Nvidia is currently offering a 40 percent discount on its GeForce Now cloud game streaming service’s ‘Priority’ subscription.
The Priority subscription normally costs 12.99/month or $64.99 for six months. However, until Sunday, November 20th, you can subscribe to the six month membership for $38.99.
“This limited-time offer is valid for new users and existing ones upgrading from a free or one-month Priority Membership, as well as for those who are on an active promotion or gift card,” wrote Nvidia in its blog post.
The Priority subscription tier gives you access to premium gaming servers with a six-hour session length limit. For comparison, the free GeForce Now tier gives you access to servers for only one hour. Further, the tier also offers resolutions of up to 1080p and frame rates of up to 60fps.
Nvidia also offers a high-tier RTX 3080 subscription that offers gaming at 1440p at 120FPS, “click-to-pixel” latency of 56 milliseconds, and improved performance. In Canada, the RTX 3080 tier is available for $24.99 per month or for $129.99 for six months. The RTX 3080 tier is not discounted.
PS VR2, Sony’s upcoming virtual reality (VR) headset for the PS5, will launch on February 22nd, 2023 alongside its new Sense controllers.
The virtual reality bundle, which includes the VR headset, controllers and stereo headphones, costs $749.99 in Canada.
The PS VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle that adds a voucher code for the Horizon Call of the Mountain costs $819.99. The charging station, which allows users to charge the PS VR2 Sense controller through a click-in design without having to connect to a PS5 console, costs $64.99. For comparison, the PS5 costs $519 and $649 for the disc-less Digital Edition and standard model, respectively.
Standalone titles, including Horizon Call of the Mountain, will also be available for pre-order starting this month, with more details coming later, says Sony.
PS VR2 Sense technology includes key features that offer unique gameplay experiences, such as headset feedback, eye-tracking 3D audio, adaptive triggers and haptic feedback via PS VR2’s new Sense controllers. Further, the VR device offers enhanced headset-based controller tracking and high-fidelity visuals thanks to its 90Hz/120Hz 2000 x 2040 pixel resolution displays. It also only uses a single cable, compared to the several that are required for the existing PS VR headset.
Sony also mentions that the PS VR2 has been designed with “comfort in mind,” emphasizing that it includes a lighter design and an integrated vent for more airflow.
Prolific mobile game developer Onoma, formerly known as Square Enix Montreal, has been shut down.
As reported by Bloomberg, parent company Embracer Group informed Onoma employees of the closure during a November 1st meeting. Around 200 employees are affected.
Founded in 2011, Onoma was best known for its work in the mobile game space, creating acclaimed titles like Lara Croft Go and Hitman Go. The studio’s most recent game, Hitman Sniper: The Shadows, launched in March.
According to Bloomberg, some Onoma employees will be relocated to sister studio Eidos Montreal, although it appears that the majority of the team has been laid off. In the same report, Bloomberg notes that Eidos Montreal is working on three projects: a new IP that’s been recently “rescoped,” a new Deus Ex (said to be in early development) and co-development partnerships with Xbox on multiple titles, including the next Fable.
Eidos Montreal shipped the critically-acclaimed Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxyover a year ago, but this is the first we’ve heard about the team’s next titles. Unfortunately, then, that word had to come as part of the news of another studio’s closure.
Microsoft has been fighting this console generation to oust Playstation as the top console, and it appears that low prices are part of the strategy, at least for now.
It’s no secret that game consoles are typically sold at a loss to drive game sales. Companies make up revenue on the backend from subscriptions, games and accessory sales, so getting as many people onto a platform is crucial to success.
In a recent interview with CNBC, Xbox boss Phil Spencer mentions that the Xbox Series X ($600 CAD) loses around $100 (roughly $136 CAD), and the cheaper Xbox Series S ($379 CAD) is sold at a $200 (roughly $272 CAD) loss for the company.
Spencer previously said that after the holidays, Xbox might raise the price of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions and its consoles. However, this new tidbit of typically secret Xbox sales information further suggests that the consoles will receive a price jump in 2023. There’s still a chance Spencer is referring to accessory and subscription prices going up, but we likely won’t get the full story until the new year.
In August, Bloomberg reported that the PS5 ($649 CAD) is no longer selling at a loss. However, the less expensive PS5 Digital Edition ($519 CAD) was still offset by subscriptions and accessory purchases.
During this same time, the company announced that the PlayStation Network had 104 million monthly active users, spending an average of $37.09 ($50.54 CAD) each during Q1 2021.
Microsoft has been more tight-lipped regarding how much it makes per user, but at the start of 2021, the company revealed that Xbox Live has over 100 million active users, and at the beginning of 2022, it claimed to have 25 million Game Pass subscribers. With both numbers continuing to grow, it will be interesting to see how much revenue Microsoft earns per user per quarter now.
Phil Spencer, the head of all things Xbox at Microsoft, says that Activision’s Call of Duty series will always be on PlayStation consoles.
“As long as there’s a PlayStation out there to ship to, our intent is that we continue to ship Call of Duty on PlayStation,” said Spencer to YouTubers Justine Ezarik (iJustine) and Jenna Ezarik on their Same Brain podcast.
Spencer goes on to say that Microsoft is taking a similar approach to Minecraft when it comes to the Call of Duty franchise and plans to continue to release future entries in the series across several platforms, including possibly even the Nintendo Switch.
“I’d love to see it on the Switch, I’d love to see the game playable on many different screens. Our intent is to treat Call of Duty like Minecraft,” said Spencer during the Wall Street Journal’s recent tech conference.
There’s been significant back and forth between Microsoft and Sony amid the latter company’s looming $68.7 billion USD (about $85.96 billion CAD) acquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard.
For example, there are government documents backing up reports that Sony is paying “blocking rights” to keep specific titles off Xbox’s Game Pass. Further, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan recently stated that Microsoft’s recent offer to ensure Call of Duty remains multiplatform is “inadequate on many levels.”
Since Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s II‘s (MWII) release, the game has been criticized for its fast time-to-kill (TTK), the inability to turn crossplay off on some platforms and the lack of returning features like a ranked ‘Hardcore’ mode (MWII’s Tier 1 Hardcore mode will arrive in November).
It should be noted that Activision Blizzard is facing ongoing legal action related to reported work culture issues. Specifically, the gaming giant was accused in a July 2021 lawsuit of fostering a toxic “frat boy” culture at its U.S. studios in which many employees, particularly women, dealt with harassment, gender discrimination, unequal pay and other forms of mistreatment. Bobby Kotick, the company’s CEO, has specifically come under fire for allegedly working to cover up these reports and has faced calls to resign, yet he still leads the company. Earlier this month, the company was hit with a new lawsuit alleging more sexual harassment.
PlayStation recently unveiled the DualSense Edge, its new ultra-customizable high-end controller. With the gamepad, you’re able to change joystick caps, remap buttons, and adjust trigger lengths. Additionally, it offers mappable back buttons and an on-controller user interface, and it also comes with a braided USB-C.
With all this in mind, this is the most customizable PS5 controller that Sony has released. However, it also comes with an expensive price tag. In Canada, you’ll have to pay a whopping $269.99 for this controller.
While I like the idea of a high-end PS5 gamepad, the cost is too steep for me, especially considering it’s half the cost of the PS5 Digital Edition.
So, my question this week is: did you pre-order the DualSense Edge, or are you interested in PlayStation’s latest controller?
China-based social media platform TikTok isn’t content to just stick to short-form video. According to a new report from the Financial Times, TikTok has plans to announce an “enormous” push into the gaming space.
Back in 2019, TikTok launched games in China and then in 2021, released a few titles to the rest of the world. Then earlier this year, reports emerged that TikTok expanded its partnership with Zynga to release more HTML-5 titles that it tested in Vietnam.
According to the Financial Times, users will soon be able to access games through a button on its home page. This section of the app will be the home for all gaming content, including the ability to “pay for additional content,” says the publication.
TikTok is expected to make an announcement regarding its renewed gaming efforts on November 2nd called ‘TikTok Made Me Play It.’ Companies like Electronic Arts, 2K, VNG Corporation, NetEase Games and Homa will reportedly make announcements. It’s unclear what mobile games TikTok will release.
TikTok sent the following statement to Financial Times regarding the report:
“We’re always looking at ways to enrich our platform and regularly test new ideas that we think can bring value to our community.”
If these rumours surrounding TikTok’s gaming ambitions are accurate, they sound very reminiscent of Netflix’s recent gaming push. The video streaming giant recently confirmed that it’s developing 55 new games and that it’s considering launching a game streaming service.
Netflix currently offers titles like Moonlighter, Into the Breach, Spiritfarer and more as part of its subscription.
The days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing colour, and Halloween is just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to introduce more scares into your gaming catalogue to help usher in the spooky season.
I have put myself through some truly harrowing virtual experiences to bring you my favourite horror video game picks for the Fall. From brand-new titles to classics, let’s explore some hair-raising experiences from family-friendly Hallows’ Eve titles to more mature games.
Family-friendly Halloween Gaming Recommendations
Let’s ease into the video game terror fest by starting with a couple of kid-friendly games that won’t leave you screaming in fear. My 8-year-old loves playing these with me — they’re fun, slightly spooky and relatively harmless when it comes to scares. If you’re looking to turn your Halloween gaming experience into a family affair, or just want to slowly wade into bone-chilling games, check out these titles.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed
Image credit: IllFonic
The recent release of Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed did not disappoint. It’s not without its flaws, but it’s a perfect game for Halloween and uses a lot of the movie series’ source material in creative ways. The characters are fun and quirky, with tons of great voice-acting talent to liven up the experience.
In the first few moments of the title, Canada’s own Dan Aykroyd reprises his role as Ray Stantz. If you are a fan of Ghostbusters, this game offers waves of fun nostalgia. You create your own Ghostbuster trap ghosts or play as one in this isometric multiplayer experience. Teaming up online and bagging or becoming a ghost lets you upgrade your character’s gear and abilities.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is available on PC, PlayStation and Xbox. The game costs $51.99.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a slightly older title, but it’s still an absolute classic. In the game, Luigi ends up entering a haunted hotel and trying to find his missing brother Mario. The graphics are cartoony and the controls aren’t too demanding, making it suitable for younger players. At the same time, the title offers some great scares along with unique gameplay mechanics. Players use Luigi’s vacuum cleaner (the Poltergust 3000) to suck up ghosts to capture them and progress.
If you’re looking for something truly terrifying, then these mature horror titles should do the trick. They range from psychological thrillers and classic survival horror games to more abstract experiences that will make your skin crawl. Brace yourself, from gore to jump scapes, this list isn’t for the faint of heart:
The Last of Us Part I
Image credit: PlayStation
Originally released in 2013, this masterful survival horror experience has recently been remastered for the PlayStation 5. If you’re looking forward to the upcoming HBO series based on the game, this is an excellent jumping-off point. The plot centres around Joel and his young companion, Ellie, as they navigate through post-apocalyptic America. They face off against hordes of infected zombie-like baddies that have been infected with the Cordyceps fungus. Not only will you have to navigate through claustrophobic environments, but you’ll also need to engage in resourceful planning and combat skills to survive.
The Last of Us Part 1 is available for PlayStation 5. The game costs $89.99.
The Quarry
Image credit: 2K
If you are a fan of summer slasher films, then The Quarry is worth checking out. The game follows a group of teenage camp counsellors trapped in the woods as they fight to survive the night. As each counsellor is picked off by a mysterious creature, you’ll need to stay on your toes and use your wits to solve puzzles and find clues to survive the wilderness. Your choices will affect the outcome of the story and who lives to see the sunrise. Developer Supermassive recently added a creative take on couch co-op and online multiplayer mode, so you can share the scares with your friends.
The Quarry is available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation. The game costs $89.99.
Resident Evil Village: Gold Edition
If you’re a Resident Evil fan, Capcom has a treat dropping right before Halloween on October 28th with Resident Evil Village Gold Edition. This latest edition will include some key features that build on the original game with the “Winters Expansion.” This content offers an entirely new chapter that takes place 16 years after the events of Resident Evil Village, a new third-person mode and new stages and playable characters like Lady Dimitrescu for The Mercenaries mode.
Resident Evil Village Gold Edition is available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation. The game costs $59.99.
Scorn
Image credit: Ebb Software
If you’re looking for a truly unique horror experience, then Scorn is an excellent option. Created by the Hungarian studio Ebb Software, this game offers a truly creepy atmosphere and a surreal storyline. Players must navigate through detailed organic environments that look like something out of an H.R. Giger painting as they search for clues about their mysterious surroundings and origins. The creatures in this game are particularly disturbing, making it perfect for those who want some nightmare fuel on Halloween night.
Scorn is available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation. The game costs $51.99 and is part of Xbox Game Pass.
Gotham Knights
Image credit: Warner Bros.
Red Hood’s gun-focused combat is delightfully brutal. There’s just something for me that makes the Batman universe synonymous with Halloween. Its dark, foreboding setting of Gotham City, combined with villains like Clayface, Man-Bat, and Scarecrow that are ripped straight from my nightmares, really set the stage for some creepy showdowns. Gotham Knights is a new action game releasing right before Halloween.
In Gotham, players take on the role of either Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, or Red Hood and fight criminals and corruption in the city. Crime is on the rise in the city after tragedy strikes and Batman is no more, so it’s up to the new group of vigilantes to step up and keep the city safe during Batman’s absence.
Gotham Knights is available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation. The game costs $89.99.
Keep the scares coming
Outside of Halloween, there are some terrifying-looking games launching later this year, and in January. The Callisto Protocol, a space-based survival horror game directed by Glen Schofield, is currently slated for early December. Schofield co-created the Dead Space franchise, so you know this game is going to be scary and very gory. The initial teaser trailer and early previews have many gaming horror fans excited, myself included.
On the subject of Dead Space, a remake is also on the way for the end of January. Both a new and a seasoned generation of gamers will get to experience the terrifying journey of Isaac Clarke. Dead Space was originally released in 2008, and follows an engineer as he explores a deserted mining ship infested by creepy aliens known as Necromorphs. The atmosphere is unsettling, the enemies are gruesome and there’s plenty of gore to keep even the most hardened horror fan entertained. If you love scares and gore, I recommend keeping an eye on these two titles — they both look very promising.
Whether you’re looking for a truly terrifying survival horror experience or just want to get into the Halloween spirit with some creepy games, there’s plenty of options to choose from this fall and winter. So keep the scares coming, and Happy Halloween!
If you’re the type of person who still purchases physical video games, you’ll likely be disappointed to learn that Call of Duty Modern Warfare II‘s (MWII) disc only features 72.23MB of data.
No, that’s not a typo — even when you purchase the disc version of the latest Call of Duty, you still need to download over 100GB. Making matters worse, according to Eurogamer, Modern Warfare II takes up 150GB of space on the PlayStation 5, filling a significant portion of its 825GB of available storage. To be clear, this file size doesn’t even include Warzone 2.0.
What Activision has done with Modern Warfare II is ship what is nearly a blank disc designed to validate and prompt a download for the game solely. This relatively new form of DRM is some of the most frustrating yet and is awful for video game preservation. Imagine living in an area with slow or limited internet access, driving to your local Walmart to buy MWII, only to discover that you need to leave your console or PC on for several days to download the game you just purchased on a physical disc?
It’s unclear if this method of delivering physical titles will become more common, but it doesn’t bode well for the future of physical video games, especially regarding big-name titles.
While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2‘s campaign has been available for the past week to those who pre-ordered, the game’s anticipated multiplayer mode doesn’t drop until tomorrow.
It should be noted that Activision Blizzard is facing ongoing legal action related to reported work culture issues. Specifically, the gaming giant was accused in a July 2021 lawsuit of fostering a toxic “frat boy” culture at its U.S. studios in which many employees, particularly women, dealt with harassment, gender discrimination, unequal pay and other forms of mistreatment. Bobby Kotick, the company’s CEO, has specifically come under fire for allegedly working to cover up these reports and has faced calls to resign, yet he still leads the company. Earlier this month, the company was hit with a new lawsuit alleging more sexual harassment.
Along with revealing that Xbox Game Pass accounts for 15 percent of Microsoft’s gaming revenue, Xbox head Phil Spencer said that it will likely raise the price of its Xbox consoles and services in the future.
“We’ve held price on our console; we’ve held price on games and our subscription,” said Spencer during the Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live conference. “I don’t think we’ll be able to do that forever. I do think at some point we’ll have to raise some prices on certain things, but going into this holiday we thought it was really important that we maintain the prices we have.”
Sony recently increased the cost of the PlayStation 5 in Canada to $649.99 from $629.99 for the Disc version and $519.99 from $499.99 for the Digital Edition, so Microsoft considering increasing the cost of the Xbox Series X/Xbox Series S isn’t surprising.
On the other hand, the price of Xbox Game Pass going up also isn’t shocking, especially with the release of Bethesda’s Starfieldlooming and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard set to likely go through. Several years after the game subscription platform’s launch, it remains one of the best deals in gaming.
