@Flaming_Kaiser yeah, the tone of PS has changed a lot over the years. Used to be very pro-gaming, even if a bit cynical. Now it feels like a free-for-all to crap on everyone and everything.
Maybe not these multi sport titles but the Epyx range (Winter, Summer, California and World Games) remain very playable. Perhaps Sammy would prefer more micro transactions and loot boxes?
@Northern_munkey as observations go, this one is 100% spot on. Who would have thought as technology improves, people become more miserable and entitled. Maybe that's the real Moore's Law.
@nessisonett Japan has some of the most protective labour laws in the world. It's almost impossible to fire someone. The type of companies you're referring to are called burakkukigyo (black companies) and they are subject to harsh penalties. Is the system perfect? No. But if a company wants to fire you for no reason, 6 - 12 months of severance pay is pretty standard.
It is a thing. Been going on a long time. But before people revolt, it's close to impossible to fire people in Japan unless they have acted very egregiously. Labour law works almost too well here where you have MNCs that have less than 2% attrition. You might not like it but a lot of the people that are placed into these oidashibeya are completely non-productive and wouldn't survive in a meritocracy.
Lived in Japan since 2001. Have never been to Tokyo Game Show. That was more defensible back when it was aimed solely at the press. But pretty stupid that I've never made it haha.
@TheElectroFunky great points and good to hear from a technical POV rather than just opinion. Some people on here just want to complain about everything.
@johnedwin stats don't tell the whole story. I've lived and worked in Japan for 20+ years. There's always been pessimism about the economy but Japan keeps motoring along. I speak with business leaders at multinational companies on a daily basis and more often than not the Japan entity of said business is the only one performing well globally. This includes popular consumer brands that we make use of, indicating that people continue to spend. The Japan economy can be a hard one to read because people are very good at saving their money and personal debt has traditionally been low. The aging population is a massive issue but even so, the doom and gloom does not reflect daily life here in Japan.
As for Astro Bot, I've not seen any marketing for it all in Japan. Perhaps that's the issue? Or could be that people here, like elsewhere, have transitioned to digital.
@somnambulance @johnedwin no, the economy in Japan is not doing poorly. In fact, many global companies are surging in Japan while they languish elsewhere and Japanese companies continue to invest and hire. Spending power is down especially for imported goods (which PlayStation effectively is) but a lot of fuss being made about the weak yen is misplaced and reaction to inflation is a bit exaggerated because there was none for the last 30 years. The actual rate of inflation is still well below any other economy and thus the standard of living in Japan remains high.
@get2sammyb I would argue that it's actually a strength of AntStream that a lot of the major names are missing as they are already widely available. Rather it gives a chance for other titles to shine. Like you say, a person's interest in those titles will be purely subjective.
Do fans of other entertainment mediums sit around and wish for new and upcoming releases to fail and then gleefully wring their hands when they do whilst bemoaning the ones that become successful?
It's not mentioned here but why does GhostHunter look so much better than the other PS2 titles that have been released? Is there anything different about the way it's been emulated?
Comments 1,254
Re: Talking Point: What Was the Best Game Announcement at The Game Awards 2024?
Definitely Project Robot
Re: Video: 10 Games You Need to Play on PS5 Pro
@Rich33 as they say, misery loves company. Or, in this case, being masochistic and miserable about their chosen hobby. Sheesh.
Re: My First Gran Turismo Available This Friday for Free on PS5, PS4
@LifeGirl @Markatron84 have mentioned this before but there is a legacy of Sony using this naming convention - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_First_Sony
Re: My First Gran Turismo Has Been Rated for Release on PS5, PS4
@Flaming_Kaiser yeah, the tone of PS has changed a lot over the years. Used to be very pro-gaming, even if a bit cynical. Now it feels like a free-for-all to crap on everyone and everything.
Maybe that's just gaming in general.
Re: My First Gran Turismo Has Been Rated for Release on PS5, PS4
Wow, what a bunch of miserablists in these comments.
@JohntheRaptor you realize Sony used to have a range of My First Sony products?
Re: Japan Sales Charts: Dragon Quest 3 Is an Absolute Monster, PS5 Pro Falls Off
I would buy a Pro if I could get my hands on one in Japan... But they're proving to be very elusive.
Re: Mini Review: Tetris Forever (PS5) - Explore 40 Years of Tetris in Digital Eclipse's Best Collection Yet
Looks like a real blockbuster
Re: Poll: Did You Buy a PS5 Pro?
I put my name in the hat for the 30th anniversary bundle but it did not get pulled out.
Re: Crummy Classic Sports Games Compiled in Accolade Sports Collection on PS5, PS4
Maybe not these multi sport titles but the Epyx range (Winter, Summer, California and World Games) remain very playable. Perhaps Sammy would prefer more micro transactions and loot boxes?
Re: Sony Says the Best Time to Get a PS5 Is Now
@Northern_munkey as observations go, this one is 100% spot on. Who would have thought as technology improves, people become more miserable and entitled. Maybe that's the real Moore's Law.
Re: Gaze in Awe at Official PS5 Pro Enhanced Label, Gracing Physical Game Boxes Soon
@amatmulisha some people just live to moan
Re: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (PS5) - A Sublime Remaster of a Modern PlayStation Classic
@McTwist in a (Mc)Twist, McTwist leaves a positive comment.
Oh, wait. Nevermind.
Re: Mini Review: Starship Troopers: Extermination (PS5) - Not Just a Helldivers Clone
No Denise Richards?
Re: As Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero Explodes, Bandai Namco Is Reportedly Cutting Staff and Projects
@nessisonett Japan has some of the most protective labour laws in the world. It's almost impossible to fire someone. The type of companies you're referring to are called burakkukigyo (black companies) and they are subject to harsh penalties. Is the system perfect? No. But if a company wants to fire you for no reason, 6 - 12 months of severance pay is pretty standard.
Re: As Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero Explodes, Bandai Namco Is Reportedly Cutting Staff and Projects
It is a thing. Been going on a long time. But before people revolt, it's close to impossible to fire people in Japan unless they have acted very egregiously. Labour law works almost too well here where you have MNCs that have less than 2% attrition. You might not like it but a lot of the people that are placed into these oidashibeya are completely non-productive and wouldn't survive in a meritocracy.
Re: Huge List of 18 Major Games to Leave PS Plus Extra, Premium Next Month
@Robinsad how about you just play the games while they are on the service? Or, y'know, buy the games you want to play...
Re: Cyber Attack on Outlast Developer Reportedly Holds Almost 2TB of Data to Ransom
@Oram77 you're being far too nice. Cancer can at least be cured.
Re: Sony Product Manager Urges PS5 Fans to 'Settle Down' Over Ads
@Netret0120 thanks, Conspiracy Bill.
Re: PS5's Ginormous Tokyo Game Show Booth Will Make You Wish You Were in Japan
Lived in Japan since 2001. Have never been to Tokyo Game Show. That was more defensible back when it was aimed solely at the press. But pretty stupid that I've never made it haha.
Re: All Eyes on Aloy (Again), as Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Comparison Does the Rounds
@TheElectroFunky great points and good to hear from a technical POV rather than just opinion. Some people on here just want to complain about everything.
Re: PS Plus Essential Games for October 2024 Announced
Pretty stoked for WWE and Dead Space. I'm afraid Doki Doki doesn't get me excited at all.
Re: Mini Review: Mister Mosquito (PS2) - Sony Classic Sucks in All the Right Ways
@get2sammyb does it have the option to play in Japanese with English subtitles or is it hard-coded?
Re: Annapurna Interactive Exodus Sees Entire Staff Resign
@OthmaneAD thanks for telling me all I need to know about you
Re: Annapurna Interactive Exodus Sees Entire Staff Resign
@OthmaneAD why would you platinum a game you don't enjoy?
Re: Japan Sales Charts: Astro Bot Barely Registers at Retail, PS5 Numbers Plummet After Price Hike
@johnedwin stats don't tell the whole story. I've lived and worked in Japan for 20+ years. There's always been pessimism about the economy but Japan keeps motoring along. I speak with business leaders at multinational companies on a daily basis and more often than not the Japan entity of said business is the only one performing well globally. This includes popular consumer brands that we make use of, indicating that people continue to spend. The Japan economy can be a hard one to read because people are very good at saving their money and personal debt has traditionally been low. The aging population is a massive issue but even so, the doom and gloom does not reflect daily life here in Japan.
As for Astro Bot, I've not seen any marketing for it all in Japan. Perhaps that's the issue? Or could be that people here, like elsewhere, have transitioned to digital.
Re: Japan Sales Charts: Astro Bot Barely Registers at Retail, PS5 Numbers Plummet After Price Hike
@somnambulance @johnedwin no, the economy in Japan is not doing poorly. In fact, many global companies are surging in Japan while they languish elsewhere and Japanese companies continue to invest and hire. Spending power is down especially for imported goods (which PlayStation effectively is) but a lot of fuss being made about the weak yen is misplaced and reaction to inflation is a bit exaggerated because there was none for the last 30 years. The actual rate of inflation is still well below any other economy and thus the standard of living in Japan remains high.
Re: Japan Sales Charts: Astro Bot Barely Registers at Retail, PS5 Numbers Plummet After Price Hike
@NoHope isn't 90 relatively near to 95? It's only a 5.56% difference.
Re: Japan Sales Charts: Astro Bot Barely Registers at Retail, PS5 Numbers Plummet After Price Hike
I bought one of the 12,000!
Re: Zany PS Plus Oddity Mister Mosquito Is an Unmissable PS5, PS4 Addition
I'm buzzing to revisit this one!
Re: Despite Price Point, Analyst Firm Expects PS5 Pro to Sell Like PS4 Pro
Not enough serious gamers up in here.
Re: Mini Review: Crossy Road Castle (PS5) - Addictive Mobile Game Struts onto PS5
Better get a PS5 Pro for this!
Re: PS5 Pro Showcase Coming Today, Hosted by Mark Cerny
@Ravix fitting that this has landed on 69 likes...
For now at least
Re: Astro Bot PS5 Fans Wonder Where All the Square Enix Characters Are
Coming as live service I guess
Re: Antstream Arcade (PS5) - Instantly Add 1,300 Retro Releases to Your Console Collection
@get2sammyb I would argue that it's actually a strength of AntStream that a lot of the major names are missing as they are already widely available. Rather it gives a chance for other titles to shine. Like you say, a person's interest in those titles will be purely subjective.
Re: Soapbox: Astro's Playroom PS5 Did Live Service and You Didn't Even Notice
Sammy's going down swinging
Re: Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown Review (PS5) - Flawless Driving Stalled by Technical Issues and a Lacking Hong Kong
So it's implementation of Hong Kong is not as good as Sleeping Dogs?
Re: Soapbox: Astro Bot PS5 Is Not a Graveyard, It's a Joyful Demonstration of Sony's Unique Ability to Reinvent Itself
@RoomWithaMoose it's difficult to imagine modern Sony putting out a game like Sly... Didn't they just release Astro Bot?
Re: Why Is No One Talking About 1950s Courier Game Deliver At All Costs on PS5?
Looks like a great ol' time
Re: Internal Sony Fairgame$ Chatter Is Reportedly Quite Positive
Do fans of other entertainment mediums sit around and wish for new and upcoming releases to fail and then gleefully wring their hands when they do whilst bemoaning the ones that become successful?
What a weird type of fandom this is.
Re: Test Drive Unlimited Developer Joins Spiders in Strike Against Nacon
@nessisonett specifically which pigs are holding you down?
Re: PSA: Astro Bot PS5 Copies Leak, Watch Out for Spoilers
Er... Astro Bot wins?
Re: Date More Beautiful Women Out of Your League in Ridiculous PS5 Romance Sim Superscout
Speak for yourself, Sammy.
Re: Turn That Frown Upside Down with Colourful The Smurf: Dreams Gameplay on PS5, PS4
I thought at first this was about a Smurfs game made in Dreams. Oops.
Re: Antstream Lets You Stream 1000s of Retro Games, and It's Coming to PS5, PS4
@Specky not sure if downloading something illegally translates to "owning" it forever.
Re: Astro Bot PS5 DualSense Controller Pre-Orders Are Now Live
Just pre-ordered one from Amazon Japan!
Re: Ghosthunter (PS2) - Overlooked Supernatural Shooter Should Be a Cult Classic
It's not mentioned here but why does GhostHunter look so much better than the other PS2 titles that have been released? Is there anything different about the way it's been emulated?
Re: Nobody Wants to Die (PS5) - Film Noir Meets Cyberpunk in This Stylish Detective Thriller
Went from knowing nothing to wanting it - nice review!
Re: Beloved Murder Mystery Game The Case of the Golden Idol Gets PS5, PS4 Ports Next Week
Can't be that beloved if it only gets 2 comments...
Re: Random: We Regret to Inform You DOOM Has Been Ported to a Sex Toy
Er... What exactly does that particular toy do? Most seem rather self-explanatory.
Re: Boston Celtics Superstar Jayson Tatum Headlines NBA 2K25 on PS5, PS4
@Ravix thank you for posting the best comment in the history of PushSquare
Bring on banner 19!!!