Kinda Funny Gamescast: Grading PlayStation's 2024

Released on November 15, 2024

Hosts: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and Andy Cortez

Introduction

In this episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast, the hosts delve into a comprehensive review and grading of PlayStation's performance throughout 2024. Hosted by Greg Miller and Blessing Adeoye Jr., alongside insights from Barrett Courtney and occasional remarks from Andy Cortez, the discussion offers an in-depth analysis of PlayStation's successes, setbacks, and overall impact in the gaming industry this year.

PlayStation's 2024 Overview

Blessing Adeoye Jr. kicks off the conversation by highlighting the tumultuous nature of PlayStation's year. The team grapples with balancing major game releases against significant corporate decisions that have stirred both excitement and concern within the gaming community.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. [07:14]: "It’s been a mid-year, it's been a mediocre year. It’s been, it’s been a fine."

Key Game Releases and Performances

1. Helldivers 2

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 82

• Highlights: Celebrated as PlayStation's fastest-selling title, surpassing 12 million units in just 12 weeks. The sequel from Arrowhead Games resonated well with both new and returning players.

  Greg Miller [16:28]: "Helldivers 2... PlayStation exclusive side. It was doing these kind of numbers."

2. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 92

• Highlights: A critical darling, this title reimagines a beloved classic, garnering widespread acclaim for its rich storytelling and enhanced gameplay mechanics.

  Greg Miller [24:57]: "It’s a great game. Very good game."

3. Rise of the Ronin

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 76

• Highlights: While it maintained a solid performance, the game received mixed reviews from the hosts. Blessing appreciated the action elements, whereas Greg felt it fell short of PlayStation's high standards.

  Greg Miller [28:08]: "It just wasn't hitting for me on that level."

4. Stellar Blade

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 81

• Highlights: Praised for its combat and unique vibe, but Greg expressed reservations about its long-term appeal without significant narrative improvements.

  Greg Miller [31:09]: "You can see the stuff here."

5. Black Myth Wukong

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 81

• Highlights: Celebrated for its stunning visuals and engaging gameplay, though some debates arose regarding its combat mechanics.

  Greg Miller [56:22]: "This launching as an exclusive for PlayStation is big because I would say this is one of the biggest games of the year."

6. Concord

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 62 (Shut Down on September 6th)

• Highlights: A significant failure, Concord was pulled from sale just two weeks post-launch due to poor reception and operational issues.

  Blessing Adeoye Jr. [59:15]: "Concord shutting down. And just a backtracking on fucking vision."

7. Astrobot

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 94

• Highlights: A standout success with 1.5 million units sold by November, Astrobot reinforced PlayStation's commitment to polished, engaging titles.

  Blessing Adeoye Jr. [62:12]: "Astrobot launches… Metacritic 94. It sold 1.5 million units by November."

8. Destiny Final Shape

• Performance: Mixed Reviews

• Highlights: Although it received praise for its depth and engagement, final sales and community reception remain varied.

  Greg Miller [52:51]: "I think what Bungie was versus what Bungie is now... It’s a sucky place to be in."

9. Until Dawn Remake

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 69

• Highlights: Criticized for bugs and perceived as an unnecessary remake, the title failed to impress both critics and players.

  Greg Miller [65:04]: "Until Dawn remake… that is pretty buggy."

10. Silent Hill 2 Remake

• Performance: Metacritic Score: 86

• Highlights: Highly anticipated and well-received, the remake tapped into the nostalgia while delivering a refined horror experience.

  Greg Miller [66:08]: "It was a big deal for us talking about it… it was sort of a moment yesterday."

Corporate Decisions and Their Impact

Layoffs and Studio Closures

• Sony's Layoffs: Announced the reduction of approximately 900 staff members, impacting major studios like Insomniac, Naughty Dog, and notably closing the PlayStation London Studio.

  Greg Miller [23:05]: "Sony has announced a significant round of layoffs affecting around 900 staff… PlayStation's London studio hit hardest."

• Bungie's Restructuring: Bungie, a key partner owned by Sony, laid off 220 roles and refocused development solely on Destiny and Marathon, marking a significant shift in their operational strategy.

  Blessing Adeoye Jr. [31:52]: "Bungie… 220 of our roles will be eliminated, representing roughly 17% of our studio's workforce."

PlayStation's Shift Towards IP and Live Services

• The hosts discuss Sony's struggle to balance live service games with traditional single-player experiences, citing Concord's failure and Astrobot's success as indicators of the industry's volatility.

  Greg Miller [76:24]: "PlayStation has acknowledged a mixed year for its live service ambitions."

Grading PlayStation's 2024

After weighing the highs and lows, the hosts collectively grade PlayStation's 2024 performance as a 6 out of 10. This rating reflects a year marked by significant successes with titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Astrobot, overshadowed by major setbacks such as the Concord failure and extensive layoffs affecting key studios.

Greg Miller [69:38]: "I think your standards set, I might be off. Did we do the rigmarole? Like, are we in the topic of the show already?"
Blessing Adeoye Jr. [69:53]: "I am thinking about like the standard that PlayStation has set… I couldn't see seven. Like, it's been too much weirdness this year."

Community Feedback and Future Outlook

Listeners contributed their perspectives via Super Chats, with many supporting the grading of a 6/10 and acknowledging both the impressive game releases and the concerning corporate developments. The hosts emphasize the importance of PlayStation leveraging its strong IP portfolio to navigate future challenges.

Super Chat from Volk, Dasher [73:38]: "Five PlayStation games. ... final. Concord knocks it down a point."
Super Chat from Street Shadow [74:22]: "If we don't count the Final Shape as a success, then we can't count Bungie layoffs in Sony's year."

Looking ahead, the team plans to continue their grading series with upcoming episodes focused on Xbox and Nintendo, aiming to provide balanced and insightful evaluations of each console's yearly performance.

Conclusion

PlayStation's 2024 presented a mixed bag of triumphs and tribulations. While groundbreaking games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Astrobot highlight Sony's potential, the substantial layoffs and unsuccessful ventures like Concord underscore ongoing challenges. The hosts advocate for a strategic focus on PlayStation's rich array of IPs to secure a more stable and impressive future performance.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller [16:28]: "Helldivers 2... PlayStation exclusive side. It was doing these kind of numbers."
• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [23:14]: "Sony has announced a significant round of layoffs affecting around 900 staff… PlayStation's London studio hit hardest."
• Greg Miller [31:09]: "You can see the stuff here."
• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [69:53]: "I think it was a great remaster, but it was also the one that everybody complained about because nobody wanted the last was to remaster."

This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and those who missed the live broadcast.