Obsidian Entertainment Unveils The Outer Worlds Add-on ‘Murder on Eridanos’, Arrives Next Wednesday

Greatly concerning Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer World in recent events, the game found itself back in the spotlight this past September with the second helping of story DLC, ‘Peril in Gorgon’. Outside of the welcoming of more content for the 2018 released title, Obsidian Entertainment remains to be dormant on what else is planned for the game. Prior to that, the Nintendo Switch version for The Outer Worlds arrived back in June 2020. While porting studio Virtuos Studios touted the capabilities to seamlessly deliver high-demanding games, like The Outer Worlds, for example to Nintendo Switch, the release proved to be the complete opposite. However, plenty of the caveats that were first present at launch are said to be patched out alongside the squashing of other lingering bugs. Now in 2021, Obsidian Entertainment is shipping its third DLC for The Outer Worlds by next week. Previously teasing an announcement on Thursday, the next story add-on is revealed to be ‘Murder on Eridanos’. You can watch the reveal trailer in the video below: “Venture to the skies of Eridanos and unravel the grandest murder mystery in the Halcyon colony! Everyone is a suspect in this peculiar whodunit after Rizzo’s hired spokesperson, the famous Halcyon Helen, winds up dead ahead of the release of the brand-new Spectrum Brown Vodka,” the description for the trailer discloses. “Alongside your companions, travel across the floating islands of Eridanos and piece together clues using the Discrepancy Amplifier, a new gadget that highlights otherwise unseen hints. There’s more to this mystery than meets the eye, and it’s up to you (and your crew, if you choose) to solve the case.” Other namely details regarding The Outer Worlds is a previous report suggesting a sequel is underway. In that, Niko Partners’ David Ahmad issued word on a follow-up for the title after the arrival of the game to Valve-owned storefront, Steam. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited for the upcoming DLC for The Outer Worlds? The Outer Worlds is out now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch; playable via backwards compatibility for Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5.

Console Versions For Rust Comes In Spring 2021, Studio Features Xbox One & PlayStation 4 Gameplay

In the lineage that is the wait for Rust on console, many already welcomed the idea that the versions for Xbox and PlayStation are way further ahead in time than fans would hope. But when discussion continues to resurface on the matter, followers still congregate to learn more of the coming ports. Back in December, Double Eleven pressed that the game’s translation to console is arriving in the coming year. Aimed for 2021, the publisher only leaves a generalized release window and fans are left still waiting for a more approximate timeframe. That was until the most recent teaser trailer for Rust reveals that the game is arriving to Xbox One & PlayStation 4 later this spring. Additionally, there is also footage for both versions respectively uploaded which elaborates on the performance for both machines. You can watch both gameplay videos for Rust on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 below: “The only aim in Rust is to survive,” the synopsis for the game read’s on its Steam page. “To do this you will need to overcome struggles such as hunger, thirst and cold. Build a fire. Build a shelter. Kill animals for meat. Protect yourself from other players, and kill them for meat. Create alliances with other players and form a town. Do whatever it takes to survive.” In the description for the PlayStation 4 gameplay, Double Eleven presses that it emphasizes on player deaths to show the stress of the game on console and illustrates that the game still comes out as you would hope outside the realm of PC. The Xbox One version presents similar results as well for the most part. What console do you plan to play Rust on? Rust is slated to hit Xbox One and PlayStation 4 sometime in spring 2021; out now for PC.

Dishonored, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Prey, & Skyrim The First Batch Of FPS Boost-Supported Bethesda Titles, Microsoft Reveals

To the plenty of Xbox Series X & Xbox Series S owners, many went the lengths to own either of the next-generation consoles for the benefits of the system. One that Microsoft elaborated is the improved performance of fan-favorite entries from the previous Xbox One system. The firm later elaborated on that with FPS Boost which graced a handful of titles just in February. On Thursday during the Xbox + Bethesda roundtable livestream, Xbox General Manager Aaron Greenberg welcomed the notion that FPS Boost will also be aiming its crosshairs at some Bethesda games that will be coming to Xbox Game Pass “soon”. Greenberg does fail to leave out which of those titles will be included in the new installment in the coming future. But elsewhere during the Major Nelson Podcast held on Friday, co-host Jeff Rubenstein shares that Dishonored, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Prey, & Skyrim will be finding FPS Boost support first. You can view the segment from the show below: “The thing about Prey […] is actually a game that will benefitting from the FPS Boost treatment,” Rubenstein reveals during the show. “So, five of these games that are now in Xbox Game Pass are getting that FPS Boost treatment. That is: Dishonored: Definitive Edition, Skyrim: Special Edition, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Prey. And you’ll be able to see the specifics, but as part of an update you’ll actually be able to control – do you want to increase the framerate or do you want to play it the way that you know the game shipped.” This is only the first of what Microsoft has planned for work regarding Bethesda following the acquisition. The Xbox company has pressed that it will be elaborating further on its intentions with its latest purchase sometime later this summer. You can read the full report by heading here. What FPS Boost title are you excited to try first?

Following Reported Development Mismanagement At Techland, A Dying Light 2 Update Is Coming Next Week

While the transition to the latest console generation came and went this past November, one question still lingers for many: where is Dying Light 2? For one, the game is left for uncertainty with the title’s prolonged delays: the most impactful is the previous push which leaves the sequel for an undetermined release window as of January 2020. Now more than a year later, developer Techland is still not very transparent on the future of Dying Light 2. While the Polish game studio is still vocal on social media with community events for 2015’s Dying Light, little information has sprouted in regards to the follow-up entry. In the midst of the wait, claims were made suggesting poor management at the developer is to blame, but employees at the team later clarified that not to be the case. However, a new report from The Gamer tells the contrary to be taking place at Techland. In that, the outlet spoke with sources familiar with internal operations at the Polish developer which indicates poor relationships between the work staff and management. One source tells, “whenever an expert starts advising things that are not aligned with the board’s agenda, they slowly get isolated from the project and responsibilities. “That leads to them leaving or eventually getting fired. To make a career at Techland, you have to be subservient.” Despite what involved employees and former developers share, Techland CEO Pawel Marchewka explains the problems to be misunderstandings that are being dealt with as of writing. We have been operating on the market for 30 years and many of our employees have been with us for a long time. Making games is tough and it is normal that sometimes there is a need to change the workplace and look for new challenges. I am very sorry that some of our employees left us and decided to find their way outside the structures of Techland but I’d always wish them the best. The report proceeds to reference complications within the workplace as familial relationships are to blame for the issue. Marchewka has hired his wife, Aleksandra “Ola” Marchewka, to work internal design of the studio and later became head of Public Relations at Techland. Atop of that, Marchewka also hired his sister for international marketing. Issues continue to surface internally from these obstacles in management alongside the mentioned pitches for possible marketing strategies that are very questionable to say the least. Namely, one suggested dropping body bags at the U.S./Mexico border for marketing for Dying Light 2 and another is for one representative to act out for a metropolis that the sequel is set in. While the report reveals to be questioning the future of Dying Light 2 and the entirety of Techland, the developer on Thursday revealed that an update will be featured next week, March 18. At the start of this year, Techland went to announce that a feature for Dying Light 2 is due to take place later in 2021. While the studio has become dormant in sharing new announcements, the studio did issue that is to change this year. Now, there is a date for when that is to arrive. Noted, the planned update is not connected to the approaching Square Enix Presents showcase arriving this week. While the Japanese publisher is responsible for the sequel, both shows are said to take place on the a day apart. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited to learn more of Dying Light 2 this month? Dying Light 2 is listed for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Source: The Gamer

Square Enix To Host Direct-style Presentation Next Week To Feature Announcements For Life Is Strange, Tomb Raider, And More

In the past concerning upcoming announcement from prolific video game publishers, these companies resided to isolated announcements periodically or even wait for the summer to host a press conference at E3, Gamescom, or the likes. However, this approach appears to be inefficient thanks to the novel coronavirus – at least that’s for the latter option. But with a magnitude of reveals to share, these companies are taking it into their own hands online. Already, this showed to be the direction for the video game industry with the most recent discovery for the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) reportedly cancelling its in-person show for this year as publisher do not show interest in attending as well. Howbeit, some firms aim to pursue this similarly to Nintendo: for example, Bandai Namco filed ‘Bandai Namco Next’ for a presentation-like show just recently. Now this week, Square Enix shares to approach in the same direction with its own online showcase in the coming week. On Thursday, Square Enix revealed that it will be holding the first ever ‘Square Enix Presents’ which will include new announcements for namely franchises like such as Life is Strange and Tomb Raider. Most noted from the announcement is the new information regarding the third mainline release from Dontnod Entertainment. Elsewhere on Friday, the developer made a follow-up announcement for the presentation. “On March 18, we’ll reveal the new #LifeIsStrange game at #SquareEnixPresents, which will feature a brand new cast, power and story,” the post reads. The presumably titled ‘Life is Strange 3’ happens to be one of six new projects underway from the French developer. Previously, the studio shared to be working on a new title following a minor stake acquisition made for Dontnod Entertainment by Tencent Holdings. You can read the initial report by heading here. Are you excited for the upcoming Square Enix Presents? Square Enix Presents is said to take place on March 18, 2021 at 1 PM EST / 10 AM PST.

March 2021’s ‘Inside Infinite’ From 343 Industries Elaborates On Quality Of Life For Halo Infinite, Including Dynamic Weather, Duel Wielding, And Playable Elites

Upon the more pressing details for the extended wait that is the Halo Infinite release set for this autumn, developer 343 Industries promises that information on the next mainline installment for the two decade-old franchise through its monthly ‘Inside Infinite’ feature for the game. Unlike other developer diaries we see from different teams, this new broadcast strings from in-depth blogs and sometimes even a live Q&A held by the studio itself. In February, the developer blew away fans with its publishing of in-game screenshots from a recent build of Halo Infinite. Additionally, 343 Industries also elaborated on the matters regarding Zeta Halo, Installation 07, and how the main setting of the coming title also plays as a main character that receives as much attention as any starring role for the project. Now in a Q&A livestream held late on Thursday, 343 Industries shares new information on how the studio is tackling quality of life aspects for Halo Infinite and answer some burning questions from the fans. Off the bat, the team addresses concerns for duel wielding weapons in the full version: Currently no, that’s not in the cards right now and just to get into that a little bit is whenever you set out to make a game the size of Halo Infinite – there’s just so many things you can do. I think we have a talented team where we can do anything, but we can’t do everything and so we needed – we wanted to really focus down on the weapon, the gunplay, grenades, melee, and where we wanted to put that bet this time was on equipment. Bringing equipment back and so right now duel wielding isn’t necessarily there, but that’s because we’re trying to focus on everything on all the other things that we’re working on. Quinn Delhoyo, Halo Infinite Lead Sandbox Designer Although the final version arriving later this fall will not include the iconic gameplay feature, Delhoyo does elaborate that the mechanic is not exempt from the game entirely. For now, the main focus is for 343 Industries to tackle the project head on in capturing its vision and plans to work on more additions in its post-launch phase, as issued in a previous statement already. Furthermore in a separate statement from Gameplay Director Troy Mashburn, he elaborates on the team’s ambitions with weapons and equipment. In that, players when progressing through the game will uncover new pickups like firearms, ordinance, and even vehicles to use when exploring Zeta Halo. Variants are also included to be hidden findings players are to also unearth which brings some accomplishment to those that play to another level. Again from Delhoyo, he continues on the same matters regarding playable elites for Halo Infinite. For the time being, the option is not present as the experience as Spartans are 343 Industries greatest concern currently. We’re not currently planning on supporting elites as a playable character in Infinite and the reason is, you know, this is a Master Chief story and a Spartan story. Especially multiplayer, we want to make sure we focus on how the Spartans battle against each other and that feels fair and it’s competitive, it’s balanced. And, you know, we love elites, but never say never maybe well see that one day, but right now the current plan is you’re going to be playing Spartans. One of the bigger concerns from Halo Infinite fans, however, is how impactful the setting for the game is. Already, 343 Industries disclosed the focus to bring the world to life and its ambition to make Installation 07 a crucial part of how gameplay is experienced in the game. Moreover, Campaign Art Lead Justin Dinges tells that the Pacific Northwest design for Halo Infinite is the foundation for its artistic approach, but it is more diverse than that. He continues by issuing that there are sub biomes to explore that are as rich as what we only witnessed from the July demo last year: high-altitude pallets, wetland pallets, swampy wetland pallets, war-torn areas “deadlands”, and cave systems. Ancient forerunner architecture and occupying Banished structures are also to leave an impression regarding the part of the Halo you are at. Even more, Dinges also cover some ground on the weather system for Halo Infinite, Alike the dynamic day/night cycle in the game, weather is also told to include an organic mechanism that reacts as you would expect it to in real-time. Part of our job on the art team and the graphics team was to make the ring feel alive right and so I’m a big part of – kind of a living ecosystem is weather at least on our planet and we want to emulate that on the ring so we’ve definitely added things like – there’s a really cool wind system which is not just visual, but also audio we have. We have fog systems you could call them that come in to different altitudes and different times a day. We didn’t go down the road of having rain store and thunderstorms and snowstorms and things like that for our launch this year, but we’re really excited about the future and what that might mean for things like that. The world itself is also told to feature unique wildlife that Master Chief will stumble upon – John Mulkey, Lead World Designer shared this on the topic: “We don’t have any hostile wildlife in the environment. We wanted to focus the idea on the battle between The Banished and the UNSC forces. “Chief, you know, pushing back against that so we didn’t want to bring in the idea that you’re fighting the ambient population of the ring, but we do have them as an element that really brings the ring to life.” What aspect discussed has you most excited for Halo Infinite? Halo Infinite is scheduled to arrive sometime in fall 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.