All Channels
Popular
170°

Project Spark loses Spark Time microtransactions, introduces Spark Premium

Microsoft's added 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month Spark Premium purchase options to the existing 1-day and 1-month options, making Project Spark into a more subscription-centric experience rather than one defined by piecemeal purchases.

Whitey2k4439d ago (Edited 4439d ago )

Pay to play nice!!

@Kingthrash360 I own a ps4 and got blacklight retribution we all know thats f2p but the point is to us is if u get a new gun or armour on blacklight u get to keep it forever I think ms is screwing you all this shouldnt even be subscription considering you pay live already and again paying this over n over by 3 or 6 even 12 months

Kingthrash3604439d ago (Edited 4439d ago )

man i hear about the imminent price drop and consider actually buying it around christmas...then a game like this reminds me why its not for me.
i know ps4 had this practice but not many, and the free 2 play games are actually free to play. with live you gotta pay to play to pay to play....2 pay walls, 1 game.
this will kill console gaming if it spreads like mayo on a B.L.T.
i just want to pay 60 bucks or less and put my wallet away these subs and micro trans need to go imo.

Lord_Santa4439d ago

In my eyes this shouldn't even subscription based. It should be $60 and that's it. It won't gain as big a community as Little Big Planet did because of this. It just feels like a cheap cash in with customers paying for Live as well.

LambOfLucifer794438d ago

How are you being downvoted? Do you guys like NOT saving money?

christian hour4438d ago

Woah I had no idea this was pay to play. I hope microsoft come to their senses and stop putting things like netflix, and F2P games behind their subscription pay wall.

And before someone chimes in and says,

"Well I'm paying the sub already to play online",

you have to think about people other than yourself, plenty of kids out there who aren't allowed play online because some people make it a hostile environment, and plenty of other folk who just don't play multiplayer online at all.

This is one of the worst F2P models I've ever heard of, I know some are pretty bad with Pay to Win models, and its an outrage, but "pay to create?" What the hell is that?! I think the Project Spark team need to have a little sit down with Media Molecule.

Give players a huge base game and then release DLC building packs at fairly low prices to offer people variety in the months and years after launch.

Plenty of great F2P games you can enjoy without having to pay a penny if you don't want to, and without missing out on the full package. War Thunder is always my go to example as it's a great F2P game on PC and Console that I feel did everything right.

I'm not a MOBA fan but League of Legends is another good example of a good F2P model.

Project Spark has been greatly diminished in my eyes after hearing this news, I was looking forward to picking it up eventually whenever I get around to getting an xbone.

malokevi4438d ago

@christian hour

er.... this is free to play. You can opt in to subscription for the full package, or buy things with microtransactions. but there is more than enough there for anyone to build an awesome game for free.

Also, you dont need XBL gold to download and play it.

FYI

Gazondaily4438d ago

This just seems overly convoluted to me. Why not just charge full price for the game and unlock the content? This might just detract potential purchasers. Silly move imo.

christian hour4438d ago

@Malokevi

You don't need XBL Gold to download and play it? Thanks for clearing that up, was this a recent change on microsofts part?

I was under the impression that all online gaming features were behind the sub, including F2P games, netflix, facebook, twitter etc.

If this is not the case anymore and MS have had the heart to change things for the better, I'm very happy to hear this :)

Thanks for clearing that up for me ;)

Patrick_pk444438d ago

@Septic Because this is Microsoft, everything is behind a pay wall.

dcbronco4438d ago

Is disappointing that they are charging to play the game. Acting as if it's free and then limiting it is disingenuous. But all of the people pretending Sony doesn't charge for PSN on PS$ are just being naive or fanboyish. Paying to get online is paying no matter what. Few buy a console for strictly offline play. So PS4 is really no different. The reality is you're going to pay the annual fee. But this time limit decision makes Project Spark a game I won't spend much time on now. Unless there is something to it to really pull me in. I'll lose interest quick.

PoSTedUP4438d ago (Edited 4438d ago )

@dcbronco- the f2p games on ps4 they are talking about, you dont need to pay for, you dont need a subscription, even the online MP ones. /end.

the best LBP imo is LBPvita, its $30 and free online, really good support and the only DLC i payed for was the timesaver bundle (so i can start buiding levels right away) but you can get everything you nee to build from the story mode, Nothing is behind a paywall.

i thought PS had potential, id hate to see it turn into a subscription. MS can very well have their own LBP, but i think they sould try to compete with LBP3 bc i think it is going to be amazing and i doubt it will have a sub to create games.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4438d ago
Priestwithgun4439d ago

I guess you don't know what spark time is,if someone has made game with free content or with content that you have purchased already,spark time barrier is not there,just telling ya

joab7774438d ago (Edited 4438d ago )

Sub is always better than f2p...but I do like the free to level 20 or so like a demo. But of its f2p like son many want for ESO, it will be ruined by a gazillion microtransactions and segregated by those who r willing to shell out hundreds a month and those who r not.

malokevi4438d ago

Blacklight is a sad excuse for a COD clone. That game is just awful. It should never so much as be brought up in conversation, never mind played by anyone who wants to retain some semblance of their sanity.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4438d ago
ArbitorChief4439d ago

Well if it's priced right, I'd be down for it. Say $5 per month or $30 per year.

nutcrackr4439d ago

Sounds overly convoluted. Is project spark attracting big player numbers?

slivery4439d ago

It won't be now that is for sure.

urwifeminder4439d ago

Ha ha good luck with that MS I cant see many people paying for this an awful experience.

Charybdis4439d ago (Edited 4439d ago )

Me neither think most will only use the free 2 play options and not use the Premium paid service. Why pay for extra experience and ability to play levels with downloadable content. Not sure if content makers will earn some of this money which could effect my opinion on the new model.

WeAreLegion4439d ago

Um... What? Pump the brakes there. This is not what I wanted. I loved the beta, but this is off putting. I stopped playing Disney Infinity when I realized how much they nickle and dime you for additional content. WAY overpriced figures.

Charybdis4439d ago (Edited 4439d ago )

Not on the beta but why you think that their previous Nicle and dime method with so called spark time is better then offering one subscription for acces to all premium content. I am interesten in to how you see the devide between the free and paid stuff in project spark?

LexHazard794438d ago

I got you, I guess if I were a fan of F2P games witb subs I would want something like what they offer here. Its not like other sub games. Where you pay $15 a month and still have to pay for other things in game aswell. With this game you pay a sub and everything is available for you to use!! Well thats my understanding of article anyways!

Show all comments (38)
70°

GameEnthus Podcast ep269: Pixel Ball or Kadeem Factor - GameEnthus

GameEnthus Podcast ep269: Pixel Ball or Kadeem Factor   This week Lorion from ML Studios(@MLStudios2015) creators of Pixel Ball hangs out with Marcus(@MajorLinux)/(MajorsHou se) and Aaron(@Ind1f f erence) to talk about: Battlefield 1, ML Studios, Pixel Ball, Becker College, Worchester, WPI, Major’s House, Nokia, Lumia, Surface Phone, Elgato, Hauppauge, SendGrid, Google Music, Ghostbusters 2016, Star Wars The Force … Continue Reading →

Read Full Story >>
gameenthus.com
40°

The Gamesmen, Episode 119 – Down With the Sickness

Join Amras89, Rogue Outlaw, and Eyenhander for game talk and fun! This time, The Gamesmen talk about the cancellation of Disney Infinity, China’s new Fuze console, the death of Project Spark,…

Read Full Story >>
thegamesmen.com
150°

Uncharted’s Metacritic Score Really Doesn’t Matter (Pressurecast One-Hundred-Thirty)

Disney Cancels Disney Infinity, Microsoft Shuts Down Project Spark, and Konami Makes a Ton of Cash! Plus Impressions of Doom and Uncharted 4!

Read Full Story >>
shepherdexpress.com
LuckyChamCham3653d ago

Meh, I doubt it'd reach a 95 now even though it was so close before. But it could probably reach 94 again once the rest of the reviews add up.

Krangs_Uncle3653d ago

Yea, I don't think it would have ever gotten to 95 to be honest.. Kind of doubtful it will hit 94 too (although I believe it deserves it) - there's not many more reviews to come in now.

Genuine-User3653d ago (Edited 3653d ago )

It was a few entries away from 95. The washington post really hit the meta average quite hard.

The negative user reviews are a sight to behold. lol

http://i.cubeupload.com/Dqd...
http://i.cubeupload.com/trL...
http://i.cubeupload.com/y3j...
http://i.cubeupload.com/MqD...
http://i.cubeupload.com/VfK...

rainslacker3653d ago

@Genuine

My favorite is the guy who gave it a zero for it not being on PC and he couldn't play it because he didn't have a PS4.

I mean, I'm not one for censoring negative scores, even if it's done with fan boy malice as many of these zeros are, but if you openly admit to not playing it, should that score be considered in the overall average?

In any case, how can any game except one that is not even a game, or completely broken upon boot be scored with a zero? I don't care how much one dislikes a game, there are very few games that exist which deserve a score that low, particularly in light of a game that does so much so well.

krouse933653d ago

I just don't understand the GTA V reviews to be honest, how can it consistently get 95's? Even as a remastered game. It really doesn't seem justified. In every way Uncharted 4 is a better game than GTA V & GTA V remastered.

Krangs_Uncle3653d ago (Edited 3653d ago )

It's because GTAV is multi-plat.. There are less people with bias to bring it down.

Master-H3653d ago

Because the GTA games are usually overrated. Just look at GTA IV with that 98 score. Most bs score i've ever seen.

WellyUK3652d ago

GTA V isn't much better either.

3653d ago Replies(5)
jb2273653d ago

Yeah I tend to agree. That's probably because I like more focused & pointed experiences. All of the systems in Uncharted are vital, whereas something like GTA will have time devoted to stuff like Yoga that no one really cares about, it's just a feature to make the world feel more deep & engaging.

The core gameplay loop of open world games on the whole are just old hat to me. I will always enjoy a focused gameplay experience, but the open world model of fetch quests & one offs never really adds up to much for me beyond a decently fun way to waste a few hours. I've never really been impacted by anything in a GTA game aside from those rare moments of a great song coming up for the first time or a perfectly structured single mission. There's just too much padding in everything else to really highlight those moments.

3653d ago
+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3652d ago
ccgr3653d ago

It's 93 on OpenCritic too

Aloy-Boyfriend3653d ago (Edited 3653d ago )

A damn shame that red number stained its score when it doesn't evem have a single yellow one, but nothing can be done. Still 93 is high and any dev would kill to reach that number.

Rants masqueraded as review shouldn't drag a metascore down. There was no explanation as to why he though the story was a "trainwreck." there was no info about the game of objective view on it, just hateful remarks. Opinions can be wrong and readers have all right to call shenanigans on shit like that. And if you have played the game, it's impossible not to facepalm at what he wrote.

Rookie_Monster3653d ago (Edited 3653d ago )

The only thing that matters really is the majority of reviews are positive and the person playing it.

From the 4/10 UC4 Washington Post review, to the 1/5 Halo 4 review by Quarter of Three, to a 85/100 for the Orders 1886 from Dualshockers, troll and "out-of-the-norm" reviews can sometime happens that is differ than the majority of the reviews. It shouldn't affect anything just like if a movie received a 99% fresh rate at rottentomatoes and a 1% rotten rate from a couple of opinions that is differ than the majority. Does that change anything, really?

We are putting to much into this topic already, we should just let it go. Let bygone be bygone.

magiciandude3653d ago

"We are putting to much into this topic already, we should just let it go. Let bygone be bygone."

Exactly rookie. Well said! Fanboys are seriously upset over nothing at all. I never was this upset over then 1/5 scores MS exclusives get. They're just scores.

gangsta_red3653d ago

Exactly Rookie, disagree with the review, disagree with the views but what you don't do is go wild with anger and start spinning conspiracies and blaming people for your own troubles and calling to get something banned or removed because you don't personally like it.

Something a lot of these fanboys just can't understand let alone fathom.

3653d ago Replies(1)
rainslacker3653d ago

I hate to nitpick, but that 85 from dualshockers for The Order wasn't a troll review. I think he actually liked the game, because to this day, he still says he liked the game. It was higher than most, but he backed up his reasons for giving it that score.

Troll reviews are the ones that go out of their way to find things to criticize, up to and including things that have nothing to do with the game(like, it's not TLOU for instance). Troll reviews are made to incite emotions to garner hits....and TO review from DS was not trollish. It wasn't even that much of an anomaly, like a 4/10 for UC4, or a 1/5 for Halo, just slightly higher than many others.

Otherwise, in most cases, the outlayer scores aren't really that big of a deal. It caused a point to drop off the MS in this case, but 93 is still pretty darn good, and much more than most games get. If anyone were going to MC and used that one review to form a purchasing decision on the game, then that's them being stupid, same way if I didn't buy a product off amazon which had 5 one star reviews but had hundreds of 4 and 5 star reviews. Having the low score may make someone want to see what it says, but I do at least want to believe that people would read that review and be like, "WTF, this isn't a review".

maniacmayhem3653d ago

So because he liked the game it's not a troll review? Even though more than half of the other sites all over the net thought it was shit?

You see Rainslacker, this is why labeling a review you personally don't like is wrong. Because now you have made up a definition for something that only fits your criteria and standard.

A troll review can easily go the other way as Rookie said. Giving praise and cheers to an obvious flawed and crappy game could be considered just as much as a troll as the one who goes out their way to trash it. The only difference is you won't see the flaws in a review that is praising the game or company you love.

Don't you think that this to could be used to garner hits and views also, especially if that game caters to a fanbase that will see it and then take that reviewer in as one of their own and then repeatedly go back because they trust that person? What's the saying, "More bees with honey".

rainslacker3653d ago (Edited 3653d ago )

No, it's not a troll review because he liked it, and gave his reasons for liking it in an objective manner. He may have been clouded by bias in forming his review, but that doesn't instantly indicate troll.

The review of TWP was a troll review, because he openly admitted to not liking the series, and used his personal bias to discredit the game, while barely talking about the game itself. He used the review to soapbox his own beliefs which he knew would be inflammatory. That's what makes it a troll review.

I can reasonably see why the DS review was a decent review, even if others disagree with it. One can not read TWP review without thinking that the reviewer either has an axe to grind, or has some sort of agenda, or he's only doing it to troll. Something which the author himself admits to being perfectly justified.

I labeled the review as a poor review based on it doing nothing to allow the reader to decide if the game would be something they'd enjoy. beyond that, I didn't ask for anything other than TWP to see if it fit within their review standards, which is on them, and that the meta be removed because no score was assigned on the publication itself.

As of yet, no one has been able to say why it's a good review based on objective criteria, but please, give your detailed analysis to show others why you think it's a good review. Walk away from the fan boy part of it, and review the review yourself, so at least we know if you think it's a fair and equitable review that holds some sort of editorial standard. I'd be curious on why you think it's a good review, and why it should be taken seriously, or is of acceptable enough quality to accept the author is qualified to write a review.

No one has a right to demand the review be removed entirely, but people had a right to act on principal on the MC score, despite it ending up being not what everyone believed.

Been a while since I read the DS review of TO, but don't recall it being trollish. I'm not going to look it up now, but given that it got an 85, and not a higher score, I'd imagine they at least found some things wrong with it that the author felt warranted a down vote.

Can positive reviews be used to garner hits? Sure. Was the DS one used in such a manner? I don't believe so. I liked the order, and would give it a 7-7.5. Many others would as well. It's not so out there for a score to be 1 point higher or lower than the score another person would give it, so if it was meant as a troll review, it didn't really try too hard to incite the community.

Unfortunately, I don't think the "more flies with honey" really works for reviews, or most news to be honest. People on the internet are more attracted to the negative. While there are poor reviewers out there who assign scores which would likely be seen as too high, I rarely see it in an attempt to troll or soap box an agenda. I sometimes see it as bias infecting objective analysis, which makes it a poor review, but not really trolling.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3653d ago