450°

The PS4's Spectacular Dreams Game Is Hurting From A Lack Of Players

Once you push past the barrier of rushed and incomplete creations that seem to take precedence, Dreams has so much to offer players.

Knushwood Butt1606d ago

They need to promote the best content.

People need a reason to play.

I recommend Pig Detective 3.

Lore1606d ago

Unfathomable why they didn’t create an “app store” type of ecosystem, that permits creators to either put games up for free (with the option to accept donations for those wanting to support them) and another option to charge for their creations to be incentivized and Sony take a small percentage. Win win for everyone and would keep the dreams thriving.

solideagle1606d ago (Edited 1606d ago )

it is baffling why Sony didn't do it. This could have been potentially non-dev platform for players out there. Did they patch it for PS5? I agree with you 200%.
I also think this should have been on PC instead Horizon Zero dawn. I know I will get thousand disagrees but if it has in game store of sorts then this could become huge.

arkard1606d ago

It would be a licensing/litigation nightmare for anyone that is recreating games Ike MGS or whatever else they are remaking in dreams

Sonic-and-Crash1606d ago

i m currently playing ,/create in Dreams... is my 4thmost played game this year..its just the players that have problem not the game neither Sony ....try minigames like LOCK in Dreams and lot of other stuff to see what i mean

ILostMyMind1606d ago

@solideagle
You are totally right. HZD should never be on PC.

FreeFallFrenzy1606d ago

Dreams, in my opinion, could have been a perfect avenue for something like The Oasis in Ready Player One. Maybe not a robust as that, but a great starting point, much like how Sony had PS Home on the PS3. I think they missed an opportunity here with Dreams. Could've had a great potential for revenue from user-created content.

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Amplitude1606d ago (Edited 1606d ago )

The game launched pretty close to the end of the PS4 lifespan and had absolutely no hype whatsoever and felt somewhat incomplete (no VR support, for example - which was advertised, and the lack of it did make creation a bit clunky with the Moves in 2D)
I also had to drive to 3 different EB Games to find the one and only physical copy in my city. I dont think i saw a single ad on TV or in game stores or heck even online. None of my friends - who are all gamers - knew wtf Dreams was. I sold it after a few months, and recently picked it up again in the used bin at EB for $10.

I think they actually just need a full-fledge PS5 release once the console starts becoming more available, and with PS5 exclusive features compared to last-gen (i know we already have a better thermometer and framerate on PS5 but still) , and a full-fledged marketing campaign for the release. That, or make it free on PS Plus, or absolutely putting it on other platforms like PC would help a TON. It's definitely salvageable but right now it's pretty dead in the water imo. Hopefully they have some sort of plan to revive it.

It sucks cause the game is sweet but the lack of hype killed even my ambition to create content. Nobody's playing the content so what's the point of dedicating all that time and effort into making an art piece to be seen by only a few random people.

nveenio1605d ago

Actually, Dreams was available to play for like two years before release. It was filled with great content by dedicated gamers who were part of that early community. When it finally did release, it was to lackluster fanfare because of this. Everyone who cared the most had already been playing it for some time.

ManMarmalade1606d ago

Don't forget that nintendo wanted everything nintendo related removed from dreams.

Jin_Sakai1606d ago

They should offer the game free with PS Plus to boost the user base.

NecrumOddBoy1606d ago

This should be part of the PS+ Collection indeed. It’s really great but needs a solid base to survive.

1605d ago
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BioDead1606d ago

The reason why many don't play is the fact of how much time and dedication it takes to make something playable in Dreams. I have such plans to make a video game, but I simply have no time to get something done in Dreams. So many new video game releases and barely any time for them. The backlog list is endless at this point.

Even if someone is unemployed, they would barely have time for making games in Dreams, if they also wanto play other games, new releases and next gen stuff. Sigh. But playing other players' levels might be the only thing gamers could find time to do in Dreams.

Double_O_Revan1606d ago

I'm following someone on YouTube making an Avatar game. He's been streaming his progress constantly for months now. Even with all that effort so far, he's no more than 20% done, and I think that's a high estimate. He's he spent weeks just working on character movement. Now he's working on level building.

There's so much that is needed to make even a small game. If there are people out there making games as ambitious as the Avatar one, it will be another year before we see any of these games.

1605d ago
nveenio1605d ago

Yes, of course it takes time. My personal approach is to use the Community Jams to help me figure out new ways to do different things for my "big" game. For instance, with "Elemental", I was tinkering with sound, camera, and other immersive aspects. With "8-bit Canvas", I was tinkering with wire limitations. With the "14th Annual National Pickle Spanking Competition", I was tinkering with scoring systems and progressive synchronization.

Building in Dreams is just like building a game in any other engine. There are thresholds of complexity that need to be understood, and it takes time to understand them. That's why so much stuff in Dreams, even when given a lot of time and love, just doesn't feel polished or is plagued with bugs.

Lionsguard1606d ago

Yeah, Dreams is freaking awesome but I think MM overshot people's time and expectations a bit. I still enjoy going to play people's creations but it's really just the same group of super talented people that pump stuff out. That can't last. They need to make this game for PC if they really want player numbers. And also yes, I find it difficult to find any time to play or create lately due to my expanding backlog of games totally probably over 600 titles by now and it certainly didn't help that I added 7 more during the winter sales events taking place.

RememberThe3571606d ago

I'm curious about the AI rendering that Nvidia showed off a while back. Does Dreams have anything like that to help with environments and little details?

https://m.youtube.com/watch...

Abnor_Mal1606d ago

I've said since it has been in development, and will continue to do so. Sony need to put this game/application on as many different platforms as possible, something such as this needs a much bigger community than just the PlayStation to survive. Just like MineCraft is everywhere and is still going strong, Dreams needs the same large community that can work on projects and build something truly incredible.

Forget MLB, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Death Srranding, Dreams is the one that needs to go to PC, Switch, Xbox, and mobile.

elazz1606d ago

A PC release would be a good start. With a variety of input options like a MK or Wacomb pen it would be easier to make game creations I believe. The reason why I'm not playing is that I finished the story and would prefer more content from Media Molecule themselves. I also believe multiplayer was recently possible and VR has been added not so long ago. An upgrade to make PS5 exclusive content would also be nice. If Sony wants to bump the player base they could always add it to PS Plus.

SmokinAces1606d ago

PC I could see happening the rest of that not so much.

Abnor_Mal1606d ago

Agreed, but ideally it should be on everything with a screen, to reach as wide an audience as possible.

specialguest1605d ago (Edited 1605d ago )

Sure putting the game on several platforms will help, but it's not going to even get a quarter of Minecrafts success. Minecraft had great timing being one of the first of its kind, was heavily promoted by big youtubers(some made a career out of Minecraft), and most importantly it was so simple and easy for anyone to pick up and create their world. Even young kids could do it

Abnor_Mal1605d ago

Although it might never be as big as Minecraft, that really wasn't the point, but it would help grow the community like Minecraft. Even a quarter of the success of Minecraft would be better than the base it currently has.

Perhaps being on more platforms could get some youtubers interested in the game and start streaming how-to video and mega creations. This "game" also has the potential to help build someone's career, if they were to create something special and an animation studio takes notice.

FyBy1605d ago

Putting this to PC (with limitations to be able to playback on PS4) with VR would be the best thing they could do. Next is to monetize content for creators. And next is to better curate content.

Dreams is excellent application. Really excellent!

What also could help would be to make more official game content - like LBP was. And make more contests not only for demos but for real games with good prizes. Sony has money to do that. They have great platform (Dreams). They need only to push it better.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1605d ago
GamerBeast19821606d ago

Cause it’s a game well a creation tool for a certain crowd. Nobody I know has any interest in it at all. Must admit I bought it day one played about for around 2 hours then deleted it . Send it to pc and more people will be interested on consoles it’s just not what many want.

Nuvem1606d ago

I always get a ton of disagrees, but here I go again: Little Big Planet 4 with a real 3D level creator would have sold more.

Magog1606d ago

You can use it that way easily if you want. There are level templates for exactly that sort of game.

nveenio1605d ago

Yeah, I mean…that's basically what it is. It's just more flexible. I think what you mean is that the LBP formula is simpler to use and therefore would have resulted in more creative success among a broader group of people, and I would agree with that.

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180°

FTC drops case against Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal

The FTC has officially dropped its case against Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

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theverge.com
slate9117h ago

The sweet smell of tax dollars burning

Killa7811h ago

From the unemployment this deal caused, no doubt.

Obscure_Observer7h ago

"The sweet smell of tax dollars burning"

They never stood a chance. It was a lost cause from the start. And yet, still, they´d decided to go ahead and double down on their bs to bleed the taxpayer even more.

dveio7h ago

The IRS demands 29bn USD in not paid taxes from Microsoft.

If we're talking bleeding.

1Victor2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

@slate: “ The sweet smell of tax dollars burning “

The smell of political donations endorsements under the table.
There I fixed it it for you
We all knew Microsoft plan of “10 years of all systems publishing “ and some of its supporters happy that after all the games would be “exclusive to Xbox “ now that things have changed and Microsoft got humbled by the lost of money from CoD going down from OVER A BILLI🤑N to
MILLI😩NS the sales failing of games that would released on PlayStation and be forced by INVESTORS asking for their M🤑NEY to grow faster than the next 10 years it is obvious that it would be a waste of money to continue this litigation.
Edit:@obscured: “ They never stood a chance. It was a lost cause from the start “

Same as your grievance stages.
Have you passed the bargaining stage yet ? Or are you still on the anger stage 🤣

slate912h ago

I knew my singe bipartisan sentence would bring out the crazies. Thanks for the wall

Astrokis23m ago

Not sure if I’m disturbed or entertained but either way I hope you are alright

OtterX15h ago

I think they're convinced now that MS won't (and can't) withhold releases from conpeting platforms. MS on the street corner now like, "Who wants a taste?!"

PhillyDonJawn12h ago

I wont be too sure of that. Gotta wait and see till after these deals expire

OtterX12h ago

That's how it always starts, "I'll just work this street corner for a short while until I get caught up on my bills..."

Tacoboto11h ago

Oh yeah, they're totally gonna make Xbox exclusives again, with the hardware they're totally committed to selling and making available lol

raWfodog11h ago

As far as I'm aware, the only 'deal' that was discussed was for Call of Duty. Xbox had no obligation to make any of their other games multiplatform. They did that of their own accord.

Lightning779h ago(Edited 9h ago)

I've seen videos and talk a online speculating MS long game. Some think that MS multiplat move is use to appease the FTC so they can buy more and is somehow a move that could get Sony to open up their platform. In other words them going third party and letting their games go everywhere. MS possible scheme and ulterior motives, speculated by Jeff Grubb is that putting Xbox store on PS via regulation Which would hurt PS buissness very badly because that 30% cut would be even less or not a cut at all. MS buys more because they're "playing nice" by opening up its platform to Epic store and steam which would force Apple and Sony to open up their ecosystem to other stores like MS.

If that's the case that'll mean as I said before, PS fans buying Cod on PS via MS store would give 100% maybe even 90% of the money being pocketed by MS while Sony's store front wanes when it comes to third party because guess what? MS is buying more third party and preying off the extreme ignorance of the FTC. Manipulation of the FTC and MS overtaking the PS store and customers

My thing is this. I know it's a opinion and speculation but why does Sony have to open up its store or force them to go multiplat? If they still believe in selling their freakin console then let them do it. If they want to provide the best games and the best content for its fans then let them do it!? Why because the competition is trash at selling games and consoles for 14 years now Sony has to change? MS using the ignorance of the FTC to overtake gaming as we know it?

Again it's just talk and opinion but man this seems very, very possible imo.

dveio9h ago

Well, at the time, I actually did think the FTC and CMA did a poor job in court. But also the judge.

Having said that - it is what it is.

If 75bn mergers in any industry ain't a threshold to deny them, then I don't know what is.

As far as your thoughts about other 3rd parties getting taken over in the future go:

I think publisher buyouts are off the list now. I think it would be reeeeally difficult for MS to win another trial try taking over any other publisher.

But smaller studios ... maybe.

However, right now I can't see studios out there advocating for a buyout from Microsoft.

That isn't to say an announcement of such couldn't drop on Monday already. Because we today know that Microsoft had approached a plethora of other studios in 2018 to 2021, such as IOI, CD Project, etc.

We'll see. And we can't do anything about it. It's up to trade commissions and then probably courts to decide.

Lightning778h ago(Edited 8h ago)

"I think publisher buyouts are off the list now. I think it would be reeeeally difficult for MS to win another trial try taking over any other publisher."

That's the thing MS is ticking all the boxes by not have anything be exclusive so the CMA/FTC see that they're doing "fair practice" in games and content distribution. Which technically greenlits more aquisions or it makes it easier for acquisitions because MS is a mega publisher now.

"However, right now I can't see studios out there advocating for a buyout from Microsoft."

Hopefully not but them going multiplat could entice Studios to join MS because nothing is not longer exclusive which means more money for them, studio and teams.

We can't do nothing about it but Sony can. They can block xbox games on their console (lose that 30% cut) but Sony won't do that because that's money that will be lost and Sony runs a buissness. That's the only way to hurt or slow down Xbox.

I'm probably over thinking it as I do these things but it's something we shouldn't just ignore and be weary of MS motives here. I'm keeping an eye on them.

Rancegamerx4h ago

The idea that Microsoft is manipulating the FTC and forcing Sony to open its platform is silly and has no evidence to back it up. Microsoft’s multiplatform approach is 100% due to past failures and its laughable position in the gaming industry. Their best attempt was a fluke and a lie, brought on by Sony’s missteps and a poorly made machine that broke down too often.

Sony would never allow themselves to be "forced" to do anything; they control their platform and storefront perfectly fine without the need or desire to add an unnecessary Microsoft storefront. Even if, by some flaw on Sony’s part, Microsoft were able to introduce its store on PlayStation, Sony would adapt rather than collapse. Digital storefront competition already exists (Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Store), and PlayStation’s business won’t suddenly "wane."

Also, regulators like the FTC don’t operate on ignorance—they actively assess market behavior to prevent monopolies. Microsoft isn’t secretly overtaking gaming with some ultimate scheme. The industry might be changing or shifting (for the worse, in my opinion), but Sony will continue evolving based on market trends, not because of alleged schemes.

Gaming isn’t about one company "playing nice" or another being "forced" to change—it’s about making money with games, something Microsoft has yet to achieve in 25+ years.

Lightning772h ago

"The idea that Microsoft is manipulating the FTC and forcing Sony to open its platform is silly and has no evidence to back it up."

That's why I said it was all speculation that's what Jeff Grubb opinion. I made that clear several times. You know what's funny? When Jim was in court ppl got mad at the FTC for protecting Jim Ryan instead of the consumer. Maybe he was right to worry about his business. Now look Releasing Xbox games on PS keeps MS studio an a float. Now Xbox games are all over PS now. Maybe Jim was onto something.

MS is still competing with Sony just in a very different way. The FTC back down mainly means they can buy more and MS next steps can proceed. We'll have to see what happens in the future but I wouldn't be so sure on your stance.

InUrFoxHole2h ago

@Lightning77
MS putting games everywhere is the most consumer friendly thing I've seen a game company do.

dveio22m ago

@InUrFox

What does "putting everywhere" actually mean?

This book has so many pages.

• Xbox was dying in revenue
• Regulators put a 10 year deal on CoD
• Microsoft had to give away the streaming
• Spencer himself only offered 3 yrs initially

And most importantly

• Again, Xbox was dying in revenue

Xbox have the benefit of their actual financial situation giving regulators and courts the impression they release games everywhere, what they actually do.

But for reasons they can't be proven guilty of anything in court.

I'm not judging, it's just what it is.

IF the Series generation would have developed differently and was much more successful, I don't hesitate any second to believe in what Spencer had originally planned to do:

• Make everything Xbox exclusive
• We today know that Spencer had also approached Sega, From Software, CD Project, Nintendo, and even Valve was on their list of buyouts.

MS are playing a card here everyone knows why they are doing it.

Putting Doom "everywhere", which even was it already before it got bought, ain't a MS thing.

It would had hurt them in many ways if they'd put it exclusively to Xbox.

But, no matter what - it is what it is.

Xbox bought themselves back into the game. And I think many people just don't have very fond feelings towards this behaviour, wether on corporate nor private levels.

Let's see how they'll run with it.

In 2030, but most importantly after regulations will have expired we will learn better.

Reaper22_7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

Seemed like a lost cause anyway. Microsoft gambled and it paid off big time. That's what you call a big boss move. Sony played a huge part in the success of that acquisition.

wesnytsfs5h ago

Bout time. Pointless from the start.

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60°

Splitgate 2 Open Beta Starts Right Now

Splitgate 2 has officially opened its doors for players to enjoy its beta, and some are not impressed.

Read Full Story >>
powerupgaming.co.uk
150°

OG Star Wars Battlefront devs were asked to make Battlefront 3 in just one year

Star Wars Battlefront 3 was in development at Pandemic Studios, but LucasArts wanted the team to make the game in just one year.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
jznrpg1d 6h ago

Need at least a few years for a bigger game like that and that’s probably not enough.

anast1d 2h ago

They wanted something cheap.

RaidenBlack14h ago

Now you can get, what Obsidian went thru,
Had to create New Vegas within 1.5 years.
They had to scrap some ideas + there was limitations of console hardware as well (the strip area in the game, etc).
Hence, I say, we better get a New Vegas Redone than just a straight remaster, as was leaked.

Christopher13h ago

Todd ego too big for that, IMHO.

Azurite1d 5h ago

Remasters can take longer than that.

Dandizzle1d 3h ago

not true, look up star wars first assault.

ZeekQuattro23h ago

Sounds about right. They were rushed while making the second game. Not hard to imagine that trend continued with it's ill fated follow-up.

1nsomniac21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

I actually really liked the first Battlefront. Its charm was that it was so simple and basic. It felt like a really well made modernised old school shooter. Ignoring all the COD style BS that took over all other games.

I absolutely loved Battlefront 2 as well but I enjoyed Battlefront 1 for its simplicity.

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