Ok then the ps4 version has 4.5/5 stars on amazon, 7.3/10 on metacritic user reviews(even with the review bombing it still managed to get this high, and thats after metacritic removed 6,000 troll reviews). I dont get why some people try to paint death stranding as a game that completely flopped and was hated by a majority of its playerbase, when it wasnt. Its a quality game, just really different
Why? Those two ideas are mutually exclusive. The point about Phil/Matt not controlling what studios develop is the key pillar to why developers are thriving at Xbox, and why more will join Xbox; the moment you start dictating creative decisions, we end up with staff exodus, drops in morale, and ultimately back at the point we were at the end of the 360 generation.
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I definitely wouldn’t say “millions” are the case anymore, hard figures are hard to come by (and there’s tons of VGChartz level of fanboy sales speculation backed by no evidence whatsoever) but according to this report in July there were 3 million copies sitting and collecting dust in warehouses.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/gamerant.com/death-stranding-sales-hideo-kojima/amp/
I’m sure it’s sold a decent amount on steam but it’s more than a bit disingenuous to say he’s as big of a draw as is often claimed when his latest game sells worse than the worst selling Fable title.
I personally think Kojima has visionary ideas but he has no idea how to implement the gameplay to achieve those ideas any more. MGSV was the first MGS I couldn’t finish because, while the few cinematic were great, it was a tired, repetitive slog with some of the most regressive gameplay I’ve seen out of a AAA this generation.
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I think Gamepass changes all of that. Ever since Sammy bought Sega, every pitch seemed to be on eggshells. And if things weren’t profitable they were ended quickly. I just read an article on how difficult it was to get Alien Isolation greenlit by Sega.
Under Microsoft I can see Sega returning to its Dreamcast era. Where experimental titles are greenlit, where niche, cult titles are greenlit. I can see Seaman making a return. Games don’t need to be large massive meaty experiences on gamepass. We can see a return to arcade games. A game like Virtua Fighter 6 would need a full-fledged story mode to be considered to be greenlit and sold for $60. Under Gamepass it could just be a straight up classic arcade game, and subsequently sold for $30-40 on the Store.
A Super Monkey Ball game for $60 is a tough sell in today’s market. But for a family-friendly game is a perfect content for Gamepass.
Forgive the Netflix comparison, but we all know that movies in the theaters have all become AAA endeavors. Most people go to watch summer blockbusters. When they go home and watch Netflix they’ll watch anything of any genre. Reality TV, competition shows, B-movies, and guilty pleasures alongside blockbuster movies. MS needs all sorts of content and Sega’s classic IP fits the bill wonderfully.
The other thing about these games is that there’s going to be a quick turnaround time in contrast to many AAA games. If Sega could revive teams like Am2, and they stuck to making games that are the same scope as their arcade games, you could see 1 game a year from them.
If Gamepass didn’t exist and Microsoft was simply buying Sega, I completely agree with you 100%. But they’re buying them to build Gamepass.
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I’m just imagining fucking sonic being an Xbox mascot, Holy shit lol Masterchief would finally have some competition. I’d love for all these other new games and their central characters to become the face of Xbox the way Kratos, Aloy, Ellie and Joel, Nathan Drake and Spiderman have become. I’m talking Senua, maybe Joanna Dark if she returns lol or basically whatever they’re working on, Heroes in Fable, protagonist from Compulsion’s game that Phil seemingly can’t stop talking about, it’s gonna be a great goddamn generation for Xbox mascots haha
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God, don’t tease me.
I like your optimism but can’t help but feel the Sega of old is gone. I’m not convinced that the talent is still there, but i guess time will tell.
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Prefect Picks right there!
AT&T will be calling Microsoft soon they’re headed for big trouble
https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2020/10/24/att-third-quarter-cuts.html AT&T Inc. (T) Stock Price, News, Quote & History - Yahoo Finance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpUkq4M0fz4
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Uh oh
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I think MS acquiring CDPR gets closer and closer each day. Another delay for Cyberpunk and I’m convinced it gets delayed into next year.
It will happen folks
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I really think that Playtonic is going to step in for a new Banjo game, especially with Yooka Laylee Impossible Layer underperforming sales wise
Damn…
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I give it 6 months.
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The rumour for the past 6-8months is AT&T were going to take DC Comics out to the Woodshed. Fire all the staff and outsource / license out the IP to make trade paper backs and comics. Disney will be doing the same with Marvel Comics. It’s why, I believe WB Games is still on the market it’s all about price.
The comic book, movie & sporting industries are finding out that you shouldn’t insult your fans as they are ones that pay the bills.
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If Marvel Comics went away, I’d be utterly gutted. Maybe worse than if Xbox did.
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59:50
Not sure how credible this is or anyone has seen this but someone is speculating that MS has already acquired WB
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It feels like since the one xboxera podcast episode everyone has some information about a new acquisition or why this certain publisher/studio will be part of Xbox. Grasping at straws and construct their own dream scenario.
To be fair it seemed Xbox was in on WB and after the Bethesda deal it wouldnt shock me if they do get another big publisher that said they did say it was just a theory on the podcast
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That’s a really good point. Many of these folks that worked at Sega’s arcade teams have moved on. Even Yuji Naka has. They didn’t have a place at Sammy Sega.
Perhaps we can look to Sonic Mania and Streets of Rage 4 for what could be. I’m not really surprised that SEGA didn’t publish SoR4, though they allowed for them to have the license. It was free money to license it without publishing, and that’s what Sammy Sega is all about today. They refuse to take risks. Under Microsoft I can see such games getting green it. SoR4 ended up being available on Gamepass day 1.
With both Mania and SoR4 you have other developers making magic with existing licenses. If MS did buy Sega, it could be another studio within MGS. Like Ninja Theory taking Shinobi to another level. Or they could even be developers outside of MS, like From Software making a Virtual On game (okay maybe that’s reaching, heh). I’ve written a little essay on why Playground Studios should make the next Sega Rally, I’ll post it on this forum one day. Arkane Studios and House of the Dead sounds like a winner.
I could go on and on but you get the point, perhaps these other highly regarded studios could take these IPs to another level.
I’m afraid this could be a topic in and of itself so end it there, I don’t mean to derail this thread. As a Sega fan I just find this prospect exciting. I don’t think Nintendo, Activision, EA, or Sony buying them could get them to return to their roots. But I see it with MS and Gamepass.
I think WB was the backup plan to Bethesda after the deal went on and off for 2 years and Sony trying to moneyhat Starfield got MS to go wild.