The follow-up to Rockstar Games' classic western game Red Dead Redemption is fast approaching. Set 12 years before the events of the original game, Red Dead Redemption 2 will explore an expansive region of the American wilderness, with Dutch Van der Linde's gang on the run from lawmen during the last years of the wild west. Experiencing Rockstar's take on the open-world western from a new perspective, you'll uncover the history of the Van Der Linde gang, which has a young John Marston in its thralls.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was surprisingly a no show at this year's E3, despite the game releasing in only a few months. Still, the recent trailers, screenshots, and info have given us plenty to talk about. Here's everything we know so far about Rockstar Games' upcoming open-world western.
How Can I Play RDR2?
Red Dead Redemption 2 is set for release on October 26 for PS4 and Xbox One. There are also plans for a collector's edition of the game called the Special Edition. Priced at $80, the package includes a copy of the game along with special missions, weapons and a physical map of the game world for players to own. There are also two additional packs for Red Dead Redemption 2 for premium prices, The Ultimate Edition and The Collector's Box--both priced at $100. While The Ultimate Edition has all items from the special edition--including additional DLC items to acquire--The Collector's Box does not include any digital items. Instead, it offers special playing cards, artwork, a bandit's bandana, a physical map of the game world, and a collector's coin in the set.
Though the original Red Dead Redemption never found its way to the PC, there's been some rumors that its sequel might. A mention of Red Dead Redemption 2's appearance on PC found its way online, but it has since been scrubbed.
Where Is RDR2 Set, And Is It A Prequel?
Set 12 years before the main events of the original game, the prequel focuses on the outlaw life of the Van der Linde gang, led by Red Dead Redemption's main antagonists. After a robbery in Blackwater (one of the original game's major towns) goes bad--the gang finds themselves on the run. Dutch, his right-hand man Arthur Morgan, and several members of the gang have to contend with a life on-the-run while confrontations with rival gangs and the law make their situation grow more desperate.
Rockstar also released a description of the plot:
America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed. After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him.
The First Reveal
Debuting on October 20, 2016, the first trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 was a bit of a mood piece that showcased many locales in the game, while also portraying the somber tone of the main narrative. In this trailer, we saw several towns and locales, many of which are teeming with life and activity--such as ranchers rustling up some cattle, huntsmen bringing back their haul, and a group of citizens hanging out in the general store.
Who Are We Playing As?
Though the central character of Red Dead Redemption, John Marston, plays some role in the story--the main protagonist of the prequel is Arthur Morgan. As Dutch's right-hand man and enforcer for the gang, he'll handle much of the daily duties of keeping the gang in-check--which includes a young and less-experienced John Marston. When it comes to keeping the gang and its community afloat, Morgan is quite handy with picking up various jobs to ensure everyone is well fed and in good spirits. But as the story progresses, he'll begin to question his own resolve for Dutch's way of life, and whether he still has a place in the gang.
The Second Trailer
On September 28, 2017, the second trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 debuted. In the new footage, we got to see more of Arthur Morgan and how ruthless he can be while on the job. During some of the story cutscenes, Morgan will use coercion and physical threats to collect money and information, all for the "benefit" of the community. For more info on this particular trailer, check out our detailed breakdown.
Who's In Dutch's Gang?
In Red Dead Redemption 2, we'll see Dutch's gang and its key players in their prime. While the original game had John hunt down and kill the remaining members of the gang, we'll see many of the familiar faces in relatively happier times. From the most recent trailer, we see Dutch Van der Linde, Arthur Morgan, Bill Williamson, Javier Esquela, Sadie Adler, Charles Smith, Micah Bell, Hosea Matthews, and of course John Marston in the roster. We'll also interact with other characters who would have a key role in the gang and in the lives of both Arthur Morgan and John Marston.
The Third Trailer
In the new footage released on May 2, we saw a deeper look into the game's narrative and how the gang functions. Along with the familiar activities like hunting, heists, and side-quests with the region's citizens, rob trains and banks, and take in shows at theaters. For the most part, the trailer focuses on the many connections you'll have with the members of the gang, as well as how your choices will affect them. For more info on the third trailer, check out our detailed breakdown.
What's New In Red Dead Redemption 2?
While the sequel is largely in the same vein as its predecessor, focusing on exploration, hunting, shoot-outs, heists, and other side-activities where you'll interact with a number of unique characters--Red Dead Redemption 2 features a far more expansive world to dive into. We got our first good look at this world and how we'll be playing through in Read Dead Redemption 2's first gameplay trailer.
The honor system from the original game makes a return, but now with far more detailed tracking. Along with the average citizen, members of your community will react to how well or how poorly you treat them. As the lead enforcer, Morgan will have to handle a ton of responsibilities, such as resource gathering, procuring funds, and making sure everyone in the community is happy.
First Gameplay Trailer
On August 9, Rockstar unveiled Red Dead Redemption 2's first gameplay trailer. The new footage revealed that the core mechanics from the original game were still intact, but almost everything had received a facelift. Wildlife is smarter and lives within its own ecosystem. Arthur Morgan can interact with the people around him in ways John Marston never could. For more info on the first gameplay trailer, check out our detailed gameplay mechanics breakdown.
How Will Online Multiplayer Work?
Currently, Rockstar hasn't shared any info on how the online play will function. The original Red Dead Redemption featured online free-for-all and team deathmatch style gameplay in the open world, along with several co-op themed missions. While it's safe to assume that these sorts of missions will return, another long-lingering rumor is the appearance of a battle royale mode. In the coming months before its release, we should expect to hear more about what Red Dead Redemption II will have when it comes to online.
Other Info
The History Of Red Dead - A look back on the history of the Red Dead series. From the early days a Gunsmoke spiritual sequel, to Rockstar Games' next successful open word game.
After the amazing gaming year that was 2017, many wondered how well 2018 would turn out. Fortunately for everyone, it has been great. The first half of the year has yielded a wealth of fantastic games, and there's more on the horizon. Upcoming games for the rest of this 2018 include slew of hotly anticipated new games, like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Red Dead Redemption 2, Spider-Man, and a whole lot more. To help you keep track of all the games coming out and what has already released, we've compiled a list of all the noteworthy release dates for the biggest ones confirmed to come out in 2018 so far.
Game release dates change all the time and new ones arrive every month. Be sure to bookmark this page, as we'll be updating this article with more release dates or any potential changes to any of the dates below. And if you're eager to figure out the release dates from games next year, you can also reference our feature on the game release dates of 2019.
Below you can find a list of the biggest games that don't have explicit release dates but are confirmed to release sometime this year. There are also games listed that we expect to launch in 2018. We'll be moving each of these games into the release date sections above as soon as official dates are announced.
Whether they realize it or not, Nintendo fans have had it good for a long time. Unlike Xbox and PlayStation owners, they've never had to pay to play their games online. This free period, like all good things, is coming to an end. With the launch of Nintendo Switch Online in the second half of September, Nintendo will begin charging for online play.
As with Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, anyone who wants to get the most out of their Switch will all but have to subscribe. (Note: this doesn't affect Wii U or Nintendo 3DS owners; online service for those systems will remain free). And while it's not ideal having to pay for something you used to get for nothing, you won't have much of a choice.
Here's a look at everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch Online.
Pricing
First, some good news: Nintendo Switch Online costs significantly less than the competition. While you have to pay $60 for a year's subscription to Sony and Microsoft's services, Nintendo only charges $20. You can pre-order a subscription here. Here's the breakdown of pricing for a single account holder.
One month -- $4
Three months -- $8
One year -- $20
If you have multiple people in your house who want their own accounts, you'll need to spring for the family plan. It costs $35 per year and allows up to eight people to play online.
Now let's take a look at what you get for your money.
Nintendo has yet to offer any official word on whether free games like Fortnite will require Nintendo Switch Online once the service goes live. But if you look at the Eshop page for online first-party games like Mario Tennis Aces, you'll see Nintendo has added a disclaimer warning that online play will require a subscription once the service goes live in September. Free games like Fortnite and Paladins don't have the disclaimer, so it's possible they won't require a subscription.
Nintendo Switch Online App
Some games, like Fortnite, have voice chat built in. Unfortunately, many games--including Nintendo's first-party titles--don't. And while voice chat is a standard built-in feature for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live, that's not the case with Nintendo Switch Online.
This feature is already in place, but to talk with other players while playing online, you need to download the Nintendo Switch Online app (you can grab it here: iOS, Android). Yes, you'll need two separate devices to play and talk to people online.
Save Data Cloud Backup
If you were to lose your Nintendo Switch and buy a new one right now, all of your save data would be gone forever. But once Nintendo Switch Online goes live, subscribers will be able to rest assured that their save data is backed up on Nintendo's servers. Better late than never.
Access to Classic NES Games
PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscribers get free games each month they can download and play on their respective systems. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will get a similar benefit, but with much older games.
When Nintendo Switch Online launches, subscribers will get access to a selection of 20 classic NES titles. The games will also have added online play, so you won't need your second player to be in the same room with you.
So far Nintendo has only announced 10 of the games, with the rest to be revealed later.
Balloon Fight
Donkey Kong
Dr. Mario
Ice Climber
The Legend of Zelda
Mario Bros.
Soccer
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 3
Soccer
Tennis
Special Offers
Nintendo hasn't announced any specifics about this, but it promises subscribers to the online service will receive special deals and offers.
That's all we know so far about Nintendo Switch Online. Presumably, more information will be available as the release date nears.
Gamescom 2018 in Europe may still be a few days away, but EA DICE is giving Battlefield fans something to cheer about early. After previously teasing the video, it has now unveiled the full Gamescom trailer for Battlefield V, coming in October on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It's suitably epic, and may include a tease of the game's anticipated battle royale mode.
The trailer, called Devastation of Rotterdam, shows just that; in a mix of cutscenes and gameplay footage, we see soldiers battling each other (and dodging a lot of gunfire and explosions) on the Dutch city's crumbling streets while a haunting rendition of "House of the Rising Sun" plays in the background. The trailer also shows off tank warfare, both what it's like to control one in the game and what it's like to narrowly escape being blown up by one, and we get a glimpse of air combat.
Battlefield V's developers have promised the game will feature emotional story missions, and no doubt surviving the brutal Battle of Rotterdam (which involved an intense Blitz by German planes) will be one of them. However the map looks like it would certainly lend itself to the game's multiplayer.
The trailer takes an interesting turn towards the end, as well. After the initial part of the video ends, it cuts to shots of a ring of fire quickly closing in on soldiers (and tanks). It's just a short tease, but could be our first glimpse at the game's Battle Royale mode, which EA announced during E3 2018. You can get a look at an aerial shot of the ring of fire below.
We expect to see more about Battlefield V during Gamescom 2018 (and learn more about Battle Royale mode, hopefully). Battlefield V will release on October 19, but purchasing the Deluxe edition will get you access three days early, on October 16. In the meantime, PC players can check out the system requirements for the game, and check out our Battlefield V pre-order guide for more details on all the editions.
Netflix will be updated with more TV series and movies throughout this week. This Friday, eight new Netflix originals are being added to the streaming service, just in time to unwind for the weekend.
The 100 Season 5 is a notable addition that arrived on August 15. The fifth season continues The CW's post-apocalyptic science fiction drama of a group of teenaged criminals who are forced out of the space station they've lived in their entire lives to survive on Earth--a planet they've never known--to test whether the planet can once again support life. Seasons 1-4 are already on Netflix if you're looking to catch up on the show before the Season 6 premier in 2019.
Also on August 15, Netflix got the adorable comedy Adventures in Public School. This Canadian film tells the story of a socially awkward outcast who's been homeschooled by his overprotective mom his entire life. However, when he falls in love with a popular girl at the nearby state school, he decides to leave his sheltered life behind and enroll. The film is directed by Kyle Rideout, who's appeared as an actor in television series like DC's Legends of Tomorrow and Supernatural, and voiced characters in movies like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Warcraft.
Among the eight new Netflix Originals, you'll definitely want to keep your eye on Disenchantment. Created by Matt Groening--who previously made both The Simpsons and Futurama--the animated series is a medieval fantasy about a rebellious princess and her adventures with an elf and her personal demon.
The rest of the series and movies being added to Netflix this week are outlined below. If you missed out on what came to Netflix last week, or just want to look ahead, read our complete list of everything arriving on the streaming service in August.
New Arrivals On Netflix August 12-18
August 13
Alexander: The Ultimate Cut
Splash and Bubbles: Season 2
The Nut Job
August 15
Adventures in Public School
Hostiles
The 100: Season 5
August 16
Evan Almighty
Wish I Was Here
August 17
Disenchantment-- Netflix Original
Magic for Humans-- Netflix Original
Pinky Malinky--Netflix Original
Spirit Riding Free: Season 6-- Netflix Original
Stay Here-- Netflix Original
The Motive-- Netflix Original Film
To All The Boys I've Loved Before-- Netflix Original Film
Activision has announced the first beta session for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's Blackout mode. As was the case with this month's private multiplayer beta, the first Blackout test will be reserved exclusively for PS4 players and is scheduled to kick off on September 10.
Blackout is Black Ops 4's take on battle royale. Aside from a brief glimpse in the game's latest trailer, however, Activision hasn't shared many details about the mode yet. Likewise, the publisher didn't provide much information as to what the Blackout beta will entail, but the official Call of Duty Twitter account revealed that players will have three different options to play the mode: solos, duos, and quads.
To get access to the Blackout beta, you'll need to pre-order a copy of Black Ops 4. While the first session will only be available on PS4, Activision will host additional beta sessions for other platforms at a later date. Xbox One owners will likewise need to pre-order the game to participate in the Blackout beta, but PC players will be able to jump in even without reserving the title.
Black Ops 4's Blackout mode was first announced at E3 this past June. Developer Treyarch says it features the largest map the studio has ever created--approximately 1,500 times larger than Nuketown. The developer also revealed the mode draws heavily from previous Black Ops games and features ground, air, and sea vehicles--although last we heard, Treyarch was still undecided on Blackout's player count.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 releases for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 12. In addition to Blackout, the game will launch with an expanded Zombies mode. However, it won't feature a traditional single-player campaign; instead, players will be able to undertake a series of solo missions that focus on each of Specialist character.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate will release for Nintendo Switch soon, and now Capcom has dropped some news on Twitter via the game's account. It's releasing a free, playable demo of the game on August 16, where you'll get the chance to try all six Hunting Styles and new Prowler abilities. [Update: The demo is now live on the Eshop.]
The full game will release on Switch on August 28, but 3DS players may be very familiar with it. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is an expanded version of the original Monster Hunter Generations, which came out on 3DS in 2015. It includes more content, including two new Hunting Styles (Alchemy and Valor), an additional Elder Dragon, and a new endgame boss. You'll also be able to go on "G Rank" quests identified as "even more formidable versions of familiar foes." The game has already been out in Japan for some time under the name Monster Hunter XX.
If you already own Monster Hunter Generations on 3DS, you'll be able to continue playing with your same hunters by transferring save game data to Ultimate (no word on whether this is possible in the demo). The game also supports four-player multiplayer (local and online), and will make use of the Switch's touchscreen when it's time to unleash a powerful Hunter Art move.
When Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate releases, players will also be able to access special armor based on Link's Champion's Tunic from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and will also be able to craft a Korok costume for your Palico. In other Monster Hunter news, Monster Hunter World just released on PC via Steam, with updates seen in the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game being released gradually.
Epic Games has released a new Fortnite update for PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, and mobile, bringing a new weapon and a pair of limited-time modes to Battle Royale, and freshening up the challenges for Save The World modes. Patch 5.21 arrived on August 15, and the LTMs should be available for at least a week.
The biggest addition to Battle Royale is that of the Heavy Sniper Rifle, the name of which is fairly self-explanatory. It deals serious damage, particularly to structures, but that comes at the expense of a long reload time. It's available in Epic and Legendary versions, and the bullets it fires drop less than those of other snipers.
Also new are two Limited Time Modes: Soaring 50s and Sniper Shootout. The former is described as a "twist" on the traditional 50v50 experience that places more of a focus on mobility by allowing Gliders to be re-deployed and also adding more Bounce Pads around the map. Sniper Shootout, meanwhile, is pretty much what the name suggests, with players doing battle using sniper rifles. One difference from the previous iteration is that the Heavy Sniper Rifle has taken the place of the Scoped Assault Rifle.
Limited Time Mode: Soaring 50s: Summary This mode is a twist on the traditional 50 vs 50 mode, featuring an extra emphasis on mobility. Gliders can be re-deployed when falling from large heights. Additional Impulse Grenades, Bounce Pads, and Launch Pads will be spawned throughout the map. Jump in and soar to new heights!
Mode Details
50v50 loot, ammo and resource levels
When in mid-air and greater than 10m up, press Jump to deploy your glider
Added Impulse Grenades to chests at double the standard spawn rate
Added Impulse Grenades to floor loot
Decreased Spike Trap spawn chances
Increased Launch Pad & Bounce Pad spawn chances
Profile Stats (K/D & Wins) are not tracked in this mode.
Limited Time Mode: Sniper Shootout: In this limited time mode, players will do battle using sniper rifles. May the best aim win!
What's New?
Scoped Assault Rifles have been removed.
The Heavy Sniper Rifle has been added.
Mode Details
Only weapon drops are Sniper Rifles.
Floor Loot spawns reduced by 50%.
Profile Stats (K/D & Wins) are tracked in this mode.
Weapons + Items
Heavy Sniper added
Available in Epic and Legendary variants.
Can be found from floor loot, chests, Supply Drops, and Vending Machines.
Each shot delivers devastating damage at the cost of a long reload.
Deals 150/157 damage to players.
These large rounds deal increased damage (1050/1100) to buildings.
Projectiles fired from the Heavy Sniper have less bullet drop in comparison to other Snipers.
Minigun
Minigun headshot multiplier has been reduced from 2.5 to 1.5.
Bug Fixes
Grenades now properly grant progress for the Week 5 Challenge: "Deal damage to players with a Clinger, Stink Bomb, or Grenade."
Art + Animation
Cloth physics have been fixed and will now appear properly.
Save The World
Missions + Systems
Weekly Horde Challenge - Bullet Proof Husks
Features bulletproof enemies that must be defeated with melee weapons, traps, or Hero abilities.
One time completion Quest Reward
1500 Gold
Repeatable quest reward
75 Tickets
Removed the Power Rating restrictions on Challenge the Horde missions.
These restrictions were blocking some players from accessing the Weekly Challenge Missions even though their Power Level was at the necessary level.
Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue where the modifier between Challenge the Horde missions wasn't appearing between waves.
The Constructor Leadership quest will no longer fail to advance when purchasing the skill tree node.
Atlas activation has been fixed in multi-gate Fight the Storm missions.
Track completion now advances the mission properly in Level 28 Deliver the Bomb.
Survivors and quest items no longer appear as orange boxes in the world.
Heroes
New Constructor Machinist: Thora added to the Event Store.
Available Wednesday, August 15th at 8pm ET.
Gameplay
Bug Fixes
• Fixed an issue that could cause Rocket Launchers to take up a large portion of the screen.
Fortnite is now available to download on Android devices, but it's not as easy to get as you'd think. We've got a walkthrough on how to download Fortnite on Android to guide you through the process. On August 15, a selection of outfits were also added to the game, you can see all the new Fortnite skins here and figure out if anything tickles your fancy. For those still doing the challenges for Season 5, take a look at the list below to find guides on all of them.
Patrick Soderlund, EA's chief design officer, is one of its most recognizable executives; from taking the stage at E3 to bearing the brunt of the company's recent lootbox controversy, he has been a major public face for one of the world's largest gaming companies. Now, EA has announced Soderlund is leaving the company and "will begin a new chapter later this year."
Soderlund was formerly the head of DICE, until EA acquired the company in 2006. He has played a key role in developing the Battlefield and Star Wars Battlefront franchises, and is credited with helping spearhead the Frostbite engine, which continues to be used by many of EA's games. "From his early vision for Frostbite, which has now become a cornerstone for our technology strategy, to being a champion for Players First experiences, Patrick has always ensured we put creative at the center of everything we do," said CEO Andrew Wilson in a note announcing Soderlund's departure.
"He has also been unwavering in his commitment to building our pipeline of amazing new games to come, and his fingerprints will be on the experiences that we bring to players well into the future."
The move comes just before Battlefield V releases, a franchise no doubt close to Soderlund's heart, and after a year of controversy surrounding Star Wars Battlefront II. When the game released in November 2017, there was a considerable backlash to the game's lootboxes and progression system, with many accusing EA of making it 'pay-to-win.' Soderlund spoke openly about the controversy after the company pulled in-game transactions altogether, saying EA learned a lesson it wouldn't forget. The game failed to meet sales targets, and Star Wars Battlefront II later reintroduced loot boxes, but for cosmetic items only.
Soderlund leaving will prompt some internal shakeup in the company, as well. "A few teams will move within our organization with this change. The SEED team led by Johan Andersson will join our studios group to continue driving advanced design and innovation at the leading edge of games," said WIlson.
"We're deepening our focus on user experience, and welcoming Jason Wozencroft to our studios to lead a strong, unified UX approach for our games and services. And with new games and content playing a vital role in our networked future, the EA Originals and EA Partners teams led by Rob Letts will join our Strategic Growth group." Wilson also highlighted the company's focus on its subscriptions services, saying EA is pushing forward to offer access to "more great games and content through our industry-leading subscription services."
There's no word yet as to what we'll see next from Patrick Soderlund as he takes on this "new chapter" later this year.
There's less than a month to go until Marvel's Spider-Man, the latest action game in the iconic franchise, hits PS4, and now we're getting a look at the full gameplay trailer. In the video above, we see Spider-Man swinging through the city, smashing through windows, dodging explosions, and of course, fighting his many, many enemies.
The trailer shows off some of Peter Parker's more incredible aerial feats, like attempting to stop a helicopter from crashing and facing off against foes on rooftops high in the sky. Early impressions of gameplay, like those from our own GameSpot crew's playthrough, are very positive: web slinging and parkour feel as great as they look, and so does a combat system that's easy to pick up but also complex enough to reward experimentation.
This latest Spider-Man will take the classic character's story in an original direction, not based on an existing comic, film, or game. You play as both Peter Parker and his superhero alter-ego, and must defend New York City from a super villain threat. Gameplay takes place in an open-world setting, and you will also have the opportunity to play as MJ. In this game, she is an investigative journalist, and in at least one mission you switch back and forth between her and Peter to successfully take out a big time crime boss. Read more about GameSpot's early MJ gameplay impressions.
Marvel's Spider-Man releases exclusively for PS4 on September 7. There are several options to buy, complete with pre-order bonuses including a Spidey Suit Pack and extra Skill Points (which allow you to unlock abilities from the start of the game like active finishers, web grab, or faster web swinging). There is a Standard Edition, a Digital Deluxe Edition, and a Collector's Edition, each one with more goodies inside. If you want to go all out, there's also a whole Spider-Man-themed PS4 Pro setup with 1TB of space. Check out our full roundup of ordering options, and watch GameSpot's full Spider-Man GamePlay impressions.
If you're in the market for a new Xbox One controller, Microsoft has announced a couple of nice-looking new color options you'll be able to get your hands on soon. The publisher unveiled the new special edition Phantom Black controller and the Grey/Blue controller, both of which are slated to hit stores next month.
The Phantom Black gamepad is the pricier of the two, retailing for $70 USD. It launches around the world on September 11 and features a translucent matte black shell that fades into a "metallic champagne gold." The controller also boasts black buttons and thumbsticks with a champagne gold D-pad.
The Grey/Blue controller, meanwhile, will be available in the US and Canada beginning September 25, with a worldwide release following on October 9. It runs for $65 and, as its name implies, features a grey design that's accented by a light blue back and thumbstick bases. You can take a look at images of the controller below.
Both the Phantom Black and Grey/Blue controllers are available for pre-order from the Microsoft Store. You can order the former here and the latter here. Both are also wireless and come with the all of the other standard features found on modern Xbox One controllers, including a 3.5mm stereo jack, Bluetooth, and textured grip. In some regions, the controllers will also come with free 14-day trials for Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold.
If neither of those colors appeals to you, Microsoft recently announced that the special edition Armed Forces controller is returning due to "popular demand." The camo-colored gamepad retails for $70 and, in the US, is available exclusively from Walmart and the Microsoft Store. The company also recently released a nice-looking Sport White Xbox One controller that likewise runs for $70.
If you still haven't captured Registeel in Pokemon Go, you only have a little more time to do so. The Legendary Steel-type Pokemon is scheduled to leave Raid Battles later today, August 16, making this your last opportunity to add one to your collection for the foreseeable future.
Like Regice (which appeared in Raid Battles earlier this summer), Registeel is one of the three Legendary titans introduced in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire for Game Boy Advance. To catch it in Pokemon Go, you'll first need to team up with other players at a Gym where a Registeel Raid Battle is taking place and challenge the Legendary; if you manage to defeat it, then you'll be rewarded with a chance to capture it.
All three of the Legendary titans boast high defensive stats, making them formidable opponents in battle. As a Steel-type, Registeel is particularly susceptible to Fire, Fighting, and Ground Pokemon, so you'll want to bring along Charizard, Blaziken, Machamp, and other such powerful monsters to stand the best chance at defeating the Legendary.
While Registeel may not be around for much longer, the third and final Legendary titan, Regirock, is set to debut in Pokemon Go soon. Niantic has yet to announce when the Legendary Rock-type will begin appearing in Raid Battles, but it will presumably arrive later this week just as Registeel is departing.
Raid Battles are the most common way to encounter Legendaries in Pokemon Go, but they aren't the only way to capture the powerful Pokemon. Niantic occasionally brings previous Legendary Pokemon back for a limited time as part of an in-game event, as was the case with Zapdos last month. Players can also encounter certain Legendary Pokemon by completing Field Research tasks; the latest set of Field Research, for instance, leads to another encounter with Raikou.
Players also only have a few more days to take advantage of Pokemon Go's ongoing trading event. Until 9 PM PT on August 19 (12 AM ET on August 20), all Pokemon trades will cost 25% less Stardust than normal. You'll also be able to earn more Candy than before--up to six Candies during every trade--and any Pokemon you receive that weren't previously registered in your Pokedex will net triple the usual amount of XP.
2016's Doom surprised folks when it first launched. Touted as a franchise reboot, many had not anticipated that the game would fare so well, as the limited footage people had seen only gave brief glimpses of what to expect. But when the game finally released, it received glowing reviews. GameSpot's Peter Brown praised the game, saying, "It captures the essence of what made the classic Doom games touchstones of their day, and translates it to suit modern palates with impressively rendered hellscapes and a steady influx of tantalizing upgrades."
Bethesda recently confirmed Doom would receive a sequel titled Doom Eternal. For a while we didn't know much about what the game would be like, but creative director Hugo Martin and director Marty Stratton recently took to the stage at QuakeCon 2018 to finally show off gameplay.
To ensure you're kept up to date on everything there is to know about Doom Eternal, we've compiled all the information we have on the game so far. Be sure to keep checking back often as we update this feature with more details.
Doom Eternal is a sequel set sometime after the events of 2016's Doom. Not much is known about Eternal's exact premise aside from fact that it takes place on an Earth overrun by the forces of Hell. You'll also be spending time in space on Phobos, the innermost moon of Mars.
How Does It Play?
From a gameplay perspective, Eternal will play much like its predecessor, once again challenging you to fast-paced firefights against an onslaught of demons. Speaking of which, it has been confirmed that there will be twice as many varieties of demons as there were in the first game. Based on the early footage, Cacodemons, Barons of Hell, Pain Elementals, Arch-Viles, Arachnotrons, Imps, and Revenants are set to return. There will also be new demons coming in the form of reimaginings of enemies from Doom 2, as well as completely new enemies entirely.
There are going to be a ton of new weapons, but a few old ones from the previous game will return albeit with some subtle changes. For instance, the Plasma Rifle now shoots orbs that electrify enemies. While some weapons have been slightly changed, others have been revamped, like the Ballista, which is a new version of the Gauss Cannon that shoots explosive energy bolts.
Doom Slayer looks to play exactly as you remember him but with an expanded roster of mobility options. You now have the ability to quickly dash/dodge ala Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare; you can even climb certain surfaces and swing on poles in the environment to clear wide gaps. In addition, you can use a grappling hook to latch onto enemies and nearby surfaces. There are also new suit abilities, such as an arm blade and a shoulder mounted launcher that can shoot grenades and fire. Lastly, power-ups are returning and it appears they can enhance your physical characteristics permanently.
Any New Modes?
The biggest new addition in Eternal is an invasion mode where other players can jump into your single-player campaign as demons, basically forming hunting parties to take you out. The mode will allow you to join friends to invade or be invaded. Of course, you can also play alone if you don't want to deal with it.
In an odd twist, there appears to be a lives system of some kind. Based on the debut footage, this doesn't seem to directly impact normal single-player play, but we're thinking this item might come in handy during the invasions where you could easily die at any moment and lose your progress.
Is It Coming To Nintendo Switch?
A Nintendo Switch version of Eternal has been confirmed, but it's unclear if it'll release alongside the for PS4, Xbox One, and PC versions. In addition, it appears that Panic Button, the studio that handled porting the first game, will be returning to port Eternal--at least if this humorous tweet teasing at the possibility is to be believed.
Release Date
Bethesda has not confirmed a release date for Doom Eternal at this time, though it's set to launch sometime in 2019. We're hoping that a release window is confirmed sooner than later.
Microsoft has added another pair of Xbox 360 games to Xbox One's growing backwards compatible library. Ahead of the release of Shadow of the Tomb Raider next month, players can now revisit two of Lara Croft's last-gen adventures on Xbox One: Tomb Raider Legend and Tomb Raider Anniversary.
Originally released in 2006, Tomb Raider Legend was Crystal Dynamics' first attempt to reboot the series. This installment sees Lara Croft on a quest to find an ancient relic tied to her mother's death, which ultimately takes her on a world-spanning adventure to recover fragments of a magical sword. We called the game "a good return to the roots of the series" in our original Tomb Raider Legend review and awarded it a 7.8/10.
Tomb Raider Anniversary, meanwhile, originally arrived the following year, in 2007. It's a remake of the original Tomb Raider, using the continuity and engine established by Legend to reimagine the PS1 classic. "Nothing in Tomb Raider Anniversary has been regurgitated verbatim--everything is bigger and better," we observed in our original Tomb Raider Anniversary review. "The environments are larger and more detailed, while existing puzzles have been elaborated upon, often to an incredible degree."
If you still own a physical copy of either title, you can pop the disc into your Xbox One, which will initiate a download and allow you to play on the console. Alternately, if you've previously purchased either game digitally, it'll appear automatically in the Ready to Download section of the My Games and Apps menu. Both games are also discounted as part of this week's sale in the Microsoft Store.
Since Xbox One's backwards compatibility feature was first introduced in 2015, the console has amassed an impressive library of BC games. More than 400 Xbox 360 titles are playable on the current-gen console, as are more than 30 original Xbox games. You can see everything that's available in our full list of backwards compatible games. You can also find recommendations for which ones to play in our best Xbox One backwards compatible games gallery.
We're another week into Season 5 of Fortnite, and with it comes a new set of challenges for players to complete. As before, finishing all of the objectives in a given week will check off one of Season 5's Road Trip challenges, which in turn will reward you with a special loading screen that points to the location of a secret Battle Star hidden somewhere around the island.
Epic has released a long list of challenges in Season 5 thus far, and if you've managed to complete six full weeks' worth of them, you'll unlock the loading screen pictured below. This one depicts a group of characters gathered around a giant projection screen at a drive-in theater watching a movie together.
That's a fairly obvious indication that the Battle Star is hidden in Risky Reels, although its actual location is much more subtly alluded to. If you look closely at the red pickup truck nearest the movie screen, you'll see the faint silhouette of a Battle Star just above its trunk. Head to the area at the start of a match, find the same red pickup truck, and the Battle Star will be waiting. Collect it to level your Battle Pass up by one tier.
If you still need help finding the Battle Star, you can see its exact location on the map below. We've also put together the video above showing exactly where the Battle Star is hidden. Be advised, however, that the Battle Star will only appear if you've completed six weeks of challenges and unlocked the above loading screen; you won't be able to simply head to the area and find it if you haven't done the preceding steps.
The latest batch of weekly challenges has players searching where stone heads are looking and completing time trials, among other objectives. The latter are a new type of challenge that task players with going to a certain location and collecting stopwatch symbols before a time limit expires. You can find all of our guides for Fortnite's Season 5 challenges below.
This week also brought with it a new update for Fortnite. Patch 5.21 introduced a new weapon to Battle Royale--the Heavy Sniper--and marked the start of two new limited-time modes: Soaring 50s and Sniper Shootout. For more on Epic's popular battle royale game, be sure to check out our complete Season 5 coverage.
We've reached the halfway point of August, which means Xbox Live Gold subscribers have two new games to download for free. The Xbox One freebie you can grab is For Honor, available now through September 15. The Xbox 360 game--which is also playable on Xbox One--is Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, available for free until August 31.
As for the new games, For Honor is an online brawler from Ubisoft. It pits three factions of warriors against one another: knights, samurai, and vikings. Each faction is divided into classes, and each class has its own abilities and fighting style. GameSpot's For Honor review praised the game's deep fighting mechanics for keeping the experience interesting. It's set to receive a big free update this fall that includes an ambitious new castle siege mode.
Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is a platformer that finds the mouse mascot bringing new life to a wasteland by using a magical paintbrush. Unfortunately, this game didn't fare quite so well in our review: "It's simply not worth suffering through hours of punishing game design to discover the occasional moments of nostalgic joy. Sadly, The Power of Two is another failed attempt at revitalizing Mickey's career." Maybe kids will get some fun out of it?
Also available for free for Xbox Live Gold subscribers right now is the 2014 racing game Forza Horizon 2. It's available until the end of the month.
Games With Gold August 2018
Xbox One
Forza Horizon 2 (August 1-31)
For Honor (August 16-September 15)
Xbox 360
Dead Space 3 (August 1-15)
Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (August 16-31)
Pokemon Go players will soon have a chance to add another Mythical Pokemon to their collections. Niantic has announced it is kicking off a new Special Research questline in the game next week, beginning August 20, and those who complete enough of the tasks will be able to encounter the Time Travel Pokemon Celebi.
This isn't the first time Celebi has appeared in Pokemon Go; players who attended the Pokemon Go Fest event in Chicago earlier this summer were able to encounter the Mythical Pokemon by completing an exclusive batch of Special Research tasks, but this marks the first opportunity all players around the world will have a chance to capture it.
Celebi made its series debut in Pokemon Gold and Silver, and its impending arrival in Go is bringing out other Pokemon originally from the Johto region. Niantic says new Field Research quests relating to Gen 2 Pokemon will also be available, and Johto-inspired avatar items will be added to the in-game store. All players will be able to claim a Celebi shirt for free, while HeartGold and SoulSilver outfits will be unlocked as players make progress on their Johto medal.
In addition to a chance to encounter Celebi, completing the new set of Special Research tasks will reward players with XP and items. Those who've already captured the Mythical Pokemon at Pokemon Go Fest, meanwhile, will earn Candy to power their Celebi up. To take part in the new Special Research, you will first need to have completed the third set of Mew Special Research tasks. You can read more details on the Pokemon Go website.
In the meantime, Pokemon Go players can still take advantage of the ongoing trading event. Until August 19, trades will cost 25% less Stardust than usual, and players will be able to earn up to six Candies for each trade. Niantic also recently shared the first details on next month's Community Day, which takes place on September 22 and features the Gen 2 starter Pokemon, Chikorita.
The Fullbright Company and Annapurna Interactive have announced that Gone Home is coming to Switch. Releasing in 2013, Gone Home is a first-person exploration game that rose to critical acclaim for its powerful story that addresses LGBTQ issues.
Gone Home doesn't incorporate combat or puzzles, instead putting you into the role of Katie Greenbriar, a 21-year-old woman who's returned from overseas to visit her family's new home for the first time. You find the Greenbriar house abandoned, with a note from Katie's younger sister, Samantha, begging Katie to leave well enough alone and not snoop into what happened between her and their parents in Katie's absence.
We think the game is superb, giving it a 9.5/10. In our Gone Home review, Carolyn Petit wrote, "Gone Home executes on its ambitions flawlessly. The things in the Greenbriars' home take on an emotional heft as you come to understand the stories they tell, and although they're absent, you feel the presence of the Greenbriars all around you. Gone Home is an important game because it does something games rarely do: it tells a believable story, grounded in the real world, that focuses on women and treats all of its characters, women and men alike, as complex individuals. But the reason to play Gone Home is not for its importance. It's for the elegance with which its tale is constructed and communicated, and the captivating way that it makes you an active participant in peeling back the layers of one family's ordinary lives as their home tells you their stories. Like many of our own memories, those stories cut deep."
Gone Home first launched on PC, before getting Xbox One and PS4 ports in 2016. The Switch port releases August 23.
It's time for another round of Fortnite challenges, as we enter week six of season five. When you fire up the Battle Royale mode in Epic's wildly popular game on PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or mobile, you'll be greeted with a fresh selection of mini-quests to do so you can level up the Battle Pass and unlock some goodies. As with previous weeks, challenges are split up into two categories: Free and Battle Pass-exclusive. We've got all the information on the new challenges you need, and have also put together a guide to help you complete the harder ones.
The majority of the week's challenges can be accomplished by simply doing what comes natural to Fortnite players. In the free section and you'll need to deal 500 headshot damage to opponents, harvest 3,000 building resources with a pickaxe. The hardest challenge among the free ones, however, asks players to "search where the Stone Heads are looking." To do this, you'll need to find all the Stone Heads on the island, of which there are seven. Once you've found them, you'll notice that they're all staring at one location: Salty Springs. Specifically, the small hill west of Salty Springs. Of course, now that you know exactly where they're looking, you don't have to actually seek out the Stone Heads and can instead head straight to the Battle Star. You can use the map images below for a better idea of where to go or watch us do the challenge in the video above.
The remaining challenges are for those that have a paid-for Battle Pass and involve searching for seven chests in Lonely Lodge, getting two kills with a Minigun or Light Machine Gun, and also taking out three opponents in Tilted Towers. The final challenge in the paid tier involves completing five timed trials. You'll get 6,000 XP for completing any four challenges, which shouldn't be too difficult.
Fortnite Season 5, Week 6 Challenges
Free
Deal headshot damage to opponents (500) -- 5 Battle Stars
Harvest building resources with a pickaxe (3,000) -- 5 Battle Stars
Search where the Stone Heads are looking (1) -- 10 Battle Stars
Battle Pass
Search chests in Lonely Lodge (7) -- 5 Battle Stars
Epic Games released Fortnite update 5.21 on August 15 and introduced the Heavy Sniper Rifle, which is available as an Epic and Legendary version. In addition to the new weapon there are two new Limited Time Modes: Soaring 50s and Sniper Shootout.
Soaring 50s is a twist on the normal 50v50 mode that encourages players to be more mobile by allowing Gliders to be re-deployed. There's also a number of extra Bounce Pads around to get players airborne. Sniper Shootout on the other hand is a little more subdued, with players doing battle using sniper rifles. However, since players are using the Heavy Sniper Rifle, things will get a bit messy.
If you're still trying to complete challenges from previous weeks, take a look at the links below, where you'll find guides on all of Season 5's hardest challenges. You can also find recent news stories surrounding Fortnite below, if you need to get caught up on what's been happening with the game lately.
Blizzard has officially confirmed that Diablo 3 is coming to Nintendo Switch. Titled "Diablo 3: Eternal Collection," it will feature the original game, alongside the Reaper of Souls expansion, Adventure Mode (fully unlocked from the outset), Challenge Rifts, Kanai's Cube, and the Crusader class. Additionally, it'll also have the Rise of the Necromancer pack, which primarily consists of the Necromancer class. The game does not have a specific release date but Blizzard has said it is tentatively aiming for Fall 2018 with an MSRP of $60 in the US.
The Switch version of Diablo 3 is being developed in-house and utilizes the work done for the well-received PS4 and Xbox One ports of the game. Senior producer Pete Stilwell described the portability that Nintendo Switch offers as a new evolution of the Diablo 3 experience.
"I think this [is] the next evolution. The portability of Switch [and] the ability to play offline with your friends locally between multiple Switch [consoles] is really powerful. We're excited to be able to travel, [play] this on a plane, get off the plane, [and] upload progress."
By utilizing the Nintendo Switch's online service, save files will be automatically uploaded to the cloud, allowing for progress to be backed up and also transferred onto other devices.
"Switch automatically uploads save files. The only thing that won't upload is leaderboards, but anything else such as achievements or progress that's made through campaign will be [uploaded]," explained associate producer Matt Cederquist.
"Another cool feature is the ability to play offline and still have progress count, and you can load your profiles back and forth, so if you're on a buddy's Switch you can load your file and get the character you want in the game too," added Stilwell.
When the console version of Diablo 3 launched, Blizzard implemented a feature that let players transfer characters from PS3 and Xbox 360 to PS4 and Xbox One, respectively. However, this functionality is not going to be available for the Switch version. Cross-platform play will also not be supported. Online multiplayer in the Nintendo Switch version will be up and running when the game comes out and, like uploading saves to the cloud, it will use the Nintendo Switch's paid online service.
In terms of performance, Diablo 3 on Switch will run at 60 frames per second "across the board." In handheld mode the game is displayed at 720p and then flips to 960p when docked.
"That was a huge focus, to make sure we were giving a responsive, awesome gameplay experience and we've managed to achieve that," said Stilwell. "Part of the technology itself changes [depending on whether] you're docked or not. That was one of our learning experiences along the way, dealing with how the architecture changes depending on whether you're docked or mobile. It's just an optimization effort.
"In my mind the only thing that changes is the Switch itself goes from 720p to 960p. You should not be feeling any different; we don't feel anything different ... We for the past couple of months have spent more time just making sure that the game feels as great no matter what controller setup you have, whether you're plugged in or not. Our biggest motivation was to make sure that we weren't giving you an inferior experience."
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection accounts for the various controller configurations available to Switch owners, supporting everything but touch.
"The real power of the Switch is the multiple ways you can play it, whether it's handing your friend a controller and playing on the same Switch at the same time, linking multiple Switches, or going old school and playing it on your TV," said Stilwell. "We're taking full advantage of what Switch has to offer. The responsiveness you get from Diablo with controller is an evolution of the experience from clicking on PC, and we've done the work to get it as playable and as responsive on Switch as any other platform so we're extremely excited about the offering.
"We support everything except for touch at this point," he added. "We did some experiments with touch and we didn't think there was enough compelling reasons to use it in the current state. We felt the controllers were a superior method of controlling the game."
The Switch version also comes with some exclusive goodies for Nintendo fans, including the ability to use the transmogrification feature to turn into The Legend of Zelda villain Ganondorf. You can read all about the Diablo 3 Switch Nintendo tie-ins here.
Fortnite has launched on Android devices. The beta launched exclusively on Samsung devices last week, and now it's available on other Android platforms. However, you'll have to jump through a few hoops before you can jump from the battle bus.
Epic is using a special Fortnite Installer on the company's website, so you're not going to find what you're looking for in the Google Play Store like other mobile games. Searching for "Fortnite" or "Fortnite Battle Royale" won't get you anywhere. What type of Android device you're using will determine where and how you install the game.
Things are a bit easier for you if you've got a Samsung device. If you have a Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S8, S8 Plus, S9, S9 Plus, Note 8, Note 9, Tab S3, or Tab S4 then go to Game Launcher. From there, search for Fortnite and download the installer. That's it. You can also download the game straight from Epic's website.
It's with other Android devices where things get tricky. First, you'll need to check Epic's list of compatible devices. If your device is eligible, you can sign up on the Fortnite Android beta waiting list with your email. Eventually, you'll get to the front of the queue and get an email invitation to the beta. Log in with your Epic account to connect your Xbox Live, PSN, or PC Battle Pass progress.
After that, you'll need to wait again. Epic reports it should only take a few days for you to get your official invite to the Fortnite beta. When your invitation is registered, you'll be able to download the Fortnite Installer. Once that's on your device, you'll be able to download the Fortnite app to your phone or tablet.
When the download is done, wait for Fortnite to boot up and log into your Epic account. From there, you'll be able to start playing. You're advised to keep the Fortnite Installer even after you've started playing, as the installer is what keeps the game updated with new patches, not the actual game app.
If you'd rather avoid waiting for your invite to the beta, you can delay trying to install Fortnite until the game's official Android launch. The app still won't be available in the Google Play store when it does release. You'll either have to download the game through Samsung's Game Launcher or from Epic's website.
Fortnite is available on Xbox One, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
One more survivor of Avengers: Infinity War has been confirmed. In a brief new video, Thor's roommate Darryl wishes the god of thunder a happy birthday and updates him on what he's been up to since Thanos came to earth. Spoilers for Infinity War follow.
Darryl was originally featured in a series of shorts alongside Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to explain why the powerful demi-god was missing-in-action during Captain America: Civil War. He was apparently trying to live out a normal life, taking up in an Australian apartment with an average guy. The resulting odd couple made for some hilarious misadventures, but his fate was in question in light of Thanos' magical finger-snap wiping out half the population of the universe.
Fear not, though, Darryl fans. In a new short, Darryl is alive and well and wishing his buddy Thor a happy belated birthday. (Actor Chris Hemsworth's birthday is August 11, and Darryl's video was released on August 12). And though he survived, many of his fellow office workers didn't, so now he has to work on Sundays.
It's a lighthearted way to deal with a movie that was shockingly dark, having ended with half of the universe--including many of our own heroes like Spider-Man and Black Panther--being wiped out in an instant. The movie had its share of funny moments, including some that were cut out, but it certainly ended on a dour note. Help is on the way, but we'll have to wait until next April to see how it all resolves.
Disney announced that it has started production on the live-action adaptation of its 1998 animated classic Mulan. To mark the occasion, it released the first promotional photo of its star, Liu Yifei (Once Upon a Time, The Forbidden Kingdom) in the title role, brandishing a sword.
Yifei is joined by a who's who of Asian and Asian-American actors, including Donnie Yen (Star Wars: Rogue One), Jet Li (Shaolin Temple), Gong Li (Memoirs of a Geisha), Jason Scott Lee (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny), Yoson An (The Meg), and many more. It will open in US theaters on March 27, 2020.
Mulan tells the tale of a young woman who poses as a man to protect her father from conscription into the Chinese army, which is battling a dangerous army of northern invaders. We've seen some indication that this live-action version will differ from the animated movie. Gong Li is playing a new character, a powerful witch who appears to be this film's primary antagonist. Jet Li is playing the Emperor of China, which could mean we'll see him play a more action-oriented role than the wizened elder of the animated original.
Mulan joins several Disney properties that recently have been adapted or will be soon. Maleficent, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, and Beauty and the Beast have already been released. Meanwhile the studio has plans for a live-action Lion King, Aladdin, Cruella based on 101 Dalmations, and Tink based on the Peter Pan character.
During Funimation's Otakon 2018 industry panel, the company announced the home release dates for several anime. Anime fans can expect 12 new home releases this November.
Funimation announced the release of Angel Links the complete series, Black Clover Season 1 Part 2, Kino's Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series the complete series, Starblazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Part 2, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie - Knockin' on Heaven's Door Steelbook Edition, ReLIFE Final Arc OVAs, One Piece Collection 23, A Sister's All You Need. the complete series, Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond the complete series, Garo -Vanishing Line- Part 1, Tales of the Abyss the complete series, and King's Game the complete series.
Angel Links is a 1999 series about a 16-year-old girl who takes over the family business of defending outer space trading companies from pirates. It had a home release before, but its license expired following Bandai Entertainment's closure in 2012. Funimation picked up the title in 2013, and now, the series is once again up for sale. Black Clover is a 2017 anime about a boy who's born without magical powers in a world of wizards but still aspires to be crowned the Wizard King. Kino's Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series is a 2017 series about a young traveller who journeys across the world with a talking motorcycle.
Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is the 2013 remake of the 1974 Space Battleship Yamato, a science fiction space opera. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie - Knockin' on Heaven's Door continues the critically acclaimed story from 1998's Cowboy Bebop. Releasing in 2001, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is already out on DVD, but Funimation is releasing a version with a fancy steelbook case. As the name implies, ReLIFE Final Arc is the last story arc from the 2016 ReLIFE anime, a series about a 27-year-old man who participates in a scientific experiment that allows him to relive his high school life all over again.
1999's One Piece is one of those anime series that seem like its never going to end, encompassing one of the longest, but most engrossing, stories about a young man's quest to be the next Pirate King. Airing in 2017, A Sister's All You Need. is a slice-of-life comedy following a young novelist with a sister complex and his assortment of friends who are just as strange as he is. The 2018 follow-up to Blood Blockade Battlefront, Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond revolves around the detective organization known as Libra who use their supernatural gifts to combat the monsters that stalk their city.
Garo -Vanishing Line- is a 2017 series about a group of knights who hunt down monsters called Horrors. Tales of the Abyss is the 2008 anime based off of the 2006 PS2 game of the same name. The story follows a young swordsman who must escape a religious organization that wants to use him to fulfill an ancient prophecy. King's Game is a horrifying 2017 series, taking inspiration from the cell phone visual novel of the same name. It follows a high school class that is forced to play "the game," where failing to follow the orders they each receive as text messages from a mysteries stranger--regardless of what they are--results in death. The class tries to fulfill the orders, which range from completing a marathon to forced sexual intercourse, to different levels of success, all while trying to discover the king's identity and a way out of the game.
The full details of Funimation's home release schedule is outlined below.
Funimation Home Release Schedule
Angel Links - The Complete Series
Available on DVD and Digital
Street date: 11/06/18
Black Clover - Season One Part Two
Episodes 11-19
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital
Includes Yuno acrylic keychain
Street date: 11/06/18
Kino's Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series - The Complete Series
Available on Blu-ray and Digital
Street date: 11/06/18
Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 - Part 2
Episodes 14-26
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital
Fits inside the Star Blazers 2199 - Part 1 Limited Edition box
Street date: 11/06/18
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie - Knockin' on Heaven's Door SteelBook Edition
In theaters this summer for a special limited release on August 15-16
First ever Cowboy Bebop SteelBook release in the U.S.
Available on Blu-ray
Street date: 11/13/18
ReLIFE Final Arc - OVAs
A collection of four OVAs
Available on Blu-ray and DVD
Street date: 11/13/18
One Piece - Collection 23
Episodes 541-563
Available on DVD
Street date: 11/13/18
A Sister's All You Need. - The Complete Series
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital
Street date: 11/13/18
Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond - The Complete Season
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital
Street date: 11/20/18
Garo -Vanishing Line- - Part One
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital
Street date: 11/20/18
Tales of the Abyss - The Complete Series
First time on Blu-ray; available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital
The WWE Network has released a new collection honoring the life and career of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. It contains a two-minute video called "The Heart of an Anvil," chronicling the wrestler's life in and out of the ring. The collection also contains 15 matches and moments from Neidhart's career, including bouts from Stempede Wrestling. Finally, the documentary Hart and Soul: The Hart Family is included. The feature-length film covers the entire Hart family, which includes Neidhart, who married Ellie, the 6th oldest of Stu and Helen's Hart's 12 children. The new collection is available to watch now on the WWE Network.
The original story follows below.
The powerhouse of the wrestling stable The Hart Foundation in the '80s and '90s of WWE, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart has passed away at the age of 63. The wrestler first began his career decades ago with Stampede Wrestling in Xanada and made a name for himself working with his brother-in-law Bret Hart, including winning the tag team championships.
WWE shared word of the superstar's passing early on August 13, which was first revealed by friend Brian Blair on Twitter. "So sad to announce the passing of my friend and longtime colleague, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart," Blair wrote. "Your thoughts and prayers for the family are deeply appreciated!"
Before WWE, Neidhart played for the Dallas Cowboys, but after his release, he went to Calgary, Alberta to train as a wrestler with legendary trainer Stu Hart. During this time, Neidhart got the nickname "The Anvil," after winning an anvil toss contest at a Calgary rodeo.
In the mid-'80s, Stu Hart sold Stampede to WWE, and both Neidhart and Bret Hart were part of the deal. The two made their debut in 1985 and won the WWF World Tag Team Championship in 1987. Bret and Neidhart were close, and Bret recently posted on his Facebook page, "Stunned and saddened. I just don't have the words right now."
Neidhart later teamed with Owen Hart during a memorable run, but ultimately left WWE in 1997 after the infamous Montreal Screwjob. He returned to WWE in 2007 for one Battle Royal match and has appeared numerous times on the E! reality series Total Divas, where his daughter WWE superstar Natalya is one of the featured members of the cast.
It's time for another WWE PPV, and it's the biggest one of the summer. Summerslam is coming to PPV and the WWE Network on Sunday, August 19. And for the fourth year in a row, the event will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. All of WWE's championship titles will be up for grabs for the PPV.
Summerslam's main card will start at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT. In the past couple of years, the bigger WWE events, like Summerslam and Wrestlemania, have had longer Kickoff Shows, which are two hours long, so expect this Kickoff to start at 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT. As of this writing, WWE's scheduling for August 19 is not available, so we don't know for sure.
If you're interested in watching the event, but don't have the WWE Network, you can sign up for one month for free and cancel at any time without any contractual obligations. That means you can watch Summerslam for free and cancel right afterwards. However, if you like the service, it'll cost you $10 a month to continue using it. The WWE Network is available on gaming consoles, iOS, Android, Roku, Smart TVs, and more.
As of this writing, there are 13 matches on the card, two of which are on the Kickoff Show. There shouldn't be any more added at this point.
Aside from Reigns taking on Lesnar for the Universal Championship for the umpteenth time, there are some continuations of solid storylines as well as new rivalries that have some legs. Jeff Hardy will get his rematch against Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship, and hopefully, Hardy learns to wear a cup to protect himself from low blows. Additionally, Ronda Rousey will get a chance to win the Raw Women's Championship from Alexa Bliss. Hopefully, if Rousey ends up winning, she will be a fighting champion and not absent like a certain champion on the men's roster has been for the past couple of years. The card is already pretty filled out, and we're still a couple weeks away from the show.
Summerslam match card:
Rusev & Lana vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas & Zelina Vega [KICKOFF MATCH]
The B-Team vs. The Revival [KICKOFF MATCH] (For the Raw Tag Team Championship)
Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Drew Gulak (For the Cruiserweight Championship)
Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Jeff Hardy (For the United States Championship)
Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch (For the Smackdown Women's Championship)
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Seth Rollins (For the Intercontinental Championship)
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
The Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs. The New Day (For the Smackdown Tag Team Championship)
Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Ronda Rousey (For the Raw Women's Championship)
AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe (For the WWE Championship)
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns (For the Universal Championship)
Make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday, August 19 for live coverage of the event. Don't expect the demon from Hell, Kane, to be involved in this PPV in anyway though. He's currently transitioning into his new role as mayor.
What would a Muppets movie look like if it went for an R rating? You'll find out soon enough when The Happytime Murders arrives in theaters on August 17. If you just can't wait, though, this is your lucky day.
Ahead of the film's release, GameSpot has an exclusive clip from the film for your viewing pleasure--and it's messed up. The Happytime Murders is set in a world where humans and puppets coexist, as Detective Connie Edwards (Melissa McCarthy) works with a disgraced former cop to hunt down a serial killer. In the new video, Connie has to prove she is able to engage in the puppet underworld, which means doing some very serious drugs. At least, what are considered drugs to puppets.
In The Happytime Murders, it's sugar thats gets puppets high. The sugar they used, though, is too strong for even humans. That much is explained when a blonde puppet named Midge drops off a tray filled with lines of rock sugar for Connie to snort. "It'll put a human in a diabetic coma for a month," one shady looking character tells the detective. "But to a puppet, pure ecstasy."
Though she has some reservations at first, Connie snorts the line and immediately passes out. That doesn't last long, though, before she darts up, tells the puppets "That is good s***," and considers sleeping with one of them. It turns out rock sugar is a pretty powerful drug for humans too.
Interestingly, this clip has connections to a pop-up speakeasy being used to promote the film in Los Angeles. At the secret underground den of debauchery, visitors are able to sample specialty cocktails, see puppet and human burlesque and comedy performances, and play blackjack with a puppet named Jack, among many other activities. However, the highlight of the pop-up is a trip to the Sugar Den where Midge, the sugar dealer seen in this clip, offers you candy and warns against the dangers of her beloved purple rock sugar.
It's a fun way to immerse yourself into the world of The Happytime Murders if you're in LA, given that the pop-up has extended its run to include dates between August 17 and 19. What's more, it shows that director Brian Henson, son of Muppet creator Jim Henson, has put a lot of thought into building out this world.
The Happytime Murders releases in theaters on August 24.
The confirmation that Diablo 3 is coming to Switch marks the first time in 15 years that a Blizzard title has appeared on a Nintendo platform. Now that the relationship between the two studios has been rekindled, discussions will naturally move to other Blizzard games that could make the jump to the Switch. Overwatch, the popular team-based shooter, stands out as a potential contender, and Blizzard thinks that, from a technology perspective, it is possible.
While talking about bringing Diablo 3 to Nintendo Switch, senior producer Pete Stilwell said that working on the game was a good opportunity for Blizzard to explore the Switch technology and get a better understanding of it. This was made easier by the fact that Diablo 3 has already been ported to consoles. With this in mind, GameSpot asked Stilwell how he felt about bringing Overwatch to the platform.
"Anything is within the realm of possibility," he said. "Our team was given the task to work on this. If [Overwatch developer] Team 4 picks up that endeavour, that's on them. As of right now Diablo is our only focus on Switch." Asked if he thinks Overwatch could run on Switch, Stilwell said, "Yes, it is feasible."
StarCraft 2, another big Blizzard title, is less likely to make the jump to Nintendo's new platform as the gameplay itself would require some reworking. Explaining the reasoning, Stilwell recalled the Nintendo 64 version of the first StarCraft, which had to be changed significantly to fit the platform.
"The N64 version of StarCraft was cool but you had to change the game quite a bit to make it work properly on console," he said. "StarCraft 2 is next level requirements from how much dexterity you need with a mouse and keyboard, so I think that would have been a very difficult port. It would have [to] change the core gameplay."
While StarCraft 2's reliance on mouse and keyboard is likely to keep a Switch version off the table, Overwatch is well suited to controllers, and given that console versions exist for Blizzard to work from, perhaps there is hope for Overwatch on Switch yet.
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection for Nintendo Switch is a content-rich package that will be available in 2018. It features the main game, as well as the Reaper of Souls and the Rise of the Necromancer DLC. It also comes with Zelda-themed crossover items.
Blizzard is bringing its acclaimed dungeon crawler Diablo 3 to Nintendo Switch later this year, marking the developer's first appearance on a Nintendo console in over 15 years. Along with the base game and the Reaper of Souls and Rise of the Necromancer expansions, the Switch edition will feature some exclusive content in the form of Nintendo crossover items.
Speaking at a roundtable interview, Matt Cederquist, associate producer on the Switch port of Diablo 3, revealed that players will be able to obtain a handful of Legend of Zelda-inspired items in the game. In particular, the Switch edition will feature a Cucco pet, a Triforce portrait, and a set of Majora's Mask-inspired wings. Players will also be able to customize their gear to look like the King of Evil using a Ganondorf transmog.
Blizzard shared more thoughts on what it was like to work with Nintendo once again after so long. "It's been fantastic, and that's not just lip service," said production lead Pete Stilwell. "You're talking to other folks who want to make compelling game experiences and who are so proud of their products. It's a kindred spirit, and to get to negotiate things like what were our tie-ins going to be, we got to nerd out and love their IPs and have those types of relationships. It's awesome to collaborate with other developers like that."
Blizzard first teased a possible Switch port of Diablo 3 back in March. At the time, the studio posted a cryptic tweet of a Diablo night light being switched on and off, leading many fans to interpret that to mean the game is coming to Switch. Blizzard later quashed those theories, but a report by Eurogamer shortly after lent further weight that the game was indeed on the way to Nintendo's hybrid console.
Diablo 3 is slated to launch for Switch later this year. Blizzard says the game will run at 60 FPS both docked and in handheld mode, and the game will support multiple controllers options, including the Switch Pro controller and a single Joy-Con. Players will also be able to play online via Switch's upcoming paid online service.
Summerslam is just days away and WWE superstar Daniel Bryan will take on his arch rival, The Mix. Bryan has had a rollercoaster career during his time with the company. He's won multiple championships, but it was all taken away because of multiple injuries. However, Bryan is back fighting in the ring now, as he's been cleared by doctors, but there's a thorn in his side that's been a constant since he got to WWE: The Miz.
During a 2K event in Bryan's hometown of Aberdeen, Washington, the WWE superstar spoke to GameSpot about this longtime feud and his personal thoughts on his upcoming Summerslam opponent, while promoting WWE 2K19's new Daniel Bryan themed Showcase Mode, which is narrated by the superstar.
GameSpot: After you were called up from FCW, you were on NXT in 2010, in its original format, and The Miz was your mentor. What were your first impressions of him?
Daniel Bryan: I was honestly really looking forward to that because I thought it was a really unique dichotomy between the two of us, where here's [The Miz] who people don't respect as a wrestler, but he's great at the interview stuff, and great at getting under people's skin. And here I am, who I had a lot of respect from a wrestling standpoint from the fans, and even the wrestlers backstage, but I wasn't necessarily good at the character stuff.
So, we were complete opposites in how people viewed it. It's style versus substance. It's a very interesting thing. I thought, "Oh man, this is gonna make great television." Instead of making great television [with NXT], we did things like monkey bar challenges and who can drink a soda the fastest.
It's funny because to really highlight that I really tried to downplay... like, I had gear that was nicer, but I wore the most basic gear I could, with the idea being that we would tell the story that he's gonna try to flash me up, and I had gotten a good haircut, but I did it specifically in a bowl cut, with his idea in my mind that like, "Okay, yeah we're gonna be telling these great stories, where it's like he's gonna make me get a haircut that's like his." He had the faux hawk at the time, and I was like "Oh, this is gonna be great." And then no, they didn't do any of that, and I just looked like a nerd, and then they just started calling me a nerd. It's like, "Oh, this vegan, he's a nerd," and it's just like, "Oh gosh. Okay, well back to the drawing board."
As a mentor, you mentioned you guys were both polar opposites. Did he actually teach you anything when you were with him?
No, I mean he was busy at the time. You have to keep in mind he was super busy, so it was just like... our interactions were so limited, and a lot of times, he wasn't even there on the Tuesdays because he's somebody who works very hard. WWE has him do a lot of public appearances and media stuff. So, sometimes he wouldn't even be there on the Tuesdays.
But, I did kind of watch him and watch how he navigated the political minefield of WWE, which is very different from the independents. I watched that a little bit, but it's interesting because we both... I think because of our differences and how we view pro wrestling, we both kind of respected each other and disliked each other right off the bat.
So, it's like, "Okay, I respect that you've worked so hard at this, but dude, that's not important. Like, screw off, you think you're good because you can do this?" That's both of us. That's coming from both sides of us. But there was also [the fact that] we both wanted to make it as good as it could possibly be.
Afterwards, you were in Nexus, were released from WWE, but ultimately, won the United States Championship from The Miz. Within the realm of storylines, and storytelling, where do you feel was the breaking point for Daniel Bryan and The Miz?
Well, it's interesting. Because we're such polar opposites, and we do have a legitimate dislike of each other, and the people backstage kinda know that--that there's always been that tension--but I think the real breaking point to where people care about it so much now was the Talking Smack episode, and then furthering that, Miz starting to do my moves, really rubbing it in my face in a way that at the time nobody thought I was gonna get cleared again. So, there was no payoff to this. It's just heat, for heat, for heat's sake. So, I think that's where everything--where the current incarnation, where people are really excited to see that--I think that's where that comes from.
With Talking Smack, at that point in time you guys hadn't done too much work together in years, what were your thoughts with him coming on? Were you expecting anything big?
No, this is the thing. Miz and I know how to get under each other's skin, and he was very frustrated at the time because he was the Intercontinental Champion. I think at the time, he was gonna have a PPV match with Apollo Crews. They didn't even have anything on the show for two weeks before the PPV.
So, it's like he's got this program. It's super cold. He's frustrated. I'm the general manager, so he starts mouthing off about all this stuff, and that stuff, and then so I start going in on the stuff. It kinda gets under his skin, and then he has stuff that really gets under my skin, and so that's where the magic happens though, really, where people aren't sure what's real and what's not real, and that becomes an interesting point of contention, as far as people [saying], "Wow, these guys, they really dislike each other."
It's interesting because Maryse was there--who's his wife--and my wife was there just backstage that day, and she thought I had legitimately wanted to quit. I had asked for my release at that point because I'd been cleared by these other doctors, and WWE medical wouldn't clear me. So, he's bringing up things like, "If you love .. you're a coward because you've said... yada yada... why don't you go quit, and go do the independents?"
It's like, that really gets under my skin because it's like, I asked for my release, and they said "No." It's like, here I am stuck doing this GM thing, and this thing that I don't like, and it's like, "Okay, either I'm gonna punch this dude in the face, or I'm gonna walk off," so it's one of those things where people can see the realness in that, and I think that that's very powerful.
When we live in a time where the lines between reality and WWE programming are blurred. How did you feel about the reaction from the fans of WWE after that Talking Smack aired?
What I was hoping was that it would inspire them to look at my case more closely to clear me, and because that was happening--I don't remember around what time, August or September-ish of that year--I was thinking, "Maybe I can get them to look at my case again, and then main [event] for Wrestlemania, maybe I could be cleared for…" No. That's what I was thinking. I was thinking in terms of like, "Wow, this could really benefit." And [WWE creative] started using it a little bit on the show, and then what happened is people really wanted to see the match, and then they backed off of it because they had no plans of doing the match. So, that's when I realized like, "Oh, man. They're not gonna budge here."
But then you did get cleared.
Yup.
From a storyline perspective, when you were cleared, you immediately brought back The Miz back to Smackdown, when he was on Raw. What was going through your head during that time?
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So, I mean the idea is he comes back to Smackdown, and I get to punch him in the face.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, but then all these obstacles get thrown in your way before that. So, all of a sudden Cass attacks me from behind, so you have address that, and then The Bludgeon Brothers attack me, and you have to address that. So, now we're finally at this place where there's nothing else in the way, and now you can get down to it, and do the face punching that I've been waiting for, for so long.
So, how did you feel recently when The Miz said you're not on his level anymore, or that he's above you?
So, there's various forms of truth to that in the sense of there was a PPV where I wrestled Big Cass, and he wrestled [Seth] Rollins, and by far, the much better [match] was Miz versus Rollins. It was a fantastic match, but Rollins was also in that match, and so, you can say that from that perspective. You have to acknowledge that he has done a lot of good stuff in the time that I've been gone, including one of the matches that was one of my favorite matches to watch from a fan's perspective was him versus Dolph Ziggler. I think it might have been... it was at a PPV, and it was Intercontinental Title versus Dolph's career, or something like that, but it was an incredible match.
He's done some stuff. In that regard, he has kind of a point. On the flip side, I don't think [Miz not being on Bryan's level] that's true, but there's times that it is... his promos are on a different level than mine are. That's just the reality. I've worked on my promos a lot, I've gotten a lot better over the last several years, but he has an innate ability in interviews to be... he's fantastic. So, it's hard for me to argue that point other than on a night after night basis. If you were to go to live events, or anything like that, and compare the Daniel Bryan match, and say like, "Who's better," I think most fans would say Daniel Bryan's better, but we just haven't seen a lot of that on TV yet.
Well, hopefully we will, because you have Summerslam coming up on next Sunday.
Yeah, but if that match is great then he's just gonna say it's because of him.
Are you hoping that this story in your career is closed at this point with The Miz, or is this something that you feel will have a lot of legs, and can continue?
So, I don't think in terms of those things because those things are a lot of times beyond my control. So, I focus on the variables that I can control, which is to put out the best performance as possible, and to me, I'm just interested in things that challenge me creatively, and to do things that I enjoy within wrestling. So, whether that's with Miz, or whether that's with A.J. Styles, or whether that's against Shinsuke Nakamura, or Samoa Joe, it doesn't really matter who as long as it's creatively fulfilling.
On the flip side of that, I just don't want things that aren't creatively fulfilling, so I don't care what you do, as long it doesn't put me in this mental funk, where I just feel like, "Oh man, I can't believe I have to do this today." But anything other than that, usually I'm just happy to be back wrestling.
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