Comments 946

Re: PS5 Pro Can Run PS4 Games Better Via Improved Backwards Compatibility

Kienda

Does this mean they are locking features that could be available to all behind the big price tag?

My biggest fear with the pro is that 60fps will be reserved exclusively for the PS5 Pro and we will be stuck at 30fps for the base model PS5.

Devs could get lazy, or Sony could tell them to do that out of greed.

Re: Black Myth: Wukong's Xbox Delay Isn't Due to Platform Limitations, Says Microsoft

Kienda

It’s quite amusing seeing reactions to this saga on this site.

When the rumours started off people were dissing Xbox saying, “yeah, this isn’t Sony’s dodgy deals it’s Xbox being crap.”

Then when it was speculated that Sony might have made a deal, everyone was like, “I don’t believe that for a second. Sony normally makes a big deal and advertises it non stop.”

Now Microsoft have all but confirmed it’s the deal everyone is like, “Well, Microsoft does this too so they can’t complain, and I don’t even believe them anyway.”

We’ve become political campaigners mixed with conspiracy theorists (and I kinda like the latter so let’s keep them going).

Personally, I think Sony should have just let this release everywhere at the same time so the entire community could unite in enjoying the game… and laughing at the Series S performance problems together. 😅

Re: Final Fantasy 16 Seems to Be Free on PS Plus Extra, Premium Now

Kienda

@Waa-Laa I am about to start FF16 so your comment reassures me that I’m in for a good time.

I have played most FF games, and just recently completed FF15, which I actually loved. I only intended on finishing the story but got so engrossed in it I literally watched the Anime and movies, read the books, and am two achievements away from the Platinum (which I will get before I start my journey on 16).

I’m assuming because I was one of the few who loves 15, then 16 will also be a hit with me.

Re: Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions' Snitch Has Been Dramatically Nerfed on PS5, PS4

Kienda

I think in the books/films it makes sense because you can catch the snitch and still lose. And also games went on for days, weeks, even months. The record is 3 months because no one caught it. Also there was the rule of mutual consent to end the game without catching the snitch. Things like that.

In the video game, people will hate it if they can’t catch it because it’s so hard or if games go on for ages (or worse if there is a glitch or something to exploit). So just making it a bonus score and where games have a set time limit is more suitable for the video game.

Re: Black Myth: Wukong Is Blowing Up Big Time on PS5, PC

Kienda

@ChrisDeku I think you are actually making a great point about scores but people aren’t understanding it or aren’t willing to try understand.

If this game becomes the players game of the year, but is 77th according to critics (or worse by the end of the year) then I think that shows a massive disparity between the ‘industry’ and gamers themselves.

Edit: However, if it is just Chinese nationalism at play, then I guess the score is likely more accurate.

Re: Ubisoft Suggests More Development Time Required for Future Assassin's Creed Games

Kienda

@WhiteRabbit I think before when I replied to you I was putting emotion before knowledge. I have seen quite a few misteps being pointed out and maybe they aren’t from people acting in good faith. And I have seen first hand accounts of Japanese friends raising concerns. I think it’s likely some Japanese people will see something online or in the news and see it that people are insulting their culture. Whether it’s a correct perception or not, or whether it is widespread or not, is another thing.

@Northern_munkey I will admit I made a wrong assumption as to your knowledge on the subject so for that I apologise. I also note you said I came across as the sort to just argue endlessly. Which, actually, I also want to apologise for. Because if that’s how my posts come across then I think I need to work on how I word things and also maybe learn to take a level headed approach to these things. You got any links for finding wisdom? 😅

Re: Ubisoft Suggests More Development Time Required for Future Assassin's Creed Games

Kienda

@Northern_munkey thanks for providing that. I think you have misread me a bit as I am not an acolyte for a cause in this. I’m happy to learn and be corrected and change my view.

In fact @WhiteRabbit’s pointing out the inconsistencies with the criticism between two games has made me rethink some of this.

Clearly my view has been shaped by three things.

1. Japanese outrage / hurt (or at least my perception of that hurt).

2. Apparent lack of care from Ubisoft. (Example: claiming authenticity while using a knock off from One Piece.)

3. The apparent lack of authenticity. Which actually might not be as bad as I suspected. Or rather, not any different to other games and developers.

Re: Ubisoft Suggests More Development Time Required for Future Assassin's Creed Games

Kienda

@Northern_munkey I’m highlighting what Japanese people are pointing out and it includes inaccuracies in the main characters and in sub characters. None of the above comment I made pointed out things I noticed, but what I have seen Japanese people noting.

Neither you nor I have the historic knowledge to debate whether a black samurai or a female shinobi is historically accurate.

Let’s not fool ourselves.

Re: Ubisoft Suggests More Development Time Required for Future Assassin's Creed Games

Kienda

@WhiteRabbit

The problem with all of this is that people have their teams they support, their political leanings they are defending and so on.

I’m sorry to say that the sources you’re reading are not giving you the full picture (or you too are demonstrating those leanings).

This is not just a right wing thing in Japan. And it isn’t just a Western YouTuber thing making it a big deal here. It’s also not about racism. To suggest it’s all about that is to dismiss genuine concerns from the Japanese.

Is it the biggest news over there? No. Is there racism from extreme elements of Japanese politics? Sure. But there are also a lot of genuine, regular people who are saddened and offended by how their culture is being handled.

Ubisoft have made some massive missteps. Even claiming that they made a replica sword from the game and it was a One Piece replica sword they bought off Amazon.

It’s an absolute mockery of what they are trying to achieve. And it shows they have people working there who are either in over their heads or not genuinely concerned with the work they are producing.

Ubisoft’s reputation is being damaged not because of bad people online, but because of incompetent people working for them.

They could have produced a game that was worthy of their work and honourable to Japanese culture. But they have failed both and they are letting down themselves and the Japanese.

Will it still be a good game? Probably. But it could have been so much more.

Re: Ubisoft Suggests More Development Time Required for Future Assassin's Creed Games

Kienda

@chucksneed @WhiteRabbit

Actually the complete quote includes more than just architecture, but object placement, food etc and that they are dedicated to accuracy and taking the time to get it right.

But the initial sentence is: “We are trying to create a game that is as authentic as possible.”

The game is the whole thing.

They have failed in their quest to make the game authentic. Not only with the characters, but the way they act, the armour they use, the weaponry, banner styles, spelling mistakes, mixing different eras together, the clothing, plants, seasonal changes, harvest times and more. The list is massive. To top it off, they didn’t even get the architecture right. So you can’t even defend them with that.

Just listen to the Japanese. They are the ones micro-analysing everything and many aren’t happy. It’s become a national scandal.

And yet people have been defending Ubi saying “Well it’s not meant to be authentic.” Then when Ubi claims it is authentic they say, “Well they are only claiming this certain thing.”

The bottom line is Ubisoft are big enough and spending enough money on this to get it right. It’s their own fault for their incompetence.

Re: Dead Rising's PS5 Remaster Will Strip Bonus Points for Erotic Photos

Kienda

I’m very much a prude. No sex before marriage. No looking at porn. Dress appropriately. Etc.

However, I find it so stupid that the video game industry has wholesale glorified gore, violence, vulgarity, and swearing, but sex is too far.

Despite my personal feelings, there is no denying the female form is a beautiful thing. I would much rather someone is a little bit of a pervert over pixels than someone enjoy seeing excessive gore and violence.

In fact, Mortal Kombat (a game I wouldn’t play in a million years) seems to allow you to tear scantily clad women limb from limb. But if someone shows a woman’s panties or rewards cleavage shots, that’s a step too far?

I think we are giving in to the mob far too easily. I would equally defend both gore in games as much as sex in games, despite personally playing games with neither. And I think it’s wrong to change games to suit people who have no interest in the game other than destroying the enjoyment of the fans of the game.

I’m also quite a big fan of game preservation. So why not give the option to include it or remove it depending on the player?

Re: PS Portal Update 3.0.1 Allows Connection to 5GHz Public WiFi, Here Are the Patch Notes

Kienda

@thefourfoldroot1 I think it is something some people notice more than others. Kind of like 30fps and 60fps.

The problem was it happened everywhere in exactly the same way. Whether I was at home or at work. Even tried it on my brothers PS5 to see if it was my connection. I then used my laptop and tried it on all three places and didn’t have the problem.

The reason for it is lack of VRR integration. They designed it without it likely to save money as most would see past it. But it’s a known issue.

Unfortunately for me it’s a deal breaker and it’s a massive shame because I was really happy getting it. The screen is amazing. The controller felt great.

Gotta wait for the Portal 2 now.

Edit: It was all games I tested: Horizon Forbidden West, Final Fantasy 15, Rocket League and Astro Bot’s Playroom.

Re: PS Portal Update 3.0.1 Allows Connection to 5GHz Public WiFi, Here Are the Patch Notes

Kienda

Unfortunately I returned mine as I couldn’t cope with the screen tearing and no update can fix that.

My laptop, with VRR, gives me much smoother streaming and so I stuck with that instead. It is sad because the Portal is designed from the ground up for one purpose and gives a worse quality stream than a third party device that isn’t built for it.

The Portal is the only PlayStation peripheral I’ve returned because it just isn’t built for purpose (or at least the purpose I want: smooth streaming).

Re: Preview: There's Nothing Super About Marvel Rivals on PS5

Kienda

@Markatron84 yeah, the ‘our’ and ‘we’ terminology on the hook shot sites does not work for personal takes like this.

It is likely confusing to people who don’t know this is their style. New people to the site will think it’s the opinion of the entire website, not just one writer.

Why not let contributors have their own voice when giving their personal takes?

Re: Preview: There's Nothing Super About Marvel Rivals on PS5

Kienda

It doesn’t matter if this game is mid. What matters is that any kid who loves Marvel is going to love this game.

They will only care that they can be their favourite superheroes and fight other superheroes.

… and they likely don’t even know or care what an Overwatch or Concord is. 😅

Re: Re-Enactment Group Not Satisfied with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows Flag Apology

Kienda

@RoomWithaMoose I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m just saying that there is a clash of cultures that happens and trying to insert Western values into another culture doesn’t always work.

Ubisoft claim they are honouring a heritage, but they’ve misunderstood the culture entirely. They haven’t done their research and they’ve just copy and pasted from various places - even bought a One Piece replica sword off Amazon and claimed it as the replica of Yasuke’s sword.

It’s just shoddy, poor quality work from a team who are out of their depth.

But when you’re supposed to honour a culture and a growing number of that culture is offended. I will tend to defend that culture (especially as I have a vested interest in Japan). Not because I agree with everything, but because I think it’s wrong for others to talk down to them or tell them how they are supposed to feel.

And if you read my original comment, all I said was to see what the Japanese feel about this.

Re: Re-Enactment Group Not Satisfied with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows Flag Apology

Kienda

@RoomWithaMoose @DennisReynolds

By the way, I just wanted to point out. I don’t think the main problem with the game is the fact it has a Black lead.

The biggest problem is the team making the game simply copy and pasted stuff from museums, pictures, and apparently from Manga and enactment groups, and had no real knowledge about the subject they were meant to be honouring, and it shows. Ubisoft could even face court cases over this stuff.

It’s just a sad state of affairs all round and takes away from what the game could and should have been.

Re: Re-Enactment Group Not Satisfied with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows Flag Apology

Kienda

@RoomWithaMoose well, to claim a Black African is Japanese isn’t showing you understand Japanese culture (no offence). That’s not a minority view in Japan (looking aside from AC:Shadows), that’s a very common viewpoint.

Does that make it racist? Possibly. Xenophobic might be a more accurate. Or maybe they just have a different viewpoint.

And if you want to go down that route then 80% of the world’s population is racist and xenophobic, because there are a lot of cultures that clearly treat foreigners differently and put people of different colours and cultures into boxes.

It’s a big world out there and Western values are the minority, unfortunately.

Re: Re-Enactment Group Not Satisfied with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows Flag Apology

Kienda

@RoomWithaMoose I’m really sorry, but I think you probably just might not realise how different Japanese culture is to the West.

You are calling their views ‘racist’ because they are resistant to change. This is most obvious when you claim that Yasuke (a Black immigrant) ‘is Japanese.’

You are applying Western values to a different culture. My family is mixed/Asian/immigrant but it doesn’t matter what colour our skin is, we are also British.

In Japan today there are White/Black/Asian people born and raised in Japan to who speak Japanese as their first language and are culturally Japanese and yet still don’t consider themselves Japanese and would not be considered Japanese by the Japanese.

This isn’t racism (although some might see it that way and clearly there is racism in Japan) but rather Japanese people on the whole view Japanese people as people who are ethnically Japanese not culturally. Although they are welcoming to others.

There is also a strong emphasis on preserving their culture and heritage. Which is basically why Ubisoft is seen as missing the mark.

Re: Ubisoft Apologises for Using Re-Enactment Group's Flag in Assassin's Creed Shadows Art

Kienda

@PuppetMaster

Sorry, but I don’t accept that at all. Nothing I said was racist.

You literally misread what I said, wrongly represented it back to me and then after I explained myself you doubled down with the race card and falsely accusing me of something I never said.

That’s a real shame.

I thought we were just having a civil debate here not resorting to low level tactics to win an argument.

Re: Ubisoft Apologises for Using Re-Enactment Group's Flag in Assassin's Creed Shadows Art

Kienda

@PuppetMaster

I didn’t say ‘only’ Black people will like this game. I was emphasising how Black people will be extra appreciative of seeing a Black Samurai (and there is nothing wrong with that). I then said Westerners won’t see much of a problem compared to Japanese.

Thanks for implying I’m racist though. 😅

Anyways, you’re Asian? Cool beans, so is my family! But why didn’t you say, “I’m Japanese.” You are not Japanese, right? So are you implying that all Asian cultures are the same and we all look the same? That because you’re Asian you speak on behalf of all Asians? Just because you are not offended does that mean the Japanese cannot have their own feelings?

(See how I can misuse your words also. 😇)

Anyways, I hope you understand I’m just playing above.

I’m likely going to play AC:Shadows at some point and enjoy it. But I am also acutely aware of the sensitivities of Japanese people.

Mainly because I have personal Japanese friends who feel like Western politics is being injected into their culture and then the Western media is calling them racist for not agreeing with it.

They don’t feel anger, they feel hurt. And I’m going to defend them. Sorry.

Re: Ubisoft Apologises for Using Re-Enactment Group's Flag in Assassin's Creed Shadows Art

Kienda

@wildcat_kickz I agree with a lot of what you’re saying. And by the way, I don’t think it is wrong for people to have creative license, but I do think there is an argument for respecting cultures and having sensitivity to current events.

AC games have always been great for helping people have a taste for a place in history. Alexandria in AC:Origins is used by educators because of its historical accuracy. But at the same time it has an element of fantasy, after all, there is magic in the stars and the whole connecting with your ancestors thing.

I have no doubts AC:Shadows will be a great game and Western audiences will love it. Many in Japan will also. But there are definitely a large number of people in Japan not happy with Ubisoft.

But if the whole world loves a game, but the culture it is based upon is largely offended. I think that is a big problem.

I also think it’s wrong for us to tell Japan how they should feel.