Concurrent Users On Steam Overtakes Counts Compared To Both Xbox & PlayStation In 2020

In the past year, gaming continues to break new heights as online populations grow immensely. As the world is certainly aware – the COVID-19 pandemic left a stain on society requiring millions to social distance and remain at home as much as possible. As a result of this, gaming became a new past time for those camping out the ailment. It was discovered not to long after that new milestones were being met at an astronomical level. Upon the lockdowns being established across the globe, results came in during March 2020 revealing that concurrent players on Steam reach a high never witnessed. Of course, this not only affected the general population, but also games altogether as new titles take the helm for the most actively player. Titles such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive followed by Rocket League fought for the helm. But now in a new report, it is revealed that Steam overtook concurrent player counts compared to Xbox and PlayStation respectively. Although not combined, it is impressive to witness more users on the PC spectrum in contrast to the mainstream consoles that is primarily marketed in most regions. According to a Year in Review for Steam this past year, roughly 120 million users regularly played on Steam which shatters previous annual reports. Collected by VG24/7,the outlet injects that Xbox rounded averagely 90 million in 2020 while PlayStation overtakes that with 102 million. Of course, Nintendo Switch is not recorded since the unit is still under 100 million sold systems. More exciting news as of late comes from Steam once again as Valve issues the most played and purchased titles for 2020. And despite the mere three weeks since arriving, Cyberpunk 2077 still manages to insert itself into both lists in the very short amount of time. You can read the full report by heading here. What platform did you tend the most time to this past year? Source: Steam

“They’re Losing It, Man,” Josef Fares Responds With His Opinion On The Xbox Series X Name

Upon looking back to The Game Awards 2019 more than a year ago, Project Scarlet finally was put to rest with Microsoft unveiling the Xbox Series X. Though enamoring the industry with excitement for the next-generation console, many also fell disgruntled by the choice for the name. And despite that, Microsoft did clarify on behalf of the then-approaching console. In a separate interview following the reveal, a Microsoft representative elaborated that the choice of the titling is a rebirth of the brand moving forward. “The name we’re carrying forward to the next generation is simply Xbox,” the spokesperson issued in the statement. However, another The Game Awards memory is her to counter the Xbox Series X. In an interview with IGN, Hazelight founder Josef Fares finds the name for the console to be simply annoying and outrageous. Fares, of course, is not afraid to share his opinion which you can read below: That’s a f**king confusing name. What the f**k’s going on with Microsoft? They’re losing it, man. What the f**k is going on? Like Series S, X, Mex, Next. I mean, who knows this? Come on. Madness. Call it the Microsoft Box and that’s it. I don’t know. It’s a total f**king mess. Trust me, even them, they’re confused in their offices. What is this X, S… I don’t know, what the f**k. When discussing the two competing console lines during the development of It Takes Two, Fares begins to share the late emergence for the new console generation. As a result, he is aware the team at Hazelight undershot the game’s release on last-generation hardware with the new machines out in a few months. “I don’t really care about consoles. I care about games. Of course I wish we could have looked more into the new consoles [for It Takes Two]. “I’m just happy they are more powerful, because it takes a lot of time when a console is not really powerful enough, but what I like about the new generation is that they are powerful, that we can focus on them. But to be honest with you, they came in so late in our production – of course it’s going to look better on PS5 and Xbox Series X, but we didn’t really have the time to adjust them and make the PS5 version special, or the Xbox blah blah… Whatever they call the Xbox Series.” In regards to Hazelight’s It Takes Two, the game is preparing for its release a few short months. Upon making an appearance at this past The Game Awards, the game is launching in late March for current and last-generation systems. You can read the full report by heading here. Do you agree with Fares comment on the Xbox Series X name? Source: IGN

Sony Hammers Down Listings For Games From CES 2021 Promo Including Ratchet And Clank, Pragmata, And More

At the beginning of the week, Sony Interactive Entertainment during its brief moment during Sony’s CES press conference disclosed some crucial information in regards to over a handful of titles. In that, the trailer, while brief, did encapsulate projected release windows for a bunch of marketed titles coming to PlayStation 5. However, now decided to pull the rug from under the original footage. In a new finding from Gematsu this afternoon, it is discovered that Sony Interactive Entertainment altered the original trailer as the same listings are now removed. You can view the comparison in the tweet below: As for the game’s featured in the trailer-ending subtext, it is issued that majority of these releases are propped to arrive throughout the course of 2021 and the years to follow. The titles in particular are Pragmata, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Stray, GhostWire: Tokyo, Project Athia, Little Devil Inside, and Solar Ash. Those projects received a proper introduction during the PlayStation 5 showcase earlier in June 2020. But now, the same listings seemed to voided as Sony Interactive Entertainment decided to retract the information from the trailer altogether. As of writing, there is no clear motive released by the firm in regards for the decision made. Most notably from the details spared in the original trailer happened to circle around Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. Although framed to release in the PlayStation 5 launch window, the new trailer happened to insist a more general 2021 release which worried fans the game could be delayed. Perhaps this new learning could exempt the speculation. You can read the full report by heading here. What are your thoughts on Sony Interactive Entertainment decision?

Entertainment Weekly: First Look At Upcoming Mortal Kombat Film Revealed

While the wait has been long for a film to do Mortal Kombat some justice, the coming production directed by Simon McQuoid seems to be the likeliest candidate to resonate most accurately to what fans are familiar with the video game series. The most glowing details came over a year ago when the project revealed to embrace its R-rating and emphasize on the fatalities most recognized with the franchise. What came to be an even bigger surprise only took place just over a month ago in December as Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema unveiled the movie is due to hit the box office in April a couple months later. Although exciting, there is still no clear view of what the film has to offer – only details. But in a new report from Entertainment Weekly, the publication issues over a handful of images for the film which you can view below: Dissecting the pictures taken from the production, there are plenty of namely characters from the Mortal Kombat series present for the film. Fighters such as Liu Kang, Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sony Blade, Jax, and Sub Zero are to name a few. There are others that are of course missing which are promised to be in the movie like Mileena in previous casting reveals. Additionally, Warner Bros. issued that its coming film will also be available in theaters alongside available for streaming on HBO Max later this spring. This alongside other productions like Dune, Wonder Woman 1984, and more are to be available through the streaming service as part of a new initiative. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you happy with the first images for the movie? Mortal Kombat is scheduled to hit theaters and HBO Max on April 16, 2021. Source: Entertainment Weekly

HBO’s The Last Of Us & Approaching Uncharted Film Is Only The Start, Says PlayStation CEO

For PlayStation, the platform resonates in being one of the pillars for the video game industry and remains to be now more than two decades later. However, many of the experiences and franchises that originally sprouted from Sony Interactive Entertainment’s repertoire of properties are expanding outside the realm of video games. In that, films, movies, and other forms of entertainment is underway. While the firm has attempted this previously, Sony is officially hands-on with the pursuit with the forming of PlayStation Pictures just last year. As a result of this, fans are already witnessing strong progression with productions either concluding or on the verge of commencing. Already, we are certain of the coming Uncharted film alongside The Last Of Us HBO series which received the green light fairly recently. Alongside the addition of the Twisted Metal television show which is also pieced to be underway as well, it is on the start of a conglomerate of entertainment, says Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan. When speaking at CES 2021 this past week, Ryan comments on behalf of the future for PlayStation Pictures. This is just the beginning of the expansion of our storytelling into new media and even wider audiences. Sony is a creative entertainment company and entertainment has never been more important. Although not bidding much into what the future holds, there are some suggesting hints that continue to linger around. One many fans are still patiently waiting for the first announcement is a Sly Cooper television show. While still unofficial, Arab entertainment outlet Screen Mix issued that information is set to be shared “soon”. Also at CES 2021, Sony Interactive Entertainment also issued some updates on its coming list of marketed titles. In particular, the firm did list that Capcom’s Pragmata will be facing a new release date aimed for 2023 a year later than projected. You can read the full report by heading here. What PlayStation property do you want to hear more about from Sony? Source: GamingBolt

Report: Naughty Dog To Commence Work On New Project With Roles Fulfilled Internally

While concerning during the initial release for The Last of Us Part II, the controversial launch of the generation-closing sequel did leave many touched by the project conjured by Naughty Dog. At this year’s annual The Game Awards, the PlayStation 4 title left with a handful of awards including that year’s Game of the Year as well. But what is to come is not clear for the Sony Interactive Entertainment team. Surely, many presumed that the team would return with potentially a new Uncharted entry or even begin kicking off with another follow-up for Ellie’s story. However, that is left to be undetermined as of writing. If a new tale was to come for Nathan Drake, some remark would have already been made by Naught Dog in regards to Uncharted. For The Last of Us, it is presumed a DLC or standalone is in order. But brushing conjecture aside, there is no sturdy foundation to suggest what the studio is working for. But pointed out by Twisted Voxel, the publication issues that Naughty Dog is appointing new positions as of late suggesting that Naughty Dog is preparing for its next project. In that, Lead Game Designers Vinit Agarwal and Richard Cambier are both now positioned as co-game director and game director. Looking to previous projects Naughty Dog pushed out, a similar pattern forms. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy did so appointing Kurt Margenau and Anthony Newman for the same roles and again with Newman and Neil Druckmann for The Last of Us Part II. However, while it is certain production is to commence fairly soon, it is unclear what the project will be. But, it is certain it will come to PlayStation 5. For those who yet played The Last of Us Part II, we suggest you read our review for the game. “I really enjoyed playing through Last of Us Part Two, and playing it late after it’s release was an interesting experience,” Rectify Gaming’s David Rodriguez penned about his time with the game. You can read the full review by heading here. What are you hoping is to manifest from Naughty Dog next? Source: Twisted Voxel

Disjunction Welcomes January 28 Release For Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC

Delving into the Cyberpunk genre as of these past couple of months, entries that arrived to store shelves and console marketplaces truly diversified the category with unique takes on the energetic, yet dystopic future that many fantasized since the 1980s. In particular, we already witnessed releases such as One more Level’s Ghostrunner, of course, alongside the notorious launch for Cyberpunk 2077 as well. But, there is still more to come entering 2021. For one that went under the radar quite a bit, I am referencing Disjunction. Similar on structure to what players can find with Hotline Miami, but crossed with Deus Ex is this new exciting top-down experience. From developer Ape Tribe Games, the new title originally projected a release for 2019, but as we enter 2021 now solidifies launch for this month. In addition, the game also faces ports for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch alongside the originally scheduled PC versions (Steam & GOG). You can watch the latest trailer for Disjunction in the video below: “Disjunction is very much an RPG, and we pride ourselves on Disjunction’s story and choices,” the synopsis for the trailer reads. “The trailer shows off some of the dialogue trees that await you in the final game, as well as some of its hand-drawn cinematics. New York City in the year 2048 is filled with danger and intrigue, and it’s up to you how you choose to navigate its treacherous underworld.” Predating back to Dreamhack 2018, Rectify Gaming spoke with studio co-founder Erwan Lucan who issued that Disjunction, based off the game’s reception, would be followed by a sequel. He discloses the structure of the project would not pair well with post-launch DLC, and plans to incorporate co-op if the follow-up materializes. You can read the full feature by heading here. Are you excited to get your hands on Disjunction this month? Disjunction is scheduled to release on January 28, 2020 for PC, Xbox one, PlayStation 4, and PC. Source: Steam