The Wednesday letters page discusses memorable visits to GAME, as one reader shows off their impressive physical video games collection.
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Always a first time
Off the back of GTA 5 still selling in mind-boggling numbers after all these years, can anyone explain who these people are?
Surely there can’t be that many new players at this point and while I’ll admit to having bought and played the game several times over the years, for various reasons.
I just can’t wrap my head around it still charting so high every week.
Chris
GC: There’s always someone buying a console or PC for the first time. If there wasn’t the games industry would be in real trouble.
Self-fulfilling prophecy
I’ve read a number of times that because hardware sales are slowing down this generation, manufacturers take this as an indication that the next generation is necessary.
Surely sales have slowed down because of a lack of games? I was three years late to this generation, the latest I’ve ever been. This was because of a lack of games, and I’m already bored of my PlayStation 5! Look at this year for instance, there’s hardly any first party PlayStation games. The worse I’ve known in all five generations.
I know it’s because of how long games are taking to make, and the production costs, but how would this get any better with an even more powerful generation? Games sells consoles.
Adam_Lion_23 (PSN ID)
GC: Nobody said the console manufacturers were being sensible.
Minor benefit
RE: Francis and the next generation of consoles. I couldn’t agree more, how many Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 games have actually pushed those consoles to the limits? Around half a dozen on both consoles combined, probably?
When I read the comments (unusual for me) on the Reader’s Feature about a gamer sticking with his/her PlayStation 4 last week most of them said they were glad they upgraded to a PlayStation 5 because of the faster loading times! Hardly a justifiable reason to shell out 500-odd quid on a new console.
Adams6legend
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Purely physical
The question should be, ‘When was the last time I bought a digital game?’ To be fair. I only buy physical games. I actually make a point of it. If the game is not available physically I wait for a games publisher to create a physical version of the game.
The day games devs/publishers go 100% digital is the day I stop buying from them and I’ll focus on older consoles to build up my physical library of games.
LB
Midnight masses
Reading your inbox about the last time I bought a game in GAME; I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was the GTA 4 midnight launch. Must have been a good 200 waiting when I got there at 11.40pm. By 11.55 there was at least 300. But I don’t shop at GAME, they’re too expensive. I normally go to Tesco because they’re cheaper.
I remember when Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) came out, if you got your game from GAME you got an extra map: Nuketown. Problem was, it was timed for about three months and they were £8 more than Tesco. Just didn’t seem worth it.
I understand why GAME charged me more back in the day, all they sold was video games, but I’m not willing to pay more than I have to. I think GAME has had its day selling video games and really needs to change.
The problem with downloads is you buy a game; tough you bought it. You don’t like it? You’re stuck with it. Also, you can’t trade in games with downloads. I must be honest, I have started buying more games via download-only because me and my mate share games, so it’s cheaper.
David
A good run
In all fairness to GAME, they’re selling what sells. Board games, plushies, and figurines are clearly doing better in physical retail than video games. A brief glance at GC’s letters page shows that the hardcore rarely go there and even the casuals are mostly downloading now.
We also know that console manufacturers and publishers have been only too happy to push online stores in order to cut costs, despite physical retail being their best advertisement for years and years. Nintendo has always done better in bricks and mortar stores but even they have had a hand in contributing to stores like GAME disappearing, from having download codes inside real boxes to only printing very limited runs of games like Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Then, even with consoles, companies like Sony are selling direct online, so the odds have been stacked against them for a while.
So, I might argue that it’s not that GAME have failed at the industry, it’s that the industry has failed them. They’ve done well to survive as long as they have.
Owen Pile
Downloadable present
Elden Ring is my favourite game of all time, so I’ve obviously been excited about the DLC. I’ve held off buying it as I knew my girls were buying me PlayStation Store credit for my birthday. It’s now downloaded and ready to go.
My dad passed away a few weeks after Elden Ring was released. Playing such an immersive game helped me through my grief. I can’t wait to dive back in.
Coinslot- (PSN ID)
Creation myth
The developers of Palword have been coming out with some clangers ever since the game became a success, with a weird vibe that, frankly, is exactly the sort of lazy and artless attitude I would’ve expected from someone that makes mobile phone game and junk like Palworld.
The lack of passion and care is so obvious it’s actively cringey. And then coming out with this gem: ‘In game development, of course, sometimes we have to do it, but, as much as possible, I try to avoid creating new things.’
Why are you doing it then? I’m sure if you’re only in it for the money there must be easier ways to make a fast buck than creating a video game. Especially one that has a 50/50 chance of being sued into oblivion by Nintendo.
It’s an insult to all the passionate creators that work on proper games and I really hate that Palworld has been successful enough to prove that half-assing it pays off. Why bother inventing anything new when people will line up to play something that doesn’t have an original idea in its head.
It’s the same with anything I suppose, music and movies includes, but I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone be quite so blatant and uncaring about it as this guy. I hope he gets all the success he deserves in the future.
Lackme
Inbox also-rans
For no particular reason I didn’t bother with Luigi’s Mansion 2 on 3DS but as I enjoyed the original game and the third one, and was expecting a bit of a drought on Switch games, I pre-ordered Luigi’s Mansion 2. Having read the reviews on here and Nintendo Life, which read fairly similarly in terms of pros and cons, I’m looking forward to playing it.
John Atkinson
GC: It’s a great game. The only drawback is the price.
With a lot of retro games I can’t help thinking that there’s no real way to bring back the game, it’s just too much of its time. But I honestly think a revamped Jet Set Radio could work. I’m not sure they need to do a remake exactly but if that’s an excuse to re-licence the soundtrack then by all means go ahead!
Costar
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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
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