Where are all the Next-Gen Games?
(Image credit: CD PROJEKT RED)
With all the massive hype made for the launch of the new PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, something seems to be missing in the first few months: titles optimized for the next-gen systems. In fact, both systems are having issues with games that are supposedly designed for them, and features including better graphics and multiplayer keep getting delayed. Looking at next year’s game release schedule there are not many AAA titles, and most of those titles were originally expected at console release. So where are the games? They are coming but it will be slow.
There are a ton of playable titles on the Xbox Series X/S and the PlayStation 5, but most of them are ported from the last gen consoles or available on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. There are a select handful of games that are next-gen console exclusive, however they are on the PS5 only. After the PS5 system demo Astro’s Playroom, there is one other title: Demon Souls, a remake of a PS3 title. Sony initially planned for more console exclusives at launch, but some of them were delayed into next year or adapted to the PS4. As of right now, most PlayStation Pro or Xbox One X owners may see little advantage in upgrading systems, other than faster load times.
What about titles that have been optimized for the next-gen systems? Aside from rampantly reported save file and other graphical issues, some titles do not have next-gen optimized versions available yet. Cyberpunk 2077 is a title that suffered multiple problems and does not have next-gen optimized versions. Worse yet because of these issues, it has been pulled from the PlayStation network entirely as noted on a CD PROJEKT RED news post. Other games including Marvel’s Avengers will not see next-gen versions until 2021, according to a Square Enix Marvel’s Avengers: State of the Game Update post.
While titles such as Rocket League, have implemented Xbox Series X/S enhanced versions but not for PS5 as listed on the Rocket League Patch Notes: December Update page. Upgrading games to PS5 will require programming for the DualSense and its haptic features, unlike the Xbox Series X/S controller’s uniform nature to the Xbox One predecessor. This means cross-console games not specifically designed for PlayStation may have delays before getting full PS5 versions. Even major franchises such as Call of Duty: Warzone are only available in a PS4 version, according to the PlayStation Store Call of Duty: Warzone purchase page.
These titles are still playable on the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, but the experience may be the same as the last-gen. Also, anyone hoping to play Cyberpunk 2077 on a PS4 or PS5 will have to find a disc copy. This is a whole lot to go through for the same experience as last-gen models in some cases. Again, there are only 2 titles that cannot be experienced on last-gen systems or PC alternatives. Although, next year will have more exclusives for Sony and some next-gen only titles.
2021 will see mostly the games that were promised at or near next-gen launch, other than titles such as Hitman 3 and possibly Elder Scrolls VI. There are a few more, but the biggest titles will be those hyped at launch including Horizon Forbidden West, God of War: Ragnarok, Gran Turismo 7, and Resident Evil Village. Most titles mentioned do not have firm release dates for next year other than Hitman 3, which will be out January 20th according to the IOI Hitman 3 pre-order page. Next year could still be as barren as this year if those release dates do not get more specific.
Many of the same production issues from 2020 will carry into 2021, and the gaming industry will not be immune. The slow release of next-gen games may continue until the pandemic is fully contained, but that means increased safety for all those involved. If 2020 has taught me anything, it is to not be frustrated by delays, because rushed games are worse. The Load Screen looks forward to all the next-gen titles slated to come out and we understand that good things can take time.
