Tag: gaming consoles

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

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

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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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Eiyuden Chronicle and Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama passed away

Eiyuden Chronicle and Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama passed away

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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…

Hello everyone,

It’s with a heavy heart and deep sadness we must inform you that the scenario writer and head of Rabbit& Bear Studios, Yoshitaka Murayama, has passed away on February 6th due to complications with an ongoing illness.

Murayama first began this journey of the creation of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes in 2020

through the support of his very loving fans on Kickstarter. Throughout the three-plus-year-development of the game, it was always the passion from his fans that continued to drive his creative vision and motivate him to put his all into the project.

His hard work on Eiyuden Chronicle as scenario writer was finished but as his co-workers and friends, it saddens us to know that he won’t get to see the reactions from his fans.

However, even with those feelings we need to accept the reality that he is no longer with us and continue to push his dream forward by releasing Eiyuden Chronicle to the world.

We want to maintain his legacy and vision with this game and know that he would have wanted the rich world he has created with Eiyuden Chronicle to live on.

His family sincerely appreciates your prayers and support but asks for privacy and that no flowers, mail, or other offerings be sent.

We will have more information on organizational changes to Rabbit & Bear as well as changes to some of the Kickstarter rewards in the near future.

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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Avowed coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP) in late 2024

Avowed coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP) in late 2024

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During the Developer_Direct video presentation, the Xbox-exclusive fantasy role-playing game (RPG) Avowed was highlighted with updates from developer Obsidian Entertainment followed by the announcement that the game will be released on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP) in late-2024 (most likely October to December). The final release date will be announced some time later.

For the newcomers reading this, I blogged about Avowed previously and you can read them by clicking here, here, and here. First unveiled in the Xbox games showcase of 2020, Avowed is Obsidian’s latest attempt on the fantasy RPG genre with notable similarities to Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) that include the first-person view, melee combat, magic, and the exploration of a vast fantasy setting. Avowed is set within Obsidian’s established Pillars of Eternity fantasy universe with Eora as the world.

Avowed is set in the established world of Eora. The game developers promised a flexible approach on combat covering melee, magic and shooting forms of attacks during battle.

Of course, there are notable gameplay and technical differences that set Avowed apart from Bethesda’s mega blockbuster fantasy RPG. To get to know the game better, watch Obsidian’s segment of the 2024 Developer_Direct event as well as the extended gameplay breakdown below…

For more information, posted below is the excerpt from the Xbox.com article regarding Obsidian’s fantasy RPG. Some parts in boldface…

Avowed Game Director Carrie Patel gave us a first deep-dive into the gameplay in Obsidian’s upcoming fantasy action RPG, from its dynamic combat, to its thoughtful reactivity, to its “colorful, vibrant, strange” world set in the Living Lands. Avowed continues Obsidian’s signature style of creating games with deep themes and player choice at the forefront.

Here is an example of a decision-making moment in Avowed. Before making a decision, you must pay attention to the details on what the other characters said.

Not only will you make narrative decisions that can impact changes in the game down the line, but Avowed is also looking to offer choice in combat. Gameplay Director Gabe Paramo discussed not only how varied your weaponry will be – with melee weapons, ranged guns and bows, and magic-based wands (even dual-wielded wands!) to name a few – but how flexible combat can be, allowing you to quickly change loadouts for enemy encounters. Swappable loadouts mean you can approach combat however feels right to you.

Art Director Matt Hansen then explained how the Living Lands is a mysterious island made up of wildly varied regions offering visually diverse backdrops and intriguing settings to explore. With secrets hidden throughout the regions, you’ll take in barren deserts, verdant forests, blighted wastes, volcanic biomes, and more.

A special attack performed.

Ever since it was first unveiled in 2020, I have been anticipating Avowed for a long time as I myself enjoyed the fantasy RPGs of Bethesda (specifically The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Skyrim) as well as Obsidian’s work in The Outer Worlds (2019) and Falllout: New Vegas (2010). I should also state that the first-person view makes exploration and combat in RPGs truly immersive and this alone makes Avowed very appealing to me. In relation to the first-person view, I am eager to find out how playable combat will be specifically on the part of the player and what interactive options will be made available. In a recent Xbox.com article, the developers confirmed there will be a variety of ways for players to tackle combat.

I am also excited to see how Obsidian will implement their clever and creative writing skills into the narrative and branching options within their upcoming fantasy RPG. Anyone who has played The Outer Worlds will know how the decisions you made in the game – even during side quests – affected the ending as well as the respective outcomes of your party members. That is something I hope to see again in Avowed, even though it is likely that Obsidian could adjust their methods on establishing the new game’s narrative as well as the outcomes.  

When exploring the many fantasy environments, always pay attention to details as you might find useful items, weapons, money or even details about quests.

Watch out for Avowed on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass in late-2024. For more details, click https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/avowed and https://avowed.obsidian.net/

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SEGA and Microsoft in a Strategic Alliance to create New Strategic Titles for SEGA and establish a Next-Generation Development Environment

SEGA and Microsoft in a Strategic Alliance to create New Strategic Titles for SEGA and establish a Next-Generation Development Environment

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Even as the whole world continues to struggle to move on during this global COVID-19 crisis, Japanese video game business icon SEGA remained bullish and it made its biggest business announcement in a long time yesterday by declaring that it has agreed with Microsoft to engage in a strategic alliance related to game development and cloud gaming with the whole world in mind.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official press release SEGA published on its website. Some parts in boldface…

SEGA Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “SEGA”) and Microsoft Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Microsoft”) have agreed in principal, a strategic alliance that explores ways for SEGA to produce large-scale, global games in a next-generation development environment built on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. The alliance would form a key part of SEGA’s mid to long-term strategy, allowing the business to move forward with “Super Game”, a new initiative for developing new and innovative titles where the key focuses are “Global”, “Online”, “Community” and “IP utilization”.

With the world now more connected than ever following the widespread deployment of 5G and cloud services in recent years, consumers can more easily enjoy high-quality entertainment content at any time. Within this highly connected environment, the ecosystem surrounding the games industry continues to evolve and expand as more sophisticated tools and technologies become available. As such, video games continue to grow as a major medium for gamers globally, with access to a vast range of gaming experiences and communities becoming more diverse and attainable. This proposed alliance represents SEGA looking ahead, and by working with Microsoft to anticipate such trends as they accelerate further in future, the goal is to optimise development processes and continue to bring high-quality experiences to players using Azure cloud technologies.

Microsoft and SEGA have agreed upon the foundation for this alliance and through mutual cooperation, will look to build further technological evolutions with areas such as the network infrastructure and communication tools required for global online services being a key priority. Additionally, by shifting to a next-generation development platform, SEGA can effectively adapt to diversfying work styles and potential infrastructural changes.

Wow! The press release can be a bit challenging to understand in just one reading. To say the least, this is SEGA’s way of expressing that is modernizing itself to keep up with the times and ensure they can be flexible not only with developing their games and projects but also to be able to reach as many customers they can worldwide with the help of Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform.

While SEGA today is no longer the aggressive arcade, console, handheld and game maker it used to be, it has no intention of fading away. As a business entity, they may not be cash-rich anymore but they are rich in terms of intellectual properties that include famed game franchises like Virtua Fighter, Daytona USA, Sonic the Hedgehog and more. They can still do something new and productive with those.

While the press release does not specifically state anything about Xbox, it still confirms SEGA’s business partnership with Microsoft goes to a much higher level with the future in mind. Even without any mention of Xbox and its related services in SEGA’s press release, I would not be surprised to see SEGA release more games – both classic and new – on the Xbox platforms as well as on Xbox Game Pass (XGP) over the next few years. Also it is nice to see the Japanese corporation confirming next-generation development of games!

Take note of the big significance of SEGA releasing Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2) on Xbox One in 2020. PSO2 on Xbox One marked the first time the game got released outside of Japan starting with North America in April 2020 and with Europe in August 2020. Through the Xbox One and the Windows PC platform (August 2020), PSO2 further reached even more gamers worldwide.

By now, SEGA realized that to grow as a business, they will need to reach out to the many consumers worldwide who are willing to pay for their games and online services. In order to achieve that, SEGA partnered with Microsoft whose cloud computing infrastructure and cloud gaming models are so advanced, even competitor Sony partnered with the American corporation.

Think about that! Two of Japan’s major corporations partnered with Microsoft whose Xbox consoles did not sell much in Japan. Rivalries in video gaming were set aside for something much better between the corporations – business partnerships driven by advanced technologies that can help the partners achieve growth and breakthroughs with the whole world in mind. In the case of Microsoft, the new business partnership with SEGA is an opportunity for them to build up trust with other Japanese businesses who share similar interests with the company of Sonic and the company of PlayStation, as well sharing their objectives of achieving business growth and reaching out to consumers around the world.  

Going back to the SEGA-issued press release, posted below is an excerpt from comments made by SEGA Corporation President and COO Yukio Sugino. Some parts in boldface…

We are very pleased to announce today that we are considering a strategic alliance with Microsoft to help develop SEGA’s new “Super Game” initiative as well as build a next-generation game development environment. By considering a strategic partnership with Microsoft, we seek to further advance our game development so that our titles can be enjoyed by fans all over the world; in this regard, we aim to build an alliance that utilizes both SEGA’s powerful game development capabilities and Microsoft’s cutting-edge technology and development environment.

In closing this piece, posted below are Xbox-related videos for your viewing pleasure.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. 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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com