Your 2022 Year in Predictions

[Fabulously Olivier]

Tell everyone your predictions for the following for this year:

Future Game of the Year (Industry)

Future Game of the Year (Personal)

Future Worst of the Year (Industry)

Future Worst of the Year (Personal)

Biggest Sales Flops

Biggest Controversy

Better than Anticipated

Most Disappointing

Your Most Anticipated

Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced

Unnannounced Game You Expect

Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit (Can be about anything)

 

My predictions:

Spoiler

Game of the Year (Industry) - Elden Ring

Game of the Year (Personal) - Triangle Strategy

Worst of the Year (Industry) - Dying Light 2

Worst of the Year (Personal) - Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires

Biggest Flops - Babylon's Fall, Saints Row

Biggest Controversy - NFTs

Better than Anticipated - Gotham Knights

Most Disappointing - Marvel's Midnight Suns

My Most Anticipated - Gotham Knights

Games I Most Want Announced:
Fire Emblem 
Warriors game for Fire Emblem, Pokemon, Marvel/DC,;or League of Legends
Persona 6
Golden Sun

Unnannounced Games I Predict:
Fire Emblem
Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster
Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Safest Prediction - FromSoft fans will continue to be the most annoying fandom for years to come.

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by Fabulously Olivier

[Armchair General]

The NFT craze is going to collapse on itself, lmao.

Edited February 4, 2022 by Armchair General

[AnonymousSpeed]

March 1st or 2nd. We'll see.

[Ouzyxol]

Future Game of the Year (Personal)  -  Triangle Strategy

Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced  -  Fire Emblem

Unnannounced Game You Expect  -  FE4 Remake?

Your Safest Prediction  -  continued year-long radio silence about Hollow Knight: Silksong.

[vercio]

I just watched a Mangs's video which relates to that, saying three Fire Emblem games will be announced soon. That being said, I really do not believe all of them are coming in 2022. It will be kinda meh-ish, plus they can cannibalize each other. But I believe we're going to have at least one, or two if the "spinoff" game is going to be Warriors-like (I hope we get another SMT, not another mediocre musou game). That being said, these are my speculations for 2022. Please do not criticize, as in the last years my videogame interest has mainly been old games, not new stuff, mostly of which I do not care about.

 

• Future Game of the Year (Industry): Pokemon Legends, Arceus (I really don't care about it, but hey, it's Pokemon)
• Future Game of the Year (Personal): Triangle Strategy (I don't have high expectations for this, but it's the only game I am sure I'm going to buy so 🤷‍♂️)
• Future Worst of the Year (Industry): eFootball 2022 (The pushback was already a sign of failure for a failing software house which is blowing up on Casino Games and should follow that route. PS: I used to work in the gambling industry and I know how good they are)
• Future Worst of the Year (Personal): Elden Ring (I don't think I'll buy it, but I will try it somehow because some guy will say it's the best game ever and I will hate it)
• Biggest Sales Flops: eFootball 2022 (Too easy, I don't play FIFA and I regret the good old days of the Master League on Pro Evolution Soccer but at this point I guess it's me only)
• Biggest Controversy: eFootball 2022 (That's an easy call)
• Better than Anticipated: Chocobo GP (I hope this is going to be Mario Kart quality-like)
• Most Disappointing: Elden Ring (I hate games with a lot of off-game lore, to me it's synonymous of a badly written scenario)
• Your Most Anticipated: Rune Factory 5 (I want this game to be as good as RF3 was)
• Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced: Fire Emblem, what else?
• Unnannounced Game You Expect: Fire Emblem 17 (as a prequel of Fire Emblem: Three Houses)
• Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit (Can be about anything): We will have a 200 BST armor unit on Fire Emblem Heroes 

That's it!

[Yexin]

10 hours ago, Fabulously Olivier said:

Safest Prediction - FromSoft fans will continue to be the most annoying fandom for years to come.

 

38 minutes ago, vercio said:

Future Worst of the Year (Personal): Elden Ring (I don't think I'll buy it, but I will try it somehow because some guy will say it's the best game ever and I will hate it)

judging by what you guys are saying, you must've met the literally worst people on the planet or something like that
also, if your ability to enjoy something as simple as a videogame can be undermined to this point by what some random dudes on the internet (i assume this is the demographic you guys are referring to; if not, feel free to correct me) say about it, then there's a serious problem, and, dare i say, it's not "them"

 

back on topic:

Spoiler

Future Game of the Year (Industry): Elden Ring

Future Game of the Year (Personal): either Elden Ring, Triangle Strategy, NieR:Replicant, Bravely Default 2 or NEO The World Ends With You (i still have to play the latter three)

Future Worst of the Year (Industry): as i do not care about """bad games""", i'll ignore the sections regarding "bad" or "disappointing" games

Future Worst of the Year (Personal): don't know, don't care

Biggest Sales Flops: don't know, don't care

Biggest Controversy: NFTs

Better than Anticipated: NEO The World Ends With You

Most Disappointing: don't know, don't care

Your Most Anticipated: either Elden Ring or God of War 5 (i refuse to call it GoW2)

Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced: a spin-off/remake/brand-new FE title, FF Tactics Remaster, Xenogears/Xenosaga Remaster, Valkyrie Profile Remaster, Tactics Ogre ports

Unnannounced Game You Expect: Genealogy Remake, FE fighting game ahahah Smash yadda yadda no it's not funny (potentially made by ArcSys), Bravely Third

Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit: Pokémon Legends Arceus will sell enough to make TPC and Nintendo push for another one, but it'll still be developed by that incompetent bunch going by the name of Game Freak and it will not be an actual improvement compared to PLA. this said, it'll still be quite fun to play, hopefully

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by Yexin

[Saint Rubenio]

I don't think I'll fill all of these with anything of substance, but let me have a go at some of them, at least.

• Future Game of the Year (Industry): Eh, probably some big popular game I won't care much about. As usual.
• Future Game of the Year (Personal): My bet's on either Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga or Mario XCOM 2. But I'm really not sure.
• Future Worst of the Year (Industry): David Cage's Star Wars. It sounds like a positively explosive combination. Either that or the next big hype game that is rushed out of the gate for quick bucks.
• Future Worst of the Year (Personal): Whatever traditional JRPG I allow myself to be convinced into playing.
• Biggest Sales Flops: Some unfortunate indie I guess? I can't say I ever follow sales that closely.
• Biggest Controversy: More companies with awful working conditions.
• Better than Anticipated: The new FE. My expectations are really low, so it shouldn't be that hard for IntSys to pull it off.
• Most Disappointing: I'd rather not go into the year already thinking about this.
• Your Most Anticipated: Again, toss up between Lego Star Wars or Mario XCOM 2, with Triangle Strategy following a ways behind. There's also this indie game called Savior I discovered at last year's Future Games Show. I went into it hoping for Lego Star Wars news. Didn't get that, but this game interested me from the get go. I have no idea when exactly it will be released, but I'll keep an eye on it. Also, a couple FE ROMhacks.
• Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced: The new FE, I guess. I don't loyally follow that many brand names.
• Unnannounced Game You Expect: The new FE. It's been way too long, they oughta announce something this year. Or at least I would hope so.
• Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit (Can be about anything): I am going to replay Berwick Saga at some point of the year and Team Fortress 2 will continue to be neglected by Valve.

Kind of a messy list, I know.

Edited February 4, 2022 by Saint Rubenio

[Fabulously Olivier]

1 hour ago, Yexin said:

 

judging by what you guys are saying, you must've met the literally worst people on the planet or something like that
also, if your ability to enjoy something as simple as a videogame can be undermined to this point by what some random dudes on the internet (i assume this is the demographic you guys are referring to; if not, feel free to correct me) say about it, then there's a serious problem, and, dare i say, it's not "them"

 

back on topic:

  Hide contents

Future Game of the Year (Industry): Elden Ring

Future Game of the Year (Personal): either Elden Ring, Triangle Strategy, NieR:Replicant, Bravely Default 2 or NEO The World Ends With You (i still have to play the latter three)

Future Worst of the Year (Industry): as i do not care about """bad games""", i'll ignore the sections regarding "bad" or "disappointing" games

Future Worst of the Year (Personal): don't know, don't care

Biggest Sales Flops: don't know, don't care

Biggest Controversy: NFTs

Better than Anticipated: NEO The World Ends With You

Most Disappointing: don't know, don't care

Your Most Anticipated: either Elden Ring or God of War 5 (i refuse to call it GoW2)

Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced: a spin-off/remake/brand-new FE title, FF Tactics Remaster, Xenogears/Xenosaga Remaster, Valkyrie Profile Remaster, Tactics Ogre ports

Unnannounced Game You Expect: Genealogy Remake, FE fighting game ahahah Smash yadda yadda no it's not funny (potentially made by ArcSys), Bravely Third

Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit: Pokémon Legends Arceus will sell enough to make TPC and Nintendo push for another one, but it'll still be developed by that incompetent bunch going by the name of Game Freak and it will not be an actual improvement compared to PLA. this said, it'll still be quite fun to play, hopefully

 

My disdain for the franchise/subgenre and my disdain for its fanbase are entirely independent.

 

I dislike Souls likes because their no difficulty settings, git gud mentality is everything I have about gaming culture.

 

"Oh, but these games have something better than easy mode. Play this class/build and the game becomes easier." That's terrible game design and means that your class system is poorly balanced.

 

I dislike the community because they are essentially the Jojo fans of gaming. Spend 5 minutes on Reddit. Is your most anticipated game of the year not Elden Ring? Downvote. Are there not at least 3 FromSoft games on your favorites list? Downvote. Is Miyazaki not the greatest developer of our time? Downvote. Don't like these games? You just need to git gud.

[joevar]

1 hour ago, Yexin said:

Future Game of the Year (Personal): either Elden Ring, Triangle Strategy, NieR:Replicant, Bravely Default 2 or NEO The World Ends With You (i still have to play the latter three)

2 hours ago, vercio said:

Future Worst of the Year (Personal): Elden Ring (I don't think I'll buy it, but I will try it somehow because some guy will say it's the best game ever and I will hate it)

the duality of (hu)man XD

i know that feeling of overwhelmed by praises that turn into hate. thats what i feel towards tellius duology lately

-------------------------------------------------

Year (Industry):something that game journalist benefit most from click-bait article about said game
Year (Personal): Monster hunter rise
Worst(Industry): something that game journalist anonymously agree to be bad
Worst (Personal): i dont know. i dont play what i dislike. so i wouldn't know if its actually really bad, or just not my cup of tea.
Flops: saints row maybe
Controversy: Kojima next game
Satisfied: Triangle strategy (if theres no annoying gimmicky filler like Bravely or octopath)
Disappointing: Triangle strategy (if it follows the trend of filler like bravely or octopath)
Anticipated: Elden Ring
Announced: a new Dragon Dogma. capcom still on winning streak, hopefully this will ride that wave too. and FE remake either genealogy or binding.
Expect: a new FE, being a game thats not exactly triple A while stuck in the weakest current console, surely wont take as much time as other big multi-platform titles to create.
Prediction(Can be about anything): Chip shortage will lessen, prices on hardware will also go down.

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by joevar

[Yexin]

5 hours ago, Fabulously Olivier said:

My disdain for the franchise/subgenre and my disdain for its fanbase are entirely independent.

 

I dislike Souls likes because their no difficulty settings, git gud mentality is everything I have about gaming culture.

 

"Oh, but these games have something better than easy mode. Play this class/build and the game becomes easier." That's terrible game design and means that your class system is poorly balanced.

 

I dislike the community because they are essentially the Jojo fans of gaming. Spend 5 minutes on Reddit. Is your most anticipated game of the year not Elden Ring? Downvote. Are there not at least 3 FromSoft games on your favorites list? Downvote. Is Miyazaki not the greatest developer of our time? Downvote. Don't like these games? You just need to git gud.

well tbh FromSoft games aren't really known for offering a perfectly balanced single player experience, where every weapon or piece of armor is actually viable (especially in DkS1)
also classes are not to be intended the FE way, but more like "if you choose this class, this is what you're starting your adventure with, but you'll eventually be able to become virtually anything you want depending on what stats you want to level up", so yeah, they're not "balanced" either

as for the fanbase comment, i guess i can only say "lucky me i've never cared about Reddit and i don't intend to do so now", but i can definitely see the frustration of what you described
just, please don't assume they're all like that

Edited February 4, 2022 by Yexin

[Fabulously Olivier]

7 minutes ago, Yexin said:

well tbh FromSoft games aren't really known for offerning a perfectly balanced single player experience, where every weapon or piece of armor is actually viable (especially in DkS1)
also classes are not to be intended the FE way, but more like "if you choose this class, this is what you're starting your adventure with, but you'll eventually be able to become virtually anything you want depending on what stats you want to level up", so yeah, they're not "balanced" either

as for the fanbase comment, i guess i can only say "lucky me i've never cared about Reddit and i don't intend to do so now", but i can definitely see the frustration of what you described
just, please don't assume they're all like that

No community is all one thing. League of Legends has one of the most hated communities in gaming. Are they all bad? No, just mostly. Not all Sonic fans are creeps that even furries want no association with. But they uh... do exist. In worrying numbers.

 

It's the difference between fans and fandom. 

[Zapp Branniglenn]

And what's my thread? Chopped liver? Eh, I guess it was just an excuse to flaunt my 20% batting average on extremely high risk bets. I never did talk about what games I'm interested to actually play. 

• Future Game of the Year (Industry): The way I see it, three contenders are for sure releasing this year. Elden Ring, Horizon 2, and God of War 2. Yep, return of the open world action games dominating GOTY. You guys WILL miss how much of a breath of fresh air 2021's lineup was. I think most outlets will be split on these, but specifically the Game Awards GOTY will go to Elden Ring. 
• Future Game of the Year (Personal): Kirby and the Fucking Forgotten Land
• Future Worst of the Year (Industry): Among games that people notice even released? Sonic Frontiers is a possibility. It doesn't have the Nintendo Shield that Breath of the Wild 2 will (reminder that Skyward Sword's metacritic is NINETY THREE).
• Future Worst of the Year (Personal): I've got a good track record of not getting games I don't think I'll like. If this were back at the start of the year I would have answered Pokemon Legends, but that doesn't seem too likely now that I've played it. Probably Sonic Frontiers or another Nintendo game.
• Biggest Sales Flops: Saints Row
• Biggest Controversy: Oof, how can you make a bet here that doesn't include NFTs? EA has gotten cold feet, and I think between Ubisoft and Square, Square is most likely to go through with it. But screw it, big bet time: Beyond Good and Evil 2 Resurfaces. And one of the solicited fan art submissions from years ago is allegedly being sold as an NFT.
• Better than Anticipated: Marvel's Midnight Suns
• Your Most Anticipated: Besides Kirby, let's call it a three way tie between Bayonetta 3, River City Girls 2, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
• Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced: Killer Instinct 4 
• Unannounced Game You Expect: Xenoblade Chronicles X port. 
• Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit (Can be about anything): Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are coming to console - a few months after 6 has released on PC. Square Enix has REVIEWED fan demand and decided this was the optimal time to announce that the version you wanted will ALSO be available for purchase.

And I hope you don't mind but here are some of my own categories

• Game that you will vouch for but nobody listens: Dying Light 2 (which I have not played at the time of writing). Maybe Tiny Tina's Wonderlands? Dunno if I can convince my friends to play with me. 
• The 2023 Delay that shocks everybody: Breath of the Wild 2
• The 2023 Delay that shocks nobody: Gotham Knights. We've seen more of Suicide Squad and that news floored me.
• Scummiest DLC road map for a non-live-service game: Pokemon Legends
• New Game trailer with zero gameplay that everybody loses their minds over: Persona 6
• New Remake trailer with zero gameplay that everybody loses their minds over: Kingdom Hearts
• Most incredible trailer for a game not releasing this year: Perfect Dark. For most people it's probably something with Final Fantasy in the title. 
• Video Game Movie with the highest score on RottenTomatoes: Uncharted
• Video Game Movie of the Year (Personal): Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Biggest Company Acquisition (not counting Activision/Blizzard): EA.
• Most likely Company Acquisition: Something connected to Warner Bros Interactive.

[Fabulously Olivier]

1 hour ago, Zapp Branniglenn said:

And what's my thread? Chopped liver? Eh, I guess it was just an excuse to flaunt my 20% batting average on extremely high risk bets. I never did talk about what games I'm interested to actually play. 

• Future Game of the Year (Industry): The way I see it, three contenders are for sure releasing this year. Elden Ring, Horizon 2, and God of War 2. Yep, return of the open world action games dominating GOTY. You guys WILL miss how much of a breath of fresh air 2021's lineup was. I think most outlets will be split on these, but specifically the Game Awards GOTY will go to Elden Ring. 
• Future Game of the Year (Personal): Kirby and the Fucking Forgotten Land
• Future Worst of the Year (Industry): Among games that people notice even released? Sonic Frontiers is a possibility. It doesn't have the Nintendo Shield that Breath of the Wild 2 will (reminder that Skyward Sword's metacritic is NINETY THREE).
• Future Worst of the Year (Personal): I've got a good track record of not getting games I don't think I'll like. If this were back at the start of the year I would have answered Pokemon Legends, but that doesn't seem too likely now that I've played it. Probably Sonic Frontiers or another Nintendo game.
• Biggest Sales Flops: Saints Row
• Biggest Controversy: Oof, how can you make a bet here that doesn't include NFTs? EA has gotten cold feet, and I think between Ubisoft and Square, Square is most likely to go through with it. But screw it, big bet time: Beyond Good and Evil 2 Resurfaces. And one of the solicited fan art submissions from years ago is allegedly being sold as an NFT.
• Better than Anticipated: Marvel's Midnight Suns
• Your Most Anticipated: Besides Kirby, let's call it a three way tie between Bayonetta 3, River City Girls 2, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
• Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced: Killer Instinct 4 
• Unannounced Game You Expect: Xenoblade Chronicles X port. 
• Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit (Can be about anything): Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are coming to console - a few months after 6 has released on PC. Square Enix has REVIEWED fan demand and decided this was the optimal time to announce that the version you wanted will ALSO be available for purchase.

And I hope you don't mind but here are some of my own categories

• Game that you will vouch for but nobody listens: Dying Light 2 (which I have not played at the time of writing). Maybe Tiny Tina's Wonderlands? Dunno if I can convince my friends to play with me. 
• The 2023 Delay that shocks everybody: Breath of the Wild 2
• The 2023 Delay that shocks nobody: Gotham Knights. We've seen more of Suicide Squad and that news floored me.
• Scummiest DLC road map for a non-live-service game: Pokemon Legends
• New Game trailer with zero gameplay that everybody loses their minds over: Persona 6
• New Remake trailer with zero gameplay that everybody loses their minds over: Kingdom Hearts
• Most incredible trailer for a game not releasing this year: Perfect Dark. For most people it's probably something with Final Fantasy in the title. 
• Video Game Movie with the highest score on RottenTomatoes: Uncharted
• Video Game Movie of the Year (Personal): Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Biggest Company Acquisition (not counting Activision/Blizzard): EA.
• Most likely Company Acquisition: Something connected to Warner Bros Interactive.

I love those categories and have my own.

 

• Game that you will vouch for but nobody listens: Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons
• The 2023 Delay that shocks everybody: Bayonetta 3
• The 2023 Delay that shocks nobody: Ashes of Creation, Final Fantasy 16
• Scummiest DLC road map for a non-live-service game: Touken Ranbu Warriors
• New Game trailer with zero gameplay that everybody loses their minds over: Persona 6
• New Remake trailer with zero gameplay that everybody loses their minds over: Legend of Dragoon
• Most incredible trailer for a game not releasing this year: God of War Ragnarok
• Video Game Movie with the highest score on RottenTomatoes: Uncharted
• Video Game Movie of the Year (Personal): Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Biggest Company Acquisition (not counting Activision/Blizzard): EA
• Most likely Company Acquisition: Sega

[MisterIceTeaPeach]

I can give an answer to goty: Kirby And The Forgotten Land

This will be most likely the only game from 2022 I will purchase.

Otherwise I do not care too much for anything else which has been announced for this year.

Announcement for a new Fire Emblem game would be nice, but also about time.

Edited February 5, 2022 by Julizan

[vanguard333]

Future Game of the Year (Industry) - Depends on what you mean by "industry"; the game that gets the most acclaim? The game that gets the most "game of the year" awards from out-of-touch award shows? In any case, probably Elden Ring.

Future Game of the Year (Personal) - Breath of the Wild 2 if it releases this year. If not, then probably the Blossom Tales sequel.

Future Worst of the Year (Industry) - No idea.

Future Worst of the Year (Personal) - No idea; I try to avoid bad games and I listen to reviewers.

Biggest Sales Flops - Edge of Eternity: a JRPG that's been in early access for multiple years and has had almost no marketing whatsoever. 

Biggest Controversy - NFTs, assuming that it counts as a controversy since "controversy" implies argument, and as far as I can work out, the only people supporting NFTs in games are either people with stake in NFTs or the game companies trying to push for NFTs in games, so it's not an argument.

Better than Anticipated - Pokémon Legends: Arceus. I have not seen such low expectations for a game in quite a while; expectations for any Pokémon game have been below rock-bottom; they've been planet's inner core level of low. But, I've played Legends: Arceus, and it's been pretty good so far. It isn't by any means the most amazing game ever made; not even close, but I cannot see a game being even more "better than anticipated" than this, simply because anticipation was just so low for this game.

Most Disappointing - Industry or personal? Either way, I have no idea. I would say Dragon Age 4 for "industry" if it wasn't already a given that Bioware is basically dead.

Your Most Anticipated - BOTW2 obviously, if it releases this year. If not, then probably Blossom Tales 2.

Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced - The Legend of Zelda: Oracle Games Remake that includes the cancelled third game.

Unannounced Game You Expect - Fire Emblem Echoes: Genealogy of the Holy War.

Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit (Can be about anything) - Dragon Age 4 will be a shell of a game.

[Fabulously Olivier]

So as a long term post 2022 prediction, I'm going to follow up my current prediction that Babylon's Fall will flop with a greater prediction that Platinum Games will fail and get absorbed into another studio (likely Nintendo).

 

Babylon's Fall is coming out in a crowded window (alongside 3 other Square published games) with little marketing and very little hype. No one seems to have anything nice to say about what they're seeing.

 

Moreover, Platinum has a history of flops, and their stated live service goal for the future is not one I see being received well. I think it's going to backfire tremendously for them.

[Zapp Branniglenn]

On 2/8/2022 at 5:39 AM, Fabulously Olivier said:

with a greater prediction that Platinum Games will fail and get absorbed into another studio (likely Nintendo).

Moreover, Platinum has a history of flops, and their stated live service goal for the future is not one I see being received well. I think it's going to backfire tremendously for them.

Platinum's new president is not opposed to a deal, so long as their creative freedom is respected. So they may indeed get acquired some day soon. They certainly don't seem to be making a good run of things on their own, having to kickstart a port of one of their previous gen games. They wouldn't mind those Microsoft deep pockets to finance their loftier projects. They're still seemingly incapable of bringing Bayonetta 2 to other systems (what the hell, Nintendo? It's been long enough, and now even Sony is saying yes to PC ports of their exclusives third parties. Let Platinum sell their damn games!). Inaba also says he's specifically envious of the mutual respect he sees in the Activision/Microsoft deal, so maybe it's time to adjust those bingo cards. Then again It might be him saying "better Them than Us". A Platinum/Microsoft partnership is certainly awkward to think about, but times change, and in this case leadership changes too. Inaba and Spencer were not the respective CEOs of these companies before 2022, let alone 2013. And I'm not looking forward to imagining how much better of a game Bayonetta 3 could have been if it weren't locked to the Switch - or the obvious comparisons to Devil May Cry 5 running on RE Engine. 

As for Nintendo acquiring Platinum, it's hard to imagine. Nintendo doesn't do acquisitions often, even for the fiercely loyal studios like AlphaDream, or the ancient history example of Rareware. If Camelot filed for bankruptcy tomorrow, my first thought would be "wow, I guess that's it for Mario Tennis huh? Hope Next Level doesn't get stuck doing that".

In other gaming news, what the H*ck is Capcom announcing on Feb 21? Expecting Something Resident Evil related, hoping for Capcom vs Capcom crossover fighter.

Edited February 15, 2022 by Zapp Branniglenn

[Fabulously Olivier]

14 hours ago, Zapp Branniglenn said:

Platinum's new president is not opposed to a deal, so long as their creative freedom is respected. So they may indeed get acquired some day soon. They certainly don't seem to be making a good run of things on their own, having to kickstart a port of one of their previous gen games. They wouldn't mind those Microsoft deep pockets to finance their loftier projects. They're still seemingly incapable of bringing Bayonetta 2 to other systems (what the hell, Nintendo? It's been long enough, and now even Sony is saying yes to PC ports of their exclusives third parties. Let Platinum sell their damn games!). Inaba also says he's specifically envious of the mutual respect he sees in the Activision/Microsoft deal, so maybe it's time to adjust those bingo cards. Then again It might be him saying "better Them than Us". A Platinum/Microsoft partnership is certainly awkward to think about, but times change, and in this case leadership changes too. Inaba and Spencer were not the respective CEOs of these companies before 2022, let alone 2013. And I'm not looking forward to imagining how much better of a game Bayonetta 3 could have been if it weren't locked to the Switch - or the obvious comparisons to Devil May Cry 5 running on RE Engine. 

As for Nintendo acquiring Platinum, it's hard to imagine. Nintendo doesn't do acquisitions often, even for the fiercely loyal studios like AlphaDream, or the ancient history example of Rareware. If Camelot filed for bankruptcy tomorrow, my first thought would be "wow, I guess that's it for Mario Tennis huh? Hope Next Level doesn't get stuck doing that".

In other gaming news, what the H*ck is Capcom announcing on Feb 21? Expecting Something Resident Evil related, hoping for Capcom vs Capcom crossover fighter.

I genuinely wasn't expecting to be potentially onto something this soon. Damn, I'm good.

 

Nintendo primarily makes defensive acquisitions. If another company makes moves on their preferred partners or 2nd party studios, that's the rare situation when they get involved. Platinum may be seen as one of their preferred partners at this point.

[Zapp Branniglenn]

@Fabulously Olivier

Wow I missed this too the week prior. Kamiya wants another shot at Scalebound. And he doubled down on it this week. I guess there's no bad blood at all, unless Microsoft is low-key bitter about all that sunk money financing the project. But when you're spending Microsoft money on the regular, can you really stay mad about that?

Starting to think I made a bad bet on 'Most Likely Acquisition'. And certainly a bad one on 'Highest rated Video Game Movie'. Yikes. Always bet on the blue hedgehog I guess.

[Fabulously Olivier]

15 minutes ago, Zapp Branniglenn said:

@Fabulously Olivier

Wow I missed this too the week prior. Kamiya wants another shot at Scalebound. And he doubled down on it this week. I guess there's no bad blood at all, unless Microsoft is low-key bitter about all that sunk money financing the project. But when you're spending Microsoft money on the regular, can you really stay mad about that?

Starting to think I made a bad bet on 'Most Likely Acquisition'. And certainly a bad one on 'Highest rated Video Game Movie'. Yikes. Always bet on the blue hedgehog I guess.

So you're thinking Platinum by Microsoft? 

 

Hmm. It does fit with their stated live service goal. Sony is wanting to go more into live services, but Microsoft is already there.

[Zapp Branniglenn]

47 minutes ago, Fabulously Olivier said:

So you're thinking Platinum by Microsoft? 

 

Hmm. It does fit with their stated live service goal. Sony is wanting to go more into live services, but Microsoft is already there.

Moreover, let's say Platinum is in these talks with Microsoft right now, what better way to make a case for the partnership than to go online and aggressively shore up interest in the Scalebound IP out of the blue? Platinum might be really riding on this becoming a thing, but their problem is that they don't own any notable IP they can bring with them to Game Pass. We know they're 'The Bayonetta Guys', but whether or not we see more Bayonetta and where depends on Sega. This Scalebound stuff is sweet talking.

Personally I think Platinum should remain independent, regardless of a Scalebound revival. From my point of view, Platinum's biggest problem is ditching the licensed game model and releasing stuff exclusively for one platform. Xbox/PC may not be 'one' platform, but ignoring Playstation sounds like an unnecessary risk. This is doubly true if Platinum were acquired by Sony or Nintendo instead. They need to cast a wider net to stay afloat. But if the company president is pushing for it, and devs like Kamiya are for it, I won't argue with what they want. 

Edited February 18, 2022 by Zapp Branniglenn

[MagicCanonBalls]

Future Game of the Year (Industry)- Elden Ring

Future Game of the Year (Personal)- Digimon Survive (if it even comes out this year), if not then FEW 3 Hopes

Future Worst of the Year (Industry)- Midnight Son

Biggest Sales Flops- Midnight Sons

Biggest Controversy-

• Elden Ring. There is already some minor outrage about removing gender selection and replaced with "choose your body type". 
• Xenoblade 3

Better than Anticipated- Suicide Squad. And Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, which is already out and much better than I can ever imagined.

Your Most Anticipated-

• Baldur's Gate 3. I never played DnD in real life, nor have I ever played the previous titles, but Pathfinder and the gameplay footage honestly sold me on it. 
• Digimon Survive
• Gotham Knights
•  New chapter for Path of Wuxia.(It's technically in early access according to Steam, but developer said they will release chapter by chapter)
• Vampire Masquerade

Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced-

• Mainline FE or remake (or 3ds games port for Switch)
• Pokemon
• A long stretch but I want a Cardfight!! Vanguard single player game that isn't Japanese Exclusive.
• New Dragon Age or Mass Effect. Seriously DA news has been negative so far with changing teams and multiple staffs leaving the project, and changed from live service game to single player focus (thank Andraste). While ME is still a franchise in a rather rare genre with a balanced 3rd person shooting + RPG elements, no other shooting game ever filled the void ME left me.

[Fabulously Olivier]

Looks like I've got one prediction down already. And even moreso than I figured. Babylon's Fall didn't just flop. It faceplanted on arrival.

 

Judging by peak concurrents and review numbers, this thing's sales numbers could genuinely be measured in thousands of copies and I would be worried for Platinum's future.

Edited March 6, 2022 by Fabulously Olivier

[Perkilator]

• Future Game of the Year (Industry): Elden Ring
• Future Game of the Year (Personal): IDK
• Future Worst of the Year (Industry): Babylon’s Fall
• Future Worst of the Year (Personal): IDK
• Biggest Sales Flops: Babylon’s Fall (probably)
• Biggest Controversy: NFT’s. C’mon, no bad game could be worse than these.
• Better than Anticipated: Mario Kart 8 DLC
• Most Disappointing: IDK
• Your Most Anticipated: Sonic Frontiers
• Game/Franchise You Most Want Announced: A Kingdom Hearts game with Kairi and Aqua as the protagonists
• Unnannounced Game You Expect: FE4 remake
• Your Safest Prediction/Low Hanging Fruit (Can be about anything): Teaser trailer for a new Kingdom Hearts game

[vanguard333]

On 3/5/2022 at 7:16 PM, Fabulously Olivier said:

Looks like I've got one prediction down already. And even moreso than I figured. Babylon's Fall didn't just flop. It faceplanted on arrival.

 

Judging by peak concurrents and review numbers, this thing's sales numbers could genuinely be measured in thousands of copies and I would be worried for Platinum's future.

Possibly, but I still maintain that my prediction, Edge of Eternity, is also going to flop.

It's a science-fantasy JRPG that has been sitting in early access for years, and I've just learned more info about it than I had when I made the prediction, and the new info does not look good.

For one thing, it's already available to purchase, and I had no idea until I saw it five minutes ago on the Switch e-shop. This game has had practically zero marketing and barely any hype for it. Another glaring warning sign was that the Switch e-shop page for it says in bold: "THIS GAME REQUIRES INTERNET CONNECTION TO PLAY. PLEASE TRY OUT THE FREE DEMO BEFORE PURCHASE." This is a single-player JRPG with turn-based combat, and it's online-only. That's definitely not a good sign.

At least the sheer negativity towards Babylon's Fall is giving it media attention; Edge of Eternity doesn't even have that.