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Microsoft vs. Sony: strategy over specs

October 2, 2021September 30, 2021 by Max

I often forget the endless frustration of going against the grain of consumer technology. Mobile phones, laptops, gaming consoles – it wasn’t until relatively recently that most kinds of tech have made sizable gains in usability and features that most of us take for granted.

These days, improvement seems to come as iteration for those products which are most important in our lives.

And it would seem as though console gaming, thanks to the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, has all but gotten to a place of “pretty dang good”. Microsoft and Sony, instead of pulling ahead purely on specs, seem to have arrived at a fork in the road of strategy.

Each, thanks to decades of trial and error, has doubled down on vision and made their respective platforms a place to settle in.

Xbox Developer Direct: things on the up for 2023?

January 27, 2023 by Max

Some quick notes from the Developer Direct:

Release date for Forza Motorsport reboot isn’t concrete beyond “2023”, but the gameplay looked phenomenal
Hi-Fi rush was dropped after the Developer Direct, and looks like the perfect addition to the Xbox library
Things look business as usual for Elder Scrolls Online – a new expansion is due in the summer
Redfall gameplay looked similar to what we’ve seen, and its gotten a release date of 5/2/23
Minecraft Legends, releasing 4/3/23, looks like it has the potential to have a real hook with some of the details of its strategy focused gameplay still up in the air
An IGN interview with Phil Spencer on 1/27/23 evokes a sense of modest optimism for Xbox’s output for 2023 (well worth a read)

The Xbox Developer Direct came and went a couple of days ago, and I have to say, it was refreshing. There weren’t any bombshells. Some information is still left up in the air (Forza Motorsport when?). But overall, it was nice to see a show that got right to it, and I’m hoping Xbox can continue the format on a semi-regular basis.

The Division 2 has got the mood

January 17, 2023 by Max

Ever since taking a break with Destiny 2 I’ve been missing having a “dick around” shooter. The Division 2 seemed like the perfect fit being featured in a recent Xbox sale – tons of exploration, solo viable, and plenty of legitimately new content to enjoy before hopping onto an inevitable hamster wheel. The Destiny 2 hamster wheel is fun, but things get stale without breaks.

I originally tried it out on PS4, and I’m almost positive it was a free PS Plus game at the time. The only problem is that it was closer to the peak of the pandemic frenzy so it played a little too close to home at the time what with the narrative setup of the game.

How to easily set a fade effect for featured images in WordPress

January 12, 2023 by Max

Ever since working through the mdn web doc modules for CSS I’ve been incorporating more and more here at Click Press Play. I’ve also wanted to document what I’ve learned through research, troubleshooting, and implementation here more as well. I never thought something like setting a fade and transition would frustrate me to no end, but then I’m learning that there’s always a curve ball just around the bend in web development.

Outer Wilds review: this feels different

January 9, 2023 by Max

Outer Wilds is one of those games that was perpetually in my backlog. I knew I’d love it. I had that sort of gut feeling about it – the kind of feeling that goes beyond the tricky pull of every game’s coverage cycle. And yet, I stayed in the comfort zone of Destiny 2 and various other multiplayer games. But you just can’t mainline Destiny 2 forever, especially as a solo player.

At this point you can play Outer Wilds on every system except the Nintendo Switch (a port is in development). I’ve never had an experience quite like playing Mobius Digital’s ambitious blend of different genres, but I also know that some people would find themselves bored to death or frustrated by the game.

I don’t want to dive too deep into the inner workings of Outer Wilds. It’s a game where the less you know the better. The asking price is more than fair, and has great sales regardless of your platform. And while it just left Game Pass for the second time, I’d be willing to bet that it will return.

A controller clip is a huge value add to Game Pass Ultimate

January 8, 2023 by Max

I didn’t win a Steam Deck when tuning into The Game Awards, but it sure was something to watch right up until the end. Valve’s push into the handheld market has been a relatively successful one. And while I don’t need it in the slightest (I’m willing to bet most buyers don’t), damn does it look cool. It’s chunky, capable, and offers a true native handheld experience in the way the Nintendo Switch doesn’t.

It’s no match for the Steam Deck, but over the past few months I’ve found a lot of love in the 8Bitdo Xbox Controller clip. I’ve backed off a bit in using it most recently, but it really does mix things up for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. For a service that’s already an amazing value, it’s a huge boon to what you’re getting for your money.

What will Mobius Digital do next?

January 3, 2023 by Max

Overlook of Outer Wilds starting location

Outer Wilds was an experience that cultivated wanting more. It was the special type of game where I had landed on something that was so refreshing compared to the modern landscape. Mobius Digital’s standout release was emotional in the sincerest way, and I think many others found and valued this in what it offered.

It’s still quite fresh in my mind, and I want to allow myself a little more time before venturing into Echoes of the Eye. I’ve read nothing but good things upon doing the usual scouring of reception and thoughts of others on Reddit and elsewhere after beating the main release. But I can’t help but wonder – what will Mobius Digital’s next game be?

Xbox basics: how long can an Xbox One stay on before overheating?

December 22, 2021 by Max

For all of the costs of console gaming, it’s no wonder so many want to eek out as much value as possible. Preventing damage is par for the course. And if you’re someone who grew alongside the Xbox 360, you know just how much console defects, namely bad thermals, can add to overall cost (the infamous Red Ring of Death).

Thankfully, Microsoft course corrected with the Xbox One. Compared to the PS4, it’s much quieter and cooler. But you’re still going to want to keep certain factors in mind to prevent it from running too hot.

How long can you keep the Xbox One on until it overheats? Theoretically speaking, it’s going to depend on a lot of factors. In most cases, you’ll be absolutely fine with extended gaming sessions going well beyond 5 hours. The Xbox One, along with the Xbox Series X|S, were built with longevity in mind. In fact, the Xbox One was designed to be powered on continuously for 10 years.

Keep reading for our guide on how to minimize the risk of overheating, best practices, and what causes a console to run too hot.

Console basics: can you transfer Xbox games to PS4?

December 17, 2021 by Max

Gaming today is a lot of the unthinkable of yesterday. From the ability for Xbox One players to play with PS5 players to transferring progress from one platform to another, things are a lot more open than they were just 10 years ago.

But if you’re someone looking to change platforms there are still some stubborn restrictions. And if you’ve got a catalog of games, whether physical or digital, you’re probably wondering – can I transfer games from one platform to another?

Unfortunately, whether you’re moving from Xbox One to PS4 or PS5 (or PlayStation to Xbox), you won’t be able to transfer your discs or digital licenses. Neither Sony or Microsoft allow consumers to play the competing version of a game on their platform.

Fallout 76 is the pinnacle of atmospheric design

January 8, 2023November 5, 2021 by Max

Half baked and thoroughly puzzling – I like many others was confused by the initial release of Fallout 76. From the outside looking in it seemed to run the gamut of all issues associated with a GaaS title released a tad too soon. Unsurprisingly, it received a mountain of backlash.

Over time, my curiosity in what Bethesda Games Studios had developed started to overtake Fallout 76’s initial blunder. Recently, nearly 3 years after its release, I decided to take the plunge. Part of me wanted to see if things had remained truly horrendous and the other part of me wondered if a steady stream of updates had brought Fallout 76 to the surface.

What I’ve found after 20 some odd hours of playtime is that while it certainly lacks qualities found in traditional Fallout games, its level of atmosphere is far and away above anything I would have expected. Fallout 76’s rendition of West Virginia might even be one of my favorite examples of open world atmosphere.

Halo Infinite’s campaign looks modern in the best way possible

October 27, 2021 by Max

Halo has always had a certain flavor to the hype behind it. Most notable for me was the run up to Halo 3. Bungie enveloped my teenage mind with visions of expansive sci-fi settings and the ways in which I’d get lost in its multiplayer. Halo 3’s marketing was simply something to be felt. In many ways, it was also the peak of the Halo hype machine.

Each release of Halo has left its mark on my gaming career, but it’s also become murkier ever since the release of Halo Reach. I had my fill of over 100 hours with Bungie’s last hoorah, but 343’s entries never truly got their hooks in me. I didn’t feel the connection with my gut that earlier titles provided. Punctuated by the latest release of Halo Infinite’s campaign overview, this lapse in loyalty seems to finally be coming to an end. For the first time in years, it feels fantastic to be invested in the Halo franchise.