There is a lot of talk about the euphoria of people who want the PS5 to last longer this generation. You know, I think the argument for being longer is valid than ever. Not only is hardware these days getting more expensive, but we’ve reached an impasse where the technologies that we are getting in relative terms are indistinguishable. This generation has shown two things. The technology we have for PS5 Pro and Series X is still absolutely fine for most software, and also, the majority of people need more of a reason than flashier specs to upgrade. Software and exclusives define a hardware, but we’re even ‘losing’ that and to that effect this is the reason why most gamers are making the decision to just roll with what they have. In fact, PlayStation and Xbox have noticed the fact that fans of their respective brands are using older hardware. …

Music is a big part of my life, and so is keeping track of what I am listening to and being able to discover new music along the way. Now bear in mind, this only works on Android, but this is a really great way of scrobbling on any music app. Last.fm is the service that I use to do this and it’s a platform that’s been ongoing for a long time. What I do find is that Spotify has this natively, but if you want to have this on practically any other app this is the way to do it and track all your music in real-time. If you download Pano Scrobbler from the Google Play Store via your mobile. You then want to download it on your Windows PC, or even Chromebook and you can scrobble using YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and other apps that do not have …

We live in a world where it’s easier than ever to ‘create’. We also live in a world where a lot of this isn’t organic and made by a human being. The problem I have with AI isn’t personal in its ability to help, but by the effect of how it’s indirectly destroying the many lives of the future the more focus that we are putting into it. It’s also getting closer in the probability that we are seeing a shift in the dynamics of content creation. There is a fine balance and without any sort of ‘control’ and responsibility. Especially in terms of getting this more governed we’re going to see mimics of content that are not authentic. As we know, authenticity is really important and when people have a ‘good’ idea that’s elevated into the front of the conversation. The more people use ‘AI’ we really are diminishing …

A lot of talk has been around the fact that we might not ever see a native Xbox port of Spider Man 2. While that might be the case based on what Insomniac is telling fans. Unless Sony does something to make it nigh on impossible, the next generation hardware from Xbox will allow any fan on team green to play a PC version from within Xbox. There is a lot of work in backwards compatibility and forward compatibility going on. The latter part theoretically points to there being a real chance. Unless, of course. Sony decided to wall that content behind a PlayStation launcher. Which is their right, they would make more money after all. Sony is known for being very competitive and protective around their content. Not in the same vein as Nintendo, but still that point remains. If the PC version was somehow able to run in …

Nicolas Cage is back in a big way and I couldn’t be happier for the guy who has had a lot of ups and downs in his career. Even when he’s been out of the spotlight he’s done some great movies. However, at Amazon Prime. He is back in a big way with the Spider-Noir series that is going to have all streaming episodes instantaneously. He’s one of my favourite actors in hollywood. I am still hoping for another National Treasure. Which is apparently still in the works. Last time I heard, there was also a Face-off sequel in the works, which happens to be a favorite movie of mine with the two leading actors in that to return. However, just recently the director has left so hopefully that doesn’t put that project in jeopardy. It’s quite the return for Nicolas Cage, and I am all here for it, and …

One of the best things I saw from that PlayStation State of Play last week was the fact that Konami are making new stuff again. I’ve spoken in the past about how Konami ‘could’ make a comeback. However, it was mostly to do with the Metal Gear Solid franchise. For them to go on and bring out a new IP. That’s a million miles a better outcome that most of us could have anticipated. It was a strong State of Play just based on that, and although it never had the heavy hitters that Sony is known for. It does show potential for where Sony could go even bigger next time with everything left out. We’ve seen that Capcom are back in force again with two games that we’ve heard a bit about already and they’re looking very good as well. The fact that Konami is also doing a new …

We all know what Manchester United represents. So when a co-owner of Manchester United comes out and speaks about a really sensitive topic of discussion within the United Kingdom. It’s going to ring a lot of alarm bells. Is there some truth to what Jim is saying? Maybe. We all know the country has had many problems with numbers. However, to pre-determine with no evidence whatsoever about immigration ideals while also claiming they don’t contribute is a step to far. In a really high volatile moment for this country politically where hate is becoming the norm in essence. I just find this coming from a co-owner of Manchester United to be pretty staggering in tone, at a time when Manchester United do not need to be in the spotlight for the ‘wrong’ reasons. Not only is this a really brazen take, it’s not taking into account how people do contribute …

Big news in the world of streaming with Sky Ultimate, which is essentially a part of Sky Stream. It’s getting even better. It includes the new HBO Max, Hayu and the latter of which is Netflix which is already included. It’s promised to be worth over £20 in streaming apps. Uniting them under one umbrella is a win-win. It not only adds to the affordability, but allows the streaming companies numbers to increase based on the services offered which will obviously increase subscription numbers all around. We all know the promise of these apps and that something was needed to combine them to provide a better deal. It looks like Sky has answered that call with their Sky Ultimate subscription and it makes their Sky Stream service a pretty good deal on the set tiers in the UK. When you have this many streaming apps ongoing. Something had to give. …

PlayStation has always had this hold of one of my favorite franchises in Final Fantasy. However, we’ve recently learned that those days are now in the past. This doesn’t stop Sony from going after exclusives on the eastern front of gaming development. We all know that those developers are really starting to bear fruit, and I believe Sony will be the front-runners in getting more of those games tied in. This does mean though that for the first time we’re going to see parity in terms of Square Enix games coming to the Xbox. What does this suggest to me? Well, it hasn’t done enough on PlayStation, or at the very least, to the very high expectations of Square Enix. I am getting a sense also though, that this is just the beginning. Nobody knows how well it will do on Xbox. That’s something that very much Microsoft is going …

When Microsoft decided to put the price up for Game Pass Ultimate. I spoke about how they would’ve done this on the basis of adding more to it. Reports are coming from Pure Xbox, that this is exactly what’s happening but there has been no rule out about a further hike. Microsoft could do numerous things in order to make the top tier more attractive. Including entertainment apps, adding more value with more third-party games being part of the service. They could potentially look to add Ubisoft + premium or other similar services that makes it more appealing in the long-term against PlayStation Plus. Then, there’s obviously things around the cloud that could be beneficial for those that play using Game Pass Ultimate. The premium editions of games are getting insane in pricing these days. If you’ve seen the Forza Horizon 6 premium edition for Xbox Game Pass. You know …

Well, that Nintendo Partner Direct sprung a few surprises didn’t it everyone? Absolutely loving the fact that we’re seeing Nintendo actually catch up on a technological standing with some of these ports. Yes, they’re not going to be the superior ports, but the fact that we’re seeing them in itself for a handheld. The fact that Nintendo are serving fans that also enjoyed the original Nintendo Switch for about 5 years before there was even any complaints. It stands true to form that this fan base just wants good games. For a handheld, it’s powerful enough for the majority of fans who will be playing that way anyway when this is the hardware makeup that Nintendo is standing by these days. The long term is a different situation and there will need to be a refresh of the Nintendo Switch 2. The fact now that there are reports of PlayStation …

That Fulham game that we just won in such United fashion. That was the United Way. It was also the biggest test that we passed. Under Carrick we’ve displayed the know-how of being able to fight for the win through perseverance and sticking it out until the end just like the Fergie days. Amorim wasn’t the problem, I still stand by that, he brought most of these players in but he wasn’t the full recipe. Carrick is providing the full ingredients by giving these current players something we didn’t have. Of course, the consistency that Carrick has talked about which underlines the whole persona of what a United team should be. It’s gone up a level because Carrick knows how to get the best out of these players and the formation is something the club is now settled on. He’s certainly shown that in his first stint and now in …

A lot has been spoken about Starmer’s visit to China. Will he be on the right side of history here with the decision to go and do business based on what the naysayers are saying? When Brexit happened, it allowed us to go and do the kind of trade deals with other countries. In a way that we couldn’t do before. Everything else about it was a mistake, but that remains something that is actually beneficial right now to the UK. The freedom to trade with other nations while also becoming more closely aligned with Europe once again. If you were to say to me, is that the right course? I would say, yes, going on the basis of what is happening around us internationally. We have to become stronger. I think that the UK shouldn’t be putting itself in a position where it says this country is a bad …

The Witcher 3 holds the most hours I’ve ever played in a video game. Nothing has beaten that since. However, it looks like a lot of developers are now learning from Geralt’s adventures in the best of ways. When you look around the gaming industry. There are games that are coming that are really going to hit a really high level in terms of production. One of them is the new Fable, another is Exodus, and the one that has always set that bar high anyway through the generations is GTA. Obviously, we’re getting a lot more ‘huge world’ games with the kind of depths to the worlds that we want to see and that’s increasing. I think The Witcher and GTA has really set a bar in terms of how developers want to produce these big worlds with plenty of content within them. Of course, these games have been …

Craig William Clark - Alien Earth Did Something Right