So with some of the recent rumblings about third party exclusivity and such, I thought it would be a good idea to raise the general morale (and maybe upset the fanboys in the process...not that I'm doing that intentionally).
Right, so, with the recent announcement of Street Fighter V as a PlayStation 4 console exclusive, gamers are more or less losing their minds in both good ways and bad. On one hand, PlayStation gamers are considering this a huge win and an awesome move on Sony's part. People are even going as far as calling it "just retaliation" for Microsoft's move on Rise of a Tomb Raider, which apparently STILL isn't a fair move on Microsoft's part because, as we've all heard, "PlayStation made Tomb Raider what it is". I don't deny that it has strong roots on Sony's platforms, so let's just keep that in mind for now. On the other hand, gamers are angry in Capcom's choice of platforms and people are bitter about it not coming to XBOX One. Accordingly, this was treated as an unjust move on Sony's part as Rise of a Tomb Raider is a timed exclusive while Street Fighter V can only be played on PlayStation 4 or PC.
As Billy Mays would say, "BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!" It turns out that Microsoft is publishing Rise of a Tomb Raider! In other words, Sony has stolen a third party exclusive and so has Microsoft which might sting more since Tomb Raider is considered a "historically PlayStation thing". Either way, Sony and Microsoft have locked down games no one would have expected to be exclusive.
...Or... did they?
Wording is very funny in an industry of exclusive deals and intellectual properties. There was hope for Rise of a Tomb Raider when they specifically said "Coming exclusively to XBOX in 2015". Left open to interpretation, it means "this game will come later for PlayStation 4, but first to XBOX One". Devious! But then Microsoft signed on as publisher.
Except that only means so much for both Sony and Microsoft.
To name a few, what do Bejeweled 2, Super Time Force, Ninja Gaiden 2, and PlanetSide 2 have in common? They were all published by platform holders and have multiplatform releases (PlanetSide 2 if you can't PC, that is--which you should).
What does publishing a game get you? Pretty much just the original version. Super Time Force? Published by Microsoft and re-releasing as Super Time Force Ultra, featuring Shuhei Yoshida of all people. Ninja Gaiden 2? Re-released as Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. I think it's fair to assume Crystal Dynamics will not miss an opportunity to re-release a more definitive version with DLC on the PlayStation 4. Heck, Microsoft also published Ryse and Crytek said they might bring Ryse to PS4. They didn't say they *would*, but the important thing here is that they didn't say they *couldn't*. Nice, right? Now about Street Fighter: we don't know who's publishing it, but I can't think of a canon Street Fighter that DIDN'T have numerous releases (SFII/Champion Edition/The New Challengers, SFIII/Second Impact/Third Strike, and Super/Ultra/SFIV/Arcade Edition). To be blunt, there's no effin' way that game is not being rebalanced for XBOX One under an extended name.
Do I believe these games are true exclusives? In the strictest sense of the word...yes, but only the original versions. Granted, Microsoft has had more of their published titles reach Sony than the other way around, but it's possible. Technically that means Bloodborne is possibly fair game, but given the relationship From and Sony have, I really can't see that happening. But Tomb Raider and Street Fighter V? Uh, yeah, I'll be counting the days on those. All I can say is that, if you have no interest in shelling out for either of these consoles when you already own one and both games interest you, I suggest patiently waiting. I really don't believe either of these are truly exclusives. Besides, if you hold out and this is true, you'll very likely be rewarded with a more complete version at the same price, less if you count the money you don't spend on another console.
So why does any of this matter? Well, if what I'm saying is true, you can't really believe in third-party exclusives anymore, can you? Granted, if it's a new IP, that's always fair game (sorry Sony fans, I don't think Sunset Overdrive is happening), but it's the pre-existing, established multiplatform games that get people in knots, and understandably so. Maybe this move is incentive to get the console you don't have. Maybe it's incentive to wait. Either way, since this generation is expected to be much shorter, expect a revised version of these games as multiplatform releases not too long after the originals launch. Now if the generation ends and you aren't throwing hadoukens on your XBOX One or completing secret tombs on your PlayStation 4, that's a cause for concern. Until then, cheer up and keep the faith, fellow gamers.
The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth combat director has expressed that he wants the final part in the trilogy to offer players "even more freedom".
I love the game so far but please don’t make the final part a mini game fest
Everytime I get to a new part in Rebirth it’s “mini game time”
Wccf tech writes: "Kingdom Come Deliverance 2's scope was impacted by the Xbox Series S hardware limitations, as developers could only make a game that was 25% bigger than its predecessor."
This is the issue with things like this
Xbox Series X is apparently to MS the worlds most powerful console
However the Series S is obviously a limitation because it’s underpowered and developers have to go for parity.
So what’s the point of the world’s most powerful console if you are holding third party developers back? They aren’t going to push themselves if they have to think about the weakest console.
The issue wouldn’t be as bad if it was just Xbox but you are also affecting the PS version aswell
I think developers need to start just taking advantage of a console and if one of them can’t do X Y and Z then f*** them…why should the others suffer. What’s MS going to do? The bigger the franchise the least chance MS are going to tell them to f*** off. Baulders Gate 3 seemed to have stood their ground and suddenly their “strict” parity rule didn’t really matter. We suddenly got super optimisation efforts for the Series S that got things sorted.
I agree, and the sad part is use normal folk saw it the second they announced their plans.
More info from the author of the article, I think: https://www.reddit.com/r/ki...
Quote:
"1) I was told this info from the producer of the game Martin Klíma.
2) He specifically said the game will have only one mode.
3) And this mode is 4K 30 on PS5/XSX and 1440p 30 on XSS.
4) He said that the game is already running north of the 30 FPS cap so the performance should be stable on launch, much better than KCD1.
5) The limitation was XSS because of the 10GB memory. He said that's why they wanted to make the game 25% larger.
6) Speculation on my part: the output resolution is probably upscaled and the reason why there won't be a 60 FPS mode is because it'll most likely be very CPU heavy, like Dragon's Dogma 2 for example."
Doesn't seem like they're adding a 40fps mode on PS5/Series X for launch even if they can handle it.
I'd much rather have 1440p/60fps or even 45fps. Having just one, even with the Series S in mind, is disappointing.
Remember when xbots were adamant that the series s won’t hold back the gen?
Microsoft just needs to let go of the mandatory parity. Who cares if your grandma doesn’t understand that a game cannot be played on the S. It’s not like it she can buy you a physical game for it anyway. Before buying the game put up a notice that it only works on series X. If you’re buying for a friend-allow for a refund.
Bam. Everyone is happy. Most series s owners are for casuals that want Game Pass anyway and most likely don’t purchase most games.
If the developers want it to run on S, let them figure it out.
“During the event, the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 producer also revealed that on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the game will run at 4K resolution and 30 frames per second“
Another “creative decision” right? 🤦♂️
Custom Controller Company HexGaming launched a Kickstarter campaign for their latest pro controller, Hex Phantom. - IS
Great blog! Really enjoyed reading it!
And...hopefully i will be throwing "HADUKENS" on the Xbox one too! lol
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I really hope you'll be throwing hadoukens on Xbox One as well and, if history is any indication, you will be doing that as I'll be completing secret tombs on PlayStation 4. I think this generation is all smoke and mirrors with exclusive claims to games like these.
Keep the faith!