November 11th 2024.
Do you think the upcoming PS6 will really make a difference in people's gaming experience? That's the question that has been buzzing around the Monday letters page, where one reader is curious about why EA is shutting down the Battlefield 3 servers. Meanwhile, another reader offers advice on how to ban GTA 5 from your household.
It's interesting to note that the PS4 Pro accounted for 14.5 million of the PS4's 117 million units sold - roughly 12%. Of course, some may have been double-dippers, so a fair estimate would be around 10%. It's safe to assume that the PS5 Pro will have a similar percentage of sales as well.
But despite the success of the PS4 Pro, there seems to be some discontent towards Sony's hardware and software divisions. Many are unhappy with the lack of new games for the PS5, but it's important to remember that the Pro was never meant for the majority of customers. The base unit still exists, and the Pro doesn't affect those who have no interest in it. Let the 10% enjoy their upgrades and move on.
However, the Pro does bring up an interesting issue - the law of diminishing returns. It's becoming increasingly difficult for companies like Microsoft and Sony to create a console that shows a significant leap in graphics, especially at an affordable price. It's something they'll have to tackle in the coming years.
On a different note, I recently started playing Star Wars Outlaws with some hesitation, given its mixed reviews. But to my surprise, I've been thoroughly enjoying it. After more than 24 hours of playing, I still get a thrill when exploring Tatooine. Of course, I do wish they had included more recognizable locations, but I remain hopeful for future Star Wars games. Personally, I would love to see a game based on The Mandalorian or Darth Bane.
I couldn't help but wonder if my enjoyment of the game was influenced by my current circumstances - longer nights and colder weather making gaming more appealing. And I'm sure many others can relate - sometimes our state of mind and situation affect how we perceive a game. It's something we often consider when reviewing games, but it's not an easy issue to tackle.
In other news, the infamous orange businessman has returned to the White House. This could have serious implications for the gaming industry, especially Xbox. With Trump's proposed import tax of 10% on foreign goods and a staggering 60% from China, we could see a significant rise in video game prices. This could also affect the production of the Xbox, which is primarily made in China. It's a worrisome situation, and only time will tell how it will impact the gaming world.
On a different note, as a parent and an IT professional, I noticed the responsibility parents have in regulating their children's gaming habits. While we can't control what happens in their friends' homes, we can take steps to limit what they have access to at home. Routers have a feature to block certain websites, and there are software and parental controls on gaming devices that can be utilized. There are plenty of tutorials available online, so there's no excuse for parents to not take action.
Lastly, there have been reports of issues with the PS5 Pro, such as booting problems, database rebuilding, and crashes. It's a concerning trend, and some have already had to send their consoles back to Sony for repairs. As someone who was considering buying one, this has made me reconsider. I'll wait for more information before making a decision.
So, there you have it. Those are just a few thoughts and updates on the gaming world. As always, feel free to share your own thoughts and experiences by emailing us at email. Let's keep the conversation going.
Do you think the upcoming PS6 will offer significant improvements? That's the question on the minds of many gamers, as seen in the letters section of Monday's newspaper. Some readers are also curious about the decision to shut down Battlefield 3 servers, while one reader gives advice on how to limit access to GTA 5 in households. If you'd like to join in on these discussions, you can email us at the provided address.
Recently, there have been reports that the PS4 Pro accounted for 14.5 million out of the 117 million PS4 units sold, which is about 12%. However, since some units were likely purchased by the same person, it's safe to say that the actual percentage is closer to 10%. It's expected that the upcoming PS5 Pro will have a similar percentage. While there may not be much overlap between Sony's hardware and software divisions, it's not surprising to see complaints about the lack of software offerings for the PS4 Pro. However, it's important to remember that the Pro was never intended for the majority of gamers, as the base unit still exists. Let's allow the 10% to enjoy their upgraded experience without causing unnecessary uproar.
That being said, it's clear that the Pro presents a challenge for the diminishing returns of marketing to the majority of customers. It's difficult for companies like Microsoft and Sony to create a console that offers a significant leap in graphics at an affordable price. This is something that will need to be addressed in the next few years. But for now, let's focus on enjoying the current gaming experiences.
Speaking of which, I was initially hesitant to try Star Wars Outlaws due to mixed reviews and my own growing cynicism towards triple-A titles. However, after playing for over 24 hours, I can confidently say that I'm enjoying the game. Sure, I would have liked to see more iconic locations, but maybe the next game in the Star Wars universe will deliver on that front. Personally, I believe that The Mandalorian would make for a great open-world bounty hunting game, and I would love to see a game centered around Darth Bane.
However, I can't help but wonder if my enjoyment of the game is influenced by external factors such as the colder weather and longer nights making gaming more appealing. It's also important for me to be in the right mindset to fully appreciate a game. I wonder if this is something that game reviewers also consider, and if so, how do they approach it?
Moving on, let's talk about the recent presidential election. With the controversial businessman back in the White House, many are concerned about the impact on various industries, including gaming. Trump's proposed import tax on foreign goods (10%) and on Chinese goods (60%) could have disastrous consequences for the gaming industry. We could see a 10% increase in prices for American-made games and the Xbox console, which is also produced in China. Will Microsoft pass off the increase in prices as a result of their foreign studios, or will they take the hit? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - the gaming industry is in for a turbulent time during this presidency.
As a parent and someone who works in IT, I couldn't agree more with the article about GTA 5 and responsible parenting. While it's impossible to control what happens in other households, we do have control over what our children are exposed to in our own homes. Routers have features that allow us to block certain websites, and there are also software programs that can block access to specific categories of content. Not to mention, gaming devices have parental controls that can be enabled with a password. With so many resources available, there's no excuse for parents to not take responsibility for what their children are exposed to. And if you're unsure how to set these things up, there are plenty of tutorials available online or you can reach out to your broadband provider's technical team for assistance.
Lastly, there have been reports of issues with the PS5 Pro, such as not booting up properly, needing to rebuild databases, and crashing. This has resulted in some consoles needing to be sent in for repairs, which doesn't reflect well on such a premium product. As a result, some may be hesitant to purchase the PS5 Pro right now. Let's wait for more information before making a decision.
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[Generative AI is experimental.]
