Xbox Game Pass Introduces New Tier and Price Increases

With the recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the closure of studios like Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, a price hike for Xbox Game Pass seemed inevitable. This speculation has now become reality. Windows Central first reported the confirmed details after Xbox users received emails about the changes. The price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will rise from $16.99 to $19.99 per month, while PC Game Pass will increase from $9.99 to $11.99 per month.

In addition to the price increase, Xbox announced a new subscription tier called Xbox Game Pass "Standard." Priced at $14.99 per month, this tier will give players access to the service's extensive game catalog but will exclude day-one releases and cloud gaming. The Standard tier also includes Xbox Game Pass Core, which replaced Xbox Live Gold earlier this year, enabling online gameplay.

The changes don't stop there. Xbox is also phasing out the current Game Pass tier for new users, replacing it with the Standard option. Existing subscribers can retain their current benefits, including day-one titles, but if they unsubscribe, they will need to choose between the Standard or Ultimate plans upon resubscribing.

These price adjustments take effect on September 12, with initial impacts expected in the United States and Canada. Whether this will be a gradual rollout or a global shift remains unclear. Users now have a two-month window to decide if Xbox Game Pass remains a valuable investment or if it's time to cancel their subscriptions.

Gamers Call Xbox Game Pass Changes "Confusing" and "Absurd"

The announcement has left many gamers baffled. The existing Xbox Game Pass "Core" and the new "Standard" tiers have caused confusion, particularly since "Core" is already seen as a baseline option. Furthermore, the PC Game Pass, which also includes day-one releases, is increasing in price but remains cheaper than the new Standard tier, adding to the complexity.

Industry insiders and regular users alike are finding it difficult to navigate the new structure. "Why do I need a spreadsheet to understand the different Game Pass options???" tweeted one frustrated user. Others echoed the sentiment, with complaints about the necessity of deciphering the tiers and their benefits.

A significant issue with the revamped Game Pass model is the naming of its tiers. Terms like "Core" and "Standard" sound similar but represent entirely different offerings, which is likely to confuse consumers. This confusion comes at a crucial time, especially with major releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on the horizon, following Microsoft's record-breaking acquisition.

This isn't the first time Xbox has faced criticism for its naming conventions. The Xbox Series X/S, as successors to the Xbox One X/S, created significant confusion among buyers at the start of the generation. The Xbox "One" was the third generation of Xbox consoles, following the 360, continuing the trend of perplexing naming schemes.

In summary, the recent changes to Xbox Game Pass pricing and tier names have sparked confusion and frustration among gamers, reflecting ongoing challenges with Xbox's naming strategies and consumer communication.

Sonic Team Head Dreams of Creating a Sonic RPG

Sonic the Hedgehog has explored nearly every genre, from racing to puzzle games. However, the RPG realm remains largely uncharted territory, aside from BioWare's 2008 attempt, Sonic Chronicles, which was met with disappointment. Despite this, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka harbors a dream of creating a Sonic RPG before he retires.

In a recent interview with Good Vibes Gaming, Iizuka expressed his passion for RPGs and his curiosity about why a Sonic RPG hasn't been developed during his 30-year career. He acknowledged Sega's expertise in RPGs through studios like Atlus and Ryu Ga Gotoku and admitted he dreams of creating such a game himself, though no concrete plans exist yet.

This revelation offers hope for fans of more experimental Sonic titles, given Sega's history of innovative spinoffs. Meanwhile, Iizuka's immediate focus is on the upcoming release of Sonic x Shadow Generations, set for October. Fans are also anticipating potential surprises, as a recent update to the game's Japanese website hints at additional content or new characters.

Development on the Next Larian Game is About to "Lift Off"

Larian Studios is gearing up for its next big project following the success of Baldur's Gate 3. Studio CEO Swen Vincke revealed that lead developers are holding a summit to plan their new RPG, indicating that development will soon intensify.

Larian has confirmed that it has two RPGs in the early stages of development. This summit marks a significant step as the team prepares to shift focus from Baldur's Gate 3. Vincke mentioned that "spirits are high" as the team looks forward to its next projects after a triumphant award season for Baldur's Gate 3.

Details about the new games remain scarce, but Larian hinted at more creative freedom, as the projects will not be tied to the Dungeons & Dragons IP. This opens the door to potential new franchises or possibly a continuation of the Divinity series, though nothing has been confirmed.

As for Baldur's Gate 3, the final patch is imminent, with the community receiving mod support. Larian's resources will soon be fully dedicated to their upcoming ventures, promising more RPG excitement on the horizon.

The Future of Blockchain Gaming and Web3 in Asia

IVS Crypto 2024 in Kyoto, Japan, reaffirmed its status as a premier crypto event, focusing on blockchain technology and web3 applications in gaming, entertainment, and AI.
Themed "Cross the Boundaries," the conference featured over 300 side events and attracted more than 12,000 participants, highlighting Japan's significant role in the blockchain gaming landscape. Oasys leaders Ryo Manzoku and Ryo Matsubara discussed the increasing demand for web3 amidst Japan's economic challenges, emphasizing Oasys' contributions to game development and the future of blockchain gaming in Asia.

The Web3 Entertainment Zone "SHAKE!" showcased traditional and web3 gaming projects, offering insights into upcoming blockchain games and sessions on tokenomics and marketing strategies. Japan is positioning itself as a leader in blockchain gaming, with government support highlighted by Masaaki Taira of the House of Representatives.

Japan's rich culture and the weakened yen are attracting international visitors, with blockchain technologies playing a crucial role in monetizing cultural experiences, exemplified by a Hokkaido ski resort selling an NFT for over $500. The government is streamlining its tax system and fostering collaboration between startups and corporations to support web3 growth.

The Oasys blockchain is at the forefront of web3 gaming advancements, with anticipated releases like CoinMusme and Battle of Three Kingdoms set for 2024. IVS Crypto 2024 underscored Japan's expanding influence in blockchain gaming and web3, promising a new era of interactive experiences through strong government backing, innovative projects, and a collaborative ecosystem.

Open Campus New Hackathon with $1M in Prizes

Open Campus has unveiled the Codex Hackathon Series, offering US$1 million in EDU tokens to incentivize developers to build decentralized applications (dapps) on EDU Chain, a blockchain dedicated to education. Yat Siu of Animoca Brands emphasized the hackathon's potential to revolutionize the education sector through innovative dapps. Co-hosted by DoraHacks, the series spans three semesters, each focusing on different educational applications. The first semester, from July 8 to August 14, 2024, targets decentralized finance (DeFi) and infrastructure apps, laying the financial groundwork for the ecosystem. Subsequent semesters will enhance learning opportunities and develop education finance dapps, leveraging on-chain credentials. Open Campus, a decentralized education protocol, aims to create a collaborative environment where educators and students drive the learning process. The hackathon also promises winners participation in Open Campus' accelerator program, featuring incubation support and potential additional funding. The event highlights Open Campus' commitment to fostering innovative educational solutions, with prominent sponsors like Animoca Brands and ForbesWeb3 supporting the initiative.

Immutable Passport Surpasses 1 Million Sign-Ups

Immutable Passport has reached a significant milestone with over 1 million sign-ups, reflecting its growing adoption in the web3 gaming ecosystem. Launched in April 2023, Immutable Passport simplifies the gaming experience by offering a non-custodial wallet that's as easy to use as social media logins, ensuring robust security and interoperability across various platforms. This innovative solution, backed by prominent investors like Tencent and Coinbase, addresses the critical need for user-friendly wallet solutions in web3 gaming. With features like one-click social logins, automatic wallet creation, and seamless in-game transactions, Immutable Passport is setting new standards in the industry. The introduction of Immutable zkEVM in January 2024 has further fueled its growth, enabling scalable, gas-free transactions. Now, with over 300 games in its ecosystem, Immutable Passport is at the forefront of democratizing access to web3 gaming, aiming to make it more accessible, secure, and engaging for a global audience.