Destiny 2's Uncertain Future
The Monday letters page kicks off with a reader questioning whether Destiny 2 is being mothballed or continuing. The lapsed player admits to not touching the game in nearly a year, citing frustration with Bungie's handling of content vaulting and U-turns. They note that Bungie has paid the ultimate price, potentially leading to the developer's shutdown or downsizing, ending the legacy of Halo's creators. The reader wonders if Bungie regrets leaving Activision and Microsoft, especially after Sony's acquisition. GameCentral clarifies that the game remains live for the foreseeable future but will receive no more live service updates, marking the end of major new content.
Summer Game Fest Timing Frustrates European Fans
A reader named Cranston criticizes the scheduling of summer showcases, calling them awkward for Europe and Japan. PlayStation's State of Play at 10pm on Tuesday and Summer Game Fest on a Friday night are particularly inconvenient. Xbox's showcase at 6pm on Sunday is also less than ideal. The reader feels that past years had better attempts to pick times for everyone, but lately, companies seem not to bother. They suggest that reading about reveals the next morning might be more practical, wishing game companies would recognize the world outside the US.
Nintendo's Price Increases Test Player Patience
Another reader, Black Pepper, expresses concern over Nintendo's price increases, noting that while the memory crisis is real, raising costs while claiming to produce as many consoles as before doesn't suggest a struggling company. They argue that it should be acceptable for a company to make substantial profit during difficult times, rather than massive amounts, but business demands otherwise. Nintendo seems aware of pushing its luck, promising a better game lineup, but if that doesn't materialize soon, players may lose patience.
Sega's Revival Efforts Questioned
A reader named Neider agrees with the theory that Sega has waited too long to revive older series. They point out that Crazy Taxi was shallow even at launch and unlikely to attract players today at a high price. Free-to-play models would necessitate microtransactions, which could ruin the experience. The new Shinobi game was a flop, and they doubt Crazy Taxi or similar revivals will fare better. Jet Set Radio, despite hardcore fan love, wasn't popular at the time, and its sequel was worse, making a 25-year-later revival seem irrelevant.
The Lost Art of Game Announcements
Tony T. agrees with a previous article about the decline of exciting game reveals. He notes that leaks aren't the only culprit; cost-cutting measures have led to minimal announcements via tweets. While this saves money, it sacrifices the buzz of a splashy reveal. He believes good publicity from a grand announcement could be valuable, but companies seem content with low-effort approaches.
Call of Duty Fatigue and the Modern Warfare Cycle
A reader expresses concern about Activision's plan for another Modern Warfare game, arguing that the series' decline began with endless iterations of Black Ops and Modern Warfare. They suggest that changing the name and characters could have been a better move, as Call of Duty plots are interchangeable. They fear that if this year's game underperforms, and possibly next year's, the franchise could lose its status as one of the most popular games. Nostalgia buttons have been pressed with remasters of Modern Warfare 1 and 2, leaving fewer obvious options. Activision had ample time to develop backup plans but apparently hasn't, relying on yet another Modern Warfare sequel.
Disappointment with Saros
Barney shares disappointment with Saros, despite acknowledging its quality. He agrees with a Reader's Feature that everything except combat was worse than Returnal, particularly the story, which is sparse and obvious. The departure of Returnal's director explains the shift, and Barney is curious about the director's next project.
Arcade Memories and Decline
Alucard reminisces about arcade gaming, recalling hours spent watching or playing, mesmerized by superior arcade hardware. He spent over five pounds on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, determined to beat Shredder but failing against his clones. He notes that consoles like PS2, N64, Dreamcast, and Xbox began matching arcade power, leading to arcade decline by PS4 and Xbox One. The Neo-Geo replicated arcade quality but was too expensive, ironically similar to modern game prices. He appreciates the robust joysticks and buttons of arcade machines, which were hard to break. As costs rose from 20-30 pence to £1, arcades became pricey, but memories of hanging out with friends at these gaming shrines remain strong. GameCentral adds that arcades were already in decline by the PS1 era and effectively dead by PS4.
Inbox Also-Rans
Plesco hopes Forza Horizon 6's success leads to more arcade racers, like Ridge Racer and OutRun revivals. Zeiss asks about Planet of the Apes games, noting it's a major sci-fi franchise without a notable tie-in. GameCentral confirms several games exist, including ones based on the 2001 reboot and a VR title, Crisis On The Planet Of The Apes, but none were high-profile or well-received.
Readers are invited to email gamecentral@metro.co.uk. New Inbox updates appear weekday mornings, with special Hot Topic Inboxes on weekends. Letters may be edited for length and content. Reader's Features of 500-600 words can be submitted via email or the Submit Stuff page.
