Gaming
Microsoft Adds to Its Cloud Gaming Lineup with Bethesda
Microsoft has acquired the owner of video game publisher Bethesda, ZeniMax Media, in a deal worth a reported $7.5 billion. Under the agreement, Microsoft will own a plethora of games, including Doom, Fallout, Wolfenstein, The Elder Scrolls, Starfield, Dishonored, and Prey, among others.
The agreement adds to the company’s cloud offerings and highlights how serious Microsoft is about building a cloud gaming service that is head and shoulders above the rest. In 2014, the tech giant bought Mojang, the studio behind Minecraft, for $2.5 billion, capitalizing on its global popularity.
What Does This Mean for Microsoft?
Microsoft is in a race with its competitors to launch a cloud-based gaming service that will plug a hole in the market and provide players with a less hardware-centric, accessible alternative. While the rest have made strides – Amazon has only recently released Amazon Luna and jumped into the ring – this acquisition marks Microsoft as the industry leaders.
Not only is the selection of games better than Amazon’s, Google’s and Nvidia’s, but it’s easier to move between playing games on the Xbox to an Android mobile device thanks to Microsoft Cloud. Although it’s not available on PC yet, the fact that users can transfer 150 Xbox games to their streaming device is very impressive.
Microsoft even has answers for the glitches that people find in the system, with an upgrade to Xbox Series X hardware due imminently to eliminate the bugs.
Xbox Exclusivity
Games are no longer just about picking the leading console. PC gaming is stronger than ever, with everything from the best casino bonus to a selection of shooter and RPG games available online.
Whether it’s a traditional gamer experience or an advanced UX, Microsoft is aiming to tick every box. The Silicon Valley company is in a battle against Sony that it doesn’t plan on losing. The latest acquisition is evidence of this since all the titles mentioned will be honored concerning their previous arrangements with rival brands. But once the agreement is over, they will only feature on other consoles on a case-by-case basis, and the same goes for future releases too.
It appears Microsoft is leveraging its cloud gaming solution to cement its position in the industry via Xbox Game Pass and releases such as Bethesda’s highly anticipated Starfield. After all, gamers are fiercely loyal and MS may feel that future absorbing titles could help them sway opinion.
Bethesda
Bethesda is set to become part of Microsoft’s 23-strong creative studio teams. However, the publisher won’t stop creating and releasing games independently, confirmed by Pete Hines, Bethesda’s SVP of PR & Marketing.
For Microsoft and Bethesda, this provides a level of flexibility that both are bound to enjoy. The latter will clearly benefit from the technology giant’s knowledge and resources, leading to an even higher quality of games, whereas Microsoft can continue to promote games to boost the brand.
Also, even though they have superior resources, it’s evident that MS’s teams will learn a lot from the publisher that competed against them with limited resources.
The Future
The future is unclear because Amazon, Google and Nvidia are bound to react, and it could lead to a developer battle with lots of twists and turns. Of course, the competition is healthy for the average gamer as it looks set to revolutionize the sector for the better.
Gaming
Joker’s Free Suicide Squad DLC on PS5
There hasn’t been much buzz surrounding Suicide Squad since its release in February. Warner Bros. was let down by the game’s underwhelming sales, but they remained committed to turning their live service vision into a reality. An exciting new DLC update has been released, introducing The Crown Prince of Crime to the game.
As the game’s first live season begins, players will have the chance to take on Green Lantern and, in the end, unlock The Joker as a playable character. Which Joker are you referring to? This is quite intricate. Furthermore, players can look forward to the inclusion of a Battle Pass, a variety of new shop items available for purchase, exciting Incursions and Strongholds to partake in, as well as an expanded selection of Infamy Sets and Notorious Gear to amass.
The Joker paints the town purple in #SuicideSquadGame's free DLC.
Update live today. pic.twitter.com/9BDNJTuxnD
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) March 28, 2024
What are your thoughts on this? Does the allure of The Joker entice you to return to Suicide Squad, or have you remained a loyal fan all along? We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
Gaming
Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5
Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.
This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.
Gaming
Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement
While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.
The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.
If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.
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