Wonder Woman New Details, Nemesis System Patent expires WHEN?! - Kinda Funny Games Daily 02.26.25
Feb 26, 2025
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The cancellation of a highly anticipated Wonder Woman game sparks discussions about lost potential in the industry. Insights into the expiring Nemesis System patent lead to concerns about innovation in gaming. The hosts share hilarious travel tales from Chicago, including overcoming quirky travel mishaps. Nostalgia hits as they reflect on BioWare's Jade Empire and its missed opportunities. They also delve into the dominance of live service games, emphasizing the shift from traditional purchases to free-to-play models.
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Quick takeaways
Gail Simone's insights on the canceled Wonder Woman game highlight the loss of a potentially groundbreaking project in the gaming industry.
The podcast reveals that over 40% of recent U.S. PS5 and Xbox playtime was dominated by only ten live service games, indicating a shift in player focus.
The continued patent protection of Monolith's Nemesis System until 2036 raises questions about its future application and licensing potential in game development.
Deep dives
Cybersecurity Importance
Data is presented as an incredibly valuable target for hackers who seek to sell it to the highest bidder. The discussion emphasizes the urgency of protecting personal data, which has become a significant issue in today's digital landscape. McAfee's range of security solutions, such as blocking suspicious texts, malicious emails, and fraudulent websites, aims to safeguard individuals from these increasing threats. Additionally, the secure VPN offered by McAfee allows users to browse the internet safely, further enhancing their online protection.
Update on Wonder Woman Game
Gail Simone, a notable comic book writer, shared insights on the canceled Wonder Woman video game project, revealing that she had consulted on it before it was shelved. She described the project as not only gorgeous and expansive but also expressed her admiration for the passionate team that worked tirelessly on it. Simone shed light on the dedication of both Monolith Productions and Warner Brothers in making the game a true representation of Wonder Woman. The cancellation of the game is portrayed as a significant loss for both the gaming industry and fans of the character.
Decline of Traditional Releases
Data indicates that more than 40% of all playtime on U.S. PS5 and Xbox consoles in a recent month was concentrated on just ten live service games. This trend raises concerns for developers of other titles, noting that only a select few games command the majority of player attention. The growth trajectory of the gaming market appears to have peaked, with developers needing to adapt quickly to capture consumer interest. As players gravitate towards these popular live service games, new releases face challenges in attracting their focus and engagement.
Legacy of Monolith's Nemesis System
The podcast discusses the ongoing relevance of Monolith's innovative Nemesis System, which enhances gameplay by allowing enemies to remember and adapt to player actions. Despite the closure of Monolith Productions and the cancelation of the Wonder Woman game, the Nemesis System's patent remains active until 2036, limiting its use by other developers. The conversation highlights both the potential applications of this successful system in future games and the unfortunate reality of it being locked behind a patent. Speculation arises regarding whether any developers will seek to license the system given its commercial success and the significant impact it could have on new titles.
Jade Empire's Missed Potential
Discussion touches on the potential of the game Jade Empire, developed by BioWare, which could have become another successful franchise had it not launched at the end of the original Xbox's lifecycle. The poor timing of its release, along with a suggestion from Microsoft to push it forward, led to an underwhelming performance. BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk expressed regret over not delaying the launch for better alignment with the Xbox 360. This misstep prevented Jade Empire from gaining the traction it could have achieved had it been launched as a 360 title, pointing to broader implications for game release strategies.