Most Recent: Xbox One

Blizzard’s Overwatch will be released on May 24

Posted on March 7, 2016 by John Scalzo

Blizzard has announced that their upcoming “hero shooter,” Overwatch, will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on May 24. The merry month of May will actually be a busy one for nascent genre, as 2K Games and Gearbox will release the similarly-themed Battleborn on May 3.

A brand new “Street Date” trailer will clue players in on the story so far, along with Overwatch’s many different modes:

In Overwatch, players join the ranks of a legendary force of soldiers, scientists, adventurers, and oddities, and clash on the battlefields of a near-future Earth. The game features a diverse cast of 21 heroes—each with their own unique arsenal of extraordinary weapons and incredible abilities. Teamwork is critical as players complete objectives, swap heroes on the fly, and combine their powers to game-changing effect—the action is intense, immediate, and fun.

Since the world last caught up with Overwatch at BlizzCon 2015, Blizzard has introduced a number of game features in the ongoing closed beta test. In a new map type, “Control,” teams battle to capture and hold objectives in locations such as an omnic village in the mountains of Nepal and a high-tech skyscraper in a Chinese metropolis. Overwatch’s new progression system awards players with Loot Boxes containing an array of cosmetic items to personalize heroes, including sprays, emotes, voice lines, and skins such as Punk Tracer and Safari Winston.

In addition to “Quick Play” mode, which automatically matches players with teammates and opponents of similar skill online, players can test their mettle against computer-controlled opponents in a new “Play Vs AI” mode, while “Custom Games” allow players to set special rules for hero switching, damage modifiers, and more.

Players who haven’t had the chance to try Overwatch yet will be able to participate in an Open Beta scheduled to take place May 5-9 on all three platforms. But if you’re already convinced that it’ll be great, prospective players who pre-order the game by April 29 will receive early access to the Open Beta beginning on May 3.

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Microsoft cancels Fable Legends and makes plans to close Lionhead Studios

Posted on March 7, 2016 by John Scalzo

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There are big changes happening at Microsoft Games Studios this morning.

After several starts and stops over the years, Microsoft has announced plans to cease development on Fable Legends. This announcement comes just a few months after developer Lionhead Studios delayed the free-to-play title’s launch from Late 2015 to Spring 2016. Sadly, it’s not just the end for Fable Legends, Microsoft is currently in discussions with representatives from Lionhead about the proposed closure of the studio.

Microsoft also confirmed that Press Play Studios, the team behind Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Kalimba, will also close its doors. The Danish studio was working on a multiplayer survival game known as Project Knoxville, but it too will be canceled.

Microsoft released a statement about the closures through the Xbox Wire:

These have been tough decisions and we have not made them lightly, nor are they a reflection on these development teams – we are incredibly fortunate to have the talent, creativity and commitment of the people at these studios. The Lionhead Studios team has delighted millions of fans with the Fable series over the past decade. Press Play imbued the industry with a unique creative spirit behind games like Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Kalimba, which both captured passionate fans. These changes are taking effect as Microsoft Studios continues to focus its investment and development on the games and franchises that fans find most exciting and want to play.

We wish everyone at Lionhead and Press Play the best of luck in the future.

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Tusk crushes his enemies in the latest Killer Instinct Season 3 trailer

Posted on March 6, 2016 by John Scalzo

Iron Galaxy has returned with another new trailer for Killer Instinct Season 3, this time focusing on the immortal barbarian Tusk. Last seen in 1996’s Killer Instinct 2, Tusk is still an homage to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Conan at his core, but the character’s voice actor also seems to be channeling Chris Hemsworth’s Thor.

Tusk will be part of the initial quartet of characters in Killer Instinct Season 3, which will be released for the PC and Xbox One on March 29. If you want a closer look at Tusk, developers from Iron Galaxy recently uploaded a 90-minute steam starring the character.

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New Releases: Tom Clancy’s The Division, Hitman, WWE 2K16 for PC

Posted on March 6, 2016 by John Scalzo

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Just three new releases will be available on store shelves this week, and one of them is just a Season Pass to a year-long episodic adventure.

Leading off the week is Tom Clancy’s The Division, which will be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Players will join up with the titular peacekeeping organization as they team up with other players from around the world to investigate a terrorist attack in New York City on Black Friday.

Also available this week is Hitman, IO Interactive’s latest entry in the long-running series. Agent 47 is back, but we won’t get to experience all of his new missions right away. Instead, IO and Square Enix will release the game episodically, but players can buy in to the whole series now for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Finally this week, 2K Games and the WWE will slam their way onto Steam with WWE 2K16‘s PC debut.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

Xbox Store Today: Action Henk, Ironcast, McDroid

Posted on March 4, 2016 by John Scalzo

Three new Xbox One games have been added to the Xbox Games Store today…

  • Action Henk is a racing game where action figures dive, dash, and butt-slide their way through more than 70 tracks. Yes, you read that right, the racers in Action Henk butt-slide for top speed.
  • Ironcast is a turn-based strategy game where players power up their steampunk mech by playing a tile-linking puzzle game.
  • McDroid is a tower defense title with a cute little robot as its protagonist.

More information on all of these games can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, Xbox One |

Dead Island: Definitive Collection will be released for PS4, Xbox One on May 31

Posted on March 3, 2016 by John Scalzo

We still don’t know if Dead Island 2 will be ready for its planned 2016 launch, but Deep Silver hasn’t given up on their undead franchise.

The publisher announced today that Dead Island: Definitive Collection, which includes Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide, will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on May 31. The remastered compilation will give both games a complete visual overhaul courtesy of several fancy graphical tricks that weren’t possible before:

  • Higher Quality Textures – Game textures have been redone in a higher resolution and the level of quality has been improved across the board.
  • Photorealistic New Lighting System – The lighting system in the game has been vastly improved, providing a much more realistic look to the beautiful sunny tropical setting.
  • Physically Based Shading – The introduction of new physically based shading techniques due to the latest iteration of the Chrome Engine means a higher quality look to the game models and objects as they react in a more realistic way to various lighting conditions.
  • Image Quality Enhancements Via Anti-Aliasing – The addition of more sophisticated anti-aliasing means that console players can now experience Dead Island without unsightly “jaggies“ – meaning a much cleaner look throughout.
  • Improved-Quality Game Models and Geometry Assets – All major geometry assets (for example, NPCs and character models) highlight a marked quality increase.
  • HBAO and Motion Blur Effects – The introduction of Horizon-Based Ambient Occlusion adds an extra layer of depth and realism to the world. Through a better implementation of object shadows, while the all-new motion blur effects will provide a much more cinematic feel to the game experience.
  • Updated Game UI – Providing a more consistent look between both Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide. Increase to equal quality level for seamless game experience.

Both games in the Dead Island: Definitive Collection will include all of the previously released downloadable expansions, as well as new features like online four-player co-op, streaming, and recording. PlayStation 4 owners will also be able to take advantage of PS Vita Remote Play and Share Play. Players will also get the chance to test out the “Power Fists” powerup, a fan favorite mod.

Finally, the Dead Island: Definitive Collection will include Dead Island: Retro Revenge, a side-scrolling endless runner that will be exclusive to the retail package.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged ,

Bethesda wants you to help choose Doom’s alternate cover

Posted on March 3, 2016 by John Scalzo

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The Internet had a bit of a meltdown when Bethesda revealed the official boxart for Doom last month. The rather generic-looking space marine and the garish yellow background didn’t provide the thrill that most longtime Doom fans were expecting. Especially since we grew up with this image.

Thankfully, Bethesda and id Software have seen the error of their ways and will offer an alternate cover on the reverse side of the sleeve. Fans will even get the chance to vote for their favorite in a Twitter poll that’ll be open until Monday, March 7. Option A depicts the dreaded Icon of Sin from Doom II: Hell On Earth, while Option B is a new take on the original Doom‘s cover:

So what are you waiting for? Vote now:

Doom will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on May 13. And don’t forget, if you pre-order Soom through the Xbox Games Store, you’ll receive the first two games in the series for free.

UPDATE: Voting has closed and the people have overwhelmingly picked Option B!

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Next Forza game (with the Lamborghini Centenario on the cover) will debut at E3 2016

Posted on March 3, 2016 by John Scalzo

Microsoft and Lamborghini have revealed that the Lamborghini Centenario will be splashed all over the cover of the next Forza game. We don’t know yet if Micorosoft and Turn 10 are working on Forza Motorsport 7, Forza Horizon 3, or something else entirely, but we do know it’ll make its debut at this year’s E3 Expo.

“We’re excited to continue our long history of working with Lamborghini and to be part of their 100-year anniversary by celebrating the Centenario as the featured cover car of the next Forza game,” said Phil Spencer, the Head of Microsoft’s Xbox Division. “It’s an honor to announce our partnership at [the Geneva International Motor Show], one of the world’s biggest automotive shows, and we look forward to unveiling the game at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo.”

According to Lamborghini, the Centenario uses a V12 architecture, and “the Centenario’s naturally aspirated engine produces 770 hp and powers from 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, and from 0-300 km/h in 23.5 seconds with a top speed of more than 350 km/h.” That’s impressive and all, but I’m just happy it has scissor doors like most of Lamborghini’s vehicles.

And if you’re still addicted to Forza Motorsport 6, Microsoft and Turn 10 recently added a new Lamborghini-centered “Rivals” event to the game. And depending upon how well you perform in this event, you might earn an exclusive 2015 Huracan Super Trofeo in-game and be invited to the second round of competition.

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