AMD to launch next-gen Navi graphics cards at E3 2019

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Apr 14, 2019 10:35 PM CDT

We are all expecting AMD to be announcing all things 7nm during Computex 2019 in the last week of May, but what I've been told my exclusive sources is that AMD might touch on its next-gen Navi GPU at Computex 2019 but will instead do a full announcement at E3 2019.

AMD to launch next-gen Navi graphics cards at E3 2019

E3 2019 takes place a few weeks after Computex does, with E3 2019 taking place between June 12-14 in LA. AMD launched Radeon RX Vega graphics cards in LA back in 2017 alongside the first-gen Ryzen Threadripper, but unlike Vega... Navi will be a muhc better GPU architecture and from what I'm hearing about performance it'll also be surprising.

E3 2019 is the perfect time to launch t he most exciting card in Radeon history in years, as it's a total gaming-centric event. All eyes can be on Radeon, as Navi will also be powering the two next-gen consoles in the future Xbox and PlayStation 5 families.

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Apple spending up to $500 million on new Arcade game service

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Apr 14, 2019 6:18 PM CDT

Apple is spending as much as half a billion to establish its new game service, and plans to invest in projects over the long haul.

Apple spending up to $500 million on new Arcade game service

Apple is taking a unique approach to tapping the games market. Not content with making revenues from freemium mobile games, the company established Apple Arcade, a new service that's more like Xbox Game Pass than Google's new Stadia platform. Apple Arcade isn't cloud streaming but instead offers a pool of all-you-can-play exclusive games from high-profile AAA and indie developers like SEGA, Konami, Disney, and Sumo Digital. The tech titan is personally investing money into each project to ensure Apple Arcade games are premium experiences...but the bill is adding up fast.

Sources tell The Financial Times that Apple Arcade could cost as much as $500 million over time, or the price of multiple big-budget AAA releases. Apple is reportedly investing millions on each game and wants to follow Epic's playbook by booking timed exclusivity. For a monthly fee, subscribers get access to a growing number of games that can be played on multiple devices like iPhones, iPads, and even Apple TV boxes.

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Jedi: Fallen Order channels Uncharted, The Force Unleashed

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Apr 14, 2019 4:12 PM CDT

Respawn's new Star Wars game channels some of the best games in the industry, and may channel what Visceral's "Star Wars Uncharted" game could've been...only with Force powers.

Jedi: Fallen Order channels Uncharted, The Force Unleashed

Jedi: Fallen Order, the next big marquee Star Wars game from Respawn Entertainment, sounds quite familiar. Billed as an action-adventure game, EA's official description paints a picture very much akin to games like Uncharted and The Force Unleashed. EA says it'll deliver "cinematically charged lightsaber and Force combat" set in a "galaxy-spanning adventure."

The game's official story reveal trailer highlighted some of these features. We saw some of the Nathan Drake-style death-defying stunts players will face including running on walls and making impossible leaps of faith. Jedi: Fallen Order even has Cal, the Padawan protagonist, solving mysterious puzzles set across ancient Jedi temples scattered across the galaxy--much like Indiana Jones or Nathan Drake search for relics.

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Jedi: Fallen Order was in development since 2014

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Apr 14, 2019 1:17 PM CDT

Like most games on the market, Jedi: Fallen Order has been in development for a long while now.

Jedi: Fallen Order was in development since 2014

Yesterday Respawn unveiled Jedi: Fallen Order, the studio's new ambitious singleplayer-only Star Wars game that aims at capturing a true Jedi fantasy story. As with most Star Wars games, which are often turbulent and rocky affairs, Respawn's project was in development for quite a while. How long? The foundation for Respawn's saga-bridging game was laid as far back as 2014. And the team behind it worked on some of the biggest IPs in gaming.

In a recent panel at the Star Wars Celebration, game director Stig Asmussen revealed that Jedi: Fallen Order was born shortly after the original Titanfall released in 2014. The action-adventure Jedi game wasn't confirmed to fans and press until 2016.

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Devilish Amsterdam 1666 game is happening, may be rebooted

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Apr 13, 2019 5:57 PM CDT

Amsterdam 1666, the darkly enchanting game about a 17th century devil who plays lots of nasty tricks on denizens, is still in the works.

Devilish Amsterdam 1666 game is happening, may be rebooted

Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Desilets isn't about to give up on his macabre vision for Amsterdam 1666. The game is one of the most interesting prototypes I've seen in a long time--it has a dark and gritty tone and pulls us into a unique period of Amsterdam's golden years. But it was put on hold after THQ Montreal went under. Ubisoft bought the rights to THQ's library, including Amsterdam 1666, causing Desilets to enter custody battle with Ubisoft. Ultimately he won back the rights to his IP and plans to make the game.

But it won't be the same, and it'll probably take a long time before it's ready. In a recent interview with VG247, Desilets confirmed the game is still going to happen...but he'll reboot the project entirely. "For sure, Amsterdam 1666 is gonna happen," Desilets said in the interview.

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Jedi: Fallen Order is a Jedi fantasy with meaningful combat

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Apr 13, 2019 2:05 PM CDT

Respawn's big new Star Wars game is a sprawling epic story set around a Jedi power fantasy, and will feature unique action combat.

Jedi: Fallen Order is a Jedi fantasy with meaningful combat

Today Respawn revealed a story trailer for Jedi: Fallen Order, and it looks absolutely fantastic. The game follows the story of Cal, a young padawan Force user who's on the run after the Jedi were hunted down after Order 66. Respawn says the Empire is at the "height of its power" during the game, and Cal must hide in plain sight and survives by following three rules: don't stand out, accept the past, and trust no one. Cal ekes out a living and stays in the shadows until he uses his Force powers to save a life. The Empire immediately hunts him down, pushing Cal into the wilds where he discovers old Jedi teachings as well as an ancient lightsaber.

According to Vince Zampella, Jedi: Fallen Order is all about living the magic of being a Jedi during dire circumstances. It's singleplayer-only (there's no multiplayer or microtransactions) and has heavy emphasis on new characters and locales.

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30 Seasons of The Simpsons will feature on Disney+ at Launch

Jak Connor | Gaming | Apr 13, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

Disney has taken center stage with their new upcoming streaming service Disney+. What shows will pull you to pick up the new Disney version of Netflix? Perhaps ALL The Simpsons seasons will do it.

30 Seasons of The Simpsons will feature on Disney+ at Launch

Disney has finally revealed their upcoming streaming service Disney+, and while another streaming service might seem a bit extra for users, the titles that will be on it might make you consider the opposite. One of the TV shows that have been announced for the service is none other than The Simpsons, and it's not just a couple seasons either. Disney+ will feature every episode of the show that spans across 30 seasons.

Disney+ is planned for launch this November, the pricing has been set to two options - $7 a month or $70 a year. That really does undercut the pricing of Netflix and Stan and with Disney's library of motion picture content we could really see the new streaming service take off with a bang this November. For more information, visit the official Disney+ website here.

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GOD EATER 3 announced for Nintendo Switch, 8 player co-op

Jak Connor | Gaming | Apr 13, 2019 5:00 AM CDT

Bandai Namco have announced a new title that is planned to head over to the Nintendo Switch, introducing GOD EATER 3 and its action role playing mayhem.

GOD EATER 3 announced for Nintendo Switch, 8 player co-op

Back in February this year, God Eater 3 was released onto PlayStation, Xbox and PC. The title was met with solid support from the community and has been categorize as a success for Bandai. Now its time for Nintendo Switch users to get a bit of love as God Eater 3 will soon be making its way to the portable console on June 12th.

God Eater 3 will be arriving on the Nintendo Switch with co-op multiplayer support that will allow for up to 8 players to join in on the same battle. It should be noted that if you are planning on pre-ordering God Eater 3 that you will receive a code for costumes and styles themed after Yuri and Estelle from Tales of Vesperia. God Eater 3 will launch on the Nintendo Switch June 12th, for more information visit the official website here.

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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice cuts through 2 million copies sold

Jak Connor | Gaming | Apr 13, 2019 4:00 AM CDT

A new announcement has come out from Activision who are celebrating the success of the recently released FromSoftware title Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice cuts through 2 million copies sold

The announcement comes from Michelle Fonseca, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at Activision. Here is what she had to say on the titles recent success; "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has brought something very special and unique to Activision's portfolio of games. It's been an honor to work with FromSoftware to help introduce a brand-new franchise to gamers around the world."

Fonseca continued and said: "The fans have made Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice one of the most incredible game launches of 2019 thus far. The game has performed well on all platforms including PC and we're excited by the continued support from gamers and critics alike. It has been gratifying to see the enjoyment from fans when they overcome each challenge."

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Jedi: Fallen Order is strictly singleplayer, no multiplayer

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Apr 13, 2019 3:21 AM CDT

It's very rare when a big EA game doesn't have multiplayer, live services, and microtransactions attached to it. Respawn's new Star Wars game will be clean of that monetization curse that's afflicted so many previous games.

Jedi: Fallen Order is strictly singleplayer, no multiplayer

From the sound of it, Jedi: Fallen Order aims to be the God of War of Star Wars games. Today EA Star Wars community manager Ben Walke confirmed that Respawn's new action-based adventure is singleplayer-only without any sort of multiplayer, and won't be monetized with optional in-game purchases.

It seems Respawn's game was always built as a more personal game that connects with audiences. Jedi: Fallen Order has strong emphasis on storytelling and character development--Respawn promises to pay respects to the canon--and explores the dark times between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope when the Jedi were being hunted down. The game has six narrative designers crafting the saga-bridging story arc, including industry vets like Fallout: New Vegas writer Chris Avellone.

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