December 5th 2024.
XDefiant – another ex-game
It's disheartening to see the constant decline of the video game industry, with the recent news of more job losses. The trend seems to be continuing with the closure of XDefiant, a game that failed to make a significant impact despite having a team of 277 people working on it. On top of that, it's been reported that the development of Concord, a game that has been in the works for eight years, has also resulted in a large number of job losses without any return on investment.
It's puzzling how such a large number of people, time, and resources are needed to create these games, especially when they end up being generic and unappealing to players. XDefiant was essentially just a subpar version of Call of Duty, and Concord was a poor imitation of Overwatch. It's a vicious cycle where publishers are too afraid to take risks, resulting in unoriginal and uninteresting games that fail to capture players' attention.
But perhaps the biggest issue is the absence of Shawn Layden, who was known for his accurate insights and predictions about the industry. It's clear that his departure from PlayStation has had an impact, as the company is now considering releasing a PlayStation 6 or a next-gen Xbox. However, Layden has previously stated that there's no need for a new console as the graphical improvements are minimal and won't make a significant difference to players.
It's evident that Sony is trying to generate buzz by talking about AI, but their explanations make little sense and leave many confused. How can AI bring innovation when its main purpose is to mimic existing ideas? It seems like a ploy to reduce costs by replacing human developers with AI, which has proven to be a disastrous approach in the past. We've seen this with NFTs and live service games, and it's likely that there will be another trend after AI, resulting in more job losses and a decline in the quality of games.
On a lighter note, there has been speculation about the next Mario Kart game and what new features it will bring. Some suggest a story mode, which was a success in Diddy Kong Racing and could be a refreshing addition to the series. It's a strategy that has worked for other franchises, and it'll be a disappointment if Nintendo doesn't explore this option for the game.
Lastly, there's been an interesting development with an AI-generated, 1950s-style movie trailer for a fake Super Mario Bros. film. While the use of AI in this manner may raise some legal concerns, it's fascinating to see how far technology has come and the potential it holds for the future. However, it's also a reminder that we must be cautious about the direction AI takes in the creative industry, as it could have negative consequences for human employment and originality.
XDefiant – Another Ex-Game:
There has been a lot of talk lately about the future of the gaming industry, and one reader in particular has a seemingly obvious idea for the next Mario Kart game. But before we dive into that, let's address the elephant in the room - the recent layoffs and shutdowns in the industry. It's truly disheartening to see more jobs lost in an already struggling video game industry. It's especially concerning when you consider the amount of resources that go into making these games - like XDefiant, for example, which had a team of 277 people working on it. Despite its lackluster success, it seemed like a fairly small team could have easily created a game like this, given the generic nature of its gameplay and graphics. The same can be said for Concord, which reportedly had a similar number of people working on it for eight years with no profit to show for it. It's a Catch-22 situation - the cost and risk involved in making these live service games leads to publishers playing it safe and creating generic, unappealing games. It's time for Ubisoft to throw in the towel and focus on more innovative and unique projects.
But let's get back to the topic at hand - the next Mario Kart game. One reader suggests adding a story mode, which was a highlight of Diddy Kong Racing and could easily be improved upon with modern technology. This would add a new layer of excitement to the game and allow for more freedom in multiplayer. It's a simple, yet effective idea that would likely be well-received by fans. Surprisingly, this idea hasn't been mentioned much in recent discussions about the game's future.
Speaking of discussions, it's hard not to wonder if the gaming industry would be in a better place if Shawn Layden was still a part of it. His recent comments about the unnecessary need for a PlayStation 6 or next gen Xbox seem to ring true, as ordinary players wouldn't even notice the difference in graphics. Yet, Sony's current head of PlayStation Studios, Hermen Hulst, seems to disagree. However, with Layden's track record of accurate predictions and insights, it's hard not to take his side in this debate.
And let's talk about Sony's recent buzzword - AI. Many are scratching their heads at what they're actually trying to achieve with this technology. It's clear that their plans are not well-explained and don't make a lot of sense. How can AI truly innovate when its main function is to copy? The only logical explanation is that Sony plans on using AI to cut costs by replacing human developers. But as we've seen with NFTs and live service games, this approach rarely leads to success. It's just another trend that will likely fizzle out and be replaced by the next buzzword in a few years.
One reader even shared an AI-generated trailer for a fake Super Mario Bros. movie, showcasing the potential dangers of AI in creative industries. While the retro style and character designs are impressive, it's troubling to see the objectification of female characters - a common issue in the video game industry. With AI still in its infancy, it's important to consider the potential consequences and tread carefully.
These are just some of the discussions happening in the gaming community right now. What are your thoughts on the future of the industry? Share your opinions by emailing us at email. Let's continue the conversation and push for positive change in the gaming world.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
