Is downloadable content necessary? As each console generation passes, DLC becomes more and more prevalent. Is it because technology is advancing or Publishers see an opportunity to cash in on blind customers? I say it’s a mixture of both. With consoles these days, it is very easy to receive content from developers/publishers without even leaving your house. At the same time, many customers will purchase anything that is thrown their way.
Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.
Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.
A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.
I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.
I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons
I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.
Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.
How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.
It's just backwards.
What your talking about is called block list
In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback
Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.
But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.
Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.
At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath
I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong
I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.
Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.
As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people
They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".
"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)
I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.
Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much
Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region
that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.
Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.
I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games
It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.
Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo
I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers
The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.
Not entirely; not for all games. But it can be extremely beneficial to both publishers and to consumers if done properly.
It is not necessary. It is great when the DLC expands the game without having to make a sequel for it. The problem is that publishers are using it to rip off gamers. What happened to the times where you had to complete the game to unlock new skins or new stages?
Also, the reason that they are cashing in on gamers is that the are making the DLC even before the game releases... so why not include it in the final game? Especially when the content is lame like new colors or something that we used to get in past games by unlocking them, cheats, or passwords.
DLC is getting way out of control. What started as a good idea, ended up being abused by developers and publishers to charge for everything and give gamers incomplete games. They don't care anymore if a game releases with bugs and/ or mistakes because they can just "patch" it later. They don't care to include only half of the characters just to sell them later.
And what is a slap to the face for the gamers is that they get screwed over when they release the "complete" edition (the one that was supposed to be released originally) later on.
No its not neccessary, due to the inherit fallen nature of humans, it has become a tool for abuse by the INDUSTRY.
It is if it can expand gameplay and story. For costumes not much.
In the beginning, I tought the DLC idea was great. Sadly, I can't remember a single DLC that was worth the price. In fact, I can't remember a single DLC that was that good, paid or free. The Portal 2 ones seem great, for those who like multiplayer and making stages. It's not my case, so...