August isn’t exactly known as a time filled with robust releases in the gaming industry. Though the month will see the release of niche titles like Yakuza Kiwami 2 and ports like Divinity: Original Sin 2, it’s obvious that publishers are holding their major releases for the holiday season. It makes sense for PS Plus and Games with Gold it pick up the slack for now. Each service could offer a host of great titles next month to hold their loyal user bases over until the batch of great upcoming releases is finally upon us.
August Games with Gold and PS Plus Predictions – The Big Ones
With the next iteration in the franchise set to launch in early September, it would sense for PS Plus or Game with Gold to offer last year’s NBA 2K18 to fans. The game has been offered to Xbox Live Gold users for free in the past both in February and in June. With this history, it seems very likely that the title will be featured as either service’s AAA release for the month. It would also serve as an excellent marketing ploy leading into NBA 2K19’s launch. Of course, publisher 2K can make some extra money in the process through the game’s DLC content.
It seems more likely that Microsoft will secure 2K18 as opposed to Sony, however. The PS4 could go back into its hefty library of releases exclusives to stem the tide until Spider-Man comes out in September. Knack, Killzone: Shadow Fall, and The Order: 1886 come to mind. This is especially since two titles have already been offered in regions outside the west. The latter two are the most likely candidates. Each was a PS4 launch title and retails for less than $20 today. Shadow Fall will be a particularly good choice. Sony could make some money selling the game’s Intercept DLC to users who’ve never picked it up before.
Of course, both manufacturers have a plethora of timeless games to choose from. Sony may offer The Uncharted Trilogy, as that collection has been on the market for a while now. Bethesda may throw its cap in and have one of the two companies offer Fallout 4. This would help build momentum for the upcoming Fallout 76. Admittedly, however, that title is set for a little while away in November. We’ll have to wait to see what exactly Sony and Microsoft have up their sleeves as far as big offerings are concerned.
August Games with Gold and PS Plus Predictions – The Indies
It’s almost a given that one indie offering for either platform next month will be the original Overcooked. A popular couch co-op game that released two years ago, its sequel is set to launch on August 7. Having Overcooked as a free title offers a tremendous marketing opportunity for the developer of the game. Should someone find the title’s gameplay fun, it’ll encourage them to go out and buy Overcooked 2 right away. This also aids in furthering hopes for a third iteration in the series.
Perhaps best of all is that the studio Ghost Town Games has already put out two expansions for Overcooked. This further incentivizes its inclusion on either system’s monthly program. It guarantees that some money will be made. It may be in the form of people buying the sequel or just buying add-on content. It’s a win-win situation, really.
Outside of Overcooked, the pool from which Microsoft and Sony could draw from is large. Indies that have been discounted for a while now on either storefront are most likely to be included. Titles like Volume, Human: Fall Flat, I Am Bread, Nex Machina, and Oxenfree all come to mind. Small publishers like NIS America could also fill in the gaps by offering fans any one of the Danganronpa games or a niche JRPG like The Witch and the Hundred Knight or Yomawari: Midnight Shadows. This is more likely on Sony’s PS Plus due to PS4 and Vita’s unique crossplay feature.
Ultimately, Xbox One and PS4 fans will only have to wait a couple of more days to find out what exactly is in store for August 2018. Until then, let us know what you want most next month in the comments below!
