Month: July 2024

There’s a few times in the year where, really, nothing is going on in gaming. This is one of those times.

I mean, sure, things are happening but announcements and rumors and the like kinda dry up at this point as we move into the bigger release months. Outlaws in August then…whatever comes in September, October, and November. And I’ve been really drawing a blank as to what some of those releases will be outside of Assassin’s Creed. My memory on upcoming releases has really failed me lately. But I think that’s probably my memory in general.

Lately, I’ve had trouble finding something to stick with and play. Most of what I dip into is exactly that – I’m dipping in and dipping out. Spiritfarer has held up a bit though and seems to give me that satisfaction of playing a long or short stint of it. I’m not looking for more games like it, but I’m happy to have it there while I look for other things to hold me over if they stick. That part has actually been kind of fun trying to find something that sticks. Just browsing my backlog and the storefronts themselves just to see what might tempt me. My library may not be increasing but my wishlist of things to come and things to try is growing quite fast.

Speaking of things to wish for, it seems I’ll have to find an actual genie to grant me the wish of a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft, it has been 3,977 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

I really like watching the EVO tournament.

I was really just going to leave it at that. I absolutely love watching the professionals and amateurs battle it out in this competition. I don’t know their names or their histories for the most part. Even some of the games I watch them play are unknown to me, but none of that stops me from enjoying watching the talent on display and really getting into it when the matches are close (and a lot of them are).

I’ve noticed I do this with a lot of things, actually. Just watch to enjoy the competition. Except I really think I enjoy it more when video games are involved. But mostly the head to head stuff.

Actually watching the E-Sport stuff hasn’t really sunk in for me yet, but I imagine if I gave it a proper chance, it likely would hook me.

Speaking of, having an actual tournament for the old Spies Vs. Mercs from Splinter Cell would be awesome. Ubisoft, it has been 3,970 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

What goes up…

We kind of expected there would be some sort of change to the whole Gamepass thing once we knew the Activision stuff would start showing up on Gamepass for day-one releases. Maybe a price hike, or an extra tier type of subscription to add onto it. Had to be something when you spend that much money on buying a company but also have the money juggernaut of the Call Of Duty franchise. I mean, in the world of gaming CoD is like Mickey Mouse.

So, a price increase is it. Seems a bit odd it’s only (for some) a three dollar increase. But maybe this is water testing for a while. See how many people stay on after a small rise in price, so later they can raise it a bit more and see who sticks around. Look, I feel certain that Microsoft went over the numbers on this and came up with something that wouldn’t feel too bad in the pocketbook, but when prices on things like this go up they never go down. I’m usually one to throw an “almost” in there just to leave some wiggle room that it might happen, but no, it absolutely won’t.

The question then becomes how much is too much for you? This will vary by gamer as to what’s on offer from the service and how worth it is to them, but I never thought I’d ever get rid of Netflix and I absolutely did that (coming up on a year now) so I could easily see myself dropping off the Gamepass train at some point. Even now I rarely use it. But I like having the option of it there whenever I want. We’ll see how long that holds for me.

This is where I’d say I’d sign up to a subscription service to play the next Splinter Cell. But I’ve never once ever considered signing up to Ubisofts subscription thing and Splinter Cell won’t change that. Still, it has been 3,963 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS