Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2402.240124-2200)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha ring today.

It’s important we note that some updates made in these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details:

  • OS Version: XB_FLT_2402ZN25398.3450.240124-2200
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – January 26, 2024
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – January 27, 2024

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Alpha users can expect something new coming to their Xbox Update Preview.

Xbox Game Pass

When launching an Xbox Game Pass title that is leaving the catalog soon, a random subset of users will see we have re-enabled a new dialog which will help clarify exactly when it is leaving and offer an easy path to purchase the game to keep playing even after it has left.

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

System

Known Issues

While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

Audio

  • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
    • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
      • When did the issue start?
      • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
      • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
      • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
      • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
      • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

Game Card

  • Some users are reporting an unexpected black screen when opening the game card or selecting “Show in Microsoft Store” after it has opened, and we are investigating.

Games

  • We are investigating user reports of some titles experiencing unexpected display or graphical issues.

Networking

  • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2402.240124-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Palworld vs. Pokémon Comparison: Just How Similar Are the Designs?

As a lifelong fan of Pokémon, I’m used to seeing other games in the “monster tamer” genre that are clearly inspired by it, from Temtem to Ni no Kuni, but nothing made me do a double take quite like Palworld, aka Pokémon With Guns. The first trailer of what looked like a heavily armed Pokemon Trainer using a terrified little pocket monster as a bullet shield was like a meme come to life. While the ridiculous concept is good for a laugh, what’s not so much of a laughing matter is how developer Pocketpair has seemingly copied elements of more than a few Pokémon designs when making its own creatures for Palworld, called Pals.

Well I’ve got a bone to pick with you, pal, because making a game with creatures inspired by Pokémon is one thing, but ripping them off – which, as I’ll demonstrate, is the case in some examples – is too much. I’m not a game designer but the inspiration for Pokémon comes from all around us. See those keys on the counter? That was an actual idea for a new Pokémon. And that ice cream cone? New Pokémon. That literal pile of trash? You get the idea. The fact Palworld doesn’t have wholly original designs, for whatever reason, seems wild to me. What’s more, by not coming up with its own designs, it potentially opened itself up to legal action from The Pokémon Company and, even worse, criticism from rabid Pokémon fans like me.

The CEO of Pocketpair, Takuro Mizobe, has denied allegations of plagiarism. While Pikachu doesn’t appear in Palworld exactly, there’s no denying that many of the designs are strikingly similar, whether it’s elements of different Pokémon thrown together to make a Pal that’s a bit Frankenstien’s monster, to more wholesale similarities. It’s at least enough to get on The Pokémon Company’s radar. The company made a statement saying, quote, “We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon.” Well, lets do our own research and you can be the judge.

Before I get to the comparisons, it’s important to point out I have no issue with the fact Palworld has elements of Pokémon’s gameplay. Countless games do the same thing and anyone who has played the first 15 minutes of Palworld can plainly see that while it does have monster taming, its survival gameplay, crafting mechanics, and lack of glaring technical issues make it clear it’s otherwise nothing like a Pokémon game. For me, it’s all about the designs of the Pokémon themselves – the creatures I’ve spent years of my life getting to know and love, and to see some of many favorites presented in the way they are in Palworld genuinely breaks my heart. I’m really sentimental like that.

The following Pal/Pokémon comparisons are categorized by the nature of their resemblance. We’ll start with some examples of designs that are well within the bounds of good taste, then progress to designs that share more than a few commonalities.

Fair Play

This first group is full of designs where you can tell which Pokemon inspired each Pal, but the Pal is a wholly original design. There are many of these, so these are just a few to show as an example.

Sparkit

The Pal called Sparkit is obviously meant to evoke the Pokémon mascot Pikachu. It’s a small, yellow furry electric creature, but it’s still very much its own design.

Foxparks

This little fire fox Pal named Foxparks obviously evokes the little fire fox Pokémon Vulpix, and the flaming tail bears a striking similarity to Charmander’s. But while those similarities are easy to see, they’re nothing more than just that: similarities. This is a great example of a Pal that puts its own unique spin on a Pokémon concept.

Pengullet

The same goes for the blue penguin Pal Pengullet, which reminds me of the blue penguin Pokémon Piplup. The same idea with distinctly different execution.

Most of Palworld’s 100-plus monsters are original designs like the ones above, but others bear a much stronger resemblance to specific Pokémon designs, although you might need to look a little closer to spot the similarities.

A Little Something Borrowed

These next Pals have faces that look just like those of certain Pokémon.

Mozzarina

For instance, Mozzarina’s sleepy face is the exact same as Snorlax’s, except they reversed the direction of the teeth.

Grintale

Grintale has the same facial features as Galarian Meowth, save for the pupils.

Dumud

Dumud’s face is the same derpy one as Slowpoke’s, right down to the way the mouth hangs open. The only difference is Dumud has teeth on both the top and bottom, whereas Slowpoke only has one set.

A Striking Resemblance

These Pals are largely unique save for signature elements from certain Pokémon.

Kingpaca

The crown on Kingpaca’s forehead looks a whole lot like Emploeon’s trident beak, plus they also share a tall, egg-like body shape when viewed from the front.

Univolt

It’s easy to see that the Pokémon Zebstrika inspired the Pal called Univolt, but enough is different that you wouldn’t likely mistake one for the other.

Robinquill

This archer Pal called Robinquill has the same color scheme, cape, and bow and arrow weapon as the bird Pokémon Decidueye.

Tocotoco

Similarly, Tocotoco is a weird bird with a green/yellow/black/red design, much like the Pokémon Xatu. It also has a similar beak to Toucannon.

The Resemblance Is Uncanny

The Pals in this group look like Pokémon doppelgangers, where the base model is similar but the design on top is different.

Anubis

The humanoid body and pointy ears of the dog-warrior Pal known as Anubis looks almost the same as the Pokémon Lucario, although it’s dressed in Egyptian armor.

Grizzbolt

Grizzbolt has the same body shape, color, and design elements as Electabuzz.

Elizabee

The insect Pal named Elizabee has the same snatched waist, long arms with pointy bug-hands and dress-like abdomen as the bee Pokémon Vespiquen.

Astegon

Astegon has a very similar build and shape as Mega Aggron.

Incineram

Incineram looks like someone used a Fire Stone on a Zoroark.

Orserk

Ever wonder what Garchomp would look like if it were an Electric/Bug Type? Palworld’s Orserk gives you a pretty good idea with its horns, wings, and new paint job.

Twinning

This is where the Pals start to look a lot more like the Pokémon they’re based on.

Jetragon

The jet-dragon Pal named Jetragon is a dead ringer for the jet-dragon Pokémon Latios and Latias.

Lamball

Sorry, giving Wooloo a haircut isn’t enough to make Lamball pass as a completely new design.

Fenglope

Fenglope just looks like Cobalion got caught in a strong wind.

Broncherry

Broncherry is Meganium with a new hairdo.

Wixen

The Pal called Wixen might look like it was inspired by Delphox, and in a sense it might be, but it actually has more in common with a fan-made, alternate design of Delphox.

Cremis

This is Cremis. Just because you drop an Eevee into a bowl of whipped cream doesn’t mean it’s suddenly a brand new creature. Suffice to say, Cremis looks a lot like Gigantamax Eevee.

Mish-Mashed

The Pals in this group appear to be built from different parts of several Pokémon.

Verdash

Verdash could pass as a copy of Cinderace that was colored green, then they stuck on the ears of Leafeon and the distinct mane of Hisuian Arcanine.

Azurobe

Azurobe is a blue snake-like Pal sporting a big head of blue hair, that has Serperior’s body and Primarina’s hair.

Dinossom

Add Lilligant’s crown and Meganium’s eyeballs to Goodra’s body, colored green, and you pretty much have Dinossom.

Lyleen

To me this is Mega Gardevoir’s ballroom gown look with Bellossom’s flowers on top.

Lovander

Whoever created this unholy atrocity combining Mewtwo’s thicc legs with Salazzle’s feminine wiles will never see heaven. It may be Pal number 69 but this horror is anything but nice.

It’s Like Looking Into a Mirror

And finally, these Pals are almost mirror images of their Pokémon counterparts.

Boltmane

Boltmane is essentially just a shiny Luxray. However, it’s worth noting that while Boltmane was seen in preview footage, it is not currently available in the game. It could have been scrapped or it may be added at a later date. Only time will tell.

Direhowl

Direhowl is little more than a recolored Lycanroc and you can’t convince me otherwise.

These are all the Pals I thought had some similarities to Pokémon. Were there any others that caught your eye? And how do you feel about all this? Let us know in the comments.

Final Fantasy XIV won’t be the next video game TV series, as The Witcher producers’ live-action project “dead”

A planned live-action adaptation of MMO Final Fantasy XIV is officially “dead”, according to the TV series’ producers. A combination of the pandemic and the “size and scale needed to do it right” are apparently to blame, with Amazon reportedly coming closest to making it a reality – but to no avail.

Read more

Hogwarts Legacy Will Soon Give All Players Access to PlayStation-Exclusive Content

Hogwarts Legacy players on non-PlayStation platforms will soon gain access to Sony-exclusive content, Warner Bros. Games and Avalanche Software have announced.

News about the Harry Potter video game’s future was revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter), promising to give fans more magic to toy with as it prepares to celebrate its one-year launch anniversary. It’s unclear exactly when the content will become available on platforms like PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X | S, but it sounds like it will land sometime this summer.

Current PlayStation-exclusive content includes the Haunted Hogsmeade quest, which, upon completion, grants access to the Hogsmeade Shop as well as the Shopkeeper cosmetic set. While it is unclear when the content will hit new audiences, the announcement post also promises to reveal more Hogwarts Legacy updates that will add new “features for the game.” It’s currently unclear what those new features will be.

“As we near the one-year anniversary of Hogwarts Legacy, we wanted to let our community know that the Hogwarts Legacy PlayStation-exclusive content will be available on other platforms later this summer, along with additional updates and features for the game,” the post says. “Stay tuned in the coming months for more details on what’s coming to Hogwarts Legacy this year.”

Hogwarts Legacy broke a long-running trend when it outsold Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 last year. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment says that the wizard spinoff managed to sell an astonishing 22 million units in 2023. With solid numbers like these, it should be no surprise to hear that the team is already looking to the future, teasing that more projects set in that universe will eventually arrive.

Hogwarts Legacy launched February 10, 2023. In our review, we said, “It’s certainly weighed down by technical issues, a lackluster main story, and some poor enemy variety, but even those couldn’t come close to breaking its enchanting spell over me.”

Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Another Code: Recollection?

Recall your time.

Nintendo has kicked off 2024 with a rather unexpected remake in Another Code: Recollection, which bundles together Ashley Mizuki Robbins’ two adventures from the DS and Wii era. Beloved by those who played it back in the day, the Switch version is the first time many people have been able to experience the mystery of Ashley’s family. While the first game, Another Code: Two Memories (or Trace Memory) saw a worldwide release, Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories never launched in North America.

Arc System Works has taken the reins in what is a far departure from the studio’s usual gaming output — perhaps we’ll see Ashley in a future Guilty Gear game?

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

From Late Nights to Limelight: The Story of Go Mecha Ball

Discover the origins of Go Mecha Ball, a game born from late-night ideas during parental leave.

A unique game where a rolling ball transforms into a powerful mecha, capturing the internet’s attention.

From viral prototype to securing funding from Microsoft – a developer’s dream come true.

GMB -screenshot

Go Mecha Ball began with a critical look at classic top-down shooters during the reflective nights of my paternity leave. I questioned the traditional use of rolling merely for evasion. What if rolling could be offensive? What if an object, known for crashing into things, could also shoot? This line of thought led to the idea of a ball, an object synonymous with rolling and kinetic energy, transforming into a powerful mecha. This concept laid the foundation for a game that would uniquely blend action and strategy.

GMB -attack

I began developing this idea into a prototype, utilizing my new procedural animation system to ensure the transformation between ball and mecha was not just visually appealing but seamless – a crucial element of the game’s fun and engagement. The goal was to create something different: a game that was as enjoyable to watch as it was to play.

GMB -ball launching

After a brief pause due to parental cover and adjusting to a new job, I resumed tinkering with the prototype. To my surprise, it wasn’t long before Microsoft took notice of Go Mecha Ball. Their decision to support the project was transformative. It elevated my late-night prototype into a serious game development venture, bringing Go Mecha Ball closer to a wider audience.

GMB -playing field

Now, Go Mecha Ball is set to leave its mark in the gaming world. This game is a testament to the power of a good idea and what can be achieved when creativity meets opportunity. It’s more than just a game – it’s a journey from a simple yet innovative concept to an exhilarating adventure. Go Mecha Ball is ultimately a love letter to what I believe is most important in games: game feel.

Try your hand at this new approach to kinetic movement today on Xbox!

Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

Go Mecha Ball

Super Rare Games


90


$19.99

$17.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Load up and roll out, in this twin stick shooter with roguelike progression! Blast your way through arcade-style levels, using pinball-style physics mixed with an arsenal of devastating weapons. Defeat waves of enemy bots, battle big bosses, and upgrade your mech between runs!

The post From Late Nights to Limelight: The Story of Go Mecha Ball appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Share of the Week: The Last of Us Part II Remastered

Last week, we put the spotlight on The Last of Us Part II Remastered using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

RevolutionAndre shares Abby gritting her teeth surrounded by fire

ChosenVoid shares Joel aiming his shotgun

Mr_GBM shares Ellie’s tattooed arm hanging down near overgrown ferns

sirevanztheduke shares Dina leaning against the horse stables

MSTakesPictures shares Abby looking around with her flashlight on

TakaSanGames shares Ellie crouching in the ferns looking down a rifle scope

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?

THEME:  The Last of Us Part II Remastered – New Skins
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December Jan 31, 2024

Next week, we’re testing out the new skins players can unlock in The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Share Ellie and Abby’s new looks using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Ubisoft’s Skull and Bones Gets Open Beta Ahead of Release Date

Skull and Bones will have an open beta, Ubisoft has announced. It kicks off across all platforms (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Windows PC via the Epic Games Store and the Ubisoft Store) on February 8 and runs until February 11.

In the open beta, players can reach the Infamy Cap of Tier 6 and earn up to five exclusive rewards including unique ship cosmetics, an emote, a weapon, and a Pandal Lemur pet. Progression carries over from the beta to the full game, which comes out February 16. Ubisoft+ subscribers get the game three days early on February 13.

Announcing a year’s worth of post-launch content, Ubisoft said its open-world seafaring game will benefit from the addition of pirate lords and new world events. Check out IGN’s Skull and Bones endgame preview for more.

Here’s the official blurb, per Ubisoft:

Players will embark on a perilous journey facing Legendary Pirate Lords like Philippe La Peste and the Hubac Twins. Stirred into a feeding frenzy, players will have to strategize and defeat these new threats, each escalating in difficulty. Strategic ship loadouts and seasonal ships and gear will be key to taking them down in the final showdown at the end of each season. Prepare to expand and defend your empire by looting stronger equipment and valuable resources

through new world events introduced each season. Face Merchant Convoys, Elite Warships, and other predators on the high seas. Bigger challenges bring greater rewards as you navigate these dynamic and unpredictable waters.

Discover the intense endgame of Skull and Bones, where you’ll face more dangerous challenges, higher stakes, and alliances that can transform into rivalries. Transition from working with Kingpins to becoming their rivals, facing the perilous consequences of the treacherous pirate life. Seize control of The Helm, an unrivaled smuggling colossus, and build your smuggling empire. Control manufactories across the Indian Ocean, increase profits through strategic control of trade routes, and invest in upgrades for your operations. On top of these, Legendary Heists and Hostile Takeovers activities also add thrilling twists to empire-building, with new end game features introduced each season.

Engage in precarious PvP activities with high-risk, high-reward Helm Wagers and Cutthroat Cargo. Accept challenges and legendary treasure maps, which will put a literal target on your head until you reach the target outpost. Rise to the top, and solidify your reputation amongst Kingpins, earning rewards based on your leaderboard placement. Participate in free time-limited events each season, collaborate with fellow pirates, complete exclusive community events, and claim treasure troves of loot. The leaderboard resets each season with new rewards, encouraging players to continually strive for the top.

Skull and Bones finally comes out next month after years of development hell that’s seen a number of delays. What began in 2013 as an expansion for Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag evolved into an MMO spinoff which ultimately became the standalone game Skull and Bones.

It was revealed at E3 2017 with an autumn 2018 release window, though it would miss that window — and many others — due to six delays, ultimately landing on February 16, 2024. In addition to changes in direction, Ubisoft attributes the delays to making too many games at once. The project has churned through three creative directors, most recently losing Elisabeth Pellen in September.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.