May 15th 2024.
It's been a rough couple of weeks for PlayStation fans, with the news of Jim Ryan's departure leaving many wondering about the future of the brand. In fact, even the letters page in the Wednesday edition is buzzing with concerns about the impact of last gen games on the current gen. One reader even expressed their sadness over the passing of legendary filmmaker Roger Corman. If you want to join in on the conversation, feel free to email us!
But let's talk about what's going on behind the scenes. With the sudden absence of a CEO, PlayStation now has not one, but two leaders at the helm. But what does this mean for the future? While both of these individuals have been a part of PlayStation for years, we haven't really heard much from them. The only reason I know who the guy from Guerrilla Games is because of those bizarre promotional photos where he's trying to look cool. But I can't recall him making any significant contributions.
Of course, they could be excellent at their jobs, but I just hope they won't be content being invisible pencil pushers. We need someone to step up and represent the brand, injecting personality and excitement into it. Let's not rely solely on PlayStation Blogs and disembodied voices in State of Play presentations.
Sure, PlayStation seems to be doing well on paper, but as a fan, I can't help but feel let down by the lack of announcements and games. And I know I'm not the only one. We need Sony to explain what's going on and keep us updated. Don't just rely on the brand to sell itself. Tell us why we should be excited about PlayStation again, because I'm starting to lose that feeling.
Speaking of disappointments, let's talk about Bethesda's latest blunder. Despite the success of Fallout, their updates for Fallout 4 have been a disaster. The highly anticipated next gen update ended up breaking everything, including a fan mod that was almost ready for release. And to make matters worse, the second update only made things worse! Now we're waiting for a third update to fix the mess caused by the first two. It's like a never-ending cycle. I can't wait for the fourth update that will be required to fix the third one.
Moving on, I hope Assassin's Creed Shadows lives up to expectations, especially after the disappointment of Mirage. But I'm already worried about the inclusion of microtransactions. What exactly are they for? It can't be for multiplayer since they already have a dedicated game for that. And I don't see the point of using in-game currency for single-player cosmetics. Unless, of course, Ubisoft is planning on letting us buy skill points and levels. I wouldn't put it past them, but I really hope that's not the case.
Lastly, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of Roger Corman, one of the greatest filmmakers of our time. This may not be a movie site, but as a fan of quality cinema and classic B movies, I can't help but appreciate his ability to create so much with such a limited budget. I'll be rewatching Galaxy of Terror tonight in his honor. Maybe even Piranha afterwards.
On a more positive note, I'm hoping my Inbox Magic will come through and my prediction for the Xbox Showcase will come true: a remake of the original Psychonauts game. I have fond memories of playing it, thanks to a GameCentral/Digitiser review, and I would love to experience it again with a slightly easier final level. And speaking of old reviews, is there any way to access them? I've searched online, but haven't had any luck.
In recent years, it feels like we've lost the personalities that used to drive the gaming industry forward. Remember Reggie Fils-Aime, Shuhei Yoshida, and Satoru Iwata? These individuals were more than just executives, they were entertaining, passionate, and helped create hype and excitement for their products. Now, it seems like most leaders prefer to stay behind the scenes and let the brand speak for itself. But it's not the same.
Even though we have a few names still making waves, like Miyamoto-san and Hideo Kojima, they are few and far between. And even Jim Ryan, who may have received criticism for his focus on live service games, used to give GameCentral some great interviews. But now, with the loss of big events like E3, we've become disconnected from the people behind the games. The hype is gone, replaced by lackluster presentations and constant leaks.
In conclusion, I believe it's time for the heads of gaming divisions to step up and be a part of the community. Show us your passion for your products, entertain us, and make us excited again. Long live the hype!
It's been a whirlwind of changes for PlayStation lately, with Jim Ryan abruptly leaving his position. But does it really matter who takes over the reins? That's the question being pondered in the letters section this week, as one reader mourns the passing of legendary filmmaker Roger Corman. And of course, readers are encouraged to join in on the discussions by sending an email to the designated address.
But behind the scenes, there's been quite a shakeup at PlayStation. With the company going from having no CEO to now having two, many are wondering what this will mean for the future. Both of these individuals have been with PlayStation for a long time, but they've never really been in the spotlight or shared much about their work. The only reason I even know of the Guerrilla Games guy is because of those strange promotional photos where he's trying to look cool in front of the camera. But as far as any significant contributions to the brand, I can't recall anything noteworthy.
I'm sure they're both competent in their roles, but I hope they won't just be relegated to behind-the-scenes tasks. PlayStation needs a charismatic frontman to inject some personality and excitement into the brand. Relying on PlayStation Blogs and disembodied voices in State of Play events just isn't cutting it anymore. On paper, PlayStation is still doing well, but as a fan, I've reached my limit with their lack of announcements and games. And I know I'm not alone in feeling this way. We need more transparency and updates from Sony, rather than just relying on the brand to sell itself.
Speaking of updates, the recent ones for Fallout 4 have been a complete disaster. It's clear that Bethesda hasn't learned anything over the years, despite their success with the franchise. The next-gen update was supposed to be a major improvement, but it ended up breaking everything, including a highly anticipated fan mod. And the subsequent update only made things worse. Now we're waiting for a third update to fix the mess caused by the first two. It's a never-ending cycle. But despite these issues, I'm still hoping that their upcoming game, Assassin's Creed Shadows, will be good. However, the news about microtransactions is already raising some red flags. What could they possibly be for? And why do we need in-game currency for single-player cosmetics? I have a bad feeling about this.
On a different note, I was saddened to hear about the passing of Roger Corman, a true king of cult cinema. While this may not be a movie site, I'm sure many of us can appreciate his talent for creating entertaining films on a limited budget. I'll be rewatching Galaxy of Terror tonight in his honor. And while we're on the topic of old favorites, I have a prediction for the upcoming Xbox Showcase: a remake of the original Psychonauts game. It may just be wishful thinking, but I would love to play it again with a slightly easier final level.
But amidst all the changes and disappointments in the gaming industry, one thing that is sorely missed is the presence of personalities. During the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360/Wii era, we had Reggie Fils-Aime, Shuhei Yoshida, Ken Kutaragi, Larry Hyrb, and Satoru Iwata. These individuals brought passion, vision, and humor to the industry, and helped drive it forward. Now, we have very few of these charismatic figures left. Even Jim Ryan, who was once known for giving great interviews, has become more reserved. And Phil Spencer, who may have just been a figurehead for Microsoft, has lost his spark. The same can be said for Doug Bowser, the CEO of Nintendo, who has yet to make a real impact. The absence of these personalities, along with the cancellation of major events like E3, has created a disconnect between gamers and the industry. We need more hype and excitement, not just a constant stream of leaks and teasers.
In conclusion, the heads of gaming companies need to step out from behind the scenes and engage with the fans. Show us your passion for your products, entertain us, and bring back the hype. Let's keep the spirit of gaming alive and well.
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