343 Industries To Continue “High Level Updates” For Halo Infinite Per Month Starting This Week, Community Director Tells

For the last dreading segment of 2020, it came difficult to bear upon realizing the Xbox Series X|S will not release with Halo Infinite at its side. But while fans continue to bite that bullet, slowly creeping into 2021, rumors continued to emerge which threw fans in disarray of what could be for the title. So to dismantle any speculation, 343 Industries scheduled a “high level” update for the then-approaching December. Entering the concluding month, 343 Industries finally appeared with a full Halo Waypoint blog post issuing an update on the development since the game’s delay in August. Even more, the team also pressed lightly on elements to be featured in Halo matchmaking for the coming sequel. At the time, it was suggested fans would wait a few more months until the team is ready to disclose more information. However, that is simply not the case. In a new Reddit post, 343 Industries Community Manager Brian Jarrard told that more updates similar to what arrived in December will arrive starting this week as a monthly endeavor. We’re committed to at least monthly high level updates and the next “Inside Infinite” is coming out this week! This month we’re talking with members of the sandbox team to share some insights into their vision for Halo Infinite and the work they’re doing. To manage expectations, this won’t have world premier big screenshots or huge things like a date announce, but our goal is to offer our community more context and insights into our team and the game we’re making while we’re all awaiting the larger beats and full marketing machine later this year. To elaborate more on the premise of what is being issued this week, it is collected that perhaps 343 Industries will include a featured video on Halo Infinite. Possibly a developer diary-type presentation gathered from the “Inside Infinite” title. Jarrard does not reveal how the new details will be delivered, but it is certainly arriving in the coming days. More over, similar doses of Halo Infinite details will be administered each month periodically. It is expected that 343 Industries will fluctuate how information will be provided to its followers varying from videos, blog posts, and other mediums. Previously, reports surfaced which suggested that Halo Infinite would (again) be dropping its Xbox One port of the game. However, the claim assembled from UI Art Lead Chad Mirshak’s LinkedIn page proved to be baseless with the description being updated immediately to include the platform. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you excited to learn next about Halo Infinite? Halo Infinite is scheduled to release sometime in fall 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Source: Reddit

OtterBox-branded Xbox Accessories Revealed, Pre-orders Are Live Now

In the parts leading up to the release for the next-generation consoles, specifically the Xbox Series X & Xbox Series S, Microsoft issued a press release sharing its new partnership with more than a few dozen product manufacturers. Part of the new initiative, the firm shared that the agreement will benefit users transitioning to the new hardware and can still bring their accessories with them. A byproduct of this new arrangement was already revealed by Nacon is four items in total: two controllers and two mobile phone attachments aimed for xCloud gaming. The items are said to go on sale sometime in 2021, but the list does not end just there. To reiterate, there are over thirty different companies Microsoft has partnered with to bring new and easy transition products for Xbox users – no matter which one. The latest comes from OtterBox, recognized for its contributions to resistant phone case, announces its line of Xbox-centered items and even more – pre-orders are live now. Gaming is one of the unique spaces where everyone has the opportunity to compete and connect, especially as we are physically distanced. This connection is enhanced with advances in cloud gaming and fast 5G networks. OtterBox is the best in the world at providing trusted mobile accessories, and we’re better positioned than anyone to deliver a premium gaming experience. This portfolio and our accessories designed for Xbox marks a major entry into the gaming market for us. Jim Parke, OtterBox CEO Similarly to Nacon’s initiative last year, OtterBox also pursues for reliable items to withstand the rough when travelling with xCloud. The firm plans to deliver five items in total: easy grip controller shell, easy grip gaming case, gaming carry case, gaming glass privacy guard, and mobile gaming clip. As stated previously, the products are available now for pre-order on a selection of storefronts (GameStop.com; OtterBox.com; Verizon.com; Xbox.com). Reading the listings for the items, the product line is said to ship on February 22, 2021. You can visit the Microsoft Store for these items by heading here. Are any of the OtterBox items spark your interest? Source: OtterBox

Ghost Of Tsushima Developer Leaks Potential Sequel For PlayStation 5

For Sony Interactive Entertainment’s future first-party lineup, it is for certain that its network of teams are already developing the unique releases that will reside on PlayStation 5. However, what these games will be are left to conjecture with only guesses suggesting some are sequels while other are entirely new properties altogether. But even then, slight details do speak for what is underway at these studios. For one, the role changes at The Last of Us team Naught Dog strongly suggest a new project is underway. What is now considered a tradition at the developer, new studio leads are appointed ahead of the announcement for its next big title. The pattern formed for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, The Last of Us Part II, and now this unnamed project. To add onto that conversation for new projects from Sony Interactive Entertainment teams, there is now an update on Sucker Punch Productions. In a LinkedIn page for studio Cinematic Creative Director Dave Molloy, the studio employee before deleting wrote in his description to be working on a new Ghost of Tsushima game. The writing has been archived in a screenshot by Gaming Route. “Presently working on the Ghost of Tsushima game for Sony PS5,” Molloy wrote in his description on the LinkedIn profile. For one, it could suggest that Molloy is involved with the game for the latest console, but, there is already a next-generation patch available for PlayStation 5 that shipped back on launch day. The second suggestion goes on to imply Molloy and the rest of Sucker Punch Productions already kicked off development for a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Given the game only release this past July, it does come to be a bit soon to presume a follow-up is the next title. But, the game did receive massive praise on its execution when shipping this past summer. It is also suggested that perhaps Sucker Punch Productions is possibly working on a new Infamous game previously. The firm back in July was reported to renew its domain for the series leaving room to encourage a possible new entry is on the way. You can read the full report by heading here. What do you think Sucker Punch Productions is going to work on next? Source: Gaming Route

CD Projekt Red Ships January Patch For Cyberpunk 2077 With Bigger Bugs, Shares Update To “Workaround” Issues

The launch that was Cyberpunk 2077 continues to be one of the most controversial even with the pretense for bugs to be present upon release – just not to this magnitude. Of course, the last-generation versions remain to be the worst port of entry for fans currently, but the team scheduled to inject game-fixing patches. The two major clients are said to arrive in January and February, per an apology video recently uploaded by the developer. And this past Friday the patch finally shipped. Patch 1.1 was said to offer a handful of resolutions and other adjustments to level out the imbalances in Cyberpunk 2077. However, while some of that is true, more problems surfaces elsewhere. Primarily, mission “Down on the Street” was told to be fixed with Arasaka heavy Takemura to call V to initiate the mission. But the problem is still present as Takemura does not call and refrains players from progressing. Given that other problems are still left unsolved currently, this one hurdle is considered game breaking with fans unable to advanced through the game’s story. Thankfully CD Projekt Red issued a potential “workaround” that is said to fix the problem at hand. For a potential workaround follow the steps below (note, an earlier gamesave is required): -Load a gamesave before Takemura and V leave Wakako’s office.-Finish the conversation with Takemura outside the office right away.-Right after the finished conversation and when the quest was updated, skip 23h.-See if the holocall triggers and the dialogue with Takemura starts. Additionally, CD Projekt Red listed the myriad of fixes that are to be found in Patch 1.1. Elements such as memory restrain on certain platforms, bugged achievements, mission objective hiccups, and crashing have all been listed in the patch notes for the recent update. While CD Projekt Red continues to repair the damage done by Cyberpunk 2077, the team faces issues in the courts. Around the same time, a second class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Polish developer by the state government of California. You can read the full report by heading here. Is Cyberpunk 2077 any better following Patch 1.1? Cyberpunk 2077 is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S< PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Stadia. Source: CD Projekt Red

Voice Actor For Cyberpunk 2077’s Jackie Welles Wants To Return Via A “DLC Upload”

It is surprising to remember at one point that developer CD Projekt Red dodged anything related to Cyberpunk 2077. While the project was properly announced back in 2012, the firm for majority of the 2010s did not issue much detail on the title. It wasn’t until 2018 that the firm revealed the first official glimpse at the game closing out that year’s Microsoft E3 press conference. But now, chatter does not cease for the game as issues are refraining many excited fans from playing the title. In recent news, the studio reported that a second class-action lawsuit has been filed in response to the game’s performance on older console hardware. But, the team is already working to clean up its mess in anticipation for additional content scheduled to drop in 2021. While the aforementioned DLC is left unknown, voice actor Jason Hightower who portrayed Jackie Welles in Cyberpunk 2077 shares his desire to see the character return in a add-on. Listen, I don’t want to be the one to say it. We could [make a] DLC upload of Jackie if you wanted. This is not everyone but, you know, for those who might want a little bit of Jackie in their ear while they’re doing missions, there you go. For those unfamiliar, Jackie Welles is who V befriends at the start of Cyberpunk 2077. However, things fall through during a job and he ends up dying – no matter you life path. For the record, the details are not considered a spoiler as CD Projekt Red itself issues the information via a cinematic trailer for the game at E3 2019 prior to the game’s release. Currently, Hightower’s suggestion is only a request and is not officially arriving. For what is to arrive to Cyberpunk 2077 is free DLC which is scheduled to release in mid 2021. The firm shares the roadmap in a recent apology video issued to its user base. You can read the full report by heading here. Would you like to see Jackie Welles resurrect in Cyberpunk 2077 as a DLC? Cyberpunk 2077 is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S< PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Stadia. Source: ExBee

CD Projekt Red Faces Second Class-Action Lawsuit For Handling Of Cyberpunk 2077

Continue following CD Projekt Red since the release of Cyberpunk 2077, the overall atmosphere is mixed. For one, the game faced some of the most impressive records in history of the studio and even made its way to the top selling and top played on Steam in less than three weeks. However, there is plenty of rightly received criticism the title faces since hitting store shelves. The game is deemed virtually unplayable based on the state of the experience on last-generation hardware. While the current Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5 versions are not perfect either, the base PlayStation 4/Xbox One are in way worse shape than its successors. Even so, The Rosen Law Firm which invested in the development of the game is now filing a class-action lawsuit for “misleading statements” on the state of the game. Now elsewhere recently, CD Projekt Red reports that a second class-action lawsuit is being filed against the game development studio. In that, the US District Court for the Central District of California filed the suit against the Polish developer. The Management Board of CD PROJEKT S.A. with a registered office in Warsaw (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) hereby announces that it received confirmation from a law firm cooperating with the Company that a second civil class action lawsuit had been filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by a law firm acting on behalf of a group of holders of securities traded in the USA under the ticker symbols “OTGLY” and “OTGLF” and based on Company shares. In the report, CD Projekt Red also issues that “the complaint does not specify the quantity of damages sought,” with more expecting to reveal when the lawsuit develops in the future. Alike with the first class-action lawsuit, CD Projekt Red announces that it will defend itself against the claims made on the state of Cyberpunk 2077. To “undertake vigourous action to defend itself against any such claims.” Recently, it was reported that the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) in Poland will be investigating CD Projekt Red on behalf of the response for Cyberpunk 2077. The entity will determine if further investigation is required under the developer misleading its consumers. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you surprised CD Projekt Red faces a second class-action lawsuit? Cyberpunk 2077 is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S< PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Stadia. Source: CD Projekt Red

A Studio “Outside Of EA” Is Reported To Be Working On New Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Game

While nostalgia continues to fuel patient fans, the future for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is left for rumors and claims to tell its future. One thing, there is certainly a good amount of influence behind the series already according to one previous report. Issued by Buzzfeed in May 2019, a film adaptation based off the prominent video game series is underway with the script already penned by Laeta Kalogridis (Alita: Battle Angel). But more excitingly, there is a separate report which discloses a remake for the franchise is in development as well. According to Cinelinx, the January 2020 report tells that Electronic Arts is quietly working on a reworking of the classic 2003 game. The reporting goes on to suggest that BioWare will return to develop the title as working on the original game. Now this week, a new statement has surfaced which tells that a Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is in development. Star Wars-focused publication Bespin Bulletin in a recent podcast tells that a new project is in production. But in the statement transcribed by Video Game Chronicles, the title is now being operated under Electronic Arts’ supervision. Amongst my digging, I heard there is a Knights of the Old Republic project in development somewhere. I talked to a couple of people, and I also found out that Jason Schreier said that it’s not with EA, and we’ll “never guess” who the studio is that’s making this game. As to question the credibility of Bespin Bulletin, the page did previously report that despite DICE moving its operations from Battlefront II and Battlefield V to 2021’s Battlefield, the team is not planning for a Battlefront III. It even pushed that the sequel for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is set to release in 2022. As of reporting, the claims were not denounced by Electronic Arts. It further commented that while the Knights of the Old Republic game is outside of Electronic Arts jurisdiction, the firm is working on something else entirely – a “smaller” endeavor, they add. Also mentioning that “a bounty hunter game” is underway, but fails to include where development will reside or the expected arrival for the game. If it happened to be just a month earlier the report surfaced, there would be no questioning the legitimacy of a new Star Wars games outside of Electronic Arts. But following the new campaign of licensed projects from Lucasfilms Games, there is the chance the report will bear fruitful. This month, the group announced The Division’s Massive Entertainment is working on a new Star Wars project. You can read the full report by heading here. What team do you believe could be working on the potential Knights of the Old Republic game? Source: Bespin Bulletin

Electronic Arts Files Patent Allowing Players To Control Characters With Their Voice

When skimming over the timeline for video game industry voice commands, the mechanism definitely is not new for the market. In the past, we witnessed the tool being utilized with first-party releases and partnered projects for respected hardware. Most recently, Microsoft attempted to create a norm for the peripheral with the Kinect at the start of the Xbox One console generation. However, the feature only proved to do miscellaneous tasks like changing weapons, opening the pause menu, and other actions of the like. And alike the Kinect itself, the support eventually fell through as many titles dropped the initiative behind. But, voice commands are still used regularly with media apps and the welcoming of home devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. But to reintroduce the support to modern gaming, Electronic Arts might be only ticket for voice commands. In a new patent uncovered on patent database Patentscope, it is revealed the publisher is aiming to develop technology to control characters with voice commands. Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling a player of a video game to designate custom voice utterances to control an in-game character. One or more machine learning models may learn in-game character actions associated with each of a number of player-defined utterances based on player demonstration of desired character actions. During execution of an instance of a video game, current game state information may be provided to the one or more trained machine learning models based on an indication that a given utterance was spoken by the player. A system may then cause one or more in-game actions to be performed by a non-player character in the instance of the video game based on output of the one or more machine learning models. So unlike what has been introduced in the past, the potential integration of Electronic Arts new technology would allow users to play games without the necessity of a controller. The project is in development currently presumed from the found patent and it is uncertain if the work will enter public domain in the end. While patents do foretell what a company works on, it is not written in stone. After witnessing how well voice commands performed in the past, it is difficult to imagine the new initiative to stay any longer. But, if implemented efficiently enough, Electronic Arts could bring a whole new experience to gaming that other companies are for sure not including in its respected work. Are you interested to see what this new technology can offer to gaming? Source: Patentscope