990°

Six Studios, Five Years, Zero Games: Is Rockstar Games in Trouble?

Even though Rockstar Games is known for impeccable quality productions, the recent (though widely expected) delay of Red Dead Redemption 2 means that almost five years will have passed between new games from the developer. OnlySP questions whether this massive release gap is cause for concern.

T2X2561d ago

Not really. They create huge masterpieces that take years and lots of money and resources to make. ANd when they do release, they sell large amounts and receive support for many years after. So, I wouldn't worry too much.

Wakka102561d ago

People used to say that about Final Fantasy and Bioware... look at their standing among fans now.

Overload2560d ago

"Final Fantasy 15 is the fastest-selling game in series history"
https://www.polygon.com/201...

Final Fantasy 15 exceeds 6 million units in shipments and digital sales
https://www.vg247.com/2017/...

Wakka102560d ago

Sales figures =/= reception. Here's an exercise, go visit the comment sections of FFXV articles published since release to see what people say about the game they've played. Or visit Metacritic and check the most recent/most helpful reviews.
I mean, how many comments have you read saying that CoD: Infinite Warfare is crap, yet it still sold considerably better than almost anything else released last year.

Overload2560d ago (Edited 2560d ago )

Vocal minorities can be confusing. FF7R will come out and do bigger numbers. Look at the online hate for Destiny and SWBF, yet they're are 2 of the biggest games of this generation, Destiny has a player retention % most developers only dream of, yet everyone online and all their friends hate Destiny.

EazyC2559d ago

Not like R*, their games are on another level

Nitrowolf22559d ago (Edited 2559d ago )

You are missing the point. This isnt about how the fans feel, its about whether the company can stay a float.

Sales are exceeding what they expected, thats good news for them. Whether fans like the game or not is an entirely different subject.

@the question in the article.

Honestly GTA5 is still a top selling, and they are making loads off microtransaction. I dont think their in trouble tbh

InTheZoneAC2559d ago

are you simple? when had GTA or RDR dropped drastically in terms of quality and content?

3-4-52559d ago

Rockstar & Square-enix are different in their approach.

Square takes long because of lack of communication and poor leadership at the top, where as Rockstar takes forever because THAT is how they operate....Always have.

I think Square recently realized they need to get their stuff together when it comes to FF7 remake and the studio they outsourced it too wasn't getting the job down so they brought it in house.

Rockstar has a road map and a plan....Square doesn't.

Square-Enix does a really good job with the Dragon Quest series though which is kind of confusing.

They make all the right decisions with Dragon Quest and almost no right decisions with Final Fantasy.

The Final Fantasy dev team needs a shake up and reset.....bring new people in who actually have good taste for games.

If I was square I'd be asking the Dragon Quest team for tips/hints/help.....they actually know what they are doing over there.

Rockstar and it's next games are fine.

They are releasing Red Dead 2 this year and GTA 6 in 2018/19.

^ That is the main reason why.

RosweeSon2559d ago

Has a final fantasy game ever sold 80 million copies... 1 game in the series?! Nope. Not the mention said game has a massively lucrative online mode 💰💰💰

Gaming1012559d ago

Does anyone here read? Rockstar has made somewhere in the hundreds of millions of dollars in shark cards alone. They are riding the gravy train with low operations high profit margins. It's a cash cow business for them, so of course they're going to delay any game that will draw a single player away from GTA 5.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 2559d ago
freshslicepizza2561d ago

They also used to create multiple games. Midnight Club should be revisited too.

EazyC2559d ago

It's so annoying they have seemingly retired Midnight Club, we NEED a new gen one

Erik73572560d ago

We actually don't know...your comment is honestly just as valid as this article.

Could be maybe they are raising the bar for what we expect in games or they could be struggling. We can never know until the game comes out

XanderZane2559d ago

Exactly. They are known for delaying their games until they are exactly the way they want them to be. So I won't even sweat it. I can wait until next year for RDR2. I'm sure they are working on GTA VI and probably one other masterpiece.

seanpitt232559d ago (Edited 2559d ago )

The thing is if gta5 wasn't so popular then we would of definitely seen and be playing another rockstar game by now.

RDR2 would be in my console now.

So we have only ourselves to blame for buying 80 million copies of gta5 plus 100s of millions daft shark cards.

If someone said to me 3 years ago that rockstar will only release one game this gen I wouldn't of believe them but thats definitely what they are going to do.

scofios2559d ago

Yeah they sold 75 million copys of gta5 they must be in trouble /s

SonyAddict2559d ago

Rockstar games in trouble lol no chance hahaa

C-H-E-F2559d ago

Agreed, every since the PS3, Rockstar pulled back off of quantity and focused on Quality. For example the released 1 Midnight Club last gen and that was/is still (to me atleast) one of the best racing games launched last year. They released 2 GTA's in a 7 year span, So of course when you look at it, those games took a very long time to make, GTAIV was in dev in PS2 era and GTAV was in dev since GTAIV was like 3/4 done and it still took 7 years to release. They said a few years back that they are quality focused over quantity. They own plenty of other studios that publish games like NBA 2k makes about 120 million from playstation/xbox on launch day (selling 1 million / console) for example, they are far from being "hurt" by not having annual big franchise games. SHhhhh I just said the other day GTAV is still the top 5 selling game every month... that's incredible, they aren't worried about sales as much as this author thinks. haha.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 2559d ago
-Foxtrot2561d ago

It would be nice to see their games release a little quicker...they can have plenty of time on the game they are making but at least have something to put out in the meantime.

Mr Pumblechook2559d ago

"Is Rockstar Games in Trouble?" GTA V has sold over 75 million copies. GTA V Online is generating a shit-ton of money. Somehow I think Rockstar are okay. ;) They know not to annualise a franchise to death.

-Foxtrot2559d ago

True but I think it's because of that they think they can do whatever the f*** they want, especially with the online and MT

They are getting a little big headed and it's worrying despite how good their games are. Gives them that "Meh...screw em, they'll love us in the end regardless and we'll be rich still" attitude.

shmowboyfebop2559d ago

@foxtrot

Who knows. They tend to make good games. I haven't noticed any sort of aggrandized ego from them. They're one of the few groups I have faith in.

Bronxs152559d ago

Curious. What do people do in gta online?? I just played single player never looked at online.

Kleptic2559d ago (Edited 2559d ago )

100% arm chair 'consumer analysts' in regards to the business behind the company.

Doesn't matter 'what people do online' in GTAV, it has generated more profit than most, even popular and well received, titles do entirely...doesn't matter that 'I don't understand it, i barely tried it'...see above.

This isn't some annual franchise that recently started struggling...GTAV was one of the highest reviewed titles of last gen, then WAS the highest reviewed, and highest selling, titles for nearly half of the current gen...A re-released 'HD' version of a last gen title crushed nearly everything this gen could come up with for an alarmingly long time...If anything, all this shows is how out of whack the rest of the industry was for like 5 years...and Rockstar simply took a breather during it. Little overhead, print money...and they're 'big headed' because of it?

...they're fine...there is absolutely no business reason to be worried about future products just yet...the complainers are of a minority, and even better...the transparency of them buying future products despite complaints...is obvious...they will, they always have...and will continue to.

Mr_Writer852559d ago

@foxtrot

"they think they can do whatever the f*** they want, "

Well they can do its their work and its clearly working.

If people didn't want more GTA Online content they wouldn't make it.

Why waste your time making content for people who don't play GTA online when you have people who do giving you money?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2559d ago
ServerBOT2559d ago

A little project like Rockstar Table Tennis would be pretty sweet.

Brave_Losers_Unite2561d ago

Are you kidding me? They are swimming in cash.

JackBNimble2559d ago

Exactly, GTAV has sold 70 million copies alone as well as all the microtransactions along side it.

BlakHavoc2561d ago

Uh no. They produce one of the highest selling franchises in history, GTA. RDR2 is going to sell a ton, and whatever else they release I'm sure will be met with critical and commercial acclaim.

Wakka102561d ago

It's amusing that pretty much every comment defaults to the money that they've made off GTA V, thus suggesting that no-one read the part that admits that money is no issue. The article questions other things than the financial standing of Rockstar because that is one of the few things that there is absolutely nothing to be worried about at the present time.

OC_MurphysLaw2559d ago

What is amusing is the attempt to suggest they are in trouble because they are releasing fewer and fewer games....even though the few they are releasing are well crafted mega hits beyond anything other devs are able to do. the amount of games you create should absolutely in no way be associated to whether a studio is in trouble in the face of the success Rockstar has had with their formula of multiple studios playing a hand in their crafting of their games. Now if RDR2 comes out and is utter trash then maybe this article should be republished then...but now? No.

fenome2559d ago

They don't have any big publishers breathing down their neck about absurd deadlines, they take pride in what they do and it shows. I'd rather them hone their craft and release something they're proud of than pump the same shit out every year.

I'd rather wait for a quality product than just get slapped with reskinned crap over and over. There's a lot more room to tinker with things this gen, I don't think a lot of people really grasp that concept.

Outside_ofthe_Box2559d ago (Edited 2559d ago )

I read it, and anyone that is speaking against the article is correct. R* is far from being in any sort of "trouble." The article is trying to make it out to be that the delay of RDR2 and the fact that outside of a port, they haven't released a game this gen, will somehow hurt R*'s brand/reputation which is not true at all.

Everyone expected RDR2 would be delayed. Delays are nothing new or out of the ordinary this gen. Also everyone knows that R* takes years to make their games so again, this is something that isn't surprising to gamers.

When RDR2 releases it will sell a ton. When GTA6 releases it will sell ton. Doesn't matter if they're delayed a decade. R* is no where close to being on "unsteady ground" or having a "bleak future" or "fading into insignificance" like the article suggests.

Only good point is R*'s apparent shift of focus to the multiplayer side of things. I personally don't think R* going the multiplayer route will put the studio in "trouble", but I personally would stop buying their games if it doesn't appeal to me. Either way I still expect RDR2 to deliver a stellar single player experience. R* has yet to let me down when it comes to SP so I'm given them the benefit of the doubt in that regard. Wish we would have gotten SP DLC for GTAV though.

mocaak2559d ago

You wrote a shitty, clickbait article. Now deal with it, instead of commenting nonstop on your own submission.

KwietStorm_BLM2559d ago

If Red Dead didn't get delayed, this article wouldn't exist. That, in and of itself, is both ironic and extremely weak as a basis for whatever logic they're trying to use as an argument. Even if Rockstar were somehow in trouble for whatever reason, the mountain of money they made on GTA V alone could be used to fill whatever development gaps or production holes they're theoretically having.

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100°

Every PlayStation Studios game available now on Windows PC

Windows Central writes: "Many PlayStation Studios games that are ported to PC get dedicated PS5 DualSense support, which allows users to experience haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support without actually having to own a PS5.

According to Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, it's still the company's intent to launch the bigger single-player games on PS5 first, before later bringing the games to PC. This might not be the case for multiplayer games however, which are considered okay to launch simultaneously on console and PC."

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
ocelot071d 10h ago

My guess is after god of war. Probably last of us 2 that's a almost 4 year old game now and by the time it's released on pc it will be more than 4 years old or close to 5.

Elda1d 5h ago

Every old Playstation game that is now on PC.

shinoff218319h ago

Right. I definitely see what a headlined from a website named windows central was trying to do though. It's cute little wordplay to help out the green box

Flewid63818h ago

Are PlayStation games no longer good or worth playing once they are old?

Elda17h ago

I'm guessing my comment went over your head.

XiNatsuDragnel1d 3h ago

Good at least they can sell hardware

220°

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie. This is something of a homecoming, as Microsoft owns Activision.

Read Full Story >>
engadget.com
Obscure_Observer1d 21h ago

Very very early in development. Still, fantastic news!

Let´s GO!!!

Lightning771d 19h ago

I guess.

How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )

At least it wouldn't be MS of all ppl destroying them.

MS really should let go Tango go like they did TFB here.

darthv721d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

one was under Bethesda (Tango) the other under Activision (TFB). Clearly each one handled the separations of their subordinates differently.

Obscure_Observer1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

"How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )"

Perhaps because Zenimax and ABK handles such matters differently based on their own internal policies as "independent" publishers.

Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future. Which could also be the reason why they ensured an exclusive partnership with TFB and its new game, before anyone else.

Sad and disgusting. But it is what it is.

Lightning771d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

"Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future."

MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB.

It's inexcusable, they have options on how to handle studios they don't want anymore with killing jobs. Not just MS but the rest of the industry also.

Sad and disgusting sure how many will get shut down next year or this year even?

I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another.

Obscure_Observer1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

"MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB."

Imo, MS separated from TFB because they didn´t had a game associated with Xbox yet, unlike Tango.

"I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another."

Fair enough. It was indeed an epic dumb move from them to close Tango.

Still, all to be forgotten, like always have. This is not the first time a big publisher shuts down a beloved and/or successful studio out of nowhere and certainly won´t be the last. Do you remember Lionhead? Do you remember Evolution Studios? Yeah... both were beloved studios and yet, those companies kill those studios in q blink of an eye and got away with it.

anast1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

The studio boss made some money from this transaction. Once the game releases, the studio will get chopped up.

-Foxtrot1d 21h ago

Manages to buy their freedom especially after all the shit Microsoft has been doing with its studios lately

...

Goes right back to them as partners.

Okaaaaaay...

darthv721d 19h ago

Id venture a guess that TFB working directly with MS was a better outcome than working through Activision to get to MS.

VersusDMC1d 17h ago

From the article...

"Toys for Bob spun out as an indie back in February after Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs that impacted 86 employees, which was more than half of the staff"

I doubt those 86 employees enjoyed the Microsoft experience over Activisions.

Inverno1d 17h ago

MS shuts down studios because of lack of resources and then helps these guys by giving em resources. Also MS is what forced them to buy their freedom in the first place? What kind of logic 😂

Chevalier1d 13h ago

The best thing is that the company that is worth $3 trillion and owns the company instead of Xbox lacks resources. How the hell does a company worth $3 trillion making a measly $70 billion purchase they 'can't' support. Lol

BlindMango19h ago

The reason they would need to "partner with Microsoft" is simply to make a game that's part of a franchise that Microsoft owns. Meaning they're probably going to make a new Spyro game - they're still an independent studio, but are making a game in a franchise that Microsoft owns. It's kind of like Remedy partnering with Rockstar to be able to make the Max Payne remakes.

shinoff218319h ago

It was probably the deal to get released from Ms

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 19h ago
Sciurus_vulgaris1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Xbox’s gaming division seems to still function as 3 semi-autonomous sub-divisions, Xbox Studios, Bethesda and ABK. The three main sub-divisions can seemingly shut down or build studios and set up partnerships independently. This would explain why Bethesda can recently shutdown studios, while ABK spins off one studio, while building a new one. Plus, Toys for Bob could be spun off by ABK, only to immediately re-partner with Microsoft.

Chevalier1d 13h ago

That's absolutely 💯 BS. Any sane 'autonomous' company would NOT put their games on Gamepass day 1 like COD will lose probably billions.

Also they're all under Xbox game studios so any autonomy is an illusion.

PhillyDonJawn1d 1h ago

No, I'm sure MS can and does step in when they want something done specifically but I'm also sure they let them also work independently

shinoff218319h ago

I highly highly doubt this. Ms controls all. The guys aren't gonna be allowed to just shut something down like that without approval. No way

Elda1d 13h ago

Either a kiddie game or something uninteresting.

Obscure_Observer1d 7h ago

Don´t worry. You won´t be playing it anyway since their next game will possible be a next gen Xbox console game.

Elda1d 6h ago (Edited 1d 6h ago )

Don't worry about my comments.

PhillyDonJawn1d 1h ago

Right probably something like astrobot

romulus231d 1h ago

Nah he said "uninteresting", lots of people are interested in Astro Bot.

Elda23h ago

Never Astro Bot. Astro Bot looks better than any exclusive released on XB this entire generation & believe there hasn't been much.

Asplundh22h ago

Crash 4 was good, so I'm hopeful.

PhillyDonJawn21h ago

Hey you said that about SOT and looks like many ppl on PS is playing it. You also found bugsnax interesting ffs your opinion hold no weight lol.

Elda20h ago(Edited 20h ago)

Bugsnax is BS, tried it & quickly deleted it. It's a game that fits right on Gamepass. PS5 owners that are probably playing the boring SOT you could count on one hand. LMAO!!...don't try to come for me.

PhillyDonJawn18h ago

So you admit bugsnax interested you enough to try? 😂 someone gotta call you out on the foolishness.

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130°

What Happens to Your Steam Account When You Die?

The Outerhaven writes: While Steam has come out recently, stating that Steam accounts can't be transferred, we need to think about it since we all will eventually kick the bucket. But if Valve is denying transferring accounts, what can be done? Plenty, actually.

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theouterhaven.net
thorstein2d ago

It goes to my kids because I gave them the passwords.

To Steam: Missio has a song that conveys my feelings about you stealing my purchase after I die. It's called "Middle Fingers"

shinoff21832d ago

Pretty much. My son knows my info.

Abear212d ago

Yeah worrying about digital ownership when you’re on the other side of the grass seems a little strange, but also on brand for these millennial journalists to worry about.

qalpha1d 12h ago

I'm sure Keith will be happy to hear he's a millennial journalist.

Goodguy012d ago

I suppose if I have kids, I'd just give em my account details by retirement age. If I die young then...idk lol.

CrimsonWing692d ago

Yea, I mean just give someone the password to your account. Is that difficult to do or something? Like, I’m legit asking because I don’t know.

anast2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

It's not difficult but It's against the policy. If they find out, they will lock the account permanently.

CrimsonWing692d ago

Ah ok, I had a feeling there was something like that. It seems kind of weird that you can’t just hand your account over to a family member or friend and let them take over the account.

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