Warner Bros. Studio Cuts Leave Fans Wary of Future Games
Reader letters warn that a massive industry merger could reduce major publishers to releasing only one hit title every few years.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
Reader Zeiss argues that the Warner Bros. takeover will decimate the studio's game publishing capacity. Zeiss predicts that the merger will force layoffs across all Warner studios, including NetherRealm. The letter states that the company is currently an empty shell that has canceled most of its projects and shut down most of its developers. Zeiss believes the industry is shifting away from releasing multiple titles annually. Instead, companies will rely on one massive hit every few years. Zeiss notes that this model offers little comfort to fans who expect regular new releases.
The letter contrasts this current state with the Xbox 360 and early PlayStation 4 eras. During that period, Zeiss describes Warner as a top notch publisher. The company released fewer games then, but almost all of them were good. Zeiss calls the current situation a disaster that is being overlooked. The reader sees no way back to the previous volume of output. This view aligns with the broader concern about the future of video game publishing.
Rockstar Games has confirmed work on a follow up to Grand Theft Auto 6. This new project will not take 13 years to complete. Reader Clark speculates that this game will resemble previous spin offs like Vice City Stories. Clark notes that development times and developer workloads have changed since those earlier titles. Clark suggests the new game might function as a standalone expansion similar to the Grand Theft Auto 4 DLC. By the time it releases, Grand Theft Auto Online 2 will likely be in full effect. Players may have moved on from Grand Theft Auto 6 itself. This spin off could serve as a story adventure to return to the game world after a long break.
Clark asks if Rockstar will create an upgraded version of Liberty City or San Andreas. The reader suggests keeping the same map but making more buildings enterable. This would bring the standards in line with Grand Theft Auto 6. Clark believes this update is bound to happen at some point. The reader is unsure if it will appear first in Grand Theft Auto Online 2, Grand Theft Auto 6, or the new spin off.
Reader Cassius2K questions whether server infrastructure will hold up for the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch. Over 8 million people have pre ordered the game. Millions more are expected to buy it as launch day approaches. Cassius2K calculated that 8 million people downloading 220 gigabytes of data equals 1,760 petabytes. The reader wonders if this volume is the reason for the pre load week. Cassius2K noted that they took time off work to play but agreed to a walk over the O2 on launch day.
Reader David predicts that other games will follow the Grand Theft Auto 6 model of splitting sales. David suggests that story mode and online modes will be sold separately. Call of Duty may be the first to adopt this method. This strategy could push game prices to £100. David cites the horse armor from The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion as an early example of successful in game purchases. David believes campaigns and online play will be split up regardless of what Grand Theft Auto 6 does.
Reader TommyFatFingers defends the latest Resident Evil movie as a fun action romp. The reader argues that accuracy to game lore is less important than entertainment value. TommyFatFingers particularly liked the protagonist unlocking new weapons. The reader compared this progression to the movie Falling Down. TommyFatFingers suggested that the movie should be turned into a video game. The reader expressed a desire to blow up a McDonald's for missing breakfast by one minute.
Reader Euclidian Boxes finished the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake yesterday. The reader had not played the game since the 3DS version. The new graphics and music brought the game up to current standards. Euclidian Boxes found the game pretty easy and noted that some dungeon changes made it easier. The reader hopes rumors of a Master Quest are true. Euclidian Boxes used the Zelda Notes feature in the Nintendo Switch App to track progress. The reader achieved 100 percent completion for the first time. Euclidian Boxes stated that a Majora's Mask remake would be a day one purchase.
