The Problem with First Party PlayStation Exclusives

I came across a video. It was called The Problem with First Party PlayStation Exclusives. The Video is Embedded below.

I'd like you to watch it and Give your opinion. Is the creator of this video right or wrong? If he is right, do you care?

NOTE: (I did not make this video and I am not affiliated in any way with the person who did. This thread was created to invoke discussion and nothing more)

Now I've said it before and I'll say it again. I do not play video games for the challenge. I play them for the stories and character development.

This is why in a game series I not only read the novels that release alongside the games. But the graphic novels and comics that are based inside the games universe. That's why I'm drawn to Sony and its content. And I tend to shy away from first person shooters. But I’ll elaborate below.

I don't agree with this video. God of War has an extensive back story that spans across 7 titles. And in order for the series to evolve not only did the story have to, but the way you play the story had to as well.

That's why they had to explore the surroundings of the Norse Setting. Because a chance for exploration wasn't given to us in any of the seven prior God of War games.

But what this user didn't take into account is the fact that even though there are places to explore in this new God of War game, it's still going to be quite linear. When compared to the open sandboxes that were used to seeing in video games. So if his only problem with the new game is the fact that the camera drop down behind KRATOS. I'm not seeing the issue.

Now another gripe the narrator has is that Sony seems to be releasing narrative heavy games primarily in third person. Which happens to be my favorite type of game. However there is a reason why you can’t put extensive character development or heavy narrative in first person shooters.

The first reason is risk. It's quite sad to say that if one did exist that had the good shooting mechanics you're used to seeing in a first person shooter but was also narrative heavy it would not do as good as the yearly call of duty, battlefield shove the gun up the enemies ass game that comes out. Because people don't want lulls in the action. And it would probably be written off as boring. Saying goodbye to any possibility of a sequel.

The reason why narrative heavy first person shooters are few and far between is because the Majority of people who play first person shooter's couldn't give two shits about the narrative in those type of games in the first place.They care more about a shooting mechanics, nailing Headshots, and Big ass explosions.

Also the only thing you see of the character you're playing in a first person shooter is their fucking hands. How in the hell are you supposed to gain a deeper understanding or feel for the character that you are playing when all you see is their mother fucking hands?

You can't. But if that's your preference then so be it.

The narrator's third gripe was that Horizon: Zero Dawn looked and played too much like other PS4 exclusive's that had already come out. He did mention how different it was compared to Killzone. But completely glossed over that fact because it played similar to other third person Adventure games because the protagonist had a bow and arrow.

And she upgraded her arsenal. To think that a surprise like Horizon: Zero Dawn could be tarnished just because it's played in the third person. This guy overlooked what could be a modern-day masterpiece for the fact that it feels just too familiar.

Now to this narrators credit he is right. There are at least 6 or 7 games coming out between now and the end of 2018 that are PlayStation Exclusives and 3rd person. But what he fails to understand is that their stories, their settings, their character development and tone will be what sets them apart from each other.

This narrator claims that he doesn't see the risk involved with Sony's current exclusives. But what do you call a developer extensively known for a dystopian first person shooters series. Releasing a third person action adventure game in a lush open world that's heavy on narrative. And to have it actually succeed. If not a great reward for a project that was all risk.

Or an independent studio who has developed what they are calling an independent AAA game. I've certainly never played one before.

So as far as I can tell there are two ways Days Gone, Detroit: Become Human, God of War, HellBlade, The Last of Us 2, Uncharted: Lost Legacy will be similar. They're in 3rd person. And they're going to be Great Fucking Games.

What say you?

@WarrriorPoet:

I'd say you pretty much said all that needed to be said.

hey killered did you used to post at IGN.

@sukraj:

Like, years ago. Why?

The short answer is that narrative heavy games is what Sony is known for. What other company puts out games in different genres? Nintendo puts out mostly platformers and 3d adventure games, and Microsoft puts out a lot of games relying on guns. Sony took a lot of risks last generation that did not really pay off. Puppeteer was a sidescroller that no one bought. The game was amazing. The Japanese theater approach was EPIC. The last main Motorstorm game sold like crap compared to the other two games. No one bought MAG. The same can be said the Resistance game. Resistance 3 was awesome minus the multiplayer. PlayStation All Stars did not sell as well as Sony hoped. At the end of the day. If games do not regenerate the money that was put into them, then the franchise cannot continue. I am aware that VG chartz is not the best source for numbers, but they at least ball park the sales of every game that comes out. Most of the games that have sold well with exceptions like Call of Duty and sports game have been third person oriented games. There is a list of thirty games that have sold millions worldwide. Uncharted is up there along with Fallout, Final Fantasy XV, The Witcher 3, Batman Arkham Night, The Last of Us, Assassin's Creed, Watch Dogs, and Metal Gear Solid. Sony sees which sell the most on its platforms and decide to create that cater to its fanbase. You do not go to a steakhouse and order avocados. Sony puts out creative games, then those games do not super well. Sony Santa Monica partners with a lot of smaller developers to get unique games on its platforms. Look at how well Twisted Metal, Journey and Puppeteer sold compared to all the other games listed. This messaging system is ridiculous. It does not let you post screenshots. I am sorry that my paste work looks like crap. None of the quirky games sold over one million worldwide or in a single territory. The Last Guardian has sold 1.16 million worldwide. The game has not sold even half a million in one territory alone. There is no way Sony made money back on that game. Creative games do not sell as well as games with established formulas. That is a fact of life.

@WarrriorPoet: I don't really pay attention when someone tries to discredit a game because it's narrative heavy. More like they have short attention spans and don't want to play anything that actually has a fucking story. I prefer games that immerse you and create realistic worlds and societies. That way you know exactly what you're fighting for. If a game fails to do that then it's doa in my eyes. Games like that just aren't my thing lol

In terms of GOW4 (As it rightly should be known) can be as narrative heavy as it likes but it can't become the next uncharted. Wha twas so great about the original trilogy was that although the levels were often linear and kinda corridor-y it gave you freedom in the wya you approached yoru enemies. Combat was about mixing and matching weapons that were relevant for tha tparticular segment, very devil may cry. On top of all that, the action was fluid and fast. Nowi t looks like we're going to be plodding our way through cutscene heavy combat sections and thats not promising.

Eh, is there a tl;dw version of that video?

Because I had someone on my friends list on IGN with the same name as you, I think he was married and had a kid I'm talking something like from 2001 or 2002

@sukraj:

Can't be me. I was still in grammar school in 2001 and 2. 5th grade.

I understand his point but I feel like it isn't a problem because it is their style. They reuse their camera, movement etc

Just like every time I pick a 3rd person shooter, it does play pretty much the same as all other...

It is still more diverse than what Xbox offer

I am happy with what Sony is offering. If I wanted mindless no story or depth games there are always the other million 3rd party games of that coming out.