Cyberpunk 2077 Review Copies Did Not Have Blatant Epilepsy Warnings

Cyberpunk 2077 Epilepsy Warning

Update: 2:54 PM EST. 

CD Projekt Red has provided us with an official comment on Liana Ruppert's comment and the inclusion of visible epilepsy warnings. CD Projekt Red is "working to introduce a separate warning splash screen in the game, so it's more than the warning in our EULA." The company also acknowledged that many gamers skip EULAs and that it "tried to get ahead of this by having a more digestible version of the document" which can be found here. It's worth noting that finding this document requires going to the bottom of Cyberpunk 2077's site and clicking on User Agreement.

The developer also wants to avoid any other players having the same experience as Ruppert going forward. To that end, Cyberpunk 2077's development team is exploring a more permanent solution and "will deploy it as soon as we can." That being said, getting updates through on consoles takes much longer than it does on PC. For PlayStation titles, a patch takes at least five days to pass through certification. That process is even longer on Xbox. With Cyberpunk 2077 shipping in just two days, it doesn't seem like a fix will be available when players get their hands on the game.

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Epilepsy warnings are commonplace for video games. Game developers want people to have fun with their games, not get hurt playing them. However, Cyberpunk 2077, which already has a segment that can cause epileptic seizures, does not feature a blatant warning. At least, that is the case in the PC review copies sent to gaming outlets so far.

Yesterday, Liana Ruppert, an associate editor at Game Informer, published an article regarding a seizure she experienced while playing Cyberpunk 2077. In the article, she warns other players that Cyberpunk 2077 has a specific scene that can easily trigger a seizure. When asked if the game had provided any seizure warnings, Ruppert said that she had likely skipped over them. However, Sam Machkovech, the tech culture editor at Ars Technica confirmed that the copies of Cyberpunk 2077 sent out for review did not provide a seizure warning in its title cards. Instead, the game's sole warning is in its lengthy EULA, that long list of legalese that you probably skip over when launching a new game. The chances of players seeing this warning without deliberately looking for it are slim to none.

The issue has sparked a new controversy surrounding CD Projekt Red's latest title. Calls to add a proper warning to the game or add options that could remove seizure-causing scenes are coming from more than just Twitter users. In response to the Game Informer article, a UK based epilepsy charity, Epilepsy Action, has asked CD Projekt Red to update Cyberpunk 2077 immediately.

"We are alarmed and saddened that a game reviewer had a seizure triggered by Cyberpunk 2077, before it was even launched," said Epilepsy Action director of external affairs Louise Cousins. "The game features rapidly blinking lights and other animations that could cause seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy." Cousins' statement ends with a firm recommendation that CD Projekt Red updates the game to make it safer, saying "A disclaimer warning at the beginning isn't enough."

DualShockers has reached out to CD Projekt Red for a comment.

Cyberpunk 2077 is set to launch on December 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.

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Gears 5 Adds Hivebusters Expansion on December 15

Gears 5, The Coalition, Xbox

Gears 5 fans have likely been enjoying the Xbox Series X/S update the team dropped alongside the consoles' launch. However, you have to imagine fans are left wishing for something new to play within the universe. Thankfully, The Coalition has some great news. Launching December 15, Hivebusters is a new campaign expansion that adds some solid, new content. Give the trailer a watch below.

Gears 5: Hivebusters puts you in the shoes of Lahni, Keegan, and Mac. Fans might remember the trio from the base game's Escape mode. The squad is being sent on a suicide mission to destroy a Swarm hive and you have to get them through.

The team is promising a 3-hour campaign for players to run through. You'll be able to play it with some friends in 3-player co-op. Importantly, you can do this in either split-screen or online co-op. So, regardless of where you and your friends play, you'll be able to fight against the Swarm together.

Hivebusters also lets players use and upgrade Ultimate Abilities in the campaign for the first time. Players will remember these skills from the base game's Horde mode. Now they're in the campaign to make things even wilder.

Gears 5 is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The Hivebusters expansion hits on December 15. As ever, if you're a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber this will come as a part of your subscription. Though, you will be able to pick it up separately for $19.99 if, for whatever reason, you don't want to sign up for the best service in gaming.

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New Hitman 3 Gameplay Trailer Shows Off All the Ways 47 Can Murder

Hitman 3

Hitman 3 ships early next year, which means it's about that time to kick off the big marketing push. To that effect, IOI dropped a new trailer today that shows some of the hijinks you'll get up to when you step into Agent 47's shoes. For longtime fans of the series, most of this will feel like a welcome return. It doesn't look like IOI is changing things up too much for the end of this trilogy. Though, why fix what isn't broken? Give the trailer a look below.

As you can see, the Hitman 3 trailer shows off quite a bit of what you'd expect. Agent 47 is using everything at his disposal to finish off his targets. Whether you're dropping guards with a silenced rifle, tossing on a disguise to get through a checkpoint, or beating a man to death with a feather duster, this is the Hitman series you know and love.

For some, it might be a bit disappointing to not see some bigger changes. That said, IOI is adding VR compatibility via PSVR. Plus, it's not like the first two games had massive problems anyway. Sometimes, more of the same is exactly what the doctor ordered. Add in all the new maps, and I can't wait to try this one out for myself.

Hitman 3 launches on January 20 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Remember, it's also coming to PSVR, alongside support for the first two games. Speaking of the first two games, those levels will come over with 3. If you haven't played them, it'll be a perfect time to hop in, especially if you're playing on next-gen consoles.

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Win a Copy of This War of Mine: Complete Edition for Nintendo Switch!

This War of Mine Nintendo Switch Giveaway New

With the Holidays around the corner, what better way to celebrate than a massive code giveaway? Thankfully — to celebrate a massive update that is a capstone to This War of Mine: Complete Edition — developer 11 Bit Studios has partnered with us to give out 100 codes for Nintendo Switch.

If you somehow haven't heard of This War of Mine since its release on PC in 2014, the game is one of the most powerful pieces of gaming media — getting critical acclaim across the board for breathing life into the horrors and unseen victims of war. The game is so impactful, it is the only video game that makes a country-wide 'reading' list (looking at you, Poland). Now, with all the updates finally on Nintendo Switch, you can experience the game in full on the go.

Check out the video and giveaway link below for more info on how to enter!

How to Enter

Entering this giveaway very easy! Following @DualShockers on Twitter is mandatory for entry, as we will be contacting the winners via Twitter Direct Message. Please make sure that you don't unfollow us before the end of the competition, as that will invalidate your win.

Other than that, the ways to enter can be found down in the giveaway box below. Most of these qualifications to enter require you to follow us on various social media platforms or check out what 11 Bit Studios has going on. The more ways you enter, the more likely you'll then be chosen as the winner for This War of Mine: Complete Edition for Nintendo Switch.

Win a Nintendo Switch Code for This War of Mine!

Giveaway Process/Requirements

To make this clear, we've got a hundred This War of Mine: Complete Edition codes that will be given away. Submissions for entry will also close next week on December 20th at 11:59 pm EST. With that said, the code is for North America accounts — make sure you have access to one of those, and that you are 17 (or older) to win a copy of the game.

This War of Mine News & Updates

This War of Mine has been floating around the indiedev scene since the beginning of last generations, so there's been a ton of news and updates over time. In case you missed it, here are some of the recent stories:

Best of luck if you enter! We'll officially reach out to the winner next week on December 21st, 2020.

The post Win a Copy of This War of Mine: Complete Edition for Nintendo Switch! by Lou Contaldi appeared first on DualShockers.

Cyberpunk 2077 Partners With BlackMilk For Upcoming Clothing Line

Cyberpunk 2077, BlackMilk, CD Projekt Red

The Cyberpunk 2077 launch is only a few short days away. Soon, gamers everywhere will be snuggling down to experience all the thrills Night City has to offer. However, wouldn't it be even better if you could also be wearing some Johnny Silverhands-inspired leggings while you play? Fortunately, CD Projekt Red is partnering with BlackMilk to make that a reality. This Thursday, the women's wear company is dropping a nine-piece collection of Cyberpunk gear. Check it out.

The Cyberpunk 2077 x BlackMilk collection has several different options for fans looking to show off their love of the game. Whether you're looking for a new bomber jacket or a Netrunner-inspired dress, the clothing company has you covered. The leggings, in particular, look pretty great. They seem to hit that perfect line in gamer clothing where you can only really tell it's gaming-related if you're in the know. It doesn't just have Cyberpunk blasted on the side. Instead, it's much more subtle, which I'm personally a fan of.

It's worth noting that BlackMilk is an Australian company. So, if you're a US reader hoping to have those leggings in your hands soon, I'm here to let you know that probably isn't happening. That said, with all the bugs reviewers have been noting, it might be worth it to wait a month to play Cyberpunk 2077. By that time, your new bomber jacket should be in and CD Projekt Red will have hopefully ironed out some of the kinks. Either way, if you're looking to pick up some Cyberpunk threads, give BlackMilk's collection a look.

Cyberpunk 2077 launches on December 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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DOOM Eternal is Finally Out on the Switch

When it was announced in 2017 that DOOM (2016) would be making its way to the Switch, many gamers were skeptical. At that point, first-person controls didn't feel very good when using the Switch's Joy-Cons. However, the developers over at Id Software managed to figure it out by taking advantage of the Switch's gyro-aiming which led to the port being well received. As of today, the Switch has now welcomed DOOM Eternal to its library as well.

Despite delays and rumors of the game's cancellation, DOOM Eternal finally lives on the Switch's E-Store. To many DOOM fans' dismay, Bethesda Softworks, the game's publisher, announced last month that despite people pre-ordering it, there would be no physical release of the game for the Switch.

In a statement from Bethesda to IGN, they said, "While Doom Eternal is 100% on track for an imminent digital-only release on Nintendo Switch, the absence of a physical release at retail resulted in canceled pre-orders." All those who pre-ordered the physical edition of the game were refunded.

While the cancelation of the physical release definitely disappointed hardcore DOOM collectors, it seems like the hype for the port still exists. DOOM Eternal can now be taken on the go and can live right next to Animal Crossing: New Horizons making all the memes from their shared release day feel a little bit more real.

DOOM Eternal can be found on the Nintendo E-Store right here. For more on the game, make sure to check out our review of it right here. Also, make sure to take a look at this article about the announcement of Doom Guy's teased inclusion in Fall Guys. DOOM Eternal is available on the Xbox One, PS4, PC, and, now, the Nintendo Switch. You can pick up a physical copy right here to help support DualShockers.

The post DOOM Eternal is Finally Out on the Switch by Peter Hunt Szpytek appeared first on DualShockers.

Gwent Expansion Way of The Witcher Available Today

Gwent Expansion

It's time to talk about the latest, hottest release from CD Projekt Red: Gwent. The card game, otherwise known as one of the best parts of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, has grown massively since its launch in 2018. It hasn't shown signs of stopping either, a new expansion for Gwent has just released titled Way of The Witcher.

Naturally, the expansion is themed around Witchers, the specially mutated hunters that travel throughout the continent in search of monsters to slay and coin to collect. Way of The Witcher introduces a heap of new Witcher cards based around the different Witcher schools. These new cards and their respective abilities can greatly alter a deck's playstyle, or boost a deck's current design. A smaller group of neutral cards help fill any holes in your deck that may be left. You can find a full list of the new cards that can be found in this expansion on the game's site here.

Today's Way of The Witcher expansion for Gwent also introduces a new keyword to the game. In Gwent, keywords are special statuses or effects that cards have on others, like bleeding, poison or shield. The latest addition to this list is adrenaline, which players of The Witcher franchise should recognize. It was a special resource built up over the course of fights that would let Geralt use extremely powerful abilities. In Gwent, this new keyword will let players have more control over the battlefield. In a video going over the ability, which will be linked below, a CD Projekt Red developer offers an example with the game's new Chimera card. When deployed, it consumes one allied unit, but it has an additional adrenaline ability that boosts all copies of that card by one if the player has four cards or less left in their hand.

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Pokemon GO Heads to Kanto With Its Next Big Event in February

Pokemon GO

Despite having to make some big adjustments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pokemon GO has continued to thrive by offering its community with new ways to play and interact from around the world. After GO Fest 2020 and the recent GO Beyond update, Pokemon GO is preparing for its next big community event this winter by bringing players back to the beginning in the Kanto region.

Niantic has announced that the next event coming to players is called Pokemon GO Tour: Kanto and will take place in-game on Saturday, February 20, 2021. As the name implies, this event will be focused around all 150 of the first-generation Pokemon from Red & Blue, where players will be able to catch Shiny versions of the original set of Pokemon. Additionally, Legendary Pokemon from the first-generation will also make their return in Raids, which will include the three Legendary Birds (Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres) and Mewtwo.

Similarly to this past summer's GO Fest 2020, the upcoming GO Tour will be a paid virtual event for $11.99, which will give players access to the full 12-hour event. The tickets for GO Tour: Kanto will be available in either a "Red" or "Green" version that each will offer their own sets of exclusive Pokemon. Additionally, players that purchase their tickets for GO Tour: Kanto ahead of time will also get access to additional Special Research missions for the game's Community Day events in January and February.

After the most recent GO Fest taking on a virtual format, it seems that Niantic is continuing to find new ways to bring its community-wide events to everyone around the world, with GO Tour as one of its next steps. With the game now encompassing several generations of Pokemon from across the franchise, it also seems pretty likely after the Kanto event that we may get subsequent tours of other parts of the world of Pokemon down the line.

Pokemon GO is available now on iOS and Android.

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Hades Makes an Appearance at Bookstore in Recommended Section for Fans of the Game

It's unsurprising that Hades is up for the Game of the Year 2020 awards that's happening this Friday hosted by Geoff Keighley. Even though it has stiff competition with the likes of The Last of Us Part 2, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Ghost of Tsushima biting at its heels, Hades is simply gorgeous and stands tall with its interesting storylines, stunning voice-overs and unique character representation. Due to its popularity this year, the love for Hades has seeped out of the gaming world and slipped inside the world of literature as a local bookstore shows off recommended books for those who are fans of the game.

Twitter user deejay has posted about how they got into the festive swing of things by decorating their bookstore table and decided to splash around some books relating to Greek mythology with also a sign above the table that recommends it to those that enjoy playing Hades. As many players of Hades will know, the game is loaded with Greek Mythology references and stories so with some clever thinking, deejay thought that the sign was a great way to lure in gaming customers. You can check out the image yourself below but the eight books on display are in some way related to the game itself and especially great for those who would love to read in a greater depth all the things they've experienced inside the world of the game.

Deejay states that they almost put Percy Jackson in with the pile of books but, unfortunately, they didn't fit on the small table. The Twitter users post caught the attention of Hade's devs at SuperGiant who thought the whole idea was awesome and what an excellent selection of books that they put on show. It's a fantastic idea and I love that gamers are at the forefront of a bookstore display which gives encouragement to players who want to know more about the game they're about to play or have just played. Maybe the display will also entice non-gamers to pick up Hades and give it a go for the very first time, too.

For those of you who already have a keen interest in Hades, maybe you would like to know more about the voice actors behind the game? The team at Supergiant shared a short behind-the-scenes video giving us a look at all the great talent that brings the character's voices to life and you can check that out right here. If art is more your thing, don't leave without taking a peek at an in-depth look into the creative process of Hades in some stunning images. Supergiant's latest masterpiece has already seen a huge success, selling more than 1,000,000 copies and already selling around 700,000 copies in early access.

Hades initially launched into early access in December 2018 and since then, we've had updates that include The Long Winter in which brought Demeter, the Goddess of Seasons, into the game and also new boons, Guan Yu, a unique new aspect for the Eternal Spear and a fishing rod that allows players to fish in the Underworld. Hades is out now on Nintendo Switch and PC. If you're interested in getting to know a little more about this roguelike game, make sure to check out our review of it where we ended up giving it a big fat 10/10.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Lets You Find and Speak to Hideo Kojima

Cyberpunk 2077 key art showing a hand under a blue light being jabbed with robotic needles

The build-up to the launch of CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 saw the studio announcing a range of cameos from real-world people. These included a bunch of influencers and even Hideo Kojima himself. And while you may want to just explore the world yourself, others may want that extra help in locating him. So if you don't want to have his location spoiled, I'd suggest that you stop reading from here. If you're interested in where he pops up, then carry on!

Game Informer detailed exactly where you can expect to find the developer in the world of Night City. He appears on your journey through the main storyline, specifically "The Heist", but he isn't actually part of the storyline. Instead, if you want to find him, you'll have to tell your quest partner, Jackie that you'll meet them at the hotel room and then do a bit of exploring around the hotel. As you'll see from the below image, exploring the bar is optional, but it seems obvious that you're likely being nudged in his direction.

Hideo Kojima in Cyberpunk 2077 drinking and sat at a booth

What you're looking for is a bar at the back of the hotel and you'll find the creator of Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid lounging around in a booth, having a drink and talking to a few people. He's also wearing that fancy jacket that actually kinda looks cool. We already saw his in-game character shown off back in July that saw him sitting on an Akira-inspired motorcycle.

Game Informer explains that his in-game character is actually named Oshima, and he's listening to some movie pitches when you see him at the bar. What's more, you're able to interact with him and speak to him about whatever it is he talks about in Cyberpunk 2077. Do me a favor, ask him to bring P.T back.

CD Projekt Red's upcoming RPG is due to launch on December 10. It'll be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, and Stadia.

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