After an unintended week off due to Sean having an internet outage on the day of recording last week, Video Games 2 the MAX returns in a very hectic week in gaming.
Between last week and this week, more information has put into question the sustainability of AAA gaming with budgets ballooning, the increased amount of layoffs in 2023, and if games still don't cost enough to offset all of this. Is the answer to increase the price to $80 or $90 for new AAA games? Do gamers need to understand that the majority of games may have to lower their budgets? Could this bring subscription services more into play? Does this justify why there's been so much of a push towards Games as a Service? Or is this whole thing going to blow up entirely?
According to Jeff Grubb, a PS5 Pro is surely coming in 2024 with its own DLSS tech and he's also been hearing rumors of Xbox possibly starting a whole new console generation as early as 2026. Could this actually help Microsoft achieve a bit of a head start like with the Xbox 360? Or is this a dangerous situation of having the new console generation start early?
Also, E3 is officially dead according to its own organizers the ESA, does SEGA have the right idea to bring back some of its beloved older franchises? Also, Jeff has been playing Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Sean's been playing Fortnite Festival as well.
You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/BGiKTL62d9o
Links:
Analog Stick Gaming (Jeff Young's Website): https://www.analogstickgaming.com/
The Gaming Mix Podcast (Jeff's Podcast hosted with Jordan Andow: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamingMix
Jeff's Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Review: https://www.analogstickgaming.com/game-reviews-1/2023/12/19/avatar-frontiers-of-pandora
Games Industry.Biz 2023 Infographics and other Yearly info: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gamesindustrybiz-presents-the-year-in-number-2023
Radulich in Broadcasting's Review of Wonka: https://youtube.com/live/WFMhC21ruaw
The latest episode of Talk the Keki: https://youtube.com/live/cScviV-MD2g
Run of Show:
Intro and What Will be Discussed on the episode
----------------------------- MAIN TOPIC --------------------------
Can AAA Gaming Survive? Can it be sustainable in its current state? What needs to change?
***Also in this discussion: Could game prices go up to $80 or $90? Will budgets come down? Will we see smaller games be made from big publishers? Also, Sony's push of PlayStation studios to Games as Service and how the Last of Us Online shut down could be a telling sign of it being the wrong decision. How does Nintendo and Xbox factor in as well? ***
------------------- BIG TOPIC ----------------
How do PS5 Pro and Xbox Next Factor into the discussion, could a whole new generation begin in 2026? Would it be a good move? What about indies? How do they factor into this too?
---------------- What's in the News ----------------
SEGA gives more information on bringing back old franchises such as Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, and more. Will this mean more remasters and remakes from other studios as they find another way to minimize risk?
E3 is officially dead, according to its organizers, The ESA. Will there ever be anything like E3 again? Can Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest actually even come close? Some E3 memories were discussed as well
---------------------- Games We Are Playing --------------
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Jeff)
Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader (Jeff)
Fortnite Festival (Sean)
In Stars And Time (Sean)
Like a Dragon: Gaiden (Sean & Jeff)
--------------------- The End --------------------
Promo Time With Jeff
- Listen and give us a review on these platforms... -
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ag/podcast/video-games-2-the-max/id886092740
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wjd0u3xO7TdAm4gKRM44L
Amazon: https://www.audible.com/pd/Video-Games-2-the-MAX-Podcast/B08JJPTZTW
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/video-games-2-the-max-181386
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/?podId=2465904
IHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-video-games-2-the-m-28438312/
Follow on X (Twitter):
Sean on Twitter: https://twitter.com/W2MSean
W2M Network on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork
Jeff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nekrowmancer
Gaming Mix Podcast (Hosted By Jeff & Jordan Andow): https://twitter.com/GamingMixPod
Analog Stick Gaming Website (Owned By Jeff): https://twitter.com/AnalogStkGaming
- Other Social Media -
Follow us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@w2mnetwork2
Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/aydMgvUN9d
Follow us on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/w2mnetwork
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/w2mnetwork/
Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W2MNetwork
Video Games 2 the MAX: Super Mario RPG Remake & Persona 5 Tactica Impressions, Game Awards 2023 Nominees! # 373
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 178): NFL Week 11 Preview! Plus, Nik Tries to Make Sense of the Chaotic AFC Playoff Picture
Last Word SC Radio: Concacaf Nations League November Preview
Video Games 2 the MAX: Like a Dragon Gaiden & Star Ocean Second Story R, Legend of Zelda Movie! # 372
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 177): NFL Week 10 Preview and Midseason Recap! Plus, Nik (Finally) Heaps Some Praise on the Baltimore Ravens
Last Word SC Radio: MLS Cup Playoffs Chat, Vanni Sartini Red Card Walkoff
Video Games 2 the MAX: Thirsty Suitors & Jusant Impressions, PlayStation Reconsidering GAAS Direction
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 176): NFL Week 9 Preview! Plus, NostraDonadic Discusses the Raiders Implosion
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 175): NFL Week 8 Preview! Plus, Jim Irsay’s New Rule Proposal (That Won’t Pass)
Video Games 2 the MAX: Alan Wake 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage Impressions # 370
Video Games 2 the MAX: Super Mario Bros. Wonder & Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Impressions, Most Wanted ABK Games # 369
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 174): NFL Week 7 Preview! Plus, Why a London-hosted Super Bowl Would be a Logistics Nightmare
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 173): NFL Week 6 Preview! Plus, Nik is Befuddled by Steve Smith’s Seemingly Random Beef with Jerry Jeudy
Video Games 2 the MAX: Microsoft Officially Owns Activision-Blizzard & Cocoon Impressions # 368
Last Word SC Radio: MLS Playoff Race Predictions, USMNT, MLS News
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 172): NFL Week 5 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on NY Giants OL Evan Neal Lashing Out at the Fans
Video Games 2 the MAX: Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis, Game Industry Layoffs Everywhere
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 171): NFL Week 4 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on the Bizarre Last Few Minutes of Chargers-Vikings
Video Games 2 the MAX: EA Sports FC 24, Jim Ryan Retires From PlayStation # 366
Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 170): NFL Week 3 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on the Slumping Bengals and Chargers
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Shifting Gears: The Zach Osborne Podcast
The Fly Racing Moto:60 Show
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Keefer Tested
The Pulp Hockey Show
The London International Horse Show