Untitled Goose Game Developer Details How They Added Multiplayer to the Game

Untitled Goose Game Multiplayer Update

In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Untitled Goose Game developer House House breaks down how they added multiplayer to the game.

"For a start, we had to make a new goose. In terms of looks, we knew that players would need to be able to tell the two geese apart, but we also liked the idea that the characters in the game couldn't really tell them apart," said House House's Nico Disseldorp. "So we tried to find a way to make this goose look different in its details, but in overall terms look pretty much like the same kind of goose."

To make the second goose different, Disseldorp said they added an extra bump on its beak, made the goose softer and rounder, and tweaked the honk to make it sound different. Another fun thing they added is making the human characters smarter in order to tell the geese apart. Disseldorp added they had to balance things like making sure the humans can catch both geese, while also providing them chances to help each other escape. Additionally, the mode supports local multiplayer but you also have the option of playing with the second player online.

"After the game's release last year, we had an opportunity to do some more work on the game," continued Disseldorp. "One of our favorite things about the response to the game was how many people were playing together with their friends, watching or taking turns. So we decided that the most exciting thing for us would be to add that second goose into the game."

Untitled Goose Game released on the Nintendo Switch and Epic Games Store last year. Between its release on those platforms plus PS4 and Xbox One, the game went onto sell a million copies in its first three months. Last month, the game's multiplayer mode was announced during Nintendo's Indie World Showcase. Additionally, physical versions of the game are up for preorder now from iam8bit.

Untitled Goose Game is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. You can watch a trailer for the game below.

The post Untitled Goose Game Developer Details How They Added Multiplayer to the Game by David Gill appeared first on DualShockers.

Microsoft CEO Says It Will Continue to Look to Grow Xbox Game Studios

Microsoft announced that it would be spending a cool $7.5 billion to snatch up ZeniMax Media, and by proxy, Bethesda Softworks, only yesterday, and despite the massive transaction being set to take place at the end of this fiscal period, it doesn't seem as though the mega-corporation has closed its pocketbook just yet.

In a new conversation with Cnet, Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella spoke a bit about the Bethesda acquisition and what it means for the company in the future. Nadella said that he believes software will be vital for Microsoft moving forward. As such, even though Bethesda has been brought aboard and now grows Xbox Games Studio to 23 teams in total, Nadella doesn't seem to look at this as the final acquisition that Microsoft will ever make.

"We'll always look for places where there is that commonality of purpose, mission and culture," Nadella acknowledged while calling back to the history that Bethesda and Microsoft have had in the past. "We will always look to grow inorganically where it makes sense."

The thought that Microsoft still isn't done adding teams to its Xbox Game Studios banner is quite staggering, especially considering that it has already added seven other studios (and established one more) since 2018. Still, considering how much the Microsoft is worth and how much capital the corporation had on-hand at any given time, further acquisitions don't seem to be out of reach by any means.

In other news, the Xbox Series X and S went up for pre-order this morning. Unfortunately for some, it seems as though they might have snagged the wrong console at checkout.

The post Microsoft CEO Says It Will Continue to Look to Grow Xbox Game Studios by Logan Moore appeared first on DualShockers.

Xbox One X Sales Surge on Amazon Following Xbox Series X Pre-Orders Going Live

Xbox One X

There has been a lot of conjecture surrounding the naming conventions that Microsoft has opted to use both in this current generation of consoles and in the one to come. Many (myself included) think that the Xbox One X/Xbox Series X and Xbox One S/Xbox Series S naming pattern might be a bit confusing to those who aren't as integrated in the gaming space. Well, those fears seem to have now been potentially verified if some new information is any indicator.

Following Xbox Series X and S pre-orders going live earlier today, it looks as though some purchasers may have snagged the wrong console. Noticed by @AndrewAlerts over on Twitter, the Xbox One X has shot up the sales charts over on Amazon and saw a 747% boost in sales, which is staggering, to say the least. The sudden change in sales of Microsoft's current-generation Xbox seems to have come about solely in relation to pre-orders for the Xbox Series X going live, which points to the fact that some people might have outright bought the wrong machine — oops.

Then again, maybe these fine consumers should be given the benefit of the doubt? After all, the Xbox One X is being discontinued by Microsoft. Perhaps the striking increase in sales is simply because many people decided all at once that they'd like to have a piece of gaming history before it's gone forever. I mean, hey, it's (really not) possible!

Anyway, did you have any luck snagging an Xbox Series X or S this morning? Be sure to let us know over in our dedicated article talking about today's events.

The post Xbox One X Sales Surge on Amazon Following Xbox Series X Pre-Orders Going Live by Logan Moore appeared first on DualShockers.

John Carmack Seems to Hope That He'll be Able to Work With Some of His Old Games Again After Bethesda Acquisition

john carmack, oculus, oculus rift

It's no secret that John Carmack and former Bethesda owner, ZeniMax Media, had a pretty messy divorce. When the latter company purchased id Software, the studio that Carmack helped found, back in 2009, the situation ended up going south a few years later once Carmack moved on to work at Oculus. After multiple lawsuits came about between both Carmack and ZeniMax, it seemed as though the likelihood of the famed game developer ever being tied to id Software once again in any capacity was all but dead. That is, until yesterday.

Following the news that Microsoft would be purchasing ZeniMax Media, Carmack seemed to be quite pleased with the development. Over on Twitter, Carmack said that he thought the news was "Great!" and went on to praised Microsoft for being a "good parent company for gaming IPs". He then, interestingly, said that he hopes the move could allow him to potentially "re-engage" on some older titles that he used to work on assuming that no on has "a grudge against me."

Carmack does seem legitimately happy about this move, but the likelihood of the famed dev ever working on future id Software titles does seem to be a tall task at the moment. Given the fact that Carmack is still somewhat heavily-involved with Oculus and likely won't be leaving in a full capacity, the only way in which I could see this partnership coming about is if he left the VR company. Then again, perhaps Carmack could find a way to work on some of his older games in a VR capacity, even if this does seem more unlikely.

Regardless, hey, I'd be down to see what Carmack could bring to the table in 2020 when it comes to properties like DOOM or Quake. I'm absolutely down for this to become reality.

The post John Carmack Seems to Hope That He'll be Able to Work With Some of His Old Games Again After Bethesda Acquisition by Logan Moore appeared first on DualShockers.

Noita Brings It's Pixel Magic Out of Early Access October 15

If you haven't seen Nolla Games' Noita yet, you're in for a treat. The game uses beautiful art that sees every single pixel being simulated. Mixing that tech with the games different magic systems creates something that is a pure joy to watch. Check out the video below to see it in action. Make sure to pay attention to how each spell interacts with different elements in the level. It's some next-level stuff.

Noita has been in early access for almost a year now, but it's almost ready for primetime. The game is set to launch on October 15. Even in early access, the game was stunning in motion. However, with 1.0 coming soon, players can expect another massive update. Nolla will add new enemies, spells, perks, and tons more next month. Their latest update also mentions a potential new game mode. They're a little cagey on that front, so I'm not sure if we'll see that make it in for release.

Regardless, Noita is a gorgeous-looking roguelite that is worth a look. What it's doing on a systems level alone is impressive. It's also worth noting that the price will go up a bit once it comes out of early access. So, if you want to hop in at a reduced rate, you'd better get in there quickly.

Noita comes to PC on October 15. There are a ton of roguelites out this year, but if you're in the mood for something that looks a little different, Noita might tickle your fancy. If nothing else, it's worth seeking out some videos to see how all the elements play together.

The post Noita Brings It's Pixel Magic Out of Early Access October 15 by Ricky Frech appeared first on DualShockers.

New Xbox Mobile App is Live on Android With Xbox One Remote Play

Xbox

With Microsoft gearing up to launch both the Xbox Series X and Series S this November, the company has been not only preparing to debut its new next-gen hardware, but also making broader changes across the Xbox ecosystem. Notably, this includes Xbox's app across computers, tablets, and smartphones, with Microsoft having officially released its reimagined mobile app for everyone on Android devices.

Microsoft has officially released the newest iteration of the Xbox mobile app, which features a major overhaul of the app's design and interface, and brings several new features into the app ahead of the Series X/Series S launch. Most notably, the new version of the Xbox app allows all users on Android devices to remote play their Xbox One games, which was previously accessible only to Xbox Insiders. Likewise, the new app also features the ability to setup a Series X or Series S console, which will likely make the transition to the new systems a little easier when they launch in November.

Earlier in the year, Microsoft gave a new look at what the dashboard and UI experience will be like on the Series X, along with other compatible devices using the app. From what Microsoft showed, the company is aiming for a seamless, integrated experience across devices, with the Xbox mobile app offering the ability to check your friends list and notifications, and manage your game library on-the-go. Additionally, the app will also play into the updated sharing features of the Series X and Series S, which will let players quickly post screenshots and gameplay clips from their console to their mobile devices on social media.

The Xbox app is now available on Android devices, but it's unclear just yet if (or when) the app will be updated for iOS users.

The post New Xbox Mobile App is Live on Android With Xbox One Remote Play by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

The Elder Scrolls Online Will Continue to be Supported on PS4 Moving Forward

The Elder Scrolls Online elsweyr

While Bethesda doesn't have too many live-service games in their catalog, questions surrounding the few that the publisher does have were called into question recently after Microsoft snatched up the company. Fortunately, in the case of The Elder Scrolls Online, which is surely Bethesda's most-notable title that sees frequent updates, the status of the title moving forward on platforms other than PC and Xbox will not be changing.

In a message from ZeniMax Online Studios' head Matt Firor, it was confirmed that The Elder Scrolls Online will continue to be "supported exactly as it was" on "the platforms that are currently supported." This means that if you're someone who actively plays the popular MMO on PS4, ZeniMax won't be shutting down the game's services on this platform purely because Bethesda is now owned by Microsoft.

That being said, the move doesn't make clear that prospective PS5 players of The Elder Scrolls Online, which will be arriving on the next-gen platform later this year, will continue to receive support. Still, given the fact that Bethesda announced it would be bringing the game to PS5 long before this recent acquisition occurred, it stands to reason that the upcoming PlayStation will fall under the same rules as the PS4.

As for the future of The Elder Scrolls Online, ZeniMax is planning to release the game's next expansion, entitled Markarth, in early November. For more on what to expect from that release, be sure to check out our interview with ZeniMax's Rich Lamber about the future of ESO.

The post The Elder Scrolls Online Will Continue to be Supported on PS4 Moving Forward by Logan Moore appeared first on DualShockers.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars is the Third Biggest Game Launch of 2020 in the UK

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Featuring a collection of three of Mario's most notable 3D adventures, it's not exactly a huge surprise that the recently-released Super Mario 3D All-Stars would be a hit. Released this month to celebrate Mario's 35th anniversary, the collection from Nintendo is already breaking some big sales records with its launch, including debuting at the top of the sales charts in the UK and emerging as one of the best-selling games of 2020 so far.

According to UK game sales data that was released this week, Super Mario 3D All-Stars has debuted as the third biggest game launch of 2020 in the UK, with The Last of Us Part II and Animal Crossing: New Horizons as the only two titles for the year that have ranked above it. According to additional details from GamesIndustry.biz, 3D All-Stars also topped the sales charts with its debut and dethroned Marvel's Avengers, which was the top-selling title for the past two weeks beforehand in the UK. Their report also explained that to date, 3D All-Stars is the fifth fastest-selling Switch title ever in the UK, behind only four titles: Pokemon Sword & Shield, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Super Mario Odyssey.

3D All-Stars was announced by Nintendo earlier this month as part of the company's celebrations for Mario's 35th anniversary, which also included a mixed-reality Mario Kart title, a new Mario battle royale-esque game, and the Switch release of Super Mario 3D World in February. The company also announced a variety of Mario-themed events taking place in recent Switch and mobile titles such as Mario Kart Tour and Super Mario Maker 2.

The 3D All-Stars collection was rumored for some time until Nintendo's confirmation, and it was also revealed that 3D All-Stars is a limited time release until March 31, 2021 for both the physical and digital versions of the game. Given the nostalgia factor behind playing classic titles like Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy (combined with its limited release), it's not a surprise that 3D All-Stars is already shaping up to be a major hit for the Switch.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars is available now on Nintendo Switch for a limited time.

The post Super Mario 3D All-Stars is the Third Biggest Game Launch of 2020 in the UK by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2 Are Rumored to be Heading to PC

Outside of the dismal release of Metal Gear Survive a few years back, Konami hasn't been doing much of anything with what is likely the publisher's most iconic property. However, if new rumors prove to be true, it sounds as though that lack

In a new rumor that is stemming from Resetera, multiple forum users have claimed that Konami will soon be bringing the first two entries in the Metal Gear Solid saga to PC at some point in the future. A user by the name of Potterson, who is said to have leaked some correct information in the past, claimed that both MGS and MGS2: Sons of Liberty will be coming to the platform, but declined to say when it could be happening (assuming they have this knowledge). Potterson was then backed up by a moderator on the thread by the name of Jawmuncher who said they could also verify this info.

Obviously, there is a lot to break down here and what's being said might not have much weight. After all, forum rumors like this can have spotty track records from time to time, so don't take any of this as complete truth just yet. That being said, Potterson does has leaked information that proved to be true in the past, so this could also stand to be real.

It's also just not outside the realm of possibility that Konami would opt to do this. For those unaware, Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2 have each been on PC in the past, although these iterations are both quite old. Still, the fact that each game has come to the platform previously and the rumor at the source of this story simply purports that Konami is looking to port these older PC versions forward to make them compatible with modern setups isn't anything too bold to claim. Not to mention, Konami itself has been porting a lot of its older games to newer hardware in recent years, so the decision from them on a publishing level to do something like this with Metal Gear Solid would be in line with what they've already been doing.

If this rumor ends up being true, we'll surely hear something from Konami soon enough. And if not, well, at least Metal Gear Solid 5 is still playable on PC right now. 

The post Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2 Are Rumored to be Heading to PC by Logan Moore appeared first on DualShockers.

Insta-Forum: Did You Manage to Pre-Order a PS5 or Xbox Series X?

ps5 xbox series x

After what has felt like an especially extended wait, Microsoft and Sony have finally both taken off onto the road to next-gen with pre-orders now available for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Sony launched its pre-orders for the PS5 last week, while earlier today Microsoft began opening pre-orders at retailers for both of its consoles, the Xbox Series X and Series S.

It's safe to say that the pre-order process for both platforms has been…less than ideal. But with pre-orders now open for the systems ahead of their November launches, we're that much closer to finally getting our hands on the next-gen consoles and their line-ups of new games.

With that in mind, we're turning to the DualShockers community to ask: Did you manage to get in pre-orders for either the PS5 or Xbox Series X/Series S (or both)? Which console did you end up going with? If you didn't end up getting one, which system are you planning to get this holiday season? Let us know in comments below.

So far, personally I managed to get in pre-orders for both the PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series X, and my credit card is going to hate me for it in November. That said, hopefully as long as both pre-orders go through, I'll be looking forward to jumping into next-gen in a little under two months with both platforms at launch, which is pretty exciting.

The Xbox Series X will launch first on November 10, 2020, while the PS5 will follow with its release starting in select countries on November 12, 2020, with a worldwide launch on November 19, 2020. For more info on the next-gen consoles, you can check out our PS5 pre-order and Xbox Series X/Series S pre-order guides, and everything you need to know about both Sony and Microsoft's next-gen consoles.

The post Insta-Forum: Did You Manage to Pre-Order a PS5 or Xbox Series X? by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.