January 30th 2025.
Hey there, have you ever wondered if there are more than one of them? That's the question that's currently on the minds of readers in the Thursday letters page. This is in regards to the new leadership at PlayStation, as one reader brings up the success of Silent Hill 2 and wonders if there are multiple models of the console. If you'd like to join in on the discussion, feel free to email us at the provided email address.
As many have already mentioned, there is still so much we don't know about the Nintendo Switch 2. We don't even know what the extra button does, let alone any other secrets the hardware may hold. But it got me thinking, is the console the only model that will be released? It's not something Nintendo has done before, but there's always a first time. Maybe they were hesitant due to the not-so-great sales of the Xbox Series X/S, but since the Switch 2 looks similar to the original, perhaps they want to differentiate it with different hardware options.
Some possibilities could include a Switch 2 Lite or even an OLED version with a more powerful dock for better frame rates and resolution. Some may argue that having too many options could be overwhelming, but we can't say for sure that Nintendo isn't planning something like that.
Speaking of success, I noticed that the Silent Hill 2 remake has sold over two million copies. While that may not seem like a blockbuster, we can't really judge without knowing what the sales expectations were. It's been a while since we've heard about Silent Hill, and it's a shame that the potential remake of Silent Hill f seems to have been put on hold. It's definitely a highly anticipated game, especially after the success of the Silent Hill 2 remake.
I also hope that Konami doesn't shy away from making new games, as they have a Metal Gear Solid 3 remake in the works. However, it may not resonate with new players as much as the original did. Personally, I'm still waiting for a new Castlevania game. It's been far too long since we've heard anything about it.
Moving on to PlayStation, their leadership has once again changed with the introduction of a new, unfamiliar face. It's hard to say if this Hermen Hulst guy is any better than the previous leaders or the anonymous suit that took over. For me, the perfect leader for a gaming company was the late Nintendo Satoru Iwata. He had the perfect balance of being a sensible, knowledgeable businessman and being approachable and humorous in his love for games and the people who make them.
It's interesting to note that in order for Microsoft to become the biggest games company, they had to give up on the idea of ever outselling PlayStation. It's almost poetic, as if they were told "In order to take the stone, you must lose that which you love." While Microsoft may be number one now, some argue that they have become similar to Activision, with Call of Duty being their only standout title. It's hard to say if fans will remain loyal to them in the future.
However, I do have to give credit to Microsoft for their recent Developer Direct, which showcased some interesting and artsy games. But I'm also skeptical that this newfound altruism will last. As soon as the bean counters realize that these games aren't selling as well, they may put an end to it. Who knows, maybe they wouldn't have even greenlit these games in the first place if they knew the sales results beforehand.
And finally, it's clear that the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be a success. People are willing to pay over £800 for tickets to play it early, even though it's a scam. Nintendo has definitely earned this kind of enthusiasm and support by consistently releasing great games and staying out of the spotlight. This has even softened attitudes towards Xbox, especially after their recent Direct filled with exciting games and no Phil Spencer. As for PlayStation, we'll have to wait and see how the new CEO will impact the company and its loyal fanbase.
"Hey, have you heard about the new PlayStation leadership? It's been a hot topic on the Thursday letters page. One reader even asked if Silent Hill 2 was a success. If you want to join in on the discussion, you can email us at the provided address. Speaking of, have you checked out our model collection lately?"
As many have mentioned, there's still a lot we don't know about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. We haven't even figured out the purpose of the extra button yet! But it got me thinking, is there more than one model of the console? It's not like Nintendo has ever released multiple versions of a console at launch before, but who's to say they won't start now? With the less than stellar performance of the Xbox Series X/S, maybe they want to mix things up and offer different hardware options. An OLED version or one with a more powerful dock for improved graphics and frame rate? It's all speculation at this point, but we can't rule anything out.
Moving on to other gaming news, I noticed that the Silent Hill 2 remake has sold over two million copies. That doesn't sound too bad, but then again, it's hard to judge without knowing what Konami's expectations were. We rarely get sales figures, so it's tough to determine the success of a game. I do hope this doesn't discourage Konami from making more games though. I've been waiting for a new Silent Hill for ages, and it seemed like the remake was the only hope until it turned out to be a hit.
And speaking of games, have you noticed the lack of updates on the new Castlevania? It's been over a decade since we've heard anything! Maybe they're saving the reveal for the Nintendo Switch 2 event, but I might just be grasping at straws here.
Let's shift gears and talk about the recent change in PlayStation's leadership. Some people are unsure about the new guy, Hermen Hulst, and his role in the company. Personally, I wasn't too impressed by his appearance, but then again, I'm not sure an anonymous executive would be any better. In my opinion, the perfect games company boss was the late Satoru Iwata from Nintendo. He had the perfect balance of being a sensible businessman while also being approachable and genuinely passionate about games. It's sad to see him go.
It's interesting to note that in order for Microsoft to become the biggest games company, they had to give up on outselling PlayStation. It's almost poetic, like a line from a movie. And now, they're basically just Activision with a different logo. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with that, but I doubt anyone would claim to be a fan of Microsoft as a company, just their popular game series like Call of Duty. I wonder how much loyalty they can count on in the future.
But let's not get too pessimistic. Microsoft's recent Developer Direct was impressive, and I'm hopeful that their newfound focus on artistic games will continue. However, I can't help but think that once the bean counters realize these games aren't selling as well, they'll put a stop to it. Who knows, maybe they wouldn't have even greenlit these games in the first place if they knew the outcome years ago.
On a lighter note, have you seen the excitement surrounding the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2? People are willing to pay over £800 just to get their hands on it early, even though it's most likely a scam. That's a sign of success right there. And I have to give it to Nintendo, they've earned the goodwill by consistently releasing great games without constantly boasting or trying to be "cool" like other companies. It's no wonder people are feeling more positive towards Xbox after their recent Direct. As for PlayStation, I have high hopes for their turnaround, but I'm not sure how I feel about the new CEO. Only time will tell.
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