Microsoft & Waze Releases New UNSC And Banished Themes For The Navigation App
In the past, collaborations that brought the video game outside of the television usually includes a physical take on the property with either food or a collectable in a traditional sense. However, there has been new lengths that publishers are pursuing when it comes to getting its next game to more people than just those counting down the days. With that, voice AI is becoming the norm in recent years. Previously, we witnessed the same happen for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey prior to its release. In that, Ubisoft partnered up with Amazon to create ‘Alexios’, a spin on the Amazon-owned AI Alexa. Rather than the expected female voice companion, the male protagonist from the titular 2018 title will be there to speak and answer what is asked. Now in a similar turn of events, the same is on the way for Waze. The navigation app is receiving new themes in preparation for Halo Infinite by featuring choices for both the USNC or The Banished. When you’re in a rush to save the galaxy from extinction there’s nothing worse than getting caught in traffic. While Halo’s iconic Warthog can simply go around roadblocks thanks to its rugged off-road capabilities and a Banished Ghost can utilize its anti-gravity pads to take the most direct route, now the rest of us can arrive in style thanks to a new global partnership between Xbox’s Halo Infinite and the navigation app Waze. Starting today, drivers around the world can access a brand-new Waze experience that allows them to drive with vehicles and characters straight from the Halo universe. Upon selecting the Halo theme, drivers can choose their side: the UNSC or the Banished. Those siding with humanity and the UNSC will have their in-app car replaced with the Warthog and will have their trip navigated by none other than the Master Chief himself, and even select him as their Waze profile “Mood.” Drivers embracing their more rebellious side can choose the Banished, Halo Infinite’s enemy faction. They’ll have their in-app car replaced with a Ghost, get their navigation audio from the Banished war chief, Escharum, and an Escharum “Mood” to let others on the road know which side they’ve chosen. Gordon Donald, Xbox International Partnerships Lead As of Tuesday, the themes will be available for a limited time in a selection of languages: English; Spanish, French, Portuguese. “Access the first ever video game-themed experience on Waze to choose your faction, and your drives will take on a decidedly Halo flavor. Or open the Waze app, tap ‘My Waze’ and select the Halo banner to activate the experience.” More recently, Microsoft also teamed up with Amazon to make Alexa compatible with Xbox Game Pass. In that, players can command Alexa to open Xbox Game Pass on console and direct which game to launch via support on the system. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you planning to try the Waze Halo Infinite themes? Source: Xbox Wire
Microsoft Reveals New Aqua Shift Edition Controller, Arrives End Of August As Pre-Orders Go Live Now
While the Xbox Series X|S launched with the Carbon Black & Robot White controllers, more variants emerged within a short time period. In that, Blue Shock came about followed by Red Pulse and the later additions of both Electric Volt & Dayshock Camo after that. But, Microsoft is certainly not done with how players can express themselves with game paddles in anyway. Revealed this past June, it was announced that Xbox Design Lab is making a comeback for the new Xbox Series X|S controllers. With even more variation as players can explore more creative options, Microsoft explains that there are over eight million ways to make your own controller. Additionally, black-on-color ABXY buttons is added to the mix as well excitingly enough. On Tuesday, Microsoft revealed yet another controller is hitting the Microsoft Store at the end of August. Unveiling the Aqua Shift Edition Controller, players will have the option soon to decide between featured gamepad directly from Microsoft, Xbox Design Lab, or the new iteration with a ‘unique dual color swirl’ on the rubberized side grips. Aqua shift features a surreal, color-shifting blue shimmer that you need to see to believe. Playing with the way the prismatic color moves across our controller, you’ll feel like Aqua Shift comes to life in your hands. Inspired by the fantasy that gaming brings into our lives, we know this mystical beauty will add that magic your controller collection needs. Aqua shift is the first Special Edition Xbox Series X|S controller to feature rubberized side grips with a unique dual color swirl on every unit. Textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case makes sure you stay connected to the game no matter how intense things get. Navim Kumar, Xbox Director of Product Marketing On the internal side of the Xbox Series X|S controller, it is no secret that Microsoft is pursuing to develop a more ground-breaking gamepad similar to the PlayStation 5 DualSense. In that, the firm previously surveyed its new system owners asking if they would prefer “features on PlayStation controllers that I wish were on the controller” which the Xbox Series consoles ships with. Additionally, Xbox lead Phil Spencer elaborates on the experience for Xbox controllers when speaking on the Kinda Funny Gamescast. “I think Sony’s done a nice job with their controller and we kind of look at some of that and [potentially] there are things that we should go do.” You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested in picking up the Aqua Shift Edition Controller? Aqua Shift Edition Controller arrives on August 31, 2021 for $69.99 and is available to pre-order now on the Microsoft Store. Source: Xbox Wire
J. Allen Brack, Blizzard Entertainment President, Leaves Game Studio In Abrupt Departure
On the matter of the current situation over at Blizzard Entertainment and the greater Activision Blizzard conglomerate, many across the internet and the globe are in shock and demand change for the human rights violations that continued to take place over at its offices. So much so that the State of California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against Blizzard Entertainment with a two-year investigation conjoined with the filing. As a result, players across multiple Blizzard & Activision titles are responding in protest to the discovery and also demand that changes are to be made at the companies. In one string of tweets from World of Warcraft Senior System Designer Jeff Hamilton, development has virtually halted since the initial discovery of housed ‘frat boy’ workplace culture at Blizzard Entertainment. In a new announcement on Tuesday, Blizzard Entertainment President J. Allen Brack has departed from his role and the overall company. To fill the shoes as Brack exits, executive vice president and general manager of platform and technology Mike Ybarra & executive vice president of development Jen Oneal are to be co-leading Blizzard Entertainment. I am pleased to announce that, effective immediately, Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra have been appointed co-leaders of Blizzard. Jen and Mike will share responsibility for development and operational accountability for the company. Both are leaders of great character and integrity and are deeply committed to ensuring our workplace is the most inspired, welcoming environment for creative excellence and to upholding our highest game development standards. Many of us already know Mike and Jen and have experienced their leadership, their empathy and their unwavering sense of accountability […] With their many years of industry experience and deep commitment to integrity and inclusivity, I am certain Jen and Mike will lead Blizzard with care, compassion and a dedication to excellence. With Jen and Mike assuming their new roles, J. Allen Brack is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities. Daniel Alegre, Activision Blizzard President and Chief Operating Officer “I am confident that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will provide the leadership Blizzard needs to realize its full potential and will accelerate the pace of change. I anticipate they will do so with passion and enthusiasm and that they can be trusted to lead with the highest levels of integrity and commitment to the components of our culture that make Blizzard so special,” Brack shares in a statement in a separate blog post. The writing continues by reassuring the new redirected leadership with both Ybarra and Oneal at the helm of Blizzard Entertainment following Brack’s abrupt departure. “Jen and Mike have more than three decades of gaming industry experience between them. Moving forward, they will share responsibilities over game development and company operations. “Both leaders are deeply committed to all of our employees; to the work ahead to ensure Blizzard is the safest, most welcoming workplace possible for women, and people of any gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background; to upholding and reinforcing our values; and to rebuilding your trust. With their many years of industry experience and deep commitment to integrity and inclusivity, Jen and Mike will lead Blizzard with care, compassion, and a dedication to excellence.” Earlier this year, Blizzard Entertainment also said goodbye to another veteran at the game studio. In that, Overwatch creator Jeff Kaplan announced to be departing from the firm after working there for nearly two decades. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you surprised by the turn of events for Blizzard Entertainment? Source: Activision Blizzard, Blizzard Entertainment
Hades, Katamari Damacy: Reroll, And More To Hit Xbox Game Pass Library This Month For August 2021
In the last engagement of Xbox Game Pass additions, Microsoft did not let up on some heavy-hitting releases coming to the monthly subscription service for late July and lingering into August this year. Entries such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, The Ascent, and Cris Tales are namely titles that many subscribers grow excited to see officially be arriving and at no additional cost for these premium releases. Regarding what the future might hold for where Xbox Game Pass could expand to next, there is some floating questions pointed towards Nintendo Switch. Not outright denying the speculation, Nintendo would not comment on how it could be integrated for Nintendo Switch later on. Previously it was claimed that Microsoft & Nintendo were collaborating to make that a reality. Now on Tuesday, Microsoft reveals the new lineup of Xbox Game Pass titles which you can read in the list below: Console Curse of the Dead Gods – 8/5 Dodgeball Academia – 8/5 Katamari Damacy: Reroll – 8/5 Lumines Remastered – 8/5 Skate [EA Play] – 8/5 Art of Rally – 8/12 Hades – 8/13 PC Curse of the Dead Gods – 8/5 Dodgeball Academia – 8/5 Katamari Damacy: Reroll – 8/5 Lumines Remastered – 8/5 Starmancer – 8/5 Art of Rally – 8/12 Hades – 8/13 Microsoft Solitaire Collection: Premium Edition – 8/17 Cloud Curse of the Dead Gods – 8/5 Dodgeball Academia – 8/5 Katamari Damacy: Reroll – 8/5 Lumines Remastered – 8/5 Skate [EA Play] – 8/5 Art of Rally – 8/12 Hades – 8/13 Like always, with new games in also means current games also to face the exit. Those titles includes Grand Theft Auto V (Console; Cloud) on August 8th alongside Ape Out (PC), Crossing Souls (PC), Darksiders Genesis (Cloud; Console; PC), Don’t Starve (Cloud; Console; PC), Final Fantasy VII (Console; PC) Train Sim World 2020 (Cloud; Console; PC) on August 12th. Most recently, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told during its latest financial report that more than 50 percent of users are more likely to purchase compared to those not subscribed to Xbox Game Pass. Atop of that, 40 percent more games were also played by Xbox Game Pass owners. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited for this month’s newest additions so far? Source: Xbox Wire
Ghostrunner, Nier: Automata, Undertale Scheduled For PlayStation Now’s NEwest Additions For August 2021
For two exciting months already, Sony Interactive Entertainment continues to provide the heat that keeps the PlayStation Now flames going. In June to kick off the summer, there was an assortment of games slated for the monthly service: Car Mechanic Simulator, Slay the Spire, Sonic Forces, Sonic Mania, Team Sonic Racing, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown. Then entering into July 2021, a similar occurrence was brought upon PlayStation Now subscribers as another engaging month was laid upon them. Those titles included God of War, Judgment, Moving Out, Nascar Heat 5, Nioh 2, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Red Dead Redemption 2. Now entering August, the list is slimming down, but the impact still remains the same. In a new PlayStation Now blog post from Sony Interactive Entertainment, there is a total of three heavy-hitters that are arriving to PlayStation Now. You can view the full roster below: Ghostrunner Nier: Automata Undertale Typically, the additions that come to PlayStation Now are fairly limited with an estimated date as to when it will be removed from the list. However, Sony Interactive Entertainment offers two long-lasting entries to PlayStation Now (Ghostrunner, Undertale). Nier: Automata is only available until November 1, 2021. While PlayStation Now is mainly a venture on console, PC users are in for a treat thanks to Sony Interactive Entertainment. Most recently in an interview with Famitsu, that Video Game Chronicles transcribed, President & CEO Jim Ryan explains the commencement for recent acquisition Nixxes Software to begin delivering more PlayStation titles to PC. You can read the full report by heading here. Which titles are you most interested to try first? Source: PlayStation Blog
Fortnite To Feature Rift Tour With Ariana Grande This Weekend
In the ongoing amount of publicity that continues to pump into Epic Games’ Fortnite, the title is to continue this trend later this weekend. In a new announcement on Sunday, the publisher shared that it will be hosting yet another virtual concert on its in-game servers. Previously, we witnessed the success of this with the previous ‘Astronomical’ Travis Scott show back in early 2020. Much so that Epic Games at the time recorded more than 12 million concurrent players participating in the event then. Additionally, more players also tuned in when Epic Games hosted an event with The Dark Knight/Dunkirk director Christopher Nolan later on as well. The promotion then led then on of Nolan’s earlier productions to be played for players that decided to join at a later date. The latest announcement is for the coming ‘Rift Tour’ which will feature pop star Ariana Grande as she will be starring in the show this weekend. Taking part across a three-day event, there will be a total of five show which you can read the schedule in the list below: Show 1Friday, August 6 @ 3 PM PST/6 PM EST Show 2Saturday, August 7 @ 11 AM PST/ 2 PM EST Show 3Sunday, August 7 @ 9 PM PST & August 8 @ 12 AM EST Show 4Sunday, August 8 @ 7 AM PST/10 AM EST Show 5Sunday, August 8 @ 3 PM PST/6 PM EST Working with Epic and the Fortnite team to bring my music to life inside the game has been so fun and such an honor. I can’t wait to join my fans and see all of your reactions to such an unforgettable, magical journey to new realities,” Grande told in a statement provided by IGN. Additionally, Grande will be the next in line for the Fortnite Icon Series. Originally, the line of prolific character skins and in-game items started with Tyler “Ninja” Blevins and now has evolved into including Ariana Grande. The teaser for the next addition features ‘Piggy Smallz Back Bling’. Recently, Epic Games and DC Comics announced to be collaborating in bridging the canon between Fortnite & Batman. Now, the two are interconnected in the new Zeropoint comic series. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you looking forward to the Rift Tour this weekend on Fortnite? Fortnite is out now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Source: Epic Games
Exomecha Shelves Its August Release For New Launch Window In 2022, Developer Announces
For the July/August projectile for game releasing over on Xbox, many of the titles that are featured to be heavy-hitters are already out such as Death’s Door, The Ascent, and Microsoft Flight Simulator. However, there is also another scheduled release that is still on the way, but was formally slated to drop sometime in August of this year. Previously, developer TwistedRed announced that its coming free-to-play, first-person shooter is on the way to Xbox One, Xbox Series systems, and PC this August. Originally unveiled back in July 2020 during the initial Xbox Game Showcase, fans awaiting its arrival has been very patient since. But, now that wait period is being prolonged according to the developer itself. In a new statement from TwistedRed, Exomecha is now being scheduled for a 2022 release window at the earliest over on Twitter. You can read the full letterhead in the imbedded tweet below: “We want to assure you that the additional time provides our passionate team to refine Exomecha as we’ve imagined it,” TwistedRed explains. Adding, “As TwistedRed team, we are glad for all your support from the very beginning and thank you for understanding. As for our pre-release tests, we plan to send some private invites in September, initially, it will be PC only for quicker iteration.” Most interesting is how the late decision will affect Microsoft. Presumably the game was slated to be on Xbox Game Pass when it launches which now leaves the Xbox company one game short for August 2021. Perhaps Microsoft will determine a title to replace the delayed game for when Exomecha was originally expected to ship. Are you upset by the delay for Exomecha? Exomecha is expected to arrive sometime in Q1 2022 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
