Gaming News Roundup
I like to keep abreast of what’s happening in the video game industry, along with new releases and community news. So I subscribe to websites like Kotaku, GameIndustry and Massively Overpowered via Feedly. I also watch YouTube channels such as Gameranx and shows such as the Jimquisition. Often these platforms will highlight stories and issues that pique my interest. Sometimes I will feel the need to express an opinion or write a rebuttal but these talking points do not always warrant or require an entire blog article. So once again, I’ve decided to start another recurring blog post where I can highlight several of these news items and then briefly explore them. The Video Games Roundup is not meant to be a comprehensive summary of all current news. Merely items that I’ve found interesting, unusual or controversial. Sadly the latter is all too common these days.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.
This game first appeared on my radar in March 2019 when a press release caused quite a stir among Tolkien fans. Until recently not much has been known about the gameplay apart from the fact that this is an action-adventure game, with a stealth element. Last week developers, Daedalic Entertainment, released a trailer showcasing their visualisation of the iconic character, along with a press release providing further details of the mechanics featured in The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. It would appear there is a focus on a branching narrative and major story choices, The player chooses whether Sméagol or as Gollum is the dominant persona. With regard to gameplay, lead game designer Martin Wilkes stated there are similarities with Prince of Persia. All of which is very intriguing. I’m certainly curious to learn more prior to the 2021 release.
Fall Guy “Grabbers”.
Although you may think that Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is just a fun diversion in these dark days, I regret to inform you that it is the centre of a major moral, social and game development controversy. During gameplay, you can run, jump, dive and grab. The grab is designed to allow players to pull themselves up to ledges and over obstacles. It is also used in specific team games, such as the one where you have to grab a foxes tail from other players. However, humans being what they are, the grab function is also used in other more nefarious ways. Some players actively attempt to grab other players as means to prevent them from making progress and qualifying in a game. You’ll often find such players hanging around at the finishing line or loitering around obstacles in courses that are known to be difficult. Now grabbing in this fashion is part of the game and so is officially sanctioned. But it bitterly divides the playerbase. If you require further evidence of this, read the comments on this article about grabbing on Kotaku.
Text to speech “adverts” in live streams.
Many live streamers use text-to speech services to allow viewers to send them a message. Usually the message system is dependent on a donation. I’ve used such facilities before to send a humorous quip to a friend who is streaming. However, recently an advertising agency started using this text-to speech service to spam offers currently available at Burger King. As you can imagine this hasn’t gone down especially well with some streamers who do not like the idea of this messaging system being usurped for corporate advertising. From my own perspective, I don’t care for advertising per se nor the culture associated with it. I find adverts invasive and often intellectually insulting to begin with. The prospect of there being more in live streaming, which is a medium I’m already struggling to come to grips with, is essentially just another reason for me to give up and go elsewhere.
Register “for an opportunity to be one of the first to pre-order your PS5”.
There’s a lot to unpack in this statement. Essentially, Sony is anticipating a great deal of interest in their forthcoming new console but may not be able to satisfy the demand. Questions have been raised as to whether the global pandemic will impact upon manufacture and delivery of the PS5. However, a potential shortage can also provide a cunning marketing ploy if handled correctly. Which has led to Sony inviting US customers to register for the chance to pre-order. Just to clarify, that’s the “chance” to pre-order and not a guarantee of doing so. Yes, this is a campaign couched in hype, elitism and FOMO. All things that bring out the best in a gaming community, courtesy of a big, multimillion dollar corporation. The dynamic that exists between the vendor and the customer is a curious symbiotic relationship. Despite the customer having the upper hand, the opposite is often portrayed. Companies have things that you need, that they sell to you out of the goodness of their heart. Only now you have to apply to buy them. It is truly risible. What makes it sadder is that Sony will probably get away with it.
