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Would you like to see more genre diversity at Playstation Studios?
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I would like a super high budget, not anime style jrpg. Kind of like FFVII R crossed with the Witcher 3
yes. Ghost of Tsushima, Days Gone, Last of Us, Horizon, Spiderman are all the same — third party action
i am more then certain all of them have the same mechanics too: like the stealth gameplay.
I want to see something in First Person, something that's an RPG, etc
i am more then certain all of them have the same mechanics too: like the stealth gameplay.
I want to see something in First Person, something that's an RPG, etc
They have a lot of diversity, but are lacking in WRPG, FPS, and multiplayer games which are some of the more popular games at the moment.
I think some replies here have hit in the nail perfectly. Sony has had a diverse genre of games come out throughout the years but not enough people supported them.
I already think they're pretty diverse and the developer's should be able to choose what games they want to make.
VR is essentially an entirely different platform than PS4.
PS Network is PlayStation Network, Sony's online services. While they're certainly still games, it illustrates that Sony's AAA and AA development has moved to a more specific subset of AAA games and their lower-level development has been shrunk to much lighter releases
Last generation games like Resistance, Motorstorm, Starhawk, PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale, Little Big Planet, SOCOM, Twisted Metal, Heavy Rain, MAG, Modnation Racers, etc . . . were put out at retail and showcased at Sony's conferences. Additionally they still released tons of PSN games and were putting out PSP games. Now they've largely stripped out that middle ground and moved on to either blockbuster AAAs or PSN games, plus games for their VR platform.
Meanwhile Nintendo has put their faith in titles like Arms, Xenoblade, Splatoon, Ring Fit Adventure, they also partnered for Mario Rabbids and they saved Bayonetta 2. Microsoft has put faith in projects like Age of Empires, Flight Simulator, Gears Tactics, Wasteland 3, Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, etc . . .
While those two have been fostering mid-level development and diversifying their lineup there, Sony has largely cut it down compared to last generation and instead they've narrowed their focus.
List of Sony-published games, with 75+ metascore, divided by consoles and classified by genre*, counting remakes but not ports, re-releases and HD remasters. Concomitant releases count for both. Not counting MLB either cause it's yearly either way:
* I tried my best to fit the games properly and not to lump everything into "Action Adventure"
If there's something I missed that should/shouldn't be there, let me know
Conclusion: While there are absences, specially if you discount VR, most of the perceived lack of diversity can be explained by the fact that the PS3 just had more games overall since smaller games were more common in Sony's, and most publisher's, strategy, as well as the defuncted incubation program at Sony Santa Monica.
Action-Adventure
Journey
The Unfinished Swan
Adventure/Interactive Story
Heavy Rain
Beat em up/Hack n Slash/Character Action/ETC
God of War III
God of War Ascension
Heavenly Sword
Fighting
Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale (Vita 75 Meta, PS3 74 Meta)
First Person Shooter
Killzone 2
Killzone 3
Resistance 1
Resistance 2
Resistance 3
MAG
Open World/Sandbox
Infamous
Infamous 2
Infamous: FOB
Platformer
Little Big Planet
Little Big Planet 2
Little Big Planet 3
Puppeteer
Pixeljunk Sidescroller
Sly 4
Sound Shapes
Puzzle
echochrome
echochrome II
Flower
Pixeljunk Eden
Racing (arcadey)/Car Battle
Modnation Racers
Motorstorm
Motorstorm Apocalypse
Motorstorm: PR
Motorstorm RC
Wipeout HD
Twisted Metal
Racing (realistic)
Gran Turismo 5
Gran Turismo 6
RPG / ARPG/ ETC
Demon's Souls
Folklore
Shoot em up
Dead Nation
Pixeljunk Shooter
Pixeljunk Shooter 2
Super Stardust HD
Helldivers
Third Person Shooter
Warhawk
Starhawk
Uncharted 1
Uncharted 2
Uncharted 3
Ratchet & Clank: ACIT
Ratchet & Clank: TOD
Ratchet & Clank QFB
Ratchet & Clank ITN
The Last of Us
Tower Defense
Pixeljunk Monsters
Other
Sports Champions
Hohokum
Journey
The Unfinished Swan
Adventure/Interactive Story
Heavy Rain
Beat em up/Hack n Slash/Character Action/ETC
God of War III
God of War Ascension
Heavenly Sword
Fighting
Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale (Vita 75 Meta, PS3 74 Meta)
First Person Shooter
Killzone 2
Killzone 3
Resistance 1
Resistance 2
Resistance 3
MAG
Open World/Sandbox
Infamous
Infamous 2
Infamous: FOB
Platformer
Little Big Planet
Little Big Planet 2
Little Big Planet 3
Puppeteer
Pixeljunk Sidescroller
Sly 4
Sound Shapes
Puzzle
echochrome
echochrome II
Flower
Pixeljunk Eden
Racing (arcadey)/Car Battle
Modnation Racers
Motorstorm
Motorstorm Apocalypse
Motorstorm: PR
Motorstorm RC
Wipeout HD
Twisted Metal
Racing (realistic)
Gran Turismo 5
Gran Turismo 6
RPG / ARPG/ ETC
Demon's Souls
Folklore
Shoot em up
Dead Nation
Pixeljunk Shooter
Pixeljunk Shooter 2
Super Stardust HD
Helldivers
Third Person Shooter
Warhawk
Starhawk
Uncharted 1
Uncharted 2
Uncharted 3
Ratchet & Clank: ACIT
Ratchet & Clank: TOD
Ratchet & Clank QFB
Ratchet & Clank ITN
The Last of Us
Tower Defense
Pixeljunk Monsters
Other
Sports Champions
Hohokum
Adventure/Interactive Story
N/A
Action-Adventure
N/A
Beat em up/Hack n Slash/Character Action/ETC
N/A
Fighting
Playstation Allstars
First Person Shooter
Killzone Mercenary
Open World/Sandbox
Gravity Rush
Platformer
Little Big Planet Vita
Sound Shapes
Tearaway
Puzzle
N/A
Racing (arcadey)/Car Battle
Motorstom RC
Wipeout 2048
Racing (realistic)
N/A
RPG/ARPG/ETC
Oreshika Tainted Bloodlines
Soul Sacrifice (Delta)
Shoot em up
Super Stardust Delta
Third Person Shooter
Uncharted GA
Tower Defense
N/A
Other
Hot Shots Golf the Invitational
N/A
Action-Adventure
N/A
Beat em up/Hack n Slash/Character Action/ETC
N/A
Fighting
Playstation Allstars
First Person Shooter
Killzone Mercenary
Open World/Sandbox
Gravity Rush
Platformer
Little Big Planet Vita
Sound Shapes
Tearaway
Puzzle
N/A
Racing (arcadey)/Car Battle
Motorstom RC
Wipeout 2048
Racing (realistic)
N/A
RPG/ARPG/ETC
Oreshika Tainted Bloodlines
Soul Sacrifice (Delta)
Shoot em up
Super Stardust Delta
Third Person Shooter
Uncharted GA
Tower Defense
N/A
Other
Hot Shots Golf the Invitational
Action-Adventure
Shadow of the Colossus
The Last Guardian
Concrete Genie
Death Stranding
Adventure/Interactive Story
Detroit
Until Dawn
Beat em up/Hack n Slash/Character Action/ETC
God of War
Fighting
N/A
First Person Shooter
Farpoint (VR)
Blood & Truth (VR)
Open World/Sandbox
Gravity Rush 2
Horizon Zero Dawn
Ghost of Tsushima (presumably)
Infamous Second Son
Spider-Man
Platformer
Astrobot (VR)
Puzzle
N/A
Racing (arcadey)/Car Battle
Wipeout Omega Collection
Racing (realistic)
Gran Turismo Sport
RPG/ARPG/ETC
Bloodborne
Nioh
Nioh 2
Shoot em up
Alienation
Resogun
Helldivers
Third Person Shooter
Uncharted 4
Uncharted TLL
The Last of Us Part 2 (Presumably)
Tower Defense
N/A
Other
Dreams
Hohokum
Paper Beasts (VR)
Shadow of the Colossus
The Last Guardian
Concrete Genie
Death Stranding
Adventure/Interactive Story
Detroit
Until Dawn
Beat em up/Hack n Slash/Character Action/ETC
God of War
Fighting
N/A
First Person Shooter
Farpoint (VR)
Blood & Truth (VR)
Open World/Sandbox
Gravity Rush 2
Horizon Zero Dawn
Ghost of Tsushima (presumably)
Infamous Second Son
Spider-Man
Platformer
Astrobot (VR)
Puzzle
N/A
Racing (arcadey)/Car Battle
Wipeout Omega Collection
Racing (realistic)
Gran Turismo Sport
RPG/ARPG/ETC
Bloodborne
Nioh
Nioh 2
Shoot em up
Alienation
Resogun
Helldivers
Third Person Shooter
Uncharted 4
Uncharted TLL
The Last of Us Part 2 (Presumably)
Tower Defense
N/A
Other
Dreams
Hohokum
Paper Beasts (VR)
* I tried my best to fit the games properly and not to lump everything into "Action Adventure"
If there's something I missed that should/shouldn't be there, let me know
Conclusion: While there are absences, specially if you discount VR, most of the perceived lack of diversity can be explained by the fact that the PS3 just had more games overall since smaller games were more common in Sony's, and most publisher's, strategy, as well as the defuncted incubation program at Sony Santa Monica.
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Good lists, you're missing Killzone Shadowfall from the FPS part on the PS4 side.
Edit: NVM just saw you said over 75 percent.
Not adding it and Freedom Wars felt wrong.
EDIT: My poor Tokyo Jungle got left out at 74 too :(
As I understand OP is talking strictly about games from Sony's own studios, you listed quite a few games from 3rd parties. I don't think anyone would mention Team Ninja as a Nintendo studio in example, just because they made Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 which was Nintendo published.
The mid-level games from Sony still exist. Just throughout the last seven months, Sony released games like Dreams, Concrete Genie, MediEvil, and Predator: Hunting Grounds. All of these games exist in physical form at retail, so it's clear that Sony has "put their faith" in those games, as you like to put it. They should not be disqualified just because they don't have a $60 price tag attached to them.
Yup, yup, yup.
Resistance 3/ White Knight Chronicles 3 please
In what way has Nintendo put more faith in titles like Arms, Mario Rabbids and Ring Fit Adventures than Sony did with titles like Dreams and Gravity Rush? And if you think Microsoft gave any sort of comparable push for State of Decay, Gears Tactics or Sea of Thieves you're crazy.
For the first two, Drive Club was a fan favorite that and Sony released one of the best platformers of the generation in Astro Bot. R&C remake was all well received. They are lacking FPS, but I think Killzone is in the same situation as Gears of War: both franchises need to rest.
Also Sony should make a Fighting Game.
Buy Arcs System Works while your at it Sony, they basically already make console exclusives for you so there isn't any loss here.
Buy Arcs System Works while your at it Sony, they basically already make console exclusives for you so there isn't any loss here.
Sony has good diversity when you include their AA/3rd party efforts, but I'd love to see them throw their money and weight behind something like an RPG or some other genre. They've nailed the 'prestige' action game style, but i'd love to see what a Naughty Dog sci-fi game looks like, or a Insomniac RPG, or etc. But I say that as someone where Sony's 1st party didn't really land with me this gen, so my opinion is going to be a bit biased.
I went through my trophies to check which Sony published games I have played(for at least one trophy on PS4) and what genres they are(used Wikipedia to get the genres), and I would say that I have played quite a diverse line-up of Sony published games.
Games with a * in the end also has a multiplayer mode.
Resogun (side-scrolling shoot 'em)*
Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition(top-down shoot 'em up)*
Infamous: Second Son (Action-adventure game)
The Order 1886 (Action-adventure game, Third-person shooter)
LittleBigPlanet 3(Puzzle-platformer, sandbox)*
The Last Of Us Remastered (Action-adventure, survival horror)*
Tearaway Unfolded(Platform game, Adventure game)
Uncharted Nathan Drake Collection(Action-adventure, third-person shooter, platformer)
Driveclub(Racing)*
Helldivers(top-down shooter)*
Bloodborne(Action role-playing)*
Gravity Rush Remastered(Action-adventure game)
Killzone Shadow Fall(First-person shooter)*
Journey(Adventure game, Art game)*
Uncharted 4: a thief's end(Action-adventure, third-person shooter, platformer)*
The Last Guardian(Action-adventure, Puzzle)
Ratchet & Clank (Platform game, Third-person shooter)
Drawn to Death(Third-person shooter)*
Gravity Rush 2(Action-adventure game)
PaRappa The Rapper Remastered(Rhythm game)
Heavy Rain(Interactive storytelling, Action-adventure game)
Wipeout Omega Collection(Racing)*
Matterfall (side-scrolling shooter)
Uncharted The Lost Legacy(Action-adventure, third-person shooter, platformer)*
Until Dawn(Interactive storytelling, Survival horror, Action-adventure game)
Gran Turismo Sport(Racing)*
NIOH(Action role-playing)*
Everybody's Golf(Sports game)*
Shadow Of The Colussus(Action-adventure, puzzle, kaiju)
Alienation(Shooter, role-playing)*
God Of War(Action-adventure game, Hack and slash)
Marvel's Spider-Man(Action-adventure game)
RIGS: Mechanized Combat League(First-person shooter, Sports game)*
Bound (Platform game, Art game)
StarBlood Arena(Shooter)*
Horizon Zero Dawn(Action role-playing)
Concrete Genie(Action-adventure)
MediEvil(Action-adventure game, Hack and slash)
Death Stranding(Action)
Everybody's Golf VR(Sports game)
Dreams(Game creation system)*
Days Gone(Action-adventure, survival horror)
I think that the only Major genre Sony is lacking is a Fighting game. Personally I would like to see Sony publishing some more Turn-based RPGs and Arcady sports games. It would also be nice if they could publish some new versions of old IPs with third-party partners(Tomba by DrinkBox Studios would be awesome).
Games with a * in the end also has a multiplayer mode.
Resogun (side-scrolling shoot 'em)*
Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition(top-down shoot 'em up)*
Infamous: Second Son (Action-adventure game)
The Order 1886 (Action-adventure game, Third-person shooter)
LittleBigPlanet 3(Puzzle-platformer, sandbox)*
The Last Of Us Remastered (Action-adventure, survival horror)*
Tearaway Unfolded(Platform game, Adventure game)
Uncharted Nathan Drake Collection(Action-adventure, third-person shooter, platformer)
Driveclub(Racing)*
Helldivers(top-down shooter)*
Bloodborne(Action role-playing)*
Gravity Rush Remastered(Action-adventure game)
Killzone Shadow Fall(First-person shooter)*
Journey(Adventure game, Art game)*
Uncharted 4: a thief's end(Action-adventure, third-person shooter, platformer)*
The Last Guardian(Action-adventure, Puzzle)
Ratchet & Clank (Platform game, Third-person shooter)
Drawn to Death(Third-person shooter)*
Gravity Rush 2(Action-adventure game)
PaRappa The Rapper Remastered(Rhythm game)
Heavy Rain(Interactive storytelling, Action-adventure game)
Wipeout Omega Collection(Racing)*
Matterfall (side-scrolling shooter)
Uncharted The Lost Legacy(Action-adventure, third-person shooter, platformer)*
Until Dawn(Interactive storytelling, Survival horror, Action-adventure game)
Gran Turismo Sport(Racing)*
NIOH(Action role-playing)*
Everybody's Golf(Sports game)*
Shadow Of The Colussus(Action-adventure, puzzle, kaiju)
Alienation(Shooter, role-playing)*
God Of War(Action-adventure game, Hack and slash)
Marvel's Spider-Man(Action-adventure game)
RIGS: Mechanized Combat League(First-person shooter, Sports game)*
Bound (Platform game, Art game)
StarBlood Arena(Shooter)*
Horizon Zero Dawn(Action role-playing)
Concrete Genie(Action-adventure)
MediEvil(Action-adventure game, Hack and slash)
Death Stranding(Action)
Everybody's Golf VR(Sports game)
Dreams(Game creation system)*
Days Gone(Action-adventure, survival horror)
I think that the only Major genre Sony is lacking is a Fighting game. Personally I would like to see Sony publishing some more Turn-based RPGs and Arcady sports games. It would also be nice if they could publish some new versions of old IPs with third-party partners(Tomba by DrinkBox Studios would be awesome).
Kaiju is obviously the greatest game genre : D
...when people say they want more Sony platformers, I don't think they're talking about Uncharted.
You're severely underestimating the number of people who would insist that their chosen console manufacturer can do no wrong.
They have a pretty diverse lineup of games already, it's just that their 3rd person narrative games are the ones that get the most attention and marketing, naturally. Also don't think it makes much sense for them to be tackling genres that are already saturated on their platform.
For example, there's point in them trying to create an answer to Call of Duty or Overwatch or Fortnite when those games are already massively popular on their platform. Just focus what they're good at.
For example, there's point in them trying to create an answer to Call of Duty or Overwatch or Fortnite when those games are already massively popular on their platform. Just focus what they're good at.
Sorry people but they really arent that diverse. I want to see more Resogun type stuff or just more arcadey stuff that isnt super serious serious face hollywoody games.
I think it's more important to look at where we think they're going than where we think they really have been. For example, over the last gen, I'd say Sony has had tremendous variety. I'd also say the vast majority of it is weighted pre-2017 or is focused on games that were in development across multiple years. I am less likely to believe games like TLG and Knack will come out in 2021 than I would have said was likely in 2013 to come out in 2014.
I think Sony's AAA games are typically of extremely high quality (Spiderman, God of War, and yes, I think Last of Us II and Ghost of Tsushima will be very, very high quality), but I do not believe there is the same variety going forward. And I think that because the market has basically dictated there are like two genres of games you can make now and be successful. And IMO that's a shame...but Sony also has to innovate and differentiate as a platform holder.
So maybe this is premature and let's see what they produce at their showing in June.
IMO AAA is just too risk averse these days.
edit: I kinda forgot VR. IMO Astro Bot is the best game sony developed this gen.
I think Sony's AAA games are typically of extremely high quality (Spiderman, God of War, and yes, I think Last of Us II and Ghost of Tsushima will be very, very high quality), but I do not believe there is the same variety going forward. And I think that because the market has basically dictated there are like two genres of games you can make now and be successful. And IMO that's a shame...but Sony also has to innovate and differentiate as a platform holder.
So maybe this is premature and let's see what they produce at their showing in June.
IMO AAA is just too risk averse these days.
edit: I kinda forgot VR. IMO Astro Bot is the best game sony developed this gen.
Probably until the PS3 era I think, and even then the platform holders took a lot of risk. The PS2 era had incredible variety in its AAA games. I mean look at this:
10 games, 10 genres, all incredible, basically year 1. This isn't to get into a debate, btw, about whether or not Devil May Cry and Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill are in the same genre because they are "third person action games." But you know that if these games came out today they'd be 30+ hour open world blah blahs.
This was probably the last gen where third parties just took serious risk after serious risk. It's also the gen before "AA" basically died. I don't think that's all that coincidental.
Yep. They've really fallen into a groove of having almost all of their tentpole releases being third person, open, action adventure games with RPG elements.
A lot even share very similar gameplay elements with skill trees, stealth takedowns, side quests etc.
The more I think about it typing this, Spider-Man and Horizon are structured eerily similarly to each other, and GoT could very well be structured the exact same way.
The current Sony would never have a big key release be a platformer or something like Animal Crossing.
I want more variety from them for sure.
A lot even share very similar gameplay elements with skill trees, stealth takedowns, side quests etc.
The more I think about it typing this, Spider-Man and Horizon are structured eerily similarly to each other, and GoT could very well be structured the exact same way.
The current Sony would never have a big key release be a platformer or something like Animal Crossing.
I want more variety from them for sure.
This is a good point. People keep bringing up stuff like Resogun but that's basically PS3-era Sony.
I don't think people realize just how much Sony's output has contracted. I remember looking at their release list for like the fall of 2012 and I couldn't believe how much stuff they were releasing, they were releasing something almost every week in some months. This isn't unique to Sony — almost every publisher's output has seen a contraction — but it's weird seeing people swear up and down that their output has apparently never been more varied.
I don't think we would keep having threads like this if there was no there there.
Outside of releasing less games because of longer development times I don't particularly see it. Their lineup was full of sports games, RPGs, FPS, TPS and licenced games. Basically just like right now.
Probably until the PS3 era I think, and even then the platform holders took a lot of risk. The PS2 era had incredible variety in its AAA games. I mean look at this:
10 games, 10 genres, all incredible, basically year 1. This isn't to get into a debate, btw, about whether or not Devil May Cry and Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill are in the same genre because they are "third person action games." But you know that if these games came out today they'd be 30+ hour open world blah blahs.
This was probably the last gen where third parties just took serious risk after serious risk. It's also the gen before "AA" basically died. I don't think that's all that coincidental.
But see, most of those franchises are still going on today, if the rumor about Silent Hill is true Jak and Daxter would be the only one without an entry this generation for exemple.
To me it just feels like AAA games actually started appearing during the HD generation. Before that, the difference between the top and the bottom was really too small for that term to be used in regards to that generation.
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The way you include certain games and exclude others is actually quite amazing.
Probably until the PS3 era I think, and even then the platform holders took a lot of risk. The PS2 era had incredible variety in its AAA games. I mean look at this:
10 games, 10 genres, all incredible, basically year 1. This isn't to get into a debate, btw, about whether or not Devil May Cry and Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill are in the same genre because they are "third person action games." But you know that if these games came out today they'd be 30+ hour open world blah blahs.
This was probably the last gen where third parties just took serious risk after serious risk. It's also the gen before "AA" basically died. I don't think that's all that coincidental.
I think if you include third party games they are even more diverse now.
Well, maybe their "tentpole AAA mega blockbuster games" should be more diverse, then?
What if we want Sony's tent pole releases to have diversity?
If Nintendo can make 15mil+ selling platformers, life sims, kart racers, party games, and fighting games, why should Sony's titles that aren't third person action games be relegated to lower budget titles sent to die with little to no marketing?
There is a massive untapped market there.
I think the gulf grew, which increased risk, and basically significantly impaired diversity for third party publishers (mostly-- not always).
I'm not sure. I'd have to look. But you could also add non-exclusive games for PS2 and see that number go nuts. :)
People shit on Knack which is warranted but I really want to see them put some work into fun platforming games more often.
Well then make a thread suggesting Sony should force their developers/partners to make more unique games with larger budgets that aren't third person games with trees in them and then we can have that discussion.
The diversity is there.
When did I say they were above criticism? Sony has tons of problems and my comments were not defending anybody. I'm just expressing how I feel like they've found their footing with the type of titles they're developing now which have worked financially and critically for the most part. A lot of devs have. Capcom has also had a resurgence with the return of the RE franchise, and I think that's something they should stick to. Which should be fine because every dev should focus on their own thing. It sucks when everyone's competing in the same category. It felt like last gen everyone wanted to make FPS games, but this gen has increased the variety across all games.
My favorite titles this gen have all been third party and a lot of them indies. Inside, Hyper Light Drifter, SUPERHOT, Celeste, Guacamelee, and then bigger titles like Sekiro, RDR2, RE2, DOOM, Titanfall 2, and MGSV. There have been some great exclusives like GOW, Bloodborne, Ori, Forza Horizon and BotW but IMO the best games this gen were third party games.
That would be weird, do you care about the games or the budget put behind them? Because they already made games in all of those genres, push them as much as their 3rd person games and saw them all fail.
There's no untapped market since they already know that the market isn't there for a new LBP, PSABR, Singstar or Motorstorm.
