Manburger

What the fuck: Microsoft says it needs games like Hi-Fi Rush the day after killing its studio

Today, one day after Microsoft announced that it would shut down four of its games studios, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, held a town hall to discuss the division’s future goals. “We need smaller games that give us prestige and awards,” Booty told employees, according to internal remarks shared with The Verge.

I mean, perfectly summarized by the headline— what can you even say at this point. Is this a bit? Are we being punk'd? Seemingly a gaggle of drunken sailors slapping away at different sides of the wheel over there.

@kone: Thanks! No worries, it's not on you that my brain sucks— the joke was obvious, but the anxiety kinda overrides everything and I get a tad desperate to quell it. Sorry for the catawampus.

Guess I could also be game for just a little blood feud?

@chamurai: Haha, actually, yes. I was going to reply with a joke but then I got legit anxious I might have erred in some way. I just really don't want to hurt or insult anyone, you know.

@kone: I think you are being facetious but I do genuinely apologize if I have caused any offense

A genuinely lovely little gem about friendship/play/creativity, with amusing dialogue and surprisingly smooth and fun movement. Really enjoy how the game is centered around resolving (mostly mild) conflict and bringing together pals in play & craft. And, like @chamurai, I found the ending quite emotionally resonant (On that note — did your kid finish the game yet?)

@kone: I am seriously fond of your 'shops and edits, so if you feel slighted I am very sorry!

Yes! Everyone, please support a important, pressing cause and get some sweet games!

I'll second the current recs, and add: wonderfully heartfelt ode to a grandma, Lieve Oma, and mysterious, unsettling narrative exploration game Fatum Betula.

Yes, this rules, thanks for sharing! Did not find it cringeworthy at all. Also, man, I've gotta commend your handwriting — miles more legible than my current inscrutable scrawlings.

(Un)fortunately(?) I don't have any artifacts like this. Just recall being quite enthused when my dad showed up with our first console, the N64, and Mario Kart 64. Played that to heck with friends & family. Vaguely remember just exploring tracks and eventually making up our own weird rules for balloon battle.

Don't have a lot to add: agree with your points — though overall I think I enjoyed this more than you did. But yes, it does indeed feel like it is certain tweaks and additions away from being something special.

I tend to prefer wordless storytelling, and dug the etheral and mysterious feel of Hyper Light Drifter. (A lot of credit to the intensely atmospheric Disasterpeace soundtrack for empowering the mood, of course) In that regard I don't know if Solar Ash is a improvement, exactly.

Pretty curious about Hyper Light Breaker, which, you could say, combine the learnings from Hearthmachine's previous games.

Botany Manor and Lil Gator Game are two delightful, concise games (aprox. 3 hours) and I would like to nominate 'em for the next cycle.