80°

Is 'Soul Sacrifice' The Video Game The PS Vita Needs To Survive?

Erik Kain:

There’s still no release date for Sony’s PS Vita RPG ‘Soul Sacrifice’ but the latest GamesCom trailer shows off a terrific looking title.

In Sony’s upcoming PS Vita third-person action-RPG Soul Sacrifice, players must sacrifice items, body parts, or even lives to unleash powerful attacks against massive monsters.

To be honest, it looks great and I wish it was coming out on the PS3. In fact, this is the first game I’ve seen launching on the PS Vita that makes me think I might need to get one of Sony’s latest handheld devices.

The struggling Vita is having a hard time making a splash in the gaming market largely due to a lack of compelling titles, but if this game is anywhere as great as it looks, that might change.

TheFirstClassic4263d ago

Looks like an awesome game, but I don't think it will sell that great outside of Japan. Hopefully it will sell some Vitas over there, and Assasins Creed will probably sell more Vitas in Europe and NA. Cod will still probably sell some...but it might not deserve too.

da_2pacalypse4263d ago

False, I've already pre-ordered from Bestbuy.

Soul Sacrifice will be an awesome game, but the vita is doing fine. People seem to forget that holiday sales will really help the system out.

Also, I'm tired of the: "*insert game title here* is the game that will save the vita" articles.... It's all a bunch of BS

Abash4263d ago

This game has a whole Dragon's Dogma vibe looking like a WRPG/Action game hybrid. I cant wait for it

TheFirstClassic4263d ago

I didn't say nobody would buy it outside of Japan, I know I will, I just don't see it selling many Vitas elsewhere. I'm a contradiction to that tho, I live in the states and Soul Sacrifice is my main reason for buying a Vita.

But hey, I could be wrong.

Anon19744263d ago (Edited 4263d ago )

Wait, I thought Black Ops was going to save the Vita. Or was it Sly Cooper? Or was it PSN+? I can't keep track these days.

Seriously...do a search on this site for "save" and "vita". There's over 10 articles on there about "Can such and such save the Vita," despite the fact that Sony has publicly stated they're happy with Vita's initial sales and that digital sales have far exceeded their expectations. Not to mention the Vita "Doomed" articles, or the "How Sony's ignoring Vita" articles.

Reminds me of all the PSP doom articles we used to see. Or the PS3 doom. Or Blu-Ray doom. Or 3D doom. Etc..etc...

Edit: Hilarious. While I was typing this another one cropped up on the front page. "Will the lack of a price cut doom the Vita." So, anyone out there actually reporting on game or industry news? Anyone?

http://n4g.com/news/1061731...

TBM4263d ago

crazy, crazy stuff here one after another. i think there's about 6 on the first page alone lol.

DigitalAnalog4263d ago

That's because after gamescom, the media realized they have been wasting all their ammo on their strawman they tried to build so hard.

MasterCornholio4263d ago

I guess that Sony's great gamescon presentation has made a lot of haters extremely angry. But that's normal because they were expecting Sony to announce the death of the Vita.

XperiaRay

Metal-X4263d ago (Edited 4263d ago )

The 3DS and junk like Kinect always get a free pass but the Vita is in constant need of saving?.
These journalists need to STFU.

CommonSenseGamer4263d ago

Tell me, were you one of those talking up the Vita prior to its release claiming it possibly couldn't fail?

There were few, if any, Vita doom and gloom articles at the time of its release. Those articles have only transpired because its NOT selling.

The last few days have seen some positives news come out for the Vita but that news has yet to translate into sales, for either Sony or the developers supporting the Vita.

If the Vita fails to ignite this xmas then I would be quite concerned.

Metal-X4263d ago

@CommonSenseGamer
"Tell me, were you one of
those talking up the Vita prior
to its release claiming it
possibly couldn't fail?"
No, i wasn't.
I'm not one of those fanboy idiots who thinks his/her company of choice can do no wrong. I know for a fact that the Vita, as awesome as it is, will never outsell things like the 3DS or iDevices.
I think these journalists need to give the "doom" articles a rest, though. They're like a mother who gives birth to a child and says "No, i don't see a future here".
The Vita is like that child, it's still very young and has not been given the time it needs to mature. Remember, you have to be able to walk before you learn how to run.
Now, if you'll excuse me, i have to feed my Vita it's bottle.

TheFirstClassic4263d ago

The 3ds had plenty of its own doom and gloom articles, they went away when it started selling well. Kinect has sold well from the start, far as I know, so how could it be in danger of failing?

I'm a huge playstation fan, and I really want a Vita, but it really hasn't sold very well so far. If these sells continue, it could spell bad news for the system. I really do hope it starts selling well.

dragonyght4263d ago (Edited 4263d ago )

Sony is trying to fill the void left by monster hunter, with this game. and i hope it succeed

Hicken4263d ago

Are people really that unenthusiastic about the Vita's current library? Does it lack that many games?

I look at the titles available, and I see some good stuff from nearly every genre. But I guess instead of a title or two from each, people want 35 first person shooters...

GribbleGrunger4263d ago

Haven't you noticed how people always want something that's NOT on the Vita... Tis a phenomena I'm tellin' ya!

smashcrashbash4263d ago

Yeah, as soon as you have this they want to know why you don't have that. Anyone ever thought that these games were coming all the time and it is just the fact that we were being impatient and didn't want to wait?

joeorc4263d ago (Edited 4263d ago )

"Sony has announced the publishers and developers that will be supporting PlayStation Mobile, the upcoming platform for PlayStation Vita and Android PlayStation Certified devices that offers a low cost of entry for developers and the power of the PlayStation brand. Launching this fall, the service will have “approximately 30 new titles from a variety of genres including Adventure, Action, Puzzle, and Sports, created by third party developers and publishers as well as SCE Worldwide Studios.”

http://www.playstationlifes...

I mean Key once again:

approximately 30 new titles!

THAT will make it a grand total OVER 90 GAMES by THIS FALL for the PSVita in under a freaking year !

but yet, some people act like the PSVita has no games..or support is going to just dry up..lol

and like clockwork:
@whatsgoingon

"it takes hundreds. And the vita doesnt have that"

your right, it does not have them yet..key word is yet..in under a freaking year, the PSVita is going to have over 100 games!

in the next year Sony's going to have way more than that number!

and this:

and i Quote:

"Sure vita can survive in last place "

LMAO there is only Sony and Nintendo in Dedicated Game Handhelds...if you want to bring smartphones in the mix by talking Apple, go right ahead..lol

because in the grand scheme of thing's counting smartphones in the Mix, Sony nor Nintendo are even close or remotely even in contention to be first, for one they would have to beat out Samsung's 90 million Smarphones per sales Quarter to be in 1st place. LMAO

Show all comments (25)
280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

Read Full Story >>
techraptor.net
ChasterMies14d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken14d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga14d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken14d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6414d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long14d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197214d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic14d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
DivineHand12514d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91314d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer14d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91313d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit13d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 13d ago
Christopher14d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6914d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit13d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher14d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken14d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197214d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic14d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2314d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218314d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit13d ago (Edited 13d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder14d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts14d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

Show all comments (43)
80°

Sony May Soon Let You Decide How Much NPCs Talk In Games

Sony has patented to add multiple dialogue modes to let players switch between how many conversations with NPCs they want in the game.

blackblades20d ago

Sony is like the only ones outta the 3 that has atuff like like this pop up changing thing in ways.

just_looken20d ago

Sony in the past has always been first at bat with new ideas/tech but in the end never fully use it or just toss it away.

blackblades20d ago

I think they did use some but yeah most usually never happened but at least they thought about it. Sony seeks things like this and other, Nintendo seek different ways of playing going by there different controler designs and console designs.

just_looken20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

some of the other stuff sony want's/owns never used
https://gamerant.com/sony-p...
https://gamerant.com/sony-p...
https://www.eurogamer.net/s...
https://metro.co.uk/2023/03...
https://decrypt.co/114754/s...

monitor/adjust game difficultly as you play
https://www.techradar.com/g...

Sony nfts
https://www.theblock.co/pos...

Pay ai to play the game for you
https://thebusinessofesport...

Oh all the above last 12 months

I just imagine a evil scientist with test subjects when it comes down to sony recent patent reports.

Kaii20d ago

Will we get dialogue options that won't spoil puzzles in a matter of seconds? :p

280°

Judge rules in PlayStation's favour in $500m patent infringement lawsuit

Genuine Enabling Technology was seeking damages, claiming the tech allowing PlayStation consoles and controllers to communicate infringes its rights.

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
S2Killinit22d ago

Big victory for Sony. And a long time coming.

DarXyde22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

Crazy to think the savings from this lawsuit allows them to develop one AAA game.

Make it Bloodborne 2, please and thank you.

22d ago
Profchaos22d ago

Sounds like patent trolling they tried the same thing against Nintendo with the same pattern.

Motion and control input traversing over higher and lower frequencies seperate from each other allowing the controller to do both

Pyrofire9522d ago

Patents suck. Most of them are complete garbage.

Knightofelemia22d ago

So to recoup the money Genuine is going to take on Nintendo or Microsoft next. I hate patent lawyers they are some of the worst bottom feeders out there.

Show all comments (13)