Team Xbox sets the record straight with business update podcast, Starfield and new Indiana Jones game are still Xbox-exclusive

Wow. That was a wild ride. For several days, Xbox fans were disturbed by persistent rumors and so-called news reports that Microsoft will end its Xbox console business and go all-in with releasing multiple games (including Xbox-exclusives) on platforms outside of the Xbox ecosystem (meaning consoles like PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch). A lot felt that Microsoft would go the way Sega did when it quit the console business and became a multiplatform publisher.

And then there were nonsensical and wild social media posts like the one below…

Fortunately, Team Xbox had its Business Update podcast on February 15, 2024 with top executives like Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond and Matt Booty answering key questions and made notable clarifications about the future of Xbox. Watch the podcast of Team Xbox below…

In relation to the above video, you can read Team Xbox’s official article online.

Xbox fans can rest assured that contrary to rush of “Xbox to end and spread its games to other consoles” news and rumors by content creators, vloggers, bloggers and the so-called journalists, Team Xbox went straight to the point that the Xbox console business will remain, there will still be Xbox-exclusive games, Xbox Game Pass service will remain within the Xbox ecosystem (you should stop dreaming about Game Pass on Nintendo and Sony consoles), Activision Blizzard games are about to be released for XGP subscribers to enjoy, and there are simply four Xbox games that will be released on platforms outside of the Xbox ecosystem.

While a lot of people speculate that Hi-fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, Pentiment and Grounded will be the Xbox games that will be released on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, no titles have been confirmed and no specific non-Xbox platform was revealed. That being said, Starfield, Forza Motorsport (2023), Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are still Xbox-exclusive.

“So we made the decision that we’re going to take four games to the other consoles. Just four games, not a change to our kind of fundamental exclusive strategy. We’re making these decisions for some specific reasons. We make every decision, really, with the long-term health of Xbox in mind,” Xbox chief Phil Spencer said. “And long-term health of Xbox means growing a platform, our games performing, building the best platform for creators, reaching as many players as we can.”

The way I look at Spencer’s words, it seems Team Xbox has been looking for ways to not only build up the Xbox ecosystem but also reach out to millions of players who own non-Xbox consoles by releasing a limited number of Xbox-original games that could sell and bring in much-needed revenue. The fact is the cost of making games, marketing them, distributing them and other business expenses just keep going up. As to why a heavily structured single-player game like Starfield is not coming to PlayStation 5, it seems to me that porting that massive game will be labor intensive, very time consuming and expensive to do. This means that other Xbox-original games like Sea of Thieves (obviously made with multiplayer in mind) and Pentiment (a simpler production) make more sensible and more doable releases on PS5 and Nintendo Switch. That is, if Sony and Nintendo themselves will accept such games into their respective platforms (read: protection of their first party games and their own game studios).  

As Spencer himself said, they seriously took feedback from the Xbox community. I’m glad that their team listens because there are a lot of long-time Xbox fans and physical product owners that they cannot just abandon. I myself sent tweets to Team Xbox (click here, here, here, here and here) reminding them of their legacy of investing big on Xbox-exclusive games through the console generations. I even reached out to other Xbox fans online to make themselves heard by Team Xbox.

A lot of gamers bought the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S for Xbox-exclusive games and the big value of XGP’s service. In my view, Team Xbox itself is convinced that Xbox-exclusive games – especially the big-budget productions – are essential on maintaining fan loyalty as well as standing out in the highly competitive market of video games. In connection with having multiple Xbox game studios to produce exclusive games, I want to see Team Xbox remain competitive with Sony and Nintendo on console hardware, games and quality of gaming services. I want to see Phil Spencer and his team secure even more deals with the independent game developers on making more exclusive games. It would also be nice to see Xbox get into joint productions with the publishers in Japan like Square Enix, Capcom and From Software.

I just finished Final Fantasy IX (digital copy) on my Xbox Series X console. It was my 2nd time to complete the game. I previously completed it on PlayStation way back in 2000.

For now, Xbox is here to say, their console business will remain (even Sarah Bond promised a significant leap with the next-generation). To have a clear view of their plans, click https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2024/02/15/xbox-promise-bring-more-games-to-more-players/

As for this year, Xbox fans should watch out for exclusives coming out such as Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II on May 21 plus Avowed and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle later. Don’t forget the announced Xbox showcase this June.

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Local governments and national government agencies discuss regulating use of e-bikes and unregistered electronic vehicles

With more electric bikes (e-bikes) adding more traffic problems on national roads and highways in recent times, several local government units (LGUs) and agencies of the national government formally met to discuss regulating the use of e-bikes and the other electronic vehicles that remain unregistered, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you consider e-bikes and e-trikes a growing problem to traffic at major roads? Do you thinks laws should be made to prevent e-trikes from competing with the legitimate public utility vehicles when it comes to offering public transportation services? Should there be a law to prevent minors from driving e-bikes and e-trikes on all public roads nationwide?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Man shot dead in front of restaurant in Parañaque City

Recently in the City of Parañaque, a man was shot dead in front of a restaurant in Barangay Baclaran, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. As captured on CCTV footage, the suspect walked away in a casual manner and is still on the loose.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be carriers of illegal firearms who could cause more shootings in public places? Do you think the victim could have been in a personal conflict with the suspected gunman? Do you think the police could find and apprehend the suspect soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Less than 500 registered at COMELEC – Muntinlupa City office on first day of voter registration

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, less than five hundred people went to Muntinlupa City office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) inside South Park Center mall during the first day of the voter registration process, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The current process will last until September 2024.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you planning to avail of COMELEC services during the voter registration processes any time soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Have you tried the food at Firehouse Pizza in Alabang?

If you are looking for a good place to enjoy pizza, pasta and salad with the family in Alabang, you should consider Firehouse Pizza.

Located at the ground floor of the Entrata Urban Complex along Civic Drive in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Firehouse Pizza is the “place where friends and family can gather over great food in a place that promises a warm welcome and a whole lot of delicious fun.” As published on their website, the restaurant intends to “introduce a new way of enjoying pizza” because they are “more than just a pizza joint.”

On my part, I had dined with the family at Firehouse Pizza twice and the most recent visit was for dinner. Posted below are pictures and descriptions of what we had the last time…

This is the Burrata Salad, easily the most unique thing from Firehouse Pizza’s menu. It is composed of cherry tomatoes, mesclun leaves, Burrata cheese (meant to be opened and spread over the ingredients), Balsamic reduction and olive oil. As of this writing, it was priced at P750.
This is the Antipasti Platter composed of assorted cheese, assorted cold cuts, artichoke, mushroom, olives and vegetable confit. For sharing, this one costs P740.
This is the solo-sized Lasagna Bolognese which costs P360. Composed of minced beef, mozzarella and parmesan, it was cooked well and each bite was tasty and smooth.
The Pepperoni pizza.
The Mushroom pizza.

Like the first time my family dined there, all the food served to us by Firehouse Pizza were well prepared with regards to the cooking of the pizza and pasta, and also the way they ensured the freshness of the ingredients on making the Burrata Salad. There definitely is special attention paid on the quality, taste and presentation. On my part, each bite was tasty. If there was anything lacking, it was their hot plate special of Grilled Tenderloin with Potato Wedges which was out of stock during our last visit. With regards to getting served, the restaurant’s personnel were really attentive and helpful to us as well as the other diners. That being said, I encourage you to visit Firehouse Pizza when you have the chance and the means to do so.

This is what Firehouse Pizza looks like from the outside during night time. It is a corner unit and just walking distance away from Crimson Hotel.

For the newcomers reading this, if you will be traveling to Alabang to have a meal at Firehouse Pizza, be aware that the restaurant is just a short walk away from Crimson Hotel which is also part of the Entrata Urban Complex. You can park your car at the Festival Mall parking lot just outside of Shopwise, or at the multilevel parking facility nearby (bordering Civic Drive).

For more about Firehouse Pizza, visit https://firehousepizzaalabang.com/ and follow them on social media by clicking here and here.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

DTI intensifies scrutiny of online sellers who engaged with offering mystery boxes to customers

If you are fond of ordering items online, better stay away from those mystery boxes offered to you because the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is closely watching online sellers offering those things, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent report? Are you concerned that mystery boxes are harmful to consumers who are often looking for the best deals online? Do you think that items placed inside mystery boxes may have been stolen or smuggled? How many times have you availed of mystery boxes offers online?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Eiyuden Chronicle and Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama passed away

Once the anticipated Japanese role-playing game (Japanese RPG) Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes finally comes out on April 23, 2024, the absence of the main creator will be felt by many players as the Japan-based Rabbit & Bear Studio announced very recently that its head Yoshitaka Murayama passed away on February 6. For the newcomers reading this, Murayama is also the creator of the Suikoden RPG series of Konami where he used to work at. For my previous blog posts of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, click here, here, here and here).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the official announcement by Rabbit & Bear Studios. Some parts in boldface…

So there you have it. The developer behind Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes made it clear that they will not give up with fulfilling the dream of the late Murayama and there is no stopping the launch of the game (which was supposed to have been released in 2023).

More on the previous works of the late Murayama, I played Suikoden and Suikoden II (read my retro review by clicking here) on the PlayStation console in the 1990s and I had enjoyable times with them. For me, Suikoden II was the not only the best Suikoden RPG of the 1990s but also one of the best RPGs on any platform during the decade. It’s just too bad that the 1999 North American launch of Suikoden II was overshadowed by another company’s JRPG on PlayStation that same year. Considering the many Japanese RPGs that were released on PlayStation in 1999, Suikoden II was the most enjoyable one I played.

Even during his days as a young man working for Konami in the 1990s, Murayama had a very unique vision for digital role-playing and adventuring, as well as fantasy storytelling.

“Eiyuden Chronicle is really (an) evolution of my many design experiences. The many games I’ve made have helped create the foundation for this title. Since I draw my experience from previous games I’ve worked on, of course you will see a little bit of those elements in Eiyuden Chronicle,” Murayama said in response to a question that mentioned Eiyuden Chronicle and Suikoden titles.

With Murayama gone, the spotlight on the April 2024 launch of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will be more crucial than before. I myself will be playing the RPG on my Xbox Series X console as soon as it launches. To get yourselves oriented with the said JRPG, watch the videos below (the last one shows Murayama and his fellow creators as special guests at an event in Taipei)…

Watch out for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP) on April 23, 2024. For more about the JRPG, visit https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/eiyuden-chronicle

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Wanted man arrested in Parañaque City over rape charges

Recently in the city of Parañaque, local law enforcers armed with a warrant of arrest apprehended a man in Barangay San Dionisio in relation to charges of four counts of rape, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspect has since been detained at a local police facility.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more rapists living within your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City Government receives Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government of Muntinlupa received the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as a result of passing the set criteria, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted with the latest achievement by the City Government?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

113 people avail of health services in Tahanan Village

This past Sunday (February 11) inside Tahanan Village, Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City, over one hundred people availed of varied health services at the poolside area of the Tahanan Homeowners Association (THA) clubhouse as a result of the newest health check activity of the Century Club of Tahanan, Inc. (CCTI) headed by its President Florencia Umali.

The women waiting in line for ECG at the Tahanan Village clinic.

According to Umali, a total of 113 people arrived, paid fees for the special health package or other individual health services, and then joined the lines to be served. The activity lasted from 5:30 AM to 10AM and blood test results will be released on February 18.

Several people availed of the special diagnostic package worth P350 which includes Electrocardiogram (ECG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, CBC, urinalysis, SGPT and free platelet count. There were other tests offered with prices ranging from P150 to P800.

Patients signing up and checked on the spot.
According to CCTI President Flor Umali, this is where the blood extraction and male ECG happened.

When asked about when will the health check activity inside Tahanan Village happen next, the CCTI president said it might take place during the 3rd quarter of 2024.

For the newcomers reading this, if you want to learn more about Tahanan Village, check out my post about their coffee table book Our Home Tahanan.

For my previous blog posts about CCTI, click here, here, here, here and here.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673