The PlayStation 5 is the champion of the console wars in the current generation, having sold over 60 million units since launch, almost double the number of units as the Xbox Series X|S combined. It has also been an incredible year for games, with multiple 9 or even 10 out of 10 games coming out in just the first half of the year alone. Here’s our no-particular-order roundup of the best PS5 games of 2024…so far.
Helldivers 2
Band together to spread managed democracy across the galaxy in this cooperative third-person shooter from Arrowhead. Helldivers is a live service game with ongoing plot points that affect the gameplay and change the kind of missions and enemies available to take on.
There have been eight “Warbonds” released so far, adding new weapons and other gear under a particular theme. Players can unlock these through microtransactions or by earning in-game currency by playing.
Helldivers 2 has been subject to multiple rounds of “review bombing”, especially on Steam, wherein groups of players bond together to express their displeasure at certain decisions made by the developers. Arrowhead recently laid out a full emergency roadmap to tackle the issues players were expressing.
Key info
Game: Helldivers 2
Developers: Arrowhead Game Studios
Publishers: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Price: $39.99
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a third-person action RPG. Players take control of a character known as The Arisen and hunt down legendary foes while trying to avoid the scourge of the Dragonsplague disease. Dragon’s Dogma 2 eschews a lot of the trappings one might expect to see in a massive RPG title, with no fast travel and no quest markers. NPCs can be permanently killed and there’s only one save slot available so players have to face the consequences of their actions.
The multiple ‘Vocations’ available in the game are one of its stand-out features. There are ten Vocations to choose from and they all play extremely differently from one another. Pawns, the player’s NPC helpers, can only be the six most basic Vocations – advanced options like the Trickster are for players only.
Key info
Game: Dragon’s Dogma 2
Developers: Capcom
Publishers: Capcom
Price: currently $55.99 until 8/29/2024 (usual price is $69.99)
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Is it cheating to include an expansion? Shadow of the Erdtree might be the expansion to 2022’s Game of the Year Elden Ring, but it’s an absolute beast and can take as long as 40 hours to beat on its own, so we feel it’s only right to include it as one of the best PS5 games of 2024. Of course, size alone doesn’t make for a good game, but Shadow of the Erdtree backs up its massive scope with incredible Souls-like combat, breathtaking environments with rewarding exploration, and the hardest final boss of any game ever.
Critics and fans alike have rated Shadow of the Erdtree as the best DLC to have ever been made, and it is easy to see why. Elden Ring alone was an exceptional game, well worth its many awards and accolades, but Shadow of the Erdtree feels like FromSoftware took everything they learned making Elden Ring and improved in every area.
Key info
Game: Shadow of the Erdtree (DLC for Elden Ring)
Developers: FromSoftware
Publishers: Bandai Namco
Price: $39.99 but requires Elden Ring to play (which is $59.99)
Animal Well
Alongside the triple-A titles are some incredible indie games, made with a lot of passion and love. Animal Well is a Metroidvania platforming game and was almost entirely developed by one guy, Billy Basso, who created an all-new engine for the game to ensure the platforming was exactly as precise as he needed it to be. Nonlinear exploration based on unlocking new abilities makes for engaging puzzle-solving for players to uncover the map, which is extremely dense with secrets.
It truly is the sort of game that is best experienced by going in with as little foreknowledge as possible and experiencing the joy and delight of discovering all the game’s secrets for yourself.
Key info
Game: Animal Well
Developer: Billy Basso
Publisher: Bigmode
Price: $24.99 (or included with PlayStation Plus Extra)
Pacific Drive
Pacific Drive is a rouge-lite survival game where players must escape the Exclusion Zone in a supernatural station wagon. Go out on expeditions to gather vital crafting components and unearth long-forgotten information that might help you get out.
Upgrade your car with all kinds of gadgets and gizmos that will help you succeed in your excursions. Unravel the mystery of the Olympic Exclusion Zone, and survive to tell the tale.
Controlling the car in Pacific Drive is wonderfully tactile and gratifyingly shonky. Turn the key in the ignition and take it out of park before you try and drive away or the game itself will mock you gently.
Key Info
Game: Pacific Drive
Developer: Ironwood Studios
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Price: $29.99
Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
The second part of the epic remake of Final Fantasy 7, this action-adventure RPG is a sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake and will be followed by a third installment to round out the entire remade experience. Pick up with Cloud, Barret, Aerith, and more as they escape the megalopolis of Midgar and see where the epic and sprawling adventure takes them next.
The Remake remains faithful to the story of the original game, while completely modernizing the graphics and gameplay. While it’s a must-play for Final Fantasy fans, Remake and Rebirth are both excellent games on their own merits and don’t lean too heavily on nostalgia that newcomers won’t also enjoy them.
Key Info
Game: Final Fantasy Rebirth
Developers: Square Enix
Publishers: Square Enix
Price: $69.99
Featured image credit: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco
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The PlayStation 5 is the champion of the console wars in the current generation, having sold over 60 million units… Continue reading 6 of the best PS5 games of 2024…so far
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Amazon’s Leadership and Corporate Culture: Lessons from Jeff Bezos
Amazon, one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world, has a corporate culture and leadership philosophy shaped largely by its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos’s approach to leadership and his vision for Amazon have set the company apart in the highly competitive tech and retail sectors. This article explores the key elements of Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture, and the lessons that can be drawn from Bezos’s unconventional methods.
The Bezos Leadership Philosophy
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his leadership philosophy has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. Central to Bezos’s approach is a relentless focus on the customer. He famously emphasized, “We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.” This mantra has guided Amazon’s product development, customer service, and innovation strategies.
Bezos’s customer-centric philosophy manifests in various ways. For instance, Amazon’s customer service policies are designed to maximize customer satisfaction, often going above and beyond industry standards. This includes offering easy returns, fast shipping, and a broad range of products. The commitment to customer experience is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of Amazon’s operations.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Another hallmark of Bezos’s leadership is a strong emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. Bezos has been known for his willingness to experiment and embrace failure as part of the innovation process. His approach is encapsulated in the principle that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” This mindset has led to the creation of groundbreaking products and services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, and Alexa.
Bezos encourages employees to think big and explore unconventional ideas. Amazon’s “Day 1” mentality, as described by Bezos, means treating every day as if it were the first day of the company’s existence. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, where employees are motivated to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Two-Pizza Rule
Bezos’s leadership style also emphasizes the importance of small, agile teams. The “Two-Pizza Rule” is a notable example of this principle. According to this rule, teams should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The rationale behind this is that smaller teams are more effective at communicating and collaborating, which leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions.
The Two-Pizza Rule has influenced Amazon’s organizational structure, promoting a decentralized and flexible approach to management. It encourages teams to be autonomous and take ownership of their projects, leading to a more dynamic and responsive organization.
Long-Term Thinking
One of the defining features of Bezos’s leadership is his long-term thinking. Bezos has consistently prioritized long-term goals over short-term gains, a strategy that has often led to criticism from investors focused on quarterly results. However, Bezos believes that focusing on the long term is essential for building a sustainable and successful business.
This long-term perspective is reflected in Amazon’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent. For example, Amazon’s substantial investments in its fulfillment network and cloud computing services were made with the expectation of significant long-term returns. Bezos’s willingness to forgo immediate profits in favor of future growth has been a key driver of Amazon’s success.
Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles are a cornerstone of its corporate culture and reflect Bezos’s values and vision. These principles guide decision-making, employee behavior, and company policies. Some of the most notable principles include:
Customer Obsession: Always start with the customer and work backwards. Work to earn and keep customer trust.
Invent and Simplify: Seek out new solutions and simplify processes to make things easier for customers.
Hire and Develop the Best: Raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognize exceptional talent and help them grow.
Deliver Results: Focus on the key inputs for your business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.
These principles help create a unified company culture where employees are aligned with Amazon’s mission and values. They also serve as a framework for evaluating performance and making strategic decisions.
A Culture of High Standards
Bezos is known for his insistence on high standards, which is reflected in Amazon’s corporate culture. He believes that maintaining high standards is crucial for driving excellence and innovation. This approach has led to a demanding work environment where employees are expected to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve.
While this culture of high standards has contributed to Amazon’s success, it has also been a point of contention. Critics have pointed to the intense pressure and high expectations placed on employees, leading to concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being. Bezos and Amazon have addressed these concerns in various ways, including investing in employee benefits and programs aimed at improving workplace conditions.
Lessons for Other Organizations
Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture offer several valuable lessons for other organizations:
Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer can drive innovation and create a competitive edge. Companies should continually seek to understand and meet customer needs.
Embrace Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can foster innovation and resilience. Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking can lead to breakthroughs.
Small Teams, Big Impact: Smaller, autonomous teams can be more agile and effective. Empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership can drive productivity and creativity.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing short-term pressures with a focus on long-term goals can lead to sustainable growth and success. Investing in future-oriented projects can pay off over time.
High Standards: Setting high standards and striving for excellence can drive performance and improvement. However, it is important to balance this with consideration for employee well-being.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos’s leadership and Amazon’s corporate culture have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and influence. Bezos’s focus on the customer, innovation, long-term thinking, and high standards has created a unique and powerful organizational environment. While there are challenges associated with this approach, the lessons from Amazon’s leadership can provide valuable insights for other organizations striving for excellence and growth.
