#Greedy cash grab puts you on the naughty list and not the fun kind

[allycat75]

I think that title says it all, Boston Dumb Fuck.

Too bad you fucked over your loyal fans, making them look jealous, crazy and stupid so they, quite appropriately, bounced. But I don't think that would have saved this insincere piece of steaming excrement.

Hubris is a bitch, ain't it?

[smokeybrandreviews]

God Of Destroying Toxic Narratives

God of War is a goddamn masterpiece. It’s one of the greatest games ever made and it’s raking in the much deserves accolades from critics and peers alike. There are massive developers out here giving kudos. Bethesda, CD Projekt Red, Guerilla Studios, Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch, Insomniac, Phil f*cking Spencer (!!), and even BioWare dropped some love. That last one i find mad interesting. I love BioWare. Loved. The BioWare before EA. EA made the call to short change Andromeda in favor of Anthem, their answer to Destiny. EA shirked the the narrative driven experience that BioWare is renowned for, in favor of a cash grab, a game as a service so to speak, because they’re greedy. EA wants to term gaming as a whole, in a revenue slot machine like mobile titles and gacha games. They legitimately believe, and proliferate throughout their studios, that single-player games are dead. That gamers don’t want those type of stories or experiences anymore. God of War murdered those claims.

God of War is a serious contender for Game of the Year and i’m sure it’s already made several of those lists. Seriously, this game is beautiful. It’s graphics, alone, show of the processing power of the PS in extravagant ways. The gameplay has evolved far beyond that of it’s preceding titles but it’s the overall character growth of Kratos that seals it’s genius. No longer is he the rage fueled, revenge driven, madman from those older titles. This is a man that has come to terms with ho he was and moved beyond those trying trappings. He has a son. He had a wife. In this brand new world, he has found a life. This is a story about that. This is a story about Kratos living a true and full life. And that’s the true strength of this game; The story. The narrative of this title is comparable to some of the best films ever released. It’s as heartfelt as The Last of Us, another excellent title by the way, and as epic as Horizon: Zero Dawn, another standout game. To say people don’t want these types of campaigns in favor of mindless shooters or constant loot grinds is absolutely absurd.

Some of the most acclaimed games ever released have been narrative driven, single-player experiences. The myriad of RPGs are testament to that. Xenoblade II, Breath of the Wild, and FFXV immediately come to mind but Persona 5 is a true standout. That game sold gangbusters and it’s the most throwback type of JRPG you can get in the current generation. Yo, i f*cking love that game! I’ve invested roughly 200 hours into my current playthrough and plan to put in another 200. It’s just that good. And gets what? Narrative driven, single-player, experience. Another hitter? Nier: Automata. That game was my God of War before God of War. It’s as close to a perfect title as you can get and it tells a gripping, emotional, tale about existentialism and longing. Movies don’t even get that deep. Automata is as close to playing a Blade Runner game as you can get and might be even more thought provoking. Yet another single-player, narrative driven, experience. These two titles, released last year, have sold millions of copies. Hell, Automata single-handedly saved it’s developer from financial ruin and obscurity. How are you going to tell me there’s no market for these games?

Okay, so those examples are all Japanese titles. They almost always hold narrative over profit, unless you’re Konami. Those motherf*ckers, man. Big Boss Pachinko machines? Really? Diversion aside, there are American grown titles just as good as their Japanese counterparts, almost as good as this brand new God of War. The Last of Us and any of the Uncharted games are shinging examples Naughty Dog has built their brand on these types campaigns. The first Tomb Raider reboot, and it’s sequel to a lesser extent, are great examples but Horizon: Zero Dawn was a true, cinematic, experience. I mentioned it before but Horizon is a goddamn beacon, man. This game is SO good, yo. I loved every minute of it. At the time, it was the most beautiful title released and, on my PS4 Pro, it shined even brighter. Aloy’s story of growth and revelation was an awesome one to partake. i even loved every bit of the combat therein. Horizon was fun, challenging, and rewarding, while telling an emotional story with a compelling, ever growing, protagonist. This game, too, was another single-player, narrative driven, experience that destroyed expectations and wallets. It seems that there’s a pattern developing here, one that the “industry” does not want to acknowledge.

The truth is, the very best titles released this year, the ones that are killing sales while garnering critical and fan acclaim have been these aforementioned single-player, narrative driven, experiences. God of War is just the latest of these ridiculously brilliant games to punch that ludicrous corporate notion of no one wanting these types of titles, right in the f*cking balls but they’re have been hundreds before. Any of the Demon/Dark Souls titles do away with this stupid premise. Bloodborne, which was driven by challenge, skill, and lore, sold crazy well. The Last of Us 2 is slated to blow away all of the records that God of War just set. Any of the titles CD Projekt Red has dropped, or is going to drop, sets the narrative first, everything after. One of my most anticipated games is Cyberpunk 2077 (i have an affinity for Cyberpunk in general) is heavily lore driven, similar to the Bloodborne i mentioned before. It’s a habit carried over from their ridiculously popular Witcher series. Which, again, narrative first, but is literally a sequel to a series of popular books. How could this game not be narrative driven with origins like that? Hell, i’ve been waiting for Detroit: Become Human for years, ever since they released that PS3 demo, Kara. When I saw that android being constructed and her interrogation, all i wanted was to know more about that world. I wanted to know more about her story. I wanted more of her. Now, after six years, i’m getting all of that and more. The thing is, Quantic Dream ONLY makes narrative driven titles. You can’t even really call them games. They’re more interactive films and all of their titles sell well. Fahrenheit, Beyond Two Souls, Heavy Rain; These “games” kill and they’re greatest strength is that narrative.

I can go on and on, essentially destroying this ridiculous notion that the single-player experience is dead or dying. Diablo, the Arkham series, any of the Metorid titles outside of the ones specifically stated to be multi-player games (Hunters was awful and sold like it was), the original Mass Effect trilogy, dem Dragon Age titles, most of the Assassin’s Creed games even if half of them are terrible, anything Zelda; the list is long and comprehensive. Sure, multi-player titles can be fun. Fortnite and Overwatch are super dope but even those pale in comparison to the aforementioned titles. In the case of Overwatch, i’m more than little bummed by that. It’s characters are so vibrant and that world has SO many stories to tell. It’s a shame you don’t get any of it outside of a few shorts and auxiliary materials. At worst, you get the likes of COD or Star Wars: Battlefront II. Battlefront, in particular, is an open wound, i must say. EA f*cked us over on that and, in the process, killed any hopes of a KOTOR III and that bounty hunter game that was developing into a real experience because they want their games to be a service. And therein lies the truth through their bullsh*t; Single-player, narrative driven games, aren’t dead but EA would LOVE to kill them.

EA is a blight on the gaming. They set toxic ass trends that are choking the life out of the industry. Look, there is merit to all types of games. I get that. Shooters aren't my thing but i understand why people love them so much. I’m nit into the whole, multi-player, loot grind but i get that cats like to game together. Sports games are a second love of mine, but i understand if someone doesn’t give two sh*t’s about the newest NBA 2K. If EA had it’s way, everything you do in a game would cost money. You wouldn’t own anything and if you wanted to progress through a title, you gotta do it with micro-transactions. That is literally the progression structure of Battlefront II.The aforementioned 2K games has bought into this model as well as Rockstar. Activision is another culprit guilty of this bullsh*t and it’s a goddamn shame. Great, original titles, are being killed off because cats got dollar signs in their eyes and don’t care about the actual art being created. Scalebound was murdered because Microsoft wanted a multi-player, cash generating, component added to it but Hideki Kamiya, the game’s creator and director, refused. That wasn’t the game he wanted to make so Microsoft pulled it from him. This is a disgusting pattern brought on by the top executives in these companies who only see dollars, and there is potential for a ton of them, and not the art people want to create. However, Sony does. They see the merit of these games and have become kind of a champion for them. That belief is generating generation defining titles and profits that are literally propping up all of Sony, not just the gaming department. it’s another reason i’m a total fanboy for them.

If we can circle back around to EA and their bullsh*t Battlefront experience for a moment, i just wanted to touch upon that single-player campaign they added. The only reason why we even got that is because the fans of the first title demanded it. That right there is the market telling you what they want, not the other way around. EA acquiesced and it turned out pretty legit, even if it’s genesis was nothing more than pandering. Even so, that campaign with Iden Versio told and interesting story that enriched the overall lore of the Star Wars canon. Imagine if time and resources were taken to expand upon that tale while still delivering a playable multi-player component that didn’t try to bankrupt your entire life. Hell, we’re almost a year outside of launch and the goddamn game is still a mess of nickel and dimes. Battlefront II was murdered by the money worshiping suits who have never played a really good game in their lives. Interestingly enough, i mentioned the Assassin’s Creed titles before, They were wandering down that dark path of “Games as a Service” but consumers voted with their wallets and this latest Creed, Origins, is arguably the best since the first three. Yet another example that destroys this nonsense narrative that the single player experience is dying.

There is room in the industry for both. There is true merit in either type of game. There are always going to be people who want to pay-to-win. Hell, i do that all of the time with the 2K titles. There are people who are going to only want cosmetic upgrades. i bought all of the costumes in Persona 5 and Fate Extella, myself. DLC and post-game content can be outstanding and i wouldn’t mind paying extra for it, as long as it isn’t on disc and totally worth the loot. FFXV has done a beautiful job with this. We can have both ways and they can thrive side-by-side. They have in the past and they can, again, in the future. Cats have to just accept that just because you can milk someone for billions of dollars, doesn’t mean that you should. Just because you see a ton of profit in “Games as a Service”, doesn’t mean it’s the only path to success. Instead of trying to tax your patron’s pockets for every dime as a lazy alternative, make dope games. Invest in creativity. Let artists work their art and then you’d be able to cash in like Sony is cashing in with their goddamn masterpiece, God of War.

[smokeybrand]

God Of Destroying Toxic Narratives

God of War is a goddamn masterpiece. It’s one of the greatest games ever made and it’s raking in the much deserves accolades from critics and peers alike. There are massive developers out here giving kudos. Bethesda, CD Projekt Red, Guerilla Studios, Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch, Insomniac, Phil f*cking Spencer (!!), and even BioWare dropped some love. That last one i find mad interesting. I love BioWare. Loved. The BioWare before EA. EA made the call to short change Andromeda in favor of Anthem, their answer to Destiny. EA shirked the the narrative driven experience that BioWare is renowned for, in favor of a cash grab, a game as a service so to speak, because they’re greedy. EA wants to term gaming as a whole, in a revenue slot machine like mobile titles and gacha games. They legitimately believe, and proliferate throughout their studios, that single-player games are dead. That gamers don’t want those type of stories or experiences anymore. God of War murdered those claims.

God of War is a serious contender for Game of the Year and i’m sure it’s already made several of those lists. Seriously, this game is beautiful. It’s graphics, alone, show of the processing power of the PS in extravagant ways. The gameplay has evolved far beyond that of it’s preceding titles but it’s the overall character growth of Kratos that seals it’s genius. No longer is he the rage fueled, revenge driven, madman from those older titles. This is a man that has come to terms with ho he was and moved beyond those trying trappings. He has a son. He had a wife. In this brand new world, he has found a life. This is a story about that. This is a story about Kratos living a true and full life. And that’s the true strength of this game; The story. The narrative of this title is comparable to some of the best films ever released. It’s as heartfelt as The Last of Us, another excellent title by the way, and as epic as Horizon: Zero Dawn, another standout game. To say people don’t want these types of campaigns in favor of mindless shooters or constant loot grinds is absolutely absurd.

Some of the most acclaimed games ever released have been narrative driven, single-player experiences. The myriad of RPGs are testament to that. Xenoblade II, Breath of the Wild, and FFXV immediately come to mind but Persona 5 is a true standout. That game sold gangbusters and it’s the most throwback type of JRPG you can get in the current generation. Yo, i f*cking love that game! I’ve invested roughly 200 hours into my current playthrough and plan to put in another 200. It’s just that good. And gets what? Narrative driven, single-player, experience. Another hitter? Nier: Automata. That game was my God of War before God of War. It’s as close to a perfect title as you can get and it tells a gripping, emotional, tale about existentialism and longing. Movies don’t even get that deep. Automata is as close to playing a Blade Runner game as you can get and might be even more thought provoking. Yet another single-player, narrative driven, experience. These two titles, released last year, have sold millions of copies. Hell, Automata single-handedly saved it’s developer from financial ruin and obscurity. How are you going to tell me there’s no market for these games?

Okay, so those examples are all Japanese titles. They almost always hold narrative over profit, unless you’re Konami. Those motherf*ckers, man. Big Boss Pachinko machines? Really? Diversion aside, there are American grown titles just as good as their Japanese counterparts, almost as good as this brand new God of War. The Last of Us and any of the Uncharted games are shinging examples Naughty Dog has built their brand on these types campaigns. The first Tomb Raider reboot, and it’s sequel to a lesser extent, are great examples but Horizon: Zero Dawn was a true, cinematic, experience. I mentioned it before but Horizon is a goddamn beacon, man. This game is SO good, yo. I loved every minute of it. At the time, it was the most beautiful title released and, on my PS4 Pro, it shined even brighter. Aloy’s story of growth and revelation was an awesome one to partake. i even loved every bit of the combat therein. Horizon was fun, challenging, and rewarding, while telling an emotional story with a compelling, ever growing, protagonist. This game, too, was another single-player, narrative driven, experience that destroyed expectations and wallets. It seems that there’s a pattern developing here, one that the “industry” does not want to acknowledge.

The truth is, the very best titles released this year, the ones that are killing sales while garnering critical and fan acclaim have been these aforementioned single-player, narrative driven, experiences. God of War is just the latest of these ridiculously brilliant games to punch that ludicrous corporate notion of no one wanting these types of titles, right in the f*cking balls but they’re have been hundreds before. Any of the Demon/Dark Souls titles do away with this stupid premise. Bloodborne, which was driven by challenge, skill, and lore, sold crazy well. The Last of Us 2 is slated to blow away all of the records that God of War just set. Any of the titles CD Projekt Red has dropped, or is going to drop, sets the narrative first, everything after. One of my most anticipated games is Cyberpunk 2077 (i have an affinity for Cyberpunk in general) is heavily lore driven, similar to the Bloodborne i mentioned before. It’s a habit carried over from their ridiculously popular Witcher series. Which, again, narrative first, but is literally a sequel to a series of popular books. How could this game not be narrative driven with origins like that? Hell, i’ve been waiting for Detroit: Become Human for years, ever since they released that PS3 demo, Kara. When I saw that android being constructed and her interrogation, all i wanted was to know more about that world. I wanted to know more about her story. I wanted more of her. Now, after six years, i’m getting all of that and more. The thing is, Quantic Dream ONLY makes narrative driven titles. You can’t even really call them games. They’re more interactive films and all of their titles sell well. Fahrenheit, Beyond Two Souls, Heavy Rain; These “games” kill and they’re greatest strength is that narrative.

I can go on and on, essentially destroying this ridiculous notion that the single-player experience is dead or dying. Diablo, the Arkham series, any of the Metorid titles outside of the ones specifically stated to be multi-player games (Hunters was awful and sold like it was), the original Mass Effect trilogy, dem Dragon Age titles, most of the Assassin’s Creed games even if half of them are terrible, anything Zelda; the list is long and comprehensive. Sure, multi-player titles can be fun. Fortnite and Overwatch are super dope but even those pale in comparison to the aforementioned titles. In the case of Overwatch, i’m more than little bummed by that. It’s characters are so vibrant and that world has SO many stories to tell. It’s a shame you don’t get any of it outside of a few shorts and auxiliary materials. At worst, you get the likes of COD or Star Wars: Battlefront II. Battlefront, in particular, is an open wound, i must say. EA f*cked us over on that and, in the process, killed any hopes of a KOTOR III and that bounty hunter game that was developing into a real experience because they want their games to be a service. And therein lies the truth through their bullsh*t; Single-player, narrative driven games, aren’t dead but EA would LOVE to kill them.

EA is a blight on the gaming. They set toxic ass trends that are choking the life out of the industry. Look, there is merit to all types of games. I get that. Shooters aren't my thing but i understand why people love them so much. I’m nit into the whole, multi-player, loot grind but i get that cats like to game together. Sports games are a second love of mine, but i understand if someone doesn’t give two sh*t’s about the newest NBA 2K. If EA had it’s way, everything you do in a game would cost money. You wouldn’t own anything and if you wanted to progress through a title, you gotta do it with micro-transactions. That is literally the progression structure of Battlefront II.The aforementioned 2K games has bought into this model as well as Rockstar. Activision is another culprit guilty of this bullsh*t and it’s a goddamn shame. Great, original titles, are being killed off because cats got dollar signs in their eyes and don’t care about the actual art being created. Scalebound was murdered because Microsoft wanted a multi-player, cash generating, component added to it but Hideki Kamiya, the game’s creator and director, refused. That wasn’t the game he wanted to make so Microsoft pulled it from him. This is a disgusting pattern brought on by the top executives in these companies who only see dollars, and there is potential for a ton of them, and not the art people want to create. However, Sony does. They see the merit of these games and have become kind of a champion for them. That belief is generating generation defining titles and profits that are literally propping up all of Sony, not just the gaming department. it’s another reason i’m a total fanboy for them.

If we can circle back around to EA and their bullsh*t Battlefront experience for a moment, i just wanted to touch upon that single-player campaign they added. The only reason why we even got that is because the fans of the first title demanded it. That right there is the market telling you what they want, not the other way around. EA acquiesced and it turned out pretty legit, even if it’s genesis was nothing more than pandering. Even so, that campaign with Iden Versio told and interesting story that enriched the overall lore of the Star Wars canon. Imagine if time and resources were taken to expand upon that tale while still delivering a playable multi-player component that didn’t try to bankrupt your entire life. Hell, we’re almost a year outside of launch and the goddamn game is still a mess of nickel and dimes. Battlefront II was murdered by the money worshiping suits who have never played a really good game in their lives. Interestingly enough, i mentioned the Assassin’s Creed titles before, They were wandering down that dark path of “Games as a Service” but consumers voted with their wallets and this latest Creed, Origins, is arguably the best since the first three. Yet another example that destroys this nonsense narrative that the single player experience is dying.

There is room in the industry for both. There is true merit in either type of game. There are always going to be people who want to pay-to-win. Hell, i do that all of the time with the 2K titles. There are people who are going to only want cosmetic upgrades. i bought all of the costumes in Persona 5 and Fate Extella, myself. DLC and post-game content can be outstanding and i wouldn’t mind paying extra for it, as long as it isn’t on disc and totally worth the loot. FFXV has done a beautiful job with this. We can have both ways and they can thrive side-by-side. They have in the past and they can, again, in the future. Cats have to just accept that just because you can milk someone for billions of dollars, doesn’t mean that you should. Just because you see a ton of profit in “Games as a Service”, doesn’t mean it’s the only path to success. Instead of trying to tax your patron’s pockets for every dime as a lazy alternative, make dope games. Invest in creativity. Let artists work their art and then you’d be able to cash in like Sony is cashing in with their goddamn masterpiece, God of War.