Thursday's Inbox features reader reactions to Marvel's Wolverine previews, GTA 6 leaks, Sony's live service game cancellations, and a nostalgic look at attract modes. One reader also comments on CeX's rumored retro market expansion.
Negative Waves and Online Fan Behavior
One reader, Clovis, praised the preview and interview of Marvel's Wolverine, noting the honesty of the Insomniac representative. "I don't imagine Sony was expecting all the negativity from the first wave of hands-on, so I'm surprised they didn't just cancel this second one once they found out," Clovis wrote. The reader questioned the intense negativity of online fans, stating, "the way people just unleash their negativity for no good reason is not healthy for anyone." Clovis added, "If Wolverine is no good then don't buy it, but starting a hate campaign months before is not on."
GTA 6 Leaks and Rockstar's Response
Another reader, Ragnor, commented on the GTA 6 leaks, calling the situation "very strange." They questioned the source of the information and clips, noting it's implied to be hacking but not discussed. "Surely they don't think that Rockstar will actually give in to their demands and release the game on disc?" Ragnor wrote. The reader speculated that Rockstar would be more likely to give GTA 6 away for free than release it on disc, adding, "Sony's turned off their disc factory. There literally won't be any discs soon." Ragnor predicted the leakers would "greatly regret all this, when they end up being sued to hell and back by Rockstar."
Sony's Live Service Game Cancellations
Reader Kinder criticized Sony's cancellation of another live service game, calling it "absolutely ridiculous." The reader argued, "Turns out forcing single-player developers to make highly monetised multiplayer games is not something that works. Sony has tried it often enough now that they've proven that beyond doubt." Kinder expressed hope that Fairgames would be cancelled soon, ending what they called "the whole ridiculous saga, that has ruined a whole generation of gaming for Sony." The reader specifically criticized the Horizon multiplayer game, saying, "who asked for a multiplayer game of that in the first place? Especially one that changes the art style for an ugly cartoon style."
Star Wars Game Cancellations and Rising Costs
Reader David commented on another Star Wars game cancellation, linking it to arguments that game costs need to rise. "They either make a game that no one really wants and doesn't sell enough or start to make a game and then cancel it, this is why they're losing money," David wrote. The reader added, "Maybe if they ran the company properly they wouldn't be losing so much money." David predicted that when the PlayStation 6 and new Xbox launch, companies will cite increased development costs for higher prices, but "they will still be moaning after that."
The Lost Art of Attract Modes
Reader Bristolpete shared a nostalgic reflection on attract modes in video games. Playing recent titles like Pragmata, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and Final Fantasy 7 remake, they noticed "how bland the opening menus are." The reader recalled iconic attract screens from Soulcalibur on Dreamcast, Daytona USA, and Super Street Fighter 2. "Arcade games had to fight for your attention, so it became something of a necessity to have a draw," Bristolpete wrote. They noted that modern games often greet players with "a sterile, almost silent start menu," and asked, "Do any other readers miss attract screens, and which ones from back in the day stuck with you the most?"
CeX's Retro Market Plans and Collector Concerns
Reader freeway 77 expressed mixed feelings about CeX's rumored retro market expansion. "I'm glad to see CeX are trying to get a grasp on the retro market," they wrote, noting they've relied on CeX as a single parent. However, the reader criticized CeX's buyback pricing: "buying something for less than half it is worth and selling it for over double leaves a stale taste in the mouth." The reader noted that retro collectors are "knowledgeable on how much they are worth and won't settle for being low-balled," concluding, "collectors can be very stubborn indeed."
