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Sony Physical Media Department Faces 250 Layoffs, Hinting At All Digital Future

Story Highlight
  • Sony recently laid off 250 people from the recordable media business.
  • A report states that the company is moving away from optical disc media, including Blu-Ray.
  • This may be a red flag for physical gaming on PlayStation, pointing to an all-digital future.

Digital media has been on the rise globally for quite a while. Whether it be games, film, or television, most media is consumed digitally today. This shift has taken longer in the gaming industry, but signs are pointing at the death of physical media.

According to recent developments, Sony may be preparing to move away from physical media entirely. Following a wave of layoffs in a major department, a report states that Sony will gradually cease production of optical storage media.

Why it matters: Analysts have already predicted that PlayStation and Xbox will go all-digital within the next two generations. However, this change may arrive sooner than anticipated.

Physical Games
Digital Games Are Just Too Convenient For Most People

As reported by Mainichi, Sony has cut 250 jobs from the recordable media business. While not much else has been revealed on the matter, the report blames the declining demand for physical media.

It also highlights that Sony eventually plans to cease producing storage formats like Blu-Ray discs. What’s interesting is that this is the same standard used for all PS5 games.

Since Sony as a whole is moving away from Blu-Ray discs, the impacts of this decision may be felt in the gaming business quite soon. The PS5 already shipped with a digital-only model, highlighting PlayStation’s focus on the market.

Following the pandemic, digital ownership is on the rise, and physical media is slowly dying in the gaming industry. Xbox has already realized this, focusing most of its efforts on subscriptions, cloud gaming, and more.

Sony PlayStation 5
The PS5 Marked Sony’s First All-Digital Console

Previously, Xbox’s physical games department faced similar layoffs. Sony may be planning to outsource this part of the business moving forward, but it’s only a matter of time before digital media completely takes over.

Latest Updates

Various studios are already choosing to skip physical releases entirely, with Hellblade 2 being a prominent example in recent months. This could be a massive issue for enthusiasts who enjoy growing their collections, but it seems that little can be done about the situation.

Looks Like Everyone Was Wrong About Phantom Blade Zero

Story Highlight
  • Phantom Blade Zero was initially criticized for not looking like a real game.
  • S-Game has surprised everyone with its latest gameplay, highlighting real-time footage that looks just as good as last year’s trailer.
  • This seems to be a massive hit in the making.

There are many cases where video game trailers don’t match the final product. The original Watch Dogs, Dark Souls 2, and various other titles are perfect examples, leaving a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

This is the reason why many refrain from pre-ordering since the final product isn’t always what the trailers portray. Audiences shared a similar sentiment about Black Myth: Wukong and Phantom Blade Zero, but gameplay trailers have completely shifted the perception of both.

Phantom Blade Zero, in particular, has recently become the center of attention, and rightfully so. The game looks every bit as exciting as the initial trailer portrayed it to be.

Why it matters: Fans have been burned too many times in the past. Fake or heavily scripted trailers are often used to create buzz for upcoming releases, with studios often offering heavily downgraded releases after all is said and done.

Phantom Blade Zero Controversy

 

Let’s discuss the controversy first. Phantom Blade Zero didn’t face the typical trailer outrage over visuals. Instead, everyone thought the trailer was fake, and the final build would play completely differently.

To an extent, I don’t blame them. The original trailer showed combat so fast-paced and cinematic that it was hard to imagine how it would translate to actual gameplay. The fact that it came from an unknown developer, S-Game, barely helped.

However, much like the rise of Game Science and Shift Up, S-Game appears to be another star in the making. Phantom Blade Zero proves that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

Those who waited for the actual gameplay were wise to do so and ended up liking everything that was shown.

How The Tables Have Turned

 

What surprised me the most was that the team didn’t just release another trailer. Instead, S-Game was so confident that it shared an in-depth look at Phantom Blade Zero, which was spectacular.

To everyone’s surprise, the team delivered everything the first trailer promised. This was a pleasant surprise, especially since there has been no shortage of false advertisements in the past.

Not only that, but S-Games was confident enough to host an exclusive demo during Summer Game Fest. The team let journalists get hands-on time with the current build, and previews were extremely positive.

If this wasn’t enough, S-Games is hosting more hands-on previews at ChinaJoy, Gamescom, and the Tokyo Game Show. So, there will be a constant stream of information on the project.

A public demo is also said to be coming later this year. Needless to say, the studio is more than willing to let everyone try Phantom Blade Zero for themselves if there are still any lingering doubts.

Also, the developer has clarified that fans shouldn’t expect the FromSoftware experience here, as the combat is very different. The combat system is based on combo strings, which should help the title stand out in the saturated Souls-like genre.

From everything I’ve seen, the game seems to strike a solid balance between the character action and Souls-like genre, even if it leans more in the former’s direction. If nothing else, we can expect a very fast and fluid combat system that should be immensely satisfying.

Don’t Worry; Phantom Blade Zero Will Be Awesome

Phantom Blade Zero
Phantom Blade Zero Could Be The Most Exciting Martial Arts Title In Recent Years

I have seen many players who are still concerned. It’s not just me; the developer has also noticed and assured fans not to be worried. The gameplay footage is out. Many people have played the demo build and only have positive things to say about it, so why are people still so concerned?

I don’t get it, but I still don’t blame audience skepticism, given how much the industry has lied in the past.

Latest Updates

That said, I’m now confident Phantom Blade Zero will be a major success. It may not be the next Sekiro or Devil May Cry, but the game seems to have done enough to create an exciting blend of these titles.

I won’t be rushing out to pre-order Phantom Blade Zero, but this is certainly on my must-play list. As a huge Sekiro fan, I’ll try not to compare the two much. I hope to enjoy S-Game’s offering for what it is.

Here’s hoping the game will end up being a major success and catapult the studio to new heights.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Looks Outdated Despite Its Great Visuals

Story Highlight
  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems to feature some great visuals, but the other elements are less than stellar.
  • The combat looks quite outdated.
  • Ubisoft’s voice acting seems as disappointing as ever, and I’m not too enthusiastic about the microtransaction model.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the most anticipated Ubisoft game this year. Many fans are excited about Star Wars Outlaws, but nothing beats the excitement of another Assassin’s Creed release.

It’s even more interesting since the team is now headed to Japan. The recent trailers and gameplay videos have shown promise, and this entry was previously described as the studio’s most ambitious project.

However, being a fan of this series, I couldn’t help but notice that only the graphics look good. Most of the game looks quite dull, and the samurai combat seems to have completely missed the mark.

Why it matters: Assassin’s Creed Shadows was supposed to be a technical leap for the series since Ubisoft has upgraded its engine.

Impressive Visuals Paired With Mediocre Gameplay

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Features Great Visuals

The Japanese setting practically guarantees a visual extravaganza, and Ubisoft does not disappoint here. The lush forests, historic architecture, and more are captured in crisp detail here.

Lighting is also impressive thanks to ray-traced global illumination, but it’s hard to give the studio credit for something that is now standard across the industry. This is where my praise for the game ends.

It was always clear that Yasuke would be more of a brute, but Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems to be going too far. My excitement for the game nosedived when I saw Yasuke throwing his giant weapon around.

Wasn’t he supposed to be a Samurai? I am just glad that the game won’t force you to play a certain character. Yasuke’s combat seems uninspired at best and completely mundane at worst.

Naoe fared better, thanks to a focus on stealth. However, I have to point out how many of her animations looked clunky. Parkour seems to have received an upgrade, but it still seems too close to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s fundamentals, leaving a lot to be desired.

Poor Voice Acting & Cutscenes

Assassin's Creed Shadows
This Game Is Already One of the Most Controversial Titles This Year

Lately, the cutscenes in Ubisoft games have been so poor that it’s hard to take NPCs seriously. NPCs often have very uncanny facial animations, and their unimpressive voice acting doesn’t help.

I don’t expect mo-capped performances for every single character, but Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t seem to be much of an improvement in this department. The voice acting seems mediocre yet again, with characters delivering almost robotic performances akin to reading lines from a script.

This is something that the franchise has always struggled with. However, Abubakar Salim as Bayek and Roger Craig Smith as Ezio stand out. These voice actors poured their hearts and souls into their performance, making it a joy to go through the stories.

I would’ve liked to see such quality across the board for Ubisoft’s biggest release, but there seems to be little hope here. Fortunately, the studio will deliver a Japanese dub, which seems to be quite a bit better.

Another Cash Grab?

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Microtransactions and the Battle Pass Are Already Concerning

Assassin’s Creed Shadows, way before release, is already drowning in microtransactions.

The ultimate edition costs $130 and offers nothing substantial. This entry also marks the arrival of a battle pass, a first for the IP. Many players, including me, despise this trend, and the developer has just added it to a single-player release for some reason.

You can still try Ubisoft+ to play the whole game for less than $20, but I’ve had a bad experience with this service in the past. It was quite a pain to get my games to show up once I bought the subscription, and I eventually ended up cancelling it ahead of time because of Ubisoft’s poor launcher and services.

Latest Updates

Anyhow, Assassin’s Creed becoming a live-service IP doesn’t sit right with me. Why is Ubisoft so desperate to turn everything into a live service? 16 different studios are working on this entry, yet I remain unimpressed.

Ubisoft is on a spree of disappointing everyone, and I can’t see one of my favorite franchises go down like this. I’ll still play Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but I don’t expect to be blown away at all.

These Games Are So Replayable That I Can’t Put Them Down

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  • Games are quite expensive these days, so replayability is often taken into account.
  • Certain titles like Devil May Cry 5 offer replayability through a high-skill ceiling that encourages repetition for those seeking to improve their skills.
  • Meanwhile, others like Elden Ring prioritize sheer variety and encourage experimentation with different builds.

Having played countless games, I can say that some are more replayable than others. As someone who doesn’t have an unlimited budget, I prefer plenty of replayability in my favorites since I seek out the most value for my money.

However, finding games with such levels of replayability can be extremely hard. If you’re looking to get the most out of your money, here’s a quick list to consider.

Why it matters: Modern releases have a price tag of $60 or $70. This can be a major dent in your wallet if you’re a student, so getting the most out of each title seems like the best solution.

1. Elden Ring

Dark-Moon-Greatsword-Elden-Ring
Elden Ring Has Nearly Infinite Amounts of Content | Image Credits: Tech4Gamers

I have to give Elden Ring the first place, as I have yet to find myself bored despite sinking hundreds of hours into this RPG. Having finished countless runs, I find myself going back to it due to its open-world and main boss line-up.

Each boss is challenging in its own way, and the thrill of victory never gets old. Also, build variety keeps each playthrough fresh. Whether you decide to rely on magic, go all-out with a strength build, or focus on dexterity, each playthrough has something new to offer.

2. Doom Eternal

Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal’s Carnage Never Gets Old | Image By Tech4Gamers

Doom Eternal is one of those games that, once you start playing, you can’t stop. It will keep you coming back for more since there’s a lot to master here.

While it may not have the variety of Elden Ring, the shooting mechanics are so refined that you’ll yearn for the perfect run where you transform into the ultimate demon-slaying machine. After mastering the combat, you can go for another spin and feel the destructive force of the doom slayer.

3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro-Genichiro
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Has Arguably The Best Combat In Gaming History | Image By Tech4Gamers

Sekiro offers the most satisfying FromSoftware combat system I’ve ever experienced. The combat is like cheese: It’s just never enough. Your first playthrough will be extremely hard and punishing.

However, once you overcome those roadblocks and force your way through the final boss, your next playthrough will allow you to swiftly work through most enemies. Things only get better from here.

4. Witcher 3/ Red Dead Redemption 2/ Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 Has A Lot To Offer For Those Willing To Explore

Rather than ranking each one differently, I think it is better to place these three open-world games together. This genre, in general, is praised for delivering heaps of content. The Witcher 3, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 stand out as the pinnacle of the genre, and all deliver plenty of content.

If the lengthy main quests weren’t enough, you have a vast open world at your disposal. There are multiple side quests to complete, characters to meet, and stories to discover throughout these games.

Reaching 100% completion in either of these titles can take hundreds of hours, making them more than worth your money.

5. Devil May Cry 5

Devil-May-Cry-5
Devil May Cry 5 Combat Makes You Want to Play The Game Again And Again

Devil May Cry has always been popular as a franchise that you can play again and again, and what better game to wrap up this list than Devil May Cry 5?

Between the multiple difficulty options, the Bloody Palace mode, the three completely unique characters(four if you get the DLC), and the multitude of combat options to learn, there’s no stopping when it comes to Devil May Cry.

Spend hundreds of hours in practice mode to come up with stylish combos or take on the 100 floors found in Bloody Palace; you have all the freedom in the world here. The first playthrough is more of a tutorial than anything.

The combat also has so much depth that you can easily pour hundreds of hours into mastering the many nuances of each character. Devil May Cry isn’t about beating the game; it’s about doing it in the most stylish way possible.

Latest Updates

This wraps up my list of games with the most replayability. Of course, it can differ from person to person.

Other genres, like rogue-likes, for instance, offer plenty of replayability. Slay the Spire and Hades are examples I can immediately think of. However, at the end of the day, it’s always better to buy the games you know you are going to enjoy.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Shows Massive Visual Upgrade In Comparison

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  • Konami is expected to launch Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake by next year.
  • This remake uses Unreal Engine 5 and rebuilds nearly everything from scratch.
  • The revamps are on full display in a direct comparison video, which shows how much better the remake looks than the original.

Recently, Konami revealed an extensive look at Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake, which took fans by surprise. The remake looks great so far, and the best thing about it is that it strives to be as faithful as possible.

While there is still time until the remake finally arrives, a YouTuber has recently released an in-depth comparison of the original Metal Gear Solid 3 and Konami’s remake. Needless to say, the team’s latest work seems to be a massive upgrade over the original.

Why it matters: The remake is arriving three generations after the original release. This gives it a completely different class of hardware to work with, leading to high expectations from the fans.

ElAnalistaDeBits recently released a nearly 20-minute YouTube video comparing the two versions of Metal Gear Solid 3.

What’s clear immediately is how much better the environments look. Using the environment for stealth plays a major role in Metal Gear Solid 3, making the foliage more important than ever.

Fortunately, the grass is as detailed as it is dense. The textures are also vastly improved compared to the PS2 rendition, giving the ground and rocky surfaces a detailed look.

Perhaps the biggest change has been made to the models. Snake looks more detailed and realistic than ever, and Konami has confirmed a real-time battle-damage system for the character.

The studio promises that wounds will stay with you throughout the experience. This will lead to a different look for Snake by the time players are finished with the game. Moreover, the video also shows the many filters that Konami has included.

Our favorite filter makes the remake similar to the original release from 2004, giving it a nostalgic visual style.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake
Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Remains Faithful To The Original Game

Finally, the stealth and character animations have been worked on. The video above highlights these elements in-depth, reviewing nearly everything Konami has shared till now.

Latest Updates

Capcom is currently leading the charge when it comes to remakes, but Konami seems to have done a solid job here. Fans are in for a treat if the final release is as great as the footage shown recently. However, an official release date is yet to be revealed.

Splinter Cell Remake Dev Faces Layoffs As Ubisoft Realigns Plans

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  • Ubisoft has once again announced layoffs, with its Toronto-based studio being impacted now.
  • Over 33 employees have been let go as work continues on the Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remakes.
  • Ubisoft states that this is a targeted realignment and will help it achieve an ambitious roadmap.

Layoffs have become a recurring theme in the gaming industry. Various studios have laid off developers in large numbers for various reasons, and Ubisoft is one of them.

The publisher has once again made headlines with another round of layoffs, this time affecting its Toronto studio. This particular studio is currently involved in developing remakes for Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.

Why it matters: Layoffs are unfortunate and can negatively affect projects during development, which is why many are now concerned about the Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia remakes.

Splinter Call Remake Artwork
Splinter Call Remake Is Expected To Launch In 2025

It is important to note that this team was recently given more work.

The studio joined the Prince of Persia project recently, while Splinter Cell has been in development for a few years already. The publisher states that it remains committed to providing severance and career assistance to laid-off employees.

Ubisoft Toronto has decided to conduct a targeted realignment to ensure it can deliver on its ambitious roadmap.

-Ubisoft

However, this won’t make the situation any easier for everyone impacted. While Ubisoft Montreal is the primary studio handling Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake, the situation differs for Splinter Cell Remake, where Ubisoft Toronto is the lead developer.

Fans are now concerned about the future of Splinter Cell.

Splinter cell
Splinter Cell Remake Will Use Ray Tracing

The remake was announced back in December 2021, and there has been limited information about its progress since then. Still, it has been reported that the team expects a 2025 launch for the remake.

Therefore, the team is gearing up to conclude development. Layoffs at such a crucial stage could end up being quite problematic.

Latest Updates

Furthermore, Ubisoft revealed that Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake was making excellent progress recently. This re-release is currently targeting a launch at some point in 2026, so fans should expect a gameplay trailer next year.

As fans continue to anticipate both remakes, Ubisoft has confirmed even more remakes. The Assassin’s Creed IP will receive this treatment next, though it remains to be seen which studios will be involved in these projects.

For now, the Toronto and Montreal-based teams are leading the wave of remakes.

Helldivers 2 Player Base Down By Nearly 97% Already

Story Highlights
  • Helldivers 2 has seen a significant decline in its user base, losing 90% of its Steam players.
  • The game now manages an average of just under 45K concurrent players compared to before.
  • The drama surrounding the PSN requirement and delisting in many countries has had a huge impact.

Update As of July 13:

A few days ago, Helldivers 2 had less than 13K concurrent players, marking a new all-time low for the game. Since then, daily concurrent peaks have also dwindled, with the player count down by about 97% now.

Original Story:

Helldivers 2 launched to a surprisingly positive reception. It was looking like the game that would help PlayStation cement its place in the much-saturated world of live service titles. However, months later, the title has lost almost 90% of its players.

Why it matters: Helldivers 2 was breaking records at an unprecedented pace at one point. It seemed like nothing would stop this co-op shooter, but PlayStation may have shot itself in the foot here.

Helldivers 2 Cocurrent Players
The Helldivers 2 player base has seen a serious decline. | Image via SteamDB

At one point, Helldivers 2 easily managed over 200K concurrent players. The number has now seen a steep decline, falling below 45K concurrent Steam users in the last few days.

This marks a 90% decline compared to the 458K all-time peak. The sales have also declined substantially. While the co-op shooter was often seen in Steam’s top sellers not too long ago, it has fallen below the top 50 best-sellers.

It’s not even in the top 20 most-played games today. Sony’s decisions have been the biggest reason for its downfall. Arrowhead still supports Helldivers 2, but audiences suddenly lost interest once the title was delisted in over 100 countries.

PlayStation eventually backtracked, but the damage was already done.

Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is delisted in regions that don’t have PSN support.

Nearly two months after PlayStation announced that it would remove the PSN requirement, the game remains unavailable in most regions. It reappeared in a few countries, but most players still cannot access the co-op shooter.

Helldivers 2 exceeded all expectations by becoming the top PC game with the most revenue in Q1 2024, but the future looks a bit shaky now. The studio has been very enthusiastic and listening to the fans, but this may not be enough.

Latest Updates

The future remains uncertain for now. While Arrowhead continues to update the game, things may never go back to how they were. However, Helldivers 2 still has a solid user base across PC and PS5, so the team may now be focused on retaining the remaining players.

PlayStation Defends PSN Requirement For PC, Citing Cross-Play & Progression

Story Highlights
  • A PlayStation developer has attempted to justify the PSN requirement for PC ports.
  • Developers say it’s essential for cross-progression and cross-play and to bring players together.
  • However, this limitation makes PlayStation games inaccessible in many parts of the world.

PlayStation first introduced the PSN requirement for PC with Helldivers 2, ultimately reverting the decision due to huge backlash. However, the same requirement exists for the recent Ghost of Tsushima PC port and will be mandatory for all upcoming PlayStation PC ports.

Despite the criticism, PlayStation’s upcoming $40 hero shooter, Concord, will also require a PSN account, and the developers have even defended the decision. They say PlayStation accounts help them implement features like cross-play and cross-progression.

Why it matters: This requirement means you have to create a PlayStation ID on your PC. It also resulted in the delisting of games in regions where PlayStation doesn’t officially exist.

PlayStation PC Japan Featured
All future PlayStation ports will require a PSN ID

Talking to Eurogamer, lead character designer Jon Weisnewski stated that this implementation brings PC and PlayStation players together. It’s a layer that needs to be there for cross-play.

For us to have PC players and PlayStation 5 players together, for that cross-play and cross-progression to work, that’s a layer that needs to be there.

– Jon Weisnewski

While this statement does not directly come from PlayStation, it highlights the publisher’s approach, which is set to become the standard approach moving forward.

It is important to note that Helldivers 2, the first game impacted by this decision, did not support cross-progression. However, a major single-player title like Ghost of Tsushima 2 supports both cross-saves and cross-play.

Such a requirement can be justified when it comes to live service games. On the other hand, it makes little sense that a single-player title like God of War Ragnarok will require a PSN ID.

God of War Ragnarok
God of War Ragnarok Confirms That The PSN Requirement Is Here To Stay

Since a large audience anticipates so many PC ports, PlayStation is limiting its own player base through this decision. While Concord’s cross-play argument may make sense, the same cannot be said for other PC ports.

Latest Updates

Nonetheless, PlayStation’s decision already seems set in stone. The PSN requirement isn’t going anywhere, leaving PC gamers in non-supported regions with barely any options. Previous ports were easy for such gamers to access, leading to plenty of success for Sony early on.

Fable Graphics And Animations Very Impressive, Says GOW Ragnarok Dev

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  • The latest Fable trailer has impressed a developer who has worked on various games, including God of War Ragnarok.
  • The animator praised Playground Games’ modelling, texture work, and intricate animations.
  • He also offered advice for small improvements that could make the RPG even better.

Following the incredibly successful Forza Horizon 5, Playground Games is officially returning with Fable in 2025. Much like Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight and more, Fable’s long-anticipated reboot is expected to be one of Xbox’s biggest releases next year.

A new trailer for the RPG debuted earlier this month, creating further anticipation for the release. Following this trailer, Playground Games has earned praise for its impressive footage.

Even developers have been taken aback by the quality on display, with a God of War Ragnarok animator showering the new footage with praise.

Why it matters: Fable has always raised eyebrows due to its visual excellence. Playground Games has previously said that the final game will look just as great as the trailer footage.

Mike York is an animator with nearly 20 years of experience in game development. Having worked with studios like Rockstar and Santa Monica, the developer likes to share his insights with audiences through his YouTube videos.

Previously, Mike York shed light on topics like developers prioritizing PlayStation as the lead platform, but his latest video focuses on Fable. The developer appears to have been blown away by the visual fidelity of the RPG.

York noted that everything, from the facial models to the texture work, looked impressive. He also highlighted how Playground Games had captured subtle animations like Humphry’s throat slightly moving as he took a drink.

Elsewhere, he praised the natural hair movement presented in the footage. Elements like characters firmly gripping their swords or emoting realistically ensured he was never left unimpressed.

All in all, he was pleased to see what Playground Games had come up with.

I’m impressed with the animation quality and, the texturing, the modelling. It looks really good.

-Mike York

Fable
Fable Is Coming Next Year

Still, the developer didn’t find the trailer flawless. He noted how certain surfaces, like the rug and burlap sack at the beginning, lacked detail compared to the rest of the objects. These were, however, small issues.

Overall, Mike York was quite impressed.

Latest Updates

Playground Games has always been one of Xbox’s most prominent studios. The team has constantly delivered top-tier visuals without sacrificing performance, and the studio’s talents shine through in Fable.

Arriving in 2025, this RPG has millions excited. The franchise has not been relevant in many years, making this reboot all the more exciting for fans.

Nintendo Believes One Game Selling 30 Million Every 5 Years Is Enough Success

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  • Nintendo has shared its approach to measuring success for first-party releases.
  • It states that 1 million sales are considered underwhelming.
  • The gaming giant says that games with 30 million sales are considered big hits, but these are needed once every few years.

Nintendo is undeniably the most successful of the three console manufacturers. It currently boasts the best-selling console, the strongest first-party lineup, and arguably the most diverse user base.

Following this success, it’s interesting to observe Nintendo’s approach to the business. According to Shigeru Miyamoto, the gaming giant does not find a game selling 1 million units a big success.

However, the company only needs a major hit once every three to five years.

Why it matters: Nintendo is set to embark on a new journey in 2025 with the next generation of the Switch. Therefore, the company must set clear goals for optimal results.

Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom Almost Won Game of The Year In 2023

In a recent interview, Miyamoto outlined Nintendo’s criteria for a huge hit. He explained that a game selling 30 million units fulfils this criterion, but the gaming giant does not expect all its releases to be this big.

He also discussed that breaking even is not considered great since developers work hard to achieve the best results. This is why Nintendo rarely settles for less, even if it often experiments with smaller titles.

If we can have one big hit every three to five years, we’ll be fine.

-Shigeru Miyamoto

It is important to note that the gaming giant boasts four such titles from the current generation. This includes the following games:

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (61.97 million)
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons (45.36 million)
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (34.22 million)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (31.85 million)

This list excludes the Pokemon entries, which easily sell 30 million units, as well.

Nintendo Switch 2
The Switch Successor Should Show Up Soon

Another such hit is currently in the making. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has already sold over 18 million units, so it should reach the 30 million figure soon.

Latest Updates

Miyamoto’s statement is interesting since the sustainability of console gaming has been a major debate recently. Nintendo is arguably the most traditional gaming giant since it sticks to the principles of exclusivity and experimental gaming.

However, the company is more than satisfied with its business right now. There seems to be nothing to worry about as long as it puts out titles that sell 30 million units.

Shadow of The Erdtree’s Final Boss Is A Disappointment

Story Highlight
  • Shadow of the Erdtree is out, and hundreds of thousands of players are playing it.
  • It has an excellent lineup of main bosses, but the final boss was underwhelming. 
  • Radahn, Consort of Miquella, while a great reveal, wasn’t that great of a boss fight for me.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is here, and I have never been this excited about a DLC. This specific expansion has reached the pinnacle of DLCs, and nothing else comes close—yes, not even Blood and Vine.

I think calling it a DLC is underselling it, as Shadow of Erdtree features more content than most of the single-player games. I enjoyed every second of it until I reached the final boss. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the fight and the reveal, but it was underwhelming and left me disappointed.

Why it matters: Radahn, consumed with Scarlet Rot, is extremely menacing, and fighting him was a challenge some couldn’t overcome without all of the summons.

Radhan
Radahn, Consort of Miquella Was One Hell of A Reveal In The DLC | Image Source: Tech4Gamers

Radahn, Consort of Miquella

The DLC has been out for a while, and you may already know who the final boss is. The final boss in Shadow of the Erdtree is none other than Radahn. Many love the character and discuss his lore because he gave Malenia a hard time on the battlefield.

Malenia vs. Radahn is one of the most talked-about fights, and the fandom is divided. Of course, I prefer Radahn since he was feared by many, even after being consumed by Scarlet Rot.

That said, we fought the weakened version of Radahn, where he didn’t know himself anymore. That boss was menacing and had some moves I still am scared of. On the contrary, the final boss in the DLC wasn’t really that menacing.

He starts off with a great attack and follows up with hard-hitting combos. I liked them all; in fact, I loved the boss fight until phase 2. Don’t get me wrong; the cutscene was epic, and a certain character’s entry gave me goosebumps.

However, phase two was extremely disappointing. The boss wasn’t Radahn anymore, and it didn’t feel like fighting the prime version of that monster in Caelid. The second phase didn’t really feature many new moves, and this new character was continuously showering the arena with holy magic.

I know many would have enjoyed this fight, but as a hardcore Elden Ring fan who has spent hundreds of hours in the game, I was disappointed.

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While Miquella’s Appearance Was Breathtaking, The Fight Was Disappointing | Image Source: Tech4Gamers

Iconic FromSoftware Final Bosses

I have enjoyed every single DLC FromSoftware released for Soulsborne games. Every DLC has an epic last-boss fight, whether it be The Old Hunters or The Ringed City. I still remember fighting Oprhan of Kos, Slave Knight Gael, and Sister Friede.

All three of these boss fights were epic, in my opinion, with the last one being my favorite. It was so memorable, and while many fights in the recent DLC have managed to be just as great, the last boss fight failed to do so.

Do you remember how epic the Slave Knight Gael fight was? The cutscenes? Gael’s continuous search for the Dark Soul when it was inside him all along as he killed and ate every person. Then, he went berserk mid-fight and used every move possible to make us start over.

Similarly, when Sister Friede’s third phase was revealed, Do you still remember how you felt? I do, and it was one of the most exhilarating gaming experiences ever. What about the insanely aggressive battle with the Orphan of Kos?

I didn’t find this feeling in Shadow of the Erdtree’s finale. I absolutely adore the character, but I expected his prime to be way better. Caelid’s corpse-like Radahn actually looks bigger than this version.

Promised, Consort Radhan
Radahn Can’t Hold His Own Against Bosses Like Slave Knight Gael | Image Source: Tech4Gamers

A Hard Fight But Not A Memorable One

So far, I have found Radahn, Consort of Miquella, to be the hardest boss in the game. I am pretty sure there are bosses who may be harder, but it took me a whopping 40 tries to beat this boss. The boss fight was stupidly hard, but it wasn’t memorable.

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The taunt grab during the fight was the only thing that excited me. Other than that, Radahn constantly spammed moves in the second phase, and fighting him wasn’t a great time.

On the other hand, it was still nice to see a fan-favorite character showing up again in such grand fashion. I just wish the boss fight had done his character justice and given him the finale he deserved.

Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Make Malenia Look Like A Cakewalk

Story Highlight
  • Shadow of the Erdtree features around 10 main bosses, all of which have proven to be more difficult than Malenia.
  • Divine Beast, Rellana, Mesmer, and others make her look easy by comparison.
  • She is no longer the standard for tough Elden Ring bosses.

Shadow of the Erdtree, the DLC I have been most excited about this year, is finally out. After clearing out every boss and spending hundreds of hours in the base content, I can’t tell you how excited I was for this expansion.

In just two days, I have encountered most of the expansion’s main bosses, and they are all extremely challenging. Since the beginning, I said the DLC would be more difficult than the base game, and I haven’t been let down.

After encountering many main and optional bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree, I can say that they make Malenia, the hardest boss in Elden Ring, seem like a cakewalk.

Why it matters: It took many players hundreds of tries to defeat Malenia, as she was very challenging for various reasons.

Mesmer's-Second-Phase
Mesmer The Impaler Is One of The Hardest Yet Fascinating Bosses I Have Ever Fought | Image Source: Tech4Gamers

Malenia, Blade of Miquella, Who?

I have fought Malenia many times, and she doesn’t seem that hard to me anymore. Of course, practice is the key, but I struggled way too much at the start. I had to beat her with a bleed build.

While that bleed build wasn’t exactly busted, it still helped me beat many bosses easily. So, one would think Malenia would be the same; however, she still posed a challenge, a challenge that left me hopeless.

So, for someone who can now beat Malenia without much trouble, the DLC should not be that challenging, right? As soon as I stepped into the Realm of Shadows, I was faced with a grim reality.

Instantly falling in love with the visuals, I was mesmerized by the beauty of Elden Ring once more. Little did I know that I was in for a rude awakening. I soon reached the first skill check: Divine Beast, Dancing Lion.

The first boss many people encounter in the DLC is already harder than Malenia, so what do you think happens next? This boss has four phases, and it shifts between them through the fight.

The frostbite and lightning phase almost seemed impossible to dodge at first. I have no idea how I managed to beat the boss in just over 20 tries.

Rellana
Rellana, Twin Moon Knight is Harder Than Malenia | Image Source: Tech4Gamers

The Difficulty Keeps Climbing

After beating the Divine Beast and exploring the whole graveyard area, I went straight to Rellana, Twin Moon Knight. Many players in the previews talked about how difficult the Dancing Lion was, which is an early game skill check.

So, I was expecting the other bosses to be a little forgiving. However, after fighting Rellana, I was quickly proven wrong. This boss was literally 10 times harder than the Dancing Lion, and it took me over four hours just to beat her.

I lost count of how many times she killed me, but it was brutal, yet I enjoyed the fight way too much. Now, onto the next main boss, Mesmer The Impaler. Mesmer is the boss that I was the most excited about.

 Mesmer will show you the true terror, but fighting him is the most fun I have ever had in the Elden Ring. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Mesmer would be more enjoyable than Godfrey.

His soundtrack and moves were basically perfect. Malenia looks like a baby in front of this fight. At one point, I hated the boss because it was too overwhelming. However, I decided to take a break, which was much needed, and things were back to normal.

Radhan-Consort-of-Miquella
The Final Boss of Shadow of the Erdtree May End Up Being Too Much For Some Players | Image By Tech4Gamers

The Last Boss Isn’t For Everyone

If you don’t like fighting a boss 100 times, do not fight the last boss. A familiar face is back with more might to crush your ambitions. While the boss was a little disappointing for me, I have never fought someone this challenging.

I had to change my build 10 times in this fight to find the right build to defeat this monster. I would say fighting him was 100 times harder than fighting Malenia, at least for me.

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Whatever the case, I enjoyed the DLC way too much, as FromSoftware exceeded my expectations by a mile. As per the developer, these are the hardest bosses it has ever made, and I completely agree.

Also, I am a little relieved that FromSoftware has slightly buffed the players instead of nerfing the enemies. This was a common fear after people complained about the DLC’s difficulty.

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