While Microsoft has struggled to produce first-party hits anywhere close to the scale of PlayStation, Sony itself is no longer satisfied with just selling tens of millions of copies of critically acclaimed games. They want to get into live service.
People complain but CoD, Fifa, Fortnite, etc is all casuals play. Then there is the hardcore crowd playing Destiny, Ovewatch, Dota etc. 90% of people's game time is on these "second job" games so Sony would be crazy to not try their hand at it. They are still pumping out the best single player and VR games in the business so there is something for everyone.
While I don't like it I think your right magog , they'd be dumb to not try. Personally I haven't really seen these multi-player games taking away from the single player game studios all like that besides naughty dog, but I believe that was being worked on well before sonys decision to go try gaas games. We're not gonna miss out on single player games like some would have you believe.
Just wanted to add. I don't play any online gaas game, I do dabble in madden and 2k when their cheap enough but single player sh only. The rest of I can kick rocks but I understand millions fall in
I agree with you. Sony built their success on single player story driven games and this direction will definitely reduce those if successful. This is a sign of what happens when Sony has absolutely no competition in their space. MS needs to step up for ALL our sakes. And Sony needs to consider a new CEO for next gen, Jim Ryan served his purpose well but we need somebody with Layden’s outlook going forward.
I have zero issues with Playstation making live service games. They need to have them unless you want them to fall behind. Whether you or me like it or not, live service games are a thing. As long as PlayStation understands its consumers and continues to deliver its mega single player stories, it cannot avoid live service either when the competition is all focused on it.
Falling behind whom? Tencent is the only publisher that is more profitable than Sony. Sony's focus on single player has done wonders for them and that's perhaps because single player games allow for more consistency in terms of revenue/profit than live service games whose space is usually dominated by a handful of games that are extremely successful while the vast majority of them are miserable failures.
I find it disingenuous that it’s “a dangerous road for Sony “ while Microsoft get a pass ( no pun intended) for doing the exact same thing in worse form 🤦🏿 If the game is as fun as Warhawk (PS first online only mmo) or Starhawk its sequel I will play it. There’s no harm on trying a game and see if you like it after you did your homework on it and maybe try a demo
@Foxtrot, Sony is trying to create a variety of games that appeal to a variety of tastes. Why go half-heartedly into something that you want to succeed in. They are looking for growth so they're making an investment now they hope will payoff down the road.
The big difference is Warhawk and MAG were a one-time cost, and you never hit any paywalls. I think Warhawk may have had a bit of DLC, but it was optional and not essential or pay to win.
These days you have to go into these games knowing you'll have to pay to keep playing.
It would be crazy. The problem is that their first party single player studios are making these and wasting time with it. Veteran devs and talent will flee, just like in Bioware, 343 studios, Bethesda...
example: Omg I work at Naughty Dog I can't believe... the best single pla... ND: Ok guys so we hired you because we are making Live service microtransac.... Co op... game with support for 10 years... are you excited?
Veteran dev: No fuck that...I made Joel, see you never ND New developer: Ok but I don't know how a dog works in a game... it jumps I guess.
ND: We need more of these new talent guys... hire more!
Game releases, doesn't work... end up broken. Red Fall
Sony: Shuts down the project and all the devs... NOW it promises single player game that will release in the next 8 years.
@Stan, it was naughty dog who pursued a bigger multi-player game than what was originally planned not Sony. Sony has purchased mostly new studios to support this move into gaas to create new games not buy existing ip
Interesting. I just realized about the fact that Sony revealed Fairgame$ (Haven Studios) and Concord (Firewalk) at the showcase at all. That means Bungie approved what they saw right?
I’m just trying to connect the dots. Those two studios were acquired after the Bungie deal. Deviations game was cancelled and they’re obviously not acquired. Would it be crazy to think Bungie has almost full control building Sonys whole Live Service talent pool too?
The last Sacred Symbols podcast episode seemed to suggest that yes, Bungie passed Haven and Firewalk's games but failed Factions. Dustin Furman's theory is that Naughty Dog are such perfectionists and take so long to release anything that Bungie might've been skeptical that they could keep up a pace of content release that would keep players engaged.
I will reserve my judgement on this issue for now. it's not like Sony suddenly stop making SP games and put all their focus on Live Service games. I don't get all the melodramatic articles about Sony now all in with GAAS nonsense! they are taking a dip at it just because everybody else is already in. let's start worrying if they stop making SP games. let's not forget Sony is also in the middle of a big VR push too right now.
That's pretty much where I'm at. I dont like the games i think there a wasteof time and a money pit . If I see single player games slow down or halt I'll have issue. I personally don't think that'll happen. It seems most of these games are being handled by the new studios they've gotten over the last few years. Like I mentioned in my post up top. Factions was being developed for awhile now.
“hardcore crowd playing Destiny, Ovewatch, Dota etc.”
Destiny sure. Destiny is set up to be played everyday (or quit forever). But not Overwatch. Until Blizzard started selling new characters, you could jump in at any time and have the same abilities as anyone else. Even now, I doubt most people finish battle passes. Overwatch is super casual for the vast majority of players. Don’t know bout Dota. That’s a PC thing.
Sony is in a bit of an experimental phase right now. On one hand, they're managing it well by having their new studios work on that stuff while the veteran PlayStation studios are (presumably) keeping up with their usual activities, even if we don't know what they are. I find that to be very well coordinated. On the other hand, where I think they're messing up is the volume of service games all at once. I can get the point of trying to see what people are into and giving them choice, but that's a lot.
The only thing I care about is that they CONTINUE to make proper single player games. And they HAVE confirmed they will. Although them saying they will push their business towards MORE Live Service and LESS SP is what worries me.
I will give them the benefit of the doubt though. They haven't done me wrong in over a decade.
What exactly is wrong with a company experimenting in new avenues and trying to strengthen an area in which they are non-existent in that typically makes a ton of money.
Exactly, if Sony wasn't making those 10 games the media would say "Sony being left behind, NO way back" articles 🤣😂 I just see it as Sony or other companies expanding there library of games to more gamers of all ages etc. Apparently that's a bad think in 2023.
One thing is experimenting. Another thing is reducing the quantity of what your known for and good at.
“Back in 2019, Sony was investing 88% of its budget in single-player games, with 12% allocated for live service titles. This year, the publisher expects just 45% of its budget in traditional games and a bigger 55% in live service according to the latest financial results. That investment is set to increase to 60% by FY25”
People complain but CoD, Fifa, Fortnite, etc is all casuals play. Then there is the hardcore crowd playing Destiny, Ovewatch, Dota etc. 90% of people's game time is on these "second job" games so Sony would be crazy to not try their hand at it. They are still pumping out the best single player and VR games in the business so there is something for everyone.
What exactly is wrong with a company experimenting in new avenues and trying to strengthen an area in which they are non-existent in that typically makes a ton of money.