220°

Putting Our Teams and Players at the Forefront of Everything We Do

A message from Mike Ybarra.

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news.blizzard.com
Magog1253d ago

If he wanted to do that why didn't he before? I call BS.

My_Name_is_Earl1253d ago (Edited 1253d ago )

Uh...because the CEO was implicated and he just got there in August...?

Do you genuinely think before you post?

Magog1253d ago

He worked for Blizzard for 14 years as the head of a huge division prior to that. And just now he sees there is a problem?

Army_of_Darkness1252d ago (Edited 1252d ago )

This Mike guy has only been in this lead role for a couple months now and implementing new work policies and such does take a little time; and going by what he is saying, it sounds like the company will have a much better work environment. However, actions speak louder then words so we'll see within the year to come I suppose.

MadLad1252d ago

He throws out BS and hopes it gains traction.
It's his schtick.

He creates narratives he wants you to believe is true. It doesn't necessarily need to be factual on any level.

My_Name_is_Earl1253d ago (Edited 1253d ago )

Please go away. Mike was at Microsoft for 20 years and left in 2019 to join Blizzard and was promoted in August to his new position.

What 14 years are you talking about?? Just stop. You don't know what you are talking about and you are spreading your ignorance.

itsmebryan1252d ago

@My
I don't understand why people like @Magog just make up stuff.

My_Name_is_Earl1252d ago

I'm dumbfounded @itsmebryan! I mean he must know we too can access the internet and Google!

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1252d ago
itsmebryan1252d ago

@Magag
I read his statement if it's true and he has only been there a few months and as you see Activision was put all it's eggs in the COD basket. Now with MS backing they will hopefully has the financial backing to produce more games. Remember Activision was putting most of their resources into COD. Give him time after MS takes over to call B.S.

CaptainHenry9161252d ago (Edited 1252d ago )

Most of Activision good talent is gone though. Everyone will find out soon enough because of Bobby Kotick. And this was way before Microsoft acquire them

gravedigger1252d ago

Because he is now MS employee again. Hahaha

CaptainHenry9161252d ago (Edited 1252d ago )

Lol they haven't made a great game in over 5 years. I find this article comical. Call of Duty is a cash grab now. It's been like that for years. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was the best Call of Duty game before all the key people left Infinity Ward

My_Name_is_Earl1252d ago

Playstation fans disagree. It is the best selling franchise on the console

CaptainHenry9161252d ago (Edited 1252d ago )

Then that's sad because Call of Duty quality hasn't been the same in years. Casual gamers don't care about quality anymore. TBH they should take a break from Call of Duty. Activision should release it every 2-3 years

ChubbyBlade1252d ago (Edited 1252d ago )

So first I learn you don’t know how to count on the god of war posts and now I see you’re just talking nonsense. You’re clearly just a troll.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1252d ago
mastershredder1252d ago

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's your moto now? Please. Keeping opportunity within our grasp at your expense is more like it. And the teams.... (must be the ones they have been sh77ing on for decades now) they are at the forefront alright, they get the egg on the face, while the executive level does the golden payout shuffle. Nice Bluzzfeed speech.

PapaBop1252d ago (Edited 1252d ago )

Looking at things threw rose tinted specs...Blizzard is dead. The overwhelming majority of people who made Blizzard, Blizzard have left. The optimist in me hopes Spencer turns things around, they do still have many talented people among their developers but the Blizzard as many older gamers know it, is long gone.

LWOGaming1252d ago

Too little and far too late from Blizzard. Huge companies get away with far too much. Having managed businesses for 9 years of my life - just a gaming site now for my sins - it does not matter whether you are large or small - colleagues derive respect at all levels. All colleagues should be able to talk with people no matter what level they work at, without fear of reproach and harassment is never acceptable. Discrimination is never acceptable. As someone who has had to fight against discrimination for years due to my mental health disorder (bi polar) I know how the pain can build up and for Blizzard to come out with this which amounts to crocodile tears is just a final slap in the face.

50°

Blacknut Announces a New Partnership With Kalypso Media

Blacknut has announced a brand new partnership with Kalypso Media. This will see Kalypso's gaming portfolio arrive on Blacknut.

The partnership will take hold from June 27th with the arrival of a selection of Klaypos Media titles onto the Blacknut cloud gaming platform.

Read Full Story >>
clouddosage.com
170°

It Shouldn't Take Expedition 33's Success to Remind Square Enix That Turn-Based Still Sells

TNS: Expedition 33 was the wake-up call Square Enix needed, telling it turn-based RPGs are still popular, but that shouldn't have been the case.

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thenerdstash.com
Relientk7723h ago

True, but if it does get it through their thick skulls, then that works.

Although, the Dragon Quest 1 + 2 HD remakes will be turn-based and (the worst kept secret) Final Fantasy IX remake should be turn-based I would imagine. Let's see if any newer games go turn-based too.

thorstein19h ago(Edited 19h ago)

DQIII HD Remake was turned based and very successful. Then there was a really obscure turn based game came Balder's Gate 3. I heard it might have done well.

Profchaos16h ago

I wouldn't be shocked if they switched ff to the vii remake combat system

PapaBop12h ago

It won't get through to them though, despite E33's success, they still won't risk going fully turn based for their big budget projects simply because they are still in the mindset that it needs to be action combat to appeal to the mainstream audience. I hope I'm wrong but don't underestimate just how stubborn Japanese execs can be

barom5h ago

Ya'll are hyping up Expedition 33 too much. Reminder that FF XVI sold 3 million in a week and it took Expedition 33 approximately a month to get to that (33 days to reach 3.3 million).

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1h ago
DivineHand12522h ago

While it is true that Sqaure Enix has moved away from turn based games compared to how they were in the past, there is a good reason for it.

Older gamers will know this but during the ps2 era, we were flooded with turned based games from Japanese studios and this created a form of fatigue back then going into the next generation.

When Square released FF13, they received heavy criticism for making the game turned based like every other FF game and not doing enough to innovate. This is why they made FF15, FF7 Remake and FF16 have real time combat. It gave the series a fresh spin and has brought in new fans to the series.

I personally would be happy with either turned based FF or the real-time combat version we see today.

Shane Kim21h ago

Remake and Rebirth have "turn based" if you set it in the settings.

Lexreborn219h ago

Dang wish I saw your post before I made mine because we definitely feel the same way lol

Profchaos16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

Yeah hit the nail on the head but its like ww2 games we get hundreds of them then a decade of nothing and people start missing them i think we're going to start seeing them return

Claire, dragon quest even yakuza have seen turn based return

andy8522h ago

Only need to look at their own game DQ 11 approaching 10 million to show there's a market. And that's not as big of a name as FF

Tacoboto22h ago

Another article about Expedition 33 and Square Enix and turn-based games? This is starting to sound like propaganda.

The game didn't sell because it's a turn-based game; it sold and is enjoyed because it's a really freaking good game that released completed at a good price without gamer drama attached to it. No Mtx, no wait-until-it's-patched, minimal bloat, a self-contained story, no multiplatform BS. Just a solid original game that absolutely nails what it intended to do.

Redemption-6421h ago

I was just about to say the same thing.

anast20h ago

This comment should have a 100 upvotes, at least.

CrimsonWing6921h ago

Maybe try actually listening to the fans who have supported the series for decades. This habit of ignoring your core audience just to chase people who were never interested in Final Fantasy in the first place makes no sense. And when that approach fails, doubling down on it is beyond baffling.

The battle system has never been the main reason non-FF or non-JRPG players stayed away. Gutting the series’ identity to chase a broader market doesn’t attract new players. It just alienates the loyal ones.

Keep going down this road and we’ll end up with Final Fantasy Fortnite abomination or a F2P Battle Royale game.. Oh wait…

Show all comments (23)
240°

Sony is all-in on PlayStation Plus, says its most expensive tier is thriving

Sony kicks off PS Plus' 15th anniversary by chatting with Game File about the past, present and future of its gaming subscription service: Talking price, catalogue tweaks and where the PS3 games are.

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gamefile.news
CrimsonWing691d 21h ago

Glad, I’m about to downgrade when they raise the price. For me, I don’t really access much or care about the games they have in the library and if I do, it’d be cheaper to just buy them over time rather than stick to some expensive subscription model.

crazyCoconuts1d 19h ago

When you're new to the service you've got an avalanche of games to play. After you catch up, I agree, it's not worth it beyond the Essential tier for me.
That being said, the Essential tier is the best deal in console gaming imo, based on the monthly games you get to keep.

Profchaos1d 13h ago

Yeah same will be downgrading $214 aud is insane and we don't even get the streaming capabilities in Australia which they said would make the top level subscription cheaper.

If i was to just buy the games I actually play that come to the service id be far better off.

Ill keep the essential tier to retain the games ive collected since the ps3 and for mp but I'm not convinced of the premium tiers value any more

victorMaje1d 10h ago

Went back to essential a few months ago. I’m buying more physical and it has helped in finishing more games.

Profchaos1d ago

Tend to agree if i go to the trouble of buying a disc ill typically finish it

Alos881d 21h ago

Extra is probably the best value for money right now, Premium doesn't have anything special enough to justify paying the additional imo.

OtterX1d 20h ago

*unless you have a Portal & you catch Premium on discount during Days of Play or Black Friday.

Yea, I really do wish they'd up their effort on Premium titles, but allowing a large catalog of titles that can stream to your Portal without even having to use your PS5 is pretty awesome. We travel about 2 hours to stay with my inlaws from time to time, so it's been pretty killer to only need to take my Portal for that!

andy851d 19h ago

Yup if you have a portal premium is the best tier for sure

KyRo1d 3h ago

Extra has been getting worse and worse each month. I've had it since it's launch and it's been great to play some games I may not have played but the selection has been declining rapidly for a while now. My sub runs out in August and I'll be going back to essential. They actually add games to that which are more appealing.

jznrpg1d 20h ago

Add some more classics with trophies. Vagrant Story first

OtterX1d 20h ago

Nice choice. I agree!

Jeanne D'Arc was my favorite PS+ catalog title from last year & I Platinumed it!

Eonjay1d 17h ago

I like Ridge Racer, Tekken and Grandia. Add Xenogears, digimon World 3, Classic GTA and ill be happy

jznrpg1d 16h ago

Jeanne D’Arc was great!

@Eonjay there is a Grandia collection available for PS4, I’m not sure if it’s been on plus already or not

darthv721d 20h ago

cloud streaming to the portal, without using the ps5, is the selling point of premium to me.

Obscure_Observer1d 20h ago

If the consumers are happy, Sony is even happier.

It is what it is.

Eonjay1d 17h ago

I tend to agree with you.

Show all comments (31)