Fath

@get2sammyb Hey Sammy, I want to point out that you have a pretty big typo in the availability window of the free theme here - it's available from November 19th-21st, not December (the confusion seems to be coming from the skins pack, which is available for a full month instead of the 48 hours of the theme). From the source articles:

"We’ve also teamed up with PlayStation to create and release a new Uncharted 10th Anniversary PS4 system theme and profile avatar, which will be available for free for 48 hours — from Sunday, 19th November at 4PM GMT/5PM CET until 4PM GMT/5PM CET, Tuesday, 21st November. During this period, other select Uncharted PS4 system themes and avatars will also be free. Visit PlayStation Store and look for an 'Uncharted 10th Anniversary Bundle.' Don’t miss it.

For our multiplayer fans, from today until 19th December, we’re giving away an Uncharted 10th Anniversary character skin bundle in Uncharted 4 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy multiplayer, which includes some classic skins for Nate, Elena, and Sully. We’re also hosting a 50% off sale on all Uncharted Point and Relic items until 19th December."

@lixei32 Eh, I'm dropping my comment. I could muse over this issue more, but I need to focus on other things this morning.

@Kidfried I'm not sure calling it an "exploratory patent" makes it any better; if they didn't intend to actually use it, that's pretty much a euphemism for patent trolling.

Patents are meant to do societal good by incentivizing R&D to get new technology out into the world. The way they've been twisted and weaponized as tools to stake out claims and cover butts without actually delivering innovations to market is a perversion of their purpose.

I guess it's possible two wrongs could make a right in this case, if Activision were to come out and say "We have no intention of using these horrible tactics, and we patented them to make sure nobody else could either," but that'd be some dark, dark juju.

@1ManAndHisDroid I've never seen a Kinder Egg 'round these parts, but from your description, yes, buying one would be gambling, if there was a real or perceived difference in value between the figures inside (or to put it another way, if you were buying a Kinder Egg not for the chocolate, but for the non-guaranteed outcome of getting a specific figure or type of figure you wanted).

I'm glad you brought that up, though, because it illustrates a second, bigger point that I didn't want to clutter my first post with: that the concept of "is this gambling" really can't and shouldn't be used as a shorthand for "should this be banned" or even "should this be regulated" (and the two are definitely not the same thing).

Yes, gambling is pleasurable. That doesn't mean it's evil. There are forms of gambling that are socially acceptable and forms that aren't, and a range of appropriate regulation in between. The difference between Kinder Eggs and slot machines isn't just that one is gambling and the other isn't, or even that one has a guaranteed payout while the other doesn't. There's a lot more to it than that.

Things like loot boxes deserve a nuanced discussion not about whether or not they should be regulated because they are or aren't gambling, but about whether or not they should be regulated because they harm consumers through deceptive rates of return (like their cousin, gacha mobile games, where people can drop thousands of dollars on "featured" units without getting them) or through provoking addiction, or even just because they're degenerate for the video game industry as a whole.

By dismissing all of that as "we're not going to regulate it because it's not gambling, and it can't be gambling because it's like this other thing that people don't regulate," the ESRB is sidestepping its duty and forgetting the entire point of why they regulate "gambling" in games in the first place.

Of course loot boxes are gambling - trading card packs are too, obviously.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gambling
1 a :to play a game for money or property
b :to bet on an uncertain outcome
2 :to stake something on a contingency :take a chance

Whether or not you have a chance at getting absolutely nothing back isn't the deciding factor of gambling - it's throwing money at that element of chance, whether it's nothing vs something, or something mediocre vs something great. Trading card or loot pack buyers are chasing the same I-feel-lucky thrill as anyone in a casino.

By the ESRB's logic, you could put a $1 slot machine in a day-care center as long as you replaced all the losing rolls with $0.01 payouts.

Nature at work - in the sense that service-based games are like a hyperaggressive weed or pest species that outcompetes native species and starves them of nutrients (players/money).

They'll naturally crater the biodiversity of the greater gaming ecosystem until an equilibrium is reached or evolution finds a way to coexist with them. It might be possible to control them through artificially applying weed-killer (government regulation) or by releasing their natural predator (???) into the environment as well, but coordinating action on that level is more often than not a nonstarter.

Best bet for survival in such an ecosystem is to quickly adapt yourself into a specialized extremophile niche. Life'll be tough, but you'll have room to breathe. In the meantime, cherish the endangered species (fully offline AAA games) while they - what's that? They're gone already? Well, it was nice while they lasted.

It's worth mentioning that for anyone who has (much) more money than luck, this CE is still available and in-stock in both Square Enix's European and North American online stores.

One could speculate that charging $200 (or local equivalent) for little more than the game, soundtrack, and set of small plastic busts may have been a poor business decision on SE's end. There's no begrudging it in a free giveaway, though - good luck to all you entrants!

The game isn't not coming to the west because it's "pervy." It's not coming to the west because when Western gamers see a VR game about bonding over tutoring a Japanese girl in English or an American girl in Japanese, instead of thinking "wow, what a fascinating experience that would be to play," they apparently think "wow, what kind of desperate perv would get his jollies from that stupid junk."

@Tasuki Well you see, the image is trying to express how everything in that guy's life is devoid of impact or purpose: his furniture has been reduced to hard, sterile cubes, the shrub in the corner is a bleached, lifeless skeleton, the room itself - and by extension, his sense of home - is vague and lacks definition, and the color has been sapped from everything, leaving the world a dull, featureless grey.

The only thing left to him (and, by extension, the viewer) is the picture on his Sony XBR55A1E Ultra High-Definition OLED 4K, which is so realistic that it's become his reality, leaving him transfixed and hypnotized by a world he can never touch while everything else, even his own self, forever dissolves into unseen abstraction.

It's a surprisingly frank commentary on modern society's relationship with television for a tv manufacturer to be making, really.

Sony's sales were great, back when they had to work to win customers in a competitive market - ie, the PS3 era. I still remember their "Deals Under $1" sale (https://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/03/20/flash-sale-now-live-deals-under-1/ ), with $10, $15, $20 games slashed down to umder a dollar. Now THERE was a sale, the likes of which I've never seen in the PS4 era (discliamer: I don't subscribe to Plus).

If Sony's mastered anything, it's the art of getting people hyped for honestly lukewarm sales like the "up to 60% off" one in this story's graphic.

I swear I'm not stalking this game, really, but on my regular afternoon news trawl I stumbled across this secondhand twitter explanation that the game was removed to "change the game's name & not mention trophies in the Store trailer."
https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/880251224699707393

@get2sammyb As if you didn't have enough burning hatred for this game yet, its developers - exploitatively named "Top Rated" themselves - are in fact the same ones that graced the store with the Covfefe theme.

Also, I can't seem to access the game page on the online store, or even find it on PS4 (don't worry, I wouldn't think of giving them money). Is it possible the travesty's already been taken down?

edit: It's also conspicuously absent from the list of this week's new releases on the PSN blog: https://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/06/23/the-drop-new-playstation-games-for-6272017/

To be fair, the aesthetics of the theme are fairly classy.

I'm not actually as offended by the theme itself as I am by it being published by an entity named "Top Rated." Y'know, so it shows up in the store as

Covfefe Dynamic Theme
Top Rated
Dynamic Theme | Released Jun 16, 2017.

Note to self: remember to download this demo, like all PSN demos, on secondary PSN account so it doesn't remain in my PS4's library for all eternity.

Otherwise, cool.

I really don't see a problem with this. Actual content is supposed to be the good type of DLC, remember?

The main story arc of three episodes is effectively priced at £4.66/$5.66 per episode, and the bonus "fanservice" episode (in the least lewd sense of the word) commands a slightly bumped price point of £6.00/$8.00. Completely reasonable.

The only possible outrages I see here are that the stripped-down edition is marketed as "Complete," or if the bonus episode isn't made available for purchase separately. That'd be kind of a jerk move.

Huh, I wasn't aware Coco Bandicoot had grown into a valley girl who uses the same color for her eyeshadow that she does for her lipstick (esp. apparent paused at 0:33 in the video).

That's unfortunate.

Ok, not really having followed any news about this game, giant snake + Norse setting has to equal Jörmungandr (aka the Midgard Serpent, or World Serpent, whose awakening heralds the coming of Ragnarok), right?

I mean, I can't be anywhere close to the first person to make that connection, but yeah, that seems like it could play a sizable plot role.

All I hear when I read this article (admittedly, never having gotten around to playing the original) is "We nerfed the living hell out of the game so the Twitter generation can breeze through it without getting bored, we hope."

@JoeBlogs I only skimmed the video to limit spoilers for myself, but if it follows the Banjo-Kazooie design model, then enemies for the most part exist to populate the world and keep you alert and engaged in performing actions as you traverse it, not so much to deliver the main challenge of the game. The core of the game will be platforming, exploration, and tool usage, not combat.

That's not to say the enemies shouldn't ramp up in aggression or provide setpiece encounters as the game goes on - to use the original BK as an example, those snowmen in the mid-late-game ice world can go to hell and melt - but I'd propose that as a rule of thumb, if you're moving forward and encounter an enemy, most of the time you'll be able to either kill or avoid without slowing your forward momentum if you handle the encounter correctly.

You've got places to go, and it feels good to be able to get there without getting slowed by anklebiters.

With the vibrantly otherworldly world Playtonic's set out to create (which I can totally get behind), it seems their original sin was letting the messy real world sink its hooks in by giving an internet celeb a cameo in the first place.

Gonna shrug my shoulders at this and make a mental note never to make irrelevant pop culture references in any work of art I might create in the future. The real classics are timeless.

Well, now I've seen Everything.

If the entire development of this game was just a backdrop and excuse to publish that lovely narration, it would have been a worthwhile endeavor.

Not having played the game myself yet, and being a, er, European-descended American, all the imagery I've seen, featuring the protag, is clearly Native American in theme. I'd be legitimately interested if someone could point me to some screenshots showing off the more Celtic or Viking elements.

Also from my perspective, the term "brave" sounds, if not derogatory, at least incredibly stilted. It calls way too much attention to itself. For that reason alone, though I'm not somebody who'd be offended by it, I can't picture myself not cringing at hearing it. I'll be curious to see, someday, if it really is as awkward in use as I imagine.

This article's tone was rather unprofessional. I really need to get around to finding a Playstation news site instead of a Playstation fansite sometime. News sites don't troll their readers.

Yeah, I'm triggered. Deal with it.
[edit: just to be clear, I didn't think the item needed to be changed - but that's not the point here.]

@CountFunkula78 True, but I should've expressed better that my point wasn't so much about selling strictly at a loss, but about the market leader taking on whatever new losses are necessary to drive the newcomer out. I may go back and edit sometime.

"Kicking 'em while they're down" could be another term applied.

Far be it from me to begrudge people getting a good deal on a PS4, but while a market leader deliberately selling their product at a loss to drive out a new entrant from the market may be good business, it's very doubtful whether it's ultimately consumer-friendly.

And yes, I know Nintendo hardly qualifies as a new entrant (though with their market share, they may as damn well be), but the broad strokes are the same.

So how many more years do people think it'll be before game costs cross the one billion threshold? Five years is probably low, but how about ten? Surely not more than fifteen?

Has anyone ever looked at the classics of PS2 and prior generations and said "Those games were all right, but what those times were really lacking was ongoing content?"

As a lonely kid, I used to dream about being able to play my favorite games with online multiplayer someday, but that's about it.

I suppose the financial perspective to this could be that effort spent burnishing their flagship title - even that seems like too small a term - is effort spent burnishing the reputation of the company as a whole, and that'll pay off in future goodwill. It's really a very pro-consumer perspective, if my guess is on the mark.

I'm surprised and curious at how this could exist, from a technological perspective. My assumption was that PS4 saves were encrypted, in a reasonably modern format. If so, then either:

-There's a serious flaw in Sony's encryption scheme
-The program relies on computer resources to brute-force the encryption. If the encryption is light enough to allow it, that's is an option-one scale flaw in itself
-These guys have cracked or gotten ahold of Sony's encryption key, which raises the question of whether Sony could update the key without bricking millions of old saves
-Or it could all be a scam/hoax.

Very interesting.
[Edit: I think bullet-point display might be broken in the comment system here following the site update; I've had to intentionally mangle this comment's formatting so as not to trigger it]

Yeah, yeah, backstory, schmackstory.

Guillermo del Toro in a Speedo, Kojima. Make it happen.

Hmm. A game left unopened is like a candle left unlit - only valuable so long as it's not used, but only useful by destroying its value.

It's a sad thing, doomed to never fulfill its purpose.

@rjejr I propose the "Xbox Extreme S" if it's a new generation, or the "Xbox Extreme S One" if it's current-gen, so I can say "XboxES One is basically two Xbox Ones duct-taped together."

Disappointed that there's no mention of trying out the RE7 smellovision candle here D:
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2017/01/resident_evil_7s_wicked_candle_will_let_you_smell_the_game

@rjejr To be specific, that gif is the Wind Waker Link amiibo at play. It makes fish. And sometimes a chest. And yes, they fall from the sky.

Rated PEGI 18 for EXTREME KNEE NUDITY, apparently.

The Switch's install base is about 0 players, and there's, like, nothing on the shelves for it right now. Clearly, it's a failed console, and therefore no concern for Sony's releases.

Seriously, though, that would be terrifying.

Really wish they could've brought this to Vita too, though I know that's a pipe dream. Project Diva f is hands-down my most played Vita game, but trying out the free version of this on PS4 (on an Asian store) drove me absolutely bonkers with latency.

I really can't muck through the trouble right now of getting ahold of a proper wired PS4 controller, and even then possibly having to trash my tv if it turns out THAT'S where the lag is coming from, just to play a rhythm game.

Things are so much simpler on handhelds.

Isn't the subtitle just "Automata?" That's an actual word with an actual meaning and pronunciation. Plural of automaton.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/automata

Despite managing to this day to pretty much avoid spoiling it for myself, and having the demo registered to my account, I still can't ever play PT, since I bought my PS4 after Konami pulled it out of spite, right?

Yup, f*ck Konami.

Source of this article has been updated; Dec. 22 will be the worldwide date for this, not jus Japan. English press release:

All players can download a free update for the game that adds a NEW GAME+ feature allowing those who have completed the game’s main line story to start a new game with all previous gameplay data intact. Starting on the 22nd December, players will be able to get a new photo frame feature where players can choose from a variety of themed photo frames that can be applied to and accessorised with Prompto’s photographs.

Fans who hold the FINAL FANTASY XV Season Pass or own the FINAL FANTASY XV Digital Premium Edition will also have access to the Holiday Pack + DLC for even more exclusive in-game items.

The Holiday Pack (Free Version) will also be available for download next week offering fans a selection of useful accessories as well as a Carnival Passport for the Moogle Chocobo Carnival which takes place late January. The Holiday Pack (Free Version) includes:

Warrior’s Fanfare – A scroll of sheet music containing a song of jubilation that provides additional AP for earning an A+ in Offense outside of training.
Nixperience Band – A device that stops experience points from being tallied, preventing the party from levelling up for an added challenge.
Carnival Passport – An adorably adorned ticket that whisks the bearer away to a fun-filled carnival for a limited time.
Choco-Mog Tee (available late January 2017) – An exclusive T-shirt featuring everyone’s favourite fluffy and feathery friends. Colourful, comfy and appropriate for any carnival-goer.
The premium Holiday Pack + DLC includes:

Ring of Resistance – A protective piece of jewelry that renders the entire party to be resistant to magical friendly fire.
Tech Turbocharger – A device for Noctis that accelerates the tech bar replenishment rate, but freezes the Armiger bar.
Armiger Accelerator – A device for Noctis that accelerates the Armiger bar replenishment rate, but freezes the tech bar.
Blitzer’s Fanfare – A scroll of sheet music containing a song of jubilation that provides additional AP for earning an A+ in Time outside of training.
Tactician’s Fanfare – A scroll of sheet music containing a song of jubilation that provides additional AP for earning an A+ in Finesse outside of training.
Key of Prosperity – A lucky charm that increases the rate at which fallen foes leave behind items of value.
Stamina Badge – A device that enables Noctis to sprint and hang without expending stamina.
Carnival Passport – An adorably adorned ticket that whisks the bearer away to a fun-filled carnival for a limited time.
Festive Ensemble (available late January) – A fancy and fun outfit perfectly suited for enjoying the festivities. The darling design puts all who see it in high spirits
Holiday Pack + Exclusive Photo Frames (available late January) – Additional themes the player can add to Prompto’s photos when sharing over social media.
Players who have the Season Pass or the Digital Premium Edition should also download the Holiday Pack (Free Version) as the items will not be automatically downloaded.

This reeks of time-sensitive content, which is bad news for me. Hope I'm wrong.

Glancing at the content descriptors on the ESRB website, as far as the US is concerned, they may have been trying to shift this scene from a potential categorization of Intense Violence (M rating and up) to Fanstasy Violence (E rating and up):

• Intense Violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death
• Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life

Not that those descriptors are by any means objective or evenly-enforced in practice.

@Bliquid Side-by-side comparison (spoilery): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oLWZEIU8R74

Summary of the scene's content, scrubbed of context as best I can:
Both versions- A character states their intent to take a child (let's call them Doe)'s life. Then... Japanese version- The character runs Doe through with a weapon, depicted clearly, but in full silhouette. Western version- The character casts a spell that lifts Doe high into the air and surrounds Doe with big, flashy rings and seals of light for an extended length of time. The character stabs a small magical seal in front of them, and the spell shatters as Doe (in silhouette) is pierced by a large jagged X of light.

After watching both of them, they feel notably different, and I really respect the visceral impact of the Japanese version over the eye-rollingly overwrought Western version. I've also seen comments that the approach taken in this scene may have symbolic or substantive repercussions later in the game as well, but I don't know or want to know the details on what those might be.

Man, it's almost like developing a product for two SKU's takes twice the testing companies are used to. Le gasp!

Eh, I'll wait for the inevitable Kingdom Hearts (1.5 + 2.5 Remix) + (2.8 + 3 Final Cut) + 4.1 Multiball on the PS5.5 Pro VR slim.

As sleazy or counterproductive as this sounds, I wouldn't expect it to be legally any worse than the staid old business model of game rental. This is really just gouging people on a brief rental of a PSVR unit plus game or demo, under a condition of no removal.

@rjejr I could be wrong, but I seem to recall hearing that the Gamecube remake of Skies of Arcadia toned down the encounter rate somewhat.

@Kellanved I've been thinking about how I could answer your question, but I can't escape the feeling that whatever I say won't make a difference, since you're not likely to be swayed from your conviction that your position is the objective truth against which all subjective barbs break and shatter, and I'm probably the same way.

So let's just each agree that the other party has their head firmly stuck up their own butt, and let it go.