Final Fantasy XV's multiplayer expansion, Comrades, has been delayed. Announced via Twitter, the expansion will be going live sometime in November.
The expansion, which would allow players to make their own avatars and go questing with friends online in Eos, was originally set to launch on October 31. The delay follows a rocky start to its beta in early August, which led to second beta phase being added.
Due to final adjustments & to create the best possible experience, the online expansion #FFXVComrades will now be released in early November pic.twitter.com/0DV08nRpv8
The initial beta was plagued by server issues, and the second beta was meant to fix matchmaking issues that were present in the first round of the beta. Players could make an avatar and get some quests, but couldn't get into a lobby to experience the content.
While the tweet claims the delay is for some final adjustments, we can only hope that the extra polishing time will work out all the kinks when it does finally launch. Final Fantasy XV: Comrades is not a free update. It will be available as part of the title's $25 season pass or for purchase individually.
Each of the three different packs will include three playable characters, three history scenarios, new weapons and costume and new support conversations. All three packs will be available in the $20 season pass or can be purchased individually for $9. Those who purchase the season pass will also receive the bridal costume for Lucina.
A big new update for the Nintendo Switch is out now. Update 4.0.0 adds a number of notable and welcome features, perhaps the biggest of which are video capture support and the ability to transfer data to a new system. It's a big update. [Update: It turns out there's more to this update than expected, as it introduces wireless headphone support to Switch. Additionally, a new Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update is out, adding support for the new video capture feature.]
With the update applied, you can hold down the Capture button and this will record the previous 30 seconds, saving to your album. You can then edit your video and share it to Facebook and Twitter. Supported games include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Arms, and Splatoon 2. This feature is not working yet for Mario Kart 8. An message in the Switch's news channel says the feature is supported at Mario Kart 8 Deluxe version 1.3.0, but the current version is 1.2.1. So it sounds like the feature will be unlocked later in the racing game. Nintendo also says "many more games" will add support for video capture in the future.
The other major new feature in the 4.0 update is the ability to transfer user and save data to another Switch. You must have the 4.0 update to do this. And it sounds like this is a permanent migration, so be aware of that. "Once the process is complete, the user information, the associated save data, and the software purchased with the user account that is transferred will no longer be available on the source console," reads a line from Nintendo's explanation. Complete instructions on how to perform the data transfer can be found here on Nintendo's Support site.
Additionally, today's Switch update adds a number of new user icons for Super Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild, giving users even more customisation options. Another new feature is the ability to pre-buy and pre-load "certain games" from the eShop. This follows a previous update that added a new eShop tab for games that are on sale.
The new Switch 4.0 update also gives the News feed a new look and a new feature that removes a particular channel's content from the feed when you unfollow the channel. Another nice, behind-the-scenes feature in this update is "Match Version with Local Users." As its name suggests, this feature updates everyone's games to their latest versions, which sounds handy for people who multiple profiles installed on one system.
Finally, the patch makes a change to wireless connectivity. Networks that use TKIP security will now show up as grayed-out instead of being totally hidden.
Up to maximum of the previous 30 seconds will be saved in the Album. You can trim the beginning and end of each clip, and post to Facebook and Twitter.
As of October 18th, 2017, this feature is compatible with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, and Splatoon 2
Select from 12 new Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild icons for your user
To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
A pre-purchase option will be available for certain games. This option allows pre-load of the game to your system for quicker play when the game is released.
This feature will be supported by future game releases
News channel updates
The news feed has been updated with a new look.
Unfollowing a channel will remove that channel's content from the news feed and following the channel again will make it reappear.
Match software version with a group of local users
Everyone's software will be updated to match the most recent version in the group
All users must be on system menu version 4.0.0 or later to view and join a group
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including:
Changed the specification which hid wireless networks using TKIP security from the network search results. Wireless networks using TKIP security will now display in search results as a grayed-out selection instead of not being displayed
The Nintendo Switch console supports WEP, WPA-PSK(AES), and WPA2-PSK(AES). If your router is using a different security type (e.g. WPA-PSK(TKIP)), you will need to change this security type within your router's settings.
Like that rash you hate to see but love to scratch, Xur is back. This week, Destiny 2's shadiest salesman is hanging around on Titan and is very easy to find. Simply fire up your PS4 or Xbox One, fast travel to The Rig, and he's a hop, skip, and a jump away from you with new wares to peddle.
Take a look below and you'll find a list of all the Exotic gear Xur has to offer this week--with the usual array of one weapon and three pieces of armor (one per class). We also have images of them, so you can read up on the exact stats they have and see how they might fit into your gameplay style. Alternatively, watch the video above to see us hunt Xur down and show off his stock.
Click image to view in full screen
Sweet Business (Auto Rifle): 29 Legendary Shards
Raiden Flux (Hunter Class Chest Armor): 23 Legendary Shards
Doom Fang Pauldron (Titan Class Gauntlets): 23 Legendary Shards
Winter's Guile (Warlock Class Gauntlets): 23 Legendary Shards
Following Destiny 2's launch on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in September, the shooter comes to PC on October 24. Bungie has detailed a roadmap for the rollout of endgame activities in the PC version. At launch, players will be able to try the normal or Prestige Nightfall Strikes. A week later, the Raid will go live. For more on Destiny 2, take a look at the list of recent stories below.
Bungie has also detailed Destiny 2's winter activity, which is called The Dawning event. It includes the ability to play hockey at the Farm, and throughout Destiny 2's playable areas there will also be snowballs you can throw at enemies to do damage. Of course, there's also new gear. You can see all the details on Destiny 2's winter event here.
Unlike its predecessor, Destiny 2 will release on PC. Although players have had to wait longer for it, there's not too long left now. Destiny 2 doesn't launch on PC until October 24, and for those of you that didn't pick it up on Xbox One and PS4, the PC version features 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. Take a look and you'll find detailed information on everything from what's different, to recommended PC hardware specs, and how it works with Blizzard's Battle.net client.
Unfortunately, if you didn't try it already, the Destiny 2 PC beta has already passed. For more on the game, check out our Destiny 2 review. We also have tons of Destiny 2 guides, tips, and tricks for those who have already begun playing on consoles or are simply looking to get a head start on how things will work on PC.
Destiny 2 PC Release Date and Differences
The PC version is confirmed to have release date on October 24, while the Xbox One and PS4 versions are already out, having launched on September 6. Bungie has announced the game's servers will become available at 10 AM PT on October 24, which works out to 1 PM ET / 2 PM BRT / 6 PM BST / and 4 AM the next day in Australia.
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.
Destiny 2 PC Minimum Requirements and Recommended 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.
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
Destiny 2 PC 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.
Destiny 2 Doesn't Use 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.
Destiny 2 PC Impressions
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.
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.
Destiny 2 Uses Blizzard Battle.net
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.
Destiny Progress Doesn't Transfer to Destiny 2
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.
After launching for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in September, Bungie's Destiny 2 comes out for PC on October 24. Bungie has announced the game's exact unlock time and revealed the final PC requirements. Servers will become available at 10 AM PT on October 24, which works out to 1 PM ET / 2 PM BRT / 6 PM BST / and 4 AM the next day in Australia. Check out the map below to find out precisely when Destiny 2 unlocks where you live.
Bungie also today announced the final minimum and recommended specs for Destiny 2, following the preliminary specs from the beta. You need 68 GB of free space to install Destiny 2, while Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 are supported operating systems. You can check out the full minimum and recommended specs in the image below, which Bungie shared in a recent blog post.
The PC version of Destiny 2 will be available at physical retailers and through Blizzard's Battle.net, but not Steam or other digital stores. That's notable because Destiny 2 is the first non-Blizzard game to be offered on Blizzard's PC gaming platform. For more, check out GameSpot's roundup of everything you need to know about Destiny 2 on PC.
Provided you're willing to pre-order the game, you can also get a head start on downloading it. Pre-loading for Destiny 2 on PC has begun on Battle.net. Even on a fast connection, 68 GB will take some time to download, so this ensures you'll be able to jump right into the action on release day.
For those looking for something festive, Destiny 2's new winter activity, which is called The Dawning event, has been revealed. It includes the ability to play hockey at the Farm, and throughout Destiny 2's playable areas there will also be snowballs you can throw at enemies to do damage. Of course, there's also new gear. You can see all the details on Destiny 2's winter event here.
Update: Bungie has replaced this week's Nightfall Strike due to issues players were experiencing with Exodus Crash. For the remainder of the week, you can try your hand at the Nightfall version of Pyramidion. Along with that change, there are also new modifiers in place: Timewarp: Zero Hour (which prevents you from extending the time limit) and Torrent (increasing the rate at which your skills recharge).
Original Story: Every seven days, Destiny 2's weekly reset changes a bunch of variables within the game, from the activities on offer to the rewards available to the items on sale in shops. This week's Nightfall Strike, Exodus Crash, is set in Arcadian Valley, while Eververse have some new gear on offer.
Two modifiers are active in Exodus Crash this week, one of which again offers a way to earn additional time. Timewarp: Rings presents a set of large white circles throughout the mission for you to jump through; each one provides an additional 30 seconds of time to finish the Strike. The other modifier, Prism, rotates through each of the three elements, with the chosen element doing additional damage (and the others doing less than usual). Following the release of a Destiny 2 update last month, this now functions correctly, as the message indicating the chosen element no longer lasts for just a brief moment. Additionally, an on-screen effect helps to highlight when the element changes from one to the next.
In terms of Challenges, Speed of Dark is active as always, which requires you to finish the Strike with at least five minutes remaining. Unbroken tasks you with completing the Strike with fewer than three deaths. And finally, Faster Than Lightning asks your Fireteam to kill nine Shanks with melee attacks before defeating Thaviks.
Exodus Crash in Arcadian Valley has a recommended Power level of at least 240. 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, which is Powerful gear. This Nightfall will be available until Destiny 2's next weekly reset, which occurs at 2 AM PT / 5 AM ET / 10 AM BST / 8 PM AET on Tuesday, October 24.
Away from the Nightfall Strike, you can grab a new bundle from Eververse. Costing 2000 Silver, the legendary Golden Sevens bundle contains seven bright Engrams, seven shaders, 500 Bright Dust, and a unique Nothing Gold ship. Take a look at the ship for yourself below. [Update: It appears this bundle is no longer for sale on the Eververse store.]
Plenty more has likely changed for the week, with previous resets offering new Milestones, Challenges, and treasure maps to buy from Cayde. Sadly, the weekly reset also means last week's Iron Banner event is now over. However another event, the Leviathan Prestige Raid, goes live tomorrow, October 18, after it was delayed last week.
Destiny 2's new winter activity, which is called The Dawning event, has also been revealed. It includes the ability to play hockey at the Farm, and throughout Destiny 2's playable areas there will also be snowballs you can throw at enemies to do damage. Of course, there's also new gear. You can see all the details on Destiny 2's winter event here.
In other Destiny 2 news, Bungie has removed the Monty Python-inspired, high-kicking walk emote. Although the developer hasn't officially said why this has been removed, it may have something to do with the emote letting players get into some walled-off, unfinished areas.
Assassin's Creed Origins' release is drawing near, and developer Ubisoft has revealed the minimum PC specs and system requirements you'll need to play. The company says that optimizing the game for PC play has been very important, as has making the game accessible to players on a wide variety of systems.
"The PC version was developed in parallel with all the other versions by the main team in Montreal, in collaboration with our PC-dedicated team in Ubisoft Kiev," said Jose Araiza, the coordinating producer on Assassin's Creed Origins. "This approach was adopted while the game features were being designed, making PC and mouse-and-keyboard controls a full part of the equation from the get-go."
Araiza said the minimum system requirements will be the same as Assassin's Creed Syndicate, which released two years ago. "This means that the range of supported machines is wider than ever," he said.
Assassin's Creed Origins comes out on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 on October 27. It's the latest instalment in a series that has been around for a decade, and if you need help catching up on the story, check out our look back at every Assassin's Creed game. In the meantime, here are the minimum and recommended system requirements.
Minimum System Requirements
OS: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit versions only)
Processor: Intel Core i5-2400s @ 2.5 GHz or AMD FX-6350 @ 3.9 GHz or equivalent
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or AMD R9 270 (2048 MB VRAM with Shader Model 5.0 or better)
RAM: 6GB
Resolution: 720p
Video Preset: Lowest
Recommended System Requirements
OS: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit versions only)
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 -- Ends Oct. 31
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 -- Ends Oct. 23
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.
The latest batch of Xbox One and Xbox 360 discounts are now available for Xbox Live Gold members. This week's selection consists of some great games for both platforms, including a few recent releases.
On Xbox One, Gold members can find discounts on some of this year's sports games, including NBA Live 18: The One Edition ($30/£30), Madden 18 ($40.19/£40.19), and some virtual currency bundles for NBA 2K18. All three editions of NHL 18 are also on sale; the standard version costs $40.19/£40.19, while the Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions run for $53.59/£53.59 and $67/£60.29, respectively.
Xbox 360 owners don't have quite as many discounts to choose from, though there are still some notable games on sale. This week, Gold members can pick up Red Dead Redemption, which is backwards compatible with Xbox One, for $9.89/£8.24. Other notable games on sale for Gold members are The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition ($3), Grand Theft Auto IV ($8/£7.19), and Bully Scholarship Edition ($7.49/£6).
As always, this week's Xbox Live Gold deals will only be available for a limited time and expire at 6 AM ET on October 24. You can find the full list of discounts on Major Nelson's blog.
A new batch of PS4, PS3, and Vita deals are now available in the US PlayStation Store. Along with an EA Sports sale, this week marks the start of the Halloween-themed Sale of the Dead, which offers discounts on a huge range of horror games for Sony consoles.
PS4 owners in particular can find the biggest selection of games on sale, with PS Plus subscribers saving an additional percentage off on many of the titles. Perhaps the biggest is Resident Evil 7, the newest critically acclaimed installment in Capcom's long-running horror series. The standard edition runs for $30 (or $36 without a PS Plus subscription), while the Deluxe edition and season pass cost $45 ($54) and $24 ($27), respectively.
A couple of older Resident Evil games are on sale as well, including Resident Evil 4, 5, 6 ($8/$10 each) and Code: Veronica X ($3.74/$5.24). Other notable PS4 games that are discounted during the first week of the Sale of the Dead include:
In addition to the Sale of the Dead, a handful of EA's recent sports titles are on sale this week for PS4. The Madden NFL 18 standard edition runs for $40.19, while the GOAT Squads edition costs $53.59. In addition to that, NBA Live 18 is available for $30. All three editions of NHL 18 are also on sale. The standard release runs for $40.19, while the Young Stars and Young Stars Deluxe editions cost $53.59 and $67, respectively.
The EA Sports sale runs until October 24, while many of the Sale of the Dead discounts will be available until Halloween. You can find the full list of this week's deals on PlayStation Store.
Ahead of Destiny 2's release for PC next week, you can now start pre-loading the shooter. As announced previously, pre-loading started on October 18.
Destiny 2's PC version is available only on Blizzard's Battle.net platform, not Steam or other digital stores. You can buy the game right here and start pre-loading right away. Of course, Destiny 2's servers don't go live until 10 AM PT on October 24, but pre-loading ensures that you can start playing right away come launch.
The game supports 4K resolution, uncapped frame rates, and custom key mapping. PC players can also adjust the field of view and use up to three monitors. There are also quite a few settings to play around with, including anti-aliasing, foliage detail distance, film grain, wind impulse, and motion blur, among many other things.
Bungie has detailed a roadmap for the rollout of endgame activities in the PC version. At launch, players will be able to try the normal or Prestige Nightfall Strikes. A week later, the Raid will go live. For more on Destiny 2, take a look at the list of recent stories below.
Destiny 2's new winter activity, which is called The Dawning event, has also been revealed. It includes the ability to play hockey at the Farm, and throughout Destiny 2's playable areas there will also be snowballs you can throw at enemies to do damage. Of course, there's also new gear. You can see all the details on Destiny 2's winter event here.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is the follow-up to 2014's The New Order. It once again centers around B.J. Blazkowicz and his struggle to overthrow the Nazi regime. This time around he's trying to set up a second American Revolution with the help of a militant group of resistance fighters.
With the game's release date set for October 27 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, we've compiled our most important features and gameplay videos detailing everything you need to know about Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. Check back often as we update this article with our in-depth review, additional articles, and videos.
Features
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus maintains the same action-heavy gunplay of its predecessor. The game features a variety of weapons, most of which can be dual-wielded. New this time around is a cover system to aid your approach in a firefight. For more of our impressions about the game and its provocative depiction of a Nazi-occupied America, check out the features below:
Every Cinematic Cutscene So Far--We collected every cutscene we have seen so far for Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus and put them all into one handy video for you. Be warned, this video is packed with spoilers.
Delivering A Nuke To Area 52 Gameplay--BJ Blazkowicz is back at it again! This time our well armed friend is fighting through a train to deliver a nuke to Area 52.
Super Mario Odyssey is the latest installment of Nintendo's tenured franchise starring the lovable Italian plumber. You once again control Mario as he works to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. But this time around, he has the help of a new hat sidekick named Cappy, who he can throw at certain objects or enemies to temporarily posses them and use their unique abilities.
With Super Mario Odyssey's release date set for October 27 on Nintendo Switch, we've compiled our most important features and gameplay videos detailing everything you need to know about the game. Check back often as we update this article with our in-depth review, guides, additional articles, and videos.
Features
As a 3D-style Mario game, the emphasis is on exploration in Super Mario Odyssey. The game sports a multitude of open sandbox environments to navigate, which are each packed with enemies and platforming challenges. For more about our impressions about the game thus far, check out the features below:
Destiny 2 players have been able to play casual games of soccer at the Farm since the game's launch, and soon they'll also be able to take to the ice and play hockey. Bungie announced today that both hockey and snowballs that you can throw at people are coming to the game in the future.
The game's wintry makeover will be a part of The Dawning event, a limited-time competition that highlights Destiny 2's recently announced Season 2 of content. The first Dawning event took place last year in Destiny 1 and was headlined by Sparrow Racing League; this Dawning sounds like it'll be more focused on winter sports.
New items coming in The Dawning (image courtesy of Planet Destiny)
From our short look at hockey, it seems like it'll be similar to the soccer mini-game at the Farm. You can kick a puck around, trying to score it in the opposite goal. Throughout Destiny 2's playable areas, there'll also be snowballs you can grab, and throwing them at enemies will actually do damage.
The Dawning will also feature a unique set of gear and items to earn, including some cool-looking winter-themed cosmetic items, as well as a full set of Dawning-themed armor. It's likely that this gear will drop from Bright Engrams.
During its stream at Twitchcon today, Bungie revealed a lot of information about the future of Destiny 2. Players can look forward to frequent updates and new events, which come with new game modes, cosmetics, and gear.
First, Bungie announced that Destiny 2's future updates will be organized into four "seasons" per year. We're in the midst of the first season, which has so far featured Faction Rallies and Iron Banner as its main limited-time events. These seasons will feature different "themes", which will be defined by special cosmetic items. This means that some items will vanish once Season 1 ends, however.
New Iron Banner ornaments (image courtesy of Planet Destiny)
Bungie revealed that Destiny 2's second season will be headlined by the return of The Dawning, a big event that first debuted last winter in the original Destiny. The new Dawning will have different competitions. For example, hockey is coming to the Tower, and you'll be able to throw snowballs at other players and at enemies in the world. And yes, they'll actually do damage.
Although last year's Dawning was centered around Sparrow Racing League, Bungie has yet to say if the mode will return. However, there will be a unique set of Dawning armor to pursue.
In addition, Iron Banner will be held again in Season 2, although with some changes. Most notably, you'll be able to buy Iron Banner weapons directly from Lord Saladin. In the last Iron Banner, you could only get Iron Banner gear by earning engrams, which award pieces of loot randomly. Trials of the Nine will get a visual refresh, as well. Finally, a new competitive multiplayer map will also debut during Season 2, but Bungie didn't provide any specific details about it.
There's no word yet on when Season 2 begins, but it'll likely be some time after Destiny 2's launch on PC on October 24. After all, PC players still need a chance to complete Season 1 activities.
GameSpot News with Jess McDonell and Dan Crowd brings you the video game news that matters. Except when Chastity Vicencio and Kallie Plagge are filling in, when they also give you the news that matters, just in a different accent. Here are the top five stories from the week that was:
First Team To Beat Destiny 2's Prestige Leviathan Raid Used An Exploit
Destiny 2's hard-mode Leviathan Raid launched this week, and one team, Clan Redeem, beat it in an hour to become the world's first team to complete it. However, it's been discovered that Clan Redeem used a glitch involving the Wardcliff Coil rocket launcher to become the world's first team to complete the Leviathan Prestige Raid. So far, Bungie has not addressed the situation, though some fans feel Redeem's "world first" status should be disqualified in light of the exploit.
Pokemon Go Halloween 2017 Event And Gen 3 Release Details
A Halloween event has come to Pokemon Go and with it the introduction of third-generation Pokemon to the game! Hoenn Pokemon like Duskull, Banette, and Sableye join other spooky monsters like Cubone, Gastly, and Houndour for the event, during which you can get special rewards (like bonus candy). Plus, there's a Pikachu wearing a witch hat and a Mimikyu hat for your character! And if you like Halloween as much as we do, also check out our roundup of all the Halloween events in games.
Sony Is Publishing Nintendo Switch And PC Games Under New Label
Sony is publishing Nintendo Switch and PC games under a new label called Unties. It's a division of Sony Music Entertainment--not Sony Interactive Entertainment or PlayStation--intended to bring indie games to more players. Upcoming projects include a game called Tiny Metal, a turn-based strategy game inspired by Advance Wars, and two TBD projects. We don't expect exclusives and system-sellers like Uncharted to come to Switch, though; this is a separate deal.
Big Nintendo Switch Update Released, Adds Nice New Features
Yes, we talked about this a lot yesterday, but it's big news! Nintendo Switch got an update this week that adds gameplay capture, save data transfer, and more. With the 4.0 update applied, you'll be able to hold down the capture button and record the previous 30 seconds of gameplay. This currently only works with certain games, including Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 2, Arms, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The other major new feature is the ability to transfer save data to a new Switch, similar to how it works with 3DSes.
EA Revamping Star Wars Single-Player Game, Shutting Down Dead Space Dev Visceral
On a much more somber note, EA has announced that it is shutting down Visceral Games, the studio responsible for its upcoming Star Wars game. While the game was supposed to be a linear, story-driven Star Wars experience, EA has said that it wants to change the game's direction to fall more in line with current market trends (which, if you read between the lines, sounds very similar to Destiny). Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the shuttering of Visceral.
Jess and Dan will be back next Monday to catch you up on all the video game news you missed out on over the weekend before they head off to PAX Australia later in the week, in which case the accents will probably change again. Stay tuned!
With Thor: Ragnarok coming to theaters on Friday, November 3, you may be wondering who some of the secondary characters are in the upcoming film. Over the course of the next week, we'll be taking a look at where some of these heroes and villains came from and their comic book origins.
Heimdall, who is played by Idris Elba, has already appeared in the first two Thor films, along with Avengers: Age of Ultron, so most fans have a decent idea of who this character is. However, the character's roots in comic books are a bit different.
Heimdall first appeared in Journey Into Mystery #85 back in 1962. He was created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Larry Lieber and modeled after Norse god Heimdallr. The guardian of the Rainbow Bridge out of Asgard has no direct relation to Thor, Loki, or Odin, but he is the brother of Sif, the one-time lover of Thor. Heimdall appeared quite a bit during the Silver Age of Marvel comics as a loyal servant to Odin and a friend of Thor; however, during the storyline Ragnarok, it seemed that Heimdall died.
After the cataclysmic event, a newly reborn Thor found Heimdall hiding in the body of a mortal man. Thor resurrected him and since then, Heimdall has watched over Asgard, which had been reconstructed on Midgard (more specifically in Oklahoma). Together, Heimdall, Thor, and other Asgardians eventually returned their land to its rightful place.
Heimdall is like most other Asgardians, as he has superhuman strength. On top of that, he can withstand great forces, has excellent stamina, and is extremely agile. What sets Heimdall apart is that he has incredible senses, being able to see and hear almost anything happening within Asgard. He doesn't need sleep as much as everyone else--like Odin, who goes into Odinsleep for months and years on end--and that makes Heimdall the perfect guardian for Asgard. Lastly, he's able to sense life forces and trouble within all Nine Realms; however, there have been times where his powers have betrayed him, like when Loki and Norman Osborn joined forces for the storyline Siege.
Looking for some reading material involving Heimdall? Check out these storylines.
Ragnarok: The world is coming to an end as Asgard faces foes from every realm. Can Thor and his allies stop Asgard from being destroyed? Written by Roy Thomas. Art by John Buscema. The collected edition contains Thor #272-78 and Thor: Ragnarok #1.
Siege: Loki and Norman Osborn join forces and imprison Heimdall to ensure a victory over Asgard. Written by Brian Bendis. Art by Olivier Coipel. Siege #1-4 are available in trade.
If you want to know more about the third Thor film, check out our review of Ragnarok. In it, GameSpot's Mike Rogueau said, "Thor: Ragnarok shines when it's allowed to stray from the formula set by a decade of predecessors in the MCU, and it seems Waititi is to thank for most of what feels fresh and new here. By the movie's end, Thor and co. have left much of their past behind, ensuring the future is exciting in its potential, especially as we approach the Infinity War storyline."
The big news about Destiny 2 right now is the impending release of the PC version, but there's also a bit of bad news for players on consoles. According to Bungie's Weekly Update, the next two instances of Trials of the Nine have been canceled (but Xur is here!).
According to the developer, though, there's a fix in the works, and the downtime will allow the studio to test it out and prevent any exploitation of the competitive mode in the meantime. "We will provide more information as it becomes available," Bungie stated. "At this time the next instance of Trials of the Nine is forecasted to resume on November 3, 2017."
Trials is a mode where teams compete to rack up seven victories before losing three matches. A perfect run offers special rewards, but even a single win provides access to the Spire social space. The aforementioned bug allowed players to glitch their ways through walls, which is a real concern for a competitive PvP mode where every loss matters.
In other Destiny 2 news, Bungie also announced a roadmap for the rollout of endgame activities in the PC version. When the game launches on October 24, you can immediately try out normal or Prestige Nightfall Strikes once you level up. Guided Games will be available at launch, too. Then, a week later, the Raid goes live. Keep an eye on GameSpot all of next week for more coverage about Destiny 2 on PC.
The biggest change is that Roman Reigns will not be able to perform. He was scheduled to join Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins as they reunited The Shield to take on the team of The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus, Braun Strowman and Kane. Now, the match has even more meaning due to Reigns' replacement.
WWE has revealed that Hall of Famer and Raw General Manager Kurt Angle will step into the ring for the 5-on-3 handicap match, marking his first match for the company since his 2006 departure. Angle returned to WWE earlier this year and has been vocal about wanting to wrestle again in a WWE ring.
Meanwhile, the other change to the card impacts Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt--which has been dubbed The Demon vs. Sister Abigail. After missing two weeks of programming, Wyatt has officially been removed from the card. Replacing him will be Smackdown Live superstar AJ Styles, making it his first Raw match since being drafted to the Tuesday night show in 2016.
It's worth noting this match will be the first time Balor and Styles have faced each other in WWE, which is surprising given their history. With both men previously serving as leaders of the Bullet Club stable in New Japan Pro Wrestling, this is a match many fans have been waiting for.
WWE has not specified what precisely caused Reigns and Wyatt to be removed from the card. According to WrestlingInc, it's due to a case of the mumps. Officially, WWE said in a statement to ESPN, "We have confirmed that three of our performers have been diagnosed with a viral infection. As a precautionary measure, we are ensuring in-ring performers and staff are tested and immunized in accordance with recommended medical guidelines."
WWE TLC airs live on the WWE Network on Sunday, October 27, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT. For some idea of what to expect, check out our TLC 2017 predictions.
Not long after revealing the new DLC character for Street Fighter V, Capcom has now unveiled new DLC costumes. The fighting game will soon introduce new looks for three of its characters.
As pictured in the gallery below, these are the latest in the line of "sports" costumes for Street Fighter V. Kolin, Zangief, and Karin each get one, though none of these look like traditional sport uniforms (and Kolin's likely to be very cold).
All three of these costumes launch on October 24. Specific pricing was not announced, but earlier sport costumes go for $4 each, and that's likely to again be the case here. We'll report back when we learn more.
Also coming on October 24 is the aforementioned new character: Zeku. He makes his return from Street Fighter Alpha 2 and marks the final character to be released as part of Season 2. Zeku will sell for $6/£5 on his own or as part of the Season 2 pass--which includes DLC characters Akuma, Kolin, Ed, Abigail, and Menat--for $30/£23.
One thing you can count on every October, aside from a bunch of big game releases, are developers releasing Halloween-themed updates and events. Halloween is still weeks away, and already we've seen a number of such announcements, and some of these events are already underway. [Updated October 20 with For Honor, Rocket League, The Elder Scrolls Online, Final Fantasy XIV, and more Pokemon Go details.]
With so much going on, it can be difficult to keep track of everything that's happening. Given that many of these events, such as Overwatch's Halloween Terror, provide you with a limited amount of time to obtain items you can use year-round, you'll want to stay on top of how and when you can expand your collection. We've compiled a list of many of the Halloween-themed events happening in games this month, and we'll continue to update this as more are announced. Check everything out below, and let us know what you'll be playing (as well as any we missed) in the comments.
Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Activision will host a monthlong event in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare called Willard Wyler's Halloween Scream that features several different components. Each week, players will be able to pick up a free Halloween Supply Drop by logging in, as well as a Halloween-themed cosmetic item on each Friday. Halloween gear and loot, such as a zombie-themed Rig skin, will also be up for grabs.
Additionally, Gesture Warfare mode--where you take out opponents by doing things like pinching your fingers--returns for a limited time. Carnage, one of the maps in the Retribution DLC, will be free to all players from October 12 until November 1 in a special playlist that runs only that map and offers double XP. Finally, Boss Battle will allow DLC owners to tackle a different Zombie episode's final fight each week.
The Witches Festival is back in The Elder Scrolls Online, offering double XP and a variety of themed elements. Special loot is available from boss monsters (like Witches Festival recipes and pumpkin or scarecrow masks), while there are also spooky items for purchase in the Crown Store--maybe the most notable of which is the Exorcised Coven Cottage. You can also change your appearance to something more seasonal, and event achievements are available for those who haven't unlocked them in past years.
Dates
Now - November 1 at 7 AM PT (10 AM ET/3 PM BST; 1 AM AEDT on November 2)
The All Saint's Wake event is now live in Final Fantasy XIV. The seasonal event brings back the Continental Circus, and there are new things to do by talking to the special Adventurers' Guild investigator in Old Gridania. Taking part in the event allows you to unlock new gear (like a werewolf head) and items (such as a pumpkin pie set tabletop item).
Dates
Now - November 1 at 7:59 AM PT (10:59 AM ET/4 PM BST; 2 AM AEDT on November 2)
For its first Halloween on the market, For Honor is celebrating with a special Feast of the Otherworld event. This allows players to participate in the Endless March mode, where you're squaring off against hordes of skeletons. There's also new gear, emotes, and masks (which go in a new customization slot) to earn by taking part.
The Coalition is marking Halloween in Gears of War 4 in a variety of ways. As the video above reveals, Friday the 13th marks the return of Skorge, the Locust general who will make an appearance as a skin. Later in the month, players can jump into a special multiplayer playlist that adorns everyone with a pumpkin head, or take part in a special mode called Phantom Dodgeball. The Coalition has also teased "a few extra surprises," of which Skorge is likely one.
Dates
October 13 (Skorge)
October 27 - TBA (pumpkin heads, Phantom Dodgeball)
Guild Wars 2 brings back the Shadow of the Mad King event this year. This consists of multiple elements, including a decorated version of Lion's Arch, new armor and weapon skins to collect, and a special jumping puzzle in the Mad King's Clock Tower. You can also head to the Mad King's Labyrinth for some limited-time, spooky activities and take part in the Lunatic Inquisition PvP event. Or you can meet up with King Oswald Thorn, who is said to have "deadly tricks up his sleeve."
Part of Hearthstone's Halloween celebration is tied to Fireside Gathering events. Hallow's End-themed real-life meet-ups will take place over the course of more than a month, and a free Warlock hero (Nemsy Necrofizzle) is available for attending certain ones. She'll continue to be available even after Hallow's End concludes.
For those who can't make it to an event, there's still plenty happening in-game. For one week, players can get a Whispers of the Old Gods card pack and an Arena ticket just for logging in. The following week, logging in rewards a Knights of the Frozen Throne card pack and another Arena ticket. A special dual-class Arena mode will also be available for a limited time. Here's how Blizzard explains it: "At the start of every Arena run, players choose a Hero, a Hero Power from another class, and then choose cards from both of those classes in addition to neutral cards. That's not all though: each of the nine classic Hearthstone Heroes will attend their Arena games in costume!"
Finally, players will be able to take on the Headless Horseman in a special Tavern Brawl. You'll wear a costume that dictates what cards you have available and grants a passive power that will help you defeat him.
Dates
Now - November 5 (Fireside Gatherings, Dual Class Arena)
October 24 at 9 AM PDT - October 30 at 11:59 PM (Whispers of the Old Gods freebie)
October 31 at 12:01 AM PDT - November 5 at 11:59 PM (Knights of the Frozen Throne freebie)
Heroes of the Storm once again sees its Hallow's End event, which kicks off this month. However, this marks the first Halloween since Blizzard launched HotS' new Loot Chest system, which means things work a bit differently than in the past. Like in Overwatch, event-specific chests will replace the standard ones during the event. You'll earn one with every level up, and at least one of the four rewards inside is guaranteed to be a Hallow's End item, which includes skins, mounts, sprays, and portraits. Weekly Brawl rewards after October 20 will take the form of a Hallow's End chest, and these can also be purchased using gems.
Also during the event, you can make progress toward quests that will net you a special spray (by playing two games), banner (eight games), and portrait (15 games). However, Custom Games, Training matches, and Brawls don't count toward these totals.
The Halloween Horrors content pack update has been released for Killing Floor 2. This introduces a new map that is meant to be set inside the mind (or more precisely, the nightmares) of Boozo the clown. There are new Achievements to earn and two new weapons to use: the Seeker Six (a multi-shot, guided rocket launcher) and the Hemoglobin (which somehow drains enemies of blood). New, limited-time unlocks include face paint and pumpkin helmets. Prize tickets can be earned for free by playing, or you can purchase them; either way, they can be exchanged for new Halloween Horror cosmetics, such as weapon skins. Finally, the King Fleshpound has been added as a permanent member of the boss rotation, and new daily and weekly objectives can earn you in-game cash to spend on cosmetic items.
Minecraft's Halloween Spooktacular event is officially underway. This brings special, themed content and activities to official servers for players on Bedrock Engine platforms (which is to say, most versions of the game). Among other things, the Lifeboat server is home to a haunted house parkour course; InPvP has the Haunted Mansion SkyWare map; and Mineplex brings The Pumpkin King, plus quests, flaming pumpkins to fight, and more. You can get a look at what awaits in the video and gallery above.
For its second October, Blizzard has brought back Overwatch's Halloween Terror event. It replaces the standard Loot Box with an event-specific one, which contains a variety of Halloween-themed cosmetic items. These include both those from last year and more than 50 new ones, such as Legendary skins for Ana, Symmetra, Zenyatta, and McCree. Last year's Junkenstein's Revenge event also returns as a special Brawl mode--this is a Horde-style co-op game type where a team of four takes on waves of AI-controlled enemies. New to this year's version is an endless variant, where you can compete on leaderboards by seeing how many waves you can successfully make it through.
As part of the Shadow's Eve event, Paragon players will be able to get their hands on limited-edition chests. These contain regular items and Shadow's Eve-specific rewards, including skins and banners. Narbash, Wukong, and Yin have received new skins for the event, and each week will offer up a selection of different skins from last year. (These skins and banners are only available during the event.) A special Mega Bundle that includes all of this will be sold from October 24 - November 11; you'll receive a discount if you've already gotten your hands on any of the contents.
Dates
Now - November 1 (Shadow's Eve)
October 24 - November 11 (Shadow's Eve Mega Bundle)
Following leaks that spoiled some surprises, Niantic has officially announced its Halloween plans for Pokemon Go. Sableye, Banette, and other Gen 3 Ghost-types will make their debut, with more creatures from Hoenn coming later this year. During the event, a Pikachu wearing a special hat can be found in the wild, and a new cosmetic item will be available to players as well. Additionally, bonus Candy can be earned for catching, transferring, and and hatching Pokemon, and your buddy Pokemon will accumulate Candy two times as fast as usual.
Dates
October 20 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET / 8 PM BST (6 AM AET on October 21 in Australia) - 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET / 9 PM on November 2 (7 AM AET on November 3 in Australia)
Rocket League marks the occasion with a new Haunted Hallows event. By playing online matches, you'll earn a new type of currency: Candy Corn (because, let's be honest, it's not like you're going to eat it). It can be spent to purchase Halloween-themed items, decryptors, and Halloween event crates. These crates contain special items and can be earned with regular keys or decryptors, but using the latter will make the items you receive untradeable. Candy Corn will only remain in your inventory until a week after the event ends, but anything you purchase with it will remain yours.
Dates
Now - November 6 at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET/6 PM BST; 4 AM AEDT on November 7)
The newest patch for Smite brings back the Halloween makeover for Arena mode's map and the Scary Potion. The latter messes around with players--last year's version, for instance, would occasionally play a Loki sound effect that made you think you were about to be backstabbed. Additionally, a Halloween chest is for sale that includes things like spooky and themed skins (Trick or Treat Cupid and Grim Reaper Thanatos). Through the Odyssey, there are new Halloween skins you can buy directly, such as Mummified Izanami and Yurei Susano.
Blizzard hasn't yet revealed its full Halloween plans for World of Warcraft, but we do know that Hallow's End will return. The event "celebrates the break of the Forsaken from the Scourge," Blizzard says. "Fun and mischief reign as the Innkeepers of Azeroth give treats, and tricks, to whomever asks."
No comments:
Post a Comment