810°

Shuhei Yoshida: No Future PS4 Firmware Update to Turn off DS4′s Light Bar in Games That Don’t Use it

PSLS "As we wait for the PlayStation 4 firmware update to add Pulse Elite headset support (and hopefully more) likely some time this month, Shuhei Yoshida was once again his active self on Twitter, giving a patented one word answer."

JoGam4184d ago

Im not sure why people complain about the light bar. I have no issues with it. I currently have the DS4 charging station where I keep both my controllers docked so battery charge isn't an issue for me.

Neonridr4184d ago

That isn't exactly the point. Why is the light there? If I don't have a PS4 Camera, then the light does nothing else than to create reflections or glow in the dark. When I'm playing Killzone it lights up Green when I am playing and red when I am dead. Great, thanks for the tip - I couldn't see that I was dead on the screen :P

So your solution to the light bar is to buy something to keep your controllers charged, so spending money is the answer to something as easy as a firmware update to turn the light off if you don't want it on?

GarrusVakarian4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

" Green when I am playing and red when I am dead. Great, thanks for the tip - I couldn't see that I was dead on the screen :P "

Haha, yeah it is pretty pointless for people who don't care for the camera. Personally it doesn't bother me much due to the way im positioned when i play (i hold the pad at a downwards angle and on my lap so the light is pretty much hidden/out of my view).

I bet it's pretty annoying for people with glossy screened TV's. I would like an option to turn it off.....just...because.

JoGam4184d ago

So your solution to the light bar is to buy something to keep your controllers charged, so spending money is the answer to something as easy as a firmware update to turn the light off if you don't want it on?

No, I wouldn't say it my solution because to be honest you can always use the cable that came with the PS4 and use it the same way I use the docking station. All Im saying is the light bar was a feature that we all knew about when the PS4 was announced. Because a game isn't using it to your liking is not a reason to complain. Honestly the "ONLY" valid complain is it drains your battery life. Thats it.

iamnsuperman4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

It is good for player indication (different colours) but yer there should be an option to turn it off (surely it can't be a hard thing to impliment). I don't mind it at all and probably wouldn't turn it off anyway

Edit: I just remembered that the light bar is the only indicator light on the controller. So turning it off would be anti productive if you have two controllers. You wouldn't know which controller was on

MestreRothN4G4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

^ Yeah... Because the former costless system wasn't good, right?

I mean, if a led is lit under the number 1 on the controller, how should I know if I'm player 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7?

The light on the DS4 is far too bright and intrusive. Horrible idea which, besides guiding the camera, serves no good purpose at all.

-

But still worse is the touch pad. I seriously hope games don't use that. It is not precise at all and its position... Well, the only possible explanation is "japanese people".

Neonridr4184d ago

I know it has its uses, the camera needs it, and its great for player identification. Just seems weird that they are dead set against allowing us to disable it.

It's not that it bothers me or anything, I just don't particularly have a need for it. Single player with no PS4 camera.

cyclindk4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

Semi solutions for what I've heard here so far.

1) if glare is an issue, permanent marker the thing out, open it and remove the LED, or a piece of tape...

2) power issue, removing the LED would be the best bet in my opinion, you might get the idea in your head to pull that little ribbon cable out going to the light bar area, but be warned, that is also where the charge port is, so removing that will, I BELIEVE, keep your battery from getting any charge (not 100 percent sure, feel free to try charging the controller with it unplugged) I do know the LED shuts off when removing this cable, but haven't tested the other effects.

Goodluck!

BitbyDeath4184d ago

Why do you want it off in the first place?
It isn't distracting, it doesn't use much power, it is merely there to tell you which player you are. Why the hate?

truefan14184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

The problem lies in the fact that Sony is a hardware company, they are not one to pump out updates frequently. It seems this is just another issue for gamers to complain about, no big deal. If you are able to crack out 6-7 hours of gaming in a day (excluding weekends), you need to get a life.

Noobz14184d ago

It's not a big deal but I don't know why the option isn't put in place. Maybe if they explained their reasoning it would be an even less of an issue.

Hatsune-Miku4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

why dont they take the speaker off the controllers also since i dont need it. i have speakers on my tele already so the speaker is useless. sony should also remove the share button on my controller since i will never upload videos or screen shots online. the light is useless like i see other people are saying and the reason its useless to me is because i dont play local cop op games so i dont need the lightbar to tell me if im number 1 or number 2 character on screen, ill press buttons and figure it out myself. i see alot of useless things on my controller and since its mine i shouldnt be forced to have the options or wasted features when they kill my battery faster anyway.

probably what sony should do is have a service where they can taylor each controller to certain users likes. if someone wants the d-pad in the centre of the controller then they should have it. why would sony make the dual shock like it is instead of making a controller everyone in the world will like? why would they make the dualshock 4 with a lot of options when everyone is different?

testerg354184d ago

truefan, Sony use to have updates for the PS3 very often.

cyclindk4184d ago

Additionally, turn off rumble/vibration in games that give you the option and further conserve your battery life.

blackbirdi4184d ago

its not easy to turn off the light with frimware you have to flash the controller its sounds stupid but the ds4 has its own software within the controller

minimur124184d ago

the reason I see it like this is because if sony add the option to turn it off, everyone will do that in a bid to save battery and then no dev's will use it. it's a shame tbh, and I kinda like the bar on killzone, it just shows me out of the corner of my eye how much health I have left, rather than looking at the corner of the screen to see how much red has crept onto the screen, I can see it all the time.

I've put a pillow right infront of it before purely so the light reflects more

(And I'm sure everyone else has, use it as a light when it's paused?)

KratosSaveUs4184d ago

Obviously you don't know what your talking about. The light bar is there to indicate what player you are and to indicate the controller is on. Its led so it doesn't "drain" the battery. Maybe if y'all go outside or go to work instead of staying in the house and playing PS4 all day you cimplainers won't have that problem. I'm just sayin.

Sharky2314184d ago

At least some devs are trying to use it. There could be a way to use the light that we aren't thinking of. So instead of complaining just be glad that the devs that use the light aren't lazy. Oh and the light turns yellow just before you die.

ShwankyShpanky4184d ago

Maybe after I'm out of warranty I'll crack that bitch open and install a tiny pushbutton switch on the lightbar wire just for shits and giggles.

It really should have at least a function to dim the light, and also a flashlight function that puts it on full brightness. I use mine for a flashlight more than anything in-game.

Zancruz4184d ago

Black Duck Tape Problem Solved..

MysticStrummer4184d ago

"Sony is a hardware company, they are not one to pump out updates frequently."

lol Way to ignore the frequent updates all through the PS3's lifespan. Many would say too frequent.

OT - This news kinda sucks. I may or may not get a PS camera eventually, but the option to turn that light off and conserve power should be there whether you have the cam or not.

iiorestesii4184d ago

Write your local councilman or just take a prozac miss.

thaiboy4184d ago

The light bar in Killzone is great, I love that it changes colour, what a great idea.

If you really don't like it then just stick a piece of tap over it, it'll take you 1 minuet and your gripe will be over.

I understand why Sony doesn't want it off, first of all it looks really nice, secondly, if they give you the option to turn it off you may loose out on the features of a game.

abzdine4184d ago

NO, red doesn't show if you are dead but when life is critical which is a cool feature but certainly not necessary.

the light bar doesn't disturb me, i have micro USB pluged continuously while playing.
Turning the led off will allow you to play let's say an hour more, but buying a long USB cable for no money will allow you to play indefinitely with lightbar on.

Mister_G4184d ago

It actually changes gradually from green to red, so half health it's kinda orange :)

Volkama4184d ago

Blackbirdy may have a point actually. If the software in the controller does not understand a "light is off" instruction then it is the controller that will need the firmware update, and there may not be a simple method in place to do so.

hobohunterz4184d ago

Ya exactly and its pointless because even when they want to use it to represent different things in game you can't see the light because its beveled to the back of the controller away from your periferial view.

Maxor4183d ago (Edited 4183d ago )

Just look at the Sony defense force at work on this thread

1. Use duct tape.
2. Use a marker to block it out.
3. Buy another $50 controller. It's so easy!
4. Keep your (wireless) controller constantly connected with a USB cable. Lol.

None of this solve the problem that annoy me the most about the idiotic light bar. It's a constant reminder of the abortion that is the PS camera. The bar is supposed to be there so the PS4 can tell who is holding the controller. To what end, nobody knows. LMAO. Yeah, this is not useless at all.

mewhy324183d ago

I think that the leading reason to have the ability to turn on and off the light bar is to extend the very short battery lift of the DS4. At least that's my reason for wanting to turn it off.

kreate4183d ago

there might not be a firmware update, but im sure there might be a new controller.

keep complaining everyone, I know last gen, sony put the rumble feature back on the controller after so many ppl complained.

I don't really mind any lights coming from the controller. I enjoy the green light that blinks on the 360 controller, and I also enjoy the colorful blinking lights that is on the move controller :)

+ Show (26) more repliesLast reply 4183d ago
mo2414184d ago

Oh my god sony is pulling a microsoft upon us. Don't shove gimmicks down our throats. Even if its cool if it isn't needed for some people it isn't facking needed.
mow for the guy saying if your playing that much you need to get a life.

people pay 400 dollars for this device they are entitled to do with it as they please.
Not up to you guys to judge.

BlackTar1874184d ago

Seriously i had 0 idea people had a problem with it. I can 100% say i don't notice it when im playing. I do like the orange for standby charge though. Which is the only time i actually notice the light.

People playing at night who smoke for example could find it helpful in showing them were they put it down at. This would have help be a couple years ago but with a kid now i sadly don't get to play late nights anymore :( but its 100% worth it.

iiorestesii4184d ago

@mo This is a non issue. The light is barley noticeable. I understand some of you just want it off because you take every opportunity to be as caddy as you possibly can. Tough love. And in real news...

JamieL4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

@ BlackTar187 & iiorestesii
I think you just made the biggest point against the light I've seen so far, and you were trying to defend Sony. You are right, you can barely notice it, so that makes the battery power it uses a complete waste. It serves no real purpose for anyone without the camera, so why put it on every controller? I have NEVER seen people get confused over who’s controller is who’s, have you honestly? I think this is perfect evidence that the camera was originally going to be included in every box, this is just my opinion, but I just don’t see how adding the light on every controller makes any sense at all, without the camera. The fact it’s there isn’t the problem, the fact it’s there using battery power for NO reason at all is why folks don’t like it. I remember quite a few on here saying how cool the color changing light was when it was announced, but now it is completely USELESS unless you spend more money. I hope this can give you a new perspective, and clear up any confusion.

bjmartynhak4184d ago

- It doesn't annoy me

- I put on the DS4 charging station after every use, unless I played for very short time.

However, an option should be necessary. If it reflects in some TVs and consumes more battery, it is a no-brainer, the option should be there.

Amplitude4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

its also god damn distracting in the dark, and puts a ridiculous glare on my plasma, forcing me to use the LCD. ...which is fine but, i mean thats not the point lol.

Zancruz4184d ago

Black Duck Tape Problem Solved...

thaiboy4184d ago

I play right in front of a 64' Plasma and I've not once had a reflective issue. It does light the wall up somewhat but it doesn't bother me at all, it's actually pretty cool because in KZ when I'm hurt I see it one the screen and feel it all around my TV.

Mirage7494184d ago

I am quite amazed that this has been such a huge issue for people.

memots4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

I'm not amazed or surprised , the entitlement in this "me" society is very present now In gaming.

JamieL4184d ago

@ memots
I think that attitude extends WAY beyond the gaming community. I agree with you though.

IaussieGamer4184d ago

The reason people do not like the light bar is that it uses up power. Being able to turn it off in games that do not use it would save power for the controller giving it more time

iiorestesii4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

I think every gamer should take a half hour break between every eight hours of play to fully charge your controller. "Right to customize". I'm not paying extra money for my controller for you to get things exactly your way. Sony knows this that's why theyre just rocking you in your cradle on this one. Its not about right and wrong and what "a respectable company ought to do", its about Sony and their product and their competency in their production design. Time will tell the fate of said light bar...

ramiuk14184d ago

its LED ,it uses so little u prob couldnt even measure the amount it uses.
the batery doenst last as long as DS3 as the batter mAh is 1000 instead of 1800.

people really need to get a life,people dying and struggling to get food on table and kids on here bitching about a LED light.

if anything the trackpad uses the most power??
i charge my pad using my galaxy s3 wall socket and its done in under 30 minutes

Zancruz4184d ago

I don't see the problem with the light either... For one, a person could just cover the light bar with some Black Duck Tape or with something else.

For me, my 60inch lights up my dark living room, so i don't even see the light from the DS4.... *Shrugs* lol

JamieL4184d ago

Why should they have to do anything to mod the controller. The FACT is that without the camera that damn light is 150% useless, period. It serves no purpose but aggravating a few petty gamers. Why is it even there. I think they should have just done a Move like play and only bundled the light controllers with the cameras. There is absolutely no logical reason at all for it to be there without the camera.

parentoftheyear4184d ago

I would like a feature to disable when not in game. It's nice that 2nd player lights up red but when it's all dark in my house watching a scary Netflix movie except.for the blue glowing orb. Haha

hazardman4184d ago

Ok im pretty sure no one has an issue with light either but if turn it off can help with battery life why not atleast have the option to turn off. DS4 is a Great controller but that short bl is annoying! That being said its not the end of world!

BoriboyShoGUN4184d ago

I have not had any issues with battery life on my controllers. I've played for hours on end without having to recharge. You just cant please everyone!

RyuCloudStrife4184d ago

It ain't an issue for you? LOL

YOU HAVE A CHARGING STATION AND 2 CONTROLLER FOR WHEN ONE DIES.

Yet you say battery life ain't an issue for you, huh?

I LOVE my PS4 but that light we need the option to turn it off, its a complete battery drainer.

Sorry.

bennissimo4184d ago

If you had a glossy TV and constantly saw the reflected controller light, you would have an issue with it.

A user should be able to turn the light off.

kopicha4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

I think people never notice that DS4 is different from DS3. Having the camera or not aside. The light bar is also an indicator on which controller is it currently connected as (eg. Blue = P1, Red = P2 and so on...). Unlike DS3 where there is an indicator on top that show which player is that controller connected as. DS4 does not have the same indicator. Light bar is the replacement for it

YellowTempes4184d ago

Why complain? It's just such a pain in the ass when my cat keeps jumping around the room in front of me when I play on my PS4.

Pricey4184d ago

if the light went then maybe the battery life would be better

4184d ago
erathaol4183d ago

Its very odd that there will not be a update to change this issue. As they already have the tech there to change the color, would it be so hard to build on that code read a game's use of the feature and disable if its not going to be used?

Would help them shave off excessive electric use come time for the eco-friendly console judgement.

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 4183d ago
KrisButtar4184d ago

Where is my Pulse Elite firmware update

4logpc4184d ago

Thats weird. I wonder why, is it really that crucial to keep it on?

curtis924184d ago

well it IS the only indicator that the controller is on. Also indicates what controller is which if multiple are being used. I'd like to see a new DS4 released without a lightbar personally. Just no use if there's no camera detecting it.

iamnsuperman4184d ago

You make a valid point about player indication (or even on indicator since there is no other lights on the controller). However realising a non light bar controller would be a horrible idea. It would make the camera less attractive or make it pointless since it won't be compatible with that non light bar controller

curtis924184d ago

@iamnsuperman true. I guess it just comes back to firmware still...why can't they just dim the light or something if a camera isn't connected? Very weird indeed.

nategrigs4184d ago

Yeah I feel like we're not getting the whole story

Bowzabub4184d ago

Very fickle thing to rail on about if you ask me. Electrical tape...non-issue...

raWfodog4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

Yeah, you'll never be able to please everyone. More to the point, you'll always have people who will find something to complain about, even if they already knew the details before they bought it :)

Edit: Who knows what the future will bring? Yoshida says no but things could change later on down the road.

mo2414184d ago

thats not true Yoshida said it will be looked at in the future.
Bringing people's hope's up, and then saying it won't is not so nice of them.

Silly gameAr4184d ago (Edited 4184d ago )

Yeah, it's no big deal to me either, but I can only speak for myself. I guess people have their own reasons for not wanting the light bar.

AngelicIceDiamond4184d ago

Lol at Yoshida's one word strait for answers.

Show all comments (131)
300°

Former PlayStation Boss Says $80 Games Are Amazingly Affordable

PlayStation boss believes that $80 games are affordable due to the value they provide. Using Mario Kart as an example, he noted that it offers numerous hours of gameplay with just one purchase.

Read Full Story >>
tech4gamers.com
jambola1d 12h ago

value inside the product does not have any impact on how afforable they are

Eonjay18h ago

He never said anything about affordability at all. He only commented about the perceived value that a game can have to a player that gets many hours out of it.

Again, as with many other forms of we are disrespected and lied to.

Title says Yoshida said $80 games are amazingly affordable. This is a lie.

CrimsonWing6918h ago

Perceived value is subjective, so how do you even argue for it? If one person says $500 was worth it because they played a game for six months, what does that mean to someone who didn’t share that experience or see that value?

This is exactly where corporate thinking falls apart. The value is defined by them, and then they twist the logic to defend it from a purely internal, out-of-touch perspective.

I’ve never based the price of a game on how long I’ve played it. There’s a standard price range that consumers feel is fair. If it were truly based on time or value, Resident Evil 2 Remake would cost $20, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth would be $1,000.

Eonjay15h ago

@Crimson

"Perceived value is subjective, so how do you even argue for it?Perceived value is subjective, so how do you even argue for it?"

I think his point is that it is subjective.

thorstein14h ago

Why is tech4gamers allowed to publish here. The lying is constant with them.

pwnmaster30001d 11h ago

I get the concept.
People buy movies for $20-$30 dollars that offers only a couple of hours of enjoyment.
While games offers 3-10+ times the amount of hours and content.
So in theory yeah I get it.

But I will never accept it and would rather keep the price now or even better PS360 price lol

isarai1d 10h ago

On the surface ye that makes sense, but when you realize the budgets are very comparable, you realize it's kinda stupid and overpriced especially when it common for it to be released unfinished

Extermin8or3_13h ago

Not really, movies that have similar budgets have the box office where if they arent a flop- they typically make all their money back or a profit. Movies have a much wider audience. Games however just have that release and have a smaller market.

PapaBop12h ago

Are many people buying movies for $20-$30? Outside of the more dedicated movie goers who have a physical collection, I imagine most rather scoff at that and stick to things like Netflix instead.

DivineHand12511h ago

You also have to take into consideration that most games are enjoyed by one or two people, while movies can be enjoyed by a group of people who are either friends or family.

Another thing is that the value of an entertainment product cannot be judged based on its length, but how it makes the user feel when it is all done.
An example of this is Ubisoft games. They can last close to or exceed 100 hours, yet many people hate on them for doing things to pad the length of the game, while Uncharted 4 and other Naughty Dog games average about 15 hours in length and are hailed as some of the best games of all time.

gold_drake1d ago

said by the guy who probably had a high 6 figure income

Eonjay9h ago

He never made the comment. Welcome to the internet.

gold_drake8h ago

..have u watched the video at all?

welcome to the internet indeed.

Petebloodyonion19h ago

The value of an $80 all-you-can-eat buffet is undeniable, making it curious why some people choose a $20 restaurant for a single, standard meal.

In a similar vein, movies, despite their higher production costs for a two-hour experience, outperform video games in revenue while also being priced around $20. Suggesting that video games need 100 hours of diluted gameplay to compete seems like a misdirection. The real solution might lie in re-evaluating how their core offering is valued.

Extermin8or3_13h ago

Individual movies yes, the movie industry as a whole? No, the movie industry is dwarfed by the behemoth in terms of revenue that gaming is.

DoubleYourDose5h ago

The $80 buffet and the $20 meal both come out the same end.

FACTUAL evidence18h ago

Lol so rich people want to speak for my wallet now? I still haven’t adapted to 70$ yet, and not planing on to. I don’t mind waiting on sales.

Show all comments (52)
220°

Yoshida claims PS believes Xbox is their only competitor, truth is they don’t have one any more

Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida claims PlayStation still believes Xbox is their only true competitor, not Nintendo.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
13d ago
Terry_B11d ago

True, they have pretty different audiences..and some People just have both at home or a PS and a PC that emulates more or less everything from Nintendo.

Knightofelemia11d ago

Xbox hasn't been a competitor since the XB360. Last generation and this generation Sony has been running circles around Xbox. As for Sony vs Nintendo Sony runs circles yes but I don't really see Nintendo as competition. Nintendo does their own thing and it works.

11d ago Replies(1)
Lightning7711d ago

Details are important. Console sales yes. Overall games Xbox seems to be doing fairly well in that department.

LoveSpuds10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

MS were doing so well that they had to start selling their games on their main competitors system which in turn results in around 30% of each sale going to Sony as the platform holder.

I do think tjat MS' fortunes will improve now that they are actually selling games rather than giving them away for pennies on the dollar.

Something that occurs to me is that the more success MS published games have elsewhere, the more stark it will become that selling games is much more profitable than renting them. If that becomes highly noticable, I wonder what the shareholders (who ultimately run the show) will make of a service which has stagnated for years?

crazyCoconuts10d ago

PlayStation doesn't compete with third party games, they compete on consoles. They profit from third party games. If you're not comparing consoles there's no point in comparing.

drivxr11d ago

Console wars are over.

Eventually, everyone else will catch up to this fact.

attilayavuzer11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

I think it's all PS fans have left at this point. Console wars were always a competition for fourth place behind Nintendo, PC and mobile. If Xbox evaporates into a hybrid virtual platform, then PS will be perennially left in last place.

Christopher11d ago

Strange, I recall all those FCC documents and witness testimonies saying the exact opposite... Guess Microsoft doesn't know what it's talking about?

PanicMechanic11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Great analysis. Just joking.

Pretending like companies give a f about where they “rank” against each other is just super retarded. This isn’t the World Cup.

Tell me, how does “PC” compete against a brand like PlayStation? It just doesn’t make sense at all. What you just said, is complete and utter nonsense

BlaqMagiq110d ago

I don't think PS cares about being in this so-called "last place" you came up with when they're making profits hand over fist.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 10d ago
Destiny108011d ago

microsoft wanted to crush sony into dust and they had the money to do it, but with such weak leadership it was always going to fail

Reaper22_11d ago

Had the money? They still have the money but the industry has changed since xbox 360. Microsoft is the number one publisher in gaming. I'd hardly call that failing.

IRetrouk11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

The industry hasn't changed though, just ms, Microsoft was the no1 publisher for a month in december 2024, the actual no1 for fy2024 was tencent if game sales are all that's being counted.

Profchaos11d ago

Money doesn't mean you'll be successful large corporations have entered and failed before like Nec

Show all comments (23)
220°

Shuhei Yoshida warns subscription services could become 'dangerous' for developers

'If the big companies dictate what games can be created, I don't think that will advance the industry.' -Shihei Yoshida

Read Full Story >>
gamedeveloper.com
Sonyslave332d ago

🙄 same guy who said 80$ is a steal lol and according to him M$ shouldnt put good on a services🤣 wtf

Obscure_Observer31d ago

Talks about "innovation" while all his previous company is focused on is GaaS and Remasters. Smh.

This guy is a walking contradiction.

pwnmaster300031d ago

This makes no sense at all.
What does his PREVIOUS company have to do with him and his statement??
Did he have a say on what they are doing? Could of sworn that was Jim Ryan’s fault?

Outside_ofthe_Box31d ago

"This guy is a walking contradiction."

The irony

Profchaos31d ago (Edited 31d ago )

Yet he was In charge and led the PlayStation to overtake xbox

Console VR was birthed because if him he pushed the whole psvr project if that isn't innovative then what is.

Doesn't matter how many alts you use to try and constuct ab alt narrative shu is highly respected in the industry and has done as much for gaming as some of the best names in the industry

Obscure_Observer30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

@Profchaos

I don´t care what he did in the past.

Sony didn´t cared for him either as he was forced to accept a role as CEO of Indie games or get out! After everything he done for the company.

https://www.eurogamer.net/f...

I been seeing LOTS of innovative day one games on Gamepass (Including Clair Obscur) and all I´ve been seeing for Playstation first party @Full Priced is mostly (but not only) GaaS and Remasters. Deny all you want, that´s the truth.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 30d ago
XiNatsuDragnel32d ago

I can agree with that on some level

robtion31d ago

Subscription services are absolutely awful. They have essentially destroyed the movie industry and unfortunately gaming may be next.

In the long term you will end up needing 10 different subscriptions and the prices will keep going up while the quality keeps going down.

MrDead31d ago

Subscription services have f***ed the movie industry and it's work force, caused massive studio buyups by companies like Disney consolidating huge parts of the industry under one roof and have creatively sterilised the IP's they've gobbled up. The same thing is happening to gaming, MS being the main greedy piggy.

goken31d ago

Well… if you’re talking about the US movie industry, then I couldn’t agreed with you more.
But the movie industry isn’t just the US. For some other countries, it’s been considered good. Like where i am, the movie industry here used to be terrible, now it’s a bit less terrible. Mostly this is because in the past movies only can make money mostly on it’s cinema run, but now after the cinema run they can get some funds from the subscription services. Which helps significantly.
But these movies mostly suck due to the low budgets and general lack of talent lol

Vits31d ago

I get what he's saying, but I don’t think we need subscription services to see a lot of the problems he's pointing out. All we really have to do is look at the gaming industry over the last two console generations. Even without subscriptions, the big AAA publishers have already been moving in a direction where almost every game feels like it's built from the same template. It’s all about streamlined, safe design choices that are meant to appeal to the widest possible audience. At this point, you could probably ask an AI to make a AAA game from a certain publisher and it would spit out something pretty close to what they’re actually making.

Now, about the whole “walled garden” thing... that’s not some future problem, it’s already here. Consoles have always worked like that. Their entire business model is based on controlling what gets released on their platforms. Sure, maybe they’re not as locked down as the extreme examples people bring up, but the end result is similar. If you’re not making the kind of game the platform holder wants, you’re probably not getting through the door. We’ve seen it with Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, even Valve does this in its own way with Steam. So yeah, the issue isn’t new or exclusive to subscription services.

Would a subscription-only future make that problem worse? Sure, it definitely could. But I don’t think we’re heading in that direction anytime soon. Unless physical hardware truly becomes a thing of the past and everyone switches to streaming games, I just don’t see subscriptions becoming the dominant model. They’ll stick around as an option, but I doubt they’ll take over completely.

Now, what will take over completely is digital media, and that’s a whole different issue that’s going to hit us a lot sooner. PC and mobile are already basically 100% digital, and that makes up around 70% of the gaming market. The remaining 30% is consoles, and even there we’re seeing the shift. Sony’s removing the disc drive from boxed consoles, Nintendo is releasing just one super expensive 64GB cartridge for their new system, which means almost all third-party publishers will end up going digital and Microsoft is mostly digital already. You either get a digital-only or a physical box with disc that only acts as a activation key. So yeah, that future’s already knocking on the door and the damage will be enormous.

CrimsonWing6931d ago

Right, because then you can’t sell individual games at $80, which is an incredible value for the consumer!

BLow31d ago (Edited 31d ago )

I find this statement quite telling. Apparently a certain fan base wasn't buying games at $60 or $70 dollars either. That's why the Gamepass model exists with day and date. What was the excuse then?

We as gamers want it all but don't want to pay for anything. Well, I take that back. A good chunk of them. You don't have to buy a game at $80. Wait for to go down in price. Most gamers have a massive backlog. Play those games until the one you wants drops and n price. Simple

goken31d ago

I never buy any games at full price, it’s up to the consumer to wait for a price cut.

Generally I don’t buy above $10, normally around $5. So don’t agree with 80 70 60? Just wait a bit

CrimsonWing6931d ago

Totally fair if that approach works for you, but the flip side is that some dev studios do rely on full-price sales to stay afloat—especially smaller or AA teams. The ‘just wait for a sale’ mindset can really hurt games that aren’t backed by massive budgets or publishers.

It’s also kind of a bummer to finally see a game release you’ve been hyped for, only to feel like you have to wait another year or two just to get a decent discount.

That said, I think the deeper issue is with bloated dev budgets. It’s wild seeing games like First Berserker or Expedition 33 launching at $50 while still managing to look great and make a profit. Meanwhile, some AAA studios say $70 isn’t enough to break even. That raises real questions about where the money’s going and whether the pricing problem is actually a budgeting problem.

thorstein30d ago

To me, it depends on who made it and who will profit.

I bought No Man's Sky back in 2016. They gave me all updates, PSVR,PS5, and PSVR2 versions all for free.

That makes it worth every dollar I spent. Same with Balatro, Stardew Valley, Dave the Diver etc.

Chevalier31d ago

Yeah weird it's like a certain fan base that doesn't buy ANY games and their sales cratered that was why prices has gone up to $80...... hmmm...... they've the same one that has tried to buy up the industry and now has to release games on competing platforms to be viable now...... but you know the studio/company slipped my mind

goken30d ago

You have a point on the bloated development budgets.

I mean look at black myth wukong’s $80m budget vs the $150-200m (possibly more) budget of concord.

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