Gaming - Page 1047

The multiplayer mode for Gears of War 4 makes a gore-filled appearance in the latest trailer. They're emphasizing just how ruthless you can be while competing against others in order to receive the best loot. Just as in the past, it's fast-paced and cover-based, but with better graphics.

The multiplayer beta test is going to officially kick-off on the 25th of April, so The Coalition is showing us but a small glimpse of what to expect once we're able to play. The violence is front and center, as might be expected, but there seems to be much more of it than usual. Enemies splatter across the screen in some truly grisly ways. The gore is expected, though, with plenty of new executions. The trailer is also a showcase of the different new maps and modes you can play. Everything should be very familiar to anyone who's played.

Amazon's Prime service, while a paid one, does have a number of really beneficial advantages if you happen to use Amazon frequently. Free two-day shipping, access to Prime-exclusive movies for free and even discounts on the pre-ordering of games, come to mind. It seems that they might be selling some games, direct, only to Prime members, and it's a little confusing.

A small selection of games can only be bought directly from Amazon if you have Prime. That is, if you're looking for FIFA 16, Dishonored: The Definitive Edition, Minecraft, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Battlefield Hardline, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor Game of the year, and Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes. Amazon says that being able to buy certain games is a benefit of being a Prime member, even though you can simply buy them from the Marketplace, or somewhere else completely.

Gamesaradar has stumbled across the issue, though I've yet to be able to recreate it through friends that don't have Prime. Even when not signed-in, the desktop site doesn't indicate that it's a "Prime Only" deal. At least the desktop site is devoid of any indication. It could also be region specific, being that the article was written from by someone in the UK. Regardless, if it is indeed a growing trend, then it's odd that they would do such a thing without having, at the very least, a suitable discount that makes it more lucrative to use Amazon instead.

Modder uLLeticaL noticed a change on the Steam Workshop page for his Counter-Strike: Global Offensive map Aim Botz, indicating a paid mods system may be returning to Valve's service. A new message on it reads, "You can subscribe to this item for free because you are the creator or listed as a contributor."

If you attempt to subscribe to it and aren't a creator or contributor, it simply subscribes you as normal, but the above message leads one to believe that could change before long. Other games such as Arma 3 are said to show this message as well.

While paid Workshop mods went down poorly before, uLLeticaL says modders would welcome a donation-based system. Time will tell if that's the case.

Rocket League was is one of the best surprises to come out of 2015. Its blend of racing and soccer (or football for those elsewhere) has been a treat for casual and competitive play. Psyonix is running a free promotion this weekend that lets anyone interesting in using automobiles to slam a ball into a net can do so. It started Yesterday, April 21st at 10AM PT and will run through Sunday, April 24th 10am PT.

They say that it's completely free to everyone, regardless of whether you've bought it or not. And after the free weekend, they're discounting it by 40% until 10am on the 25th of April. To sweeten the deal they've also discounted all the various bundles and DLC packs by 20% as well, just in case you'd like a specific skin pack or something else.

Psyonix has been very supportive of their hybrid sports game with several optional DLC packs and quite a few updates that have addressed many different issues. Coming soon, the next update will add a basketball-themed motif to it, letting you try your hand and driving a smaller ball into an even smaller net off the ground. Hoops is coming April 26th for free and for everyone. They've even officially partnered with the NBA to offer an NBA flag pack with 30 different flags. Everyone will get one, at least, for free with the update, however.

After what seems like an eternity of waiting, Atlus may finally reveal Persona 5's release date. Let's just hope it's not delayed again.

Persona 5's official Japanese website now has a mysterious countdown timer with the single cryptic phrase "take your heart", hinting that some big news is about to drop. The timer is counting down to May 5 (5/5) so we could finally see a concrete release date for the hotly anticipated JRPG.

Fans have been avidly looking forward to Persona 5's release date for nearly a year now, and the absence of any news or info from Atlus has been obsessively noted. As a result of the scarce updates, the major consensus of the gaming community is that Persona 5 won't drop on during its slated Q3 2016 window and will instead be delayed into 2017. Persona 5 was already delayed once--it was originally planned to launch in 2015, but Atlus pushed it back to Summer 2016. Now that summer is right around the corner, and we've yet to see Atlus blow the lid on the game, we'll likely see yet another delay.

Just how big is the eSports industry right now? Well, it's on the path to making $463 million this year, according to a new report from PwC. This means the eSports industry has grown by a staggering 43% from 2015.

PwC's report also has some data on the eSports industry itself, with the most popular game by viewership being League of Legends. Around 63% of eSports viewers said they were turning in for first-person shooters, while 57% of those polled describe themselves as "hardcore" gamers.

Female gamers surveyed didn't exactly describe themselves as hardcore gamers, but instead they were "involved in eSports". This is exciting, as it means there are more and more women getting into gaming, which is awesome. The gaming world is filled with young (and old), media-consuming audience, which is why there are so many companies pumping time, effort and most of all, money into eSports.

EA DICE must be in some serious meetings right now, delaying the release of Mirror's Edge Catalyst from late next month into June 7 - the third delay in total now. Well, the closed beta has been started by some, with 'xjumper' posting some images from the Xbox One version of Mirror's Edge Catalyst.

The user notes that the game could possibly running at just 1280x720 at 60FPS on the Xbox One, which isn't unusual as most Frostbite-powered games like Battlefield 4, Battlefield Hardline and even Star Wars Battlefront all ran at 720p on the Xbox One. The PS4 on the other hand, is more capable with Frostbite and its more powerful internals, pumping out Frostbite-powered games at 900p @ 60FPS.

The PC version won't suffer from these potato resolutions, as it'll scale up to 4K and beyond - with multi-monitor users set in for a treat. EA DICE shared the official PC system requirements a few days ago, which we reported on here. After checking out the screenshots, it's apparent that the PC version of Mirror's Edge Catalyst looks beautiful while the console versions are very, very watered down. But, this is a game where 60FPS is needed, which is probably the reason for baked down graphics and what looks like, 720p.

AMD has just talked about its recent earnings with investors, where the chipmaker teased the existence of the next-gen Xbox, as well as the upcoming beefier PlayStation 'Neo' console from Sony - oh, and the next-gen Nintendo NX console. AMD is everywhere when it comes to custom chips powering next-gen consoles.

Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD, said during the earnings call that the semi-custom contract wins were in the gaming sector. Su continued, saying that "semi-custom business and gaming" will be the "larger driver" of Q2's revenue growth. She told reporters: "If you think about the semi-custom business in the past few years, the third quarter is always the peak. It will be the peak this year, as well, but we're starting some of the ramping in the second quarter as we build to the stronger third quarter".

Now, ramping up in Q2 for a stronger Q3 could mean that we see next-gen consoles revealed at E3 2016 (which takes place in late Q2) while the release of these consoles would happen in the holidays - closer to Q3. Su was asked who was purchasing the semi-custom designs, to which she said: "I don't believe we've gone through any detail about what those wins are. I'd prefer to let that come out as our customers are ready to launch".

Here we go again... EA DICE have just announced they've delayed Mirror's Edge Catalyst, again. This is the third delay, with the original launch of February 23 being pushed back to May 24, and now again to June 7.

Mirror's Edge Catalyst will now be released in the US on June 7 and throughout Europe two days later on June 9. The developer is about to kick off the closed beta for Mirror's Edge Catalyst, where the company will test out the game's new online-connected "social play" features. The new social play features include time trials and leaderboards, with EA DICE adding that it has developed "brand new online technology" in order to support them. Maybe it's so new, it explains why the game has been delayed.

Design Director on Mirror's Edge: Catalyst, Erik Odelhaul, explained on the game's website: "We also want to make sure we have the opportunity and time to address player feedback from the Closed Beta. We're confident that these extra two weeks will make sure the game is as amazing as possible for you the players".

Sony's PlayStation Network is getting a much-needed security overhaul by adding in two-factor authentication for all PSN accounts.

PlayStation Network accounts are notoriously easy to hack, leading to ridiculous unauthorized charges on PSN accounts. In an attempt to thwart this, Sony plans to add two-step authentication to all PSN accounts in the future. "In order to further safeguard our users and their accounts, we are preparing to offer a 2-step verification feature," a Sony rep to Polygon.

Two-step authentication requires users to submit two separate pieces of data to access an account, effectively adding another security barrier. Soon users will have to enter more than just a password to log into the PlayStation Network. We don't know exactly when Sony will add in this extra security feature, with the rep saying that "more details will be shared at a later date."

Nintendo's new Miitomo smartphone game is collecting more data than Facebook, making it an extremely valuable tool for the Japanese gaming giant.

In this day and age consumers find data collection quite worrisome, especially with big companies like Facebook soaking up so much valuable user info. But Nintendo's new Miitomo app has managed to trounce Facebook's data collection after being on the market for only three weeks. The trick is that Nintendo has made sharing personal information into a game, creating a colorful and fun environment where friends can learn more about each other.

Miitomo rewards players with in-game currency for answering basic questions about their personalities, favorite foods, songs, television shows and much more. In this way, Nintendo offers incentives to users to actively participate in sharing their personal data--much of which could steadily feed Nintendo possibly invaluable user info. The most surprising part, though, is that Miitomo just asks for the data using cute miniature Mii characters. I think it's all about the presentation and execution, and Nintendo adds a personality and a face to its agency of data-collection, rather than a boring survey or pesky emails.

A year later and Grand Theft Auto V is still absolutely mesmerizing on PC. Check out a new set of ultra-realistic high-res GTAV wallpapers that show just how magical Los Santos can be.

Berduu is a master at capturing the lightning in a bottle equivalent of video game screenshots. Now Berduu has spun his magic with GTA V, creating some of the most eye-boggling pictures I've ever seen--I've known for a while that Grand Theft Auto V on PC is beautiful, but these snaps just redefine my expectations. Rockstar should hire this guy to provide box art promo pictures or even huge GTA V posters.

All of the screenshots were taken using the Rockstar Editor and a combination of different mods like ReShade and SweetFX overhauls. Berduu promises that none of them have been Photoshopped, and every snap reflects actual in-game captures. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to fire up GTA V and grab some mods...

Dust 514, the first FPS by CCP Games, though only available for the PlayStation 3, had a very strong following. It wasn't the largest following, but the servers were full enough at most times that it was always possible to find someone to play with. Sure, the Unreal Engine 3 shooter wasn't the greatest looking, but it was connected to the greater EVE universe, which is exciting unto itself. Dust 514 is no more, and in its place is going to be another free-to-play FPS, but this time for the PC.

Project Nova is the next great FPS project, and will cut the mechanism that allowed interaction between EVE Online and Dust 514, instead existing in the same universe in name only. That isn't a bad thing, however, because that little-known mechanism, orbital bombardment, was never used anyway according to CCP Games. Project Nova will be built upon Unreal Engine 4, and will be a natural evolution of Dust 514, learning from its failings.

They want to make waves in the already full F2P FPS sphere, and they plan on doing that by allowing customization and the ability to actually have a full and good loadout right from the moment you start playing. You won't start with absolutely nothing, but there will still be plenty to look forward too with more playing time.There are currently eight different classes, but you'll have the ability to create your own by mixing and matching abilities, weapons and armor.

CCP Games is pretty excited about being able to offer EVE: Valkyrie as one of the first VR experiences for all platforms when they all eventually release (we're waiting on you, PSVR). And they're also letting all platforms (well, both) play together within the same servers via some very real cross-platform play. More details for the new Carrier Assault mode were also revealed recently, with a new trailer to show it all off.

Owen O'Brien, the producer of the game, dropped that nugget of information at a fan gathering that took place in Reykjavik, Iceland, saying that everyone will get to play together once it's finally finished and released. Specifically on the PC side they're making sure that owners of the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift are able to play competitively against one another regardless of the headset platform they choose.

Carrier Assault is a forthcoming game mode that's being planned for the game that sees you and others slowly but surely attacking a capital ship, which is rather resistant to your attempts at destroying it. You'll get the chance to attack the physical structures of the ship and then the structures inside the ship. The game is still in early access on the Oculus Rift only at the moment, though the final release will be seen rather soon, we hope. The project has turned from a simple dogfighting representation of the EVE universe to something rather spectacular in design and scope.

Wouldn't you too like to take a small vacation in beautiful Sapienza? It's a beautiful, sun-drenched (fictional) coastal town with gorgeous ocean views and a very relaxed vibe. It's just a trifle dangerous, with a bio-engineer working on a DNA-specific virus somewhere in the small town, but that shouldn't get you down, right?

The latest season of Hitman is set to begin on April 26th on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and the PC. You'll be initially tasked with taking down Silvio Caruso, who is a bioengineer working on a very deadly virus. You'll get a chance to stretch your creative muscles and approach it in any way you please, using any number of elements to complete your task. I do wonder if the virus getting released, and killing you, is at all something that can accidentally happen in the game.

If you've been waiting for more to do after completing all of the achievements in the Paris fashion show level, then you're definitely in luck. This should be slightly larger then that level with a bit more variety. Agent 47 won't be taking a proper vacation this time, though, and it'll be a working one.

Communication is a valuable commodity within the video game industry, something that's highly appreciated by the community itself. Being able to hear about the general status of the development of a game is certainly excited news and can help to alleviate pre-release fears if the various avenues are used correctly. We like to hear directly from the big, and little, publishers and developers as they explain the various challenges and fun things they're doing to make their game. Sometimes hearing why something was included, not included a feature or why a particular direction was chosen can help humanize an otherwise inaccessible industry.

How developers communicate with their fan base is as much a part of game development as anything. If you want to be successful, you'll need as wide an audience as possible, so communicating misinformation frequently or even outright lying can hurt a company's credibility to the point of affecting their bottom line.

Larger companies and franchises can weather such issues, though there is the potential for long-term effects not intended. Some companies do it better than others and have strict policies about either saying too much too early and certainly about releasing deceptive information. Peter Molyneux is almost famous for getting ahead of himself and the projects he's a part of. Features he's talked about sometimes never make it into the development pipeline, even.

Remedy Entertainment, the developer of the critically acclaimed Alan Wake franchise as well as Quantum Break, isn't looking to take a break after they successfully released Quantum Break. It seems that according to an online resume for two employees there, an as-of-yet unannounced project has been underway for at least nine months already since August of 2015.

The claim comes from these LinkedIn profiles from the picture above, spotted by VideoGamer.com. We've heard this year that Remedy is not against revisiting and possibly adding onto the Alan Wake franchise. Their creative director, Sam Lake, himself has even teased that a return could also include a bit of multiplayer as well. But nothing is quite certain, and there have only been quiet ruminations regarding that. And in general, after the gigantic story that encompassed Quantum Break, they seem to have quite a few great ideas running around through the office, of which one or two are bound to become their own game.

What could it be? It's more likely that it's a new IP completely, something that possibly visits one of the many different ideas that were thrown out in favor of the time-bending narrative we received. We'll keep you apprised of any rumors or other information that might inadvertently show up before any official announcements.

Emulation is a touchy subject, both legally and socially. We love older games and when we can't play them natively, we emulate them with the plethora of different emulators that exist. SEGA is releasing an official emulator for the classic Mega Drive so as to take matters into their own hands, giving you official access to their library of games.

They already have reinvigorated a few games, via Steam and through various consoles, but here they're introducing their own hub that includes keyboard and mouse support and a number of different graphical enhancement filters that can be applied if they happen to suit you. Like other emulators, you'll be able to save at any point with a savestate system with probably the best emulation engine available, considering the official nature of it all. All games will also come with Steam Workshop support, so you can import mods and make your own.

The hub itself will be free, though games will naturally cost and you'll have to purchase a game to get access to the hub. Thus far it doesn't seem as if you can bring in your own ROMs, likely for very obvious legal reasons. The best part about the new hub? The interface is that of a super SEGA fan from the nineties, with a CRT and a wall full of merchandise from the era. The full list of games that grant access to it is below just after the break.

Another No Man's Sky gameplay preview has been spotted, this time showing off 15 minutes of footage on Sony's PlayStation 4.

Sean Murray recently sat down with Anthony Carboni to showcase half an hour of No Man's Sky, revealing even more tidbits about the game. We've already tracked a massive list of things you can do in No Man's Sky, but Murray always seems to surprise us time and time again--no matter how much you think you know about the game you're always shown something new.

The playthrough shows us what a typical session will look like, with exploration, material mining, weapon crafting, and conversations with aliens. We do get to see a nice glimpse at weapon customization and how attachments will work, pretty much confirming how important raw materials are. Based on the small glimpse we get of the inventory screen, I can see that Man's Sky is going to be a huge grind fest. Players will be planet-hopping for materials to build up their weapons, recharge shields, boost ships, and build all kinds of new tech. But you won't just be crash-landing on planets for mats--you can mine them from asteroids as well.

The Solus Project is a different sort of survival game than you might be used to. Inside is actually a very fascinating and complete storyline with objectives to complete, all set in an open world, which is almost the antithesis of most games of the genre. They give you a massive alien island to explore, and try to stay alive on, but that wasn't quite enough for them.They're planning on releasing an expansion that includes even more land to explore called The Highpoint Expansion.

This is actually the third expansion available, and it's completely free. They're adding in a more vertical element to the game, with caverns that have all manner of strange things to explore. You'll get to go deep into, and down, the cavern system as well as up. The gentlebeings at Grip Digital have included some new acid lakes, flying orbs and other strange flying and monstrous things that you'll have to avoid, lest you die investigating them.

Aside from the new visuals and creatures, the new expansions adds around three hours of story-based content with many new things to do, or try to complete anyway. They've even added a giant windmill apparently, too. They've put a lot of effort into this new expansion and have been able to fix nearly all of the previously known bugs and issues to ensure playability.