Category: Xbox

Goodbye, 2015

Greywolfe Picks His Favourite Retro-Styled Games From 2015

Welcome to my retrospective for 2015 in which we talk a little about those games that invited you to think of gaming's past through the lens of what's happening right now. This list covers games that - somehow - evoked games of yesteryear, whether in their visuals or in their gameplay styles.

2015 was a pretty good year for this style of thing - I didn't play all of the games that had retro-styled conceits, [like Freedom Planet or some of the bigger RPG releases] but the games I played that used those sorts of ideas were all [more-or-less] fun.

NB! The text links in this article will open in a new page and will take you to review pages on my personal blog. Read more

I Did a Timed Lap Around Medici in Just Cause 3

So I was playing with boats in Just Cause 3 and I decided, just 'cause (see what I did there?), to see just how long it would take to encircle the islands and then bore you guys with some math about the whole experience. So I had the rebel forces drop me a fast boat and I set up my stop watch. The image below shows the path I took.Lap-mapJust Cause 3 has a map size that claims 400 square miles, which translated puts the playable area at around 1036 square kilometers. My trip around Medici didn't include the Volcano in the northwest portion of the map, nor did it include Boom Island to the far southwest, which is covered by the logo in the image above. I chose to circle the islands central to play and I started and ended the trip to the far southeast at one of the bases in Sirocco Sud. Travel was done clockwise around the islands giving the land a fair berth to avoid restricted areas and slow speeds.

I did this with a series of way points and by the time the test was over I had traveled a distance of 85 kilometers or around 52 miles and it took me 48 minutes and 20 seconds at around an average speed of 62 knots, or 115.9 kilometers per hour, or 72 miles per hour.  Calculated that puts the area inside my travel at around 216 square miles or 559 square kilometers. So if it were a real place the island of Medici would be roughly comparable in size to the Isle Of Man between Ireland and the U.K. which weighs in at around 221 square miles, or 572 square kilometers.Isle_of_ManPerspective can be pretty cool. On the one hand 400 square miles is a big ass area and a huge achievement to create in a game world. Props to Avalanche. On the other hand in real life terms there have been wildfires that size here in California in fairly recent history. For instance, the Rim fire burned very close to where I live and covered a little over 400 square miles.

Another thing Just Cause 3 has is probably the best ocean I've seen built in a game. Now facts aside, here are a few screen shots from JC3 boat trip!2015-12-04_00016 2015-12-04_00019 2015-12-04_00023 2015-12-04_00025

[Credit for the image of the Isle Of Man here]

 

Microsoft Adds Button Mapping to Standard Xbox One Controller

On November 16th, Microsoft added the ability to remap the buttons on your standard wireless controller for your XBox One. Those who want to change their button mapping can either launch the Xbox Accessories app or enter their Xbox One settings. If you don't have the app already, the link above will provide all the information you need to get it.

Remapping through the accessories app works by either swapping buttons or changing individual buttons through drop down menus. Looks altogether pretty simple.swapping mapexampleThose settings will only save on your console however, as the standard controllers don't have any on-board storage. So if you map your controls at home then take your controller to a friend's place, don't expect them to still be mapped the way you want. And sadly as of yet there is no PC support for said remapping, but it's on the way according to Microsoft.

 

[All Image Credits, Microsoft]

Opinion: Xbox One Elite Controller

I must preface this by saying that I have not tried using this controller and this is purely my opinion.

This is the month of October and during this month Microsoft is releasing a high end pro gaming peripheral in the form of the Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller.

Xbox Elite_1You'll get a high quality Wireless Xbox One controller redesigned with customizable metal thumb sticks, a faceted cover for the D-pad for increased accuracy, smoother action buttons and triggers, along with extra buttons in the form of paddles that connect under the controller. You'll also get a rubberized grip that provides extra comfort and staying power for intense battles combating sweaty hands. The Elite Controller will come with a hard case for storage, batteries and a bunch of interchangeable components along with a braided USB to mini USB cable for a wired connection to your PC. Available for Xbox and Widows 10 will also be an app that allows for configuration remapping for the Elite controller.

Xbox Elite_2So you'll get a lot with your package, and that's awesome. The Elite Controller promises to be highly customizable, very high quality product for those who are really serious about their gaming. Which is great because that's the demographic here, serious gamers. For everything you get, which is admittedly a lot, you'll have to shell out $149.99.....!! I'll say it again even though this is written and you can just read it, the Xbox One Wireless Elite Controller will cost you one hundred and fifty dollars, exclamation point!

I won't be purchasing one of these. That cost point by itself is a deal breaker for me and I game a lot. Like, a lot. I use an Xbox One controller for my PC and I love it. It's really accurate, it's very smooth, very comfortable, so far very durable and in my opinion it's worth the money. Now I don't have a rubberized grip or extra paddle buttons or three sets of metal interchangeable thumb sticks. This would be super cool, I admit that 100%. But I don't deem those things worth nearly three times the cost of the standard controller. No, not even with the redesigned internal architecture that allows such a level of reconfiguration. With everything the Elite Controller comes with I could see spending maybe $80, that would be my ceiling.

interchangeablesNow, I haven't tried using the Elite Controller. I'm just a guy who like most, doesn't get demo access to new products. This thing could be incredible. But incredible or not that's a lot of money to throw down on a controller. Not to mention I can't find any information on the app that will be available for configurations, I can't even say if that's free or not. Microsoft's video showcasing the controller and app doesn't mention if it's free or if it costs, but I do notice the wording "app available..." on their site so I'm not holding my breath for free. I also can't find any information about the app via Google or any forum conversations. Someone out there must know....right?

Competition gamers may find the price tag acceptable, and that's ok because that's the target demographic here; but I'm sticking to laughable myself. Think about buying an Xbox One. That's $300 by itself. Now buy two Elite Controllers, there's another $300. Want a full set or four? Well, the math is pretty simple. When will we as gamers stop paying all this extra money for what usually equates to a few extra features that we probably won't even use. Look, I get that a lot of work went in to making this controller a reality, and you'll get a lot in the package should you make the purchase. And I get that the whole thing is very high quality, this is wonderful. But it's too much money! Of course nobody has to buy one of these right? No one is forcing them on us. Yet I still have to say, Microsoft, at least buy us dinner first.

[all image credits: Microsoft]

Xbox One Wireless Adapter for PC: Is it worth it to you?

Earlier this year information was released about the Xbox One wireless PC adapter and it's date of release. It seems that the adapter itself will be available on October 20th and will allow you to sync a controller with your PC and stream your PC and Xbox games to Windows. All for $24.99.

The package will also include a USB extender for the adapter. Say your computer is in one room while you've decided to run a long HDMI cable to your sixty inch TV in another room and you want to use that as your monitor, the USB extender will make sure your controller is still in range so you can do that.

Microsoft's page (from the link above) says that the adapter will support up to eight wireless controllers and up to four chat headsets or two stereo headsets.

 

Xbone_wireless

Cool in theory, though this information isn't all that exciting to me personally. Firstly, wireless stuff isn't important to me almost 100% of the time. Secondly, the adapter will only work with Widows 10. At least for now. Thirdly, this adapter is slated to cost $24.99 (which, honestly, may not be so bad considering it's abilities).

So what do you think? Is this adapter worth the cost to stream your games on your Windows 10 PC? Or are you satisfied with wires and not changing batteries like me?

E3 2015: Microsoft Press Conference

You probably already watched the Microsoft press conference. If not, the video of it is linked above. This post will not offer pictures and will be more of a chronicle of my (Dr. S) experience than a full coverage of the press conference.
Microsoft starts with Halo 5.
I still remember MCC. NEEEEXT! Playable at E3 though.

New exclusive. Recore. Only a render trailer though. Looks cute.

Phil Spencer throwing buzzwords. PR speak, PR speak, PR speak. Oh, and btw Phil, one game does not make a franchise!
BOOM!!!
360 backwards compatibility. Available this holiday, for free, including a jab towards Sony.

Also a new Xbox One controller called Elite. Offers some customization and other features. More on that in the future

Fallout 4 is next, but we covered that already. Oh, one big news though: Mods created on the PC will be available on the Xbox One.
Microsoft is having a run. Can Sony mount a counter?

Mr. Moore talking EA Access. Titanfall and Dragon Age: Inquisition coming to the vault. Nice, if you don’t already have them.
People who own XBL Gold get 1 week of EA Access for free after E3.
And Garden Warfare 2 is coming next spring. Only a render trailer.

Forza 6, featuring the new Ford GT. No, Xbox is not the home of racing, that’s still the PC.
Forza will run at 1080p/60. And it’s a racing game. Coming September 15th.

Dark Souls 3 is having its “World Premiere”, funnily enough we already talked about it on the last Twinstiq Podcast.

The folks behind Uplay show The Division. Will we learn something new about it? No.

Gigantic. A Windows 10 and Xbox One exclusive. F2P, with a beta in August.

Now follows an Indie Showcase. Couple of games that are already out on the PC.
Tacoma gets shown, from Fullbright, the folks behind Gone Home. Looks of course nowhere near as good as the teaser trailer previously shown, but I'm still interested. Coming 2016.

Aurora 44 with their game Ashen. I get a certain Ico mixed with The Last Guardian mixed with Shadow of the Colossus vibe from it.

Beyond Eyes by tiger& squid. Can’t say much about it, besides: it was bright.

CUPHEAD! By Studio MDHR. Been looking forward to this one since it was first announced. It’s the game that looks like an old cartoon.

Xbox Game Preview, the Xbox version of Early Access. DayZ is joining Xbox Game Preview.. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Not the biggest fan of Early Access, although I can see the benefits. Microsoft hasn't said anything about refunds, so that could be an issue.“I want a game that is not a game. I want a game that is a universe” from the guy who is a grenade, Dean Hall. The game that is not a game is called "Ion" and it’s set in space. That’s all we know.

Rise of the Tomb Raider, Holiday 2015. It looks good and I enjoyed the first one. Probably won’t buy it for the XBO, unless they announce 1080p/60 now. You can waste your money MS and I can wait. Game itself looks very much like the previous one, plus added tomb raiding. So that’s good!

Rare…reanimating the corpse?
Rare Replay, featuring 30 games. August 4th. Includes some Viva Pinata game. I’m sold.
Guy talks on stage about Rare evolving over time. I’m sure he meant devolving. But let’s see, he has something new from Rare. Looks like a Pirate multiplayer game. Could be cool. It’s called Sea of Thieves.

Fable: Legends. Love the soundtrack. The game itself will probably be fine, but I’m a huge fan of the Fable series, even enjoyed 3, and would rather see a real RPG from them.
Cross-platform multiplayer for Fable: Legends.

Microsoft not only supporting Oculus, but also the Vive from Valve/HTC. And then there is the Hololens.
The Hololens with Minecraft demo looks cool. Not because of Minecraft, but because Microsoft seems to have really figured out AR.

Back to Xbox One with Gears of War.
GoW Ultimate Edition. Multiplayer Beta starting today. Those servers will be toast.
Gameplay from a new Gears of War. Looks like Gears. Hardly any progress since the last one. The animations are stiff, the graphics underwhelming, the gore looks like on the 360. Gears of War 4 confirmed. Wow, this was bad. I really liked the first 3 Gears games, but this?

A new Xbox One UI is coming. More games during Gamescom.

And that’s it.

So, overall feelings: I highly doubt their “best exclusives” promise from the beginning. Halo 5 could be cool, Forza 6 was very light on information, Gears looked really bad. Rise of Tomb Raider looked really good, but that’s only a timed exclusive. Rare Replay was probably one of the best things when it comes to games.
On the not strictly games side however, Microsoft really shined. Backwards compatibility (although limited) and mod support for Fallout 4 is a HUGE deal. Hololens looked great. The new controller? We’ll see. Anyway, strong showing from Microsoft on that front. Sony won’t have it easy.

E3 2015 Bingo: Microsoft

After Bethesda’s press conference (June 14, 7pm PT) it’s Microsoft’s turn (June 15, 9:30 PT).

With the Hololens, a cooperation with Oculus, Windows 10 launching soon and a promised busy release schedule at the end of the year, we can expect quite a bit from that.

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by Cody
After the break: Trey, Billy and Dr. S
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by Trey
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by Billy and Dr. S
Remember, you can visit bingo.twinstiq.com to make your own. I'll try to update them with more pictures later.

Xbox One Controller May Get 3.5mm Jack

The Xbox One controller may be getting one of my favorite features from any controller ever, a built-in headphone jack. Then again, maybe not. Hit the jump for more information.
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Images are from my tablet and laptop.
Earlier today, this page on Xbox.com's support area showed a 3.5mm headphone jack as part of the Xbox One controller. It may have been a misprint, or perhaps a diagram meant for Microsoft's rumored-to-be-upcoming "hard core controller" for their latest home console.
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Images are from my tablet and laptop.
Either way, the page later updated with this diagram, omitting #16 entirely, but leaving the image the same.Would you like to see this feature included? Are you happy enough using a converter cable or compatible headset?

Source: Neowin