May 20, 12:00


Kotaku Friday, May 20, 2022 11:42 AM
    

Nintendo is patenting new tech to help catch cheaters in games like the eternally best-selling Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon 2. As video game companies across the industry try to clamp down on cheat software and other hacks that give players an unfair advantage using off-the-shelf solutions, Nintendo appears to be working…

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PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 11:34 AM
     The best Minecraft shaders in 2022

What are the best Minecraft shaders? More importantly what are Minecraft shaders? The popular crafting game has a lot of things in its favour: infinite replayability, massively varied gameplay, and a constantly changing and improving online game. Where Minecraft draws criticism compared to other modern games is its graphics. Fortunately, as with everything in Minecraft, the graphical fidelity can be tweaked to incredible effect with the help of Minecraft shaders.

From photorealistic lighting to uncanny motion blur, shaders are capable of bringing your Minecraft experience to life. Every Minecraft shader has its own unique qualities, whether that's injecting some serious style or providing a boost to Minecraft's base visuals without too much lag. So, in order to set you on your way to crystal-clear vistas we've put together a collection of the best Minecraft shaders out there.

Getting a Minecraft shader or shader pack up and running is a simple enough process. Before you get started trying to install a shader pack though, you'll want to download and install either Forge or Optifine. Bear in mind that these aren't always kept up to date, so your options are limited if you want to run shaders on the latest version of Minecraft Java. Likewise, you need to make sure whichever shaders you're downloading are for the same version of Minecraft Java you're running.

RELATED LINKS: Minecraft console commands, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 11:25 AM
     This is the Obi-Wan Kenobi Fortnite skin you've been looking for

An Obi-Wan Kenobi Fortnite skin has apparently leaked online, poised to join the battle royale game's item shop just in time for the premiere of the Disney Plus series centred on the Jedi master. The Kenobi skin includes a glider, pickaxe, background, backpack, and an emote - which looks very similar to the one included with Boba Fett for The Mandalorian's Fortnite crossover.

Fortnite leaker Shiina shared an image of the Obi-Wan Kenobi skin package on Twitter. This is the Ewan McGregor version of Kenobi, appearing in his unassuming brown tunic and robes. His glider is the Eta-2 Jedi Starfighter seen in Revenge of the Sith, and his backpack is a rugged leather satchel with survival gear and a radio receiver strapped to the side - along with a lightsaber.

The lightsaber may be a bit of a sore point for players hoping to do a bit of duelling as Obi-Wan. Fortnite lightsabers were added into battle royale and zero build for Star Wars day at the beginning of the month, but they were placed back in the vault May 17. Fans were hoping he'd have a lightsaber pickaxe (similar to this season's Omni Blade), but it seems he's going to have to make do with an entrenching tool - or perhaps a knife? We're not sure what to call that thing.

RELATED LINKS: Fortnite V-Bucks, Fortnite Skins, Fortnite Creative Codes

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 10:37 AM
     Sony may soon bring PlayStation Network to your gaming PC

PlayStation is slowly but surely cementing itself a place in the gaming PC market, with the company enjoying commercial and critical success via Windows ports of its lauded console exclusives, such as Horizon: Zero Dawn and God of War. Now, it appears that Sony may be planning to bolster its recently crowned PlayStation PC brand by bringing its PlayStation Network platform along for the ride.

While we don't yet know how PlayStation Network will work on a gaming PC, a recent job listing makes clear Sony's intention to make it happen all the same. The company is looking for someone to "lead and evolve the PlayStation game experience roadmap for all game related experiences", including "PlayStation network Platform integration" (via DualShockers).

Our best guess as to how PlayStation Network will manifest on PC is that it will likely closely mirror the Xbox app, acting as both a storefront and portal to the game streaming services contained within the soon-to-be revamped PlayStation Plus membership. With Summer Game Fest on the horizon, we should hopefully not have to wait much longer to find out.


PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 10:09 AM
     Hitman 3 update adds ray tracing, Nvidia DLSS, and AMD FSR

Each and every Hitman 3 update offers a lot for players to sink their teeth into, from a new single-player mode at the start of the year to VR support in its Year 2 patch notes. The latest release is no different, as those with a compatible graphics card will now be able to see Hitman 3 in all its glory with ray tracing, Nvidia DLSS, and AMD FSR.

Enabling both ray traced reflections and shadows can be quite demanding, especially considering Hitman 3 is already up there in terms of power hungry games. Including Nvidia DLSS is a great move to boost fps on supported GPUs, but you'll only have access to the first generation of FidelityFX Super Resolution if you can't run team green's option, as AMD FSR 2.0 is unavailable here. It only released last week, though, so it might need more time in the oven if it is in the pipeline for Hitman 3.

Intel XeSS is also notably absent despite featuring the game prominently in its marketing campaign for its first-party upscaler. We expect it'll drop eventually and will likely match the timeline of Intel Arc Alchemist graphics cards, which have been delayed several times already.

RELATED LINKS: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 10:37 AM
     What is the current and next Genshin Impact banner?

Genshin Impact banners adhere to a pretty regular schedule. Each update arrives with a new banner that lasts around three weeks, and after it expires, it's followed by a second banner which also lasts roughly three weeks, at which point it's update time once again.

Wondering what the next Genshin Impact banner is? Even though we hear rumours of new Genshin Impact characters arriving in forthcoming updates, we won't know their exact release date until we know which banner they will be a part of, and whether it'll be the first or second banner in the update. Occasionally, banners don't stick to this schedule - most notably, update 1.3 had three two-week banners, so that Hu Tao's banner didn't cross over with the Chinese New Year.

Typically, each limited character banner - or Event Wish - contains a five-star character, and three four-star characters. There's also a Weapon banner - Epitome Invocation - which runs alongside each character banner, and features different weapons each time. Here's everything you need to know about the current and upcoming Genshin Impact banners.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 9:37 AM
     Genshin Impact Yelan materials – all ascension materials

Looking for Yelan ascension materials in Genshin Impact? This new Genshin Impact character was officially announced on the RPG game's official Twitter account, and we've since seen character data leak from a beta build of the 2.7 update.

Now that that she's appeared in the 2.7 livestream, we know that the Yelan banner release date is. We also know what her abilities will be and, more importantly, we know what Yelan ascension materials we're going to need to bust through the level cap and reach her full potential. Note that one key component for Yelan is found in the new Chasm area, so make sure you waste no time in unlocking its secrets.

If you're taking the time to upgrade the best Genshin Impact characters on your team, we've got plenty more ascension material guides now for the likes of Raiden Shogun, Ayato, and even Venti. Below you'll find everything you need to know about Yelan's character ascension materials, talent ascension materials, and then specific guidance on where to find each of the items you need to ascend this ranged warrior. However, as this information is based on data reported from the beta, bear in mind there is a possibility it could change upon release.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 9:20 AM
     Genshin Impact events – all current and upcoming events

Want to know more about the upcoming Genshin Impact events? A new version of Genshin Impact arrives every six weeks, complete with new characters, quests, and events. It's difficult to keep track of which events are currently running and if there are any new ones coming soon, so here's a schedule for all current and upcoming Genshin Impact events.

There are usually a number of Genshin Impact events running simultaneously, and they aren't just in-game events. When a new Genshin Impact character joins the game, the devs launch a web event at the same time - players learn about the latest characters through an interactive story told through a web browser. The rewards for completing different events range from in-game items like primogems and mora, to real life prizes like mouse mats and plushies.

Just like the Genshin Impact banners, most events are only available for a limited time, so it's worth participating as soon as you can. New events are usually added to Genshin Impact after an update, but it's worth keeping an eye out on this page as the devs do like to surprise the community.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 9:50 AM
     Genshin Impact Yelan team – the best team comp

Want to know the best Yelan team in Genshin Impact? Yelan is a new Genshin Impact character joining the anime game in the Genshin Impact 2.7 update, and is a five star Hydro bow user. Once you've collected Yelan's ascension materials, you should be ready to fight against the strongest opponents the open-world game has to offer.

In order to maximise your damage output using this new five star character, you need to assemble the best Genshin Impact Yelan team. Fortunately, Hydro characters are easy to pair up with thanks to their Genshin Impact elemental reactions which can be triggered effortlessly.

Since Yelan hasn't been released yet and everything we know so far is a result of the most recent beta, some of this could be subject to change. If the leaks end up coming to the full game though, Yelan has the potential to earn a high spot on our Genshin Impact tier list. Make sure you're up to speed on Yelan's abilities, and let's take a look at everything you need to know about the best Yelan team composition.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 10:29 AM
     Genshin Impact 2.7 release date, livestream, and banners

Want to know about the Genshin Impact 2.7 release date? After being delayed a few weeks, we now know when the next patch is arriving, and we've got enough information to give you an overview of what's coming up next. The devs at Hoyoverse have recently announced some new Genshin Impact characters, two of which will be joining the open-world game at the end of May.

Datamined beta information for Genshin Impact 2.7 update has been online for a while now, giving us a glimpse at the abilities for Yelan and Kuki Shinobu. We also know what Yelan's ascension materials are likely to be - check out our guide to gather everything you need ahead of time to level up her talents immediately.

Most of the leaks for Genshin Impact 2.7 focus on the new characters, but now that the officia livestream has aired we know more about the new events and quality-of-life improvements coming as well. We've put together a guide on everything we know about the Genshin Impact 2.7 update.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 8:18 AM
     Sharpen up the space knives for sci-fi Soulslike Dolmen

Action RPG Dolmen offers a challenging combination of sci-fi and cosmic horror. Seamlessly blending the two into the enormous futuristic world of Revion Prime, Dolmen is a Soulslike adventure you can really sink your teeth into. From looming organic nesting chambers to sleek corridors of metal, each area offers detailed exploration and complex battles.

The Dolmen of the title are crystals with unique and mysterious properties. Your mission, as a mercenary, is to send samples of these back from this hostile alien world, so they can be further studied and exploited - perhaps enabling a new frontier of space travel that will change the known world forever. Revion Prime is far from a welcoming world, and not only will players find themselves thrown into relentless battles with horrifying creatures, but with the environment itself.

Knowing how to keep yourself safe, energised, and ready for combat is crucial for success in Dolmen. Every corner of the world is out to get you, but your abilities and weapons may just give you the edge. We spoke to Gabriel Neves Ferreira, the CTO of Massive Work Studio, who gave us some insider insight on how best to approach your first few battles in the game.


PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 8:05 AM
     Genshin Impact 2.7 livestream time is almost here

Get ready to bid farewell to 2.6, as developer Mihoyo confirms that the Genshin Impact 2.7 livestream time is all set for later today (May 20). The stream will cover everything that's coming in Genshin Impact's next update, including new characters Yelan and Kuki Shinobu and release date.

As is tradition with Genshin Impact updates, despite Mihoyo's best efforts to keep the details of version 2.7 under lock and key, we already know a few things about what's coming to the anime game. This update will likely introduce the mysterious bow-wielding Yelan and Kuki Shinobu, sidekick of Arataki Itto. The livestream should hopefully confirm everything we expect to see in Yelan and Shinobu's banners.

It appears that Arataki Itto may get a banner rerun as part of Kuki Shinobu's introduction into the game, but this will take place during the second half of 2.7. Yelan will serve as the headline banner of the update, and will enjoy a three week headstart versus the Electro character.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 10:47 AM
     Genshin Impact new characters in the 2.7 update and beyond

Want to know about new Genshin Impact characters? Since its release in 2020, the addictive anime game has seen plenty of regular updates expanding on the game's content - and adding several new characters by way of limited time banners.

New Genshin Impact characters - according to Hoyoverse's Genshin Impact roadmap - should release with every major update. If past experience is anything to go by, during each new patch there will be at least one Genshin Impact banner with a new five-star character, and possibly new four-star characters included as well. That said, several new Genshin Impact characters have been added outside of this schedule, like Genshin Impact's Klee - so we could see new characters arrive unexpectedly, too.

Ayato is the most recent new character to arrive in the Genshin Impact 2.6 update, and we know that Yelan and Kuki Shinobu are coming, possibly in the 2.7 update. There are also a few leaks and some datamined information concerning new faces that may appear in future Genshin Impact updates. However, until they're officially announced, these characters are not final and may be subject to changes.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 6:50 AM
     Microsoft Activision deal is

The Microsoft Activision deal is still far from complete, with the $68.7 billion acquisition of the Call of Duty publisher currently subject to scrutinty from regulatory bodies across the globe. Despite needing worldwide approval, it appears that negotiations are proceeding at an agreeable pace.

Responding to questions on the Microsoft Activision deal in an recent interview, Microsoft vice chairman and president, Brad Smith, says "it's moving fast," before caveating, "at least fast enough for an acquisition of this size" (via VGC). Smith goes on to describe the state of talks as "coming to the end of the beginning and now entering the beginning of the middle."

As quickly as the deal is seemingly progressing, Smith is quick to highlight that "it's a long process." Despite the company obviously preferring it be completed sooner it intends to "respect the process." For now, little seems to be standing in the way of Microsoft's hopes of a mid-2023 completion.

RELATED LINKS: Microsoft DirectX Raytracing, Microsoft Hololens hands-on, Windows Game Mode preview

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 6:49 AM
     CurseForge launches new API for the community

Overwolf, the guild for in-game creators, has released a new tool for modding creators to use for games like Minecraft, World of Warcraft, and more – the CurseForge API. This unique piece of software allows creators to distribute their mods directly to their audience. It also adds a whole load more possibilities for gaming communities to share content online.

This new system will allow creators more control over their work, especially when it comes to third-party distribution of their creations. Authors can now give consent over whether they want to allow distribution outside of the CurseForge system, allowing them control on how their content is distributed and to protect the monetisation of their mods via the Authors Rewards Points system.

It's not just modders who can use the CurseForge API to their advantage. The new terms of service agreement opens up the possibilities for users who can use the system, bringing gaming community projects like Discord bots, mod managers, and more into the fold, allowing the system to grow and support gamers in different ways.

RELATED LINKS: Best MMORPGs on PC, The best WoW addons, WoW Classic leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 6:00 AM
     Best SMG Warzone Pacific: the top SMGs in Season 3

Looking for the best SMGs in Warzone Pacific? Caldera, the new Warzone map, has completely changed the way the battle royale game is played. Compared to Verdansk's large open spaces spread throughout the map, Caldera is much tighter overall, packing each area with unique points of interest to keep things interesting. As a result, long range battles aren't as prevalent, causing weapons types like the best AR in Warzone and SMGs to dominate the meta.

If you're still trying to pick off enemies from a distance using the best snipers, you need to have a reliable secondary weapon like the best SMGs in Warzone Pacific to immediately blast any flankers away. Don't forget to check out our best Warzone loadouts guide to see which attachments you need to build these game-breaking setups.

Call of Duty Warzone Pacific Season 2 introduced one of the biggest changes we've seen in the game for some time: merging the Vanguard Royale and Battle Royale playlists into one playlist that includes weapons from Modern Warfare, Black Ops Cold War, and Vanguard. Compared to other weapons that saw updates though, Season 3 only makes a handful of minor tweaks to a handful of Warzone Pacific SMGs.

RELATED LINKS: Warzone loadouts, Best AR in Warzone , best guns in Warzone

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 10:02 AM
     Genshin Impact Yelan banner release date and abilities

Want to know about the Yelan banner release date in Genshin Impact? Yelan has been in the RPG game's files since the 2.0 update, and we're getting more details about this new Genshin Impact character as time goes on. Her original datamined profile had her listed under the 'tall woman' model, and other rumours pointed to her being a hydro bow user.

The Genshin Impact Yelan banner release date has now been announced, and some of the other rumours have been cleared up too. A post on the official Genshin Impact Twitter account formally revealed the character towards the end of March 2022 along with Kuki Shinobu, just before the Genshin Impact 2.6 release date.

While it's long been rumoured she would appear in patch 2.7, we didn't get official confirmation until the version 2.7 livestream on May 20, confirming that she is indeed a Hydro bow user. Here's everything else we know about Yelan in Genshin Impact so far, including her abilities and her banner release date.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 10:27 AM
     Genshin Impact Kuki Shinobu banner release date and abilities

Looking for the Genshin Impact Kuki Shinobu banner release date? Following the discovery of a reference to Kuki Shinobi in Genshin Impact's game files, players have been eagerly waiting for more information on this possible new Genshin Impact character.

Kuki Shinobu's banner release date has now been confirmed thanks to the Genshin Impact 2.7 livestream, following her official reveal via the Genshin Impact Twitter account. She's an Electro character, and while she won't get her own banner as she is a four-star character, she will debut in one of the next Genshin Impact banners.

Thanks to recent leaks from the 2.7 beta, we have some idea as to what these abilities should look like. She is a sword user, with some healing-focused support abilities that work even when she's off the field. Kuki Shinobu - previously known as Kuki Ninja - is mentioned in-game in a couple of voice lines. She's the deputy of the Arataki gang, and was first introduced in Itto's official announcement tweet. Here's everything we know about Kuki Shinobu in Genshin Impact.

RELATED LINKS: Play Genshin Impact for free, Genshin Impact character tier list, Genshin Impact leveling guide

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 5:12 AM
     Nvidia DLSS graphics explained

Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is a rendering technology that uses AI-assisted upscaling techniques to boost fps with minimal impact to visual quality. It works by rendering frames at a lower resolution to reduce the stress placed on your GPU, before clerverly reconstructing the final image to your chosen output resolution. Some even report the result to be better than native, but your mileage may vary.

You'll need a GPU from the GeForce RTX lineup in order to use Nvidia DLSS graphics, as it requires team green's Tensor Cores in order to for it to work. This is one of the key differences between DLSS and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and other methods of hardware-agnostic anti-aliasing.

While Nvidia DLSS was originally created to make ray tracing more accessible by reducing the performance hit that comes with it, the technology has since taken on a more encompassing identity. It can help transform lower-spec gaming PCs into deceptively powerful machines, allowing you to more easily enjoy the best PC games at high refresh rates.

RELATED LINKS: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 7:17 AM
     All Sims 4 cheats: how to enable cheat codes and get money

Looking for a list of Sims 4 cheats? Whether you're after that all-important Sims 4 money cheat, some fresh items to add to your catalog, or even just zapping a Sim from one place to another, there are heaps of handy Sims 4 cheats to make the lives of your virtual family much, much easier.

Cheats are by no means new to The Sims, but if you've never played past entries in this beloved life game series or worry that the cheats of previous Sims games won't work here, then allow us to step in with a dedicated list of Sims 4 cheats. We'll walk you through how to enter Sims 4 cheats, give you a list of the very best cheats to use, and explain exactly what each one offers you.

So, if you need a few thousand more simoleons to finish of your dream house, or you simply want to stop certain Sims from dying then this list of Sims 4 cheats should ensure your family are healthy and prosperous no matter how carelessly you act.

RELATED LINKS: Best Sims 4 mods, Best Sims 4 sex mods, Play The Sims 4

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 7:33 AM
     The best Sims 4 mods in 2022

What are the best Sims 4 mods? The Sims became a must-have simulation game on the PC when it first released in 2000, and 20+ years later the series is still going strong. In 2020 The Sims 4 made $1 billion and attracted nearly five million new players. But where is all this success coming from?

You could point to the life game's consistent content drops and expansion packs, but we suspect it's The Sims 4's strong library of user generated content that's really keeping the lights on. The Sims 4 mods community is thriving. These modders are a lively bunch who create plenty of weird and wonderful additions to the base game.

Make sure you enable the mods in-game as well before you try using them. We've compiled a list of what we think are the best Sims 4 mods accompanied with links to all the download pages. Be sure to read the install instructions for each mod, and if you enjoy one make sure to give the creator a little love.

RELATED LINKS: Best Sims 4 mods, Best Sims 4 sex mods, Play The Sims 4

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 11:57 AM
     Borderlands 3 Shift codes to redeem for free keys and skins

Want to know about Borderlands 3 Shift codes? These codes are your reward for being a fan and player of Borderlands 3. So, all you really have to do is like the game, along with a few other things and generally keep on top of the game's various social media accounts.

Borderlands 3 Shift codes are back in the sci-fi looter shooter, and if over a billion guns in Borderlands 3 isn't enough for you, these Shift codes will serve up more of the good stuff in the form of rare weapons and various cosmetics. The Vault Insider program also involves a slightly different reward system, still using codes, so you'll be able to redeem your vault codes for vault points. There are several ways to earn vault points including watching videos, reading articles, and checking social media for Borderlands 3 updates.

Here's everything you need to know about where to find Borderlands 3 Shift codes, how they work, and what precious loot you can expect to crack open from the golden chest in Borderlands 3.

RELATED LINKS: Borderlands 3 Shift codes, Borderlands 3 legendary weapons, Play Borderlands 3

PCGamesN Friday, May 20, 2022 4:34 AM
     Best gaming keyboard 2022

Whether you use the best gaming keyboard for work or play, adding one to your gaming PC setup can make all the difference. Sure, that mushy set of keys at the office may technically perform the same role, but upgrading your clicky-clacky companion will help improve both your typing experience and your WASD reflexes in the best FPS games.

Choosing the best gaming keyboard isn't complicated, but brands like Corsair, Razer, and SteelSeries like to put their own spin on the staple PC peripheral. Whether you prefer full sized options complete with number pads and function keys, or dinky 60% space savers, there are a variety of keyboards out there to suit your gaming desk preferences.

To help you navigate the sea of RGB backlit, microswitched boards on the market, we've assembled a collection of the best gaming keyboard options, with products that pair with the best gaming mouse while catering to both premium and budget ensembles.

RELATED LINKS: Best SSD for gaming, How to build a gaming PC, Best gaming CPU

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, May 20, 2022 11:13 AM
    

Actor and Monster Energy drinker Norman Reedus has seemingly confirmed that Death Stranding 2 exists in an interview with men's website Leo this week. The titbit was spotted and posted on Twitter by Nibel this afternoon. Break it to us gently, Norm.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, May 20, 2022 11:09 AM
    

Genshin Impact is back on track, with the next update scheduled for release on May 31st. Today's Genshin Impact livestream unveiled what's coming in update 2.7, 'Hidden Dreams In The Depths', including new characters Yelan and Kuki Shinobu. It's also adding in a drumming rhythm game, because why the heck not. Witness the trailer below for yourself:

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, May 20, 2022 9:10 AM
    

The May update for Amazon Games and Smilegate's multiplayer online action RPG Lost Ark introduces a new class this week that really enjoys smashing things up: the Destroyer. The 'Destined For Destruction' update also brings a brand-new Guardian Raid, Deskaluda, which looks like a dragon made out of Victorian iron fencing and ooze-green Dulux. Axe-wielding goat lad Valtan arrives this month to finally incorporate team-based Legion Raids into the Western version of Lost Ark too.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, May 20, 2022 8:59 AM
    

The Cerebral Puzzle Showcase is underway on Steam, offering demos and discounts on puzzle games until Monday. It is quite a lot of puzzle games. If your head feels itchy and your brain distinctly unteased, here, I have a few recommendations to get you started.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, May 20, 2022 8:40 AM
    

We did a lot of cool things during our time at this year's PAX East. We attended a wonderful talk by "Skyrim Grandma" Shirley Curry. We gawked at the coolest booths on the show floor. I got nightmares after looking at a super cursed baby. My personal highlight, though, was talking to the Pinny Arcade collectors during the show's official trading event.

I'll admit, before I went to PAX I didn't really appreciate how big Pinny Arcade was. I'd definitely seen photos of colourful metal pins depicting characters from various video games fly across my screen as I browsed Twitter, but I had never thought much about them beyond that. I was shocked, then, to arrive at PAX and realise just how integral this collectable is to the show. Merch booths sell starter packs, individual demo stations flog game specific rarities and avid fans adorn their lanyards with their favourite pieces. It turns out, Pinny Arcade is huge.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, May 20, 2022 7:31 AM
    

It looks like the weekend of June 11th and 12th will be the culmination of this year's Not-E3, as the PC Gaming Show and Future Games Show have announced their start times. The Future Games Show is back on June 11th at 12pm PST/8pm BST, while the PC Gaming Show is set for 12.30pm PST/8.30pm BST on June 12th. I'll delude myself into thinking that's pretty much everything happening that weekend scheduled now.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Friday, May 20, 2022 7:07 AM
    

The second DLC for Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, Glutton's Gamble, is now live. It's the latest of four Mirrors of Mystery being added to the wacky fantasy shooter over the next few months. The first, Coiled Captors, came out at the end of April and starred a big angry fish-lad called Chums.

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Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 11:56 AM
     Star Wars is absolutely not a new thing when it comes to Fortnite skins. Just recently for the May the 4th celebration, Stormtroopers were posted all over the map. That said, this upcoming addition shouldn't be any real surprise. Here's how to get the Obi-Wan Kenobi Outfit in Fortnite. How To Get the Obi-Wan Kenobi […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 11:52 AM
     Earlier this week, a ResetEra forum posted an interview that Death Stranding Star Norman Reedus recently did with men's culture website Leo Edit. In the discussion, the topic of the next iteration of the game came up. While the verbiage is a bit vague, you can see in the conversation below that Reedus hints toward […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 11:27 AM
     Today, Epic Games revealed that the famous Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, would be arriving in Fortnite next week as a playable character. To be exact, he'll be available on the Fortnite Item Shop on Thursday, May 26 at 8 PM ET. While it's a bit too late for the promotion to be in tandem with May the […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 11:14 AM
     Today Star Citizen is opening its gates to everyone via its annual Invictus Launch Week event, which lets everyone play for free.

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 11:04 AM
     Want to know how to open the dumpsters in Vampire The Masquerade Swansong? Then you've come to the right place, as we've got all the info you need on how to find their location and the proper way to go about getting them open. Fair warning, it might not be as easy as it seems. […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 10:36 AM
     Today Koei Tecmo and Nintendo revealed a new trailer of their upcoming Musou-like action JRPG Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes.

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 10:16 AM
     Today HoYoverse finally announced the release date of Genshin Impact's update 2.7, titled "Hidden Dreams in the Depths."

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 10:08 AM
     Striking Distance Studios' upcoming sci-fi survival horror title, The Callisto Protocol, is arguably one of the most anticipated releases of the year and it's easy to see why. Not only is it ostensibly a spiritual successor to Visceral Games' popular Dead Space IP, but it even boasts talent from the original now-shuttered team. That's right, […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 10:00 AM
     Square Enix released The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story, a live-action mystery-adventure game that is certainly unusual for the publisher.

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 9:16 AM
     Looking for Roblox Katana Simulator Codes for May 2022? Then, look no further as we have got a full list of new and working Roblox Katana Simulator codes offering free coins, boosts, and skins to anyone who redeems them. Katana Simulator is a Roblox experience where players have to take control of a katana and face off […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 9:09 AM
     The Hisui Pokedex in Pokemon Legends: Arceus contains a wide range of Pokemon that players can collect in the wild. However, a Pokemon like Bonsly isn't easy to find in Legends Arceus, and players are often always in a hurry trying to find one in the Hisui region. The Rock-Type Bonsai has a medium-fast growth […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 7:29 AM
     The Pokemon Home 2.0.0 update is live across all platforms, and players can finally store, transfer, and trade Pokemon across dozens of games, including Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Initially, the latest titles from the Pokemon Game series weren't compatible with the Pokemon Home, and Nintendo had confirmed that the feature would arrive "sometime […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 7:19 AM
     Creating a safe and functional base is the first step to surviving in Minecraft. Whether you are a new player or a veteran wanting a change in scenery, it can be challenging to come up with imaginative designs for your world. To help players in this process, here are 10 creative Minecraft base ideas to […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 7:06 AM
     Late yesterday, Amazon Prime debuted a new trailer teasing its upcoming war thriller TV series, The Terminal List, which launches on the streaming service on June 1. Spearheaded by the familiar face of Guardians of the Galaxy's Chris Pratt, who appears to be playing a more dramatic role than usual, the show centers on a […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 6:18 AM
     Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the latest installment in the Pokemon Games series that features an array of creatures in the wild. While Nintendo has sourced a bunch of Pokemon from the previous generations, Ursaring is among the few Pokemon that debuted in Legends: Arceus. Since then, Ursaring has become a beloved Pokemon among the trainers, […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 6:06 AM
     Developed by Nuverse, Marvel Snap is a flashy new card battler game set in the Marvel universe, and features tons of iconic superheroes and villains that fans will definitely be excited to see. The game isn't officially out yet, though interested fans can start signing up for the beta test. If you're looking for a […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 6:01 AM
     After some short downtime, the Pokemon Home 2.0.0 update is out now across all the platforms. The latest version brings support for Nintendo Switch games, including Pokemon Brilliant Diamond, Pokemon Shining Pearl, and Pokemon Legends: Arceus. However, players who have updated the Pokemon Home to the 2.0.0 version have been encountering an unusual error 10015. […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 5:18 AM
     Marvel and Nuverse have just announced a new mobile game set in the Marvel universe, and if you're a fan of card battlers, this is definitely one to look out for. The good news is that beta testing is already underway, and players are now able to sign up for it to get a taste […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 5:00 AM
     Heardle is one daily puzzle-solving game that has exploded in popularity over the past few months. Released two or so months ago, it tasks players with guessing the name of the song along with its artist by listening to a short music clip. Since you only have six guesses to nail today's track, here are […]

Twinfinite Friday, May 20, 2022 5:00 AM
     Wordle might be the internet's big new obsession but comic book artist Martin Naydel's Jumble has been stumping puzzle game enthusiasts since 1954. Once known as Scramble, the goal is straightforward: unscramble four words, then use selected letters from those words to complete a bonus challenge. There is an illustration that goes with each puzzle that […]

Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 12:00 PM
    

Death Stranding Sequel

According to a Leo Edit interview with Norman Reedus, a Death Stranding sequel is in production. When asked about his body of work and involvement in Death Stranding, Reedus candidly responded that he started working on the sequel. However, no further information was revealed. It is uncertain how far along the sequel may be or when production began. Reedus played lead character Sam Porter Bridges. [Thanks, Leo Edit!]

That said, Kojima Productions started recruiting for a new project. This included the hiring of more than a handful of positions which range from concept artists to VFX artists. The job listings did not mention any specific details about the project. They only noted that Kojima Productions is looking for people who are enthusiastic about working within the industry.

In December 2021, Hideo Kojima revealed that the studio is working on two different projects. One of these projects was described as being "big," while the other is "new" and "challenging." More information about both projects will more than likely appear in the future.

Death Stranding was Kojima Production's first title independent from Konami. It released for the PlayStation 4 in November 2019, with a PC release following in July 2022. The title was also made available for PlayStation 5 in September 2021. This was the Director's Cut version, which saw the addition of several quality of life features and some new content.

The post Norman Reedus Reveals Death Stranding Sequel in Production appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 11:30 AM
    

New Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Trailer Focuses on Black Eagles Characters

Another Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes trailer is here, and this time it involves Black Eagles characters from the Adrestian Empire. As with the Faerghus Blue Lion characters, they will look a bit different than they did in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. This is due to the timing and setting for this Musou.

As in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes will involve players following routes connected to certain factions. This will influence the story and the people around you.

Like the Blue Lions character trailer, the Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Black Eagles one begins with its leader, Edelgard. People get a chance to see her close up and her character portrait. Then, they can see her attack with her axe. After that, her second-in-command Hubert appears. He uses magic to rain down pain on enemies.

From there, other members of the house appear. First, Dorothea shows up to use magic. Bernadetta appears with her bow after. Ferdinand shows up on horseback with his lance next. Caspar wields an axe for his segment. Meanwhile, Petra comes armed with two daggers for quick strikes. The trailer ends with a look at Linhardt, who also uses magic to attack.

Here's the full Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Adrestian Empire starring the Black Eagles characters.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes will come to the Nintendo Switch on June 24, 2022.

The post New Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Trailer Focuses on Black Eagles Characters appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 11:00 AM
    

Suda5 New Game

A new Suda51 game could potentially be announced at the end of 2022 or early in 2023. This information appeared during the NetEase Connect 2022 livestream, in which he appeared to discuss his future plans. Outside of teasing a new project announcements, Goichi "Suda51" Suda also spoke about his hopes for other creations. [Thanks, Game Watch!]

During the livestream, Suda51 stated that he would like to "create projects focused and directed towards a younger audience." No further information about either project was revealed during the livestream. Nor did he provide any hints as to what the future game related announcement could entail.

The segment with Suda51 mentioning the possible new game begins at roughly the 27 minute mark. You can watch the livestream below.

[embed]https://youtu.be/XEnGBQp5Bh8[/embed]

The livestream also revealed an entirely new studio under Grasshopper Manufacture called Yabukiri Studio. While Suda51 discussed plans for future projects, a video of a new mural being created for Yabukiri Studio played in the background. The mural features iconography associated with Grasshopper Manufacture titles, such as the star seen in No More Heroes.

In previous interviews, Suda51 spoke in length about his involvement and creation of titles like Shadows of the Damned and No More Heroes. In October 2021, Suda51 revealed that Grasshopper Manufacture owned the Shadows of the Damned IP, and how certain characters from it tied into the narrative of No More Heroes 3.

The post New Suda51 Game May Be Announced at End of 2022 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 10:30 AM
    

The Aether, Lumine, and Paimon Genshin Impact Funko Pop figures will get some friends, as Diluc and Keqing ones will also appear.

More Genshin Impact Funko Pop figures are on the way, with Diluc and Keqing among the second batch. Following the 2.7 Special Program update on May 20, 2022, HoYoVerse went on Twitter to announce three new figures are in the works. Funko and Mindstyle are involved. There's no exact release date for them yet. However, wave two will feature Diluc, Keqing, and a Hilichurl.

All three characters have been in the game since it launched in September 2020. Both Diluc and Keqing are five-star characters available in all Genshin Impact banners. The Hilichurl is the most basic enemy in-game. It is found in every region and area so far.

The announcement also teased the already revealed Genshin Impact Funko Pop Aether, Lumine, and Paimon figures. Those were first announced back in March 2022. They still don't have an exact release date, but the latest announcement stated they will appear "soon."

The Genshin Impact Funko Pop line will begin with Aether, Lumine, and Paimon, with Diluc, Keqing, and Hilichurl figures in development. Genshin Impact is available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and mobile devices. A Nintendo Switch version is on the way. The 2.7 update will appear for the game on May 31, 2022.

The post Diluc and Keqing Genshin Impact Funko Pop Figures Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 10:00 AM
    

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak - Bow

Capcom published more weapon videos for Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak on the game franchise's YouTube channel. The Bow and Gunlance are some of the weapons that have received a new video in the third wave.

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak's Gunlance will have Bullet Barrage as an alternative Silkbind Attack for Ground Splitter. The Hunter will shoot backward to propel themselves forward and then launch another powerful shot towards the target. The Switch Skill Swap feature will also let the user choose between Wyrmstake Cannon and the new Erupting Cannon.

[tnm_video layout="mnmd-post-media"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCmy6xUrNiA[/tnm_video]

Charge Blade will have Ready Stance as an alternative to Counter Peak Performance that lets the user parry a monster's attack. Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak will also add a new Firing Pin version of the Phial Follow-up and a Spinning version of the Condensed Attack.

[tnm_video layout="mnmd-post-media"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCV4zA0Wop0[/tnm_video]

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak Bow users will have a new Butcher's Bind attack. It will make the next arrow that hits the same spot deal severing damage. The Hunter can also instantly switch to Aerial Aim, which shares the same button input. It will also add Stake Thrust as an alternative to the Melee Attack.

[tnm_video layout="mnmd-post-media"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSIAriabitg[/tnm_video]

Capcom also published the Hunting Horn video one day earlier. The weapon will have a new Silkbind Shockwave that adds more hits to the next few attacks. The Switch Skill Swap feature will also let the Hunter choose Swing Combo as an alternative to Crush Attack Combo.

[tnm_video layout="mnmd-post-media"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-DA6jBrsBg[/tnm_video]

The first two waves showcased weapons like the Switch Axe and Great Sword. Out of the fourteen weapon types available in Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak, only the Lance, Dual Blades, Long Sword, and Light Bowgun have yet to receive their own videos as of this writing.

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak will launch for Nintendo Switch and PC simultaneously worldwide on June 30, 2022.

The post Third Wave of Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak Weapon Videos Released appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 9:30 AM
    

With the 2.7 update, Genshin Impact players will take on a new Archon Quest in The Chasm that involves Yelan, Xiao, and the yakshas.

The Genshin Impact 2.7 release date is May 31, 2022, and it will bring an Archon Quest that discusses Liyue's yakshas like Xiao. The presentation revealed another Interlude Chapter. This means it will be another one that helps set the stage before the next chapter appears and takes the Traveler to Sumeru.

Both new and old characters will feature prominently in the Genshin Impact Archon Quest. Once again, everyone will find themselves in The Chasm in Liyue. There were hints about Yelan being in the area. Now, she'll confirm her presence and explain there's an investigation going on. Xiao and Yanfei will also both be there, and it will offer more details about the yakshas who once fought evil to protect Liyue.

Here's the official trailer for the update, which begins with a look at the story for the new Archon Quest.

In addition, the Genshin Impact 2.7 Special Program involved codes for free Primogems and other items. Here are the ones people can redeem on May 20, 2022.

  • LANVJSFUD6CM: 100 Primogems and 10 Mystic Enhancement Ore
  • DTNUKTWCC6D9: 100 Primogems and 5 Hero's Wits
  • HSNUKTXCCPWV: 100 Primogems and 50,000 Mora

Genshin Impact is available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and mobile devices. A Nintendo Switch version is on the way. The Genshin Impact 2.7 release date is May 31, 2022 and will include an Archon Quest involving the yakshas.

The post Genshin Impact 2.7 Archon Quest Involves Yelan, Xiao, and the Yakshas appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 9:00 AM
    

The 2.7 Genshin Impact update will start with a Yelan banner and Xiao rerun banner, with an Itto rerun banner with Shinobu following it.

Yelan Banner and Itto and Xiao Rerun Banners Coming to Genshin Impact

The 2.7 Genshin Impact Special Program came and went it, and with it was a confirmation that a Yelan banner and Itto and Xiao rerun banners will appear for the game. In addition, Kuki Shinobu will appear as a new four-star in this update, as will the signature Yelan bow Aqua Simulacra. Yelan will also get a story quest, while Shinobu will have her own hangout.

First, the announcement involved details about when the banners will appear. When the 2.7 update launches for Genshin Impact, the Yelan banner and Xiao rerun banner will appear. The four-stars who will also be there weren't announced. After those two banners are finished, the Itto rerun banner will appear. In addition to him, Shinobu will debut there Which is fitting, seeing as she is also a member of the Arataki gang.

Here's a teaser showing off Yelan.

And here's a Shinobu video.

Yelan's story quest will be called Umbrabilis Orchis Chapter. Its first act will be available via a story key once 2.7 is available. Shinobu's hangout event first act will be available after the update as well. It is called "The Gang's Daily Deeds."

Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices. A Nintendo Switch version is on the way. The 2.7 update will arrive on May 31, 2022. After which, the Yelan banner and Xiao rerun banner will immediately appear. The Itto rerun banner with Shinobu will appear after that.

The post Yelan Banner and Xiao and Itto Rerun Banners Coming to Genshin Impact appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 7:30 AM
    

Project Tritri

There's a new RPG coming out this year, and it has a fair number of industry veterans working on the project. Project TriTri, as it's tentatively named, is an action RPG coming out sometime in Q2 2022. Notably, working on the project are artists, composers, and scenario writers from Xenoblade Chronicles, the Mana series, Octopath Traveler, and more. Further details, including the game's official title, will be announced on May 26, 2022. [Thanks, Gamer!]

The project's official website provides interested fans with a brief rundown. The game, which will be an entirely new IP, will focus on "reviving the golden age of '90s RPGs for the modern age." Releasing for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5, it will follow a young man who learns that he is the chosen Warrior of Chaos. It will support solo play, as well as up to three-person multiplayer.

https://twitter.com/TriTri_info/status/1527484264320708608?s=20&t=nY5VLyhtPzTiG9d52_t--g

The website also goes through some of the people at the helm of the project. Working on world design is Nobuteru Yuki, who worked as a character designer on Chrono Cross and illustrator on Trials of Mana. The game's character designer is Raita Kazama of Xenoblade Chronicles fame. Yura Kubota, the writer for Octopath Traveler, is writing the scenario. The game's composer is Hiroki Kikuta, who worked on the soundtrack for both Trials of Mana and Secret of Mana.

Additionally, according to the game's design documents, the RPG will reportedly feature summonable familiars. Designing these unnamed familiars will be famous Pokemon designers Atsuko Nishida, Tomohiro Kitakaze, and Megumi Mizutani. Developing the game is Three Rings Design, the studio that helped develop Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town.

You can check out some of the design documents and art for Project TriTri in the screenshots below:

[gallery columns="4" link="file" ids="927575,927580,927573,927572"]

Finally, for those interested in solving riddles, the Twitter account is hosting a competition where fans can guess the title of the game. Three winners will receive Amazon gift cards worth 10,000 yen (about $77). If you want a hint, you should take a look a second look at the project's website.

Further details surrounding Project TriTri and its official title will appear sometime on May 26, 2022. The game is expected to release sometime in Q2 2022 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.

The post Xenoblade and Mana Series Veterans Are Teasing a New RPG appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 7:00 AM
    

The Square Enix Store has a Kingdom Hearts Kingdom Key Keyblade replica available for pre-order. What makes this handheld replica unique is that it is able to project light from the top of the Keyblade. It is immediately available to pre-order in Japan, North America, and Europe. It will cost $59.99 and will ship sometime in January 2023 in North America. It will release in Japan on September 17, 2022.

While the Kingdom Hearts Kingdom Key Keyblade handheld replica is capable of lighting the way, the projection it emits is more than just a ray of light. The light projected from the Keyblade replica will take the form of a keyhole. It also comes with a keychain featuring the King Mickey motif. You can take a look at the item below.

[gallery columns="4" ids="927577,927578,927579,927581" link="file"]

Square Enix has announced the production and release of more than a handful of pieces of Kingdom Hearts merchandise. Some of these items have been announced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series. Previously, Square Enix revealed it would release a line of inspired luggage for the series' anniversary.

Other anniversary items have included a pin set, which features pieces of key artwork from the series made into pins. The set also includes pins featuring prominent characters from various Kingdom Hearts games.

The post Kingdom Hearts Kingdom Key Handheld Replica Can Light Up appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 6:30 AM
    

Fate Grand Order USA

The English-language edition of Fate/Grand Order (aka FGO USA) was released almost two years after the launch of the original Japanese edition in 2015. Aniplex opted to mostly maintain the same content pacing as the original game at the time. Thus, story developments and new events arrived on a two-year delay compared to Japan. That hasn't held true, though, for technical enhancements and new systems. A case in point is the latest addition: Servant Coins and Append Skills.

According to an announcement delivered by Director Yoshiki Kanou in a Developer's Diary video, Fate/Grand Order USA will receive the Servant Coin and Append Skill systems on May 23, 2022.

Check out the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y70gpPq5t64

The arrival of Servant Coins and Append Skills in FGO USA comes almost a year earlier than those systems were added to the game in Japan. Had the updates to FGO USA followed the original pacing as Japan, they'd have arrived around mid-2023.

As for what the systems actually do, they're ways to further strengthen high-level Servants. In FGO, each Servant has a maximum level that is determined by their rarity. 1-star Servants have a maximum level of 60, while 5-Star Servants go up to level 90. This cap can be raised further through "Palingenesis," a process involving "feeding" a Holy Grail item and resources to a selected Servant. This practice, also called "Grailing," raises the maximum level cap, maxing out at level 100. This allows high-rarity Servants to become even more powerful, while low-rarity characters can be leveled to be viable in more challenging content.

Servant Coins are a new currency earned by rolling duplicate copies of a Servant in the summoning, gaining Bond levels by using the Servant in combat, and awarded in events. Players can use Servant Coins and resources to further increase the level cap beyond 100, to a new maximum of level 120.

Servant Coins can also be used to unlock "Append Skills." Append Skills are passive effects that activate when the Servant enters battle. Each Servant has three, which are unlocked separately through Servant Coin payment and leveled up by paying QP and other resources. Append Skill effects vary, but include benefits like starting a battle with a certain amount of Noble Phantasm gauge charged, increasing a Servant's damage against a certain class, or boosting specific attributes. In essence, Append Skills allow a player to invest even further into their strongest Servants.

Other updates to FGO USA were detailed in the video, such as updating more Servants' Noble Phantasm animations to use the whole screen and a "Push! Servant" function allowing players to highlight a favorite Servant to friends and followers. Given the costs of Servant Coins and Append Skill unlocks, Lasengle is also doubling the limit for QP storage to 2 Billion QP, up from 999 million.

Fate/Grand Order USA is available on Android and iOS. The latest update is scheduled for May 23, 2022. The next Lostbelt chapter, 6.5, will launch in the Japanese edition in June 2022.

The post Fate/Grand Order USA Gets Append Skills, Servant Coins Early appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 6:00 AM
    

SINoALICE NieR Reincarnation

Square Enix announced that SINoALICE will see a NieR Reincarnation crossover event appear on May 23, 2022. However, characters from throughout the NieR series will appear as part of the crossover. This includes characters that were available to obtain through the NieR Replicant and NieR: Automata crossover events. They will reappear at the same time NieR Reincarnation characters will appear in SINoALICE as part of the crossover.

The characters from NieR Reincarnation that will be available to obtain are 2P (Paladin) and Fio & Mama (Crusher). Square Enix has shared artwork of how the two characters will appear in SINoALICE. 2P is seen wielding some kind of spear, whereas Fio is joined by Mama and has a floating ball and chain behind her. This is similar to the weapons these characters can wield in NieR Reincarnation.

You can take a look below.

[embed]https://twitter.com/sinoalice_jp/status/1527560256523358209[/embed]

Other characters from previous NieR series crossovers players can obtain during the event period include Brother NieR (Paladin) and 2B (Breaker). Players who initially missed the NieR Replicant and NieR: Automata crossover event stories will have the opportunity to experience them.

SINoALICE and NieR Reincarnation are both available for Android and iOS devices. The crossover event will appear on May 23, 2022, on the Japanese client of the game.

The post SINoALICE and NieR Reincarnation Crossover Announced appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 5:30 AM
    

Xbox Series Sales

The week of May 9 to 15, 2022 saw a first in the console hardware sales race: Microsoft's Xbox Series console sales surpassed those of Sony's PlayStation 5 for the first time. Since their releases, both the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S have maintained 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, in Japanese hardware sales charts. [Thanks, Famitsu.]

According to Famitsu's weekly sales figures, the combined Xbox Series console sales numbered 6,225 units sold. This outstrips the 2,693 PS5 units moved in the same period. The figures cover the combined sales of both variants of each console, the Series X and Series S for Xbox, and the Disc and Digital editions of the PS5. Nintendo maintained its commanding lead, with buyers picking up 65,322 Switches across the original, OLED, and Lite versions. The PS4 moved a mere 22 units.

Nintendo also virtually locked out the software sales charts in Japan, with the top ten best-selling games of the week all belonging to the Switch. In the lead was Nintendo Switch Sports, followed by Kirby and the Forgotten Land in 2nd place. The only games not also on Switch to chart in the top 30 spots for the week were Elden Ring and Gran Turismo 7, both on PS4.

The Xbox Series sales figures also provide a more detailed picture of Microsoft's milestone. Of the 6,225 units sold last week, 98% (6,120) were of the Xbox Series S model. There are significant hardware differences between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The Xbox Series S has a less powerful GPU, less RAM, and about half the built-in storage of the X model. These differences generally bear out in graphical features (like ray-tracing) and resolution capabilities such as achieving 4k resolution, as well as performance in certain titles. The S model is also considerably cheaper and smaller, potentially appealing to Japanese customers with limited space for hardware. By comparison, the PS5's Disc and Digital editions are identical, save for the presence of a Blu-ray disc drive. In any case, regardless of their sales ranking, the Xbox Series consoles are doing much better in Japan than the Xbox One. Some credit the improved performance to Microsoft's popular Xbox Game Pass service, which grants access to many first-party exclusive titles as well as cloud-based game streaming to mobile devices and PCs.

As for the reason behind last week's milestone, supply constraints on Sony's side may play more of a role than a surge in performance for Xbox Series sales. After the PS5 passed 19.7 million units sold, Sony warned that despite a higher sales forecast for the coming fiscal year, it expected supply shortages to continue into 2023. Hardware shipments are also down across the board compared to the previous week. For example, over the week of April 25 to May 8, 2022, Microsoft moved 14,118 Xbox Series consoles. Sony moved 49,798 PS5s, and Nintendo sold 76,592 Switches.

The PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series consoles are sold worldwide, where supplies are available.

The post Xbox Series Sales Surpass PS5 for First Time in Japan appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Friday, May 20, 2022 5:00 AM
    

One Piece Odyssey Gameplay

Bandai Namco dropped new details on One Piece Odyssey gameplay, one of the first in-system looks at the game since its announcement in March 2022. Prior reveals focused more on characters, art, and series creator Eiichiro Oda's involvement.

The information was published in the current issue of Japan's V Jump manga magazine, as well as shared on Twitter and via an update to the One Piece Odyssey official site gameplay section.

https://twitter.com/opgame_official/status/1527461607277637632

The site update consists of screenshots that show the two halves of One Piece Odyssey gameplay: Battle and Adventure.

One Piece Gameplay

The Adventure portion of the game involves exploring environments and getting past obstacles using the unique skills of the Straw Hat Pirates. The site mentions using things like Luffy's qualities as a Rubber Man or Frankie's ability to improvise tools and ways forward. Other screens show Zoro cutting through an iron gate with his sword and Chopper standing quietly in a cave.

One Piece Battle Gameplay

The Battle gameplay screens from One Piece Odyssey also confirm that the game operates on a familiar turn-based command-style battle system. The team strives to make things unique to One Piece by allowing players to "achieve victory by involving the Straw Hat Pirates."

An accompanying screen shows off the battle interface as well. In the screen, Luffy, Nico, Nami, and Sanji face off against some monsters. Battle Actions can be selected using shoulder buttons, with the triangle button appearing to determine "Strategy."  A warning at the top of the screen instructs players to "Move Sanji to Robin's area and defeat 1 enemy before Robin is incapacitated!" implying that various opportunities can come up mid-battle. The characters also appear to have "elemental" qualities in a rock-paper-scissors-like triangle. For example, Luffy and Sanji are assigned red fists, which have an advantage against orange guns (Nami's "element"), which in turn beat green swords (Robin's "element"). Other screens of the One Piece Odyssey battle gameplay show Luffy performing the Gum-Gum Gatling move on a creature.

Other elements of the system include cooperative techniques called "Kizuna Arts," a "Scramble Area" system (the warning from the battle interface screen refers to this), and "Dramatic Scenes," referring to mid-battle actions that play out in mini-cutscenes and confer bonuses.

One Piece Odyssey is in development for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and is due for release in 2022.

The post One Piece Odyssey Battle Gameplay Screenshots Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, May 20, 2022 10:30 AM
     Valorant Ranked Pick And Ban System ResponseThe release of Valorant Episode 4 Act II did not release any new content into the game. The content restarted with Act III, where Fade became the latest agent who has been popular in ranked and unrated modes. Speaking of ranked play, Valorant players have been calling for a pick/ban system to be added to this mode. There are seven maps in the competitive rotation and some are preferred more than others. A pick and ban feature would allow players to choose the maps they want to play, and the maps they want to keep out of the mix. After all, the VCT competitive circuit allows teams to select and ban maps before a series. However, Riot has not seemed so keen on the idea in regular ranked play.   Riot responds to fans hoping for a pick/ban system in Valorant If you are wanting to see a pick and ban system in Valorant, do not get your hopes up. In a recent Ask Valorant blog, Riot stated that it doesn't have any plans for this in the regular ranked mode. Competitive Designer Jon W...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Friday, May 20, 2022 9:00 AM
     Elden Ring MarketingFromSoftware games have a knack for telling stories that seem vague on the surface but conceal a mountain of depth. Cutscenes are few and far between, and a lot of the understanding comes from reading item descriptions, parsing environmental clues, and watching lore experts like VaatiVidya. With Elden Ring, FromSoftware has not only made one of the most celebrated open-world RPGs in a long while, but also the studio's most approachable story to date. Part of the reason for that approachability comes from the marketing for Elden Ring. The trailers leading up to the game's release built intrigue, expanded upon events that are only briefly shown in the final game, and even showed major spoilers that would make no sense without the proper context. This is how the marketing of Elden Ring helped players understand the lore.   Elden Ring spoilers to follow. The marketing expands on the lore of Elden Ring When players first boot up Elden Ring, they'll be presented with a brief b...

Tabletop Gaming News Friday, May 20, 2022 11:00 AM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Friday, May 20, 2022 10:00 AM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Friday, May 20, 2022 9:00 AM
    

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Friday, May 20, 2022 12:00 PM
     Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set in olden times in the Pokemon world when it was rare to find harmony between people and Pokemon. Set in the Hisui region, modern-day Sinnoh, you will join the Galaxy Expedition Team (Galaxy Team for short) as a member of the Survey Corps stationed in Jubilife Village. You will be […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Friday, May 20, 2022 11:00 AM
     Fade can play the Attacking and Defending sides equally well on Haven. Her Signature Ability – Haunt – will make quick work of site Defense and Retakes on the triple bombsite map. Riot Games equipped Fade with balance in mind – she is a great Initiator Agent not just for Attacking but also for Defending […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Friday, May 20, 2022 10:15 AM
     Watch Announce Trailer for Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova While Star Trek may be taking its time to come back to the big screen, several properties have managed to come out on television. The kid-friendly animated Star Trek Prodigy premiered last year, and now a new game based on the show has been announced. Watch the […]

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Friday, May 20, 2022 11:00 AM
    

Fans have been waiting for Bethesda's next major open-world RPG since the disappointing mess that was Fallout 76. We were eager for the next Skyrim, an expansive game with multiple factions, complex morality, and the freedom to explore a vast and lively open world. In 2018, Bethesda gave us what we wanted with the announcement […]

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