If you never invested in a Kinect for Xbox One and are looking to add a little more personality to your streams on Mixer, you may soon be in luck. Support for USB webcams is currently available to all alpha Xbox Insider members.
Not too familiar with the Xbox Insider Program? It’s a feedback group provided by Microsoft that lets loyal Xbox fans get their hands on exclusive beta tests of software and updates early. The program was invite only for a number of years but went public earlier this year; a tier system was introduced in August. It is free for anyone to join through the Xbox Insider Hub.
This feature certainly does open up more opportunities to streamers who do want to add themselves to their streams, but there’s a catch. USB webcams, even if they have mics, will not have mic support. Headsets or some sort of microphone setup will be needed for this method of streaming; Kinect already has mic support built in.
If you’re already in the alpha ring, you’re one step closer to getting started. The feature will roll out to other levels in the insider program eventually, but for now, all you need to do is plug in your USB webcam and get streaming on Mixer. All feedback about the experience will have to be done through your console and not Mixer support.
No details have been released on when the feature will go live to all Mixer streamers on Xbox One. Mixer stated on its website that it will not launch the feature publicly until it is “confident in the experience.”
Much like the NES Classic console from last year, the SNES Classic is a bit of a hot commodity. With an assortment of retro games from the SNES library, there are many games getting a second chance in the spotlight, along with others that have stood the test of time and still hold up as some of Nintendo’s finest games.
We at GameSpot are here to give you everything you need to know about Nintendo’s throwback console; such as good places to keep an eye out for ordering your console, what games are available on the system, and what sort additions have been added to make the experience of replaying these games feel a bit more unique. Be sure to check back with us for more info about our hands-on time with the console, along with our official review coming soon.
When Is The Release Date For The SNES Classic?
Set for release on September 29 for $80 USD/60 GBP/7,980 Yen, the SNES Classic will be available in most markets. Much like the NES Classic, Japan will have a Famicom version known as the Super Famicom Classic the following week on Oct 5, along with some games unique to their market such as Ganbare Goemon: Yukihime Kyūshutsu Emaki (Legend of the Mystical Ninja). Though the Western release of the Classic console will be missing some titles from its Eastern counterpart, there’s still plenty of great games to enjoy.
How Can I Find An SNES Classic?
Learning from the extreme shortages of the NES Classic, Nintendo has increased the amount of units in distribution, and will also be producing them in larger quantities. Moreover, Nintendo has urged fans not to purchase SNES Classic consoles sold at significantly higher rate, as there will be more available for buyers compared to the NES Classic. Much like the pre-ordering phase, it would be best to keep watch of established stores such as Amazon, Target, GameStop, Walmart, and Best Buy for available units as they come. Be sure to check back with GameSpot for updates on availability of units.
Aside from Earthbound, Super Mario RPG, and Super Metroid, there’s one game that’s been getting a lot of attention, and that’s Star Fox 2. Unlocked after completing the first stage in the original Star Fox, Star Fox 2 introduced a number of interesting gameplay innovations, new characters, and brand new vehicles to control. However, for a variety of reasons, it was shelved around the time of its completion. Though unofficial copies have made the rounds over the years, this marks the first time that Nintendo will be releasing the game in an official capacity. To mark this occasion, GameSpot will be publishing a review for the newly released Star Fox 2, which will be our first SNES review in two decades.
What Is The Setup And User-Interface Like?
While the original Super Nintendo was designed for standard definition TVs, the SNES Classic features an updated setup including HDMI cables, and a home menu where you can access all the games. Much like the NES Classic, the Super Nintendo mini-console will give players access to all the games from the menu, where they can jump around between each game. Each game allows for four different save slots, allowing you to save your game on the internal system. Though unlike the NES Classic, the SNES will be a bit more comfortable to play this time around, featuring longer control cables at around 5 feet. Moreover, the UI will also feature a number of tweaks and customization options for players, such as a set of custom borders you can apply to the 4:3 games, CRT filters, and also a rewind option–allowing you to as rollback a bad move in a game and try again.
Keep checking back with GameSpot during the lead up and after the release of the SNES Classic for more information as it comes. Check out some of coverage with our hands-on time below, along with updates from Nintendo, and along with our full-review.
Another week has passed, which means you’re older, wiser, and that much closer to shuffling off this mortal coil. But if you’re a Destiny 2 player, it also means the tentacle-faced vendor Xur is back in town, and he’s got a few new Exotic items for you to purchase and parade around space.
As we learned last week, Xur now shows up on the map, which makes finding his location considerably easier than in the first Destiny. From September 22 to September 26, Xur will be kicking it on Titan, specifically The Rig. Take a look below to see his exact location and what he’s selling.
Click image to view in full screen gallery
The Wardcliff Coil (Exotic Rocket Launcher) — 29 Legendary Shards
Foetracer (Exotic Hunter Class Helmet) — 23 Legendary Shards
Sunbracers (Exotic Warlock Class Gauntlets) — 23 Legendary Shards
Bungie will conduct a round of Destiny 2 maintenance in the coming week, which means the game will be offline for a period of time. Starting at 6 AM PT / 2 PM BST / 11 PM AEST on September 25, players won’t be able to sign in. An hour later that day, everyone who is logged in to Destiny 2 will be kicked off. All told, there will be interruptions for around six hours.
We’re still digging deep into Destiny 2, but there are some basic things you should know (and habits from the original Destiny you might need to break). You can check our Destiny 2 beginner’s guide or our roundup of Destiny 2 guides, tips, and tricks for more information.
Summer might be coming to a close, but it’s just beginning for the counselors of Crystal Lake. Friday the 13th‘s 1984 Spring Break clothing pack DLC has finally released alongside some updates.
While the $2 DLC pack isn’t anything more than some new swimsuits for the gang, it certainly sets the mood for everyone’s impending doom. The pack gives each counselor a different swimsuit from mankinis and trunks for the dudes, all the way to one pieces and bikinis for the ladies. Although, we are quite disappointed that Lachappa doesn’t have a mankini too.
On the update side of things, the title’s customization UI has been altered to make things a bit smoother. You can now customize your clothing’s colors too. Eight new emotes and an emote wheel have been thrown into the mix as well, because when you’re running in terror, keeping your friends in the loop is a must.
Other fixes, outside of bugs, are focused on Jason and how he interacts with the world. Counselors can’t be drowned in shallow water anymore and he can now break through windows and doors while attacking. You can check out all the changes in the game’s patch notes here.
As for the future, Jason probably won’t be able to break furniture due to lack of manpower, but campsites might actually do more than just sit there soon. Check out all the details on this and more in the developer’s notes.
Friday the 13th is available now on Xbox One, PS4 and PC digitally. Physical release is expected on Friday, October 13.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi has completed post-production. Director Rian Johnson has confirmed that the latest movie in the blockbuster franchise is now finished, ahead of its December release.
Johnson announced the news with an Instagram selfie, in which he featured some of the post-production crew (and the top of his head). Check it out below:
Even though The Last Jedi is less than three months away from release, to date, only one short trailer has appeared. Earlier this week Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill tweeted a potential release date for the next trailer, before quickly deleting it. Hamill replied to a fan who asked when he could see the new Last Jedi trailer: “Watch Monday Night Football on Monday October 9th–for no reason in particular.” Check out a screenshot of it over at Star Wars News.
The Last Jedi arrives in theaters on December 15. It also stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Carrie Fisher, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, and Andy Serkis. While we are yet to see any new footage from the film, there have been a number of vehicles and characters revealed, including these cool First Order vehicles, and this new droid, which resembles an evil BB-8.
The Tokyo Game Show is happening this weekend, and while the biggest draw might be the cosplay, the other big thing to look forward to are new game trailers. And of course, Namco Bandai are going to deliver. Here are three new trailers released by the publisher during the show. And in case you missed it, we also have a full roundup of all the Sony announcements from earlier this week. Although it doesn’t have a presence at the show, Nintendo went ahead and had a Nintendo Direct video presentation last week detailing its remaining 2017 lineup.
If you’re looking for a Dark Souls like challenge, the vampire-themed Code Vein will not have any easier difficulty settings. While we know the game is coming in 2018, the trailer above only raises new questions: “Who is the queen? What is the Red Mist? Why do the Revenant continue to fight and feed?”
Despite the “online” moniker, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet isn’t an MMO. Instead this action RPG is based on the anime of the same name. From the trailer description: “Experience an all new story with original characters Kureha and Zeliska, uncover the mysteries of the ArFA-sys, and become the hero with the all new character customization features! With multiple skills and appearances at your disposal, you can control your own future. You are now the hero, and your choice is faster and heavier than a bullet.”
We also have a crew reporting live from Tokyo all weekend, so check out the main site for even more TGS-related content on the way.
EA’s FIFA 18 is still a week away from release, but critics have already begun offering their thoughts on the new soccer game. FIFA 18 doesn’t differ radically from last year’s installment, but EA has made some notable tweaks to the gameplay that make the game an improvement over its predecessor. In GameSpot’s FIFA 18 review, critic Oscar Dayus said the game’s “on-pitch improvements represent the beginnings of a recovery for the series,” though it is “still lagging far behind PES 2018‘s more fluid, satisfying football.”
Other reviews and impressions have begun appearing online as well, and most seem to agree that FIFA 18 is yet another worthwhile entry in the long-running sports franchise. You can find a sample of reviews and reviews-in-progress below; for a wider look at what critics think of the game, be sure to check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.
“It’s off the pitch that EA excels. From the variety of game modes on offer and how everything’s presented, to the constant updates in FUT’s Team of the Week, Daily Objectives, and discussion of real-world happenings in commentary, FIFA 18 captures the world of football and confidently translates it into a video game. On the pitch, however, EA’s soccer series is still lagging far behind PES 2018‘s more fluid, satisfying football. This year’s improvements are welcome, but more needs to be done in the coming years if FIFA is to be a world-beater once again.” — Oscar Dayus [Full review]
IGN — Review-in-Progress
“Ultimately, FIFA 18 introduces enough new ideas to suggest it’s not sitting on the laurels of its success. However, it’s a simplified experience, one that fails to embrace the complexity of football at the highest level. Its focus on attack makes for spectacular matches, but they often feel like extravagant offensive training sessions than a proper match with depth and strategy.” — John Robertson [Full review-in-progress]
US Gamer — 4/5
“This series hasn’t changed much over the years, and it’s certainly not as dynamic and ambitious as it was back in the days of the Xbox 360. But the foundation EA built back in 2010 has held up remarkably well over the years. And with FIFA 18, it goes back to its strengths a little bit after a year that frankly wasn’t that much fun to play.” — Kat Bailey [Full review]
GamesRadar+ — Review-in-Progress
“There’s more punch to shooting from distance, more intent on crosses (with genuine whip added to the ball–my favourite of all the new changes), and players are sharper when it comes to breaking onto loose balls or throwing themselves at shots.” — Ben Wilson [Full review-in-progress]
The Telegraph — Review-in-Progress
“FIFA 18 is a significantly better football game than its predecessor. I was rather fond of FIFA 17, but despite the engine overhaul it was still beholden to some of FIFA’s more long-standing issues. Animations taking too long to unfold and delaying your move; wrestling to control unresponsive players; a lack of individuality from player to player. FIFA 18 has addressed these issues quietly but confidently, like a successful team signing a full-back under the radar because the previous one kept picking up daft bookings.” — [Full review-in-progress]
Digital Trends — 4/5
“FIFA 18 relies a little too much on back-patting and the illusion of choice during its story mode, but it’s still remarkable how well Electronic Arts managed to tell the tale of Alex Hunter and his family. The soccer on the field more than backs up the writing, with rewarding gameplay that can entertain even those who normally hate the sport. Just make sure that you carve out plenty of time and say farewell to your family members for the foreseeable future, because you’re going to need all the extra time you can get.” — Gabe Gurwin [Full review]
If you’re starved for new information about Red Dead Redemption 2, it seems we have something to look forward to quite soon. Rockstar has teased that some kind of announcement or reveal is slated for next week.
Unfortunately, we have almost no idea of what to expect–Rockstar merely tweeted the image below. It contains nothing but a date and time–Thursday, September 28, at 11 AM ET (8 AM PT/4 PM BST, or 1 AM AEST the next day)–on a background that resembles the look of Red Dead Redemption 2’s marketing materials. The company might plan to share new details or release another trailer, but for the time being, there’s no way to know exactly what’s coming.
It’s been months since Rockstar had anything to share from the game. It was originally slated for release this fall, only to be delayed until next year. New screenshots were shared in May, and prior to that, we got the trailer above. Beyond that it’s been an excruciatingly quiet period for the game.
Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t have an exact release date yet, but it’s due out during Spring 2018 (no sooner than April 1). It’s slated for release on PS4 and Xbox One. Like the first game, there’s no word on a PC version, a possibility that Rockstar parent company Take-Two has declined to address.
Picking up a copy of Halo: The Master Chief Collection is no longer the only way to a handful of Halo games on Xbox One. Microsoft has added four more games to the backwards compatibility library, all of them Xbox 360 entries in the Halo series.
As promised, Microsoft has made four games–Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo 4–playable on Xbox One. The full campaigns and multiplayer modes are included, and these are accompanied by all of their DLC packs, which are accessible for free. If you own any of these games, you can simply pop the disc in (or install it from the Ready to Download list, in the case of digital copies) and start playing.
These games are curious–but welcome–additions to the backwards compatibility list, given that Microsoft stands to make money from sales of The Master Chief Collection. That compilation includes improved versions of all of these games (Halo 3: ODST was offered as free DLC post-release), as well as a fully remastered version of Halo 2. MCC remains an attractive option for those looking to play the best-looking versions of these games (or to play Halo 2 on Xbox One), but being able to play the original versions for free is a nice gesture.
Sure, the latest update for Minecraft is a notable one for introducing cross-play to the wildly popular game–that’s all well and good. But it’s the bug fixes located in the patch notes that I think are the real highlight.
The latest instance of “patch notes that are much funnier than they have any right to be” comes with this week’s Better Together update for Minecraft. There are a wide range of new features and tweaks, including the aforementioned cross-play support, but it also fixes so many bug fixes that developer Mojang decided not to share them all. Luckily, it did include a few.
Among them: This patch “stop[s] llamas from creepily turning their heads to stare at you while riding them.” Not being a hardcore Minecraft player, this is something I was admittedly unaware of–you can seemingly see it in the image above, which comes from this YouTube video by Aiden Art. Suffice it to say, it’s something I will forever regret not being able to experience myself.
