Are you still holding out for a new SOCOM game on PlayStation 4? Shuhei Yoshida laments on why a return to this franchise isn’t in the works.
Now, earlier in the month, Shuhei fielded this question on Twitter, specifically PlayStation 2 on PlayStation 4 emulation. The first four SOCOM games were on PlayStation 2. Here’s what Shuhei had to say:
@BraiN_BlastN we were all so proud of the series back then
— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) December 7, 2015
@BraiN_BlastN people won't be happy with single player only Socom
— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) December 7, 2015
In a later interview, Shuhei elaborated on Sony’s point of view regarding the franchise:
In an online game…you know moved on. So much of quality and production values, everything is way, way higher. People have great memories of playing these games many years ago but people’s experiences have moved on as well. So even if they say that they had a great time and they want to experience it again they may not know how much higher their own expectations have become.
We have to gauge the interest and what they are saying and what they really want to see or play. We have to balance that with what we can do with the number of people who will enjoy that and we don’t have a good answer to that. So it’s a hard one. We made the game. It’s not like we did not liked the game. We are extremely proud of what our teams have accomplished during that days, but we have to balance everything.
Of course, the game industry has only continued to be dominated by online shooters, but Shuhei – and Sony – seem to believe SOCOM, in particular, may not have room in the current gaming environment.
While the more recent SOCOM games received poor reviews, Shuhei may also be alluding to something else; about how shooters have, for the most part, been codified into a very specific template. Call of Duty typifies this template, and it’s become so pervasive even Kojima felt compelled to follow suit for Metal Gear Solid V.
Still, I’m sure some of you disagree, and with a resurgence of tactical shooters like Rainbow Six Siege and the upcoming crowdfunded Squad looming in the horizon, it might be time for SOCOM to make its grand return.
Would you like to see a SOCOM revival? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
