August 9th 2023.
Is Game Pass still the best bargain in gaming? It's a question that often crops up in the Wednesday letters page. This time, a reader has just beaten Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, and the high cost of Red Dead Redemption has been called into question. To join in with the discussions yourself, simply email Plan B.
So the Xbox Series X has become more expensive, Game Pass Ultimate has increased in cost, and the two-week trial of Game Pass is now just a distant memory. It's clear that Microsoft is looking to make back its $69 billion Activision Blizzard investment, but is the deal actually beneficial for gamers?
I'm starting to wonder if Microsoft has a contingency plan in the event that Game Pass doesn't work out. It's still great value for money, but with the amount of time it takes to make the most of it, I'm not sure it will become more popular than it is now. As another reader suggested, Microsoft is too proud to admit a mistake, especially when it comes to Phil Spencer's brainchild.
The idea of 4K streaming is certainly exciting, but what kind of broadband do you need to make it work? It's certainly not something you'll find on public transport, so it's not likely to be the next step in portable gaming. Sony have already got it running on the PS5, and I could see myself subscribing to PS Plus Premium to give it a go, so long as the prices don't change too drastically.
Just recently, a reader had finished Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom after 125 hours, and it was their favourite game of all time. It's impressive that Nintendo managed to improve on Breath Of The Wild so much, and it seems to make the original feel obsolete. It's clear that the tenth generation of Pokemon will be a milestone, and I'm excited to see what Nintendo can do with a next gen Switch and more time.
In the YouTube comments, someone asked what achievement people were most proud of. One reader replied with ‘Mile High Club’ from Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare on Xbox 360, and it had taken them numerous attempts to achieve it. After some googling, they came across a cheat to complete it mostly on recruit difficulty, which raised the question of how it can be considered an achievement if you have to cheat? Cheating seems to be more common in multiplayer games due to cross-play, and it's hard to understand why anyone would feel satisfied with success gained by cheating rather than skill.
Finally, the debate over whether to keep a pre-order of The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Special Edition Switch OLED or cancel and wait for the Switch 2 has been put to bed. The FOMO and spoilers were just too much for the reader, and they are now over 65 hours into the game, enjoying it immensely. They have already amassed a collection of Switch exclusives, and with the rate they play and finish games, these should last them a good year. Money very well spent indeed!
Is Game Pass still the best bargain in gaming? This is the question that the Wednesday letters page is asking its readers. It may have been a good deal when it was first released but with the Xbox Series X costing more than ever and the Game Pass Ultimate trial now reduced to just two weeks, many are beginning to doubt if it's still a good value for money.
Microsoft has invested $69 billion in Activision Blizzard, so it's understandable why they are looking for ways to make their money back. But the question remains, do they have an exit strategy for Game Pass? If it doesn't become as popular as it should be, will they close it or downsize it?
The real question here is, could 4K streaming help make gaming more portable? Sony has already managed to do it with the PlayStation 5, but what kind of broadband do you need to make it work? It's obviously not the kind of broadband you'd find on a bus, which makes it harder for gamers to take it with them wherever they go.
On the other hand, 4K streaming would benefit gamers in the sense that they wouldn't have to wait as long to play a new game. Even if it's not going to help portable gaming any time soon, at least it would allow gamers to enjoy their games faster.
Finally, what's the most impressive achievement you've ever done in a game? One reader recalled his experience with the Mile High Club achievement in Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Even though it was notoriously difficult, it took him numerous attempts to finally succeed. The reader also went on to question how is it an achievement if you have to cheat? This is a valid point, since nowadays cheaters are becoming more common in online multiplayer games.
Overall, it's clear that Game Pass still offers good value for money, but with the Xbox Series X costing more than ever and the Game Pass Ultimate trial now reduced to two weeks, it's only natural that some gamers have doubts. It's also worth noting that 4K streaming is helping gamers enjoy their games faster, but it's not going to help portable gaming any time soon. Finally, the reader's experience with the Mile High Club achievement in Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare reminds us that success should never be achieved by cheating.
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