I’ve often opined about the stubborn, often prejudicial bias of fanboys. A conceited bracket in the gaming firmament, committed to deliberate ignorance, so entrenched in their own fanatical agenda that it prevents them from acknowledging the promising features of the other. Actively engaging in disinformation in an attempt to deflect criticism away from their own consoles failings, rooted in the arcane perception that you must be stringently aligned with one, and vehemently opposed to the other. As if gaming was some kind of political affiliation. Certainly neither Sony nor Microsoft have ever tried to moderate this social discourse, but rather passively nurtured the burgeoning rivalry. Often the snide, factually questionable conversations that derive from such singularly modest opinions, boils over into spiteful shit slinging. It’s a sad, very vocal minority that spoils such a joyous activity. Being the consummate sitter of fences that I am, it is especially difficult to engage in these kinds of indignant discussions without feeling rather grubby. Though I’m not at all opposed to criticising something I deem immoral.
Take for instance Sony’s decision to remaster the 2 year old Spiderman game. Though an exceptional game, it has no business being remastered in such an untimely fashion. There’s nothing particularly unethical about remastering a celebrated title, with Demons Souls being an acceptable example. But to drastically alter one that’s barely out of nappies yet is not only ludicrous, but ostensibly greedy. Employing such rapacious business strategies only further incites the mobs that remain dedicated to the verbal vilification of their adopted rivals. In much the same way that Microsoft’s sudden acquisition of Bethesda has incited the considerable resentment of its peers.
Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of Bethesda is huge, generating significant enthusiasm around a console that was beginning to be undermined by the PS5. This was a bold statement of intent, deliberately orchestrated to cause maximum humiliation to a company that was buoyant by its own proliferating arrogance. A declaration that has significant repercussions for the industry as a whole, and not necessarily for the best. Let’s not pretend that this is Microsoft hurling a stone from its sling, directly between the eyes of Goliath. With an annual net income of over $40 billion and valued in excess of $1 trillion, realistically Microsoft IS the Goliath in this analogy! And on the surface purchasing such an illustrious software developer like Bethesda makes perfect sense considering the advantage of exclusivity over popular IP’s curated by them, but there is a few notable caveats.
Firstly, $7.5 billion is a somewhat inflated estimate for a company notorious for releasing unfinished content. No doubt the merger will provide a mutual benefit for both parties long term, but there is still a risk in acquiring a company as recognised for the fallout of its games as well the Fallout games. But also, considering the rather expansive nature of Bethesda games, to retain total exclusivity over previously cross platform games like the Elder Scrolls series really isn’t viable. It’s like making the ultimate “Big Dick” move, but not purchasing enough viagra to maintain the erection! I’m not naive enough to consider this to be a consumer friendly gesture, but more an attempt to monopolise the industry and ultimately consolidate power. Ultimately this decision is more about propegating game pass than anything else, which I expect it will succeed in. But this kind of corporate hubris is concerning.
If you eradicate your competition, strip the carcass of its tender flesh, assimilate those profitable assets for your own benefits, then how is anyone expected to stand a chance.
What do you guys think about the way these next gen consoles are shaping up? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers.