FIFA 21 Won't be Receiving a Pre-Release Demo

fifa 21

Releasing pre-release demos shortly before the launch of its next full game has been a tradition that the FIFA series has been following for a long time, but it's going to break that tradition this year. EA Sports recently took to Twitter via the series' official page and confirmed that FIFA 21 won't be receiving a demo prior to its full release.

EA Sports says that the decision has been made so the developers can focus on "delivering the best full game experience" for all platforms. That's pretty vague wording, and raises plenty of questions when you consider the fact that it is a surprising break from tradition for the FIFA franchise to not release demos, but that's all EA Sports have said on the matter for now.

FIFA 21 will launch on October 9 for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch, though the Switch release will only be another Legacy Edition. The game will also be releasing for Xbox Series X / S and PS5 later in the year.

Resident Evil Village is Still Cross-Gen, Announcement Coming Soon – Rumour

resident evil village

Back before Resident Evil Village was announced, when it was being relentlessly leaked, it was heavily rumoured that the game would be a cross-gen title. When Capcom officially announced the game in June though, it was revealed as a next-gen exclusive, with subsequent reports suggesting that Capcom had made the switch due to the PS5 and Xbox Series X's SSD, which would allow them to put a greater emphasis on exploration.

Now, however, it seems Capcom are switching back. Over on Twitter, known Resident Evil Dusk Golem (or AestheticGamer) has said that he can now "100% confirm" that Resident Evil Village is still cross-gen, and that the relevant announcement is going to be made by Capcom soon. They are still targeting a half half of 2021 launch window for the horror title.

Recently, Dusk Golem also claimed that Resident Evil Village's PS5 version was facing issues and was proving to be a stumbling block for the game's development, and that Capcom were holding internal discussions about whether or not to switch back to releasing the game as a cross-gen title. Read more on that through here.

Resident Evil Village will be the centrepiece of an hour-long panel at TGS 2020 later this month. It's possible that this is an announcement that will be made during that presentation.

It's worth noting, however, that this hasn't officially been confirmed, and as is the case with any unverified insider leak, it's best to take this with a grain of salt for now. Stay tuned to GamingBolt though, and we'll keep you updated should we learn anything new.

Quantum Error Confirmed for Xbox Series X

quantum error

TeamKill Media's "cosmic horror" first person shooter Quantum Error was one of the first games to be officially announced for the PS5. We've known for a while that the game will be coming to both PS5 and PS4 whenever it launches, and the developers have previously said that they'd be open to bringing it to Xbox as well. They've now officially confirmed that.

With a recently published teaser trailer, which you can view below, TeamKill Media have confirmed that Quantum Error will be coming to Xbox Series X (and Xbox Series S, by extension). Given that the game is cross-gen on PlayStation, one has to wonder whether an Xbox One release is on the pipeline as well. Meanwhile, in the comments of the trailer, the developer also says that a PC release is "very possible."

Quantum Error currently has no release date, but its developers have said that it'll most likely launch in 2021. You can check out some gameplay footage from the horror title through here, or learn more about it in our interview with the developers through here.

Xbox Series S Will Be Target Of Mainstream Campaigns; Xbox Series X Targeting Core Audiences, Per Phil Spencer

Xbox Series X_S

While both Sony and Microsoft are releasing two different systems this Holiday season, the approach for both is a huge difference. The two PS5 units that'll be available will be essentially the same thing, just one has a disc drive and the other doesn't. But with Microsoft, the two systems may play the same games, but by and large, they seem to be aimed at very different audiences.

In an interview with Le Figaro, Xbox boss Phil Spencer talked about the aims of both boxes. As I'm sure you know by now, the Series X is the more powerful of the two, being comparable to both PS5 models' specs and will be priced the same as Sony's PS5 with the disc drive at $499. The Series S, however, has lower specs and a much lower price. At $299, it's a full $100 lower than the digital-only version of Sony's next generation machine. As Spencer lays out, this difference means they are shooting for two separate audiences: the Series S is more for the mass market, mainstream audience and the Series X is targeted at the more "core" audience, who are looking for the best possible machine (thanks to ResetERA user bingo for translating).

"We are working with distribution to fully explain our offers and ensure that consumers make their choice with full knowledge of the facts," Spencer said. "It's up to us to be transparent and honest about the capabilities of each model. We will adapt to the target audience. The Series S will be featured in mainstream campaigns. The Series X will be pushed to core gaming targets."

It's an obvious strategy with what we know about each system, but also a very unusual one, too. Nothing quite like this has been done in the console space before, and it has proven controversial. Some developers have been critical of the Series S (with main fears being about its low RAM), and Sony allegedly considered a similar approach, but feared the hardware would be seen as outdated too quickly by consumers.

It will be interesting to see where the Series S falls. It is, without a doubt, priced to move, and Microsoft hitting this sort of low-end, high-end scope is something that seems like a slam dunk on paper, but who knows how it will translate to the actual market. The Xbox Series S and X will release on November 10th, with pre-orders set to go live tomorrow.

Phil Spencer Says Microsoft Is "Committed" To Getting Xbox Game Pass On Apple Phones

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It's hard to overstate just how incredible the announcement of Microsoft buying Bethesda really is. A major third party publisher and all of their IP and studios being bought up by a platform holder is, potentially, industry shifting. But it's also worth keeping in mind that in the long term, one of the key things Microsoft wants is to continue building the value of its Xbox Game Pass. Now all Bethesda titles will be coming to Game Pass, even if the games remain multiplatform under the Bethesda umbrella. Microsoft has expanded the service greatly, even marrying it to their cloud gaming service to launch it on Android. A key area is still missing- but the goal is to change that.

In an interview with CNBC's Squawk Alley, Xbox boss Phil Spencer talked about a lot of aspects of Microsoft's current business, including the Bethesda purchase. When it came to Game Pass extending its reach to mobile, he acknowledged the issues with Apple in getting the service on iOS, saying, "We're committed to bringing Game Pass to all mobile phones out there, including Apple phones. We'll continue the conversations and I'm sure we'll be able to get to some resolution." While it's clearly not saying much, it seems at least the company hasn't given up.

If you are unaware, due to policies from Apple on the App Store, Game Pass could not originally be put there. While Apple did eventually change those rules to allow Game Pass, it was done so in a way that was incredibly impractical, where Microsoft would have to have a separate app for each game as opposed to a single dedicated Game Pass app. Apple has butted heads with a lot of companies due to their policies as of late, with the highest profile one being the dispute between them and Epic Games that is ongoing. It's hard to say when, or if, we'll ever see Game Pass on the App Store, but Microsoft seems determined at the very least.

Deathloop And Dishonored Developer, Arkane Studios, Hiring For Two Unannounced Titles

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In the blink of an eye, or so it seemed, the gaming industry changed today. It was announced that Microsoft has purchased Bethesda in full. That includes all of their IPs and studios, including one very acclaimed one in Arkane Studios. Ironically, the studio is hard at work finishing Deathloop, a game that will be a timed console exclusive on the PS5. It seems they are also working on two other games going by their hiring.

New job listings have been posted via their website, which you can see here. There are two projects, one from Arkane France (whose last game was Dishonored 2) and the other from Arkhane Austin (who last made Prey). There's isn't a lot of information here, but the listings for Engine Programmers on both sides mention "our style of immersive simulation and emergent gameplay creates many challenges." That seems to imply it's a game very much in their wheelhouse of immersive sim shooters. There are mentions of wanting someone who has worked on an extensive online "live" service game, so most likely whatever it is also has a multiplayer element of some kind.

Arkane Studios' next game is Deathloop with is set to release on PlayStation 5 and PC in Q2 2021. We'll keep you updated as more information comes on these unannounced projects.

Sony Was Allegedly In Talks For Exclusive Deal For Bethesda's Starfield Before Microsoft Purchase

starfield

Earlier today we got one of the biggest industry changing announcements in some time: Microsoft purchasing Bethesda in full. That purchase includes the full company, all of their studios and their wealth of IP. It's unclear at this point what the future for the those IP are (whether they will be multiplatform or remain in the Microsoft ecosystem), but interestingly, before the sell one of those IPs were in the sights of the competition.

Commenting on Twitter, Kinda Funny's Imran Khan alleged that the news was interesting for a lot of obvious reasons, but one of those was that Sony was apparently in talks with Bethesda just a few months ago about an exclusive deal for their fabled Starfield. If you don't recall, Starfield is the name of a new sci-fi RPG that the company has been hyping for some time as their new big milestone IP.

It's definitely interesting, because Sony had already snatched up timed exclusive deals for two other Bethesda titles, Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo, both of which were showcased at the PS5 reveal event in June. Between that and these potential talks about Starfield, it makes one amazed at how quickly a media landscape can change.

Deathloop, GhostWire: Tokyo Timed Exclusivity on PS5 Will be Honored – Xbox Boss

GhostWire Tokyo_02

One key issue that's arisen since Microsoft announced its acquisition of ZeniMax Media has been the timed exclusivity deals for Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo. Both titles will launch for PS5 and remain exclusive to the platform (the former for at least one year) so what's the current situation? Same as before, according to Xbox boss Phil Spencer

Speaking to Bloomberg, Spencer said that the company would honor Bethesda's PS5 exclusivity agreement with Sony. However, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier noted Spencer stating that "future Bethesda games will be on Xbox, PC, and 'other consoles on a case by case basis'." This lends more credence to the idea of certain titles being exclusive to Xbox Series consoles, even if for a limited time.

Time will tell but Spencer has already confirmed that Bethesda titles will launch on Xbox Game Pass on the same day as their console and PC versions. Future titles can also be expected on the service with Starfield being hinted at as a potential candidate. As for other titles, time will tell so stay tuned in the coming months.

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are slated to launch on November 10th worldwide. Both consoles will be available to pre-order today for $499 and $299 respectively.

Future Bethesda Titles Will Launch on Xbox Game Pass for Console and PC

xbox bethesda acquisition

Following its acquisition of ZeniMax Media, Microsoft has significantly expanded on its first-party studio line-up. Along with noting that its studio teams have increased from 15 to 23, Xbox boss Phil Spencer confirmed on Xbox Wire that the company will "be adding Bethesda's iconic franchises to Xbox Game Pass." You can also expect future Bethesda games to launch on Xbox Game Pass on the same day as their Xbox and PC releases.

One interesting bit that Spencer hinted at was the prospect of Starfield being an Xbox Game Pass launch title. "One of the things that has me most excited is seeing the roadmap with Bethesda's future games, some announced and many unannounced, to Xbox console and PC including Starfield, the highly anticipated, new space epic currently in development by Bethesda Game Studios." Since it was mentioned in the same context, one has to assume that it's a possibility.

There's also the prospect of The Elder Scrolls 6 releasing for Game Pass as well. Bethesda has stated numerous times that the title is still a ways off from launch with Starfield coming first. Whenever the developer is ready to talk about either, expect more information on their Game Pass availability (and perhaps potential timed exclusivity details).

In the meantime, Bethesda's Pete Hines confirmed that it's business as usual with the company still publishing its own games. You can also check out what The Elder Scrolls and Fallout director Todd Howard said about the company's acquisition here.

Microsoft Buys ZeniMax Media – What This Means for The Elder Scrolls 6, Starfield, and the Industry

When Microsoft announced that it had acquired ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion, owning companies like Bethesda, Arkane Studios, id Software and so on in the process, I attempted to make sense of the timed exclusivity deal for Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo. Sony announced that both titles would be timed exclusives for the PS5 with the former at least being exclusive for one year. That money is presumably still with Bethesda but the company is now owned by Microsoft with the latter benefiting from sales for both games. It's a rigmarole but only the beginning of a labyrinth of questions that will continue for months.

xbox bethesda acquisition

Bethesda's Pete Hines has clarified that the company will still publish its own games. Todd Howard talked about the trajectory of Microsoft and Bethesda, the partnership that both have shared over decades – from Morrowind coming to Xbox and Oblivion coming to Xbox 360 to Fallout 4 having support for mods on the Xbox One – and everyone sharing the "belief that expanding the reach of gaming was fundamental, whether it was on a PC, console, your phone, or the cloud."

Let's get the obvious stuff out of the way – this opens up The Elder Scrolls 6 to being on Xbox Game Pass at launch (Starfield has seemingly been confirmed), increasing the service's value immensely. In fact, this significantly augments other areas where Microsoft may have been lacking. It now has a second blockbuster shooter in DOOM to lean on. It has a fairly strong subscription-based MMO with The Elder Scrolls Online. It has several interesting new IPs that it could make new games for, like The Evil Within, Prey, Wolfenstein and Dishonored. It also has Fallout 76 for…something. And though we haven't seen it on a huge scale yet, it opens up the potential for widespread collaboration with other Xbox Game Studios.

What's especially more interesting is that Microsoft will honor the timed exclusivity agreement for Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo on PS5 but future titles will be on Xbox, PC and "other consoles on a case by case basis." This means that it could pull an UNO Reverse card and have timed exclusivity for Bethesda's titles on Xbox Series X and S. It could have special benefits only available to Xbox or Game Pass players (which it's already doing with games like Phantasy Star Online 2). If the company were really serious, it could make The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield exclusive to the Xbox Series consoles and PC, end of story. Heck, you may see Skyrim Ultimate Edition at some point with ray-tracing and 120 frames support exclusive to the Xbox Series consoles, either permanently or as a timed deal.

the elder scrolls 6

It's also kind of crazy to think that Microsoft doesn't just own clones of Bethesda-style games like The Outer Worlds and the upcoming Avowed – it also owns the original games. You could look at it is diluting its portfolio with the same types of games or offering more variety to those who want it. Regardless, the consumer wins and Microsoft wins by default due to owning all of these IPs.

The acquisition could also present significant ramifications on the quality of Bethesda titles. We may see more extensive bug testing and delays to ensure maximum polish. We could see multi-platform games running better on Xbox Series consoles, purely on the basis of the developers having access to more resources to optimize their games better. There may even be instances where certain games receive unforeseen improvements, like inXile's Wasteland 3 having full voice-acting thanks to Microsoft's support.

The modding scene could also be significantly impacted. Given how popular mods are with The Elder Scrolls and Fallout communities, and how Obsidian is reportedly looking into mod support for Avowed, we could see Xbox becoming the prime destination for console mods. What impact mods will face with these games being available on Windows Store or requiring Xbox Live login even on Steam remains to be seen.

starfield

Of course, there is a somber way to look at all this as well. Bethesda was one of the biggest publishers in the gaming industry. With this acquisition, the industry as a whole is becoming more consolidated, which means that sooner or later, developers will have to look into throwing in their lot with one big company or another. And while certain Bethesda titles being exclusive to Xbox is a huge win for Microsoft, it could hurt PlayStation fans in the process. Not that Sony wasn't doing its best to stick it to Xbox for the past several months, especially if rumors about the publisher negotiating for timed exclusivity with Starfield on PS5 are correct. Microsoft is essentially evening the score, but PS5 consumers may suffer as a result.

Then again, despite all these cutthroat business deals being made, it's not like both companies won't benefit. Microsoft could make Starfield available on the PS5 at the same time as Xbox Series X and S and PC. While it has to pay console license fees to Sony, it benefits from the revenue of selling more units. Both companies win but Microsoft could potentially draw more players over to its brand. "Would you really like to pay $70 for The Elder Scrolls 6?" it may ask after you complete Starfield. "Why not pick up an Xbox Series S and Game Pass and enjoy it for cheaper? There are a bunch of other games to enjoy as well."

It's also worth noting that we likely won't see the true impact of this deal for years to come, much like with Microsoft's other studio acquisitions. The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield are still years off, the former more than the latter. Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo will be PS5-console exclusive until 2022 at least. It's the future that Microsoft is looking at – the company is preparing for a marathon, and not just a short sprint, aiming to increase engagement over the long run instead of selling as many consoles as possible in the opening few months. Granted, this takes time but for better or worse, Microsoft has indeed taken steps to widen its first-party portfolio with must-play games from high-profile studios.

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Whatever your stance on all of this, it's a given that the industry will never be the same again. But one has to also beg the question: If ZeniMax Media was open to acquisition, who else could be next? Larian Studios to corner the market on western RPGs? Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, which Microsoft was reportedly interested in acquiring and may have done so if parent company WarnerMedia didn't have second thoughts? Electronic Arts, which has had a great reputation with the company for years and recently confirmed that EA Play would be included with Game Pass?

How will Sony respond? It already has a number of great first party titles coming and would likely look into picking up more studios. Perhaps it will sign even crazier third-party deals, that is, when Japanese developers aren't already flocking to get their games on the console. You have to believe that Microsoft is anticipating all of this and will make its own moves in response. It's an interesting back and forth exchange with neither letting up, perhaps leading to the most memorable console generation yet and the industry as a whole evolving. The possibilities, and their consequences, are endless and we can't wait to see what happens next.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.