Category: games

Xbox boss Shannon Loftis, who heads up Xbox Publishing for first-party games, believes single-player-only games aren’t dead but they do have questions to face around their economic viability. Speaking to GameSpot today, Loftis said the demand by gamers for higher quality experiences comes with a price tag. While storytelling is still of paramount importance, the economics of single-player-only titles is “complicated” in today’s industry due to the dramatic and constant evolution of the game market.

“Game development in general is about a couple of things. It’s about delivering and experience and it’s about telling stories. Storytelling is as central to game development as it ever has been,” Loftis said.

There are of course strong examples of compelling single-player-only games that have performed well in the market, such as Bethesda’s Fallout 4, Sony’s Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Microsoft’s own Ori series, Loftis pointed out. But overall, Loftis said the call for higher-quality experiences can result in a big production budget. The suggestion is that some publishers might be understandably spooked putting so much money into a project when their return is not as much a sure-thing as it could be for a product with more potential revenue streams beyond the initial game sale.

“I don’t think that it’s dead per se,” Loftis said about the market for exclusively single-player games. “I do think the economics of taking a single-player game and telling a very high fidelity multi-hour story get a little more complicated. Gamers want higher fidelity and they want higher resolution graphics.”

Loftis said Microsoft’s Netflix-style Xbox Game Pass service for Xbox One, which costs $10/month for access to a library of more than 100 games, is one method by which Microsoft can help fund single-player-only games. Game Pass “gives us the opportunity to potentially fund games like that,” she said.

Retail game sales and subscription revenue–from Xbox Game Pass and other sources–“helps us put games like that in the market over time,” Loftis explained.

“I do think the economics of taking a single-player game and telling a very high fidelity multi-hour story get a little more complicated” — Loftis

These economic considerations may possibly explain or at least contribute to the discussion about microtransactions in AAA games. It is rare today for high-profile games to not have microtransaction systems in place.

One recent high-profile exclusively single-player game, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, has microtransactions in its single-player campaign. Everything can be earned through normal gameplay, but players can also choose to spend money to speed up their progress. Some called it out as odd that there would be speed-up microtransactions in a single-player game. Exactly why developer Monolith put this system into Shadow of War is not immediately clear, but it represents another revenue stream.

In Loftis’ estimation, single-player-only games will exist forever, though it’s possible they may become less prevalent. “I don’t think that there is ever going to be a time when there aren’t single-player, story-based games,” she said. “I do love the idea of building a community around the experience of these games.”

Loftis added that she wants to find a way to help find a way for the wider Xbox community to get together and enjoy the “shared experience of a single-player game” that affected them in some way. She pointed out the Red Wedding episode of Game of Thrones as a moment where fans were so affected by what happened that they came together to discuss and post videos of their reactions on YouTube.

We asked Loftis about the future of single-player games in the wake of EA’s unexpected and dramatic announcement that it was closing Visceral Games and re-tooling the studio’s much-anticipated Star Wars game. Announced as a story-based, linear adventure game, EA said it discovered in the production process that it wasn’t going to be a game that fans could “come back to and enjoy for a long time to come.” So the decision was made to “pivot” to something new. It remains to be seen what that will be, but the wording of EA’s statement suggests the team is looking at a more online, multiplayer-focused experience. Some took this news as a signal that video games in general are trending away from single-player-only experiences. That’s an understandably worrying thought. As Loftis said, it’s highly unlikely that exclusively single-player games cease to exist, though we could see fewer of them due to the realities of doing business.

What do you think about single-player games? Let us know in the comments below! This is just one of the many topics that came up in our interview with Loftis today. Check back soon for more on topics like the future of the Fable franchise, the Xbox One X, how she feels about Microsoft’s lineup of exclusives this year, and a lot more.

It’s a pretty good week if you’re a fan of Star Wars games. The classic RPG Knights of the Old Republic becomes backwards compatible on Xbox One tomorrow, and to celebrate, you can check out a couple of the expansions for the PC MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic for free.

Anyone with an active SWTOR account can play the Rise of the Hutt Cartel and Shadow of Revan expansions for free right now until November 6. All you have to do is go to this site and enter the code “Revanreturns” to get access.

The core game extends from level 1-50, Rise of the Hutt Cartel covers level 51-55, and Shadow of Revan is level 56-60. Since the main game is already free-to-play, this means that you can try out the game up to level 60 for no cost.

In addition, you can get a special Swoop Bike for use in The Old Republic that’s themed after KOTOR. You can redeem it using code “Kotorspeeder” at the same website; the code expires on November 6.

KOTOR is among the first original Xbox games to be made backwards compatible on Xbox One. You can buy it through the Xbox Store, or, if you still have a physical copy lying around somewhere, you can put it in your Xbox One to unlock it. You can read about the other original Xbox games that are backwards compatible here.

With all the buzz surrounding Switch versions of Wolfenstein 2 and Doom, it’s understandable if you forgot about another popular FPS coming to the console. Developer Overkill announced a Switch port of Payday 2 way back in April, and since then has been relatively silent about its progress. Today, however, it gave an update on the game, showing it running on Switch in portable mode.

The video also reveals a couple of new details about the port. First, the developer shows it running in both of Switch’s undocked modes, portable and tabletop. We also learn that the game will feature a new interface and touchscreen support on the platform. Finally, there’ll be a “special treat” for Switch players when the game launches. You can check out the video below.

The game was scheduled for launch this winter, although Overkill hasn’t specified any more than that. However, the studio did reiterate the winter release window in the video.

Payday 2 was originally released back in 2013 for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. It made its way to PS4 and Xbox One in 2015. Overkill is also currently working on a VR version of the game, which is getting a beta test next month. You can check out its trippy 360-degree website here.

Warning: Full spoilers for the episode below.

Three episodes into The Flash’s fourth season, it’s pretty clear that the strategy for righting the ship this year boils down to “Make things more like Season 1.” Not exactly the boldest strategy ever devised, but one that has its appeal. The series is lighter and funnier than it’s been in years, and the return of Harrison Wells only strengthens the core Team Flash dynamic.

Wells was always one of the big X-factors coming into Season 4. Would the series continue to feature him as a recurring member of Team Flash? If so, would it be a familiar Wells or a new incarnation? We finally got our answer tonight as Harry re-joined the fold. On some level it’s disappointing that we aren’t being treated to another kooky, alternate universe take on the character, but at some point that gag would probably wear out its welcome. The fact is that Team Flash needs someone like HR in the mix – a more caustic, hostile personality that can play off Cisco’s manic energy and Joe’s no-nonsense attitude. To make a terrible pun, Why reinvent the Wells?

Continue reading…

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’s Ben Mendelsohn is up for another villain role, this time in Captain Marvel.

Variety reports that directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck are in talks with Mendelsohn to star as the film’s main antagonist. Boden and Fleck reportedly wanted Mendelsohn for the role from the beginning, and when approached, the actor was quick to respond positively.

Earlier this year at San Diego Comic-Con, it was revealed that the Skrulls will be featured in Captain Marvel, which means Mendelsohn could very well be playing the leader of these shapeshifters.

Continue reading…

Robert Guillaume, who voiced Dr. Eli Vance in Half-Life 2, has passed away after complications from prostate cancer. He was 89.

Eli Vance is the father of resistance fighter Alyx Vance, who worked alongside Gordon Freeman in the fight against the Combine.

Guillaume is perhaps best known for playing the lead roles in Soap and Benson. Additionally, he voiced the wise baboon Rafiki in The Lion King, earning a Gramma award.

He also starred on the TV show Sports Night as a producer. He suffered a stroke in 1999 but was able to return to working. He appeared in guest roles on shows like 8 Simple Rules and CSI. Guillaume also appeared in Tim Burton’s Big Fish in 2003.

You can read an obituary for Guillaume here on Variety.

Earth takes on a new dimension when turned up to the highest graphics settings in Destiny 2.

The latest batch of deals are now available in the US PlayStation Store. This marks the second week of Sony’s Sale of the Dead, which offers discounts on many PS4, PS3, and Vita games that are perfect for Halloween, while a new spotlight sale features Danganronpa and other titles from NIS America.

The spotlight sale offers some very sizable discounts on select NISA games across all of Sony’s platforms, and those with a PS Plus subscription will save an additional percentage off many of the titles. On PS4, players can purchase the recently released Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony for $45 ($51 without PS Plus). Danganronpa 1-2 Reload is also on sale for $24 ($28), while the series’ spin-off Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls for $10.49 ($13.49). Other PS4 games on sale include:

• Birthdays the Beginning — $16 ($20)
• Cladun Returns: This Is Sengoku — $16 ($20)
• Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance — $16 ($20)
• God Wars: Future Past — $25 ($30)
• The Silver Case — $9 ($12)
• Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet — $3 ($6)
• The Witch and the Hundred Knight: Revival Edition — $12 ($15)

On PS3, players can find discounts on Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness ($13/$15), Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice ($4/$5), and Legasista ($3/$4). Those with a Vita, meanwhile, can save on Yomawari: Night Alone ($8/$10), Demon Gaze ($12/$14), and several Danganronpa titles, including Killing Harmony ($30/$34), Ultra Despair Girls ($10.49/$13.49), Trigger Happy Havoc ($10.49/$13.49), and Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair ($10.49/$13.49). Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention and Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited are also on sale for $12/$15 each.

The NISA sale runs until October 31. You can find the full list of discounted titles here. You also have until October 31 to save on some great horror games for all Sony platforms, including Resident Evil 7 ($30/$36), Killing Floor 2 ($16/$20), and Dying Light: The Following ($21/$24), among others. You can find more discounted titles here.

Warning: The following review contains spoilers for the episode.

It’s a Saiyan filled episode as the team from Universe 6 steps up in the wake of Hit’s defeat. Seeing their struggle and Cabba’s bond with Vegeta made for an entertaining and surprisingly emotional episode. Even with that strength, the action falls short as it simply can’t compete with the spectacle of the last several episodes.

The Universe 6 Saiyans are the standouts this week with Cabba in particular showing considerable growth. Unlocking Super Saiyan 2 is a big step for him, but it’s the growth of character that was the most intriguing. Since his introduction, Cabba has proven to be interesting; he’s the exact opposite of a warrior that the Saiyan race expects him to be. His steps into that warrior bloodline were conveyed well through his actions and words. In many ways, it reminded me of the same growth we saw from Goku years ago as he learned about his own Saiyan heritage and what it meant to be a warrior.

Continue reading…

Logan director James Mangold is reportedly writing the script for the potential X-23 spinoff movie.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mangold has now started working on the screenplay for the film, which hasn’t officially been greenlit by 20th Century Fox but would focus on Dafne Keen’s Laura from Logan. However, the director did mention that the success of Wonder Woman has increased the chances of an X-23 movie actually happening.

Continue reading…