The creator of The Simpsons and Futurama is at it again with his newest show, Disenchantment, which is coming to Netflix August 17. It's another adult animation series created by Matt Groening, and given the success of his two most well-known projects, people are getting pretty excited about this one. A teaser trailer for the project was released on social media platforms and the animation style seems to be be pretty similar to the style of his other work, just in a different setting.
As the trailer itself states, the Groening has already set shows in the present and the future, so the natural next step is to set their newest show in the past. It looks like Disenchantment will be set in a fantasy world called Dreamland. The setting is reminiscent of a medieval European feudal society, complete with a castle, a king, knights, and a princess. Given the title of the show and the town, we can infer that magic will factor in somewhere.
The teaser trailer is very short so it doesn't give much of a look into what the plot might entail other than a complicated father daughter relationship. What we do know is that the first season will be 10 episodes long and will follow the adventures of the rebellious princess and her zany friends in the rapidly deteriorating kingdom of Dreamland.
This is the first time Matt Groening has released a new show in 19 years, and you can only see it on Netflix. The first season of Disenchantment will be released August 17.
After much teasing and speculation, Blizzard has revealed the next character--Hero 28--for Overwatch. The brief teaser shows off a mechanized rolling ball of death, before out pops an adorable little hamster. He's so cute! And deadly! [Update: Beyond the simple look below, we now have gotten a full look at Wrecking Ball's abilities. He's live now on the PC version's PTR.]
This reveal confirms the speculation that the next character would be another sentient animal, similar to Winston. Previous teases have seen his little apparent hamster ball rolling around in the background of other shots. It also seems to confirm that a Reddit user's speculation was right on the money, having suggested that the next character would be Hammond the Hamster.
Blizzard hasn't released details on Hammond, so we're waiting to hear more about his exact power set, Ultimate, and class. A recent patch unified the Offense and Defense classes into one, called Damage, and sorted Symmetra into that role. Hammond may be a Damage class member too.
Meanwhile, we could be getting big changes to Sombra soon. Lead designer Geoff Goodman recently revealed some internal test changes to the character that could make a massive difference to her power level, if implemented throughout the full game.
Marvel Powers United VR is an Oculus Rift-exclusive game that puts you in the shoes of some of the most popular Marvel superheroes and has you battle against supervillains and their minions. This PC game launches on July 26, but you can pre-order a copy now for $40 at the Oculus Store.
Developed by Sanzaru Games, Marvel Games, and Oculus Studios, Marvel Powers United VR is a first-person co-op action game. It will ship with 18 superheroes, eight villains, and 10 locations from various Marvel comics. Eight heroes have been revealed so far: Captain Marvel, The Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, Deadpool, Black Bolt, Crystal, Thor, and Black Panther. Considering those characters' abilities, that should make for a good variety of play styles. More characters will be announced in the lead-up to the game's launch.
The chief selling point about this game is the first-person perspective. In virtual reality, you play as your choice of hero, using the required Oculus Touch controllers to shoot weapons, throw punches, or unleash your superpowers, depending on the hero in question. In addition to the single-player mode is a co-op mode that lets you team up with others online to take on the supervillain threats.
Playing the game will unlock rewards like alternate outfits for the heroes and other additional content. The game supports sitting, standing, and room scale play modes and is labeled with a Moderate comfort level. An internet connection is required to play.
If you're ready to lock in your Marvel Powers United VR pre-order, the only place you can do so right now is at the Oculus Store for $40.
Shortly after Blizzard teased Hero 28 for Overwatch and revealed his identity as a cute, chubby hamster, the company has released him on the Public Test Realm and detailed his full suite of abilities. The new hero is indeed Hammond, as suspected, though his name in-game is Wrecking Ball.
As seen in the teaser trailer, Wrecking Ball has the ability to transform into a ball and roll around to increase his movement speed, and his automatic weapons are known as Quad Cannons. Grappling Claw allows him to send out a grappling hook that lets him swing around the nearby area, which Blizzard said allows for "high-speed collisions to damage and knockback enemies."
Adaptive Shield provides shields for Wrecking Ball that increase in effectiveness depending on the number of nearby enemies. Piledriver causes Wrecking Ball to slam into the ground, dealing damage and knocking enemies up into the air. His Ultimate is Minefield, which lays out a "massive" field of mines that detonate when enemies come near to them. His backstory is detailed on Blizzard's website.
As noted above, you can try out Wrecking Ball for yourself right now if you own Overwatch on PC. A new update has been released on the PTR, which you can access through the Battle.net app's Region/Account drop-down menu. There's no word on how long the PTR will be available or when Wrecking Ball will be released in the live game on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
This PTR update also does a number of other things. There are hero updates to multiple characters, making "major changes" to damage falloff for the likes of McCree, Bastion, Mei, Soldier 76, and Widowmaker. Hanzo's new Storm Arrows see a small nerf, Assault maps now provide one less minute for each control point objective, and various bug fixes have been implemented. You can see all of these changes in the full patch notes.
Not all games receive positive fanfare upon their announcement or in the lead up to release. Heavy skepticism can follow a game for one reason or another. Sometimes it occurs due to a game being a drastic shift from past entries of a long-established franchise. Other times it's a prolonged development cycle that colors our expectations, typically resulting in cynicism or apathy.
While there are games that ultimately fall in line with our worst expectations, there are plenty that manage to defy the odds. Everyone loves a good underdog success story, so we've compiled 15 of the most amazing games that defied widely held skepticisms and turned out to be great after all.
Many of the games in this list are ones you'll recognize, but others you might've forgotten received widespread skepticism in the lead up to their launches. It just goes to show that these games were truly able to overcome the odds and become experiences that people love to this day. But what are some of your favorite games that defied expectations? Let us know in the comments below.
DMC: Devil May Cry
When Ninja Theory's Devil May Cry reboot DmC: Devil May Cry was first revealed in 2010, people were understandably skeptical. It drastically redesigned the look of the frontman Dante, ditching the brash demon hunter's silver hair and red-leather in favor of a modern look and angsty demeanor.
The change in art direction was instantly polarizing, resulting in a devout group of hardcore fans boycotting the game before it even released. Others worried the combat system wouldn't hold up to the high standard of quality set by past entries; Ninja Theory perceived lack of experience being the main culprit. While an early demo helped reassure some fans, expectations nevertheless remained low for others.
However, when DmC eventually released in January 2013, the game was welcomed with positive critical reception and solid sales. At the time GameSpot gave the game an 8/10, and said: "DmC pulls off that unlikely reboot trick of feeling fresh and inviting while still holding onto what made the original series so appealing and so special."
Despite its quality, some fans still rallied against DmC, going as far as petitioning to President Obama to remove the game from store shelves. However, the game continued to receive praise well after its initial release, and it's often cited now as one of the best entries in the franchise. DmC even received further acclaim with its subsequent remaster edition on PS4 and Xbox One. It just goes to show that looks can be deceiving.
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
When Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was first leaked, nobody thought it was going to be an exceptional game--much less a good game. When Nintendo fans saw an arm cannon-touting Mario accompanied by Ubisoft's polarizing Rabbids, they lamented the possibility. It seemed like another disastrous mini-game collection waiting to happen; people wished it wasn't true.
Flash forward to E3 2017 and everything changed. When Shigeru Miyamoto took to the stage during Ubisoft's E3 press conference brandishing an arm cannon, it seemed like everyone's worst fears were about to come true. And then the game was shown: Rather than the mini-game collection that most people expected it be, Mario + Rabbids was in fact a turn-based tactical strategy experience. It was a shocking surprise that nobody saw coming.
Initial first impressions towards Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Rush were strong, and a positive reception followed into its release. GameSpot called it an "implausibly engrossing formula that is positively challenging and endlessly charming." Mario + Rabbids is an undeniably compelling game, and one of the most shocking and surprising entries in this list.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
When Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance debuted at the Spike Video Game Awards in 2011, it was a bit of a shock. Formerly titled Metal Gear Solid: Rising, the spin-off looked far more over-the-top than the initial version shown at E3 2009, which featured a tone and style reminiscent to mainline Metal Gear games. This was because the game was now being developed by Platinum Games, a studio most known for its work on fast-paced character action games.
It turned out that the team at Kojima Productions weren't able to design a game completely based around the initially proposed "cutting" mechanic, so Platinum Games stepped in to pick up the pieces. While the studio was well-regarded for its games, there was skepticism from hardcore MGS fans over whether or not the studio could meet the series' standard of quality in both gameplay and narrative. Some fans felt its style sharply contrasted existing games in the series.
Despite these reservations, Rising managed to live up to the series's legacy in all the right ways. Its stylish violence and hard rock soundtrack somehow seemed right at home in the occasionally ludicrous Metal Gear universe, proving that there was more to the franchise than Snakes and espionage. While Rising still has its detractors, it remains a substantial game well worth playing.
Until Dawn
It's all to easy for horror movies to unintentionally step into the realm of cheesy. Whether it's poor acting, rough special effects, or sloppy editing, there's so much that could potentially sap a scene. The same can be said of horror games, so the odds were stacked against Until Dawn from the start.
Making matters worse, the game was originally announced as a first-person PS3 game with Move controls. No one really cared when it blew past its release date, and when it was re-announced as a third-person PS4 game, most people shrugged. Such a turbulent development cycle almost always spells bad news for a finished game.
And then Until Dawn launched--and it was fantastic. The setting was creepy, the characters were interesting, and the narrative twists kept on coming. It was like watching a really good horror movie, but with the outcome under your control. Not bad for a game that seemed doomed from the beginning.
Doom (2016)
The Doom franchise had been largely dormant for the better part of a decade when id Software and Bethesda revealed what their plans were for the newest entry, simply titled Doom. With Doom 4 having been in development hell for years, our first good look at the new game showed what appeared to be a gorgeous technical demonstration--but one that suggested the game might be nothing but a gratuitous gorefest.
While it's certainly no less violent than we were led to believe, Doom offers a shockingly enjoyable campaign. Multiplayer feels like an afterthought, but that is really of no concern because the single-player side proved to be one of the best first-person shooter experiences in years. Doom embraces some classic elements of shooters while integrating more modern concepts, like a progression system that allows you to upgrade weapons and your Praetor suit.
Better yet, Doom offered what felt like a modernized version of classic FPS gameplay. Hiding behind cover for your shield to regenerate or relying on AI companions isn't what Doom is about; it instead focuses heavily on its shooting and movement. In a refreshing take, it forces you to stay on the move at all times in combat, making use of the environment and risking close-range melee kills (which restore health and ammo) to stay alive. The game is at its best when played at a high difficulty, where the combination of deadly enemies and the fantastic, intense soundtrack create a sense of urgency that can make Doom feel almost like a hybrid of arcade-style shooters and horror games. Despite the early concerns, Doom turned out to be a special game after all.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Coming off of a console generation that was littered with cheap, cash-in superhero games, many of us weren't expecting much from Rocksteady's Batman game. Sure it looked pretty and hearing Kevin Conroy reprise his role as Bruce Wayne was a huge plus, but aside from the fantastic Sunsoft-made games, the caped crusader didn't have the best track record when it came to video games. Boy, we couldn't have been more wrong.
Borrowing design philosophies from Metroid, Arkham Asylum gave us a dark, detailed setting to explore, with certain pathways closed off until you acquired the proper gear to access them. The developers clearly understood Batman's long and rich history, and it could be seen around every corner, as well as in the gadgets and abilities you gained along the way.
However, the best part of Arkham Asylum was that you truly felt like Batman. You would stalk criminals from the shadows, leap off tall buildings, disarm enemies with your batarang, and you were even able flex your muscles as a detective. Arkham Asylum wasn't just one of the best games from the last generation, but one of the best games ever made.
Watch Dogs 2
Watch Dogs was a bit of a disappointment for those expecting it to be a revolutionary next-gen game. Its hacking premise captivated us, but in execution, it was fairly limited. The visually striking appearance of protagonist Aiden Pearce fascinated us. Beneath the vigilante's gruff exterior were interesting motivations, but he ultimately failed to be memorable. That's not to say that Watch Dogs was an awful game for these reasons; rather, it simply failed to live up to the promise of its initial reveal, managing to only be a decent open-world game and not the masterpiece that many had envisioned it in the lead up to its release.
Flash forward to its sequel. Announced shortly before E3 2016, Watch Dogs 2 spurred trepidation in those burned by its predecessor. But not all people were so incredulous; after all, the original did have its share of fans. However, it was difficult to ignore the air of skepticism surrounding Watch Dogs 2 pre-release. Certain aspects of it seemed promising: hacking would be expanded, its protagonist's narrative background covered themes not seen in most action games, and its setting of San Francisco and Silicon valley was a perfect fit for the series.
And Watch Dogs 2 overcame the odds. Instead of trying to make good on the high expectations that plagued the original's pre-release, the game focused on developing its own sense of style, while expanding upon the mechanics of its predecessor. GameSpot said the game "is a step up from the first game's dreary rendition of Chicago, and even though Watch Dogs 2 can't go toe-to-toe with genre heavyweights, it's hard to walk away from its fun-loving attitude and exuberant cast." The game didn't reach the sales of the original, but it managed to firmly establish Watch Dogs as a promising and worthwhile franchise.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
After the critically acclaimed Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, Zelda fans were eager to see what the next game in the franchise would be. But when Nintendo inevitable showcased the next entry for GameCube, titled The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, fan response was deeply mixed. The vibrant cel-shaded visual style was a far cry from the more realistic style depicted in Ocarina of Time and the tech demo teased at the Space World 2000 event. Many had grown to accustomed to the visual precedent set by Ocarina of Time, so to not be able to see it displayed in a next-generation Zelda game disappointed many of series' most ardent fans.
Unfortunately, this widespread skepticism followed Wind Waker to its release, affecting its sales. Despite receiving glowing critical reception, it sold much less than previous Zelda games. The poor sales can likely be attributed to anxiety among fans that Nintendo was losing its edge by focusing on games for children, as opposed to the more mature-rated games developed by its competitors.
However, Wind Waker has since garnered acclaim among fans, often cited as not only one of the best Zeldas, but one of the best Nintendo games of all time. Time often heals the deepest of wounds, and Wind Waker is no exception.
Hitman
For fans of the Hitman franchise, little faith was left after Hitman: Absolution. A series known for exercising your creativity with a limited toolset in cleverly designed levels resorted to a simpler stealth-action template when Absolution hit in 2012. Hitman: Blood Money, which came out in 2006 had been hailed is the best example of what a Hitman game should be, until we got the full picture of 2016's entry.
It's a bit tricky to talk about 2016's Hitman game due to its episodic rollout. Even after the first episode, some fans remained suspicious, but once we had the chance to play through the second episode, Sapienza, we started to unpack the game's full potential. Each level was a huge playground where permutations of in-mission events unraveled and prompted players to adapt to emergent conditions to assassinate the necessary targets. The additions of challenges, escalation missions, elusive targets, and seasonal events uplifted the already great foundation. Replayability was at the heart of Hitman's lasting appeal and IO Interactive fostered that by continually supporting the game and giving you new reasons to jump back into missions you already finished.
Metroid Prime
When a beloved franchise makes a dramatic shift from its original style, it's natural for it to be met with skepticism and worry. This appeared to be the case leading up to the release of Metroid Prime for the Gamecube back in 2002. We had become so attached to the side-scrolling exploration that the change to a first-person adventure-shooter hybrid seemed to be a decision made to chase trends, rather than to benefit Metroid as we knew it. However, developer Retro Studios, in collaboration with Nintendo, captured the essence Metroid by creating a 3D world full of wondrous secrets, intense boss fights, and foreboding atmosphere.
Metroid Prime retained the core conceit of the franchise by gating sections of the game behind the requirement of certain powers and upgrades. But what Prime really nailed down was the environmental puzzles and uniquely challenging enemies that filled each region. Chozo lore was scattered across Tallon IV, the planet Prime takes place on, which gave a rich sense of world-building without being too in-your-face about it, and the light ambient electronica soundtrack set the tone for wandering a hostile planet alone.
In 2018, the control scheme of Metroid Prime is the probably the only aspect that hasn't aged well. A remaster of the Prime trilogy came out for the Wii and implemented the motion controls from Corruption which are much more fluid, but still aren't ideal today. Regardless, Metroid Prime represents an evolution of one of Nintendo's biggest franchises that stayed true to its retro roots while taking a step forward into the modern era.
Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV had a lot going against it well before release: major delays--the game was originally slated to release on PlayStation 3 back in 2006; changing directors--Tetsuya Nomura was swapped out for Hajime Tabata after several years of development; and, most alarmingly, the game started out as an offshoot title to Final Fantasy XIII's world. Originally titled Final Fantasy Versus XIII, the rebranding to a mainline Final Fantasy titled involved significant reworking of the plot, characters, and the game's mythos to take on its new identity.
Yet FFXV's eventual release was an open-world triumph. GameSpot's Peter Brown praised the "impressive open-world that's equally beautiful and haunting." And the PC version of the game specifically made a stunning game look even better.
While FFXV seemed like a game destined for either vaporware status or just flat out cancellation, the game continues to get new content and expansions even in 2018. And with the continual updates and content additions, FFXV is not just a game that surpassed our expectations, it's a better experience today than when it originally launched.
The Last Guardian
Having the well-known creator leave their parent company halfway through a project is generally not a great sign. So it seemed when, after five years of development on The Last Guardian, director Fumito Ueda left Sony and founded his own company. However, Ueda stayed on as a creative consultant for the game, leaving the technical aspects of The Last Guardian's development to Sony.
Some delays are due to a team taking more time with a project and adding necessary refinements, and while those postponements often lead to immediate disappointment, they're generally considered an overall positive. But when a project's delays stretch for years and is punctuated with drama behind-the-scenes, the game that comes out is all too frequently a disappointment (see high-profile flops like Duke Nukem Forever and Daikatana). Add in The Last Guardian's shift from PlayStation 3 development to PlayStation 4, and it seemed unlikely that the game would even be released much less be any good. But Ueda's vision ultimately shone through the fog of negativity, providing players with a gorgeous, mysterious world to explore and a heartfelt narrative between the young, helpless protagonist and a cat-like, winged beast.
The Last Guardian went on to earn a 9/10 score in our review with Peter Brown writing, "Your affection for Trico and sympathy for both characters blossom nonetheless, culminating in an enrapturing series of revelations that cements your attachment to their personalities."
Wolfenstein: The New Order
Before Wolfenstein: The New Order, it seemed like the World-War II-set shooter series had a difficult time trying to justify itself. With its predecessor Wolfenstein (2009) receiving mixed reviews and lackluster sales, enthusiasm for a follow-up was a low. Because of this, developer Machine Games (made up of ex-Starbreeze devs) wanted to switch things up by offering a more story-driven shooter set in an alternate-1960s under the rule of The Third Reich.
In the reveal trailer for The New Order, an older Blazkowicz wielding two shotguns faces off against a squad of nazi-robots--complete with Jimmy Hendrix's cover of "All Along The Watchtower" blaring in the background to set the tone. Now an alternate-history narrative, there was a general worry that Wolfenstein would be moving to a setting that films and other games have ventured out to countless times. Moveover, Machine Games' focus on having a more relatable and nuanced Blazkowicz in the midst of his Nazi-killing rampage seemed almost counter to the series' pulpy action and set-piece moments--like facing-off against a gun-toting mecha-Hitler.
But as it turned out, The New Order had a certain level of self-awareness when it came to managing its action and its story's tone. In keeping with tradition, the reboot was still an immensely satisfying run-and-gun shooter focusing on taking out Nazis in gruesome fashion. But underneath all that was a surprisingly earnest narrative about B.J. Blazkowicz and his reflections of a life in wartime--and what it said about his own mental well-being. Along with a set of memorable side-characters, The New Order features plenty of moments that channel Tarrantino-esque flair and moments of action--most of which were played to the tune of German covers of famous Rock-n-Roll songs. And all this happened while still showing an incredible amount of humanity and thoughtfulness to B.J.
Machine Games' reboot turned out to be a pleasant surprise that showed the potential of what a new setting could offer, and how an old-school shooter can still feel fresh when given the right chance.
Sonic Mania
For years the Sonic series chased the legacy of its early games, often delivering experiences that failed to capture the spirit that made the 16-bit originals classics. Whether it was by getting wrapped up in story or putting too much emphasis on speed instead of level design, the newer games felt lost. However, this all changed with Sonic Mania, a sequel designed to be a throwback to Sonic's first few games, created by people who knew exactly what that ought to look like.
Designed and developed by members of the Sonic fan-hack community, Sonic Mania exudes passion and reverence in its recreation of nostalgic visuals, sounds, and levels. But the game isn't content with senselessly regurgitating the past; rather, it expands upon the familiar with new ideas of its own and delivers plenty of inventive concepts that diversify and build upon the series' fast-paced level design. Sonic Mania is smart and interpretive in its approach, leveraging the strengths of its design and visuals to craft not only the best Sonic game ever made, but an amazing platforming experience overall.
Sonic Mania turned out to be a huge success, managing to sell over one million copies across all platforms. Its success has even paved way for an enhanced version of the game featuring additional characters and modes, which is slated for release this July.
Sleeping Dogs
United Front Games' Sleeping Dogs experienced a prolonged and difficult development, which began in early 2008. The title was pitched as an open-world game incorporating dark tones with elements of comedy, similar to an HBO crime drama. However, publisher Activision felt it could be made part of its True Crime franchise. As a result, the game was revealed as True Crime: Hong Kong in November 2009, but due to issues in development, it was delayed.
The extended development negatively impacted the project. Stiff competition from contemporary open-world franchises, like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, reduced hopes of the game's success based on the investment Activision was already putting into it. This inevitably lead to the game's cancellation in 2011 and massive layoffs at United Front Games.
Despite its cancellation, the project didn't meet its end. Rather, publisher Square Enix stepped in to purchase the rights to the game, allowing the project to finally reach people's hands. Renamed Sleeping Dogs, the game released in 2012 to positive reviews. GameSpot's Carolyn Petit gave the game an 8/10 and praised its melee combat, varied mission design, and alluring atmosphere. While Sleeping Dogs' sales didn't meet Square Enix's expectations, it remains a fantastic open-world action-adventure in its own right that defied the odds and survived what seemed an inevitable cancellation.
Some players will soon have an opportunity to try Battlefield V, as EA is set to kick off a special invite-only closed alpha for the game on PC this Thursday, June 28. Ahead of the test, the publisher has shared all the details fans will need to know in order to participate, including what type of rig they'll need to run the alpha.
On the official Battlefield website, EA has laid out the minimum and recommended specs for the Battlefield V closed alpha. The publisher notes that these specs are strictly for the alpha and won't necessarily apply to the final game, but they give some indication of the kind of hardware players can expect to need in order to run the game on PC. You can find the specs below.
What's notable is that the minimum specs are very similar to the ones that popped up on Origin. EA would later issue a statement that the specs were incorrect, but the only real difference between them is the type of AMD processor players will need to run the test. However, as EA said, these specs aren't necessarily indicative of the hardware that will be needed to play the full game when it launches later this year.
As previously mentioned, the Battlefield V closed alpha is only open to those who receive an invitation, which are being distributed to a "small group" of Battlefield players. The closed alpha includes daily challenges and gives players a chance to try out two modes, Conquest and Grand Operation Fall of Norway--although it doesn't feature the game's announced battle royale mode.
Battlefield V releases for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 19. Those who purchase the Deluxe edition, however, will get access to it several days early, on October 16. You can find more details about the game's various editions in our Battlefield V pre-order guide.
Battlefield V Closed Alpha Specs
Minimum
Operating System: 64-bit Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10
EA has shared details on Battlefield V's first closed alpha. The limited-time test is scheduled to begin Thursday, June 28, and will allow certain players to try out the upcoming World War II shooter ahead of its release later this fall, including a portion of one Grand Operation.
According to Battlefield's official website, the closed alpha will be available on PC and can only be joined by invitation, which EA says will be distributed to a "small group" of Battlefield players. The invitations will contain a code to download the alpha client, which must be redeemed via Origin in order to get in.
Those who do get invited to participate in the closed alpha will be able to try two of Battlefield V's modes: Conquest and Grand Operation Fall of Norway. The former is the classic Battlefield multiplayer mode that pits two teams against each other in a struggle to seize control of key points on the map, while Grand Operation is a narrative-driven multiplayer experience that encompasses different maps and gametypes.
Fall of Norway, the Grand Operation featured in the closed alpha, is set on the Arctic Fjord map. Players will be able to try two of its modes: Airborne and Breakthrough. Depending on your side, Airborne will have players either drop onto the map to combat enemy artillery or stop the incoming troops, while Breakthrough tasks them with capturing sectors or defending against the attacking side.
EA also says that participants will be able to undertake one Special Assignment and several Daily Orders during the closed alpha. The Special Assignment is made up of several in-game tasks, and completing it rewards players with a special Battlefield V dog tag that will appear in their profile when the full game launches.
Daily Orders, on the other hand, are smaller objectives that players can complete while playing, such as damaging enemy vehicles or killing a certain class of enemy. EA says that no rewards will be offered for completing Daily Orders during the closed alpha, but players will be able to earn them in the full game.
You can read more details about the closed alpha on the game's website. Battlefield V is slated to launch for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 19, but those who purchase the Deluxe edition will get access to it three days early, on October 16. For more details on the game's various editions, check out our Battlefield V pre-order guide.
By Anonymous on Jun 28, 2018 11:35 pm Overwatch's new hero looks likes it a hamster in a rolling mech ball, so Joey and Erick check out what this latest hero does on the public test realm.
If you're still looking to get your hands on an NES Classic Edition, you'll have a few opportunities to pick one up later this week. In addition to GameStop, electronics retailer Best Buy has announced it is receiving a restock of the plug-and-play consoles this Friday, June 29, but you'll need to act fast if you're hoping to snag one.
On its official blog, Best Buy confirmed that it will have a new stock of NES Classic systems both in-store and on its website. As before, the console will cost $60. Best Buy hasn't revealed how many units it will have in stock, but it notes that the system will be available in limited quantities and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you're planning to head to a brick-and-mortar location before it opens and a line has already formed, Best Buy says it will sell the NES Classic using the same ticketing process it employs on Black Friday. Regardless of whether you buy the system in-store or online, consoles will be limited to one per customer.
As previously mentioned, GameStop will also have a new stock of NES Classic systems on June 29. Like Best Buy, the console will be available both at GameStop's physical stores and online, as well as at its subsidiary, ThinkGeek. However, supplies will be limited, and GameStop warns it is expecting the same level of demand for the restock as for the initial run of the NES and SNES Classic.
The NES Classic first released back in November 2016, but due to supply constraints, the console was exceedingly difficult to find in stores following its launch. After the release of Nintendo's follow-up plug-and-play system, the SNES Classic, the company announced that it would release a new stock of the NES Classic systems in Summer 2018.
The NES Classic comes pre-loaded with 30 iconic titles, including Super Mario Bros. 3, The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Castlevania. "The NES Classic is an affordable solution for playing NES games, and the fact that it outperforms existing Virtual Console efforts from a technical standpoint makes it the most attractive option to boot," we wrote in our NES Classic review.
If you weren't able to get your hands on an NES Classic during its initial run, you'll soon have an opportunity to pick one up at GameStop. The video game retailer announced that it is receiving a new stock of NES Classic consoles next week, on June 29, but they'll be in short supply.
According to GameStop, the retailer will have "at least 10 units per store," although some locations may have a larger stock. As before, the console will retail for $60, but it will only be available in limited quantities, which will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you aren't able to visit a physical location, GameStop says it will have a stock of NES Classic systems on its website in addition to its brick-and-mortar stores. The console will also be available at ThinkGeek's physical and online stores on June 29. It will go on sale on ThinkGeek.com beginning at 9 AM ET / 6 AM PT. The system won't be sold in bundles, but it will be limited to one per customer.
GameStop notes that it is expecting the same level of demand it witnessed for the initial run of the NES and SNES Classic for this restock, so if you're hoping to add one to your collection, your best bet will be to show up early to ensure you beat the crowd.
The NES Classic first released back in November 2016 and was very difficult to find, selling out almost immediately upon its launch. Following the release of its follow-up, the SNES Classic, Nintendo announced that it would release a new stock of the NES Classic in Summer 2018.
By Anonymous on Jun 28, 2018 11:31 pm A cute little hamster in a rolling mech is coming soon to Overwatch on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, while the Battlefield 5 alpha kicks off today.
By Anonymous on Jun 28, 2018 11:30 pm Join Nick and Erick as they check out the latest week 9 challenges and some fun World Cup skins newly added to Fortnite.
Update: Playground mode remains unavailable following Fortnite's new update due to technical issues. Those involving matchmaking across all modes have been resolved, but Epic has yet to bring Playground back online. It said it's hoping to bring it back Thursday (US time), though we don't yet have an exact time table for when that will happen. The original story follows.
Epic Games' Fortnite: Battle Royale continues to change week-by-week, and now the game has changed again with the release of its latest patch. Update 4.5 adds the Playground LTM (limited-time mode), Dual Pistols, and more to PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile.
Epic says Playground is a "low-pressure environment where friends can let their creativity run wild." It acts as a private server of sorts, and allows you and up to three friends to mess around and practise strategies in the Battle Royale world without the risk of other players killing you. The storm will still close in, but not for 55 minutes after you drop into the world. There's also lots more loot and ammo available than in a standard Battle Royale match.
Another LTM, Final Fight: Teams of 12, has also been added. As you might expect, this pits teams of 12 players each against each other in Battle Royale's Final Fight variant, in which storm circles stop closing in part-way through matches. After they stop compressing the game area, a countdown will begin, and the team with the most players left at the end of the timer wins.
Update 4.5 adds a new weapon to Battle Royale and changes a bunch more. Dual Pistols, which deal 41-43 base damage, give you "two times the fun and firepower" with their introduction. The pair both shoot medium ammo with one pull of the trigger, and can be found in floor loot, chests, and supply drops in Epic and Legendary variants.
Grenade Launchers are temporarily called Fireworks Launchers, as they will shoot out firework explosions rather than standard ones while Epic Games celebrates summer. Shotguns, meanwhile, have had the amount of damage dealt to structures significantly reduced, and SMGs have seen their accuracy and damage tweaked. Finally, map markers will now give you visual indicators of teammates' highlighted areas of interest. Read the full patch notes below, via Epic Games, for the full details.
Celebrate summer with the Fireworks Launcher, which has been added as a seasonal item that has firework explosions and replaces the Grenade Launcher for a limited time. (cosmetic change only).
Blocks that are removed while in edit mode are now opaque rather than clear. Blue, white, and red colors still indicate build status.
Adjusted to limit player's ability to peek through structures while editing.
Save the World and Battle Royale keybindings are now separated. Settings in one mode will not affect the settings of the other.
Changed the button that lets you re-roll one daily quest or challenge from 'Abandon Quest' to 'Replace Quest', to make the behavior more obvious.
Battle Royale
Limited Time Modes
Playground
Playground is a low-pressure environment where friends can let their creativity run wild. Build massive structures. Practice with the weapons and items. Fight against your friends. Have fun!
You'll have one hour to create, play and train as you wish. Hop in and try out version 1 of Playground!
Drop into the Battle Royale map with a squad of friends for an hour
Friendly Fire is on
Players respawn on death unless killed by the storm
The storm doesn't start closing in for 55m, and takes 5 minutes to close in
Resources gathered grant 10x the normal rate.
100 Llamas will be spawned on the map
Chests & Ammo Boxes spawn 100% of the time
Final Fight: Teams Of 12
Make it to the final circle and then fight for the Victory Royale!
Final Fight plays similar to standard Battle Royale, but instead of the storm circles closing all the way in, they stop part way through the match.
When the circles have finished closing in, the Final Countdown timer will begin.
The remaining teams will battle it out until the timer expires.
The team with the most players remaining at the end of the timer wins!
In the event of a tie, the two (or more) teams tied for the lead win the match.
Weapons And Items
Dual Pistols Added
Available in Epic and Legendary variants.
41-43 base damage.
Uses Medium Ammo.
Shoots both pistols with one pull of the trigger.
Can be found from floor loot, chests, and Supply Drops.
Does not use first shot accuracy.
Significant jumps that are landed with the Shopping Cart now appear in the elimination feed (height, distance, and time).
Weapon damage to structures now correctly scales with rarity.
Shotgun damage to structures has been reduced by 50% for Pump Shotgun, and 25% for both Tactical Shotgun and Heavy Shotgun.
Explosions now damage all structures within range, whether or not they are visible from the explosion center.
We're making the following changes to further solidify the identities and strengths of Tactical and Silenced SMGs.
Tactical SMG
Removed first shot accuracy.
Increased base accuracy by 25%.
Lowered the sprinting accuracy penalty by 15%.
Lowered the ADS bonus by 10 %.
Increased damage by +2.
Silenced SMG
Increased base accuracy by 10%.
Increased ADS accuracy bonus by 20%.
Increased damage by +2.
Shotgun ammo now drops in stacks of 4 instead of 5.
Grenade Launcher visuals have been temporarily changed to shoot fireworks instead. This is a cosmetic change only.
Bug Fixes
Boogie Bomb explosions are no longer blocked by vehicles.
Thermal Scoped Rifle will now consistently exhibit intended accuracy while in scoped in.
Clingers can no longer stick to players through the ceiling or floor.
Spike traps placed on a ceiling no longer damage players on the floor above.
The Thermal Scoped Rifle no longer highlights opened chests.
Weapons will no longer appear to fire while switching weapons under certain network conditions.
Gameplay
Progress for elimination quests will now be granted if you down an enemy with the required weapon rather than needing to actually eliminate them with it.
In Build Mode, walls will now try to build at a closer location when placement is blocked due to lack of structural support. Stairs, Floors, and Roofs are not affected.
Auto-open doors no longer functions while in the Down-But-Not-Out state.
Pickaxes will no longer hit the Shopping Cart if you are riding as the passenger.
Players in the Down-But-Not-Out state can no longer enter Shopping Carts.
Improvements made to the auto pickup weapons feature to better handle picking up large groups of weapons.
Bug Fixes
Items dropped in water now stay above the water's surface.
Excessive fall damage is no longer applied when under certain network conditions.
Supply Drop crates no longer briefly persist in the world after being opened if it was shot down.
Smoothed out the location of all soccer balls and basketballs while under varying network conditions.
Players are no longer able to hit building weak spots through other buildings.
Having the Sprint Cancels While Running setting turned on will no longer prevent players from auto-reloading their weapon after sprinting.
Fixed an issue that applied a constant force to players if they were hit by a Shopping Cart.
Doors that are interacted with multiple times rapidly no longer get out of sync with their state on the server.
Fixed an issue where if a player was using a consumable and then exchanged it for a different pickup, it would select the pickaxe instead of the new item.
Chests no longer create invalid pickups, such as a 2x Chug Jug instead of 2 individual Chug Jug pickups.
This created an issue that caused players to be unable to pick up building materials.
Players are now awarded an elimination if the opposing player bounced off terrain and took fall damage before taking enough damage to be eliminated.
Fixed a small number of accounts that had incorrect Week 5 Challenges.
Mushrooms no longer spawn on trees in Moisty Mire.
Fixed an issue that prevented the ability to open chests by preemptively holding the interact button while approaching the chest.
Fixed a gap in the terrain that was caused by the sporting goods store in Greasy Grove being slightly moved by accident.
Performance
Improved performance of skydiving on all platforms (especially Switch), by reducing rendering related CPU hitches
Fixed a source of hitching on Xbox one. In rare instances, this was causing up to 2-second hitches for some players
Improved framerate around swing-sets by adjusting physics.
Improved performance by doing less work when players are moving outside of your view.
Improved performance for moving ammo and weapon pickups.
Improved player movement updates in large team games. This should make the movement of other players appear smoother.
Fixed skydiving rings ticking the entire match.
Audio
Changes to enemy building audio (friendly building audio remains the same).
Increased volume of enemy building audio.
Increased range of enemy building audio by 2 building tiles.
Added variation to water footsteps on mobile and Nintendo Switch platforms.
Re-balanced bass content for surround sound mix.
Bug Fixes
Reallowed the first few milliseconds of audio to play if an emote is triggered while jumping.
Suspension audio on cars is no longer spammed when jumping or sliding off of them.
Shopping Carts no longer spam their collision audio if flipped upside down.
Fixed issue that caused doors to play an open and a close sound when opened.
Fixed the slowed audio for the Step it Up emote.
UI
The switch seat icon is now hidden when you can't switch seats.
The minimap now draws the whole map and bus paths instead of nothing when on the Starter Island.
Existing map markers are removed when landing after jumping from the Battle Bus to reduce map clutter.
Custom voice chat output devices can be selected on PC.
Removed damage numbers from Shopping Carts and added a health bar.
HUD Elimination and Down-But-Not-Out notifications have received updated animations.
Bug Fixes
Damage numbers no longer overlap if damage is done to both shield and health.
Object stacks no longer appear as 0 ammo when looted.
Map marker icons now properly appear even while on the Starter Island.
Fixed an issue where sometimes map markers wouldn't be removed when pressing right click and moving the mouse slightly.
Fixed an issue where the player was unable to drop or split an item after dropping a full stack of items.
Art And Animation
The cape on the Battlehound* Outfit is now available as Back Bling.
Added capes to the Ventura* and Venturion* Outfits.
*Anyone who purchased these Outfits has been granted the Back Bling to be used on any other Outfit.
Bug Fixes
Visual effects for the Oracle Axe Pickaxe and Ominous Orb Back Bling now appear correctly on consoles.
Back Bling no longer appears in low detail while spectating players.
Replay System
Removed ProAm replays from the Replay Browser.
Replay Browser entries will now scroll if text doesn't fit.
Bug Fixes
The Replay Browser no longer loses gamepad focus if chat window is opened.
Spectating
Bug Fixes
The shield bar no longer incorrectly fills and empties when switching between players in spectator mode.
Storm effects no longer get stuck on players that were in the Storm while being spectated even after leaving the Storm or after switching to a new player.
Mobile
Added settings on mobile for low power mode and scalability.
Improved touch interaction logic to be more consistent and reliable.
Touch rotation sensitivity in the locker has been reset.
Bug Fixes
Vibration setting no longer resets to the wrong value on mobile devices.
Fixed a bug where lower end mobile devices weren't displaying the whole island while on the bus.
Volume on mobile devices will no longer occasionally become muted.
Save The World
Missions And Systems
Blockbuster Part 4: The Finale is now available!
Complete the questline and choose a Shadow Ops hero.
Heroes, Trap Schematics, and Weapon Schematics can now be acquired directly from the Collection Book through Recruitment and Research.
Select the item you wish to create in the Collection Book. This can be an item you do not have yet, or one that you have already collected.
If the item can be created a Recruit or Research button will appear.
Event Items, Survivors, and Defenders CANNOT be obtained using this feature.
This costs Flux, and either Training Manuals, Weapon Designs, or Trap Designs.
The resulting item will be level 1, and schematics will have randomized perks.
Items can now be unslotted from the Collection Book at a cost of 20 V-Bucks.
This will return the same item that you slotted, with the same level and perks.
This will remove the Collection Book XP that the item had granted, but will not reduce the level of your Collection Book or change what rewards you have earned.
This XP debt will have to be paid back before you can continue to advance the Collection Book's level.
Adding new quest called Independence Day to grant players two Fourth of July themed Soldiers. Part of Blockbuster Part 4.
Stars and Stripes Jonesy*.
Stars and Stripes Headhunter*.
*Hats and Backpacks will not be in this patch but will be released in an upcoming patch. Players that own these heroes will automatically get corresponding hats and backpacks once released, at the appropriate and usual evolution levels.
Changed the way reward rolls work on Group Missions so that players get a larger amount of a single resource:
These missions would reward Gold, plus a standard amount of 4 different resource types.
They now reward Gold plus 4x the usual amount of a single resource type.
This allows players to better target specific resources they are trying to acquire.
For missions rewarding RE-Perk and Perk-UP, the rewards can still be split between multiple types of Perk Recombobulator resources.
Increased the chance for Mini Llamas to upgrade.
Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue where all 2-star Evolution Skill Nodes were required in order to upgrade the rarity of schematics. You now only require the node that matches the item type.
Heroes
Stars and Stripes Soldiers
Stars and Stripes Jonesy - Legendary Survivalist
Stars and Stripes Headhunter - Legendary Survivalist
These can be acquired by completing the new Independence Day side quest.
Bug Fixes
Players will no longer stop moving mid air if they use Crescent Kick after using a Player Jump Pad Trap.
Bull Rush no longer abruptly stops when falling down ledges.
Weapons And Items
Bobcat Assault Rifle added to the Weekly Store.
Available Wednesday, June 27 at 8 PM EST until Wednesday, July 4 at 8 PM EST.
Fast firing weapon with excellent damage output and magazine size, but lower range than most assault weapons.
Maintains most of its accuracy while moving and firing from the hip, excelling at close range mobile skirmishes.
Cozy Campfire now heals through walls, as long as the player is within its range.
Increased maximum ammo limit for Light Bullets, Medium Bullets, and Shells & Slugs.
Light from 5000 to 6000
Medium from 3000 to 4000
Shells from 1000 to 1200
Added several schematic perks, allowing for more creative stacking of certain perks:
For Melee Weapons, we added Life Leech and Fire Rate to the first and third perk slots respectively, and Heavy Attack Stamina Cost Reduction to the second slot.
For Ranged Weapons, we added Reload Speed and Magazine Size to the first and third slots, respectively.
Increased Lifesteal Perk effectiveness by 50%.
Increased the effectiveness of pistols that fire explosive projectiles:
Reduced in-air fuse time of the grenade launcher from 8 seconds to 2.75 seconds.
Bug Fixes
Increased the environment damage dealt by Remote Explosives so it can reliably destroy walls at higher difficulty levels.
It is no longer possible for Floor Spikes or Flame Grill traps to hit enemies through floor pieces above the trap.
Fixed issue where ice formed by the Freeze Trap was blocking damage to enemies.
The Floor Spike Traps given in the tutorial are now able to be placed on ramps.
Fixed crosshairs expanding when aiming down sights with Rocket Launchers.
Replaced the headshot-based perks from the Zap Zapp Pistol Schematic with more relevant damage perks.
Headshot Damage was replaced with Damage.
Headshot Explosion was replaced with Snare On Hit.
Headshot Streak Damage Bonus was replaced with Affliction.
Fixed the Whisper .45 not properly displaying a minimap icon when dropped.
Gameplay
Introducing a new enemy, the Super Shielder!
The Super Shielder attaches to other enemies like regular Shielders, but extends its shield much further, protecting all enemies inside the bubble.
This shield also protects the Super Shielder itself!
Standing inside the shield lets you attack enemies inside it without penalty.
Implemented Builder Pro controller scheme for Save the World.
This control layout matches the Builder Pro scheme from Battle Royale.
Using gadgets and abilities work the same way as the Combat Pro control scheme (which is the same in Combat mode as the Builder Pro scheme).
Auto-open doors game option now affects doors in Save The World.
Changed loot drops for specialized grenade items (Impulse Grenades, Port-A-Fort, etc) so that new players won't encounter these items during the tutorial.
Most of these items will begin dropping halfway through Stonewood.
Port-A-Fort will become available toward the end of Stonewood.
M80 and Bottle Rocket remain unchanged, and can still drop during the start of the game.
Bug Fixes
Build quickbar remains focused after entering menu and re-assigning weapons while in build mode.
The Teleporter can no longer be placed under Lars' Van in Ride the Lightning mission.
Fixed bug when cancelling a gadget or hero ability by pressing Toggle Harvest Tool or Next/Previous Weapon.
In each case previously, the button would act as though the gadget/ability in question were not selected. For example, if you had your Pickaxe selected and brought out the TEDDY placement tool, pressing the Toggle Harvesting Tool button would switch the player to their last selected weapon rather than their pickaxe. Now it will switch you to the pickaxe.
UI
HUD Scaling option now also applies to the Save the World HUD.
Players can select each node on the quest maps to see details and rewards.
Removed Copy to Clipboard button(s) in the Options menu on consoles.
Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue where the gamepad mapping screen showed the wrong mappings for a number of controls on the left side of the controller for Combat Pro.
Damage numbers are once again visible when hitting destructible objects.
Fixed a problem where storage transfer was prevented from filling unused space due to a bug with M80s and Bottle Rockets.
Exiting and rejoining global chat room no longer occurs after changing certain game options.
Fixed an issue allowing non-leader party members to select a mission on PC.
Fixed an issue with the Mission Select menu when switching between keyboard and mouse or gamepad inputs.
Headshot Damage now correctly updates when updating the perk in the Recombobulator.
Fixed quest announcements not properly clearing after updating.
The Play Now button for the Jack of All Trades quest has been disabled because the button was sending players to zone types where the quest objective isn't likely to spawn.
Art And Animation
Clothing cosmetics now properly simulate in the lobby.
Performance
Bug Fixes
Optimized Hover Turret latency during combat.
Audio
Bug Fixes
Updated SEE-bot launch animation sounds.
Audio impact sounds now properly play for Elemental Husks.
With the end of Season 4 of Fortnite: Battle Royale in sight, Epic has begun laying the groundwork for the game's next season. The developer confirmed that Season 5 will kick off on July 12, and it's started to drop more cryptic hints that some big changes are in store for the game.
Following the arrival of Fortnite's recent 4.5 update, players have begun noticing an ominous sound wailing in the distance in a certain area of the game's map. Specifically, a siren can now be heard near the Evil Lair in Snobby Shores. Twitch streamer OpTic CouRage shared a clip of the sound on Twitter (via Comicbook.com), which you can see for yourself below:
This is only the latest hint that something big is in store for Season 5 of Fortnite. Earlier this month, a mysterious countdown clock suddenly appeared on screens across the map. Fans speculate that the countdown clock and siren may signal the impending launch of a missile, although Epic hasn't publicly acknowledged either yet.
This wouldn't be the first time the developer dropped teases in the lead-up to a new season, however. In the weeks before Season 4, players began to notice a large comet looming in the stratosphere over Fortnite's map. As the season approached, more comets would appear in the sky. The large comet would eventually collide with the map to start Season 4, and it made some significant changes to the landscape, such as turning Dusty Depot into Dusty Divot.
Whether or not any of this turns out to be true will be seen in a few short weeks. Season 5 of Fortnite begins on July 12 at 1 AM PDT / 4 AM EDT / 9 AM BST / 6 PM AET. In the meantime, Epic will offer double XP for Battle Royale matches this weekend, from June 29 to July 2, to help players unlock their remaining Battle Pass rewards. If you need further help, be sure to check out our complete Season 4 challenge guide.
Daybreak Games' H1Z1: Battle Royale just got an update on PS4. It adds a revive mechanic to the game, as well as aim acceleration adjustments and a new weapon. The weapon, called the Airstrike Signal, allows players to target an area for aerial bombardment.
Daybreak Games announced H1Z1: Battle Royale also recently surpassed a milestone. There are now more than 10 million players playing the battle royale on PS4, and they've invested more than 102 million hours in the first month of its open beta.
To celebrate, Daybreak Games is awarding a Darkfire Pickup Truck and Sunrise Parachute in-game skin to every player who's downloaded H1Z1. The rewards are free, and available to anyone who logged into H1Z1 prior to 11:59pm PT on June 27. Both in-game items will download directly into players' inventory this weekend.
H1Z1 is available for free on PC, while its console counterpart H1Z1: Battle Royale is in open beta on PS4. The game offers the same fast-paced, competitive battle royale gameplay found in both PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite. H1Z1 differentiates itself from its competitors with a wider assortment of vehicles and a more arcade-like style of play. H1Z1 has larger battlefields and players aren't damaged when they jump from vehicles, putting an emphasis on quickly moving around and leaping into massive firefights.
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Join Nick and Erick as they check out the latest week 9 challenges and some fun World Cup skins newly added to Fortnite.
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