Episode 563: Welcome to the Cloud

This week, the gang discuss the provocative article by Forbes about Microsoft ignoring Sony in favor of combating Google and Amazon in the cloud space — and how Sony is renting Microsoft’s servers. No Gaming Flashback this week, though.

The news includes:

  • Microsoft: Amazon and Google are ‘the main competitors going forward’
  • Stardew Valley creator is working on two new games
  • Capcom removes Denuvo DRM from Devil May Cry 5

Question of the Week: “What’s your favorite videogame trailer or advertisement?”

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Episode 604: Bethesda Officially Belongs to MicrosoftEpisode 604: Bethesda Officially Belongs to Microsoft

Microsoft confirmed their ownership of Zenimax, and what wasn’t in the episode because it would be revealed in Thursday that Bethesda games and others would be as exclusive as possible to PC and Xbox; contractual agreements would have to be honored, of course.

This week’s news includes:

  • Microsoft’s $7.5B acquisition of Bethesda has been given the green light
  • Star Dynasties announced
  • Phasmophobia’s latest update means ghosts can open doors and follow your voice

Let us know what you think at the Facebook comment page.

Episode 333: Boss BattlesEpisode 333: Boss Battles

Paul returns to the Gaming Podcast, having doing the major work on the Facebook game he’d been helping develop, Team USA Pinsanity. The trio argue over boss battles, and this week’s Gaming Flashback is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Jordan also finally has a great Vita game to fawn over, Tearaway.

  • Take-Two files ‘Bully Bullsworth Academy’ trademark in Europe
  • Twitch cracks down on PS4 Playroom inappropriate content
  • Blizzard dev apologizes for remarks on sexualized designs
  • Sony to make $250M entertainment cuts, “nothing too sacred”

The Question of the Week: “What is your opinion on boss battles?”

Rock and a Hard Place: Sony’s Japanese DilemmaRock and a Hard Place: Sony’s Japanese Dilemma

What a dilemma it is, Sony’s PlayStation 3 isn’t as hot as the Nintendo Wii in Japan. Even the Xbox 360 has had some minor success stories in Japan while Sony sits back saying “wtf?”

President, SCE Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida is pointing the finger at the publishers saying, “What’s happening is that lack of support from the Japanese publishers – not necessarily from intentions but from development capabilities.” (kotaku) Why, though, would publishers push to produce games on the console that’s currently losing market share?

Sony’s position is very tough to deal with because they’re not market leader so publishers are looking for the biggest bang for their proverbial “buck” and that’s not the PS3 right now. You can produce an expensive game for an expensive console or a cheaper game for a cheaper console and make more money.

How, then, can Sony get out of this situation? They must find a way to promote an incentive for publishers to create Sony exclusives or, at least, a Sony “port” of a game to build up their library of must-have titles. Perhaps Sony’s punishment at the hands of Nintendo and Microsoft in the States has a bit to do with their global marketplace issues — they need to put a concerted effort into one of their regions and champion themselves in one realm before trying for all of them. Right now, they’re a watered down expensive console with very few exclusive titles.

Metal Gear Sold 4, Home and Little Big Planet are great reasons to own a PlayStation 3 if the price was a bit more reasonable. Looking at the future, we’ve got Resistance 2 and a few other titles that may make some waves in the industry, at least in the United States, but it’s going to be an uphill battle in which they are the second best this time.

It’s always easy when you’re on the top. PlayStation 3 is not on the top so it’s time to start struggling, cutting prices or enticing publishers to build good exclusive titles.