Microsoft reveals “Redfall” date and details about Forza Motorsport

After headlines about mass layoffs, Microsoft wanted to take a more positive look at its studios’ gaming future on Wednesday. A focus of the “Developer Direct” live stream was the “Redfall” revealed in June, which was given a release date in the stream: On May 2nd, the vampire hunt begins in the streets of Redfall, Massachusetts.

In “Redfall” on a ghost hunt

The role-playing shooter is much more open than older titles from Arkane Austin (“Prey”, “Dishonored” series). Vampires have invaded the free-roaming island and turned some of the residents into bloodthirsty cultists. Up to four players go ghost hunting with guns and gadgets, including a jump pad, flashing stun baton, or active camouflage. The lack of vehicles is intended to ensure a quieter gaming experience compared to the competition.

The game scenes focused on different mission types. Before detonating a vampire nest and its throbbing heart, a crackling lightning trap stunned enemies. In addition to sharpened “vampire sticks” made from guitar necks, players have many alternative upgrades available. A Mary Poppins-style umbrella, for example, deflects projectiles. Side missions such as liberating a brewery, taking over a cultist lighthouse and fat bosses like “vampire gods” were also presented. “Redfall” is in the works for PC and Xbox Series X/S and will be available in Game Pass at release.

Dynamic lighting in “Forza Motorsport”

The racing game “Forza Motorsport”, on the other hand, has not yet been given an exact date. In the eighth series part scheduled for 2023, Microsoft deliberately omitted a number in the title. The fleet will include more than 500 cars at launch, 100 of which are new. There are also 800 upgrades and 20 environments with five new locations.

The “Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit” in South Africa was shown in detail – mainly to present graphical advantages. Developer Turn 10 is particularly proud of the fine paintwork reflections, whose unevenness was scanned using a spectrophotometer. Another highlight is the global ray tracing illumination for multiply scattered light rays. Even on the Xbox Series X, it is said to run in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.

Cornering and braking should benefit the most from improvements in the physics engine. Added to this is a dynamic change in weather and, finally, pit stops with an animated crew. Turn 10 has not yet revealed how the new online racing mode or the “car-building-focused” single-player career works. There may be more info on the Forza Monthly Twitch stream. It starts on Thursday, January 26 at 6 p.m. German time.

musical surprise

There was a little surprise with the announcement of “Hi-Fi Rush”, which is available now for PC, Xbox Series X/S and Game Pass. In the colorful comic book melee title, everything and everyone moves to the beat of the rock soundtrack. Even combos are flared in the right rhythm. Behind the game is Tango Gameworks, the current studio of “Resident Evil” inventor Shinji Mikami.

ZeniMax Online Studios also announced news about the MMO “The Elder Scrolls Online”: The chapter update “Necrom” sends players to the eastern regions of Morrowind and brings with it the new arcanist class. The release period for PC, Mac and Xbox consoles is June 2023. A free trial of ESO Plus is also available now, making all previous chapters (with the exception of High Isle) and all previous DLC available to base game users, including in Game Pass. “Minecraft Legends” also got an appointment during the show. “Starfield”, on the other hand, played no role, as announced. Bethesda is instead planning its own show for the prestige title, which has been pushed back to the first half of 2023.

(bme)