The Front Row

Jim Carrey

Ever since I watched Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective in the 90’s. I have been a fan. Being a big fan of The Mask. I really hope we see him return as Stanley Hipkiss. That would be the ultimate return, in terms of a role that I don’t think is possible with anybody else. The fact that we’re seeing the return of Austin Powers possibly as well in other news. There seems to be a hunger to see some of the old favourite franchises again further around the movie industry.

Obviously for Jim to come back to either The Mask or The Grinch, I think the stars are going to need to align in terms of the script for him. I mean, it has to be fun and worthwhile, right? The Mask deserves a comeback I think even more so than The Grinch just because of how that franchise went a little awol with a bunch of sequels that didn’t work out. Seeing Jim Carrey step into either one of his iconic roles again would be great to see though, and with the increased chatter going around right now. It could possibly be more likely than ever if things align right.

I talked about how Nintendo now has the hardware to really bring anything it likes to Nintendo fans and I think this sort of announcement really showcases that intent. In an industry that is playing things safe and sticking to titles that sell. I think Nintendo is one of the rare ones where if they tried something new you have the platform where it’s going to sell. At the same time, their iconic IP sells, and we’re seeing a trend around the industry where the key IP’s are going to be ever used.

Sony and XBOX are facing some uncertain times in the industry for their own reasons. However, that hasn’t stopped Nintendo making waves with the games it has coming – some of my favourite franchises like Fire Emblem and Xenoblade to name a few. Nintendo is a really safe bet right now if you’re a gamer and enjoy their platform, and especially if you enjoy the handheld experience as much of the Japanese audience do. This is something that was always going to be the case though.

Sony is going big on handheld and even with the push back of their hardware plans. Their handheld remains a big focus just because of how healthy Nintendo is right now – and they see that. However, one could say they’re healthier because of how their software is made. It’s not going to the level of production as a Sony title and many assets are often reused. It’s a nice spot to be in when the industry is currently having a bit of a bad time because of some of the decisions that have been made. Nintendo are holding firm and it’s really working out for them right now.

Nintendo is also the place if you’ve been away from the platform for a while. I only see their growth continuing as they dip further into their back-catalogue of games.

Say what you want about XBOX being all over the place over the last few years, but I really feel, that this shock and awe is what is needed to actually bring competition back again directly between Sony and XBOX. After the PS3 generation, Sony was pushed to be better in the PS4 generation and had incredible success. Its success was also based on its incredible leadership team and the ability to read what their fans wanted.

XBOX lost its way in the XBOX One era, and with that, the industry started to lose competition and ultimately, we’re seeing a brand now trying to recover and regain the trust of its fans from an absolute behemoth brand in PlayStation. Will that sell XBOX more consoles, maybe. Will it get Sony fans to switch to PlayStation? I think that moment has passed unless the big calls are made around their juggernaut IPs. Asha is showing the desired leadership required to at least make XBOX competitive though, and maybe, just being in the conversation with the fans is all they need to be until they can regain a stronger footing.

XBOX has the fire-power within its XBOX Game Studios to deliver on that ambition. If they so wish to use it.

They’ve gone ahead and brought new leadership to XBOX and made relatively small changes that have had somewhat of an impact in such a relatively small amount of time. However, it’s clear that we do not know what the future of exclusivity will look like and we probably will not know clearly until more games start dropping before that picture starts to become clearer.

Fundamentally, this change in policy at XBOX has been done because the previous ways of leadership weren’t working and getting rid of the previous messaging was a clear indication of their mistake. This has to be the start of a comeback. Because seemingly it is on trial right now to ‘see how it goes’ and ultimately, how gamers respond to this new way of doing things is going to be paramount.

What we saw at the XBOX Showcase was that some sort of exclusivity has to be there, and that maybe it was a mistake to get rid of it completely. However, at the same time, we’re seeing XBOX double down on XBOX Game Pass, it has more support than ever before, and their team up with third-parties is something I expect to continue to happen. This will continue to make the platform appealing to those who do love the service and the value it offers.

What needs to happen now is that XBOX sticks to this strategy going into the next generation. Because XBOX needs that kind of stability going into the next generation where there are possibilities to draw even more people into what is happening here that’s been rather positive of late. It’s going to be interesting how far Asha can seemingly save a sinking ship by resetting the platform all together to fit the needs of the modern XBOX audience.

This tells me that we’re going to see a variation of consoles at different prices at launch and potentially a return of the games we love. The Nintendo Switch 2, even with its recent price rise. It’s got a lot going for it. I mean, we haven’t seen what Nintendo has in store well and truly yet either.

If it wasn’t for the Starfox leaks earlier, which Nintendo were extremely annoyed by. There would be a lot more hype around that. As this generation winds down. Nintendo Switch 2 is launching in its own generation of sorts. I also believe that with third-party software doing reasonably well on it, and the new Call of Duty being there as well. I could certainly see Nintendo wanting to keep that support around in the future as the generation goes on. The one way they do that is with new hardware that might be the revised OLED version.

Games are going to be a really big indicator of the success going forward with these platforms. I said it a while back, there is going to be a focus on the games having to be there. That’s the bread and butter of any platform, and fans want to see their favourite franchises return.

Especially, when they’ve been on the sideline for a while. Games are going to be even more important going forward to sell us the platforms that we’re invested in. That means that the competition between each platform has never been more important. I truly predict a riot going forward.

Content is going to be king, and there is going to be a lot of current console owners absolutely annoyed with current platform policies that they may even consider PC and Play Anywhere.

So what is Nintendo Switch 2 doing right? Low cost online, exclusives remain incredibly strong. Stronger third-party support for this generation. The optics look good for them don’t they right now? They’re the only platform from Japan (originally) that you feel you’re getting a pretty good deal. With PlayStation’s new handheld also on the way. They’re not going to want to stand still. I think it’s going to get incredibly competitive again between these two platforms because of Sony’s attempt to get into Nintendo’s space.

Then you have XBOX. If they play their cards right. They could potentially see a return to form. A lot of things are going to need to come together for that to happen though. Free online, and a platform more inline with PC. I feel they’re taking great strides towards that.

However, at the same time, the way they take the competition to Sony is by creating games that were there in the heyday of how the Xbox 360 was when it was successful. You look at it, the value of the console, Xbox Live at the same time, and returning franchises from that era, that can excite and sway a return of fans. You do that, and you build on that through how the platform is modernised with the services it has to this day, like your Game Pass, like your Play Anywhere, and bring back exclusives, not because you want to gate anyone off but because at one point it was XBOX that wanted to bring their games to everyone.

But as we’ve seen. Narratives change not only through leadership changes, but through the need to because of the actions of other platforms because they’re making it truly difficult to bring games day and date to all concerned. Ultimately, I couldn’t be more excited about what is to come. The start of the next generation is going to have to go incredibly well for those that are zoned out on this generation, for them to even consider investing in a next generation console. Because of the economics of everything concerned and the way the gaming industry is right now.

In a sense, the pendulum can swing back into any platform’s favour if you give the fans what they want. Of course, I am not saying Sony aren’t doing that but they’re a westernised version of the PlayStation I knew prior to 2020. Their exclusive uptake by the Sony fanbase is in free fall with sales down.

Is this a sign of burnout or the same sort of games? That’s anyone’s guess. If we look at the competition. Sure you’re seeing franchises like Fable return. You’re seeing Gears of War going back to its roots. However, there are always surprises along the way and a risk to do something new and fresh.

That was the Sony of yesteryear. In fact, one of my favourite games was a game that Sony seemingly dismissed from having a sequel made in Days Gone (a new IP). I thought Sony Bend deserved a lot more respect than they got with that one. Obviously, different tastes and all that, but when you consider that I have played through every Sony console since the beginning and the majority of their best exclusives and franchises that really resonated with the Sony fan base in the PS3 and PS4 era.

I am not lying to you when I say that what Sony are currently doing just doesn’t resonate with me in any way. I am just being honest about the situation there that’s spanned across this whole generation in fact.

I am never going to defend any given brand. What I will do is praise the ones that are starting to turn a corner and call the ones out when I think what they’re doing is not in line with what we’re used to. Like Sony’s complete disdain for their competition with 48 hour pointless exclusivity windows that only hurt other fans’ ability to play a game.

If you don’t know what I am talking about. It’s Remedy’s Control: Resonant. Sure, it’s 48 hours. I can wait, I am not that bothered about it, but it’s the principle of the practice, and it’s a show of absolute desperation by Sony. Keeping games off other competing platforms isn’t the win that you associate with the platform that they think it is.

It’s actually the exact opposite, and I understand why Sony does it. I really do, but when XBOX are basically supporting Sony’s platform with their games, and then, they go and do that. It just makes you think doesn’t it?

I mean, Phil Spencer’s wish was for everyone to be friendly and get on and share the games and all that lot. But now, I think things are going to get really interesting at XBOX, and if they had any sense at all, they would take the competition to Sony. I do not think anybody, not even Sony fans would complain. Especially the ones that have been there since the beginning, and see them as a shadow of their former glory. The gaming industry sorely needs a kick up the arse, and XBOX might be the ones to start it. If there’s anything to champion. It’s that.

Hopefully, XBOX’s 25th Anniversary is one truly ‘for the players’.

(Infamous) has been passed onto another studio, Insomniac will likely be employed to continue sequels to Wolverine. I am not saying that I didn’t like Wolverine’s showing. It looks great, but when you look at the current flock of games coming out from PlayStation Studios in general.

It’s gotten to a point where we know exactly what to expect and what we’re going to get and the hype isn’t justified anymore is it? There is no variation in genre defining game-play, it’s just a hold your hand cinematic. There is no surprise factor in any of it to be honest.

I think there has been a steady decline in PlayStation this generation and this State of Play epitomizes the direction. I think they’re tone-deaf and they’re playing it extremely safe this generation. There are aspects of what they’re doing which have promise, but unlike XBOX or Nintendo.

They’ve lost a certain level of being able to read the room on what their fans expect within the new leadership.

A lot of PlayStation fans are hoping they can get that swagger back but when you see Marathon constantly being something that Sony is pushing instead of looking at what the fans expectations are. I think personally, we’re going to have a really interesting time in gaming over the next few years. I see Nintendo Switch 2 getting stronger and with their hardware catching up to a level where third-party games are playable. It’s offering an opportunity to explore other options for fans that are as fed up with Sony as everyone else is.

I think Project Helix is going to be another generational defining console based on taking on that feedback and reading the room of its fans. That’s why this XBOX Showcase is going to be really interesting, and it’s also why, my enthusiasm for Nintendo later in the year for what they have coming has never been higher. There is no doubt what PlayStation does they do well and they’re having a lot of success with it. However, we’ve seen and played it all before and that’s becoming a problem this generation at least.

When you purchase a studio like they did in Bungie. They did so on the basis that they would be supporting them and their other live service offerings. There are now rumours that live service will again be on the agenda at their State of Play in some way. Destiny 3 is something that I believe would be a successful live service game for Sony based on its popularity. Especially if Sony took a more hands on approach around the practices of how they sell the game and all the additional content and the storytelling.

Now a lot of you will say that Destiny 2 wasn’t getting enough support from the fans in terms of the concurrent players on the game. I think any platform that wants to lead on live service would know that a sequel would likely bring most of the players back. If Destiny 2 was something that was finished, it wasn’t based on not having the popularity of the franchise being there, but more so, it was based on the time to move on to the next chapter in the Destiny franchise. If Sony didn’t know that. That truly is on them, and it makes it more clear just how mishandled this generation has been by them.

Destiny fans deserve better.