Opinion
Checking my game predictions: how clean was my crystal ball in 2023?
by Philipp Rüegg
Philstradamus gazes into the future: 19 predictions for gaming in 2023
6/1/2023
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Is a new «Counter-Strike» coming this year? Will Nintendo debut the Switch Pro? Will a federal councillor become a Twitch streamer? All this and more, just gaze into my crystal ball.
Just six of my predictions for last year came true. Time to throw my crystal ball into the scrap heap? No way! Philstradamus won’t be discouraged. Time to polish my magic crystal to a mirror sheen, and let’s look into the future of gaming year 2023.
Switch 2 will debut
No more Switch Pro nonsense. Instead, Nintendo will present the Switch successor this year. They’ll stick to the two-in-one principle. But it won't just be a performance upgrade. The Japanese titan will again pull a trick out of its hat.
Apple will come out with an AR/VR headset
The rumour mill surrounding an Apple headset has been grinding for a while. This year, we’ll finally receive our first morsel of actual information. However, you won't be able to buy the device until 2024.
Games developed by artificial intelligence
The trend of intelligent chat bots and image generators continues. One individual or studio will go so far as to introduce a game created almost entirely by an AI.
New Playstation handheld
Yeeeeah, baby! Sony will awake the Playstation Vita from its slumber and tease a successor. No launch before 2024, though.
A new «Counter-Strike»
Granted, I don't really mean a «Counter-Strike: GO 2», but a re-release in Source Engine 2. While a completely new CS is quite unlikely, the graphics are definitely due for an upgrade. The game already has over ten years under its belt.
«Overwatch 2» single player mode will be postponed or cancelled
First, «Overwatch 1» will be canned and completely replaced by its sequel, which has already raised tempers. Blizzard seriously ticked off its community with numerous changes and progression decisions in the Battle Pass. Consequently, I maintain that the planned single-player mode will be put on hold for the time being, with multiplayer mode being optimised first.
«Super Mario Bros. The Movie» will become the highest-rated video game movie
A 180° from my prediction last year. My crystal ball must have been dirty. Otherwise, I’d have known that the trailer would be a pleasant surprise, thrilling potential moviegoers, too. The film will receive the highest-ever critic ratings for a game adaptation on Rotten Tomatoes, putting «Werewolves Within» with its 86 per cent to one side. Hardly anyone knows the original VR title; the movie could just as well be any bog-standard murder mystery.
The Federal Council will participate in a Twitch stream
To reach younger voters, at least one member of the Federal Council will go live on Twitch. I’ve got a few game suggestions right off the bat: how about a joint round of «Powerwash Simulator»? Easy to understand, relaxing and the perfect team-building exercise. Or a round of «Chivalry 2». Let them feel like medieval Swiss mercenaries and vent their frustrations about their lack of concordance.
Amazon Luna will be discontinued
The fact I originally wrote «Lumia» instead of «Luna» shows how bad things must be for Amazon's game streaming service. After Google pulled the plug on Stadia, Luna won't fare any better this year.
Zelda as a playable character in «Tears of the Kingdom»
Although the princess is the namesake of countless games, you haven't been able to control her in any of the 19 main series instalments so far. That will change with «Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom». Although Link will still be the main character, Zelda will take the lead in some sections for the first time.
Game Pass will become more expensive
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has already hinted at it, and 2023 will be the year: Microsoft will pull the trigger, and Game Pass will become a whopping five francs more expensive per month.
The first Activision Blizzard title in Game Pass
Despite opposition from state regulators, Microsoft will complete its purchase of Activision-Blizzard in 2023. As a result, Blizzard’s first foray into Game Pass will follow come autumn.
Game Pass for Steam Deck
And that makes three Game Pass predictions. Currently, games in Microsoft's subscription can only be played via Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Steam Deck. In 2023, it’ll finally be possible to install and play games locally.
A hidden potshot at J.K. Rowling in «Hogwarts Legacy»
The game studio Avalanche Software has already distanced itself from controversial «Harry Potter» author J.K. Rowling. But I’m sure they won’t leave it at that. There will be at least one hidden but clear dig at Rowling in the game.
John Carmack will start making games again
A Swiss game among Steam best sellers
Every year, more games from Switzerland make a name for themselves internationally. In 2023, at least one of them will make it among the best-selling games – no matter for how long and in which country. It would be a success either way.
Resentful NPCs in Fable 4
«Pac-Man» will make its namesake protagonist a junkie
A real-life «Pac-Man» movie is in the works at Wayfarer Studios. In it, Pac-Man's pill obsession from the games will be portrayed as a drug problem.
One third of my predictions will come true
Unfortunately, my crystal ball isn’t exactly high res. Occasionally, I’ll completely miss the mark. However, what I can 100 per cent guarantee that at least a third of this year's predictions will be correct. And if not, my old crystal companion can already start thinking about what colour glass recycling bin it wants to end up in.
What do you think? What are my odds? And do you own a crystal ball, tarot cards or a Ouija board? Drop your predictions for the 2023 game year in the comments.
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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