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
Helldivers 2 Paranoia Peaks: Players are convinced that the Illuminate have already infiltrated our ranks
An incredible number of Helldivers 2 players have bravely fought in the ongoing intergalactic war, protecting Super Earth from the dangers of both Bug and Bot. There have been rumors, though, of a new enemy group operating in the dark, or maybe it’s just the return of an old enemy known as “The Illuminate.” Some people think they might even be here with us already, which is obviously defeatist nonsense.
The Illuminate were an enemy group in the first Helldivers game. They were an ancient, highly powerful alien race that wanted to destroy Super Earth. Everyone knows that they died out a long time ago. They do not exist, just like those harmful but completely false stories of flying bugs (thanks, IGN).
Nevertheless, some Patriots claim to be receiving hits from a “vibrant blue laser,” which some believe has a similar energy signature to rifle weapons that The Illuminate have previously used. They may be exhausted from fighting. It looks pretty different from the red energy weapons that Helldivers and bots use, but there is still not enough visual proof to say for sure.
Also, you probably shouldn’t pay attention to the in-game texts that say the Illuminates have been seen. “Blue beams aren’t real; they can’t hurt you,” is what Super Earth High Command says, and the account Helldivers Alerts (we think the developers run it) gave us a sneak peek at our old enemy.
New enemy leaks (Illuminate)#HellDivers2 pic.twitter.com/GFTCSGasKd
— Helldivers Alerts (@HelldiversAlert) March 10, 2024
I want to believe#Helldivers2
📹sattorin pic.twitter.com/qjrRT0l9jn
— Helldivers Alerts (@HelldiversAlert) March 18, 2024
Have you seen any blue lights flashing for no reason while you were on mission in Helldivers 2? Do you think the Illimunate are already among us, messing with voting boxes and pulling votes? Don’t change your mind about supporting Super Earth in the comments section below.
Gaming
Recruited Since Last Month: More Than Eight Million Helldivers 2 Players
The relentless force of Helldivers 2 shows no signs of slowing down, as recent reports indicate that Arrowhead Games Studios, the Swedish developer behind the game, has sold over eight million copies since its release on both PS5 and PC just last month.
According to TD Cowen analyst Doug Creutz (thanks, VGC), who spoke to Bloomberg, it is believed that the game has exceeded expectations in terms of performance. It’s amazing how word-of-mouth buzz and the unconventional guerilla marketing strategy keep driving up recruitment numbers week after week. Arrowhead’s studio motto, “A game for everyone is a game for no one,” reflects their unwavering commitment to their unique internal design philosophy.
It appears that the PC community has recently surpassed the PlayStation fanbase in terms of player numbers and platform preference. However, thanks to crossplay, both groups continue to benefit from the growing popularity of gaming. Although it’s not particularly thrilling to see yet another service game achieve rapid success, the hardcore nature of Helldivers 2 fills us with optimism for Sony’s ongoing live gaming endeavors. We anticipate dedicating ourselves to the defense of Super Earth for many years to come.
What are your thoughts on Creutz’s sales estimate? Does it come as a surprise to you? Does it exceed or fall short of your expectations? Have you noticed any changes in your level of enthusiasm for the Democratic Party? Has it waned or grown stronger? We would greatly appreciate your feedback in the comments section below.
Gaming
Exciting news for gamers! A wide selection of PS5 and PS4 games are now available at discounted prices, but only for this weekend
Don’t miss out on this limited-time opportunity to grab some amazing titles at a fraction of their original cost. Sony clearly understands the potential of the PS Store, as it consistently adds a plethora of new titles every week. This allows for future opportunities to offer discounts and promotions on these games. It’s evident that sales are consistently growing each month, with the introduction of time-limited weekend offers in addition to the usual sale events.
This weekend brings another round of exciting deals, with significant discounts on several popular PS5 and PS4 games. For instance, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is now available for £35.99/$35.99, while DiRT 5 Year One Edition can be purchased for just £14.79/$15.99.
Here are a few other standout moments we noticed:
- Back 4 Blood Deluxe Edition: £8.99/$8.99
- BioShock 2 Remastered: £3.99/$4.99
- Borderlands 3 Next Level Bundle: £9.74/$10.49
- EA Sports PGA Tour Deluxe Edition: £16.99/$16.99
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Deluxe Edition: £17.99/$20.99
Hurry up and make your decision before the offers expire on March 19th. Don’t miss out on your chance to snag some great deals. For a comprehensive list of all the latest offers, make sure to visit this page. And don’t forget to share your purchases with us in the comments section below!
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