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[IAmRandom31]

I keep forgetting about this game, hoping it turns into something really good. With a bit of luck we'll see more of it around the gameshows this year.

No doubt there will probably be a large presence from this game at E3 this year.

It was their " one last game " at the fantastic Gamescom they had last year.

But yeah it is one of my most anticipated for 2016 without a doubt. The idea's surrounding it sounded insane. Lots of potential.

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

I'm just glad the games get made, as it was looking mighty dicey there for a while. Same with MS giving Swery money to make Swery Crazy on the One. It's insurance.

Dare positivity to bloom in a new age?

Also, thanks for the scuttlebutt, V. Now to see if it blooms as well!

 

[Rogue_Ledr]

Is Silent Hills still a thing?? What is happening with that?

 

[IAmRandom31]

You know what my current dream is?

Sony somehow gets Kojima onboard

They give him creative control within Sony Japan. They give him a 30-40 million dollar budget and he creates a spiritual successor to Snatcher

OMG that would be my dream come true. A new age cyberpunk written and directed by Kojima with the artistic talents of the team over at Sony Japan with all the budget they can muster thrown at it. With a next-gen The Order level engine behind it. * drool *

 

[HeWhoWalks]

I think Sony realized that they need third parties to succeed. In the PS2 days, their platform was THE platform to make games on. Third parties needed the PS2. Sony knew it and used it to their advantage.

Times have changed though. The XBox 360 kicked Sony in the butt, and suddenly, third parties don't need the PS3. Mass Effect, Bioshock, and others showed Sony that third parties were no longer reliant on their platform to make successful games.

So this leads to a paradigm shift. And I think this is why the PS4 has been so successful. They are realizing that the power lies with the developers, not the platform holder. Especially in an age where the PC platform has grown by leaps and bounds, and mobile gaming is coming into it's own. They realize that developers hold it, and are courting them accordingly with partnerships, monetary incentives (pubfund), third party productions, self-publishing, etc.

Eh, I'd say it has much less to do with anything the 360 did and much more to do with them trying to revitalize their home market. Most of the "gains" Microsoft made (mostly because of Sony's own incompetence, might I add) have basically withered away (even in the US, Sony is a price cut away from, possibly, never being outsold again). As far as Japan, the name "PlayStation" can do big and Sony knows it. It will take just a bit more work.

The disc skipped a beat with the PS3, but the this is the same ol' song since 1994, just on a different format.

 

[Suzushiiro]

If you're a Japanese dev who doesn't want to do mobile or handheld games, why not take whatever money/assistance Sony wants to give you in exchange for exclusivity? None of their audience in Japan and very little of their audience outside of Japan is on Xbox, let alone Wii U, so they're losing approximately zero sales from the transaction.

Meanwhile, Sony gets more games for their console that they may not have otherwise gotten- games which have a lot of appeal in their home territory that they could use the help in as well as among their most dedicated/highest-spending fans abroad. I mean, I'm going to guess that the core audiences for Bloodborne, Star Ocean, and Street Fighter spend a shitload more money on video games than the core audiences for Call of Duty or Madden.

 

[Biker19]

I'm glad that this is happening. And hopefully, it'll continue to happen.

 

[Alex]

Another Wild Arms, wild west psuedo-open world with on-field, ATB-esque battles, stylistically close to 3.

 

[twobear]

With any title, you have to look at the commercial viability, and your overall strategy. What are you going to offer them exactly? And do they really need your help? Think of it from a different perspective. It's not just about having exclusive titles, but it's moreso about association. If you can push a title, and through a sustained effort closely affiliate two brands, it ultimately helps your bottom line anyway, and at a reduced risk for both parties. It's also not about scoring that one big exclusive title since that's not what's going to make a big difference to the bottom line. It's about the numbers pretty much. The big publishers, anywhere, have to consider the overall global market. Japanese companies can be a little unique, and the situation is different which makes it easier to get exclusive titles from those companies, than it does from big western publishers, but it's not like the titles being announced so far are going to be selling 10 million copies or something. There's still deals with western publishers though.

it's good that sony cares about this shit in any case. i shudder to think what a console market run or dominated by MS would look like.

 

[autoduelist]

In regards to the first bold, that's not really true. PG is very busy at the moment of course, but it doesn't really require too much legwork, since SCEJ/A is doing more legwork with other things. I'm sure it's a lot easier to get things done with them, than it is to manoeuvre behemoths like Sega. You just have to extend a hand, and take things from there. It's not difficult to make a phone call, or sit down with another party to talk about things. I'll be honest, there's like, a lot of sitting around, and talking about things. That's a lot of what some executives do. Talk. Talk. Email. Talk. Email. Talk etc. Sprinkle in some computer work, and Bob's your uncle.

I'd like to submit my resume, please. I promise to greenlight important projects like a sci-fi From Software project, while occasionally trolling the fanbase with stuff like Final Fantasy 7 Dance Party. I will also work on important resurrections, like securing proper Dragon Quest,, Dark Cloud, and Skies of Arcadia sequels. I will push to extend the third party relations group's responsibilities to trying for some PC to Vita ports of older classics (like, say, some Wizardry or Might & Magic) where possible/viable (Duke Nukem was a surprising example of this), doing what I can to extend the Vita's niche audience while only trolling them with stuff like Monster Hunter Dance Party once or twice. The Last Guardian Dance Party will be my final hurrah before retiring with a nice golden parachute. Thank you for your consideration.

 

[Slaythe]

Probably trying to revitalise the Japanese console market by trying to ensure the biggest games are exclusive to (PlayStation) consoles.

with ps3 ports of all games they cant expect ps4 to ever take off.

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

with ps3 ports of all games they cant expect ps4 to ever take off.

Better than nothing.

 

[razgriz417]

Is Silent Hills still a thing?? What is happening with that?

Pretty much dead with Kojima getting the boot and kojipro being rebranded/disbanded

 

[ShinMaruku]

Probably trying to revitalise the Japanese console market by trying to ensure the biggest games are exclusive to (PlayStation) consoles.

This is the process known as derisking. That is the only way they can get the Japanese studios to make games for the PS4. Seed them with money give them promotion and with that they can make the developers try new things. Hopefully this is effective like Bloodborne and new money flows to the Japanese devs and it nails the PS4 the advantage of the Japanese side of the market.

I am shocked that it's just now Sony has been doing this.

Makes me wonder what the earlier in the year the deals Sony made in those meetings.

 

[klee123]

with ps3 ports of all games they cant expect ps4 to ever take off.

Considering the state of console game development in Japan, it's be more of a miracle that the games itself exists.

Like Solidsnakex says, better to have something than nothing.

 

[Nightengale]

Considering the state of console game development in Japan, it's be more of a miracle that the games itself exists.

Like Solidsnakex says, better to have something than nothing.

We whine about the death of Japanese's gaming when it's mobile.

When it's not mobile, but cross-gen, we whine cross-gen limitations and devs refusing to take that leap.

When it's not cross-gen, but game looks unspectacular, we laugh at devs for not taking advantage of next gen properly and games being basically PS3+ games.

When it looks spectacular, we whine about how Japanese it is or why games take so long. (applies to all of the above as well)

 

[Nintendojitsu]

I mean, I'm going to guess that the core audiences for Bloodborne, Star Ocean, and Street Fighter spend a shitload more money on video games than the core audiences for Call of Duty or Madden.

That would be a poor guess given how much evidence points to the contrary. Niche genres mean nothing to the mainstream audience that primarily buys the bulk of PS4 hardware and it's games.

 

[cafemomo]

surprised?

They've been doing this since the PS1

 

[makingmusic476]

Sony's involved with SO5? Did I miss something?

(Aside from the usual ways like approving the game's release on their platforms, of course.)

 

[TheSpoiler]

That would be a poor guess given how much evidence points to the contrary. Niche genres mean nothing to the mainstream audience that primarily buys the bulk of PS4 hardware and it's games.

He's talking about hardcore gamers as a whole. People who are more likely to spend money on a Street Fighter, Star Ocean, and Rime are just as important as a person spending money on a singular title every blue moon.

CoD and Madden do big numbers, but speaking from an attachment rate, it's not a bad idea to have a few titles that equate to those numbers once combined, especially when the hardcore keeps buying more than a few games a year.

Sony's involved with SO5? Did I miss something?

(Aside from the usual ways like approving the game's release on their platforms, of course.)

As far as I know, they aren't, but the ecosystem they've cultivated is more profitable than other consoles at the moment for some developers. There's more support in Japan for the PS4 (just as there was for like, every single Sony system ever). You got shit like Nobunaga's Ambition, your usual anime games, Koei titles getting launched overseas first, and things like Gundam games on the way.

 

[Mentok]

I'm not surprised it's happened, take a look at the Japanese games on PS1/PS2. The PS3 took a bit of a dive in that department, so I'm glad to see Sony bring it back up. It's seriously pushing me to consider a PS4.

 

[DangerMouse]

It's good to see them finally doing it or pushing for it a little more again.

It was what I was I expected them to do with the PS3 as the further differentiator, then those JRPG devs put their early games on only 360 which had no chance in Japan (or really even with western JRPG players, even moreso during the early years with FFXIII supposedly still exclusive) and nearly collapsed the genre on console for a while.

Another Wild Arms, wild west psuedo-open world with on-field, ATB-esque battles, stylistically close to 3.

So much want. Would love a new Wild Arms.

 

[Bloodrage]

I lost interest in Silent Hills since Kojima is out, and I highly doubt it's going to be PS4 exclusive anyway. I also doubt it'll even be as good as P.T.

But everything else does make me happy. I'm loving everything they're doing this gen.

 

[Suzushiiro]

That would be a poor guess given how much evidence points to the contrary. Niche genres mean nothing to the mainstream audience that primarily buys the bulk of PS4 hardware and it's games.

I'm not saying that the "mainstream audience" gives a shit about niche genres, I'm saying that the average person who gives a shit about niche genres probably spends more money on games than the average member of the "mainstream audience," which means that throwing a little money at said niche genres to ensure they continue to exist on Playstation can get as big a return (proportionally speaking, obviously not in terms of total money) as something like a co-marketing deal with a big mainstream AAA game like Destiny.

 

[SolidSnakex]

I can't see this happening as I keep reading about some bad blood between them and Sony or something... or was that just Kamiya and Sony? Either way...

I think you might be confusing Platinum and Kamiya with Mikami. There was some bad blood between him and Sony, but that ended in the late PS2-era. It was actually Mikami's idea to lead development of Vanquish on the PS3 to make sure that it was up to par.

A Platinum/Sony game would be interesting. It seems like Platinum and Mistwalker are the two studios that people want to see Sony collaborate with. They're studios that have teamed up with the other first party companies, but not with Sony. Both are guns for hire in the industry, so Sony could make it happen.

 

[Suzushiiro]

with ps3 ports of all games they cant expect ps4 to ever take off.

I'd say PS4 has taken off pretty well outside of Japan despite most of the better games having last-gen versions. Which is, of course, why Sony has been pushing for these games to also come out on PS4 but not to drop the PS3 versions.

And from the publisher standpoint, if your game lacks the budget to do anything that necessitates dropping last-gen, and a good chunk of your audience still hasn't upgraded, why go current-gen-only? Hell, I'd imagine the only reason why a lot of these games are adding PS4 versions is because outside of Japan PS4 adoption has been crazy fast while interest in last-gen has fallen off a cliff.

 

[Dreadx_Jecht]

More from Capcom, CC2, several more from SE (all console, and not remasters), a couple things from L5, some stuff from Sega, and something from Namco Bandai (unrelated to the obvious games that are always exclusive to Sony platforms). That's some of your important "collaborations" (or unofficial assisted efforts) over the coming years. A lot of the current announcements that have taken place have been in the works for a long time, so they're not really tied to PS4s success. (It just takes a while for things to start happening, because you have to juggle available resource, timing, and other factors. It's like moving an elephant at times.) Although, that obviously will help moving forward, particularly with western efforts in terms of publisher deals, marketing, and blah blah blah. The effect of this is probably a little different from what most people imagine.

Collaborations make sense from a resource perspective, and for SCEJ/A in particular, due to the nature of those markets, and the unique challenges they face. You have to do the work, negotiate, and gain others confidence to invest with you. It's fair to say PS4 will be the platform where you'll have the opportunity to play most of the notable Japanese third party franchises, including some forgotten, some that have been away for a while, and some new ones being created. Most of the notable announcements are yet to come. These are your appetisers basically (except SFV since that's a big deal).

But really, what matters is the quality of the games from a fan perspective. It's nice to have a lot of interesting games eventually be announced, but if they don't deliver, it'd probably be more disheartening for most folks, since you came close to almost getting what you want, but ultimately didn't. (Which I imagine are good or great games rather than mediocre stuff you'll forget.)

Also, SO5 is going to be crap. It's a good for several reasons from a business point of view, but it's still going to be crap. Kind of harsh, but it's true. I saw those videos of the last one. I know what it did to people.

would Sony consider trying JRPGs with their in-house studios again? also am i interpreting you correctly to say that most of the Major Japanese third party games will be exclusive to PlayStation?

 

[Nintendojitsu]

I'm saying that the average person who gives a shit about niche genres probably spends more money on games than the average member of the "mainstream audience

Then I would like to know who exactly is buying these $100+ limited editions of 95% of the PS4's library? The mainstream audience is the lifeblood of the PS4 and while these few 3rd party Japanese exclusives are a bright spot in a otherwise monotonous year of tentpole franchises, it at least to me feels like an afterthought when it's blatantly clear that Sony from the beginning; set the PS4 out to be a Western orientated home console.

I also believe Sony is simply throwing a bone to the Japanese 3rd party publishers who may have felt left out of the early PS4 celebrations. Regardless, the variety is a welcome change of pace.

 

[PoweredByHentai]

With the recent announcement of Star Ocean 5 for PS3/4 and insight that Sony are helping with it, is anyone else surprised by the amount of collaborations SCE are conducting with Japanese third parties? I can't remember much from the PS3 era (demon souls, folklore, WKC....) and I guess with the PS2 era most of it was exclusive by default.

To list:

From Software
- Bloodborne ( co-developed/funded)

Capcom
- Dragons Dogma Online
- Deep Down (development of next gen engine help)
- SFV (funding)

SE
- DQH (I'm sure there was some nudging by Sony here)
- FF Dissidia (?)
- SO5

Konami
- Silent Hills (?)

We also have NIS commenting that SCE helped them with marketing budget (suggesting they are at least aware of niche devs) and L5 are making a PS4 game to be announced at E3 (SCE has had a history in making stuff with L5 so its a possibility). Note how its all for PS4/3.

Question is, at a time where console gaming is declining in Japan and where Western franchises are a more dominant, why is SCE aggressively going for these partnerships? How successful can these partnerships be for both companies? Also, from what we see right now, what can we expect in the future?

I understand that certain factors have it made it far easier for them to acquire them, most notably PS4's success.

I see this as Sony's effort in keeping the Japanese video game industry alive. Kind of like how even though Hollywood is around, you still have great gems from outside of Hollywood like Infernal Affairs (Hong Kong crime-thriller movie that got a US adaptation as The Departed) and the Gyakuten Saiban movie (the Phoenix Wright movie).

 

[NomadX]

would Sony consider trying JRPGs with their in-house studios again? also am i interpreting you correctly to say that most of the Major Japanese third party games will be exclusive to PlayStation?

Legend of Dragoon 2... I can dream. As for the list of games coming, I plan to get every one of them. Even if Star Ocean 5 may suck.

 

[Renekton]

I lost interest in Silent Hills since Kojima is out, and I highly doubt it's going to be PS4 exclusive anyway. I also doubt it'll even be as good as P.T.

I'm more worried about Kojima-fans drowning out the internet with hate agenda on Silent Hills without giving it a chance.

 

[DangerMouse]

would Sony consider trying JRPGs with their in-house studios again? also am i interpreting you correctly to say that most of the Major Japanese third party games will be exclusive to PlayStation?

Verendus has actually hinted way back that Sony does have an FF-level production JRPG in the works of some kind.

 

[Crimson_Gold]

I'm more worried about Kojima-fans drowning out the internet with hate agenda on Silent Hills without giving it a chance.

I wouldn't be shocked if konami has already canceled the title. The company is little more than a MGS factory these days. I have no idea if Kojima pushed for the title, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was a major catalyst in getting the project going. Don't know if can survive without him

 

[A.J.]

Sony definitely could use some Japanese studios on board. They have so many western studios in comparison.

 

[xaosslug]

A big fat check to Kojima to do anything he wants.

which they probably did... Syphon Filter by Kojima? LOL

 

[IvorB]

Why would it be a surprise? They themselves are Japanese.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

It would be interesting but I think it's truly out of the question. Getting an exclusive platinum game would require too much legwork from Sony as they have zero relationship with them and would be a huge and risky investment to boot. I doubt that Platinum wants to work with Sony anyways as they're busy juggling Nintendo and Microsoft for the foreseeable future.

Why not? Probably the best platform to actually get some decent sales.

 

[Dreadx_Jecht]

Verendus has actually hinted way back that Sony does have an FF-level production JRPG in the works of some kind.

he hasn't really given an update on that since. not even what part of Sony would be working on it.

 

[Nintendojitsu]

Why not? Probably the best platform to actually get some decent sales.

The level of skill required to play games from Platinum is what prevents them from having huge sales. Not the install base.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

would Sony consider trying JRPGs with their in-house studios again? also am i interpreting you correctly to say that most of the Major Japanese third party games will be exclusive to PlayStation?

I remember someone saying Sony had a major first party JRPG in the works.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

The level of skill required to play games from Platinum is what prevents them from having huge sales. Not the install base.

I wasn't talking about install base. I'm talking about PlayStation owners being more likely to be interested in buying their games.

 

[Servbot24]

The American audience doesn't care all that much about exclusives. They're happy with CoD, Madden and AssCreed. I think it's smart to focus on titles that are appealing to Japan but can still cross over successfully to NA, such as Bloodborne and Final Fantasy. Street Fighter too maybe, not sure where that's most popular.

 

[DangerMouse]

he hasn't really given an update on that since. not even what part of Sony would be working on it.

That's true.

 

[sn00zer]

The American audience doesn't care all that much about exclusives. They're happy with CoD, Madden and AssCreed. I think it's smart to focus on titles that are appealing to Japan but can still cross over successfully to NA, such as Bloodborne and Final Fantasy. Street Fighter too maybe, not sure where that's most popular.

People keep saying this, but I think its becoming less and less true especially as the "gamer" age increases.

 

[Shmuely Bully]

I'm mostly just pleased. Japanese companies with few exceptions haven't been taking the initiative to put out big budget, interesting titles of late so if Sony money gets it done then great.

 

[Nightengale]

which they probably did... Syphon Filter by Kojima? LOL

Toyama x Kojima x Del Toro

Presents

Siren : Hills.

 

[Nintendojitsu]

I wasn't talking about install base. I'm talking about PlayStation owners being more likely to be interested in buying their games.

Thanks for the clarification! That still would fall under the category of niche games that by all prior data would not lead to the "decent sales" you've mentioned above.

 

[DangerMouse]

I'm talking about PlayStation owners being more likely to be interested in buying their games.

Agreed.

 

[Nightengale]

he hasn't really given an update on that since. not even what part of Sony would be working on it.

He did say it's way,way off.

Anything that early in development is never a guarentee. It's like saying ND had a PS3 Jak game in development back in 2009.

 

[Shmuely Bully]

He did say it's way,way off.

Anything that early in development is never a guarentee. It's like saying ND had a PS3 Jak game in development back in 2009.

Yep, it's lies until it has an officially confirmed release date. I'm not buying any first-party JRPG news out of Sony after LoD 2 was cancelled without so much as a peep.