Laura Fryer
Reporting and statements that mention Laura Fryer.
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Xbox veteran stresses Sony's all-digital future would compromise game ownership: 'Digital is convenient until someone else decides you’ve had enough'
Xbox founder Laura Fryer has criticized Sony's move towards an all-digital future for PlayStation games, warning that it compromises true game ownership. She points to the discontinuation of physical game discs starting in 2028 and the removal of purchased movies from user libraries as evidence of the risks associated with digital convenience. Fryer suggests Sony is following Rockstar Games' lead with the digital-only Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize this shift, which she believes ultimately harms consumers by eliminating the used game market and backward compatibility.
"Sony waited for Rockstar to make the first move": Founding Xbox member warns against PlayStation's all-digital future, says "I trust" Steam games won't just disappear
Industry veteran Laura Fryer, a founding member of the original Xbox, warns about the risks of an all-digital future for gaming, citing PlayStation's move away from physical discs. She shares a personal anecdote about losing hundreds of dollars in Rock Band songs due to delisting, highlighting the impermanence of digital ownership and the potential loss of the second-hand market. Fryer suggests Sony is waiting for major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize digital-only sales before fully committing.
Gears Of War’s “Stay Vertical” Was Inspired By A Real-Life Health Scare
Laura Fryer, a key figure in the development of Gears of War, revealed that a personal health scare inspired the game's memorable line "Stay vertical." She shared how the team's support during her difficult time made the phrase emotionally significant.
'They're building real momentum and player trust' — This former Xbox exec is a big fan of recent…
Former Xbox executive Laura Fryer praises Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's strategic decisions, including the rebranding to 'XBOX' and the implementation of the Player Voice system, as smart moves to rebuild player trust and investment. She emphasizes the importance of listening to fan feedback and allowing public input to foster loyalty and passion within both the player base and development teams.
"Sony please stop hitting yourself," former Xbox exec says after latest DRM controversy
Former Xbox executive Laura Fryer criticizes Sony's recent decisions, including a controversial DRM policy for digital games and the initial PSN requirement for Helldivers 2 on PC. Fryer argues these actions damage player trust, which is difficult to earn and easy to lose, urging Sony to return to its previous stance of supporting players.
The Last of Us Online Director Says Former Colleagues Still Call it “The Best Multiplayer Game”
Former director Vinit Agarwal revealed that colleagues still consider the cancelled The Last of Us Online to be the best multiplayer game they've played. Naughty Dog cancelled the project in December 2023 due to its massive scope and the need to prioritize single-player narrative games. Agarwal, who worked on the title for seven years, expressed devastation but understanding for the decision.
New Game Pass Tier Will Offer Cloud Gaming With Time Limits – Rumor
A new rumor suggests that a forthcoming, first-party games-only tier of Xbox Game Pass, codenamed Triton, will include Cloud Gaming access with a monthly hour limit. This change, potentially driven by Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma's goal to make the service more affordable, contrasts with the current unlimited cloud access. The memo from Sharma indicated a need for a better value equation and a more flexible Game Pass system.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Plans to Introduce Game Pass Tier With Only First-Party Games – Rumor
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly planning a new, more affordable tier for the Game Pass subscription service that would exclusively feature first-party Xbox Game Studios titles. This move comes as Sharma has stated the current Game Pass model is "too expensive for players." Discussions are also underway with Netflix for a potential bundled subscription.
The Last of Us Online’s Cancellation Was a Good Decision, Says Microsoft Game Studios Co-Founder
Microsoft Game Studios co-founder Laura Fryer stated that the cancellation of The Last of Us Online was a positive decision, preventing Naughty Dog from falling into the sunk cost fallacy. She criticized the project's handling and lack of planning, emphasizing that supporting a live service game would have jeopardized the studio's focus on single-player narrative titles.
Former Xbox exec thinks Naughty Dog's decision to cancel the 80% completed The Last of Us Online 'was the right call', but it shouldn't have greenlit it in the first place — 'The ambition was there, but the realistic upfront planning wasn't', she says
Former Microsoft executive Laura Fryer believes Naughty Dog made the correct decision to cancel The Last of Us Online, even though it was nearly 80% complete. She argues the real mistake was greenlighting the project without adequate upfront planning for a live service model, which would have strained the studio's resources and potentially compromised its focus on single-player narrative games.
Game Pass Might Get New Subscription Tier With Only Xbox Game Studios Titles – Rumor
A rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a new, lower-priced Game Pass tier codenamed 'Triton' that would exclusively feature titles from Xbox Game Studios. This potential tier aims to attract a broader customer base by focusing solely on first-party content. The article also touches on past criticisms of Game Pass price increases and potential partnerships with services like Netflix.
Microsoft Gaming’s New CEO Might Revamp Game Pass Subscription Prices – Rumor
A report suggests that Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, plans to make Game Pass more affordable with lower-priced tiers. While Microsoft has not officially commented, the report also mentions potential partnership talks with Netflix for subscription bundles. Former Microsoft Game Studios co-founder Laura Fryer and former FTC commissioner Lina Khan have criticized recent price hikes and business decisions.
'Is Marathon a success? Unfortunately, no, not yet' — Former Xbox exec says Bungie's new extraction shooter was built at a scale and cost that the current market 'simply isn't rewarding'
Former Microsoft executive Laura Fryer believes Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon, despite having a dedicated player base, has not yet achieved success due to its high development cost and scale not being rewarded by the current market. She notes that while player numbers are decent for a $40 game in a crowded genre, the studio faces a significant challenge to justify the investment, especially considering Sony's acquisition of Bungie and the underperformance of Destiny 2.
