Sparkers Blog

News Mash-Up - Week # 26

Written by Sparkers | Tuesday, 6 July 2021

 

 

Top News Items

    • GamePass xCloud has officially been released on Apple iOS for both phones and tablets, and Windows 10 PC across 22 countries. The new Microsoft platform is a browser-based streaming solution that runs across multiple web browsers including Microsoft Edge, Chrome and Safari. Gamepass xCloud is currently only available for GamePass ultimate subscribers. Up to 100 games are accessible and streaming is possible up to 1080p at 60 frames per second.

    • Sony has recently acquired 2 new studios. Housemarque, Nixxes Software and a possible third company, Bluepoint. Housemarque is a Finnish developer house that made PS4’s Resogun and the recently released PS5 exclusive, Returnal. Nixxes Software is a company that specializes in porting console games to the PC. Although not yet confirmed by Sony, an image accidentally uploaded in Sony Japan indicates the company may have also acquired Bluepoint, the makers of the Shadow of the Colossus Remake on PS4, and the highly acclaimed PS5 launch title, Demon's Souls.

    • According to a report in Axios, publishers EA and Hi-Rez have invested in a technology called PlayerWON. PlayerWON is a platform that specializes in in-game advertising and is owned by a US TV advertising company, Simulmedia. EA has responded to PC Gamer that it has no intention of bringing in-game advertising to its games.

    • The Chinese government has started to ban Bitcoin mining across all its provinces. Taiwanese PC builders have noticed that once unattainable GPU cards are being sold in the pre-owned market for a fraction of the price.

    • Trading card game Magic: Legends has been shelved by Wizards of the Coast, after being in open beta since March. The official shutdown of the game will come on 31st October.

    • Tencent has opened a new studio called Uncapped Games Studios and is planning to bring out two new RTS games for PC. Former Blizzard employees have joined the new company.

    • According to App Annie, worldwide mobile app spending reached a new high during Q2 2021. Spending in the quarter alone has been estimated at $32 billion. About 2/3 of that spending went on games.

New games

Week commencing Monday 5 July 2021 

Date Title Platform(s) Genre(s) Developer(s) Publisher(s)
6 July The 25th Ward: The Silver Case NS Adventure Grasshopper Manufacture NIS America / Playism
  A Plague Tale: Innocence NS, PS5, XSX Action-adventure, survival horror Asobo Studio Focus Home Interactive
  The Silver Case NS Adventure Grasshopper Manufacture NIS America / Playism
  Ys IX: Monstrum Nox Win, NS Action role-playing Nihon Falcom NIS America
8 July Boomerang X Win, NS Action Dang! Devolver Digital
  Crash Drive 3 Win, PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX, NS, iOS, Droid Action Racing M2H M2H
  Fuuraiki 4 NS, PS4 Adventure FOG Inc. Nippon Ichi Software
  Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and The Millionaires' Conspiracy DX+ NS Puzzle, adventure h.a.n.d. Level-5
  Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual Rift Adventure HappyGiant HappyGiant
9 July Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Win, NS Role-playing Capcom Capcom