Ben's Week In Review: August 12

They can take all the time they need. These 2 games have to be exceptional, period. I am sure they will be. It's good they aren't rushing it just so they can patch it 10 times.

One console is an intriguing idea. I just don't see how it could work with so many egos involved. Also, competition is great for this industry.

PGU:
Bought P3P for the Vita and I am loving it. Almost done with LEGO Indiana Jones 2. Hit a snag as they want me to play every story based level in quick play in one sitting. That will be done further down the road.

Really looking forward to Gamescom. Sony needs to hit a home run for the Vita. I don't think they will disappoint.

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I think the one and only solution is Microsoft and Sony should use a similar chipset, CPU and GPU for their next gen console, this will reduce the development time and cost, the only thing that will differentiate them is os and online store and services. This way they can make their first party games and 3rd party games won't be that much harder to produce

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... And if the rumors are true this will be reality with the next gen, stay3r1337.

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Last edited by Beamboom on 8/12/2012 1:00:09 PM

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We already have and play on a universal console(PS3). I don't think I'm missing out too much not playing Mario,Zelda,Gears of War and Halo. PS3 has more unique games than Nintendo and Xbox combine.

I don't care for GTA 5 and Bioshock at all.

Finally getting Mass Effect 3 and almost finish with Final Fantasy IV.

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Last edited by Metal Head on 8/11/2012 9:55:29 PM

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Here here, pretty much not many games would have to be sold on PlayStation for it to be universal.

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I'm not much for crime themed games so GTA5 and Sleeping Dogs just don't matter much to me. Though, it would seem the gaming industry needs a solid multi-million GTA-sized seller every 2 years. For some reason this gen GTA has only made one showing in 6-7 years and it's probably hurt Sony, MS and others to some extent.

As for the universal console, hehe, yea, I dont know. The platform biz is all about having a self contained eco-system in the palm of your corporate hand. While I'm not opposed to the idea, I can't say I'm eager for it myself. One way or another, I wont really buy the claim that competition is good for us at the hardware level going forward, because really, that notion would take care of itself at the software level on an open platform. If we're to achieve 2.5 TFLOPS and entering into the world of tracing a second light bounce, perhaps we won't be needing hard resets every few years and we could just all be happy playing great games under one plastic housing. I just don't see this happening, honestly. MS has millions tied up into Xbox LIVE tethered to their own set-top box. I just don't see them unleashing that anytime soon.

PGU: Aside from VF5 FS, not much. And not particularly because I want it that way. I've been busy with projects so time is too valuable. SIGGRAPH 2012 has gone on this week and I took advantage of some free tutorial training because of it, like Mental Ray rendering and interior lighting etc. Good stuff. Anyway, Darksiders 2 looks awesome. Unfortunately, right now, I have neither the money or the time. But I hope it the best. The first one was great.

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What book is in your avatar my man?

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It's a pretty crappy screen grab of a LotR book design I did for my Design course. I was voted first place by my class peers and got extra credit for it =)

I rendered the ring of power in 3DsMax and then did the vector images and raster artwork in both Photoshop and Illustrator. It was fun.

Check the link below if you want to have a look at the full book jacket.
http://david-mason.deviantart.com/art/Lord-of-the-Rings-book-jacket-design-320616524

Just picture it wrapped around a book ;)

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Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/11/2012 10:50:56 PM

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Looks great, especially the script on the ring.

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GTA is probably going to be an end of life cycle game, without any new info since the trailer it just doesn't make sense for it to come any time soon. I'm not worried about Infinite, just totally dying to play it already.

One console might be a good idea but it'll never happen, just like there are tons of brands of Blu Ray players and TVs there will always be competition there. MS would never give up the money that replaced Xboxes bring in and Ninty would never give up their iconic exclusives. I like the competition anyway, things would stagnate.

I had an idea today whilst walking that could appeal to millions of gamers everywhere that I'm pretty excited about. Playing Condemned 2: Bloodshot. Despite the early gen graphics it is an incredible horror game and I can't believe there's no part 3. Also Mass Effect 3. Rainbow Moon got boring quick, wish I could sell a digital game.

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Yhea, could be end of cycle... Could even be released after the Ps4 is released, but for the Ps3 as a final swan song...

Single console platform... find it hard to believe as you say World... because these companies have to differentiate themselves some how; and besides hardware being a unique selling point, the ecosystem that powers the hardware and its software environment is just as important...

Can you imagine Sony and Apple trying to combine their ecosystems, their ways of doing things, their corporate cultures... when trying to share the same hardware platform...

It will probably never happen...

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

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A universal console would be awesome unfortunately it will never happen. Im really not concerned about GTA V and Bioshock because I trust both developers the only game Im worried about is Last Guardian. As I said before Darksiders 2 doesn't interest me at all but I already have Sleeping Dogs preordered.

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I worry about TLG too, and FFVersusXIII just angers me.

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The only game by SE that upsets me is FF Type-0 because there's been nothing about a U.S. release other than the director Hajima Tabata mentioning localization would start soon many months ago. I don't get it KH 3D has been released world wide which I bought on release day.

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I assume we will only get a vita version, which puts it off for me since I don't have one yet.

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If SE release a vita version then buying a vita would worth it!

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I really don't think that a universal console, as created by a confederation of Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft, would be any kind of gaming panacea that others have predicted. All three companies prioritize things very differently and have vastly different philosophies on nearly all aspects of the business of gaming. It would definitely be too many cooks in that kitchen and with a finite amount of money and development time, there's a very strong chance, as I see it, that they would try to do too many things and that the proposed system does a lot of things, "OK", but nothing, "Great."

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This "what if" scenario regarding one unison console is an interesting discussion. There are weighty arguments on both sides.

And this is exactly why I am so excited about the rumoured change of architecture for the next Playstation to the "industry standard" x86 architecture. As far as I am concerned that will give the best from both worlds.
It would ensure the competition and maintain the manufacturers ecosystems and identity, while giving us much of the advantages with one unison console in regards to software development and lower production costs.

I really, really believe in this move and are crossing fingers and toes for this being more than just rumours.

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Last edited by Beamboom on 8/12/2012 2:53:08 AM

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I think one Universal console would be great, but it will never happen! Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft would never team up like that. But I am more for that than having these little independent console turn up left right and center. This Ouya has me really concerned, I don't want there to be a flood of console which are just for indie games. I will always follow the main consoles as they continue to push the limitations of technology further and further.

PGU: It's all about Metal Gear Solid 4 now, I'm getting that platinum! Replaying it again, I have decided that I adore the control system, there is so much Snake can do, far beyond any other 3rd person action game. but that is my problem, it is too easy to be tempted to blast your way through the acts instead of being stealthty. Worthy of the series no doubt.

Then I will move onto another love Final Fantasy VII. I am seeing the Distant Worlds concert in London soon for the FF 25th anniversary, cannot wait :D

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Last edited by Ultimadesires on 8/12/2012 3:21:25 AM

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Good evening PSXE! It's been something like six weeks since I've had a chance to get online thanks to computer problems and the incompetence of small town businesses, but I'm back. Just wanted to let you guys know that, and that I regret missing out of some of the discussions that I've seen on here during my absence, but c'est la vie.

I still think that Bioshock Infinite will be released in February. I mean, the multiplayer has been scrapped so that only means that the remainder of the time will be focussed on getting the SP finished. I think it'll be alright, but GTA V is definitely out until at least May of next year in keeping with Rockstar's other recent releases. I don't think that Take-Two should be worried, both games will sell like hotcakes.

A single console might be best, but I don't think that it will ever happen. There's no way that only one console manufacturer will be left standing as people will always buy into diversity, and the big three would never join together.

Personal Update:
Finished the R&C Trilogy. That is a great HD update, if I do say so myself. Finished Killzone Liberation and have restarted KZ3 while I wait for Sleeping Dogs.
Most recently reading Paradise Lost and by the gods that's a difficult read. Definitely going to have to go back to it at some point once I finish it.
Anyway, peace all and I'll talk to you later :)

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Welcome back. Been missing you in the discussions too. ;)

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welcome back

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Welcome back, Lawless

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how is it unlike R* to stay so quiet on a game for 8+ months?
were forgetting about RDR, LA Noire and max payne 3 are we?
hell even GTAIV went dark for a while after it got delayed out until the earlier following year.

2K have nothing to worry about!
they have borderlands 2 and a few other games that will bring in the cash for them for this year, than infinite releasing in feb so they have pleanty to look after the rest of their FY!
i just cant see them releasing GTAV this FY, especially when whatever they release next wont be out till 2014.
whatever it is be it RDR, LA Noire sequel, whatever R* always takes a few years between releases.
even mafia 3 is not suppose to release till 2014.
i just cant see GTAV releasing before may next year, they really need something to fill the gap and bring some sales for them for that year!
unless they are planing agent as a ps4 exclusive, that would be sweet!
but even then id be stupid to rely on that because, well, we all know playstation exclusives never set the world on fire!
so to set the future of your company on that, would be suicide!

id love to see a universal console.
not only would it lead to better hardware, better software and a better OS and online component.
but developers could also instead of wasting their time, resources and money on multiple SDKs, multiple staff specialized in multiple systems, and wasting money porting games over.
it would make everything so much simpler, better, and more efficient!
for once theres no cons, all pros!

ive been trying to install a few mods on some games, especially the icenhancer mod for GTAIV.
absolutely amazing what people have done with that game!
thats one thing thats a doubble edged sword about mods.
they make the game SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better, but i dont think ive ever installed it and it worked straight away!
you end up f*cking around wasting more time getting it working than you do enjoying it, so you really have to ask your self is it really worth it?
in this case it is, those cars, the roads oh my god!
if this is what next gen has in store for us than all i will say is it cant come soon enough!

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You are right in all your arguments for one console, they are all valid and important.

There is however one important argument against one universal console: Competition.
One could say that this console still would have competitors in the PC and portable platforms, but my impression is that there are plenty of console gamers who simply refuse to play on anything else, so within the console sphere they could practically dictate the prices based on the monopoly pricing model.

Competing consoles also contribute to keeping things like network subscription cost and other "hidden costs" from going haywire.

So one thing is that it's unrealistic that the three console makers would join forces, another thing is that I do not think it would be to our advantage in the longer run.

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Last edited by Beamboom on 8/12/2012 6:10:01 AM

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there would still be plenty manufactures out there to keep them on their toes.
PC gaming, mobile gaming and maybe even apple or ouya might decide to drop into the higher end console market.
i doubt it would be much of a problem.
if prices for console games went too high people would move over to mobile games or PC.
everythings moving towards the all in one system, everything has to be able to do anything these days so having separate hardware for separate tasks is about as useful as a VHS machine!

people dont care where or how they get their content, just that its easy to use and they can access it wherever and whenever they want!
consoles are so popular because you buy one, you buy a game, and you play!
you dont have to worry about is this compatible with my OS, is this compatible with my hardware, do i have enough HDD space, ect, ect.
you buy the game, you put it in, you play!
mobiles are coming allot like that, and more and more are letting you connect them to the TV.
what we really need is a unified device, something that gives you access to everything from one device.
its time that we tore down the barriers and stopped restricting us to the stretch of our wallet and space.

i honestly really cant see manufactures putting prices through the roof.
if this did happen prices should go down because costs would be so much lower!
even if it did monopolize the market and prices did go through the roof, which i highly doubt because than customers would go elsewhere.
but even if it did the pros would well outweigh the single con.

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I agree with both Bens and your arguments in regards to the advantages of one standard platform. Totally, 100% agree.

My only problem is that I don't trust market mechanics when it comes to this stuff. Commercial companies throughout history got a pretty ugly track record when it comes to exploiting market dominance.

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Last edited by Beamboom on 8/12/2012 10:36:32 AM

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eh i guess will never know.
though i just cant see it being too much of a issue.
OS for example, M$ has been the only OS manufacture for years now, besides apple but there hardware is a freaking rip off!
if you want a PC based machine and you want high software compatibility your stuck with windows.
has the price of windows skyrocketed over the years?
thats a honest question i dunno because ive always bought PCs with it so i honestly dunno how its prices have been.

im confident there will be enough competition, and also restraint to hold companies back from saying ok were the only ones doing this so lets put our prices through the roof!
because not only will that turn customers away, but it also opens up a door for another company to come in and pull the rug from under them!
the whole point of this is to have a closed market, as tight a hold on who gets into the industry as possible!
so i dont think manufactures would risk that just for the sake of greed.
greed has destroyed the industry, but its not THAT bad!

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The universal console is still a possibility albeit one that probably won't happen for a generation or two, unless a true depression was to hit then it could happen sooner. The idea that multiple consoles are needed for them to push forward just doesn't work for me. If that were true then the WiiU would be a mind blowing device, but it isn't. And even Sony and Microsoft would build their systems with more of a PC architecture so that they could upgrade the system every couple of years, but they don't bother since both are close enough to eachother that there really isn't competition. One system would allow for the software to take center stage for the first time since the PS1 era and would really push devs into competition. Plus as others have stated it would bring in so much more money than the current setup of multiple systems, it really is an ideal place for the industry to go too.

I love that I keep seeing people say that they (S,MS,Nin) would never work together, but the reality is they already talk all the time. They watch eachother, they respect eachother, and because of the nature of business and money would be willing to work with eachother if the opportunity presents itself. The supposed hatred between the companies has been created by gamers playing their best TMZ over the years, and the occasional corporate blabber mouth that only fuels those rumors.

PGU: Playing Star Ocean:TLHI and Yakuza 4 again inbetween downtimes for Dust514.

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So they're not expecting GTAV until what, late 2014?

Let's say if the new consoles were released then what would people want more you reckon? GTAV or the new PS4/Xbox 720?

Eh, eh ? ;)

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Somebody needs to burry that universal console idea in a pitt and place armed guards around it!! No competition? Screw that idea. I think gamers have benefited from having these console makers at each others throats pushing each to do better and driving gaming technology. Sorry for my bluntness but I feel pretty passionately about having the element of competition driving gaming companies :).

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I actually agree with you. We wouldn't see games like Uncharted, Heavy Rain, and so forth, otherwise. We just wouldn't see the advancements we do right now. That's the major downfall of that situation.

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does a universal machine mean one machine only that plays everything or both the PS4/Xbox720 playing each others games? it would be foolish for microsoft to agree to the later given how substandard their equipment is compared to Sony

i can see big changes coming - rumours of windows 8 being able to play xbox discs, Steam being pissed off at the closed nature of windows 8 and possibly releasing their own 'Steambox' machine , and lets not forget the Apple juggernaut - how long before Apple decide to give console gaming a try ? - everything Apple touches seems to turn to gold so i wouldnt be surprised.

Interesting times ahead.

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I can't wait to read your review for Darksiders II. I've already paid the game off and picking it up Tuesday so I won't be using it to see if I will buy it. I just like your opinions on some games.

I think the one system would be great. I then wouldn't have to worry about what system I was going to buy a game on or worry about not getting to play a game because I might not have the other system. Plus I'm tired of spending a crap ton of money on mutiple systems.

My PGU:
I've played the crap out of Sound Shapes and earned my double platinum. Game is amazing and a definite must buy for any Vita owner. Other games on my Vita I've been working on are PvZ and Gravity Rush. I'm pretty close to earning the platinum for PvZ. I never thought I'd like the game much but playing it on the Vita is so much better than console. Gravity Rush has been pretty fun. I am having a hard time with the controls for it though. It takes some learning but I have improved from when I first started the game. It's sometimes hard for me to track my direction because of the motion controls.

On my PS3 I finished Shadows of the Damned and X-Men Destiny. SotD was a fun an awesome adventure. If you can handle grotesque horror and crude humor this is the game to play to get both. I also enjoy the story and the characters. Garcia Hotspur is now one of my favorite demon hunters.

X-Men Destiny on the other was a boatload of crap. I felt like I was playing a game from 10 years ago. Hell Duke Nukem had more polish than this game and it took 14 years to make. Silicone Knights hasn't done a great game since Eternal Darkness. The did do the MGS on GC but that wasn't already a game completed by somebody else which they ported. I did get the platinum from it as it only took about 10hrs total. So if you're a trophy hunter this is an easy one.

For my PC gaming I've been playing The Witcher, Terraria, Blacklight: Retribution, and have finished Amnesia.

Amnesia was a great game but man was it nerve racking. Playing a game where you need to stay in the light so you don't go crazy and then have to hide from monsters once and a while in the dark because you have no weapons really gets to you. It was fun to play and a good horror game.

The Witcher has been pretty good so far. I haven't gotten to far in it yet but I wanted to play it first before I started The Witcher 2. Blacklight is a great FPS F2P game. I wish they had more stuff like this on consoles.

Last but not least is Terraria. It's like Minecraft but 2D. I stayed up till 4 in the morning a few weeks back mining and building in this game. I didn't get into Minecraft the first time I played it but after having so much fun with Terraria I may try it again. Terraria is well worth the money at $10 and should be checked out if you like Minecraft.

I've really dug into PC gaming lately. I've been buying all the indie bundles from the different sites that do them. I bought a crap ton of games from the Steam summer sale. I've also had to download Desura so I can play some of the games I get from the bundles. I never realized how much great stuff I've been missing out on for PC being a console only gamer. Looks like I'm staying in the PC community now.

Oh I've also been digging on some game soundtracks lately which is cool because a lot of times when you buy the indie bundles you get game music with them.

Well that's it for me. Thanks for reading if you did.

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