14 DAY TRIAL // Since the PlayStation 4 was launched, the team working on it at Sony has tried to release as many titles as possible on the next-gen console and it seems that the quest for variety is inspired by the way the Steam digital distribution service from Valve has managed to dominate the PC market.
The information comes from Fredrik Wester, the leader of publisher Paradox Interactive, who believes that the next-gen console needs to focus on launching a wide array of titles rather than just trying to get gamers to play the latest AAA release.
During the E3 2014 Sony press conference, Paradox revealed that it was bringing Magicka 2 to the PlayStation 4, but the working relationship between the two companies goes way back.
Wester tells GamesIndustry.biz that initial contact took place about 18 months before and explains that at first, he was reluctant to try to work on the PlayStation 4 because of the problems linked to the development architecture of the PS3.
The company leader states, “They asked us to give them a chance. They were changing a lot internally, removing some administrative barriers, obstacles to publishing on the platform. So they came to the office and made their presentation. We loved it.”
He adds, “They want to be a full gaming experience, not just the AAA titles, but indie stuff and self-published games too. You could probably say that they're most influenced by Steam. Steam has 3,500 games in its catalogue and that's very hard for a console to compete with. Even if that console is cheap to buy, there isn't that wide variety of games at launch. Even buying a really expensive gaming PC is a good investment if you have Steam.”
Magicka 2 is designed to expand on the core ideas of the first title in the series, allowing players to experiment with elements in order to create their own customized spells and keeping the trademark offbeat humor that many fans seem to like.
Fredrick Wester also says that he is interested in getting the title to as wide an audience as possible and that means he is willing to talk with Microsoft about an Xbox One launch if the publisher sees value in the experience.
He also mentioned that Runemaster, the mix between role-playing game and turn-based tactics that Paradox is working on, might be another candidate for a PlayStation 4 port, after it is released on the PC later in the year.