.s 2015 predictions

Xbox One hits its stride

It's been a rough few years for the Xbox division, mainly because it kept on making the sort of decisions that even a glass of not particularly-bright piss would label 'unwise'. Changes have been made, however, and towards the end of last year the Xbox One gained some ground on the PS4 in terms of sales.

This year will be even more interesting, and could see Microsoft seriously make a play for the leadership position. Halo 5 will see a release, presumably washing into stores on a wave of tears from long-term fans griping about 'ADS' and 'sprint speed/cooldown'. Gears of War 4 will probably be announced at E3, causing more inappropriate cheering in the press box than Andy Townsend watching a British team in Europe. Both of these will end up being quite good.

Elsewhere: Rise of the Tomb Raider (hahaha) will, erm, rise, and a host of indie titles will make their bow. Developers now have access to more CPU power, and we'll see what that brings. If Microsoft can continue building momentum and not scupper itself with nonsensical plans then 2015 is going to be very interesting.

PS4 to continue selling like something that sells very well

By now you've probably seen the news that Sony has sold 18.5 million PS4's in about half an hour, making it a very good year for the console department of the embattled company. Expect the PS4 to continue selling strongly as the new-gen really hits its stride, and more exclusives line shelves. Or are available to download for the low, low price of 900 million dollars.

Rainbow 6: Siege to be one of the best games of the year

Steve saw this behind closed doors at E3 last year, and was so impressed that he actually smiled when he left the showing. Well, not directly after: he still had to navigate Downtown LA at midnight, which is sort of like this. But once in the safety of his hotel, OJ Simpson documentary on the TV and blazer safely hung up, he did.

By far the best Ubisoft title there (and that list includes Far Cry 4) the setup is time-honoured – two small teams, terrorists vs SWAT, hostage rescue, etc – but it's this relative simplicity that makes it work. Each team knows its (asymmetric) abilities, and from what we've seen the game is unburdened by some of the trappings of other modern shooter.

It has the planning of older Rainbow games, but introduces a time pressure so you can't just look at spreadsheets of entry points all day. Throw in the fairly dynamic stages – the cops can bust through most walls and floors – and you've got the potential for a superb tactical team-based shooter.

Ah yes, the 'p' word. Considering most Ubisoft games seem to have potential – the firm, if nothing else, is a high concept fan's dream – and squander it, is it too soon to get excited about Siege? Perhaps. Its true worth will be borne out by its maps: variety is key, but not at the expense of the fast-paced and strategic gunplay. How Ubisoft Montreal handles this element will determine whether it succeeds or fails. But if it has Alcatraz from Rainbow Six 3 then it's a winner.

Rare does...something

And we don't mean Avatars. Microsoft big boss Phil Spencer tweeted last year that he was at the studio, and that it was apparently working on "building a uniquely Rare game". What could it possibly be?

It's Battletoads, isn't it?

ISN'T IT?

Assassin's Creed: Victory gets delayed to 2016

'Leaked' late last year, Victory seems to be the Assassin's Creed game that a lot of people want. Victorian London meets Assassin's Creed's peculiar ability to succeed despite its best efforts to ruin all its own good work: what could go wrong?

Quite a lot, really, and Ubisoft can ill afford another disaster in the same vein as Unity. Given that it now has experience in coding for PS4 and Xbox One, this may not come to pass. But we wouldn't be surprised if it did.

Ubisoft to calm down trailer release strategy, only releasing 48 per game in 2015

Which is a shame: there was a certain comfort in the daily 5PM Ubisoft 'asset blast' (shudder). If nothing else, it let you know when it was nearly time to go home.

Bully 2 is officially announced...

How long has this one been being cooked up, four years? More? Get on with it, Rockstar. The Vancouver studio may have closed, but the sequel is allegedly still on the table. Just send Jimmy to military school. You know it makes sense.

...or Red Dead 3 is

If not, why not?

Battlefield Hardline won't be that bad...

A confession: Battlefield Hardline isn't doing anything for anybody in the VideoGamer office. 'But it's like that bit in Heat!' Yeah yeah yeah. So what? We've been there and done that.

This doesn't mean Hardline is going to suck, or even that it's even going to be bad. But has there been another big-budget title this year that's got so much indifference written all over it? We can't think of one. Visceral will probably do a good enough job with it, but...so what?

...and may have Beta access to Star Wars: Battlefront

OK, perhaps this is just early-year optimism talking, but it could happen. EA loves propping up its lesser titles with beta access to other, better games – Medal of Honor: Warfighter in particular had access to BF4's beta. Given that Battlefront pretty much has to be a hit, and EA's titles have proved iffy at launch in the past, this makes sense. To us, at least.

New Call of Duty is a departure from modern or near-future warfare

Well, as much as a departure as it can get without sacrificing the core appeals. It's not going to become an RTS or anything. But with Sledgehammer nicking Treyarch's setting and tech, where next for Call of Duty? Space? Maybe. World War II (HD Remaster)? Possibly. World War II...in space? Don't put it past Activision.

Nintendo releases details on its new handheld

This one's gimmick is that it's powered by the sheer hatred of Nintendo by idiots. As such, the battery lasts forever.

OK, this isn't true (we think). But it'll be interesting to see what Nintendo does this year. Rumours have been swirling for a while now, suggesting a new handheld is in the works. We'll see.

Metal Gear Solid 5 to be good. Really good

We really liked Ground Zeroes, and from what we've seen The Phantom Pain looks to build upon those solid (mechanical) foundations. Question marks remain, however, over Kojima's ability to write a story that doesn't offend everyone, particularly with its representation of women.

Arkham Knight to be bigger, not necessarily better

A seemingly – if not actually – controversial opinion is that Arkham Asylum is better than City. Video games people love sequels because they always promise more. Bigger. And, of course, bigger is always better, so City wins, by this logic, almost by default.

Except when it doesn't. Asylum had its issues, but its setting and mechanics were meticulously crafted, each element – combat, stealth, exploration, puzzles – feeding into the next. Asylum was akin to a theme park: each area asking something different from the player, with the same underlying appeal interpreted differently.

City lost this in the pursuit of 'more'. Gotham was far larger, of course, but less memorable, more likely to stop being an environment and function more like a matte backdrop.

Knight is taking this to the nth degree: the Batmobile is in, and while the ejector seat is fun, it looks like a gimmick. Other elements, such as the Riddler trophies, are also wearing thin. It won't be bad, but Arkham Knight could well end up like The Dark Knight Rises.

Bloodborne

Say no more.

Bratterz to be fired by May

Boy is getting too big for his boots, and no mistake.

E3 cafeteria to continue serving terrible pizza

Haunting. It's just so bad. And it costs more money than even Auric Goldfinger could muster.

PES becomes miles better than FIFA

Wait – that was last year. As you were.