The Verge - Entertainments |
- Watch the first Halo episode for free on YouTube
- Hyper Light Breaker is the new 3D co-op successor to the acclaimed Hyper Light Drifter
- The best gaming headset deals you can get right now
- E3 2022 is canceled
- Microsoft: Xbox Minecraft ray tracing preview was a mistake
- Morbius is one long quick time event about battling bad habits
- The Steam Deck just got a dual-touchpad keyboard and some much-needed fixes
- Go read this Kotaku story about difficult workplace conditions at an Xbox studio
- Overwatch sixth anniversary event offers ‘remixes’ of popular skins
- Xbox Game Pass is reportedly getting a family plan
| Watch the first Halo episode for free on YouTube Posted: 01 Apr 2022 03:58 AM PDT  The live-action Halo show on Paramount Plus is already onto its second episode this week, but the first one is now available for free on YouTube. As long as you're in the US, you can access the first episode of Halo on YouTube. The Halo show is nothing like the games, and Verge video games reporter Ash Parrish, a self-confessed Halo lore hobbyist, says it "offers a far more compelling look at the Master Chief than anything the games have done so far." Halo stars Pablo Schreiber of American Gods as Master Chief, Natascha McElhone of Californication as Dr. Halsey, and Jen Taylor, the voice actress for Cortana in the Halo games, as Master Chief's AI assistant. The show has already been renewed for a second season, and debuted on Paramount Plus on March 24th. This isn't the first time streaming services have tried to entice people into subscriptions with free episodes on YouTube. The pilot episode of the Star Trek: Picard series appeared on YouTube a couple of years ago, and Tuca & Bertie's first episode of season two is also on YouTube free of charge. If you're interested in checking out the first episode of the Halo show, we've embedded it above. New episodes air weekly on Paramount Plus in the US, Canada, Australia, Nordics, Latin America, and the Middle East (through a pay TV channel). Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can take advantage of a free 30-day membership to Paramount Plus. |
| Hyper Light Breaker is the new 3D co-op successor to the acclaimed Hyper Light Drifter Posted: 01 Apr 2022 03:43 AM PDT  Heart Machine, developers of the acclaimed, stylish, and difficult 2D action RPG Hyper Light Drifter, have announced a new game set in the same universe: Hyper Light Breaker. Available via Steam Early Access some time in Spring 2023, Hyper Light Breaker is a 3D title with single player and co-op modes. As per the game's Steam page, players will:
An announcement trailer only shows a few glimpses of pre-alpha gameplay after an animated fight scene that matches the balletic action style of the original Hyper Light Drifter. Screenshots show a few different biomes, snaps of combat, and the main character tearing around on a hoverboard. The title card also shows a few different character silhouettes — perhaps different options for the game's co-op mode. Heart Machine isn't calling this a sequel explicitly, and there's no clear indication what the story will look like. It isn't the studio's first foray into 3D, though: that would be last year's Solar Ash. Fans will no doubt be hoping that the team learned the lessons of that title, which offered some fantastic movement mechanics but was let down by sterile world-building. Gearbox Publishing is working with Heart Machine to publish Hyper Light Breaker. The game will be available on PC, with no other platforms mentioned in the announcement. |
| The best gaming headset deals you can get right now Posted: 31 Mar 2022 02:28 PM PDT  A good gaming headset is practically a necessity these days. Clean and precise audio is essential for competitive gaming, allowing you not just to pinpoint your enemies, but to communicate effectively with your teammates. Moreover, recent developments in spatial audio and virtual surround sound have allowed headsets to meet — and occasionally surpass — more expensive audio setups, allowing even the most budget-conscious gamer to obtain a competitive edge at a fraction of the price. While you could always invest in a massive pair of speakers, they're likely to earn you the dubious distinction of the worst roommate of the decade. Thankfully, the right headset will allow you to keep the running and gunning to yourself, which is why we've rounded up a collection of the best deals you can currently find on some of our favorite models. For the sake of clarity, we've broken the deals down into two categories: wireless and wired. The former is tailored toward gamers looking for a little less clutter in their setup, while the latter is aimed at anyone who doesn't mind a little extra cabling, or is looking for a headset that's a little more budget-friendly. The best wireless gaming headset dealsLogitech G435Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch Definitely the boldest headset on our list, the Logitech G435 is a gaming headset perfect for anyone that isn't afraid to make a statement. This comfortable, colorful headset is on sale for just $59.99 in a variety of colorways at Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy. Logitech's on-ear headset features both Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, making it compatible with PCs in addition to consoles and mobile devices. The 18-hour battery life is impressive, too, and while it does lack the more traditional 3.5mm audio jack, the included USB-C cable can be used to simultaneously charge and listen. While the lightweight headset lacks the prevalent boom-mic design used by other headsets in this category — it opts for beamforming microphones — the integrated mic still manages to provide an adequate audio input solution. This has the added benefit of giving the headset a more traditional, on-ear profile, giving you the option of wearing these in public without broadcasting your gamer status. Razer BlackShark V2 ProCompatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch (via 3.5mm audio) The wireless version of the esports-inspired BlackShark headset from Razer boasts a lightweight, aviator design, and is currently discounted in white to $141.99 at GameStop and $143.99 at Best Buy. This isn't the lowest price we've seen the comfortable headset go for, but it remains a solid discount on an excellent gaming headset that normally retails for $179.99. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is sturdy and perfectly suited for extended play sessions. The only break in its otherwise innocuous profile is a dedicated knob on the right earcup that allows for quick adjustments to volume when necessary and its detachable boom mic. The headset also features a 3.5mm audio jack and can be paired via 2.4Ghz wireless thanks to the included dongle, but the lack of Bluetooth is a bit disappointing. The V2 Pro is THX 7.1 surround capable, too, and comes with an included license for Razer's THX Spatial Audio software. In terms of battery life, the V2 Pro is capable of lasting up to 24 hours on a single charge, making it one of the longer-lasting headphones on the market. Sadly, however, it still relies on Micro USB for charging. Razer Barracuda XCompatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S (via 3.5mm), Nintendo Switch The Razer Barracuda X, another solid entry from team green, is definitely one of Razer's more versatile (and affordable) options when it comes to wireless gaming headsets. It typically retails for $99.99, but the black colorway is on sale at GameStop and Amazon right now for $79.99, just $10 shy of its best price to date. You can also save a little more with the white colorway, which is down to $73.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. The Barracuda X is a fairly unremarkable headset at first glance given its standard design, but despite its bulkier profile, is actually lighter than the Razer BlackShark series of headsets. Our initial impressions by Verge staffer Cameron Faulkner noted how comfortable the Barracuda X was, even after several hours of wear, and mentioned that the design sets a strong precedent for potential future iterations. While the lack of Bluetooth makes the Barracuda X a poor choice for mobile gaming, the 2.4Ghz wireless dongle uses a USB-C connection, meaning that you won't have to rely on a 3.5mm audio cable to use the headset with your Nintendo Switch. The USB-C dongle can enable wireless connectivity with PS4 and PS5 thanks to the included adapter, too, but it can't be used with Microsoft consoles unless you use a wired connection. Razer Nari EssentialCompatible with PC, PS4, PS5 Just like it says on the tin, the Razer Nari Essential offers many of the basic features you're likely to look for in a wireless headset, but does so at an affordable price point. The gaming headset usually retails for $99.99 but is available at Woot until April 4th (or while supplies last) for $39.99, matching the best price we've seen on the competent gaming headset. On the surface, the Essential looks very similar to its more expensive models in the Nari lineup, but there are a few key differences. The headset shares the same form factor, with a mix of aluminum and plastic components that support the leatherette headband and earcups, but the earcups don't swivel or lay flat, making them difficult to wear around the neck. The Razer logo on the side isn't equipped with RGB lighting, either, and while the boom mic can be adjusted, it can't be retracted into the earcup. Nonetheless, the Nari Essential still provides a powerful, bassy sound and is compatible with Razer's THX Spatial Audio, which allows for virtual 7.1 surround sound on PC. Compatibility is the biggest shortcoming of the headset, however, as it relies on a USB transmitter and only works with PCs or PlayStation consoles. It lacks Bluetooth and wired connectivity, which prohibits it from working with Xbox consoles, the Switch, and mobile devices. Razer Nari UltimateCompatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S (via 3.5mm), Nintendo Switch The Nari Ultimate, the high-end model in Razer's Nari lineup, offers a fairly comprehensive list of features for a wireless headset. The headset normally retails for $199.99, however, it's currently on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $129.99, one of its better prices to date. Like the rest of the Nari lineup, the Ultimate is composed of an aluminum frame with leatherette cushions on the headband and earcups. The adjustable boom mic can be quickly muted by retracting it into the earcup, and each earcup sports an RGB Razer logo that can be customized using the Razer Synapse software or the Razer Chroma app. The Ultimate also features a bass-heavy sound that's accentuated not only by THX Spatial Audio but Razer's "Hypersense" feature, which provides haptic feedback through the earcups for particularly loud sounds. The only real drawback to this particular model is the lack of wireless connectivity with Xbox consoles. You can use the headset with an Xbox One or Series X / S, but only via a 3.5mm wired connection. The best wired gaming headset dealsLogitech G Pro Gaming HeadsetCompatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch Our top entry in the wired category gets serious points for opting for its super-clean aesthetic. The Logitech G Pro headset was designed with esports in mind and is currently available at GameStop and Amazon for $79.99, a modest discount on its typical $99.99 price tag. This is still one of the lower prices we've seen for this particular headset, which was already a substantial value prior to the current discount. The G Pro is remarkably simple in terms of its appearance, with no visible knobs or buttons, and no extra ports with the exception of a second 3.5mm audio jack for the detachable boom mic. In addition to the expected 3.5mm audio cable, the G Pro also comes packaged with velour ear pads that can be swapped with the standard leatherette earcups, as well as an external USB DAC that can be used to fine-tune your audio experience on PC using Logitech's G Hub software. HyperX Cloud IICompatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch Reminiscent of the minimalist designs used by Logitech and Corsair, the HyperX Cloud II is a simple and effective headset that's currently on sale in the black-and-red colorway for $68.98 at Amazon and $69.99 at Best Buy — a decent discount for a headset that usually retails for $99.99. The Cloud II is a versatile, wired headset that's remarkably comfortable and features audio fidelity that's typically reserved for headsets that cost twice as much. The 53mm drivers deliver sound that is both punchy and balanced, much like those found in the wireless version we reviewed in 2020, and there's a virtual 7.1 surround sound mode for added effect. The headset also features a detachable, noise-canceling mic, as well as inline remote for adjusting the volume of both the mic and audio playback. It may not be as capable as its wireless sibling, but the HyperX Cloud II remains an excellent option that's compatible with all contemporary consoles and mobile devices as long as you have a USB-C adapter. Razer KrakenCompatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch An absolute unit of a headset, the Razer Kraken is currently on sale in select colorways at Amazon for $39.99 and Best Buy for $42.99, roughly $40 off its standard retail price. The massive headset is certainly one of the larger models in Razer's arsenal, yet it remains a solid choice for anyone who wants powerful sound while gaming on their PC or console. The Kraken uses an integrated digital-analog converter (DAC), which provides 7.1 virtual surround without the need for additional accessories. However, this feature is only available when connected to PCs running Razer's THX Spatial Audio software. Additionally, the headset features thick, leatherette ear cups with cooling foam — which are perfect for extended play sessions — as well as a flexible boom mic that retracts into the left earcup when not in use. And, thanks to its 3.5mm audio connection, it's compatible with both consoles and mobile devices, as well as PC. Steelseries Arctis 3Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch The SteelSeries Arctis 3 is an excellent, budget-friendly wired headset. Normally $69.99, the headset is currently available in white at GameStop and Amazon for $49.99, matching one of its better prices in recent months. If white isn't your color, the black colorway is also discounted to around $54 at Best Buy and Amazon. Like all the models in the Arctis line of headsets, the Arctis 3 uses a less conventional design, opting for a ski-goggle headband instead of a padded leatherette. You can secure the headband with velcro and adjust it to provide a better fit, but you can also replace it with a variety of other Steelseries headbands if you want different accents. The slimness of the headband also makes it uniquely suited for use with VR headsets. The earcups, which rotate to lay flat are covered with a breathable textile cushion, can also be removed and replaced with either imitation leather or velour cushions (both sold separately). Additionally, the left earcup is equipped with sliders to fine-tune volume and mic pickup, and the boom mic can be muted by retracting it into the earcup housing. As for connectivity, the Arctis 3 relies on a 3.5mm audio jack to provide connectivity to your platform of choice, and just like other wired headsets, this gives it a broad spectrum of compatibility, with mobile devices without headphone jacks being the lone exception. |
| Posted: 31 Mar 2022 01:09 PM PDT  There will be no E3 this year. In a tweet, Will Powers, PR for gaming peripheral manufacturer Razer, said that he received an email stating the digital event was canceled. IGN initially reported the news, saying they had also independently viewed the email confirming E3's cancellation.
The video game trade show and marketing event was originally scheduled to be held in person this year. However, in January, E3 was once again shifted from an in-person event to an online-only exhibition due to the pandemic. Now, it seems that the digital event has been completely canceled. There have been growing concerns about the fate of E3 for the last few years. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact in-person gatherings, making the prospect of a very large and famously packed event unattractive. Last week, a number of video game industry professionals reported testing positive for COVID-19 after attending the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. In addition to pandemic concerns, video game publishers have increasingly withdrawn from E3 in favor of hosting their own online events like Nintendo's Direct showcases, EA Play Live, and Sony's State of Play. As news of E3's cancellation broke, consummate video game hype-man Geoff Keighley smoothly stepped in to announce that his Summer Game Fest is confirmed for June of this year.
While not having an E3 at all bodes ill for the continued health of the show, according to a tweet from Axios' Stephen Totilo, the ESA said, "E3 will return in 2023 with a reinvigorated showcase that celebrates new and exciting video games and industry innovations." E3 2023 is expected to be both an online and in-person event. |
| Microsoft: Xbox Minecraft ray tracing preview was a mistake Posted: 31 Mar 2022 12:29 PM PDT  Microsoft started testing Minecraft ray tracing on the Xbox earlier this week, and now the software giant says it was mistake and will be removed. A preview version of Minecraft appeared for Xbox testers with optimizations for Xbox Series X / S consoles and the ability to enable ray tracing. "The previous Minecraft Preview build available to Xbox Insiders inadvertently included prototype code for ray tracing support on Xbox consoles," says the Minecraft team in a tweet. "This early prototype code has been removed from Preview and doesn't signal near future plans to bring raytracing support to consoles."
Despite originally teasing Minecraft ray tracing on the Xbox Series X two years ago, it's clear Microsoft isn't ready to roll this out in the near future. Microsoft's statement does leave the door open for ray tracing to still appear on Minecraft for the Xbox Series X / S consoles at some point, though. We tested out the ray-tracing support in the Minecraft Preview build, and it was clearly early unoptimized code that required separate packs and workarounds to work fully. Ray tracing is currently only available on Minecraft for Windows, and it's boosted by Nvidia's DLSS upscaling to improve frame rates. Microsoft could be aiming to incorporate AMD's FSR 2.0 Xbox support to improve Minecraft ray tracing frame rates on Xbox Series X / S, but don't expect to see this appear any time soon. |
| Morbius is one long quick time event about battling bad habits Posted: 31 Mar 2022 11:56 AM PDT  Sony's latest Spider-Man villain feature will drain you One of the reasons Sony keeps making movies like Morbius — another Venom-like feature about a classic Spider-Man villain that doesn't actually involve Spider-Man at all — is that, over in Marvel's comics, many have led interesting lives outside of the time they've spent battling the quippiest Avenger. There is more to Michael Morbius than his run-ins with Peter Parker, and director Daniel Espinosa obviously wanted his new film to illustrate that fact. Unfortunately, most everything about Morbius, from its plot and pacing to its lead actors' performances, feels ill-conceived. And the movie as a whole calls into question Sony's grand project of building an entire cinematic universe on Spider-Man's back. Morbius dives headfirst into the already-in-progress origin story of its titular ghoul, Michael Morbius (Jared Leto), a brilliant scientist and lifelong sufferer of a chronic blood disorder. Though Morbius has found success and fame, thanks to his creation of a synthetic blood-like substance that revolutionized medicine, he would give all of it up in a heartbeat if it meant being able to restore both his own health and that of his extravagantly wealthy childhood friend, Lucien (Matt Smith), who suffers from the same blood disorder. Morbius' deep affection for Lucien — who begrudgingly accepts being called "Milo" after Morbius saves his life in a flashback to their youth — is why the film opens on him journeying to Costa Rica in search of a remote cave filled with vampire bats. After years of researching in vain to find a cure for their disease, Morbius strongly believes that by isolating certain elements of vampire DNA and mixing it with his own, he might be able to combat the degenerative effects of his condition. Morbius doesn't really try to detail how bat DNA is supposed to factor into Morbius' condition or explain how he manages to transport hundreds of bats back to his laboratory after willingly walking into a swarm of them in the dramatic scene from the movie's trailers. All Morbius wants is for you to understand that, batshit as it seems, Morbius' idea works — at first, just with animal test subjects, but soon, with him as well. /cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23358045/img7.jpeg) One could be forgiven for not immediately noticing it, but a surprising amount of Morbius' major beats are pulled from his early appearances in The Amazing Spider-Man during the early '70s. This is when the Comics Code Authority's ban on supernatural creatures first lifted, freeing Marvel up to create characters like a "living vampire." Like in the comics, Morbius' treatment and transformation take place on a boat while his colleague Martine Bancroft (Adria Arjona) and a group of hired soldiers watch over him, and everyone save for Martine ends up dead and drained of their blood after Morbius becomes a vampire. Unlike Marvel's early comics featuring Morbius, though, which tended to skew a bit more whimsical and focus on the fact that Spider-Man had six arms at the time, Morbius takes itself so seriously that it's just shy of laughable. For a time, Morbius attempts to style itself as a horror about a mad scientist battling against the monster of his own making that lives inside him. As fantastic as his new bat-enhanced physiology is, it comes at the cost of a powerful hunger for blood that often plays like addiction. It makes Morbius realize that, through his self-experimentation, he's traded one kind of ailment for another. One of Morbius' few genuinely interesting ideas comes in the form of bags of blue synthetic blood that are always on hand in the scientist's lab and easy enough to find in any of the city's ambulances. Because Morbius can feel how his bloodlust drives him to kill, he sates his hunger by guzzling heavy hits of the cerulean liquid in scenes that feel cribbed from True Blood's old playbook — making fake blood look like the most delicious thing in the world. In another universe, Morbius would dig a bit deeper into what might have been an interesting premise: the eccentric founder of a synthetic blood company becomes a pseudo-vampire who also moonlights as a superhero. But in this universe, the movie opts for the road more traveled — one paved with flashy VFX, opaque character motivations, and a climactic action sequence that plays like an overlong quick time event. Super science in pursuit of curing ailments gone wrong is not unique to Morbius the character. But what does feel distinct to Morbius as a movie is the degree to which it's willing to depict disabled people as frail, weak victims whose entire lives are defined in relation to the able-bodied. Whereas the Morbius of the comics is just straight-up a vampire whose power weakens when he's hungry or in direct sunlight, Morbius' version of the character becomes more feral, and his paraplegic symptoms come back with a vengeance. From the very first moment you see them on-screen, it is often difficult watching Leto and Smith affecting disabilities they do not have. /cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23358042/mor_dtlr7_still_02.jpg) It is wholly unsurprising when Lucian / Milo is "revealed" to be Morbius' version of a big bad, and after a bit of slap-fighting with their new vampire powers, he and Morbius reach an emotional impasse because of their differing senses of right and wrong. Something else that's notable about Morbius is how the movie sort of sidelines Michael's canonical romance with Martine in favor of focusing on the friendship he shares with Lucian / Milo. More Robert Pattinson in The Batman than himself in WeCrashed, Leto consistently plays Morbius like a brooding recluse of few words, and Smith's Lucian / Milo shifts between simpering dandy and obtuse Doctor Who villain over the course of the movie. Nothing in particular about the two actors' performances sells you on the idea of them being friends. But there is something about the way the script wraps them up in each other's lives that smacks of the subtextual queerness often present in vampire narratives. Perhaps what's most unfortunate about Morbius is how, despite not working at all as its own movie, you can see how many pieces of its story could readily lend themselves to much better projects — and not just features that would involve Jared Leto fighting Tom Holland. Inexplicable as the trails of colored smoke that follow Morbius around as he's flipping through the air, some of his smaller, more acrobatic fight scenes are pretty cool. (And Morbius actually does a much better job than the Venom movies of giving you the sense that it takes place in a larger world rather than a metropolitan bubble.) The problem, at least in Morbius' case, is that it's entirely too aware of its existence within a cinematic universe of the Schrodinger variety — one that both does and does not exist. In the end, that awareness feels like it might be responsible for how Morbius closes out feeling both distinctly pleased with and ashamed for even daring to utter Spider-Man's box office-breaking name. The implication, of course, being that Sony's not through yet. Morbius also stars Tyrese Gibson, Al Madrigal, Charlie Shotwell, Jared Harris, and Michael Keaton. The movie hits theaters on April 1st. |
| The Steam Deck just got a dual-touchpad keyboard and some much-needed fixes Posted: 31 Mar 2022 11:39 AM PDT  Did I speak too soon? Two days after my one-month check-in with the Steam Deck portable gaming PC, Valve has already addressed a few of the most annoying issues I pointed out. In a pair of updates, one in the stable channel and one only currently available in beta (full changelogs there), Valve has:
You can also now manually adjust your joystick deadzones and trackpad haptic strength, and there's a whole bunch of USB-C fixes in the new BIOS since some owners had complained of issues charging or connecting or even getting their Decks stuck when plugging into certain USB-C devices. For instance, you can now hold "..." + Volume Down to retry the Deck's USB-C Power Delivery handshake, and Liam at GamingOnLinux says it does the job. Oh, and you can now uncap your framerate (if you hate battery life) instead of locking it to 60 or 30 or 15fps. Uncapped hasn't been an option since the Steam Deck first launched. /cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23358216/joystick_deadzone_deck.jpg) Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge The new keyboard is immediately a better experience for me, but I still find it a bit lacking compared to the original dual-trackpad one: it's a bit hard to reach some of the letters, and this version has no autocomplete suggestions. I'm hoping Valve will add voice typing and swipe typing down the line, but it's fine for now. (BTW, you can long-press letters to get accents on them, in case you didn't know.) /cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23358215/steam_deck_swipe_keyboard.jpg) Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge There's also fTPM support so you can install Windows 11, though I hear that might have actually snuck out in an earlier beta build. And though Valve doesn't mention it in the changelogs, I'm also seeing the ability to restart the Steam Client from the power menu if you run into bugs — previously, I'd been rebooting the entire Steam Deck, which takes longer. I'm not sure I'll be able to confirm some of Valve's other fixes anytime soon, like better compatibility with SD cards, but there's one more I'm looking forward to tonight: "Updated power LED to dim a few seconds after power supply connection events for better experience in dark environments." Maybe I won't have to cover the Steam Deck when I leave it charging on the nightstand anymore. Last but not least, GamingOnLinux reports that, with a few tweaks, you can now play GeForce Now in Chrome for Linux on the Deck with gamepad support instead of having to emulate a mouse and keyboard since Google has shipped a version that can detect the Deck's gamepad. |
| Go read this Kotaku story about difficult workplace conditions at an Xbox studio Posted: 31 Mar 2022 11:02 AM PDT  Kotaku has published an extensive article about difficult workplace conditions at Undead Labs, a Microsoft-owned game studio known for the State of Decay series, that you should go read. The article details allegations of sexism at the company and a lack of direction that hurt morale, and it arrives amidst several other recent reports and allegations of challenging workplace conditions at game development studios. The YouTube channel People Make Games reported on challenges at three well-known indie studios in a video earlier this month. VentureBeat recently published a long article containing allegations that Ori and the Blind Forest developer Moon Studios is an "oppressive" place to work. And as Microsoft is set to acquire mega-studio Activision Blizzard, which is currently under scrutiny for its own workplace culture, Kotaku's story illustrates how Microsoft's largely hands-off approach with its studio acquisitions can mean that problems may not get the attention they need. One former developer at Undead Labs, for example, described sexism at the company as "the lower-key death by a thousand papercuts version of sexism," according to the article. Another former developer recalled that "we had to have meeting etiquette rolled out because men kept talking over women so badly in all the meetings and belittling them. But the guidelines didn't help." You can read Kotaku's article about Undead Labs right here. |
| Overwatch sixth anniversary event offers ‘remixes’ of popular skins Posted: 31 Mar 2022 10:51 AM PDT  Overwatch is bringing back some of its most popular seasonal events to celebrate the game's sixth anniversary. In the Overwatch Anniversary Remix: Volume 1, Overwatch will open its vault, allowing players the chance to participate in the many special events of seasons past and earn "remixed" versions of some of the game's best skins. The first week of the anniversary celebration starts on April 5th with the return of the Summer Games event and Overwatch's Rocket League-like game mode Lucioball. If trying to score goals with an oversized soccer ball using nothing but a sound gun wielded by a frog DJ isn't as appealing to you as it is to me, the next day's event brings back Halloween Terror and, with it, Overwatch's very own zombie horde mode. In addition to replaying the seasonal game modes, the Overwatch Anniversary Remix event gives players the opportunity to earn all the season-specific and weekly challenge skins they may have missed out on. Players can also earn new "remixed" skins, which seem to be white-colored variants of old legendary cosmetics. The Overwatch Anniversary Remix: Volume 1 is one of three anniversary events for this year and lasts until April 25th, just in time to kick off the closed Overwatch 2 beta starting April 26th. |
| Xbox Game Pass is reportedly getting a family plan Posted: 31 Mar 2022 10:34 AM PDT  Microsoft is reportedly planning to introduce an Xbox Game Pass family plan this year. Windows Central reports that Microsoft has been contemplating a family plan for Xbox Game Pass for quite some time and that the company is now in the position to announce one in the "near future." The family plan option will reportedly provide access to Xbox Game Pass for five players and will be priced cheaper than the cost for separate accounts. Microsoft will reportedly integrate its Family Account system, which is what the company also uses for its Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions. It's not clear whether there will be separate family subscriptions for Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and the Ultimate version of Microsoft's game subscription service. Microsoft has reportedly had to work through details on how royalties are distributed and compensation for third-party publishers that currently license their content for the main Xbox Game Pass plans. Microsoft currently offers Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass for $9.99 per month. Neither includes online multiplayer capabilities, but you can upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $14.99, and this unlocks Game Pass for Console, PC, EA Play access, and online multiplayer. News of a potential family plan for Xbox Game Pass comes just days after Sony announced its updated PlayStation Plus subscriptions. Sony's answer to Xbox Game Pass also includes multiple tiers, starting at $9.99 monthly. |
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