Microsoft

Netflix Adds Industry Veteran Joseph Staten from Microsoft

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Netflix has been making waves in the gaming industry, and its latest move will turn heads. Joseph Staten, a veteran video game writer, and designer, has joined the company as Creative Director for an upcoming AAA game.

Staten, who is best known for his work on the Halo franchise, will be working alongside a talented team of game developers to create what is sure to be an exciting and innovative gaming experience.

Staten’s experience in the video game industry is impressive. He has worked on some of the most successful and beloved franchises of all time, including the aforementioned Halo series, Destiny, and Sleeping Dogs. His work has always been characterized by a deep respect for the medium, a keen eye for detail, and a passion for storytelling.

Now, Staten is bringing all of that experience and passion to Netflix. In his new role as Creative Director for the streaming giant’s upcoming AAA game, Staten will be responsible for overseeing the development of the unannounced title, from its initial concept to its final release. He will work closely with the game’s designers, writers, and programmers to ensure that the final product meets the high standards that Netflix has set for itself.

This is an exciting time for Netflix, as the company continues to expand its reach into the gaming industry. In addition to its upcoming AAA game, the company has also been experimenting with mobile games and interactive programming. These moves are part of a larger effort to provide viewers with a more immersive and engaging entertainment experience, one that blurs the lines between television and video games.

As for the upcoming AAA game, little is known about it at this point. However, with Joseph Staten at the helm, fans of the video game medium can be sure that it will be something special. Staten has a proven track record of delivering high-quality games that are both engaging and memorable. It will be interesting to see what he and his team come up with in this new, exciting chapter of his career.

The news of Joseph Staten joining Netflix as Creative Director for its upcoming AAA game is sure to generate a lot of excitement among gamers and industry insiders alike. With his impressive track record and deep passion for the medium, Staten is sure to deliver a game that is both innovative and engaging. As Netflix continues to expand its reach into the gaming industry, it will be interesting to see how the company’s unique vision and storytelling approach translate into the world of video games.

EE and Xbox Announce 10-Year Partnership to Expand Gaming on Mobile Devices in the UK

Posted on by Spieler Dad

EE, one of the UK’s largest mobile network operators, has announced a 10-year partnership with Xbox to bring cloud gaming to mobile devices. The partnership will enable EE customers to access Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes over 100 games, on their mobile devices via the cloud.

The move represents a major shift in the gaming industry, as it marks the first time that Xbox has partnered with a mobile network operator to bring its cloud gaming service to a wider audience. EE, which is owned by BT, is hoping to tap into the growing demand for mobile gaming, as more and more people turn to their smartphones and tablets for entertainment.

The partnership will allow EE customers to play Xbox games on the go, without the need for a console or high-end PC. The service will be available on Android devices initially, with support for iOS devices coming later this year.

The move is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy of focusing on cloud-based services, as the company seeks to expand its reach in the gaming industry. By partnering with EE, Xbox is hoping to reach new audiences and make gaming more accessible to people who may not have access to consoles or gaming PCs.

EE is also hoping to capitalize on the growing trend of mobile gaming, which has seen significant growth in recent years. The partnership is expected to help the mobile network operator to differentiate itself from its competitors, by offering unique and innovative services that appeal to a wide range of customers.

Overall, the partnership between EE and Xbox represents an exciting new development in the gaming industry, as more and more players turn to cloud gaming and mobile devices for their entertainment needs. With the 10-year partnership, both companies are hoping to drive innovation and expand the reach of gaming, making it more accessible to a wider audience than ever before.

Also, these partnerships are in Microsoft’s best interests as it attempts to calm UK CMA as it tries to push the Activision acquisition through.

Sony Claims The UK’s CMA is Being “Irrational” Regarding Microsoft’s Purchase of Activision

Posted on by Spieler Dad

On March 22nd, 2022, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reversed its decision to block Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, citing concerns about the deal’s potential impact on competition in the gaming industry.

In response to the CMA’s decision, Microsoft released a statement welcoming the reversal and expressing its commitment to working with the CMA to address its concerns.

“We are pleased that the CMA has decided to reconsider its previous decision,” Microsoft said in its statement. “We remain committed to working with the CMA to ensure that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard does not harm competition in the gaming industry.”

However, Sony, one of Microsoft’s main competitors in the gaming industry, criticized the CMA’s decision and called it “irrational.”

In a statement released shortly after the CMA’s reversal, Sony expressed its disappointment with the decision and emphasized the need for continued competition in the gaming industry.

“We are disappointed by the CMA’s irrational decision to reverse its approval of the Microsoft Activision acquisition,” Sony said in its statement. “Competition is critical to the success of the gaming industry, and we believe that this decision will harm both competition and consumers.”

It certainly seems like the tide is shifting toward Microsoft’s favor regarding this acquisition, irrespective of Sony’s objections.

The Xbox Recycled Controller: An Eco-Friendly Choice for Gamers

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Gaming has become a popular pastime for people of all ages and backgrounds. As the gaming industry continues to grow, so does the amount of waste generated from the production and disposal of gaming accessories, including controllers. Especially if you have anger issues like me and smash controllers to bits like a man-child. To reduce waste and promote sustainability, Microsoft has released the Xbox Recycled Controller, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional gaming controllers.

The Xbox Recycled Controller is made from recycled materials, including stuff sourced from ocean-bound plastics and other recycled resins. These materials are processed and molded to create a durable and functional gaming controller nearly identical to the original Xbox wireless controller. The controller features all the same buttons, triggers, and joysticks as the original controller, so gamers won’t have to sacrifice performance for sustainability.

One of the key benefits of the Xbox Recycled Controller is its environmental impact. By using recycled materials, Microsoft is reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. In fact, according to Microsoft, each Xbox Recycled Controller contains the equivalent of approximately 20 plastic water bottles. By choosing the Xbox Recycled Controller, gamers can do their part to reduce their carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable future.

But the benefits of the Xbox Recycled Controller go beyond just environmental impact. The controller is also more affordable than the original Xbox wireless controller, making it a great choice for budget-conscious gamers. In addition, the controller comes with a 90-day limited warranty, so gamers can be confident in their purchase.

Overall, the Xbox Recycled Controller is a great choice for gamers who want to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing performance. By choosing a recycled controller, gamers can promote sustainability and positively impact the environment. With its affordable price and familiar design, the Xbox Recycled Controller is a great option for gamers of all ages and skill levels.

And folks with anger management issues, you can smash these up at every point of adversity and sleep well at night knowing you won’t hurt any fishies.

Microsoft Hits Back As Things Heat Up in the Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Posted on by Spieler Dad

The Holidays are just days away, but before everyone takes a well-deserved break prior to 2023, Microsoft has responded to the FTC regarding the contentious Activision Blizzard purchase.

Microsoft has published its response to the FTC’s lawsuit regarding the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Similar to Microsoft’s response to the UK’s CMA. The gloves are now seemingly off as Microsoft has pointed out that Sony has been adding “exclusion” terms on deals for third-party games on Playstation for years. This includes titles like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 16, Silent Hill 2 Remake, and From Software’s Bloodborne, which will most likely never see the light of day on an Xbox console.

According to Microsoft:

“In addition to having outright exclusive content, Sony has also entered into arrangements with third-party publishers which require the “exclusion” of Xbox from the set of platforms these publishers can distribute their games on. Some prominent examples of these agreements include Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix), Bloodborne (From Software), the upcoming Final Fantasy XVI (Square Enix) and the recently announced Silent Hill 2 remastered (Bloober team).”

Microsoft

It’s odd that the FTC as well as the CMA have taken the position of protecting Sony, which is the market leader, and have been adding exclusionary terms in contracts with third-party publishers, blocking popular titles from appearing on competing platforms. That seems anti-competitive to me, but not to the FTC and CMA apparently.

All in all, it appears that Microsoft is preparing to build a case and fight this in court if the FTC and CMA attempt to block the deal. According to the terms of the merger, Microsoft would owe Activision Blizzard $2 to $3 billion if the deal is blocked by regulators. So it is pretty safe to assume that Microsoft is not just going to give up.

TCL Really Wants You To Buy a New TV for Xbox Series X PRO and PlayStation 5 PRO – Really?

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Consumer electronics company TCL, which makes decent TVs at competitive price points, really wants you to believe that Sony and Microsoft are going to be refreshing the PS5 and Xbox Series X soon. So you really should be considering upgrading your boob tube.

According to Polish news outlet PPE, TCL presented at an electronics conference in Poland and the company believes that a “PS5 Pro” and “new Xbox Series X|S” will arrive between 2023 and 2024.

TCL’s presentation showed a history of consoles, starting with the original PS4 and Xbox One in 2013. TCL then notes that the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X were released a few years later. The presentation goes on to show the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2020. Naturally, that means a refresh should come out next year or so, right? RIGHT!?!

At the end of TCL’s presentation, they claim that Series X / PS5 PRO will provide 60-120 FPS resolution at 4K, and have the ability to display 8K. TCL also believes that the new consoles will have AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT technology. Shit, the TV that I bought specifically for my PS5 and Xbox Series is a total piece of shit now. I should consider buying a fancy new TV from TCL.

Sorry, TCL, but I think a mid-generation refresh is a bit further out, given that the current builds of the Xbox Series X and PS5 are still relatively hard to come by.

Nice try though.

Bethesda Announces that Starfield and Redfall Delayed to 2023

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Bethesda has announced via Twitter that both Starfield and Redfall are delayed until 2023.

Given that these are both hotly anticipated titles with a ton of hype following them, I cannot fault Bethesda or wanting more time.

With that said, I cannot say that this isn’t disappointing news, as I was looking forward to playing these during the holidays. However, I totally understand the need to put out the best possible game to launch a new IP. Look at what happened to Cyberpunk 2077.

[Source: Bethesda]

Xbox Sees Massive Jump in Sales According to NPD

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Even though videogame sales saw an overall decrease of 8% between January and March of this year, compared to 2021, most likely because folks are returning to work from the pandemic, Xbox hardware sales saw a massive increase in the US compared to the same time last year.

And when we say massive, we mean fucking massive, to the tune of a 92% increase, according to the NPD.

The NPD Group’s consumer spending report for Q1 2022 shows that hardware spending has decreased by 15% compared to Q1 2021, however, Xbox hardware saw a huge 92% increase.

NPD has given no specifics for the increase, but the fact that you can actually find an Xbox Series S on store shelves easily, and the Xbox Series X is attainable relatively easily online are certainly possibilities. Who knew, if you make your shit available, people will buy it.

Even though the Xbox is doing well, it cannot touch the mighty Nintendo Switch, which was the best-selling console during the same time frame in terms of total units sold.

[Source: NPD]

Intel CEO Believes Global Chip Shortage Will Last Until 2024

Posted on by Spieler Dad

The Xbox Series X and Playstation have been hard finds for over a year since they launched. A global chip shortage is one of the many reasons for the short supply, and according to Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, the short supply will continue until 2024.

In a recent interview on CNBC Data Check, Gelsinger who previously mentioned that the chip shortage will last until 2023 has updated his prediction, tacking on another year. Mr. Gelsinger believes that shortages are likely to continue because essential manufacturing tools are not readily available, so manufacturing cannot keep up with increasing demand.

“That’s part of the reason that we believe the overall semiconductor shortage will now drift into 2024, from our earlier estimates in 2023, just because the shortages have now hit equipment and some of those factory ramps will be more challenged…”

– Pat Gelsinger via CNBC

For what it’s worth, things do seem to be improving as availability has improved. One can’t simply walk into a store and purchase a new Xbox Series X or PS5 easily, but if you stay on your toes, patient gamers are finding them online.

On the Xbox Series X|S front, in particular, people are getting their hands on console. Could be the reason why they are selling so well. Who would have thought.

[Source: CNBC]

After Microsoft Announces that Ads Are Coming to Free to Play Games on Xbox, Sony Follows Suit

Posted on by Spieler Dad

Last week, it was reported that Microsoft is working on a program that will allow ads in free-to-play Xbox games. Internal sources have stated that the ads wouldn’t disrupt gameplay and will be similar to billboards in a racing game, as to be unobtrusive.

Of course, whenever Microsoft does something hot button, the Playstation fanboys hem, and haw and go on and on and fucking on until I puke. Then all of a sudden Sony announces that they’re doing the same thing and all is quiet.

The in-game ads on Playstation games are expected to launch by the end of this year and similar to the Xbox, will be limited to inconspicuous areas, like the aforementioned billboards. 

[Source: Insider]