Opinion
With the Switch 2, Nintendo has solved one of the Switch 1’s biggest problems – its terrible eShop
by Domagoj Belancic
Philstradamus failed: how wrong my game predictions for 2021 were
6.1.2022
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
A year ago, I formulated 16 predictions for the 2021 gaming landscape. To horrendous results.
Every year, I gaze into my crystal ball and predict what the game world has in store for us. I have never been so off the mark as I was with last year’s forecasts. A sobering balance sheet for Philstradamus.
Wrong: Switch Pro
Even after a third try, it all ended up being nothing but wishful thinking. No Switch Pro, only the Switch OLED with its improved display. A Pro version is said to be circulating among developers, but an official launch hasn’t been announced (yet).
Correct: a «Zelda Breath of the Wild 2» trailer
There was a new trailer as well as a release date. However, we only got a vague 2022 date instead of my March prediction. Could theoretically still happen, although I don’t expect it to. I’ll nevertheless chalk up this forecast as correct.
Correct: Sony will connect all PlayStation services
While not official yet, it has been revealed by reliable sources that Sony does indeed want to combine PS Plus and PS Now into a joint service. The resulting Game Pass competitor is expected to be unveiled this spring.
Correct: Sony buys a game studio
My Konami guess was wrong. However, with Blue Point, Valkyrie, Housemarque, Nixxes Software and Firesprite, Sony acquired five studios in the same year.
Wrong: a «GTA 6» teaser
Initial rumours regarding the next «GTA» were had, but an official announcement, let alone a teaser, remain elusive.
Wrong: the first AAA Stadium Game
The opposite turned out to be true. Google dissolved its in-house studio led by renowned producer Jade Raymond. This naturally extinguished any ambitions to advance Stadia with its own games.
Wrong: PS Now with PlayStation launch titles
Sony is likely to introduce its own Game Pass alternative in 2022, but it remains to be seen whether blockbuster titles will be included directly at launch.
Wrong: the Amazon MMO would be a flop
The launch of «New World» was bumpy, as is typical for MMOs, but all in all the response has been positive. It didn’t entertain me for as long as I’d hoped, but it’s far from bad.
Wrong: a successful «Anthem» reboot
We’ll never know, as Bioware cancelled «Anthem». Thus, there won’t be a reboot.
Wrong: a new «Crysis»
Nope. Not as much as a rumour about a potential successor.
Wrong: a teaser for next non-VR «Half-Life»
The developers have spoken positively regarding future «Half-Life» projects, but we haven’t heard anything specific yet.
Wrong: Steam would introduce a streaming service
Here again I let myself be guided by my own wishful thinking. Still, in Steam Deck, we might even get something better soon.
Wrong: Xbox Cloud Gaming for Switch
Microsoft would love it, but Nintendo apparently isn’t interested in bringing Game Pass to the Switch. They’d rather sell an overpriced Nintendo 64 subscription.
Wrong: Logitech would buy a monitor manufacturer
Logitech has left me hanging quite a bit. You can’t even rely on your own countrymen.
Correct: a first look at «Starfield»
Finally, something I got right. There wasn’t really much to see in the teaser, but we did get a release date for the end of 2022.
Wrong: a Nintendo character on Xbox
In April, rumours regarding a collaboration between Microsoft and Nintendo began to pile up. However, nothing came of it.
Verdict
Four out of sixteen. Yikes. A bad year for Philstradamus. Will I let that deter me? Of course not. Already, newer, wilder predictions for 2022 are coalescing in my head. Let’s see how far out I’ll go this year.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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