Playstation 4 and the importance of E3 2015

[Soapy]

There's been a pretty big elephant in the room for a while now for us PS4 owners and I want to talk about it.

First off however, I want to say upfront that I don't want this thread to be about what extraneous multimedia features the PS4 does or doesn't have, or small team games vs. AAA games and the merits of either. So please leave that **** at the door. Let us assume that this thread is about big budget video games only. Moving on...

When the PS4 was first announced, Sony said all of the right things that everyone wanted to hear after Microsoft's blunderous Xbone debut. They told us they were making a game machine first and foremost, and a whatever-the-****-else-machine second. During the following E3, they absolutely knocked it out of the park. They were offering the most powerful console at a much more affordable price than their main competitor. An unbeatable combo. What could go wrong?

Well, the first year was fraught with constant delays, broke-ass games, and an absolutely anemic first party lineup. But hey, that's fairly par for the course, right? The first year of most consoles is usually pretty weak. But what about the second year? Wellll... so far the situation hasn't exactly improved. Bloodborne is the only big exclusive title the PS4 has in the first half of its second year. I personally think it looks incredible, but let's be real, that's a very niche game and it certainly won't be to everyone's taste. (In fact I think promoting it so heavily might backfire on Sony, but that's neither here nor there.)

Let me throw something at you that might shock you. The following games were all released for the PS2 by the same point in its lifespan that the PS4 is at right now:

Spoiler

• Onimusha
• Red Faction
• Twisted Metal: Black
• Gran Turismo 3
• Final Fantasy X
• Silent Hill 2
• Ico
• Devil May Cry
• Grand Theft Auto III
• Metal Gear Solid 2
• Jak and Daxter
• Rez
• PaRappa the Rapper 2
• Grandia II
• Maximo
• Fatal Frame
• Virtua Fighter 4

WHAT THE WHAT?? I MEAN LOOK AT THAT ****!

Hit after hit after classic after classic.

The lineup on PS4 is absolutely shameful by comparison.

"Okay, okay. I get it." you must be saying to yourself, "It's been pretty bad so far, but surely the second half of year two will be way better right? I mean, how could it not?"

Welllllllllllll....

Spoiler

um....

yeah...

Now, obviously that picture isn't totally fair since there are some unscheduled or unannounced games that will be filled in at a later time. Regardless, the point of the picture is still valid. Year one of the PS4 not great? Fine, whatever. Year TWO though?? Unacceptable. Get your **** together Sony. Come on.

None of this is to somehow imply that Microsoft has been ****ting gold by the way. If it weren't for Sony totally dropping the ball with the games (their primary selling point by the way), everyone would still be pointing and laughing at Microsoft. But credit where credit is due. Microsoft managed to put out at least a tiny handful of decent-to-kind-of-okay exclusives (which is more than you can say about Sony at this point) all the while wrestling with MASSIVE problems that Sony didn't have to deal with. Let's face it, this generation (Nintendo notwithstanding) has failed to deliver at nearly every turn and has been a huge disappointment.

So I guess, now is as good a time as any to FINALLY get to the point of this thread.

E3.

Does anyone else think that Sony NEEDS to bring the heat this year? Like, I'm not saying it would be cool IF Sony blows the roof off the joint, I'm saying they NEED to. As in, if they don't, the momentum will shift and people will start buying Xbones en masse. (That's assuming that Microsoft is going to have more to show than Halo of course.) I'm not talking about third party stuff either, appreciated as it is. I'm sure if Sony announce nothing of their own, the PS4 will continue chugging along fueled only by multiplats and probably still end up selling fairly well. However, I think that if Sony wants to continue dominating like they have been, then they desperately need to come out swinging this year and announce some major heavy-hitting first party games and third party exclusives and they need to announce a lot of them. For this year and beyond.

I actually did a little digging to try and see whether or not it's even possible for Sony blow our hair back this E3. I took a look at each of Sony's first party developers, what they were working on and/or what they're rumored to be working on and when their last game came out to try and see who might have something ready to show.

Spoiler

First up? Guerrilla Games
Last game: 2013 (Killzone: Shadowfall)
Confirmed to be working on: Nothing
Rumored to be working on: Some kind of robot dinosaur game.

Guerrilla Cambridge
Last Game: 2013 (Killzone: Mercenary)
Confirmed: Nothing
Rumored: A new entry in a known franchise on PS4

Sucker Punch
Last Game: 2014 (Infamous: Second Son)
Confirmed: Nothing
Rumored: A new open world game.

Naughty Dog
Last Game: 2013 (The Last of Us)
Confirmed:Uncharted 4
Rumored: The Last of Us 2

Sony Santa Monica
Last Game: 2013 (God of War: Ascension)
Confirmed: Untitled God of war
Rumored: Nothing

Sony San Diego
Last Game: 2015 (MLB 15: The Show)
Confirmed: Kill Strain
Rumored: Nothing

Polyphony Digital
Last Game: 2013 (Gran Turismo 6)
Confirmed: Gran Turismo 7
Rumored: Nothing

Media Molecule
Last Game: 2013 (Tearaway)
Confirmed: Unannounced PS4 game
Rumored: Nothing

Bend
Last Game: 2012 (Uncharted: Fight for Fortune)
Confirmed: Nothing
Rumored: A new horror game.

Evolution Studios
Last Game: 2014 (Driveclub)
Confirmed: Nothing
Rumored: Nothing

Sony Japan
Last Game: 2013 (Knack)
Confirmed: The Last Guardian
Rumored: Big budget JRPG similar to Final Fantasy

London Studio
Last Game: 2014 (SingStar: Ultimate Party)
Confirmed: Nothing
Rumored: A driving game

Pixelopus
Last Game: 2014 (Entwined)
Confirmed: Nothing
Rumored: Nothing

My analysis of all that is unfortunately dire. I don't think half them will be ready to announce what they're working on this E3, and I feel like the other half of those developers will be far enough along in their projects for them to be announced or teased at this E3, but not far enough along to release this year. Also keep in mind they have to spread out their announcements, so that means even less for E3. So basically expect two or maybe three interesting game announcements, but don't expect them to come out this year. But that's just one man's opinion. Either way, Sony better have AT LEAST one big third party exclusive locked up for later this year, but honestly I'm not counting on it. I'm not expecting much from Microsoft either. I hope I'm wrong.

It feels like a lot is hanging in the balance this E3 for Sony and Microsoft. I think that this E3 will either be remembered as one of the best ever, and totally justifies these new consoles, or it will be remembered as the one where everyone asks themselves, "Why didn't I buy a Wii U?" or Why didn't I get a gaming PC?"

tl;dr: The Playstation 4's game lineup has been piss poor so far, and I think they absolutely need to announce some big games at E3.

I'll leave you with some questions.

What's your opinion on the PS4's game library so far?

Do you think this E3 is going to be as pivotal for the PS4 moving forward as I do or am I just taking crazy pills?

What, if any, game announcements would make you forget and forgive their terrible first year and a half?

 

[spiderman2]

Yeah I do think this E3 is big because yes ps4 even though it is saling great has hardly any games. Most systems are like that for the first like year or year and a half but with the games we know about right now it looks like it is going to be at least 2 years with out any big games in less the annorce some at E3 for this year. At the same time xbox one doesn't really have any games either and doesn't really have any thing big the rest of this year either in less halo 5 is this year. At the same time not just ps2 line up that you compared it to but I would say that so far this gen has just been a bad gen. Yes things could change but so far this gen has just been a big disappointment and even ps3 witch didn't get off to a great start had more games worth getting by around the year and a half mark then what sony looks to be having with ps4. So far this gen wii u has by far the best excusive. Ratchet and clank could be big but not much is know about it yet.

When it comes to ratchet and clank I am very confused right now. What is the difference between a remake and a remaster? Back when the first talked about it I got the impression that it was a complete new game like a crack in time, tools of destration ect and then I heard people say it is a remake or a remaster so I don't get where people got that idea. Because of that now I am just confused. I hope it is a complete new game like a thought it was going to be. What would be the point in a remake? We already had the game on the ps3 collection. What slightly better graphics?

 

[TX85]

I completely understand the concerns and frustrations with the game line ups from both Sony&MS but I feel like some may be a little too focused on exclusive titles. Now me personally,I'm a different gamer than most here or online in general.

I've become a mere casual gamer in the last few years and what attracts me the most to the new consoles is the most overall powerful one and exclusives to third part game content than first part exclusives. The onely ones that interest me the in near future is just Halo 5 and especially Uncharted 4. The game line up for me are mostly big third party games.

I had a PS4 in it's first year,I was more than busy and entertained with its f2p games and third party ones I already had a wish list for. I liked the first two Infamous games but with First Son,I was more interested in other games and I haven't even played it yet.

This year I'm disapointed with Uncharted 4 being delayed but it may be for the best in the end,Meanwhile I will have other games playing on my tv.

I agree Sony needs to go huge with E3 though in all aspects from software update additions to yes exclusive content and games.

 

[X Knight]

I agree, Soapy.

Exclusives aren't the most important issue to me, since I tend to play more multi-plat games. but, in terms of exclusives that I'm interested in, the PS4 is lacking in that area for this year, as I said in the other thread.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

they have to announce something big for thanksgiving/christmas this e3.

they obviously don't need it as last year's q4 was any indication, but their holiday push is incomplete without a big game. they need something to fill Uc4's void.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

bloodborne does appeal to a "nice" audience however, i think the souls series has made the genre more popular and i expect bloodborne to be seen as a little more mainstream then those. it wouldn't have been making the top 5 and even #1 spot on certain most anticipated 2015 games list if it was simply niche.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Didn't the last Souls games sell like 2-3 million or something? Seems someone pointed that out here to me not that long ago. I don't know if I'd really call it niche if the series is selling that much.

 

[JaD]

Out of curiosity, do you have the same list of game released in the timespan with PS3 as well? 360 and X1? Sounds like an assignment but I'm definitely curious since you brought the PS2 list out.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Didn't the last Souls games sell like 2-3 million or something? Seems someone pointed that out here to me not that long ago. I don't know if I'd really call it niche if the series is selling that much.

yes, but it was also multiplatform. according to forbes, dark souls 1 and 2 together sold about 3 million on Ps3.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2015/03/16/bloodborne-may-be-the-ps4s-salvation-in-2015/
and I agree I think it's better to evaluate what we/they mean when the "niche" word is used. i think it just means that it appeals to a specific group of gamers, instead of the masses as a whole for a console's userbase.

 

[MadVillainy]

I agree with Soapy is saying. In fact I would say thing thing about the XBOX One.

I don't think either of them have really made games that would make me want to go out and buy the system.
Actually my friend, who always tries to convince me to get a PS4, always just sites remasters as reasons to get the system. He always cites Last of Us, GTA V, and Destiny...I can already get them on PS3 or XBOX.

But this is just me. I don't think either system has impressed me at all.
I am looking for Arkham Knight, Kingdom Hearts 3, and Uncharted 4 but they don't have me saving up my money for a new console

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I agree with Soapy is saying. In fact I would say thing thing about the XBOX One.

I don't think either of them have really made games that would make me want to go out and buy the system.
Actually my friend, who always tries to convince me to get a PS4, always just sites remasters as reasons to get the system. He always cites Last of Us, GTA V, and Destiny...I can already get them on PS3 or XBOX.

But this is just me. I don't think either system has impressed me at all.
I am looking for Arkham Knight, Kingdom Hearts 3, and Uncharted 4 but they don't have me saving up my money for a new console

I would say, if you don't/didn't have a Ps3, then those remastered games are a good reason to get a Ps4 if you had any remote interest in them before.

everything else, I would agree.

 

[MadVillainy]

well yeah that's true

But I already have a PS3 and Xbox 360 and even those don't get that much play. The last game I bought was GTA V and I haven't had much desire to buy another since. Which kinda sucks, I mean it saves me a ton of money but I use to love playing video games.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I hear ya. same. this year was supposed to be when games especially AAA took off on consoles.

 

[Soapy]

Out of curiosity, do you have the same list of game released in the timespan with PS3 as well? 360 and X1? Sounds like an assignment but I'm definitely curious since you brought the PS2 list out.

360

• Perfect Dark Zero
• Call of Duty 2
• Dead or Alive 4
• Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
• Battlefield 2
• Hitman: Blood Money
• Dead rising
• Saints Row
• Splinter Cell: Double Agent
• Gears of War
• Rainbow Six: Vegas
• Lost Planet
• Crackdown
• Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2

PS3

• Resistence: Fall of Man
• Ridge Racer 7
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
• Virtua Fighter 5
• Tekken 5
• Motorstorm
• Armored Core 4
• The Darkness
• Ninja Gaiden Sigma
• Warhawk
• Heavenly Sword
• Skate
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
• Call of Duty 4
• Assassin's Creed
• Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
• Rock Band
• Burnout Paradise
• Devil May Cry 4

 

[Thundercrack85]

I personally see this more of an issue with the game industry in general than just the PS4. I had a thread where I bemoaned the fact that games are sixty dollars, and that people are dumb enough to spend that, which I got more hate for than in any heated debate in the politics section.

But, I digress. The video game industry is in bad shape. There is a serious lack of quality control, and that goes for Microsoft too. Customers are being gouged at every possible point. Games release with DLC, that should be in the game. It's destroying the value of games.

When I heard Destiny was voted Game of the Year it just made me laugh. But looking back, maybe it's really not such a crazy suggestion. Sure, it barely has a plot, lacks basic online features, and much of it was cut out to be sold separately as DLC. But it worked.

I guess what I'm saying is that doesn't seem to be a Sony issue so much as an industry issue. Look at Unity, which was practically treated like a first party Microsoft game. Or the Halo Collection. That should have been a walk in the park for Microsoft. But they ****ed it up.

 

[Tron Bonne]

I personally see this more of an issue with the game industry in general than just the PS4. I had a thread where I bemoaned the fact that games are sixty dollars, and that people are dumb enough to spend that, which I got more hate for than in any heated debate in the politics section.

Heh, I remember that thread. You didn't get any hate because of the actual topic, it was all your behavior and defensiveness when people didn't automatically rally to your side like I think you expected them to. If you don't get that, you are maybe the densest person to post here.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I personally see this more of an issue with the game industry in general than just the PS4. I had a thread where I bemoaned the fact that games are sixty dollars, and that people are dumb enough to spend that, which I got more hate for than in any heated debate in the politics section.

But, I digress. The video game industry is in bad shape. There is a serious lack of quality control, and that goes for Microsoft too. Customers are being gouged at every possible point. Games release with DLC, that should be in the game. It's destroying the value of games.

When I heard Destiny was voted Game of the Year it just made me laugh. But looking back, maybe it's really not such a crazy suggestion. Sure, it barely has a plot, lacks basic online features, and much of it was cut out to be sold separately as DLC. But it worked.

I guess what I'm saying is that doesn't seem to be a Sony issue so much as an industry issue. Look at Unity, which was practically treated like a first party Microsoft game. Or the Halo Collection. That should have been a walk in the park for Microsoft. But they ****ed it up.

I remember you making that thread, but I didn't really go in it much. I do remember it getting closed, though. For whatever reason.

Anyway, destiny may've gotten goty, but you also have to see by who. journey got goty 3 years ago and there's less than half the amount of gameplay involved in that game - but it was like $30.

also, I know you said before that we need a crash in the industry, but I gotta disagree with you there as well

 

[JaD]

360

Spoiler

• Perfect Dark Zero
• Call of Duty 2
• Dead or Alive 4
• Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
• Battlefield 2
• Hitman: Blood Money
• Dead rising
• Saints Row
• Splinter Cell: Double Agent
• Gears of War
• Rainbow Six: Vegas
• Lost Planet
• Crackdown
• Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2

PS3

• Resistence: Fall of Man
• Ridge Racer 7
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
• Virtua Fighter 5
• Tekken 5
• Motorstorm
• Armored Core 4
• The Darkness
• Ninja Gaiden Sigma
• Warhawk
• Heavenly Sword
• Skate
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
• Call of Duty 4
• Assassin's Creed
• Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
• Rock Band
• Burnout Paradise
• Devil May Cry 4

Thanks for taking the time (don't know about Tekken 5 though for PS3, I definitely would have picked that up if that were the case)

And actually, to clarify, the list you put up of PS2 at the time were the impressive titles that were released? Most of them are exclusives I see but some came out for Xbox too. And these PS3 games are the same type of category?

I don't know, I hear what you're saying but when I start looking at all the PS4 games together it seems like both consoles haven't lived up to the huge expectations they set for themselves (if we're talking about exclusives because there *are* some damn good games available right now). I'm still enjoying my PS4 quite a lot but using a special era in gaming (even Xbox was doing fine for itself with Halo CE) seems off.

Maybe we should say the bar has been set a couple generations ago but the industry hasn't done a better job themselves, and that's not all on Sony. I don't see anything on X1 that would make me wanna buy their console (but that's also opinion), maybe Forza since I love racing games, but so far the only thing that'd probably warrant me buying a new-gen console if I didn't have one is Arkham Knight (which is multi-platform anyways) and Uncharted 4 which unfortunately got pushed back.

And also, the list you posted of upcoming titles for PS4, aren't those "confirmed" release dates? That list looks like garbage when not taking into account some games haven't been given an official release date

 

[Tron Bonne]

I remember you making that thread, but I didn't really go in it much. I do remember it getting closed, though. For whatever reason.

He requested for it to be closed, I think. It should've been anyway, all it really amounted to was him indirectly insulting anyone who paid full price for games.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Thanks for taking the time (don't know about Tekken 5 though for PS3, I definitely would have picked that up if that were the case)

it was pretty much just an arcade port of dark resurrection onto the Ps3. it wasn't a full packaged product like it was on PsP and didn't even come out for retail. and then later they added an online component and that's was the biggest thing going for it - tekken online, for the first time.

 

[Tron Bonne]

Damn, wow, that list really does show a big difference between last gen and this gen comparatively speaking when you really take a long look at it. I guess maybe it's a combination of a studios being shut down or focusing much heavier on mobile now as opposed to then.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

He requested for it to be closed, I think. It should've been anyway, all it really amounted to was him indirectly insulting anyone who paid full price for games.

just for the hell of it I went back to skim through that thread, and I don't think thunder was being that rude. yes maybe the discussion he intended to initiate never really was facilitated in the thread, but i've seen people say waaaay ruder things than anything in that thread.

for the record, I think he can be a pretty funny guy sometimes in his posts, whether or not he tries to be

 

[Thundercrack85]

I remember you making that thread, but I didn't really go in it much. I do remember it getting closed, though. For whatever reason.

Anyway, destiny may've gotten goty, but you also have to see by who. journey got goty 3 years ago and there's less than half the amount of gameplay involved in that game - but it was like $30.

also, I know you said before that we need a crash in the industry, but I gotta disagree with you there as well

Well hopefully it will work itself out. The market is starting to anyway. Note Unity being for sale at 19.99.

I wouldn't mind seeing a few companies go under though. Ubisoft comes to mind.

The Order is going for 40 now.

 

[Thundercrack85]

He requested for it to be closed, I think. It should've been anyway, all it really amounted to was him indirectly insulting anyone who paid full price for games.

Indirectly? I recall being explicit.

I stand by it.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Well hopefully it will work itself out. The market is starting to anyway. Note Unity being for sale at 19.99.

I wouldn't mind seeing a few companies go under though. Ubisoft comes to mind.

The Order is going for 40 now.

ya, I don't think i'd buy the order unless I can find it for under 20. but that could be me asking for a little too much.