Needless to say, the DualSense is a massive departure from the traditional DualShock controllers that we are used to right from the PlayStation 1. But before we get into what this departure means and what Sony is trying to convey with it, we need to appreciate the incredible piece of tech that is the DualSense and what it brings to the table.

The Design

First off, let’s talk about the most obvious change which is the DualSense’s design. And I don’t mean just the Futuristic look or the colour scheme that is reminiscent of a PSVR headset. Look closely and you can find various little quality of life improvements with this controller. The curvier shape of the DualSense for example gets rid of the more bulky and rigid feeling edges of the DulaShock 4 providing more comfort for the one using it. Also, the protruding undersides of the left and right sticks are gone and integrated within the body of the controller. The lightbar, which most people hated, and served very little purpose outside of PSVR is now gone.

And finally, and this one is long overdue, the USB port is now Type C. All of these minor changes should make for a more comfortable user experience. But the change don’t stop there. The new two-tone colour scheme and the general aesthetics of the controller seem made solely for the purpose of crazy customizations to the controller. The internet is already going nuts with various interesting design ideas by fans, and a few of them are here below.

Here’s hoping that Sony has its own outlet like Microsoft to help players make their own custom DualSense. While this is something we can only wish for at the moment, what we don’t have to wish for are what is new with the DualSense. Here is the list of..

New Features

Perhaps the most touted feature by Sony and the one that provides the DualSense its namesake is its Haptic Feedback. Gone are the rumble motors from the older DualShocks. The DualSense features updated rumble motors that simulates game environments like the terrain the player is passing through and passes feedback to the player. This feedback also extends to the triggers as mentioned by a Sony executive with shooting a bow for example. When the button is pulled back it reflects the tension of a real bow, with more and more tension as you push back. This feature can be exploited in various other ways like adding various degree of weight to various types of guns and swords in different games.

Also new to the controller is the Create button, which is an evolution of the Share button in the DualShock 4. Not much has been revealed about its functions but it is safe to assume that this will open the doors to much more creative aspects of making your own content on the fly and sharing it with the world, rather than just record and share like in the PS4. Oh, and there is an in-built microphone for those quick conversations you need to have without having to look for a headset when your gaming crush logs in and you need to say Hi. So, these are the features that have been revealed. But there are a couple of…………

Unanswered Questions

It has been confirmed that the DualSense still has the 3.5mm headphone jack (thank heavens for that). But will it be able to output the PS5’s 3D audio that Sony is implementing in the console. I am hoping that the answer to this question is Yes. Because Sony’s bet on the 3D audio tech will be redundant if there will be a need to invest on special audio devices that can relay the audio as intended. And this is a lot more important than you think, which we will get to in a minute.

The second unanswered question – “Is there a back button?” or buttons or L4 and R4 or whatever you want to call it. The back-button attachment for the DualShock 4 sure raised some eyebrows when it was released so late into the PS4’s life cycle. Many had speculated that this may be a move to help the DualShock 4 reflect the then speculated “DualShock 5” which could have two back buttons as standard. And this made sense, considering the popularity of back paddles and special controllers among hardcore gamers, and Xbox’s lead in that game with the elite controller. While some industry figures have confirmed that the buttons do exist, it does make one scratch their heads as to why this was not revealed. Are there going to be two versions of the DualSense, one with and one without the back-buttons? Or is Sony just keeping some secrets to reveal another day. If so, how many more unannounced features can we expect from the company for the DualSense and the PS5. I guess, as has been the norm this generation, we have to wait and watch.

So, those were all that needed to be discussed about the DualSense’s features. But what does such a radical change mean coming from company that has been known to stick to traditions right from the beginning of its console game business? Are we looking at a bolder, more open-minded PlayStation brand? It certainly does look like it. Right from Sony’s approach towards marketing and revealing information about the PS5, to its outlook towards new features implemented in the console.

The company’s philosophy certainly looks to have taken a different, more grounded direction. Gone are the tacky and shoehorned feeling features like the lightbar and touch pad (Yes, the lightbar had a purpose, although very minimal and the touch pad still exists on the new controller). Sony is now looking at features that improve quality and immersion. Honestly, both the lightbar and touchpad felt like a gimmick to me when the DS4 was unveiled.

But the haptic feedback on the DualSense makes sense (no pun intended). Particularly when you consider the implementation of 3D audio which would compliment haptic feedback so well. This was the reason I expressed that it was really important that the 3D audio works on normal speakers or at the very least headsets. Because the combination of two genuinely feels like it will elevate the gameplay experience in new ways. Coming back to Sony’s outlook, Sony’s new approach is also very obviously reflective on the design choice of the DualSense with Two tone colours, and removal of colours from the face buttons like in the PSP and PS Vita.

Will this approach extend to the PS5 and, if so, what other innovation will the new console bring? These are yet to be seen. But, all of these questions sure do amp up the hype as the rumoured late May reveal for the PS5 approaches fast. I, for one, cannot wait for it.

Image Credits: https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2020/04/07/introducing-dualsense-the-new-wireless-game-controller-for-playstation-5/

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Super Mario Odyssey – Nintendo

Decades-old and spanning multiple genres, the Mario franchise is not only one of the most recognised brands in the industry, but also the most consistent. The franchise evolves with each new iteration of the Nintendo hardware while also remaining super fun and addictive to play. Super Mario Odyssey is no different. It is one of, if not, the best game in the series, which is not an easy feat to achieve.

With colourful worlds that are packed to the brim with quirky and minute details, silky smooth animation and perhaps the best spin on New York City EVER, Super Mario Odyssey builds upon the 3D platforming that franchise has excelled at since Mario 64, and adds new and fun mechanics that enhance the gameplay in so many ways, making it a must buy if you own a Switch.

The Legend of Zelda Breath of the wild – Nintendo

Acting as Nintendo’s ace up its sleeve for the release of the Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild absolutely served its purpose. With one of the highest Metacritic score in all of the videogames, standing alongside Super Mario Odyssey, BOTW not only lived up to The Legend of Zelda legacy but also gave us one of the best games in the franchise.

The game was universally praised for its huge scope, great story and gorgeous world. Although the multiple delays during its development raised a few concerns and eyebrows, all doubts were thwarted once the game was released. Consequently, the game played a huge role in the Switch’s immensely successful launch. The sequel couldn’t come soon enough.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate – Nintendo

There’s no doubting the quality of Nintendo’s first-party franchises. And if they are good at one thing, it is iterating on legacy franchises while finding ways to keeps it fresh and fun. With Super Smash Bros Ultimate though, Nintendo took a different route. SSBU took a step back and created something incredible out of it.

Justifying the “Ultimate” in the title, SSBU featured every character that has ever graced the franchise. Throw in a few tweaks to the already stellar gameplay and you have an incredible game in your hands. It is no surprise that the game sold over 3 million copies in the US alone in under two weeks. Developer Masahiro Sakurai’s painful hours spent while being injected with an IV, during the game’s development sure seemed to have paid off.

God of War – PlayStation

Sony is no stranger to creating new and exciting IPs. Like Nintendo, they have a first-party line up that has immense fan bases. But, arguably, their best game this generation comes from a franchise that almost died a few years ago. With the release of God of War: Ascension for the PS3, the franchise had hit a wall. The series had already seen several releases across three different Sony hardware and the ever-angry macho persona of protagonist Kratos started to feel stale. It was imminent that the writing on the wall was already there for the franchise and another game would mean the end of it. Then came God of War 2018 on the PS4.

Taking a whole new spin with an ageing Kratos, who now contemplates the repercussion of his past actions, and venturing the series in a whole new direction, God of War subverted expectations in the best way possible. The game not only breathed new life into the franchise but also gave us one of the most cinematic and story-driven third-person action games yet for the PS4.

Uncharted: A Thief’s End – PlayStation

The God of War franchise may have taken over a decade to get the franchise to the cinematic masterpiece that it is today. But if there is one franchise that set new standards for story-driven action-adventure games back in the PS3 era, it is Uncharted. Uncharted: A Thief’s End not only serves as a swan song to Nathan Drake’s story but is also the best game in the franchise. While it lacked the number of epic moments when compared to, let’s say, Uncharted 2, A Thief’s End, it made up for it with strong story moments.

The addition of Nate’s never-before-mentioned brother Sam was expertly handled. With a quasi-open world approach and a grappling hook throw into the mix, A Thief’s End delivered in spades in the gameplay department too. Few cold-hearted individuals haven’t teared up at the end of the game, which as considered by many was, simply put, perfect.

Spiderman – PlayStation

Superhero games are a tricky business. They have the curse of the being based on a licensed product, something that the industry still struggles with. And they often have the obligatory movie tie-in timeline to adhere to. All of this usually results in a hot mess and rarely does something as amazing as the Arkham franchise come out of it. But Sony pulled a golden rabbit out of its hat with Spiderman. Yet another superhero who has had a hit or miss relationship with videogames. Handing the reigns over to Insomniac, who were a relatively smaller studio to handle a brand like Spiderman, Sony played the game of faith-based on Insomniac’s track record. Needless to say, it was a gamble that paid off handsomely.

Imsomniac’s Spiderman for the PS4 was not only the best Spiderman game made yet but was also widely considered as one of the best stories of Peter Parker and his friends, taking into account all the movies, comics and shows. Featuring a robust skill tree with deep customization, and a swinging mechanic that makes you feel like the hero himself, Spiderman was every fan’s dream game made just right. It’s no wonder that it went on to be one of the fastest-selling PlayStation exclusives yet giving the game a well-earned spot on this list.

Until Dawn – PlayStation

Until Dawn is one of that rare mix of things that come together beautifully and turn into something more than the sum of its parts. The game represents a brand of cheesy horror, complete with a tragic backstory, a bunch of sex-craved adolescent stereotypes, and a secluded cabin, that seems to have been lost in 80s slasher flicks. Wrapping all of the above with gorgeous visuals, and (for its time) great acting, Until Dawn turned out to be a gem of a game.

There were a handful of truly tense moments that kept the players on the edge of their seats. Heck, this game even made QTEs and jump scares fun, which is a feat no one would have thought was achievable. Originally planned for the PS3, Until Dawn finally released on the PS4 to critical acclaim largely due to the game’s self-awareness and its ability to make the most out of it. Still, one of my personal favourite party time games with friends, Until Dawn is a PlayStation exclusive which would be a sin not to have.

Horizon – Zero Dawn – PlayStation

Guerrilla games served up one of PS4’s earliest titles with Killzone: Shadowfall. Little did we know at the time that the studio known almost exclusively for the Killzone franchise was secretly cooking up one of the best new IPs to launch this generation. With Horizon: Zero Dawn, developer Guerrilla games made a game in a genre they had never ventured before and delivered it with finesse and confidence. The game featured an intriguing setting with a rather interesting post-apocalyptic world where fauna is in robot form and exists seamlessly with the flora that overruns the decaying world.

The games robotic wildlife, which comprises of its own versions of animals, ranging from bulls to crocodiles to dinosaurs are a joy to tackle and the game’s main story and side quests have been handled with the utmost care so that the player stays invested throughout its 30 or so hours of run time. Aloy’s adventure has been one worth remembering throughout the PS4’s lifecycle and the fact that this game still holds strong alongside the likes of God of War and Spiderman is a testament to itself. Cannot wait for more Horizon.

Forza Horizon 4 – Microsoft

Let’s be honest. Microsoft has not had the best exclusives with the Xbox One. Although an imminent change is on the horizon, it is safe to say that the company has not been the poster child for stand out games. But the one series that has been consistently delivering stellar iterations is the Forza franchise. Forza Horizon 4, which is available on Xbox One and PC, is arguably one of the best racing games ever.

In a market that has big name studios like Code Masters and Polyphony Digital, who specialise in racing games, Forza Horizon 4 seems to have trumped all its competition with ease. With a plethora of vehicle types to choose from, an ever-changing weather system that alters your track accordingly and a gorgeously rendered English countryside, FH4 is just the tentpole racing game that Microsoft wants to bank on. And it has not disappointed us yet.

Gears 5 – Microsoft

The most recent game in our list also happens to be the big M’s best this generation. Gears 5 takes the Gears of War franchise in new directions and builds on the events and characters set in Gears of War 4 in some very interesting ways. Granted, like Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5 was also released on the PC, but the sheer amount of goodness that cannot be experienced on any other console is too hard to ignore. The butter-smooth cover shooting is the best it has ever been alongside some subtle but very useful gameplay tweaks.

The emphasis on building its characters and some strong story moments make Gears 5, the absolute best in the series. Looking back, it is hard to fathom that this was a series that began its journey being known only for its big hulking characters, and (rightfully so) the lancer chainsaw gun. And I would have never thought that I would have a special place in my heart for Jack the robot. Here’s hoping the franchise continues to grow and keeps its upward trajectory in quality that it so well maintains since the first game.

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No.5 Save Up and Adopt Early

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. You have got to save up. With buffed up specs and a hand full on new gimmicks, the hardware is going to pinch your wallet. And now that we have a release window from Sony, we can be sure that Microsoft wouldn’t want to be playing catch up. Hence, we can expect a close release window for both consoles. So, whatever be your choice, you now have a timeframe to plan your budget accordingly. Because it is really important that you get the consoles as early as you can.

Being an early adopter not only prolongs your time with the console within its life cycle but also gives you the satisfaction of the money being well spent for obvious reasons. Granted they tend to get cheaper a couple of years after launch, but in the pursuit of saving some cash you may end up losing precious years in the already short life cycle of game consoles. I still regret getting an Xbox 360 in 2011, only to have the Xbox One launch two years later. So, if you want to make the most of a console, adopt early. Luckily there are a few things you can do to help you do that and save cash, which we will look at, further down in the list.

No.4 Resist the Hype

Choosing a console can be tricky, especially at launch. Every console generation brings a handful of features, gimmicks and, more importantly, promises that can cloud an individual’s judgement regardless of how hardcore of a gamer they are. Looking back at the motion-sensing Sixasis controller on the PS3 or the ‘new and better’ Kinect 2.0 on the Xbox One, it is evident that judging the implementation of such features in games in such an early stage is quite difficult. And if history is any proof, most of these features or gimmicks become redundant very quickly.

But the truth is that the companies don’t realise this until after launch and aggressively market these features which naturally generates hype. It is important that you look through the hype-fog and identify what kind of experience you want the most out of the new hardware. Because, in the end, the lightbar and touch panel on the Dualshock 4 did not make the PS4 one of the best consoles ever. The games did. So, tread carefully.

No.3 Subscription Is the Way to Go

One of the trends that I thought would fail, to which I eventually warmed up to, and am thankful it exists, is subscription services. While questions about the choice of games and long-term availability are valid, there is no denying that most of these services provide immense value for money. Perks like getting the full package of each game without the necessity of additional purchases only sweeten the deal further.

Depending on the platform you choose, this could help you cut a lot of expenses on games when you save up to invest on that new console, if you are smart about which of the various services you subscribe to. Not to mention this also extends to after you have got the new console so you could get the best versions of all the launch titles, once again, subject to which service you choose.

No.2 Older Catalogues Can Be A Good Thing

More than any generation in the past, Backward Compatibility has risen to become one of the top priorities within the Big 2 of the industry. Playing a vital role in the resurgence of the Xbox One, back-compat has proven that it is far more valuable in the eye of the consumer now, more than ever. So, although no official statements have been made, we can safely assume that most of the games, if not all, from the PS4 and Xbox One catalogue will be playable on their respective successors.

This means that you can wait on a few games which are yet to release and move those funds towards your new console and play it on them a few months later (think subscription services) unless you have the urge to play it on the very night of its release. It would also help you save up to…

No.1 Buy a 4K TV

At this point, chances are that you already have a 4K TV. But if you have been holding off on upgrading your regular HDTV to 4K, this would be the time. 4K TVs are now more consumer accessible than ever before, and this will only get better in a year when the new consoles arrive. Although PS4 Pro and Xbox One X support 4K, games are rarely rendered in 4K and the performance takes a hit more often than not when they do.

But with the next-gen consoles, 4K would not be an issue, as they made with native 4K in mind with 8K aspirations. There is no point in investing a sizeable amount on a console, only to not get the best output from it. So, invest in a TV that does justice to those gorgeous visuals the new machine will no doubt throw at you. The bigger the display the better. But always 4K.

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Microtransactions. Not the holiest of words in the videogame industry. It was a practice that started as a way to add value and prolong the life cycle of a game and has now evolved into a monster of gargantuan proportions. While the various monetization practices executed by game companies are questionable and not exactly welcomed with open arms by the audience, we cannot deny that it has played a huge role in what the videogame industry means in todays world. For as much negativity that surrounds this matter, there are also some positives that cannot be overlooked. Let’s take an honest look at what impact it has on the consumer and the makers of the game, what different forms videogame monetization has taken, and what it all means in today’s world.

A Problem Unique to This Industry

Entertainment mediums in general have various methods of monetization. The process, of course, has evolved with time. The ticket we buy at the box office, was the only form of monetization for movies, which evolved into re-runs on TV, home videos, and now streaming services. And the same could be said for Music and Books to a certain extent. But the key here is that whichever way or form the audience chooses to consume these media, they only pay for it once. And this was also the case for videogames until internet services became common commodity and videogame consoles were made with connectivity as a prime requirement in mind. Suddenly a ten plus hour game had downloadable expansions and purchasable in game items, and the publisher could exploit this for as long as they could keep the player’s interest in the game. This was now a by-product of an ever-evolving industry, and it was here to stay.

The Evolution of Making Money

Back in the PS2 days, when terms like microtransaction were unheard of, a small studio could make games with a set budget and make ends meet with modest sales, with those sales being the only form of returns. As consoles and PCs got powerful however, so did the cost of development and consequently, the risk involved in making the games. This meant that big games were now largely made by huge corporations and small studios were all but extinct by the end of the PS3/Xbox 360 era. And the idea of microtransactions naturally did appeal to said corporations. This could well be the answer to the rising cost of development, and great games could still be made without too much pressure.

Too Tempting to Stop

However, corporations by definition exist to make money. So, it was only a matter of time that this gateway of revenue would take many different forms, to make the most out of it. From DLCs, to in-game purchases/microtransactions, to loot boxes, to special editions and promise of early access on pre-orders, there are more than a handful of ways to persuade the consumer to pay his money.

All of this only indicate that these companies are keen on making as much money as possible, instead of making the best product possible. The justification of rising costs hardly has legs now as companies that make hundreds of millions off of a single game incorporate even more aggressive monetization avenues in their next game. Industry giants like Take Two have admitted that post sale revenue makes for more than half of their total revenue. And they are not the only ones to benefit handsomely through these monetization methods. Which is why it make sense that these companies don’t want to mellow down on it despite the uproar among its own customer base, and the various controversies that pop up regularly on this matter.

Changes are Happening

All of the above was hot news until a year back. Now though, it looks like companies seem to have realised that this may hurt them in the long run and are staring a take a step back. Two major games this year have been touted on having no loot boxes/Microtransactions. Borderlands 3 was confirmed to have no loot boxes, however its stance on in game purchases is unclear.

NFS Heat was confirmed to have neither of them. In NFS’s case though, this could be in response to the backlash the previous game in the franchise had, thanks to the implementation of “Surprise mechanics” to the point where progression was hindered unless the player chooses to pay. While this gives us players the hope that things are changing, it could still be a case where these companies are just testing the waters on how feasible a game without “in game spending opportunities” would be. And that leaves more questions than answers unfortunately.

The Good That Came Out of It

All controversies aside, all of this money also means that the industry is now bigger than ever. Videogames form a huge part of pop culture today and from a creator’s standpoint, getting into the industry and making your own game, while still tough, has never been more inviting. Games are more globally accepted than ever before. Take India for instance. Gaming was once considered just for kids, and while it still largely is, the notion is changing, and the change is happening fast.

Similar to the way the world has changed due to smartphones and the internet, the videogame industry has evolved to a point of no return. And the various monetization methods are part of that evolution, for better or worse. It is a double-edged sword that could deal great damage to the industry if not handled with care. Here’s hoping that things don’t get that far.

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Sony and Microsoft are serious about this

The notion that cloud gaming is the future has been floating around since the PS3/360 era. Several analysts have predicted it and some companies like OnLive actually took a shot at it way back in 2010. But thanks to barriers in technology and hesitancy from the consumer towards adopting the platform at the time resulted in cloud gaming never taking off. Fast forward nine years and not much has changed since. Cloud gaming still feels like a far-fetched concept to consumers. But the difference this time around is that companies like Sony and Microsoft have had experience in this area for a good portion of a decade now and they have a renewed focus in offering cloud-based gaming, now that a major entity like Google has entered the gaming landscape. For better or worse Google has shown the world that the technology available today could cater to cloud gaming much better than it did in 2010. And the fact that Sony and Microsoft are coming together despite their individual stance in the market only cements it even further. The only real questions are – Is the customer ready? And, Is the internet infrastructure good enough to handle it?

Internet infrastructure is getting better by the day

At least one of the two questions is easy to answer. The customer will be ready as long as he is provided with value for money. While the monetization method of Stadia is still a mystery, anything that sounds like an incredible value is sure to be appealing to customers. So, the real question is about bandwidth and the availability of it. To be fair, the internet today is far better than what it was a couple of years ago. Whether it is cable-based or wireless, things have been on an upward trajectory. And with 5G on the horizon, it is only going to get better. If Stadia could keep its promise of getting the games to run with a 25mbps connection, then things are looking much better than they did some time ago.

Games Games Games

What about the games then? Well, Google has stated that there are numerous games being developed for its platform. The platform has been portrayed as developer-friendly and seems to aim squarely at the indie development community. Throw in third-party developer support and a good library of games does not seem impossible on Stadia. It would all come down to the quality of games that would be available exclusively on Stadia. Here’s hoping that they emulate Sony in this case and not end up turning into the next Google Play.

What about games that don’t need internet?

But when all things are said and done, there are still a couple of looming factors that would make or break Stadia and cloud gaming in general. Convenience. And there are two ways to look at it. While getting to play your games when you want and where you want is a convenience in itself, it does need a constant internet connection. That isn’t the case with playing a disc-based game on a console. Especially the ones which do not have any multiplayer aspect. Story driven games which have its own chunk of the audience never did need a mandatory internet connection. And cloud limits that convenience. Yes, data shows that sales of digital games have been on the rise year on year, every year, but so has the number of people that play games. And the ones that prefer disc-based games still represent a good chunk of that population.

Then there is the question of owning what you purchase. This is a risk that is inherent with any game that is not in physical form. Several games have been pulled off online storefronts for various reasons. And the prospect of these games being run on cloud only amplifies this risk.

Moral of the Story

As with any new product or service, we will have to wait and see. Google seems to have entered the cloud gaming scene at the right moment and it might come right down to how it is all executed and handled. Google definitely has the resources to pull it off, and here’s hoping that they succeed, as at least some, if not many, are going to find some kind of value in the service. How this is going to play against Sony and Microsoft will also be interesting to see. Whatever the case, it will be an interesting next few years.

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The birth of ‘AAA’ Games.

To understand this better we need to look at what does a AAA game mean and go to its roots. Back in the PS1/PS2 days, videogames were just video games. Regardless of the length of the game, or the scope of it or how cinematic or silly it looked, they were just games sold on discs. This meant that Parappa the rapper would be looked at the same way as say, Shadow of the Colossus (PS2). Granted they are completely different games in terms of genre, scope and almost everything else, but they were still games. Nothing distinguished them based on their status. But put out two games of similar scope and scale today and one will be AAA production, possible only made by a large studio. So how did this begin? The answer lies within the 7th generation of consoles, where the industry shifted from SD to HD, thus embracing new standards in quality and gameplay in games. This also meant a huge increase in the cost of production for these games. Unfortunately, this eventually led to the end of most mid-tier studios and publishers who had had 2 or more games that had failed in this generation. And the ones who survived keep making big budget games today. Also, during this transition was the rise of indie games. The kind of games made by teams of a few people who felt fresh took a lot of creative risks and resonated with the audience. So, this helped draw a line between the two sides of the industry and term AAA gaming started been thrown in more than ever for the ones made by the big studios.

Why are they ‘Dying’?

Naturally, big budget means big risks and it also meant that most companies that put these games out have investors to answer for. This meant that the AAA companies had very little room for error and had to come with creative ways to keep their companies afloat. Too many studios who stuck to the traditional way of making and selling games had to shut their doors during the PS3/360 era. Enter the idea of DLC. Thanks to the capabilities of the 7th gen consoles and the internet infrastructure at the time, studios could now release optional post-launch content for the users to buy. We all know the rest though. This evolved into micro-transactions which evolved into loot boxes, which of course resulted in some very nasty controversies. Even games as recent as Mortal Kombat 11, a game in which you can feel the amount of love and care put into making it, has fallen prey to such practices. Perhaps this, more than anything, is what has led people to believe that these sorts of games are dying. That the risk is too high for companies and the interest for these game within the audience is fading, and this becomes a tough proposition in order to maintain sustainability and keep the companies afloat. And both statements are true to some degree. And if we look at the situation from that perspective, the future does look bleak.

The future of AAA games is bright

The ups and downs that followed big budget games throughout 7th and 8th generation of consoles is mind-boggling and is something for the history books. But if corporations are good at one thing, they are at taking notes. Although not many may change their practices, some of them are looking at ways in which games are not affected by design to accommodate microtransactions and loot boxes. To see a game like Borderlands 3, a game which can be perfect to make a boatload of money using micro-transactions, be announced with the quotes “There will be no micro-transaction or loot boxes” is very encouraging. Then there are companies like Sony, who have excelled in creating amazing big budget games and making that a successful business model, while steering clear from what is considered questionable business practices. There is no doubt that Sony is only going to double down on these games for their next console. This then points towards Microsoft who have had quite the lesson on the importance of good games and have invested heavily in creating multiple teams of talented individuals who will all be working on exclusive games for the next Xbox. Not to forget the new players like Google and Amazon’s inevitable entry into the market. All of these companies, at least Google out of the two, for now, are investing in studios to make games for their platforms. And the focus for all companies is to put out better games than their competitors.

Above all, us gamers do love our big budget games when they are done right and do not try to nickel and dime us. All of this only points to a better future for AAA games. And it will be exciting to see where the industry is headed in the next generation. Here’s hoping that it’s in the right direction.

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Microsoft will be at its best

If there is one company that benefits most from Sony’s absence, it is Microsoft. To say Microsoft has struggled this generation will not be an exaggeration. So, Microsoft will want to make the most of this opportunity and go all guns blazing with its reveals. The company has been investing heavily in games and while it may be a little too early to show anything from the newly formed and acquired studios, Microsoft may still have some show stealers. You can definitely expect Halo infinite to show up. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare may get back on Microsoft’s show, now that Sony is absent, and who knows what other fan favourites Phil Spencer is bringing back. Oh, and they are very likely to reveal their new consoles as well, so this year would probably be Microsoft’s best pitch yet to have you to side with team Xbox.

Ubisoft can still pack a punch

Ubisoft evokes different emotions among different types of people. But when it comes to E3, Ubisoft has been quite consistent lately. From having the eccentric Aisha Tyler host the show to getting quirky with their presentation with Yves Guillemot and Shigeru Miyamoto standing back to back on stage with prop guns, Ubisoft’s showcase has been as much about having a good time as it has been about its games. And I expect this year to be no different. On the games front, I would love to see Splinter Cell make a return. And Ubisoft is good at surprising people. Here’s hoping.

Square Enix has taken Sony’s slot

Square Enix’s Nintendo Direct like presentation last year was, putting it mildly, a train wreck. So, it is both surprising and terrifying to see them take Sony’s time slot. In a time where Sony have now leaned towards their own Nintendo Direct like presentations with ‘State of Play’, it makes you wonder if this is a switcharoo between Sony and Square? If so, will Square be able to put on a show that would rival Sony’s E3? They seem confident about it and have spilt the beans on the reveal of the Avengers game beforehand. And while an Avengers game developed by Crystal Dynamics sounds sweet, can they hold it up with just that. Here’s hoping that it is just the icing on a much more delicious cake which would make up the rest of the show. And Square Enix can actually do that given not much has been announced by the company lately.

New AAA games will be revealed

What is E3 without its surprise reveals? If there is one thing that all companies aim for, it is to catch gamers off guard and drop a surprise AAA game reveal. And this can be expected from all of the major players this year, be it Microsoft or Ubisoft or even Square Enix for that matter. This is especially exciting this year as this will probably be that last year where games will be revealed on the big stage for the 8th generation of consoles. And if history is any evidence, the best games come out towards the end of a console generation. So whatever games they are, and whichever genre they represent, we will most likely be looking at the cream of the crop when they are revealed.

Sony may still steal some thunder

All things said and done; E3 without Sony might still feel a bit empty. And while Sony may have expressed that E3 is ‘redundant’, deep down I feel that they know how big a deal it still is. So, it would not surprise me if Sony sneaks in a surprise ‘State of Play’ with some of its big guns. But then again, they just revealed Death Stranding’s release date. This can be looked at in two ways. They either have enough to show from other games (The Last of Us 2) and maybe some surprise reveals, or they are going cold turkey and sitting E3 out for good. I really do hope it is the former. Because anything that came out of the company this generation has been a treat.

So, there it is. My hopes and dreams for this years E3. Not everything may pan out as expected, but Microsoft’s current position and Square Enix’s bold move sure do hint at something great to come. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for now.

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First, let’s just get the elephant out of the room. This is a patent. And patents are made all the time by companies whenever they see an opportunity in a concept in order to protect the said concept. And the patented concept may or may not see the day of light. More often than not they don’t. So the whole thing needs to be taken with a grain of salt. But, be an optimist for a while and try to piece the events of the past few years together and it all makes sense.

Microsoft

To begin with, we have Sony’s rival Microsoft holding the torch for backcompat (yes, that’s a term). And it keeps stressing on the value-add it brings to its current line-up of consoles. In fact, backward compatibility was one of the features that Phil Spencer pushed to help Xbox One gain some momentum against the PS4 after its tumultuous launch. This did help turn some heads and managed to gain interest on the Xbox One in the PS4 dominated first couple of years. In a recent event at CES 2019, Phil Spencer explained that they went to great lengths to achieve this and that it “required work at the silicon level” to get it working. So yes, Microsoft does see value in backward compatibility and it has factored in on their rather successful run in 2018.

Sony has been listening….kinda

Companies seem to throw in the term “We are listening” a lot towards their customers. And the amount of truth that lies in that statement largely depends on where these companies see themselves commercially and what financial prospects they’re looking at. But, in the past 5 years, Sony has time and again proved that they have made improvements for the better. While the pursued goal may still be market dominance and, as a result, a lucrative business model as with any corporation, Sony has created a much more satisfied customer base and development community in the process. The changes from the PS3 to PS4 have primarily been based on what the customer and the developers want. That said, Sony has been noticeably avoiding backward compatibility and cross play on the PS4. From what I can gather these may not have been the priority for Sony when they were making the move towards the then next-gen PS4. But 2 years later in the PS4 cycle backcompat seemed to have hit its stride once again and Sony has been interested in it since. The recently revealed patent actually dates back to two years which indicates that this may have been originally planned for the PS4 in some way or form. But given the PS4s success, it seems that Sony has gone with the “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach. So the backcompat feature could be carried over and applied to their next console.

Sony has learnt

Naturally, Sony would not want to miss on any feature that would give them an upper hand. In the case of the patent in question, it aims much higher than Xbox by leaping back four generations. All of this may seem too ambitious but it makes sense when we look at it from Sony’s perspective. In last week’s DICE keynote Sony executive Shawn Layden reflected back on the PS3’s rough launch. “The PS3 was our Icarus Moment” he said, “We didn’t listen to our customers. We created a devilish development environment. We reacted too slowly and our network was underdeveloped. And worst of all was the price point”. He later explained about their decision “to transform the company into what they are today” and highlighted their efforts towards making good games and maintaining healthy relationships with developers to help the next generation. To me, this felt sincere and all of what he said makes sense given what the PlayStation brands means today compared to 2008. So it makes a whole lot of sense that they apply whatever features or improvements were missed in the PS4 over to the PS5.
 

It is tough competition ahead

Sony may have hit a home run with the PS4, but in the ever-evolving gaming industry they need to keep up with, if not telegraph what lies ahead. With subscription services like Xbox game pass and PS now gaining traction, the future leaning more towards streaming, more than one console expected from a company in the same generation, emphasis on crossplay, and prospects of hybrid consoles, there are so many things happening in the industry right now. And amidst all of this Microsoft seems poised to go all guns blazing next generation with multiple studio acquisitions and a renewed focus on exclusive titles. While Sony has this covered with its own studios and exclusive IPs, it is what else Microsoft brings to the table that they need to focus on. Backcompat is a viable and strong value-add that will instantly gratify a large user base. Personally, I would pre-order a PS5 in a heartbeat if they just bring the whole PS4 library to the PS5. And if it can play PS3, PS2 and PS1 games as the patent suggests, then that is a bonus. Given what the company has learnt over the years, the prospect of this happening seems more real. Although I do hope that they don’t restrict it behind a paywall or a mandatory PS plus subscription. I guess we would have to wait until PSX this year to find it out. Here’s hoping that Sony gives us what we want, yet again.

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