They consolidated their services, which is exactly what I expected of Sony. Typical lazy minimalistic move that squeezes more money out of some of their customers. Like with the upgrade option for games you have to pay a fee for. This company continues to be anti-consumer ... Which is exactly what Sony fanatics deserve, though. **cough**
@BAMozzy That calculation makes no sense. Most people don't finish every game they are interested in within a month. So, they stay subscribed to play at their own pace. After that, they still are not through with their specific catalogue. Even with much slower release times the pile just keeps getting bigger, or at least stays about the same height.
If you're someone that is at the end of your list, that's frankly your problem, and there is nothing MS or really anyone can do to satiate your appetite. There will always be a minority of people who feel the need to rush. Thus, jump on and offs will always be a thing. I'm sure this is already accounted for.
@Spaceman-Spiff Elden Ring is a cross gen game. Almost all cross gen games perform better on the PS5. Reason: "Old" software architecture is easier boosted with more MHz (PS5). It's brute forcing the FPS up. If developers want to take advantage of more cores (XSX), they would have to change a lot of the code basis. It's like a surgery on the open heart.
If you have a current gen game, it's more likely to be build from the ground up, with the specifics of each new console in mind. It's pretty simple really. If a game is not tailored according to the available tech, it will run like crap. See PCs.
@Medic_Alert "The sales pitch for the Series S is that it should do the same as the Series X but at 1080p." No. The only sales pitch was that the Series S targets 1440p, which is exactly what CP77 delivers. Apart from that, the engine of this game is ages old. It will be a feat to optimize the game on these specs. You cannot just lower the resolution in every case and magically get 60 FPS as a result.
@UltimateOtaku91
"I have an xbox series S already, but I play my main multi plat games on my ps5, but tbh I'm thinking of selling my series S as this is just getting out of hand now and I won't support a monopoly that will end up ruining gaming and absurd gatekeeping"
Please ... Please do it, and then please don't come back! Because no one here needs unreasonable people spouting unfounded nonsense. Actually, no one in the PS sphere needs them either ... but well, you can't have it all, I suppose. MS tries their best to bring their games to as many platforms as possible. Of course they want to make money while doing so ... The same as other companies.
@Clankylad I wouldn't bet on that. Sony is a weird one. They build consoles and let them run dry. Just look at heir handholds. I wouldn't be surprised, if they continued to build PS4, but don't really support them much longer.
@Xiovanni
"Rift Apart can seamlessly load a completely different level in an instant, which it needs to do for one of the core features."
I wish people would stop claiming that. It doesn't load a complete different level. It's just a small portion, a limited box, if you will.
Also, the claim that there is no loading in between is wrong. The tunnel sequence is a cleverly disguesed short loading screen. There were already tests on slower storages that showed no meaningful difference.
@themightyant Developing a game is taking a risk. Game Pass mitigates that with deals that let you break even very early on. That's just one example - diverse deals are imaginable. The thing is, that all the bad things I mentioned, essentially come down to pressure due to risks. Eliminate, or at least contain, the risks and you set everything up for a better work environment. If the greedy people in charge let it happen, that is. But if they don't, it's certainly not the fault of the Game Pass model.
On Resources/Environment this point comes up a lot, on different areas. There is a problem with this way of thinking. People want the ware. You have two options to deliver the ware. You choose both at the same time. Why? Kill one and you lift one burden on the environment. Better than having two at the same time, right? We can talk about getting better at the one that is left afterwards (keywords: green IT, green energy).
Concerns about future things will always be considered valid. In the end they will be forgotten, though. Because mankind cannot stop itself from always wanting more and better stuff. Humans seem to be unable to just ... be (in the here and now).
@themightyant
The gaming industry we had up until this point was broken. It still is. We have toxic work place environments, crunch, ever rising costs alongside slowly declining quality. That is what the traditional system built up and cemented. We are at a point where, if you want to see quality and innovation for a reasonable price, you have to look at indie developers.
Incidentally, those are the ones that praise the Game Pass the most, because they gain more freedom, visibility, a predictable return, funding and income. It seems, even some bigger companies already noticed the same thing. On the consumer side you have a massively saturated market, that wants more and more money from us, and GP eases this situation a bit.
So, does the Game Pass shake everything up? Yes! Same as e.g. Netflix shook everything up. Is that a bad thing? I don't see how. Sure, some oddballs fear being left behind, because they might not get their physical copy, but to be very frank with you, that's not needed at all. It's actually a complete waste of resources, and we should get rid of it as soon as possible.
However, this will not happen, because obviously, there is a market for it. So, companies will still create physical copies and these copies will have much more quality, e.g. more steel books, collectors items, limited in number and so on, for a steeper price of course. That's some kind of a compromise, I guess. Everything will be balanced out in the end, as always after a change.
@themightyant
I find it interesting, that the first reflex when something new comes along is people asking what will it do to XYZ, while at the same time no one seems to ask what the status quo will do to XYZ if it just keeps going.
@BlueOcean
Not to mention, that on PC you have to upgrade the GPU from time to time, because you have to compensate for the lack of optimization with raw power.
On the other note, there are still games in the pipeline that already were well in the development cycle when the new consoles were announced. Elden Ring for example. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more games coming out in the near future that still don’t do so well on the XSX. The architecture of this device has to be considered when forming the code basis from the ground up. Otherwise, it’s like fixing a road in the middle of the rush hour. Possible, but complicated and costly. The question is, whether these costs are considered worth it by the devs.
@themightyant It was just an example, really. The point is, that a) 60 FPS will always be the targeted sweet spot (linchpin) and b) PS5 already struggles in some newer titles to hold that with the same resolution the XSX can provide. See Tales.
The rest is, as we have already worked out, subjective. Can you or can you not make out differences in detail? I can, you cannot. You're blessed, I'm screwed. It literally sometimes distracts me and drives me nuts!
PS: And while you're right in regards to the PC - and I do have a good PC - we're talking about consoles. Whenever possible, I separate those two. If you want the best bang for your buck, you go for a console. PC is king, but a massively expensive one - IF you're being serious about it, at least.
@themightyant Depending on the person you could always use the argument, that you need a side by side comparison, even when talking about the Nintendo Switch. It all comes down to whether you notice details, or give a damn about them in the first place. I can discern a 1620p and a 2160p resolution, without having both devices running side by side, or zooming in, or slowing down. Same goes for 40 vs 60 FPS. Others cannot, and that's really the whole crux of the matter. For someone like sjbsixpack, who seems to cannot tell a difference between XSX and XSS, it simply does not matter at all. For someone like me, it does very much - especially in the long run, when games become more demanding and available resources will matter more and more.
In any case, when I'm looking for a console to spend my money on, I will always decide for the better technology and design philosophy (longevity). When I saw the specs and tear-downs of the PS5 and XSX, I knew exactly where my money has to go. Unfortunately, at the latest, since the PS4 Sony decided to go for a very cost efficient and ultimately handicraft approach. Just look at the entire cooling solution they came up with on the PS5 e.g. That is so brute force, it isn't even funny any more. I am unwilling to back something like that.
PS: Yes, I don't much care about exclusives. So, that is no reason to buy for me. But that's just me, I guess. I do care however about the best visual result and other perks like a good controller and great deals like the Game Pass.
@sjbsixpack "... the difference between the S and X is very small" This statement shows, that you actually do not have a clue. There are massive differences in performance, resolution and (sometimes) graphical options. At least take a look at tables digital outlets publish, as well as comparison videos (e.g. on Digital Foundry). If you do not perceive clear differences, you ... can only be envied ...
@themightyant That is not entirely correct. The last months showed XSX versions ahead of PS5 (on Digital Foundry, where comparable). The reason is pretty simple. If you create a game with PS4 or Xbox One generation in mind, it is much easier to make it perform better with hardware that delivers more MHz. Why? Because you do not have to rewrite the engine in important areas. In that regard Cerny was right. However, what he did not tell fans was, that as soon as developers create games with the new hardware in mind, more cores always beat more frequency (optimization given), and the XSX simply has more cores on the GPU.
@Widey85 The screenshots are taken in engine and touched up a bit. It's not cell-shaded. Nevertheless, it looks impressive in action, as did Warhammer I and II. Go to YouTube and search for some Warhammer II cinematic battles, to get an impression.
Huge announcement, but there is a significant problem. The three games are connected, and if you can't buy the other two, you will never have a complete Warhammer III.
I would be rather disappointed if they bought Ubisoft. Most of the games coming from this direction are the electronic equivalent to instant noodles ...
This was predictable. Yet, still, from a tactical standpoint I don't get this move. BluePoint already was very Sony friendly and made exlcusives for them. So, all this did was Sony burning some money. Money actually better spent on a good developer that is unbiased/neutral.
Okay, can some hobby shrink please tell me what is happening? Because this is a bit unsettling. Not trying to trash talk this game, but when I play it, it kinda feels like my brain is actively fighting against what I'm seeing on screen. After some minutes I'm getting a bit aggravated. It's not the puzzles, I can get behind them, it's just what is happening in the game. Never felt that before. Help!
1)I think you're still distracting. If there is an easy mode that is not done well, that is a reason to critize the way this easy mode was done. It's not a reason, however, to leave out an easy mode in the first place. After all, if it was left out, you wouldn't know if it would have been done well or not.
2) I knew you would come up with this argument. It's actually part of the abitrary answers I mentioned. Of course you can sell niche-products and form a cult around it (e.g. elitists), if you market it correctly, but you would sell more, by opening the game up to a wider audience - as long as the game is well made. I'm not talking about changing the story or art or controlls or whatever, but about making the game playable for a lot more people. Only a small percentage of elitists would stay away, because they couldn't be bothered to mingle with the "plebs" and hit the "very hard" button.
3) How does the product suffer. You repeat this claim, but don't deliver the "why". Take a game like Dark Souls for example. Give it three difficulty settings - easy, normal, hard. With "normal" being the EXACT experience you have right now, without the options. How does the product suffer? The experience people have now, would still be there - plus two different experiences for people who like it easier and people who like it even more difficult. I would say, the product did not suffer, but became even better.
4) That is a strange and somewhat concerning assessment. But yes, ... I won't shame your kink!
5) That's correct. I really do believe, that options are a very good thing. And I think any culturally induced deviation from that wouldn't hold up against a real side by side or blind test.
6) Yes, there are in fact rogue-likes that are considered to be easy. I thought about listing some here, but that would very likely just lead to a side discussion about whether this and that game can really be considered a rogue-like. I don't want that discussion. Apart from that, you wrote it yourself. "Also, Mario has no features of a rogue-like." Exactly. That's the point. You determine Mario's genre by different things than its difficulty level.
Last: I think, this is a bit far-fetched, not to say constructed. While it might be true that some people feel that way, I think it's not as severe as you make it sound, and I daresay it only relates to a very small percentage of players. I cannot see why this small percentage should have so much weight on game development. It's not an issue they cannot overcome, I'm sure.
You seem to make the erroneous assumption that every gamer is the same, and thus can "git gud". But that is actually not true. There are differences in available play time, in age, in dexterity, in ability, in perception, in comprehension, to name just a few. Not every person is able to grow beyond a certain point. Why would you think, excluding such people from a game is a good thing?
Does the game sell better when you exclude them? Does it get more word-of-mouth? Do you get anything out of it (other than elitism, I mean)? What compelling reason would there be?
@Spiders
1) I believe, that you are trying to distract with this point. The question whether an easy mode is done well or not, does not affect the question whether an easy mode should be there. One could as well say, "It should be there AND should be done well." Furthermore, accessibility does not say anything about difficulty. These are completely different topics. Mario is still difficult (at least in later stages) despite being very accessible.
2) Why would developers, who generate income with what they create, deliberatelly exclude a big portion of potential customers? You don't really have to answer that, because I already know a variety of abitrary arguments you could come up with. The truth however is, that some developers and publishers just have the same elitist mind-set as some gamers. After all, most of them very likely are gamers themselves.
3) So everyone benefits? Sounds nice to me.
4) By saying, "You have to do it this exact way. If you don't want to, there is the door.", you take away options, choices for players and exclude some of them. If that is not patronizing, what is? Saying: "Here, you have several options. Which would you like?" That is patronizing? ... C'mon ...
5) Well, we're talking about games, right? Not about movies, series, books, music ... We're talking about games. One of the very core principles of games is interaction, in contrast to just consumption. I don't see how having options is a bad thing in games.
6) You cannot. You define a genre by its gameplay mechanics. Otherwise you could just as well call Super Mario a rogue-like. Both, it and Hades are hard (at least later on) and have no difficulty setting. But there is something more that seperates those two games, right?
Last point: So, what you're trying to tell me, is that, as soon as there is an easy mode, players like you would be tempted to use it? And that is a bad thing?
Okay, first off, that is actually your psychological problem. It's not valid when it comes to answering the question whether there should be difficulty settings in games or not. Why? Because you cannot just take away something from other people, just because you lack willpower. Bear in mind, that these settings do not hold any substantial dangers for you - like losing money and being unable to pay the rent.
Secondly, if you want to use the easy mode, use it. If you don't want to use it, don't use it. What exactly is it, that worries you so much, when presented with the choice? I still believe it's the notion that you cannot show your face to elitists when saying you beat a game on easy settings. Fine, but again, that would be your personal problem. Why should others have to forgo a game because of this? And what keeps you from going up in the difficulty settings, as soon as you beat the easy mode and feel more comfortable?
1 - Please elaborate. 2 - Why do you think you could decide that for other people? 3 - If developers add several difficulty levels, that is part of their vision for the game. Otherwise they wouldn’t. There is also no real reason to not make that a part of your vision. 4 - Demanding to play a game at a certain difficulty level is paternizing. 5 - That’s for the individual player to decide. The alternative could be a game, that isn’t being played. Which somehow defeats the purpose. 6 - Difficulty levels do not equal genres, art styles and the like.
Again: If you don’t want to play easy mode, you don’t have to. You’re not affected by the choice of others.
Never understood people who say a game shouldn't have an easy mode. If you don't want to play the game on easy, don't play the game on easy ...
What's the reason for denying people to have fun in a game, the way they want to? You are literally not affected by the experience another player has. You would find it absurd if someone would try to deny you a hard and very hard mode.
Leaves only one explanation: "I don't want others to finish the game under different (easier) rules than I had, because it makes me feel less elitist.", which would be petty, to be perfectly frank.
@Otis_Z_Firefly
True, but once again, no creator should be pilloried or pressured because of THEIR personal problems. I get it, they have PTSD, psychological issues, and the like. That sucks, yes! But it's neither their nor is it my fault ... I'm just trying to create stuff. Fair warning is given by mandatory labels, like youth protection. For the rest, they have to learn to cope.
I'm not libertarian. I'm not on the political radar of your culture. State was not the topic at all, since the complains came from private persons - consumers.
@Otis_Z_Firefly So, no reason to warn in detail then, if it is for escapism. Should be clear to everyone that it's not real. Meaning, they don't have to obsess about it.
We're back, full circle, at: "It's actually their personal problem."
@VenomousAlbino
Who decides if something is recognised as taboo/offensive/upsetting? The society? Who is the society? What society are we even talking about? US? Canada? Russia? Sweden? Saudi-Arabia? Through which procedure?
It doesn't work the way you think it works. Any consolidating attempt in this direction would lead to misuse, by a minority. Why do you think warnings are formulated broader in the first place?
My second paragraph shows that there are warnings, but that these warnings are never specific. Much the same as: "Don't walk in front of a moving car, else you get hurt." Seemingly these broad warnings were enough in the past, so why shouldn't they be enough now? What happened? Has humanity suddenly become stupid and unable to deduce the easiest things? Having said that, I'd wager, your grandpa wasn't warned about the depiction of the bombing of Dresden, but rather something along the lines of: "Hey, this is a WWII movie, about planes, depicting violence. So, you know what you're getting into.", by means of an intro, trailer, or an article somewhere. I'm very sure, your grandpa, from there on knew how to feel and what to do.
In contrast to you, I'm coming from the point that humans are able to think, and inticing them to not think is a bad thing. As is preventing people from dealing with their own problems, by making it as easy as possible to evade topics. As is shifting responsibility. As is stigmatizing people who don't spcifically warn, because of whatever artistic or socio-economic reason they have.
The fact remains, that people wanted to be informed about a specific - stalking, emotional manipulation - and then proceeded to give the developer flak.
That's just general nonsensical behaviour. You don't go into a shop and complain they have Nestle stuff in their, which offends you, because it's an inhumane company. You know, when you're going into a shop, that they very well could have wares in there you don't agree with. It's a bad habbit nowadays, to complain about such things. It borders on obsession - which also is a bad thing.
@Otis_Z_Firefly Where I'm coming from "war hero" is no argument at all. Which means, yes, your grandfather has a personal problem he needs to take care of, or needs to be helped with.
Age ratings are not specific, but cover a broad collection of criteria. Not all of them necessarily apply to fictional work at the same time. For example, a game can contain nudity but no blood and still gets the same rating. So, what exactly did the age rating prepare you for beforehand? Blood or nudity ... or any other of the points mentioned in the packet?
You're trying to push your point through by using dazzling tactics - appealing to patriotism, misrepresenting the term "specific", ad hominem ... What was it you were saying about weak arguments?
@Otis_Z_Firefly Any piece of fiction can touch every possible topic and can be considered offending by any party. It’s your personal responsibility to learn to cope with topics you find problematic. Because, again, it’s your personal problem.
You wouldn’t expect from me to warn you about specifics, when I e.g. start to brainstorm with you about a new novel I could write. You wouldn’t expect to find these kind of warnings in the finalized novel, potentially even spoiling plot twists. The notion of intercepting these things stays absurd.
@Otis_Z_Firefly Only the warnings are not specific. You‘re victim of a traffic accident, then you‘re subject to multiple possible injuries and could land in a hospital.
You‘re consuming fiction, you subject yourself to any possible topic, including upsetting ones.
So? When and by whom was it decided necessary, to go into detail up front? If you’re especially concerned about certain things, for example stalking or child abuse, you could just as well go ahead and ask if something like this happens in the piece of fiction you‘re about to consume. Because you know yourself best and hopefully can decide what you can handle and what not.
I see it this way. I can do a lot of harm, by entering a vehicle and driving down the road, even though I drive cautiously. Right? Speed was within the limit, lights were on, breaks, horn, everything - but a person just jumped in front of my car. I was using my car as intended ...
Once again, as hard as it sounds, these things happen. Doesn't mean, that I henceforth have to quit driving cars, or announce I will be driving down the road at day X and time Y - meaning, there is the destinct possibility someone could get hurt by my hood. I could do it, but I would decide against it, because I'd find that behaviour pretty strange. Same goes for warnings regarding fiction.
The mere act of stepping outside your home involves taking risks and dealing with them. That's a hard lesson everyone has to learn. It cannot be the solution, to be constantly reminded by others, who have something to do with things you're doing, over the course of the day. And if someone really absolutely CANNOT deal with such things, and instead lash out, then I'm sad to say, they are collateral damage, and might need a completely different kind of help.
@Darthroseman I'm not mad or offended by people who defend offended people. That's an attempt to distract. I'm voicing my - granted - very strong opinion on the matter. Am I not allowed to?
As for your question: "What's wrong with it?" Nothing, as long as it's not mandatory, but a voluntary thing. Meaning: Everything is wrong with it, when someone is being pilloried, when this person doesn't warn.
@VenomousAlbino Right. As said, I'm convinced it's their issue, and I'm not willing to play in the hands of people who would abuse their perceived right to be handled with extra care.
It's as if I was saying, I'm offended by your red T-Shirt, because I was in the war and saw way too much blood. You shouldn't have worn it in the first place. Or you shouldn't have used this in your drawing. I mean, so much red, you couldn't have thought about blood? You couldn't have warned persons like me, really?
As for your question: Have I claimed once, you're talking about censorship? I am and was writing about said warning. You can warn if you want, but it goes much farther than that. Read your own words again, and realize that I am already a f*cking monster in your eyes, for deciding against a warning.
THAT right there is the actual problem. There is already the attempt to pressure me into doing a certain thing, otherwise I'm a bad person. So, basically I am being blamed for a person's inability to step back and work on their own problem. You do not see the potential of abuse in the long run?
Comments 190
Re: Rumour: Microsoft Might Permanently 'Combine' Xbox Live Gold With Game Pass
Right move would be to scrap Gold, make online play free - just as they did for F2P MMOs - and keep Game Pass Ultimate as it is now.
Re: Xbox Games With Gold For April 2022 Announced
One man's trash is another man's treasure. Wish people would understand, that their personal taste is not the be-all and end-all.
Re: Jim Ryan Argues Xbox Game Pass Model Would Lead To Weaker PlayStation Games
Let me translate Ryan's words: "We don't have the funds, but I'm not allowed to call a spada a spade."
Re: Xbox Exec Uses PlayStation News To Hype Up The 'Value' Of Game Pass
They consolidated their services, which is exactly what I expected of Sony. Typical lazy minimalistic move that squeezes more money out of some of their customers. Like with the upgrade option for games you have to pay a fee for. This company continues to be anti-consumer ... Which is exactly what Sony fanatics deserve, though. **cough**
Re: Become Captain America With This Amazing Official Xbox Controller
That's a controller for people who rage a lot, right?
Hehehe ... get it? Get it?... Hehe ... Ugh, nevermind ...
Re: Xbox Wants To Provide A 'Steady Flow Of Great Games' Moving Forward
@BAMozzy
That calculation makes no sense. Most people don't finish every game they are interested in within a month. So, they stay subscribed to play at their own pace. After that, they still are not through with their specific catalogue. Even with much slower release times the pile just keeps getting bigger, or at least stays about the same height.
If you're someone that is at the end of your list, that's frankly your problem, and there is nothing MS or really anyone can do to satiate your appetite. There will always be a minority of people who feel the need to rush. Thus, jump on and offs will always be a thing. I'm sure this is already accounted for.
Re: Talking Point: Have You Bought An Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card Yet?
Got me a 1TB Expansion Card, two months after release of the XSX. It was 170€ back then. Prices for these things go up and down regularly.
Re: Digital Foundry's Elden Ring Verdict Shows How Important VRR Is On Xbox
@Spaceman-Spiff
Elden Ring is a cross gen game. Almost all cross gen games perform better on the PS5. Reason: "Old" software architecture is easier boosted with more MHz (PS5). It's brute forcing the FPS up. If developers want to take advantage of more cores (XSX), they would have to change a lot of the code basis. It's like a surgery on the open heart.
If you have a current gen game, it's more likely to be build from the ground up, with the specifics of each new console in mind. It's pretty simple really. If a game is not tailored according to the available tech, it will run like crap. See PCs.
Re: Cyberpunk 2077 Players Frustrated With 30FPS On Xbox Series S
@Medic_Alert
"The sales pitch for the Series S is that it should do the same as the Series X but at 1080p."
No. The only sales pitch was that the Series S targets 1440p, which is exactly what CP77 delivers. Apart from that, the engine of this game is ages old. It will be a feat to optimize the game on these specs. You cannot just lower the resolution in every case and magically get 60 FPS as a result.
Re: Random: Phil Spencer Has Been Playing Some Call Of Duty: Vanguard On Xbox
@UltimateOtaku91
So, no loss for you then. Good. Move along.
Re: Microsoft Is Buying Activision Blizzard, Reportedly For $70 Billion
@UltimateOtaku91
"I have an xbox series S already, but I play my main multi plat games on my ps5, but tbh I'm thinking of selling my series S as this is just getting out of hand now and I won't support a monopoly that will end up ruining gaming and absurd gatekeeping"
Please ... Please do it, and then please don't come back! Because no one here needs unreasonable people spouting unfounded nonsense. Actually, no one in the PS sphere needs them either ... but well, you can't have it all, I suppose. MS tries their best to bring their games to as many platforms as possible. Of course they want to make money while doing so ... The same as other companies.
Re: Reaction: Sony Continuing PS4 Production Shows The Xbox Series S Was A Great Move
@Clankylad
I wouldn't bet on that. Sony is a weird one. They build consoles and let them run dry. Just look at heir handholds. I wouldn't be surprised, if they continued to build PS4, but don't really support them much longer.
Re: Reaction: Sony Continuing PS4 Production Shows The Xbox Series S Was A Great Move
@Xiovanni
"Rift Apart can seamlessly load a completely different level in an instant, which it needs to do for one of the core features."
I wish people would stop claiming that. It doesn't load a complete different level. It's just a small portion, a limited box, if you will.
Also, the claim that there is no loading in between is wrong. The tunnel sequence is a cleverly disguesed short loading screen. There were already tests on slower storages that showed no meaningful difference.
Re: Trek To Yomi Is A Samurai Game Heading To Xbox Game Pass In 2022
@themightyant
Developing a game is taking a risk. Game Pass mitigates that with deals that let you break even very early on. That's just one example - diverse deals are imaginable. The thing is, that all the bad things I mentioned, essentially come down to pressure due to risks. Eliminate, or at least contain, the risks and you set everything up for a better work environment. If the greedy people in charge let it happen, that is. But if they don't, it's certainly not the fault of the Game Pass model.
On Resources/Environment this point comes up a lot, on different areas. There is a problem with this way of thinking. People want the ware. You have two options to deliver the ware. You choose both at the same time. Why? Kill one and you lift one burden on the environment. Better than having two at the same time, right? We can talk about getting better at the one that is left afterwards (keywords: green IT, green energy).
Concerns about future things will always be considered valid. In the end they will be forgotten, though. Because mankind cannot stop itself from always wanting more and better stuff. Humans seem to be unable to just ... be (in the here and now).
Re: Trek To Yomi Is A Samurai Game Heading To Xbox Game Pass In 2022
@themightyant
The gaming industry we had up until this point was broken. It still is. We have toxic work place environments, crunch, ever rising costs alongside slowly declining quality. That is what the traditional system built up and cemented. We are at a point where, if you want to see quality and innovation for a reasonable price, you have to look at indie developers.
Incidentally, those are the ones that praise the Game Pass the most, because they gain more freedom, visibility, a predictable return, funding and income. It seems, even some bigger companies already noticed the same thing. On the consumer side you have a massively saturated market, that wants more and more money from us, and GP eases this situation a bit.
So, does the Game Pass shake everything up? Yes! Same as e.g. Netflix shook everything up. Is that a bad thing? I don't see how. Sure, some oddballs fear being left behind, because they might not get their physical copy, but to be very frank with you, that's not needed at all. It's actually a complete waste of resources, and we should get rid of it as soon as possible.
However, this will not happen, because obviously, there is a market for it. So, companies will still create physical copies and these copies will have much more quality, e.g. more steel books, collectors items, limited in number and so on, for a steeper price of course. That's some kind of a compromise, I guess. Everything will be balanced out in the end, as always after a change.
Re: Trek To Yomi Is A Samurai Game Heading To Xbox Game Pass In 2022
@themightyant
I find it interesting, that the first reflex when something new comes along is people asking what will it do to XYZ, while at the same time no one seems to ask what the status quo will do to XYZ if it just keeps going.
Re: Trek To Yomi Is A Samurai Game Heading To Xbox Game Pass In 2022
@oconnoclast
Way of the Samurai came to my mind as well. Must be getting old ...
@themightyant
Most likely it was mere spite. The tribalism is strong in some people.
Re: Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn Of Ragnarök Brings Its 'Epic Journey' To Xbox In March 2022
Have they managed to un-mess this game by now?
Re: Trek To Yomi Is A Samurai Game Heading To Xbox Game Pass In 2022
People see Samurai and immediately think Ghost of Tsushima. What has the world come to?
Re: Psychonauts 2 Wins 'Xbox Game Of The Year' At The Golden Joystick Awards 2021
@BlueOcean
Not to mention, that on PC you have to upgrade the GPU from time to time, because you have to compensate for the lack of optimization with raw power.
On the other note, there are still games in the pipeline that already were well in the development cycle when the new consoles were announced. Elden Ring for example. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more games coming out in the near future that still don’t do so well on the XSX. The architecture of this device has to be considered when forming the code basis from the ground up. Otherwise, it’s like fixing a road in the middle of the rush hour. Possible, but complicated and costly. The question is, whether these costs are considered worth it by the devs.
Re: Psychonauts 2 Wins 'Xbox Game Of The Year' At The Golden Joystick Awards 2021
@themightyant
It was just an example, really. The point is, that a) 60 FPS will always be the targeted sweet spot (linchpin) and b) PS5 already struggles in some newer titles to hold that with the same resolution the XSX can provide. See Tales.
The rest is, as we have already worked out, subjective. Can you or can you not make out differences in detail? I can, you cannot. You're blessed, I'm screwed. It literally sometimes distracts me and drives me nuts!
PS:
And while you're right in regards to the PC - and I do have a good PC - we're talking about consoles. Whenever possible, I separate those two. If you want the best bang for your buck, you go for a console. PC is king, but a massively expensive one - IF you're being serious about it, at least.
Re: Psychonauts 2 Wins 'Xbox Game Of The Year' At The Golden Joystick Awards 2021
@themightyant
Depending on the person you could always use the argument, that you need a side by side comparison, even when talking about the Nintendo Switch. It all comes down to whether you notice details, or give a damn about them in the first place. I can discern a 1620p and a 2160p resolution, without having both devices running side by side, or zooming in, or slowing down. Same goes for 40 vs 60 FPS. Others cannot, and that's really the whole crux of the matter. For someone like sjbsixpack, who seems to cannot tell a difference between XSX and XSS, it simply does not matter at all. For someone like me, it does very much - especially in the long run, when games become more demanding and available resources will matter more and more.
In any case, when I'm looking for a console to spend my money on, I will always decide for the better technology and design philosophy (longevity). When I saw the specs and tear-downs of the PS5 and XSX, I knew exactly where my money has to go. Unfortunately, at the latest, since the PS4 Sony decided to go for a very cost efficient and ultimately handicraft approach. Just look at the entire cooling solution they came up with on the PS5 e.g. That is so brute force, it isn't even funny any more. I am unwilling to back something like that.
PS:
Yes, I don't much care about exclusives. So, that is no reason to buy for me. But that's just me, I guess. I do care however about the best visual result and other perks like a good controller and great deals like the Game Pass.
Re: Psychonauts 2 Wins 'Xbox Game Of The Year' At The Golden Joystick Awards 2021
@sjbsixpack
"... the difference between the S and X is very small"
This statement shows, that you actually do not have a clue. There are massive differences in performance, resolution and (sometimes) graphical options. At least take a look at tables digital outlets publish, as well as comparison videos (e.g. on Digital Foundry). If you do not perceive clear differences, you ... can only be envied ...
@themightyant
That is not entirely correct. The last months showed XSX versions ahead of PS5 (on Digital Foundry, where comparable). The reason is pretty simple. If you create a game with PS4 or Xbox One generation in mind, it is much easier to make it perform better with hardware that delivers more MHz. Why? Because you do not have to rewrite the engine in important areas. In that regard Cerny was right. However, what he did not tell fans was, that as soon as developers create games with the new hardware in mind, more cores always beat more frequency (optimization given), and the XSX simply has more cores on the GPU.
Re: Halo Infinite's Battle Pass Progression Is Being Updated In Response To Player Feedback
@ParsnipHero
Thanks. I think, I'm getting old. ._.
Re: Halo Infinite's Battle Pass Progression Is Being Updated In Response To Player Feedback
What is a Battle Pass? ...
Re: Total War: Warhammer III Is Launching With Xbox Game Pass For PC
@Widey85
The screenshots are taken in engine and touched up a bit. It's not cell-shaded. Nevertheless, it looks impressive in action, as did Warhammer I and II. Go to YouTube and search for some Warhammer II cinematic battles, to get an impression.
Huge announcement, but there is a significant problem. The three games are connected, and if you can't buy the other two, you will never have a complete Warhammer III.
Re: Nvidia Claims Xbox Cloud Gaming 'Still Feels Pretty Laggy' Right Now
Would be nice to be able to test the latency on GeForce Now. However, it's a very choppy experience for me, in stark contrast to Xbox Cloud ...
Re: Phil Spencer Again Reiterates That Xbox Is 'Not Done' With Acquisitions
I would be rather disappointed if they bought Ubisoft. Most of the games coming from this direction are the electronic equivalent to instant noodles ...
Re: PlayStation Acquires Metal Gear Solid HD Dev BluePoint Games
@mousieone
That so? I’m strangely amused by that.
Re: PlayStation Acquires Metal Gear Solid HD Dev BluePoint Games
@mousieone
Well, I don't get some of Nintendo's moves either. Anyways, Sony buying Splash Damage would have been a tacitcally interesting move.
Re: PlayStation Acquires Metal Gear Solid HD Dev BluePoint Games
This was predictable. Yet, still, from a tactical standpoint I don't get this move. BluePoint already was very Sony friendly and made exlcusives for them. So, all this did was Sony burning some money. Money actually better spent on a good developer that is unbiased/neutral.
Re: Xbox Series X's 4K Dashboard Test Expands To More Insiders
@YepYepYep
... Git gud!
Honestly, though, you can adjust the dashboard in some ways, which makes it more pleasant to use. Just have to invest some minutes.
Re: Medal TV, The Game Capture Platform, Has Partnered With Xbox
Medal, huh? ... You learn something new every day ...
Re: The New Xbox Internet Browser Can Run PS1 And Nintendo 64 Games
I like this, but it will very likely lead to Sony, Nintendo and others to clamp down on emulator sites even more frantically.
Re: Hyperkin Announces 'Cortana Edition' Xbox Duke Controller
Old controller design is old ... :-/
Re: Superliminal Is Getting Plenty Of Praise Since Joining Xbox Game Pass
Okay, can some hobby shrink please tell me what is happening? Because this is a bit unsettling. Not trying to trash talk this game, but when I play it, it kinda feels like my brain is actively fighting against what I'm seeing on screen. After some minutes I'm getting a bit aggravated. It's not the puzzles, I can get behind them, it's just what is happening in the game. Never felt that before. Help!
Re: Xbox Says ‘Gatekeeping And Elitism’ Have No Place In Gaming
@Spiders
1)I think you're still distracting. If there is an easy mode that is not done well, that is a reason to critize the way this easy mode was done. It's not a reason, however, to leave out an easy mode in the first place. After all, if it was left out, you wouldn't know if it would have been done well or not.
2) I knew you would come up with this argument. It's actually part of the abitrary answers I mentioned. Of course you can sell niche-products and form a cult around it (e.g. elitists), if you market it correctly, but you would sell more, by opening the game up to a wider audience - as long as the game is well made. I'm not talking about changing the story or art or controlls or whatever, but about making the game playable for a lot more people. Only a small percentage of elitists would stay away, because they couldn't be bothered to mingle with the "plebs" and hit the "very hard" button.
3) How does the product suffer. You repeat this claim, but don't deliver the "why". Take a game like Dark Souls for example. Give it three difficulty settings - easy, normal, hard. With "normal" being the EXACT experience you have right now, without the options. How does the product suffer? The experience people have now, would still be there - plus two different experiences for people who like it easier and people who like it even more difficult. I would say, the product did not suffer, but became even better.
4) That is a strange and somewhat concerning assessment. But yes, ... I won't shame your kink!
5) That's correct. I really do believe, that options are a very good thing. And I think any culturally induced deviation from that wouldn't hold up against a real side by side or blind test.
6) Yes, there are in fact rogue-likes that are considered to be easy. I thought about listing some here, but that would very likely just lead to a side discussion about whether this and that game can really be considered a rogue-like. I don't want that discussion. Apart from that, you wrote it yourself. "Also, Mario has no features of a rogue-like." Exactly. That's the point. You determine Mario's genre by different things than its difficulty level.
Last: I think, this is a bit far-fetched, not to say constructed. While it might be true that some people feel that way, I think it's not as severe as you make it sound, and I daresay it only relates to a very small percentage of players. I cannot see why this small percentage should have so much weight on game development. It's not an issue they cannot overcome, I'm sure.
You seem to make the erroneous assumption that every gamer is the same, and thus can "git gud". But that is actually not true. There are differences in available play time, in age, in dexterity, in ability, in perception, in comprehension, to name just a few. Not every person is able to grow beyond a certain point. Why would you think, excluding such people from a game is a good thing?
Does the game sell better when you exclude them? Does it get more word-of-mouth? Do you get anything out of it (other than elitism, I mean)? What compelling reason would there be?
Re: Xbox Says ‘Gatekeeping And Elitism’ Have No Place In Gaming
@Spiders
1) I believe, that you are trying to distract with this point. The question whether an easy mode is done well or not, does not affect the question whether an easy mode should be there. One could as well say, "It should be there AND should be done well." Furthermore, accessibility does not say anything about difficulty. These are completely different topics. Mario is still difficult (at least in later stages) despite being very accessible.
2) Why would developers, who generate income with what they create, deliberatelly exclude a big portion of potential customers? You don't really have to answer that, because I already know a variety of abitrary arguments you could come up with. The truth however is, that some developers and publishers just have the same elitist mind-set as some gamers. After all, most of them very likely are gamers themselves.
3) So everyone benefits? Sounds nice to me.
4) By saying, "You have to do it this exact way. If you don't want to, there is the door.", you take away options, choices for players and exclude some of them. If that is not patronizing, what is? Saying: "Here, you have several options. Which would you like?" That is patronizing? ... C'mon ...
5) Well, we're talking about games, right? Not about movies, series, books, music ... We're talking about games. One of the very core principles of games is interaction, in contrast to just consumption. I don't see how having options is a bad thing in games.
6) You cannot. You define a genre by its gameplay mechanics. Otherwise you could just as well call Super Mario a rogue-like. Both, it and Hades are hard (at least later on) and have no difficulty setting. But there is something more that seperates those two games, right?
Last point: So, what you're trying to tell me, is that, as soon as there is an easy mode, players like you would be tempted to use it? And that is a bad thing?
Okay, first off, that is actually your psychological problem. It's not valid when it comes to answering the question whether there should be difficulty settings in games or not. Why? Because you cannot just take away something from other people, just because you lack willpower. Bear in mind, that these settings do not hold any substantial dangers for you - like losing money and being unable to pay the rent.
Secondly, if you want to use the easy mode, use it. If you don't want to use it, don't use it. What exactly is it, that worries you so much, when presented with the choice? I still believe it's the notion that you cannot show your face to elitists when saying you beat a game on easy settings. Fine, but again, that would be your personal problem. Why should others have to forgo a game because of this? And what keeps you from going up in the difficulty settings, as soon as you beat the easy mode and feel more comfortable?
Re: Xbox Says ‘Gatekeeping And Elitism’ Have No Place In Gaming
@Spiders
1 - Please elaborate.
2 - Why do you think you could decide that for other people?
3 - If developers add several difficulty levels, that is part of their vision for the game. Otherwise they wouldn’t. There is also no real reason to not make that a part of your vision.
4 - Demanding to play a game at a certain difficulty level is paternizing.
5 - That’s for the individual player to decide. The alternative could be a game, that isn’t being played. Which somehow defeats the purpose.
6 - Difficulty levels do not equal genres, art styles and the like.
Again: If you don’t want to play easy mode, you don’t have to. You’re not affected by the choice of others.
Re: Xbox Says ‘Gatekeeping And Elitism’ Have No Place In Gaming
Never understood people who say a game shouldn't have an easy mode. If you don't want to play the game on easy, don't play the game on easy ...
What's the reason for denying people to have fun in a game, the way they want to? You are literally not affected by the experience another player has. You would find it absurd if someone would try to deny you a hard and very hard mode.
Leaves only one explanation: "I don't want others to finish the game under different (easier) rules than I had, because it makes me feel less elitist.", which would be petty, to be perfectly frank.
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@Otis_Z_Firefly
True, but once again, no creator should be pilloried or pressured because of THEIR personal problems. I get it, they have PTSD, psychological issues, and the like. That sucks, yes! But it's neither their nor is it my fault ... I'm just trying to create stuff. Fair warning is given by mandatory labels, like youth protection. For the rest, they have to learn to cope.
I'm not libertarian. I'm not on the political radar of your culture. State was not the topic at all, since the complains came from private persons - consumers.
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@Otis_Z_Firefly
So, no reason to warn in detail then, if it is for escapism. Should be clear to everyone that it's not real. Meaning, they don't have to obsess about it.
We're back, full circle, at: "It's actually their personal problem."
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@VenomousAlbino
Who decides if something is recognised as taboo/offensive/upsetting? The society? Who is the society? What society are we even talking about? US? Canada? Russia? Sweden? Saudi-Arabia? Through which procedure?
It doesn't work the way you think it works. Any consolidating attempt in this direction would lead to misuse, by a minority. Why do you think warnings are formulated broader in the first place?
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
My second paragraph shows that there are warnings, but that these warnings are never specific. Much the same as: "Don't walk in front of a moving car, else you get hurt." Seemingly these broad warnings were enough in the past, so why shouldn't they be enough now? What happened? Has humanity suddenly become stupid and unable to deduce the easiest things? Having said that, I'd wager, your grandpa wasn't warned about the depiction of the bombing of Dresden, but rather something along the lines of: "Hey, this is a WWII movie, about planes, depicting violence. So, you know what you're getting into.", by means of an intro, trailer, or an article somewhere. I'm very sure, your grandpa, from there on knew how to feel and what to do.
In contrast to you, I'm coming from the point that humans are able to think, and inticing them to not think is a bad thing. As is preventing people from dealing with their own problems, by making it as easy as possible to evade topics. As is shifting responsibility. As is stigmatizing people who don't spcifically warn, because of whatever artistic or socio-economic reason they have.
The fact remains, that people wanted to be informed about a specific - stalking, emotional manipulation - and then proceeded to give the developer flak.
That's just general nonsensical behaviour. You don't go into a shop and complain they have Nestle stuff in their, which offends you, because it's an inhumane company. You know, when you're going into a shop, that they very well could have wares in there you don't agree with. It's a bad habbit nowadays, to complain about such things. It borders on obsession - which also is a bad thing.
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@Otis_Z_Firefly
Where I'm coming from "war hero" is no argument at all. Which means, yes, your grandfather has a personal problem he needs to take care of, or needs to be helped with.
Age ratings are not specific, but cover a broad collection of criteria. Not all of them necessarily apply to fictional work at the same time. For example, a game can contain nudity but no blood and still gets the same rating. So, what exactly did the age rating prepare you for beforehand? Blood or nudity ... or any other of the points mentioned in the packet?
You're trying to push your point through by using dazzling tactics - appealing to patriotism, misrepresenting the term "specific", ad hominem ... What was it you were saying about weak arguments?
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@Otis_Z_Firefly
Any piece of fiction can touch every possible topic and can be considered offending by any party. It’s your personal responsibility to learn to cope with topics you find problematic. Because, again, it’s your personal problem.
You wouldn’t expect from me to warn you about specifics, when I e.g. start to brainstorm with you about a new novel I could write. You wouldn’t expect to find these kind of warnings in the finalized novel, potentially even spoiling plot twists. The notion of intercepting these things stays absurd.
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@Otis_Z_Firefly
Only the warnings are not specific. You‘re victim of a traffic accident, then you‘re subject to multiple possible injuries and could land in a hospital.
You‘re consuming fiction, you subject yourself to any possible topic, including upsetting ones.
So? When and by whom was it decided necessary, to go into detail up front? If you’re especially concerned about certain things, for example stalking or child abuse, you could just as well go ahead and ask if something like this happens in the piece of fiction you‘re about to consume. Because you know yourself best and hopefully can decide what you can handle and what not.
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@Otis_Z_Firefly
Not sure I got this right, but I think at some point society also warns us that in fiction too sh*t can happen.
@VenomousAlbino
Mhm ... You do you ...
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@VenomousAlbino
Nudging ... -.-
I see it this way. I can do a lot of harm, by entering a vehicle and driving down the road, even though I drive cautiously. Right? Speed was within the limit, lights were on, breaks, horn, everything - but a person just jumped in front of my car. I was using my car as intended ...
Once again, as hard as it sounds, these things happen. Doesn't mean, that I henceforth have to quit driving cars, or announce I will be driving down the road at day X and time Y - meaning, there is the destinct possibility someone could get hurt by my hood. I could do it, but I would decide against it, because I'd find that behaviour pretty strange. Same goes for warnings regarding fiction.
The mere act of stepping outside your home involves taking risks and dealing with them. That's a hard lesson everyone has to learn. It cannot be the solution, to be constantly reminded by others, who have something to do with things you're doing, over the course of the day. And if someone really absolutely CANNOT deal with such things, and instead lash out, then I'm sad to say, they are collateral damage, and might need a completely different kind of help.
Re: Xbox Game Pass's Boyfriend Dungeon Is Proving To Be Controversial For Some Players
@Darthroseman
I'm not mad or offended by people who defend offended people. That's an attempt to distract. I'm voicing my - granted - very strong opinion on the matter. Am I not allowed to?
As for your question: "What's wrong with it?"
Nothing, as long as it's not mandatory, but a voluntary thing. Meaning: Everything is wrong with it, when someone is being pilloried, when this person doesn't warn.
@VenomousAlbino
Right. As said, I'm convinced it's their issue, and I'm not willing to play in the hands of people who would abuse their perceived right to be handled with extra care.
It's as if I was saying, I'm offended by your red T-Shirt, because I was in the war and saw way too much blood. You shouldn't have worn it in the first place. Or you shouldn't have used this in your drawing. I mean, so much red, you couldn't have thought about blood? You couldn't have warned persons like me, really?
As for your question: Have I claimed once, you're talking about censorship? I am and was writing about said warning. You can warn if you want, but it goes much farther than that. Read your own words again, and realize that I am already a f*cking monster in your eyes, for deciding against a warning.
THAT right there is the actual problem. There is already the attempt to pressure me into doing a certain thing, otherwise I'm a bad person. So, basically I am being blamed for a person's inability to step back and work on their own problem. You do not see the potential of abuse in the long run?