^ Bout time you got an avatar.

@gtotheunit91 now I'm waiting for you.

No avatar users trigger me.

I came in expecting GT7 to win in most areas, Forza 7 is 4+ years old now afterall, but I was surprised to see that Forza 7 looks better in many areas like wet track/rain graphics and reflections, track textures, car model detail, and more, GT7 really only seems to win on crowd models, grass, and lighting/shadows in certain instances.

If Forza Motorsport 7 is able to trade blows with GT7 despite being 4+ years outdated, imagine how much better Forza Motorsport reboot is going to look? All new engine, all new car and track models built to take advantage of Xbox Series and PC (no reused assets from Motorsport 7). GT7 reusing some car models and tracks from GT Sport already puts it at a big disadvantage in terms of graphics against Forza Motorsport reboot. Forza Motorsport will have native raytracing (supposedly with an option for raytracing during races, unlike GT7 and Forza Horizon 5 which are both limited to raytracing on replays). The in-engine teaser they released suggested we will see a big leap in tree quality with fully rendered, high quality 3D trees presumably, none of the 2D trees that turned to face the camera as you drove like some past Forza Motorsport games used. I have very high hopes for Forza Motorsport reboot when it comes time for a proper gameplay unveiling at E3 this year:

The one possible disadvantage I see for Forza Motorsport reboot vs GT7 is the amount of content, because GT7 reused GT Sport car models and tracks and then added onto them, they managed to achieve a list of 424 cars and 34 track locations (with 63 total track variations) at launch. The last time Turn 10 did a Forza reboot like this, Forza Motorsport 5, it released with 200 cars and 17 track locations, and the critics slammed it for not having enough content compared for Motorsport 4 and gave it a 79 on metacritic. Thankfully, there are 2 things going for Forza Motorsport reboot that should ensure that the car and track count is far more impressive than Motorsport 5, firstly Turn 10 will have 3 full years of development on Forza Motorsport with a Holiday 2022 release (that is 1 year more than Motorsport 5 got), secondly, Turn 10 claims they have designed some new tech that speeds car and track creation compared to the previous generation Forza games. So fingers crossed that Forza Motorsport reboot later this year can manage at least 400 cars and 30 track locations. 

This is weird now.

I'm starting to think that Crystal Dynamics has taken over full lead on this project, I noticed a few The Initiative roles were changed from "Perfect Dark" to "Franchise" positions which implies multiple entries, I'm starting to wonder now if The Initiative is going to scale back and essentially become another World's Edge which has very little hand in development and are more of an overseer studio, overseeing the IP but handing it out to another studio to do all the development, in Age of Empires case, that is Relic, in Perfect Dark's case, that will be Crystal Dynamics.

That's what I think may be happening, I don't know for certain but there's history in World's Edge and even to a certain extent, 343 Industries before that took over from Bungie, World's Edge is less a development studio and more of a caretaker of an IP, I'm starting to think that's what The Initiative is.

It would be interesting to know what positions remain at The Initiative because I'm seeing a lot of development focused roles being lost whilst at the same time they changed some positions to "Franchise" for example, they're also hiring for a "Franchise" Art Director. Unfortunately it would likely mean that Perfect Dark is all that The Initiative will do.

Grubb said they were struggling to hire too which is part of the reason they brought Crystal Dynamics onboard, so I'm wondering if Crystal Dynamics has taken over the majority of the core development, including leading this specific entry into Perfect Dark, while The Initiative watches the Franchise as a whole, it's likely easier for Crystal Dynamics to work with people in their own studio too.

I will say though, I like Crystal Dynamics but I don't like having to rely on Square Enix, I don't trust them, unless Microsoft manages to buy Crystal Dynamics off Square Enix I don't know if this is a sensible decision if my theory is true, Square may not want to do a Perfect Dark 2 and where does that leave The Initiative? Also if my theory is true I wonder what would even happen to The Initiative if Crystal Dynamics were acquired, do they become a Crystal Dynamics studio? Lol.

Who knows. The Initiative always said they would do development different, I'm a bit lost now.

They also lost their Lead Gameplay Animator - Yet another development role.

^ Bout time you got an avatar.

@gtotheunit91 now I'm waiting for you.

No avatar users trigger me.

I'll be 100% honest, I know this is elitist, but I don't even respond to people who don't have an avy. Feels like I'm talking to a bot. 

They really need to fix the networking in Elden Ring, in over 150hrs I've only ever been able to successfully summon THREE FUCKING PEOPLE

But Xbox really needs to acquire Crystal Dynamics for this to work Imo.

Square is too volatile with their studios, bet they'll bitch about Perfect Dark's sales next.

I have more trust in Sega loaning out Relic to World's Edge than I do Square with Crystal Dynamics cause Sega actually knows how to manage their Western division.

Also I feel World's Edge sorta has a small backup option with Forgotten Empires, I know they've only been doing the remasters but at least they have experience with the IP as a result, I suspect they will also be used to remaster Age of Mythology.

If The Initiative becomes The Perfect Dark studio then Square turns around like "Lul, you ain't using Crystal Dynamics for Perfect Dark 2" then they're kinda fucked, Lol.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn - Official Announcement Trailer - YouTube

Enjoy the cinematic reveal trailer for Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, a new open-world action-RPG from the creators of Ashen. You play as Nor, and you'll utilize your guns, magic, and your animal companion to fight for the fate of humanity. Flintlock is due out this year for PC (on Steam and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It will be available on Xbox Game Pass on launch day as well.