Game:

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Duration: 0:00

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3

For full show notes including links head to:
https://www.videogametango.com/

Thank God Uncle Ben isn’t alive to see the PC port of Marvel’s Spider Man 2 because it’s a hot mess! Speaking of hot mess, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth seems to have fixed there’s! Then we answer a voicemail from a viewer about AI in video games!
The release of Spider-Man 2 on PC was supposed to be a triumphant moment for Sony, but instead, it quickly became a cautionary tale about the state of modern AAA game launches. Players reported severe optimization issues, crashes, and performance instability, even on top-tier gaming rigs. Reviews flooded in, with many calling the game unplayable, while others acknowledged its potential but urged gamers to wait for patches. Comparisons were drawn to The Last of Us Part Two’s troubled PC release, reinforcing a trend where major studios rush out unfinished products, relying on post-launch fixes instead of delivering a polished experience from the start.
While Spider-Man 2 struggles, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth serves as a counterexample of how rapid post-launch support can turn things around. Initially plagued with performance issues, the game received a major patch within two weeks that drastically improved optimization. This led to a broader discussion on whether investors and publishers are pushing developers to release games prematurely. With titles demanding $70 upfront, players are frustrated that they’re often paying for an unfinished product, essentially funding a beta test disguised as a full release. While studios may argue that hardware variability makes perfect optimization difficult, the frequency of these issues suggests deeper systemic problems within the industry.
Beyond performance woes, the conversation touched on the increasing role of AI in gaming, particularly in NPC dialogue, procedural content generation, and competitive balancing. AI-powered tools like DLSS are already shaping the way games run, but there are also concerns about AI replacing human developers, artists, and designers. While AI can enhance game development by automating repetitive tasks, optimizing performance, and improving accessibility, its rapid adoption also raises ethical concerns—particularly when it comes to job security and the potential decline of handcrafted artistry. As gaming continues to evolve, the balance between AI-driven efficiency and human creativity will be a defining challenge for the industry.