This week was a pretty good week for gamers. If you missed any of the big stories, simply keep reading. Welcome to the Weekly Wrap-Up. Below you’ll find a brief summary of the stories, but for the full articles, click on the hyperlink. Feel free to let us know if you agree or disagree with our choices; if you have suggestions for future entries, feel free to email me at jeremy.tyler@bagogames.com.

Enjoy!

Number 5

Microsoft to Merge Windows Store and Windows Phone Store

According to a report by The Verge, Microsoft will merge its Windows Store and Windows Phone Store into one unified app store.

If sources who are “familiar with the company’s plans” are to be believed, Terry Myerson, head of the operating systems group, revealed the plan during an internal company meeting yesterday that was attended by thousands of Microsoft employees. According to the sources, Microsoft plans to unify both app stores in the next releases of Windows and Windows Phone, which are understood to be a special update for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. Both are due to be available in spring 2014.

Unfortunately, we don’t know how the unified app store will work. In addition, with the rumored unification, we don’t know if this means that Windows Phone apps can run on Windows. It’s assumed that phone apps might be able to scale up to run on a tablet, much like with iPhone apps on an iPad. We should know Microsoft’s plans soon enough.

 Number 4

Retro Studios Ranked Highest to Helm Next Metroid Game

Quite a few Metroid fans were disappointed at this years’s E3 mini Nintendo event, because the only game Retro studios is working on is another entry in the Donkey Kong Country series.  While another Metroid installment is in the cards its not not quite set in stone as far as storyline, game play, etc. are involved to get the wheels in motion for a new Metrtoid.  Shigeru Miyamoto, Zelda and Mario creator and head of Nintendo’s Entertainment Analysis and Development division said that Retro Studios would be given strong consideration for the next Metroid game.

As far as Retro is concerned, Miyamoto says that it has come to a point for them where they will have  multiple lines running at the same with different projects moving forward.

 Number 3

Toon Link Joins the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS Roster

He may not be a ‘new’ character for the Super Smash Bros. series, but it’s still good to know who will be returning from previous games. Case in point, Toon Link has been revealed to be in the upcoming Super Smash Bros.

This version of Toon Link is the same as the Toon Link from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, in terms of appearance. His moveset and play style are still unknown, of course, but what are the chances he’ll play different from his older self?

 Number 2

Valve Announces SteamOS

In the first announcement to come from Valve, as teased by their countdown page that surfaced last week, the company has announced SteamOS. A Linux-based, free operating system that will allow you to stream Steam to your big, fancy television.

“Finally, you don’t have to give up your favorite games, your online friends, and all the Steam features you love just to play on the big screen,” reads the SteamOS page. “SteamOS, running on any living room machine, will provide access to the best games and user-generated content available.”

SteamOS is also bringing with it four new features, including In-home Streaming of your Windows/Mac games; access to Music, TV and Movies; Family Sharing and Family Options that can alter what games are seen by whom and provide a better experience for all the Steam users in a household.

Number 1

Joseph Staten Leaves Bungie

After spending fifteen years with Bungie, creative director Joseph Staten is leaving the company to ‘tackle new creative challenges.’

In a post made on the Bungie website, Staten had the following to say regarding his departure:

Dear community friends,

After fifteen great years at Bungie, from the battlefields of Myth to the mysteries of Halo and beyond, I’m leaving to tackle new creative challenges. While this may come as a surprise, fear not. It’s been my pleasure building Destiny these past four years, and after the big reveal this Summer, our hugely talented team is on track for greatness. I’ll be cheering all of them, with all of you, when the game launches next year. Thank you for your support of me, and your continued support of Bungie. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Per Audacia Ad Astra!

Joseph Staten

Honorable Mentions

This week had a lot of big news and the news staff and I found it hard to narrow it down to the usual five stories:

• That Xbox One Is Going To Last You A Long Time…
• Pre-Order Thief to Get the Chance to Rob a Bank
• Batman: Arkham Origins Season Pass Announced

If you missed out on the big news items this week, you can check out our weekly podcast and get an audio update of this week’s madness from our podcasting team. Listen to us as we talk about some things seriously and a few other things not so much. We guarantee this episode will make you shake your fist at times and nod your head at others.