Gaming History You Should Know – The Early History of Virtual Reality October 12, 2020
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I know it’s not Sunday, but where I’m from today is a bank holiday and because of that we’ve had essentially a three-day weekend. I know that’s not the best excuse but hey, I didn’t want to have to wait another week to highlight this great video.
Welcome back to Gaming History You Should Know, an ongoing series where we highlight some of the best independently produced gaming documentaries from across the web. Today, we’ll be talking about Virtual Reality (VR). In today’s day, VR is seeing something of a second renaissance. VR setups like Oculus, Vive and PlayStation VR have a modest install base and even I have to admit I’m becoming an enthusiast.
However, with the power of modern PCs (and consoles) capable of pushing high 3D resolutions, and refresh rates, today’s VR gamers can look forward to a decent immersive experience. However VR is not a new concept and it’s first wave of popularity came in the early-to-mid 90s. 3D games like DOOM were just entering the market, pushing the demand for high-end PCs, and smart businessmen had the idea to provide a gaming experience that made you feel like you were INSIDE the game. Enter Virtuality.
In the early 90s, Virtuality developed (at the time) real-time 3D games with the intention to pair it with Virtual Reality setups. However, due to the cost of computer hardware and limitations at the time, their setups were big, expensive, and graphics were limited to keep consistent framerate. With a single VR unit costing around (at the time) $20,000, home VR setups were just impractical. However, arcades of the day were seeing a second wave of popularity thanks to recent arcade releases like Mortal Kombat, and investing in something like a VR machine and renting time on it seemed like a no brainer decision. This is how I had my first VR experiences.
Check out this great documentary produced by the YouTube channel Nostalgia Nerd. When people of my generation think of Virtual Reality (with all its highs and lows) they think of one of these Virtuality setups!
While the company may have long since folded, sold and resold many times over the years that’s not to say that Virtuality’s VR prospects were a complete failure. While they didn’t have access to the same technology we do today, it is incredible to see just what they could do back then. Since the company couldn’t use the same tiny motion tracking gyroscopes that are so common to have in every smartphone, controller and tablet today (since they weren’t invented yet) the tricks they used to compensate for their limitations should still be celebrated. They were able to produce VR games with full real-time head tracking in the days before even Quake hit the market.
I like to think VR will continue to prosper in today’s technology market. VR headsets for the PC and PlayStation are already out, and they will continue to function on newer hardware. So with the hardware in place, all we need now is the software. That, would be an article for another time.
Pikmin 3 Demo Released on Nintendo Switch eShop October 8, 2020
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We are weeks away from the release of Pikmin 3 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo has released a free demo for the game on the eShop.
This is a pretty large demo and will likely take a while for your Switch to download. If you plan to pick up the final version of the game after it is released, your progress in the demo will transfer to the full version of the game.
Pikmin 3 Deluxe is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch.
Marvel Announced Books Based on Spider-Man Miles Morales Game Are Coming October 8, 2020
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We have been tremendously looking forward to the next major installment in Marvel’s Spider-Man game series since it was first announced. Now, Marvel has announced two books are coming to book retailers everywhere that will tie into the new game, Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
On November 10th, 2020 a Spider-Man Miles Morales prequel novel will hit shelves. The book is called Wings of Fury and will detail Miles earliest adventure as Spider-Man against Starling and The Vulture. We can also expect a full color hardcover art book in February 2021.
This is enormous news as gamers have been hoping to explore more stories in the Marvel GamerVerse, and this novel will clearly take place after the events of the PS4 game.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales is coming to the PS4 and PS5 on November 12th, 2020.
Halo: Infinite Behind the Scenes – Outdoor Audio Recording October 7, 2020
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The guys at 343 Industries have released a new behind the scenes video of what goes into recording the audio for a game like Halo: Infinite. Do you wonder how modern games can go boom boom or bang bang? Give this a watch and see. Just make sure your speaker isn’t set too loud.
Halo: Infinite is coming to PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X in 2021.
Watch Dogs: Legion Gameplay Preview October 7, 2020
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Yesterday, Ubisoft released a one-hour gameplay preview of Watch Dogs: Legion alongide some news about the game and it’s post release roadmap. First off, let’s take a quick look at the game’s newest Story Trailer. Take a look:
I’ve always been interested in the Watch Dogs games because of their story, and I will admit I have been on the fence about picking up the game. That trailer may have changed my mind.
Next up here’s the actual gameplay preview. This is pretty lengthy but it is the best way to explore how this game works.
And finally here’s Ubisoft’s official roadmap for all of the game’s post release content. Some of it will be added for free, like the multiplayer campaign, and some will require purchasing the game’s Season Pass. Take a look at the game’s future.
Watch Dogs Legion is coming October 30th, 2020 for PC, Xbox One and PS4. It’s also coming to Xbox Series X/S and PS5.
Cyberpunk 2077 Has Gone Gold October 7, 2020
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The developers of Cyberpunk 2077 have confirmed they have concluded the retail release version of the game and it is currently out for mass production. This is incredible news for people who have waited YEARS to finally get the chance to play the game for themselves.
Russian players will also be very happy to know their region’s version of the game will include full voiceover by native speakers. If you’re curious what goes into producing something like that, they released this special episode of Night City Wire to feature it. If you don’t happen to speak Russian, don’t worry, English subtitles are provided.
Cyberpunk 2077 is coming November 19th, 2020 to PC, Xbox One and PS4. It’s also coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Nintendo Treehouse October 2020 Stream October 7, 2020
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Nintendo is currently hosting a live broadcast with never before seen gameplay of Pikmin 3 Deluxe and Hyrule Legends: Age of Calamity on the Nintendo Switch. If you’re curious about how these games will look and run on Nintendo’s current platform then you should give it a watch!
All games previewed are coming to the Nintendo Switch.
Insomniac Officially Reveals Preorder Content For Spider-Man: Miles Morales October 6, 2020
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There’s been some musings across the past few weeks that there would be an aggressive preorder campaign for my most anticipated Playstation-exclusive game this year, Spider-Man: Miles Morales. We held off reporting on this news for a day or two as we assumed that a video trailer with this announcement would be produced, similar to how the content was revealed for the previous game. It hasn’t. Instead, we have this teaser image:
Players who purchase the Launch Edition of the game, regardless of platform (both PS4 and PS5 versions of Miles Morales will get a Launch Edition) will receive a DLC code for some in-game bonuses including two suits! Insomniac has revealed one of the suits is the T.R.A.C.K. Suit (pictured above), but as of the time this is being posted the second and final suit being offered is shrouded in mystery.
Stay tuned to the site for all your Miles Morales updates!
Spider-Man: Miles Morales is coming November 12th, 2020 to PS4 and PS5.
If You Picked Up a Preorder for Star Wars Squadrons From GameStop, Go Back Now For Your DLC Code October 5, 2020
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On Friday, Star Wars Squadrons released on multiple platforms including the PC, PS4 and VR. Unfortunately, players who chose to preorder their game from retailer GameStop likely noticed the exclusive content code they were promised for preordering the game was not included on their receipt, depriving them of a major reason to place the preorder in the first place.
I tried to contact GameStop corporate shortly after notifying my local retailer about the issue, but received no response and very few people online are talking about this. However, I received a tip late last night the issue was an error on EA’s part, and to check with GameStop again to see if the codes were being issued.
If you preordered a copy of Star Wars Squadrons at retail from your local GameStop and did not receive the preorder code you are entitled to, you can go back and get it now. A proof of purchase may be required, in either the sales receipt or a scan from your power up rewards card.
I don’t blame GameStop for this oversight, preorder content, even of digital goods, can (in very very rare cases) be delayed past a game’s release. That said, there was absolutely no reason GameStop’s corporate offices didn’t get back to me, and I shouldn’t have had to be tipped off about the issue being resolved by a random person online. That’s why I’m sharing this information with all of you now.
Star Wars Squadrons is out now for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. It is compatible with VR on PC and PS4.
Cyberpunk 2077 TV Commercial October 2, 2020
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The creators of Cyberpunk 2077 have stepped up the advertising on their upcoming game. Ladies and gentlemen, Keanu Reeves.
Cyberpunk 2077 is coming November 19th, 2020 to the Xbox One, PC and PS4. It is also coming later to the PS5 and Xbox Series S/X.
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