Destiny 2 is right around the corner, and so Destiny 1 is winding down: the game's final Iron Banner begins today, so jump on this week to win some last-minute loot.
The Iron Banner competition has been a staple of Destiny since soon after its launch. The event usually lasts about a week, and there's always a bunch of good gear that players can win.
In Iron Banner, as opposed to normal Destiny competitive multiplayer, players' Light level matters. Your level and the power of your gear is reflected in Iron Banner matches, so it's important to bring the most powerful weapons and armor you own into the competition.
The final Iron Banner focuses on the Control mode. To gain Iron Banner levels and get access to better loot, you need to both win matches and complete event-specific bounties. You can get these bounties from Lady Efrideet in the Iron Temple.
Destiny 1's other mainstay event, Trials of Osiris, comes back one last time on August 11. So if you want to get to the Lighthouse, this is your final shot. Of course, Destiny 1 isn't going offline anytime soon--it just won't be getting these limited-time events anymore.
Destiny 2, meanwhile, launches on September 6 for PS4 and Xbox One, and on October 24 for PC. Console players were able to check the game out in July during its beta test, and PC players will get a beta in late August.
The next Legendary Pokemon has begun appearing in Pokemon Go. For a limited time, players around the globe will be able to battle and potentially capture Team Valor's mascot, Moltres.
As was the case with the previous two Legendary Pokemon, Lugia and Articuno, Moltres will appear in Raid Battles. Players will have to team up to take down the powerful Fire-type, and only once it's defeated will they have an opportunity to capture it.
Those hoping to add Moltres to their teams will have to act fast, as the Pokemon will only be available in the game from now until August 7. The next Legendary monster, Zapdos, will start appearing in Raid Battles from August 7-14. Ho-Oh is also expected to arrive in the future, though developer Niantic hasn't confirmed when it will begin showing up.
A new firmware update for Nintendo Switch is now live. Along with the usual stability and performance improvements, update 3.0.1 primarily addresses an issue some users have experienced with the console's battery charge indicator.
Specifically, some Switch users have reported that their console no longer displays its remaining battery life accurately following the system's previous firmware update, 3.0.0. According to those who've experienced the issue, the system's battery life indicator would either not update while the console was charging or would display the incorrect percentage when the system was fully charged.
While today's update is aimed at resolving the issue, Nintendo notes on its support website that it may not fix the problem immediately for all users. In the event that the battery charge indicator still displays incorrectly following the update, Nintendo has outlined a way to manually resolve the issue--though it's a rather time-consuming and convoluted process that involves charging the console fully, letting it sit for an hour, then draining the battery until it's about to die and repeating the entire process up to six times.
The brief notes for today's update are below. You can find the step-by-step instructions for how to improve the system's battery life indicator on Nintendo's website.
Nintendo Switch 3.0.1 Update Notes:
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including:
Addressed an issue in which the remaining battery charge can't be displayed accurately
Last week, developer Bluehole announced that it is adding a "crate-and-key" cosmetic DLC system to Playerunknown's Battlegrounds. Although two crates will be free to open, one will require you to purchase a special key. This announcement drew a lot of controversy among fans, many of whom objected to an Early Access game getting paid cosmetic DLC. Today, Bluehole responded, explaining that it needs to test the system ahead of PUBG's official launch.
In a post on Steam, Brendan "Playerunknown" Greene addressed the criticisms directly, saying that he understands fans' concerns about such a system of microtransactions. However, he also stated that this early test of a paid crate-and-key model is necessary for developing a stable in-game economy in the future.
"The idea of testing, prior to full implementation, is at the heart of adding every new game feature in our game, and this includes the crate-and-key system which we believe will serve as the foundation of a healthy economy after launch," Green wrote. "This is an economy that would and should benefit all players--both who are willing to pay and who are not willing to pay for vanity items. It is important that all our players are able to enjoy the various items that will be provided for customization, and it is even more crucial that we have a stable self-sustaining economy that maintains the value of the items you have purchased or gained."
He went on to reiterate that this is an entirely optional system, and the items that will be sold are only "vanity" items. Anyone who owns a copy will still get access to the rest of the game. He apologized, though, for confusion caused by the original announcement of the system.
"I must admit that our messaging wasn't very clear, so I extend my sincere apologies for the confusion caused. The process of communicating our intentions precisely to our fans and communities should have been done in a more careful and prudent manner. I've learned a lot, and we'll try to communicate better moving forward."
This explanation lines up with the reasoning that he gave in early June when he sat down with GameSpot, well before the announcement of the DLC. You can read our interview with him here.
The first paid DLC will include a bunch of skins inspired by Battle Royale. You can buy the crate using in-game currency, but you must purchase a key for $2.50 to unlock it. The proceeds from this crate will go partly toward funding PUBG's first big esports tournament happening later this month at Gamescom, and partly to charity.
The other two new crates can be purchased using in-game currency, as well, but they will be free to open. Greene revealed what they'll include in the post, and you can see a gallery of the cosmetics below. The crates launch on August 3.
Following some recent teases, the latest Injustice 2 update has brought with it a new Premier skin. This one is for Superman, and it takes things a bit further than usual.
The Bizarro skin gives Superman the look of his doppelganger and flips the patented S on his suit and cape. Perhaps more notably, it also modifies his abilities. As we noticed in a brief previous look at him, one ability now burns enemies instead of freezing them, while the lasers he shoots from his eyes now look like an ice attack rather than a solar one.
His Super ability remains the same as that of the standard Superman, although you do hear his new voice at the end of it. He has new voice lines elsewhere too, and seeing two Bizarro skins have a conversation is pretty hilarious: "You Bizarro new best friend," one says, to which the other replies, "Bizarro need not worst friend," prompting the first to go, "Why am you so polite!?" It's quite the scene.
You can see many of these voicelines and modified abilities in the gameplay video above. The Bizarro skin--based on the character that has been in the comics since 1958--is available now as part of the latest patch. Like other Premier skins, it costs 6,000 Source Crystals.
It's been a relatively long wait for the July update for Playerunknown's Battlegrounds--after all, it's not even July anymore. Due to persistent server issues, developer Bluehole had to delay its release. This week, though, players can finally get their hands on the new patch, and today the studio revealed what's in store.
The update's biggest addition is dedicated first-person servers, which Bluehole has been talking about for several weeks. Alongside these servers come a couple of improvements to the first-person perspective, including adding an FOV slider for the first-person camera as well as freezing the camera when looting to prevent dizziness.
A lot of you have been asking about the FOV range in 1st person view, so here is a comparison of min/max FOV coming in our monthly update... pic.twitter.com/toq4San1IH
Until today, Bluehole had been pretty much silent about what else the update would include. The patch notes reveal a bunch of other significant changes and additions. As with past updates, this one adds a new marksman rifle, the MK14 EBR, which can only be obtained through care packages.
In addition, the update adds support for Xbox gamepads, new animations when using consumables, tweaks to sound, and spark effects to flat tires. It also includes horns for cars, so players can finally careen around the map in vehicles honking their horns.
There's a whole lot more in the update, as well, and you can see the full patch notes below. It is currently available to try out in the Public Test Server, and Bluehole states that it'll go live to everyone later this week.
In other PUBG news, Bluehole recently revealed that it's working on a bunch of new character animations, which you can see here. In addition, the game recently passed Fallout 4 to claim third place for highest peak concurrent users on Steam.
Server Optimization
Optimized fences, doors, and windows
Optimized vehicle physics
Client Optimization
Optimized memory usage for world objects
Optimized terrain rendering
Optimized vehicle physics
Optimized User Interface
New Items
Added new weapon Mk14 EBR. Mk14 EBR is a Designated Marksman Rifle that can only be obtained from Carepackages. This weapon is chambered for 7.62mm and sniper rifle attachments
Character
Added two new face presets and hairstyles to character customization for both genders
Gameplay
Added 1st Person server options to NA and EU Solo and Duo game modes
Players who choose 1st Person mode will be matched together
Character view is set to 3rd Person mode in starting airplane and during free fall from the airplane. This will be set to 1st Person only in a future update
Camera will stay still while looting items to prevent dizziness
Added a new feature to report players
Some people killed knocked-out teammates in order to avoid giving kill count to an opponent who knocked them down. Now the kill count will still go to the opponent in this specific case.
Added new animation when using different consumables
Improved camera transition when disabling Free look feature (Alt Key)
Decreased the reload time of VSS
Players may now re-enter games if they have been disconnected mid-game
You may now play with Xbox controllers, and we will continue to make improvements with Xbox controllers
Sound volume difference from inside and outside of building is more obvious
Added new sound effect while scoping or aiming weapon
Added new effects when a character is running or sprinting over different types of surfaces
Improved character animation without any weapon or with melee weapon
Added slight delay when using the drag-and-drop feature on items in inventory UI. We implemented this delay to provide a fair gameplay environment to all players
Improved post-process effect when a character takes damage outside of the blue circle
Items and Vehicles
Added a lower rail attachment slot to SKS
You may now honk a car horn when sitting in the driver's seat with Left Mouse Click
Decreased the chance of vehicle explosion after the vehicle gets stuck in objects
Vehicle driving sound will change slightly in FPP and TPP modes
Added new sound effects for motorcycle tire screech while driving
Eliminated firing delay of S1897 from pump action after reload
Improved effects of boats
Added spark effect to flat tires
Reduced cast time of First Aid Kit / Painkiller to 6 seconds
Reduced cast time of Med Kit / Adrenaline Syringe to 8 seconds
UI
Added more features and hot keys to the Options Menu
Added new option for V-Sync
You may now designate a maximum of two different keys for each key bind
Added new option to set toggle on certain actions and features
You may now use Mouse wheel up/down as one of your key binds
Added new keybinds, such as all mute (Ctrl+M) and switching Voice Channel (Ctrl+Y), and a new option to adjust the volume of voice chat
Added new keybinds to use specific throwables
Added Colorblind Mode
Added an FOV slider for 1st person view
Added some region names to the mini map
Added new option to display helmet, vest, and backpack equipped on HUD UI. This HUD UI will be updated further in the future
Added new option to display all equipped weapons on the right side of the screen. This UI will be updated further in the future
Bug fixes
Partially fixed client crash issues
Fixed an issue of weapons sporadically ceasing to fire despite being set to auto firing mode
You may not use consumables in vehicles underwater
Fixed bugs below while spectating another character
A character appeared to be shaking when the character moves around
Camera swing when a character scopes while walking
Camera swing when a character peeks left or right while scoping
A character appeared to be shaking when the player moves his mouse while scoping in Prone
Characters farther than 500m away from a vehicle will no longer hear the tire screech sound
Fixed post-process bug underwater in FPP mode
Fixed an issue of the reloading sound getting played repetitively after dropping a weapon while reloading
Fixed the probability of getting rainy weather to previous value
Fixed a bug where a character could not equip attachment with full inventory
Fixed a bug where weapons would continue to play looped reload animation even after canceling the reload
Fixed a bug where a character could see through the other side of wall when scoping or crouching against certain walls
Fixed a bug where a character sitting on objects inside of certain buildings could see through ceilings and walls
It might not have been a critical success, but Suicide Squad was still one of 2016's biggest box office hits, and the sequel was confirmed by DC at San Diego Comic-Con last month. However, the movie currently lacks a director, and it has now been reported that the studio's top choice has withdrawn from the project.
According to Deadline, Jaume Collet-Serra will no longer direct Suicide Squad 2. Although Collet-Serra was never officially announced by the studio, he was reportedly its top choice to take over from David Ayer, who helmed the first movie. Collet-Serra, who directed last years hit shark thriller The Shallows, will instead helm the action comedy Jungle Cruise, with star Dwayne Johnson.
Ayer, meanwhile, was previously attached to Gotham City Sirens, which would focus on the female supervillains of the DC universe. However, that movie was not among the future titles that DC announced at SDCC, so it is unclear if it is moving forward.
Rockstar has revealed this week's batch of updates and bonuses for Grand Theft Auto V's multiplayer mode, GTA Online. These include a new vehicle option, a slew of discounts on bunkers and more, and a new Knuckleduster Pocket Tee that all players can receive for free just by signing in this week.
This week's update sees the addition of the Insurgent Pick-up Custom, a new weaponized upgrade for the HVY Insurgent Pick-Up. This particular variation adds a .50 caliber mounted Minigun and Proximity Mines to the vehicle for even more firepower. Players can get the upgrade from their Mobile Operations Center's Weapon & Vehicle Workshop.
Additionally, Rockstar has extended the amount of time players have to earn double GTA$ and RP from the game's new Adversary mode, Power Mad, which was introduced in last week's update. Power Mad bonuses are now available until August 7. Players can also score double GTA$ and RP this week by playing the fan-favorite Deadline mode or by launching any Mobile Operation Mission.
This week's set of discounts revolves primarily around bunkers. Players can get 30% off the Farmhouse Bunker, 25% off the Smoke Tree Road Bunker, and 10% off the Grapeseed Bunker. All bunker renovations and upgrades are also 25% off this week. In other sales, players can save 25% on both the Grotti X80 Proto and Ocelot Lynx, as well as 25% on all garage properties until August 7.
Lastly, this week's Premium Race is Target (which is restricted to the Ruiner 2000), while the new Trial Race is Up N Atom. As usual, all players will earn triple RP for participating in the Premium Race, but only the top three will earn a tidy sum of GTA$. Anyone who beats the target time in the Time Trial will score significant GTA$ and RP rewards. Both events run until August 7.
Following a false start at Walmart, Nintendo has announced that SNES Classic Edition pre-orders will be available in the United States in August, ahead of the system's September 29 launch. The company has also again suggested it will offer an ample number of systems following the supply issues with last year's NES Classic Edition.
In a post on its Facebook page today, Nintendo said, "We appreciate the incredible anticipation that exists for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition system, and can confirm that it will be made available for pre-order by various retailers late this month." It did not offer a more specific date than that, nor did it say which stores would be offering pre-orders. Individual retailers may share their plans in the weeks ahead; we'll continue to monitor and track how to pre-order a SNES Classic Edition as more details are shared.
There have been concerns that, in light of how difficult the NES Classic Edition was to find, the SNES Classic Edition will face a similar situation. Nintendo again tried to alleviate these worries, stating, "A significant amount of additional systems will be shipped to stores for launch day, and throughout the balance of the calendar year." Nintendo previously said its current plan is to only offer the system during 2017, adding that it will offer far more SNES Classic Edition units than it did with the NES model.
All PlayStation 4 players are now getting the chance to try Dreadnought. As of today, the tactical, team-based strategy game has a free open beta on the PlayStation Store. The game has been in closed beta on PS4 for some time, and an open PC beta is currently underway too. You can check out the epic new trailer below.
Dreadnought takes a different slant on space combat than many other tactical strategy games: you command giant capital ships in big battles. There are more than 50 different ships to play across five different ship classes, all of which let you customize their weapons, modules, coatings etc. The PS4 open beta adds two new game maps and six bonus night map variations to the content available in the previous closed beta.
The open beta also includes four game modes: Team Deathmatch, Team Elimination, Training, and Havoc. Havoc is a PS4 exclusive co-op mode not found in the PC version where three players try to survive wave after wave of progressively tougher enemies using the ships they select and upgrade.
Another PS4 exclusive, the Hactar Hero Ship, is available in today's open beta along with a new ShareFactory theme and two additional title themes. If you're a PS Plus subscriber, you'll also be able to pick up a free DLC pack for the game starting August 15.
Mario+Rabbids is really f****** hard. Like, really, really hard. I went into my three hours with the game expecting an XCOM-lite--a simplified strategy title for the Mario audience. It would be easy, I thought. Maybe even too simplistic and perhaps a little dull.
That was not the case. My team of Mario, Rabbid Peach, and Rabbid Luigi got wiped out on the very first level, Ancient Gardens, going out with a whimper to a group of enemy Rabbids. So much for a leisurely walk through the Mushroom Kingdom.
At this point, Kingdom Battle's depth wasn't clear. I had no choice of who to pick for my team, no abilities and only the most basic weapons unlocked, and therefore no grasp on what made Rabbid Luigi different from Rabbid Peach or from any other cartoon rabbit.
The second level I played, however, was from much later in the game, meaning a wider variety of both allies and enemies were involved. It was here in Spooky Trails that Mario+Rabbids revealed its depth: suddenly I had some heavy artillery in my possession, seven characters unlocked (my original team plus Peach, Luigi, Rabbid Mario, and Rabbid Yoshi), and a bunch of special abilities available for each operative. The strategy game transformed into an intricate dance; by connecting together a handful of moves to vanquish multiple enemies per turn I felt less like a trite military general, more like the puppet master of a colorful and ludicrous TV show.
Ubisoft has recreated Nintendo's iconic characters expertly--not only in their character models and animations, but in their personalities. The Rabbid versions of Mario-kind are infused with a similar amount of charm as their Mushroom Kingdom counterparts, who behave exactly as you'd expect them to on the battlefield. (Of course Luigi is the loveable coward, who prefers to keep his distance from the conflict, sniper rifle in hand, hands trembling.)
I particularly loved Peach and her fire shotgun, a lethal close-quarters weapon that, if it doesn't kill, leaves your enemies with a nasty burn. It's devastating power causes enemy Rabbids to scatter around the map holding their burned behind. Combine it with her XCOM-style Overwatch ability and you have the quite ridiculous sight of Princess Peach--until now the archetypal helpless damsel in distress--blasting Rabbids out of the sky without a second thought.
This can be chained together with a number of other offensive maneuvers, such as punching through enemies, moving through pipes, jumping on Mario's head to stomp bad guys, and drawing monsters to one spot with Rabbid Mario's Magnet Dance ability. Movement is key, and choosing which abilities to string together is even more important. Each character has their own skill tree, in which you can invest to get more abilities or unlock new weapons. These, in turn, have their own added effects such as area damage or status ailments.
Through these trees, you're allowed to pick your style and perform all sorts of crazy stunts. But enemies are similarly well-equipped, and their intelligent AI--which can outthink and outflank you with ease--makes keeping your team together and crawling forward a strategy on par with hitting yourself with the controller. You're only going to get hurt.
This forces you to both plan ahead and think on your feet. You'll have to come up with ingenious ways to inflict damage on the fly, of course, but you'll also need to envisage killer combinations to ensure that your Rabbids don't end up dead. It became increasingly obvious to me that team composition is crucial--and absurd. The game's local co-op mode--which puts you and a friend in charge of a pair of fighters each--has you very seriously debating over fighter and strategy choice in the most bizarre fashion:
"I think we need Mario because he's got the best gun."
"Hmm, but Rabbid Peach is a great healer, and if we stick together then Peach's area heal ability could be vital."
"Rabbid Luigi is a great defensive player though…"
"Nope, we definitely need Luigi's massive sniper rifle."
Choosing between a bazooka or defensive solidity in a Mario game is engrossing and hilarious, and the co-op mode highlights that perfectly. Discussing military tactics--again, in a Mario game! Mario has a gun. Like, an actual gun that fires stuff--is even funnier when done out loud.
Kingdom Battle does have an easy mode--which both heals your squad and boosts their HP count by 50% at the start of a fight--and I'm embarrassed to say I resorted to using it on more than one occasion. And I still lost. But the game being this difficult is what sparks those hilarious debates, and the characters being this well imagined is what makes Kingdom Battle feel like more than just an XCOM clone. Directing Mario and his friends was joyous, and I now can't wait to tell you that no, actually, Peach rules more.
In our play session, we got to try out seven of the eight playable characters featured in the game (the final character, Yoshi, was not unlockable), and we captured all of their quirky bios and unique abilities. So read on to find out more about our colorful Rabbid-beating squad.
Kingdom Battle sees you pick a squad of three characters to face a bunch of heinous enemy Rabbids. Its local co-op mode, meanwhile, has you team up with a friend, each controlling a squad of two. We thought the game was tricky, but we're looking forward to playing more when it launches.
Mario is, of course, Kingdom Battle's lead character. In-game, he's a strong offensive fighter, and he often possesses the most powerful guns available.
Rabbid Peach
Rabbid Peach, aside from looking a bit odd, is a great healing character. You'll likely want either her or her human counterpart in your squad to save you when the evil Rabbids come knocking.
Rabbid Luigi
Rabbid Luigi is great on defense, capable of upping both his own and his teammates' defensive stats in a pinch.
Luigi
Luigi is, of course, the sniper of the group. His long range weaponry and ability to travel long distances make him the perfect marksman. Not to mention the fact that he's a coward...
Rabbid Mario
Rabbid Mario, bless him, just wants to be loved like his Mushroom Kingdom plumber cousin. He's a strong all-round fighter, a rabbit you could trust with your life.
Peach
Peach is another specialist healer, but don't be fooled--she can pack a hefty punch of her own. Her fire shotgun can blow away almost any opponent--and maybe singe Mario's eyebrows, too.
Rabbid Yoshi
Rabbid Yoshi is another excellent ranged fighter, but his melee skills also make him a formidable opponent up close.
The EA Access Vault will, for the first time, shrink ever so slightly later this year. Electronic Arts has announced that it plans to remove FIFA 14, one of the games that launched alongside the Xbox One service back in 2014.
EA shared the news recently on its website, saying FIFA 14 will no longer be accessible on the Vault as of October 18, 2017. This follows news that EA will cease support for the game and shut down its online servers on that date, preventing players from playing online, accessing Ultimate Team, or spending in-game currency. It will, however, remain playable offline.
On a similar note, EA Access members who have downloaded FIFA 14 will be able to continue playing it offline, too. However, if you delete the game or move to another Xbox One console that doesn't have it installed, you'll be unable to re-download it after October 18.
"We're sad to see any title leave the collection, and rest assured that we'll do our best to limit removals in the future," EA said. "For now, we hope you'll enjoy the other great games in our service--like all the latest FIFA titles--and we look forward to seeing you on the pitch."
Back when EA Access was first announced, then-COO Peter Moore vowed that the Vault would not routinely see games removed, as is the case with Games With Gold or Netflix-style services. "I think one of the key things is that once a game goes into the Vault it stays there, it's not going to be taken out; that's a commitment we've made," he said at the time. To date, that's proven to be true--though that will come as little consolation to those who wish to continue playing FIFA 14, however small that group of fans might be at this point.
August is upon us, meaning Netflix has begun to roll out some of the movies and TV shows coming to the service for August. The company has also announced a list of what's leaving this month.
Some of the notable additions for August 1 include The Matrix trilogy, Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, and the Will Smith movie Wild Wild West. Also due out in August is the Michael Keaton McDonald's movie The Founder (August 2), the third season of the Netflix original Voltron (August 4), and the card-counting movie 21 (August 15).
Other high-profile new releases include the Netflix originals The Defenders (August 18) and Death Note (August 25).
As for what's leaving Netflix, movies that leave the service on August 1 include Babe and Zack and Miri Make a Porno, while Superbad leaves Netflix on August 4. American Dad seasons 1-4 are leaving on August 15, while seasons 1-7 of The League leave on August 30.
You can see the full rundown of what's coming to and leaving Netflix below for the US specifically, as rounded up and compiled by GameSpot sister site CNET. Check out the stories linked below to see the coming and going lists for Hulu and Amazon.
Streaming company Hulu has announced everything coming to and leaving the service for August 2017--and there are quite a few great movies being added. A number of those are available now.
New to Hulu for August 1 are movies like Honey, I Shrunk The Kids; Saw 1-5, Spider-Man 1 and 2, while Saving Private Ryan and Sahara are also out that day. The movies Ali, Bad Boys, and Wayne's World 2 also come to Hulu on August 1.
As for what's leaving, Gangs of New York, Girl, Interrupted; Kangaroo Jack, Mr. Mom, and Mulan are all going away on August 31, so watch them now while you still can.
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