Episode 626: New Mic, New World

The new mic used for the episode has improved the audio by a factor of 1,000. In fact, Episode 625’s audio is so bad, it’ll take a lot of effort to make it even bearable, so it won’t be published for a while.

In the meantime, the new Amazon MMO New World has made a giant splash, but is it worth dipping your toes in, especially since it costs $40 to buy? Meanwhile, the frustrations T.J. has as a PlayStation 5 owner come to the fore.

This week’s news includes:

  • New World goes live in North America
  • 343 makes Halo Infinite’s next multiplayer preview available to everyone on Xbox
  • Civilization 6 modder has brought back upgradeable throne rooms and palaces
  • Sony: Still many PS5 features to add

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Spore Generates Buzz: 500,000+ User CreaturesSpore Generates Buzz: 500,000+ User Creatures

Although I would have thought different, apparently people are clamoring over the “hype generator” tool called Spore Creature Creator. “The best part is that these creatures will be part of the main game, Spore, as user content will populate a lot of the galaxy in each player’s game,” says Falcon at GameStooge.

Will Wright and the team driving the Spore game is right on target to create the hype needed to send this game into the top game seller. If TheSims woke us up to crazy sales figures, Spore might just beat the demand; imagine creating a tool to help create a world for your company and make money while doing it?

The Creature Creator, in my mind is a genius move to get people interested in the main title and drive pre-sales figures through the roof.

(Thanks, GameStooge)

Episode 490: Switch EmulationEpisode 490: Switch Emulation

This week’s episode was recorded on time, but publication was late thanks to power outages again. There’s no discussion of Nintendo’s $70 cardboard arts and crafts project (that’ll be the subject of the next episode), but a Switch emulator does get some discussion.

The news this week:

  • Battlefield 1 is setting one of its maps free this week
  • LEGO Incredibles 2 and DC Villains games reportedly in the works
  • BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle has nabbed a Western release date
  • Stardew Valley creator teases multiplayer

This week’s Question of the Week is again “What popular game did you play long after its initial release?”

Ensemble Studios To Close, Halo Wars Future Not In QuestionEnsemble Studios To Close, Halo Wars Future Not In Question

Ensemble Studios, owned and operated by Microsoft or, Microsoft Games Studios, has been targed to be dissolved. All employees will find new homes, a large quantity will start a new studio and continue maintaining the later released Halo Wars franchise.

Microsoft has chosen to close the studio as part of their growth plan of Microsoft Games Studios much like FASA was closed in the past. The difference, there is a new landing point for Halo Wars unlike the uncertain future of Shadowrun.

Commenting on the reason for the closure, Microsoft said, “This was a fiscally rooted decision that keeps MGS on its growth path. While the decision to dissolve Ensemble was not an easy one, Microsoft is working to place as many Ensemble employees who do not move to the newly formed studio into open positions within Microsoft as possible.” (gamespot)

Ensemble Studio’s folks will continue to work with Microsoft and will continue to support Halo Wars after its launch. It is important to stress their statement of continuing to support Halo Wars, there is no need to think the project will be done half-assed or without pride as the project will live on with a different studio name.

The only question is… what is causing Microsoft to close down studios with actively working real franchise projects? FASA went down, Bungie was let go on their own and now Ensemble Studios? There has to be something going on here… idea?