High On Life is the biggest 3rd party Xbox Game Pass Launch in history
Squanch Games has built a very successful game as we reported over the last week, High On Life has been the most popular game in all categories possible for Xbox Game Pass. Today, Microsoft officially said that High On Life is the biggest 3rd party Xbox Game Pass release in history as well as biggest release of a single player-only game in the service’s history. It’s also the biggest Xbox Game Pass launch of 2022. These stats are measured in terms of engagement, based on the number of hours played. So it isn’t just about downloads on the game it’s actually displaying who is playing actively. “This was our first time launching a game with Game Pass,” said Mike Fridley, Studio Director and COO of Squanch Games, “and we’ve been blown away by the response from the players who have made us the most popular game on Game Pass right now. When Squanch Games was first created, it was to make the games we wanted to play – and Game Pass is helping us reach the players that want to play those games too.” When High On Life was first revealed at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase it was tough to say how much enthusiasm would be around it. Would High On Life still have this success if Xbox Game Pass didn’t exist?
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution Box Art Reveals Official Packaging For PlayStation VR 2 Games
For the new consoles, any new information was always a treat for fans eager to learn more about the next PlayStation or Xbox. At the time, reveals for the packaging was an interesting time with the new two SKU approach for both firms. At Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation 5 offered two with its disc model and disc-less model – white & black boxes respectively. Additionally, the PlayStation firm was also reworking the packaging for its games on the new system too. In that, the PlayStation 5’s monochrome design for packaging would also be applied to physical games as well. From Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, it was revealed the blue case would remain from the PlayStation 4, but the new header would be white with a black text. Now as the PlayStation VR 2 is scheduled to release in late February next year, we got what appears to be confirmation on the packaging for its physical games. This comes from the packaging for The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution which you can view in the image below: “Your tour through undead New Orleans continues in this new chapter to the Tourist’s story in The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Hunted by the seemingly unstoppable Axeman and facing off against the Tower’s latest push for total dominance, discover what connects these new threats together before it’s too late. New faces, places, weapons, and gear all await you on your journey to a final showdown for the city’s fate,” the listing description reads. As illustrated from the image on the Amazon listing, the packaging for PlayStation VR 2 is fairly indifferent compared to PlayStation 5. Virtually, the appearance is the same aside from the additional alteration in black with white text reading “PlayStation VR2 Required”. What are your thoughts on the new packaging? PlayStation VR 2 ships on February 23, 2023. Source: Amazon
Resident Evil 8 PlayStation VR 2 Version To Launch This February As A Free DLC
It is no secret that the PlayStation 5 is the most anticipating console to ship this generation. Whilst the Nintendo Switch does have a head start marked at 114 million units sold, the PlayStation 5 is currently sitting on 25 million sold. Of course, this will likely swell with increased production down the line. Atop of that, PlayStation Vr 2 is on the horizon. In a recent announcement, the second virtual reality headset is slated to ship this February. Alongside that, there was a trio of games confirmed to hit the device previously being The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution, Resident Evil 8, No Man’s Sky. Last week, Hello Games confirmed No Man’s Sky is to ship at launch for PlayStation VR 2. According to Capcom, Resident Evil 8: Village is to also ship at launch for the same headset. More interesting is that the publisher will offer the game as a free DLC in February. “Resident Evil Village VR mode is officially releasing as free* DLC on February 22, 2023, the same day PlayStationVR2 launches!” the blog post reads. “Play through the entirety of Resident Evil Village with PlayStation®VR2! Become Ethan Winters and experience all of the chills, thrills, and kills of the Village and its cavalcade of creepy characters! […] Resident Evil Village VR mode makes full use of the features of PlayStation®VR2. Crisp graphics on a 4K HDR display, eye tracking, as well as 3D audio all work together to stimulate your senses and put you in the heart of the action!” In other recent news for PlayStation VR 2, Cosmic Machia announced Fantavision is returning. In that, the classic PlayStation 2 games is being adapted into the medium as Fantavision 202X which will also be a launch title for the PlayStation VR 2. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited for the PlayStation VR 2 version of Resident Evil 8? Resident Evil 8 ships for PlayStation VR 2 on February 23, 2023. Source: Capcom
Fantavision Returns With Fantavision 202X Coming To PlayStation VR 2 This February
This year, Sony Interactive Entertainment has finally capitalized on its legacy repertoire with PlayStation Plus. After years of fans demanding backwards compatibility, the firm did so with its subscription options introducing the ‘Essential’, ‘Extra’, and ‘Premium’ tiers this summer. At the time featured more than a few hundred games spread across PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable. Additionally, PlayStation VR is also receiving more attention with the second, next-generation headset also shipping this February. Most recently, the firm shared one of its pioneering IP for the first device – Moss – is receiving dedicated support for the PlayStation VR 2 come launch. This will also apply to its sequel, Moss: Book II as well. So, what if this recent trend of attention for older games and PlayStation VR merged? Well, Fantavision which came from the original PlayStation 2 is coming out with a follow-up dubbed ‘Fantavision 202X’ which will launch for the PlayStation VR 2 at launch. You can watch the announcement trailer in the video below: “Fantavision, initially released on PlayStation 2, will return in 2023 on PlayStation 5! Very simple rules, and once you get the hang of it, the game is more addictive than you can imagine! It’s an artistic combination of action, shooting, strategy, and puzzles!” the overview reads according to press release from developer Cosmic Machia. For other featured titles confirmed for PlayStation VR 2, Sony Interactive Entertainment listed roughly a dozen games additional projects planned to launch for the system. That includes Cities VR – Enhanced Edition, Crossfire: Sierra Squad, Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue, Pistol Whip VR, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, and more. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you most interested to see the return of Fantavision coming to PlayStation VR 2? Fantavision 202X ships on February 23, 2023 for PlayStation VR 2. Source: Cosmic Machia
Five Nights At Freddy’s Grabs Matthew Lillard & Josh Hutcherson For The Upcoming Film
To many Five Nights at Freddy’s fans, the franchise went from a niché point-and-click project for streamers to becoming what is now the pinnacle of the brand. Previously, developer Steel Wool Studios launched Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach which passed the IP into AAA territory offering a new experience unlike any project before it. Additionally, word on a film adaptation has been passed around since 2018 roughly. But, progress has been at a snail’s pace ever since. In the summer, Blumhouse hinted at the production with a miniature of what appeared to be Freddy Fazbear with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. It was more recently that Variety reported Emma Tammi to direct with filming to commence this February. Now a new Deadline report presses further on the casting for the upcoming Five Nights at Freddy’s production. In that, Matthew Lillard (Scream, Scooby Doo) and Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, The Bee Keeper) are to mantle up for the new film. Casting was not specified in the report, but production is said to take place in New Orleans, Louisiana. “Five Nights at Freddy’s follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through,” Deadline gives for an overview the film will be based on for the film adaptation. With casting left uncertain, there is no confidence how the story will be interpreted into film. Exploring other horror-like productions in the work, Bioshock is to be receiving a film adaptation over at Netflix. A recent report presses the production is to be written by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, Blade Runner 2042) and is also directing. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited for the Five Nights at Freddy’s film with this recent update? Source: Deadline
Mortal Shell: Complete Edition is now out on Nintendo Switch
A new game has been made available to the Nintendo Switch and it’s Mortal Shell: Complete Edition from Playstack and Cold Symmetry. It’s a dark and unrelenting action RPG. Originally released on Aug. 18, 2020, for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, Mortal Shell took the soulslike scene by storm as players and critics alike sang its praises in universal acclaim. Now, players who have been patiently waiting for the challenging masterpiece to make its way to Nintendo Switch can test their mettle against Mortal Shell’s fearsome adversaries for themselves. Included in the Mortal Shell: Complete Edition, Nintendo Switch players will also gain access to the game’s two previous DLC entries, The Virtuous Cycle and Rotten Autumn. You can purchase Mortal Shell: Complete Edition on the Nintendo eShop for $29.99.
Political Strategy Sim, Beholder 3 is out on consoles now
Toplitz Productions and Paintbucket Games announced that Beholder 3 is now on consoles. Recently honored with the German Developer Award in two categories (“Best Story” and “Best Game Beyond Entertainment”), Beholder 3 is now filling stores with darkness and challenging players’ skills as a spy. In Beholder 3 you play as Frank Schwarz, a husband and father who lost his easygoing office job at the Ministry after someone set him up. The only way to avoid jail time was to make a deal with a high-ranking security officer. Now a government spy working undercover as a landlord, you must break into tenants’ apartments, search them for contraband and eliminate anyone your boss wants out of the picture. Players must also spy and scheme again co-workers and superiors in the Ministry to work their way back up the ladder. Different factions are secretly vying for power over the Ministry and the country. Play them against each other to your advantage! Can you get your old life back, or even something better? Will you fight for change and truth or uphold the status quo? Who are you willing to sacrifice to get what you want? The answers are yours to decide. You can now play Beholder 3 on Xbox Series XlS and PlayStation 5.
High On Life beats Minecraft as current most popular Xbox Game Pass title
High On Life might just be the biggest third party release for Xbox Game Pass as it continues to shock everyone during just its first week. A few days ago we posted about High On Life being Top 3 in most popular lists for Xbox, PC and Cloud gaming. It has now overtaken Minecraft as the current Most Popular Xbox Game Pass title. Benj-Sales on Twitter has been keeping a close eye on this and has been reporting any record the game might break. High on Life has passed Minecraft to become the #1 Most Popular Game on Game Pass. Incredible result given the staying power Minecraft and Forza Horizon 5 have at the top of the chart I'm pretty confident now High on Life is the biggest Game Pass "Day 1" launch of 2022. pic.twitter.com/KU7AXSRon8 — Benji-Sales (@BenjiSales) December 19, 2022 This come as a shock for a number of reasons. One is that Minecraft and Forza Horizon 5 have been on the top of the Xbox Game Pass lists for a long time and for a single-player FPS title to overtake it is quite impressive. It’ll be interesting to see what else Microsoft has in store for Xbox Game Pass in 2023 when it comes to third-party releases. We should probably anticipate an announcement from Xbox regarding the number of players the game has received since launch just like they did with Grounded recently.
