The last few days saw some significant announcements from video game giants. In case you missed it all, here’s a quick recap.
This week’s gaming news at a glance
Xbox Released a Surprise Console Update for Series X|S
Microsoft has rolled out a new update for Xbox Series X|S console owners. This software update is aimed at simplifying the data management for these consoles. The update will fundamentally change the way user-generated content (UGC) is stored on users’ consoles.
Owing to this new update, all the gameplay footage stored in the console will be deleted after 90 days. Microsoft claims that players should store the UGC in external hard drives or upload it to One Drive if they wish to continue accessing it. The new Xbox update also introduces a new ‘Events Bar’ that helps gamers track the live challenges from the games they own.
Bethesda Launched The Elder Scrolls mobile game
Bethesda is launching The Elder Scrolls Castles. Similar to fallout shelter but with other stuff involed. Take a stroll in the TES universe a and manage your castle.#Xbox pic.twitter.com/6D6lcwBAm1
— Raquayza (@Raquayza19) September 28, 2023
Following the suite of their immensely popular mobile game Fallout Shelter, Bethesda has launched a new mobile game for Android devices, called The Elder Scrolls: Castles. The game is currently in its early access and can be downloaded by Android users in US and several other countries.
The latest offering in the developer’s massive The Elder Scrolls franchise, TES: Castles is a management simulation game that allows players to build, expand, upgrade, and defend their uniquely created castles in order to create a long-lasting dynasty.
Early reviews suggest that TES: Castles is supposedly a carbon copy of Fallout Shelter, which is the best Bethesda games in terms of reach. TES: Castles, developed with Unity and armed with 2D graphics (so it can be accessed on most consumer devices), is set to be a monumental success.
Epic Games Announced Major Layoffs
Official Email from Tim Sweeney to Epic Games employees regarding the 16% (~900) layoffs. (Obtained by @InsiderGamingIG)
— HYPEX (@HYPEX) September 28, 2023
"For a while now, we’ve been spending way more money than we earn, investing in the next evolution of Epic and growing Fortnite as a metaverse-inspired… pic.twitter.com/ELFbPuQaCj
2023, although filled with an insane number of major game releases and record-breaking sales of certain AAA titles, is certainly a gloomier one for video game developers. Many reputed software and video game development companies are struggling to retain their sizes, however, news of layoffs are frequent and rampant.
This year has witnessed numerous layoffs in companies such as Ascendant Studios, CD Projekt Red, EA Sports, and 2K. Epic Games is the latest to join the party. The behemoth developer responsible for development of Fortnite as well as Unreal Engine has recently cut down a massive portion of their staff.
A drastic 16% of employees working at Epic Games have been laid off, which comes to a total of 870 staff members losing their jobs. The developer has announced a six-month severance to laid-off employees, along with accelerated stock vesting options.
Sony Announced PS Plus Essential Games for October 2023
After popular leaker Billbil-Kun revealed two games coming to PS Plus Essential in October 2023, Sony officially announced the complete list. Apart from the two leaked titles, The Calisto Protocol and Farming Simulator 2022, the third PS Plus game is Weird West.
Futuristic sci-fi horrors, fantastical twists on the Wild West, and tranquil farming sims all await in October’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games, available next week: https://t.co/xhwAVo7DiC pic.twitter.com/NQQJofW1PT
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 30, 2023
After mixed reviews from fans over the game selection for September 2023 and the recent subscription price increase, Sony seems to have decided to push some of their more popular titles to PS Plus. These games will be available for download from October 3 till November 6, 2023.
Sony Announced New PS Store Update and a Day-One Release of Teardown
Sony has also announced a new update to the PlayStation Store. Through this new update, gamers will be able to score the games they download and play, and interested buyers will be able to see average player rating for every title. The update is welcomed by the PS fans, with some of the most popular PS games receiving thousands of positive ratings.
Teardown launches into the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog Nov 15 💣
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 28, 2023
See how creativity and demolition come together: https://t.co/vYWra4ctw0 pic.twitter.com/obmOUITx7J
Sony further revealed that a brand-new game will be available as a day-one offering to PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers in November 2023. The upcoming action-adventure and heist game by Tuxedo Labs, Teardown will be releasing for PS5 on November 15, 2023. The game is currently available for PC players through Steam and has achieved an impressive 10/10 score on Steam.
Video Game Based on Popular Scream Movie Franchise Rumored to be in Development
since it's being discussed online…
— The Tipster (@thetipsterVG) September 25, 2023
based on what i heard back in May there is indeed a game based on the Scream franchise in development. I never heard of a developer at the time but in all honesty Supermassive Games lines up pretty well. pic.twitter.com/5xycWfNhZH
According to a gaming insider The Tipster, a video game based on the popular Scream movie franchise is currently in development.
The leaker claimed that the rumored game is being developed by Supermassive Games, the developer responsible for popular horror gaming titles like The Quarry and Until Dawn. This rumor makes sense, as many classic horror movie franchises are slowly making their debuts as gaming titles. Be it the latest Texas Chainsaw Massacre game or the echelons of horror movie villains making appearances in the Dead by Daylight, this trend is catching on.
Xbox Cloud Gaming to be Available for Meta Quest 3 Users from December 2023
💥 AND GUESS WHAT 💥
— Meta Quest (@MetaQuestVR) September 27, 2023
Take your @Xbox games to all new levels on #MetaQuest3 with Xbox Cloud Gaming!
Play 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣s of high-quality Xbox games — including @Halo Infinite, @StarfieldGame, and @ForzaMotorsport — all on a massive screen you can take with you anywhere. Subscription… pic.twitter.com/qCeJFaON2K
Meta and Microsoft have officially announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be available on Meta Quest VR headsets starting December 2023. While Meta has shed light on Meta Quest + VR subscription service, no official details regarding the subscription rates and plans of Xbox Cloud Gaming have been announced.
It’s currently unclear whether the Xbox Cloud Gaming service would require a subscription plan similar to Xbox Game Pass or if it will be included in Quest + VR subscription service. It could also be a one-time, standalone purchase. These details are expected to be made public soon, hopefully alongside the release of Meta Quest 3 in October 2023.
