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Podcast #307 - Questions Wanted!

🕑 Added 2025-01-20 10:30:01 +0000 UTC

Comments

Ryan Swartz

Was going to submit a similar question to Connor's, but with a slightly different take/perspective. Historically, the price of games hasn't really increased all that much - Average prices were about $40 for PS1-era games, $50 on PS2, $50-60 on PS3 and 4, and now $60-70 on PS5. (Apologies for the PS-centric references and US dollars, it's all I know!) So I guess a different spin on the same basic question - what are your thoughts on paying a little more - yes, maybe even up to $80-100 - for a massive AAA release like GTA6? I know it's a slippery slope, but if I'm going to get that much content and paying more helps ensure people don't get laid off, I think I'd probably pay it for certain 'event'-level games. To me, it seems like something to be taken on a case-by-case basis - meaning, I'm not gonna pay more than $60 for Life Is Strange 4, but I'd happily pay $100 for Red Dead Redemption 3. Your thoughts?

Chris McVeigh

Hi BAP! GDC's annual State of the Game Industry has revealed some statistics about how some of the topics and issues related to games and game development are felt within the industry. What do you make of the responses? Whether it's 1/3 of AAA developers working on live-service games, narrative staff being laid off at over 3 times the rate of business/finance, or a majority of developers now working for companies that use AI despite a rise in the figure believing it's having a negative impact on the industry, there's a lot of interesting data here. https://gdconf.com/news/gdc-2025-state-game-industry-devs-weigh-layoffs-ai-and-more

Chris Law

Hiya 3xJ, What do you think about video games (and other arts) supporting charities? https://www.gamespot.com/articles/riot-games-starts-in-game-event-to-raise-funds-for-la-fire-victims/1100-6528884/ I think it's good stuff! Thanks for everything you do, C. Law

rockreece

Hi BAP! After discovering about the god of war live service game being cancelled, alongside so many other really random live service games, it seems evident why Sony have taken so long getting their first party games out this gen. Luckily all these cancellations represent the pivot from the path that geordie Jim Ryan set playstation on, but I now feel this has been at the detriment of this gen, imagine if naughty dog could've been an additional 3 or 4 years deeper into development of their next game, rather than wasting time on a live service game, since they make one game a decade. So my question to you all is: Do you think Playstation have some trust to rebuild despite the bangers they have already put out this gen? Or is this probably nonsense since they won game of the year last year?

Dan Scott

Hello BAP! Reports have surfaced recently stating that Sony have cancelled 2 live service games. One was to be developed by Bluepoint and set in the God of War universe (why?) and the other was an unknown title from Bend Studio. It's also being reported that both studios found out "at the same time as everyone else" aka via the press, which seems like really bad form on Sony's part. What do you make of this news? Sony's relationship with live service continues to be an odd one, and this seems to have been a colossal waste of time for two talented developers. Much love to you all

Beezus

hello bap! so i recently bought a copy of the new starship troopers game on xbox as a big fan of the films and MY GOD i have never been so disappointed by a video game in my life! the textures are practically on an xbox 360 level and so is the movement and gunplay but more to the point the game simply DOES NOT WORK! the framerate regularly becomes a slideshow and the game crashes constantly! looking at reviews i can see other players have been reporting these issues since October and the developer has been promising to fix them ever since. my question for you is why does the video game industry think it's acceptable to release an unfinished product, or a product that straight up doesn't even work, and charge full price for it when this wouldn't be considered acceptable in any other industry? and do you think governments will ever feel inclined to bring in laws that force companies to ensure their product is actually a functioning product before they sell it to unsuspecting consumers? sorry for the long one! Bee

Moses Supposes

Hello BAP, with Sony reportedly working on Smell-O-Gaming, which video games do you think would have the best and worst smells?

Big Money Bobby Vegas

Hi BAP, Happy New Year, if it’s not too late for such pleasantries. Switch 2 has been announced, and I know we’re all disappointed that Nintendo didn’t go with the obvious choice of name, “Son of a Switch”. That aside, I’m excited for the new console, as it didn’t need to reinvent the wheel, just a hardware upgrade and backwards compatibility suits me fine, and that’s what we’ve got. However, some seem to be disappointed that the Switch 2 plays it TOO safe in terms of design and overall approach. What do you think? Is a safe choice the best choice? Or is there a lack of innovation here that should have been implemented? Yours from a registered shell company in Lichtenstein, BMBV

Robert Goulding

Hi BAP, with the Switch 2 finally announced, what release games do you believe Nintendo need to deliver in order to get buy in from the general public to upgrade to the new console? A game like Breath of the Wild (a switch launch title) would sway a lot people to buy early. And Nintendo needs to avoid repeating their mistakes with the 3DS launch. Much love, Rob and fam

Tetchywayo

Hi BAP (or whichever relevant combo there is this week 😁)! With the US government assigning companies like TenCent & ByteDance onto a list of companies with alleged ties to the Chinese military (leading to the current banning of TikTok & Marvel SNAP) how do you think this will affect Chinese investment in videogames developers & publishers worldwide? Do you think this kind of backwards thinking will be taken onboard in other countries who are trying to appease the US & their new presidential regime, and do you think that this could lead to other Chinese backed & developed games, like Black Myth Wukong or even Marvel Rivals, to be eventually be banned in the US? Love & kees-kees from Tetchy

Conor Bennett

Hey gang! Gaming analysts believe there is "Hope" that GTA VI will cost $100, so that it can be a turning point in the industry and other games can start charging more. After we already had one price increase at the start of the generation, should consumers foot the bill for executive greed and trend chasing that has failed the medium? Please rant accordingly