The Lifebar Degradation Epoch.

2019 in industry of computer gaming.

Hitman: Contracts could gave a sharp feeling of gaming industry decay if you played in PC-exclusive Hitman: Codename 47. It was needful to learn a way in Lee Hong’s basement for making all tasks in the first game about bald hired killer. In Contracts, in this redesigned level underground placements had a straight way. IO Interactive couldn’t allow to use huge locations and didn’t tangle players. Offensive was a fusion of two Rotterdam missions in little one. I couldn’t complete a second level in Hitman: Codename 47 for half-year, because it was in hard to kill all sailors and more harder find and defuse a plutonium bomb in a large ship. Hitman: Contracts never had these and any hurdles in playthrough. Looking today, my critics is meaningless in a view of nowadays degradation and then were a lot of interesting games from a broad quantity of studios and companies with having of art. Now, bunch of big corporations where developers without individuality are benchmarking working ideas. Almost all professional and capable to make a high-class game independent studios are sharing same values. I particularly controversial on EA’s program EA Originals and Take-Two Interactive’s Private Division – a giving possibility for independent studios without ten millions by large evil companies. If budget of EA Originals doesn’t create a huge risk due a little scale, games of Private Division follows to modern lifebar standards as The Outer Worlds and Disintegration or in cases of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey and Kerbal Space Program series yet are once again explain that games haven’t unbelievable cost. In last years, a lot of news about stepping down of meaningful man from large company after long years of working. If leaving of Patrick Soderlund from EA in 2018 connected with falling stance of Redwood corporation, other cases usually due art pressure. The year 2019 had a high quantity of news about developers, which every pf them with a polite reason left a big company. Meaningful were in Bethesda as one of them was Tim Willits, who from ID Software (worked from 1995.) relocated in Saber Interactive and in ActivisionBlizzard two founders of Blizzard Entertainment (studio appeared in 1991.) Michael Morhaime and Frank Pearce didn’t even stayed in advisory roles and absolutely gone from the own company. From myself, these studios didn’t develop good after nineties. However, if in modern industry find a game from art, a creator not to so might in nowadays reality for me. I can’t compare 2018 with any year. It was the worst ever in industry. I didn’t find a game, which at least could give a reason for like, but destructive was in there, it became a year when lifebar games established. Easy and profitable with opportunity of constant Internet connection even in the poorest countries of the world for developers to earn on doing a long standing in a game RPG elements and didn’t make damage system. Shot to the head and pushed a shell from a rocket launcher only reduces enemy’s line. 2017 was an inception for stance. In 2018 it became a model for single-player and multiplayer games. Was the year 2000 when was released Soldier of Fortune – a game is associating with multiple damage system. Somewhere performance doesn’t compares with reality and has some trash, but it was astonishingly success for computer games. Modern industry continues to move backward is returning to arcade games of 80s with these lifebars. Some video game series transferred there as Wolfenstein, Gears of War, Need for Speed and everything from Ubisoft (Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Watch Dogs, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon and long-awaiting Beyond Good & Evil 2.). Lifebar changes are giving profit in sales, earning records in series and awards are choosing them for nominating and winning. It prolongs a phenomenon. I suspect The Witcher 3 made a significant achievement for this.

Meaningful studio buying had a one in the Europe. Warhorse Studios was acquired for 42,8 million euros by Deep Silver. Lucky launched franchise Kingdom Come: Deliverance disappointed me in the first game. I have a hope that in nearest years willn’t devotion only to this and I’ll see new projects from the creator of Mafia, because joining (which was voluntary.) to huge European publisher can give this possibility. I’m not in good opinion to budget finance politics of Deep Silver and THQ Nordic (as whole company they renamed in Embracer Group in September.) and how they defamed names of great games by that, but company is going bigger and in this year Deep Silver opened office in Poland, which aims on spread of games on the Eastern Europe, and THQ Nordic did it in Japan for extension in this country. Maybe, extension (Embracer Group repeated impression in massive purchases.) will give more refined games, but I’m not so optimistic.

I was writing more than once on want more European studios and I’m glad that is realizing. Among of them I have interest. Swedish company Toadman Interactive, which acquired some small developers in 2019: Antimatter Games, Petrol Advertising (for 18 million dollars.), Tangentix Ltd (for 64,5 thousand dollars.) and Sold Out (for almost 20,7 million dollars.). I hope that Toadman Interactive (who is controlling development of anticipating IGI: Origins – that’s why is so important.) willn’t create a disgust name for themselves. Extending French Anuman Interactive opened office in Japan for regional distribution and partnership with local developers (I don’t like the last thing.). In the name of the business, the company rebranded itself in the call of their division Microids. Raphael Colantonio left him founded Arkane Studios in 2017 when it then became one of Bethesda’s divisions. Since then he and another Arkane’s veteran Julien Roby opened Wolfeye Studios and announced Weird West on passive the Game Awards. Will it lifebar game or not, but a company reminds Westwood Studios, which staff after closure by Electronic Arts opened Petroglyph Games and gone from interests. Just a suggestion.

I was awaiting in news about definitive financial demise of Telltale Games, but American holding company LCG Entertainment bought all juridical staff and restored studio to where returned some key developers. From stance of businessman I wouldn’t buy a computer game company and proceed their politics, which brought to collapse. It is going to do a new owner. For saving changes are needful, but I still keep to wish in studio closing.

Almost whole year Starbreeze Studios was pushing efforts to slow a sliding to bankruptcy. They were selling publishing rights and fire personal (somewhere 25 per cent.). A share in 91.82% of Indian studio Dhruva Interactive bought Rockstar Games for 7.9 million dollars. Saving from financial crush (at least for some time.) was in split on two companies: Starbreeze Studios AB and Starbreeze Publishing AB.

Didn’t better for Electronic Arts in the most part of 2019. Anthem included to their fails. Release became a devastation in sells, critics and multiple of technical troubles in the game, what is more usual for company is keeping association with plague. Surprise release of free-to-play Apex Legends fixed their reputation and market stance. Game still gives a good revenue, but not enough for normalization. In the last day of March, EA reduces four per cent (around 350 people.) of staff by closing offices connected in marketing and publishing spheres in Japan and Muscovy Empire. In the second half of year, company released standard line of sports game, where did usual – changed a number. Licenses continue to bring high sells for FIFA and Madden NFL keeps, what are financial best of survived. NHL despite on low request still exists. Lost in rivalry to NBA 2K a cursed NBA Live not at first time the company cancelled a game. Money influx was in the end of year in releases of lifebar games: Need for Speed Heat and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

I throw away what is standard now and part of commercial. 2019 is return to when games were great. With nineties basics it has superiority on modern industry. Thrilled till release Ion Fury, which was created on great Build engine, is excellent in full version. I wasn’t like the staging of the last level, but is important, that I wouldn’t put game near with Blood, Shadow Warrior and Duke Nukem 3D. Ion Fury didn’t give a chemistry of all components. Developers couldn’t commit an explosion. Wasn’t so impressed, but I didn’t like much when was scandal with homosexual jokes, where worst was in gamemakers, who tried to please two absolutely opposite sides: save one not-rude joke, delete the dirty one and make charity in ten thousands income for this minor type community. Support any of them was wrong. Ion Fury is alone vintage in 2019, but the year had a little bit better game harvest in comparisons are beginning from 2016. Spectacular, but not perfect Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts. Finally, improving through the years in craft CI Games could make a following achievement in development to pleasant game and, in inclusion, they’re first who did it in sniping. Before were filled the industry poignant one big open-world map and corridors. In the fourth part of series, the studio did right to huge levels with a choice of where to go, what to complete and in what way. I’m having a return wish to this game. Some details still need for enhance to well, but it’s a playable game. I didn’t find a project without strong flaw. A drop of critics to physics in Trials Rising from RedLynx and Ubisoft Kiev is a satisfaction game harmed by innovations. Rival riders were in own thoughts (I had no idea how to implicate.), but they didn’t present, because it’s imitation of artificial intelligence. Appeared money earning can spend only on decoration of bike and it’s rider, what isn’t of kind of need.

Trials Rising

I didn't like on having a game only in digital form since knowledge on it. “If a company (Valve) will bankrupt?” – was followed question from there. Then wasn’t an opportunity of Internet downloading, but even with this I don’t like to have anything to can't touch physically. Trials Rising offers a digital form and nothing else. I was expecting hack, which still doesn’t happen. I’ve paid for it on Christmas Eve, because wished to play and this game deserved money.

Were riding bikes and other transport through locations, I again was astonishing in RedLynx’s fantasy and excellent sense of humor. Small flaw in physics is having since Trials Fusion, but the game keeps correct, what gives pleasure and for what I have one of admirations to the series.

Developers entered championships around of the world in Trials Rising. Player choices tracks, where must come to win places and accomplish conditions in contracts of sponsors for what it will bring to races with situated parallel living opponents. For nine victories in arenas opens the most defiant competition “Grand Finale”. Left behind all transparent rivals and score of the best time in every simple trace gives more money for customization of rider and transports. In reality, appeared innovations use in nothing - upgrades are cosmetic. Changing of body, frame or wheel willn’t influence on steering, what makes money needless and gives a feel of Barbie game for me. Artificial intelligence doesn’t exist in Trials Rising. Ghosts on single races blatantly daze in doing stunts on short distances and stay ahead. In every launch and reload they always repeat movements and every time on arenas I see opponent’s bike crashes in same places. Maybe, introduced features will be improved in next parts as Ubisoft gradually was doing with inventions of Assassin’s Creed series, which weren't new?

Music belongs to modern standard, what depicts tasteless, which can hear if turn on music channels or visit disco. I was recalling 90s compositions with which incomparable to correlate. I’ve listened some eurodance and strongly felt a deep falling of today's sounds.

RedLynx and joined in this part Ubisoft Kiev impaired with innovations to the game, which is well without them.

Chronicles of Second Cold War. 12/13/2019.

Beyond the Law

Watch today a movie with Steven Seagal is play in Russian roulette with four bullets inside. A specialty of the period of second half of 10s marks for the actor in less body and almost no acting activities. In his rarely appearances he prefers sit or lie for a confirmation of “Steven Seagal” on DVD-box. On Beyond the Law I knew in performer’s refreshed filmography. A committed choice to watch wasn’t for “It’s Steven Seagal!” (yeah, it could be weird!). A trailer gave a thought about short time of activity of “the master of episodes”. At least, his performing was presented good there. Interesting acting staff in Johnny Messner, rapper DMX, Bill Cobbs couldn’t also give a guarantee. A scriptwriter Chad Law isn’t so disaster in his occupancy, whose mostly of watched films are liking to me. A plot’s description and trailer didn’t show worst signs. In compilation of reasons was decided to watch it.

The film's story filled of mistakes if take from side of commonsense. Is easy to conclude, that it's unnatural. The whole plot is absolutely trivial, a glimmering dramatization rolls to absurd and doesn't give any satisfaction for following it. Chad Law wrote a simple fairy-tale for DVD, where characters are purely shares on black and white sides. Johnny Messner's main character presented as anti-hero, but he's absolutely sweet in this role. A bad guy, who is a good bad guy. His past actions just go away from law norms, when criminals mustn't be convicted without a court. In this absolutely senseless in acts plot he's with naivety, which did for fit of film's length, is looking for a murderer of his son. How many stories I saw when a main hero had an opportunity to kill a head villain, but don't commit it without savvy explanation. Only after some deaths of antagonist's henchmen and important allying secondary character (who is usually a man of elderly age.) Messner's personage will execute his revenge. Behavior and pronounce of terrible phrases by characters belong to common of unnatural of the screenplay. Mostly acting is well, but it's due of excellent staff of experienced people. Patrick Kilpatrick, the performer of minor roles, in the double appearance of insignificant the head club bodyguard takes attention to his character. Bill Combs, Johnny Messner, Zack Ward and not bad DMX gives live in this catastrophe, which for them is job doing. Steven Seagal's performance is chaotic. He acts or "better as usual of last five years, but could be better". Known glasses, a leather coat, beard and fat (to which I have a feeling became more bigger.) he's in sitting wisdom makes rarely appearances. And only once he's gonna stay on own feet that to show saved complexes that his ass never can be kicked.

A director of this one hour and twenty-nine minutes shares lingering sufferings with the scriptwriter. He wants to impress, but fails, often uses pattern methods. Nothing about action scenes of all kinds. Minimized and weak. A little critics to editors. They did rude in the scene in the club in the walking of one woman character.

At all is nothing comfortable can find in Beyond the Law.

Anticipating games of the first year of the new decade.

Lifebar games is a new step of degradation. A feeling which I had when happened consolization. It didn’t led to boycott, because among of these projects could find interesting stories, hyping gameplays, charming ambiences. Saw something amazing and magnificent. To a new distorted reality I willn’t make exclusion too. Hope, it will temporarily. 

#13. Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood

I’m not sure in story, because World of Darkness is eccentric thing, and Cyanide is a developer with a large portfolio of unattractive games, where I played only in Styx: Master of Shadow and it was bad in every component. Maybe I willn’t play in Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood, when will know much about it. Right now, I interested to see a gameplay, which in depiction of witnesses also doesn’t charms.

#12. Cyberpunk 2077

The Witcher 3 made a divine status for CD Project, which have Blizzard and Rockstar. Games of Polish developer didn’t charm me for play and Cyberpunk 2077 looks a furnishing change, but I’ll launch a coming project from curiosity. Do not see unbelievable and meaningful in this ordinary lifebar game. In this with more than in the Witcher 3 dozens of hours for total complete I highly suspicious it will a terrible trash due in demonstrated story’s gameplay it had a place and foolish acts of artificial intelligence. I tired to listen again standard promises on aftermath of your actions knowing these words always were in promotion of fail games. Just a great noise makes Cyberpunk 2077 looks special.

#11. Empire of Sin

Without screenplay and primarily for Nintendo Switch by John Romero isn’t a game, which takes attention from saving greatness of 90s developer. However, it’s not a reason for miss. Actually, lead creator of this strategy simulator of Chicago gangs in 1920s is gamemaker’s wife Brenda Romero, who wished to do it about twenty years. Empire of Sin is attractive in diversities. To one crime ruling can come with different form of diplomacy and force. Long shootout with rival gang can belong to arriving of police. Maybe, in white men structure is not historical accurate participation of women and non-Caucasian races, but I don’t think it is important thing for criticism and perhaps this circumstance will decorate the game. However, typical for genre fail of ballistics with “miss” in straight shot and promises be poor dialog system disappoint, but doesn’t cancel to play in Empire of Sin for personally to see abilities of the project.

#10. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Quarantine

Squad Rainbow Six against monsters is bizarre idea and can sounds only for commercial reason. Zombies (or, with respect to their rights, mutated alien parasites.) are safety in political sphere than risky story elements in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6: Patriots, which cancellation looks for whole series. Of course, new Ubisoft’s fast part comes from community love to Outbreak mode in Rainbow Six Siege. Games under Tom Clancy name is continuing to walk away, but curiosity pushes to play in it. Inside of title can see a quality project. Perhaps, I’ll off from the list this game. I look on Rainbow Six Quarantine more as a pretender of continuation of Ubisoft’s series graveyard.

#9. Beyond Good and Evil 2

Lifebar prequel isn’t what I wanted from a second game. For a long anticipating project Ubisoft also counts on success in sales and for that makes it commercial. Following to modern standards it is possible to lost a soul and just get a product under known title. Beyond Good & Evil 2 promises to be grandiose game with charming open-worlds where definitely I willn’t disappoint in precious design of buildings, nature and creatures, but I’m not sure in other parts and haven’t like to some of them now as fight system and artificial intelligent of enemies. Will Michel Ancel remain in Ubisoft’s game?

#8. Watch Dogs: Legion

Pure orientation on mass community, but Watch Dogs: Legion of kind of commercial projects, which, maybe, will can give an entertainment. Revolutionary hacking conception wasn’t make a successful game in series yet. Third part returned my interest in diversity of gameplay in this aspect, which sets in curious alternative reality of London (NB. I hope, it willn’t a virtual reality simulation and possible connection with Assassin’s Creed.). Lifebars and mediocre artificial intelligence (to addition, I have suspicion on death of playable character will be a routine here.) don’t braking my wish to check Watch Dogs: Legion.

#7. Ghostrunner

I haven’t a strong faith in this game, but I’ll play it. Reminding Prince of Persia: Sands of Time in first-person and Dishonored series Ghostrunner is having gameplay individuality in vulnerability of one gotten laser shot, which is death for protagonist. “How it will works?” is from tension questions. I filled of doubts to the game and also developer and publisher were unknown for me until inclusion to the last of 3D Realms, which doesn’t correct an opinion. Ghostrunner gave some charm. Will it hold in full release?

#6. Syberia: The World Before

I was in rapture about active development of the fourth part of Syberia. Except a part of “unbelievable discloses in character and move on” in this mist of small information, it promises adventures through continents and time, where to these ideas I eventually came to “Why not”. A trust to these ideas doesn’t have if reasoning about games of Benoit Sokal, but in ongoing thinking on the developer I will conclude to play. Of course, I must expect casualty elements. Unknown when Syberia: The World Before will be released, but if the game is making almost two years, it gives a chance on appearance in the coming year.

#5. Squadron 42

After learning of many gameplay videos I only want to play it. Squadron 42 got the fifth position for reasons natural twenty years ago: for personal computer and no of casualty, QTE, lifebars. Taking away a modern stance of industry and look singly on the game – I’m very doubtful on Squadron 42. It lies in wasn’t impressed in attached to play Chris Roberts’s games and author’s film adaptation of one of them. I have a tension on storytelling to forthcoming, when looking on beautiful faces of human race against rude and savage aliens with ugly visages in sounds as noisy epic the screenplay.

#4. Wrath: Aeon of Ruin

Ignited charm in opened access to two levels wasn’t through whole walkthrough. Of course, it was for presentation, but I wasn’t confident in developers before this. KillPixel are Quake engine modders, what was introduction for doubts. No every with having tools can do a brilliant thing. I immediately tired from discoveries of gameplay. I’m wishing, that in final release developers will realize ideas. Wrath: Aeon of Ruin filled of potential. It executes things, which don’t find in nowadays games. Needs a right implementation.

#3. SpaceVenture

Unfortunately, 2019 didn't become a year of release of SpaceVenture as looked. All development phases were behind, beta-test passed, authors presented a box, a promise to place the order in soon time (it was in June)... and again the project is ongoing to climb higher in the list of long-developed games. I've thought, that they specially wanted to put the date in the Christmas time as it was planning in 2016 and 2018. Everything was for release, but something unknown influenced to delay. At least, it's not cancelled.

#2. Untitled Saints Row new game.

Absolutely unknown how will look a new game in Saints Row series and maybe release willn’t happen in 2020. I can just give suggestions from which I have only one. I suspect that a new part will have lifebars. I reason from fashion and previous developer’s game Agents of Mayhem. Will or not it in actually, but Volition is one of left of greatest studios. For this, I can have attention to the project without information.

#1. Ready or Not

A game promises to be in spirit of SWAT 4 isn’t for my attention. I don’t need tactical shooter mockery, but have learnt Ready or Not I saw it can be a pretender for resurrection and following of the genre. New Zealand’s developer Void Interactive with whole care to every aspect of special police forces promises gameplay of great possibilities in tactics, comprehensive physics and attention to little details. Multiple variations of ways to how to conduct the operation. Armed threats can be ready for potential attack and breached door could kill, because this action took off a check from grenade. Have skepticism to narrative story, but will see. The game is hyping on words and gameplay videos. One question leaves “How will good in release?”