Game Industry Threads
Join the Game Rant community to discuss the industry¡¯s latest trends and gossip.
It's Been A Few Weeks Now, So How Do You Rate the PS5 Pro?
I haven't gotten my hands on the latest Sony console and I likely won't - although I am eyeing off a Portal in the not-too-distant future. But, as someone with a PS5, a lot of the feedback I've been hearing is that it's not so noticeable an upgrade to justify reaching back into my pockets, but PS4/PS4 Pro owners have enjoyed the step-up. What's your assessment of the new Sony gaming system?
Is the Social Media Ban in Australia a Good Move? Would You Want It In Your Country?
As an Australian living abroad, I'm almost embarrassed to say that I had no idea this was even in the works, but I was certainly surprised by the move. As a parent to a toddler, I don't have any experience of what it's like to parent a child who uses social media, but I don't think it should be up to the government to determine my child's usage.? I can certainly see the argument that it will protect our children from online threats, but, if anything, 16 is quite a high threshold. I think it's more justified for kids under 12-13, but you're impeding on their social lives if you're banning teenagers.
Who Deserves the Debut Indie of the Year?
I haven't played every game on the indie debut list, but I'm rooting for?Balatro?to win. I've been hooked to the game ever since I bought it on Switch and would love to see it get a win.
What's Your Favorite Xbox Console?
Xbox isn't as popular as PlayStation in my country so I never had one before my Series X. However, I followed every step of this console after it was announced, and I was so impressed by it that I knew I needed to get my hands on one. I've never had the pleasure to own any other Xbox consoles but I am very fond of my Xbox Series X.
What's the Most Underrated Console Of All Time?
I'm a big fan of the Wii U and will defend it every chance I get. There are various aspects that made me fall in love with the Wii U: HD games looked beautiful on TV, the Wii U Pad was a great innovation and I quite enjoyed it, it had awesome games and remakes, it allowed you to play Wii games, and lastly, it had an awesome selection of retro games on its virtual console.
What GOTY Nomination Made You the Happiest?
I've been playing a lot of?Balatro?lately, and it's so fun and unique. I'm very happy to see that the game is getting the recognition it deserves and being nominated for the most exciting category of The Game Awards.
Do You Think the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is Worth the Price?
The standard NSO subscription is definitely worth it, especially if you buy a one-year membership. For a single account, I think the NSO Expansion Pack is a bit pricey; if you don't play or already own the?Splatoon,?Mario Kart, and?Animal Crossing?expansion packs, you won't really want to pay extra for them. However, if you split it with a group of eight people, each person will pay $10 per year, which is an amazing deal for everything it includes.
Were the Right Games Nominated for Game of the Year?
We're less than a month away from finding out who will be crowned the Game of the Year for 2024, and the nominees have now been announced. Did they get it right? Let us know what you would change if you could!
Is Game Pass Ultimate Worth Its Current Monthly Price?
Game Pass Ultimate currently costs $19.99/month. I think Game Pass Ultimate is one of the best subscriptions out there because it has a great console and PC game collection and includes awesome perks, such as cloud gaming. Unfortunately, unless you exclusively play games on an Xbox console or platform, I think it's a bit too high, which is why sadly I stopped renewing my subscription. With the new price tag, I'd rather buy a game if I really want to play it.
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Should DLCs Be Eligible for Game of the Year?
There have been so many strong DLCs in recent years that have boosted the overall experience of big-name releases like?The Witcher 3,?Cyberpunk 2077, and?Elden Ring, but I don't think it's really fair to include them for consideration for Game of the Year. In my view, the GotY should be a new IP for that year. In saying that, I see absolutely nothing wrong with The Game Awards including best DLC as a category. They deserve their time in the spotlight, just not for the top prize.
What Color Are Your Original Switch Joy-Cons?
My console is a day-one Nintendo Switch, and I have the original red and blue Joy-Cons.
What Version of the Nintendo Switch Do You Own?
I have a day-one Switch. It's handled thousands of hours of gaming and it still works fine. Its fan works overtime sometimes and it's much slower now that it has hundreds of screenshots and games installed on it, but I can't say I'm not happy with it.
I'll Be At Gamescom: Ask Me Anything!
We'll be heading to Gamescom 2024 in Cologne, Germany! If there's something you've always wondered about the event, or if you have a specific question about this year's convention, post it below, and we'll put together a reply next week!
If You Could Work In The Video Game Industry, What Job Would You Want?
When looking at what goes into a video game, there are a lot of moving parts. There is a huge variety of jobs within the industry than I really realized until I started looking into it, meaning there could very well be a job that works for you. If I were in the video game industry in a more active capacity, I would want to be a writer for games. I think that it would be so much fun to be the one who writes the script and thinks about the small details.
What's Your Fondest Memory Of Game Informer?
Since August of 1991, gamers have looked forward to receiving their next monthly issue of Game Informer. After hearing the sad news that the magazine will cease its publication, now is a time for us to reflect on those memorable articles, insightful reviews, and news we got from each issue. I myself didn't get a chance to sample a lot of Game Informer issues, but the few I did were a refreshing change of pace from the standard online news and features I would read. There's something about physical copies, whether in magazines, books, or games, that have a certain magic to them, so it's a true loss for the industry that Game Informer is closing its doors.
What Are Your Predictions For Gamescom 2024?
The biggest gaming convention in the world is almost upon us, which means we're about to be treated to a host of world premieres and major announcements throughout the gaming industry. It would be great to get a closer look at big name releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or even some that have been on everyone's radar for a long time, like Hollow Knight: Silksong
What's Your Dream Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Game?
There's only one real answer to this question (Super Mario Odyssey 2), but seriously, what would be the dream launch game that would make you stay up hours into the night playing religiously? There are rumors that a new 3D Donkey game is coming eventually; we're due for a new Mario Kart; and there's even the possibility of Metroid Prime 4 launching across both platforms.
What's Your Favorite PlayStation Vita Game?
Many gamers would say the PlayStation Vita, Sony's second run with a major handheld console, was ahead of its time: a nice piece of tech with a fantastic touch-enabled screen and graphical power over any portable console Nintendo has put out. Although the Vita didn't get much support from PlayStation Studios, there are still a lot of fond memories people had with this system. Personally, Hotline Miami and Guacamelee are some of my favorite experiences, as well as the Uncharted prequel, Golden Abyss.
What's Your Favorite Nintendo DS Game?
Some of the best-selling Nintendo DS games were titles like Nintendogs, New Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart DS, and Brain Age, to name a few. But there are so many other games from the DS era that stand out as highlights. Personally, I adored the remakes of the Johto region in Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver. Exploring that world again with improved visuals was superb; I even used the Pokewalker peripheral frequently in High School, hiding it in my backpack in class.
Are Game Developers Rushing Releases?
More and more games seem to have launch issues, and it's happening so much more frequently than it used to, especially in live service games. Some titles are not stable enough for a continuous hour of gameplay, and some live service servers cannot handle the weight of people trying to get into them on day one. Some common reasons for this could be time constraints to release in a specific month, or financial issues, such as failing to meet budget requirements, but it nonetheless is not a great first impression for gamers who had been eagerly awaiting release day.
If Backwards Compatability is Added to PS5, Which PS3 Game Are You Playing First?
With rumors circulating that PS3 backwards compatibility may be added to PS5s, many gamers are already planning which old-school title they will fire up first on the next-gen console. I might take a trip down memory lane with the original Infamous game.
Do You Like The Nintendo Switch Logo?
There are a lot of iconic video game logos that let players know what system or game series they're looking at just by a glance. The Nintendo Switch has one of the most recognizable of any system.
What's on Your Wishlist for the Bandai Namco July Showcase?
The July 5 showcase is set to focus on anime-related titles, so we will likely get a deeper look into Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. With that said, Bandai Namco have worked with anime titles such as One Punch Man, and there are rumors of a potential new installment in the Tales of Arise series.
Which Showcase Was Your Favorite?
Many fans regard the recent Xbox Showcase as the best the brand has done for a long time, but is it enough to top the Nintendo Direct? As good as it was, the mix of new titles, surprises, and some old favorites getting a remaster made Nintendo's presentation well-rounded and one that catered to its audience most effectively.
Which Nintendo Direct Announcement Are You Most Excited About?
We got the first Mario & Luigi game in nine years, a Marvel vs Capcom bundle, and Metroid 4 coming out next year, just to name a few from the list of stellar announcements. I'm excited to see Super Mario Party Jamboree!
Does A Delay in Release Date Change Your Opinion of a Game?
It can be frustrating when a game you've been looking forward to is pushed back, to the point where it can outright put people off. I find that players are more likely to forgive if the developers have a reputation for good games, but lesser-known game creators struggle a little more when they don't already have a rapport with the gaming community.
You're Going To a Cosplay Event, Who Are You Dressing Up As?
With the biggest gaming convention in the world, Gamescom, approaching, many cosplayers will be busy preparing to flaunt their creations at the event. If you are going (or were to go), what iconic character are you dressing up as?
What's the One New Feature You Want the Switch 2 to Have?
Nintendo has been quiet about details surrounding the company's Switch successor, but that won't stop fans from speculating about its potential enhancements. 4K graphics would be a godsend for many folks, but what about other features like backward compatibility, a system-wide achievement system, themes, etc.?
What's The Best Handheld Console You've Ever Played?
The Nintendo Switch might be one of the best handheld gaming systems we've seen, but there is no denying the value and importance of the Game Boy models that introduced many of us to portable gaming and allowed us to live out our Pokemon Master dreams.
