I like to think of January in the gaming world as a reset button. All the big title games had come out during the holiday season. Let’s look into the future and predict the biggest upcoming news stories for the games industry in the next 12 months. There are going to be a lot of unknowns. All the good things comes intertwined with the bad. At this time in 2013 we did not know what the PS4 and Xbox One was going to be like. At the time we called it the Orbis and Durango. The list below is of 10 possible futures in 2014 gaming and my opinion why.
1. There will be a price cut for the Xbox One.
They will cut it by $100. Why? The Xbox One led consoles sales in December, which is great. While the PS4’s two-month total makes it the best-selling console during the two-month launch window. Microsoft will sell tons of units. There is no doubt about that. It is not a race not but a marathon but you need a momentum. The PS3 and the 3DS had a price cut in its first year. It’ll be interesting to see if Microsoft can stay ahead of Sony going into 2014.
2. Grand Theft Auto V comes to PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
There have already been announcements of GTA V going to PC. No one talks about it coming to next-gen. Not to rile anyone up, but the PS4 and Xbox One is closer to PC development than other generations. GTA V is already one of the most successful entertainment properties of all time, with sales that broke world records. You would just be plain stupid not to release the game on more platforms.
3. Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain will NOT release in 2014.
No one knows what is going on in Hideo Kojima’s head. He had made some of the best games out there. I believe MGS V: Phantom Pain will not come out this year. It is too huge of a game. Kojima said it himself, that Phantom Pain has “enormous volume and would not be finished for some time.” Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a demo, just a glimpse of what we should expect in MGS V: Phantom Pain. Don’t get me started on the price…UGH!
4. Microtransactions will increase.
You know what microtransactions are…right? Well it involves a very small sum of money and involves an in-game currency or service bought with real world money. Like different costumes to new chapters of the story. Why do I say this? Game companies found a different way to make money. This is another thing that grinds my gears. You will pay the full price for a game for a free to play design. They are putting a dollars and cents on your time. Plus, they mess with the game design.
5. TitanFall will have launch issues within the first week.
And so will all other games that come out this year will have issues. Plus, as a side bet, people will head to social network sites to complain. Just look at Battlefield 4.
6. Game of the Year 2014 is a game has not been announced yet.
Trust me. Someone has been working on this game for a long time.
7. Nintendo will make a major game-changing announcement at E3.
I don’t know what they will do but Nintendo has something up their sleeves. It could either be some new hardware or game. I would want the HD Zelda game on Wii U. That would make me get a Wii U. They need something to energize the brand.
8. Star Wars Battlefront will have 16-person multiplayer and a gameplay video by E3.
With all the issues from the fallout of the TitanFall and the multiplayer, we have been accustom to more players in multiplayer. EA will see this TitanFall issue and address it in the multiplayer of Star Wars. Side bar: microtransactions will be used for force powers.
9. World of Warcraft will have an edition on gaming platforms.
This seems like a reach but it could happen. To capture more people to create a more unified WoW world and just make money. They want to reach a wider audience. This would address the any problems they have.
10. Half-Life 3, Fallout 4, and The Last Guardian will all be announced.
Yes, I said it. The holy grails of gaming. With all the rumors going around there’s a very good chance that we’ll have solid details about all these titles by E3.
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What are your predictions? Hit me up in the comments below!
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Published: Jan 20, 2014 03:44 pm