Cyberpunk 2077 Working to Avoid Bullet Sponge Enemies

Cyberpunk 2077

Yesterday's Night City Wire event gave us our first real look at the various armaments of Cyberpunk 2077. This is new territory for developer CD Projekt Red, which has kept mostly to the world of melee combat for its titles. Naturally, there are lots of questions that go past the guns in the game and into some of the issues that shooters can experience, namely bullet sponge enemies.

Speaking to VG247 about Cyberpunk 2077's combat systems, CD Projekt Red veteran and senior gameplay designer Pawel Kapala shed some light on what we can expect when smart-bullet meets enemy. And to answer that first question about enemies that can shrug off loads of buckshot with no worry – much like enemies in games like The Division or Assassin's Creed Odyssey – Kapala stresses that players won't have that kind of experience.

When asked how Cyberpunk 2077 will tow that ever-thin line between frustrating and challenging enemies in regards to their health bars, Kapala responded referencing the game's apparently low time-to-kill. According to him, the normal goons and wastoids V encounters in Night City will be "quite fast to kill, quite fast to engage. However, they're quite deadly as well, so you will need to basically use cover, and move around a lot."

Of course, enemies in Cyberpunk won't stop at being overly-aggressive. The bigger baddies will come armed to the teeth (maybe quite literally) with cybernetic enhancements that elevate them to the realm of super-human. So, what are players to expect when they're facing against a 7-foot tall gangster that replaced their torso with a tank? Apparently, it won't be that bad. Kapala says that avoiding the issue of bullet sponges is as simple as making enemies react. "We basically ensure that hit reactions on our NPCs are always played. This is a big problem in most of the games that I played that have bullet sponges – that basically you don't see any type of reaction on the NPC as you're hitting him."

Kapala has a point here, one of the worst parts of fighting against bullet sponge enemies is that there isn't anything visual showing that they've been hurt. Sure, you may be able to watch that health bar slowly whittle away clip after clip, but it's simply not as satisfying. I'm still hopeful that Cyberpunk 2077 introduces other mechanics that help avoid the monotony that comes with shooting one dude for five minutes. In fact, I hope that scenario doesn't carry out in the game at all. But so far, it seems like the folks working behind the scenes to make CD Projekt Red's first title with shooting mechanics satisfying are holding up the studio's exceedingly high standards.

Cyberpunk 2077 is set to launch on November 19 for Xbox One, PS4 and PC, with Xbox Series X and PS5 releases coming later.

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Fable Job Listings Seem to Indicate That Release is Still Far Off

Fable

At long last, Microsoft revealed a few weeks back that the reboot of the Fable franchise is officially in the works at Playground Games. While the project has been rumored for years at this point, this was the first revelation directly from the publisher that fans would soon be able to return to the world of Albion. However, if you had any inclination that the forthcoming Fable game would be arriving soon, you might want to dash those hopes.

If you take a cursory glance over at Playground's careers page on the studio's official website, you'll see that the developer still looks to be staffing up quite a bit. And not only are there a lot of active positions to be filled on Playground's Fable team, but the roles that are currently being hired for look to be quite important.

Of the vital jobs that are currently open, Playground is still looking to add a Lead Audio Engineer, Lead AI Engineer, Lead Game Designer, Animation Director, and a Lead Scriptwriter to the team. These positions are just a few of the nearly 40 that are currently available at Playground right this moment.

With this in mind, what does it mean for the development of Fable? Well, it sounds as though the game is still pretty early into production. The fact that so many key roles like the ones previously mentioned are still up for grabs shows that Fable is still in all likelihood not going to release for a few more years at this point. Perhaps that shouldn't come as a surprise given that all we've seen of the title so far is a very brief teaser trailer that features no in-game footage, but it's still worth pointing out all the same. While this is purely just speculation on my part, 2022 seems like the earliest window in which Fable would be likely to release.

For now, all we really know about Fable is that it's set to release on Xbox Series X and PC. Once Microsoft's next-gen console launches later this November, perhaps we'll start seeing more of what Playground has up its sleeve for this beloved RPG series.

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Xbox Series X is Officially Launching in November

Xbox Series X

With just a few months between now and the debut of the next-generation consoles this fall, Microsoft and Sony have found themselves in a bit of an arms race to reveal more details on when their respective new systems will launch. Neither company has budged just yet on announcing the full details for when their systems will launch or for what price, but Microsoft has narrowed the playing field to reveal the launch window for the Xbox Series X.

In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft has officially confirmed that the Xbox Series X will be launching in November, narrowing its initial launch window from holiday 2020. However, no specific details have arrived just yet for either the exact date that the system will launch or its price. The announcement of the system's release window comes alongside the news that Halo Infinite, which was aimed as the console's marquee launch title, has been delayed into 2021 to allow for additional development time and polish on the long-anticipated title.

Despite Halo Infinite being pushed back into next year, Microsoft detailed in its blog post that at the Series X's launch users will be able to play "over 100 optimized for Xbox Series X titles" before the end of 2020. Additionally, as mentioned before by Microsoft, the Series X will encompass a number of titles across four generations of Xbox's platforms through backwards compatibility.

With the system now about three months away from release, it's not a huge surprise that Microsoft has announced November as the official release window for the Series X. Both of its predecessors (Xbox 360 and Xbox One) arrived in November when they launched around the timing of Black Friday, making sense for Microsoft to aim for a similar launch window for the Xbox Series X. If that's the case again, we can most likely expect the system in mid to late November.

A key factor that will likely play into the system's launch is the potential announcement of a second model for the console, which we now know is most likely called the Xbox Series X according to recent leaks of the new Xbox controller. Like with the two model approach for the PS5, the Xbox Series S is reported to be an all-digital model that (presumably) will offer a cheaper alternative to the Series X. The Series S has not been formally revealed yet by Microsoft, but rumors indicate that we may see it announced sometime this month.

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Halo Infinite Surprisingly Delayed to 2021

In a year that has been rough on developers around the globe due to the ongoing pandemic, 343 Industries shockingly announced today that it will be delaying the release of Halo Infinite from its Holiday 2020 window into 2021.

Halo Infinite, which is the latest entry in the beloved first-person shooter franchise, was set to be the biggest launch title for the Xbox Series X later this year, but it will now be arriving a bit after the next-gen console arrives. "We have made the difficult decision to shift our release to 2021 to ensure the team has adequate time to deliver a Halo game experience that meets our vision," 343's studio head Chris Lee explained in a message on social media. Lee said that the had come about for a variety of reasons, but specifically mentioned how development has become tough this year due to COVID-19. He went on to thank fans for understanding while also acknowledging that he knows the news will be upsetting.

Halo Infinite has been hyped up as the Xbox Series X's biggest launch title for well over a year at this point, which makes its delay so shocking. That said, after some fans seemed to be left wanting more following the game's campaign demo which was shown off a few weeks back, this delay perhaps isn't as jarring as it once would have been.

It's also worth noting that the Xbox Series X will still be launching this year and has been confirmed to arrive in November 2020. Previously, Xbox head Phil Spencer said that no single game getting pushed back would prevent the next-gen platform from arriving this year, and that is holding true.

There's a lot to unpack here for certain, but what are your initial thoughts? Let us know down in the comments.

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Get a Look at How Microsoft's xCloud Works on 5G

Project xCloud

At long last, Microsoft is finally letting the general public go hands-on with its new game streaming service known as xCloud. Starting today, those with a subscription to Xbox Game Pass can begin checking out xCloud before it formally launches next month on September 15 in certain countries around the globe. Fortunately, we've previously had access to the service and can now share with you our early impressions of how it works.

Our resident Video Manager, Mario Rivera, has been in the private beta for xCloud for quite some time now and has been able to test how Microsoft's game streaming platform functions. In our new video, which you can see below, Mario was able to give xCloud a whirl on a few different services which included WiFi, LTE, and 5G. He was also able to try out games of varying genres which included the like of Halo 5, Forza, and Gears of War.

Based on Mario's own time with xCloud, WiFi seems to be the best route to go down for the most stable connection. LTE and 4G connections, on the other hand, still allows for games to be streamed through your mobile device, but the result isn't desirable by any means. And even though 5G has yet to release in a wide-capacity, Mario found that the upcoming advancement of the cellular network performs remarkably with xCloud. Even if most don't have 5G access just yet, it seems like games could be easily playable via the network in the future.

We should have a whole lot more on xCloud in the future as it starts to slowly roll out, but for now, it seems like the service could be worth getting excited about. And if you're looking to pick up a new phone that will be compatible with the platform, here are the four best that we think you should look into.

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New York Comic-Con Event Cancelled, Will Stream on YouTube Instead

As many have likely expected, the physical New York Comic-Con has officially been canceled today. With most of the world's in-person conferences shutting down in 2020 due to the coronavirus, it's no surprise to see NYCC join them. However, it's not all bad news. The team behind the event is still planning to put something together via a series of YouTube streams. This should give fans an opportunity to get a great look at some of the entertainment world's hottest properties.

The online New York Comic-Con will take place from October 8-11 on the NYCC YouTube channel. Expect to see streams covering properties like American Gods and Star Trek. Plus, panels from teams at DreamWorks Animation and Hulu. Obviously, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Fans should expect more announcements to drop in the coming weeks.

It will be interesting to see how some of the things Comic-Con is known for are handled in a virtual format. For instance, cosplay is always an incredibly popular part of the show. It would, of course, be a bear to organize, but I wonder if they'll still hold some kind of showcase for fans who've spent the last few months prepping their cosplays.

There is a ton for the team at ReedPop to figure out. The panels and streams will undoubtedly be popular; however, Comic-Con has several things that don't translate easily to a virtual event. This is not a task I envy.

New York Comic-Con might not be happening this year, but fans can still experience a slice of the event. Organizer ReedPop has YouTube streams scheduled from October 8-11 with plenty more to be announced in the coming weeks.

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Sam Fisher is Coming to Rainbow Six Siege

Well, it's official: Ubisoft is apparently dead-set on bringing Sam Fisher to every one of its properties except for, you know, Splinter Cell.

Revealed in a new trailer this afternoon, Ubisoft announced that Sam Fisher, the iconic protagonist from the Splinter Cell series, is now set to make his way to the world of Rainbow Six Siege. Fisher, who will seemingly go by the designation "Zero" in-game, will be the next operator added to Siege and will be made available as part of the Operation Shadow Legacy event. Further details on Fisher's inclusion in the highly-popular multiplayer FPS weren't given, but more information is said to drop this coming weekend on August 16 during the NA-Mini Major Finals.

While it may be surprising to see Fisher make his way to Rainbow Six Siege, this is actually something that Ubisoft has slightly teased that it has had an interest in for a bit now. Earlier this year, one of the game designers behind Siege hinted to us that we might start to see some guest characters from Ubisoft's lineup make their way over to the game. Considering that Fisher is one of the more popular characters in Ubisoft's portfolio, and he makes sense to fit into the world of Rainbow Six, it's not too shocking to see him now being added to the shooter.

As for Fisher himself, the character's latest stop in Siege is his latest in a long list of appearances. The Splinter Cell protagonist has notably popped up in other franchises such as Ghost Recon and Elite Squad in recent memory. Notably, a new Splinter Cell game itself has yet to be confirmed to be in development at Ubisoft, however.

Rainbow Six Siege is available now on PC, Xbox One, and PS4. More information on Fisher's addition to the game and Operation Shadow Legacy as a whole should be coming soon, so stay tuned.

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Risk of Rain 2 Drops Out of Early Access Today With New Content

Risk of Rain 2, Hoppo Games, Gearbox Publishing

After a little over a year in early access, Risk of Rain 2 is finally ready for prime time. The action roguelike is available now on PC via Steam. Players on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One will have to wait a little longer. That said, fans should get excited, as the launch brings with it tons of new stuff and key improvements. Give the launch trailer a watch below.

After a heated community vote, the Captain is the latest Survivor coming to Risk of Rain 2. Coming along with him is a host of new and updated items, features, and baddies. Notably, the fifth major update finally gives the game a proper ending. Complete with a cutscene, credits, and all the other bells and whistles you'd expect. Risk of Rain is a real, complete video game, y'all.

Of course, it's not just new, shiny stuff to look at. The team at Hoppo Games have diligently been working to smooth out the entire gameplay experience. That means a renewed focus on both player agency and build diversity. The latter is incredibly important for a game like this one. Ensuring that players can change their playstyle, but stay viable is something you have to have for a game with as many potential builds as RoR2.

Risk of Rain 2 is available now on PC. As mentioned, the full launch will come on consoles at a  later date. Going off of past updates, that means players should expect launch in two or three months. It's a bit of a wait, but it should be worth it for a tight experience that does the game justice.

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Alien Shooter Developer Cold Iron Studios Acquired by Daybreak Games

Alien: Blackout

We've known for a few years now that the team at Cold Iron Studios is working on a new shooter that is set in the Alien universe. However, as the development of the project has continued, Cold Iron Studios' ownership has started to change hands. Once again today, Cold Iron has now been picked up, this time around with Daybreak Games, the creator of titles like DC Universe Online, being the company's new owner.

Daybreak announced today via a press released that it has now officially acquired Cold Iron Studios. In the process, Cold Iron itself is said to be continuing its development of the forthcoming Alien shooter, which is still planned to hit both PC and consoles in the future. Daybreak will serve as a publisher for Cold Iron moving forward and the studio itself will largely continue to run on its own.

"Daybreak and Cold Iron share the same passion and long history for delivering action-packed multiplayer games for audiences worldwide," said Cold Iron Studios co-founder Craig Zinkievich of the move. "In combining our decades of experience developing and launching globally successful multiplayer titles, we're destined to make great games together."

If you remember back in 2018, FoxNext Games was actually the first publisher to pick up Cold Iron. However, when Disney ended up purchasing Fox, FoxNext games was eventually sold off to a company called Scopely earlier this year. Not long after, Scopely decided it wanted to then shop around Cold Iron, which brings us to today's acquisition.

Cold Iron has definitely had a strange past few years but hopefully, being owned by Daybreak will bring the developer some much-needed stability. Not much is known about the studio's Alien-centric shooter at the moment other than the fact that it's surprisingly set to take the form of an MMO. Hopefully, we'll begin to see more of this long-awaited project in the near future.

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BioShock Job Listing Says Upcoming Game Will Take Place in an All-New World

After over six years of dormancy, 2K Games confirmed in late 2019 that the BioShock series was set to return in a new entry that was being developed at Cloud Chamber. While initial details on the project and what it would entail weren't given alongside its revelation, it seems some first pieces of information on the game are now starting to come about.

Found by publication VGC, recent job listings at Cloud Chamber purport that the next BioShock title will take place in "a new and fantastical world." At face value, this might not seem like much, but given that the iconic setting of Rapture from the first two BioShock installments in addition to the city of Columbia from BioShock Infinite have become so iconic and beloved over the years, it wouldn't have been shocking to see Cloud Chamber return to either setting. Instead, it looks like the next title will be taking us to a wholly new location.

As for other key details that these job listings provide, well, there's not a lot. Unsurprisingly, the forthcoming BioShock is said to still be a "narrative and systems-driven experience." Given that these two elements have been central to all other entries in the series though, that shouldn't come as much of a shock.

While it might be exciting to think about where the upcoming BioShock game could go, it'll likely be quite some time before we see it in action. The game is reportedly going to be in development for "several years" before it will end up seeing the light of day. In the meantime, BioShock: The Collection did finally make its way to the Nintendo Switch earlier this year and should help tide us over until we learn more about the fourth installment.

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