This year's BlizzCon has finally arrived, which means there's going to be a multitude of news and trailers for some of Blizzard's biggest games. From Overwatch to World of Warcraft, there's a whole lot of exciting news and announcements waiting to be revealed. We're compiling all the biggest ones from the show below.
What news and announcements are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check back often as we update this article with more news and trailers.
StarCraft 2 Will Soon Be Free To Play--Beginning this month, players will be able to play through StarCraft II's Wings of Liberty campaign and co-op mode for no cost.
Despite launching seven years go, StarCraft II remains one of Blizzard's most popular and successful titles, and those who have yet to play or have since fallen out will soon be able to jump in at no cost at all. During the BlizzCon opening ceremony today, Blizzard announced that the real-time strategy game is going free-to-play.
Beginning November 14, PC players will be able to play through the entirety of StarCraft II's Wings of Liberty campaign for free. Blizzard will also offer access to the full ranked ladder to all players, while co-op mode will give free players access to every commander up to level 5.
If you already own a copy of Wings of Liberty, Blizzard still has a free gift for you. Existing StarCraft II players will get the game's Heart of the Swarm expansion for free.
BlizzCon is going on this week and still has plenty of announcements in store for fans. In addition to the StarCraft news, Blizzard revealed two more characters for Heroes of the Storm: Overwatch's Hanzo and Warcraft's Alexstrasz. We'll report all of the big news from the event as it is shared.
A pair of new Heroes of the Storm characters have been announced at BlizzCon. Blizzard showed off a new cinematic trailer for the game that brings together one new addition from Overwatch and Warcraft--Hanzo and Alexstrasza.
According to Blizzard's Kaeo Milker, Alexstrasza is a ranged Support who can heal allies and transform into a dragon using her trait, Dragon Queen. Hanzo, meanwhile, is a ranged Assassin who can both take out enemies and serve as a scout.
Also coming to HotS are some other major updates to the way the game itself plays. In addition to voice chat and a refined camera, Blizzard said it plans to provide performance and laning improvements, a rework to how stealth functions, "evolved" mechanics, and more. All of this will be included as part of the 2018 gameplay update, which Blizzard will detail as BlizzCon continues. Milker also noted that we'll see adjustments to how matchmaking functions.
There's much more to come from BlizzCon. In addition to the HotS news, we've also learned that StarCraft II is going free-to-play, with players gaining access to a substantial chunk of the game without paying a dime. We'll report back as more news is shared.
Just like that weird guy you never see for most of the year, but who suddenly appears in the summer driving an ice cream van full of treats in your area, Xur is back. This week Destiny 2's suspiciously odd merchant has popped up on Earth's European Dead Zone. That makes for another easy opportunity to expand your collection of Exotic items, which PC players in particular may still be focusing on. This also coincides with the launch of the latest Trials of the Nine (and its first appearance on PC).
To find Xur, you simply need to fast travel to the Winding Cove and then jump on your Sparrow and use the path on the left. You'll see Xur standing around above you, near the downed ship. He's been here before, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding him, but if you'd like a visual guide, check out the video above. You can see what items Xur has to sell below in exchange for Legendary Shards--as always, there's one Exotic weapon (a pulse rifle) and one Exotic armor piece for Warlocks, Titans, and Hunters each.
Graviton Lance (Pulse Rifle)- 29 Legendary Shards
Young Ahamkara's Spine (Hunter Class Gauntlets) - 23 Legendary Shards
Mask of the Quiet One (Titan Class Helmet) - 23 Legendary Shards
Nezarec's Sin (Warlock Class Helmet) - 23 Legendary Shards
Destiny 2's second-ever Faction Rally event begins on November 7 and will run run through November 13. As with the previous rally you'll have to align yourself with a faction, choosing between New Monarchy, Future War Cult, or Dead Orbit, and then head out to collect the most reward packages for your group. You can read more about Destiny 2's new Faction Rally here.
Developer Bungie has also released a new update that impacts the Faction Rally by adjusting how Faction Tokens are given out. Each completed Strike now provides anywhere from five to nine Tokens; previously, they offered three to seven. The first Nightfall of the week (per character) provides 10 to 18 Tokens, while Heroic Public Events hand out five (down from eight). You can check out the full Destiny 2 patch notes here.
If you're still trying to complete the Leviathan Raid, you can also read our Destiny 2 raid guide. The Raid is now live on all platforms, including PC, providing a new high-level challenge and special rewards. Prestige mode for PC players is still to come, but Challenge mode is available for those on all platforms.
Like Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro before it, the Xbox One X represents a mid-generational upgrade that offers a significant boost in performance over its predecessor. Microsoft says the console will allow developers to render games natively at 4K, offer high-dynamic range for more accurate colors, improve load times, and bolster framerates. While we encountered issues with some of these enhancements, the Xbox One X has the potential to really soar when its power is leveraged effectively.
The Xbox One X retails for $500 / £449 / AU $649. For that, you get the console, a 60-inch long power cable, a six-foot high-speed HDMI cable (needed for 4K HDR), Xbox One controller, two AA batteries, a 14-day free trial for Xbox Live Gold, and a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass.
Design
The console measures 30 x 24 x 6 cm (11.8 x 9.5 x 2.4 inches), which technically makes it the smallest Xbox console yet. This is really impressive when you consider the fact that it has an integrated power supply unit, like the Xbox One S before it. This means that you don't have to deal with an obnoxiously large external power brick like with the original Xbox One. Despite its small size, however, it's the heaviest Xbox One at 8.4 pounds.
Aesthetically, it looks a lot like a matte black Xbox One S. Like the S before it, it has a physical power button, which strays away from the original Xbox One's capacitive touch equivalent. This is a welcome tweak considering it was often prone to accidental shutoffs. The front of the console also sports a 4K HDR Blu-Ray drive, one USB 3.0 port, and a controller pairing button. The ports on the back remain identical to the S; from left to right it offers: HDMI out, HDMI in, two USB 3.0 ports, IR out, S/PDIF, and Ethernet. The X is backwards compatible with the existing Xbox One accessories, though you'll need a Kinect dongle if you want to use Microsoft's recently discontinued camera system.
Overall, the design is simple and clean. It has plenty of ventilation through the back and when you couple this with its compact size, you get a sense that Microsoft prioritized function over a flashy design here. Luckily, it still has an unassuming aesthetic that should fit right in with most personal entertainment centers.
Specs
CPU: x86-64 2.3GHz 8-core AMD custom CPU
GPU: 6 TFLOPS, AMD Radeon-based graphics clocked at 1172MHz with 40 compute units
Memory: 12GB GDDR5
Storage size: 1TB HDD
External dimensions: 30x24x6 cm/11.8x9.4x2.3 in
Weight: 8.4 lbs/3.8 kg
Optical drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray
Input/Output: Power, HDMI 2.0b out, HDMI 1.4b in, three USB 3.0 ports, IR out, S/PDIF, gigabit Ethernet
Networking: IEEE 802.11ac dual band (5GHz and 2.4Ghz), 2x2 wireless Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct
Power consumption: 245W
Underneath the hood, there's been a lot of talk about the Scorpio Engine fueling the system. At the heart of it is AMD's x86-based 2.3GHz 8-core CPU, which is clocked 550MHz faster than the original Xbox One's octa-core equivalent.
Arguably bigger gains come from the integrated graphics processor, which uses a custom AMD Radeon-based solution that features 40 compute units clocked at 1172MHz. This provides six teraflops of graphics performance, which is over 4.5 times that of the original Xbox One and over 1.4 times that of the PS4 Pro, its nearest console competitor. This gives it enough horsepower to run certain games at 4K (2160p) with high-dynamic range colors enabled.
The Scorpio Engine is cooled via a vapor chamber cooler, which houses a small amount of water that evaporates into steam when it gets too hot. It then reverts back to liquid when the system cools back down. You typically only see vapor chambers in high-end graphics cards, but they've been known to work effectively, and it's nice to see Microsoft implement it here.
While the original Xbox One and PS4 Pro both use 8GB of shared memory across their respective CPUs and GPUs, the Xbox One X features 12GB of GDDR5 RAM that's capable of delivering 326GB/s of memory bandwidth. This is unprecedented for a console. Microsoft says that games will be able to leverage up to 9GB of it, with the rest going to operating system-related tasks.
While we would have preferred an SSD, Microsoft says that the Xbox One X's 1TB hard drive is 50 percent faster than the original's 5,400rpm solution; though we weren't able to validate this claim in our testing, which we'll discuss below. Like the original Xbox One before it, the X supports external USB drives for added storage.
Graphical Enhancements
The main reason to get excited about the Xbox One X is for the prospect of graphical enhancements. Rather than dictate a certain set of graphical targets for developers to hit, Microsoft lets developers use the console's extra processing power as they see fit. Games that are tuned to take advantage of the Xbox One X will carry an "Xbox One X Enhanced" label.
From what we've seen so far, many developers are opting to render games at 4K, which is four times the 1080p resolution of the vanilla Xbox One. Some are also adding HDR support to provide a wider color gamut and higher contrast ratio between white and black levels.
While the Xbox One X is geared towards users with 4K HDR displays, traditional 1080p TVs aren't entirely left in the dust as some developers may choose to use the extra processing power to improve lighting or to add dynamic shadows. Some games will also run more smoothly on the X. Standard HDTVs will also get supersampling, which renders games at higher resolutions and then down samples or "shrinks" them to a lower resolution display. This acts as an effective form of anti-aliasing that reduces undesirable jaggy effects.
While only Xbox One X-enhanced games will reap some of the aforementioned graphical tweaks, Microsoft says that the Xbox One X has tweaks at the hardware level to implement anisotropic filtering to every game in existence. This can help textures off in the distance look clearer.
Visual Analysis
To analyze the visual enhancements that the Xbox One X offers, I compared it against the original Xbox One, a high-end gaming PC, and Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro with multiple copies of games whenever possible.
I hooked up all the systems to the same TV: a 55-inch 4K HDR Samsung UN55KS8000 and then swapped between the HDMI inputs to conduct visual A/B tests. Because the Xbox One X can also bolster 1080p graphics, I also connected both systems to a 55-inch 1080p TV and similarly analyzed the visual differences there.
While a wide variety of Xbox One X-enhanced games are on the way, unfortunately, at the time of this writing, only a handful of games were patched to take advantage of the new hardware. The available games that we tested include Gears of War 4, Killer Instinct, Super Lucky's Tale, FIFA 18, Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure, and Disneyland Adventures. You can expect us to do more graphics comparisons in the future as the Xbox One X enhancement patches are released.
Gears of War 4
Testing the third-person shooter on the 4K HDR TV, the resolution bump is immediately apparent from the initial menu screen, which showcases a real-time rendering of protagonist JD Fenix's face. With the Xbox One X, the pores on his cheeks provide a real sense of depth, almost like you could fall into them...if you were tiny enough. On the original Xbox One, they comparatively look more like fuzzy dust particles.
You really get much better detail overall with less jagged aliasing issues running on the X. This is especially evident around characters' hair or distant items with straight lines. Overall, it amounts to a cleaner, sharper image.
Gears of War 4 also sports arguably the best implementation of HDR we've seen in a game yet. The high-dynamic range allows colors to appear more realistic. The original Xbox One looks much more washed out and muted in comparison. The X's high-contrast implementation also provides really dark black levels, which, again, contributes to a more realistic image that pulls you into the scene.
In terms of pure image fidelity, it surprisingly looked better than our high-end gaming PC equipped with a GTX 1080 running the game maxed out, as it offered extra dynamic shadows that don't seem to be available on the PC. Unfortunately, the game doesn't run at 60 FPS here on the Xbox One X, so a high-end PC will be able to beat it in terms of framerate.
Fortunately, Gears of War 4 also offers a performance mode that eschews the native 4K rendering in favor of a smoother experience. Here, it looks visually closer to its orignal Xbox One counterpart, but often felt like it was running at 60 FPS.
Hooking everything up to the 1080p TV, the Xbox One X does a good job making the display punch above its standard HD resolution. While there are still some jaggies, supersampling effects provide a very potent form of anti-aliasing. While the difference between the Xbox One X and the original Xbox One isn't as prominent on a standard HDTV, the overall image still looks noticeably clearer with less noise. The Xbox One X can effectively make your 1080p TV look as good as it possibly can.
Super Lucky's Tale
When it comes to Playful's platformer, there's much less to analyze. Super Lucky's Tale supports 4K 60FPS with the Xbox One X and 1080p 30 FPS on the original Xbox.
Whether playing on the 4K TV or 1080p display, the frame rate increase with the X is noticeably smoother. The game looks very crisp running on the 4K TV with the Xbox One X. When hooked up to the 1080p TV, the X's supersampling does make it look slightly sharper than its Xbox One counterpart, but it's not super prominent unless you're really looking for it up close.
Killer Instinct
Killer Instinct already runs at a locked 60 FPS on the original Xbox One. The X simply bumps up the resolution to 4K, which mitigates most of the jaggies.
The game doesn't support HDR, and the Xbox One X makes shadows look too dark on our HDR display. We didn't encounter this issue running the game on our traditional (non HDR) 1080p display, however. Here, the original Xbox One looked washed out in comparison to the X. We also noticed improved anti-aliasing and better anisotropic filtering that made details in the background a little more clear.
FIFA 18
FIFA 18 is the only Xbox One X-enhanced game available at the moment that's also enhanced on the PS4 Pro. When we pitted the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro head to head here, it was honestly hard to tell the difference. Both platforms render the game at 4K, but neither system is able to achieve a stable 60 FPS.
The biggest visual difference we could tell between the two consoles was that color on the Xbox One X looked more realistic on our 4K HDR TV. On the PS4 Pro, the grass looked a bit too "nuclear green" in comparison, which gave it a more "videogamey" aesthetic.
Beyond that, if you're looking for more graphical comparisons between the two consoles, you'll have to wait until we have access to more Xbox One X enhanced games post launch.
Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure
This family-friendly mini-game compilation supports 4K and HDR through the Xbox One X. The enhancements allow the game to feature vibrant colors and look sharp, but it clearly isn't able to run at a smooth 60 FPS, as we encountered the odd, occasional hiccup. This is disappointing considering Rush doesn't look very graphically demanding, especially not compared to something like Gears of War 4. This could be due to how the game was originally designed or may speak to the quality of the update.
Disneyland Adventures
Like Rush, Disneyland Adventures supports 4K and HDR through the Xbox One X's enhancements, but, again, the frame rate didn't see an improvement with it running below 60 FPS. Despite the official HDR support, the game ended up looking a little dim on our 4K HDR television.
4K HDR Video Support
To test out the Xbox One X's 4K HDR video playback capabilities, Microsoft provided us with a 4K HDR copy of BBC's Planet Earth II series.
On our 4K HDR TV, the nature documentary looked stunning. The visuals were sharp and crisp, and it was easy to make out every strand of hair on a sloth and every texture of each tree branch.
The color reproduction is equally amazing. The blues of the ocean and the greens of the forest are realistically portrayed. The bright rays from the sun pierced down through tree canopies very convincingly. This is about as good as it gets as far as home theater setups go.
User Interface
Microsoft released its overhauled Xbox One dashboard last month. While there is a small learning curve to new user interface, it's snappier than past iterations. We did encounter some menu slowdown while we were downloading a bunch of games and quickly flipping through all the tabs, but it's certainly not as sluggish as past updates.
The new dashboard also allows you to filter games that are Xbox One X Enhanced, though it doesn't tell you what specific graphical enhancements the console offers.
Noise, Heat, Power Consumption, and Boot Times
Sitting in the dashboard, the Xbox One X runs silently. When we fired up Gears of War 4, a slight hum from the cooler arose, but it's impressively whisper-quiet.
Using Flir One's heat camera, we measured the Xbox One X's temperature.
The console does get a bit warm, however. Just sitting in the OS, we clocked it at 54.3 degrees Celsius. When we fired up Gears of War, it rose to 61.7 degrees C. It's not scorching hot to the touch by any means, but it is significantly hotter than the PS4 Pro we tested last year, which we saw hit 46.1 degrees Celsius when we were gaming on it. Interestingly, the temperature dropped to 57 degrees C when we switched over to Gears of War 4's Performance mode, which optimizes frame rate over visual fidelity.
We also saw this mirrored when we measured the system's power draw. The Xbox One X consumed 144 watts of power under Gears of War 4's Performance mode, but 174 watts in the higher fidelity Visual mode.
In terms of boot times, Microsoft asserts that the Xbox One X's hard drive is 50 percent faster than the original Xbox before it, and while we did see improvements here, they weren't as good as the company's claims. From a cold boot, the X took 7.5 second to turn on. This is just 0.6 seconds faster than the original Xbox One. Loading up Gears of War 4, the X took 50.8 seconds to boot to the main menu, which was roughly seven faster than the Xbox One. When I loaded up the same Act 1 mission, both consoles took 31 seconds.
When I fired up Killer Instinct, the X launched the game in 37.7 seconds, whereas the original Xbox One did so in 44.1 seconds. While there's generally a measurable performance gain when it comes to load times, it's not as significant as Microsoft is claiming thus far.
Conclusion
As Xbox head Phil Spencer has suggested, the Xbox One X shares a lot in common with the company's high-end Xbox One Elite controller. Both devices are designed for enthusiasts through and through, and are priced accordingly. This makes the less cost-prohibitive Xbox One S a better fit for most people.
While the Xbox One X is an expensive box, from a hardware standpoint, you're getting a very powerful and capable machine. You'll be hard pressed to build a comparably powerful PC for $500. On top of that, you get a 4K HDR Blu-ray player, which can cost several hundred dollars on its own.
The Xbox One X isn't perfect. From what I can tell so far, its load times don't live up to Microsoft's claims, and I noticed some poor HDR implementation, but when a developer is able to take advantage of the hardware, you can get sharper visuals, more vibrant colors, better performance, and added graphical bells and whistles. Playing Gears of War 4 on the Xbox One X really feels like it's the way it's meant to be played.
Should you get an Xbox One X? That answer should largely depend on whether you'd be happy with the console's library of games. You can check out a list of all the Xbox One X-enhanced games here. If you're happy with the lineup and are thinking about jumping in, allow me to outline three different scenarios for you. If you game on a 1080p TV and don't have any plans to upgrade to a 4K one, the Xbox One S is going to be a better fit for you. While you will get some graphical enhancements with the X, you don't really get your money's worth if you don't have a 4K HDR TV. But what if you already own a 4K HDR TV and an Xbox One? In this case, I'd only recommend getting the X if you have the disposable cash to spare for the increased visual fidelity and performance benefits. If you have a 4K HDR TV, don't have a current gen console, and are looking to purchase one, however, the Xbox One X is a great choice.
Ever since deleted scenes started appearing on DVDs in the late 1990s, fans have loved seeing what was cut from their favorite movies and TV shows. The new season of Stranger Things hit Netflix last week--so how much of Season 2 ended up on the cutting-room floor?
Producer Shawn Levy has revealed that there are in fact very few deleted scenes from the new season. Levy told Collider that creators Matt and Ross Duffer simply don't write scenes that aren't needed for the plot. Warning, spoilers below!
"It's really interesting because in a given two-hour movie there's usually at least half an hour of scenes that get cut," Levy said. "On Stranger Things, both seasons, because the Duffers write and rewrite and rewrite, they just like hammer this material so rigorously before it ever shoots that everything has a purpose.
"They also don't believe in scenes that aren't plot necessary. So you'll notice there's very few scenes--even like a delicious treat like Billy flirting with Karen Wheeler, it serves a purpose; he's trying to get information from her. So because the Duffers like all scenes to anchor into plot and necessity, it means there's very, very, very few deleted scenes."
While Netflix are very secretive about viewing figures for their shows, we do know that Stranger Things 2 had a huge audience in its first week on the service. According to estimates released by ratings company Nielsen, the show's premiere episode averaged almost 16 million views during its first three days.
That's a lot of viewers, even for a TV show as popular as Stranger Things. According to Netflix's most recently published numbers, the service has over 52 million American subscribers--meaning right around 30 percent of subscribers watched Stranger Things 2. In addition, if you binge-watched the entire season, you're not alone. Nielsen estimates that 361,000 people watched every single episode on the first day of release. However, it is worth Nielsen estimates figures through surveys and other unpublished metrics, and Netflix have released no official numbers.
The upcoming Xbox One X will be the most powerful console to date, and Microsoft has released a full list of games that will feature Xbox One X enhancements. Aaron Greenberg alluded to the list during a livestream at Gamescom 2017 and mentioned Quantum Break and Halo 5: Guardians as key games to receive optimizations.
Every game that gets the Xbox One X enhancements will receive the updates for free, which can include--but are not limited to--4K resolution (checkerboard or native), anisotropic filtering, HDR, and high-resolution textures. However, developers decide how their games take advantage of the more powerful hardware.
As of right now, more than 100 Xbox One games will be upgraded when the new console launches on November 7; check out the entire list of confirmed enhanced games below.
The next line of Amiibo figures for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild go on sale very soon. The four Champion Amiibo launch next week, on November 10, and now Nintendo has shared more details about the items each figure unlocks within the game.
As Nintendo revealed during its most recent Direct broadcast back in September, each of the four Champion figures unlocks a new helmet that's based on their respective Divine Beast. Each of the Divine Helms also grants a specific buff. You can see which helmets each figure unlocks and the perk that item bestows below:
Additionally, the Divine Helms grant a set bonus--Ancient Proficiency--when equipped with Ancient Cuirass and Ancient Greaves (which need to be upgraded to at least two stars). That bonus increases the attack power of Ancient and Guardian weapons. Each Helm also increases defense against ancient energy attacks and displays an enemy's HP gauge, like the Champion's Tunic.
The Champion Amiibo figures launch ahead of Breath of the Wild's second DLC expansion, The Champions' Ballad. That is slated to launch later this year and will feature a brand-new dungeon, gear, and an original story that reveals more details about Princess Zelda. The Champions' Ballad is only available through Breath of the Wild's $20 expansion pass.
Xbox One X launches on November 7, and ahead of this Microsoft has sent in a final retail version of its 4K-equipped console for us to check out. The original, beefy Xbox One received a redesign with the Xbox One S, packing the same tech into a much smaller frame. But with the Xbox One X, Microsoft is introducing a whole load of extra horsepower, without increasing the size.
While we're not quite ready to show you that power in action, or to deliver our verdict on the new hardware (keep an eye out for that on the site next week), we are able to provide the content we know you crave most: an unboxing. In the video above Lucy and Tamoor dig into the retail Xbox One X package and lay out everything included.
GameSpot recently talked to Xbox boss Phil Spencer, who said the Xbox One X isn't for everyone. Instead, it's an option for people looking for the "very best experience" when it comes to playing games on Xbox.
"Whether you're on a 1080p TV or a 4K TV, you're going to have a great experience," he said. "But it's not for everybody. It's like when we built the Xbox One Elite controller, we didn't try to say to everybody, 'If you need an extra controller, go buy the Elite controller.' We sold a ton of those controllers. We know in the gaming segment, there are a lot of people who play games casually and there's also people where gaming is their number one hobby.
"Their number one form of entertainment, and we want to give them the very best experience. I've played games in true 4K with HDR, and they look fantastic. But it doesn't mean everybody has to do that. So we're giving gamers a choice. Whether we've pushed the innovation too far? It's hard to do that with gamers. I guess we'll see; I feel very confident in the product we have coming to market."
You can read GameSpot's full interview with Phil Spencer here, and it's well worth checking out. It encapsulates all the stories featured below, plus a little more insight from Spencer on 4K TVs, staying ahead of the curve in tech, and Microsoft's strategy for third-party games.
Overwatch fanboys and gals, you're in for an early BlizzCon treat. Razer has just announced a new line of officially licensed PC gaming accessories inspired by Blizzard's beloved mech pilot D.Va.
The new line is on the smaller side, but includes D.Va's signature MEKA headset, a themed mouse, and mousepad. Of course, the mouse and matching pad are tastefully pink, and decked out with her cheeky bunny moniker and logo. Snag a quick peek at the line below in its announcement trailer.
While official details on the MEKA headset have not yet been released, it does appear to be a wireless headset, unlike the line's mouse. The mouse is an Abyssus Elite wired model, and is part of the Chroma line. The matching mousepad, a Goliathus model, is anti-fray and will stay flat no matter how many time you roll it up to crush your enemies.
Pricing and launch details have not yet been revealed, but you can check out the specs of the mouse and pad on the Razer website. With any luck, more details on the headset will be released soon.
BlizzCon 2017 is upon us. Blizzard's annual fan event kicks off today, but even if you missed out on securing a physical ticket for the convention, you can still follow along with it online.
BlizzCon's opening ceremony begins today, November 3, at 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET. It will be preceded by a special pre-show that starts at 10:30 AM PT. The opening ceremony is free for all viewers to watch; you can stream it on Blizzard's YouTube channel or right here via the embed below.
You can find the schedule for this year's BlizzCon events here, while Virtual Ticket can be purchased here. BlizzCon 2017 runs for two days and will conclude with a concert by Muse on Saturday, November 4. Blizzard hasn't teased what announcements it will make at this year's convention, but there will almost certainly be news about Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, and other titles. We'll be covering all the big announcements, so be sure to check back for more news from BlizzCon 2017.
"Should you get an Xbox One X? That answer should largely depend on whether you'd be happy with the console's library of games. You can check out a list of all the Xbox One X-enhanced games here. If you're happy with the lineup and are thinking about jumping in, allow me to outline three different scenarios for you. If you game on a 1080p TV and don't have any plans to upgrade to a 4K one, the Xbox One S is going to be a better fit for you. While you will get some graphical enhancements with the X, you don't really get your money's worth if you don't have a 4K HDR TV. But what if you already own a 4K HDR TV and an Xbox One? In this case, I'd only recommend getting the X if you have the disposable cash to spare for the increased visual fidelity and performance benefits. If you have a 4K HDR TV, don't have a current gen console, and are looking to purchase one, however, the Xbox One X is a great choice." -- Jimmy Thang [Full review]
IGN -- 8.7/10 (Review-in-progress)
"The Xbox One X is a very impressive collection of hardware crammed into a sleek case. It runs cool and quiet as it delivers impressive performance in the enhanced games we've been able to test out so far. It's hard to believe Microsoft exclusives like Gears of War 4 can look so good and run so smoothly on a box that costs less than half of what you'd pay for a high-end gaming PC. Plus, it caters to home theater enthusiasts with 4K ultra-HD Blu-ray playback and Atmos sound. However, the big question of how it compares to the PlayStation 4 Pro in running third-party games remains, for now, unanswered." -- Brandin Tyrrel [Full review-in-progress]
Polygon -- No score (Pre-review)
"The Xbox One X is undeniably the best console to play multiplatform games; they'll look and run better on it than on the PS4 Pro. For some people, that peace of mind--knowing that they're guaranteed to get the highest image quality and smoothest performance--will be enough to justify the purchase price. And the ancillary benefits of Microsoft's ecosystem, such as Xbox Play Anywhere and backward compatibility going back to the original Xbox, can't be discounted. But I've been floored by plenty of games on the PS4 Pro, like Horizon Zero Dawn. For now, with the limited number of enhanced Xbox One X titles I've been able to test, I haven't seen enough to be able to recommend the console in light of its high price--especially when the audience for these mid-cycle upgrades still seems so specific." -- Samit Sarkar [Full pre-review]
The Verge -- 8.5/10
"Sony really has some impressive exclusives on the way, and it's hard for Microsoft to counter this despite its great job on the hardware. Microsoft promised the best hardware, and it delivered--but that's nothing without games." -- Tom Warren [Full review]
The Guardian -- 4/5
"Multiplatform titles will almost certainly look better on Xbox One X than on PS4 Pro, sometimes very noticeably (and elements like increased draw distance and smoother frame-rates can have a palpable effect on your gameplay experience), but is it worth the extra £100? That's a conversation you need to have with your aesthetic standards and your wallet." -- Keith Stuart [Full review]
Engadget -- 87/100
"Ultimately, the Xbox One X offers some major performance upgrades that gamers will notice--especially if you're coming from an original Xbox One. But it's also a bit disappointing since it's coming a year after the PS4 Pro, and it doesn't offer VR yet. For Microsoft fans, though, none of that will matter. It's exactly what the company promised: the fastest game console ever made." -- Devindra Hardawar [Full review]
Eurogamer -- No score
"Really, it all comes down to whether you own a 4K screen or are considering investing in one. The right ultra HD display with decent HDR support really does offer a huge improvement in many cases over standard 1080p. Forza 7's precision lines and often beautiful lighting are a world apart from the base Xbox One experience, while the richness of detail in Gears of War 4 (or the doubling in frame-rate, if you prefer) are transformative experiences. Work needs to be done on beefing up the lacklustre 4K media support, but as a top-tier games machine, Xbox One X is an excellent piece of kit." -- Richard Leadbetter [Full review]
Cheating isn't unfamiliar in any video game, but for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, it's becoming a serious issue. So much so that the team behind the title has publicly announced its commitment to fight cheating in its massively popular title.
"As part of our efforts to foster a safe & fair ingame environment, we are deploying new measures to combat cheaters," the team said via Twitter. "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the cheaters and promise to take stronger actions against them going forward."
The developer's post on Steam mentions that the battle against cheating isn't going to end overnight, but it does want to see it to an end. The goal is to ban cheating players, but maintain a fun and safe environment for those who are simply enjoying the game as is. The next step in the team's cheat-combating endeavor is a patch coming next week to help assist with cheating detection. Feedback from players is also being requested as the team creates its anti-cheating system.
What is the Xbox One X? Formerly code-named Project Scorpio, the Xbox One X is a significantly more powerful version of Microsoft's Xbox One console that's capable of offering 4K support and higher fidelity graphics. Read our Xbox One X review here.
How do the Xbox One X specs compare to Sony's PS4 Pro console? On paper, the Xbox One X is more powerful. While both consoles use an 8-core system-on-a-chip design built by AMD, the Xbox One X's CPU is clocked 200MHz faster at 2.3GHz, compared to Sony's 2.1GHz equivalent. On the GPU side, the Xbox One X's solution offers six teraflops of performance, which is 1.8 teraflops more than the PS4 Pro. The Xbox One X also offers 12GB of GDDR5 memory, while the PS4 Pro offers 8GB of GDDR5 coupled with 1GB of DDR3 RAM. The Xbox One X also offers a 4K-capable Blu-ray drive, whereas the PS4 Pro does not.
Will the Xbox One X work with Xbox One games? Yes. The Xbox One X will support the existing library of Xbox One games and peripherals.
Will there be Xbox One X exclusive games that won't work on the original Xbox One? No. Microsoft tells us that all games will work across both consoles.
What console generation is the Xbox One X a part of? Microsoft considers the Xbox One X to be a part of the Xbox One family, which would classify it under the eighth generation of consoles.
Will original Xbox One games receive graphical boosts or performance benefits on the Xbox One X? Yes. Microsoft tells us that it has made hardware modifications to the Xbox One X that will allow older games designed for the Xbox One to receive enhancements like anisotropic filtering and faster load times right out of the box. The company also tells us that games that feature variable frame rate and resolution should be able to run smoother and at higher resolutions. In addition, Microsoft allows developers to go back and update their games to take advantage of the Xbox One X's extra processing power. These manually tweaked games will carry an "Xbox One X Enhanced" label.
Will the Xbox One X use an SSD? No. The Xbox One X will use a hard drive, but Microsoft tells us that it's 50 percent faster than the Xbox One's 5,400 RPM solution.
Will the Xbox One X support VR? Yes. Microsoft revealed that the Xbox One X will support VR at its E3 2016 press conference. While VR was a no-show at the company's E3 2017 press conference, the company confirmed to us that it still plans to support VR on the console but will share more details at a later date.
Does Xbox One X support native 4K? Yes. It will support native 4K (3840x2160p), but it will also support checkerboard rendering on more graphically demanding games.
What is checkerboard rendering? It's a rendering technique that takes up the same spatial resolution as a native 3840x2160p image but has half the number of pixel shader invocations, which are laid out in a checkerboard pattern. Essentially, it's a 4K-like rendering shortcut that isn't quite as sharp or rich as a native 3840x2160p render, but it can look very close.
What exactly is 4K? In the consumer realm, it's generally considered a resolution that offers 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels. It offers four times as many pixels as 1080p.
Will the Xbox One X come with a 4K Blu-ray player? Yes.
Will the Xbox One X support HDR? Yes. You will need an HDR-capable TV to see its full effects.
What is HDR? HDR stands for high dynamic range. You can learn more about it here. In short, HDR displays provide a much wider color gamut and contrast ratio compared to standard RGB panels. Colors look richer, blacks look darker, and whites look brighter.
Will all games and movies support HDR? No. Games and movies must be specifically tuned to support HDR.
Do I need a 4K TV or HDR TV to use the Xbox One X? No, but if you want to fully reap the system's benefits, you'll most likely want one.
Is there any benefit to using an Xbox One X on a 1080p TV? Yes. Microsoft asserts that the Xbox One X will be able to add anisotropic filtering, shorten load times, and enable supersampling; the latter of which renders games at a high resolution and then downsizes them to 1080p, resulting in a sharper image than native 1080p rendering techniques.
How big is the Xbox One X? 30x24x6 cm (11.8x9.4x2.3 in). It is Microsoft's smallest Xbox console to date.
How much does the Xbox One X weigh? Despite being noticeably smaller than the original Xbox One, the Xbox One X is .6 pounds heavier at 8.4 pounds, which makes it two pounds heavier than the Xbox One S.
Can the Xbox One X stand vertically? Yes, though it requires a stand that's sold separately.
What games are designed to support the Xbox One X's beefier specs? You can find a comprehensive list here.
BlizzCon officially begins today, and Virtual Ticket holders to the event are getting some awesome swag. Anyone who bought one has received a host of virtual goodies for their favorite Blizzard games. Anyone lucky enough to attend BlizzCon in person will also get these rewards.
BlizzCon attendees who play World of Warcraft have had their bonuses for some time already. The Stormwind Skychaser (Alliance) and Orgrimmar Interceptor (Horde) are their reward, both of which are already in the game.
Overwatch's bonus is a new skin for Winston, which is also already available in the game. "Through the power of science, Winston found himself teleported into BlizzCon 2017--and picked up this souvenir skin to mark the curious occasion," Blizzard said.
StarCraft II rewards include Junker SCV, Probe, and Drone skins, which, like the others, are already available in StarCraft II if you have a Virtual Ticket. For Heroes of the Storm, the freebie is the Nexus Razorback mount, along with a BlizzCon 2017 banner and Cartoon Nexus Razorback spray, which are now live in the game.
Diablo III's freebie is the Murkromancer pet, an aquatic companion, and it's coming soon as well. Finally, Hearthstone's freebie has not yet been revealed, though a teaser image suggests it will be a Golden Legendary card. This bonus will arrive after BlizzCon.
You can see all of the Virtual Ticket items that have been announced by clicking through the images in the gallery above.
BlizzCon 2017 starts today and runs through tomorrow. The Virtual Ticket this year gives you access to all of the show's programming, along with content in the weeks leading up to the show. Although the programming is expanding, the price--$40--is staying the same. To get the latest news from BlizzCon and watch the opening ceremonies, follow GameSpot's full coverage.
Update: Check out our Xbox One X review. A head of its November 7, 2017 release date, make sure to check it out to see how Xbox One X's specs perform and how games run at 4K on it.
Original Story: With Microsoft revealing more information on Xbox One X, we have updated our console specs compared story to include the latest information on Microsoft's upcoming system. Specs, features, and prices for all the modern consoles are condensed in our comprehensive chart below.
Xbox One
Xbox One S
Xbox One X
Playstation 4
PlayStation 4 Slim
PlayStation 4 Pro
Switch
CPU
1.75GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU
1.75GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU
2.3GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU
1.6GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU
1.6GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU
2.1GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU
1020MHz Nvidia custom Tegra SOC
GPU
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 853MHz with 1.31 teraflops of performance
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 914MHz
Integrated AMD graphics with 6 teraflops of performance
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 800MHz with 1.84 teraflops of performance
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 800MHz with 1.84 teraflops of performance
Integrated AMD Polaris graphics with 4.2 teraflops of performance
Black (Joy-Con controllers are also available in red/blue)
Optical Drive
Blu-ray/DVD
4K/HDR Blu-ray drive
4K/HDR Blu-ray drive
Blu-ray/DVD
Blu-ray/DVD
Blu-ray/DVD
NA
Networking
Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi A/B/G/N 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi A/B/G/N/AC 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 B/G/N, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 2.1
Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 B/G/N/AC, Bluetooth 4.0
Gigabit Ethernet
802.11A/B/G/N/AC Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant) / Bluetooth 4.1 (TV mode only. A wired LAN connection is possible through the use of a commercially available wired LAN adapter.)
Internet Subscription
Xbox Live required to play online
Xbox Live required to play online
Xbox Live required to play online
PS Plus required to play online
PS Plus required to play online
PS Plus required to play online
Nintendo Switch Online Service required to play online
Ports
Power, HDMI in, HDMI out, 3x USB 3.0, S/PDIF, Kinect port, IR out
Power, HDMI 2.0a in, HDMI 2.0a out, 3x USB 3.0, S/PDIF, IR out
Power, HDMI 2.0a in, HDMI 2.0a out, 3x USB 3.0, S/PDIF, IR out
HDMI, analog-AV out, 2xUSB 3.0, AUX, S/PDIF
HDMI, analog-AV out, 2xUSB 3.1, AUX
HDMI, 3x USB 3.1, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x PS Camera
Game Card, Audio Jack, SD card slot, USB-C, HDMI out, 2x USB port (on dock)
We've highlighted a few interesting tidbits below:
Which console is the most powerful? On paper, Microsoft's Xbox One X console is the most powerful system with its 6 teraflops of performance. This is over 4.5x of that of the original Xbox One and 1.4x the PS4 Pro, its closest console competitor.
Which console offers the most storage space? The console that currently offers the most storage space out of the box is the 2TB version of the Xbox One S. It's worth mentioning that you can swap out the storage drives on the PlayStation 4 consoles, which is something Xbox One systems currently can't do.
Which console is the smallest? Being a handheld console, the Nintendo Switch is the smallest system here measuring 4x6.8x2.1 inches.
Which console is the heaviest? While the Xbox One X is the smallest Xbox console yet, it's also the heaviest out the bunch, weighing in at 8.4 pounds.
Trials of the Nine, the limited-time Crucible mode in Destiny 2, returns today after being canceled for two weeks. It will be available on all platforms, marking the first time that PC players get a taste of the mode. [Update: Trials is now live and will be available until early on Tuesday, November 7.]
Trials runs from Friday at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 5 PM GMT (4 AM AET on Saturday) until the weekly reset on Tuesday. It's a 4v4 Crucible playlist where players compete to rack up seven wins before they lose three matches. Special rewards and access to a new social area are up for grabs by participating, as you can read about in our Destiny 2 Trials of the Nine guide.
In order to participate in Trials, you need to fulfill several requirements. Before joining in on the fun, you must finish the campaign, complete the Call to Arms Milestone for the first time (which simply involves playing enough Crucible matches in a given week), and hit Power level 260 or higher. Additionally, players must come in with a full group of four; matchmaking is unavailable for teammates in Trials.
Xbox One X launches around the world in only a few days, and players who want to get their hands on it right away will have a chance to pick one up at midnight from GameStop. The game retailer has announced it will host midnight launch parties at many of its stores in the US on release day.
The launch parties begin on Tuesday, November 7, at 12:01 AM ET and will take place at more than 2,000 GameStop locations across the country. Additionally, GameStop will offer an extra percentage bonus when customers trade in items toward their Xbox One X purchase; Elite members will get an extra 40%, Pro members an extra 30%, and all other customers will get 20%. Those who pre-ordered the console will also receive "up to $200 credit" when they trade in their current Xbox One toward the purchase.
If you'd like to go hands-on with the new console before buying one, participating GameStop stores around the country will also have demo units available to play the next three weekends, through November 19. You can find the full list of stores that will host Xbox One X demos on GameStop's website.
Erica, a new PS4-exclusive title developed by Flavourworks, made its debut during the PlayStation media briefing at Paris Games Week. A very brief teaser showed the game is presented entirely though live-action cinematics and doesn't have any 3D-rendered assets. Interestingly, the tease video also invited players to guide the story of the eponymous Erica through PlayLink, which allows games to be played on the PlayStation 4 using a mobile phone, as an alternative to a controller.
During Paris Games Week, Lucy and I got to check out Erica in a hands-off gameplay demo. To our surprise, we found that the player is much more involved in the experience than we initially thought they would. Another similar PlayLink title, Planet of the Apes: The Last Frontier, asks players to make decisions during key moments and the story plays out depending on the outcomes. However, Erica looks to be much closer to a traditional point-and-click adventure game.
In the demo, we were shown that players could move around environments and investigate objects to learn more about what's going on. Despite being fully live-action, players also had a high-degree of control over things like opening a box or flicking open a lighter, and objects in the environment also reacted to aggressive and soft touch inputs differently. It was quite impressive, and we decided put our overall impressions of Erica to video. You can watch that above.
Erica is currently in development for PS4 and does not have a release date yet. Sony also showed off a number of other upcoming PS4 titles at its media briefing, including the new game from Infamous developer Sucker Punch. Here's all the biggest PS4 new from Paris Games Week.
Cuphead may draw its inspiration from arcade classics and 1930s cartoons, but the Xbox One and PC game's developers say the game was influenced by another, more surprising source. Old fighting games played a role in Cuphead's development.
In the video above, Cuphead's developers, brothers Chad and Jared Moldenhauer, revealed to GameSpot how they wanted to bring back the feeling of old fighting games. This was especially the case in Cuphead's frog boss stage, where crowds of spectators in the background cheer you on while big bad guys Ribby and Croaks execute moves that may look familiar to fans of Street Fighter 2.
Chad and Jared said that, while they didn't want to include direct references to the game, they still wanted to sneak in homages to the old games and animation however they could.
Since it was released last month, Cuphead has sold more than a million copies and been celebrated for its unique animation style, varied boss battles, and delightful soundtrack. In GameSpot's review, Peter Brown called it a "delightfully punishing challenge" and "a rare, unique game that truly stands out." Read the Cuphead review and, if you're playing the game and trying desperately to stay alive, check out our guide to not dying in Cuphead.
PlayStation Plus regularly costs $60 per year in the United States, following a price increase last year. Whether or not it's worth that price varies from person to person depending on what you get out of it, but whatever the case, you can currently pick up a subscription at a steep discount. [Update: Amazon has sold out, but GameStop continues to offer the $40 price.]
Right now, Amazon and GameStop are both selling a year of PS Plus for just $40. That's a big price cut, and about as low as it tends to ever go at most retailers. There's no telling how long this will last, so if you're interested, you should grab it now. As an added benefit, this is a "download," meaning a redemption code will be emailed to you, rather than having to wait for a card to be physically mailed to you.
Aside from providing access to PS4 online multiplayer and special discounts--such as the PS4 game sale happening this week--the primary benefit of PS Plus is the lineup of free games. Similar to Xbox Live Gold's Games With Gold program, each month brings a selection of freebies to download across PS4, PS3, and Vita. These are only available to claim for a month, but doing so allows you to continue playing for as long as you're a subscriber.
Earlier this week it was reported that the reshoots on the upcoming Star Wars spin-off Solo: A Star Wars Story were so extensive that up to 80 percent of the movie might have been filmed again by replacement director Ron Howard. Now, co-star Thandie Newton has spoken about the situation and suggested that far more of the footage filmed by original director Phil Lord and Chris Miller will be included in the final film.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Westworld star Newton said that very few of her scenes were reshot. "Apart from the initial shock and feeling bad for [Lord and Miller] not being able to finish their work, their work is everywhere in it," she said. "Ninety percent of my stuff is with them. And it certainly wasn't about, 'Oh we have to start again and do it all over.'"
Newton went on to speak about Howard taking over from Lord and Miller, who were fired from the production in June, and described Solo as a "collaboration" between them.
"I love Phil and Chris--everybody loves Phil and Chris--they're so brilliant," she said. "Ron and the guys were talking to each other. As far as I'm concerned what's on screen, in the end, is going to be an amazing collaboration. It's a massive piece. We see so often now there are two directors working on pictures. We already had two with Phil and Chris. Now there's three.
"With a project like that where it's a vision that's been created over so many years, that's so expansive, I think it's less about things going wrong than getting more help to bring it into the best position it can be in. I really like Ron though, he's very sweet. And [the film is] dope; it's so cool!"
Even if the reshoots were less extensive than initially thought, there is no doubt that the length of Howard's production was far longer than the few weeks of reshoots that were initially suggested. Production recommenced in June and didn't finish until mid-October. In addition, the scale of the reshoots meant that at least one role had to be recast, with Paul Bettany replacing Michael K. Williams.
Solo: A Star WarsStory stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo and Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca, with Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian. Woody Harrelson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Emilia Clarke also star. It hits theaters on May 25, 2018.
One of the regular ways to mix up your Crucible fun in Destiny 2 is Trials of the Nine. This limited-time mode runs on weekends--except when it was canceled because of an emote lets you exploit your way into walls--and provides access to a new area and special rewards. Following the Leviathan Raid's launch on computers, PC players will soon get their first taste of Trials. Here's what you need to know about it.
Trials is a special Crucible playlist that opens up on Fridays at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 5 PM GMT (4 AM AET on Saturday) and is available until the following weekly reset on Tuesday. The specifics of the mode and map you'll play vary; each week features one map and either the Survival or Countdown mode. What never changes is that it's always 4v4 and involves trying to accumulate a total of seven wins before you lose three. Your progress is tracked on a "Ticket" that can be seen in the Director. You won't start picking up losses on your record until you've won a match.
There are certain pre-requisites for Trials of the Nine; it's not intended as a beginner's activity. Bungie describes it as "high intensity," due in large part to how much each win and loss matters. To take part, you must first complete the campaign, finish the Call to Arms Milestone (where you play enough Crucible matches before the weekly reset) at least once, and reach a Power level of at least 260.
Aside from fulfilling those requirements, you'll also need three other players who have also done so. You must form a Fireteam of four before being able to dive in; there is no matchmaking for teammates. Trials is one of Destiny 2's activities that locks your equipment, so you'll want to make sure you have the right gear equipped before beginning. Once you're good to go, you'll find Trials in the Crucible area of the Director.
Successfully winning a match provides access to a new social space, The Third Spire, where you can meet an NPC vendor named The Emissary. He grants Engrams based on your wins and also allows you to exchange Trials Tokens for rewards. These Tokens are earned by winning Trials matches and completing Trials challenges (which can be repeated weekly on each of your characters). The Emissary provides greater rewards for those who prevail in multiple matches--there are new rewards tiers at three, five, and seven wins. If you're able to win seven matches without any losses--what's known as a Flawless Ticket--you'll receive even more rewards. You can see some of the available items below.
Nintendo has announced a new Direct broadcast for next week. The presentation takes place on Tuesday, November 7, and will focus exclusively on the upcoming Nintendo Switch open-world RPG, Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
The Nintendo Direct begins at 6 AM PT/9 AM ET for those in North America and 2 PM GMT for UK viewers. Nintendo hasn't detailed what will be discussed during the presentation, but Nintendo of Europe's Twitter account says it will offer "a deep dive on the world of Alrest." You can stream the Nintendo Direct here.
With Super Mario Odyssey already out, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the last major first-party game still in store for Switch this year. During its previous Direct broadcast, Nintendo shared a new trailer (above) that offered a closer look at Xenoblade's massive world and some of the characters players will encounter in it. Nintendo also showed off a beautiful area from the game called Uraya and more of the title's battle system in a nearly hour-long gameplay demonstration at Gamescom this summer.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 releases exclusively for Switch on December 1. The game will be released in both a standard and special edition; the latter runs for $100 and includes a soundtrack CD, a 220-page art book, and a special steelbook case. A special Xenoblade Chronicles 2-themed Switch Pro Controller will also release on the same day as the title for $75.
One of the game's Daily Orders tasks you with observing as three other players call in their loot drops from the heavens, and it'll reward you with Social Score. The higher your score, the more likely you are to score higher-level drops in loot boxes. Check it out in-game, courtesy of GameSpot's own Ed Tran:
All of this takes place in Call of Duty: WWII's new social space, Headquarters. Along with loot drops, Headquarters also gives you access to 1v1 modes, a firing range, some objects to kick around, and dynamic events such as air raids.
Assassin's Creed Origins launched last week to a positive critical reception, and now it's getting a new update. Version 1.03 is out now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, introducing new photo mode features, some welcome visual and audio upgrades, and a bunch of gameplay tweaks.
First up, new effects have been added to the game's photo mode: you can now tweak the depth of field, exposure, temperature, tint, saturation, and noise of photos, as well as adding vignettes. That's on top of the open-world title having its looks enhanced, with the latest patch improving the transitions and level of detail in several cinematic sequences.
In terms of gameplay, the navigation of NPCs, the playable character, and animals is better than before; spawn locations have been tweaked, and the Kill Loot ability has been added for hand-to-hand combat. Additionally, this is the patch that adds HDR support for Xbox One X, Xbox One S, and PS4 Pro. Check out the full patch notes for the update--which weighs in at between 1.1 GB and 1.8 GB depending on your platform of choice--at the bottom of this article, via Ubisoft.
The patch, while not too substantial, does improve a game that was already pretty good. We awarded the game a 7/10 in our verdict: "While Assassin's Creed Origins reaches great heights in this new setting, it routinely runs into issues that bog down the overall experience," wrote Alessandro Fillari in our Assassin's Creed Origins review. "Technical issues make for an inconsistent experience and its new gameplay pillars wobble under the weight of its systems. But despite this, the world of Origins remains fresh and exciting to explore, which is a testament to the remarkable setting and compelling story. Assassin's Creed has undergone many changes in its long and storied history, and Origins feels like the first step in the start of a new journey. It has its fair share of problems, but the vision for its future is one worth pursuing." For more, check out all our Assassin's Creed Origins guides, tips, and walkthroughs.
The next pair of Pokemon games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, are quickly approaching their November 17 release date, and ahead of their launch, Nintendo has been giving away a ton of free items and Pokemon for the previous Sun and Moon versions. Many of the giveaways have already ended, but there are still plenty of rare freebies for Sun and Moon players to get their hands on.
We've rounded up all of the distributions that are currently running for Pokemon Sun and Moon, as well as a few that will be available for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon when those versions launch. We'll be updating this list as more giveaways are announced, so check back often to see what free items and Pokemon you can get.
Pokemon Sun/Moon Free Gifts
Mega Stones -- DONE
Mega Stones are exceptionally rare and valuable in Pokemon Sun and Moon. When equipped to their corresponding Pokemon, Mega Stones allow it to Mega Evolve during battle, often changing its type and giving it a considerable stat boost. Nintendo is giving away several batches of Mega Stones that aren't normally available in Sun and Moon, all of which are redeemable via a universal download code. Input the following codes in Mystery Gift by October 31 and you'll receive these Mega Stones:
Players in the US can pick up a free download code for Charizard from the electronics department in Target stores. The popular Fire-type Pokemon comes at level 50, is equipped with the Red Card item, and knows the moves Dragon Dance, Flare Blitz, Fly, and Earthquake. As with other download codes, you need to input your code via Mystery Gift to receive Charizard. The distribution runs until October 14, and you have until February 4, 2018 to redeem your code.
Marshadow -- DONE
For a very limited time, players can pick up a free download code for the Mythical Pokemon Marshadow. Those in the US can get the code from GameStop, while players in the UK will have to visit "participating retailers." This is the first legitimate way Sun and Moon players can obtain the rare Fighting/Ghost-type, which comes at level 50 and is equipped with Marshadium Z. It also knows the attacks Spectral Thief, Close Combat, Force Palm, and Shadow Ball.
Pikachu
To celebrate the release of the Pokemon series' 20th anniversary film, Pokemon The Movie: I Choose You, The Pokemon Company is giving away six different versions of Ash's Pikachu for Sun and Moon. To receive a Pikachu, enter the code PIKACHU20 in Mystery Gift. However, you can only receive one of the six Pikachu, and the version you get depends on when you enter the code. The full Pikachu distribution schedule is below.
Players who purchase either Pokemon Gold or Silver from the 3DS Eshop by September 21, 2018 will receive a bonus download code for the Mythical Pokemon Celebi. The code can be redeemed in Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon. We've outlined the steps you need to take to find and redeem the code here.
Magearna
Unlike other Mythical Pokemon, the Steel/Fairy-type Magearna is available not through Mystery Gift, but via a QR code. After defeating the Elite Four and completing the main story, you can use the QR Scanner feature to scan the below code. After doing so, visit the Antiques shop in Hau'oli City and pick your Magearna up from the deliveryman waiting there. The Mythical Pokemon comes at level 50 and knows the moves Fleur Cannon, Flash Cannon, Lucky Chant, and Helping Hand.
Shiny Silvally -- Ends Nov. 13
Beginning October 23, players in the US and Canada can pick up a free download code for a shiny Silvally from GameStop and EB Games stores. The distribution will run until November 13. Players in the UK will also have a chance to get the rare Pokemon at participating GAME stores from November 3-16.
Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon Free Gifts
Rockruff -- Ends Jan. 10, 2018
Purchase either Pokemon Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon by January 10 and you'll receive a special Rockruff as a free bonus. This Rockruff will only evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc, a new variant of the popular wolf Pokemon that is exclusive to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
November is here, and it's going to be a big month for subscribers to Amazon Prime. The service's streaming video component is beefing up its library heading into the end of the year with original TV shows and movies--including the critically acclaimed The Big Sick.
The big news for Amazon in November comes in the form of a secret agent, though. As with Hulu, a large piece of the James Bond film library is now available--practically every film from 1962's Dr. No through 2002's Die Another Day. The one omission is the original Casino Royale, which starred David Nivens as 007.
Another major arrival to Prime is three Thursday Night Football games, taking place throughout the month. Matchups featuring the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Pittsburgh Steelers will be available live exclusively through Amazon Prime Video.
Super Mario Odyssey is a huge, wonderfully designed game brimming with personality. Although it doesn't specifically impact gameplay (for the most part), one new thing it introduces is the ability to dress Mario up in a wide variety of costumes. These range from his wedding outfit to Waluigi's overalls and many others.
Amiibo figures play a part in accessing these costumes, as you can scan select ones to unlock a corresponding outfit in-game. They can also provide various bonuses, such as extra hearts and--in the case of Mario's Amiibo figures--invincibility for 30 seconds. In the video above, we provide a full rundown on what you can get. Be aware that the costumes thankfully aren't exclusive to Amiibo figures--you can unlock everything in-game without owning any.
To scan in an Amiibo you own, you have to speak with the appropriately named Uncle Amiibo. He's the Roomba-looking robot who can typically be found near your ship after completing a kingdom. Speaking with him brings you to a menu where you can scan in your figures--just hold one over the reader on the right Joy-Con (or the middle of the Pro Controller) to do so.
Another weekly reset has arrived for Destiny 2, which means it's time for a new Nightfall Strike... except it doesn't. The Flashpoint has moved to the EDZ, but despite the reset, players still have access to the same Nightfall as last week: The Arms Dealer. It features the same exact Challenges but different Modifiers, which is unusual. We do know that a new Destiny 2 update is slated to arrive this week, and it's possible the Nightfall will change following that. We'll update this story if that proves to be the case, but for now we'll look at the Nightfall version of The Arms Dealer.
The time limit is in place and can be extended because of the first of the two modifiers, Timewarp: Killing Time. By slaying enemies, you'll receive additional time--up to a limit--to complete the Strike. The other modifier is Prism, which cycles through each of the damage types. The selected damage deals more than usual, while the others are less effective.
In terms of Challenges, Speed of Dark is active, which asks you to finish the Strike with at least five minutes left on the timer. Unbroken requires you to make it through the mission with fewer than three deaths. And finally, Trash the Thresher tasks you with bringing down a Thresher (the Cabal gunship) during the fight with Bracus Zahn.
The reward for completing the Nightfall is Powerful Gear. This is one of the few activities to offer those, and they're among the best items you can get your hands on. It's also a reliable way to increase your Power level past 265, should you be struggling to pass that point. If you haven't made it to that point, you may want to consider waiting until after you've raised your Power level before grabbing the Nightfall reward. This Nightfall will be available until the next weekly reset, which occurs at 2 AM PT / 5 AM ET / 9 AM GMT / 4 PM AEST on Tuesday, November 7.
The Nightfall is available from the start for the PC version, which is out now. If you haven't yet unlocked the Nightfall, you'll need to complete two Strikes and approach the suggested Power level of 240 before Zavala will allow you to take part in them. Traditional matchmaking is not available, but in its place we have Guided Games, providing players with the opportunity to be matched up with members of a clan for the mission (which requires a Nightfall Ticket). Alternatively, clan members can sign up to serve as guides through the Nightfall. Doing so does not require a Ticket.
Recent Articles:
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website.
No comments:
Post a Comment