Xbox x Kojima Is a No for Some Fans
The only thing to know about Hideo Kojima is that he’s an auteur of video games, well-regarded by fans for the games that shot the game and him to fame. He’s the man behind Metal Gear, which helped establish the genre of stealth games and started the long-running series, for better and worse. Some of his games even parallel real-world events: Death Stranding’s themes of isolation and loneliness were compared by journalists to the coronavirus. Sadly, even the great Kojima encountered some pitfalls, especially because of Konami, which not only resulted in the planned Silent Hills reboot being abandoned, but also led to the unfinished narrative of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Fortunately, Kojima bounced back and is now open to work with most other video game companies, which means…
After recovering with the success of the unique Death Stranding, which involved Guillermo del Toro, Microsoft is trying to collaborate with Kojima on a game for the Xbox consoles. A formal contract wasn’t signed, but letters of intent were exchanged between Xbox and Kojima, further increasing the chances of the partnership coming true. It’s more than likely they’ll get down to business and start planning for Kojima’s next game. But some Kojima fans aren’t happy about it, to the point where someone created a petition on Change.org to force Xbox to cancel the deal. The petition is vague, but clear on the message. The supporters think Kojima is working with Microsoft out of greed and they want him back to the winning side, i. e. Sony. That’s right, the petition was made by Kojima-PlayStation fanboys that are peeved about not getting to play the next Kojima game on their platform. The petition did gain a hundred signatures… but many don’t even support it, criticizing the petition’s creators while praising Kojima for seeking new things and collaborating with many companies to experiment after his falling out with Konami. The petition is certainly heading nowhere, since many signed it ironically, to scoff at the petition itself.
After recovering with the success of the unique Death Stranding, which involved Guillermo del Toro, Microsoft is trying to collaborate with Kojima on a game for the Xbox consoles. A formal contract wasn’t signed, but letters of intent were exchanged between Xbox and Kojima, further increasing the chances of the partnership coming true. It’s more than likely they’ll get down to business and start planning for Kojima’s next game. But some Kojima fans aren’t happy about it, to the point where someone created a petition on Change.org to force Xbox to cancel the deal. The petition is vague, but clear on the message. The supporters think Kojima is working with Microsoft out of greed and they want him back to the winning side, i. e. Sony. That’s right, the petition was made by Kojima-PlayStation fanboys that are peeved about not getting to play the next Kojima game on their platform. The petition did gain a hundred signatures… but many don’t even support it, criticizing the petition’s creators while praising Kojima for seeking new things and collaborating with many companies to experiment after his falling out with Konami. The petition is certainly heading nowhere, since many signed it ironically, to scoff at the petition itself.
While I can’t speak much about the situation, since I’ve yet to play any of Kojima’s games (I even missed playing the Metal Gear series when it was still on Game Pass), I agree that Kojima should be allowed to do what he wants, especially if it results in a game that might surpass Metal Gear someday. It shouldn’t even matter on which platform he works on or where the game might end up, as long as it’s the masterpiece Kojima intends it to be. And I think Microsoft is able to help Kojima make it, be it a streaming game or something so amazing, no words can describe it. Those fanboys don’t deserve to make that petition and don’t even deserve to play that future game, since they love to whine about not being able to play the game on PS5 (which is hard to find, so they might as well swallow their pride and get the Xbox Series S). Whatever the game might be, it’s gonna be the game that shows off Kojima’s talent and love for storytelling.
Dedicated Hardware for Xbox Cloud Gaming
Video Credit: Microsoft
After announcing they’re working on a device for game streaming, Microsoft is working with various TV manufacturers to build the Xbox experience into their Internet-connected screens, while bringing cloud gaming to PC later this year on the Xbox app, where you can try games before purchase. It is currently unknown which TV manufacturer will take the offer nor the look of the streaming device: maybe it’s a Chromecast-like streaming stick or a small box like Apple TV. Even if it means selling fewer consoles (by extent losing more money in manufacturing them), Microsoft is very dedicated to bringing the experience to all users, be it PC, tablet/phone or a Smart TV. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer said: “We believe that games, that interactive entertainment, aren’t really about hardware and software. It’s not about pixels. It’s about people. Games bring people together. Games build bridges and forge bonds, generating mutual empathy among people all over the world. Joy and community — that’s why we’re here.”
It’s no longer a secret Microsoft is bullish with cloud gaming: They’re no longer competing with Sony or Nintendo, but with Google (who doesn’t really stand a chance) and Amazon for cloud gaming, their advantage being the huge library of games on the Game Pass. Heck, Microsoft, the ahead thinker it is, is even planning for the next generation console hardware - but no new Xbox console anytime soon. Hopefully, they’ll be ready for scalpers.
Sony Welcomes Returnal Developer Into Their Team
Video Credit: VenomQuest
Sony announced on Twitter in June 2021 that they acquired Housemarque after the success of Returnal on the PS5. It’ll definitely keep the developer afloat for a long time and even enable them to release arcade titles for the new console, which is unlikely due to Sony’s focus on AAA blockbuster games. Returnal proved the developer’s ability to make hardcore action games with satisfying gameplay loops, while balancing the polish and production value needed to stand alongside PlayStation Studios' other game franchises. But the acquisitions won’t stop there: PlayStation Japan accidentally leaked Sony’s plan to acquire American video game publisher Bluepoint Games, responsible for remastering/remaking Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls, very soon. Given Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media (owner of Bethesda), Sony is starting to get back in the acquisition game to help fill out their new console’s library (which is still hard to find).
Thus the Acquisition War begins, where every company absorbs a developer/publisher to own the games and to boost their games. Sony had the advantage and did great for a while, though Microsoft did it first: they acquired Rare in 2002, but without much success until 2020; they did receive acclaim for Rare Replay, a compilation of Rare’s greatest games (some games are missing due to copyright issues). And then Microsoft bought ZeniMax Media in 2021, granting them Bethesda and its games for their Game Pass. With one developer in their sleeve and another acquisition coming soon, Sony is ready to get back in force and show they remain the best in the industry… for the future, since the past is not important to them!
PSP Games Still Available Digitally on PS3 & PSVita
Video Credit: WatchMojo
While the PSP’s commerce functionality still ended on July 6th, Sony made it very clear that PSP games can still be purchased on the digital store fronts of the PS3 and the PSVita, except, according to the company’s support pages, those games’ DLCs. Here’s the clarification Sony provided:
Question: What does this mean to you?
Sony: When the PlayStation Store for PlayStation Portable (PSP) was previously closed in 2016, you were still able to perform searches and make in-game purchases. Starting July 6th, 2021, you’ll no longer be able to perform searches or make in-game purchases.
Question: What about PSP content you already own?
Sony: You’ll still be able to download your previously purchased PSP content. You can download your previously purchased PSP content onto your PSP by accessing the Download List on the device.
Question: What about PSP content that is available for purchase on the PS3 and PS Vita stores?
Sony: You’ll still be able to purchase and play PSP content that is available on the PS3 and PS Vita stores. However, you’ll no longer be able to make purchases via the in-game store for PSP content.
Of course, this applies to the digital content, meaning if you’re able to have physical PSP games, you can still play them on your PSP (since PS Vita uses game cartridges). It might be a breath of relief for some, but others are still mad at Sony because they thought about closing shop for the PS3 and the PSVita, pretty much ending those systems for good. We can only hope Sony can do something to compensate those unfortunate players.
I never played anything from Sony, but I understand the frustration of some: Sony has an incredible library of games from most other companies, and yet they do zilch to keep those games afloat since they don’t do backwards compatibility. Sony tried to offer backwards compatibility for the PS3… but had to remove it to keep the costs down and to compete with Microsoft and Nintendo. The PS5 can play most of PS4’s games, but whether or not the PS1, PS2 and PS3 receive a similar treatment is in doubt, since Jim Ryan has stated the backwards compatibility feature is heavily requested, but rarely used in reality. Since the PS5 is hard to track down as it is and game development can take a long time, Sony should rely on old games to buy themselves time to create new games and resolve the issue with a hold on the new console. Heck, they should rework PlayStation Now to compete with the Xbox Game Pass better, since cloud gaming, as I stated previously, isn’t strong enough to be accepted by players with poor Wi-Fi. Sony created great games, which would make it more depressing if those games were lost (PC gaming doesn’t count, since it costs more to build a gaming PC... until now).
Windows 11 Will Emphasize Gaming
Video Credit: Microsoft
Windows 11 will focus on gaming with new features revealed by Microsoft. First is the Xbox Game Pass integration, initially integrated into Windows 10’s Game Bar, will soon be fully supported and included on the new system. The Xbox app for Windows 11 will include the Xbox Cloud Gaming, available to Ultimate subscribers, currently available through the browser. Second is Auto HDR, allowing HDR-compatible games to automatically optimize when run on Windows 11. Microsoft claims that more than a thousand games support this feature – without the participation of any developer. Third is the DirectStorage API (requires a graphics card supporting DirectX 12, and an NVMe solid-state drive), which increases read and writing speeds, significantly reduces load times and allows developers to create games with large, expansive, open worlds, with more detail and less padding. The exact release date for the operating system is currently unknown, but it will be a free upgrade for Windows 10 users. I will stick to Windows 10 for the time being. On an additional note, Valve programmers are working to make the Steam Deck compatible with this upcoming OS.
This again shows Microsoft’s attempt to merge PC and console gaming, first developing cloud gaming to help weaker PCs to now enhancing the gaming experience on PC. However, PC gaming is still costly, especially with the chipset shortage making it hard to upgrade/build the PC. It will be great for PC gamers, but probably not for console gamers like myself (I only play PC games that work on my laptop). On an endnote, the Xbox Cloud Gaming will come on the Xbox One in the future.
Game Spotlight: Brawlhalla
Super Smash Bros is an excellent crossover brawl, but sadly not everyone has a Nintendo console. That was until 2014 showed us a game that was inspired by Smash Bros called Brawlhalla, focusing on fighters of various origins duking it out in tournaments in Valhalla. It reached open beta in 2015 followed by a full release in 2017. The game is free-to-play, initially giving you 9 selectable fighters called Legends, which change weekly and can be purchased one by one with coins you obtain from matches. Of course, one pack will unlock all the Legends old and upcoming. Like Smash Bros, there are crossovers with multiple IPs as skins for the existing fighters, which can only be obtained with Mammoth Coins. The game is available digitally on multiple platforms: Steam, PS4/5, macOS, Xbox One/Series S/X, Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS, with cross-play on all of them.
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