Shown during Microsoft’s E3 live press conference it was confirmed that an enhanced version of 2016’s Lucky’s Tale will be coming to Windows 10 and Xbox consoles. Super Lucky’s Tale looks like a whimsical and charming platform adventure where players guide the titular Fox, Lucky and a bug companion through colorful worlds.
Lucky’s Tale minus the previously required VR headset looks like it could be a very fulfilling and enjoyable romp. It will be out this November, check out the debut trailer below.
The first confirmed details for Xbox’s’ next iterative console, codenamed Scoprio, since its surprise E3 2016 reveal have surfaced. As expected, the fine reporters at Digital Foundry took a trip to Redmond and got a first-hand look under the hood of Microsoft’s upcoming console powerhouse. Details like the final industrial design of Project Scorpio or its final name are being kept under wraps for now but we know a lot more about its hardware.
So here is what will be inside the box when Project Scorpio launches later this year:
Project Scorpio Specs
8 X86 Cores @ 2.3GHZ
Custom Radeon GPU @ 1172MHZ with 40 cores.
12GB DDR5 Ram
1TB HDD
4K Capable UHD Bluray drive
Here is how Digital Foundry summarized the new “Scorpio Engine”, the system on a chip that will power the new console:
“Core to the new console is the Scorpio Engine, the new SoC (system on chip) developed once again in conjunction with AMD. In common with many aspects of the box, engineering the new processor was based on a revolutionary workflow – one that could only really be achieved on a mid-generation refresh design.”
There was also of course talk of how Scorpio will usher in the era of 4K gaming with frame rates as high as 60 FPS. Once again quoting Digital Foundry:
“Scorpio will hit its native 4K target across a range of content, with power to spare to spend on other visual improvements. And while 4K is the target, Microsoft is paying attention to 1080p users, promising that all modes will be available to them.”
Going Pro To Pro
On paper project Scorpio isn’t just going toe-to-toe with the PlayStation Pro but surpasses in available memory, GPU clock speed and CPU speed. The Scorpio GPU is 25% faster (in terms of raw MHZ) when compared with the pro. Microsoft’s next box has 40% more memory when compared with Sony’s enthusiast grade console, although only 8GB of the DDR5 memory in Scorpio will be accessible for games – the other 4GB is reserved for the system’s OS and background tasks. Finally Xbox Scorpio’s CPU’s clock rate is higher than PS4 Pros but only by a marginal 9%.
What this means in terms of identical games being played on the Xbox Scorpio versus the PlayStation 4 Pro has yet to be determined. When comparing the baseline PS4 to its Pro counterpart it has been a mixed bag – sometimes games on the Pro will sport higher frame-rates and higher quality textures but at other times have shown unstable framerates when compared to the base PS4. Certainly, the Xbox One from 2013 weeps in comparison to the beefed up specs of Scorpio, however. We just don’t know how this much additional power will translate over to cross-generational games since Microsoft has stated that the Xbox One family of games will all be playable on the Xbox One (2013), Xbox One S (2016) and Project Scorpio.
Burning A Hole In Your Wallet
For everything we do know about Project Scorpio on the technical side, there are several unanswered questions when it comes to the release of Scorpio as a consumer product. Microsoft has made no mention of how much the new console will cost – Sony’s rival PlayStation 4 Pro is priced at a staggering $499 CDN, a $150 premium for the privilege of owning a 4K capable console. With Scorpio’s increased power could its price be even higher than that of the PS4 Pro? Assuming that it is, will existing Xbox owners want to shell out more than half a thousand dollars for a bump in resolution?
Simply put there is a lot that we don’t know about how Microsoft will position Scorpio and there’s no point in speculating how it will be received by the public once it does become available. Microsoft is expected to take the wraps off of everything Project Scorpio during their pre-E3 press conference this June.
It has been a few months since we last heard from Microsoft’s Virtual Reality initiative set to launch later this year with the Windows 10 Creator’s Update. In the Fall the operating system developer promised to deliver several Virtual Reality focused improvements to Windows 10 – including a 3D version of paint, support for the company’s “mixed reality” and the implementation of Windows Holographic (which powers HoloLens) into the main branch of Windows 10.
Now that the Consumer Electronics Show is in full swing technology focused site NeoWin got an up-close look at some of the consumer focused VR headsets that will launch alongside the Creator’s Update later this spring. These include headsets from Dell, HP, Lenovo and ACER – as was previously announced.
Here are the up-close shots of said headsets from CES:
Acer Headset
Dell Headset
Lenovo Headset
3Glasses Headset
Microsoft previously also unveiled the minimum specifications required to run these headsets – for basic operations they should work on even the most modest modern laptop with 4GB of an integrated graphics card from the past couple of years. One major difference between these headsets and the higher end competition like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift (aside from price, these Windows Holographic headsets will start at $200 USD) is the refresh rate. The HTC Vive and Oculus rift can support up to 120hz, meaning that interactive experiences with frame rates ranging up to 120 FPS can be enjoyed for full immersion. These cheaper headsets will be capped at 60hz or 60 frames per second, and depending on your tolerance for motion sickness and lag, these cheaper headsets may not be ideal for gaming.
Here’s hoping we’ll see some real-world tests with these headsets in the future.
Remember those sub $300 USD virtual reality headsets that Microsoft announced would be manufactured by partners like Hewlett Packard and Dell last month? The tech giant has now shed some light on the minimum requirements that a users systems will have to meet in order to use the Windows Holographic Shell on one of these devices.
Unlike gaming focused headsets like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, these new headsets will not require 8GB of system memory or a beefy GeForce 970 in order to power the Windows Holographic Shell. During the Microsoft “Windows 10 Creator’s Update” presentation from last month on-screen graphics pictured these new headsets tethered to a laptop, and it seems like that may indeed be realistic.
Here are the minimum specs as originally reported by The Verge:
– 4GB Ram
– DirectX 12 Compliant Graphics Card
– One USB 3 Port
– Quad Core Processor
These minimum specs come on the same day that Microsoft announced that Xbox One game streaming will be supported on PCs that supports the Oculus RIFT. Xbox One VR game streaming will be released in a free Xbox VR Streaming app that will be available via the Oculus Home storefront, the app will support popular titles like Gears of War 4, Halo 5: Guardians and Forza Horizon 3 (which is also available on Windows PC).
In part, here is what Microsoft said about their on-going partnership with HTC:
“Today marks an evolution in our ongoing partnership with Oculus, as Rift owners will be able to stream their Xbox One library to Rift with the new Xbox One Streaming to Oculus Rift app, including fan favorites like “Gears of War 4,” “Forza Horizon 3” and “Halo 5: Guardians,” the biggest sports games, indie darlings, Backward Compatible Xbox 360 games, and more titles coming in 2017. The Xbox One Streaming to Oculus Rift app is available for free in the Oculus Store on Dec. 12.
With all of this VR excitement Microsoft also released a brief CG demonstration of what it is like to use the Windows Holographic Shell. More information on the Windows 10 Creator’s Update is expected to be release prior to its March 2017 release.
At their New York technology showcase Microsoft announced that they will be supported VR in a huge way with the upcoming Windows 10 Creator’s Update (previously known as “Red Stone 2”) due to roll out sometime next spring. Not only will MS be bringing brand new Virtual Reality & 3D enabled versions of classic Windows applications but also partnering with popular hardware manufacturers to bring a new line of VR headsets to market.
This new line of headsets will be manufactured by companies like HP, Acer, Lenovo, Asus and Dell during the first half of 2017. Best of, according to Microsoft, they will be available for as little as $299 USD – which is half of the price of the Oculus Rift ($599 USD) and a paltry sum compared to the near one grand investment for the HTC Vive ($799 USD). These headsets will be simple “plug and play” devices, in the graphics displayed during the conference a headset was shown connected with a single wire connected to a laptop. No need for complicated room sensors or extra camera either – all of the sensor equipment is built right into the device.
On the software side of things crudely drawn art staple MS Paint will be receiving an update allowing artists to import 2D images, scan real life objects using 3D Builder or by drawing directly on the screen using Windows Ink. 3D images displayed via Windows 10 Holographic (Hololens) or VR headsets will also be supported – during the demonstration MS showed off a PowerPoint slide that had a three dimensional tree that could jump to life. Other enhancements in the Windows 10 Creator’s update include the ability to stream games running on to other Windows 10 devices – yes including the Xbox One and built in support for tournaments. If you need a quick fix for all of the updates coming to Windows 10 check out Wired’s awesome feature.
We don’t have the technical specs for these new VR headsets, just the manufacturer’s and the price point. In fact, MS didn’t really focus on games at all when announcing them so we don’t know if they’ll be compatible with Steam VR, Oculus Home or other VR experiences. We also don’t know if they’ll support the same resolution as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Razer HDK2 or if they’ll be more comparable to the Oculus DK2 / HDK1 at 1080P.
We will post more information as it becomes available.
Frank West is back and better than ever. Looks likes like Christmas will be coming early as Frank returns to Willamette Mall for Dead Rising 4. Boasting more weapons, vehicles, combos, and a new exo suit…there will be plentiful ways to take on the zombie horde when it releases later this year. In the meantime, check out this new trailer which will take you on a “slay ride”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfiC_Jya514
Dead Rising 4 will let the slay ride begin on December 6th, exclusively on Xbox One.
Can’t wait for the 13th to see more ReCore action? Stop by and check out Darkain Arts Gamers streaming the new game produced by Keiji Inafune of Mega Man fame! Trust us, you’ll want to check this one out. Especially if you enjoy wandering a world and finding collectables, you’re in for a treat!
Stop on by at 9pm EST at Darkain Arts Gamers Twitch stream and watch as we tackle ReCore right from the start! We expect the stream to last until at least 11pm. See you there!
What awaits on the desert planet of Far Eden? Explore the world with us tonight as we delve into this latest title that isn’t even out yet! How cool is that? If you’ve seen some of the reviews out there already and you’re on the fence about this one, you should tune in! We’re really enjoying it and it’s really up to you to decide what to think about this latest title.
Free to play MMORPG TERA could be heading to the Xbox One & PlayStation 4 if a new survey that has been emailed to players from developer Bluehole is accurate. We don’t have images of the actual questions from the survey but we do have what appears to be an image from the initial survey invite email taken from a mobile phone.
Here is a copy of the survey invite as posted on Reddit:
A job posting published this past May by Bluehole Studios requested applicants for a Technical Lead to assist with porting the game to both consoles. Duties listed in the job adverts included coming up with short term and long term plans for the two ports as well exploring the possibility of developing the TERA property for “other markets”.
TERA originally launched during the tail endz of the 2000s MMORPG boom back in 2011 and was originally required a monthly subscription fee. What sets TERA apart from other late 2000s MMORPG titles that emerged in the wake of World of Warcraft’s success is its closer third person camera and real-time action focused combat. Like another console bound MMORPG, Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV, TERA can be played with either a mouse & keyboard or Xbox controller. TERA completed its transition to free to play with the TERA RISING update in February 2013.
Here is how Bluehole describes TERA on its Steam Page:
TERA is at the forefront of a new breed of MMO. With True Action Combat – aim, dodge, and time your attacks for intense and rewarding tactical combat. Add the deep social experience of a MMO to best-in-class action combat mechanics for a unique blend of both genres. Play now for free!
If you can’t wait for the eventual PS4 and Xbox One version of TERA, here are the PC minimum requirements:
We brought you news of the Xbox and PC officially getting hitched right from the Xbox Media Conference. Now Microsoft have decided to send out official invitations. Polygon confirmed today that the feature will go live September 13. Early titles that we know are going to be a part of this program include Halo Wars 2, Forza Horizon 3, and Gears of War 4. I am sure there will also be many, many other titles to come, but that’s what we know so far.
The feature lets you buy a game on Xbox One and get the PC version free or vice versa. GAMING WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. (ok well maybe it wont change at all), Microsoft also says that game saves and achievements are available across devices.Play Anywhere requires Windows 10’s new Anniversary update, which lands on August 2. Additionally, Xbox One users will need the new summer update, which is coming soon.
It seems that what we did miss at the Xbox Presser was that ReCore which launches September 13th. Other supported games will include Forza Horizon 3 (September 27), Gears of War 4 (October 11) and Halo Wars 2 (February 17, 2017). Thats all we got so far, but I think its pretty safe to assume that all Microsoft developed products will now include Xbox Play Anywhere.
Sony has said they do not plan on introducing a similar program anytime soon. Recall PlayStation president Andrew House’s words just a short month ago:”I always hesitate to be drawn into discussions of someone else’s strategy. I’m more than happy to talk about our own strategy. Yes, there was a big emphasis from the folks at Microsoft on Xbox and PC cross-play. It remains to be seen whether there is latent large consumer demand for that.”
So there you go. Will this change what you think about Xbox vs Playstation? will it finally convince you Console hold-outs that a PC is a good idea? Tell us what you think on Facebook and Twitter.
THROUGHOUT STEAM’S SUMMER SALE, I WILL BE REVIEWING GAMES THAT ARE RIPE FOR THE PICKING. THESE GAMES ARE HIDDEN GEMS THAT I THINK WOULD BE WORTH YOUR TIME AND HARD EARNED LUNCH MONEY. SOME GAMES WILL BE NEW AND SOME WILL BE OLDER TITLES, BUT ALL GAMES WILL BE ON SALE AND THAT IS TRULY WHAT MATTERS. SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET US MEET OUR NEXT CONTESTANT!
DUST: AN ELYSIAN TAIL PLATFORM: PC, MAC, LINUX, XBOX 360, PS4, IOS
CREATED BY: DEAN DODRILL DEVELOPER: HUMBLE HEARTS
PUBLISHER: MICROSOFT STUDIOS COMPOSER: HYPERDUCK SOUNDWORKS
RELEASE DATE: AUG 15, 2012
MSRP: $14.99 SALE: (80% OFF) $2.99
Dust: An Elysian Tail is an Action-Platform-RPG. Dean Dodrill, a self-taught animator and illustrator. Other than the soundtrack and ADR, as well as a few parts in the story, Dean programmed and designed the whole game. Dodrill submitted his concept to Microsoft’s Dream.Build.Play Challenge in 2009 and won. He would spend over three years following the competition to bring this game to life. With his release, Dust: An Elysian Tail was met with universal praise. High scores across all outlets and even Steam community gives it an Overwhelming Positive rating with over 12,000 reviews. So does Dust: An Elysian Tail live up to this grade? Lets find out!
Bandai Namco’s Tekken 7 PC Release will be available in Early 2017 via Steam. Confirmation of this comes as the official Steam Page for the game has gone live – you can view it right here.
During Microsoft’s E3 press conference the game was confirmed for both Windows PC & Xbox One with a trailer showcasing a battle between long time series antagonist Heihachi and new guest character, Street Fighter’s Akuma.
Tekken 7 is also expected to be released on PlayStation 4, although the publisher only had the Xbox One version of the game on display at E3, which we got the chance to play.
Here is the official description of Tekken 7 from the Steam Page:
Love, Revenge, Pride. Everyone has a reason to fight. Values are what define us and make us human, regardless of our strengths or weaknesses. There are no wrong motives, just the paths we choose to take.
Experience the epic conclusion of the Mishima clan and unravel the reasons behind each step of their ceaseless fight. Powered by Unreal Engine 4, TEKKEN 7 features stunning story-driven cinematic battles and intense duels that can be enjoyed with friends and rivals alike through innovative fight mechanics.
Have you played the original State Of Decay? You should really get on that! I quite loved the original and besides some frustrating moments seeing my characters become too weak to continue the fight, it was a great title! Featuring an open world, new characters to take over as your current survivor eventually dies, and safe houses to develop into havens for those who have not yet turned, it’s a great game! Not to mention the expansions that even took the game into a pretty detailed city connected by highway sections to explore.
So we now know that there is even more of that great action to come!
Last year Rare had a first glance ready for us with the premiere of Sea Of Thieves. Today we were treated to some actual multiplayer gameplay with some selected players experiencing the game for the first time. It’s something else to see Rare’s take on something like Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. This is certainly a game we’ll be following and a genre that has been a ton of fun in the past.
Microsoft will release it’s brand new 40% smaller Xbox One S console and improved controller this August. The new console was announced in the pre-briefing video roll and will include enhancements such as 4K video streaming and playback support, an internal power supply, improved controller bluetooth range & more.
It has an MSRP of $299 and a sleek white design. Check out a few pictures of the new console below. We will have more from Mircrosoft’s E3 briefing as it continues.
ArsTechnica is reporting that they have a source who is telling them that a major publisher currently planning to release a new virtual reality game on the Xbox One in 2017 and that game will be shown at e3. This is a pretty big report. Unless MS is branding an Oculus (they have a previous relationship with Oculus) this can only really mean that the previous reports of an Xbox VR are probably accurate. here is the exact quote from the Ars article
“Ars can confirm that at least one major developer is currently planning to release a new virtual reality game on the Xbox One in 2017 and plans to show that game at E3. The news lends credence to multiple recent reports suggesting Microsoft is planning a more powerful, VR-compatible Xbox One for 2017. The information was provided to Ars directly by the developer as part of pre-E3 planning and was confirmed by a PR representative.”
So that seems pretty definitive. Ars goes on to say that its a well known European Developer and that the game is in an established franchise with a lot of other fanct stuff that basically means nothing at this point. Brokenjoysticks will be live at the Xbox press conference on June 16th to bring you any news about this new device, and Microsoft willing our first hands on impressions. The game is supposedly going to release on PS4 and PC as well, so I guess we can expect to see it coming to the Rift and other VR headsets as well.
an artists rendering of what the new headset could look like.
Microsoft has yet to officially announce anything VR related, and Ars is very instant that this title has VR in the name, so they may have just blown the whole VR cover off of MS. With only two weeks left till E3 its a toss up when a rumor comes out like this one. Its probably true (reliable source, close to reveal) but as always with rumors take this with a large grain of salt, it could all just be a false flag for something else. Neogaff also has some compelling evidence, the listing of several VR categories for companies that develop for Xbox.
