Gaming - Page 656

I still remember the original Postal games and how utterly over-the-top ridiculous they were, so if you're old enough to remember them you'll be (pleasantly?) surprised to hear Postal 4: No Regerts is on Steam Early Access. Check out the trailer below:

The original Postal game was even made into a horrible movie by Uwe Boll, but Postal 4 has nothing to do with that at all. Although, Jon St. John who voiced Duke Nukem will be voicing the POSTAL Dude in Postal 4, which is an awesome scoop for the devleopers. Postal 4 is an open-world sandbox-style game t hat lets you do whatever (in some cases, quite literally) what you want.

The game is ridiculously over-the-top in typical Postal fashion, where you get the iconic Shovel, Gas Can, and even the famous boomerang Machete. The OTT style of Postal 4 continues with its urine obsession, where you can use your urine to give golden showers to the residents of Edensin. You can also fill your Spurt'n'Squirt with other liquids, including gasoline to use it as a makeshift flamethrower... where I guess, you can then urinate on people after they're on fire to put them out. Awesome.

We all know that battle royale games are the new VR, which was the new 3D -- but with Apex Legends and PUBG dominating the battle royale space, there's always room for more... I guess?

Enter RAN: Lost Islands which will arrive later this year through Steam Early Access , set in medieval times making it a huge departure from trhe world of sniper rifles, charge rifles, shields, and chicken dinners. You'll have flintlock pistols, swords, ship-versus-ship combat, horses, and freaking gliders.

Jolly Roger Game Studio is behind RAN: Lost Islands, with the developer explaining: "In RAN: Lost Islands, mastery of quick action and strategy rules the day as an arsenal of period weapons from different factions, and an exhilarating mix of traditional combat controls and combo techniques add high replay value and depth".

Some of my very fondest gaming memories took place on the Nintendo 64, but now over 150 games have received AI-enhanced HD texture packs including Duke Nukem 64, Mario Kart 64, and many others.

The folks over at Gaming Revived have, well, revived some classic Nintendo 64 games using TopazGigaPixel in order to upscale the original textures of classic Nintendo 64 games. It's not perfect, with some parts of the game and textures looking worse in some cases, while other parts look much better -- including the UI in some of the games looking much better.

Most of the AI-enhanced HD texture packs for the Nintendo 64 games are around 1-2GB a pop, which isn't too bad at all. The HD texture packs work with RetroArch using Mupen64-Next "Core" and its most recent release, but they also work with Project64 as well as Mupen64plus through GlideN64 3.0 or GlideN64 4.0. Grab the AI-enhanced HD texture packs here.

I don't know how things could get worse for Activision-Blizzard, where the drama all started when the World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch developer banned Ng "Blitzchung" Wai Chung from Hearthstone, forcing him to forfeit his winnings from the Hearthstone tournament.

Blizzard slowly backed away from this and lessened his ban and gave back his prize money, while handing out 1000-year bans on its forums for anyone speaking up about Hong Kong. But then the developer cancelled the huge Overwatch for the Nintendo Switch launch event at NintendoNYC, and now... well now... they're back again by handing out 3 new suspensions to American University Hearthstone players over holding up a sign during a livestream that said "Free Hong Kong, Boycott Blizz".

Obviously the Hearthstone players knew this was going to land them in hot water, with the players quitting the team after the protest. This didn't happen overnight, but rather it took place over a week ago and only saw Blizzard bring the ban hammer down recently.

Riot puts the squeeze on Blizzard with a new Diablo-like ARPG set in the League of Legends universe.

Riot Games is making a ton of new League of Legends games outside of the MOBA camp. New titles include a tactical hero shooter that's like Counter-Strike meets Overwatch, a new standalone LoL MOBA game for consoles and mobiles, a fighting game with League characters codenamed Project L, the Legends of Runeterra card game, and even a point-and-click multiplayer game that borrows Diablo's isometric view.

The new Diablo-like ARPG is codenamed Project F, but Riot says it won't be ready for a long time (hey just like Diablo IV, am I right?). Next to no information was revealed on the game, and we only got one small sliver of gameplay. But it was enough to confirm an isometric view, which could mean lots of grinding for loot, taking on huge bosses, and distinct character classes that mesh with the League roster. We also saw three friends teaming up so expect it to be a three-player game.

Blizzard is under an incredible amount of pressure right now. It's being challenged on all fronts: By gamers for the China fiasco, by its own internal developers for the same, and now by Riot Games. But they have one big opportunity to turn everything around--Blizzcon 2019.

We've all heard about Blizzard's Hong Kong controversy. It caused a PR nightmare and even tanked developer morale. It doesn't help that Overwatch on Switch is a technical mess. Even as Blizzard faces turmoil on the inside, it's also being attacked on the outside by billion-dollar titans like Riot Games. Riot basically just challenged Blizzard to a duel by announcing no less than eight new League of Legends projects at the game's 10th anniversary event. Two games in particular are obvious jabs at Blizzard: a Diablo-like ARG codenamed Project F, and a tactical hero shooter called Project A.

Blizzard could turn everything around, though, and get the conversation back on track. Reports say Blizzard is planning some huge reveals at Blizzcon 2019 to distract the industry from recent controversy. Now with Riot's declaration of war, the pressure is on in full force. Blizzard needs to go bigger than it ever has before and hold nothing back.

Sony's next-gen DualShock 5 controller may connect directly to cloud servers for lower latency and PlayStation Now gaming.

The PlayStation 5 is coming in December 2020, and it'll have a brand new controller. Sony confirmed the DualShock 5 will have new-and-improved triggers with enhanced haptic and tactile feedback, making every pull feel nuanced and immersive (a far cry from the DualShock 4's floating triggers). But the controller could also have interesting connectivity options that bypass the console entirely.

According to a recent patent published in September, Sony's DualShock 5 might be like Google's Stadia controller and connect right to the internet without using the PS5 as a middle-man. This has far-reaching practical implications for the PlayStation ecosystem, and could lead to widespread PS Now availability using DualShock 5 as an entry point to a standalone streaming platform that's also a controller for PS5/PC gaming.

Sony's ultra-powerful next-gen PlayStation 5 could one-up Xbox backward compatibility and support five generations worth of PlayStation games.

PS4's lack of backward compatibility was always a sore spot for Sony. But with the PS5, they're apparently going all out. Sony already confirmed the PS5 will natively play digital PS4 games and game discs. Now we have reports it could also play PS1, PS2, and PS3 game discs too.

The latest comes from well-known PlayStation insider PSErebus, who warns gamers not to sell their older game discs, strongly hinting widespread backward compatibility is in the works. It looks like Sony is making good on bringing its ambitious backward compatibility patent to life. "Do not dispose of, trade or sell your PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4 games," Erebus wrote on Twitter.

Stadia has a lot of big AAA blockbusters and live service games, which are great for dedicated consoles and PCs, but not for online-only streaming.

Bandwidth is one of the biggest concerns about Google's new Stadia game-streaming platform, whether it be latency or in-game lag or data usage. Stadia beams games wirelessly from Google servers to Chromecast Ultras, laptops, desktops, and even Pixel 3 phones, using local internet connections as a conduit for play. But that data adds up real fast, and a study shows Stadia will quickly smash monthly data caps. This issue is exacerbated by Stadia's games lineup, which consists of some of the biggest time-sinks in the entire industry.

How much data Stadia eats up depends on how long you play. But how long you play in turn depends on what you play. Right now Stadia isn't matched up with games that respect your time or your data--and some, like Destiny 2 and Borderlands 3--are big investments on both regards. Stadia's launch lineup includes some of the most gigantic grindy games on the market today.

The reports were right: League of Legends is making the jump to mobile as well as consoles in 2020.

Today Riot Games announced League of Legends: Wild Rift, a separate version of their massively popular MOBA that's designed specifically for Android, iOS, and consoles.

Wild Rift is free-to-play, and mirrors the PC version with 5v5 competitive play with twin-stick controls, all set in a new Rift map. The game will be streamlined and more accessible for players with shorter 15-20 minute matches and more intuitive controls, but Riot says it's "not a port of the PC game." Wild Rift was built from scratch and optimized for consoles and on-the-go smartphones and tablets.

League of Legends developer Riot Games has just announced it is working on a new competitive first-person shooter codenamed 'Project A', and is begin worked on by a new team within Riot.

It has nothing to do with League of Legends and marks the first time Riot Games has made something outside of the League of Legends universe. There's virtually nothing known about Project A right now, other than executive producer Anna Donlon teasing during the livestream: "We've put anti-cheat at the forefront of our development, and we will do whatever it takes to preserve the integrity of your matches".

What we do know about Project A is that it is a character-based tactical shooter that seems to blend the worlds of Overwatch and CS:GO together, with Riot teasing that Project A is based on an near-future Earth. Riot explained: "The game is set on a beautiful near-future Earth and has a lethal cast of characters, each with unique abilities that create tactical opportunities for their gunplay to shine".

The release of the newest fighter to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is almost upon us, and to tease fans just that much more Nintendo Versus has said that he is "almost ready" to join the battle.

Above we have the tweet from the Nintendo Versus official Twitter page and from the tweet we can see some footage of Terry Bogard in battle using a selection of different abilities. The flame move where Terry throws flame onto the floor could possibly be his Down-B, and the next move we see where he charges Marth could be his Side-B. This is pure speculation at this point and definitely not confirmed, but after a long history playing Smash Bros. these moves seem representative of the controller inputs.

The tweet also says that Terry will be arriving in November, which is just half a month away. 'When' in November is another question, but if I was to estimate a release date for the character I would say at the start of November since the last fighter to join the roster (Banjo-Kazooie) was released on the 5th of September. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is currently available on the Nintendo Switch. If you are yet to get the Fighters Pass for Smash Ultimate, head on over to Nintendo website here to purchase it.

A new rumor has hit the internet regarding when Nintendo are planning on having their next Nintendo Direct.

Firstly, this rumor is merely a 4Chan post by someone who is going by 'Anonymous'. Before I get into this rumor, I just want to say that NONE of the following information has been confirmed by Nintendo at all. Moving on, the rumor says that Nintendo will host their next Nintendo Direct on November 13th and that this Direct will focus on Pokemon Sword & Shield, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

For the purpose of this article, I will be primarily focusing and breaking down the rumored Super Smash Bros. Ultimate news. According to the rumor, the Direct will begin with a beach and a TNT crate, then Crash Bandicoot will appear and be announced as the final fighter in the first Fighters Pass. The rumor then continues to suggest that Terry Bogard will then be on display for a short period of time, and then he will be made available that same day for download.

Some of my fondest gaming memories are classic MS-DOS games, so it warms my heart to see the Internet Archive adding a huge 2500 classic MS-DOS games... for FREE.

You can download them right here, with a bunch of classic games including some of my all-time favorites including Alone in the Dark, Cannon Fodder, Night Trap, Prince of Persia, Pac-Man, SimCity, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, Jazz Jackrabbit, Maniac Mansion, Tetris, Double Dragon, Bubble Bobble, Leisure Suit Larry... I mean, I could go on forever.

Some of these games literally mean the world to me, and shaped who I am today -- right through to my career now, writing this article. Thank you to all of the developers who worked on these games, but for now... I'm going to go and download a bunch of these games and game my life away tonight.

Its time to get spooky in Overwatch and whether you decide to do that on the PC, console or now Nintendo Switch is your choice - Halloween Terror 2019 is now here!

Blizzard has now released Overwatch on the Nintendo Switch (but has cancelled the event in NYC) right in time for their Halloween Terror 2019 event that has also been made live on every platform. Players will be able to earn new cosmetic unlocks as well as some from the previous Halloween events. In addition to that, Blizzard has also introduced weekly challenges that will grant completing players with limited-time rewards.

For Nintendo Switch owners that are deciding to pick up Overwatch: Legendary Edition, upon purchase you will receive 15 bonus skins of some fan favorite heroes, three-month Nintendo Switch Online individual membership, all 31 heroes and 28 maps. If you are after a full list of what the Halloween Terror 2019 event will offer, it has been provided in the entirety of this article. The same goes for all of what will be included in the Overwatch: Legendary Edition for Nintendo Switch. Happy Halloween Overwatch players!

A new press release has been issued out by Square Enix and publisher Feral Interactive regarding Shadow of the Tomb Raider making its way over to MacOS and Linux.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider was originally crafted by Eidos-Montreal for Windows and consoles, but now the developer and published have decided to bring the title over to MacOS and Linux. For those that don't know, Shadow of the Tomb Raider follows the story of Lara Croft and her adventure to save the world from a Maya apocalypse.

This installment of the Tomb Raider series takes Lara to rural Mexican town of Cozumel and the dark heart of the Peruvian jungle. Here is where Lara will navigate the underwater cavern, traverse spectacular landscapes and of course, explore challenging tombs. Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition comes with all of the seven DLC's that include downloadable weapons, outfits and skills. Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition will release on MacOS and Linux on November 5th.

So, Epic Games deleted Fortnite and threw the entire game into a black hole and pretty much removed it from the internet -- to return with a bang in Chapter 2. Fortnite Chapter 2 has a bunch of things going on, but one of the more interesting things is that you can now go fishing in the game.

If you and your friends want to go fishing in Fortnite, you'll first need to secure yourself a fishing rod. After that, you'll need to go to a nearby lake or beach (you know, somewhere with water) but there are better places than others. There will be a bunch of bubbles around that indicates where you might get a good catch, but what will you find once you throw your fishing line into the water?

Well, you'll get a bundle of materials, a random weapon, a Flopper, or a Slurpfish. Right now, Fortnite is throwing out a bunch of Epic-level weapons when you find a mystery weapon by fishing, while the Flopper and Slurpfish can both be used as healing items.

Respawn and EA are about to enjoy their first Halloween-themed event for Apex Legends, with the new Fight or Fright event kicking off and running through to November 5.

There will be a new limited-time mode, and a bunch of rare, epic, and legendary cosmetic items for you to unlock. You'll get your first Fight or Fright item as soon as you boot into Apex Legends, which is the Fight or Fright Music Pack that offers a change to the main theme of the game -- but the rest can be won through playing, or throwing down real money.

You'll need to do some of Apex Legends' new limited-time challenges in order to get some of the cosmetic loot goodness, where in the new Shadowfall mode you'll drop into a solo round of a darkened Kings Canyon. Once you're in there, and then die -- you'll respawn as a zombie or member of the 'Shadow Squad'.

Remember when I reported about World of Tanks and its impending ray tracing technology on all DX11-class GPUs? Well, the new World of Tanks enCore RT demo is here for gamers to try out. Wargaming has also got a new developer diary video covering it all:

Wargaming worked with Intel on this new update, with the enCore RT update made through Intel's own Embree library (which is part of OneAPI) and is compatible with every single DX11-capable graphics card on the market. The developer says that the performance of enCore RT will be as good or better than the ray tracing implementations we've seen so far on GeForce RTX hardware -- but it's only ray tracing SHADOWS here, so calm your farm, Wargaming.

In an email sent out to the press, Wargaming explains: "World of Tanks enCore RT is a demo app which allows to assess the effect that the RT tech has on the game, and also to check whether your system is capable of using it correctly. As we speak, every tanker can install the demo app on their PC and grade their system's RT tech capabilities".

Microsoft finally unleashed its Project xCloud technology into the wild in the last 24 hours, with Xbox boss Phil Spencer tweeting in happiness: "Proud of the #ProjectxCloud team for launching the public preview - it's an exciting time at Xbox".

But what can you expect in the real-world from the Project xCloud beta in its current form? Well, you can stream select titles including Halo 5 which someone did on their Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphone, cranking it out at 60FPS through xCloud and streamed through Wi-Fi to their handset.

'Masterchiefin' ran Halo 5 at 60FPS on his Galaxy S10 through Project xCloud, with input lag said to be "very mild" with Masterchiefin reporting that he "adjusted fairly quick and after 10 min or so I didn't really notice it". The embedded tweet has some video that you can check out.