May 16th 2025.
Who do you believe is the top publisher in the gaming industry? This week, the Friday letters page delves into the ongoing mystery surrounding Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders, while one reader shares their frustration with the Xbox format. To participate in these discussions, simply send an email to the address provided.
The topic of East vs. West in gaming has been a hotly debated one, with many arguing that companies like Capcom have gained a strong reputation by consistently releasing high-quality, consumer-friendly games. This sentiment is echoed by another reader who points out the failure of Western publishers to earn the same level of loyalty, which begs the question: who is the best third-party publisher at the moment (excluding Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft)? While some may argue that Capcom holds this title, there are also many Japanese publishers who have been impressing fans with their recent releases. However, when it comes to Western companies, it seems that none of the big names such as EA, Activision, Ubisoft, or Warner Bros. have been able to earn the same level of trust and loyalty. Even Bethesda, who has had a bumpy track record, seems to have fallen short in recent years. This lack of strong third-party publishers may explain why first-party games are seen as so crucial by gamers.
Moving on to a different topic, one reader brings up the delay of GTA 6 and how it has created a sort of "black hole" effect, drawing all attention and interest towards it. This has also affected other releases, such as Resident Evil 9, which may be pushed back in order to avoid competing with the highly anticipated GTA 6. It's also interesting to note that this phenomenon may also be mirrored by the upcoming release of the Switch 2, which is expected to have a strong launch this summer and continue to dominate during the holiday season. However, some readers have pointed out that the post-launch lineup for the Switch 2 may not be as exciting as expected, despite Nintendo having had a long time to prepare.
Shifting gears, one reader brings up the possibility of game companies selling "game of the year" editions on disc in the future. This would involve a fully patched and finalized version of the game being sent to players' homes, similar to what Limited Run and PlayAsia currently offer. This middle ground could provide more options for players and potentially increase sales, especially for those who prefer physical copies. However, it seems that only smaller companies like Limited Run are likely to do this on a regular basis, and even then, there's no guarantee that downloads won't still be necessary.
In other news, one reader shares their experience playing Nine Sols on Game Pass and how it has been a rough ride due to the game's focus on parrying. While they admit to not being the best at this mechanic, they recognize the game's high quality and are determined to keep playing. However, they point out that the game seems to have been largely overlooked despite its intriguing premise and satisfying combat when executed correctly.
Switching gears once again, another reader praises the last mission in Mass Effect 2, calling it one of the best in any game. They also mention how they were pleasantly surprised by the ending, despite its initial criticism. They are looking forward to replaying the third installment and seeing how they feel about it this time around.
Finally, a reader shares a list of things that have annoyed them about Xbox over the years, with the introduction of avatars during the Xbox 360 era being one of them. While the reason behind their creation may be understood, it still remains a source of frustration for some.
In your opinion, who do you believe is the leading publisher in the gaming industry? Recently, the letters page on Fridays has been discussing the confusion surrounding pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Meanwhile, one reader has given up on Xbox and their format. If you'd like to add your thoughts to these discussions, feel free to email us at [email address].
I completely agree with the reader who wrote in yesterday about how companies like Capcom have improved their reputation simply by releasing good games and not being anti-consumer. It doesn't matter if you're interested in a particular title or not, the fact that they prioritize their customers' satisfaction speaks volumes. On the other hand, it's no surprise that Western publishers struggle to earn the same level of loyalty and popularity.
This got me thinking, who would you say is the top third party publisher currently? Of course, we have the likes of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, but who stands out among the rest? Personally, I would say Capcom is at the top of their game right now, but there are also a lot of Japanese publishers producing high-quality work that automatically piques my interest.
But what about Western companies? It's safe to say that it's not EA, Activision, or Ubisoft. And even Warner Bros. and Take-Two have barely released anything in recent years. Bethesda's track record has been a bit rocky, and I can't even think of any other major publishers in the Western market. It's no wonder why first party games are considered so crucial.
Speaking of big names, it's mind-boggling to think about the sheer size of Grand Theft Auto 6. It's such a massive game that even releasing it next autumn is considered a risk. It's like a black hole, sucking everything in with its gravity. I was hoping we would see Resident Evil 9 next year, but I can understand why Capcom would want to avoid competing with GTA 6. So, instead, we might see a smaller release, like a Resident Evil Zero remake, to keep things moving along.
I have a feeling that the launch of the Switch 2 this summer will follow a similar pattern. It will be a huge success, and I'm sure Nintendo is ecstatic about the GTA 6 delay. However, I do agree with recent letters that their post-launch lineup isn't the most exciting, which is surprising considering how long they've had to prepare.
Moving on to a different topic, do you think game companies will eventually start selling "Game of the Year" editions on disc in the future? Similar to how Limited Run and PlayAsia offer physical copies of games, could we see fully patched and finalized versions of games available for purchase? This could be a middle ground for those who prefer physical copies and could potentially boost sales a year after release. Unfortunately, places like Limited Run are the only ones likely to do this regularly, and even then, they can't guarantee that downloads won't be necessary.
I recently downloaded Nine Sols on Game Pass, and it's been a bit rough for me. The combat is centered around parrying, and I've never been great at that in games. It reminds me of my struggles with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which I found to be the most challenging game from FromSoftware. However, I'm determined to keep playing because everything else about the game is intriguing and of high quality. It's a shame that it seems to have gone under the radar.
Moving on to a different series, I've been playing through the Mass Effect trilogy, and I just finished the second game. That last mission was one of the best final levels I've ever played. The action was intense, and I had no idea who was going to survive. Thankfully, the teammates I wasn't fond of ended up getting killed, and I was able to keep the ones I liked alive. I know many were disappointed with the ending of Mass Effect 3, but I'm looking forward to giving it another chance.
Finally, I wanted to share a list of things that have annoyed me about Xbox over the years. None of these were deal breakers until the Xbox One. Why did the original Xbox controller have to be so massive? And why did they have to include those enormous external power supplies? And let's not forget the introduction of avatars during the Xbox 360 era. We all know why they did it, but was it really necessary?
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