@wildcat_kickz The problem is not there's not enough good solo games to come by. The studios which can pull off a truly great game are few, and that is the problem. When the studio like Bungie is forced to do whatever is the current live service fad, of course people are upset. Of course, they want this trend to fail so the studio can go back to doing what they do best.
Unless MS is okay with burning even more money on gaming, they can bring exclusives back. But something will have to collapse in the longer term, either Game Pass, or exclusives, or both.
Burning money is not a sustainable business, even for Microsoft.
@Toot1st I think you didn't get my point. If they add sprinting, they'd rather redo the levels as well, due to pacing change. But they most likely will not.
Remake can add anything, but it has to address how the changes affect everything else, or they end up with a worse game than the original.
I will be careful with this remake. I loved the original game, and want to replay it again.
However I read some critical take on the remake that by adding new mechanics (sprint) breaks down the pacing around which the levels and environment were designed.
I don't think this is near the level of Demon Souls remake, so I'll be patiently waiting for your review
There’s no controversy. All artists in gamedev use generative AI for placeholders, unless they are specifically prohibited from doing so. Why would anyone spend time creating something bound to be temporary when they can just move to the next step
No matter how you spin it, not a good sign. Art director is a cozy role to enjoy for many years if the future of the studio is bright. An art person simply has no position higher than that in game development.
Everybody uses AI to generate placeholders, unless explicitly prohibited. What's the noise about? End product will be cleaned up of that and will use real art. Why would someone care about internal production specifics?
To all people who do have stick drift: had this after 3 months on start with the original daulsense that came with PS5 I bought on day one. Figured can't be due to mechanical wear and managed to fix it by using WD40 contact cleaner spray. It is non-conductive so is safe to use with electronics. Had to open the casing though to spray into the base of the drifting stick.
Having two controllers of any generation will give you infinite battery life. I don't get how do you guys play with just one? Regardless of the charge a play session can be super long and it sucks when you have to suddenly stop playing and start charging. Why worry about that at all?
Remember the market mood before Bungie acquisition? "Oh, Sony is falling behind, Microsoft is on the roll buying publishers and big studios! Sony is going to lose the market unless they do something similar fast!"
Very few had common sense and were doubting Microsoft's strategy.
"Sony, for example, has always sold its systems at a loss or break-even in order to grow its install base and make money through the sales of software, where it takes a 30% cut on each game sold."
We know from financial reports that for PS5 they began earning money from console hardware sales about half a year after launch.
The new architecture could be a path to efficiency, that would allow creating more powerful handheld companion device, if rumours to be believed.
However, I think that the movement of hardware development at Sony towards upscaling as a necessary part of graphics pipeline leads to a dead end. I do not agree with Cerny that raster performance cannot be significantly improved any further, as that contradicts evolution curve of deferred tiled shading GPUs we can see (primarily coming from Apple).
There is more than one path towards efficiency, mr Cerny. Yours will sacrifice image clarity.
I deem 2027 highly unlikely due to hardware only existing "in simulation" now. They need to spec out and design the chip, prepare for mass production with TSMC, and start ramping it up way before the release date to give dev kits to studios
Marathon will fail miserably, though I expect Bungie to spend enormous money on marketing, so the catastrophe won't be visible right on launch. In a month time it will become obvious. And later there will be massive layoffs at Bungie.
@Czar_Khastik They are small, running costs are not that high. Past sales gave them several years of worry-free work. Those updates encourage new sales, though of course by now that number is not that large.
Not considering DF reliable source anymore, and think things are not that bad in reality. I understand they are not lying, but they are overly obsessed about frame drops of all kinds, no matter how small and how rare those can be.
On the other hand DF completely ignores image clarity.
Like it. But the appeal factor will depend on how good Diana's voiced in English. Maybe will have play with Japanese audio...
People complaining about the mini game: have you played Nier: Automata? Helldivers 2? This mini game is the same, get in-combat advantage while under time pressure, using simple controls.
@dskatter That won't fly. Many of the game servers run proprietary code, and the chance of that changing is the same as a chance of enforcing game developers to only use particular game engines.
The only viable alternative is to force companies to run game servers for quite a while.
Most likely will buy it day one. Was highlight of the show for me. But I never preorder games.
Preordering culture makes publishers shift budgets from development to marketing, and for good reason: thanks to massive preorders neither Bungie with Destiny 2, nor CDPR with Cyberpunk suffered financial dire straits due to the condition of their games at launch. Rushing paid off. Marketing paid off.
Remember that next time you are going to give them money before the product hit the shelves.
@AdamNovice Live service design inevitably changes game experience for the worse. There will be grinding, to keep players engaged. It will become harder to play on my own pace unless I'm okay with missing content which will be tied to daily, weekly and monthly events.
I think they should set up separate studio(s) to do live service games. Not tasking studios famous for single player experience with producing GaaS products.
Didn't play it due to the size of my "definitely must play" catalogue. But from reading people's opinions I'm starting to think that it is a very good niche game. If that is what you like, you will enjoy it thoroughly it seems. And what if I don't?
I have an open question about the game mechanics. Like, basic things you do while playing through. Is it good? Is it even present?
@IOI FYI the Xbox sister site reviewed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for 6/10, while push square awarded it 8 / 10 when it came to PS. Your accusation of bias are unsubstantiated
Comments 362
Re: Review in Progress: Marathon (PS5) - Bungie's Extraction Shooter Is Brilliant, and It Only Gets Better
@wildcat_kickz The problem is not there's not enough good solo games to come by. The studios which can pull off a truly great game are few, and that is the problem. When the studio like Bungie is forced to do whatever is the current live service fad, of course people are upset. Of course, they want this trend to fail so the studio can go back to doing what they do best.
Re: Site News: Where's Our Marathon PS5 Review?
Many commenters don't get they don't have to buy the game now. Buy after a review you trust. It's not like Bungie will run out of copies to sell.
Re: Incoming Xbox Boss Promises a 'Renewed Commitment to Console', and 'Hears' Fans on Skipping PS5
Unless MS is okay with burning even more money on gaming, they can bring exclusives back. But something will have to collapse in the longer term, either Game Pass, or exclusives, or both.
Burning money is not a sustainable business, even for Microsoft.
Re: 'I Feel Cheated and I Want a Refund': Fans Lash Out at New PS5 God of War's Unlockable Local Multiplayer Mode
Should have been clear from the start. But I don't think they should change it now.
Re: Reanimal (PS5) - First-Rate Terrors Thrive in This Haunting Spectacle
@LiamCroft Is it coop only? Or can I play alone?
Re: Insane PS5 Open World RPG Project Windless Must Be Seen to Be Believed
Daaaaaamn. I absolutely must play as a pumped up rooster before I die
Re: Rumour: Kingdom Come: Deliverance PS5 Version to Release Within a Week or So
I wonder if there will be an option to upgrade
Re: 'We Want to Honour the Halo Legacy on PlayStation': Xbox on Halo's PS5 Remake
@Toot1st I think you didn't get my point. If they add sprinting, they'd rather redo the levels as well, due to pacing change. But they most likely will not.
Remake can add anything, but it has to address how the changes affect everything else, or they end up with a worse game than the original.
Re: 'We Want to Honour the Halo Legacy on PlayStation': Xbox on Halo's PS5 Remake
I will be careful with this remake. I loved the original game, and want to replay it again.
However I read some critical take on the remake that by adding new mechanics (sprint) breaks down the pacing around which the levels and environment were designed.
I don't think this is near the level of Demon Souls remake, so I'll be patiently waiting for your review
Re: South Park Is Coming to Fortnite, Some Details Leaked Ahead of Launch
Removed
Re: Game of the Year: Push Square Readers' Top 20 PS5 Games of 2025
Hell is Us is my personal GOTY.
Re: Embattled Divinity Dev to Host Q&A with Fans After Tough Week
There’s no controversy. All artists in gamedev use generative AI for placeholders, unless they are specifically prohibited from doing so. Why would anyone spend time creating something bound to be temporary when they can just move to the next step
Re: Marathon Art Director Departs Bungie as the Game Enters Its Final Stretch
No matter how you spin it, not a good sign. Art director is a cozy role to enjoy for many years if the future of the studio is bright. An art person simply has no position higher than that in game development.
Re: Divinity Dev's Comments on Generative AI Trigger a Total Social Media Sh*tstorm
Everybody uses AI to generate placeholders, unless explicitly prohibited. What's the noise about? End product will be cleaned up of that and will use real art. Why would someone care about internal production specifics?
Re: Bungie's Marathon Locks in March 2026 Release Date on PS5, Priced at $40
I hope you are smart enough to not preorder. Are you, guys?
Re: New PS5 Controllers Said to Be Optimised for Better Battery Life
To all people who do have stick drift: had this after 3 months on start with the original daulsense that came with PS5 I bought on day one. Figured can't be due to mechanical wear and managed to fix it by using WD40 contact cleaner spray. It is non-conductive so is safe to use with electronics. Had to open the casing though to spray into the base of the drifting stick.
No problems ever since.
Re: New PS5 Controllers Said to Be Optimised for Better Battery Life
Having two controllers of any generation will give you infinite battery life. I don't get how do you guys play with just one? Regardless of the charge a play session can be super long and it sucks when you have to suddenly stop playing and start charging. Why worry about that at all?
Re: Video: All the PS5 Games We Think Are 10/10
Elden Ring has too many technical issues to be on the list.
Re: Destiny 3 Allegedly in 'Extremely Early Development', Could Be a Tentpole Title for PS6
I don't think Bungie will survive until then
Re: Talking Point: The Game Awards 2025 Nominations Announced - Who Are Your Winners?
Best art direction is Hell is Us, which is not nominated. Sad.
Re: Sony Speaks on Bungie Acquisition Disaster, Takes an 'Impairment Loss'
Remember the market mood before Bungie acquisition? "Oh, Sony is falling behind, Microsoft is on the roll buying publishers and big studios! Sony is going to lose the market unless they do something similar fast!"
Very few had common sense and were doubting Microsoft's strategy.
Re: PS6 Could Be Less Than Half the Price of Microsoft's 'Very Premium' Next-Gen Xbox
"Sony, for example, has always sold its systems at a loss or break-even in order to grow its install base and make money through the sales of software, where it takes a 30% cut on each game sold."
We know from financial reports that for PS5 they began earning money from console hardware sales about half a year after launch.
Re: No Man's Sky Grows Yet Again with Another Free Content Update, Available Now on PS5, PS4
This is what a live service game should be like
Re: Talking Point: PS6 In 2027 - How Do You Feel About Sony's Next-Gen Console?
The new architecture could be a path to efficiency, that would allow creating more powerful handheld companion device, if rumours to be believed.
However, I think that the movement of hardware development at Sony towards upscaling as a necessary part of graphics pipeline leads to a dead end. I do not agree with Cerny that raster performance cannot be significantly improved any further, as that contradicts evolution curve of deferred tiled shading GPUs we can see (primarily coming from Apple).
There is more than one path towards efficiency, mr Cerny. Yours will sacrifice image clarity.
Re: PS6 Release Date Touted for 2027, Cheaper But Less Powerful Than Next Xbox
I deem 2027 highly unlikely due to hardware only existing "in simulation" now. They need to spec out and design the chip, prepare for mass production with TSMC, and start ramping it up way before the release date to give dev kits to studios
Re: Bungie's Maligned FPS Marathon Makes Its Return in Closed Technical Test This Month
Marathon will fail miserably, though I expect Bungie to spend enormous money on marketing, so the catastrophe won't be visible right on launch. In a month time it will become obvious. And later there will be massive layoffs at Bungie.
Re: Sony's Acquisition of Bungie Continues to Be Questioned as Destiny 2 Falls Off a Cliff
Oh, I never questioned the acquisition. It was the biggest blunder by Sony Entertainment from the day of the deal announcement, unquestionable.
Re: No Man's Sky Voyagers Reinvents Player Ships in Latest Free Mega-Update on PS5, PS4
@Czar_Khastik They are small, running costs are not that high. Past sales gave them several years of worry-free work. Those updates encourage new sales, though of course by now that number is not that large.
Re: No Man's Sky Voyagers Reinvents Player Ships in Latest Free Mega-Update on PS5, PS4
This is a live service game done right!
Re: Metal Gear Solid Delta's Dismal PS5 Pro Support Could Use a Rethink
Not considering DF reliable source anymore, and think things are not that bad in reality. I understand they are not lying, but they are overly obsessed about frame drops of all kinds, no matter how small and how rare those can be.
On the other hand DF completely ignores image clarity.
Re: Here's Your Best Look Yet at PS5's Ultra Promising Pragmata
Like it. But the appeal factor will depend on how good Diana's voiced in English. Maybe will have play with Japanese audio...
People complaining about the mini game: have you played Nier: Automata? Helldivers 2? This mini game is the same, get in-combat advantage while under time pressure, using simple controls.
Re: Industry Body Representing Publishers Like PlayStation Says Stop Killing Games' Proposals Would Be 'Prohibitively Expensive'
@dskatter That won't fly. Many of the game servers run proprietary code, and the chance of that changing is the same as a chance of enforcing game developers to only use particular game engines.
The only viable alternative is to force companies to run game servers for quite a while.
Re: Mass Xbox Layoffs Begin, Everwild and Perfect Dark Both Reportedly Cancelled
The cost of gamepass.
Re: Preview: Don't Sleep on Capcom's Pragmata, the Most Inventive PS5 Shooter in Years
Most likely will buy it day one. Was highlight of the show for me. But I never preorder games.
Preordering culture makes publishers shift budgets from development to marketing, and for good reason: thanks to massive preorders neither Bungie with Destiny 2, nor CDPR with Cyberpunk suffered financial dire straits due to the condition of their games at launch. Rushing paid off. Marketing paid off.
Remember that next time you are going to give them money before the product hit the shelves.
Re: Sony Lifts Region Locks on Its PC Games, Including Helldivers 2, The Last of Us, More
There are 195 countries in the world. „Hundreds of countries“ couldn’t have been excluded from PSN.
Re: Switch 2 Absolutely Destroys PS2's Launch Record in Japan
To add some context: Switch 2 costs less in Japan than abroad, where it has price parity with PlayStation 5
Re: PS5's Brilliant New State of Play Breaks Records for Sony
That’s because Pragmata was the headliner 😎
Re: Stellar Blade PC Dev Discussing Region Lock Issue with Sony
@AndyKazama Torrent users will have to skip because of Denuvo. The rest will play.
Re: Stellar Blade PC Dev Discussing Region Lock Issue with Sony
@get2sammyb A loud minority complains about that. Seems like a lot, until you compare against the numbers of buyers
Re: Poll: Which Bethesda RPG Needs an Oblivion-Style Remaster Next?
Why there's no Daggerfall in the voting? Am I just too old?
That game should go through remake (not remaster).
Re: Like It or Loathe It, This Is Why Sony Won't Stop Trying to Make Live Service Games for PS5
@AdamNovice Live service design inevitably changes game experience for the worse. There will be grinding, to keep players engaged. It will become harder to play on my own pace unless I'm okay with missing content which will be tied to daily, weekly and monthly events.
So, not necessary trash. Just in general worse.
Re: Like It or Loathe It, This Is Why Sony Won't Stop Trying to Make Live Service Games for PS5
I think they should set up separate studio(s) to do live service games. Not tasking studios famous for single player experience with producing GaaS products.
Re: Rumour: New PS5 Pro Update Could Give Frame Rates and Resolutions a Massive Boost
I'm afraid that will lead to more graphics artefacts.
Re: PS5 Now Lets You Buy Games with Your Face on PS Store
Thank you Sony! Finally!
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
Didn't play it due to the size of my "definitely must play" catalogue. But from reading people's opinions I'm starting to think that it is a very good niche game. If that is what you like, you will enjoy it thoroughly it seems. And what if I don't?
I have an open question about the game mechanics. Like, basic things you do while playing through. Is it good? Is it even present?
So, I'm on the fence about this one
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Oblivion Remastered?
Due to amount and severity of bugs I would give it 6.5. The next problem is uneven performance, but it isn't that prominent or game breaking.
Re: EA Confirms Heavy Layoffs, Titanfall Game Cancelled
@Marathon5150 Good luck funding your studio's next game development without a publisher
Re: Oblivion Remastered Updates in the Oven, Bethesda Wants Your Feedback for Improvements
Integrate all fixes from the old unofficial Oblivion patch mod. That would be nice.
Re: Oblivion Remastered PS5 Patch in Limbo as Xbox Users Get a Performance Boost
I’m on PlayStation pro, so my primary concern is in-game bugs, not performance. The remaster feels rushed
Re: Forza Horizon 5 (PS5) - Xbox Had the Best Open World Racer All This Time
@IOI FYI the Xbox sister site reviewed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for 6/10, while push square awarded it 8 / 10 when it came to PS. Your accusation of bias are unsubstantiated