Amazon will finally launch its first big-budget video games in May
- Amazon says it intends to release its first original, big-budget video games in May, according to a New York Times report.
- One title is a sci-fi shooter called "Crucible," while the other is a massively-multiplayer online fantasy title called "New World." Both had already been announced, but have been delayed by the coronavirus.
- The video game industry has long been in Amazon's sights, with the tech giant also reported to be developing a cloud-based gaming service codenamed "Project Tempo."
- Big tech has already made major forays into cloud gaming, with Project Tempo set to rival Google's recently-released Stadia and Microsoft's upcoming Project xCloud.
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Amazon intends to release its first original, big-budget video games in May, according to a New York Times report published Thursday.
One of the titles - a sci-fi-themed third-person shooter called "Crucible" - involves navigating an alien world with other players, as well as competing against rival players encountered. "Crucible" has been in development for several years. Amazon's website offers a brief, rather abstract description of the game.
It reads: "Each match in Crucible is a fight for survival and control. Not only will you be going toe-to-toe with your fellow competitors, but you'll have to adapt and overcome all the challenges the planet itself throws your way.
You and your teammates will need to work together to take down alien creatures, capture objectives, and pursue your opponents in search of victory."
This combination of an open world and competitive elements suggests "Crucible" will provide a gaming experience similar to games like "Destiny" and "Fortnite," though only time will tell what it's really like to play.
The second title set for release in May is a massively-multiplayer online game called "New World."
Set during a Tolkienesque reimagining of 17th-century British America, players can "strike out alone to forge your own heroic path, or band together, fortify, and fight." It's already received some criticism for its supposedly neo-colonial overtones.
Both titles had already been announced.
The video game industry has long been in Amazon's sights, with the tech giant looking to enter it on a number of fronts.
Thursday's New York Times report also says Amazon is developing a cloud-based gaming service codenamed "Project Tempo," as well as working on titles that Twitch broadcasters can play alongside viewers in real-time.
Big tech has already made major forays into cloud gaming, with Project Tempo set to rival Google's recently-released Stadia and Microsoft's upcoming Project xCloud.
