With the 8th console generation about a year into all consoles being out in the wild, many of us are excited about the future these machines hold for our entertainment. There's a lot going on and a lot that's happened recently, so let's talk about some disappointments that have upsides. Every cloud has a silver lining and I love being optimistic about the state of the industry, so here are some gripes that have some gain in them:
1. The State of Sony's PlayStation Network
Unfortunately, the PlayStation Network has been very disappointing with regard to the PlayStation 4. While we haven't had a massive anonymous shutdown like we did back in the day when it went down for a month, PSN was also free back then. For $50/year, you're pretty much paying for occasional online access and free indies. I wouldn't blame you if you thought you were overpaying for the indies. Now I know some experiences with the network vary, but highly anticipated titles with online-centered focus like Destiny and DriveClub pretty much left you with a fraction of the game to be enjoyed for a time. Things seem to be stabilizing now, but my experience with PSN could have been better on PS4. PS3 and Vita though, those are coming along swimmingly, especially with the sales. Best part? It's free unless you have Plus.
The Silver Lining: Plus works across multiple PlayStation platforms so, even if the PS4's infrastructure will need work, the subscription is still worth it because, well, have you been keeping an eye on the sales happening in the PlayStation store for PS3 and PSVita? Madness! Sony pretty much went Steam Sale all over our asses. I've already spent well over $120 in these past couple of weeks because everything is so cheap. PS4 might need stability network-wise, but the money you pay can very easily be put to great use on the older platforms. I give PSN on PS4 the benefit of the doubt since it's just starting out, but it's only going to get bigger and Sony needs to prepare for it. Of course, this doesn't really appeal to people who only own a PS4, but I guess this is reason to say that you should own a PS3. You really should.
2. DriveClub Disappointing Reviewers
Yes, this game has disappointed. Yes, Evolution and Sony have yet to release the PS+ edition. No, the online capabilities don't seem to be consistent and running continuously. Then again, I don't own the game, but I have witnessed people struggling to take it online. For such a highly anticipated game that was delayed by about a year, you would expect them to do well by consumers with getting the infrastructure up and running day one, no questions. But I've already touched on the online issues. Another big problem seems to be that reviewers just don't seem to like the game. It's done poorly with reviewers, some of which resulted in score reduction from the original score.
The Silver Lining: Although there are disappointments with DriveClub, the community really seems to be enjoying the game otherwise. Sounds to me like there's a bit of a disparity between reviewer and less journalism-empowered gamers. The best news here is that this is but another nail in the reviewer coffin. People should play what they want to play because they want to play it, not hold off on playing a game that looks good to them because someone who isn't you says it isn't good. I relish the idea of reviewers losing that power over gamers, and I hope you all do too. Reviews can do gamers a solid by warning them of glitches, bad networks, imbalances, etc., but scores are perhaps the most damaging aspect of the system which I think does well in detering gamers from giving potential gems a chance. In DriveClub's case, many of the problems can be addressed with an update. Will all reviewers change their scores? Will Metacritic adjust their overall scores to reflect that? Considering Polygon's old score is still on Metacritic, I doubt it. Truth is, it comes down to this: "do you recommend the game or don't you?" No scores, just...yes or no. It's only fair to judge a game by its bugs or lack of content if (a) reviewer updates their reviews following issues being addressed by the developer or (b) the developer simply refuses to update the game. Either way, the reviews are polarizing which is a red flag that gaming media can't seem to agree on what to make of the game, meaning you'll just have to use your own discretion, as it should be for the most part.
3. The Wii U's lackluster sales
Oh, Nintendo. My dear, sweet Nintendo. The Wii U launched first and somehow fell behind the PlayStation 4 and is beating out the XBOX One in total sales marginally, but the XBOX One is steadily gaining on it. Despite the headstart, there are rumblings about Iwata's failure and potential removal from Nintendo. Sad times.
The Silver Lining: Nintendo's games sell well. They also arguably have the best games of the current generation. People will say that's only because games have been lackluster on PlayStation 4 and XBOX One, but guys...c'mon. Mario Kart 8 with some crazy exciting DLC? 8-player Super Smash Bros.? Bayonetta 2 (BAYO-FREAKIN'-NETTA 2)? The other guys would have to do something utterly massive to compete with that. It's all subjective, but I really don't see that happening unless Witcher 3, Bloodborne, MGSV, and Quantum Break came out this year. And even then, that would make next year far less exciting. Even though the console could be doing well, I really hope gamers realize that the Wii U has some solid and highly entertaining titles out now and, in my opinion, deserves the award for best console of 2014.
4. The XBOX One is doing poorly in Japan
This comes as no surprise, but it's realllllllllly not doing well. At all. Granted, the PlayStation 4 and Wii U aren't doing too well either, but they've gotten some distance before the tapering off began. XBOX One has perhaps no chance in Japan. It's tough to say if it's the console market that's suffering or there is just a particular lack of Japanese games right now. Either way, consoles aren't doing very well and I don't think Microsoft coming out with games for Japanese gamers will help that. If Nintendo and Sony get the ball rolling however, we might see some progress, but the XBOX One has no chance. I imagine by the end of the generation, they'll give up on Japan, but that remains to be seen. I could be wrong about all of this and things might turn up, but for now, I don't see it happening.
The Silver Lining: XBOX One did pretty well in China in the beginning. I haven't found any sales details since their 100k milestone, but this is a promising start. At the very least, there's a potentially massive market in China which might be what the industry needs to survive. Good work Microsoft. We'll have to see how Chinese gamers spend their money once Microsoft's competition arrives to see if they lean one way, but at least XBOX has a chance to succeed in the Asian market.
5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain isn't out yet
It just isn't.
The Silver Lining: But it will be.
Feel free to comment below. As always, thanks for reading!
Set in 16th century Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will star Japanese shinobi Naoe, and real-life samurai Yasuke.
I wonder if it'll have the historic scenes of Nobunaga ordering Yasuke to strip and take a bath to confirm he wasn't painted that color.
Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's plans to increase every department's margins.
"The plan to move Xbox games to other platforms is codenamed "Latitude" internally, and I know there's debate and unease at Microsoft about whether or not this is a good idea. More upcoming Microsoft-owned games slated for PlayStation are already being developed. At least for now, they're potentially obvious games you'd most likely expect. And yes, while it's true Microsoft is a prolific publisher on PlayStation already, it has typically revolved around specific franchises like Minecraft. From what I've heard, Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's mandate to increase every department's margins. "
Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware.
"Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware."
It's for the best.
Quit stringing along xbox fans and screwing over PlayStation owners.
i think it will kill off the xbox brand. windows will be fine.
but there is and would be a chance that xbox might be killed off in the future. if they fail to make the money they put in. imo.
They wont kill it, but they will go fully PC while keeping xbox as a brand, and go multiplatform for the most part. They will also work tirelessly to diminish console gaming’s importance.
"Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation"
Forza and Starfield next?
Starfield would be no surprise and there's the rumor that it will come to Playstation after the Shattered Space DLC, Forza (along with Halo and Gears of War) I find less likely but I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually end up on PlayStation too, especially if Xbox give up on hardware and go the Sega route.
Not to worried about forza. I'd rather see others like what inxile and obsidian are working on. Starfield sounds like it needs more time in the oven so let it cook first imo. If starfield and it's a small if does release on ps it'll be in the fall around the time for dlc or right at the dlc and come packaged with it.
In the words of Phil Spencer when he was talking about Nintendo last year
“It's just taking a long time for Microsoft to see that their future exists off of their own hardware"
It's probably true though. What's fake about Ms releasing games on ps. It's not like it didn't just happen. 2 of the 4 they released were in Playstations top seller list.
Xbox has been leaving gaming and leaving hardware for 20 years according to Sony fanboys 😂😂
Bet you Blade is coming to the PS5. Disney probably insisted on it thats why they being silent on whether its exclusive. I'm more excited for the Gears and Master Chief collections though.
I hope blade does come to PlayStation. Gears and halo should too.
Let PS fans fund Xbox and gamepass. Xbox is dominating the PlayStation store 👏
Good for Ps fans too - PS don’t dev games anymore
ah yes, the classic "too big to fail" mentality. That served us well in the past.
This article is not all doom and gloom.
I highly suggest you read it before posting a comment here based on the headline alone.
are you Obscure user's child? or an alt account created today?
it's not doom and gloom for MS, it's for Xbox...Ms will be fine on it's own. when we will look back at the history of Xbox (hardware) from higher level, it will be marked as failure majority of the time.
It failed so much they got 69bn dollars to go shopping.
Damn, I wish I could fail so much someone would give me 69bn dollars! 😂😂
A trillion dollar company with a gaming division currently mired with controversy, layoffs, studio closures, an uncertain future, mismanagement and admittance they can't handle all the studios they've acquired among other things. I think the main focus of this news on this site called News 4 Gamers, would be focusing on that gaming division which IS looking kinda gloomy lately.
Layoffs and studio closures are whataboutism? Okay 😂😂
Imagine selling that many consoles and having to do layoffs at insomniac, your most successful studio 💀💀
Unhealthy business. I’m concerned for PlayStations future.
More whaboutism. On the topic of Sony, since you brought them up, remind me of when they spent billions on a publisher they later admitted they weren't equipped to manage, despite Phil Spencer saying acquisitions are good for the industry and resulted in mass layoffs and studio closures, even for a studio with one of their highest rated exclusives in years, which according to Microsoft themselves, met their expectations.
Making that much money and closing studios and doing layoffs.
PlayStation is doomed 💀
MS as a company will be fine. Xbox isn’t so secure though, as its status is dependent on how profitable its parent company thinks it is. Current trends suggest that MS sees more profit in making Xbox third party, and I’ve heard the box itself is actually losing them money.
If these things are true, the future of Xbox as a console manufacturer is certainly being called into question. Perhaps being a third party publisher instead would be a better strategy for them.
Cyan Worlds has confirmed that its remake of classic 90s puzzler Riven is coming to Meta Quest headsets this Summer.
I am buying a Wii U this holiday season. It will complement my PS4 nicely.
I am loving my PS4 and the PSN is fine. I really didn't think too much about Driveclub to begin with, not that it's not a nice title for those who want this, it is. I just like the old Burnout games.
Wish that Criterion could just be let alone to develop the game they wish to make instead of shoehorning what they do.