It might be hard to imagine now, given how the last few years have gone, but once upon a time the Xbox was thought of as the powerhouse console. Though Microsoft didn't always have quite the same robust library PlayStation was able to offer, especially in the era of the original Xbox and the PS2, what it did have was a small but significant technological edge. With the Xbox One X, Microsoft aims to get back to its king-of-the-tech-hill status, and it's a distinction that the brand needs badly right now.
That edge in power was sanded down during the current generation, when there's been rampant talk about how much of the Xbox One's power was diverted to Kinect, how many cross platform games ran and looked better on PS4, how 900p was more common on Xbox One than proper 1080p (the gold standard when these consoles launched). Piled atop all the abuse around how the Xbox One was lagging behind in terms of power were the even worse offenses early on, with consumers being told that the console would need to always be connected to the internet and loose talk about how it wouldn't be able to play used games. Microsoft further crippled their launch by trying to focus attention on the Xbox One as a "media center, family room" console rather than as a platform to play the best new games.
The premium Sony Inzone earbuds are designed for PC and PS5, and they're finally getting a discount after launching in late 2023.
The first three Tomb Raider games are coming to an Evercade Cartridge!
Their newer giga cart tech should make for even bigger games coming to the platform. I'm hoping for a Resident Evil collection with the first 3 games.
Huzaifah from eXputer: "With Larian Studios washing their hands of the IP, what is the ultimate fate of the legendary Baldur's Gate series?"
If anybody's gonna mention BioWare, then look at Archetype Entertainment, they're the new BioWare
or else
Obsidian is still a good choice but not independent anymore.
No, WoTC is pivoting to mobile. They can use Larian's work to justify DnD Go and everyone will accept it.
Correct answer. Most people don't realise that the companies that are still making good games using common sense and a customer focus are generally not American. They are from Poland, Belgium, Japan, or other countries that have not yet become completely corrupted by 'extreme capitalism'.
Before you down vote me into oblivion I am not anti-american. I just don't like greed and corruption which unfortunately seems to correlate with power.
I would guess the next Baldurs gate will probably be filled with GaaS.
Honestly, we're talking completely new engine and none of Larian's built-in stuff with regard to environments and the like that they had from their past divinity game. No one is going to have that just ready to go. So, they need to shop for a dev studio that has a past game that shows what they want.
Obsidian doesn't have that, maybe the closest being Dungeon Siege 3 or Pillars of Eternity, but those are very basic, not as open, very little environment related and altering capabilities. So, we're talking a step way back on what Larian delivered. Zero scene experience to line up with what was done in BG3. Okay conversation tree designs, but still needs more complexity.
inXile has Wasteland 3 as a base model engine, and I think that's better than Pillars of Eternity from Obsidian. But, still needs to be more open world, more environmental effects, and a much heavier rules set adaptation. But, not a bad overall engine as a base, but still a ton of work. Zero scene experience to line up with what was done in BG3. Needs a ton of work on that entirely.
Tactical Adventure did the Solasta game. Really good and more accurate as far as 5e rules than BG3. But, again, if the expectation is similar to what made BG3 a big hit, engine isn't designed for moving the camera, is a bit outdated in graphics, doesn't have in-game scene elements, and needs much better writers/voice actors.
Owlcat of pathfinder games is another choice, even though they've recently moved on to WH40k licensed games. Again, though, the engine is the biggest issue here to match up, but it's a much better option overall than Tactical Adventure. Another question is writers/story telling, as much of their overall story telling bits are very limited with a lot of random worldbuilding elements that are just +\- of some attributes.
TBH, no matter who takes over, it's just not going to be like BG3 much like how BG3 isn't at all like BG1/2. And BG3 was so successful because of how much Larian was able to put in with their engine and how focused they were on players having ridiculous control over the story being told. I just don't see the next BG being the same and depending on what it is, it might be good but I'm not as big of a reach as BG3. It's way more likely players are going to go into BG4 (or its spiritual successor if it moves away from Baldur's Gate and into Neverwinter or something like Plansescape) expecting much of what is in BG3 with more options, new and older characters, and the same level of control over what they're doing. If it doesn't have that, regardless of who makes it, it won't be as successful, IMHO.
Yes, I completely concur.
As good and talented as inXile and Obsidian are in their own specific way of making their particular games, none of them have Larian's attention to detail, dynamic worlds, and reactivity, so even if they end up making a new Baldur's Gate, it's going to be a significant step-down in terms of gameplay if not narrative.
Not gonna happen. Xbox One X has a chance to spark some fire and maybe outsell the PS4 Pro. But that´s it!
The PS4 continue to deliver great first party exclusives, a more diversed line up of games and has more of an global appeal among gamers.
PS4 should remain on top to the end of this generation.
Back on top? The chance for that is slim to none. But I think they can lay a good foundation for the "next-gen" Xbox with the Xbox One X, Xbox One S and the services and features Xbox have.
1.) Microsoft was never on top in the first place.
2.) If a cheaper more mass-market friendly slimline version couldn't achieve the desired affect, why would a more expensive premium console do so?
What sort of drugs is the author on?
"The reaction at this year's E3 is not unlike the kid at the playground who has had enough of all the nitpicking and bullying."
I respectfully disagree.
I'd say the reaction is more of the kid that bought his school project to get a good grade, rather than actually innovatively earning it like the other kids.