It really does, and in fact, the ongoing joke even inspired Microsoft to get in on the fun with its own Xbox Series X fridge.
However, why someone would want to make a fridge-sized Xbox Series X is perplexing. Michael Pick, a YouTuber known for creating a massive functional Nintendo Switch, is back at it again — this time, with Microsoft’s current-gen console.
The massive Xbox Series X is 2.08m (roughly 6.82ft) tall and 0.7m (about 2.41 ft) wide and weighs 113kg (approximately 250lbs). Undeniably, this monstrosity is a big boi that starkly contrasts the homemade PS5 slim I recently covered.
In the video, Pick details that the most difficult part of creating the giant Series X was copying the console’s curved top that’s full of dozens of cutouts. He said he was able to create the look by printing out tiny sections and then gluing them together, which took him a total of two weeks just for that particular part of the project.
Of course, the giant console functions as a standard Xbox Series X despite its massive housing. Even its iconic Xbox button works by sending a signal to an Arduino microcontroller that presses the button on the actual Series X inside it. The creation also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest Xbox ever made.
Supply chain issues have crippled the video game market.
Gamers still struggle to get their hands on the latest-gen consoles, and according to Xbox CFO Tim Stuart, the supply chain issues are likely to persist throughout the year, as reported by GameIndustry.Biz.
“The supply chain environment could remain rocky through 2022 and the holiday season,” said Stuart in an investor call hosted by financial services company Baird. Stuart adds that the recent lockdowns in China are contributing to the issue, with manufacturers facing “limited parts” and “elevated logistics pricing pressuring margins.”
Similarly, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger recently said that he believes the chip shortage could take up to 2024 to subside. “We believe the overall semiconductor shortage will now drift into 2024, from our earlier estimates in 2023, just because the shortages have now hit equipment and some of those factory ramps will be more challenged,” Gelsinger said in an interview with CNBC’s TechCheck.
Additionally, Sony had previously estimated to sell 22.6 million PS5 units in the next financial year, though that number has been rescinded to 18 million.
The global chip shortage first began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, chip manufacturing factories globally continue to face numerous disruptions and closures, while demand for products continues to rise as the need for semiconductors for consumer tech products is never-ending.
CD Projekt Red has announced that the new-gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is now slated for Q4 2022. News of this comes off the heels of a recent delay, in which the studio confirmed that the upgrade would miss its Q2 window.
“We’re delighted to share that the Next Gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is planned to release in Q4 2022,” the official account for The Witcher states on Twitter. This now places the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S version to arrive sometime in the fall.
Let's make this 7th anniversary even better, shall we?
We're delighted to share that the Next Gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is planned to release in Q4 2022.
Previously, CD Projekt Red was eyeing an early 2022 release. However, in April, the studio announced that it was delaying the release “until further notice.” Initially, Saber Interactive, the studio behind the Nintendo Switch port of the game, was in charge of the next-gen upgrade. However, CD Projekt Red has since stepped in.
The news of the release update comes a day after the seventh anniversary of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The beloved entry in The Witcher series launched on May 18th, 2015. It still stands as a milestone in the open-world RPG genre. It also attracted the largest audience for a game in The Witcher series.
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S upgrade looks to improve performance and loading times. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is playable on contemporary consoles. Through the use of backwards compatibility, players can see slight performance improvements. However, the official next-gen upgrades will likely increase those improvements.
It’s unknown how much work Saber Interactive was able to complete prior to CD Projekt Red stepping in. Thus, it is hard to predict when the update will launch during Q4 of this year.
It’s also worth noting that CD Projekt Red is also developing a new installment in The Witcher series. Details are still scarce, though the studio is switching to Unreal Engine 5. CD Projekt Red states that the game is the start of “a new saga.”
Unlike Sony’s PlayStation 5, getting your hands on an Xbox Series X is becoming increasingly more possible as stock slowly becomes more readily available.
In a recent tweet, Walmart Canada says that it now has Microsoft’s Xbox Series X in stock through Microsoft’s Xbox All Access subscription service. The retailer says there’s a limit of one console per household and that the console is only available online.
The Subscription plan includes Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $16.99 per month and packs in access to all Microsoft first-party titles, EA Play games, Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Live Gold. The Xbox Series X regularly costs $599 in Canada.
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Microsoft is looking into ways to introduce ads within free-to-play Xbox titles. The program, according to sources from Business Insider, aims to fold advertisements into games in a non-disruptive way.
Apparently, Microsoft wishes to include ads to help provide revenue for both the game developer and ad company. As such, Microsoft is not taking a cut from the ad revenue and instead allows the two parties to share the ad funds.
As for what this program will end up looking like, a lot still remains. The report claims that Microsoft is working to give “select brands” the ability to purchase ad space. These ads will then appear in free-to-play Xbox games. However, the company appears to be very aware of how players may react. Thus Microsoft and Xbox are investigating ways to not “irritate” players.
Theoretically, these ads could appear as billboards in a racing game or in an open-world title. Though, the full extent of how this program will implement ads is still relatively unknown. Likewise, it’s not known if the ads will be static images and logos or if video ads will run in-game. However, Business Insider did confirm that Microsoft will not be using collected data from Bing or other services to create targeted ads.
Microsoft may be moving swiftly on this program. The company could introduce it as early as Q3 2022. Though, it’s not confirmed whether Xbox has begun pitching advertisers on the program yet.
Microsoft and the Xbox ecosystem are not exactly strangers to presenting ads. Any console player booting up their Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S is immediately met with ads on the dashboard. These typically promote games, new movies, services, etc. However, given that Microsoft is creating a more “private marketplace” for ads within games, it’ll be interesting to see how it targets the gaming audience specifically.
Fortunately, this initiative will solely be focused on free-to-play titles. Publishers who attempted to implement ads into full-priced games, like EA, have received backlash in the past. UFC 4 saw an outpour of player criticisms as unskippable ads were featured in a $70 game. Meta also added in-game ads to Blaston, which again, wasn’t received well by players.
Certain Affinity, a video game studio with offices in Austin and Toronto, has revealed that it’s “deepening” its relationship with 343 Industries and Halo Infinite.
Windows Centralpreviously reported that the studio is working on a new Infinite mode codenamed “Tanaka.”
This latest announcement from 343 Industries is likely tied to the still unknown Halo Infinite game mode. Certain Affinity is also reportedly supporting the development of the new Perfect Dark and is working on an original Monster Hunter-like game called Suerete, according to Windows Central.
We’ve been part of the @Halo franchise for more than 15 years and we’re honored to say we are deepening our relationship with 343 and have been entrusted with further evolving Halo Infinite in some new and exciting ways. Join us on our journey. https://t.co/fApGobYZS3pic.twitter.com/XSuS7EtLcq
Tanaka is believed to be a battle royale-like mode for Halo Infinite that involves a shrinking arena and beat-em-all gameplay.
Halo Infinite’s multiplayer is available for free on Xbox consoles and PC. Season 2 Lone Wolves of Halo infinite launches on May 3rd. The much-needed update to the beleaguered game features two new maps, new game modes and tweaks to weapons (RIP to the Mangler).
I’ve spent countless hours playing Halo Infinite over the last few months, but even I’ve dropped off playing the game consistently lately. There just isn’t enough new content hitting the title, but hopefully, whatever Certain Affinity is working on injects some much-needed life into the Infinite.
Microsoft has placed over 750 games on sale with savings of up to 80-percent off select titles. Games on sale as a part of the Xbox Spring Sale include Xbox One titles as well as those on Xbox Series X/S. First-party titles like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 are both notably on sale.
The Xbox Spring Sale is already underway and will run until April 21st. All games listed are digital-only.
Microsoft is reportedly working on a new chip for its Xbox Series X console. The upgraded chip is said to be focused on helping increase power efficiency while cutting the costs of manufacturing.
During a Q&A video, Microsoft journalist Brad Sams said he believes the company is working on a newly refined chip. “I believe it is accurate that Microsoft is working on a smaller, more power-efficient chip. I’m very confident in that,” Sams said in the video.
The Xbox Series X is still powerful in its own right. Though, the console is built on technology first developed a year or so prior to its November 2020 launch. Sams goes on to explain that the Xbox Series X chip is “a dated design.”
As far as what the new chip will do to serve players, the scope is likely limited to performance. It’s still too early in the console’s lifecycle to consider plans for a ‘Pro’ model of the Xbox Series X. A new iteration on the current chip could help improve the console’s power consumption. Therefore, one could imagine the console being able to be quieter while running. Additionally, it may be able to run cooler.
Microsoft is also likely looking at ways to reduce the manufacturing cost of the console. “Now, are we going to see performance improvements, are we going to see anything else? I do not believe so. But Microsoft is always working on making cooler, more efficient chips because that lowers the cost of production.” Of course, there’s no guarantee whether or not that will reflect on the purchasing cost of the console.
Currently, it’s difficult for hardware manufacturers and their suppliers to keep up with demand. Therefore, it’s hard to pinpoint when a potential new chip would be integrated into the Xbox Series X. It’s entirely possible that consoles with the newly developed chip could hit retail and digital shelves this fall.
The HD60 X, Elgato’s latest video game capture card features an updated design with rear-facing HDMI/USB ports, but more importantly, compatibility with variable refresh rates (VRR).
This includes 1440p 60fps SDR, 1080p 60fps HDR, and pass through for up to 4K 60fps HDR, 1440p 120fps SDR and 1080p 240fps SDR. It’s also possible to capture 120fps in 1080p if you scale down 1080p 240fps footage.
Introducing HD60 X.
The new standard for next-gen game capture has arrived.
As someone who just purchased an Elgato HD60 S+ a few weeks ago, I’m not exactly pleased by the reveal of the HD60 X. However, I don’t own a monitor or TV that supports VRR, so I’m not missing out on much, though the rear-facing HDMI/USB ports would be great for cable organization.
Tunic reminds me of my own journey and the adoption of video games into my life.
I reminisced about when cartridges and accompanying manuals were the norm. Canadian indie developer Andrew Shouldice has a lot of love for that golden age of video games and Tunic wears its fondness for era on its sleeve.
The game is an adorable and colourful love letter to top-down 2D dungeon crawlers. More specifically, Tunic is inspired by The Legend of Zelda series. This is evident not only by the Tunic name, a nod to the Hyruelian’s garb, but also its central items being a blue-and-red-emblazoned shield and sword. Being a product of the early ’90s, Tunic speaks to me on a deep level. Bringing Tunic into a more contemporary light, the game incorporates a lot of Dark Souls elements into its gameplay.
Tunic takes a minimalist approach to its storytelling. Much like many games of the NES era, a lot of the story is interpreted by the player. We see the central anthropomorphic fox character — who, for simplicity’s sake, I’ll call “Tunic” — wake up on the shores of an island. Here, the journey of piecing together the mysteries on this isle begins in this isometric game.
Due to Tunic taking a hands-off approach to storytelling, the game mainly pulls you through the paces by way of collecting manual pages. Just like how I poured hours over the Super Mario World manual back in the day, everything you need to know about Tunic can be found by collecting these pages in the Overworld. The first few pages you find walk you through the controls and tutorial phase of the game. I eventually navigated my way to find a sword and shield, thus establishing myself as a fighting force on the island.
“Tunic isn’t afraid to put the responsibility in the hands of the player. Once you understand the toybox, it’s easier to progress and solve the many brilliant puzzles.”
Tunic’s objectives hinge around a central temple located in the middle of the island. First, you must open the doors by ringing two belltowers on the island. Next, players must locate three keys being guarded by bosses deep within the game’s dungeons. I explored a range of diverse areas including a forest temple, beach-side ruins, and snowy hilltops. The game never actively directs the player via exposition or dialogue. It’s all discovered by parsing through the recovered pages of the manual. Tunic isn’t afraid to put the responsibility in the hands of the player. Once you understand the toybox, it’s easier to progress and solve the many brilliant puzzles.
Tunic features several puzzles to piece together as you make your way across each of the various hubs featured in its Overworld. There are two common puzzles throughout the game. The first is the obelisk puzzle, which connects these vibrant power rails to one another. Praying at these obelisks will activate them and oftentimes open up a fast travel portal or a door to progress. The other is line puzzles. Throughout the world, I came across patterns that I traced using the D-Pad on Xbox Series X. Sometimes these would spawn a collectible treasure, a faerie, or open up secret passages.
One of the most novel aspects of Tunic is its fictional undecipherable language that is commonly used throughout the world and in the manuals. This leads to some required critical thinking from the player. Some pages have scribbles and notes made, akin to my own as a kid. This led to me playing connect the dots across the pages. In many ways, this genius puzzle design was my favourite aspect of playing Tunic. In fact, I was so invested in this 10-hour tale, I fully completed the game and all its achievements.
“Exploration is key in Tunic and the game rewards the curious. Even after completion, I’m certain that there are still little routes I’ve yet to take…”
With this hands-off approach in mind, some of the navigation and objectives of Tunic can be a bit obtuse. There’s no waypoint or traditional compass on-screen, so finding your way to the various dungeons and back again can become a bit frustrating. A lot hinges on memorizing the map and learning about the game’s shortcuts. Often, hitting a wall would open up invisible paths. Paths even snake their way behind waterfalls. Exploration is key in Tunic and the game rewards the curious. Even after completion, I’m certain that there are still little routes I’ve yet to take as I may not have organically come across them throughout my journey. The lack of direction can lead to some irritating moments. There were a couple of moments when I felt stonewalled by the game when the solution was staring me in the face.
Where Tunic’s diversions from the NES-era are the most apparent is its gameplay. While maintaining a somewhat simplistic approach to defeating skeletons, and other mobs, the game takes a lot of inspiration from the ‘Soulsborne’ genre. Enemies hit hard and Tunic only has a set amount of health and potions. Tunic can dodge out of the way of enemy attacks or use his shield to protect himself. Similar to Elden Ring’s health regenerating Sacred Flasks, once depleted I had to scurry back to one of the many prayer statues. This regenerates health, mana, and potions but also the mobs. While certainly challenging at times, Tunic is more accessible by virtue. Plus the game offers a ‘No-Fail’ mode and the option to get rid of stamina restrictions.
It’s been an interesting period for me as I distracted myself from Elden Ring with Tunic and found myself enamoured by how similar the two games are. Both games offer little instructions and rely on astute problem-solving and fortitude. Tunic puts difficulty in the back seat but still offers its own unique challenges. This is apparent in some of the later boss battles. Though, thanks to some of the additional weaponry like the Magic Staff, Magic Orb, and bombs, victory is feasible.
Tunic features a wonderfully crafted world and art style. While maintaining the familiar look of a game I’d play on an old CRT, Tunic is more refined in its appearance. The Quarry, a later area in the game, does feature some on-screen effects that aren’t that pleasant to look at. Thankfully, there is an in-game item to negate those effects.
The soundtrack in Tunic is also whimsical and soothing. I don’t have a standout track in mind, though the music reinforces the lighthearted and curious nature of our central fox character. It ramps up when needed but otherwise provides a calming audible treat in the backdrop during exploration and puzzle-solving.
As a ’90s kid, Tunic hits on so many levels. The game celebrates the pre-internet days of gaming. Where manuals were the Bible and sole resource to reach the credits. It creates a meta-level of gaming that pays off in many ways. Though, the hands-off approach does come at a cost at times when you lose direction in the overworld. While providing a solid challenge throughout, Tunic is an accessible and caring game for players young and old. Those weary of the Soulsborne comparisons can rest assured that the climax is obtainable. With this in mind, Tunic is a game that you shouldn’t miss.
Tunic is available on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S for $34.99. The game can also be played via Xbox Game Pass.
