Dear Developers: Slow Your Roll

Dear Developers,

If you haven't heard by now... Google has shut down the internal studios for its Stadia platform. I shared my concern in a prior post some time back because I didn't know where the platform would go as a streaming service. There are multiple options for gaming, so you have to make sure that you're on point with everything regarding your service or products.

Google isn't completely shutting down Stadia, it's their first-party games... which tends to be the siding factor on what platform a gamer will invest in. Closing studios is... not a good look!

They could have taken the 3rd party route first, making multiplatform games (under... "Google Games" or "Stadia Studios" or something) and built up a library before they took the Stadia platform route.

At the same time, they could have just started on Google Play and built up their 1st party developer status. From there they could have flipped it and made console games available on Chromecast w/ Google TV once it was ready and keep the achievements tied to the same system as mobile apps. I just think there was too much going on to do too much because the competitors have been strong in the console department... and PC is a beast so the best bet would've been Google Play.

When the time came for streaming, all the games would've needed in Google Play was their own category representing first party originals with a little label to represent them as stream-only titles.

Ideas may seem great at the time, but... it's always good to take the best route for longevity and victory. You don't want to spread yourself thing only to exhaust much-needed resources. I don't know what the cancellation of first-party games will mean for Stadia, but... if they bundle it with another service I think it could survive. 

Overall, they need to keep 1st & 2nd party development in the conversation... because Onlive was 3rd party-only too, and you saw what happened there. Two of the studios will close which will impact 150 developers... and that sucks royally. Try again when you can Google, but... slow your roll.

Read more on Google's plan to close their Montreal & LA studios... here!

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My Response To: Ugly Guys Need To Work Harder + More!

Marvel's Avengers + DOLO17 MvCi battle

Marvel's Avengers

Assemble your team of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, embrace your powers, and live your Super Hero dreams.


Marvel’s Avengers is an epic, third-person, action-adventure game that combines an original, cinematic story with single-player and co-operative gameplay*. Assemble into a team of up to four players online, master extraordinary abilities, customize a growing roster of Heroes, and defend the Earth from escalating threats.


Marvel’s Avengers begins at A-Day, where Captain America, Iron Man, the Hulk, Black Widow, and Thor are unveiling a new, hi-tech Avengers Headquarters in San Francisco. The celebration turns deadly when a mysterious enemy causes a catastrophic accident which results in massive devastation. Blamed for the tragedy, the Avengers disband. Five years later, with all Super Heroes outlawed and the world in peril, a sprawling adventure ignites when a determined young woman named Kamala Khan sets out to reassemble and rebuild the Avengers to stop the unchecked power of the secretive new force known as AIM.

Marvel’s Avengers continues the epic journey with new Heroes and new narrative delivered on an ongoing basis, for the definitive Avengers gaming experience.

*One-time online access required for the single-player campaign; online access required for multiplayer and to download post-launch content. Free Square Enix Members account required.

This game will be downloaded by supporters anyway, but don't miss the part about the one time access requirement for the single-player campaign. The day support is no longer available for this game... how will the single-player campaign be accessed? - Blu

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite

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My Response To: Ugly Guys Need To Work Harder + More!

Hurricanes & Games

While we wait on the slowest hurricane ever to pass... (please please pass us by!), I'm doing a little something different. - RkRk

I thought it was going to come and go by now, I ate all my freaking snacks. - Luis D. Lucha

All my candy is gone. - RkRk

Have you gone to the dentist yet? I get concerned. - Yang

Dad... I assure you my teeth are fine, I brush twice a day! Three times on weekends! - RkRk

That wasn't my question, son. - Yang

Shots fired. - Luis D. Lucha

I was talking to both of you. - Yang

Worry about your own grill. - Luis D. Lucha

Yes! Now... on to my post! I've packed this post with as much fun as possible to keep you entertained while you're waiting for things to level out in your city. Stay safe! - RkRk

We're in Orlando with fingers crossed, especially for the people I've talked to who are still expected to go to work until their supervisors feel they should stay home. - Blu

I would lose that job because I'm not going to be in a picture hanging up with the caption "This Idiot Showed Commitment!". - Luis D. Lucha

Hehe - Blu

I'll get the ball rolling with Gamescom 2019's opening night... after a prank! - RkRk

I don't know what I would've done in this situation, but now that you've gotten a laugh... it's game time baby!

Did you see the Alan Wake-ish game releasing on Stadia? I wonder if that inspired them to make it. - RkRk

There have been games way before Alan Wake... remember Luigi's Mansion, and even games prior to that? Alan Wake was about 10 years about, Luigi's Mansion was almost two decades ago. Game looks fun though. - Blu

Jeff Keely looked like he needed to take a dump at one point. - Luis D. Lucha

Ha! - RkRk

Of the new games... Disintegration really caught my eye. I wouldn't mind strapping in and logging a few hours. Oh yeah... Philips sent us a package, so expect a tech review as soon as possible! - Blu

Now on to day 2... after a shameless plug! - RkRk

Wait... wait! I actually have the old PC franchise of Blair Witch! I'm immediately reminded of this crazy woman who accused my best friend and me of studying witchcraft because he owned the movie. It was one of the craziest encounters I've had. She reminded me of the crazy villagers of the past... with no logic in sight. - Blu

Never told us this. - Luis D. Lucha

I was just reminded of it. She got his Grandparents worked up and everything, but... luckily his sister knew what it was and explained - Blu

That's weird, was she Amish? - Yang

Not at all, but she was super religious. - Blu

There you go right there. Crazy. - Luis D. Lucha

Anyways... this is day 2 of Gamescom! - RkRk

 I wouldn't mind having a Stadia for those times that I need to download an update before I play a game. - RkRk

I've talked to quite a few people over the past two weeks, and Stadia came up twice. It's not a bad notion, and Google's more established than Onlive was... but I'm still paranoid. The Nintendo Switch and PC came up the most, but I'm seeing a lot of rereleased games on the Switch like the Wii U got. - Blu

I still wouldn't mind being able to hop in and out. I'm really getting tired of downloads and making space... remember swapping out hard drives on the 360? - RkRk

That sucked severely! - Luis D. Lucha

Game on... no matter the platform. - Blu

Yes sir! I think this should be enough content to fill up your downtime, but if it's not... check out some games and bundles! - RkRk

          

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DOOM Eternal

DESCRIPTION

Pre-Purchase Offer

Pre-order now to receive the Rip and Tear Pack and prepare to Raze Hell in DOOM Eternal.

The Rip and Tear Pack includes:

• DOOT Revenant skin to use in Battlemode
• Cultist Base Master Level - A remixed version of the campaign level ""Cultist Base,"" with new challenges and surprises
• "Throw-back" Shotgun Weapon Skin - Bring DOOM's original shotgun to bear on DOOM Eternal's demon hordes

Summary

As the DOOM Slayer, you return to find Earth has suffered a demonic invasion. Raze Hell and discover the Slayer’s origins and his enduring mission to rip and tear…until it is done.

Experience the ultimate combination of speed and power as you battle your way across dimensions with the next leap in push-forward, first-person combat.

Slayer Threat Level at Maximum
Armed with a shoulder-mounted flamethrower, retractable wrist-mounted blade, upgraded guns and mods, and abilities like the Double Dash, you're faster, stronger, and more versatile than ever.

Unholy Trinity
Take what you need from your enemies: Glory kill for extra health, incinerate for armor, and chainsaw demons to stock up on ammo to become the ultimate demon-slayer.

BATTLEMODE
A new 2 versus 1 multiplayer experience built from the ground up at id Software. A fully-armed DOOM Slayer faces off against two player-controlled demons, duking it out over three rounds of intense first-person combat.

游戏开始！

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UBISOFT X E3 2019

Every time I see Ghost Recon: Breakpoint... I think of this verse from the multi-platinum Artist Rick Ross, "We're Veterans... so it's better if you go get your Army". I think Breakpoint has a nice twist, but I appreciate the fact that they just didn't throw it together with a no name NPC... they actually put some story behind it.

This grabs my interest more than Wildlands, but... the content in Wildlands that leads up to this gives me the urge to play that. I don't know how much the story grabs you in Wildlands, but... great stories grab my attention for sure and I hope to see more of them. - Blu

          

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Apple Arcade vs Google Stadia? Its On!!!

If you haven't heard... Apple has responded to Google (indirectly) with their own gaming platform.

Yes, folks, the Apple Arcade will be launching Fall 2019... but how will it compare? I guess it doesn't really have to compare, but I've seen... more promise from Google's Stadia platform.

I won't crap on Apple Arcade, because who knows what will be released on it. The Pathless... looks pretty good, so does OCEANHORN 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, Beyond a Steel Sky... which has a Borderlands meets Fallout vibe to it... and more. So who knows.

Apple Arcade will be an... All You Can Play subscription service.

No ads... No in-app purchases. 100+ games will be available.

Playable on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and... Apple TV (including offline... anywhere).

One plus I see with this is the ability for 6 family members to use the subscription. So families that use Apple products faithfully (which wouldn't be me)... they can game on one subscription.

Can they game all at once? Who knows. That... would be a question worth knowing, because taking turns would suck... royally. If everyone can game simultaneously, that's multiplayer action without the need to fish through a server (if you can game online with this).

Overall, I think it's good, because... both Apple and Google are giving their customer's more options. As long as the price is right... they should be fine, but I still think that Google has the upper hand as far as core gamers are concerned... just feels like there's more there. Doesn't mean it makes for better games... but Stadia caught my eye so much more than Apple Arcade. 

I'm not buying Apple products for that. Either way... if it means more people gaming, thumbs up!

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Google Stadia: This is how you rock the boat!

If Google doesn't mess this up... and they actually already have the structure in place for Stadia to be used the way they're presenting it (as seen below)... it could be worth the investment. If the price is right!

Google is approaching the mound of what other companies like Onlive have approached, and I don't want to jinx anything... but I think Google has made enough sound decisions in this department to do okay. Gaming is a different beast... but who knows, i'm optimistic.

The Stadia controllers look like they could use some work, but... I think they really have something on their hands that can break ground where others have failed. They already have multiple other products, and to actually use some of those products in combination with their gaming platform... brings gamers closer to something I've mentioned in the past.

You can turn your gaming session into an event without 3rd party software to make it tick. I don't want to jinx anything, but based on what they're presenting... it really does feel like that. YouTube can be tied in, chat, and who knows what else. Onlive didn't have the user base Google has, and they already have multiple mobile gamers downloading and pouring crap tons of hours into titles available on Google Play... so I really think this will work.

Enjoy the keynote and i'll get back to you with more gab in about an hour and 19 minutes.

As you see, they're presenting Stadia as a platform that allows you to play AAA games (from 1080p up to the future 8k) on PC, Phone, and TV without major hardware on your end. You can play with devices you already have... which is a plus, so regardless of what controllers they have, you can use your own.

Their controller connects directly to your wireless, and has other features like capture, but if they're allowing others to be used... some features should work with the tried and true that some of us hold near and dear.

If their controller is awesome, and the platform proves to be something built for the long haul... it could be worth the buy... (say it with me) if the price is right! One of the biggest pluses that Stadia could bring... (in my opinion) is the ability to play with more people. I wrote a "Dear Developer" post about how some games eliminate their own potential player base merely based on specs.

So to have something like Stadia that doesn't require gamers to have hardware to back up that desire to game... the player base should boom (plus they presented it as being open to cross-platform). There are people i'd love to game with more often, but usually don't because they're on alternate systems, or simply don't own one. Everyone I know has a mobile phone and a TV. Give me a sec (geeking).

Internet speed requirements will be the biggest factor next to price... when it comes to Stadia.
I really don't think that games will be a problem... because Google Play has already stood the test of time, unlike Onlive.

They're working on 1st party titles (via STADIA Games & Entertainment), which Valve has gone to sleep on (can't say Google won't do the same with Stadia, but lets see). It looks like Stadia will also have 2nd party titles, and 3rd party should be a major duh considering the user base Google has. There will undoubtedly be a bunch of re-releases.

K.A. threw out the possibility that Google might just be offering a streaming service of games that we already own, versus being competition for the... competition, but I highly doubt it. That would result in them using their resources to help you stream games you bought else where. Good luck on that.

This is how you rock the boat in a good way. Developers and gamers win. One thing that hasn't come up in the chatter is... how is it going to impact the iPhone? Google could rock the iPhone if you can't use Stadia on it, because gamers that really want it on their phones would be put in a position where they have to make a decision... or own two phones.

Options are good... and I hope this is yet another great one that brings more of us together for memorable game play moments. I could end this by saying "Thank you and Good Night!", but I have to bring up a potential downside.

Google allows you to report people on YouTube, and sometimes its a good thing, but sometimes... people get reported for no reason at all and channels get affected. That can wreck a gamer's channel, and potentially their account. Don't know how that will all work out, but i'm sure there will be enough vocal gamers out there to help them work out the kinks.

As seen in the announcement... Stadia takes launch in 2019, which might seem too soon, but they might be launching to get ahead of the competition like, Microsoft. Who knows how it might affect Xbox, but the writing on the wall is showing more and more (to me) as Microsoft turns to PC.

Google doesn't have a vested interest in consoles, so releasing something like Stadia that doesn't require hardware updates on our end... gets a thumbs up if it lasts, and... if the price is right. 

THANK YOU, GOOD NIGHT, and... GAME ON!

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