GamaGanda - Latest Comments

Re: Can Wii U sales pick up the pace?

Stealth — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 08:02:33 -0000

wii u will be fine

Re: Can Wii U sales pick up the pace?

Wii U hater — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 20:26:24 -0000

Wii U sucks!

Re: No more Company of Heroes and here’s why

Zing Freelancer — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 06:29:18 -0000

The interest was pretty big for both games, I tried COHO and totally loved it. If they had gone for the COHO they would have had success, as long as the game is good and it was. But then again, it was probably THQ that pulled the plug.

Re: No more Company of Heroes and here’s why

Vlad Zotta — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 03:34:05 -0000

I think it wasn't such a hard decision with World of Tanks out there. WoT open beta started on January 27th and two months later COHO was cancelled.

Re: No more Company of Heroes and here’s why

Vlad Zotta — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 03:29:05 -0000

It's not about giving the game an American side. I was not saying that, but I didn't specify either. It's about focusing too much on the eastern front and soviets. Instead of doing that, they could have given you the choice of battles across more theatres and the power to decide the fate of the nations involved in WWII on one hand (so the player could pick the nation he wanted to help for example) and the end of the war on the other hand. My point is that CoH2 is small in scope and it just doesn't cut it today. That's why a discount could boost sales a lot (especially in European markets with a lower purchasing power).

Re: No more Company of Heroes and here’s why

Zing Freelancer — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 19:16:05 -0000

They should have kept Company of Heroes Online instead of canceling.

Re: No more Company of Heroes and here’s why

Sven — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 04:39:29 -0000

Good article and research. However some of your statements left me dumbfound. How is the eastern front not appealing to a 'Western Audience'? After all this is where the biggest battles took place - and from a gaming point of view most "action" value be found. Since when did Germany not count to the 'Western World'? Doesn't it get a bit tedious to nearly always have an American side in a game?

Re: Cum arata PlayStation Store Bulgaria si ce se poate face pentru Romania (RO)

Vlad Zotta — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 13:02:40 -0000

never say never

Re: Cum arata PlayStation Store Bulgaria si ce se poate face pentru Romania (RO)

dinho23 — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 08:35:28 -0000

Degeaba vorbiti voi despre PS Store RO. Sony nu a anuntat nimic despre asta, si nici nu vor anunta, PS Store RO nu cred ca se va forma in urmatorii 5 ani, deoarece, dupa cum bine stim, celor de la Sony nu le prea pasa de noi... Acum pe bune, ei se gandesc doar la bani, si ce bani poti scoate dintr-o tara de lumea a 3-a in care salariul mediu este de sub 500E (Euro).

Re: No more Company of Heroes and here’s why

Vlad Zotta — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 14:51:36 -0000

to avoid confusion, I've chosen a space as a thousands separator and a dot as a decimal mark. it's something like half US/UK, half European style, so I hope everyone's happy :)

Re: No more Company of Heroes and here’s why

Vlad Zotta — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 14:37:38 -0000

lol, good... point :)

Re: No more Company of Heroes and here’s why

Apocolyptica — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:35:18 -0000

I think you must mean $941,711 not $941.711

Re: Sony, PlayStation 4 and the low-cost value proposition

Vlad Zotta — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:45:30 -0000

First of all, thanks for reading my opinion piece and posting your comment!! I really thought I'd be crucified for what I'm saying here.

Second, I agree with you that Sony has the better proposition. I never said it's a bad proposition and I will buy a PS4 day one (can't wait for Shadowfall). I know the PS4 is superior in terms of hardware and I know all the advantages (the one regarding disc-based used games is of vital importance to me).

Third, I also agree Xbox One is not a premium device if you compare it to the PS4. But, and there is a very big "but" here, Microsoft is trying desperately to position, to market the Xbox One as a premium entertainment device and I think we all know that it's advertisement what counts for the masses. If they manage to sell this idea, then Xbox One will be perceived as a premium device.

Sony has confirmed recently that you will not need PS Plus to enjoy video services, as well as some f2p MMOs (it's up to the publishers). On Xbox One, you will need Gold if you want all those video services, apps like Skype and other features like OneGuide, Game DVR and SmartMatch. It's integration/premium versus segmentation/low-cost. Sony's offer is shaping bit by bit pretty much like a low-cost offer and it's not a bad thing. If you don't want video services, you don't get them and that's it. On Xbox One, once you pay for Gold, you got it all (theoretically, as some services are extra).

Regarding hardware, Sony needs to have more horsepower and better specs. Low-cost companies usually have a younger fleet to keep operating and maintenance costs down and to send a powerful message to their customers who in turn will trust them. Sony did the same and that's why everyone now trusts them to deliver a great gaming experience. This is the core experience you will get with the PS4. Everything extra will cost more.

On Xbox One there are many other integrated features that come at no extra cost and I am sure they will expand their offer, as they need to respond somehow to Sony's devastating blow. They will add more features and they will improve their "premium" offer. Maybe they will even change some of their policies (as they did between May 21st and now with the always-on Kinect which can now be turned off completely if you want).

The first time I realized that Sony's offer is more of a low-cost one, I was like "Wait, it can't be". I'm such a huge Sony fan and I have a PS3 since day one (march 2007). I then checked everything in my mind and started writing and the more I did that I thought "Oh man, Sony is soooo smart. It takes so much guts to come up with such a proposition and make Microsoft look bad with their "premium" device."

The trick here is that now Microsoft has no other alternative. They must somehow shape the Xbox One as a true premium device. The hardware is already there, so we shouldn't expect any more changes on that front, but I expect them to step up their game with better LIVE Gold features (AC2 and Halo 3 are a joke), better exclusives, more support for indie developers and maybe some policy changes. Sony forced their hand and they are now cornered. They have to come with something better and even more premium than what they've already got. And fast.

Re: Sony, PlayStation 4 and the low-cost value proposition

datdude — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:17:47 -0000

This author, in my opinion, has got it all wrong. Just because Microsoft chooses to charge a premium, doesn't mean the Xbox One is a premium device. It simply means they are robbing you blind, as they have for years in charging for their live gold all while collecting money hand over fist from gamers and advertisers alike. The PS4 has technically superior specifications. Your argument for premium could only be true if the One were offering a better experience with superior hardware. It is quite the opposite. They offer inferior hardware and demand everyone implement kinect whether you're interested in the camera or not. Making that camera mandatory is self serving for microsoft, it doesn't benefit the average consumer. And your analogy stating "That’s what high income men aged 18-34 are paying for. Do you think they don’t have an internet connection? Do you think they need to sell their games? Do you think they care about their privacy with all those
gadgets around them? They need people to tell them how cool and
succesful they are, to confirm their status quo and that’s what Xbox One
helps them achieve." is false. High income individuals already control their A/V setups with proprietary apps on their tablets or smart TV's. These apps allow a far greater level of control than the Xbox One could ever offer. So out of the box, the device is obsolete for these people. As the owner of a fairly substantial A/V system, I already have the functionality Microsoft is trying to peddle with the One. I can do it better. Right now. From my tablet, smartphone, and smart TV. So what exactly are they selling? An overpriced, underperforming box that may have some interesting exclusive games Microsoft has paid through the teeth for, but little else of value to me. That does not constitute premium, sir. Sony, meanwhile, has the better horsepower, a better design of the system from an engineering perspective, better first party exclusives, and no restrictions on the content I buy. Game over.

Re: Cum arata PlayStation Store Bulgaria si ce se poate face pentru Romania (RO)

Vlad Zotta — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:18:59 -0000

dupa ce am scris ma gandeam si eu la asta, dar intuitia mea asa imi zice...vom incepe de la zero pe PS4 (chiar daca s-ar putea sa-ti afiseze vechile trofee) in sensul ca nu vor fi amestecate. ramane de vazut ca mai avem numai o luna si jumatate pana la E3 cand aflam sigur.

Re: Cum arata PlayStation Store Bulgaria si ce se poate face pentru Romania (RO)

Cosmin Aionita — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:14:30 -0000

In niciun caz nu vor face greseala sa nu-mi afiseze toata colectia de trofee, indiferent de platforma pe care o folosesc pentru a accesa contul de PSN. Asa cum acum pot vedea trofeele obtinute pe Vita si pe PS3 si cele obtinute pe PS3 si pe Vita, la fel si pe PS4 se va putea consulta toata colectia de trofee.

Re: Cum arata PlayStation Store Bulgaria si ce se poate face pentru Romania (RO)

Vlad Zotta — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 07:09:25 -0000

inca o chestie. eu cred ca iti vei putea pastra contul SEN UK si pe PS4 si te vei putea loga cu acelasi username si password, insa sistemul va putea detecta de pe ce platforma te loghezi si iti va da acces la Store-ul de PS4, nu la la cel de PS3 si la lista de friends, DAR NU la trofeele obtinute pe PS3. logica este simpla si anume ca nu se poate face o comparatie cu cei care nu au avut PS3 si isi cumpara acum PS4, iar in prima faza (pana se introduce Gaikai cum trebuie) posesorii de PS4 vor putea vedea printre trofeele tale unele obtinute de la jocuri de PS3 si nu vor avea posibilitatea sa le obtina si ei (din cauza incompatibilitatii) ceea ce este frustrant. din aceste motive, vom fi toti nevoiti sa o luam de la zero pe PS4, in timp ce pe PS3 vom avea conturile intacte. in conditiile astea, nu mai conteaza pe ce cont incepi sa joci pe PS4 pentru ca vom fi toti egali (asa ca poti sa schimbi contul fara probleme).

Re: Cum arata PlayStation Store Bulgaria si ce se poate face pentru Romania (RO)

Vlad Zotta — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 05:48:39 -0000

da, am si zis ca userii vechi vor fi mai reticenti si stiam pozitia ta. pentru cei noi insa nu va fi nicio problema si cred ca si o parte din userii vechi vor face trecerea (mai ales ca sunt multi care se joaca deja pe contul de RO, in timp ce cumparaturile le fac de pe US sau UK).

si mai e un aspect. nu stii ce se va intampla peste 10 ani. daca le vine ideea sa restrictioneze Store pe IP, atunci nu vei mai avea nicio solutie (decat VPN probabil insa costa si alea in plus). la Store-ul de UK nu vei mai avea acces, iar cel de RO nu va exista. intr-adevar, riscul este mic, insa cine stie ce se intampla in ani de zile asa ca better safe than sorry. in plus, existenta lui ar asigura infrastructura pentru noii posesori de console care isi pot face un singur cont si nu vor trebui sa administreze 3-5 conturi. cu contul de Bulgaria acum am 6 conturi in total. oricum, eu cred ca este o idee foarte buna si ca ne-ar ajuta pe toti enorm (pe termen lung), adica si pe ei (Sony) si pe noi.

Re: Cum arata PlayStation Store Bulgaria si ce se poate face pentru Romania (RO)

Cătălin Nițu — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 05:26:52 -0000

Categoric NU voi trece la cont de România nici pe PS4. Am deja un cont SEN plin cu cumparături (și clar nu voi renunța la PS3 după lansarea noii console), și plin cu trofee (dintre care câteva Platinum). Dacă va exista opțiunea de migrare, cum s-a văzut prin alte locuri, toate cumpărăturile de pe magazinul pe care ai făcut contul inițial nu se transferă pe noul cont. Singura opțiune este să descarci în prealabil conținutul și să îl ții pe hard. Dacă formatezi/moare hardul, adio conținut. No thanks. UK is good for me.

Re: Beyond Xbox – A glimpse of what’s to come and it’s not a gaming console

Vlad Zotta — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 09:51:39 -0000

Actually the rumors back in February said that Black Tusk Studios had 4 new IPs in development. They didn't say that all of them were AAA and we shouldn't really believe they are all AAA. I've said in the article that Microsoft needs exclusives, but having one studio working on 4 IPs is a little bit of an overload usually and makes one wonder if they're more casual, targeting women or kids. I wouldn't expect all 4 IPs to be like Gears or Halo. On the other hand, MS needs exclusives from third party developers, something that Sony already has.

With this article, I intended to point that MS is taking a different path compared to Sony. They WILL TARGET casual gamers because they will plan according to their current target and its preferences (which are clearly stated by Yusuf Mehdi). This is how they plan to win this upcoming next-gen war with Sony and in terms of sales they could really pull it off).

Re: Beyond Xbox – A glimpse of what’s to come and it’s not a gaming console

Day — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:30:39 -0000

It also a fact that they've opened multiple new game devolopment studios who are all working on nextbox games. Including 3 new AAA exclusive ip's. But you left that part out, I guess it didn't fit your overall narative.

Re: Beyond Xbox – A glimpse of what’s to come and it’s not a gaming console

Vlad Zotta — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:03:42 -0000

You should take the time and listen to the whole Yusuf Mehdi interview from Dive into Media when he says that 38% of Xbox users are women (many girl teens and less moms but there is plenty of opportunity to attract moms) and 51% are people with kids. So, I think we're not on the same page here.

http://video.allthingsd.com...

Re: Beyond Xbox – A glimpse of what’s to come and it’s not a gaming console

Vlad Zotta — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 08:42:25 -0000

This is also my believe. I think that Sony will counter their move, but for now they are building buzz with the core gamers, so they will spread the word further. When this is done, they will unveil all the other features of the PS4. MS si going for a different strategy and I think they will target casual gamers first (including but not limited to women and parents). It's what Nintendo used to do and they have done it very well with the Wii.

Re: Beyond Xbox – A glimpse of what’s to come and it’s not a gaming console

Vlad Zotta — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 08:36:33 -0000

I'd say that Yusuf Mehdi's interview qualifies as information. Of course, the rest of it is supposition or if you'd like, alternative scenarios. The problem is that all the rumors are in line with what we already know that MS is doing. It's a fact they have opened up their own studios for video content, it's a fact they are pursuing women and casual gamers as their target and it's a fact that Xbox 360 owners use their box for other forms of interactive entertainment, not just core gaming. These have all been stated in that interview. If you take all the rumors and align them with what we already know, then you can build interesting scenarios.

Re: Beyond Xbox – A glimpse of what’s to come and it’s not a gaming console

extermin8or2 — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 06:39:13 -0000

Actually he's done his research and it does all make sense Microsoft have made it VERY clear they want the all entertainment box- although I don' think Sony are going to just sit down and let that happen. The SEN is intergrated into the PS4 and sony already said just a couple of days ago that the PS4 is core gamers 1st, but will have all the other multimedia stuff too, and will expand as the generation goes on. Plus they have the upper hand in exclusives- I think this could be VERY interesting to watch play out. (Although why microsoft think they are the best for media when a SMART tv does all the same things, and you don't have to pay a subscription to access what you already pay a subscription for. Also Netflix already said that the PS3 is what most of their customers use by a large proportion just days after Microsoft claimed it was XBOX-so I'd take anything they say with a pinch of salt as it being half the truth not the whole truth. But if they go multimedia Sony provided they play it right have the upper hand after all they OWN record labels and Film studios- make those exclusive to their products in terms of digital release and they would put a dent in any multimedia aspirations of rival companies I think.