Gaming Industry

How To Win A Generation

How To Win A Generation

On By In Gaming Industry

Remember the days when you could win a generation based on being able to share a video game with someone? Good times, right? The way that all played out to bury the Xbox One when Jack Tretton said after the announcement, ‘I guess that’s a good thing to a PlayStation crowd’. Phil Spencer said that the generation they lost was the biggest generation you could lose. The reason was because of the digital libraries that people had accumulated over time.

It really begs the question: will we ever see that sort of thing again? I do not think we will. The reason is because the two consoles are nearly identical, and there really isn’t that hunger in the industry to put on a show like that anymore or to be that competitive. There is more of a mutual respect within the industry. If we think about it also, times have changed so much since then as well. With Microsoft now moving on to all devices. Sony and Nintendo are the only ones that can theoretically put on that kind of show. Winning the generation now means more than just hardware sales. It’s how many people are playing your game and logging into your network.

It’s how many subscriptions you’re selling; it’s how you’re appealing to every demographic possible out there with a console that really brings everything that company is good at to the table. We’ve seen this generation in particular the level of safety and familiarity that this generation has brought us. It’s been a continuation, just more specced up. The Nintendo Switch has shown that you do not need fancy graphics; you just need good games. In many ways, PlayStation has sold on the success of the PS4 generation.

This generation, for many, hasn’t lived up to expectations. So when we bring up this type of question, ultimately, it’s going to be the company that does more for its fans and brings more to the table that illustrates the reason why you should be excited for the next generation. In a way, it’s going to be doing it in a way that’s very different and laid back. I’ve always believed that if you give the consumer a good product and you maintain momentum, just as Nintendo has done. That goes about creating the hype needed these days you can truly reach for the stars. However, Sony has absolutely had a sub-par generation in terms of PlayStation’s Studio’s overall output. There are going to be a lot of people taking all this into account and considering PC more closely for many reasons in their future.

That opens the door for Xbox in a way. Why do you say that? Because if Microsoft appeals to a console-PC hybrid audience while also having compatibility with multiple libraries, that brings Xbox very much back into the conversation. Especially since a lot of people have already spent money on Steam and other places on PC. Of course, you may say, well, it’s going to be to their detriment. I don’t believe that at all. In fact, I see this as a really big opportunity for a console and PC ecosystem combined that really works for the players. If a company markets something to you right and it fits into the right price range. Then, just like Nintendo having momentum off the back of the Nintendo Switch. It’s yet again companies that are playing to their own strengths within the industry. It could actually surprise a lot of people.

I go back to the most important question in this article. How do you win a generation these days? Well, you follow that momentum, and you play to the strengths of your company. Nintendo is doing that, and Microsoft, with Xbox, is leaning towards that with what’s next on the horizon. It’s going to be interesting how Sony wraps up this generation and just how it goes about selling us on what they do. They have a great back library, but their focus has been in limbo, and they really need to get back to what they’re best known for in good capacity to satisfy any serious doubters.

PlayStation Should But Probaby Won't (Yet)

PlayStation Should But Probaby Won’t (Yet)

On By In Gaming Industry

Sony’s stance around PlayStation games being a closed ecosystem might have to change. Even if really they’d like to keep you tied down to their platform. The way I look at it, Microsoft is having a huge amount of success for some of its titles via the PlayStation Store. They’re charting as top sellers. Nobody would have said this would’ve happened if you believed the random person saying that Microsoft hasn’t got the games a few years back.

As we’re seeing now, they do have the games, and they’re peaking the interest of Sony fans themselves that are willing to play it on their platform of choice. It’s an easy cash grab for Microsoft and a resource that makes sense to them with the direction they’re going in.

Does it make sense for Sony? Well, it depends what camp you’re in, because if you’re in the Sony camp. It’s going to be a resounding no by most of the voices of PlayStation. However, if you happen to be invested in the business side of all this and how PlayStation games would do great things next-gen on an Xbox. There is a point to say that it’s something Sony will likely not ignore for too long. I do believe PlayStation will follow suit in some capacity.

You might be thinking of no chance; however, if how well Microsoft is doing on a PlayStation is any concern. You might want to rethink that a little. Because ultimately, Sony has games that quite literally cost a fortune to make. There is untapped potential and rewards in bringing PlayStation Studios to a wider audience, including Xbox.

We’re going to find out very soon how Sony intends to act in the next generation surrounding Steam and PlayStation exclusivity and where they stand. Because from Sony’s perspective themselves. They’re branching out in the entertainment space with great success elsewhere.

We have the critically acclaimed The Last of Us, and even anime is becoming a big thing for PlayStation. The way Sony has operated for the last 30 years might not be in their best interest to carry on with as a long-term future thing. Especially when there are a lot of untapped audiences that would like to play their games on devices they choose to play on. That right now happens to be getting invested in those unique universes. For those that would rather play any other way than a PlayStation or just prefer other ways of playing. This should be music to your ears.

Sony is in this very moment, operating on 30 years of success by gamers that are now in their 30s and 40s and the loyalty they’ve shown the brand. However, sometimes fortune’s favour the brave, and if they wish to carry on even with the masses of hardware they’re selling. They’re going to need to open their doors sooner or later to a new generation of players with a bigger appetite for the brand, and ultimately, that might sway a course correction into the future that sees only Nintendo as the most exclusivity-driven. How many times have we seen this play out? It is normally reciprocal and reactionary based on how their competitors are doing.

This upcoming new generation is going to see a big shift for the industry. I think, mostly positive. However, those of us who are latching on to our bygone eras and principles might need to embrace some of what the new kid on the block brings to the industry at large. A harsh reality, but it’s exactly where I see everything going.

For all the success Sony is having, how long until the message is received on console number ceilings and PlayStation Studios want to be doing even better numbers and have their work enjoyed by even more people? Sony is now following the metrics number of PSN activity (logged in) for any device. If anything, that’s nothing new, but it’s a tonal shift somewhat in that nothing in the future is completely off the table to how they account for success.

Domination by Design

Domination by Design

On By In Gaming Industry

How could Xbox and PlayStation choose to compete against each other in the next generation? Despite the online discussions, the console wars are over. I want to say that they are for Microsoft. Why? Because Xbox will be utilising PC-console hybrid across the board a lot more next generation, as the gaming media have been rightly suggesting. However, there are plenty of things not being discussed about how they’re going to actually make those generations count for each other on a business basis. I want to get into that a lot more today.

As we know, Microsoft and Xbox Game Pass are massive for Xbox. Microsoft has shown in the past that they’re not afraid to soak up the costs of their first-party titles by going Day One on Game Pass for their subscribers. Effectively, what we’re seeing is something pretty exciting going on here. Xbox is going all-in on PC. However, to what extent? I think we’re going to see a free online. I think PC game prices will reflect the same for their Xbox counterparts as well through that deeper PC shopfront integration. You want to be able to have the PC experience fault-free? That place will be an Xbox on console, but just in a way you’ve never seen before.

For those people saying that the subscription method of Game Pass cut into their costs. I do not think Microsoft is that bothered. After all, if Microsoft can have all its first-party games on day one and they’re willing to do that. It’s effectively making that kind of point irrelevant. Then, you can add that Microsoft is very much more open in allowing other services to run alongside them anyway. When we’re seeing selected games coming to PlayStation in that first-party at dates of their choosing, I might add also, and to massive success. That factors in as well.

Forza, for example, up there with pre-orders of the new Assassins Creed game this month. Not bad, hey, for a few-year-old game? We’ve made the point that Microsoft is not that bothered about eating costs. I think it’s important to note that they’re obviously benefiting substantially from getting a lot of lost revenue back, so that’s shaping their whole vision also.

We’re now seeing Microsoft play a very different game with Xbox. It’s worth pointing out that how Sony responds to this will be through bringing back their back-catalogue games of bygone previous generations that have long been out of sight for a while now. There are rumours of Killzone and potentially even Resistance being made as we speak at this moment.

However, this new direction will leave Xbox charting its own course in very much a way that Nintendo is doing. Just in a very different way. I expect some great things to come out of it, and I still think that the competition with what Microsoft is doing with Xbox will fundamentally shape the choices and actions of what Sony does next also. Especially if Xbox makes really pro-consumer choices that ultimately make gaming better for everyone. No competitor is ever not going to respond to that in the right way. Because ultimately, they will not have a choice in the matter.

 

 

Game Pass Could Be Big Next Gen

Game Pass Could Be Big Next Gen

On By In Gaming Industry

A lot of people are of the opinion that Game Pass is not good for gaming. However, I am of a differing opinion because what is clear to me is that the lack of innovation in games is more of a threat. You could also say that the spiraling out of control cost of developing games is also one. It’s a turning point in an industry that is having to think more and more about where it’s heading and how it makes games.

PlayStation is incredibly successful, and its games are of high quality. There are no reservations from me about that. However, the problem with this generation is we’ve only seen 15 and a lack thereof of creativity throughout their established studios, with the exception of the wonderful Astro Bot.

With all that being said, you’re probably wondering where Game Pass comes into all of this? Well, a lot more people are buying less and less games. New IP is not being bought, and games are failing because of it. That means there is substantial cost and pressure being put on developers to make their games critically successful.

The hate that Game Pass gets is pretty insane, really. It’s come to the point now where the next generation will be big for the service. Why? Because with less and less buying games but having the choice to purchase games outright if they wish. Microsoft’s Xbox is only the real platform that allows you to do this, as well as PC, and Game Pass could be a key instrument in this. Microsoft are also the only ones that can financially support this way of consumption on the basis of metrics of playing.

The important thing for Xbox is people are playing their games. Game Pass is a service that, at this moment, is probably the most accessible access to an array of new content at the lowest price that there ever has been. Some will be of the opinion that this comes at a cost in quality. However, if you look at the lineup of Game Pass this year alone and the great previews coming out, it is really a promising sign that, actually, Game Pass does have a place even if some do not consume as many games as they used to.

Ultimately, what we’re seeing is a sea of change in the gaming industry. Where a service like this next generation could be absolutely vital for new IP and where Xbox could have a real ace up their sleeves if the service is utilised well enough to take advantage of that.

I’ve spoken before about how Gen Z and Gen Alpha will be playing games very differently in the future. If you go back to an article I wrote about how handheld gaming could be an incredibly big thing for Xbox. Game Pass will drive that also, in my opinion, for Xbox.

Time will tell; however, for all the doom mongering lately, it certainly is not game over for Xbox by any stretch of the imagination. Hardware is only a metric on a narrative that actually has a much bigger story and picture to it.

Why Remakes Have Ruled

Why Remakes Have Ruled

On By In Gaming Industry

Remakes have ruled this generation for a reason. Would you like to know why? Because remakes are not only a guaranteed sure-fire hit in an industry where costs are spiralling on new games and they’re too much of a risk to take a chance on when it comes to new IP. We know that stifles creativity. However, this generation’s remakes have had a great level of success because publishers know that you’re going to buy them.

Take Silent Hill 2 as an example and the success that had. With Konami incredibly happy. You can expect more of that.

When people talk about GTA VI potentially being able to get away with a £100 release price, to be honest, I think that’s the only game series that can get away with that kind of pricing. I do not think it would be wise if everyone just started to set their games at that price. Consumers will not have it. Nor are they having it now. Because consumers are not only waiting for sales and being more price-conscious. But also, this is just where the industry is right now as a whole.

Of course, everyone wants a new IP. However, if nobody buys it. That becomes a problem. So the risks are not worth taking. That’s why remakes are thriving and doing so incredibly well. That’s also why the likes of Max Payne will find its audience as well. It’s not about the studio per se. It’s about recreating worlds in a new way that are sure going to sell.

If we want new IP to sell as well. The industry has to not only increase its creative side but also it’s quality side as well. Look at the success of Astro Bot, for example. When you look at creativity, that game has it in abundance. I actually think we’re starting to see a reset in the industry where eastern developers are having a great reception as well. That can only be a good thing.

Also though, there is no doubt in my mind that ultimately creating a game has its risks and is a very difficult process. That’s why remakes and sequels have been the norm, and the industry has stagnated to a certain degree.

What do I see happening in the future? I think a lot of publishers will look to dip into their back catalogues again. I think they’ll find success in reinventing games that were always popular in the first place. Yes, it’s safe, but also they sell, and that revenue will allow more new IP to be potentially spawned elsewhere.

 

Xbox Shines This Year

Xbox Shines This Year

On By In Gaming Industry

What did we learn from the developer direct from Xbox? Well, they’re going to have a lot of games this year. All their studio work has finally led to this moment. It’s been the culmination of years of work at Xbox Studios. It was a great presentation. Overall, I really enjoyed what I saw there because it had something for everyone. For me, South of Midnight is something I’ll be playing day one on Game Pass.

It has taken Xbox years to reach this moment. It really is a significant step in their journey. I feel that the content probably has never been better. By the end of this year, we’re going to find out a lot more about the most important games on Xbox and how they’ve performed. Fable is also the big one for me, with a lot of promise. From a studio in Playground Games that never misses a beat.

I also liked the look of a third-party game from Sandfall Interactive. Another Game Pass title as well. This year could be set up to really be great for Xbox Game Pass subscribers just based on the overall consistency of the content they’ll be putting out there.

The big surprise? Ninja Gaiden. Making a significant showing as well. A great win also in it’s own right and a lot of diversity in the games on display. Dare we say it, this is just the start as well. It’s going to be a cracking year for Xbox fans and Game Pass subscribers. In an industry where people are not buying many games and affordability is put into question. We’re really getting a good deal from Team Green this year via subscription. That’s something that nobody in their right mind can deny.

The big one also was Doom. The big FPS returns to grace us in our continued fight against the elites in hell. Granted, I haven’t played the second game yet, but this reveal ticks all the right boxes in getting me to jump back into that world again.

Xbox is on the right path to shine this year, and it’s only looking like this is just the start of great things to come!

 

 

Getting Back on Track

Getting Back on Track

On By In Gaming Industry

We can all talk about how badly the live service stuff at PlayStation has been. However, I would rather focus on the positives and Sony actually getting back on track with everything. Ultimately, the PS6 is on its way. This year is the start of PlayStation exclusives coming back in a consistent manner. And while we can all have a go at how badly this generation has been handled. It’s been an industry-wide problem.

Sony will get back to its focus of single-player games. Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei will win your hearts again. They’re significant titles for this year. However, I am not going to brush years of work that developers have undertook under the carpet. Sony cannot keep making these mistakes. Not for itself, or for it’s workforce. They also have to realise a strong Nintendo will be coming back also. This year also looks strong for Xbox. Not many people are mentioning that because Sony will probably get more of what they’re cooking anyway.

The PlayStation 6 will be a dawn of seeing returning and beloved franchises return. This has already been hinted at, even though nobody has any real concrete information on the specifics. However, this could be the precursor to really setting that generation alight. Because PlayStation fans are really hoping for the return of Bloodborne and other key franchises, and Sony absolutely has to do something with that. That would give Sony a really significant amount of momentum for that next generation. Especially when Sony will be battling on all fronts in terms of the amount of content that will be significant in what fans want from all platforms.

But yes, PlayStation 6 I think will end up getting things back on track from the errors that’ve been made in the past.

Not Reinventing The Wheel

Not Reinventing The Wheel

On By In Gaming Industry

As expected, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been revealed. We now know what the hardware looks like and that the next Mario Kart is a launch title. There is an April Nintendo Direct where I expect a host of software to be on show for the first real push in the new generation. I think we’re also going to see pricing and that all-important release date.

I also think we’re going to have potentially pre-orders straight away afterwards as well. The reason why it’s two months until the Nintendo Direct? It’s all to do with third-party software and getting that ready, as a lot of stuff hasn’t been formally announced.

What do we know about the Nintendo Switch 2? We know it’s going to have bigger-scale games. Mario Kart will feature more players than ever before in a race. We know that the technology within the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to play a big part in the performance, which is the focus. We also know that Microsoft itself will likely support it, with some games coming over also.

In terms of the hardware itself. The trailer was very vague on the details. But as expected, Series S performance is to be expected. I think this could be Nintendo’s PS5-level generation, so not a reinvention but building on the greatness that came before. The upgrade in itself is solely focused on not reinventing the wheel but making no compromises on build quality and performance.

I think the price will be acceptable for a handheld that really has a lot of hype around it. Nintendo has 20 million of these to sell for the first consumers who want to pick it up. We’re also going to see game prices probably increase. However, backwards compatibility is supported both on physical and digital games. That’s a big thing for most fans, I’d assume.

Everything is An Xbox

Everything is An Xbox

On By In Gaming Industry

We all know that PlayStation and Xbox are not directly competing in the way everyone expects them to anymore. Microsoft is bringing a lot of it’s content over to the PS5. That’s going to continue; not only that, but we’re going to see them competing in a different way in a few years time. Nintendo may become the one that Sony sees as direct competition.

PlayStation and Nintendo are the ones that are working in the same way in the industry, so it’s going to be a clash of titans there—selling hardware and software. Microsoft has gone more on focusing on all devices. However, I don’t believe cloud gaming on its own at this moment in time will actually get people of Xbox playing more. The majority of gamers do love physical hardware and see that as the best way. However, that’s not saying that won’t change in the future. In fact, the strategy of releasing on PlayStation and Nintendo will likely be the big thing in the future of Xbox.

Sony has the added benefit of being on AMD. These days, PlayStation is even an Xbox. I expect Microsoft to treat it as such going forward. That means that the Xbox console hardware will still be catered for, but so will everyone of you on PlayStation that enjoys Xbox games as well. AMD will continue to be the partner that PlayStation and Xbox use going into the next generation.

I’ve spoken a lot about handhelds recently. I think Nintendo Switch 2 will likely be supported in the same way as the new Xbox handheld. I think Microsoft is counting on Game Pass and it’s own user experience to see them through with selling that. We’re getting to the point now where it doesn’t matter what device you play. As long as your actually playing. That’s the metric of success for Microsoft, as long as their games continue to sell on rival platforms. You’re going to continue seeing that advance further.

 

It's Heating Up

It’s Heating Up

On By In Gaming Industry

The PlayStation Portal is getting people ready for the next native PlayStation handheld. Not only was it a device that’s been a big success. It allowed Sony to dip its feet back into unknown waters where its Japanese counterpart is having more success. It’s the success they’ve wanted, especially in Japan. It means that it provides a platform for them to really set their sights on the native version.

Cloud gaming is becoming incredibly important. However, there is no doubt that native is the most popular way to play games at this moment in time. I actually believe that the next few years are going to be dominated by new handhelds. They’re becoming more important than ever before. Sony has a great advantage in the sense of how it innovates and takes things on board from the success of the PS5 and Portal. However, Nintendo is still king in terms of content and how they’ve balanced their entire portfolio to take advantage of that platform.

Sony has anime locked down, however, and that is something that Japanese audiences really appreciate as well. It’s even becoming more important in western culture, and they really could take advantage of that. The interesting thing will be how they manage their studios and how they tie it all together at Sony. That’s the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle for Sony to solve.

When Microsoft comes swinging with whatever handheld device it has. It’s going to be interesting just how innovative they are with it and how they utilise PC and Xbox. Both are one and the same now anyway. How it fits around Game Pass and how they take advantage of their own strengths in the market. Because ultimately, each is going to offer something for everyone. I truly believe that.

Is there room for this many handheld competitors because it surely is heating up? There sure is. Because there is an audience of gamers out there now that demand to be playing on the move and play their way, they’ve become accustomed to that with the Switch. This could also do wonders for Nintendo as well because the competition and improvements in power will mean it has to continue to compete and innovate itself.

Personally, I think the uptake in handheld and people playing that way will only go up from here. The living room console is awesome. It’s just the next generation is more mobile, and chasing that casual market is like striking gold in this industry. Remember the Wii? That happened with the elderly. Could handhelds be the next generation focus point? I think so; it’s not getting crowded for no reason at all.

The PlayStation and Xbox handhelds might be a few years away yet. That’s what makes the Switch 2 announcement all that interesting. Because it’s ushering in a new generation of potential competition, when it gets announced, we’ll know a lot more about where that side of the industry is heading.

 

Back To the Future Nintendo

Back To the Future Nintendo

On By In Gaming Industry

We’re witnessing the calm before the storm. Nintendo leaks are burning like a wildfire. Hey, everyone that’s asking for Nintendo to reveal the Switch 2 right now. We all know Nintendo is like that grumpy old, stubborn granddad that we all have who is frequently annoyed at any whiff of something being slightly out of line with their wishes. Also, that’s before they take a drink. We won’t mention that, though.

That’s the funny thing out of the way; now onto the serious stuff. Because ultimately, the right time is going to be when Nintendo says it is. But clearly, there is an escalated need to announce this thing already. We are actually at the point where we know more about the Switch 2 than probably they would’ve liked. After all, the Nintendo Switch in its pre-release was like it was being cooked up in an old German bunker. But seriously, if Nintendo does not reveal this thing soon, we might as well release it ourselves.

The Switch 2 is going to be a significant upgrade and, in docked mode, more powerful. Not only that, we now know the charge voltage, and also the Joy-Cons have also been leaked. If any of the games are leaked. I feel that grumpy old bastard is going to rain all hell on everyone. Nintendo is obviously not happy; this is a big release for them, and it couldn’t have gone more crazy for them. What everyone needs to understand is that this is really an anticipated console.

We’re going to see sale numbers like we’ve never seen before. It’s so anticipated that they could release it with a My Little Pony game, and everyone would be swinging to lash at that pre-order button. Everyone is quite rightly ready for new hardware from Nintendo. That’s more significant now than it ever has been. The fact it has backwards compatibility as well is going to be a big thing for them.

A Mario Kart 9 game will sell it in droves also. Even those that didn’t get an original Switch. If you waited all the time for this new one. That’s going to be all Nintendo needs to do the business. The hype is there, and all these leaks are just exacerbating what we already know. I feel like the marketing for this thing is already actually doing the rounds. Nintendo may be unhappy, but actually, I feel this could benefit them, as nobody right now has anything on their mind other than their next console.

That speaks volumes. And this console will do volumes, and so will the games. I think those that were on the previous Switch will be testing out performances of past games as well. It’s just a surefire and certified smash hit, this. We all know it; we just need to prepare for whatever they got for us because the hype is on no other level than it ever has been.

 

Is PC a Threat to PlayStation?

Is PC a Threat to PlayStation?

On By In Gaming Industry

Sony has come out and said that PC is not a threat to PlayStation. That’s a bold call. The way I see it, though, is they would have done a lot of assessment on the specifics of that. Sony is not the market leader for nothing after all. However, there are some concerns that entail that mindset because you never want to get too comfortable.

After all, technology is changing all the time, and how people play games will as well. At one point, Sony was never in the handheld business until all of a sudden they needed to be again. That’s how quickly things can change in this industry. Exclusives are important to Sony and Nintendo. If there was ever a point they moved across devices, there could be a considerable shift there. I think the reason why Sony isn’t worrying too much is because they themselves are renowned for the technology they put out.

You’re always going to have your loyal-to-the-brand consumer. However, owning a PlayStation hasn’t exactly been cheap. They’re a closed-off platform, and if anything, there are limitations there for the consumer. If trends change, then the direction the consumer could possibly head in could as well. I’m not saying consoles are dead. What I am saying is Sony would be best placed to get back on board with being consumer friendly. Because ultimately, that has the potential to make or break them.

In terms of Sony’s cloud gaming business, they’re well placed and performing well there. But ultimately, the trajectory of the market will shift the core principles of how Sony directs and places their business. The consumer trends will always dictate how highly regarded and how far the console business goes. Ultimately, content and where it goes or where it stays will dictate also.