News - It's Great To See Xenoblade Chronicles X On Switch 2, But Come On

Nintendo might be holding a contest to see how ridiculous game titles can get on Switch 2, especially when it comes to bringing over original Switch games. The latest example is Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition -- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. That's right, you're not seeing double: There are two editions in that ridiculously long name. Sure, it was possible to just go with the subtitle "Nintendo Switch 2 Definitive Edition," but the company probably figured that screws up its framework for these upgrades.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is egregious, but somehow, Nintendo will give it more competition next month. That's because Super Mario Bros. Wonder -- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park arrives on March 26. Rolls off the tongue, right? We could then express our annoyance at the scattershot pricing for these upgrades, especially when games like Super Mario Odyssey and Pokemon Violet/Scarlet received free Switch 2 updates. But that's for another day.

This isn't the first time that the Xenoblade franchise has seen some silliness releasing on a new platform. Xenoblade Chronicles 3D brought the original RPG in the series from Wii to a portable format, but with one caveat. The game was exclusive to New Nintendo 3DS, so that box art wasn't the cleanest. But it is sort of quaint in retrospect compared to Xenoblade Chronicles X on Switch 2.

(Free Game Key) Steam | Magellania

Magellania
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1511950/Magellania/
free until February 9th


https://steamcommunity.com/groups/GrabFr...4585083724

News - PlayStation Boss Attempts To Justify Bluepoint Games’ Closure

Sony Interactive Entertainment exec Herman Hulst has recently explained the company's decision to shut down the Demon's Souls remake developer Bluepoint Games, citing a myriad of environmental factors from changing player behavior to ballooning development costs.

In an email sent to staff that Kotaku obtained, Hulst praised some projects that are doing well, like Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Helldivers 2, and MLB The Show. However, when it came to the Texas-based studio Bluepoint Games, Hulst explained that certain factors were "making it harder" to build games sustainably.

"At the same time, we're operating in an increasingly challenging industry environment," Hulst said. "Rising development costs, slowed industry growth, changing player behavior, and broader economic headwinds are making it harder to build games sustainably. To navigate this reality, we need to continue adapting and evolving. We've taken a close look at our business to ensure we’re delivering today while still well-positioned for the future. As a result, we will be closing Bluepoint Games in March."

(Free Game Key) Steam & Epic | Arabian Gulf & Botany Manor

Arabian Gulf - Steam
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3744480/Arabian_Gulf/
Available until February 8th

Botany Manor - Epic
https://store.epicgames.com/p/botany-manor-e7c456
Available until February 12th


https://steamcommunity.com/groups/GrabFr...4585083544

News - Nintendo Explains Why Classic Pokemon Games Are Releasing Differently: "We Th

The Pokemon Company and Nintendo made the surprise announcement that Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to Nintendo Switch next week, but some fans are puzzled by the unusual standalone release of these retro Game Boy Advance classics. While a Nintendo FAQ did little to elaborate on why these games aren't coming to Nintendo Switch Online, the official word is fascinating regardless.

One prompt in the Nintendo Support FAQ reads, "Why are you handling these classic games differently?" The answer states: "In celebration of 30 years of Pokémon, we thought it would be fun to return to the ultimate versions of the original Pokemon adventures in the Kanto region with these special releases." It's a response that largely dodges the core concern of the question.

In the FAQ, Nintendo also stated that it "thought users will appreciate the ultimate versions of those original adventures" rather than releasing the original Red and Blue for Game Boy. When addressing whether those original versions would be a part of Nintendo Switch Online, the FAQ simply lists every Pokemon spin-off title already in the Nintendo Classics library, adding that the company has "nothing to announce regarding any other potential titles."

(Free Game Key) Steam: Untrusted | & | Epic Games: Definitely Not Fried Chicken

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1502660/Untrusted/
Free till February 1, 17:00 UTC.

Definitely Not Fried Chicken Free on Epic Games until February 5, 17:00 UTC

1. Go to the store page
   
2. Click the GET button
   
3. Verify the game is free

Definitely Not Fried Chicken

• Store page[store.epicgames.com]

News - The Internet Isn’t Safe For Resident Evil Requiem Fans Right Now

Resident Evil Requiem looks set to end the month on a high note, and if you're looking to dig into the new mainline chapter's gory lore, now might be a good time to log off. Reports are coming in that physical editions of the new survival-horror game have made their way into the hands of players ahead of its planned February 27 release date. If history has proven anything, it's only a matter of time before footage is uploaded to various channels.

"I can personally verify there is at least one person out there who bought Resident Evil Requiem from a store selling early," reliable Resident Evil leaker Dusk Golem posted online. "If one person has been able to get it early, then some others will too, so officially, floodgates are open but it may take a couple days before anything starts leaking."

Capcom has also addressed the leaks and has asked players not to share any spoilers for the game before or after launch. It added that its legal department is currently issuing takedown notices for any content that has already appeared online so as to preserve the day-one experience for players.

(Free Game Key) Steam | Along the Edge

https://store.steampowered.com/app/504390/Along_the_Edge/

News - Todd Howard Says AI Is "Certainly Not A Fad," But Bethesda Isn't Using It For

Is AI being used by The Elder Scrolls 6 developer Bethesda Game Studios? Yes, but maybe not in the way you think. Todd Howard chatted about the divisive topic on the Kinda Funny Gamescast, noting that AI is "certainly not a fad." That said, the Starfield and Fallout 4 game director expressed that Bethesda is "being incredibly cautious" and isn't utilizing it at all for creative generation, like making quests or producing art.

Spotted by GamesRadar, Howard discussed how AI is constantly changing and Bethesda sees "it as a tool, like an analyst [to] look at the data in our games." Howard noted this analytical side is where the studio is seeing the upside with AI as "it can help us get better at some big data tasks that just take us a lot of time." That, in turn, lets them get "onto the creative stuff," according to Howard. Once again, he believes in "handcrafted human intention," something he touched upon before in December.

Howard talked about more than just AI on the podcast. He stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 will return to a classic Bethesda RPG style, as Fallout 76 and Starfield were like a "creative detour" for the studio. It was also reconfirmed that Creation Engine 3 will power The Elder Scrolls 6. Creation Engine 2 was behind Starfield, for reference. Speaking of which, Howard tempered some of the expectations behind Starfield 2.0.

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