Default Prime author Chris Stewart looks at the relationship between difficulty and replayability through the lens of The Baconing and Dead Nation: "I’ve been playing two games this week; one of them, The Baconing, is brand new and only came out on Wednesday, the other, Dead Nation, came out on the first of December last year. This got me thinking about how my own gaming habits differ from game to game, especially with downloadable titles. I have yet to play a Deathspank game through more than once, making sure I complete every mission, find every weapon and generally do absolutely everything on the first (and only) playthrough. By contrast, Dead Nation has me coming back every week or so for another little dose of punishment and frustration. What is so different about these two games that I truly enjoy playing, which somehow results in one of them being played only once while the other one will be played time and time again?"
Today marks a significant moment for the Housemarque community, as Game Director Harry Krueger announced his decision to move forward after a dedicated 14-year tenure.
"Departing from Housemarque was a very difficult decision for me, but I’m leaving the company with nothing but deep gratitude for the past, and a glowing optimism for the future - with an exciting new project in the works, a fantastic team that’s stronger than ever, and the continuous support of Sony and Playstation Studios, I know that Housemarque’s brightest chapter has yet to be written", shared Krueger.
More talent leaving Playstation studios. Is the recent GAAS focus related? Problems in the House of Playstation?
Whishful thinking?
"I’m leaving the company with nothing but deep gratitude for the past, and a glowing optimism for the future - with an exciting new project in the works, a fantastic team that’s stronger than ever, and the continuous support of Sony and Playstation Studios, I know that Housemarque’s brightest chapter has yet to be written."
nah, just speculation based on the fact that many key figures have left Sony in recent times.
Without a doubt, it could be that everything is under control and the Playstation studios are working at maximum efficiency... or maybe not. Care to give me some approval? I fixed the description.
Edit: thank you.
This comment is silly. Of course, he not going to say nothing negative on his way out. Employees on the upper level rarely do but it odd for him to leave now. Especially when he was acquired by Sony and his new title they are working on would be the highest budget game he ever worked on. It clear there is artistic clashes going on. Sony probably is forcing Housemarque to make a GAAS or some typical Cinematic game.
Gotta love how the fanboys rush in to try to give their hot take before anything is even known about why he's leaving... He could just be moving on from gaming in general, focusing on his family, could be any number of reasons why he's leaving, but of course, "It's GaaS"! (even though Sony just sacked their former PS boss over that). Nothing short of ridiculous.
@ Mika, no YOUR comment is silly. You reckon of course he's not going to say anything negative on the way out. That doesn't mean he has compliment and praise Sony either. He could have made that whole statement without saying "the continuous support of Sony and Playstation Studios" and it wouldn't have been negative. The fact that he did feel the need to say that blows holes in your cute little theory.
They make great games!!! Resogun Alienation Dead Nation Matterfall Returnal.. hit after another!!
Could be.
There are rumours on Reddit that Housemarque were being forced to be a support studio to that Haven studio GaaS game to get it up and running faster. Whatever they were working likely got put on hold or cancelled so he left.
"Likely got put on hold or canceled" yet he specifies that they're working on their biggest project ever as he departs the company... blowing a hole in your baseless speculation.
I know y'all are desperate for a W, but this is getting sad.
15 years at a company is a long time. Do you know anything about the corporate world? People leave companies for MANY reasons beyond hating their employers, I see it weekly.
Anytime anyone wants to expand their horizons or go to a different company people think there’s trouble. These things are works in progress. This guy didn’t just randomly up and leave.
Yup, They keep saying Playstation “gaas focus” when Playstation very distinctly said they were going to do what they have always done and make gaas games on top of it. Meanwhile MS has been all gaas.
"the continuous support of Sony and Playstation Studios". If I was a disgruntled employee forced to leave due to pressure from Playstation's direction, I sure as hell wouldn't feel the need to put that in my statement. Don't you think?
For several weeks, every week we got news regarding people either leaving or getting fired from Playstation Studios.
Since Ryan got fired, things only got worse.
There´s definitely something going on at SIE and this Totoki guy apparently is not helping and steering the ship.
Playstation needs a good replacement for Ryan as soon as possible.
Adorable how you attempt and struggle so greatly to speak on things you know nothing about.
So many high profile employees running away from Xbox lately, maybe stick to that. Seems more your speed.
10 days ago:
A veteran of the company, Samwise Didier, left Blizzard after 30 years of work
https://www.aroged.com/2023...
Nexus you make a good point. Ppl at all three console companies are like a revolving door. It's best to just wish well the ppl leaving and worry about doom and gloom when there's actually proof of it
@nyxus also pete hines from bethesda also leaving after 24 years. Whats the problem here?
He *will* retire in March 2024, and still got demoted from his position as CEO of Playstation last month. He no longer calls any shots as Hiroki Totoki took over his role.
So yeah, he got fired.
@Obscure_observer no he announced his retirement and ceded decision making to the man that will be succeeding him for a year or so whilst they determine who will takeover permanently. This makes sense because why have someone who is tying up loose ends and leaves in 4 months time be making big decisions about stuff 6,12, 24 months away? It's not evidence he got fired.
They don't. Peoples journeys in life aren't all work at the same company for 30 years. That's not a thing for most people.
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Internal Army documents obtained by Motherboard provide insight on how the Army wanted to reach Gen-Z, women, and Black and Hispanic people through Twitch, Paramount+, and the WWE.
It's well known the US Army has been using gaming as a gateway for recruiting for a LOOONG time. Hell even in high school recruiters would ask whoever wasnt interested for their gamertag so they can play Cod together. Not to mention they've sponsored several fps tournaments. Not a conspiracy when it's out in the open. Plus Arma exists so...
Instead of trying to get them to join then military through bs trends why not instead tell em of the benefits that joining the military bring? Least in times of peace and without the threat of war, having your studies paid in full sounds better than "hey you can do what you do in COD by joining the army, isn't that cool?"
The USA has been involved in wars/conflicts for 90+% of its existence so you're unlikely to be in the US Military during peacetime
I think it is absurd that the US military has millions if not billions of dollars in their advertising budget. It is absurd that they have an advertising budget.
i had that in austria
wasnt all too bad. 6 months of listening to idiots screaming nonsense. you dont actually participate in any war, but i guess ametica is a different kind of hell when it comes to that. who knows what they'd put ppl through lol
ended up enlisting actually haha. sniper training was like 7 weeks. not a bad life
The alternate to spending millions of dollars on advertising is forced conscription?
Wow, you learn something every day.
Gee, how would anyone in the whole world learn about the US military if it weren't for advertising.
@jznrpg
Sorry about your losses, friend.
On topic :
I thought the Army was always using FPS games. This is not new.
A bit on the nose isnt it...like killin in the game...join up and kill in real life
While personal preference can undoubtedly play a part, allowing studios like Santa Monica, Insomniac and Sucker Punch to take any given fan’s top spot, the numbers supporting Naughty Dog do anything but lie. They’re the best, and you have to deal with it.
The top 5 are correct but in the wrong order IMO.
1. Naughty Dog (Top-tier dev in the industry for story, technology, acting, graphics, and gameplay)
2. Santa Monica (They're in their Naughty Dog top-tier era)
3. Insomniac (unrivaled AAA / blockbuster quantity and quality)
4. Guerilla (4 & 5 can swap places, both are equals IMO, great studios with new hit IPs)
5. Sucker Punch (4 & 5 can swap places, both are equals IMO, great studios with new hit IPs)
6. BluePoint (best remakes and remasters in the industry, just need to make their own "new game")
7. Polyphony (Hasn't evolved as much as the other 5, but still a good overall dev)
8. Sony Bend (they need a few more AAA games under their belt to rival GG / SP)
9. Hosmarque (indie dev turned AA, on the path to becoming AAA)
10. Media Molecule / San Diego Studio / Team Asobi (I wouldn't put any of these 3 above the other. MM has pushed creativity for a PS game to the limits with LBP and Dreams. San Diego mainly does MLB, but also has some good ports under their belt. Team Asobi and AStro are hits)
For me the most difficult games have me coming back. It was super hard for me to actually become good at street fighter 4 aways getting beat online but that challenge for me to become better always kept me coming back for more.
Demons Souls always had me coming back for more as well just because of the difficulty.... I love a challenge. And easier games don't give me that and those are the ones i play through only once.