Iron Galaxy Announces Hisako, Shadows & Story for Killer Instinct at PAX East
Iron Galaxy have just finished their panel for Killer Instinct and announced some awesome new stuff including the reveal that the “Ghost Girl” character will be Hisako! Iron Galaxy confirmed that the Story Mode for Killer Instinct Season 2 is currently in the works and will include cinematics. The story mode will launch in June 2015. The studio also announced a new Killer Instinct Season 2 mode called ‘Shadows’. This mode involves “Shadow Fighters” who is a version of you and your best gameplay uploaded for anyone to battle against online anytime (think of Drivatars from Forza Motorsport 5). This feature will launch in April 2015. Killer Instinct’s newest character will be ‘Hisako’ for Season 2, and she features an additional meter called the ‘Wraith’ meter. In instinct mode, the meter is always full which means constant counter hits. She has unique auto-doubles which you can hold to change the timing to feel like manual hits. Hisako counter attacks both high and low and a command grab that contorts your opponent. The character will launch at the end of the month!
An In-Depth Look At The Rockstar Energy Forza Horizon 2 Car Pack
On Tuesday, Playground Games and Turn 10 launched the ‘Rockstar Energy’ car pack for Forza Horizon 2 which included six new cars, one of which is free to everyone. You can read more details about the pack here. Our Forza Horizon 2 review can also be found here. However, Metro has taken the time to detail all six of the cars in short but concise videos which should help you decide whether you would like each of the cars in the pack or not. You can see all six videos below as well as a drift build for the Acura Integra TypeR Turbo Rally. 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GRC 2015 Subaru WRX STI 1996 BMW 850CSi 2015 Jaguar XFR-S 1970 Volkswagen #1107 Desert Dingo Racing Stock Bug 2001 Acura Integra Type-R (free to everyone) Drift Build for the 2001 Acura Integra Type-R:
Phil Harrison To Reportedly Depart From Microsoft
Phil Harrison is the VP of Interactive Entertainment Business (Xbox) and EMEA head of games at Microsoft and today, reports have surfaced saying he will be departing from the company. The reason goes back to July 2013 when previous president of Interactive Entertainment Business, Don Mattrick, departed from the company to become CEO of Zynga. In March 2014, Phil Spencer was promoted to Head of Xbox by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, getting the top job. Mattrick and Harrison have a long standing friendship and share great respect for each other. Phil Harrison has apparently grown frustrated over Mattrick’s exit and Spencer’s promotion without moving Harrison up the corporate ladder. It’s reported that Harrison has made the decision to move on with his career. Don Mattrick (pictured above) is good friends with Harrison and brought him into Microsoft. The new comes in conjunction with the reports that Microsoft are planning on merging its Lift London and Soho Productions studios. Several job cuts also took place with this change. Harrison founded Lift London and recently Microsoft also axed the idea of producing original ‘Upload’ content for Xbox One simply stating that the Xbox Live community is now what makes the content. Rectify Gaming was recently told that Microsoft is planning to re-focus Soho Productions (the studio behind Upload original content and Upload Studio) on another path. While this means there won’t be “Upload original content”, there will be updates added to Upload Studio along with other projects. Questions rose at GDC over the recent reports, with Spencer saying “I don’t, no. I’m sorry, I don’t think I can say anything about that,” Xbox boss Phil Spencer told Eurogamer when asked today at GDC. Chris Charla, director of ID@Xbox also refused to comment – with a Microsoft spokesperson stepping in to say Charla wasn’t the person to ask about staffing issues, and that the company does not comment on rumour or speculation. Spencer’s comment does show he’s very aware of the issue and may already know that Harrison is departing from Microsoft, if not already. Harrison previously worked at Sony up until 2008 , then taking the job at Microsoft in 2012 offered to him by Don Mattrick. We’ll keep you updated if Microsoft gives an official statement on the report. Phil Harrison speaking at Eurogamer 2013 pictured above.
Watch Phil Spencer’s GDC 2015 Windows 10 Conference On Demand Right Here
Channel 9, Microsoft’s developer network has just released the on demand recorded version of Phil Spencer’s Windows 10 keynote titled “The Future Of Gaming Across The Microsoft Ecosystem” from GDC. The event lasted about 48 minutes and Phil discusses the one Windows Store concept, gaming on HoloLens, cross-purchasing amongst other announcements such as #IDARB on Windows 10, Shovel Knight on Xbox One and the Xbox One Applications and Xbox Live SDK for Windows 10 developers. You can watch Phil Spencer’s entire keynote right below:
Microsoft Confirms SDK’s, DirectX 12 Features, Cross-Platform, Cross-Play, Cross-Purchase, One Store for Xbox One & Windows 10 Devices
Phil Spencer confirmed during Microsoft’s GDC briefing that developers will be able to create games though one core operating system, one application platform, one gaming social network, one store and one ingestion path across all Windows 10 devices. These include PC’s tablets, phones, Xbox consoles and the Microsoft HoloLens. Any developer will be able to create a single project to target multiple devices. The company also confirmed that all wireless Xbox gaming accessories will support both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC’s. Later this year, Microsoft will ship a Wireless Adapter allowing you to easily sync Xbox controllers and future wireless devices to your PC. Microsoft is committed to making the Windows Store truly universal with Windows 10 delivering the best for gamers and game developers. Developers can distribute their games across Xbox One, PC’s, phones and so forth. With the ability of cross-purchase, you’ll be able to buy a game and have it across all of your devices. The Xbox Live SDK will provide a number of Xbox Live services under a shared set of API’s integrated with the Windows 10, making the platform accessible to all game developers regardless of size. The Universal Developer Center acts as a portal, allowing developers ease for game submission and update capabilities as well as access to key metrics to understand a games performance. Developers will also be able to utilize Microsoft SDK’s including Xbox Live and HoloLens API’s once available. Phil confirmed that developers will be able to build apps on Xbox One with the SDK rolling out starting today with the first apps expected to launch in November. DirectX 12 increases the power of the Xbox One GPU by 20% as seen by Lionhead Studios who are creating Fable Legends for Xbox One and Windows 10. Fable Legends is using Unreal Engine 4. Epic Games is also creating Universal Tournament using Unreal Engine 4 running on DirectX 12, setting a new standard for PC Gaming. Microsoft is also vastly expanding ID@Xbox by bringing it to Windows 10 and in the future, HoloLens. We’ve already seen Gigantic announced for Xbox One and Windows 10. Shovel Knight also ported their game to Xbox One in just one day with cross-platform play along with the added bonus of Battletoads characters. Elite Dangerous is also coming to Xbox One this Summer, created by Frontier Developers, the people behind ScreamRide. Other Ocean also confirmed that #IDARB will support Windows 10 and Xbox One cross-platform.
Microsoft Confirms First Party Studios Are Currently Building HoloLens Xbox Games.
Microsoft’s Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer today confirmed that developers will be able to start building games for its Microsoft HoloLens holographic computer. Phil stated that Xbox games will light up on HoloLens creating new experiences for the gamer. Microsoft’s ID@Xbox program is being expanded to cover Windows 10 and Windows Phone as well HoloLens. Phil also confirmed that Microsoft’s 1st party studios are already building their own HoloLens experiences. We wrote about many of these recently but it’s also expected that the companies leading AAA studios such as 343 Industries and Turn 10 Studios are working on HoloLens experiences too.
Sony’s Project Morpheus Launching Early 2016, Specs Upgraded
Today, Sony have revealed at a press conference at GDC that the PlayStation branded virtual reality headset known as ‘Project Morpheus’ will launch in early 2016 for consumers. This potentially means that developers will be getting their hands on it earlier as Sony’s Shuhei Yoshida specifically used the word “consumers” when announcing the target time-frame of release. “We are one step closer to realizing our vision of making virtual reality a reality in games” said Yoshida during the briefing. Yoshida also confirmed that the hardware for Morpheus is near completion, with one key change being the 1920 x RGB X 1080 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Latency is under 18 milliseconds which increases immersion in VR experiences according to Sony. The company are still to yet reveal pricing plans for the product. Microsoft recently revealed their own helmet, known as ‘Microsoft HoloLens’ using the companies branding instead of the Xbox branding. This is because Microsoft are aiming for far more than just gaming with HoloLens, however the helmet initially had a gaming focus internally. HoloLens using holographic compute technology while Sony’s Morpheus uses VR. Sony also revaled they had sold 20.2 million PlayStation 4 consoles worldwide.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Launches September 1st 2015 Worldwide
The official release date of ‘Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain’ was expected to be announced tomorrow on the games website, however savvy NeoGAF user Nibel, discovered the release date on a video leaked that was supposed to air on IGN tomorrow. The game launches on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PC on September 1st 2015 around the globe. Note, it is possible that the date could be inaccurate, however this seems very unlikely.
Forza Horizon 2 March 2015 Rockstar Energy Car Pack Now Available
The March 2015 Car Pack is now available for Forza Horizon 2 on Xbox One. This pack costs $5 like always or free if you’re a Season Pass holder. The Acura Integra Type-R is the free car for March 2015 in Forza Horizon 2. The update to add the new cars will be available at around 6PM GMT on March 3rd 2015. Recently, Playground Games and Microsoft confirmed the Fast and Furious Expansion coming later this month to Forza Horizon 2, a standalone game adding 11 new cars to drive in Southern France. Here’s the new cars available in the March 2015 pack: 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GRC 2015 Subaru WRX STI 1996 BMW 850CSi 2015 Jaguar XFR-S 1970 Volkswagen #1107 Desert Dingo Racing Stock Bug 2001 Acura Integra Type-R (free to everyone) The update to add these cars should be available later today. Let us know in the comments which is your favourite and check out the trailer below!
‘ScreamRide’ Review
ScreamRide is a fully-featured, physics-based coaster game where creativity and destruction are equally welcomed. It’s the first Microsoft Studios game of 2015 and is developed by Frontier Developments, the creators of Zoo Tycoon, Kinectimals and Rollercoaster Tycoon. ‘ScreamRide’ is a futuristic rollercoaster-tycoon type experience. Play, create and destroy are the three big aspects of this game. You can create rollercoasters, destroy them or ride on them. The game features a career and sandbox environment mode. Career entails travelling around the world across six main areas while Sandbox is all about creating your own roller-coasters and sharing them with the Xbox Live community. The game feels fun to play and offers hours of fun to casual players. The story of ‘ScreamRide’ involves the society begging to have the impossible. A new organization called the ‘ScreamWorks International Research Facility’ is trying to create a new class of roller-coaster rides that no simple theme park could even imagine. They have facilities located around the globe and these are experienced in the games career mode. In the career, there is six main series’ located around the world. The first is ‘The Populous Labs’, a consumer facing location for ScreamWorks. This is where all corporate approved ScreamWorks attractions are located. The second being the ‘Falls Research Station’ which is located in the tropics. This is where riders can come soak in the sun while enjoying the latest creations from ScreamWorks research. The third is ‘Beldurraren Laku’ which is located right in the middle of a semi-active volcano, creating more danger for riders. Next is the ‘The Calderia Complex’ a land decorated with craters. Some natural, others man-made. Then there’s ‘De Frusna’, a frozen wasteland which gives ScreamWorks polar cover from the outside to create the most mind-blowing thrills and chills. The game closes off with ‘The Fortress’. This is a top secret location where ScreamWorks creates some of its most cutting edge experiments among rough seas and the ruins of historic wars. Each series includes a number of missions of varying type. After each mission, you’ll be shown your stats and leaderboard comparative against your friends and the global Xbox Live community. For myself, this always encourages me to retry levels just so I can beat my mates, take a quick screenshot and boast about it for the day. The higher the score you get on each level also opens up further levels and new series. If your score is too low, you may need to retry previous levels to progress further in the career. Here’s where Cameron beat me. But Greenskull surpassed us all. Damn you Dan! There are three types of missions in ScreamRide and each highlights the insanity of this game. The first are ScreamRider missions which present you with the task of riding the coaster and creating the most intense experience for riders without throwing them out of the coaster. You control the speed of the coaster and well as whether to lean left or right at certain points. The controls the balance of the coaster, which at times allows you to just use two wheels rather than four which creates a deadly but rewarding experience. Not just that, but the level of intensity increases. At times, you’ll be prompted to press certain buttons such which will earn you bonus points and increase your boost meter. The boost allows you to go much faster but also increases the risk of de-railing. Sometimes, you’ll also have to jump off the track and land on the other side. If you aren’t going fast enough, you won’t make it. These are my favourite missions in ScreamRide because of how insane they get, the extreme fun you have and just how intense you feel riding on two wheels leaning on one side while using boost to go as fast as you can. It just feels like total mayhem at times. Here’s the view given in ‘ScreamRider’ mode. Yep, it gets pretty insane at times. Many players are going to love Demolition Expert, the destruction element of ScreamRide and the second type of missions found in the career. Here, you’re going to be destroying buildings to get as many points as possible. The more you demolish and less tries you need, the better the outcome. Thrill-seeking riders will be in these pods and there’s a few of different varieties giving you a choice of what you want. Some can break up in thirds just before impact, others deal greater damage. You launch these pods from a stand and you can adjust the power (speed) it’s rotating them at which will increase the speed of the pod upon departure. As you’re about to let go, you can hold ‘A’ to go into slow motion, making you more accurate. When your pod is mid-air, you can use the left analogue stick for after-touch to slightly alter the direction of your pod. As you hit into a building and the demolition commences, you can change the camera angle using LB and RB to see the desolation as it happens from various points of view. You’ll also be limited on the number of pods you have. There’s nothing better than seeing buildings collapse onto the ground. Buildings collapsing. Just another day in the office for ScreamWorks. The Engineer missions would be my least favourite, because these are the trickiest and require the most time and patience. In ‘Build to Thrill’ events you’re given the start of a roller-coaster and it’s up to you to finish it. Your objective here is to try and make the coolest ride while using the least amount of track possible. You can twist track, creates loops, smoothen the track, adjust turns and so forth. Once you’re done, you go into ‘Test Drive’ mode by pressing down on the d-pad. The ride needs to be going really fast once you test out your track without slowing down much and you need to try and keep everyone in the coaster. The faster it goes, the crazier
