing Remedy’s next game. Just seems to make sense for both parties, and I imagine some kind of teaser trailer will be shown when the PS5 is revealed.
There’s just too much smoke on this one.
For the record, I don’t think Sony has acquired them. I just think they’ll publish their next game.
I also suspect Alan Wake will come to PS4/PS5, but I guess that’s practically already been confirmed.
I was a huge fan for many years, but I bounced off it around the time they did the Giant Bomb East split. Nothing to do with the content really -- I just no longer had the time or energy to engage with so much video game stuff.
I assumed I'd get back into it after a break, but I just never really did.
It's being made for fans of the original and nostalgic PlayStation players. They'll ramp up the promotion and tie it into Halloween which is smart. There are only so many resources available for marketing, and just because they're not pouring millions and millions into MediEvil doesn't mean it's being "sent to die", it just means they're aware of where it fits into their overall catalogue.
ThreadDays Gone best selling new IP of 2019 (so far) in UK
Days Gone is one of those games where it's easy to pick holes in it, but I really like it. One of those 7/10s that goes on to become a bit of a cult classic.
ThreadConcrete Genie launching October 8th, priced at U$29.99
This game is going to be a sleeper hit, I think. It's way better than I ever imagined -- and I was looking forward to it. I put together some impression if anyone is interested:
ThreadSIE Worldwide Studios |OT5| It's backwards compatible with |OT4|
I also disagree on those Remedy comments. I understand where he's coming from but my personal opinion is that having a publisher like Sony behind them -- whether they're just publishing or wholly owned -- could potentially elevate them to the next level. Sony has so much experience with the kinds of games that Remedy makes that surely it has to be mutually beneficial.
ThreadPushSquare: Sources Indicate PlayStation Bidding For Remedy
Just to be 100% clear here, I think you should quote the full Remedy section of the article.
I heard from a few sources that Sony is looking to acquire Remedy. But as I say later in the article, I think things like the Alan Wake buyback cast doubt on it.
My personal opinion is that Sony will probably publish Remedy’s next game, and that’s where the speculation is coming from.
I hope this makes things a bit clearer, as I don’t want people to be misled.
ThreadSony needs a GAAS in their next gen line up!
Well, if we're looking specifically at the PlayStation 4, I'd argue that both MLB The Show and Gran Turismo Sport are great examples of service games. So they're already doing it where it makes sense.
ThreadWSJ: Sony Positions Next PlayStation for Hard-Core Gamers, focus on strengthening relationships with large publishers
This thread is absolutely bizarre. From my perspective, they're pretty much saying everything that Era generally says it wants. It's perhaps worth noting that just because they're focusing on one area, does not mean they're completely abandoning another.
I guarantee Sony will show a couple of tentpole indies during the PS5 reveal event.
ThreadJeuxvideo.com are very worried by Shenmue III's E3 2019 demo
Long-time Shenmue fan here. Haven't played the game yet, but backed the Kickstarter to the tune of hundreds and have the series' logo tattooed on my arm. Genuinely understand why non-fans are bemused by this project, but my honest opinion is that it's come together better than I ever imagined it would.
Perhaps that speaks to the apocalyptically low expectations I had, but I'm honestly impressed with how they've managed to capture the Dreamcast games. Obviously, I completely understand why people who have no affinity to the franchise are baffled, though.
ThreadNew PlayStation Job Implies Acquistion/s Are Underway
I'm not sure this really means much of anything at all. Sony recently bought that audio middleware company, for example, so the role could be related to integrating that.
Must admit, it's becoming a bit tiring seeing these acquisitions turned into a sport. I used to think exclusive list wars were bad, but we may have found something worse.
ThreadPushSquare: Sony's Decision To Skip E3 2019 Is Starting To Look Really Smart
Love people discussing the article, but it always frustrates me when people completely disregard our site because we're focused on a single format. Yes, we're a PlayStation fansite, but I've always felt that our position puts us in a good place to criticise Sony just as much as we praise them.
And we do criticise them plenty.
Again, I'm happy for everyone to disagree with the content of the article -- it's just an opinion piece, after all. But I find it really disappointing when the argument is merely "lol Push Square bias fanboy".
ThreadDo you think Sony skipping this years E3 will be looked back upon in the future ?
Games take longer to make, and I think they've realised quality trumps quantity. They published more games in the PS3 era, but they've basically had Game of the Year candidates every year of this gen. Some years they've had Game of the Year candidates.
It's got the vibe of the Dreamcast games for sure. I don't know, I can see why non-fans would be bemused by this, but as a backer I'm satisfied that it's finally come together. It looks like a Shenmue game!
ThreadLeak: Watch Dogs 3 Legion shows up on Amazon UK (Confirmed by Kotaku) [Play as any recruit and other details listed]
Hmm, I was really hoping for Watch Dogs 2 in London to be honest. I'm open to what they've got cooking here, but a far future setting with body hopping... Sounds a bit disappointing to me. But will reserve judgement until I've actually seen the game, obviously.
ThreadThe climbing in Sony First Party games is boring and bland game design
The walking in Sony First Party Games™ is boring and bland game design: they should make it more like QWOP where you have to move each limb independently and maintain your balance.
I'm obviously being facetious and I do understand the criticism to an extent, but I think the climbing is a means to an end. That doesn't mean it can't be deeper, but it could also be frustrating to add intense platforming segments when the climbing is being used as either a story development device or a means to an end.
For example, in Assassin's Creed you're climbing to get a vantage point to improve your stealth tactics. If this was an extremely challenging platforming segment, then this could get very irritating when you just want to survey your surroundings in order to plan your attack.
Thread"Console Exclusive" marketing is misleading and frustrating and I wish companies were more transparent
Well, that's easy: Sony owns the IP, engine, and the trademark. They fully own the game and will have the final say on anywhere else it may or may not appear.
ThreadWhich AAA publisher went down in your eyes the most this generation?
EA's had a very poor generation, I think. Their sports games are pretty good, and they have had some decent efforts outside of them, but generally they've been very weak overall.
ThreadSony needs to be more transparent with exclusivity
Detroit: Become Human's circumstances changed after it released, though. You can't really say it was misleading unless you know for certain the decision to bring it to PC was made prior to launch. Or are they supposed to read the future as well?
ThreadSIE Worldwide Studios |OT5| It's backwards compatible with |OT4|
Do you guys think the ship has sailed on a Days Gone sales update for now? I mean it seems like the game did really well, but I guess they don’t want to put out PR when it didn’t do as well as Spider-Man et al.
Maybe they give us an update when they detail the DLC and stuff?
ThreadGIBiz - Sony: Next PlayStation's Success will Depend on Backwards Compatibility and Streaming
He wasn't, he was just talking about Gran Turismo 1 compared to Gran Turismo Sport. This quote has been twisted and taken out of context so much that it doesn't even have meaning anymore.
I strongly disagree. Like, I get what you're saying with regards to the character movement and the way everything happens in front of you, but the fact that you can be juggling ammo in one hand, tossing it up in the air, slowing time, catching the magazine in the butt of your gun, then popping off a couple of headshots is what makes this so much fun to me.
It's very interactive, just in different ways.
ThreadNPD April 2019: MK11 #1, Days Gone #2, MLB #3. Switch best selling hardware.
Days Gone has done really well for itself. When you consider it's a new IP from a somewhat "unknown" developer, I think its performance is pretty wild to be honest.
The Daily Star review was written by a very talented UK writer who I've had the pleasure of working with quite a lot recently. Shame to see her opinion getting attacked just because of the publication she writes for. :(
I think one of the problems with score aggregators is that different sites have different scoring guidelines. While we put a lot of effort into making sure Push Square's scores are consistent across the site (and we really do put a lot of thought and care into this) that doesn't mean that IGN, GameSpot, or Game Informer are using the same scale.
All four publications could feasibly come to the same conclusions about a game, but you could easily end up with four different scores depending on the site's guidelines.
This is our definition of a 7/10 on Push Square:
"A good game with more positives than negatives, these titles are not average in our eyes. A release awarded this score may lack ambition or polish, but still offers a quality experience. Fans of a given genre should not overlook a game with this score, but may want to consider which areas we felt let the experience down."
I agree about the cut-scene complaints. I think it's an engine thing. I know, for example, Naughty Dog invested a huge amount of effort to make the transitions seamless between gameplay and cut-scene in Uncharted 4.
There are some crazy overreactions in this thread. The game's entertaining; it never, ever looked like some Game of the Year winning magnum opus. It's exactly what the Metacritic of 71 suggests it is: good, honest open world entertainment.
Like I wrote in my review, it's gaming comfort food: unremarkable but enjoyable all the same.
I really enjoyed Days Gone in the end. There's a moreish nature to the gameplay loop that's kept me thinking about it even when I've not been playing, and I enjoy the survival horror aspects a lot. Good game.
ThreadInsider: "Xbox Anaconda aims to be the clearly better performing device" compared to PS5
How would Microsoft justify significant losses on hardware when we know their long-term strategy is to be platform agnostic anyway? Doesn't really make much sense.
ThreadPS5 Opinion Pieces: Sony’s next-gen reveal was a stroke of genius [Push Square] and feels like a victory lap [GeekWire]
Haha, none taken. We’ve always been proud to be a fan site. My view on this is that we’re on the pulse when Sony does things that we don’t necessarily agree with because we care about the brand.
Funnily enough, we also get criticised for going too hard, so I guess you just can’t please everyone.
ThreadPS5 Opinion Pieces: Sony’s next-gen reveal was a stroke of genius [Push Square] and feels like a victory lap [GeekWire]
Fair enough, but they're no longer driving the discussion in any way, shape, or form. Sony has totally taken control of this conversation, in the most unexpected way possible. Again, I think it was a masterstroke.
ThreadPS5 Opinion Pieces: Sony’s next-gen reveal was a stroke of genius [Push Square] and feels like a victory lap [GeekWire]
Wow, tough crowd in here. Obviously I'm not suggesting that there's anything "genius" in a company giving a publication the exclusive scoop on its next-gen console, but I think the fact that it came out of absolutely no where was a masterstroke. They kept the mystery of the console while quelling key fears, and they're now driving the next-gen discussion when practically every single person on this forum expected Microsoft to do that.
You can disagree with the language I used, but I don't think I'm saying anything wildly controversial in this article.
Thanks for reading and commenting all the same! Haha!
ThreadNow that the end is near: How do you rate the PS4?
Very highly. I have hundreds of games and have loved dozens of titles. It's just hard to really find anything to criticise about it -- it's just been really, really good.
ThreadWhat’s going on with Sony’s communication since mid 2018 ?
The controller? The hardware? The services? The operating system? And, like you mentioned, a little thing called games.
Your OP is a bit weird -- you seem concerned that they're not communicating enough but also concerned that they're communicating too much.
ThreadWhy does Sony seemingly not respect its own legacy and history?
How isn't it? The thread title is "Why does Sony seemingly not respect its own legacy and history?" Shadow of the Colossus, an excellent remake of a niche game that many people missed, is a textbook example of respecting your own legacy and history.
ThreadWhy does Sony seemingly not respect its own legacy and history?
To counter your point, what about Shadow of the Colossus, a superb remake which launched this year? Ratchet & Clank, the PS2 game, was also brilliantly remade. What about their close partnership with Activision to bring back Crash and Spyro in the right way? What about what they're doing with MediEvil? What about when they brought back Vib-Ribbon just because Layden thinks it's cool? What about PlayStation Underground, a fan-facing brand which Sony brought back? , which show they recognise their legacy? What about all the merchandising they've started to lean into this generation? What about the retro PSone and PS2 themes you can get for the PS4? What about the anniversary console designs they've released? What about what they did with WipEout, not only remastering it but also completely re-imagining it in VR? What about how they took God of War, re-imagined it, and brought it back in a way that matters in 2018?
Heck, there are only two main PlayStation consoles without any form of backwards compatibility, and one of them is the first they ever made.
I think you're being harsh cherry-picking a trio of bad examples. They definitely care, and the Jim Ryan quote that everyone talks about is constantly taken out of context to suit an agenda.
ThreadLTTP: Detroit Become Human - Probably the best choice-driven game I've ever played
Yeah it's amazing, the amount of permutations is insane and, while it's not subtle, it's the best written of Quantic Dream's games. Shame so many people refused to even give it a chance.
Thread[Unconfirmed] Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled will run at 60FPS on PS4 Pro and Xbox One X.
It's certainly not impossible, but I'd be very surprised. PR was pretty specific in saying this was the very latest build they were showing at PAX, etc.
Thread[Unconfirmed] Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled will run at 60FPS on PS4 Pro and Xbox One X.
I played it last week on a PS4 Pro and it was 30 frames-per-second. Asked PR about whether there'd be a 60 frames-per-second option and they didn't know.
ThreadTetris Effect |OT| BOOM! Tetris from Mizuguchi
$199 with Spider-Man and sounds like there’s going to be lots of stock. If you can wait, get it then.
PSVR will also be on sale if you wanted to experience this in virtual reality, which I recommend.
ThreadFirewall Zero Hour |OT| Tactical Table-Tripping Shooter
Yeah, maybe we should look at altering wording attached to a 6/10 -- definitely food for thought. I'd hope that people would read the full review (or at least the conclusion) for the full picture, but we all know that's so often not the case.
With regards to the player population, it's definitely something we've raised in reviews before. I just think... Like your viewpoint is valid, but my job is not to sell copies of Firewall for First Contact. My job is to help people spend their money, and I just think if you're going to put £25 into this you have to be made aware that at best you're going to need some patience to find matches, and at worst you outright might not be able to.
Like I said, if it had some ways of mitigating this issue -- multi-round matches, bots to fill up slots, even a more interactive lobby -- I personally would have appreciated that and it would have been reflected in the review.
This is a problem that sadly affects so many games now, it's not just VR. Stuff like Laser League has run into similar issues, but that at least has local play.Fair enough, perhaps my conclusion could have been worded better, which is definitely feedback I'll take on board.
ThreadFirewall Zero Hour |OT| Tactical Table-Tripping Shooter
Well the first thing I'd say is that a 6/10 is bad on our scale at all. I know that other sites have completely ruined the review scale and there's nothing I can do about that, but for us a 6/10 is 'Not Bad'. This is what our review scale states:
"An above average experience with some flaws, you may still enjoy these titles. A release awarded this score may have evident ambitions which aren't properly realised, or obvious shortcomings which detract from the overall experience."
I must admit I've been quite taken aback by the overwhelming enthusiasm for this game. I think it's great that people are enjoying it enough to treat it like an 8/10 or a 9/10, but I can't see it.
I think when you're playing, aside from some minor PSVR Aim Controller drift, it's really fun; I like what the virtual reality adds to the experience, both in terms of letting you intuitively lean out of cover and naturally survey your surroundings, but I spent most of yesterday playing and I just didn't get anywhere near as much game time as I'd hoped I would. The single player stuff is token, and I'm not a fan of the co-op either, so it leaves the 8-player mode. But I spent so much time sitting in lobbies it was insane.
I think, for me, when you're designing a multiplayer-only game and you're not Call of Duty or Battlefield, you've got to think about how you're going to make the experience fun for a potentially small pool of players. Why not put a shooting gallery in the lobby, for example, so I can do something while I wait? Or, and I know it potentially goes against the tactical gameplay, but why not fill out missing player slots with a bot? I dunno, the whole issue is exacerbated by the single round format and the host connection issues.
I could have waited for a patch and to see how things developed over the coming weeks, but it's never been our prerogative to wait to review a game that's for sale now. I'll definitely be revisiting it over the coming weeks, though, and if it develops a steady community or gets some updates that dramatically improve things, there's always scope for an update or (potentially) a re-review.
But I've been shocked by the reaction to that review to be honest. I thought it was really fair.
ThreadFirewall Zero Hour |OT| Tactical Table-Tripping Shooter
Only got review code this morning at Push Square, hence the delay. I think Sony wanted to wait until it knew the servers would be populated, but it is a bit of shame because it's going to delay reviews from coming out.
ThreadWith PS5 looming, Sony shutting down first party servers and lack of backwards compatibility is any one else rethinking investing in Dreams?
PS4 is one of only two mainline PlayStation platforms to not support backwards compatibility. The other one is the PSone.
I understand their support for it has been poor this generation, but Sony kinda set the precedent to begin with, no?
ThreadPush Square Opinion: Sony's Server Shutdown Strategy Is Making the Publisher a Laughing Stock
PSN Profiles only tracks people who sign up for the site. It's currently tracking 3.9 million PSN accounts, and we know there are over 100 million worldwide I believe.
ThreadDev: Days Gone Has ‘Astronomical’ Permutations That Make Predictability Impossible and Gameplay Awesome
When I played it at the recent preview event I did get a sense of some of the things they're talking about. Your bike is definitely your "haven" when you're in the open world, and so if you let it get wrecked or run the fuel down, you can potentially find yourself in real trouble.
I personally think it's very cool, but not sure whether it will grate when you're in the back-half of the game. Having said that, I'm sure you can start to upgrade stuff to make it less of a concern later on.
ThreadSony showing their games so early: Was it a net negative or positive for them in your opinion?
At this stage, I guess you could probably say it was a negative. That said, we pretty much knew Naughty Dog was working on The Last of Us 2, so there was no real benefit in keeping that secret. And I think Kojima is such a prestige thing for them, they wanted to get news about that out early. Not to mention, Kojima himself had clearly missed the limelight.
ThreadState of Play (March 25th) |OT| Sir Dan where art thou
Yeah but the thing is Sony as a company probably is excited by the stuff they showed. I'm sure they're pretty proud of the Iron Man VR project, for example, as that will be a big seller for them. It's good bundle fodder, too. Same applies to everything else that was shown.
It seems that we're quickly reaching a point now where none of these companies can do anything because expectations simply can't be met. At some point you have to consider that the problem may be with the audience, which is borderline insatiable at this stage.
Even if they'd have shown a new The Last of Us 2 trailer last night, plenty of people would have been whining because it's not a "new" game.
It's no surprise these companies go into communication shutdown. You just can't win with gamers anymore.
ThreadState of Play (March 25th) |OT| Sir Dan where art thou
If you take the obscene expectations out of it, as the editor of a PlayStation website, I much prefer this style of communication compared to the usual PlayStation Blog posts. Technically, they could have announced all this stuff over the course of the week via the PS Blog, but I feel like this is a much better way of doing it.
I still can't believe how angry some people get over things like this, but I suppose I should be used to it by now.
ThreadState of Play (March 25th) |OT| Sir Dan where art thou
I mean, I'm sure they'd like non-PSVR owners to see some of the PSVR content on the way and maybe consider getting a PSVR headset in the future. They're not advertising these games purely at headset owners: they want to show all PS4 owners that there's great PSVR content in development.
ThreadState of Play (March 25th) |OT| Sir Dan where art thou
I'm more looking forward to the meltdowns in the aftermath. Hoping to see some more Blood & Truth, though, personally. Looking forward to that one.
Thread(Opinion) Life Is Strange 2 is an ambitious disappointment
I think the first two episodes of Life Is Strange 2 have been pretty good, but I think DONTNOD may be fucked. I imagine Deck Nine are going to continue Max and Chloe's story, and whether that's right or wrong, they're going to become the series' "main" developers.
ThreadTalking Point: PS Now's Delivering Our Streaming Future, So Why Is Sony the Underdog? | Push Square
Thanks for sharing this article. I think the article illustrates a lot of the reasons why Sony is the underdog here, and that's been reinforced by a number of the posts. However, it is still the only functional streaming solution on the market to my knowledge. There's no guarantee that PS Now's issues won't also be shared by Stadia and Project xCloud.
Also, please note this was written before Stadia was officially announced. I think a lot of the points ring true, though.
ThreadSony's silence with PlayStation is just awful as there is no communication
You say you want Sony to take risks but from reading your posts it just sounds like you want them to make a very specific type of game you like that was once popular but is arguably a little out of fashion these days.
ThreadRelease Dates for Remaining Three Life is Strange 2 Episodes Announced
The thing with Life Is Strange 1 and Before the Storm is that they recycled a lot of the environments, but this is a road trip so they have to keep building unique sets. I think the vision for this project has just outstripped the actual realities of what's possible within the confines of the episodic model.
It doesn't help that Telltale collapsed since this debuted and it hasn't really resonated with fans of the original. (Even though I think the first two episodes have been excellent!)
ThreadSony's silence with PlayStation is just awful as there is no communication
It's clear that this is driving some people on this forum mad. I run Push Square so I directly benefit from a more open and communicative Sony, but I'm pretty sure once they open the floodgates (and they will) we're going to be hearing from them a .
They're just waiting for the right moment, and they've earned that right I think.
ThreadJim Ryan to Be Appointed President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment
In this thread people will freak out because of an off-the-cuff comment he made about Gran Turismo once, but in reality this makes sense as Ryan is one of the main reasons behind PlayStation being a dominating force in Europe.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
It's really not as straightforward as this, though. There are so many components that go into a successful launch, and the thinner you spread those resources, the more challenging it becomes to execute effectively. Hence, products are sent to die.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
There's only so much marketing budget, time, and space in the market anyway. The more games you end up making, the more certain people in this thread will be whining the software got "sent out to die".
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
This. If nothing else, the Quantic Dream thing is probably about them maintaining that relationship. QD likely wanted to put the games on PC, and Sony worked out a way to make it happen.
ThreadNPD February 2019: Anthem #1, Jump Force #2, Far Cry #4, Metro #8. Switch #1 Hardware
I never really bought this idea that Game Pass increases sales to be honest. I know there’s more evidence to the contrary that people will throw at me, but I think if Marvel’s Spider-Man and Super Smash Bros are available as part of $10 subs, they sell significantly less at full-price than they would without.
I know there’s an argument for recurring revenue and stuff like that, but I just don’t see how cheap subs can significantly drive full-price game sales without simultaneously impeding them.
They really need to lift the NDA. Like, I get it, but getting people sharing amazing shit is literally way to sell this game. It markets itself once you've got people creating extraordinary things!
Run like shit is an exaggeration. I noticed some minor stuttering in the three hour demo while riding the bike through the open world. I didn't encounter the horde so can't comment on that.
My guess is that it's not going to be locked 30 frames-per-second, but I imagine the final build will come close. It definitely does not run like "shit", just a few hiccups.
I also didn't find any of the giant hordes in the demo. Obviously they're still in there, I just think they were focused on showing the rest of the game as they've done demos focusing specifically on the horde in the past.
I never got around to contacting the mods about it. I'm happy to sport one if someone sees my post, but I like being a "regular" member of the community as well to be honest.
I really liked the demo at EGX personally, but I obviously went into it with the prior knowledge and context of knowing exactly what it is. I'd never seen the visual novel before and some of the presentation tricks in that blew my mind, while the short snippet of the campaign reminded me how great Media Molecule is at actually making .
I dunno, I still think this thing is going to blow up when the beta drops. The PR right now almost doesn't matter because the day the beta goes live and someone's made a rhythm game with an electro remix of Sweet Child O' Mine, it's going to go viral.
It's imperative they get the beta absolutely spot on, because that's what's going to sell the game more than anything else.
The game is pretty good. It is an amalgamation of stuff you’ve already played but I do think there’s more than enough character to make it work as its own thing.
It’s pretty much exactly what you think it is to be honest. There’s a lot of care and love been invested into it and I think it’s going to be better than people expect, but it’s also not a ground-breaking GOTY candidate like God of War, which is fine.
I thought the shooting was pretty good, and they’ve massively improved the sound effects. There seems like there’s absolutely loads to do, and I love the tension that extends to every corner of the open world. You constantly feel under equipped, which is cool.
I get it, I really do -- but I think sometimes you can just follow a game closely. I've been reading your posts for a while and it's almost like they've soured you on a game that you were once excited for. But I think... Like, that's inevitable if you soak up every single piece of media they put out.
Maybe the streams were a bad idea to begin with and they should just go dark until it's ready to come out.
People in this thread should understand better than everyone how ambitious this project is. I understand there's frustration over release dates etc, but these streams are just designed to show Media Molecule faffing with the tools. I'm not sure why any expectations are attached to them really.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
I personally don't really agree. I think they have their roadmap internally and they're going to stick to it. They may throw out a bone by putting in a press release that they're "hard at work on the future of PlayStation and will have more to share soon" but I don't think they'll be pressured into changing their plans personally.
Sony hasn't really been reactive to anything for years, so I just don't seem them changing that tactic. They'll have their roadmap and if they're confident in it they'll just keep going.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
The thing is that every single article written about Microsoft's plans will mention Sony in some way or another. Either it'll be a footnote about how a new PlayStation is expected to be announced at some point, or it will be discussed many times in the articles themselves. There's simply no escaping the elephant in the room -- whether Sony announces or not.
Microsoft has talked and talked and talked and talked this generation. We had 18 months of endless Scorpio speculation, years of Power of the Cloud chatter, and their executives are rarely ever not doing interviews. Personally I believe they do this because it's the only way they keep Xbox in the media cycle, but Sony has no such problem.
I personally don't think they need to talk about next-gen just because Microsoft wants to. What they do, however, need to do is get back in the media cycle a bit because they've gone too far the other way lately. It was cool, for example, to hear from Layden the other day.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
This is also a very salient point. It's all too easy to get caught up in the ResetEra bubble, but obviously PlayStation is absolutely everywhere. FIFA ads are covered in PS branding, they've all the Champions League stuff, and I'm sure they have lots lined up for the rest of the year. I think I read somewhere they spend more on marketing than anyone else.It's a very fair question! Microsoft are the masters of this, I think -- they literally never shut up without saying anything at all. To be totally truthful, I don't really have an answer for you here, but I did really enjoy the string of interviews Layden did recently. I don't think we'd properly heard from him in months, so I personally enjoyed reading those.
You're right, though, it's all "hardcore bubble" stuff. The wider world doesn't really give a crap what the executives at any of these companies are saying.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
You can tell just by looking at the threads on Era's homepage that we're about 18 months away from the start of a new generation, can't you? Some of the threads flying at the moment remind me of when GAF was convinced FIFA was going to be an Xbox One exclusive.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
The absolute best time, in my opinion, for Sony to release a "service" type multiplayer game is free-to-play alongside the launch of the PS5. I honestly believe they'd be pissing into the wind on PS4 with so many dedicated communities already out there, but if they can get out something really cool at launch of PS5 and then iterate on it throughout the gen, that's when the iron is hot.
But that's just my opinion.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
Yeahhh. I obviously don't want to police what people can talk about, but I'm finding myself glossing over so many threads these days because there's so much "X needs to buy Y" nonsense absolutely everywhere.
It's like sports fans who get more invested in the transfer sagas than what their team is actually doing on the pitch. Snooze-inducing.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
This whole acquisition thing really has people on this forum going bananas. I don't think some of you realise how detached you are from reality sometimes.
ThreadSony PlayStation: First Party Studios |OT4| Because we're skipping 3
It's just the point in the generation where people want the top dog to be neutered. Happens every generation.
Sony just needs to keep being cool and they'll be fine.
ThreadCommunity Spotlight: PlayStation VR |OT| Virtually A New Era
I don't think Bravo Team is quite as terrible as some of the reviews claim, but it's definitely not very good. I'm waiting to play more multiplayer before attaching a score, but... Impressions are up:
ThreadCommunity Spotlight: PlayStation VR |OT| Virtually A New Era
Not sure if already posted, but here's all my coverage of The Inpatient:
Despite the low score, I actually think there's things to like about this. The production values are high for PSVR, and I didn't mind the Move controls. I also like the way the world feels quite tactile. The story doesn't come together at all, though.