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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 ToLiss Interview - The MSFS Airbus A340 With X-Plane DNA
The author discusses the long-standing expectation that digital game versions should be cheaper than physical ones. They praise Microsoft and Nintendo for offering digital versions at lower price points, hoping other publishers will follow suit. The piece also touches on the pricing strategies of limited run physical game distributors.
AAA video games regularly cost over $300,000,000 to make reveals insider
According to insider Jason Schreier, the development cost for AAA video games now routinely exceeds $300 million, a figure comparable to or exceeding most major film productions. This trend, primarily observed in Western development, is largely driven by escalating developer salaries and contributes to the current state of the industry, including layoffs and unpopular monetization strategies.
PlayStation's Dynamic Pricing Appears To Offer A Huge Gap In What You Pay For PS5 Games
Reports indicate Sony's dynamic pricing system is active on the PlayStation Store, leading to significant price variations for PlayStation 5 games like Stellar Blade and Astro Bot. The exact factors influencing these price changes, such as user location and gaming habits, remain unclear, though it may affect both first-party and third-party titles.
Sony wants to mount your phone on a DualSense controller, and it could change how you game
Sony has patented a new hybrid input system that magnetically attaches a smartphone to a PlayStation controller. This would allow developers to utilize the phone's sensors, camera, and touchscreen as a secondary input device, potentially creating new gameplay experiences across various genres.
Sony takes its cancelling spree to another level by canning its PlayStation Remote Play-enabled car, Afeela 1
Sony and Honda have decided to discontinue the development and launch of their first electric vehicle model, the Afeela 1, and its second model. This decision stems from Honda's reassessment of its electrification strategy and changes in the EV market, which fundamentally altered the assumptions for the joint venture's business operations. Despite the cancellation of the Afeela 1, Sony and Honda will continue to discuss future business plans for their joint venture.
Nintendo is going to charge less for digital Switch 2 games
Nintendo is reportedly planning to charge less for digital versions of games on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 compared to physical releases. This move is seen as a significant step towards aligning digital game prices with their physical counterparts, a change that is hoped to be adopted by other major publishers like Microsoft and Sony.
Former CoD Dev Reacts To New Sony Game Getting Canceled: It "F**king Sucks"
Former Call of Duty developer Jason Blundell's new studio with Sony, Dark Outlaw Games, has been shuttered. Blundell expressed disappointment but understanding regarding the closure, stating they were making a "hell of a game." The studio's unrevealed project was not a live-service game, and its closure is attributed to broader industry factors and Sony's strategic adjustments for long-term sustainability.
'This Is Unsustainable Madness': Modern Video Game Budgets Are Out of Control
Modern AAA video game development budgets on the west coast of America are reportedly reaching $300 million or more, primarily covering salaries and overheads. This unsustainable cost requires games to sell millions of copies at full price just to break even, putting immense pressure on studios and potentially impacting the industry's future.
Jak and Daxter Remaster Was Pitched to Sony in 2019
Veteran animator Travis Howe revealed that his team pitched a remaster of the original Jak and Daxter to Sony in 2019, creating a recreation of an early cutscene to showcase the potential. Sony was not involved in the fan-led proposal, and Naughty Dog confirmed in 2021 that a new Jak and Daxter game is not currently in development.
Dark Outlaw Games Founder Says Studio Was Working on “a Hell of a Game”
Sony is reportedly shutting down its studio Dark Outlaw Games, founded by veteran developer Jason Blundell. Blundell expressed sadness over the closure, stating the studio was working on a significant unannounced game. The closure is part of Sony's broader strategy to focus on fewer high-impact projects.
Sony is Seemingly Testing Dynamic Pricing for First-Party Games on PlayStation Store
Sony is reportedly testing dynamic pricing for first-party games on the PlayStation Store, offering different discounts to different users. Factors like account age, play time, and login history are speculated to influence these personalized prices. This testing is currently limited to PlayStation 5 exclusive titles.
Marathon Has Sold 1.2 Million Copies, 800,000 on Steam and 217,000 on PS5 – Rumor
Marathon has reportedly sold 1.2 million copies across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, generating approximately $55 million. The majority of sales, around 800,000, are on PC via Steam, with PlayStation 5 accounting for 217,000 and Xbox Series X/S for 133,000. Despite being a first-party Sony title, PlayStation 5 sales represent less than 20% of the total, a point highlighted by market analysis firm Alinea Analytics.
Saros Gameplay Showcases Full Run on Shattered Rise, the First Biome, in Glorious 4K/60 FPS
Housemarque and Sony have released new gameplay footage of Saros, a bullet-hell roguelite shooter and spiritual successor to Returnal. The footage showcases the first biome, Shattered Rise, running in 4K/60 FPS on a PlayStation 5, highlighting combat mechanics, weapon upgrades, and the protagonist's unique barrier ability. Saros is set to release on April 30th for PlayStation 5.
Sony & Honda discontinue AFEELA electric vehicles project
Sony and Honda have officially discontinued the development of all AFEELA electric vehicle models. The companies will be issuing refunds to customers who had made reservation fees for the vehicles.
'It Wasn't a Live Service Game': Shuttered Sony Studio Teases Scrapped PS5 Project
Sony shuttered its first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games, led by Treyarch veteran Jason Blundell. Contrary to speculation, the studio's scrapped PlayStation 5 project was not a live service game. Blundell expressed disappointment over the cancellation, attributing it to a tough business environment rather than ill-will towards Sony.
Black Ops vet says his mystery PlayStation project wasn't a live-service game, and even if Sony shutting down his studio "f***ing sucked" he reckons it's just because "times change"
Sony has shut down its first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games, led by Call of Duty: Black Ops veteran Jason Blundell. Blundell confirmed the closure, stating that while the situation "f***ing sucked," he understands it's due to changing times. The studio's unannounced project was confirmed not to be a live-service game.
Triple-A Game Budgets Now Over $300 Million, It’s Claimed
Game development budgets for AAA titles are reportedly exceeding $300 million, not including marketing costs, according to journalist Jason Schreier. This necessitates millions of sales just to break even, placing immense pressure on game sales figures. Games like Concord and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 are cited as examples of high-budget titles.
Here's What a Jak & Daxter PS5 Remake Could've Looked Like
Animator and writer Travis Howe revealed a pitch for a PlayStation 5 remake of Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy that was developed by a team but ultimately did not move forward. Howe shared a cutscene redo as a proof of concept for the project, which aimed to bring the Naughty Dog series to modern hardware.
Playing With History launches soon – Here’s how to get a copy
Playing With History, a book based on a popular feature series exploring historical video games, is launching soon. The book, featuring over 200 pages of new content and interviews, will be available physically and digitally. Late pledges are open on Kickstarter until a few days before shipping begins in late May 2026.
Directive 8020 Promises 'Sharper Visuals' with PS5 Pro's Updated PSSR 2 Upscaler
Directive 8020, developed by Supermassive Games, will feature enhanced visuals on the PlayStation 5 Pro utilizing the new PSSR 2 upscaler for improved detail and clarity. The game will also leverage advanced ray tracing, better shadows, and smoother performance, alongside full DualSense controller integration for an immersive experience.
