Sherbytes: Industry News Megathread, v.2

[Valhoven]

Hardware sales down ATB for January YoY:



PS5 - down 38%
Xbox Series X|S - down 50%
Nintendo Switch - down 53%

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

I thought the same but don’t know much about the country and thought maybe that’s something to brag about there.

Well the subsequent article says they’ve received since February 2023 a raise of 65,000 Yen per month (from 240,000 Yen per month to 305,000 yen per month) so it just seems funny to be like “hey, they’ve gotten over the past two years a raise of $400 USD per month — well guess what, we’re throwing in an extra $33 USD”.

What’s shocking to me in the revelation that these people only make 3.6 million yen per year, which according to Google is only $25k USD. I don’t understand how that’s possible as when I went to Japan in 2007 it was like the most expensive place I’ve ever been. A can of Coke was like $5 USD.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

Cost of living in Japan is a lot lower than developed Western countries, partly by design partly not.

It's the same reason that TSMC engineers in Taiwan make less than a skilled tradesman in the US.

That doesn’t gel with my first hand experience in Tokyo in 2007 where everything was expensive as fuck.

 

[avenue94]

That doesn’t gel with my first hand experience in Tokyo in 2007 where everything was expensive as fuck.

Expensive compared to what/where? That was almost 2 decades ago.

Compared to costal cities in the US (where you'll find a lot of video game companies), Japan will have much cheaper housing, modestly less expensive food costs, better public transit (you won't need to carry an auto loan and maintain a car), and lower healthcare costs since it's built in.

 

[Valhoven]

Some sales numbers on Wukong here.

Main bit is that of the 25M units sold (big success), 30% were non-domestic, i.e., ex-China, tallying some 7.5M units.

Speaking to game's success:

Considering the game's base price of $60 and, for the sake of argument, halving it to $30 to account for Steam fees, regional price adjustments, and other factors, those 7.5 million copies would rake in around $225 million.

The resulting figure is enough to cover the game's $70 million production budget (development and marketing included) three times over, proving that Black Myth: Wukong would still be a success even without Chinese players.

 

[Valhoven]

Bautista on Gears of War film in production hell; wants fans to hype the film online and also bugs Netflix about it himself:



Dave Bautista wants Netflix to move forward with their ‘GEARS OF WAR’ movie.

“It’s not like I’m not badgering them. Come on, Netflix. Get it together”

 

[method115]

Bautista on Gears of War film in production hell; wants fans to hype the film online and also bugs Netflix about it himself:



Dave Bautista wants Netflix to move forward with their ‘GEARS OF WAR’ movie.

“It’s not like I’m not badgering them. Come on, Netflix. Get it together”

They are probably seeing how much it's going to cost and wondering if the juice is worth the squeeze. I remember after Gray Man released hearing rumors that they were done with big budget releasees like that.

 

[Valhoven]

This is a productive use of AI, IMO, but requires high QC over asset production and must have human oversight. Definitely don't see good reason to demonise the tech ATB.

Problem is, the rabbit never goes back in the hat once companies see what they can and can't get away with re quality, who they can keep and let go re money, how fast they now can do something versus before re time, and so on. Activision, Ubi, or EA for example with the rabbit...scares me, lol.

Humans prove a harder and harder sell when things see automation. Before I left my last company (software firm), we started integrating AI into our tasks at the request of higher-ups and since having left, I see their marketing newer software tools they've developed with the text 'powered by AI'. Companies lose money if they don't get on the AI bandwagon, for better or worse.



Activision confirms some in-game #CallOfDuty content is AI generated

“Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets"

 

[rikwebb]

The upcoming Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 remaster / remake has been rated in Singapore, official reveal is supposed to be March 4th

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 rated in Singapore for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC

The Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore has rated the unannounced Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.

www.gematsu.com

Countdown timer on the Tony Hawk's game site

Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™

Play the fully-remastered Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ & Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 2 games in one epic collection, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD.

www.tonyhawkthegame.com

 

[avenue94]

This is a productive use of AI, IMO, but requires high QC over asset production and must have human oversight. Definitely don't see good reason to demonise the tech ATB.

Problem is, the rabbit never goes back in the hat once companies see what they can and can't get away with re quality, who they can keep and let go re money, how fast they now can do something versus before re time, and so on. Activision, Ubi, or EA for example with the rabbit...scares me, lol.

Humans prove a harder and harder sell when things see automation. Before I left my last company (software firm), we started integrating AI into our tasks at the request of higher-ups and since having left, I see their marketing newer software tools they've developed with the text 'powered by AI'. Companies lose money if they don't get on the AI bandwagon, for better or worse.



Activision confirms some in-game #CallOfDuty content is AI generated

“Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets"

Just so much cart before the horse for AI. Most companies don't even manage to deploy competent internal databases and move off excel, but they're going to deploy their own LLMs trained on their data. Lol

It crowds out much more useful funding. Case in point, HP bought Humane's remnants but started sending out WFR notices for HyperX this week.

 

[Sycho Sid]