Recently, Microsoft have changed its policies meaning that you only ever have to connect to the Xbox One once which is during set up of the console, which is fair enough. You can also trade in games much like we do now, except the money goes to the store and not the publishers/developers. Microsofts previous policy would have done the opposite and would have give money to the publishers to do with it as they will. I've recently been seeing a lot of articles praising the change, but then a lot of people are actually annoyed with this change, as if they were defending Microsofts original policy. It's got me thinking: why don't we just let gamers decide what to do?
What if Microsoft decided to have both policies? They clearly believed that we're moving into an online, digital age, so how about, when people get their consoles, they allow gamers to decide whether they want the old policy on their Xbox One (where you have the restrictions but you are able to share your games with multiple friends and family members) or those who want the new and updated policy (only have to ever connect once but you can trade in your games without any restriction and only lend your game to one person at a time?
It might be a tricky thing to make both exist in the same world, but at least then gamers will have the right to choose. Heck, I know people who preferred the old policy... not sure why though.
It might even bring two markets to the Xbox One. I remember Microsoft saying before that you would have been able to trade in your game used, but gamers who buy the game used would have to pay a fee. Why not have one market that does that for all those who check in online every 24 hours and then a market for those that prefer the offline market? Of course, give those who choose to check in every 24 hours a reason to do it, because everything has just felt like a restriction.
I should say however, that if a gamer decides to go for the "check online every 24 hours" option, that they have no way of going back. Once they go there, their console is fixed at that, so any problems is entirely down to the gamers silly decision of choosing that.
"Digital board games can be tons of fun, especially when they're cooperative. That's what's in store for Beacon Patrol from Assemble Entertainment. Based on the real-life board game by Torben Ratzlaff, Beacon Patrol has players work together to explore a map and create a network of coastal paths, all by placing tiles. It's a lot like Carcassonne and Kingdomino, but set on the high seas. The upcoming Steam version will support 4-player local co-op, and there's a single-player demo right now," says Co-Optimus.
Mario Kart World is some of the most fun you’ll have this year that offers a deep experience with the Switch 2’s launch.
Few games among the Nintendo Switch 2 launch line-up can match Cyberpunk 2077 in putting the system through its paces. It's a staple of our PC benchmarking suite for good reason: the open world design is a solid stressor for any CPU, while its effects-heavy battles challenge GPU resources as well. This Switch 2 release has clearly been a big undertaking for developer CD Projekt Red too, who produced the port in-house with unique optimisations for Switch 2's ARM-based architecture. It's also remarkably the Ultimate Edition of the game, with both the core adventure and the more taxing Phantom Liberty expansion bundled in - an extra portion that proved too demanding to justify a last-gen console release, and was instead restricted to PS5 and Series X/S, and yet here it is running on Switch 2.
To cut to the chase, Switch 2 offers a truly viable way to enjoy Cyberpunk, either in a portable format or docked under a TV. However, CDPR has shot for the stars in its ambition to include Phantom Liberty as well, and it's here that Switch 2 hits some technical limits - with frame-rates struggling as we explore its newer Dog Town region. Still, that aside, there's a lot to admire in the game's engineering for Nintendo's new console overall, and how competitive it is in comparison with other consoles.
I am happy for CDPR. Their hard work paid off because the Switch 2 version are always in the top 5 Switch 2 launch game sales.
This may be one of the weakest launch lineups Nintendo has ever had, with Mario Kart being the only first party game, but Cyberpunk 2077 will definitely give you tremendous value for your money.
One tip I can give people who have never played the game is to first read books from the cyberpunk subgenre. This will allow you to appreciate the story much better. If you find yourself asking which life path is the best to take at the start of the game, in this case it is Corpo, Streetkid, and Nomad. You likely don't know enough about the genre, and certain things will fly right over your head. While it is not mandatory, the game will be 10 times better if you read or listen to some books first.
Some books I have enjoyed in that genre are:
Cyber Dreams by Plum Parrot,
Stray Cat Strut by RavensDagger
Tower of Somnus by Cale Plamann
Mist Runner by Nicholas Searcy
If you can only read or listen to 1 book, then I recommend Cyber Dreams by Plum Parrot. It is the closest thing to Cyberpunk 2077.
DF are Nintendo's occasional bootlickers after that blatant Zelda games ad scandal.
Games like CP2077 are meant to be played on big console or powerful PC on a big screen.
Got to love how they're simp for full price purchase of 5-year-old game and still getting the worst version to play on.
Probably because the two different policies require two very different OS, with twice the amount of time needed to maintain them both.
And because trying to appease the small minority is a waste.
And because they probably realized that 10 people to one copy of a game would be more destructive than used, because people would quickly form share groups and only buy one copy.