Gotta say the graphics looks damn amazing in that trailer, some Pixar quality CG there. Looks like blast to play, can't wait.

No kidding.

So despise all the claims of Sony not being able to meet their forecast, that PS5 wouldn't sell as well as PS4, that the stronger and the cheaper Series S would make PS5 suffer and of course the issues in manufacturing (not to forget the scalpers are the real reason for the sales, without then millions of PS5 would be available to purchase even if it have been 6 months since launch) they can still outsell PS4 even if barely.

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-says-it-will-agressively-invest-in-first-party-studios-and-partnerships-this-year/

Speaking to investors in a conference call on Wednesday, transcribed by VGC, Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki provided more details on the company’s plans for game software investment, telling listeners it intended to enhance its software offering via both internal and external investment.

Sony recently announced partnerships with the new studio from former Stadia games boss Jade Raymond, as well as investment in a multiplayer game from Bungie veterans, and Totoki suggested there could be further deals in the pipeline.

“We intend to increase development personnel and other in-house costs by approximately 20bn yen [$183m] year-on-year, as we further strengthen our in-house software,” the exec said in the conference call.

"To enhance our software offering, we intend to continue investing in partnering with external studios, in addition to aggressively investing in our in-house studios.”

Doubling down on first party is great I wonder what other partnership they're working on.. Maybe Epic/Remedy? SE will definitely be on the table.

Since no detail was given over their brief comment on the competitor to GP it probably will take like 3 months for something to be detailed.

The PS Plus lineup is not too bad at all. Especially when Returnal comes out in 2 days and they have a big marketing push for RE in May. Plus Mass Effect LE, Bio mutant and Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne for jrpg fans as well. It's going to be a busy month regardless.

I think the statement has to do with SIE looking to expand and bolster their first party studios this year. As well as making investments with close partners like Bluepoint games for more exclusives. And third parties ofc. Though, yeah its a high probability they are actively looking or working on game pass like service.

About this months games Plus games, BFV is very nice.

Not a good selection per my tastes, but well I have saved them if I decide to give a try. If I were to look back I have like tried less than 1/3 of the games PS+ gave me and possibly even if I never bought a game I would still have had enough to play most of the gen with 2 games a month average.

Well doesn't make sense to say they response to GP is to strengthen their studios and partnership, as that is what they were already doing before GP anyway. And well they also didn't specify the reason, so I would say that whatever they have in mind to compete against GP isn't this. I'm on the side that think they are planning to revamp PSNow to allow more platforms to stream content (and download native on PS4 and PS5) perhaps reducing the curfew for 1st party games to show on it. Also sure they would need to expand the places where PSNow is available and subs to combine with PS+ and increase that subs revenue that people will pay more and not notice it wasn't really to their benefit.