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Apex Legends Datamine Uncovers Titan Ultimate For Unannounced Legend

Before Apex Legends more than two years ago, developer Respawn Entertainment was mostly recognized for its connected franchise, Titanfall. While many of its DNA is injected into the battle royale as witnessed by the nods and easter eggs littered throughout the course of the game since launch, a few attributes that is most recognized from the series is missing. While hallmark for the developer, players did find difficulty in playing a game where elements like wallrunning was not included. Although the feature did sneak its way into the game via previous Halloween events, that as far as gameplay mechanics from both game’s bridge together. Another namely feature is the titular Titan: since the inception of Apex Legends, many questioned the rational to scrap the feature for the battle royale. However, that might not be forever as many players eventually accepted. Recognized Apex Legends dataminer @biast12 on Twitter shared a video that he uploaded which reveals gameplay for an unannounced Legend, Blisk. In the video, the character’s ultimate is calling a Titan and the mecha robot while stationary scans for adversaries and shoots – which you can watch below: As for what is known of the unconfirmed Legend, Blisk is said to offer a passive ability to wallrun and utilize his Data Knife to tamper with Survey Beacons. Additionally, Blisk’s tactical is said to use the power from the Arena’s Ring to create a damage zone that can hurt other opponents that get caught in the radius. To question the validity of the dataminer’s discovery, it should be noted that he happened to be correct with his finding for the Steam version of the game premature to the platform’s announcement for Apex Legends. Furthermore, @biast12 is also said to hear whispers from other insiders that Titanfall 3 has already kicked off development, but, there has yet to be a confirmation to the claim as of reporting. For now, players can only look forward to the inevitable Season 9 for Apex Legends in which Respawn Entertainment will reveal more details in the coming weeks. What is in public eye to anticipated is the Dark Horse Comics’ comic book series, Apex Legends: Override. The first issue of four is said to arrive in June. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you skeptical about the leak for Blisk? Apex Legends is out now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC; comes to Nintendo Switch; playable via backwards compatibility on Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5.

PlayStation Now Welcomes $1 1-Month Membership Option

In terms of comparing Xbox & PlayStation platforms, it is a day/night difference in the population for the respected family of platforms. While the current Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5 systems arrived this past fall, it is easy to presume that Sony still manages to lead in number of users on its platform. While Xbox One is recorded to only have sold more than 45 million units, PlayStation 4 easily overtook 120 million by the end of its lifecycle. However, the comparison inverts in comparison to the services that the two offers. Despite Xbox’s limited userbase, Xbox Game Pass leads the market by roughly 10 times the amount that PlayStation Now achieved – and that’s even with the head start that Sony’s service received ahead of the Microsoft service. But while Microsoft early on with Xbox Game Pass welcomed continued $1 1-month subscription tier for its Netflix-like video game service, now the same can be witnessed over at PlayStation Now as well. On the service’s website, there is a new 1-month tier available for purchase until March 29. Reading the fine print on the promotion’s legal page, it reads the following: “Offer valid March 26, 2021 @ 10:00 AM PT to March 29, 2021 @ 10:00 AM PT. Non-active subscribers only. Limit 1 per account on PlayStation Network.” Continues, “Your 1-month membership will renew automatically and $9.99 + applicable tax will be deducted from your wallet every month until you cancel. If your wallet has insufficient funds, your account’s default payment method will be charged the remainder. Price may change.” In the past, Rectify Gaming has remarked on the pursuit by Sony on further establishing a standing on PlayStation Now and acknowledges the lacking effort to do so. But, the latest promotion appears to be putting the service in the right direction for Sony in future reference. Notably, Sony Interactive Entertainment President & CEO Jim Ryan did reference aims to combat Xbox Game Pass in the future, but has yet to spare the firm’s plan in doing so. Elsewhere in a report from Ampere Analysis, it reads that roughly a quarter of PlayStation Now owners do not continue their subscriptions due to lacking content provided. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you planning to take on the $1 1-month promotion for PlayStation Now? Source: PlayStation Now

Report: Xbox Game Pass To Welcome At Least Six More Square Enix Games In The Coming Future

What continues to widen the eyes of many Xbox Game Pass users is the recent influx of Square Enix titles coming to the monthly service. In March alone, owners for the Netflix-esque video game service witnessed the abrupt announcement for People Can Fly’s Outriders arriving on the first of April. However, it does not end there. In a later update, Microsoft also included Octopath Traveler which is an addition that could not be predicted to arrive to Xbox Game Pass. What makes the announcement even more interesting is that roughly two weeks later there is still no sign of the game coming to PlayStation 4. Additionally, Square Enix in a statement to Gematsu issued there is no further comment on the port to Sony’s console. But now in a new report from IGN Korea, it is revealed that Square Enix is still planning more additions. In a translated tweet from @KoreaXboxnews, we get an accurate translation of the post which you can read below: In regards to what Square Enix could potentially add points towards Final Fantasy, of course. In the past, Microsoft commented that the company plans to fulfill its promise on coming entries from the series for Xbox Game Pass. However, this is where it gets more interesting. Running on speculation, perhaps we will witness the official release for Final Fantasy VII Remake on Xbox. Currently a PlayStation exclusive, there game is to remain a unique release until the contractual end of the agreement between Sony Interactive Entertainment & Square Enix on April 3. There have been talks of an Xbox version in the past, but, nothing manifested from the claims since. Additionally, there is the window that Deck Nine’s Life is Strange: True Colors might come to the service as well. The previous Deck Nine entry, Life is Strange: Before the Storm, received marketing rights for the game prior to its release. So there is room to suggest that being a likely candidate as well. You can read the full announcement for the game by heading here. What games are you hoping to see come to Xbox Game Pass from Square Enix?

Microsoft Reveals New Daystrike Camo & Electric Volt Xbox Series X|S Controllers

To Microsoft, the pursuit for players to use its platforms and enjoy video games is the pinnacle of its ambitions. Even more, the Xbox company wants to offer welcoming arms to users that find regular tasks to even be a struggle. Already, the Xbox Adaptive controller proves to be a smart resolution for that. But, Microsoft is eager to further evolve the already revolutionary peripheral entering deeper into the Xbox Series X|S lifecycle. As for traditional gamepads, we already have the standard Carbon Black, Robot White, and latest Pulse Red controllers. However, Microsoft is surely not finished with creating another line of controllers as we already witnessed with the Xbox One generation. In that, the company unveils the Daystrike Camo & Electric Volt controllers. Inspired by the energy and vibrance often found in athletic apparel and sneaker design, the Xbox Wireless Controller – Electric Volt is the newest color in the current generation of Xbox controllers. Electric Volt builds on the same, striking color theme of Shock Blue and Pulse Red but takes it up a notch with a high-energy, yellow resin not yet seen on Xbox hardware. Navin Kumar, Xbox Director of Product Management In the Xbox Wire blog post, Kumar continues, “The Xbox Wireless Controller – Daystrike Camo Special Edition is the third installment in our Camo series, following the Night Ops Camo and Arctic Camo Special Edition controllers, and first in the latest generation of Xbox controllers. Your favorite Xbox camo takes on a unique, lifestyle twist in this fresh design. With a palette of deep reds, paired with grey and black, Daystrike Camo brings a streetwear vibe to your game.” Unlike previous controller design reveals, both Daystrike Camo & Electric Volt both will be kicking off the new ‘Icon Collection’ of Xbox clothing on the Xbox Gear Shop. So shirts, hoodies, and even pants will be bearing a resemblance one way or another to the new designs on the way. In other initiative planned for Xbox Series X|S, it is reported that Microsoft is beginning to roll in Dolby Vision support for a selection of games in the latest Xbox Insider Alpha Ring. You can read the full report by heading here. What controller piques your interest the most? The Electric Volt controller will run for $64.99 when it arrives on April 27, 2021 while the Daystrike Camo is to arrive on May 2, 2021 priced at $69.99. Source: Xbox Wire

Microsoft Features A Dozen Plus Games Coming To Xbox Game Pass In Today’s /TwitchGaming ID@Xbox Showcase

In the past week, momentum for the Microsoft x Twitch indie game showcase began to build up as developer teased at what games will be present at the presentation. The /TwitchGaming Showcase: ID@Xbox is told to feature a magnitude of already announced games alongside around 20 new games that will be presented at the coming show scheduled for March 26. Leading up to the presentation, however, developer GSC Game World issued to be pulling the anticipated S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 from the showcase. Namely, the event came way too quickly than the Ukrainian developer anticipated and disclosed that the big update for its upcoming sequel will be coming later on in 2021. Now with the show over and behind us, ID@Xbox has unveiled close to two dozen titles that will be arriving to Xbox Game Pass at launch. You can read the full list below: Console Art of the Rally Astria Ascending – 2021 Backbone Boyfriend Dungeon Craftopia Dead Static Drive Edge of Eternity – 2021 Hello Neighbor 2 Library of Ruina Little Witch in the Woods Moonglow Bay Narita Boy Nobody Saves the World Omno – 2021 Recompile – 2021 Sable She Dreams Elsewhere S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 The Ascent Undungeon Way to the Woods Wild at Heart PC Boyfriend Dungeon Craftopia Dead Static Drive Recompile – 2021 Sable She Dreams Elsewhere The Ascent Undungeon Cloud Art of the Rally Astria Ascending – 2021 Backbone Edge of Eternity – 2021 Hello Neighbor 2 Library of Ruina Little Witch in the Woods Moonglow Bay Narita Boy Nobody Saves the World Omno – 2021 Recompile – 2021 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 The Ascent Undungeon Way to the Woods Already, Microsoft has issued that some of the featured games in the list like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, The Ascent, and She Dreams Elsewhere will be coming to Xbox Game Pass and reiterates on the games arriving to the service. Namely entries like the Studio Zevere title was previously featured by Rectify Gaming during PAX East 2020. “My full experience […] has really encaptured a lot of anticipation for the game’s arrival,” the feature reads in regards to She Sleeps Elsewhere. Additionally, Rectify Gaming also samples Eggnut’s Backbone at PAX West 2019 as well. You can read the full coverage on the game by heading here. Are you excited for any of the namely features coming to Xbox Game Pass? Source: Xbox Wire

343 Industries In Latest Inside Infinite Discusses The Impact Of Audio And The Thought Put In For Halo Infinite

To decipher what 343 Industries is operating on in particular for Halo Infinite, the Xbox Game Studios team releases periodic ‘Inside Infinite’ updates for players to grasp an understanding on the aim and the ambitions for the next mainline entry. At the start of March, elements surrounding quality of life components for Halo Infinite were discussed including the edge of the ring, duel wielding weapons, and playable elites. But, March 2021 is to feature two Inside Infinite presentations from 343 Industries. Earlier in the week, the developer pressed that the next feature is to arrive in the coming days with an emphasis on the sound design. At least referencing the score and use of audio in prior Halo entries (Halo 4, Halo 5), fans criticize the direction as it deviates from the original approach of the Bungie trilogy and ultimately overwhelms the player. In elaborating on the new pursuit for audio with Halo Infinite, 343 Industries explains that is rethinking how audio is handled and creates a new system that better projects sounds that do not throw all of it at once or layer altogether. For Infinite we first identified our core pillars, one of which was mentioned above as “Hope.” Another falls into the “ancient mystery/sci-fi” category and a third is “military/honor/sense of duty.” Connecting each of those together are common themes like a sense of wonder as well as heroism. We set out to bring back that brightness in tone from early Halo scores while continuing to evolve the palette with new voices in the industry (at least new to Halo) to honor what has come before while introducing new themes and styles. Of course, this centers around the fact that you are the Master Chief. You are that ultimate super soldier with an unfaltering sense of duty while maintaining compassion, blasting alien baddies with this beautiful and even uplifting music as a soundtrack. An important aspect we identified for the composers (and factored into how we selected them) was having a level of comfort writing in major keys, not being shy to end with a major chord or inserting one where it might not be expected. And that last bit plays into another aspect we were after by not always moving to the next expected chord in a given chord progression but instead “surprise me!” One quote that Paul Crocker, our Associate Creative Director, shared early on with the entire Infinite team was to “take the familiar and flip it to create something surprising” but not wholly unfamiliar. Musically, that made a lot of sense and became one of our guideposts along the way. Joel Yager, Halo Infinite Music Supervisor “Our ultimate goal with the music has been to say to those who have never played Halo, ‘Welcome.’ And to those who have played and love Halo like we do, ‘Welcome Home,’” Yager adds on to the matter. While the team strives to create a new experience audibly, 343 Industries still wants to hone in on the familiarity that this is still Halo without coming off foreign to returning players. As to what 343 Industries will do different this time around, the team reflected on the criticisms dealt by its players and to better utilize it for the coming project. “With this feedback in mind, we decided to focus on strengthening the excitement and impact of Halo’s combat through improved audio,” Sotaro Tojima, Halo Infinite Audio Director explains. “We established the concept just months after shipping Halo 5, and since then our team has worked together to deliver on this goal. “Our overall approach to land this concept was delivering the key combat sounds in a clear and impactful way. To achieve that, we had to reduce sound density dramatically in a natural way. Of course, this isn’t really as simple as it sounds. As I mentioned above, our audio contents and systems were designed for detailed and rich audio for Halo 4 and 5, so this new direction was pretty much the opposite approach compared to our last two games.” One approach to rectify the problem is creating shorter sound queues for assets in-game. For the sake of the post, 343 Industries illustrated an example by featuring a sound comparison of the Battle Rifle from both Halo 5 and Halo Infinite. Tojima further explains the project in the following: There are many gun sounds in our game – multiple enemies, teammates, and players are constantly firing weapons. In our past Halo titles, we handled each gun-fire’s listening-volume purely by distance. So, all gun sound volumes were exactly the same if they’re originating from the same distance. As a result, we had too many loud gun sounds constantly overwhelming a player which made it very difficult to detect true threat position. The new Halo Infinite audio system detects all gun sounds frame by frame, and prioritizes them in a threat order to decide output sound volume for each gun. With this mechanic, if a gunshot is aimed at player, the sound will be louder and if it’s not aimed at player or if it’s a teammate’s gunfire, the sound is still audible but quieter. then you could hear only threat sounds clear. With the cleaner audio feedback, player can ascertain the appropriate threat to make the right action quicker and more accurately, which results in a more immersive and exciting combat experience in Halo Infinite. And with the new pursuit to lesser overwhelm the player as sounds stack over one another, 343 Industries in addition also covers its tracks for a new sound “portal” system in which sound comes to the listener in a more organic approach than directly from the source through walls and objects. “In a room-and-portal system, sounds travel from room to room through doorways, windows, and other ‘portals’”, Halo Infinite Lead Audio Technical Designer Chad Thompson explains. “These paths are used to determine the shortest distance the sound could travel to get from the room the sound is playing from to the