With the rise of console games such asDestinyand major events likethe closure of Visceral Games, there was a growing concern in 2018 within the gaming community about a potential phasing out of single-player games in favor of games-as-a-service. PlayStation, however, is pushing back against the narrative, citing their own success with story-driven games this year.
Speaking to magazine MCVUK, Vice President & Managing Director for the UK, IE & Australasia at Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Warrick Light (that’s a mouthful, Warrick) quelled any concerns that there would be too major a shift from single-player to multiplayer.
While 2018 was indisputably a big year forFortnite, it was also a year which saw us really act like a publisher and focus on our exclusive titles whether it wasGod of War,Spider-Man,Detroitor VR titles such asAstro Bot.
Buzzwords are one thing, what our players are demanding is another. There’s still a huge audience for games that offer the best in single player narrative with stunning gameplay, as witnessed by the enormous popularity of bothSpider-ManandGod of Warin this year’s charts. I was just at the Golden Joysticks –God of Warwon five!
In this particular year, Sony published a few titles of significance that continue to be cited as we move into our usual game of the year discussions. Not only wereGod of WarandMarvel’s Spider-Mancritically acclaimed, with the formerwinning the top award at The Game Awards(the latter being snubbed), but bothmoved many unitsandsold quite well.
From Sony specifically, we’ll have to wait and see how the first-party single-player titles they have to offer in the far future will fair. The closest to release isDays Gone, which hasn’t inspired too much hype after several delays.
The Last of Us Part II,Death Stranding, andGhost of Tsushimawill have to meet the bar from the 2018 titles, but withSony skipping out on E3 next year, it will be a while before we hear anything new about them.
