120°

Sony & The Last Word Complex

Tom Buxton, Thunderbolt writes:
“This is how you share games on PS4.”

With these seven words, at E3 2013 Sony prompted a grand response of applause, laughs and cheers during their annual press conference. At the time, it seemed as if this was a publisher which could reduce its competitor’s policies to a near-farcical representation, a publisher which to some critics seemed the natural candidate to rally behind. Sure enough, across a range of publications headlines such as “Why The Only Option Right Now Is PS4” and “Round One- Sony Wins” began to emerge in the successive days after the conference, and to many this seemed like the natural viewpoint to take in the impending next-generation console war.

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thunderboltgames.com
black0o3875d ago

PS4+FIFA < Xbone with free FIFA #fullstop

LostDjinn3875d ago (Edited 3875d ago )

If you say so.

Edit: I'm just going by your history.

OT: What's changed? Xbone is still massively less popular than the PS4.

Can the author show evidence of this increased popularity that Xbone is currently enjoying? It's funny that I read the entire piece and nowhere in it is any form of supporting evidence. I mean there is nothing to corroborate any point made.

Oh, not to worry. I see it's an "opinion". I forgot that means the author is no longer responsible for making sense.

I'll try to remember that for next time.

mewhy323875d ago

IMO this gen was lost for micro$oft when Don Mattrick stepped onto the E3 stage and basically said screw you we're micro$oft and we'll do what ever we want and if you don't like it then by a 360.

xHeavYx3875d ago (Edited 3875d ago )

Buying FIFA on the PS4 leaves you some change for Indie games or PS+.
The PS4 is still cheaper and more powerful than the One.
The way I see it, it still is "Advantage Sony"
The funny thing is that, if MS hadn't screwed up so much trying to get every single penny from their customers, maybe the story would be different now. And yes, Sony wants money from their customers too, but there are different ways to make money.

AsimLeonheart3875d ago

I think that sign is the opposite of what you want to say... < is used for "lesser". If you are wanting to say that PS4+FIFA is greater then it should be written as

PS4+FIFA > Xbone with free FIFA.

Anyway, I get the point.

black0o3875d ago

i meant it cost less then x1
450 < 500

AsimLeonheart3875d ago

@black0o

Oh! Then it is fine. :-)

LordMaim3875d ago

I'm assuming you meant less money for a PS4 & FIFA.

DragonKnight3875d ago

This is a padded out "The PS4 has no games" or at the very least a "I think the Xbox One has better launch games and here's why you should look at Sony's offerings and agree with me" article. Nothing to see here folks.

Hicken3875d ago

No surprise at this point. It's the only thing they've got to cling to, and they're grasping with all their fanboy might.

ruefrak3875d ago

I hate the "it's all about the games" mantra. No it isn't. It's also about a company that respects its customers. The fact that Microsoft had a vision for the Xbox One that was against what so many core gamers believe is unreal. The fact that they reversed all their policies doesn't make them any better. They revealed they are motivated solely on money and will change their stance on anything at the drop of a hat for more of it.
Meanwhile over at Sony, Shuhei Yoshida apparently has some master plan (according to Mark Cerny) and from everything I've seen, I like that plan. PlayStation is where I want to be.
And as far as the games are concerned, I'll be able to kill zombies, kill Roman soldiers, kill modern day soldiers, kill robots, kill other fighters, and race cars just as good on a PS4.

MysticStrummer3875d ago

"I'll be able to kill zombies, kill Roman soldiers, kill modern day soldiers, kill robots, kill other fighters, and race cars just as good on a PS4."

What about aliens? Does MS have an exclusive deal where you can only kill aliens on the XB1??? Also... scientists gone bad. I hope I can shoot evil scientists on PS4.

: /

/s

You forgot piloting/dogfighting aircraft/spacecraft, puzzle solving, platforming, role playing, strategizing... and possibly other genres I'm forgetting right now because I just woke up.

ruefrak3875d ago

Well, the article mentions specifically

"Like it or not, at this stage the prospect of playing Forza Motorsport 5, Dead Rising 3, Ryse: Son of Rome and versions of both Call of Duty: Ghostsand Battlefield 4 with exclusive content may prove to be a far more enticing one for most players"

And I look at that list and think, "Driving, killing zombies, killing ancient soldiers, killing future soldiers, and killing modern day soldiers." I know there are other games coming out, but I look at how all these games are about killing things. Is that what we're reduced to? I like a good killing game, but it seems like every title is either driving, sports, or killing things.

And THAT is why Octodad is going to win the next-gen battle.

extermin8or3875d ago

The COD ghosts and BF4 content is timed exclusive... PS4 has actualy perma exclusive AC4 and watch_Dogs stuff.... and timed destiny dlc. Now neither really influence my console purchase but if they did I'd go for the one witht he perma exclusive dlc one... Also seeing as last gen everyone was like "ps3 has not games"- then looked what happened this gen... need I say more.

Belking3875d ago (Edited 3875d ago )

MS has no reason to be worried about sony. All that smiling sony PR is covering up what's really going on. The truth is that they have lost considerable market share to ms and nintendo and it's gonna be rough for them to gain it back. Just because they corrected their screw ups from last gen doesn't automatically put them on top.....but i forgot this is n4g so.....

They can't claim any victories just like the article said.

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.

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techraptor.net
ChasterMies19d 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_looken18d ago

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

Cacabunga18d ago

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

just_looken18d 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-6418d 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_Long18d 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.

Einhander197218d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic18d 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 18d ago
DivineHand12518d 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.

Joe91318d 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_Observer18d 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.

S2Killinit18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

Joe91318d 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.

S2Killinit18d 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 18d ago
Christopher19d 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.

CrimsonWing6918d ago (Edited 18d 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.

S2Killinit18d 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_Mal19d ago (Edited 19d 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.

Christopher19d 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_looken18d 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

Einhander197218d ago (Edited 18d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic18d 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.

romulus2318d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218318d 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.

S2Killinit18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

mastershredder18d 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.

crazyCoconuts18d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

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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.

blackblades25d ago

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

just_looken25d 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.

blackblades24d 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_looken24d ago (Edited 24d 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.

Kaii24d 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.

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gamesindustry.biz
S2Killinit26d ago

Big victory for Sony. And a long time coming.

DarXyde26d ago (Edited 26d ago )

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

Make it Bloodborne 2, please and thank you.

26d ago
Profchaos26d 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

Pyrofire9526d ago

Patents suck. Most of them are complete garbage.

Knightofelemia26d 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.

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