530°

Horizon: Zero Dawn Proves That Single-Player Games Aren't Dead, Dev Says

A developer from Guerrilla Games weighs in on the single-player discussion.

Read Full Story >>
gamespot.com
2390d ago Replies(23)
chrisx2390d ago (Edited 2390d ago )

Ofcourse they aren't dead. But people like phil spencer and the xbone execs wish it was dead so they can go full attack on microtransactions and gaas. Thank the stars for Sony and Ninty.

fenome2390d ago

Same with the big 3 publishers, EA, Activision, Ubisoft. They're all pushing "GaaS" online only so they can continuously try to nickel and dime you for every game you play, it's like they formed a coup and are all working together to try and turn this industry in this direction. It started off slow, but now they're trying to strong-arm and shoehorn this into all of their games.

They try to say games aren't as profitable as they used to be, but that's BS, they just spend ridiculous budgets on marketing now and they're still making billions of dollars every year.

2390d ago
fenome2390d ago (Edited 2390d ago )

@Woolly

I'm too old to hop on bandwagons, but I've also been gaming long enough to see where this shit is headed, so drop it with that.

I'm not calling anyone evil, end of the day all these companies want you money, it's big business. There are also different ways to go about it without being so openly greedy, it is what it is.

I'll choose for myself who I support, you do the same for you. I'm not pushing agendas, I just don't like where all this is headed. Call me old fashioned or whatever, it is what it is.

The only game I bought out of any you mentioned was Crash and that was just out of nastalgia. I don't play Assassin's Creed, COD or Battlefield either, so you're barking up the wrong tree with all that. I'm not loosing any sleep over, I still find plenty of games that I enjoy :)

2390d ago
fenome2390d ago

@Woolly

Hey man, no worries, I respect everyone's opinions. I wasn't taking offense or trying to be gruff with you, sometimes when I write I tend to come across more direct than I intend (translates to I unintentionally sound like a dick). Lmao

Discussions are appreciated, happy gaming :)

On a side note, Wolfenstein does look tits even though I'm not that into shooters.

ShadowWolf7122390d ago

@Woolly_
And Ubisoft found a way to stuff Microtransactions into this Single Player game again.

The industry is becoming so obsessed with these things that they're going to try to shoehorn them into everything.

rainslacker2389d ago (Edited 2389d ago )

I think the big three do have a few standout MP titles, but they still produce SP content. They don't promote it as much...which may be one reason they don't see the same sales as MP games, but as it stands, those stand out titles return so much that it gives them more incentive to try and find more GaaS experiences that can rake in more rather than investing into more SP type experiences.

In any case, this same discussion was had last generation when things like COD became insanely popular. The whole MP was taking over isn't a new concept. While there are certainly more MP options nowadays, it hasn't diminished the output of SP titles. Some publishers may focus more on MP now, but that doesn't mean the industry across the board is doing so. However, every publisher is trying to find a way to capitalize on the GaaS model.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2389d ago
2390d ago
OffRoadKing2390d ago (Edited 2390d ago )

Man that's a bold statement to make at this site considering its predominantly xbox fanboys here. I'll just say good luck to you.

2390d ago
Bobafret2390d ago

Good one! Don't even need a /s lol

guyman2390d ago

Yea definitely mainly xbox fanboys now

OffRoadKing2389d ago

@Woolly

You only laugh because your one of those very xbox fanboys I'm speaking about, thanks for proving my point.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2389d ago
EatCrow2390d ago

Right...of course...nothing to do with EA, Activision or Ubisoft.

Tell me which gaas or heavy MT game has MS released?

rainslacker2389d ago

Their next two big games to release are both GaaS type games. CD3 and SoT. Forza has some GaaS type stuff(MT lootboxes). Both GeOW and Halo have heavy MP empahasis, which is fine in those cases since they also offer up the SP...although I will admit I'm not familiar of them having any kind of MT type stuff in them.

Bobafret2390d ago (Edited 2390d ago )

Microsoft baaaaad. Sony/Ninty gooood. Do you ever tire of repeating the same rhetoric adnauseam?

2389d ago
trooper_2389d ago

Not reading between the lines, as usual.

TheEroica2390d ago

It's becoming a growing practice for Sony and Nintendo too... Though they're much more grounded than Microsoft seems to be.

2390d ago
rainslacker2389d ago

They more so just want those XBL subs. Whether a GaaS game does well or not, they still always have that if people play it on their system. If they could monetize Windows like that, they'd do so, but since that attempt failed, they have to try and go the Google, Apple, and Steam route of trying to be a storefront provider, which is why Windows 10 was free for many, and they came up with UWP.

2389d ago
gangsta_red2389d ago (Edited 2389d ago )

Really? Phil and the Xbox ...I mean Xbone execs wish this? I really wish someone would provide some links where Phil and co wished these single player games were dead.

You finish Witcher 2 for PS3 yet? I mean Castlevania Lords of Shadows...sorry I always get those confused.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 2389d ago
Relientk772390d ago (Edited 2390d ago )

I think Sony and Nintendo prove single player isn't dead.

Dishonored Death of the Outsider, Wolfenstein 2 The New Colossus, Assassin's Creed Origins, Zelda, Mario Odyssey, Persona 5, Tales of Berseria, Crash Bandicoot NSane Trilogy, Yooka Laylee, Hell Blade, Uncharted The Lost Legacy, Nier Automata, Ni-Oh, etc. Especially this year there's a ton of amazing single player games.

CorndogBurglar2390d ago

DEEEEAAAAAAAAD! ITS ALL DEAD!

Those games don't count, apparently.

Relientk772390d ago

Horizon Zero Dawn as well

Thought that was in my list, apparently not

Show all comments (143)
180°

Square Enix Preparing for Layoffs in U.S. and Europe Amid Heavy Restructuring

In a town hall that took place on Monday, Square Enix president Takashi Kiryu reportedly confirmed imminent layoffs in the U.S. and Europe.

1h ago
lelo2play20m ago(Edited 20m ago)

Square should ask Sony for more money...

blackblades1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

What did NA and EU did anyways? Just translate or something? I would say it might help them get back to there roots but DK.

Hofstaderman31m ago(Edited 26m ago)

Actually, you are correct they play a hand in localization especially in Europe with the many languages. That and marketing.

Show all comments (19)
160°

Xbox Gives Incoherent Explanation For ‘Hi-Fi Rush’ Studio Closure

The gaming world is still reeling from the announcement that Microsoft is shuttering Tango Gameworks, the studio behind last year’s big Xbox hit, Hi-Fi Rush.

Relientk7723h ago

There's no logical or good reason to give for closing Tango Gameworks. They make great games consistently and Hi-Fi Rush was the highest rated Xbox game in literal YEARS. Closing the studio was just plain stupid and nonsensical.

notachance3h ago

It’s quite strange to not see Phil Spencer in any talkshow or podcast… usually the dude would talk almost daily when there’s even a bit of news from xbox.

Hofstaderman2h ago

Muzzled and/or in on it from the very beginning. You have to be a very stupid person not to anticipate that your division is going to be under scrutiny from shareholders after 80 Billion Dollars worth of acquisitions

Aloymetal2h ago

The beauty of being a CEO here in America is that when your company does well, you get extra money as a reward...
And when your company does badly, you get extra money to encourage you to stick around and lead it through the storm...And at some point, you get to bow out and float toward retirement on your golden parachute, which means and you guessed it, MORE MONEY!! What a deal for snake oil man Phil!!

1h ago
1h ago
purple1013h ago

Perhaps they think they can sweep this one under the rug, gamers will forget about it,

We will not

They made a good game and you put the whole studio in the bin, this couldn’t be clearer, ms don’t care, everyone suspected it, but now we KNOW it

Amplitude2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

She's kinda got the verbal communication of 3-years-ago Biden trying to say something he knows nothing about.
What she meant to say is: "We wasted our budget for the next couple years buying Call of Duty, and we're moving all our chips to that one series"

It's starting to seem quite obvious that XBox is going to be shutting down most of their studios or selling them off, then focusing on some sort of PC/Console hybrid OS for the next XBox where they can collect royalties Valve style.

esherwood53m ago

To be fair I don’t think there is a good answer, I’d rather her been honest but that probably would have pissed more people of then the word salad route.

Show all comments (18)
370°

Square Is Shifting Strategy To Aggressively Pursue Multiplat Releases,Focus On Quality Over Quantity

Square Enix is shifting its strategy to aggressively pursue multiplatform releases and focus on quality over quantity.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
CantThinkOfAUsername10h ago

Yup, it's official. FFXVI and FFVII Rebirth didn't sell as much as they expected.

gold_drake9h ago

read the report, where exactly does it say what u just said ? lol

Barlos8h ago

It's your interpretation. That doesn't make it 'official'.

CantThinkOfAUsername24m ago

- 1% increase in net sales compared to a year with Forspoken and Octopath Traveller II, which didn't sell more than 3 millions combined (and I'm being generous).

- A 38.3% decrease in operating income despite the release of 'High-Definition' titles namely FFXVI, FF Pixels Remaster, Dragon Quest Monsters, and FFVII Rebirth.

- Aggressive multiplatform strategy one year after saying that exclusivity with PlayStation was mutually desired.

Sure, it's all in my head.

Sonic18814h ago(Edited 4h ago)

Probably for PC and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Square Enix games doesn't sell to well on Xbox

Extermin8or3_3h ago

Nothing sells well on Xbox that's precisely Microsoft's problem

The3faces3h ago

Apparently they don't sell well on PlayStation either.

Lightning772h ago

Square named Drops Xbox as part of their multiplatform approach in their quarterly reports.

Like it matters MS will probably find away to close them down to.

DarXyde4h ago

I mean, maybe? They'll want as much as possible and I figure they could have been hoping for greater impact on PlayStation, but that's good reason to reflect and realize the resources and development cycle of these games aren't very sustainable. The solution is to make more affordable games with shorter dev cycles, then once in a while bring out the big guns.

I think Final Fantasy VII Re make and Rebirth would do really well if it was multiplatform. Specifically, if Nintendo gets their hardware up to snuff, and the rumors are promising. I don't really have much faith in its performance on Xbox, but Nintendo gamers really commit to buying their games. At one point, Breath of the Wild for Switch outsold the Switch itself.

Granted, Zelda always solos everything except GTA, but Nintendo folk are avid Final Fantasy fans. I think it would do exceptionally. Nintendo just needs to make porting easy and inexpensive and they'll get more games.

Christopher2h ago

The two most profitable games for them didn't sell as much as expected. Yes. Make it make sense.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 24m ago
CrashMania10h ago(Edited 10h ago)

Hopefully the next Nintendo system isn't a potato and it can contribute to FF sales in future as well, in addition to PC releases. If this ensures the long term health for SE and franchises than like FF and KH then I'm all for it.

NotoriousWhiz9h ago

Adding Nintendo and PC customers is the best way to increase sales and long term success. Not going to get that from Xbox.

shinoff21834h ago

Hopefully square brings all the lose switch exclusives over to.

Hofstaderman9h ago

Will there be a XBOX for Square to release games on? Or a MS Games service?

thesoftware7307h ago

Hof,

You must not have heard they are launching new hardware and have already committed to a Next-Gen Xbox.

But, for some reason, I think you already knew that and wanted to spin a silly narrative; besides, why wouldn't they release games on the SX/SS? You do know these consoles will still be here, right?

Hofstaderman6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

Optics. They have a STATED plan to do so. Thats not commitment. The shareholders and board are calling the shots now. Lets see if they have the appetite for hardware because they are owed 80 Billion Dollars already. Investment in hardware, R and D and marketing is how much again? That cost with the history of their hardware performance....at most maybe a handheld. What I am certain of XBOX is finished, the writing has been on the wall before the studio closures. Its MS Games and they are not hardware. They are software because MS is a software company. Expect them to be folded in the Surface team.

DarXyde4h ago

*hardware

I believe they committed to hardware.

I hate to nitpick, but that's kind of the company they are. You have to.

3h ago
Aloymetal5h ago

No to both, not worth the effort, money and time on an already dying brand.

3h ago
thesoftware7305h ago

"They have a STATED plan to do so. That's not commitment."

Huh? What are you talking about? They announced they would be unveiling new Hardware this holiday season; how else are they supposed to commit to it?

" Lets see if they have the appetite for hardware because they are owed 80 Billion Dollars already"

What a silly statement, you think this deal was approved so they could make 80 billion in less than a year? This is a long-term commitment, a future-proofing of profit.

"What I am certain of XBOX is finished,"

No, you are not certain of this lol; as you stated, if they make even a Handheld in the form of a Steam-Deck that can dock to a TV/monitor, wouldn't that be just changing the form factor but still XBOX?

Closing these studios has really got you guys delusional; that is what happens in companies, in a changing market: you acquire, and you trim; like it or not, that is the way things are done. Lets look.

Where is the new Psygnosis with a new wipeout?
What happened to Japan Studio? Pixl Opus? London Studio?
Where is Zipper Interactive?

I can list more, but you see, closing devs doesn't mean your company is finished, especially when you have like 30+ dev teams.

Extermin8or3_3h ago

They won't be unveiling the hardware this holiday season it will be like the series x and s they got a tease at the game awards 2018. But no details until year of their release in 2020 lol

Relientk779h ago

Please tell me the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is still coming. I feel like I've been waiting forever for that game.

gold_drake4h ago

i think the juggernauts kingdom hearts (disney provides the money for that one) final fantasy and dragon quest are fine, the rest not as much

Charal8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

Another sign that dedicated consoles market is in trouble, while PC seems more and more attractive to big publishers.

Having a good gaming PC and a PS5 myself, given current trend form both Sony and MS I am less and less playing on PS5, waiting for exclusives to release on PC, so I understand the logic behind the new strategy.

anast8h ago

Post those numbers. Then your comment might make sense.

thesoftware7307h ago(Edited 7h ago)

Ants,

I get that we don't know exactly without numbers, but come on, man, we can clearly see what's happening.

The console market has not grown much, the highest-selling console in history is still the PS2. You can play the " prove it" game all you want, but Sony's more aggressive PC push, SE completely rebooting their company/business, after being mainly exclusive to one console and showing a sizeable profit loss is telling.

PC is a high seller, and your doubtful PS5 dominant stance does not change the clear writing on the wall, straight from Sony's mouth, that they need to be, and will be more aggressive in the very lucrative PC market.

So, in other words, PC market is indeed looking more and more attractive to Pubs.

anast6h ago

@730

Numbers?

I'm willing to bet the farm that ¨PC gamers are not the dominate number compared to console, but I don't know because I don't have numbers. However, the price point of entry can allow us to infer what I had just stated.

anast1h ago

I don't click on links on forums. Tell me why that .com source is legit.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1h ago
Show all comments (66)