Genshin Impact – miHoYo Gifts Employees RTX 3070 Cards, PS5 and Switch Consoles Through Lottery Prizes For Chinese New Year

Genshin Impact mihoyo employees gift ps5 switch RX 3080 chinese new year 1

If you still need proof miHoYo has struck gold with Genshin Impact (PC, PS4, PS5, Mobile, Switch soon): through a lottery for Chinese New Year celebrations, the company will gift its employees PS5 consoles, Switch consoles, iPhones, RTX 3070 graphic cards, and several pieces of hardware.

Only initially shared on Weibo, several photos of mountains of various hardware at miHoYo's offices have been making the rounds on Japanese anonymous messages boards today, before ending up on several Japanese matome blogs.

Genshin Impact mihoyo employees gift ps5 switch RX 3080 chinese new year 1 Genshin Impact mihoyo employees gift ps5 switch RX 3080 chinese new year 7 Genshin Impact mihoyo employees gift ps5 switch RX 3080 chinese new year 6 Genshin Impact mihoyo employees gift ps5 switch RX 3080 chinese new year 5 Genshin Impact mihoyo employees gift ps5 switch RX 3080 chinese new year 4 Genshin Impact mihoyo employees gift ps5 switch RX 3080 chinese new year 2

China and several communities around the world will celebrate the Chinese new year on February 12, 2021 this year. Note that you can spot all miHoYo games and projects in the last picture. With the miHoYo mascots, official miHoYo VTuber YoYo Lumi, alongside characters from Honkai Impact 3rd, Genshin, and Tears of Themis.

Wasn't that hard gathering so many consoles, considering Genshin Impact has been incredibly popular since its official launch on September 28, 2020. The game definitely deserves it seeing its overall high quality, be it its story elements or gameplay. And sure, there's a gacha system, but it's definitely valid to bring up the "nothing force you to pull the gacha" card in here, seeing Genshin Impact unlike 99% of games with gacha elements has ton of stuff to do regardless of Gacha or Stamina. With an open-world to explore. Moreover, the endgame content can be cleared without the need of rarer characters obtainable via Gacha. Anyways, it's nice to see miHoYo employees are reaping the fruit of their hard work. Here's hoping Version 1.3 will be just as awesome.

Doing a voice quite similar to Kirito from Sword Art Online, popular seiyuu Yoshitsugu Matsuoka voices Xiao, the new upcoming character of Genshin Impact. Xiao will be added with the Version 1.3 update on February 3, titled All That Glitters.

A web event for Genshin Impact titled Slime Paradise is currently ongoing. Once it ends on January 31, we go back to the usual Slime Genocide instead. As while the event requires you to take care of them, Slimes are among the most common enemies in Genshin Impact for now, and are quite annoying to boot. Hopefully we'll get to explore more parts of the map with new enemies soon, and hopefully get Inazuma later this year. Note that starting the Slime Paradise event now is too late to get all its rewards. However, you can check all the events and artwork from Slime Paradise here. Last but not least, the list of final adjustments for Zhongli and Geo characters in Version 1.3 should be published soon by miHoYo.

The post Genshin Impact – miHoYo Gifts Employees RTX 3070 Cards, PS5 and Switch Consoles Through Lottery Prizes For Chinese New Year by Iyane Agossah appeared first on DualShockers.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fan Mod Brings Kingdom Hearts' Sora to the Fight

While it's now over two years old, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has continued to bring some of the most iconic characters from numerous gaming franchises into the mix through new DLC additions. Though there are still a few fan favorites like Kingdom Hearts' Sora that haven't made it into the game just yet, one fan mod has finally brought the long-requested Keyblade wielder into the game.

Modder Mastaklo shared footage of their mod that brings Kingdom Hearts' Sora into the game as a playable fighter, which is available now through their Patreon and will be released to the public on February 19, 2021. In this instance, Sora is an Echo Fighter with the moveset and abilities of Xenoblade Chronicles' Shulk and featuring his appearance from Kingdom Hearts 3.

Sora has long been one of the most requested characters to be added to the Super Smash Bros. series, though his appearance in the fighting franchise has unfortunately never quite panned out. A few rumors from last year suggested that Nintendo had possibly approached Disney about bringing Sora into the game as a playable fighter. However, given the likely involvement that Disney would require to approve adding him into the game, it isn't too surprising that we haven't heard anything official on Sora's inclusion.

When it comes to official Smash Bros. fighters, the latest addition to the game is Final Fantasy VII's Sephiroth, who was added as the third new character in Fighters Pass Vol 2 in December. At the moment there are three more characters remaining in the second Fighters Pass; while it seems unlikely, that at least gives three more chances that Sora could maybe wind up being in Smash Bros. after all. Until then, Mastaklo's unofficial mod is at least a good substitute to swing a Keyblade at Mario: that plumber gets what he deserves.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now exclusively on Nintendo Switch.

The post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fan Mod Brings Kingdom Hearts' Sora to the Fight by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

Amazon Game Studios Report Details the Company's Troubled Game Projects

Amazon is arguably one of the largest companies in the world, and one that seemingly has a hold in everything from film and TV production, to online retail, and more. However, the one area that the mega company seems to have trouble penetrating is the games industry, with a new report detailing some of the behind-the-scenes issues that have plagued its games division, Amazon Game Studios.

A new report from Bloomberg shed a bit more light behind Amazon Game Studios, specifically in regard to the numerous troubled projects that the studio has had difficulty in getting off the ground over the years. As reported by Jason Schreier and Priya Anand, a number of factors have contributed through the past few years to internal problems on its games projects, with over 30 current and past employees sharing their experiences while working at Amazon Game Studios.

According to Bloomberg's report, among the most glaring issues that has faced the company's games division has been its manager Mike Frazzini, a veteran at Amazon but one with no prior game development experience. That lack of experience, in turn, has tended to frustrate developers when Frazzini would ignore or go against their advice and decisions, leading many to leave the studio entirely.

The report also detailed that Amazon's in-development projects often suffered in focus and scale, with many teams trying to create projects that would rival established franchises and IP like Overwatch, League of Legends, and Fortnite. In turn, developers at Amazon Game Studios also struggled with the company's internal development tools called Lumberyard, which were often slow and difficult to work around.

To date, Amazon has had more misses than hits when it comes to game development projects. Last year the studio released its Overwatch-style hero shooter Crucible, only to promptly pull the title five months later after its struggled launch. The studio is also at work on its MMO called New World, though the project had been delayed from its initial launch in 2020 by nearly a year into spring 2021.

The post Amazon Game Studios Report Details the Company's Troubled Game Projects by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

Vicarious Visions Reportedly Taking The Reins of Diablo II Remake

Diablo ii

According to a Bloomberg report from Jason Schreier, it looks as though Vicarious Visions will be bringing the remake of Blizzard's Diablo II to life. The news comes alongside that of the recent acquisition of the studio by Blizzard Entertainment. An insider within Vicarious Visions also stated that they have been working alongside Blizzard for over a year as of when the acquisition was made public.

Blizzard is also very aware of the poor reception that Warcraft III: Reforged received. The negatively received entry only exacerbated Blizzard's already rocky public perception of recent years. Before its release, the same team was going to spearhead the remake of Diablo II. It seems as though the notion gave them cold feet since Blizzard pulled them from the project. Since then, the remake has been in development with a mixture of their in-house teams as well as Vicarious Visions.

diablo II art

The studio has also had a long-standing relationship with Activision. They have already flexed their chops with recent remakes like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 and Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy. Both of which received praise from fans and critics alike. Blizzard may be taking this into account when tasking them with breathing new life into one of their own darling franchises. Given their record, it does make sense. Activision and Blizzard are under the same umbrella already. So scooping up Vicarious Visions isn't a huge leap in logic.

Many fans have remained negative since the acquisition went public. Their biggest fear being that Vicarious Visions will be sent to toil away in the mines of World of Warcraft expansion content. If Blizzard has any sense at all, they will let this proven studio leave its mark on the Diablo legacy with the care it deserves. I would say that Diablo II is in very capable hands if they stay the course. Just so long as Blizzard lets them do what they do best.

The post Vicarious Visions Reportedly Taking The Reins of Diablo II Remake by Camilo Olmedo appeared first on DualShockers.

Trover Saves the Universe Art Book is Coming in July from Dark Horse

While he's most well-known for the space-faring adventures of Rick and Morty, Justin Roiland has also brought his signature brand of bizarre humor over to games in the past few years. That has included Trover Saves the Universe, the action-platform title from developer Squanch Games that has brought new levels of absurdist humor to consoles and PC. Following its initial release in 2019, publisher Dark Horse is collecting much of the game's inspiration and concept designs for an official art book this summer.

IGN shared a look at the official art book for Trover Saves the Universe, giving a closer glimpse at the final cover art for the book and confirming that it will release on July 28, 2021 for $39.99. The book itself will run 192 pages and feature a collection of concept art, sketches, behind-the-scenes info, and more that went into the making of the game. You can take a look at the cover art below (via IGN):

Coming from Justin Roiland, Trover Saves the Universe was initially released for PS4/PlayStation VR and PC in summer 2019, followed later that year with releases for Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. Most recently the game arrived on Oculus Quest last year, allowing players to experience its quirky humor free from the constraints of a wired VR headset.

Our own Grant Huff (Senior Staff Writer) reviewed the game when it first launched in 2019, and noted that the game is "a must play" for anyone that happens to love Rick and Morty and has a PlayStation VR headset. While you can play the game on various platforms without VR, Grant definitely felt that the immersion of VR just adds a little bit extra depth to the wildly over-the-top humor that players will experience in the game.

Trover Saves the Universe is available now on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The post Trover Saves the Universe Art Book is Coming in July from Dark Horse by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

The Persona Series is Getting Its Own Very Stylish Watch Collection

As a series known for its striking visuals, it's fitting that pretty much anything Persona-themed will look pretty snazzy. Thankfully, if you're trying to find some new accessories based around the beloved JRPG series, you'll be able to look forward to some stylish new timepieces based on the series' most acclaimed entries very soon.

A new watch collection from Arma Bianca (made by Q&Q SmileSolar) has been revealed, featuring three watches inspired by Persona 3, 4, and 5 that is sure to steal the hearts of fans of the series. Each of the three watches features some specific design references and elements from the three Persona titles, such as the Evoker from Persona 3 and Joker's mask from Persona 5, while also sporting the signature colors from each entry of the series (blue, yellow, and red). Additionally, the watches also feature water resistance (up to 10-bar), moisture-resistant straps, and solar-powered batteries that will last for about three and a half months on a full charge.

Pre-orders for the Persona watch collection will begin on February 1, 2021 and run through March 24 (or until stock runs out). The watches will be sold in limited quantities of 500 units for each design and are priced at 7,980 yen excluding tax (around $76 USD), so it's likely that you might want to get your pre-order in early next week before they (inevitably) sell out.

The Persona watch collection from Q&Q SmileSolar will be available for pre-orders starting on February 1. For a closer look, you can check out images of the watch collection below, and you can find out how to place your pre-orders right here:

The post The Persona Series is Getting Its Own Very Stylish Watch Collection by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

Monster Hunter: World Board Game Hits Kickstarter In April

Monster Hunter World

Monster Hunter: World took over the video game world back in 2018. And now it looks like the game is about to take yet another world by storm. This time, the team is joining up with Steamforged Games to bring a Monster Hunter: World board game to Kickstarter in April. As you might expect, it's full of massive miniatures and tons of cardboard. Below you can see the various pledge levels Steamforged will have on offer in April.

For now, we don't know too much about how Monster Hunter: World will play. They didn't reveal much besides the minis and pledges today. The one sneak peek they're giving out is that this will be a "choose-your-own-adventure-style journey", which signifies to me that this will probably be some type of campaign game. Outside of that, there's not much to glean here besides that the minis look wonderful.

Of course, it almost doesn't matter what the gameplay mechanics are. This game is the kind of thing that's going to push major units on Kickstarter. Just look at the ongoing campaign for Primal: The Awakening. That game is a  bit of a Monster Hunter knock-off and it's about to clear $2 million on Kickstarter. I would expect this release from Steamforged to easily pass that mark during its campaign.

And, to be fair to Steamforged, if there's anyone I trust to turn a video game into a quality board game product it's probably them. I really liked what I've played of their Resident Evil 2 board game, and I've only heard good things about all the other games in their catalog. Simply said, I think you can safely assume this will be a solid romp.

Monster Hunter World: The Board Game comes to Kickstarter this April.

The post Monster Hunter: World Board Game Hits Kickstarter In April by Ricky Frech appeared first on DualShockers.

Haven Arrives on PS4 and Switch Just in Time for Valentine's Day

Haven

Originally released late last year on consoles and PC, Haven arrived from the developers of Furi and brought players into a unique RPG sci-fi love story. While players on Xbox consoles, PS5, and PC have been able to enjoy the game for nearly two months, next week the title will finally arrive on PS4 and Nintendo Switch for a new audience to enjoy.

Developer The Game Bakers has announced that Haven will officially be heading to PS4, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Games Store on February 4, 2021, bringing the title to several new platforms next week. It also happens to be arriving shortly before Valentine's Day, which is a fitting release timeframe for the game's romantic story and themes.

For those unfamiliar with the title, Haven follows a pair of lovers named Yu and Kay as they journey across a deserted planet. After crash landing on the unhabituated landscape, the pair find themselves trying to collect resources to survive and help one another, and can be played either solo or with another player in co-op multiplayer to experience its story.

Our own Camilo Olmedo (Staff Writer) played and reviewed Haven last month before release and scored the title at a 4.5/10.0. While Camilo enjoyed the game's interesting love story and striking visuals, he noted that those elements alone "can't make up for a dull and derivative gameplay loop, uninteresting combat, and a bland pseudo-open world."

Haven is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, and will be heading to PS4 and Nintendo Switch on February 4, 2021.

The post Haven Arrives on PS4 and Switch Just in Time for Valentine's Day by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.

Cyberpunk 2077 Tweet by Elon Musk Raises Developer's Stock 19%

Cyberpunk 2077 johnny silverhand

Although it may seem that Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red can't catch a break nowadays, their stock appears to have gotten a boost from an unlikely source.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk went on Twitter to promote the company's new Model S Plaid vehicle and accompanied his tweet with a photo of the interior of the automobile. On the screen, artwork for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Stardew Valley, Fallout Shelter, Cuphead and others can be seen. Replying to his own tweet, Musk said "It can play Cyberpunk," which then prompted another reply.

Musk went on to say "The esthetics of Cyberpunk are incredible btw…" which according to GameSpot, is the tweet that caused CD Projekt Red's stock to rise 19%. Business news company Bloomberg reported that jump has raised the company's stock to the highest its been since 2015, meaning the stock landed 16% higher from before the notoriously buggy launch of Cyberpunk 2077.

Gaming journalist and host of The Game Awards Geoff Keighley also threw his two cents in, saying "When the game crashes more than the car." While it is unclear how well the vehicle can actually run the game, it does have 10 teraflops of power, the same as a PlayStation 5. If you're fortunate enough to be able to own the $112,990 vehicle when it releases in February please keep your eyes on the road, for Jackie's sake.

The gaming industry and stock market have had quite the interesting relationship recently. Video game retailer GameStop's stock saw an unprecedented rise after it was short squeezed, prompting its removal for purchase by investing app Robinhood. The situation has gotten so big that President Biden's economic team at the White House has begun keeping an eye on the situation as well.

The post Cyberpunk 2077 Tweet by Elon Musk Raises Developer's Stock 19% by Justin Kucharski appeared first on DualShockers.

FIFA 21 — Objective Guide for Season 3, Week 5

FIFA 21

FIFA 21 is nearing the end of its third season. That means those level 30 Storyline players are within reach if you've been keeping up. So, if you're like me, this is the week you should be getting your hands on that beautiful Christian Pulisic card. Someone hold me.

The only problem is that EA doesn't do a good job of sourcing those objectives once you get in the game. Instead, we're forced to make our own spreadsheets to keep track of everything we need to do once the match kicks off. Below, I've collected all the weekly objectives for easy viewing. Plus, I've given a few tips for completing them alongside some of the new objective players in the game. Check out the week 5 objectives below.

Week 5 – Bronze

As always, these objectives are dead simple. You can complete them in whichever mode suits your fancy. Unless you just have to finish them right away, I would suggest completing them as you finish off either the Luis Suarez or Jack Grealish objectives. It's always best to partner objectives where you can and those are great options.

  • Play 3 matches in any FUT Game Mode.
  • Score 2 Finesse Goals in any FUT Game Mode.
  • Assist in two separate matches in any FUT Game Mode.
  • Apply a Contract Item to any player.

Week 5 – Silver

This set is going to force you into Squad Battles. I know a lot of people hate on the single-player portion of FUT, but these won't take you long. Just hop into two quick games and get it over with. Unfortunately, that means you can't really partner them with anything else, but at least they're easy enough to finish off.

  • Assist using a Defender in two Squad Battles matches, on Min. Semi-Pro difficulty.
  • Score 3 goals during the same match in any FUT Game Mode.
  • Play a match against this week's Featured Squad in Squad Battles on Min. Semi-Pro difficulty.
  • Win 3 matches in any FUT Game Mode.

Week 5 – Gold

Here's where things get a bit more interesting. For the Squad Battles objectives, I'll probably throw together a Ligue 1 squad and get them all done in one go. You can use Marco Verratti or Alessandro Florenzi for your Italian player. Then, there are several options for both French and Brazilians in that league.

From there, it's just about grinding out those Rivals' objectives. They're mostly pretty easy if you have the time to set aside and knock them out.

  • Score using a player from Italy and Assist using a player from France in the same Squad Battles match on Min. Professional difficulty.
  • Win a Rivals Match using a starting squad containing at least 2 players from each of the following nations: England, Spain, Germany.
  • Assist in 2 Squad Battles matches on Min. Professional difficulty using a player from Brazil.
  • Score a goal from a cross in Rivals, using a player from Spain.
  • Earn 3,500 Rivals Points.

And that should get you sorted. FIFA 21 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Now is a decent time to hop in given how many great players are in packs. You won't pack one, but it's fun to try.

The post FIFA 21 — Objective Guide for Season 3, Week 5 by Ricky Frech appeared first on DualShockers.