Kane99

Whether it be the original Kinect or the Kinect 2 that came out with the Xbox One, does anyone here still use either of them yet? Maybe you still play some of the games that came out for it, or maybe you use it on PC in other ways. I know you can use Kinect on PC in some ways, but I never tried. I am curious though, who here still uses it for any reason? Who here has tried to mod it to use it for other means? Is there even any point to use a kinect in 2024 and onward?

Who here has played any of the games in the Earth Defense Force series? I've never played anything in the series, but it does look like a lot of fun. The 6th game just dropped recently on PC (Steam/Epic Games), PS4 and PS5. I'm hearing the new game is getting review bombed because people hate that it requires an Epic Games account in order to play, even when buying on Steam. I don't see the fuss in just creating a quick account, but I guess they have to have a reason to complain. You can read about that here too - https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/earth-defense-force-6-review-bomb-epic

For those who don't know, Fallout London is a mod for Fallout 4 that has been in the works for years I believe. The mod has officially dropped and is available for free on GOG currently. They seem to be planning a release for Steam and possibly Epic. But right now the focus seems to be on GOG and Steam. Anyway, a thing of note, if you do download the mod, you will have to downgrade Fallout 4 to an earlier since the recent next gen update the game had. As well, it sounds like you need to also own all the DLC or the Game of the year edition to take full advantage of this DLC. Either on GOG or Steam. They released a trailer for it, and wow, is it ambitious. Check it out below. https://www.gog.com/en/game/fallout_london And more on the game release here - https://fallout4london.com/release/

I've been hearing lately about these new Nintendo gacha keychains that are dropping in Japan stores soon. There are multiple designs. One set showing off Famicom an NES styles. And another set that looks like the SNES/Super Famicom. You can see images of what they look like below. What gives me hope of them releasing in the US, is that these come in Famicom and NES styles. To my knowledge the NES and SNES was not sold in Japan, they would have still used the Famicom name. So Idk why they are combining the SNES/NES if they are only selling them in Japan. These look so cool though. If they came to the US, would you guy these? I think I would if the price wasn't too high. Read more about this news here - https://mynintendonews.com/2024/07/23/japan-nintendo-gacha-key-rings-available-in-their-stores/

If you have a crew of online gamer friends, do you guys stay in contact often? Or do you ever lose touch and move on with your lives? I have a lot of friends on Xbox Live for example, but most of them I haven't played with in years. Some of my irl friends, I haven't played with in years. I tend to game with just a small group of friends online. So I don't really stay in touch with all of my online gaming friends. But what about you? Do you guys stay in contact with your online gamer friends? Or have you lost contact with some like I have?

Check out a new off-road racing game called ExoCross, the people at iRacing. It just dropped yesterday, and so far reviews on steam seem to be mixed. But recent reviews seem positive. The game is said to have 4CPT vehicle physics, which equates to 4-way contact patch traction technology. So I'm guessing the physics are really good in this. For those who like racing games, I can see you really getting into this one. Who here has already picked it up? Or intends to soon? It's currently out for the PS4, PS5 and Steam. And looks to be releasing for Windows and Xbox later. Steam page - https://store.steampowered.com/app/773840/ExoCross/

I'm not one for these types of games, but I think there are some fans of the genre here. Surfpunk is an upcoming anime inspired Co-op extraction ARPG still in development. I'm hearing there will be procedurally generated islands as well. It's only just been announced and there's been no news yet as to when it is expected to release. But they did release a trailer for the game, and you can find that below. You can also find it on the Steam page here - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2434830/Surfpunk/ There was also a press release put out about said game that will go into a bit more detail if you're interested - https://thegg.net/press-releases/the-co-op-extraction-anime-inspired-arpg-surfpunk-has-just-been-announced-for-pc/

I know some schools have had game clubs after school. Usually after school things you can do with other classmates. I never joined a club growing up, but was always curious about them. I thought it would have been cool to start my own gaming club in school, but I never pushed on with doing it. I was wondering though, are there anyone here who has taken a part of a game club in their schools? Or even college? I know some schools have started to implement video game clubs and hangouts for students. And I'm curious to know if anyone here has ever gotten the chance to be a part of one.

If given the chance to relive your favorite year of gaming, what year would it be and why? I think this is a tough question to answer, because there have been many great years of gaming, but also some rough years as well. For you specifically what year would you like to revisit? As in the whole year. I think it's a tough one. Part of me would love to revisit one of my years as a child, gaming on the NES with my mom and sister. idk what year to be exact, but I'll guess 1992-1994 or so. But I would also like to revisit 2010 when I got RDR1, and I think one of the Black Ops games was out around the same year. All my friends were on Call of Duty that year, and going back to hang with them would be dope. But, if you had to pick one year, what year would it be and why?

Are there any games where you purchase multiple copies of? Maybe it's the original version, the greatest hits version, or a special release edition. Or it's a re-release later in HD, a remaster, or outright remake. I've heard of people collecting one game, but over all consoles and versions they can find. Does anyone here do this? Normally I just buy one version of the game, and maybe it's remaster/remake if there is one. But I don't usually go out and try to find other versions of the same game, just in a different case. But, I get a lot of collectors want to collect as much as they can. What about you?

Repros are a thing in the retro game market. A lot of the time a repro is noticeable, but there are nefarious sellers out there who will try to sell these repros as the real deal, by often not disclosing that the game you're buying isn't the real deal. Have you ever purchased a cart based game, that turned out to be a reproduction or bootleg? I can sometimes catch when a game is fake, but it's not always easy. I've seen people reproduce popular games to look exactly like the real thing. But there are always signs the game is fake. Looking at the labels, the quality of the cart and also taking it apart to see the board is a good way to tell as well. Anyway, I don't think I ever purchased a reproduction or even a bootleg game in my life. But I do wonder if I ever will in the near future.

Has anyone heard about this one? It just dropped today and I hear it's somewhat inspired by the recent Zelda games, especially its open world aspect. It's an action-RPG from the people at Microbird, and Australian studio. This is their first developed game too. Pretty ambitious for your first game. Cool. I really like the cell-shaded style of graphics. It's currently available for Steam, and Xbox Series X|S (Via GamePass).

I had to share this, looks like Xbox and Disney w/Deadpool have teamed up to bring out a custom themed Xbox Series X|S controller that features a cheeky design that looks like the mercs butt. The xbox site lists it as "Deadpool designs the Cheekiest Xbox Controller". Also the giveaway includes a Series X|S console. If interested in your chance to win it, you can find the post from Xbox here - https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2024/07/17/deadpool-wolverine-xbox-controller-deadpool-design/ Also I hope this is fine to post the giveaway here. Wasn't sure if it would be better suited in the deals section or better in the news section. Anyway, you have to be 18+ to enter. Which makes sense considering the subject matter. Anyway, what do you think of this controller? I bet it would fit well in hand lol. Also like the rubber design, bet it's comfortable to hold.

Has anyone heard of Metal Slug: Awakening? I heard it was released in Vietnam in 2023, but I'm hearing it's officially releasing in the US tomorrow (July 18th). I've played some Metal Slug games, so I'm kind of interested in this one. But I do have worries with Tencent being involved. It is coming out for PC, iOS and Android. I thought there was a PlayStation release too, but I guess not. Unless it's already available for Playstation.

If you had the skills to develop your own game, but could only develop for an older or retro console, what one would you choose to develop for any why? I think it would be fun to make an NES game or maybe something for the SNES. But what console would you be into developing for?

I wish I had a good VR headset right about now. Bootstrap Island looks like a lot of fun. It's said to be a VR survival game, where you're stranded on an island after a shipwreck. You than have to survive on this island while also dealing with potential threats. It's currently available in early access on Steam VR. But I wonder if it will get a release on the Meta Quest 2-3 at some point. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1942110/Bootstrap_Island/

Found from this story here - https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-not-us-immortalized-141827189.html The game is pretty basic, the point of the game is to continually hit an owl as it appears in front, behind, or to the right and left of you, but if you fail to click the owl, or click elsewhere, you lose. The person behind the game is game designer Richie Branson, who has worked for Bleacher Report and even Fortnite. If interested in trying the game for yourself you can try here - https://notlikeusgame.com/ I did a quick game and this is the best I got: Lets see who can get the highest score here. My score of 16 should be easy to beat. I guess once you hit 17, it gets harder.

Has anyone here checked out KAKU: Ancient Seal yet? It's an open world action-adventure with RPG elements by Chinese studio BINGOBELL. I haven't heard about this one until now, as it just got a full release on July 11th. It looks pretty ambitious. Check the trailer out for it below. It's currently out on Steam and will release for PS5, and Xbox Series X|S later on.

SCHiM is an upcoming puzzle game where you play as a shadow, and have to use other shadows to traverse the through each level. I really also like the art style, it really looks good imo. Is this something you guys would be interested in? You can find the trailer for it below. You can also try the demo for the game via Steam here - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1519710/SCHiM/ It'll be available for PS4,PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch on July 18th.

In before anyone says the Gameboy lasted longer, that is correct, but I guess Nintendo counts the Gameboy as a handheld device rather than a home console. Anyway, the Switch is now known as Nintendo's longest running home console ever at . Wasn't the Wii before it the longest running console they had? Or was it the NES or another console? The switch released in 2017, and we're nearing on 8 years since its release. Do you think we can expect a new console soon? Nintendo usually jumps at making new consoles fast, but it seems the Switch changed that. I think it's partly due to how it's also a handheld but is regarded as a console by Nintendo. But I do think it's time to move on and bring out a new console. Whether that is a completely new idea for a console, or a Switch 2. I feel it's coming very soon. Source - https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/07/switch-is-now-nintendos-longest-serving-flagship-home-console

Concord is an upcoming online FPS hero shooter from the people at Firewalk Studios, a studio owned by PlayStation. It reminds me of overwatch in some ways. I wonder if this is their attempt to compete with Overwatch. It looks like a lot of fun and the cool thing is, they are doing an open beta from July 18 - 21 , but those who got in on the early access release can play the beta right now until the 14th. Anyway, this officially comes out in August 23rd, is anyone interested in this? It's coming out for the PS5 and PC.

How often would you say you clean your consoles? Specifically if you have newer consoles. I ended up breaking my Xbox One a while back when I attempted to clean it, though I did a deep clean and took the console apart, even replaced thermal paste. After doing the cleaning, it wouldn't even start. My luck I guess. So, what is the best way to clean newer consoles? They're getting to a point where you have to clean them often like you would if you owned a gaming PC for example. It's recommended to clean your PC every few months too, so should you have to clean a console every three months too? Or at least keep it clean from dust every so often? But I don't think most console gamers bother to clean their consoles all that much. I'm very paranoid about cleaning consoles myself after I broke my Xbox One. I never want to deep clean one again for that reason. So are there other ways to clean your console so you don't have to open them? Or are there easy guides to follow on the proper opening/cleaning of your consoles to ensure the best play you can get? Would you recommend having a professional clean your consoles if you're too scared to clean them yourself? Or would you just take the risk yourself to clean them?

What are some mostly linear games that deserve their own open world/sandbox style games? I look at Mafia II as an example. It's a linear game with a somewhat open world, although it's a rather small world. I was hoping it would be a massive world to play in, but that's not what we got. Than again, they did try a more open world game with Mafia III, but I didn't really enjoy it. With that being said, are there linear games you'd like to see made into a more open world experience? What are some you'd rather stay linear though? I know sometimes expanding a world can cause other problems. Like giving players too much to play with, or an open world with next to nothing to do. What linear games, would you like to see get an open world treatment and why?

Tengen Games is back, well not really. Homebrew developer Jeff Silvers purchased the rights to the Tengen Games name after realizing no one had owned the rights to it for a while. So he deiced to buy up the name and is currently in the process of fully securing the rights to it. This new Tengen Games will also be releasing games just like the classic studio did with the NES back in the day, and the first one is actually a brand new NES game called Zed and Zee, an 8bit action platformer. You can purchase it for the NES, Famicon and on Windows. Game looks pretty cool though. I found out about this game from this story here: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/07/random-homebrew-dev-acquires-tengen-brand-launches-unlicensed-nes-game

It looks like Microsoft will be increasing the prices for game pass, along with bringing out a new tier called Game Pass Standard. The new plan will allow you to get Game Pass, but you wont have access to newer releases like with the other plans. Here are the new prices and the new plan according to the article here - https://bgr.com/entertainment/xbox-game-pass-prices-are-going-up-and-a-new-tier-is-coming/ *NEW* - Xbox Game Pass Standard - $14.99 per month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: $16.99 to $19.99 per month Xbox Game Pass Core: $59.99 to $74.99 per year PC Game Pass: $9.99 to $11.99 per month Figured a price hike would come sooner or later. I know they used to charge $14.99 for Game Pass Ultimate, but that was raised up to $16.99 a while back. I'm okay paying $20 if I want to play a few games for the month. The best deal overall is still Game Pass Ultimate imo, as it gives you everything, including online play.