Tag: PlayStation

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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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

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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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

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 2

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 2

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Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will examine print ads from the 1980s and 1990s that caught my attention and I will explain why these are worth look back at.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. Back in the old days, many gamers trusted the print media a lot for information and images about games.

With those details laid down, here is the latest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. Popeye multiplatform print ad

A fine example of promoting the Popeye video game on multiple platforms visually.

During the early 1980s, an arcade game based on Popeye was released and it became a hit with gamers who lined up and inserted coins to play. That game, which had three stages, was eventually ported by Parker Brothers to multiple platforms of Atari, ColecoVision, Intellivision, T.I. and Commodore.

The print ad you see above is a classic display of how one particular game appeared as a multiplatform release. The screenshots showed different versions of the Popeye game on multiple Atari platforms plus the others. See how different the game looks on each platform? The level of visual details and elements varied from one another as each machine had different specs that Parker Brothers had to adjust to. This is a fine example of promoting one game for different machines for those who love video games.  

2.  Kool-Aid Man Video Game print ad

I never got to play this Kool-Aid Man video game.

Remember Kool-Aid? For the newcomers reading this, Kool-Aid was a very popular product line of flavored juice drinks sold in powdered form. I myself used to mix Kool-Aid with ice-cold water and enjoyed drinking it. In 1954, a promotion of Kool-Aid with a touch of entertainment happened by highlighting the character Kool-Aid Man (famously known as the walking and talking pitcher filled with Kool-Aid juice). In later years, the Kool-Aid Man was often shown breaking through walls saying the line “Oh yeah!”.

The Kool-Aid Man gained tremendous attention as a pop culture figure in the 1980s when a new series of advertisements and promotions happened branching into video games and even comic books. The above print ad was a clever move to promote Kool-Aid as a drink as well as a video game for the Intellivision and the Atari 2600 consoles. Even if you were not too fond of video games in the 1980s, the Kool-Aid game ad would still make you think about the drink. Clever and entertaining!  

3. Zombies Ate My Neighbors game print ad

I saw the 2-page ad many times in comic books and video game magazines.

Going into the 1990s, Konami’s print ad of the video game Zombies Ate My Neighbors (for Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis) appeared a lot in the comic books I read when I was much younger. Having seen lots of horror movies – including zombie flicks – the ad easily caught my attention not because of the screenshots but because of the visual style used. For one thing, there was this 1950s America-inspired imagery on the photo of the scared woman with three zombies slowly approaching her. As for the game itself, there were plenty of small-sized screenshots that had lots of interesting details and pixel art (note: 3D polygons in video games were not yet common back then) which gave me a clear idea that it was a humor and horror-laced 2D adventure. Not only that, the text descriptions combined with the fake quotes added zest into the presentation. After having examined all the details carefully, I really felt like Zombies Ate My Neighbors would be a fun-filled game to play on the SNES.

4. Lunar: The Silver Star print ad

With anime artwork used, it was easy to have the impression that the original Lunar game was based on an existing anime series or movie.

In the early 1990s, Game Arts developed and released the Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) Lunar: The Silver Star on the Mega CD platform in Japan which in some ways was also a technological breakthrough – the game came with full motion video (for short videos), animated images, and CD-quality sound (that really made the soundtrack lively to listen to). After achieving critical and commercial success in Japan, the game was picked-up by Working Designs to be localized and released in the North American market for the Sega CD (the American counterpart of the Mega CD) platform. In promoting the game for American Sega CD owners as well as American gamers in general, a print ad highlighting anime images with five screenshots and only a few words was published on both comic books and magazines.

Even though Lunar: The Silver Star’s core concept was never described in the ad, the anime imagery was still eye-catching and the chosen screenshots gave viewers a preview of the gameplay and the animated images. That being said, it was no surprise that gamers who happened to be a bit interested in anime noticed the print ad. At the same time, the ad gave some gamers the impression that Lunar was a game based on an existing anime franchise. This approach on game advertising was daring and it happened at a time when Japanese RPGs had a limited audience among gamers in North America.

5. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete print ad

In the 2nd half of the 1990s, a remake of Lunar: The Silver Star was released in Japan titled Lunar: Silver Star Story for Sega Saturn (1996), Sony PlayStation (1998) and Windows PC (1998). While it still maintained the 2D visuals for presentation, gameplay and exploration, the remake had smooth anime sequences, new artworks, better sound effects and music. Working Designs pounced on the opportunity to localize the game in America for PlayStation and released it in 1999 with the title Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete. Not only did Working Designs work hard on localizing the game (the English dubbing and singing of the game’s songs were meticulously done), they released it with a very lavish packaging with the dedicated fans and collectors in mind.

By looking at the above print ad that magazines published, Working Designs highlighted the positive feedback quotes from EGM, Gamers’ Republic, PSM and Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine to convince gamers Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete is a great game. While the screenshots showed what kind of eye candy gamers could expect, Working Designs made sure that they would know that the lavish package includes 4 discs (2 game discs, 1 music CD and 1 CD that had video documentary of the making of Lunar), a full-color map in the form of a cloth, and a hardbound art book and instruction manual.

Considering the dynamism of the Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete print ad and the game’s packaging, I can only speculate that Working Designs had to do it aggressively because the gaming landscape changed dramatically as 3D polygonal graphics became the standard while lots of other Japanese RPGs from different publishers were released in 1999 (including the sequels Suikoden II and Final Fantasy VIII) and many of them had more elaborate game designs and visual presentations. Eventually market forces and unfortunate business events led Working Designs to closing down permanently in 2005.

6. Star Wars: Jedi Arena print ad

Remember when Luke Skywalker tested his lightsaber skills with the floating Seeker in the 1977 movie?

Back in the early 1980s, Parker Brothers was very active releasing games on the Atari 2600 console which my family had. At that same time, Star Wars was very popular (and without the wokeness and identity politics garbage of Kathleen Kennedy and woke Disney) and any new game based on the sci-fi franchise was something to be excited for. In the above print ad of Star Wars: Jedi Arena, an artwork showing the iconic her Luke Skywalker testing his lightsaber skills with the floating Seeker ball was displayed and located between Luke’s legs is a monitor showing the screenshot of the game. Looking at the text description, Parker Brothers creatively focused on the aspect of the Jedi way of using the lightsaber interacting with the Seeker ball. Having played the game myself, I can say the ad was creative and pretty much captured the core concept of the game.  

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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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 13

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 13

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Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 The precise differences between Christianity and Islam, Lord Jesus and Muhammad, and the Holy Bible and the Quran explained – The YouTube channel HolyLandSite is a favorite of mine as it has published a lot of very credible and detailed explanatory videos about the Holy Land in Israel, Christianity, the Jews and how everything is connected with the Holy Bible (the Word of God). In the recent video they published recently, the precise differences between Christianity and Islam, between Lord Jesus and Muhammad, and between the Holy Bible and the Quran are explained in detail by Pastor Todd. I strongly recommend watching the video below…

#2 The deep hatred of the Palestinians towards Israel explained – There is no doubt that hatred, violence and murder are core values that the Palestinians have been oriented with while living under very evil leaders (murderer/terrorist Yasser Arafat is just one of them). To date, there are very few Palestinians who overcame their evil orientation and pushed back against their evil leaders to become good people. In the video below, YouTuber Oren explains in detail why so many Palestinians grew up with hate and live by hate towards Israel and its people. Lastly, I should state once again that the Palestinians are a displaced people, are NOT natives of the land of Israel and they caused trouble when they occupied Jordan and Kuwait.

#3 Remembering the past video game company Working Designs – It has been almost twenty years since American game company Working Designs closed down and ended their business. For the newcomers reading this, Working Designs is best known for localizing several video games from different Japanese companies for the North American market and among their best known releases were Lunar: The Silver Star Story, Lunar: Eternal Blue, Dragon Force and Magic Knight Rayearth. Their business history is very interesting to examine and for your viewing pleasure, posted below is one video about Working Designs’ legacy and another video about their games released across different platforms.

#4 Man of Steel video reviews, analysis, trivia and reaction videos – The cinematic universe of DC Comics superheroes that started in 2013’s Man of Steel is officially over and the newest film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom won’t match its predecessor’s massive commercial success. Unofficially referred to as the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), the past cinematic universe of Warner Bros. had a very inconsistent record of commercial and critical results. That being said, it is high time to go all the way back to the very beginning with Man of Steel (starring Henry Cavill as Superman) through a series of varied videos I found for you to watch.

#5 DeepStar Six videos – Believe it or not, way back in 1989 there was not one, not two, but three movies that had underwater settings. One of them was DeepStar Six which was directed by original Friday The 13th movie director Sean S. Cunningham and, for some reason, was released in cinemas here in the Philippines with the title “Alien from the Deep.” While it grossed less than Leviathan and was made for a fraction of the budget of James Cameron’s The Abyss, DeepStar Six still has a long-lasting following and different kinds of videos about it were made. You can watch what I found below…

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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

Xbox-Activision-Blizzard-King is now a reality

Xbox-Activision-Blizzard-King is now a reality

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Ever since it was first announced, the stakeholders behind the Xbox-Activision-Blizzard-King deal worth almost $70 billion went through lots of hurdles that include opposition by Sony’s PlayStation division, a trial with America’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a rejection by the United Kingdom’s regulator Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The obstacles are over as the Xbox-Activision-Blizzard-King deal recently closed and already the Activision side of the business has officially started integrating into Microsoft. This deal is many times larger than the Xbox-Bethesda acquisition of a few years ago. Watch the related video by Team Xbox below…

Xbox chief Phil Spencer issued a statement related to the newly closed deal. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from his statement published through Xbox.com. Some parts in boldface…

We love gaming. We play games, create games, and know first-hand how much gaming means to all of us as individuals and collectively, as a community. And today, we officially welcome Activision Blizzard and their teams to Xbox. They are the publishers of some of the most played and most beloved franchises in gaming history across console, PC and mobile. From Pitfall to Call of Duty, World of Warcraft to Overwatch, Candy Crush Saga to Farm Heroes Saga, their studios have pushed the boundaries of gaming for players around the world.

I’ve long admired the work of Activision, Blizzard, and King, and the impact they’ve had on gaming, entertainment, and pop culture. Whether it was late nights spent playing the Diablo IV campaign with friends from start to finish, gathering the entire family in the rec room for our weekly Guitar Hero night, or going on an epic streak in Candy Crush, some of my most memorable gaming moments came from experiences their studios have created. It is incredible to welcome such legendary teams to Xbox.

As one team, we’ll learn, innovate, and continue to deliver on our promise to bring the joy and community of gaming to more people. We’ll do this in a culture that strives to empower everyone to do their best work, where all people are welcome, and is centered on our ongoing commitment of Gaming for Everyone. We are intentional about inclusion in everything we do at Xbox – from our team to the products we make and the stories we tell, to the way our players interact and engage as a wider gaming community.

Together, we’ll create new worlds and stories, bring your favorite games to more places so more players can join in, and we’ll engage with and delight players in new, innovative ways in the places they love to play including mobile, cloud streaming and more.

Players have always been at the center of everything we do. And as we grow, we’ll continue to keep players at the heart of it all. We’ll continue to listen to your feedback, build a community where you can be yourself, where developers can do their best work, and continue to make really fun games. As promised, we will also continue to make more games available in more places – and that begins now by enabling cloud streaming providers and players to stream Activision Blizzard games in the European Economic Area, a commitment made to the European Commission. Today we start the work to bring beloved Activision, Blizzard, and King franchises to Game Pass and other platforms. We’ll share more about when you can expect to play in the coming months. We know you’re excited – and we are too.

For the millions of fans who love Activision, Blizzard, and King games, we want you to know that today is a good day to play. You are the heart and soul of these franchises, and we are honored to have you as part of our community. Whether you play on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC or mobile, you are welcome here – and will remain welcome, even if Xbox isn’t where you play your favorite franchise. Because when everyone plays, we all win.

For their part, Activision Blizzard issued its own statement related to the biggest deal in video gaming with Microsoft. They are looking forward to the future of gaming with Team Xbox. Posted below is an excerpt from their statement with some parts in boldface…

It’s a big day for us at Activision Blizzard. For more than four decades, our players have inspired us to push the boundaries of imagination with iconic universes including Call of Duty, Candy Crush Saga, Crash Bandicoot, Diablo, Overwatch, and Warcraft.

Today we begin a new chapter as we officially become a part of the Microsoft family, uniting with the amazing Xbox team and co-creating the future of gaming together.

In our earliest days we were a modest collective of designers who raided rivers, commanded choppers, and avoided pitfalls. Now as part of Xbox, we will continue our mission to deliver the world’s most epic interactive entertainment experiences to more people, more platforms, and across more worlds than ever before.

All of our history and success leading to this moment is because of you, our incredible gaming community.

Unsurprisingly, the approved Xbox-Activision-Blizzard-King deal made tremendous waves through social media and through YouTube. Watch and learn from the videos below starting with an interview with Activision Blizzard’s Bobby Kotick (note: pay close attention to his words)…

The Xbox-Activision-Blizzard-King deal is not just another multi-billion Dollar business breakthrough…it is a tremendous boost for the credibility of Xbox as a video gaming, PC gaming, cloud gaming and mobile gaming entity.

Not only will Team Xbox have access and control of Activision Blizzard’s multiple game franchises and properties, they will also inherit the many talents and game makers of ABK (Activision-Blizzard-King), inherit the proprietary technologies for making the games, and most notably inherit and do business with the hundreds of millions of Activision Blizzard King customers worldwide!

While it is made clear that Microsoft-controlled ABK will still release games on multiple platforms, the new owners can make the new and upcoming games Xbox-exclusive (meaning released only on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC plus cloud and mobile devices which collectively are more numerous than Nintendo and PlayStation consoles). For insights about potential Xbox-exclusive Activision Blizzard games, watch Colteastwood’s video below…

More on exclusivity that include games, DLC releases and other matters, it is clear that the pre-existing contracts between PlayStation and Activision will never be renewed (read: PlayStation is no longer the home of Call of Duty). PlayStation, whose leader Jim Ryan has been so arrogant and dishonest when opposing the Xbox-Activision-Blizzard-King deal, will have a lot to worry about on the gaming subscription side of business once Activision Blizzard games get added into the Xbox Game Pass (XGP) service some time in 2024. As much as Team Xbox and Microsoft are benefiting from this mega deal, gamers across different platforms will eventually benefit as well in various ways. Expect new customer-oriented choices to be made through the games under Xbox’s banner.

As of this writing, Xbox fans are rejoicing over the closed Xbox-Activision-Blizzard-King deal while PlayStation fanboys cannot help but agonize with anger and jealousy. All you have to do to see the PS fanboys’ anguish is search for them on social media over their collective negative reactions. The “Xbox has no games” zealots are looking and feeling bad nowadays. Indeed, things are working in Team Xbox’s favor and I personally cannot wait to see the benefits of the ABK deal get realized in my gaming experience. Also there is nothing like seeing ABK’s established franchises like Call of Duty, StarCraft, Warcraft and many others listed with Xbox’s own franchises such as Halo, Forza Motorsport, The Elder Scrolls, Starfield, Fallout and others.

Personally, I look forward to playing Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot (a game property that started on PlayStation) other Activision titles on my Xbox Series X console through my Xbox Game Pass subscription in the near future.

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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: Hundred Heroes set for release on April 23, 2024 on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP)

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes set for release on April 23, 2024 on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP)

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Finally! It was announced that the anticipated Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will officially be released on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP) on April 23, 2024.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official announcement via the Eiyuden Chronicle website. Some parts in boldface…

Today we proudly announce the April 23, 2024 release date of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes! We are pleased to unveil a new key visual featuring the three main characters Nowa, Seign, and Marisa.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a JRPG from legendary game developers Yoshitaka Murayama’s (Suikoden I & II) and Junko Kawano (Suikoden I & IV) which takes the turn-based strategy game experience to the next level. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes features a finely crafted six-character battle system, meticulously created 2D sprites and 3D backgrounds, a riveting story with over 100 playable characters and engaging gameplay designed to bring players a modern take on classic JRPGs.

“We are thrilled to finally announce the release date of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes,” said Studio Lead Yoshitaka Murayama.

For the newcomers reading this, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is an independently produced JRPG that involved key creators from the Suikoden game franchise which was previously announced for a vague 2023 release. The game developers needed more time to ensure a high quality RPG which explained the delay into 2024. This new JRPG is the 2nd Eiyuden Chronicle title to be released on Xbox. The first one was Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising.

A battle within the game.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a JRPG that I’ve been anticipating for more than two years now. I enjoyed the first two Suikoden RPGs on PlayStation 1 (note: read my Suikoden II retro review) and the upcoming game is very clearly inspired by them. Ironically, the remastered Suikoden and Suikoden II look like they won’t be released this year as Konami itself announced that more time is needed to ensure quality performance.

As I myself am pretty busy enjoying Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG Starfield on my Xbox Series X console, it seems to me that Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes’ April 2024 release schedule feels just right. The more I play Starfield, the more I discovered more quests and activities which really deepened the fun. There is no telling how long I’ll keep on playing the sci-fi RPG. Apart from Starfield, Forza Motorsport (2023) is the other big-time Xbox-exclusive game to play starting October 10.  

Apart from completion and polishing, the publisher of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will have the major challenge of marketing the game to get JRPG fans and other gamers to buy it. The said game is bound for release on Xbox Game Pass which itself also has hundreds of video games – including RPGs – available for subscribers to play. It will take a solid effort to make Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes stand out in XGP.

Watch out for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass 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

Starfield’s successful launch boosts Xbox Series X|S sales in the UK

Starfield’s successful launch boosts Xbox Series X|S sales in the UK

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Starfield, the epic sci-fi role-playing game (sci-fi RPG) from Bethesda Game Studios (Oblivion, Skyrim and Fallout 4), tremendously boosted the sales of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S (including the newer version) in the United Kingdom (UK) shortly after its very strong launch there, according to a report published by GamesIndustry.biz. Also available on Windows PC and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP), it is not surprising to see many gamers making decisions to buy the game brand new which helped it top the UK software sales chart. 

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GamesIndustry.biz report. Some parts in boldface…

The launch of Starfield and a new version of the Xbox Series S significantly boosted sales of Microsoft consoles.

GfK data reveals that Xbox Series S and X sales jumped 76% week-on-week for the seven days ending September 2nd.

GfK games boss Dorian Bloch says that the week is the biggest this year (so far) for Xbox Series S and X hardware sales in the UK. Meanwhile, the week ending September 9th is currently the second best week.

This was partially due to the launch of the new Xbox Series S 1TB edition, which accounted for 24% of all Xbox consoles sold during that week. The new version of Xbox Series S is roughly £50 more expensive than the standard Series S model.

Starfield is filled with a lot of quests, activities, exploration and sci-fi action that really engaged millions of people worldwide as I write this. The scope of the game is very immense.

But the jump in Xbox console sales was also due to the launch of Starfield. The Bethesda game officially launched on September 6th, but it was available on September 1st to those who were willing to pay for the Premium Edition. As a result, the standard Xbox Series X console posted a 46% increase in sales for the week ending September 2nd in the UK.

“It is currently the best week this year for Series X,” Bloch says. “And the following week [ending September 9th] is the fourth best for X. In-between is week one and week six, which were early year blips.”

Bloch says that the Xbox consoles overall had a decent showing for the week ending September 9th, with the new Series S 1TB model accounting for 20% of sales.

As mentioned earlier, Starfield is also a software sales success in the UK which GamesIndustry.biz also reported separately. Check out the excerpt below…

Starfield has topped the UK physical charts this week. GfK’s report showed that the space-action RPG sold more physical copies on Xbox than it did on PC.

Sarah Morgan is one of the key characters in Starfield. Interacting with her added a lot to the gameplay and engagement. Take note that Morgan is just one of the Constellation characters you will interact with.

Starfield’s premium upgrade (a box with a code that provided early access to the digital version) has fallen to No.34 after debuting at No.7 last week. This version experienced a 71% decrease in sales due to the game’s wider release on September 6.

The Xbox exclusive reached over six million players in two days, making it Bethesda’s biggest launch of all time.

As confirmed by the news above, the Xbox-exclusive Starfield succeeded big-time at retail in the UK and as Bethesda’s biggest launch of all-time (on a worldwide scale). Think deeply about those huge achievements that were realized without PlayStation at all. While lots of gamers in the UK spent a lot of money on the sci-fi RPG and Xbox Series consoles, there are also many Starfield players enjoying it on Xbox Game Pass. In fact, a lot of XGP subscribers paid for the early access to the game and that only showed how heavily anticipated Starfield really is as Bethesda’s newest intellectual property (IP). Apart from that, there is still a long way to go before the month of September 2023 ends.

The way the Xbox-exclusive game is succeeding as I write this, it is very likely that Starfield will grow into a franchise of in-depth RPGs in the years to come. Like Halo and the Forza Motorsport, Starfield will be an Xbox-exclusive franchise of games that fans and RPG-loving gamers can look forward to.

Even without PlayStation, Starfield became a massive success at launch in terms of software sales, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions and Xbox hardware sales.

On my part, I have been playing Starfield on my Xbox Series X for more than a week now and the more I played it, the more enjoyable and even intriguing the gameplay experience turned out to be. There is just so much to have fun with this sci-fi RPG and by now, I have gotten myself more oriented with the user interface and the functions laid out.

With regards to the shooting (specifically with on-foot activities), the precision and response here are comparable with those in Fallout 4. Flying spaceships and using the controls for flight and weapons are really good and responsive enough.

While I won’t be spoiling plot details here, I can say that the gameplay experience has been pretty varied when I do the main quests, side quests, activities and when I freely explore the many in-game environments from one planet to another across different star systems. Check out the images and their descriptions below…

There is nothing like spotting Ecliptic mercenaries marching together in the middle of nowhere followed by my character and companion taking them out by surprise. If you encounter a random situation like this, engage with it.
I love the high-level of visual details as well as the impressive physics Bethesda prepared for space battles.
After defeating several armed bad guys and some dangerous turrets at a very discreet location, I got myself a brand new space ship! I now have four space ships as of this writing!
There is nothing like being able to board an enemy space ship, defeating all the bad guys and taking the valuables (including the opportunity to claim the ship as your own if your pilot skill is high enough). Starfield allows such opportunities to happen during space ship battles. Don’t just focus on destroying the enemy ship entirely as you will miss out on the opportunity to board it.

Starfield is very enjoyable and I believe that it still has a lot more to offer. I finished several side quests and activities, and still there is a lot more to discover and engage with! Of all the Xbox-exclusive games released in this current console generation, Starfield is already the most engaging one I have been playing, even more so than Halo Infinite.

If you are eager to acquire a digital copy of Starfield, head on to https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/starfield. By the way, an update is now available. In ending this, posted below are Starfield-related videos for your enjoyment.

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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

Starfield is now available and I’m enjoying it on my Xbox Series X!

Starfield is now available and I’m enjoying it on my Xbox Series X!

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Starfield, the epic sci-fi role-playing game (sci-fi RPG) from Bethesda Game Studios (Oblivion, Skyrim and Fallout 4) has finally been released on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP) and this early I am already enjoying it! Even gamers still hanging on with their aging Xbox One consoles could enjoy the game with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service and Xbox Cloud Gaming!

To put things in perspective, Starfield was made available to several gamers who paid for early access as early as September 1. The early access proved to be a big hit among Xbox Game Pass subscribers! This past March, the final release date of September 6, 2023 was announced. Even before that, a vague 2023 release was announced on June 2022 (note: November 2022 was the original release target for the game). In preparing for the game, I replayed Halo: Infinite and Fallout 4 on my Xbox Series X console, and I also watched Interstellar and Star Trek: First Contact on 4K Blu-ray disc format.

There is nothing like being able to fly your spaceship through an asteroid belt in Starfield.

A lot is at stake with Starfield which is the first new intellectual property of Bethesda and the team led by Todd Howard. Take note that Bethesda has been integrated into Team Xbox for more than two years now as a result of Microsoft’s acquisition agreement with parent company ZeniMax.

It is very clear that today, Starfield is the most ambitious Xbox-exclusive game and it was released at a time when the lack of Xbox-exclusive games was felt since early 2022. Apart from the positive reviews it received, Starfield just might motivate more people out there to buy Xbox Series consoles or new gaming PCs, stimulate sales at retail and boost the number of people subscribing to Xbox Game Pass worldwide. Not only that, this game is from the same team that made the much-beloved Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fallout 3, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. Those four open-world Bethesda games are well known for the very deep engagement and intense fun that gamers enjoyed with a lot of longevity.

Ironically, the brand new RPG from Bethesda became a lightning rod of criticism and creative negativity from the PlayStation fanboys and the “Xbox has no games” zealots (plus other gamers who obsessively hate Xbox) who cannot help but be jealous and frustrated over the Xbox exclusivity. I understand that jealousy really hurts a person deep down inside and what is even worse is hatred towards Xbox combined with obsession caused by certain external forces. I know that there are gaming media writers, bloggers and vloggers who grew up with hatred towards Xbox and some of them even sold their souls to PlayStation in exchange for something. It is bad enough that in this divisive world, there are many so-called journalists who are actually political activists pretending to be journalistic.

Watch out for the character Marika during your first city exploration in the game.
If you are very used to shooting in Fallout 4, you will have to adjust yourselves to become proficient and comfortable with the gunplay in Starfield.

To those of you reading this, you are better off enjoying Starfield for what it is and what it has to offer regardless of what platform you have to play it on. This is, after all, a Bethesda game with the design and production led by Todd Howard and a team with an extensive record of experience, acclaim and success.

The PlayStation culture itself is toxic and I know because I myself used to be a PlayStation fanboy. That being said, I can say that PlayStation leadership today is the worst and I have seen lots of PS executives come and go. If the PlayStation people, their media partners-in-crime (read: IGN is just one of them) and other haters would not stop smearing Starfield and Bethesda itself because of Xbox and Microsoft (now owner of Bethesda), then there definitely is something wrong with those people. As such, you should NOT let them ruin your enjoyment of Starfield. The game is an Xbox-exclusive designed to entertain and engage gamers.

It is fun and intriguing to watch Sarah Morgan (a significant character you will spend time with) interact with another character she personally knows. Pay close attention to what they say to each other.

Going back to the game itself, I managed to find time to start playing it on launch day here in the Philippines. Without spoiling plot details, I can say that it took me three hours of learning and experimenting with Starfield’s gameplay and functions. Getting myself oriented with the new game proved tricky as I just finished replaying Fallout 4 on my Xbox Series X. For comparisons, I got myself oriented with the gameplay and functions of Oblivion, Skyrim and Fallout 4 within two hours of initial play respectively.

By the time I reached the 4th hour of my 6-hour launch day session, I finally got myself oriented (this includes lots of on-foot exploration, space flights and misadventures before taking on the main quest) and Starfield became much more engaging as more quests, more characters and more locations emerged. By the time I stopped playing to get some much-needed rest, my enjoyment of the game really intensified complete with a growing sense of wonder about what awaits me in the huge galaxy Bethesda prepared. That being said, I went back to playing Starfield yesterday and I found myself enjoying it even more as I proceeded with the main quest while finding time to do side-quests. I have gotten more proficient with the way the game functions.

Right now, I am really eager to keep on playing Starfield during my free time, discover more within the game and have more fun along the way. Literally, I am only scratching the surface with Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG and as I played it, there were moments when I noticed the game had some similarities with Obsidian Entertainment’s own sci-fi RPG The Outer Worlds.

My character and the first-ever spaceship I got.

If you are eager to acquire a digital copy of Starfield, head on to https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/starfield

To get yourselves oriented early, check out Team Xbox’s Starfield guides by clicking 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

Team Xbox and Square Enix renew business relationship as Final Fantasy XIV Online gets set for Xbox Series X|S launch in 2024

Team Xbox and Square Enix renew business relationship as Final Fantasy XIV Online gets set for Xbox Series X|S launch in 2024

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Things have been turning out positively for Team Xbox and its millions of fans worldwide in recent times. Not so long after the big breakthrough for the Xbox-Activision-Blizzard deal and the launch of Antstream Arcade on Xbox, Team Xbox and Square Enix officially renewed their business relationship and symbolically it has been confirmed that Final Fantasy XIV Online got set for launch on Xbox Series X|S in 2024.

For the newcomers reading this, over the past years a notable number of Square Enix games were released without versions on Xbox consoles. It is already out in the open that Sony had been signing deals with game publishers and developers to exclude Xbox consoles and Xbox Game Pass so that the PlayStation platforms will gain the competitive edge (click here and here). This seems evident in Square Enix’s announcement of Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection coming to multiple platforms except Xbox.

Going to what happened this past weekend, almost out of nowhere Xbox chief Phil Spencer appeared alongside Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu and Square Enix video game producer Naoki Yoshida (AKA Yoshi-P) on stage during a Las Vegas event and symbolically confirmed the renewal of their business relationship. Adding credibility to the renewal was the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the Tweet from Xbox chief Phil Spencer himself…

Posted below is the excerpt about the big development from Windows Central Gaming’s report. Some parts in boldface…

Out of nowhere, today, Square Enix was joined on stage by Microsoft Gaming CEO and Xbox lead Phil Spencer to reveal that Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn is finally coming to Xbox consoles in 2024.

Final Fantasy 14 is one of the best MMORPGs on the market, and one of the only credible alternatives to World of Warcraft, an MMO that Microsoft is poised to soon own with the Activision-Blizzard deal likely going through. FF14 has brought some serious competition to WoW in recent years, forcing Blizzard to up its game. It seems Square Enix isn’t taking that lying down either, announcing its own fresh expansion coming next summer, dubbed Dawntrail.

Additionally, incoming Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu had some warm things to say about Xbox that fans will no doubt be eager to hear (via Nova_Crystallis). Kiryu praised Phil Spencer for his “support” in bringing Final Fantasy 14 to Xbox. I believe Microsoft had to revert some of its long-standing Windows store policies around third-party content delivery networks in order to help get FF14 onto Xbox, and Spencer was naturally likely instrumental in getting that policy change through. Surprisingly, Kiryu also said that “with today’s announcement, and wherever possible, we are planning to bring our games to Xbox.”

“First off, I have thank you Phil-san for making the Xbox version of FF14 a reality. This is a project that would not have been possible without Spencer’s support. Please give him the biggest round of applause. As CEO of Square Enix, we want to continue to deliver fabulous games to fans across the globe. We want to welcome the Xbox community as well. Starting with today’s announcement and whenever possible we are planning to bring our games to Xbox for players to enjoy. Final Fantasy XIV is only going to get bigger and better. So I hope Xbox players give it a try.” – Takashi Kiryu, Square Enix CEO

Xbox lead Phil Spencer also emphasized that he looks forward to “building” on the relationship that brought Final Fantasy 14 to Xbox, and wants to partner with Square Enix on future games as well.

Indeed the renewal of ties between Xbox and Square Enix is a very positive breakthrough that will benefit not only the many millions of Xbox gamers (including those using Windows PC) worldwide but for video gaming as a whole. While Square Enix still has contracts signed with PlayStation still in effect, they and Team Xbox can collaborate on other available games for Xbox release. Whatever feelings you have towards the company behind the Final Fantasy games, this development opens the possibilities of releasing Legend of Mana games and a potential remaster of Xenogears on Xbox platforms. There is also the potential that Team Xbox can sign new deals with the Japanese titan to release more of its games on Xbox Game Pass (XGP).

While Final Fantasy XIV Online’s Xbox launch is still some time away, Xbox gamers have a lot to enjoy along the way with exclusives such as Starfield and Forza Motorsport (2023). Looking at the Xbox ecosystem as a whole, the renewed Xbox-Square Enix ties means more games from the Japanese titan will be released in the near future. Square Enix’s RPGs – both modern and classic – will add weight to Xbox as the ecosystem for RPG fans. That being said, I encourage you Xbox gamers to watch out for SE’s future releases. Also you might want to try the existing Square Enix RPGs still available on the Xbox store such as Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.

Final Fantasy XIV Online on Xbox

To gain a deeper understanding of the Final Fantasy XIV Online announcement, posted below is the excerpt from the Xbox.com article. Some parts in boldface…

After much anticipation, it’s finally confirmed – critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S.

First announced at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2023 in Las Vegas by FFXIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida and CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer, let’s break down the announcement and reveal and what it means for Xbox gamers now that one of gaming’s most welcoming communities is set to get even bigger!

What is Final Fantasy XIV Online? – Firstly, if you’re not familiar with Final Fantasy XIV Online, as the name would suggest, it’s the fourteenth mainline game in the highly esteemed Final Fantasy series. As with all mainline numbered Final Fantasy games however, each entry is a standalone game that doesn’t require any previous experience with the franchise. If you’ve never played a Final Fantasy game before, FFXIV is the perfect place to jump in!

FFXIV takes place in the world of Hydaelyn – a vibrant planet blessed by the Light of the Crystal. Amid azure seas, encompassing the westernmost of the Three Great Continents, there lies a realm embraced by gods and forged by heroes. Her name — Eorzea. It is here that your tale begins to unfold. Beckoned by the Mothercrystal — the source of all life — you must embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.

As an online massively multiplayer role-playing game, FFXIV offers a realm where you and 27 million adventurers worldwide can embark on epic quests together. Filled with bustling cities, towering forests, and deadly deserts, FFXIV’s constantly updated, and ever-engaging world takes you to the far reaches of the land and beyond, with a captivating and ongoing story. But it isn’t just about defeating massive monsters with your personalized Warrior of Light. You can also gather materials and craft items, enjoy series staples including Chocobos, Moogles, and Airships, enjoy a day of mini-games and mahjong at the Gold Saucer, and even buy a house.

Your adventure, played your way! – If all this sounds a bit overwhelming, never fear! Though initially designed to be played online with others, FFXIV includes a feature called the Duty Support system that enables tackling content with a party of NPC allies as opposed to other players. In fact, by the time the open beta launches it’ll be possible to complete all the main story dungeons from A Realm Reborn through Endwalker solo, enabling you to comfortably experience the stories of Eorzea on their own.

When can I play it…and what have I heard about a Free Trial? – Final Fantasy XIV Online is set to launch in open beta on Xbox Series X|S as part of the Patch 6.5x series, which means you can expect it very soon indeed! Alongside 4K support on Xbox Series X, both consoles will enjoy fast loading times, making sure your time in Eorzea looks and plays great.

Additionally, you may have seen some copypasta lurking around the internet pertaining to a certain free trial… well, rest assured, the Final Fantasy XIV Online Expanded Free Trial will indeed be coming to Xbox Series X|S, meaning you too will be able to enjoy the entirety of A Realm Reborn as well as the award-winning Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70 with no restrictions on playtime!

In concluding this post, posted below are Xbox-related videos for your enjoyment.

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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. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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/

Play over 1,000 retro games on Xbox with Antstream Arcade!

Play over 1,000 retro games on Xbox with Antstream Arcade!

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If you are long-time gamer who misses the many fun games from them past, then you will delighted to know that you can play over one thousand retro games on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Xbox One with the Antstream Arcade service which is now available for $29.99 annual subscription and $79.99 lifetime pass.

For the newcomers reading this, Antstream Arcade is the grand gaming arcade with over 1,300 classic games from the 1980s to the 2000s that were released across varied platforms such as the video arcade, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the PlayStation One to name a few. Antstream Arcade on Xbox platforms just made the global Xbox ecosystem even more exciting to those who love playing multiple types of games. Posted below is the official Xbox launch trailer of Antstream Arcade!

To gain a deeper understanding of Antstream Arcade on Xbox, posted below is an excerpt from the Xbox.com article. Some parts in boldface…

We’re excited to share that Antstream Arcade, a cross-platform streaming platform focusing on retro games, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, bringing its current library of over 1,300 retro games to Xbox consoles. Jump in today and play classics like Mortal Kombat, Pac-Man, Asteroids, and Earthworm Jim from your couch. Experience classic PS1 and Nintendo games such as Loaded, Indiana Jones Greatest Adventures, and Super Star Wars with your Xbox controller in hand. With Antstream Arcade you can experience these games today, fully optimized, and ready to go at the push of a button. Simply create an account, sign in, and start playing!

The Importance of Game Curation to Antstream – When the company was formed in 2013, one of the key motivations behind the product was preservation. There are decades of incredible games which are no longer available legally. Sure, many of these titles can be downloaded and played with emulators and ROMs but that experience is uncomfortable. The configuration of Emulators and ROMs is a technological barrier for many gamers.

Antstream’s easy ‘pick up and play’ mechanic makes these games accessible to everyone. In my position as Customer Support manager, I’ve had emails from six-year-old kids telling me that they’ve had a blast playing Double Dragon. Another recent email was from a 72-year-old who needed help completing Dizzy. Antstream is incredibly easy to use.

“Many of us grew up playing these games, so the ability to stream them on Xbox consoles and share these experiences with our friends and family is incredible,” said Sarah Bond, CVP of game creator experience and ecosystem at Microsoft. “We’re pleased that with Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub’s technology benefits and Azure cloud services we can help enable Antstream to reach more players.”

Coming back to the preservation aspect. It’s painful to see games lost to time. Antstream is a fantastic platform for people to experience games that they have never played before. Also, to find and discover games that were cancelled or not released. We are crafting a catalogue of titles which raise awareness of gaming history and keep the spirit of their creators alive.

This has been recognized by TIGA, Antstream has won an award for games curation.

New’ Retro Games on the Platform –  A unique aspect to Antstream’s approach to game curation is how we support independent developers who are continuing to release games on retro platforms. For example, Turbo Tomato is an Amiga game released last year. It has become hugely popular thanks to Antstream. We also include these in our challenges and tournaments.

Challenges and Tournaments – Antstream is also creating longer lasting appeal with classic games with our unique challenge system. These titles are back-engineered to create a competitive system which allows you to experience these well-loved titles in new ways. These are ‘game modes’ such as ‘one-life challenges’ that extend the life of these titles and create new interest in the community.

In the past 12 months, we have introduced a new mode called Giant Slayer. This is centered around our growing community. One person sets up a challenge and then is presented to the community. They must try and beat the challenger for kudos and precious gems. Giant Slayer challenges are created by the players for other players. This keeps our community constantly engaged and involved in the product in a greater way than other streaming services.

We also feature tournaments. Here you can pit your high scores and feats against others in games like Dig Dug, Marble Madness, Double Dragon and Mortal Kombat. Scoring highly in these contests payout gems that you can spend on other games or for entering future tournaments.

The ‘power’ of Antstream – Speaking to Microsoft Game Dev Blog about how Azure powered Antstream, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Antstream Arcade Steve Cottam shared, “Microsoft was the right technical ally for us because it has a high density of servers globally, which was how we knew we could scale our service. By connecting gameplay to a nearby Azure virtual machine, we make sure that the time between a player pressing a controller button and something appearing on their screen is less than 50 milliseconds.”

In addition, there is this very in-depth video that answers a lot of questions about Antstream Arcade posted below for you all…

Having Antstream Arcade on Xbox is very appealing to me personally. I still have some fondness of games I played long ago on the arcades such as Elevator Action Returns, Star Wars, Defender, Robotron: 2084, BurgerTime, Cloak & Dagger, Fighter’s History, Double Dragon, Space Invaders and Asteroids plus so many others I cannot just write down here. Not only that, Antstream Arcade is also an opportunity for me to play many, many other games I never got to play such as Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures (SNES), Metal Dragon (MSX), and more.

As mentioned in the Xbox.com article, it was indeed a great move for Microsoft to be the definitive technical ally for the Antstream Arcade developers not only because of the established global servers available but also because the retro gaming service fits right in with the Xbox ecosystem of games and the global userbase of millions.

The Cloak & Dagger arcade game that had a severely limited release decades ago has gotten more available for millions of users via Antstream Arcade on Xbox.
The arcade hit Elevator Action Returns.
The Super NES version of Zombies Ate My Neighbors.
Star Wars arcade game.
Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures on SNES.

One of these days, I will avail of Antstream Arcade to make the gaming experience on my Xbox Series X even more in-depth. It will be a matter of timing, cost, the number of games updated and how the Antstream Arcade developers will be able to fix whatever bugs they will encounter as the service has just launched. If you are already availing of the retro games service and you encountered technical glitches, you better report to the developers online.

To see what games to expect to Antstream Arcade, check out Pure Xbox’s very long list by clicking here.

In concluding this post, posted below are Xbox-related videos for your enjoyment.

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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. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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/.