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Google Ships Beta For Stadia/YouTube Crowd Play Feature

While many throughout the industry believe that Google Stadia is not what the industry needs, it happens to be the byproduct of what Microsoft is aiming to compete against. While games are certainly the forefront for any video game platform, the Xbox company’s concern is how the platform is provided across a magnitude of avenues. Hence why Amazon & Google are larger concerns for Xbox’s Phil Spencer compared to Sony or Nintendo. Already, Google already delivered on one promise for its Click To Play feature unique to Stadia. In that, the tech giant last year shipped the system which allowed users see a game while watch YouTube, click the link to Stadia, and instantly drop into the game. Now, more initial promises from Google are being made as of a recent announcement. Now, Crowd Play is on the way. Well, not entirely: the feature is currently entering beta and Stadia users can sign-up now. Essentially, the tool allows players to watch a YouTube livestreaming a multiplayer match, enter a queue to play in the same lobby, and eventually drop into the match with the user. One niché addition discovered about the new feature is that players can use it for multiple accounts. For the sake of the beta, Google in a separate FAQ told that you will need to sign-up multiple times for the number of YouTube accounts you have. “If you have more than one YouTube channel, you can submit an application for each channel you would like to be considered. Each channel needs to meet the criteria to be accepted into the program.” Previously, Google shipped more dedicated support for Stadia with native applications on smart televisions. Now, the platform can be found on models from Onn, Philips, Hisense, and Xiaomi. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you planning to try Crowd Play on Stadia? Source: Google

PlatinumGames Schedules Closed Betas For Babylon’s Fall Starting In Late July For Select Regions

While many players are direly concerned for the future of Bayonetta 3 from developer PlatinumGames, fans are worried as to when the game will ship with little detail follow-up since the game’s initial 2017 reveal. But, there is another release on the way from the Japanese team that is still underway – Babylon’s Fall. Announced in 2019, the project is a new project in collaboration with Square Enix. But, much detail on the game is fairly scarce. While PlatinumGames did address that it will press more information on the title when ready, plenty regarding the new experience is still unknown. Although the game was featured at the recent ‘Square Enix Presents’ summer showcase, many questions are still lingering. Namely, the decision to push the game as a live service is one major inquiry. Given a release date is still not ready for Babylon’s Fall, the team is preparing a closed beta for the game at the end of the month. This will be for select regions starting with Japan and bleeding into Europe & North America later this August. You can read the full schedule below: JP Server Thursday 29th July 2021 from 2:00 to 6:00 (PDT). NA Server Thursday 5th August 2021 from 18:00 to 22:00 (PDT). EU Server Friday 12th August 2021 from 10:00 to 14:00 (PDT). In terms of platforms the closed beta will be prepared for, PlatinumGames discloses it will be unique to Steam for Phase One. With the indication that more closed playtesting will be on the way later on, it is told that PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5 are to pick up its own timeframe beyond Phase One. “Phase 1 will take place in each region separately. The server which you will be playing on is determined by the region of your Square Enix Account, so please check yours in advance,” the team explains. “The scope of the Closed Beta Test will expand as it progresses into Phases 2 and 3. Additional participants will be notified by email at a later date. Anyone who participated in Phase 1 will continue to be able to participate in Phase 2 and 3.” Unfortunately, PlatinumGames goes on to confirm in a FAQ that progress in the beta will not be carried to the full game when it releases. “No character or save game data will be carried over to the release version of the game. However the link made between your Square Enix Account and any platform accounts will remain.” You can sign-up by heading here. Are you planning to try the Babylon’s Fall closed playtest? Babylon’s Fall is listed for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. Source: PlatinumGames