Paramount+ has dropped a final trailer for the second season of Halo The Series.
Read the official synopsis:
"In season two, Master Chief John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) leads his team of elite Spartans against the alien threat known as the Covenant. In the wake of a shocking event on a desolate planet, John cannot shake the feeling that his war is about to change and risks everything to prove what no one else will believe – that the Covenant is preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold.
With the galaxy on the brink, John embarks on a journey to find the key to humankind’s salvation, or its extinction: the Halo."
The first season of Halo The Series fell somewhat short of expectations surrounding a Steven Spielberg-produced live-action series based on the successful Xbox video game franchise. There were many meme-worthy mistakes. However, Cortana (voiced by Jen Taylor) and Dr Catherine Halsey (Natascha McElhone) were great.
After watching the spectacular final trailer, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next to Master Chief, Cortana and the Spartans in their epic battle with the Covenant exclusively on Paramount+.
The second season of Halo The Series begins with a two-episode premiere on 8th February on Paramount+.
What did you think of the trailer? Are you looking forward to the second season of Halo The Series on Paramount+? Let me know in the comments below.
Paramount+ has released a new trailer for its live-action adaptation of Halo, executive produced by Steven Spielberg (Jaws), and I'm here for it in the wake of The Mandalorian on Disney+.
Read the official synopsis:
"Dramatizing an epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant, Halo the series will weave deeply drawn personal stories with action, adventure and a richly imagined vision of the future."
The upcoming live-action series is set in a 'Halo Silver Timeline' and won't be part of a larger shared transmedia universe (see Star Trek). Master Chief is played by Pablo Schreiber and Jen Taylor reprises the role of Cortana. Jen Taylor is amazing as Cortana but the live-action avatar is creepily jarring. Is there time to fix it in post?
Halo the series starts streaming exclusively on Paramount+ on 24th March. There's no news when it will be available in the UK, but Paramount+ is launching in partnership with Sky soon.
Has the new Halo trailer got you excited? Let me know in the comments below.
Microsoft has released a refreshingly candid 6-part documentary series chronicling the creation of the Xbox, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Like many avid gamers in the early noughties, I bought an original Xbox solely to play Halo: Combat Evolved.
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Xbox this year, we invite you behind-the-scenes for this first-ever comprehensive and authentic history of Xbox, where you’ll hear directly from the team that lived through the compelling and challenging 20-year journey. This docuseries will be a nostalgic walk down memory lane for those who have been Xbox players since day one and an eye-opening origin story for those who are newer to gaming!”
Have you watched Power On: The Story of Xbox? What are your Xbox memories? Let me know in the comments below.
Halo Infinite from 343 Industries was released to critical acclaim on Wednesday.
Immediately, I dived into the highly-anticipated campaign free on Game Pass Ultimate. Halo Infinite's opening level rinsed away any residual memories of Halo 5 on Xbox One.
The Weapon. That is all.
Incidentally, Halo Infinite is a sonic showcase for my newly-acquired Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) compact soundbar, which I unreservedly recommend to all fellow gamers and audiophiles alike. It's a TARDIS with a Dolby Atmos soundstage bigger, much bigger, on the inside.
A first look at the new Halo live-action series on Paramount+ dropped during last night's The Game Awards, and it looks like the ViacomCBS-owned streamer may have its own The Mandalorian.
Read the official synopsis:
"Dramatizing an epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant, Halo the series will weave deeply drawn personal stories with action, adventure and a richly imagined vision of the future."
Master Chief will be played by Pablo Schreiber and Jen Taylor will reprise the role of Cortana.
Halo The Series, executive produced by Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park), is expected to debut in early 2022 exclusively on Paramount+. Are you excited? Let me know in the comments below.
Directors Sir Peter Jackson (King Kong) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws) were attached to various projects that never materialised. Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn was a web series released to promote the fourth instalment in Microsoft's multimedia franchise in 2012.
So, it was a surprise to see an official teaser for a live-action series, executive produced by Spielberg and announced by the man himself during the infamous launch of the Xbox One in 2013, finally coming to Paramount+.
Paramount+ dropped the teaser during the Xbox 20th anniversary celebration on Monday. Master Chief will be played by Pablo Schreiber and Jen Taylor will reprise the role of Cortana.
In related news. Microsoft announced the immediate availabilty of its free-to-play Halo Infinite multiplayer. Multiplayer is much more fun than I ever imagined on Xbox Series S! More so, as I've not bothered with multiplayer (outside of Destiny 2 Fireteams) since I stopped playing Call of Duty. The AI Bots are among the best I've ever played alongside/against! It's easy to forget that they're not human!
The Halo series is expected to debut in early 2022 on Paramount+. Are you excited? Let me know in the comments below.
20 years ago, the original Xbox was released in North America, marking Microsoft's holiday debut into a console space dominated by Nintendo and Sony's PlayStation.
As I've written previously, my Xbox journey began with Halo: Combat Evolved in 2002. Dead or Alive 3, TimeSplitters 2 and The Sims took up my time, too. I was impressed with the monster-sized box until an infamous fire hazard issue in 2005. Microsoft posted a cable with a trip switch to affected customers (myself included).
However, I binned the now worthless machine and never envisaged owning another Xbox...
Then, I won an Xbox 360 S after entering a LOVEFiLM competition in 2012. This introduced me to the Mass Effect trilogy, and my unexpected Xbox homecoming culminated in Halo 4. All the while, my PlayStation 3 (PS3) gathered dust.
Subsequently, I've owned an Xbox One with Kinect, Xbox One X and Xbox Series S. Having gone digital during the Xbox One generation, the Series S was a no-brainer.
Xbox backwards compatibility has enabled gamers (myself included) to discover or continue to play video games from previous console generations. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I've been able to experience classic BioWare titles Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) I & II and Jade Empire.
Game Pass Ultimate (combined with Microsoft Rewards) has saved me money, and Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite will be festive favourites during the holiday season. The former is a quintessential arcade racer set in an open world social hub and contender for Game of the Year (GotY)!
Originally delayed just months before the launch of Xbox Series X|S consoles last November, as promised Halo Infinite will be released this holiday season. However, the co-op campaign, a longtime staple of the series, will not be included at launch. Nor will Forge mode. This has irked some fans, but I'm here for the single-player campaign.
Many fans (myself included) assumed Halo Infinite would launch in late November to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Halo: Combat Evolved's release in North America, but Microsoft has chosen 8th December. Presumably to avoid clashing with Call of Duty: Vanguard, as a friend suggested.
Along with the announcement, a limited edition Halo-themed Xbox Series X and Elite 2 wireless controller were available for pre-order during Gamescom 2021. Needless to say, the Series X console sold out in minutes with listings on eBay at significantly inflated prices. Elite 2 (affiliate link) is available (while stocks last). As someone who has bought countless controllers and joysticks over decades, this will be the most expensive I've owned to date.
For anyone who misses out on the limited edition goodies, there's a free Halo Infinite dynamic background for Series X|S. Settings > General > Personalization, then scroll all the way down to Dynamic Backgrounds, and finally, you'll find Master Chief waiting for you at the end of all the background options. You're welcome.
The next instalment in one of video gaming's most iconic franchises is looking promising (it can't be worse than Halo 5, can it?) and I'll be playing the campaign day-one on Series S on Game Pass Ultimate.
Are you excited about Halo Infinite? Let me know in the comments below.
Whilst the Star Wars sequel trilogy may have ended, Daisy Ridley (Rey) is starring in Twelve Minutes, an upcoming video game releasing for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Read the synopsis:
“In Twelve Minutes, you keep living the same specific time period over and over again. While a man and his wife are sharing an evening in peace, a man comes in and claims to be a cop. He accuses the woman of murder. After this, the 12 minutes start repeating. You need to fully understand the situation and the underlying truth. You also need to find some clues and take a closer look at the details.”
Twelve Minutes, co-starring James McAvoy (X-Men) and Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man), will be available on Game Pass on 19th August.
Microsoft is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Xbox and Halo through November.
During yesterday's Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase at E3, Halo Infinite's campaign was teased with the introduction of a mysterious new Cortana-like AI companion. She's tasked with impersonating Cortana and helping Master Chief destroy her forever, which should lead to a tense interpersonal conflict in what promises to be John-117's final battle.
“We are continuing the story of the Master Chief and Cortana from Halo 5, but also telling a story that’s welcoming for new players,” wrote Halo Infinite head of creative Joseph Staten in a blog post. “Cortana’s fate is one of the Infinite campaign’s big mysteries, and early in the story, you will meet a new UNSC AI, ‘the Weapon,’ that was created to help stop Cortana. Together with the Pilot, the Master Chief, and the Weapon begin an epic adventure to explore Zeta Halo, defeat the Banished forces who control the ring, and unravel even more mysteries along the way.”
Although there wasn't any campaign gameplay shown during the Mass Effect 2-inspired presentation, it's captured my imagination and encouraged me to pick up an Xbox Series S at the weekend. Why not a Series X? I already own a PlayStation 5 (PS5), and the Series S with its matching livery will be my console of choice for all things Game Pass going forward.
Game Pass is making Sony's first-party PS5 titles look prohibitively expensive and the strategy is working for Microsoft.
If the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase wasn't enough, you can look forward to Xbox Games Showcase: Extended, featuring internal studios including Ninja Theory, this Thursday.
Halo Infinite will be released over the holiday season after being delayed from last year. The next instalment in the beloved franchise looks incredible and I'll be playing day-one on Game Pass Ultimate.
Are you excited about Halo Infinite? Let me know in the comments below.
Microsoft is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Xbox and Halo through November with a plethora of related products and Xbox FanFest.
Like many avid gamers in the early noughties, I bought an original Xbox solely to play Halo: Combat Evolved.
Bungie's seminal first-person shooter (FPS) had captured my imagination when Halo was unveiled by Steve Jobs at Macworld in 1999. However, Microsoft would acquire exclusivity of Halo, as the first killer app for its fledgeling console, much to Jobs' annoyance.
Master Chief and Cortana's story had me enthralled in what is lauded as one of the most influential video games of all time. As mentioned previously, I wouldn't return to the Halo franchise until Halo 4, after winning an Xbox 360 S from LOVEFiLM (now Prime Video), in 2012. Halo 4 was the perfect homecoming for this lifelong fan of storied space operas.
Xbox also introduced me to BioWare's fabled Mass Effect trilogy - arguably one of the greatest space operas in any medium. What gave Mass Effect 2 its edge was working with the enemy, lead by Martin Sheen's Illusive Man, propelling the game into The Empire Strikes Back of the saga. So, I'll be playing Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (affiliate link) this weekend as FemShep (Jennifer Hale) and will be an ugly mess by the end.
The next game in the Halo franchise, Halo Infinite, is set to launch later this year after being delayed, during the launch of Xbox Series X|S, due to the pandemic.
343 Industries‘ studio head Chris Lee said: “The extra time will let us finish the critical work necessary to deliver the most ambitious Halo game ever at the quality we know our fans expect.”
Personally, Halo Infinite evokes nostalgic feels for Halo: Combat Evolved and I'll be downloading day-one on Game Pass Ultimate.
What are your favourite Xbox and Halo memories? Let me know in the comments below.
Tomb Raider celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Crystal Dynamics has announced a new video game and Netflix is producing an animated series adaptation both of which follow the story of the rebooted trilogy, which began in 2013.
Camilla Luddington (Grey's Anatomy) provided the voice and motion capture reference for Lara Croft in the rebooted trilogy. Hopefully, she's reprising the role for the upcoming game and Netflix series.
The multimedia action-adventure franchise became synonymous with PlayStation but premiered first on Sega's ill-fated Saturn in October 1996. The success of the original video game spawned sequels, comic books, films (starring Angelina Jolie and most recently Alicia Vikander in the titular role) and more. I still have an extensive collection of merchandise.
Game director Will Kerslake explained that the new game will 'unify' classic and reboot timelines:
"[Crystal Dynamics'] origin trilogy back in 2013 told the story of Lara's early days [...] while the classic games featured a seasoned and confident adventurer, travelling the world, unlocking its secrets, often standing alone against cataclysmic forces. We envision the future of Tomb Raider unfolding after these established adventures, telling stories that build upon the breadth of both Core Design and Crystal Dynamics' games, working to unify these timelines."
Are you excited for a new Tomb Raider video game and series, and what are your memories of playing as Lara Croft? Let me know in the comments below.
So, last Thursday marked the launch of the PlayStation 5 (PS5) in the UK and Europe. Arguably, Sony’s next-gen console is the must-have of this holiday season. More so than Microsoft's Xbox Series X and S if mainstream media coverage is to be believed and, as the lucky owner of a PS5, I can see why first-hand.
You managed to obtain a rarer than hen’s teeth PS5 whilst others couldn’t or had them cancelled (looking at you Currys PC World), I hear you cry? Well, having foregone both next-gen console pre-orders, to bump the spec of an imperative iMac upgrade, and the looming prospect of a COVID Christmas, I took a chance on launch day and ordered from John Lewis via the retailer’s iPad app as the site invariably crashed due to tens of thousands of eager fellow PlayStation enthusiasts.
To my genuine surprise and delight, the gamble paid off and a shiny Sony next-gen console was safely delivered very early the following day. John Lewis’ customer service is among the best and that free 2-year guarantee isn’t too shabby. Other retailers are available and your mileage may vary but praise where it’s due - especially during a pandemic.
Initial thoughts on the disc-based PS5 after a couple of days use. The console is by turns gigantic and Cupertino-designed spaceship sleek compared to previous generations. A far cry from the Atari VCS where my video game odyssey began with a cousin’s unwanted Christmas gift in 1980. My eight-year-old self would have jumped at the chance of owning a console and accessories in Imperial Stormtrooper livery. Rebels! Schmebels!
Initial setup was buggy and a few apps crashed but that comes with day-one territory. Following a quick restart and system software update, the PS5 (mounted horizontally as if levitating a la Dua Lipa) runs whisper quiet and lightning-fast compared to its PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation 4 (PS4) predecessors. The solid-state drive (SSD) impresses. The Blu-ray disc drive supports 4K UHD, unlike the PS4 Pro.
The look and feel is premium next-gen in spite of a lack of customisation options for the dashboard (post-launch updates will fix that) and the DualSense controller is a joyful revelation: an inspired fusion of PlayStation and Nintendo innovation distilled in Astro’s Playroom (pre-loaded on every PS5). This gaming gem is haptic feedback heaven and here's hoping third-party developers utilise it.
The DualSense is my new favourite controller of all time after years of advocating the excellent Xbox controller over PlayStation’s DualShock (DS), which I've never got on with since the launch of the original PlayStation 25 years ago.
The day-one launch titles are impressive, most impressive (more so in the midst of a lockdown). As a lifelong fan of Marvel’s web-slinger, I had to get Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition and will buy Demon's Souls and Sackboy: A Big Adventure on Black Friday.
The PlayStation Plus Collection for PS5 is the icing on the cake for launch week. Days Gone, a first-party action-adventure survival horror video game that launched to mixed reviews in 2019, is way more fun than expected, Detroit: Become Human is stylistically at home on the PS5 and I can’t wait to revisit Horizon Zero Dawn ahead of Horizon Forbidden West.
PS4 backwards compatibility is every bit as superlative as the fine folks at Digital Foundry (DF) enthusiastically suggest. Sony should be shouting from the rooftops for the first time since PS3.
Before I wrap up this PS5 launch review. Jim Ryan, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s CEO and president has warned the console has sold out everywhere before Christmas.
“Everything is sold. Absolutely everything is sold,” Mr Ryan told Russian news agency TASS.
"I’ve spent much of the last year trying to be sure that we can generate enough demand for the product. And now in terms of my executive bandwidth I’m spending a lot more time on trying to increase supply to meet that demand."
Mr Ryan said that the COVID-19 outbreak may have impacted the number of consoles available at launch. “We might have had a few more to sell, but not very many: the guys on the production/manufacturing side have worked miracles,” he said in the interview.
If you missed out on pre-ordering or limited launch day stock, there's some good news this Black Friday. Walmart, Best Buy and GameStop restock this week. So, it may be a happy Thanksgiving for US-based fans after all.
To paraphrase teenage pop music crush Kylie, do I believe in magic? Why yes, I do. And don't we all deserve a fun fillip in these troubling times? As a fan of PlayStation since it was originally announced as a CD-ROM add-on for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), I can't wait to play without limits...
Did you manage to get a PS5 on launch day? Let me know in the comments below.
The next-gen of video game consoles began with the launch of Microsoft's Xbox Series X and S without the brand's flagship, Halo, today. This isn't the first time Master Chief has been missing in action (MIA). Halo 5 wasn't released day-one on Xbox One.
Halo Infinite has been delayed, amid controversy and merciless memes, until 2021 at the earliest. Sony's PlayStation 5 (PS5) launches with Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales in the US this Thursday. However, this hasn't dampened demand for the Xbox Series X and S over the holiday season.
The launch of new PlayStation and Xbox consoles is a welcome respite during the second coronavirus lockdown. So, it's understandable that fellow gamers are eager for something that will bring festive joy in a year that has taken its toll on everyone's mental health.
Retailers GAME and John Lewis had Series X and S stock online this morning but sold out. And friends are reporting, on social media, that Amazon pre-orders have been delayed. Although I originally pre-ordered both next-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft, I decided to cancel and bump up the spec of a new iMac (the machine I'm typing this on).
My PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One X have life left in them for the foreseeable future.
I'll be getting Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales for PS4 and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the gift that keeps on giving with EA Play and Destiny 2: Beyond Light from Halo's original developer, Bungie. Also, Apple TV+ is now available.
Have you received your Xbox Series X or S and what video games will you play first? Let me know in the comments below.
Could it be The Mandalorian DLC for Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order or Disney+ coming to Game Pass Ultimate as a perk? The latter is somewhat of a stretch, but the Redmond-based company has piqued my interest. EA Play will be bundled with Game Pass Ultimate from Tuesday.
In related news. Retailers are promising more Series X and S consoles will be available from 8:00AM Tuesday. Set your alarm and be sure to check Amazon.co.uk (affiliate link).
What do you think it could be? Let me know in the comments below.
As rumoured weeks ago, the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X and S will launch with Apple TV+.
In a blog post, Microsft said: “When our all-new Xbox family of consoles launch worldwide on November 10th, you’ll have more than just the entertainment apps you enjoy today on Xbox One. We’re excited to share that the Apple TV app is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on November 10th.”
The Cupertino-based company's streaming service lags behind Disney+ and Netflix. So, supporting more third-party devices makes commercial sense if Apple TV+ wants to become a serious contender in an increasingly saturated streaming space.
Aggressively including free 12-month subscriptions (extended due to the pandemic) with iPhones, iPads and Apple TV puts the vertically integrated tech titan in a very strong position in the mid-to-longterm. The launch of Apple One, bundling Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple TV+ and more, will only add further value. I would have subscribed day-one if I wasn't already on a free 12-month Apple TV+ and pre-paid Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
The Apple TV+ app was recently launched on Sony TVs and will also be available for PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One next week.
My Samsung smart TV missed out on a native Apple TV+ app. Therefore, I'll be downloading the new app onto Xbox One X and resuming Ubisoft's Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet.
With just over a month to go until the next-gen consoles arrive, reports suggest Apple TV+ is heading to Xbox and PlayStation in the very near future.
Selected Xbox Insider Program members are purportedly testing a trial version of the app, which could be released in time for 10th November. If so, all current and next-gen Xbox systems will be compatible, and the Series S will make my Apple TV 4K redundant in the bedroom.
Well, assuming BritBox gets its app onto both console platforms this holiday season. This autumn I've started rewatching Blake's 7 and have no memory of seeing the early episodes until the one with a giant brain encased inside a Death Star-like planetoid! I was recovering from a brain injury when Terry Nation's sci-fi series started, weeks before Star Wars screened at the local Odeon. I digress.
Similarly, it appears selected users are testing an Apple TV+ app for PlayStation. And there's a suggestion AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support is coming, too. This can only be seen as consumer-friendly despite the ongoing spat over Game Pass and Epic Games' Fortnite on the Cupertino-based company's devices.
No sooner has the gaming world picked itself up following Microsoft's shock purchase of ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion dollars. id Software and Bethesda Softworks' Doom Eternal is coming to Game Pass this Thursday.
The first sequel to the 2016 reboot of a classic first-person shooter (FPS) franchise is on many Game of the Year (GotY) lists for 2020. This move is a mission statement from the Redmond-based company.
Despite Doom being the first multiplayer game I played with friends at university, Quake and Wolfenstein were far more memorable. The latter boasting compelling narratives until the co-op abomination Wolfenstein: Youngblood. Way back when this blog began, I religiously played Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory on my LCD iMac G4 AKA Luxo Jr.
In the wake of last week's news I've cancelled my PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X day-one pre-orders. There's life left in my PS4 and Xbox One X. However, I will be getting an all-digital Series S for the bedroom.
Matt Charlton, our resident gaming and gadget guru, messaged me regarding the upcoming redesigned Xbox app for iOS (currently in beta on TestFlight). So, that's an additional way to access my Xbox game collection a la the official Remote Play app for PS4.
I've been a Game Pass advocate since launch and Xbox is my daily goto since lockdown. So much so, I've decided to partition my built-to-order iMac with 5K Retina display 2TB SSD, when it arrives in late October (COVID-19 permitting), to run both macOS and Windows 10 (using Boot Camp). Game Pass for PC is bundled with Game Pass Ultimate for Xbox and I'll pickup a new Shock Blue (affiliate link) wireless controller for use with the iMac, iPad Pro and iPhone SE.
Doom Eternal is available on Game Pass on 1st October. The first campaign expansion, The Ancient Gods: Part One, announced at QuakeCon 2020 is available 20th October. Expect more Doom titles to appear including Doom 64.
Have you held off subscribing to Game Pass? If so, are you now tempted? Let me know in the comments below.
It's the autumn equinox, heralding my favourite season of all, in the northern hemisphere and Microsoft began pre-orders for Series X and S (affiliate link) with selected retailers this morning.
Having successfully pre-ordered a PlayStation 5 (PS5), I was ambivalent about a Series X on day-one (currently own an Xbox One X) until yesterday's surprise announcement Microsoft had bought Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion dollars, eclipsing Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm. The latest acquisition brings Xbox Game Studios first-party total to 23 developers working on current and next-gen titles.
"As a proven game developer and publisher, Bethesda has seen success across every category of games, and together, we will further our ambition to empower the more than three billion gamers worldwide,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement.
Bethesda has a storied history with Xbox beginning with The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. This will further bolster Game Pass, which was already a great value with the addition of EA Play later this year - I can't wait to play The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu expansion. Doom, Wolfenstein, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout will now become Xbox Game Studios franchises.
“This is a thrilling day for this company, our employees, and our fans," said Robert Altman, chairman and CEO of ZeniMax, in a statement. "We have enjoyed a close partnership with Microsoft for decades, and this deal is a natural progression of those years working together."
What impact (if any) this has on the future of multi-platform releases and PS5 timed-exclusives remains to be seen. Microsoft was previously linked with buying Warner Bros. Interactive from AT&T and there were fervent denials regarding approaching Bungie. In related news. From today Destiny 2 joins Game Pass and major expansion Beyond Light will be playable from launch on 10th November.
Unlike the chaos of PS5 pre-orders, Series X and S was a relatively leisurely experience in comparison. The Redmond-based company had announced global pre-orders would begin at 8:00AM local time.
My Alexa alarm woke me early and, as I drank my first cup of tea of the day serenaded by a robin in the garden, I was able to order a Series X via the Amazon app with ease. However, some sites crashed including Xbox All Access partners Game and Smyths Toys. Both retailers stopped taking online orders and urged customers to order in-store. This may not be an option for everyone due to coronavirus and the threat of a second wave this winter.
The Verge and IGN have reported a surge in Xbox One X sales. Microsoft's confusing nomenclature may mean some gamers could be left disappointed when they realise it's not a Series X under the Christmas tree this holiday season.
Microsoft's purchase of ZeniMax Media doesn't mark the end of the company's acquisition trail. Rumours suggest Sega, the Japanese publisher famous for ending Nintendo's dominance during the 16-bit console era, is next. Only a few months ago there were suggestions of a Sega-branded Series X and S being released in the territory. The stunning Shock Blue wireless controller has only added to the speculation ahead of Xbox at Tokyo Game Show 2020.
Did you try pre-ordering an Xbox Series X or S? Let me know in the comments below.
Following last evening's PlayStation 5 (PS5) showcase and the announcement that pre-orders, for the disc-based and all-digital systems, would go live on Thursday morning, some retailers started taking pre-orders at midnight: leading to chaos, confusion and online retail sites crashing. Thereby souring the excitement for many consumers during the shared trauma of a global pandemic.
Without warning, Game, Smyths Toys, Walmart and Best Buy in the US began taking pre-orders and these sold out within minutes. I was fortunate enough to secure the disc-based PS5 from Smyths Toys (before switching to Amazon and ordering accessories) and alerted members of my PlayStation group on Facebook.
This morning Amazon.co.uk (affiliate link) sold out of its initial allocation. There is no guarantee of further stock until early 2021. However, pre-orders begin at Argos on Friday morning. So, it's worth following the likes of IGN UK Deals on Twitter.
Regarding the showcase itself. It was curious to see selected PS5 exclusives confirmed for PS4. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Sackboy: A Big Adventure and Horizon Forbidden West will be available for the current gen console.
However, some gamers are concerned this flies against the platform's ethos of generational change, seemingly holding back the development of PS5 titles and negates the need to upgrade for the foreseeable future. PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan countenances this during an interview with The Washington Post.
“No one should be disappointed,” Ryan said. “The PS5 versions of those games are built from the ground up to take advantage of the PS5 feature set, and we have an upgrade path for PS4 users to get the PS5 versions for free. It’s about people having choice. I’m really quite pleased about the situation.”
Sony taking a page out of Microsoft's cross-gen playbook for Xbox and it's worth noting the PS4 has an install base of over 112 million units since launching in 2013. That's a lot of money to leave on the table.
“The PS4 community will continue to be incredibly important to us for three or four years,” Ryan said. “Many will transition to PS5, we hope if we do our job well, but tens of millions will still be engaged with the PS4.”
God of War: Ragnarok was officially announced as a PS5-only exclusive.
The PlayStation Plus Collection will grant existing PlayStation Plus subscribers (myself included) access to the following curated first and third-party titles day-one on PS5:
God of War
The Last of Us: Remastered
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Battlefield 1
Monster Hunter World
Fallout 4
Final Fantasy XV
The Last Guardian
Ratchet and Clank
Infamous: Second Son
Days Gone
Bloodborne
Detroit: Become Human
Batman: Arkham Knight
Mortal Kombat X
Persona 5
Until Dawn
Resident Evil: Biohazard
It's no Game Pass rival for sure. But, it does mean I can trade-in physical copies to partly fund my PS5 purchase.
The formation of PlayStation Studios will only strengthen the brand and Sony is now exploring new ways to capitalise on its franchises with live-action adaptations of Uncharted and The Last of Us.
The PS5 goes on sale 19th November in the UK. A week after Microsoft's Xbox Series S and X. However, pent-up demand for Sony's latest console may far exceed that of Microsoft's leading to scalpers making hay on the secondary market this holiday season.
Did you try pre-ordering a PS5? Let me know in the comments below.
In the midst of a global pandemic a new Fortnite season is heralded by a stage-managed spat between Epic Games, Apple and Google, which has divided gamers following the removal of Fortnite from the tech titans' app stores due to the company bypassing storefronts and a 30% charge.
“Apple’s removal of Fortnite is yet another example of Apple flexing its enormous power in order to impose unreasonable restraints and unlawfully maintain its 100% monopoly over the iOS in-app payment processing market,” the company said in a statement.
Epic Games released a parody of Apple's 1984 commercial directed by Ridley Scott (Alien).
Whilst some commentators have suggested it's a David and Goliath battle, Epic Games has profited hugely from the runaway success of Fortnite, a $200 million dollar investment from Sony and licensing its Unreal Engine for use in video games and productions including Disney+ live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian.
“We applaud Epic Games’ decision to take a stand against Apple and shed further light on Apple’s abuse of its dominant position,” a Spotify spokesperson said late on Thursday. “Apple’s unfair practices have disadvantaged competitors and deprived consumers for far too long. The stakes for consumers and app developers large and small couldn’t be higher and ensuring that the iOS platform [Apple’s operating system] operates competitively and fairly is an urgent task with far-reaching implications.”
The coronavirus pandemic has seen Apple's sales increase exponentially with the iPhone SE (I finally moved over to iOS devices full-time when the new model was launched earlier this year) being the biggest beneficiary. xCloud, Microsoft's upcoming streaming service free for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers (myself included), won't be available at launch. Clearly, a battle royale is in the making courtesy of clever marketing with Facebook entering the fray.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to finish streaming season one of Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet, an acerbic video game industry satire, on Apple TV+.
