@CeeJaySFII: It isn't a standard NVMe format so it does not fully benefit from the competition and mass production of the sticks used by hundreds of millions of PCs and the PS5. I bought 2 TB Samsung 980 Pro around March 2021 for $330 (a significant sale discount at the time).

@jenovaschilld: I played Sea of Stars based on the praise it was getting and ended up putting 65 hours into it. The game was far longer and more involved than I imagined. It felt like a parody of RPGs and perhaps games in general.

I liked the game despite not seeing what appears to have captivated so many people. The throwback to a SNES/Genesis-type art style was familiar. The combat was easy & simplistic even on the higher difficulty and you could really only die/lose if you wear screwing around (save for the arena).

The factors you mentioned are some that make me feel reviewers gave the game "extra credit." A fun, well put together game with some wild twist down the stretch. The Wheels game was enjoyable; I beat everyone. Nothing here really clicked and grabbed me like Limbo, Inside, or Tunic (to mention some other smaller games). I understand SoS being in the running for "Indie" of the Year. A 10/10 or GoTY was a tougher sell for 2023.

As for Starfield, I am eleven days of playtime in so far while being early on in the main quest (just got a 4th power). I like the game and the hours melt away while playing. Obviously, there are reasonable things I think could be improved and other things that are dream additions/changes.

@jenovaschilld: You really think Sea of Stars was that great?

I don't think Starfield is in any danger of being forgotten to time; people can't shut up about it.

@mooglestar: "Plummeting?"

Console sales don't reflect profit. Actual profit. The internal slides just confirm what we already know. Exclusive single player titles every 3 years (2 with sequels) are not enough for the business to be sustainable. Even with remasters. Sony is looking for another path. The "Live games" effort is one attempt.

@azmikeb: Wise Man's Fear go so out of hand, I'm not sure he knows how to proceed. Rechi/Khove (if I remember his name right) is one overpowered/omni-talented character. He is supposed to do even more legendary stuff before the "tavern timeframe."

Kind of a downer when a monitor is this expensive and still does not include G-Sync hardware.

I just clicked to see if that was the same guy and he just finally shaved.

Don't drop that stick!

@crazknuk: The FTC and UK regulators truly took one look at the acquisition price, saw the name, "Microsoft", attached and said, "Price too big. Microsoft too big. Me no like. Me smash. Me become famous!" 😄

@cboye18: It is not that simple. A fourth entrant could start tomorrow with 3 original games and have no chance in hell. Nintendo dropped the ball with aging players and Sony picked it up. Nintendo had to sidestep and refocus on targeting kids and luddites. Sony targets older players and people who would sit and watch someone else play a game.

Did Xbox waste their momentum from 360? Yes. We have to take into account how MS viewed Xbox at the time. PC OS, software, and cloud services were their big moneymakers. What is interesting is to consider the two scenarios -- an Xbox that kept firing after 360 vs. an Xbox today which learned some harsh lessons and pivoted.