While Nintendo's corporate structure is easy to understand, fellow platform holders Sony and Microsoft are broader and more complex. They're companies with numerous sizable divisions and spin-offs, with various businesses and interests outside the game industry. That subverts any idea of 'console wars' in the modern era, to a degree, especially when you see examples such as Microsoft-owned IPs like Minecraft making a hugely profitable impact across platforms.
The latest example of business trumping tribalism has come via Sony Music Entertainment, which recently established its own publishing label called Unties. The new publisher's brief is pretty clear - to find quality titles and bring them to gamers around the world (translation via Gematsu).
At Unties, we dig up the masterpieces buried in those situations, and support them so that more users notice and pick them up. We spread information about excellent games and sell titles for multiple platforms.
It so happens that one of the games the company will publish is Tiny Metal, developed by Area35. It was first confirmed for Switch back in May, and drew intrigued looks due to its visual style and isometric strategy. Yes, some hope it'll basically be an indie Advance Wars.
Though in this case it's Sony's music subsidiary behind the release, via Unties, it's another positive sign that platform holders can support each other when necessary. If only some of the more vocal fans of each corporation could be as supportive in online debates - it's all just gaming, after all.
In any case, Tiny Metal is arriving on Switch, PS4 and PC on 21st November; are you planning to give it a try?
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 56
More games, woot. I may pick it up, either this or wargroove will scratch my advance wars itch.
I'm not a fan of Sony Music. "This is good". Wow, what a wholly endorsing statement.
That's because this 'console war' is more internet 'fans' battle than corporate one. Kaz Hirai and Tatsumi Kimishima are drinking sake together while rabid Nintendo and Sony followers are battling in the net
Isn't this being developed by the team that did the Project Phoenix Kickstarter?
As a regretful backer of that project (it was during the days where many were suckered by the Kickstarter hype) and always wondered if we'd get this game due to all the delays.
Wow, first Crash and now this
Hmmm... Indie Advance Wars sounds good. I'll be keeping an eye out for this
@SLIGEACH_EIRE You don’t like Sony Music ? How so ?
@Elanczewski Coridally drinking sake but still planning the complete downfall and financial ruin of the other.
Console "wars" is an unfortunate phrase and the "leaders" are certainly (as you've noted) more cordial to each other than the "fans". But it's not a bed of roses either. They are in a fierce competition.
I do wonder though whether the handheld nature of the Switch being very different to the direction of the PS4 & XBox One - combined with the market being clearly very difficult for Sony or Microsoft to directly infiltrate - might allow for some appearances of Sony or Microsoft franchises on Switch.
In particular I think there are advantages for Microsoft to pursue that but Sony too might find that they have some games in their stable that have no really natural home as the Vita dies under the feet of the Switch.
@shinobi87 Because they publish games on the Switch but not on the Wii U?
@Elanczewski Actually I think there are a lot of PlayStation fans that are buying the Switch as a secondary console. It's a minority that has this fanboy of buying one console only.
It's being published by Unities?
Will the game run on Unity?
...I'll see myself out.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Are you ever happy?
Tiny Metal looks like a lot of love and effort was put into it, it looks amazing! Of course one of the first comments on this site had to be someone being grumpy about something.
This game looks great to me. I don't care who produces a game if I enjoy it and it's on a platform I am currently using. It does look like a modern Twist on Advance Wars. This along with Wargroove should fill that long empty niche in my game life nicely. This looks like another game I will be picking up right away!
@Sligeach_Eire You survived the hurricane! I was sure Dorothy's house would have landed on you
Neither this nor the Crash rumour are hardly Uncharted landing on Switch, I don't see what the fuss is about to be honest.
I have a friend that was able to get me a copy of the beta, the game is really fun. The graphics are great as well, animations are nice, but the game is nicely put together.
@Not_Soos Would that it were, but no. Tiny Metal runs on Unreal Engine.
I'll wait for the reviews, but it's on my wishlist already for months!
@FragRed Yep!, and it makes for a great combo!
Well I don’t care about who’s publishing this beast. Tiny Metal is one of my most anticipated games on Switch. Not day one but Second one!!
I've been keeping my eye on this one for a bit. looks like a great fit for the Switch. I care about the games - who makes it or on what console it is on is irrelevant. PS4 or Switch... if awesome - I'll play it.
Oh wow, this actually looks surprisingly good! OK, it's on my list. I've been craving an Advance Wars sort of game, and Wargroove isn't coming out until 2018 (and isn't set in a modernish setting with planes, tanks, etc.)
@StuTwo You're right, I just wanted my comment short. Rivalisation is good and exciting for people working in each company and Sony without Nintendo (and the other way around) would be probably much different.
@FragRed I know, I know, but that minority is loud on the internet. Nintendo fanboys are irritating too.
Wasn't A Story of Seasons Fairytale for the 3DS a crossover with a forgotten Sony IP?.
If Nintendo wants to let Advanced Wars die, others will do their best to fill the void. I'm interested in this for sure.
Unties? Is that pronounced un-tees, like undies, underwear? Tough name for a company not making lingerie.
Game looks cute, but I couldnt' find a price.
http://tinymetal.com/
@SLIGEACH_EIRE So, if you don't like Sony Music you basically don't like Elvis Presley, ELO (Electric Light Orchestra), Khalid, Miley Cyrus, Old Dominion, Chris Young, and so much more!!! OK!!??
Sony, please port The last of Us to Switch. No one buys this game on PS3 anymore, it will be a waste not to port it!
@Paperboy Sony never owned Crash, it's owned by Activision.
@Nincompoop Get a PS4.
@Octane I know, I was kidding, not a great joke I admit.
@Paperboy We've all been there.
@shinobi87 I mean I don't like them as a company.
@Kalmaro I will go for both! I have played all Advance Wars and I seek something to fulfil the emptiness since then...
@Octane I got a PS4 Pro. It's a bit tedious to play it on the plane, also it's heavy.
Wait, what?
[reads article, noticing it comes on Switch and not Xbox One]
Wait, what?
This, and not that awful Wargroove, is the Advance Wars copy that we need.
@FragRed You say fanboy, but gaming, as many have said many times, is an expensive hobby. You'd be getting games for 2 consoles, the accessories, pay the monthly online fee and so forth. I can manage a PC and a Switch, but the PC is definitely suffering for the Switch right now (needs upgrades).
Maybe Nintendo will give Sony and Microsoft "Urban Champion"?
@antster1983 No matter, I just realized the company's name is "Unties," not "Unities," which makes my original joke even worse. Ah, well...
I'm excited for this but this is one of the few times that I just want to look at Nintendo and ask "how can you let someone outdo you on your own turf? You gonna take this?" I adore FE and I am not part of the fanbase split that is currently making it next to impossible to talk about a FE game, but I would LOVE to see new entries in the Famicom Wars games.
@Octane Crash was owned by Universal Interactive, and through the various mergers and acquisitions with Vivendi (resulting in Universal Interactive being folded into Sierra) and now the Crash name and games are owned by Activision.
Sony Music, the same entertainment company that killed Michael Jackson the King of Pop, is now publishing games? Oh say it isn't so.
This was one of the games that caught my eye in the indie showcase while back, hopefully it'll deliver.
Nintendo fans: Give us Advance Wars!!
Sony: Okay.
Nintendo fans: Thanks a lo...wait...wut...??
Ill be getting this. Would also like to see Advance Wars, and a Final Fantasy Tactics game.
@Elanczewski
like when i first found out that Jordan and Barkley are friends or that Tom Brady and Peyton Manning love golfing together.
I was SHOCKED and APPALLED. lol. Turns out people who like the same thing (sports or making games) enjoy being together and hope each other succeed. lol
Anyway, now back to raging online against sony ponies, xbots, and nintendrones.
@retro_player_22 Michael Jackson exposed Tommy Mottola as a racist way back in 2002 I think it was, after they dropped support for the INVINCIBLE album. I was there at the Killer Thriller party in the UK when he spoke out against them.
@retro_player_22 That's exactly why I don't like them.
What's that you say, Horizon Zero Dawn, Uncharted 4 AND The last of us coming to Switch? Oh wait, nope I should have read that better.
Until Sony allows cross platform online play, this means very little in terms of playing nice with others. They choose not to do it to keep all PS4 only players firmly within their tribal walls.
I find it weird that it's a music division publishing this. I mean...Aren't they a...music division?
I said for years they would make games for Nintendo before Nintendo made games for them. VINIDCATED!
I'm skiing in Miami, everyone. Care to join in?
Didn't some Sony division also port Wipeout to the N64?
Anyway, Tiny Metal looks great, i'm glad these weird circumstance will help it to get some attention.
Not particularly fond of this type of game, yet this one looks so good that I may take my chance at getting it.
Technically, Sony also owns Q-Bert.
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