August 8th 2024.
The PlayStation 5 has had quite an unusual path in its career. Recently, the letters page on Thursday expressed disappointment in the official Olympic games, with one reader even feeling frustrated with the side quests in Elden Ring. To join in on these discussions, you can email us at the provided email address.
What concerns me the most about the latest sales figures for the PlayStation 5 is not necessarily how bad they are, but rather how little Sony seems to care. It's no secret that sales have been declining, and it seems to be due to Sony's lack of action. They haven't given any explanation as to why they are behaving this way or what their plan is. If their intention is to focus on live service games, they are certainly taking their time with it. On the other hand, if they have changed their minds, then why not inform us? This silence and uncertainty is definitely turning people off from buying a PlayStation 5. After all, no one is going to purchase the console just to play Concord. They want games of the same caliber as The Last of Us Part 3 or God of War 3.
It's truly baffling to witness the PlayStation 5 slowly becoming a flop. It's something that no one would have predicted four years ago. How else can we describe a console with hardly any new first-party games in the past two years and no plans for the future? It's madness.
However, it's important to note that the PlayStation 5 is not a complete failure. It will still likely be one of the top 10 best-selling consoles of all time. But, it is falling behind the sales of the PlayStation 4 and it's declining faster than expected.
Looking ahead, if Sony decides to release the PlayStation 6 earlier than planned, what will happen to the PS5 Pro? It hasn't even been announced yet, but rumors suggest that developers have had access to it for over a year now. It's possible that the original plan was to release it this year. My prediction is that they will release it, as it's already finished. However, it will be quite awkward if it comes out this year and then the PlayStation 6 is released in 2026. Personally, I don't have two spare £500 chunks of cash lying around to spend on Sony hardware in such a short span of time. This whole generation has been a mess.
Moving on to a completely different topic, let's talk about the Olympics. It's quite comical how out of touch the organizers are with video games. From their strange tournament featuring obscure mobile games to taking away the official license from Sega, it's clear that they have no idea what they're doing. Plus, Sega even has its own mobile games, so why take the license away from them? If FIFA ever decides to make their own game, I have a feeling it will be a similar situation. And who knows, maybe it won't even be available on consoles. It's evident that these companies have no understanding of video games and are easily persuaded by con artists. While Sega's games may not have been amazing, at least they were real games.
Switching gears, I'm quite intrigued by the potential of the Switch 2. With the exception of Zelda, none of the big Nintendo franchises have had a new sequel in quite some time. This means that there's a good chance we'll see some of them at launch or shortly after. Games like Mario, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, and even Pokémon are all waiting for sequels that could and should come soon. The question is, will Nintendo hold off on some of these releases to see how things are going, or will they release them all as soon as possible to ensure success? They also have Metroid Prime 4 and hopefully some new IP in the works, so there are some interesting decisions to be made. And of course, we're all hoping for some great games.
Speaking of hoping for great games, I really hope Star Wars Outlaws lives up to its potential. However, reading all the previews has been a bit painful because they all seem to say the same thing. It's fine, but nothing extraordinary and quite generic. I understand that when there's a lot of money involved, companies tend to play it safe. But at what point does playing it safe hinder the ability to create something truly worthwhile? This, in turn, can make it harder to make a profit. Ubisoft isn't exactly known for innovation, so I hope after Outlaws, they go back to creating a new franchise where they can take more risks. I enjoy many of their games, but they all feel a bit too similar, like they're all made from the same parts, just rearranged. Eventually, people will see through the repetition, no matter how well the game is put together.
Finally, let's talk about Elden Ring. I am currently playing through it, and I agree with the widespread praise it has received. However, there's one aspect that has continuously frustrated me throughout my playthrough. The arcane way to progress through quests. For example, I defeated Astel and went to enter the chamber beyond, only to find it blocked. I immediately turned to Google because I knew trying to figure it out on my own would be pointless. It turns out I had to fight Baleful Shadow. But when I went to fight him, he wasn't there. Apparently, I had to talk to a mini-doll first. But when I went to find the mini-doll, it wasn't there. And so, the quest to progress the main questline turned into a series of blocked paths and a confusing sequence of events. Eventually, I gave up and turned off my console in frustration.
The PS5 has been underwhelming in terms of sales and new games, causing concern among gamers and analysts alike. The lack of communication and clear direction from Sony has only added to the confusion and disappointment surrounding the console's performance.
Many speculate that Sony's focus on live service games may be the cause for the decline in sales, but the company has yet to confirm or deny this. The lack of transparency from Sony has led to frustration and mistrust among consumers.
Despite its struggles, the PS5 is still a successful console by most standards, and is on track to become one of the top 10 best-selling consoles of all time. However, it is falling behind its predecessor, the PlayStation 4, and sales are declining at a faster rate than expected.
The potential release of the PlayStation 6 in the near future has also raised questions about the fate of the rumored PS5 Pro. As a consumer, it can be overwhelming and financially taxing to keep up with the constant release of new consoles and updates.
In the world of gaming, even the Olympics have not been immune to criticism. The decision to feature unknown mobile games and take the licence away from Sega, a well-known and respected developer, has left many scratching their heads. It seems that the organisers of the Olympics are out of touch with the gaming industry and are simply following the advice of those looking to make a quick profit.
On a more positive note, the upcoming Switch 2 has sparked excitement among Nintendo fans. With the possibility of multiple sequels for beloved franchises, gamers are eagerly awaiting the console's release. However, there is also concern that too many sequels at once may not be the best strategy for success.
As for new games, Star Wars Outlaws has received mixed reviews, with some praising its solid gameplay while others criticize its lack of originality. It seems that Ubisoft may benefit from taking a break from their usual formula and trying something new.
Finally, the highly anticipated Elden Ring has received universal acclaim, but not without its frustrations. The game's intricate quest system has left some players feeling confused and hindered their progress. This serves as a reminder that developers should strike a balance between challenging gameplay and frustratingly complicated tasks.
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