October 15th 2024.
What's Next for Pokémon Scarlet/Violet?
The Tuesday letters page is buzzing with concerns about the future of gaming, particularly with the looming threat of cloud-based gaming. One reader in particular is eager to know what FromSoftware's next game will be.
If you want to join in on the conversation, just send an email to the provided address.
The idea of multi-generational gaming has caught the attention of many, especially with the recent Pokémon hack revealing that the next game will be cross-gen. This is exciting news, as it's one of the only concrete pieces of information we have about a potential Nintendo Switch 2 game. However, there are some concerns about Game Freak's tendency to stick to outdated technology. Will cross-gen games become the norm for the Switch 2, or will it only apply to Pokémon?
With all the talk of backwards compatibility, it's possible that cross-gen games will become the new standard for the first few years of the Switch 2's release, similar to what we're seeing with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. While it's disappointing that we may not see the full potential of the Switch 2's power, it's not entirely surprising given the current trends in the gaming industry.
Speaking of trends, it's no surprise that the recent hack revealed little to no surprising information. Most of the leaked information was about movies that may or may not even be in development. And let's not forget, this is Nintendo we're talking about. They will surely come down hard on whoever is responsible for the hack, just like they did with the last piracy incident.
The only promising bit of information from the hack was regarding Insomniac, not Rockstar as originally thought. But the lack of concrete dates attached to anything makes one wonder if publishers truly have a handle on what's to come.
Microsoft's move towards streaming was inevitable, especially with the decline in console sales. However, there are concerns about the current state of Wi-Fi and its ability to support streaming. Will players be willing to deal with lag and glitches just for the convenience of not needing a console?
While it may seem unlikely, convenience often trumps all other factors. Just look at how we've moved away from physical media for the sake of convenience. It's a worrying thought, but it's something we may have to contend with in the future.
Moving on to the topic of the PlayStation 5, there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding its future. How long will it last? What kind of exclusives can we expect? Will single-player games be the focus? These are all valid questions, and it's unlikely that anyone has the answers, not even Sony themselves.
The PlayStation 5 is a bit of a mystery, much like the Wii. It started off strong but eventually fizzled out and was quickly forgotten. Could the same fate await the PlayStation 5? Only time will tell.
As for FromSoftware, fans are eagerly anticipating their next game. While Shadow Of The Erdtree was released this year, many are still impatient to know what's coming next. Will it be something completely different or an expansion of their current formula?
Unfortunately, there's no concrete information about their next project, but rumors suggest it could be a seventh installment in the Armored Core series. However, with the success of Elden Ring, it's possible that their next game will have an even bigger budget.
On a personal note, losing a handheld gaming device can be devastating, as one reader found out the hard way while on vacation. However, they've learned from their mistake and will be upgrading to a more powerful system, despite their love for the Steam Deck OLED. This also brings up the question of whether or not Valve will need to upgrade their system in the near future to keep up with the competition. Time will tell.
What's in store for the next installment of Pokémon? This question has been on the minds of many fans, as discussions about the future of gaming and the potential impact of cloud gaming have been circulating. One reader even wonders what FromSoftware, known for their popular games, has in store for their next project. If you want to join in on the conversations, feel free to email us your thoughts.
One of the most intriguing pieces of information from the recent Pokémon hack is the confirmation that the next game will be cross-generation. This is a significant bit of news, as it's one of the few solid details we have about a potential Nintendo Switch 2 game. However, there is some uncertainty about this, as Game Freak is not known for keeping up with the latest technology. It's hard to say if cross-generation games will become the norm for the Switch 2 or if it's just a one-time occurrence for Pokémon.
With all the talk of backwards compatibility, it's likely that cross-generation games will become standard for the first few years of the Switch 2's release, following in the footsteps of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. While it's disappointing to not see Nintendo pushing the boundaries with more powerful hardware, it's not surprising since Microsoft and Sony have set the standard. It also raises questions about the potential power of the Switch 2, but that's just speculation at this point.
Moving on from Pokémon, let's talk about the recent hack that revealed personal information about various companies, including Game Freak. While it's unfortunate that personal details are now in the hands of strangers, it's not surprising that the hack didn't reveal any shocking information. The fact that Game Freak is working on a new Pokémon game for the Switch 2 is not surprising, and even the news about it being cross-generation could change before the game's release.
So what was the purpose of the hack? To get a glimpse of potential movies that may or may not happen. And let's not forget, this is Nintendo we're talking about, so they will likely take legal action against the hackers. Remember the person who pirated their games and ended up owing them $14.5 million? Just imagine the consequences for these hackers.
Out of all the companies affected by the hack, the only one that revealed any substantial information was Insomniac, not Rockstar. However, none of the leaked information included release dates, which makes me wonder if publishers make decisions at the last minute and are often unsure themselves.
Switching gears, let's talk about Microsoft's recent focus on streaming. It's clear that they are looking to the future, especially with console sales declining. However, it's hard to imagine streaming becoming a popular option with the current state of Wi-Fi. It's not reliable enough for on-the-go gaming or for those living in rural areas. And in my experience, Xbox Cloud Gaming doesn't work as well as other similar services like Nvidia.
But what if streaming does become successful? What if we, as consumers, are willing to overlook the potential issues of lag and unreliable controls for the convenience of not needing a physical console? It may sound unlikely, but convenience seems to outweigh all other factors. Just look at how we've abandoned physical media for the convenience of digital downloads. I fear we may have to compromise even more in the future.
Moving on to the PlayStation 5, there's been a lot of discussion about its potential success or failure. One reader even argued that it could end up being the worst PlayStation console. But the truth is, we have no idea how it will turn out. We don't know how long it will last, how many exclusives will be released, or what kind of games will dominate. Even Sony probably doesn't have all the answers.
The PlayStation 5 is an enigma, loved by many but also receiving criticism for its lack of exclusives and minimal effort in promoting the console. This reminds me of the Wii, a console that was initially popular but quickly forgotten and now has a negative reputation. Only time will tell how the PlayStation 5 will be remembered.
Shifting focus to FromSoftware, fans are eagerly awaiting news about their next project after the success of Shadow of the Erdtree (presumably Elden Ring). While there were rumors of a new giant robot game, it seems unlikely that it will be Armored Core 6 DLC, so it's probably a new installment in the series. However, we still know very little about their next game.
And finally, a personal anecdote about the importance of being careful with valuable possessions. The writer shares their experience of losing their Steam Deck OLED on a bus during a holiday in Norway. It was a costly mistake, but one that they have learned from. They have decided to invest in a more powerful system, the ASUS ROG Ally X, and hope to never repeat their mistake. They also offer their thoughts on the potential weaknesses of the OLED and the need for Valve to consider upgrading their system in the future.
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