Tag: gaming

Categories
Mobile Syrup

What’s new on Xbox Game Pass on console, PC and mobile in late November 2021

Every month, Xbox adds new games to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service.

Typically, new titles are rolled out in two waves and now, Xbox has unveiled November’s second batch of new Game Pass games:

  • Dead Space (Cloud) — November 16th [EA Play]
  • Dragon Age: Origins (Cloud) — November 16th [EA Play]
  • Next Space Rebels (Cloud, Console and PC) — November 17th
  • Exo One (Cloud, Console and PC) — November 18th
  • Fae Tactics (Cloud, Console and PC) — November 18th
  • My Friend Pedro (Cloud, Console and PC) — November 18th
  • Undungeon (Cloud, Console and PC) — November 18th
  • Deeeer Simulator (Cloud, Console and PC) — November 23th
  • Mortal Shell (Cloud, Console and PC) — November 23th
  • Evil Genius 2 (Cloud, Console and PC) — November 30th

It’s also worth noting that a free three-month trial for YouTube Premium is now available as an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perk.

Meanwhile, the following 17 Game Pass titles on mobile have received touch controls:

  • Aragami 2
  • The Artful Escape
  • Dandy Ace
  • Echo Generation
  • Flynn: Son of Crimson
  • Football Manager 2022: Xbox Edition
  • Frostpunk
  • The Good Life
  • Lost Words: Beyond the Page
  • Moonglow Bay
  • Phoenix Point
  • The Procession to Calvary
  • Skatebird
  • Superliminal
  • Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
  • Yakuza 5 Remastered

Finally, here’s what’s leaving Game Pass on November 30th:

  • Call of the Sea (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • FIFA 19 (Console and PC, EA Play)
  • Football Manager 2021 (PC)
  • Football Manager 2021 Xbox Edition (Console and PC)
  • Haven (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Hello Neighbor (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Morkredd (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Va-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action (PC)

It’s also worth noting that Destiny 2: Beyond Light (Cloud and Console) is leaving Game Pass on December 8th. As always, members can purchase these or any other Game Pass titles with an exclusive 20 percent discount to keep playing them even after they exit the catalogue.

Xbox Game Pass is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Android and iOS in beta. Game Pass for Console and Game Pass for PC each cost $11.99 CAD/month.

Meanwhile, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $16.99/month and is required for streaming (which Xbox refers to as ‘Cloud’). On top of that, this tier includes Game Pass for both Console and PC, as well as an Xbox Live Gold subscription and access to EA Play.

Find out what came to Game Pass earlier this month here.

Image credit: Playstack

Source: Xbox

Categories
Mobile Syrup

GameStop is offering up to $300 trade-in value on last-gen consoles

EB Games’ GameStop’s latest promotion offers up to $300 in trade-in value on select PlayStation 4 consoles and up to $200 on select Xbox One consoles.

Below are all of the trade-in values:

  • PS4 Pro Console 1TB: $300
  • PS4 Slim 1TB: $250
  • PS4 Slim Console 500GB: $250
  • Xbox One X Console 1TB: $250
  • PS4 Original Console 500GB: $200
  • Xbox One S Console 2TB: $200
  • Xbox One S Console 1TB: $200
  • Xbox One S 500GB: $200

Unfortunately, this excludes the Xbox One S Digital Console. The deal is in-store only and can’t be combined with other trade offers. Hardware must have all the necessary components for the trade, and can’t be tampered with, says GameStop.

You’ll also get a gift card from your trade-in, so don’t expect any cash. This deal ends on November 28th.

Source: GameStop, (2)

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Microsoft offers brief look at upcoming live-action Halo TV series

Microsoft showed off a very brief trailer for its long-in-development Halo TV series during its 20th anniversary Xbox event, offering a quick look at the Master Chief.

Beyond a glimpse of the green space hero’s Mjolnir armour and Jen Taylor, the voice of Cortana, saying, “Hello Master Chief,” nothing else was revealed about the upcoming series. Master Chief will be played by American Gods’ Pablo Schreiber, who was born in Ymir, B.C.

While Paramount+ is where the Halo TV series will stream in the U.S., it’s unclear if this will also be the case in Canada, given that the streaming platform is very different here.

Though Survivor, NCIS: Los Angeles, Console Wars and more are available in Canada on the streaming service formerly called CBS All Access, several original TV shows, Survivor, Happy Days and more are missing because their Canadian licencing rights are tied to other services. With this in mind, there’s a possibility we could see the Halo TV series stream on a service like Bell-owned Crave, though keeping a notable property like this exclusive to Paramount+ could help drive subscriptions.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first attempt to create a live-action Halo series. For example, Halo 4 released alongside the Forward Unto Dawn web series and Halo: Nightfall streamed as a prequel to Halo 5. While neither series was likely as popular or as well-received as Microsoft hoped, this latest Halo TV show effort seems to be the highest-profile yet.

The Halo TV series is set to release at some point in 2022.

During Microsoft’s Xbox 20th anniversary stream, over 70 new Xbox backwards compatible titles were also revealed.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer mode is available now

In a surprise move, Halo Infinite‘s free-to-play multiplayer mode is available now, several weeks ahead of the full game’s December 8th release date.

Last week, rumours started circulating regarding Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer mode dropping during Microsoft’s 20th anniversary Xbox live stream. Halo: Combat Evolved was originally released alongside the Xbox on November 15th, 2021, so in a way, this surprise release of Halo Infinite’s multiplayer mode isn’t that much of a shock.

While some people are reporting being able to download and play Halo Infinite multiplayer on Xbox and PC, others are encountering a blue screen when they try to launch the game. According to @HaloSupport, the beta build is still releasing and should be available to all players soon.

It’s worth noting that the full game’s December 8th release won’t include ‘Forge mode’ or the ability to play the game’s campaign cooperatively.

Infinite was originally scheduled to be an Xbox Series X/S launch title last year, but following a mixed reception to its initial reveal trailer, the game’s release was pushed back to 2021. For more on Infinite‘s multiplayer mode, check out my story focused on one of game’s early test flights.

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer mode is available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. The game is also part of Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service.

Image credit: 343 Industries 

Source: @HaloSupport

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Walmart reveals some items from its upcoming Black Friday sale

Walmart Canada has released an early sneak peek of its Black Friday sale starting in stores on November 18th at 7am ET/4pm PT and online on November 17th at 9pm/6pm PT ET.

Check out some of the deals from its flyer posted on Twitter below:

  • Video games for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox One that usually cost between $69.95 and $74.96 will be discounted down to $39.96

Select PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox games, including FIFA 22 (PS4), Deathloop (PS5), Demon’s Souls (PS5), and Ghost of Tsushima (PS4) would be discounted to $49.96

Video games for Nintendo Switch that regularly cost $79.96, including Kirby Star Allies, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Paper Mario: The Origami King, Super Mario Maker 2, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Splatoon 2 would be discounted down to $54.96

Nintendo Switch Faceoff Wired controller: $29.96 (regularly $34.96)

PDP Nintendo Switch Wired Stereo Gaming Headset: $29.96 (regularly $39.96)

Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch: $69.96 (regularly $99.96)

WD_Black P10 4TB Game Drive: $108 (regularly $134.98)

It’s worth noting that the sale pricing isn’t live yet. You can find the discounted deals online on November 17th at 9pm ET and in stores on November 18th at 7am ET.

Source: @WalmartCAGaming

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Walmart reveals some items from its upcoming Black Friday sale

Walmart Canada has released an early sneak peek of its Black Friday sale starting in stores on November 18th at 7am ET/4pm PT and online on November 17th at 9pm/6pm PT ET.

Check out some of the deals from its flyer posted on Twitter below:

  • Video games for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox One that usually cost between $69.95 and $74.96 will be discounted down to $39.96

Select PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox games, including FIFA 22 (PS4), Deathloop (PS5), Demon’s Souls (PS5), and Ghost of Tsushima (PS4) would be discounted to $49.96

Video games for Nintendo Switch that regularly cost $79.96, including Kirby Star Allies, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Paper Mario: The Origami King, Super Mario Maker 2, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Splatoon 2 would be discounted down to $54.96

Nintendo Switch Faceoff Wired controller: $29.96 (regularly $34.96)

PDP Nintendo Switch Wired Stereo Gaming Headset: $29.96 (regularly $39.96)

Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch: $69.96 (regularly $99.96)

WD_Black P10 4TB Game Drive: $108 (regularly $134.98)

It’s worth noting that the sale pricing isn’t live yet. You can find the discounted deals online on November 17th at 9pm ET and in stores on November 18th at 7am ET.

Source: @WalmartCAGaming

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Here are the most played PS5 games from the console’s first year

In celebration of the PlayStation 5’s first release anniversary, Sony has revealed the top 10 games in terms of hours played from the console’s initial release year.

Unsurprisingly, Fortnite comes out on top, followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and, of course, FIFA 21. Next up is NBA 2K1, and out of left field, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla follows in the 4th position. Other recognizable titles like Demon’s Souls, Destiny 2 and more also appear on the list.

Below is a full list of the top titles on the PS5 in terms of hours played:

    • Fortnite
    • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
    • FIFA 21
    • NBA 2K21
    • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
    • Destiny 2
    • MLB The Show 21
    • Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
    • Demon’s Souls
    • NBA 2K22

In the same blog post, Jim Ryan, the president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, writes that more than 360 games launched on the PlayStation 5 in its first year and that more than 25 games are currently in development at PlayStation Studios (for the record, I doubt Ryan actually wrote this post himself). While it’s been a monumental year for current-gen console gaming across both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, it’s hard not to imagine how much more massive it could have been if the ongoing chip shortage didn’t hit the production of both systems.

Source: PlayStation

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Twitch is now available on Nintendo Switch

Amazon-owned live streaming service Twitch is now available on the Nintendo Switch.

The app is available as a free 31MB download from the Switch eShop.

Amusingly, though, outside of Hulu in the U.S., the Switch still doesn’t offer popular global video streaming services like Netflix. Both the Wii U (the console’s predecessor) and 3DS supported Netflix, and in 2018, the streaming service confirmed it was interested in bringing its app to the Switch as well. PlayStation and Xbox consoles, meanwhile, now have Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV and Crave.

Only time will tell whether greater video app support may come to the Switch, especially as Nintendo has, admittedly, been (slowly) adding long-awaited features as of late. In September, the company finally rolled out support for Bluetooth audio, while N64 (and Sega Genesis) games came to Nintendo Switch Online via a more expensive tier last month. However, some of the N64 titles have been marred by technical issues.

Source: Nintendo

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Walmart Canada offering free Turtle Beach headset with Far Cry 6 purchase

Walmart Canada is currently running an exclusive gaming promotion that offers a free Turtle Beach Recon 70 Headset with the purchase of Far Cry 6.

The Ubisoft Toronto-developed open-world shooter costs $79.99 CAD, while the Recon 70 is normally priced at $49.99 on its own.

It’s important to note that the bundle specifically includes the ‘Arctic Camo’ headset if you’re particularly picky on the colour. The bundle is available of the PS4, PS5 and Xbox versions of the game. The promotion runs from November 11th to November 17th.

Originally released on October 7th, Far Cry 6 follows guerrilla fighter Dani Rojas as they attempt to topple the ruthless dictator Antón Castillo on the fictional Caribbean island of Yara. Notably, Castillo is played by Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame.

In related news, Vaas: Insanity, the first DLC story add-on for Far Cry 6, was recently given an official November 16th release date. As the title suggests, the DLC focuses on Far Cry 3‘s standout villain, Vaas Montenegro, once again played by Montreal’s own Michael Mando, who co-stars on Better Call Saul with Esposito.

Image credit: Ubisoft

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Xbox Design Lab adds more controller options, including rubberized grips and metallic finishes

Xbox Design Lab, Microsoft’s custom Xbox controller program, now offers a bunch of additional personalization options.

To start, rubberized grips and metallic finishes are returning to Design Lab. These features were offered during the previous iteration of the program but were missing once it was relaunched in June.

This means Xbox Design Lab now offers all of the customization options that it did in the past, with the added benefit being that you can use them on the slightly revised Xbox Wireless Controller that was introduced with the Series X/S.

Further, Xbox is introducing the following new options for Design Lab:

  • Black rubberized grips for both the back case and side grips
  • Nineteen new metallic finish colours for D-Pads and Triggers (Sterling Silver, Pewter Silver, Gunmetal Silver, Abyss Black, Retro Pink, Deep Pink, Oxide Red, Zest Orange, Gold, Electric Volt, Velocity Green, Glacier Blue, Dragonfly Blue, Mineral Blue, Photon Blue, Midnight Blue, Regal Purple, Nocturnal Green and Warm Gold)
  • Three new colour options for controller parts — Dragonfly Blue, Nocturnal Green (previously Military Green) and Velocity Green (previously Electric Green)

Alternatively, new “Inspired by” controller designs based on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Battlefield 2042, Riders Republic and Forza Horizon 5. 

Design Lab controllers start at $84.99 CAD and can be customized and ordered here.

It’s worth noting that the Design Lab expansion comes during Microsoft’s celebration of the 20th anniversary of Xbox, which falls on November 15th. On that date, the company will have a special stream to commemorate the history of both Xbox and Halo, which both originated in November 2001. You can read more on that here.

Source: Xbox