Netflix Features Some New Titles On The Way To Its Platform With 40 Scheduled Additionally

Exploring the avenues that Netflix is taking to bring more attention to its Netflix Gaming platform has been quite the sight. Roughly a year ago now, Netflix officially shipped the free category for its users via mobile for Android with iOS in a later update. The firm also voiced its efforts for new project such as the previously noted Trivia Quest on the way. Not to mention its arrangement with Ubisoft to offer unique titles for its platform. This includes Mighty Quest, Valiant Hearts sequel, and even Assassin’s Creed as well. Already, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home hit the mobile platform in the past with more promises to be made by Netflix later on. This week, Netflix does just that plus more on what is in store for its gaming venture. In a recent press release from the company, Netflix elaborates on its upcoming featured titles including Mighty Quest: Rogue Palace, Too Hot to Handle: Love is a Game, Monument Valley 1 & Monument Valley 2, Highwater, and Terra Nil. It’s been a little more than a year since we launched games on Netflix to bring even more entertainment to our members as part of their Netflix subscription. In this short time, we’ve released 55 games, with about 40 more slated for later this year and 70 in development with our partners. That’s in addition to the 16 games currently being developed by our in-house game studios. Our goal is to develop a broad portfolio of games — in different genres and formats — because we believe everyone can find joy in games if they discover the one (or many!) that is right for them. Leanna Loombe, Netflix External Games Vice President “This year we’re going to continue building our portfolio — and that means new games every month. Members will discover indie darlings, award-winning hits, RPGs, narrative adventures, puzzle games and everything in between, and we’re working with the world’s leading studios to bring you these games,” she adds. Recently, it appears another Netflix project slipped the lips of one director. In an interview with The Nerd Queens, Zack Snyder revealed his upcoming Rebel Moon film is to also welcomed a RPG title which features a “ridiculous scale” universe that is in development. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested in the roadmap so far for Netflix Gaming? Source: Netflix

MLB The Show 23 And Infinite Guitars Slated For Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Late March Update

In March, Xbox Game Pass has continued to offer unique and exciting titles to its subscribers. From a surprising reveal by Arc System Works, Guilty Gear Strive was being added. Not to mention the slew of titles also accompanying the fighter with Civilization VI & Valheim as well. Of course, March is set to also feature MLB The Show 23 which is an ongoing tradition for the PlayStation Studios series. Additionally, there are other featured releases already slated for Xbox Game Pass. In April, Tango Gameworks’ GhostWire: Tokyo is set to hit the service alongside its long-anticipated Xbox debut as well. Not to mention the other exciting reveal for Exoprimal. The upcoming Capcom title is to arrive on the service at launch in July later this summer. From a new update by the Xbox firm, the late March library update is fairly light this time around. In that, there are only two featured titles until April next month. You can read the list below: Console MLB The Show 23 – 3/28 Infinite Guitars – 3/30 PC MLB The Show 23 – 3/28 Infinite Guitars – 3/30 Cloud MLB The Show 23 – 3/28 Infinite Guitars – 3/30 Noted, that is technically not the only addition. In the previous monthly update, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom – The Prince’s Edition is included for Xbox Game Pass which arrives today for Console, PC, and Cloud. The service also highlights a new perk for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members for a three-month trial of Apple TV+ as well. There is a bevy of leaving titles come March 31st. Those games are: A Memoir Blue (Cloud; Console; PC), Chinatown Detective Agency (Cloud; Console; PC), ClusterTruck (Cloud; Console; PC), Double Dragon Neon (Cloud; Console), Kraken Academy!! (Cloud; Console; PC), MLB The Show 22 (Cloud; Console), and Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid (Cloud; Console; PC). Which games are you interested to pick up from the late March Xbox Game Pass update? Source: Xbox Wire

Sonic Frontiers ‘Sights, Sounds, & Speed Update’ Comes Wednesday With Juke Box Mode, Photo Mode, And Two Challenge Game Types

This past November, many fans of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchised were moved away by the launch for Sonic Frontiers. Although previous titles illustrated to be missing something or a vacant shell of what it was, the new release proved to be a breath of fresh air for the series. Soon after, it was revealed 2.5 million titles sold for the game nearly a month after its initial release. Additionally, the game is only the blueprint for what is to come. Game director Morio Kishimoto tweeted that the title is going to learn what it did right and could improve on with a larger scale expected to fill the boots for its sequel later down the road. For now, Sega & Sonic Team did confirm that Sonic Frontiers is to receive post-launch content for the game throughout 2023. This includes more modes and playable characters. In a new announcement this week, Sonic Team reveals the Sights, Sounds, & Speed update is set to release this Wednesday. The title update will include Photo Mode, a music ‘Juke Box’ mode, Battle Rush challenge mode, and Cyber Space challenge mode.  Photo Mode – Frame up, edit, and capture your favorite moments in Photo Mode! Capture Sonic in action across a variety of landscapes and create the perfect photo. You can also choose between seven filters to add some flare to your photos. Juke Box – Play your favorite tracks while exploring the Starfall Islands, which include tracks from Sonic Frontiers and past Sonic games! You can listen to any of the 53 songs anywhere in the open zones – 13 of which are instantly unlocked and playable as soon as the game is updated. Unlock the remaining 40 songs by collecting Sound Memories across the five islands. Keep an eye out for orange music notes! Cyber Space Challenge Mode – Race through seven Cyber Space Stages back-to-back in this time-attack mode while competing against the clock! Battle Rush Mode – Battle through several rounds against increasingly tough enemies, guardians, and Titans in this timed battle mode! Aim for the fastest clear time with your levelled-up Sonic. If you achieve a higher rank, you may get a special surprise. Sonic Team also mentions other minor improvements included in the new update. In that, visual features like the power up animation can be toggle in the settings alongside the Starfall Slot Machine game can be adjusted. Furthermore, a new level restart for Cyber Space levels is to be added. And upgrading Sonic now implements using all Koco with Elder & Hermit Koco is to be included. The Sights, Sounds, & Speed update is the first of three major updates planned for Sonic Frontiers. While it is undetermined the direction the next two free clients will head, there is room for speculation. Already, characters like Tails, Knuckles, and Amy are in the game. Even Big The Cat is featured as well. These are all possible candidates for the playable characters later on. What improvement has you most excited for the Sights, Sounds, & Speed update? Sonic Frontiers is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Source: Sonic Team

Respawn Entertainment Opens Another Apex Legends Support Studio In Madison, Wisconsin

The most surprising turn of events happens to be from Respawn Entertainment in some instances. For one, it’s least received game – Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond – despite its less flattering reception still managed to win an Oscar for Best Documentary Short back in 2021. However, Apex Legends more recently did that with the confirmation on the abridged Titanfall project that was in incubation at the developer being shut down. Developing reports revealed the game would star you as Cuban Blisk, the founder of the Apex Games, codenamed ‘Titanfall Legends’ and would feature a slew of Legends from the battle royale in the canceled project. Additionally, the team also announced the closure of Apex Legends Mobile which is slated to close this May. Now according to the developer this week, the team is now opening a new division in Madison, Wisconsin to further improve the support on the online title. This is likely an effort backing the recent statement to support Apex Legends for more than a decade similar to the success of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. We’re incredibly excited to announce that the Apex Legends team at Respawn will continue to strengthen its development team with the introduction of a brand new studio location in Madison, Wisconsin led by industry veteran Ryan Burnett. It’s been our belief since day one that Respawn is not a singular location but a mindset: when passionate and talented people have creative freedom, they’ll achieve the unexpected. This view helped us successfully expand to Vancouver in 2019, and as the workplace evolved, it helped us continue to work with the best that the games industry has to offer, whether at the office, remote, or hybrid. We see that Respawn mindset reflected in Madison, which has cemented itself as one of the great game development cities not just in the United States but the entire world. That’s why we’ve worked closely with and appreciate the assistance of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to help facilitate the studio’s growth in Madison. Daniel Suarez, Respawn Entertainment Senior Vice President of Operations “At its core, this expansion represents Respawn’s commitment to work with the most skilled, curious, and creative minds in the industry. Having just passed its 4th anniversary, our aim is to continue to make Apex Legends the premiere Battle Royale on the market. I cannot think of a better addition than the immensely talented developers in Madison working alongside our Los Angeles and Vancouver teams to help us shape what comes next.” While the meat of Respawn Entertainment is based in Redwood, California – the team known for Titanfall and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order – the developer already has a dedicated team for Apex Legends based in Vancouver, Canada. The team is helmed by Steve Ferreira who also overtook game director for Apex Legends when Chad Grenier departed from Respawn Entertainment. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested the direction Respawn Entertainment is heading with this new expansion? Source: Respawn Entertainment

Upcoming Zack Snyder Picture Rebel Moon Told To Receive RPG Game, Director Reveals

It is no secret the amount of direction Netflix is taking to establish itself in the video game industry. Although the firm is going head first with mobile gaming via the Netflix app currently, the firm is certainly not holding back. In the past, we saw this with the surprising acquisition of Night School Games (Oxenfree, After Party) more than a year ago. The most recent is the long-awaited Ubisoft sequel for Valiant Hearts being a platform exclusive. Moreover, the firm is also continuing its efforts with its television & films as well. One announcement shares Netflix has arranged to deliver the upcoming Gears of War motion picture which was originally helmed by Universal Pictures back in 2018. Additionally, Netflix is also orchestrating its efforts on the upcoming Horizon Zero Dawn show with Umbrella Academy showrunner Steve Blackman to produce the series. Now in a surprise turn of events, it appears that the upcoming Netflix hallmark Rebel Moon is to receive its own video game. What is more eye-opening is the little bit that director Zach Snyder explained in a conversation on The Nerd Queens interview. You can view the segment of the conversation below: “I mean the one thing I’m having a really good time with- I don’t know if I’m supposed to talk about it, but’ y’know this RPG that we’re doing that is just literally insane and so immersive and so intense and so huge. And like we talked about how we would do the game and we said ‘let’s go’” Snyder explains in the interview. When pressed on the direction the title is to offer he answered: “I’m not gonna say”. Adding: “All I’ll say is that what we thought we were gonna do- it was pitched to me cause I always wanted to do an RPG […] we could do it at this scale, right, and this scale, or we could do it at ridiculous scale and I was like ‘ridiculous scale’ and ridiculous scale is clearly the one we’re doing. They were like ‘it’s going to take so much time because we gotta do all these brain dumps; you’ve got to tell of everything in this universe and I was like ‘that’s fine’”. What makes this new learning more interesting is there was a sign of this “ridiculous scale’ project earlier in 2022. Previously, Netflix did flag new job listings for AAA titles for PC. Although mobile right now is the forte for the platform, it did disclose efforts to ship grander titles to more capable systems later down the road and this might be the first sign of that. You can read the full report by heading here. What do you think about the possible Rebel Moon game? Rebel Moon is scheduled to release sometime later in 2023.

Microsoft Hosts ID@Xbox Online Demos For Latest Titles Featured At GDC 2023

For Microsoft, the Xbox firm is always evolving its formula when it comes to the gaming industry. And one of the most evident is its inclusion of the independent video game market. Previously, we saw this with xCloud – now Xbox Cloud Gaming – to feature streaming demos straight to the console without warranting to install the client directly to your console or PC. Additionally, the firm continues to partner with other platforms to feature upcoming, small releases to bring new experiences into the spotlight. Back in December, Microsoft & The Game Awards held a winter ID@Xbox demo event for headlining titles at the annual show. The Xbox firm also held a separate demo featurette with Twitch earlier that fall for other showcased titles then. Now this week, Microsoft announced that a new slew of titles on the way are being offered a platform for upcoming demos that are at GDC 2023. These demos are said to be live from March 21st to March 27th. You can read the full list below: ArcRunner Backbeat BattleCakes Booom-Slang! Boxville Evil World Fall of Porcupine Fractal Space Sker Ritual Soulvars The Isle Tide Hotel The Library of Babel “GDC 2023 is here, and this year we’ve got a special treat for everyone! […] A dozen demos are available to play as part of the ID@Xbox GDC Online Demo Event. We encourage you to continue to check them out all week before they disappear. Oh yeah, and don’t forget you can provide feedback to the developers, too!” ID@Xbox Team Lead of Events, Community & Partner Onboarding Jessica Ronnell writes.  “All the demos are available Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S and show how varied the ID@Xbox line-up is – from a multiplayer horror FPS to a live action mystery, there’s something for everyone included. Keep in mind that most of these demos are an early look at gameplay and may not represent the full game at their release, including the availability in each country as developers continue to update and refine their title ahead of launch.” Which titles are you most interested to sample first? Source: Xbox Wire