Apple has announced iPhone X, which will release on November 3 priced "starting at $999." The new handset made its debut during the Apple Keynote 2017 and features an edge-to-edge display with an all-glass design covering both the front and back. This glass is water and dust resistant "at a microscopic level," according to Apple.
The screen was described as a "super retina display" which uses an 2436 x 1125 resolution. This is the highest resolution in terms of pixel density ever in an iPhone. The display is an OLED which also supports HDR and Dolby Vision.
The iPhone X does not feature the home button that has traditionally been on every handset. Instead functions such as waking are done by tapping the screen. You can swipe up from the bottom to go to the Home screen. By swiping up and then holding, you can activate multitasking. Of course, saying, "Hey Siri" will activate the digital assistant.
Unlocking your phone can now be done by looking at it using a "Face ID." The technology is enabled by a "TrueDepth camera system" which has an infrared camera, a dot projector, a proximity sensor, and an ambient light sensor, among other features.
An A11 bionic neural engine is used to process face recognition in real-time. This allows Face ID to learn who you are and adapt to the changes, whether that's through facial hear, glasses, or hats. Face ID, Apple claims, can't be spoofed by photographs or masks. Information is all processed on the phone, and not sent to a server.
Apple states that there's a 1 in 1 million chance that a random person could look at your iPhone X and unlock it. This is lower if the person shares genetic data with you, but still extremely unlikely. Face ID also works with Apple Pay, allow you to look at your phone to make payment. Other applications developed by third-parties will also support Face ID.
Another benefit the TrueDepth camera delivers is the ability to create and control emojis using your face. These can be shared through iMessage and there will be "a dozen different animated emojis." There's also integration with Snapchat, which lets iPhone X owners put more detailed masks on their faces.
iPhone X has dual 12 megapixel cameras with dual optical image stabilization, a Quad-LED True Tone flash, zero shutter lag, larger and faster sensors. The camera supports new portrait lighting features and is "tuned" for AR apps. The front camera lets you take portrait mode selfies that use portrait lighting, allowing you to have better selfies. All of this is powered by the A11 chip.
In terms of battery life it lasts two more hours more than the iPhone 7. It supports wireless charging and Apple has created a new matt called "AirPower" that uses Qi charging for iPhone 8, iPhone X, Apple Watch, and AirPods. AirPower launches in 2018.
The iPhone X release date is November 3 with pre-orders opening on October 27. iPhone X will be priced "starting from $999."
At today's Apple Event in California, USA, the company revealed its new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. The new devices will launch in the US on September 22, with preorders starting seven days earlier. iPhone 8 will start at $699, while the larger 8 Plus will cost $799.
The new device will include a new, faster chip and 12 MP dual rear cameras, and Apple said it has been designed with 3D apps and games in mind. Other features include AR functionality and wireless charging--simply place it on top of the charging device rather than plugging it in.
In addition, the phone will ship with a new "Retina HD" display, as well as new speakers that are 25% louder than before. The company drew particular attention to the cameras, which will apparently capture the highest quality video ever in a smartphone, including 4K video. iPhone 8 will feature a 4.7" display, and 8 Plus a 5.5" one.
Elsewhere in the presentation, Apple announced another iPhone, the iPhone X, along with a new Apple TV device and more. The company also showed off Sky, a new game from the developer of Journey. Thatgamecompany's new game is coming exclusively to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV this winter.
Update: Along with a new Apple Watch and Apple TV, we got news a new game from Journey developed thegamecompany. More notably, Apple announced the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. We'll report back with all the details as they're shared. The original story follows.
The Apple event is scheduled to begin at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM BST today, September 12. You can watch along live through Apple's website here. Frustratingly, Apple still restricts who can actually watch this stream--if you're on Chrome (even on a Mac), for instance, you won't be able to tune in. You'll need to be using Safari on a Mac updated to v10.11 or later; an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch with iOS 9.0 or later; or an Apple TV with v6.2 or later.
We already know what feels like an inordinate amount about the new iPhones; there will reportedly be three of them, including the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, the latter of which is a premium model meant to celebrate the iPhone's 10-year anniversary. It's rumored to have a large OLED screen and a bezel-less design that lacks a Home button, but it might be severely supply constrained.
Other possible announcements that we'll hear about today include new models of the Apple Watch, AirPods, and the Apple TV (which is expected to feature 4K support). We'll also get the final details about iOS 11. It remains to be seen if Apple will actually have any surprises amidst all of these leaks. We'll report back with the major announcements, and you can also follow along with GameSpot sister site CNET.
Liam Neeson has been one of Hollywood's best regarded leading men for nearly three decades, but in recent years has been known for popular action movies such as Taken, Non-Stop, and Run All Night. However, the star has now announced that his days as an action hero are over.
Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Neeson explained that he was still being offered action movies. "They're still throwing serious money at me to do that stuff," he said, via Sky News. "[But] I'm like: 'Guys, I'm sixty-f******-five.' Audiences are eventually going to go: 'Come on.'"
Neeson went on to explain that his re-emergence in his 50s as an action hero was "all a pure accident." He continued: "I've shot one that's going to come out in January sometime. There might be another. That's it. But not Taken, none of that franchise stuff."
It was 2008's Taken that kickstarted Neeson's action career. The movie was produced and written by Fifth Element director Luc Besson, and it grossed $226 million worldwide from a modest $26 million budget. It was followed by two sequels.
The movie that is receiving a January release that Neeson refers to is The Commuter. The thriller marks the fourth collaboration between Neeson and director Jaume Collet-Serra, following Unknown, Non-Stop, and Run All Night. Check out the new trailer below:
Journey developer thatgamecompany has revealed a new game for Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and iPhone called "Sky." During Apple's keynote, Jenova Chen appeared on stage to discuss the game, which bears some striking similarities to Journey and Flower.
Sky is a multiplayer social game where up to eight players from around the world can come together to explore the world above the clouds. Players take control of the Children of Light, and their goal is to bring the light "where it is needed the most." This, based on the short gameplay video, is done through exploring and finding hidden areas.
For those playing on Apple TV, everything can be done with one finger using the Siri Remote. This, according to Chen, makes Sky incredibly approachable to everyone. Sky will have an orchestral soundtrack and, thanks to the 810X fusion chip on the new Apple TV, looks beautiful. Sky is scheduled to launch "this winter."
While Bungie is at work on delivering new content to Destiny 2, it's also taking action to remove an inadvertent reference to a hate symbol. The studio announced today that it's removing an item from the game.
"It's come to our attention that a gauntlet in Destiny 2 shares elements with a hate symbol," Bungie said in a pair of tweets today. "It is not intentional. We are removing it. Our deepest apologies. This does NOT represent our values, and we are working quickly to correct this. We renounce hate in all forms." Bungie CEO Pete Parsons added in a separate message, "At Bungie, our company values place the highest emphasis on inclusion of all people and respect for all who work with us or play our games."
Bungie did not specifically call out what the item in question is, but Reddit user xxbiohazrdxx suggested it's the Hunter's Road Complex AA1. This features a logo similar to that of the flag adopted by a particular hate group.
It's unclear how soon this change will be made or whether it will be gone when today's maintenance period concludes. A new update is now available, possibly to introduce the content for the Raid that launches tomorrow, but official patch notes have not yet been released. We also don't know if the item will be removed entirely or if its design will simply be modified. We'll report back as we learn more.
Update 2: Bungie has announced that it is extending the downtime by an additional hour. Destiny 2's servers are now expected to come back online at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET / 8 PM BST. Additionally, a new update is now available, although no details regarding it have been shared. It's possible it includes the content for the Raid, which launches on Wednesday.
Update: Destiny 2's servers remained online for a bit longer than expected, but they're now offline. They're expected to remain down for the next four hours or so for Bungie to complete its maintenance period, which follows some instability last night and ahead of the launch of new game modes later this week. The original story follows.
Destiny 2's servers will go offline today for four hours as part of scheduled maintenance. The process will begin at 7 AM PT/3 PM BST/12 AM AEST, when players will no longer be able to log into Destiny 2 or the first Destiny.
Those that are already in the game will be removed an hour later at 8 AM PT/ 4 PM BST/ 1 AM AEST. The server maintenance is expected to end at 11 AM PT/7PM BST/4 AM AEST. The downtime comes ahead of the first wave of new content for Destiny 2, which includes a refresh of the Nightfall, the Flashpoint on Nessus, the arrival of Xur, and a new Raid.
Bethesda has shared a new trailer for The Evil Within 2, the upcoming survival horror game from Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami's studio, Tango Gameworks. The intense video provides another look at the game's dark storyline and the gruesome creatures players will encounter on their journey back into the STEM world.
Set three years after the events of the first title, The Evil Within 2 puts players once again in the role of Sebastian Castellanos. After learning that his daughter Lily is still alive, Sebastian enters the STEM world once again to rescue her. This time, however, he'll be faced with new horrors--among them a twisted photographer named Stefano Valentini--and will have to find Lily before STEM is completely destroyed.
Despite being one of Nintendo's biggest franchises, the Metroid series has lain dormant now for nearly a decade, making this week's release of Metroid: Samus Returns a major occasion for 3DS owners. Notwithstanding last year's cooperative spinoff, Metroid Prime: Federation Force, Samus Returns is the first proper game in the series since 2010, not to mention the first traditional side-scrolling entry in over 13 years.
Rather than continuing the series' story, Samus Returns retells the events of Metroid II. With the aid of developer MercurySteam, Nintendo has completely reimagined the Game Boy title, revamping its visuals, expanding the scope of its map, and introducing new power-ups to the adventure.
Reviews for Metroid: Samus Returns have begun appearing online, and judging by the game's critical reception thus far, it appears to have been worth the long wait for Metroid fans. GameSpot critic Peter Brown called it "both a return to form and a look to the potential future for 2D Metroid games" in our Metroid: Samus Returns review. We've rounded up a sample of other reviews below; for a broader look at the game's reception, be sure to visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic.
Game: Metroid: Samus Returns
Developer: MercurySteam/Nintendo
Platform: 3DS
Release date: September 15
Price: $40/£35
GameSpot -- 9/10
"As the first 2D Metroid game in over a decade, Samus Returns faces unfairly high expectations. Mercury Steam's involvement, a team known to play fast and loose with classic game traditions, was also a potential red flag for some. In hindsight, there was never anything to worry about, and a lot to look forward to. Samus Returns is both a return to form and a look to the potential future for 2D Metroid games, where combat plays a bigger role and exploration involves clever thinking rather than persistent guessing. Fans get more than they bargained (and hoped) for, and everyone else gets an excellent 2D action game with one of the most captivating and capable video game heroes around." -- Peter Brown " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
IGN -- 8.5/10
"While it's been marketed as a remake of Metroid II: The Return of Samus for Game Boy, Metroid: Samus Returns is more of a much-needed reboot of the 2D Metroid games we know and love. It's a safe, modern take on Super Metroid, one of the greatest games of all time. Aside from some repetitive boss fights and hand-cramping controls, it's nearly everything I could ask for as a fan of old-school Metroids." -- Sam Claiborn " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Polygon -- 9/10
"To call Metroid: Samus Returns a remake feels unfair. Remakes are old games with new coats of paint: an upgrade in resolution here, reworked artwork there. Samus Returns is far more than that. It's a top-to-bottom reimagining, bringing the bones of a game that's over 25 years old into the modern era with fantastic results." -- Russ Frushtick " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
US Gamer -- 5/5
"All told, Samus Returns is a strong comeback that stakes a legitimate claim on being the best game on the 3DS. MercurySteam has executed on this remake wonderfully, sliding in seamlessly with the rest of the series. It's been a long, frustrating seven year wait, but it's great to have Metroid back. Here's hoping it won't be leaving again any time soon." -- Kat Bailey " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Game Informer -- 9.75/10
"Samus' last 2D adventure was in 2004 with the GBA release Metroid: Zero Mission, which was a remake of the original Metroid. Despite the lengthy hiatus between 2D entries, I was initially disappointed to hear that MercurySteam's Metroid project was another remake. However, Samus Returns has enough unique content that it feels like a worthy sequel. MercurySteam's first outing with the franchise is also different enough from the recent fan remake AM2R, so fans shouldn't hesitate to pick up this rare gem. This might be Samus' first 2D adventure in more than a dozen years, but it's a great reminder of why we fell in love with the franchise in the first place." -- Ben Reeves " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Destructoid -- 8/10
"Maybe the next 2D Metroid will take more chances, but Returns is far better than I expected it to be. The faux magic system, while shallow, adds some panache to the action, as do the combat animations that work within the confines of the engine." -- Chris Carter " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Ahead of the launch of its upcoming sequel, Star Wars Battlefront's season pass has gone free for a limited time. While an official promotion has still not been announced by EA, you can download the DLC for free right now.
This offer is available on PC (through Origin), PS4, and Xbox One. However, if you're on the latter platform, it seems like you'll need an Xbox Live Gold membership to grab the season pass; PlayStation Plus doesn't appear to be required for the PS4 version. You can claim the season pass through the links below
Whichever platform you grab it on, the season pass will entitle you to all of the DLC expansions released for Battlefront. That includes some solid ones, such as the excellent Death Star-themed DLC. These consist of new maps, modes, and Hero units, among other things.
Alongside plans to expand on the planned availability of the SNES Classic Edition, Nintendo has announced that it will revive last year's NES Classic Edition. Assuming you haven't yet resorted to buying the system at an exorbitant price, you'll have a chance to pick one up at retail price in stores next year.
Few specifics were shared, but we know the NES Classic Edition is coming back to at least North America and Europe. It's still a ways off, however, as it won't hit stores until sometime next summer. In a press release, Nintendo said, "More information about the timing of the return of NES Classic Edition will be announced in the future."
The NES Classic Edition first arrived last November. Pre-orders sold out in advance of launch, and those available on release day similarly disappeared in the blink of an eye, quickly leading to a price spike on sites like Ebay. Additional shipments delivered in subsequent months also rapidly sold out--this resulted in a frustrating loop where it would briefly come back in stock but be gone long before everyone could get one. Nintendo ultimately discontinued the NES Classic in April.
One look at Echo and it's easy to fall under its spell. Its large and ornate environments are unreasonably pristine. The lead character En dons a pitch-black, high-tech outfit that emits a faceted neon sphere that glows when danger is near. It's a visually stunning game, without a doubt. But to understand the challenges facing En, and the potential in a game like Echo, one look simply isn't enough.
Developed by Ultra Ultra, a team comprised of several ex-IO Interactive employees, Echo is a game conceived with an eye towards stealth--but with something far more interesting under the hood. Deep in space, in an impossibly shiny and decadent palace, En is searching for a loved one. Along the way, she's forced to confront veritable clones. And you are in effect your own worst enemy because you teach them everything they know.
The core conceit can be summed up as AI management and manipulation. If you let yourself get distracted by food while moving from point A to point B, for example, your clones will similarly stop to eat whenever the opportunity arises. Teaching them this can open a path for you to move about unnoticed while they snack away. Conversely, shooting an enemy may make an immediate threat disappear, but it will also clue in other enemies to shoot first and snack later.
The number of actions that you can teach the parade of clones that stand in your way is surprisingly large. Thankfully, enemies will also forget actions over time. Echo's environments operate on a cycle of darkness and light. During the first period of light, the AI will study your every move. In darkness, your actions are yours alone, and you can act freely without imparting any knowledge to your enemies. But when the lights come back on, the AI will put its knowledge to use. It's only when the lights turn off again that their memory is wiped to make room for the next round of behaviors.
Needless to say, this can all get a bit confusing, but it's this complexity which makes Echo so enticing, in addition to its presentation. Carelessness will make your tasks incredibly difficult, but is it not also difficult to be mindful of your every action, and calculate how it will impact you in the future? We should have a better idea when Echo releases on Steam next week (Sept. 19), and down the road when it comes to PlayStation 4.
If Destiny 2 is your first Destiny game, or you simply didn't play much of the original, one thing you may be unaware of is how certain parts of the game run on a schedule. By now, you may have noticed that certain things reset daily, but more significant are the those that happen on a weekly basis--the aptly named weekly reset.
A number of activities--and their corresponding rewards--are tied to the weekly reset. In other words, once you complete them, you'll have to wait for the following week in order to complete them again for a new set of rewards. (Among other things, that includes the Nightfall, a high-level Strike that offers some of the consistently best loot you can get your hands on.) It also means you always want to be sure those activities are finished before the weekly reset occurs.
The reset happens at a fixed time, not a week after you complete any given activity. As listed on Bungie's help site, the daily "Ritual" reset occurs at 2 AM PT / 5 AM ET / 10 AM BST / 7 PM AEST during Daylight Saving Time (March to November) and an hour earlier when we're not in DST (November to March). The weekly reset happens at that same time each Tuesday.
Each Tuesday's reset therefore serves as the deadline to finish the Nightfall, Meditations, and the Raid (once that's available). It's also when certain Milestones are refreshed, including weekly Challenges, the Flashpoint, Clan XP, and Crucible's Call to Arms, as well as Clan XP rewards. Additionally, the Eververse inventory of items that can be purchased with Bright Dust changes then; presumably other vendors will cycle out their wares at that point, too.
The weight of a book is an odd number to highlight, but the heft of The Art of Overwatch is the first thing that stands out when you lift this voluminous tome. Publisher Dark Horse Comics recently sent us a print of the eight-pound book to check out, as well as some scans from inside that you can read in the gallery below.
Matching the book's weight is an equally heavy price tag: $100. But the Limited Edition includes more than just a hardcover book dedicated to Overwatch. There are three art prints (though only two display cases), a Tracer slipcase for the book, and a magnetically sealed box rounds out the set.
The scans Dark Horse sent reveal sketches from the Halloween update and concept art for the Horizon Lunar Colony. But that's just a fraction of the art in the book's 367 pages, other chapters cover heroes, skins, spray, origin stories, and promotional art for the game. The book itself is available for a somewhat more modest MSRP of $50, and both it and the Limited Edition set are set to release on October 24.
September 12: While pre-orders themselves may not be any easier to get, Nintendo has provided some encouraging news for those hoping to purchase an SNES Classic Edition. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime recently implored people not to pay more than regular price for the console. Now, the company has announced that the SNES Classic will continue to be sold into 2018, and not just in 2017 as previously planned. (The NES Classic is also coming back.) On launch day in the US specifically, Nintendo said that "more units of Super NES Classic Edition will ship ... than were shipped of NES Classic Edition all last year, with subsequent shipments arriving in stores regularly." This is still no guarantee that you'll easily get one, but things are looking better now than they did.
August 31: Walmart has begun contacting certain customers to notify them of canceled SNES Classic pre-orders. Based on reports from NeoGAF and Reddit, this only appears to affect those who ordered more than one unit, and it seems only the additional orders have been canceled. (We at GameSpot have also received such a cancelation notice, reducing an order for two units down to one.) There's no official word on this yet, but it's possible this move could free up additional units for pre-order.
August 25 update 2: The SNES Classic Edition is back in stock at Walmart right now. It likely won't last long, so be sure to jump on it quickly if you're interested. This may be one of the last opportunities to pre-order the system prior to its launch in late September.
August 25: A number of Amazon pre-order customers have been notified that they may not receive their order on time. It's unclear how long the hold-up will last or what the problem is, but affected users have been sent an email notifying them of the potential delay. The retailer states that everyone who pre-ordered the system will eventually get their hands on one.
August 23: GameStop is officially sold out of SNES Classic Editions online, and it appears to be gone at most (if not all) of its physical stores, too. The retailer has said it will have more SNES Classics available for walk-ins at its stores on launch day, although it's unclear how easy it will be to get one. Meanwhile, SNES Classic prices have skyrocketed on Ebay. Some people had success ordering systems from Target after it looked as if they were all gone, so it's not inconceivable that routinely checking out the US retailer links below will be fruitful. We'll continue to update this story as more pre-order opportunities become available, but there's no guarantee that there will be many more chances to buy one in advance of launch--at least at retail price.
August 22 update 6: Toys R Us has announced on Twitter that it will not offer pre-orders. Instead, it will be available in stores beginning on launch day, September 29. This comes as a surprise, as Toys R Us was among the retailers that Nintendo listed on its official website as offering pre-orders.
August 22 update 5: Amazingly, the expensive bundles at ThinkGeek have sold out. GameStop's website returned online this afternoon with the SNES Classic and bundles available, but heavy traffic brought it offline. As was the case earlier, it's again redirecting visitors to ThinkGeek.
August 22 update 4: Just as GameStop is offering some pricey bundles in stores, its subsidiary, ThinkGeek, is now selling the system online. Its website offers seven different bundles, ranging from $140 to a whopping $330.
August 22 update 3: Walmart and Target pre-orders are indeed gone, at least for now. GameStop's website has been taken offline, but it's taking pre-orders in its physical stores. There's still no word on Toys R Us pre-orders.
August 22 update 2: Walmart pre-orders have gone live and seemingly sold out almost right away. Target pre-orders are live but the site seems to be having trouble, and it may also be gone. Likewise, GameStop's website is slow to load, but you might be able to get an order in. Separately, GameStop announced on Twitter that it's offering in-store pre-orders right now.
August 22 update: Amazon and Best Buy both briefly offered SNES Classic units in the very early US morning hours today. It came in and out of stock at Best Buy for a period of time, but for now, it appears both retailers are sold out. That said, it looks as if more stores will soon launch SNES Classic pre-orders.
Those in Canada will soon be able to pre-order a SNES Classic from Best Buy. The store has announced that pre-orders go live at approximately 10 AM PT today, so you'll want to start mashing F5 on its website around then. It will not be available in Quebec.
Update: Those in the UK may have missed at least their first chance to pre-order from certain retailers, but Nintendo's online store has the SNES Classic available as of this writing.
Original Story: Nintendo announced the SNES Classic today. A miniature version of the classic Nintendo console, the $80 system that comes with 21 games and two controllers launches in the US in September. Given that last year's NES Classic sold out basically instantly everywhere it was sold, fans might be wondering how they can secure the SNES Classic right away.
US retailers are not yet widely accepting pre-orders, but in Australia, you can secure a pre-order right now through JB Hi Fi and EB Games. The console sells for $120 in Australia and it looks a little different than the North American edition.
In the US, Amazon has a page up for the SNES Classic, as does Best Buy, but you cannot actually pre-order the system there as of yet. We will update this post as more retailers open pre-orders for the SNES Classic. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.
As with the NES Classic Edition, the SNES Classic features HDMI output and resembles the look of the system it's based on but in a smaller form factor. But unlike that system, it comes with two controllers in the box.
On the subject of supply, while Nintendo isn't sharing specific numbers, it did say it will deliver "significantly more" units than it did with the NES Classic Edition. That said, it only plans to ship the system between September and the end of 2017.
[Update] Capcom has officially confirmed Okami HD will be available in Europe and the US on December 12. It will be available digitally for all formats for £15.99/€19.99/$19.99. Physical versions for PS4 will also be available.
"Okami HD will be compatible with Xbox One X and PS4 Pro whilst featuring stunning 4K graphics on Xbox One X, PS4 Pro and supported PC hardware," reads a press release. "Players will be able to choose between playing in a modern widescreen format or the original 2007 release's 4:3 ratio. Interactive loading game screens from the original game are also included, allowing players to earn bonus demon fangs which can be traded for in-game items."
[Original story] Capcom has announced Okami HD will be released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on December 13 in Japan. The announcement was made in the latest issue of Famitsu, as reported by Gematsu.
The re-release will be available physically on PlayStation 4 in Japan and all versions of the game will support 4K, as well as include the loading screen mini-games that were absent from the Wii and PlayStation 3 versions. As of yet, it has not been officially announced when, or even if, Okami HD will be available for current generation consoles and PC outside of Japan.
The announcement follows rumors that Okami HD would be available for two consoles this year. These rumors were based in part on sources at European retailers, which had the game on their internal physical release calendars for December 12. This suggests that Okami HD will launch in western territories around the same time, though this is not officially confirmed yet. GameSpot has contacted Capcom for a statement.
Okami was originally released for PS2 in 2006, developed by Clover Studio, a now-defunct subsidiary of Capcom that also produced the Viewtiful Joe series. Okami garnered universal acclaim thanks to its beautiful visuals, which were inspired by traditional Japanese sumi-e paintings, and its Zelda-like gameplay. A Wii version was released in 2008 and added motion controls for the game's Celestial Brush system, while an HD port for PS3 arrived in 2012. The game's only sequel, Okamiden, released for DS in 2011.
Ahead of FIFA 18's release later this month, EA Sports has now announced the game's 100 highest rated players, and you can probably guess who is No.1. As you'd imagine, Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list, with a 94 rating.
"There are few things that Ronaldo cannot do on a pitch, and few attacking positions in which he won't excel," EA Sports explained about the superstar. "His 93 Shooting is evidenced by the unreal number of goals he's scored in the past few seasons, and Ronaldo's 90 Pace and 90 Dribbling make him virtually untouchable when in top form.
"Sometimes deployed as a forward, Ronaldo can dance into the box and dispatch the ball into the net without skipping a beat. He is probably at his best on the left wing, where he can create chances for teammates, or as he does more often, cut inside and lash the ball past a helpless goalkeeper."
Rounding out the top five highest-rated FIFA 18 players were Lionel Messi (93), Neymar (92), Luis Suarez (92), and Manuel Neuer (92). You can see the top 10 highest-rated players below, while the full list of 100-1 is available on the EA Sports website.
Nintendo has announced it will extend availability of the SNES Mini/Classic Edition into 2018 for those in North America and Europe. That's a shift from its previous plans to only deliver the system until the end of 2017.
The announcement comes at a time when demand for the SNES Classic Mini is high, while supply remains low--at least for pre-orders. Nintendo acknowledged as much in a press release, saying today's news is "due to incredible demand" for the system. Those currently looking to purchase one are having extreme difficulty finding one in stores and online without paying an inflated price. Many retailers that have had the hardware available recently offered it in high-priced bundles.
Nintendo's confirmation that it will be available next year should assuage fears that people may not be able to get one, amidst the hype and constrained stock. It could also calm demand somewhat to make acquiring one more manageable. On launch day alone in the US, Nintendo said that "more units of Super NES Classic Edition will ship ... than were shipped of NES Classic Edition all last year, with subsequent shipments arriving in stores regularly."
On September 10, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime addressed concerns that stock of the SNES Classic Mini would continue to remain limited and, as such, price gouging would be an ongoing problem. According to Fils-Aime, Nintendo has "dramatically increased" production for SNES Classic stock. "I would strongly urge you not to over-bid on an SNES Classic on any of the auction sites ... You shouldn't [have to] pay more than $79.99," he said.
Alongside today's news about the SNES Classic, Nintendo announced that it will bring back the hard-to-find NES Classic. That system will return in North America and Europe next year.
JJ Abrams will return to the Star Wars saga to direct and co-write Episode IX. Abrams previously made 2015's hugely successful The Force Awakens and will replace Colin Trevorrow, who left Episode IX last week.
The news was confirmed by Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy, who said in a statement: "With The Force Awakens, JJ delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy." Star Wars Episode IX is set for a May 2019 release.
Trevorrow's departure from Episode IX was announced by Lucasfilm last week. A statement explained that "we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ." However, a subsequent report by Vulture suggested however that Kennedy fired Trevorrow because he was "difficult."
The next Star Wars movie to hit theaters will be The Last Jedi, which arrives in December. It had been rumored that director Rian Johnson was in the running to take over from Trevorrow, but earlier this week he denied that this was the case.
The latest update for Galactic Civilizations III launches today, and developer Stardock describes it as making "some massive engine enhancements." It arrives for free for everyone, with those who own only the base game in particular seeing a large number of changes.
Among the changes in update 2.5 for those with only the base game are some of the enhancements introduced in the Crusade expansion earlier this year. That includes its refined UI and better AI, which are things that Stardock now says it doesn't want to have restricted to an expansion. "I view Crusade as practically a sequel to the base game, not just an expansion," said CEO Brad Wardell in a press release. "We really don't want to get into the business of charging money for AI and engine upgrades, so we'll continue to improve both games in order to achieve the best possible results."
Galactic Civilizations III Update 2.5 Base Game Improvements
UI: The cleaner and more functional UI from Crusade is added.
Economics: Galactic resources now accumulate, like in Crusade.
Diplomacy: More informed trade offers, better resource trading, and the "trade bar" from Crusade are added.
AI: Substantial improvements to the AI system from Crusade have been added.
Performance: The AI system has been moved to a core-neutral engine.
If you already own Crusade, update 2.5 does more than just upgrade the base game. Base game and Crusade owners alike will, for instance, see faster turn times.
Galactic Civilizations III Update 2.5 Base Game + Crusade Improvements
Improved AI
Better game balance
Faster turn times
Increased performance
Update 2.5 arrives today on Steam for free to all players. The base game costs $30/£23, while Crusade goes for $20/£15. The two are also available in a discounted bundle for $40/£30.
Last week it was announced that Star Wars Episode IX director Colin Trevorrow had left the movie, leading to much speculation about who would replace him. It was reported that Rian Johnson, who is currently finishing this December's The Last Jedi, could step in to take over the next part of the Star Wars saga. However, Johnson has now commented on this and revealed that he currently has no plans to make another movie in the blockbuster franchise.
Johnson was asked about the rumors that he might take over from Trevorrow while at a Star Wars press event in Japan. "It was never the plan for me to direct Episode IX, so I don't know what's going to happen with it," he said, via Star Wars Underworld. "I was entirely focused on Episode VIII and having this experience. Now I'm just thinking about putting the movie out there and seeing how audiences respond to it.
"So no, I'm not really thinking about that right now. Whoever does it, I'm going to be really excited to be an audience member again, and to sit down and see what the next filmmaker has to show us and where this story ends up going."
Trevorrow's departure from Episode IX was announced by Lucasfilm last week. A statement read: "Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX. Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ. We wish Colin the best and will be sharing more information about the film soon."
However, a subsequent report by Vulture suggested however that Lucasfilm boss Kathleeen Kennedy fired Trevorrow because he was "difficult," and that the terrible reviews for his last film, The Book of Henry, hadn't helped.
The site's sources stated that: "He had an egotistical point of view--and he was always asserting that. When the reviews for Book of Henry came out, there was immediately conjecture that Kathy was going to dump him because they weren't thrilled with working with him anyway. He's a difficult guy. He's really, really, really confident. Let's call it that."
Destiny 2 is officially live. Whether you pre-ordered it or purchased the Deluxe edition, you may be wondering where your bonus items are once you log in. Most of these are not awarded immediately, and you'll actually have to play through a significant chunk of the game before getting them--sorry, no Exotic at Level 1 for you.
Bungie has outlined the exact process for obtaining these items, and in all but one case, you'll have to complete the campaign before doing so. Once you've finished the campaign, you'll then collect any items you qualify for from various sources, such as the Postmaster, Shaxx, or the Gunsmith. Below, you'll find Bungie's unlock process for each item.
Destiny 2 Pre-order Content
Coldheart
Qualifying players may collect Coldheart after meeting the following requirements:
Complete the Destiny 2 Campaign
After meeting these requirements, this item may be retrieved from the Gunsmith. This item may also be re-acquired from the Exotic Weapon Collection in exchange for Legendary Shards.
Kill-Tracker Ghost
Qualifying players may collect the Kill-Tracker Ghost after meeting the following requirements:
Complete the Destiny 2 Campaign
After meeting these requirements, this item may be retrieved from Lord Shaxx. This item may be re-acquired from Lord Shaxx in exchange for Legendary Shards.
Salute Emote
Qualifying players may collect the Salute Emote after meeting the following requirements:
Gain access to the Postmaster by completing the Campaign or unlocking the Farm social space
After meeting these requirements, this item may be retrieved from the Emote Collection.
Destiny 2 Limited Edition Content
Qualifying players may collect Destiny 2 Limited Edition Content after meeting the following requirements:
Complete the Destiny 2 Campaign
After meeting these requirements, these items may be retrieved from the following:
Qualifying players may collect the Athena Victorious Sparrow after meeting the following requirements:
Complete the Destiny 2 Campaign
After meeting these requirements, this item may be retrieved from the Shipwright. If this item is discarded, it may be repurchased from the Shipwright.
XP Boosts
Qualifying players may collect XP Boosts after meeting the following requirements:
Gain access to the Postmaster by completing the Campaign or unlocking the Farm social space
After meeting these requirements, this item may be retrieved from the Postmaster. This item will provide XP gains for specific amounts of time, specified by the type of XP boost received. Multiple items may be consumed, but time limits will not be increased.
Promotional Engrams
Qualifying players may collect a limited amount of Promotional Engrams after meeting the following requirements:
Gain access to the Postmaster by completing the Campaign or unlocking the Farm social space
After meeting these requirements, this item may be retrieved from the Postmaster and redeemed through the Cryptarch.
Destiny 2's launch this week is just the beginning. As you'd expect, there is a lot more content and activities coming, including quite a bit of fresh material this month. As part of Bungie's newest blog post, the studio shared a schedule of Destiny 2's first-month activities, which include the Inverted Spire Nightfall Strike on September 12, followed by the mysterious Leviathan raid on September 13.
Later in that week, on September 15, Destiny 2's Trials of the Nine event kicks off. On that same day, the Exotic dealer Xur arrives to sell his wares--unfortunately for those expecting to see him today, there's another week to wait. You can see everything coming to Destiny 2 during its first month in the image below.
Looking ahead to October, Bungie will add even more new activities, one of which is the Iron Banner multiplayer event. Not only that, but it sounds like a change is coming to the Leviathan raid, as Bungie says you'll have "new ways to have your prestige tested."
Bungie's highly anticipated shooter sequel Destiny 2 launched this week for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One--and it was a massive success, it seems. In a blog post today, Bungie said "millions" of players have jumped into the game and reached the new social space, the Farm, in just two days since the game launched on September 6.
The developer went on to say that it expects more players to pick up the game in the days and weeks ahead, and promised there will be many more activities to play in the future. Destiny 2 launches for PC in October, so game sales stand to grow further still when the game is released through Blizzard's Battle.net next month.
"We've taken our first steps on a new journey as a community," Bungie said. "We expect more players to join our ranks in the days and weeks that will follow. Veterans of our community know that Destiny is not just a story about heroes, but also a world that evolves with you. New rituals will begin. New challenges will be revealed. New platforms will come online. New legends will rise."
Bungie also published a schedule for Destiny 2's first-month activities, including the Leviathan raid, Guided Games, Trials of the Nine, and more. Check out the image above to get all the specifics on what's coming and when.
Looking to October, Bungie said players can expect a set of "new challenges," including the first Iron Banner event and an update to the raid.
While we all wait for another entry in the "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids" series, a new movie starring Matt Damon will have to do. A new trailer for Downsizing has come online, providing a better look at the futuristic movie where humans can shrink to five inches.
In this alternate future, overpopulation is a big issue. So scientists work out a way to shrink humans to a fraction of their size, and send them to live in a community of very small people. Paul (Matt Damon) and his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) elect to have the procedure, and find themselves in the midst of "life-changing adventures."
"Downsizing takes the pressure right off," Jason Sudeikis says to Damon's character. "We live like kings. We have the best houses; the best restaurants."
In Leisureland, the name of the place where small people go to live, the couple's $52,000 translates to $12.5 million. "It's like winning the lottery, every day," a poster in the trailer reads.
Downsizing also stars Christoph Waltz and Hong Chau. Directed by Oscar winning director Alexander Payne (The Descendants, Sideways) it opens in theaters in December.
This year's Tokyo Game Show is coming up soon. The annual event takes place in Tokyo later this month, and now one of the biggest and most prominent attendees--Sony--has announced all of the games it'll have available at its booth on the show floor.
In terms of PlayStation VR games, Sony is bringing titles like Skyrim VR and the Final Fantasy XV VR title Monster of the Deep, among others. You can see the full rundown of PS4 and PSVR titles below (via Gematsu), but note that more could be added later.
TGS 2017 runs September 21-24. GameSpot will have a team on the ground in Tokyo and we'll report back with news and videos from the show as it unfolds.
The show is not expected to have the calibre of announcements or reveals that you might get at an E3 or Gamescom, but as always, there could be surprises. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.
PlayStation TGS 2017 Lineup
PlayStation 4 Titles
Call of Duty: WWII (SIE)
Code Vein (Bandai Namco)
Detroit: Become Human (SIE)
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT (Square Enix)
Dragon Ball FighterZ (Bandai Namco)
Dynasty Warriors 9 (Koei Tecmo)
Earth Defense Force 5 (D3 Publisher)
Gran Turismo Sport (SIE)
Itadaki Street Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary (Square Enix)
Knack 2 (SIE)
Marvel. vs Capcom: Infinite (Capcom)
Monster Hunter: World (Capcom)
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (Level-5)
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet (Bandai Namco)
Taiko Drum Master: Drum Session! (Bandai Namco)
Yakuza: Kiwami 2 (Sega)
PlayStation VR Titles
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR (Bethesda Softworks)
Gran Turismo Sport (SIE)
Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV (Square Enix)
No Heroes Allowed! VR (SIE)
Summer Lesson: Chisato Shinjo – Shichiyou no Etude (Basic Game Pack) (Bandai Namco)
The new Stephen King movie It is not only winning over critics but the film also made a lot of money for its opening weekend. The horror film pulled in $117.2 million over the Friday-Sunday period, according to Entertainment Weekly. That smashed the record for biggest-September opening, far outpacing the previous record-holder (Hotel Transylvania; $48.5 million in 2015). It's also the biggest opening for a horror movie ever, while it's the second-highest debut for a R-rated movie, only behind Deadpool's $132.4 million.
It's opening is the third biggest of 2017, only behind Beauty and the Beast and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Internationally, It is expected to bring in a further $62 million this weekend, boosting the total worldwide haul to around $180 million.
It was directed by Mama's Andy Muschietti and stars an ensemble cast of kids, including Finn Wolfhard, Sophie Lillis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Jaeden Liberher, Chosen Jacobs, Wyatt Oleff, and Jeremy Ray Taylor. Set in Derry, Maine, It tells the story of a killer clown named Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard) who hunts the children, playing on their darkest fears to try to break them.
The film ends with a nod to a sequel that will take place decades in the future when the kids are grown. It, the clown, returns every 27 years. While It 2 has yet to be officially announced, it seems very likely to happen given the positive critical reaction to the first movie and its commercial success.
Rounding out the top five movies at the US box office this weekend were Home Again ($9 million), The Hitman's Bodyguard ($4.9 million), Annabelle: Creation ($4 million), and Wind River ($3.2 million). You can see the full top 10 list below, as rounded up and compiled by Entertainment Weekly.
Looking for a deal? It's a new week, which means there is a fresh set of deals available on Xbox Live across Xbox One and Xbox 360. There are quite a few solid deals this week across a variety of genres, so you might find something you're interested in.
These are just a small sampling of all of this week's Deals With Gold offers. Go to Major Nelson's blog to see a full breakdown of the week's Xbox One and Xbox 360 deals, some of which require a Gold membership. The offers are good through September 18.
Unlike its predecessor, Destiny 2 will release on PC. Although players will have to wait longer for it--Destiny 2 doesn't launch on PC until October 24 but is already available on Xbox One and PS4--the PC version does feature a variety of improvements and differences compared with its console counterparts. To help you get an idea of what to expect from the PC release of Bungie's hotly anticipated sequel, we've gathered all of the essential details below.
When does the PC version come out, and what's different?
The PC version is confirmed to release on October 24, while the Xbox One and PS4 versions are already out, having launched on September 6. (Betas on all platforms have also wrapped up.) In terms of actual playable content, everything is the same on PC--with one exception. Sony's timed-exclusive content for Destiny 2 affects not just Xbox One players, but those on PC. The PS4 version comes with an extra Strike, Crucible map, and some items that will not be available on other platforms for at least one year. There's no precise date for it yet, but after PlayStation-exclusive content in Destiny 1 remained exclusive for longer than expected, Bungie has explicitly stated that this Destiny 2 content will be out by the end of 2018.
What are the minimum required and recommended systems specs?
While there may be changes made for the final release, Destiny 2's PC beta brought a list of minimum and recommended system specs. Additionally, Bungie provided a list of hardware for those looking to upgrade their systems, with CPU and GPU minimums and recommendations.
Minimum Specs
CPU
Intel: Core i3-3250
AMD: FX-4350
GPU
Nvidia: GeForce GTX 660 2GB
AMD: Radeon HD 7850 2GB
RAM: 6GB
Recommended Specs
CPU
Intel: Core i5-2400
AMD: Ryzen R5 1600X
GPU
Nvidia: GeForce GTX 970
AMD: Radeon R9 390
RAM: 8GB
[Upgrading] Minimum Specs
CPU: Intel Pentium G4560
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 2GB
[Upgrading] Recommended Specs
CPU: Intel Core i5-7400
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
Bungie System Specs Used at Events
CPU: Intel i7-7700k
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080Ti 11GB
What extra visual options does the PC version have?
Texture Anisotropy (Anisotropic Filtering, up to 16x)
Texture Quality
Shadow Quality
Depth of Field
Environmental Detail Distance
Character Detail Distance
Foliage Detail Distance
Foliage Shadow Distance
Light Shafts
Motion Blur
Wind Impulse
Render Resolution
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Chromatic Aberration
Film Grain
What's the control scheme?
The PC version uses a relatively straightforward control scheme, which you can see in the image below. It's worth noting that the controls are completely customizable.
Will Destiny 2 have dedicated servers?
Unfortunately, the game will use peer-to-peer servers. However, this doesn't work quite the same as in the previous game; when Bungie explained why Destiny 2 doesn't use dedicated servers, it noted that you'll never run into a host migration situation.
How does the game feel and play?
During our hands-on time with the game, we found the mouse and keyboard support to be a welcome addition. It enhanced the overall feel of multiplayer, though it did seem to make the single-player portions we played easier than we anticipated. You can check out our analysis of the PC beta for a technical look at the game; for further impressions of the PC version, watch the video below.
Is Destiny 2 any good?
If you're hoping the game is dramatically different from the original Destiny, you may be in for a disappointment, but those seeking a refined version of that game will likely be pleased. You can read our impressions of the full game on console in our Destiny 2 review diary and Destiny 2 review-in-progress.
What gaming platform does Destiny 2 on PC use?
Destiny 2 uses Blizzard's desktop app. It's the first game not directly developed by Blizzard to appear on the platform. Activision and Blizzard have changed its name several times recently, but moving forward it will be referred to as Blizzard Battle.net.
Can my progress from the first game on consoles transfer to the PC version?
Unfortunately, Destiny 1 power, possessions, and Eververse-related items and currency will not transfer over. While your character's appearance will not be abandoned in the sequel for console owners, there's no word if it'll support any kind of transfer from console to PC.
Destiny 2's first raid, Leviathan, will unlock this week. Now, game director Luke Smith has shared one very key detail about it: the Power level requirement. Smith said on Twitter that this will be between 260 and 280, so you may still have some work to do.
Raids were some of Destiny 1's most challenging and rewarding post-campaign activities, and we're expecting something similar with Destiny 2. It's probably a good idea to be on the high side of the Power level range before getting into the new raid. To help you on your way, we have a breakdown of how to raise your Power level and more.
Destiny 2's first Raid has a Power range of 260-280.
Leviathan the Destiny 2 raid unlocks on September 13, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. There will surely be a race between Fireteams to be the first to beat it, and we'll report back with more details on Leviathan when it goes live.
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