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Every game expected at PlayStation’s State of Play 2024 PlayStationWondering what titles might be revealed at the upcoming PlayStation State of Play 2024? Here’s every game expected so far. The gaming community is on the edge of its seat as it awaits the PlayStation State of Play event for the year 2024. Gamers all across the world may look forward to Sony’s showcase, which has a history of providing thrilling announcements and unforgettable moments. The forthcoming State of Play event will set the groundwork for PlayStation’s future in gaming and is sure to feature something for every fan, whether they like immersive VR experiences, indie surprises, or blockbuster AAA titles. If you’re wondering about the games expected to be announced at the event, we’ve got you covered right here. Games expected to appear in the PlayStation State of Play 2024 After months of anticipation, Sony has finally announced the next PlayStation State of Play event which will take place on January 31, 2024, at 2 pm PT / 5 pm ET / 10 pm GMT / 11 pm CET. Fans can watch the 40-minute live stream on YouTube, Twitch, or TikTok on the official PlayStation channels. They also announced that it will feature 15+ games during the showcase including an extended look at Stellar Blade and Rise of the Ronin, both of which were revealed in last year’s State of Play event. Furthermore, several reveals hint at a new Metro game called Metro Awakening, which is expected to be announced for PS VR 2 on the PlayStation 5. In addition to those, XboxEra host Nick Baker wrote in a cryptic X post that a new Sonic Generations remaster is also expected to be announced at the showcase event, which is SEGA’s next big outing in the Sonic franchise. In the post itself, games like Judas and a new Silent Hill title were also mentioned, which is also expected to appear in the event. Visionary Hideo Kojima posted the State of Play announcement on his Instagram page as well, further hinting at a new Death Stranding 2 trailer drop at the showcase where fans are finally hoping to get a release date for the much-awaited sequel to the hit game. Alongside that, fans are also hoping to see a full trailer for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater to drop since its reveal at the 2023 showcase. The game is a remake of the 2004 classic, which is now being created once again by Konami for the next-gen PlayStation 5 console. While there are a bunch of indie games as well that are expected to be announced, it’s only a matter of time before everything is unveiled at this year’s PlayStation State of Play event.

Every Gadget in Watch Dogs Legion explained UbisoftWatch Dogs Legion features numerous high tech gadgets the player can use to aid them on their adventure through the city streets of London. Find out all the information you need to know about Watch Dogs Legion’s gadgets and what they do. Watch Dogs Legion’s enemies can be a hardy bunch and you’ll need to kit your character out with more than just a few conventional weapons. After all, just one mistake can result in your favorite character winding up dead for good. Watch Dogs Legion’s permadeath feature is certainly an interesting feature and one that makes every single firefight matter. Fortunately, there are a number of handy gadgets that you can use to alleviate this issue. From remote controlled spider bots that can provide non-lethal takedowns to AR cloaks that render the user invisible, there’s a gadget for every single situation. There are six gadgets available in Watch Dogs Legion and each of them has its own unique features and upgrade paths. To help you understand each Watch Dogs Legion gadget, we’ve put together a handy guide that covers everything you need to know about these game-changing items. Infiltrator Spider As the name suggests, the Infiltrator Spider gadget is all about creeping into enemy filled locations. This little eight-legged bot’s low profile enables it to crawl through vents and tight spots with ease, allowing you to gain access to even the most well-protected places. Once you’ve found a hacking point, simply use the Infiltrator Spider to upload a deadly virus to hamper your enemies’ systems. If that wasn’t enough, the Infiltrator Spider is also capable of performing non-lethal takedowns. This is particularly useful if you wish to avoid getting into an intense firefight with any of the local gangs. AR Cloak Watch Dogs Legion’s AR Cloak is one of the most useful gadgets in the entire game. Once activated, your character will instantly go invisible and break line of sight. While it can be fun to infiltrate an enemy-controlled area with your guns blazing, it’s sometimes better to take a stealthier approach. Future upgrades greatly increase the AR Cloak’s duration and even give your takedowns greater reach. If you’re looking to quietly dispatch your foes, then the AR Cloak is one gadget that you’ll want to prioritize. Electro-Fist Watch Dogs Legion has given this iconic melee-based weapon an electrifying twist. While brass knuckles are lethal in their own right, this shockingly powerful gadget packs more than just a powerful punch. The Electro-Fist is capable of knocking out an opponent in just one hit. Simply creep up to your target and deliver a lethal KO that they’ll never forget. Upgrading the Electro-Fist will enable you to unleash a shockwave that disorients nearby enemies. Electro-Shock Trap A non-lethal shock trap that can be used to shock enemies and heavily damage drones and vehicles. This gadget is best used when you wish to disrupt your enemies’ movements. While it may not be the fanciest gadget in Watch Dogs Legion, it does allow you to launch some incredibly satisfying traps. Simply find an area that sees a lot of enemy traffic and place your Electro-Shock Trap down, then watch as the volts begin to fly. Combat Spiderbot Unlike the stealth-based Infiltrator Spider gadget, this robotic arachnid has a more gung-ho approach to combat. The Combat Spiderbot is no stranger to a firefight and it’s at its best when the bullets are flying. This little gadget is kitted out with an automated turret and armor, giving you extra firepower whenever you need it. If you wish to increase the turret’s rate of fire or manually control the turret yourself, then you’ll want to spend your Tech Points on Combat Spiderbot upgrades. Missile Drone Sometimes you just need to create a big explosion to wipe out your foes. Fortunately, the Missile Drone allows you to do just that. This little drone flies straight towards a random target and instantly detonates upon impact. The Missile Drone will target any opponent, so you’ll need to upgrade it if you wish to take control of its target-seeking capabilities. Make sure you stay updated with all the latest Watch Dogs Legion news and guides right here, at Dexerto.

Every Easter egg in Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Warner Bros. GamesHarry Potter: Quidditch Champions is a love letter to fans of the franchise and as such, it’s loaded with Easter eggs. Here are all the ones we know of. Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is about to take off and fulfill a dream players have had since they discovered the sport was absent from Hogwarts Legacy. Online multiplayer Quidditch games featuring fan-favorite characters are an exciting prospect. The team at Unbroken Studios are obviously big fans of the Harry Potter franchise and it shows. With a wealth of properties to draw from including the books, films, and very old games, they’ve packed the game with references. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of Every Easter egg in Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. Here they are. PlayStation 1 Hagrid One of the first cosmetics revealed for Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, this one is a deep cut reference to Harry Potter’s gaming legacy. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (or Philosopher’s Stone outside of the U.S.) on PlayStation 1 was the very first movie tie-in game for the franchise. For many children at the time, it was the stuff dreams were made of. In hindsight, the low poly characters were the stuff of nightmares, and none more so than Hagrid who has been memed into oblivion. As an added bonus to Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, players can slap on a paper mask of the infamous PS1 Hagrid. We’re certain this will be a popular cosmetic choice. Beuxbatons and Durmstrang in the flesh Maybe in the flesh is the wrong terminology but this one is sure to excite fans of the books. While we did get to see characters from the other European wizarding schools in the Harry Potter films, we’ve never seen the schools themselves. Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions gives us a glimpse at what each school’s Quidditch pitch looks like which is more than we’ve ever gotten previously. Even better than that however, in the background, you can see the first ever fully rendered version of Beuxbatons and Durmstrang on screen. Durmstrang lies somewhere in the frigid regions of Northern Europe and the pitch reflects that. You can even see the ship that students used to travel to Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament. Beuxbatons on the other hand has a much more refined look with with marble architecture and a water feature surrounding their pitch. The school itself has been built in the style of a chateau which is fitting for its French locale. Harry’s iconic Golden Snitch catch Harry Potter catching the Golden Snitch in his mouth during his first ever Quidditch match is a seemingly arbitrary moment in the original story that carries a lot of plot significance in its final moments. It’s also synonymous in many fans’ minds with the sport of Quidditch itself. The team at Unbroken Studios has recreated the moment in-game as one of Harry’s catch animations. It’s nothing major but it’s a nice nod for fans. The Burrow Readers of the Harry Potter books will know that the titular character spent quite a few summers at the Weasley’s playing practice matches of Quidditch. So, what better place to have the game’s practice pitch than the redheaded wizarding family’s ramshackle home? There’s also plenty of Harry Potter iconography scattered around the area from Mr Weasley’s flying Ford Angela to the troublesome garden gnomes. Technically, this one counts as multiple Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Easter eggs. Those are all the Easter eggs we’ve seen so far in Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions and we’re sure to find a few more when the game launches on September 3, 2024. If you’re gearing up for the release of the game, check out our guide on the four positions in Quidditch and what role they play.

Every Fortnite v21.40 map change: Lazy Lagoon, Dragon Ball house, and Tilted Towers 2.0 Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 3 just released its fourth content update making a few notable changes to the map. Here’s every new location in Fortnite. The v21.40 update finally brought the Saiyans of Dragon Ball to Fortnite, and they have certainly made an impact already. From new cosmetics to in-game weapons, players have a lot to look forward to with this update. And in classic Fortnite fashion, the new content also includes a few notable map changes. In fact, there are three POIs that players can visit following the August 16 update. Lazy Lagoon returns The first new Fortnite POI is actually a returning fan favorite. Replacing the Daily Bugle, Lazy Lagoon’s pirate-themed cove is back for the first time since Chapter 1. It remains relatively similar to its former self, but with a few Reality Trees instead of the traditional palms. Kame House from Dragon Ball The iconic pink house sat on a lone island has made an appearance in Fortnite in light of the Dragon Ball crossover. Kame House is found on the eastern edge of the map beyond the ruins of the giant Foundation statue. Tilted Towers 2.0 Fortnite Season 3 started with Tilted Towers once again being left as a pile of rubble. But Epic Games promised it would return as soon as fans built their own versions on The Block 2.0. The community has voted and now new structures are in Tilted Towers bringing back life to the fan-favorite POI. There are also several minor changes to the map. The Reality Tree’s roots are spreading across the island, the lighthouse has some new visitors, and Bulma can be found as an NPC on the map. But if that’s not enough Dragon Ball content for your liking, make sure to check out how to watch Dragon Ball Super on the big screen in Fortnite.

Every Dragon’s Dogma 2 Augment: Vocation, cost, effects CapcomDragon’s Dogma 2’s Augments are incredibly useful passive abilities that play a major role in buildcrafting. We’ve got a complete list of every Augment in Dragon’s Dogma 2 and their most important details. If you want to get the most out of your Dragon’s Dogma 2 character, you’ll want to get your head around Augments. Each of the game’s ten vocations has its own set of Augments that afford them massive boosts in effectiveness. Like most things, Dragon’s Dogma 2 doesn’t outright explain this system in a whole lot of detail. It was fairly intuitive in our experience but there was some experimentation involved. For that reason, we’ve put together a quick guide on Augments in Dragon’s Dogma 2. This includes how they work and a list of every Augment in the game so you can plan your build accordingly. Contents: How to unlock – Archer – Fighter – Mage – Thief – Sorcerer – Warrior – Magick Archer – Mystic Spearhand – Trickster – Warfarer – How to unlock Augments in Dragon’s Dogma 2? Augments are unlocked fairly passively by ranking up a Vocation. This can be done by simply playing the game. Most Vocations in Dragon’s Dogma 2 have five Augments but the late-game Warfarer Vocation only has two. You can unlock and equip Augments to your Arisen and Main Pawn at the Vocation Guild or Inns. This is done by spending Discipline Points (Dcp). Once you have purchased an Augment, you can equip it to your character regardless of their current Vocation. For instance, you can equip an Augment from the Warrior that increases max health onto a Sorcerer to make them less squishy. With that in mind, below is a list of all of the Augments in the game, separated by Vocation. Take a look and use this to decide which Augments you want for your character.

Every Diablo game ranked Diablo is one of gaming’s premier loot chasing hack and slash franchises, but where does each game in the series rank when compared to each other? Diablo games have evolved over the years, going from a humble isometric dungeon crawler to a sprawling open world propped up by an array of live service features and MMO mechanics. The original story of a group of adventures delving into the depths of Hell to kill Diablo himself was simple and a bit terrifying. Since then, however, the Diablo series has become one of the biggest RPG franchises and its latest iteration, Diablo 4, is still going from strength to strength with a major expansion, Vessel of Hatred, due late in 2024. However, how do the Diablo games compare to each other? Well, as it’s Gamescom, we’ve decided to rank all the Diablo games to work out which is the most devilishly delightful. Diablo 1 It’s rare for the original of a franchise to be considered the worst, but with the Diablo series, this is a fair assessment. It’s not that Diablo 1 is bad, far from it, just that all the others have surpassed it in every way. The original game told the story of a cathedral infested with demons, resulting in three heroes entering to stem the tides from Hell. The adventurers delved deep into the cathedral’s catacombs and the caves beneath until, finally, they found the mouth of Hell itself. Players would need to periodically return to the town of Tristram to trade, rest, and chat with the frightened locals whose gossip told a haunting story of demonic possession, madness, and murder. The game set the scene for a series that would go on to become a mega-franchise, but sadly, Diablo 1 has aged rather poorly, which is probably why Blizzard hasn’t re-released or remastered it. However, the game did get an unofficial expansion called Diablo: Hellfire that introduced some new classes that were incorporated into the sequels. Diablo Immortal Diablo Immortal is a PC and mobile Diablo game that struggles to emerge from the shadow of its less-than-stellar first impression. You see, upon release, Diablo Immortal was accused of being a pay-to-win, microtransaction-filled bore fest. And while a lot of this was pile-on by the community, much of the criticism was fair. It also didn’t help that the game was revealed at BlizzCon instead of Diablo 4, causing fans to resent it from the moment it was announced. The good news is that there’s actually a great game hidden in Diablo Immortal and this has become apparent over time and as the developers adapt and apply feedback. As the game improves, some fans are softening on Immortal and are starting to discover that a little mobile Diablo isn’t a bad thing. While still far from perfect, Diablo Immortal is a nice companion to Diablo 4, and every fan owes it to themselves to give it a look. Diablo 3 (Reaper of Souls) Diablo 3 and its excellent expansion, Reaper of Souls, transitioned the series away from the oppressive grimdark of Diablo 1 and 2 and into something more colorful and vibrant. The game started leaning more into live service elements, a move that was – along with the new art style – considered controversial by some fans. However, even with these changes, Diablo 3 was a huge success and its (now remixed) seasonal content is still going strong alongside Diablo 4’s. In terms of story, Diablo 3 took place several years after Diablo’s defeat in the second game and saw the Lord of Terror return with a new nefarious plan to conquer not just Sanctuary but the High Heavens, with humanity serving as an unlikely savior to the previously aloof Angels. The protagonists are revealed to be Nephalem, a hybrid of Angels and Demons, and use their newfound powers to take the fight right back to the forces of Hell – as well as any hostile forces from Heaven. The game introduced a range of fresh new classes – such as the Witch Doctor, Monk, Demon Hunter, and Crusader – and some fun new features like companions and pets. It also expanded on Diablo 2’s five-act system, emphasizing multiplayer and endgame content more than before. As a launch title for the PS4 and Xbox One, Diablo 3 ultimately served to bring the series to a new audience. Diablo 4 Diablo 4 is a triumph and improves with every season. We’re also excited to play its Vessel of Hatred expansion and new Spiritborn class. The game finally offers a modern, current-gen version of Diablo and fully embraces the live service elements that have come to define many of Blizzard’s other top franchises. The game takes a fresh approach to storytelling with the world of Sanctuary still reeling from Diablo’s attack in the third game, as well as an even more brutal assault from the Angel of Death. Diablo himself is still defeated, but his brothers and the Lesser Evils are beginning to stir again. However, the creator of Sanctuary and Diablo’s niece, Lilith, returns to the world and offers to protect humanity from Diablo – if they’ll kneel to her instead. Diablo 4 abandons the cartoonish art style of Diablo 3 and Immortal and returns to a more grimdark vision of Sanctuary. The best part is that Blizzard has promised to release an annual story expansion, new character classes, and seasonal story expansions every few months, making Diablo 4 the biggest and boldest game in the series to date. However, it’s not the best. Diablo 2: Resurrected Diablo 2 and its sublime expansion, The Lord of Destruction, remains the most celebrated game in the Diablo series and served as a template for everything that came after. Even before its 2021 remaster, Diablo 2 was still hailed as the king of the franchise. Set directly after the events of Diablo 1, the Lord of Terror manages to possess the heroes that defeated him in the hellish bowels of the cathedral and escapes into the world, freeing his brothers and unleashing an army of demons against humanity. Luckily, a new band of heroes rises to meet him, racing against time to stop the demon king from achieving his ultimate victory. Diablo 2 expanded on the first game and completely opened it up, introducing several new character classes like the Barbarian and the Necromancer that have gone on to become legendary. It also took players on a globetrotting quest across Sanctuary exploring desert tombs, jungle temples, the High Heavens, and even the pits of Hell itself. While subsequent Diablo games have been bigger, more extravagant, and full to the brim with content, Diablo 2, especially in its Resurrected form remains the pinnacle of the series. Those who experienced it before Diablo 3 and 4 often hold it in very high regard, and its remake breathed new life into the classic, letting an entirely new generation of gamers experience this masterclass in RPG adventuring. Check out what we thought of various Diablo games in our reviews for Diablo 2: Resurrected, Diablo Immortal, and Diablo 4.

Every Disney Lorcana Starter Deck ranked: Strengths, weaknesses & value Disney/RavensburgerThe Disney Lorcana TCG is steadily growing in both popularity and availability so you might be wondering how best to jump in. Here is a list of every Disney Lorcana Starter deck ranked from worst to best. Disney Lorcana is currently in the midst of its fifth set now that Shimmering Skies has finally landed. The TCG has been growing steadily since its initial release and following the meta-shifting introductions of Rise of the Floodborn and Into the Inklands, there’s a healthy variety of competitive deck options. Of course, Lorcana is relatively new as far as TCGs go, and the enticing power of a Disney IP has many folks new to the hobby looking to pick it up. The best place to kick off any card game journey is with an aptly named Starter Deck and as of recently, there are 11 to pick from. To help you decide which one is best for you, we’ve compiled a list of every available Lorcana Starter Deck and ranked them from worst to best. There were a number of variables to consider and we’ve explained those below. Ranking the Disney Lorcana Starter Decks Deciding what makes a particular Lorcana Starter Deck better than another isn’t as straightforward as it sounds at first. More than power needs to be considered when beginning in a TCG. Of course, how each of these decks stacks up with one another on the tabletop is a factor in this particular ranking but there are other parameters we’ve used to judge them. Some Lorcana Starter Decks have valuable cards that will help you construct better decks down the line. This can save you money as you work towards more competitive play. There are also matters of taste, particularly in a game made for Disney fans who might like a more flavorful style of play. With all that considered, here is every Disney Lorcana Starter Deck ranked. 11. Into the Inklands Ruby/Sapphire – Plenty of Pluck Sorry to any Ducktales fans out there but the Plenty of Pluck Starter Deck is our pick for the bottom of the barrel. While the Ruby/Sapphire Ink combination crept into the Set 3 competitive formats meta and looks to be one of Set 4’s strongest contenders, not many of the cards in this deck saw play. Coupled with that, it’s also comparably weak against other Starter Decks in more limited settings. Comprised primarily of characters from Ducktales and Moana respectively, this Lorcana Deck often struggles to find its feet. If you manage to combine your Montunui Island Paradise Location with Reckless Questers like Maui Soaring Demigod, you can ramp your Inkwell, but there are few top-end threats to capitalize with. It also suffers from an unreliable primary card-draw engine that requires having Huey, Dewey, and Louie in play. Drawing all three and keeping them on the board takes insane luck. There are a few notable guaranteed pickups that don’t make this Lorcana Deck completely useless, however. Two copies of Dragon Fire from a dwindling Set 1 are a bonus and Maui’s Fish Hook is seeing inclusion in early drafts for Set 4 Ruby/Amethyst decks. Unfortunately, that’s about all this one has going for it. Better options for each Ink Color exist in other Starter Decks and they also have the added bonus of being more fun to play. 10. Ursula’s Return Amber/Amethyst – Madrigal Magic We desperately wanted to place this Lorcana Starter Deck higher on the list. There are some potentially useful cards in here for adding to existing decks but if you’re just starting out, you’ll want to build those first. Ariel Singing Mermaid comes to mind thanks to her Singer 7 ability allowing her to sing high-cost Songs and contribute a large chunk of the new Sing Together mechanic. Unfortunately, there’s only one of her. Julietta Madrigal also seems like it has some potential as a cheaper draw option than Rapunzel Gifted with Healing. Unfortunately, those are where the benefits of the Madrigal Magic Starter Deck end. Despite being in a well-known aggro color combo, it doesn’t offer the same speed and pressure that other Amber/Amethyst decks do, including the Set 1 Starter. It focuses on synergistic play between the Madrigal family but fails to include some of the best cards from the tribe. The absence of Bruno Madrigal Undetected Uncle and Alma Madrigal Family Matriarch is understandable but it hurts the deck on the tabletop. You could upgrade it of course but the Madrigals don’t look to threaten more reliable meta archetypes. If you’re a big fan of Encanto and you like the idea of running a flavourful deck for casual play, it could be for you. Unfortunately, it won’t compete well against other Lorcana Starter Decks, let alone anything that has been improved. 9. Rise of the Floodborn Amber/Sapphire – Tactical Teamwork This Lorcana Starter Deck has a fun theme that focuses on the synergistic play of Seven Dwarves characters. You get at least one of each and can play them up you ink curve, buffing each one of your others as they come into play. Against other Starter Decks, it can suffer with card draw and you may find yourself top decking if you’re unable to get its limited draw engine up and running. The centerpiece of this is your single copy of Hiram Flaversham Toymaker and two Judy Hops Optimistic Officers. Hiram can destroy an item on play and while questing to draw two cards, Judy does a similar thing on play but only draws one card. If you fail to find those two, you’re at the mercy of luck and can falter against other players who have more resources in hand. It is a very useful deck for players looking to play Sapphire in their deck, however. Hiram Flaversham is a staple in most decks and you’ll get three Pawpsicles which is almost a complete playset. On the Amber side, The Queen Regal Monarch is a valuable one-cost shift target for getting the five-cost The Queen Commanding Presence down on turn two and you’ll get both in this deck. Wins aren’t impossible with this particular Starter Deck and there is definite value here for players looking to play any combination of Sapphire deck. If a Song-focused Amber/Steel deck is more your speed, there are some possible additions here as well. 8. The First Chapter Sapphire/Steel – A Steadfast Strategy While Set 2’s Tactical Teamwork Starter Deck offers a portion of Sapphire’s draw engine, this one offers the cards you’ll need to ramp your Inkwell. It also happens to be a core part of its strategy. The First Chapter’s Sapphire/Steel Starter Deck is about boosting the amount of Ink you have in order to play imposing threats well before your opponent. Characters like Gramma Tala Storyteller and Mickey Mouse Detective net you some extra Ink early on so you can drop big hitters like Maui Demigod and Simba Fighting Prince. This deck includes some core cards for both Sapphire and Steel decks with removal options like Smash and Grab Your Swords, as well as One Jump Ahead and the previously mentioned cards for ramping. Even Hercules True Hero may become more valuable with a new archetype creeping into the Set 4 meta. The big drawback when playing this deck is its inconsistency. If you fail to draw your early-game ramp cards, you tend to suffer a pretty slow defeat. It’s often remarked that you can tell whether or not you’ll win the moment you see your opening hand. When everything goes right, playing this deck can be a tonne of fun but it’s unreliable at best and the worst performing of the Set 1 Starter Decks. Its real value is in some choice staples and your ability to build upon them. 7. Shimmering Skies Ruby/Amethyst – Ready to Let Loose Shimmering Skies’ Ruby/Amethyst Starter Deck leverages one of the most powerful Ink combinations in the game. The color pair has topped numerous major tournaments so you’d think this one might sit higher on the list. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t seem to know what type of strategy it wants to commit to. It has some control elements, Lore removal, and a Location-oriented style but it doesn’t focus on a single one meaning you end up with some confused hands that contain pieces of all three. Of these strategies, the Locations would be the most interesting if not for one glaring fault; there’s only one Location in the deck. The Library – A Gift for Belle is a fantastic Location to be fair. Its inclusion in the deck makes it worth grabbing as a potential alternative to Queen’s Castle. It makes for a reliable draw engine thanks to its effect, meaning Characters at The Library draw you a card if they’re banished. Doubly so if you’re willing to throw your Characters into the proverbial meat grinder. Outside of this, a card like Finders Keepers with its staggering three-card draw may find a place in some competitive decks. Glimmer vs Glimmer could also worm its way into Ruby’s removal suite. This Disney Lorcana Starter Deck can certainly pick up a win against the others but not as easily as those higher on the list. The potential meta movers will also be relatively cheap to get ahold of outside of it. 6. The First Chapter Emerald/Ruby – Daring and Deception From one Lorcana Set 1 Starter Deck into another. The Ruby/Emerald deck made it this high because of how effective it can be in formats limited to Starter Decks. While it’s one of the most difficult to play, it’s also the most rewarding. It relies on a lot of trickery to frustrate your opponent. Emerald cards like the Mad Hatter Gracious Host Quest for three lore and need to be dealt with but if your opponent Challenges him, you get to draw a card. Jasper Common Crook and Iago Loud-Mouthed Parrot stop your opponent from Questing themselves. It also features Ruby cards that specialize in removing lore from your opponents taking them further away from victory. Both colours give you Evasive characters like Pongo Ol’ Rascal and Peter Pan Never Landing which can only be Challenged by other Evasive characters which many Starter Decks lack. One or two of these on the board can win you the game. Where this deck can go against you is the inclusion of a lot of high-cost, uninkable cards that can sit in your hand for ages and slow you down. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting stuck at four Ink and having your options dwindle. It also doesn’t have too many staple cards for either color. At best, you have Actions like Mother Knows Best and Dragon Fire but those don’t always see play. Neither does the top-end threat Aladdin Heroic Outlaw now that other options have come along. This deck is fun to play and can clinch victories against other Starter Decks which is a great feeling when starting out. Just be prepared to hunt for the cards you really want when you start building your own deck. 5. Shimmering Skies Emerald/Steel – A Roaring Guest List Unlike its Ruby/Amethyst counterpart, this Shimmering Skies Starter Deck knows exactly what it wants to do. It’s laser-focused on dealing damage to opposing characters and giving you a number of benefits for doing so. For that reason, it fares far better in Starter Deck match-ups and its easy synergies do a lot to push it up the list. Actions like Tug of War and Food Fight help you get damage counters onto opponents and many of the deck’s Characters then take advantage. Scar – Vengeful Lion allows you to draw a card every time one of your Characters challenges a damaged Character and Ward keeps him protected long enough to generate a lot of value. Robin Hood – Sneaky Sleuth and Shenzi – Head Hyena serve to gain plenty of Lore for similar reasons. To top that off the deck has a number of Evaisive options that are always useful in Disney Lorcana’s Starter Deck play. Unfortunately, the deck’s archetype doesn’t look like it will make a good starting point for truly competitive play. You do get a near-full playset of Pete- Games Referee who we’ve tipped to be a monster in the tournament scene thanks to his ability to neutralize things like Be Prepared and Grab Your Sword. He is an Uncommon so you may save on booster packs if you just grab this off the shelves. Overall, Shimmering Skies’ Emerald/Steel Starter Deck is great for early games and learning to play, if you are looking to get more serious about Lorcana though, something higher on this list might be better. 4. Ursula’s Return Sapphire/Steel – Stand Together We’re in the perilous position of potentially placing this Lorcana Starter Deck too low, and too high in this ranking. The reason it’s come in as high as it has is because of the potential it has. The reason it’s not much higher is because that potential is unproven. As far as playing the deck, it can be a little unwieldy. It has some fantastic synergies designed to take advantage of all the Hero cards in the deck. Philoctetes No-Nonsense Instructor gives you one lore for every hero you play as well as Challenger +1. Ling Imperial Soldier gives each of your Heroes an extra point of Strength. With a number of Heroes peppered throughout the deck, many of which have their own synergies, everyone benefits. The problem is, the only card draw comes from an eight-cost, uninkable song that will leave multiple characters vulnerable thanks to the new Sing Together mechanic. Outside of its shoddy play, the incredible base this gives you to build a Sapphire/Steel heroes deck is incredible. Our own playtesting via playing Lorcana Online has proven it to be a potent combination thanks to the lore engine of both Anna Braving the Storm and Anna True-Hearted. This Lorcana Starter Deck is easily the better of the two Ursula’s Return Starter decks and may prove itself to be one of the better overall picks in the future. If you like Heroes and the possibility of tribal play, this one’s for you. 3. Into the Inklands Amber/Emerald – Dogged and Dynamic Lorcana’s Dogged and Dynamic Starter Deck distinguishes itself from its Ruby/Sapphire counterpart by having some useful inclusions and being easier to play. While hard removal can be a bit of an issue, there’s a lot of fun to be had in flooding the board with Dalmatian Puppies and turning everything sideways. The deck is packed with low-cost characters like Kida Atlantean, Wendy Darling Talented Sailor, and of course the Dalmatian Puppy cards. The idea is to overwhelm with board presence early and force your opponent to respond. It has some fantastic Actions on offer that have seen play in the meta. Draw options like Strike a Good Match and Hypnotize which also forces your opponent to discard are useful for Emerald Decks. You also get two copies of Kit Cloudkicker which has seen some play and a Robin Hood Daydreamer which can be a big closer with his four Lore. Unfortunately, the Locations in this deck are two of the worst available. It’s a bit of a shame since that was meant to be the big theme of this particular Lorcana set but it’s not a terrible drawback. Overall, this Lorcana Starter Deck is a fantastic choice for players who are keen on building up an Emerald deck. It also offers a good chance of picking up a win against other Starters. 2. Rise of the Floodborn Amethyst/Steel – Might and Magic It was a tough choice ranking this Lorcana Starter Deck above so many others because it is easily outplayed by nearly all of them. Its saving grace is in the suite of meta-defining cards that it offers to new players. What is known as the Merlin and Mim Bounce Package is an auto-include for nearly every top-performing Amethyst deck. The various Merlin cards offer advantages when they are played and when they leave play. Madam Mim’s cards require you to send another card to your hand when played. If you time these correctly, you can get the most benefit from cards like Merlin Goat who grants one free Lore when entering play. Simply send in a Madam Mim Fox which also has Rush to withdraw your Goat and play it again the next turn. The same applies to Merlin Rabbit who allows you to draw a card when he enters and leaves play. Unfortunately, this deck doesn’t include enough of this bounce package to play with any consistency and that Rabbit is the only draw you have. Tiana Celebrating Princess rewards you for having an empty hand but it doesn’t outweigh the frustration. It does offer choice removal pieces like Let the Storm Rage On and Benja Guardian of the Dragon Gem which are both staples for Steel decks. These and the Bounce Package for Amethyst more than make up for the losses you’ll likely have to eat in Starter Deck play. 1. The First Chapter Amber/Amethyst – The Heart of Magic This Lorcana Starter Deck has held the top spot since the game came out. The best among The First Chapter starters and every set since thanks to both ease of play and the fantastic cards you get for your collection. This Starter Deck will steamroll any of the others consistently thanks to its low-cost characters and your ability to go wide by flooding the board with them. The mantra is Quest early, Quest often and it just works. You get three copies of Friends on the Other Side which is Amethyst’s best draw tool allowing you to snag two cards from the top of your deck. Part of your World and Hades Lord of the Underworld allow you to return characters from your discard pile to your hand. All of this means you’re never out of options. You can face trouble with so many low-health characters as one Grab Your Swords can eliminate most of your board but it’s uncommon at best. Any cards clipped in a Challenge can be returned to your hand if you manage to get Dr. Facilier Agent Provocateur in play. Cards like Pascal Rapunzel’s Companion, Stitch New Dog, Maleficent Sorceress, and more all have their place in certain competitive decks. The only mistake you could make by starting your Lorcana Journey with this deck is not buying a second. Those are the current standings for the Disney Lorcana Starter Deck rankings but the game is a young one and more will come. We’ll be sure to update these rankings as new starter decks emerge and the meta shifts which could make previously maligned cards a better pickup.

Every desparked Planeswalker in MTG March of the Machine: The Aftermath With the tumultuous events of March of the Machine now firmly behind our heroes, who’s lost their Planeswalker spark in the aftermath of the war. Looking for all of the desparked Planewalkers in MTG March of the Machine: The Aftermath? We’ve got you covered with everything from what a Planeswalker’s spark actually is, how the game is being shaken up, and every card you need to know about. Elesh Norn is dead. The Phyrexians are in a state of slumber and New Phyrexia itself has been whisked away into the blind eternities. Every world that was touched by the vicious Phyrexian invasion has suffered, but it seems that the next set, March of the Machine Aftermath, is where the real fun begins. After being compleated by the Phyrexians, these legendary Planeswalkers became slaves to the villains, used in their machinations to help conquer the multiverse. Nissa and Ajani were the most shocking revelations, as they were cured of their infections. However, it appears that fan-favorite Nissa has lost their spark. All desparked Planeswalkers so far As of right now, here’s what we know from the leaks about desparked Planeswalkers: Calix, Guided by Fate Constellation – Whenever Calix, Guided by Fate or another enchantment enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. – Whenever Calix or an enchanted creature you control deals combat damage to a player, you may create a token that’s a copy of a nonlegendary enchantment you control. Do this only once each turn. – – Karn, Legacy Reforged Karn, Legacy Refroged’s power and toughness are each equal to the greatest mana value among artifacts you control. – At the beginning of your upkeep, add 1 colorless mana for each artifact you control. This mana can’t be spent to cast nonartifact spells. Until end of turn, you don’t lose this mana as steps and phases end. – – Kiora, Sovereign of the Deep Vigilance, ward 3 – Whenever you cast a kraken, leviathan, octopus or sepernt spell from your hand, look at the top X cards of your library, where X is the spell’s mana value. You may cast a spell with mana value less than X from among them without paying its mana cost. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. – – Nahiri, Forged in Fury Affinity for Equipment – Whenever an equipped creature you control attacks, exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn. You may cast Equipment spells this way without paying their mana costs. – – Narset, Enlightened Exile Creatures you control have prowess. – Whenever Narset, Enlightened Exile attacks, exile target noncreature, nonland card with mana value less than Narset’s power from a graveyard and copy it. You may cast the copy without paying its mana cost. – – Nissa, Resurgent Animist Landfall – Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, add one mana of any color. Then, if this is the second time this ability has resolved this turn, reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal an Elf or [unlegible] card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. – – Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin Flying, Trample – Whenever one or more opponents each lose exactly 1 life, put a +1/+1 counter on Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin. Exile the top card of your library. Until your next end step, you may play that card. – – Samut, Vizier of Naktamun First strike, vigilance, haste – Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, if that creature entered the battlefield this turn, draw a card. – – Sarkhan, Soul Aflame Dragon spells you cast cost 1 less to cast. – Whenever a dragon enters the battlefield under your control, you may have Sarkhan, Soul Aflame become a copy of it until end of turn, except its name is Sarkhan, Soul Aflame and it’s legendary in addition to its other types. – – Tyvar, the Bellicose Whenever one or more Elves you control attack, they gain deathtouch until end of turn. – Each creature you control has “Whenever a mana ability of this creature resolves, put a number of +1/+1 counters on it equal to the amount of mana this creature produced. This ability triggers only once each turn.” – – There are also new developments in the first story for The Aftermath. MTG’s stalwart hero, Teferi, and recently returned Koth, have both lost their sparks. It’s a quick mention in the latest piece of literature, but it’s now confirmed that while we might see Teferi return as a regular Legendary creature card again. Presumably, with the phasing in of Zhalfir and a potential set based around Dominaria’s militant area would need a recognizable face. There’s a good chance Teferi will be a focus sometime in the near future once again, just sparkless. What is a Planeswalker spark? A spark is a Planeswalker’s power source and allows them to travel the multiverse at will. Originally, a Planeswalker was more akin to a god, but this was fixed in what Magic: The Gathering dubs “The Great Mending”. Here, the god-like powers were stripped from future Planeswalkers as the entire multiverse was healed from the ravages of time. Now, March of the Machine: The Aftermath appears to be doing something similar. Rather than sacrificing these characters in aid of “fixing” worlds, classic Planeswalker characters are being reverted back to legendary creatures. This news comes from leaks spreading online, as someone has managed to get their hands on packs of Aftermath a month before it should launch. While we don’t know the full list of Planeswalkers being desparked, it’s safe to assume that characters like Teferi and Chandra won’t be losing their multiverse traveling abilities. There’s also Quintorius, the part-elephant (loxodon) student from Strixhaven, who activated his spark during a showdown at the school during March of the Machine and could be playing a larger part in the upcoming return to Ixalan set. Magic is shaking up classic Planeswalker cards From early art and descriptions of March of the Machine: The Aftermath, it appears Magic is going back towards its roots of a traveling band of heroes. How they get around is yet to be confirmed, but as the interdimensional tree, Realmbreaker, has yet to be accounted for properly within the lore, it’s possible that these ex-Planeswalkers will simply travel via its branches home. There’s also one card that indicates that this is wider reaching than anticipated, as a white card called “Spark Rupture” features multiple recognizable Planeswalker characters losing their sparks. However, we’ve two Planeswalkers also unaccounted for. Jace and Vraska, who are seemingly missing in action since the end of the war, weren’t un-compleated afterward. Whether they show up again has yet to be seen, but for Magic’s poster couple to not have some sort of massive part to play in future sets isn’t something that’s going to happen. When does March of the Machine: The Aftermath launch? March of the Machine Aftermath will launch May 12 and is a much smaller set than typical recent releases in MTG. It’s available for purchase via all good game stores. 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Every confirmed game for Xbox Series X and PS5 Future / XboxExcitement for the next generation of consoles is building as the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X gradually approaches. While the Xbox Series X and PS5 don’t have official release dates, they are slated for launch in the Holiday 2020 period, so can be expected some time in November-December of this year. By the time they launch, it will have been roughly seven years since the release of their predecessors. While new consoles are exciting, however, they’re only as good as the games that can be played on them. While we still don’t know all of the titles that will be available at launch for each, or released shortly after, developers have started to confirm both new releases for the next generation, and titles that will span both the new and current-gen. Here are the games that have been officially confirmed for the next generation of consoles from Sony and Microsoft. Confirmed games for Xbox Series X and PS5 The following games have been confirmed as releasing for the next generation of both consoles. Gothic Developers THQ Nordic have confirmed they’re remaking 2001 title Gothic for Xbox Series X and PS5. The game doesn’t yet have a release date. Rainbow Six Siege Ubisoft have confirmed that Rainbow Six Siege, which was released for the current generation of consoles in 2015, will be made available for PS5 and Xbox Series X. Outriders The next title coming from People Can Fly will be a co-op shooter, and is expected to release during the 2020 holiday season for the next generation of consoles. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Daedelic Entertainment’s upcoming Lord of the Rings game is expected to release in 2021 for PC and “all relevant console platforms at that time”, meaning that it should be available for Xbox Series X and PS5, which are releasing towards the end of 2020. Daedelic haven’t confirmed whether the game will also be available for the previous generation of consoles. Gods and Monsters An upcoming title from Ubisoft, Gods and Monsters was originally announced for the current generation consoles at E3 2019, but has since been delayed. Ubisoft have confirmed it will be available on PS5 and Xbox Series X, but no official release date has been revealed. Rainbow Six Quarantine Rainbow Six Quarantine is a spin-off from R6 Siege, set in a near-future world in which an alien parasite has been unleashed. Like Gods and Monsters, it doesn’t have an official release date but Ubisoft have confirmed it will be available on next-gen consoles. Watch Dogs: Legion The next instalment in the Watch Dogs franchise from Ubisoft will also be available for Xbox Series X and PS5. Ubisoft originally slated the game for a March 2020 release, but it has now been delayed into the 2020-2021 financial year, with no official launch date confirmed so far. Confirmed games for Xbox Series X only The following titles have only been confirmed for Xbox Series X. Halo Infinite The next addition to the Halo franchise has been confirmed for Xbox Series X as a launch title, arriving whenever the console itself does in the Holiday 2020 period. Cyberpunk 2077 The highly-anticipated new title from CD Projekt Red has been delayed to September 17, 2020, and will be released on the current generation of consoles initially. The developers have confirmed that the title will be available for Xbox Series X as well, and while it seems highly likely that it will also be released for PS5, this hasn’t yet been officially confirmed. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 The sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was announced at the Game Awards 2019 as an Xbox Series X title, although a release date hasn’t yet been confirmed. Confirmed games for PS5 only The following titles have only been confirmed for PS5. Godfall Godfall is an action RPG coming from Borderlands developer Gearbox. The title was announced at the Game Awards 2019, and is expected to release for PlayStation 5 and to the Epic Games store during the “Holiday 2020” period.

Every confirmed weapon for Monster Hunter Wilds CapcomMonster Hunter Wilds is getting closer every day and any hunter worth their salt will want to take a good look at the weapons coming to the game. So, these are all the weapons Capcom has confirmed so far. Hype for Monster Hunter Wilds is at a fever pitch following the latest gameplay trailer that aired during May’s State of Play. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Capcom has finally started to release more detailed footage which includes a look at the monsters and weapons. If you’re curious about what weapons have been confirmed already, we’ve got a complete rundown of them all right here. Monster Hunter Wilds: All confirmed weapons So far, Capcom has announced that the 14 iconic weapons from previous Monster Hunter entries are returning in Monster Hunter Wilds. The best part is that you can swiftly swap between any two of your choices thanks to the handy Seikret mount. With many potentially spicy combos on offer, it might be best to familiarise yourself with the weapons on offer. Below is a list of the 14 weapons we know will appear in Monster Hunter Wilds so far as well as some details on how they’ll play: Greatsword The Great Sword might just be the most recognizable weapon of the Monster Hunter franchise. Capcom certainly seems to think so because they gave it a big spotlight in the recent trailer. The Great Sword moves slowly but hits incredibly hard. It focuses on well-timed charged attacks and if you can line up your shots correctly for the True Charged Slash combo finisher, it can be one of the most satisfying weapons to use. Thanks to the new Focus Mode introduced in Monster Hunter Wilds, that may be easier than ever. It has a relatively low floor for skill in which you can still be effective but if you reach the ceiling, it’s easily one of the most powerful weapons in the franchise. To reach that threshold, you need to learn the movement and attack patterns of every Monster in the game so you can maximize your hits. The Great Sword should appeal to any Dark Souls fans looking to try their hand at Monster Hunter Wilds. Check out the Great Sword Weapon Overview to see just how true that is. Hammer The other hefty big boy weapon of the Monster Hunter Franchise. The Hammer rewards players who know how to find the Monster’s head with massive KO damage meaning your target will spend most of the hunt on its back being pummeled. It allows its own variant of charged attacks that also let you move around while charging at the cost of stamina. In Monster Hunter Wildes, the slinger allows you to pull yourself great distances and maintain your charge level. This lets you position yourself for the most damage potential. The Hammer has a number of spinning attacks with aerial and ground variants that are a ton of fun to pull off. With the addition of Focus Mode in Wilds, you’ll also be able to target specific weak points and quickly pummel monsters. Hammer users in Monster Hunter are a tight-knit community that revels in their glorification of “the bonk” and you can be part of it. You can see it in action in the Hammer Weapon Overview for Monster Hunter Wilds. Sword and Shield Sword and Shield is a great utility option in Monster Hunter that allows you to consume items without sheathing your weapon. That might not sound like a big deal but the increased mobility and extra agility this gives you is invaluable. Being able to block with the shield is also a solid defensive option that reduces your reliance on expertly timed dodges. Offensively, the Sword and Shield allows for some fast-paced attacks meaning it can deal solid elemental damage or proc status effects like Poison or Paralysis quite easily. It’s a little under-appreciated in the wider community but perhaps the new inclusions to this weapons toolkit in Monster Hunter Wilds will garner it some more affection. A new perfect block and follow-up counterattack shown off in the latest Sword and Shield Weapon Overview might finally push it up the ranks. Longsword The Longsword is an elegant weapon that turns every hunt into a dance. While it may not be able to guard in any capacity, it has a suite of dodges and parries that reward perfect timing with big damage. As you attack with the Longsword, you fill the spirit meter which increases the damage of your basic attacks. With a maxed-out meter, delivering a counter or the stylish Spirit Helm Breaker finishing move can be devastating. Longsword got a lot of love in Monster Hunter World and it looks to carry many of these updates over into Monster Hunter Wilds in the brief footage shown in the Longsword Weapon Overview. If you’re looking to collect tails, you can’t go wrong with this one. Dual Blades The DPS king(s) of the Monster Hunter franchise. The Dual Blades offer swift attacks that can easily take advantage of a Monster’s elemental weakness. Attacking builds up a meter that allows you to shift to the powerful Demon Mode and if running around like Naruto doesn’t appeal to you, the extra combos and damage you get in this mode should. The Heavenly Dance finisher will turn you into a living Beyblade that shreds through a Monster from tip to tail. If you like to have a stylish collection of weapons for every situation and fancy yourself a bit of Levi from Attack on Titan, you might just be a Dual Blades user. Switch Axe Switch Axe makes a pretty good claim for the most stylish weapon in Monster Hunter. Starting off in Axe Mode, you attack while waiting for your Phial meter to build up to switch into the more powerful Sword Mode mid-combo. Attacks in Sword Mode drain your Phial meter and if you get below a certain threshold, transforming into Axe Mode locks you into a long animation leaving you vulnerable. Once you get a handle on the timing, you can effortlessly switch back and forth and look insanely cool while doing it. You can select between different Switch Axes with Impact Phials for raw damage or Power Element Phials for different effects. The Zero Sum Discharge finisher lets you unload explosive Phials into a Monster for a devastating final blow. Called the Swag Axe by Monster Hunter fans, we’re sure that its Monster Hunter Wilds variant will live up to the title. The impactful new combos and counter mechanics shown off in the Switch Axe Weapon Overview only make us more certain of that. Charge Blade We’ve been dreading summarizing this Monster Hunter weapon because all the memes about how difficult it is to break down are true. Like the Switch Axe, the Charge Blade also has two forms; a faster-paced sword and shield combo and a powerful but slow great axe. Charge Blades also have Phials that will gradually fill as you attack and if you overfill them, your attacks will bounce off Monsters with no effect. You can load the Phials into your shield to increase its effectiveness and stop the drawbacks. The shield also serves as the blade when you morph the weapon into its Axe Mode and having a fully charged shield gives you access to its finisher. The Super Amped Elemental Discharge is a combo finisher that will deal massive raw or elemental damage depending on which Charge Blade you’re using. We haven’t even scratched the surface of what the Charge Blade has to offer and judging by its Weapon Overview for Monster Hunter Wilds, we’ve probably left even more out. If you like watching 50-minute YouTube tutorials, you’re going to love this weapon. Lance Another Monster Hunter weapon that has a shield as part of the deal. The Lance is the ultimate tank weapon and its massive shield will absorb most hits. If you upgrade appropriately, it will absorb all of them. Lance excels at drawing aggro by getting in the Monster’s face and poking it with chip damage until it gives up. Weirdly enough, thanks to its charge move, it’s also one of the most mobile weapons in the games. Lance users may be few but they are always appreciated in multiplayer hunts because they allow other players plenty of time to get their flashy finishers off. If you have an inclination for praise, craft a Lance. Gunlance Same as above but with a gun in it. We kid, there’s actually a lot that separates the Gunlance from the Lance in Monster Hunter but a lot of that does come down to the gun. It does boast similar defensive capabilities to the Lance but the Gunlance ups the offence by being able to fire Shells at a Monster. These deal True Damage that ignores a Monster’s toughness for consistent damage across the board. Depending on the variant of Gunlance you are using, this shelling attack can be longer ranged or deal spread damage like a shotgun. You can also fire off a stick charge that will explode after a certain amount of time. In Monster Hunter Wilds, the Gunlance can utilize Focus Mode and a new drilling attack to deal focused damage to a single point. It also looks like it’ll be easier to plant Wyvern Stakes in unsuspecting monsters based on footage from the Gunlance Weapon Overview. Hunting Horn Imagine Monster Hunter’s Hammer but you can also play a groovy tune. The Hunting Horn deals serviceable KO damage but you can also use it to play songs that buff yourself and your team. Performing certain combos gives you new notes to play and combining the right notes can buff your damage output, defense, and more. Certain offensive additions in Monster Hunter Rise changed its playstyle completely and it looks like Monster Hunter Wilds is retaining some of that aggressive spirit. The Hunting Horn Weapon Overview showed off some new AOE and ranged attacks that look to ramp up its offensive output. This is also the only support weapon in Monster Hunter so if that’s your jam, this is your weapon. Insect Glaive The Insect Glaive is an agile weapon that offers some of the best aerial attacking in the franchise. Not only that, you also get a pet. The Kinsect is as much a part of this weapon as the glaive itself. This little companion can be aimed at certain monster parts which give you various buffs. If you combine all the buffs you maximize your combat effectiveness. If the footage shown off in the Insect Glaive Weapon Overview is anything to go off, Focus Mode will play a big part in ensuring you get the buffs you need will be super easy in Monster Hunter Wilds. As you upgrade the Insect Glaive, you’ll have a separate upgrade tree for your Kinsect that changes its buffs, allows it to heal you, or inflicts poison damage. There are a plethora of build options for this reason alone. The Insect Glaive should speak to the inner Pokemon fan in you thanks to the ability to bond with a six-legged buddy. Bow The bow is a faster, ranged weapon that allows you to target monster weaknesses by coating your arrows with elemental damage types. Different bows allow for different coatings so you’ll always want to have a few to pick from. You can maximize your damage output by charging your shots and keeping within the optimal range. You can even maintain your charge by dodging at the right time. This turns the weapon use into an agile dance before you fire off a powerful Dragon Piercer finishing attack. As a ranged weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds, the Bow should be able to take advantage of the new Focus Mode mechanic to target weak spots with greater precision. If you’re not keen to get too close to a Monster, you can’t go wrong with a Bow. Light Bowgun Want to turn Monster Hunter into Call of Duty? The Light Bowgun lets you bring an SMG to a swordfight. This ranged weapon boasts an impressive fire rate that makes it perfect for dealing elemental damage and proccing status effects. There are a bunch of different ammo types that you’ll need to craft but they can change the type of damage that the Light Bowgun deals and even whether it inflicts status ailments. It offers support ammunition types that let you buff and heal your friends by shooting them. Part of the fun of the Light Bowgun is that you can customize it with modifications to the barrel, scope, and certain other parts. New magazine attachments that enable faster firing were a centerpiece of its Weapon Overview for the upcoming title. It’s definitely a fun way to turn Monster Hunter Wilds into a third-person shooter. Heavy Bowgun We don’t want to tell the same joke twice but we’re sure you get it. The Heavy Bowgun is a slower, more powerful ranged weapon than its smaller counterpart. Like the Light Bowgun, the heavy Bowgun has access to a range of different ammo types that make it a multipurpose tool of destruction. However, It boasts a much longer range which keeps you safe from attacks. There’s also a list of modifications you can make to the weapon including a shield to guard against attacks and two different mods that unlock special moves. The Wyvern Snipe mod gives you access to a powerful single shot where as Wyvern Heart gives you a sustained burst fire attack. Based on the Heavy Bowgun Weapon Overview, if you prefer a rifle to an SMG, this is the ranged weapon for you in Monster Hunter Wilds. Those are all the weapons that have been revealed for Monster Hunter Wilds so far. If you’re jumping into Monster Hunter Now to keep busy until Wilds releases, be sure to check out our codes page, and the current event schedule.

Every Compleated Planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering Nestor Ossandon LealThe Compleated Planeswalkers for MTG are completely devasting for a lot of fans. Major characters have now fallen to Phyrexia. Who could be next? With All Will Be One now fully in the can, and the build-up to March of the Machines on the way, let’s break down who has been compleated from the legion of superfriends known as Planeswalkers. However, the body horror massacre of Magic’s heroes has been a little muted. Almost all of the designs are grotesque enough to really solidify what’s happening in the story, but the way they’re happening is a little bit of a letdown. We don’t know who will be next, but if Jace and Nissa have succumbed to the evil oil, then there’s no hope for the future, right? Contents What is compleation? Compleation is the Phyrexian conversion. Think the Borg, but with more oil and surgery. By infecting things, people, or animals by dumping Phyrexian oil, they eventually turn into robot mutants with an undying loyalty to Phyreixa. The problem for the villains over on Phyrexia, was that they couldn’t convert a Planeswalker without destroying their spark. A spark is what makes a Planeswalker. Without it, they can’t cross the multiverse, something the infectious Phyrexians want more than anything. In Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, the villain Jin-Gitaxias successfully converted planeswalker Tamiyo. Eventually, longtime hero Ajaani was also compleated. Other compleat Planeswalkers But these aren’t the first to be captured and altered by Phyrexia. Planeswalker Vesner died a long time ago but appears in the new cards as Venser, Corpse Puppet. Obviously a shell of his former self with no spark. There’s also Tezzeret, a reoccurring villain who is always on the shady side of things. While he looks compleated, he’s actually just sneaky enough to be working for the Phyrexians. Unless in March of the Machines, he’s finally caught. Compleated Planeswalkers As spoiler season sneaks up on us, and the stories have almost all been released, let’s see who is compleated. If you didn’t follow on from Dominaria United, it got much worse. Ajani Converted sometime during or before Dominaria United. Is now fighting on the front lines for Phyrexia. – – Jace As he tried to put his love, Varaska, at ease during her infection, he failed to notice that she had already succumbed to the Phyrexian control. She stabbed and infected him there and then. – – Lukka Affectionally dunked on by the MTG community, his headstrong nature lead him to ‘bonding’ with one of the creatures of Phyrexia. Terrible mistake and woefully predicted too. He eventually become one and now has a gross brain tube. – – Nahiri While she tried to fight it off, she eventually used her powers to crumble the overrun colosseum the team was in to sacrifice herself before turning. – – Nissa Done away from the audience’s eye, the queen of trees has been totally compleated and is now fighting for the enemy. – – Tamiyo Done during the aftermath of Neon Dynasty. Tamiyo’s rescue mission of The Wanderer and the Reality Chip might have partially succeeded, but she was kidnapped by Jin and compleated in the chaos. – – Tibalt No one is entirely sure why Tibalt was taken. His hair-brained schemes have never properly succeeded and now he’s fighting for Phyrexia. – – Vraska Landed on Phyrexia alone and was infected not long after. She stabbed Jace with her new scorpion tail and infected him too. – –

Every boss in Armored Core 6 FromSoftware/Bandai NamcoArmored Core 6 is finally available and players are busy exploring everything that the game has to offer. Here is a guide to every boss that you will find within the game. Armored Core 6 has hit the ground running and the boss fights are beyond exceptional. The game has showcased a side of mecha games that nobody has ever seen. In fact, a lot of players are claiming it as the best mecha game ever made. As such, one of the key aspects of this game is the boss fights, and they are exceptional, to say the least. A list of all the bosses that you will come across in this game has been provided in the following section. List of all bosses in Armored Core 6 A list of all the bosses that you will find in Armored Core 6 has been provided below: AH12 HC Helicopter – HA-T-102 Juggernaut – AA P07 Balteus – EC-0804 Smart Cleaner – AA-602 CATAPHRACT – IA-02: Ice Worm – AA P03 Enforcer – IB-01: CEL 240 – IB-C03: HAL 826 – IB-07: SOL 644 – Eliminate V.III – Each of these bosses is a challenge of their own and you will need to get a grasp of the game’s mechanics to beat them. In fact, the first boss, AH12 HC Helicopter is the tutorial boss and players are having a hard time beating that as well. Hence, your patience and your ability to learn and make split-second decisions will be put to the test in this game. It will all come down to how calm you can be instead of losing your temper after failing a boss multiple times. One of the key things to remember here is that Armored Core 6 has changed a lot compared to its predecessors. This game has elements from Elden Ring and some of the popular Souls titles by FromSoftware alongside the fundamentals of Armored Core. This concludes our list of all the bosses in Armored Core 6. If you found it informative, do not forget to check our other guides for the game at Dexerto. Is the Moonlight Greatsword in Armored Core 6? | PC requirements | Is Armored Core 6 open world? | Does Armored Core 6 have multiplayer? | Armored Core 6 pre-order bonus & edition differences | Does Armored Core 6 have crossplay? | How to Stagger enemies with Impact meter | Does Armored Core 6 have photo mode? | Armored Core 6: How many missions are there? | Armored Core 6: How to get OTS chips upgrades

Every character in Disney Lorcana Disney/RavensburgerLooking for every character in Disney Lorcana? Look no further as we’ve assembled all of the iconic characters set to debut in the TCG’s first ever set. The upcoming trading card game, Disney Lorcana, is set to be released very soon. Featuring characters from Disney’s rich history, Lorcana is aiming to bring the fun found in its competitors, like Pokemon and Magic to a new audience. While Magic: The Gathering might have its plethora of heroes, and Pokemon with its numerous variations on the critters, Disney Lorcana has a mouse-shaped ace up its sleeve. The first set launches August 18 in the US, and September in the UK. We’ve rounded up all of the familiar faces you can expect to see when the game drops below. Every character revealed for Disney Lorcana As of right now, a lot of the characters in The First Chapter set will be repeated across the game in different forms. For instance, Ariel appears as a mermaid and human. The roster looks a little thin on the other properties Disney owns, but depending on its success, this should start to incorporate just about everyone at some point. Are Star Wars and Marvel characters coming to Lorcana? There are no Star Wars or Marvel characters in the first set, and we don’t expect they’ll show up for some time into its lifespan.

Every ACE SPEC card in Pokemon TCG Twilight Masquerade The Pokemon CompanyIf you ever end up in a tough Pokemon TCG match-up, one great way to turn the tides of battle is to pull out an ACE SPEC card. These cards are incredibly powerful with game-changing effects – and the latest Pokemon TCG expansion set, Twilight Masquerade, has plenty of new additions. Some of the Twilight Masquerade ACE SPEC cards are equivalents to cards from the recent Japanese Mask of Change expansion set, and others come from much older sets like the Megalo Cannon expansion set from the Black & White era. Here, we’ve gathered every ACE SPEC in Twilight Masquerade and summarized what you need to know about them to help with your deck-building. The set isn’t out at the time of writing but check back on release day – we’ll be sure to update this article with pricing and any further information. Contents Unfair Stamp (165/167) Originating from the Japanese set Crimson Haze, Unfair Stamp is one of the most powerful ACE SPEC cards in the game. It has a niche requirement in order to work – your opponent must have just Knocked Out a Pokemon – but it can turn a tricky battle around if you time it well. When Unfair Stamp is played, both players shuffle their hands into their deck. You then get to draw 5 cards, while your opponent can only draw 2. As the name suggests, this can feel quite unfair if you’re the one with 2 cards as it’s clearly a card meant for the later stages of a match. This is a great card to have in your hand if you’re playing against a deck with a lot of set-up, like most Dialga Origin Forme VSTAR decks for example. Decks that take a few turns to get going can be stopped in their tracks with a card like this one. Currently, resale platforms are pricing this gem in the realms of $50 – making it one of the most valuable ACE SPEC cards in Twilight Masquerade. Secret Box (163/167) If you’re playing a fast-paced deck like a typical Charizard ex deck, you’ll want to get your hands on the Secret Box card as quickly as possible. It’s a very new card, originating in the Mask of Change set, and it allows for quick card movement. To play this card, you must discard 3 from your hand. Once this requirement has been met, you can search your deck for an Item, a Pokemon Tool, a Supporter, and a Stadium. These can be added to your hand, with the final requirement being that you shuffle your deck. If you’re looking for quick ways to evolve your Pokemon or get your hands on essential Items, this ACE SPEC could secure an easy win. It’s incredibly powerful and holds a lot of potential for some creative deck-building, so keep an eye out for it. Hyper Aroma (152/167) Some ACE SPEC cards have mild punishments or tricky requirements included in their text, like having to discard cards or have a Knocked Out Pokemon to use them. This card, however, is just an easy-going boost to any deck that requires evolved Pokemon. Hyper Aroma allows you to search for up to 3 Stage 1 Pokemon and put them into your hand, requiring you to shuffle your deck afterward. It’s simple yet effective. If you play a Chien-Pao ex deck where you need to get Baxcalibur up as quickly as possible, for example, having this card is a great way to speed the process up and get your set-up sorted before your opponent can stop you. Survival Brace (164/167) Playing against a deck that could potentially Knock Out your Pokemon in one go? You need the Survival Brace ACE SPEC card. This prevents One Hit Knock Outs, which can be a useful counter for decks with heavy Attacks. If you attach this to your Active Pokemon with full HP and it would have been Knocked Out in one shot during this, it survives the hit with 10 HP. The card must be discarded afterward, but it’s an exceptionally powerful ACE SPEC that counters some heavy hitters in the current meta like Charizard ex. Scoop Up Cyclone (162/167) The Scoop Up Cyclone ACE SPEC has been around since the Black & White era of the Pokemon TCG, but that doesn’t mean it’s uninteresting. This card offers a lot of utility that can be particularly useful for saving an Active Pokemon in a risky spot. When used, Scoop Up Cyclone allows you to grab one of your Pokemon and all the attached cards (Energy, Items, etc.) and put it back into your hand. This acts as a reset of sorts, allowing you to backpedal and regain your footing if you’ve ended up in a tricky spot. Legacy Energy (167/167) Legacy Energy is a powerful ACE SPEC that could also end up being a collector’s piece down the line. ACE SPEC cards are usually visually striking to a degree but this one could hold some true resale value thanks to the unique artwork and holo style, so sleeve it and keep it safe if you end up pulling it. When Legacy Energy is attached to a Pokemon, it gives that Pokemon every type of Energy but only one at a time. If the ‘mon is Knocked Out by an Attack from your opponent, the opponent has to take 1 fewer Prize Card. This can only happen once per turn. ACE SPEC cards are rare and valuable, but they hold immense value for players, too. It’s going to be fascinating to see how these cards end up changing the competitive scene when Twilight Masquerade hits the market and whether they end up making the cut in popular deck lists, too. For now, why not check out our list of 10 cards to watch from Twilight Masquerade? This expansion set is looking like it could be one of the biggest this year, with plenty of chase cards and potentially game-changing Pokemon.

Evercore Heroes: Ex-Riot devs deliver a mix of League and Destiny 2 Vela GamesEvercore Heroes is the first title from Vela Games, a team made up of industry veterans. It mixes PvP and PvE, and could be a sleeper hit based on our recent demo. Vela Games, a new studio based in Ireland, is formed of alumni from the likes of Riot Games, Epic, EA, and more, and the team’s first game, Evercore Heroes, certainly carries some MOBA DNA from League of Legends right down to the UI and character designs. While we’re yet to go hands-on, the game’s playtesting period will run from October 13 – 16. Players can sign up at the game’s official website and join a Discord server. “Our goal has always been to make the game players really want, even if it means breaking the mold,” Vela Games CEO and Co-Founder Travis George explained in our press briefing. “With EVERCORE Heroes, we are building a unique multiplayer experience that brings together skill-based co-op and competitive play in a fresh new way. And after over two years of great feedback from early testing, we’re ecstatic to finally share the game with the world.” Evercore Heroes takes place in a world that offers distinct regions, from cyberpunk-style cities to frosted mountains and rich jungles. It’s definitely got shades of League of Legends’ Runeterra setting, but rather than a strictly PvP title, Evercore Heroes is a PvPvE title that encourages cooperation and competitive play in equal measure. Four teams play in each match and work to gain power to defeat a huge, region-specific boss. In our gameplay demo, we saw a giant frost monster of sorts, and each boss will offer a specific mechanic. Players work to slay mobs and charge their Evercore in a way that feels like League of Legends’ combat within Destiny 2’s Gambit mode as the closest analogy, building synergies between the cast of eight playable heroes to slay enemies more quickly than your opponents. Once you do tackle the boss, it plays out like an MMO dungeon, with attack indicators that promote staying mobile. Dodging attacks, while leaning on support, tank, and DPS character archetypes in a frantic battle to the finish is sure to have players min/maxing builds and team compositions for months. And in the end, much Evercore Heroes’ success will come down to how well it’s supported by its devs as much as its community. Still, I’m excited to see how it grows over time.

Evercore Heroes will make League of Legends players take notice as it enters beta Evercore Heroes is the debut title from Vela Games, a studio founded by Riot Games alumni. Trying to muscle in on the top-down hero arena space is a mighty task on your first try, but does the game’s unique take on the genre help it stand out? Trying to break into the MOBA space in 2023 is a tough ask. While we’ve seen some recent success from Pokemon Unite, on PC, any new challenger is going to find itself going up against two behemoths in League of Legends and Dota 2. Their presence in the space has been all-encompassing thus far, suffocating all previous challengers of air. That’s the unenviable position that Evercore Heroes finds itself in. However, the game, which is being put together by many ex-Rioters, has an interesting gambit. It’s decided not to actually be a MOBA. Or, at least, kind of. If you look at an image of Evercore Heroes, it sure will look like a MOBA. If you touch Evercore Heroes, it sure will feel like a MOBA too. However, the title doesn’t play anything like a MOBA, at least in the macro. Travis “Volibar” George, who is co-founder and CEO of Vela Games said to us during a presentation, “it’s not PvP”. And it’s not – though it is still competitive. Throughout a match, you’re not fighting other players, trying to use your abilities to tear apart and gank opponents. That said, you are still competing against other teams. What is Evercore Heroes? I realize none of this is painting a particularly great picture for you. Let me explain: Evercore Heroes is a competitive PvE game. The game will task four teams of four with running around one of the title’s maps and completing various objectives and killing AI enemies. This will help your team net points which help when you charge your Evercore. This becomes important as the game progresses, as, after a few minutes, the game will call all players to the middle of the map to defend their Evercore from an onslaught of enemies. During this phase, insurmountable waves of enemies will begin spawning and attacking your Evercore. If you’ve ever seen the end of a game of League or Dota 2, where your base is getting overrun with powerful mobs, it’s pretty much like that. However, the teams who have prepared the best will have the most health on their core. You try to hold off the enemies as long as possible, but if your core reaches zero, you and your team are out. If you survive though, you return to your business of killing enemies in the world and performing various tasks against other teams. This knockout will happen again, but once only two teams remain, the game will change. Depending on what map you are on, the final encounter will be different. In the game where I won, we had to face off against an enormous troll in a multi-tiered battle. Think fighting Roshan from Dota 2, if he had an enormous lair as well as many different complex moves, and mechanics. That should give you an idea of how this plays. In the end, we had a massive comeback win, and in those moments, I could begin to see the promise of what Evercore offers. Welcome to the jungle Evercore is all of the PvE elements in a classic MOBA, but blown up and expanded upon to be the core focus. The heroes, of which there are currently 16, are all designed to be about destroying, corralling, and surviving mobs and bosses rather than players. This means that their powers can be blown out a little bigger, a little more powerful, and even, a little more unfair. It’s hard to say where exactly Evercore will land ultimately, as it’s something unique. That from a developer on its first time out is commendable. It’s more approachable than its spiritual cousins as you don’t battle directly with opposing players, making it hard to know if this concept can make a dent into this space, or if it can even transcend outside of the MOBA realm. What I can say is that there’s something here. I had fun in the three or so games I played, and there was a sense that something awesome could be mined out of this slab of marble. It’s still early days for the game, but I can see a world where this team hones what makes this experience great, finding itself a strong audience in the process. Evercore Closed Beta If you’re curious to try Evercore Heroes, the game will be running in Closed beta on PC from June 20. You need to buy one of the Founders packs from the game’s website (from $19.99/€19.99 to $79.99/€79.99 depending on which version you get), but when the title finally goes live, your progress and purchases will carry over. You will also get keys to share with friends in the packs, so you won’t have to go it alone. If you’re curious and want to try something that feels like a MOBA but with a brand new spin, I say give it a shot. There’s a lot of room for Evercore to grow here, and I hope it does find its footing. It’s rare to see unique spins like this, and that, mixed with the strong execution make for something that should be on your radar.

EVE: War for New Eden adapts complex MMO into uniquely grand board game Of all the MMOs, few are as storied or epic in scale as EVE Online. Now, an exciting board game adaptation is closing out a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, with a view to a full release in the last quarter of 2024. On the face of it, playing EVE in any medium other than the existing video game may seem like a fool’s errand. EVE Online is absolutely enormous, allowing players to travel across a vast universe, trading, exploring and fighting as they go. That said, the idea of a board game adaptation is a compelling one and an upcoming collaboration between CCP Games and Titan Forge, a miniature sculpting studio, is aiming to make that a reality. The Kickstarter campaign for EVE: War for New Eden has drawn in over $500,000 from more than 2600 backers, promising an exciting blend of key gameplay elements, highly detailed miniatures and an impressively deep management system. Bring the EVE Online board game to new and existing players At first glance, and in spite of some impressive explainers, it can be a little difficult to get your head around the game. Thankfully, Kuba Sawka, Designer at Titan Forge Games, actually makes the whole prospect seem remarkably intuitive. “In the EVE Online board game, players will explore uncharted cosmos searching for valuable resources, spend these resources to deploy diverse fleets of spaceships, and command these spaceships into spectacular interstellar battles,” Sawka told Dexerto. “Board gaming fans can expect a modern take on the classic 4x strategy genre – streamlined into 2 hours of playtime, quick-paced with minimal downtime between turns, and with a focus on interaction between players. EVE Online fans will recognize their video game experiences in every aspect of the board game. They will surely enjoy the miniatures of over 40 distinctive popular spaceships and the stunning visuals created by Bryan Ward, the renowned EVE community artist.” This two-pronged approach is critical to the game’s formula. There’s no doubt that a large percentage of its potential audience are existing EVE players and providing a recognizable experience is crucial. A large part of that will be the miniatures, but the mechanics underneath have to reflect that aim as well. EVE: War for New Eden has to prioritize the game’s most enthralling elements This article talks a lot about scale, but there is a good reason for that. It’s a huge part of what makes EVE as captivating as it is. The development team is acutely aware of that and inevitably has to prioritize certain areas in the game’s overall design. “Our development priority was eradicating the common sins found in 4X space exploration games. Instead of a single game stretching over two days, you can finish this one in two hours. There is no waiting idly for your turn, as each player performs just one quick action, moving clockwise. Finally, the game promotes interaction, going out there and taking risks instead of passively bunkering down in base camp. There are also a couple of key elements of EVE that we really wanted to bring to the game. The wide range of spaceship models makes the game uniquely diverse in terms of the number of playstyles that can be employed. The complete freedom of faction development reflects how in EVE Online the players can choose from endless skill options for their pilots. Finally, realizing that EVE relies on immense combat and economy and that its players love and expect to engage in it was a huge pointer in our design.” Rule the galaxy in EVE: War for New Eden All of the above said, there are inevitable concessions in this adaptation. A 1:1 translation of the video game is impossible for a multitude of reasons. As a result, the team working on the game took a number of decisions early to get ahead of the curve. Chief among these is the change of perspective. “In order to convey the massive scale of EVE universe we have had to change the perspective from which the game is played. The decision was made very early on, that despite EVE Online being played from the perspective of a single pilot, the board game would need to portray New Eden from the perspective of a global faction. This way, the players can control large portions of the map, manage advanced economies, and command entire formidable fleets.” Putting the player in charge of an entire faction, rather than an individual pilot feels like a bit of a masterstroke at this early stage. In lieu of being able to directly translate the scale of EVE Online, performing grander machinations feels like a fair trade-off. War, war and more war in a brutal setting So what about the nitty gritty? Well, the developer seems to have kept the systems behind combat in the board game relatively simple. Players are able to accrue vast fleets to play out their grandest machinations, with variety and sound tactics the order of the day. “Designing a combat system that will feel familiar to EVE Online players was quite a challenge and we have tested it relentlessly from multiple angles until it finally clicked. Warfare in EVE is not about who brings the biggest gun. A large ship trying to eviscerate a small one would have a hard time locking in on a target that can fly in circles around it all day. On the other hand, a small ship is not likely to penetrate the ironclad defenses of a large vessel. We have been able to capture this feeling by designing a system that uses different types of dice depending on the ship category. Spectacular battles are also not concluded simply by who brings in the most ships. Using a proper formation and the special abilities of the ships can turn any battle around. In the board game, the ships are engaging in combat on three orbits simultaneously, so the players have to choose how they arrange their fleet, which ships will lead the fight, and which will be there just for support. The combat mechanics are simple, yet extremely engaging. We did not want the beautiful models to be mere pawns or a single roll to decide a long-awaited confrontation. There is a wargame within the board game here that portrays the immense combat of EVE Online.” Make a small fortune in outer space It’s not all about fighting everyone else for ultimate supremacy. Anyone who has spent any time in EVE Online will know that its complex economy plays a huge role. Grand heists to secure or destroy the most valuable ships in the game have lost or made players the equivalent of tens of thousands of real-world dollars. The team behind the game is very aware of that. “The economy in EVE Online is complex and player-driven, there are academic papers written about it. Our goal was to condense it into a system in which players both recognize the resources they use and their application from the video game. The resources are spent not only to deploy ships and structures. You can manufacture other assets with them, exchange them for research, helpful assets, and even victory points. The economy is intuitively accessible thanks to the separation of accessories used for tracking each kind of resource. The main currency, ISK is traced conveniently on the faction panel, minerals are represented by cards, and the rare resources come as tokens.” Galactic domination does not come easily in EVE There is still one big obstacle that the makers behind the board game need to overcome. As with any MMO, there is no real way to win EVE Online. Sure, you can become the most powerful or wealthy figurehead in the game, but there is always the risk that some upstart will arrive one day and take it all away. There is no world in which this would serve as a satisfying system in the board game. Most players will meet up for individual play sessions, and the idea of a never-ending game that people have to repeatedly return to doesn’t sound super appealing. Games like Dungeons & Dragons exist for that purpose, and a system like that just doesn’t mesh with everything we know about War for New Eden so far. Thankfully, the development team has laid out clear paths to victory that place a notable twist into proceedings. “Of course, a board game needs an ending, a culmination. In EVE, players earn Victory Points, but there is a twist to it. The first player to earn 10 points reaches the Verge of Ascendancy which stops everything in its tracks and commences the final round of the game. At this point, players often compare their scores, look for opportunities to claim victory for themselves, and seek allies who, perhaps due to past actions of the current frontrunner, may want to retaliate or plot to seize the game in their own way. The person with the most points at the end of the final round becomes the winner, but it is not uncommon for the person who reaches the Verge of Ascendency first to watch the victory slip away in the final round, so it is good to plan ahead and take everything into consideration. Victory Points are earned in a wide range of ways, just like EVE rewards players for taking a wide range of roles in its universe. Actively and successfully engaging in combat is something that we promote with victory points right from the start of the game. The Domination objectives, which change from game to game, grant victory points to those who devise a proper strategy to pursue them – like controlling the most systems or building the largest ships. Victory points are also awarded for completing missions, which are secret objectives and completing certain developments, that may aid in increasing the score. Lastly, there’s also an economic pathway to victory, where players can manufacture victory points from resources.” The Kickstarter campaign for the game comes to its inevitable conclusion tomorrow, February 21. Backing it before then will grant access to the associated rewards for each tier and, if the developer can deliver on everything they have promised, it could be a worthwhile investment. The full release is scheduled for the last quarter of 2024, and there are already three confirmed expansions to keep boosting the fun. The Titan expansion brings EVE’s behemoth Capital Ships into the game, while the Havoc expansion introduces the Deathless and pirate factions, allowing a fifth player to join the game. The Azariel expansion brings Capital Ships for the pirate player, tying the whole thing together nicely. At this early stage, there is a lot to like about the way EVE: War for New Eden is set up. Whether the game can maintain that momentum and deliver on its promises for full release remains to be seen.

EVE Online’s huge narrative-driven Equinox expansion hits live servers CCP GamesFew games are as grand in scope and ambitious as EVE Online, but the arrival of the Equinox expansion has just seen it get a little bigger. With everything from an entirely new narrative experience to epic customization options, it’s a brilliant time to jump into the game’s world. Though EVE Online regularly receives updates, expansions are considerably more epic in scale. This time around, the focus is firmly on Nullsec, the game’s more lawless and uncontrolled region of space. The headline addition is Upwell Structures, which allow players to hunt for resources on planets in the region. Star systems have also undergone a significant revamp, with a new priority placed on how planets function within individual systems. In addition, planets now provide new resources that are a necessity in getting the new Upwell Structures to function. As part of these wider changes, EVE’s developers have added several “defense-capable cargo ships.” The Squall, Deluge, Torrent, and Avalanche are now all available, ranging in size from Tech II Blockade Runners to huge Freighters. Perhaps the addition with the most implications, the SKINR tool is now available in-game. For the first time in the game’s entire history, players are now able to design their own ship skins. While this might sound like a relatively superficial change, the depth of the system is potentially remarkable. Dedicated artists will soon be able to trade their designs with other players for either Plex or ISK. This opens up entirely new career pursuits, either as a creator of skins or someone who trades them with the wider community. The potential effects on the player-driven economy are wide-reaching, and we should soon see what effect this has. The expansion also includes further updates to EVE’s fledgling FPS spinoff Vanguard, with plenty more to come for that game as well.

European researchers think they’ve found a cure for ‘gaming addiction’ Blizzard EntertainmentGerman researchers may be close to a cure for video game addiction after a trial of 143 participants saw positive results. Video game addiction may be a meme, but it and internet addiction are also a serious problem for some people. Now, a German clinical trial may have found a potential treatment for both using behavioral cognitive therapy on patients, as originally reported by Vice. How did they find the cure? The researchers ran a study that focused on 143 men with an average age of 26 who all reported suffering from internet addiction, psychosocial functioning and depression. Half of the group were used as a control, while the other half received the treatment, consisting of “partial abstinence” from video games and the internet as well as group therapy and individual sessions for participants. Instead of focusing on completely eliminating video games and the internet from the participant’s lives, the study aimed to help them understand their relationship with games and change it. Read More: FaZe Fortnite stars Sway and Mongraal finally settle keyboard vs controller debate in epic 1v1 – “It is important to emphasize that it does not automatically mean you are addicted if you are keen on playing computer games,” researchers told Vice. “It is important to keep in mind that only a minority is developing an addictive behavior towards gaming and other internet activities. On the same hand, it is equally important to take these patients seriously and to accept that they are suffering and in need of help. Anything else would be mere ignorance.” The study didn’t focus specifically on video game addiction and it was fairly short term, so researchers admitted that more long term studies could be needed. Another issue with the study is that all of its participants were men, with absolutely no women involved in the sample population. “Women suffering from internet-related disorders indeed do not find their way into the specific, addiction-related, health care system but rather seem to seek other therapeutic help because of other disorders that are perceived as the main problem,” the researchers said. “We are currently investigating this phenomenon in a different research project.”

EVE Online devs on upcoming Equinox expansion, null-sec & the game’s importance in 2024 CCP GamesEve Online turns 21 years old today, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. We spoke to CCP Games about the upcoming Equinox expansion and Eve’s storied place in the history of the MMO genre and video games more generally. Equinox is set to thrust null-sec into the spotlight, allowing players to take control of the game’s most lawless region. With rich resources to harness and a ton of new customization features for capsuleers to take advantage of, it marks an exciting step forward for the game’s persistent world. The expansion is also set to significantly advance sandbox FPS Eve Vanguard, a game that has been developed in remarkably close collaboration with the existing community. The addition of a new map, ways to play and an exciting feature known as adaptive weaponry should provide plenty to enjoy in the coming months. We sat down with Eve Online’s Creative Director Bergur Finnbogason and Community Manager Peter Farrell to discuss the game’s past, present and future. Vanguard is an impressive pipeline into the Eve Online universe Eve Vanguard has made an impressive start to life. Though very early in development, it bears all of the encouraging hallmarks of a game developed by the team behind Eve Online. It builds on the existing universe while offering an entirely new way to explore it. It also acts as a more approachable way to get into the Eve universe for the first time, as Finnbogason explains. “We’re in the infancy of Vanguard. We are in a pretty strict velvet rope, pre-alpha state where we’re actually locking access to it behind Omega. Initially, we want to build this core player base of Eve players. We want to get the Eve-ness right. We want to get the correct feeling and I’m a big believer in really kind of homing in on a strong foundation if you want to build an amazing building. “So that’s one of the reasons why we scaled all the way back to a single suit and a single weapon. Let’s get that feeling right and then we can start to build upon it and build on top of it. We didn’t want to complicate Vanguard with a deep Eve connection right from the get-go. To be 100% honest, the Eve connection has definitely developed and changed over the course of the monthly playtests we’ve been running since December because we just see how players are interacting with this. “There is more confidence in the team, that this is something you know well worth investing in and going deep on. We see how people are using it and that gives us the confidence of really pushing in that direction. “Over the coming months, we will be seeing a lot more of the sandbox elements starting to show up. More of the classic MMO coming into the game and the experience, but we’ll continue to kind of incrementally test it and make sure that it’s correct. We’re not doing it as a sprint, we’re not doing it as a cash grab. We’re doing it as a marathon, we’re doing it for the long run. “On the halo effect, we’ve seen this with every game that’s come out in the EVE IP. When we put out a new game in the IP, and there have been a few over the years, there’s always been interest in EVE Online, and there’s always been a halo effect in EVE Online. “We saw this massively with Dust514, our PlayStation 3 shooter. We have a huge community in EVE today that comes from Dust. We have a community in EVE that comes from Valkyrie, the VR game that we made. We have people who started playing Gunjack, an awesome turret gear VR game. “That was their entry into the universe. We absolutely hope that this will spark the interest of more people because it’s a universe filled with beautiful stories and exciting things. It’s our duty to make sure as many people as possible can experience the beauty of EVE Online.” Null-Sec comes to the fore in Eve Online: Equinox The different levels of security across Eve Online’s sprawling game world has come to be one of its defining features. It informs everything from player behavior to NPC interactions, with Null-Sec regions and constellations serving as the most lawless and untamed of the areas in-game. The Equinox expansion is set to thrust these areas into the spotlight once again. In years gone by, Null-Sec regions have served as the breeding ground for some of Eve’s most thrilling stories, and the developers are keen to take the lessons learned from other areas of the game and apply them here, as Finnbogason explains. “We’ve definitely iterated on Null-Sec over the years, but there have been some design challenges that we’ve had to face for a while. There’s a lot of our core community that lives in Null-Sec and a lot of the stories that we read about are these epic Null-Sec stories. So, we have to be careful when we go in and start unfolding it, to figure out the best way to approach the design problems that we’re facing. A few years ago, we decided to start by looking at Low-Sec, which is the space between high-sec and Null-Sec. “We had an important feature there called Faction Warfare that we knew we needed to give some serious love to. We decided to use that opportunity to prototype some of the assumptions and ideas that we’ve had for years and see if some of those could become a guiding light for what owning space, claiming space, and losing space feels and acts like. “Over the last two and a half years, we’ve been putting a lot of effort and focus on Low-Sec in preparation for diving into Null-Sec. Low-Sec is buzzing, it’s filled with life. It went from a dangerous, random, half-vacant space to a really dangerous place with the oddest form of organized chaos you can find. “You go in, and within 15 minutes, you’re shooting something. You have no idea what you’re doing, and you’ve made about 10 friends. “Now, we’re hoping that we can start to take some of these learnings and apply them to Null-Sec. Of course, there are some initial fundamentals that we need to shape up and clean up. We went through a big period of cleaning up resources and that kind of unlocked a lot of possibilities and options for us to use now. “We’re reaping the benefit of all the work that the teams have been putting in over the last few years. And we’re taking the first step on this amazing adventure that will probably take a few years to really fully manifest itself.” The SKINR tool is set to breathe new life into the universe The announcement of the SKINR tool does not really do the scale of the concept justice. It is a new system that allows players to fully customize the designs placed on their ships. This should lead to alliances flying out in uniform colors and rogue operators with insane designs appearing in players’ peripheral visions. It goes deeper than that though, as both Finnbogason and Farrell explain. Finnbogason: “SKINR is an evolution of structure skins, with the idea of getting people into designing their own ship skins. Some of the super cool things that we’re allowing players to do is to basically add patterns, change colors and move patterns around on their ships. “We’re basically designing this tool with the idea that we want to create a new profession and allow players to become designers, to sell their designs and share them with others. People will not have access to all the colors and all the patterns [in the first instance]. This is something that you will need to discover. “Some of them you will get from packs, some you will get from daily challenges or login incentives or some of it you will discover while completing content in the game. You might find it in random corners of space while you’re shooting stuff or hacking stuff. There’s definitely a huge collector’s element in this. “It will also give people a bit of a sense of, ‘oh, I have that special red or I found that special pattern, so I can manufacture skins’, and those will become more desirable. As we have yet to release, there are a lot of details and it’s a pretty huge feature. “I think it’s almost better to play with it and I think there will be plenty of opportunities to do streams and competitions and things like that. “EVE is so much about humans dealing with humans. It’s so much about this human interaction and identity and being a part of something bigger, being part of something greater and being able to wear your colors with pride. Being able to put on that badge of honor is such a big part of the experience.” Farrell: “What I love about this is like, it creates that new job that Berger was talking about where you can just design a skin or design a pattern for your Alliance. Then share it with them and say, ‘Hey, here’s, here’s what you’re going to be flying with.’ “I know some group of players are going to want to pick the ugliest colors. Those who like to fly at the enemy, and terrorize their mental state just by looking at them. Others are going to be like, ‘I’ve got this really cool branding, I’ve got this color that I’m going to use, and I want everyone to see how cool I am.’ Then there’s going to be groups of players that suck at coming up with a cool, cohesive pattern. “They can say ‘You over there, High-Sec guy that I’ll never interact with, or I had no need to interact with before, can you make me something cool? I’ve seen your designs before, I know that that’s something I like. Make me something dope that I can then spread to my Alliance.’ The fact that you can share these designs is at the core of it for me. I just can’t wait to see these new artisans pop up in EVE.” Eve Online’s legacy is enormous and it’s here to stay There are few games that can claim to have a legacy as far-reaching and influential as Eve Online. Some of the greatest and grandest tales in the history of gaming have happened within its virtual walls. With such a long life already under its belt, it shows no signs of slowing down its pursuit of creating a living, breathing universe for players to participate in. We asked both Finnbogason and Farrell to explain exactly how they see the game up to now and what its role is likely to be moving forward, in an ever-growing landscape. Finnbogason: “Eve Online is fast becoming one of the most important pieces of art in the 21st century. Yes, there have been amazing games both before and after Eve Online, but it has managed to prove that games are not just a thing you waste your time on. “It is a universe that is filled with emotions. It’s a universe that gives you the opportunity to laugh and cry and fall in love and hate. You know, it really plays with your core emotions. It’s visually stunning. It’s been visually stunning from day one. “It fulfills our need for awe and wonder and exploration and the future. It’s science fiction. There’s no magic in science fiction. It’s grounded on the reality that we live in, and it’s a reflection of the times that we live in. Because it’s lived for so long, it not only echoes the story of our players, but it also echoes the story of how we’ve progressed over the last 21 years. “It’s constantly portraying the time. You have old systems that feel very 2007, you have systems that feel very 2013. “I never fear other games. I never fear that someone is coming to steal our Eve players. I never fear that will use the word Eve killer or anything like that. “I’m much more interested in how we can amplify the conversation about gaming. How we can amplify the conversation about technology and the future. How we can amplify the conversation about spaceships and science fiction. I hope and I believe that this year might put a really important mark on that conversation and that discourse. “We’re just getting ready. There’s a lot left to do. There are many stories that haven’t been told.” Farrell: “What makes Eve special, obviously Bergur talked about it, is the players. The people who have played the game, are either currently playing, they’ve played before, or maybe they’ve played for an hour. The cool thing is, just by virtue of how Eve is, it’s a single-shard universe, so what one player does, it’s just there forever. “People have written history books about it. There’s a six-hour documentary that Frederick Knudsen did in October for Down the Rabbit Hole. Eve is this living, breathing thing that you get to be part of and the stories are from the players. The big bad guy isn’t a dungeon boss that we designed or something like that. It’s some guy who decided he wanted to be a jerk. “Someone then took his group of players to try and beat that jerk. And does the good guy win in the end? We have no idea. Is there even a good guy? Not really. “It’s been around for 21 years. It has so much history to it. I know that can be intimidating, but you know, the one thing that I always want to tell players starting out is that everyone started somewhere, right? “The last big war started because some guy who had no idea what he was doing accidentally captured a system that no one expected, because he was just by himself using one of these sovereignty-capturing tools. “None of the fleet commanders could have predicted this guy was going to do it. No one created a plan. He just went and goofed around and just took the scissors and said oops. These stories are everywhere. It’s just so great and so much fun to see people interacting with this universe.”

H3H3’s Ethan Klein explains why he loves Ghost of Tsushima so much H3H3 Productions/Sucker Punch ProductionEthan Klein, also known as H3H3, has explained why he would “fully recommend” Ghost of Tsushima, the brand new action-adventure PS4 exclusive that has captivated audiences across the world. As far as exclusives go, it’s Sony and Playstation that have raised the bar incredibly high, giving next-gen consoles an awful lot to live up to. From The Last of Us to God of War, PS4 exclusives have regularly left players reeling from their narrative powers. Ghost of Tsushima is another PS4 exclusive, this time released in July 2020. Upon release, it received critical and commercial success, with some suggesting it is in the same league as the best games of the year. In a July 29 podcast alongside his wife Hila, Ethan Klein explained why he is having so much fun with the game, and why he’d “fully recommend” it to all his viewers. Read More: How to use Ghost of Tsushima photo mode – “I have been playing Ghost of Tsushima,” Klein said. “I have to tell you all – I’ve been playing for probably 5, maybe 6 hours [and] so far it’s really good. I’d highly recommend it to everybody. It’s like Skyrim samurai style.” The game combines an open world with a samurai narrative, focusing on Jin Sakai, one of the last warriors on Tsushima Island during the Mongol invasion of 1274. Topic stats are 1:15 “Usually I’m so annoyed by video game dialogue,” he continued. “Story and the mannerisms, but this one I’m loving everything about it, the combat, the dialogue. You get to see his a*s when he goes in a hot spring. It’s beautiful, unbelievable. So there you have it, highly recommend.” Sony has confirmed that thousands of current-gen games will be playable on the PS5 so, if you’re worried about how late in the PS4’s life-cycle Ghost of Tsushima has released, don’t be. You can pick it up and play it to your heart’s content, whether on current or next-gen. It’s well worth the purchase, at least according to Ethan Klein.

ESO’s Creative Director says listening to the community made the game better ZenimaxAhead of the Elder Scrolls Online global reveal the game’s Creative Director, Richard Lambert, took some time to talk about the game’s changes over the past ten years, crediting the community with making many of them happen. The Elder Scrolls Online didn’t have the smoothest of launches. There were problems with phasing between areas, trouble with sub payments before the subscription model got dropped. And an entire in-game economic crisis. However now, in the game’s tenth year, it’s a very different player experience. Multiple combat overhauls, the addition of deep dungeon content like the Infinite Archives, PvP content, and loads of cosmetic options. ESO today is almost a completely different game to when it launched. According to ESO’s Creative Director, Rich Lambert, a lot of these changes happened because the dev team “listened to the community.” Describing the first decade of ESO, Lambert characterized the period as trying to “figure out what the hell it is we’re trying to build,” as well as working out what it was players wanted from the game. Lambert credits the sweeping changes and improvements ESO has seen since its launch to the game’s community. “ESO is very different than what it was in 2014,” he said. “A lot of that happened because we listened to what the community wanted and focused on it.” And that’s something that he stresses the team at ZeniMax Online Studios want to continue to do. Speaking about the next ten years of ESO, Lambert acknowledged how much the team has learned. “I think now we kind of know… we get it, and our focus is technology, accessibility, and continuing to build content for players to immersive themselves in the world.”

Esports team owner finds ‘Holy Grail’ Nintendo game worth $20,000 in childhood collection Twitter/Hastr0OpTic co-owner Mike ‘Hastr0’ Rufail discovered one of gaming’s ‘holy grails’ in a box of games from his childhood collection and it could fetch him tens of thousands of dollars. Stadium Events is one of the rarest video games of all time with only around 10,000 copies thought to be in existence, but that’s exactly what Hastr0 had in his collection. While Stadium Events was released in 1987, it was quickly rereleased as World Class Track Meet and made use of the Nintendo Power Pad accessory. So, how did such a rarity wind up in Hastr0’s collection? Well, according to the esports team owner, his cartridge appears to be a former rental game. Hastr0 finds ultra rare Nintendo game in childhood collection In a post on Twitter and subsequent Reddit thread, Hastr0 revealed that he was going through his childhood collection of Nintendo games when he pulled out Stadium Events. “This is one of the rarest video game cartridges in the world. An original, 1987 NTSC copy of Stadium Events. Didn’t even realize it was in my collection. This is pretty insane,” he said. On Reddit, he noted that his cartridge had a ‘sports’ sticker on the back and ‘8222’ written on the front and inquired if it was a prototype, but many suspected it was from a video game rental store. After a bit of research, Hastr0 agreed with the users in the game collecting subreddit, but still had some big decisions to make. “I think it is safe to say that this was a rental cart and the sticker/markings were for shelf stocking and inventory tracking purposes,” he said, reaching a verdict. “Now to decide whether to remove the sticker and remove the Sharpie markings with an alcohol wipe.” In a follow-up post, Hastr0 revealed that he plans to hold onto the cart for a while and won’t be selling it just yet. According to Price Charting, the game’s loose cost is listed at $19,411.50. Some sellers have listed the game as a ‘Holy Grail’ due to its rarity. Not bad considering it was just tucked away in an old box. It just goes to show, you never know if there’s a potential jewel hiding in your basement or attic.

ESO: Scribes of Fate dungeon preview – There’s something for everyone ZenimaxWith the Scribes of Fate Elder Scrolls Online DLC fast approaching, we sat down to experience one of the two dungeons available in the upcoming DLC. It left us feeling challenged, yet extremely excited about the entirety of the DLC as well as what’s to come from ESO in 2023. The Elder Scrolls Online is no stranger to dungeons that allow players to complete a unique storyline, all while defeating smaller enemies and large bosses at their leisure. Now, with over 130 dungeons to explore, Zenimax is introducing two new experiences to encompass the upcoming Necrom chapter and the new Arcanist class. Now that we have played one of the aforementioned dungeons, we found ourselves left with anticipation not just for the Scribes of Fate DLC, but for the future of The Elder Scrolls Online as a whole. Scribes of Fate dungeons: What are they and what’s the story? Before sharing our thoughts, let’s explore the two available dungeons and which one we chose to experience. The first is Bal Sunnar, a dungeon revolving around the Psijic Order as they head into a secluded village, located in the Hills of Stonefalls. They’re entering the dungeon to investigate the misuse of temporal magic and stop any dangerous forces at play. The second available dungeon in the Scribes of Fate DLC is Scrivener’s Hall, otherwise known as the home of a group named the Scribes of Mora. They are a knowledge-searching group who’ve recently been taken over by a malevolent force, transforming them from studious worshippers to fanatical Zealots. It’s up to you, and their previous leader to bring the Scribes back to order. We explored the Scrivener’s Hall dungeon and were certainly not disappointed with its combat, exploration, story, and more. Combat with a challenging twist As is instrumental with the best Elder Scrolls Online dungeons, combat must be a tight cocktail of chaotic, skill-based, and challenging engagements – especially when coming to the dungeon bosses. Scrivener’s Hall achieves that. Each enemy provides just enough resistance to make you feel like a powerful hero, while the bosses introduce a new level of challenge. They feature immense health, tricky spells, and just enough difficulty to allow each player to sink their teeth into the gameplay without it getting boring. One such boss, who occupies a vast library, was by far the most memorable battle of the dungeon. They had access to different spell effects that players had to attempt to stop, using eagle-eyed perception, and cunning communication – a tank to keep aggro off of you doesn’t hurt either. All these effects and abilities are influenced by the identity of the DLC, the pursuit of knowledge, and the Daedric Prince, Hermaeus Mora. Ultimately, the Scrivener’s Hall dungeon embodies the perfect combination of challenge and power. It enables any player the ability to jump in, destroy some villains, and defeat a boss with enough resistance and reward to walk away accomplished rather than defeated. A first look into the Arcanist A subtle yet enticing addition to the Scrivener’s Hall dungeon was the sprinkling of enemies with the Arcanist class. Recognized by the green spell effects, this was the first time we truly got to see the Arcanist in action throughout our gameplay. While smaller enemies were easy enough to dispatch, some of the animations and effects show an increasing promise for the new class. It was only a taste, but it proved to us that this will likely be an incredibly popular character choice. Experiences for everyone Sure, most dungeons are inherently similar in Elder Scrolls Online – but Scrivener’s Hall felt different. It felt meticulously crafted with every type of player in mind. From hidden regions only found by those who love to explore every nook and cranny of a dungeon to thought-provoking battles for players who are looking for a bit more than just blindly attacking, Scrivener’s Hall has it all. In fact, one of the primary elements of focus throughout this dungeon is the Tank role. From knowledge regarding blocking and interrupting, to elements only aided by this imperative class, it seems like Scrivener’s Hall is the place to be for any tank. Overall, the exploration of Scrivener’s Hall has left us curious and excited for what ESO has to offer in the Scribes of Fate DLC.

Escape from Tarkov developers banned on Twitch after mimicking suicide The official Battlestate Games Twitch account has been banned from the platform after a member of a recent broadcast imitated a suicidal act on-stream. Developers behind the popular First Person Shooter Escape from Tarkov, have been met with a ban on Twitch after violating the Community Guidelines. Promoting a new content drop and major end of year update for the title, multiple developers were huddled on camera playing the latest version of the game before one member of the broadcast picked up a weapon and acted out pulling the trigger with the fake firearm. The reasoning behind the ban stems from an act carried out during a December 29 broadcast. A member of the development team wearing a balaclava picked up an unloaded pistol, cocked the weapon, and proceeded to pull the trigger with the barrel pressed firmly against the side of his head. Labeled as ‘self-destructive behavior’ in the Twitch Community Guidelines, the individual in question acted in clear violation of the rules and inevitably got the official Battlestate Games channel banned. “Any activity that may endanger your life or lead to your physical harm is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: suicide threats,” the official ruling outlines. Having asked a question to a fellow Russian developer on-stream, the individual was evidently frustrated at the existence of an expensive item of clothing in-game. “Yes, it’s for real. It will cost four million Roubles,” he responded, addressing the genuine cost of the cosmetic through the in-game currency that serves as a play on Russian Rubles. Shaking his head upon hearing that the price was indeed displayed correctly, the balaclava-wearing man picked up a nearby weapon and pretended to shoot himself in order to convey his frustration. While the act was an exaggerated means of expressing emotions, the Community Guidelines underscore how jokes of such nature are still in direct violation. “We do not make exceptions for self-destructive behavior performed as a stunt or gag made in jest, or meant to entertain.” While the developers at Battlestate Games may be able to appeal the decision and ultimately have their official channel reinstated on Twitch, there’s no denying that a member of their team acted in clear violation of the Community Guidelines. With no duration set in stone, Battlestate’s removal from the platform appears to be indefinite. Despite their official channel being banned amidst a surge in popularity for the game on Twitch, many popular content creators have been praising the title of late, including Michael ‘shroud’ Grzesiek, should put it on a higher pedestal than the recent launch of Halo: Reach on PC. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues and would like to talk to someone, please reach out to your local hotline: USA: 1-800-273-8255 – UK: 116-123 – Australia: 13 11 14 –

Elder Scrolls Online devs answer to crossplay has “changed” ZeniMax Online StudiosSpeaking ahead of the Elder Scrolls Online global reveal for Gold Road, Richard Lambert, the game’s Creative Director, admitted his answer to the question of cross-play has “kind of changed over the years.” The Elder Scrolls Online is available across PC and consoles, and many players have been calling for the implementation of crossplay for many years. As has become the norm with dozens of the industry’s hottest properties in recent years. But it’s never really looked as if there’s been real movement on the issue from the dev team as far as ESO is concerned. In fact, many players consider the answer to the question a “hard no”. However, recent comments ahead of Gold Road’s global reveal from ESO’s Creative Director, Richard Lambert, illustrate the dev team is aware of the demand, and investigating possibilities. According to Lambert, the issue is complicated, but the devs are not ignoring it. “It is hard. We made a lot of decisions in like 2008 and 2009 when we were just starting to build the technology that doesn’t necessarily play nice with that,” he touched on during a recent Q&A with press. “It’s a big, big gnarly thing,” he said of crossplay, before explaining the team has been “digging” into what’s involved. “My answer has kind of changed over the years. Especially now that we’ve spent a lot more… brain power behind it. But it’s definitely not something that’s going to happen anytime soon.” Even if it’s not something players can expect soon, Lambert’s change of heart is no doubt an exciting sign for those in favor of the crossplay experience. The Elder Scrolls Online’s next Chapter, Gold Road, is set to release in June.

Epic Seven Tier List: Each character ranked by class SmilegateIf your lineup needs a boost our Epic Seven tier list is the perfect place to determine which characters are staples in your roster and which ones could be swapped out for maximum efficiency. Regardless of what game mode you’re playing, constructing the perfect lineup is crucial for success in Epic Seven, and that’s why we’ve compiled a tier list for each class of character so you know exactly who to pick in order to get the best results. From standard Adventures to gear farming in the Hunt, it’s important to know exactly which characters you can rely on to get you across the finish line. While most of these picks will be straightforward, there are a few characters that can’t be used in different game modes, so be sure to double-check before heading into battle. Contents Epic Seven Knights tier list Knights are the bulwarks of Epic Seven. Most of them rely on their toughness to tank incoming hits and protect the weaker characters in your party. When it comes to creating a fearsome lineup, it’s important to stick to the high-tier characters when possible. Epic Seven Mages tier list The mage class probably offers the highest level of utility in the game. They have control units, tanks, and high DPS options, so if you’re lacking in any of those departments, a mage will likely solve your issues. There are so many ways to employ mages – like silencing your enemies with Auxiliary Lots, or keeping your team alive with Vivian’s immunity ability. Epic Seven Rangers tier list Rangers bring the best out of tactical players, but there are also more than a few characters that are hard to gear up here. If you can put the right equipment on Landy, she becomes a force to be reckoned with on any battlefield. Epic Seven Soul Weaver tier list Soul Weavers are key to keeping teams alive. Unlike most games where healers tend to be the weaklings of the group, many of the Soul Weavers require a good health pool of their own to reach maximum efficiency. Ruele of Light has an incredible base defense, making her the perfect choice for that kind of healer. Epic Seven Thief tier list Thieves require a commitment to high speed and critical hit chance. They’re all about the assassin-style gameplay, and no one is better at it than Arbiter Vildred. Most Thieves are metaphorical glass cannons, so plan to protect or revive them quite a lot. The biggest knock on the entire class is the Extinction debuff which blocks players from reviving dead units. Epic Seven Warriors tier list Warriors are a high-powered class that revolves around dealing damage and keeping themselves in the fight through debuffing and life-steal abilities. There is some flexibility in your choices with the Warrior class, as you can focus on dealing massive damage, or take a tankier approach that might pair well with any Knights you’re playing. That’s all of the characters in Epic Seven ranked by class! If you enjoyed this, take a look at our other tier lists on our hub here and keep an eye out for more.

Epic Minecraft Cyberpunk build has players begging for map downloads Microsoft/DeltagonWith the release date of Cyberpunk 2077 just a month and a half away, players are starting to ramp up their fan-projects. Now, one Reddit user has made an entire Cyberpunk-inspired creation inside of Minecraft and it’s absolutely breathtaking. Cyberpunk 2077 is set to be one of the biggest releases of 2020, and it’s safe to say that the hype for the game is stronger than it ever was before, with the possible exception being when Keanu Reeves was announced for the title. Soon, fans will be able to drive through Night City and experience everything the game has to offer. Because of this excitement, fan builds and projects are obviously starting to ramp up. While players obviously made fan creations before, it’s only logical that more and more start cropping up as we get closer to the game’s release. Cyberpunk 2077 recreated in Minecraft Now, a Reddit user by the name of Deltagon has released his new creation: a Cyberpunk-inspired building made entirely in Minecraft. While it’s a bit hard to see at first due to the level of insane detail, once you look at it for a few minutes, you can see the distinguishable blocky textures synonymous with Mojang’s sandbox game. It goes without saying that this creation is very impressive and includes everything from proper lighting to neon signs. Definitely fits the “Cyberpunk” aesthetic, and gives fans something to look at during this pre-launch hype window. What is the creation? One thing to note, however, is that it’s unclear if this is directly inspired by something specific in-game. A number of fans jumped into the comments asking for a map download, but as of writing, one hasn’t been made available. After one user named blackseax simply asked “map download”, many others followed, resulting in a 37 replies in one thread asking for a download link. One even replied saying “Yes pls, I would like to download it just to blow up my PC”, obviously making a reference to the creation’s insane quality. Obviously, Cyberpunk 2077 will include a Chinatown district. However, it doesn’t appear to be based off of anything in particular, so it’s possible that the creator just used that section or the game in-general as inspiration for this larger piece. This also isn’t the first time he’s created a “Cyberpunk”-themed Minecraft project. Back in March 2020 and May 2020, he created two other Cyberpunk-inspired projects, with one of them literally called “Minepunk 2077”. Here’s to hoping the user doesn’t stop, because they clearly have a talent.

Epic new Ghost of Tsushima PS4 trailer shares more insight into the story Sucker Punch Productions[jwplayer 91I9RIGm]Sony debuted a new trailer for the wildly anticipated Ghost of Tsushima. The epic video titled ‘A Storm is Coming’ hypes up the PlayStation 4 exclusive’s July 17 release, while giving players a detailed look at some story elements. Ghost of Tsushima was first teased back in 2017 at Sony’s Paris Games Week conference. The open-world Samurai title is from developer Sucker Punch, and is their first major release since Infamous Second Son premiered on the PS4 in 2014. The wildly-anticipated game is hitting stores on July 17, and to celebrate, the PlayStation exclusive has gotten a brand new trailer. The stunning video teases that is a “storm is coming” and gives players a hint at what to expect from its epic story. A Storm is Coming Players got a detailed look at the plot of Ghost of Tsushima in March, after the studio released a three-minute long story trailer. The video depicted the main character Jin Sakai pushed to the brink, after the Mongols invaded his land. The latest ‘Storm is Coming’ video gives players a new glimpse at certain story elements. While the first cinematic for the game was focused more on what happens after the invasion, the June 29 clip shows the protagonist land before all hell breaks loose. The new footage demonstrates the dual nature of the world, and reiterates Jin’s struggle to uphold his Samurai duty. A narration asks “if you stray from this path, what will you become?” and the story will force the character to choose between his teachings, or break all the rules to take down an enemy with no moral code. Sucker Punch’s story takes place on Tsushima Island in 1274. After being invaded, the land’s inhabitants become decimated by the enemies’ non traditional weapons of war. Players will be taken on an emotional journey where they can choose to juggle between stealth mechanics or taking on foes from the front with their sword. Ghost of Tsushima will debut on July 17.The open-world title will be one of Sony’s final exclusives on the PlayStation 4, and follows the release of Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed title The Last of Us Part 2 in June. For how to pre-order Ghost of Tsushima, check out our guide here. The Sucker Punch game comes in various editions, including a collector’s version costing $169.99.

Epic Games Store to launch NFT battle royale Grit Gala Games/Epic GamesThe first NFT game to launch on the Epic Games Store has been announced as wild west battle royale title Grit, as announced by developer and Web3 gaming platform Gala Games. Epic Games is best known as the developer of Fortnite, which was also the last game to be launched on the Epic Games Store, making billions of dollars and becoming one of the most popular games of all time. Since then, a number of top titles have arrived on the Store, including the likes of Rocket League and Red Dead Redemption 2, but no others have actually launched on it. Now, Grit is expected to break that streak and is set to completely break the mold by bringing NFT gaming to the Epic Store. While NFT gaming has been met with much derision and criticism from the wider gaming community, Gala Games were clearly excited to reveal that Grit was due to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 for gamers. They said: “Grit is going to be one of the very first games on the Epic Games Store. We signed a partnership with Epic, so this is going to go to the entire gaming world. “This is the moment that it’s all going to start to change, and everybody’s going to figure out, why would you be playing a game where you don’t own what you buy in the game?” BREAKING: #NFT Gaming Platform @GoGalaGames announces partnership with @EpicGames to launch Battle Royale game Grit on the Epic Games Store! 🤯🔥 First NFT game integration between Web2 & Web3! Huge day for NFT gaming at #galaverse! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/SHTmnFiB2s — Brycent (@brycent_) June 6, 2022 Grit does not have a confirmed release date yet, with the website stating that it was due to arrive in “early 2022.” Exact details on the actual gameplay are still somewhat scarce, but in Gala Games’ announcement blog post of Grit, they detailed “in-depth systems so you can play the exact type of gun fighter you want.” Launching on the Epic Games Store will no doubt help accelerate Grit to the forefront of NFT gaming, but whether it can bring the community round to the idea of blockchain games remains to be seen.

Epic releases Steam crossplay tools, console & mobile support in the works Epic Online Services has unleashed new tools that permit crossplay between Epic Games Store and Steam users. Previously, the rival platforms Epic Games and Steam were unable to communicate. As a result, a Steam player and their friend who preferred the Epic storefront couldn’t go head-to-head in a Rocket League match. Crossplay has become much more of a focus for platform-holders in recent years, though. The move towards cross-platform play is thanks in no small part to Fortnite’s success, which even managed to force Sony’s hand on the matter. It should come as no surprise, then, that Epic Games has seen fit to bridge yet another gap between competing services. Crossplay between the Epic Games Store and Steam is available Courtesy of free tools from Epic Online Services, PC players on Steam and the Epic Games Store can now enjoy cross-platform features as one community. In a blog post to Epic Games Store developers, the company notes the following: “Epic Online Services crossplay now works seamlessly on Steam and Epic Games Store, enabling Steam players to search from over half a billion friends, connect and play.” The features include a merged friends list between the two services, account linking, and integrated game invites that function across Steam and the Epic store. Interestingly, this marks only the start of Epic’s efforts. Native support for other PC stores is also underway, with similar crossplay features for console and mobile devices expected to come at a later date. Senior Director of Epic’s Online Services, Simon Allaeys, said that crossplay between the likes of Steam and the Epic Games Store could engender the industry’s “next major growth spurt.” Only time will tell whether the executive’s wishful thinking proves accurate.

Epic Games Store crashes as Death Stranding added as free game for Christmas Kojima Productions / Epic Games StoreThe Epic Games Store crashed across Christmas Day as servers struggled to keep up with demand for Death Stranding. The game was offered for free as part of their Christmas promotion, leading to hundreds of thousands of downloads. Epic Games is bringing the festive cheer with its free game promotion across Christmas. Every day there is a new game to download for free, as well as in-game content for many of their flagship titles like Fortnite. They usually save the best for the big day though, and they held no punches with their December 25 big ticket offering: Death Stranding. The 2019 title, developed by icon Hideo Kojima, won numerous awards for its amazing graphics and story. It was divisive at the time for its lacklustre gameplay, compared to being a walking simulator, but it was well received for the most part. If you missed out the first time — or want to get involved as the sequel, announced at The Game Awards 2022, nears — now’s your chance. Many took Epic Games up on their offer, so much so their servers crashed and downloads had to be halted for a couple of hours. The platform acknowledged the issues within an hour of the promotion launching, before things were solved two hours later. Some have been critical of Epic Games Store in the promotion though. Originally the platform put the Death Stranding Director’s Cut for free. Within a couple of hours, it was swapped to the Standard Edition, with those missing the initial rush feeling left out. It is possible to upgrade from the base game to the Director’s Cut for a discount during the promotion as well. And at the end of the day, getting something for free is better than nothing. Death Stranding will be available for free until the end of December 25 on the Epic Games Store, with another new game coming on December 26 as the promotion continues.

Epic Games Store Rewards Program: How to get rewards, eligibility & more Epic GamesEpic Games has introduced a Rewards Program, where players may earn cashback for every purchase made through the Epic Games Store app. Here’s a detailed guide on how to determine if you qualify. The Epic Games Store is one of the best places to buy video games online, stocking virtually every new AAA title. The Fortnite creator is well-known for providing its audience with frequent promotions and seasonal events that give discounts and free games. The first-ever ‘Epic Rewards’ program was introduced with the start of the Summer Mega Sale 2023, giving gamers 5% cash back on any purchases made in the Epic Games Store. Epic appears to be adopting a reward system similar to that of Steam, the marketplace operated by Valve Corporation, which is famous for awarding Steam Points to buyers with every purchase. Here’s how you can find out your eligibility and how you get Epic Rewards in your account. How to check eligibility for Epic Rewards The new Epic Rewards program does not need to be activated or registered for. Buying anything from the Epic Games Store (games, apps, add-ons, or virtual currency like V-Bucks) automatically enrolls you in the Epic Rewards program. Additionally, by accepting the updated Epic Games Store End User License Agreement, all Epic Games account holders will be automatically registered in the Epic Rewards program. Epic Rewards may be earned and redeemed through purchases made in the Epic Game Store and in-game on PC for Epic titles like Fortnite and other participating games and applications that utilize Epic Game Store payment methods and checkout procedures. How to get Epic Rewards Your Rewards Balance will be credited with 5% back in Epic Rewards within 14 days of the purchase being connected with your account. You can check your balance by simply heading over to your Account Settings on the official website. When you obtain Epic Rewards, you can either immediately use that money towards a purchase or put it away for later use. Savings can be maximized by combining Epic Rewards with other promotional offers. It’s important to remember that your Epic Rewards will expire 25 months after they were added to your Rewards Balance. Subscriptions like Fortnite Crew that qualify for Rewards can be rewarded in a similar fashion. That’s everything we know about Epic Rewards program so far. If you’re looking for info on even more upcoming games, check out our other detailed hubs down below: The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | Assassin’s Creed Infinity | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Wonder Woman | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Diablo 4 | Starfield | Crash Team Rumble | F1 23

How to watch Epic Games State of Unreal 2022 event: Streams, schedule, more Epic GamesOn April 5 Epic Games is set to host its 2022 State of Unreal event. This deep dive serves to shed light on what the team behind Unreal Engine is currently working on, and what’s next in store for the mammoth game development engine. Here’s everything you need to know. With a new State of Unreal event locked in, devs are ready to pull the covers off of what the next few years in gaming may look like regarding changes, improvements, and updates to the Unreal Engine. Unreal Engine is a free-to-use game engine that has been at the forefront of game development since its inception 24 years ago, and is a massive part of why Epic Games is the company it is today. Over the course of a mammoth four-hour livestream, we can expect to hear from a slew of Epic Games big wigs up to and including CEO Tim Sweeney, as well as speeches from key personnel in the dev team. Additionally, the team from The Matrix Awakens will be pulling apart their game and the creation process behind it for a one-of-a-kind insight into the Epic Games method of game development. Here’s a full rundown on all there is to know about the State of Unreal event. Contents When is the State of Unreal event? – State of Unreal event schedule – Where to watch State of Unreal event – State of Unreal livestream set for April 5th at 8 AM PT featuring very special Unreal Engine news https://t.co/FMTomNRDcu “”we’ll explore what’s in store for the future of games—and announce some exciting news”” pic.twitter.com/ao1GPJjd7N — Wario64 (@Wario64) March 31, 2022 When is the State of Unreal event The 2022 State of Unreal event is set to kick off at 11AM EDT on Tuesday, April 5. We can expect the stream to run for a minimum of 4 hours with the potential to extend if they open the floor up for questions State of Unreal event schedule As expected, the State of Unreal event is set to open with a Keynote. This section will reveal “what’s next” for the Unreal Engine. Following that, fans can expect deep dives into The Matrix Awakens along with a tech talk for those seeking to build their first game. The full schedule, as available on the Unreal Engine website is as follows: Where to watch the State of Unreal event The livestream will be available to watch on both Twitch and YouTube. We’ve embedded the broadcast below for your convenience. That about wraps up all the info we have on the State of Unreal for now. Rest assured, we will be keeping a sharp eye on the address and any other info of note leading up to it, once it’s passed we’re sure to be all over any of the big updates from the day too.

Epic Games prevails over Google in landmark antitrust case: What it means for app developers DexertoThe tech industry is witnessing a seismic shift as Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, secures a historic victory in an antitrust case against Google. This landmark ruling not only spotlights the power dynamics in the mobile app ecosystem but also opens the door for potential transformations in how developers operate. Let’s take a look at the details of the case. In a landmark decision, Fortnite creator Epic Games has emerged victorious in its antitrust case against Google. The jury unanimously sided with Epic Games, asserting that Google, through its Play Store practices, is operating as a monopoly. The Jury was asked to fill out a document which is now public for the audience to analyze about the lawsuit. The focus of the case was on the alleged illegal tie between Google’s Play Store and its Play Billing services. Epic Games accused Google of anti-competitive behavior, and the jury’s decision supports this claim. The core argument centered on Google’s imposition of a 30% commission on the Play Store, allegedly stifling competition and hindering innovation. The verdict has potential implications for developers, potentially offering them more control over app distribution and profit models. This comes at a time when the app store policies of major tech companies are under increasing scrutiny. What both app developers have to say In a blog post, Epic Games stated, “Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition, and reduce innovation.” Wilson White, Google’s Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy, stated, “We plan to challenge the verdict. Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform. The trial made clear that we compete fiercely with Apple and its App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices and gaming consoles. We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem.” This verdict follows Epic Games’ earlier legal battle against Apple, where it found less success. However, the case against Google demonstrated different dynamics, revealing secretive revenue-sharing deals that Google had with smartphone manufacturers and game developers, suggesting a concerted effort to suppress rival app stores. While the jury has established Google’s monopoly power and anticompetitive practices, the specific remedies and their impact on the app development landscape will be determined in the upcoming hearings. Epic Games is pushing for a significant shift that could grant developers more autonomy and potentially reshape the app distribution ecosystem on Android.

Epic Games reveal instructions for first LEGO Fortnite set Fortnite / LEGOWe’ve seen a great team-up with LEGO and Fortnite, so will we see any LEGO Fortnite sets from the battle royale giant soon? We may have just gotten the first. The LEGO x Fortnite in-game collaboration has hit the ground running with an incredible event, keeping fans entertained for hours on end. However, the question remains: “Are we getting any LEGO Fortnite sets?”. A recent reveal by Epic Games may have just confirmed that very thing. The iconic Loot Llama has entered the physical realm of LEGO, at least in a certain way. We’ve previously mentioned the possibility of LEGO Fortnite sets, but this is a significant leap towards an official series of Fortnite sets from LEGO. LEGO Fortnite Loot Llama instructions Epic Games has released official instructions so that you can build your own LEGO Fortnite Loot Llama set. Some assembly is required, literally. We’ve dropped all the steps and pieces you need below. Though these are just instructions, and you’ll have to source your own pieces from either the LEGO Store or local store or even the old box in your childhood room full of LEGO bricks, this is an excellent step towards full-scale LEGO Fortnite sets. Great ideas for LEGO Fortnite sets include specific character skins that are individually sold in a LEGO Minifigure pack series, players fighting it out in iconic Fortnite locations such as Tilted Towers, and a whole Battle Bus set! The possibilities are virtually endless.

Epic Games free games of the week – September 2021 Epic GamesEpic Games often gives out some amazing games each week to its players, and there have been some hidden gems throughout the months that players cannot believe are free right now! There’s nothing wrong with getting anything for free in life, and when it comes to games players have been lured into the Epic Games Store more than ever over recent years, with their constantly rotating selection of free games for players to claim. This was a model they’ve adopted over the last year or so, and since, we’ve seen some incredible titles be up for grabs for players completely free of charge. We’re going to run over the current library of free games for players to check out, along with when players can expect a new batch to appear in the store. Contents When do new games come into the Epic Games Store? With a constantly rotating store, it’s good to know when Epic Games will be rolling out new games into their shop, as you’ll want to be sure to have enough time to claim the current ones before they’re gone forever. Epic has followed the same timeline for when new games head into the store, and it’ll always occur on Thursdays each week, and will happen at the following times. 8:00 am PST – 11:00 am EST – 4:00 pm BST – Within the store, they also give us an insight into some of the games coming in the near future, so we always know what’s in store for players. Current and upcoming free games As of the time of writing, there are currently two free games on the market for players to claim, along with the next title that we’ll be able to add into our inventory. Read More: PS Plus October 2021 – Here’s what players can expect within the Epic Games Store in the coming days. Speed Brawl – Free – Tharais – Free – The Escapists – Free on September 23-30 – Speaking of free games, the Epic Games Store isn’t the only place where gamers will be able to lock up some free titles. Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are other options for players who aren’t necessarily playing on PC!

Fall Guys dev Mediatonic acquired by Epic Games TonicEpic Games have acquired Tonic Games Group, the parent company for Mediatonic, the developers of 2020’s smash hit party game Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Tonic Games have found a ‘home’ with Epic Games, and said the two companies share each others’ vision for Fall Guys, and similar titles, in regards to long-term development. “At Tonic Games Group we often say that ‘everyone deserves a game that feels like it was made for them.’” Tonic Games Group Co-Founder and CEO, Dave Bailey said. “With Epic, we feel like we have found a home that was made for us. They share our mission to build and support games that have a positive impact, empower others and stand the test of time and we couldn’t be more excited to be joining forces with their team.” Gonna earn all the Crowns in @FallGuysGame now! Welcome to the Epic Family @Mediatonic and FallGuys 🎉 https://t.co/EjXDjPIMyB — Fortnite (@FortniteGame) March 2, 2021 As far as Fall Guys goes, Epic said that “gameplay isn’t changing,” but fans can expect the publisher to push its strategy for building a ‘metaverse’ through the party game while adding highly-requested features. “It’s no secret that Epic is invested in building the metaverse and Tonic Games shares this goal,” Epic Games Founder and CEO, Tim Sweeney said explained. “As Epic works to build this virtual future, we need great creative talent who know how to build powerful games, content and experiences.” This could include lucrative collaborations like Epic Games’ other suite of titles such as Fortnite and Rocket League who’ve embarked on major commercial collaborations that span the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Ford F-150, among many others. Fall Guys already has skins for popular creators like Mr Beast and Ninja, with other cosmetics for Steam’s Half-Life: Alyx. A Fortnite and Fall Guys content crossover was previously leaked, giving a better idea of Epic’s plan to build out a metaverse with their newest property as soon as possible. Tonic Games will also be working to get features like “account systems, cross-play, squad vs squad modes” and more to Fall Guys. Fall Guys is currently available on PlayStation and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. The company is set to release the game on Nintendo Switch and Xbox in mid-2021, and an Epic Games Store launch is now expected. PC players will still be able to play and get regular updates for Fall Guys on Steam, though language suggests it will make a transition to the Epic Games Store soon.

Epic Games explain decision to accept crypto game releases following Steam ban Epic GamesSteam made their viewpoint clear on cryptocurrency and NFT’s, by banning them from the platform. Rival platform Epic Games have now taken an alternative stance, choosing to allow crypto game releases on their store. Asserting a firm stance on blockchain technology, PC gaming platform Steam recently decided to remove any future compatibility with games that use NFT’s or cryptocurrency as exchangeable goods. Now, in a bid to capture players dismayed by the decision, Epic Games are working on the notion that they are “open to games that support cryptocurrency or blockchain-based assets.” Epic Games willing to work in “new field” Initially pointed out by developers SpacePirate, who is working on a title with NFT integration, was one of the first to notice Steam’s stance on blockchain inclusions. Read More: Is Fortnite dying? How many players in 2021 – Opting to avoid the involvement of in-game items with real-life value, this is just one of many rules on Valve’s “what you shouldn’t publish” list. Community: A few minutes ago, we were notified that @Steam will be kicking *all blockchain games* off the platform, including Age of Rust, because NFTs have value. Behind the scenes, we’ve had good communication and have been upfront with Steam. #blockchaingames #NFT 1/4 pic.twitter.com/W4pR3Xl63q— Age of Rust (@SpacePirate_io) October 14, 2021 Epic Games responded quickly off the back of Steam’s decision, choosing to potentially work with developers and creators using blockchain technology in their titles. Tim Sweeney, founder and CEO of Epic, tweeted: “Epic Games Store will welcome games that make use of blockchain tech provided they follow the relevant laws, disclose their terms, and are age-rated by an appropriate group. Though Epic’s not using crypto in our games, we welcome innovation in the areas of technology and finance.” As a technology, the blockchain is just a distributed transactional database with a decentralized business model that incentivize investment in hardware to expand the database’s capacity. This has utility whether or not a particular use of it succeeds or fails. — Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) October 15, 2021 He continued: “As a technology, the blockchain is just a distributed transactional database with a decentralized business model that incentivize investment in hardware to expand the database’s capacity. This has utility whether or not a particular use of it succeeds or fails.” It will be interesting to see just how far Epic Games will go with their support, especially given their opposite stance to Steam’s. Regardless, many players welcomed Epic’s open-mindedness, and are curious to see how the situation develops.

Fortnite developers Epic Games raise $1b investment to grow Metaverse FortniteEpic Games, the developers behind Fortnite, have raised $1 billion from Sony & major funds and achieved a valuation of $28.7 billion. A large chunk of the $1b in funding, precisely $200m, has come from Sony Group Corporation, adding to the relationship they had built when they previously acquired a minority stake in the developers for $250m in July 2020. As Epic continue to work towards creating a Metaverse through properties such as Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys, they need all the capital they can get to realize their ambitions. Other investors in the $1b round include Appaloosa, Baillie Gifford, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC. CEO Tim Sweeney remains the controlling shareholder of the company following the investment. More precisely on the Metaverse front, Epic are looking to create a connected social platform across their game titles. They acquired Mediatonic, the developers behind 2020 hit Fall Guys, in March 2021. Read More: MAD Lions & Toronto Ultra owners raise $40m – Sony evidently want in on that goal, with their CEO Kenichiro Yoshida stating that they are “excited to strengthen our collaboration to bring new entertainment experiences” in a press release. It’s worth noting that Epic Games are still legally battling technology giants Apple following the removal of Fortnite from their app store. Apple recently claimed that the game developers lost $181m in 2019, and is projected to have lost $273m in 2020. Today we announced a new round of funding to support future growth and our long-term vision for the Metaverse. Thank you to all our investment partners who support this work. https://t.co/QI0yszg85T — Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) April 13, 2021 “We are grateful to our new and existing investors who support our vision for Epic and the Metaverse,” said Sweeney. “Their investment will help accelerate our work around building connected social experiences in Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys, while empowering game developers and creators with Unreal Engine, Epic Online Services and the Epic Games Store.”

Entertainment Earth slashes 25% off glowing Donald Duck Halloween Funko Pop & Tee Light up your Funko collection with over 25% off a glow-in-the-dark Halloween Donald Duck Pop bundled with a perfectly paired Trick or Treat tee. Calling all Disney devotees and Funko fanatics, Entertainment Earth has a spooktacular seasonal surprise that makes frightful savings a delight! For a limited time, grab the glow-in-the-dark Donald Duck-as-candy-corn Pop and tee bundle from Mickey’s most hot-tempered feathered friend at an impressive 25% off. Part of Funko’s festive Halloween range, this vinyl Donald Duck trades his iconic sailor suit for a carved candy corn costume as he gleefully goes trick-or-treating. The 3.85-inch sculpt even features individually wrapped sweets tumbling from Donald’s bag. When lights go out, the figure illuminates for a ghoulish glow. Donald’s Halloween spirit inspires the matching adult shirt design featuring distressed Pop art prints. “Trick Or Treat” lettering circles a candy corn Donald on an inky black cotton tee available from size XS up to 3XL. Wear matching duo out during spooky season for instant Disney recognition! Save big on Halloween Donald Duck Pop! & Tee Catch over a quarter off savings and bring home holiday magic from Duckburg thanks to Entertainment Earth’s limited-time discount. But dash quicker than Donald in a rage once that last chip is taken – Halloween deals expire faster than candy stashes on October 31! With glowing vinyl Pop and perfectly paired apparel, this bundled offering makes a delightfully devilish deal. Fall under the spell of Disney deals before Donald departs in a huff! If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Epic Encounters: Savannah of the Gnoll Review – Hyenas for everyone Tabletop RPGs involve the theater of the mind, with games like Dungeons & Dragons 5e or Pathfinder 2e that can be played with paper, pencil, dice, and your imagination. Sets like Epic Encounters: Savannah of the Gnoll are all about enhancing that experience, taking it out of your mind and onto the table. To this end, companies like Steamforged create premium minis for RPG fans to use in their games. In the case of Epic Encounters: Savannah of the Gnoll it involves the hyena people that debuted in Dungeons & Dragons. This set features a wide range of Gnoll figures and some extra material to help you use them in your games. With a high price point attached to these minis, we checked out the Epic Encounters: Savannah of the Gnoll set to see whether they truly enhance a TTRPG campaign with their presence on the battlefield. Key Details Publisher – Steamforged Games – Price – £59.99 – Release Date – Available now – Supported Systems – Dungeons & Dragons 5e – A deadly batch of quality The highlight of the Epic Encounters: Savannah of the Gnoll set is the eighteen minis. These include: 4 Gnoll Ferals (who are crouching and unarmed.) – 4 Gnoll Seekers (wielding spears/javelins about to be thrown.) – 4 Gnoll Ravers (wielding spiked glaives.) – 2 Gnoll Striga (winged creatures with tribalistic spears.) – 3 Gnoll Hyena (animalistic creatures on all fours with six bonelike protrusions coming from their backs) – 1 Gnoll Fang (a massive, imposing humanoid holding a barbed axe and eating meat off the bone, with two spears strapped to its back.) – As with most Steamforged products, the minis in the Epic Encounters: Savannah of the Gnoll set are of absolutely incredible quality. From the packed muscles, clawed toes, bony wings, sharp weapons, flowing hair, and razor-sharp teeth, bringing your campaign to life with these creatures is easy. While they come unpainted, they still cut an impressive figure regardless. The comparatively high price point for the set might raise some alarms, but bear in mind that one of the best things about this set is its versatility. If, for example, you bought one massive dragon figure, then there are only so many things that can be represented in a TTRPG, that is, unless the party is fighting giant lizards every week. These figures could easily act as Lycanthropes, Ratfolk/Skaven, Barbarians, Bugbears, Hobgoblins, or Mongrelfolk. The Gnoll Hyenas can act as Worgs or most Dire animals, the Gnoll Striga make for great winged enemies (like demons/devils), while the Gnoll Fang is pretty much any large humanoid enemy, like an Ogre, Troll, or even a Golem. The range of creature types also means DMs can make a small group of visually distinct enemies, making it easier to keep track of their hit points when looking over a screen. In this example, they can act as pretty much any regular-sized creature in the game. While the additional adventure booklet is geared towards D&D 5e, these minis can work perfectly in a variety of fantasy or sci-fi RPGs, especially as they’re the perfect fit for standard battle maps. Bringing the Savannah Gnolls to life It’s not just about the minis with this Epic Encounters set, as it comes with a booklet that features lore, stats, and multi-level combat encounters for the figures. The lore section is brief, mostly because the whole set is intended for use in a variety of campaigns and is not necessarily restricted to those owned by Wizards of the Coast. What’s more interesting is the adventure hooks that appear in the booklet, which better establish the reason for the Gnolls’ presence in the campaign. Were they originally pets that grew into hideous beasts over time? Are they here to awaken an ancient evil from its tomb? Has the party been called to defend an imperiled settlement from the ravenous hunger of these invaders? These do far better to establish the Gnolls as a threat than the lore. The set has two combat encounters, each using a different side of the map (detailed below.) The Savannah adventure involves tackling Gnolls in the wilderness, where they can use the environment to their advantage. In contrast, The Standing Stone adventure involves the Gnolls’ leader using the magic from an ancient landmark. Running both encounters back to back involves some lengthy and exciting combat encounters (if run as written). If you factor in adventure hooks, resting, and resolution, you could easily get a packed session out of the set with minimal prep work on the part of the DM. The encounters in the set are customizable in a way that makes them extremely useful to a DM in multiple circumstances, as it’s simple to tailor to your campaign in terms of both story and combat. These two encounters are intended to be run one after the other (the Savannah into the Standing Stone), but either works independently. They’re both well-written in terms of their mechanics, as they’re designed to be handled in multiple ways, so it’s not just a case of rushing in and killing the enemy. You can use environmental effects to help players who carefully prepare and punish those who rush in, offering multiple ways for the encounters to play out. The Gnolls all have stats, with variable modifications that you can use to make them weaker or stronger, depending on the group’s level. These involve adding/removing Actions and tinkering with their stats, which offers a good baseline for balancing them in a fight. Ultimately, enemies are only as strong as the tactics the DM employs, but the option of changing their strength is welcome. The balancing rules are incredibly useful for scaling for higher-level groups, so the set doesn’t become redundant for parties that are level 10 or above. Characters of that level will still have a much easier time, thanks to the extra options that magic provides them, so you might want to tailor the adventure further to give the Gnolls a sighting chance. The Savannah needs brightening The map that comes with the set is the weak point. While it works perfectly with the minis and adventures, it doesn’t have the utility of buying a dedicated battle map, as the high-quality ones are laminated, allowing DMs to write on them and draw structures. The other parts of the box set are great because they can be repurposed for different things, but this is trickier with the map, as it’s covered with natural environments that won’t always fit with what the DM is doing at the time. If nothing else, it serves as a functional grid for battles. On the plus side, the map is double-sided, featuring a small wooded area with an oasis and a rocky area, so there’s at least some variety to what you can use. The oasis map is the superior of the two, mostly because the rocky side has dark patches, so it can be hard to see the grid lines from a table’s length away. Verdict – 4/5 It’s no secret that premium mini sets can be expensive. DMs will want to ensure that they get a lot of bang for their buck, which they will with the Epic Encounters: Savannah of the Gnoll set. The minis are amazing and can fit in a wide variety of games. The accompanying adventure will probably only be used once in a major campaign, but it’s excellent for DMs who run one-shots or want something impressive to whip out for new players. It’s also good to keep in your back pocket, in case you cannot prepare an adventure one week and need something quick. Check out more Dexerto board game & TTRPG reviews below: Best board games to play | Best horror board games | Dark Souls: The Board Game The Sunless City review | Resident Evil: The Board Game review

Is Enshrouded coming to Xbox Game Pass? Keen GamesEnshrouded is a brand-new open-world survival game that is available on Steam but is it playable via Xbox Game Pass? Here is everything you need to know. Enshrouded was officially released in Early Access on Steam on January 24, 2024, shortly after Palworld took over the internet. It is an open-world survival game where you have to explore a vast world, defeat bosses, craft bases, and forge your destiny. As such, with every title in the market, one question that players have surrounding Enshrouded is its availability on Xbox Game Pass in the future. Here is what you need to know about Enshrouded on Microsoft’s subscription service. Will Enshrouded be available on Xbox Game Pass? No, at the time of writing, there’s no information about Enshrouded being available on the Xbox Game Pass. The only way to play the game is by downloading it through Steam where it’s currently available in Early Access and can only be played on PC. However, according to Enshrouded’s FAQ page, you will be able to play it on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S once the full version is released down the line. Since its release, Enshrouded has been quite popular, with the survival title boasting positive reviews on Steam. If the devs eventually decide to bring Enshrouded on Microsoft’s subscription service, we will make sure to update this guide with the necessary information. For everything latest related to gaming, be sure to check our page to stay updated.

Enraged Xbox fans are selling their consoles over cross-platform controversy MicrosoftRecent rumors that a number of Xbox exclusives will release on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles have sent Xbox fans into a fury. Some are going as far as to sell their consoles in response. Earlier this week, credible rumors from inside sources at Microsoft revealed that Starfield could be coming to PlayStation 5. This added to previous rumblings that smaller titles like Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves would also be going cross-platform. Rather than squashing the speculation, Xbox head Phil Spencer announced that he would host a business update event regarding “the future of Xbox”. Dedicated players of Microsoft’s home consoles have responded with disbelief and a torrent of backlash at the potential move. Following Spencer’s announcement and taking it as a writing-on-the-wall moment, a number of Xbox players have begun selling their Series S and X consoles. They’ve even taken to X to post proof. The rumors of Xbox exclusives that may go cross-platform include juggernauts like the Halo franchise and the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Along with rumors of Starfield, this potential loss of exclusivity has fuelled discourse that Xbox consoles are set to lose value. Many selling their Xbox consoles claim they’re doing so ahead of the planned business update to get ahead of potential financial losses. “Gotta sell it before it’s not worth a pair of socks,” one Xbox gamer explained. Others think the move is a little premature ahead of word from Spencer and have cautioned players thinking of pawning their Xbox. “I would have advised you to keep your stuff until you get confirmation this week,” a user warned. Those who are still suspicious of the rumors but want to send a message have found a less permanent form of protest. Xbox players have also been canceling their Game Pass subscriptions and posting the proof. Breaking down the barriers of console exclusivity is an ideal situation for some players though there’s no word on whether Sony or Nintendo plan to reciprocate. Some gamers worry that a lack of competition in the console market may lead to a less consumer-friendly culture from hardware manufacturers. We’ll have to wait and see exactly what’s going on after Xbox makes its position clear.

Enshrouded system requirements: Minimum & recommended PC specs Keen Games GMBHReleasing into Early Access at the end of January 2024, Enshrouded is a voxel-based Survival Action-RPG that lets players explore a vast and dangerous open world. Here’s a rundown of the minimum and recommended system requirements so you can have a smooth playing experience. Considering how early it is in the year, 2024 has made a very strong start when it comes to survival games. Palworld has been the clear standout, its heady mix of creature capture and base-building appealing to a uniquely broad audience. Enshrouded is a very different prospect. Set in a fantasy realm known as Embervale, magic users have inadvertently unleashed a pestilence that consumed much of the life present there. Players have to survive and thrive in this uniquely harsh climate with up to 16 others in a unique multiplayer experience. Here’s a complete rundown of the game’s minimum and recommended system requirements. Enshrouded minimum PC system requirements Enshrouded recommended PC system requirements As with many games of this era, an SSD is recommended over an HDD to improve loading times and reduce stuttering. With hardware of that ilk loaded up into your PC, heading out into Embervale and conquering its dangers should be a breeze.

Wuthering Waves voice actors: English and Japanese cast Kuro GamesGacha games with a giant character roster require a full team of voice actors. Here’s a full rundown of Wuthering Waves’ English and Japanese cast. Following its release on May 22, 2024, Wuthering Waves joined the continuously growing market of gacha titles. Like its competitors, Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, Wuthering Waves has plenty of 4-star and 5-star characters for players to collect. Behind these characters are talented voice actors who bring their roles to life, and some of their voices may sound familiar. Keep reading for the game’s current cast of English and Japanese voice actors and the roles you may have heard them in. English Wuthering Waves voice actors The following table contains every voice actor in Wuthering Waves’ English cast. We will update this article once we receive more information about missing characters. Japanese Wuthering Waves voice actors The following table contains every voice actor in Wuthering Waves’ Japanese cast. Some of these roles remain undetermined, but we will update the table after learning more.

Endless Ocean Luminous review: A whale-come return shore to please fans Nintendo’s delightful diving sim is making a comeback, but can the series still hope to hold people’s attention on the Switch? It’s been about fifteen years since amateur divers last saw the Endless Ocean series, with the original and its sequel Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep appearing on the Nintendo Wii back in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Less of a video game, and more of an experience, this series was part of the Touch! Generations moniker, a series of lifestyle or functional apps such as Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training that occasionally veered into edutainment. Because of this, Endless Ocean can be forgiven for not being an action-packed title stuffed to the gills with content, instead, it is a series focused on giving players an immersive underwater experience. Now the series is back with multiplayer as the new hook, and this feels like a very different kettle of fish. Endless Ocean Luminous is ready to light up on Nintendo Switch, with gorgeous new HD graphics, up to 30-player co-operative online gameplay, and a huge haul of new features under the hood. So is this the catch of the day? Or a meager morsel in need of some extra sauce. Endless Ocean Luminous Key Details Price: $49.99 | £39.99 – Developer: Nintendo – Release Date: May 2nd, 2024 – Platforms: Nintendo Switch – HD stands for hundreds of dolphins A diving simulator all about discovering fish and saving the sea, Endless Ocean doesn’t bother with anything like breath meters or damage. Your diver can’t get crushed by the immense pressure of the ocean should they plumb the very bottom of the sea, and no need to worry about the bends upon resurfacing. Just keep swimming, there’s no worry here, and not even the grizzliest great white shark will bother to so much as nibble at you, even if you waved a flipper in their mouth. The latest game comes from publisher Nintendo, and returning developer Arika, who have delivered some outstanding games in the intervening years since the last entry. Endless Ocean might not seem like the ideal candidate for a multiplayer makeover, but looking at Arika’s library of work instills confidence in the idea. The studio is responsible for outstanding online titles like Tetris 99, Super Mario Bros. 35, and even some supplemental work on Tekken 7 and Tekken 8 alongside Bandai Namco. Now, thanks to fifteen years of technological advancements, and the wonderful portable nature of the Nintendo Switch, it’s hard to describe how immersed I have become in Endless Ocean Luminous. I’ve always been a wannabe marine biologist, and the original titles came out in prime gaming years for me as a teenager. The main gameplay loop here consists of exploring the ocean and scanning fish, upon which you’re rewarded with luminous energy that all works as XP to improve your rank. As well as fishy friends, the ocean is home to treasure, which you can salvage as you explore to earn currency. It’s intoxicating to spend hours just exploring the ocean and learning more about the over 500 sea creatures waiting to be discovered, in the ever-changing procedurally generated maps of Endless Ocean Luminous. It’s all brought to life like never before thanks to a larger, more topographically varied map, as well as impressive attention to visual detail and a realistic ocean atmosphere. If you’re buying Endless Ocean Luminous simply to explore the sea and find new fish pals, you’re going to have an amazing time. The title excels in this capacity, and both the number of fish, as well as the music and visuals surrounding them, help to wash away the hours as you plunge further into the murky depths. As gentle sounds of waves wash over you, the distant call of a whale can send a shiver down your spine, as the creatures swiftly power past you with a fantastic sense of both scale and splendor. Similarly, the very depths of the ocean are accompanied by an eerie stillness that better reflects the pitch black of those forgotten corners, which makes stumbling across something as alien and interesting as the colossal squid an unforgettable experience. Even less spectacular moments are given an appropriate chance to shine, as the changing day brings with it a subtle change in lighting, veering between gorgeous sunny rays to even the fleeting dance of the northern lights. A sumptuous and understated piano score meant that finding areas teeming with life such as the colorful coral patches was just as emotional as bumping into a whale shark. You can even bring along a sea creature, as scanning any fish gives you the option to briefly add it to your party. While you start out with the capacity to bring along a minor minnow, eventually after ranking up you can have even a monumental mammal like a blue whale as your dive buddy, where even other players online can scan your impressive find. When Endless Ocean Luminous works, it really really works. Lacking a sense of porpoise Now just exploring the ocean would understandably be fun for a while, but there are also plenty of other things to discover and unlock. Players hoping to get hours of gameplay can look forward to filling their logs, both with the hundreds of fish ready to find (even with the option of a custom photo for each one) and an extensive Salvage Log to keep track of all your plunder. Outside of just looking at your treasure, there is a point to finding loot. It earns you coins which can be spent on new cosmetic items like colorways for your suit, emotes, and even stickers. While you start out with a small selection, you can unlock more by improving your rank and earning in-game achievements, though they must all eventually be bought with the main currency. Sadly, the amount of work needed to earn this currency is ludicrous in single-player, and even simple colors for your suit and stickers of fish can cost around 50,000 coins to unlock. Similarly, Endless Ocean Luminous has a main story mode that slowly reveals a narrative about saving the World Coral, as well as uncovering the 99 mysteries of the ocean floor. This is a great idea, but instead of being able to move from chapter to chapter, these are locked behind how many fish you have scanned. Once you start getting through the first few missions, it is then necessary to have scanned around 8,000 to 10,000 fish just to unlock some of the later story missions. Plus, these story missions are minutes of gameplay at best, just an excuse to hang the narrative of the game on some quick gameplay, with some even passing by with barely a moment of actual scanning of the fish or underwater exploration. You and another voiceless diver are tasked with saving the ocean, but the only voice you ever hear is the monotone musings of an onboard AI called Sera, who seems to be uncredited with a voice actress, and seemingly is just a text-to-speech voice-generated character. Thankfully the many mysteries of the ocean add a lot to do, and they are genuinely rewarding to find. A yellow marker flashes when you are near treasure or a point of interest, and you can use the game’s stickers to place a marker that appears on the map for both you and other players when online. However, while some of these stickers are very helpful for marking certain things they are once again prohibitively expensive. I’ve played for well over a dozen hours and have barely unlocked more than a handful of cosmetic options, and can afford about three stickers. Frankly, I wish these cosmetic items and stickers were also able to be discovered on the ocean floor to further incentivize exploration and encourage finding them, while patient players could then use the currency to buy exactly the sticker or flipper color they want. It would also be nice to actually use our treasure to decorate a boat or island, much like in Endless Ocean 2, but instead treasure just fills out the log. Finally, the game also occasionally has you scanning certain fish with unusual biometric patterns. There will be seven fish in total that are behaving strangely, and if you can find and scan all of them, you may earn the chance to encounter an ancient or mythical fish to fill your creature log. These moments are magical, but finding the seven fish in solo dives is a painstaking exercise, as you meander around a huge ocean map, waiting for the subtle pulse of the Joy-Con to finally indicate you are near to one of the seven fish. It’s tedious but solved in the much-improved multiplayer. Sea kelp from pals in multiplayer Everything about Endless Ocean Luminous makes so much more sense with friends. Set up a dive with up to 30 players online, and you and your pals are thrown into different corners of a procedurally generated map. If you love one in particular, you can even share the dive ID with other friends so they can explore the same area. If you get close enough to another player, proximity enables an icon for them on your map, and as well as being able to wave or taunt them with emotes, tag treasure with markers, you can also show off your underwater finds thanks to the fish in your party. Players also share their rewards, so what was a meager payout in single-player suddenly becomes a bountiful haul of luminous energy to rank up treasure, and in-game currency. This is fantastic, but currently feels so heavily weighted towards multiplayer as to almost make single-player feel like a waste of the user’s time. The game comes alive in multiplayer, becoming an almost Monster Hunter-esque hunt for rare fish and the opportunity to get the best photo, plus there are leaderboards to show off your rank and your treasure-hunting achievements. I do wish for a couple more features, as while I know the Switch isn’t meant for it, a proximity chat like Sea of Thieves would be incredible here. Similarly, there is no option for local multiplayer, and at the moment, it seems like players can online join other dives with a code. It would have been nice to be able to join a random dive, especially as the game has no voice chat or other ways to harass younger players. Plus, I’d love the chance to share photos online for leaderboards, as I’m pretty proud of some of my underwater shots, with little thanks to the barebones photo mode that has nothing more than a few filters, a selfie mode, and the ability to zoom in and out. Still, after getting a taster of the online, I cannot wait to return to Endless Ocean Luminous with some friends and do it all over again. I’d recommend most players play the title almost entirely in multiplayer, as it enhances the experience in both gameplay and in your rewards. Nintendo has promised some upcoming event dives which will have special conditions and sea life for players to explore, so I hope to see a season of content added to further bolster the fantastic multiplayer. It just feels like a shame that this all seems to have been done at the expense of a rewarding single-player experience. Verdict – 3/5 Endless Ocean Luminous is a beautiful immersive experience that occasionally struggles to be a videogame. The ocean and hundreds of creatures have been recreated in painstaking and loving detail, making this a must for anyone with even a passing interest in marine biology. The jump to HD, alongside some gorgeous models full of character, means that this is an ocean teeming with fascinating ocean life, and it’s a blast to simply exist in this space. From the subtle sounds of waves sloshing over you, to the fantastic score that always seems to find the perfect moment to begin, I’ve had some amazing moments exploring. I just hope that the tedious story mode and unforgiving approach to unlocking cosmetics gets an overhaul, as while it’s easier to unlock things in the fin-tastic multiplayer mode, the shallow offerings mean there is little to keep solo players engaged after the first few hours unless they’re seriously obsessed with marine facts. Reviewed on Nintendo Switch If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

EN Shortfall Armored Core 6: What is it & how to fix FromSoftwareWhat is EN Shortfall in Armored Core 6 and how can you fix it? Well, we have the answer to both of these questions in our handy guide. EN Shortfall is a term that crops up in Armored Core 6 and it may leave players puzzled, especially newcomers to the series. After all, the game’s plethora of customization options and unique loadout terms are unlike those seen in other FromSoftware titles. However, you’ll need to know what EN Shortfall is and how you can fix it if you wish to defeat all of Armored Core 6’s bosses. So, whether you enjoy close-quarters fights with dual shotguns or prefer a more methodical approach with long-range sniping, here’s how you can fix your EN Shortfall problems. What is EN Shortfall in Armored Core 6? EN Shortfall in Armored Core 6 happens when your AC exceeds its current EN Load. So, when an EN Shortfall occurs, it essentially means your Generator’s energy supply is not high enough to power your mech effectively. Every AC in Armored Core 6 will have a different energy consumption depending on the parts you use, with some requiring more energy than others. Avoiding the dreaded EN Shortfall pop-up can be a bit of a balancing act, but doing so is vital to building the best mechs in the game. How to fix EN Shortfall in Armored Core 6 The easiest way to avoid EN Shortfall in Armored Core 6 is to use a Generator that has a high EN Capacity to meet your specific needs. This will enable you to use the most demanding AC parts without having to worry about running into any energy-related problems. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially if you’re in the early stages of the game. The next best way to fix your EN Shortfall woes is to unequip any AC parts that are draining too much energy. We suggest playing around with your AC loadout and seeing what things you can remove to further free up the EN Load. You may even find that your build greatly benefits from a different combination of weapons and parts, so experiment to your heart’s content. So, there you have it, that’s everything you need to know about EN Shortfall and how you can fix it in Armored Core 6. Now that you know how to remedy this issue, be sure to check out our Armored Core 6 page for all the latest news and guides. Is the Moonlight Greatsword in Armored Core 6? | Armored Core 6 PC requirements | Is Armored Core 6 open world? | Does Armored Core 6 have multiplayer? | Armored Core 6 pre-order bonus & edition differences | Is Armored Core 6 coming to Xbox Game Pass? | How to Stagger enemies with Impact meter | Does Armored Core 6 have photo mode?

ENA Dream BBQ trailer drops following game delay and it’s stunningly bizarre Joel GENA Dream BBQ is a long-awaited game from Joel G, the creator of the viral ENA YouTube series. Though it’s been delayed to 2023, fans and newcomers alike have been impressed by the new trailer for the game. ENA is a YouTube series spearheaded by Joel G that emulates point-and-click adventure games from the late 90s/early 2000s while bringing its own brand of weirdness to the table. This project, along with his other animations, has gained Joel G almost a million subscribers on YouTube. The most viewed ENA video, Temptation Stairway, sits at 13 million views at the time of writing. Joel G set out to make a game with a small team, one titled ENA Dream BBQ, that aims to realize the video game styled animated series as an actual game. While it’s been delayed from its December 2022 release window to an unspecified date in 2023, the trailer released for ENA Dream BBQ has gripped the gaming community and brought the game into the limelight. “Unbelievable” ENA Dream BBQ trailer goes viral Fans who were waiting for this title to release were left scratching their heads. It was slated to release in December 2022. But December came and went with no news from the developers until Joel G tweeted that there was a trailer coming soon on January 6, 2023. Three weeks later, the new trailer for ENA Dream BBQ was released along with this statement in the comments of the YouTube video: “As many of you may have noticed, we, unfortunately, weren’t able to release Dream BBQ in December 2022 as originally anticipated. This postponement was made due to the extensive amount of art and programming that the team has been undertaking in order to make the game as polished as possible.” Joel went on to say that the project “became more ambitious than it was initially supposed to be”, and thanked those waiting for the game to be released for their patience. Following what people were saying on both YouTube and Twitter following the trailer’s viral release, fans weren’t disappointed by what he had to show. The trailer has accrued over 600K views on Twitter and almost a million views on YouTube at the time of writing, pushing the video right into YT’s trending tab. Gamers aren’t sure what the game is about just yet, but the reception for the trailer has been extremely positive, with fans calling the trailer “unbelievable” and “stunning.” That said, the trailer doesn’t give much information on what moment-to-moment gameplay is like. People aren’t sure what to make of how the game will actually play, but there’s a description of the game on steam that illuminates some of the developers’ goals with the game. ENA Dream BBQ’s description on its Steam page calls it “the first interactive adventure of the ENA series by Joel G” and describes the gameplay like this: Explore new environments filled with hidden secrets and oddities. – Meet different characters who only want you to do things for them. – Use strange Tools to solve unusual problems. – Live the experience of being the least popular person at any party. – That doesn’t really clear things up, but gamers are excited to see the game’s final release regardless.

Square Enix selling Marvel game rights to Embracer Group after $200m loss Square Enix / Crystal DynamicsEmbracer Group wants to take Marvel’s Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy games from Square Enix despite facing a loss of $200 million. Square Enix’s decision to sell off its western studios and a series of beloved IPs was announced earlier this week, and we now know what that’ll mean for the company’s Marvel titles; Guardians of the Galaxy, and Marvel’s Avengers. Developers Eidos Montreal and Crystal Dynamics were part of a deal that saw Embracer Group pick up the studios, and it appears the Marvel licensing is going too, subject to Disney approval. Marvel’s Avengers to be continued after Square Enix split Analyst David Gibson, from MST Financial (thanks Metro), notes that the two Marvel titles launched so far have cost Square Enix $200 million, perhaps underlining why the studios were included in the deal. In an earnings call, Embracer Group noted that the company is intending to publish both Guardians of the Galaxy and Marvel’s Avengers — subject to Disney’s approval. Whether or not that means Marvel’s Avengers will enjoy additional new content following the launch of a new Thor variant in the coming months or if development winds down on the title in the aftermath remains to be seen. For Guardians of the Galaxy, a single-player, campaign-based game, that likely doesn’t mean any change — although given its impressive critical response there could be the potential for a sequel. The game, from Eidos Montreal, was nominated for four Game Awards, winning the award for Best Narrative.

Elon Musk reveals Steam games may be playable in Tesla vehicles soon YouTube: Tesla, SteamTech mogul Elon Musk is aiming to innovate his line of Tesla vehicles once again, by teasing the addition of Steam gaming. We’ve been experiencing the joys of portable gaming for decades, with landmark consoles such as the Gameboy Advance and the PSP. While the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch dominate the current landscape, Tesla owners have sought out creative ways to turn their vehicles into a drivable gaming machine. Elon Musk himself is eager to grab a controller himself, as the SpaceX CEO teases a Steam crossover. Tesla “making progress” with their upcoming Steam demo Since January 2021, Tesla owners have been using their onboard displays as a portable gaming hub, thanks to the vehicles built in Arcade Mode. Others have managed to defy the vehicle’s limitations with games such as PUGB. Having seen the interest in gaming among Tesla owners, Elon Musk has responded to a viral video to confirm Steam integration is on the way: “We’re making progress with Steam integration.” Musk didn’t offer any further details but did add that Tesla owners should be able to access an early version of Steam soon. The Steam demo will “probably” be “next month” according to the business magnate. The inclusion of Arcade Mode was intended to give Tesla owners a method to pass time as their vehicle charges. While the library of games started out small, Arcade Mode now has a modest library of titles such as Cuphead, Beach Buggy Racing 2, and a plethora of classic Atari games. It is unclear whether Musk intends to bring a full version of the Steam client to Tesla vehicles, or whether it will take a similar form akin to the Steam Deck. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see just how far the limits of the vehicle’s gaming abilities can be pushed.

Elon Musk reveals what his favorite video games of all time are YouTube: Marques Brownlee / Bethesda[jwplayer 91I9RIGm]Tech billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has revealed what his favorite video games are. The list includes classics such as Half-Life 2 and Deus-Ex. But some of his picks may surprise you. Elon Musk has been no stranger to internet culture. The tech genius has gone viral on numerous occasions navigating the meme trends. In 2019, he even co-hosted Felix ‘PewDiePie’ Kjellberg’s iconic Meme Review series. The CEO is also admittedly a huge gamer, and has hinted at what he likes to play in the past. On June 19, the billionaire opened up about what his favorite titles are in an exchange on Twitter. Elon Musk’s top video games The Tesla CEO had responded to a tweet by tech personality Marques Brownlee when another user randomly asked Musk what his favorite video games of all time are. Surprisingly, he responded to the individual and wrote out a list. He listed several classics such as Ion Storm’s Deus Ex which released in 2000, and Valve’s iconic 2004 title Half-Life 2. The Tech giant also revealed his love for the over-the-top GTA clone Saints Row IV. “Deus Ex / Half-Life 2 / Bioshock / Mass Effect 2 / Fallout 3 & New Vegas / Saints Row IV,” he tweeted. The post sparked a flurry of replies from users who gave suggestions as to which game he should play next. One follower told Musk that he should play Naughty Dog’s 2013 release The Last of Us which initially came out on the PlayStation 3. He replied, and explained that he’s mainly a PC gamer, but would love to eventually tackle the Sony title. This isn’t the first time the billionaire has weighed in on gaming. In May, he proposed an incredible idea to bring both Mojang’s Minecraft and Pokemon Go to Tesla cars. While Elon Musk’s list skews towards RPG titles on PC, the majority of his picks are critically acclaimed and have a score that is above 80 on review aggregate site Metacritic – he’s got good taste!

Elon Musk explains why he wouldn’t make a console to rival Xbox & PS5 Microsoft/Sony/WikimediaIn a recent sit-down with the Full Send Podcast, business magnate Elon Musk explained why he has no interest in building a console platform to rival PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Elon Musk’s passion for gaming is no secret. Art from the original Deus Ex once served as his Twitter profile picture, for example. And earlier this year, the Tesla and SpaceX founder counted among the many who regularly sang the praises of FromSoftware’s Elden Ring. He’s incorporated gaming into his business as well, enabling gaming features in Tesla vehicles. However, Musk’s interest in the industry stops short of hardware manufacturing. Elon Musk on why he’s staying out of the console business While appearing on the August 4 episode of the Full Send Podcast, Musk was asked if he’d consider making his own console. Musk offered a simple “no” as an answer, before noting that “consoles at this point are all basically PCs.” As such, he’s “not sure if there’s value to be added [by introducing] another console.” Talk about consoles in Full Send Podcast’s sit-down with Elon Musk begins around the 2:21:50 mark in the following video: Over the last several years, many companies have learned the hard way that no value lies in trying to compete with the big three – Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. Some will recall how the Ouya landed with a thud upon its 2013 market debut. After sitting on the sidelines for roughly three decades, Atari returned with its VCS console in 2021 to no fanfare. Project CARS creator Slightly Mad Studios once tried entering the mix, too, touting a 4K/60FPS console known as the Mad Box. After Codemaster acquired the studio in late 2019, the Mad Box became nothing but a distant memory. It makes sense that the likes of Elon Musk would want to avoid any attempts at joining the console market.

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey update adds new Thargoid mysteries & anomalies Frontier DevelopmentsElite Dangerous: Odyssey has released its newest update, centering around the Thargoids and the beginning of their deadly war against humanity. Players must solve the mysteries behind the Maelstroms, navigate the revamped Thargoid Interceptors, and more to help stop the incoming assault. Developed by Frontier Developments, otherwise known for F1 Manager 2022, Deliver Us Mars, and more, Elite Dangerous Odyssey takes you on a journey through a brutal galaxy. Travel through the vast realms of space in your own starship and discover the upcoming secrets surrounding the dangerous Thargoid species in the game’s latest update. The latest update is centered around the Thargoid species and their intent on waging a devastating war on humanity. They’re back in the universe with more powerful and unseen ships filled with unique battle styles and enigmas only players can solve. Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Update 14 introduces Maelstroms, Mysteries, and more Along with widespread changes and bug fixes, the 14th update for Elite Dangerous introduces eight enormous anomalies, otherwise known as Maelstroms, all accompanied by plenty of deadly Thargoid ships preparing to take humanity down for good. While players may be able to destroy the smaller ships, the Maelstroms hold a mystery only dedicated commanders can uncover, it’s up to you to save humanity from these dangerous new anomalies. The update also sees the addition of a reworked Thargoid Interceptor known as the Orthrus. This Interceptor behaves in a way otherwise unseen in Elite Dangerous and will undeniably be a brand new challenge for players. To enjoy the new Elite Dangerous update, you’ll need to own a copy of the base game on PC. Doing so will allow you to envelop yourself in the wide narrative experience seen in the brand-new Thargoids update.

Elon Musk asks FaZe Clan’s Tfue for some gaming advice It’s not every day that a billionaire business magnate and entrepreneur asks you for advice about what video games should be included in their cars, but nobody ever claimed that FaZe Clan’s Tfue lived a normal life! The professional Fortnite player and Twitch star reached out to Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, on Sunday night, asking whether the forward-thinking inventor could help him to get better internet. Surprisingly, the 47-year-old responded to the FaZe man with a simple “Yes.” Tfue, clearly pleased to get a response from one of the richest men on the planet, pledged: “I’m gonna buy a Tesla now because you replied,” but it would appear that this gave Musk the idea to draw upon the 20-year-old’s area of expertise for some on-the-spot Tesla development. “What are some of the most fun games we could have on a Tesla? Classic Atari is just the start,” Musk asked, referencing the recent Tesla software update that saw classic Atari games like Asteroids and Missile Command added to dashboard touchscreens. What are some of the most fun games we could have on a Tesla? Classic Atari is just the start. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2018 And Tfue’s response? Well, Fortnite of course: “Fortnite is by far the most fun game right now but any of the classics on Atari or Nintendo 64 would be incredible.” It’s hardly surprising that a professional Fortnite player and streamer would name the Epic Games title as the most enjoyable game at the moment, but if the FaZe player is successful in his campaign to get it added to Tesla vehicles, we’ll tip our hats to him! Fortnite is by far the most fun game right now but any of the classics on Atari or Nintendo 64 would be incredible :ok_hand: — FaZe Tfue (@TTfue) October 15, 2018

Elder Scrolls Online smashes expectations with 24 million players worldwide ZeniMax Online StudiosElder Scrolls Online developer, ZeniMax Online Studios, revealed the game’s playerbase has reached 24 million players worldwide since its release in 2014. Elder Scrolls Online fans have a lot to be celebrating this weekend. The ESO Global Reveal event showcased what’s in store for players this year in Tamriel. There’s a new story, trial, and a new game system on the way with the next chapter, Gold Road, arriving in June. But there’s another reason fans can celebrate too. The game has capped an important milestone and reached an impressive 24 million players worldwide since its launch — just in time as the game celebrates its tenth anniversary. During the 2024 Global Reveal session, Studio Head, Matt Firor talked about how the game has “grown over the years,” reaching players across the world. “Originally in English, French, and German, we now offer localization in Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.” Since its initial release, the game has seen plenty of updates and expansions in the form of new chapters. Each is set in a different part of Tamriel; the wider world of Elder Scrolls games like Skyrim and Morrowind. Gold Road will return players to the setting of an old favorite in the series — The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. But the Elder Scrolls Online is more than just a nostalgia trip for fans of the franchise. The MMO has been largely communicative and receptive to the player base and their wishes. Game Director, Richard Lambert, recently went on the record saying the community played a large part in helping make ESO what it is today. On top of this, ESO has struck out to tell its own stories set in the world, such as the cliffhanger revelation of a new Daedric Prince in Necrom. Gold Road is set to pick up the threads of this story, beginning by sending players on a search for this forgotten prince. Ithelia, the former prince of Mirrormoor, is a brand new character in the expansive canon of the Elder Scrolls franchise. And its new Scribing system will only deepen the game’s lore further. Offering players a chance to explore the history of spell crafting through the system’s quest line. For the players already enjoying everything Tamriel has to offer, the Global Reveal no doubt helped assure them the future of ESO is in safe hands.

Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom – Release date, new class, region & more ZenimaxElder Scrolls Online has revealed its latest expansion, complete with new locations, classes, and storylines. Here’s everything we know about The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom including its release date and all the new features. Thanks to the reveal during Xbox’s Developer Direct, Elder Scrolls Online fans now have a brand new expansion to look forward to in the form of Necrom. Along with the reveal, plenty of new features were also announced for the popular MMO, leaving many players excited for Elder Scrolls Online in 2023. With that in mind, we’ve compiled everything we currently know about Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom including its release date, trailer, features, and where the expansion will take place. Contents Does The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom have a release date? Yes. The new chapter of The Elder Scrolls Online will be releasing to PC players on June 5, 2023, and to Xbox and PlayStation players on June 20, 2023. Fans awaiting the new chapter will not need to wait too long until they get to explore a new class, location, and main story in this popular MMO. Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom global reveal trailer The expansion was revealed during Xbox’s Developer Direct on January 25, 2023. It contained a deep dive into all players can expect upon its release. You can watch it below: Where is The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom set? The Elder Scrolls Online Necrom Chapter will be set in the Telvanni Peninsula inside the City of Necrom, in the Daedric realm of Apocrypha. Apocrypha features an Endless Library, beautiful scenes filled with touring mushrooms, and some mysterious secrets waiting to be uncovered. Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom new class For the first time since 2019, The Elder Scroll Online will be introducing a new class, otherwise known as the Arcanish. As described on the games website, the Arcanist is “a powerful new class capable of destructive, restorative, or defensive magic by channeling arcane energies, ancient runes, and lot tomes of power” proving this magic-based class will be extremely versatile and undoubtedly powerful. Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom storyline Essentially, the Necrom expansion is all about the Daedric Prince of Knowledge, Hermaeus Mora, as predicted by a letter sent to Elder Scrolls Online fans. Unmatched powers are threatening everything Hermaeus Mora stands for by attempting to uncover his secrets. In doing so, the consequences could unravel all of reality. It’s up to you to work with the Prince and seek out the knowledge deep within the City of the Dead to uncover a vast conspiracy threatening to destroy everything around you. Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom new features Along with a new class, location, and storyline, the next Elder Scrolls Online chapter will introduce some new features for players to enjoy. Two new companions Necrom will introduce two new companions to join players on their journey through Tamriel. The first is a Redguard Arcanist named Azandar Al-Cybiades and the second is an Argonian Warden who goes by Sharp-as-Night. You’ll be able to gain their favor, unlock unique quests, and have them help you across Tamriel and though the new storyline. Added trial No Elder Scrolls Online expansion would be complete without a challenging trial for players and their friends or guild to take part in. Necrom will be adding a 12-player trial names Sanity’s Edge, with players heading into the mind of a tormented Mages Guild recruit to save their life, and gain some great rewards. Oblivion Raids World Event In the same way that no expansion is complete without a trial, every new chapter must have an exciting World Event for players to complete. The Necrom World Event will be in the form of Oblivion Raids wherein players will have to open a protal to Oblicion and defend the Prince of Knowledge from evil Daedric forces. That’s all we currently know about the upcoming Elder Scrolls Online Necrom expansion. While waiting for the new content to release, take a look at some of our other handy Elder Scrolls Online content and guides: Best classes & races in ESO | Is The Elder Scrolls Online cross-platform | Elder Scrolls 6 | The best MMO games to play | Is The Elder Scrolls Online worth playing in 2023? | All Elder Scrolls Online expansions ranked

Elder Scrolls Online Servers Down: How long is ESO maintenance? The Elder Scrolls Online servers are down. Here’s for how long and what you need to know. In a tweet earlier today, Bethesda Support confirmed that the European and North American servers for The Elder Scrolls Online would be offline for six hours while the company added an essential patch. The game is no stranger to long periods of maintenance, with previous patches taking over four hours to add. This downtime will only impact those playing The Elder Scrolls Online on PC and Mac. Console users will be unaffected. Those playing on PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S should be able to game normally without any interruption in service. This also includes those playing the game through Xbox Game Pass. ℹ️ The @TESOnline North American and European PC/Mac megaservers will be offline for patch maintenance from 4:00AM EDT / 8:00 UTC to 10:00AM EDT / 14:00 UTC. #ESO — Bethesda Support (@BethesdaSupport) September 7, 2021 Why are The Elder Scrolls Online’s servers down? Bethesda has not gone into details about what the lengthy maintenance will be adjusting. It looks like we’ll need to wait for the patch notes for a full breakdown of what has changed. The most recent update to The Elder Scrolls Online was its Blackwood Chapter. This was released back in June and provided players with a new area to explore and a selection of quests. The Enhanced Edition of the game was also released in June on the Xbox Series X|S and PS5. This was largely the same game as before, just with higher resolution and frame rate capabilities. The good news is that Elder Scrolls Online maintenance has already begun. So those still sleeping soundly may miss it entirely. Bethesda has said that the maintenance started at 1 am PT, 4 am ET, 9 am GMT and 10 am CEST. This means that the maintenance should end at 7 am PT, 10 am ET, 3 pm GMT, and 4 pm CEST respectively. Those looking forward to The Elder Scrolls 6 may be spending a lot more time with TESO in recent months. The wait for our next solo adventure in Tamriel has become a long one, but TESO still offers many players the hit they need.

Elder Scrolls Online High Isle: Release date, trailer, & everything we know ZeniMax MediaHigh Isle is the next expansion for The Elder Scrolls Online. Here’s everything we now about our next location in Tamriel. Unlike their numbered counterparts, The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMO that makes use of the entire continent of Tamriel rather than just a particular province of it. Morrowind, Skyrim, and even the plains of Oblivion have featured in the game at some point. Soon, players will be able to visit High Isle, the next expansion in ZeniMax Media’s successful open-world MMO and part of The Legacy of the Bretons collection of updates. For those uninitiated in the geography of Tamriel, High Isle is one of the Systres, a set of Islands southwest of Hammerfell. The region is unexplored as far as Elder Scrolls games go. It’s also home to the Bretons, so expect some Game of Thrones style knights and culture. Here’s everything we know about High Isle, the next expansion of the Elder Scrolls Online. Contents Does High Isle have a release date? The High Isle expansion will be released on June 6, 2022, for PC. It will then release on June 21, 2022, for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. ESO High Isle trailers You can check out the High Isle trailer below: High Isle gameplay features The story of the expansion will involve a war between the High Isle itself and its neighboring islands. The player will be part of a coalition involving the game’s 3 major factions who are trying to end the conflict. However, they will come up against a new enemy called the Ascendant Order. High Isle will introduce two new regions for players to explore, this includes High Isle and a nearby island known as Amenos. A new card-based minigame will also be introduced, this will be called Tales of Tribute. Read More: Elder Scrolls 6: Everything we know – Two brand new companion characters known as Ember and Isobel will be introduced. Ember is a Khajit and favors spell-casting, she’ll also turn a blind-eye if you’re a morally grey character. Isobel however is Breton knight in training and will expect you to be as honorable as she is. The Dreadsail Reef Trial will be added to the game with the High Isle expansion. This involves a team of 12 battling the fearsome Dreadsail Reef pirates in a brand new dungeon. So that’s everything we know about High Isle in The Elder Scrolls Online. If you’re looking for more ESO content, check out our other ESO news on our dedicated page.

Elder Scrolls Online Gold Road: Release Date, platforms, gameplay, story ZeniMax Online StudiosFans have a lot to look forward to in the next Chapter of the Elder Scrolls Online, Gold Road. It’s bringing a brand-new storyline as well as a new system and a new trial to the game. Here’s everything we know so far. Gold Road is set to take players on an exciting journey through parts of Tamriel less traveled as they search for the truth behind the forgotten Daedric prince, Ithelia, and her lost kingdom of Mirrormoor. It also brings with it a brand-new system, Scribing, which adds a whole new level of customization to skills to suit any play style. Now we’ve had a sneak peek of what’s to come during the global reveal, here’s everything we know about the Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road. Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road release window The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road is scheduled for release on June 3, 2024, for PC/Mac players and June 18 for Xbox and PlayStation. This was confirmed by ZeniMax Online Studios during the ESO Global Reveal event on January 18. The game is currently available for pre-purchase for all platforms, with players pre-purchasing before March 18 receiving bonus rewards including a pet and mount. Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road platforms Gold Road will be available across PC/Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation. However new players should make note that there is no crossplay available in ESO. Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road story details The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road, will take players to West Weald in search of the long-forgotten Daedric Prince Ithelia — a prince of crystal and color, not cosmic horror. Players arrive to chaos and the discovery of a dense rainforest jungle, seeming sprung up overnight in the region. They also encounter the mysterious “Recollection,” a splinter group of wood elves who consider themselves Ithelia’s devout worshipers. Throughout the story, players will discover what happened between Ithelia and the other princes, and who she really is. There will also be a series of “capper” quests. These can be unlocked by completing the main stories of both Necrom and Gold Road. Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road new trial Gold Road is bringing exciting new content for players to sink their teeth into in the form of a new trial. We know the name of the trial is Lucent Citadel. But so far everything else about this new trial is still under wraps. We’ll be sure to keep this space updated as further details are released. Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road new gameplay features Scribing is a new system coming to Gold Road. The new gameplay feature will allow players to customize skills along World and Weapon skill lines. As part of the new system, players will also be able to alter the appearance of their skills. Changing their colors and eventually adding other visual effects too. Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road trailer The first cinematic for the Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road was showcased by ZeniMax Online Studios during the ESO Global Reveal event on January 18, 2024.

Elder Scrolls Online Gold Road revealed as next Chapter marks 10th anniversary ZeniMax Online StudiosThe next Elder Scrolls Online Chapter, Gold Road, takes players on a quest to uncover the mystery of Ithelia, the forgotten Daedric Prince, as well as introduces a new, customizable gameplay feature. This year Elder Scrolls Online is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and the game has certainly come a long way from its April 2014 launch. Despite early teething pains, the game’s expansive lore — and the popularity of the setting — kept fans coming back for more, striking out on adventures in Tamriel. And now, the latest Chapter in ESO history begins. No doubt it’ll trigger some nostalgia for an old fan favorite TES4, Oblivion. ESO Creative Director, Rich Lambert, offered press a sneak peek at just what was in store ahead of today’s global reveal. ESO’s next chapter – Gold Road Set in West Weald, with Skingrad as the Chapter’s new main hub city, Gold Road will take players on a journey through three new biomes. First, there’s the Gold Road itself. An area designed to capture all the richness and beauty of Cyrodiil in the autumn season. Then there’s the Valenwood Annexation, a dense, jungle rain forest and the rugged Colovian Highlands. Gold Road will continue the story threads of the last Chapter, Necrom. Following the trail of the Forgotten Prince – Ithelia, a Daedric Prince we’ve never learned about before. According to Lambert, players are set to “play a big role” in just how the forgotten prince’s story plays out. Alongside Ithelia, there’s a splinter faction of Wood Elves devoted to her, the “Recollection”. This group are the ones responsible for the dense, rainforest jungle that’s rapidly emerged in the Valenwood Annexation. That said, playing previous chapters won’t be necessary to follow Gold Road and Ithelia’s story. Although if you haven’t finished Necrom yet, there’s still time to complete the story before Gold Road drops. All in all, there’s supposed to be 30 hours of new content for players old and new to whet their appetites with. The new Chapter is packed with everything; new quests, dungeons, a new world event. There’s even a new trial, Lucent Citadel, set to make its debut. New Gameplay Feature: Scribing But new story isn’t all Gold Road is bringing with it. A brand-new feature arriving with the Chapter is scribing. From a lore perspective, scribing can best be described as a precursor to spell crafting. Like a glimpse at what the magic that could become spell crafting looked like 1000 years ago on Tamriel. The new feature comes complete with a major quest line. Featuring none other than the wife of Arch-Mage Shalidor, Ulfsild, and her own magical research. But from a gameplay perspective, scribing provides a new way for players to customize skills along both weapons and world lines. At launch the focus will be on the Mages Guild, Fighters Guild, Soul Magic, Assault & Support. One of the most exciting aspects of scribing is styling. Styling will allow players to change the aesthetics of their spells, initially starting with the color scheme, for example making the spell Wall of Elements, purple. According to Lambert, providing “more player customization avenues” is a focus for the team and the devs have said they intend to continue development of styling to include other customizable effects eventually. Devs also laid out their road map for 2024 with the reveal. Players can expect new dungeons to drop soon, as part of releases in the first quarter. Gold Road will arrive in the second quarter. There’s more to be announced as the year rolls on. With devs also teasing a new housing feature coming in Q3 and the game’s two companions and brand new PvP content dropping in Q4. It looks like the tenth anniversary year is shaping up to be a big one for ESO. The Elder Scrolls Online, Gold Road, is set to launch in June 2024.

Elder Scrolls Online: Firesong preview – Druids, political intrigue, & dog petting BethesdaThe ESO Firesong expansion will be with us soon, so here are our first impressions after spending some time exploring the new region of Tamriel. Tamriel continues to grow with the latest expansion and the Firesong DLC not only brings with it a new region to explore but also has its own unique flavor. Firesong concludes The Elder Scrolls Online’s Legacy of the Bretons saga and is the successor to the High Isle expansion from earlier in 2022. Our brief stroll around the island of Galen taught us some interesting tidbits about the lore of Firesong as well as some exciting gameplay changes that could change the popular MMO as we know it. An expansion for everyone What’s been nice about the Legacy of the Bretons expansions in ESO is that they’ve created stories that even brand-new players can jump into, and without needing to have played earlier content or have an encyclopedic knowledge of Tamrielic lore. MMOs like The Elder Scrolls Online can be overwhelming to new players, and like High Isle, Firesong is an expansion that slots in nicely anywhere on your journey. Just sent Molag Bal back to Oblivion and looking for your next adventure? Jump in. Finished everything else ESO has to offer and looking for new content? Here you go. Or, perhaps you fancy a smaller-scale adventure, one filled with political intrigue and personal stakes before you tackle an odyssey that pits you against literal gods and monsters. This is what Firesong is aiming for, and in our time exploring the island of Galen, we feel like it achieves it. Firesong petting zoo As well as the usual exploration and fantasy questing, Firesong has made ESO feel a lot more interactive by turning your character into a much more tactile friend to the animal kingdom. You can now stop and pet animals such as dogs, horses, and even cows. This sounds like a small adjustment to the game but it adds a new sense of immersion. It makes animals feel less like scenery and something that actually exists in the world in a more meaningful sense. The devs told us that these quality-of-life adjustments won’t end here, and that animal petting is just one in a range of interactivity changes coming to ESO designed to make the world feel more alive and vibrant. Firesong also lets those less interested in interacting with animals tailor the game to their liking by introducing the ability to turn off other players’ pets in town. It can be fun to see what critters are following other adventurers, but drowning in a sea of cosmetic creatures while you’re waiting to get near your favorite blacksmith can be admittedly frustrating. A Game of Scrolls Galen itself is the historic home of the Druids, a secretive people who have been pulled into a wider conflict also involving pirates and even the Knights of the Ascendant Order. We won’t say too much about the lore here, but fans of Game of Thrones are likely to really dig it. The Elder Scrolls is usually a fantasy game laced with political intrigue, whereas Firesong felt like a political drama laced with fantasy. It flips the script on the usual ESO style and tells a more nuanced story that reminds us of the Witcher at times. Good overcoming evil plays a part in Firesong, but not everything is black and white. Long-time ESO fans will be delighted to know that Galen is home to some incredible new boss and mini-boss enemies. We didn’t see much in the time we had, but the expansion will introduce chimeras, a monster that is part griffin, part lion, and part dragon, which is bound to make a fearsome foe. We’re intrigued to see what other secrets await us on Galen, as well as witnessing the next evolution of The Elder Scrolls Online as an MMO. The Elder Scrolls Online: Firesong will release on PC, Steam, and Mac on November 1 and will be coming to Xbox and PlayStation consoles on November 15.

Elder Scrolls Online fans are receiving mysterious letters hinting at next expansion BethesdaSome Elder Scrolls Online players have started receiving letters through the post which may be a new marketing campaign hinting at the next expansion to the MMO. The letters refer to the recipient as “Proxy” and are signed by someone known as Leramil the Wise. While the letter doesn’t mention Tamriel, The Elder Scrolls, or Bethesda by name, the ESO insignia can be seen on the back of the envelope, confirming it is indeed connected to the popular MMO. Leramil’s letter warns players to prepare for a “crisis most perilous” and advises them he will “summon [them] soon.” Several players have already posted the mysterious letters across the web in an effort to decipher what they could mean. The ESO message boards are also awash with speculation. You can see an image of the letter – which was sent to this Dexerto writer in the post – below: The letter in full reads: “Proxy, The tide of fate swirls around you with glorious fury and has chosen you to serve as its surrogate in a crisis most perilous. The future of at least two worlds hangs in the balance. Your talent for changing destiny has been noticed, hence the reason for this letter. Many paths lead forward, but only one ends with the survival of Nirn. At this particular moment, in this specific instance, you must be the thread that keeps reality itself from unraveling. I shall summon you as soon as the inescapable fortunes of consequence show me where we are headed most. Leramil the Wise” What could the Elder Scrolls letters mean? ESO message board user Elsonso pointed out that under a black light, the letters show the sigil of Hermaeus Mora – a Daedric Prince in the Elder Scrolls universe. Mora is essentially the god of knowledge who’s been known to pull many political and historical threads throughout the game series, influencing events to either suit or entertain himself. The letters could mean that Mora is the next antagonist of the MMO, or as was the case in Skyrim, he could send the player on a quest to win his favor. Mora is often generous to his servants, but can also turn on them on a whim, or if he gets bored. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more about the mysterious letters and what it means for the next Elder Scrolls Online expansion.

Elder Scrolls Online devs address 2024 roadmap “disappointment” Zenimax Online StudiosElder Scrolls Online’s Creative Director and Lead Encounter Designer addressed the “disappointment” from parts of the player base after the launch of the 2024 roadmap. Assuring the game’s fans they’ll continue trying to “mix things up”. When the 2024 roadmap for the Elder Scrolls Online was announced back in January, it showcased what players had to look forward to in the year ahead. A new Chapter of story to play through, two new dungeons, a trial, a new combat system for magic, and new cosmetic and housing additions too. While some players were excited for the slated content this year, others expressed worry over a pattern they saw emerging. Some even vented their “disappointment” this year’s roadmap confirmed a “new norm” for the game of one trial and two dungeons per year. But is this pattern intentional? Or just coincidental? Ahead of the launch of Scions of Ithelia, we spoke with ESO’s Creative Director, Richard Lambert, and Lead Encounter Designer, Mike Finnegan, about the ins and outs of planning the game’s roadmap. According to them, it’s a bit of both. “Part of it is that,” Finnegan said, agreeing with the player sentiments above. Then going on to explain why this sort of pattern is a focus for the studio. “Breeding that consistency is also a good thing, sometimes, so people can know what to expect. But we also have a lot of different pieces of content to cater to a lot of different players… Having a kind of beat for players that they can look forward to is good,” he explained. Finnegan gave Trials as an example specifically, “So like, the ‘trial a year’ well, that targets a very specific group of players,” he added, addressing the comment. “Trials necessarily have bigger balance concerns.” “We try to mix it up,” Lambert said, “But there’s also the realities of development too, it takes a long time to do this stuff.” In the current environment in game development, the pressure to deliver regular content has created some unhealthy culture around time management and crunching. Thankfully, Zenimax Online Studios doesn’t want to make crunch an aspect of their studio culture. A point both Lambert and Finnegan were clear to make. “We have a good idea of how long it takes and every once in a while…” Finnegan explained. “When we can, and we take a look at when it would work to mix it up and stuff, we do.” He then offered last year’s Infinite Archive launch as an example of the team squeezing in extra side content on top of this “new norm” players are perceiving. “That was a crazy change,” Lambert laughed, referring to the development process for the new content. “There was a crazy amount of work to do with that for sure,” Finnegan said. The Infinite Archives are just one example of new content systems arriving to keep it fresh for veteran players, and interesting to newcomers too. And at the end of the day, the team is proud of what they can accomplishwithout the need for crunch becoming part of their cycle. “It’s really bonkers to me to think about what we have done over the last ten years,” Lambert reflected, looking back over the game’s ten years of development, mentioning major changes like the Justice system, the Dark Brotherhood skill line, and Imperial City as additional examples of the team’s commitment to providing more than just dungeons and trials in every update. “All these things we kind of take for granted now, but those were major updates to part of the game.” “Ultimately, what we want to do is create content that people are going to want to play,” Finnegan concluded.

Elder Scrolls Online director wants to see iconic franchise turned into live-action movie Bethesda Game StudiosThe Elder Scrolls franchise is one of gaming’s biggest, and for Online creative director Rich Lambert, the idea of the beloved IP being adapted to television or film is one he thinks is a really “cool” idea. When it comes to big fantasy gaming franchises, the Elder Scrolls series has been a staple of the industry for decades now. From the legendary single-player experiences to the almost 10-year-old Elder Scrolls Online, the franchise has a magnitude of lore and worldbuilding that fans are certainly passionate about. In a recent interview with Dexerto, Elder Scrolls Online creative director Rich Lambert discussed the potential of an Elder Scrolls movie or TV series coming to screens in the future. Much like how the world of Fallout is currently being prepped for the silver screen. Lambert assured nothing concrete is in the works at the time of writing, but that he himself as well as the Bethesda at large would all move to see the franchise jump into either live-action or some sort of animated adaptation. “I think it would be cool if we could do it. I just don’t know how we would,” began Lambert during his conversation with Dexerto at PAX Australia. While the franchise has made a name for itself by allowing players to create their own characters and move through the world as they see fit, there is no denying the world-building rivals the great fantasy novels and movies of our time. And as someone who’s a big fantasy fan and has been working on Elder Scrolls content for almost 20 years, Lambert feels as though the franchise has been able to successfully toe the line between conventional fantasy elements while also bringing something new to the table. “I’m a big fantasy buff and I think Elder Scrolls has such a distinct style. Obviously, you look at things like elves, something that’s a very classic fantasy trope. However, I think within Elder Scrolls, you’ve really been able to cement yourselves having these conventional elements, but being very distinct.” Elder Scrolls fans are gunning for an adaptation of the beloved gaming franchise Lambert then went on to acknowledge that Elder Scrolls fans have been calling for the fantasy gaming world to be adapted for some time now. “That’s something the community has actually been asking for for a long time. They really want an Elder Scrolls movie, they love our CGI trailers when we do them.” The creative director then added, “Here’s hoping it happens in the future because there are a lot of great stories in the Elder Scrolls world that are still yet to be told.” With more Elder Scrolls Online content on the way and the looming release of the sixth single-player game, the team is likely to have their heads down working on the gaming side of things. However, streaming services such as Netflix and HBO have made a name for themselves by adapting popular video game IPs of late. The Witcher, Sonic, and The Last of Us are just a few examples of how video games have been able to break the curse and be adapted into popular television and movie products. After more Elder Scrolls news, content and guides? Be sure to check out Dexerto’s full coverage here.

Elder Scrolls Online dev hints at possible Tales of Tribute card game ZeniMax Online Studio, DexertoComing in The Elder Scrolls Online’s new chapter, High Isle, players will be able to spend hours playing the Tales of Tribute card game. ESO’s Creative Director, Rich Lambert, revealed the thought process behind the all-new activity, and whether or not it’ll become a standalone title. One of the many new features accompanying the latest chapter in The Elder Scrolls Online story, ESO High Isle, is Tales of Tribute; a Hearthstone-esque card game that provides a welcome respite from trolling through dungeons and tearing your foes asunder. Set in the warmth of the tavern, players can challenge each other to entertaining duels using a host of different pre-determined decks to snatch the crown (pun entirely intended). It turns out, however, that this fun-filled side activity has been on the cards (that one was intended, too) for a long time, as ESO’s Creative Director, Rich Lambert, took Dexerto on a deep dive into the development process behind The Elder Scrolls Online’s Tales of Tribute. ESO dev discusses the process behind Tales of Tribute While optional card games and MMORPGs seem to go hand in hand, it turns out Tales of Tribute has been in the works for quite some time. “It’s something we’ve always wanted to do,” Lambert explains. “I remember pitching ‘tavern games’ back in 2009 when we were still way back early on in pre-production. It’s an alternate activity, something that fleshes the world out, and gives you something to do when you’re not questing or killing, or crafting.” “It also helps that I’m a bit of a card nut” he confesses. “I love card games and playing card games. It just seemed really natural to me, and to the team, to do something like this.” Given just how organically Tales of Tribute fits into the Elder Scrolls Online universe, it would seem logical to develop it into its own mini-game in the style of The Witcher’s Gwent, or even Hearthstone. “I mean, I would be lying if I said I’d never thought about that before,” he laughs. “Our focus is let’s make it as good as we can right now in ESO, see what players think, and then go from there. We’re super well aware players are going to get this and go ‘I want a standalone version, I want a physical version,’ and we’ll just see where it goes after we launch it.” Speaking of a physical version, transforming Tales of Tribute into a game that players can play outside of the virtual sphere is something Lambert believes makes perfect sense. “The game was built to be a physical thing in the world – it looks and it feels like a game that the average person could play. There’s not a lot of magic, not a lot of finicky pieces; just bring your cards and a couple of tokens, slap them down on a table, and away you go and play. That was the whole intent and goal behind this system.” Whether or not we see Tales of Tribute blossom into its own full-blown universe remains to be seen, but Lambert clearly has high hopes for this innovative take on the classic MMO card game. Either way; we can’t wait to dive in and live out our tavern fantasies – with the occasional ale included, of course.

Elder Scrolls Online director explains why ESO 2 won’t happen ZeniMax Online Studio, DexertoThe Elder Scrolls Online has cemented itself as one of the gaming universe’s premier MMORPGs, but is there an ESO 2 on the horizon? Creative Director Rich Lambert explains why he believes a sequel isn’t necessary. As the MMORPG genre rises to prominence once more following Amazon Games’ New World and the Western release of Smilegate RPG’s Lost Ark, The Elder Scrolls Online is hoping to capitalize on this sudden influx of new players with ESO High Isle; the latest chapter in Tamriel’s story. Allowing players to explore this dazzling, Monaco-esque world (as well as the terrors that lurk beneath it), High Isle opens up a whole new area of the map. Set in the caldera of an ancient volcano, there’s a whole collection of new activities to keep your hero or heroine busy. With MMOs hitting their prime once more, however, all eyes are on what the future holds for The Elder Scrolls Online; specifically, whether or not we’ll see an ESO 2. The game’s Creative Director, Rich Lambert, has opened up on where he sees Bethesda’s iconic franchise heading next; and, spoiler alert, a sequel isn’t it. ESO Creative Director rules out Elder Scrolls Online 2 As The Elder Scrolls Online continues to transform with each expansion, Lambert doesn’t see a need for a sequel to the classic MMO. Read More: Is The Elder Scrolls Online cross-platform? – “You know, I’ve been asked that question a few times,” he told Dexerto. “My response is: I’m not sure what a ‘2’ next to the name would get us in terms of types of stories we could tell differently, or locations we could go. “Maybe that could be a different Era – we’re in The Second Era – but our focus right now is on [the current version of [ESO]. Players love it, the game is still growing like crazy; why would we endanger that at this point? Why not just continue to make the game amazing and support the community we have? “We’re definitely not done,” he concludes. “There’s lots of locations that we still want to explore, there’s loads of stories that we still want to tell. We’re slowly filling the map out, so that gives you kind of a hint about the future; but we also have a nearly infinite number of realms of Oblivion that haven’t been explored.” Highlighting that there’s “no shortage of things to do and stories to tell,” the future looks bright for ESO and the world of Tamriel. Right now, however, all eyes are on the High Isle and the monsters that lurk beneath its crystalline waters.

Elder Scrolls Online dev explains challenges of making High Isle’s politics fun ZeniMax Online Studio, DexertoThe next chapter of The Elder Scrolls Online, High Isle, is a story based around “political intrigue,” and ESO’s Creative Director, Rich Lambert, has revealed the key ingredients to creating a fun story while maintaining strong cultural themes. As we draw ever closer to exploring the mysterious world of the High Isle, Elder Scrolls Online fans can count on a complex story revolving around the game’s political sphere. Described as “delivering 30 new hours of immersive gameplay, highlighted by a main narrative of political intrigue,” many may shy away at the notion of complex, real-life themes making their way into Tamriel’s virtual universe. There’s no need to fret, however, as ESO’s Creative Director, Rich Lambert, has revealed how the devs have crafted a story that perfectly balances slightly heavier themes with the core aspect of any video game: having fun. ESO discusses making politics ‘fun’ in High Isle In an interview with Dexerto, Lambert revealed how the dev team went about creating a political narrative that still feels enjoyable to play through. Read More: Is The Elder Scrolls Online cross-platform? – “I think part of it is making sure you have really interesting characters that help bring you through the story and teach you the story,” he states. “The other big part – and this is hard – is to make sure that you aren’t just watching the events happen; you’re participating in the events.” “If you can pull that off, that makes those types of stories really interesting,” he continues. “Because then it’s the player that’s figuring out what’s going on, and it makes the player feel like they’re having a really big impact in the story and the things that are unfolding.” Coming into High Isle, players will be able to recruit two new companions: the spell-slinging Khajiit sorcerer, Ember, and Breton knight, Isobel Velois. As the story progresses, these powerful warriors will no doubt form an integral part of your journey. As corruption bubbles beneath the porcelain surface of the High Isle, we can’t wait to explore this stunning new vista and, to borrow Lambert’s phrase, “participate” in a story that will leave a lasting legacy on our home away from home.

Elder Scrolls Online: Best classes & races for Tank, Healer & DPS ZeniMax Online StudiosThe Elder Scrolls Online‘s rich selection of classes and races cater to various roles, including Tank, Healer, and DPS. This guide highlights the optimal class choices based on your game role. Following the introduction of the Arcanist class in the Necrom expansion, the game’s community has been buzzing with anticipation to explore all the new and existing class and race combinations. Like the majority of MMOs, the class and race you choose will have a significant effect on your experience in ESO, and it’s important to know if they will work with the role you’re planning to play in the game. So, here’s a full rundown of the best classes and races in The Elder Scrolls Online. Contents All Elder Scrolls Online races – The best races for Tanks, Healers, and DPS – All Elder Scrolls Online classes – The best classes for Tanks, Healers, and DPS – The best race for each class in ESO – All Elder Scrolls Online races Currently, there are ten different races to choose from in Elder Scrolls Online, ranging from Nords to Argonians. It’s worth noting that your choice in race will be dictated by the empire you choose to join, so select each option carefully. We’ve detailed each Elder Scrolls Online race below, as well as what empire they sit in: The best races in Elder Scrolls Online for Tanks, Healers, and DPS One of the best things about Elder Scrolls Online is its versatility when making a character. Ultimately, the races are there to be manipulated to suit your playstyle, whether you want to create a Tank, Healer, or DPS class. However, as it typically goes in most MMOs, some pairings are undeniably better than others. The best ESO race for Tanks Tanks need one thing and one thing only, a high health. They need to be able to withstand incoming attacks with ease and hold the brunt of any enemy, keeping them on the player at all times so the DPS can take it down. With that in mind, the best races for a Tank in ESO are either the Nord or the Imperial. This is primarily due to their tank-focused passives. The Nord has a racial passive that increases your maximum health through Resist Frost, along with the Reveler passive, which serves to increase your bonus to using two-handed weapons, perfect for stopping an enemy in its tracks. On top of this, the Stalwart passive will increase your stamina, thus aiding your block and interrupt actions. As for the Imperial, proficiency with your shield through the Diplomat passive and an increase in health through the Tough passive will make you a fantastic Tank, capable of blocking and withstanding any large attacks. On top of this, you’ll get an increase in stamina thanks to Imperial Mettle and a huge decrease of 6% on all your abilities with Red Diamond, which includes your ultimate. The best ESO race for Healers As it’s made clear in the name, Healers are there to heal you and other players, allowing them to take the enemy down. For this, you need high magicka and be quick on your feet. So, the best races for a Healer in ESO are the Breton or the Dark Elf. This is thanks to their passives and natural affiliation to the arcane. The Breton is one of the best races for a Healer. The race passives will increase your Magicka through Gift of Magnus and reduce the Magicka cost of your abilities by 7% with Magicka Mastery, just like the Imperial’s passive. On top of that, your spell resistance will be increased with Spell Attunement and you’ll be proficient in light armor thanks to Opportunist, granting you a little protection when needed. The Dark Elf is a great Healing class due to its resistance and bonuses. Although this is primarily for switching between Healing and DPS when it suits the party. On top of the increase in Magicka and Stamina thanks to the Dynamic passive, you will gain Flame Resistance from Resist Flame and damage reduction from lava with Ashlander. As well as resistances and Magicka increases, you’ll also get a plus in your weapon and spell damage thanks to Ruination, perfect for dealing a little damage on the side. The best ESO race for DPS Unlike the Tank or the Healer, who are primarily Health and Magicka based respectively, a DPS can go one of two ways, either Magicka or Stamina. So, we’ll be recommending one race for a Magicka-based DPS and one for a Stamina-based DPS. The best race for a Magicka DPS is the Khajiit, thanks to its versatility and helpful passives. As for the best Stamina DPS race in ESO, we recommend selecting the Dark Elf race. The Khajiit makes for a fantastic Magicka-based DPS character. This is due to the bonus in stealth thanks to Feline Ambush, which also grants the player an increase in their critical damage. On top of this, you’ll get a great bonus to your Health and Stamina thanks to Robustness and Lunar Blessings, perfect for any combat. Lastly, since a DPS works best in medium armor, the additional experience gained through Cutpurse serves as a great boon. Stamina-based DPSs are the most popular and work best with a Dark Elf. This is primarily due to your increase in Stamina thanks to the Dynamic passive. Then, while also getting flame resistance through Resist Flame and Ashlander, you also get a 15% increase in the Dual Wield skill line thanks to the latter passive. This, combined with an increase in your weapon damage with Ruination, will make you a formidable opponent indeed. All Elder Scrolls Online classes In total, until the release of the Arcanist in the Necrom chapter, there are six classes to choose from. Each prioritizes different strengths ranging from magic to physical damage. We’ve detailed each below: Arcanist – Necromancer – Warden – Dragonknights – Sorcerers – Nightblades – Templars – The best classes in Elder Scrolls Online for Tanks, Healers, and DPS Classes are a tough choice when starting Elder Scrolls Online. They cannot be changed and dictate how you go through battles and the game in general. So, here are the best classes for Tanks, Healers, and DPS players to help with that tricky decision. The best ESO class for Tanks The best ESO class for a Tank is the Dragonknight. Pairing perfectly with either the Nord or the Imperial, this class prioritizes strength, and resistance, and has some fantastic bonuses. Especially with the Magma Shell skill which limits you and your allies from being damaged, as well as hurting the enemy at the same time. That, combined with the Igneous Shield makes you able to withstand attacks with ease and protects your allies too. An honorable mention for the best ESO class for Tanks is the Warden. They are extremely powerful and make a great second choice if you want a bit more magic behind you, but managing your Health, Stamina, and Magicka to a high standard can be tough to keep up with. The best ESO class for Healers While the Warden is a great class for a Tank, it’s also the best Healer class you can play in Elder Scrolls Online. Along with its great damage and buff abilities, the amount of healing spells you’ll be able to use allows you to simultaneously damage, heal, and control whenever you need to, all while keeping you alive with skills like Minor Toughness. If you don’t want to play the Warden class, the next best is the Templar. This class also has some great healing skills while still being able to support your allies with ease. It can certainly hold its own in even the toughest of dungeons. The best ESO class for DPS With the DPS being one of the most popular roles in ESO, it’s important you choose the best class to match. So, we recommend using the Warden class for a Magicka-based DPS or a Nightblade for a Stamina-based DPS. The Warden is an extremely powerful class with the ability to control enemies and deal fantastic damage to them, especially with companions and animal-based offensive skills like Fetcher Infection. You’ll be able to start a fight by boosting your and the party’s stats before laying into the enemy with a fantastic amount of damage and then finishing them off with your adorable Eternal Guardian. Then, for a Stamina-based DPS, we recommend using the fan favorite, the Nightblade. Essentially the rogue of ESO, this class does high damage quickly and is able to narrowly escape attacks with their high speed and nimble dodge. It’s a fantastic class to play if you want a simple yet effective DPS character. Alternatively, we also recommend using the Sorcerer for a Stamina-based DPS class due to its summoning skills and versatility on the battlefield. The best race for each class in ESO While you can manipulate each race to work for each class, some undoubtedly pair better than others. So, here’s the best race for each class in Elder Scrolls Online so you can further optimize your character. Is The Elder Scrolls Online cross-platform | Elder Scrolls 6 | The best MMO games to play | Is The Elder Scrolls Online worth playing in 2023? | All Elder Scrolls Online expansions ranked | Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom release date | What’s coming to Elder Scrolls Online in 2023

Elder Scrolls 6: Announcement trailer, potential Xbox exclusivity & everything we know BethesdaFans are still eagerly awaiting information about the forthcoming Elder Scrolls 6 game. While we know the game is in development, Bethesda has remained tightlipped regarding further details. Here’s everything we know so far about our next trip to Tamriel in Elder Scrolls 6. Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series is up there with the most iconic RPG franchises in history. From its retro roots in Elder Scrolls 1 and 2 to the huge step-up in Morrowind, to the game that truly launched the franchise – Oblivion. Then there’s the game that took the franchise into the stratosphere; Skyrim. The series has also launched one of the most successful MMOs of all time in The Elder Scrolls Online, but this multiplayer adventure has not slaked fan’s hunger for a new solo main-line Elder Scrolls game. We know that Elder Scrolls 6 is in development, but the game is shrouded in mystery. That being said, there has been some news and updates regarding the adventure, where it will be set, and which platforms it will be coming to – and when. Contents Announcement trailer – Is there an Elder Scrolls 6 release date yet? – Will The Elder Scrolls 6 be a Microsoft exclusive? – NPCs & Settlements – Elder Scrolls 6 Announcement trailer The official teaser trailer was released for the eventual successor to Skyrim back at E3 2018. It came with the caption: “Currently in pre-production at Bethesda Game Studios, the acclaimed developers of Skyrim and Fallout 4. The highly-anticipated next chapter in the iconic The Elder Scrolls series.” Visually, this is the only evidence we’ve received from Bethesda about Elder Scrolls 6. The location in the trailer looks a lot like High Rock, a region north of Hammerfell which is where some fans expect the next game to take place. Both High Rock and Hammerfell have been seen in previous Elder Scrolls games, but they’ve never been the star of the show like Morrowind, Cyrodil, and Skyrim have been. Is there an Elder Scrolls 6 release date yet? No, not yet. It’s unlikely that we will see the newest installment any time soon. That is because Bethesda’s other big RPG project Starfield was always going to be first. Now that Starfield is out, however, we may see some movement on the TES6 front. In a recent court document, Microsoft submitted a chart about its approach to acquisitions since 2018, which shows the new Elder Scrolls isn’t expected until “2026 or later.” Will Elder Scrolls 6 be a Microsoft exclusive? Yes, while the news may disappoint those who only own Sony consoles, it has been confirmed that like Starfield, the Elder Scrolls 6 will be a Microsoft exclusive. This means it’s likely to only be released on PC and Xbox consoles. NPCs and Settlements In an interview with IGN, Todd Howard discussed how NPCs in TES6 are being designed to be more detailed and varied. This goes hand-in-hand with Howard saying that settlements and cities will be larger and more expansive. This all seems to point towards a more immersive experience for the RPG. “The gap in between [Elder Scrolls games] is going to be long, it already is,” Howard said, followed by: “On one hand, I think it’s good to miss things. I think that makes people come to it with really, really fresh eyes, and I think when they eventually, see the game and what we have in mind, they’ll understand the gap more in terms of technology and what we want it to do.” If you want the latest news on some of gaming’s biggest upcoming releases, then check these out below: Ghostwire Tokyo 2 | Elder Scrolls 6 | Witcher 4 | GTA 6 | Lords of the Fallen | Assassin’s Creed Mirage | Alan Wake 2 | Forza Motorsport | Sonic Superstars | Spider-Man 2 | Directive 8020 | Avatar

ESO’s new Arcanist class shakes up meta with D&D-style Crux system ZenimaxAn interview with The Elder Scrolls Online Creative Director, Rich Lambert has revealed a new Crux system coming to the new Arcanist class, which allows players to alter their abilities according to the situation at hand. The announcement of the Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom chapter has introduced a brand new class, focused on knowledge, magic, and adaptability. The Arcanist will soon be joining the six available classes, and with its arrival will be a brand new Crux system, which operates like the popular Dungeons and Dragons Sorcerer class. We sat down with Rich Lambert to discuss the upcoming class and what it will bring to the extremely popular MMO upon its Necrom release. ESO Arcanist class shakes up meta with D&D Sorcerer-style Crux system As revealed during the Developer Direct event and through Rich Lambert, Crux is essentially the Arcanists’ “combo points system” that serves to provide players with a “wide-ranging toolkit” to allow them the chance to adapt their spells on the fly, changing abilities when needed and aiding the party when necessary. Feeling much like the Dungeons and Dragons Sorcery points, in which characters are given a set amount of points to spend on altering their spells, often changing the damage type, casting more than once, or increasing their effectiveness — Crux is a new system promoting adaptability and mastery through an earned points system. During our interview with Elder Scrolls Online’s Rich Lambert, he explained how Crux essentially “allows abilities to change on the fly” often being given the chance to “do more damage or more healing if you spend Crux on them.” It seems Crux will be an Arcanist-only focus in the game and will introduce a new element within this new magic class. However, he went on to state how the new class will be inclusive for everyone, explaining it’s great “for those that really want to dig in and get into the mastery of the class,” but that the Arcanist is all about knowledge, learning, and developing skills, much like the D&D Sorcerer.

Elder Scrolls 6 not coming to PS5 and won’t release until 2026 BethesdaDocuments from the FTC v. Microsoft case show that Elder Scrolls 6 isn’t coming to the PS5 and will not release until at least 2026. The FTC v. Microsoft case centered on the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction that would block Microsoft’s nearly $70 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard. A California judge ruled in the tech giant’s favor, but not before a whirlwind of information hit the web. Notably, the trial revealed the high cost of PlayStation exclusives like The Last of Us Part II, which cost $220 million to produce. It also confirmed that Microsoft was looking to buy even more studios. And, according to Xbox boss Phil Spencer, the Bethesda purchase only occurred after Microsoft learned Sony had its eye on Starfield as a console exclusive. Spencer’s testimony further noted that Elder Scrolls 6 is probably five years out from release. Other documents from the court proceedings offer even more insight into what may be in store for the next Elder Scrolls installment. Don’t expect Elder Scrolls 6 release on PS5 As reported by The Verge, new documentation from the FTC v. Microsoft suit reveals just how long fans will have to wait to get their hands on Elder Scrolls 6. Microsoft submitted a chart about its approach to acquisitions since 2018, which shows the new Elder Scrolls isn’t expected until “2026 or later.” This very same chart additionally confirms that a PlayStation release for the title is not on the cards. It’ll instead launch exclusively on PC and Xbox hardware. A screenshot of the chart appears below (via The Verge): Considering past information, neither of these details will come as too much of a surprise, especially since Elder Scrolls 6 just entered early production. Still, some may be thrown off guard by confirmation that PS5 players won’t get access to the long-awaited RPG. Previously, Microsoft said such decisions would be determined on a case-by-case basis. It’s clear where the company’s choice lies in this particular case.

Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion leak suggests remake is coming BethesdaAfter an unexpected leak from an alleged ex-Virtuos Games employee, the iconic Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion game is reportedly making a return. Bethesda has been one of the market-leading game developers for over two decades, most notably for its staple RPG franchises of Fallout and Elder Scrolls. The current focus for the studio has been to venture into new worlds with its next RPG game Starfield being set in space. Starfield is set to launch on September 6 for both Xbox and PC. However, a new leak suggests Oblivion fans may have a remake of the 2006 classic could be on the way. What is the Elder Scrolls: Oblivion remake leak? With millions of fans still eager to get their hands on the next installment of Elder Scrolls, rumors surrounding Elder Scrolls as a whole are always circulating. The latest unexpected leak comes from a now-deleted Reddit post, which was posted on July 31 by a supposed previous employee of Virtuos Games. According to the leak, Bethesda may be planning to release a remastered version of the fan-favorite Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Oblivion was first released in 2006, going on to sell an impressive 9.5 million copies and receive high critical acclaim. The game is said to be being created using Unreal Engine 5 with enhanced graphics and changes to the gameplay. Although the deleted Reddit post should be taken with a pinch of salt, a mod of the subreddit GamingLeaksAndRumours has suggested that they have received confirmation of the leaker being an ex-employee of Bethesda. If the leak holds true, longtime fans of Oblivion may not have to wait too long to relive their memories of the beloved game. Executive producer Todd Howard announced in June of this year that the fifth Elder Scrolls game ‘Skyrim’ has sold over 60 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games of all time. At E3 in 2018, it was announced that the highly anticipated sequel ‘Elder Scrolls 6’ is officially being developed. Although, it is suspected that fans will not be able to get their hands on the game for over five years time. Check out the latest Bethesda news on Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield here.

Elder Scrolls 6 may not launch until almost 20 years after Skyrim’s release Bethesda SoftworksDuring the FTC hearing, Xbox boss Phil Spencer noted that Elder Scrolls 6 may not launch for another five-plus years. Bethesda Game Studios shipped The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim in 2011 to widespread acclaim. As pundits and fans like to joke, the developer’s launched the game several more times since then. Arguably, Skyrim’s repeated new releases make the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 that much more difficult to manage for some. And with the studio’s latest project, Starfield, still not in stores, it’s clear the time between Elder Scrolls entries will continue to stack up. Phil Spencer says Elder Scrolls 6’s launch is still years away While giving his testimony during the Microsoft vs. FTC hearings, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer was asked to speak about which platforms Elder Scrolls 6 may release on. Unsurprisingly, the Xbox lead couldn’t offer much in the way of concrete details, especially since the game itself won’t soon see the light of day. Spencer told the court (via Axios report Stephen Totilo), “It’s so far out, it’s hard to understand what the platforms will even be… We’re talking about a game that’s five-plus years away.” Totilo noted in a follow-up tweet that Spencer said he wasn’t even sure which Microsoft-branded platform Elder Scrolls 6 will land on. Should Spencer’s estimation prove accurate, this means Elder Scrolls 6 won’t arrive until 17 years after Skyrim’s original rollout on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. It’s such a long time between the two releases, in fact, that long-time Bethesda executive Todd Howard recently said the new Elder Scrolls may mark his final project in the series.

Elden Ring’s character creator will let you make your own monsters again FromSoftwareElden Ring is on the horizon and FromSoftware are bringing back an amazing series tradition: creating insane warriors. FromSoftware’s latest instalment to the ‘SoulsBorne’ genre, Elden Ring, is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated games to release in 2022. Shrouded in mystery for years, some players thought Elden Ring was nothing more than a myth. Thankfully, the game will finally release on February 25 and as soon as you boot up it’ll be time to embrace the weird and wonderful once again. Elden Ring character creator is completely “broken” One of the most important elements of a ‘SoulBorne’ game is creating your own character before you head for immediate death. While Sekiro didn’t include the much-beloved feature, Elden Ring is doubling down on just how insane your characters can look. Showcased in a fresh leak from YouTuber ER-SA, all of the brilliantly in-depth categories are still seemingly present in Elden Ring. While the specifics of each category are blurred for confidentiality ahead of the game’s release, this didn’t stop the YouTuber from making a truly bizarre character. With a hint of Shrek in there of course. The best element of this new iteration of the feature, is just how incredible the fidelity is on the rendering of your creation. “Damn, this looks really good. In comparison to DS3, this is like night and day. Finally, you can create actually good looking character,” said commenter Kretek. “It’s so good to know we can still create such abominations,” said another user praising the game’s customization options. “Ah yes, creating a monstrosity in the Fromsoft character creator. A classic jest. It’s even funnier the 987th time!” added commenter SupiciousEd. We’re looking forward to seeing what incredible characters are born next month.

Elden Ring speedrun records: Fastest completion, Any%, methods, more FromSoftwareElden Ring speedrunning is already off to a blistering start as the community is constantly looking for new ways to beat the game quickly. Here’s a current look at the latest Elden Ring speedrun records. While Elden Ring is a supremely vast and long game, that hasn’t stopped the speedrunning community from doing what they do best. Elden Ring speedruns are here, and the community is already looking for ways to beat the existing records. For those who are fascinated by speedrunning, Elden Ring offers a fresh challenge and those attempting to break the records are likely to learn some tricks we can all benefit from. Elden Ring may be at its best when the player takes their time and plays mindfully, but that doesn’t make speedrun attempts any less impressive. From the very first speedruns to the current records, here’s everything you need to know. Contents Elden Ring speedrun records – The first Elden Ring speedrun record – Second Elden Ring speedrun record – Records of Elden Ring speedruns – Distortion2 breaks his own record – Why Souls games are ideal for speedrunners – Elden Ring speedrun records You can see all the latest Elden Ring speedrun records below: The first Elden Ring speedrun record The first successful Elden Ring speedrun was met with much fanfare when, on March 9, 2022, niko bellic managed to beat the game in just 2 hours and 35 minutes, and without a single death. Simply playing Elden Ring without dying is amazing on its own, let alone while pushing the pace. While niko’s achievement is certainly impressive, several other speedrunners set out to beat his record. Within a matter of hours, somebody did. Second Elden Ring speedrun record The next day, YouTuber LilAggy was first to smash nico bellic’s record, with their speedrun clocking in at 59 minutes and 38 seconds. This run also featured no death and blew the community away. You can see his utterly incredible run below. However, LilAgg’s reign was not to last long, as another Elden Ring speedrunner was also about to post their own record. Records of Elden Ring speedruns Before LilAggy could bask in the glory of their victory, speedrunner Distortion2 managed beat their record by more than ten minutes, completing Elden Ring in an unbelievable 49 minutes and 29 seconds. At the time of writing Distortion2 remains the current Elden Ring speedrun record holder, having since trumped his first record more than a dozen times. Distortion2 breaks his own records Distortion2 has continued to beat his own Elden Ring speedrunning records, with his current best sitting at a staggering 6 minutes and 59 seconds. To date, the YouTuber has broken his own world record 14 times over, but finally appears to be slowing down. “This category has been quite the ride,” he said on Twitter after setting the latest record. “Still some room for improvement, but I am done with this for now.” You can watch his most recent, and impressive, speedrun below: Why Souls games are ideal for speedrunners Speedrunners love Souls games due to the sheer amount of paths and options there are. FromSoftware fill their games with shortcuts and secrets which are simply ideal for speedrunning. Those who know the map and and structure of these games will know there are ways to bypass certain areas and access endgame content early. Read More: Is Elden Ring down? Server status – This is why speedrunners target Souls games and compete to finish them as quickly as possible. Even the original Demon’s Souls on PS3 was a playground for speedrunning. It’s follow-up, Dark Souls was also a speedrunning favourite, with the world record sitting at a completed time of 21 minutes and 17 seconds. Bloodborne’s record is just two seconds less, sitting at 21 minutes and 15 seconds. Elden Ring is a much bigger game than anything FromSoftware has released before, but we suspect speedrunners have a lot more to show us before they’re through. Make sure you check out our Elden Ring page for all the latest news and guides. Elden Ring Uchigatana | Elden Ring Moonveil Katana | How to change your appearance in Elden Ring | How to respec your character | Academy Glintstone Key | Smithing Stones | Elden Ring Stonedigger Troll | Elden Ring Margit the Fell Omen | Elden Ring Tree Sentinel | Elden Ring Grave Warden | Elden Ring Pumpkin Head | Elden Ring Soldier of Godrick | Elden Ring Godrick the Grafted | Elden Ring Red Wolf of Redagon | Best Elden Ring settings

Elden Ring streamer ups the difficulty using only one hand to challenge Malenia Bandai NamcoMalenia is known as one of the hardest bosses in Elden Ring. But despite her infamous reputation, a Twitch streamer took her down with ease using only one hand while at rune level 1. Among the myriad of bosses, Malenia quickly became infamous among the Elden Ring community. Despite her small figure, at least compared to the usual monstrosities, Malenia is an absolute behemoth of a boss fight. “I am Malenia. Blade of Miqella. And I have never known defeat.” Her now iconic line sends chills down the spines of casual players — who see her as an overwhelming wall to surmount. But for Twitch Streamer MissMiikkaa, it’s just another day at the office. She’s been playing the entire game at rune level 1 — a popularized challenge to maximize difficulty. But on top of this already near impossible limitation, MissMikkaa added one more variable to the mix: she’s playing one-handed. On top of the usual face cam, Miikkaa has a second webcam showcasing her inputs, where her left hand is constantly poised over a PlayStation controller. The other hand has a Twitch sock covered over it, to ensure she’s not using both hands while playing. After all, if a bright purple sock randomly appeared on screen, it’d be rather obvious. It takes Miikkaa a couple of tries to beat Malenia — but it’s evident from her initial movements against Malenia the streamer has a good handle on the fight. “I’m not even looking at the screen while I’m dodging. Is that a good sign?” she conversed with her viewers, enjoying back and forth engagement with her Twitch Chat. On the final run, she weaved expertly between each sword slash — displaying skill the majority of two-handed players couldn’t even begin to mimic. Before slaying Malenia, Mikkaa exclaimed, “this is actually really good,” following up by dealing the final blow. The Twitch streamer let out a cheer: “oh my god, we got her. Wooo!” She then threw the sock-covered hand and her playing hand into the air — delighted by the well earned victory.

Everything we know about Elden Ring: release date, trailers, platforms, leaks From SoftwareElden Ring is the next game by FromSoftware and is a collaboration with Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin. Here’s everything you need to know about Elden Ring, from release date to trailers, platforms, and leaks. Elden Ring is an action RPG that is heavily inspired by FromSoftware’s earlier games such as Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. However, Elden Ring will be a new experience and will be more of a narrative-driven adventure thanks to George R.R. Martin’s involvement, with the author writing the game’s story alongside iconic designer Hidetaka Miyazaki. Unlike previous Souls games, Elden Ring will be an open-world adventure that takes advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S hardware, although it will also release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Contents Elden Ring release date – Elden Ring trailers – What is the story of Elden Ring? – How long will it take to complete Elden Ring? – Elden Ring gameplay demo details – Elden Ring multiplayer, co-op, PvP, invasions – Elden Ring character classes – Resolution and frame-rate options for Elden Ring – Elden Ring closed beta – Edge Interview with Miyazaki – Elden Ring references to Berserk manga – Elden Ring Release Date Elden Ring will release on February 25, 2022, across all platforms. The game was originally going to be released in January 2022 but was delayed to give the developers more time to add polish. As release draws near, Elden Ring has now become the most wishlisted game on Steam. Reportedly, over 278,000 users have added the game to their wishlist now, which has knocked Dying Light 2 into second place. This makes Elden Ring the most hyped ‘Souls’ game of all time, at least prior to release. Elden Ring trailers The first Elden Ring trailer was revealed at E3 2019, and mostly created more questions than answers. However, the game’s dark medieval fantasy setting seemed in line with other games created by FromSoftware such as the Dark Souls trilogy. Most of that footage has been shown in subsequent trailers. The second Elden Ring trailer dropped during the Summer Games Fest on June 10, 2021. This was the first time players got to see any Elden Ring gameplay. During 2021’s The Game Awards, a 4-minute story trailer was revealed for the game, giving fans another glimpse into the world’s narrative. Narrated by ‘The Storyteller’, the trailer opens with the line: “It happened an age ago, but when I recall, I see it true.” Featuring shadowy forests and huge sieges, lore fans are in for a treat as the clip explores Elden Ring’s backstory. What is the story of Elden Ring? The plot of Elden Ring is still mostly shrouded in mystery, but we do know that the player is referred to as ‘Tarnished’. The player, and other Tarnished characters, are being hunted for reasons unknown. One character mentions the protagonist coming “through the fog” which will sound familiar to Demon’s Souls fans. As with most of FromSoftware’s titles, it’s likely that most details will be kept under wraps so that players can discover everything for themselves, likely through environmental storytelling found within the game’s world. George R.R. Martin’s contribution and reaction When Elden Ring was announced, the involvement of George R.R. Martin was a major selling point. The creator of Game of Thrones writing the story of a Souls game (and Elden Ring fits that description despite being a new IP) seemed like a perfect fit. Since then, we haven’t heard much about the story, which is normal for a From Software game, but with Martin at the helm, fans suspected Elden Ring may place a greater emphasis on narrative than previous games from the studio. George R.R. Martin has now broken his silence when it comes to Elden Ring, giving us a little insight into his contributions, and his thoughts on the (very nearly) finished product. On his ‘Not a Blog’ blog, Martin confessed that video games are “not really his thing”, but the author was approached by Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki who pitched him the Elden Ring idea. Read More: Everything we know about Mass Effect 4 – Martin said, “Miyazaki and his team from FromSoftware were doing groundbreaking stuff with gorgeous art, and what they wanted from me was just a bit of worldbuilding: a deep, dark, resonant world to serve as a foundation for the game they planned to create. And as it happens, I love creating worlds and writing imaginary history. But the day of Elden Ring is finally at hand… And I’ve got to say, it looks incredible.” Martin also confirmed that his involvement in Elden Ring has concluded now that the lore is written. We look forward to seeing which Elden Ring plot elements feel like they came from the wonderful but twisted minds of either Miyazaki or Martin when the game releases on February 25, 2022.” How long will it take to complete Elden Ring? At the 2022 Taipei Game Show, Yasuhiro Kitao of FromSoftware was interviewed regarding the game, revealing new details about the game and also divuldging some other interesting stuff. Yasuhiro was asked the question: “Approximately how many hours does it take to complete the game?” He pointed out that the overall time with the game will obviously vary depending on the player’s ability and propensity to explore. But on average: “The idea is that the main route should be able to completed within around 30 hours.” Kitao elaborates that there is “dozens more hours worth of gameplay,” but 30 hours is roughly the playtime for the main story. Timestamp – 32:55 Elden Ring gameplay demo details FromSoftware have shown off 15 minutes of Elden Ring gameplay during a detailed demo. This showed a vast open-world alongside combat gameplay which retains many of the qualities of Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. The gameplay also takes cues from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Witcher 3, and Skyrim. Combat appears similar to the usual FromSoftware style – methodical and unforgiving – and players will also be able to tailor their build to suit their own preferred style. We saw melee tanks, wizards, and more dexterous builds throughout the gameplay demo. Fans can traverse the landscape on horseback, but unlike games like Red Dead Redemption or Assassin’s Creed, rather than whistling for their horse, players must summon them through a spell. They can also scale cliffs and other high or jagged surfaces on horseback by taking advantage of areas that grant temporary flight. Bonfires also return from previous FromSoftware games, serving a similar function to what they did in Dark Souls. They work as checkpoints for progress or somewhere the player can heal, level up, and more. This time they are known as Points of Grace. Important bosses reside behind fog gates like in previous Souls games, but others freely wander the game world. Players can take them on, or use stealth mechanics to avoid them, as they could in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – another FromSoftware title. Most of the game will take place in the overworld which seamlessly blends into dungeons and other landmarks like buildings and castles. You can watch the full gameplay preview below. Open world and map For the first time in a Souls game, Elden Ring will feature an open-world similar to that of Skyrim or The Witcher 3. The beta gave us an impressive amount of ground to cover, but one Reddit user has estimated that we’ve only seen 13% of The Lands Between so far. User AdLivTho has used mathematics to calculate the size of the map by comparing the existing released area to the overall world map. If their calculations are accurate, then Elden Ring could feature a very vast world indeed, and one that rivals previous open-world RPGs. You can see how AdLivTho worked out the geography of The Lands Between in this helpful map. Elden Ring multiplayer, co-op, PvP, invasions The narrator on the gameplay preview confirmed that co-op, PvP, and invasions are also returning from earlier games like Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne, but didn’t provide many details on how this will work. The nature of Elden Ring’s open world will mean that some mechanics are likely to change when it comes to summoning players for support or avoiding invaders. Players can also summon AI spirits to back them up in combat. Earlier FromSoftware games had a similar mechanic, but this version seems greatly expanded, allowing the protagonist to summon multiple spirits at once. They can also choose which spirits they summon and the narrator implies there are options to customize them. Elden Ring Beta multiplayer details The Elden Ring Beta has given us our first look at the game’s multiplayer. Those who’ve played Bloodborne, any of the Dark Souls trilogy, or 2020’s Demon’s Souls remake, will be instantly at home with the mechanics. Elden Ring uses what is essentially the same system, but with a few tweaks. It’s also worth pointing out that the Beta hasn’t revealed everything we wanted to know about Elden Ring’s multiplayer, but we now know the basics. Co-op in Elden Ring The co-op gameplay in Elden Ring is very similar to the titles listed above. Hosts can summon guests into their world to support them in combat and aid in exploration. Guest characters will take the form of guardian spirits, meaning they can only interact with the world in a limited way. For example, they can move around, battle enemies, and collect Rune Fragments (this game’s currency and version of ‘souls’), but they cannot progress in quests or rest at Sites of Grace (bonfires). This can only be done in their own world. Players wishing to summon aid can do so by using a consumable item called a Furlcalling Finger Remedy. This will enable you to see other players golden signs on the floor. By stepping on them, you’ll then be given the option to summon that player as a guardian spirit. Furlcalling Finger Remedies are limited in number, and players will need to gather them in solo play if they wish to summon help frequently. Therefore it may be wise to use them sparingly, such as when needed for boss fights or against invaders. However, like the similar functioning Humanity consumable in Dark Souls, we expect Furlcalling Finger Remedies will become more plentiful as the game goes on. FromSoftware will not want to restrict those coming to the game for its multiplayer components too much. Joining another Tarnished’s world Entering the world of another player can be very rewarding. While you’ll be unable to advance in quests, it’s still an excellent way to gather Rune Fragments. It’s also a good way to scout areas and learn boss battle strategies ahead of facing these obstacles in your own world. Downed bosses drop a large chunk of Rune Fragments too, so it’s an ideal way of leveling up. To enter the world of another player, you’ll need to use an item called the Tarnished Furled Finger. Unlike the Furlcalling Finger Remedies, this is not a consumable item and can be used as many times as you like. You’ll also begin the game with one, meaning you won’t need to track it down before you can play co-op. This lets you place your golden sign on the ground for other players to find and summon you. Your sign will be visible to all players on your server. Other Elden Ring players will be keen to summon you for support, so it’s often easier to be summoned than to summon. Aiding another player to get through a difficult spot is also a great way to encourage them to do the same for you. PvP and invasions in Elden Ring Like previous SoulsBorne titles, Elden Ring also features PvP battles and invasions. This is when a player enters another’s world, but not as a guardian spirit, but as a plunderer, intent on taking what belongs to the host. The first PvP option in Elden Ring is an honorable duel. Players can use an item called the Duelist’s Furled Finger to leave a red sign on the ground. Others can then accept the challenge and summon you into their world for a fight to the death. To the winner, the spoils, which in Elden Ring is a stash of Rune Fragments. However, more predatory players can use the Bloody Finger in the game’s multiplayer menu to seek out vulnerable players and invade their world. They can then hunt down the host player to take their Rune Fragments by force. This is often a thrilling high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse for both players, and one where it’s fair to use dirty tactics. Invaders also need to beware, some players are not as vulnerable as they appear, and may be luring you in for precisely the same reason you’re invading them. Hosts have the home field advantage and may have a squad of guardian spirits waiting for you. Invading players are also just as likely to be attacked by the game’s AI enemies as the host is, so this playstyle is not without its risks. Elden Ring multiplayer mysteries There are still questions regarding how and when co-op partners and PvP invaders are expelled from a host’s world. Previous Souls games did this once the guardian spirits had successfully helped the host slay that area’s boss. Co-op partners would then return to their own world, armed with knowledge and a hefty chunk of experience points. Invaders could continue to attack the host once they enter the boss arena, but this was treacherous for both players. Once the boss was destroyed, the invader would also be banished. Read More: When is Bloodhunt coming to console? – With Elden Ring being a more open-world adventure, these mechanics will be harder to maintain. Players are likely to take more time exploring the world, so co-op partners will inevitably last a lot longer. This also means invasions are likely to go on to the bitter end, until either the player or the invader best the other. Players can use an item called the Finger Severer to dismiss co-op partners, but this won’t work on invaders who’ve forced their way into the world. We’ll be keen to see if the rest of the Elden Ring Beta provides the answers to these questions, as the very nature of the game means it won’t be able to fully follow the multiplayer mechanics of previous SoulsBorne games. Elden Ring character classes FromSoftware has confirmed that there will be five playable character classes in Elden Ring. The five playable classes include: Warrior, Enchanted Knight, Prophet, Champion, and Bloody Wolf. The devs haven’t gone into any more detail, but we can make some assumptions based on the names of the classes. Warrior is likely to be the typical tank build while Enchanted Knight sounds like a mixture between a caster and a dexterity build. We suspect the Prophet character class may resemble a miracle build from Dark Souls. The Champion and Bloody Wolf classes are a little harder to pin down and are likely new to Elden Ring. The second Elden Ring trailer showed a character howling at the moon, so we’re going to go out on a limb and suggest that may be a shot of the Bloody Wolf class in action. We also wonder if the Bloody Wolf class may be similar to some of the gameplay types we saw in Bloodborne. Despite Bloodborne borrowing heavily from Dark Souls, the game featured a much more aggressive combat system, and some builds were geared around becoming more ‘beastlike’. The game looks a lot like a spiritual successor to Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls, but could the Bloody Wolf class be a throwback to Bloodborne? In seven days, these five brave Tarnished will cross the Sea of Fog.#ELDENRING pic.twitter.com/t7SNykhr3E — ELDEN RING (@ELDENRING) November 5, 2021 Resolution and frame-rate options for Elden Ring FromSoftware has also confirmed that the title will feature a 4K graphic mode and a 60fps performance mode, both on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Ray tracing will also be available on these editions of the game but not on the PS4 and Xbox One versions. 2020’s Demon’s Souls offered similar features. It will be interesting to see if the game benefits more from a higher resolution or a frame rate bump. We can imagine the latter being especially helpful in boss fights, the performance boost giving players the edge when it comes to combat. Elden Ring closed beta The Elden Ring closed network test (or beta) was playable during the weekend of November 12-15th, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Players who took part were able to experience the opening hours of the game. Important message: ELDEN RING will release on Feb 25, 2022, as the depth & strategic freedom of the game exceeded initial expectations. Thank you for your trust & patience. We look forward to seeing you experience the game in the Closed Network Test in Nov. The #ELDENRING Team — ELDEN RING (@ELDENRING) October 18, 2021 Edge Interview with Miyazaki In an interview with Edge Magazine, Elden Ring (and Dark Souls) creator Hidetaka Miyazaki opened up about the game’s development and the evolution of FromSoftware’s Souls series. He said, “Elden Ring is based on a culmination of everything we’ve done with the Dark Souls series and with our games thus far.” Miyazaki also went on to say that a game with the scope of Elden Ring may not have been possible even a few years ago, saying that the game is a “brand-new world that wouldn’t have been possible before.” He elaborated, saying, “We wanted to create this world that was full of the joy of exploration of the unknown. So we wanted to create lots of enticing things for the budding adventurer.” “Variety is something we strived for when creating this game, and something I believe we’ve managed to achieve, I believe it [the game] will be our best to date.” It will be fun to see what elements Elden Ring borrows from games like Demon’s, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. The game even seems to take elements from other FromSoftware titles not considered Souls games, such as the stealth elements from Sekiro. Elden Ring references to Berserk manga series Longtime Souls fans will know that creator Hidetaka Miyazaki wears his influences on his sleeve. Miyazaki was obsessed with reading western fantasy, like Tolkien, as a child, but he’s also a lifelong fan of Manga. One of his favorites is Beserk a series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura. Beserk is set in a dark fantasy world not unlike Miyazaki’s Souls games. The story follows a lone mercenary called Guts and his band of warriors know as the “Band of the Hawk.” Read More: Is Elden Ring a Souls game? – The influence of Beserk has been felt several times in the Souls series. Weapons, key item, enemy designs, locations, and even NPCs and bosses have at times felt reminiscent of the manga series. In Dark Souls 3, an NPC (and potential mini-boss) Hawkwood the Deserter also resembles Guts and his story from Beserk in several ways. Elden Ring also seems to be following this trend, with several references to Beserk already being noticed by eagle-eyed fans of both. The biggest reference being the winged-helmet worn by one of the god-like combatants in the story trailer. This character model looks remarkably similar to a popular character from Beserk. For a full breakdown of Beserk references in Elden Ring, check out this impressive sub-reddit full of them. So, there you have it – that’s everything you need to know about Elden Ring, from release date to trailers and more. For more gaming release hubs, make sure to check out: God of War Ragnarok | Horizon: Forbidden West | Gotham Knights | Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League | Lost Ark

Elden Ring player pushes Level 1 limits with insane one-shot combo FROMSOFTWAREThe depth of Elden Ring’s RPG elements opens the game up to significant experimentation from build crafters. One player has pushed that to the absolute limit, dealing huge damage as a Level 1 character. As first reported by Automaton Media, Japanese streamer Koori Soda set out with the goal of dealing the highest damage possible from a single attack on a first-level character. Their first attempt resulted in a strike that dealt an impressive 33k damage against a stricken Fire Giant. The first thing to note is that the opponent is chosen very specifically. Part of the damage from the initial method is drawn from the Hemorrhage status effect. This deals damage proportional to the enemy’s health, and the Fire Giant has one of the highest pools in the entire game. The player is also specifically targeting the giant’s weak point on its leg, to accrue as much damage as possible alongside the bleed effect. The character is using a Blood Grossmesser (curved blade), and the Seppuku Ash of War skill, which buffs Attack Power and the ability to inflict blood loss. From there, they went for an entirely new method and blew that out of the water. This time, they targeted the Flame Chariot. Thanks to the opening in the top of the chariot, a plunged attack can trigger a huge critical hit. To best take advantage of this, Sooda used a Sleep Pot to put the chariot to sleep before using several buffs, including the Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear and the Howl of Shabriri incantation for the extra health damage from the Madness status effect. All of that results in a single attack that deals a scarcely believable 455,866 damage, destroying the chariot comfortably. It’s nice to see players pushing the limits in the original Elden Ring. With the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC releasing soon, who knows what will end up being achievable.

Elden Ring multiplayer deemed “not ready” following network test Elden Ring/FromSoftwareThe online community is worried that the Elden Ring multiplayer is not up to standard after playing the game’s beta test. Are their concerns warranted? Elden Ring’s online beta test went live on Friday, November 12, 2021, and gave fans their first clear look at Elden Ring’s multiplayer and campaign gameplay. As a Souls-style game, Elden Ring’s multiplayer, be it PvP or co-op, is integrated into the game’s main campaign. A host can freely explore the world, summoning other players for support in combat when needed. Players that want to engage in PvP can challenge others to a dual by using an in-game item, then get ready for battle when someone answers the challenge. However, the main form of PvP in Elden Ring’s multiplayer is an invasion mechanic which works similarly to the one seen in Demon’s S0uls, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. This allows predatory players to enter the world of another – uninvited – then set about ruining their day. Elden Ring multiplayer: repeating Dark Souls mistakes? Those who’ve played the closed network test have now expressed their thoughts online and have concluded that the game is far from ready. You can read a full breakdown of fans’ complaints here on Reddit, but most of it is concerned with Elden Ring’s PvP multiplayer. Surprisingly, the multiplayer mechanics of earlier games have translated well, but there are issues when it comes to actual combat. Some fans fear the infamously overpowered backstab from the original Dark Souls has made a return, something that essentially allows players to win a fight in one well-practiced move. Players are also worried that blocking is OP and that players can seemingly just block and backstab their way through Elden Ring’s multiplayer. The original Reddit poster explained, “The backstab’s purpose was to punish carelessly showing your back in the middle of combat. It added a high amount of depth as players needed to be aware of their backs and could not swing their attacks carelessly.” The ‘Backstab’ in Elden Ring They went on to explain why this was a problem in Elden Ring’s beta, saying, “In Elden Ring, ANY movement will make you miss the backstab even if the movement is casting a spell while standing still. Even when you don’t want to do the backstab, you still get the backstab grab which leaves you vulnerable.” This essentially turns PvP battles into just two blocking players attempting to get behind each other, rather than a tense and varied sword/magic fight. It could encourage players to all pursue the same build rather than engage with everything else the game has to offer. Apparent glitches and the game’s lack of melee combos in battle may also drive players down this route in an attempt to gain an advantage. Those who opt for a different experience may feel vulnerable in PvP if they do not follow the crowd. The positives when it comes to Elden Ring feedback The good news is the fan complaints have been constructive and measured, designed to be feedback f0r developer From Software rather than an attack. This is exactly what beta tests are designed for, after all. Souls games have a very passionate fanbase, and many will be keen to avoid the growing pains that Dark Souls 1 and 2 experienced. Therefore, this feedback will be invaluable to From Software as they continue to polish Elden Ring’s multiplayer. Most Souls games are often a little bit janky at launch, so constructive feedback during a beta test should hopefully lessen any issues that arise. Elden Ring will release on February 25, 2022, on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Check out what we thought when we went hands-on with Elden Ring.

Elden Ring multiplayer: How to play co-op and invade other players in PvP FromSoftwareElden Ring multiplayer enables players to team up and even battle with other adventurers, so if you wish to help or hinder your fellow Tarnished, then be sure to follow our multiplayer guide. Just like previous titles in the Dark Souls series, Elden Ring also features multiplayer that allows players to invade other Tarnished. Elden Ring’s multiplayer also enables adventurers to team up for some jolly cooperation, creating opportunities where the community can assist each other when tackling the game’s brutal battles. Whether you’re a veteran Dark Souls PvP player who wishes to flex your skills in Elden Ring or a fan of cooperative play, then multiplayer will enable you to do both. However, before you can dive into Elden Ring’s multiplayer, you’ll need to use the following steps. Contents How to play co-op in Elden Ring – How many players can join in Elden Ring multiplayer? – How to invade in Elden Ring – How to duel in Elden Ring – How to play co-op in Elden Ring If you want to play multiplayer in Elden Ring, then you’ll need to use the Furcalling Finger Remedy. This item reveals all cooperative summon signs and competitive multiplayer summon signs that appear in the environment. Simply interact with the player you wish to play or duel with to begin the multiplayer session. It’s important to note that Furlcalling Finger Remedies are limited in number, and players will need to gather them in solo play if they wish to summon help frequently. Therefore it may be wise to use them sparingly, such as in boss fights or against invaders. Read More: Elden Ring PC requirements – Lastly, the Tarnished Furled Finger item enables you to create a summon sign for cooperative multiplayer. If you’re playing with a friend and defeat the area’s boss, you’ll need to either resummon or place your summon sign down again to rejoin them. Unlike the Furlcalling Finger Remedy, the Tarnished Furled Finger is not a consumable item and can be used as many times as you like. You’ll also begin the game with one, meaning you won’t need to track it down before you can play co-op. How many players can join in Elden Ring multiplayer? Up to four players can play together in a single Elden Ring co-op session. So, if you’re really struggling with the game’s bosses or just want to quickly eliminate any pesky invaders, then be sure to summon your small army to rid yourself of the imposing threats. How to invade in Elden Ring In order to invade in Elden Ring, you’ll need to use the Bloody Finger. Once you’ve selected this item from your menu, you’ll be transported to another player’s world. Upon arriving at the location, you’ll be tasked with hunting down your victim and killing them in order to claim a dominant victory. Read More: Elden Ring character classes guide – While you may have shown up unannounced, NPCs and environmental hazards still pose a threat. Your enemy can also summon other players into the world in order to assist them, so it’s often best to dispatch them quickly. Should your hunt prove unsuccessful, you can attempt to re-invade the same player by simply using the Bloody Finger once again. How to duel in Elden Ring If you prefer to simply duel in Elden Ring, then you can utilize the Duelist’s Furled Finger to set up some bloody bouts. Unlike the Bloody Finger that enables you to invade, the Duelist’s Furled Finger creates a summon sign that other players can interact with. Read More: Is Elden Ring a Souls game? – If another player summons you, both parties will battle it out to the death. It’s here where players can truly flex their character’s build and showcase their lethality. So, there you have it, everything you need to play Elden Ring co-op and how you can invade other players. Make sure you check out our Elden Ring page for all the latest news and guides. Elden Ring PC requirements | Elden Ring New Game Plus | Elden Ring character classes | Elden Ring character creator | Survive an invasion in Elden Ring | Best Elden Ring class for your first run | How to level up in Elden Ring | How to get the Horse in Elden Ring | Elden Ring stats explained

Elden Ring rivals Lost Ark as day one launch pushes Twitch, Steam records FromSoftwareElden Ring released today, as if you didn’t know, and players have flocked to the Lands Between in numbers that are setting records for FromSoftware. Hitting peaks of 840,000 viewers on Twitch as well as 765,000 concurrent players on Steam, the hugely anticipated game more than tripled records set by Dark Souls 3. The game, already being earmarked for GOTY on Steam’s community forum is not just setting From Software records. But Elden Ring is having one of the biggest Launch days ever seen by Valve. Hitting over 600,000 players within an hour of launch according to SteamDB. This is exciting news for anyone who’s been following the tortuous journey of waiting for the game to finally release. But it must be said that waiting for anything George R.R Martin related seems to be an inescapable part of the experience. He claimed the sixth book of the Song of Ice and Fire series would be released “next year” in 2020, and it’s still unreleased. Elden Ring has almost 900k concurrent viewers on Twitch right now for context, Dark Souls 3 only ever peaked at 276k pic.twitter.com/3TSlybWwH9 — Iron Pineapple (@IronPineapple_) February 25, 2022 Considering that the competition at the top of Steam’s concurrent players’ list is dominated by free-to-play multiplayer games – with Dota 2, CS:GO, PUBG, and Apex Legends consistently among the top 5 – a full-priced game cracking the list, and this soon after launch, is no feat to be sniffed at. The biggest launches of other paid games on Steam have seen similarly huge numbers when setting ATHs. Amazon’s New World, which reached 913,634 concurrent players on launch weekend, and Cyberpunk 2077 reached 1,054,388. Elden Ring summarized in 3 seconds pic.twitter.com/IaAjZ3zNIq — 100T NiceWigg (@NiceWigg) February 25, 2022 There have only been five games in Steam’s history to crack the million mark, and with player numbers dipping down from the 764k high it remains to be seen whether a second wind will bring Elden Ring up to those lofty heights. Fan response for Elden Ring so far seems to be well measured, with fears the game might lower the difficulty threshold to appeal to a larger audience seeming to be unfounded. You can check out our own Elden Ring review for full impressions along with some early guides to get you started.

Elden Ring fans worried the game won’t compare to Demon’s Souls remake FromSoftwareFans of the Souls series are worried that Elden Ring may not look as good as the Demon’s Souls remake on PS5. Are their fears warranted? Elden Ring will be with us on February 25, 2022, and some fans have concerns that it won’t live up to the 2020 remake of Demon’s Souls. Despite being a new IP, Elden Ring is the latest entry in FromSoftware’s Souls stable, with its gameplay heavily inspired by previous games. Although, the beta gameplay footage on PS5, Xbox, and PC looks more like Dark Souls 3 than the PS5 remake of Demon’s Souls, which has worried the game’s community about the game’s visual fidelity. Elden Ring creator’s comments Souls series creator Hidetaka Miyazaki’s comments in an interview with Edge Magazine have also worried fans of FromSoftware’s work, especially those who are looking forward to Elden Ring. While some fans already felt that Elden Ring didn’t look as good as Demon’s Souls, Miyazaki’s words will do little to alleviate their fears. The celebrated developer claimed to have not played the Demon’s Souls remake, not wanting to revisit “old memories.” He also stated he’s aware of how good the game looks, and that this has added a layer of pressure to him and his team. He said, “Graphical fidelity is not something we put as the top priority. What we ask for on the graphics side depends on the systems and requirements of the game itself, and it takes less priority compared to the other elements of development.” “So, this is always an area where I feel a little bit apologetic towards my graphics team because I know they work extremely hard. And they’ve worked extremely hard on Elden Ring – our graphics-systems team and our programmers have been pushing a lot of new features to create the best-looking games we’ve ever made.” Community reaction to Elden Ring’s visuals Reddit user Eisenmonoxidc complained that Elden Ring’s graphics look too much like a last-gen FromSoftware game. They said, “Graphically wise, the game reminds me of Dark Souls 3. Textures are not high-resolution, and the lighting looks dated.” Others agreed but maintained a positive outlook. “When it comes to graphics, well, it’s not DeS that sometimes looks basically like a movie, but it’s decent for a cross-gen open world,” one user said. “I just wish tree models looked slightly better, everything else is fine.” However, in another post, Reddit user Mr_Jackabin defended Elden Ring’s visuals when compared to Demon’s Souls. They argued, “All of Demon’s Souls remakes resources went into making the game look and sound better, it is still the same buggy, imbalanced game it was. Does it look good? Yes. Could they have tried harder in other areas? Also yes. “Elden Ring is open world, which means it wouldn’t look as good as a linear game that FromSoft would make. This should go without saying if you know anything about games. Skyrim would look better if all of its assets went into making Whiterun the only playable area.” Time will tell how Elden Ring looks in its final form.

Elden Ring Keepsakes: Best Starting Gifts Dexerto/ FromSoftwareElden Ring is a challenging game which means you need to take all the help the game presents to you. The starting Keepsakes in Elden Ring can help you on your journey, but which one should you choose? Planning out your character creation in Elden Ring is really important as it can make a huge difference in your journey through The Lands Between. As in Dark Souls before it, there’s more to some starting gifts than meets the eye, therefore you should choose your Keepsake wisely and understand what each one does. Below, we’ll provide a detailed description of the best Keepsakes in Elden Ring, explaining what each one does, how useful they are, and if any have some hidden use for later in the game. This way, you’ll know which one is best for your playthrough and will be able to plan your build accordingly. The best Keepsakes in Elden Ring Here are the best Keepsakes to choose at the start of Elden Ring: Crimson Amber Medallion The Crimson Amber Medallion is many players’ go-to keepsake as it boosts your maximum HP, making your health bar just a little bit longer. This is a good keepsake for players focusing on a strength build prioritizing HP. While it’ll be replaced by more effective talismans later in the game, this is a nice way to give yourself some extra health in the opening hours of Elden Ring. Let’s be honest, you’re going to need it. Golden Seed You can increase the number of charges that your Sacred Flask can hold by using the Golden Seed. This essentially means you get an extra health refill if you choose this starting gift – which can be incredibly helpful. You’ll gather more Golden Seeds throughout your journey, but having one at the start of the game is a great boon to have. It can also be used to boost your blue spells flask, making it a great starting gift for casters who need this precious resource to blast their enemies with Glintstone sorcery and other spells. Always remember though, you’ll find plenty of these on your journey, so as useful as they are at the start, Golden Seeds are not in short supply later. Fanged Imp Ashes Elden Ring allows you to summon AI help through Spirit Ashes which may assist you in taking down enemies. This makes boss fights easier as your allies will distract bosses and do some damage to them, allowing you to get your own hit in. The Fanged Imp Ashes work really well as a starting option. Despite their low health, the Fanged Imps can provide Hemorrhage (Bleed) damage that will help you in defeating the earlier bosses, especially if you support them and use a Bleed weapon of your own. You’ll find far more powerful Spirit Ashes later, but some that can make bosses bleed in the early hours of Elden Ring are very useful. Lands Between Rune Compared to the other items on the list which are obtainable in the game even if you don’t choose them as a Keepsake, the Lands Between Rune cannot be found in the open world and can only be acquired as a Keepsake. That being said, there are lots of other items that do the same thing. It’s essentially a consumable that gives you 3,000 runes. It’ll get you closer to a level up in the opening of the game, but really, runes are simple to farm and plentiful. Stonesword Key This Keepsake allows you to have two Stonesword Keys that may be used to unlock treasure-hiding imp seals, among other things. These keys can only be used once but you can find a bunch of these in the open world. Additionally, getting two of these early on will give you access to regions that wouldn’t have been accessible otherwise, making them helpful. But these items are common later in the game, and many of the areas they unlock require you to be at a higher level before you have a chance to tackle them effectively. Bewitching Branch This Keepsake presents you with five Bewitching Branches that, when used, emit a pink fog with a very limited range. Enemies in this mist become enchanted and stop attacking you and fight alongside you for a brief time. Getting five Bewitching Branches for free is fairly important because they are harder to get than the other Keepsakes on this list. However, you will ultimately be able to create them once you progress further in the story. But, no matter which route you take, getting there will take some time. Cracked Pot This Keepsake allows you to have two Cracked Points as the game begins. These pots might prove to be very useful as you can keep filling them with items to craft throwable items. However, not many players use throwables in Elden Ring which might be owing to the game’s janky aim system. Moreover, finding these Cracked Pots in the open world is quite easy making this Keepsake especially helpful. Boiled Prawn The Boiled Prawn item negates 15% physical damage for 60 seconds so it’s a helpful item to use before a boss fight in Elden Ring, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. Choosing it as a Keepsake gives you five of them, but you’ll soon burn them. You can also buy them from Blackguard Big Boggart once you befriend him after leaving Limgrave. He can be found at the Boilprawn Shack at Liurnia of the Lakes. Shabriri’s Woe Shabriri’s Woe is a talisman that attracts enemies’ hostility and directs it towards you. It is most often used during co-op gameplay where it can be used to distract bosses and draw them away from the host player. You can also use Shabriri’s Woe coupled with the Mimic Tear to let the Mimic Tear take all the damage in your place. To do this, you’ll need to equip the talisman, summon the Mimic Tear, and then unequip Shabriri’s Woe. As your Mimic will still be wearing it, they will draw the enemy’s aggro while you attack their blindside. Remember, bosses will still notice you again once you attack them, but they’ll be compelled to keep going after the Mimic Tear – so don’t think this strategy makes you invisible! You’ll need to acquire the Mimic Tear in order to do this, which isn’t available until later in the game, but as the Mimic Tear is one of the best Spirit Summons in the game, this is a strategy worth waiting for. Just know that the item won’t have much use until then, that is unless you’re playing co-op. So, that’s all there is to know about the best Keepsakes in Elden Ring. Be sure to check our Elden Ring page and brush up on all the latest guides below: Elden Ring PC requirements | Elden Ring multiplayer | Elden Ring character classes | Elden Ring character creator | Elden Ring New Game Plus | Survive an invasion in Elden Ring | Best Elden Ring class for your first run | How to level up in Elden Ring | How to get the Horse in Elden Ring | Elden Ring: Best early weapons for all builds | Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: Everything we know

Elden Ring DLC’s strongest weapon is a Perfume Bottle that eviscerates bosses FromSoftware/Bandai NamcoA humble Perfume Bottle is quickly proving itself to be Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree’s most powerful weapon as it chews through bosses. In the lead-up to Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, we all got a little excited when FromSoftware started revealing the eight new weapon types. New Great Katanas that are an homage to Monster Hunter, martial arts for hand-to-hand showdowns, and more got the hype train moving. Of course, many players were likely taking notes on which had the potential to break the game. There’s a particularly busted sorcery that has a shot at the crown but we didn’t expect this latest discovery. One of the new Perfume Bottles may just take the top spot for Elden Ring Shadow of the Ertree’s strongest weapon. The Lightning Perfume Bottle or, more specifically, its Ash of War is annihilating some of Elden Ring’s toughest bosses. As seen with the Fire Giant above, the Rolling Sparks Ash of War on the Lightning Perfume Bottle deals an absurd amount of damage. The build being used is a product of YouTuber Syrobe (first shared by PC Gamer) who explains an exploit with the weapon. Ordinarily, the Rolling Sparks Ash of War sends out a series of perfume clouds in a straight line that explodes and deals damage within individual hitboxes. However, aiming it at the ground concentrates all those explosions in a single area and melts through a boss’s health bar. Keeping things spoiler-free, Syrobe even alleged that they had toppled Shadow of the Erdtree’s challenging final boss in just 13 seconds. Seeing how easily this Perfume Bottle handled the Fire Giant, we’re inclined to believe them. This is fantastic news for players who just want to get through the DLC as quickly as possible. If you’re looking for a challenge, however, we have guides on how to beat all the new bosses introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree without this particular weapon.

Elden Ring at risk of major security flaw already taking Dark Souls offline From SoftwareElden Ring could potentially be exposed to the same security exploit that affected the Dark Souls games on PC. As originally reported by VGC, Elden Ring could also be vulnerable to the same security risk that’s taken the PC versions of Dark Souls Remastered, Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin, and Dark Souls 3 offline for over a week. This is according to one of the people who discovered the exploit. As Elden Ring’s release date of February 25, 2022, draws closer, it has now been alleged that Bandai Namco has been aware of the security issue in its games for years, but has never taken any action to resolve them. The fear is that Elden Ring could potentially suffer from similar outages, or worse, if the problems continue to be ignored. Could Dark Souls server issues impact Elden Ring? These problems came to the public’s attention on January 23, 2022, when the Dark Souls 1, 2, and 3 servers were shut down on PC after an exploit was discovered. One which could potentially let people remotely control other players’ computers. One of the players that discovered this security risk claims they made Bandai Namco aware of the issue several weeks earlier but received no response from the company or Dark Souls developer FromSoftware. They then made the exploit public in an attempt to force Bandai Namco into action. Read More: Is Elden Ring a Souls game? – Another user claims to have warned the publisher about dangerous exploits back in 2020, but they too said they heard nothing back from Bandai Namco. This individual fears that Elden Ring suffering from a similar server outage is “inevitable.” That is unless this issue is fixed before the game is released. The original VGC report states that the warning emails sent to Bandai Namco can be viewed as part of a paper trail, but this doesn’t explain why the issue seems to have been ignored by the company. What’s most worrying, is that Elden Ring and the Dark Souls games feature a “shared network infrastructure” and now the world’s hackers are aware of these vulnerabilities. The developers have now confirmed that Dark Soul’s servers won’t be back up and running until after the release of Elden Ring. On the Dark Souls official Twitter account, the company said: “We want to thank the entire Dark Souls community and the players who have reached out to us directly to voice their concerns and offer solutions. Thanks to you, we have identified the cause and are working on fixing the issue. In addition, we have extended the investigation to Elden Ring – our upcoming title launching on February 25 – and have made sure the necessary security measures are in place for this title on all target platforms.” How could Elden Ring’s security risks be prevented? Fast forward to January 2022, one of these players demonstrated the exploit in action on Twitch to prove it was a legitimate risk to Bandai Namco. This is what led to the company temporarily shutting off the servers. It’s worth pointing out that this exploit is different from the one reported by the other user in 2020, but both will need addressing if Elden Ring and its users are to be safe from malicious intent. Read More: Everything we know about Elden Ring – Reddit user LukeYui has also made several reports to Bandai Namco about the exploits and potential vulnerabilities of Souls games on PC. Frustrated by the lack of response, they created the Blue Sentinel mod (the name taken from protective co-op spirits players can summon in Dark Souls), which provides patches to over 100 known cheats in Dark Souls 3 on PC. What protections does Elden Ring have in place? LukeYui has stated they will not be playing Elden Ring until FromSoftware and Bandai Namco create an official version of Blue Sentinel or can confirm they have fixed the issues that have been made public. However, they doubt any such system could be implemented before the game releases later this month. Read More: Elden Ring character classes guide – Elden Ring will launch with a built-in EasyAntiCheat service, but LukeYui believes this won’t be enough to deter or stop experienced and committed cheaters. Bandai Namco is yet to comment on any of the above allegations, therefore take everything with a pinch of salt until the company clarifies its thoughts about these issues.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: Trailers, Release date & everything we know FromSoftwareThe time to enter the mysterious Land of Shadow is almost here as Tarnished prepare for highly anticipated Elden Ring DLC. Here’s everything we know about Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, including, new gameplay additions, pre-order bonuses, story, and lore. Following its immense success, Elden Ring has left fans hungry for more content. The gaming community has been abuzz with speculation, eagerly awaiting FromSoftware’s next move. With a track record of delivering substantial DLC content in the Soulsborne series, hopes are high for similar offerings in the game. Now, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has been revealed so here’s everything we know about the Elden Ring DLC, including its lore, new gameplay details, bosses, and when we can expect to play it. Of course, as we’re discussing late and post-game content, spoilers will be lurking for those who’ve not completed Elden Ring. Contents Does the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC have a release date? – Shadow of the Erdtree trailer – Shadow of the Erdtree lore – Shadow of the Erdtree gameplay details – Pre-order bonuses – Will there be any more Elden Ring DLC? – Does the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC have a release date? Yes, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree will be released on June 21, 2024 on all platforms. Shadow of The Erdtree trailer Check out the first trailer for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: The second trailer was released in May 21, 2024, and was focused on the story, pitting Miquella and Messmer against one another: Shadow of the Erdtree lore Even if you hunt down every Shardbearer in Elden Ring, there’s one demigod that escapes your round of deicide. That is Miquella the Unalloyed, who’s still safely slumbering inside his egg when the credits roll. Miquella is Malenia’s twin brother and is said to be the most powerful demigod in Elden Ring. So, if this is the case, why don’t we ever fight him? One answer is that we can obtain his shard of the Elden Ring by killing his captor and half-brother Mohg the Lord of Blood, so there’s no need to bother with him. Even Gideon Ofnir tells us to leave Miquella in peace, but was this short-sighted? FromSoftware doesn’t do anything by accident when it comes to Souls bosses, therefore we suspect Miquella’s absence is by design. Let’s not forget that the demigod is slumbering in his egg to become powerful enough to fix his family, especially his sister, whom he aims to cure of her scarlet rot. He’s unlikely to be best pleased when he wakes up to find that a new Elden Lord has risen and slaughtered his whole family – including Malenia. This perfectly positions Miquella to be the big bad of any Elden Ring DLC. Not only is he growing in power, but he’s also going to have a grudge against the Tarnished once he realizes what’s happened. It’s since been confirmed that Miquella will be an important part of Shadow of the Erdtree but he may not be the final boss or main antagonist. Instead, a new demigod character known as Messmer the Eternal was introduced in the trailer. Messmer is confirmed to be one of Marika’s children, more than likely by Radagon due to his red hair. This also makes him Miquella’s brother. Miyazaki has confirmed that there’s a reason why Messmer has not been seen so far, and why he was not represented in Marika’s court in the base game. Whether or not Miquella and Messmer are in cahoots, or at odds with one another also remains to be seen. Messmer’s design looks a lot like the creature inside Miquella’s egg in Mohg’s palace but it’s unknown so far if they are the same. As for Miquella, he’s been confirmed to have escaped Mohg’s clutches by shedding his flesh, therefore we may be dealing with the demigod in spirit form when the DLC eventually drops. The expansion is also confirmed to be a major side story that will add a new wrinkle to the story of Elden Ring, rather than contradicting any endings players may already have unlocked. The story trailer implies that one of Marika’s affairs may have led to Messmer’s conception and that he fought a secret war before being erased from history. Messmer also possesses a forbidden flame, possibly connected to the Fire Giants or the Frenzied Flame. This explains why there’s no mention of Messmer in Elden Ring’s base game. Miquella is also absent from the main game, possibly to him being involved in Messmer’s war, changing everything we thought we knew about the demigod and his abduction by Mohg. Gameplay details The expansion will begin after players kill Mohg and it’s believed that entry to the DLC will have something to do with Miquella’s egg. From here, players will be able to enter the Land of Shadow, an area within the Lands Between but had previously been “obscured by the Erdtree”. Whether this is metaphorical or literal remains to be seen. The Land of Shadow is said to be the largest DLC area in a Souls game yet, with it being compared to the Limgrave region in terms of size. The DLC will also introduce ten new bosses, some of whom can be seen in the trailer (including Mesmer). One looks like a giant wicker man and may have a connection to the Fire Giant boss. There’s also some speculation that the murdered Godwyn the Golden could be included as a boss. After all, Miquella was trying to either save or help his brother gain a “true death” before the events of the base game. The new land will also feature a host of new NPCs each likely with their own side quests and motivations. Trust nobody, but also, stay your hand when meeting someone new, questlines lead to rewards in FromSoft games. There will also be some new armor sets, weapons, and spells to try out. The throwing knives look especially interesting and we look forward to seeing what new builds and playstyles can be made from the new gear and abilities. Finally, as FromSoftware knows many players will enter the DLC at a high level, indeed, you have to be to kill Mohg, so the expansion will add a new leveling system. While this won’t replace the existing system, it will mean that players won’t be able to just charge through the DLC with their powerful builds. Instead, players will need to engage with the new system and use it in conjunction with their builds if they’re to survive the Land of Shadow. Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Pre-order bonus Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in Elden Ring is solely digital, even in physical editions. Pre-ordering any version grants access to an exclusive in-game Gesture called the Ring of Miquella. Notably, physical retail versions of Shadow of the Erdtree Edition are limited to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The DLC comes in various editions, including the Standard Edition, which contains the base game and DLC code. Meanwhile, the Deluxe and Premium Editions enhance the experience with digital artbooks and original soundtracks. Finally, the Collector’s Edition is the most expensive and boasts unique collectibles like a 46 cm Statue of Messmer the Impaler and a 40-page hardcover artbook. Will there be any more Elden Ring DLC? FromSoftware has confirmed that Shadow of the Erdtree will be the only Elden Ring DLC, making it similar to Bloodborne’s Old Hunter’s expansion. However, the developers are open to a sequel, and the game’s massive success will mean and Elden Ring 2 is something we’re likely to see one day. It hasn’t been confirmed as of yet though. So that’s everything we know so far about the Elden Ring DLC. Be sure to check our Elden Ring page and brush up on your knowledge thanks to all the latest guides below: Elden Ring multiplayer | Elden Ring character classes | Elden Ring character creator | Elden Ring New Game Plus | Survive an invasion in Elden Ring | How to level up in Elden Ring | How to get the Horse in Elden Ring

eFootball 2024 update patch notes: New gameplay features, Boosters & Startup Campaign KonamiThe long-awaited release of Konami’s eFootball 2024 features an abundance of new content and enhancements that rival those of its upcoming EA Sports counterpart. Here are all the patch notes, which include information about the new features the update adds to the core game. eFootball represented a major departure from Konami’s previous PES titles. The launch of the franchise in 2020 was not merely an update or a rebranding, but rather a complete transformation. One of the most significant alterations was the transition to a free-to-play business model, which made the game accessible to a broader audience. This strategic move was intended to compete with Electronic Arts’ established FIFA franchise and to entice both new and returning players. While the game has entered its fourth year, eFootball 2024 has finally been released with a massive amount of new content, including new gameplay features, booster packs, a startup campaign, and much more. Here are all the patch notes for eFootball 2024 v3.0.0 update. Contents eFootball 2024 update 3.0.0 release date & time – eFootball 2024 3.0.0 update features – eFootball 2024 update 3.0.0 patch notes – eFootball 2024 update 3.0.0 release date & time The 3.0.0 update for eFootball 2024 was officially released on September 7, 2023, and is ready to download on your system right now. Players of the game can boot up the game and have the update ready to install, or it should be done automatically if you’ve fiddled around with the system’s settings. eFootball 2024 3.0.0 update features This massive upgrade includes a slew of new features, including access to additional leagues, thousands of player faces, updated kits, and much more. In addition, Konami has fixed a wide variety of issues that players have encountered. The primary modifications to the game revolve around the dribbling and defending mechanics. To better control the ball and even dribble through packed circumstances, users will be able to emulate the split-second decisions made at the best level of football, thanks to the improved control responses. Users will also be able to better coordinate their team and tactical models, leading to greater opportunities to score goals in the virtual environment, as a result of the improved precision of their individual talents. In addition, a new feature known as Boosters has been added. The new Boosters system in eFootball allows gamers to further improve the skills of their chosen players. With the help of boosters, users can increase the effectiveness of their Dream Team above the regular limits (99 limit), allowing them to maximize the potential of each team member. Also, beginning with Season 1, Konami is running a brand-new Startup Campaign. Players of all skill levels can take advantage of the new campaign’s in-game rewards, from those who are brand new to Konami Football to those who have been playing for years. Login Bonuses give players the opportunity to earn extra content, such as 120 eFootball Coins, 360,000 GP, 60,000 EXP, and 4 Chance Deals. In addition, there are 400,000 GP, 120,000 EXP, 100 eFootball coins, and 4 Skill Training Programs up for grabs through the campaign milestones. eFootball 2024 update 3.0.0 patch notes There have been an incredible number of tweaks and fixes implemented in this Season 1 update for eFootball 2024, all of which are detailed in this post. In order to keep this concise, we have highlighted many of the most important aspects. Improved Play Control Liberty for Chance Creations Improved Response for Split-second Decisions For ball control and dribbling, the response after ball touches have been greatly improved. This allows players to carry the ball with finer touches. Until now, there have been instances where despite being in close proximity of the goal, players would try to kick with a big motion and the ball was lost to the opposition before they could complete the shot. – Therefore, we have added new shooting motions so that when players attempt a shot close to the goal with a weak Power Gauge input, the priority is now to kick the ball quickly with respect to the circumstances. – Regarding defence, a particularly common feedback was that players were unable to block the ball, even when the Match-up command is performed in a position where it is clearly possible for them to perform a block. To improve this particular facet of play, we have added new blocking motions as well as implemented further adjustments to the timing of blocks. – Regarding clearances, there have been instances where players would attempt to kick the ball away with a huge motion, resulting in the opposition reclaiming possession before the kick could be performed. Therefore new motions were also added, which in some situations can help prioritize speed rather than distance. – New punching motions have been added for goalkeepers. These additions will surely help enhance the conviction of air battles within the box. – Ball Control and Goal Awareness Body orientation is one of the most important elements in football. With this update, players will now receive passes with a greater awareness on the direction of the goal. If a directional input is not performed when controlling the ball, the player will now automatically control the ball in the direction of the goal. – These adjustments will surely help facilitate a smooth transition into goal-scoring actions. When you next play a match, you will perhaps notice that players are now less likely to take a touch with their backs towards the goal or attempt to kick the ball from an unnatural body position. – New VS AI Matches with Lifelike Mentality In line with the new gameplay, we have redesigned the opposition’s footballing mentality in VS AI Matches. Players will now make more appropriate decisions in the right timing. Depending on their abilities, they may perform a variety of actions such as breaking through with feints, dribbling with more ball-holding intensity or play lofted passes to open the pitch. – Last, but not least, we have also adjusted the difficulty balance of each Match Level. – Changes to Sharp Touch (excluding iOS and Android) Previously, performing a Dash Dribble would sometimes unintentionally trigger the Sharp Touch command. For this reason, we have changed the default Sharp Touch command to “pressing the Dash button twice”. – If you prefer the original method of input, simply go to [Command Configuration] > [Detailed Settings] > [Sharp Touch Type] and select “Pressing once”. – Form of Players Players with “Standard” or “Inconsistent” Form may often be in “Poor” or below Conditions, and hence were often disregarded in the selection process of substitutes. In light of this, the probability of “Poor” or below Conditions has been reduced for players with “Standard” or “Inconsistent” Form. – The conditioning probability for players with “Unwavering” Form, on the other hand, remains unchanged. As a result of this adjustment, when players with “Inconsistent” Form have a “B” or higher Live Update Rating, their Conditions will be set to “Normal” or above. – “Boosters” – A World Beyond 99 Introducing “Boosters” – a brand new special feature for players. “Boosters” enhance certain Player Stats and allow players to perform beyond the normal ceiling of 99. This addition will surely allow players to express their individuality more than ever before. Examples of Booster Types: New types of Boosters will be introduced in due course. Player-specific Boosters with exclusive enhancements will also be available in the future. Feature Addition and Changes From v3.0.0 onwards, “Team Playstyle Level” will no longer be a gameplay element. Therefore, players will not have “Team Playstyle Proficiency”, and their Abilities will no longer be increased or decreased according to their Team Playstyle Proficiency values regardless of the Team Playstyle adopted. – Previously, certain Standard players would have had a different player image once they reached Max Level. This feature will no longer be a gameplay element, and changes to player images will no longer occur. Users who possess max level Player Cards with a different image will see the image being reverted back to the status at the timing of signing. – Foil Player Cards, which could be signed from the Standard Player List at a low probability, are no longer available. – In the pre-match [Game Plan] > [Player Details] screen, Condition-related increases/decreases of Player Stats are no longer displayed. – Challenge Events with Event Conditions have been renamed as “Themed Events”. Also, Event-exclusive “Loan Players” have been made available so that users can immediately participate in Themed Events even if they do not have enough players that match the Event Conditions. – The “Rainy” and “Snow” Weather options have been made available for certain stadiums. – “Base Team Settings” is now placed in the Game Plan, rather than the User Information. – Base Teams can now be set for each Game Plan. – Level Training and Player Progression can now be performed from the Player Details screen in Game Plan. – Updated selectable Authentic Teams in “Trial Match”/”Friend Match”. – Updates and Additions In-game assets and other data carryover process will be conducted when accessing the game for the first time after installing the version update. – Updated licences. – The country name of Czechia has been changed in some languages. – The following data have also been updated: Team data – Player photos, graphics and data – Manager photos and data – Strips – Boots – Balls – Club emblems – League and competition emblems – Stadium graphics – Trophies – Cinematics and animations – Commentary – Menu music – Avatar images – – General Fixes Applied to Mitigate or Eliminate the Bugs Shown Below The application may crash due to an error. – In Co-op matches, Online IDs are not displayed on screen after kick-off. – In Co-op matches, if the receiver of the pass fails to take a touch and the ball is taken by the opponent, the passer may receive a play feedback for a failed pass. – In Co-op matches, the “DF Line Control” play feedback is not displayed even if the user successfully lays an offside trap. – In Co-op matches, performing the “In It Together” may see the goal scorer slip past the signboards during the goal celebration. – When kicking a user who has already created another Match Room from the current Match Room, an alert may instead be displayed and the Match Room may be closed unintendedly. – Performing player or manager actions at a certain timing may result in the dialogue indicating that the action has been successfully performed not being displayed correctly. – Performing Skill Training at a certain timing would result in users not being able to confirm nor check the status of Additional Skills. – For players in certain positions, the player’s name may not be switched even after performing a cursor change. – When certain players perform a goal celebration (Personal), the goal celebration may not be displayed correctly in the Replay. – If substitutions are registered in Game Plan just as the first half begins and the match does not stop until half time, the second half may begin without the substitutions being made. – If the Away side’s Player Name Boxes display is set to “Off”, information displayed in [Preset Tactics] will not switch. – In certain languages, unsuitable commentary may be played. – Performing certain commands during a match may result in the player not following through with the switchback motion after a Step-over. – During penalty shoutouts in Trial Match, users are able to open the Pause Menu before the players shoot the ball. – Attempts to re-conduct Skill Training after encountering an error during the previous Skill Training would result in multiple Skill Training Programs being spent. – In Tour Event, playing matches with certain settings may result in the Cursor Type of players not being displayed correctly. – In Co-op Match Room, the [FK Taker 2] settings can be configured even though it is disabled in-match. – In [Game Plan List], Changes made to the capitalisation of letters in [Rename Game Plan] are not reflected. – Certain team names may not be used in [Extras] > [User Information] > [Dream Team]. – Global Improvements The PlayStation Network™ Invite function is now available. – The game’s package size has been reduced for PS4. – Implemented adjustments to the acoustics of stadium announcements. – A variety of minor adjustments have been made to each mode and to matches, with the aim of improving the overall gaming experience. – Implemented adjustments to the acoustics of stadium announcements. – A variety of minor adjustments have been made to each mode and to matches, with the aim of improving the overall gaming experience. –

eFootball 2022 Season 1 update 1.0.0 patch notes: New leagues, licenses, bug fixes KonamiKonami has launched the first major patch for eFootball 2022 and the 1.0.0 update feels like the true beginning of the game. The patch notes reveal a ton of changes to the game including new licenses, equipment, and a lot more. FIFA’s biggest rival went in a bold new direction in 2021 by rebranding the Pro Evolution Soccer franchise as eFootball. Konami also made the big business decision to make eFootball 2022 free-to-play. Despite the lack of a price tag, the game’s launch in September 2021 was a truly disastrous one, with the game becoming the worst reviewed game on Metacritic in 2021 with a score of 25 out of 100. “Terrible graphics” and a lack of content, among many other things, contributed to a less than ideal debut. It seems like Konami have been hard at work since as the 1.0.0 update looks to fix a lot of eFootball 2022’s problems. Contents eFootball 2022 update 1.0.0 release date & time – eFootball 2022 1.0.0 update features – eFootball 2022 update 1.0.0 patch notes – eFootball 2022 update 1.0.0 release date & time The 1.0.0 update for eFootball 2022 was officially released on April 14, 2022, and is ready to download on your system right now. Players of the game can boot up the game and have the update ready to install, or it should be done automatically if you’ve fiddled around with the system’s settings. eFootball 2022 1.0.0 update features A significant update such as this one has to come bearing some major changes and it does so with several new leagues to pick teams from, over a thousand new player faces, up-to-date kits, and a lot more. Not only that, but Konami have addressed a plethora of notable bugs in the game and ironed them out. eFootball 2022 update 1.0.0 patch notes Now, there are a mind-boggling amount of changes and improvements that have been made to eFootball 2022 with this Season 1 update and you can find the entire list of changes right here. To condense this, we have singled out a lot of the main points. The “New Football Game” that eFootball™ 2022 Envisions Player and Ball Behaviours Player behaviours, on which everything is based upon, has been rebuilt from the ground up. The centre of gravity and inertia are pertinently utilised for moves such as dashing and stopping; Be it dribbling to dodge an oncoming opponent, or breaking the opposition down with a one-touch pass or a switch of play — now you can experience the sensation of “swinging” and “being swung” as if you are playing football in real-life. – We have made changes to the kicking actions so that the time needed for kicks of various distance will vary, and there will be preliminary actions needed for incisive kicks to be played. We were also able to brush up ball trajectories with the help of research institutes. From dipping shots and bending crosses, to top-spin through balls and ricochets from blocked shots — you can now see convincing ball behaviours amongst many different scenarios. – Natural player behaviours, and ball behaviours that take rotation, springiness and friction into account — All of these elements help create the “moment of suspense” that we so often experience in modern football. When dribbling past opponents and breaking through the last line of defence with passing plays, these are the factors that give us the exhilaration we crave for. – Tactical Team Battles New Team Building “Dream Team” This is a brand-new game mode where you can build your original team by signing players and managers, and compete against users from around the world. – In “Dream Team”, you can handpick and sign players and managers that are consonant with your football ideologies. Moreover, you can develop and strengthen your players for them to match your own playstyle. – Remember to check the “Team Playstyle Level” of your team, as it is an indicator of how functional your Team Playstyle (tactical setup) is. – There are 5 Team Playstyles on offer: “Possession Game”, “Quick Counter”, “Long Ball Counter”, “Long Ball”, and “Out Wide”. All players and managers will have a new attribute called “Team Playstyle Proficiency”, which indicates how adept they are at each of the Team Playstyles. – By finding your preferred Team Playstyle and building a team with players that are proficient in that style, you can increase the Team Playstyle Level. – Beware that if your Team Playstyle Level is low, your players will not be able to fulfil their true potential. – Player movements will gradually improve as your Team Playstyle Level reaches 50, and at 70 your team will be able to realise their potential. For starters, choose your preferred Team Playstyle and aim for a Team Playstyle Level of 70 and above! – When you manage to increase your Team Playstyle Level above 70, you will notice that your players will be able to put in a show above their normal capabilities. – Making use of in-game items that you can acquire over the course of matches; Organising your team through signing and developing players; Finding the Team Playstyle that suits you best — Build your very own “Dream Team” and bring your football ideologies into life. Most importantly, take part in heated battles against “Dream Teams” built by users around the world to prove that you are truly the best! – Dream Team Playing Concepts How to Play Dream Team Themed Enjoyment – A “Season”, which will run for a limited period, will have a theme for the events you can play using your Dream Team. – Each Season’s theme will reflect hot topics in the real footballing world, and will have a wide variety of events to match. There are Challenge Events for you to play against other users, or Tour Events for you to go up against the AI. These are some amongst the many events that we have on offer. – Note that signing players and assembling a team that matches the Season’s theme can give you an advantage in these events. – Build a unique team for each Season, and enjoy all kinds of matches! – This is a Division-based league where you play PvP matches to rise to the top. Develop your Dream Team by signing your favourite players and managers and enter the league to play against users from around the world. – Each Phase will last 28 days, during which you will be playing matches repeatedly with the aim of progressing to the highest Division possible. – If you can reach the Promotion Threshold within 10 matches, you will be promoted; On the other hand, if you fail to reach the Remain Threshold, you will be relegated. – Once you reach the top Division (Division 1), you will start playing to rise through the rankings. The battle changes from a fight for promotion to a fight for position. – At the end of a Phase, rewards will be awarded according to the highest Division reached. Rankings will be reset and a new Phase begins. – Use the rewards you earn to strengthen your team and aim even higher! – Player Signings and Card Types One of the main features of Dream Team is that you can acquire the services of specific players and managers. You can sign Standard players and managers of your choice using GP that you obtain throughout the course of the game. – The different Player Types, and the ways to sign players are described below. – Player Development Abilities of Standard, Featured, and Legendary players can be boosted via Training. Develop your ideal players to better suit your team’s tactics. – Trending players on the other hand have their Abilities based on their real-world performances in a particular week, month, etc. While they can be an immediately effective inclusion into the team, they cannot be developed further. – New Licenses Japanese and North American licence data have been included as new additions to the game. Meiji Yasuda J1 League – Meiji Yasuda J2 League – MLS Players Association * “MLSPA” players will appear in the “American League” in-game. – USL Championship – – Other New Contents Real Faces: Updated faces for around 1200 players from newly licensed teams, club teams and national teams – Strips: Updated around 400 Strips for national teams and club teams, including those from newly licensed teams. – Official Balls: Added 13 official balls from leagues around the world. – Boots: Added 12 newest models of boots from adidas, LOTTO, NIKE and PUMA. – Goalkeeper Gloves: Added 3 newest models of goalkeeper gloves from Kaliaaer, LOTTO and SELLS. – General Fixes Applied to Mitigate or Eliminate the Bugs Shown Below The application may crash due to an error – The screen may freeze in-game – High processing load during matches and in the Game Plan screen – The speed of the ball and player movement may decrease during matches – The responsiveness to command inputs may become slower during matches – The ball may pass through a player’s body during a match – Some players may be shown gliding on the ground during a match – Player models may be distorted and their movements may feel unnatural when they collide with each other – Fouls may not be given out to some plays that were clearly fouls – Lighting errors may occur in some stadiums during instances such as entrance cutscenes – Stadium structures may display erroneously during cutscenes – The camera may move unstably during players’ entrance cutscenes – If certain commands are performed before taking a corner kick, the ball may seem to teleport from one place to another – After forgoing a quick restart, the cutscene of a player being cautioned by the referee may erroneously play – When switching between cuts in certain cutscenes, players may seem to teleport from one place to another for a split second – When switching between cuts in certain cutscenes, models and other displayed objects may disappear momentarily – The camera may focus on unintended areas during in-match cutscenes – The stadium may become darker for a few seconds during instances such as right after the second half kick-off – For in-match Camera Settings, a different preview than the configured settings may be displayed – Errors may occur when triggering certain goal celebrations – Players may run in a strange fashion during the goal celebration – After skipping a goal celebration cutscene, some displayed objects may disappear – The camera may be out of focus during cutscenes such as goal celebrations – The camera angle may become lower than ground level for goal celebrations after scoring a penalty kick – During the half-time results screen, the graphics of the stands are distorted – When the penalty shootout cutscene begins, unrelated cutscenes are played momentarily – When transitioning from the Results screen to the Highlights after a match, the wrong camera angle is shown momentarily – When ending a match from the pause menu, an image of the pitch shown from above may be displayed momentarily – Certain commands cause the UI display of the replay function to become erroneous – When using the replay function, switching the target player may result in a momentary delay of player display and sometimes cause other players to disappear – High graphics processing load when using the replay function – If a player makes contact with the goal net as the screen cuts to a replay, the goal net graphics may become distorted – When playing an online PvP match, one of the users disconnecting may cause the match to be deemed void – After scoring a goal in online PvP matches, the opponent can instantly skip the subsequent cutscenes – Performing certain commands in the team selection screen may cause the background to become blurred – The area selection icons may be displayed erroneously when returning to the area selection screen while scrolling down team selection menu – Certain commands may cause the menu screen to be displayed incorrectly – Certain commands may cause erroneous menu sound effects to be played – In certain screens, team names are only partially displayed – In some languages, the end of texts in certain screens are erroneously not displayed – In some languages, the bottom part of letters are displayed erroneously in certain screens – During screen transitions, unintended background images may be displayed momentarily – Global Improvements A variety of minor adjustments have been made to each mode and to matches, with the aim of improving the overall gaming experience – Upcoming Updates Future updates will include features that allow for a greater scope of play. Additional details, such as the release schedule, will be announced at a later date. Mobile Version Update – The update from “eFootball PES 2021” to “eFootball™ 2022” will soon be available. – Match Pass: Complete special Objectives, such as playing a certain number of matches, to win amazing rewards. An example of a reward that can be obtained through the Match Pass is the “Nominating Contract”, which is an item that allows you to nominate a player of your choice to sign. – Objectives: Earn rewards for completing specific missions. – Cross-Platform (CS/PC) – Console users and PC users will be able to play against each other. – Cross-platform plays with mobile users, as well as mobile controller compatibility, will be available in future updates. –

Ed Boon hints Mortal Kombat dev’s new game will release in 2023 WB GamesAccording to a tease from Mortal Kombat Co-Creator Ed Boon, NetherRealm’s new game could hit store shelves in 2023. Questions abound about the development studio’s plan for its next major project. Though rumors continue to point to Mortal Kombat 12, fans haven’t given up hope on a third Injustice game. Barring the Aftermath expansion, NetherRealm hasn’t released a game since MK11 in 2019. The precedent in recent years suggests another Injustice outing is on the way. However, the uncertain future of WB Games as it currently stands has called such a release into question. Whatever the studio is hard at work on, thus, remains a mystery. But recent hints from Ed Boon indicate the veil could lift sooner rather than later. Mortal Kombat studio’s new game may launch next year In a recent Q&A on his personal Twitter page, NetherRealm CCO Ed Boon offered a hint about the team’s unannounced project. The developer wrote the following in response to a fan asking about a potential 2023 due date: “I shouldn’t ans23r that.” Another Twitter user pondered whether an announcement of some kind would hit the airwaves within the next “six months.” Boon simply said, “Likely” in reply. Other replies from Boon excited the community, too. Most notably, one fan asked if The Boys’ Homelander would appear in a new Mortal Kombat game. The developer couldn’t answer directly, of course, but noted the character “would fit in nicely.” For now, there’s still no confirmation on whether NetherRealm is working on Injustice 3 or MK12. It seems, however, that an answer will finally arrive in the next year or so.

Eddie Hearn reveals plan to make rival game to EA SPORTS Fight Night Fighthype/EA SportsBoxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed his plans to create a boxing video game to rival EA SPORTS’ popular Fight Night franchise. Eddie Hearn has promoted many of the biggest fights in recent years even including top YouTuber bouts such as the Logan Paul vs KSI rematch. The Matchroom Boxing promoter revealed that he was looking into a new boxing-related venture, however, sharing plans to create a video game that would rival EA’s classic Fight Night series. Many fans still consider the Fight Night series to be among the best boxing games of all time despite the most recent, Fight Night Champion, being released in 2011. During his Instagram Live on April 11, Eddie Hearn revealed that he approached EA SPORTS about releasing a sequel for the popular series and claimed that they had shown little interest in returning to boxing. “Fight Night 3 I’ve answered those questions about EA SPORTS, do you know what EA SPORTS don’t really seem interested in boxing and Fight Night,” he revealed. 🎮 With EA SPORTS not interested, Eddie Hearn wants to take it upon himself to create a new boxing game… [📽️ @EddieHearn] pic.twitter.com/SGOMoFmJGO — Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 11, 2020 Hearn shared that he was going to take it upon himself and explained to fans that he was considering setting up his own game to rival Fight Night. “Should I just do one myself? I have got a few other interesting projects coming around,” Hearn asked. Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia, who is an avid boxing fan, was in Hearn’s chat at the time and seemingly also showed interest in making the game a reality. “We’ll start our own rival game to the EA SPORTS Fight Night, me and the one and only big K, Prince Khalid,” Hearn explained, telling the Prince to message him, “I’m going to release a new boxing game, f*ck it.” Despite apparently showing little interest in a new boxing title, EA has not completely pulled out of fighting games as they are due to release the fourth edition of the UFC game series in 2020, seemingly shifting their focus to MMA in recent years.

Echoes of Mana characters tier list: Best character-weapon combos in 2024 Square EnixEchoes of Mana has a vast roster of characters with different weapons so it’s good to know the best character-weapon combos to run with. Echoes of Mana requires you to train and upgrade your characters. So, it’s important to know which characters on the roster are more powerful than others as it will allow you to invest your resources for the best possible outcomes in Echoes of Mana. Here’s our Echoes of Mana tier list featuring every playable character currently available in the game. Echoes of Mana character-weapon combo tier list (August 2024) We have segregated our character-weapon combo tier list for Echoes of Mana into four separate tiers. Before reading any further, however, it’s important to note that all characters in the game have specific weapons that should be used alongside them to make the most of their potential. Characters and weapons listed in the A Tier are the ones that you should be looking to train and upgrade as you progress through the game. On the contrary, characters and weapons appearing in the D Tier should be avoided as much as possible. S Tier: Characters and weapons in this tier are undoubtedly the best ones to use in the current meta. – A Tier: Characters and weapons in this tier are just under the best ones to use in the current meta. – B Tier: Although not the strongest characters and weapons, they can still be devastating in multiple scenarios to help change the course of a match. – C Tier: While these characters and weapons can be overlooked in most situations, they are still capable of doing a decent job in specific scenarios. – D Tier: These characters and weapons should be avoided as much as you can. On top of being quite ineffective in battle, they also waste a notable amount of resources to train and upgrade. – With that out of the way, let’s dive in and check out the best character-weapon combo in Echoes of Mana. Echoes of Mana tier list – S Tier Echoes of Mana tier list – A Tier Echoes of Mana tier list – B Tier Echoes of Mana tier list – C Tier Echoes of Mana tier list – D Tier How to unlock new characters in Echoes of Mana You will have to shell out 3,000 Crystals in order to obtain a guaranteed three-star character in Echoes of Mana. The 3,000 crystals you spend will provide you with a total of 10 pulls, out of which one is guaranteed to be a three-star character. However, given the gacha-mechanics of the Mana series, the number of characters you unlock will eventually depend on how much you are willing to spend. Now that you know which character to choose in Echoes of Mana, you can check out the updated character tier list for Genshin Impact. You can also take a look at some of the best gacha games to play in 2024.

EA’s Fight Night reboot development “on pause” until after UFC 5 EAA new Fight Night revival game is reportedly in development at EA, but development has been paused in favor of other projects. A new report from VGC states that a Fight Night revival is in the works, but that development of the game has been paused by EA so that the studio can finish working on the next UFC title. It is also reported that Fight Night is still in the early stages of development, so we’re unlikely to see it for a few years. The report states that the Fight Night revival is codenamed ‘Moneyball’, and that an internal email has surfaced asking the developers to focus their attention on the next UFC game, which is set to release in late 2022. Internal Fight Night revival email at EA The email was from EA Canada and reveals that the company’s reason for pausing development was to not split senior creatives between two combat sports games. This suggests that EA wants to make sure all their top developers can work on both projects to ensure the quality of each. It reads, “we want to eliminate the split focus that several members of our leadership team have had in the past while so we can solely focus on delivering migration and UFC 5 at high quality.” The Fight Night revival will be the first game in the series since 2011, as the expansion of the MMA sphere led to EA focusing their attention on the likes of UFC and Bellator. EA has refused to respond to what they consider “rumors and speculation,” meaning details on the Fight Night revival are likely to remain scarce for some time. Eddie Hearn encourages EA to revive Fight Night Both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua were included as pre-order bonuses for UFC 4. Fury’s former promoter, Eddie Hearn, has claimed that he pitched a new Fight Night game to EA during a live video stream. He said, “I’ve got this little Fight Night idea which I’ve pitched to EA Sports. It’s not just a virtual game, it’s much more complicated than that.” Hearn went on to say, “I had a call the other day with EA Sports and I keep telling them that every time I mention Fight Night on social media it goes mad. I think the return of EA Sports Fight Night would be huge.”

Eatventure codes (September 2024) Lessmore UG/DexertoCook up a storm with free Gems, Coins, and more with redeemable Eatventure codes. In this idle game, you start with a humble lemonade stand and climb your way to your very own fine dining establishments across cities. All you have to do is invest your time and collect resources like Gems and Coins. While getting these resources can be tedious, redeemable codes can help you get them for free, similar to many Roblox games. Hurry up and grab the latest one before it’s no longer available in this game. Are there any active codes for September 2024? As of September 5, 2024, there are no active codes. However, we will update the list as soon as new codes are released. How to redeem codes Redeeming codes in this game is quite easy. All you have to do is follow these simple steps: Once you launch the game, tap on the Gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen. – Now, click on the ‘Redeem Code’ button and enter the code in the box. – Hit ‘Redeem’ to get your free rewards as shown in the image below. – The codes are case-sensitive, so enter them exactly as they appear. Moreover, the codes expire after a certain period so use them as soon as possible. List of expired codes DISCORD-2023 – 200 Gems – REDDIT-CREW – What are Eatventure rewards? Codes in this game offer free resources like Gems and Coins, which serve as a form of currency and are important to progress from a simple lemonade stand to a full-blown restaurant. Coins are used to level up your menu and get upgrades like more customers, employees, and better equipment. This will help you earn large sums of money in no time. Gems are harder to come by but they are equally important. You can use them to get Vault Bonuses and Equipment Boxes. The Vault bonuses are permanent in every city. They include customer tips, increased ad boosts, extra investor funding, and more. If you’re looking for more free redeemable items, make sure to check out our pages for the latest Pokemon Go codes, Disney Dreamlight Valley codes, Zenless Zero codes, and Dead by Daylight codes if you’re looking for mobile games on the go.

Earthblade: Release window, trailer, platforms & more Extremely OK Games, Ltd.Earthblade was announced at the 2022 Game Awards and has given fans of 2D platformers another exciting game to look forward to, with the creators of Celeste crafting another mysterious and vibrant world to explore. Following the overwhelming success of their 2D platformer Celeste back in 2018, Extremely OK Games announced their next title Earthblade at the 2022 Game Awards. The talented devs have crafted an entirely new vibrant and intriguing world for players to explore, filled with friends, foes, and mysteries to uncover. So, with all the excitement and hype surrounding Earthblade, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the 2D platformer’s release window, trailer, story, and the platforms the game will be available on. Contents Earthblade Release Window While Extremely OK Games have not outlined a specific release date for Earthblade just yet, they have announced that the title is scheduled to arrive at some point in 2024. The news of the release window was revealed alongside the trailer at the 2022 Game Awards. Earthblade Trailer The Earthblade trailer gives us a first look at the main character Névoa and their exploration through a harsh, mysterious, and vibrant world. Showcasing combat, traversal, and even a character at the beginning that players seemingly interact with at the start of their journey, it’s a brilliant taste into what Earthblade has to offer. Earthblade Story In terms of story, the trailer gives very little to go off, other than that our name is Névoa and we can seemingly travel through portals to different realms or areas. The character at the beginning of the showcase describes it as traveling through “fate”, but it seems we’ll have to wait until closer to the release for more details. It’s clear our goal is to traverse the harsh and punishing landscape, battling any foes we meet on the way, but for the time being, Névoa’s quest is a mystery. Earthblade Platforms For now, the only platform Earthblade is confirmed to be releasing on is PC via Steam. However, as with Celeste, it’s possible the title arrives on console at a later date. In the meantime, take a look at the other biggest upcoming games: The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | Assassin’s Creed Infinity | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Forspoken | Wonder Woman | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Sonic Frontiers | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild sequel | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora

Eagle-eyed Zelda fan spots Tears of the Kingdom reference in BoTW NintendoThe Zelda fandom is doing its best to find hints about the upcoming Breath of the Wild sequel – Tears of the Kingdom – and one fan discovered a reference to TotK while replaying the original game. There are few gaming communities out there that are as dedicated to the lore from their favorite series quite like the Zelda fandom is. With the sequel to Breath of the Wild releasing soon, fans are scouring the original game while replaying to fully understand the story. Whether they want to know more about Breath of the Wild itself or perhaps even search for hints pointing to Tears of the Kingdom‘s plot, players have been sharing their replay experiences on social media with other fans. One fan was doing just that when they came across an obvious reference to Tears of the Kingdom in Breath of the Wild. It seems that the writers behind the Zelda games put much more thought into the future of the series when working on past games than fans originally thought. Tears of the Kingdom reference spotted in Breath of the Wild Taking to Reddit to share their discovery in Breath of the Wild, one player noticed that one of the Gerudo heroines had a unique emblem. What made the emblem so interesting to the fan was that it obviously resembled one of the tears from the last Tears of the Kingdom trailer. The emblem does not only resemble a tear from the upcoming sequel, but it specifically seems to be the tear that is held by Ganondorf himself. The color beneath the emblem is red, and the tear that Ganondorf is shown to have in the trailer is also red. Each tear shown had its own unique color and keeper, so it is unlikely to represent any other character’s. Despite all of this, some fans are not yet convinced by the discovery. They do not deem it plausible for the writers to have looked ahead (or back) in such a way and view it as simple happenstance. One player responded to the discovery by saying, “This is just a coincidence because there are other shapes as well, none with greater or lesser significance than the other.” Others agreed stating that it could also be symbolic of Japanese history rather than just the Zelda lore itself. Until Tears of the Kingdom officially releases on May 12, it is impossible to tell whether or not this tear theory holds any truth. For now, fans will continue to eagerly replay the sequel’s predecessor and speculate online.

How to earn Credits fast in Marvel Snap: Best Collection Level tips Marvel / Second DinnerCredits are all-important in Marvel Snap as you look to boost your Collection Level and unlock new cards, so here’s an in-depth guide on how to earn as many as possible each passing week. Credits are your most vital resource in Marvel Snap. They’re essential when it comes to upgrading card rarity and thus, your Collection Level in the process. Earning as many Credits as possible is how you can fast-track your way to unlocking most cards in the game. While some methods of acquiring Credits are fairly straightforward, others require a little more legwork. So if you’re stumped on what to try next, don’t fret. We’ve got you covered with a full rundown on the best ways to earn Credits fast in Marvel Snap. Contents Free Credits in the Marvel Snap shop The first step to maximizing your Credit gains in Marvel Snap is to check the in-game shop on a daily basis. Although it might not seem obvious at a glance, free Credits are actually on offer every 24 hours. With each refresh of the in-game store at 8PM PT, 50 Credits are available directly in the store. There are no unlock requirements, these are free for all players every single day. While 50 Credits might not seem like much, they certainly add up. Even if you don’t have enough time to play an extended session, it’s well worth just a few seconds of your time to boot up Marvel Snap and grab these Credits each passing day. Daily & Weekly Missions are essential Next up are the Daily and Weekly Missions in Marvel Snap, arguably the best source of Credits overall. Found under the ‘Missions’ tab on the homepage, up to seven daily challenges at any given time. From simply drawing cards to winning with Snaps or dominating a Location by 10+ Power, these Missions have a great deal of variety. Though all of them are quite simple, requiring just a few games of playtime at most. Typically, daily Missions offer up to 100 Credits each, along with some Season Pass XP too. Thus, completing as many as possible is a surefire way to increase your earnings. Most importantly, however, are the more lucrative Weekly Challenges at the top of the page. By completing a set number of Daily Missions, bonus rewards before available throughout the week. At five, 10, 15, 20, and 25 Missions, you’ll be handed a huge assortment on in-game currency, including a whopping 1,350 Credits. If you’re already trying to play Marvel Snap on a daily basis, this weekly bonus should come naturally and go a long way to boosting your Collection Level. Boosting your Marvel Snap Season Pass Another effective method of earning Credits in Marvel Snap is to progress through the Season Pass. While select rewards are available for free, advancing through the Premium track is where things get interesting. By completing all 50 tiers in any given Season Pass, you can grab 2,500 Credits in total. As a bonus, 1,200 Gold is also available in the Season Pass, which can then be redeemed in the shop for even more Credits if you so choose. Moreover, if you manage to advance through all 50 regular tiers in the Season Pass, further Credits become available at the end. For every tier you progress after finishing the Pass, a bonus 50 Credits will be unlocked. Climbing the ranked ladder for Seasonal Rewards Last but not least, playing well is a great way to ensure more Credits come your way. Through Marvel Snap’s current ranking system, with distinct rewards every 10 levels, a considerable amount of Credits can be earned just by ranking up. If you’re able to reach at least rank 80, a further 1,350 Credits can all be yours just by performing well in Marvel Snap.

EA will develop three Marvel games beginning with upcoming Iron Man game MarvelElectronic Arts have inked a deal with Marvel to make three games based on their iconic comic book characters, starting with an Iron Man game in development by EA. Marvel and gaming giant Electronic Arts have joined forces to produce a handful of new triple-A titles based on comic characters from the Marvel universe. The collaboration will kick off with EA’s Iron Man game which is being developed by Motive Studio, the developers of the Dead Space remake. On top of Iron Man’s game, it looks like EA is set to produce at least two more action-adventure games based on popular Marvel characters. EA and Marvel announce multi-game partnership The news broke on October 31 via an official announcement from EA themselves. In the reveal, EA COO Laura Miele praised Marvel and shared excitement over the partnership. “We look forward to welcoming Marvel into the EA family of creators and know this collaboration will produce exceptional experiences for our players. We can’t wait to see players’ reactions when they suit up as Iron Man and do the extraordinary things this Super Hero is known for.” As of now, the only known game out of the three games in the works so far is Iron Man. With Motive already revealed as the developer for the Iron Man game, it might not be much longer until more details about the game will be revealed. As far as gameplay details go, the only nugget of information we have so far is that each game is slated to be a character-action game. As more news is revealed from the EA & Marvel collaboration we will keep you updated.

EA Sports WRC Review: A ferocious ride EA Sports WRC might not stand out from a visual perspective, but in our review, we highlighted that Codemasters did a very strong job with producing a ready-to-go racing title that does the difficulty of driving in the FIA World Rally Championship some justice. After a lengthy stint with developer Kylotonn and publisher Nacon, the FIA World Rally Championship has a new home for its simulation racing games. EA Sports and Codemasters, a duo in control of the F1 franchise, have entered the fray and taken over the rights to what used to be Nacon’s WRC franchise. EA Sports WRC, much like its predecessor, is the official video game for the WRC, WRC2, and Junior WRC and features both the teams, cars, and liveries of the World Rally Championship. Not to mention, it also comes with a different look and feel and a returning Career Mode. While it might not be as flashy as a Forza Horizon or F1, EA Sports WRC should be considered a strong entry into the world of racing games thanks to good overall gameplay and enough modes to engage fans of the series. EA Sports WRC Details Price: $49.99 – Developer: Codemasters – Release Date: November 3, 2023 – Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S – EA Sports WRC Trailer A fresh series, but fresh gameplay? We’ll start with the graphics in EA Sports WRC. I can’t sit here and write that EA WRC’s graphics are a major upgrade from what WRC Generations and past Nacon games had. That’s just simply not the case. The graphics do look more like the format of DiRT, which was also a Codemasters-developed title. That’s not much of a shock, as the WRC team did state that DiRT Rally physics would be implemented into the title. There’s not a lot of pop in the visuals, aside from perhaps the icy glow on the track that can be seen during snow races. Nor does truly have its own defining look. However, I had no issues with clarity out on the road, something very important to consider. Now, let’s get into the gameplay. Codemasters has opted to make use of the Unreal Engine for EA Sports WRC, as well as what the developer called the Dynamic Handling System. This system, per EA and Codemasters, was advertised to refine Codemasters’ multi-surface handling system and give “players the most realistic off-road experience to date.” The driving is fluid, there never felt any response issues with braking or the grips, the tracks played as one would expect during wet and snow conditions, and there’s definitely a skill gap for those who can master the intricacies of the WRC gameplay engine. Racing in WRC is different for those who have played F1 or Forza, as the tracks are different, and a fine touch is really needed in order to ride on gravel and snow-filled roads. However, I don’t really have any complaints about the gameplay. It might not look flashy on paper, but Codemasters got the job done. The same old for modes WRC features over 70 different cars and over 200 different rally stages in countries like Italy, Greece, Mexico, Croatia, Monte Carlo, and Japan. Now, the bread and butter of EA Sports WRC is the game’s career mode. Career Mode functions much like past WRC games: create a driver and then go through the calendar of a World Rally Championship driver. Drivers must manage team staff — which includes hiring staff and maintaining the stamina of each member — and costs, as well as choose which events to participate in each and every week. Additionally, EA Sports WRC players have the option to customize their team branding, create setups, and It’s a dry mode but one that’s very typical of both racing and specifically, Codemasters-driven games. The focus is on the racing and management, and not on story-driven scenarios or decisions. Aside from the Career Mode, EA Sports WRC also comes with online racing via Clubs and Moments. In Moments, WRC fans can re-create moments from both the immediate and not-so-distant past. For beginners, there is an introduction mode called Rally School. Rally School is where drivers can practice how to stay on the road, keep a clean pace, and learn the inner workings of how a WRC race actually functions. From a modes perspective, there’s nothing ambitious here at all. But, Codemasters did keep it simple and put forward a career mode will plenty of paths to choose from, as well as the ability to create clubs and find a different kind of competition. The verdict – 4/5 I don’t have really any complaints with EA WRC. The game plays fine and acts much like one would expect from a rally car championship game. This game is a change of pace from other racing games like F1 and Forza Horizon. Yes, part of that has to do with virtually no microtransactions within the game. But on a more poignant note, rally car racing is its own beast. Between building the right setup and then having to go out on a treacherous road and compete, it’s important for all the details to be there and for the gameplay to be smooth. Codemasters definitely got it right on the latter part. Now, does this game have the kind of visual splash as compared to F1? No, nor does it have features that truly distinguish itself from its past. But, it rides very well and it’s an exhilarating drive for those who love racing games.

EA unveils Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-Earth RPG, but there’s a catch EAElectronic Arts has announced a new Lord of the Rings game is in development, called Heroes of Middle-Earth. The publisher has launched various licensed video games since The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was released in 2002, though there has been a drought in recent times. The last Middle Earth game came out in 2009, The Lord of the Rings: Conquest, meaning the next title has been 15 years in the making. EA Capital Games will be working on the project in Sacramento, California, which has been described as a “collectible role-playing game.” The studio is also responsible for Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, another successful collectible RPG title for mobile. EA unveils new Lord of the Rings mobile game This will be a landmark launch for Electronic Arts, as it’s the “ first mobile game developed by EA, inspired by storylines, locations, characters, and lore from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit literary works.” According to a press release, the first Lord of the Rings licensed mobile game will be heading to selected regions for beta testing in Summer 2022. Malachi Boyle, Vice President of Mobile RPG for Electronic Arts, added: “We are incredibly excited to partner with The Saul Zaentz Company and Middle-earth Enterprises on the next generation of mobile role-playing games. The team is filled with fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and each day they bring their tremendous passion and talents together to deliver an authentic experience for players. “The combination of high-fidelity graphics, cinematic animations, and stylized art immerses players in the fantasy of Middle-earth where they’ll go head-to-head with their favorite characters.” Characters from The Hobbit prequel series, as well as The Lord of the Rings, will be featured in the Heroes of Middle-Earth. “We are thrilled to be working with EA once again, this time to bring a mobile game solely inspired by Middle-earth as described in the literary works of JRR Tolkien to its fans,” said Middle-Earth Enterprises Executive, Fredrica Drotos. “It’s an honor to work with the talented Capital Games team whose knowledge and love of the lore is palpable throughout.” This isn’t the first Lord of the Rings adaptation on mobile, of course. Jamdat Mobile worked on and published eight different projects on mobile, but the company was acquired by EA in 2006. Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-Earth has not been given a release date just yet, with more details expected to be posted soon.