Gaming - Page 541

Horror maven Junji Ito, who's responsible for some of the most disturbing manga of all time, could team up with Hideo Kojima to make a new horror game.

Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima wants to make a horror game, and he's invited Junji Ito to work on the project. But the game is still in early pre-planning phases and hasn't been greenlit, if it even coalesces at all. Junji Ito says he's currently not involved with any game development right now. This wouldn't be the first time Kojima and Ito worked on a horror game--Ito was helping out with the cancelled Silent Hills back in 2015.

When asked if Ito is making a new game right now, Ito said in a Comic-Con interview: "The simple answer is no. However, I do know director Kojima and we have been in conversations that he might have a horror-based game that he might be doing, and so he has invited me to work on that. But there's no details yet."

Truly Exquisite, the brand that brought you the $3500 all-gold Galaxy S20, is now working their magic on the PlayStation 5.

Sony's next-gen PlayStation 5 doesn't have a price tag yet, but that hasn't stopped Britain's premiere luxury-maker Truly Exquisite from dipping the console in gold. Prestige gamers with bank loans to spare can now sign up for info on the new pure-gold PS5, a design that'd make C3-PO jealous. No pricing has been revealed of course, but don't expect it to come cheap.

"The long awaited and much anticipated Sony PlayStation 5 just got even better! Truly Exquisite are proud to announce that we bring to you yet another release first...this time it will be in the form of the brand new Sony PS5...available to buy in luxury 24K Gold, Platinum and also 18K Rose Gold finishes. We can not wait to start custom making these true beauties. Stay tuned and register your interest as we will have more information of pre orders and distribution soon."

Ghost of Tsushima is a big first-party hit, and is now the fastest-selling new IP in the PlayStation 4 generation.

Today Sony confirmed some surprising news: Sucker Punch's new samurai slasher Ghost of Tsushima has sold 2.4 million copies in 3 days, making it the quickest-selling new IP on PS4.

"Ghost of Tsushima is now PS4's fastest selling first-party original IP debut with more than 2.4 million units sold through globally in its first 3 days of sales," Sony said on Twitter.

Seven years after being retired, G4TV is coming back in a big way.

Today Comcast's NBC division announced that beloved 2000s-era gaming network G4TV is coming back next year as a web series, complete with old favorites like X-Play and Attack of the Show returning. Both X-Play and Attack of the Show have activated their Twitter accounts. NBC hasn't made an official press release announcement yet, and details are muddled, but industry insider Rod Bresleau says Comcast's esports head Tucker Roberts is leading the charge.

"G4TV is making a come back from Comcast who still own the property, led by Spectacor Gaming President Tucker Roberts who oversees Comcast's esports orgs T1, T1 LoL, and the Philadelphia Fusion OWL team. Tucker is also the son of Comcast CEO Brian Roberts,"Bresleau said.

UPDATE:343 Industries confirms the report is false. Halo will ship with multiplayer at launch.

Halo: Infinite may release in November as an incomplete game without any multiplayer, a source familiar with the matter tells Brad Sams.

343 Industries didn't show any multiplayer during yesterday's huge Halo: Infinite reveal. Apparently it's possible they didn't show it because multiplayer simply isn't ready, and won't be ready for the game's launch in 2020. A source familiar with 343i's plans says that Halo: Infinite's multiplayer could be delayed post-launch, and the game will instead ship as a campaign-only experience.

HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston Technology, has sent out a new press release detailing an upcoming livestream on the HyperX Twitch channel.

According to the press release, Post Malone will be featured on the HyperX Twitch channel as apart of an event called "HXCKED". The press release says that HXCKED will be the first in a series of streaming events that will include "various HyperX Heroes and other guests playing popular gaming titles and connecting virtually with fans." Post Malone is first up to the plate and will be playing Call of Duty: Warzone.

Post Malone is no stranger to the world of gaming and has actually been quite open about his passion for games. If you didn't know, Post Malone is a PC gamer (while he may also have consoles) he had a custom PC built for him by JayzTwoCents, which you can check out here. If you are interested in checking out the Post Malone livestream, it will be going live on July 24 at 9 p.m. EDT. A link to the HyperX Twitch channel can be found here.

We've been hearing so much about Microsoft's flagship Xbox Series X console that the Xbox Series S console doesn't get as much of that spotlight... until now. Speaking of that Xbox Series X spotlight, I recently reported that the next-gen Xbox consoles would launch in November with the "largest line up ever", more on that here.

We have some new rumors from Moore's Law is Dead on YouTube that Microsoft could be pricing the Xbox Series S at somewhere between $250-$300, which will sit very well against the disc-less all-digital PlayStation 5 which should cost somewhere between $350-$400.

If the Xbox Series S is priced at $249 with its super-small design and same internals -- a semi-custom APU made up of Zen 2 CPU cores and RDNA 2 GPU cores, the super-fast PCIe 4.0 storage and GDDR6 memory (but just less RAM: 10GB GDDR6 versus 16GB GDDR6).

Microsoft unveiled STALKER 2 and its first official trailer during its recent Xbox Series X Games Showcase, with STALKER 2 to be a timed exclusive on Microsoft's next-gen Xbox Series X console. Check out the trailer:

The trailer doesn't show anything in the way of gameplay, so we don't know what to expect just yet -- but STALKER 2 developer GSC Game World, have created an official STALKER 2 website with some more details to go over.

GSC teases that STALKER 2 will be a "unique blend" of a first-person game, immersive sim, and horror. But the developer adds that STALKER 2 will be one of the "biggest open-worlds to date" with an "epic branching story" that would have multiple endings.

Today Microsoft revealed a number of next-gen Xbox Series X exclusives that will be skipping Xbox One, and confused gamers in the process.

The new Xbox stream was a big hit for Microsoft, but a portion of the first-party exclusives shown will be skipping the Xbox One generation. Games like the new Fable reboot, Forza Motorsport, and even RARE's new Everwild game are Xbox Series X exclusive.

This seems to countermand Microsoft's previous words about first-party games releasing on all platforms and that there won't be next-gen exclusives for years to come. But there's one catch: these games will be released outside of the promised 1-2 cross-gen period.

Halo: Infinite isn't just a game. It's a platform that will host the next 10 years of the Halo franchise.

Today 343 Industries confirmed Halo sequels are over. The developer will no longer release numbered Halo games. Instead, 343i will use Halo: Infinite as the new basis for the franchise's future. "Halo Infinite is the start of our platform for the future," 343i's studio boss Chris Lee told IGN.

"We want Infinite to grow over time, versus going to those numbered titles and having all that segmentation that we had before. It's really about creating Halo Infinite as the start of the next ten years for Halo and then building that as we go with our fans and community."

The rumors were right: A new Fable game is in development at Playground Games, but it's not Fable 4.

Microsoft today announced a new Fable that will reboot the IP under a brand new developer. We don't know much about the game, but it could be a next-gen exclusive. The official Microsoft Store page says Fable is being developed for Xbox Series X and PC. The Xbox One family isn't listed in the supported platforms.

"Fable returns with a new beginning for the legendary franchise. Explore a land of fantastical creatures and wondrous places. Developed by Playground Games for Xbox Series X and Windows 10," reads a brief snippet from Microsoft.

Halo campaigns used to be linear and straightforward experiences. All that's changed with Halo: Infinite, which effectively turns the Halo franchise into a FPS-RPG hybrid with emphasis on replayability. This is actually a tactical decision that folds perfectly with Microsoft's service-based business model for Xbox.

Back in March 2019, I asked a question: What if Halo: Infinite wasn't just a game, but a kind of platform built around engagement? I predicted Infinite could have a wide, sweeping campaign that just keeps on delivering content with a new evolved scope. My predictions were based around Microsoft's business model for Xbox, which prioritizes engagement and services, and subscription retention via content delivery. This content is specifically built to feed the business model. Halo: Infinite is one such game.

Today 343i made one thing clear above all others: Halo is no longer just a shooter. It's now an RPG, too. The question I asked over a year ago finally has an answer, and it has changed Halo forever.

Halo: Infinite has lots of new toys to play with, including an awesome new tactical rifle that's one part AR and one part DMR. We take a look at all the new guns, weapons, and equipment shown off during today's campaign reveal (the battle rifle is back!

Today we finally got to see Halo: Infinite gameplay in action, and the results were pretty surprising. As we predicted, Halo: Infinite is a huge open-ended and sprawling experience, not a linear and segmented game. You'll be exploring a huge open-world full of objectives and stuff to do. Halo: Infinite is basically and RPG now, but we'll have more on that later.

The real meat and potatoes of Halo is combat. And you can't have good combat without new weapon innovations. Overall the gameplay reminded me of Halo 5 with one big exception: The grappling hook. Yes, Halo 6, aka Halo: Infinite has a grappling hook and it changes the game forever.

Halo: Infinite's campaign mode is a lot like we predicted, featuring open-world style exploration with a huge map and lots of battles.

Halo: Infinite isn't like other Halo games. Instead, it takes place on the biggest map in the franchise that reminds me a lot like an Ubisoft game. Halo also now has cooldowns for its equipment, a mechanic that's lifted straight out of an MMO. And yes, Master Chief now has a grappling hook to use in campaign.

Overall these Halo: Infinite features resemble something like Bethesda's RAGE 2, which used live service-style engagement tactics without actually adding in any monetization. The idea here is to create an environment of near-infinite replayability, especially in the bounds for online co-op.

Thanks to COVID-19 lockdowns helping spark game sales, Microsoft is closing the Xbox One console generation with a bang.

Today Microsoft reported its Q4'20 earnings, revealing tremendous revenue spikes in gaming software, services, and hardware. The entire Xbox gaming division's earnings rose 64% YoY by $1.3 billion. Services and software, which includes subscriptions like Xbox LIVE Gold, Game Pass, game sales and monetization, skyrocketed by 65% YoY, representing a $1.2 billion increase. Hardware likewise jumped by 49% year-over-year.

As Microsoft doesn't provide specifics on its gaming branch any more, these numbers lack context. However, Twitter data sleuths like DomsPlaying note this puts Xbox's total yearly revenues at around $11 billion, which is higher than the $10 billion it typically earns every year. For reference, Xbox gaming would've earned roughly 7% of Microsoft's total colossal $145 billion in yearly revenues.

Microsoft is gearing up to begin cranking its hype machine for the next generation Xbox Series X launch, with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella firing out some warning shots to Sony.

In a recent earnings call with investors, Nadella said: "In content, we are delivering differentiated, first and third-party content to attract and retain gamers. Xbox Series X will launch this fall with the largest launch lineup for any console ever".

As for the launch, Bloomberg reporter Dina Bass tweeted that Microsoft CFO Amy Hood said the Xbox Series X was "still on track for the November holidays launch". I reported news back in December 2019, that Microsoft would be launching the Xbox Series X on November 22 for a rumored price of $499.

If you wanted to be the coolest kid at school, then you should get your parents -- or if you are the parent, you should go and check out these new PlayStation sneakers.

Firstly, I'll refer to them just once by their official name -- PLAYSTATION SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT SNEAKERS, which I will refer to as 'PlayStation sneakers' from now on. The new PlayStation sneakers are exclusive to Zara and cost $50.

There's nothing really special here, with the Zara website explaining: "Sneakers with sock-style construction with PlayStation print and details. Front and back pull tabs for ease. Elastic strap ay front to ensure fit. Fabric interior lining and memory foam insole. Lightweight soles with decorative air chamber".

Final Fantasy XIV's ambitious new Reflections in Crystal Patch 5.3 update brings the Shadowbringers expansion story arc to a close, while also expanding the game dramatically for existing and new players.

After weeks of delays, Square Enix today revealed new details for Reflections in Crystal (aka Patch 5.3), a huge free update that concludes the Shadowbringers storyline. Patch 5.3 will add in a bunch of new content including new quests, a new NieR crossover alliance raid that Yoko Taro helped design, a new co-op dungeon, and a new Unreal Trials battle event that lets you take on suped-up versions of powerful monsters throughout Eorzea (kind of like Final Fantasy X's combat arena).

The new patch also massively expands the game for free and existing players who didn't buy Shadowbringers. The Heavensward expansion is now 100% free for all players regardless if you're a free user or an active subscriber. Trial users now have access to Heavensward's full suite of bonuses and upgrades, including flying mounts and other content. The trial level cap has been boosted to 60 and free players can now access the Au Ra character race and use the Dark Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist jobs.

In a bid to help change its scandalous company culture, Ubisoft has instated a new policy that rewards team leads and executives when their workers are happy.

Ubisoft is surrounded by controversy right now. Sexual misconduct is rife at the company, and several of its biggest executives have been outed with damning allegations, forcing multiple resignations and firings across all levels of the publisher. Now in today's earnings report company CEO Yves Guillemot outlines a new measure that ties team leads' bonuses to the workplaces they help create.

"It has been decided that a portion of team leads' bonuses will be tied to their ability to create a positive and inclusive workplace environment,"Yves Guillemot said during the call.

We've compiled the earnings reporting dates for gaming's top companies so you can track the numbers, announcements, and insights from executives.

Gaming's top earners are all ramping up for next-gen games. Third-party devs like Take-Two, Ubisoft, EA, Activision-Blizzard, Square Enix and Capcom are all working on their respective PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X titles, whereas Sony and Microsoft are gearing up their hardware platforms, ecosystems, and infrastructures for a whole new generation of gaming. So it's now more important than ever to pay close attention to earnings calls, reports, figures, and other data from these companies because they give critical feedback and insight on what's to come.

These reports are how I predicted Anthem would be an action game, not an RPG, for example, and how I made educated guesses that Battlefront II would be monetized with microtransactions. What these companies say in these calls and reports ultimately dictates their future, simply because they have to telegraph key info to investors, or the people that really power their companies.