Panzer Dragoon: Remake gliding onto Xbox One December 11
MegaPixel Studios has revealed that its modern-day take on 1995 Sega Saturn classic Panzer Dragoon will finally take flight on Xbox One next week, following its earlier release on PS4, PC, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch.
Panzer Dragoon: Remake features all of the high-fantasy rail-shooter action of the original 1995 release, spruced up with dynamic new visuals and an overhauled control system. Players will once again mount the fabled Blue Dragon before embarking on a long and hazardous quest to reach an ancient tower and prevent the world from falling at the hands of the mysterious Prototype Dragon.
Panzer Dragoon: Remake launches on Xbox One December 11 and is available right now on PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Stadia. You can check out Chris Carter's review for the Switch edition right here.
Oh look, it's an Adventure Time BMO Switch charging station
Adventure Time, come on grab your Switch, we'll go to the very...distant Japan, with Reggie the rep and Miyamoto the president, the fun will never end, it's Adventure Time!
Yes, this intrepid artist has managed to marry both Adventure Time and Nintendo's latest console in the cutest way possible. The little portable companion BMO is front and center with this "Nintendo Switch Charging Station Dock Stand," which is now taking pre-orders.
The Etsy store MadeinUrbana crafted this Switch stand, which slots the "original Switch" (likely not the Lite), so you can dock it and play games on BMO's screen. When you're not gaming, the stand doubles as a little action figure of sorts with an insert for the face. Note that this isn't a proper dock per se, as you'll need to do a bit more work to get that up and running: the store recommends an HDMI multihub. The stand also has proper vents in the back for "safety" reasons.
The only issue for some might be the price. It's $199.20 right now, and new orders are aiming to be shipped for free in "4-6 weeks." The store is looking to get pre-orders out "by Christmas." So it might not arrive in time for someone to accept a pricey gift, but it looks fantastic nonetheless!
Adventure Time BMO Nintendo Switch Charging Station Dock Stand [Etsy]
Rainbow Six Siege launches Operation Neon Dawn alongside PS5 and Xbox Series X editions
It's a huge week for Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Siege. Not only is new season Operation Neon Dawn now live in-game, but the intense multiplayer shooter is now available for download on PS5 and Xbox Series X, launching a brand new generation of door-kickin', smoke-poppin', hostage fuzin' action.
Operation Neon Dawn brings with it Team Rainbow's first prosthetic-wearing operator: Thailand's Apha Tawanroong, better known by her call-sign "Aruni." The 2-Speed 2-Armor Defender brings the high-tech Surya Gate to the battlefield, an intelligent laser fence that attaches to doors and windows, destroying enemy projectiles and providing more than a slight burn to any Attackers crossing its threshold. Aruni will be the only operator added to the roster this season, allowing the development team time to focus on tweaking Siege's core mechanics.
You really got to give it to 343 Industries and their support of the Halo: Master Chief Collection.
It's still a marquee title for the Xbox brand in that it basically collects every Halo game ever made in one place: and it's still lively to the point where I can jump in near-weekly and get into a game quickly. Given how convenient the whole launcher system is, it makes it easy to sift around and dive into whatever sort of experience you want at any given time.
That's in part due to the continued development of the game, which has spread to the PC platform as Microsoft sticks to their plan to expand their ecosystem beyond the Xbox family. Halo 4 is on PC now, in fact, with multiplayer cross-play, an enhanced Forge system, and all of the enhancements from the Series X/S. But what about going back and reworking older games? Well, that's tricky.
Answering a player question on their official November update blog about adding four player co-op to Halo 1 and 2, Community Support & Engagement Coordinator "Postums" noted that although the team "loves" the idea, it's "further down the list" in terms of priorities. Postums hints that although it can be done, there are more important tasks to get to, like updating co-op netcode or "bringing lost content to the [older] games," or other "global updates."
Postums says that 343 actually hopes that players mod the game to make this possible on PC, and thinks the modding community will be "where the game lives on" after it sunsets eventually. Another 343 developer explains that the game would have to be "solved and debugged" first, as two player co-op is hard-coded in.
I can see Halo 1 being a little easier to do as you just need to clone Master Chief two more times: but for Halo 2, the two player co-op was a thematic choice to help put the focus on the Arbiter, so it may look a little wonkier. Even still, 343 says that Halo 2 is "more at the ready" for adding four player co-op, but notes that there are still design challenges.
343 has done enough in my mind. Not that I wouldn't mind four player co-op across all the games, but as they've noted, there's more work to be done.
Master Chief Collection Development Update - November 2020 [Halo Waypoint]
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade Of Light is coming out on Switch on December 4. That's good!
It's also going away forever on March 31, 2020. That's bad!
I know I've been using that Simpsons bit a lot, but hey, I'm rewatching the entire series (I'm on season 18, and keeping current with season 32!). Plus, it's extra applicable to this particular situation.
VA-11 Hall-A sequel N1RV Ann-A delayed from its 2020 release window
Sukeban Games has announced that N1RV Ann-A, the highly anticipated follow-up to cult classic VA-11 Hall-A, will not meet its previously announced 2020 release date, and has been rescheduled to the vague release window of "when it's done."
The popular indie developer announced that it intends to focus on the promotion of some of its other upcoming projects, though Sukeban reassured fans that production on the cyberpunk sequel would not falter as a result of this, merely that the marketing around N1RV Ann-A would be a little more subdued for the foreseeable future.
N1RV Ann-A writer Fernando Damas also explained the events that have led to the delay, candidly revealing problems with project direction and work scheduling, requiring a recent reboot of the team's production methods. A more detailed explanation of these hurdles is available over on the official Sukeban Games website. For the most part, it seems that N1RV Anna-A's production remains steadfast, we're just going to have to wait a little longer before we return to the neon-soaked nights of 207X.
Xenoblade 2 is three years old, so its character artist celebrated with a new piece
Saito Masatsugu, character artist for Xenoblade Chronicles 2, did an amazing job at bringing that cast to life. While the Xenoblade series is typically full of memorable party members, there was something special about Rex and Pyra/Mythra.
Masatsugu thinks so too, as they are celebrating the third anniversary of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 with a new piece of art starring the latter pair. As a reminder, the sequel came out on December 1, 2017: which is still hard to believe. That's mostly because the DLC expansion arrived nearly a year later, so the game is still fresh in my mind.
So fresh, in fact, that I kind of want to play it again! It's a good thing that Monolith Soft aims for a more timeless angle for their games: so beyond the time commitment, it's easy to wrap my head around doing that again. DLC included!
If you're interested in the finer details of Masatsugu's work, Nintendo did a little deep dive with him a few years back.
saitomasatsugu [Twitter]
Bandai Namco to team with Wallace & Gromit's Aardman Animation on new project
British animation studio Aardman Animation - renown for its Wallace & Gromit stop-motion features - has entered into a new agreement with publisher Bandai Namco to collaborate on a brand new IP.
While both companies remain tight-lipped on the project, the new IP will exist in multiple media formats, with Bandai Namco no doubt handling the video game iteration of the brand. Aardman Animation will begin work on the project early in 2021, with more details to be revealed at a later date.
"Interactive Entertainment is a huge growth area within the entertainment world," said Aardman's MD Sean Clarke. "With new emerging technology blurring the lines of watching and playing, we are keen to develop strategic partnerships with partners such as Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe that share our vision of creating new IP that embraces this new world and cement our studio's reputation as a multi-disciplinary creative hub."
"This new partnership with Aardman is a dream come true, as it opens up a world of possibilities," states Bandai Namco SVP Hervé Hoerdt. "The teams at Aardman and BNEE are a perfect cultural and creative fit to build a successful long term partnership. I can't wait to see what we can achieve together."
This partnership will be the first collaboration between Aardman Animation and Bandai Namco since the release of impressionist graphic adventure 11-11: Memories Retold, which launched on PS4, PC, and Xbox One back in November 2018.
Aardman partners with Bandai Namco Entertainmenton new IP [MCVUK]
Genshin Impact sees continued success, raking in almost $400 million in two months
There's no sopping MiHoYo's Genshin Impact. In the two months since the fantasy adventure's release, Genshin Impact has raked in an incredible $393 million USD on mobile platforms - as reported by the statisticians over at Sensor Tower.
For the period September 28-November 28, Genshin Impact's numbers push the mobile edition past several other major titles including Pokemon GO, PUBG Mobile, and Coin Master. Even more shockingly, this figure does not include any revenue made on the Android platform in China, believed to be Genshin Impact's most lucrative market.
Switch Port Report: Sam & Max Save the World Remastered
It's a real shame the story of Telltale Games ended the way it did because, at one point in its brief history, it was one of the most exciting developers in the industry. With access to some of the top IPs, including The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Stranger Things, there was no shortage of stories it could tell, just a shortage of money to keep everything going.
It may be gone, but some of its work will live on with other developers who are keen are keeping its legacy alive. And the best way to do that is to remaster those old games as well as Skunkape Games has done here with Sam & Max Save the World.
Nvidia is launching the $400 RTX 3060 Ti tomorrow, another GPU you won't be able to buy
Nvidia has been relentless in its quest to launch a brand new line of graphics cards over the past few months, and that pursuit sees its most sudden addition tomorrow. With exactly one day between announcement and release, Nvidia has introduced the lowest-end (and cheapest) RTX 30 series card that'll still give the 20 series a run for its money.
On December 2, Nvidia will launch the RTX 3060 Ti at a price of $399. In its announcement post, Nvidia says the 3060 Ti is faster than both the RTX 2080 Super (barely) and the 2060 Super (by 40 percent). Like all the 30 Series cards, the 3060 Ti makes use of the new Ampere architecture. It features: "second generation ray tracing cores, third generation tensor cores for AI, Nvidia DLSS, Nvidia Reflex, and Nvidia Broadcast."
Predictably, the initial reviews for the 3060 Ti are coming up all positive. PC Gamer's benchmarks found that it's a great 1440p monitor, can hit some rather high framerates at 1080p, and is capable of doing 4K at 60fps under the right settings. Ars Technica found it to be a quite competent card, especially at the price point. It obviously can't outperform the 3070 (although it's close), the 3080, or the 3090.
Like the other 30 series cards, the 3060 Ti will make good on two of three important factors. They're all powerful and fast. They're all priced competitively. And it's impossible to buy any of them. The 3060 Ti goes on sale tomorrow morning and no one think it's going to be easy to get one. Considering it's the cheapest of the cards, it's expected to see the highest demand. Best of luck 'cause you're gonna need it.
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Coming December 2nd. Faster Than RTX 2080 Super, Starting at $399 [Nvidia]
Planet Zoo is getting penguins, otters, and a new 'animal talks' activity on December 8
Whether you're here for the penguins (please read that in Benedict Cumberbatch's voice) or you're just sticking to the ongoing free content updates, December 8 will be a busy day for Planet Zoo players.
The next slice of DLC for Planet Zoo is the Aquatic Pack, and in terms of new species, it's adding the king penguin, giant otter, diamondback terrapin, Cuvier's dwarf caiman, and grey seal (please sing that like Elton John). For $10, you're also getting 170-ish scenery customization pieces (these numbers always sound inflated) and a challenge scenario set in Oregon that revolves around a "drained riverbed."
On the free-content front, Planet Zoo is getting update 1.4 on December 8. Apart from access to the new Water Temperature Regulator and Underwater Feeder (to coincide with the DLC theme), the update will add a summary screen for transport rides, informational "animal talks" that you can organize with newly-hired Educator staff members, and a multi-select option for animal storage in Franchise mode.
The submersible feeding station will only be compatible with the saltwater crocodile at first, but Frontier Developments says it "will be adding [support for] more animals in the future."
Beyond those free-for-everyone quality-of-life features, there's also a free challenge scenario tucked into update 1.4 – it's set in the Philippines, and you'll design your zoo around "disused rice terraces."
The Aquatic Pack might not go far enough for marine-loving players who have been plotting out the aquarium of their dreams, but I'm here for baby otters and penguins any day of the week.
Mega Man X and Battle Network live on in these new official models
Mega Man merch may never die.
The Mega Man series died at one point. Then it came back to life! It may die again. But we will always have merch. Merch...never changes.
Like the George Lucas of the video game world, Capcom has more merch SKUs each year than there are Mega Man games at this point. Many of them are figures and the like, ranging from the most casual blind box packages to the discerning hobbyist models. Manufacturer Kotobukiya has been partaking in that latter line for a while, and this past week, they just unveiled a few more beauties.
Shown off via their new livestream (the model talk for Mega Man X starts about 35 minutes in, timestamped here, with the Battle Network model talk kicking off around an hour and a half), Mega Man X and Battle Network non-painted models are incoming. The Mega Man X version will be more posable, even including an option to make him look like he's jumping through a boss door, or squinting while holding in a charged buster shot.
The Battle Network model has its own flair, with cuter more casual poses, as well as the option to wield his signature sword. You can find more info on the figures on this landing page. At this time, release dates and pricing are "undecided," as per a listing on the site.
Mega Man [Kotobukiya]
PS4's End of Year sale is back for 2020
If you didn't stock up on PS4 games during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, here's another chance. The PlayStation Store is hosting one of its final sales of 2020: the End of Year sale. We've almost made it.
For those of us who have switched over to PS5, it's not always obvious that a promo is running in the storefront unless you specifically go looking for it. But honestly, playing PS4 titles is one of my favorite parts of PS5 now that I've made the rounds with the console's launch lineup. I'm still interested.
Your mileage is really going to vary with this sale given its proximity to the Black Friday selection – and the recurring nature of which games keep popping up in these sales – but I have some suggestions.
- Death Stranding ($19.99) – a wonderful "holiday break" game to throw yourself into.
- Alien: Isolation - The Collection ($7.99) – keep the Halloween vibe going.
- Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition – a gem of an open-world at a great price.
- Little Nightmares ($4.99) – catch up before next year's sequel.
- Team Sonic Racing ($17.99) – it's no All-Stars Racing Transformed, but still.
- Monster Hunter World: Iceborne ($20.09) – it's the perfect time to upgrade the base game now that Capcom is about to open up the rotating Event Quests.
- The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan ($9.89) – this is the right price for this one.
- Dragon's Crown Pro ($7.99) – beat them up!
- MediEvil ($14.99) – worth another look for many of us.
- The Surge 2 ($12.49) – the discount might be steep enough to push me off the fence.
- Contra Anniversary Collection ($9.99) – if nostalgia is calling.
- Castlevania Anniversary Collection ($9.99) – samesies.
- Far Cry 3 Classic Edition ($9.89) – a simpler time for open-world Ubisoft games.
- Rise of the Tomb Raider ($5.99) – I don't love this game, but the price is right.
- Prototype ($5.99) – cathartic open-world carnage and traversal that mostly holds up.
- Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King ($11.99) – a much better price, but I'm afraid of facing The Lion King again after what it did to me as a kid.
- Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight ($9.89) – I don't know, ask one of the Chrises.
- Doom 64 ($1.49) – it's oddly relaxing to go back to this game after Eternal.
- Jotun: Valhalla Edition ($2.99) – another nice budget pick.
- Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved ($3.74) – god I love Pacifism mode.
- Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap ($7.99) – one of my favorite retro revivals.
- Dead by Daylight: Special Edition PS4 & PS5 ($11.99) – this game has legs.
- Bloodborne ($12.99) and The Old Hunters ($9.99) – name a more iconic game/DLC duo.
- Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin ($9.99) – if you're in a ravenous Souls mood.
- Dark Souls III - Deluxe Edition ($21.24) – I can't wait to revisit this on PS5 with 60fps.
The End of Year sale will stick around until December 22. I'd expect a Holiday sale around then.
Things have gone from bad to worse, from unfortunate to bizarre, and from Kinda Suspect to Super Murdery. That's Dontnod's MO, and everyone should know it by now. The French developer loves examining personal relationships, amplifying them through the lens of a much larger conflict, and then heaping an avalanche of emotion on top of it all.
Twin Mirror is Dontnod's first attempt at explicitly leaning into the psychological thriller label, something it toyed with in previous games but never outright committed to. In a lot of ways, it feels like Alan Wake by way of Life is Strange. However, Twin Mirror is also Dontnod's first self-published game and that might be the reason it falls short of its promise. Everything isn't quite alright in the end.
The new Nintendo Switch image transfer system is so wild, it's hard to believe it exists
So uh, a new Switch firmware update is out, and it actually adds features! That's good! But it's a Nintendo update: so be careful what you wish for.
In a monkey's paw of firmware, Nintendo has patched in the ability to transfer images "directly to your smartphone." But I question how direct the whole process is. Strap in, it's a bit weird.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War update includes weapon XP tweak
Treyarch has released a new update for its recent military shooter Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The patch specifically targets in-game Weapon XP, which has now been tweaked to be a little more generous than it once was.
As players rack up the body count with Cold War's array of death-dealers, various scopes, silencers, extended mags, muzzles, handles and more are unlocked for each weapon, adding stat-adjusting buffs and nerfs to the arsenal of rifles, handguns, and sub-machine guns. The knife does not, however, receive a scope, nor an extended mag.
Since Cold War's launch, some players have felt that the game has been a little stingy with the XP, which led to an all-out assault on tiny map Nuketown '84 this past weekend - frantically grinding out the recent Double XP weekend. But now it seems that the CoD faithful can relax a little, as going forward Weapon XP will be doled out in both Multiplayer and Zombies at a much more substantial rate. Brrap.
Additionally, Activision has announced further Double XP events later this month. So maybe this time don't leave me the sole m'f'er on Checkpoint B while you massage your sniper K/D ratio.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War patch means you now level up weapons faster [Eurogamer]
Dead Cells gets its second round of paid DLC early next year
The first time was so nice, that we're gonna do it twice. In February, Dead Cells got its first premium add-on, Bad Seed, at a very affordable $5. It was so good that Jordan said in his review "I could go for a few more DLC packs with this exact structure."
Good news, buddy. Motion Twin has announced Fatal Falls, another $5 expansion to Dead Cells that's slated for release in the first quarter of 2021. Fatal Falls adds two mid-game biomes (The Fractured Shrines and The Undying Shores) alongside some boss area parallels and alternate paths. Basically, it brings new content while shaking up the structure of any given run.
If you're the visual learning type (or just too lazy to read and process the information), there's a teaser trailer up top and seven screenshots in the gallery below.
Accompanying the DLC announcement, Motion Twin revealed that Dead Cells has cleared 3.5 million copies sold across all platforms. That's approximately 238 trillion deaths, assuming everyone died about 68 million times. The all-timers always leave you coming back for more, and Dead Cells definitely fits the bill.
WoW Classic just updated to the Naxxramas patch, as it marches on to the end of Vanilla's lifetime
World of Warcraft Classic will eventually get to the point where it hits the end of Vanilla's lifetime: patch 1.12.2 (which is confusingly different from the nomenclature used for Classic, bear with me here!).
I mean, it's cruising there right now, as Classic just introduced the concept of Naxxramas to its Azerothian denizens, which heralds the end of the expansion and the lead-in to Burning Crusade, the best expansion: no need to at me, you know I'm right. It's also the point where a lot of my friends quit the game, as me and a few others got more into it starting with Burning Crusade on. It was an exciting time for WoW!
Let's break down where we're at right now. Classic just added the "Shadow of the Necropolis" patch this week, which is version "1.13.6" for Classic. In WoW terms, it's patch 1.11.0. After that, there are only five more patches to go until we start to get into 2.0 Burning Crusade territory. Most of them are minor fixes, before the "Drums of War" patch hits with 1.12.
As we know, WoW: Classic uses the Drums of War patch as the framework of WoW: Classic, allowing years of innovations to shine through on day one of the re-release. In other words, Classic is nearly "complete" following the launch of Naxxramas. What's next? Well, I hope we get Burning Crusade. Maybe Blizzard is working on it right now, and will pull the switch when the Classic playerbase starts dwindling. Once that announcement hits (at February's BlizzCon Online? Or November 2021's potential BlizzCon?), people will start flocking back in en masse.
World of Warcraft Classic Patch Notes: Version 1.13.6 [Battle.net]
This ultra-adorable Apex Legends Lifeline Nendoroid is now available to pre-order
If you are a fan of Apex Legends' support specialist Ajay Chae, better known as "Lifeline," then this new Nendoroid from the good folk at Good Smile Co. would make a perfect gift for yourself - or the Lifeline lover in your vicinity.
This super-cute realization of the double-tough combat medic stands just under four inches tall and comes bundled with a selection of dinky accessories. These include her a healthful syringe and her trusty D.O.C. droid, as well as her less-than-healthy Shock Sticks and a rapid-fire SMG. Additionally, Lifeline is packed with alternate arms and legs, as well as a clear stand for dynamic posing. Surprisingly, Lifeline only has one faceplate, which makes her unnervingly cheerful as she lets rip with the SMG.
If you want to add Lifeline to your shelf, then pre-orders are now open on the official Good Smile Co. website. Lifeline will retail for a typical $59 USD, not including shipping or any potential customs charges. Pre-orders close on January 6, with Lifeline expected to ship in the summer of 2021.
The ultimate guide to earning My Nintendo points quickly and easily
With My Nintendo physical rewards popping up like daisies every week, I've had a ton of requests from readers to explain what Platinum Points are, and how to earn them quickly.
Good news! This is that guide. It'll walk you through the entire process comprehensively, from starting a My Nintendo account to some of the more advanced ways of earning digital bread.
Control is the biggest get for Xbox Game Pass in December
This morning, Microsoft let it slip that Doom Eternal would be hitting Xbox Game Pass on PC. But as it turns out, December is getting at least one other big release; and a few good ones.
As revealed today, Control is hitting Xbox Game Pass for consoles (and Android devices via xCloud) on December 3: the same day as Doom Eternal on PC. That's followed by Haven, Rage 2, Slime Rancher, Va-11 Hall-A, Yes Your Grace, and Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age.
Okay so where to begin with this?! I see you, Bethesda-Soft! With your Rage 2 addition, like all Bethesda games won't eventually end up on daddy's system. Also, Control! That's like, pretty recent, as far as AAA goes, and a nice get for the system that helped bring Alan Wake into this world. Oh, and Va-11 Hall-A, Yes Your Grace are fine indie editions, with Dragon Quest XI serving as one of the more interesting big budget JRPGs in recent years. It's a huge month for the service.
Nearly a week after that starting on December 8, you'll find Call of the Sea, Monster Sanctuary, Starbound, Unto the End, Assetto Corsa, Gang Beasts, GreedFall, Superhot: Mind Control Delete (!), and Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair. Again, it's a good spread! Racers, first-person puzzle shooters, cute mascot puzzle platformers. Game Pass is getting even better.
You can find the full schedule below. Happy holidays!
Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Control, Doom Eternal, Holiday Offer, and More [Xbox Wire]
Review: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Time and again, media has utilized problematic real-life events and figures to carry its entertainment. Whether for comedic or dramatic purposes, movies, comics, books, and video games have taken recognizable personalities and world events and replicated them to offer a slice of "relatable" authenticity to their pulp fiction.
Hollywood has made a billion-dollar business out of setting fictional narratives against the backdrop of real-world atrocities, while satirical shows from Saturday Night Live to Animaniacs have lampooned political figures on every side of history's global conflicts. Ultimately, truth and fiction will forever collide in the name of entertainment, it is up to us to remain focused on the former, once the dust has settled.
Presented for your consideration: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, which raised eyebrows with its much-hyped inclusion of the staunchly conservative 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Those of an age will remember the utter terror of the 1980's Cold War era, where daily obliteration felt a mere button push away. With world leaders such as Reagan, Thatcher, and Brezhnev in power, it was easy for the people – particularly minorities and the working class – to feel that life was dangling by a thread, utter destruction at the hands of both the right-wing media and aggressive, warring world leaders.
As such, it is understandable that some audiences might find distaste at Reagan's inclusion in Cold War, as his party of war criminals gets its hands dirty in the name of freedom. But ultimately, Reagan's (fleeting) appearance is no more damaging to us than any knuckle-headed movie about political furor. Black Ops Cold War – for all of its real-life news footage and chin-stroking pontification – might as well be set in fucking Narnia, such is its loose grip on history. Reagan here is a mere NPC, and is about as reverential as the Spitting Image puppet in Genesis' Land of Confusion video.
As you chase down an escaping jet-liner with a radio-control car, pick your way unhindered through KGB headquarters, or fire a bow-and-arrow while zip-lining over a mountain pass, it seems fruitless to feel offense at Cold War's illusory take on the Reagan years. Now approaching its 20th year, Call of Duty is so utterly absorbed by its narrative that it's essentially become its own fictional universe.
In a franchise that once had JFK fighting Nazi zombies, the shadow of an uncanny-valley Reagan and his gross, outdated sensibilities are powerless to hurt our modern, enlightened eyes. We know what's right and what's wrong, and the digital ghost of '80s conservatism isn't to be feared when we have enough of our own problems today. Besides, given the increasing ridiculousness of CoD's universe, they might as well have just used The Hamburglar, and the fit would have been equally as snug.
Heroes of the Storm boss says Hogger timing was a 'happy coincidence'
Part Tasmanian Devil, part Crash Bandicoot, all World of Warcraft boss: Hogger is now a part of Heroes of the Storm as a playable character. Who would have thought!
We just had to pick the brain of David Warner, senior game designer, to see how this weird and wild choice came to be.
PSA: You only have a few more days to get Borderlands 2 DLC for free on Switch
Wait, Borderlands 3 is on Switch? No! We're talking about Borderlands 2 today! I know, re-releases in this modern era have made everything pretty confusing. Often times we're talking about the old more than the new these days.
Anyway, here's a bit of a PSA. If you own Borderlands 2 on Switch, you can get the Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary DLC for free. Is it particularly good? Nah. But it's free! And it serves as lead-in for Borderlands 3, which...isn't on Switch. Still, it's free! You just need the Legendary or Handsome collections to play it.
In fact, you can download it regardless of your ownership of Borderlands right now. Just head to the eShop landing page for Borderlands 2, and scroll to the bottom. Find "individual DLC" and click the Fight for Sanctuary link. Get it even if you have no intention of buying Borderlands 2 on Switch: just in case you get it for free one day.
To access the DLC, you'll need to be level 30, but you can also take advantage of an in-game option to create a level 30 character from the main menu, which will automatically warp you into the new stuff. You have until December 3, 2020 at 8:59 AM PT to get it!
Commander Lilith DLC [Gearbox]
UK mobile game spending broke records on Black Friday
Last week, lockdown legislation and Black Friday's hypnotic "I must spend money" vibe combined to take their toll on the wallets of UK mobile owners. Mobile game spending reached a record high, with almost £5 million GBP, (approx. $6.5 million USD), raked in by a selection of titles on November 27.
As reported by GamesIndustry.biz - and confirmed by the number-crunchers over at Sensor Tower - the UK spent the staggering seven-figure sum on popular titles including Roblox, King's Candy Crush, and Moon Active's ironically titled Coin Master, (the latter of which is the UK's highest-grossing mobile title). In addition, 2.2 million games were newly downloaded onto iOS and Android devices.
The spending spree represents an increase of 16% on Black Friday 2019, with the UK's current lockdown legislation keeping many in their homes and away from the workplace. Notably, sales of physical games were actually down when compared to the same time period last year, no doubt due to the current shutdown status of the UK high street.
But with multi-millions raised by a single territory in a single day, it's no wonder why developers and publishers continue to clamber atop of one another while grasping for a piece of the mobile gaming pie.
UK mobile game spending reaches new record on Black Friday [GamesIndustry.biz]
This My Nintendo Christmas ornament came at a perfect time
Nintendo keeps adding new rewards to their My Nintendo site. I can't hold them all!
The newest additions are a cute Mario ornament for 800 Platinum Points, as well as a set of three greeting cards (Mario, Peach, Bowser) for 300 Platinum Points. The ornament doesn't look very cheap either and seems fairly robust for something you can get for free (plus shipping).
If you want them but are utterly confused, here's a few tips if you've never ordered from My Nintendo before. If you're looking to get both, order them at the same time. That way, you can combine the shipping costs into one package. This is a great way to grab a bunch of cheaply-costed items like the 300-point Xenoblade sticker sheets.
Also, remember that we have a running guide of how to get quick My Nintendo points. If you want the ornament but have literally started from zero, by signing up and playing a few hours of Fire Emblem Heroes (which is a free download), you'll have enough to cover the 800 platinum.
Spread holiday cheer with new physical rewards featuring Mario and friends [My Nintendo]
Slay bells ring as Doom Eternal hits Xbox Game Pass on PC this week
Tired: Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Wired: Doom Eternal is a Christmas video game.
Is the logic and thematic connection there? Probably not, but a lot of new people will try Doom Eternal in December. Microsoft has announced that it's joining the Xbox Game Pass for PC roster on December 3. Go play the part of Kris Karnage rather than Kris Kringle.
Doom Eternal will soon be available on all three corners of Xbox Game Pass. It came to Xbox One back in October. It has already been added to the cloud-based game streaming that's part of Game Pass Ultimate. Now, it's making its way to PC as Microsoft had promised.
There's some more granular Doom Eternal news today too. Bethesda and id Software have released the Super Gore Nest master level, a challenge-oriented remix of the game's fifth campaign stage. It has various difficulties and modes, and clearing each one rewards you with a new cosmetic prize. Beat them all and you get the gold combat shotgun skin. There's also a Classic Mode Challenge, where you start with just the shotgun and have to find all your weapons. Clear that mode and get the Classic Green Slayer skin.
Doom Eternal -- New Master Level is Available Now, Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass for PC [Xbox Wire]
Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nendoroid animation will get your day off to a cute start
The creativity, patience, and skills utilized in fanarts will never cease to amaze me, as dedicated devotees offer up time and effort to creative projects based on their favorite franchises. Case in point: This delightful Zelda: Breath of the Wild animation, produced by the talented Animist.
The fun short sees yer boy Link as he travels across a lonely... erm.. study desk atop his trusty steed. As his horse tires, Link fortunately chances upon a large carrot, which gives his ride a little more "horsepower" than he had expected. But enough of my yapping, check out the cute tale below.
The new Switch firmware adds Mario avatars for a celebration that basically expires in March
So a new Switch firmware update is out, and it's not just "stability!" Like, there are actual features!
Version 11.0.0 adds a few new things into the mix, including automatic cloud save data download, a Switch online app, a "trending games your friends are playing" feature on the user page, a new way to transfer screenshots, a download prioritization feature (finally!), button mapping alterations, and 12 more icons (we'll get to that).
Easier, non-social-media-or-SD-card screenshot transferring is probably the biggest addition. But in natural Nintendo fashion, it's not as simple as say, Xbox or PlayStation make it with their apps. With this process you need to scan a QR code on your Switch, then scan it again to create a URL that allows you to download the picture. Obtuse, but it does work: I just tried it to capture the header image above. You can transfer them directly to your PC via USB, too.
Nintendo also added a few Mario 35th anniversary avatars...which...are a little late given that on March 31, 2021, a lot of what they're celebrating is going away. Nintendo! Why must you do this. It's like rubbing our faces in it!
Ver. 11.0.0 [Nintendo]
Doom Eternal Switch is about 18GB, and with no physical release, good luck with space
As a reminder, Bethesda canned the physical release of Doom Eternal on Switch at this juncture. The same Doom Eternal port that's due out in a few days on the eShop. Now that everything is all set, a Switch eShop page just opened for the game, which showcases a few more bits of key information: namely, the file size.
As stated on the eShop, it's estimated at 17.5GB, base. But Bethesda's site says differently, noting that it's around 18.8GB (TBD), which could account for first-hand information of the day one patch. The first DLC campaign isn't arriving on time on Switch for the launch of the port (it's already available elsewhere), but that will pack even more on, not to mention all of the free updates Bethesda and id provide for Eternal as a whole.
It's getting to the point where even with a larger SD card, I'm constantly deleting games to make space. One of the biggest selling points of the Switch is that physical games do not require users to install the entire thing to the HDD/SSD from the disc: a great way to save a lot of space that Xbox and PlayStation games otherwise take up.
While I completely understand the logistical nightmare of launching a physical product right now, I hope it does enter production eventually.
Doom Eternal [Nintendo]
Wizard of Legend is free with Prime Gaming this month
"Prime Gaming" is still chugging along, and I'm still struggling with not calling it "Twitch Prime." There's only so many years you can write that phrase out, and not have it stick in your mind permanently. "Prime" is even still in the name!
That's in part because not much has changed. The name is different, but the landing page and the concept is basically 99% the same. You're still getting access to free games and content drops each month, and all your old stuff is still there. They did a pretty great job with the transition, keeping everything intact in the backend. So anyway, on to the December offerings.
The new games are: Turmoil, Sigma Theory: Global Cold War, HyperDot, Close to the Sun, and Wizard of Legend. All you have to do today is go to that aforementioned landing page, and mass-click on them and you're good to go. From there, you could wait for some of the more enticing DLC to arrive.
Immortals Fenyx Rising content is pretty fresh given that it's not even out yet: that drop involves a "helmet, outfit, wings, and campaign horse." On December 9, a Star Wars: Squadrons drop will arrive, and award two helmets: Bold Approach and Vibrant Focus. All of the same promotions will be running from before too, like the Destiny 2 stuff.
It's not the most exciting December update, but given that most of you just happen to have this thing because you subscribe to Prime for two-day shipping, I'll take it. You can find a full rundown for December below.
Square Enix updates NieR: Automata streaming guidelines three and a half years after release
NieR: Automata is pretty great. Great enough to still be relevant three and a half years after it came out? Absolutely. Great enough to be relevant...forever? Yes. Emphatically, yes. I hope Yoko Taro keeps making games for all time.
Naturally, I'll take any excuse to talk about Automata, especially given that NieR is about to go back in style soon with a new mobile game and a kinda-sorta-remake-kinda-not re-release of the original. The last we heard it was being called a "version up." You can keep that lingo in the vault along with transfarring, buddy!
Anyway, old Yoko Taro took to Twitter this week to update us on NieR: Automata, or rather, its streaming guidelines. As most folks know, certain publishers sometimes put heavy restrictions on what can be shown in certain games, even years down the line. Some of it is an ill-fated, PR-nightmare of an effort to restrict people from streaming in general; some of it is because of story spoilers.
Well, these guidelines are now updated, in English, for all to see, Taro says. It's pretty standard stuff, including the regular legal notices, and the ways in which you can use content from the game (Twitter and other microblogging platforms, sharing in-game audio and sharing gameplay videos).
In case you haven't heard, people have been stretching the "developer mode" of the Xbox Series X/S to its limit. And it's only been a few weeks.
Amazingly, intrepid and plucky users have managed to get tons of old games running on the systems, most notably PS2 games. The below clip from the Modern Vintage Gamer (using the S, which is capable of the same things as the X) shows off the power of its emulation capabilities just fine, using the "dev mode" option in the new Xbox consoles: a 2016 Xbox One feature. The new horizon of PS2 games is due to developments within RetroArch, which just recently added PS2 support and is still in active development.
Modern Vintage Gamer assesses that the level of emulation offered in the Series S, for the $299.99 base price, is "unrivaled." Given that you don't really need all of that SSD space for emulation, nor would you need to build a PC capable of running these games; I'd agree. Just know that, like Modern Vintage Gamer suggests, this isn't a "set it and forget it" process. You do need to do a bit of diligence (and legally, own the games) to get this up and running.
This whole process is in its infancy, and proponents suggest that nearly anything is possible with Series X/S emulation. The only limitations right now are a 2GB ROM size maximum, which could change down the line. As a proponent of (legal) game preservation, it's a big step forward to keeping the classics alive without digging out old hardware that's prone to malfunctioning mishaps.
[Update: The very same intrepid user who found the logo also noted the "Wumpa League" banner in the background of a new Crash Bandicoot ad. A Crash Battle Royale is suggested as a possible spinoff/outcome from this cute little scavenger hunt. Again, bring on anything Crash. I'll try it once! They could even use the Crash Bash name again.]
So Crash 4: It's About Time is fairly manageable if you're a platforming hound, but if you want to get the full 106% completion rate: good luck!
The extra content and time trial/limited life requirements are among the hardest activities I've played in 2020, and it looks like all those efforts do pay off; to some small degree. Sharing their discovery on Twitter, Kevin Fagaragan managed to uncover a secret logo that appears on the first level's television set.
The kicker is that the logo only appears when you've reached the aforementioned percentage. Like all secrets that pop up out of nowhere the solution was crowdsourced, and it seems like it doesn't work for a mere 100% completion rate: only 106%. It explains why it hasn't been as widely known this far out from launch. It's also a "blink and you'll miss it" moment, as it only appears on the screen for a split-second after you cycle through all of the main entry logos.
So what is it? Well, a tease of a new game, some DLC, or a Super Smash Bros. appearance would all work for me. I'm just happy to see Crash back and actually relevant again with a good game.
(Update) Here's a quick look at Fallout 76's new big free DLC update
[Update: Bethesda has posted an "everything you need to know" blowout post following the trailer below. It goes over everything from the main story, to shelters, to potential bundles.]
Microsoft got in on Bethesda at a decent time. Fallout 76 was in the rear-view mirror.
Everyone is abuzz about Ghostwire: Tokyo, Deathloop, Starfield, and the next Elder Scrolls. Right now, they have basically all of the hype behind them and none of Bethesda's failures too fresh in people's minds. I also wouldn't put it past Microsoft to allow Bethesda to delay some of the more broken games and bankroll that extra development time for the sake of their reputation. With a strong lack of exclusives for this new console generation, Microsoft needs that rep more than ever.
But before we get too ahead of ourselves, Bethesda did just launch the already-in-progress Steel Dawn update for Fallout 76; which improves the slightly-better-since-Wastelanders-but-still-partially-barren open world with new questlines. Although the DLC just launched, the below trailer just a decent job of spicing up the world of 76, while reminding us that NPCs do in fact now exist.
The main focus is on Paladin Leah Remini Leila Rahmani, as well as Knight Shin, and Scribe Valdez. Choices will be made! Faction loyalties will be tested! It is a Fallout game after all.
Finally, an excuse to write about John Mulaney on a video game site
Look, so the good news is that John Mulaney is in a video game. The bad news is that it's Marvel Contest of Champions: a multi-currency free-to-play mobile game.
Look I'm just the messenger, don't sue me! Unless, as that messenger, I improperly serve you legal papers...then it's fair game!
Yes, the beloved writer, comedian and brief sitcom star (I'm SO sorry) is reprising his role from the universally liked Into the Spider-Verse film as Spider-Ham. There's even a quick clip below to get people hyped up about his appearance as Peter Porker.
The bad news (there's MORE bad news?!) is that he's only part of an Event Quest, called Framed by Fame. Pretty great title though! The update is out today and will run through December 31, which will grant players a "two-star Spider-Ham" if they participate. Gacha-like mechanics: can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. Oh, and you also get to fight against a team of super heroes and villains "hand-picked" by Mulaney. If that's real — and not a series of hasty choices by a highly-paid intern, I'm sure —I'm not gonna lie, I kind of want to experience that.
You totally read this entire post in Mulaney's signature voice, didn't you? That's no accident.
Contest: Win Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for consoles and PC
In today's contest, you can win Who Wants to be a Millionaire? for Switch, PS4, Xbox One, or Steam!
It's that time of year where sales are going on for everything you want. Also for everything everyone else wants. Essentially, people want things and you've only got a limited amount of money. Wouldn't it be nice to be rich?
Well, you can be, with a brand new copy of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?! I mean, not really, but you can pretend in video game form!
I'm stoked to close out 2020 with some PixelJunk Eden 2 co-op
I've quietly been stoked to play PixelJunk Eden 2, the sequel to Q-Games' underappreciated atmospheric platformer about zipping through abstract gardenscapes while chill Baiyon tunes work their magic.
After missing its initial summer 2020 window, it seems that PixelJunk Eden 2 is on track for a December 10 launch on the Nintendo Switch eShop. The new release date showed up on a Nintendo UK store page, and while the equivalent listing for North America still says fall 2020, I'm choosing to believe.
Gameplay-wise, I'd expect a similar experience – you'll explore "gardens of psychedelic sights and sounds" to collect pollen, expand the flora to reach new heights, and generally melt into your chair.
As the studio puts it, you'll be able to "swing and spin from silk threads, in both single and cooperative play as you and a partner pirouette around one another in brush-strokes of light and color in the world on your journey to collect the all-important 'Spectra,' the source of all life in the world." It's a trip.
"More PixelJunk Eden" would've been fine by me, but co-op? That's the secret word.
[Via Gematsu]
The peculiar RPG Omori is actually coming out in 2020
Six years after showing up on Kickstarter, the psychological horror RPG Omori has a release date that seems like it'll stick: December 25, 2020. It's going to make the end-of-year cutoff on Steam.
The production has stretched far enough that I forgot I covered this before on Destructoid. It's one of those games. No matter, though – the 2020 trailer is a nice reminder of how far Omori has come.
Even if I'm not entirely sold on the world-exploration gameplay, I like the color palette, and I'm sure it'll get the job done with Omocat's storytelling. The more elaborate battle-screen artwork looks fantastic.
According to the Steam listing, "themes of death and depression" await us. The trailer alone packs some emotional weight, so I'm generally hopeful. Console ports, including Nintendo Switch, are in the works.
@Omori_Game [Twitter]
Cyberpunk 2077 has cross-save compatibility between last-gen and new-gen consoles
Cyberpunk 2077 will be a very large game. We already figured as much -- this is the same developer that gave us Witcher 3 after all -- but reports have come out recently that it's certainly possible to squeeze a couple hundred hours out of it. Fortunately, anyone who's switching machines mid-playthrough won't have to start all over.
CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077 will have cross-save functionality within the same family of consoles. So, PS4 saves can be transferred to PS5; likewise, Xbox One saves are compatible with Xbox Series S/X devices.
It's super easy on Xbox. Smart Delivery ensures that your machine will run the appropriate version of the game -- although next-gen upgrades aren't arriving until next year. Until then, your Series S/X is simply running a backward compatible version of Cyberpunk 2077. Regardless, saves will transfer via the cloud (or do a manual local network transfer). I upgraded my Assassin's Creed Valhalla save this way last week, and it worked flawlessly and instantly.
Exporting your save from PS4 to PS5 takes a little more initiative but it's not bad. CD Projekt Red says there are three ways to accomplish this. You can: Connect to your PlayStation Plus account and upload your saves to the cloud; transfer data via a wired or wireless connection; or use external storage to copy and transfer saves within the same PSN account.
Of course, switching platform families will require a full restart. So, if you're on PS5 before deciding you'd rather tackle it on PC, that (obviously) means starting a brand new save file. Choose wisely from the beginning because Cyberpunk 2077 is big enough that any lapse in judgement will probably cost you a whole lot of hours.
PlayStation, Xbox [CD Projekt Red]
You can get the Providential Ring in Demon's Souls even if you didn't pick it as your starting gift
Demon's Souls fans have cracked the case of the Providential Ring. If you missed getting one, there's an alternate way to obtain the item beyond choosing it as your one-time-only starting gift. If you're way too deep in the New Game+ cycle, don't worry – you won't have to roll a new character after all.
Not only is the Providential Ring inherently useful – it raises your item discovery, which is helpful for farming – it's also needed for the King of Rings trophy. Without it, you're not getting that platinum.
I was fortunate enough to select it after weighing the other gifts, but if you didn't know better or you (understandably) assumed the ring could be earned another way, the community has come through.
As miraculously discovered by Reddit user Hawthorne64, the Providential Ring can be earned in a not-so-simple trade with Sparkly the Crow in level 4-1. You'll need to upgrade a Scimitar (there's one in level 1-1) to a Scimitar+8 with Blacksmith Ed, turn it into a Large Sword of Searching using the Hero Demon's Soul (from the Old Hero boss), and then trade it with the crow in the Shrine of Storms.
That's the deviously tricky bit: there are several ways to create the Large Sword of Searching with Blacksmith Ed, but as other players have confirmed, this trade will only work if you upgraded the Scimitar. There may be other unknown conditions, but so far, the early reports look pretty convincing. This also explains why, despite its best efforts, the community was only now able to find a solution.
As someone who got all the way to New Game+2 and seriously considered starting over solely for the "all rings" trophy (long story short, I made some very bad calls in pursuit of the Friend's Ring and Foe's Ring), this is heartening news. I can sympathize with anyone who put a ton of energy into their character only to have to start anew because of one small step they messed up before beginning the game proper. Thankfully, at least in the case of the Providential Ring, there's now a backup plan.
How to Obtain the Providential Ring [Reddit]
After you reach the new cap with your main, your World of Warcraft alts can join a covenant earlier
Man, look at that World of Warcraft: Shadowlands screenshot! I have enough of those to last the entire next year, and then some. It's a beautiful expansion, but a lot of you will probably want to enjoy it with alts. The good news is that Blizzard is easing the barriers of entry for those extra characters beyond your main.
As detailed on the official World of Warcraft blog, the "Threads of Fate" system is designed to help make the leveling process from 50-60 (the new cap) a little more enticing. After unlocking the ability to pledge to a covenant at 60 with one character, the process opens up at 50 for everyone else. You basically just need to finish the "Stand as One" quest from Anduin and you're good to go.
In other words, you can create four characters to enjoy all three covenants at the same time, and earn progress toward each as you level: so there's less wasted time. I 100% get that the team wanted you to explore all four regions for storyline reasons before you made a choice, but given that you can swap at will regardless, that sounds like a more desirable mechanic overall.
Yeah you read that right: you can swap with your main if you want and then swap back if you aren't feeling it. Covenants are one of the more lore-heavy and fun elements of Shadowlands, and the lack of a grind (there's a weekly cap on certain parameters) has made it more bearable than a few other endgame concepts in the past.
Level Anew with Threads of Fate [Battle.net]
Xbox Series X gets its first update today
Sony and Microsoft have taken wildly divergent paths in their approach to their new console's first system update. Earlier this month, PS5 got an 800MB update that was simply detailed as "improves system performance." Xbox Series S/X's first update has begun rolling out now, and we know everything about it.
In a very comprehensive post, Microsoft outlined everything that's new to Xbox Series S and X. The most exciting inclusion is dynamic backgrounds. The first smattering has six animated backgrounds that are mostly based off of various Xbox branding throughout the generations. This implementation opens the door for premium backgrounds based on various games. It's something PlayStation has had for a long while now.
Swery's slice-of-life adventure game The Good Life is launching summer 2021
The long road leading up to the release of The Good Life, the next game from Deadly Premonition director Swery, doesn't feel like it's getting any shorter – but it is. A bit. The game is now being published by The Irregular Corporation (Murder By Numbers) and it's aiming for a summer 2021 launch.
This latest footage looks further along than our last check-in, but the frame rate is struggling.
The Good Life is a slice-of-life adventure game about an American photographer caught up in a strange rural English town where people – the protagonist included – can transform into animals. If you're the type of player who enjoys really settling into a new place and poking around, you might be down.
As a game, I don't have high expectations for The Good Life. As an outlet for Swery's creative characters, worlds, and stories, I'm far more interested. I just don't want a repeat of Deadly Premonition 2. There's "forgivable" and "endearing" jank, and then there's "so busted it's nearly unplayable" jank.
I'm not sure what to make of this game, and I probably won't be until I'm literally playing it.
@Swery65 [Twitter]
PSA: It's the last day to export your Rock Band 3 songs
Here's some housekeeping that will probably fall on deaf ears. Any committed Rock Band player took care of it long ago. Anyone who hasn't probably won't care enough to rush this through in the coming hours.
Alas, here goes anyway: It's the last day to export your Rock Band 3 songs into Rock Band 4/Rivals. The license expires on December 1, 2020.
For those who want make a last-second just-in-the-nick-of-time export, you'll need a copy of Rock Band 3 and $15. Harmonix's systems need to check that you're a "verified purchaser" of Rock Band 3 and then the export costs $15. The process is outlined on this very old blog post.
You had five years to push this through, but now you only have a few more hours. If this PSA helps anyone out, you're a procrastinator to the max. Get it done now though. Without the export, the only way to play Rock Band 3 games will be inside actual Rock Band 3. Your library deserves better.
UK Chart titles jockey for position as lockdown affects Black Friday sales
The latest UK Chart report sees most of the industry's biggest releases jostling within the Top Ten, as the UK's current COVID-19 lockdown legislation put the dampers on the lucrative Black Friday sales, (which Britain also adopted because Capitalism, yo).
Electronic Arts' football simulator FIFA 21 has once again returned to the number one spot, pushing out Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War after just one week. Nintendo saw its Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe climb to numbers three and four respectively, while Square Enix's stumbling Marvel's Avengers has managed to push back into the Top Ten at number seven. Rounding out the charts at number 10 is Ubisoft's perennial holiday seller Just Dance. 'Tis the season, after all.
The biggest single-week drop goes to Nintendo brawler Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which slipped from number six to number 20, with a 61% sales decline. Given the current state of the UK high street and the rapid decline in physical sales, these rise and falls are becoming ever more irrelevant as an expression of a title's success or failure - but it's still an achievement to see your title hit the coveted number one spot, only encouraging further sales.
Pokemon's 25th anniversary is coming soon, and big things are being teased
Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all. I have! Leave me alone!
I can't believe it's been 25 years since the first generation of Pokemon debuted. Okay, well it will be 25 years in February, 2021, in Japan. For me, the 25th anniversary will be September 2023, when I first went to Toys "R" Us and picked up a copy of Pokemon Red. One eight hour session later and I knew that it was something special. My link cable came in handy that year.
All of us have different memories for Pokemon (maybe it's going to the movie with a date and acting cool when you didn't get the Mewtwo trading card bonus). Or maybe you have none! Either way The Pokemon Company is celebrating next year. Teased during the broadcasted edition of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade of all places (where Pikachu made his debut as a float in 2001), the firm has revealed the new logo: a giant Pikachu face with the numbers "2" and "5" as his red cheeks. Cute and effective.
While The Pokemon Company is mum on what to expect right now, they're calling it a "very special celebration." The release of Pokemon Unite could likely come on the anniversary in February (remember that one?), as well as any number of other announcements. An E3-timed tease of a new mainline entry (or more Sword/Shield DLC) wouldn't be out of the question either.
Pokemon Teases Upcoming 25th Anniversary Celebrations [Pokemon.com]
Wonderful 101 Remastered is getting a special Bayonetta-themed demo, with no new news on Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 is still a mystery, but today, we're getting a little more Bayonetta in our lives.
Platinum has announced that the demo for Wonderful 101 Remastered is out today, and it comes with a special tweak that allows folks to play as Wonder-Bayonetta from the start. The demo is available on PC, PS4, and Switch: the same platforms as the current remaster. In case you're wondering, it does allow save transferring from the demo to the full game.
As a reminder, Bayonetta was already a fixture in the original version of Wonderful 101 as a secret character. But this demo will have her unlocked already, ready to go. You can get a quick look at her in the trailer below if you haven't played with her yet.
So there's a few more things to cover here. Patch 1.03 allows players to use "Wonderful Codes," which are Platinum-provided in-game codes for goodies. You can use "UMBRANGIFT" and "ANGELSLAYERS" now to unlock Bayonetta and Jeanne/Rodin respectively.
Also, Platinum insists that there is "no news" coming for Bayoneta 3 today. We already asked! This is clearly just setting the table. Maybe we'll get a special Nintendo Direct before the end of the year?
Blizzard veteran launches charity networking platform Leyline
A former high-ranking employee of Blizzard Entertainment, Jeremy Dela Rosa, has announced the founding of a new, non-profit charity platform known as "Leyline." Through this new venture, Dela Rosa hopes to encourage PC and mobile video game fans to get involved with various charitable causes in return for games and gift cards, donated by the many business partners Dela Rosa has made within the industry.
"We have always been passionate about trying to make a big positive impact in the world," said the 10-year Blizzard veteran. "We realize that everyone wants to contribute to making the world a better place, but it can be needlessly complex. Through Leyline, we want to create an online ecosystem that rewards doing good things in the real world."
Leyline currently has a staff of 50 volunteers and is looking for investment and funding via a GoFundMe campaign. Leyline plans to promote a wide variety of charitable causes online and worldwide, hoping to encourage donations from video game players in the form of time, money, "idle processing power," and other means, dependent on the given charity. Though based on the company's first promo video, Leyline seems heavily in favor of the latter, using processing power borrowed from idle PC and mobile devices to contribute toward medical research.
