Microsoft joins App Store backlash after xCloud game streaming blocked

Microsoft has joined the growing number of developers who are disgruntled with the App Store’s policies after its game streaming service xCloud is blocked.

Apple’s notorious “walled” platforms have become more open in recent years, but some frustrating policies remain which restrict developers and lead to a poorer experience for Cupertino’s customers.

Game streaming services are growing in popularity – especially with 5G rolling out – but there's a notable...

By | 7 August 2020 | App Stores

Microsoft decides games can be exclusive to Xbox Series X

Microsoft has decided that developers can make games just for the Xbox Series X, including those from first-party studios.

One of Microsoft's most debated policies for the upcoming generation is that games must also run on the PC and older Xbox One consoles. In recent weeks, that policy appeared to have softened so that third-party developers could decide what hardware to support.

First-party studios, however, still appeared to have to develop games for all the Xbox One...

By | 24 July 2020 | Devices

GDC: Game developers are working longer, delaying releases due to COVID-19

The first State of the Industry report from the Game Developers Conference (GDC) has been released since COVID-19 turned all of our lives upside down.

GDC’s latest report is aptly called the ‘Work From Home Edition’ and highlights how game developers have been forced to adapt in these difficult circumstances.

As with many jobs, a lot of software development was already shifting to being done remotely – it just took a pandemic to speed up the transition. Of the...

By | 17 July 2020 | Gaming

Opinion: PS5 and Xbox Series X audio upgrades will be as impressive as their visuals

With the upcoming consoles, audio technology will finally get a generational leap alongside visual fidelity.

One of the most intriguing parts of the PS5 technical announcement was that of the Tempest Engine. System architect Mark Cerny quite rightly said that audio hasn't received the same attention as visual upgrades over the years, despite it being an essential part of the experience.

Sony started its work on a 3D audio system out of necessity for its PlayStation VR...

By | 13 July 2020 | Devices

Apple stops updating games without a government license in China

Apple has suspended game updates in China from developers without a license from the government.

The policy, draconian as it is, has been in place for some time – but rarely enforced.

Apple has faced increasing pressure from Beijing in recent weeks to start enforcing the rule that developers must show proof of a license issued by the government.

Google’s Play Store is not available (officially) in China, meaning Android users in the country typically use...

By | 2 July 2020 | App Stores

Sony games chief says next-gen is a ‘paradigm shift’ as PS5 unveiled

Sony has finally unveiled the PS5's design along with a host of games that will kick off a new generation described as a "paradigm shift".

The internet has had its usual fun with the physical design of the upcoming console. Many have pointed out that it looks like an obnoxious router, while others have likened it to a "new expensive campus," the eye of Mordor, and even an aircraft...

By | 12 June 2020 | Gaming

Game developers will now have to opt-in to Nvidia’s GeForce Now

Game developers that want their titles on Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud streaming service will now have to opt-in.

GeForce Now has had a rough start. Almost every week there’s news of big titles leaving the service or studios abandoning the platform altogether. Of course, some new games are added – but the overall quality has noticeably dropped.

The service has, or will soon, lose games from: Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, Rockstar, Square Enix, Take-Two/2K Games,...

By | 28 May 2020 | Cloud

Unreal Engine 5 PS5 demo was just 1440p, 30 FPS, and lacked ray-tracing

A demo of Unreal Engine 5 running on the upcoming PS5 was running at just 1440p resolution, 30 FPS, and lacked ray-tracing.

The video is a decent graphical showcase of what the next Unreal Engine can do but is relatively disappointing on a technical level. Many gamers are expecting up to 8K games, 120 FPS, and jaw-dropping ray-tracing from the next-gen consoles, but the current demo is more along the lines of the performance from the current PS4 Pro and Xbox One...

By | 14 May 2020 | Devices

Unreal Engine 4.25 adds support for Xbox Series X and PS5

The latest version of Unreal Engine has been released, adding support for the Xbox Series X and PS5 next-gen consoles.

Despite potential shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both of the new consoles are still due to release later this year.

We've already seen the specs revealed for each console and the features they'll support. The new Xbox has the overall power advantage, but the PS5 is still no slouch and has some unique tricks up its sleeve like ultra-fast loading...

By | 6 May 2020 | Gaming

Xbox chief Phil Spencer expects next-gen games to be like ‘2D to 3D’

Xbox chief Phil Spencer is expecting a truly generational leap in games will occur later this year, likened to the jump from 2D to 3D.

We know from the specs that both the Xbox Series X and the PS5 are monsters that finally compete with even high-end PCs. However, there were some pretty photorealistic games available on the One X and PS4 Pro – so can we really expect that much of a jump? Spencer believes so.

Anyone who's been around games for multiple generations knows...

By | 28 April 2020 | Devices