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The video gamer community is full of people who create fan games that tribute their favorite video games. These fan games are a labor of love, and while not all of them are good (most suck if I’m being honest) quite a few gain the attention of the general gaming public and AAA game developers. However, some companies love to send cease-and-desist letters to the people who make these fan games (coughNintendocough), while others are more open-minded. It does my heart good when a large AAA development studio gives its blessing to the tiny team behind an ambitious fan game.

Enter Installation 01. No, it’s not the building where the U.S. government stores the Arc of the Covenant, it’s the name of a Halo fan game. Installation 01 recreates the multiplayer components of Halo 2 and 3 with the Unity engine and, when released, will be free for PC gamers. Installation 01 nails the look and feel of classic Halo, but that’s where the game runs into legal problems. Does Installation 01’s mere existence violate any copyrights? Is the game even allowed to exist? According to the dev team’s latest blog post, the answers are a resounding no and yes respectively.  Sorta.

According to the announcement, the team behind Installation 01 has been in touch with current Halo developer 343 Industries for the past several months. The Installation 01 team shared a lot of information with 343, including development plans, planned content, and the release schedule. The Installation 01 project manager and lead, referred to as Church (a reference to the character of the same name from the web series Red vs. Blue), participated in a phone meeting with 343 and was pleased with the result:

“We are happy to announce that the outcome of the call was both incredibly information and very positive! Through these interactions we have ensured that Installation 01 is not under any imminent legal threat, provided we remain non-commercial in nature and scope, and continue to follow Microsoft’s Game Content Usage Rules to the letter. We are now able to say with certainty that Installation 01 will never be accepting donations. We also will not be selling i01 or Halo related merchandise. This is to keep a respectful distance between us and Microsoft’s intellectual property. It is also important to note that these rules and assurances from 343 are specific to Installation 01 as a project, and should not be interpreted to apply elsewhere. Through ongoing communication with 343 Industries we hope that we, as a fan project, can continue to be a positive driving force within the Halo community.”

In other words, as long as Installation 01 remains free to play and the developers never receive any money for the project, even if it’s a thank you gift of $1 from a random fan, 343 and Microsoft will not take any legal action. This decision does not mean 343 or Microsoft actively support the development of the game, just that the companies have adopted a laissez-faire attitude. From what I have seen, Installation 01 looks very promising and will definitely scratch the itch PC gamers feel for a proper Halo game on the PC, especially since Halo Online (a free Halo multiplayer game for PC designed for Russian audiences) was axed back in 2016. I personally look forward to the official release of Installation 01.

All you have to do to get my attention is talk about video games, technology, anime, and/or Dungeons & Dragons - also people in spandex fighting rubber suited monsters.

Gaming

Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.46 introduces an exciting addition to the roster of exclusive cars available in the PS5 and PS4 racing game

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Gran Turismo 7 has just received an exciting update to version 1.46 on both PS5 and PS4. This latest update introduces a unique addition to the game: the Škoda Vision Gran Turismo, a car that you won’t come across in any other game. Škoda makes its debut in the franchise with a visionary study of a single-seater, all-electric racing concept car, designed exclusively for the Polyphony Digital racer.

Once you’ve downloaded update 1.46, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive not one but two additional cars: the AFEELA Prototype 2024 and the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe ’70. Get ready for an exhilarating ride! Watch as they take to the track in the video above.

Additionally, the update introduces a new menu for players to tackle in the GT Café. At Collector Level 38, players have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Ferrari 12-cylinder engines, gaining knowledge and expanding their collection. In World Circuits, players can look forward to exciting new events such as the Japanese Clubman Cup 550, the American FR Challenge 550, and the Vision Gran Turismo Trophy. For all the avid fans of Photo Mode, there’s an exciting opportunity to explore the captivating city of San Diego in a brand new Scape.

What are your thoughts on the latest update for Gran Turismo 7? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

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Gaming

ReFantazio Takes a Different Approach to Romance, Setting Itself Apart from the Persona Games

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Atlus’ highly anticipated RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, appears to incorporate familiar systems reminiscent of the developer’s acclaimed Persona series. The game features turn-based battles that heavily rely on exploiting enemy weaknesses. Additionally, players have the ability to summon warrior spirits during combat. However, the most significant aspect of this game, which will be discussed in this article, is the bonding system. Through this system, players can spend time with important characters and gain deeper insights into their personalities and stories.

In contrast to the Persona games, the bonding system ends at that point. Unfortunately, players will be unable to pursue romantic relationships with their beloved waifus, which may come as a disappointment to those who have developed strong feelings for Hulkenberg, the party’s charismatic red-haired elven knight.

According to Siliconera, the absence of romance came up during a recent question and answer session. Atlus emphasized the continued opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with your allies while also introducing additional narratives through substories. In addition, familiarizing yourself with the supporting characters will grant you access to new archetypes, which serve as the game’s character classes.

In the Persona games, romance is not obligatory; rather, it serves as a means to customize your playthrough. However, it is quite unexpected that Metaphor has chosen not to pursue such a venture, considering the significant amount of discussion it typically generates!

Were you anticipating any romantic elements in Metaphor? If you’re not satisfied with your pre-order, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Shift Up unveils the intriguing details behind the physical packaging of Stellar Blade for the PS5

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It appears that many

are eagerly anticipating the launch of the highly anticipated PS5 exclusive, Stellar Blade. Shift Up, the developer, has shared a lengthy video showcasing the “secrets” found in the physical box of the game for PS5. From what we can gather, these secrets include a reversible cover/dust jacket and a download code for cosmetic items.

We must clarify that while we do appreciate the variant cover, it may be more appealing than the game’s standard art. However, it is not something we would typically classify as a “secret.”. However, what’s interesting is that Shift Up has confirmed through the comments section that this will be the case in all regions. Additionally, the visually striking action RPG will remain uncensored worldwide.

It’s refreshing to witness a developer going the extra mile for physical collectors, and it’s evident that the developer is determined to leave a favorable mark in the console realm. Stellar Blade is set to make its highly anticipated debut this Friday, April 26th, exclusively on the PS5.

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