Sony’s massive live service push for PS5 is struggling and being called into question, but this leaked presentation shows why it went so hard.
Take-Two Interactive states their edict on microtransactions has been to over-deliver on content, and the monetization will follow.
To be fair, while GTA Online is monetized heavily both GTA Online and GTA V offer a massive amount of content without paying anything extra. Though I do think GTA Online's optional subscription is bullshit.
Can you please focus on delivering enough quality content to justify the $70 asking price? While I appreciate the idea of over-delivering, it's essential to ensure that the base content itself is worth it. I have concerns that GTA6 might have less single-player content because most of the focus seems to be shifting towards online play and microtransactions.
It's understandable why publishers are capitalizing on microtransactions when they generate billions with relatively little effort compared to traditional content creation. We, as consumers, are partly responsible for this trend. I've seen people spend on FIFA cards as if it's a normal part of the game. Previously, features like player cards and big head mode were earned through gameplay or cheat codes, but now gamers are willing to pay for them, so publishers have no reason not to monetize these features.
It's astonishing that the gaming industry is now more profitable than any other entertainment sector. Yet, despite record-high profits, the industry continues to see increasing levels of greed. It's baffling to hear about record profits followed by significant layoffs of developers. This disconnect makes no sense.
I know it’s unlikely given the size of the industry, but it might take a significant downturn for things to reset. Currently, there are too many decision-makers who lack a genuine understanding of gaming, focusing only on financial spreadsheets. A prime example is Andrew Wilson, the CEO of EA.
It must be a nightmare working at Rockstar in a Production role...dealing with the team egos and those of the V suite. #soulcrush
From school politics to ping-pong, pistols to police procedurals, let’s dive into the best that Rockstar has to offer.
EA Sports dropped their first gameplay trailer for College Football 25 today and the game looks truly amazing. Buried in the details of the game hype, however, is a significant letdown for those who play online dynasty (a significant portion of the userbase).
This is all you need to know:
Sony has consistently delivered brilliant single player games and will continue to do so into the next generation. Naughty Dog isn't going to miss the PS5 era as they are working on multiple projects and not just a live service game only.
Again, when I say this, gamers asked Sony for quality online games to match their single player offerings. They also bitched and complained about games not having "road maps" for online games. That means a game that will consistently be updated with new items, new maps, new levels, with some of it being free. And some of it being priced to purchase. Like GT7. Online games TODAY, if they want to continue to live beyond the old style online games where it was online and that's all you got and nothing else, are LIVE SERVICE GAMES. They all are to stay relevant and keep player retention. Because gamers will move on to the next online game if it isn't fun and if there isn't any new content.
No one has played any of their online games yet to bitch and complain about it. Single player games like myself will still be catered to. But Sony is trying to please those who asked for online,(GaaS, yes GaaS, you asked for it) and make a little money on the side because they are a business. As companies like Microsoft try to strip Sony's revenue by buying up 3rd party publishers and franchises, royalty money that Sony made to create more high quality games, Sony has to look at other avenues to make money like with PC or mobile. They can't just make single player games only and get stuck in a rut just doing that. They are allowed to diversify. Doesn't mean you have to buy into all of it. But they are allowed to as a company to TRY. Just like with VR. Just like with Portal.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter what we think. Sony's goal is to make more money whether its single player or GAAS. And thats what they're gonna do. They're gonna support both. The fact is that a game can sell well and still not bring in the profits that are needed. Development cost is just one expense to recover. Stuff like advertising and other things are eating away some of the profits. That successful game that cost 100 million to make may cost almost double the next time. If this was the 1990s or early 2000s this wouldn't be as bad. Sony makes good single players games and they sell but in today's gaming industry it may not be enough to sustain them for the next decade or two. They may not have much of a choice but to invest more in GAAS.
"Live service obsession". What a bunch of BS hyperbole.