A raft of upcoming releases were announced during PlayStation's presentation at the 2017 Tokyo Game Show, including Left Alive, a futuristic shooter from a trio of veteran developers, and Neko Atsume, a virtual reality experience based on a popular app about caring for friendly neighbourhood cats.
Since iconic Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima left long-term publisher Konami in 2015, fans have been looking forward to discovering what's next from the franchise director.
His next project, the enigmatic Death Stranding, sees him reunite with actor Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead) and film producer Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim) from cancelled horror project Silent Hills but, though it is a high-profile PlayStation 4 exclusive, the new title did not surface during Sony's Sept 19 PlayStation media briefing at the 2017 Tokyo Game Show.
Instead, it was another Metal Gear Solid luminary whose name was dropped during the presentation: famed illustrator and art director Yoki Shinkawa, whose style has been associated with the series since its 1998 debut, and whose pen has been behind its cover art more often than not.
He's in as character designer on Left Alive, a sci-fi shooter that can also boast Xenoblade Chronicles X mechanical designer Takayuki Yanase and Armored Core franchise producer Toshifumi Nabeshima.
Given the career histories of its leads, the teaser trailer's closing shot of military transport helicopters hovering over a ravaged metropolis seems indicative of what's to come.
By contrast, Neko Atsume offers the prospect of a welcoming backyard for adorable neighborhood fluffballs to play, eat, and sleep in.
The cat sim became something of a sensation when it released as a free-to-play Android and iOS game in 2014, enthusiastic fans supplying download and translation guides for those too eager to wait a year for the Japanese game's English language edition.
Such was its popularity that a live-action film was even released in April 2017.
And while glossy action games have tended to be at the forefront of Sony's push for more widespread adoption of its PlayStation VR kit – Gran Turismo Sport, Rez: Infinite, Farpoint – there's plenty of room for more sedate, strangely enthralling fare.
Neko Atsume VR has been announced for a 2018 release in Japan.
Among other highlights from the TGS showcase, timeless PlayStation 2 classic Shadow Of The Colossus is moving closer to a 2018 PlayStation 4 re-release, as demonstrated by a new trailer, Monster Hunter: World is destined for a Jan 26 launch on PS4 (as well as Xbox One) and the year 2000's treasured Final Fantasy IX was announced for immediate launch on PS4 and the handheld PlayStation Vita. — AFP Relaxnews
Minecraft is getting even more interactive thanks to a new tool from Mixer.
The Microsoft-owned streaming platform today announced new features that let people watching Minecraft streams interact with the gameplay in real-time.
Minecraft streamers can add “Mixer interactivity” to their game and turn any Minecraft command into an interactive button that viewers can use to change the given game. Streamers can set parameters for how much interaction is enabled.
The new feature is available today in the Minecraft beta (1.2.5) and Windows 10, with Xbox compatibility arriving Tuesday. iOS users will get access once the beta version is cleaned up.
Mixer also announced today that the Minecraft 1.2.5 beta now lets streamers broadcast directly from inside a Minecraft game via Mixer; iOS users will get this capability in the final release.
The acquisitions are part of Microsoft’s strategy to accelerate its gaming business across the company. In a company-wide memo sent in June, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella outlined five core customer solution areas that he wants employees to prioritize. They include modern workplace; business applications; applications and infrastructure; data and AI; and gaming.
Microsoft’s acquisition of Mixer, originally called Beam, gave Microsoft a rival to YouTube Gaming and Amazon’s Twitch, letting users livestream and watch games and other content. Mixer seeks to differentiate itself with features including low-latency streaming, the ability for up to four broadcasters to stream to a shared chat experience, and ways for viewers to interact with games as they’re streamed.
Another advantage is Mixer’s close ties with Microsoft’s PC and video-game platforms, which is evident from today’s Minecraft announcement.
Minecraft was released digitally for New Nintendo 3DS as a surprise announcement during last month's Nintendo Direct. The New 3DS version of Mojang's popular sandbox game features the Survival and Creative modes, as well as five skin packs, two new texture packs, and more.
Players can use the touch screen to view the map, access their inventory, and craft various items. Additionally, the New 3DS version gives players the option of controlling the game with either touch or traditional button controls.
Waking up in a beautiful forest you find yourself in the midst of an adventure, suddenly having to decide whether to journey into the village or continue exploring through the trees.
Every path begins as such, allowing readers to choose the way the story unfolds — will you craft your own mansion, change forces and become evil or venture into the mysterious village.
Alongside the thrill of your average 9-year-old activities such as soccer and nerf wars, Luke Reynolds has a passion for writing. The fourth grade Unity Christian School student has already accepted awards for his writing abilities, receiving the “scribe” award — given to students for outstanding writing skills, at the end of his third grade year.
“I knew he had talent but was more than impressed when the words and ideas never quit flowing during the writing process” said Luke’s dad Jamie Reynolds. “Ninety percent of the story came straight from Luke’s mind through my fingers to the page.”
Jamie Reynolds teaches English and language arts at an elementary school and over the last two summers the two have combined forces to write an unofficial Minecraft book.
The book, “Griefers, Creepers, and Swords”, consists of 150 pages of freedom that allows readers to form their own paths based in the game Minecraft.
Created in 2009, Minecraft is known as the game of no rules and creativity — allowing players to build and explore however they want with a variety of blocks and survival tactics.
It’s similar to a choose your own adventure book Kimberly Reynolds, Luke’s mother, said. Readers are able to decide their adventure by selecting which path they want to take as they read through the story. At the end of various situations, the reader selects what they want to happen next and the book directs them to the page they need to turn to in order to continue their journey.
While no severe writer’s blocks occurred throughout the writing, the two expressed the challenge of going back to school between the two summers. They encountered a rough time coming back and figuring out where to continue the book.
Luke said he hopes to write at least four more books continuing the pick your own path style. After completing the Minecraft series he hopes to continue writing about games as well as whatever genre he’s into at the time.
Luke and Jamie hope to continue growing their fanbase. Along with their book “Griefers, Creepers, and Swords”, the two have created a website, minecraftbooks.us, involving a blog, exclusive videos, a newsletter and a biography on the two, as well as a youtube gaming channel.
Their youtube channel, Unofficial Minecraft Books: Pick Your Path Series, allows viewers to watch segments of the book writing experience and a tour of Luke’s own Minecraft world.
Readers and minecraft enthusiasts can purchase “Griefers, Creepers, and Swords” at the Last Stop Gift Shop inside the Rome-Floyd visitor’s center as well as Amazon. The book can also be purchased at local arts and crafts fairs.
Do you like the Netflix original Stranger Things? In the first season, the show follows a group of children as they try to uncover the mystery behind the disappearances of several friends and members of the community.
It explores concepts like alternative alternative dimensions, and many more sci-fi tropes. Well, the second season is here and it looks like Minecraft is celebrating that with style.
According to Microsoft, creepers won't be the only trouble that Minecraft players will need to look out for because the Stranger Things Skin Pack is here! Join fan-favorites like Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Will as they explore the looming dark forces and save Hawkins! You have to survive the terrifying Demogorgon, adolescence, and horrendous 80s fashion choices in pixelated glory.
The Stranger Things Skin Pack is available on upgraded Bedrock Engine platforms through the Minecraft Marketplace for 490 coins. Other platforms are also getting the pack but they have to buy it for $2.99. The Stranger Things Skin Pack is definitely a great, spooky addition to Minecraft. However, keep in mind that Minecraft's Halloween Spooktacular is taking place right now until October 31, 2017 so be sure to join a server and participate in the festivities.
Be sure to check out Minecraft at retailers if you haven't already. The game is getting upgraded for Xbox One X so that will be a sight to behold. Additionally, be sure to check out Stranger Things on Netflix by downloading the application on the Microsoft Store.
Minecraft fans now, in theory, never have to stop playing their favourite game thanks to an update that brings it to a variety of platforms, including Xbox One, Android and Windows 10 computers.
The Better Together Update from developer Mojang not only connects more gamers, allowing them to play together, but it also facilitates new usage scenarios, for example the option to start a game on a console and then move onto a smartphone when you leave the house.
The update also brings new features such as playing time on community servers and automatic synchronisation of updates and content across all devices when you're logged in with an Xbox Live account. — dpa
