September 7th 2024.
It's been quite a week in the world of PlayStation. As a reader, I can't help but look back in disbelief at everything that's transpired in the last seven days. It's almost like a comedy series, with all the silly and contrived events that have taken place. And yet, amidst all the chaos, there's a lesson to be learned.
Let's start with Concord. What a perfect disaster. From the very beginning, it was clear that no one was interested in this game. The reveal was awful, and it should have been a clue that this bandwagon was long gone. But Sony pushed on, ignoring the lack of interest in the beta, and then suddenly, just 11 days after launch, they got cold feet and took the game offline.
The fact that Concord went offline on the same day that Astro Bot was released is almost too perfect. It's like a million to one shot of incompetence that shouldn't have been possible. But here we are. And already, there's talk of Sony doubling down on live service games and ignoring the success of Astro Bot. It's frustrating, but it's not surprising.
I wouldn't be surprised if they continued on with Fairgame$ despite its obvious flaws. And even though they have several other live service games in development, it's hard to say what they'll do next. It all depends on how they view the success of Astro Bot. And that's where things get interesting.
Astro Bot may have received high praise from critics, but it's probably not going to be a massive seller like God of War or Horizon. And one of Sony's executives has already dismissed it as not a major game. It makes me wonder if it would have even been made if it wasn't the 30th anniversary of PlayStation this year.
But what's important to note is that Astro Bot is not a typical Sony formula single-player game. It's not like Horizon or The Last of Us. It's a happy, family-friendly game that takes inspiration from Super Mario. And while it's great to see a single-player game being so well received, it's not the same as a typical Sony single-player game.
If this had been Uncharted 5, Sony could have easily commissioned more sequels and spin-offs. But with Astro Bot, it's unclear what they'll do even if it's a financial hit. And let's not forget the cameos from other games in Astro Bot. Most of these franchises are dead, and it makes me wonder why Sony would celebrate them if they have no intention of reviving them.
In my opinion, this week is a turning point for Sony. They can either continue making endless generic live service games, or they can recognize the value of high-quality games like Astro Bot that celebrate the history of PlayStation. It's a fork in the road, and I hope they choose the latter.
Astro Bot also serves as a reminder that not everything has to take 10 years and $300 million to make. It's a relatively inexpensive game compared to other Sony titles, and it shows that there's value in smaller, more creative projects.
But ultimately, it's up to Sony to decide what they want PlayStation to be. Are they a leader or a follower? Do they jump on the latest bandwagon or stand for something and a certain type of game? As a reader, I know what I'd like the answer to be, but I'm not sure Sony would agree.
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