recorded on March 22, 2019

Headliners

From Software new IP Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice launch today! The reviews are at an 89 (MetaCritic)

• Here are some impressions on it with some gameplay in the background

Google had their keynote at GDC on Tuesday and unveiled its game streaming platform Stadia (Google)

• The datacenter is the platform and is boasting 10.7 TFLOPS which is more than the Xbox One X
• Features like State Share, Crowd Play, Style Transfer ML, and Stream Connect were highlighted
• Various console controllers like DualShock, Xbox, and Switch will be compatible with Stadia
• The Stadia controller has a capture/share and Google Assistant button
  • The Google Assistant button allows players to search for something in game they are stuck on and pull up helpful YouTube videos without leaving the game
  • The controller is connected via Wi-Fi not to the system to reduce lag
• Google also announced its own 1st party studio in Stadia Games and Entertainment
• Google has partnered with Unreal and Unity engines and physics engine Havok along with others
• Google claims that Stadia will support 4K 60 fps gaming at launch with 8K 120 fps in the future
• Stadia will also implement full cross-platform play as long as platform holders opt into it
• Stadia will launch later in 2019 in the US, UK, Canada, Europe with more info in the Summer

Little Bits

The Xbox One S All Digital Edition launches May 7, it is the industry’s first discless console (The Verge)

• The All Digital Edition looks exactly the same but is missing the disc drive and eject button
• The console will come preloaded with Forza Horizon 3, Sea of Thieves, and Minecraft
• There is no word on pricing but an ideal price would be between $150-$190
• RUMOR: Xbox may offer option to pick games to ship with the console upon purchase

Apex Legends Season 1 launched on Tuesday revealing first Battle Pass and new legend Octane  (IGN)

• All the rewards in the Battle Pass are attainable from playing the game
• All the rewards from Battle Pass 1 in Season 1 can only be earned while season 1 is live
• Also some balancing with guns, legends, and legend abilities

Overwatch League is adopting Home-and-away teams for a city based competition

• In 2020, teams will start playing in their local areas
• This makes OVerwatch league the first major esports league to feature a city-based model
• Potential big effect on esports in general. Brings competitive gaming more into the mainstream

Nintendo Nindies Showcase happened on Wednesday and a few highlights are below (Nintendo)

• Cuphead is shooting his way over to Switch and will be available on April 18 w/ Xbox live support
• My Friend Pedro comes to Switch as an exclusive in June
• RAD comes to Switch this Summer and is the new game by Double Fine….could be good for kids
• Creature in the Well is a pinball inspired action game releasing this Summer.….very unique

Quantic Dream games are going to be an Epic Store exclusive for 1y upon PC release from Playstation

• Interesting to see how people feel about a console exclusive becoming a PC store exclusive

GDC reveals Control and The Outer Worlds will be PC Epic Store exclusives upon launch for 1 year (GDC)

Sea of Thieves Anniversary update makes landfall April 30 bringing bunch of new content (Rare Studios)

Bethesda confirms E3 appearance this year with a deep dive into Doom Eternal and other IPs (Bethesda)

• STARFIELD!!!!

Battlefield V battle royale Firestorm dropped a gameplay reveal trailer yesterday……looks cool (EA)

• Destructible environments, land sea air vehicles, squad based, 17 different vehicles, 64 players

Becker College has announced a scholarship program for Apex Legends (GameSpot)

• Those who score among the top players at the tournament can claim the one-time scholarship at Becker, if they apply and are admitted to the college.
• Scholarship recipients will also be given a try-out for Becker’s own Apex Legends team, which will begin competing in Fall 2019. You can read more details and sign up through the official site.

Steam library UI is getting a redesign. From  a Tweet by PCGamer

• Simpler and sleeker. More images, less words

Fallout 76 Survival Mode Beta

• Releases next week (if anyone cares)

Epic Games Store boss is throwing shade at Steam

• We don’t sell crappy games

Call of Duty: Mobile is a thing and its coming soon

• Nuketown, Blackout, Zombies
• Poor PUBG cant catch a break

GDC is now over and the awards are done, winner of Game of the Year is God of War

• This is God of War 3rd GOTY win in a row from The Game Awards and The Dice Awards

Upcoming Releases and Deals

Xbox adds 6 new games to Game Pass starting March 21 with more rolling out later (Polygon)

• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided available March 21
• What Remains of Edith Finch available on March 21
• The walking Dead: Michonne available on March 28
• Vampyr available on March 28
• Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite available on April 1
• Minecraft available on April 4

PSN is having the Great Indoors Sale currently live until March 29, some not all are below (GameSpot)

·         Bloodborne: The Old Hunters DLC — $15

·         Borderlands: The Handsome Collection — $25.79

·         Destiny 2: Forsaken: Complete Edition — $70

·         Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition — $17 or only The Frozen Wilds DLC — $8

·         Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps DLC — $18.74

·         Red Dead Redemption 2: Special Edition — $60

·         The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Complete Edition — $20

·         Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus — $36

Sony releases new Alpine Green PS4 controller available on April 15 (Push Square)

Rumor Mill

Microsoft and Nintendo rumors are growing and some are below (from of jeuxvideo.com via Resetera)

• More than 100 Xbox games will come to Switch via Game Pass and/or Xcloud
• Rare games could come to Switch but in what capacity is unknown maybe Rare Replay
• Super Rumor:  a high profile Xbox franchise coming to Switch (Halo, Gears, Forza)

Sony is working on two different PS5 units, one for 4k 60fps gaming and the other focused on digital

• The digital focused one most likely not have a disc drive mirroring Xbox’s strategy

Borderlands 3 is heavily rumored to be an Epic Store exclusive upon its PC launch, more info at PAX

Next PSVR will be wireless via Sony’s new patent for proprietary VR headset….not surprising

Google Stadia service will be free at launch

Recent leak shows EA Access is to come to the Playstation platform later this year (ComicBook.com)

Lucasfilms Games could be getting resurrected

• All the best Star Wars games → KOTOR, Republic Commando, Forced Unleashed

Could be getting a new Duke Nukem or Bulletstorm announced at PAX