Caffeinate With Samuel Adams: Daily Gaming News

During a Bethesda Roundtable event on Thursday, Phil Spencer provided the most straightforward answer to date on the exclusivity of future Bethesda releases, saying that “if you’re an Xbox customer, the thing I want you to know is, this is about delivering great EXCLUSIVE GAMES for you, that ship on platforms where Game Pass exists, and that’s our goal.” Here are today's stories:  - Bethesda Joins Xbox - Roundtable - Xbox Confirms Summer Event, Will Include More Bethesda News - 20 Bethesda Games from the World’s Most Iconic Franchises Available in Xbox Game Pass Tomorrow - New Halo Infinite info revealed in huge Q&A: Day/night cycle, dynamic weather and more - SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS debuts March 18, with game reveals and more! - EA's New College Football Game May Not Launch Until 2023 Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

After launching on Steam earlier this week, Forza Horizon 4 has pushed the franchise to one of the most-played racing franchises on the platform with a peak concurrent player count of 14,609.    Here are today's stories:  - @ForzaHorizon on Twitter - @BenjiSales on Twitter - It Just Got Easier to Discover Games on Xbox in Your Preferred Language - One Year of Warzone Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

A post on the Xbox Wire from Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, celebrates the company's acquisition of ZeniMax Media and its eight development studios that will continue creating incredible gaming experiences, "including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players." Here are today's stories:  - Officially Welcoming Bethesda to Team Xbox - March Xbox Update Rolls Out with the Upcoming Launch of the Xbox Wireless Headset - Naughty Dog is staffing up for a multiplayer game - OVERWATCH RETAIL PATCH NOTES – MARCH 9, 2021 Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

VentureBeat's Jeff Grubb reports that Microsoft is planning a shared Xbox and Bethesda "video presentation" on March 11, coming just days after their ZeniMax acquisition was approved by the European Commission. Here are today's stories:  - Xbox and Bethesda will talk this week about what the acquisition means - V1 Interactive is officially closing its doors Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

The Eurpoean Commission has approved Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, bringing Bethesda Game Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, id Software, and more into the Xbox family.  Here are today's stories:  - Microsoft’s Bethesda acquisition approved by the EU - Microsoft starts testing Edge Chromium browser on Xbox - Watch Dogs: Legion multiplayer runs into issues and delays Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

Valve informed fans that they would be ending development on the 2018 card game, Artifact, via a post on Steam. The company said that a low player count, even after the relaunch of the game through Anthem 2.0, led the company to decide to cease development. The game is now entirely free to play with no microtransactions, providing all players access to the full DOTA 2 card game experience.  Here are today's stories:  - The Future of Artifact - Diablo 2 Resurrected lets you import your original Diablo 2 saves - What It Takes to Remaster a Cult Classic Like Diablo II Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

A new report from Bloomberg's Takashi Machizuki and Sohee Kim shares more details about Nintendo's revised model of the Nintendo Switch, reported to launch this holiday season. The new device will feature a 7-inch OLED screen with a 720p resolution in handheld mode with 4K support while docked. Production is reported to begin in June with a potential release window for Holiday 2021.  Here are today's stories:  - Nintendo Plans Switch Model With Bigger Samsung OLED Display - Zynga acquires Echtra Games - (Update) The Sinking City pulled from Steam yet again after Frogwares issues DMCA - Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: NBA 2K21, Football Manager 2021, and More Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

Epic Games has acquired Tonic Games Group, bringing the creators of the jelly bean parkour game into the Epic Games family. The companies made the announcement via a blog on the Epic Games website while confirming via a separate blog by Mediatonic's community manager that the future of Fall Guys would not be shifted negatively by the move.  Here are today's stories:  - Tonic Games Group, Makers of 'Fall Guys', Joins Epic Games - MEDIATONIC JOINS THE EPIC GAMES FAMILY - Aliens Fireteam revealed - PlayStation Store to discontinue movie and TV purchases and rentals Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

Electronic Arts has pushed Criterion Games' new Need for Speed title by a year, shifting the team into a support role to help DICE finish development of Battlefield 6. EA's Chief Studios Officer spoke with Polygon, sharing that they had consulted with both Criterion and DICE before shifting the development strategy to ensure that it would be the right move to make. Battlefield 6 is set for a full reveal this spring ahead of its Winter 2021 launch.  Here are today's stories:  - EA delays new Need for Speed, shifts Criterion to support Battlefield 6 - 'The Sinking City' Dev Alleges Publisher Hacked and Illegally Uploaded Game to Steam - How Nacon Cracked and Pirated The Sinking City - A leaked Elden Ring trailer is being circulated online Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

2021 marks the 25th anniversary of Pokemon, with plenty of new games and celebrations on the way to mark the occasion! Friday's Pokemon Presents Nintendo Direct showcased plenty of announcements, but three major standouts were Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and a release date for New Pokemon Snap! We're digging into these highlights and hitting the rest of the gaming news on today's show! Here are today's stories:  - Biggest Pokemon Direct Announcements From 25th Anniversary Stream - E3’s 2021 live event has been cancelled, LA city documents claim - Report: Stadia Blew Millions On Red Dead Redemption 2 And Other Ports - Microsoft is testing 1080p xCloud streams for Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming - Microsoft’s Xbox Game Streaming app for Windows includes touch controls, gyro, and more - Tom Warren on Twitter - Rumor – Horizon Forbidden West Release Delayed To 2022 - PlayStation Plus games for March: Final Fantasy VII Remake, Maquette, Remnant: From the Ashes an

We're hitting the highlights of Sony's first State of Play for 2021, bringing news on the biggest releases coming to PS4 and PS5 consoles around the world in the months ahead! Here are today's stories:  - State of Play February 2021: the complete recap - Oddworld: Soulstorm arrives on PS4 and PS5 April 6 - Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade arrives on PS5 June 10, 2021 - Two FFVII mobile games are on the way, including a battle royale title - Report: Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio downsizing, but ASOBI Team remains [Update: Confirmed] - Sony will reportedly enable PS5 SSD expansion this summer - Report says next Dragon Age will now be single-player-only due to Anthem's fortunes, reversing EA's original plans - EA Cancels New IP ‘Gaia’ at Motive Studios After Years in Development - Monster Hunter Rise is Coming to PC in 2022 Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http:

After Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reported that EA executives were reviewing progress on the revitalization of BioWare's Anthem, an official statement has confirmed that the company has decided to stop any new development on the game while continuing to provide the Anthem live service as it exists today.  Here are today's stories:  - Anthem Update - PUBG: New State Announced - New Games with Gold for March 2021 - PREPARE FOR LAUNCH: BLACK OPS COLD WAR AND WARZONE™ SEASON TWO BRIEFING AND FILE SIZE INTEL - Halo TV Series comes to Paramount+ - It Looks Like Henry Cavill Is Teasing A Mass Effect Adaptation Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

We're packed with PlayStation news on today's episode of The Jampack Report, with news on a new PlayStation VR headset, Days Gone making the jump to PC this spring with more exclusives on the way, and the return of State of Play slated for tomorrow!  Here are today's stories:  - State of Play returns this Thursday, February 25 - Introducing the next generation of VR on PlayStation - More PlayStation exclusives are coming to PC, starting with Days Gone this spring - PlayStation’s Jim Ryan: ‘We’re making a completely new VR format for PS5’ - Gran Turismo 7 Delayed Into 2022 - Play At Home returns: Four months of offers for PlayStation games and entertainment begin March 1 - TONY HAWK’S™ PRO SKATER™ 1 + 2 – COMING SOON TO PLAYSTATION® 5, XBOX SERIES X|S, AND SWITCH! Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

Paradox Interactive has shared that not only has Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 been delayed out of 2021, but Hardsuit Labs has been removed as lead developer and pre-orders for the game have been halted.  Here are today's stories:  - Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 Delayed Past 2021, Developers Removed From Project, Preorders Halted - Watch Dogs Legion online multiplayer modes – finally – land in March - Cuphead and Mugman Come to Fall Guys - Doom Eternal director says he’s put ‘a lot of thought’ into adding a female Slayer Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

BlizzConline 2021 was held over the weekend, bringing big announcements for every major Blizzard title including World of Warcraft, WoW Classic, Overwatch 2, Diablo IV, and more! Here are today's stories:  - Everything that happened at BlizzConline 2021's keynote - Xbox is reportedly putting on a Bethesda showcase next month in March - ROUND ONE: STREET FIGHTER’S RYU AND CHUN-LI SQUARE OFF IN FORTNITE - Soulja Boy Is Planning on Releasing Another Video Game Console Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

Silent Hill fans have had an exciting day. After Bloober Team teased that they've been working for more than a year on a horror IP with a "very famous gaming publisher," leading many to believe that this meant a revival of Konami's horror franchise. However, VGC's sources shared that a Japanese developer has taken on the project - but other sources have shared that two projects are in the works, meaning that all of the above could be at work on Silent Hill. Here are today's stories:  - Bloober Team hints it could be working on Silent Hill… but it’s not the only one - Blizzard Arcade Collection rating leaks ahead of BlizzConline 2021 - Bungie, Maker Of ‘Destiny,’ Announces Massive Expansion For Rapid Growth - GDC is going digital in 2021 with online events running throughout the year Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

Nintendo held their first Direct presentation since September 2019, bringing plenty of announcements that brought mixed results from the community. The largest announcements included the Splatoon 3 reveal, Skyward Sword HD, and the return of Mario Golf, but it's now nearly guaranteed that more Directs will be coming in the months ahead to celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda.  Here are today's stories:  - Here's everything Nintendo announced during its 50-minute Direct - Making Backward Compatible Games Even Better with FPS Boost Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

Square Enix's live service superhero experience, Marvel's Avengers, is getting an upgrade for next-generation hardware on March 18. The update comes alongside the addition of Hawkeye to the hero roster, fleshing out the game's ongoing narrative and enticing new players to dive into the game that lost momentum shortly after launch.  Here are today's stories:  - Nintendo Direct coming today - Marvel's Avengers PS5, Xbox Series X versions finally launch next month - After another delay, Amazon's 'New World' MMO is coming out on August 31st - Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Dirt 5, Killer Queen Black, Wreckfest, and More - Immerse Yourself in the Future of Gaming Audio with the Xbox Wireless Headset Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport

New assets uploaded to the PlayStation Network and found by Multiplayer First revealed a new name for Rainbow Six Quarantine - Rainbow Six Parasite. However, shortly after recording, Ubisoft shared that this name was being used for internal playtesting purposes and was not the final name for the game. Another announcement will be shared soon to provide more information on the future of the game.  Here are today's stories:  - Report: Rainbow Six Quarantine renamed Parasite as pandemic looms large - Report: Rainbow Six Quarantine Renamed “Rainbow Six Parasite” as Image Surfaces - Control Developers Doubled Their Profits In 2020 Without Making A Game - Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is the Switch's third-largest launch for a Mario game - Metro Exodus next-gen upgrade runs at 4K 60 FPS on Xbox Series X, PC enhanced edition announced - The Metro Ecxodus PC Enhanced Edition Announced - Overcooked! All You Can Eat headed to Steam, Switch, last-gen consoles Follow me on other platforms and s

New reports from Thurott's Brad Sams and The Verge's Tom Warren share more information about Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming experience for browsers, opening up the cloud gaming experience to millions of devices around the world. There is no ETA, but Sams reports that the project has moved to internal testing with employees at Microsoft, often one of the final steps before new products and services are sent to a full public preview.  Here are today's stories:  - Xbox Cloud Gaming for the PC Moves Closer Towards Release - Here’s a first look at Microsoft’s xCloud for the web - First PS5 drift class action lawsuit filed against Sony - Halo 3 Has A New Map On The Way From The Cancelled Halo Online Follow me on other platforms and stay up to date!  Twitter: http://twitter.com/jampacksam Instagram: http://instagram.com/jampacksam YouTube: http://youtube.com/thejampackreport