Today, we are announcing three new features in Microsoft Teams to help Firstline Workers do their best work. Firstline Workers are more than two billion people worldwide who work in service- or task-oriented roles across industries such as retail, hospitality, travel, and manufacturing.

We’re expanding Teams with new capabilities to digitally empower the Firstline Workforce. Today’s news includes: a customizable mobile experience with mobile-only features such as location sharing, a Graph API for the Shifts scheduling tool, which provides integration between Teams and workforce management systems, and the new Praise feature that makes it easy for managers and employees to recognize their coworkers right within Teams.

Here’s a look at what’s new:

Enable Firstline Workers to communicate and collaborate effectively with a customizable Teams mobile experience and new mobile features

For Firstline Workers, such as retail associates, flight crew members, and field service workers, being mobile is the nature of the job. Because these employees often need to share information with others inside their organization, many have resorted to using unsecure consumer chat apps to communicate with coworkers. But this poses security and compliance risks, as well as process inefficiencies. Today, we are announcing a new customizable mobile Teams experience that gives Firstline Workers the tools they need to communicate and collaborate effectively on the go. It’s simple, familiar, and secure, with several new mobile-only features that have particular relevance for Firstline Workers, including location sharing and smart camera, as well as the ability to record and share audio messages. The customizable mobile experience is available starting today.

Workers need different capabilities depending on their role. While some might need access to private chats, calendars, and calls, others may only need access to teams and channels. IT administrators can now give each employee role-based access to the primary Teams features they need. This capability can be used for employees in any role, with the option for IT to create a custom policy or use the newly available Firstline Worker configuration policy template. Employees can further customize their experience by pinning the modules they need most from their module tray to their navigation bar.

Customizable mobile Teams experience and new mobile features: Keep all conversations in one place (left), share location and record audio messages (middle), and customize the navigation menu (right).

Integrate workforce management systems with Teams using a new API

Many companies rely on workforce management systems to handle important operational tasks related to their Firstline Workforce, such as shift scheduling, payroll, benefits, time, and attendance. We’re working on a set of new APIs that enable organizations to integrate their existing workforce management systems with Teams.

The first API is the Graph API for Shifts, the schedule management tool in Teams. With Shifts now available in Teams for all customers, the new API makes integration between Shifts and enterprise scheduling systems possible, enabling seamless access to workforce management systems for managers and employees, right from Teams. The Graph API for Shifts will be in public preview this quarter.

With Shifts, managers can easily plan shift schedules, and team members can review schedules and make schedule change requests, all in real time.

Keep your Firstline Workers engaged and motivated with new Praise feature

Firstline Workers such as retail associates play a key role in representing a company’s brand, but this segment of the workforce experiences some of the highest turnover rates. Taking steps to engage and recognize employees can go a long way to improving their satisfaction and reducing turnover. The new Praise tool, rolling out this quarter, gives managers and employees a simple way to recognize coworkers, right in the Teams app where the whole team can see it.

With Praise, share badges to celebrate every success, communicate your appreciation with your team members, and foster greater comradery.

Next week, members of the Microsoft team will be at NRF 2019, the annual retail industry conference. Visit us in booth #3301. Also, please visit our Teams for Firstline Workers page to learn more about how Teams can empower your Firstline Workforce.

By Joe Robinson 09 Jan 2019

Linux and open source have changed the computer industry (among many others) forever.  Today, there are tens of millions of open source projects. A valid question is “Why?” How can it possibly make sense to hire developers that work on code that is given away for free to anyone who cares to take it?  I know of many answers to this question, but for the communities that I work in, I’ve come to recognize the following as the common thread.

An Industry Pivot

Software has become the most important component in many industries, and it is needed in very large quantities. When an entire industry needs to make a technology “pivot,” they often do as much of that as possible in software. For example, the telecommunications industry must make such a pivot in order to support 5G, the next generation of mobile phone network.  Not only will the bandwidth and throughput be increased with 5G, but an entirely new set of services will be enabled, including autonomous cars, billions of Internet-connected sensors and other devices (aka IoT), etc.  To do that, telecom operators need to entirely redo their networks distributing millions of compute and storage instances very, very close to those devices/users.

Read more at The Linux Foundation

In a shock announcement, Nintendo and Capcom have revealed that Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is arriving on the console this April.

For those not in the know, Dragon’s Dogma is an action, role-playing, hack-and-slash title that was developed and published by Capcom back in 2012. The ‘Dark Arisen’ edition followed shortly after, launching on Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2013, and eventually finding its way to Xbox One and PS4 in 2017. Now, Nintendo players will get the chance to experience the game’s open-world gameplay for the very first time.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen expanded upon the original release with new content including Bitterblack Isle (an extra dungeon), additional weapons and armour which were exclusive to that area, and full Japanese voice acting. The game received positive reviews upon release on other platforms, and has remained a fan-favourite ever since.

The game will launch on Nintendo Switch on 23rd April.

Were you expecting Dragon’s Dogma to arrive on Switch? Are you happy that it’s on the way? Share your thoughts with us below.

With 2018 behind us, we here at Xbox Wire decided that now would be the perfect time to start looking ahead to some of the big games coming out in 2019. There are already a lot of them on the books, many of which will be coming out during the first few months of the year. While there’s already a decent amount of info on these titles, we’ve found that it can be tough to figure out details with all of the information spread out across the web. So, with that in mind, we’ll be spending the rest of the year taking a closer look at some of 2019’s biggest games and pulling together as much info as we can into one place. Today, we look at Capcom’s Devil May Cry 5. 

How would you describe DMC5 in a sentence?

Combo-heavy, sword-n-gun gameplay which Capcom refers to as “stylish mayhem,” unfolding at a silky smooth 60 fps.

What do we know about the story so far?

As you might expect, Devil May Cry 5 picks up a few years after DMC4 (and DMC2; the series is somewhat out of linear order) – but since that was more than 10 years ago, here’s a refresher: Demon Hunter Dante has been around since the first game, taking on all manner of abominations from the Demon World, whose leader was defeated by Dante’s father long ago. During the events of DMC4, young Demon Hunter Nero appears, and, ultimately, the two end up on the same side (against evil, obviously). Both characters will be playable in DMC5, along with a new Demon Hunter, V, who appears to have a very different skillset than either Nero or Dante. 

Wait, wasn’t there a Devil May Cry more recently than 2008?

Yes! But note that Ninja Theory’s 2013 Xbox 360 release DmC actually takes place in a different universe/timeline (!). The Definitive Edition is available now on Xbox Game Pass if you’ve never given it a go.

Is there anything I can watch to get a better idea of what’s going on?

Capcom isn’t kidding with that “stylish mayhem” description. This Devil Breaker trailer (named for the replaceable arms that serve as Nero’s differentiating gameplay mechanic) delivers among other things: hideous demons, powerbombs (yes, the wrestling move), Nero surfing on his own arm, a car getting bicycle kicked, and a motorcycle turned into dual sawblade melee weapons, all in buttery smooth 60 fps.

Devil May Cry? I’m more of a Mega Man fan.

So weird that you’d say this! Fortunately there’s something for you too.

Is it Xbox One X Enhanced?

Nero will be immaculately coiffed in 4K HDR glory (that’s a yes, btw)

When do you get to play it?

March 8th, 2019

Ugh, that’s forever from now!

Well then, you can slake your thirst for decapitating demons by downloading the Xbox One-exclusive demo, right here, right now! Also, there’s never been a better time to get up to speed on the series, as Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition is included in Xbox Game Pass. You’ve got that, don’t you? It’s only a dollar for the first month.

What versions of the game will be available?

Standard Edition (there are some preorder bonuses going on right now), Deluxe Edition (includes an extra DLC pack containing four additional Devil Breakers for Nero, additional weapon for Dante, alternate style rank announcers, alternate title calls, live action cutscenes, and additional music tracks from the first four Devil May Cry games)

Previous Xbox Wire coverage:

Thanks for reading! Tomorrow we’ll be taking a look at Metro Exodus.

The following blog post, unless otherwise noted, was written by a member of Gamasutra’s community.
The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not Gamasutra or its parent company.

[Video Game Deep Cuts is a weekly newsletter from video game industry ‘watcher’ Simon Carless (GDC, Gamasutra co-runner), rounding up the best longread & standout articles & videos about games, every weekend.

This week’s highlights include a detailed look at what 2019 may bring in terms of business trends & games – as well as a whole host of other leftover 2018 highlights, daily ‘meditations’ on games, a Chinese indie megahit, and lots more.

Phew, so we’re in that ‘just before it all kicks off’ New Year period, and I hope you’re returning to work with a happy attitude and a relaxed demeanor. Actually, we’re just getting really amped up for Game Developers Conference 2019, as all the latest news shows – hope a bunch of you can make it!

Until next time…

– Simon, curator.]

——————

Opinion: Here’s what 2019 will be like for the game biz (Joost van Dreunen / Gamasutra – ARTICLE)
“2019 promises to be a great year in games. Innovation and competition will elevate the industry’s offerings and drive more inclusivity among  a broader range of audiences. [SIMON’S NOTE: we yoinked this onto Gamasutra from Joost’s excellent newsletter, which I would recommend subscribing to.]

The history of dance emotes in 15 gifs (Luke Winkie / PC Gamer – ARTICLE)
“It’s a little funny how much we’ve come to expect dance emotes in modern games. Obviously /dance doesn’t top our lists of demands like 4K support or unlocked framerates, but it’s honestly hard to imagine an MMO without a diligently programmed jig.”

My Favorite Game Animation of 2018 (Dan Floyd / New Frame Plus / YouTube – VIDEO)
“Here’s a list of 2018 games with amazing animation! [SIMON’S NOTE: Floyd, ex-Extra Credits, is a really smart video game x animation type, so this is a nice roundup.]”

The 40 Games We Can’t Wait To Play In 2019 (Andrew Webster / The Verge – ARTICLE)
“The year is almost over, which means it’s time to start dreaming about all of the great games you’ll be playing in 2019 — and it sure looks like there will be a lot. Next year is shaping up to be packed with notable releases, from the charming world of Animal Crossing to the violent action of Gears of War.”

DUSK and the Design of 90s FPS Games (Chris Franklin / Errant Signal / YouTube – VIDEO)
“DUSK is a game that hearkens back to FPS games from 20 years ago. Is it just a warmed over collection of old hat tropes, or does the game make a case for something like this being made today?”

*Press A* 2018 ~ The Year’s Best Videogame Soundtracks (Chris Redfearn-Murray / A Closer Listen – ARTICLE)
“This year the proliferation of unique styles and new approaches to old genres brought videogame soundtracks to what is perhaps a new high in quality and thought. From niche to popular composers, classical traditions to synthwave, everything we celebrate from 2018 bears the mark of being distinct – whether a modern spin on old, or just modern.”

Ducking up the game design of Mutant: Year Zero (Bryant Francis / Gamasutra – ARTICLE/VIDEO)
“Thanks in no part to a foul-mouthed talking duck, Mutant: Year Zero has managed to find an audience and a strong niche in the strategy game space, showing how even a stripped-back version of XCOM can do well with the right tone and sense of polish.”

The “Bandersnatch” Episode of “Black Mirror” and the Pitfalls of Interactive Fiction (Simon Parkin / New Yorker – ARTICLE)
“Interactive fiction, or I.F., is an old and treasured mode of video-game design. Per the veteran designer Sid Meier, a video game is a series of interesting choices; in many ways, the multi-branched story is the purest expression of that idea. “Bandersnatch” is a Netflix episode, so it’s by necessity simpler than many I.F. games, but it also demonstrates both the enduring allure of the format and its exasperating limitations.”

A Breakout Story (Ethan Johnson / The History Of How We Play – ARTICLE)
“The early years of Silicon Valley are jam-packed with legends and so many crossing events happening simultaneously. Jobs’ intersection with Atari is very much conjecture with a backdrop of absence that very much complicates the story. Sussing out the facts of the creation of this Breakout prototype is difficult, so let’s go through the process which led to the current conclusion.”

Birding Like It’s 1899: Inside a Blockbuster American West Video Game (Nicholas Lund / Audubon – ARTICLE)
“The first time I see ravens, I flush them out of an alpine meadow carpeted with wildflowers. I pause to watch the flock fly off towards the distant, snow-capped peaks, trailed by their echoing croaks, when a man riding by on horseback bumps into me. Irritated, I shoot the man dead, and take his hat. So it goes in “Red Dead Redemption 2.””

Deorbital Presents: Amr Al-Aaser’s 2018 Games Of the Year (Amr Al-Aaser / Deorbital – ARTICLE)
“I constantly struggled to both get my hands on everything I wanted to check out. At one point I had over 60 tabs on my phone full of promising titles that I’ve still not got around to. Even as I write this I’m covering new games that threaten to shuffle this list around. [SIMON’S NOTE: I know, enough ‘best games’ already – this one’s fun because it’s distinctly alternative!]”

The best writing in games in 2018 (Wes Fenlon / PC Gamer – ARTICLE)
“To celebrate the best words in videogames this year, I decided to turn to the people who write them. I asked a whole bunch of videogame writers to tell me about their favorite story this year, and to also pick out a particular bit of writing to highlight: a singular story moment, or dialogue, or bit of flavor text that suck with them long after the game was over.”

Telling Stories About A Decaying Small Town With Cities: Skylines (Cameron Kunzelman / Kotaku – ARTICLE)
“YouTuber TazerHere has created a sleepy Texas town called Berrysville in immaculate detail, but what really makes it unique is that it is chock full of stories created by community members… It is an astounding piece of work that clearly required a lot of mods and particular model choices, and the final product is a place that looks (uncannily, I might add) a lot like many small town locations in the American Southwest.”

The Roots of Compile – 1998 Developer Interview (Shmuplations / All About Compile – ARTICLE)
“This compilation of interviews from 1998’s All About Compile book sheds light on the early days of the prolific, now-defunct software house Compile and the origins of several of their most memorable titles, including the comical RPG series Madou Monogatari and its falling-block puzzle game spin-off, the wildly successful Puyo Puyo.”

TouchArcade 2018 Game of the Year: ‘Oddmar’ (Eli Hodapp / TouchArcade – ARTICLE)
“2018 is almost behind us, and we’ve already listed our our 100 favorite games of the year (which is quite a task, given the amount of great games that had to get cut to get us down to 100), which leaves us two things left to do to fully pack 2018 in and move on to 2019: Reveal our Game of the Year picks, and publish our personal favorites. [SIMON’S NOTE: there’s SO much good stuff on iOS that it’s almost impossible to keep up with – kudos to TouchArcade for trying!]”

Best mobile game genres of 2018 – Top Free Games Charts (Tom Kinniburgh / Mobile Free To Play – ARTICLE)
“2018 has been a year of change in mobile. There’s been an entirely new genre emerge in the form of Battle Royale, Hypercasual continued to dominate the free charts, and a large number of prominent publishers had titles slip out of the top 50 grossing (Supercell, King, Playrix).”

I think I like Below the most when I’m not actually playing it (Christian Donlan / Eurogamer – ARTICLE)
“Below blooms in the mind when you aren’t playing it. It does for me, at least. The art seems wilder, darker, more filled with promising shadows, the narrative seems more teasing, more richly stuffed with the potential for strange interpretations.”

Press ‘A’ to Study Harder (Rui Zhong / Foreign Policy – ARTICLE)
“My son is hunched over a table stacked high with books, practice guides, and homework. Dramatic music blares as he studies for the intensely competitive gaokao; if he aces it, he’ll earn a place in one of China’s most prestigious colleges. If he doesn’t, he’ll be doomed to mediocrity. Fortunately, I’ve boosted his intelligence score while managing his stress levels and my parental satisfaction—and all of that is tracked by two bars at the top of the screen.”

Tales of an aging gamer: Why don’t I pick up a controller as often as I used to?(Theo Karasavvas / Ars Technica – ARTICLE)
“Despite a wider variety than ever before, video games don’t have the same effect on me as they used to. That might not sound like a problem to some of you, but it is to me. I have played video games from the early days of my childhood, starting somewhere around the late ’80s. I became heavily addicted to my Game Boy as a kid, and I can still remember the thrill I felt the day I bought my first PlayStation 22 years ago.”

The Gamers Of The Year, 2018 (Ethan Gach / Kotaku – ARTICLE)
“At the close of every year, Kotaku highlights not just video games but gamers—people who did noteworthy or influential things in the world of video games. This year, we’ve decided to honor an entire community, one that did its best to group together and recover after a senseless, unthinkable tragedy. [SIMON’S NOTE: this is a great, sad piece.]”

The PC Pulse: What are the biggest trends facing the market in 2019? (Alex Calvin / PC Games Insider – ARTICLE)
“We at PCGamesInsider.biz boast many talents but we cannot predict the future. Shocking, truly shocking, we know. But while we don’t have a crystal ball, we do have a group of incredibly smart industry folks at hand who have the knowledge and insight to predict what the trends that will shape the market in 2019 will be.”

Part Live-Performance Art, Part Video Game, ‘Meditations’ Takes 365 Days to Experience (Brian Crecente / Variety – ARTICLE)
““Games and game developers can be anything.” That, Rami Ismail says, is the message he hopes everyone takes away from the experience come Dec. 31, 2019. “That’s the hope. For 365 days you have seen 365 completely different things made by 365 different people. The thing they have in common is that they are all game developers and made a game.” [SIMON’S NOTE: some initial confusion over crediting, but ongoing credits are made clear via this handy Twitter account.]”

——————

[REMINDER: you can sign up to receive this newsletter every weekend at tinyletter.com/vgdeepcuts – we crosspost to Gamasutra later on Sunday, but get it first via newsletter! Story tips and comments can be emailed to [email protected]. MINI-DISCLOSURE: Simon is one of the organizers of GDC and Gamasutra & an advisor to indie publisher No More Robots, so you may sometimes see links from those entities in his picks. Or not!]