By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Shaunodon on 10 April 2021
Edit Thread
Dallinor said:
Shaunodon said:

Animal Crossing: New Horizons will have outsold every other AC game within the year, yet I don't believe it's considered the clear-cut best game in the series.

That software drought, particularly of Sony published exclusives is helping contribute to those high concentration of sales in fewer games. PS3 had two original GoW games plus two remastered collections while PS4 has managed half. That plus the change of direction and gameplay for GoW on PS4 helped it appeal more to the mainstream, being more of a 'blockbuster' title.

Again though, as you've said there were less exclusives being put out compared to PS3, but with more systems being sold and more owners they would naturally be more highly concentrated; Uncharted 4 never had to compete with two other original games in the series potentially cannibalising sales. And without as much variety or choice for owners in general, they would naturally have to flock to the games that are most recommended.

But that lack of choice and variety for personal preferences is why so many people are becoming vocal about the direction of PS lately. Especially when many of their blockbuster titles feel derivative.

Ok.

Despite their being less games, Sony as a publisher has now sold more games than ever before. They account for a higher percentage of total software sold on their own platform, despite the system selling more in a total software to hardware ratio.

This is regardless of total hardware, total software and number of releases.

Every single metric points to one very simple undisputable thing: They are selling more games.

It cannot be any clearer.

I'm not denying that they're selling more games overall, but you can't just draw a direct correlation to that as meaning the titles are all somehow better (or of 'higher standard') than ever. I don't hear from many Uncharted fans that 4 is their favourite entry; Last of Us 2 is so controversial it's practically the Voldemort of gaming discussion; Horizon was a new IP and probably would've had great success on whatever system it debuted; Spider-Man was the surprisingly very fun darling of 2018, but I don't think it's considered an all-time classic; Detroit is another David Cage game; Bloodborne is another Souls game and there's so few titles overall I already can't think of another good example. God of War is maybe the one that people would argue truly broke new ground for the series, but many would also argue it's not a true God of War game either.

The more formulaic output of these games along with the higher budgets certainly contributes to that sales growth but it's only one aspect.

Their lean towards favouring these blockbuster titles, simply because for now it's helping drive their overall sales, doesn't always equate to higher quality experiences or satisfaction for the consumers. Especially when other potential projects and IPs are having to be sacrificed for it. And was the main subject of this thread not about the general fatigue people are beginning to feel over that?

Last edited by Shaunodon - on 10 April 2021