Jan 26, 21:00


GamersHeroes Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:00 PM
    

If you've been playing Pokemon Legends Arceus for a bit then you probably have tried to throw a Pokeball in combat. Check out this guide to find out how to throw Pokeballs in battle in Pokemon Legends Arceus. This way you can catch the Pokemon that you put to sleep or paralyze.

The post How To Throw Pokeballs In Battle In Pokemon Legends Arceus appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:40 PM
    

Espeon is another form that Eevee can take when evolving in Pokemon Legends Arceus. Check out this guide to find out how to evolve Eevee into Espeon in Pokemon Legends Arceus. This way you don't get the wrong Eeveeloution.

The post How Evolve Eevee Into Espeon In Pokemon Legends Arceus appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:20 PM
    

Sylveon is another form that Eevee can take when evolving it in Pokemon Legends Arceus. Check out this guide to find out how to evolve Eevee into Sylveon in Pokemon Legends Arceus. This way you don't get the wrong Eeveeloution.

The post How To Evolve Eevee Into Sylveon In Pokemon Legends Arceus appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:08 PM
    

Eevee has a bunch of different forms you can evolve into and one of them is Umbreon. Check out this guide to find out how to evolve Eevee in Umbreon in Pokemon Legends Arceus. This way you don't get the wrong Eeveeloution.

The post How To Evolve Eevee In Umbreon In Pokemon Legends Arceus appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:10 PM
    

In December 2021, a team of archaeologists working in Oman made the only type of discovery that would get their work covered on a site like this: they dug up a board game dating back approximately 4000 years, and which it's thought could be an ancient ancestor to Backgammon.

Read more...


Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 6:40 PM
    

The Crusader Kings series has long supported same-sex relationships in certain forms, but thanks to the way so much of the games have been built around historical ideas of marriage and succession, if players wanted gay characters to get hitched, they had to use mods.

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:10 PM
    

We can all agree that NFTs suck, right? They chew through energy like termites eating wood and shit out a ton of greenhouse gas emissions, destroying our world one crypto sell at a time. On top of that, you don't get anything physical, just a digital certificate of blockchain ownership. Thankfully, the internet is…

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:00 PM
    

Last night, Microsoft announced that Halo Infinite has been played by more than 20 million people since its surprise release last November. In other words, at any given moment, up to 20 million people (or more!) are engaged in roiling debate over some aspect of how developer 343 Industries runs its hit game. This…

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:00 PM
    

The behemoth has been slayed, literally. Starting this afternoon, you'll no longer see Halo Infinite's worst mode (capture the flag) appear on Halo Infinite's worst map (Behemoth) in ranked playlists. Halo senior community manager John Junyszek confirmed the news in a post over on the Halo Waypoint forums today.

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:45 PM
    

Navi. That simple, two-syllable word is enough to send even diehard Legend of Zelda fans into a tailspin. But as it turns out, even Shigeru Miyamoto–the legendary designer behind the action-adventure franchise and countless other Nintendo properties–felt a touch of frustration toward Link's annoying fairy sidekick…

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PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:49 PM
     WW2 game Post Scriptum has a new map that recreates the Battle of Crete

WW2 game Post Scriptum has a brand new map set in one of the lesser-known battlefields of the war: the island of Crete, which was the site of a heated showdown between Allied and Axis forces in May and June of 1941. The new map, Maleme, is the first Post Scriptum map created independently by a third-party studio, Mercury Arts.

The map recreates the Battle of Crete, which was the first massed used of German Fallschirmjäger paratroopers. Defending the island is New Zealand's 2nd NZ Division, who are attempting to keep the Germans from capturing the key airfield on Crete. Should the airfield fall to the Germans, they'll be easily reinforce the invaders, and the Allies will have to retreat from the island.

Maleme features the hot, sandy island terrain of the Mediterranean, and it'll be joined by additional maps as part of Mercury Arts' independently produced 'Chapter Mercury' addition to Post Scriptum. In the post announcing the launch of the chapter, the studio says it's working on adding the Greek 5th Cretan Division, the Australian 16th Infantry Brigade, and the Italian 50th Infantry Division in future updates.


PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:06 PM
     Hunt: Showdown's next update adds new daily rewards and weapon variants

Update 1.7.2 for PvPvE multiplayer game Hunt: Showdown arrives tomorrow, January 27. The patch addresses some of the performance issues Hunt players have been reporting since December, but it also adds some new weapon variants, reward systems, and balance changes that should make (after) life on the bayou even more exciting.

First up, there are the new weapon variants. The Scottfield revolver has three new variants to unlock, while the Berthier rifle has a new 'deadeye' variant. In order of unlock on the Scottfield tree, you have the new snubnose Scottfield Spitfire, the stock-mounted Scottfield Precision, and Scottfield Swift, which trades the ability to top off its ammo with speedloaders that get the job done six rounds at a time. Winfield and Winfield C variants will be able to equip full metal jacket rounds that have increased wall penetration and a higher effective range.

There are new daily rewards to chase in Hunt: Showdown coming with the 1.7.2 update as well. Each day, every hunter on your roster will be eligible for a one-time first bounty extraction bonus, which adds a bonus 15% to hunter XP and a bonus 20% to any Hunt dollars earned in the mission, as long as you successfully extract with a bounty token.

RELATED LINKS: Hunt: Showdown review

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:03 PM
     Valve has officially announced the Steam Deck release date

Valve has finally announced the launch date for its handheld PC, the Steam Deck. Customers who reserved Steam Decks with deposits last summer will begin getting invites to complete their orders on February 25. The first Steam Deck units will then begin shipping February 28.

Here's how Valve says it'll work for customers who reserved Steam Decks last year. At some point on or around February 25, you'll receive an order email from Valve that invites you to complete your Steam Deck purchase. You'll have three days from the time of that email to login and order your Steam Deck, and any reservations that aren't completed in that time will be released and given to the next person in the virtual line.

Valve says invites will start going out at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT February 25, and they'll be sent in the same order that they were received. You'll only be able to order the Steam Deck model you reserved - you can't upgrade or downgrade to a different Steam Deck.

RELATED LINKS: Steam Deck – everything we know, Best Steam Deck games, Which of Valve's Steam Decks should you pick up?

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:32 PM
     Best graphics card – what is the top graphics card for gaming in 2022?

The ongoing battle between AMD and Nvidia to produce the best graphics card has never been more intense, with the Radeon RX 6900 XT hot on the heels of the GeForce RTX 3090. However, 2022 will see Intel jump into the fray with its Arc Alchemist cards, but it remains to be seen whether they'll be able to stand up to upcoming RDNA 3 or RTX 4000 GPUs.

You'll find budget offerings from both AMD and Nvidia's respective product stacks, but you might save even more cash by grabbing a GPU of yesteryear on the used market. Even graphics cards from a few generations ago are still more than capable of running esports titles like League of Legends, CS:GO, or Valorant.

For those who must have the most performance, price be damned, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Ti will likely become the king of GPUs when it launches later this year. However, it's worth bearing in mind that you'll want to pair this kind of GPU with the best gaming CPU on the market, else you'll encounter processor bottlenecks in many videogames.

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

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:53 PM
    

My personal top Twitter tip: add pleasant breaks to the nightmares of your feed by following a few good image accounts or bots which regularly post nice things. I like accounts which post rock formations or bots which generate landscapes. Perhaps you find comfort in violence? If so, you might enjoy interrupting your doomscrolling with the Doomscroll Doom Bot, a Twitter bot which is very slowly posting a complete playthrough of Ultimate Doom, one frame every hour.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:21 PM
    

After a short delay at the end of last year, Valve have announced their portable Steam Deck PC is officially launching on February 25th. Sort of. The very first units won't actually ship until February 28th at the earliest, but the 25th is the day Valve will be sending out their first batch of order emails to existing reservation holders.

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Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:15 PM
    

Dying Light 2: Stay Human is slowly shambling closer to its February release date, and Techland has been offering up more details on how the game's world and city is built. In a new video, Dying Light 2 environment art director Katarzyna Tarnacka talks about the little details of the world, including the street art […]

The post Dying Light 2 Environment Art Director Talks Street Art, Graphics, & Building Immersion appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:49 PM
    

It's been a whole four years since the release of Celeste, 2018's indie darling and one of the toughest 2D platformer games we've played in recent years, and also one of the most uplifting. In celebration of the game's fourth anniversary, creator Maddy Thorson has published a blog post thanking fans for their support and […]

The post Celeste Creator Celebrates Game's 4th Anniversary By Thanking Fans & Acknowledging Personal Growth appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:30 PM
    

The Mortal Kombat franchise got a movie adaptation last year (no, not the 1995 one with the awesome music), and was released to critical acclaim. While the movie deviated slightly from the games by introducing a brand new and original character, Cole Young, as the main protagonist, it was still deeply rooted in the lore […]

The post Mortal Kombat Movie Greenlit For a Sequel, Brings In Jeremy Slater as Scriptwriter appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 6:05 PM
    

If you love the Danganronpa series, Good Smile Company has a treat for you coming down the line, a figure portraying Nagito Komaeda.

The post Danganronpa 2 Getting Affordable Nagito Komaeda Figure by Good Smile appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:05 PM
    

Earlier today, Team17 announced it will be working with Polish game dev creative house, Covenant.dev, led by former Witcher 3 producer Stan Just, to bring its single-player dark fantasy strategy game, Gord, to PC. In Gord, players will lead a group called the Tribe of the Dawn as they try to establish new settlements and […]

The post Team17 Picks Up Polish Dark Fantasy Strategy Title Gord appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:21 PM
    

The Uncharted movie is coming close, and Sony Pictures Entertainment is continuing to release small trailers and videos.

The post New Uncharted Movie Trailer Is All About Tom Holland's Stunts appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:53 PM
    

Today Valve announced the release date of their highly anticipated handheld PC console. The Steam Deck will launch on Feb. 25, roughly a month from today. This release isn't entirely open, however. The Feb. 25 release date will only include those that reserved their order last year when the Steam Deck was revealed. When that […]

The post Steam Deck Finally Gets Its Release Date appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:21 PM
    

Today Microsoft and Asobo Studio hosted a livestream showcasing upcoming plans for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The post Microsoft Flight Simulator World Update Spain & Portugal, Beechcraft Model 17, 2022 Roadmap, & More Announced appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:41 PM
    

What is the only thing better than Hellboy and giant Mechagodzilla-style robots? A Giant Robot Hellboy Statue. And that is exactly what Dark Horse Direct has just unveiled for fans of Mike Mignola's epic sci-fi fantasy series. Standing in at ~12" inches tall and towering over a destroyed city base that is ~ 6" inches […]

The post Dark Horse Direct Unveils Gorgeous Giant Robot Hellboy Statue appeared first on Twinfinite.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:00 PM
    

The Overture of ELDEN RING Book Will Debut in February

People will have a chance to read about Elden Ring in a book before playing it. Yen Press will release The Overture of Elden Ring on February 3, 2022. This ebook will offer insight into the game and its development. It's described as a "primer" for it.

There aren't many details about what will be in the book. It does mention an interview with FromSoftware Director Hidetaka Miyazaki will be in it. The November 2021 network test will be discussed as well. People might see art from the game. In addition, other Soulslikes like Bloodborne and Dark Souls will appear.

Here is a full look at the cover for The Overture of Elden Ring.
The Overture of ELDEN RING Book Will Debut in February

As for the game itself, things seem to be on schedule. Bandai Namco and FromSoftware confirmed it went gold at the Taipei Game Show 2022. This means the master version already shipped out and development is officially done. Producer Yasuhiro Kitao also noted at that time that someone who doesn't want to do and see everything could probably beat the game in around 30 hours.

Yen Press' The Overture of Elden Ring book will be available digitally on February 3, 2022. Elden Ring will release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC on February 25, 2022.

The post The Overture of Elden Ring Book Will Debut in February appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:00 PM
    

First FFXI Alter Ego Extravaganza of 2022 Dated

People will soon have access to the next Alter Ego Extravaganza in FFXI. Square Enix announced the New Year's Alter Ego Expo is about to kick off. Instead of happening in January 2022, it will begin on February 1, 2022. As usual, one of the two sets of characters will be available. This time, the Set A characters will be available to get.

There are 26 Alter Egos available total in FFXI, and during an Extravaganza event about half are available. These tend to be available in two batches. The official site confirmed which half of the NPCs wwill show up for people to get this time.

Here's the full list of characters whose Trusts will be available.

  • Elivira
  • Ferreous Coffin
  • Gilgamesh
  • Joachim
  • Kayeel-Payeel
  • Kukki-Chebukki
  • Leonoyne
  • Lhu Mhakaracca
  • Margret
  • Maximilian
  • Mihli Aliapoh
  • Noillurie
  • Tenzen
  • Valaineral

As a reminder, you have to be level five or higher to start using Trust magic in FFXI. Once you go through the initiation questline, you can begin summoning alter egos. You can have three of these NPC allies around at once when playing by yourself.

Final Fantasy XI is available for PCs. The New Year's Alter Ego Expo extravaganza will run February 1-28, 2022.

The post First FFXI Alter Ego Extravaganza of 2022 Dated appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:00 PM
    

A few close calls almost broke the chain When I first heard about Wordle, the free and pure daily word-guessing...

The post Is your Wordle streak still going? appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 6:00 PM
    

Yet another reason why Animal Crossing has been a bright spot in the pandemic We've heard it our whole lives:...

The post Animal Crossing is teaching pandemic babies what museums are appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:30 PM
    

My favorite thing on the internet this week, by far In what I can safely say is the gaming-related highlight...

The post This novelty Twitter bot morphs your weird tweets into Dark Souls items appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:00 PM
    

Two more classics from the archives, Dood NIS America has announced a release date for the localized edition of its...

The post Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 2 heads west this May appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:30 PM
    

The most recent silver screen production of Mortal Kombat is getting a sequel New Line's Mortal Kombat is reportedly greenlit for a follow-up. Deadline...

The post Mortal Kombat movie has a sequel in the works appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:55 PM
    

Service is back up after widespread outages [Update: Discord has updated its status, saying everyone's connection should be fully restored....

The post Discord is back, after investigating a widespread API outage (Update) appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:00 PM
    

Just watch it if you have limited edition sets As a reminder, Nintendo is still offering free Joy-Con repairs in...

The post PSA: You can still get free Joy-Con repairs for Switch drift appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:30 PM
    

The first reservation holders of Valve's new hardware can start ordering on February 25 It's just about time for the...

The post Valve's Steam Deck orders will start rolling out in February appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:00 PM
    

Continued Operations The purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft last week has certainly put a very expensive cat among the...

The post Report: Call of Duty to get 'at least three' further PlayStation entries appeared first on Destructoid.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:30 PM
     Most Wanted Contracts Disabled In Call Of Duty Warzone As God Mode Glitch Appears (2)The enduring success of battle royale games lends developers and publishers a way to make serious bank off of a game for years on end. Nearly two years ago, Activision Blizzard got in on this with the release of Call of Duty: Warzone. The game has done well for the company and, being free to play and having the brand name behind it, it'll almost certainly continue to do well. Despite this, the game appears to be getting a bit of a fresh start next year, as Jason Schreier of Bloomberg is reporting that Call of Duty: Warzone 2 will launch next year. As for what exactly this means for Warzone, it's obviously quite unclear. Schreier only mentioned it amidst a list of planned series titles following the news that Microsoft would be acquiring Activision Blizzard. The likeliest scenario would probably be that the current game will get overhauled with improved visuals and notable changes, as opposed to starting entirely from scratch. But, considering what Call of Duty does annua...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:00 PM
     Resident Evil 4 HD trailer LeonMany regard Resident Evil 4 as one of the greatest games ever created, so naturally, it has seen more rereleases than one can count. A couple of those rereleases, namely the Wii port and the recently launched VR version, allowed players to experience this classic in a whole new way. While the fan-made Resident Evil 4 HD Project mod does not change the experience quite as much as those two did, it nonetheless looks insanely impressive and ambitious, which only makes sense since it remained in development for around eight years. This long wait will finally come to a close on February 2, but before then, fans can enjoy this final trailer for Resident Evil 4 HD Project that the modders put together ahead of release. In total, this new trailer lasts around five minutes, more than enough time for fans to appreciate all of the hard work that went into this mod. Many HD touchups of classic games look disappointingly sloppy or garish in execution, but this mod absolutely nails that fine bala...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:30 PM
     Halo Infinite behemoth ctf ranked removedThe latest Halo continues to see some troubles regarding its multiplayer mode. Not only has Big Team Battle been busted since December, a recent hotfix didn't do enough in the ways of repair. Earlier today, developer 343 Industries announced that another change is coming. The ranked CTF mode on the map Behemoth has been removed from Halo Infinite due to it "not performing in ranked as intended." For those wondering, the Behemoth map is the one in the desert with two bases facing each other. It's generally used for Team Slayer and Capture the Flag. It includes wide-open areas, perfect for those who go after the sniper rifle spawns on the sides of the map. Behemoth is also large enough to include vehicles such as the Banshee and Ghost. But it is the maps open-ended design that is the crux of the issues.   According to 343, Behemoth doesn't mesh well with ranked CTF, which is why the map and mode combo got removed from Halo Infinite today. The use of ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:00 PM
     Diablo newsActivision Blizzard has had a roller coaster of a week, from company acquisitions to new game announcements. But what the fans really want to know is: when will we get some news about Overwatch 2 and the next Diablo game? Fortunately, a Blizzard developer on Twitter confirmed that news for Overwatch and Diablo games is on the way, and we'll see them in the upcoming weeks. But as with any news surrounding Overwatch, I keep my expectations in check. In a Twitter post promoting a new upcoming survival game from the studio, a Twitter user inquired about whether or not Blizzard should make new games, as, according to them, they're already neglecting some of its other properties. Blizzard's Mike Ybarra replied with, "Blizzard is a big studio and we have talented and growing teams supporting live games as well. Over the coming weeks, you'll be hearing more on that from Warcraft and Overwatch. Diablo will follow. Stay tuned!"   I'm over watchin...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:00 PM
     Kao the Kangaroo trailer artMascot platformers dominated the gaming market during the 1990s, but they started to fall out of fashion when the 2000s rolled around. That did not stop some studios from delving into the genre, and although some of these attempts became quite successful, others quickly became forgotten. The latter fate happened to Kao the Kangaroo, a series of platformers debuting on the Dreamcast that received a middling reception from critics. Interestingly, back in 2020, developer Tate Multimedia chose to bring Kao the Kangaroo back from the dead, and now it has finally released an announcement trailer for nostalgic fans to enjoy. Looking at the trailer, this new Kao the Kangaroo game certainly looks colorful, and the gameplay evidently takes inspiration from a variety of sources. Many parts of the trailer depict large, open environments akin to those of collectathon platformers like Banjo-Kazooie.   Where else have I seen this before? As the trailer continues, it begins to look alarmingly ...

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 6:00 PM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:00 PM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:00 PM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:00 PM
    

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:46 PM
     Icebox is yet another map where everyone's meta-favorite Sentinel/Controller hybrid in Viper truly shines. Think of the following scenario for a while: Even if Viper is slapped with an imaginary handicap where she can only use her Toxic Screen and Snake Bite molly on Icebox, she will still be able to contribute and give a […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:13 PM
     World of Warships features about every notable warship, both new and old. The free-to-play World War II multiplayer online game's warship roster includes just about every Destroyer, Cruiser, Battleship, and Aircraft Carrier you can think of, giving Naval Warfare fans a reason to celebrate. However, World of Warships has a pretty steep learning curve that […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 3:09 PM
     A detailed guide to each villager's profession and their corresponding job blocks in Minecraft. The villagers in Minecraft are similar to humans in real life. They work, eat, and interact with each other during the day. And as soon as night falls, they return to their homes and rest. In this way, the villagers also […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:17 PM
     Team Cherry's Hollow Knight features an arena called the Colosseum of Fools where the Knight can battle various enemies and earn items like Geo, Pale Ores, and Charm Notches. The Colosseum of Fools offers three different Trials packed with different enemies to defeat: the Trial of the Warrior, the Trial of the Conqueror, and the […]

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, January 26, 2022 5:49 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:38 PM
    

Will you be getting a Steam Deck?

The post Steam Deck Has A Launch Date appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Pivotal Gamers Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:25 PM
     Hello all. Crucial is giving you the chance to win on Star TrekOnline. Let's hear them out. Celebrate the 12th anniversary event with this exclusive weapon pack! Star Trek Online completes its twelfth year representing the Star Trek universe, we are pleased to kick off the festivities for the Anniversary Celebration starting on PC on January 25th, 2022 and continuing until February 24th, 202...

Pivotal Gamers Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:30 PM
     What's up all? MMOBomb holds a new giveaway for Grand Fantasia. Let's hear them out. To celebrate the latest Grand Fantasia Patch and the Lunar New Year Festival, MMOBomb and Gamigo group have partnered up to score YOU a special pack key with lots of in-game items for Grand Fantasia. A few words about Grand Fantasia Grand Fantasia is a MMORPG set in the fantasy world of Saphael where p...

Jan 26, 14:00


Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:55 PM
    

Trading card game Yu-Gi-Oh! has been around since 1999 and Konami has been putting out video games versions of the TCG for just as long. So why is the free-to-play Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, released with little fanfare last week, hitting so hard there are a couple hundred thousand people playing it on Steam at any given…

Read more...


Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:45 PM
    

Valve announced a big feature for its highly anticipated Steam Deck: cloud saving. The cloud saving option will allow players to seamlessly transition from playing on PC, Steam Deck, and back again without losing any saved data.

Read more...


Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:50 PM
    

Pokémon Legends: Arceus arrives on Nintendo Switch on January 28, but the embargo for press outlets who receive game code ahead of release lifts today–and so far, these assessments are raving about the latest monster collector. Many are calling it the best in the series.

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:15 PM
    

Normally, I'm a good person. I celebrate my friends' wins when something good happens to them. But when half the internet is crying at the sad, sad state of their Genshin Impact rolls for the Lantern Rite event, I can't help but get a bit of schadenfreude. How's that C6 Qiqi treating you? (Sisi assures me this is a

Read more...


Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:09 PM
    

Still reeling from a workplace misconduct reckoning, staff exodus, major game delays, and a record-breaking deal to be acquired by Microsoft, Blizzard announced yesterday that it's working on its first game set in a new universe since the launch of Overwatch six years ago. Details were scant, but but developer hype…

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Kotaku Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:00 AM
    

My entire time with Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves has been underscored by a question: Why?

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PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:11 PM
     PlanetSide 2 just got a new continent to explore for the first time in 8 years

There's a huge update out now for the free-to-play sci-fi multiplayer game PlanetSide 2, and it adds the first new continent the game has seen in almost eight years. As the name suggests, the Isles of Oshur are a dense archipelago of islands ripe for the taking, and there are some all-new game mechanics to take into account while before you join the battle there.

Developer Rogue Planet Games says there's "something for everyone" on Oshur, which features not only countless sandy beaches, but also jungles and savannahs ripe for vehicular combat. It's dotted by towering Trident relays, which can only be entered up top - meaning you'll need to make sure you've got air support along with you.

The Isles of Oshur don't have the traditional warpgates you typically find on PlanetSide 2 maps, and your new headquarters is located on new Exodus-class fleet carriers out on the water. You're pretty safe while aboard: the carriers have particle projection cannons mounted on their decks that will shred any enemy vehicles that get close.


PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:15 PM
     Steam Deck battery life could get a boost thanks to VRS enhancements by Valve

One of the most important specs that defines the success of any portable gaming device is battery life, and the Steam Deck is no exception. Valve estimates that users can expect anywhere between 2-8 hours of playtime from its handheld gaming PC, but the company seems to be working on driver-level enhancements that could help push this even further.

According to a recent merge request on GitLab, as spotted and very helpfully explained by Phoronix, it appears that Valve engineers are working on Vulkan Radeon driver improvements. More specifically, to better control how VRS (Variable Rate Shading) behaves at a driver level, in a bid to improve power savings.

If you're unfamiliar with VRS, it enables the shading quality of particular parts of a frame to be rendered at varying quality levels. This is useful in all videogames, particularly racing games like Dirt 5. For example, it allows car models to retain the highest shading quality possible, while fast moving peripheral elements like the environment have a lower shading rate, thus freeing up performance and decreasing power consumption.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:23 PM
     Rainbow Six Siege gets in-game memorial to caster Kixstar

Ubisoft has added an in-game memorial to Rainbow Six Siege's Presidential Plane map to honour the memory of Michael 'Kixstar' Stockley. Now, when you're wandering around near the plane's bottom stairs, you might stumble across a plaque on a wall with the caster's name on it.

The plaque was initially highlighted by Ubisoft esports director Wei Yue following a recent patch, though plenty of players flocked to the map in-game to check it out for themselves. The map holds some significance as it was the setting for one of the Siege caster's finer in-game moments. He got an eight-second ace to clutch the round for his team during one match. If you're not up on your Siege lingo, that means he wiped out the other team by himself.

Stockley was initially a professional player himself, though he swiftly found success in casting, becoming a massive part of the game's esports scene. He, unfortunately, passed away in October of last year, which was confirmed in a message from his family that was shared on Twitter.

RELATED LINKS: Rainbow Six Siege Year 5 operators, Best Rainbow Six Siege operators, Play Rainbow Six Siege

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:16 PM
     Galactic Civilizations IV kicks into high gear with big beta update

Galactic Civilizations IV is one of this year's most anticipated strategy games and it's about to hit a major milestone on the road to release. This month's update will bring Stardock's sci-fi sequel firmly into beta by unlocking all of the available civilizations and adding a new one: the Terran Resistance.

Throughout the beta period, we'll see more features and polish as we build up to the 4X game's ultimate form. Remember that you can get in on the action right now if you pre-order Galactic Civilizations IV via the Epic Games Store, which will net you instant access to the pre-release build. The beta update lands on Thursday, but you can read up on how it has improved through past coverage of major alpha milestones.

We've already highlighted what's exciting about this new chapter in the Galactic Civilizations saga, but now that we've reached such an important stage it seems like a great moment to revisit some of the most exciting things the game brings to the table.

RELATED LINKS: The best 4X games on PC, The best turn-based strategy games on PC

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:15 PM
     Get two EKSA gaming headsets for the price of one in this New Year deal

Getting your hands on a new gaming headset has to be a great way to kick off 2022, right? You can better enjoy the soundtracks of your games, communicate with your teammates more clearly, and cut out all distracting background noises. Now, with EKSA's buy one, get one free sale, you can enjoy these benefits, safe in the knowledge that you've got a spare.

There are some great headsets in the deal, including the E56 Active Noise Cancelling headset, which give you 60 hours of battery life while effectively blocking out all sounds from the outside world. There's also the E3000, which offers superior studio sound quality, and was specifically designed for use with gaming. Not forgetting, the E1 Bluetooth headphones are both comfortable and affordable, as well as many other brilliant models.

If you have a certain gamer friend who would also benefit from a new gaming headset, then perhaps the pair of you could go halves? Equally, if you've got a friend whose birthday is coming up, this could be a nice way to get them a gift while also treating yourself. Or maybe you just want to keep a spare headset lying around (you never know when you might need it!)

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:53 AM
     Genshin Impact handguard farming: Nobushi locations guide

Want to know where you can farm Handguards in Genshin Impact? The day has finally come, your favourite character's banner is live, but you're completely unprepared. Without any ascension materials, you won't be able to use your new character in your main party unless you spend several hours farming items.

Handguards are one of the ascension materials that characters and weapons from Inazuma need to reach their full potential. This ascension material is considerably harder to acquire than most as the items are dropped by just two enemies: Nobushi and Kairagi. These enemies can only be found on Inazuma and they have a notoriously low drop rate, even on World Level 8.

If you're planning on spending some primogems on an upcoming Genshin Impact banner, you may want to prepare some ascension materials beforehand for your future Inazuman character. Yae Miko's banner is set to go live in 2.5, and there are rumours that Raiden Shogun could be returning in the first half of the update.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:12 PM
     Sniper Elite 5's new trailer highlights its Dark Souls-style invasions

Due out later this year, Sniper Elite 5 will be the first in the long-running series of sniper games that takes a page from Dark Souls' book, allowing players to invade each other as an Axis sniper on the hunt for Karl Fairburne. The latest trailer, set in France's historic Mont St. Michel Abbey, highlights a little of this new mechanic and provides some additional details.

When you invade as an Axis sniper, your only goal is to take out the Allied player - and anyone they might have along as a co-op partner. As an Allied player being invaded, your objective will suddenly shift to eliminating the invader before they can get the drop on you.

Both sides get some additional skills to use during invasions. Axis snipers can give a 'stay sharp' command to nearby AI soldiers, which increases their level of awareness and makes them harder to sneak around for the Allies. They can also tag friendly Axis soldiers to enable the 'Eagle Eyes' skill, which will alert the Axis sniper if the soldier ever spots an Allied player, their last known location will appear on the Axis' player's minimap.


PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:47 AM
     Here's a very silly look at Black Myth: Wukong's mocap tech, with cats

There's a new trailer all about Game Science's highly anticipated action-RPG Black Myth: Wukong to check out. Well, kind of. The studio has released a comedy trailer to wish fans a happy Chinese New Year, which nonetheless gives us a bit of a look at some (unfinished) gameplay, the game's mocap tech, and plenty of cats.

Called 'An Alternate Reality of Game Science...', the clip (which you can see below) offers a good 13 minutes of silliness. The devs at the studio chat about the challenges around bringing mocap technology on board for creating Black Myth Wukong, which was first unveiled with a chunk of pre-alpha footage in 2020. Specifically, the devs chat about the difficulties around creating motion capture for quadruped characters and creatures - and so, we get to see plenty of (very wonderful, gorgeous) cats brought in to lend a ha-, er, paw.

Cats are fitted with wee mocap vests and then spend a little time bouncing and flinging themselves about, giving the devs data to work with. The end result is a hilariously clunky, not-very-polished fight between the main character and some tigers who, well, just wander about acting like big, glitchy cats, really.

RELATED LINKS: Upcoming PC games, Best RPG games on PC, Best new PC games

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:36 AM
     These VR boots will make you look just as cool as the metaverse itself

Virtual reality has come a long way in recent years, and while the best VR headsets can trick our eyes in making virtual worlds seem real, the same can't be said for the rest of the body. While devices like the Oculus Quest 2 facilitate room-scale movement in games like Half-Life: Alyx and Skyrim VR, you can't help feeling like you're still somewhat tethered to reality. However, Ekto VR is cooking up a solution that could assist in physically traversing the metaverse. The only problem is that it'll require an expensive pair of ridiculous looking VR boots.

According to its creators, the Ekto One is the "world's first robotic VR movement solution", with the whole getup functioning like a pair of gaming PC roller skates. Rather than skating around the room like a Jet Set Radio extra, players can use the boots to explore virtual spaces while gliding on the spot. Naturally, this eliminates issues like walking into furniture, but Ekto VR also says it helps combat motion sickness, something that could help more players enter the corporate IP convergence dystopia metaverse.

Of course, this isn't the first time a company has tried to solve the tribulations of traversing VR games. Back in 2016, Virtruix unveiled a VR treadmill that's now commonplace at virtual reality venues, and Cybershoes sells a pair of flip flops that transform your feet into WASD controllers.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:35 AM
     Halo Infinite has had the biggest launch in the series' history

343 Industries' latest Halo game has enjoyed a fine start to life since launching late last year. During a recent conference call, Microsoft confirmed that more than 20 million have played Halo Infinite, to date. 343 Industries then reaffirmed on Twitter that, yes, the accomplishment makes it the biggest launch in the series' history, in case you had any doubt.

Naturally, Halo Infinite has plenty that goes in its favour. The first-person shooter is available on Game Pass and the game's multiplayer offering is free-to-play. Regardless, though, 20 million Spartans makes for no wee social gathering. Looking at SteamDB, the shooter is still hitting the highs of 30,000 concurrent players a day. To think, the campaign's co-op version and Forge aren't out yet, either.

There have been a few teething issues since launch - the progression system is being tweaked in response to fan feedback, and the team is still trying to fix Big Team Battle. 343 Industries is also "rolling out changes" to prices in the in-game store.

RELATED LINKS: Halo Infinite release date, Halo Infinite system requirements, Halo Infinite ranks

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:16 AM
     Best graphics card – what is the top graphics card for gaming in 2022?

The ongoing battle between AMD and Nvidia to produce the best graphics card has never been more intense, with the Radeon RX 6900 XT hot on the heels of the GeForce RTX 3090. However, 2022 will see Intel jump into the fray with its Arc Alchemist cards, but it remains to be seen whether they'll be able to stand up to upcoming RDNA 3 or RTX 4000 GPUs.

You'll find budget offerings from both AMD and Nvidia's respective product stacks, but you might save even more cash by grabbing a GPU of yesteryear on the used market. Even graphics cards from a few generations ago are still more than capable of running esports titles like League of Legends, CS:GO, or Valorant.

For those who must have the most performance, price be damned, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Ti will likely become the king of GPUs when it launches later this year. However, it's worth bearing in mind that you'll want to pair this kind of GPU with the best gaming CPU on the market, else you'll encounter processor bottlenecks in many videogames.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:04 AM
     Diablo 2 Resurrected Horadric Cube recipes

Want to know all of the Horadric Cube recipes in Diablo 2 Resurrected? You'd be forgiven for thinking that the Horadric Cube, a key item found in the main campaign, is only meant for combining two items together to make one key item. In fact, it's far more useful than that, also acting as a tiny bit of extra storage.

Fans of the original Diablo 2 know just how game-breaking the Horadric Cube was. Since Diablo 2 Resurrected is a remastered version of the same game, we already know that barely anything will be changing. This means that not only are all the Diablo 2 Resurrected classes exactly the same as the original game but also every single combination of items you can chuck into the Horadric Cube will remain as it was.

Here is everything you need to know about the Diablo 2 Resurrected Horadric Cube: where to find this treasure in the first place, its extra use as storage, and all of the possible item combinations, including the new ones in the 2.4 update.

RELATED LINKS: Diablo 2: Resurrected review, The best RPG games, The best Diablo 2 Resurrected classes

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:47 AM
     It's true – Crysis 4 is in the works

Following what looked like a teaser that popped up online earlier today, it's now official: a new Crysis game is on the way. Developer Crytek has announced the news in a blog post accompanied by a brief but atmospheric teaser trailer, which you can check out below.

"It's something you have been asking us for a long time, so it's now finally time to confirm – yes, a new Crysis game is happening!" the studio reveals in the blog post. Crytek explains that the game isn't too far along just yet, being "in the early stages of development", so it's going to be "a while yet" before we see it arrive, but it should be exciting news for fans of the popular FPS game series. "We are so pleased and excited to bring this news to you, and we really can't wait to reveal more details about what lies ahead," the blog adds.

"As development progresses we will release more details when we can. But in the meantime, know that our dedicated and talented team is working hard to bring you a truly next-gen shooter."

RELATED LINKS: Crysis System Requirements

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:36 AM
     Teamgroup's 16GB T-Force Delta DDR4 RAM kit is 32% off on Amazon

The gaming scene is full of new innovations, but it's important to not forget about the parts dwelling within your PC case. Sure, choosing the best RAM for your rig might seem mundane compared to concepts like the Metaverse, but you won't be going on any VR adventures if your machine isn't up to the task. Thankfully, there are great computer component deals out there, and Teamgroup's T-Force Delta RAM currently is 32% off.

Over on Amazon, you can grab $35 off Teamgroup's 16GB T-Force Delta RAM, bringing it down from $109.99 to $74.99. This 3,200MHz kit is perfect for anyone looking to boost their PC's memory, especially since the latest Steam games now require more than ever.

Teamgroup's RAM package also boasts a bold, asymmetrical design and RGB lighting, both of which should help turn your rig into a gaming PC peacock. However, the T-Force Delta kit's aluminum alloy heatsinks aren't just for show, as they'll ensure cooling efficiency to maximise life span and performance.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:26 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.

Genshin Impact has a number of 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 Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:58 AM
     The best NZ-41 loadout in Warzone Pacific

Looking for the best NZ-41 loadout in Warzone Pacific? The NZ-41 is a full-auto assault rifle that desperately needs attachments to realise its potential. The stock version of this weapon feels too heavy and doesn't have the damage output to match its poor mobility. The NZ-41 recently received a slight buff to some of its attachments, earning it a place in the Warzone Pacific meta.

When customised using our loadout, the NZ-41 is one of the best Warzone assault rifles, though it suffers from lack of recoil control. With the right attachments, however, we can mitigate this additional recoil and almost eliminate it entirely. The result is a powerful and precise AR that's good at all ranges, and particularly excels in mid-to-long range engagements. The best NZ-41 loadout allows you to down enemies in four hits, or two headshots if you can land them.

You unlock the NZ-41 at level 41, so if you're not quite there yet, we recommend getting to grips with the STG 44 - we have the best STG 44 loadout to help you out. Once you've got your hands on the NZ-41, though, here are the best attachments and perks we recommend - with a few alternatives, depending on personal preference.


PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:43 AM
     The best M13 loadout in Warzone Pacific

What is the best M13 loadout in Warzone Pacific? The M13 is often overlooked in Call of Duty's battle royale as it can lack some punch over long distances and is slightly less effective than the best CR-56 AMAX loadout and the best Grau Warzone setups. However, the M13 is a machine in close and mid-range battles, with next to no vertical recoil and a rate of fire that makes up for its low damage per shot rating. On top of this, it's also very mobile and quick to aim down sights with.

It's harder to quantify, but the M13 simply feels good to use in Warzone Pacific – provided you don't try to kill snipers with it. Shooting from long distances with the M13 works well enough, but you won't be able to down enemies very easily unless they have already lost their armour. In order to get the best out of this underutilised AR, we've put together our pick of the best M13 attachments for the dream Warzone M13 loadout.

For this setup we've tried to maximise the aim down sights speed, improve the range and recoil further, and ensure it still has all the essential features of the best Warzone guns, namely a suppressor and big magazines. We also have an alternative M13 class setup that features a short range optic and slightly better handling stats.


PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:37 AM
     4K at 144Hz versus 1440p at 165Hz: choosing the right gaming monitor

There's a lot to consider when buying a new monitor. Will it fit on your desk? Is it bright enough? Does it have built-in speakers that are going to do the job without sounding like a tin can? Spoiler alert: we can count on one hand how many fit that last category and BenQ's Trevolo speakers lead the charge. But no features are more important to the discerning gamer than the speed and resolution of their panel.

While some of us want to gaze upon our favourite gaming worlds in ultra-high definition, FPS enthusiasts benefit more from silky smooth refresh rates that enhance responsiveness and performance. Unfortunately, finding the right high-spec gaming monitor isn't always easy, especially since many displays out there have to compromise between refresh rate and resolution.

Thankfully, many 4K monitors now support up to 144Hz, meaning it is possible to have the best of both worlds. 1440p displays typically boast an even higher refresh rate, with 165Hz options becoming more of a norm. The question is, does a higher refresh rate make a difference, or is it wiser to opt for a 4K 144Hz panel? We've partnered with BenQ to help shed some light on screen specs and what you need to know.

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

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:15 AM
     YuGiOh Master Duel secret packs: how to unlock every pack

So, you want to know about YuGiOh Master Duel secret packs? These special booster card packs for free-to-play CCG Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel are easy enough to find, given that they're supposed to be a secret. But things are not as straightforward as you might expect so it's worth reading up on the details.

Secret packs all follow a particular theme - usually focusing on a specific card or archetype - and each one is guaranteed to give you four of whatever the 'headline' cards are for that pack. The other four cards (for a total of eight) are randomised. This focus on a particular subject can make them desirable if you're looking for complimentary cards for something you already own in your collection.

So how do you get one of these 'secret' packs in Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, and how do you know which one you need? Lucky for you we're here to tell you everything you need to know - how much they are, how you unlock them, and what you need to know as you try to find them.

RELATED LINKS: Upcoming PC Games, The best card games on PC

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:06 AM
     Elden Ring takes around 30 hours to beat, but has

The Elden Ring release date draws ever nearer, and details about what FromSoft's next adventure will entail continue to emerge. We've already had word of the Elden Ring system requirements and that it should be the studio's "best game to-date". Now, the devs have made an appearance at this year's Taipei Game Show and revealed roughly how long it'll take to beat.

Producer Yasuhiro Kitao has spoken about the time it takes to complete Elden Ring at the show, revealing - presumably to the relief of those who aren't massive fans of big ol' time sinks - that its main story should take around 30 hours. "This will differ significantly by player, but in terms of the targets set during development, the idea is that the main route should be able to be completed within around 30 hours," Kitao explains in the stream (below).

However, it sounds like there's plenty else to sink your teeth into alongside this if you're a fan of mopping up everything a modern RPG has to offer. "The game as a whole is quite massive, and contains many dozens more hours worth of gameplay, but if we are talking about the main route only, it shouldn't take much longer than that."

RELATED LINKS: Elden Ring system requirements, Elden Ring has the best demo, Elden Ring's four pre-order editions

PCGamesN Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:14 AM
     The best YuGiOh Master Duel starter deck

Wondering which YuGiOh Master Duel starter deck to pick? The new YuGiOh digital duelling platform is here, and card game veterans, anime fans, and new players alike are diving in to try it out.

After downloading the free-to-play game and completing the basic tutorials, you receive 1,000 gems and the option to choose one of three starter decks. Each of the three starter decks belongs to a different playstyle and uses a specific type of summoning, which prompts the all-important question - which one is the best?

The answer to this question, of course, depends on your level of familiarity with the card game. If you're new to YuGiOh, you may want to stick with a simple deck for a while as you learn. On the other hand, if you're a more experienced duelist, you may want to know which starter deck has the best cards for future use. Fortunately, your choice here doesn't matter too much, as you can eventually unlock all three starter decks as you play through the missions.

RELATED LINKS: Upcoming PC Games, The best card games on PC

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:31 AM
    

"Just tell us about the crystals", demands Jack, Stranger Of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin's prickly protagonist. He has no time for the posh dark elf who applauds him for something. Whatever it is, Jack doesn't care. In fact, I don't think he knows where he is. If he does, he wants nothing to with it.

This interaction is contained in a new trailer that I deem to be perfect. It sells me on this Final Fantasy action RPG, because it seems like I'll get to control someone as impatient as I am. Jack lives for crashing and bashing. The story is an inconvenience for him, the fighting is not.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:04 AM
    

With powerful graphics cards worldwide still being snapped up by cryptocurrency miners, it feels almost cruel for Crytek to announce another Crysis game. Today they confirmed they're returning to their supersuit FPS with a new instalment they claim will be "a truly next-gen shooter." They're not clear about what next-gen means to them. Will Crysis 4: a) require a £1500 graphics card; b) be a battle royale; or c) sell NFT hats on the metaverse blockchain cryptonet? Answers on a postcard, reader dear.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:19 AM
    

Activision Blizzard have declined to voluntarily recognise the union forming at Raven Software's QA department, forcing workers to take the long approach. The group calling themselves the Game Workers Alliance will now have to hit up the National Labor Relations Board and run elections, but say they're still confident about unionising because, y'know, they have the support of a supermajority. "Once again, when management is given a choice, they always seem to take the low road," the group said.

Read more


Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:04 AM
    

Although announcing three games at once feels a bit much, I'm really happy about the Respawn feat. Star Wars news. Respawn Entertainment always felt like one of those development studios that should have been shut down by a bigger studio circa 2015 because the people loved Titanfall but it wasn't, you know, Call Of Duty or anything. I turned my back for what seemed like but a moment, and suddenly Apex Legends exists and Respawn are one of the key players under EA, growing stronger from within. One day we'll be watching Andrew Wilson at an E3 showcase and realise it's actually Vince Zampella's eyes looking out at us. Everyone coming on stage to present is just Vince Zampella doing a voice and wearing a different baseball cap.

Point is, I'm mostly just pleased that Respawn are still around to make games featuring robots that surprise and delight us. And if they're not allowed to do Titanfall 3, Star Wars is at least a rich field to till said robots. Lousy with robots, is Star Wars. But honestly, if anyone is going to make Star Wars games (apart from BioWare, who have spent recent years making Dragon Age 4 and / or collapsing like a magnificent neutron star) then I'd root for Respawn. They may not make the Star Wars games you think you want, but they'll make the ones you need right now.

Read more


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:45 AM
    

Kotobukiya has just unveiled the first images for its upcoming King of Fighters figurine of Mai Shiranui. The statue is just the latest in a long line of long-running Bshoujo figures, and is based on the character's unique look in the  SNK's fighting game The King of Fighters '98: The Slugfest. You can check out an […]

The post SNK Mai Shiranui King of Fighters '98 Bishoujo Statue Revealed appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:41 AM
    

Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the games that will be granted to PlayStation Plus subscribers in February 2022 at no additional cost.

The post PlayStation Plus Games for February 2022 Announced: appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:17 AM
    

Earlier today, developer 40 Giants Entertainment and publisher 1C Entertainment dropped a brand new launch trailer to commemorate the release of their turn-based strategy RPG, Reverie Knights Tactics, on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Go ahead and feast your eyes on said footage down below: With Final Fantasy Tactics-esque grid-based combat, eye-catching hand-drawn […]

The post Turn-Based Strategy RPG, Reverie Knights Tactics, Gets Gorgeous Console & PC Launch Trailer appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:00 AM
    

Today Paradox Entertainment announced the release date of the previously-revealed PS5 and Xbox Series X|S port of Crusader Kings 3.

The post Crusader Kings 3 for Xbox Series X|S & PS5 Release Date Announced appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:00 AM
    

Naughty Dog's two PS4 Uncharted titles have made their way to the PS5 in one convenient package, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. Bringing both adventures to the PS5, the games have been given a bunch of new features and improvements that only the power and feature set of Sony's latest system could deliver. So, without […]

The post 5 Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection Improvements Only the PS5 Could Bring appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:00 AM
    

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection on PS5 If there's a studio that really spearheads PlayStation's exclusive library, it's Naughty Dog. The developer has been pushing the limits of what we thought was possible in video games, from stellar writing and character development, through to minute visual details that help bring their worlds to life. One […]

The post Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection Review – Prettiness for a Price appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:31 AM
    

Today Koei Tecmo is releasing the western version of the playable demo of its upcoming Musou game Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires.

The post Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires Demo Releasing Today for PS5, PS4, Xbox, and Switch appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:21 AM
    

2022 is set to be a huge year for games, with a ton of blockbuster titles from the world's biggest developers and publishers set to release by the time we're all counting down from 10 to usher in 2023. To help you pinpoint the games you absolutely need to have on your wishlist, we've compiled […]

The post Best Open World Games to Look Forward to in 2022 appeared first on Twinfinite.


Twinfinite Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:00 AM
    

Crytek has today revealed that a new Crysis game is in development, the first mainline game since Crysis 3 in 2013. The announcement comes by way of an official press release, though images from today's accompanying CGI trailer surfaced hours before the embargo which were then subsequently confirmed by the developer. The game is in […]

The post A New Crysis Game Is in Development; Officially Revealed With a CGI Tease appeared first on Twinfinite.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:20 PM
    

Steam Deck February 2022 Release Date Set

We now know the official Steam Deck release date. Valve confirmed that yes, the first units will appear on February 25, 2022. Those who placed reservations and are in the first round will get theirs in that group. Once they place their orders, their systems will ship on February 28, 2022.

Valve offered some details about how the order emails for the Steam Deck will work once the release date rolls around. People will get an opportunity to order the unit model they reserved. Once they get an invite, they have 72 hours to purchase their Steam Deck. After the first round of invites, eventually each week more chances to order will appear.

As a reminder, this comes after a brief delay. Back in November 2021, Valve pushed the handheld out of December 2021. As usual, the global shortages and supply chain issues were to blame. Certain items needed to create the Steam Decks ended up not being available when expected.

As a reminder, the Steam Deck will be available in three variants. The least expensive bundle is $399. It is the 64GB eMMC model. There is also a 256GB NVMe SSD variant for $529 and a 512 GB NVMe SSD model for $649. Each one comes with a carrying case. People who place reservations now are expected to be able to buy and get one in Q2 2022.

The Valve Steam Deck release date is February 25, 2022.

The post Steam Deck February 2022 Release Date Set appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:00 PM
    

PlayStation Plus February 2022 Games Include Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep

Sony revealed the PlayStation Plus games for February 2022. This time around, people are getting access to titles previously released in 2020 and 2021. The most recent title is Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-shot Adventure (PS4). The other two are EA Sports UFC 4 (PS4) and Planet Coaster: Console Edition (PS5). Note that while Planet Coaster is available on both systems, only the PS5 version will be free. All three titles will be available February 1, 2022. They can be claimed until February 28, 2022.

EA Sports UFC 4 is one of EA's latest MMA games. There are over 200 fighters available, as well as the ability to create a character. Solo and multiplayer options are available. There is also a career mode that can use original characters. It first came out back in August 2020 and normally costs $59.99.

Planet Coaster: Console Edition lets people create an amusement park and its coasters. You can go through preset scenarios or build up a park with no limits. There is also a Frontier Workshop for custom creations. It appeared in November 2020 and typically costs $49.99.

Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep is a Borderlands side-story that involves familiar characters and gameplay in a D&D sort of setting. It can be played alone or with friends. It first showed up as a standalone game back in November 2021. Normally, it only costs $9.99.

The January 2022 PlayStation Plus games can be claimed until January 31, 2022. They are Deep Rock Galactic (PS4, PS5), Dirt 5 (PS4, PS5), and Persona 5 Strikers (PS4).

<< PlayStation Plus January 2022 Games

The post PlayStation Plus February 2022 Games Include Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:30 PM
    

Monark Demo Appears for Switch, PS4, and PS5

There's a way to try NIS America's next game ahead of its launch. The company announced the Monark demo is available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5 outside of Japan. While the eShop site page isn't online, people can visit the PlayStation Store in browsers to grab it. However, the trial is only limited to consoles at the moment. While Monark will come to the PC too, there's no demo on Steam. This appeared in Japan back in October 2021.

NIS America released more details about the Monark demo online. First, it took to Twitter to confirm progress carries over. It also shared a new trailer designed to highlight the trial.

The video begins by offering an idea of what's going on. Players are stuck in a school surrounded by a barrier. A strange mist infiltrated it due to Pactbearers. You'll need to solve puzzles around the school, retain your sanity, customize fiends, and fight against the people behind the trouble. The strategic, turn-based battle system is also briefly showcased.

Monark will come to the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC on February 22, 2022. It is immediately available in Japan. The Monark demo is available on consoles worldwide. There's no release date for a PC trial yet.

The post Monark Demo Appears for Switch, PS4, and PS5 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:00 PM
    

Hololive Song Medley Mix by IOSYS is Over an Hour Long

There's a new way to listen to lots of Hololive Vtuber songs. It involves doing so in a huge medley. IOSYS released a Hololive Medley Mix. It takes 100 tracks from Cover's artists and combines them into an over an hour long presentation. This can then be watched on YouTube or streamed via Apple Music or Spotify.

Here's the full IOSYS Hololive Medley Mix of songs.

Given the size, it isn't easy to list every track available. However, here is a list of some of the more notable Hololive Vtuber songs available in IOSYS' mix. In addition to people from the Japanese division, tracks from Hololive En members also appear.

  • "Asuiro Clear Sky"
  • "Candy-Go-Round"
  • "Choco Melty"
  • "Excuse My Rudeness, But Could You Please RIP?"
  • "Ghost"
  • "The Grim Reaper is a Live Streamer"
  • "Howling"
  • "Koyoi wa Halloween Night!"
  • "Lunch with Me"
  • "Mikkorone x Showtime!!"
  • "Red"
  • "Shiny Smily Story"

As a reminder, there will be another opportunity to hear all sorts of songs from Hololive Vtubers soon. Hololive Super Expo 2022 in March 2022 will feature the 3rd Fes Link Your Wish concert. The last update on it confirmed that the English and Indonesia branches will be represented. Calliope Mori, Kiara Takanashi, Ina'nis Ninomae, Gura Gawr, Amelia Watson, Risu Ayunda, Moona Hoshinova, and Iofifteen Airani will all also perform.

The post Hololive Vtuber Medley Mix by IOSYS Includes 100 Songs appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:30 AM
    

Bloodborne Figma Delayed

Back in March 2021, Good Smile Company announced the original Bloodborne Hunter figma would be rereleased alongside a new weapon set and The Old Hunters Edition of the figure. It was supposed to appear in January 2022. However, this piece of Bloodborne merchandise is now delayed. It won't appear until sometime in July 2022.

The announcement offered a reason for the delay. Apparently, this is due to a quality control issue. The news confirmed Max Factory will be "adjusting our production line" to ensure things are as they should be. In addition to the Bloodborne figures, the Cyberpunk 2077 V figma is delayed as well. That's pushed back to June 2022 for the same reasons. Also, its Makoto female swimsuit body figma is delayed to an unspecified date.

As a reminder, the Hunter figma first appeared back in June 2018. Alongside the rerelease, a weapon set with Hunter Axe, Hunter Blunderbuss, Ludwig's Holy Blade, and Whirligig Saw items, extra parts, and extra figma hand parts also appeared. People could get that alone or as part of a The Old Hunters version of the figma.

The Bloodborne Hunter figma, the standalone weapon set, and The Old Hunters Edition of the figure will all launch in July 2022. Bloodborne is available on the PS4.

The post Bloodborne Figma Figure Releases Delayed appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:00 AM
    

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires Demo Appears on Consoles

Trying before buying is now officially an option worldwide for the new Dynasty Warriors game. Koei Tecmo released the Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires demo on consoles. It features an opportunity to test out two types of gameplay. People can also create characters they can use in the full game. Japan got its chance to play the trial back in December 2021.

First, the main activity in Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires demo is seeing what the Castle Sieges are like. People can both try to protect their base in Defensive Battles or invade someone else with, well, Invasion Battles. There is only one difficulty level here. However, tutorials are present and the final game offers multiple difficulty levels.

As for custom characters, Edit Mode is present in this trial. People can make a Custom Officer. This character can then either be used in the Castle Sieges present in the demo or saved for the full game. Once that launches, someone can import that data.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires will appear on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and Google Stadia on February 15, 2022. It is immediately available in Japan. People with consoles can get the Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires demo now.

The post Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires Demo Appears on Consoles appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:30 AM
    

Mana 30th Anniversary Orchestra Concert

Square Enix and Aetas will hold the Mana 30th Anniversary Orchestra Concert on April 3, 2022. The concert will take place physically at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra will perform tracks from the Mana series during the concert.

Composers who created the series' soundtracks -- Kenji Ito, Hiroki Kikuta, and Yoko Shimomura -- will appear as guests. Square Enix will also invite the Mana series creator Koji Ishii to attend the concert, along with Hiromichi Tanaka and the current series producer Masaru Oyamada.

The companies have published a partial setlist for the upcoming concert, which revealed that the day and night performances will have several different tracks. The day show will focus on Trials of Mana, while the night concert will instead emphasize Legend of Mana.

Both Day and Night Performances

  • "Rising Sun" from Final Fantasy Adventures
  • "Angel's Fear" from Secret of Mana
  • "Meridian Child" from Trials of Mana
  • "Legend of Mana ~Title Theme~"

Day Performance (14:00 JST) Only

  • "Where Angels Fear to Tread" from Trials of Mana
  • "Swivel" from Trials of Mana

Night Performance (18:30 JST) Only

  • "Nostalgic Song" from Legend of Mana
  • "City of Flickering Destruction" from Legend of Mana

Square Enix celebrated the Mana series' 30th anniversary in 2021. In the same year, it released remastered ports of the 1999 PlayStation title Legend of Mana for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices worldwide. It also announced an anime adaptation of Legend of Mana, titled The Teardrop Crystal.

The post A Mana 30th Anniversary Orchestra Concert Is Scheduled for April 2022 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:01 AM
    

Review: Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection Revs Things Up on the PS5

I have a history with the Uncharted franchise. I've half-finished two of them, bought the first three on PS3, picked up the PS4 compilation, and then grabbed the collection again when it was offered for free for PS5 owners. Something always comes up that derails my intentions of playing through the series. (Usually, it's a JRPG, as the genre is my Achilles heel.) With Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection on PS5, there was no way I could allow myself to be sidetracked by anything else.

Starting with Lost Legacy, and then heading into Uncharted 4, I spent the last week or so diving, climbing, dodging bullets, taking punches, and swinging from places where you will never catch me in real life. I met Sam Drake and Nadine Ross for the first time. (Gotta say, not a huge fan of in-game Sam. Retired Sam seems like a better dude.) There were gods and pirates and a surprising lack of torn clothing. My palms were sweaty from the intensity of it all. Nearly every minute spent in this world was amazing.

Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection PS5 review

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is the most recent Nathan Drake-headlined game in the action-adventure series. Nathan's life is up-ended when his brother turns up out of nowhere and pushes him to resume their hunt for the lost treasure of the legendary pirate captain Henry Avery. The Drake Brothers, accompanied at times by con-friend Victor Sullivan and Nate's wife Elena, pursue clues tied to the St. Dismas crucifix that caused Nathan and Sam's estrangement in the first place.

Lost Legacy features a tenuous partnership between Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross following the events of its predecessor. In this stand-alone expansion, people take a historical trip tied to expeditions Chloe's father led when she was younger in search of Ganesh's Tusk. Nadine's life is a bit of a mess after getting tangled up with the Drakes. She teams up with Chloe in an effort to find the tusk before a warmongering egomaniac gets his hands on it.

[caption id="attachment_913938" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection PS5 review Let's take a look at these enhancements![/caption]

For the purposes of this review, I played Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection on two different TV screens. One is a standard flatscreen that's about 10 years old, and the other a newer 4K UHD television. All of the screenshots I used for this review were taken with Performance+ turned on. Yes, everything is sharper and brighter on a higher resolution display. But if you don't own a 4K or UHD television, these games are still going to look really good and run well in Performance mode.

Using Performance+ pushes your system to aim for 120 frames per second. This does mean that you might be sacrificing resolution. Cruising through the muddy Indian countryside at 120fps was wonderful. Even when I smacked into trees dead-on, because I was too distracted by the beautiful nature and people with guns chasing me. Naughty Dog's art department kept bringing stunning views that made me pause. A simple lemon tree took my breath away. It was so well crafted, I spent ten minutes in Photomode taking pictures of it. Dangling for my life on the side of a cliff? Picture time!

Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection PS5 review

Graphics aren't the only thing getting an upgrade here. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection takes advantage of the new technology on the table with the PS5 DualSense controller. That haptic feedback is everywhere and kicks in with nearly everything that you do. Combat encounters might be where you notice it the most. There's the impact of taking a bullet or struggling to break free from a hold. When lugging around a minigun, reloading your equipped weapon, even rolling into cover, it's sometimes so subtle you might not notice it. But it's there and makes it that much more "real."

When you aren't caught up in the heat of battle, it may be more apparent. One of the selling points claims that haptics have been added to the grappling rope. I failed to notice this while playing through Uncharted 4. I even triple checked to see that there wasn't some setting I overlooked. So I went back to Lost Legacy. Sure enough, it was there with the slight tug on the rope securing itself to the branch and pull when Chloe leapt into her swing. I'm a little disappointed I didn't have that same experience with Nathan, but he does reap all the other benefits. Grabbing handholds, hanging precariously, and walking very very carefully on narrow ledges all have varying degrees of rumble. There are also the satisfying clicks and clunks as you slide a puzzle piece. Oh lordy, someone get my fainting couch ready.

[caption id="attachment_913951" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]Naughty Dog Something's wrong here...[/caption]

I only ran into a handful of bugs while playing through the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. First up were a few character path issues. I primarily ran into them during Lost Legacy. Nadine would somehow walk exactly where I wanted to go, and I'd have to bump into her to make her move. Another bug happened during Uncharted 4 while forcing an exhausted Nathan to climb up super slippery rocks. The prompt to grab handholds with the Left stick kept popping up when it turned out I needed to pull myself up onto the ledge. The scuff marks that denote a shimmy spot were obscured by the water on my non-4K TV, and it wasn't until I accidentally pushed up that I even noticed them.

There was one very weird hiccup where I was in the middle of a cutscene and suddenly the video stopped, putting me back in control of the game. The audio from the cutscene was still playing and, if I moved toward the chair where the cutscene character was supposed to be seated, all I could see was an open book floating. Restarting from the checkpoint corrected this and let the game progress properly.

Despite those small things, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection blew me away on the PS5. The breathtaking landscapes and fluid gameplay heighted by the addition of improved feedback from the DualSense controller took a fantastic experience to another level. Both of these stories still resonate nearly six years later, too. The conflicts, deception, and questionable redemptions haven't aged to the point where the storytelling comes across as dated. Whether you're coming to this release with a fresh pair of eyes like myself or excited to relive this adventure, you won't be disappointed.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection will be available for the PS5 on January 28, 2022.

The post Review: Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection Revs Things Up on the PS5 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:30 AM
    

persona collaboration cafe

The Sega Collaboration Cafe in Akihabara will have a Persona event for the series' 25th anniversary that lasts from spring to summer 2022. The first round will begin on February 12 and end on March 27, 2022. Afterwards, the second round will be from May 28 to July 10, 2022. During the first round, three types of menus will appear over the course of three sessions. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

All drink items will cost 660 JPY ($5.80) each. Food items will cost 1320 JPY ($11.60) each. As mentioned earlier, depending on the session, what you can order will change. The sessions and menu items are as followed:

February 12 - 25, 2022

  • Persona 4 tomato pasta
  • Persona 5 black ramen
  • Protagonist drinks
  • P3 Protagonist pancake (1320 JPY)
  • P1 Boy With Earring parfait (990 JPY)
  • P2 Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment parfait (990 JPY)

February 26 - March 11, 2022

  • Persona 1 Philemon chicken rice
  • Persona 1 Snow Queen ramen
  • Persona 1 & 2 duology drinks
  • St. Hermelin High School pancake (1320 JPY)
  • P1 Boy With Earring parfait (990 JPY)

March 12 - March 27, 2022

  • Persona 4 tomato pasta
  • Persona 4 Midnight Channel curry
  • Persona 4 drinks
  • P4 Teddie pancake plate (1320 JPY)
  • P4 Protagonist parfait (990 JPY)

Aside from a menu full of Persona-themed food and drink items, the Persona collaboration cafe will also offer original coasters. You can take these home as souvenirs of your time there. The item shop will have limited-time merchandise as well. Goods include acrylic stands and can badges.

The Persona event will take place on the fifth floor of Sega Collaboration Cafe Akihabara No. 4, as well as at the one in Nanba Sennichimae. Food items for Persona 3 and 5 will likely appear during the second round, which will take place from May 28 to July 10, 2022.

The post Persona Collaboration Cafe Will Have 3 Separate Menus appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:00 AM
    

Capcom Financial Report

Capcom has released its consolidated financial report for its third quarter, revealing that digital sales have bolstered the company's profits. As of December 31, 2021 net sales for Capcom have risen by 35.9 percent. Additionally, operating income for the company has risen by 43.9 percent during its third quarter. Capcom largely contributes this success to digital sales, which have seen solid growth. Resident Evil Village and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin are explicitly mentioned within the financial report. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

During this period, sales for video games exceeded 25.8 million units. Additionally, due to other endeavors, Capcom has now reached its highest net sales and highest level of all profit items at the end of a third quarter within the company's history. For this reason, Capcom has decided to keep its business forecast the same.

Other titles that contributed to Capcom's continued to success include Resident Evil 7, which surpassed 10 million units in sales in October 2021. The company also notes that its continued success at award shows have stimulated growth for its titles. This includes Resident Evil Village, and the wildly successful Monster Hunter Rise. Additionally, Capcom states that its mobile division also contributed in generating profits for the company. The Capcom financial report also mentions endeavors in other sectors, such as the release of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, and its eSports division.

The post Capcom Reports Strong Digital Sales in Financial Report appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:30 AM
    

Spike Chunsoft published new information for the upcoming sequel to AI: The Somnium Files in Japan. It announced that AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative will have two protagonists. The new images reveal that the man in the game's key art is in fact a protagonist on an equal footing with Mizuki. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

The male protagonist Ryuki is a rookie Psyncer affiliated with ABIS. He has a more reserved and calm personality. Though he is known for his high academic grades, he has no family as he has lost his parents and younger brother. Atsushi Tamaru will provide the Japanese voiceover for this character.

The woman with black attire is Tama, who is an AI-Ball, just like Aiba. She will accompany Ryuki as his assistant. Spike Chunsoft describes Tama as a rather interesting character who likes to encourage Ryuki by striking him. Ai Kakuma will voice this character in Japanese.

Spike Chunsoft also shared new artworks for the main characters, including the new protagonists, in nirvanA Initiative. It also confirmed that Tama will have a chibi form as well.

[gallery ids="914103,914104,914105,914106,914107,914108" link="file"]

AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative will release worldwide for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC in Spring 2022.

The post AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative Will Have Two Protagonists appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:00 AM
    

Sega will release a second series of Yakuza acrylic standees. This second set will come with 12 standees. This will include acrylic standees featuring Yakuza characters from Yakuza 4, Yakuza 5, and renders of characters as they appear in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. All twelve standees are available to pre-order. Each standee will cost 1,650 yen (~$15), with the expected release date set for March 23, 2022. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

The line-up of characters includes:

  • Kazuma Kiryu
  • Goro Majima
  • Taiga Saejima
  • Haruka Sawamura
  • Shun Akiyama
  • Masayoshi Tanimura
  • Tatsuo Shinada
  • Masaru Watase
  • Ono Michio

The version of Tanimura that consumers can purchase is based on his new render from the Yakuza 4 re-release. Additionally, two versions of Akiyama will be available to purchase through this set. This includes his Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 6 appearance.

You can take a look at the standees below.

[gallery columns="6" ids="914126,914125,914124,914123,914122,914121,914120,914119,914118,914117,914116,914115" link="file"]

Previously, Sega released a line of 16 acrylic standees featuring characters from Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2, and Yakuza 3. This included characters like Ryuji Goda, Mine Yoshitaka, Akira Nishikiyama, and Daigo Dojima. Majima received two acrylic standees as part of this set. One version featured his standard look with a baseball bat, while the other showcased his appearance in Yakuza 2. The first line of acrylic standees will release on February 25, 2022.

The post Yakuza Acrylic Standees Include Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:30 AM
    

Final Fantasy XIV Home World Transfer Service Congested

The Home World Transfer service in Final Fantasy XIV is currently congested due to the high volume of players requesting to have their Home World changed. Square Enix asks players to remain patient, as the process will take longer than usual. Additionally, if players are receiving an error message while applying for their free Home World Transfer, they should wait and try to apply again.

Square Enix also acknowledges that there is currently a very large amount of errors for those applying to transfer to the Oceania Data Center. The developer notes that this could in part be that players have not accessed the Data Center they wish to transfer to. Accessing the Data Center players wish to transfer to is a requirement for the transfer. However, players only need to access the Data Center once for the transfer to process correctly. In order to do this, players need to go to the start screen and change their Data Center to the Oceania Data Center. After that, the transfer should work, outside of the on-going issue with congestion.

Additionally, players will receive an e-mail once the application for the transfer processes. However, players are advised to avoid logging in to that specific character before the transfer is complete, as it will result in an error. It is unclear as to how long the Home World Transfer service in Final Fantasy XIV will remain congested.

Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

The post Final Fantasy XIV Home World Transfer Service is Congested appeared first on Siliconera.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:30 PM
    

There's a new Oceania tab too Square Enix just rolled out the Oceanic data center, but with that addition comes...

The post Final Fantasy XIV updates list of congested and non-congested servers appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:00 PM
    

Drama and intrigue arrive on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 Paradox Interactive is bringing its medieval strategy to consoles. Crusader...

The post Crusader Kings III arrives on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in March appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:00 PM
    

Flameplume Starflowers, The Great Gathering, and Wondrous Shadows The Genshin Impact Fleeting Colors event is here, and it actually comes...

The post Genshin Impact Fleeting Colors update launches three pretty big events appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:51 AM
    

Not Tiny Tina PS5, because PlayStation is confusing So PlayStation Plus is back with new stuff on February 1, and...

The post The PlayStation Plus big February game is a Tiny Tina DLC from 2013, which is a problem appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:30 AM
    

But it's fan made We'll get some form of a Pokemon Legends anime soon enough, but in the meantime, there's...

The post This Pokemon Legends anime intro looks official appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:00 AM
    

The iconic developer remains on a roll Capcom has released its quarterly financial results for the second quarter of its...

The post Capcom continues to shine with huge 35% rise in sales revenue appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:00 AM
    

A double-pack of Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy We already have the Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, which includes the...

The post Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy are just as good on PS5 appeared first on Destructoid.


Destructoid Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:28 AM
    

Join the Journey. Become the Hero. [Update: Minutes following the publishing of this article, Crytek dropped an official teaser trailer...

The post Crysis 4 officially announced following social media leak appeared first on Destructoid.


PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:55 PM
     Black Myth Wukong Tigers Satirical Trailer PrankMuch like in 2021, the developer behind Black Myth: Wukong has released a new trailer for the game to celebrate the Lunar New Year for 2022. This time, Game Science Studios gives us a sneak peak behind the scenes of the game, showing off some expert motion capture tech. Well, okay. That's certainly what the footage alludes to, but only at first. It doesn't take too long for this 12-minute trailer to start smelling a bit fishy. The pretense completely vacates once the glitched-out tiger shows up, revealing that the trailer is just a prank made by the Black Myth team. Of course, the developer doesn't exactly hide the joke. A disclaimer under the video on YouTube reads: "This is a work of fiction with absolutely nothing to do at all with actual people or events or how we are working on the game. Yeah, right. We are still working on it."   Still, if you simply jumped into the trailer without the context, you'd no doubt get taken along for the rid...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:30 AM
     Crysis 4 Revealed Teaser TrailerThe last mainstream release in the Crysis franchise was Crysis 3 in 2013. However, in recent years Crytek's first-person shooter has seen somewhat of a comeback with Crysis Remastered and the Remastered Trilogy. But it's today's confirmation that Crysis 4 is in the "early stages of development" which signals that Crysis is back for real. As posted by Crytek CEO Avni Yerli on the official Crysis website, the fourth installment in the series is in the works. Its reveal came alongside a teaser trailer on Crytek's YouTube channel. As with most teaser trailers, it doesn't tell us too much, but the confirmation of a new Crysis game alone is exciting regardless.   While the game is labeled as Crysis 4, it's currently a working title. The actual name of the game will be revealed down the line closer to launch. Speaking of launch, this is an early announcement so there are no details regarding a potential release date. Although, given the ...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:30 AM
     Warzone Pacific Map Change CalderaLeading up to the integration between Call of Duty: Vanguard and Warzone Pacific, players were looking forward to a brand new map. After playing Verdansk for almost two years, Caldera has definitely shaken up the battle royale. The new map has received mixed responses from fans and the amount of bugs in the game is causing frustrations. However, a player has recently made an unusual discovery during a match. Warzone Pacific has been available to play for over a month, and it appears that map changes could be on the way in the near future. The Warzone Pacific player known as @KillerStidge posted a clip of their discovery on Twitter. The player is seen roaming around the Mines point of interest. If you take a close look, you can see that the buildings on the screen do not match up with what is shown on the mini-map. Towards the end of the clip, it appears that a large rectangular building is actually missing.   Shortly after the clip was posted, Raven Software provided a response...

PC Invasion - FeedDDD Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:30 AM
     Fortnite Update PizzaSince the launch of Fortnite Chapter 3: Season 1, Epic Games has kept the season fresh with the regular addition of new content. Most recently, monsters have taken over the battle royale and dynamic weather has arrived in the form of tornadoes and lightning. Also, this season has introduced more ways than ever to replenish your health and shields. Med Mists and Shield Kegs are just a couple of fan favorites. If that was not enough, the latest update has delivered pizza to Fortnite. Indulging in a few slices will restore your health and shields. You may have noticed a Pizza Pit waiting at the area of the map where Tilted Towers emerged, or maybe not since it was covered in snow. Now, it is producing pizza which can be found in chests, loot llamas, supply drops, or on the ground. Fortunately, if you want to guarantee yourself a pizza box, you can purchase one from an NPC. Tomato Head has them for sale, and you can find him roaming the Pizza Pit in Tilted Towers. You will have to give ...

Gamer Empire Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:27 PM
    

Pokemon is one of the most popular franchises of the last few decades. It has spawned many sequels of the game, anime, and even movies. Even though there are many Pokemon games to choose from on the Switch, there are alternatives for the player that has seen all Pokemon has to offer and is looking […]

The post 8 Best Nintendo Switch Games Like Pokémon appeared first on Gamer Empire. It was written by Jack Roque.


Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:00 PM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:00 PM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:00 AM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:00 AM
    

Tabletop Gaming News Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:00 AM
    

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:06 PM
     Tsurumi Island is by far the most mysterious island in the archipelago of Inazuma. It is situated far south, even beyond the thunderstorm-engulfed Seirai Island. People of Inazuma believe that Tsurumi Island is desolate and that the locals and their entire civilization is long gone. What adds to the mystery of Tsurumi Island, is that […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:45 AM
     All cities require multiple methods of transportation and travel, whether it's for going to work or other reasons. It's is also the case in Cities: Skylines, where you manage a single city. One of the public transportation methods is the metro. Have you wondered how the metro work in Cities: Skylines? Thankfully, it's not too […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:03 AM
     There are a few Pokémon that exclusively appear in Pokémon Sword, and there are a few Pokémon that exclusively appear in Pokémon Shield—discouraged you you cannot complete your Pokédex? You and your friends can help each other complete your Pokédexes by trading Pokémon! There are three ways to trade Pokémon: locally, online, and surprise trade. […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:37 AM
     The Mysterious Qi is a quest you will come upon while playing Stardew Valley, and it is also one of the most complex quests you will get from the enigmatic Mister Qi. This guide will aid you in finding quest items and solving cryptic messages, so stick around as we walk you through everything you […]

Player Assist | Game Guides & Walkthroughs Wednesday, January 26, 2022 8:27 AM
     Elf is one of the two secret jobs in Miitopia and beneficial addition to any team. However, many players don't even know elves exist in the game since you can only unlock the character after completing the main storyline. If you've finished the main quests and wonder how else to have fun in the game, […]

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, January 26, 2022 1:21 PM
    

The first since Crysis 3 in 2013.

The post New Crysis Game Is In Development appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:00 AM
    

The Impact of Losing E3

The post A World Without E3 appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:00 AM
    

PlayStation 2022: Biggest Successes and Biggest Failures

The post PlayStation 2022 Predictions: Biggest Successes and Biggest Failures appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Pivotal Gamers Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:13 PM
     Hello fellow gamers. We have another remarkable giveaway from Alienware Arena for Star Trek Online. Read on for their offering. Star Trek Online Anniversary Pack Key Giveaway Boldly go where no man has gone before! What you'll get in the Anniversary Pack: 1 22nd Century M.A.C.O. Pulse Rifle 12 Inventory Slots 1 Small XP Boost A few words about Star Trek Online Star Trek Online is a free to p...

Pivotal Gamers Wednesday, January 26, 2022 7:55 AM
     Hello fellow gamers. itch.io is giving you the opportunity to win on Orbital Paladin Melchior Y. Read on for their offering. Get Orbital Paladin Melchior Y for FREE! A few words about Orbital Paladin Melchior Y It is the year 231 of the Frontier Era. Last minute notes Login with your itch.io account, follow the on-screen instructions to add it to your library. So what are you waiting for? Just cli...

MonsterVine Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:00 PM
    

Another wacky year, all thanks to that evil little bug that's still causing terrible global issues. I wish I had more cool and epic stuff to write about here, but 2021 wasn't all that different from 2020. I did get to go back to movie theaters to see Dune and Spider-Man, so that's great, I […]

The post NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL Spencer's Top 10 Games of 2021!! appeared first on MonsterVine.


MonsterVine Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:00 PM
    

Annual Dumpster Fire Moment – Activision Blizzard Tom: I spent years working in MMOs and the "WoW killer" was the holy grail. We never achieved it, obviously. Who knew they'd play themselves so completely and hilariously? Just a complete dismantling of what was once the most revered company in games. Samantha: With each piece of […]

The post Best of 2021 Awards – Annual Dumpster Fire Moment appeared first on MonsterVine.


MonsterVine Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:00 AM
    

Most Anticipated – Back 4 Blood Diego: Listen, when your entire marketing strategy is to basically call out another game and talk shit, you better be backing it up. Back 4 Blood made no hesitations to compare itself to Left 4 Dead, and failed in practically every regard to top it. The weapons feel like […]

The post Best of 2021 Awards – Most Disappointing appeared first on MonsterVine.


Level Up Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:30 PM
     To probably nobody's surprise, Halo Infinite is a hit. Not only did it review well…

Level Up Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12:15 PM
     This week's The Book of Boba Fett episode is loaded with surprises and will surely…

Level Up Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:40 AM
     Who isn't excited for Elden Ring? I mean, the Soulsborne enthusiast himself, Dan Tack, claimed…

Level Up Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:00 AM
     At Gamescom in August, Paradox Interactive announced its popular PC strategy series Crusader Kings would…

Level Up Wednesday, January 26, 2022 10:00 AM
     Resident Evil 4 is arguably the best entry in Capcom's iconic horror franchise. The game's…