Cyberpunk 2077 will give Xbox One owners the Xbox Series X version for free

With all of the major announcements this morning about the Xbox a Series X, the brilliant minds over at CD Projekt Red decided to add a little more hype to the announcements by reassuring players that buying Cyberpunk 2077 for the Xbox One will grant you a free upgraded version of the game for the Xbox Series X.

I agree 100% with what they’re saying as well.  You shouldn’t have to buy two different versions of the same game depending on the console you choose to game on.  I think other companies will follow in the same path and hopefully we’ll see a little less controversy and more good news pertaining to free upgrades to games on the Xbox One.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be playable at PAX East 2020

Nintendo has announced that Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be playable at PAX East 2020! Attendees are able to try out the game for the first time and recieve a Tom Nook tote bag. In addition, an Animal Crossing merch store will be open on the show floor.

PAX East 2020 runs from February 27th to March 1st in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Lastly, Animal Crossing: New Horizons releases on March 20th for Switch. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

Xbox details Xbox Series X specs and features

We first got our glimpse at the new box at the VGAs, and since then, we have just heard rumors and speculation about just how powerful the new Xbox Series X is.

Phil Spencer has now confirmed what we can expect this holiday season via Xbox Wire, and it looks like the hype was real.  Maybe it can eat monsters for breakfast?  Check out the details below!

A superior balance of power and speed

Compared to the previous generation, Xbox Series X represents a superior balance of power and speed in console design, advancing on all technological fronts to delivering amazing, dynamic, living worlds and minimize any aspects that can take you out of the experience. Our job at Team Xbox is to give teams the tools they need to achieve their ambitions and tap into the console’s power with efficiency, a few of which we’re detailing today. Raw power is just part of the story:

  • Next Generation Custom Processor:Xbox Series X is our most powerful console ever powered by our custom designed processor leveraging AMD’s latest Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures. Delivering four times the processing power of an Xbox One and enabling developers to leverage 12 TFLOPS of GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) performance – twice that of an Xbox One X and more than eight times the original Xbox One. Xbox Series X delivers a true generational leap in processing and graphics power with cutting edge techniques resulting in higher framerates, larger, more sophisticated game worlds, and an immersive experience unlike anything seen in console gaming.
  • Variable Rate Shading (VRS): Our patented form of VRS empowers developers to more efficiently utilize the full power of the Xbox Series X. Rather than spending GPU cycles uniformly to every single pixel on the screen, they can prioritize individual effects on specific game characters or important environmental objects. This technique results in more stable frame rates and higher resolution, with no impact on the final image quality.
  • Hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing: You can expect more dynamic and realistic environments powered by hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing – a first for console gaming. This means true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections and realistic acoustics in real time as you explore the game world.

Immersion in an instant

The next console generation will be defined by more playing and less waiting. And when play begins, we know many gamers demand ultra-low latency to be as immersed and precise as possible. To this end, the team analyzed every step between player and game, from controller to console to display, and asked how we could make it faster.

  • SSD Storage: With our next-generation SSD, nearly every aspect of playing games is improved. Game worlds are larger, more dynamic and load in a flash and fast travel is just that – fast.
  • Quick Resume: The new Quick Resume feature lets you continue multiple games from a suspended state almost instantly, returning you to where you were and what you were doing, without waiting through long loading screens.
  • Dynamic Latency Input (DLI): We’re optimizing latency in the player-to-console pipeline starting with our Xbox Wireless Controller, which leverages our high bandwidth, proprietary wireless communication protocol when connected to the console. With Dynamic Latency Input (DLI), a new feature which synchronizes input immediately with what is displayed, controls are even more precise and responsive.
  • HDMI 2.1 Innovation: We’ve partnered with the HDMI forum and TV manufacturers to enable the best gaming experience through features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). ALLM allows Xbox One and Xbox Series X to automatically set the connected display to its lowest latency mode. VRR synchronizes the display’s refresh rate to the game’s frame rate, maintaining smooth visuals without tearing. Ensuring minimal lag and the most responsive gaming experience.
  • 120 fps Support: With support for up to 120 fps, Xbox Series X allows developers to exceed standard 60 fps output in favor of heightened realism or fast-paced action.

The next generation of game compatibility

The benefits of the next console generation extend in every direction, bringing greater visual fidelity and improved loading speeds to your existing gaming legacy, in addition to new games. We’re continuing our commitment to compatibility with Xbox Series X and investing in technology that makes game ownership easier across generations.

  • Four generations of gaming: Our commitment to compatibility means existing Xbox One games, including backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, look and play better than ever before. Your favorite games, including titles in Xbox Game Pass, benefit from steadier framerates, faster load times and improved resolution and visual fidelity – all with no developer work required. Your Xbox One gaming accessories also come forward with you.
  • Smart Delivery: This technology empowers you to buy a game once and know that – whether you are playing it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X – you are getting the right version of that game on whatever Xbox you’re  playing on. We’re making the commitment to use Smart Delivery on all our exclusive Xbox Game Studios titles, including Halo Infinite, ensuring you only have to purchase a title once in order to play the best available version for whichever Xbox console they choose to play on. This technology is available for all developers and publishers, and they can choose to use it for titles that will be release on Xbox One first and come to the Xbox Series X later.
  • Xbox Game Pass: In addition to games from across four generations of consoles, our leading game subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, will continue to have our first party games, like Halo Infinite, included at their launch.  We look forward to millions of you experiencing the Xbox Game Pass portfolio and immersing yourselves in a deep library of high-quality games, playing those you love now and also discovering your next great adventure.

A generation with players at the center

Xbox Series X is our fastest, most powerful console ever, designed for a console generation that has you at its center. This means a high-fidelity gaming experience enclosed in a quiet and bold design, with the ability to discover thousands of games across four generations, all with more playing and less waiting.

Whether it’s empowering amazing creators at our 15 Xbox Game Studios, fueling game discovery with Xbox Game Pass, or expanding what and where you can play with Project xCloud, Team Xbox stands for frictionless pathways between players and the best experiences our remarkable art form has to offer. Xbox Series X represents that same commitment for players who want immediate immersion in games that also look and feel better than ever.

We can’t wait to share more details about the new Xbox with you in the coming months.

 

Gran Turismo Sport will receive “modest” updates in 2020, possibly shifting focus toward the next game in the series

GT Sport is receiving “modest” updates in 2020, which means there will be less updates and contain less content than previous years’ updates. Polyphony Digital and Gran Turismo series director Kazunori Yamauchi stated this earlier today and announced that an update arrives next week. The upcoming update adds 3 new cars to the game as teasing in the silhouettes below:

Its very likely that Polyphony Digital is shifting focus away from GT Sport in preparation for the next entry in the series. Lastly, we must wait for Sony to provide more information about the PS5 and games for the platform. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

Little Town Hero is getting an easy mode alongside the Switch and PS4 physical release on June 2nd

NIS America has announced that Little Town Hero will be receiving an easy mode alongside the Switch and PS4 physical release in June! This mode lowers the attack and defense of enemies while lowering down the encounter rate. The easy mode serves as a more laid-back experience.

Little Town Hero: Big Idea Edition releases for PS4 and Switch on June 2nd. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

Resident Evil 3 Remake – leaked screenshots and new concept art

New screenshots and concept art for Resident Evil 3 Remake have surfaced today! Many of the screenshots and art have not been formally revealed so take this as a spoiler warning. The screenshots and concept art are available below:

Resident Evil 3 Remake releases on April 3rd for PS4, Xbox One and PC. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

The Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, wants Sony to reconsider pulling out of PAX East 2020

Sony announced earlier in the week that they would be pulling out of PAX East 2020 due to coronavirus concerns. However, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh sent a letter to Sony President/CEO Kenichiro Yoshida. Walsh states that the risk of coronavirus in Boston is extremely low and officials shouldn’t cancel their plans in the city. Here’s an excerpt from Walsh’s letter courtesy of WCVB:

“These fears reinforce harmful stereotypes that generations of Asians have worked hard to dismantle. They trigger our worst impulses: to view entire groups of people with suspicion, to close ourselves off, and to miss out on the opportunities and connections our global city provides. Boston is united in our efforts to dispel these harmful and misguided fears.”

Mayor Walsh wants to halt the fears of coronavirus in the city as well as stereotypes against the Asian population. Walsh hopes that this will be another step toward ending those prejudices and aiding technology in the process.

“As a large, international company, you have an opportunity to set a good example. As a leader in technology, you can show that you are motivated by facts, not fear. As a leader in gaming and culture, you can show that you believe in connection, not isolation.”

PAX East 2020 runs from February 27th to March 1st in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest gaming news!

Ruiner is coming to Switch this year

Reikon Games and Devolver Digital have announced that the top-down cyberpunk shooter Ruiner is coming to Switch this year! More information is coming at a later date.

Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Nintendo Switch gaming news!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons features 383 villagers on release day

Animal Crossing: New Horizons direct took over the internet recently and more information has been made available since the stream aired. It’s been confirmed that 383 villagers are available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on release day. This is a massive amount for the release lineup of villagers, as its expected to easily surpass 400 with updates and seasons.

Lastly, Animal Crossing: New Horizons release on March 20th for Switch. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!

Square Enix announces their PAX East 2020 lineup, includes playable Final Fantasy VII Remake demo booth

Even though Sony has pulled out of PAX East 2020, Square Enix is coming with Final Fantasy VII Remake! A playable demo booth will be on the show floor this year. In addition, Square Enix has detailed their PAX East 2020 lineup:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (Booth #12011)

    • Playable gameplay demo – Fans can get hands-on with the game at the SQUARE ENIX booth.

    • Signing session – Voice actors Britt Baron (Tifa), John Eric Bentley (Barret), Briana White (Aerith), Erica Lindbeck (Jessie) and Gideon Emery (Biggs) will sign for players on Saturday, February 29: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1 at 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EST). A limited number of tickets for the signing session will be available at 10:30 a.m. (EST) each morning in the signing session area of Booth #12011.

    • Epic photo opportunity – Players can have their photo snapped with Cloud’s iconic Hardy Daytona motorcycle.

    • Giveaways – double-sided posters featuring the new artwork of the captivating cast of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE – Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret and Red XIII will be available at the booth.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online (Booth #15010)

      • Ruby Weapon Battle Challenge – Attendees can take on the fearsome Ruby Weapon—the latest 8-player trial released with Patch 5.2. Those who emerge victorious will receive an “I BEAT RUBY WEAPON” t-shirt.

      • Photo Opportunity – Fans will have the chance to snap a photo in front of our expansive themed backdrop while posing with a selection of “real-life” weapons from Shadowbringers™.

      • Poster Giveaway – PAX attendees who visit the FINAL FANTASY XIV booth can receive a double-sided poster featuring artwork of the jobs of FINAL FANTASY XIV drawn by Lead Character Concept Artist Yusuke Mogi, while supplies last.

      • Developer Livestream – Join FINAL FANTASY XIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida and Lead Character Concept Artist Yusuke Mogi for a special livestream titled “The Artwork of FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Look Behind the Screen.” The stream will be hosted on the official FINAL FANTASY XIV Twitch channel on Saturday, February 29 at 8:00 p.m (EST).

      • Postcard Giveaway – Fans can receive a free postcard for the upcoming tactical mobile RPG, WAR OF THE VISIONS™ FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS®, featuring artwork of Y’shtola in her FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers attire. In addition, attendees who have pre-registered for the game can receive a double-sided art card. Both items will be available at the FINAL FANTASY XIV booth, while supplies last.

Complete details on all FINAL FANTASY XIV Online PAX activities may be found on The Lodestone here.

Outriders

    • People Can Fly Developer panel – “A New Flavor of Sci-Fi: Creating the Universe of Outriders,” will take place on Saturday, February 29 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. (EST) at the Albatross Theatre.

      • Join Lead Writer Joshua Rubin and key members of the Outriders team as they discuss the process of creating a dark and brutal Sci-Fi universe from scratch. Featuring exclusive new content and information about Outriders, the highly anticipated upcoming RPG Shooter from Square Enix External Studios and People Can Fly.

Additionally, fans can visit the Square Enix Booth #12011 to purchase the latest SQUARE ENIX merchandise from BRING ARTS, PLAY ARTS KAI, plush toys, FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game (FFTCG) and tabletop games:

  • Check out the newest t-shirts, FINAL FANTASY XI: Mithkabob, FINAL FANTASY XIV – THE SUNDERING: HYDAELYN KICK & FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE: CLOUD.

  • Attendees will be able to purchase FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers acrylic stands of favorite characters ahead of their release on the Square Enix Store.

  • Purchase cards and learn to play the FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game; earn promotional cards and get tips on how best to use the newly released Cloud vs. Sephiroth 2-player deck.

Final Fantasy VII Remake releases on April 10th for PS4 worldwide. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news!