Kaz Hirai, the chief executive of media giant Sony, has claimed that more than 200 developers have signed up for the PlayStation VR development program, with more than 100 games projects said to be underway.
In an interview with the BBC, Hirai was asked about Sony’s virtual reality strategy, to which the executive suggested that PlayStation VR had a key advantage in terms of development support.
He said: “Well I think that we have more than 200 developers signed up for the PlayStation VR program, who are working on probably a hundred or more titles that will play on PlayStation VR, is a testament to the kind of support that we’re getting from the content creation community.”
It is not clear how accurate Hirai’s estimate is. In December, Sony’s marketing team limited its showcase of PlayStation VR to a small batch of six games:
Microsoft has pledged to fix problems with Xbox One video playback. Multiple people wrote to Xbox engineering lead Mike Ybarra on Twitter to voice their frustrations. Ybarra apologized for the issues and said a future update should fix this problem.
Multiple people say they get random stuttering, lasting 1-3 seconds, during some Blu-ray video playback. The issue happens with some movies and not with others, users are saying. The temporary workaround that a support representative provided in the forum thread was reportedly unsuccessful.
The second title update for team-based tactical shooter Rainbow Six Siege has been released on PC, with the console version coming next week. This update, 1.2, does not fix all of Siege’s top issues (see those here), but Ubisoft says in a forum post that it’s “actively working on fixing them as soon as possible.”
1.2 makes improvements to hit registration, tweaks matchmaking to hopefully offer more balanced matches, and fixes a number of bugs. One issue in particular is a bug where players would get stuck when walking, running, or at the end of a rappel.
Updated the server tick rate for all PC users, coming soon to consoles
With the goal of improving positioning and shooting replication, we had deployed a first update on PC in which the player position update rate is set to 60 times per second (vs. the previous 30). This change however has been done in an intermittent fashion and in certain regions only, as we were testing various configurations. We are now satisfied with its state so we are now deploying this update to all PC users. As soon as this feature has been validated with this more massive test on PC, we will be deploying this update on consoles as soon as possible.
Data center selection is now possible (PC users only, for now)
PC users can change their default data centers in the Rainbow Six game settings file (gamesettings.ini), which is usually located in the ‘My DocumentsMy Gamesyour Uplay ID’ folder. Change the DataCenterHint value from ‘default’ to the region’s short name that you wish to have as your default data center. The available region short names can be found just above the DataCenterHint line.
Note that we are planning to eventually expose this in the in-game UI for all platforms and this PC-exclusive feature is only a first step.
Matchmaking Improvements
Refining the quality of PVP matches with more evenly matched opponents
Added a criteria that increases the odds of pre-made parties being matched against a squad with an equal number of pre-made parties within them.
Skill criterion originating from the player’s region is now more precise.
Improved connectivity to PVP and PVE matches
Increased match quality by ensuring players using the same data center get matched together, leading to better ping.
Improved accuracy of the estimated waiting time while in lobby.
Top Community-Raised Bug Fixes
Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list and that we are only highlighting fixes that were done about the most commonly raised community bugs.
Gameplay Fixes
Ranked matches HUD synch with Casual update has been applied (read: playlist changes from this post). Did some fixes on an issue in which players would get stuck when walking, running, or at the end of a rappel. The player could do other actions and rotate but couldn’t move.
Some situations still cause this bug. It is a work in progress.
Level Design Fixes
Kanal: fixed a bug in which the red blocker wall was not present on a window in the holding room for Defenders and allowed them to exit their zone during the preparation phase.
Some lighting issues on maps have been fixed.
Some minor collision issues have been fixed on House, Clubhouse, Kanal, and Russian Café.
Online Flow Fixes
Fixed Error [3-0x0001000B].
Partial fix of Error [2-0x00000041]. Refer to Top Issues in the Known Issues post for full information.
Partial fix of the loading screen freeze (smoke background). Refer to Top Issues in the Known Issues post for full information.
UI Fixes
Player skill rank display has been re-activated.
Authentication pop-up title had inconsistent spacing.
Audio Fixes
XB1: Fixed a bug in which if a player constrained the game, snapped an app, then unconstrained the game, he or she would lose the voice chat.
XB1: Fixed a bug in which the game did not exhibit any audio whilst the player had any app snapped.
Other Fixes
The Season Passes temporary activation for everyone for issue identification purposes has now ended, see this post for more details.
Fixed a bug in which the Tier 5 faded skin for the FBI’s 5.7 USG pistol didn’t unlock even after purchasing it.
Halo 5: Guardians developer 343 Industries has deployed an update that more than doubles the number of maps and game variants that players can create and save in Forge mode.
Late on Thursday, 343 Industries announced on Twitter that the capacity for save files has increased from 40 to 100.
Forge Mode, first introduced in Halo 3, is an in-game editor that allows players to build their own multiplayer maps and create their own game mode rules. The popular mode has made its way to other games in the series, such as Halo: Reach and Halo 4.
Halo 5: Guardians shipped in October, but Forge mode did not arrive until December with a major free update.
GameSpot’s Halo 5 review was generally positive, but suggested that the game did not meet its full potential.
“In some ways, Halo 5 is the boldest Halo yet. The franchise’s multiplayer is at its peak, with a mode I’m sure I’ll return to several times over. But then there’s the campaign, which introduces fluid new movement and open level design, yet can’t tell a coherent story to match. There are signs of a phenomenal shooter here, but certain narrative aspects feel underdeveloped, holding the franchise’s newest sequel back from true excellence.”
Click on the thumbnails below to view in full-screen
Since the start of the very first movie, Stormtroopers have played a major part in the Star Wars saga. One in the particular has been the focus of much attention since The Force Awakens was released last month–the baton-spinning First Order trooper who fights a lightsaber-wielding Finn. Now some details about this new fan favourite have been revealed.
The trooper had been unofficially named TR-8R by fans, due to the shout of “traitor!” that he directs towards Finn during their encounter. However, the official Star Wars website has confirmed that he is in fact called FN-2199, and is also known by the nickname ‘Nines’.
The character has previously appeared in the Greg Rucka’s prequel novel Before the Awakening, where he trained alongside Finn, which accounts for his angry reaction when he sees his former comrade. In The Force Awakens, he is part of an elite squad deployed to crush uprisings, which accounts for the scary-looking laser baton that he uses in the film.
Nines is pictured below in an illustration from the novel–he’s the red haired trooper sitting down on the left:
The site also reveals that FN-2199 was performed by veteran stuntman Liang Yang, while the voice was that of David Acord, a sound editor at Lucasfilm who also worked on the prequel films and the animated spin-offs The Clone Wars and Rebels.
Over the holidays, Ys Net asked supporters whether or not Shenmue III backer rewards announced as Kickstater-exclusives should be made available to PayPal “Slacker Backers.” The results of that poll were released this week, with the majority of people saying “Either is fine with me,” followed by “Yes, please make the Kickstarter-Exclusive Rewards available on PayPal.” The smallest portion of people said, “No, Kickstarter-Exclusive Rewards are for Kickstarter only.”
Despite more respondents saying the Kickstarter-exclusive rewards should be made available to PayPal backers, developer Ys Net has decided to stick to the original plan.
Now, an Ys Net representative tells PC Gamer that its “foremost consideration” is keeping true to the promises made during the original Kickstarter campaign.
“The majority of respondents did not feel strongly enough about exclusivity to vote either yes or no,” the spokesperson said. “While the votes in favor of removing exclusivity marginally outnumbered those against, they did not represent a majority opinion in the poll. The poll numbers do show that there are also many backers who do not wish to give up their exclusive rewards. We feel that the logical conclusion to these results is to leave exclusivity as it is because there was not enough support to justify making an exception to go back on our original promise.”
The Ys Net representative went on to say that it has received “numerous requests” to remove exclusivity from some Kickstarter rewards and make them available to the Slacker Backer campaign. The goal of the poll was to help Ys Net get a better idea of how the Shenmue III backer community felt “since we could not be sure that the requests we received represented the opinion of the vast majority of the backers.”
Everyone who pledged at $5 or above during Shenmue III’s original Kickstater run could vote in the poll, which ran December 24-January 1. Of the 68,533 people eligible to vote, there were 15,110 respondents.
Some of Kickstarter-exclusive backer rewards for Shenmue III are things like a desktop wallpaper set and in-game items such as a capsule toy and a “wishing plaque” featuring the backer’s name and birthdate.
Finally, the Ys Net representative said there are no current plans to offer PayPal-exclusive rewards as a means to level the playing field somewhat, though it’s not been ruled out entirely.
Netflix have announced the premiere date for season two of Daredevil, and released a new teaser. The acclaimed Marvel show will return on March 18, 2016–watch the trailer here:
Earlier this week it was rumoured that the season would debut on March 25, the same day that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, from superhero rivals DC, hits cinemas. However, Netflix has now confirmed that it will be released in its entirety one week earlier.
The second season will see the introduction of two characters that have played an important part of the Daredevil story in comic books–Elektra and The Punisher. In a recent interview with Empire, star Charlie Cox spoke about his character’s relationship with Elektra, a former flame of Matt Murdoch, now a mysterious ninja assassin.
“I think every single man has an Elektra in their past,” he said, via Comicbook.com. “If you imagine that relationship, a very fiery, very lustful, very loving and hating relationship, and then you add to that two people who know serious martial arts, you’re going to have an interesting dynamic.”
Elektra is played by Elodie Yung, while The Walking Dead‘s Jon Bernthal takes on the role of vigilante anti-hero The Punisher. Cast members returning from season one include Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Rosario Dawson, and Scott Glenn.
Nintendo has announced plans for a “major renovation” of its Nintendo World Store in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Plaza. The store, the only one of its kind in the United States, will temporarily close on January 19 and then reopen with its “new look and new feel” on February 19, Nintendo announced this week.
An artist’s rendering of the new Nintendo World Store design
“The powered-up overhaul will include an updated interior design, new Wii U and Nintendo 3DS demo units, a 15-foot gaming screen, and more fun elements and surprises,” Nintendo said in its announcement. “In addition, a large bronze coin installed at the store entrance will display the store’s tagline: ‘Where everyone comes to play.’”
As you might have guessed, Nintendo is celebrating the store’s reopening with a big party from February 19-21. All weekend long, there will be giveaways, appearances by costumed characters like Mario and Luigi, and souvenirs that will only be available that weekend, including limited-edition Mario and Link t-shirts.
Nintendo also mentioned that some of Nintendo’s newest Wii U and 3DS games will be available to play in the store, though none were named.
“Nintendo is constantly evolving its experiences for fans,” Nintendo sales and marketing executive Scott Moffitt said in a statement. “The new Nintendo NY store is a must-see location for anyone that has a memory of Nintendo, or who wants to see what Nintendo has in store for the future.”
The two-floor store, which opened in 2005, is located right in NYC’s famous Rockefeller Plaza.
Have you been to the Nintendo World Store? Looking forward to the renovation? Let us know in the comments below!
I failed XCOM 2‘s tutorial mission. In a level meant to teach me the game’s mechanics and intricacies, Firaxis’ upcoming sequel killed off my four-person squad before I had time to start the actual campaign. During the 12 hours I recently played of a near-complete XCOM 2, the game was brutal, and rarely gave me space to breathe. However, Firaxis gave me just enough new tools to fight my through seemingly impossibleodds.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown was one of 2012’s most challenging games. Its turn-based squad tactics left little room for error, while high-level strategy elements demanded careful consideration from the commander’s chair. XCOM 2 presents the same multilayered structure of Enemy Unknown, except with tougher obstacles, harder objectives, and a new storyline steeped in despair.
This narrative is XCOM 2’s biggest change. In Enemy Unknown, we battled an alien invasion force as it arrived to conquer Earth. But in the sequel, the aliens have won, established a totalitarian government, and prospered on our planet for 20 years.
This dynamic permeated every mission during my time with the demo, tying the story and the gameplay into one cohesive knot. Even later in the campaign, when my troops donned alien armor and wielded high-powered weapons, I never felt safe. It wasn’t victory I was pursuing, so much as a means to disrupt the alien force, and prolong my survival as a rebel threat.
We’re gonna need a bigger gun.
Because of the way Firaxis flipped the script, XCOM 2 opens itself to more mission variety than Enemy Unknown. Some required the extraction of alien artifacts, the destruction of communications relays, or data hacks on enemy computers. I may have made progress, but only in small increments, as the alien overlords continued their reign.
The increased number of possibilities on the humans’ side, however, helped me in my fight. The Specialist class has the ability to hack alien alien networks, augmenting the Resistance soldiers with increased critical hit chance, or increased armor for the mission. The Ranger, the more mobile class, has a blade for close-quarters combat and high-damage kills.
Progress is measured in small increments, as the alien overlords continue their reign.
XCOM 2’s newest class, the Psi Operative, however, is also the game’s most unique. While other soldiers level up through combat, the Psi Operative does so through studying. Its abilities also unlock at random–lucky players may even unlock the best of the 14 options right off the bat, granting their operative an energy beam that travels through cover, the ability to remotely detonate enemy explosives, or a stasis shield that renders enemies temporarily helpless.
In another twist on the XCOM formula, the sequel’s missions often began in stealth mode. The new stealth mechanic removes the boring leapfrog sequences of Enemy Unknown’s missions, as you inch your way into the fog, waiting for the enemy to strike. But stealth also leads to new tactical possibilities.
While the aliens patrolled for signs of Resistance activity during my demo, I positioned my troops along narrow chokepoints, coordinated sight lines, and awaited the perfect moment to strike. If all went according to plan, I could launch a grenade into alien clusters, stun the survivors, and snipe any stragglers who survived the onslaught.
The Psi Operative utilizes some of the humans’ most unique abilities.
But this is XCOM, and seasoned players know how rarely a plan falls into place. Much of the time, inaccurate shots and agile enemies necessitated a Plan B, or C, or even D on my part. It went from careful planning to split-second reaction, and try as I might to keep moving toward the objective, the opponent often had a plan of its own.
The new enemy types made things even harder. Sectoids, which played the part of the pawn in Enemy Unknown, now utilize telekinetic abilities in some of the earliest missions, turning my soldiers against each other and reanimating dead corpses to fight on the aliens’ side. It’s one thing to lose a soldier–it’s another to look her in the eye as she shambles toward you with her fists swinging.
Then there’s the Viper, one of XCOM 2’s brand new enemy types. The name says it all–when attacking, these giant, serpentine creatures reach out their tongue to pull Resistance fighters into their grasp. This not only exposed my soldier, but also dealt consistent damage until I could send another trooper to the rescue, often in the middle of a heated firefight. XCOM 2 rarely let me feel safe.
With so many layers to consider, XCOM 2 rarely let me feel safe.
And when I lost one of my soldiers, to a Viper, or mind control, or an errant explosion from a nearby blazing car, that feeling of loss filled my stomach just like it used to. The knowledge that my favorite sniper, or best medic, or most reliable grenadier was gone forever lent further despair to an already grim game. During my time with it, XCOM 2 was every bit as difficult as Enemy Unknown, and in some places, even more so.
Despite how difficult this all sounds, though, I had fun. A lot of it. I’m still thinking about the last campaign I failed, and the current one I’m fighting through, and how I might help the Resistance survive, if only for a little longer. I haven’t played a full version of the sequel, but I can say I’m eager for more. I may have hours of failure ahead of me when that February 5 release date rolls around–but I’m ready to jump back into the fray.
Are you still running Internet Explorer 8, 9, or 10? If so, you’ll want to get ready for changes coming soon.
Microsoft announced this week that it’s ending support for all Internet Explorer browsers except for Internet Explorer 11 on January 12. On that date, users of those aging browsers will receive a message advising them to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 or Microsoft’s newest browser, Edge.
Internet Explorer 8, 9, and 10 won’t be removed from your PC, and they’ll still work, but Microsoft warns that continuing to run those browsers after January 12 exposes users to “potential risks.”
Because Microsoft won’t support those browsers any longer, they won’t get security updates, meaning your PC could become vulnerable to viruses and another malware.
GameSpot sister site CNET reports that Internet Explorer’s market share on desktops has dropped from 58.2 percent at the beginning of 2014 to 48.6 percent in December 2015. Over that same period of time, Google’s Chrome rose in share from 16.4 percent to 32.3 percent, according to NetMarketShare.
![Star Wars 7 Stormtrooper TR-8R – Official Name and Details Revealed [SPOILERS]](https://playerschoicegames.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2988480-traitor-stormtrooper-gif.gif)
