The Last of Us Online Cancelled; E3 Legacy & Graphics Talk
The End of The Last of Us Online
The episode opens with a significant industry development: Naughty Dog officially cancelled The Last of Us Online. The hosts discuss how this serves as a rejection of the recent industry trend pushing for games-as-a-service models, especially within studios historically known for single-player narrative titles.
• The decision reflects concerns regarding sustainable development and the immense resources required to support live-service models.
• There is lamentation over the decline of traditional, smaller-scale multiplayer components that do not require constant, years-long service support.
The Legacy and End of E3
The discussion shifts to the official, permanent closure of E3. The hosts analyze the event's evolution, noting that it became increasingly obsolete in an era where publishers prefer dedicated news cycles and direct digital engagement over the massive expenses required for traditional trade booths.
"Why should we share the spotlight with any other large publisher?"
While the loss of a centralized industry touchpoint is felt, the hosts agree that this shift was ultimately inevitable.
Tech, Graphics, and Comparative Analysis
The Future of Upscaling
They explore emerging research from Intel regarding ExtraSS, an extrapolation-based frame generation technique showcased at SIGGRAPH. This represents a distinct departure from the interpolation-heavy methods favored by competitors.
Gran Turismo 7 vs. Forza Motorsport
John discusses his comprehensive comparative video, highlighting the differing philosophies between Polyphony Digital and Turn 10.
• Gran Turismo 7 is praised for its scientific approach to track and landmark accuracy, bolstered by real-world data.
• Forza Motorsport receives criticism for its post-processing and occasional inaccuracies in track geometry, which sometimes prioritize artistic occlusion over realism.
• The hosts emphasize that picking a winner in a comparison does not equate to labeling a game as 'bad'; both offerings have significant merit in different ways.