In-Game Chat

The future feels uncertain.

Well, duh. It is the future and it will always be uncertain. Still, it doesn’t mean I can’t wonder what will come of it. And while you might think this is some existential pondering on my part, it’s far more…well, actually it’s far less than that.

I’m once again talking about the future of our hobby and more specifically our consoles and PC parts. If things go as we’ve been told they would go (and so far they have), this $700 PS5 Pro might look like a bargain in another year or so.

Then there’s the aspect of building or upgrading a PC. Buying a TV for the console. Physical copies of games. The list goes on and on. And, honestly, it’s not worth worrying about at the moment because we just aren’t there yet. Would it be wise to stock up on a good deal on a new TV right now or pick up a new component or two for the PC – probably. Does it mean you get the PS5 Pro over a regular PS5? Eh, not really.

The cost of our hobby is likely to rise and possibly significantly. But we don’t know when and we don’t know IF it will. That’s the thing about existential future pondering – it doesn’t get you very far because nothing’s happened yet. That isn’t to say you can’t be prepared but new consoles are who knows how far out and all we’ve got to go on is a mid-generation refresh with the Pro. And whatever the Switch 2 ends up costing.

I worry it will get out of hand. I don’t know that it will but I worry that it might. And I wonder how we’ll respond to whatever may come. Prices staying the same gives us an idea of how it’ll be most likely, but what’s the likelihood of that happening? Again, the future feels uncertain.

Well, duh.

I am absolutely certain we aren’t getting a Splinter Cell movie any time soon. As for the game, Ubisoft, it has been 4,107 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

The mid-gen refresh for Sony is now out in the wild and we’ll see how a $700 console holds up out there. Let me be a bit more specific there and say a $700 digital-only console holds up out there.

It’ll be fine, really. It’s an option for people who can afford that option and it’ll bring in some revenue. I’d like to hope that MAYBE it doesn’t signal what’s to come when we actually have a new generation of consoles whenever that rolls around. The Switch 2, likely to hit next year, won’t really be a bellwether for whatever the next Xbox or PS6 gets priced at, but it’ll likely be your cheapest option for something new.

But honestly, in the realm of gaming and tech, who knows what’s to come as far as pricing is concerned.

We DO know what’s to come in the next few weeks and that’s the ol’ Black Friday discounts. Nothing major out there yet where the actual video games are concerned but the monitors, TVs, PC components, etc. are all getting discounted at the moment and the big deals are on the way – at least, we hope they are big deals. It always surprises me to see what gets discounted and how deep that discount goes. Sometimes jaw dropping and sometimes outright laughable.

However, we still DON’T know when we’re getting a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft, it has been 4,100 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

It’s kind of strange how it now feels like we’re done with the year, gaming wise. And I mean as far as releases go. I know there’s likely plenty to fill the shelves in the coming weeks and that Indiana Jones game in December, but…what else?

That whole thing about “the coming weeks” is just me thinking there has to be something coming out this month worth paying attention to, but I don’t actually know that. It’s odd, but it really feels like we’re kinda done until next year.

I’m not really complaining about it. Maybe in years past it might feel a bit odd, but I’m perfectly okay with NOT waiting on another game to see how it turns out and how long it’ll be before I get around to playing whatever it is.

Currently, as I do around this time every year, I’m not buying anything gaming related. We’ve got holiday sales approaching and it’s the better time to buy – if you play on console. As we all know a lot of the Black Friday deals and discounts sort of pass by the PC market. The PC online storefronts all have their sales on games, but it usually doesn’t match the kinds of discounts we see in both the digital and physical console games market. I dunno if that trend has been breaking but I look forward to finding out every year.

I also look forward every year to news of a new Splinter Cell game. Seems it won’t be this year – the VGA’s are about a month away however. Ubisoft, it has been 4,093 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

Sometimes time is all we need.

Listen, that line works on a lot of things a whole lot better than I’m using it here, but let’s discuss it in the terms of video games.

I’m a massive fan of the Burnout series and in 2008 Burnout Paradise was released. Played it a ton. Online and offline. And I specifically remember having anxiety while playing certain modes of the game. Mostly things that were timed. Modes like the “fastest lap” or “Stunt Run” or “Marked Man”. The regular racing and “road rage” events were perfectly fine and felt fun to play.

Fast forward to 2024 and I’m playing the Remastered version of the game again. As I progressed through it I specifically stayed away from the “Stunt Run” and “Marked Man” events. The lap times, however, I have tackled at every chance I have to get them over and done with. Given those are the only events that aren’t required to replay after upgrading your license, I wanted them off my list as soon as possible. It was a sense of facing my gaming fears head on so they wouldn’t loom on the horizon for later.

All of that is to say that NONE of these things I remember sweating over back in the day are giving me any issues now. I don’t know if the game was toned down or up or whatever to make things easier, but I find myself (16 years later) easily completing these events.

I know in some games with puzzles or boss fights we can step aside for a few days and come back and knock it out of the park and wonder why it was so hard before, but this feels different from that. And it could be my memory of the game (but it doesn’t matter the game, I’ve hated anything that times me) and I’ve made those things out to be more difficult than they were.

It’s been an interesting revisit to the game, and I’ve loved every minute of it. But it’s also made me miss the series – but that’s a write-up for another time.

Maybe one day I’ll write about why I’m counting all these days for a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft, it has been 4,086 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

Just a show note: No new episode next week.

We kind of covered a lot in this episode. And not necessarily the news aspect, but just our general gaming habits.

For one, I’m looking for a narrative game to play. Currently, I’ve just been dabbling in demos or Burnout games. No common thread or anything, just…games. I’ve got plenty of options to pick and it dawned on me that maybe I should give a heavily narrative game a go – Disco Elysium, or Norco.

These thoughts then led into how games like that sort of intimidate me at the outset. Both games sort of start off randomly. Out of context, no real idea as to what is going on or what an objective might be initially. And that’s fine. But then I’ll come to a point where I have to make a decision and it feels too soon to do so based on what little information I already have – be it in the story or even just the direction of the game. But, as I said in the show, I feel like I need to have faith that the game will take me where it wants me to go or, at the very least, deliver on the story regardless of decisions. That MAYBE it’s supposed to play out this way and there is no real wrong way of going about it.

Usually, however, I don’t. I skip over choices if I can until I have more information or understand what it is I’m choosing. Or, if I can’t, I usually back out of the game and tell myself I’ll look up some info and come back to it later.

I never do.

Also, is fifty bucks too much to pay for a 14 year old game getting released on a new platform?

Don’t get any ideas Ubisoft. It has been 4,072 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

We’re still over here on our classic game kick. And let me say how grateful I am for emulators and the communities of people who maintain them and grow them.

It’s the reason that when you see me stream Burnout 3, it looks amazing for a 20 year old game. The community did that. And there’s tons of other games out there just like that. Running great and looking amazing decades later.

Unless it’s a Nintendo property. Then you’re in the crosshairs of copyright. This isn’t a rant against copyright. It exists and it should exist. I won’t argue that. And in most cases where it’s used I won’t argue against it. But for the love of everything – Nintendo, please calm down.

As far as gaming goes, Nintendo is the Sauron of the companies. Just a giant eye watching over the internet making sure no one is breaking their rules. And they are quick to spot them and take them down. Very few survivors of a Nintendo cease and desist. Most fold and pack up or shut down so they can avoid the lawsuits. Hell, some even get hired to work for the company that shut them down. And even sometimes they get shut down and the company steals the idea. And most, like all things on the high seas of the internet, just pop back up somewhere else. You stop one and 3 more sites rise up to take its place. But Nintendo never sleeps. Now they’re going after YouTube channels that show emulation of their products.

I was going to write here that you’ll likely never see me stream a Nintendo game, but given I’ve been having such a blast with Burnout 3 (on emulation), I can’t say for sure I wouldn’t stream an old favorite or even something newer – Nintendo included.

I mean, what are they gonna do, sue me?

Yes. Yes they will.

Speaking of old favorites or something newer, Ubisoft it has been 4,065 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

I know video game showcases, such as Sony’s “State Of Play” earlier this week, are supposed to have something for everyone. And I can only imagine that Sony’s showcase absolutely nailed that since I only came away with excitement for about a little less than half of what they showed off.

I’m kind of okay with that because what did excite me was great and I’m happy to look forward to some releases. However, what I also noticed is that Sony, while stacked with some great first party and exclusive IP, has nothing on the near horizon.

Sony knows this. They’ve said as much during investor calls and what not. It’s the reason we have a PS5 Pro coming out. They knew their first party titles, their franchises – all of them are currently in development or just starting. Nothing is ready for a holiday release. And if you think the Ghost sequel will hit in 2025, well…it’s not a bet I’m willing to make. The games will eventually come, but it’s going to be a while before we get the likes of new, big, first party titles.

There’s also Concord. Something Sony tried to the tune of FOUR HUNDRED MILLION dollars and dropped the ball. Bungie, another Sony studio, isn’t having the best of times at the moment either. And I’m not even counting Destiny in that.

Having said ALL of that, it’s not some feeling of doom and gloom for gaming. It honestly feels like the normal lull in a console generation life. And yeah, there are games galore waiting to be released so it isn’t like we’re hitting a dry spell as gamers, but when you look at exclusives and when you look at the first party IP line up, Sony, like a lot of us, are just sitting around waiting.

This is not to discount Astrobot, by the way. I don’t know how sales are doing for that game but the critics and crowds alike are singing its praises.

Speaking of singing, it’s the same old song and dance as we wait for a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft, it has been 4,058 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

I’ve recently been on a nostalgia trip playing two games I probably haven’t touched in nearly 20 years.

The Burnout series has been one of my favorites since the sequel. A game I picked up on a rental just to check it out and completely fell in love with it immediately. And I got other people on the bandwagon as well. Since then, I’ve just been a massive fan of the series and the developers – most of which have left the company at this point.

With emulation and mods I’ve been able to play Burnout 3. A game you can’t play without an Xbox, or Xbox 360, or a PS2/PS3. Thankfully, we have emulation on PC so you can absolutely play it that way and it has been amazing to revisit this gem. I’ve also been playing Burnout Revenge for the 360 by way of backwards compatibility on the Series X and it also absolutely holds up.

What gets me most about both of these is how difficult it is to takedown other drivers in the events. So many years of only playing Burnout Paradise, the final game in the series, is that takedowns mostly took a simple nudge or slam from the side. Apparently that doesn’t cut it for the earlier games in the series. And I was pleasantly surprised how much more I enjoyed that challenge in the previous games. In fact, jumping back to Paradise after playing the earlier two games, I found myself preferring the old ways. Even though I can easily remember me defending their decisions for an open world racer.

Regardless, we need Burnout to come back. They remastered Paradise of all games and I’m almost positive they’d find profit in remastering either or both of Burnout 3 Takedown and Burnout Revenge. The hook of the games are still there. They still pull me in as they used to and time flies by while playing. I’ve missed it. And I never knew how much until I got to go back 20 years and feel it all over again.

Well, this is an easy segue. Speaking of games I’ve missed for years on end – Ubisoft, it has been 4,051 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

One really quick note before I get into the show post today: If you can emulate your games, do it. Being able to play Burnout 3 on my PC or Steam Deck has been amazing and fun as all hell. I plan to start grabbing a lot of my favorites from the past and get those up and running. Something I just can’t really do now without the original hardware and games. Emulation is gaming preservation. Make it happen.

Now, who’s got $700 burning a hole in their pocket right now, because have I got a deal for YOU!

Look, I don’t know if it’s a deal or not, but a PS5 Pro has some pretty good improvements over a PS5. You might even notice them when you’re playing. If you’ve never had a PS5, go for the Pro, sure. Or, wait for the prices on base PS5’s to drop (they will – or aftermarket prices will).

Mid-generation refreshes of consoles aren’t bad, depending on what they can throw into the machines, but they don’t always feel like a leap forward. Hell, they sometimes barely feel like a step forward. Sure, if you’ve waited this long then maybe going for the newest and best on the shelf is what you want, but if you’ve already jumped in the upgrade is…pretty minimal.

But it’s a nice preview of where things are headed – technically speaking. Pricewise, however, is starting to look like a nightmare scenario.

For even more food for thought, I wonder which generation I’ll get to play a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft, it has been 4,026 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

It’s never really good when a game fails. Now, there’s good reasons FOR a game failing, but, I mean, that’s people, with lives and families. And when a game fails now, it’s almost one and done for a studio in that regard.

Rocksteady failed with Suicide Squad, but they have 3 pretty big bangers in their history and they can (for the most part) survive to try again. But when a new studio shoots for the moon and misses, they fall hard – near to the point of oblivion. One and done. It’s over.

Concord will probably come back. But it clearly failed and it has a chance, somehow I’m sure, to redeem itself and pull a No Man’s Sky. Well, I should find a better example than the absolute KING of recovery stories. Because I don’t actually think Concord will pull off that kind of recovery. They can salvage this and maybe possibly perhaps live to fight another day. But it’s going to take some deft maneuvers on Sony’s part. I also don’t know if Free-to-Play is the answer, but given what they’ve said and the refunds, that’s probably the starting point.

Then what?

If Ubisoft pulls some executive suit-and-tie BS with the next Splinter Cell, so help me. That is to say I’ll still probably buy it, but it has been 4,019 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.