PSU staff writer Will Robinson and managing editor Kyle Prahl have been friends for years. They talk about video games a lot. These days, that talk falls on PlayStation 4 pretty often.
This is their series.
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Kyle
The fact that GameStop has stopped taking PS4 pre-orders (or is it "preorders"?) has some folks worried that there are shortages, or maybe they won’t get their unit on time. But I’m thinking it just means whatever Sony was planning with that "unlimited supply" stunt has worked–probably getting a rough number of how many units they need to manufacture for a successful, but not over-produced, launch.
For me, it’s all good. I pre-ordered my PS4 on Amazon the day after Sony’s E3 conference. Back then, it was still the only product available, so even after the extra bundles and Launch vs. Standard Edition confusion, I’ve got the Launch Edition secured.
Will
Yeah, the whole "unlimited" thing was most likely just a marketing ploy to get people’s interest and to see how many systems to manufacture for launch. That means they need to satisfy systems already pre-ordered and to have a ton prepared to sell day-of.
I haven’t bothered to pre-order yet, but most likely will on Amazon in the next week or so. I personally don’t really care if I have to wait an extra couple days to get a system if the "standard edition" ships later.
Kyle
Haha, I’ll bet you’ll care a little more on release day
I was very pleased with the ordering experience of my PS Vita through Amazon, so it was just the logical choice I jumped to. I had release date delivery of the system, with Uncharted and my memory stick coming a week before.
Another nice thing about Amazon is being able to put money down on your pre-order whenever you want, via gift codes. I can put $25 down here, $75 down there, over the next few months
Will
I doubt I’ll really care much when release approaches. I’ve been dealing with getting to things late lately anyway. Didn’t get to play The Last of Us until two weeks until after I bought it and didn’t get to play Bioshock Infinite until June. lol
I get most game stuff off Amazon nowadays. I like getting games new and they’re usually cheaper on there. (this is starting to sound like a paid advertisement)
I’ll be getting a second controller right off the bat and Killzone: Shadowfall
Still debating on the PS Eye for later. Need to see how it will be supported first. All I know as of yet is being able to message people faster.
Kyle
haha, ‘Will and Kyle talk: Amazon being awesome’
yeah, that’s a good point with the controller, I’ve been thinking, what am I going to use a second controller for, at launch?
I mean, there’s no doubt that I’ll immediately want one as soon as I don’t have one and need one (for the record, I also have a second controller pre-ordered), but I’m wondering what I’ll need it for right away
Will
Shadowfall supports two players doesn’t it? I imagine it would have to.
Kyle
I hope so. That, and Watch Dogs, are the two launch games I’m for sure getting
Kyle
But I don’t think we’ve gotten confirmation one way or the other on KZ: SF, as far as co-op or splitscreen is concerned
Will
I say it will. Thats my bet.
Kyle
you would think that, with next-gen games looking so amazing, they would have more room to "downgrade" (hate that word) to make co-op possible without sacrificing as much impact
But I guess Diablo III would be killer with two controllers. Same with PlanetSide 2, if it support that
Will
Yeah, Diablo would be awesome. That game will make me want four DualShocks when it comes out.
For console, that is.
Kyle
Is Killzone the only launch game you’re looking at? I’ve been torn about Knack. Seems like it would be right up my alley, but I just can’t get behind it.
Will
I’m not buying anything else at launch, but Knack is my number two. I’ll definitely be getting it at some point. Why? because Mark Cerny.
I’m not really interested in anything else right now. Watch Dogs does look pretty slick, but it’s not on the top of my list
Kyle
but what about ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: WITH PIRATES
Will
Nope
I’ve given up on the Assassin’s Creed games. The first was my first PS3 game played and I enjoyed II, but I never played Brotherhood, Revelations, or III. They do the same thing over and over. I know you can make the argument for other games, but I just lost interest, especially with so many other games I want to play that I’ve missed.
Kyle
other than Mark Cerny (perfectly valid answer, btw), what about Knack has your interest?
Will
The whole idea behind it and the character itself is really clever. I just know that I’ll enjoy it and I want to know if it has potential to be the Crash Bandicoot of the PS4. Also, it’s a game made by the lead architect of the PS4, so he probably knows how to flex the system’s muscles in cool ways.
Kyle
You have a point there. I will say that it gains more of my interest every time I think about it, but I’m really worried, from early gameplay footage, that the gameplay looks really routine–your average fixed-camera basher
but looking closer to Christmas, there’s inFamous: Second Son, Outlast, Transistor, and The Division (I think/hope)
and, thankfully, no shortage of great PS3 games between now and November
Will
It probably will feel like that in a lot of ways, but I have faith that he hasn’t lost his game-maker’s edge. Second Son is a day-one pick up, no question about it. Have no interest in Outlast. Transistor will probably be pretty good. I like what I played of Bastion, and it looks like it will play really similarly. I still don’t know what to think about The Division. It looks solid, but seems to do a lot of things already done. I’m sure It’ll start looking better to me the closer it is to release.
Kyle
You know, one way that the PlayStation Camera could become valuable is if it prolongs the life of multiplayer games
I could see myself being more likely to play multiplayer, or even just do video chats, with the PS4’s easy streaming capabilities
Even if I’m not interested in diving into a game at a given moment, I could relax by watching friends play, and that might kickstart my mood to join the action or help organically set up multiplayer matches and stuff
I think PS3 multiplayer tends to feel like, "Ok, let’s do this thing, at this time, and we better be in the mood for it," whereas with PS4, and especially with the camera, that should feel much more natural (= fun)
Will
Yeah, it could be cool if you’re able to have a Skype-like chat feature with the camera while playing games. Actually be able to see your friends react in co-op or pvp games, instead of just hearing them on a headset.
Kyle
that sounds like so much fun, until I hit you on a particularly lazy Saturday playing Destiny and you’re not wearing anything
Will
If it ever got to that, it might not be a bad thing to get caught so that you could get me some help.
Kyle
Don’t worry; I’ll be your Destiny "call the authorities because Will’s a danger to himself" man
Will
K, thanks. you always have my back.
I’ll do the same for you when Kingdom Hearts III comes out.
Kyle
Won’t that be the same thing for you?
Will
Maybe, but if I know that I’m your lifeline, then I’ll be more cautious going in. I’d be like a designated driver, only the designated Kingdom Hearts player.
Kyle
thanks dude