Tag: Talking Point - Page 19
Talking Point What Are Your Hopes and Fears for the PS4, PS3, and Vita at GamesCom?
Greatness awaits
Despite being the biggest video games convention on the planet, GamesCom rarely serves up the jaw dropping reveals that are so common at E3. The stakes are much higher this year, though, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One going head-to-head yet again. For both Sony and Microsoft,
Talking Point Could PS4 Streaming Impact Native Vita Development?
Devil in disguise
Aside from games that make heavy use of the PlayStation Eye camera, you’ll be able to play your entire PlayStation 4 library on the PlayStation Vita. The promising Wii U-esque ‘Off-TV’ functionality is something that Sony envisioned with its previous generation consoles, touting the benefits of Remote Play as early as 2006...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Eleven
Bigmouth strikes again
The weekend has crept up on us like Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. We’re mere weeks away from the onset of the autumn onslaught, which means that this is your last opportunity to clear up your backlog in preparation for titles such as Rayman Legends, Killzone: Mercenary, and a certain next generation system. But...
Talking Point Should the PS4 Feature an Avatar System?
Mii too
Rarely a week goes by where there isn’t a new LittleBigPlanet costume to buy. Whether it’s the re-release of seasonal outfits or some brand new threads to tie into a big movie or game launch, Sackboy’s the undisputed king when it comes to cosplay. But for as popular (and presumably profitable) as these downloadable garments are, you...
Talking Point How Will the PS4 Controller's Touchpad Be Used?
Rub-a-Dub
We’ve already established in previous articles that the PlayStation 4’s refreshed controller is a thing of beauty. The analogue sticks feel sturdier than a body builder’s biceps, the triggers melt under your fingertips like a Mini Milk in the microwave, and the light bar looks snazzier than Chewbacca donning Dolce Gabbana shades. One...
Talking Point Would You Buy a $500 PS4 and Vita Bundle?
Forever friends
The concept of a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita bundle has existed since the beginning of time, but rumour has it that Sony is actually planning to officially introduce the chunky combo later this year. A “well-placed anonymous” source has told Machinima that the platform holder will dep
Talking Point Do You Intend to Buy the PS4's Camera?
Watch dogs
Whether or not you believe that Sony planned to bundle the new PlayStation Eye with every PlayStation 4 console, the platform holder hasn’t done a particularly good job of making a compelling argument for the peripheral. You’ll be able to pick up one of the dual-lens units at launch, but while there’s no doubt that the optical extra...
Talking Point Do Single Player Focused Games Really Need Multiplayer?
Connected components
Publishers don’t want you to sell your games, and they’ll do almost anything to stop you. For primarily single player focused releases like God of War: Ascension and Tomb Raider, that means implementing online multiplayer in the hope of extending the title’s lifespan beyond its comparatively slender single player campaign...
Talking Point Should All PSN Games Include a Platinum Trophy?
Bright pots
“Does it have a Platinum Trophy?” is probably the most asked question on the PlayStation Blog. Studios taking to the official publication to promote their wares are frequently forced to field the asinine query, which perhaps detracts from the content in question. We’re sure that developers would rather discuss the mechanics behind...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Ten
Bring us back together
Our bi-weekly weekend gaming discussion may be hitting the airwaves a little later than expected, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t time for us to disclose all of our delicious gaming plans. As always, this isn’t a one-way affair – we want to know what you’re playing, too. Don’t forget to let us know what’s...
Talking Point Are We Neglecting the Strength of the Vita's Lineup?
There's plenty to smile about
When the PlayStation 3 was at its lowest, you couldn’t move for criticism. Every announcement, news story, and trailer was accompanied by a heated discussion; each unfortunate exclusive was forced to carry the weight of the entire machine. As the flagship format settled – its commercial fortunes reversed and...
Talking Point What Does the Future Hold for HD Re-Releases on PS4?
Bringing clarity to the classics
The humble high-definition remaster proved a popular revenue stream for publishers on the PlayStation 3. Starting with the excellent God of War Collection, and spawning several retail compilations thereafter – including Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid, and more – the
Talking Point Is Free-to-Play the Future for PlayStation 4?
Thinking different
In theory, you won’t need to spend a penny on software when you pick up your shiny new PlayStation 4 on launch day. While there will be boxed blockbusters vying for your attention, all flaunting familiar price stickers – unless the executives at EA get their way – the console will also be complemented by a handful of...
Talking Point When Will the PlayStation 4 Release?
Speed dating
Sony has few battles left to win in the build-up to the PlayStation 4’s launch. It’s already outmanoeuvred Microsoft on price and policies, and it’s reaping the rewards in pre-order numbers as a result. However, while the platform holder is riding high on
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Nine
Hot in here
The sun may be shining for what feels like the first time in months, but that shouldn’t stop you from shutting the curtains and settling down with some good old video games. We’re definitely in a bit of a summer lull right now, which means that there’s plenty of opportunity to catch up on the hits that you may have missed. The...
Talking Point Sony's Slow and Steady PS4 Reveal Strategy Will Pay Off
Stockpiling ammunition
There’s a perception that Sony’s on top in the next generation race. The company’s adopting a humble approach in interviews, but it must be buzzing behind closed doors. Retailer charts place the PlayStation 4 in the driver's seat – even in the wake of Microsoft’
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Eight
Born to try
The pomp and circumstance of last week’s E3 2013 may have rained on our usual ‘What Are You Playing?’ parade, but now that the Los Angeles Convention Centre has been packed up, we’re back with our traditional weekend gaming schedule. Below you’ll find the PlayStation plans of several Push Square staff members, but don’t...
Talking Point What Does Microsoft's Massive Xbox One-Eighty Mean for PS4?
Round like a record
We didn’t expect Microsoft to stick with its digital rights management policies after the mauling that it faced from consumers and the media at E3 2013 last week, but even we’re a little stunned by the swiftness and scale of its turnaround. If you’ve been living under a rock, the Redmond-based firm has just revealed that...
Talking Point Did Sony Do Enough to Win the Battle of the E3 2013 Press Conferences?
Presentation punch-out
The LA Convention Centre may have only just opened its doors for E3 2013, but the primary press conferences are now over for another year. After a long day of media briefings from Microsoft, Ubisoft, and EA, Sony finally
Talking Point What Do You Think of the PS4's Hardware Design?
Spill your thoughts on Sony's latest console
Sony laid out the design of the PlayStation 4 like an open book at its press conference earlier this evening – a fitting metaphor, considering the console kind of resembles a hard-back tome. The hardware has an angled surface to it, and has a pronounced split across the spine. There’s a splash of blue...
Talking Point Has Microsoft's E3 2013 Showing Lessened Your Interest in the PS4?
Xbox One steps out of the shadows
It was imperative that the Xbox One had a strong showing at E3 2013. Last month, the backlash to the platform’s initial unveiling was undeniably negative, with a whopping 84 per cent of you noting that the system had done nothing to quell your anticipation for the PlayStation 4. But today’s press conference was...
Talking Point What Are Your Hopes and Fears for the PS4, PS3, and Vita at E3 2013?
Nervous expectations
We’re on the home straight. The world’s gaming media is descending on Los Angeles as we type, a city that’s slowly being transformed into a haven for interactive entertainment. Posters are being erected, laptops are being charged, and publishers are transporting secretive packages containing builds of unannounced games...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Seven
Breakfast at midnight
While next week promises to offer a glimpse of the future of gaming, let’s not forget about the present. The release calendar may be starting to slow down for the summer, but that just means that this is the perfect opportunity to work through your backlog. As always, we’ve gathered together a handful of Push Square staff...
Talking Point Will You Still Buy the PS4 If It Treats Game Ownership Like the Xbox One?
Going through changes
For a company that’s made copious communication blunders over the course of the current generation, Sony’s handled the subject of used games in an unexpectedly cunning manner – primarily by shutting its mouth. While its closest competitor Microsoft has been hung, drawn, and quartered since the Xbox One’s unveiling, the...
Talking Point Why PS4's Remote Play Requirements Represent a Lesson Learned
Feature diva
You should always be cautious when Sony reveals an exciting new feature. While the platform holder is never short on ideas, it regularly drops the ball on interesting initiatives. Take the Eye Toy: the PlayStation 2 peripheral could be seen as a precursor to the phenomenal success of both the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox 360 Kinect, but...
Talking Point The Increasingly Complex Issue of Used Games on PS4
#PS4NoDRM
The significance of Sony’s stance on used games is spiralling by the day. While the platform holder has categorically stated that the PlayStation 4 will support pre-owned content, the comments made by the likes of Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida seem a bit vague in the wake of last week’s Xbox One gate. But just how complex...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Six
New week revelations
The sun may be shining, but you won’t find us spending our weekend outside – we can absorb all of the Vitamin D that we need from the glow of the television screen. In keeping with tradition, we’ve gathered together a number of Push Square team members in order to find out what’s on their gaming agenda over the coming...
Talking Point Sony's Aggressive Approach to PS4 Is Working Wonders
Hunger games
A leopard may not be able to change its spots, but that’s not stopped Sony from behaving like a brand new company over the past few months. Freed from the shackles of the PlayStation 3’s biggest blunders, the organisation appears refreshed and ready to reclaim its console crown. The hubris of its current generation endeavours have...
Feature Three Lessons PS4 Can Learn from Xbox One's Unveiling
Star student
We don’t think that it’s entirely unfair to say that Microsoft’s big Xbox One unveiling didn’t quite go to plan. While the Redmond-based manufacturer clearly had the mainstream market in its sights, we’d like to assume that it wasn’t planning on completely alienating its core audience in the process. It’s still too early...
Talking Point How Has Xbox One's Reveal Affected Your Anticipation for PS4?
Snap response
Microsoft’s just tied a big green bow around its Xbox Reveal event. As expected, the press conference raised the curtain on Xbox One, the next generation console from the Redmond-based manufacturer. Throughout the conference, the company touched upon many topics, including television, music, movies, and, well, a few games. But how...
Talking Point The Brilliant Build Up to Sony's PlayStation Meeting
Shock and awe
Sony’s marketing team often bears the brunt of the entire industry’s ire. Forum posters lament the company’s inability to successfully build excitement around its products, journalists and bloggers ridicule the department’s shortcomings, and developers no doubt privately ponder why their titles aren’t receiving the attention...
Talking Point PS4 Must Provide a More Palatable Shopping Experience
Add to basket
We desperately want to love the new PlayStation Store on the PlayStation 3. The redesign – which was introduced in customary calamitous fashion late last year – promised a prompter, prettier shopping experience. There’s no doubt that it delivered on the latter, with large ic
Talking Point Sony Must Solve the PlayStation Vita's Memory Woes
Storage insanity
The announcement of the PlayStation Vita’s price sent rapturous applause throughout the industry. At the time, many pundits had predicted that the handheld would cost upwards of $350 – a figure not unreasonable for a company that’s famous for the extortionate price of its consoles. The firm eventually disappointed its critics,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Five
Smiles like sunshine
The sun has set on another work week, and like many of you, our attention is firmly focused on another weekend of gaming gluttony. To maintain tradition, we’ve caught up with a number of team members in order to learn what’s on their agenda over the next couple of days, but we’d love to know what’s keeping your consoles...
Talking Point Are Cross-Generation Releases Affecting Your Enthusiasm for the PS4?
Upgrade incentives
With the PlayStation 4 now mere months away, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that its predecessor is not simply going to step aside. Sony has always done a stellar job of supporting its systems throughout the entirety of their ten year lifecycles, bu
Talking Point Are Cross Platform Games a Help or a Hindrance to the Vita?
Devil in disguise
The mere suggestion of Soul Sacrifice selling its spirit to the PlayStation 4 in yesterday’s Talking Point pushed some posters into a Black Rite-esque fury. Their argument: the PlayStation Vita needs exclusive games if it is to reverse its current retail predicament. It’s a fair response – Sony’s flags
Talking Point What Does the Next Chapter Entail for Soul Sacrifice?
Death and demons
Sony learned a lesson or two from Demon’s Souls. The platform holder actually helped From Software construct the cult title, publishing the release as an exclusive in Japan. However, the company passed on a western version, a decision that Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida rues to this very day. Following a successful...
Talking Point Could Heavenly Sword Cut a Pose on the PS4?
Next generation sequel unsheathed?
Among the excitement for Ratchet & Clank’s big screen debut, the announcement of Heavenly Sword’s cinematic adaption sort of got lost in the shuffle. The flick was backhandedly referenced in a
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Four
Fresh to death
The heavens have opened where we are, which should give us the perfect excuse to spend the weekend inside. But regardless of whether the sun’s shining in your neck of the woods, we want to know what’s keeping your consoles busy over the next couple of days. We’ll go first, but don’t forget to leave your gaming agenda in the...
Talking Point Do DLC Deals Influence Your Purchasing Habits?
Early access and bonus maps
With third-party exclusives slipstreaming the saola on the rotten road to extinction, platform holders are putting a much greater emphasis on exclusive DLC deals. Typically, these arrangements ensure that content remains restricted to a particular system for a set period of time (sometimes indefinitely), with financial...
Talking Point Will the PlayStation Move Really Have a Place on the PS4?
Move aside?
Contrary to what Sony initially promised, the PlayStation Move didn’t really change anything at all. You’ll struggle to find a bigger fan of the two Sports Champions games than this particular author, but the motion device seems to have fizzled out swifter than a budget sparkler on a stormy Bonfire Night. Despite this,
Talking Point How Does Exclusivity Affect Your Anticipation for a Game?
Increased attention
For as few exclusives as there are these days, the word still gets a lot of mileage on message boards. Lists have become a profound form of ammunition among system soldiers, with elite titles compared and contrasted in increasingly heated wars of attrition. But how important is exclusivity to you? And does the aging concept have...
Talking Point Why PS4's Social Features Probably Won't Be Free
Pay, create, share
The current goodwill surrounding the PlayStation 4 will almost certainly come to an end at some point. There comes a moment in every system’s build-up where the early enthusiasm is replaced by a wave of negativity. This onset of scepticism typically stems from the hardware in question’s price – or, in the PlayStation...
Talking Point Why Sony Must Release the PS4 in the West This Year
Breaking tradition
Sony’s been frighteningly non-committal regarding the launch timing of the PlayStation 4. While the platform holder flashed up the words ‘Holiday 2013’ during its big PlayStation Meeting press conference earlier in the year, it’s failed to really elaborate on the window since. “The precise details, as I say, for exact...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue Three
All of the day, all of the night
With the curtains closed on another week of work, it’s time to put away your pens and focus on some good old gaming. Once again, we’ve managed to coax several Push Square team members into sharing their plans for the weekend, but we want to know what’s filling your itinerary, too. Feel free to submit your...
Talking Point Is Sony Racing into Trouble with DriveClub on the PS4?
Head-on collision
A console launch wouldn’t be complete without a racer to highlight the hardware’s technical strides. DriveClub, a new team-based vehicular experiment from MotorStorm developer Evolution Studios, represents the PlayStation 4’s first foray into the high-octane arena of next generation motorsport. But while the social endeavour...
Talking Point Why Sony Should Hold a Second PS4 Event Before E3
Chugging along
Buzz is an important thing in this industry. Publishers invest millions of dollars into marketing teams, community managers, and press events to ensure that their games launch with the maximum amount of excitement surrounding them. New hardware releases tend to manufacture that anticipation all on their own, but just because the...
Talking Point How the PS4 Will Put an End to Some of the PS3's Biggest Issues
Better, faster, stronger
We love our good old pal the PlayStation 3, but even we can acknowledge that the console is not without fault. Its complex architecture has proved a headache for developers ever since its release almost seven years ago – and it's resulted in some less than desirable ports being published for our favourite machine. But with...
Talking Point Do We Really Need So Much Gunplay in Games?
Bang, bang
Brilliant as it undeniably is, there’s a moment in BioShock Infinite where you realise that it’s turned a corner. Booker DeWitt’s exciting excursion to Columbia opens with very little action at all; the game’s perfectly content to let you explore the skyward archipelago at your own pace. But as you sprint towards the adventure’s...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Easter Edition
Eggstremely eggciting
With another two weeks lost to the ever moving hands of time, we’ve grudgingly put our chocolate eggs to the side in order to bring you a sneak peak at our gaming itinerary for the extended Easter weekend. But, as you should already be aware, this isn’t all about us – we want to know what will be drawing your attention...
