Games with Gold for July 2020 have been announced and…..well, it is yet another month completely over shadowed by ‘Xbox Game Pass’. The now common practice of including a racing game has left many rather unimpressed with this line up.

On Xbox One, command your rally car to victory in extreme conditions in WRC 8 FIA World Rally Championship and rule the court with high-flying dunks and confidence-smashing rejections in Dunk Lords. On the Xbox 360, and Xbox One via Backward Compatibility, take back Stilwater in the classic Saints Row 2 and save the land from an ancient evil in the platformer, Juju.

To qualify for ‘Games With Gold’ you must have an ACTIVE Xbox LIVE GOLD subscription.

“Bounty of Blood, the latest Borderlands3 campaign DLC, is out now! Grab your six-shooter – or whatever fancy guns you Vault Hunters carry these days – and go put those damned Devil Riders in the ground!

Vault Hunters, mount up! The Sheriff of Vestige on the frontier planet of Gehenna has issued a bounty on the Devil Riders gang, and it’s time to collect. The violent, beast-riding mercenaries have been harassing the townsfolk, and their unwanted attention is taking such a toll that the locals have started turning to outsiders for help. These folks are tough as hell—they wouldn’t have survived this long on a brutal, unforgiving planet that was previously a weapons testing ground otherwise—and they’ll do what they can to help. But it falls on you to take the fight to the Devil Riders and put them in the ground so the town can be rebuilt and folks can get back on their feet.

Bounty of Blood is the third of four campaign add-ons that are included with the Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition and Season Pass. It’s also available to purchase separately, though you’ll need to own a copy of Borderlands 3 to play it.

Borderlands 3 is out now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.

Subscribe and follow for more exclusive Borderlands 3 info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/borderlands
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/borderlandsgame
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Borderlands
• Website: https://borderlands.com

The first ‘Night City Wire’ Event has taken place giving fans of Cyberpunk 2077 a look at a brand new trailer, featuring only content from the game’s Prologue missions, to tease us as the wait for the new November 19th 2020 release date:

Hollie Bennett, Communications Manager for CD Projekt Red, is our host for the event and follows the trailer by confiming that just as Smart Delivery for Xbox Series X will give those who purchase the game for Xbox One a free upgrade for the next gen Xbox but those buying it for PlayStation 4 will also benefit from the same FREE update for PS5. More details of these will come before launch:

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime series announced for 2022 via a partnership with Studio Trigger and NETFLIX. CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS tells a standalone, 10-episode story about a street kid trying to survive in a technology and body modification-obsessed city of the future. Having everything to lose, he chooses to stay alive by becoming an edgerunner—a mercenary outlaw also known as a cyberpunk.

Next we get to see “Brain Dance” in action, brain dan in the world of Cyberpunk is technology that allows the recording of memories in order for it to be played back and in the world of Cyberpunk it has many different uses from entertainment medium, military uses and information gathering use. The gameplay shows something very similar to the Detective Mode from the Batman Arkham series where you can forward or rewind a section of time to piece together what happened by fully exploring every element that happens within that section of time.

My Reaction….

Everything about Cyberpunk 2077 has just capture my imagination from the very moment CD Projekt Red announced it as its next game after The Witcher 3. Every trailer, evry developer breakdown of gameplay just makes me want Cyberpunk 2077 in my console right now.

The world is just immense in terms of freedom of choice and playing style, the ‘Brain Dance’ mechanic has so many possibilities to how it can be used from a story telling and mission device and visually the world is so vibrant and alive and again, that new trailer is made up of the prologue alone….THE PROLOGUE????

The new delay is a painful one for fans but you can clearly see just from this event and the new gameplay footage as well as the long term plan to build a whole universe around this game with the anime series ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners set for 2022, that CD Projekt Red are going full on into this new universe and the game is just the first chapter. Im so excited for this game that I even gave my Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox Controller Box a little hug and whispered…SOOON as Hollie left fans with the news that Episode 2 of Night City Wire is set for just a few weeks time!

Cyberpunk 2077, an open-world, action-adventure story from CD PROJEKT RED, is coming to Xbox One, PS4 and PC November 19th, 2020.

Learn more:

• https://www.cyberpunk.net
• https://www.twitter.com/CyberpunkGame
• https://www.facebook.com/CyberpunkGame
• https://www.instagram.com/CyberpunkGame
• https://www.discord.gg/CyberpunkGame
• https://www.CyberpunkGame.tumblr.com

THQ Nordic and developer Experiment 101 have released a brand new Trailer for BioMutant showcasing some fresh gameplay but sadly still not offering a release date.

If you were going to make a new Biomutant gameplay trailer, what would you show? Impressive cities and vast landscapes? Action-packed combat, true martial arts masters showing off their skills or an outpost being conquered? Wild, exotic and fluffy creatures, plus majestic, towering bosses who test your limits? Crazy mutations and abilities on the Hero? A submarine, an airship a combat mech and some mounts for the hero to ride on? Or just So. Many. Weapons?

Biomutant is still showing on the official Website as coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC Via STEAM. No Mention of New Gen consoles in PS5 or Xbox Series X however.

• Pre-Order here: https://biomutant.com/order-biomutant/
• Website: http://biomutant.com
• Steam: http://n.thq.com/ScdU30qTesn #Biomutant #THQNordic #Experiment101

Yesterday the official HALO Twitter account posted a tasty little teaser for HALO Infinite:

For those who may not recognise the name, The Banished was first introduced into the HALO Universe in HALO Wars 2. The Banished were formed by the formidable Atriox and several Jiralhanae loyal to him who rebelled against their Sangheili masters during the Human-Covenant War. They grew in size and power acting as pirates, picking off the remainder of Covenant forces and assets.

To hear that they are now to play a part in HALO Infinite has me very excited indeed! Hopefully we will lean more when Xbox hold their July ‘Inside Xbox’ Online event where for the first time, Xbox will reveal what the 15 Microsoft Studio developers have been working on for Xbox Series X.

SQUARE ENIX released the first Marvel’s Avengers War Table digital stream providing the most in-depth look yet at Marvel’s Avengers so far yesterday evening.

The Marvel’s Avengers War Table offered players a world premiere look at new trailers, including a first showing of new Thor gameplay in his, “Once an Avenger” campaign hero mission. This playthrough follows The God of Thunder as he battles enemies with powerful lightning strikes, unleashes a barrage of Mjolnir attacks, and performs many other signature heroic moves solo and with AI Avengers teammates.

The stream also offered more details on the game’s central villain, MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing), who Marvel fans will recognize as the artificially mutated, super intelligent overlord of AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics).

Lastly, Crystal Dynamics revealed brand-new information about War Zones, the game’s team-based missions, including their structure and how the Avengers become even more powerful when working together. War Zones can be played either solo with AI hero companions, or in co-op groups of up to four players. The stream also revealed more of the game’s world, from AIM’s research facilities to a derelict Helicarrier, all of which can be explored by players to earn new rewards, gear, and experience points.

Marvel’s Avengers offers players a truly rich experience, with a combination of Hero Missions and War Zones. Hero Missions are single-player only and are part of the initial Campaign. They are designed to showcase each hero’s unique abilities as you reassemble your growing roster. War Zones can be played solo or with a group of up to four players as any Hero in your roster. Each mission dynamically scales based on the team size and player level.

Players in Marvel’s Avengers will also be able to customize Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in a number of ways. While each Super Hero will play true to their unique power sets, each will have the flexibility to play differently based on the gear you equip them with and the skills you enable, so no two player’s heroes will play in exactly the same way. Each hero has dynamic combo systems, Heroic moves, an intrinsic ability, and signature move sets to unlock and customize – many inspired by classic moves from the 80 years of history in all media, others crafted as originals just for this game.

Players also customize these iconic Super Heroes with classic, fan-favorite, and all-new original outfits inspired by over 80-years of Marvel history, including Iron Man’s suit from the 2014 Original Sin storyline, or Thor’s Donald Blake identity, which is a nod to an alias of Thor’s who first appeared in 1962’s Journey into Mystery issue 83.
 
Marvel’s Avengers is an ambitious game, starting with a global high-stakes race to rebuild the Avengers. But that’s just the beginning. To ensure a continuing heroic experience for all players, the narrative of Marvel’s Avengers expands, and threats escalate with each new post-release Super Hero, region and story arc delivered to players at no additional cost once they own the core game.
 
Finally, in case you missed it, earlier this week SQUARE ENIX announced that Marvel’s Avengers will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X when the consoles launch in Holiday 2020. Players who own the current-gen version of the game will be able to upgrade to the next-gen version at no additional cost, regardless if players are moving from PlayStation® 4 to PlayStation 5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X. Those moving their saves to next-gen will transfer their player profiles and progression so they can pick up right where they left off. In addition, cross-gen play will be supported so PS5™ players will be able to play with their friends on PS4™ and Xbox Series X players will be connected with their friends on Xbox One.
 
Marvel’s Avengers will release simultaneously for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, and PC on ^h September 4, 2020.
 
Related Links
Official Homepage: www.playavengers.com
Official Twitter: @PlayAvengers
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayAvengersGame/
Official YouTube: http://youtube.com/PlayAvengers
#PlayAvengers #Reassemble #EmbraceYourPowers

Fans of Cyberpunk 2077 are hungry for new information about the game and tonight from 5pm BST , fans will be treated to the ‘Night City Wire’ event which was postponed from earlier in the month:

I am very excited to see the new Trailer and especially new gameplay, the last of which I was lucky enough to be present at a LIVE Guided gameplay presentation last year at EGX 2019, guided by the brilliant Head of Communcations for CD Projekt Red herself Hollie Bennett who is also going to be hosting tonight’s event.

Tune in from 5pm BST to https://www.twitch.tv/CDProjektRed

Cyberpunk 2077 is now scheduled to release on November 19th 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. It will also get enhanced at no extra charge for Xbox Series X with Smart Delivery as well as the PlayStation 4 with further upgrades to come in 2021.

You can read our review of the Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox Wireless Controller here.

It’s About Time for a brand-wumping new Crash Bandicoot game don’t you think?

Set at the very end of Crash Bandicoot: Warped, the new game sees Neo Cortex, Dr. N. Tropy, and Uka Uka finally escape from their remote plant and return for another attempt at multiverse domination. Of course, our resident hero Crash Bandicoot stands in their way, and players will have access to four special Quantum Masks to “bend the rules of reality” itself and make it through difficult areas. These include the Time Mask (slows down time) and the Gravity Mask (lets you platform upside down).

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time has a release date of October 2, 2020, and it will release on PS4 and Xbox One, no word right now on a possible PC or Nintendo Switch version.

Following a weekend of MIXER Partners reporting sexual assaults and reported seriously racism amongst the hierarchy which even had Phil Spencer himself step in to contact those making the allegations. Suddenly at 19:30PM BST on Monday June 22nd, a Tweet from the official MIXER Twitter released a statement:

The Statement opens with: (Source – MIXER Official Blog)

From the beginning, Mixer has been about creating the most engaging and interactive livestreaming experience. We set out to help streamers build great communities based on deep engagement with their audience. You all have been amazing throughout this journey – the Mixer community has focused on creating welcoming and inclusive communities, and you should be proud of what you have accomplished together.

Ultimately, the success of Partners and streamers on Mixer is dependent on our ability to scale the platform for them as quickly and broadly as possible. It became clear that the time needed to grow our own livestreaming community to scale was out of measure with the vision and experiences that Microsoft and Xbox want to deliver for gamers now, so we’ve decided to close the operations side of Mixer and help the community transition to a new platform. To better serve our community’s needs, we’re teaming up with Facebook to enable the Mixer community to transition to Facebook Gaming. This is a key part of a broader effort that Xbox and Facebook Gaming are embarking on, bringing new experiences and opportunities to the entire world of gaming.

In a nutshell, MIXER’s failure to grow as a streaming platform basically lead to its downfall and in the opening to the statement it is acknowledged that the MIXER experiment for Microsoft and Xbox…failed hugely. As a result, all MIXER Operations will close on July 22nd, exactly 30 days from the statement release day. In a subsequent news article posted on Xbox Wire – the official Xbox News Site, Phil Spencer Head of Xbox himself goes on to hard sell the move to Facebook Gaming :

Beginning today, Facebook Gaming will make it easy for anyone in the Mixer community to join, if they choose to do so. We will work to transition the Mixer community over the next few weeks. Starting on July 22, all Mixer sites and apps will redirect users to Facebook Gaming. For Mixer Partners, streamers, and viewers, we expect you’ll have many questions – you can find more details on how we will support the transition to Facebook Gaming on the Mixer blog here.

Transitioning the Mixer community is a key part of a broader effort that Xbox and Facebook Gaming are embarking on, bringing new experiences and opportunities to Facebook, where every month more than 700 million people play a game, watch a gaming video, or interact in a gaming Group. 

MIXER Partners will be granted immediate partnership status with Facebook Gaming starting from now, those who were able to monetise their MIXER channels will be given eligibility to apply to Facebook Gaming’s Level Up monetisation feature. Anyone with outstanding Embers and MIXER Pro subscriptions will have these refunded in the form of an Xbox Gift Card and MIXER Partners will get double payment for all their June earnings.

It should also be noted that despite this deal with Facebook Gaming clearly taking some time to arrange and seal the deal, both MIXER Staff and MIXER Partners were given ZERO warning or notice about this announcement with them finding out just as the public did when the statement was released, raising huge questions not only about the manner in which Microsoft made this decision but the morality of giving all staff/employees and MIXER Partners essentially a 30 days notice that the platform, their jobs and their livelihoods was going to vanish.

Whilst this is all very raw, in fact not even 24hrs have passed at the time of writing this article since the announcement, the reaction has been immediate with MIXER Partners moving to Twitch instead of Facebook Gaming citing the way in which they were pretty much just trashed by Microsoft as a big reason for not continuing a relationship with their new partner Facebook Gaming.

We will continue to update this story as the clock ticks down to July 22nd but many questions have been left unanswered and Microsoft is being accused of throwing away the platform instead of dealing with the accusations of racism and sexual assault and misconduct.

With the Annual E3 event cancelled due to COVID-19, many publishers and platforms are holding their own Digital Showcase events and tonight EA are taking their turn. Not sure what to expect other than the usual sports titles and more information on Star Wars Squadrons, which following a leak, EA were forced to release the teaser trailer earlier this week.

At time of writing this opening piece we are 20 minutes away from the start of the event and I’m expecting to see MASS Effect Trilogy Remastered after so many reports have suggested its finally going to happen but other than that and usual suspects EA have…..this could either be a lovely surprise or sadly if anything like EA Play LIVE 2019, dull and drab. But below you will find all the trailers and news and then my reaction!

Opens with CEO of EA Games, Andrew Wilson who begins the event by talking about the impact that recent global events such as the Australian bush fires, Covid-19 Pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement have had on everyone, with EA pledging to support where they can. The final moments of the event countdown also had a splash-screen showing 8:46 minutes….the time it took for George Flloyd to be killed. A moving opening especially the words from Andrew Wilson.

Next the host of the pre-recorded event, Greg Miller, takes to the stage to explain what to expect from this 45 min show which opens up with….

Apex Legends: Fortunes Favour – Season 5 Event ‘Lost Treasures’

Apex Legends coming to STEAM this fall along with Crossplay and then to Nintendo Switch.

This is followed up by a celebration of The Sims, both as a series and for the diversity of the fans and players of the Sims, a video plays featuring thank you messages who explain what the series has meant for them in their own lives.

Next we move to EA Games announced the line up of titles as well as EA Access all launching on STEAM starting Command & Conquered Remastered as well as Games coming to Nintendo Switch such as Burnout Paradise on June 19th.

EA Originals: The Return of a Visionary – Josef Fares and Hazelight

Infamous Indie Developer Joseh Fares reveals his new game “It Takes Two”

Lost in Random: Zoink Games new Title

Rocket Arena: July 14th Release

Star Wars Squadrons: Gameplay Trailer

Crossplay confirmed for Star Wars Squadrons this October.

EA Sports: Madden 21 and FIFA 21

We then have short video explaining what fans can expect from EA Games in the new future as new technology and a new console generation launch this year and what opportunities EA has to work on more impressive games.eld on new gen consoles,

SKATE is Back!

The event comes to a close with perhaps the only real surprise for fans in the reveal that a new SKATE game is to be developed with the original creators who thanked fans and gave credit to their comments and continued interest in SKATE series for making this return possible.

My Final Thoughts….

Well I think it is fair to say that my prediction that a MASS Effect Trilogy Remaster was going to be announced was absolutely wrong, but that really sums up what to be was a seriously over produced and rather empty showcase event from EA Games. No idea if this would have been the same style and content that EA would have shown if E3 2020 had gone ahead but this was incredibly dull with very little in big reveals other than a SKATE reveal to close the show and the fact we actually got to see quite a bit of actual gameplay for Star Wars Squadrons which genuinely has me excited for it to release knowing it will have Crossplay and so far, little to no micro-transactions with cosmetic items all unlocked very gameplay and progress.

It was very clear that EA were making it known that they were coming to STEAM in a big way by releases titles for the first time there and bringing EA Access to STEAM later this year, I know many PC Gamers were never happy with the Origins platform so this could be a big game changer going forward.

But the show itself was so dull with Greg Miller hamming it up delivering a cringe worthy script with awful jokes and what looked like a pre-recorded interview with the Squadrons Developer that almost looked like the developer was merely replying to Gregg’s pre-recorded part of the interview, it just came across as too try hard when the gameplay trailer spoke volumes instead.

It was also very noticeable that feedback and criticism from the E3 2020 EA Play event about there being far too much focus on the sports titles from EA because we did not get to see anything really, about either FIFA 21 or Madden 21 in any real content other than a flashy trailer combining EA Sports as a short showcase. Normally the sports section of the event is where most people tune out.

For me this was a very lacklustre showing from EA who are very thin with titles heading into a new console generation and if they are holding reveals back, not sure what other event they could do them unless they will be part of another PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X online event in the months to come. If you did stay up to watch this on UK time of midnight then you probably went to bed either happy about Star Wars Squadrons or Skate and if you did not stay up, well those are two videos you can easily watch now without the fear of missing any ‘big moments’ from EA Play LIVE 2020…which is kinda sad really, a big opportunity for EA to make an impact on the launch of the next generation of console gaming and they just did not have anything really mind blowing for me.