Microsoft has started publicly testing its new Edge Chromium-powered browser on Xbox consoles. Xbox testers in the Alpha Skip-Ahead group can now access the new Microsoft Edge on Xbox One or Xbox Series S / X consoles. While full mouse and keyboard support is still missing, the browser works as you’d expect with an Xbox controller, albeit a little buggy in this initial test version.
A Chromium browser on Xbox is a boost for those wanting to access websites through their console. Edge will also now provide access to Google’s Stadia streaming service, thanks to the improved compatibility support with Chromium. It should also improve compatibility with browser-based games, and services like Skype or Discord through the web.
This early test version appears to include the same sync engine used across Edge, with support for extensions, vertical tabs, Collections, and most Edge desktop features.
Support for the existing legacy version of Microsoft Edge on Windows desktops ends on March 9th, and Microsoft’s testing of this updated browser suggests it will arrive on all Xbox consoles soon.
Rumors about a long-desired upgrade to the Nintendo Switch have been swirling for some time, and this week, Bloomberg reported that this fabled new Switch might actually be coming soon.
This upgraded Switch will apparently have a 7-inch 720p OLED screen that can output 4K graphics when connected to a TV, according to the report. An OLED screen would be a major upgrade from the Switch and Switch Lite’s LCD, likely providing deeper colors and darker blacks. And the 4K output would be a big jump, too; right now, the current Switch tops out at a 1080p resolution when hooked up to a TV.
But a lot of us here at The Verge still like our existing Switches quite a bit, even those of us with the launch model that debuted four years ago this week. The changes we’re clamoring for aren’t necessarily an OLED screen or additional performance. (In fact, it might be annoying if additional horsepower led to Switch Pro-exclusive games like when Nintendo introduced the New Nintendo 3DS.) And while more battery life would always be appreciated, we’re mostly hoping it just doesn’t dip below the bar Nintendo set with the Switch v2 revision.
Here’s our list.
Photo by James Bareham / The Verge
Better Joy-Cons (and more colors)
The Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, while a creative design that offers more ways to play the console and a handy way to get two controllers in every box, have notoriously unreliable thumbsticks, with many users reporting joystick drift issues over time. Nintendo has said little about what appears to be a widespread problem, but the company did implement a free repair policy in 2019 for users having issues. Nintendo also didn’t use the launches of the Switch Lite and the second revision of the current Switch to fix drift issues, so they’re still ongoing — this could be another chance for Nintendo to make it right.
Other changes could simply make the Joy-Cons better controllers. Putting a real D-pad on the left Joy-Con, similar to the D-pad on the Nintendo Switch Lite, might make playing platformers and fighting games a lot easier than mashing the left Joy-Con’s current four-button design. Slightly bigger shoulder triggers could make the Switch easier to hold in your hands. And I’d really like more colors — perhaps Nintendo could offer an Xbox Design Lab-like way to deck out my Switch and its Joy-Cons when I buy it?
Bluetooth headphone support
Using Bluetooth headphones with your Switch is surprisingly hard: you’ve got to buy and plug a third-party Bluetooth adapter into the headphone jack, the console’s USB-C port, or the Switch’s docking station. (Even though the Joy-Cons use Bluetooth, the Switch has never come with Bluetooth audio support.)
The demand for Bluetooth audio was so strong a whole cottage industry of third-party adapters has sprung up — just search “Nintendo Switch Bluetooth adapter” on Amazon to see some of the many offerings available. But even if you buy, most of these dongles awkwardly stick out of the console’s USB-C port, requiring you to remove them to charge, and some feel like they could snap off if you aren’t looking out.
A Switch with native support for Bluetooth headphones might be particularly nice for playing in bed, no extra dongle or wired earbuds required.
A Quick Resume-like feature
We’ve really liked Quick Resume on the Xbox Series X / S, which lets you swap between games without having to boot them from scratch before getting back to where you left off. We think the Switch would really benefit from a similar feature, especially since it has so many games that you can jump into for a few minutes at a time. Imagine hopping from a visit to your friend’s Animal Crossing island to a Hades run to a quick bout in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, all without having to wait for the games to cold boot each time — sounds great, right?
One Verge editor would also really, really like not to have to find a save point in his JRPG every time their partner wants to tidy up their Animal Crossing island.
Photo by James Bareham / The Verge
A better kickstand
The current Switch’s kickstand seemed like a good idea at first, but in practice, it isn’t quite as useful as we had hoped. It’s small, unstable, only clicks into one angle, and, terrifyingly, snaps off rather easily (though it’s easy to put back on). That means the kickstand works best on flat and still surfaces at only one angle — which hasn’t been all that great for many situations where we’ve actually wanted to stand up the Switch, like on an airplane or in the backseat of a car.
One thing many of us really want is for Nintendo to fix this with a bigger, Microsoft Surface-style kickstand. Not only would that make the console much more stable stood up, but it could also be adjusted to many different viewing angles, which could be really handy for things like backseat Mario Kart races.
Photo by James Bareham / The Verge
Glass screen and smaller bezels
The current Switch has a plastic screen that scratches very easily — many Verge staffers have immediately slapped inexpensive tempered glass screen protectors on their consoles to avoid permanent scuffs. A lot of us are hoping Nintendo adds a glass screen to this new model that’s more scratch-resistant so we don’t need to add our own.
A bigger screen hopefully means that we’ll see smaller bezels, too, which would give the console a more premium feel. The current Switch has giant black bezels that reveal just how much space could still be filled by screen. And if you’ve used the Nintendo Switch Lite, while it has a smaller screen, the bezels also aren’t as prominent, which makes the Lite’s screen’s smaller size less obvious.
Photo by James Bareham / The Verge
An upgraded dock
The Switch’s current dock works well enough — it gives the Switch a place to charge and helps the console connect to the TV — but we’d like it more if it was smaller, had magnets to make the Switch just a bit more secure, and a built-in Ethernet port, since plugging in a USB-A to Ethernet adapter to get wired internet is a clunky solution.
A good name
Nintendo isn’t exactly known for easy-to-remember hardware names. This is the company that signified an entirely new console generation with the letter U, released a handheld called the New Nintendo 2DS XL, and released a smaller version of the Switch that can’t actually “switch” at all.
While it seems likely Nintendo will just call it the “Switch Pro” or “Switch Plus” or maybe the “Super Nintendo Switch” for fun, we thought we’d also come up with a few names Nintendo can throw in the trash right now:
Nintendo Switch Max
New Nintendo Switch i XL
Nintendo Switch VII Remake Intergrade
Nintendo Switch HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue 358/2 days χ[Chi] øø™
$witch
The SwitcherU
2 Nintendo 2 Switch
Nintendo Swiitch
Nimtenbo Swantch
Nintendo Switch 3(+ months between game releases)
Swii
Netflix
The Nintendo Switch, which turned four years old this week, still doesn’t have a Netflix app. Perhaps the added potential horsepower of a 4K-enabled Switch means we’ll finally be able to watch Bridgerton.
Update March 5th, 2021 1:00PM ET: Best Buy has sold out of both the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition models. If you are still looking for an Xbox Series S, it is still available on the retailer’s website.
The PlayStation 5 has been out for over three months now. Since then, it has been one of the most difficult gadgets to purchase. If you are looking for another shot to get this console, Best Buy has the PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 models up for purchase.
If you are looking for an Xbox Series X / S instead, Best Buy has also restocked Microsoft’s next-gen consoles today.
PlayStation 5
$400
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Sony’s flagship next-gen console, starting at $399.99. The biggest difference between both models is the Digital Edition can only play digital games, while the $500 PS5 includes a disc drive, allowing you to play both digital and physical games.
$400
at Best Buy (Digital Edition)
$500
at Best Buy (PS5)
Once you obtain your PS5, there are a few items you’re going to want to pick up for your console. Some of the most popular PS5 exclusives right now include Demon’s Souls Remake by Bluepoint Games or the PS5 version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which is now available on Sony’s next-gen console.
If you plan to play local co-op with family or friends, an extra DualSense controller might also be a good item to pick up.
One thing I also recommend buying is a one-year membership to PlayStation Plus, as the perks of having a subscription are great for PS5 users. Most notably, it nets you access to the PlayStation Plus Collection, an exclusive perk for PS5 owners, that provides access to “generation-defining” titles that were released originally on PS4, including Bloodborne, Persona 5, and Uncharted IV: A Thief’s End.
There’s no way to expand the SSD storage in your PS5 yet, but Sony is reportedly expanding the options for more SSD storage sometime this summer. But, if you want to store some older PS4 titles on your console so you don’t use your limited SSD storage, I strongly advise buying an external hard drive to store those titles.
It looks like Echtra Games now has new ownership, as an acquisition agreement has been reached with Zynga. The San-Francisco based studio is best known for bringing back the Torchlight IP with Torchlight 3, which exited Early Access in 2020.
While Echtra has developed one PC and console game, Zynga is traditionally a mobile focused publisher. However, with Echtra Games under its wing, the studio will work on a “new, yet to be announced RPG for cross-platform play”. With that in mind, Echtra won’t be turned into a mobile-focused studio for the time being.
Speaking with GI.biz, Zynga CEO, Frank Gibeau, said this acquisition will be “instrumental” in growing its IP from mobile to PC and consoles. There will be no job cuts taking place at Echtra Games once the acquisition completes.
There is no word on when this new RPG will be announced, but Echtra Games will be working on it alongside NaturalMotion, another Zynga-owned studio.
KitGuru Says: Did many of you play Torchlight 3 at all? Will you be looking forward to what Echtra Games does next?
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2020 was a rough year for many industries. Due to COVID-19 and the global pandemic, many markets were either severely restricted or shut down entirely. For gaming however, this unfortunate situation served as a boon for the industry. Throughout 2020, the industry went through record growth in many aspects, and it has now been confirmed that Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all sold more consoles in the UK in 2020 than 2019.
As reported by Gamesindustry.biz, in the UK, over 3 million consoles were sold across 2020 – roughly 800,000 more consoles than in 2019. In 2020, Nintendo sold 1.5 million Switch consoles, an increase of 50% when compared to 2019. Sony meanwhile sold 900,000 PS4 and PS5 consoles, compared to 700,000 the year prior.
Of course, the PS5 only released in late 2020, but it reportedly contributed to half of all PlayStation sales for the year. Lastly, Microsoft sold 600,000 Xboxes in 2020, 310,000 of which was either an Xbox Series X or S, and in total sold 100,000 more consoles than the year prior.
That being said, despite this growth, the video game industry was impacted by COVID-19 to some degree. All three console manufacturers suffered from stock issues, in particular Sony and Microsoft with the PS5 and Series X|S. It would have been interesting to see just how many consoles all three manufacturers would have sold had stock not been an issue.
With both the PS5 and Series X|S still suffering from major stock shortages, it will be interesting to see how console sales line up come the end of the year, and whether the industry will continue to go from strength to strength.
KitGuru says: Are you surprised by this growth? Did you buy a console in 2020? Do you think 2021 will surpass it? Let us know down below.
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For years now, there have been rumours that Nintendo is planning to release an upgraded Nintendo Switch. With the recent release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the power discrepancy with the Switch is more noticeable than ever. Finally it seems as though 2021 will be the year that a Switch ‘Pro’ is released, with rumours claiming it will have a 7-inch 720p OLED screen.
As reported by Bloomberg, this new Nintendo Switch will feature a 7-inch 720p OLED screen manufactured by Samsung Display. Mass production for this screen is said to begin “as early as June with an initial monthly target of just under a million units,” suggesting a release sometime during the second half of this year.
Going into specifics, these panels are said to be ‘rigid panels’ which are “a cheaper but less flexible alternative to the type commonly used for high-end smartphones”. Evenso, this new display should be a noticeable upgrade over the current LCD screens used for both the regular Switch and the Switch Lite.
Aside from the display, Bloomberg reports that the console will come with 4K support when docked. What this means exactly is still unknown. It would be unreasonable to expect this new Switch to play games natively in 4K. That being said, even if this support only extends as far as scaling the UI to 4K, the jump in quality will be noticeable to those who use the system with a 4K TV.
Though this new Switch will likely still fall far behind graphically when compared to the likes of the PS5 and Series X, the upgrades mentioned by Bloomberg paint this new Switch as being a much needed upgrade regardless. It will be interesting to see when Nintendo plans to announce this upgraded system.
KitGuru says: What do you think of these details? Would you upgrade? How much do you think it will cost? Let us know down below.
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Best Buy has randomly restocked supplies for both of Microsoft’s recently released next-gen consoles: the Xbox Series X and Series S. Like some other gaming gadgets released late last year, these consoles are extremely difficult to buy, but if you move quickly, you can grab one right now.
If you are new to the Xbox console family, Costco is also selling a Series S console bundle with an extra controller for $340.
If you secure either console and wonder what to buy next, you might want to think about what games to add to your library. But if you’re unsure what to get, I suggest buying a subscription to Xbox Game Pass for console or Game Pass Ultimate. I strongly suggest Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as it includes additional perks, most notably a membership for Xbox Live Gold.
I also advise you to buy an extra controller if you are playing a game with a local co-op with a friend or family member. When it comes to additional storage, both consoles are rather limited: 512GB on the Series S, 1TB on the Series X. You can buy an SSD expansion card that only comes in 1TB, and it is very expensive, costing $220.
If you plan to download some older games, but want to save your limited SSD, you can grab an external hard drive.
Apple’s Find My app might get a new safety feature to help prevent someone from using the kinds of devices tracked in the app to stalk you instead. “Item Safety Alerts”, spotted in the iOS 14.5 beta, will notify you if an unknown device being tracked on Find My is “moving with you” so you can remove it or disable it, 9to5Mac reports.
The feature seems designed to counteract a scenario where a Find My-compatible device is hidden in a pocket or bag and then used to track someone’s movements. The Item Safety Alerts setting was found in early versions of iOS 14.3, according to AppleInsider, but was removed until its reappearance in iOS 14.5. The setting is enabled by default in the beta and Apple seems to want it to stay on. If you turn off the setting off, the system will warn you that unknown devices can see your location without you being notified, Apple blogger Benjamin Mayo shared on Twitter.
Something I hadn’t considered before: new beta includes a Item Safety setting in Find My. This is how Apple is trying to prevent ‘stalking’ with AirTags. If someone secretly hides a tag in your possessions, your phone will notice and warn you about it. pic.twitter.com/NVJyAZlthw
— Benjamin Mayo (@bzamayo) March 4, 2021
Addressing the risk of stalking in Find My is newly important because of Apple’s plans to open up the app to third-party accessories. Hiding an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook in someone’s bag to track them is difficult, but a small keychain-sized device like Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag or Tile’s upcoming ultra wideband (UWB) tracker could be a lot easier. Apple’s rumored AirTags could also be a candidate for misuse, and reintroducing this feature into iOS might mean they’re on their way to release.
Find My settings screen with ‘Item Safety Alerts’ turned on.Image: 9to5Mac
While it’s not necessarily as powerful as a GPS beacon with a cellular radio, Apple’s Find My network may have more reach than you’d think. If an Apple device comes near one of these supported trackers, it can update its location, even if the tracker doesn’t have its own connection to the internet. Tile’s “Community Find” feature works similarly. AirTags could theoretically expand the reach and precision even more, with an added UWB signal in the tag that can make items easier to find behind walls and in other rooms.
There are at least a few examples where gadgets like this have been abused: In 2018, a woman in Texas noticed her ex-partner kept showing up at restaurants, other people’s houses, and even an out-of-town trip, without a clear way of knowing where she was, ABC 13 reported. She’d later learn her ex had stashed a Tile tracker in the front console of her car, and was using it to find her. A Texas beauty queen shared a similar stalking story in 2016.
Blizzard wasn’t kidding when it told Polygon that the new remastered Diablo II would be faithful to the original. You’ll even be able to pick up where you left off with your 20-year-old savegames, IGN Middle East reports.
“Yes! Yes, keep those!” producer Matthew Cederquist told journalists, saying that the team called it “the best feature ever.”
As a lapsed player myself, the very idea is giving me chills — dangerous ones, ones that I imagine are akin to what Gollum felt in The Lord of the Rings when he decided to pull The One Ring off his brother’s throttled corpse. I thought I could safely leave this game behind, but no. It seems I may need to track down an old friend soon.
Staying the hell away from this.
True story: I had to give my fairly valuable account and discs to a friend sworn to never, ever return them, because I kept seeing unique items in my dreamshttps://t.co/t7V7Oa26SH
— Sean Hollister (@StarFire2258) February 19, 2021
For the rest of the original game’s fanbase, though, this might be incredible news: players like me spent large amounts of time grinding Diablo II’s bosses and levels to dust searching for unique items, not to mention selling them online and trading them inside a game that wasn’t really designed for that sort of thing. (One particular rare item, the Stone of Jordan, was actually used as a makeshift form of currency.)
Now, all of that progress is theoretically yours instead of having to start from scratch, and it might even be portable, too: theoretically, the game’s cross-save abilities across PC and console mean you could even load up your OG save on a Nintendo Switch.
Blizzard told our sister site Polygon that the remaster basically is the original game, so it’s not too surprising that original saves still function:
This isn’t a remake,” said Fergusson. “We’re not reverse-engineering it; we’re not rebuilding it and trying to make it look and sound like [Diablo 2]. This is [Diablo 2]. […] It’s right there, underneath the surface. The entire simulation, the engine for this game, that lifeblood of this game, is [Diablo 2] right underneath. So there’s a toggle switch, a legacy toggle, that when you press the button, you’ll see behind the curtains, and there is Diablo 2 in 2D sprites running right there, and you can play the way that you played 20 years ago.”
“[W]e kind of shoved it in and it worked!” the team told IGN Middle East.
The Raspberry Pi Pico has been with us for just over a month and in this short space of time, there have been many projects for every level of user. But for those just starting their journey with code it can be a little daunting, and this is where block based languages such as Scratch come in to their own. Block-based Integrated Platform for Embedded Systems (BIPES) is a block based coding environment for MicroPython devices and in the latest release it now supports the Raspberry Pi Pico and other RP2040 based boards.
The BIPES project was created just over a year ago and it supports many boards such as the ESP8266, ESP32, BBC micro:bit and now the Raspberry Pi Pico and other RP2040 based boards. BIPES works with Google Chrome and writing code for a project is made easy via a web interface which is written in Blockly. Before any code can be written, we first need to enable Experimental Web Platform features in chrome://flags so that we can use Web Serial to talk to the Raspberry Pi Pico, luckily we only have to do this once.
After setting the board to Raspberry Pi Pico and then connecting to the Pico via the Console tab we have a web REPL (Read Eval Print Loop) interface where we can write MicroPython in the browser and interact with the board. Moving to the Blocks tab we see a range of blocks categorized by their function, and there we can also see special blocks for use with the Raspberry Pi Pico. We took BIPES for a quick test and managed to flash the internal LED of the Pico in just a few minutes.
(Image credit: Future)
With BIPES we can write block based code, switch to Python to see the real code that makes our project and interact with REPL, all from one browser window. The BIPES blog has a selection of example project to read both digital and analog GPIO pin values, control LEDs with PWM and work with a temperature sensor.
It is still early days for Raspberry Pi Pico and BIPES, some key functionality, notably managing Python files on the Pico. Right now we can download our block based code as an XML file and share it with others who can upload it to the BIPES site which converts it back to blocks that can be written to another Pico.
If you’ve already got a Raspberry Pi Pico and some eager makers in your home, then BIPES could be the tool to introduce the world of making to a younger audience.
Both the Sony PS5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X / S gaming consoles will be back in stock at Walmart later today. A Walmart spokesperson told The Verge that the retailer will have the consoles available for purchase again at 11:30AM PT / 2:30PM ET for the Xbox Series X / S and 12PM PT / 3PM ET for the PS5. As usual, stock will likely not last very long.
Walmart plans to have inventory for the PS5, the PS5 Digital Edition, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S gaming consoles, with prices ranging from $300 to $500 depending on the model you purchase.
PlayStation 5
$400
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Sony’s flagship next-gen console, starting at $399.99. The biggest difference between both models is the Digital Edition can only play digital games, while the $500 PS5 includes a disc drive, allowing you to play both digital and physical games.
$400
at Walmart (Digital Edition)
$500
at Walmart (PS5)
If you plan to buy a PS5 console, there are a few additional items you should pick up to get the most out of your new console. I recommend picking up a second DualSense controller, which is necessary for any in-person multiplayer action. I suggest that early adopters also subscribe to PlayStation Plus, which gives you a few perks, such as access to the PlayStation Plus Collection.
No option to expand PS5’s SSD, but it is likely coming later this year.
If you are buying either an Xbox Series X or Series S, an additional controller is likely a good purchase. And unlike the PS5, you can purchase a 1TB SSD expansion to add to the Xbox’s base storage (512GB on the Series S, 1TB on the X), though it is not cheap. If you are having trouble deciding on what games to buy, you can always buy a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which gives you access to a slew of digital games and access to Xbox Live Gold.
Nintendo might join Sony and Microsoft in the next-gen console market sooner than expected. On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that the company has asked Samsung to start mass production on a 7-inch OLED display meant for a new version of the Switch.
The current version of the Switch debuted in March 2017. Nintendo updated the console with a brighter display in 2019, and introduced the Nintendo Switch Lite handheld that same year, but on the whole it’s still a three-year-old console.
Yet the Switch has been the best-selling console for more than two years straight despite supply constraints resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. (It seems like practically everyone bought a Switch and Animal Crossing in early 2020.)
Bloomberg’s report indicated that Nintendo isn’t messing with success. Rather than redesigning the Switch entirely, the company is poised to introduce a model with a larger OLED display, along with the ability to output at 4K when it’s docked.
The report claimed that Samsung is set to manufacture a 7-inch OLED display; the current Switch boasts a 6.2-inch LCD display. Unfortunately it seems the relatively low 720p resolution won’t change, which will likely disappoint handheld players.
Bloomberg reported that mass production for the display is supposed to start in June with an initial goal of 1 million units per month. Nintendo will have to wait for other parts as well, of course, but this suggests a new Switch could arrive this year.
Nintendo has a new Switch console in the pipeline. According to Bloomberg, the device will boast a 7-inch screen that uses OLED display tech for the first time. The display will be made by Samsung, which also supplies screens for smartphones like the iPhone 12 and Galaxy S21.
It’s hoped the new console will launch in time for Christmas in order to compete with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Both Sony and Microsoft’s consoles have been in short supply since launching at the end of 2020, though hopefully the supply issues should be sorted by this winter (here’s where to buy a PS5, and where to buy an Xbox Series X, just in case you’re still looking).
An OLED display would give the Switch higher contrast and better colour reproduction, as well as consuming less battery life. According to Bloomberg‘s sources, Nintendo will use rigid OLED panels which are cheaper but less flexible than those commonly found in high-end smartphones.
The 7-inch size would be bigger than the current Switch’s 6.2-inch screen, and the Switch Lite’s 5.5-inch display. According to the report, it will also be able to output 4K resolution when connected to a 4K TV.
Given the Switch launched over four years ago, it’s arguably due a refresh. And, although the PS5 and Xbox Series X are much more powerful, Nintendo’s console has continued to sell well even after all this time. We’ve even seen Switch stock shortages along the way.
Within a year of its launch, the Switch sold 14 million units, eclipsing the total lifetime sales of its predecessor, the Wii U. To date, the Switch and slimmed-down Switch Lite have sold more than 79 million units worldwide. And it looks like there’s plenty of life in the old dog yet.
MORE:
Next-gen face-off! PS5 vs Xbox Series X: which is better?
Sony consoles duke it out: PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition: which should you buy?
Our pick of the best gaming headsets for PC, PS4 and Xbox One
Amazon is launching a new Alexa app for Xbox consoles this week. While you’ve been able to control Alexa from an Xbox for a couple of years now, this dedicated app will provide access to more of the visual parts of Amazon’s digital assistant. That includes being able to see your doorbell camera, reading emails and checking your calendar, and even seeing weather forecasts.
It essentially turns your Xbox into more of an Echo Show-like experience for Alexa. All of the usual Xbox controls are still supported with this new app, including the ability to turn on an Xbox console using a compatible Alexa device.
Amazon is gradually rolling out this new Alexa app for Xbox in the coming days, and it will be available across all Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S consoles. You should be able to download the Alexa app from the Microsoft Store right now, but we’ve tried to get it to work with a couple of Xbox consoles and it doesn’t appear to be fully live just yet.
Here are some of the new commands available with the visual version of Alexa on Xbox:
Sony has announced a new slate of PlayStation VR games for later this year. It includes a virtual reality adaptation of Doom 3, as well as titles from a few successful VR studios and a couple of relative newcomers to VR.
Sony announced a new generation of PSVR for its PlayStation 5 console last month. The headset will come with a redesigned controller, a single cord instead of the original cable box, and a higher-resolution screen, among other upgrades. But Sony hasn’t unveiled the headset or offered many details, and it’s said the device won’t arrive in 2021. So today’s games will be launching for PSVR — with the promise of a better experience down the line.
Doom 3 VR, the only title with a precise release date, will launch on March 29th for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. It’s a “retooled” port of the original 2004 shooter and its two expansions, designed for PSVR’s gun-like Aim accessory. A short trailer offers a preview of the gameplay and updated graphics.
This is the second Doom game for PSVR, following the 2017 VR original Doom VFR. It’s also not the first time Doom 3 has appeared in VR. The game was originally promised as part of the Oculus Rift headset launch, but it was canceled amid a lawsuit from Doom rights holder ZeniMax. (ZeniMax was acquired by Sony’s rival Microsoft last year.) More recently, a modding team unofficially ported Doom 3 to the Oculus Quest.
Vertigo Games, creator of zombie VR shooter Arizona Sunshine, will be bringing its cooperative followup After the Fall to PSVR as well. After the Fall was announced a couple of years ago, and it was expected to launch in 2020 on both PSVR and PC-based VR. It was delayed in part because of the coronavirus pandemic, rescheduled for early 2021 — a window Sony is reiterating here.
PlayStation VR will also be supporting I Expect You To Die 2 — a sequel to the wildly successful escape room title, originally announced for Steam in January. The game promises the same richly interactive spy-themed puzzles as I Expect You To Die, which has proven one of the most enduringly popular VR games since its launch in 2016.
The other games don’t have the same immediate name recognition, but they’re intriguing additions to the PSVR catalog. Fracked is developed by nDreams, the studio behind kayak-based stealth shooter Phantom: Covert Ops. Continuing the sports-plus-guns formula, its new game is an action shooter built around skiing — alongside climbing, zip lines, and old-fashioned duck-and-cover combat. It’s also apparently about a fracking facility that’s been “taken over by an army of gun-wielding, interdimensional maniacs.” (It’s unclear whether the maniacs are pro- or anti-fracking.) The game will be released this summer for PlayStation Move controllers on both generations of Sony consoles, but with improved frame rates and resolution on the PlayStation 5.
In a slightly calmer vein, there’s Song in the Smoke by Galak-Z developer 17-Bit. It’s a VR survival game that focuses on crafting, hunting, scavenging, and exploration in a mysterious world. A trailer shows off some gorgeous landscapes and creature design, as well as mechanics like archery. It’s launching at an unspecified point in 2021.
Sony also announced the 2021 release of Zenith, an anime-influenced massively multiplayer roleplaying game funded on Kickstarter last year. It’s set in a high-tech fantasy world that’s designed for players to climb and glide around, in addition to fighting with a VR-adapted version of conventional RPG combat.
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