Remedy’s Sam Lake explains why we’re not getting Alan Wake 2 (yet)

May 24, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, PC, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Alan Wake, Alan Wake 2, Alan Wake Season 2, Gaming, Humble Bundle, Microsoft, Microsoft Studios, Quantum Break, Remedy, Remedy Entertainment, Sam Lake, Videogames, XBOX, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox One | Leave a comment

When I saw Remedy Entertainment take the stage at Microsoft’s Xbox reveal, I was hoping to hear that they were going to announce the highly anticipated sequel to 2010’s Alan Wake. While it was initially disappointing to see that what they have in the works is not Alan Wake 2, it’s exciting to see that they’re pushing a new IP for this new console.

Given that many, myself included, were expecting an Alan Wake reveal, Sam Lake, creative director at Remedy and creator of Alan Wake, prepared a message to us, the fans, to accompany the Alan Wake Humble Bundle. The video explains what exactly is going on and why we won’t be seeing Alan Wake again just yet. It’s an insightful video and a nice gesture from the studio.

The success of Alan Wake wasn’t immediate and, as such, it was difficult for things to fall into place for the much desired sequel. Fans and Remedy both want to continue Alan’s journey, but “the time wasn’t right.” Given that Remedy and Microsoft were willing to partner in this new venture and Remedy’s dedication to the Alan Wake IP, I think it’s safe to assume that Alan will be back sometime in the future after a Quantum Break.

As a fan of Remedy Entertainment, I’m glad to see that they’re willing to take a risk with something new even if it means waiting to see how Alan Wake’s story pans out.

For those of you who have yet to experience Alan’s journey into darkness, Remedy has discounted the Alan Wake games on Xbox Live and has provided a Humble Weekly Bundle. I encourage you to invest in these experiences and support Remedy and the talented folks who have worked hard on these games.

Microsoft promises games from “four continents” at E3

May 23, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Blue Dragon, E3, Exclusives, Gaming, Lost Odyssey, Microsoft, Microsoft Studios, Mistwalker, XBOX, Xbox One | Leave a comment

While gamers may have been disappointed by the lack of games at Microsoft’s Xbox One reveal, E3 is right around the corner, and that’s where the console maker will be showing off its heavy hitters. Promising 15 console exclusives in the Xbox One’s first year alone, Microsoft also stated that they will be showing “games from four continents.” The Xbox reveal was focused mainly on the system’s hardware and capabilities while E3 will be more about the gaming. As such, the event was more general or “globalized” with Microsoft promising to tell “a more local story that is customized and more regionalized” with the Xbox in the future.

As Kotaku stated, a Lost Odyssey 2 would be a welcome addition to the system’s gaming library that could help entice international audiences. If nothing else, maybe a Blue Dragon? With E3 just over two weeks away, it shouldn’t be long to find out what developers overseas have in store for us.

Source: Kotaku

Xbox One’s HDD not removable

May 22, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Videogames, Xbox and tagged HDD, Microsoft, XBOX, Xbox Hard Drive, Xbox HDD, Xbox One, Xbox One Hard Drive, Xbox One HDD, Xbox Storage | Leave a comment

One of the handy features of the Xbox 360 when it was first released was the easily removable hard drive. While the proprietary unit may have been over priced for what it was, the convenience of it was certainly nice for bringing your saves and downloaded content on the road with you (or migrating it to a replacement system when necessary).

This, however, will not be the case with Microsoft’s next console, the Xbox One. Microsoft has confirmed that the system will contain a 500GB HDD, but it will not be “user serviceable.” While this is disappointing in that it will prevent users from expanding their internal system storage, Microsoft has promised that users will be able to store saves, games, and content on external USB 3.0 devices. There’s no word yet as to whether there is a storage size cap for these external units as with Xbox 360 USB devices (which are currently capped at 32 gigs).

Source: EGMNOW

Crytek’s “Ryse” resurfaces

May 22, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Videogames, Xbox and tagged core game, Crytek, E3, Gaming, Kinect, Microsoft, Microsoft Studios, Ryse, XBOX, Xbox One | Leave a comment

Crytek’s Ryse was first announced as Codename: Kingdoms in 2010 at Microsoft’s E3 press conference as a third-person action game. It was drastically changed when it was shown again just one year later as a first-person Kinect game featuring you as “the weapon.” My thoughts on this change weren’t exactly positive, and I’m sure Microsoft heard a lot of negative feedback regarding this new Kinect-based “core” game.

Ryse has, yet again, re-evolved with the confirmation that it is heading to Xbox One as a controller-based, Kinect enhanced game. Microsoft promised at yesterday’s Xbox One unveiling that 15 exclusive games were headed to their next-gen console in its first year and it appears that Ryse will be one of those games, accompanying Remedy Entertainment’s Quantum Break. Crytek has updated their Ryse page with a countdown teasing more information in 18 days–which marks the beginning of this year’s E3.

Source: IGN, Crytek

Xbox One will Not be backwards compatible

May 21, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Achievements, Backwards Compatibility, Gamerscore, Microsoft, Next Xbox, Nextbox, PS4, x86 cpu, XBLA, XBOX, Xbox 360, xbox 360 games, Xbox 720, Xbox Live, xbox live gamertag, Xbox One | Leave a comment

Microsoft has confirmed that their next console will not be compatible with Xbox or Xbox 360 games. The reason being is architecture of the x86 CPU that the utilizes won’t allow the games built for Xbox 360’s Power-PC core to run. So, hold on to your 360 if you’re looking to keep getting mileage out of your games because they’re not going to make the trip to the next generation. Xbox Live Arcade games also won’t make the transfer for the same reasons, as expected. However, your Xbox Live Gamertag and all the Achievements you’ve earned will be waiting for you when you boot up your Xbox One.

It’s disappointing that we won’t be able to carry our games of the now into the future, but it’s interesting to see how many similarities there are between the Xbox One hardware and the PS4. The similarities suggest that cross-platform play may be a possibility in the future, which is an exciting prospect.

Sources: Engadget, Joystiq

Xbox One games locked to user account

May 21, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Always On, Always Online, Microsoft, Next Gen, Next Xbox, Nextbox, Used Games, XBOX, Xbox 720, Xbox One | Leave a comment

It has been confirmed that Xbox One’s blu ray discs will be locked to a user account. The discs themselves will be used simply to install the game and will not be required for play after the game is installed on the game console. Games installed will be attached to that user account and will require a fee to be installed using a different user account. Specifics are still vague, but it’s safe to assume that all users on a given console with the game installed will have access to the game. It’s also uncertain if this means that lending games to friends is out, but it confirms that Microsoft is taking measures against used game sales with this feature. Sad as it may be, it’s been expected for some time and a direction the gaming industry has been moving toward for a while now.

The rumors regarding the online-always requirement are mostly unfounded as the system will be able to play games offline and the online requirement is left to the publisher. Reactions about this have been exaggerated as it’s understandable that several multiplayer games (such as MMOs and competitive shooters) require a connection anyway.

Source: The Verge

Remedy Entertainment shows Quantum Break

May 21, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Other, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Alan Wake, Gaming, Microsoft, Microsoft Studios, Quantum Break, Remedy, Remedy Entertainment, XBOX, Xbox One | Leave a comment

Unless it’s a misdirection, Remedy Entertainment’s next title will not be the much-desired sequel to 2010’s Alan Wake. While I am disappointed that the studio won’t be continuing the journey into darkness of the troubled writer just yet, it’s exciting to see them working a new property exclusive to Microsoft’s console. Microsoft has been starved for console exclusives and Remedy is an exceptionally talented developer and it’s exciting to see what they have in store for gamers.

Live-Action HALO Television Series Announced

May 21, 2013 by Andy in Film, News Snippets, Technology, Videogames, Xbox and tagged 343, 343 Industries, Halo, Halo Series, Halo: The Television Series, Microsoft, Stephen Spielberg, television series, XBOX, Xbox One | 1 Comment

Microsoft has officially announced an original Halo television series for their Xbox One entertainment system. The program will be headed by award-winning director Stephen Spielberg.

Microsoft promises 15 exclusives in first year of Xbox One

May 21, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Console Exclusives, Exclusives, Microsoft, Quantum Break, Remedy, Remedy Entertainment, XBOX, Xbox Exclusives, xbox games, Xbox One | 2 Comments

In today’s reveal of Microsoft’s Xbox One, the software giant promised that they’ve increased funding to studios to bring more exclusives to their platform. With the Xbox 360, exclusives have become few and far between in recent years with most being designed as casual games for Kinect. With the reveal of a new game from Remedy Entertainment (Quantum Break), Microsoft has promised that they will release at least 15 Xbox exclusive games in the first year of the system’s life.

Forza Mortorsport 5 announced for Xbox One

May 21, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Forza 5, forza motorsport, Forza Motorsports, Forza Motorsports 5, Foza, Microsoft, Racing, XBOX, Xbox One | Leave a comment

Microsoft’s highly rated racing franchise Forza Motorsport comes to their new console with Forza Motorsport 5. It looks, expectedly, gorgeous. The trailer showed off some incredible particle effects that made it hard to believe that this game teaser is running in-engine. More on Forza 5 will be announced at E3 in just a few weeks.