The latest Games Inbox sees readers questioning the point of next generation consoles, with one reader arguing that the industry has hit a ceiling that new hardware cannot improve upon.
Doubts Over Next Gen Hardware
Writing in under the name TWO MACKS, a reader said they cannot see any reason for the next generation to go ahead as things stand. They suggested the original reason was that console sales were stagnant, prompting companies to want everyone to buy new consoles and thus new games, but added that hardware shortages make this seem pointless.
The reader also questioned what the new hardware can bring, noting that 8K never took off and that terrestrial TV is still HD, never mind 4K. They identified HDMI 2.2 as the only technology change, but pointed out that a new TV would be required to use it. The reader concluded that gaming has hit a ceiling that a new console cannot really improve on, and questioned whether it is stubbornness or arrogance to plough ahead with new consoles at this time.
GameCentral responded that if console sales have slowed, companies need a way to reverse that, and traditionally that has always meant a new generation of consoles.
Onimusha: Way Of The Sword Impressions
Another reader, Shadows take first place, shared their experience of finishing Onimusha: Way Of The Sword after spending a long time on the final boss. They said they really enjoyed it overall, despite finding it a bit flawed in places. At first, everything outside the boss fights felt trivially easy, though the difficulty picked up as it went on. The game starts to get repetitive later on, with recycled bosses and the need to clear yet another corruption zone. The exploration and side content did not feel particularly rewarding either.
However, the reader said the combat and boss battles are so good that they make up for most of the shortcomings. They gave it a solid 8/10, calling it a bloody good effort from Capcom, and said a sequel with a few key refinements could be something really special. Playing it has made them want to jump back into Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which they still consider the superior game.
Yoshi And The Mysterious Book Praise
A reader named Mud Mysterious choices said Yoshi And The Mysterious Book really is underrated and could have been a classic if a few things had been tweaked. They said the presentation and music are horrible, but underneath that it is a great game brimming with brilliant ideas. They suggested getting rid of the book, making it into a hub with worlds, and slapping Mario on the title, saying everyone would have bought it and said how good it is. They admitted that would make it a different game, but said the actual game is still great, although it feels half done and could have been more.
GameCentral responded that the gameplay and presentation, and marketing, are completely at odds with each other, and called it a shame because it is a great game that never had a chance in terms of sales.
North American Business Model Concerns
Under the name Made in America, a reader argued that while gaming as an overall medium is not in trouble, the North American business model is unsustainable. They cited rising game budgets driven mainly by employee wages, stagnation in the market in terms of total potential console and PC customers, and cost of living crises affecting spending. Most studios in America are based in cities and states with a sky-high cost of living, such as California and Seattle, where companies compete for staff with big tech companies. Adding ridiculous CEO and executive pay relative to Japanese gaming companies on top of that leaves a studio with incredibly high overheads.
The reader noted that if a product is targeting a stagnant market and prices are relatively static, since gamers generally do not want to pay more than £60-70 for a game, one game can turn a profit after two million sales while another needs 20 million to break even. They concluded that North American developers have a tougher task ahead to stay in business long term, and said they really think the companies are going to struggle unless something changes. They added that PlayStation has a diverse portfolio of studios across Japan, Europe, and North America, so should be pretty robust.
GameCentral responded that this is all very true, especially the cost of employing developers in the US, which now accounts for the majority of every US game's budget.
AI, Motion Controls, and Mass Effect
A reader named Creative view said they would have preferred to see Miyamoto take a stronger line against AI, but suggested the problem is that many creative people do not speak out strongly against it because they do not need it, so they just get interested in the fringe benefits it offers. To Miyamoto it is an interesting bit of tech that might be mildly useful for a few things. The reader said he is not thinking of all the zero-talent people that are going to try and make entire games using it, and the undemanding casual gamers that will play them without complaining, concluding that things are much worse than they realise.
Another reader, Emotion controls, shared their experiences with motion controls, explaining why they would never pick them over more regular controls. They described struggling with a section in Ōkami where they had to slice a giant boulder at a jaunty angle, trying for around 45 minutes without success. They also mentioned a part in Zelda: Skyward Sword where they had to wiggle the Wii remotes to attack while swimming, which led to the character ending up face down in the salty soil every time. Even Zelda: Breath Of The Wild had motion-controlled ball mazes in some shrines that caused contortions with their wrists. However, they said Wii Sports was all rosy, as it is inclusive and anyone can play, with flapping the arms wildly working just as well as a more considered shot or return. They concluded it is all good fun on a throwaway family game at Christmas, but for a more intricate game with more precise controls, it is not for them.
Under the name Lost Shepard, a reader said it was horrible to see the footage of the new Mass Effect and to know it will never happen. They said they knew it was all fake and less reliable than a trailer, but it already looked a hell of a lot better than Mass Effect: Andromeda. They noted that Shepard does not seem to be in it, which makes them think they are not the main character, although they are sure the developers would not have been able to resist putting in a cameo of some sort. They guessed they will never know, unless the plot is leaked.
A reader named Unknown actor said they saw an online post implying that actress Manni Perez might be the voice of Lucia in GTA 6. They noted this has not been officially confirmed, but it made them think of other voice talent in games and how playing a character in a AAA game does not necessarily turn the actors and actresses involved into major stars. They named David Hayter, known for playing Solid Snake, and David Bateson, a Hitman fan favourite, as examples of actors they could not instantly picture. They mentioned Ray Liotta was already famous due to Goodfellas before he did Vice City, so he is probably exempt from this phenomenon. They also praised the actor who played James Bond in 007 First Light, saying they did an excellent job. They suspected that actors and actresses at any level probably are not overly bothered if they get recognised and are simply happy to get the work.
Inbox Also-Rans
In the Inbox also-rans section, a reader named Symbal said they really hope that Arkane do manage to find a way out of their current problems. They said they have a hard time believing Marvel's Blade is that far along if they have not said a thing about it in four years, but here is hoping.
Another reader, Lemon, said there is something so calming and nostalgic about a new Half-Life 3 rumour, especially given everything else happening in gaming at the moment. They added they will almost be disappointed if it actually comes out.
