Accessible Gaming with the Xbox Adaptive Controller

At Microsoft, we believe in empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our CEO, Satya Nadella, has spoken about how essential it is that we push the boundaries of what technology can do in a concerted effort to be inclusive of everyone around the world. These principles have the deepest impact in how we are building products that are designed for everyone. We have been on a journey of inclusive design, which celebrates and draws inspiration from people who are often overlooked in the typical design process.

As I discussed at the annual DICE conference in February, when we truly design for all, we help make the world more equal. That’s why I’m so excited about today’s Microsoft Story Labs feature which shares an in-depth look at our newest piece of hardware which we believe will enable and empower even more Xbox One and Windows 10 gamers across the globe: The Xbox Adaptive Controller.

By taking an inclusive design approach and considerations of gamers who might not be able to reach all the bumpers and triggers or hold a controller for an extended period of time, for example, we were able to design a controller that provides a way for more fans to enjoy gaming. On our journey of inclusive design, we have taken a wider view of our fans and a more inclusive approach to designing for them.

For gamers with limited mobility, finding controller solutions to fit their individual needs has been challenging. The solutions that exist today are often expensive, hard to find, or require significant technical skill to create. A number of individuals and organizations are creating custom solutions, but it has been often difficult for them to scale when most rigs need to be so personalized.

Joining the Xbox family of controllers and devices, the Xbox Adaptive Controller was created to address these challenges and remove barriers to gaming by being adaptable to more gamers’ needs.  It was developed in partnership with organizations around the world, including The AbleGamers Charity, The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Craig Hospital, SpecialEffect, and Warfighter Engaged. We worked closely with them and directly with gamers who have limited mobility to assist in our development.  Our goal was to make the device as adaptable as possible, so gamers can create a setup that works for them in a way that is plug-and-play, extensible, and affordable.  In addition to working with common adaptive switches that gamers with limited mobility may already own, it has two large buttons built in. These buttons can also be reprogrammed to act as any of the standard controller’s button inputs via the Xbox Accessories app.

To make the Xbox Adaptive Controller a viable solution for the widest possible range of gamers with limited mobility, we’ve worked closely with third-party manufacturers to support external inputs which can be plugged in to the new controller.  These inputs include PDP’s One-Handed Joystick for the Xbox Adaptive Controller, Logitech’s Extreme 3D Pro Joystick, and Quadstick’s Game Controller. We couldn’t be prouder to have their support in introducing the Xbox Adaptive Controller. More recommended partner devices can be found here.

The Xbox Adaptive Controller has been years in the making, though we realize that this is only one step along our journey of inclusive design and that we have more work ahead. This has been a passion project for people around the world, both inside Microsoft and beyond. We’re thrilled to introduce it to the world today, tell the story behind it, and take what we have learned on our journey to inform future initiatives in inclusive design. Make sure you check out today’s feature on Microsoft Story Labs and hear directly from Microsoft Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay-Flurrie in her blog today to commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

At $99.99 USD and available exclusively through Microsoft Store, the Xbox Adaptive Controller will offer significant value over the customized alternatives that exist today. We’re looking forward to sharing more about the Xbox Adaptive Controller in a few weeks at E3. The Xbox Adaptive Controller will be launching later this year, and we’ll share more information soon about pre-order availability.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out Ability Week at Microsoft Store locations starting Tuesday, May 29, through Saturday, June 2, a five-day experience of events that showcases hearing, vision, mobility, and cognitive assistive technologies that empower people with accessibility needs.

STRIKE BACK AGAINST AN EVIL EMPIRE AND RETURN THE POWER OF SUSHI TO THE WORLD IN SUSHI STRIKER: THE WAY OF SUSHIDO ON NINTENDO SWITCH AND NINTENDO 3DS

New theme tune karaoke video gives fresh insight into this colourful and crazily addictive action-puzzle game, set for release on 8^th June

17^th May, 2018 – First announced at E3 2017, Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido is a fast-paced action-puzzle game that will be slicing its way on to both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS family systems on 8^th June 2018. For a sneak taste of the bright, infectious sense of fun that fills this game, its setting and its characters – not to mention its toe-tappingly catchy theme tune – check out the new Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido – Main Theme Karaoke Version video, which transforms the game’s opening sequence into a future karaoke classic.

In the world of Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido, the sinister Empire holds dominion, controlling the consumption of sushi with an iron grip, and denying it entirely to the inhabitants of the vanquished Republic. As the story begins, our orphaned hero Musashi (playable as either a male or a female avatar) sets off from a small village in the Republic with an empty stomach but a head full of dreams – dreams of a world in which people are free from hunger and everyone can enjoy the deliciousness of sushi. An encounter with a wandering warrior known as a Sushi Striker opens Musashi’s eyes to a wider world, and sets the wheels in motion for a grand adventure.

Players should prepare themselves to meet a colourful cast of characters as they travel with Musashi through this vibrant, anime-esque fantasy world: from the treacherous local bully Kojiro, to the muscle-bound Imperial enforcer General Kodiak, and the beautiful but lonely sushi assassin Celia. It’s time to fight back against the Empire and its cruel sushi oppression! There are allies to be found in the guerrilla fighters of the Sushi Liberation Front, but can their ambitious leader Masa really be trusted? Elements of the classic hero’s journey combine with tongue-in-cheek humour and a passion for all things sushi to produce an adventure quite unlike any other. Alongside the distinctive aesthetics and fresh storytelling, the addictive battle system is at the heart of the game.

Just as wandering samurai duelled against one another in medieval Japan, so must wandering Sushi Strikers face off against each other in the world of Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido. Battles in this game are contested between two opponents, where each combatant has access to three conveyor belts of sushi, plus a seventh shared belt in the middle. By selecting and linking sushi plates of the same colour, players create stacks that are then hurled at the opponent, dealing damage to each other until one warrior stands victorious. The damage dealt by each stack varies depending on its size and the colour of the plates used, but various combos and modifiers can improve or reduce the effectiveness of a player’s attacks. The action is fast-paced and frenetic, but with a degree of tactical depth that only fully becomes apparent once the basics have been mastered.

As with all heroic quests, the importance of supernatural aid should not be underestimated and Sushi Sprites play a key role Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido. They are divine beings with the power to bring sushi into the world, and to use their special skills to aid the Sushi Striker they are bonded with. Musashi meets the powerful and renowned Sushi Sprite Jinrai at the outset of the adventure, who quickly becomes a valuable companion. But there are many more Sushi Sprites to encounter – more than 50 in total, many of which can evolve into more powerful forms. Up to three Sushi Sprites can be equipped at once, and learning how to best make use of their skills is a vital part of any battle strategy.

Aspiring Sushi Strikers will be pleased to hear that following the Way of Sushido need not be a solitary pursuit, as both versions of the game support online* and local multiplayer. With the Nintendo Switch version, players can throw down against their friends anytime, anywhere – one Nintendo Switch console and one copy of the software is enough to enjoy a two-player battle. Pass a Joy-Con to a friend and see who is the true master and who is but an apprentice.

Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido combines frenetic yet tactical gameplay with a colourful, anime-esque art-style to serve up an action-puzzle game that it is a veritable bento-boxful of surprise and delight. This fresh and tasty quest to save the world and bring sushi to the masses begins on 8^th June 2018, when the game is released on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS.

* Internet connection required during online play. The registration and linkage of Nintendo Account and acceptance of the Nintendo Account Agreement and Privacy Policy are required. Online services require a Nintendo Account. Starting September 2018, some online services will also require a paid membership. Paid online service availability may be limited based on location. Find out more about the paid membership service.

Additional Links:
Nintendo Australia website: http://www.nintendo.com.au/
Nintendo Australia Twitter: https://twitter.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo Australia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo AU on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/nintendoau

ZONE OF THE ENDERS: THE 2^nd RUNNER – M∀RS to Arrive on September 6th

Pre-orders Start Today

May 17^th, 2018 – Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. announces today that ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2^nd RUNNER – M∀RS will release on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®VR on September 6^th.

ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2^nd RUNNER – M∀RS is the remaster of the original title with beautifully enhanced graphics and re-engineered audio made for next-generation consoles. Players will be immersed in exhilarating high-speed mech-action combat all in third-person 4K or experience the full game for the first time in VR.

ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2^nd RUNNER – M∀RS will include the following new modes and features:

• Optional “Pro Mode” controller setup allows for faster selection of sub-weapons to help engage in rapid-fire combat
• “Very Easy” difficulty setting offers an alternative option for players who wish to enjoy the cinematic experience of the game’s story or are new to VR
• Various training modules and a mini-map

• Additional VR content for an even more captivating experience:

• 3D Hangar: Interact with Jehuty in VR
• 3D Model Viewer: Explore various refined 3D models in full 360 degrees
• Cinematic Theater: After completing the game, unlock the ability to re-watch any story sequence with the option to view cut-scenes in full VR

KONAMI will soon release a 4K and VR demo version on The PlayStation™ Store for players to offer a hands-on experience of ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2^nd RUNNER – M∀RS prior to launch.

ZONE OF THE ENDERS: The 2^nd RUNNER – M∀RS will launch on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®VR on September 6^th.

For more information, please visit: www.konami.com/games/zoe_mars/eu/.

Keep up to date with latest Zone of the Enders news, updates and product giveaways by following us on:

• www.twitter.com/konamieurope

• www.facebook.com/konami.europe

www.youtube.com/konamivideos

 About Konami Group

Konami Group was founded in 1973, starting as an amusement machine manufacturer for arcades. Over the years, the company has grown to include different business units across various markets. Currently, KONAMI HOLDINGS CORPORATION includes the Digital Entertainment, Amusement, Gaming & Systems, and Health & Fitness Businesses. The company went public on the Osaka Securities Exchange in 1984, the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988, and the London Stock Exchange in 1999. For more information, visit: www.konami.com/en

 About Konami Digital Entertainment

Konami Digital Entertainment, which is the core company of Konami Group, develops entertaining content for mobile, console and card games. The company is known for global franchises such as Pro Evolution Soccer, Metal Gear, Silent Hill, Castlevania, and Contra, as well as the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game series. www.konami.com/games/corporate/en/

VA-11 HALL-A Keeps the Drinks Coming on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 Q1 2019

CARACAS, Venezuela – May 16, 2018 – VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action, the booze em’up about waifus, technology, and post-dystopia life with more than 200,000 copies sold on Steam from Ysbryd Games and Sukeban Games, will launch on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in Q1 2019.

VA-11 HALL-A puts a twist on traditional point and click games with the story branching based on bartending decisions. Chat with customers and serve them life-changing drinks as Jill, a bartender at a dive bar frequented by average citizens in a cyberpunk future ruled by megacorporations.

With 24 drinks to concoct, there is no one correct drink to serve in any given situation, as characters are impacted by whatever cocktail they are poured. Every character that comes through has a story to tell which reveals more about both their lives and the futuristic Glitch City, run by the mysterious Zaibatsu Corp.

Explore what it means to be human by creating bonds with characters while listening to Garoad’s pulsating electronic soundtrack, customized in a jukebox-style playlist. Discuss transhumanism with Stella Hoshii, a human who has cat-like genetic modifications. Debate the finer points of morality with Dorothy Haze, an android sex worker. These are just two of the bar’s regulars, depicted in a cool, subdued pixel art style infused with anime and modern influences.

“We were inspired by old-school adventure games, and really wanted to create a narrative experience without the pressures of obtaining a particular ending,” said Christoper “Kiririn51” Ortiz, co-founder, Sukeban Games. “Every story you hear is important, and drinks served to even the supporting characters can have tangible impacts on progression through the game.”

VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is currently available on Steam and PS Vita for $14.99 USD and supports English, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese.

For more information, please visit the official website or follow @YsbrydGames and @SukebanGames on Twitter.

About Ysbryd Games 
Publisher Ysbryd Games delivers games with stories that have the heart and soul to stay with players for a lifetime, underlined by captivating gameplay and striking aesthetics.

About Sukeban Games
Based in Venezuela, Sukeban Games is a team of three people aiming to push the narrative limits of what video games are expected to deliver. Sukeban Games’ first commercial outing, VA-11 HALL-A, has sold more than 200,000 copies on Steam.

GOOD SHEPHERD ENTERTAINMENT AND WILD FACTOR LAUNCH EVIL MANSION STRATEGY GAME MACHIAVILLAIN ON WINDOWS PC, MAC AND LINUX

Manage a menacing manor of monsters and design devilish demises for mortals with clever traps and creatures!

AMSTERDAM and PARIS – May 16, 2018 – Good Shepherd Entertainment and independent developer Wild Factor have released MachiaVillain, the evil mansion management strategy game, on Windows PC, Mac and Linux for $19.99, with a special 20% discount available from now until May 23.

Inspired by the classic tropes of horror cinema and games like Dungeon Keeper, MachiaVillain lets you build the macabre mansion of your dreams – assemble a menagerie of monsters, set deadly traps and lure your next-door mortals inside for your minions to feast upon. But beware: even masterminds must obey a code of honor. To become the most frightening menace in the neighborhood, you’ll have to slay by the rules – target victims when they’re alone, keep the virgin alive until the end, and never, EVER hurt the dog!

MachiaVillain oozes with fun features to let you unleash your inner evil genius. Balance your monsters’ unique traits, then customize your palace of panic to make them feel at home. Use leftover dismembered body parts and other environmental resources to craft new items and keep the manor safe from supernatural creatures and monster hunters out to exorcise your gruesome good time!

Steam Page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/555510/MachiaVillain

For more information, please visit www.goodshepherd.games/games/machiavillain, and follow @GoodShepherdEnt and @WildFactorGames on Twitter.

About Wild Factor

Founded in 2012 in Paris, Wild Factor is an indie studio making games with an offbeat sense of humor. Their third title, MachiaVillain, started when Alexandre – the coder – convinced Rachel, his girlfriend artist, to enter an innocent LudumDare. His evil plan worked, as they have been working in couple on MachiaVillain for over two years. www.wildfactor.net

About Good Shepherd Entertainment

Good Shepherd Entertainment publishes video games from independent artists worldwide and operates a proprietary investment platform for a growing global network of qualified investors seeking risk-mitigated participation in the $130B video game industry. Originally established in the Netherlands in 2011 as an equity crowdfunding platform under the name Gambitious BV, the Company became a publisher in 2014 with the release of Train Fever, which was the first game ever successfully published with equity crowdfunding. The Company has since funded and released over a dozen original games across eight digital platforms. The founders of Devolver Digital and Croteam, two very successful companies in independent game development and publishing, invested in the Company and joined its management in 2012. The Company rebranded in 2017 as Good Shepherd Entertainment following an investment by Advance/Newhouse, having established a track record of success with both independent developers and investors. www.GoodShepherd.games

Ubisoft Announces Closed Beta Dates for The Crew^® 2, may 31 – june 4

Motor Trend Mission Featured in Closed Beta

SAN FRANCISCO – May 16, 2018 – Today, Ubisoft announced that the closed beta for The Crew^® 2 will take place from May 31 at 8 am UTC to June 4 at 8 am UTC on PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC. Players can sign up now for a chance to have beta access at thecrewgame.com/beta. Pre-load will be available for Closed Beta selected players on all platforms starting May 29.

During the closed beta, players will experience the first level of the progression system as they compete in races across all first four disciplines – Street Race, Rally Raid, Powerboat and Aerobatics – against the backdrop of a fully redesigned USA, via land, water and air. To create more adrenaline-fueled experiences, players can use the Fast-Fav feature and instantly switch their vehicle type depending on the type of terrain they will encounter: an airplane flying underneath San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge can turn into a boat with the touch of a button. As part of the closed beta, players can participate in the Motor Trend Classic Challenge which takes racers to New York City and has them compete with vehicles from the street racing family. Fueled by original series, exclusive events, top personalities and leading experts, Motor Trend is the #1 destination for automotive super fans via the Motor Trend app on iOS/Apple TV, Google Play, Roku, Xbox, Chromecast and Amazon platforms or via MotorTrend.com.

Developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower,* a studio based in Lyon, France, The Crew 2 will let players experience the thrill of the American motorsports spirit inside a fully redesigned USA. The game’s playground pushes physical boundaries to let driving and open world fans test their skills, solo or with friends, in nonstop competition and exploration. From coast to coast, drivers will explore America and compete to become the greatest motorsports champion by collecting a wide variety of exotic cars, bikes, boats and planes, and dominating the motorsports scene on the land, on the water and in the air. They will find challenges and inspiration among four different motorsports families: street racing, off-road, pro racing and freestyle, and will be given a broad set of options among a wide selection of vehicle types.

For the latest news on The Crew and other Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.com.

For more information about The Crew 2, please visit thecrewgame.com and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/thecrewgame.usa and on Twitter at twitter.com/thecrewgame using hashtag #TheCrew2.

*Associate Ubisoft studios are Bucharest, Paris, Shanghai and Massive.

ABOUT UBISOFT

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2016–17 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,460 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2018 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. The Crew logo, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries.