By Anonymous on Jun 16, 2019 11:07 pm
Among the surprises that Microsoft had in store its E3 2019 press conference was Phantasy Star Online 2. Years after its release in Japan, the game will finally launch in North America. And while its presence on Microsoft's stage at E3 assured us an Xbox One release is in the but Xbox head Phil Spencer has confirmed the game will arrive on other platforms--although whether that means PS4, Nintendo Switch, or something else remains to be seen.. Spencer sat down with Giant Bomb's Jeff Gerstmann to talk about Xbox's presence at E3 2019. The nearly 50-minute interview saw the two chat about the excitement surrounding the MMO's Western reveal. "I'm not trying to say this is because of me but I said [to Sega], 'You know, so many of the constructs in today's online console games were born in Phantasy Star and 90 percent of the gamers today don't know what a Phantasy Star Online is,'" Spencer told Gerstmann. The Western Localization trailer revealed during E3 2019, above, announces that Phantasy Star Online 2 will finally make its way to North America. And while Spencer couldn't confirm whether the game will appear in other regions like Europe and the Middle East because "Sega's ultimately responsible for it," he did say the game isn't console exclusive. "Yes, it will end up on all platforms." There's no specification on what "all platforms" means, and Gerstmann didn't press for clarification on this statement, but Spencer is certain the MMO will not just be exclusive to the Xbox family. Spencer "happens to have a soft spot" for Phantasy Star Online, believes "it can be a meaningful franchise," and is just excited to work with Sega again. Phantasy Star Online 2 will arrive sometime in Spring 2020. More E3 news:
By Anonymous on Jun 16, 2019 11:07 pm
While it was not the only company to sit this year's out--Activision also sat out--there was no absence at E3 2019 more significant than that of Sony. With no PlayStation press conference or show floor booth, it was a much different sort of show. Many would argue it was a worse one without them there--and among those saying as much as is Xbox boss Phil Spencer, who says E3 is just not the same without Sony and Activision, and he wants them return in the future. Appearing on GameSpot sister site Giant Bomb's livestream at E3, Spencer spoke about the ongoing relevance of E3, and he suggested that the show's profile is hurt by Sony and Activision not being there. "I wish Sony was here," Spencer said. "E3 is not as good when they're not here," Spencer said about Sony and Activision dropping out of the big annual gaming show. E3 remains relevant and important to the gaming world, Spencer said. It's a time in the year when the whole world is watching gaming, and that's very important today when the industry is coming under criticism and judgment. One recent threat, Spencer said, was the World Health Organization's designation of Gaming Disorder as a recognized disease. He said E3 is an important time of year to show the world that gaming is not just kids in a basement. And without juggernauts like Sony and Activision, E3 could take a hit in terms of prominence, Spencer said. Spencer is on the board of directors at the Entertainment Software Association, the group that runs E3 every year, so he seemingly has a vested interest in seeing the show continue and flourish. Other board members include Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Grand Theft Auto parent company Take-Two, and Bethesda owner ZeniMax's CEO Robert Altman. E3 2020 dates have already been confirmed, reaffirming that this year's show will not be the last. But where things go from there, as companies increasingly opt to host their own dedicated events, remains to be seen. Explaining why it didn't come to E3 this year, Sony said it wanted to "innovate, think differently, and experiment with new ways to delight gamers." Ahead of the show, it's shared the first details about its next-generation PlayStation 5. It also showcased Death Stranding, revealing both an extended trailer and its release date. But beyond that, it's unclear when we'll next get details about other big first-party PS4 games, such as The Last of Us 2 and Ghost of Tsushima. More E3 news:
By Anonymous on Jun 16, 2019 11:06 pm
We know from previous reports that two new Nintendo Switch models could be on the way, possibly as soon as this year. Officially, Nintendo has not addressed the possibility, though it did say it would not announce the new systems during E3. That proved to be true, but a new report from The Wall Street Journal published this week, during E3 2019, reveals some new details these rumored new Switch models. Specifically, the report states that Nintendo has decided to move the manufacturing of the new consoles to Southeast Asia instead of China. This is a result of concerns about potential United States tariffs on electronics made in China. As we reported previously, President Trump's proposed import tax rate of 25 percent would impact video game consoles, as well as smartphones and computers. In theory, this could lead to price increases on game consoles--from Nintendo, as well as Microsoft and Sony--as companies pass on the cost to consumers. The alternative would be to absorb the cost themselves, which is obviously not a welcome concept for companies. Game consoles are not historically where the money is made in the games business. Oftentimes, systems are sold at a loss or with very thin margins, with profits instead coming from software and services. Those margins do improve over time, but a 25% tariff would nonetheless be unwelcome. Should the 25 percent tariff go into effect for Switch consoles shipped into the United States, that would impact how much money Nintendo--and other companies--make on console sales. Nintendo has been the outlier in this area, however, as the company maintained from day one of Switch sales in 2017 that it makes money on each console sold. If the 25 percent tariff goes into effect, that could cut into the Switch's profit profile, which is likely why Nintendo has elected to move production of the console outside of China. According to WSJ's report, Nintendo has already moved production of the existing Switch model, as well as the two new rumored ones, to Southeast Asia. Regarding the new systems, one is said to have a similar form factor to the existing model but feature better components, with the other expected to have a different look and lower specs that make it less expensive. Given the systems are now reportedly in production, they could release soon, WSJ said. Nintendo declined to comment on the report when approached by WSJ. It's unclear when Nintendo may announce the new Switch models, if they are indeed real. With no new hardware to discuss during its Direct conference this week, Nintendo made a series of software announcements, including The Witcher 3 for Nintendo Switch and a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo has a long history of offering revised models of its gaming hardware, particularly on the handheld side. The rumored new systems would not be a new generation of Switch hardware, but merely enhanced or refined versions of what's already on the market. More E3 news:
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