Xbox games may one day support interactive streaming, in case your Twitch chat is not nightmarish enough already.
Microsoft has signed up to acquire Beam, “an innovative and interactive livestreaming service that gives viewers the ability to watch and play along with their favorite game streamers in real-time”, for Team Xbox.
What does that mean? It means that livestream viewers will be able to interact with the stream in both subtle and meaningful ways. The examples Microsoft gave were switching between player perspectives in Sea of Thieves (sure, whatever) or spawning items and setting challenges in Minecraft (a bit more dramatic).
“Impossible!” You splutter. “Surely if such technology existed everyone would put it in their games and Telltale’s Crowd Play would work with Twitch and other streaming services I definitely remember right now because the market is not utterly dominated by one brand at all!”
Nah though – it’s not science fiction. Both Rise of the Tomb Raider and indie horror Daylight had interesting Twitch chat interaction, so it’s clearly possible.
I’m too old to enjoy streaming (get off my lawn, etc) but it’s clearly one of the most important realms in modern gaming, so this is exciting news for Microsoft. It’s nice to see Team Xbox climbing aboard the social bandwagon Sony and the PS4 ran away with this generation (dat Share button); let’s see how badly it gets messed up by Microsoft’s obsession with OneDrive and gatekeeping
You can step into your Minecraft creations starting next week — if you own an Oculus Rift.
Mojang employee Tommaso Checchi confirmed on Twitter that an update for the Windows 10 version of Minecraft will add Rift support, and that the update is coming next week, according to WinBeta. This means gamers will be able to put on the Rift headset and walk around the world of Minecraft using an Xbox One controller.
The new feature will only be added to the Windows 10 version of Minecraft, but don’t worry about not having that version. If you already purchased Minecraft, you can get the Windows 10 version for free by logging on to the Mojang website and redeeming your copy in the Windows Store.
Microsoft acquired Mojang, the company behind Minecraft, in 2014. By making Rift support exclusive to the Windows 10 version of Minecraft, Microsoft is giving gamers a reason to try out the Windows Store, which might help that struggling platform gain traction.
But the business angle on this story isn’t nearly as interesting as the opportunity to fully immerse yourself into the pixelated world of Minecraft. The first-person building game seems like a perfect fit for virtual reality, especially when you consider all the crazy creations people have made in the game over the years. There’s certainly a whole lot to explore.
Of course, Minecraft is far from realistic: Its famously blocky graphics looked nostalgic even back in 2011, when it was first released. But simple graphics don’t make this game any less immersive, and the creativity of its users is no small part of that. We look forward to what VR can bring to this game on the Rift.
But if you can’t wait a week for VR Minecraft, the Pocket version of the game already works with Minecraft Gear VR. These are exciting times for brick builders everywhere! Also watch: Oculus Shows Off Oculus Medium 3D Sculptures
There have been lots of speculations going on around Rockstar Games’ upcoming title, GTA 6, from the new features it will offer down to the locations it will introduce. Now, latest rumors have surfaced pointing to the possibility of the new installment arriving with VR capability. Apart from that, it is also said to introduce a massive map that covers all of the ones found in previous GTA titles.
According to Game & Guide, GTA 6, once it arrives, will have a VR (that is Virtual Reality) feature — something that a good number of fans have been clamoring for. And indeed, if it becomes a reality, it will present a new kind of excitement for the fans to experience.
Aside from the aforementioned feature, GTA 6 is also rumored to introduce the biggest map in the franchise. This gameplay map, for lack of a better term, is deemed to be a combination of all the maps from previous titles in the franchise. Of course, it remains a mystery as to how it will be made accessible in the game — let alone the truth about its existence.
As for the GTA 6 setting, a handful of locations have been placed on the list – from Japan to London to San Diego. However, the one that intrigues the community the most is London. That, according to Ecumenical News, Rockstar might possibly take the new title to Europe — particularly in the aforesaid country.
But of course, London is not something new to the franchise. It has already been utilized in the past — specifically in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The only catch, however, is that it was set in year 1961. The speculation about GTA 6 being set in the aforementioned location stems from the number of British staff involved in developing the game. Advertisement
Although it holds true that Rockstar has yet to confirm these rumors, there is every inch of possibility that either one of these rumors might come true. As for its release date, GTA 6 is believed to be released sometime between 2018 to 2020.
Usually, when players are bored, they opt to playing short but oddly satisfying mini-games. It is perhaps to kill some time, or at least give themselves a fresh perspective. And for “Minecraft” fans, they should expect this to happen!
According to Tech Times, the titular developer “Mojang” recently announced that they are set to roll out a set of mini-games for “Minecraft” (Console Edition). The said games are expected to arrive some time in June this year.
It should be noted that mini-games are not new to “Minecraft” gamers, particularly for PC owners. However, this will be the first ever treat to console owners, allowing them to get hold of the game’s short yet oddly satisfying mini-games.
The “Minecraft” Console Edition basically allows players to come up with their own set of rules. They can even create new ways to communicate with other players. But as far as the mini-games are concerned, they can set foot directly into the competition without even worrying about setting rules. Through this, they will not be wasting even a second just to decide who will keep the score.
PCMag, on the other hand, notes one of the interesting “Minecraft” mini-games to come and is called “Battle.” Simply put, it is where players get to engage with their friends and/or strangers in a battle to death. But what is cool about it? It does not require any setup!
“Battle,” in one way or another,” is the “Minecraft” death match. It is deemed as a very competitive multiplayer bout for survival. But make no mistake — strategy and speed (and even luck) are key to winning it.
A total of 4 “Minecraft” players are allowed to play in the mini-game called “Battle.” But if they play via the Xbox Live, they are allowed to join up to 8 players. If an unfortunate player dies, he/she can still watch the fight in a free-roam camera perspective.
“Minecraft” Console Edition mini-games are expected to arrive in June. It shall include the aforesaid “Battle,” along with three brand new maps for players to try out.
Meanwhile, enjoy these other minecraft mini-games before June, as per The Top Tens.
1. Hide and Seek — The player should “pick the right spot to blend in.”
2. The Walls — The player waits for the walls to come down
3. Skywars — One way to knock the opponents is to use to a snowball while they are Void-building.
4. Spleef — Just block and break legs!
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5. Super Craft Brothers — This is a “super smash” brothers’ brawl.
Mojang is surely in greater heights, after its titular “Minecraft: Pocket Edition” reached a new milestone. The mobile version of the highly celebrated PC and console game has now become the top paid app in Canada.
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According to App Annie, “Minecraft: Pocket Edition” acquired the number one spot, becoming the most paid game apps for iPad and iPhone in the aforementioned country. The chart covered the week of May 23 to May 29.
Mojang’s latest title was among the highly anticipated mobile games when it was yet to be released. In fact, fans are now eagerly waiting for “Minecraft: Pocket Edition” update 0.15.0 to arrive. It is said to be the biggest update that the game will receive since its release.
“Minecraft: Pocket Edition” is being followed by Warner Bros.’ “Heads Up!,” while Ndemic Creations’ “Plague Inc.” took the third spot. “Geometry Dash” from RobTop Games AB and Rovio Entertainment Ltd.’s “Angry Birds” fell at the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.
The Chronicle Herald mentions “Bloons TD 5” from Ninja Kiwi in the sixth spot, while Lightricks Ltd.s’ “Facetune” followed at the seventh spot. The “7 Minute Workout Challenge” (Fitness Guide Inc.) and “Goat Simulator Waste of Space” (Coffee Stain Studios) nabbed the eighth and ninth places, respectively. Microsoft Corp.’s “Halo: Spartan Strike” took the last spot.
“Minecraft: Pocket Edition” conquered both the Top Paid iPhone and iPad Apps category. On the other hand, “Snapchat” ruled the Top Free iPhone Apps, with Facebook Inc.’s “Messenger” taking the second spot.
Meanwhile, below are the full list of Top Free iPad and TV apps:
