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We've never had it so good
#36: A golden age
Which game are you playing at the moment? Or more accurately, which games? And how many are you waiting to play? The dreaded backlog as it were. 2? 10? 100?
Chances are you're in the middle of multiple games and your backlog is in double digits. If you subscribe to Game Pass, PlayStation Plus and Switch Online you have instant access to nearly 600 games. If we count PC services and mobile too, the games actually available to you will be in the thousands.
Regardless of your platform of choice, it'll be a lot.
Across physical, digital and streaming services we've never had access to so many games. But not only that, we've never had access to so many quality games. Sure, not all of them are bangers, but what choice!
We have movie-rivalling blockbusters, one-person passion projects and literally everything in between. New IPs, sequels, remakes and remasters are all there, but we also have access - legal access - to games from the NES, SNES, Mega Drive, N64, PS1, PS2, Xbox, PS3 and Xbox 360 eras alongside them. I mean Pilotwings 64 launched on Switch this week - what a time to be alive!
The range and variety on offer is staggering.
My three most recently played games are Artful Escape, Tinykin and Death Stranding. A bonkers musical side-scroller with a narrative to rival The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a gloriously old-school 3D platformer with style and charm to spare, and Death Stranding, which... well, I've probably written enough about that one already. But what a remarkable thing that the industry can cater for three such wonderfully different games. And they're just the tip of the iceberg.
A quick look at the release schedule this week sees Lego Bricktales, A Plague Tale, Gotham Nights, Scorn, Mario + Rabbids and Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 all sitting comfortably next to each other. And there’s a platform and audience for them all to succeed.
There's never been a time when all of the big platform holders have enjoyed such success at the same time. But better yet, all three are doing things their own way. Microsoft’s end game is to do away with hardware altogether and have games beamed directly to every single screen you own. They're betting BIG on subscriptions and cloud streaming, and with a reported revenue of $2.9 billion from Game Pass alone last year, who can blame them?
Sony on the other hand continue to find success by playing things a little more traditionally; focusing on the tentpole, blockbuster titles its studios are so good at with a bit of PlayStation Plus on the side. And Nintendo - as Nintendo does - is blazing its own trail with its underpowered console/handheld hybrid, and is currently winning a console war it isn't even trying to fight in.
Indeed, its never been easier to access games - any age, any genre, any platform, any device. And the cost of entry has never been lower.
This is a golden age of choice and content. A golden age of gaming.
The hard part is deciding what to play next.
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I hope you enjoy the rest of the newsletter!
Take it easy everyone,
Jeff
NEWS
The full PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup for October has been revealed.
FIFA 23’s World Cup mode has accidently leaked, enabling players to sample it ahead of its official launch next month.
PlayStation 5 is the joint fourth-fastest console to hit two million sales in the UK, despite unprecedented stock shortages.
Microsoft says Sony "chose to block Game Pass from PlayStation" and has accused the UK regulator of "adopting Sony’s complaints" over Activision Blizzard deal.
In a BBC interview, Ron Gilbert has confirmed what the actual secret of Monkey Island is.
A Plague Tale: Requiem developer warns of spoilers, as gameplay appears online
A new Elden Ring update suggests incoming ray tracing and DLC.
Meta has announced the Quest Pro VR Headset, which will launch on October 25 at a hefty price.
Sony’s new PlayStation Stars loyalty program is now live in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales will be coming to PC on 18th November.
EA has released a Need for Speed Unbound gameplay video showing off the game's unique visuals and how players will be able to customise driving effects in the game.
Sonic Frontiers will be getting a free content pack themed after Monster Hunter.
Players can now transfer Cyberpunk 2077 saves from Stadia to other platforms, following the closure of Google's streaming service.
Hideo Kojima has revealed that Elle Fanning will star in the studio's next game.
Microsoft generated around $2.9 billion in revenue from Xbox Game Pass subscriptions on console in 2021.
Splatoon 3 reportedly accounted for nearly 70% of all physical games sold in Japan in September.
Nintendo has announced the release date for the new Splatoon 3 amiibos, and they’re coming next month.
Electronic Arts claims FIFA 23 enjoyed a record-breaking launch in terms of first week player numbers.
DEALS
Sony are currently running an Essential Picks Sale, with up to 75% off a host of games considered essential. There's also a Square Enix Sale with up to 60% off a number of the publisher's games.
PlayStation's Deal of the Week sees up to 50% off World of Warships: Legends DLC.
You can currently trade in used laptops, tablets, phones, or gaming consoles for cash back at the Microsoft Store.
Xbox has a Multiplayer Royale Sale with up to 75% off multiplayer games, a Focus Entertainment Publisher Sale, and a 2022 Indie Hits Sale, with up to 75% off a large selection of indies.
There's no specific eShop sale running at the moment, but Nintendo still has over 1000 games on offer.
Darkwood and Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove! are currently free on the Epic Games Store.
Steam has a number of current Special Offers running, including 50% off No Man's Sky and Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, 20% off Football Manager 2023 and more.
More!
The Bitmap World Cup Wall Chart
To celebrate the upcoming winter World Cup, the brilliant Bitmap Books have worked with ex-Sensible Software artist Stoo Cambridge to create an A2 wall chart which will be given away with each order. A lovely little bonus if you're in the market for some video game books. You can check it out here.
Making Videogames
Making Videogames is a lovely looking book described as "an in-depth visual guide presenting the captivating creative journeys behind the world’s leading videogames". It's written by Duncan Harris and ex-Edge editor Alex Wiltshire, and is available at Thames & Hudson or Amazon.
The Cuphead Collector's Edition
A physical Collector's Edition of hard-as-nails sidescroller Cuphead has been revealed by iam8bit. And it's rather special. You can see all of the official details here.
NEW RELEASES
After a drip-feed of big releases over the last few months, this week sees things start to ramp up a little with a host of games worth keeping an eye on.
Most notably the delightful-looking Lego Bricktales and the dreadful-looking (but in a good way) Scorn launching this week, and two highly anticipated sequels in A Plague Tale: Requiem and Mario + Rabbits: Sparks of Hope next week.
THIS WEEK:
Asterigos: Curse of the Stars (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC) – October 11
Eville (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC) – October 11
In Sound Mind (Switch) – October 11
No More Heroes 3 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – October 11 – Read review
Lego Bricktales (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – October 12
Fueled Up (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – October 13
The Eternal Cylinder (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S) – October 13
The Last Oricru (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – October 13
Triangle Strategy (PC) – October 13 – Read review
Dragon Ball: The Breakers (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – October 14
NHL 23 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One) – October 14
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – October 14
PGA Tour 2K23 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – October 14
Scorn (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC) – October 14
NEXT WEEK:
A Plague Tale: Requiem (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – October 18
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – October 18
Them's Fightin' Herds (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch) – October 18
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (PC) – October 19
Batora: Lost Haven (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – October 20
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Switch) – October 20
Norco (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One) – October 20 – Read review
Second Extinction (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC) – October 20
The Jackbox Party Pack 9 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS, Android) – October 20
Vampire Survivors (PC) – October 20
Gotham Knights (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – October 21
New Tales from the Borderlands (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – October 21
Persona 5 Royal (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – October 21 – Read review
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…
Final Fantasy IX (2000)
Following successor Final Fantasy VIII's modern-futurist setting, Final Fantasy IX instead went all-in on a sumptuous and more traditional fantasy setting, and introduced a wonderful set of characters that would become true fan favourites.
All of the series’ hallmarks were here, but with an easy charm that still delights to this day.
RECOMMENDED READS
By Keith Stuart - The Guardian
Capcom’s joyful, rule-breaking gameplay laid the groundwork for today’s multiplayer fighting games. Its producer and designer tell The Guardian how they did it.
By Patrick Klepek - Vice
Microsoft is integrating the website HowLongToBeat into its Xbox app on Windows, making us wonder what it'd be like if such a feature were everywhere.
More for your inbox!
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CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS
The Mysteries of Monkey Island
By Third Editions - Campaign ends October 17th
Behind the scenes, stories, jokes and analysis of the Monkey Island games, including many interviews.
RoadOut
By Rastrolabs - Campaign ends October 19th
A post-apocalyptic action adventure game. Explore dungeons, fight bandits, and join life-or-death races in the Dead Zone!
Dono's Tale
By Super Item Studios - Campaign ends October 27th
an Action-platformer that borrows ideas from the classic 16-bit and 32-bit games to bring a brand experience with a classic feel.
Nebula
By Chaos Systematic - Campaign ends November 3rd
A single-player starship colony simulator game with RPG elements, set in a vast galaxy waiting to be explored!
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...and that's it for this week!
I hope you enjoyed this issue of The Week in Games!
I'm always looking at ways to improve this newsletter, so if you have any comments, suggestions or enquiries, please reply to this email directly, write to [email protected], or catch me on Twitter!
Thanks again, see you next week!
Jeff