Talking Points

We said last time out that it’s all about business for Xbox. Echoed by the man himself, Phil Spencer. There is an acceptance that much more is coming to PlayStation from Xbox, that the industry is changing, and that Microsoft is the kingmaker in these decisions being made recently.

Gamescom itself has just shown that we have a great 2025 ahead of us. This is only third-party as well; we’ve yet to see what PlayStation has in the ascendency. One thing is for sure, though, when you have a year in the offering that’s coming in 2025, then we have to consider the hangover of this generation over. The development teams around the world are now cooking this generation, and the games coming could be a good marketing kick-starter to an eventual PS5 Pro reveal.

I think we’re going to see hardware that really takes advantage of everything that’s coming out. I really think, if anything, that Gamescom has shown that there is a reason for new hardware to be pushed out to us with the line-up coming, and that there are consumers out there that are more than willing to spend on hardware or to jump into a generation that has had a slow start in a lot of gamers minds. However, putting that all to bed now, I certainly believe that what is coming is going to make up for it. Call it phase two, phase three, or whatever you want. I just think it’s an industry with some incredibly talented teams really pushing to make sure that we get a great send-off to this generation.

It’s an accumulation of years of hard work from all the talented teams in the industry. I have to say, from what I saw I am incredibly upbeat about what’s to come.

 

Isn’t it interesting how we are this far into this generation, and I still feel like the PS4 had it best when it came to just how communicative everything was? As many of you do because you haven’t even bothered upgrading to PS5. There has to be something in that, right? I loved everything about that generation (PS4). Not that we’re not getting good things from this generation, but it’s been, I’d say, slightly muted in comparison to the direction of that generation from higher ups.

We’re more than half-way through now and heading towards the next generation. Things are starting to get hotter in terms of Xbox and what they’re starting to deliver for the Series X. They have a lot of games from their own studios showing up, and they’re even saying they could’ve shown more. People are rightfully asking all the right questions about where PlayStation is.

PlayStation is going to respond in 2025. Not every console brand is going to have a good year. But what I will say is that I think we will see some good things from both PlayStation and Nintendo in 2025. It’ll be interesting how Nintendo responds to all this news that Microsoft might be sharing that same hybrid vision for handhelds as well.

As the title says, a lot of people are still on PS4, and this generation has done nothing to persuade them to move. That’s not an issue in itself, because Sony still profits, but it really does put a dampener on where we actually are in this generation. Especially how we’ve kind of lost the momentum of the previous generation in terms of communication and hype.

The next PlayStation Showcase, I really hope delivers and I really hope that when the PS6 comes around. The messaging of true-next generation gaming and your reason to upgrade to play this game is as relevant as it’s ever been. Because even in the PS4 generation, even though people upgraded, they upgraded on the basis of the Xbox One policies, and player support was massively in favour of Sony. We have to remember that. We also need to remember that PS5 for all the success it’s had, many people are still not buying into what’s coming out. People are buying fewer games after all.

Maybe revisiting some of the franchises of the PS3 era wouldn’t be so bad. In fact, it would help gain a lot of traction. Especially if they’re on PS6. I think we need that. I think gaming needs some of its old franchises back. Remakes, whether you like them or not, have been a success. As I always say, though, they have to be relevant to what players feel is necessary at the time.

I think we should move forward next generation, especially PlayStation. It would help them to look back on what they did right with PS3-PS4. Especially to be best placed to go into the next generation.

I think there has to be a balance between new content and looking at how Nintendo is going about utilizing some of their older IP. I think that would be the way to go. It doesn’t have to all be triple-A extravaganza’s. As Sony has shown with the new AstroBot game coming later this year. It doesn’t always have to be the biggest blockbuster games to gain a great response from players. Nearly all who watched the State of Play agreed that AstroBot was the best thing to come out of it. If that’s not saying ‘something’, I don’t know what is.

 

2026 is approaching rapidly; is it the year of a new generation of consoles? Maybe. A lot of indicators are pointing to it, as the messaging from both PlayStation and Xbox points to the end of this generation. After all, Microsoft is already working on their next generation consoles. Sony will also not want to be left behind.

So there is plausibility in it, from what we can see. When any new console goes on the market, it’s not long until the next one follows up from a competitor. I also think that a PS5 Pro is seemingly out of the question now. I think that decision has been made, by the way. I think it’s full throttle for the next generation of consoles.

I think the reason for that is because we’re talking very small, marginally technological differences. Would it be even worth releasing so close to the fact that Xbox is about to kick off a new generation, potentially in 2026? I don’t think it would be all that wise. But what I will say is that the message is clear. This generation is winding down. Some will say, how can it be winding down when it’s barely even started? I just think that this generation has differed from others because of extraordinary circumstances not under anybody’s control.

I think Xbox is starting to fulfil their promises of games that have been years in the making. It’s been a generation bogged down with industry-wide changes on a whole different level. People say maybe they could of been avoided, but I actually don’t believe that completely. Fundamentally, we’re just seeing a change. That is industry-led and includes everyone. It’s probably the generation of the major reset.

Could we see going into the next generation a generation that emphasizes small-scoped games from some passionate indies that take risks? I think we’re already seeing that, and that is where the innovation is coming from these days. That’s where developers will be able to take the most risks. These are risks without the danger of being shuttered but still be backed because costs remain doable.

I personally feel like this generation has kicked off with major support and direction from the Indies. That direction will only get stronger going into the next generation. So more Stellar Blade’s are guaranteed.

You know, I think the players have already made up their minds about how they want to support this industry. They want to buy and own their games. That’s why PlayStation and Nintendo are so strong. But ultimately, Game Pass is an option for showing your support in a different way. It also helps games be discovered, played, and all the rest of it. So it’s about discovering what banner of support you fall under and how you want to support the industry and its studios that are working around the clock and pretty much 6–7 year lengths to make their next game.

But getting back to the messaging, I think it’s clear. Series S has been a success for Microsoft. It’s going to be interesting to see if they compromise on their specs again. Especially for the next generation. Will they meet the demand for a hybrid dock-able handheld that meets that same level of performance? It hasn’t gone too well this generation because of the complications in performance.

Going head-to-head with Nintendo as well. It’s a gamble, but from Microsoft’s point of view, it’s a way of reaching new players. It’s the portability and mobile aspect that they see as potential for revenue increases. So it’s smart.

I don’t see how Sony changes what have made them successful this generation. What they will want to address, though, is an increase in the kind of content they are best known for. While also, diversifying that content. We’re already started to see a range of changes. This generation, then, has been very much a transitional one.

I think the messaging for the next generation is already under way. I really do. I think the next generation will start earlier. That’s a given, I think the reset is coming, and I also think that this generation will have made a lot of players pretty annoyed with how it’s been handled. Many will seek PC as the answer. But ultimately, this is industry-level change, and maybe people will vote with their wallets with how dismayed they’ve been this generation. But at the same time, it’s clear that the industry and messaging are moving forward. It’s something that’s going to effect everyone, no matter what platform banner you fall under.

With that, maybe it will be worth sticking with the platform you own right now. Because I really do think that on the PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo side of things. The competition and change that’s coming, and the level on content that’s going to be there. I think we’re going to see some really good things cooking. So it might be worth sticking around and just waiting to see what the next generation actually offers. Take the hit on this one and go again. Because I personally see the next generation as being one that is going to be incredible from a technical point of view. I think it will deliver where this generation hasn’t, in many people’s view.

This is not a view I share, by the way. But it’s the general consensus out there. There has been good stuff that has come out of this generation. There is a lot that goes under the radar with a lot of people. But at the same time, next-generation messaging is well under way.

 

With all the success that Fallout has had on our TV screens. Don’t be surprised one bit if the God of War adaptation to TV screens turns out to be not only brutal but a really good portrayal of the origin story that the first games covered. It’s going to be interesting to see how they go about unravelling the world.

What direction do they go? Modernized with a young Kratos? I think we could actually see a really good backstory, not told, that could really go down well with new fans of the franchise as well. One thing is for sure, though, with how Amazon has handled The Boys and the violence within it. God of War couldn’t be in a better place to bring us into that world. Amazon is in negotiations right now to do it. So anything is possible.

 

We’ve had really great content brought to us this year from third-party studios that PlayStation work with. Final Fantasy: Rebirth and Stellar Blade. They’ve really hit a tune with fans. Everyone is trying to figure out what the next thing is from PlayStation Studios, though. We all know that there are going to be games coming in 2025, and we’re going to focus on the three possibilities in this article.

First off, Uncharted developer Naughty Dog has been brewing up something for this generation. Whether that’s a sequel to the Uncharted series or something else. All we can tell you right now is that these projects have been in the works for a while. Which means there’s a high probability that we see the next big thing from Naughty Dog. Whether it’s the new IP that everyone is waiting for—that is, sci-fi—that’s anybody’s guess. The simple fact, though, is that they will be the most ready studio to give us news if plans haven’t changed at PlayStation’s next event that showcases 2025 title news.

The second one, I believe, will be Sony Bend. They’ll have a lot to say as well in terms of where their next title goes. Everyone is interested in just how much scale this one will entail because everyone is expecting live service. Hot off the trails of the excellent and underrated Days Gone. There are murmurs that we will see the next big thing, which might be something completely new or expand within the same universe. Whether that is factual. I cannot possibly tell you, but what I have heard is that it’s going to be live service and will likely be something that will get fans onboard after the disappointing news that there will be no Days Gone 2.

Lastly, this is the next big Marvel title and is set in the Wolverine universe. We may see more on exactly where Insomniac is going with this. It’ll be exactly what you expect.

I think for the bonus game. Ghost of Tsushima 2 is definitely on the cards. We all know what to expect, as we’ve all played the excellent first game. But it’s going to be interesting how they expand and build on that.

So if your waiting for the next big PlayStation Showcase. Look no further than the above, which could make a show. I expect some surprises as well. This is PlayStation, after all.

I have to put things into perspective. I have to be honest about the state that Manchester United are in. It’s all changed now. I think about that game against Coventry City and the manner in which we collapsed. I’d be very surprised if Erik Ten Hag is our manager next season. Read More

As we know, more Xbox games are coming to PlayStation. It is being reported that the Sea of Thieves is the big test of the waters here. Based on how well that’s gone down. It’s a certainty that there will be more games making their way across uncharted waters. The thing is, exclusivity is in the air again, and just how less impressed the younger generation of players are by it. Xbox is now beginning to look at the next generation of players who prefer to play wherever they like.

Based on all that information. I think there is a clear indication here, like we’ve been saying for a while, that the industry is changing. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hideo Kojima’s ‘OD’ game also makes its way across to PlayStation after a certain period. It’s just something that, I think, seems like it’s going to happen. Based on the fact that it’s a multi-platform studio, the definition of an Xbox exclusive is changing quite rapidly these days.

There has never been a time where exclusivity has been less meaningful in the case of Xbox’s whole history. The path they’re on and what they’re communicating state the absolute logical reasoning behind what could happen with more titles such as this one.

That’s exciting news for everyone who loves Hideo Kojima and horror games.