Farming sim ‘Stardew Valley’ is coming to Nintendo Switch
Ever looked out of your window, longing for the chance to yield the greatest crops known to man? Well, Stardew Valley might just be the game for you. After becoming a runaway success on Steam earlier this year, the indie farm-em-up is coming to PS4 and Xbox One, launching on December 13th and 14th respectively.
While a Wii U version was also in the works, developer Chucklefish Games has opted to cancel that port and release the game on the upcoming Nintendo Switch instead. With the misunderstood console’s user base drying up and a shiny new Nintendo console only a few months away, the change in platform is a pretty understandable one.
Stardew Valley sees players inheriting a farm after the death of the protagonist’s grandfather, and tasks them with cultivating it. Aside from the farming elements the game also has a strong focus on building relationships with people in the town, creating an addictive mix of gameplay that saw the game rake in huge sales and earn it a devoted following.
Taking inspiration from the classic RPG series Harvest Moon, many fans will be happy to see the genre returning to a Nintendo handheld. While the Nintendo Switch’s launch lineup still remains a closely guarded secret, after a recent leak suggested it would be getting a fully fledged Pokemon game, Stardew Valley is another promising addition to the Switch’s library.
Source: Stardew Valley Blog
‘Resident Evil 7’ $180 edition comes with a tiny haunted house
After scaring our socks off at Gamescom, Capcom has now revealed Resident Evil 7’s collector’s edition — and it’s not for the faint hearted… or the financially minded.
Costing a wallet-worrying $180, this special collector’s edition will net you six unique items, including your very own mansion. An ornately detailed eight-inch model, this replica of the game’s plantation mansion has its own speakers and LEDs, doubling as an incredibly creepy music box.
It may only be eight inches, but in this economy $180 for a mansion is nothing to be sniffed at.
This special edition will also include an exclusive metal case, a suitably grimy-looking VHS box, a bloody finger-shaped USB stick, an exclusive lithograph and lastly a creepy note. Well, they can’t all be winners, can they?
While Resident Evil 7 will be heading to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on January 24th, this collector’s edition will only be available on consoles.
Xbox One preview software gets new social features today
Xbox One Preview members will get their hands on a couple of brand new features making their way to the console today.
Both Clubs and Looking for Group features are being rolled out to Preview members on Xbox One today and then the Xbox app on Windows 10, iOS and Android devices in the near future. Both features’ existence were confirmed during E3 2016, but now there’s a chance to actually try them out now that they’ll be in the wild.
Clubs are exactly what they sound like: Groups created and managed by players meant to foster a sense of community among anyone getting together to play a certain game. Anyone can create or join different Clubs, and you can create one for nearly anything, such as a group for your inner circle of friends to best each other at Halo or something of that nature.
Club members can coordinate parties, play games, communicate via voice and text chat and share content across the Club together. All Clubs for a specific game will be grouped together in the Game Hub. If you’ve got a unique name in the hopper for one you want to put together, you’ll want to go ahead and grab it if you’re in the Preview because there can only be one with the same name.
Similarly, Looking for Group will assist you in finding someone to play with. You can create your own LFG post with requirements such as the game you need help with, how many people you require, rules, and other types of prerequisites you want to set to make the experience as pleasant as possible. You can browse other LFG requests to see if there’s anyone you want to join in and assist as well.
In addition to Clubs and Looking for Group becoming available today, the Gamerscore Leaderboard for Xbox One and Windows 10 app has been improved to display results for a 30-day rolling period. Plus, emojis are coming to the Xbox One’s virtual keyboard. When communicating with Clubs or others in Groups, you can utilize various emojis with a special keyboard of them.
More details on the online tournament Arena will be coming soon, but for now these updates should tide Xbox One owners over with new social options. Now get out there and make some Clubs for us to join.
Source: Microsoft
Konami announces ‘Metal Gear Solid: The Definitive Collection’
Konami is bundling Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Online in a special package called Metal Gear Solid V: The Definitive Experience.
If you missed out on the demo-length prequel Ground Zeroes or the opus that was Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, it’s well worth picking up this time around for $49.99. In addition to the full games, it’ll also come with all of the downloadable content previously made available, including Ground Zeroes mission packs, The Phantom Pain’s items, and expansions for Metal Gear Online.
This may be the latest re-release of classic Kojima-helmed Metal Gear projects, but Konami is venturing out on its own, as announced during Gamescom, with the decidedly different Metal Gear Survive. It’s a stark change in direction for the Metal Gear name, but it does look intriguing at the very least.
The collection is coming October 11th and will be available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC via Steam.
Via: Polygon
Devs can now publish Windows apps straight to Xbox One
Microsoft is getting its proverbial development ducks in a row, with the addition of new capabilities to its Dev Center that should make multi-platform publishing a whole lot more straightforward, as well as provide more feedback to developers.
Microsoft’s been working towards this point for some time — it announced the plan in January last year and even before that had selectively been porting Windows apps to the console — but this is the first time devs have been able to offer apps built using the Anniversary Update SDK directly to Xbox One owners.
The Dev Center Dashboard has also been overhauled, meaning it should be quicker and easier to edit apps, as well as bringing notifications and personalized suggestions.
Ultimately, there are a whole load of new options aimed at giving developers more control over their apps and games across Windows and Xbox devices. These include the ability to only push an update to a small percentage of users or to make updating mandatory, which would be handy if, for example, a developer discovers a serious bug.
If you want to start making cross-platform games that’ll end up on the Xbox One, don’t forget that you’ll need concept approval too. We wouldn’t want you wasting all that effort.
Source: Windows Blog
The ‘Battlefield 1’ Premium Pass nets you four new expansions
Battlefield 1’s upcoming Premium Pass was officially announced today, and it’ll run you $49.99 if you want to add all four of the planned expansion packs to your collection.
You’ll be able to add both the French and Russian armies to your campaign when you pick up the Premium Pass in addition to the first DLC pack, called They Shall Not Pass. Premium Pass owners will be given two-week early access to each DLC package, beginning with They Shall Not Pass, which is scheduled for release in March 2017.
In addition, the pass offers 16 new multiplayer maps, new Operations and game modes, Elite classes, 20 new weapons and a slew of new vehicles to mess about with. Battlefield’s Battlepacks are making a return as well, which will be delivered each month beginning November 2016. If you’re a collector, you’ll want to check out the 14 new dog tags that’ll be released over the Premium Pass season period.
Battlefield 1 hits Xbox One, PC and PlayStation 4 on October 21st.
Source: Battlefield Blog
Integrated Xbox Wireless is coming to future PCs and accessories
If you’re a serial Xbox One controller user, you’ve probably used it with your Windows PC at some point as well, whether to get in some Steam gaming or to make controlling any game a little simpler. Previously, doing so meant you’d have to have a special wireless dongle to do so.
Going forward, Microsoft plans on offering built-in Xbox Wireless, beginning with the Lenovo IdeaCentre Y710 Cube, which will support all Xbox One wireless accessories without he need for additional adapters or equipment.
The Lenovo PC is the first partner device to have built-in Xbox Wireless support, but it’s not going to be the last, according to Microsoft. Additional PCs and other accessories in the future will be supporting Xbox Wireless as they make their way to store shelves. This should make things a little easier for anyone looking to take their accessories beyond simple console usage.
Source: Xbox Wire
‘Battlefield 1’ open beta starts August 31st
Eager to play Battlefield 1 but can’t wait until the game’s October 21st release date? Well, good news. Electronic Arts has announced that a 64-player open beta for the first-person shooter will begin August 31st on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
The beta will feature one map called the Sinai Desert, which will include playable dogfights in the sky, and two modes that should be familiar to Battlefield fans: Conquest and Rush. You’ll be able to try three classes — Tank Hunter, Sentry, and Flame Trooper — ride war horses, and control a powerful armored train.
If you sign up for the Battlefield Insider program, which grants you in-game rewards and a sneak peek at news for the upcoming game, you can play the beta three days earlier. Just pick your preferred gaming platform before August 21st to be eligible. Developer DICE will also be hosting a Twitch livestream of Battlefield 1 that you can watch tomorrow at noon PT.
Source: Battlefield.com
The Love of the Retro Games
Whatever age you are, there are many games you can look back on with love. These were the games you grew up with, the first ones you played, and the ones that have stuck with you to this very day. With that in mind we decided to take a look at how you can go back to those classic days of gaming, whether you play mobile casino games, or the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog.
The Retron 5
For most of us retro gaming is based on consoles that have now been replaced by the likes of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Before these we had the likes of the Super Nintendo and Megadrive, consoles created by Nintendo and SEGA during the so called console wars.
The Retron 5 allows you to go back to the days of the Megadrive and Super Nintendo, and even further back to the NES and Master System. With access to other consoles like the Gameboy the Retron 5 allows you to play games you once owned on your modern television, without the worry of working out how to connect your console to it.
The Super Retro Trio
The Super Retro Trio is similar to the Retron 5, but misses out the Gameboy support. What it does give users though is more connection options, making it a more versatile console. Another plus to the Trio is the fact it is also cheaper, which may make it a better option for some of the more cash strapped players out there.
Sega Master System and Game Gear Portable
If you want something a little more portable, the Sega Master System and Game Gear Portable is an easy way to play these old games on the move. With plenty of people having fond memories of the games on these systems, there is no doubt there is a demand for this portable device.
For retro gamers, there is plenty of choice of how to play their games. You don’t need to be restricted to consoles, as there is plenty of access on the PC, as well as mobile devices. Whatever your style of gaming, there is plenty of choice out there for you.
Gaming Gadgets of the Future
Gaming technology is moving at a fast rate right now, and it’s a very good time to be a gamer. With this in mind we’ve decided to take a look at some of the big trends heading our way in the next few years, and look at how they’ll shape the future of gaming.
VR and AR Headsets
If you have an Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or PC you’ll know that virtual reality and augmented reality is the new technology that is creating a buzz. It may be expensive right now, but with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive on the market, you can now experience the world of virtual reality. You just need a high-end PC and lots of cash to do it. It should be noted that hope is on the horizon with PlayStation VR though that offers the experience at a cheaper price.
Microsoft are also offering HoloLens which is more of an augmented reality headset. Adding computer generated graphics onto the environment around you, the results are very impressive. While many games that use these technologies do feel like technical demonstrations right now this will soon change. It won’t be long before you are shooting zombies in your favourite FPS, or even stepping into a virtual casino , or get more with bingo.
Gaming Vests
One of the problems with virtual reality is how to add some feedback to the user so that they feel the world they are playing in. with vests like the Kor-FX gaming vest the user will be able to feel the world around them, making the experience even more real.
Advanced Gaming Mice
Moving away from virtual reality, there are also advanced coming to input devices. One example of this is the Naos Quantified Gaming Mouse. This mouse has in-built sensors that take reading tracking your heartrate, skin responses and your overall gaming speed. This kind of data can have many uses, including manipulating horror games based on how scared you are.
There are many new advances coming in the world of gaming, and these are just some that caught our eye. With these kind of new technologies on the way, the world of gaming is set to become very interesting indeed.
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