Warhammer: Vermintide 2 should launch on Xbox One soon.

A few months ago, a sequel to the popular Warhammer: Vermintide was announced for Xbox One and other platforms. The original game was somewhat of a surprise hit because it combined teamwork with satisfying melee combat. Players were enamored with the presentation and many were hoping for a continuation to the series.

Just like its predecessor, Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is a melee action game with co-op gameplay. You, along with three other players, have to battle seemingly endless hordes of enemies in a gothic setting. The title introduces the dark, bloody and twisted "Chaos" faction as the new enemy. We don't know much about them yet, but they're supposed to be utterly menacing from what the developer has said so far. However, that doesn't mean you won't be slaughtering legions of them. Other new features include expanded careers, environments, skill trees, and much more.

Today, Warhammer: Vermintide 2 went up for digital preorder on the Xbox Store. Currently, a $44.99 "Premium Edition" is available for purchase with a release date of July 11, 2018. The title launched on PC back in March. The base game costs $29.99 but it's unclear when that version will be available on the console. It's also supposed to come to Xbox Game Pass.

Developer Fatshark also confirmed that Warhammer: Vermintide 2 was targeting native 4K resolution on Xbox One X and 1440p on PlayStation 4 Pro. The developer said that it was enhancing the Xbox One X version with native 4K textures and a steadier frame rate compared to base hardware. If you want a taste of the visuals, be sure to check out the open beta.

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The stability updates just keep on coming.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a last-man-standing shooter being developed with the help of community feedback. Starting with absolutely nothing, players must fight to locate weapons and supplies in a battle to be the only one alive. PUBG is a surprisingly realistic and high-tension title set on a massive island. Unfortunately the game suffers from numerous issues on Xbox One.

Today, the developer released a new PUBG update which focuses on improving stability and reducing the number of crashes players experience. A major bug fix is also included in this patch. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean that all crashes will be gone, PUBG Corp. is working hard to fix others as soon as possible.

• A memory leak was fixed regarding character renders. This should help to reduce crashes.
• The developer has made improvements to level streaming logic which should also reduce crashes. The process of loading resources while simultaneously offloading the oldest stored resources has been made more efficient.
• Fixed a bug where vehicles would sometimes lift off the ground and spin rapidly.

Hopefully this patch will also bring frame rate improvements for Xbox One owners. Games like Fortnite are witnessing unprecedented success because many players are abandoning PUBG due to its problems. The fixes need to come out soon before it's too late.

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World of Warships is finally coming to Xbox One!

World of Warships is a free-to-play naval massively multiplayer online game (MMO) from Wargaming. You may recognize the developer from titles like World of Tanks and World of Warplanes. As expected, World of Warships shares similar gameplay elements with the two projects. There are several classes of ships to choose from and the game still revolves around team-based matches. World of Warships launched on PC in 2015 but it was unclear until now whether it would come to consoles.

Today, Wargaming announced that World of Warships will be coming to Xbox One. It's unclear when the title will hit the system though because no concrete release date was provided. Wargaming issued the following statement on Reddit alongside the reveal.

With extreme thrill I can finally answer one of the questions I had to ignore many times… Our new game World of Warships: Legends is announced on Xbox and PS4… You've been a great support and source of feedback... for our beloved PC child. Now, I fully acknowledge that Reddit is community-driven, so I guess it's up to you if this wonderful community will unite the most engaged players from both platforms. But let me just say that I hope it will… let us all wish the new project a wonderful journey!

Hopefully World of Warships will be a polished MMO on console. Just like World of Tanks, the game is expected to support Xbox One X. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.

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Mutant Year Zero looks like a cross between Beyond Good & Evil and Fallout.

Recently, developer Bearded Ladies and publisher Funcom announced Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden. According to the companies, Mutant Year Zero is a tactical adventure featuring a story set on a post-human Earth. The game combines strategy and the turn-based combat of XCOM with real-time exploration and stealth gameplay. The team making Mutant Year Zero has members who previously worked on titles like Hitman and Payday.

Today, Funcom revealed new gameplay footage which showcases the combat and exploration. Mutant Year Zero takes place in a bleak world that's dilapidated. The dark and gloomy visuals give the game an ominous feel. Apart from that — unlike many other tactical experiences — Mutant Year Zero features unique abilities like flying.

Mutant Year Zero is based on the classic "Mutant" franchise that has spawned several popular pen and paper games since the 1980s. Extreme climate change, global economic crises, a lethal pandemic, and increasing tension between old and new superpowers causes the destruction of the planet. Nuclear war destroys the land and humans perish. However, the story doesn't end there, as mutants arise from the rubble.

Funcom is known for unique experiences like Conan Exiles and The Park, so Mutant Year Zero seems like the right fit. The game is set to release in 2018 on Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more about the project.

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If you don't mind dealing with a high level of difficulty, Lichtspeer may be the perfect game for you.

Most indie games are based on simple concepts, and Lichtspeer is no exception. Armed only with a vast supply of "lichtspeers" (powerful spears infused by the licht gods), it's up to you to clear the land of monsters.

Lichtspeer may be a little too tough, but everything else in the title is near-perfect, and that makes up for it. The result is a game that almost never gets boring, and it always throws you a curveball to keep you on your toes.

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Gameplay is simple but unique

If you were to breed Angry Birds and a side-scrolling platformer from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the child would be something that looks close to Lichtspeer. Perched on sides of the screen, you have to constantly pick up deadly spears and hurl them at approaching enemies. By itself, the concept is bland, but it becomes tons of fun when augmented by the rest of what Lichtspeer has to offer.

Like those old NES games, Lichtspeer is home to a wide variety of enemy classes, with each one of them requiring you to hit them in a certain spot or way. Additionally, similar to Angry Birds, projectiles must be angled correctly and thrown at full power in order for maximum damage. Both of these design elements are crucial because they prevent the act of spear throwing itself from becoming repetitive. When each level brings a new challenge to the table, you'll eagerly master the mechanics instead of getting sick of them.

The one thing that's unfortunate about Lichtspeer is just how crazily difficult it can be. Healthy and satisfying difficulty is important for singleplayer experiences, but making the experience too hard makes it very frustrating. I wouldn't say Lichtspeer is quite that level, but it really could use an adjustment.

Presentation introduces Germanic sci-fi

What I truly love about this title's artistic design is its focus on an ancient Germanic aesthetic with a science fiction coat of paint. Exploring how Germanic tribes might look in a futuristic society is something no other game has done, and that originality deserves praise.

Though only a minor issue, it's worth noting that you may experience some frame-rate issues and bugs during your time with the game. While annoying, this problem is uncommon and only lasts a few seconds.

Final thoughts on Lichtspeer for Xbox One

While both the difficulty and frame-rate issues hold Lichtspeer back from a perfect score, it's still a fantastic title that all indie players should play at least once.

Pros:

• Strong gameplay.
• Amazing level and enemy depth.
• Unique presentation.

Cons:

• Difficulty can feel too high.
• Occasional performance issue.

You can get Lichtspeer right now on Xbox One for just $9.99.

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This review was conducted on an Xbox One, using a copy provided by the publisher.

The man that spawned the Crackdown series is no longer involved with Crackdown 3.

Dave Jones, the creator of the Crackdown series, is no longer involved with the Crackdown 3. According to a report from Polygon, Jones left his role in crafting the game earlier this year when Epic Games announced it had acquired Cloudgine, a company Jones founded and which also provided the cloud computing brains behind Crackdown 3's main attraction: its detailed destructible environments.

Jones now serves as director of cloud and esports strategies at Epic.

From the moment Crackdown 3 was announced, Microsoft emphasized the incredibly detailed way in which cloud computing would enhance the game's destructible environments. As Polygon points out, Epic's acquisition of Cloudgine raises questions about the tech behind the cloud-powered physics.

In an interview during E3, Polygon spoke with Matt Booty, head of Microsoft Studios, on the topic, and Booty confirmed the destruction promised with Crackdown 3's multiplayer mode is still a part of the game. However, he didn't elaborate on the tools Microsoft is using. "You know, I'm not going to get into the actual technical breakdown. Let's just say that we've got access to a great infrastructure, and the game's got some great tech in it, and we're going to put those two together in the way that makes the most sense."

Crackdown 3 has seen its share of delays since first making its debut in 2014. The game was recently confirmed to be targeting a February 2019 release date with actor Terry Crews now serving as the face of the over-the-top gameplay.

In the meantime, Crackdown 3 is available to preorder for $59.99, and will launch as an Xbox Play Anywhere exclusive. And since it's a Microsoft Studios title, members of Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass service will be able to play the game on launch day as part of their subscription.

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Sea of Thieves will get some much-needed tweaks soon.

Recently, Sea of Thieves launched a "Skeleton Thrones" event which promised time-limited cosmetic items and other perks. However, many users have been confused about some of the aspects of the update like the "dubloons" currency. Luckily, Rare posted another developer diary in which Senior Producer Drew Stevens clarified a number of topics.

The highlights from the video are listed below.

• Future adventures will include social elements which require you to work together with other crews.
• Adventures will now last two weeks so that everyone can easily access the time-limited cosmetic items.
• Dubloons will never be a premium currency which you can purchase through microtransactions.
• Dubloons will carry over to the next adventure so you don't have to worry about spending them all.
• Reputation bundles aren't hitting the mark and in a future update you'll be able to buy a full level instead.
• This week's update brings various different "Megalodons" with a range of different personalities. Some might be quite aggressive while others shy.
• Gunpowder skeletons will be coming next week in a new adventure.

Sea of Thieves is an exploration-based pirate game which launched on March 20, 2018. Rare is known for many famous franchises including Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and GoldenEye. However, in recent years, the team focused on developing Kinect games for Xbox One and Xbox 360. This was a curious decision, so when Phil Spencer became Head of Xbox in 2014, he assigned Rare a new project. Sea of Thieves is a shift for the developer and a concept the team hasn't tackled before.

The game is currently available at retailers for $59.99 or as part of the monthly $9.99 Xbox Game Pass subscription. The game features Xbox One X enhancements and Xbox Play Anywhere support.

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Get ready to fight in the Canadian wilderness for free.

Battle royale games are becoming increasingly popular, and with the success of titles like Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, the genre is thriving. One such game which was revealed during Microsoft's E3 2017 press conference was the "Darwin Project".

Many months ago, developer Scavengers Studio announced that Darwin Project was available on Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Preview for $14.99. There were also reports that the game wasn't doing as well as other titles in the genre. Soon afterwards, it was revealed that the game was going free-to-play on PC. However, a decision wasn't made regarding the Xbox One edition.

IT’S ‘BOUT TIME! #DarwinProject will be F2P on @Xbox starting July 4th! Our early adopters will find a lovely Founder's Pack on July 3rd. Also updates on Performance + Friend Invites and more! FAQ here: https://t.co/IKgSqLUZWVpic.twitter.com/hSUIfWrM0i

— Darwin Project (@ScavengerStudio) June 20, 2018

Today, Scavengers Studio announced on Twitter that the game was going free-to-play on Xbox One on July 4, 2018. Early adopters will get a "Founder's Pack" on July 3. The update which makes Darwin Project free-to-play will also bring with it a number of performance enhancements to Xbox One.

Darwin Project takes place in a post-apocalyptic Canada. As civilization prepares for an upcoming ice age, a twisted new project emerges, half science experiment and half entertainment. Unsurprisingly, it's called the Darwin Project and it challenges participants to survive the cold and fight to the death in a treacherous arena. According to the developer, the game offers a competitive multiplayer third-person experience with an emphasis on survival. There's a strong focus on crafting and setting up traps. However it goes deeper then that. Aside from surviving the cold, you have to track opponents and even negotiate temporary alliances in order to be the last one standing when the sun goes up.

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Absolver is still coming to Xbox One!

A few years ago, Devolver Digital announced Absolver for Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4. While the game launched on PC and PlayStation 4, it seemed like the Xbox One version had been shelved. We haven't heard much about the port since then.

That change today because Absolver's Twitter account confirmed an Xbox One version. The edition is being developed and tested at this time. No further details were provided like a release window or Xbox One X enhancements.

Hopefully we'll get an Xbox One version soon because Absolver is quite a popular game. The title focuses on online melee action and requires skill to succeed more than anything else.

We're glad to hear you're excited for an XBOX port. The Xbox One version of the game is being developed and tested, unfortunately, we don't have a specific release date at this time, We'll have more information about it in the future, but all we can say right now is it's coming.

— Absolver (@Absolver) June 20, 2018

According to Sloclap, Absolver puts players behind the mask of a "Prospect", who has taken a sacred vow and chosen to join the Absolvers, an elite group of combatants fighting to maintain stability in the world. Monitored by the "Guides", the new rulers of the fallen Adal Empire, players will wander these forsaken lands and encounter other Prospects online in order to earn their place in this world and eventually become Absolvers.

Along the way, they will learn new combat styles and attacks, and acquire better weapons, powers and armor. Battles between warriors are intense and take place in real time. Players must use various attacks, dodges, feints and counters to take out their opponents. Lastly, all aspects of gameplay are customizable, including combat styles, weapons, and even individual attack sequences.

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Playground Games is heading home for the fourth installment of Forza Horizon. Here's what we know about it so far.

That Microsoft announced Forza Horizon 4 at E3 wasn't necessarily a surprise, but there was still plenty to be excited about. Xbox has a one-two punch of Forza games with a new one in each series, currently, every two years.

Forza Horizon 4 is not only official, it has been demonstrated to gamers and press in attendance and the finished article should be with us in just a matter of months. There's still a ton more to learn, but here's what we know so far.

Forza Horizon 4: Gameplay

Forza Horizon 4 will retain the open world nature that we've come to enjoy from the previous titles and adding to it with some new touches for 2018. The setting is a little less exotic for Forza Horizon 4, after locations such as Southern Europe and Australia, this year we'll be attacking the countryside of the United Kingdom.

One of the big new features will be the changing seasons, going a step further than dynamic weather which we were treated to in Forza Horizon 3. The full spectrum of British weather will be included across the varying parts of the country represented in the game, bringing their own unique challenges.

Forza Horizon 4 is coming and it's very British

Microsoft is also going to be leveraging its Mixer platform with Forza Horizon 4, though exact details are as yet unknown. What we do know is that there will be integrated broadcasting and spectating features built into the game.

Forza Horizon 4 is also going to have a narrative approach to some of its gameplay, another new way of playing compared to previous years. The open world is always fun, but the way you played was always the same: Drive to an event, complete it, rinse, repeat.

Forza Horizon 4 features narrative-based gameplay

There's also a big change to how the world is populated. Drivatars are still a thing and you will still race against them, but Forza Horizon 4 will feature a "shared world," where real players will see each other in free roam on shared servers.

Xbox One X owners will be pleased to know that the game will run at 4K, as well as having an optional 60 FPS mode. Either way, that McLaren Senna cover car will look stunning!

Forza Horizon 4: Pricing and availability

Forza Horizon 4 is set to launch on both Xbox One and Windows 10 with Play Anywhere support on October 2, 2018. Folks who buy the Ultimate Edition can begin playing early, though, beginning on September 28.

The Ultimate Edition costs $99.99 but besides early play time also includes the full regular game, Car Pass, VIP membership, the Day One car pack and two expansion packs when they're released. The expansions are due to launch in December 2018 and early 2019.

Also available is the Deluxe Edition which includes the Car Pass and a special Formula Drift Car Pack and will cost $79.99. This version is only available as a digital download.

The standard edition will only include the base game for $59.99 and will be available in both digital and physical forms alongside the Ultimate Edition.

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What's next for Forza Horizon 4?

Traditional Forza fare will see a steady trickle of information releasing in the run up to launch as Microsoft slowly reveals the entire car list. 450 cars in total from 100 licensed manufacturers will be in the game, with the McLaren Senna and the 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 gracing the cover.

We'd expect to have learned the full list by launch, but the next big stop for Forza Horizon 4 will be Gamescom in August. Here, press and gamers alike will likely have a chance to play a near-finished build of the game, as well as filling in more blanks on what we can expect once it hits our PCs and consoles.

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State of Decay 2 surprisingly reigns supreme.

Every month The NPD Group compiles a list of the best-selling games in the United States. May 2018 was packed with a number of high-profile releases like State of Decay 2, Detroit: Become Human, Dark Souls Remastered, and Conan Exiles. Detroit: Become Human was arguably the biggest game with the most marketing behind it, but it turns out that State of Decay 2 managed to beat the highly-anticipated PlayStation 4 exclusive. Along with that, it also managed to dethrone God of War for the top spot in the United States.

Mat Piscatella, a video games industry analyst at The NPD Group, revealed this information on Twitter. The fact that State of Decay 2 managed to surpass titles like God of War and Detroit: Become Human is a testament to the game's addictive nature and popularity of the franchise. State of Decay 2 didn't garner great reviews at launch due to its bugs, but that didn't stop it from topping the charts. Plus, it was also available for free through Xbox Game Pass which detracted from sales.

US NPD SW - State of Decay 2 was May's best-selling game, as launch month sales nearly doubled that of the previous entry in the franchise, State of Decay.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) June 21, 2018

Recently, Microsoft acquired Undead Labs with the intent of making State of Decay 3 even bigger and better. Hopefully the sequel will be a proper "AAA" release with an expansive world and more polish.

For those unfamiliar with the title, State of Decay 2 is a co-op multiplayer game which forces you to survive in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. Players have to work together, build bases, and form communities if they wish to survive in this hostile land. You can purchase the game for $29.99, or play it for free if you're a $9.99 Xbox Game Pass subscriber.

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Minecraft on Nintendo Switch just got a lot better.

Microsoft has aggressively supported Minecraft ever since the company purchased the game a few years ago. One of the most popular versions of the title is available on Nintendo Switch and it just got even better. The Bedrock version of Minecraft just released for Nintendo Switch, both digitally on the Nintendo eShop and as a physical release. As with the recent "Better Together" update for Xbox One, players who already own Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition will be able to upgrade for free.

Minecraft is the first game on Nintendo Switch to feature cross-play support across Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, and virtual reality devices. PlayStation 4 is missing from the list as Sony doesn't allow cross-play with Xbox One.

The new version of Minecraft is out on Switch! Features cross-play with Xbox One, Windows 10, VR and mobile devices, plus the Super Mario Mash-Up pack! Already own Minecraft on Switch? You can update to the new version for free! Wa-hoo! https://t.co/KOAh99L46Mpic.twitter.com/ZsskckOTx1

— Minecraft (@Minecraft) June 21, 2018

This new version also lets those on Nintendo Switch access the Minecraft Marketplace for the first time. You can purchase unique maps, skins, and texture packs from various creators within the massive Minecraft community.

Lastly, as is the case with Minecraft on any Bedrock platform, Minecraft on Nintendo Switch supports Xbox Live Achievements and Gamerscore. This is probably one of the biggest additions because this is the first time the feature is available on a competing console.

It's great to see Microsoft working so closely with Nintendo on this. Hopefully Sony will follow suit and allow the cross-play Bedrock update on its platform. Until then, we'll be taking on Creepers and Ender Dragons together on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

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Xbox One X just keeps on delivering.

Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition launched on Xbox Game Preview a few weeks ago, and we were fortunate enough to play the opening chapter on Xbox One X. Those who purchase the $59.99 game can get early access to the title, but you can't go past the first environment. Luckily, even the first prison fort area is filled with numerous quests, quirky characters, and incredible secrets.

Those who purchased the title were disappointed that the Xbox Game Preview version didn't support Microsoft's new console, but Larian Studios quickly confirmed that Xbox One X enhancements were in the works. We reached out to the developer on Twitter and a spokesperson confirmed that the game runs at native 4K resolution on Xbox One X, dynamic 4K on PlayStation 4 Pro, and 1080p on the base Xbox One. Apart from that, the game supports HDR. The frame rate hasn't been finalized yet so it's unclear if the team will bump it up to 60 FPS or maintain the current 30 FPS.

Divinity: Original Sin II is scheduled to launch on consoles in August 2018 so an Xbox Game Preview release is a welcome surprise. Popular experiences like Conan Exiles and We Happy Few have been available to Xbox One players months, or even years early as a result of this. Hopefully this trend will continue in the future with more and more great games.

In our review of the PC version, we gave the game a perfect score and said that the masterpiece is "a polished, well-designed role-playing game (RPG), and through its phenomenal mechanics, astounding art, sound design, and fantastic writing, it is sure to revolutionize the modern RPG genre."

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Microsoft had one of its best E3 showcases in years, but was it a perfect show?

Microsoft's E3 2018 showcase was an incredibly impressive show, debuting over a dozen new games, showcasing the future roadmap of Xbox, and delivering responses to several key feedback points. But we didn't get everything we were expecting.

Here are some of the things we were hoping to see at E3 2018, but didn't.

No new Elite controller?

Microsoft is undoubtedly working on a new Elite controller. It seems as though early prototypes may have leaked, and patents relating to potential features have also emerged. We even have a codename for the device, and some idea on its features owing to drivers found in the Xbox OS.

Since stocks of the existing Elite controller have dwindled close to zero, we were firmly expecting a new Xbox Elite controller to make a debut at E3 2018. The original controller added several extra configurable buttons, magnetic thumbstick customization, hair-trigger locks, and more. But the design wasn't perfect, with many users reporting rubber grips coming dislodged, and triggers becoming stuck or dislodged. Hopefully, the next Elite controller will build upon what Microsoft started with the original, and debut sooner rather than later.

Cloud streaming promise, but no demo

Microsoft announced that it was exploring cloud streaming to mobile devices, allowing you to take your games on the go. Microsoft Research is currently working to solve some of the biggest issues relating to latency, but there are various outstanding questions about how it will work.

Touch controls suck for playing the vast majority of console games, due to reaction speeds and accuracy requirements. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft solves some of these issues, but it would have been even more interesting to see them debut it on stage at E3 2018.

Five studios announced, but no new IP

Microsoft confirmed a massive first-party games investment at E3 2018, adding five new studios to its portfolio. The award-winning creators of Hellblade, the team behind Forza Horizon, and more signed up with Microsoft, but we haven't really got much of an idea what they're working on.

Playground Games is rumored to be working on a reboot of Fable, Microsoft's somewhat legendary RPG series, but any potential debut missed E3. Microsoft is also rumored to be working on a reboot to Perfect Dark, perhaps led by Darrell Gallagher and his new studio The Initiative.

Microsoft did unveil new Gears of War games, a new Halo, and a new Forza, but it would have been nice to have seen some real surprises too.

Where is Crackdown 3's multiplayer?

Crackdown 3 is a game marred by delays, and at the very least, the most recent delay seems to have led to big improvements. Microsoft showcased a new trailer for Crackdown 3's campaign, featuring Terry Crews' explosive talents. The game looks like it's shaping up rather nicely, but, where is its big unique selling point?

Microsoft has very curiously kept Crackdown 3's multiplayer features hidden since its initial debut. We tried them out for ourselves at Gamescom years ago, and we were shown servers lighting up in real time to process the physics and destruction. Microsoft's reluctance to show off developments in this area has led to speculation that it's the multiplayer aspects of the game given rise to the delays. Microsoft had an opportunity to silence the naysayers at E3, but the fact they didn't will continue to cast dark clouds over... well... the cloud.

No answer on VR

Microsoft announced that the Xbox One X was designed with VR in mind, and did a bunch of demos on stage featuring Minecraft in Mixed Reality. However, in recent years, Microsoft has completely ignored VR on the gaming side, specifically for Xbox.

In our interview with Xbox CVP Mike Ybarra, he noted that Microsoft will continue to invest in the PC side instead for VR in the near-term, but for those wondering whether VR is coming to Xbox One X or not will remain in the dark.

What did you find disappointing?

It's hard to nitpick a show that was mostly awesome, but there are still plenty of areas Microsoft needs to improve. The Microsoft Store for Windows 10 still needs improvements, the Movies & TV operation is missing Android and iOS apps, and Movies Anywhere support. UWP for gaming is still an area that needs many new features and support, and despite the announcements, broad mouse and keyboard support for Xbox hasn't materialized.

What did you find disappointing about E3 2018? We'd like to hear your thoughts.

Get ready to empty your wallet.

Heads up, PC gamers: it's time to break out your wallets for the annual slaughter of your bank account. Steam's Summer Sale is now live and, as usual, there is an obscene number of deals to be had.

The sale is set to run through July 5, and there are already a number of major and minor games on sale. As with previous sales, we're sure to see more discounts go live as the sale goes on. For now, here's a quick look at some of the standouts:

• Everspace - $9.89
• Fallout franchise - Up to 75 percent off
• Dying Light Enhanced Edition - $19.79
• Nioh Complete Edition - $29.99
• Halo Wars: Definitive Edition - $9.99

There are oodles of more games to grab, and you can check out the full sale at Steam now. Just be ready to wait around a bit at first; the rush of traffic has slowed the service to a crawl.

See at Steam

Halo Infinite's setting may be lifelike, disturbing, and full of ancient artifacts. Excited?

We've already dissected the trailer for Halo Infinite and combed it for hidden hints. Several of these indicated that the game will take place on a Halo ring — a type of location we haven't seen since the end of Halo 3 — but which ring specifically is the interesting part. For the first time, it appears that we'll be headed to Installation 07, or Zeta Halo.

This location is different than the other Halo Arrays we've seen in the series in a few ways. Here's what you need to know about what you might find on Zeta Halo.

A lush ecosystem

One of the most unique aspects of Zeta Halo is the fact that the Forerunners used it as a preserve for various species. This was done for the Conservation Measure; in order to preserve life in the universe when the Halo Arrays fired to stop the Flood, the Forerunners kept a small amount of each species contained in safe places away from the blast. During the Forerunner-Flood War, Zeta Halo ultimately fell into Flood hands, but not before the Forerunners were able to move most of the species to The Ark, another safe location.

One the rings fired, the surviving Forerunners seeded the now-empty universe with these species before disappearing. However, given its previous role as a safe haven for lifeforms, it's not outlandish to think that they brought some species back to Zeta Halo. This appears to be the case, as the trailer for Halo Infinite shows both a type of deer and some kind of double-horned rhinoceros. In any case, you can expect to see more types of alien animals and plants then ever before.

Finding our ancient roots

Zeta Halo was home to countless forms of life. However, something interesting is that it was the only Forerunner facility to house humans. The humans that lived on the ring called themselves the Tudejsa, or "The People From Here". They lived alongside the various other plants and animals on Zeta Halo, and there's a very good chance that the ruins (and the strange written language visible on them) in the trailer for Halo Infinite belong to these ancient humans. This would mark the first time we ever get to see relics of the ancient humans in-game.

A dark secret

While Zeta Halo overall sounds like a place of beauty, the truth is much more disturbing. The leader of the Forerunners, Faber-Of-Will-And-Might, used the ring as a base for conducting Flood cure research with the ancient humans on it. Members of the Tudejsa tribe would often wake up and find that a member of their clan was missing, never to return; this was the result of the Forerunners kidnapping them, using them as test subjects with the Flood, and then terminating them afterwards.

Terrified, the humans came to refer to the site of the experiments as "The Palace of Pain", but in reality, there wasn't just one research facility. There were several, spread out all around the ring, and each one was home to the suffering caused by the Forerunners as they desperately tried to find a countermeasure to Flood infection. Seeing as many Flood-infected humans and other specimens were alive and contained in these facilities when the rings fired, it's entirely possible that the Master Chief will stumble upon them in Halo Infinite...and awaken a nightmare.

Your thoughts

What do you think about all the potential things we might find on Zeta Halo in Halo Infinite? Let me know.

Halo Infinite has no current release date, but if you're looking to scratch a Halo itch, make sure to check out all of these current titles.

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Microsoft just launched the bedrock edition of Minecraft on the Nintendo Switch, drawing Nintendo into a wider, pioneering cross-play ecosystem. But there's one notable platform missing from the equation.

Minecraft has been a pioneer in numerous ways, but since joining Microsoft, it has become something of a focal point for cross-platform play. Minecraft is the only game that allows gamers from Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Mixed Reality, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and now Nintendo Switch, to all play together in a shared world. It's the culmination of Microsoft's "intelligent edge" philosophy, where the company focuses on providing services to any compatible device you own, regardless of the platform or form factor.

Of course, there is one major player who refuses to play ball.

Microsoft and Nintendo vs. Sony PlayStation

The new marketing collaboration between Microsoft and Nintendo showcases cross-platform play and could indicate even more collaborative marketing this holiday season. Ultimately, the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch aren't in direct competition with one another. The Switch offers portability, something the Xbox can't, and the Xbox One (and especially the Xbox One X) offers high-fidelity "AAA" gaming, which the Switch often misses out on due to its specs and form factor.

Highlighting the fact that Nintendo Switch and Xbox can play nice together gives the impression of a wider, more flexible ecosystem.

The partnership here is smart, in a console industry that sees PlayStation with the largest current install base. Highlighting the fact that Nintendo Switch and Xbox can play nice together gives the impression of a wider, more flexible ecosystem than that of Sony's PlayStation, which has been in the press multiple times for refusing to allow cross-platform play.

Sony made mainstream news with its "hijacking" of players' Fortnite accounts, which get locked out from Nintendo Switch and Xbox cross-play the moment they become connected to PlayStation Network. Sony responded by championing its install base, which sits around a reported 80 million, while highlighting the fact that Fortnite isn't truly "free to play" on Xbox since it requires an Xbox Live subscription.

Sony is stuck between a rock and a hard place over this Fortnite issue. By allowing cross-platform play, it is potentially giving up the powerful purchase argument of "my friend has this console, which means I need it, too." Sony's headstart in 2013 snowballed granting it pole position, and while it might seem like a solid business strategy now, its refusal to budge could give Microsoft a killer advantage as we move into the next generation.

A massive opportunity for Microsoft and Xbox

Microsoft is setting up a cloud streaming service to bring "console-quality" gaming to your devices, whether that's a phone, a tablet, or a Nintendo Switch. If Microsoft can lock down game streaming to the Nintendo Switch, Xbox might be the only way you can experience some of those "AAA" games on Nintendo's svelte handheld platform. At that point, the ideal console setup might be to have both an Xbox One and a Nintendo Switch, or at least a Nintendo Switch and an Xbox subscription.

These early collaborations between Microsoft and Nintendo could be the tip of a much larger strategic iceberg.

The PlayStation ecosystem would be locked out of a far more pervasive intelligent edge cross-platform gaming world, which incorporates not only Nintendo but also iOS and Android. The size of that ecosystem would utterly dwarf PlayStation's 80 million-strong install base, potentially reaching hundreds of millions (or more) people. Developers prioritize the ecosystem with the most reach, after all.

Sony has its own game streaming service in the form of PlayStation Now, but it hasn't really achieved much headway when it comes to mainstreaming this technology. And frankly, it probably can't. Microsoft has more than 50 data centers around the world, dedicated undersea cabling, and billions of dollars worth of investment in cloud delivery technology and research to bring game streaming to the masses.

I'd say these early collaborations between Microsoft and Nintendo could be the tip of a much larger strategic iceberg that will reveal itself in the months and years to come. And I know, for sure, which ecosystem I'd rather be invested in right now.

Gears 5 should look incredibly smooth on Xbox One X.

At E3 2018, Microsoft announced Gears 5 for Xbox One and PC. The trailer looks spectacular and focuses on Kate's journey to uncover her connection to the "Locust" monsters. However, another aspect that stood out was the improved visuals.

Not only are the textures better, but it seems like the frame rate will also see a massive boost even when it comes to the game's campaign. While it's unclear what the frame rate will be on the standard Xbox One, the Xbox One X should reached 60 FPS.

@CoalitionGears is pushing @UnrealEngine to 60 FPS on all modes on Xbox One X — you bet it looks great!
Thanks for coming by the green room after the #XboxE3 briefing. Was great catching up. https://t.co/V8J1iAL9Be

— Guy Welch (@guywelch2000) June 11, 2018

Recently, The Coalition's Rod Fergusson discussed the game with Guy Welch, Xbox's Marketing Director. Welch confirmed that the title was targeting 60 FPS for all modes on Xbox One X. That means that even the campaign should run at 60 FPS this time around.

Gears of War 4 only managed to achieve 4K 60 FPS during multiplayer as the campaign was locked to 30 FPS. It's great to see The Coalition optimize Unreal Engine 4 so that it manages to hit a higher frame rate even during the visually-demanding story.

However, keep in mind that at this point the 60 FPS campaign is only a promise and the game is probably more than a year away. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more. Gears of War 4 was a technical marvel on the original Xbox One so if anyone can push Unreal Engine 4 further, it's The Coalition.

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Alan Wake should come back one day.

At E3 2018, Remedy Entertainment revealed Control for Xbox One and PC. Control is a supernatural third-person action-adventure that takes place in a universe similar to the one in Quantum Break. After a secretive agency in New York is invaded by an otherworldly threat, you become the new director struggling to regain control. Instead of taking place in a science fiction setting, Control explores mysticism in a modern light.

Recently, DualShockers interviewed Remedy's Mikael Kasurinen about Control and the team's past projects like Alan Wake. Kasurinen said that the developer owned the franchise and wanted to see it return in the future. Alan Wake is regarded by many as a modern cult classic and many gamers have been craving a sequel for years.

So we own... Alan Wake... I just want to say right away that it's very dear to us and close to our hearts. We all love Alan Wake at Remedy and I think all of us want to see a new Alan Wake game. I just want to say that out loud. Unfortunately, I can't speak to it anymore than that. We'll see what happens with Alan Wake next but we all want to see it happen.

Since Microsoft published Alan Wake, it's unclear how that would work for a future game. From what we understand, both of the companies would have to work together on a sequel. Hopefully Microsoft and Remedy can figure it out because it's high time Alan Wake got a next-generation game.

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Life Is Strange 2 should be here very soon.

Life Is Strange is regarded by many as a modern cult classic, and when Square Enix announced a sequel, many gamers were understandably elated. However, we haven't heard a lot about the project until now. A free game called The Awesome Adventure of Captain Spirit is launching next week which takes place in the same universe but it's not Life Is Strange 2.

Today, Square Enix revealed that Life Is Strange 2 will return with a new five-episode story. Better yet, the first episode is coming to Xbox One and other platforms on September 27, 2018. Unfortunately, aside from the release date, we don't know anything about the game. We'll keep you posted as soon as we receive more information.

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