@themightyant The bigger issue at play with a lot of these digital libraries is the DRM of them being tied to "always online" or features therein not updated...
Seem to recall several of the PS2 on PS4 "Classics" not working properly on PS5,but fixing or doing a new emulation to resolve it seems consigned to the too hard basket!
On PC you have several older anti-piracy protections that if not patched out can make them unplayable vs rolling the dice with modded games on the "high seas"!
Stores like GOG can help with offline installers but again you might have to rely on mods or Virtual options...but agree,when you get movies & tv shows in the hands of streaming only services deciding what's still watchable for "modern audiences",its a sad situation!
Have got a number of dvd box sets & even resorted to the odd import of old shows i know will never get an airing in my neck of the woods on streaming but hate they'll be reliant on my region free DVD player staying healthy!ð
And like 99% of live service games, Skull & Bones will be as playable as a parent yanking out the plug in the bathtub on their little kid playing with their bath toys too long & the water going cold when Ubisoft deem the game servers "unprofitable".ð
Microsoft Lawyers: Curse your trickery calling out our mass sackings as fibs instead of alternative facts will you FTC? Bring out the "It'd been Far Worse if BOBBY KOTICK was still there,so nyerr! Ultimate Chewbacca defence!ðð
Whilst Jez Corden,(of Windows Central,if I'm not mistaken),might still be cheer leading "All is well!", when the studio's been reduced to remote workers & no official Office space,it hardly suggests a studio expanding for future projects, does it? Sadly the only "winners",from the buyout were Microsoft gaining control of some of the biggest 3rd party AAA IP's & Bobby Kotick & his ex-board getting golden parachutes to escape a storm of mismanagement of their own creation!ð
@Angelus3K Probably not much,but who knows how far backwards compatibility could be customised into a PS6 regardinf PS4 games go? One always hopes there is,but likewise never take it for granted as a feature.ðĪ The irony with these three were they were done by Double Fine when they were independent,assuming they haven't done these versions.
@The_Pixel_King Yes,been a great shame t h e Monkey Island Special editions never got a PS4/5 updated port...at least the PC requirements aren't anything extreme if you want to get it off GOG Store.
If there's some new content it would be welcome to help soften what'll likely be a full priced release as the days of a eg TLOU PS4 mid range price point seem long gone.
Agree the fixed camera points were definitely part of the tension,so it'll be curious how it's handled. As Sammy noted,even with the dual PC/PS5 ports & movie plans it's a bit of work for a ground up remake,so fingers crossed it's with a view towards a sequel set in the same setting, if not a direct sequel!ðĪ
As for new content,wonder if it'll be in areas like the mines or Sanatorium...or expose Ashley as the manipulative,two-faced rat of a character she truly was!ð Not say the likes of Emily wasn't a prat,she was! But replay it & try keep everyone alive & note her actions past & present!ð
Awaits the incoming Ashley knights defending her !!ðĪŠ
In theory it could end up a stealth PS6 title. Likewise it could just as easily be a crossgen PS5/6 assuming the PS5 can get up to PS4 lifetime sales by then.ðĪ
The other aspect will be what sort of tech is driving it...the Kojima/XB collaboration is already hyping its use of cloud services with Microsoft's Azure. Thus far Sony has largely stayed quiet about the subject though we have had hints from Jim Ryan & even Mark Cerny interviews of Cloud computing being possibly used in game development.
Who knows what tech they're looking at for next gen but you can be sure if one side is looking to incorporate it,the other will be considering their own options.
When you're old enough to remember "early access" to offline games were called demo"s which would come on a tape,disk or CD!ð
"Single player games are soo yesterday!" said the AAA publishers...Online multiplayer that's the future,you can make up your own stories together they said!!ðð
Normally with live service games (unless they belly flop harder than from a 10m diving platform), game content updates will be a "wait & see what we have in store!",or similar hyperbole. Twelve months sounds rather contractual, possibly with a certain "deal" they had to establish the studio there?
@anoyonmus Probably guessing Steam since FNAF still hasn't made a GOG appearance but yep, happy to see a classic 16bit style vs the seemingly good but really don't like that artsyle Return to Monkey Island.
@Mortal Haven't caught up with the latest, but when it first broke Jason Schrier posted a previous quote from Mike Ybarra they'd have to drag him out of the Blizzard offices (after the Microsoft merger was finalised),& he had no intention of leaving.
That the Xbox cheer squad is still trying to spin "its just HR or lawyers",or "these things happen", expose yet again the hypocrisy of PR friendly Public Phil vs the truly corporate Gamer Phil who operates like every other corporate executive but keeps being given a free pass by his acolytes that he's different from the other suits.
But Gamer Phil & the Microsoft P.R. machine, lawyers & media influencers kept saying how "good" it was for gamers the buyout was!
Funnily enough,it only was of benefit to both Microsoft having control of some of gaming's biggest selling IP's & Bobby Kotick & his directors recouping their millions in legal settlements & getting golden parachutes!ð
Precisely why multi trillion corporations shouldn't be allowed to swallow up all the AAA third party publishers but gotta recoup those board member payouts somehow! Megacorps & executive double Dutch at its finest. Not so much for the employees sadly.
"It's OUTRAGEOUS how the FAKE NEWS Bloggers called out our methane gas claims of open world's & using free labour & bots to push something that never was & take your $$ & run!" ðð
Haven't got around to getting the first game or so (looks like it'd be easier with mouse vs PS4 controls),but definitely a sucker for nice looking pixel adventure game like this! Fingers crossed it gets a PS port & not a Switch exclusive but will keep an eye out anyways!ð
Can't help but suspect a lot of bot like postings/ promoting of it on the likes of Twitter,(which in itself feels like it's been infested like a Zerg invasion by spambots),have had a hand in hyping this as the next big thing.
Given its online only play model,it seems a stretch Nintendo could kill it in the courts,but no doubts they'll be reviewing any similar looking monsters as a starting point. Yes,in theory Nintendo could choose to go big & do a PC/Mobile/Switch open world online Pokemon game...but they've run a successful "walled garden",for decades around buying Nintendo hardware to play Pokemon.,& can't see them changing that approach.
Never grabbed me as a game but obviously well backed by the cartoon Pokemon,trading cards & merch which this early access game doesn't have.
Vague memories of the likes of would be rivals Digimon & Yokai Watch...did either survive?
@Rob_230 Summed it up better than I could! Wonder how many ex-Rocksteady staff have already moved to the new studio?
Not to say it doesn't happen elsewhere,(eg: Uncharted 4's rocky development crunch even with a successful game at the finish but came at a price). That's where despite the flashy trailer I'll wait for what sort of campaign GTA VI turns out yet....when the publishers push their best creatives from "Is it fun to play" to how much can we monetise the mechanics it's never a good thing,agreed!ð
I've bought a few digital titles,(predominantly indie games),& no fan of the extortionate import postage that get charged by the likes of LRG...
But I will always choose a console that offers choice of format's...& given some of rubbish remakes & spin offs on Streaming services, been finding myself finding some select DVDs & happily skipping streaming services like Netflix,Disney etc altogether!
What I haven't found myself buying much recently has been Ubisoft titles,funnily enough! Only picked up the South Park titles being the involvement of its creators...but away from Rayman Origins/Legends my interest largely dropped out after the Splinter Cell & Beyond Good & Evil HD remakes/ps2 era!ð
They can keep their boring cookie cutter open world stuff & can keep being used to not seeing my money!
@Quintumply Something missed in the article is this was one of the upcoming titles (another is Broken Roads),caught up in Tinybuild's recent decision to shutter publisher Verses Evil just before Xmas. Coincidentally also occurred after an apparent court settlement over alleged missed contractual payments by Tinybuild of a buyout of Verses Evil too.
Looks for ps1 gems ala Blood Omen Legacy of Kain,Alundta,Lomax,Tomba or Colony Wars,or maybe even some PS2 Classics like the Maximo series....sees the list & sighs inwardly at the current definition of "classics".ð
But,but think of the poor Hot Tub bikini babe's trying to flog their bath water & have an accidental wardrobe malfunction & have noone to overturn their "unjust" ban?!ð
Probably the reality is the scary prospects like say an energy,mobile phone or internet or similar provider where they start tapping into A.I. Bot "support" tech meaning when you have an issue your prospects of getting an actual human being to resolve it is sadly decreasing!ð
Haven't seen/played the Bill & Ted Collection-the PS5 store version even lacks any trailers in the PS App!ðģ
But, noted a tweet mentioning the ps4 version had never apparently even appeared on the PSN EU store is par for course with LRG.
Another LRG indie Deathwish Enforcers had been solely available only on the U.S PSN for months & only after months of silence from LRG (& the poor dev limited to replying it was in the hands of LRG as publisher),did it finally get a EU territories release.
Likewise another LRG funded project Night Trap Anniversary edition also only ever appeared on the U.S PSN Store,despite appearing on EU/AU regions on the Eshop. Given only two thousand copies sold out,it permanently locked out a number of EU (& associated),regions from the so-called "game preservationists".
The reality is,the only business focus they really have is pushing a continual P.R. "FOMO Culture" of the next overpriced nostalgia physical Collection, charge exorbitant postage if you're overseas & incorporate extras such as better packaging & insurance as upsell extras AND take people's money upfront with excuses galore when it comes to delivering said games!ð
They treat digital releases as an afterthought to compel those physical orders! In this case, they probably took a cheaper licensing length option to encourage those physical presell's...in this case it's been exposed compared to the likes of Scott Pilgrim,or Lego Lord of the Rings,which seem to typically have at least 5 year deals....ð
There could be any number of first party & third party classics that could be opened up, God of War 1 & 2,Ratchet & Clank series,Sly Cooper series,Ico, Maximo Quest for Glory/Army of Zin, SSX Series,NFS Underground 1&2, GTA LCS/VCS & more...the missing common denominator is the lack of a good updated PS2 emulation that can run properly on PS5!ðĪ
The PS2 "Classics" on PS4 emulation was functional,but just looking at current PS1 & mostly PSP centric classic releases on Deluxe/Premium the releases have been a mixed bag & emulation somewhat budget like vs those available from the retro community.ð
Whenever you hear defence phrasing like "expenses",it pretty much raises red flags from there...its no secret that any major charities similarly will have expenses out of their fund raising operations but they usually budget these things,not use that as a sole defence for years of inaction. Like some political or other celebrity types, for all the well meaning ones,you get the rotten apples that'll use such activities as a tax write off & used for anything but charity.
@JeongersGaming This is easily the most notable thing of the entire blog post.
As you say,there hasn't been a new "PS2 Classic" added in years! (Assuming its not a PSP misprint on PS Blog). Much like the PS1 Classics thus far though its felt like there's been little interest from the likes of Capcom,Konami,EA,Unisoft etc.
Would love to see stuff like the Maximo games, SSX series,NFS Underground 1,2,GTA LCS/VCS, Ratchet and Clank, GOW 1 & 2,Sly Cooper etc,but still await even the likes Dino Crisis 1 & 2, RE 2 & 3,Alundra, Blood Omen legacy of Kain & more yet.
Whilst he's clearly getting his advice from Lindsay Lohan rep Lionel Hutz,I find it amusing even IF he somehow beat Take-two's army of speed dial lawyers,does he honestly think DC Comics would let him keep any money ripping off their IP?!ð
@NotSoCryptic Thanks for the reply! Always insightful hearing from someone who's been at the the coalmines!
Been wondering about that myself on the "reviving old IP's",promises...I mean,in theory a revival of GUN for example would grab headlines...but IF they wanted to give it the full RDR 2 type reboot they'd need a Rockstar (& contractor),sized studios...& like you say,a Hexen,or Starcraft Ghost or whatever would need multiplayer live services to be worth their while over a Crash/Spyro single player game...barring Skylanders mobile!ðąð
All the cold sweat memories of flogging Skylanders,& different Guitar Hero bundles in the games stores many moons ago just sent a chill up my spine!!ð
Sadly can't see all these closures just merely end the blood letting with Embracer sitting on a bunch of dead IP's gathering dust. Whether Embracer survives itself or not,these IP's will end up in a fire sale to lord knows where.ðĪ
It's a little bit surprising none of the big three saw an opportunity to snap up some sort of exclusivity on Timesplitters,you would've thought it'd been a cheap buy for it.
@NotSoCryptic Slightly off-topic,but for all the promises of bringing "creative freedom" back to Activision by Microsoft,do you think the COD crunch might get worse given they also promised feature/content parity on COD between Ninty, XB, PS,PC etc.going forward,,to get their takeover approved? Going to be a few plates to juggle to keep the promise!ðĪ
Back on topic,guessing the ex-Infinity now Bungie dev mightâve got a rather pointed DM that slagging off a beloved Sony franchise given Bungie's current status not exactly a wise choice!!
Guessing Lindsay Lohan's Lionel Hutz lawyer firm jumped on the phone promising "we've got them bang to rights this time,honest!"ðð
Daresay by the time Rockstar/Take-two's army of lawyers are done,it'll just be another "fictional parody"!..their lawyers are scarier than any Tommy Vercetti intimidation tactics!!ðąð They don't often lose!
"We relaxed the rule as the show went on!" So how come where people who watched it timed the likes of various game trailers or the Kojima OD segment as far outstripping any award speeches?ðĪ
@get2sammyb Lizardcube (Streets of Rage 4 & Wonderboy Dragon's Trap),made a cryptic tweet regarding the Sega Announcement & replies were referencing Shinobi so if they're involved certainly one to watch!ð
Not so sure about a 3d Golden Axe after the last horrid attempt! Let Crazy Taxi play nicely!ð
"Early Access"...a wonderful modern term where players are unofficial alpha/beta testers & pay for the privilege for a game that may or may not eventually get an "official" release!
Never bothered with Dead by Daylight or the similarly online only Friday the 13th as just felt like online grindfests.
But given i have Until Dawn,& most of the Dark Pictures Anthology (mixed bag but enjoyable if shorter games), & The Quarry (still on the backlog),will hopefully be up my alley!
As far as easter eggs go,not much,albeit one breakdown noted apart from the Cheetah, the Dodo plane & Seaspray Chopper were in there too.
As for whether we'll se tennis,or Off road racers etc.,they seem possibilities. Again though a while to wait on what sort of campaign mode it has & whether it'll require an online account for single player time will tell. (Likewise any classic DJ'S like Fernando).
Although not new for Mafia 3 fans,having Everglades type scenery & alligators & the like is a new look for a modern Vice City setting.
Awesome! Can't wait to see RE Code Veronica X remake! Capcom: Who? Never heard of her,maybe was a work experience temp or something?ðĪ Please enjoy our RE 5 remake with enhanced dummy mode for your A.I. co-op companion!ðð
@themightyant Best reference i saw online was the "five finger save",which sums up some of the books well,eg: Mystery ar Chimney Rock or Horror at High Ridge quite well!ð Also put the finger save to good use in the Fighting Fantasy & Sorcery!,books too! Good times!ð
@themightyant Recall "playing" Bandersnatch when housesitting for family...harked back to the old Choose Your Own Adventure books I read in my youth but unlike even the spookiest entries of that series still had some sort of "good" ending!
Bandersnatch endings kept veering from depressing to bad to horrid!!ðąð
"This increased [Game Pass] competition has not been welcomed by the market leader Sony," Also Microsoft: We want Gamepass on EVERYTHING & we'll keep buying up AAA thrid party publishers & IP's to force you to get them via Gamepass!" Mwwahahaha! ð Wonder even IF they'd gotten their wish if they'd do so via streaming rather than a native port in any case!
@get2sammyb Don't forget Netflix also bought up some dev studios like Night School Games (Oxenfree series),too.
Given the mobile releases & porting of those efforts of Grove Street Games back to PS3,PS4 etc.,before the horrible rush job of "definitive edition remaster",feels appropriate it's getting a mobile streaming port!
Just a shame we'll never see a console port like some PC Modders put in AND get the FULL soundtracks to make a real definitive remastered edition from a penny pinching Take-two obsessed with GTA Online revenues from Rockstar.ð
I found myself surprisingly engaged when I got the HD version as a ps plus pickup on ps3. Despite the rough controls & rougher camera i wanted to see more,only finally stopped in my tracks rather lost in one of the maze like areas of laser traps & guards etc. If they've updated those aspects,would actually make the first Ubisoft game I'd be interested in since Rayman Legends!
Whilst I freely admit I might suggest a PSN, Steam, or prepaid credit for GOG etc.,for digital sales, it's not I'm anti physical,far from it. It''ll usually be knowing time is a premium around Xmas & family etc.,struggle to find a physical bargain.
I do miss the older PS Gens Platinum or equivalent physical range,(the Greatest Hits PS4 Gen was a bit more limited than past gens. Though you still had varied price points like ps4 Ratchet, Medievil,or Concrete Genie.
Sadly,though you have a generation or so of younger players that were introduced not only to preorder bonus dlc,but then Season Passes, or "Ultimate team",(Fifa),Fighting & driving games having add on mtx for tracks,cars,fighters rather than unlocking them as you did pre-online. Then you have "crafting/sandbox" games built around live services,& obviously juggernauts like GTA Online that have abandoned single player dlc & the single player is built around introducing the online mtx (RDR 2 tried & when it didn't get the GTA audience Take-two washed their hands of it)..
I still love my single player games whether select Sony first party ala HZD,GOW,GOT,HFW or in the past like Detroit Become Human,Until Dawn, Motorstorm,LBP 2,Heavy Rain etc,or indie titles. I feel a bit sad though many usually younger gamers just live for online only stuff ala roblox, fornite, Minecraft etc ,devoid of any story modes & just after the latest gear.
Similar situation happened to Mike Dailey (creator of Lemmings & former DMA designer/ programmer,the precursor to what became Rockstar North),when he posted some old design shots & details of his GTA works from the original 2d top down view game. He was getting an effective cease & desist on his game that helped birth the current day Rockstar!ð
It'd seem pretty harmless given they were hardly insights into the current day game engine/game but Rockstar/Take-two are gonna be the corporate hoods they once made fun of!
After the disappointment of the 360 timed exclusive on GTA IV DLC,(which took a while to finally confirm it would eventually to PS3), Agent was a curious beast getting announced as an exclusive but virtually zero detail from either Sony or Rockstar thereafter!ðĪ...it was a bit hard to be excited for something one didn't know much about!
TBH,probably hurt a bit more a rumoured Bully 2 got started/scrapped in that ps3/360 era as current day Rockstar/Take-two are very much focused on cashcow live services rather than single player storyline games.ð
Whilst it's welcome they've been forward enough to spell out the upgrade path for PS4 owners, it's a shame that upper management of ND/& or Sony don't share the same love for redoing a Jak & Daxter remaster (or a better PS2 emulation for PS5),or a Ratchet & Clank style reboot if they were looking at a project for those not involved in Factions or whatever else they're doing.ð
"But Muuum, Amy used MY Fortnite account & Vbucks to buy a Malibu Barbie skin,all my friends think it's ME!"ðą Mum: Be nice or no playstation for anyone for a,week!ððĪðĪĢ
Well this is the same Strauss Zelnik that lost no sleep over the deceptive trailers & pricing of the bug ridden underbaked mess that was GTA Trilogy remastered "definitive edition" (minus many of the OG games soundtracks),& claimed it only had a bug or two,& also claimed the no frills RDR remastered deserved it's priceppint minus content of it's PS3 version he has a rather overinflated guesstimate of "value for money"!ð
Sadly with Take-two's GTA Online obsession, Rockstar is a shadow of it's golden era!
Comments 1,349
Re: Sony Aggrieves Anime Fans by Erasing Digital Funimation Content in Crunchyroll Merger
@themightyant The bigger issue at play with a lot of these digital libraries is the DRM of them being tied to "always online" or features therein not updated...
Seem to recall several of the PS2 on PS4 "Classics" not working properly on PS5,but fixing or doing a new emulation to resolve it seems consigned to the too hard basket!
On PC you have several older anti-piracy protections that if not patched out can make them unplayable vs rolling the dice with modded games on the "high seas"!
Stores like GOG can help with offline installers but again you might have to rely on mods or Virtual options...but agree,when you get movies & tv shows in the hands of streaming only services deciding what's still watchable for "modern audiences",its a sad situation!
Have got a number of dvd box sets & even resorted to the odd import of old shows i know will never get an airing in my neck of the woods on streaming but hate they'll be reliant on my region free DVD player staying healthy!ð
Re: Ubisoft CEO Defends Skull and Bones Premium $70 Pricetag, Insists It's 'AAAA' Quality
And like 99% of live service games, Skull & Bones will be as playable as a parent yanking out the plug in the bathtub on their little kid playing with their bath toys too long & the water going cold when Ubisoft deem the game servers "unprofitable".ð
Re: Microsoft's Recent Layoffs Contradict Activision Blizzard Buyout Pledges, Says FTC
Microsoft Lawyers: Curse your trickery calling out our mass sackings as fibs instead of alternative facts will you FTC?
Bring out the "It'd been Far Worse if BOBBY KOTICK was still there,so nyerr!
Ultimate Chewbacca defence!ðð
Re: Crash Bandicoot Developer Toys for Bob Struck by Layoffs, Office Closure
Whilst Jez Corden,(of Windows Central,if I'm not mistaken),might still be cheer leading "All is well!", when the studio's been reduced to remote workers & no official Office space,it hardly suggests a studio expanding for future projects, does it?
Sadly the only "winners",from the buyout were Microsoft gaining control of some of the biggest 3rd party AAA IP's & Bobby Kotick & his ex-board getting golden parachutes to escape a storm of mismanagement of their own creation!ð
Re: Remastered LucasArts Adventure Games Looking Likely for Release on PS5
@Angelus3K Probably not much,but who knows how far backwards compatibility could be customised into a PS6 regardinf PS4 games go? One always hopes there is,but likewise never take it for granted as a feature.ðĪ The irony with these three were they were done by Double Fine when they were independent,assuming they haven't done these versions.
@The_Pixel_King Yes,been a great shame t h e Monkey Island Special editions never got a PS4/5 updated port...at least the PC requirements aren't anything extreme if you want to get it off GOG Store.
Re: Until Dawn PS5, PC Will Boast Fresh Locations and an All-New Camera
If there's some new content it would be welcome to help soften what'll likely be a full priced release as the days of a eg TLOU PS4 mid range price point seem long gone.
Agree the fixed camera points were definitely part of the tension,so it'll be curious how it's handled.
As Sammy noted,even with the dual PC/PS5 ports & movie plans it's a bit of work for a ground up remake,so fingers crossed it's with a view towards a sequel set in the same setting, if not a direct sequel!ðĪ
As for new content,wonder if it'll be in areas like the mines or Sanatorium...or expose Ashley as the manipulative,two-faced rat of a character she truly was!ð
Not say the likes of Emily wasn't a prat,she was! But replay it & try keep everyone alive & note her actions past & present!ð
Awaits the incoming Ashley knights defending her !!ðĪŠ
Re: Could Sony, Hideo Kojima's Physint Be the First Announced PS6 Game?
In theory it could end up a stealth PS6 title. Likewise it could just as easily be a crossgen PS5/6 assuming the PS5 can get up to PS4 lifetime sales by then.ðĪ
The other aspect will be what sort of tech is driving it...the Kojima/XB collaboration is already hyping its use of cloud services with Microsoft's Azure.
Thus far Sony has largely stayed quiet about the subject though we have had hints from Jim Ryan & even Mark Cerny interviews of Cloud computing being possibly used in game development.
Who knows what tech they're looking at for next gen but you can be sure if one side is looking to incorporate it,the other will be considering their own options.
Re: Suicide Squad Already Taken Offline as Glitch Completes the Game for Early Access Players
When you're old enough to remember "early access" to offline games were called demo"s which would come on a tape,disk or CD!ð
"Single player games are soo yesterday!" said the AAA publishers...Online multiplayer that's the future,you can make up your own stories together they said!!ðð
Re: Ubisoft Is Committing to a Full Year of Skull and Bones Content
Normally with live service games (unless they belly flop harder than from a 10m diving platform), game content updates will be a "wait & see what we have in store!",or similar hyperbole.
Twelve months sounds rather contractual, possibly with a certain "deal" they had to establish the studio there?
Re: Creepy Pixel Art Five Night at Freddy's Adventure Game Confirmed by Creator
@anoyonmus Probably guessing Steam since FNAF still hasn't made a GOG appearance but yep, happy to see a classic 16bit style vs the seemingly good but really don't like that artsyle Return to Monkey Island.
Re: Microsoft, Activision Cut 1,900 Jobs in More Video Game Layoffs
@Mortal Haven't caught up with the latest, but when it first broke Jason Schrier posted a previous quote from Mike Ybarra they'd have to drag him out of the Blizzard offices (after the Microsoft merger was finalised),& he had no intention of leaving.
That the Xbox cheer squad is still trying to spin "its just HR or lawyers",or "these things happen", expose yet again the hypocrisy of PR friendly Public Phil vs the truly corporate Gamer Phil who operates like every other corporate executive but keeps being given a free pass by his acolytes that he's different from the other suits.
Re: Microsoft, Activision Cut 1,900 Jobs in More Video Game Layoffs
But Gamer Phil & the Microsoft P.R. machine, lawyers & media influencers kept saying how "good" it was for gamers the buyout was!
Funnily enough,it only was of benefit to both Microsoft having control of some of gaming's biggest selling IP's & Bobby Kotick & his directors recouping their millions in legal settlements & getting golden parachutes!ð
Precisely why multi trillion corporations shouldn't be allowed to swallow up all the AAA third party publishers but gotta recoup those board member payouts somehow!
Megacorps & executive double Dutch at its finest.
Not so much for the employees sadly.
Re: The Day Before Dev Resurfaces, Blames Failure on 'Gold Rush' of Negative Takes
"It's OUTRAGEOUS how the FAKE NEWS Bloggers called out our methane gas claims of open world's & using free labour & bots to push something that never was & take your $$ & run!" ðð
Re: Creepy Pixel Art Five Night at Freddy's Adventure Game Confirmed by Creator
Haven't got around to getting the first game or so (looks like it'd be easier with mouse vs PS4 controls),but definitely a sucker for nice looking pixel adventure game like this!
Fingers crossed it gets a PS port & not a Switch exclusive but will keep an eye out anyways!ð
Re: Shuhei Yoshida Eyes 'Pokemon with Guns' Phenomena Palworld for PS5
Can't help but suspect a lot of bot like postings/ promoting of it on the likes of Twitter,(which in itself feels like it's been infested like a Zerg invasion by spambots),have had a hand in hyping this as the next big thing.
Given its online only play model,it seems a stretch Nintendo could kill it in the courts,but no doubts they'll be reviewing any similar looking monsters as a starting point.
Yes,in theory Nintendo could choose to go big & do a PC/Mobile/Switch open world online Pokemon game...but they've run a successful "walled garden",for decades around buying Nintendo hardware to play Pokemon.,& can't see them changing that approach.
Never grabbed me as a game but obviously well backed by the cartoon Pokemon,trading cards & merch which this early access game doesn't have.
Vague memories of the likes of would be rivals Digimon & Yokai Watch...did either survive?
Re: Rocksteady Co-Founders Form New Studio Called Hundred Star Games
@Rob_230 Summed it up better than I could! Wonder how many ex-Rocksteady staff have already moved to the new studio?
Not to say it doesn't happen elsewhere,(eg: Uncharted 4's rocky development crunch even with a successful game at the finish but came at a price). That's where despite the flashy trailer I'll wait for what sort of campaign GTA VI turns out yet....when the publishers push their best creatives from "Is it fun to play" to how much can we monetise the mechanics it's never a good thing,agreed!ð
Re: You Should Get 'Comfortable' with Not Owning Your Games, Suggests Ubisoft Exec
I've bought a few digital titles,(predominantly indie games),& no fan of the extortionate import postage that get charged by the likes of LRG...
But I will always choose a console that offers choice of format's...& given some of rubbish remakes & spin offs on Streaming services, been finding myself finding some select DVDs & happily skipping streaming services like Netflix,Disney etc altogether!
What I haven't found myself buying much recently has been Ubisoft titles,funnily enough! Only picked up the South Park titles being the involvement of its creators...but away from Rayman Origins/Legends my interest largely dropped out after the Splinter Cell & Beyond Good & Evil HD remakes/ps2 era!ð
They can keep their boring cookie cutter open world stuff & can keep being used to not seeing my money!
Re: Lil Guardsman Combines Papers, Please-Style Duties with an Explorable Fantasy World
@Quintumply Something missed in the article is this was one of the upcoming titles (another is Broken Roads),caught up in Tinybuild's recent decision to shutter publisher Verses Evil just before Xmas. Coincidentally also occurred after an apparent court settlement over alleged missed contractual payments by Tinybuild of a buyout of Verses Evil too.
Re: 14 Games on the Way to PS Plus Extra, Premium Next Week
Looks for ps1 gems ala Blood Omen Legacy of Kain,Alundta,Lomax,Tomba or Colony Wars,or maybe even some PS2 Classics like the Maximo series....sees the list & sighs inwardly at the current definition of "classics".ð
Re: Twitch Reportedly Cutting 500 Jobs in Latest Round of Layoffs
But,but think of the poor Hot Tub bikini babe's trying to flog their bath water & have an accidental wardrobe malfunction & have noone to overturn their "unjust" ban?!ð
Probably the reality is the scary prospects like say an energy,mobile phone or internet or similar provider where they start tapping into A.I. Bot "support" tech meaning when you have an issue your prospects of getting an actual human being to resolve it is sadly decreasing!ð
Re: Bill & Ted's Excellent Retro Collection Will Be Removed from PS5, PS4 Very Soon
Haven't seen/played the Bill & Ted Collection-the PS5 store version even lacks any trailers in the PS App!ðģ
But, noted a tweet mentioning the ps4 version had never apparently even appeared on the PSN EU store is par for course with LRG.
Another LRG indie Deathwish Enforcers had been solely available only on the U.S PSN for months & only after months of silence from LRG (& the poor dev limited to replying it was in the hands of LRG as publisher),did it finally get a EU territories release.
Likewise another LRG funded project Night Trap Anniversary edition also only ever appeared on the U.S PSN Store,despite appearing on EU/AU regions on the Eshop. Given only two thousand copies sold out,it permanently locked out a number of EU (& associated),regions from the so-called "game preservationists".
The reality is,the only business focus they really have is pushing a continual P.R. "FOMO Culture" of the next overpriced nostalgia physical Collection, charge exorbitant postage if you're overseas & incorporate extras such as better packaging & insurance as upsell extras AND take people's money upfront with excuses galore when it comes to delivering said games!ð
They treat digital releases as an afterthought to compel those physical orders! In this case, they probably took a cheaper licensing length option to encourage those physical presell's...in this case it's been exposed compared to the likes of Scott Pilgrim,or Lego Lord of the Rings,which seem to typically have at least 5 year deals....ð
Re: God of War Trilogy PS5 Remaster Rumours Surface from Suspect Source
There could be any number of first party & third party classics that could be opened up, God of War 1 & 2,Ratchet & Clank series,Sly Cooper series,Ico, Maximo Quest for Glory/Army of Zin, SSX Series,NFS Underground 1&2, GTA LCS/VCS & more...the missing common denominator is the lack of a good updated PS2 emulation that can run properly on PS5!ðĪ
The PS2 "Classics" on PS4 emulation was functional,but just looking at current PS1 & mostly PSP centric classic releases on Deluxe/Premium the releases have been a mixed bag & emulation somewhat budget like vs those available from the retro community.ð
Re: Sea of Stars Replaces 'The Completionist' NPC Following Fraud Allegations
Whenever you hear defence phrasing like "expenses",it pretty much raises red flags from there...its no secret that any major charities similarly will have expenses out of their fund raising operations but they usually budget these things,not use that as a sole defence for years of inaction.
Like some political or other celebrity types, for all the well meaning ones,you get the rotten apples that'll use such activities as a tax write off & used for anything but charity.
Re: 19 Amazing Games Join PS Plus Extra, Premium Next Week
@JeongersGaming This is easily the most notable thing of the entire blog post.
As you say,there hasn't been a new "PS2 Classic" added in years! (Assuming its not a PSP misprint on PS Blog). Much like the PS1 Classics thus far though its felt like there's been little interest from the likes of Capcom,Konami,EA,Unisoft etc.
Would love to see stuff like the Maximo games, SSX series,NFS Underground 1,2,GTA LCS/VCS, Ratchet and Clank, GOW 1 & 2,Sly Cooper etc,but still await even the likes Dino Crisis 1 & 2, RE 2 & 3,Alundra, Blood Omen legacy of Kain & more yet.
Re: 'Florida Joker' Dyes Hair Purple, Raises GTA 6 Ask to $3 Million
Whilst he's clearly getting his advice from Lindsay Lohan rep Lionel Hutz,I find it amusing even IF he somehow beat Take-two's army of speed dial lawyers,does he honestly think DC Comics would let him keep any money ripping off their IP?!ð
Re: Call of Duty Devs Walk Back Kratos Voice Actor Criticisms, 'It's Not About the Joke'
@NotSoCryptic Thanks for the reply! Always insightful hearing from someone who's been at the the coalmines!
Been wondering about that myself on the "reviving old IP's",promises...I mean,in theory a revival of GUN for example would grab headlines...but IF they wanted to give it the full RDR 2 type reboot they'd need a Rockstar (& contractor),sized studios...& like you say,a Hexen,or Starcraft Ghost or whatever would need multiplayer live services to be worth their while over a Crash/Spyro single player game...barring Skylanders mobile!ðąð
All the cold sweat memories of flogging Skylanders,& different Guitar Hero bundles in the games stores many moons ago just sent a chill up my spine!!ð
Re: Free Radical Closure Confirmed as Embracer Shuts Studio Ahead of Christmas
Sadly can't see all these closures just merely end the blood letting with Embracer sitting on a bunch of dead IP's gathering dust. Whether Embracer survives itself or not,these IP's will end up in a fire sale to lord knows where.ðĪ
It's a little bit surprising none of the big three saw an opportunity to snap up some sort of exclusivity on Timesplitters,you would've thought it'd been a cheap buy for it.
Re: Call of Duty Devs Walk Back Kratos Voice Actor Criticisms, 'It's Not About the Joke'
@NotSoCryptic Slightly off-topic,but for all the promises of bringing "creative freedom" back to Activision by Microsoft,do you think the COD crunch might get worse given they also promised feature/content parity on COD between Ninty, XB, PS,PC etc.going forward,,to get their takeover approved?
Going to be a few plates to juggle to keep the promise!ðĪ
Back on topic,guessing the ex-Infinity now Bungie dev mightâve got a rather pointed DM that slagging off a beloved Sony franchise given Bungie's current status not exactly a wise choice!!
Re: 'Florida Joker' Wants a Massive Rockstar Payday for Allegedly Using Likeness in GTA 6
Guessing Lindsay Lohan's Lionel Hutz lawyer firm jumped on the phone promising "we've got them bang to rights this time,honest!"ðð
Daresay by the time Rockstar/Take-two's army of lawyers are done,it'll just be another "fictional parody"!..their lawyers are scarier than any Tommy Vercetti intimidation tactics!!ðąð They don't often lose!
Re: Geoff Keighley Agrees Winners Weren't Given Enough Stage Time at The Game Awards
"We relaxed the rule as the show went on!"
So how come where people who watched it timed the likes of various game trailers or the Kojima OD segment as far outstripping any award speeches?ðĪ
Re: Fortnite Fans Can't Believe the Price of the Game's New PS5, PS4 Microtransactions
"Fortnite fans can't believe the price of new microtransactions"...really? They've never seen prices of some of big licensed Lego sets?!ð
Re: New Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and More On the Way in Huge SEGA Announcement
@get2sammyb Lizardcube (Streets of Rage 4 & Wonderboy Dragon's Trap),made a cryptic tweet regarding the Sega Announcement & replies were referencing Shinobi so if they're involved certainly one to watch!ð
Not so sure about a 3d Golden Axe after the last horrid attempt! Let Crazy Taxi play nicely!ð
Re: The Day Before Is Having a Predictably Rough First Day
"Early Access"...a wonderful modern term where players are unofficial alpha/beta testers & pay for the privilege for a game that may or may not eventually get an "official" release!
Re: Incredible PS1-Themed PS5 Console Spotted at Jim Ryan's Farewell Party
"We even got Duckstation,& PCX2 running sweetly on it & loaded up a bunch of iso's the public will never get to buy on PSN, boss!"
"Who'd play those old things?!ðĪ You better have ripped all my favourite music, TV shows & movies on it,I'll be keeping it offline you know!"
Re: Supermassive Games Unveiling Single-Player Dead by Daylight Game at The Game Awards
Never bothered with Dead by Daylight or the similarly online only Friday the 13th as just felt like online grindfests.
But given i have Until Dawn,& most of the Dark Pictures Anthology (mixed bag but enjoyable if shorter games), & The Quarry (still on the backlog),will hopefully be up my alley!
Re: The Day Before Developer Apologises for Poor Marketing, Denies Scam Accusations
@NightshadeNL Good question for Push Square! Slipped off everyone's radars with all the broken promises! Can't say I've heard anything.ðĪ
Re: The Day Before Developer Apologises for Poor Marketing, Denies Scam Accusations
Did they copy the homework of Abandoned's devs how not to publicise a game?!ð
Re: Feature: We No Longer Accept Cash Stored in Underwear, and 8 Other GTA 6 Easter Eggs You Missed
As far as easter eggs go,not much,albeit one breakdown noted apart from the Cheetah, the Dodo plane & Seaspray Chopper were in there too.
As for whether we'll se tennis,or Off road racers etc.,they seem possibilities. Again though a while to wait on what sort of campaign mode it has & whether it'll require an online account for single player time will tell. (Likewise any classic DJ'S like Fernando).
Although not new for Mafia 3 fans,having Everglades type scenery & alligators & the like is a new look for a modern Vice City setting.
Re: More Resident Evil Remakes Are on the Way, Capcom Confirms
Awesome! Can't wait to see RE Code Veronica X remake!
Capcom: Who? Never heard of her,maybe was a work experience temp or something?ðĪ Please enjoy our RE 5 remake with enhanced dummy mode for your A.I. co-op companion!ðð
Re: Random: Yes, Netflix Really Is Getting GTA for Christmas
@themightyant Best reference i saw online was the "five finger save",which sums up some of the books well,eg: Mystery ar Chimney Rock or Horror at High Ridge quite well!ð Also put the finger save to good use in the Fighting Fantasy & Sorcery!,books too! Good times!ð
Re: Random: Yes, Netflix Really Is Getting GTA for Christmas
@themightyant Recall "playing" Bandersnatch when housesitting for family...harked back to the old Choose Your Own Adventure books I read in my youth but unlike even the spookiest entries of that series still had some sort of "good" ending!
Bandersnatch endings kept veering from depressing to bad to horrid!!ðąð
Re: Microsoft Still Wants to Put Xbox Game Pass on PS5, PS4
"This increased [Game Pass] competition has not been welcomed by the market leader Sony,"
Also Microsoft: We want Gamepass on EVERYTHING & we'll keep buying up AAA thrid party publishers & IP's to force you to get them via Gamepass!" Mwwahahaha! ð
Wonder even IF they'd gotten their wish if they'd do so via streaming rather than a native port in any case!
Re: Random: Yes, Netflix Really Is Getting GTA for Christmas
@get2sammyb Don't forget Netflix also bought up some dev studios like Night School Games (Oxenfree series),too.
Given the mobile releases & porting of those efforts of Grove Street Games back to PS3,PS4 etc.,before the horrible rush job of "definitive edition remaster",feels appropriate it's getting a mobile streaming port!
Just a shame we'll never see a console port like some PC Modders put in AND get the FULL soundtracks to make a real definitive remastered edition from a penny pinching Take-two obsessed with GTA Online revenues from Rockstar.ð
Re: Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Re-Release Appears Imminent
I found myself surprisingly engaged when I got the HD version as a ps plus pickup on ps3. Despite the rough controls & rougher camera i wanted to see more,only finally stopped in my tracks rather lost in one of the maze like areas of laser traps & guards etc.
If they've updated those aspects,would actually make the first Ubisoft game I'd be interested in since Rayman Legends!
Re: Reaction: You Really Shouldn't Be Surprised Kids Want PS5, PS4 Game Currencies for Xmas
Whilst I freely admit I might suggest a PSN, Steam, or prepaid credit for GOG etc.,for digital sales, it's not I'm anti physical,far from it. It''ll usually be knowing time is a premium around Xmas & family etc.,struggle to find a physical bargain.
I do miss the older PS Gens Platinum or equivalent physical range,(the Greatest Hits PS4 Gen was a bit more limited than past gens. Though you still had varied price points like ps4 Ratchet, Medievil,or Concrete Genie.
Sadly,though you have a generation or so of younger players that were introduced not only to preorder bonus dlc,but then Season Passes, or "Ultimate team",(Fifa),Fighting & driving games having add on mtx for tracks,cars,fighters rather than unlocking them as you did pre-online. Then you have "crafting/sandbox" games built around live services,& obviously juggernauts like GTA Online that have abandoned single player dlc & the single player is built around introducing the online mtx (RDR 2 tried & when it didn't get the GTA audience Take-two washed their hands of it)..
I still love my single player games whether select Sony first party ala HZD,GOW,GOT,HFW or in the past like Detroit Become Human,Until Dawn, Motorstorm,LBP 2,Heavy Rain etc,or indie titles. I feel a bit sad though many usually younger gamers just live for online only stuff ala roblox, fornite, Minecraft etc ,devoid of any story modes & just after the latest gear.
Re: Rockstar OGs Compel Former GTA Developer to Pull Insightful Blog
Similar situation happened to Mike Dailey (creator of Lemmings & former DMA designer/ programmer,the precursor to what became Rockstar North),when he posted some old design shots & details of his GTA works from the original 2d top down view game. He was getting an effective cease & desist on his game that helped birth the current day Rockstar!ð
It'd seem pretty harmless given they were hardly insights into the current day game engine/game but Rockstar/Take-two are gonna be the corporate hoods they once made fun of!
Re: Former Rockstar Dev Sheds Light on Fate of Lost PS3 Exclusive Agent
After the disappointment of the 360 timed exclusive on GTA IV DLC,(which took a while to finally confirm it would eventually to PS3), Agent was a curious beast getting announced as an exclusive but virtually zero detail from either Sony or Rockstar thereafter!ðĪ...it was a bit hard to be excited for something one didn't know much about!
TBH,probably hurt a bit more a rumoured Bully 2 got started/scrapped in that ps3/360 era as current day Rockstar/Take-two are very much focused on cashcow live services rather than single player storyline games.ð
Re: The Last of Us 2 PS5 Remaster Announced, Has a Brand New Survival Mode, $10 Upgrade Path
Whilst it's welcome they've been forward enough to spell out the upgrade path for PS4 owners, it's a shame that upper management of ND/& or Sony don't share the same love for redoing a Jak & Daxter remaster (or a better PS2 emulation for PS5),or a Ratchet & Clank style reboot if they were looking at a project for those not involved in Factions or whatever else they're doing.ð
Re: Fortnite Fans Aren't Happy About Age-Gated Cosmetic Restrictions
"But Muuum, Amy used MY Fortnite account & Vbucks to buy a Malibu Barbie skin,all my friends think it's ME!"ðą
Mum: Be nice or no playstation for anyone for a,week!ððĪðĪĢ
Re: GTA Publisher Lays Out Complex Entertainment Per-Hour Pricing Algorithm
Well this is the same Strauss Zelnik that lost no sleep over the deceptive trailers & pricing of the bug ridden underbaked mess that was GTA Trilogy remastered "definitive edition" (minus many of the OG games soundtracks),& claimed it only had a bug or two,& also claimed the no frills RDR remastered deserved it's priceppint minus content of it's PS3 version he has a rather overinflated guesstimate of "value for money"!ð
Sadly with Take-two's GTA Online obsession, Rockstar is a shadow of it's golden era!