BF4 was the last game in the series that didn’t have micro-transactions and live-service limited time events. That was now ten years ago. I’ve not enjoyed a BF game as much since. It’s a shame that we will likely never go back to that simplified multiplayer model. I would be drawn back to MP games if they could offer those no-frills, solid experiences again.
Folklore still commands a reasonable price. I was lucky to pick it up for about £15. I also purchased a few of the other more valuable PS3 quite cheaply - a mint copy of Yakuza: Dead Souls for £10 was a bargain!
I saw this earlier. This is exactly the sort of initiative I’d like to see more of. I’ve made a few comments recently on here about hoping to see this form of support from platform holders.
Is this programme only currently available in India, or do Sony offer, or plan to offer this, elsewhere?
Thanks, been a while since I played, completely slipped my mind.
It’s one of the best, if not the best game that I’ve played. I would have thought I would have remembered this. I suppose I’ve not played it in three years, so there is that.
Redfall on Game Pass. There is some mindless entertainment to be had. It is indeed buggy and some of the design choices are bizarre. There is so much potential here that just feels wasted.
I’m going to try and complete it, which would be the first game I’ve seen to the end in a long while.
I’m confused as to how money/investment doesn’t make for quality software? Money equals time, time, generally, equates to quality. Surely more time and money would help to ensure games release in a better state and provide a stable experience?
I have just tried Redfall on Xbox, and whilst I love Arkane, it is absolutely apparent that the game should not have released as it is. Graphically it is inconsistent, there are obvious glitches and from a design point of view it just doesn’t work as a solo game - huge chunks of time are spent walking across an empty map. Do I hate the experience, no, the atmosphere and world design work, it just feels like it needed more time. And money.
The only real demand of a Pro model is that it helps developers meet 4K/60 more consistently. What are consoles actually competing with now? Triple AAA games on PC are continually being released in a broken state. The cost to run the latest titles at highest settings on PC is prohibitive for many. Consoles continue to compete with a platform they will never surpass, nor do they need to. I’d be more excited for news on a PS6 that meets the demands of something like Cyberpunk 2077 Overdrive. That technology is likely a decade away for consoles.
Is the PS5 actually comparable to the Base PS4 at the same point in its lifespan? Releases for the PS5 are consistently both graphically impressive and provide stable performance. What will a PS5 Pro do to improve a game like Horizon:FW, already one of the most impressive games on any system.?
Generally I am not a fan of the continual push to persuade consumers to buy into things that they don’t really need. Nobody needs a new iPhone every year, no one. The difference in features year-on-year is negligible. A £1500 maximum outlay per annum for something that we don’t need is obviously unnecessary. The point here is does the market actually need or want a mid-generation refresh? The PS5 has only just become more readily available. Those consumers buying in now might feel shortchanged in 18 months time. Most of them won’t be upgrading.
That’s not a bad deal. I traded a PS4 Pro in Game last year for a Series S. It was £40 on top, which wasn’t bad, as the S had yet to have any regular substantial discounts. If the upgrade path is there, it’s certainly appealing.
Browsing through the comments, the consensus seems to be that this is not needed. It appears what people actually want is more quality games, specifically first-party titles. What is the point in a Pro model if there aren’t enough titles to show off its potential? It doesn’t sound as if consumers want this. Granted, there will always be those that want the latest and best version, but what are we really being asked to buy into here? Many games can and do hit 4K/60 on the current model. It’s also down to developers to ensure their games perform well on existing hardware.
The hinted remote play device sounds limited. The refresh with a detachable disc drive sounds horribly inelegant - both seem unlikely. Hardware should be kept simple for the consumer, having to mess around with a peripheral like this, even if it’s one time only, sounds like a messy solution from the 90s console era.
If anything, the PS5 could benefit from a slim iteration. As mentioned above, many do not care for specs, RT and the like. There are probably many people who have been put off buying a PS5 purely because of the design, but more so the size. A smaller unit might be just as appealing as one which promises 4K locked 60.
Personally, I’m not keen on mid-generation refreshes. I understand the reasoning, but it’s not simple and tidy. It’s the same reason I’ve gone off PS Plus. I’d much prefer it as it used to be, without the tiered system.
Sony should focus on the games, that’s what we buy the systems for. I’d rather see the money that goes into R&D , production and marketing of a mid-generation refresh go into funding more exciting software.
If a mid-gen refresh didn’t exist, would anyone care or notice. We are being presented with things to consume, therefore we consume them. We don’t really need them, we are just told it’s better.
I cancelled my subscription a few months back after being subscribed to Plus for ten years. I did so for a number of reasons. From a financial perspective, it was no longer justifiable. I also have such a backlog, that access to more games just isn't necessary. With limited time to play games, I cannot commit to a game that might be removed from the service in a few month's time, especially if it is lengthy. The PS Collection is leaving the service, but if there was the guarantee of games that were to stay on the service permanently, then this would be more appealing.
Games from previous generations were a draw for me, but again, with a healthy physical collection on PS3 and PS2, as well as a handy PS Classic, I don't need access to titles from those systems. Again, if their stay on the service is guaranteed, then it might prove a reason to ditch the old physical systems.
I also simply do not like the tiered system. Granted, it offers choice for the user, but given that I have not been following the service that closely, it just appears as confusing. I also believe that Sony should offer cloud save storage as standard, without locking it behind a subscription.
I've decided to cancel most of the few subscription services that I have. I agree that it doesn't suit games as much as it does for music and films/TV. The shift to a subscription for everything has become somewhat tedious and tiresome. We coped before these services were available and its perfectly easy to enjoy media without them.
Well, it’s technically a statement. Whether it’s stated anything worth stating is up for destate. They should actually de-state this and reinstate it with something that better reflects the status quo, instead of leaving us in a stasis.
A game that respects the player’s time - that’s a big selling point. The industry needs to move away from the notion that we all want 100+ hour epics and players should accept that it’s not an entitlement. Some recent, shorter games have been accused of being too expensive - this never happened twenty years ago - why now?
The run-of-the-mill storyline is an all-too-familiar commentary. Click on any posting for a narrative designer/writer role in the games industry and the vast majority require years of experience from the applicant. Why do we not see this experience translate to the screen? Why does the story design not match the quality of the gameplay design? Too many games nowadays have lacklustre writing that players simply gloss over.
The card system always sounds like a turn-off. Perhaps it’s just personal opinion, but it’s such an immersion breaking concept and has no place outside the most hardcore of roleplaying games.
Is this demo one of the timed kind? The ones where by the time one has remembered to download it, the window to actually play the thing has passed? Not everyone leaps onto their console at the first opportunity.
The developer can clarify all they want, it will do nothing to change the fact that this is a poor decision. There may of course be financial reasons for this choice, but to ask players to pay more for what amounts to “added immersion” is bizarre, and perhaps a first. Hopefully it will not set a precedent.
I’ve not played too much of the game, but from my experience I could tell it was good. The in-depth RPG elements appear very immersive and the story looks to be well-written. PC graphics mods for the game are very photo-realistic.
Having trawled industry job listings, they are indeed a good resource for finding out about new projects and developments on existing ones.
Also, no sign of the Switch release of KCD - presumably that is no longer happening?
It looks pretty, but it also looks like a fifteen-year-old PS3 shooter.
Too many developers appear to be investing time, effort and money into making a game look good, perhaps even play well, forgetting that other factors play into good design, including well-written stories and characters, ones that are unique and are not copy and paste jobs of the same familiar tropes.
I want to see experiences that look to be showing, and hopefully doing, something different. We can’t shoot the same enemy forever.
Let’s hope this isn’t another Abandoned. There is a whole thesis to be written on that saga, which thankfully for Sony has been a minor forgotten blip of an embarrassment.
I remember picking up a PlayStation TV shortly after release during a Black Friday deal for £25 (it now commands a fair bit more) Side-line hardware projects such as these don’t have great consumer demand and seem doomed to fail.
A PS Remote Play device would need to be cheap to succeed. It has to rely on a good network connection to provide a stable, consistent and frustration-free experience. Consumers might buy this device and find it simply does not work satisfactorily with their given setup. If it were cheap, then potential costs involved in upgrading a home network might be offset.
This device needs to be simple and undercut the Backbone, which is a licensed device.
Sony should invest in more talent, more funding for unique and innovative gaming experiences. There should be a focus on quality software support, instead of needless diversification into hardware that isn’t in high demand. Perhaps Sony should focus on software to push VR2, rather than this mooted device?
It’s a great device. I went for the 64GB model. The system does have its quirks, some games don’t work perfectly, third-party logins can be a pain sometimes (even requiring a Bluetooth keyboard), but overall, it is extremely powerful and versatile.
I was very surprised when I learnt of the price of the Backbone. Similar devices have been available for phones for years. Is there any good reason why it costs £100? It’s a controller grip for a phone. There is nothing spectacular about it, other than it’s focussed on PS Remote Play use. It’s a £50 max product.
What is the appeal of a separate device for remote play? The Switch has shown the appeal of a single system for both home and portable use. It set a precedent. It’s unlikely we will see handhelds with separate game formats to their console brethren again. This is no bad thing.
What device could Sony possibly be proposing that wouldn’t do anything the Backbone doesn’t already do? Streaming games is not always ideal, dependant on scenario and setup.
There is so much to discuss here. It is not just a question of the aesthetics of games from this era. A lot of what makes a system considered retro relates to the hardware itself. The restoration and modding communities that form around older systems play a large part in the perception of what is deemed retro.
These communities concerned with restoring, modding and collecting PS3 (and PS2) hardware look to find ways to improve upon the older technology, bringing the convenience of modern storage formats to older, disc-based systems, as well as finding ways to output the system to modern displays in a more favourable manner. That the three different PS3 models also saw their own iterations (most notable and sought after being the original version of the first model - that being the preferred system for backwards compatibility) means that the PS3 cannot really be seen as one system. It is many systems, some seen as better than others, depending on the needs of the user.
The act of collecting software also plays a huge role in the retro scene. The Cell architecture made the PS3 unique and many games remain trapped on the system, due to the difficulties in porting/emulating them. Despite the introduction of the PS Store on the system, many games remain available only on disc on PS3, which means playing on original hardware with original software is the only way to experience a number of these games. The PC performance power required in order to satisfactorily emulate PS3 means this route is unrealistic for many. It remains an ideal, but one which still present its quirks and inaccuracies, resulting in an experience that is often not 100% authentic.
The game design on PS3 may feel more modern, but the visual presentation, from the graphical techniques used in the games, to the output resolution, do not compare to today’s experiences. We are unlikely to see a dramatic change in television technology for a while - 4K, HDR, 120Hz will probably remain the standard for a number of years. Consoles that were designed with older standards in mind will always feel part of not just another generation, but of a technological era.
The PS3 is a great system to collect for, as most games are generally fairly cheap to pick up. I must have amassed a collection of over 300 PS3 games and each one belong to a console somewhat trapped in time. It will be a long-time, if ever, before we see retro communities enthused about a system like the PS4. There will be nothing to change, nothing to add, no games held in limbo, nothing to entice the excitement that the PS3 (and arguably PS2) instil in those that like to tinker and preserve.
I recall someone here in the comments section being berated for suggesting that the PSVR2 might be subject to a price cut in a year or so. Of course this is a possibility, and, given the current predictions, perhaps likely.
I had a pre-order for the unit, but cancelled it shortly before release, purely for financial reasons. The price is not justifiable right now in order to play the few great experiences currently available.
The unavoidable situation regarding lack of backwards compatibility has arguably harmed the popularity of the headset. There just isn’t enough available in terms of must-have software right now. Upgrades from first-gen software will help to bolster the catalogue, but these are unlikely to be numerous.
PSVR had a long-life for a niche product and the software was released on a slow and steady basis, with a number of bigger titles still releasing later in the product’s cycle. The same may well happen with its successor, but as of now, the price and lack of software is harming PSVR2.
Speaking of advertising, I’ve just seen the bizarre advert with Ozzy Osborne, full of bleeped-out swearing, promoting the device. Whilst mildly amusing, it’s a woeful attempt to promote the product that shows little gameplay, choosing to focus on the celebrity tie-in (although I’m now remembering the wonderful Rick Mayall Nintendo adverts).
I’d like to pick up PSVR2 at some point, and would have loved to at launch, ideally. I feel that a price drop may come, by which time hopefully more older titles will have been updated and transitioned to the new system, along with, hopefully, some worthwhile, enticing, AAA offerings.
This device features unique technology which provides lots of room for innovation from developers, which is something the device has in its favour. The first unit was behind its competitors in terms of specs, but held on due to strong software. This system absolutely needs to do the same and needs continued support from both developers and Sony in order to deliver a product that is appealing to consumers.
I presumed this would be the case - all of the Sony ports thus far work great on the Deck.
It is indeed a great machine and I find I’m using it more than the Switch these days. It does, however, have its quirks. I wouldn’t say size or screen are issues for me. It’s the niggling issues logging into to third-party launchers - with a Bluetooth keyboard providing the only solution - that prove most irksome.
I've long held the vision that games will one day be able to create content themselves in order to perpetually sustain the story within the game world through the use of AI. For example, an open-world RPG, e.g. an Elder Scrolls game would be able to create its own quest lines and NPCs would be voiced dynamically, also using AI voice technology. NPCs would all need to have complex AI which would although them to effectively "think" and then voice their thoughts dynamically through the use of AI voice technology. It doesn't sound implausible, but would likely require a large amount of computational power.
This approach would be, if nothing else, an interesting experiement, although it might make the writer redundant at a certain point. The systems in place would still need curation, moderation and continual maintenance. It would be intriguing to see what AI can conjure within a given world. This application would perhaps work best in an open-world environment with less scripted and directed moments.
It's fascinating to imagine where games might be in a few years time. Rather than just procedurally generated environments, is there not the possibility that a game could "create" its own content, almost become autonomous in all aspects, thus creating as close to a living, artificial world as is possible?
Comments 653
Re: Site News: Vote for the Best Game of All Time with the Push Square Community
Life of Black Tiger.
Re: Layers of Fear Paints a Pretty Terrifying PS5 Picture from 15th June
“…remake-cum-reimagining-cum-remaster-cum-sequel”.
It is what it is.
Re: Battlefield Will Return in an Entirely New Way on PS5, EA Exec Has 'Extraordinary Confidence' in Team
BF4 was the last game in the series that didn’t have micro-transactions and live-service limited time events. That was now ten years ago. I’ve not enjoyed a BF game as much since. It’s a shame that we will likely never go back to that simplified multiplayer model. I would be drawn back to MP games if they could offer those no-frills, solid experiences again.
Re: Square Enix Wants to Release More Higher Quality Games, Starting with Final Fantasy 16
Shame. I was really hoping for a slew of releases of lesser quality, even a few sub-par titles.
Re: Hwoarang Is Ready to Kick You to Bits In Tekken 8
He was my most oft-used character. Fact. Good news then.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 476
@CaptD
SOTD fluctuates in price, but is still in demand.
Is BL2 VR solo only, or can it be played in co-op? I have it, but forget. It’s great with the Aim controller.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 476
@Bentleyma
I purchased Lollipop Chainsaw and Shadows of the Damned for similar. A few Silent Hill games are the most valuable in my collection.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 476
@Bentleyma
Folklore still commands a reasonable price. I was lucky to pick it up for about £15. I also purchased a few of the other more valuable PS3 quite cheaply - a mint copy of Yakuza: Dead Souls for £10 was a bargain!
Re: Random: FIFA 23 PS5 May Break if You Have Too Many Friends
No friends and no FIFA - will this still affect me?
Re: Poll: What's the Best PlayStation Startup Sequence?
The best, most popular PlayStation home console of all-time, of course.
PlayStation TV.
Re: Rumour: This Year's Call of Duty Is Modern Warfare 3 for PS5, PS4
That sub-heading sums it up.
Re: Rumour: Mortal Kombat 1 Is the Next Main Entry on PS5
No, don’t do that, please. Not “1”. Anything but this.
Re: Sony Will Help Fund Indie Games in India as Hero Project Expands
I saw this earlier. This is exactly the sort of initiative I’d like to see more of. I’ve made a few comments recently on here about hoping to see this form of support from platform holders.
Is this programme only currently available in India, or do Sony offer, or plan to offer this, elsewhere?
Re: PS Store Sales Charts: The Last of Us 2 Rides High on HBO Series Success
@Americansamurai1
Thanks, been a while since I played, completely slipped my mind.
It’s one of the best, if not the best game that I’ve played. I would have thought I would have remembered this. I suppose I’ve not played it in three years, so there is that.
Re: PS Store Sales Charts: The Last of Us 2 Rides High on HBO Series Success
Curious, what is “look for the light” a reference to?
Re: Rumours About PS5 Exclusive Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and Castlevania Send the Web Potty
I’m done with rumours, I’ll wait for official announcements. Life is far too short to debate upon hearsay until we all go potty.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 475
I’m playing not watching hat adornment.
Redfall on Game Pass. There is some mindless entertainment to be had. It is indeed buggy and some of the design choices are bizarre. There
is so much potential here that just feels wasted.
I’m going to try and complete it, which would be the first game I’ve seen to the end in a long while.
Re: PS5, PS4's Next Assassin's Creed Could Be Sneakily Close
I see that Ubisoft are advertising for positions to work on what is only named as “Assassin’s Creed VR”.
Is there any news on this? It’s the first I’ve heard.
Re: For Some Reason NBA's Kevin Durant Is Coming to Call of Duty
Who? Never heard of the fellow.
Re: PS5, PS4's Next Assassin's Creed Could Be Sneakily Close
@Nepp67
That’s what this is supposed to be, is it not?
Re: Dragon Age Narrative Lead Claims BioWare 'Quietly Resented' Its Writers
Like. Oh my. I’m looking for a plug-in.
Re: PS5 Pro Is '100%' Happening, Says Reliable Report
@Bez87
When have mid-gen refreshes happened previously?
I’m confused as to how money/investment doesn’t make for quality software? Money equals time, time, generally, equates to quality. Surely more time and money would help to ensure games release in a better state and provide a stable experience?
I have just tried Redfall on Xbox, and whilst I love Arkane, it is absolutely apparent that the game should not have released as it is. Graphically it is inconsistent, there are obvious glitches and from a design point of view it just doesn’t work as a solo game - huge chunks of time are spent walking across an empty map. Do I hate the experience, no, the atmosphere and world design work, it just feels like it needed more time. And money.
The only real demand of a Pro model is that it helps developers meet 4K/60 more consistently. What are consoles actually competing with now? Triple AAA games on PC are continually being released in a broken state. The cost to run the latest titles at highest settings on PC is prohibitive for many. Consoles continue to compete with a platform they will never surpass, nor do they need to. I’d be more excited for news on a PS6 that meets the demands of something like Cyberpunk 2077 Overdrive. That technology is likely a decade away for consoles.
Is the PS5 actually comparable to the Base PS4 at the same point in its lifespan? Releases for the PS5 are consistently both graphically impressive and provide stable performance. What will a PS5 Pro do to improve a game like Horizon:FW, already one of the most impressive games on any system.?
Generally I am not a fan of the continual push to persuade consumers to buy into things that they don’t really need. Nobody needs a new iPhone every year, no one. The difference in features year-on-year is negligible. A £1500 maximum outlay per annum for something that we don’t need is obviously unnecessary. The point here is does the market actually need or want a mid-generation refresh? The PS5 has only just become more readily available. Those consumers buying in now might feel shortchanged in 18 months time. Most of them won’t be upgrading.
Re: PS5 Pro Is '100%' Happening, Says Reliable Report
@Valgore
That’s not a bad deal. I traded a PS4 Pro in Game last year for a Series S. It was £40 on top, which wasn’t bad, as the S had yet to have any regular substantial discounts. If the upgrade path is there, it’s certainly appealing.
Re: PS5 Pro Is '100%' Happening, Says Reliable Report
Browsing through the comments, the consensus seems to be that this is not needed. It appears what people actually want is more quality games, specifically first-party titles. What is the point in a Pro model if there aren’t enough titles to show off its potential? It doesn’t sound as if consumers want this. Granted, there will always be those that want the latest and best version, but what are we really being asked to buy into here? Many games can and do hit 4K/60 on the current model. It’s also down to developers to ensure their games perform well on existing hardware.
The hinted remote play device sounds limited. The refresh with a detachable disc drive sounds horribly inelegant - both seem unlikely. Hardware should be kept simple for the consumer, having to mess around with a peripheral like this, even if it’s one time only, sounds like a messy solution from the 90s console era.
If anything, the PS5 could benefit from a slim iteration. As mentioned above, many do not care for specs, RT and the like. There are probably many people who have been put off buying a PS5 purely because of the design, but more so the size. A smaller unit might be just as appealing as one which promises 4K locked 60.
Personally, I’m not keen on mid-generation refreshes. I understand the reasoning, but it’s not simple and tidy. It’s the same reason I’ve gone off PS Plus. I’d much prefer it as it used to be, without the tiered system.
Sony should focus on the games, that’s what we buy the systems for. I’d rather see the money that goes into R&D , production and marketing of a mid-generation refresh go into funding more exciting software.
If a mid-gen refresh didn’t exist, would anyone care or notice. We are being presented with things to consume, therefore we consume them. We don’t really need them, we are just told it’s better.
Re: The Apocalypse Awaits Your Bank Balance if You Pod Out $2,000 for This The Last of Us 2 Statue
What does “pod out” mean? I’ve never heard this term.
Re: Soapbox: I No Longer Think Subscriptions Like PS Plus, Xbox Game Pass Are the Future of Gaming
I cancelled my subscription a few months back after being subscribed to Plus for ten years. I did so for a number of reasons. From a financial perspective, it was no longer justifiable. I also have such a backlog, that access to more games just isn't necessary. With limited time to play games, I cannot commit to a game that might be removed from the service in a few month's time, especially if it is lengthy. The PS Collection is leaving the service, but if there was the guarantee of games that were to stay on the service permanently, then this would be more appealing.
Games from previous generations were a draw for me, but again, with a healthy physical collection on PS3 and PS2, as well as a handy PS Classic, I don't need access to titles from those systems. Again, if their stay on the service is guaranteed, then it might prove a reason to ditch the old physical systems.
I also simply do not like the tiered system. Granted, it offers choice for the user, but given that I have not been following the service that closely, it just appears as confusing. I also believe that Sony should offer cloud save storage as standard, without locking it behind a subscription.
I've decided to cancel most of the few subscription services that I have. I agree that it doesn't suit games as much as it does for music and films/TV. The shift to a subscription for everything has become somewhat tedious and tiresome. We coped before these services were available and its perfectly easy to enjoy media without them.
Re: Sony Reassures All That Marvel's Spider-Man 2's Release Date Is on Track for PS5
Well, it’s technically a statement. Whether it’s stated anything worth stating is up for destate. They should actually de-state this and reinstate it with something that better reflects the status quo, instead of leaving us in a stasis.
Re: Dead Island 2 (PS5) - A Surprisingly Refreshing Zombie Slasher
A game that respects the player’s time - that’s a big selling point. The industry needs to move away from the notion that we all want 100+ hour epics and players should accept that it’s not an entitlement. Some recent, shorter games have been accused of being too expensive - this never happened twenty years ago - why now?
The run-of-the-mill storyline is an all-too-familiar commentary. Click on any posting for a narrative designer/writer role in the games industry and the vast majority require years of experience from the applicant. Why do we not see this experience translate to the screen? Why does the story design not match the quality of the gameplay design? Too many games nowadays have lacklustre writing that players simply gloss over.
The card system always sounds like a turn-off. Perhaps it’s just personal opinion, but it’s such an immersion breaking concept and has no place outside the most hardcore of roleplaying games.
Re: Play Street Fighter 6's Free Demo on PS5, PS4 Right Now
Is this demo one of the timed kind? The ones where by the time one has remembered to download it, the window to actually play the thing has passed? Not everyone leaps onto their console at the first opportunity.
Re: Techland Is Not Announcing Dying Light 3, Just Polling Players on Possible Protagonists
@JustPlainLoco
Leonard Rossiter.
Re: Standalone Harry Potter Quidditch Game Announced
Harry Potter and the Tree of Nothing.
Re: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Studio Clarifies 'Paywalled' Voice Acting DLC
@get2sammyb
The developer can clarify all they want, it will do nothing to change the fact that this is a poor decision. There may of course be financial reasons for this choice, but to ask players to pay more for what amounts to “added immersion” is bizarre, and perhaps a first. Hopefully it will not set a precedent.
Re: Kingdom Come: Deliverance Dev Warhorse Studios Mustering Creative Host for New Project
I’ve not played too much of the game, but from my experience I could tell it was good. The in-depth RPG elements appear very immersive and the story looks to be well-written. PC graphics mods for the game are very photo-realistic.
Having trawled industry job listings, they are indeed a good resource for finding out about new projects and developments on existing ones.
Also, no sign of the Switch release of KCD - presumably that is no longer happening?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 472
Dipping in and out of games that have appeared on the PS Classic.
Re: PS5 Remote Play Handheld Purportedly Pegged for November
@rjejr
PlayStation TV had different names in some territories. Confusion justified.
Re: Zool Redimensioned Brings Gremlin's 90s Ninja Icon to PS4
I played this regularly on a friend’s Amiga 500. It’s a slightly bizarre choice for a remaster.
A full remake of this is definitely needed:
https://youtu.be/E5_4DhXWdwo
Re: Next-Gen Shooter Neo Berlin 2087 Is Baffling PS5 Owners
It looks pretty, but it also looks like a fifteen-year-old PS3 shooter.
Too many developers appear to be investing time, effort and money into making a game look good, perhaps even play well, forgetting that other factors play into good design, including well-written stories and characters, ones that are unique and are not copy and paste jobs of the same familiar tropes.
I want to see experiences that look to be showing, and hopefully doing, something different. We can’t shoot the same enemy forever.
Let’s hope this isn’t another Abandoned. There is a whole thesis to be written on that saga, which thankfully for Sony has been a minor forgotten blip of an embarrassment.
Re: Most PlayStation Fans Aren't At All Sold on a PS5 Remote Play Handheld
I remember picking up a PlayStation TV shortly after release during a Black Friday deal for £25 (it now commands a fair bit more) Side-line hardware projects such as these don’t have great consumer demand and seem doomed to fail.
A PS Remote Play device would need to be cheap to succeed. It has to rely on a good network connection to provide a stable, consistent and frustration-free experience. Consumers might buy this device and find it simply does not work satisfactorily with their given setup. If it were cheap, then potential costs involved in upgrading a home network might be offset.
This device needs to be simple and undercut the Backbone, which is a licensed device.
Sony should invest in more talent, more funding for unique and innovative gaming experiences. There should be a focus on quality software support, instead of needless diversification into hardware that isn’t in high demand. Perhaps Sony should focus on software to push VR2, rather than this mooted device?
Re: Random: Monster Energy Thinks You Might Confuse Its Drinks with Monster Hunter
It’s borderline disturbing to see people chugging on one of these humongous cans at 8am.
And no, nobody is going to confuse anything else that uses the word Monster with this company and their product.
Sad times.
Re: Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Brings 1 Through 6 to PS4 on 19th April
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster 1-6.
Fixed.
Re: Rumour: PS Vita 2 Dreams Killed But Sony Might Have a Handheld for PS5 Remote Play in the Works
@SeanOhOgain
It’s a great device. I went for the 64GB model. The system does have its quirks, some games don’t work perfectly, third-party logins can be a pain sometimes (even requiring a Bluetooth keyboard), but overall, it is extremely powerful and versatile.
Re: Rumour: PS Vita 2 Dreams Killed But Sony Might Have a Handheld for PS5 Remote Play in the Works
I was very surprised when I learnt of the price of the Backbone. Similar devices have been available for phones for years. Is there any good reason why it costs £100? It’s a controller grip for a phone. There is nothing spectacular about it, other than it’s focussed on PS Remote Play use. It’s a £50 max product.
What is the appeal of a separate device for remote play? The Switch has shown the appeal of a single system for both home and portable use. It set a precedent. It’s unlikely we will see handhelds with separate game formats to their console brethren again. This is no bad thing.
What device could Sony possibly be proposing that wouldn’t do anything the Backbone doesn’t already do? Streaming games is not always ideal, dependant on scenario and setup.
Re: Soapbox: Hold On, Is the PS3 a Retro Console?
There is so much to discuss here. It is not just a question of the aesthetics of games from this era. A lot of what makes a system considered retro relates to the hardware itself. The restoration and modding communities that form around older systems play a large part in the perception of what is deemed retro.
These communities concerned with restoring, modding and collecting PS3 (and PS2) hardware look to find ways to improve upon the older technology, bringing the convenience of modern storage formats to older, disc-based systems, as well as finding ways to output the system to modern displays in a more favourable manner. That the three different PS3 models also saw their own iterations (most notable and sought after being the original version of the first model - that being the preferred system for backwards compatibility) means that the PS3 cannot really be seen as one system. It is many systems, some seen as better than others, depending on the needs of the user.
The act of collecting software also plays a huge role in the retro scene. The Cell architecture made the PS3 unique and many games remain trapped on the system, due to the difficulties in porting/emulating them. Despite the introduction of the PS Store on the system, many games remain available only on disc on PS3, which means playing on original hardware with original software is the only way to experience a number of these games. The PC performance power required in order to satisfactorily emulate PS3 means this route is unrealistic for many. It remains an ideal, but one which still present its quirks and inaccuracies, resulting in an experience that is often not 100% authentic.
The game design on PS3 may feel more modern, but the visual presentation, from the graphical techniques used in the games, to the output resolution, do not compare to today’s experiences. We are unlikely to see a dramatic change in television technology for a while - 4K, HDR, 120Hz will probably remain the standard for a number of years. Consoles that were designed with older standards in mind will always feel part of not just another generation, but of a technological era.
The PS3 is a great system to collect for, as most games are generally fairly cheap to pick up. I must have amassed a collection of over 300 PS3 games and each one belong to a console somewhat trapped in time. It will be a long-time, if ever, before we see retro communities enthused about a system like the PS4. There will be nothing to change, nothing to add, no games held in limbo, nothing to entice the excitement that the PS3 (and arguably PS2) instil in those that like to tinker and preserve.
If 8bitdo could just make a mod-kit for the DS3…
Retro Fighter does not count.
Re: Soapbox: PSVR2 Already Feels Like It's on Course for Failure
I recall someone here in the comments section being berated for suggesting that the PSVR2 might be subject to a price cut in a year or so. Of course this is a possibility, and, given the current predictions, perhaps likely.
I had a pre-order for the unit, but cancelled it shortly before release, purely for financial reasons. The price is not justifiable right now in order to play the few great experiences currently available.
The unavoidable situation regarding lack of backwards compatibility has arguably harmed the popularity of the headset. There just isn’t enough available in terms of must-have software right now. Upgrades from first-gen software will help to bolster the catalogue, but these are unlikely to be numerous.
PSVR had a long-life for a niche product and the software was released on a slow and steady basis, with a number of bigger titles still releasing later in the product’s cycle. The same may well happen with its successor, but as of now, the price and lack of software is harming PSVR2.
Speaking of advertising, I’ve just seen the bizarre advert with Ozzy Osborne, full of bleeped-out swearing, promoting the device. Whilst mildly amusing, it’s a woeful attempt to promote the product that shows little gameplay, choosing to focus on the celebrity tie-in (although I’m now remembering the wonderful Rick Mayall Nintendo adverts).
I’d like to pick up PSVR2 at some point, and would have loved to at launch, ideally. I feel that a price drop may come, by which time hopefully more older titles will have been updated and transitioned to the new system, along with, hopefully, some worthwhile, enticing, AAA offerings.
This device features unique technology which provides lots of room for innovation from developers, which is something the device has in its favour. The first unit was behind its competitors in terms of specs, but held on due to strong software. This system absolutely needs to do the same and needs continued support from both developers and Sony in order to deliver a product that is appealing to consumers.
Re: Site News: Love What We Do? Become a Push Square Supporter
I see “Standard User - Adverts, Free”, then “Push Square Supporter - Article Continues Below”.
Was on purpose? Anyway, amusing nonetheless.
Re: Pour One Out for Team Fortress 2 on PS3, Which Is Now Offline After 15 Years
When I last tried this, which was years ago, there was hardly anyone on there. It’s no great loss, poor port, no community.
Goodbye.
Re: The Last of Us on PC Attracts 'Mostly Negative' Reviews for Crashes, Poor Performance
Up to an hour to compile shaders on Steam Deck, for a low/med setting 30FPS experience - not good.
Re: You May Be Able to Take The Last of Us on a Roadtrip Soon
I presumed this would be the case - all of the Sony ports thus far work great on the Deck.
It is indeed a great machine and I find I’m using it more than the Switch these days. It does, however, have its quirks. I wouldn’t say size or screen are issues for me. It’s the niggling issues logging into to third-party launchers - with a Bluetooth keyboard providing the only solution - that prove most irksome.
Re: Final Fantasy 16 Fans Divided as Squeeze Gap Discourse Begins Anew
I like them, solely because it provide a closer look at the character model, often with some pretty, moody lighting.
Re: Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Wolverine to Boast 'Very Cool' Dialogue Tech
@GuttyYZ
I've long held the vision that games will one day be able to create content themselves in order to perpetually sustain the story within the game world through the use of AI. For example, an open-world RPG, e.g. an Elder Scrolls game would be able to create its own quest lines and NPCs would be voiced dynamically, also using AI voice technology. NPCs would all need to have complex AI which would although them to effectively "think" and then voice their thoughts dynamically through the use of AI voice technology.
It doesn't sound implausible, but would likely require a large amount of computational power.
This approach would be, if nothing else, an interesting experiement, although it might make the writer redundant at a certain point. The systems in place would still need curation, moderation and continual maintenance. It would be intriguing to see what AI can conjure within a given world. This application would perhaps work best in an open-world environment with less scripted and directed moments.
It's fascinating to imagine where games might be in a few years time. Rather than just procedurally generated environments, is there not the possibility that a game could "create" its own content, almost become autonomous in all aspects, thus creating as close to a living, artificial world as is possible?