@Oram77 I think it will be between RE9, and Wolverine (maybe and Onimusha). As obvious as it sounds, it will just depend on how good Wolverine is.
And I do tend to include DLC in my choices, if it adds to the game / story. I really wanted to vote for Lies of P (2024) last year as my 2nd place game, as Overture (2025) added so much to the game.
@Weebleman It is a tough one for them - I believe very strongly that exclusives sell platforms, but I just don't see how Xbox can go down this route now.
Personally, I think the timing is awful, and their mixed messaging (as you were pointing out to Mr Stark) has been terrible for them.
I was already at a low point of trust with Xbox, and it would be very true to say this has seriously affected the chance of me buying their games. They have not proven that they are serious with being multiplatform for a few reasons, most notably that in the most part their Pro enhancements have been way below average (though a couple have bucked this trend and been outstanding). Couple this with the fact that it feels like some of their base PS5 versions have been weaker than expected technically. If I wanted to 'prove myself' as a proper multiplatform publisher I would ensure that every game was matched technically for base PS5 and Series X, and that Pro enhancements were top tier (like Forza 5). They have also continued to flirt with the idea of timed exclusives etc, and mixed messaging over the last couple of years.
I just don't know how Xbox could make things any worse for themselves at present - I actually think they are at a lower point now in perception terms, than they were in the period moving from Xbox 360 to Xbox One, and like many I switched from the 360 to PS4.
When Microsoft (as the parent company) see the results of this, if they (Xbox) don't make extraordinary and highly unlikely headway with this strategy then Microsoft will just enforce a hard reset.
That hard reset could be as weak as no more exclusives ever again, or as strong as a complete shuttering of Xbox as a platform. With Xbox studios continuing as a proper multiplatform publisher.
Personally, I think the latter is more likely given the damage they have done to how they are viewed by PS owners over all of this.
The timing may not be as strange as it seems either - they may still have time to cancel project Helix or launch as a 'PC in a box' with no Xbox platform specifics.
If this is the case, how long will they provide GP on console (before moving to GP on PC only).
As for myself, as I have said on similar articles - I do not trust Xbox, so won't be buying any entry from any of their games series. Who knows if they will make the next entry exclusive or not, they don't seem to know, so it's just not worth it.
Xbox can make all their games exclusive - you are totally right on this.
(I wouldn't actually care that much as out of all the games launched I have genuinely only bought 1, and that had to be on sale - for context I buy about 1 full price game per month total).
But if they fail to make the extraordinary headway you seem to suggest with this strategy - highly unlikely in most peoples estimations given their userbase size, and Gamepass - then Microsoft (as the parent company) will just enforce a hard reset.
That hard reset could be as weak as no more exclusives ever again, or as strong as a complete shuttering of Xbox as a platform. With Xbox studios continuing as a proper multiplatform publisher.
Personally, I think the latter is more likely given the damage they have done to how they are viewed by PS owners over all this (as per @Weebleman 's replies).
The timing might be right as they may still have opportunity to cancel Helix, or ensure it is nothing more than a PC in a box.
The saddest part in all this is that in the meantime a downsizing of some of their studios may take place.
So, just like when certain people were cheering on Xbox's aquisitions of Activision, which was the trigger point for all of this, be careful what you wish for...
When MS (as the parent company) see the results of this, if sales aren't great, and particularly if consumer confidence (from PS owners) in multiformat games is reduced, they may well force a hard reverse on this.
The question is how hard a reverse? Will it only be no more exclusives, or will they force a sped up transition to a proper multiformat approach - ie abandoning the idea of an Xbox platform entirely.
The timing may not be as strange as it seems either - they may still have time to cancel project Helix or launch as a 'PC in a box' with no Xbox platform specifics.
If this is the case, how long will they provide GP on console (before moving to GP on PC only).
Further evidence that Sony may be working along the lines of only targeting publishers after so many games are live. Eg a publisher might be safe if they keep it to a minimum and remove games before launching new ones, or they could publish games under multiple publishing companies.
Regardless, I hope Sony continue with this purge, and if the above is true maybe develop their systems to deal with the above.
@BentIeyma Just to add to what @AdamNovice has said in their reply (and I agree with everything they have said).
In the case of AI upscalers, the 'work' is being done under the hood (hence why a base PS5 cannot use PSSR - it doesn't have the hardware). The upscaler needs creating and improving, just like non AI upscalers, but the work the AI is replacing was previously done by the machine.
In the case of Generative AI, it is being used to replace the work done by people - creative work.
Other forms of AI - it depends on case. Some replace what was previously done by machine, some do things previously not possible/practical, and others replace work by people.
Replacement of people is one reason some types are so dangerous - unless you want potential higher unemployment, and wages that go down instead of up, and much less spending because people no longer have any money to spend. Significant job losses in 1 market, will still affect all markets as people rush to non affected ones, and people willing to work for less.
@Yomv7t
I struggle to find more than 1 Quality Soulslike per year these days - but have no issue in other game types I enjoy, hence why I believe it is thoroughly under represented.
I'm not sure how I would classify Wo Long, but I do agree that a big part of the problem is people classing action adventure games as Soulslikes incorrectly. It is also sadly a category which gets a fair few lower tier games.
Edit: fixed my first sentence which previously made little sense because I mixed up my words.
I feel like I have said the below a lot today, but Xbox now aren't just flip flopping, they are all over the place without any real sane direction.
As a PlayStation console owner t's just not worth spending the time or money on any Xbox game series, when their incompetent indecision might lead them to making a future instalment exclusive.
Its like they are trying to please a few fanboys while further alienating their main source of income.
Xbox aren't just flip flopping now, they are all over the place without any sane direction.
It is just not worth spending the time or money on any Xbox game series, when their incompetent indecision might lead them to making a future instalment exclusive.
Its like they are trying to please a few fanboys while further alienating their main source of income.
I usually like Soulslikes - and contrary to what some say, its a very, very under represented genre. But I just bounced off the demo for the 1st game hard.
Hopefully they will do a new demo for this 2nd outing, and I will give it another try.
@Skinny-Pete If Xbox does go back to Exclusives in any way, I fully expect they will flip-flop around quite a bit - just as they have in words and actions this last year or so.
I have never had much trust in their multiplatform words - timed exclusives on occasion, and often well below average Pro enhancements have proven them to be hollow.
I know this is only a rumour at the moment, but their recent messaging is enough.
Hence why I would advise any PS gamer not to waste investing any time / money in any Xbox game series, when it is possible they could make it exclusive for the next instalment?
@Skinny-Pete Life is too short to play all the games I want to, without adding in Xbox games - most of which, not all, I consider pretty low tier (I have bought a grand total of 1 of their games this gen, and that was on heavy sale). I have quite the backlog of games I want to replay too.
Why would I invest time / money in an Xbox game series, when by their own incompetent indecision they could make exclusive for the next instalment? It just isn't worth it.
IF the rumour is true: This sort of strategy, given their small userbase and the fundamental flaws of Gamepass, will just lead to more pain for Xbox - maybe studio closures, and maybe the end of this series.
The 'fans' that want Xbox exclusives should be very careful what they wish for.
Meanwhile it just teaches PlayStation users not to buy Xbox games, which in the future - when Xbox come begging for purchases, will cost them even more.
Humans are sometimes such selfish creatures - they applaud something that can ruin others lives, until it affects theirs of course - but as I said in my previous comment, AI could well affect people who think they have nothing to worry about at the moment. In fact, I think the people who have the most to worry about might well be those who have seen no impact of AI whatsoever yet, and think they are 'safe'.
To make it clear, my negative feelings in this matter extend to those who 'cheer it on' without a care.
There are good uses of AI, but there are also a lot of bad, and some won't care if it means getting their 'shiny new toy (game)' just a little faster... (I will probably get a response telling me 'but its going to be a lot faster'...)
It is the same as a lot of breakthroughs - people should be asking 'SHOULD WE' and NOT 'CAN WE'.
It also boggles my mind that some who will shout about 'not supporting a billion £/$ company' go and support some of this - when it is only those companies and the already far too rich who really benefit.
None of this even factors in just how ridiculous some of the answers AI can give at the moment are. Genuine story: a couple of months ago I asked one of these AI search engines something along the lines of 'who lives in Downing street' - the answer I got back was a Conservative PM, and a Labour Chancellor...
Neither does it factor in specific uses such as Gen AI art that can just look horrible or at the least boring and samey - AI slop is a good description.
Anyway, thats enough of a rant - though if I had Twitter I would go and send my feelings to Shift Up too.
And I really hope those of you who mentioned affected partners manage to get through this, without any further pain.
@KundaliniRising333 I can't understand those that 'cheer on' certain forms of AI - some are literally cheering on their own downfall. (For clarification I am not talking about certain tools eg AI upscalers, but things like Gen AI).
It makes me kinda hope that those that do 'cheer for it' should be the first to lose their jobs to it. Maybe if they were under threat they would think differently.
Even those who think they are safe, may not be, because as unemployment rises, other businesses become affected, and wages across the board go down.
@Oram77 I'm certainly not going to argue this one - I just don't know.
I was not a fan of the idea of making a single game into 3, but that was just an opinion and I did buy the first game. It was the first game, or should I say certain aspects of it because I don't consider it a bad game, and things I saw / read about the sequel that put me off in the end.
I think most people I know have already made their minds up one way or the other, but a trilogy edition could change that, depending on price (and what else is launching).
@Oram77 RE trilogy bundle. Maybe - it also might pull back a couple of people like me who dipped out after part 1, providing part 3 reviews very highly - I don't know if thats possible in my case, but stranger things have happened, and I can change my mind. I'm not sure there are massive numbers of PS owners who would be interested, who haven't bought 1 & 2, but who knows on this one.
@Fishmasterflex96 Square Enix has been perceptually tied to Sony for a long while - one of the reasons this relationship worked is because a lot of fans of their games are now on PlayStation consoles.
Not to mention I cannot see anyone buying part 3 who hasn't completed 1 & 2 - so they are appealing to the wrong audience here. The view figures comparative to channel recorded by others above just goes to show this further.
In a general front, as I have said before, they are losing an incredible amount of hype / presence / prominent marketing for any game they publish without it being a (timed) exclusive on PS. If they didn't want to go this route, they should at the VERY LEAST have not made a lot of the public comments they have, and tried to partner with Sony on Marketing, even if no exclusivity was included.
Does the loss of sales on PS consoles due to all this become negated by the additional other format sales? (particularly when you consider they have to pay for / code for additional platforms) - I believe very strongly the answer is No - this strategy will lose them money.
FF7 part 3 may do OK due to people already invested in parts 1 & 2, but in the long run I think Square Enix are burning bridges, and may ultimately be forced to seriously downsize.
@NerdyPaul Square Enix always had the benefit of hype from them closely partnering with Sony, with (at the least) timed console exclusivity. Not to mention that Sony always used to promote their games prominently.
Square Enix has been on a downward trend recently, and moving away from that relationship with Sony will only deepen their problems. They may gain a few sales on Xbox, but could lose far more on PlayStation.
For a good few years now I would argue that in terms of perception, it was Sony helping SE look special still, not the other way round.
@Marquez I knew I was missing someone! (Will edit). Yes, I liked Greenway too. The voice acting has certainly complimented the games story and scripting, which have also been excellent.
@Marquez
(I will try again as I hit reply too early by accident)
I have been very impressed with most of the voice acting in 007 FL.
I can't remember all their names, but as well as Bond, I have been particularly impressed with M, Q, Greenway, Webb snr, Webb jnr, and Moneypenny (in that order). And that is not to say others are bad.
@AdamNovice I didn't realise it was meant to be out that soon.
I hope if it was going to end up in September they have delayed further back as you say - September/ October are going to be brutal and quite a few games will end up with much reduced sales, which would be unfortunate.
The extra Tacsim missions aren't hugely exciting to me (others will probably thoroughly enjoy them though), but the other content looks good. Is it all free content? If so, thats a major plus point.
I'm particularly interested in what they plan for a NG+ mode.
@DennisReynolds I would have preferred cross gen all gen - next gen I will likely get my wish!
This still amounts to developers not correctly targeting hardware that makes up (usually) just over half their likely sales (and probably much more when you factor in similar spec PC's), which is a form of incompetence - Console hardware is there, fixed for 7 to 8 years, and that is what should be developed to if you are going to sell to that market.
(For High end PC CPU's there is an expectation of significantly higher framerates available than 60fps; and mid gen refreshes are there for enhanced versions of the games, be that better visuals or higher than 60fps if the game is GPU bound).
This is still hypothetical anyway, as I am still not convinced that they couldn't fix the performance here with a bit of decent work - we have seen 'its not possible' become possible in the past.
This game was clearly launched in a very incomplete state due to all the patches it has needed, and the content of those patches - I know games receive multiple bug squashing patches, with a few extras thrown in, but this is on an entirely different scale!
@DennisReynolds I have seen it running at a friend's, not too long ago - he was very disappointed with its performance too, so much so that he has given up playing it, possibly about one third of the way through - might be Bug hill or something like that. I told him he should have waited for DF's review.
I didn't see anything that made me think it was so special, and certainly nothing to put its open world on a pedestal above others.
I'm sure he and others like him will be thrilled to learn they have added pinball to the game, but not fixed one of its glaring issues.
"Be thankful it can even hit 60fps on console" Technology has advanced since previous generations, so have standards. Thats like saying 'be thankful it isn't limited to 16 colours".
The game may well have some limited exploration, or branching paths - we just don't know (because they haven't told us).
As I said above, I do think this trailer had 2 main aims: 1) Hype the game for the wider audience, so spectacle was key. 2) Prove the doubters wrong in regards to it not being 'sanitised', so focused on gore. On both these fronts, I think they succeeded very well - maybe too well on the gore front lol (ie they have had to announce it has a toggle). A lot of people I know, including casual gamers are hyped for this too.
Straightforward linear action games can still be popular, and excellent games, but I agree, they need an excellent combat system.
I fully expect that they will do one or more of the following closer to launch, in order to quell any fears: 1) One of their deep dive videos. 2) An extensive preview session 3) Maybe even a demo - the game seems very far along. They probably have basic plans in place, but are looking at reactions to their trailer for points of focus - that is what I would do at least.
@dwayne91 Of course they can be ambitious, but ambition without knowing their limitations is bad - and something they should definitely fix, for the sake of those who bought the game expecting a minimum standard of performance.
I also hear a lot of complaints towards gameplay in this regard too, but I would still have given it a go, if the game ran well.
@DennisReynolds It is you that clearly has no idea of what you are talking about.
There are open world games that can (sometimes easily) achieve 60fps, and these games prove that it is a developers fault if they cannot achieve this for their game.
Dressing up 'certain' games as being conveniently "CPU heavy" is just an excuse for developers poor planning or execution, when their ambitions overtake their capabilities on well over 100 million consoles in general use at present (taking into account Series consoles which have near identical CPU's). The fact that this game runs at 60fps except in some areas / situations shows very clearly that they can achieve it, they just need to apply effort here.
"Fact is we're at this stage in the generation where CPU limitations are starting to show" The fact is that developers over ambition, or lack of effort / capability is starting to show. Its not like the CPU's in these consoles have just started to work considerarably worse! Decent developers will continue to keep to stable 60fps for performance modes, until the very end of the generation. They have no reason whatsoever to plan games they can't achieve this with.
Just don't buy Xbox studio games until they prove themselves as a proper multiplatform publisher.
(I have bought 1 this gen, and that was on heavy sale).
Why get invested in their games, if there is a chance they may make a sequel exclusive - there are plenty of fantastic games out there / coming on PS5.
I hadn't really thought about the correlation of the console prices ie half their audience chose the cheaper Series S, and next gen it looks like they will be the most expensive option (possibly by far).
@get2sammyb
Makes a bit of a Joke of the opinion that people won't pay £80 for a game.
(Edit: and I accept it's more nuanced than just a single 'full price' value)
Comments 3,883
Re: PS5 Fans Ponder Whether Kena: Scars of Kosmora Has Been Delayed
I hope so (2027). This sequel deserves more than to fail because it launched against bigger name games.
Re: Whoops! Xbox Accidentally Uploads Gears of War PS5 Trailer
@get2sammyb
Keep it coming - this is just becoming funnier and funnier now!
(No sarcasm intended - well, not to you at least)
Re: Poll: Vote for Your PS5 Game of the Month (May 2026)
@Oram77
I think it will be between RE9, and Wolverine (maybe and Onimusha). As obvious as it sounds, it will just depend on how good Wolverine is.
And I do tend to include DLC in my choices, if it adds to the game / story.
I really wanted to vote for Lies of P (2024) last year as my 2nd place game, as Overture (2025) added so much to the game.
Re: Rumour: Halo PS5 Trailer Was Planned for State of Play, Sony Allegedly Angered by Removal
I just think its hilarious after all of Xbox's recent messaging, that today we get a trailer for Halo proudly stating 'captured on PS5 Pro'. Lol
Re: Poll: Vote for Your PS5 Game of the Month (May 2026)
An easy vote for 007 First Light - currently my No 2 GOTY just slightly behind RE Reqium.
Re: As Xbox Returns to Exclusives, Halo Remake Embraces PS5 with PS5 Pro Gameplay Trailer
@Weebleman
It is a tough one for them - I believe very strongly that exclusives sell platforms, but I just don't see how Xbox can go down this route now.
Personally, I think the timing is awful, and their mixed messaging (as you were pointing out to Mr Stark) has been terrible for them.
I was already at a low point of trust with Xbox, and it would be very true to say this has seriously affected the chance of me buying their games.
They have not proven that they are serious with being multiplatform for a few reasons, most notably that in the most part their Pro enhancements have been way below average (though a couple have bucked this trend and been outstanding). Couple this with the fact that it feels like some of their base PS5 versions have been weaker than expected technically.
If I wanted to 'prove myself' as a proper multiplatform publisher I would ensure that every game was matched technically for base PS5 and Series X, and that Pro enhancements were top tier (like Forza 5).
They have also continued to flirt with the idea of timed exclusives etc, and mixed messaging over the last couple of years.
I just don't know how Xbox could make things any worse for themselves at present - I actually think they are at a lower point now in perception terms, than they were in the period moving from Xbox 360 to Xbox One, and like many I switched from the 360 to PS4.
Re: Reaction: Mealy-Mouthed Microsoft Takes Us Back to 2023 with Mixed Messaging on Xbox Exclusivity
When Microsoft (as the parent company) see the results of this, if they (Xbox) don't make extraordinary and highly unlikely headway with this strategy then Microsoft will just enforce a hard reset.
That hard reset could be as weak as no more exclusives ever again, or as strong as a complete shuttering of Xbox as a platform. With Xbox studios continuing as a proper multiplatform publisher.
Personally, I think the latter is more likely given the damage they have done to how they are viewed by PS owners over all of this.
The timing may not be as strange as it seems either - they may still have time to cancel project Helix or launch as a 'PC in a box' with no Xbox platform specifics.
If this is the case, how long will they provide GP on console (before moving to GP on PC only).
As for myself, as I have said on similar articles - I do not trust Xbox, so won't be buying any entry from any of their games series. Who knows if they will make the next entry exclusive or not, they don't seem to know, so it's just not worth it.
Re: As Xbox Returns to Exclusives, Halo Remake Embraces PS5 with PS5 Pro Gameplay Trailer
@MrStark
Be careful what you wish for...
Xbox can make all their games exclusive - you are totally right on this.
(I wouldn't actually care that much as out of all the games launched I have genuinely only bought 1, and that had to be on sale - for context I buy about 1 full price game per month total).
But if they fail to make the extraordinary headway you seem to suggest with this strategy - highly unlikely in most peoples estimations given their userbase size, and Gamepass - then Microsoft (as the parent company) will just enforce a hard reset.
That hard reset could be as weak as no more exclusives ever again, or as strong as a complete shuttering of Xbox as a platform. With Xbox studios continuing as a proper multiplatform publisher.
Personally, I think the latter is more likely given the damage they have done to how they are viewed by PS owners over all this (as per @Weebleman 's replies).
The timing might be right as they may still have opportunity to cancel Helix, or ensure it is nothing more than a PC in a box.
The saddest part in all this is that in the meantime a downsizing of some of their studios may take place.
So, just like when certain people were cheering on Xbox's aquisitions of Activision, which was the trigger point for all of this, be careful what you wish for...
Re: As Xbox Returns to Exclusives, Halo Remake Embraces PS5 with PS5 Pro Gameplay Trailer
No chance I would purchase this - they could just move back to Xbox console exclusivity for the next instalment.
Plus I owned at least one Halo game, back when I had a 360, and thought it was overrated.
Re: Future Xbox Exclusivity Will Be 'Case-by-Case', PS5 Ports Will Be Revealed Alongside Release Dates
When MS (as the parent company) see the results of this, if sales aren't great, and particularly if consumer confidence (from PS owners) in multiformat games is reduced, they may well force a hard reverse on this.
The question is how hard a reverse? Will it only be no more exclusives, or will they force a sped up transition to a proper multiformat approach - ie abandoning the idea of an Xbox platform entirely.
The timing may not be as strange as it seems either - they may still have time to cancel project Helix or launch as a 'PC in a box' with no Xbox platform specifics.
If this is the case, how long will they provide GP on console (before moving to GP on PC only).
Re: PS5 Store's Shovelware Purge Is Getting More Interesting by the Week
Further evidence that Sony may be working along the lines of only targeting publishers after so many games are live. Eg a publisher might be safe if they keep it to a minimum and remove games before launching new ones, or they could publish games under multiple publishing companies.
Regardless, I hope Sony continue with this purge, and if the above is true maybe develop their systems to deal with the above.
Re: SEGA Provides More Detail After Generative AI Sours Crazy Taxi: World Tour PS5 Announcement
@BentIeyma
Just to add to what @AdamNovice has said in their reply (and I agree with everything they have said).
In the case of AI upscalers, the 'work' is being done under the hood (hence why a base PS5 cannot use PSSR - it doesn't have the hardware).
The upscaler needs creating and improving, just like non AI upscalers, but the work the AI is replacing was previously done by the machine.
In the case of Generative AI, it is being used to replace the work done by people - creative work.
Other forms of AI - it depends on case. Some replace what was previously done by machine, some do things previously not possible/practical, and others replace work by people.
Replacement of people is one reason some types are so dangerous - unless you want potential higher unemployment, and wages that go down instead of up, and much less spending because people no longer have any money to spend.
Significant job losses in 1 market, will still affect all markets as people rush to non affected ones, and people willing to work for less.
Re: Future Xbox Exclusivity Will Be 'Case-by-Case', PS5 Ports Will Be Revealed Alongside Release Dates
@Naughtyottsel92
There is a famous quote from The Karate Kid film 1984.
It references walking on a road but seems appropriate.
"Walk on road, hm? Walk right side, safe. Walk left side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later, get the squish just like grape!"
Re: Koei Tecmo Just Can't Stop Making Action RPGs, Announces Wo Long 2 for PS5
@Yomv7t
I struggle to find more than 1 Quality Soulslike per year these days - but have no issue in other game types I enjoy, hence why I believe it is thoroughly under represented.
I'm not sure how I would classify Wo Long, but I do agree that a big part of the problem is people classing action adventure games as Soulslikes incorrectly. It is also sadly a category which gets a fair few lower tier games.
Edit: fixed my first sentence which previously made little sense because I mixed up my words.
Re: Future Xbox Exclusivity Will Be 'Case-by-Case', PS5 Ports Will Be Revealed Alongside Release Dates
@Oram77
Great film! I can hear him saying the line just watching the gif!
Re: Future Xbox Exclusivity Will Be 'Case-by-Case', PS5 Ports Will Be Revealed Alongside Release Dates
I feel like I have said the below a lot today, but Xbox now aren't just flip flopping, they are all over the place without any real sane direction.
As a PlayStation console owner t's just not worth spending the time or money on any Xbox game series, when their incompetent indecision might lead them to making a future instalment exclusive.
Its like they are trying to please a few fanboys while further alienating their main source of income.
Re: 'These Are Not Timed Exclusives': Xbox Says Gears of War, Clockwork Revolution Are Never Coming to PS5
Xbox aren't just flip flopping now, they are all over the place without any sane direction.
It is just not worth spending the time or money on any Xbox game series, when their incompetent indecision might lead them to making a future instalment exclusive.
Its like they are trying to please a few fanboys while further alienating their main source of income.
Re: Koei Tecmo Just Can't Stop Making Action RPGs, Announces Wo Long 2 for PS5
I usually like Soulslikes - and contrary to what some say, its a very, very under represented genre. But I just bounced off the demo for the 1st game hard.
Hopefully they will do a new demo for this 2nd outing, and I will give it another try.
Re: Rumour: Gears of War: E-Day Was Coming to PS5, Xbox Only Just Cancelled Port
@Skinny-Pete
If Xbox does go back to Exclusives in any way, I fully expect they will flip-flop around quite a bit - just as they have in words and actions this last year or so.
I have never had much trust in their multiplatform words - timed exclusives on occasion, and often well below average Pro enhancements have proven them to be hollow.
I know this is only a rumour at the moment, but their recent messaging is enough.
Hence why I would advise any PS gamer not to waste investing any time / money in any Xbox game series, when it is possible they could make it exclusive for the next instalment?
Re: Rumour: Gears of War: E-Day Was Coming to PS5, Xbox Only Just Cancelled Port
@Skinny-Pete
Life is too short to play all the games I want to, without adding in Xbox games - most of which, not all, I consider pretty low tier (I have bought a grand total of 1 of their games this gen, and that was on heavy sale). I have quite the backlog of games I want to replay too.
Why would I invest time / money in an Xbox game series, when by their own incompetent indecision they could make exclusive for the next instalment?
It just isn't worth it.
Re: Rumour: Gears of War: E-Day Was Coming to PS5, Xbox Only Just Cancelled Port
@INeedGoodGraphics
Xbox purchasing Activision will turn the tide in their favour - Be careful what you wish for...
Xbox trying exclusivity again given their current position - Be careful what you wish for...
Re: Rumour: Gears of War: E-Day Was Coming to PS5, Xbox Only Just Cancelled Port
IF the rumour is true:
This sort of strategy, given their small userbase and the fundamental flaws of Gamepass, will just lead to more pain for Xbox - maybe studio closures, and maybe the end of this series.
The 'fans' that want Xbox exclusives should be very careful what they wish for.
Meanwhile it just teaches PlayStation users not to buy Xbox games, which in the future - when Xbox come begging for purchases, will cost them even more.
Re: Stellar Blade: Blood Rain's Reveal Is Allegedly Riddled with Generative AI
@Northern_munkey @KundaliniRising333 @naruball
Humans are sometimes such selfish creatures - they applaud something that can ruin others lives, until it affects theirs of course - but as I said in my previous comment, AI could well affect people who think they have nothing to worry about at the moment.
In fact, I think the people who have the most to worry about might well be those who have seen no impact of AI whatsoever yet, and think they are 'safe'.
To make it clear, my negative feelings in this matter extend to those who 'cheer it on' without a care.
There are good uses of AI, but there are also a lot of bad, and some won't care if it means getting their 'shiny new toy (game)' just a little faster...
(I will probably get a response telling me 'but its going to be a lot faster'...)
It is the same as a lot of breakthroughs - people should be asking 'SHOULD WE' and NOT 'CAN WE'.
It also boggles my mind that some who will shout about 'not supporting a billion £/$ company' go and support some of this - when it is only those companies and the already far too rich who really benefit.
None of this even factors in just how ridiculous some of the answers AI can give at the moment are.
Genuine story: a couple of months ago I asked one of these AI search engines something along the lines of 'who lives in Downing street' - the answer I got back was a Conservative PM, and a Labour Chancellor...
Neither does it factor in specific uses such as Gen AI art that can just look horrible or at the least boring and samey - AI slop is a good description.
Anyway, thats enough of a rant - though if I had Twitter I would go and send my feelings to Shift Up too.
And I really hope those of you who mentioned affected partners manage to get through this, without any further pain.
Re: Stellar Blade: Blood Rain's Reveal Is Allegedly Riddled with Generative AI
@KundaliniRising333
I can't understand those that 'cheer on' certain forms of AI - some are literally cheering on their own downfall.
(For clarification I am not talking about certain tools eg AI upscalers, but things like Gen AI).
It makes me kinda hope that those that do 'cheer for it' should be the first to lose their jobs to it. Maybe if they were under threat they would think differently.
Even those who think they are safe, may not be, because as unemployment rises, other businesses become affected, and wages across the board go down.
Re: Reaction: Some PS5 Fans Think SGF Showed Sony Losing Its Grip on Third-Parties
@Oram77
I'm certainly not going to argue this one - I just don't know.
I was not a fan of the idea of making a single game into 3, but that was just an opinion and I did buy the first game. It was the first game, or should I say certain aspects of it because I don't consider it a bad game, and things I saw / read about the sequel that put me off in the end.
I think most people I know have already made their minds up one way or the other, but a trilogy edition could change that, depending on price (and what else is launching).
Re: Stellar Blade: Blood Rain's Reveal Is Allegedly Riddled with Generative AI
I was no where near as impressed with the first game as some - it was good, and technically excellent, but only a 7/10 for me.
But I would have likely bought the sequel - but if it has substantial Gen AI, I won't be supporting it.
Re: Reaction: Some PS5 Fans Think SGF Showed Sony Losing Its Grip on Third-Parties
@Oram77
RE trilogy bundle. Maybe - it also might pull back a couple of people like me who dipped out after part 1, providing part 3 reviews very highly - I don't know if thats possible in my case, but stranger things have happened, and I can change my mind.
I'm not sure there are massive numbers of PS owners who would be interested, who haven't bought 1 & 2, but who knows on this one.
Re: The Remaster of This Retro All-Timer Is Plucky Enough to Go Head-to-Head with GTA 6
If its 60fps and GTA6 is 30fps, and I had to choose 1 - this game would win easily!
Re: Reaction: Some PS5 Fans Think SGF Showed Sony Losing Its Grip on Third-Parties
@Fishmasterflex96
Square Enix has been perceptually tied to Sony for a long while - one of the reasons this relationship worked is because a lot of fans of their games are now on PlayStation consoles.
Not to mention I cannot see anyone buying part 3 who hasn't completed 1 & 2 - so they are appealing to the wrong audience here.
The view figures comparative to channel recorded by others above just goes to show this further.
In a general front, as I have said before, they are losing an incredible amount of hype / presence / prominent marketing for any game they publish without it being a (timed) exclusive on PS.
If they didn't want to go this route, they should at the VERY LEAST have not made a lot of the public comments they have, and tried to partner with Sony on Marketing, even if no exclusivity was included.
Does the loss of sales on PS consoles due to all this become negated by the additional other format sales? (particularly when you consider they have to pay for / code for additional platforms) - I believe very strongly the answer is No - this strategy will lose them money.
FF7 part 3 may do OK due to people already invested in parts 1 & 2, but in the long run I think Square Enix are burning bridges, and may ultimately be forced to seriously downsize.
Re: Reaction: Some PS5 Fans Think SGF Showed Sony Losing Its Grip on Third-Parties
@NerdyPaul
Square Enix always had the benefit of hype from them closely partnering with Sony, with (at the least) timed console exclusivity. Not to mention that Sony always used to promote their games prominently.
Square Enix has been on a downward trend recently, and moving away from that relationship with Sony will only deepen their problems. They may gain a few sales on Xbox, but could lose far more on PlayStation.
For a good few years now I would argue that in terms of perception, it was Sony helping SE look special still, not the other way round.
Re: Reaction: Some PS5 Fans Think SGF Showed Sony Losing Its Grip on Third-Parties
Capcom were unlikely to show footage of Onimusha and a tease for RE CV at the same show, as they wouldn't want to take the hype off Onimusha.
Square Enix continues to make mistakes.
Thats what this all boils down to. Stellar Blade is the only slight surprise here.
I still believe the SoP was the far superior - I was highly interested in 1 game last night (RE), but wishlisted 6 or more from the SoP!
Re: Mission Accomplished: PS5 Hit 007 First Light Sells Nearly 3 Million Copies in Its First Week
Looks like they are well on the way to making a good profit on the game, particularly as I think this will sell well for a while yet.
Well deserved - its a great Bond game.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 636
@Marquez
I knew I was missing someone! (Will edit). Yes, I liked Greenway too.
The voice acting has certainly complimented the games story and scripting, which have also been excellent.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 636
@Marquez
(I will try again as I hit reply too early by accident)
I have been very impressed with most of the voice acting in 007 FL.
I can't remember all their names, but as well as Bond, I have been particularly impressed with M, Q, Greenway, Webb snr, Webb jnr, and Moneypenny (in that order). And that is not to say others are bad.
Some very high quality work indeed.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 636
Finishing off my 1st runthrough of 007 First Light, then will probably start my second playthrough.
Definitely a GOTY contender, and a fantastic Bond game, just marginally behind RE Requiem.
Re: Round Up: What Was Announced at Summer Game Fest 2026?
The only game I am hugely excited about here is RE (Code) Veronica. The 007 First light extras are nice.
Not a patch on the SoP - from which I wishlisted at least 6 games the next day.
Re: Poll: How Would You Rate Summer Game Fest 2026?
Sorry, nothing compared to the Sony SoP.
The only game I am really excited about is RE (Code) Veronica - from the SoP there were a lot of games I added to my Wishlist the next day.
Re: Round Up: What Was Announced at Summer Game Fest 2026?
@AdamNovice
I didn't realise it was meant to be out that soon.
I hope if it was going to end up in September they have delayed further back as you say - September/ October are going to be brutal and quite a few games will end up with much reduced sales, which would be unfortunate.
Re: 007 First Light Teases New Mission and Lots of Updates in First Year of Post-Launch Support
The extra Tacsim missions aren't hugely exciting to me (others will probably thoroughly enjoy them though), but the other content looks good.
Is it all free content? If so, thats a major plus point.
I'm particularly interested in what they plan for a NG+ mode.
Re: Street Fighter 6 Does What Tekken Won't - Add Final Fantasy 7's Tifa
No world tour support means I'm out for this year.
(WT support for Bosch might have been difficult though).
Re: Resident Evil Veronica Confirmed for PS5, Out in 2027
Code Veronica was my 2nd favourite of all the original games - just behind RE2. So happy to see the rumours confirmed that it is next.
Re: Crimson Desert Has Pinball After PS5 Patch 1.10, Because of Course It Does
@DennisReynolds
I would have preferred cross gen all gen - next gen I will likely get my wish!
This still amounts to developers not correctly targeting hardware that makes up (usually) just over half their likely sales (and probably much more when you factor in similar spec PC's), which is a form of incompetence - Console hardware is there, fixed for 7 to 8 years, and that is what should be developed to if you are going to sell to that market.
(For High end PC CPU's there is an expectation of significantly higher framerates available than 60fps; and mid gen refreshes are there for enhanced versions of the games, be that better visuals or higher than 60fps if the game is GPU bound).
This is still hypothetical anyway, as I am still not convinced that they couldn't fix the performance here with a bit of decent work - we have seen 'its not possible' become possible in the past.
This game was clearly launched in a very incomplete state due to all the patches it has needed, and the content of those patches - I know games receive multiple bug squashing patches, with a few extras thrown in, but this is on an entirely different scale!
Re: Crimson Desert Has Pinball After PS5 Patch 1.10, Because of Course It Does
@DennisReynolds
I have seen it running at a friend's, not too long ago - he was very disappointed with its performance too, so much so that he has given up playing it, possibly about one third of the way through - might be Bug hill or something like that. I told him he should have waited for DF's review.
I didn't see anything that made me think it was so special, and certainly nothing to put its open world on a pedestal above others.
I'm sure he and others like him will be thrilled to learn they have added pinball to the game, but not fixed one of its glaring issues.
"Be thankful it can even hit 60fps on console"
Technology has advanced since previous generations, so have standards. Thats like saying 'be thankful it isn't limited to 16 colours".
Re: God of War Laufey Voted Best PS5 Game at State of Play
@dwayne91
I do take your point on this one.
The game may well have some limited exploration, or branching paths - we just don't know (because they haven't told us).
As I said above, I do think this trailer had 2 main aims:
1) Hype the game for the wider audience, so spectacle was key.
2) Prove the doubters wrong in regards to it not being 'sanitised', so focused on gore.
On both these fronts, I think they succeeded very well - maybe too well on the gore front lol (ie they have had to announce it has a toggle). A lot of people I know, including casual gamers are hyped for this too.
Straightforward linear action games can still be popular, and excellent games, but I agree, they need an excellent combat system.
I fully expect that they will do one or more of the following closer to launch, in order to quell any fears:
1) One of their deep dive videos.
2) An extensive preview session
3) Maybe even a demo - the game seems very far along.
They probably have basic plans in place, but are looking at reactions to their trailer for points of focus - that is what I would do at least.
Re: Crimson Desert Has Pinball After PS5 Patch 1.10, Because of Course It Does
@dwayne91
Of course they can be ambitious, but ambition without knowing their limitations is bad - and something they should definitely fix, for the sake of those who bought the game expecting a minimum standard of performance.
I also hear a lot of complaints towards gameplay in this regard too, but I would still have given it a go, if the game ran well.
Re: Unlike Other Sony Exclusives, Wolverine PS5 Will Launch with New Game Plus Day One
Good. If I have the option, I usually like to play through on NG+ straight after my 1st playthrough.
Re: Crimson Desert Has Pinball After PS5 Patch 1.10, Because of Course It Does
@DennisReynolds
It is you that clearly has no idea of what you are talking about.
There are open world games that can (sometimes easily) achieve 60fps, and these games prove that it is a developers fault if they cannot achieve this for their game.
Dressing up 'certain' games as being conveniently "CPU heavy" is just an excuse for developers poor planning or execution, when their ambitions overtake their capabilities on well over 100 million consoles in general use at present (taking into account Series consoles which have near identical CPU's).
The fact that this game runs at 60fps except in some areas / situations shows very clearly that they can achieve it, they just need to apply effort here.
"Fact is we're at this stage in the generation where CPU limitations are starting to show"
The fact is that developers over ambition, or lack of effort / capability is starting to show.
Its not like the CPU's in these consoles have just started to work considerarably worse!
Decent developers will continue to keep to stable 60fps for performance modes, until the very end of the generation. They have no reason whatsoever to plan games they can't achieve this with.
Re: After Describing Them as 'Antiquated', Xbox Now Says It 'Must Have Exclusive Content and Services'
Just don't buy Xbox studio games until they prove themselves as a proper multiplatform publisher.
(I have bought 1 this gen, and that was on heavy sale).
Why get invested in their games, if there is a chance they may make a sequel exclusive - there are plenty of fantastic games out there / coming on PS5.
Re: After Describing Them as 'Antiquated', Xbox Now Says It 'Must Have Exclusive Content and Services'
@Ravix
Some really good points there.
I hadn't really thought about the correlation of the console prices ie half their audience chose the cheaper Series S, and next gen it looks like they will be the most expensive option (possibly by far).
Re: Wolverine PS5 Cuts Through the Crowd, Tops PS Store Pre-Order Charts
@get2sammyb
Makes a bit of a Joke of the opinion that people won't pay £80 for a game.
(Edit: and I accept it's more nuanced than just a single 'full price' value)