This week: the Xbox One X pre-orders sell out, Classic SNES Mini pre-orders continue to frustrate, and Final Fantasy XV comes to mobile. Here’s our pick of the week’s most important news from the world of video games.
Microsoft to publish PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
With a distinct lack of first-party titles to accompany the release of the Xbox One X, it’s down to a little, work-in-progress FPS to front Microsoft’s autumn lineup. Fortunately, that little game is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, which has just passed 8 million copies sold on Steam since its Early Access launch in March.
Microsoft announced at Gamescom this week that they will be publishing PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds when it comes to Xbox One Game Preview in late 2017. Details of the agreement are vague, and although PUBG is likely to come to PlayStation 4 eventually, there’s no denying it’s a big get for Microsoft.
Xbox One X pre-orders sell out
The lack of a system seller hasn’t stopped this system selling. Microsoft have confirmed that pre-orders for the Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition have sold out in many territories. Mike Nichols, Corporate Vice President of Marketing for Xbox, said:
“You, our biggest fans, have pre-ordered more Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition consoles in the first five days than any Xbox ever.”
It’s our pleasure, Mike. Anything we can do to help. Details of the next wave of standard edition pre-orders will be revealed in September
No Man’s Sky update’s mass effect
The recent Atlas Rises update makes enough changes to No Man’s Sky to make it feel like a whole new game. For the most part these changes have been warmly embraced by game’s existing player community, and a number of returning players, myself included. However, the update has not been without its casualties. Kotaku’s Gita Jackson takes a fascinating look at the fate of No Man Sky‘s Galactic Hub, a section of colonised space that has been decimated by the update.
Mario + Rabbids to get season pass
The news that Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is getting a season pass has upset a few people, with many commenters believing that Mario should be above such shenanigans. Are they forgetting that a) this is a Ubisoft game, and b) Mario has DLC history going back to New Super Mario Bros. 2 on 3DS. The season pass will add eight bonus weapons to the game at launch, each with their own attributes. New solo and co-op challenge maps will arrive later this year, and a story expansion will follow in 2018.
Gamestop trials game subscription scheme
Press Start reports on a new pre-owned game subscription program being tested in Australia by Gamestop subsidiary EB Games. For $19.95 a month consumers can rent multiple used games as part of the new Swap ‘n’ Play service.
Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition revealed
Square Enix have announced a touch-controlled, chibi-style port of Final Fantasy XV for smart devices. Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition is due for release this fall and will be coming to iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and according to game director, Hajime Tabata, maybe even the Nintendo Switch.
Biomutant
Of all the trailers to come out of Gamescom, our favourite might be the reveal for Biomutant, a new open world RPG from Experiment 101. Firstly, it looks like being a refreshingly different take on a number of modern gaming standards. Secondly, Experiment 101 deserve kudos for the name. It’s a proper video game name, that.
Limited Edition Gran Turismo Sport PS4 revealed
Sony is releasing a limited edition PlayStation 4 to coincide with the long-awaited arrival of Gran Turismo Sport. It’s a standard PlayStation 4 with 1TB of storage, a GT branded silver faceplate, a silver DualShock 4 controller, and a copy of the Gran Turismo Sport Day One Edition.
Palmer ponders Vive purchase
Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckey peeped his head over the parapet this week, asking users of Reddit if they think he should buy Vive. That’s the company, not the headset. Luckey’s pondering comes amid rumours that HTC is looking to sell off the Vive business.
In related news, the price of the HTC Vive has been reduced to $599/£599. Each purchase includes copies of Google’s Tilt Brush, Everest VR and Richie’s Plank Experience and 1 month subscription to Viveport.
SNES Classic Edition pre-orders
The SNES Classic Edition was unexpectedly put up for pre-order in the US at midnight on Monday. Despite Nintendo’s promise of having a greater supply than for last year’s NES Classic Edition, the new micro-console was an instant sell out. Limited stock isn’t the only issue, with Walmart also doing their best to make the process as annoying as possible. In more positive news, we did find out that the SNES Classic is getting a cool new rewind feature.
To be continued?
Ever wondered what would have happened in Half Life 2: Episode 3? Our own Tom Baines reports on how a blog post by ex-Valve writer Marc Laidlaw may have just revealed the story of the game Valve never made, and we’ll never play.
Bethesda VR release dates
Bethesda has announced release dates for their upcoming crop of VR ports. Skyrim will be released for PSVR on November 17, with Doom VFR coming to PSVR and HTC Vive on December 1. Fallout 4 will follow on December 12 and, will initially only be available on the HTC Vive.
This weeks video game releases
There are a huge number of new games released this week. The PlayStation 4 alone is getting 25 games, plus there’s Ark Survival Evolved getting a full Xbox One release, and Mario + Rabbid Kingdom Battle coming to Nintendo Switch. You can keep up to date with all the new releases right here on Thumbsticks.
