While this is a positive from the industry’s perspective, the situation does bring the bad and ugly along with the good. Let’s take a look at all things good bad and ugly that the industry endures during these trying times.

The current situation is weird. On one hand we are in the middle of a pandemic that has been disruptive. Equally, much of the world’s population has endured these times from the comfort of their homes, with digital solutions coming to their aid. Despite what can be considered a luxury under such a global event, staying indoors is quite the task as many including myself have come to learn. Enter services like Netflix, and hobbies like video games to save the day.

The videogames industry has seen an unprecedented engagement during these times and the current situation has enabled a great deal of success to many ranging from small indie developers to big studios and publishers. Adding to this success, the early days of lockdown around the globe saw a lot of companies doing their part for the gaming community with big discounts and giveaways. Industry giants such as Unity offered free access to their premium courses which was very encouraging for budding developers.

While these events do not measure up to the hype and anticipation generated by a show like E3 or Gamescom, the truth is that despite these shortcomings they pose a threat to big events in the future. E3, which was struggling to hold its ground and be relevant from the publishers’ perspective even before the COVID outbreak, now stands a chance of being gone for good, or at least not return to its former glory.

This also meant that the console race between Microsoft and Sony for the 9th generation of consoles took an unconventional route, completely forgoing the back and forth between both companies which we have come to enjoy during every new console cycle so far.

The pandemic also resulted in various studios having their games being built while the staff worked on it from home or in an alternative setup. While big companies found a way around it, and we’ll get back to them in a bit, plenty of smaller and mid-tier studios ended up delaying their console games from their originally planned dates. Game delays are not new, but this does add to the stress and not to mention budget inflation in the game production lifecycle. It may even affect the end product significantly.

While one side of the industry struggles with delays, there are some cases where the games in production have been hurried to meet the deadline and to make the most of the current situation. There may not be many reports suggesting this, but the results can be seen in games that are very close to release this year. Assassin’s creed Valhalla which is due to release in a few months, featured plenty of bugs and general lack of polish in many areas in the demo showcased by Ubisoft themselves. The recently unveiled Halo Infinite gameplay did not quite measure up to next gen standards from a visual standpoint. Both are issues that could be fixed with a bit more development time. But chances of both games being delayed for these reasons are little to none.

Even more worrying is the aggressive approach by Sony with the production of PlayStation 5. According to various outlets Sony has doubled up production to meet demands and get their new console in as many hands as possible. While this could be a move Sony has made following them foreseeing a higher demand than initially anticipated, it could also mean that the new consoles may suffer the consequences of a rushed production line. Historically, the first few batches of a new console may have issues in some shape or form. And a fast-tracked production process only poses more problems.

All this said, we are bound to have more of both good and bad to come from the current situation. But there is one eventuality foreseen in the form of an aftermath of sorts. As much as the industry enjoys the increased user base and engagement, it is expected the numbers will plummet as things fall back into place. The scale at which this could happen or whether this would happen at all is yet to be seen.

But it is what would happen after the fact that is worrying considering big studios’ and publishers’ tendency to lean towards layoffs and other distasteful practices at the sight of the slightest adversity. The industry together will be fine, no doubt. The demand for games has never been this high, and so is the level of creativity.

But it’s how we as players, creators and publishers stick the landing that will determine how much we have grown as a community and if we have learnt anything of value as humans in these tough times. Here’s hoping more good comes out of it than anything else.

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The primary reason being the reveal of the PS5. While the show will be remembered for the reveal of the PS5 in the future, it was a lot more than a console reveals event. This was a well thought out and well-produced event, that very carefully avoided certain reveal event tropes such as focusing on games that make use of the console’s newest gimmick.

Although the DualSense’s haptic feedback and the immersion of 3D audio were discussed, the show did not spend too much time leaning on those functionalities. Instead what we got was a great mix of games from all genres and sizes, to the point that it left some viewers puzzled as to why such games need to have been in a next-gen reveal event.

Clearly, Sony’s messaging was that their new console is going to continue supporting big and smaller scale games alike, which is great for everyone. Let’s talk about those games now, shall we? There were well over 20 games showcased in various category.

And category does not mean genre, it is what your gut says about the game when you first see it. So, without further ado, let’s start with……..

The Gorgeous Ones

A console’s reveal event will no doubt have games that showcase their visual fidelity. And Sony’s show was no exception. Games like Gran Turismo 7, and Resident Evil 8 certainly looked their part. However, for this category, we are looking at games that go a step beyond just good graphics.

So, we have Project Athia one of the first games to catch my attention, mainly due to its close to photo realistic visuals. Much of this game is a mystery, including its name so it might be quite a while before we get to see this game in action. Next, we have Kena – Bridge of Spirits.

If Project Athia was gorgeous with its photorealism, Kena feels like a Pixar movie, with beautiful visuals and cutesy characters.

What’s on display in its gameplay trailer is something that has to be seen to be believed. We certainly have come a long way with visuals, and Kena felt like we have finally reached a point where one cannot distinguish between an animated movie and gameplay from a videogame.

The last one that looked distinctly gorgeous was Little Devil Inside. This is a game that, once again, is reminiscent of an animated movie. The visual styles easily stands out and commands your attention. Not much else is known about the game, except that it has been in the works for a very long time and that it will also be available on the PS4.

The Head Turners

From a catchy song with cute looking creatures to a cat navigating through a world populated by robots, this next group of games certainly did turn some heads. These games go on to show what the art of video games can convey and how effortlessly the events on screen can get you intrigued.

Stray, Jett: The far shore, Pragmata, Returnal and Bugsnax are all games that invoke a sense of awe and curiosity in their own quirky ways. Each game is a different flavour and although we know little to nothing about these games and how the end product is going to look or feel, the bits that were shown in the event certainly looked intriguing.

The Eyebrow Raisers

Well, not all games are going to catch your curiosity. Goodbye Volcano High, Oddworld Soulstorm and Sackboy: A Big Adventure are games that in no means look like they are lacking in creativity or quality. But the issue is that these games come with a sense of Déjà vu, as they do remind us something that we have seen before.

Goodbye Volcano High reminds us of a story-driven Telltale game, while Sackboy was just impersonating the 3D version of Mario. And Oddworld, well this was a game which was revealed just over a year back, with a somewhat similar-looking trailer.

All of these games look good. It’s just that they did make me ask if they really have to be in an event like this. From a creator’s perspective, the worst thing that could happen to a game is if it is labelled as “padding” in a major event and these games felt just like that.

The Usual Suspects

Every console reveal comes accompanied with a set of games that you were prepared for right from when the concept of the console was discussed. Astro’s Playroom, Gran Turismo 7 and NBA 2K21 are the ones that take this coveted mantle. Astro bot was a great PSVR game.

One of the first VR titles to incorporate third-person perspective in a meaningful way, thus showcasing the quirks of the VR platform in ways other games couldn’t. So, it is only logical that Astro made a comeback on Sony’s new console, this time serving as a showcase that highlights the DualSense’s capabilities and the 3D audio for the PS5, alongside being a fun game. Astro’s playroom will be a free game and will come pre-installed on all PS5s at launch.

Then we have Gran Turismo, a franchise that has been a PlayStation staple since its inception. It has been 3 years since the release of Gran Turismo sport, so what better time for the next instalment than a console reveal event. A console-specific racing game can now be checked off the list.

Then, the event needs to have a sports game. Since EA has its own event, it will be up to one of the 2K games to appear on the show. So, bring the best selling 2K Sports franchise on, in the form of NBA 2K21.

Having these games in the show isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and each of these could very well turn out to be great experiences. I do still scratch my head over the absence of this years Call of Duty though. Where did that go, I wonder.

The Meh

Solar Ash, Destruction All-stars and Godfall are not your run of the mill games by any measure. But they found themselves in the unfortunate place of being in an event that was crowded by games that tried to one-up each other (in a good way).

Solar Ash is a game from the makers of Hyperlight Drifter. Its gameplay trailer was very minimal and did not have much to warrant players’ attention. The same can be said about Destruction All-Stars. A game that looks like the offspring of Twisted Metal and Fortnite.

Yes, the trailer looked cool and all, but Destruction All-Stars and Solar Ash, unfortunately, are games that I instantly forgot after the show.

Then we have Godfall. The first-ever PS5 game revealed during a major gaming event, Godfall had everyone’s attention by default, thanks to the sheer scarcity of “anything” related to the PS5 at the time. But in a pool of great games, Godfall failed to impress. And that “Make way for the King” soundtrack in the gameplay trailer did not help one bit.

Third-Party Muscle

Alongside Pragmata, Capcom also chose the PS5 event to reveal Resident Evil 8: Village. Resident Evil 7 was one of the best games in the franchise and was a key player in Capcom’s resurgence to success. The first-person aspect of RE7, which was initially questioned by many, only added to the strength of the game. Resident Evil 8 stays with the first-person perspective and this time looks even more gorgeous and haunting.

Bethesda showcased their already revealed Ghostwire Tokyo and Deathloop, but this time with a good chunk of gameplay in both games. Deathloop looks like tongue in cheek fun in all the right ways and Ghostwire Tokyo looks very slick, to say the least.

What is worrying though is the visible shift in tone and aesthetics between the gameplay trailers shown in this event and the original cinematic trailers during E3 last year. That said, both games do look like a lot of fun.

Not to be outdone, Square Enix gave us a look at the next chapter of Agent 47’s story in Hitman 3. The minuscule gameplay footage featuring Dubai and the Burj Khalifa was enough to reassure that the next game will be just as, if not more, expansive than the rebooted Hitman 1 and 2. Personally, for me, that is more than enough.

Sony’s Babies

What is a Sony event without its first-party exclusives? (Well, the answer is its GDC talk, but that’s not the point here) Sony delivered just the right amount of goods to show that their in-house studios and their close partners are committed to making great single-player games for the PS5.

Bluepoint games which is not owned by Sony (Yet), finally had their moment to unveil “Their biggest project yet” and as many speculated it was the remaster of Demon’s Souls, the OG souls game that seemingly popularised a whole new genre. It looked rather impressive and based on Bluepoint’s track record, it should play just as good.

As good as all the games in today’s list looked, none showcased the capabilities of the PS5 as Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart did. The next game in the beloved franchise from Insomniac features multiple gameworlds within the same scene as the titular characters jump through rifts from different dimensions.

This was an excellent display of raw power as gameworlds that typically take one whole sit through of a typical loading screen to render, were made available within a matter of seconds. What impressed me most though was how the developers executed this feature, so it makes sense contextually and not just shoehorned to highlight the console’s power. Kudos to Insomniac on that.

But Ratchet and Clank wasn’t the only game Insomniac showcased. Spiderman: Miles Morales was revealed as an expansion, and later clarified as a stand-alone game that is made for the PS5. This is a big deal, as Spiderman is one of the biggest games of PS4 era, and to have a new Spidey game supposedly release alongside the PS5 will be a PlayStation fan’s dream come true.

The game is reported to be smaller in scope, something in the lines of Uncharted: Lost legacy, which is fine for a stand-alone game. What isn’t smaller in scope though is Horizon: Forbidden West. Sony capped off the show with the trailer of Horizon: Forbidden West.

The game is set to continue Aloy’s story and feature a denser, more immersive world, complete with new types of robot animals to kill. The game will likely take a good year and half or two to hit shelves, but what was shown looked very promising.

So, those were all the games from the Sony event. It was quite the mix, one that the company had been carefully picking and curating in light of the event. And it paid off well. Sony has promised more news will be revealed before launch, and it will be interesting to see how they approach it. Right now though, we just need to sit back and watch what Microsoft has in store in reply to Sony’s event. This is going to be very interesting indeed.

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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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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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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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1. Gaming service/console will be announced

It is no secret that Google has been investing in gaming and looking to penetrate the ever growing market. But what they have been working on has been a mystery. GDC 2019 seems to be the perfect place to reveal it all. The way I see this, there are three possibilities here and one of them is likely to materialize. First is what most would anticipate but, in my opinion,, the least probable, Google unveiling a fully realized console much like Sony and Microsoft. The reason this is unlikely is due to the fact that streaming services are gaining traction and advances in technology are pointing towards consoles being irrelevant in the near future. That said Sony and Microsoft seem to think otherwise, at least for one more generation as they are currently working on their next generation of consoles. The second possibility and the most likely one is that Google will integrate their gaming service by streaming them through smaller multimedia-centric devices like Chromecast, Google home or something like Apple TV. Google seems to have the resources and tools to combine the capabilities of these devices with cloud computing to deliver a unique gaming experience. The third and the most ambitious possibility, at least in my opinion, is that Google’s gaming service could be entirely cloud-based and all one needs to play their games would be a Chrome browser in a modest PC or a decent Android phone. While this was pretty much conceived on the PC back in October last year with ‘Project Stream’ making Assassin’s Creed Odyssey playable on a Chrome browser, I am not sure if the same can be applied on a larger scale with millions of users accessing games at the same time. Whatever the case is, just the idea that any of the above (or none of it) can happen is just enough to keep the anticipation meter at peak. We’ll just have to wait and watch. All this only brings us to the second point which is……

Read our blog on “A Peek into the Next Generation of Consoles” to know more about the future of gaming.

2. 2019 will be spicier than we anticipated

I did not see this coming. While news of Google ‘investing heavily’ in gaming has been whispered here and there for a while now, seeing them actually make their move in 2019 is something that I did not anticipate. This year was already shaping up to be one of the best years for gaming, thanks to much-anticipated titles releasing this year and the possibility of new console announcements from two of the industry juggernauts. Google joining the fray only makes things that much more exciting. Looking back, we have seen various companies try entering the industry with their consoles and services, only to fail. But there is one important aspect of Google that makes it not only a competent competitor but a force to be reckoned with. And that is……

3. This is Google

Google is one of the largest entities on Earth. As mentioned in point 1, they have the resources and tools to properly conduct R&D and make a splash in any industry. So, them wanting to enter the ever-expanding gaming market should not be taken lightly. The gaming industry dwarfs Hollywood in revenue and challenges technological limits constantly, and Google would certainly be aware of this fact. So it is reasonable to expect nothing short of revolutionary or mind-blowing from them. If they do exactly that, then they have a greater chance of success and in the process prove to be a formidable rival for Sony and Microsoft. In my opinion, if they reveal something unimpressive and lacklustre, they are just letting go of a golden goose.

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4. Sony and Microsoft will have to keep their guard up

Assuming Google does impress and also assuming that they would likely take the streaming route, it raises a question of what type of content will be supported. If we strictly talk games, we have already seen Ubisoft (AC Odyssey) involved in their project, and can only assume that they would support whatever platform Google creates. If this is the case many other third party developers and publishers could likely join. This would only mean that there is one more platform where a Call of Duty or FIFA can be played. So, Sony and Microsoft will have to come up with new strategies to one-up Google, if not strengthen their existing ones. Not to mention work on a shift in focus towards a streaming oriented generation if Google succeeds in it.

5. Gaming as we know it could change entirely

I may sound like I am getting ahead of myself here, but if the above speculation turns true then we could see games streaming and cloud computing enter the mainstream a lot sooner than we thought. This could make gaming consoles dormant and gaming will suddenly be more accessible and more appealing to a much larger audience. The exciting thing in all of this is that there is a very good chance that all of this could actually happen. Microsoft is rumoured to already be working on a streaming based console alongside a more traditional successor to the Xbox One. Amazon is also rumoured to be investing in gaming and is likely to take advantage of its Echo and Firestick install base to stream their games. All of this paint a completely different picture than the usual couch, console and TV that are associated with games. In an industry that evolves as rapidly as it grows, this does not seem out of the question at all.

Of course, all of the above is just speculation and the whole thing could turn out to be something entirely different. But to see a behemoth like Google cast its eye on gaming and to show up at GDC is proof enough that the industry is a lucrative business opportunity for the ones who are up for the challenge. Apart from a few missteps (remember Google glasses) in its storied history, Google has been known to deliver the goods when it comes to technology and innovation and gaming seems to be right up their alley. Only time will tell how everything will pan out. The good news is that we don’t have to wait long. Google will hold its keynote at GDC on March 19, 10 AM PST. Here’s hoping for an early E3.

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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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This is a no-brainer. As the catalogue of games grows by the thousands every year, the games themselves become redundant after a few years. However, unlike other entertainment medium, games are more emotionally connected to people and these redundant games start feeling relevant again. Hence the demand for these old games is higher than ever. Thanks to the misstep that was the architecture of the PS3, Sony was not able to implement Backward Compatibility in the PS4. But with the next iteration of the PlayStation hinted to be very similar to the PS4, architecture-wise, and hints at backward compatibility being thrown in by Sony executives, this may well be a possibility on the PS5.

Having the entire catalogue of PS4 games playable on the PS5 on day one will be one hell of a feature to overlook. And this may be the make or break feature for many (me included) on deciding whether to stick with Sony or move to Xbox. And the best part, in my opinion, is that it all looks possible and could very well happen. Unless Sony decides to put this behind a paywall and start charging money. Chances for which are equally as good, given the popularity and demand for Backward Compatibility. Let’s just hope for now that this would not happen.

“So the Xbox has a game pass. The PlayStation has PS Now”. This would not be a winning argument as of now. PS now is service that launched much before the Xbox game pass and has not been a resounding success that Sony probably hoped for. Microsoft, on the other hand, took the same idea and made a better, more appealing product with the Xbox game pass. With the option to download the games to the Xbox One, the user did not have to rely on streaming the games real time, unlike with PS Now. Sony has since added this option but limited to PS2 classics and PS4 games, and not PS3 titles, possibly due to the aforementioned architecture of the PS3. That said even with the option to download whatever is available, the value proposition does not match to that of the robust service offered by Microsoft.

The solution to this…… Merge PS Now with PS Plus and have the library of games as part of the PS plus subscription, along with the 2 monthly permanent additions as offered now. To be fair this does seem a bit farfetched as executives may see this as potential money down the drain. But keeping in mind that this was not that much money, to begin with (considering the lacklustre success of PS Now), plus the incredible value this will bring to PS Plus in direct comparison to the Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold, this options makes a whole lot of sense.

Watching Sony stick to the PSVR is both delightful and disturbing at the same time. Considering its track record Sony does not seem to support a device unless it is a big success (Remember PSP Go?). But things have been different with the PSVR. Two years into its release, Sony has been supporting VR, and the strongest line-up of VR games have only emerged in the last few months making a stronger case for VR as a whole in the future. Rumours have hinted that the PS5 will have better PSVR integration and will be made with PSVR in mind. While this is encouraging and all, Sony still needs to consider the people who haven’t bought into VR Yet. The non VR crowd (me included) who prefer traditional games playable with their DualShock controllers.

Sony’s stance on VR is worrying not because there is a small risk of them abandoning VR, but because they may get carried away and shoehorn PSVR to every PS5 console. Much like what Microsoft did with the Xbox and Kinect. This is a big NO. Also with the Nintendo’s Switch being the success that it is, and Sony’s recent announcement that the PS Vita has stopped production, there is also a worry among fans that Sony may attempt (and fail) to recreate the Switch. While chances of this are far less than the shoehorning of the PSVR, it is still a big NO. Sony’s strength has always been in making great home consoles and making great games for those consoles. That’s what makes them money. I’d say Sony needs to stick with it and do it better than anyone. Invest in the research of your consoles. Invest on your Console Game Testing and Game Functionality Testing, and keep churning out excellent quality, bug-free and micro-transaction free first party games throughout the console’s lifecycle. That will give you the Win.

Like point No.1, this too is a no-brainer. The gaming community is the most vibrant and outspoken ever. We gamers are spoilt for choice when it comes to games to play or opinions to share. So Sony needs to listen to the community rather than the boardroom executives and start to adopt customer favouring policies like crossplay. The fortnite debacle gave Microsoft a launch pad to troll Sony and the public perception that Sony managed to maintain for years sure took a dent. So Sony needs to understand the importance of this and be more flexible towards the community. This may sound cliché but it is more vital than one could imagine.

The most important of the lot, and one that I honestly believe Sony will get right. The Price. $399 has been the sweet spot and Sony is more or less sure to stay on that price (The absurdly overpriced Indian SKUs are a topic for another day). That said, the cost of R&D and the unpredictability of the events to transpire from now until the release of the PS5 (Predicting Holiday of 2020) are factors to consider. Sony will have to overcome all of this and execute a competitive price at launch. What Sony also needs to do is avoid having a mid-cycle refresh like the PS4 pro. I intend to purchase any one of the consoles that win me over in the next gen, whether it’s the PS5 or the Xbox Scarlet.

What I do not intend to do is invest a similar amount two years down the line. The PS4 Pro was a tough proposition and pretty much a grudge purchase for anyone wanting the “best experience”. This was thanks to Microsoft’s move out of desperation to gain footing in the form of the launch of the Xbox One X. With Microsoft looking confident than ever before, I feel that a mid-cycle refresh is unnecessary. Yes, Microsoft hinted at next generation of Consoles, and not a Console. And if Sony was to mimic Microsoft, I’d rather prefer both options (base and pro models) at launch and decide for myself on which variant to invest on for the next 5-7 years and not have these variant pop up 2-3 years down the line. But whether that will happen is something that we will have to wait and see.

Ah, the DualShock controller. Every PlayStation gamer, fan or not, will have a love-hate relationship with his/her console, thanks to the DualShock controller. While the DualShock 4 is much better than the DualShock 3 for the PS3, in terms of build quality and the overall feel, it is still nowhere close to the ruggedness and reliability of an Xbox One controller. I own and use both controllers and prefer the Xbox One controller when I play on a PC, while my preferred console as of now is no doubt the PS4. Sony needs to put some thought and make the DualShock 5 more convenient, reliable and appealing.

It needs to avoid redundant features like the touchpad and motion control and focus on what makes sense. Hell, throw in an OLED screen on it, if it can contribute to the gameplay experience in a way that it feels cohesive and part of the experience. I don’t mind. But do not do so just for some gimmicky features to push the consoles early. As a brand, PlayStation does not need it at this point. Just focus on making DualShock better.

So there you have it. Some words of wisdom from a consumer standpoint to his beloved brand. Only time will tell if these will ever be considered or implemented. One thing’s for certain though, next gen is coming and it is more intriguing than ever before. If you have been playing games since the age of 8 bit Mario as a little kid, you know you are living in the best of times. And the most exciting is yet to come.

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The term “Next Generation of Consoles” has been dropped a couple of times this year at E3. Sony and Microsoft have been cooking up their respective consoles while we enjoy the current line up of games. And we are on the verge of the next round of the Console Wars. While Sony’s lead in the current gen race with the PS4 is commendable, more than a few signs point towards this mantle being taken over by Microsoft when it releases its next console codenamed Scarlett. Here are 5 reasons why Microsoft may lead during the next generation of consoles.

No.1 – Phil Spencer

Phil Spencer was made the captain of a sinking ship when he was named the head of all things Xbox, just after the disaster that was the unveiling of the Xbox One. In an age where public perception can decide the fate of a brand, Xbox had all the hate and negativity a company wouldn’t want at the time. And things looked like they were only going to go downhill from there. But Phil Spencer broke convention and reacted to what people were talking about Xbox. The ‘always-on’ internet policy was taken back, the Kinect was unbundled and eventually scrapped and, most of all, he admitted that the approach was a misstep and a bad business decision. All of these just to begin with. And through the course of Xbox One’s lifetime, Phil Spencer has resonated with the Xbox fan base, made numerous correct/good decisions and turned the tides for the brand, making it the beloved underdog it is today, despite the lack of games and other issues it has. A lot of what is to follow in this list are the doing of Phil Spencer and you will understand its importance as you read through. A gamer himself, this man is a magician, and his magic will certainly be cast on Xbox Scarlett.

No.2 – Investment on Games

Of all things Spencer did for the Xbox brand, perhaps the most important and consequently the most impactful factor that would help them next gen is the investment in creating a talented line up of in-house game studios. Taking a page out of Sony’s book, Phil acquired a number of studios under the Microsoft’s belt which will now be working exclusively on games for Xbox’s next console. This group includes renowned studios like Ninja Theory and in the word’s Tameem Antoniades, head of Ninja Theory, these studios have been given “Complete creative freedom” which means we can expect a truly diverse line up of games just like Sony has now.

No.3 – Xbox Game Pass

Xbox is still in a tough spot, thanks to its lack of games. And it tries to overcome this by offering something that no customer can resist. Value. Xbox’s robust subscription service ‘Xbox Game Pass’ serves as an answer to Sony’s ‘PlayStation Now’, and is far better than its competition. With a constantly changing library and access to Microsoft’s in-house games on day one, Xbox game pass offers tremendous value for money. This service has recently been expanded with the introduction of “Xbox All Access” which provides Xbox consoles in a subscription model. If this service transitions over to the next generation with the same decent pricing, Sony has a very tough hurdle ahead of them.

No.4 – Good PR

Sony may have the momentum in sales and games on its platform. But Xbox, as of today, enjoys more goodwill than it ever did since its inception. Once again, thanks to Phil Spencer the brand has been in the news frequently on a positive light. From its vocal support to crossplay, to its focus on tiny things like the release of the Elite Controller for “The 1% of gamers that want more from their Xbox”, to the release of the “Adaptive Controller” and the aforementioned Xbox game pass, Xbox seems to be on a hot streak of fan favouring moves. One of the main factors for Sony’s success this generation was the goodwill it had among the fans during the release of the PS4. And the misstep from Microsoft in the form of Xbox One’s launch only gained more goodwill for Sony. In the current climate though, things have changed. And Xbox is poised to benefit from similar goodwill – if it continues to build it-, thanks to the company’s efforts and our next and most crucial point in this list which is……..

No.5- Sony’s Blind Eye

Ten years ago, when the Xbox 360 ate the PS3 for breakfast, Sony was a company that was struggling to make ends meet as most of its electronics brands were losing the market. And the PS3’s turbulent launch didn’t help matters. Sony then turned their focus on what would save the Playstation Brand and focused on delivering great exclusive games, simultaneously while it gained footing with the OG PS3. The PS3 slim was then released with a price cut and Sony eventually gained momentum to stand head to head with its rival. Through the release of the PS4, Sony had mastered the skill of being a pro-consumer brand and made all the right choices. It’s exclusives still are the best and there is not a hint of a price cut for the PS4 which is a healthy sign of how it is doing. However, with all of this success over the last five years, Sony seems to have forgotten what got them here in the first place. They seem to have been making decisions like restricted crossplay, that is pro-business but not necessarily customer friendly. Add in all the goodwill Microsoft gets through its push for pro-consumer moves and Sony suddenly becomes the “Big Evil Corporation”. Interestingly enough Sony has been quiet for far too long letting the internet do the damage, until recently fixing the cross play debacle. Plus Microsoft seems to indicate that the next Xbox could launch as early as 2019, whereas Sony hints at a 2020 release for their console. Early release has always been a key factor for the success of each console in its generation and Sony appears to not mind Microsoft’s pace in this matter. Microsoft also recently announced X018, a PSX like event, presumably to show off more of its Scarlett Console. And to PlayStation fans’ dismay, Sony has cancelled PSX this year. This could not have come at a worse time for Sony, as fans (me included) were expecting PSX would be the place for amends for the lacklustre E3 showing this year. But that turns out to be far from what is about to transpire. It will be very interesting to see if Sony does some damage control (and manage to succeed in it), to get players on their side. But as it stands now, this approach from Sony is only helping Xbox as a brand.

In the end, it is us the gamers who make the decision. As a console’s lifetime shrinks every generation we would need to decide on what gives us the most for our investments. As I am in the Console Game testing profession, I can’t wait to see how both companies try to win us over in the months to come, for their next console. We may have to wait until E3 2019 for this to fully take shape. Until then all we can say is “Let the War begin”.

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E3 is like Christmas for gamers, instead of getting what you need, you get what you really, really want

In case any of you are wondering, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, commonly known as E3, is a yearly event in the video game industry.

Developers, publishers, and manufacturers from all over the world showcase titles and products to be sold in the upcoming years.

I’ve been a huge fan of E3 from the very first time I watched it live back in 2013. The first E3 event was held way back in 1995. It has been two decades now and the thrill hasn’t gone down. The whole idea of getting to see and hear information about 100’s of games was exhilarating; add to that the new generation of consoles being revealed, I was stupefied, to say the least, anyway, I digress.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2018 (E3 2018) is the 24th Electronic Entertainment Expo, which was held from June 12 to 14 in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Many had amazing games to showcase and some had found more new ways to monetize their games, not going to point fingers *cough* EA *cough*

I am going to focus on Sony for this blog, not because they are my favourite and have always delivered amazing E3 conferences, oh wait, yes actually that’s my only reason.

I mean, technically it is MY blog so, without further adieu let’s just get started.

This year, Sony decided to do something different, they wanted to focus their E3 Keynote mostly dedicated to four upcoming games that we already know about: The Last of Us Part II, Death Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima, and Insomniac’s Spider-Man.

This was something new and hadn’t been seen before in any previous E3, usually you go in with tons of leaks, rumours and ideas about what they might reveal, E3 was always about the ‘wow’ factor, so when Sony announced that they’ll mostly be talking about these 4 games, fans were a bit sceptical.

On one hand, the ‘wow’ factor was sort of brushed off and the anticipation ignored.

On the other hand, fans knew they were in for a treat either way since these 4 are AAA games being developed by the best of the best in the gaming industry, so even if there were no other announcements made, Sony was golden when it came to what they had to offer.

The date and time was set,

June 12th at 6:30 AM IST,

I got up at 6 in the morning just to watch this live.

It felt like the middle of the night since I usually wake up at 9am (My work starts at 10:30, I live 10 minutes from my office, stop judging me damn it!)

The show started exactly at 6:29 am, I had everything set up by then, breakfast (snacks), water (Coke actually) and I worked out a bit (I lied).

It was confusing since it looked a bit cramped for all the attendees inside, I mean how were they going to jump and scream when they show the gameplay for Final Fantasy 7? (I’m just kidding, please do not think they showed anything related to FF7)

Turns out it was a theme, for the game they were about to show.

Lights, camera, cry like a little girl.

Note: I’m gonna keep this brief since I’m gonna write another blog focusing solely on the Big 4 since all of them showed amazing trailers.

THE LAST OF US PART II

Gustavo Santaolalla started off the demo by playing his ‘Last of Us’ theme on a six-string banjo. It was beautiful.

Cut to the trailer we see a grown-up Ellie, chilling out at a friendly gathering of sorts with people dancing, a stark contrast to the dark, gritty undertone we’ve all come to know about the world of ‘The Last of Us’.

We’re introduced to 2 new characters (Gina and Jesse), Gina and Ellie make out (I don’t understand what all the fuss about 2 people kissing if people had played the DLC for The Last of Us (Left Behind), they would know that Ellie was always a lesbian) and then a dramatic cut to her puncturing some dudes throat with a dagger (Classic Naughty Dog’s prowess when it comes to cinematic presentation).

We get to see an amazing revamped stealth sequence with amazing details to, well, almost everything. The gameplay was a treat to the eyes, they kept everything good about the gameplay from the first part and iterated upon the weak ones.

All in all, the gameplay just looks smooth and way more immersive than any game I’ve ever seen.

I just want to take my time and point out the almost life-like animation in this trailer, this just goes to show that Naughty Dog has one of the best talents in the industry who are all amazing at what they do.

This game is going to be a lot. Every PlayStation fan knows Naughty Dog is a beast when it comes to cinematic experience through strong gameplay and genuine storytelling so, THE HYPE IS REAL!

After the Demo, the attendees were moved to the actual conference hall. The whole ordeal took about (10-15 minutes) Probably the only part of the conference I hated.

Can’t blame them for trying to induce the “OMG, I’m in the game” experience.

A great idea on paper – except no one watching at home would actually be able to really appreciate that immersion.

The intermission was made up of a roundtable showcasing a couple of games like Black Ops 4, PSVR montage and Destiny 2.

GHOST OF TSUSHIMA

This demo started with some dude on stage playing the shakuhachi (Thank god for Google), which was fantastic and not something I was expecting to see again after Gustavo’s performance.

Ghost of Tsushima, which is being developed by studio Sucker Punch (They made the Infamous series) started off the demo depicting a character making his way through war-torn feudal Japan, with the sorts of sword fighting and sneaking you would expect.

This game looks gorgeous, I have to say. Slo-mo samurai combat looks amazing in this. Can’t wait to play this.

CONTROL

I have to be honest; I really had no idea that Remedy (Studio behind games like Quantum Break and Alan Wake) had something up their sleeve.

Looks like you play a woman with telekinetic powers but also who is really good at shooting guns. It has some trippy time-control combat and looks wonderfully weird.

RESIDENT EVIL 2

Three years ago, Capcom said it was remaking Resident Evil 2, but we haven’t seen much of it since then. Today, we not only got a trailer but a release date: January 25, 2019, so VERY soon. It’s coming to the Xbox One and PC in addition to the PS4.

TROVER SAVES THE UNIVERSE

Trover Saves the Universe, made by one of the co-creators of the famous Rick and Morty series, is a weird-as-hell platform adventure coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR.

I don’t have much to say about this game except that it’s just. Weird. Funny, but weird.

Kingdom Hearts III

Sigh, this game. It was revealed when I first saw E3 2013. The concepts for the game began as early as 2006!

Don’t get me wrong, this game still looks amazing, but its literally the 3rd trailer showed off by Square Enix in E3 2018 alone and for the third time, we got a glimpse at a new Disney world in the game. First, it was Frozen, then Ratatouille, and tonight, it was Pirates of the Caribbean.

Fans are still excited about it though, I don’t know why.

DEATH STRANDING

The one and only, Hideo Kojima’s first game post-Konami break up.

The latest trailer for Hideo Kojima’s sci-fi/horror/what the heck is this game, Death Stranding shows the actual gameplay for the first time.

This game man, this game is just so many things at once that it’s hard to grasp at the big picture, what it is all about? The more I see from Kojima, the more intrigued and baffled I am by the game.

It’s in my “Day one buy” list, along with the other big 3.

NIOH 2

Team Ninja is back again with a new instalment of their acclaimed game Nioh (whoa, that sounded like a rap bar). If you’ve played and loved Nioh, I’m pretty sure you were balls to walls when they announced this.

SPIDERMAN

What’s the point of these press conferences? To make us want to play a certain video game? If so, mission accomplished.

The demo showed spidey fighting off 5 of his most dangerous enemies (that’s what Yuri says in the game, so I’m just gonna go with it and so should you) in an amazing action sequence with impressive open world set-pieces and amazing, fluid gameplay.

I mean, WHO DOESN’T WANT TO PLAY AS SPIDERMAN?

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