230°

"The days of Metacritic determining how well a game sells are long gone” says Saber boss

After finding success with both Evil Dead: The Game and World War Z, Saber CEO Matt Karch says games can look beyond Metacritic for success

darkrider1120d ago

Metacritic? Never had any impact on my purchases. Today is completely toxic.

VenomUK1120d ago

“The days of Metacritic determining how well a game sells are long gone”. Good. For too long privileged, political and elitist video game hack reporters have often coordinated to abuse their power for games they deem ‘problematic’.

Ghost of Tsushima is a high quality title however after a behind the scenes campaign to ‘raise awareness’ that the game about Japanese people was made by a predominantly American team many in the media gave it a 6/10! Significantly below the media average. Yet the Japanese public and media loved it.

Give it a few years and most of the established games media and their biased views will be ignored completely as the public trust independents more.

Obscure_Observer1120d ago (Edited 1120d ago )

"Metacritic? Never had any impact on my purchases."

Yours maybe, but there´s millions of gamers worldwide that rely on Metascores to decide whether a game is worth their hard earned money or not.

I believe that the 97 Metascore was the main drive which let From Software to achieve such epic record-breaking achievement for a Souls game in such short time.

https://www.polygon.com/230...

1120d ago
NotoriousWhiz1120d ago

Metacritic is just fuel for console wars. People don't rely on Metacritic for individual game purchases. Only to say that: "My plastic console had more 90+ Metacritic games than yours."

1120d ago
Obscure_Observer1119d ago (Edited 1119d ago )

@NotoriousWhiz

Then why Sony cares so much about high Metascores If such metric does not have an impact on sales?

Why publisher rewards (money) studios that get 85+ Metascores?

There are plenty of reasons why Metascores are important to the game industry that most "normal people" won't ever realize.

https://wccftech.com/days-g...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1119d ago
lodossrage1120d ago

@Darkrider, Clay, & Obscure

To be fair, I agree with all your points and you're actually all correct. I'll explain.

Dark, Clay, you two are saying that for you personally, you never use reviews to make your choices. I concur because that's how I buy my games too. I never needed a review to dictate what I want. In fact, look in my comment history. I can't tell you how many times I've said reviews (in gaming)are for people that can't think for themselves

But Obscure also has a point here. Just use this site as an example. How many times do we see people argue with Metacritic scores to determine if a game is good or not? You have people on this site that know better that will try to argue that a game is great because "paid for" reviewers gave it a high score. And that very same score determines bonuses, potential marketing, and even if devs get fired or not.

To be fair, Elden Ring would have been a hit regardless. But at the same time, you can't deny that constant marketing and praise is what is keeping it so popular this long.

1120d ago
1120d ago
Knushwood Butt1120d ago

Never look at it, but don't care about reviews in general.

Will get Stray day 1. I've seen enough to know I want it and want to support the team for doing something different.

AmUnRa1120d ago

I agree, before i buy a game that i'am not shure of to buy it i do my homework, is it a gamegenre i like how is the game plays etc etc. I never look at the game score, i never use Metacritic scores to make my mind up. But the most games that are for me a must buy i dont give a fuck about reviews and Meta cous i know that the developer has a history of making great games.

1120d ago
1120d ago
+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1119d ago
IMissJimRyan1120d ago

I think he's partially right. MC still has a large impact on full priced games. But when we talk about making money with games we are looking to other things way beyond that number slaped in the game the day it's arrived.

Games with astronomical revenue like Fortinite, Minecraft, LoL and Rocket League show how you can be succesful without a high MC.

NotoriousWhiz1120d ago

So... Only Gaas games can be successful without Metacritic? I hope that's not the takeaway.

1120d ago
Inverno1120d ago

Most gamers don't care about meta, but most publishers do and a lot. I will agree with anyone that says that they should listen more to the feedback of consumers more directly rather than what critics say.

1120d ago
moriarty18891120d ago

The days were never there to begin with imo.

LOGICWINS1120d ago

This. Saints Row is my most anticipated game this year...regardless of how well it reviews.

Obscure_Observer1120d ago

Word. I´ll be there for Saints Row day one regardless of metascore.

Show all comments (47)
70°

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 devs praise games like Space Marine 2 for "lowering the barrier"

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 developers discuss the huge success of Space Marine 2 and its effect on the series as a whole.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
Jingsing1d 6h ago

How about an official level editor for Boltgun?

60°

Glen Schofield: Dead Space Wouldn’t Be Greenlit Today—Publishers Are Afraid to Take Risks

Sector sat down with Glen Schofield—creator of Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol—during the Game Developers Session (GDS) in Prague to discuss the evolution of the game industry, the current challenges of AAA development, and why it's become so hard to get original ideas off the ground in today’s risk-averse environment.

1nsomniac1d 21h ago

It’s easy enough to say that, but why? It feels weird to me when developers say this but common sense would tell you everything about the idea itself should work.

The idea of the concept seems like a winner at whichever angle you look at it so why would publishers not greenlight it?

… it’s almost as if the majority of publishers are massively incompetent at their jobs. But there’s no surprise to anyone there.

150°

WILD HEARTS S Q&A - 'Switch 2 Is Closer to the Series S Than PS4'

Wccftech interviewed Koei Tecmo about their upcoming game WILD HEARTS S, gathering their first thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Read Full Story >>
wccftech.com
Christopher4d ago

This new tech, in 2025, is more comparable to 2020 tech than 2013 tech.

*tip toes over that bar*

Also, why are all the comparisons to PS4 and not Xbox One?

Neonridr4d ago

PS4 is more powerful than the XB1, S2 is more powerful than both, so why not use the higher of the two?

Christopher4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Probably because people who owned an XBO and not a PS4 don't really know what it means. The assumption is that everyone is as knowledgeable as journalists or gaming news junkies. Gaming is mainstream, that means that mass majority of people don't know these specifics, only online talking points.

And the PS4 and XBO are the closest in power systems we've ever had, so this 'more powerful' is so small, it really isn't the big talking point people think it is.

RaidenBlack2d ago

I'd rather add, Xbox One X can be used as a good metric to gauge if a said system is more powerful than last gen.

VariantAEC1d 15h ago

It's pretty clear that Switch 2 isn't more powerful than PS4 Pro. Is the base model PS4 being beaten? Well, Switch 2 is hardly ever actually being compared to the base model PS4, but seeing as how it's yet to outperform PS4 Pro in basically any other way than loading data into RAM in video comparisons. I have to assume the individual developer being interviewed has very little experience with PS4 and Xbox One.

OtterX3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Which is great for a handheld/hybrid! Some people still stick to Digital Foundry's PS4 comparison comment as gospel, back when they were just watching trailers and hadn't even had their hands on it yet.

With that said, this interview doesn't go into very much depth on this. I'd like to see more analysis, but so far I'm really impressed with the performance since I got mine on Friday. Truth be told, having a PS4 Pro level handheld is enough for me. Anything beyond is icing. I'm not looking to replace my PS5 or PC.

VariantAEC1d 15h ago

In this case Digital Foundry is right. They didn't adequately explain or sound remotely confident when showing Switch 2's "visual" benefits in that HogLeg comparison was related to loading. Yes, sometimes two massive world segments can be connected by a smaller individual loading zone like how Jak 2 handled open world zones on PS2. There is a small room that in itself is it's own discrete loading zone that you wait inside as the next massive portion of the map loads in. Very common when going from Haven City to any part outside of the city owlr when descending into the sewers or entering the city from the outside or leaving the sewers. Anyway, the HogLeg skybridge loading zone is more detailed because Switch 2 could load in more varied textures. Models load pretty fast. It's probable that the decimated models that appear in the Switch 2 version were supposed to be visible on Xbox One and PS4 in that scene, which might be why they exist on Switch 2. Unfortunately, the same video showcased above shows PS4 Pro is basically ahead of Switch 2 in all other ways imaginable. Higher rendering resolutions with a sharper cleaner image, better effects quality, and a better distance all favor PS4 Pro. Both the Pro and Switch 2 seem to have a pretty solid 30FPS performance level.

MDTunkown2d ago

For how thin switch 2 is it’s impressive especially when it’s stronger than steam deck and cost less

Christopher2d ago

Steam Deck is cheaper at $399. Switch 2 also uses cheaper materials. See joycon drift still being an issue. You'll also save a ton more money on software alone with the Steam Deck.

Honestly, if the Steam Deck was released today, it likely would at least match the Switch 2 in areas where it outperforms the Steam Deck but still have more advantages. Main thing holding back the Deck is the cores and resolution, because it still has the better CPU and GPU otherwise.

Neonridr2d ago

@Christopher - I own one, no stick drift. My OG joycons never had drift either.

Steam Deck relies on FSR which is still inferior to DLSS. Not to mention that the S2 can push double the GPU performance in docked mode. Deck has more memory, which is nice.

I have both, but my S2 will be getting the lion-share of playtime in the near future. That being said, I can still appreciate being able to play my steam games on the go.

FinalFantasyFanatic2d ago

For me, the game sales/prices and flexibility of the Steam deck outweigh the cost of the system itself, but I'll probably get a Switch 2 anyway.

OMNlPOTENT2d ago

And the ps5 was comparable to a PC that could be built over 5 years before it came out lol, how do you think consoles stay affordable?

Christopher2d ago

You're actually proving my point even more.

badz1492d ago

@omnipotent

PS5 comparable to a PC built OVER 5 years before it came out? let's see...

the best mainstream PC combo back in 2015/2016 would be the i7 6700K ($350) + GTX 1080 ($600). Sorry, but that setup is never going to outperform the base PS5 in games, especially modern ones.

you done lying yet or still want to continue lying so your precious Switch 2 doesn't get hurt by facts anymore?

CosmicTurtle2d ago

It’s a tech article speaking about specs people who care about this will know. I did not own an XB1 but know it’s at a similar tech level as PS4. PS4 has a far greater sales footprint, it makes sense to use it.

ABizzel12d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Technologically it’s closer to the Series S….. Raster-wise it’s closer to a base PS4 which has been the point.

Why Switch 2 is better:
The much better CPU allows for higher FPS than the last gen Jaguar CPUs could ever produce.
The 12GB of RAM prevents the system from being bottlenecked in most modern games (even SS fails here)
The storage while not NVMe Gen4 speeds, is significantly faster than the HDD in last gen
It’s a RTX 3000 hybrid, and DLSS is a better upscaling solutions than all other consoles even PSSR currently, and significantly better than checkerboard rending.

This is where the PS4 & PS4 Pro comparisons come into play. Natively it can’t compete with the PS4 Pro, and really closer to the base PS4, but due to the better CPU, more RAM, faster storage, and DLSS it can upscale resolution, image quality, and performance to get close, match, or certain cases exceed the PS4 Pro, and rivals the Series S.

DLSS is really the saving force behind Switch 2 getting current gen ports to acceptable resolution quality, and NVIDIA and Nintendo did it at 10w, so kudos to them, because many of the AAA 3rd party games are and will continue to be native 540p - 720p upscaled through DLSS.

Also this game would benefit from DLSS.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 15h ago
Sonyslave32d ago

I notice it always ps4 or ps4 pro but never xbox one x which is more powetful then the ps4 pro.

MDTunkown2d ago

And it’s also in someways stronger than series S. Xbox one x is a special console that was never fully utilised and has 1,5 times more teraflops than series s.

badz1492d ago (Edited 2d ago )

but the Bulldozer CPU is much weaker and inefficient compared to Zen2 used in the Series S

Neonridr2d ago

the CPU's were those crappy Jaguar based chipsets though.

jznrpg2d ago

Because most people don’t care about Xbox

repsahj2d ago

This is an ugly port, they should improve it more instead of releasing it early.

gold_drake2d ago

sooo ...

what this is telling us, is that it comes down to the game and the devs optimization.

VariantAEC1d 14h ago

There are already several games on Switch 2 coming up short in side-by-side comparisons. Cyberpunk 2077, Fortnite, and HogLeg are just the first examples with the first game in this list only having better image quality due to DLSS and slightly more stable performance due to that lower resolution than last gen systems enabled by DLSS, but having simplified models at mid distances and fewer NPCs roaming around than on PS4 or Xbox One.