Gaming

Microsoft backs Fortnite maker Epic Games in court against Apple

Betting on Unreal Engine

Published

August 25, 2020

Shivam Vahia

Microsoft is backing Epic Games in its lawsuit by filing a legal brief in favor of the developer’s right to continue making software for macOS and iOS while the case continues. A cut-off from Apple’s developer tools could hurt Microsoft’s gaming business, as well as other game developers

The battle between the iPhone maker and game developer has consistently escalated in the last few days. Apple threatened to sever Epic Games’ access to macOS and iOS development tools after it bypassed the in-app purchase system. The new payment system is considered a breach of App Store conditions by Apple.

“Epic Games’ Unreal Engine is a critical technology for numerous game creators including Microsoft,” Kevin Gammill, the executive in charge of supporting developers on Microsoft’s Xbox console wrote. “Apple’s discontinuation of Epic’s ability to develop and support Unreal Engine for iOS or macOS will harm game creators and gamers.”

Epic Games says that Apple has also threatened to cut off its access to Apple tools necessary to maintain Unreal Engine, software that many game developers license to develop games on.

Apple wants developers to leverage its native system for transactions so that it can collect a 30 percent service fee. However, the compulsion is harsh on smaller companies and reeks of antitrust practice. Apple, however, says it applies the rules equally and won’t make an exception for Epic Games.

Microsoft has gradually increased its opposition to Apple’s firm control of the App Store. In early August, Apple blocked Microsoft’s xCloud streaming service, citing rules against cloud gaming. Critics say Apple is just trying to protect its Apple Arcade game subscription service.

Gaming

Ubisoft offers Far Cry 5 for free this weekend

Experience the violence in Hope County for a limited time only

Published

August 4, 2021

Gab Orlina

Ubisoft has another weekend offering for everyone, focusing more on their popular franchises. In previous offerings, they gave players one whole weekend to play games such as Assassin’s Creed Origins for free. As such, any progress accumulated will carry over when you purchase the game. This time around, they’re offering the same mechanics to those who wish to play Far Cry 5 this weekend.

For those who are still unaware, Far Cry 5 is the fifth installment in one of Ubisoft’s most popular first-person shooter franchise. The game tackles socio-political and religious topics as you play a Deputy in Hope County, Montana attempting to detain Joseph Seed. Throughout the game, you will encounter members of Seed’s congregation, the Eden’s Gate, who will stop at nothing to see a prophecy fulfilled.

From August 5-9, 2021, Ubisoft is offering players for the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S access to Far Cry 5 for free. For each platform, here are the timings:

Ubisoft Store (PC) – August 5, 9 PM
Epic Games Store (PC) – August 6, 1 AM
PlayStation Store (PS4, PS5) – August 5, 3:01 PM
Microsoft Store (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) – August 5, 3:01 PM

Gaming

Horizon Forbidden West reportedly delayed to 2022

Another delay this year

Published

August 3, 2021

Luigi Leonardo

When the console was announced last year, the PlayStation 5 revealed an impressive lineup of games coming for the next generation. The list included highly anticipated sequels to popular PlayStation 4 titles likes Spider-Man: Miles Morales, God of War Ragnarok, and Horizon Forbidden West. However, because of some reason or another, the titles were delayed beyond the near future. Unfortunately, one of the titles, Horizon Forbidden West, is reportedly delayed once again.

According to Bloomberg, the title is now set for a release sometime in 2022, rather than its formerly projected timeframe for this year’s holiday season. The report does not reveal what the reason is for such a delay. If anything, it’s not the first delay for the gaming industry this year. The games’ respective developers have also reportedly delayed God of War Ragnarok and Gran Turismo 7.

Of note, however, the supposed delay hasn’t been officially announced yet. There’s still a chance that the game is coming this year.

Even if the game is truly delayed to next year, 2022 is looking like a great year for PlayStation gamers. Besides the aforementioned games, another title announced during the console’s launch event, Stray, is also coming next year. The delays, at least, compensate for the still-ongoing chip and console shortages plaguing the industry today.

Gaming

Bring out immersive FHD gaming with the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT

A graphics card fit for the modern gamer

Published

August 2, 2021

Gab Orlina

For most competitive gamers, high frame rates matter in the grand scheme of things. Apart from seeing just the right amount of detail, it’s almost imperative to have more than enough frames to react to. Whether you’re playing on a 4K TV or a 1080p gaming monitor, a high frame rate keeps you locked in — something AMD is offering with its latest graphics card: the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT.

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT comes with 8GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM, which is capable of playing most modern games at high frame rates. Built on the RDNA 2 architecture, this new GPU promises to also bring a high-fidelity and responsive gaming experience.

To achieve this, the graphics card comes with full support of AMD’s FidelityFX and Smart Access Memory technologies. Although, AMD designed it for the FHD space, meaning those with 1080p monitors will heavily benefit from this GPU.

Beginning August 11, 2021, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT will be available starting at US$ 379. It will be available across most global retailers and etailers.