Nintendo and Microsoft are direct competitors in the video game business.
But the two companies have been working together in recent years, and the depth of that relationship has grown substantially in the last 12 months.
Between a push into cross-play gaming and ongoing “Minecraft” support on Nintendo platforms, it’s clear that walls are breaking down in the video game industry.
Nintendo and Microsoft directly compete in the video game business, so why are they becoming so friendly?
The answer is surprisingly simple: Because they’ve realized how mutually beneficial it is to work together while Sony’s PlayStation — the sales leader by a longshot — looks like an old coot.
The last 12 months in particular have seen the two companies repeatedly come together on major initiatives.
Here’s a walkthrough of their blossoming relationship:
1. “Minecraft” is where this all started.
Microsoft has owned “Minecraft” since 2014 — the result of a historic $2.5 billion acquisition deal. But despite that high price tag, Microsoft didn’t lock away the game as an exclusive.
Instead, the game has remained on nearly every platform — with ongoing support from Microsoft.
It was the first sign of Microsoft moving past the old dividing lines in the video game business that traditionally kept certain games locked to one platform or another.
So it used to go: “Halo” is only on Xbox consoles, “Uncharted” is only on PlayStation consoles, and “Mario” is only on Nintendo consoles.
But “Minecraft” represented an easing off of that old standard. Microsoft makes “Minecraft” for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10, OS X, iOS, and Android.
Moreover, Microsoft used “Minecraft” as a means of breaking down those barriers ever further: The “Better Together” update introduced the ability for “Minecraft” players across all platforms to play together — including Nintendo’s Switch.
2. “Better Together.”
Games like “Call of Duty,” “Overwatch,” and “Minecraft” are functionally identical across platforms. Why shouldn’t I be able to play “Overwatch” on Xbox One with my friend on PlayStation 4?
The reason, of course, is business.
Sony’s in the lead by a large margin, and has no real incentive — financially — to work with Microsoft on making games work between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
But Nintendo? That’s a different story.
As of June 2018, Nintendo Switch “Minecraft” players are able to play with their friends on Xbox One and every other “Minecraft” platform…except for PlayStation 4.
Nintendo and Microsoft even released a commercial together:
Through “Minecraft,” Microsoft implemented a limited form of its Xbox Live service on the Nintendo Switch. After launching the game, you could sign in with your Xbox Live account.
But Microsoft is taking that another full step forward with outright Xbox Live integration on a system level for the Nintendo Switch. That means you could earn Achievements, access your Xbox Live friends list, and other functionality tied to Xbox Live.
“Xbox Live is about to get MUCH bigger,” a panel description said. “Xbox Live is expanding from 400M gaming devices and a reach to over 68M active players to over 2B devices with the release of our new cross-platform XDK. Get a first look at the [software development kit] to enable game developers to connect players between iOS, Android, and Switch in addition to Xbox and any game in the Microsoft Store on Windows PCs.”
This is the kind of move that can only happen with cooperation from Nintendo — notably, Sony’s PlayStation 4 is absent from Microsoft’s list.
But why would Nintendo allow Xbox Live on the Nintendo Switch? One particularly notable reason is that Microsoft created a gold standard in online game with Xbox Live. If Microsoft’s willing to implement Xbox Live for various games, it offers Nintendo Switch a suite of services — voice chat, friends list, achievements, and more — that are otherwise less great on Nintendo’s console.
Microsoft gets to sign up new Xbox Live users, and Nintendo gets a well-respected service with limited control on its popular game platform — it’s a win-win.
4. Microsoft is publishing games other than “Minecraft” on the Switch, like “Hellblade,” and “Cuphead” is no longer an Xbox exclusive.
Microsoft spent billions to acquire “Minecraft,” only to continue supporting it as a multi-platform game.
Though billions presumably weren’t spent on British studio Ninja Theory, Microsoft did indeed acquire the company not so long ago — which is why it’s a bit strange to see one of Ninja Theory’s games, “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice,” announced as coming to the Nintendo Switch.
The same could be said for “Cuphead,” a major Xbox exclusive game that was at least partially funded by Microsoft — it’s headed to the Nintendo Switch in the near future.
Both are signs of Microsoft’s continued flexibility with Xbox when it comes to Nintendo’s platforms.
5. Microsoft’s Netflix-like Game Pass service is rumored to come to the Switch.
A small sampling of the voluminous Xbox Game Pass library, which offers subscribers access to over 100 games for a single monthly price.
One of Microsoft’s biggest plays in the last few years has been Xbox Game Pass, a monthly subscription service that offers access to a growing library of Xbox games.
The service has been a big hit with Xbox owners — every game published by Microsoft, for example, is available on Game Pass at launch. The next major “Halo” or “Forza” game will show up on Game Pass on day one. That’s a pretty major move!
And it sounds like that service could end up on Nintendo’s Switch console in some form or another. Rumors point to the service potentially coming to the Nintendo Switch — albeit as a part of Microsoft’s still-in-development game streaming service, currently known as “Project xCloud.”
Neither Microsoft nor Nintendo responded to these rumors back when they were reported in February.
The MINECRAFT 1.90 UPDATE PATCH NOTES are now ready and available for eager players to consume. The NEW PS4 UPDATE adds a significant amount of content to the game, including the new MINECRAFT TEXTURE PACK, the CROSSBOW, SHIELDS, and more. Weighing in at only 239.8 MB, the NEW MINECRAFT UPDATE shouldn’t require too much time to be downloaded and installed. While the patch is relatively small, don’t let that worry you, as there is still a substantial number of improvements being made. Here’s what you need to know about the Minecraft 1.90 update, including the highlights and the full list of patch notes.
Minecraft 1.90 Update Patch Notes Highlights
Minecraft 1.90 patch notes highlights include the new Trophies for the PS4 version of the game. Then there’s the “new Minecraft Texture Pack,” which will help give the game a new coat of paint, at hopefully no cost to overall performance. (Note that this can be changed back to the “Classic Texture Pack” at any time, should you not like the new look.)
A number of new interactable objects have been added, including: the Loom, the Lantern, the Lecturn, the Crossbow, Shields, new Enchanted Books, and more.
Some of the more minor changes include the chance of leaves being able to drop sticks when destroyed, the option for dead bushes to be used as Furnace fuel, and Chorus Flowers now able to be destroyed by arrows.
A funny addition is the ability to load Dispensers with Shears, which will then shear sheep when activated. This should make farming wool a lot easier!
Three XBOX ONE S ALL-DIGITAL LAUNCH GAMES have been named ahead of the upcoming console’s release. The launch games will be the console edition of Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, and Forza Horizon 3and will come bundled with the console included with its purchase.
Microsoft has been rumored to have a digital-only Xbox One in development for some time. As there are games stated by GamesIndustry.biz to be included with this bundle, the packaging will have an age rating equivalent to the most strictly-rated game in the package. Minecraft is rated E for Everyone/PEGI 6, but Forza Horizon 3 and Sea of Thieves are rated T for Teen and PEGI 12 by the ESRB and PEGI, respectively.
Minecraft is, of course, one of the world’s most popular video games that’s available on everything short of a smart fridge. The console-specific version of the game has some limitations as compared to the Java Edition, but it’s still a boatload of fun. Sea of Thieves is an online game that sees players taking command of their very own pirate ship and sailing the high seas in a quest for treasure and glory. Finally, Forza Horizon 3 is a racing game in the longstanding Forza franchise that can provide an exciting driving experience with high-end sports cars from around the world. All three of these Xbox One S All-Digital launch games have online components.
The Xbox One S All-Digital launch games are sure to make the overall package even more enticing than it would be on its own. The latest digitally-focused console will include a 1TB hard drive and is expected to be announced later today at a price of €229.99 or your regional equivalent, the lowest-yet launch price of a console coming from Microsoft. If the rumors prove true, you should be able to pick up one of these bad boys for yourself on May 7, 2019. Read more at https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/525961-xbox-one-s-all-digital-edition-console-launch-games-announced#2GXFPEOcO11hu0HU.99
One of the biggest games in the world is being turned into a feature film: The “Minecraft” movie is expected to arrive in 2022.
The movie was announced way back in 2016, originally with a planned 2019 launch.
The movie follows “the story of a teenage girl and her unlikely group of adventurers.” Presumably they will do some mining and some crafting along the way.
The biggest game in the world is becoming a movie — but not justyet.
A film version of “Minecraft” is planned for release in 2022, according to Microsoft, and it’s got the director of “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” behind the helm, Peter Sollett.
But what is a “Minecraft” movie even about? We’re talking about a game where you mine resources and build stuff with those resources — there’s not much of a narrative to hang your hat on.
According to Microsoft, the “Minecraft” movie follows, “the story of a teenage girl and her unlikely group of adventurers.”
More specifically, the plot revolves around a “malevolent Ender Dragon” that’s out to destroy the “Overworld” — the name for the main world in “Minecraft.” It’s up to that group of friends to stop the dragon and save their world.
It sounds like things are still pretty early in production, despite plans for this movie being originally announced way back in 2016.
Outside of the director, general plot, and release date — March 4, 2022 specifically — it remains to be seen what type of movie “Minecraft” becomes. One thing’s for sure: By the time we find out, it’ll be a whole new decade.
It won’t be arriving at the same time for everyone, but it appears that PUBG Mobile update 0.12.0 has begun rolling out.
Players have started sharing new shots from the Zombie Mode, Darkest Night, while also confirming issues with the patching process.
Some fans who have downloaded the new 0.12.0 say they have been stuck with an error message when trying to complete the process.
It’s unclear what might cause this problem but it will hopefully disappear when Tencent finishes all their plans.
The dev team has not provided a full schedule for how long it might take and which regions get the download first.
The good news is that we know a lot about what is included in today’s big update.
A new Zombie Mode is going live, as is a number of bugfixes for Survive Till Dawn, plus new improved options for Spectator Mode.
Here’s more from Tencent who confirms in a new statement: “Tencent Games and PUBG Corporation released the full version 0.12.0 content update today for PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE (PUBG MOBILE).
“As a key part of the update, players can dive into Darkest Night where they must stay alive until dawn, fighting off zombies.
“Spectator mode updates to Survive Till Dawn gameplay and other tweaks are also part of the free update available on the App Store and Google Play.
“Darkest Night is an all-new game type where players must spend one night fending off waves of zombie enemies and fight to stay alive.
“Rather than parachuting in, players are placed randomly on the map to face zombie hordes during each of the three foggy nights.
“There is no single chicken dinner to earn this time and players may form an alliance to help each other to survive when necessary unless the alliance decides turns on each other.
“In late 2018, Tencent Games, PUBG Corporation and Capcom joined forces to bring the items of Resident Evil 2 into PUBG MOBILE through the terrifying Survive Till Dawn mode.
“The 0.12.0 update revamps this mode by adding new weapons, jumping zombies, zombie dogs, gameplay fixes and more.”
Patch notes for today’s PUBG Mobile update can be found below:
PUBG teases zombie mode crossover with Resident Evil 2
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Darkest Night – Players can team up or go solo to survive a night of undead invasion and toxic gas until evacuation at sunrise; This new mode also comes with a passive skill for every player. Understanding these skills will be the key to staying alive in this long night.
Survive Till Dawn 2 – The PUBG MOBILE x Resident Evil 2 survival game mode is revamped with new gruesome ghouls and never-before-seen ballistic weaponry for even more nightmarish gameplay.
– Stun Grenades now also stun zombies
– Added Liquid Nitrogen Grenades to freeze enemies and reduce their movement speed
– Added jumping zombies and zombie dogs
– Some zombies can now climb over low walls or onto roofs
– Added RPG-7 and Jungle Style Magazines
– Flamethrowers now deal more damage
– M134 handling has been tuned
– Players will gain affixes that grant certain buffs
– Zombies now move slower after being hit by firearms
– Added Survive Till Dawn quick chat messages to Default and Classic voice packs
– Daily missions can now be completed in Survive Till Dawn
Spectator Mode – Players can observe the action live by spectating the matches of their friends, Crew and Clan members.
Crosshair Modifications – Red dot, holographic, 2x scope and 3x scopes can be adjusted to different colours, along with multiple shape variations of the red dot reticle.
Popularity has been added to Spaces – Players can now show their support by giving LIKEs to one another and become Partners with friends that have 400 Synergy or more. Partners will appear in each other’s Spaces.
Event mode replaced by EvoGround – Survive Till Dawn is now under this mode. And more new modes will be added in the future.
