February 20th 2024.
Many people have been wondering about the potential delay of the Switch 2, and whether or not it will have any major impact. In a recent letter to the editor, one reader brought up the issue of video game publishers and their struggles with release schedules, citing a personal experience with bugs in Baldur's Gate 3. To join in on the discussion, readers were encouraged to email their thoughts to the provided address.
As for the potential delay, while it may not be ideal, I personally see it as a good thing. This is especially true when it comes to Nintendo, as they have a track record of producing high-quality games even after delays. In contrast, other companies have had delays that resulted in disappointing releases, such as Suicide Squad and Skull And Bones. So, if a delay means we get more titles like Super Mario 64 and Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, I am more than willing to wait.
However, it is worth considering what this delay could mean for Nintendo as a company. If they already have plans in place for Metroid Prime 4 and new Pokémon games, then perhaps this delay is a strategic move to wrap up the Switch's run in a strong and reasonable manner. After all, the current lineup for the PlayStation 5's Christmas release is lackluster in comparison.
In my opinion, the delay should not pose a problem for Nintendo at all. They have the resources and the ability to take their time. The Switch is still selling well, and with the current state of Microsoft and Sony, it seems like Nintendo is in a favorable position. As always, they will continue to do things their own way, and more often than not, it works out in their favor. And even when it doesn't, at least they were trying something different.
Moving on to a different topic, some readers have expressed concern about a potential video game crash. While the reasons for a crash may differ from the one in 1983, it is not unlikely that we could see a disappearance of big-budget games for a year or two until companies can sort themselves out. This may be more prevalent in the US or the West, as Japan does not seem to be experiencing the same issues with massive budgets and layoffs.
In terms of what will remain, indie companies and mobile games seem to be the most likely survivors. These areas are already somewhat separate from mainstream console and PC gaming, and their business models, such as microtransactions, allow them to sustain themselves financially. As mentioned in previous articles, until Sony and Microsoft acknowledge that the cost of producing AAA games is too high, they are on a path towards failure. Sony's decision to no longer produce AAA games is absurd, and if they end up suffering as a result of this, it will not be surprising.
Moving on to another topic, the recent Xbox podcast has sparked a lot of speculation. While it was revealed that some games will be available on multiple platforms, this was already a well-known fact. Now, we have to wait for the official announcements of these games, probably one at a time. And then, Microsoft will likely announce that due to the success of one game, they have decided to bring all of their titles to other platforms.
It is highly unlikely that these four games will be the only ones to be brought over, so why not just be honest and skip to the end? No one will base their decision on the success or failure of Hi-Fi Rush, so there is no point in pretending. The rumors will continue regardless.
On a different note, it is unfortunate that Immortals Of Aveum is making headlines for its failure rather than its own merits. This brings to light EA's struggles with third-party deals. While they have their own studios, they have also frequently collaborated with other companies. However, these partnerships have not always been successful, with only a few indie titles standing out. It is a shame, as EA does support unique and non-sequel games, such as Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. If they were better at backing successful games, they could have potentially surpassed Activision in the industry. Despite their flaws, EA at least attempts to present themselves as more than just a money-hungry company.
Lastly, one reader shared their recent experience with a disappointing bug in Baldur's Gate 3, and asked others to share their own stories. It is unfortunate when a bug affects a game that is otherwise excellent, and it can even impact future gameplay and the ending. However, as a positive note, they also asked for any potential solutions to the bug.
In closing, it seems like the horror game revival is not going as smoothly as hoped. While many were excited for the revival of Silent Hill, it seems to be struggling. The same can be said for The Calisto Protocol and Alan Wake 2. However, Resident Evil continues to be a fan favorite, and I personally enjoy the blend of horror and comedy in the series. It is clear that this style of horror is more appealing to a wider audience, as evidenced by Silent Hill's lack of success. Although there are rumors of five new Resident Evil games in development, it may be several years before we see them released. My ideal game would be Resident Evil 9, featuring the original characters and incorporating elements from the Resident Evil 2 remake. But for now, I am looking forward to Slitterhead and hope that it lives up to its potential.
Is a delay for the Switch 2 something that we should be concerned about? This was the question asked on the letters page earlier this week. The topic of discussion was about how video game publishers still struggle with meeting their release schedules. One reader also shared their experience with bugs in Baldur's Gate 3. If you want to join in on the conversation, you can send an email to our address.
Personally, I don't think a delay for the Switch 2 would be a bad thing. In fact, when it comes to delays, Nintendo is the one company where it's actually a good thing. Other companies have a history of delaying games and disappointing their fans with subpar releases. But with Nintendo, we've seen masterpieces like Super Mario 64 and Zelda: Breath of the Wild come out of delays. So, if it means more quality games in the long run, I'm more than willing to wait.
But what does this mean for Nintendo? I'm not sure. If they already have Metroid Prime 4 and some Pokémon games in the works, then delaying the Switch 2 could be a strategic move to end the console's run on a high note. And let's be real, the Switch's lineup is already looking better than the PlayStation 5's holiday lineup.
I don't think a delay would be a problem for Nintendo at all. They have the financial stability to take their time, unlike their competitors Microsoft and Sony who are currently struggling. Nintendo has always done their own thing and it usually works out for them. And even when it doesn't, at least they were trying something new.
Moving on to another topic, I believe a video game crash is on the horizon. Of course, it won't be for the same reasons as the infamous crash of 1983. But with the current state of the industry, I can see big-budget games disappearing for a year or two until companies figure things out. And this will most likely only affect the US and Western markets, as Japan seems to be avoiding the same problems with layoffs and massive budgets.
So, what will be left standing? Indie companies and mobile games. These sectors are already somewhat separate from mainstream console and PC gaming, and I don't see them going anywhere. The important thing is that they are profitable. Indie games are relatively inexpensive to make, and mobile games are filled with microtransactions.
As GC mentioned, until Sony and Microsoft acknowledge that AAA games cost too much to make, they are heading towards failure. Sony's solution of not making AAA games anymore is ridiculous, and if they end up worse off because of it, I won't be surprised.
Now, onto a different topic. The recent Xbox podcast has sparked endless speculation. The only thing we learned from it was that some games will be released on multiple platforms, which we already knew. Now, we have to wait for the four games to be announced, probably one at a time. And then, Microsoft will most likely announce that the games sold well and they've decided to bring over everything else as well.
Let's be real, there's no way those four games are the only ones they're planning to bring over. So why not just be honest and skip to the end? No one is going to make a decision based on the sales of one game. The rumors will continue regardless, so why pretend?
It must be frustrating for the developers of Immortals Of Aveum to see their game making headlines for its failure rather than its content. This reminds me of how EA struggles with third-party deals. They have their own studios, but they often make deals with other companies as well. Unfortunately, these deals rarely work out, except for indie games. It's a shame because EA has backed some interesting and unique titles, like Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. If only they were better at backing successful games, they could have been bigger than Activision.
Moving on, there's a topic for discussion this weekend: what's the biggest or most annoying bug you've encountered in a game? For me, it happened just this weekend while playing Baldur's Gate 3. After spending hours trying to get a character to join my party, they suddenly leave after a battle due to a known bug. This has ruined my plans for a completionist run and affected the game's ending. Has anyone else experienced a frustrating bug like this?
Lastly, I want to talk about the horror game renaissance. So far, it's not going as well as we had hoped. The Silent Hill revival is struggling, The Calisto Protocol didn't meet expectations, and Alan Wake 2 wasn't scary. However, I'm still looking forward to Slitterhead. But beyond that, my faith in horror games is dwindling, except for Resident Evil.
Resident Evil may not be the scariest horror game, but it can be. And it's clear that the Evil Dead style of horror comedy is the most appealing to the majority of players. That's why I can't understand why there are so many games based on Silent Hill in the works. Personally, I would prefer to see Konami focus on making Castlevania games again.
I do hope one of the five rumored Resident Evil games is a Switch 2 title. Revelations was originally a Nintendo exclusive, and with talks of the series returning, maybe it will be the same for the new console. Of course, I'm most excited for Resident Evil 9, but there are no rumors about it yet. My ideal game would be a third-person, scary game with the regular cast of characters. Something like Resident Evil 2 remake, but a completely new game. That would be my dream game.
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