Inbox discusses potential impact of the Switch 2 on gaming, PS5 Pro's potential sunk cost fallacy, and the possibility of a Sonic 2006 remake.

Readers criticize Phil Spencer's remarks while one tries to avoid Dragonsplague in Wednesday's letter page.

March 27th 2024.

Inbox discusses potential impact of the Switch 2 on gaming, PS5 Pro's potential sunk cost fallacy, and the possibility of a Sonic 2006 remake.
It's a difficult time for the gaming industry right now. As major players like Microsoft and Sony continue to act like absent landlords, there's not much to look forward to in terms of new games. The few upcoming releases, like the Elden Ring DLC and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remaster, aren't exactly groundbreaking. But, amidst all this gloom and doom, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon: the rumored Nintendo Switch 2.

Many are eagerly anticipating the release of the Switch 2, but unfortunately, it seems like we'll have to wait until next year. However, when it does arrive, it could inject some much-needed positivity into the gaming world. After all, Nintendo had a great year in 2020, and even this year, with the upcoming releases of Paper Mario and Luigi's Mansion HD, there's still something to look forward to. These lighthearted and cheerful games are exactly what we need during these trying times. And who knows, maybe the Switch 2 will be the saving grace of the entire industry.

Speaking of new releases, it seems like Sony is set on releasing a PS5 Pro, much to the dismay of many gamers. Some are speculating that this move is similar to the failed PlayStation VR2, where the company is simply following through with something they've been working on for a long time. But, if the low sales of the PS4 Pro are any indication, this may not be a wise decision. Not only will it create confusion and frustration among consumers, but it could also make things difficult for developers who now have to cater to two different models.

While we're on the topic of new consoles, there have been rumors of a handheld Xbox floating around. And while some believe there may be prototypes in Microsoft's office, others are skeptical. After all, the handheld market is relatively small, with the Steam Deck being the current leader. But even then, it has only sold around 3 to 4 million units, which pales in comparison to the success of the Xbox. So, it's understandable why some publishers may question why they should support a device with such a small user base.

In other news, Sega's recent announcement of a Sonic Heroes remake has left many scratching their heads. Some are wondering why they would bother remaking a game that wasn't exactly a fan favorite, when there are other titles that could use some updating. But, there are always those who are nostalgic for even the most flawed games, like Sonic Adventure. However, some argue that instead of focusing on remakes and remasters, Sega should just stick with their latest release, Sonic Frontiers. After all, it received a lot of unfair criticism and has the potential to be the best 3D game in the franchise.

And finally, there's the matter of Dragonsplague in Dragon's Dogma 2. Many are curious about this event, wondering if it was intentionally included or just a bug. While it may add an element of challenge to the game, some are hesitant to face the possibility of all their hard work being ruined by a random occurrence. But, according to a company spokesperson, it was indeed an intentional feature, albeit a rare one.

Amidst all these discussions and speculations, there's one thing that remains constant: the need for positivity and optimism in the gaming world. And perhaps, the upcoming releases and rumored consoles will provide just that. But, until then, let's keep the discussions going and hope for the best. And as always, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions by emailing us at email. We'd love to hear from you!
There's no denying that the current state of the gaming industry is pretty bleak. Both Microsoft and Sony, who are supposed to be the leaders in the field, are seeming more like absentee landlords than anything else. And to add insult to injury, there's not much to look forward to in terms of new games – the most exciting releases on the horizon are just DLCs and remastered versions of old favorites.

But amidst all this gloom and doom, I can't help but hold onto a glimmer of hope for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Sure, it's been delayed until next year, which is a bummer, but I believe it has the potential to inject some much-needed positivity into the gaming world. Nintendo had a great year last year with the Switch, and even though this year may be quieter, there are still some cheerful and funny games to look forward to. And in these trying times, I think that's exactly what we need.

Speaking of trying times, it seems like Sony is not making things any easier. The recent announcement of the PS5 Pro, which is essentially just a more expensive version of the PS5, has left many scratching their heads. And to make matters worse, it's estimated that only a small fraction of PS5 owners actually own the Pro. So why did Sony even bother? It's a question that remains unanswered, and it's not one that's easy to argue about. All we can do is wait and see how it all plays out.

Meanwhile, there are rumors of a handheld Xbox in the works. While the idea sounds intriguing, the market for handheld devices is quite small. And with the recent success of the Steam Deck, which has only sold a few million units, it's hard to imagine a handheld Xbox having much of an impact. It's a risk that publishers may not be willing to take, especially when compared to the user base of the PlayStation 5.

In other news, Sega's decision to remake Sonic Heroes has left many scratching their heads. With so many other Sonic games that could be remade or remastered, it seems like a strange choice. But then again, maybe it's just a way to distract from the real issue – the lack of new, innovative games in the franchise. Personally, I think Sonic Frontiers was unfairly criticized and has the potential to be the best 3D game yet. Instead of constantly looking back, Sega should focus on moving forward and improving upon their new releases.

And finally, there's the curious case of the "Dragonsplague" in Dragon's Dogma 2. Is it a bug or an intentional game feature? Many players are wary of random events that can ruin their progress and hard work. But as it turns out, it was intentionally included in the game. While it may add some unpredictability, it's a risk that not all players are willing to take.

Amidst all these gaming news, one name that keeps popping up is Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox. Some fans are beginning to lose trust in him and his leadership, especially after his recent comments about exclusive titles not going multiformat. However, with the recent hints dropped by Spencer himself, it's hard not to question his decisions and motives. Perhaps it's time for Microsoft to reconsider who's in charge and bring in someone who can make sound business decisions. Until then, many fans are hesitant to invest in Xbox and its future releases.

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