Find out more about the game and the studio at the 1047 Games website.

Just before its console launch, Splitgate experienced severe overload on its servers. This caused the game to go down temporarily, which helped to fuel the media coverage. In the weeks after the outage the studio, 1047 Games, made some changes that greatly improved server stability and load capacity.

Gameplay

For those who’ve not yet had a chance to experience this game, it has a lot of elements familiar to others in the shooter genre. Much of the game is similar to the look and feel of Halo, with alien-looking landscapes and characters. The one game mechanic that sets it apart from similar games is the ability to open portals. The portal feature allows for players to view and jump to different parts of a map. I found this piece of gameplay to be an awesome and refreshing aspect.

It took me a little while to get used to portals and how to effectively use them, but they offer a strategic and tactical advantage. Not only can you hop to and from locations but you can also peer through and shoot opponents in a different part of the map. Be careful, though, because this is a double-edged sword and it’s just as easy to fall victim to bullets flying from seemingly nowhere.

Weapons

One aspect of this game that I truly appreciate is the fact that there are no weapon load-outs to chose from in matches. Every player starts with the same weapons, and in some maps, there are weapons to pick up. This effectively helps to levels the playing field and helps limit a player’s advantage to their skill. Even the available options for weapon swaps are limited to a small handful of choices.

Look and Feel of the Game

Given that there were server issues plaguing this game early on, I expected that gameplay would be affected as a result. Every time I play this game, however, it is consistently smooth and reliable. I’ve experienced no choppy frames or lag in matches. I find this to be rare in this type of online game as a whole.

In terms of graphics or visuals, the game is fairly basic but looks good. There is a somewhat simple element to the level environments. It’s hard to say this without making it sound like a negative feature. There’s not a ton of fancy detail, but maps and landscapes are simple and work well for the game.

Overall I would recommend this game to any fans of the genre, or those who may not play FPS games much. Splitgate is very fun to play and offers a level playing field; it’s no fun to get worked in a game because the opponents have fully stacked loadouts. The best part is that it’s a free-to-play game that operates smoothly every time. Check it out on Steam, PS5, or Xbox Series S/X.

The post Splitgate – The New Kid on the Free-to-Play Block first appeared on The Gaming Column.

Fortunately, most modern devices (made within the last two or three years) are capable of running cloud gaming. Use this link to see which devices meet the requirements to run Xbox Cloud Gaming. Aside from the device running the game, you will need a Bluetooth controller. In this article, I will cover which controllers are a good fit.

Xbox Controllers

The Xbox controller seems like a natural progression, as the gaming service is provided by Xbox, but not all of these controllers will work. Microsoft makes controllers with and without Bluetooth, so make sure you have the right device before trying to connect to a mobile device.

Here’s how to know if your controller runs Bluetooth, and can be connected to a mobile device. The plastic section surrounding the Xbox button, between the left and right bumper, will be one of two ways; Part of the controller body or part of the bumper and trigger section.

If the controller is equipped with Bluetooth, the plastic surrounding the Xbox button is molded in the same material as the entire controller body (Pictured below).

Controllers without Bluetooth have a shiny plastic section that is part of the bumper and trigger body section (Pictured below)

Accessory clips can be purchased for Xbox controllers, to hold your phone while you play. OtterBox sells these clips for $30. This is the configuration that I use for cloud gaming because I like the familiar feel of an Xbox controller and the position of the phone is perfect.

8BitDo Controller

If you’re looking for a small form factor handset, the 8BitDo controller may be a good fit. It is roughly the size and shape of the old Super Nintendo controller. I like this device because it is very portable; good for gaming just about anywhere. It’s easy to tuck into a side pocket of a backpack and not take up much space. The small size can somewhat take away from gameplay, especially if you are more accustomed to playing on a larger (Xbox) controller. Just be aware that it takes some getting used to.

This controller has an internal battery that charges using a USB-C interface. Each charge will last for at least 10 hours of gameplay. I average about 12 hours of gameplay per charge. It can be purchased with or without a phone clip, but I would recommend getting the clip. At a price of $44.99, including the phone clip, this is a good affordable handset.

Razer Kishi

The Razer Kishi is a controller style that wraps around the smartphone, similar to the Joycons on a Nintendo Switch. This design makes for a more solid gaming device style, somewhat like a PSP (Playstation Portable). The design of the Kishi allows the controller to plug into the phone’s charging port, eliminating the need for an internal battery or wireless connectivity. As a plug-and-play device, there is almost no latency like what might be seen with Bluetooth devices.

This is one device that I have yet to test because overall device size, with a phone, is rather bulky for the way that I play. Based on the reviews of a few friends, however, this is a very good option for cloud gaming.

Everything Else

There are several controllers on the market that are similar to the three listed above. These aftermarket devices could save some money, but it’s hard to say which of these are actually worth the purchase. I’m all for saving money, but do your research before spending anything. There’s nothing worse than throwing money away on a devie that won’t work for your style of play.

Below are a few options available on Amazon.

The post Find the Right Controller for Cloud Gaming first appeared on The Gaming Column.

Have you ever wanted to get games for free- I mean Triple-A titles? Or just have some money in your Xbox account for credits on your favorite game?

The Xbox rewards program puts this type of power into the hands of the gamer. It’s just up to you to reach out and grab it; literally, anybody can take advantage of this program and get money with very little effort.

To be clear, this is not a paycheck or a means of income, but rewards points can be used for gift cards to be used on the Microsoft Store for your Xbox, and Windows 10. Even gift cards for other companies, like Starbucks or Door Dash.

Getting Started

In order to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity, you need to start by signing up for the program at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/rewards, or by downloading the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox. The sign-up process is very simple, especially if you are logged on to an Xbox account. Once an Xbox account is linked to the rewards program all there is to do is earn points.

Earning Points

Rewards points are accrued in many ways, so it’s good to understand different streams to make this happen. In general, points can be earned by playing games, by visiting the Microsoft Rewards app regularly, and by searching the web using the Bing website/app/browser.

One great companion to the rewards program, which I recommend, is Xbox Game Pass, but I’ll get into that a little later. Purchases made in the Microsoft store can also gain points. Each of these methods can be used by itself, as a stand-alone procedure for accumulating points, but using several methods will naturally help to gain much faster.

Earn in the App

Accessing the Microsoft Rewards app, on the Xbox, is key to keeping in touch with opportunities for points as well as earning points. Every week there is a Rewards Weekly Set. The Weekly Set is displayed in the top-left tile of the main screen of the Microsoft Rewards app.

This set consists of three tasks, to be completed through the week. Each of these tasks earns a total of 100 points. Keep a running streak of these sets and additional milestone point sets can be accrued every ten weeks. For example, 1,000 additional points are earned at 10, weeks and 2,500 points are earned at 20 weeks and every ten weeks after.

The weekly sets are fairly consistent from week to week and include previewing a featured game in the Microsoft Store, and cycling through either earning achievements by playing games, searching on Bing, or by completing Daily Sets on Microsoft.com.

Earn by Playing

Every week there is the opportunity to earn 50 points by earning achievements through playing games. As previously mentioned, some of the weekly sets depend on gaining achievements, so these points can be important. Earlier, I mentioned the Game Pass program, which adds another layer to gaining points. With Game Pass there is an opportunity for points to be earned by playing games available in the service, as well as for earning achievements in those games, or by simply logging onto the mobile app.

Earn by Searching

Finally, using the Bing platform to search can be a huge booster to your point-earning abilities. Every day there is the chance to earn hundreds of points just by using Bing as your search engine of choice. Using the Microsoft Edge browser, while logged into your Microsoft (Xbox linked) account can give up to 150 points per day. An additional 100 points are given by using the Bing app to search the web with mobile devices. Each of these methods accrues in 5 point increments until the cap is reached. This daily injection of points can really make a big difference in earnings.

Redeeming Points

Once you start to accumulate points, the rewards can be huge and can be utilized in a few ways. Points can be applied directly to Xbox gift cards, memberships, merchandise, gift cards to external companies, or to sweepstakes entries. The Microsoft Rewards app gives a very clear and easy way to see the available options for redeeming points.

If you want to trade points for Microsoft gift cards, effectively turning your points into dollars in your Microsoft account, you can go about it in two ways: making one-time purchases of Microsoft gift cards or setting up an auto redeem for cards. Trading in a one-off situation will cost slightly more points than an auto redeems but can allow for a more customizable purchase at once, as higher or lower value gift cards can be purchased using this method. Setting up an automatic monthly exchange of points for gift cards will cost slightly fewer points, but is only available for $10 per month.

Sign up Today!

In exchange for a small amount of time, and likely doing things you’re doing already, you can earn a good amount of money. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to cash in on the time you already spend playing games or searching the internet; sign up for Microsoft Rewards and start earning now. Visit https://www.xbox.com/en-US/microsoft-rewards to sign up.

The post Free Games on Xbox – Microsoft Rewards Program first appeared on The Gaming Column.

The day has come, and the Xbox Series X has been distributed to the masses. For those who were lucky enough to pre-order their next-gen system, the box has arrived, and it is a joyous occasion. I, personally, was anxiously waiting, with the cursor on the refresh button as 8:00 am came about on September 22nd, and was luckily able to place my order for an Xbox Series X. The great day has come and gone, and I couldn’t be happier that the wait is over.

There is no surprise to the look of the Xbox itself, as the internet has been flooded with images of the new gaming colossus, but pictures cannot ever replace the feel of opening the box. The packaging, undeniably Microsoft, is marked with the subtle beauty of emblems on the front and imagery of the next rendition of Halo on the back. It feels like Christmas has come early as the multiple seals are removed from the pristine packaging and the box is opened to reveal a console nestled in a poly/foam wrap like a present.

Console Design

The design of the console is fairly simple, with bold accents. The massive cooling fan at the top of the tower is highlighted with green on the inside of each vent hole, almost giving a glowing appearance that pops. There is a small message on the round base of the console, which I enjoyed, reading “Hello from Seattle”; Just one of those details that adds to the personality of the machine. This console feels solid, and has a little weight to it.

System Setup

Setup does take a little time, and can be completed through the console or via the mobile device app (available for Android or IOS). Once setup is complete, the home screen looks the same as on previous hardware (both Xbox One and Xbox One X). The setup walks through an option to pull a configuration from a previous Xbox, so the transition is seamless.

After the system is configured, comes the installation of games. I use an external drive for many of my games, so I was able to launch a few titles fairly quickly. As with it’s the former iterations of the Xbox, the download and installation time of new games will take several hours, so it is good to have a loaded hard drive to pass the time while you wait.

It will take some time before the potential of this new system is tapped into, but the initial outlook is very strong. I have tested the new console with Call of Duty: Warzone and found the graphics to be noticeably more rich and gameplay to be smoother. Load times are all but gone, and I find myself waiting for other players in the pre-round warm up for about a minute before each round.

This is a powerful piece of gaming equipment with a lot of room for growth. Personally, I am happy with this next-gen console and I think that the Xbox Series X (and Series S), will shine once game developers have a chance to catch up to the hardware.

The post Xbox Seriex X: Fresh out the Box first appeared on The Gaming Column.

Enjoyment should not be limited by the piece of hardware on which we chose to consume the media. Gamers can enjoy gaming on an Atari or a Sega Genesis because the reward is in playing. By this, I mean that the software, or the experience, is the important piece that shouldn’t be missed.

Next Gen Consoles

We are at the point where two gaming system giants are releasing their most recent “titans” onto the masses. By doing so they have revealed the next expanse of gaming. Regardless of which hardware format you pledge your allegiance the new dawn of gaming is here.

Personally, I do not subscribe to platform supremacy, but rather to the advancement of gaming as a whole. There is too much content available. The media too precious, to be bickered over by which system can render it the “best” or “fastest”. If the escape and the magic that gaming provides cannot be equally appreciated on all sides of the fence, what is the point?

I would argue that it’s merely splitting hairs to argue the differences between the Xbox Series X, Playstation 5, and PC. Console gaming will never be able to keep up with the hardware flexibility of a PC, but the differences are marginal. For me, the games are where the focus should be, and this goes for any system. Of course, the industry will always push the envelope of what the hardware can do. As a consumer of this fine product, I get to enjoy all of the benefits.

Games – The software makes the difference

There is, however, one exception to the argument of which platform reigns supreme, and that is the software. The games themselves are the grey area where you must choose; unless, of course, you chose to pay for everything out there. When hardware manufacturers own game studios and intellectual properties, it creates a line where the consumer must choose or pony up the dough. This line is becoming more pronounced, with Microsoft buying up studios and IP’s in recent years; one area where Sony has had a distinct advantage.

We are at an enormous point in history, where hardware is close enough to make it a fair fight, regardless of which platform you chose. Console gaming can perform at a similar level to a PC.

I understand that the last statement sounds a little off the rails, but both Xbox and Playstation wield performance that rivals that of moderate gaming PC systems. The games are where the real fun is, so don’t get caught up in the “mine’s better than yours”, but rejoice with your fellow game enthusiasts.

The post Platform Supremacy: Don’t Believe the Hype! first appeared on The Gaming Column.

The Service

Being that I wanted to try out cloud gaming, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the only option. This tier is the top end of all Game Pass services and runs for $14.99 a month. Compared to the standard Game Pass option, available for either Xbox or PC at $9.99 a month, there isn’t too big a difference in cost. One major benefit to Ultimate is that Xbox Live Gold membership is included, which runs about $5 per month if paid annually or $9.99 if paid monthly. With this in mind, it makes the most sense to jump in with Ultimate because the cost is the same as the standard service.

An additional feature of the Game Pass Ultimate option is that games for both PC and console are accessible. I have never been heavy into PC gaming, probably because I have an old school mentality from growing up on early console games. Having such a vast library available for download with a simple click, however, has changed this in the past few weeks, and I have probably played more on my PC than on my Xbox.

Cloud Gaming

Cloud Gaming is the third leg of the service and, although it is in its early stages, it runs surprisingly well on mobile devices. While writing this article I saw well over one hundred games available on the cloud platform. I have played only a hand full of these titles myself but was very pleased with the gameplay. Using an all but obsolete Samsung Galaxy S9 I was able to run Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, in all of its graphical glory, astonishingly well. I will dive further into the cloud gaming platform and how it performs in an upcoming review.

The Games

With a couple of hundred titles, across all genres of gameplay, there is more than enough to stave off the boredom. My tendancy is to go for first person shooters but there is far too much content available with Game Pass to keep such a narrow view, so I found myself jumping into puzzle and strategy games. Not everything on the platform is gaming gold, but the majority of the games available are worth a play. The list of games is constantly moving, with new content added and some going away in a given month, so the catalog stays fresh. Follow this link to see the currently available games.

To make things more interesting, a membership to EA Play will be included with Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions starting November 10th. This will add another dimension to the library and substantially expand the game list.

To sum up my experience with the this service, I have to say that I am happy with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and I will continue to subscribe. It will be quite some time before I run out of fresh games to immerse myself in, and that’s not taking into account the upcoming inclusion of EA Play. Ultimate is really the only choice, in my opinion, because allows gaming virtually anywhere, through the Xbox, PC, or phone. If you are on the fence about diving into Game Pass, I say give it a go.

The post Xbox Game Pass: Games on tap first appeared on The Gaming Column.