Played years ago/Platinumed, I think it's fair, dynamic music is hit or miss. 1 is simple but the Tree Tops secrets/Haunted Towers ones are still hard for a kid but still great to find out and beat again as an adult. Character weight eh. Sparx bonuses just gems as abilities accessibility features I'm on and off with.
Dinosaur orb in Skelos. The Alchemist in Fracture Hills, the headbash is eh, Crystal Popcorn in Magma Cone. Hide and Seek or others in later levels. Level secrets for orbs platforming wise. The supercharge in some of the games.
The water tube in 3. The tank battles. Whack-a-mole. Turtle soup camera was fixed in Reignited thankfully for 2. Yeah as an adult you remember how annoying they were and still are. Hardly a kids game easy these days (some areas). It's PS1 design still in there. Not all is dumbed down, some is and for good (Turtle soup), others not so bad. It has no Spyro prototype like elements but oh well. Ah Dream Weavers, Gnorc Cove, Haunted Towers or others details cut.
The Ocean Speedway orb challenge tests my flight skills around that under into the tunnel. Let alone in and out of Icy Speedway orb challenge. Among other things. Reflexes/memory these games test for sure.
The challenges are still PS1 hard, people go oh it's a kids game and see the artstyle/characters when I mean..... there is a reason I play platformers, not because they are for kids, but because they push gameplay more than adult games with more themes/dialogue which can be fair or skill trees and garbage I don't like.
In some cases I wish they pushed further like Ratchet's momentum for the swingshot was always basic gaps, it used to have a few challenging ones then they got rid of those. Adult games with grapples are basic as, very boring.
So adult games with a waypoint/violence/other themes, yeah we can read them but hardly challenging or engaging in comparison to kids games with none or fewer of those but yet other types of design more exciting and challenging in their own way.
So to me kids games are actually more fun worlds of creativity and experimentation of worlds/mechanics, sure fire/charge is basic, but supercharge, super flame, swimming, and more, give me those mechanic types. The basic but still fair dynamics. Sure sure armour penetration or status effects or other things or more to understand in adult games but so many boring effects memorisation snore. Skill trees with basic stat differences, snore.
It's like BOTW, give me wind from fire arrows or more depth to fire arrows inflicting enemies. Interactive stuff. But nope we get basic design. Can you tell I like old games more interactive with level design, aka platformer design, or the geo panels of Disgaea, a board game style but still effects the level design.
I'd take Starcraft Ghost or anything else over this. It does give Space Marine vibes but I mean the level design/weapons, the pacing, the variety or lack there of. Not too sure on this.
It made me think of Ghost then open world made me go pass.
Part 2: Let alone use apps to cast their whole phone to the TV aka like the Switch or Steam Deck or PSP/Nomad or Pocket PCs aka docks/cables but no cables and just phone casting not remote play/cloud just phone over network to a screen like I wish Switch 2 could but doubt it would happen as remote play the casting is better from a powerful device down to another then phone to modem/router to TV and it being very delayed of what 5 seconds it's so noticeable.
I mean third party ones for the whole phone's actions not just YT phone cast icon to cast to YT on your TV/comment. I mean using any phone app, aka the phone OS on your TV as if it was a Switch/PSP connected but wireless. Big differences yet would people know that?
I use a few third party ones on Android and it's ok.
So how well will people understand any device with a storefront to download the Xbox app for cloud services go then do people think?
It's a fair strategy it is an app/ecosystem anyone can access if they have the right device, the right firmware/OS version of Apple/Android/PC/anything with a screen and internet connection or a Samsung TV from 2020+ or Amazon Fire TV.
Xboxes have a place but I think still for people wanting a box/dedicated fans more so while other devices for other people. But with user numbers how much will Xboxes being removed from the equation and dedicated fans forced to use cloud not as an option when they feel like it.
Like I don't want a gyro or other controller features in a game and it being awkward to use while streaming future happens, I want that with a box thanks for better support and who cares graphics, I want stable gameplay and mechanics first thanks not safe gameplay and graphics with no cough Sony 360/540p of Vita that 480 to 1080p Portal/phone/PS4/PC app should have cough cough lazy Sony. Does Microsoft offer that either? If so lazy for not doing so. But oh YT/Twitch/etc. can do it but we can't do that for game streaming? Or Netflix/other services tiers to pay for that we haven't seen Sony/Xbox do yet, shivers.
I'll take my consoles with a power brick, maybe if I can power it with a generator for internet as well. Otherwise if no services eh will still go offline regardless. Will have a screen near by. Or I'll just take my handhelds/Wii U/PS2 if I find a screen for it or PS1 (don't own a PS1 but it had an LCD screen). Got a screen now for analogue tuning so good enough for SNES level support now but HDMI so just plug the Xbox isn't that and a power brick for the TV/console, good to go.
Either way, cloud is a fair option but yeah will people take this 'oh it's an Xbox' I mean they push Gamepass so much I almost think do people know what Gamepass is more than Xbox? Like Skyrim more than Elder Scrolls kind of hearing about it a lot?
Or understand cloud well enough besides using Cloud storage like Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive (or other services) and going oh it's my storage without knowing it's not local and understanding what the word cloud means. People can use something and still not understand it/what the terms mean or if they have even heard of them, after all.
It's a fair strategy to go with saying 'these devices are capable' and because it's just the app to go off of.
But the thing is do they expect people to do research of devices that are app compatible besides what ones are shown in the ad? Or what games are on Gamepass/Cloud supported besides the icons and more to tag what is compatible for cloud support?
What if nothing interests them? Then well no need for them to access the service right? XD
I mean the average person and what they see/hear/understand is up in the air of possibilities then research besides what us gamers/look at the news/use the services types are.
Saying it's an Xbox but still questioning it beyond the key ones they show I mean it can happen.
Google made Stadia clear to people with a mobile app, with a controller bundle, with a TV and Chromecast, how many use their controllers besides the remote to control their TVs?
Not fussed with graphics but PGR3 did have that wait it's real moment at the 360 release for sure.
Those screenshots look excellent. The art direction also just helps it.
To me while I never saw that period of time or anything about the games till later, to me the games are so much fun with their arcade feel, the progression is great (didn't like 4's) and the cities are used well for 100s of layouts. Which I prefer. Open worlds are fine but eh just didn't always do it for me with some layouts or paths/or missions.
PGR just the closed off layouts well, good mode variety, and more that kept me more interested in them. Geometry Wars was just a bonus, and the PGR2 dealership to walk around in, model viewer and still purchasing space it's so good, makes the GT7 dealership first time cutscene look hilarious in comparison. Where is that in PSVR2? Thought it up, knew it would never happen and was right.
I will always appreciate the PGR series and while never started with them compared to GT/Forza/Grid and a few others I'm glad once I got to them I really enjoyed the whole series and put the disk in for PGR from time to time.
So healthy money wise but in other areas of morals or talent or survival of studios asking for things, trying to stay afloat, meet the Gamepass standards it couldn't be further from the truth as some can't meet their standards or studios ask for things they can't have and get shut down or don't make enough money for them? It's money or they are dead, ignored, survival means nothing. I get studios have to be shut for various reasons they can't just build up and up forever but some of the reasons for doing so are pretty ridiculous.
Just say it Phil Xbox/Microsoft is doing great with money via the many all over the place 'successful' strategies but otherwise it's just a load of mixed ideas that also are confusing, stupid and just insanely weird for any drop of money and studios/deals go why should we bother with Xbox/PC at all if the sales/tools/saying one thing then another isn't trust worthy enough.
I'm not against more platforms getting games, Sega did it Saturn/PC/Coleco Chameleon or otherwise.
I'll use any platform but I haven't cared for a single game on Series X because of the games being eh, the progression systems suck, the variety is there but the impact of anything in them is so unappealing, the deals are fine but I can get the games elsewhere if I was desperate enough which I'm not because none of them are appealing, older, earlier, other platforms and really just don't trust Xbox enough. I'm only getting OG/360/older Xbox One releases that's it. Besides blu-ray app/YT use in there.
That's without getting into barely many Indies due to them being nostalgia/heavily inspired and very boring, with only a few actually standing out the rest are repetitive safe garbage. Their skills differ sure I understand that but some really do try and the rest really really don't. Those that don't, don't deserve respect they want to prototype more do it, not do the bare minimum or copy cat competition so weakly it's a forgettable game among a sea of forgettable games.
No rules say a company can't put a web browser, office suite let alone their games on any platform they want.
But at the same time the strategy is really obvious for money and shooting a shot all over the place and really tiring let alone studios have no idea what safety or survival they have so unless the funding is enough, "TALENT" either, the 'flexibility' is to be believed even if creative projects or uncreative but money making works and people go to Gamepass, buy on any platform, give money any way they want or stick to games enough for money to flow it's fine because money is the answer in the end.
The rest is just all over the place and obvious it's money first then trustworthy.
There is a reason WRC 2023 appealed to me (not bought yet) it's the Sega GT Dreamcast (wasn't in Xbox OG 2002/Online), Pure for PS3/360 the ATV game, or Apex OG Xbox 2023, is the car builder.
That and well if modes suck then at least something going on. Ride 4 (cough split screen of 5 that Forza Motorsport 8 couldn't do) had a region mode from Forza Motorsport 1 & 2 and I thought that was cool, it's restrictive but expanded upon. Hard to play but still a cool feature.
Game mechanics matter to me more than cosmetics but if they are functional stat or upgrades type customisation I don't mind.
I think it offers a lot for events and progression/customisation not liveries I mean parts and chassis customisation.
Project Spark was cool but just didn't go much of anywhere.
Character creators don't matter to me though. Biomutant if it had perks/character trait abilities (Cough like animals in games had better movesets for platformers in the 5th gen then they do more generic adventures nowadays of basic human concept understanding of animals on adventure, seriously goose/stray/little kitty are fine but look boring to me and Biomutant it felt like how peeing/sprinting on all 4 legs and an humanlike acting/anthropomorphic apocalyptic animal, like why can't we have abilities? To dumb the game down for casuals or too much effort to implement?) I'd have liked it more if they added animal abilities so you can swim/flight/digging/climbing/ranged claws /etc. features but it doesn't remove the need for a glider, mech or jet ski the game already had, it had gas immunity to offer progression besides other things and you build it up but otherwise eh.
But cosmetics, how a character looks nah. Pikmin 4 having the character creator was not immersion helpful to me really. It put me off. It was enough for me to go eh this is going to be a casual more annoying entry and besides Ice Pikmin or night missions that needed a bit more depth, I hated the whole game the changed rules of flowers/pikmin acquiring/onions and other things, the character creator, the restrictive motion controls when 1-3 had better motion controls and more. It sucked. That character creator trailer was enough of a sign. I played 98% for 78 hours. 3 was my first and I never had issues with it. Coming off of 1 on Wii's motion yeah 4 was a let down. 2 was fine on Switch as the GameCube version even if a combo of 3 Deluxe controls would have been nice but nope they were lazy to do that.
So I can see reason for it but I prefer functional customisation not cosmetic customisation if that makes sense.
If they have other technologies for the software visuals sure, if they have another console gimmick/controller gimmick like gyro (the plans whatever they were prior and 'if true or not' as got impulse triggers for Xbox One, Share button for Series X/S but quick resume on the software side instead (that some people clearly don't know Xbox has and go oh no innovation, sigh some people).
I'd be happy with gyro/whatever motion and whatever they want to call it but I have already prior consoles to experience it so like I really care unless they put some interesting spin on it really in their games or the OS.
But if it's just a RAM/CPU/GPU increase, AI upscaling, eh could go either way but I really don't care, to me the game design matters and I haven't seen anything appealing like I have old gens (not PS4/Xbox One as while PS3/360 was the start 8th gen really set in the game design I wasn't into and audiences were a different focus so the game design was more dumbed down and I see it more and more so I am pulling away and being more picky of releases nowadays), whatever wattage for the power supply and so on sure. IF it's a bit more going on with getting the most out of them fine.
I couldn't care less other than gyro or game design, that's it, but my Xbox One is a YT app/soundcloud app and blu-ray player, I use it ucommonly for Xbox One/BC games but with streaming/gamepass/digital as the focus and with console sales being what they are for hardcore mostly I don't know what to think.
I haven't touch a Series 2020-2024 game physical (I don't buy digital Xbox games) in the slightly personally (sure Syberia remake seems fair for the price, Forza Motorsport 8 disappointed so pass on that, the rest are fine but either waiting or not interested) while others have.
Only picked up OG/360/Xbox One and not a single Xbox One 2020-2024 like I have PS4 more even if a small handful. Besides Switch of course.
Even then I'm mostly buying third parties and I mean niche or AA 3rd parties. I am very Indie picky too if it's nostalgic/very safe of ideas in execution I can be very harsh to Indies wanting them to do more ever so slightly. Or move more than their inspirations especially in some genres. The few 1% that impress I enjoy (not ones everyone talks about either I don't care about popularity the game design speaks for itself if it's good).
Whenever they are ready/other releases have the limelight and then quieted down put them on there I guess. I'm still waiting though for BC support. So as that will never happen whenever the Xbox One/Series gen ones they are ready to ad over time, sigh. Oh well got plenty of other Activision games of the past that won't go on Gamepass/Back Compat to enjoy in my time they couldn't care less about anyway.
Unrelated but related to article topic. Then again even if some are memorable how many of the PS3/360 exclusives that are niche are memorable.
Sure Blue Dragon/Lost Odyssey, Otogi and more but who remembers Kingdom Under Fire series? Or many others? I hadn't even heard of any of them till the last decade or so. Sure I knew Blinx, Voodoo Vince, Halo, Gears, Forza but once you get to the others above or Brute Force or certain ones I only have in the last few years. Last KUF was on 360 and was vastly different then the somewhat Dynasty Warriors of the OG Xbox 2 entries.
All of the OG/360 games are more appealing to me. Other than the few for Xbox One i like it's a media console for YT, CD apps, Blu-ray app and Soundcloud. Besides Back Compat. The Xbox is just ok. But PS5 and it's issues I have doesn't make it any more appealing. Nintendo's business practices are what they are but the games & hardware annoy me the least or excite me more. That's the niche IPs of 1st party too.
Obviously many others get under the rug as things go on, people re-discover games/gems left behind and so on or yes the big count towards things for sure.
The Japanese exclusives were great and less a thing on Xbox One, sure 360 was a good platform because PS3 was so complicated or sales worked out well as 360 was a good console to have at the time while Xbox One you get the odd IPs still directed to the console as if they are 'were know the stereotypical audience' even though the sales don't reflect that stereotypical audience but a sizeable just not large enough audience sometimes. It's not that sizeable audience's fault they care and others on the platform don't buy them.
Or in some cases even the fan service ones of 360 era get pushed away from Xbox/PS nowadays and go to Switch/PC because image/reputation matters to them.
Though Larry/Postal still get on modern platforms and I assume toned down so I question that.
I was a mix of all 3 or more so both PS/Xbox but to me even the 1st party on both sides haven't impressed me of gameplay ideas or themes, the peripherals WOULD have but just aren't doing it for me, so Switch for the variety of IPs/genres/gameplay as Xbox has the variety (something PS1-3/PSP/Vita had) over PS4/5 (and the push of IPs I didn't like that 3rd parties also did the same during PS4/Xbox One era so only the PS3/360 IPs left behind I buy up these days besides any mechanics in older gems left behind) but to me just aren't that exciting still.
Very few games impressed me this gen of what tactics/hack n slashes, the 2 genres I got into 2017+ when collecting and barely if ever played prior because branching out just to find anything exciting to play and shooters/RPGs/action adventure/platformers/racing have been disappointing me/less modes in racing is just disgusting.
@kevinm360 I assume so with that as well. The news section is cool. I don't know about the clubs or whatever game new stuff like PS5 also has. Never interacted with any of it. Never had interest to. But it's also Nintendo account related too I think and I haven't synced my account yet. I'll get around to it. Mostly I keep it as a 'internet for updates' and that's it at the moment so in a way still like a local account Switch.
Ah I guess that makes sense, should have questioned that but I didn't think about it as such.
SD Cards would be interesting like Tapwave Zodiac offered but I do guess that the proprietary cards are on purpose for DRM/protection and just code alone isn't enough but hardware itself limits.
Switch I don't notice as much the updates to newer prints of the carts and I have no idea if Sony/Microsoft even bother with that or go eh updates are a enough. We mostly still see definitive editions with leftover codes offered (I think mostly a third parties thing then 1st party) but would they bother with reprints on the disks? It'd be costly for sure).
While Switch does on the box or just the cart (cart makes more sense) for reprints of updates so that's cool for preserving different builds/updates on carts at least).
Windows 11 comes on a USB for $200 USD or something these days from memory so it's not out of the question of companies trying to do so regardless of being able to boot off a USB stick for years for OS technicians/enthusiasts do.
Faster loading for sure, if still well optimised that is. XD
But I don't mind carts/game cards at all. Even the Switch/Vita cases while not ideal for replacing I find really cool and interesting case designs.
NXE makes sense but I don't know might just be my way of seeing navigation. I do think the cards aspect I should have considered it is in that way very creative besides the simplicity for audiences to or other factors. Just never considered it that way before. Huh.
Then again it's kind of similar to a smartphone the all apps type menu. I do sometimes even just find scrolling to things confusing. Sometimes it's clear other times it isn't.
Yeah Blades was like that wasn't it. Hmm.
Yeah voice chat/online and I get the era were in of course so it makes sense to offer them then not for sure. I don't have enough experience or understanding of them or how PS3 to 360/OG Xbox or others have offered them so it's not much of anything I can comment on really. I think I remember the Gamerscore/leaderboard (more so for games as I more so have a local account likely well compared to a 360 local ones and a more online but I just don't use it for online or digital game purchases but could, same with how PS3 I have a local account but PS4 I do buy digital) and things in past OS versions/layouts but I can't remember. Or was that's the profile view of such details. I can't remember.
That's fair I can see reason in that as image/video share is pretty standard so expanding on it is kind of cool (not that I would think how but once seeing it I probably would appreciate it more).
Microsoft I get benefits from being on any platform. Then again who knows about the Entertainment Pack games from the 90s on Gameboy Color? Are those coming to Gamepass. XD As if Rare's GBA games don't exist as MS didn't have a handheld so Rare was able to offer them on GBA.
They do with Edge/Office, they did IE, among many other things, they do anything to make money being on anything because the more open they are it's fine. No one says you have to be straight 1st or 3rd party just keep whatever you want control over and offer t5he rest on other platforms, it's not a rule or something, they can do whatever they want.
Sure Sega was on PC during the Saturn to survive even though people seem to only pay attention to the Dreamcast ending and oh porting to other consoles and ignore the Saturn/PC stuff or don't know about it probably as much as the Enteratinment pack GBC games. It's not unheard of offering other platforms for games, apps or support for them.
It's like Minecraft modloaders, 5+ exist and PC gamers go wait what because they are too 1 for all/1 for comfort focused and ignorant to do basic research or have a brain of how the past works.
The sooner they offer Pitfall the better (a Indy/TR/Uncharted/Tad/Joe Wander competitor they could do something with, ANYTHING WITH) and offer Lost Expedition a good fair metroidvania I 100%ed which is saying a lot as I suck at them.
TimeShift/Singularity (I see on the Xbox store but assume are disk support only? They have the pages but of course no digital purchase which is fair. Or licenses stopped?) don't appear on the website as I assume only digital purchaseable ones count on that site?
I can go either way with the Truck racing games of the past, Supercar Street Challenge has no car licenses but maybe music ones (I doubt ABK cares, I do I think the game has a charm to it) or Transformers or other stuff.
Blur won't due to licenses and ABK really don't care anyways.
COD Classic no idea if works? But where are COD 2, 3, Big Red One, Finest Hour? They could have offered them but nope PS2 instead of Xbox versions it is for me as they didn't offer them in time so I bought them on PS2, if they want me to use my Xbox more they should offer them.
They could try to offer their past titles but they refuse to do so. If they don't have the source codes sure, if they are too lazy to ABK that's on them.
Activision Lives isn't Xbox compatible but something like it could be of past Activision 2600 or other titles.
Was surprised even Midway collection was back compat (I always try the disks just to make sure) I usually expect no collections of old games to be compatible (I mean why wouldn't Sega do that per gen to resell them in a different bundle/licenses change after all) but then again the Xbox Live Arcade disk and the Triple Pack with Limbo/Splosion Man/Trials HD worked so anything is possible I guess.
@kevinm360 Social features have a place but I just didn't need them. I have heard how bad the social features on Switch are. Never used them but I can understand that.
Miiverse wasn't a thing I expected, but not fussed I missed out on it. But to me dual screens were cool and to most people confusing or not of interest to them, understandable but disappointing.
Sort of how I feel about Nintendo and no installs, I've played many old games and gone wow this runs well off the disk yet PS4/Xbox One push the consoles so much yet are installed to the system and 360 was the last or only to have optional installs. XD So to me Switch/Wii U having no installs is great as I have more space for updates or if I go digital which may over time I just buy up most physical I want first then the digital I can only get that way later.
Windows 8 wasn't perfect, I didn't mind the all devices consistency they were going for besides it's flat design even if the apps I had to use task manager to close all the time which was annoying but to me the dual app sliding how big they were was really nice and i kind of miss that. 8.1 worked well enough to me. Sure the corners, sure the Metro design isn't great but it grew on me. I hated 8 at first, I hated Minecraft 1.6.4 to 1.7.10 with it's world update changes. I got used to them over time for different reasons I guess.
The social features are probably good on Xbox One I just never used them, Impulse Triggers were fun in the what Gears, Forza Motorsport 5-7 or Project Cars 3 I've used them in, I'm a singleplayer type mostly these days and only did local split screen a few times during many shooters or others, more around when COD BO3 was the last to have it or other games pushed online more I dropped off split screen and I don't need Xbox Live/PS+/Switch Online at all so to me it wasn't of any use to me. I used Kinect for Xbox One and voice on Advanced Warfare with someone 'once'. So that should say my extent of not needing the feature. Only gotten to 360 Kinect nowadays and it's ok from what I've used it for so far, like Eye Toy very space picky.
NXE was fair but to me it just made it too one after the other select is how it looks and I just find that kind of too long to navigate so that's why I wasn't a fan of it. It made sense for Kinect I guess but just felt slow as far as it looks, having never used it though it's a bit unfair to comment on something I've never used and finding an older Xbox 360 with it is it's own challenge when I only own all Metros. Or remember it at all. Even then my memories of Blades are a 360 kiosk or the Xbox Live Arcade demos disk I bought years later. Otherwise I don't remember it that much. I own an Elite, E and got a Slim later but mostly used Metro.
To me Metro was fair enough as I liked it on the Windows phone and the keyboards were great but things are what they are of course. It wasn't perfect, but I still hate modern flat design more then Metro and it's limits.
Part 3: I wasn't into PS3/360 either (I was still going about a mix of stuff or didn't play a lot but I have so many I want to buy for 5-7th gen because of their mechanics alone, it could be 100s of 9th gen games, but it isn't and that's niche and popular titles mostly niche titles, not money or research to collect for Indies it's for old gen) but the more I pick up with their rends the more I go oh they were mechanically exciting of competition, I don't see that here. Just more of the same, maybe a setting change but mechanically they are 'differnet' but not mode or level design or otherwise exciting. Less modes in racing games is enough to make me drop off the genre seriously. Already have to retro racing/shooters as it is. Indie platformers are barren of exciting movesets or level design, they may 'look nice' but to play I can tell they are boring and uninspired heavily by other games I don't play those old games for nostalgia I play for the gameplay, the Indies aren't offering it at all.
When puzzle games look more exciting then other genres that should tell you why I find this gen sucks in other genres heavily with their other priorities.
I enjoy the OG/360 games Microsoft doesn't support anymore because well those devs moved on, they support PC/PS/Nintendo still and the rare presence on Xbox is what it is.
Xbox One I miss the 2013 OS not because of the DRM, not because of the TV TV TV but because I don't acre for the social features but dfid the Windows 10 multi-app support, like I could a dual screen tablet or Wii U or multi-apps on Windows, or cough picture in picture Wonderful 101 has (because Gamepad was other screen in it originally) or PS5 has. But differently used. There is a lot that could be done with it that wasn't. It's why I have Wii U successor ideas in my mind but it won't happen because why would it, sigh. A console doing what Windows can or even other particular things would be awesome but nope won't happen.
Part 2:
I don't even care what 10th offers let alone still on my PS4/Xbox One. They won't shut up about buying a PS5 when I have no interest in the console why would I buy a 4th console (1 for them, slim for other room, other has their own) for myself I have no interest in any of the consoles. XD What kind of idiot doesn't pay attention to I hate the consoles, someone who is too stuck on what they do to pay attention, yet I have the self awareness they don't, I won't buy them.
I may maintain old consoles but I play the older consoles more than my PS4/Xbox One, if that doesn't show not caring and I hate the 8th gen systems too besides the OS/folders are good on PS4 and I hated most 2/3 of the 1st parties and it's my least favourite PS console, same as Xbox One is passable but my least favourite Xbox, why would I upgrade to consoles with enhancements I don't care about, I don't need marketing of BC support and oh it's a loud system to push the system like an advertisement to me 'people' I don't need that I already know more about the consoles and obscure consoles, why would I need an advertisement run down about it, why idiots, the Portal/PSVR2 suck, quick resume is digital only so I can't use it nor care, it's a fair feature but I can go without it.
Some people are so stupid of what they want and don't understand how can refuse to use them/what the companies stand for yet they are happy with them and push it when don't care, what delusional people, it's like some people reset their understanding or are so unaware and only aware of themselves (which is why people are so easy to get around is because they are so stupid) yet I'm consistent on hating them. Who can be any stupider.
As it will be just the same business practices, same boring mechanically unexciting games and I'm just going to keep passing on them for 0.0000001 of games. I don't care to play everything and that's totally fine but the point where PS4/Xbox One I have less and less I even cared for and this gen nothing speaks to me other than 'that's ok of ideas to there is nothing compelling at all in that game or handful or all games' at online events or trailers or anything. It may be a weird perspective but yeah I don't see exciting ideas in games currently when it's all graphics/story and the gameplay takes further steps back I'm more bored with seeing in games.
What is there to be nostalgic for? An ok launch, the games came after and Xbox has had fair IPs this gen, I've not played them but I still acknowledge the variety, even if not the same impact as past titles/eras. They are more exciting then PS5's offerings and if only PS5 then the 2nd party deals are more exciting then the 1st party I have no interest in anymore, for either of them.
The PS5/Series X get used but I have no interest in them. I used the PS5 a few times for Ratchet, hated it's direction, quit the system, used it to beat Space Marine 2, that's it. Xbox Series I look at it when it's used..... I have an Xbox One VCR/X so the OS updates have been bad and boring. The One X also runs like garbage and my VCR one is 2020 and before offline. Keeping it that way for the better OS it had. Got people that use the Series X for gamepass, didn't jive with Starfield and otherwise it sits there probably as much as the Xbox One did if not more unused.
Astrobot can get stuffed what a terrible unoriginal game the others were better, I don't play nostaglia milking company filth. Have better ideas then reskining or cosmetics and less mechanically interesting for level design that's ripped from other games. I don't want a museum title with reskinning get out of here. I play old games for their ideas not ripping off the popular ones for players to be manipulated.
I prefer Xbox 360 Blades/Metro, or Xbox One's 2013 or the One/Series 2nd or 3rd O of 9th gen, the current one removed customisation, pushed the networking more and I hate it. Worst OS I've ever used on a console, that's saying something as PS5 is just as bad and a mess to navigate, and groups for Switch/PS5 are like why take THAT from Xbox One seriously? I mean the quiet console POST from Xbox One sure, PS5 can take it but the groups feature then folders. What a bunch of idiots the other platforms took with them. XD
But like 2017+ I was getting sick and tired of the direction games were going with PS4/Xbox One and I've collected even more retro games since because 9th gen is just as boring. Mechanic hunting in games to collect has been more fun then helping this gen out because I really don't care for 99% of the games at all. I pick up what maybe if lucky 1-3 a year which is something sure so can't complain that much but 2024 I mostly care for nothing at all. Retro games with little details or mechanics inspire me or wow me. I haven't had a single 9th gen game wow me mechanically, they have ok ideas but not really impress me beacuse 99% of them are so bland, played out or have nothing exciting gameplay wise to offer just generic worlds/story/graphics I don't want to play in. Gameplay is what counts and if the gameplay isn't exciting, why should I play a game?
People may have bought both, I use neither. I used my PS3/360 a fair amount last gen but I wasn't against PS4/Xbox One, this gen I'm so sick of 9th gen being so boring, I buy whatever is on 8th gen of 2020 to 2024 and I'm good aka barely anything I still want anyway. I get more satisfaction out of 360 games I get from the Xbox One era and how they perform. Same with Wii/PSP/PS2 ports and their controls/unique versions or differences of content/elements for a DVD/blu-ray comparison and the old gen versions are still always better, imagine that, fanciness and garbage then old hardware and more exciting.
Part 2 and UE2 to 4 was its own challenge probably. 20 people is impressive due to how EA has done things the past few decades, killed many studios, been marked the worst company ever probably many times.
I see an EA/EXEC issue here then an engine issue. Or staff issue of them going nah we don't care enough/don't have the enthusiasm or EA won't waste the money.
It's not hard to see past just an engine limit it's always more factors not 1 straight answer.
I mean it's no Cobalt code limited people and particular info and data of that news situation, knowing about it or some IBM 510 stuff in comparison but even still it is surprising.
Toys for Bob and a bunch of other studios had to recreate the Spyro PS1 games from scratch, others would put effort into reverse engineering even. Companies go eh. Fans go either eh maybe or can't wait. Companies have more factors but can easily disappoint that take a challenge. No wonder we see the same IPs, trends and very few worthy risks taken.
Heck I'd take Under the Skin remaster the RE3 content, a good multiplayer game but nope to Capcom there. PN03 I don't see a chance but Under the Skin I do. It's cell shaded and holds up well. But no worthless IPs that are new but fair good sequel IPs but probably is you can't use the same ones forever.
Activision was willing to fund Spyro and they laser scanned and did a lot for it. Sure the rushing of it and sure sales but Spyro/Crash audiences are different too.
Then again Indie platformers are eh to me any regardless of their revival the quality is eh weak. Too weak game design they have basic games and barely anything exciting to offer. When 5-6th gen games I look further at have better ideas the Indies are too narrow view inspired or too copy paste but different assets it is so boring.
They can get any other studios or small team but EA messed up BF2042 a bunch behiyrhe scenes and that was worth it the ideas changed and idiots mind changing every few monutes. What progress that was. XD Idiors.
Veilguaed is probably great I have avoided spoilers on purpose though.
2 had it's moments besides how it turned out. But the series needs more.
Origins was good for the time. Inquisition is what it is of details people like or hate I think it's fair to great in areas I've heard or odd polish at times.
Get better creatives or get better publisher/execs. Games suck these days.
Doesn't Dragon Age sell more? Yet for USA audience maybe not or they love to market Mass Effect more. I mean among competition it's surprising how much. dragon Age does a s series or curd through among other fantasy RPGs over the years. Even story/mechanically it's more impressive to me then Mass Effect (which I have played more then Dragon Age not completion but still more) and that's from research I respect the series a lot.
But impressive things mean nothing these days I know those ones don't sell well otherwise it's why I research them among the boring successful simple products is the ambitious amazing more engaging not boring products then ones so simple for boring people and why we get the garbage and emotional/nostalgia manipulating garbage we see today in Indies, AA and AAA. I know I research all eras game design is so pathetic these days for boring graphics and story telling them engaging story and better gameplay we get generic gameplay, what a waste of a medium. I may be harsh but I don't buy many games anymore because they are so casual and so boring to be as simple as possible. Not nostalgia I hate nostalgia I buy old games with better ideas left behind. To get inspired then modern games that inspire me why they are empty and pathetic and have better ideas to add to them because they are so bad.
While tough they forced people to use Frostbite to save on money cough cough so isn't that a FAIR COMPARISON EA AND TOUE BS EXCUSES.
20 PEOPLE IS ENOUGH, WHETHER they want to deal with it is another and EAs standards, the cost to work on it EA won't provide and other particular reasons. Aka they are covering it up as if the business speak wasn't obvious.
Xenoblade X exists for Switch now and that was halted as a plan they had for years I assume.
Some do make it through WHEN FHEY TRY. EA has never cared ever anyway..Bioware or the IPs deserve better under a different publisher, or being an Indies instead.
Part 3: Devs/players go WOW this is great and I'm like yeah because other open worlds are so story/recreation garbage focused they forgot what other mechanics to offer are like.
I play linear games and they NEED good mechanics or pacing to be engaging, so why do open worlds go eh lets be more bland.
I'm like sorry but your product isn't worth my purchase/time unless it's comparable of exciting mechanics and quests to do or the side challenges and if the side content sucks then that's it no purchase, the story main missions can be whatever even if when they are bland I'm not having fun at all because the story is told but the missions themselves are so boring because the writing doesn't make me care and the generic tasks aren't enjoyable at all I do it to get them out of the way, NOT BECAUSE I'M HAVING FUN GAME DEVELOPERS.
I don't think BOTW is great I thought it was fine but the fact it blew people's minds just makes me laugh because other games are so bland in comparison with their mechanics because of their story/graphics proprieties or eh tasks/quests when I play old linear games and go that mechanic was well used of possibilities, because it HAD to land or else why bother, level design was paced well and it was fun, not story and graphics garbage too basic and bland to play like modern games are.
GT7 I'll get a few years from end of service like GT Sport and it went offline eventually anyways.
FM8 has no interesting modes unlike GT7 having them same as even 6/Sport had which I don't like either entry but they still have modes and appealing use of the cars in situations then RACING only wow they really got that right it is a racing game. Sigh how bland can you get.
So why should I get FM8 then? Other than the position selector with more depth I can play games with that feature and less depth and still be fine with it in an MX vs ATV game. Progression is ok but not that exciting really.
It's why I bought 5-7 is the content, the side mode content 6 had was more fun then the actual main game races which is why 6 annoyed me so much 5 & 7 mixed them up better.
So they were still enough for me to catch up on after having not bought 6-7 at all and going oh this is fair to oh this is bad but still enjoyable enough to own. So when FM1 is more exciting to me for it's only in it tracks after being stuck with 2 and it's 360 remaster and cut back content that's ok but not the same even if refinded yeah that says a lot to go backwards then forwards.
Part 2:
PS5 and Xbox Series have the gimmicks that are 'ok' but not exciting me (Quick Resume is digital so can't), the games aren't interesting for either 1st party but Xbox has the more variety appealing then Sony's offerings & I played Space Marine 2 recently, on PS5 as that's what it was bought on and the haptics/gameplay was great. I questioned the operations getting the class focus and campaign didn't lean into it but after playing it I can understand why they didn't even though as prep it would have made sense to lean into other modes more curated but oh well.
Beat the story, may go to the operations (if don't game over that much & get used to the leveling system and perks) and otherwise I've no interest in Astrobot (nostalgia milking and not what I want games to be, it's why I hate Indies that don't prototype enough they go oh I'm heavily inspired and I go cool see you later no purchase from me you didn't try hard enough, it's a disgusting product)/Ratchet Rift Apart retrying.
It's just too much disappointment of IPs I want to like as a platformer fan and fan of Ratchet but they are so unappleaing-ly bad or nostalgia milking garbage I can't be bothered.
GT7 and Forza Motorsport 8 are so bad I can't even be bothered. The content/mode handling is a joke. They can push graphics/car brands but if the core mechanics, boring modes or lack of ANY to mix things up is the case why should I play? The racing genre sucks so hard these days I can't be bothered.
I want things to DO with the cars, same as open worlds I want MECHANICS to play with not a boring recreation of reality or fantasy locations but the tasks are mundane boring human talking, combat and collecting/escorting. I don't want generic RPG quests to do I want more particular mechanics driven. Not casuals basic garbage and boring worlds because nothing playground mechanically FUN about navigating them.
Splatoon 2 had a grapple and nothing special but HOW they used it made it so much fun. The level design was really challenging and varied. The right tweaks over the first game. I played it in 2024 that's why bringing it up didn't get to it till early 2024.
BOTW is just Zelda games past ideas and new ones into an open world. How is having items and shrines (the only things I cared for in the game really the rest was pretty eh open worlds tuff not into, kind of like Sunset Overdrive tower defence spots then the generic outposts in other games, they appealed to me) so simple yet good enough.
Services are what they are advertising then consoles so if multiple ways to play and only dedicated buy the consoles not surprising really. I hope it doesn't mean they go oh less than Xbox One or other factors time to abandon them. If the services work then by all means, if the third parties on there Indie/otherwise why not.
I care for gameplay not vibes, story (depends), graphics (depends on artstyle USED with the level design/HUDs), movesets being good and varied not just wow generic characters human, animal (humanlike or actual animal like), insects, aliens, whatever. Not dumbed down so much to be casual level imagination understandable when I'd like to see some be broader of imagination pushing not so basic. Themes can vary but if too much drama/story focus I'm just not interested, give me something to play not a thing to watch/not care about the mission details or characters because I just end up not caring at all very early on and won't buy the product because I know enough about the type of audience they are for.
The problem I find is it's like they keep selling the Xbox as a PC. I get the digital storefront side is over people with PS4s that was clear with but I just find it's the IPs too. Impulse Tr4iggers are cool but don't mean anything to people and people don't even know they exist anyway compared to HD Rumble/Haptics or other controller gimmicks. But I find Xbox OG/360 even if they are what they are of IPs they are still exciting, I knew more about Xbox One IPs then did OG/360 yet the others offer MORE and also MORE exciting ideas in them then Xbox One/Series offer of gameplay ideas yet they have variety like Nintendo just not gameplay excitement like Nintendo or old PS/360 IPs offer (even if most on OG/360 were 3rd parties exclusive to it not just 1st party that got ignored when Halo/Gears/Forza got more focus and I branched out and go wow this is exciting).
I just don't see any games I want to play on Xbox Series like at all. They have the variety/good 1st party here I just don't care for any of them or waiting on them a LONG time as well. Among the variety I just go maybe Gears Tactics or Hi Fi Rush, South of Midnight, maybe, Fable/Perfect Dark eh, I mean I tried Perfect Dark both entries on 360 (got disk for it before RR) Xbox One Rare Replay for the N64 one but otherwise eh. Not something I desperately need to play on the Xbox besides my genre open mindedness the gameplay appeal just isn't there.
The values/story/graphics get pushed and the gameplay looks safe, sad and bland. Too normal, not exciting in the slightest or the trailers don't help and the footage doesn't help either it's just so for everybody that nothing exciting happens in the games anymore so I look old gen or Nintendo now and I never usually looked toi Nintendo.
Even then I've got plenty of OG/360 BC to play on my Xbox One (especially as some of the OG Xbox/360 games picked up aren't Xbox One compatible either or because of the BC glitch that is now fixed of course right?) I just haven't bothered to much compared to on older consoles or a bit more my PS4 as a now when picking up Xbox One/PS4/Switch games on and off.
While moving to another planet would have been interesting the story was very eh for 4 & 5, but the gameplay was fair which is all I really play Gears for anyway. 1-3 are ok but I barely get through 1 before I just shut it off. I haven't played 2 & 3 to end story in years, same with Judgement. Beat Gears 4's story and got what half way or 3/4 through 5 at a boss fight of sorts I think.
E Day even if 'eh another reboot' I do think it's what the series needs right now though. Mechanics better but fair story/tone, etc of 1-3.
I'm kind of annoyed Gears has followed the same as Halo, they get a new studio (which is a fair thing as these series get pushed to continue regardless and the other studios do whatever they want afterwards even if they go either way of if we as audiences care for those next projects) but they also just go oh this and that continuations and the execution in the most eh ways possible. They feel like they are trying but also not that into them and I can understand why. Then a reboot 6th entry like is so stupid. At least Forza Motorsport didn't have that problem but different type of game even though 5-7 are horrendous they still have more charm then 8 does even if not 1-4 excellence of the series of content and region system and other focus, they don't offer ambitious mechanics like other 1 off racersr I've researched and appreciate more but for what they do offer they are great.
Gears Tactics like Halo Wars I think was a good expansion to the universe and gameplay direction to offer, I haven't played it but I like tactics games and I'm yet to still try more of Halo Wars 2. I think it was a good refresh/trying something new for the series.
Gears to me had it not as bad as Halo, to me Halo had it way worse. 4 was ok, 5 was trying different things but just didn't seem right and to me Infinite was so 'trying way too hard to keep up with the industry' the same way 4's loadouts or other aspects or Resistance 2 disappoints me, like do studios even think outside the box or trend focused and just become so boring by the end product and being a mix of ideas they couldn't settle on.
Gears 4 and 5 to me weren't bad, sure the direction was odd and obvious why they went with Kate and the others like this but eh is what it is now I guess.
I thought the level design/ideas in both were fair, the open spaces didn't do much for me in 5 but was a fair idea.
E Day being a reboot depending how it goes about things will be interesting to see (tone, level design, atmosphere, characterisation and more) then more of 4 & 5's continuation that while fair wasn't what people really wanted.
To be honest I have barely replayed 1 to 3, I might replay Judgement just to get that different feel because it's not by Epic and was People Can Fly or Bulletstorm/Outriders and Outriders was...... touch and awkward but for cheap I gave it a go on and off. While Bulletstorm was so much better.
1-3 aren't bad I just don't find myself getting far into them as some shooters have different pacing of enemies or mechanics or level design/story that just made me care more to beat them not just the 'want to research and buy up the old competition 1 offs' as they were just more exciting to me even if some are pretty blend but still appealing enough. That's having not even gotten to Singularity, Inversion, Fracture or Haze with mechanics I really want to play in those games.
Part 2: But then again original IPs trying to fit in then other IPs, cameos and other factors because reasons. Even Astrobot to me is just well nostalgia reselling in level design and cameos. In Playroom cameos I was like that's fine, in Astrobot the original is ok and the recreations put me off and the cosmetics then 'further depth' with the cosmetics to be mechanically interesting is a lot to ask but when it's a recreation I want more than nostalgia milking.
So off the back of nostalgia/multiverse approaches, a 2007+ story that's 5 entries in & fitting in with the rest of the Sony games approach nowadays then gameplay I play them for eh you can tell why 1st party PS5 isn't for me and even 3rd parties are eh too. Xbox is fine in variety but I respect them just not cared for them either but I do respect them more. Nintendo is themselves and I just go for the Pikmin, Fire Emblem and others and Pikmin 4 sucked trying to be 'improved' in ways I was excited for but in executed wasn't happy about and 'casualified in areas too' so that sucked.
Most studios would kill for an ambitious game to a series and people still praising it story or mechanics/level design not an ambitious game and people go this isn't what we wanted the series to be. Especially as Ratchet has been very repetitive and tried things but not too far either so they go and be safe about it. I get 2016 remake, newcomers and old fans from 2 different eras or 1 era mostly as 2007+ story but even still, sigh. Even as someone ok with both old eras.
Yet to me Rift Apart isn't that. It's fine but felt to safe/other priorities with story/the most safe and boring gameplay in the series besides what it does offer as fair enough in some areas besides what Blizar (2 realities level) as the most ambitious, best or CIT level in the whole game. CIT had 3 of them and more quality to them, even Tools of Destruction had more quality in the level that RA remakes in the early hours and is more dull then in TOD with dinos, what changed it has no dinos or other cool ideas in it in the 2007 version then a dull 2021 prettier version. XD Alternate reality or not.
They make fine games still but eh I've pulled away instead.
@IOI I guess so but to me it's like when Rare was bought, or they have Double Fine. In terms of less COD, World of Warcraft besides Elder Scrolls Online and their mobile money and the well Fallout 4 revival of sales from the tv show/King money I mean..... Sigh. In terms of for players like us that pay attention it is a bit hit or miss in terms of money for them I guess if it works?
They have those types of studios but the flexibility or still follow the industry type approach of an Insomniac I don't know if I want to see it happen on either side or further independence and further more follow everyone else type games.
I mean them being a mostly Marvel studio now and Ratchet in a few years whenever they can and their 'bigger' games like Resistance/Fuse/Sunset Overdrive besides the mobile game/VR attempts on Occulus that were pretty fair I assume or Song of the Deep as a small project and physical with Gamestop publishing too like they may have happened on Xbox of the few games they did have (besides the close Sony relationship) and Sony not allowing them VR opportunity is just so annoying.
I would like to think they would have but I also don't know what they would have played safe themselves even with Microsoft's 'flexibility' or not they may have approved or not either and been told to be like a Rare (regardless of staff changes, vets in Yooka Laylee or other studios and things change and all that jazz)
The tries different things but still a heavy hitter and following the industry and well enough I assume by Sea of Thieves handling or whenever Everwild happens.
I mean even though Sun Over is a keep up with everyone else type game I think it stands out in a way only Insomniac can make and that's why I like it.
To me Resistance 2 was the worst of this then 3 back tracked for the better in terms of mechanics and is why I find 2 is a fine game but mechanically it's like how people see Halo 4 with loadouts, to me R2 was just so 'why did you need to do this' it's an alternative history game like Wolfenstein (not played 2009 so not idea how that went about things).
Insomniac has their 'try to keep up' stance sometimes (I get why studios do it still doesn't not annoy me) and it just annoys me.
Rift Apart to me is just that mixed in then Crack in Time ambitious and I don't see us getting anything like that game again.
Seeing as it was Insomniac's first open world it was excellent. Is it 'outdated' compared to other open worlds probably. It's still one of my favourites because of how it presents itself and why I like it over Spiderman being more wow outposts give me the Tower Defence from SO any day then more generic outposts, more generic map opening stuff when even in strategy games the scout type units or just traveling was enough I didn't need a machine to go and scout and open the map for me. XD
I hated the dialogue in Sun Over at first then gave it a second go (didn't sell it at all & and I should have gone wait old Ratchet used to do this..... and with Outer Wilds/Journey to the Savage planet as well for their fair commercialism or consumerism I forget/parody tone as well but I don't know if I came to those realizations either) and I loved it. Same with Rabbids wasn't into them binged Sparks of Hope to half the game, not beaten it still but even still the game design was just right for me besides getting into tactics enough now or not as many open worlds prior to SO but even still it was other things not the game design for me with those games.
Nowadays to me it's the game design in ANY games, any genres just not being 'fun' too focused on themes and worlds and characters the things I didn't like being more what I don't like and the games still being disappointing because they focus on the other so much. It varies per genre though so my stance is weird like it would be for anyone's weird takes. XD
Wow typical past Spiderman games stuff it's just so eh in Spiderman 2018 that I only liked the lab puzzles any chance they were offered like any Insomniac game with puzzle minigames in Ratchet (Clank levels were not enough thanks), the laser side mission, the ground pound side mission aka the only one that requires something from the skill tree too. Taskmaster missions were fine as far as like Sunset Overdrive/Gravity Rush did of challenges and I enjoy those in games.
I think Sunset Overdrive mixes what they learned from Ratchet/other games then just Fuse/All 4 One being too similar yet I preferred Fuse even for how bland it is I don't know why it had enough charm besides how All 4 One presented itself in many areas and the level design was just not as good in All 4 One either. Also the all on screen approach with the camera/controls did limit it.
Sun Over isn't perfect but as it sure is on PC, but to me ReCore/Rare Replay, hating but still keeping Forza Motorsport 5-7 and their fair ups and downs of execution and 8 on Series S/X is so bland in comparison you bet that Sunset Overdrive has a reason to stick with me on Xbox One. If not for BC or CD apps/whatever music app I want not Spotify only Sony.
There are very few I care about on Xbox One as it is but SO was one of the few I love on that box then how on occasion for particular reasons I use it for now for YT, BC odd games I have like Demon Turf physical, other music apps, CD apps, films/tv shows in the Blu-ray app even if the touchpad on PS4 is fun and the UI is fair and 360's was good while PS2/PSP/3's I hated & old Xbox One games.
It's funny they say that. They can have the IPs they bought up or those they 'did build up' back in the day. But I'm barely if at all interested in EITHER OF THEM. So I'm not part of that contribution and I don't care. XD
Impact they need. Halo/Gears/Forza spins have been fair but I don't care for either of them now as they just disappoint (Forza Motorsport 8 especailly and the other IPs are hit & miss compared to OG/360 era West or Asia I'm picking up now and having a blast.
Ubisoft I only cared for Mario Rabbids because they were tactics games not because it was Mario or Rabbids (hate the Rabbids but in M&R they are less insufferable at least). Or Red Steel 1 & 2 (where is 2 in VR come on Ubisoft). Many smaller IP from many third party publishers, so only the small I care about and pick up now or a bit a ago like Sparks of Hope. If their big IPs were good enough sure but they just aren't convincing me at all. So the advertising/ideas aren't working but pushing me away instead.
Saying having them, not using them well or at all, yeah who cares it's just IPs they have, big whoop.
IPs that are big hits a point companies seem to forget, some people move on not stick around just because product loyalty, some don't like the changes, don't need to use their products/brand anymore or want to but they don't offer anything that bit different or compelling enough to care.
That small percentage it money they could be getting but aren't. Instead unless Nintendo for certain things (mostly third parties still or odd first party niche games they have offered yes not the big games) Sony isn't getting my money either unless odd digital purchases I've made but otherwise that's rare for me everything else is particular third parties if they end up being new not pre-owned either.
Everything else is second hand stores none of the companies see for my $5 PS3/360 era shooters or PS2 era platformers or odd tactics games I've gotten from either gens. Among other genres from gens past/dead nowadays or niche somewhat revivals.
If Microsoft want me to buy not pre-owned OG/360 games they see no money from they need to try harder for some of us not interested in their current gen at all no matter how big or how bold they speak. Were just not their audience, they don't want our money, go oh new people will, yeah and what if they don't'? Who to rely on then?
Just keep milking what works, missing the small in-between audiences that have made up their minds already, think new people will jump on board but only few do anyways XD, the few experimental titles have been cool but I'm still not interested and I don't use the platform, others around me do but I have no reason to use it at all besides BC/a CD app and music apps I have more options on than PlayStation.
Don't buy the current gen consoles or even use them at all from those around me that do.
Xbox hasn't gotten my money in years now instead pre-owned copies get picked up rarely and mostly OG Xbox/360 games are let alone small handfuls of Xbox One if ever at all, no Gamepass use, no digital games, physical but only Xbox One era or BC titles or 360 only or OG Xbox supported on 360. They need to try harder.
For those interested sure, but for me where are COD 2? Big Red One? Finest Hour? Get me to play COD games on your console ABK/Microsoft come on.
There is a reason I have them on PS2 instead is they wouldn't give me the option for the Xbox version for BC. Every little bit of sales counts come on.
I'm not that into COD but I am the older ones I never played like those but nope got them on PS2 or 3 on PS3 instead but they will keep pushing the latest ones instead.
Varies. Some games I go for Switch if it's just more what I see available on the platform (same as I do some Xbox third parties then any PS4 copies if I don't see any).
While others it's just if I go huh this genre on Switch may be cool like I did Wreckfest and it was the only platform I saw a copy for at the time then PS4 copies later or it was digital sales I can't remember. But it varies. I'd do the same with GameCube for any third party racers there. I'm going to for Grid Autosport eventually digitally on Switch, same with Gal Gun Returns as only available there besides PC and got the others on PS4.
Either way some genres I go eh might be cool on a Nintendo system. Others just whatever I find. I don't always have a genre/vibe preference as in like a racing/shooters on Xbox and only Japanese or others on PS4. Like I'm fine having Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Xbox One why not. I am happy to play whatever I can find really. So when they come to a platfo0rm on Xbox I'm like huh that's neat.
First party are what they are of particular ones I seek on Nintenodo platforms not the obvious ones either.
Xbox I have the odd third parties I don't get for PS4 or like Demon Turf the physical as wasn't for PS4/Switch at all. I haven't gotten to many on Xbox as of late in terms of late Xbox One 2020+ releases mostly PS4 or if Xbox One it's mostly older stuff.
But if on Xbox I don't consider it for PC I'm happy with the console version.
I only buy PS4/Vita digital. I did Wii U/3DS but not Switch yet. No interest in doing so for Xbox.
Anything can be a rumour so hmm. Also many old IPs people could say that niche or popular and annoy a fan base. That or with Naughty Bear/Conker or others some of us are fine with a parody/mature looking cartoony game because why not. It's always interesting to see them.
As if 360/Switch online releases weren't enough to say hey this audience is interested still besides just it being an N64 game and remembered highly, the audience for popular games not pushed out all the time is still a thing they aren't AA/B grade or 1-3 game series & left behind. They are left behind but still big audience fan bases even if moved onto other games, still impactful/large fanbase.
Odd timing. Yooka Layllee a sign/Banjo clones & 3D platformer revival period right now as well.
They have numbers for Voodoo Vince Remastered, Demon Turf (got physical on Xbox for a reason as not physical on PS/Switch), the many platformer or other types of family friendly games for our Xbox or other platforms. Or buying them up second hand. I got Kya Dark Lineage/Malice (beat it 100%) & enjoying them both. for Banjo, for Spyro/Crash, for Psychonauts 2, for Lucky's Tale, for nay other family friendly games but mostly those that contain that 5-6th gen like audience appeal that like myself seek.
Just because some people don't understand that audience or seek money we are a sizeable amount or else Mario/Sonic let alone others wouldn't sell or have fan art or as much seeking these old games and why Croc is returning because people will be interested in it and are.
Glover on modern consoles besides just PC, Blinx/Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy being via back compat let alone Blinx in Gamepass is great to see no Blinx 2 but it's something with 1 in there. Voodoo Vince Remastered even.
Like they just ignore us as a an audience & go eh kids these days don't care, most adults playing stereotypical adult/teen audience games instead. JP/family games Xbox said, were is it of happening besides obvious games that still are Xbox audience focused then all platform releases/exclusives of OG/360 era it just doesn't happen.
Crazy ideas in kids games then mature games any day.
I don't want mature games with eh themes & boring gameplay, I play them for gameplay, themes can be whatever but still unappealing.
I'm buying up PS3/360/Wii shooters for the gameplay mechanics because modern ones are MP focused and average for the singleplayer ones that are good but not as exciting or waiting for more and filling it in with past ones.
Some kids/family games have more fun gameplay thrown at the wall for level design/character movesets besides the simple story, fair stories, they have better gameplay because they push different ideas mature games won't push as they like to push themes/story more.
So why would I not play them I don't care how they look or how low age rating they are if the gameplay is pushing crazy ideas, or average ideas but still more fun fantasy/sci-fi settings or whatever then the dark or whatever drama and such type games, eh real life recreations I don't care about or other details or fair teen level of themes but eh gameplay or passable gameplay then well a family game with good gamepaly any day over them.
Just because some people don't get us wanting good gameplay or fair artstyles in our Indies or family friendly AAA games.
Especially if wanting to push tone/themes and bad gameplay well be my guest then.
Good mix of variety, fair early access and others, however far along. Nothing I care for here really Indie or otherwise. But that always happens.
Mouse P.I sounds cool but execution hmm.
Too many about their worlds or eh characters, eh premises, too into the future sure it happens so not enough to say about them but even still, or trends.
The mechanics/movesets/level design just aren't exciting me here.
F but to be generous a C or D. But nah forget that F.
1.Did remedy learn from the last MP game they offered the campaign for and it flopped? Did they learn from Bleeding Edge by Ninja Theory? They may have a fair spin to offer for sure it's just hmm how will this go.
2.Subnautica 2 is cool to have early access for.
3.unique shooter I don't see it at all. Other things I'd seek instead in a shooter to be unique as playing PS3/360/Wii ones with unique ideas still today. Give me some The Club remaster then Sega. Or whoever published Fracture or others.
Give me hive mind enemies to learn, remove, copy players (yes Dark Link copies I know). Make a game around that AI then.
4.The rest seem fair, haven't followed, heard of or cared to hear about the others really. They seem fine.
1.Did remedy learn from the last MP game they offered the campaign for and it flopped? Did they learn from Bleeding Edge by Ninja Theory? They may have a fair spin to offer for sure it's just hmm how will this go.
2.Subnautica 2 is cool to have early access for.
3.unique shooter I don't see it at all. Other things I'd seek instead in a shooter to be unique as playing PS3/360/Wii ones with unique ideas still today. Give me some The Club remaster then Sega. Or whoever published Fracture or others.
Give me hive mind enemies to learn, remove, copy players (yes Dark Link copies I know). Make a game around that AI then.
4.The rest seem fair, haven't followed, heard of or cared to hear about the others really. They seem fine.
Part 2: Obsidian have a great way to balance projects but yes they don't have the name or the presentation people look at which is sad as their games are excellent even if they aren't my kind of games I respect them for sure. It's more on customers and their tastes, timing of release and more so it's unfortunate for them.
Forza Motorsport/Horizon balanced things between them but yeah I found Motorsport got worse and worse. Different is fine but the ways they did it were so bad. 5 felt like 2 did but worse, a new gen game but the content is light and not that great, at least 2 had the region system of 1 and even if the 1 tracks I actually liked didn't make it over they still had the original tutorial layout tracks then only the real tracks as those appeal a lot in the late game and I hate them so much. Nowadays Ride 4 has put a spin on the region system to be more restrictive and while I don't mind it the game itself had harder AI which is why I hated it not the region system Forza Motorsport used to have and has ditched so at least Milestone has that experimental side to them even if not the same as Apex or Alfa Romeo Racing Italiano (what Grid 2008/Forza Motorsport 3 dumbed down of rewind system and no RPG elements that licensed 1 make title had)
6 was just so much we remixed it and ok mods but not that necessary, cars as rewards like 5 that were too much candy car giving but unless a class to use in career were arcade usable so was pointless, but yet the remixing made the pacing of it so boring I wanted to only do the side content, 7 rebalanced it to be like 5 with races and side content again so that was good but more selection then in order like 5 and I mean I can compare 7 to PGR2 and go huh they have that restrictive classes or track/event variety but it's just not the same as PGR 2 with it's car dealership to walk around, Geometry Wars or even the city layouts just being more exciting then the real world circuits to me to drive on.
Don't know enough about, whatever he has been doing in Rare then.
If the leadership is better sure but I don't have hope at all. Modern gaming feels empty or I get more inspired by old games for mechanics, movesets, modes and more. The content handling is eh and other priorities are still in place for modern games so to me I'm just not satisfied with 1st or 3rd party from ANY of them besides what puzzle games or tactics games in a way. Hack n slashes maybe. Most other genres whether shooter, platformer, racing and action adventure/RPG haven't really appealed to me these days Indies
(some have good ideas, others are nostalgically inspired or just still getting their of talent but just not doing it for me their proritiies are still graphics, or following other games then prototyping longer on original ideas or I don't know too much their dialogue/artstyle/cultures and while it's fine to do so the gameplay makes it fun not the world/themes.
I don't really care about what characters say, look like or what the world looks like [unless the level design but colour palette or where it's set or whatever it's supposed to represent and yes I don't like holiday destination cough real world locations unless it's playground gameplay like fun] if to play in your world I want to do that first before i see the world. It's like the instruments if the sound/structure isn't exciting I don't think your lyrics which I don't usually care for unless a spin on things I don't need that singing human element in there, I'll just ignore your song and your instrumentation/electronic sampling)
or AA/AAA they just haven't had the sort of angle to things I'm really looking for or find have enough depth or 'yeah I'm into this' they feel a tad uncooked in their execution.
Forza Motorsport 5 to 7 sucked but are better then 8 being so 'racing' and devoid. 5 to 7 I have issues with but the remixing of content and the variety they offer (the little things) are still good about them for sure that I was still willing to buy and play them enough. Not as much as 1-4 (seeking 1 to finish the series even though played it before) but yeah the direction of some games are a bit eh.
DIrt 3 vs Dirt 5 to me 5 has more racing and less do tricks around a outside curated area or the obstacle courses to drift, spin around on, hit posts and more. Dirt 3 had variety, 5 feels like 1% that and 99% racing and I just find it boring. That's how I feel about Forza Motorsport 8 is it's got none of what made even 7 good enough to me of content variety and pacing to be fun. Just racing and a level up/collecting or more cars to drip feed, crashes and more. Nah pass. I won't even buy or try it. GT7 I've tried and gone well it has still the GT5 leveling strictness and FM6 roulettes but worse for both but besides how eh I don't like the format of GT7's career mode while 1-6 I think did a fair job trying to mix things up or PSP being a collecting game on the go. I think GT7 still has it's what fuel challenges from 6 or other stuff that makes it still better than other games without the variety of modes.
I can play Juiced 2 and find 3+ different drift modes among the race modes. Not just standard drifting and that's it in a Grid Legends or Autosport. What happened to touge in TXR or Grid 2008/Race Driver.
@theduckofdeath Depends on the news/page, depends on the people, depends on their outlook of things, what they are really seeking right now in gaming, how often they want games or information, how much the companies spend money on other things then what we as customers would like to see.
Uh what some games on Gamepass, the same stuff we always see from Activision besides whatever ok but not exciting new stuff from their existing games.
Or exciting new games at all small or big.
No Pitfall Lost Expedition on BC as BC isn't going to expand and whatever is the case with TimeShift or others will they stay dead on Xbox store as just pages to warn inform people you can't or is it disk only still or will licensing change or whatever?
Nothing else interesting from Activision in terms of current focused games really. The same handful, the same recycling, more unexciting stuff because the current company/industry isn't doing anything too interesting unless it's 1% of Indies with good ideas or the rest are just odd AA titles west or east, everything else is lazy trend following or nostalgic heavily inspired unoriginal and not exciting because they are spinning off or exciting enough.
So I don't see anything really happening whether year 1, 2, 3 or year 10 though by year 10 10 CODs have come out, the next few warzones have, more Diablo 4 stuff, King doing what they do to make money for Microsoft without even having to try because people play their games regardless, Overwatch 2 will keep going, maybe another Tony Hawk if deals happen again......
Otherwise nothing I want from Activision happens anyways so like I care what they do. I don't care for their games anymore.
Spyro 4 I never questioned anyways, I'm happy Toys for Bob can do their own thing now but at the same time it could be anything they end up making, any studios that get large funding but are independent make a new game to trend follow (Nightingale or No Man's Sky as examples) or make a successor to the IPs they were working on (Calisto, Yooka Laylee, Mighty Number 9, Bloodstained, etc.) just without that license......
While US only for now is it only digital games? Or does physical count (as in not just Xbox One/Series but I mean back compat titles too does this allow streaming for or is it like cloud titles are but applies to broader Xbox One/Series titles I assume that's more likely for sure)?
Like I can play any Vita game or I can remote play any PS4 game even if incompatible, or on a phone and so on. But I can't remote play a Xbox OG/360 title which is eh....
Like Gamepass or digital titles make sense for cloud and streaming but the physical license does it need the disk in it still or is it just added to the profile/library so it's ok?
I assume this all applies to digital and should be common sense but just asking out of curiosity just encase. I'm a physical only on Xbox but I know those with digital/Xbox Live Gold and so on games so they can easily use this, but I can't and am just curious. I'm happy with physical on Xbox anyway.
Like I can't remote play unless the disk is in there (not tested with Xbox but have PlayStation).
I can't quick resume disk games they only work on digital releases.
I can't convert a disk game to a digital one in a purchase/conversion process on a platform at all by giving Microsoft the game if I wanted to. No platform holder offers that kind of serve, Sony may refurbishing consoles but not game conversion. So......
Well out of the 343 era of 1 Remastered, 4, 5, Infinite, MMC and Halo 2 remake (some parts were so bad I had to switch back to Halo 2 original graphics I couldn't see in 1 level or area the lighting/shadows were so bad, maybe they fixed it but when it came out it was really bad) and Halo Wars 2 I'd say either 1 remastered (even if an ok remaster), 4 or Halo Wars 2 even if they didn't even make it. XD
Their era is 'ok' but hardly that memorable or titles I'd go back to.
I bought Halo 2 and the Collectors disk so I'm good to experience the original now. I bought it on a whim but with the collectors disk I'm happy, pretty cool find for sure for $3 for both so $6. Spent more than that on more games (Xbox OG games I'd wanted for a long time, some racing hidden gems, PS3, PS2, Splinter Cell Conviction Preorder bonus that just happened to be there because why not) but that's besides the point.
Cool benefit but I do think the messaging needs to be good. If in an app then sure but if on Google Play they NEED people to know it's for cloud and like with other things a license NOT a port to Android or iPhone. People will blindly do that we all know someone will.
I don't hate the play anywhere but it has it's limits, the console is still worth it or PC if people prefer it.
US is a fair start then whenever the other role outs are able to happen. Whatever insiders can test as well.
I'm happy with the console, if people have them on PC go for it, don't care for the biggest games, I don't use Gamepass even though I see benefits in it for sure.
Whether Steam, Epic, GOG, their own? The third parties do the same to any platform they can so why not a console maker? Who says it can't be done it can.
We may or may not like multiple as it can change the rate we see games. Those wanting the walled off to validate their purchase as well, sure.
I see reason in it but it doesn't change anything other then rate of games coming out unless another studio does the porting then it makes some sense. But if the games aren't for me anyway then well I'm not missing out but someone else is getting to play a game they always wanted to and by all means that's great they get to experience it however they want.
I mean I enjoy the Nintendo regular or controller gimmicks input methods, it's no accessibility (understandable it being a thing for sure visual, motor or otherwise) but I mean I like controller gimmicks if the games aren't going to be 'that exciting' and I'm having more fun with older games controller gimmicks/peripherals or not but more interesting game design then modern games where unless the controller gimmicks or something of an exciting mechanic I have no interest in modern games at all no matter their stories/themes/setting, something PS/Xbox controller gimmicks have been fun when they offer them in games (yes Xbox One impulse triggers in the what Gears/Forza Motorsport/Project Cars games I've experienced it in).
I'm sticking to console, I don't even care whether PC has the better features or whatever inputs on Steam or other stuff I don't even use keyboard and mouse on any console I see it being beneficial but eh if interested of a controller keyboard then sure or some games it has a place but eh still fine with whatever CD app, music app or blu-ray support I can have besides back compat on console I don't care for most if any modern games really right now (only certain people go Windows store, Xbox app on PC sure but Windows store...... only for specific things not games and yes Xbox/Windows stores are connected I know that, whether 2 purchases or 1 for both I forget).
They want money from all sides it's understandable they expand it as much as possible, Saturn to PC or Coleco Chameleon or whatever, can be 1st party but who says the business can't expand and not just to movies/figures/shampoo/fridges but games via any way to play. It can be so broad it's confusing and jack of all trades but confusing which one with all the choice, but I mean they are trying and it's working for audiences for sure so why not.
Part 2: People just don't think about it and don't care as it's always about the games or other stuff.
I mean a lot happens in tech but people don't care. I do and look around a lot and go oh this to this and that can do that. Whether gaming handhelds people never heard of or ignore, or just key features that made a difference. It's not always about the games. It's sometimes the apps, the features, the controller gimmicks and how some use them. It's exciting stuff the more I look at them.
Makes sense to me. People go oh Xbox/PC and games. I myself never really need to use it but I'm glad it's there and more accessible then the other platforms unless you have a PS4 around as Vita/Wii U browsers aren't great and 360 dropped Bing support with the eshop so..... unless PS3 it works well then I doubt it. I mean apps going away as internet related things change with apps/web broswers or devs caring to support old systems either. Youtube was janky on Wii U but it still technically worked.
A lot of things are possible on the web though. I said even if I never really use it, I said it's alright, not bad. It's not able to do everything & I don't expect it to but I think it's capable enough of a lot people just don't think about as they have other devices to do it instead.
So like with the media app push PS3/Xbox One and Wii U had it didn't really matter if smart TVs, phones and PCs already do it and consoles have the option and can be a good media/physical disk for media player but are still gaming machines to most people even if a PS2, PS3, 360, Xbox One and PS4 are still good media players and I mostly use my 360/Xbox One or PS4 as I prefer the menus of them more. PS2 it's got artifact-ing and not really into it while in modern consoles I don't see it with the same disk for that tv series I tested it with at all. PS2, PSP (UMD movies or music) and PS3 have the same menu and I just don't like it.
Can easily use a TV's browser or a console and find what I need if no phone/PC or 'access to them' if restricted for to others. Easily use a console/handheld to browse or experience entertainment then a phone/PC. Many internet devices these days people have access to.
It's why the what people do on with those web browsers on PS3/360/Wii wasn't a surprise other then the what they searched and how different each result was for 'adult searches'. It was interesting and kind of explained what audiences had each console in a way too. XD Especially for Wii.
I don't think about Edge on Xbox much but since PS5/Switch hide theirs I'm like hmm yeah it's nice it's here and accessible. PS4/Wii U ones do a fair job but PS4 more so Wii Us is a bit like Vita it's just too much for it to capture modern web design elements anymore.
The Xbox whether the dual app, TV TV TV period of 2013-2017 that OS feature was I loved it with Windows 8 so nope take that away. But oh PS5 can have picture in picture and that's fine. Who uses it no idea but no one cared when Sony showed it off in the PS5 early days at all with Sackboy A Big Adventure.
The Xbox whether BC to Edge to other stuff, CD player apps, any music serivce you want not ONLY spotify. Like the Xbox/Windows stores are great if you thnik about it and as a console and easy app access then having to look for it on a web browser the PC way because Xboxs are locked down Edge is very powerful for finding cough emu, or just writing up documents or doing other things.
They aren't perfect but they do offer a fairly about you can do with apps or the browser if you don't like the app versions of streaming services or other stuff probably, if you want a web version then an app only way to do things Edge is perfectly capable and underrated for sure.
Part 3: Kingdom Under Fire was great it's not the OG entries that are apparently better but I still picked up the 360 entry and went this is still fun to me. Seeing N.U.D.E the robot sim or others. Many will say the same for Otogi or others. Versus just old Sega, Konami and other IPs and what was normal for the Xbox/360 and those that weren't.
Those that were Japan only too on 360 for certain genres or types of games or publishers/developers of shoot em up or other types that came out. I mean Gal Gun Returns could have returned to Xbox One for being on 360 then PS3 (like many of the time Ninja Gaiden or others as big game examples as well) or so but nope they had a reputation to uphold Xbox so that's on them for why it's Switch/PC only isn't it. They could have been different to Sony but nope. Reputation.
Just seeing the same IPs fit an Xbox audience or deals is not exciting in the slight to me, it's the same obvious IPs for the same obvious devs/pubs expect audiences or content differences, but if those IPs do interest people by all means I guess. I just don't really care myself for what IPs we see on both. I can care they do come to all platforms and Xbox or PS/Xbox then PS only/PS & PC but besides impressions of Xbox or audience appealing IPs the ones that don't appeal to Xbox players then that's fine. But some of us and Phil knows this seek the other platforms because of the niche ones they don't bother to work with as much or hear about as much.
AAA is just so eh. The more out their IPs on Xbox would be fine but the obvious big ones with less to lose or obvious for a stereotypical Xbox audience I mean what's there to be excited for besides continued support which is good but not that exciting I find.
Part 2: Gamepass or other solutions and articles going hey this series is on Xbox. Messaging. Besides sales and if sales and they never try again well that's how it ends up I guess.
Gimmicks sure but who used Impulse triggers on Xbox One really? Let alone touchpad on PS4? Or gyro? I know a handful.
But just general support of tools/audience sales or can tell the demographics sure it's obvious enough the perception versus the individuals who like Xbox and enjoy using an Xbox (only platform, or multiplatforms but prefer Xbox) that don't match the stereotypical devs/pubs/other players see.
Just more of the same AAA Asian IPs cycling and the same games or certain deals early or content unique to it or whatever to consider on Xbox or whatever and the not so for that audience IPs that aren't western stereotype or just fair gamers that were genuinely interested and we don't see them come to Xbox, I mean that doesn't change a lot. XD Nothing will change besides what they already know, predict or see in sales enough time and the effort being worth it or not. People paying attention to studios, IPs or what the games actually offer.
Isn't that exciting other than the few that don't make it to Xbox for 'reasons' whether the megaman issue with Xbox (whether to believe or not APis or sales or other reasons they say) or other reasons publishers happen to say.
So seeing the same publishers and making deals is fine. But it won't change much unless you already cared about them.
Thing is it wasn't always a case with Atari either. They just didn't release on those due to sales not because of oh American console and perception and well OG/360 changed things for sure in those times of the brand, of the devs happy to make for those platforms than nowadays Xbox One related or not of factors as well.
They will PC and it's audience.
OG/360 are different times I know but there is a reason I want those titles to play now is not because they are old or elusive or exclusive it's just they are more exciting titles in general regardless of who made them or when the presentation and gameplay is more compelling.
Fair to connect with many of them and make deals and what not but won't change my mind really whether major third parties come to Xbox or not, it's good when they do but those that have have and those that haven't haven't with the particular titles they offer.
Like getting Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Xbox One was cool I got it for $5 physical so nothing went to them but I'm glad I still could when it's the only Xbox One entry as the rest are PS systems or 1 remastered on Switch besides 4 on there.
Getting Red Steel 1 & 2, Mario Rabbids and others Ubisoft had on occasion. That's the sort of IPs I look for at least regardless of developer or publisher or region. Game design first, if it appeals to me why not. But every IP has to land mentality and more the bigger IP support and if I had no interest in them already I'm not coming around to them as they haven't changed enough or are just not for me ever anyways.
Some IPs we don't see on Xbox is the stuff we need to see but if the audience/platform impression is the case by devs then sure. But for the same recycled that audience we think suits Xbox IPs happen that's something to work out sure but otherwise I couldn't care less really.
I know exclusive or brief then other platforms later ones won't work anymore like OG/360, exclusive content in a version maybe but otherwise nah most consistent IPs these days I don't care what platform if the game/series doesn't interest me I don't care about it still. For most audiences I get it but for me nah it's the AA or other stuff we used to see I seek out. If I don't care for a Japanese or even EU/US IP going to Xbox I still didn't care about them on other platforms either.
Like getting the pixel remasters to other types of IPs late is one thing. Sales is another. Dev kits/whatever they can work with their engines. Series S and so on.
But it's when some games don't suit an audience, same with the Wii the mature games on it because perception of something, marketing and so on. Many on Switch are still Vita owners or those fine with a handheld not just family audience.
If the audience wants it (percentage/individual people), sales say otherwise for companies and well we don't see it happen the more not western or low Xbox One/Series sales in Asian regions either..... Besides Microsoft's communication and whatever they can say yeah how much changes in the end of deals or tools or other things not a lot unless they break through or audiences change things.....
It's the AA or others that aren't always on Xbox I think Phil/Xbox team needs to target more. Seeing Danganronpa on Gamepass I was like whoa. That's the studios and publishers that REALLY counts and what PS/Switch excels at, same with Vita as well.
It's less sales sure but it gets many of us players with our eyes looking over as a percentage of us considering Xbox just that bit more or new audiences that never played them either so newcomers that only have an Xbox or have it as their preferred platform even if have 2 or all platforms.
Fair enough their time to go I guess. I played the campaign of BF3 in 1 day (rarely do) and it was a fair time, almost didn't beat it.
Did via BC though so no idea how the original goes as my SP disk seems to mess up unless the 360 disk drive but the license still worked so Xbox One BC for 360 it was.
The MP disk and SP was fair for the time for 360 but yeah 360 had the power but the disks and how devs worked around visuals/audio sometimes yeah it is what it is. Blu-ray with more storage but PS3 to handle or 360 with it's own differences.
Was definitely an interesting era.
I need to get back to Hardline's campaign really and yes the 360 hard drive install copy not Xbox One version, I picked the 360 copy up out of curiosity as it is an oddity and like Ride 1 I like to see how the older versions fair of load times and visuals and so on. TR seemed fair (don't own Rise on 360 but do Xbox One). I need to start BF4 again too (PS4).
So, so much for BC MP experience nowadays I guess then.
Sales of Xbox or just APIs or whatever anything is possible with this program to aid/make clear why devs don't bother. Vita/Wii U it was clear why besides mobile. Sales & 3rd party laziness. But Indies still did so & made Wii U exclusives (if console I mean but still on mobile) those mobile devs. I bought a few for Wii U. Indies did great Wii U exclusives. Vita was a great home for Indies too.
I don't care for merch but makes sense like other commenter said. People wear it, hear it, have more than just Gamepass ads & individual game ads. The more it's visually/talked about IRL not just software space with ads/PCs/console itself the more it appears.
Gamepass trial via food promos I think it was pop tarts right? Seen Xbox consoles chance to win stuff on my Aussie Shapes.
Minecraft plushes & maybe stuff for other games but in terms of like for the Xbox brand itself I don't think I see it really. Just game merch so if Microsoft are just happy with any sales & going eh we get money regardless then that's a strategy?
People pick up band merch & think the logo looks cool even they may not even know the band & fans go eh your not a real fan so it's kind of annoying to not be able to strike up a conversation with them. But it still gets sales between gaps of things.
All I hear about is gamepass & what already know about Xbox brand on articles, community/how often I use my Xbox & see ads. Yet Xbox Shampoo or other stuff by USA Youtubers, I don't see any of those products at all in other countries or hear about any of it.
Why focus on your home so much besides games, where Xbox Shampoo in EU? Even a Windows Bobble head was probably enough besides word of mouth. But word of mouth only happens in certain circumstances.
Let alone assume they are wide spread in the world yet you see Nintendo clothes, cereal, bags, and gift boxes/subscription boxes offer random items that match the IP.
Same with Sony the symbol lights, shirts, mugs/cups. You just see it more. Microsoft just you don't see it. Maybe in EB/Gamestop but otherwise that's about it I guess. I always see the other brand everywhere to get their name out there, offer options for fans who want to buy that stuff (I couldn't care less I just want games, books or tv shows/movies, not into clothes, figures, pins, cups and of that branding but many people are so it works as a bit on the side for these companies).
If Nintendo can sell Mother 3 merch it says a lot when that IP other than virtual cosnole or more a thing in Japan besides the emulation community and 1 & 2 on offer digitally then yeah it says a lot that even niche IPs can get out there.
If Nintendo can revive Famicom Detective Club, Endless Ocean and more but still have Mario/Pokemon/Kirby and other merch and maybe lean into others over time they are getting more people to notice. Sony would the same.
Sony tried cellphone games, Ratchet comic/manga & sometimes other stuff for certain Ips but not as much I assume. You used to see some plush/keychains maybe back then very limited. Maybe it's more the case now I just don't see it or know for sure.
Nowadays I think they go more broader as they know they can sell their teen/adult audience to these sorts of merch or the logo on something.
Xbox don't see it. Odd person pick up games but that's it.
E for reasonable but nothing for me. Games I thought could be cool are generic and samey then exciting so forget new titles and exciting ideas it's just a new title and the same ideas. HOW EXCITING. XD
Fair ports/remasters, fair Xbox support from Japanese devs. I mean what else to say.
I appreciate what's there but even when being open minded, knowing some of the IPs sure it's great Xbox support, but the new stuff is bland and repetitive of other IPs just a different name/universe but the same gameplay goals so why would I be interested in them.
I'd rather play older mech games not MP ones that look generic and with a different name, give me a cool singleplayer one maybe but mostly would get older ones instead for that or more interesting turn based RPGs with better turn based combat systems then this being just samey as the rest and changes to the game I don't find changes it up enough. Story/universe seems fine.
So who cares and the old/remasters are cool if into to them of course but you know whether you were into them or not.
The rest is just cool Xbox is getting support from these then not at all pretty much.
If the mech game by Bandai had more then sure otherwise milking it like Gundam MP games. I'd take a Front Mission Evolved style game in singleplayer but nope. I'll wait till I get Mech Warrior or others from the past on Xbox or PS2, let alone waiting for any copy I can find of Battle Engine Aquila again instead. Or get Star Wars Clone Wars 2002 cheap or whatever for a vehicle fix besides my Ace Combat 360 games to finish or Blazing Angels/Lair to finish.
The turn based RPG to me unless it's Eternal Sonata or Conception or something different to put on turn based combat systems I'm sick to death of the same generic layout of turn based RPGs, no new little details interest me unless the 4 wheel quadrants of Conception or the move to places in an arena in Eternal Sonata weren't so refreshing. Hence why I said or something different. Even then to me Conception's system is very eh at times but it's at least something and was intriguing enough besides it's limits to still be fun besides the generic dungeon layouts as generic as Coded Arms but I mean for PSP/PS4 remaster with cut content because of course it did, I can give it a pass and the dialogue is silly enough.
I enjoy Tactics games otherwise so I get my fill there but if JRPG devs want me to care about turn based RPGs and not Tactics they need to try harder because I just can't be bothered with the menu/other details being so samey and whatever critical or animations or other stuff is so formulaic and doesn't change up the game enough for me to be interested. But I guess if Japanese audiences are happy why not then. I just find when I see them not much going on, they grind/drag on and the strategy of the menus to me isn't that compelling it doesn't mix it up enough and the strategy is usually very boring and not strategy enough no matter the difficulty it's just boring and not satisfying to land actions. Any I've played or any new ones I see not really changing it up either visually to communicate changes either.
Remasters/ports sure, many other Japanese IPs to Xbox is cool.
StarCraft remasters no on console just PC, do they not want more sales? Just PC audience sales from fans and newcomers? Sure. If PC Gamepass even sure. Not much else from ActBlizz though hmm.
To me it's average to D/F it pretty much isn't anything I care for just look over and go it's fair worthy for some audiences out there of a response from me.
I'd say for those hadn't heard of that were new they are pretty eh.
Fair Japanese IPs/remasters or otherwise to Xbox is good but otherwise eh.
Expansions sure.
Remasters of Star Craft is fair but why no console ports? Why not console sales instead of just PC sales. Unless for PC Gamepass as well why bother. Many fans will buy it sure, they hope for new fans sure but I mean don't they want more sales? Or the same sales and only few new from PC players? Or however it goes.
N64 had a version for it why not make it relevant to modern console players such an old game unless know of it in the past or the esports scene whenever it was relevant or if still is there?
I get StarCraft Ghost was cancelled but I mean that'd be cool if we got something like it again. I enjoyed The Outfit a part strategy part 3rd person game, it lacked in areas but in modern era something like it could work for console players or just strategy game ports to console.
The ports, sure great to have them on Xbox then not and anything else forgettable.
@Gamer83 Will do I appreciate it. Seen No More Heroes 1-3 come out, waiting for the right time. Seen PS5 copies but no Switch physical so will wait it out on digital maybe. Not seen Wii or PS3 copies either in retro stores either.
Saw Lollipop Chainsaw for PS3 in one but it was $200, was there for weeks, I don't go that high for games only consoles. It had disappeared since (maybe in the back, maybe not) so maybe someone bought it but that Gameboy for $400 and some of it's games are still there so anything is possible those in need of something or high prices and reselling or buying and desperation (different gens/audiences too of course).
I don't mind charming and janky games.
But I hadn't looked at back compat of their games I might do that and make my own list on them/add it to some of my others I seeked out and put a list together for.
Comments 754
Re: Poll: What Do You Think Of The Spyro Reignited Trilogy On Xbox Game Pass?
Played years ago/Platinumed, I think it's fair, dynamic music is hit or miss. 1 is simple but the Tree Tops secrets/Haunted Towers ones are still hard for a kid but still great to find out and beat again as an adult. Character weight eh. Sparx bonuses just gems as abilities accessibility features I'm on and off with.
Dinosaur orb in Skelos. The Alchemist in Fracture Hills, the headbash is eh, Crystal Popcorn in Magma Cone. Hide and Seek or others in later levels. Level secrets for orbs platforming wise. The supercharge in some of the games.
The water tube in 3. The tank battles. Whack-a-mole. Turtle soup camera was fixed in Reignited thankfully for 2. Yeah as an adult you remember how annoying they were and still are. Hardly a kids game easy these days (some areas). It's PS1 design still in there. Not all is dumbed down, some is and for good (Turtle soup), others not so bad. It has no Spyro prototype like elements but oh well. Ah Dream Weavers, Gnorc Cove, Haunted Towers or others details cut.
The Ocean Speedway orb challenge tests my flight skills around that under into the tunnel. Let alone in and out of Icy Speedway orb challenge. Among other things. Reflexes/memory these games test for sure.
The challenges are still PS1 hard, people go oh it's a kids game and see the artstyle/characters when I mean..... there is a reason I play platformers, not because they are for kids, but because they push gameplay more than adult games with more themes/dialogue which can be fair or skill trees and garbage I don't like.
In some cases I wish they pushed further like Ratchet's momentum for the swingshot was always basic gaps, it used to have a few challenging ones then they got rid of those. Adult games with grapples are basic as, very boring.
So adult games with a waypoint/violence/other themes, yeah we can read them but hardly challenging or engaging in comparison to kids games with none or fewer of those but yet other types of design more exciting and challenging in their own way.
So to me kids games are actually more fun worlds of creativity and experimentation of worlds/mechanics, sure fire/charge is basic, but supercharge, super flame, swimming, and more, give me those mechanic types. The basic but still fair dynamics. Sure sure armour penetration or status effects or other things or more to understand in adult games but so many boring effects memorisation snore. Skill trees with basic stat differences, snore.
It's like BOTW, give me wind from fire arrows or more depth to fire arrows inflicting enemies. Interactive stuff. But nope we get basic design. Can you tell I like old games more interactive with level design, aka platformer design, or the geo panels of Disgaea, a board game style but still effects the level design.
Re: Xbox Could Have A Major 'Open-World Shooter' In The Pipeline, But It's Still Early Days
I'd take Starcraft Ghost or anything else over this. It does give Space Marine vibes but I mean the level design/weapons, the pacing, the variety or lack there of. Not too sure on this.
It made me think of Ghost then open world made me go pass.
Re: Microsoft Is Now Advertising Pretty Much Every Gaming Device As An Xbox
Part 2:
Let alone use apps to cast their whole phone to the TV aka like the Switch or Steam Deck or PSP/Nomad or Pocket PCs aka docks/cables but no cables and just phone casting not remote play/cloud just phone over network to a screen like I wish Switch 2 could but doubt it would happen as remote play the casting is better from a powerful device down to another then phone to modem/router to TV and it being very delayed of what 5 seconds it's so noticeable.
I mean third party ones for the whole phone's actions not just YT phone cast icon to cast to YT on your TV/comment. I mean using any phone app, aka the phone OS on your TV as if it was a Switch/PSP connected but wireless. Big differences yet would people know that?
I use a few third party ones on Android and it's ok.
So how well will people understand any device with a storefront to download the Xbox app for cloud services go then do people think?
If this works by all means sure but we will see.
Re: Microsoft Is Now Advertising Pretty Much Every Gaming Device As An Xbox
It's a fair strategy it is an app/ecosystem anyone can access if they have the right device, the right firmware/OS version of Apple/Android/PC/anything with a screen and internet connection or a Samsung TV from 2020+ or Amazon Fire TV.
Xboxes have a place but I think still for people wanting a box/dedicated fans more so while other devices for other people. But with user numbers how much will Xboxes being removed from the equation and dedicated fans forced to use cloud not as an option when they feel like it.
Like I don't want a gyro or other controller features in a game and it being awkward to use while streaming future happens, I want that with a box thanks for better support and who cares graphics, I want stable gameplay and mechanics first thanks not safe gameplay and graphics with no cough Sony 360/540p of Vita that 480 to 1080p Portal/phone/PS4/PC app should have cough cough lazy Sony. Does Microsoft offer that either? If so lazy for not doing so. But oh YT/Twitch/etc. can do it but we can't do that for game streaming? Or Netflix/other services tiers to pay for that we haven't seen Sony/Xbox do yet, shivers.
I'll take my consoles with a power brick, maybe if I can power it with a generator for internet as well. Otherwise if no services eh will still go offline regardless. Will have a screen near by. Or I'll just take my handhelds/Wii U/PS2 if I find a screen for it or PS1 (don't own a PS1 but it had an LCD screen). Got a screen now for analogue tuning so good enough for SNES level support now but HDMI so just plug the Xbox isn't that and a power brick for the TV/console, good to go.
Either way, cloud is a fair option but yeah will people take this 'oh it's an Xbox' I mean they push Gamepass so much I almost think do people know what Gamepass is more than Xbox? Like Skyrim more than Elder Scrolls kind of hearing about it a lot?
Or understand cloud well enough besides using Cloud storage like Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive (or other services) and going oh it's my storage without knowing it's not local and understanding what the word cloud means. People can use something and still not understand it/what the terms mean or if they have even heard of them, after all.
It's a fair strategy to go with saying 'these devices are capable' and because it's just the app to go off of.
But the thing is do they expect people to do research of devices that are app compatible besides what ones are shown in the ad? Or what games are on Gamepass/Cloud supported besides the icons and more to tag what is compatible for cloud support?
What if nothing interests them? Then well no need for them to access the service right? XD
I mean the average person and what they see/hear/understand is up in the air of possibilities then research besides what us gamers/look at the news/use the services types are.
Saying it's an Xbox but still questioning it beyond the key ones they show I mean it can happen.
Google made Stadia clear to people with a mobile app, with a controller bundle, with a TV and Chromecast, how many use their controllers besides the remote to control their TVs?
Re: Xbox Fan Shares Stunning 4K Images Of 360 Launch Title Project Gotham Racing 3
Not fussed with graphics but PGR3 did have that wait it's real moment at the 360 release for sure.
Those screenshots look excellent. The art direction also just helps it.
To me while I never saw that period of time or anything about the games till later, to me the games are so much fun with their arcade feel, the progression is great (didn't like 4's) and the cities are used well for 100s of layouts. Which I prefer. Open worlds are fine but eh just didn't always do it for me with some layouts or paths/or missions.
PGR just the closed off layouts well, good mode variety, and more that kept me more interested in them. Geometry Wars was just a bonus, and the PGR2 dealership to walk around in, model viewer and still purchasing space it's so good, makes the GT7 dealership first time cutscene look hilarious in comparison. Where is that in PSVR2? Thought it up, knew it would never happen and was right.
I will always appreciate the PGR series and while never started with them compared to GT/Forza/Grid and a few others I'm glad once I got to them I really enjoyed the whole series and put the disk in for PGR from time to time.
Re: Is Xbox Successful Right Now? Phil Spencer Shares His Thoughts
So healthy money wise but in other areas of morals or talent or survival of studios asking for things, trying to stay afloat, meet the Gamepass standards it couldn't be further from the truth as some can't meet their standards or studios ask for things they can't have and get shut down or don't make enough money for them? It's money or they are dead, ignored, survival means nothing. I get studios have to be shut for various reasons they can't just build up and up forever but some of the reasons for doing so are pretty ridiculous.
Just say it Phil Xbox/Microsoft is doing great with money via the many all over the place 'successful' strategies but otherwise it's just a load of mixed ideas that also are confusing, stupid and just insanely weird for any drop of money and studios/deals go why should we bother with Xbox/PC at all if the sales/tools/saying one thing then another isn't trust worthy enough.
I'm not against more platforms getting games, Sega did it Saturn/PC/Coleco Chameleon or otherwise.
I'll use any platform but I haven't cared for a single game on Series X because of the games being eh, the progression systems suck, the variety is there but the impact of anything in them is so unappealing, the deals are fine but I can get the games elsewhere if I was desperate enough which I'm not because none of them are appealing, older, earlier, other platforms and really just don't trust Xbox enough. I'm only getting OG/360/older Xbox One releases that's it. Besides blu-ray app/YT use in there.
That's without getting into barely many Indies due to them being nostalgia/heavily inspired and very boring, with only a few actually standing out the rest are repetitive safe garbage. Their skills differ sure I understand that but some really do try and the rest really really don't. Those that don't, don't deserve respect they want to prototype more do it, not do the bare minimum or copy cat competition so weakly it's a forgettable game among a sea of forgettable games.
No rules say a company can't put a web browser, office suite let alone their games on any platform they want.
But at the same time the strategy is really obvious for money and shooting a shot all over the place and really tiring let alone studios have no idea what safety or survival they have so unless the funding is enough, "TALENT" either, the 'flexibility' is to be believed even if creative projects or uncreative but money making works and people go to Gamepass, buy on any platform, give money any way they want or stick to games enough for money to flow it's fine because money is the answer in the end.
The rest is just all over the place and obvious it's money first then trustworthy.
Re: Talking Point: How Much Do You Care About 'Creation' Features In Your Xbox Games?
There is a reason WRC 2023 appealed to me (not bought yet) it's the Sega GT Dreamcast (wasn't in Xbox OG 2002/Online), Pure for PS3/360 the ATV game, or Apex OG Xbox 2023, is the car builder.
That and well if modes suck then at least something going on. Ride 4 (cough split screen of 5 that Forza Motorsport 8 couldn't do) had a region mode from Forza Motorsport 1 & 2 and I thought that was cool, it's restrictive but expanded upon. Hard to play but still a cool feature.
Game mechanics matter to me more than cosmetics but if they are functional stat or upgrades type customisation I don't mind.
I think it offers a lot for events and progression/customisation not liveries I mean parts and chassis customisation.
Project Spark was cool but just didn't go much of anywhere.
Character creators don't matter to me though. Biomutant if it had perks/character trait abilities (Cough like animals in games had better movesets for platformers in the 5th gen then they do more generic adventures nowadays of basic human concept understanding of animals on adventure, seriously goose/stray/little kitty are fine but look boring to me and Biomutant it felt like how peeing/sprinting on all 4 legs and an humanlike acting/anthropomorphic apocalyptic animal, like why can't we have abilities? To dumb the game down for casuals or too much effort to implement?) I'd have liked it more if they added animal abilities so you can swim/flight/digging/climbing/ranged claws /etc. features but it doesn't remove the need for a glider, mech or jet ski the game already had, it had gas immunity to offer progression besides other things and you build it up but otherwise eh.
But cosmetics, how a character looks nah. Pikmin 4 having the character creator was not immersion helpful to me really. It put me off. It was enough for me to go eh this is going to be a casual more annoying entry and besides Ice Pikmin or night missions that needed a bit more depth, I hated the whole game the changed rules of flowers/pikmin acquiring/onions and other things, the character creator, the restrictive motion controls when 1-3 had better motion controls and more. It sucked. That character creator trailer was enough of a sign. I played 98% for 78 hours. 3 was my first and I never had issues with it. Coming off of 1 on Wii's motion yeah 4 was a let down. 2 was fine on Switch as the GameCube version even if a combo of 3 Deluxe controls would have been nice but nope they were lazy to do that.
So I can see reason for it but I prefer functional customisation not cosmetic customisation if that makes sense.
Re: Xbox Fans Ponder What 'Largest Technical Leap' Means For The Series X Successor
If they have other technologies for the software visuals sure, if they have another console gimmick/controller gimmick like gyro (the plans whatever they were prior and 'if true or not' as got impulse triggers for Xbox One, Share button for Series X/S but quick resume on the software side instead (that some people clearly don't know Xbox has and go oh no innovation, sigh some people).
I'd be happy with gyro/whatever motion and whatever they want to call it but I have already prior consoles to experience it so like I really care unless they put some interesting spin on it really in their games or the OS.
But if it's just a RAM/CPU/GPU increase, AI upscaling, eh could go either way but I really don't care, to me the game design matters and I haven't seen anything appealing like I have old gens (not PS4/Xbox One as while PS3/360 was the start 8th gen really set in the game design I wasn't into and audiences were a different focus so the game design was more dumbed down and I see it more and more so I am pulling away and being more picky of releases nowadays), whatever wattage for the power supply and so on sure. IF it's a bit more going on with getting the most out of them fine.
I couldn't care less other than gyro or game design, that's it, but my Xbox One is a YT app/soundcloud app and blu-ray player, I use it ucommonly for Xbox One/BC games but with streaming/gamepass/digital as the focus and with console sales being what they are for hardcore mostly I don't know what to think.
I haven't touch a Series 2020-2024 game physical (I don't buy digital Xbox games) in the slightly personally (sure Syberia remake seems fair for the price, Forza Motorsport 8 disappointed so pass on that, the rest are fine but either waiting or not interested) while others have.
Only picked up OG/360/Xbox One and not a single Xbox One 2020-2024 like I have PS4 more even if a small handful. Besides Switch of course.
Even then I'm mostly buying third parties and I mean niche or AA 3rd parties. I am very Indie picky too if it's nostalgic/very safe of ideas in execution I can be very harsh to Indies wanting them to do more ever so slightly. Or move more than their inspirations especially in some genres. The few 1% that impress I enjoy (not ones everyone talks about either I don't care about popularity the game design speaks for itself if it's good).
Re: Talking Point: Where Are All The ActiBlizz Titles On Xbox Game Pass?
Whenever they are ready/other releases have the limelight and then quieted down put them on there I guess. I'm still waiting though for BC support. So as that will never happen whenever the Xbox One/Series gen ones they are ready to ad over time, sigh. Oh well got plenty of other Activision games of the past that won't go on Gamepass/Back Compat to enjoy in my time they couldn't care less about anyway.
Re: Soapbox: Four Years On, I'm Already Nostalgic For The Early Xbox Series X|S Era
@kevinm360 Completely agree.
I'd never heard of it till picking it up randomly and I've enjoyed my time with it. Yet to get back into it besides other pickups.
Two Worlds also what a game, never played but have a copy on PS3, very interesting game besides what I hear but I think it's got it's charm.
Re: Soapbox: Four Years On, I'm Already Nostalgic For The Early Xbox Series X|S Era
Unrelated but related to article topic. Then again even if some are memorable how many of the PS3/360 exclusives that are niche are memorable.
Sure Blue Dragon/Lost Odyssey, Otogi and more but who remembers Kingdom Under Fire series? Or many others? I hadn't even heard of any of them till the last decade or so. Sure I knew Blinx, Voodoo Vince, Halo, Gears, Forza but once you get to the others above or Brute Force or certain ones I only have in the last few years. Last KUF was on 360 and was vastly different then the somewhat Dynasty Warriors of the OG Xbox 2 entries.
All of the OG/360 games are more appealing to me. Other than the few for Xbox One i like it's a media console for YT, CD apps, Blu-ray app and Soundcloud. Besides Back Compat. The Xbox is just ok. But PS5 and it's issues I have doesn't make it any more appealing. Nintendo's business practices are what they are but the games & hardware annoy me the least or excite me more. That's the niche IPs of 1st party too.
Obviously many others get under the rug as things go on, people re-discover games/gems left behind and so on or yes the big count towards things for sure.
The Japanese exclusives were great and less a thing on Xbox One, sure 360 was a good platform because PS3 was so complicated or sales worked out well as 360 was a good console to have at the time while Xbox One you get the odd IPs still directed to the console as if they are 'were know the stereotypical audience' even though the sales don't reflect that stereotypical audience but a sizeable just not large enough audience sometimes. It's not that sizeable audience's fault they care and others on the platform don't buy them.
Or in some cases even the fan service ones of 360 era get pushed away from Xbox/PS nowadays and go to Switch/PC because image/reputation matters to them.
Though Larry/Postal still get on modern platforms and I assume toned down so I question that.
I was a mix of all 3 or more so both PS/Xbox but to me even the 1st party on both sides haven't impressed me of gameplay ideas or themes, the peripherals WOULD have but just aren't doing it for me, so Switch for the variety of IPs/genres/gameplay as Xbox has the variety (something PS1-3/PSP/Vita had) over PS4/5 (and the push of IPs I didn't like that 3rd parties also did the same during PS4/Xbox One era so only the PS3/360 IPs left behind I buy up these days besides any mechanics in older gems left behind) but to me just aren't that exciting still.
Very few games impressed me this gen of what tactics/hack n slashes, the 2 genres I got into 2017+ when collecting and barely if ever played prior because branching out just to find anything exciting to play and shooters/RPGs/action adventure/platformers/racing have been disappointing me/less modes in racing is just disgusting.
Re: Soapbox: Four Years On, I'm Already Nostalgic For The Early Xbox Series X|S Era
@kevinm360 I assume so with that as well. The news section is cool. I don't know about the clubs or whatever game new stuff like PS5 also has. Never interacted with any of it. Never had interest to. But it's also Nintendo account related too I think and I haven't synced my account yet. I'll get around to it. Mostly I keep it as a 'internet for updates' and that's it at the moment so in a way still like a local account Switch.
Ah I guess that makes sense, should have questioned that but I didn't think about it as such.
SD Cards would be interesting like Tapwave Zodiac offered but I do guess that the proprietary cards are on purpose for DRM/protection and just code alone isn't enough but hardware itself limits.
Switch I don't notice as much the updates to newer prints of the carts and I have no idea if Sony/Microsoft even bother with that or go eh updates are a enough. We mostly still see definitive editions with leftover codes offered (I think mostly a third parties thing then 1st party) but would they bother with reprints on the disks? It'd be costly for sure).
While Switch does on the box or just the cart (cart makes more sense) for reprints of updates so that's cool for preserving different builds/updates on carts at least).
Windows 11 comes on a USB for $200 USD or something these days from memory so it's not out of the question of companies trying to do so regardless of being able to boot off a USB stick for years for OS technicians/enthusiasts do.
Faster loading for sure, if still well optimised that is. XD
But I don't mind carts/game cards at all. Even the Switch/Vita cases while not ideal for replacing I find really cool and interesting case designs.
NXE makes sense but I don't know might just be my way of seeing navigation. I do think the cards aspect I should have considered it is in that way very creative besides the simplicity for audiences to or other factors. Just never considered it that way before. Huh.
Then again it's kind of similar to a smartphone the all apps type menu. I do sometimes even just find scrolling to things confusing. Sometimes it's clear other times it isn't.
Yeah Blades was like that wasn't it. Hmm.
Yeah voice chat/online and I get the era were in of course so it makes sense to offer them then not for sure. I don't have enough experience or understanding of them or how PS3 to 360/OG Xbox or others have offered them so it's not much of anything I can comment on really. I think I remember the Gamerscore/leaderboard (more so for games as I more so have a local account likely well compared to a 360 local ones and a more online but I just don't use it for online or digital game purchases but could, same with how PS3 I have a local account but PS4 I do buy digital) and things in past OS versions/layouts but I can't remember. Or was that's the profile view of such details. I can't remember.
That's fair I can see reason in that as image/video share is pretty standard so expanding on it is kind of cool (not that I would think how but once seeing it I probably would appreciate it more).
Re: Talking Point: Where Are All The ActiBlizz Titles On Xbox Game Pass?
Microsoft I get benefits from being on any platform. Then again who knows about the Entertainment Pack games from the 90s on Gameboy Color? Are those coming to Gamepass. XD As if Rare's GBA games don't exist as MS didn't have a handheld so Rare was able to offer them on GBA.
They do with Edge/Office, they did IE, among many other things, they do anything to make money being on anything because the more open they are it's fine. No one says you have to be straight 1st or 3rd party just keep whatever you want control over and offer t5he rest on other platforms, it's not a rule or something, they can do whatever they want.
Sure Sega was on PC during the Saturn to survive even though people seem to only pay attention to the Dreamcast ending and oh porting to other consoles and ignore the Saturn/PC stuff or don't know about it probably as much as the Enteratinment pack GBC games. It's not unheard of offering other platforms for games, apps or support for them.
It's like Minecraft modloaders, 5+ exist and PC gamers go wait what because they are too 1 for all/1 for comfort focused and ignorant to do basic research or have a brain of how the past works.
The sooner they offer Pitfall the better (a Indy/TR/Uncharted/Tad/Joe Wander competitor they could do something with, ANYTHING WITH) and offer Lost Expedition a good fair metroidvania I 100%ed which is saying a lot as I suck at them.
TimeShift/Singularity (I see on the Xbox store but assume are disk support only? They have the pages but of course no digital purchase which is fair. Or licenses stopped?) don't appear on the website as I assume only digital purchaseable ones count on that site?
I can go either way with the Truck racing games of the past, Supercar Street Challenge has no car licenses but maybe music ones (I doubt ABK cares, I do I think the game has a charm to it) or Transformers or other stuff.
Blur won't due to licenses and ABK really don't care anyways.
COD Classic no idea if works? But where are COD 2, 3, Big Red One, Finest Hour? They could have offered them but nope PS2 instead of Xbox versions it is for me as they didn't offer them in time so I bought them on PS2, if they want me to use my Xbox more they should offer them.
They could try to offer their past titles but they refuse to do so. If they don't have the source codes sure, if they are too lazy to ABK that's on them.
Activision Lives isn't Xbox compatible but something like it could be of past Activision 2600 or other titles.
Was surprised even Midway collection was back compat (I always try the disks just to make sure) I usually expect no collections of old games to be compatible (I mean why wouldn't Sega do that per gen to resell them in a different bundle/licenses change after all) but then again the Xbox Live Arcade disk and the Triple Pack with Limbo/Splosion Man/Trials HD worked so anything is possible I guess.
Re: Soapbox: Four Years On, I'm Already Nostalgic For The Early Xbox Series X|S Era
@kevinm360 Social features have a place but I just didn't need them. I have heard how bad the social features on Switch are. Never used them but I can understand that.
Miiverse wasn't a thing I expected, but not fussed I missed out on it. But to me dual screens were cool and to most people confusing or not of interest to them, understandable but disappointing.
Sort of how I feel about Nintendo and no installs, I've played many old games and gone wow this runs well off the disk yet PS4/Xbox One push the consoles so much yet are installed to the system and 360 was the last or only to have optional installs. XD So to me Switch/Wii U having no installs is great as I have more space for updates or if I go digital which may over time I just buy up most physical I want first then the digital I can only get that way later.
Windows 8 wasn't perfect, I didn't mind the all devices consistency they were going for besides it's flat design even if the apps I had to use task manager to close all the time which was annoying but to me the dual app sliding how big they were was really nice and i kind of miss that. 8.1 worked well enough to me. Sure the corners, sure the Metro design isn't great but it grew on me. I hated 8 at first, I hated Minecraft 1.6.4 to 1.7.10 with it's world update changes. I got used to them over time for different reasons I guess.
The social features are probably good on Xbox One I just never used them, Impulse Triggers were fun in the what Gears, Forza Motorsport 5-7 or Project Cars 3 I've used them in, I'm a singleplayer type mostly these days and only did local split screen a few times during many shooters or others, more around when COD BO3 was the last to have it or other games pushed online more I dropped off split screen and I don't need Xbox Live/PS+/Switch Online at all so to me it wasn't of any use to me. I used Kinect for Xbox One and voice on Advanced Warfare with someone 'once'. So that should say my extent of not needing the feature. Only gotten to 360 Kinect nowadays and it's ok from what I've used it for so far, like Eye Toy very space picky.
NXE was fair but to me it just made it too one after the other select is how it looks and I just find that kind of too long to navigate so that's why I wasn't a fan of it. It made sense for Kinect I guess but just felt slow as far as it looks, having never used it though it's a bit unfair to comment on something I've never used and finding an older Xbox 360 with it is it's own challenge when I only own all Metros. Or remember it at all. Even then my memories of Blades are a 360 kiosk or the Xbox Live Arcade demos disk I bought years later. Otherwise I don't remember it that much. I own an Elite, E and got a Slim later but mostly used Metro.
To me Metro was fair enough as I liked it on the Windows phone and the keyboards were great but things are what they are of course. It wasn't perfect, but I still hate modern flat design more then Metro and it's limits.
Re: Soapbox: Four Years On, I'm Already Nostalgic For The Early Xbox Series X|S Era
Part 3:
I wasn't into PS3/360 either (I was still going about a mix of stuff or didn't play a lot but I have so many I want to buy for 5-7th gen because of their mechanics alone, it could be 100s of 9th gen games, but it isn't and that's niche and popular titles mostly niche titles, not money or research to collect for Indies it's for old gen) but the more I pick up with their rends the more I go oh they were mechanically exciting of competition, I don't see that here. Just more of the same, maybe a setting change but mechanically they are 'differnet' but not mode or level design or otherwise exciting. Less modes in racing games is enough to make me drop off the genre seriously. Already have to retro racing/shooters as it is. Indie platformers are barren of exciting movesets or level design, they may 'look nice' but to play I can tell they are boring and uninspired heavily by other games I don't play those old games for nostalgia I play for the gameplay, the Indies aren't offering it at all.
When puzzle games look more exciting then other genres that should tell you why I find this gen sucks in other genres heavily with their other priorities.
I enjoy the OG/360 games Microsoft doesn't support anymore because well those devs moved on, they support PC/PS/Nintendo still and the rare presence on Xbox is what it is.
Xbox One I miss the 2013 OS not because of the DRM, not because of the TV TV TV but because I don't acre for the social features but dfid the Windows 10 multi-app support, like I could a dual screen tablet or Wii U or multi-apps on Windows, or cough picture in picture Wonderful 101 has (because Gamepad was other screen in it originally) or PS5 has. But differently used. There is a lot that could be done with it that wasn't. It's why I have Wii U successor ideas in my mind but it won't happen because why would it, sigh. A console doing what Windows can or even other particular things would be awesome but nope won't happen.
Re: Soapbox: Four Years On, I'm Already Nostalgic For The Early Xbox Series X|S Era
Part 2:
I don't even care what 10th offers let alone still on my PS4/Xbox One. They won't shut up about buying a PS5 when I have no interest in the console why would I buy a 4th console (1 for them, slim for other room, other has their own) for myself I have no interest in any of the consoles. XD What kind of idiot doesn't pay attention to I hate the consoles, someone who is too stuck on what they do to pay attention, yet I have the self awareness they don't, I won't buy them.
I may maintain old consoles but I play the older consoles more than my PS4/Xbox One, if that doesn't show not caring and I hate the 8th gen systems too besides the OS/folders are good on PS4 and I hated most 2/3 of the 1st parties and it's my least favourite PS console, same as Xbox One is passable but my least favourite Xbox, why would I upgrade to consoles with enhancements I don't care about, I don't need marketing of BC support and oh it's a loud system to push the system like an advertisement to me 'people' I don't need that I already know more about the consoles and obscure consoles, why would I need an advertisement run down about it, why idiots, the Portal/PSVR2 suck, quick resume is digital only so I can't use it nor care, it's a fair feature but I can go without it.
Some people are so stupid of what they want and don't understand how can refuse to use them/what the companies stand for yet they are happy with them and push it when don't care, what delusional people, it's like some people reset their understanding or are so unaware and only aware of themselves (which is why people are so easy to get around is because they are so stupid) yet I'm consistent on hating them. Who can be any stupider.
As it will be just the same business practices, same boring mechanically unexciting games and I'm just going to keep passing on them for 0.0000001 of games. I don't care to play everything and that's totally fine but the point where PS4/Xbox One I have less and less I even cared for and this gen nothing speaks to me other than 'that's ok of ideas to there is nothing compelling at all in that game or handful or all games' at online events or trailers or anything. It may be a weird perspective but yeah I don't see exciting ideas in games currently when it's all graphics/story and the gameplay takes further steps back I'm more bored with seeing in games.
Re: Soapbox: Four Years On, I'm Already Nostalgic For The Early Xbox Series X|S Era
What is there to be nostalgic for? An ok launch, the games came after and Xbox has had fair IPs this gen, I've not played them but I still acknowledge the variety, even if not the same impact as past titles/eras. They are more exciting then PS5's offerings and if only PS5 then the 2nd party deals are more exciting then the 1st party I have no interest in anymore, for either of them.
The PS5/Series X get used but I have no interest in them. I used the PS5 a few times for Ratchet, hated it's direction, quit the system, used it to beat Space Marine 2, that's it. Xbox Series I look at it when it's used..... I have an Xbox One VCR/X so the OS updates have been bad and boring. The One X also runs like garbage and my VCR one is 2020 and before offline. Keeping it that way for the better OS it had. Got people that use the Series X for gamepass, didn't jive with Starfield and otherwise it sits there probably as much as the Xbox One did if not more unused.
Astrobot can get stuffed what a terrible unoriginal game the others were better, I don't play nostaglia milking company filth. Have better ideas then reskining or cosmetics and less mechanically interesting for level design that's ripped from other games. I don't want a museum title with reskinning get out of here. I play old games for their ideas not ripping off the popular ones for players to be manipulated.
I prefer Xbox 360 Blades/Metro, or Xbox One's 2013 or the One/Series 2nd or 3rd O of 9th gen, the current one removed customisation, pushed the networking more and I hate it. Worst OS I've ever used on a console, that's saying something as PS5 is just as bad and a mess to navigate, and groups for Switch/PS5 are like why take THAT from Xbox One seriously? I mean the quiet console POST from Xbox One sure, PS5 can take it but the groups feature then folders. What a bunch of idiots the other platforms took with them. XD
But like 2017+ I was getting sick and tired of the direction games were going with PS4/Xbox One and I've collected even more retro games since because 9th gen is just as boring. Mechanic hunting in games to collect has been more fun then helping this gen out because I really don't care for 99% of the games at all. I pick up what maybe if lucky 1-3 a year which is something sure so can't complain that much but 2024 I mostly care for nothing at all. Retro games with little details or mechanics inspire me or wow me. I haven't had a single 9th gen game wow me mechanically, they have ok ideas but not really impress me beacuse 99% of them are so bland, played out or have nothing exciting gameplay wise to offer just generic worlds/story/graphics I don't want to play in. Gameplay is what counts and if the gameplay isn't exciting, why should I play a game?
People may have bought both, I use neither. I used my PS3/360 a fair amount last gen but I wasn't against PS4/Xbox One, this gen I'm so sick of 9th gen being so boring, I buy whatever is on 8th gen of 2020 to 2024 and I'm good aka barely anything I still want anyway. I get more satisfaction out of 360 games I get from the Xbox One era and how they perform. Same with Wii/PSP/PS2 ports and their controls/unique versions or differences of content/elements for a DVD/blu-ray comparison and the old gen versions are still always better, imagine that, fanciness and garbage then old hardware and more exciting.
Re: Dragon Age Remaster Collection Wouldn't Be 'As Easy' As Mass Effect, Admits BioWare
Part 2
and UE2 to 4 was its own challenge probably. 20 people is impressive due to how EA has done things the past few decades, killed many studios, been marked the worst company ever probably many times.
I see an EA/EXEC issue here then an engine issue. Or staff issue of them going nah we don't care enough/don't have the enthusiasm or EA won't waste the money.
It's not hard to see past just an engine limit it's always more factors not 1 straight answer.
I mean it's no Cobalt code limited people and particular info and data of that news situation, knowing about it or some IBM 510 stuff in comparison but even still it is surprising.
Toys for Bob and a bunch of other studios had to recreate the Spyro PS1 games from scratch, others would put effort into reverse engineering even. Companies go eh. Fans go either eh maybe or can't wait. Companies have more factors but can easily disappoint that take a challenge. No wonder we see the same IPs, trends and very few worthy risks taken.
Heck I'd take Under the Skin remaster the RE3 content, a good multiplayer game but nope to Capcom there. PN03 I don't see a chance but Under the Skin I do. It's cell shaded and holds up well. But no worthless IPs that are new but fair good sequel IPs but probably is you can't use the same ones forever.
Activision was willing to fund Spyro and they laser scanned and did a lot for it. Sure the rushing of it and sure sales but Spyro/Crash audiences are different too.
Then again Indie platformers are eh to me any regardless of their revival the quality is eh weak. Too weak game design they have basic games and barely anything exciting to offer. When 5-6th gen games I look further at have better ideas the Indies are too narrow view inspired or too copy paste but different assets it is so boring.
They can get any other studios or small team but EA messed up BF2042 a bunch behiyrhe scenes and that was worth it the ideas changed and idiots mind changing every few monutes. What progress that was. XD Idiors.
Veilguaed is probably great I have avoided spoilers on purpose though.
2 had it's moments besides how it turned out. But the series needs more.
Origins was good for the time. Inquisition is what it is of details people like or hate I think it's fair to great in areas I've heard or odd polish at times.
Get better creatives or get better publisher/execs. Games suck these days.
Re: Dragon Age Remaster Collection Wouldn't Be 'As Easy' As Mass Effect, Admits BioWare
Doesn't Dragon Age sell more? Yet for USA audience maybe not or they love to market Mass Effect more. I mean among competition it's surprising how much. dragon Age does a s series or curd through among other fantasy RPGs over the years. Even story/mechanically it's more impressive to me then Mass Effect (which I have played more then Dragon Age not completion but still more) and that's from research I respect the series a lot.
But impressive things mean nothing these days I know those ones don't sell well otherwise it's why I research them among the boring successful simple products is the ambitious amazing more engaging not boring products then ones so simple for boring people and why we get the garbage and emotional/nostalgia manipulating garbage we see today in Indies, AA and AAA. I know I research all eras game design is so pathetic these days for boring graphics and story telling them engaging story and better gameplay we get generic gameplay, what a waste of a medium. I may be harsh but I don't buy many games anymore because they are so casual and so boring to be as simple as possible. Not nostalgia I hate nostalgia I buy old games with better ideas left behind. To get inspired then modern games that inspire me why they are empty and pathetic and have better ideas to add to them because they are so bad.
While tough they forced people to use Frostbite to save on money cough cough so isn't that a FAIR COMPARISON EA AND TOUE BS EXCUSES.
20 PEOPLE IS ENOUGH, WHETHER they want to deal with it is another and EAs standards, the cost to work on it EA won't provide and other particular reasons. Aka they are covering it up as if the business speak wasn't obvious.
Xenoblade X exists for Switch now and that was halted as a plan they had for years I assume.
Some do make it through WHEN FHEY TRY. EA has never cared ever anyway..Bioware or the IPs deserve better under a different publisher, or being an Indies instead.
Re: Xbox Hardware Revenues Down Again Despite Content & Services Growth
Part 3:
Devs/players go WOW this is great and I'm like yeah because other open worlds are so story/recreation garbage focused they forgot what other mechanics to offer are like.
I play linear games and they NEED good mechanics or pacing to be engaging, so why do open worlds go eh lets be more bland.
I'm like sorry but your product isn't worth my purchase/time unless it's comparable of exciting mechanics and quests to do or the side challenges and if the side content sucks then that's it no purchase, the story main missions can be whatever even if when they are bland I'm not having fun at all because the story is told but the missions themselves are so boring because the writing doesn't make me care and the generic tasks aren't enjoyable at all I do it to get them out of the way, NOT BECAUSE I'M HAVING FUN GAME DEVELOPERS.
I don't think BOTW is great I thought it was fine but the fact it blew people's minds just makes me laugh because other games are so bland in comparison with their mechanics because of their story/graphics proprieties or eh tasks/quests when I play old linear games and go that mechanic was well used of possibilities, because it HAD to land or else why bother, level design was paced well and it was fun, not story and graphics garbage too basic and bland to play like modern games are.
GT7 I'll get a few years from end of service like GT Sport and it went offline eventually anyways.
FM8 has no interesting modes unlike GT7 having them same as even 6/Sport had which I don't like either entry but they still have modes and appealing use of the cars in situations then RACING only wow they really got that right it is a racing game. Sigh how bland can you get.
So why should I get FM8 then? Other than the position selector with more depth I can play games with that feature and less depth and still be fine with it in an MX vs ATV game. Progression is ok but not that exciting really.
It's why I bought 5-7 is the content, the side mode content 6 had was more fun then the actual main game races which is why 6 annoyed me so much 5 & 7 mixed them up better.
So they were still enough for me to catch up on after having not bought 6-7 at all and going oh this is fair to oh this is bad but still enjoyable enough to own. So when FM1 is more exciting to me for it's only in it tracks after being stuck with 2 and it's 360 remaster and cut back content that's ok but not the same even if refinded yeah that says a lot to go backwards then forwards.
Re: Xbox Hardware Revenues Down Again Despite Content & Services Growth
Part 2:
PS5 and Xbox Series have the gimmicks that are 'ok' but not exciting me (Quick Resume is digital so can't), the games aren't interesting for either 1st party but Xbox has the more variety appealing then Sony's offerings & I played Space Marine 2 recently, on PS5 as that's what it was bought on and the haptics/gameplay was great. I questioned the operations getting the class focus and campaign didn't lean into it but after playing it I can understand why they didn't even though as prep it would have made sense to lean into other modes more curated but oh well.
Beat the story, may go to the operations (if don't game over that much & get used to the leveling system and perks) and otherwise I've no interest in Astrobot (nostalgia milking and not what I want games to be, it's why I hate Indies that don't prototype enough they go oh I'm heavily inspired and I go cool see you later no purchase from me you didn't try hard enough, it's a disgusting product)/Ratchet Rift Apart retrying.
It's just too much disappointment of IPs I want to like as a platformer fan and fan of Ratchet but they are so unappleaing-ly bad or nostalgia milking garbage I can't be bothered.
GT7 and Forza Motorsport 8 are so bad I can't even be bothered. The content/mode handling is a joke. They can push graphics/car brands but if the core mechanics, boring modes or lack of ANY to mix things up is the case why should I play? The racing genre sucks so hard these days I can't be bothered.
I want things to DO with the cars, same as open worlds I want MECHANICS to play with not a boring recreation of reality or fantasy locations but the tasks are mundane boring human talking, combat and collecting/escorting. I don't want generic RPG quests to do I want more particular mechanics driven. Not casuals basic garbage and boring worlds because nothing playground mechanically FUN about navigating them.
Splatoon 2 had a grapple and nothing special but HOW they used it made it so much fun. The level design was really challenging and varied. The right tweaks over the first game. I played it in 2024 that's why bringing it up didn't get to it till early 2024.
BOTW is just Zelda games past ideas and new ones into an open world. How is having items and shrines (the only things I cared for in the game really the rest was pretty eh open worlds tuff not into, kind of like Sunset Overdrive tower defence spots then the generic outposts in other games, they appealed to me) so simple yet good enough.
Re: Xbox Hardware Revenues Down Again Despite Content & Services Growth
Services are what they are advertising then consoles so if multiple ways to play and only dedicated buy the consoles not surprising really. I hope it doesn't mean they go oh less than Xbox One or other factors time to abandon them. If the services work then by all means, if the third parties on there Indie/otherwise why not.
I care for gameplay not vibes, story (depends), graphics (depends on artstyle USED with the level design/HUDs), movesets being good and varied not just wow generic characters human, animal (humanlike or actual animal like), insects, aliens, whatever. Not dumbed down so much to be casual level imagination understandable when I'd like to see some be broader of imagination pushing not so basic. Themes can vary but if too much drama/story focus I'm just not interested, give me something to play not a thing to watch/not care about the mission details or characters because I just end up not caring at all very early on and won't buy the product because I know enough about the type of audience they are for.
The problem I find is it's like they keep selling the Xbox as a PC. I get the digital storefront side is over people with PS4s that was clear with but I just find it's the IPs too. Impulse Tr4iggers are cool but don't mean anything to people and people don't even know they exist anyway compared to HD Rumble/Haptics or other controller gimmicks. But I find Xbox OG/360 even if they are what they are of IPs they are still exciting, I knew more about Xbox One IPs then did OG/360 yet the others offer MORE and also MORE exciting ideas in them then Xbox One/Series offer of gameplay ideas yet they have variety like Nintendo just not gameplay excitement like Nintendo or old PS/360 IPs offer (even if most on OG/360 were 3rd parties exclusive to it not just 1st party that got ignored when Halo/Gears/Forza got more focus and I branched out and go wow this is exciting).
I just don't see any games I want to play on Xbox Series like at all. They have the variety/good 1st party here I just don't care for any of them or waiting on them a LONG time as well. Among the variety I just go maybe Gears Tactics or Hi Fi Rush, South of Midnight, maybe, Fable/Perfect Dark eh, I mean I tried Perfect Dark both entries on 360 (got disk for it before RR) Xbox One Rare Replay for the N64 one but otherwise eh. Not something I desperately need to play on the Xbox besides my genre open mindedness the gameplay appeal just isn't there.
The values/story/graphics get pushed and the gameplay looks safe, sad and bland. Too normal, not exciting in the slightest or the trailers don't help and the footage doesn't help either it's just so for everybody that nothing exciting happens in the games anymore so I look old gen or Nintendo now and I never usually looked toi Nintendo.
Even then I've got plenty of OG/360 BC to play on my Xbox One (especially as some of the OG Xbox/360 games picked up aren't Xbox One compatible either or because of the BC glitch that is now fixed of course right?) I just haven't bothered to much compared to on older consoles or a bit more my PS4 as a now when picking up Xbox One/PS4/Switch games on and off.
Re: Xbox's Rod Fergusson Explains The Team's Original Plan For Gears 6
While moving to another planet would have been interesting the story was very eh for 4 & 5, but the gameplay was fair which is all I really play Gears for anyway. 1-3 are ok but I barely get through 1 before I just shut it off. I haven't played 2 & 3 to end story in years, same with Judgement. Beat Gears 4's story and got what half way or 3/4 through 5 at a boss fight of sorts I think.
E Day even if 'eh another reboot' I do think it's what the series needs right now though. Mechanics better but fair story/tone, etc of 1-3.
I'm kind of annoyed Gears has followed the same as Halo, they get a new studio (which is a fair thing as these series get pushed to continue regardless and the other studios do whatever they want afterwards even if they go either way of if we as audiences care for those next projects) but they also just go oh this and that continuations and the execution in the most eh ways possible. They feel like they are trying but also not that into them and I can understand why. Then a reboot 6th entry like is so stupid. At least Forza Motorsport didn't have that problem but different type of game even though 5-7 are horrendous they still have more charm then 8 does even if not 1-4 excellence of the series of content and region system and other focus, they don't offer ambitious mechanics like other 1 off racersr I've researched and appreciate more but for what they do offer they are great.
Gears Tactics like Halo Wars I think was a good expansion to the universe and gameplay direction to offer, I haven't played it but I like tactics games and I'm yet to still try more of Halo Wars 2. I think it was a good refresh/trying something new for the series.
Gears to me had it not as bad as Halo, to me Halo had it way worse. 4 was ok, 5 was trying different things but just didn't seem right and to me Infinite was so 'trying way too hard to keep up with the industry' the same way 4's loadouts or other aspects or Resistance 2 disappoints me, like do studios even think outside the box or trend focused and just become so boring by the end product and being a mix of ideas they couldn't settle on.
Gears 4 and 5 to me weren't bad, sure the direction was odd and obvious why they went with Kate and the others like this but eh is what it is now I guess.
I thought the level design/ideas in both were fair, the open spaces didn't do much for me in 5 but was a fair idea.
E Day being a reboot depending how it goes about things will be interesting to see (tone, level design, atmosphere, characterisation and more) then more of 4 & 5's continuation that while fair wasn't what people really wanted.
To be honest I have barely replayed 1 to 3, I might replay Judgement just to get that different feel because it's not by Epic and was People Can Fly or Bulletstorm/Outriders and Outriders was...... touch and awkward but for cheap I gave it a go on and off. While Bulletstorm was so much better.
1-3 aren't bad I just don't find myself getting far into them as some shooters have different pacing of enemies or mechanics or level design/story that just made me care more to beat them not just the 'want to research and buy up the old competition 1 offs' as they were just more exciting to me even if some are pretty blend but still appealing enough. That's having not even gotten to Singularity, Inversion, Fracture or Haze with mechanics I really want to play in those games.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Released One Of Its Best-Ever Exclusives 10 Years Ago Today
Part 2:
But then again original IPs trying to fit in then other IPs, cameos and other factors because reasons. Even Astrobot to me is just well nostalgia reselling in level design and cameos. In Playroom cameos I was like that's fine, in Astrobot the original is ok and the recreations put me off and the cosmetics then 'further depth' with the cosmetics to be mechanically interesting is a lot to ask but when it's a recreation I want more than nostalgia milking.
So off the back of nostalgia/multiverse approaches, a 2007+ story that's 5 entries in & fitting in with the rest of the Sony games approach nowadays then gameplay I play them for eh you can tell why 1st party PS5 isn't for me and even 3rd parties are eh too. Xbox is fine in variety but I respect them just not cared for them either but I do respect them more. Nintendo is themselves and I just go for the Pikmin, Fire Emblem and others and Pikmin 4 sucked trying to be 'improved' in ways I was excited for but in executed wasn't happy about and 'casualified in areas too' so that sucked.
Most studios would kill for an ambitious game to a series and people still praising it story or mechanics/level design not an ambitious game and people go this isn't what we wanted the series to be. Especially as Ratchet has been very repetitive and tried things but not too far either so they go and be safe about it. I get 2016 remake, newcomers and old fans from 2 different eras or 1 era mostly as 2007+ story but even still, sigh. Even as someone ok with both old eras.
Yet to me Rift Apart isn't that. It's fine but felt to safe/other priorities with story/the most safe and boring gameplay in the series besides what it does offer as fair enough in some areas besides what Blizar (2 realities level) as the most ambitious, best or CIT level in the whole game. CIT had 3 of them and more quality to them, even Tools of Destruction had more quality in the level that RA remakes in the early hours and is more dull then in TOD with dinos, what changed it has no dinos or other cool ideas in it in the 2007 version then a dull 2021 prettier version. XD Alternate reality or not.
They make fine games still but eh I've pulled away instead.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Released One Of Its Best-Ever Exclusives 10 Years Ago Today
@IOI I guess so but to me it's like when Rare was bought, or they have Double Fine. In terms of less COD, World of Warcraft besides Elder Scrolls Online and their mobile money and the well Fallout 4 revival of sales from the tv show/King money I mean..... Sigh. In terms of for players like us that pay attention it is a bit hit or miss in terms of money for them I guess if it works?
They have those types of studios but the flexibility or still follow the industry type approach of an Insomniac I don't know if I want to see it happen on either side or further independence and further more follow everyone else type games.
I mean them being a mostly Marvel studio now and Ratchet in a few years whenever they can and their 'bigger' games like Resistance/Fuse/Sunset Overdrive besides the mobile game/VR attempts on Occulus that were pretty fair I assume or Song of the Deep as a small project and physical with Gamestop publishing too like they may have happened on Xbox of the few games they did have (besides the close Sony relationship) and Sony not allowing them VR opportunity is just so annoying.
I would like to think they would have but I also don't know what they would have played safe themselves even with Microsoft's 'flexibility' or not they may have approved or not either and been told to be like a Rare (regardless of staff changes, vets in Yooka Laylee or other studios and things change and all that jazz)
The tries different things but still a heavy hitter and following the industry and well enough I assume by Sea of Thieves handling or whenever Everwild happens.
I mean even though Sun Over is a keep up with everyone else type game I think it stands out in a way only Insomniac can make and that's why I like it.
To me Resistance 2 was the worst of this then 3 back tracked for the better in terms of mechanics and is why I find 2 is a fine game but mechanically it's like how people see Halo 4 with loadouts, to me R2 was just so 'why did you need to do this' it's an alternative history game like Wolfenstein (not played 2009 so not idea how that went about things).
Insomniac has their 'try to keep up' stance sometimes (I get why studios do it still doesn't not annoy me) and it just annoys me.
Rift Apart to me is just that mixed in then Crack in Time ambitious and I don't see us getting anything like that game again.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Released One Of Its Best-Ever Exclusives 10 Years Ago Today
Seeing as it was Insomniac's first open world it was excellent. Is it 'outdated' compared to other open worlds probably. It's still one of my favourites because of how it presents itself and why I like it over Spiderman being more wow outposts give me the Tower Defence from SO any day then more generic outposts, more generic map opening stuff when even in strategy games the scout type units or just traveling was enough I didn't need a machine to go and scout and open the map for me. XD
I hated the dialogue in Sun Over at first then gave it a second go (didn't sell it at all & and I should have gone wait old Ratchet used to do this..... and with Outer Wilds/Journey to the Savage planet as well for their fair commercialism or consumerism I forget/parody tone as well but I don't know if I came to those realizations either) and I loved it. Same with Rabbids wasn't into them binged Sparks of Hope to half the game, not beaten it still but even still the game design was just right for me besides getting into tactics enough now or not as many open worlds prior to SO but even still it was other things not the game design for me with those games.
Nowadays to me it's the game design in ANY games, any genres just not being 'fun' too focused on themes and worlds and characters the things I didn't like being more what I don't like and the games still being disappointing because they focus on the other so much. It varies per genre though so my stance is weird like it would be for anyone's weird takes. XD
Wow typical past Spiderman games stuff it's just so eh in Spiderman 2018 that I only liked the lab puzzles any chance they were offered like any Insomniac game with puzzle minigames in Ratchet (Clank levels were not enough thanks), the laser side mission, the ground pound side mission aka the only one that requires something from the skill tree too. Taskmaster missions were fine as far as like Sunset Overdrive/Gravity Rush did of challenges and I enjoy those in games.
I think Sunset Overdrive mixes what they learned from Ratchet/other games then just Fuse/All 4 One being too similar yet I preferred Fuse even for how bland it is I don't know why it had enough charm besides how All 4 One presented itself in many areas and the level design was just not as good in All 4 One either. Also the all on screen approach with the camera/controls did limit it.
Sun Over isn't perfect but as it sure is on PC, but to me ReCore/Rare Replay, hating but still keeping Forza Motorsport 5-7 and their fair ups and downs of execution and 8 on Series S/X is so bland in comparison you bet that Sunset Overdrive has a reason to stick with me on Xbox One. If not for BC or CD apps/whatever music app I want not Spotify only Sony.
There are very few I care about on Xbox One as it is but SO was one of the few I love on that box then how on occasion for particular reasons I use it for now for YT, BC odd games I have like Demon Turf physical, other music apps, CD apps, films/tv shows in the Blu-ray app even if the touchpad on PS4 is fun and the UI is fair and 360's was good while PS2/PSP/3's I hated & old Xbox One games.
Re: Microsoft Boasts About Owning '20 Franchises That Have Generated Over $1 Billion'
It's funny they say that. They can have the IPs they bought up or those they 'did build up' back in the day. But I'm barely if at all interested in EITHER OF THEM. So I'm not part of that contribution and I don't care. XD
Impact they need. Halo/Gears/Forza spins have been fair but I don't care for either of them now as they just disappoint (Forza Motorsport 8 especailly and the other IPs are hit & miss compared to OG/360 era West or Asia I'm picking up now and having a blast.
Ubisoft I only cared for Mario Rabbids because they were tactics games not because it was Mario or Rabbids (hate the Rabbids but in M&R they are less insufferable at least). Or Red Steel 1 & 2 (where is 2 in VR come on Ubisoft). Many smaller IP from many third party publishers, so only the small I care about and pick up now or a bit a ago like Sparks of Hope. If their big IPs were good enough sure but they just aren't convincing me at all. So the advertising/ideas aren't working but pushing me away instead.
Saying having them, not using them well or at all, yeah who cares it's just IPs they have, big whoop.
IPs that are big hits a point companies seem to forget, some people move on not stick around just because product loyalty, some don't like the changes, don't need to use their products/brand anymore or want to but they don't offer anything that bit different or compelling enough to care.
That small percentage it money they could be getting but aren't. Instead unless Nintendo for certain things (mostly third parties still or odd first party niche games they have offered yes not the big games) Sony isn't getting my money either unless odd digital purchases I've made but otherwise that's rare for me everything else is particular third parties if they end up being new not pre-owned either.
Everything else is second hand stores none of the companies see for my $5 PS3/360 era shooters or PS2 era platformers or odd tactics games I've gotten from either gens. Among other genres from gens past/dead nowadays or niche somewhat revivals.
If Microsoft want me to buy not pre-owned OG/360 games they see no money from they need to try harder for some of us not interested in their current gen at all no matter how big or how bold they speak. Were just not their audience, they don't want our money, go oh new people will, yeah and what if they don't'? Who to rely on then?
Just keep milking what works, missing the small in-between audiences that have made up their minds already, think new people will jump on board but only few do anyways XD, the few experimental titles have been cool but I'm still not interested and I don't use the platform, others around me do but I have no reason to use it at all besides BC/a CD app and music apps I have more options on than PlayStation.
Don't buy the current gen consoles or even use them at all from those around me that do.
Xbox hasn't gotten my money in years now instead pre-owned copies get picked up rarely and mostly OG Xbox/360 games are let alone small handfuls of Xbox One if ever at all, no Gamepass use, no digital games, physical but only Xbox One era or BC titles or 360 only or OG Xbox supported on 360. They need to try harder.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Adds Two Call Of Duty 'Cloud' Titles Today, Along With Black Ops 6
For those interested sure, but for me where are COD 2? Big Red One? Finest Hour? Get me to play COD games on your console ABK/Microsoft come on.
There is a reason I have them on PS2 instead is they wouldn't give me the option for the Xbox version for BC. Every little bit of sales counts come on.
I'm not that into COD but I am the older ones I never played like those but nope got them on PS2 or 3 on PS3 instead but they will keep pushing the latest ones instead.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox & Nintendo Switch Owners, How Do You Split Your Third-Party Purchases?
Varies. Some games I go for Switch if it's just more what I see available on the platform (same as I do some Xbox third parties then any PS4 copies if I don't see any).
While others it's just if I go huh this genre on Switch may be cool like I did Wreckfest and it was the only platform I saw a copy for at the time then PS4 copies later or it was digital sales I can't remember. But it varies. I'd do the same with GameCube for any third party racers there. I'm going to for Grid Autosport eventually digitally on Switch, same with Gal Gun Returns as only available there besides PC and got the others on PS4.
Either way some genres I go eh might be cool on a Nintendo system. Others just whatever I find. I don't always have a genre/vibe preference as in like a racing/shooters on Xbox and only Japanese or others on PS4. Like I'm fine having Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Xbox One why not. I am happy to play whatever I can find really. So when they come to a platfo0rm on Xbox I'm like huh that's neat.
First party are what they are of particular ones I seek on Nintenodo platforms not the obvious ones either.
Xbox I have the odd third parties I don't get for PS4 or like Demon Turf the physical as wasn't for PS4/Switch at all. I haven't gotten to many on Xbox as of late in terms of late Xbox One 2020+ releases mostly PS4 or if Xbox One it's mostly older stuff.
But if on Xbox I don't consider it for PC I'm happy with the console version.
I only buy PS4/Vita digital. I did Wii U/3DS but not Switch yet. No interest in doing so for Xbox.
Re: Xbox Exec Dismisses Rumour That He Doesn't Care About Banjo-Kazooie
Anything can be a rumour so hmm. Also many old IPs people could say that niche or popular and annoy a fan base. That or with Naughty Bear/Conker or others some of us are fine with a parody/mature looking cartoony game because why not. It's always interesting to see them.
As if 360/Switch online releases weren't enough to say hey this audience is interested still besides just it being an N64 game and remembered highly, the audience for popular games not pushed out all the time is still a thing they aren't AA/B grade or 1-3 game series & left behind. They are left behind but still big audience fan bases even if moved onto other games, still impactful/large fanbase.
Odd timing. Yooka Layllee a sign/Banjo clones & 3D platformer revival period right now as well.
They have numbers for Voodoo Vince Remastered, Demon Turf (got physical on Xbox for a reason as not physical on PS/Switch), the many platformer or other types of family friendly games for our Xbox or other platforms. Or buying them up second hand. I got Kya Dark Lineage/Malice (beat it 100%) & enjoying them both. for Banjo, for Spyro/Crash, for Psychonauts 2, for Lucky's Tale, for nay other family friendly games but mostly those that contain that 5-6th gen like audience appeal that like myself seek.
Just because some people don't understand that audience or seek money we are a sizeable amount or else Mario/Sonic let alone others wouldn't sell or have fan art or as much seeking these old games and why Croc is returning because people will be interested in it and are.
Glover on modern consoles besides just PC, Blinx/Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy being via back compat let alone Blinx in Gamepass is great to see no Blinx 2 but it's something with 1 in there. Voodoo Vince Remastered even.
Like they just ignore us as a an audience & go eh kids these days don't care, most adults playing stereotypical adult/teen audience games instead. JP/family games Xbox said, were is it of happening besides obvious games that still are Xbox audience focused then all platform releases/exclusives of OG/360 era it just doesn't happen.
Crazy ideas in kids games then mature games any day.
I don't want mature games with eh themes & boring gameplay, I play them for gameplay, themes can be whatever but still unappealing.
I'm buying up PS3/360/Wii shooters for the gameplay mechanics because modern ones are MP focused and average for the singleplayer ones that are good but not as exciting or waiting for more and filling it in with past ones.
Some kids/family games have more fun gameplay thrown at the wall for level design/character movesets besides the simple story, fair stories, they have better gameplay because they push different ideas mature games won't push as they like to push themes/story more.
So why would I not play them I don't care how they look or how low age rating they are if the gameplay is pushing crazy ideas, or average ideas but still more fun fantasy/sci-fi settings or whatever then the dark or whatever drama and such type games, eh real life recreations I don't care about or other details or fair teen level of themes but eh gameplay or passable gameplay then well a family game with good gamepaly any day over them.
Just because some people don't get us wanting good gameplay or fair artstyles in our Indies or family friendly AAA games.
Especially if wanting to push tone/themes and bad gameplay well be my guest then.
Re: Poll: How Would You Grade Today's Xbox Partner Preview Event?
Good mix of variety, fair early access and others, however far along. Nothing I care for here really Indie or otherwise. But that always happens.
Mouse P.I sounds cool but execution hmm.
Too many about their worlds or eh characters, eh premises, too into the future sure it happens so not enough to say about them but even still, or trends.
The mechanics/movesets/level design just aren't exciting me here.
F but to be generous a C or D. But nah forget that F.
1.Did remedy learn from the last MP game they offered the campaign for and it flopped? Did they learn from Bleeding Edge by Ninja Theory? They may have a fair spin to offer for sure it's just hmm how will this go.
2.Subnautica 2 is cool to have early access for.
3.unique shooter I don't see it at all. Other things I'd seek instead in a shooter to be unique as playing PS3/360/Wii ones with unique ideas still today. Give me some The Club remaster then Sega. Or whoever published Fracture or others.
Give me hive mind enemies to learn, remove, copy players (yes Dark Link copies I know). Make a game around that AI then.
4.The rest seem fair, haven't followed, heard of or cared to hear about the others really. They seem fine.
Nothing of interest though.
Re: Roundup: All The Reveals From October 2024's Xbox Partner Preview Showcase
1.Did remedy learn from the last MP game they offered the campaign for and it flopped? Did they learn from Bleeding Edge by Ninja Theory? They may have a fair spin to offer for sure it's just hmm how will this go.
2.Subnautica 2 is cool to have early access for.
3.unique shooter I don't see it at all. Other things I'd seek instead in a shooter to be unique as playing PS3/360/Wii ones with unique ideas still today. Give me some The Club remaster then Sega. Or whoever published Fracture or others.
Give me hive mind enemies to learn, remove, copy players (yes Dark Link copies I know). Make a game around that AI then.
4.The rest seem fair, haven't followed, heard of or cared to hear about the others really. They seem fine.
Nothing of interest though.
Re: Rare Boss To Become New Head Of Xbox Game Studios
Part 2:
Obsidian have a great way to balance projects but yes they don't have the name or the presentation people look at which is sad as their games are excellent even if they aren't my kind of games I respect them for sure. It's more on customers and their tastes, timing of release and more so it's unfortunate for them.
Forza Motorsport/Horizon balanced things between them but yeah I found Motorsport got worse and worse. Different is fine but the ways they did it were so bad. 5 felt like 2 did but worse, a new gen game but the content is light and not that great, at least 2 had the region system of 1 and even if the 1 tracks I actually liked didn't make it over they still had the original tutorial layout tracks then only the real tracks as those appeal a lot in the late game and I hate them so much. Nowadays Ride 4 has put a spin on the region system to be more restrictive and while I don't mind it the game itself had harder AI which is why I hated it not the region system Forza Motorsport used to have and has ditched so at least Milestone has that experimental side to them even if not the same as Apex or Alfa Romeo Racing Italiano (what Grid 2008/Forza Motorsport 3 dumbed down of rewind system and no RPG elements that licensed 1 make title had)
6 was just so much we remixed it and ok mods but not that necessary, cars as rewards like 5 that were too much candy car giving but unless a class to use in career were arcade usable so was pointless, but yet the remixing made the pacing of it so boring I wanted to only do the side content, 7 rebalanced it to be like 5 with races and side content again so that was good but more selection then in order like 5 and I mean I can compare 7 to PGR2 and go huh they have that restrictive classes or track/event variety but it's just not the same as PGR 2 with it's car dealership to walk around, Geometry Wars or even the city layouts just being more exciting then the real world circuits to me to drive on.
Re: Rare Boss To Become New Head Of Xbox Game Studios
Don't know enough about, whatever he has been doing in Rare then.
If the leadership is better sure but I don't have hope at all. Modern gaming feels empty or I get more inspired by old games for mechanics, movesets, modes and more. The content handling is eh and other priorities are still in place for modern games so to me I'm just not satisfied with 1st or 3rd party from ANY of them besides what puzzle games or tactics games in a way. Hack n slashes maybe. Most other genres whether shooter, platformer, racing and action adventure/RPG haven't really appealed to me these days Indies
(some have good ideas, others are nostalgically inspired or just still getting their of talent but just not doing it for me their proritiies are still graphics, or following other games then prototyping longer on original ideas or I don't know too much their dialogue/artstyle/cultures and while it's fine to do so the gameplay makes it fun not the world/themes.
I don't really care about what characters say, look like or what the world looks like [unless the level design but colour palette or where it's set or whatever it's supposed to represent and yes I don't like holiday destination cough real world locations unless it's playground gameplay like fun] if to play in your world I want to do that first before i see the world. It's like the instruments if the sound/structure isn't exciting I don't think your lyrics which I don't usually care for unless a spin on things I don't need that singing human element in there, I'll just ignore your song and your instrumentation/electronic sampling)
or AA/AAA they just haven't had the sort of angle to things I'm really looking for or find have enough depth or 'yeah I'm into this' they feel a tad uncooked in their execution.
Forza Motorsport 5 to 7 sucked but are better then 8 being so 'racing' and devoid. 5 to 7 I have issues with but the remixing of content and the variety they offer (the little things) are still good about them for sure that I was still willing to buy and play them enough. Not as much as 1-4 (seeking 1 to finish the series even though played it before) but yeah the direction of some games are a bit eh.
DIrt 3 vs Dirt 5 to me 5 has more racing and less do tricks around a outside curated area or the obstacle courses to drift, spin around on, hit posts and more. Dirt 3 had variety, 5 feels like 1% that and 99% racing and I just find it boring. That's how I feel about Forza Motorsport 8 is it's got none of what made even 7 good enough to me of content variety and pacing to be fun. Just racing and a level up/collecting or more cars to drip feed, crashes and more. Nah pass. I won't even buy or try it. GT7 I've tried and gone well it has still the GT5 leveling strictness and FM6 roulettes but worse for both but besides how eh I don't like the format of GT7's career mode while 1-6 I think did a fair job trying to mix things up or PSP being a collecting game on the go. I think GT7 still has it's what fuel challenges from 6 or other stuff that makes it still better than other games without the variety of modes.
I can play Juiced 2 and find 3+ different drift modes among the race modes. Not just standard drifting and that's it in a Grid Legends or Autosport. What happened to touge in TXR or Grid 2008/Race Driver.
Re: Talking Point: How Do You Feel About Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal One Year On?
@theduckofdeath Depends on the news/page, depends on the people, depends on their outlook of things, what they are really seeking right now in gaming, how often they want games or information, how much the companies spend money on other things then what we as customers would like to see.
Re: Talking Point: How Do You Feel About Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal One Year On?
Uh what some games on Gamepass, the same stuff we always see from Activision besides whatever ok but not exciting new stuff from their existing games.
Or exciting new games at all small or big.
No Pitfall Lost Expedition on BC as BC isn't going to expand and whatever is the case with TimeShift or others will they stay dead on Xbox store as just pages to warn inform people you can't or is it disk only still or will licensing change or whatever?
Nothing else interesting from Activision in terms of current focused games really. The same handful, the same recycling, more unexciting stuff because the current company/industry isn't doing anything too interesting unless it's 1% of Indies with good ideas or the rest are just odd AA titles west or east, everything else is lazy trend following or nostalgic heavily inspired unoriginal and not exciting because they are spinning off or exciting enough.
So I don't see anything really happening whether year 1, 2, 3 or year 10 though by year 10 10 CODs have come out, the next few warzones have, more Diablo 4 stuff, King doing what they do to make money for Microsoft without even having to try because people play their games regardless, Overwatch 2 will keep going, maybe another Tony Hawk if deals happen again......
Otherwise nothing I want from Activision happens anyways so like I care what they do. I don't care for their games anymore.
Spyro 4 I never questioned anyways, I'm happy Toys for Bob can do their own thing now but at the same time it could be anything they end up making, any studios that get large funding but are independent make a new game to trend follow (Nightingale or No Man's Sky as examples) or make a successor to the IPs they were working on (Calisto, Yooka Laylee, Mighty Number 9, Bloodstained, etc.) just without that license......
Re: Xbox Cloud Gaming Will Reportedly Let You Stream Your Own Games Very Soon
While US only for now is it only digital games? Or does physical count (as in not just Xbox One/Series but I mean back compat titles too does this allow streaming for or is it like cloud titles are but applies to broader Xbox One/Series titles I assume that's more likely for sure)?
Like I can play any Vita game or I can remote play any PS4 game even if incompatible, or on a phone and so on. But I can't remote play a Xbox OG/360 title which is eh....
Like Gamepass or digital titles make sense for cloud and streaming but the physical license does it need the disk in it still or is it just added to the profile/library so it's ok?
I assume this all applies to digital and should be common sense but just asking out of curiosity just encase. I'm a physical only on Xbox but I know those with digital/Xbox Live Gold and so on games so they can easily use this, but I can't and am just curious. I'm happy with physical on Xbox anyway.
Like I can't remote play unless the disk is in there (not tested with Xbox but have PlayStation).
I can't quick resume disk games they only work on digital releases.
I can't convert a disk game to a digital one in a purchase/conversion process on a platform at all by giving Microsoft the game if I wanted to. No platform holder offers that kind of serve, Sony may refurbishing consoles but not game conversion. So......
Pointless but curiosity questions that's all.
Re: Poll: Which Of These Is Your Favourite 343 Industries Halo Game?
Well out of the 343 era of 1 Remastered, 4, 5, Infinite, MMC and Halo 2 remake (some parts were so bad I had to switch back to Halo 2 original graphics I couldn't see in 1 level or area the lighting/shadows were so bad, maybe they fixed it but when it came out it was really bad) and Halo Wars 2 I'd say either 1 remastered (even if an ok remaster), 4 or Halo Wars 2 even if they didn't even make it. XD
Their era is 'ok' but hardly that memorable or titles I'd go back to.
I bought Halo 2 and the Collectors disk so I'm good to experience the original now. I bought it on a whim but with the collectors disk I'm happy, pretty cool find for sure for $3 for both so $6. Spent more than that on more games (Xbox OG games I'd wanted for a long time, some racing hidden gems, PS3, PS2, Splinter Cell Conviction Preorder bonus that just happened to be there because why not) but that's besides the point.
Re: Xbox To Start Selling Games 'Directly' On Android App Next Month (US)
Cool benefit but I do think the messaging needs to be good. If in an app then sure but if on Google Play they NEED people to know it's for cloud and like with other things a license NOT a port to Android or iPhone. People will blindly do that we all know someone will.
I don't hate the play anywhere but it has it's limits, the console is still worth it or PC if people prefer it.
US is a fair start then whenever the other role outs are able to happen. Whatever insiders can test as well.
I'm happy with the console, if people have them on PC go for it, don't care for the biggest games, I don't use Gamepass even though I see benefits in it for sure.
Whether Steam, Epic, GOG, their own? The third parties do the same to any platform they can so why not a console maker? Who says it can't be done it can.
We may or may not like multiple as it can change the rate we see games. Those wanting the walled off to validate their purchase as well, sure.
I see reason in it but it doesn't change anything other then rate of games coming out unless another studio does the porting then it makes some sense. But if the games aren't for me anyway then well I'm not missing out but someone else is getting to play a game they always wanted to and by all means that's great they get to experience it however they want.
I mean I enjoy the Nintendo regular or controller gimmicks input methods, it's no accessibility (understandable it being a thing for sure visual, motor or otherwise) but I mean I like controller gimmicks if the games aren't going to be 'that exciting' and I'm having more fun with older games controller gimmicks/peripherals or not but more interesting game design then modern games where unless the controller gimmicks or something of an exciting mechanic I have no interest in modern games at all no matter their stories/themes/setting, something PS/Xbox controller gimmicks have been fun when they offer them in games (yes Xbox One impulse triggers in the what Gears/Forza Motorsport/Project Cars games I've experienced it in).
I'm sticking to console, I don't even care whether PC has the better features or whatever inputs on Steam or other stuff I don't even use keyboard and mouse on any console I see it being beneficial but eh if interested of a controller keyboard then sure or some games it has a place but eh still fine with whatever CD app, music app or blu-ray support I can have besides back compat on console I don't care for most if any modern games really right now (only certain people go Windows store, Xbox app on PC sure but Windows store...... only for specific things not games and yes Xbox/Windows stores are connected I know that, whether 2 purchases or 1 for both I forget).
They want money from all sides it's understandable they expand it as much as possible, Saturn to PC or Coleco Chameleon or whatever, can be 1st party but who says the business can't expand and not just to movies/figures/shampoo/fridges but games via any way to play. It can be so broad it's confusing and jack of all trades but confusing which one with all the choice, but I mean they are trying and it's working for audiences for sure so why not.
Re: Xbox's Internet Browser Is So Good, It's Changed The Way I Watch TV
Part 2:
People just don't think about it and don't care as it's always about the games or other stuff.
I mean a lot happens in tech but people don't care. I do and look around a lot and go oh this to this and that can do that. Whether gaming handhelds people never heard of or ignore, or just key features that made a difference. It's not always about the games. It's sometimes the apps, the features, the controller gimmicks and how some use them. It's exciting stuff the more I look at them.
Re: Xbox's Internet Browser Is So Good, It's Changed The Way I Watch TV
Makes sense to me. People go oh Xbox/PC and games. I myself never really need to use it but I'm glad it's there and more accessible then the other platforms unless you have a PS4 around as Vita/Wii U browsers aren't great and 360 dropped Bing support with the eshop so..... unless PS3 it works well then I doubt it. I mean apps going away as internet related things change with apps/web broswers or devs caring to support old systems either. Youtube was janky on Wii U but it still technically worked.
A lot of things are possible on the web though. I said even if I never really use it, I said it's alright, not bad. It's not able to do everything & I don't expect it to but I think it's capable enough of a lot people just don't think about as they have other devices to do it instead.
So like with the media app push PS3/Xbox One and Wii U had it didn't really matter if smart TVs, phones and PCs already do it and consoles have the option and can be a good media/physical disk for media player but are still gaming machines to most people even if a PS2, PS3, 360, Xbox One and PS4 are still good media players and I mostly use my 360/Xbox One or PS4 as I prefer the menus of them more. PS2 it's got artifact-ing and not really into it while in modern consoles I don't see it with the same disk for that tv series I tested it with at all. PS2, PSP (UMD movies or music) and PS3 have the same menu and I just don't like it.
Can easily use a TV's browser or a console and find what I need if no phone/PC or 'access to them' if restricted for to others. Easily use a console/handheld to browse or experience entertainment then a phone/PC. Many internet devices these days people have access to.
It's why the what people do on with those web browsers on PS3/360/Wii wasn't a surprise other then the what they searched and how different each result was for 'adult searches'. It was interesting and kind of explained what audiences had each console in a way too. XD Especially for Wii.
I don't think about Edge on Xbox much but since PS5/Switch hide theirs I'm like hmm yeah it's nice it's here and accessible. PS4/Wii U ones do a fair job but PS4 more so Wii Us is a bit like Vita it's just too much for it to capture modern web design elements anymore.
The Xbox whether the dual app, TV TV TV period of 2013-2017 that OS feature was I loved it with Windows 8 so nope take that away. But oh PS5 can have picture in picture and that's fine. Who uses it no idea but no one cared when Sony showed it off in the PS5 early days at all with Sackboy A Big Adventure.
The Xbox whether BC to Edge to other stuff, CD player apps, any music serivce you want not ONLY spotify. Like the Xbox/Windows stores are great if you thnik about it and as a console and easy app access then having to look for it on a web browser the PC way because Xboxs are locked down Edge is very powerful for finding cough emu, or just writing up documents or doing other things.
They aren't perfect but they do offer a fairly about you can do with apps or the browser if you don't like the app versions of streaming services or other stuff probably, if you want a web version then an app only way to do things Edge is perfectly capable and underrated for sure.
Re: Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Gets Busy Meeting Loads Of Japanese Devs At TGS 2024
Part 3:
Kingdom Under Fire was great it's not the OG entries that are apparently better but I still picked up the 360 entry and went this is still fun to me. Seeing N.U.D.E the robot sim or others. Many will say the same for Otogi or others. Versus just old Sega, Konami and other IPs and what was normal for the Xbox/360 and those that weren't.
Those that were Japan only too on 360 for certain genres or types of games or publishers/developers of shoot em up or other types that came out. I mean Gal Gun Returns could have returned to Xbox One for being on 360 then PS3 (like many of the time Ninja Gaiden or others as big game examples as well) or so but nope they had a reputation to uphold Xbox so that's on them for why it's Switch/PC only isn't it. They could have been different to Sony but nope. Reputation.
Just seeing the same IPs fit an Xbox audience or deals is not exciting in the slight to me, it's the same obvious IPs for the same obvious devs/pubs expect audiences or content differences, but if those IPs do interest people by all means I guess. I just don't really care myself for what IPs we see on both. I can care they do come to all platforms and Xbox or PS/Xbox then PS only/PS & PC but besides impressions of Xbox or audience appealing IPs the ones that don't appeal to Xbox players then that's fine. But some of us and Phil knows this seek the other platforms because of the niche ones they don't bother to work with as much or hear about as much.
AAA is just so eh. The more out their IPs on Xbox would be fine but the obvious big ones with less to lose or obvious for a stereotypical Xbox audience I mean what's there to be excited for besides continued support which is good but not that exciting I find.
Re: Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Gets Busy Meeting Loads Of Japanese Devs At TGS 2024
Part 2:
Gamepass or other solutions and articles going hey this series is on Xbox. Messaging. Besides sales and if sales and they never try again well that's how it ends up I guess.
Gimmicks sure but who used Impulse triggers on Xbox One really? Let alone touchpad on PS4? Or gyro? I know a handful.
But just general support of tools/audience sales or can tell the demographics sure it's obvious enough the perception versus the individuals who like Xbox and enjoy using an Xbox (only platform, or multiplatforms but prefer Xbox) that don't match the stereotypical devs/pubs/other players see.
Just more of the same AAA Asian IPs cycling and the same games or certain deals early or content unique to it or whatever to consider on Xbox or whatever and the not so for that audience IPs that aren't western stereotype or just fair gamers that were genuinely interested and we don't see them come to Xbox, I mean that doesn't change a lot. XD Nothing will change besides what they already know, predict or see in sales enough time and the effort being worth it or not. People paying attention to studios, IPs or what the games actually offer.
Isn't that exciting other than the few that don't make it to Xbox for 'reasons' whether the megaman issue with Xbox (whether to believe or not APis or sales or other reasons they say) or other reasons publishers happen to say.
So seeing the same publishers and making deals is fine. But it won't change much unless you already cared about them.
Thing is it wasn't always a case with Atari either. They just didn't release on those due to sales not because of oh American console and perception and well OG/360 changed things for sure in those times of the brand, of the devs happy to make for those platforms than nowadays Xbox One related or not of factors as well.
They will PC and it's audience.
OG/360 are different times I know but there is a reason I want those titles to play now is not because they are old or elusive or exclusive it's just they are more exciting titles in general regardless of who made them or when the presentation and gameplay is more compelling.
Re: Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Gets Busy Meeting Loads Of Japanese Devs At TGS 2024
Fair to connect with many of them and make deals and what not but won't change my mind really whether major third parties come to Xbox or not, it's good when they do but those that have have and those that haven't haven't with the particular titles they offer.
Like getting Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Xbox One was cool I got it for $5 physical so nothing went to them but I'm glad I still could when it's the only Xbox One entry as the rest are PS systems or 1 remastered on Switch besides 4 on there.
Getting Red Steel 1 & 2, Mario Rabbids and others Ubisoft had on occasion. That's the sort of IPs I look for at least regardless of developer or publisher or region. Game design first, if it appeals to me why not. But every IP has to land mentality and more the bigger IP support and if I had no interest in them already I'm not coming around to them as they haven't changed enough or are just not for me ever anyways.
Some IPs we don't see on Xbox is the stuff we need to see but if the audience/platform impression is the case by devs then sure. But for the same recycled that audience we think suits Xbox IPs happen that's something to work out sure but otherwise I couldn't care less really.
I know exclusive or brief then other platforms later ones won't work anymore like OG/360, exclusive content in a version maybe but otherwise nah most consistent IPs these days I don't care what platform if the game/series doesn't interest me I don't care about it still. For most audiences I get it but for me nah it's the AA or other stuff we used to see I seek out. If I don't care for a Japanese or even EU/US IP going to Xbox I still didn't care about them on other platforms either.
Like getting the pixel remasters to other types of IPs late is one thing. Sales is another. Dev kits/whatever they can work with their engines. Series S and so on.
But it's when some games don't suit an audience, same with the Wii the mature games on it because perception of something, marketing and so on. Many on Switch are still Vita owners or those fine with a handheld not just family audience.
If the audience wants it (percentage/individual people), sales say otherwise for companies and well we don't see it happen the more not western or low Xbox One/Series sales in Asian regions either..... Besides Microsoft's communication and whatever they can say yeah how much changes in the end of deals or tools or other things not a lot unless they break through or audiences change things.....
It's the AA or others that aren't always on Xbox I think Phil/Xbox team needs to target more. Seeing Danganronpa on Gamepass I was like whoa. That's the studios and publishers that REALLY counts and what PS/Switch excels at, same with Vita as well.
It's less sales sure but it gets many of us players with our eyes looking over as a percentage of us considering Xbox just that bit more or new audiences that never played them either so newcomers that only have an Xbox or have it as their preferred platform even if have 2 or all platforms.
Re: Five More EA Games Will Close Their Servers In November 2024
Fair enough their time to go I guess. I played the campaign of BF3 in 1 day (rarely do) and it was a fair time, almost didn't beat it.
Did via BC though so no idea how the original goes as my SP disk seems to mess up unless the 360 disk drive but the license still worked so Xbox One BC for 360 it was.
The MP disk and SP was fair for the time for 360 but yeah 360 had the power but the disks and how devs worked around visuals/audio sometimes yeah it is what it is. Blu-ray with more storage but PS3 to handle or 360 with it's own differences.
Was definitely an interesting era.
I need to get back to Hardline's campaign really and yes the 360 hard drive install copy not Xbox One version, I picked the 360 copy up out of curiosity as it is an oddity and like Ride 1 I like to see how the older versions fair of load times and visuals and so on. TR seemed fair (don't own Rise on 360 but do Xbox One). I need to start BF4 again too (PS4).
So, so much for BC MP experience nowadays I guess then.
Re: Xbox Wants More Feedback From Devs, Including Why Some Are Avoiding The Platform
Sales of Xbox or just APIs or whatever anything is possible with this program to aid/make clear why devs don't bother. Vita/Wii U it was clear why besides mobile. Sales & 3rd party laziness. But Indies still did so & made Wii U exclusives (if console I mean but still on mobile) those mobile devs. I bought a few for Wii U. Indies did great Wii U exclusives. Vita was a great home for Indies too.
I don't care for merch but makes sense like other commenter said. People wear it, hear it, have more than just Gamepass ads & individual game ads. The more it's visually/talked about IRL not just software space with ads/PCs/console itself the more it appears.
Gamepass trial via food promos I think it was pop tarts right? Seen Xbox consoles chance to win stuff on my Aussie Shapes.
Minecraft plushes & maybe stuff for other games but in terms of like for the Xbox brand itself I don't think I see it really. Just game merch so if Microsoft are just happy with any sales & going eh we get money regardless then that's a strategy?
People pick up band merch & think the logo looks cool even they may not even know the band & fans go eh your not a real fan so it's kind of annoying to not be able to strike up a conversation with them. But it still gets sales between gaps of things.
All I hear about is gamepass & what already know about Xbox brand on articles, community/how often I use my Xbox & see ads. Yet Xbox Shampoo or other stuff by USA Youtubers, I don't see any of those products at all in other countries or hear about any of it.
Why focus on your home so much besides games, where Xbox Shampoo in EU? Even a Windows Bobble head was probably enough besides word of mouth. But word of mouth only happens in certain circumstances.
Let alone assume they are wide spread in the world yet you see Nintendo clothes, cereal, bags, and gift boxes/subscription boxes offer random items that match the IP.
Same with Sony the symbol lights, shirts, mugs/cups. You just see it more. Microsoft just you don't see it. Maybe in EB/Gamestop but otherwise that's about it I guess. I always see the other brand everywhere to get their name out there, offer options for fans who want to buy that stuff (I couldn't care less I just want games, books or tv shows/movies, not into clothes, figures, pins, cups and of that branding but many people are so it works as a bit on the side for these companies).
If Nintendo can sell Mother 3 merch it says a lot when that IP other than virtual cosnole or more a thing in Japan besides the emulation community and 1 & 2 on offer digitally then yeah it says a lot that even niche IPs can get out there.
If Nintendo can revive Famicom Detective Club, Endless Ocean and more but still have Mario/Pokemon/Kirby and other merch and maybe lean into others over time they are getting more people to notice. Sony would the same.
Sony tried cellphone games, Ratchet comic/manga & sometimes other stuff for certain Ips but not as much I assume. You used to see some plush/keychains maybe back then very limited. Maybe it's more the case now I just don't see it or know for sure.
Nowadays I think they go more broader as they know they can sell their teen/adult audience to these sorts of merch or the logo on something.
Xbox don't see it. Odd person pick up games but that's it.
Re: Poll: How Would You Grade The Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2024 Event?
E for reasonable but nothing for me. Games I thought could be cool are generic and samey then exciting so forget new titles and exciting ideas it's just a new title and the same ideas. HOW EXCITING. XD
Fair ports/remasters, fair Xbox support from Japanese devs. I mean what else to say.
I appreciate what's there but even when being open minded, knowing some of the IPs sure it's great Xbox support, but the new stuff is bland and repetitive of other IPs just a different name/universe but the same gameplay goals so why would I be interested in them.
I'd rather play older mech games not MP ones that look generic and with a different name, give me a cool singleplayer one maybe but mostly would get older ones instead for that or more interesting turn based RPGs with better turn based combat systems then this being just samey as the rest and changes to the game I don't find changes it up enough. Story/universe seems fine.
So who cares and the old/remasters are cool if into to them of course but you know whether you were into them or not.
The rest is just cool Xbox is getting support from these then not at all pretty much.
Re: Roundup: All The Reveals From The Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2024 Event
If the mech game by Bandai had more then sure otherwise milking it like Gundam MP games. I'd take a Front Mission Evolved style game in singleplayer but nope. I'll wait till I get Mech Warrior or others from the past on Xbox or PS2, let alone waiting for any copy I can find of Battle Engine Aquila again instead. Or get Star Wars Clone Wars 2002 cheap or whatever for a vehicle fix besides my Ace Combat 360 games to finish or Blazing Angels/Lair to finish.
The turn based RPG to me unless it's Eternal Sonata or Conception or something different to put on turn based combat systems I'm sick to death of the same generic layout of turn based RPGs, no new little details interest me unless the 4 wheel quadrants of Conception or the move to places in an arena in Eternal Sonata weren't so refreshing. Hence why I said or something different. Even then to me Conception's system is very eh at times but it's at least something and was intriguing enough besides it's limits to still be fun besides the generic dungeon layouts as generic as Coded Arms but I mean for PSP/PS4 remaster with cut content because of course it did, I can give it a pass and the dialogue is silly enough.
I enjoy Tactics games otherwise so I get my fill there but if JRPG devs want me to care about turn based RPGs and not Tactics they need to try harder because I just can't be bothered with the menu/other details being so samey and whatever critical or animations or other stuff is so formulaic and doesn't change up the game enough for me to be interested. But I guess if Japanese audiences are happy why not then. I just find when I see them not much going on, they grind/drag on and the strategy of the menus to me isn't that compelling it doesn't mix it up enough and the strategy is usually very boring and not strategy enough no matter the difficulty it's just boring and not satisfying to land actions. Any I've played or any new ones I see not really changing it up either visually to communicate changes either.
Remasters/ports sure, many other Japanese IPs to Xbox is cool.
StarCraft remasters no on console just PC, do they not want more sales? Just PC audience sales from fans and newcomers? Sure. If PC Gamepass even sure. Not much else from ActBlizz though hmm.
To me it's average to D/F it pretty much isn't anything I care for just look over and go it's fair worthy for some audiences out there of a response from me.
Re: Six Games Announced For Xbox Game Pass At Tokyo Game Show 2024
I'd say for those hadn't heard of that were new they are pretty eh.
Fair Japanese IPs/remasters or otherwise to Xbox is good but otherwise eh.
Expansions sure.
Remasters of Star Craft is fair but why no console ports? Why not console sales instead of just PC sales. Unless for PC Gamepass as well why bother. Many fans will buy it sure, they hope for new fans sure but I mean don't they want more sales? Or the same sales and only few new from PC players? Or however it goes.
N64 had a version for it why not make it relevant to modern console players such an old game unless know of it in the past or the esports scene whenever it was relevant or if still is there?
I get StarCraft Ghost was cancelled but I mean that'd be cool if we got something like it again. I enjoyed The Outfit a part strategy part 3rd person game, it lacked in areas but in modern era something like it could work for console players or just strategy game ports to console.
The ports, sure great to have them on Xbox then not and anything else forgettable.
Re: Review: Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP (Xbox) - The Cheerleader Zombie Hunter Juliet Returns
@Gamer83 Will do I appreciate it. Seen No More Heroes 1-3 come out, waiting for the right time. Seen PS5 copies but no Switch physical so will wait it out on digital maybe. Not seen Wii or PS3 copies either in retro stores either.
Saw Lollipop Chainsaw for PS3 in one but it was $200, was there for weeks, I don't go that high for games only consoles. It had disappeared since (maybe in the back, maybe not) so maybe someone bought it but that Gameboy for $400 and some of it's games are still there so anything is possible those in need of something or high prices and reselling or buying and desperation (different gens/audiences too of course).
I don't mind charming and janky games.
But I hadn't looked at back compat of their games I might do that and make my own list on them/add it to some of my others I seeked out and put a list together for.