https://gamemedium.comEverything about Gaming and Consolesen-ushttps://gamemedium.com/post/age-of-empires-4-what-we-know-so-farAge of Empires 4 is the long-awaited sequel to one of the most popular franchises in history. The Age of Empires series has been around for over 20 years, and the newest installment will be released soon. How soon? October 28th! So, in this article, we'll go through everything that's been confirmed about the Age of Empires 4 so far.A little bit of history and some basic infoFirst of all, the Age of Empires 4 will be on PC only. There are no plans to release the game to any other platforms at this time. However, Microsoft is planning a beta program so that players can test out certain aspects before release day. This may change everything, depending on how successful the beta testing goes, and let's not forget that since Microsoft Studios is the publisher, an Xbox Series X/S release could be just around the corner! The upcoming game was first announced by IGN during E³ 2017 in June 2017 and it is developed by Relic Entertainment. If you wonder why it's not developed by Ensemble Studios(developer studio who worked with age series since Age of Empires I), I'll be sad to inform you that the studios closed down back in 2009, due to a lack of interest from Microsoft.Age of Empires 4 has been in development for over two years. The previous installment was Age of Empires: II HD: African Kingdoms was released on steam only at the end of 2014 after many requests from fans.This videogame series is one of the most popular ever made. The first installment was released back in 1997 and it's still immensely popular today. The second one came out a year later, followed by the third one, which had some improvements to graphics, etc... But, overall, they were all pretty similar gameplay-wise. It's worth mentioning that the last major release under Microsoft Studios was Age Of Empires Online (2011). However, that wasn't received very well due to being an MMO with microtransactions/payments involved.Where to pre-purchase Age of Empires 4You can pre-purchase the game (normal or deluxe edition), on Steam.A sneak peak in the Age of Empires 4Who is the composer?We already mentioned that Relic Entertainment is behind the development, but what about the music? Well, the composer will be Mikolai Stroinski, the man who's behind the Witcher 3 soundtrack. He shared the happy news with the players through a post on his FB.Is Age of Empires 4 going to be 'Modernized'?Creative director Adam Isgreen shared Age of Empires 4's goal to not overcomplicate the new game in an attempt to modernize it."Generally speaking, the longer a genre exists, the games that are responsible for taking it forward tend to make it more complicated. With Age of Empires 4, it was important for us to be like, 'okay, how do we back away from that?'. We do not want to take on all of the complexity that we see in RTS games today". "This is a fresh start for us. We want to modernize the series and that means we are going to do things differently."Humanized historiesCreative director Adam Isgreen hinted that:'We're doing something very different with the campaign… I can't talk about it, but it's really crazy-cool". "I can say that we will be bringing history in a fun and exciting way to people – the way we coined it for Age of Empires 4 is 'humanized histories'.Historical CampaignsThis time we'll witness four campaigns that give us a better view of a civilization's history. Narrative lead Philippe Boulle said:"You get the whole story of the Norman conquest, from the time this ambitious duke made his way across the channel and said 'this is mine,' all the way to the point where you're signing the Magna Carta and laying the foundations of what England is today". "We bridge the gap between missions with these wonderful historical films. We worked with documentarians to go to all kinds of locations like Hastings and Dover, where these events happened. And that's just one of the four campaigns we're shipping with."How many civilizations will exist in the Age of Empires 4?Age of Empires 4 starts with 8 civilizations but's there's plenty of room to expand.So, that's everything we know about the game so far! Are you as excited as we are for this upcoming release?https://media.gamemedium.com/age-of-empires-4.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/age-of-empires-4-what-we-know-so-farhttps://gamemedium.com/post/the-future-of-gamingIn the last decade, video games have evolved in a way nobody could have predicted. It seems like every year there is a new console on the market with better graphics and capabilities than before. In this article, we'll take a look at what's coming next for gaming consoles and how they will evolve in the future.Virtual Reality will be Easier than EverThe first major change in the next few years will be the upcoming release of both new Xbox and Playstation consoles. These two systems are already being talked about by gamers everywhere! As for what's coming, rumors say that these consoles will bring virtual reality into play for a much more immersive experience than ever before. This trend is also going to take off with mobile gaming as well within the next years or so.Cross-platform Compatibility: A dream Comes to LifeDuring this time, there has been a push towards cross-platform compatibility between mobile devices and home/portable consoles which means that you'll be able to enjoy your favorite games on many different platforms whenever you have free time during your day. Mobile phone technology combined with console-level graphics means an even better experience from anywhere in the world.PC Lovers, the Future didn't Forget About YouFor those who don't typically play on consoles, the future of PC gaming is looking brighter than ever. With a never-ending supply and demand for more efficient graphics cards and computer parts that can handle high-end games; playing great new titles has almost become easier than buying them! As long as you have at least moderate level hardware in your laptop or desktop, there will always be something to enjoy no matter how much time you want to spend with it.VerdictThe next few years are shaping up to be an exciting time for gamers all over the world! Whether they're into consoles, mobile phones, or pc gaming; everyone seems to agree that this technology is only going in one direction: forward! From small experiences like Flappy Bird which starts out as a simple and fun game and ends up becoming an international sensation; to blockbuster titles like GTA:V which sets the benchmark for what's possible in large scale open-world games, we've only seen the tip of the iceberg for this industry. The future is looking bright!https://media.gamemedium.com/gaming-consoles.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/the-future-of-gaminghttps://gamemedium.com/post/ubisoft-talks-about-avatar-frontiers-of-pandora-next-gen-technologiesAvatar: Frontiers of Pandora was one of the most impressive announcements we saw from Ubisoft at E3 2021. It is an exclusive next-gen title that is expected to be released sometime in 2022.Now, the development team, Massive Entertainment, has released a new video explaining what the next-gen game does, focusing on improvements to the Snowdrop graphics engine (The Division) to take advantage of the most powerful hardware.Among other things, the studio will use ray-tracing technologies, while noting that every corner of the Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora world will be full of details. The team has even prepared real-time simulations for the in-game wind, while emphasizing that the plants of the planet will be smart, reacting to the presence of the player. The group's most ambitious promise, however, relates to NPCs.Specifically, Massive revealed that it has created an intelligent system that allows NPCs to understand and react to world situations, such as the weather, the player's progress and the day-night cycle.Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will be released in 2022 for PS5, Xbox Series X | S, PC, Google Stadia and Amazon Luna.https://media.gamemedium.com/avatar-frontiers-of-pandora.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/ubisoft-talks-about-avatar-frontiers-of-pandora-next-gen-technologieshttps://gamemedium.com/post/demon-slayer-the-hinokami-chronicles-releases-october-15thDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles, by Sega, will be released on October 15 and will be available for PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X | S.Based on the popular and beloved anime series of the same name, the video game follows Tanjiro, who tries to save his sister from a demonic curse and get revenge for the murder of his family.Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles is a brawler arena, full of swords and impressive, flashy, attack capabilities. I think it will hardly disappoint, since CyberConnect 2, the studio behind the production, has created many video games based on famous anime franchises, such as Naruto and Dragon Ball Z.In addition to the standard version, Sega will also offer a digital deluxe package, which will provide early access and plenty of cosmetics. The game will include both the Japanese and English cast of the series, and it will offer the option for local and online multiplayer mode.So, as a gamer and a weeboo, I couldn't be more excited for this upcoming title! What are your thoughts?https://media.gamemedium.com/demon-slayer.pnghttps://gamemedium.com/post/demon-slayer-the-hinokami-chronicles-releases-october-15thhttps://gamemedium.com/post/cyberpunk-2077-is-back-on-the-ps-storeCyberpunk 2077, the most highly-anticipated videogame of the decade, that turned out to be a huge disappointment, is back on the PlayStation Store. After 186 days of absence, Sony brings it back and CD Projekt Red seems to be honest with its fans this time. With the return of the game, the company stated that players will face performance issues, but the number will decrease over time and we will constantly witness new fixes.Before moving on, let's all remember the cinematic trailer that led us to have a forlorn hope.Through a tweet, PlayStation announced the return of the title to its digital store, but clarified that "Work on the PS4 version continues and many updates and fixes will be released later this year." The company proposes to play Cyberpunk 2077 on PS4 Pro or PS5, in order to have the best possible performance, at least until the (countless) issues of the game are resolved.It is not yet clear whether Sony is aiming to reach the final stage of the PS4 version, however, the CD Projekt Red is constantly confirming that the version for the latest generation consoles will receive more attention. Last week, the new Patch 1.23 added some extra features, and that lifts our spirits and makes us believe that any issues will be eventually fixed!https://media.gamemedium.com/cyberpunk-keanu-reeves-on-his-throne.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/cyberpunk-2077-is-back-on-the-ps-storehttps://gamemedium.com/post/5-films-based-on-videogamesThe following article lists five films based on popular video games. Characters and settings we’ve loved, music that made us shudder and captivating stories, are presented to the audience through a live-action prism. It seems like a gamer’s paradise. Is it like this though? Well, the opinions tend to ...differ.So, who’s the good, the bad, and the ugly? Allow me to elaborate!andnbsp;5) Assassin’s CreedBy the terms of this list, Assassin’s Creed is definitely *drum rolls sound effect* … the bad one. The live-action film, based on the homotitled video game, was released in 2016 -and we’re still trying to forget it. Directed by Justin Kurzel, it stars some quite notable actors and actresses, such as Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, and it -relatively- follows the script of the game. However, it proved to be disappointing. The dialogs are unsatisfying, the CGI is OVERUSED and, basically, everything looks kinda misplaced.andnbsp;Assassins Creed Movie PosterConsidering all of the above, it’s not a surprise that Assassin’s Creed live-action film experienced a great financial failure. It disappointed all those who worked and invested in it and the gamers worldwide were left down. However, despite all its negatives (which are a lot), you could still give it a try. At the end of the day, it still manages to offer some beautiful shots and interesting interpretations.andnbsp;4) Silent HillSilent Hill, based on the cherished, homotitled videogame series, was released in 2006 and is directed by Christophe Gans. Being an atmospheric thriller -or at least trying to be one, it revolves around Rose. Rose is a young woman who loses her daughter in the city of Silent Hill and is confronted with the dark secrets of the haunted area.andnbsp;Silent Hill Movie PosterYou’d think that a live-action film, based on the most legendary horror game of all times, would respect itself. Ha, you’re fooled! Yes, the atmosphere might be somewhat creepy and eerie, there are a few decent interpretations and some special effects of good quality here and there, but that’s it. That’s all you get. This movie should have been a masterpiece; an ode to horror, capable of haunting you forever. But, what we got instead, is tiring dialogs and a film with such a long duration, that tests the limits of patience. Silent Hill live-action movie tends to be consumed in plenty of meaningless scenes. And that’s why it wins the ugly one title: Because it managed to turn a legend into a ...lullaby. But, due to its appeal to nostalgia, I can’t help but suggest you give it a try -if you’re a fan of the videogames!3) Resident EvilThe horror/action movie series Resident Evil is influenced by the legendary, homotitled video game. Having already released six films, and with the seventh in the works, it has written history; for both the right and the wrong reasons. The script follows Alice, who tries to save the world from a virus that turns humans into zombies; Pretty much it is loosely based on the videogame’s plot. But let’s take a closer look at all the six titles!Resident Evil Movie PosterThe first two films of the series, as well as the last one, are of great interest and worthy of your attention. However, the rest of them are dull and monotonous. There’s not a glimpse of flow in the dialogues and the storyline is so lifeless, that words don’t manage to describe. However, on the bright side, there’s Milla Jovovich. Her performance is iconic, a breath of fresh air. In short, I’d suggest you watch only the three Resident Evil films mentioned above, since they manage to keep the interest alive and, well, Milla Jovovich is there. But, what about the rest of them? Well, I’m sure you can always suggest them for watching to someone you dislike!2) Lara Croft: Tomb RaiderAh, Tomb Raider; The first videogame I ever played.andnbsp;Ah, Lara Croft; The first girl-crush I ever had.Thus, it’s not a surprise that the homotitled films managed to reach second place in this list.andnbsp;Lara Croft Tomb Raider Movie PosterThe first film, titled Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, based on the classic and favorite Tomb Raider, was released in 2001 - at a time when the homotitled video games were a huge success. Directed by Simon West, this film lacks coherence and flow, while its events have no emotional impact on the viewer. Although Angelina Jolie is a perfect fit for the role of the hardcore archaeologist Lara Croft and her performance is memorable, she fails to save the day. The second title of the film series called Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life, is slightly more remarkable and the plot is more interesting. Although none of them can be considered perfect -or even decent to be honest, they manage to convey strong, videogame-like feelings. In addition, Angelina Jolie has the raw dynamism and is such a badass, that you'll end up falling for her. And that’s why they conquer second place on this list.1) Prince of Persia: The Sands of TimeAnd the title of the good one goes to *epic drum roll sounds* ...The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Before you raise an objection, you should know that I’m a huge PoP fangirl, so I was quite strict and had high expectations of this film. And, fortunately, it exceeded my initial expectations. But allow me to be more specific!Prince of Persia The Sands of Time Movie PosterThe movie Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, is inspired by the homotitled, fabled, videogame. Directed by Mike Newell, it was released in 2010 by Walt Disney Pictures. Although its script deviates from the original story, its core remains the same, with Prince of Persia trying to protect the world, by securing the Sands of Time. The actors have astonishing performances, with Jake Gyllenhaal (who is dreamy as always) and Ben Kingsley proving once again their enormous acting talent. Full of humor, adventure, and action, this film is a must-watch for everyone. It lacks originality, it might be a little bit cheesy and quite predictable, but it remains an amazing adventure. Full of fantasy and Arabian-nights elements, it manages to win its audience. It really worths your time, either you’ve played the game or not!https://media.gamemedium.com/assassins-creed-from-videogames-to-the-movies.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/5-films-based-on-videogameshttps://gamemedium.com/post/the-next-gen-graphics-of-unreal-engine-5-are-revealedAfter a year of waiting, Epic Games broke its silence, revealing new shots and info about Unreal Engine 5.Unreal Engine 5 in Early Accessandnbsp;Specifically, the most important announcement of the company is that its advanced graphics engine is now available in Early Access. This early version is not ready for commercially available games. However, developers have the opportunity to start experimenting with its new tools as long as development continues.Unreal Engine 5 in Early Accessandnbsp;At the same time, Epic unveiled various other new features of the graphics engine, such as the brand new sound system. To present all this, the company published a new detailed video, which you can see below. It also prepared a brand new very impressive demo that gives us another dose of next-gen graphics. Here’s a roundup of the key new features that are ready for testing todayNaniteNanite is aandnbsp;virtualized micropolygon geometry systemandnbsp;that enables you to create games with massive amounts of geometric detail, eliminating time-consuming and tedious work such as baking details to normal maps or manually authoring LODs.andnbsp;Unreal Engine 5 Geometric and Lighting DetailsLumenNext up is Lumen, a fully dynamic global illumination solution. With Lumen, you can create dynamic, believable scenes where indirect lighting adapts on the fly to changes to direct lighting or geometry—for example, changing the sun’s angle with the time of day, turning on a flashlight, or opening an exterior door.Alongside the new features mentioned above, there are plenty of innovations regarding animation, open-world systems, and metaSounds. It looks like Unreal Engine 5 paves the way for a new gaming era!Detailed Animation by Using Unreal Engine 5https://media.gamemedium.com/Unreal-Engine-5-by-Epic.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/the-next-gen-graphics-of-unreal-engine-5-are-revealedhttps://gamemedium.com/post/ps5-breaks-new-record-in-the-u-s-marketIn March, the PS5 was on the verge of breaking an all-time sales record in the US market. Finally, Sony's next-generation console succeeded.According to analyst Mat Piscatella of statistics firm NPD, the PlayStation 5 is now the fastest-selling console of all time in the US market. This also results from the total revenue generated by the console sales, as well as the total number of systems sold. Technically, the PlayStation 5 has sold more than any other console ever released in America. This is calculated by considering the first five months of its release.PS5 Next Gen Console and Dualsense ControllerPS5 Took the Industry by StormSo, PS5 is the fastest-selling console in US history, in both dollar and unit sales. This is quite an impressive accomplishment, especially considered the pandemic.PS5 Console and Dualsense ControllerThe PlayStation 5 is available from November 12, 2020, for $499 for the base model. But, for the time being, the availability of the console remains limited worldwide. So you have to be patient if you want to buy this gem.andnbsp;PS5 VS SwitchDespite the new record, Nintendo Switch continued its reign as the best-selling hardware platform, both in units and dollars in March 2021. However, the PS5 topped the dollar sales for hardware in the first quarter of 2021.Nintendo Switch Hybrid ConsoleSales of video game equipment in March were a total of 47% higher than in the same month in 2020 and additionally reached a record $ 680 million. Annual hardware spending was $ 1.4 billion, an increase of 81% year-on-year.andnbsp;Games: Yearly RecordsIn terms of games, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War returned to the top spot in March 2021, while also securing the best-selling title, both for the first quarter and for the 12-month period ending in March 2021.Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War Cover ArtMeanwhile, the exclusive Monster Hunter Rise of the Nintendo Switch, took second place. Thus, it became the second best-selling Monster Hunter game in terms of sales in dollars.Monster Hunter Risehttps://media.gamemedium.com/ps5-living-in-the-shadow-of-ps4-and-games.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/ps5-breaks-new-record-in-the-u-s-markethttps://gamemedium.com/post/resident-evil-village-is-ready-to-take-the-industry-by-stormTrue to its appointment, Capcom, through the Resident Evil Showcase event, has released a brand new trailer for the upcoming game Resident Evil Village. This trailer reveals plenty of the characters we will meet on our journey and make Ethan Winter’s life way more difficult and creepy.andnbsp;Resident Evil Village is just around the CornerMade with the refreshed RE Engine, the eighth title of the series takes place in a deserted village near a castle that has a strong aroma of Resident Evil 4. In the first shots that have been published, the gameplay is quite enriched in relation to RE: VII, since in addition to the first-person-perspective, Ethan will have more options on how to approach a battle. Plus, the inventory is quite altered and is reminiscent of the RE4 suitcase.Ethan will be able to upgrade his weapons or buy new ones by visiting The Duke, who offers something similar to the iconic RE4 merchant.andnbsp;Resident Evil Village: Digital Deluxe Edition and Launch DayCapcom also unveiled the Digital Deluxe Edition for all platforms, as well as the Collector’s Edition which is only available for consoles and launches with a Chris Redfield figure, artbook, steel book, and other goodies. There will also be a bundle with Resident Evil Village, as well as Resident Evil VII for those who had not dealt with the seventh title in the series. However, those who pre-order Resident Evil Village from the PS Store, will also receive the official soundtrack of the title for free.Resident Evil Village will be available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC on May 7, 2021.Lady Dimitrescuandnbsp;Except for all the things mentioned above, we also learned a few things about the three ladies of the castle, where the eighth chapter of the series takes place. In fact, these wicked witches were quickly loved by the public, and especially the "Tall Lady" who goes by the name Lady Dimitrescu. So, through Resident Evil's Twitter, new information was revealed about the central villain of the game, such as her height, since there was this question from the first moment we saw her.andnbsp;andnbsp;The Tall LadyThe art director of the Village, Tomonori Takano, through an official statement, announced that the tall lady with the huge emblematic hat and heels reaches ...2.9 meters. Yes, you read that right! By clicking HERE you can find the relevant Capcom post that thanked the audience for the love they already show for the character.Lady Dimitrescu, along with the other witches, is going to make Ethan's life very difficult, especially when he approaches their Castle and yes, one more question has been answered. The three ladies are Vampires.https://media.gamemedium.com/Resident-Evil-Village-lady-dumitrescu.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/resident-evil-village-is-ready-to-take-the-industry-by-stormhttps://gamemedium.com/post/5-more-mystery-games-worth-tryingIf you are one of those who enjoy solving mysteries, and who love some good action and code-breaking, the following titles are guaranteed to enchant you. So in continuation of the first part of the article, which you can read by clicking HERE, we will list five more of the best mystery videogames that are worth giving them a shot.Let’s go straight to business!5)The Wolf Among UsThe Wolf Among Us is an episodic graphic adventure video game, based on the Bill Willingham comic book series Fables. It is the prequel to the original story and was released in 2013 by Telltale Games. The player, controlling Bigby Wolf, tries to solve the case of the murder of a woman, by interacting with secondary characters and objects. Meanwhile, his choices affect (positively or negatively) the outcome of the story. If you are a fan of the ninth art and enjoy a good mystery, The Wolf Among Us will become your most cherished game. After all, it is so intense, enchanting, and dynamic, that you will definitely fall for it. Give it a try!Available on the following platforms: PS3, PSVita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Android, iOS, PS4, PC.4) ScratchesScratches, released in 2006, is a first-person horror/mystery game. Its story follows a writer who moves into an abandoned house, looking for peace in order to write his new book. But he soon discovers that the dark past of the house still resonates; Intense, with wonderful and creepy sound effects (I'm honestly in love with the soundtrack), clever puzzles, and a well-crafted story, Scratches is a game that all fans of the mystery genre must play!Available on the following platforms: PC3) The Vanishing of Ethan CarterThose who love mysteries that contain horror elements should give the Vanishing of Ethan Carter a chance. The game, released in 2014 by the Polish production company named ‘The Astronauts’, revolves around the disappearance of a twelve-year-old boy, Ethan. The player controls Paul Prospero, a private investigator who visits the Red Creek Valley and tries to unravel the mystery surrounding his disappearance. Metaphysical phenomena, clever puzzles, an interesting script, wonderful backgrounds, first-person perspective, and plenty of exploration, contribute to turning this open-world game one of the best of its kind. The melancholic atmosphere and the intense dialogues are perfect, and you will not be able to move your eyes away from the screen as you try to put the pieces of the mystery together.Available on the following platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch.2) AI: The Somnium FilesAI: The Somnium Files is a mystery/adventure game that is aimed at both mystery and anime lovers. Released in 2019 by the Japanese production company Spike Chunsoft it managed to immediately win the hearts of the gamers. This makes perfect sense considering the unique design, the clever gameplay, the humor, the dark atmosphere, and the tricky investigating skills required. Having already become a legend, it gives the player the opportunity to experience the story through many different prisms, each of which offers an alternative ending. You will play it over and over again, trying to get a complete view of the story and unlock every possible outcome. Plus, the characters are fascinating, the gameplay is convenient, and the quality of the voice acting reaches perfection. It is worth giving it a chance!Available on the following platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC.1) Heavy RainHeavy Rain was released in 2010 and is an action/adventure/mystery video game. Created by Quantic Dream, this interactive drama - which tends to resemble a movie, narrates a story that revolves around four different protagonists and a serial killer, nicknamed Origami Killer. Its director and creator, David Cage, is the man behind the successful Fahrenheit and BEYOND: Two Souls. As you can see, his games have much in common, and all of them are basically aimed at perfecting the original idea. Heavy Rain is an excellent game and is the result of very hard work. Although quite depressing at moments, the interesting and mature script, the wonderful music, the cleverly placed mystery, and the fact that your decisions will determine the outcome of the story, will reward you. It has so many alternate endings, which affect all the characters, that you are sure to play it more than once. So, go ahead and give it a chance!Available on the following platforms: PS3, PS4, PC.https://media.gamemedium.com/somnium-files-mystery-game.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/5-more-mystery-games-worth-tryinghttps://gamemedium.com/post/why-does-the-xbox-controller-still-use-batteries-and-how-will-dualsense-s-success-affect-its-futureWhy does the Xbox Controller still use Batteries?andnbsp;Is it Duracell’s fault after all?In the last few hours, a report by Stealth Optional has been circulating on the internet, stating that the Xbox controllers are still using removable batteries due to a long-term agreement with Duracell.microsoft xboxseries x and xbox series sThis comes from the statements of Duracell's marketing manager in the United Kingdom, Luke Anderson, who stressed:There's always been this partnership with Duracell and Xbox... it's a constant agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have in place.The deal is for OEM to supply the battery product for the Xbox consoles and also the controllers' battery. So that deal is going to go on for a while... it's been going on for a while and I think it needs to go for a while more.This statement took over the internet and so Microsoft rushed to clarify the situation. Specifically, as reported by Eurogamer, no, it is not Duracell's fault that the Xbox controllers have removable batteries. More specifically, Microsoft stated:What it comes down to is when actually talking to gamers, it's kind of polarising and there is a strong camp that really wants AAs. So just giving flexibility is the way to please both sets of people... You can use a rechargeable battery pack and it works just like it does on the Elite, but it is a separate thing.So, as Microsoft claims, it intentionally offers consumers choice in their battery solutions for its standard Xbox Wireless Controllers. This includes the use of AA batteries from any brand, the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, charging solutions from their partners, or a USB-C cable, which can power the controller when plugged into the console or PC. Because, in conclusion, batteries may be short-lived, but they can also be more easily replaced than an internal power cell, which will overtime fade and die.microsoft xbox series s and controllerSo, as Microsoft says, the company isn’t forced by Duracell to use batteries. It’s happening due to its own choice. However, this is not the first time this week that Xbox controllers have come to the fore...Dualsense on the SpotlightMicrosoft conducted a poll on whether platform players would like the company to adopt some of the special features of DualSense.Since PS5’s controller has taken the industry by storm, offering countless new features and providing a more interactive gaming experience, Microsoft is thinking about doing the same thing.andnbsp;sony playstation 5 vs microsoft xbox series xAfter all, so far the DualSense controller of the PS5 has managed to be adored by both critics and gamers. The controller has plenty of interesting new features, such as adaptive resistance triggers, tactile feedback, touchpad, microphone, speaker, and gyroscope, which are absent from the controller that comes with the new Microsoft consoles, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.In fact, Phil Spencer has already congratulated Sony on the DualSense a few weeks ago. Now, as it turns out, Microsoft is considering a more drastic upgrade of its own controller. According to TechRadar, various users of the Xbox ecosystem were invited to participate in a survey that, among other things, asked if they knew about the special features of DualSense. It seems that the company seeks feedback before making an important decision.We still do not know if Microsoft intends to upgrade the Xbox controller. Possibly the company is considering the next generation of its consoles or possibly the 'Series 3' of its Elite Controller. But everything is possible, so stay tuned!https://media.gamemedium.com/cyberpunk-2077-xbox-controller-reveal-without-box.pnghttps://gamemedium.com/post/why-does-the-xbox-controller-still-use-batteries-and-how-will-dualsense-s-success-affect-its-futurehttps://gamemedium.com/post/nintendo-switch-s-success-in-20202020 was without a doubt the year of the Nintendo Switch. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were experiencing the end of their era, with the spotlight on the new generation PS5 and Xbox Series X | S. This led Nintendo's hybrid console to triumph, thanks to the unparalleled success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which, possibly due to the timing of the pandemic, was a huge commercial success.Animal Crossing New HorizonsIn particular, the head of the established industry media, GamesIndustry.biz, revealed an incredible sales achievement that Switch achieved in the UK in 2020. More specifically, he stated that:In the UK last year, if you add every PS5 sold to every PS4 sold to every Xbox Series sold to every Xbox One sold... you get pretty much how much Nintendo Switch sold.Can’t say I’m not impressed!girl playing on nintendo switch gaming consoleIn conclusion, the United Kingdom is one of the largest markets in the industry, but not the only one. This achievement certainly does not reflect the global picture, but it is indisputable proof that the Switch still has tremendous momentum.https://media.gamemedium.com/nintendo-switch-nintendo-switch-mario-cart-game.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/nintendo-switch-s-success-in-2020https://gamemedium.com/post/why-did-nintendo-laugh-at-microsoft-s-face-for-an-hourThe Xbox is now considered one of the main pillars of the gaming industry, with its consoles having sold many millions, managing to stand next to the ones of Nintendo and PlayStation. This was not always the status quo, however. Microsoft is the newest out of them in the gaming industry, and the original Xbox may never have made it.The original Xbox by MicrosoftAs the platform celebrates its twentieth anniversary in 2021, Bloomberg has published a detailed tribute with statements from various executives, which tell stories we never knew. Specifically, the "father" of the first Xbox, Seamus Blackley, revealed that the team referred to the console as 'Coffin Box'. The team believed that the console would fail miserably and lead to the end of their career at Microsoft, hence this strange nickname.Xbox or else Coffin boxAnother story we heard is about Nintendo. In particular, Microsoft had tried to buy many companies before entering the industry, such as Electronic Arts, Midway Games, or Square (now Square Enix). Among other things, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer had asked the Xbox team to try to buy Nintendo. What we did not know, however, is the reaction of the Japanese legendary company. Kevin Bachus, director of third-party relations, stressed that Nintendo laughed in their faces throughout the meeting.They just burst into laughter. Imagine someone laughing with you for an hour. This is a proper summary of the meeting.Kevin Bachus during speech about XboxOn behalf of Nintendo, the chairman of Nintendo America, Howard Lincoln, was asked to comment on the incident and gave the following comment:andnbsp;We are not talking about our confidential discussions with other companies. In any case, nothing emerged from this meeting.So, what are the morals of this story?The first one is that Microsoft knows how to make fun of itself.andnbsp;The second one? Well, don’t try to buy Nintendo!Super Mariohttps://media.gamemedium.com/nintendo-es-and-japanese-flag.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/why-did-nintendo-laugh-at-microsoft-s-face-for-an-hourhttps://gamemedium.com/post/the-best-selling-games-of-2020-on-steamJust before the end of the year, Valve kept to the tradition and - as usual - every year unveiled the most successful Steam games for 2020. Specifically, the list of the 100 most profitable games of the year saw the spotlight. In the Platinum category, we see the twelve games that filled the coffers with the most money and for another year PUBG, Grand Theft Auto V, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege are unshakable. At the same time, other games-services frame the first dozen, such as Destiny 2 and Fall Guys. Of course, there is no shortage of Among Us and other much-discussed releases this year, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and DOOM Eternal.Counter StrikeIn the Gold category follow the next twelve games that brought the most revenue this year, while the Silver and Bronze categories follow respectively to complete the list of one hundred titles.Doom EternalNote that the following lists are in alphabetical order since Valve did not disclose the specific numerical order based on sales, only the categories.andnbsp;Platinum Category:Among UsCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveCyberpunk 2077Destiny 2DOOM EternalDOTA 2Fall Guys: Ultimate KnockdownGrand Theft Auto VMonster Hunter WorldPLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDSRed Dead Redemption IITom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegeGold Category:ARK: Survival EvolvedBaldur's Gate 3Borderlands 3Crusader Kings IIIDead by DaylightHalo: The Master Chief CollectionMount and Blade II: BannerlordPhasmophobiaSea of ThievesSid Meier’s Civilization VIThe Elder Scrolls OnlineWarframeSteam Logo in Black and White BackgroundYou can see all the "The Best of Steam - 2020" lists of the service by clicking here. Note that most of the above titles are on discount, so it might be a good opportunity to fill your library with games for next year.https://media.gamemedium.com/Steam-logo-in-purple-hues.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/the-best-selling-games-of-2020-on-steamhttps://gamemedium.com/post/multiple-litigations-over-cyberpunk-2077-the-cd-projekt-responseThe First Steps of Legal Actionandnbsp;According to a report in the New York Times, the bad news has no end for CD Projekt, since the case of Cyberpunk 2077 will probably reach the courts. More specifically, a law firm based in Warsaw, Poland, in cooperation with a company investor, is considering legal action on the basis of "deception in order to achieve financial benefits".CD Projekt Red LogoThe investigation is reportedly related to recent events and was specifically triggered by the removal of the game from the PlayStation Store on December 18th. At the same time, the report notes that the law firm ‘Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman and Herz LLP’ based in New York has started an investigation on the same issue, by the investors of CD Projekt.The Polish development team is accused of leaking "substantially misleading information to its shareholders and the investing public" and could face mass litigation.Richard Hoeg, a lawyer specializing in video games and pop culture in general, explained that CD Projekt could indeed be accused of adopting “misleading practices”, in his relevant tweet.andnbsp;CD Projekt in Courtandnbsp;So, CD Projekt will have to defend itself in court because of Cyberpunk 2077 after all. In the end, the Polish company is facing not one, not two, but four lawsuits from its investors.cd projekt red courtIn particular, two investors from Poland and the American law firm Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman and Herz LLP filed a total of three lawsuits against CD Projekt, while the global law firm for investor rights Rosen Law Firm is preparing a mass lawsuit in which it calls for all investors are involved.Cyberpunk 2077 Bugs and GlitchesThe reason for the legal trouble, of course, has to do with the state of the game, which suffers from many technical problems, especially in Xbox One and PS4, the consoles of the previous generation. According to analyst Daniel Ahmad, the argument is that the company misled investors about the quality of the game on previous-generation consoles, which led to negative reactions from gamers and, of course, to the detriment of the investing public.Cyberpunk 2077 BugThe basis for this comes afterandnbsp;CDPR releasing the game despite being unplayable for the majority of players.andnbsp;The negative impact of Sony delisting/refunds on all platforms.andnbsp;CDPR admitting they did not show last-gen footage as they had not finished that ver yet.Cybrpunk 2077 Glitchandnbsp;CD Projekt’s Responseandnbsp;Speaking to Bloomberg, the leadership of CD Projekt said that it will defend itself "strongly" against the categories of investors.Of course, the case will definitely take some time to unfold and is expected to have a domino effect for the creators of Cyberpunk 2077, as well as for the other gaming companies and the state of their products.Johnny Silverhand from Cyberpunk 2077But, fixing Cyberpunk 2077 technical issues is no longer the only headache for CD Projekt, which has seen its shares fall by at least 40%, losing more than $ 1 billion.The company has promised to "restore its reputation at all costs".https://media.gamemedium.com/Cyberpunk-2077-Dystopian-Scenery.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/multiple-litigations-over-cyberpunk-2077-the-cd-projekt-responsehttps://gamemedium.com/post/shinji-mikami-has-plenty-of-new-ideasWithout a doubt, one of the most important creators in the gaming industry is Shinji Mikami. The "father" of horror games, the one who revived the genre on PlayStation 1 with Resident Evil. In 2004 his directing skills helped to revive the famous Capcom Franchise and turned Resident Evil 4 into a legend and a worldwide success.andnbsp;Leon from Resident Evil 4Shinji Mikami's VisionShinji Mikami created Tango Gameworks in 2010 and the last time he worked as a director was in 2014, on The Evil Within. The studio's next game is Ghostwire: Tokyo, but Mikami is the producer and not the main person in the project. Now, speaking to Variety, Mikami has talked about some of his ideas, which are not necessarily horror. In fact, he has in mind completely different genres from the ones he has created so far, after talking about puzzles and RPG games that he could "explore".Shinji Mikami during interviewNow that he is 55 years old, he states that from now on he must be more selective with what he wants to do.I'm getting older and so it would be more a matter of how much energy I have.He then gave a "hint" that he has a game in mind, but if he took it and could control it as he wished, it might be his last.My thought is that if I had the opportunity to create a game from start to finish, and my vision was fulfilled, then this would be my last big game as a director.How do you like Mikami's statements? Would you like to see an RPG or a puzzle game from him?I know I would!https://media.gamemedium.com/shinji-mikami-the-evil-within-2.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/shinji-mikami-has-plenty-of-new-ideashttps://gamemedium.com/post/holiday-gaming-eventsAh, Christmas! The most fantastic time of the year has come and the cold weather favors the mood to stay indoors, playing favorite games. But even if you’re an outdoorsy person, due to the COVID19 pandemic, you'll most likely end up staying home too -thank you 2020!So, in order to help you relax and get you into the coveted, festive mood, we’ll list three gaming events that are perfect to play. Let’s cut to the chase!Candy Cane Miss Fortune from League of LegendsChristmas Gaming Events1) League of LegendsRiot Games has announced two new, Christmas events that will take place in the fantastic universe of LoL, the famous MOBA game. The first one, called Snowdown Showdown, is the annual League of Legends event for the holiday season. During this happening, the player has the chance to purchase time-limited themed skins for the champions, such as Slay Belle Katarina or Santa Gragas. Plus, some pretty cute cosmetic changes are introduced at the Summoner’s Rift.andnbsp;Slay Belle KatarinaExcept for the in-game event, you can always pay a visit to Riot’s merchandise online store and choose one set of keychain plushes, plenty of collectibles, or a holiday sweater for you or your loved ones.andnbsp;Last but not least, don’t forget the League of Legends All-Star Event for Christmas. No matter how everything has changed, some traditions will continue and the action is set for December 18-20. LoL professionals (and non-professionals) will participate either from their homes or regional studios, and the winners’ money will go to their favorite charities.andnbsp;LoL All Star Event 20202) FortniteThe Fortnite Winterfest returns and is ready to get the players in the x-mas mood. Festive skins, Christmas-decorated lobby, snowflakes, brand new weapons, and a shaken-up map, are just a few of what you’ll witness. So, get ready to be welcomed in the annual, beloved, and holiday-themed Fortnite’s world!andnbsp;Fortnite Winterfest 20203) Rocket LeagueThe Rocket League Frosty Fest 2020 is all about Christmas, winter, and holidays. Limited-time modes, festive items, such as Holiday Bow Topper, Holiday Hearth Wheels, and even the new Xmas Lights Animated Decal. Plus, there are brand new challenges and awesome snowy arenas. So, put on your snow tires and get ready to step on the gas!Frosty Fest 2020 Rocket Leaguehttps://media.gamemedium.com/santa-clause-and-jinx-league-of-legends-xmas-event.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/holiday-gaming-eventshttps://gamemedium.com/post/cyberpunk-2077-the-most-highly-anticipated-game-of-the-decadeAh, Cyberpunk 2077! The legendary action role-playing videogame, based on a tabletop series that launched in 1988, has already taken the industry by storm. Been in the works since 2012 and after MANY postpones, it is finally released -and we couldn't be happier!Geralt of Rivia from the Witcher in a Cyberpunk 2077 SettingCyberpunk 2077: The PlotDeveloped and published by CD Project Red, it takes place in the eponymous year 2077. Set in Night City, it welcomes the player to an open-world that exists in an alternate timeline, where big cities are chaotic and dangerous war zones. The Night City consists of six regions—the corporate City Center, immigrant-inhabited Watson, luxurious Westbrook, suburban Heywood, gang-infested Pacifica, and industrial Santo Domingo. Through a first-person perspective, the player gets to control a mercenary named V, who is fully customizable. V can acquire plenty of skills, such as hacking or machinery. So, in this chaotic mega-city which is full of gangs and is reliant on robotics, you get a shot to save the day -and not only by using violence. Through incredible combat and gameplay mechanics, you get to choose your own path and create your own history in this immersive, intense, and visually stunning world.andnbsp;Oh, also, there’s Keany Reeves! Do I really need to say more?Yes, I do. Thus, allow me to elaborate more.Breaking RecordsIn order to create Cyberpunk 2077, a team of more than 500 people worked -more than the number of workers for The Witcher 3! REDengine 4 was used by the Polish video game development company, in order to create it.Skyscrapers in Cyberpunk 2077According to CD Projekt, pre-orders for Cyberpunk 2077 have finally reached a staggering 8 million, among the various versions of the game. This means that it broke Grand Theft Auto V’s record of 7 million and now is the game with the most pre-orders of all time. This means incredibly impressive sales. By comparison, GTA V sold 11.21 copies in its first 24 hours on the market. With more pre-orders, Cyberpunk 2077 is likely to become the best-selling Day One game of all time. However, it is not the only record it broke after launching. While only 12 hours off the market, Cyberpunk 2077 had already achieved the most successful single-player game debut on Steam. According to the Steam Database, it reached the impressive number of 1,054,388 simultaneously connected players, shortly after its debut. Until recently, the record belonged to Fallout 4, which in 2015 had reached 472,962 players in its circulation.Futuristic Scenery in Cyberpunk 2077Officially, Cyberpunk 2077 reached the fourth largest record of simultaneous players on Steam, just after PUBG, DOTA 2, and CS: GO. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Cyberpunk 2077 is also available for GOG and the Epic Games Store, which means that the actual number of simultaneous players for the PC platform is definitely higher.Problematic DebutIt seems that the debut was accompanied by many problems. Specifically, after the release, reports began on serious issues with the versions of the basic PS4 and Xbox One. According to Gamersyde tests, the game runs at an average of 20 FPS on the regular Xbox One.The Resero channel comparative video shows the Xbox One version dropping to 13FPS in action scenes, while the PS4 version drops to 16FPS in the same scene.Plus, the Digital Foundry confirms the serious issues with PS4 and Xbox One versions. According to its first tests, the game 'runs' with very strong FPS drops and very low resolution, between 720p and 900p on both consoles.andnbsp;The versions of both main consoles also seem to have serious issues with loading assets. There are times when the world around the players loads with many seconds delay. Other times the game does not load the correct LODs and the NPC characters look squared and somewhat pixeled, even from a distance. The phenomenon of ‘No Clip’ is also very intense, with players passing through walls and objects, without collision detection. There are also issues with crashes, with the game suddenly stopping running, 'throwing' users in the console menu.However, CDProject Red promised that fixes and updates are on the way, alongside the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S edition!andnbsp;Support Gaming Companiesandnbsp;CD Projekt reminded us what is the best possible way to help the company, in case we intend to buy the title. Specifically, Cyberpunk 2077 will be available on PC through various online platforms, such as Steam and the Epic Games Store. However, according to the official social media account of the game, purchases through GOG.com are the only ones that send 100% of the money to CD Projekt. This happens as GOG is a platform of the Polish company itself and since the game does not need a publisher there, there is no one else to share the players’ money.https://media.gamemedium.com/cyberpunk-2077-origins-fan-art-night-city.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/cyberpunk-2077-the-most-highly-anticipated-game-of-the-decadehttps://gamemedium.com/post/international-giveaway-win-cyberpunk-2077Cyberpunk 2077 Giveaway: The most highly-anticipated game of the decade.This legendary action role-playing video game, based on a tabletop series that launched in 1988, is ready to take the industry by storm. Been in the works since 2012 and after MANY postpones, Cyberpunk 2077 is finally ready to be released -and we couldn't be happier!Developed and published by CD Projekt Red, it takes place in the eponymous year 2077. Set in Night City, it welcomes the player to an open-world that exists in an alternate timeline, where big cities are chaotic and dangerous war zones. Through a first-person perspective, you get to control a fully customizable mercenary, named V. V can acquire plenty of skills, such as hacking or machinery. So, in this chaotic megacity which is full of gangs and is reliant on robotics, you get a shot to save the day -and not only by using violence. Through incredible combat and gameplay mechanics, you choose your own path and create your own history in this immersive, intense, and visually stunning world.andnbsp;Oh, there’s also Keanu Reeves! Do I really need to say more?So, if you weren’t already into buying it, you must be 'till now. And gamemedium.com team is here to help with outstretched hands. Allow me to be more specific though!In order to thank our community and celebrate our rebranding, we’re announcing a huge GIVEAWAY. The winner gets to acquire *epic drums sound effect* ...Cyberpunk 2077!Cyberpunk 2077 Giveaway Rules and ClarificationsParticipationAll you have to do in order for your participation to be valid is:Hit a like on the relevant postTag three of your friends in the comments section of that postFollow @game.medium on InstagramPost a Cyberpunk 2077 fanart with #GMgiveaway2077 and mention @gamemediumThe PrizeThe winner has two prize options:andnbsp;Either a Digital Cash Card ~equal to the cost of the game.Or the physical game.RulesThe Giveaway process will last for three weeks. Participations will end on 28 December 2020 - 21:00 EEST and the winner will be announced on 31 December 2020.Fan Arts can be posted, promoted or used by any means from Game Medium without any prior notification to the artist.We will choose and post the 3 top Fan Arts on our account and the one with the most likes by December 31 21:00 EEST wins a copy of CyberPunk 2077.Participants cannot use fraudulent methods or attempt to circumvent the rules. Any user with suspicious activity will be blocked.The winner will be announced via Instagram.If for any reason, a physical game or shipping on the winner's country/region is not available, the prize will be the gift card as stated in the prize section above.The prize is non-transferable.Acceptance of the prize means we can use the winner's name and likeness for advertising or marketing purposes.If the winner fails to claim the prize within 5 days from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and release as required, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected.We have the right to disqualify a participant if rules are not followed.We are allowed to change the rules without any prior notification or announcement.Cyberpunk 2077 is expected to be released on December 10 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Stadia. In 2021 is expected to be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.https://media.gamemedium.com/game-medium-cyberpunk-2077-fun-art-give-away.jpghttps://gamemedium.com/post/international-giveaway-win-cyberpunk-2077