Zelda and Mario Kart are not good retail games? What?
I apologize if my phrasing was a bit confusing:
2. The Switch is currently selling as fast as Nintendo can make them without a single good retail game and only a handful of digital games not made by Nintendo.
I guess GAF wants to see CGI splash screens with a title names for new games coming out in 2-3 years. How would that help? if it's a sequel like Metroid Prime (or even TLOU2 that won't be out for 2-3 years, i guess a splash screen is fine), but if it's a new IP, then a title wouldn't hype anyone and would be a waste of time.
BUT, if what he says is true.. then next E3 we'll see good stuff. if not, then you can claim him as a liar.
1. They've trotted out CGI videos and full game demos for titles they've then cancelled, so when they won't even announce the partnership or title/genre I don't see how skepticism isn't warranted.
2. That skepticism makes even more sense when you consider that this is the same narrative we've heard from them for several years in a row now, the only difference is this time they won't even show their vaporware first party growth. He speaks about these deals in the present tense, like they just happened, but he was saying these same general plaudits about first party growth last year and the year before. If they didn't wake up to the need in 2015 or 2016 why 2017?
3. Horizon: Zero Dawn sure seemed to get people excited when it was announced. Also, if MS really cared about first party development they'd have more AAA titles already in the pipe. Maybe they're a year or two out still but they'd at least have a sizzle reel or something to start laying the groundwork.
MS has approached this entire industry with one foot out already out the door and that's burned them time and time again. What's worse, it's burned us gamers as well. MS has a handful of premier teams making exclusive content while Sony has a comparative army and the lineup of visual showcase games on PS4 are a testament to how big a difference that makes. Bioware went from a premier developer in the entire industry to Mass Effect Andromeda under EA's watch, just like every other EA acquisition. Under MS they likely could have kept their unique identity and really focused on growing what made them special instead of color by numbers focus tested products like Dragon Age II, Inquisition, and ME Andromeda.
Again, this is a rant I've had more than a few times on this board but until MS proves it with actual products I see no reason to think they've changed. There is a fine line between buying your way in and having meaningful skin in the game, Sony was once accused of the former but has now shifted into the later. MS isn't looking for that line, they're looking for the where they've got just enough obligation for it not to appear token in nature.
And it's depressing because when the Xbox first came out it was a genuinely unique experience. I really miss that.