The PlayStation 4 features games from some of the best developers working today. But these people don’t just make games, they play them as well. Which is why, at the PlayStation 4 review event that Sony held at New York City’s Standard Highline Hotel, I asked many of the developers in attendance the same question:
What PlayStation 4 launch or launch window game are you most looking forward to?
Mark Cerny, Director, Knack: “I’d like to play Resogun. I’m looking for shorter experiences, and Resogun looks really nice.”
Nick Accordino, Associate Producer, Knack: “I’d say Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag because I’ve been waiting for a next-gen version of Assassin’s Creed for about five years.”
Mark Rogers, Senior Producer, Helldivers: “My kids are really looking forward to Knack, and I’m looking forward to playing it with them.”
Scott O’Gallagher, Gameplay Designer, Ryan Ferwerda, Producer, NBA Live 14: “Oh, that’s easy: MLB 14: The Show. Without question. For four years running I’ve played entire 162 game seasons in that game. And I have a two kids and a wife.”
Ryan Ferwerda, Producer, NBA Live 14: “Battlefield 4. I love that series, and played the crap out of Battlefield 3, but did not play the current gen version because I want to play it on PlayStation 4.”
Alex Lee, Executive Producer, Doki-Doki Universe: “I would pick Helldivers, but it’s not a launch title, so I’ll go with Resogun. I like the fast nature of it. I don’t think I’ll be able to put that one down.”
Julian Gerighty, Creative Director, The Crew: “I think Knack is the one I’m most motivated for. It’s the type of game I want to play with my daughter, but it’s also a game that represents my interests in terms of design as well.”
Seth Killian, Lead Game Designer, Sony Santa Monica: “The Killzone games have never grabbed me the way other shooters have, but I’ve been playing Killzone: Shadow Fall, and it has some creative things that I really like.”
Nicholas Ruepp, Producer, Skylanders SWAP Force: “I’m really excited for Call Of Duty: Ghosts. I haven’t played a C.O.D. game since [2010’s] Black Ops, and I’m curious to see what they did with the graphics because we took advantage of the power of the PlayStation 4 with Skylanders and I’m curious to see what they did with it.”
Rob Jones, Senior Producer, NBA 2K14: “The one I’m most excited to play is FIFA 14. I’m a big fútbol fan, and sports games are my thing.”
Sheldon Carter, Studio General Manager, Warframe: “I’m pretty excited about Octodad: Dadliest Catch. I’ve played it a couple times, and I like where it’s going. But I’m also a Killzone fanboy so I’m very excited about Killzone: Shadow Fall.”
Dave Kurdirka, Producer, Warframe: “I’m with Sheldon, I’m really looking forward to Killzone: Shadow Fall. I love shooters and it’s just gorgeous.”
Ambre Lizurey, Production Manager, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag: “I would say Knack. I haven’t played it yet, but from the demos I’ve seen, I’d like to.”
Guillaume Provost, Creative Director, Contrast: “Tiny Brains. The little bit of it I’ve played is just insane. I like quirky little games.”
Derek Eliott, Producer, Contrast: “I didn’t know a lot about Secret Ponchos before we came to this event, but I got to see it yesterday, and it looks really cool.
Tyrone Rodriguez, Producer/Co-Designer, Aban Hawkins And The 1001 Spikes: The Temple Of The Dead Mourns The Living: “After seeing it and having a chance to play it, I really want to play Blacklight Retribution. It reminds me of Unreal Tournament.”
Brian Fleming, Producer, inFAMOUS: Second Son: “I’m a big fan of anything with pirates, I’ve wanted to make a game with pirates for a long time, so I’m excited for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Irrationally excited.”
Steven Ter Hide, Game Director, Killzone: Shadow Fall: “I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on it, but from the sheer visual spectacle, Resogun just looks like total mayhem.”
Chris Gillrie, Sound Director, Secret Ponchos: “Octodad: Dadliest Catch. I had a chance to get my hands on it at E3, and I just had a blast. I can’t wait to play it at home.”
Yousuf Mapara, Creative Director, Secret Ponchos: “Contrast. It has a beautiful art style, and a classiness to it. I’m excited to check it out”
Arthur Parsons, Game Director, LEGO Marvel Superheroes: “I loved Superstars HD, so I super excited to play Resogun. It looks amazing.”
Thomas Andersson, Lead Multiplayer Designer, Battlefield 4: “I was playing a little Need For Speed: Rivals today, and I’m really looking forward to playing more of it.”
Jared Gerritzen, Studio Director, Blacklight Retribution: “I hadn’t played it until two days ago, but I would say [Aban Hawkins And The] 1001 Spikes: [The Temple Of The Dead Mourns The Living]. Mostly because I haven’t played a platformer like it in a really long time.”
Scott Quinn, Producer, Injustice: Gods Among Us: “I’m really excited about LEGO Marvel Superheroes. The T.T. guys make wonderful games.”
Jens Andersen, Senior Creative Director, DC Universe Online: “inFAMOUS: Second Son. I got to play it at E3 and it blew my mind. Their use of the environment, the physics, and the character’s powers just blew me away.”
Atul Mehra, Project Manager, Tiny Brains: “Contrast. It is a gorgeous game and the music is amazing. And for my killing sprees, Battlefield 4. I’m a multiplayer person, so I’m especially excited for the 32-on-32 player matches.”
Malik Boukhira, Designer, Tiny Brains: “I’m very intrigued about The Witness, it looks very interesting. Though I also want to play Killzone: Shadow Fall because I played the ones on the PlayStation 3 and I want to see what they do with it on the PlayStation 4.”
Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer, Need For Speed: Rivals: “I know it’s not a launch title, but I’m still really looking forward to Watch Dogs. It shows such great promise.”
Harry Krueger, Programmer, Resogun: “I’m genuinely looking forward to playing Resogun. I know, I know. But I’ve been working on it so much that I haven’t had a chance to enjoy it as a gamer.”
