450°

Which Developers Have Earned “Must Play” Status Due to Their Reputation?

While gamers can't possibly like every game they come across, have you encountered a studio that seems to make games

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Community1094d ago
ArchangelMike1095d ago (Edited 1095d ago )

1) Rockstar
2) Naughty Dog
3) Sony Santa Monica

Honourable mention - Insomniac Games

Rotten Tomato Award - CDPR (used to be in my top 3... but we all know how that turned out.)

excaliburps1094d ago

If not for Cyberpunk, CD Projekt RED would be on a lot of lists. xD

MadLad1094d ago (Edited 1094d ago )

Cyberpunk was a giant miss for the devs, but Witcher 3 was still one of the best RPGs of a long time.
Same with 2, honestly.
The original is an acquired taste, and has some pacing issues, but it's still great content if you get past that.

Abear211094d ago

Great point! Also, if it wasn’t for all the murder, Charles Manson was a genius.

Timzster1094d ago

Seconding this list. I'd actually put Capcom up here too in the honorable mentions after RE Village. Their work using the RE Engine for action and adventure games is just amazing. Hope they keep up the good work.

DVAcme1094d ago

Capcom's been on a roll these last few years. RE7, REMake 2, Mega Man 11, DMC 5, Monster Hunter World... And Dragon's Dogma is straight up my favorite game ever. They've only lagged behind in their fighting game division, but the rest of the company is crushing it.

S2Killinit1094d ago (Edited 1094d ago )

Agreed. For me its the same except Naughty Dog is top of the list, possibly Rockstar in third place.

Magog1094d ago

I find Rockstar gameplay and mission design to be pitifully bad.

RaiderNation1094d ago

I agree. I think they're way overrated.

neutralgamer19921094d ago (Edited 1094d ago )

Rockstar
ND
Insomniac games
Sony Santa Monica
Capcom(lately quality)

Most Nintendo and Sony studios make quality titles

BlackTar1871094d ago

From Software should be mentioned. They have had nothing but good games going on a 3rd generation now.

UltraNova1094d ago (Edited 1094d ago )

I second this. I'd put From first on that list and Capcom definitely deserves a spot too.

As for ND..I think they should focus on something entirely different. Like an epic space open-world sci-fi rpg. Show Bioware how it's done. I'd also like to see what SSM can do when they are let loose - in this studio I trust when it comes to epic gameplay.

1094d ago
thorstein1094d ago

4) Housemarque
5) Hello Games (yes NMS, but play the Last Campfire...you're welcome.)

Positivelypositive 1094d ago

I am hoping for a Witcher 4 redeeming them... somewhat...

CaptainHenry9161094d ago

Definitely no developer from Microsoft

MadLad1093d ago

You're the #orangemanbad of videogame commentary.

CaptainHenry9161093d ago

I'll take that as a compliment since I'm telling the truth. Microsoft needs to raise the bar

MadLad1093d ago (Edited 1093d ago )

If you choose. I'd say they had solid developers even before the acquisition.
Playground games is a huge name in the industry. The coalition has done fantastic work with the last few releases. Rare is getting back to form under their management. Even Halo, as mismanaged as it is, still seems to do highly well.
MS has had some flops, but most of their titles tend to do well.

Of course there's room for improvement. They dropped the ball this gen; but it seems like you just want to trash them when, hey, in my opinion they're doing pretty well as a publisher, and their acquisitions just means more quality products coming forward.

Legitimately, my most anticipated title around right now is Avowed, and that's because I love Obsidian and want to see what a 1st party bankrolled RPG in the Pillars universe will look like.

1094d ago
Yui_Suzumiya1094d ago (Edited 1094d ago )

It's funny but Cyberpunk is the only game by them that I enjoy. I've never enjoyed a single game from Rockstar except Red Dead Redemption and L.A. Noire which they only helped with.

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-Foxtrot1095d ago

We really need to get away from this kind of thinking and always be cautious regardless of who is behind the game

After so many fall from graces over the years, most recently CD Projekt Red, each game is like a fresh slate, you never know how things will go.

If we get into this mindset of "Oh this developer / person has a great track record" it stops people from being more honest about the game and the flaws, people start to come up with excuses if the game does fall short, that's not saying the game is awful but more it's not as good as their last offering.

For example if Kojima wasn't behind MGSV, I highly doubt it would have been received as well, same goes for Breath of the Wild if it was a multiplatform, brand new IP with no Zelda / Nintendo influence.

Sonic-and-Crash1094d ago (Edited 1094d ago )

i ill disagree about Kojima and BoTW (Kojima is Kojima, and BoTW has some Nintendo mojo in it that i m jealous in every game)

but i will agree with everything else..... perfectly fit of your sayings is ND with LoUS2,,...completely destroying the high expectations ...yet people still goes to defend the game (even get numerous awards) while had major flaws

outsider16241094d ago

"perfectly fit of your sayings is ND with LoUS2 ...yet people still goes to defend the game (even get numerous awards) while had major flaws"

I disagree with this, i didn't buy Tlou because Neil Druckman is the writer, or In Tlou2's case.."Oh Neil again..its a must have".
Having seen the leaks, i bought it and still enjoyed the game.
A combined effort of all that is in the game. Graphics, the world, sound, the voice acting all too nothch. As for story, well thats up for debate. There are 3 types of people:
1. People who think its trash.
2. People who think its ok.
3 . People who think its a masterpiece.
For me its 3.

Whether or not you like the story doesn't change the fact that it's still an incredible next gen almost polished game thats a must have. To you its not...but to others it is.

Take GtaV for eg. the story was really poor compared to previous ones but hey i still enjoyed the game. But Rockstar games are still must haves.

And The Witcher 3? I thought their games will be must haves..based on their previous games. I played CyberPunk and it was frustrating as hell. The ai turned me off, the constant crashes too. I could have stuck for the story but being an open world where you're bound to roam and explore, these small details which you find in Rockstar games and Naughty Dogs..would have really helped Cyberpunk.

I_am_Batman1094d ago

You could've realized the subjective nature of such examples when you disagreed with Foxtrot about MGS and BoTW, yet you're trying to pass your issues with TLoU 2 as objective flaws. Even if some of them are objective, the priorities of a group of gamers are never perfectly aligned. Different people can be fans of the same thing for very different reasons. One person's major flaw might be another person's minor gripe, or not even be important enough to pay attention to in the first place.

That's precisely the reason why I don't put my trust in the name of a studio or director alone. Don't get me wrong the track record certainly plays a role, but the structure of a studio always varies and personal tastes and opinions change over time. What's important is to be in touch with your own interests and make informed purchasing decisions.

Ratty1094d ago

How was MGSV well-received? It was review bombed to hell and most fans say it's the worst of the series. If anything, it would have done a lot better if it had been an original IP with no ties to MGS and Kojima.

oldenjon1094d ago (Edited 1094d ago )

FROM Soft (obvs)

Magog1094d ago

Naughty Dog, Guerilla, Sony Santa Monica, FromSoft

S2Killinit1094d ago (Edited 1094d ago )

1) Naughty Dog
2) Sony Santa Monica
3) Rockstar
4) Guerrilla
5) FromSoft
6) Nintendo (first party, cant live without Nintendo)
7) Insomniac
8) Sega (ima lover of Yakuza and Judgment, etc)
9) Capcom

CaptainHenry9161094d ago

I agree except I think Insomniac should be a little higher

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50°

Game Developers Have Begun Confirming Nintendo Switch 2 Support

Game developers have already started to confirm that they will support the Nintendo Switch 2 with their future titles.

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130°

Microsoft Is Finally Ending Its Focus On Big Budget Gaming Nonsense

Back when the Xbox 360 launched, Microsoft pushed the big budget game as a differentiator. Following all the recent layoffs, it’s clear this strategy has run its course.

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Community1h ago
Einhander19721h ago(Edited 1h ago)

The Microsoft shill take on the Microsoft causing the death of big budget gaming...

The whole driving force for growth in gaming both technologically, creatively and financially was all nonsense, and it was definitely not because Microsoft ran the industry into the ground with obviously bad decisions and creating an unprofitable business model that massively disrupted consumer spending habits. /s

RpgSama2m ago

First, F**** Forbes and their shill take, I hope the money cleared by now.

Second, Which big budget games I might ask? Microsoft has been in a rut for like a decade now, with no big publisher and developers puechases they would have not released anything in the last 5 years but the new Halo and Forza.

Hofstaderman54m ago

Ah Forbes. One of the prominent MS mouthpieces....

Luc2039m ago

Microsoft is finally... ahhh I've never heard this one before!

Petebloodyonion37m ago

LOL, this article is a big pile of dog crap...
Spencer has been constantly telling ppl that NO they would not go the route of having games like TLOU, Uncharted, etc because Playstation exists and prefers to focus on a diverse portfolio.

How many years have we seen Xbox as no game and we don't want small games like ORI, Pentiment, Grounded, etc.?

That's the real tragedy and why lots of gamers are mad at MS right now
because they have been championing smaller titles and yet fired the ppl delivering exactly what they were proning about.

So no the only nonsense is that MS seems now to be going BACK to AAA popular titles..sorry, I meant refocusing effort on core established IP where broken GAAS might be rewarded versus praised and rewarded work.

Einhander197211m ago(Edited 7m ago)

https://media1.tenor.com/m/...

You read an article cheerleading the end of big budget games and all the other articles about problems and this is what you have to say? That's what you think "the real tragedy" is?

I thought that xbox fans might finally "get it", but no, it seems they don't even understand what is happening and what is at stake.

crazyCoconuts36m ago

Hurray! No more big gam.... wait... what??

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270°

Ninja Theory trends on X as gamers fear for studio following Tango Gameworks closure

Following the closure of 4 studios, many are now worried for the future of Ninja Theory once Hellblade 2 is released.

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Sonic18815h ago(Edited 5h ago)

How is it going to sell well when it's also releasing on gamepass 🤔

Sephiroushin5h ago

Meant better to sell the studio and not closing it 🤦🏻 not to sell more games….
and games are sold anyways, you can buy it on xbox (not recommended if you got gamepass) but many pc gamers prefer to buy on steam than deal with the xbox app or pc gamepass!

On a side note to OP, the sales of studios wont happen though, especially when they want to retain the IPs, and well nobody is gonna buy a studios without its IPs; the other publishers that want a certain dev from the studio that are closing on their team can try to grab them as soon as they see they notice of the studio.

RaidenBlack3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

@Sephiroushin
Well hypothetically speaking, Ninja Theory can be sold to Sony at a lower rate sans the Hellblade IP.
Sony can then welcome them to work on the Heavenly Sword IP, which they still own.
Will be a nice proposition for Sony who can continue to offer a God of War-like hack n slash in their portfolio via Heavenly Sword 2, whilst Cory Barlog & co. decides to take a break from the God of War IP & venture some other genres.
On top of that, Ninja Theory was also interested in a sequel to Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and such Sony can come to a deal with Namco Bandai regarding the Enslaved IP.

Lightning7723h ago

Because they're next come next year. HB2 won't hit some impossible metric within MS so they're getting axed in 2025. Leave gaming now MS.

XiNatsuDragnel14h ago

Ninja theory might as well be gone in 2025 at this rate

notachance6h ago

Every xbox studio is in danger now because there’s just no way they’re gonna rake in big money from game sales because of gamepass, even CoD was rumored to not come to gamepass because it would canibalize their sales number.

neutralgamer19924h ago

If they are smart they don’t put COD on GP day one. It’s one of the best selling games on yearly basis

Hofstaderman3h ago

Satya will make sure that doesnt happen. As you rightly put it; why kill the cash cow?

But then again, it is MS after all.....

thesoftware73025m ago

I agree and disagree. They should not put it on GP, but CoD makes real money from the overpriced MTX that people buy for over a year. They also have it all linked up to the Mobile CoD, which will incentivize Twitch spending from consumers.

-Foxtrot1h ago

Also if you punish a studio for releasing a great critically acclaimed game which won some awards then what chance does anyone have

Elda25m ago

After this mess, I highly doubt the next installment of COD will be on Gamepass day one. It'll probably land on Gamepass 6 months after release date.

Rynxie6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

Ninja theory games were never big sellers. I could be wrong, but I doubt hellblade 2 will sell millions. I would rather they go independent and make heavenly sword 2.

solideagle6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

heavenly sword is Sony owned IP. this will never happen as original didn't sell enough...

Wikipedia: "In 2008, it was reported that a sequel to Heavenly Sword was in-development at SCE Studio Cambridge, but was canceled due to Sony no longer seeing it as a commercially viable product"

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