Thursday's Games Inbox features reader letters on fan negativity, GTA 6 leaks, Sony's live service struggles, and nostalgia for arcade attract modes.
Negative Waves and Fan Reactions
One reader, Clovis, praised the preview and interview of Marvel's Wolverine, noting the Insomniac developer's honest answers. They expressed surprise that Sony did not cancel the second hands-on event after the first wave of negativity. The reader raised questions about the impact of poor player performance in games and the intense negativity of online fans. They stated, "I'm not trying to defend Wolverine – I liked the Spider-Man games but can take or leave this new one – but the way people just unleash their negativity for no good reason is not healthy for anyone." The reader added that if Wolverine is no good, people should not buy it, but starting a hate campaign months before release is unacceptable.
GTA 6 Leaks and Sony's Live Service Woes
Another reader, Ragnor, commented on the strange GTA 6 leaks, questioning where the information and clips come from, implying hacking but noting the lack of discussion about it. They doubted Rockstar would give in to demands to release the game on disc, suggesting they would rather give it away for free. The reader warned that the leakers might face legal action from Rockstar for pointless videos showing little of interest.
Kinder criticised Sony for cancelling another live service game, calling it ridiculous that forcing single-player developers to make monetised multiplayer games does not work. They expressed hope that Fairgames would be cancelled soon, ending what they called a "ridiculous saga" that has ruined a generation of gaming for Sony. They singled out the Horizon multiplayer game, questioning who asked for it and criticising the ugly cartoon art style that ruins the detailed graphics and creature designs.
Lost Art of Attract Modes
David, writing as Loss of attraction, lamented the bland opening menus in modern games like Pragmata, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and Final Fantasy 7 remake, missing the classic attract mode from arcade games. He recalled iconic examples such as Soulcalibur on Dreamcast, Daytona USA, and Super Street Fighter 2, which were designed to grab attention and showcase graphics. He noted that modern games lean into cinematic storytelling, leaving sterile, silent start menus, and asked readers which attract modes stuck with them the most.
Retro Gaming and CeX's Plans
Freeway 77, writing as Enter the Collector, welcomed CeX's efforts to enter the retro market but expressed mixed feelings. As a single parent, they relied on CeX for selling old games but criticised the low buyback prices, noting they received £5 less for a NES than advertised. They stated, "I understand they need to make a profit but buying something for less than half it is worth and selling it for over double leaves a stale taste in the mouth." However, they acknowledged CeX helped them out and wished the company well, but warned that retro collectors are knowledgeable and stubborn about prices.
