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Genshin Impact Server Maintenance Happening October 21

Genshin Impact Maintenance October 22

On October 21, miHoYo announced Genshin Impact (PC, PS4, Mobile, soon on Switch, PS5) will be entering its first maintenance on October 22, from 0800 JST to 1200 JST. In ET, this means on October 21, from 1900 ET to 2300 ET. (Click here for a table with other time zones). The announcement was made through the Japanese Genshin Impact Twitter:


The statement wasn't shared in English yet as usual. However, this should hold true for all servers. Long story short, there are two main Genshin servers, the Chinese one, and the Global one. With the Global server being subdivided into America, Europe and Asia servers. Meaning if a server maintenance was announced in Japan, server maintenance should be happening on all of global server. It's possible the maintenance time for each server might turn out different though. We'll know for sure when the maintenance is announced in English.

miHoYo explained the maintenance is to provide a better gaming experience, and to fix some bugs. The developers also advised players to logout from the game before maintenance starts. Or else your game progress might not save properly.

Japanese (stylized) online games and gacha games always distribute compensation for maintenance, and Genshin Impact is no exception: miHoYo announced 240 Primogems will be distributed to all players within 5 hours after maintenance ends. The Primogems will be sent via in-game mail, and you'll have 30 days to claim them. Note however that only accounts who reached Adventurer Rank 5 before the maintenance will get the Primogems.

miHoYo also explained the compensation will always be 60 Primogems for each hour of maintenance. For example, if a ten hours maintenance ever happens, we'll get 600 Primogems. miHoYo also explained the amount won't change even if a maintenance ends earlier than scheduled.

Online games usually have weekly maintenance or so, Genshin Impact didn't have a single down time since launch, this October maintenance is the first one. PSO2 most notably has its weekly maintenance on Wednesday. This gave birth to hashtags such as  #メンテの日なのでssを貼る / "It's maintenance day so let's share screenshots" on Jp Twitter. Genshin Impact is making waves in Japan right now, assuming the game keeps its popularity in the coming months, players will probably start a similar hashtag.

Be sure to check our guide on the Klee banner. miHoYo is currently considering adding key bindings to Genshin Impact. Lisa's seiyuu Rie Tanaka sometimes streams the game too on YouTube. Genshin Impact Version 1.1 is expected to launch on November 11 with a new event. Version 1.2 is expected to launch on December 23, and will add another event and the new Dragonspine area. Version 1.3 is scheduled for February 2021. You can read in detail about each update here and here.

The post Genshin Impact Server Maintenance Happening October 21 by Iyane Agossah appeared first on DualShockers.

The Nintendo Switch Was Announced Four Years Ago as of Today

It seems like it was just yesterday that us Nintendo fans were foaming at the mouth for any possible announcement of a new Nintendo console. Rumors were circulating for a while about a hybrid console that was both a portable and home console. After countless fake leaks (we all remember this little fellow right here) the Nintendo Switch was finally announced on October 20, 2016.

When the trailer was unveiled, I have to say, it was everything I was hoping for in a Nintendo console. The big N took one of the things that they do best (create fantastic handhelds) and molded that into a home console. The Switch also looked like a stylish new piece of tech comparable to a new smartphone or iPad rather than a Fisher-Price toy. As much as I love the Wii U and 3DS, they were not the most stylish looking consoles. The new controllers would easily slide on and off the side of the console and even could turn into two small controllers if held sideways. Maybe the coolest feature of all was how the Switch would just "switch" from TV to handheld mode at ease. It looked like magic.

On top of all of that, we got to see that Splatoon, Mario Kart 8, Skyrim, NBA 2K, a new Mario game, and of course, Breath of the Wild would be coming to the console. As we all know now, some of those turned into Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario Odyssey.

It is a little odd looking back at that first trailer. I remember rewatching that trailer countless times and perpetually increasing my hype levels day after day. I thought that after so much anticipation, I would just inevitably be disappointed at launch. But I have to say now that I can say that Breath of the Wild is my favorite game of all time, the launch of the Nintendo Switch was probably the most memorable gaming memory I have. Leaving the Shrine of Resurrection and seeing all of Hyrule and how much I can explore while playing on a brand new and incredible Nintendo console, I was in love.

The Nintendo Switch has now gone on to become one of the most successful consoles of all time and shows no signs of stopping. It recently was announced that the console has been the best selling console for 22 consecutive months. With the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 realizing next month, that streak will most likely come to an end.

The post The Nintendo Switch Was Announced Four Years Ago as of Today by Grant Huff appeared first on DualShockers.

Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle Announced as 64 Player Battle Royale

Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle

The battle royale train keeps on rolling. Over the last year or so, many classic franchises have dipped their toes in the massively popular genre. Most recently we had the very fun Super Mario Bros. 35 and before that the likes of Tetris 99. There's also the Worms battle royale, Worms Rumble, that's due out before the end of the year.

The latest retro superstar to step into the battle royale arena is none other than Pac-Man, in the newly announced Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle. The title is due for release on November 17, but sadly for those looking to chomp away on consoles, the game will be a Stadia exclusive.

The reveal trailer offers a glimpse into what the Pac-Man battle royale will entail. Packed with vibrant colours, a variety of different themed mazes and a raid feature, Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle, sees 64 different competitors aim to be the last Pac-Man standing. The game will feature various customisation options, with players able to customise their own Pac-Man and home mazes.

The trailer also shows off an interesting spectator mode. This mode allows viewers to "vote on power-ups that can cause you – or your opponents! – to stumble on the field and be eliminated from battle!"

The game, which as you'd expect is being published by Bandai Namco, is being developed by US developers Heavy Iron Studios. The studio has mostly shipped a bunch of licensed Disney titles up to this point, however, did lend a helping hand on both Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time and Marvel's Avengers.

For those unsure whether a Pac-Man battle royale is up their alley, Google is offering a free demo of the game. The demo is live now and can be played through Chrome or other web browsers until 9pm PDT on October 27.  The full game is available to pre-order now through the Google Stadia store for $19.99 ahead of its November 17 release.

The post Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle Announced as 64 Player Battle Royale by Sam Woods appeared first on DualShockers.

Former Blizzard Devs Form Frost Giant Studios With a Focus on RTS Titles

Frost Giant Studios, Blizzard, PC

We've been seeing several former Blizzard devs putting together different studios after the last few years. Of course, most of those new studios have yet to produce a game. However, it's nice to see the Blizzard old guard staying with video games and potentially building something great without the influence of Activision. Today, Tim Morten and Tim Campbell announced their new company Frost Giant Studios, which is set to focus on making the next great RTS game.

Of course, for those in the scene, this announcement isn't too surprising. Morten was the Production Director for StarCraft II and Comand & Conquer General 2. And Campbell was the Lead Campaign Designer for Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. These two have real-time strategy flowing through their blood. They've added to their ranks with several other former Blizzard devs, mostly picking people who helped Morten on Starcraft II.

While the two Tims don't quite have the name recognition of some of the other studios that have been formed by former Blizzard employees, they do some solid backing to start off. Gameindustry.biz revealed in their writeup that the studio raised $4.7 million in seed funding from various investors. Hopefully, they can use that money to create the start of something exceptional.

Between Frost Giant Studios, Mike Morhaime's Dreamhaven, and Rob Pardo's Bonfire Studios it'll be interesting to see which studio gets a game out first. Obviously, Bonfire got an early start as a studio, but it's been four years without a real announcement. Here's hoping something comes out of one of these studios relatively soon.

The post Former Blizzard Devs Form Frost Giant Studios With a Focus on RTS Titles by Ricky Frech appeared first on DualShockers.

Apex Legends Fight or Fright Event Returns October 22

Apex Legends Fight or Fright, Respawn Entertainment

Apex Legends is back again with its annual Fight or Fright event. This go-round, players can hop in from October 22 to November 3 to play the new mode, earn cosmetics, and complete fun challenges. It's quite the collection of stuff to do and some of those cosmetics are class. Give the announcement trailer a watch below to see what's coming later this week.

https://twitter.com/PlayApex/status/1318567656253919232

We'll get to the cosmetics in a minute, but the new mode is probably the thing most worth talking about. Shadow Royale gives you something of a new lease on life. When you die, you take on a powerful "Shadow Form" that lets you impact the game well after death. Armed with a devastating melee attack, blazing speed, and better mobility, it's your job to carry your team to victory from beyond the grave. It looks like a fun mode that should inject some extra life into the game.

And you'll probably want to play as much as possible during the event if you want to earn some of the better cosmetics. This is a collection of some brand new skins alongside a few fan favorites from last year's event. There are several cool ones included, so make sure to check out the official blog post to see when your favorite one is on offer.

Apex Legends Fight or Fright event runs from October 22 to November 3. The game is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. A Nintendo Switch release is on its way and you have to it will also come to PS5 and Xbox Series X sometime soon.

The post Apex Legends Fight or Fright Event Returns October 22 by Ricky Frech appeared first on DualShockers.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla Season Pass Will Feature Ireland, Paris, and Beowulf in New Story Expansions

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

As the next mainline installment in the long-running series, Assassin's Creed Valhalla will also be the series' first entry on the upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X/Series S. What we've already seen (and played) of the game so far seems to suggest that it will be one of the next-gen consoles' showpiece games this holiday season, while Ubisoft has revealed what players can look forward to past the game's launch this November.

Ubisoft has released a new trailer for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, with the video focusing specifically on the post-launch content and DLC coming to the game through its Season Pass. As shown through the trailer, Valhalla will receive several new story expansions that will bring players to new areas outside of the base game's setting in Viking-era England. The Season Pass is available on its own for $39.99 on all platforms, and is also included as part of the Gold, Ultimate, and Collector's Editions of Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

You can check out the full post-launch Season Pass trailer for Valhalla below:

The Season Pass for Valhalla will feature two major story expansions after the game's release in November. The first expansion, called War of the Druids, will debut in spring 2021 and will take players to Ireland as they uncover the mysteries surrounding a druidic cult, while also delving into Gaelic myths and folklore. The second expansion is called The Siege of Paris and arrives in summer 2021, with the expansion taking place in France and will have players "relive the most ambitious battle in Viking History" in an infiltration in the heart of Paris.

Alongside the two story expansions, the Season Pass will also feature a bonus quest that will be available with the launch of Assassin's Creed Valhalla focused around the legend of Beowulf. Ubisoft also detailed that outside of the Season Pass, players will be able to access free seasonal updates and new content, such as a Viking festival that will be introduced to the game, a new game mode, and a Discovery Tour mode similar to the ones released for Origins and Odyssey.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla will release for Xbox Series X/Series S, PS4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia on November 10, 2020, followed by its release for PS5 on November 12, 2020.

The post Assassin's Creed Valhalla Season Pass Will Feature Ireland, Paris, and Beowulf in New Story Expansions by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

Red Dead Online Adds Spooky, New Content With Halloween Update

Red Dead Online The Halloween Pass, Rockstar Games

Like most live service games, Red Dead Online is kicking off its version of Halloween this week. The Halloween event comes with quite a bit to do and plenty of cosmetics to earn. Suffice to say, if you're an RDO player, you're going to have a busy Halloween season. Give the Halloween Pass trailer a watch below to see some of the spooky cosmetics coming to the game.

As you can see above, the cosmetics you can earn are fittingly terrifying. There's a gallows blindfold that's covered in blood and some frightful additions to the game's photo mode. But the scariest addition is those new horse masks. Those things are just upsetting. However, it's not just cosmetics with the Halloween event. Players will have quite a few other things to work through.

Probably the most exciting addition is the new Dead of Night mode. This team-based survival match pits you against both the living dead and three rival teams. You'll also have the opportunity to find the Night Stalker mask within the mode, which gives you deadly, supernatural abilities.

Outside of the new mode, you'll also have some new pretty to hunt down, which results in even more gear. Plus, there are some big discounts for tons of items in the game, making this a great time to catch back up to the content grind.

Red Dead Online's Halloween event kicked off today and will last until November 16. The game is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Red Dead Online will also come to PS5 and Xbox Series X when those consoles launch next month.

The post Red Dead Online Adds Spooky, New Content With Halloween Update by Ricky Frech appeared first on DualShockers.

Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game Kickstarter Has Launched and is Already Funded

The dungeon-crawling RPG Darkest Dungeon has been known for its brutally difficult gameplay and emphasis on having players make difficult choices in order to survive, and it's one title that feels particularly well-suited to tabletop form. Thankfully, Mythic Games and Red Hook Studios are bringing their acclaimed title to the table with an official board game adaptation, which has been funded on Kickstarter in record time.

The Kickstarter campaign for Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game has officially launched today, with Mythic Games initially posting a $300,000 funding goal for the tabletop adaptation of the RPG. Given the series' popularity, it took less than an hour for the project to fully meet its funding goal, with the campaign having reached well over $500,000 from 4,000+ backers, as of this writing.

You can take a look at the official trailer for the board game below:

The Kickstarter campaign for the project outlines that the board game will stay faithful to Red Hook's RPG as a co-operative tabletop experience for up to 4 players. Like in the original game, players will take on challenges by venturing into the depths of dungeons as various characters and classes, while also having to deal with the stress and effects of venturing into its horrific chambers.

The board game is a Kickstarter exclusive that won't come to retail stores, and the campaign also outlines a number of stretch goals to expand on the base game. Specifically, the stretch goals include a free Musketeer hero figurine, alongside an expansion for the game based on The Crimson Court DLC with new miniatures, tiles, and cards as add-ons.

Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game is crowdfunding on Kickstarter from now through November 6, 2020. Currently, Mythic Games is expecting the project to ship to backers starting in late 2021.

The post Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game Kickstarter Has Launched and is Already Funded by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

Destiny 2: Beyond Light Story Trailer Reveals the Showdown for Stasis

With the game now in its fourth year, Destiny 2 notably has had some major changes in 2020 to build for the years ahead. From the introduction of the Content Vault to broader gameplay changes, Bungie is making plenty of quality-of-life improvements ahead of the release of its next major content expansion with Beyond Light in November. Of course, there is also more Destiny lore worth looking forward to in the expansion, with a new trailer highlighting the next chapter of the online shooter.

Bungie has released the latest trailer for the upcoming Destiny 2: Beyond Light, with the trailer specifically looking at the story behind the next major expansion coming to the game. The two-minute-long trailer gives a more extensive look at the expansion's storyline, which puts a new form of energy called Stasis at the center of another struggle between the Guardians and their intergalactic foes.

You can check out the full story trailer for Beyond Light below:

Bungie announced Beyond Light earlier this year as part of its roadmap for Destiny 2 in the coming years alongside two other expansions. Following Beyond Light's release next month, the next two expansions–The Witch Queen and Lightfall–will release in 2021 and 2022, respectively, giving players at least another two years of major story content to look ahead towards. Beyond Light, however, will be launching next month on all current platforms, and will also be included for those playing Destiny 2 on Xbox Game Pass alongside all of its previously-released expansions.

Destiny 2 is available now on PS4, Xbox One, Google Stadia, and PC, with the Beyond Light expansion to launch on November 10, 2020. The next-gen versions of Destiny 2 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/Series S will be available on December 8, 2020.

The post Destiny 2: Beyond Light Story Trailer Reveals the Showdown for Stasis by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

Genshin Impact: Klee Introduction, Gacha Banner Event Guide

Genshin Impact Klee Banner gacha

On October 18, Genshin Impact (PC, PS4, Mobile, soon on Switch, PS5) revealed its second time-limited gacha banner, with Klee as the featured character. Klee is part of the Knights of Favonius, but is often locked in solitary confinement for blowing things up. In Japanese, the best dub, Klee is voiced by Misaki Kuno, who also voiced new character Sophia in Persona 5 Scramble, one of the best games of 2020.

Klee is a five star Pyro user, and a Catalyst user. Klee most notably has a special skill which makes Mondstadt local specialties appear on the mini-map.

The Klee banner in Genshin Impact, Sparkling Steps, will begin on October 20, 1800 (server time). The banner will last till November 9.

Needless to say, the banner will have the same pity count system as existing banners. You'll get a guaranteed 5 star at 90 pulls, with a 50% chance for it to be Klee. Three 4 star characters will also have an enhanced probability rate: Xingqiu, Sucrose, and Noelle.

It's important to note miHoYo already confirmed the ongoing pity counter carries from one time-limited gacha banner to another. For example, if you already did 50 pulls on the Venti banner without getting a 5 star, your pity counter for the Klee banner will start at 50.

Getting enough Primogems to do 90 pulls is quite hard as a free player if you haven't been saving up since the game launched. I wouldn't recommend aiming for duplicates of Klee, unless you're a whale, and getting her just once would make you a pretty lucky player.

A new weapon banner, Epitome Invocation, will be launching too on October 20, 1800 (server times):

If you're a f2p, don't spend your Primogem on weapon banners and focus on character banners. Similarly to constellations / characters duplicates, weapon banners are whale-oriented.

A story trailer introducing Klee's troubles was published. (In Japanese, Chinese and Korean only). An in-depth Klee gameplay video is out too:

Lastly, I wouldn't recommend putting money into Genshin or any gacha game specifically to pull the gacha. Because ultimately there's no guarantee you'll get what you want. If you do want to spend money on Genshin Impact, there are way better alternatives, like its Battle Pass and the monthly blessing.

The post Genshin Impact: Klee Introduction, Gacha Banner Event Guide by Iyane Agossah appeared first on DualShockers.