Is Microsoft closing more studios?

UPDATE: It appears that the Lionhead studio logo is back up on the Microsoft studios page. Wither its because the studio will not shutdown, or another reason, I think we all are pleased. Thanks to Ixcm.com for finding this one.   In recent news Microsoft has laid of Lionhead Studios, alone with the developing Xbox title, Fable Legends. They have also said that the studio Press Play will be disbanded as well, who were developing Max: The Curse of Brotherhood. One other studio that is also leaving the video game development world is Project Spark. VideoGamer.com was reportedly the first to find out that on the Microsoft Studios website, five studio logos have disappeared. These include Function Studios, Good Science, LXP, SOTA, and BigPark. All who have played a role in developing Kinect Games on the Xbox. This may indicate how Kinect games are increasingly becoming unpopular in the gaming world, but I think there are other reasons for these studios to shut down. Here are the before and after pictures of the Microsoft Studio’s page. Via VideoGamer.com     Don’t let this news make you think that Microsoft and especially Xbox, have not prioritized on working with more studios and IP’s in the future. Phil Spencer said a couple words on twitter about some fan’s worries of the XB1’s future, saying “I’m proud of the games our 1P Studios have shipped on XB1,” responding to someone, “our plan is continue to build new IP and expand our franchises.” We can only hope that more studios will have great opportunities in the video game world, wither its the small studios, to the big companies.  

Podcast Episode #23 – The Hammering Return Of Grifball

https://soundcloud.com/rectify-gaming/podcast-episode-23-the-hammering-return-of-grifball Hey guys! Welcome to a very special podcast with the guys over at Grifballhub! Twizted, Tyboy, Kal, and Goose talk about the future of Grifball, future events and other gaming news besides Halo. iTunes Stitcher Youtube Version: Support the Grifcon Kickstarter!  Grifballhub on Twitch Follow everyone on Twitter! Grifballhub TwiztedShotzTV Tyboy17

Rocket League new DLC and Patch Notes released!

We reported last month a new DLC would hit Rocket League called “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Car Pack”. Today, this update has arrived on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Here are the Patch Notes taken from Rocket League’s official website. Xbox One Added “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Car Pack” DLC, including… (DLC) Exclusive “Batmobile” Battle-Car (DLC) Three new Antenna Flags: “Batman” “Superman” “Wonder Woman” Multiple bug fixes Added “Community Flags” NEW CONTENT Battle-Cars (DLC) Added “Batmobile” Antennas (DLC) Added “Batman” (DLC) Added “Superman” (DLC) Added “Wonder Woman” Added “Community Flags” Destructoid Gamespot Gfinity Gold Glove IGN Major Nelson 9GAG Operation Sports CHANGES AND UPDATES UI/ UX Streamlined the user experience when switching profiles Added the ability to press the View Button at the “Press Any Button” screen to access the account picker BUG FIXES General Improved overall game stability and fixed multiple crash instances Fixed rare instance where users lose all of their earned unlocks and have to earn them again Fixed an issue with extended play times causing low-resolution textures to display Updated the “Traveler” Achievement to include all Xbox One Arenas as intended Fixed “SARPBC Forever” Achievement unlock requirements to match its description Fixed a graphical issue that caused the Loading screen to flicker Online Fixed issues related to party members exceeding maximum party size Fixed an issue where split-screen players could not rejoin an online match Fixed an issue where local parties could be disbanded when accessing the account picker Fixed issue when a local player could not rejoin a RL party after being removed Fixed issue where a split-screen player rejoining a party could disband the party Fixed an issue where you could enter an infinite joining state when accepting a RL party invite Fixed an issue where split-screen players appeared with identical names online UI/UX Fixed issue with user names not updating on the party bar Fixed an issue where logging out of a profile would not update on another console’s RL party Updated player activity descriptions in the XB1 friends list PS4/PC Added “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Car Pack” DLC, including… (DLC) Exclusive “Batmobile” Battle-Car (DLC) Three new Antenna Flags: “Batman” “Superman” “Wonder Woman” Added a new automated camera option in Spectator Mode (BETA) NEW CONTENT Battle-Cars (DLC) Added “Batmobile” Antennas (DLC) Added “Batman” (DLC) Added “Superman” (DLC) Added “Wonder Woman” CHANGES AND UPDATES Online Added a new automated camera option in Spectator Mode called “Autocam”. This camera will automatically track the action to improve the viewing experience for spectators. (BETA)

This Week’s Deals With Gold And Spotlight Sale!

Here are the new deals available until March 14th.      Content Title Content Type Discount Notes Killer Instinct Jago Add-On 80% DWG Life is Strange Xbox One Game 50% DWG Life is Strange Complete Season (Episodes 1-5) Xbox One Game 50% DWG Life is Strange Season Pass (Episodes 2-5) Add-On 50% DWG Line of Defense Tactics Xbox One Game 33% DWG Mad Max Xbox One Game 40% DWG Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart Xbox One Game 33% DWG Thief Xbox One Game 75% DWG Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 Xbox One Game 50% DWG Van Helsing: Arcane Mechanic Add-On 33% DWG Van Helsing: Thaumaturge Add-On 33% DWG White Night Xbox One Game 67% DWG      Content Title Content Type Discount Notes L.A. Noire Games On Demand 75% DWG Life is Strange Games On Demand 50% DWG Life is Strange Season Pass (Episodes 2-5) Add-On 50% DWG Max Payne 3 Games On Demand 75% DWG Prototype Biohazard Bundle Games On Demand 60% DWG Thief Games On Demand 75% DWG Tony Hawk Pro Skater 5 Games On Demand 33% DWG Transformers: The Cybertron Experience Games On Demand 60% DWG   Source: majornelson.com

Gears 4 will be Gameinformers April Cover

We mentioned that Gears of War 4 will be Gameinformers April cover from a small tease on Twitter. Now we got an official announcement that the game will be on the cover. In this issues you will learn more about the Gears team: In our 14-page cover story, you’ll learn how the team is aiming to stay true to what makes Gears of War tick. We speak with studio head Rod Fergusson and the rest of the team and discover how The Coalition is taking the franchise 25 years into the future, to a time when the world is wracked by massive windstorms that radically change the field of battle. Exclusive content will be revealed in this issue. They will down the three new playable characters and confirm two-player couch co-op. We also learn that you play as Marcus’s son. Here is the cover:

343 Industries Succeed with Micro-Transactions

  Halo 5: Guardians has been seeing major success from their micro-transactions known as Requisition Packs (REQ Packs). Whenever micro-transactions are discussed among gamers, it is usually because of the negative impact they tend to have on the game to which they have been added. Most gamers will automatically view micro-transactions as “Pay-To-Win” deals, meaning spending a little cash will guarantee an easy victory. However, I believe that 343 Industries have found a way to make micro-transactions successful without feeling necessary.     In Halo 5: Guardians, gamers are able to earn REQ points after each match in Warzone and Arena multiplayer that can be used to purchase REQ packs. Each pack contains a variety of items, such as weapons, armors, weapon skins, assassination animations, stances, and emblems. The Arena playlist, which is the ranked playlist, only allows the cosmetic items to be used. The unranked Warzone playlist, however, allows weapons, vehicles, and power-ups to be used.   As mentioned above, REQ points are earned by spending time in Halo 5: Guardians. However, these REQ packs can be purchased with real money. With the Warzone mode allowing these REQs to be used, most gamers immediately decide that this is a pay-to-win purchase. But, I disagree. I believe that skill is more important than REQs.     In Warzone, a player first has to earn the ability to call in their REQs, which will require skill on the player’s part. Now, the obvious argument for the pay-to-win side is “if both sides are equal in skill, but one has more REQs to use than the other, who would win?” And, yes, the team with the REQs is most likely to win in that situation. However, every match isn’t totally even. I would argue that having the REQs do provide more of an advantage, but not  a guaranteed victory. So, let’s just call these REQs “Pay-For-Advantage” instead of “Pay-To-Win.” On most occasions, that is exactly what it will end up being.   343 Industries has stated that the money used to purchase REQs will be added to the Halo Championship Series (HCS) grand prize. Originally, the HCS prize pool was $1 million dollars. 343 Industries recently announced that the Halo World Championship has increased to $2.5 million, simply by using the money that has been spent by players to purchase REQ packs. Obviously, fans have supported micro-transactions enough to help raise money for the major championship. But, 343 Industries has found other ways to use these funds for the fans.     Taking a bold move, 343 Industries stated that they would not be charging anything for their DLC. Why? It is being funded by the REQ purchases, allowing all Spartans to continue to play together instead of dividing the community. So far, 11 new maps, 12 new modes, and more than 180 extra REQ items have been added into the game. This crowdfunding source has provided 343 Industries a way to keep all players together at all times. If everyone has the same content, then you can keep your matchmaking base as large as possible. However, asking consumers to purchase a $20 map pack will definitely keep players from being able to game together, which will then persuade them to find another game to play instead. Halo has kept players in their game longer, which also means that players are more likely to drop a few dollars for a REQ pack over time.   343 Industries has found the sweet spot for micro-transactions. The money that goes in doesn’t disappear, but instead is seen going back into the community. All of the content that is created by 343 has to be funded in some way. Being able to earn REQs without spending money gives gamers items to chase, which keeps them coming back. Allowing these rewards that are not “game-breaking” to be purchased helps fund the best part of Halo 5, which are the monthly updates of maps and game modes. I hope that other companies will look at the way 343 Industries has used micro-transactions and will find ways to continue to improve it!       E-Mail: HoundstoothRTR7@gmail.com Twitch: Twitch.TV/Houndstooth Twitter: @HoundstoothRTR

Ironcast on Xbox One Review

Game – Ironcast Release Date – March 4th, 2016 Platform – Xbox One Developer– Dreadbit Ironcast is set in an exciting alternative history; a time when refined men and women in top hats and bonnets commanded gigantic walking war machines, laying waste to the enemies of the British Empire. I’ve played a lot of games like Ironcast where you really have to be strategic in order to beat your enemies. You don’t want to waste your turn when you’re are matching up everything right and you also want to make sure it is a very good attack on them.   Gameplay The gameplay in Ironcast involves a lot of strategy, I’m not your typical strategy gaming kind of guy so I found it a bit difficult to kill the enemy on the easiest difficulty. You have to be very smart when it becomes your turn because the enemies do hit pretty hard, it’s either you want to fire, heal yourself, or walk forward.   The style of the game I find pretty neat because it has that late 1800’s early 1900’s style to it, which you really don’t see a lot in games today. Another thing about this game is that it’s not for your typical casual fan because you’re going to see a lot of deaths than you think you would. The game takes place in the South East of England. Once you finish your match it’s back to the workshop where you can repair yourself from the last battle. As well as to unlock new weapons and drives from blueprints gathered as you fought. Start a new game and you’ll have a choice of mechs, later pilots to play as, and get a boost with permanent upgrades you’ve unlocked in previous turns. There are also different types of missions such as you facing off against another steam machine or sometimes two, some also require you to gather other items from the tile grid as you play, and there are negotiation missions too.   Ironcast is a game that I can’t keep coming back to, it just doesn’t make me have the feel where I will say “hmm I have the rush for Ironcast” maybe just for achievements but that alone is difficult itself. We enjoyed the game, we think it is a fun, unique puzzle game. It’s worth the shot if you’re interested in buying it. You can check us out playing it here:   [rwp-review id=”0″]

Xbox Spring Sale begins March 20th.

The one and only Xbox Spring Sale is coming back this year on March 20th and it will end March 28th, 2016.  Save up to 40-60% on premium Xbox Store games for Xbox One and Xbox 360. Go Gold to save up to 10% more. This year you’ll find deep discounts on Microsoft Movies and TV, video games from your favorite retailers, and great Xbox One console deals. Stay tuned on what will be on sale!