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Believe it or not, there was a push for a Destiny dating sim at Bungie once, and it had a proper pitch deck and everything
Former Bungie employees revealed that a Destiny dating sim was pitched internally, inspired by games like Dream Daddy. Despite having a detailed pitch deck and a "Hard No" from leadership, the concept was explored during internal game jam events. This revelation comes as more details about Destiny 2's development and Bungie's near-shutdown before the Sony acquisition emerge.
PlayStation 5 Now Features Custom GTA 6 UI, as Sony Goes All In on Rockstar Partnership
The PlayStation 5 now features a custom user interface promoting Grand Theft Auto 6, signaling a significant new partnership between Sony and Rockstar Games. This UI update is live for all PlayStation 5 users.
The best Prime Day deals for gamers live: here are the biggest PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PC discounts based on our…
Amazon's Prime Day sale features significant discounts on a wide range of gaming hardware and software. Notable deals include price drops on consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and accessories such as gaming headsets, mice, and keyboards from brands like SteelSeries, Razer, and Logitech. Several popular games, including Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders and Astro Bot, are also available at reduced prices.
FromSoftware parent CEO keeps position following activist investors' disappointment in firm's handling of Elden Ring
Takeshi Natsuno will remain CEO of Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of FromSoftware, despite a significant drop in shareholder support. Activist investor group Oasis Management had pushed for his removal, citing concerns over Kadokawa's handling of Elden Ring's success and potential profit leakage. The company has stated it will review its management structure and business plans.
Analysts attempt to make sense of Xbox's latest exclusivity pivot
Xbox is undergoing another strategic shift regarding game exclusivity, moving from a multiplatform approach back towards select console exclusives. This pivot, occurring under new leadership, aims to re-establish reasons for consumers to invest in the Xbox ecosystem, balancing a console business with a platform-agnostic publishing strategy.
Microsoft (MSFT) and OpenAI are being sued by nearly 400 newspapers
Nearly 400 newspapers have filed a lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI, alleging that their generative AI products have scraped copyrighted content without permission or compensation. The suit claims that Microsoft "secretly crawled" websites, including paywalled content, to train AI models. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously stated the company would cover legal costs for copyright infringement claims, and this lawsuit follows similar actions by authors and publishers against AI companies.
PS5 Welcome Screen, Smartphone App Get Grand Theft Auto 6 Themes to Celebrate Pre-Orders
Sony is enhancing the Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing campaign with new themes for the PlayStation 5 welcome screen and the PlayStation app, coinciding with the opening of pre-orders on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The article highlights PS5's advantages for the game, including DualSense controller features and Tempest 3D AudioTech, and confirms PS5 Pro Enhanced support. It also details the game's pricing, editions, and the controversial decision to exclude physical discs from the initial release, with analyst Mat Piscatela suggesting it may not significantly impact sales.
Death Stranding 2’s Sales Tell a Very Different Story Than Sony Expected
Death Stranding 2 has reportedly sold over 2 million copies across PC and PlayStation 5, a figure considered modest given the game's high production values, star-studded cast, and Hideo Kojima's involvement. While the game has achieved cultural significance and a devoted fanbase, its unique and demanding gameplay loop positions it as a niche hit rather than a mainstream blockbuster for Sony. This analysis suggests that while not a commercial mega-hit, its success as a prestige, auteur-driven title aligns with Kojima Productions' identity and Sony's support for ambitious creators.
The Death of Destiny 2 - How the World's Best Live Service Game Became a Hauntology
This article analyzes Destiny 2's evolution into a 'hauntology,' a game defined by unrealized promises and lost content due to decisions like the Content Vault and seasonal models. The author argues that these choices, driven by the demands of live service games, have trained the community to accept impermanence, ultimately leading to a sense of loss and a departure from the game's original vision. Despite the ongoing fun, the article posits that Destiny 2 has been 'dead' for a while, with its future promises unfulfilled.
This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of)
Best Buy is offering a bundle deal for the PlayStation Portal, including accessories and a $25 PlayStation Store gift card for $300, down from $350. This deal is part of Best Buy's Tech Fest sale and coincides with Amazon Prime Day. The bundle includes the handheld device, a screen protector, earphones, charging dock, carrying case, and additional thumbsticks.
Tim Sweeney on the future of games, AI, and whether Valve will ever join forces with Epic: 'It's now clear that nobody's going to end up with an absolute monopoly'
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney discusses the future of gaming, emphasizing interoperability and AI integration in Unreal Engine 6 to foster "Team Open." He addresses concerns about AI's creative impact and criticizes Valve's stance on AI disclosures, advocating for tools that improve developer efficiency and player experience across platforms. Sweeney also touches on the challenges of AAA development and the importance of economic interoperability for games like Fortnite.
Sony is reportedly enforcing "stricter guidelines" against so-called "shovelware" PlayStation games
Sony is reportedly enforcing stricter guidelines on its PlayStation platform, leading to the termination of its partnership with Afil Games, a publisher accused of releasing "shovelware." Afil Games confirmed the decision, stating PlayStation is no longer continuing their partnership for future releases. The company will continue to release games on Xbox and Nintendo Switch. This follows Sony's removal of hundreds of games from the PlayStation Store in January, many of which were also considered shovelware.
'Don't blame yourselves' for Destiny 2's end, community lead tells players: 'No words can accurately depict how lucky we are to have shared these worlds with you'
Bungie communications lead Dylan Gafner, also known as dmg04, reassured Destiny 2 players that they are not to blame for the game's perceived decline. He expressed gratitude for the community's dedication and shared experiences over the years. Gafner's comments come as Destiny 2 reaches the end of its lifecycle, with the final update released and communication updates ceasing.
Elden Ring 'profit leakage' has Kadokawa investors looking for a new boss
Activist investor Oasis Management, now Kadokawa Corporation's largest shareholder, is calling for the ouster of CEO Takeshi Natsuno due to alleged "profit leakage" from Elden Ring's success. Oasis argues that Kadokawa, through its subsidiary FromSoftware, has failed to capitalize fully on its hit titles by partnering with external publishers like Bandai Namco, instead of self-publishing. The company also faced a data leak and a less-than-ideal strategic alliance with Sony.
This PlayStation Gift Card deal is your best tool to fight back against the GTA 6 prices, but not for US fans
Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch at $79.99 for the standard PlayStation 5 edition and $99.99 for the Ultimate Edition, with pre-orders starting June 25. A deal offers a £70 PlayStation Gift Card for £60.85 in the UK, providing a small saving towards the game's cost, though the physical edition will be a download code.
'Above $1,000 Is the Floor': Analysts Predict PS6 Price, and It's Not Good
Industry analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 could launch at a price point exceeding $1,000 due to ongoing component shortages and market trends. While some believe Sony will maintain a price below $999 for marketing reasons, others foresee a significant increase, potentially delaying the console's release until 2028.
Feature: 10 N64 Games We Played In A Wondrous Alternate Timeline
This article explores a hypothetical alternate timeline where the Nintendo 64 achieved greater market success, imagining 10 games that could have been released. It speculates on potential N64 entries for series like Fire Emblem, Tekken, Metroid, and Final Fantasy, and discusses what might have been if sequels to GoldenEye 007 and Super Mario 64 were prioritized.
Hardware Reviews
This article provides reviews for several pieces of PC hardware, including the Noctua NL-LC1-360 AIO CPU Cooler by KitGuru and the AQIRYS LUNA White Gaming Headset by MADSHRIMPS. It also briefly mentions Sony earbuds.
Sony seemingly enforcing "stricter guidelines" on PlayStation Store to remove the mounds of PS5 shovelware games accumulating there
Sony is reportedly enforcing stricter guidelines on the PlayStation Store to combat the influx of low-effort 'shovelware' games. Publisher Afil Games confirmed its titles are being removed and future releases will not be accepted due to incompatibility with the new rules. Afil Games will continue to release titles on Xbox platforms and Nintendo Switch.
PlayStation says 'GTA 6 plays best on PS5' and is giving fans a freebie if they pre-order on the PS Store
Sony claims Grand Theft Auto 6 will offer the best experience on PlayStation 5, leveraging its features for an immersive single-player journey. Players who pre-order any edition on the PlayStation Store will receive a free month of GTA+.
