Comments 1,349

Re: Huge PlayStation Black Friday Sales Begin 22nd November

Robocod

Used to always take advantage of either mid-year or this time of year to grab a PS Plus sub from a brick & mortar store.

Ever since they introduced the Essential, Extra, & Deluxe not only has the ability to buy a subscription anywhere but PSN vanished, the discounts have mostly gone with it. 😕😑

Re: GTA Trilogy Dev Implies Rockstar Made a 'D*ck Move' Removing Its Name from PS5, PS4 Remasters

Robocod

Whilst there's little doubt a cheapskate Take-two allocated little resources as observed by the missing songs compared to the PS2 versions,& feigning ignorance at the dodgy trailers that omitted any gameplay....its also no small irony the same Grove Street Games that released the equally trashfire PS3 San Andreas,& retasking their buggy mobile efforts into A.I. & dumped out the "remastered trilogy" shouldn't be complaining.🙄
They seemingly were happy to block or spam complaints over obvious bugs & performance to Rockstar Support whilst patting themselves on the back. Modders on the PC scene with NO official budgets & off their own backs had released various GTA Mods that put the laughable A.I. efforts to shame!

Instead of shutting modders down,its a shame Take-two don't fund a Rockstar Classics studio & let them work their magic brining the older games to modern platforms!

Re: GTA Trilogy Massively Upgraded on PS5, But No PS4 Patch Yet

Robocod

@get2sammyb Whilst Take-two being cheapskates on renewing music licensing on several of the original soundtracks (ironic for a so called "definitive edition"),sadly will never be fixed,I will be curious to hear if the "falling through the textures" bugs like the ramp to the cargo ship in Vice City or the area near its Airport that did the rounds have been addressed? 🤔

Re: Sony Adopting 'Show Don't Tell' Strategy with PS5

Robocod

@get2sammyb Unfortunately the "reclusive Sony" approach has been much in play since Jim Ryan took over & is still in play with the new management.

Much as you touched on years ago,since the departure of the likes of then Sony Third Party Relations Adam Boyes or the much missed Sean Layden as US SIE head,a public "face" of Playstation has been missing.

Whilst there's no doubting roles like CEO involve a lot more than simply interacting with Gamers on social media,away from the likes of Shuhei Yoshida being the face of Playstation Indies or Mark Cerny as the face of new console announcements you'd be hard pressed to remember anything Herman Hulst engaged with gamers on when SIE Head apart from changing avatars...& the social/P.R. people have had a mixed bag on delivering showcases or the PS Blog.

Likewise,instead of talking to gaming sites first & foremost they seemingly talk to Wired,Variety etc. Not exactly the sites Playstation gamers are likely to read their gaming news.

It'll be a sad day the likes of Yoshida or Cerny retire,because there doesn't feel like anyone else in coming through that'd take up the baton.

Re: Labour Union Blasts Sony for Looking to Further Monopoly with Studio Closures

Robocod

Why do I get the nagging feeling that the CWA probably had some previous "settlement" over buyout concerns (much like Activision also making the numerous lawsuits involving Kotick etc disappear),& this word salad came after a quick anonymous call reminded their execs the deal didn't have an expiry date?!🙄

After all,remember when several members of American Congress (from both sides) suddenly started the inquisition of the FTC "bullying" poor little Microsoft & why they weren't supporting a "Murican" mega corporation buying another USA megacorp?

I'm not suggesting Sony was saintly with Jim Ryan & Hermen Hulst having gone on a live service expansion spree hoping to find the elusive first party COD pot of gold.....until seemingly reigned in by a nervous upper Sony Group executive like 2IC Totoki in his reign as acting CEO.

After the previous layoffs & cancellations across Worldwide Studios, one can only speculate that Hulst protected Concorde on the basis he expected it to sell big & been left cleaning up his mess & possibly a bit less clout now than he might’ve had prior to his promotion.

Re: PlayStation's Dual CEO Setup Has 'Opportunities and Risks'

Robocod

If memory serves part of the reasoning for splitting the CEO roles was supposedly feedback from Jim Ryan in part.

The other part not mentioned here is also 2IC of Sony group Totoki,whom seemingly is keeping a tighter financial leash on the Playstation division especially in light of the multi billion outlay for the likes of Bungie & probably has questioned the value on return thus far...🤔

Re: Cash Rewards Still Unavailable for Millions in PS5, PS4 Rewards Scheme PS Stars

Robocod

@get2sammyb @Gravity_Bear Living across the pond from Gravity Bear Down Under. Currently the PS App now only shows a $15AU redeemable option for 3,750 points. Can't recall the lower amount before if it was $7.50 or $10 or similar... but do know I had been close to the $30AU for 7,500pts which has vanished.

I'm pretty sure the older "smaller" walket option was less value vs saving for the $30AU option. So in theory can get 2×$15AU credits & haven't "lost" anything....But that was after having to accept the new Terms of Service & 12months expiration.

PS Lifestyle & PS Profiles mention various responses of PS Support,one saying it was a "glitch",& will return soon,& another saying the total removal of wallet options was intentional.

As usual,not only is the budget outsourced "support" centre Sony uses is clear as swamp or Loch NESS,but Sony P.R. is completely silent communicating what the PS Rewards changes are beyond the new 12 month points expiration. 🙄

Communicating wasn't exactly a strong point under Jim Ryan,but somehow the new management make the old regime look like a gossiping bunch of parrots in comparison!

Re: Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition to Be Updated with Three More Games in 2025

Robocod

@Fishnpeas @Mostik @sanderson72 Been seeing some posts on twitter from OG creator Andy Davidson...seemingly asking Amiga modders & sceners to contribute new levels for a "Worms 1.5" project of sorts. Not tied into official release AFAIK,but Team 17 have given their blessing. So might be worth firing up WinUAE or similar & keep an eye out!

Agree its a shame there's no Amiga version being offered but given the mess of Amiga tech ownership & those still trying to milk $$ over anything related to it,guessing it leads to most publishers doing retro releases a wide berth 😕

Despite the rarity of seeing the Amiga Turrican games again in the Collections for them, I see ININ have gone with a modern remake of X-Out. Oh well,Chris Huelsbeck is providing new tracks for that!🤓😎

Re: Until Dawn (PS5) - Killer Teen Slasher Snags a Pricey New-Gen Remake

Robocod

@get2sammyb Just how much of the musical interludes have changed? Though a while since I last played it through,do recall the background music to be suitably creepy & atmospheric! Seems bizarre choice dropping it!🙄😕

Agree the lack of upgrade options & lack of new content to justify the price...even if they'd done something like reworking The Inpatient "prequel" from its PSVR origins might’ve at least offered something extra.

Re: Rumour: Concord Cost $400 Million, Sony Believed It Was the 'Future of PlayStation'

Robocod

Whilst Jim Ryan ultimately signed the cheques on the likes of this & purchases like Bungie,(the latter no doubt in regards to Microsoft buying ABK, Zenimax etc),really does bring a focus on "prmoted upwards",Hermen Hulst's tenure as SIE Studios head & no co-CEO.

In the rare interviews given,he'd be gushing about their going big or go home approach to AAA Live service games,or buying Firewalk,PC or Mobile devs,but away from his TV/Movie spin off projects,(admitted,successful for those who liked those sort of things),TLOU/Uncharted babies & HZD remasters etc.,we never really hear him talk about PS Gaming history in the way a Shu Yoshida,or Shawn Layden etc.,could.

Implicit Conversions clearly has a fraction of the resources (& isn't even first party),porting mostly PSP,& occasional PS1/PS2 titles & nowhere near the amount of third party content there should be.

Opportunities to test some of the PS3 titles like Motorstorm series,Resistance,Little Big Planet etc with mtx add ons,much less ports of Sly Raccoon, classic Ratchet,Ico,Twisted Metal to test doing full borne remakes have gone missing. Nevermind the games cancelled in the past year or two & studios closed whilst noone made the hard call here.

God of War infamously had to pivot it's development after a Shu Yoshida visit & they acknowledge it made the game better. Away from his Guerilla Games bubble can Hulst do the same ?

Re: Annapurna Interactive Exodus Sees Entire Staff Resign

Robocod

In the shorter ti medium term might not make too much difference to gamers for games already published & out there.
BUT will be a right royal pain to indie devs either working on unreleased titles,or existing ones recently released regarding console ports, patch updates etc.,if managed by the publisher.

New staff,& wherein they need to learn the various PSN,Eshop,,XB Store backends,ditto the third party who might’ve had good relationships with the old staff are suddenly dealing with new crew for PSN,Gamepass deals etc.

The old crew likely have a backer,& be up & running sooner than later,but the indie devs tied to existing deals will be left feeling like the meat in the sandwich meantime!

Re: In Case You Missed It, PS5 Pro Has a 2TB SSD Included

Robocod

@get2sammyb The decision to add a 2tb SSD more expensive,(cheaper than when the ps5 expansion slot was enabled though),but wise given the file sizes needed...whether if the higher resolution textures are included in the same standard ps5 game update files time will tell i guess!🤔

Unfortunately,one only has to look at the Nvidia/AMD GPU Duopoly (& typically AMD being a gen behind on raytracing tech),as far as what constitutes mid range "value" 192bit gpu's now being around $900-$1200+ (My region),depending on if you're team green or team red to realise even the "cheap" 128bit cards being $600-700 that next gen PS6 & Xbox won't be cheaper & probably more than PS5 launch prices were.😕

Re: Sony Execs Seem to Think the Company Doesn't Have Enough Original IP

Robocod

Might help if they didn't have a CEO who had only worked at one of their in-house Studios (not including the ones they closed!),prior to being promoted to his World Wide studios role wherein he focused on remasters for TV tie-ins!🙄😂

Just brainstorming off the top of my head, but Legend of Dragoon, Lomax, Colony Wars, Wipeout, Alundra (at least as UK publisher), Motor Toon Grand Prix, Lemmings. Then Jak, Ratchet, Sly Raccoon,Getaway(?),Infamous, Motorstorm, Last Guardian,SOTC/ICO, Twisted Metal (forgetting the last one like an Indiana Jones sequel!),Litlle Big Planet, LBP Karting (effectively morphing Mod Nation racers into it),Resistance.

Daresay I've left some others ala Rain etc.,from Studio Japan but I am glad for Astrobot. But yep, maybe hire some execs & managers that know your catalogue! Or maybe its more code for 'Stuff that can be turned into our own GTA/COD cashcow"?🙄😂

Re: Outer Wilds PS5 Physical Edition Ships with Wrong Version on Disc

Robocod

Back in my former lifetime of being (ultimately), a games store manager we initially had ps4 copies ship of Saints Row 4(?), ship on release which shipped with the "full" EU version with certain banned Aussie content thanks to our quaint classification rules which even updated saw previously MA15+ games mostly get tagged as R18+!

Don't think I sold any of the offending copies before we got ordered to pull them off the shelves & ship them back,but I imagine a small number slipped out there.

Before my time on release,but also later we couldn't trade in the Hot Coffee ps2 GTA San Andreas even though you needed an Action Replay (not sold by the store),to even access it after that version was recalled.

Re: Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Assembles an Army in March 2025 on PS5, PS4

Robocod

Whilst I know Playstation marketing seems to prefer pushing the mega blockbusters &/or new indies, the Suikoden games were very much part of PS1 folklore as per the later Final Fantasy games were! Missed opportunity...again!

Oh well,at least no timed exclusives. Let's hope the delay has meant Konami has allowed the devs to do the job properly rather than rush it out on the back of Eiyuden Chronicle's launch. 🙏🤞

Re: Sony to Short-Change PS Stars Members with PS Plus Renewals Starting Next Year

Robocod

In my region still 900 odd points short of reaching the elusive $30 7500pts,so sadly guessing I'll unlikely hit it before the changes start influencing things...

Albeit even if they'd announced it on the PS Blog, I get stuck in an endless loop logging in on the Web or the App -but then doesn't allow me leave any posts/feedback anymore!😕🤐

Goes to show not much has changed in the post Jim Ryan era to the previous one with this & pricing on remakes like Until Dawn.

Re: Reaction: It's Time for Xbox to Tell Us Which Games It's Bringing to PS5, and Which Games It Isn't

Robocod

Whilst the Xbox division pivoted from hardware console numbers over a generation ago,to "user engagement",Microsoft has seemingly gotten shy with sharing exacting Gamepass engagement to shareholders these days by trying to merge PC Windows & Xbox all under the same umbrella.

Whilst Satya might be aiming to assure shareholders the billions lent to Xbox is going well, you can bet internally they're looking closely at how the new multi-tiered Gamepass numbers are faring to dictate potential future multiplatform releases even if as potential "stealth drops" later

Re: Preview: Broken Sword Is Back in the Most Passionate Remaster Possible

Robocod

@LiamCroft @Sequel That's awesome news! 👍Always regarded Barrington 's contribution as understated much like his works in Inspector Morse/Lewis tv series,it perfectly set the mood for each & every scene.

Rented the first two games on ps1,as rarely saw them in the shops,but eventually picked them up on PC CD Rom,as I did Beneath a Steel Sky having only played the Amiga demo of the latter

It was only when upgrading to a Celeron 900mhz build from my original Celeron 266,did I learn of a hires mode for the graphics when I'd been perfectly content with the lores ones all those years,was quite an eye opener!😅

Played the DS Directors Cut which was alright but not quite as good as the original & picked up the GOG versions years later. Liam you definitely owe yourself playing the original one here! Guessing you won't need to ring a toll number Playstation hints like as I needed to multiple times to learn just exactly how you needed to pass the goat! Not so easy on the non analogue ps1 OG controller!!😂😱

Re: Stone-Cold Classic Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars' PS5 Remaster Releases in September

Robocod

I well remember ringing the Playstation tips line toll number on Broken Sword & trying to get past that dastardly goat! 😅
Rented both hames on PS1 before buying them on PC CD ROM & eventually seeing them in high resolution mode! First game in particular with locations like Lochmarne Pub still my favourite!

Guessing they may include the Director's Cut extras which felt a bit sandwiched in compared to the originals classic opening...Paris in the Fall.

Re: Bungie Accused of Overselling Itself to Sony, Promising Success It Couldn't Deliver

Robocod

It's easy to pin this solely on Jim Ryan,(& not to suggest as SIE head he doesn't bear responsibility). But a critical part of that "entourage" is now co-SIE head Hermen Hulst either.

With stories like the recent ones about Sony looking for possible content or studio opportunities in China/India etc.,suggests Hiroshi Totoki (as previous interim SIE Head & still Sony Group 2IC) is keeping a close watch on the spreadsheets now. One only has to look at the brutal axe weilding of SIE studios & projects.

They might well still splash $$ on third party timed deals,but I doubt we'll see many multi billion studio buyouts vs smaller studios chasing that live service Gold.
Its unfortunate that to seemingly claw back those overspends its not only come at a cost regarding Bungie staff,but other Sony studios (eg those in the UK),copped the repercussions.

As always,the higher ups get quiet payouts & move on,or like Hulst promoted!

Re: Outstanding Academic Open World Bully Being Added to PS5, PS4 Sub GTA+

Robocod

@danzoEX Yep. Always found it rather strange how PS3,nevermind PS4 never saw Academy Edition,Table Tennis or GTA IV Complete edition ports...but then again look how long it took for Red Dead Redemption/Undead Nightmare to get just a PS4 gen port!🙄

Much like tightwad Take-two will never do a proper GTA "Definitive edition" with full soundtracks etc., because they don't want to fork out on certain music licensing that increased from the PS2 era! Or GTA LCS/VCS etc.😕

Re: Randy Pitchford Says Fans Will Be 'Very, Very Happy' with Next Borderlands Game

Robocod

Given this is the same Randy that (in my former life), stood in front of a bunch of us games store managers showing off Colonial Marines trailers extolling how amazing it was!!...🙄 And then all the collectors editions i ended up getting cancelled as I couldn't flog them in good conscience without warning customers if I still wanted them as regular customers to preorder anything again! "Sure Jan!"😂 I'll wait!!

Re: The Humble Games Team Has Reportedly Been Laid Off

Robocod

This brings to mind the demise of another Indie Publisher Versus Evil Games literally on Xmas eve last year by Tiny Build coincidentally after announcing a mega millions investment by Atari & allegedly missed transactional payments by them after buying out Versus Evil.

As others have said,the entire staff have been gutted,publishing operations outsourced to a third party,literally the only thing remaining is the name! 🙄 A true word salad response by Ziff Davis worthy of a Strauss Zelnick or Phil Spencer double Dutch reward!

Commiserations to those affected,including in dev games finding out they've been dumped onto a new group without any warning.😕

Re: We Find This PS5 Wishlist Issue Irrationally Irksome

Robocod

Has there been anyone else find some crossbuy PS4/5 games occupy their wishlists even after adding both versions to their library thus needlessly taking up one of their woshlist allotment....annoying when you're limited to 99 maximum or whatever it is!🤔

Re: PS Stars Finally Coming Back Online in North and South America

Robocod

So much for a certain other site claiming it was back "globally"...so globally is only the U.S. now?!😅 Had logged out & in & wondering why it wasn't working!😔

At least Push Square got it right. Not hodig y breath Down Under but hopefully tied into the EU Store region return.🤞🙏

Re: Frank West Voice Actor Won't Be Returning for Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

Robocod

Not the first or last time one has to only look at the likes of Metal Gear & Bayonetta in the last few years,or as others have said already Resident Evil. Anyway,a diplomatic response...whereas look at say select past GTA voice actors that though their chances of an appearance again were unlikely, they well & truly burnt bridges when they were quite vocal on complaining about video game payments vs other mediums!

Re: Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse Remastered Tells a Tale on PS4 This August

Robocod

@dskatter Yep,it's a shame considering Double Fine did remasters of Day of the Tentacle (& Maniac Mansion technically hidden away!),& Full Throttle but no such luck for Sam & Max Hit the Road,or Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade or Fate of Atlantis.
Likewise there was the Secret of Monkey Island 1 & 2 remasters done by Disney back in the PS3/360 era & GOG/Steam, that'd be welcome too! Oh & the much forgotten Curse of Monkey Island!

The Telltale adaptations were alright,but not quite as the golden era Lucasfilm games were.

Re: Sunset Overdrive PS5 Port Not Happening, Insomniac's Too 'Busy'

Robocod

Did play a little bit of it back in the day & the respawns were amusing. But if I had a wishlist of ports,it'd be the mainstream PS2 & PS3 Ratchet & Clank games,& the Resistance series.

Still surprises me that Sony bought Bluepoint who produced some great remasters & reboots but instead they're working on a "original IP"! Though time will tell what that is.🤔

Re: PS5, PS4's New PS2 Emulator Fails to Pass Tech Test

Robocod

There's been some comments (& not that I don't agree with the sentiment),about why they don't hire modders that are involved with PCX2 & others to write the emulators?

One of the co-founders of Implicit Conversions that have been tasked with the PSP/PS1/PS2 emulation efforts,Jake Stine apparently was involved with PCSX2 in the past. So there literally is a modder of experience involved.

I agree its annoying when the OG company that made the consoles should have the documentation of its old hardware but to what extent we don't know. The PS1-PS3 engineers like Ken Katuragi have long retired from their roles. Matk Cerny as a developer no doubts knew how to get the best out of the older gens having helped make some of their top games. But as lead on PS4,PS5 & possibly PS6 he's busy with next gen work & its never a clear cut thing.🤔

Though we're not going to see Implicit bag their employers or imply they only funded a cheap emulation effort,it would be interesting if Push Square did an interview (or DF),& discuss the challenges of official emulation design.

Sony have always used a mix of hardware or at times software efforts BITD. Eg: PS1 emulation on ps3 & PSP were pretty good from memory. But is this PS2 effort based off the so-so emulation that was used on the original PS2 Classics on PS4?

Re: GTA 6 Fans Nervous As GTA Online Locks Crucial Quality of Life Feature Behind GTA+ Sub on PS5, PS4

Robocod

Ever since I learned in GTA V PS3 version how earning decent $$ to afford additional properties etc was tied into buying & selling on the stock market & then there were online & offline versions i knew the GTA games as I fondly enjoyed were being stripped away....by how much with GTA Online I could've never guessed until when I used to work was swarmed with digital shark card purchases!

I miss old Rockstar,its wearing a suit & tie & laughs along with Strauss Zelnick's jokes in board room meetings!🙄😔

Re: Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition (PS5) - Cult Classic's Remaster Nearly Picture Perfect

Robocod

Still a bit of a concern on if the camera is a bit wonky as I got too far into one of the maze like sections with guards last lime on PS3 & lost & stuck it'd need a restart....there's an intriguing story underneath. Oh well,will keep an eye out for a discount later.

Still bums me out the ideas for a single player focused sequel back in the ps3 era got abandoned by Ubisoft/Ancel in favour of the MMO online live service pipedream monstrosity with swearing gorillas...what a waste of an IP!😑

Re: Legendary Zombie Game Dead Rising Gets a Second Remaster, Out in 2024

Robocod

Seen Dead Rising 1 & 2 ps4 ports on sale on the odd occasion but never quite took the plunge despite enjoying the little bit I tried on 360 once. The time limit is a central part of the game, but can see myself getting distracted with side quests!🤔 Well,that or replaying it i think to do things you missed first time?

Re: Rumour: Sony's Still Working on PS3 Emulation for PS5

Robocod

In theory,it would be a wonderful thing. However even with the recent RPCS3 update you still need some reasonable CPU horsepower to throw at emulation.
I find it a pity that for all the $$ thrown at buying Nixxes,mobile dev studios,Bungie,alongside the smaller purchases of Insomniac,Bluepoint etc., some of that wasn't assigned to a porting studio or two.

For example we don't know what Bluepoint is working on other than "original IP"...but would've loved to have seen stuff like Rain,LBP 1 & 2, PS3 era Ratchet & Clank,Motorstorm series,Resistance series & others in the Sony catalogue get even a more basic port. A mid range price to compensate for just unscaled old gfx,not everything needs a high end remake. Good way to test the waters for some on a sequel/reboot too!

As it is,still PS1 stuff,nevermind 3rd party ps2 stuff that'd be ideal for porting out there if they could convince publishers....Maximo please Capcom?

Re: Bubsy Is Back in the Purrfect Collection on PS5

Robocod

I'll admit to occasionally playing a bit of Bubsy on the department store demo Megadrive BITD, (Can only imagine whoever did it cackling in delight taking out lethal enforces or Mortal Kombat & replacing it)!😂

Felt uninspired in a glut of similar platformers but a little surprised it got its reputation when I'd seen some worse ones out there! McDonald's Land for example!
That said, the only way they could polish Bubsy 3 is with a belt sander & grind it to oblivion!😱😂

Much like say Earthworm Jim,anything beyond the 2d 16bit era games feels like a waste of disc space...those CD-R's aren't as easy to find as they used to be after all!😋

Re: Ace Attorney Investigations Collection Brings Miles Edgeworth Spin-Offs to PS4

Robocod

Well this is something I didn't have on my bingo card for 2024!🤯 Owned the OG Miles Edgeworth game which I thought was alright if filler between waiting for more of the mainstream Ace Attorney series....heard the sequel was pretty good but felt as mythical as the Sherlock Holmes themed one!

To now have most of the older gen releases on PS4 (& even resorting to picking up the odd entry on Steam if they get a decent discount),is a joy even if i can't yell Ojection like i did on DS or bang the stylus like the judge does his gavel!😅

Wonder if this will pave the way for the 3ds games to get a port & complete the set?!🤔🤞
Also,given Capcom have only ever done PS4 ports please Mr Corny make sure to slip in PS4 backwards compatibility on PS6,cos I'd hate having to re-buy PS5 native ports by the time that happens!

Re: Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition Release Seems Imminent on PS5

Robocod

Given the lack of hype for this,one wonders how much of an effort has been made here...an upped rezzed PS3HD version? I'd be interested,but the biggest turn off as you went further was the God awful camera & clunky controls into some rather maze like sections...you just feel rather lost!
One to watch a review on first & cross fingers.

Re: Ex-PS5 Exec Shawn Layden Isn't Holding Back His Feelings on Xbox

Robocod

Seeing a few "Gamer Phil" defenders talking about edited comments etc.,but it's right on form for Lies of P Phil to rewrite history. He likes to make 360 era Xbox as being the only time they engaged in such activities.
There'd been numerous occasions they signed up indie gamepass exclusives on the basis they were timed exclusives. He signed up Tomb Raider as a timed exclusive...as others have correctly stated he literally convinced Microsoft to bank roll two of the biggest AAA Publishers in Zenimax Bethesda & a (relatively) "cheaper" Activision after Kotick's skeletons of mismanagement tanked their share price for a multi trillion Microsoft to take full advantage of. The same Phil who in court documents had a wish list of most other major third parties & the xbox management talking up using Microsoft money to spend Sony out of the market.

Again though,when you have a softball interviewer Team Green cheerleader like Ryan McCaffrey who falsely tweets fanboy assertions like he did on Black Myth Wukong,what do you expect?

I do agree,Layden is a much missed Sony Exec. You can't say any exec is perfect,but you could see the love & passion he had for Playstation history whether bigger selling or smaller titles. Don't tend to get the same vibe with Hermen Hulst.
But you want to see the real Phil,you just go back to the behind the scenes communications of cancelling multiplatform releases,& further acquisition targets...or how he left Sarah Bond & Matt Booty to be the ones to do damage control over studio closures...he was MIA until now to be good guy Phil all over again. 🙄

Re: Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Says DOOM Franchise Is Something That 'Everyone Deserves to Play'

Robocod

@KundaliniRising333 "Phil actually does interviews"....what,the same Phil Spencer that'd been in hiding when the studio closures got announced & left the P.R Waffle to Matt Booty etc ?🤔
As for his "hard hitting interview",by Ryan McCaffrey,I hear you reply? This is the same "objective journalist"/IGN Editor,who just a couple of days ago falsely tweeted "Sony must've money hatted Black Myth: Wukong exclusivity",only to delete it & refuse to acknowledge his biased opinion rather than it being "optimisation issues" (reads Series S)....nor did he press Phil Spencer on how devs are having issues trying to achieve parity between Series S/X ...

But then again,this is the same Ryan McCaffrey who cheerled the buyouts of Zenimax Bethesda & Activision Blizzard,buyouts but let him give the nice guy Phil double Dutch P.R. answer on mass layoffs? Hardly an interview!

As for the "they were planning multiplatform years ago!",yeah there was a lot more releases planned to be multiplatform...until Phil Spencer cancelled them despite his public promises & "case by case" claims...until seemingly being dragged by his heels by the Microsoft board into reversing course in more recent times!🙄

I don't disagree that we'll see that much change with Hermen Hulst as far as public engagement goes...he's no Shawn Layden!

Re: PS5, PS4's Brand New PS2 Emulator Features Up-Rendering, Rewind, Quick Saves, More

Robocod

Sounds promising. Though as mentioned by others,licensing (sadly),&/or a lack of will hasn't seen much third party support.🤔😑

Instead of the mobile ported GTA Trilogy remastered series,imagine the OG PS2 versions with full soundtracks,& LCS/VCS games. Or the Maximo series,(but given the lack of RE2/3,or Dino Crisis 1 & 2). Likewise when EA had games like the SSX series,or NFS Underground 1&2, Wing Commander 3 & 4,Desert/Jungle Strike,Ubisoft's Splinter Cell series to name a few!

But an improved emulation effort will hopefully see wider spread engagement/purchases to test the theory backwards compatibility is "unpopular". Easier to claim when you put a low grade effort & don't chase actual classic titles.

Put the effort in,& chase the less obscure titles, & I'd hope the support would be there.🤞🙏

Re: AI Helps Push Forward 'Boundaries of Storytelling', Says Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann

Robocod

The other part of the interview doing the rounds but not discussed here was his pushing "motion capture is the way forward",& seemingly implying hand drawn animation is old hat etc.

Goes in hand with previous interviews where he mentioned they considered a Jak sequel a few years ago but he believes they've moved on as a serious/narrative style now....
Don't get me wrong,I loved the Drake series, & TLOU 1,but remember games like the Jak series much like Insomniac's Ratchet could have their humorous moments or I dunno,be "fun" too?

Maybe just old & cynical, but not everything needs a dreary TLOU 2 narrative!

Re: 13 PS Plus Extra, Premium Games Are Available to Download Now

Robocod

Still disappointing how the vast majority of PSP & PS1 "Classics" have tended to be mostly not,!😕
There either is a severe lack of will on the part of 3rd party publishers ot the budget devoted to acquiring such content means they're unwilling.

RE 2 & 3,Dino Crisis 1 & 2, Ultimate Ghosts'n'Goblins, Gran Turismo 1 & 2, Colony Wars series,Alundra, Blood Omen Legacy of Kain, Adventures of Lomax,Rayman, GTA 1 & 2,just to name a few! Can't say I'm holding my breath on the innumerable PS2 "classics" based on their current efforts!

Re: GTA Publisher Claims It 'Didn't Shutter' Roll7, Intercept Games

Robocod

Strauss Zelnik & Take-two: "We haven't shuttered those studios!",(frantically waves hand), dammit,it always worked for Obi-wan in Star Wars!🙄😂

Sure Strauss,& the GTA Trilogy remastered "definitive edition",only had a "minor" problem at launch & didn't need months of patches which still didn't cover up the missing soundtracks & terrible underbaked port by a mobile dev!😂