Gaming - Page 733

NetherRealm Studios have announced a brand new character for Mortal Kombat 11, introducing the Kollector and his brutal moveset.

I have been doing my best to cover everything that has come out about the upcoming Mortal Kombat 11, and this week has already started off strongly with a brand new character release. Introducing, the Kollector who is - according to the video description - "A proud servant of the Outworld Empire, the Kollector cares only for his wealth and status and will kill anyone to keep it."

Judging from the above video, Kollector is truly a vicious and brutal fighter. He uses his four arms to tear his opponent apart while also combining attacks with his chain whip and lantern. Mortal Kombat 11 is planned for release on April 23rd for the Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch. In other news about Mortal Kombat 11, the Nintendo Switch version is going to be running at 60FPS, more on that story here.

Famous Director of the Super Smash Bros. series is Masahiro Sakurai, and during a recent awards ceremony Sakurai has dropped a hint towards the inclusion of Joker in Smash Ultimate.

The hint has been sourced from a Famitsu Awards celebration, where Sakurai accepted the MVP award for development and spoke about his troubles while trying to create Smash Ultimate. If you didn't know, Sakurai is very well known for his dedication in development even to the extent where his work ethic is detrimental to his health.

The development of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was no different in this regard, and Sakurai spoke out saying "I will forget the troubles I had, but the game remains." What would probably be a more accurate representation of what Sakurai means has been summed up by DualShockers, saying "The problems are temporary, but the game is forever." Throughout his acceptance speech Sakurai spoke about 'Joker' the first DLC character for Ultimate, he said that 'Joker' would be "coming soon".

Valve adds a new measure to counter review bombing on Steam in an effort to quell the raging PC Game Store Wars.

PC gamers are review bombing Borderlands 2 on Steam to protest Borderlands 3's Epic Store exclusivity deal. The process sees gamers deliberately giving bad user reviews to lower Borderlands 2's overall aggregated score on the platform in an attempt to get the publisher's attention and punish them with bad user-generated press. This has happened with Metro games, and other games that've jumped over to the Epic Store. But this process actually hurts Steam, and Valve is fighting back.

Valve defused the review bomb with a new tool that thwarts review score bombing. The method essentially scans user reviews for "off-topic activity" like one-sentence complaints about publishers or Epic Games, and negates any influence they have on the score. The reviews can still be seen but don't actually bring down the game's rating.

Fallout 76 could be the future of Fallout games, at least for the foreseeable future.

Fallout doesn't exactly work too well as an online-only live game. So when will it return to its singleplayer-driven roots with a tangible story arc, modding, console commands, and narrative-driven NPCs? Maybe not for a long time. We know Bethesda is making two next-gen projects that will not only push its tech to new heights, but promise to deliver "big and crazy" experiences: its brand new space epic IP Starfield, and The Elder Scrolls VI. At this stage, Fallout 76 could be the last Fallout game we get for a while.

This makes sense given the tremendous investment Bethesda has put into Fallout 76, and what it could mean for the future. We've long outlined the path of live games here at TweakTown, and if successful, these games often live on for years and years. Bethesda hopes Fallout 76 will do the same. In fact, studio exec Todd Howard says the game is the start of a kind of Fallout platform. It's possible Fallout 76 is just the beginning of an expansive ecosystem that ties into an online framework for continued content, releases, and engagement (aka what all live games are).

Bethesda's Todd Howard says Fallout 76 did quite well and has a strong playerbase to this day. So why add more microtransactions to the mix? Fallout 76 might've done well with retail sales, but that doesn't mean it's still doing well.

With Fallout 76, Bethesda bit off more than it could chew. In a quest to make more money and join the likes of EA, Activision, and Take-Two with monstrous live revenues, Bethesda released an experimental online-only adaptation of one of its biggest properties. It didn't work very well. Instead of a multiplayer Fallout that brings new freedoms, the game is a tedious web of grindy, frustrating mechanics that strip away some of the best things about the series. And worse: it monetized basic things like outfits and house decorations, which created an artificially elongated grind to unlock them without paying. It bombed with reviews, it bombed with player sentiment, and it seemed to just bomb in general.

Bethesda seems to be happy with the game, though. At the studio's Game Days event at PAX East, studio exec Todd Howard said Fallout 76 did quite well: "We're really excited. The game actually did very, very well we have a huge playerbase of millions of players that're giving us tons of feedback."

In an effort to save money, Bethesda is shipping Wolfenstein: Youngblood's retail Switch version without a cartridge.

Unlike most console games on the planet, when you go into the store to buy Wolfenstein: Youngblood you'll get an empty box. There's no actual game cartridge included with MachineGames' new co-op centered shooter on Switch. Instead buyers get a download code in a box, PC game style. Amazon confirms the news with a warning: "Contains digital download code. No cartridge included." Even the more expensive $40 deluxe edition comes in an empty box. The PS4 and Xbox One flavors should come with discs, though.

So what gives? Bethesda's been pulling some strange moves lately, and this latest one falls in line with its shift towards adapting all of its core IPs into monetized live games. Wolfenstein: Youngblood is basically a live version of the franchise that'll include online multiplayer and microtransactions.

There has been some rather big news break over the weekend thanks to a new leak on 4chan, with an anonymous leaker teasing that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be announced for the PC as an Epic Games Store exclusive.

The announcement will reportedly happen on April 22 at 9AM PST, with RDR2 releasing onto the Epic Games Store on July 9. The post claims that Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of GTA/RDR inked a deal with Epic that would see them take 100% of the profits from any additional content for RDR2, compared to the 30% cut that Steam takes. This is reportedly enough for Take-Two to ink the deal.

The problem is that this is 4chan and an anonymous leaker who can say anything really, as the rumor ends just like this. As soon as more is posted, we'll update you on this story. For now, cross your fingers and hope RDR2 is coming to the PC, but not as an Epic Games Store exclusive.

In a recent visit to the YMCA in South Ealing, London, earlier this week for an event on mental health issues that young people face in society today, Prince Harry had some fighting words for gamers.

Harry had some harsh words for gamers and specifically Fortnite where he said: "That game shouldn't be allowed. Where is the benefit of having it in your household? It's created to addict, an addiction to keep you in front of a computer for as long as possible. It's so irresponsible".

He added: "It's like waiting for the damage to be done and kids turning up on your doorsteps and families being broken down".

Ahead of its big Project xCloud launch in 2019, Microsoft is readying a combined plan for its growing catalog of gaming subscriptions.

Microsoft is all about services. Gaming is no different: we've seen Xbox go from a console to a huge cross-platform service that brings monetization, games, and engagement to Xbox One consoles, Windows 10 PCs, and mobiles. That strategy has grown tremendously with the introduction of Xbox Game Pass, a self-described "Netflix for games" that offers access to over 100 Xbox titles. But with Xbox LIVE, Game Pass, and Project xCloud on the way, Microsoft's subscriptions are getting congested and could deter consumers.

Now the company wants to solve this problem before it happens. According to Twitter user h0x0d, who's been reliable with leaks and info in the past, Microsoft will combine Xbox LIVE and Xbox Game Pass into a single $14.99 a month subscription. It's called Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and shaves the total month-to-month cost of the two subs by $5.

Borderlands 3 is bringing some welcomed changes to loot and co-op, and introducing some absolutely bonkers guns.

Wither Borderlands 3, Gearbox wants to go all out. Not only is the game absolutely massive with 1 billion guns, off-planet travel, full synergy with AMD's latest PC hardware, and four new vault hunters with unique customizable skills, but it'll change how gamers play co-op in a few key ways.

Gearbox confirms Borderlands 3 will have couch co-op with two loot drop modes: the classic Diablo-style shared drops where anyone can pick up anything like in Borderlands 2, or a new mode that has loot instanced and separated to each individual player. Both modes can be activated online or in couch co-op sessions.

Ubisoft's next Assassin's Creed game is set in the brutal age of Viking seafarers, and is planned for a release next year.

Keen on chasing God of War's critical success and spinning their magic on Norse history, Ubisoft's new Assassin's Creed will take gamers to the turbulent Viking era. A curious teaser for the game was found in The Division 2 that shows a poster of a soldier holding an Apple of Eden under a banner that reads "Valhalla". The soldier looks suspiciously like one of Charlemagne's crusaders during the expansion of the Holy Roman Empire, hinting the game could be set in the late 8th Century.

Sources have confirmed to Kotaku that yes, the next Assassin's Creed is Viking-themed, and that it'll release in 2020. It's likely Ubisoft will use this big marquee title as a showcase for next-gen console power and push the upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett systems to their limits (Ubisoft did the same with Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag during the PS4's and Xbox One's launch).

Fallout 76 in itself is a weird experiment that fails as a service game. It's getting better, though, but nothing's ever sure with live games and publishers/devs often go back on their promises. Bethesda is doing just that with Fallout 76 by introducing non-cosmetic microtransactions that have an actual tangible affect on the game.

In a bid to earn more revenues from its online-only Fallout service game, Bethesda plans to sell shortcuts in Fallout 76's Atomic Shop. Gamers can buy these kits with Atoms, a currency that's purchased for real money or earned in-game. The kits are pretty advantageous and instantly repair any item's condition and allow gamers to avoid the tedium of collecting materials. Bethesda is kind of selling us stress-savers directly. And the non-cosmetic microtransactions may just be beginning.

Here's what Bethesda said in a recent blog post announcement:

This week has been truly hectic for Borderlands announcements, and now we have yet another announcement out of developer Gearbox Studios. This weekend players will be able to enjoy The Handsome Collection completely free of charge!

According to the official Borderlands 3 Twitter account, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection will be going completely free-to-play this weekend on Xbox One and Steam. Combined with the free-to-play weekend, other platforms such as the Microsoft and PlayStation Store will feature heavy discounts for the bundle.

For those that don't know what The Handsome Collection contains, it includes Borderlands 2, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, and all the respective downloadable content. Additionally, there is free Ultra HD texture packs that have been released for both of the games on PC, Xbox One X and PS4 Pro. For more information about The Handsome Collection going free-to-play, visit the offical Steam listing for the title here.

The newest member of the XCOM family of games is Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, and now that title is going portable with an official Nintendo Switch trailer being released.

The above trailer, which has been released onto the official Nintendo YouTube Channel showcases the new title that heads over to the Nintendo Switch on June 25th. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden will combines an amazing story with tactical turn-based combat that will require strategic thoughtful planning to overcome each battle.

Players will also have to choose 3 mutants out of a total 5, these mutants will be apart of your team as your progress throughout the story. The storyline will be linear but will give players some options via side-missions and vital choices that will have to be made. If you are a fan of the XCOM games and don't mind giving something new a try, check out Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden as I'm sure it won't disappoint. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden will be launching on the Nintendo Switch on June 25th, for more information visit the official website here.

Persona has been grabbing at the attention of some gamers as of late, due to the announcement of the games protagonist Joker joining the ranks of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

In a new interview with the games director, Naoto Hiraoka, was asked numerous questions surrounding the Persona series and where it stands sales wise, his thoughts on the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate inclusion with Joker and the possibility of the Persona series coming over to the Nintendo Switch.

According to Hiraoka, the latest release of the Persona series 'Persona 5' has seen over 2.4 million sales since its release. When asked about the possibility of Persona coming to the Nintendo Switch, Hiraoka says "We don't have a specific answer to give for that question, but I personally think that the Nintendo Switch is a 'very attractive platform'." With Joker now joining the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, I think its a very big possibility that the Persona series will eventually follow.

If you are a big fan of the Souls series, you can easily tell that FromSoftware's latest release, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a step in a different direction development wise. Now why is that?

In a recent interview with Famitsu and summarized by Frontline, Hidetaka Miyazaki the President of FromSoftware, spoke out about what the developers had in mind while developing Sekiro. According to Miyazaki, FromSoftware made sure that they developed Sekiro with a balance of fun combat combined with a notorious level of difficulty.

Miyazaki expresses that was very important to develop the title with this balanced combination, and removing things such as fall damage allowed them to create more fluid controls which in turn opened the door for more mechanics to be implemented. The whole idea of having fun while getting better at the game is an extremely rewarding feedback loop that players can enjoy being in. More importantly, games that have the capacity to be able to enthrall you in its difficulty, while still keeping you engaged because of how fun it is showcases a truly great development balance.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice developer Ninja Theory have announced the release date for Hellblade arriving on the Nintendo Switch, with the developer announcing the date on their official Twitter account, it says "Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is coming to the Nintendo Switch next week on April 11".

Fans asked if Ninja Theory was planning on releasing a physical edition of Hellblade for the Nintendo Switch. Ninja Theory replied with "Hello, we have no plans for a physical version at this time", so at the moment Switch owners will only be able to pick up a digital version of the game. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice will be available on the Nintendo eShop for $29.99 on April 11th. On a side note, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice will be coming to the Nintendo Switch with motion control support, more on that here.

Monster Hunter World is being updated right now on Steam with a rather large 29GB download that provides a high resolution texture pack for improved graphics.

The new free DLC is available for Monster Hunter World as the large update to the game, but you'll have to do a few clicks to get to it. The developer explains: "After downloading the pack, go to the main menu > Options > Display > Advanced Graphics Settings to adjust the texture quality".

The patch also adds a new TAA+FXAA anti-aliasing option, new mouse controls that aren't as sensitive to unintentional movement when controlling the Focus Camera with the mouse, and more. The team also added a meter to the Advanced Graphics Settings menu that lets you know how much VRAM your graphics card will be using with the applied settings at the time.

The Division 2 is already a bundle of fun and one of the best experiences I've had in games for a very, very long time with publisher Ubisoft teasing the first post-launch update for the game titled 'Tidal Basin' will be pushed out tomorrow, April 5. If you want to see how The Division 2 runs from a GeForce GTX 980 Ti to an RTX 2080 Ti and Radeon VII (a 20 graphics card test), check out my article on The Division 2 performance here.

The new Tidal Basin update is part of the Invasion: Battle for DC post-launch content avalanche that will include a new stronghold held by the Black Tusk faction, which when taken over, will unlock The Division 2 players to hit World Tier 5. There, you'll have access to even higher-end weapons, and boosted gear of up to level 500, oh, and a new Specialization. The next update will arrive in the Summer, then another in Autumn, and the final update for the Year 1 Free Content for The Division 2 ends in Winter 2019.

Once players have reached World Tier 5 they'll be hit with "weekly invasions" that will see powerful Black Tusk members taking over main missions and strongholds across the city. Ubisoft and Massive will be rolling out a new PvP map called Fort McNair as well as two new exotic weapons in Pestilence and Nemesis.

DICE has pushed out a new update for Battlefield V, and while it might have some tweaks to DXR and DLSS features the developer also snuck something else in: premium currency.

The new 'Battlefield Currency' as the developer puts it are just premium coins you can use to purchase cosmetic customization sets, elite sets, and time savers. They add no additional stats or buffs to any weapons and are purely cosmetic, with DICE explaining the elite sets are "unique characters with names and backgrounds" you can use in Battlefield V multiplayer.

There will be two types of time savers up for your hard-earned real-world money, with them acting as either tier catch-ups or XP boosts. DICE explains Tier Catch-Ups with unlocking Chapter Reward items, "providing an option for those players who don't have the time to earn all those items through gameplay". XP Boosts will "accelerate the amount of experience points you earn while you play, allowing you to reach Chapter, Career, Weapon, Vehicle, or Class Rank at a faster pace".