Are You Part of the Problem?

March 18, 2022

How many times have you bought Skyrim? Statistically, there's a good chance the answer is actually more than once. Possibly even more than twice. Bethesda's epic is over a decade old, yet its most recent release was in November 2021 - just four months ago. A follow-up was announced at E3 back in 2018, but the studio has yet to show us anything of it. And why would they, when we won't stop buying the last one? Its world is still one of gaming's best, so how can we resist seeing it through a slightly higher resolution lens just one more time?

At 8 years old GTA V is a comparative spring chicken, but this week saw the release of its third iteration in the guise of a newly remastered PS5 and Xbox Series S/X edition. Less than a day after launch, articles reporting how "pathetic" the port is appeared online - citing minimal visual improvements, glitches, and save-transfer issues. Rockstar has been quick to promise fixes - almost like they knew it was coming... but it's not good. Still, that £8.75 upgrade price on PS5 is mighty tempting, right?

This isn't Rockstar's first rodeo either. The snappily named Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy: The Definitive Edition recently bundled three of the most-loved titles in the series together, dropped them into a vast sea of bugs and glitches and left them to fend for themselves. It was a mess, but I've been close to buying it myself on numerous occasions, and at some point I most definitely will. Reportedly, despite the huge backlash it received, 10 million people already have.

Rockstar and Bethesda aren't the only culprits, of course. Nintendo have a pretty torrid record of treating their library with no respect too. Last year's Super Mario 3D All-Stars Collection packaged Mario 64, Sunshine and Galaxy together into one neat package - what a thought! But the cheap ports and minimal enhancements left a sour taste. Even worse, Nintendo made it clear at release that the collection would only be available to purchase for 6 months before being removed from sale entirely. Buy it now - they said - you won't get another chance. Similarly, the Nintendo Switch Online service was met with excitement when it was first revealed, but the selection of NES and SNES games was slim for the yearly fee being asked for, and the simple rom dumps were about as devoid of effort as it gets. In October, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pak launched, adding N64 and Mega Drive games to the service - for an additional fee. Paying extra for more content is nothing new, of course, but the state some of these games launched in again highlighted the company's lack of respect for its own classics. But really, who can say no to portable Ocarinas and F-Zeros?

It's a sad state of affairs when companies can take advantage of our love by selling us the same games over and over again, and even worse when they are so blatantly lazy about it. But if we keep buying these shoddy versions and cheap ports, publishers will keep making them. And can we blame them?

Ok, confession time; I've bought three versions of Skyrim - I've never completed it once. I own the Mario 3D All-Stars Collection and I subscribe to NSO + Expansion Pak - what can I say, I love 3D Marios and N64 games. I don't own the new GTA V or the GTA Trilogy, but I will at some point. These games are classics, and despite already owning the originals I want to play them on modern hardware that's actually plugged into my TV.

I'm part of the problem. I hate that I am, but I can't deny it. Given the astonishing numbers these games shift, you probably are too.

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I'd love to hear what you think. If you have any thoughts on this subject, or... well, anything video game related at all, then please reply to this email alongside the name and/or social media handle you’d like to be credited as, and you could be featured in an upcoming issue.

Until next time!

NEWS

For the tarnished

Having forecast sales of 4 million by the end of March, Bandai Namco this week announced that Elden Ring had sold a staggering 12 million units in less than 3 weeks. Fans of FromSoftware know exactly how special and all-consuming these games can be, but that number is remarkable considering just how hostile and uninviting they are.

The publisher said that it was "a fantastic start for the new franchise", before rather ominously adding "...we will continue our efforts in expanding the brand beyond the game itself, and into everyone's daily life."

Exciting and terrifying in equal measure, I'm sure you'll agree.

OTHER NEWS:

NEW RELEASES:

This week saw the release of a new Grand Theft Auto. Or at least, a new version of Grand Theft Auto V. Or more accurately a new, new version of Grand Theft Auto V. Will this keep it at the top the charts for another 8 years?

Also this week came the utterly wonderful-looking, Zelda-inspired Tunic for Xbox and PC. According to Eurogamer, it's Essential. Game Informer call it A dyed-in-the-wool treasure.

Nintendo also released Wave 1 of Mario Kart 8's Paid DLC courses (available to buy separately or as part of the NSO + Expansion Pak service) and also added F-Zero X to Switch's N64 offerings.

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, Stadia, PC) – March 15

(PS5, Xbox Series X/S) – March 15

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) – March 15

(PS4, PS5, Switch) – March 15

(PS4, PS5, Xbox) – March 16

(Xbox, PC) – March 16

(PS4, PS5, PC) – March 17

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) – March 17

(PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) – March 17

(Xbox, PC) – March 17

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC) – March 18

UPCOMING RELEASES:

(Switch) – March 22

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) – March 24

(PS5, PS4) – March 24

(PS5, PC) – March 25

(Switch) – March 25

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC) – March 25

Bitmap Books - Out Now

Go Straight from the brilliant Bitmap Books is still available. Titles from Bitmap often sell out, so if you're interested it may be worth grabbing one.

GAME OF THE WEEK

A randomly selected game each week! Any and all games are eligible for selection regardless of age, platform, popularity, or otherwise.

This week, the honour goes to…

WipEout (1995)

Despite also seeing release on Sega's Saturn, WipEout from UK studio Psygnosis is often credited alongside other early PlayStation games and with Sony's console itself for helping games to ‘grow up’.

Its relentless sense of speed, thunderous soundtrack and peerless graphic design by The Designer's Republic meant it became the post-club game of choice for young adults in the 90’s - reigniting a love of gaming in many who had previously thought they’d grown out of it.

GAMING ANNIVERSARIES

Another round of video game anniversaries to make you feel old... Sorry!

Click through the links to see what people had to say about them...

God of War III turned 12!

The original Xbox launched in Europe 20 years ago!

RECOMMENDED READS

This week’s recommended articles see Rob Fahey look at Valve's habit of losing interest in many of its products, and whether this could be a problem for Steam Deck, Dan Driver discusses just how many battles Sega put itself into during the 90's, Austin Wintory talks about his re-recoded Journey soundtrack and there's another recommended gaming newsletter for those wanting to keep up to date on the streaming and eSport scene.

Rob Fahey - GamesIndustryBiz

Valve is building a track record of great hardware launches - but also tends to lose interest post-launch. Can Steam Deck break the streak?

Blake Hester - Game Informer

In celebration of the game's 10th anniversary, Wintory released a re-recorded, re-imagined version of Journey's soundtrack. Here, he discusses the creative process behind the project.

Dan Driver - The Mega Driver Mega Blog

Dan looks back to early 1995 and evaluates just how many "Console Wars" Sega was fighting at once.

Another weekly gaming newsletter focusing a little more on the streaming and eSports side of the industry than The Week in Games.

CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS

Ninty Fresh Magazine Issue 6

By Ninty Media - campaign ends March 25

The sixth Issue of NFM is on the way, and is celebrating 40 years of Donkey Kong!

Tank Mouse - your new Amiga mouse

By Lukas Remis - campaign ends March 26

A wireless Amiga-inspired optical mouse. Classic look with a touch of 21st century. Works with classic Amiga and modern computers.

Shenmue World: Issue 2

By James Brown - campaign ends March 29

An Unofficial Shenmue fan magazine, including Blu-ray disc, Corey Marshall Signed Print, A3 Poster and more!

Uppercut 2022-2023 freelance budget

By Ty Galiz-Rowe - campaign ends March 31

If successful this will pay for a calendar year's worth of freelance pieces and 20 end of year letters.

Handheld Heroes Enamel Pins

By Jessica Waddington - campaign ends March 31

Handheld Heroes Enamel Pins Part 3; A collection of Enamel Pins inspired by handheld games

Sons of Valhalla

By Pixel Chest - campaign ends March 31

Sons of Valhalla is "a 2D base building strategy game with great pixel art, a fast combat system and incredible atmosphere."

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