2K Games is making ANOTHER multiplayer game

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 20, 2019 11:33 AM CDT

Ex-Call of Duty and Dead Space dev Michael Condrey is leading a new 2K Games studio in Silicon Valley, and job listings confirm its mystery project is a multiplayer title.

2K Games is making ANOTHER multiplayer game

2K Games loves multiplayer and engagement. It's a billion-dollar market that consistently earns cash from big marquee games like NBA 2K and sporadic titles like Borderlands 3. So it's no surprise that its newest San Francisco Bay-based studio is making yet another game based around long playtime, online hooks, and engagement monetization.

A recent job listing confirms Condrey's team is making an action-driven multiplayer game for Take-Two Interactive. The project probably won't feature a deep and meaningful singleplayer experience like Dead Space, instead tossing in online content in the hopes of making revenues from what Take-Two calls "recurring consumer spending."

Continue reading: 2K Games is making ANOTHER multiplayer game (full post)

FSP intro new SFX DAGGER PRO 650W and 550W PSUs

Anthony Garreffa | Cases, Cooling & PSU | Jun 20, 2019 9:38 AM CDT

FSP has just unveiled two new members of its new PSU brand DAGGER PRO SFX, with the new SFX-sized PSUs coming in the new DAGGER PRO 550W and DAGGER PRO 650W models.

FSP intro new SFX DAGGER PRO 650W and 550W PSUs

Both units are an improved version of FSP's current DAGGER line of PSUs, whereas we have advancements made in most areas including efficiency, design, and connectivity. We have a semi-passively cooled PSU with a single 92mm fan keeping it cool and a fully modular design with ribbon cables in the SFX form factor with 550W or 650W at your finger tips. But don't worry, FSP includes an SFX to ATX bracket in case you upgrade your rig in the future.

FSP's new DAGGER PRO SFX PSUs are fully SFX12V V3.3 standard compliant, with a powerful single +12V rail design that will ensure you get maximum performance to all of your components. There's 80 Plus Gold rating in both models, and with their semi-fanless design we're looking at a single 92mm fan keeping it all cool, which is impressive for such a small PSU.

Continue reading: FSP intro new SFX DAGGER PRO 650W and 550W PSUs (full post)

Mario Maker 2 turns the Switch into a 3DS

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 20, 2019 8:24 AM CDT

After years of tremendous sales and earnings, Nintendo's close to ending the 3DS' long life cycle. But as more games require touchscreen controls, the handheld will live on vicariously through the Switch.

Mario Maker 2 turns the Switch into a 3DS

When Nintendo announced Mario Maker 2, something interesting caught my eye: pre-orders include a stylus. There's a good reason for that. Making levels in Mario Maker 2 while on-the-go requires use of the touchscreen, ergo the stylus.

The stylus was a hallmark of the 3DS' interactivity and opened doors for unique gameplay experiences. Starting with Mario Maker 2 in June, these features will extend to the Switch. It's odd that no games really make great use of the Switch's 10-point capacitive touchscreen. This could change as Nintendo rolls out more first-party games that use it (possibly Animal Crossing: New Horizons will use it in some fashion, too).

Continue reading: Mario Maker 2 turns the Switch into a 3DS (full post)

Gearbox announce Penn & Teller troll VR game F.U.U.U & U

Jak Connor | Gaming | Jun 20, 2019 4:00 AM CDT

If you have used virtual reality before you would understand the urge to mess with your friends while the headset is on, so how about taking that to the next level? Of course Penn and Teller have already done that with their new virtual reality game.

Gearbox announce Penn & Teller troll VR game F.U.U.U & U

Penn and Teller who are well known magicians have announced alongside Gearbox Software and publishing, Penn and Teller VR: Frankly Unfair, Unkind, Unnecessary & Underhanded. The game isn't your typical virtual reality experience and instead throws players into the realm of the uncomfortable and unsettling, just what Penn and Teller planned. According to the press release, this was the thought process by the two pranksters; "When a new mind-blowing technology comes out, the first thing Teller and I think is, 'How can we use this to help people play tricks, cheat, and prank'".

Penn explains how the idea came about, saying "Luckily for us, (and maybe less luckily for the world), Randy Pitchford, the big cheese at Gearbox, is our buddy, and worked as a professional magician. We are the same soulless motherhubbards. So, we've found a way for people to use VR as a tool to monkey with their so-called 'friends.' It's what we do, and we've done it." Randy Pitchford, President, CEO and Co-founder of Gearbox Software also commented on the collaborations with the magicians, saying;

Continue reading: Gearbox announce Penn & Teller troll VR game F.U.U.U & U (full post)

Another accessories company lists the Nintendo Switch Mini

Jak Connor | Gaming | Jun 20, 2019 3:00 AM CDT

Another website has released renders of the unannounced Nintendo Switch Mini console, while these images aren't necessarily the consoles final design they could certainly be guess at what is to maybe be on its way.

Another accessories company lists the Nintendo Switch Mini

It was only a couple of days ago that I reported on a Chinese accessorries company listing accessories for the technically non-existent Nintendo Switch Mini console. Now, we have another accessories website listing a range of accessories for the Mini, the websites name is HonSon and they necessarily a small website either. HodSon has accessories for almost all consoles released and a plethora of spare parts and gadgets that go with them.

While this isn't in anyway a confirmation for a Nintendo Switch Mini console to be coming to the market, it is certainly an eyebrow raising moment. The question that should be asked is why are companies listing accessory products for a console that on paper doesn't exist. Is this a way for accessory companies to get more traffic through fake listings that journalist like myself pick up? Or do these companies have blueprints for a prototype console that gives them the ability to make early accessories and the website listings are simply a innocent mistake?

Continue reading: Another accessories company lists the Nintendo Switch Mini (full post)

Remnant: From the Ashes HD screenshots & game information

Jak Connor | Gaming | Jun 20, 2019 2:00 AM CDT

A bunch of new screenshots have been released for Perfect World Entertainments Remnant: From the Ashes. Are you prepared to take a step into the chaotic monster-filled world of Remnant: From the Ashes?

Remnant: From the Ashes HD screenshots & game information

If you aren't familiar with the upcoming title from Perfect World Entertainment, here is quick synopsis of what is to come. Remnant: From the Ashes is an open-world post-apocalyptic third-person survival action shooter that puts players into teams of up to three allies which the group is tasked to eliminate dangerous monsters. The game will feature what has been promised as intense combat with over 100 monsters and 20 epic bosses to tangle with.

Players will also be able to create and modify new weapons to better their chances at the challenges ahead. To complement the weapon system, players will also have a gear progression system as well. The worlds will be randomized and be packed with unique challenges that once completed, will reward players with tools and gear to assist them in advancing to the next world. Perfect World Entertainments Remnant: From the Ashes is slated to release on August 20th, 2019.

Continue reading: Remnant: From the Ashes HD screenshots & game information (full post)

Luigi's Mansion 3 ghost catching is like wet towel cracking

Jak Connor | Gaming | Jun 20, 2019 1:00 AM CDT

In and interview with Kotaku, Nintendo's top producers for the upcoming Luigi's Mansion 3 have revealed many details regarding the titles development and game mechanics.

Luigi's Mansion 3 ghost catching is like wet towel cracking

The interview with Kotaku was conducted at E3 2019 and producers Yoshihito Ikebata and his boss, Kensuke Tanabe sat down to discuss Luigi's Mansion 3. According to both of the games heads, Luigi's Mansion 3 will have more concentration on unique bosses than the second installment in the series. Here is what Idkebata said, "More than anything we really wanted to put those unique bosses in the second one and we couldn't. So that's why we've put so many of them in the third one."

The producers also touched on how the development for the title originated. According to Kotaku, Luigi's Mansion 3 development first began on the Wii U, and was then quickly converted over to the Nintendo Switch following the development completion of Next Level's 2016 3DS game Metroid Prime Federation Force. Next Level will be taking the reins in Luigi's Mansion 3 development, but that doesn't mean Nintendo won't have a say in the moves Luigi will be able to do in-game.

Continue reading: Luigi's Mansion 3 ghost catching is like wet towel cracking (full post)

Microsoft's new Kano PC: DIY rig for kids to build at school

Anthony Garreffa | Software & Apps | Jun 20, 2019 12:39 AM CDT

Microsoft has teamed with Kano on a new build-your-own Windows 10 PC kit, which will see the new Kano PC teaching kids how to not just build their own touchscreen laptops, but create content and even code on them. Check out the video below:

Microsoft's new Kano PC: DIY rig for kids to build at school

Kano was already making DIY computer kits before the new relationship with Microsoft kicked off, as it was building DIY rigs powered by Raspberry Pi 3s and Kano's own operating system. The new Kano PC is powered by Windows 10 (but in S Mode, so it only runs apps from the Microsoft Store) while inside we're looking at an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 quad-core CPU @ 1.44GHz, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage upgradeable through microSD.

We also have an HDMI output, 3.5mm headphone jack, 2 x USB ports, Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth.

Continue reading: Microsoft's new Kano PC: DIY rig for kids to build at school (full post)

Marvel talking with Keanu Reeves on EVERY MCU movie it makes

Anthony Garreffa | TV, Movies & Home Theatre | Jun 20, 2019 12:13 AM CDT

Keanu Reeves truly is The One, as he is hot-as-hell right now starring in the incredibly successful and equally awesome John Wick trilogy, he has a huge role in one of the most-hyped games ever in Cyberpunk 2077, and now Marvel is talking with him about everything.

Marvel talking with Keanu Reeves on EVERY MCU movie it makes

In an interview with ComicBook.com, Marveu Studios president Kevin Feigi said that the company has been talking with Keanu on "almost every film we make". Feigi added: "We talk to Keanu Reeves about... I don't know when, if, or ever he'll join the MCU, but we very much want to figure out the right way to do it". Rumor has it that Keanu could be involved in The Eternals, something we should hear about soon if it happens.

Keanu is already one connection away from Marvel Studios in that he stars in Toy Story 4 which is about to open, which is made by Pixar and also owned by Disney, just like Marvel Studios.

Continue reading: Marvel talking with Keanu Reeves on EVERY MCU movie it makes (full post)

Samsung turns Galaxy Note 10 display into a speaker, too

Samsung will have the world watching when it launches the Galaxy Note 10 later this year, with the latest news on the next-gen flagship seeing it rolling out with Sound on Display technology which will replace the traditional speaker.

Samsung turns Galaxy Note 10 display into a speaker, too

The new Galaxy Note 10 will do something LG did with its V8 ThinQ from earlier this year which was the first with SoD technology, which turns the entire screen into a speaker will be a big deal for a larger-than-life phone, now with a larger-than-life audio experience. The new speaker on the Note 10 will be "almost invisible" but will still be noticeable.

The reduction in the top of the bezel will be useful for a larger OLED display on the Galaxy Note 10, so we should expect a larger-than-normal display on the new flagship Galaxy Note. The big battle for smartphone flagship supremacy will take place between the Galaxy Note 10, Google Pixel 4 XL, and iPhone 11 later this year.

Continue reading: Samsung turns Galaxy Note 10 display into a speaker, too (full post)