Game Infliction, Author at Game Infliction

How a toxic world inspired Forever Skies, a first-person sci-fi survival game

A state-of-the-art airship hovers above a vast toxic dust cloud, shrouding an ecologically devastated Earth. That’s what most people notice when they see Forever Skies for the first time. And while this creates an interesting and unique premise to explore, it’s one that was inspired by rather somber real-world circumstances.

Read on to learn about the inspiration behind this first-person post-apocalyptic survival game, coming to PS5 this year.

How a toxic world inspired Forever Skies, a first-person sci-fi survival game

While our team is from around the world, a significant portion of us are based in Poland. For decades now, our country has been notorious for its poor air quality, particularly during the winter months. Iconic Polish cities such as Krakow or Wroclaw are frequently ranked alongside massive megacities like Beijing, Delhi, or Lahore. But these are massive metropolises with 10 or even 20+ million people living in them. Cracow or Wroclaw don’t even exceed 700,000 people and yet we regularly get public warning announcements to stay indoors because of the current air pollution levels.

Some studies even suggest that to breathe clean, unpolluted air, people would need to go 100 meters above the cities. And so the first spark of inspiration that kicked off our entire world design was found.

We envisioned a scenario where humanity confronts an irreversible ecological catastrophe of its own making by erecting towering highrises above the toxic dust clouds as a last-ditch effort to survive. But all this did was delay the inevitable societal collapse. Decades later, a select group of humans who fled into orbit dispatch a research team back to Earth to rediscover the world, marking the beginning of the story in Forever Skies.

At your side will be a high-tech airship that you can pilot, upgrade, and fully customize. In a world where the ground is no longer safe, this floating base will become your home, lifeline, and greatest tool for survival.

You will need to scavenge for supplies and resources, use science to research new tools and equipment, and eventually descend below the toxic dust to pursue your research mission. But nature has mutated and evolved immensely under these harsh conditions and is no longer hospitable to humans.

We do not overly push an ecological message in our game because the setting does it on its own. The consequences of humanity’s actions are shown to you and now you must survive in this environment. And that is something we always wanted to do. To not preach, but simply show and give people the space to think about this crucial topic.Forever Skies makes its console debut exclusively on PlayStation 5 in 2024 and will let you play in single-player or up to 4-player co-op. Thanks so much for reading.

ZA/UM Reportedly Cancels Disco Elysium Expansion, at Risk of Lay-Offs

Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM has reportedly cancelled a standalone expansion for the game, leaving several staff members at risk of losing their jobs.

Sources close to the matter told Video Games by GLHF that around 24 employees, or roughly one quarter of all staff, are at risk of redundancy. Staff who worked on a game codenamed Project X7, which was allegedly the Disco Elysium expansion, are the most at risk of being laid off, according to GLHF, such as 2D, 3D, and technical artists alongside production, IT, and animation employees.

GLHF also obtained a message allegedly sent to staff from CEO Ilmar Kompus. “Despite concerted efforts over the past eight months by our management team and the X7 disciplines, following consultation with our management team, I have taken the difficult decision to cancel X7,” the letter said. “This decision, unlike the pause on Project P1, will unfortunately most likely lead to redundancies within our studio.”

GLHF said Project P1 is a new sci-fi game currently on pause at the studio. A Disco Elysium sequel, Project Y12, was allegedly cancelled in 2022, leaving just two projects in active development at the studio. One is believed to be related to Disco Elysium, according to GLHF.

“With the cancellation of X7 we are proposing to reshape our team to support our two remaining games,” Kompus added. “This adjustment will almost certainly lead to redundancies, mostly affecting the X7 team but also our non-development teams and non-X7 projects.

“We are approaching this sensitive issue with the utmost care and respect,” he continued. “During this transition period, let’s maintain professionalism and support each other, upholding our studio values.”

Disco Elysium is a story-driven isometric role playing game which released in 2019 to incredibly positive reviews, followed up with a “Final Cut” version which earned a 10/10 from IGN. “The Final Cut elevates Disco Elysium from an already phenomenal RPG to a true must-play masterpiece,” we said.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

No Man’s Sky Omega update takes aim at “lapsed players” with free weekend and pirate dreadnought

Hello Games describe No Man’s Sky‘s latest Omega update as being geared towards newcomers and “lapsed players looking for a way back in”. Hey, they’re talking about me! I haven’t played the wide-eyed space game since before the pandemic, partly because I only own the PS4 version and now that I’m RPS news editor, I’m not allowed to touch consoles any more. Seriously, they burn my skin on contact. Anyway, let’s have a gander at the trailer.

College Football 25 Full Reveal Coming This May, EA Confirms

We already knew EA planned to revive the college football video game series. And today, the company has unveiled the first official teaser trailer, with confirmation that a full reveal will arrive in a few months.

EA released a teaser trailer acknowledging the anticipation of fans who have been waiting over 10 years for a new simulation college football game. While no proper gameplay was revealed, EA did say the upcoming sports game will be called College Football 25, with confirmation that a full reveal will arrive in May ahead of its summer 2024 release window.

There have been talks of EA reviving the college football video game series since 2021. After the Supreme Court ruled that same year that college athletes could profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), EA announced it would add real-world college football players into the game. EA also confirmed in the years leading up to the release that fan-favorite modes Road to Glory and Dynasty will return to the next college football video game.

The road to the next College Football game was bumpy for EA. After it announced its plans to feature NCAA players, a lawsuit was filed last June by the BrandR Group, an agency specializing in licensing deals for student-athletes. On3 reported last year that if a player opted-in to have their likeness used in College Football 25, the payout would have been $500 per player, which the agency argued in the lawsuit was far below market value. In December, EA announced it had settled the lawsuit and planned to release the next college football video game this summer.

College Football 25 will be the first college football video game released since 2013, when EA canceled the series after it failed to resecure the NCAA license. A class-action lawsuit brought forth by former college athletes sued EA for the unauthorized use of their likeness. The lawsuit was settled in 2016 for $60 million.

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

The Electronic Wireless Show podcast S3 episode 6: Skull & Bones is finally about to come out

It’s happening! Why I played Skull & Bones back when it wasn’t even a live service game. But now it is, and it’s out this weekend. We talk a bit about how long it has been coming out, why it’s been in development this long, and why they didn’t just release the sucker the two or three previous times they got close to doing so. Honestly, I hope it does okay. We also talk about the games we’ve been playing this week, and Nate challenges us with a game of Palworld Pal: real or fake? PLUS the giant game dildo and our recommendations this week.

Where to Buy Xbox Series X|S Consoles Online (February 2024)

Online shopping has become the preferred method for many looking to purchase new consoles as inventory is generally more available, and you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home. Some retailers even offer the option to purchase online and pick up your items in store, allowing you to secure your purchase and pick it up when you’re ready. If you’re looking for the best places to purchase Xbox consoles online, we’ve got you covered with a full breakdown below, including pricing on current Xbox consoles, the best time to buy an Xbox Series X or Series S, information on Xbox Game Pass, as well as where to trade in your exisiting Xbox consoles and games.

Where to Buy Xbox Consoles Online

If you’re looking to buy a new Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, or Xbox One, here’s where you can purchase them online in 2024. You can also check out the latest Xbox deals for potential discounts.

Xbox Series X

Microsoft’s flagship console, Xbox Series X, retails for an MSRP of $499.99 and features 1TB of storage and true 4K gaming.

Xbox Series S

Xbox Series S is the less-powerful, all-digital variant of Microsoft’s current console lineup that starts at an MSRP of $299.99. The base model features 512GB of storage and 1440p resolution gaming in a 60% smaller package. You can also get the Carbon Black Series S console, which starts at an MSRP of $349.99 and comes with 1TB of storage space.

Xbox One

Xbox One is Microsoft’s previous generation console that released in 2013. While it’s not currently being manufactured, you can still find refurbished models online at some retailers. There are three standard models available: the original Xbox One, a slimmer redesign called Xbox One S, and the more powerful Xbox One X. It’s worth noting that Xbox Series X|S are backwards compatible with Xbox One games, so your money may be better spent on the current generaton consoles.

Latest Xbox Deals

How Much Does a New Xbox Cost?

Xbox has a variety of different consoles at different price points to satisfy the needs of any gamer. The flagship console, Xbox Series X, retails for $499.99 but can also be financed via Xbox All Access at select retailers for $36.99/mo for 24 months which also includes 2 years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to qualify for a line of credit with Citizen’s Pay Line if you opt for Xbox All Access.

Xbox Series S, the smaller, all-digital console, retails for $299.99 for the 512GB model or $349.99 for the 1TB model. Additionally, both can be financed via Xbox All Access starting at $26.99/mo for 24 months.

While Xbox One consoles aren’t currently in production any longer after being quietly discontinued in 2020 to focus on production of Xbox Series X|S, you can find them pre-owned or refurbished at resellers such as GameStop and Amazon, as well as through third-party marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and more.

Additionally, you can often find bundles throughout the year that include either an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, sometimes with a unique color or design, as well as an included game, trial of Xbox Game Pass, or in-game content.

Xbox Game Pass Pricing

Xbox Game Pass pricing was recently updated in September 2023 with the discontinuation of Xbox Live Gold, and now features a streamlined tier list depending on whether you play exclusively on Xbox consoles, PC, or both.

Xbox Game Pass Core

Xbox Game Pass Core is $9.99/month and includes online multiplayer for Xbox consoles, a catalog of 25 games to play, and exclusive member discounts and deals. This plan effectively replaced what was previously known as Xbox Live Gold. To see what games are available through this plan, make sure to check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass Core games.

Xbox Game Pass Console

Xbox Game Pass Console is $10.99/month and includes access to the entire Xbox Game Pass catalog for Xbox Consoles, including day one Xbox first-party titles. It also includes exclusive member discounts and deals. However, this plan does not include online multiplayer for Xbox, but is a great option if you prefer single player games and want to enjoy the hundreds of games available on Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass PC

Xbox Game Pass PC is $9.99/month and includes access to hundred of games to play on PC including day one Xbox first-party titles, an EA Play membership, and exclusive member discounts and deals. This is a great option if you only play on PC and want access to the Xbox Game Pass catalog of supported games. To see what games are available through this plan at the moment, check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass PC games.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is $16.99/month and combines both Xbox Game Pass Console and Xbox Game Pass PC to provide access to the entire Xbox Game Pass catalog of games on whichever platform you choose, as well as online gaming for Xbox. You’ll be able to play Xbox first-party titles day one, as well as stream hundreds of games over the cloud to compatible devices. Additionally, you’ll be able to play EA titles with an included EA Play membership, and access member-exclusive deals, discounts, and perks. To see the games available to you on this membership, check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate games.

Best Time to Buy an Xbox

Generally, the best time to buy an Xbox console is during major yearly shopping events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the various Amazon Prime Day sales. Often times, you can scoop up the console at a discount, or purchase limited-time bundles that include additional games, Xbox Game Pass trials, accessories, or in-game content.

How to Trade in Your Old Xbox

If you’re looking to trade in your old Xbox consoles, you can do so at select retailers in-store and online. Often, the most widely available retailers are GameStop and Best Buy. However, you can also trade your used devices online at retailers such as Amazon and Microsoft.

Some retailers will offer you cash for your used goods, while others may provide you with a gift card that can be used in-store and online. This is a great way to offload your old gaming gear and get some money that you can put towards a newer console and games.

While trading devices in at retailers will often net you the lowest amount for your used consoles, there are also online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and OfferUp that may fetch higher prices, but you’ll often be responsible for packing and shipping costs, or be required to meet someone in person for the transaction, the latter of which poses its own risks.

Where to Trade in Xbox Games

Similar to Xbox console trade ins, you can also trade your existing games in at specific retailers. The most widely available retailer accepting used video games is GameStop, but they are notorious for giving you pennies on the dollar for your pre-owned titles. However, if you’re looking for an easy way to offload some of your library for cash or in-store credit, this is a convenient option. You can always look up the expected trade-in value on GameStop’s website before heading into a store, so you know exactly how much you’ll receive. Additionally, you can trade in your used games online through Amazon in exchange for an Amazon gift card.

Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

I’m not sure I’ll ever leave the prologue area in Skull And Bones

Last night I spent an hour in Ubisoft Singapore’s Skull And Bones, the much-reconceived, nigh-mythical open world pirate game that has been in development since 2013. Taking a leaf from the book of feared intergalactic corsair Samus Aran, the prologue starts you off at the height of your bucanneering powers, with a mighty gold-and-scarlet galleon at your disposal that is shortly blown to bits by the English Navy.

‘Lake’ Delivers Peaceful Narrative Postage On Switch Today

Check out the launch trailer.

Whitehorn Digital is bringing the narrative mail simulator Lake to Nintendo Switch — and it’s out today, 15th February for $19.99 / £17.99 on the eShop.

Lake focuses on Meredith, a woman in her 40s who takes a well-deserved vacation from her big city job and returns to her hometown of Providence Oaks in Oregon. To help her pass the time, Meredith fills in for her father’s mail carrier job, which allows her to reconnect with friends and form new relationships in the beautiful lakeside town.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

No Man’s Sky Welcomes All Xbox Players for the Omega Expedition

Over the years, we’ve seen many Xbox players on console, PC and Game Pass venture into No Man’s Sky’s universe and lose themselves in all there is to do, in some cases for hundreds of hours.

Today we’re announcing our latest No Man’s Sky expedition, Omega, and this time we’re inviting the entire Xbox community, whether they own the game or not, to try it out for themselves. The expedition runs for 2 weeks from today (Thursday, February 15) and is free to play for the first weekend until Monday, February 19.

Whether it’s crafting, building, trading, fighting, exploring or a host of other activities to indulge in, there is so much to do in No Man’s Sky. That’s why we’ve custom-designed Omega to show new players in particular all that there is to see. It’s like a fast-track sight-seeing tour of the universe.

No Man’s Sky expeditions are a chance for the entire community to convene in one area of the universe and work together to complete challenges and unlock exclusive rewards, so space and planets always feel full and bustling with activity. Moreover, there are always experienced veteran Travellers around to offer friendly advice and support.

Omega is our 12th Expedition and the rewards on offer are probably the biggest yet. The headline act is the Starborn Runner, an exclusive starship, destined to become as sought-after as the Golden Vector. A suite of unique customisations – a stylish Atlas helmet/jetpack/multi-tool staff combo – can be unlocked as souvenirs and taken back into your main save as future proof that you were there for Omega.

For new players who have yet to buy No Man’s Sky, any progress you make in the Expedition will be preserved in case you ever decide to take the plunge.

We have also overhauled how Expeditions work, and now existing players can choose which of their favourite starships from their fleet they’re going to take with them on their adventure. Expeditions can now be accessed directly in the Anomaly in addition to the main menu screen.

As most Travellers know, a No Man’s Sky Expedition normally comes with a host of new additions and features and Omega is no exception. Ever since we challenged players to take on and defeat the ominous Pirate Dreadnought last year, we have noticed a real desire to add this huge vessel to their freighter fleet. Now, when you take down the Dreadnought, it’s yours to keep.

Additionally, as you explore the universe, you will encounter alien races who will give you contextual missions specifically related to the planet where they live. Completing these tasks will earn you rewards and reputation with the locals.

We’re very excited to welcome a whole new cohort of players to the game and I know our vibrant and positive community will welcome them with open arms. Hang out in the Anomaly for long enough and you’re sure to encounter some generous Traveller who just wants to help you out.

No Man’s Sky launched on Xbox in 2018 and came to Game Pass in 2020. Our Xbox community has grown immeasurably and our tiny team at Hello continue to enjoy serving up content like Omega. 2024 is looking to be our biggest year yet.

Our journey continues.

No Man’s Sky

Hello Games

☆☆☆☆☆
917

★★★★★

$59.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

No Man’s Sky comes complete with all 25 major updates up to and including Echoes.

Inspired by the adventure and imagination that we love from classic science-fiction, No Man’s Sky presents you with a galaxy to explore, filled with unique planets and lifeforms, and constant danger and action.

In No Man’s Sky, every star is the light of a distant sun, each orbited by planets filled with life, and you can go to any of them you choose. Fly smoothly from deep space to planetary surfaces, with no loading screens, and no limits. In this infinite procedurally generated universe, you’ll discover places and creatures that no other players have seen before – and perhaps never will again.

Embark on an epic voyage
At the centre of the galaxy lies a irresistible pulse which draws you on a journey towards it to learn the true nature of the cosmos. But, facing hostile creatures and fierce pirates, you’ll know that death comes at a cost, and survival will be down to the choices you make over how you upgrade your ship, your weapon and suit.

Find your own destiny
Your voyage through No Man’s Sky is up to you. Will you be a fighter, preying on the weak and taking their riches, or taking out pirates for their bounties? Power is yours if you upgrade your ship for speed and weaponry.
Or a trader? Find rich resources on forgotten worlds and exploit them for the highest prices. Invest in more cargo space and you’ll reap huge rewards.
Or perhaps an explorer? Go beyond the known frontier and discover places and things that no one has ever seen before. Upgrade your engines to jump ever farther, and strengthen your suit for survival in toxic environments that would kill the unwary.

Share your journey
The galaxy is a living, breathing place. Trade convoys travel between stars, factions vie for territory, pirates hunt the unwary, and the police are ever watching. Every other player lives in the same galaxy, and you can choose to share your discoveries with them on a map that spans known space. Perhaps you will see the results of their actions as well as your own…

The post No Man’s Sky Welcomes All Xbox Players for the Omega Expedition appeared first on Xbox Wire.

No Man’s Sky universe opens to newcomers for limited time with new Omega expedition, launching today

Hello! Last year was a busy one for the small team at Hello Games, with lots of No Man’s Sky updates and the announce of Light No Fire.

We have big plans for 2024, and we’re starting the year off with a very different kind of update. We’re calling it Omega, and for the first time No Man’s Sky will be available to play for free!

No Man’s Sky universe opens to newcomers for limited time with new Omega expedition, launching today

For the first time, we are inviting every PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation VR and VR2 owner into our universe to play the latest No Man’s Sky expedition, even if they don’t own the full game, no purchase necessary. There are no microtransactions, no free-to-play mechanics, just a huge universe to explore for free with your friends.

Expeditions in No Man’s Sky have become one of the most popular ways to play the game. They bring all players together to the same planet for an interstellar, shared experience. This weekend we are allowing everyone, whether you own the game or not, to join the Omega Expedition.

This represents a moment for new players to try No Man’s Sky, and existing players to welcome them into the community.

The Omega update also brings a complete overhaul of expeditions, new on-planet missions, a new pirate dreadnought to own, and much more.

Until now expeditions have been their own game mode, but we wanted to fully integrate them into our main game. Now, our new expedition system allows travellers to join expeditions with bespoke provisions, bring along their favourite starships or custom multi-tools and return to their main save with loot and exciting rewards.

We have revisited the Atlas Path, allowing players to commune with the Atlas and honor it with a new Atlas staff, jetpack and helmet.

On planets we have introduced a huge array of procedurally generated quests. Talking to alien lifeforms results in quests specific to an alien lifeforms locale, climate and personality.

For the first time, take on the universe with a fleet of frigates led by a dreadnought capital ship. If players can defeat pirate freighters in combat, travellers can board the dreadnought to demand control.

At the core of this update is the Omega Expedition, which has been built from the ground up as a thorough introduction for new players, but with some of the best rewards in any expedition to date, including a gorgeous new starship to explore the universe with.

In the almost eight years since launch, through over 25 free updates, the No Man’s Sky universe has become at times overwhelming in breadth and depth. Through a series of quick missions and milestones, the Omega expeditions will guide you through the fundamentals of base-building, trading, space combat, lore and much, much more. Any progress you make will be retained in case you choose to purchase the game and continue your journey.

The Omega Expedition runs for 2 weeks from Thursday February 15 and is free to play for the first weekend until Monday February 19.

Whether you’ve been on the journey with us for a while, or you’re a lapsed player looking for a way back in, or a newcomer who’s always wanted to take a peek at what No Man’s Sky has to offer, everyone is welcome and there’s never been a better time to join in.

Our journey continues.