Opinion
My crystal ball is broken: how badly I messed up my gaming predictions for 2022
by Philipp Rüegg
Checking my game predictions: how clean was my crystal ball in 2023?
2/1/2024
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
I, Philstradamus, made 19 predictions gazing into my crystal ball a year ago. Time to check how many of those came true.
Wrong: Switch 2 will debut
The rumours are intensifying. A launch, or rather an announcement, seems to be imminent. Various new details have been leaked. Unfortunately, Nintendo failed to make an official announcement about the Switch 2. Which is why my forecast rundown starts with an L.
Right: Apple will come out with an AR/VR headset
Similar to the Switch, rumours have also been growing about Apple’s VR goggles. The only difference being that the iPhone manufacturer got down to business and presented its device to the public at the beginning of the year. The exorbitantly expensive goggles are due to be released shortly.
Wrong: games developed by artificial intelligence
Since I apparently overlooked that such a game was already released in 2022, I’m not giving myself any points here. Even if the trend towards using AI in games hasn’t diminished.
Right: new PlayStation handheld
True, the PlayStation Portal isn’t a fully fledged gaming handheld à la PS Vita. Games can only be streamed onto the device from your own PS5. Still, it’s definitely a handheld. But I wouldn’t be surprised if this little detail escaped the attention of many Christmas gift givers and recipients. I’l have to check with our returns department when I get the chance.
Right: new Counter-Strike
Valve didn’t just present and release Counter-Strike 2 in the same year. The company even replaced the last instalment, Counter-Strike: GO, removing it from the store. To the displeasure of many fans of the predecessor. This doesn’t change my correct prediction. I hit my target.
Right: Overwatch 2 single-player mode will be postponed or cancelled
I even managed a hat trick. True, Blizzard released Overwatch 2 and, like Valve with CS2, replaced its predecessor. However, the much-heralded single-player mode with a campaign and story didn’t make it to the light of day.
Wrong: Super Mario Bros. The Movie will become the highest-rated video game movie
Wrong: the Federal Council will participate in a Twitch stream
A missed opportunity. No livestream of the Federal Council elections and no heated battles in Super Smash Bros. or any other game.
Wrong: Amazon Luna will be discontinued
They could’ve done it and nobody would’ve noticed. Amazon’s game streaming service is practically invisible, but officially it’s still running.
Wrong: Zelda as a playable character in Tears of the Kingdom
The princess does play a key role in the latest instalment. But as in the 19 parts that came before, Zelda remains a spectator.
Right: Game Pass will become more expensive
The console and Ultimate versions of Microsoft’s game subscription went up in price slightly around mid-year. The new low-cost Core option costs 9 francs, Ultimate a whopping 17 francs.
Wrong: the first Activision Blizzard title in Game Pass
Although Microsoft was able to finalise the almost 70 billion dollar deal, it wasn’t quite enough for games from the Activision Blizzard library. They should arrive in Game Pass in the next few months.
Wrong: Game Pass for Steam Deck
Wishful thinking. There has been no indication that Game Pass games will be playable natively on Steam Deck, nor has anyone discovered their own way to do so.
Right: a hidden potshot at J.K. Rowling in Hogwarts Legacy
Wrong: John Carmack will start making games again
The legendary developer made his first appearance at Quakecon in a decade. However, there’s no information as to whether he’s working on a game again.
Wrong: a Swiss game among Steam bestsellers
Even though there were some promising candidates with Nocturnal, The Wandering Village or the soon-to-be-released Grimoire Groves, none of them made it into the Steam top sellers.
Wrong: resentful NPCs in Fable 4
Since we only got a new (presumably) pre-rendered trailer for the eagerly awaited role-playing game, nothing can be said about NPC behaviour. Hopefully that’ll change this year.
Wrong: Pac-Man will make its namesake protagonist a junkie
Whether it was due to the Hollywood strikes or anything else interrupting filming – there was no new information about the Pac-Man movie. But there’s still a chance of him becoming a yellow pill junkie. Just a shame my prediction has been ruined.
Right: one third of my predictions will come true
One third of 19 is 6.3. Including this last prediction, I hit the mark 7 times. Only just got there, but Philstradamus is still happy about the small victories. Fuelled by this energy, I recover the crystal ball from my cellar and see what it’s got to say about this year.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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