Art_Vandelay

I happen to live in the country with the largest number of unions per capita. So I am confident to say that, generally, unions do much, much more harm than good.

This is a tiny example.

@ThorsHammer Couldn't have said it better. Sony has spent millions developing and supporting this amazing platform that is not all that lucrative, and all people seem to do is complain about it. So tiring. Entitlement might just be the plague of the century.

I'm not saying Sony is doing any charity, but people need to see PSVR2 for what it actually is.

I'll repeat the same exact comment I wrote in the article about PlayStation's record 123 million active users, as this one precisely represents the other side of the coin:

The industry is in such a weird place right now. As PlayStation breaks record after record, layoffs and studio shutdowns have been happening every other week.

While the projected weaker economy surely plays a part, I think the main issue is far more concerning: gaming as a business is firmly marching towards an unsustainable model. AAA game budgets have simply reached a level where the tolerance to risk in unbearable.

The even more concerning thing is that these issues usually do not resolve by themselves without a hard crash.

To complement the original comment, I don't think Unity's fall from grace is simply because of the fee fiasco. We need to take a step back and understand that the whole mess happened exactly because of the state the industry is in right now. That is, Unity felt the pressure to do something to improve its results. And the fact that the best solution they came up with was that atrocious commercial model is the unequivocal proof of my whole point.

The industry is in such a weird place right now. As PlayStation breaks record after record, layoffs and studio shutdowns have been happening every other week.

While the projected weaker economy surely plays a part, I think the main issue is far more concerning: gaming as a business is firmly marching towards an unsustainable model. AAA game budgets have simply reached a level where the tolerance to risk in unbearable.

The even more concerning thing is that these issues usually do not resolve by themselves without a hard crash.

They're testing the waters. Microsoft knows that the "console wars" have been lost, so they're now moving in the direction of being mainly a publisher.

That explains the insistence in buying Activision, as it will potentially force Sony to play ball. Emphasis on "potentially", as it solely relies on COD keeping its relevance in the years to come.

Vertigo 2's release date has just been announced - January 15th. Please update the list. Nothing else matters. 🤘

@DoppiaD I know the feeling. 😉

Now, if you're like me and want to be systematic about it, I'd suggest having a look around the PSVR2 subreddit and searching for ways people have done it.

And lastly, there's a massive silver lining here: in the "quest" for those golden VR legs I, for once, discovered a plethora of amazing VR games that would have flown below my radar otherwise. So, enjoy the ride (pun intended).

@DoppiaD Dude, I almost cried the first time I played GT7 on PSVR2. I already owned a racing rig and bought the headset at launch primarily for this game, only to find out that my body was not ready for it at all.

But I diligently built my VR legs over the last 10 months to a point where I get zero motion sickness now. Of course, GT7 is very intense, and I still get that tingle when the car goes airborne on a rally track, but it's not uncomfortable. Actually, it's sheer fun.

The new Shinobi art style kind of kills the nostalgia factor for me. Not crazy about it. The others look fine.

Honestly, for me it would be much better to just bring to PS5 a selection of arcade perfect versions of original AM2 games, such as Out Run, Daytona, Sega Rally, G-Loc and After Burner. With decent wheel/HOTAS support, of course.

@PSme It could be something like "easy, normal, hard and auto".

@EVIL-C "Necessary for who, though?"

That's the point of my initial argument. It's for me. It's for the tech enthusiast who likes both cutting edge and the console experience. It's for the busy adult with disposable income who doesn't want to fiddle with drivers and DLLs outside or work. It's for people who want to play at the highest resolution and frame rate possible without putting up with PC's idiosyncrasies in their very limited leisure time.

And like me, there are millions out there. And it's great that Sony may give us the option. I just find it a little obnoxious when people state their opinion as if it were a consensus. "It's not necessary" implies a false generalization when, again, you actually mean "I personally don't want it".

As for Xbox, I don't think a mid-gen refresh will save it. But the lack of it will certainly contribute to widen the sales gap.

@EVIL-C Got it. I guess people haven't really been able to adapt to a new reality, where games take up to ten years to be developed. In addition, generation swaps have been incremental since the PS4, as opposed to the radical architecture changes we had until then. The Pro iterations simply fall into this more PC-like approach of iterative advancements. Lastly, generations used to last for about 4 years in the nineties, but that has been climbing steadily to the point where the current will last 8. So obviously, consoles now need a stopgap to stay current and relevant.

All that to say that, actually, the PS5 Pro is quite necessary. 😉 I just wonder how Microsoft will fare. They've been being destroyed in the console space lately and that gap will definitely increase if they insist on not releasing a more powerful Series X.

@EVIL-C Exactly my point.

@EVIL-C Strictly speaking, videogames are "unnecessary" in general. I think you mean you don't want it, which doesn't mean that other people might not.

@x3King84 People do forget it, but Sony is a hardware company first and foremost, isn't it?

I love hardware as much as games, so it's great that Sony give us enthusiasts the option, right?

Everyone else can just chill. Look, games take up to 10 years to be developed these days. We all need to adjust to this reality. The release cadence is getting slower, and that's the price we pay for the sheer complexity of current titles.

And c'mon, third party has been killing it this year. Can we just stop complaining and go play games?

I was skeptical until now, but the rumored specs do make sense. The star of the show here would be the fixed function hardware for both ray tracing and AI-based upscaling.

The RT part should serve as a nice bridge towards a path-tracing focused PS6. But the killer feature would be the NPU. UE5 games that employ its main features - Nanite, Lumen, virtual shadow maps - have been struggling to achieve good image quality on current-gen consoles, with resolutions reaching as low as 720p and lots of upscaling artifacts (note: FSR2 sucks).

So, a DLSS-like approach should work wonders. The rest of the specs are pretty standard iterative upgrades enabled by the more advanced process node (4nm versus the current 6nm).

Now, the big question is obviously the price. Judging by its rumored holiday 2024 release window, I'd speculate the current model will go down to $400 (with drive) and the Pro will be priced at $600 (no drive). But don't worry, you won't need a second job. Adjusting for inflation, the $600 price tag of the PS3 in 2006 would actually be equivalent to around $800 today.

It's funny how the two titles that the author cited as standouts by the end of the article are the ones I have no interest in. It's just probably an age thing, I guess.

It's also curious how the Shinobi remake looks remarkably similar to the recent-ish Streets of Rage 4, but the Streets of Rage remake in the trailer looks completely different. Not a big fan of this new Shinobi art-style, though. It kind of kills the nostalgia vibe by looking too contemporary.

I'm not holding my breath for the "more" thing, but put that together with the recent Daytona 2 emulation in Like a Dragon, and I wish we'd get an AM2 collection with proper wheel support (force feedback included, thanks). Maybe throw in some After Burner and G-LOC, and I'm good.

I all seriousness, is Sega sitting on a pile of gold, or am I simply out of touch? You'd have to be there to understand, but AM2 in the nineties was like nothing we've seen before or after in videogames. By partnering with Lockheed Martin, they managed to employ tech that was decades ahead of its time in the context of games. But not only that; the games themselves were crazy good. What a time that was.

@Godot25 You might have missed it, but both Bethesda and Bungie were promised some level of independence when these deals were announced. Just about enough to make them complacent.

Then Microsoft has reportedly pulled the reins after the Red Fall debacle, and now we get this new report on Bungie.

@Th3solution Good point. I should have said that doing it right is an obvious move. And that raises another point: Sony is in a unique position to do so, since it has arms in both music and motion pictures. Which just reenforces my initial argument.

And it goes to show how clueless people are when they get defensive and "gate keepy". The most common comment (by far) we heard when these movies and shows were initially announced was "uh, we don't need a that".

Human nature at its finest.

As soon as a studio secures the financial stability that comes with sealing an M&A deal, the basic incentive to work one's ass off goes away.

This "will remain independent" kind of promise is an obvious trap. One that caught the likes of Bethesda and now Bungie.

But Microsoft and Sony have figured that one out. Better late than never. You want to remain independent, don't sell out.

Honestly, this move from Sony is so ingeniously obvious that one wonders what took them so long.

I see a lot or articles trying to pinpoint the reason why PS5 is doing so well, and I almost never see this multimedia strategy mentioned.

Outside of the hardcore gamer bubble, the success of shows like the TLOU adaptation goes a long way into nudging consumers towards Sony's platform.

Picture this: dude watches the show and, months later, decides to buy a console. He shops around a bit trying to decide whether he should get PlayStation or Xbox. As soon as he comes across some TLOU ad or listing, the decision is made.

@__jamiie Dude, if you can manage to complain about the lack of PSVR2 games in a month like December (RE4, Arizona Sunshine 2, Vertigo 2...), you are impossible to please.

I know, I know... "not first-party". Listen, we got GT7 and Call of The Mountain at launch. Not bad in my book, but does it really matter where the games are technically coming from?

Where do you think the money to fund the VR mode of games such as RE8 and RE4 is coming from? These are PSVR2 exclusives, so Sony is obviously funding them in a second-party capacity.

Do I want Astrobot? Sure. Maybe a VR mode for TLOU? Of course. But try to enjoy the multitude of games that are already available and have a little patience. Bitching about the fallaciously "lack of games" for PSVR2 only contributes to consolidate this toxic, negative, tiring narrative around the headset.

@NeonPizza I do think micro-OLED will be affordable by then. The reason is that pretty much all high-end headsets coming out now and in the next few years are adopting it. And this means economies of scale will gradually bring the cost down.

Now, although it's fun to speculate on this stuff, I do want to convey the following: PSVR2 is a fantastic headset that, in my opinion, makes the right compromises. So, I don't really care about the bulky design, the controller rings, the wire, mura, reprojection, or any of that negative stuff. I'm actually having the best time of my gaming life, at least since the good old Sega Genesis days. Gaming finally feels exciting and fresh again. And that is what matters at the end of the day.

Good conversation, though. 🙂

@NeonPizza I hate to be the one to crash your dreams, but this hypothetical PSVR2 revision is never gonna happen. Sony is clearly not putting that kind of R&D effort at the moment, and rightfully so. Listen, VR is the only kind of gaming I do these days, but I won't let my bias obscure reality. VR is niche. For now, at least.

I still believe VR will hit mainstream eventually, but that will take many years. And until that point, Sony will invest the bare minimum to keep a foothold in this industry segment.

With that said, it's always fun to speculate. So here's my wish list for a potential 2029 PSVR3 headset:

• 4K per eye micro-OLED displays.
• Pancake lenses for large sweet spot and edge-to-edge clarity.
• Dedicated wireless connection.
• Small form factor with sleeker design.
• Improved weight balance.
• High-res LiDAR for super accurate tracking.
• Self-tracked controllers (not hopeful on that one).

@NeonPizza There is an excellent article on UploadVR titled "Meta Quest 3 & Apple Vision Pro Production Costs Estimated by Supply Chain Analyst Firm".

According to the article, Quest 3's display costs $80 whereas Vision Pro's costs Apple an eye watering $700. Quest 3's display is LCD, whereas PSVR2's is OLED. So, it's probably higher than $80 but certainly well below the cost of the exotic micro-OLED.

@Discol76 It was a very gradual process for me. I initially tried a few games with full locomotion in addition to the aforementioned GT7, and quickly realized I wouldn't be able to enjoy them until I grew some VR legs.

So I turned to more stationary games such as Tetris Effect, Drums Rock and Moss to get more acclimated to the headset. More importantly, I played games with constant speed motion like Thumper and games with teleportation like Zombieland. BTW, all excellent games. And finally, I also played Horizon Call of The Mountain in short sessions, since it offers great comfort settings despite being full locomotion.

So, I gradually increased the length of my sessions. The trick here is to balance the following: go for as long as you can handle, but don't force yourself. Doing so, can create a negative feeling towards VR.

The length of time itself really varies from person to person. In my case, using GT7 as a barometer, I was able to play for about 10 minutes straight after a couple months. Now, after about 6 months, I can play it for about an hour until I feel like taking a break. But there are still some situations that can hit me immediately, like one nasty accident the other day that sent my car spinning out of control for a few seconds. I guess the incredible immersion will always have a price. 🙂

As for full locomotion games, I've been playing RE8 and I can comfortably do it for about an hour or so. Sometimes, up to two hours. I think I still have quite some room for improvement so, like I said in the beginning, it's a gradual process. A rather enjoyable one though, as VR is amazing.

I don't care which one it will be next, as long as there's a VR mode. To me, RE8 in VR is the most impactful videogame experience I've had since Daytona USA in 1994, along with GT7 VR.

@NeonPizza Whoa, you're describing a $2.000 headset there, especially with the micro-OLED. Maybe by the end of the decade but, for now, I must say I'm more than happy with my PSVR2. I think it makes the right compromises.

@OldGamer999 I've been hearing that "there will be no next-gen consoles" mantra for a couple of decades now. I doubt it will materialize anytime soon.

And TBH, maybe it's the other way around. The Steam Deck is a hit not only because it's portable, but also because it offers a consolized PC experience.

Consoles just offer an unbeatable experience to the average consumer, from value to convenience.

@JSnow2 I kind of share your concern, but the market has a way of balancing things out organically.

Think about it: if Xbox is doing so badly, maybe it's because there's no room for a third player. And if there is room for a third player and Microsoft is simply screwing things up, someone will inevitably rise from Xbox's ashes.

You can't "force" competition.

@Shepherd_Tallon If Microsoft would pull out of the console business, GP on PlayStation could actually be the full-fledged service. It would be no different from other services such as EA's or Ubisoft's.

And if that scenario materialized, Game Pass would surely be a different service by then, adapted to that new reality.

@get2sammyb It could be a problem if Microsoft would stick to consoles. Having Xbox games on PlayStation could cause some gamers to gravitate to an Xbox console come next-gen.

It could happen, but there's an obvious condition: Microsoft would have to go the way of Sega and completely exit console hardware manufacturing.

I actually see that happening as early as next-gen. Let's face it: Xbox has just not been competitive. And they desperately need to put GP on other platforms, because having a subscribers base in the hundreds of millions is the only way the service will be profitable.

Sounds like a win for everyone, even though a less competitive landscape in console hardware might be a concern.

@The_Pixel_King Hey, I'm sorry about your health issues. That's the one thing that matters above all else. I hope you've been able to land on your feet.

Now, it's funny you mentioned the 3D effect, because that was the first thing that stood out to me when I tried the headset. The perception of depth totally tricks the brain into believing you're actually there. Sure, that sense is complemented by the 6DoF tracking, but the 3D depth of VR is what killed flat-screen gaming for me.

Getting back to racing, I've also driven a 458 on a track in Vegas, and GT7 in VR with a decent set of wheel and pedals gets surprisingly close. In fact, the brain sort of fills in the gaps by creating a false sense of G-force, and I'm really not exaggerating. But granted, the force feedback from the wheel does a lot here.

Just be aware of simulation sickness, as it affects something like 40% of users. My heart sunk the first time I tried GT7 in VR. I felt so immediately ill that I thought I would never be able to overcome it. But I did over several months, so it is doable and totally worth it.

@Trousersnake I know.. it all adds up, doesn't it? 😓

@The_Pixel_King I see your point, having beaten the three big bangers on the platform. But I'll tell you: the difference is so stark, that it would really be like playing those games for the first time.

Do you own a good set of wheel and pedals? Because that really elevates GT7 to the pantheon of greatest gaming experiences ever. But granted, I love cars.

Now, if you're really tempted, I'd find a way to try out PSVR2 before you buy. On the one hand, no words here can really convey how much of a step up it is compared flat-screen gaming. But on the other hand, it's certainly not for everyone.

And as a final note, don't get too hung up on the lack of big AAA titles. I initially bought the headset mainly for GT7, but went on to discover a plethora of incredible games that I wasn't aware of. To give one notable example, Tetris Effect is as close as one can get to having a religious experience with games. It's a mind worm.

@Trousersnake Yeah, but I'd consider a tie between RE8 and GT7.

Totally different experiences, each of which are mind blowing in their own way.

Granted, GT7 requires a good set of wheel and pedals for the most authentic experience. But honestly, it might edge out RE8 for the petrol heads like me.

@The_Pixel_King I'd argue RE8 and the upcoming RE4 would be reason enough to get PSVR2. And GT7 of course, but not everyone is into racers.

I'm currently playing RE8 on PSVR2 for the first time. I've held off from playing it on the flat-screen, and man oh man... I just can't go back to flat now. The sense of presence provided by VR just elevates the game to a whole new level. It's another kind of experience, really. And the shooting... well, it now feels like shooting.

It's genuinely mind-blowing.

@TrickyDicky99 I'd rather keep my head buried in my PSVR2 headset. I'm now playing RE8 for the very first time, and dude... I'm genuinely having the time of my life when it comes to videogames. This is my child's dream come true.

And to think RE4 is just around the corner... and I obviously haven't touched the flatscreen version... gives me the chills (quite literally).

This was one of my favorite games of 2019. So here is hoping a PSVR2 mode comes along with AC8.

The sheer variety of game mechanics, environments and characters/enemies in that trailer is staggering. And when you consider that this game was made by a sole developer.. it's mind bending.

That's the exact same thing with PSVR2 that people don't seem to get. It's a value add. You buy a PS5 over an Xbox because it offers many more options down the road. Yes, the games are great, but the ecosystem is all that richer and more vibrant.

At the end of the day, the individual performance of a given peripheral or even game may not matter if it benefits the platform as a whole.

Ah but, you know.. monthly active users, player engagement and so on. Those are the metrics that really matter, right? Right?

@LifeGirl You mean they'll be forced out of the console business like Sega.

There's also that other quote from Zelnick when he stated that the Game Pass model was not fit for the games industry. I guess he was spot-on.

Of course, when I refer to the "GP model" I'm considering day-one releases as the main culprit.

That actually makes me think: it's sort of a given that Microsoft could not sustain the backlash of reverting the day-one thing. Sure, early access is arguably exactly that, but I believe they'll be forced to go further. Do quote me on that one.

@ThomasHL That puts in perspective that infamous Phill Spencer quote, huh?

"There is no world where Starfield is an 11 out of 10 and people start selling their PS5s". The guy is a d*ckhead, but not stupid.

I imagine Phill now looking at MW3's reception as the words "Satya - Incoming call" come up on his phone.

@ILikeStake What anti-consumer policies are you referring to?