Microsoft Is Not Ready To Comment On Pricing For First-party Titles, CFO Suggests In Interview

Alike new consoles, games are also to be expected to play on these newly-optimized machines as well. But one thing that is to change is how much respected titles will cost. It is understand to be a standard now, but games are to be jumping in price. While many see the topic to be controversial in some degree, it is understood by plenty that the industry with more resources invested requires a higher price tag. Some publishers already ahead of the console giants readjusted pricing for its games in defense of a next-generation upgrade. However, that effect will dwindle eventually leaving new hardware to be the current system. And then, the price will be recognized as the normal as we see with $60 launch prices. But for Microsoft, the decision is not ready to be shared. Speaking at the recent Jefferies Interactive Entertainment conference last week, Xbox Chief Financial Officer Tim Stewart explains that Microsoft will release the official price for first-party games “in due time”. I think we’re not making specific announcements on first-party pricing yet. So we’ll do that sort of in due time. Prices have not gone up in — what, for a couple of generations now, so it’s not unheard of to see things like this going on. And to the point earlier, content creation costs go up. And these publishers and content creators, including ourselves, want to make sure you’re driving the right gross margin profiles, the right earnings profiles of what it takes to build these new, awesome, amazing games. And you want to make sure you have a good top line to support that. Interesting enough, this is a topic where Sony Interactive Entertainment is more transparent on the matter than Microsoft for once. Earlier this week, it was revealed when speaking to PlayStation lead CEO & President Jim Ryan that he agrees with $70-priced titles. “I think that’s a very straightforward comparison to draw,” Ryan determining the amount of playtime in a game to its worth shared. In the same interview, Stewart also remarks on the recent acquisition of Zenimax Media/Bethesda. He tells that Microsoft’s ambitions is to emphasize on putting the Xbox ecosystem ahead of competing platforms when it comes to Bethesda releases. You can read the full report by heading here. Do you think Microsoft will increase its pricing for first-party games? Source: Seeking Alpha
New Partnership Between Microsoft & LG Makes Manufacturer’s OLED TVs Official Television For Xbox Series X

Generally, when Microsoft forms deals or agreements with other companies, the result is mostly apparent for Xbox Game Pass. Of course, the most notable addition is the when talking to Disney in incorporating Disney+ for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate users with a 30-day trial of the entertainment streaming service. But, some collaborations do tend to be outside of the monthly video game service. In a new press release handled by LG, the appliance manufacturer has announced a new partnership with Microsoft to officially announce that the firm’s line of OLED televisions will be the marketed models for Xbox Series X. Combining the new strive for 4K resolution and 120 frames per second with 120 Hz output required this console generation, LG is aiming to meet the standards for players on Xbox Series X. “We’re confident that the heightened visual quality from combining LG OLED TV and Xbox Series X will blow gamers away.” S.P. Baik, head of the TV product planning division of LG’s Home Entertainment Company. “We take the needs of gamers very seriously when developing our OLED TVs so to be able to be an official partner to Xbox Series X is a partnership that is very meaningful to us. The combination of LG’s most advanced TV and Xbox’s most powerful console ever allow both casual and serious gamers alike to enjoy next-generation gaming today. With features such as an ultra-fast 1ms response time with low input lag and support for the latest HDMI specifications including Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and enhanced return audio channel (eARC), games not only look and sound better, they’re more responsive. With four ports ready to support these features, LG’s OLED TVs offer all the advantages of simultaneous connections for multiple gear set-up from consoles to PCs. The advanced combined processing power of the duo enables players to enjoy 4K gaming at up to 120 frames per second to take advantage of the latest advancement in real-time ray tracing graphics technology. LG’s 2020 OLED TVs are the first to support the new HGiG profile and as founding members of the HDR Gaming Interest Group, LG and Microsoft are confident that the latest HDR titles will look exactly as their developers intended. LG in the press release also goes to mention that the new deal with Microsoft will also complement the new addition of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision initiatives that are planned to hit Xbox Series X in the coming months. Atop of contrasting colors and fast-responding framerates, LG also explains that all displays are Eye Comfort certified for consumers that do not want to strain their vision after playing. This is not the first time seeing collaborations between Microsoft and other television manufacturers. Previously, Microsoft teamed with Samsung to introduce Xbox Game Pass to Samsung TV subscriptions service Samsung Access. You can read the full report by heading here. Do you plan on buying a LG television after this announcement? Source: LG
Supposed TimeSplitters 2 Remake Item In SpellForce 3: Fallen God Does Not Confirm The Project, THQ Nordic Tells

For many fans and players of previous generation hardware, the TimeSplitters series stands to be one of the most memorable entries alongside other notable franchises that released at the time. But despite how vocal many are online about the line of titles, the same cannot be said for the series itself on current systems. While remakes and other reiterations of classic games are continued to be on the rise, the same has not been done for TimeSplitters. However, that looks to change. While not confirming a reworking of the franchise, more is said to come following the acquisition for the game’s property rights by Austrian publisher THQ Nordic. It was reported later on that series creator Steve Ellis will be assisting with a new project currently in development for TimeSplitters. But now, there are claims suggesting a remake for TimeSplitters 2 is in development. Following the recent release of SpellForce 3: Fallen God, players discovered items in-game suggesting the game’s presence. But, a spokesperson representing THQ Nordic tells the instance to simply be a gag placed in the game. The intention behind those easter eggs was pure fun. When Koch Media and Deep Silver are ready to talk about TimeSplitters, they will make sure to get heard. So now, those that were anticipating the easter egg to be legitimate are now left disappointed unfortunately. Howbeit, that does not disregard a new game to be underway. Again, THQ Nordic is certainly working on a new TimeSplitters title, but, there is not definite time when to expect that title to be announced and even more – released. This week, THQ Nordic has returned to public eye with its shenanigans on purchasing video game studios. In total, the publisher and its parent company has acquired 13 new firms. You can read the full report by heading here. Were you hoping for a TimeSplitters 2 remake? Source: Video Game Chronicles
Hitman Developer IO Interactive Announces Project 007

Yesterday, developer IO Interactive announced on Twitter that the Danish game studio will be unveiling its next major project the following day, November 19. And now today, the firm held a premier on YouTube to unveil the project which only took just about a minute in length. What looked to be another entry for Hitman as a bullet was entered into a chamber was later to be revealed to being a new title for the 007 series. For now, the game is dubbed ‘Project 007’ with no listed platforms. However, presuming the game is in early phases of development, plenty will change including available platforms and an official title for the game. You can watch the trailer for the game below: “It’s true that once in a while, the stars do align in our industry,” Hakan Arbak, IO Interactive CEO said in a press release relayed by Gematsu. “Creating an original Bond game is a monumental undertaking and I truly believe that IO Interactive, working closely with our creative partners at EON and MGM, can deliver something extremely special for our players and communities. “Our passionate team is excited to unleash their creativity into the iconic James Bond universe and craft the most ambitious game in the history of our studio.” Coming from the announcement, it is a surprise to see IO Interactive pursue the 007 series after the idling of video game entries for the brand alongside other projected announcement for the developer. Previously, there were reports of IO Interactive potentially returning to the Freedom Fighters IP. The game came into circulation after a listing for a PC version was discovered in Europe earlier this year. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited to learn more about Project 007?
New Capcom Leak Suggests Street Fighter VI Will Return Franchise To Xbox With Cross-gen Release

On PlayStation 4 and PC, at least, many Street Fighter fans continue to play the latest Street Fighter V while Xbox One owners are unfamiliar with the current installment of the series. However, there is the possibility that the franchise will be making a return to Microsoft’s console coming the next entry in the series. For those unfamiliar, there happened to be a data breach for Capcom over the past week leaking information from the Japanese publisher. While the firm did tell personal information has been jeopardized, other crucial data, however, has seeped through the cracks online. Such as the source code for Devil May Cry 2 and information on other noted franchises as well. But according to twitter user @pokeprotos, more details were uncovered elsewhere. In that, emails that were managed to be intercepted during the data breach reveals information on the unannounced Street Fighter VI. However, Capcom has taken down the images shortly after being posted. Despite the images being removed by Capcom already, reports tell that the images were of codenames that alongside other information in regards to the direction Street Fighter is heading for future entries. As of writing, Capcom has yet to comment on the claims to be true or not, so leave the finding as a rumor until properly addressed. Unfortunately, the pattern of modern Street Fighter titles not coming to Nintendo Switch looks to be continuing. There is no mention of Nintendo’s system in the leak atop of previous reports of Street Fighter V not being ported to Nintendo Switch also. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you waiting for the next Street Fighter game? Street Fighter VI is said to release for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Call Of The Sea Officially Arrives December 8 For Xbox & PC

While there are some heavy hitting title that were featured at the Xbox Game Showcase such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and The Medium, there are plenty of other third-party titles that were presented in which Microsoft presented at the time. One being Call of the Sea, a first-person puzzle explorer set in the 1930s on a deserted, tropical island. The game is being developed by Spain-based studio Out of the Blue and will be the firm’s inaugural entry. At the time, the game was featured to arrive to Xbox One alongside Xbox Series X as a Smart Delivery-supported title. However, a release date for the game was not mentioned or even referenced that the time of the game’s announcement. But now in a new trailer uploaded by publisher Raw Fury, the project is said to release next month. You can watch the new release date trailer in the video below: “It is 1934, in the far reaches of the South Pacific,” the game’s overview reads on the Microsoft Store. “Norah has crossed the ocean following the trail of her missing husband’s expedition and finds herself on a lush island paradise – a nameless, forgotten place, dotted with the remnants of a lost civilization.” Most interestingly, the description for the game also shares that game is a project being developed in Unreal Engine 4. Atop of that, protagonist Norah is being voiced by Cissy Jones most noted for her roles as Delilah from Firewatch and Katjaa from The Walking Dead Season One. Are you excited to play Call of the Sea next month? Call of the Sea arrives on December 8. 2020 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
THQ Nordic Parent Company Embracer Group Acquires 13 New Game Studios

To understand the magnitude of growth that THQ Nordic has with taken since the founding of the Austrian video game publisher, you would have to reflect on a few years of acquisitions. But while the firm has been quite for the most part of 2020 in regard to purchasing more video game studios, the most noted acquisition of this year happened to be American team Saber Interactive. But this week, parent company Embracer Group has broken the silence of THQ Nordic studio acquisitions announcing that more than a dozen new teams will be welcomed to the massive lineup of firms already under the publisher’s wing. Introducing 13 teams in total, this is the largest recorded acquisition packet released by the Embracer Group. You can read the full list of newly acquired teams below: 34Big Things A Thinking Ape Entertainment Coffee Stain North Flying Wild Hog IUGO Mobile Entertainment Mad Head Games Nimble Giant Entertainment Purple Lamp Studios Quantic Lab Silent Games Snapshot Games Sandbox Strategies Zen Studios For THQ Nordic’s newest additions, some are reiterations on entities already under the firm’s name. Already owning Coffee Stain Studios, the publisher is also in possession of subsidiary Coffee Stain North. Similarly, the firm publishing Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated also owns developer Purple Lamp Studios. In future reference to what THQ Nordic still has planned, it was reported back in May that the developer has 110+ title in development – 69 of which were not officially announced. Those numbers are both expected to increase following the latest bulk of acquisitions for the company. You can read the full report by heading here. What team are you most excited to see under THQ Nordic? Source: Embracer Group, (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12)
Minecraft Dungeons Cross-play Support Is Available Now

While Minecraft Dungeons arrived earlier this spring, developer Mojang Studios has continued to support the game in its post-launch phase. In that, the game studio illustrated that with DLC expansions for the title offering new settings and enemies with newly-invited levels for the dungeon crawler. Most recently is the Creeping Winter add-on that just went live back in September. Now this week, Mojang Studios has reiterated on the game’s core multiplayer for Minecraft Dungeons with the addition of cross-platform play between supported systems. In that, Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch are now able to play with one another when interacting online. But, that is only the start of it. You can watch the cross-platform play trailer for Minecraft Dungeons in the video below: While it is not available now, Mojang Studios emphasizes that cloud saves for Minecraft Dungeons will be shipping at a late date. But as for right now, there is no established time when to expect the feature to be added. So for now, cross-save/cross-progression will be on hold until the Swedish team is prepared to reveal more of the feature. This week as well, The Game Awards finally revealed its nominations for this year’s annual show. For Minecraft Dungeons, the game has been nominated for Best Family Game. You can read the full list of nominations by heading here. Which platform doe you play Minecraft Dungeons? Minecraft Dungeons is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S< PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Source: Mojang Studois
Winter Update For Animal Crossing: New Horizons Is Live Now

Believe it or not, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been at our side on Nintendo Switch for majority of this year. And with close to a handful of engaging and worth returning updates for concurrent players, the game will be ending strong as the latest Winter Update is finally here. On Tuesday this week, Nintendo uploaded a trailer showcasing some of the newest additions for the next client of additions. While titled in favor for the holiday season, the Winter Update kicks off in celebration of ‘Turkey Day’ which is happening on November 26. The event will introduce Franklin and island residents must assist in bringing ingredients in preparation for the feast later that day. But not too long after that, snow begins to blanket over your island. You can watch the Winter Update trailer in the video below: Then close to a month after, ‘Toy Day’ will be taking place and your island will be visited by Jingle who needs your help in delivering presents to your friends on the island. But while the two are not due to arrive until later, players can at least enjoy the new Hip Reactions that will be added for players allowing users to react with their bodies. Reactions like sitting, yoga, and waving goodbye are just a few to list. Atop of additional cosmetic features that will be included in the Winter Update, player House Storage has been increased as well. Noted, save data transfer also goes live today. Looking forward, there will be a new update slated coming in late January Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo confirms. Also this week, The nominees for The Game Awards went live and Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been featured on a few ballots. Most notably, Best Family Game, Best Multiplayer, and Game o the Year. You can read the full list of nominees by heading here. Are you returning to Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Winter Update? Animal Crossing: New Horizons is out now for Nintendo Switch.