Category: Gaming

  • John Wick Hex set to arrive on Windows and Mac on October 8

    John Wick Hex set to arrive on Windows and Mac on October 8

    The official John Wick game finally has a release date. John Wick Hex will launch on the PC and Mac exclusively via Epic Games store on October 8 for $19.99 The game is developed by Bithell Games, in partnership with Good Shephard Entertainment and Lionsgate Games.

    John Wick Hex takes place before the events shown in the movies, where the lead protagonist Wick still works as a professional assassin. Actors from John Wick movies such as Ian McShane and Lance Reddick also feature in the game as Winston and Charon. Meanwhile, Mike Bithell also announced that Troy Baker (Uncharted 4, The Last of Us, Infamous Second Son, Batman: Arkham Origins) will play the original villain in the game. Sadly, Keanu Reeves won’t be the voice of his in-game character.

    John Wick Hex combines action sequences from the movie into a top-down strategy game where players are supposed to plan their moves ahead of time. It’s more like a real-time strategy game where your actions will have consequences that will play out. The game mixes real-time strategy with tactical decisions, and Wick’s every move and action in the game will take place in a timeline. For instance, you’ll have limited ammo and reloading obviously takes time, so you’ll need to devise a strategy before you run into enemies. It’s essentially all about time management here.

    John Wick Hex will be exclusively available via the Epic Games store. The action-packed strategy puzzler will be available on the PC and Mac starting October 8. Besides, you can also pre-order the game for just $20. The game is also expected to arrive on consoles, but there’s no word on when yet.

  • Apple Arcade available ahead of official release

    Apple Arcade available ahead of official release

    Apple’s gaming subscription service Apple Arcade is now available for iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 users ahead of its official release. Users can now sign up for the service and start using Apple Arcade a couple of days earlier ahead of its September 19 launch.

    All you need to do is sign up for the iOS 13 Beta. To do so, just go to the Apple Beta Software Program website on your iPhone, and sign in with your Apple ID. Once you’ve installed the iOS 13 beta, just go to the App Store. You’ll find a new joystick logo on the guide bar at the bottom of the screen for Arcade. Then, all you need to do is sign up. However, you’ll need to have an active credit card linked to your App Store account. Once you’ve signed up, you’re ready to start using Apple Arcade.

    Apple has promised that its gaming subscription service will offer users over 100 new and exclusive games. That said, sources indicate that only 53 games are currently available in the Apple Arcade library, with more added to the service every week.

    Apple is offering a one-month free trial for users to try out the service. Users can play the games both online and offline during the free trial. Besides, users also have the option to cancel the service before the free trial expires. The service will cost $4.99 per month after the free trial is over.

    Apple Arcade will arrive on the App Store on Thursday, September 19. The service will also be available on the Mac with macOS Catalina and Apple TV with tvOS 13 in October.

  • Spider Man PS4 ‘Game of the Year Edition’ leaked

    Spider Man PS4 ‘Game of the Year Edition’ leaked

    It appears last year’s PS4-exclusive blockbuster Spider will get a Game of the Year edition. The GOTY edition for Spider-Man will likely include the latest version of the game with three different DLC releases for the PS4, and presumably for the PS5 as well. While Sony Interactive is yet to acknowledge such a product officially, many believe one is on the cards. Now, it appears Amazon UK might’ve accidentally leaked Marvel’s Spider-Man Game of the Year edition for the PS4.

    While the listing doesn’t reveal any concrete details, but it does suggest one is on the horizon. Leaks via retail listings generally lack credibility, though something leaked on Amazon usually turns out to be a real product. Of course, Amazon UK has removed the listing, but what goes up on the internet, stays on the internet. That said, just like any leak, we’ll take this information with a pinch of salt.

    In any case, Marvel’s Spider-Man for the PS4 is one of the best open-world games out there. Insomniac Games has intricately crafted a fantastic story that hardcore comic books fans have come to appreciate. The PS4- the exclusive title was the Insomniac’s most successful game, reportedly selling 13.2 million copies worldwide. Given the game’s enormous success, it’s apparent Sony and Insomniac might pair up for a Spider-Man sequel on the PlayStation 5.

    In other related news, Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially announced the acquisition of Insomniac Games, developer of last year’s Spider-Man game. The latest acquisition brings Sony Worldwide Studios to a total of 14 game development studios.

    Insomniac Games was founded in 1994 and has largely remained an independent studio for around 25 years. They’ve worked with big-name companies like Sony and Microsoft on several projects. Besides, Insomniac has also worked with Oculus on several VR games. They’ve also developed the yet-to-be-released VR game ‘Stormland’, currently announced as an Oculus exclusive.

  • Sony acquires Insomniac Games, developer of Spider Man

    Sony acquires Insomniac Games, developer of Spider Man

    Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially announced the acquisition of Insomniac Games, developer of last year’s Spider-Man game. The PS4 – the exclusive title was the Insomniac’s most successful game, reportedly selling 13.2 million copies worldwide. According to Sony, Insomniac will shortly become a first-party PlayStation studio. The latest acquisition brings Sony Worldwide Studios to a total of 14 game development studios.

    “Insomniac Games is one of the most highly-acclaimed development studios in the industry and their legacy of best-in-class storytelling and gameplay is unparalleled,” Shawn Layden, Chairman of SIE WWS, said in a statement. “We have enjoyed a strong collaborative partnership with the studio for many years, and are thrilled to officially welcome them to the Worldwide Studios family. The addition of Insomniac Games to SIE WWS reiterates our commitment to developing world-class gaming experiences that can only be found on the PlayStation platform.”

    “The decision to join forces with Sony extends far beyond familiarity. Our studio vision is to create experiences that have a positive and lasting impact on people’s lives. As we look ahead to our future, we know that joining the WWS family gives us the best opportunities to fully achieve that vision on a much larger scale. Further, we believe that Sony shares a similar vision to positively impact players’ lives, their employees’ lives and the games industry at large,” said Ted Price of Insomniac Games in a statement to fans.

    Apart from last year’s Spider-Man, Insomniac has also developed popular games like ‘Ratchet & Clank’ as well as ‘Resistance’. Insomniac Games was founded in 1994 and has mostly remained an independent studio for nearly 25 years. It has worked with big-name companies such as Sony and Microsoft on several projects. Besides, Insomniac has also worked with Oculus on several VR games. They’ve also developed the upcoming Stormland game, currently announced as an Oculus exclusive.

    That said, there weren’t any announcements about future games alongside the acquisition. However, given the fact Spider-Man on PS4 has sold over 13.2 million copies worldwide as of July 28, 2019, it’s apparent Sony and Insomniac might pair up for a Spider-Man sequel on the PlayStation 5.

  • Nintendo officially denies Switch exchange program

    Nintendo officially denies Switch exchange program

    Multiple reports surfaced last week suggesting that Nintendo is letting users exchange their Switch units for the upgraded model for free. According to various reports, customers in the U.S. and Canada can exchange their current Switch for a new one, if purchased after July 17.

    However, a new report by The Verge notes that there’s no official exchange program for Switch. In a statement, a spokesperson for Nintendo stated that the company ‘do not have a Nintendo Switch exchange program.’

    With that said, it appears Nintendo Switch owners can still swap their Switch units for the improved model, which now offers a better battery life of up to nine hours. Key sources indicate that Nintendo is still welcoming exchange requests.

    First reported via a user on Reddit, eligible customers will need to contact Nintendo customer care and will have to pay for shipping the shipping costs. Even Polygon reported that they got in touch with a Nintendo representative and confirmed that the trade-in offer was indeed eligible.

    Get in touch with Nintendo customer care

    Besides, even Nintendo’s spokesperson’s statement seems to suggest that you can trade-in your current Switch for a new one. “We always want players to enjoy their Nintendo Switch systems, and if anything ever gets in the way of that, we encourage them to visit http://support.nintendo.com for support, or to contact our consumer support team.”

    The new model has a superior battery life, nearly twice the original Switch. Besides, Nintendo claims that games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be played for five-and-a-half hours compared to the original model’s three. Nintendo will also be releasing the Switch Lite later this fall, which can be used in conjunction with a TV.

  • SNES controller for Switch spotted in FCC filing

    SNES controller for Switch spotted in FCC filing

    It appears Nintendo may be following up the wireless NES Controller with a wireless Super Nintendo Controller for the Nintendo Switch. Now, this also suggests the company might bring back classic SNES titles to its Nintendo Online virtual gaming library. The information comes via an FCC filing, which shows a sketch of what appears to be the rear of a Super Nintendo style wireless controller.

    Just a few days ago it seems Nintendo filed an FCC application for a wireless gaming accessory. The back of the diagram resembles a SNES controller. Besides, the sketch also shows a model number with HAC code that Nintendo uses on Switch accessories. Now, this implies it is definitely a wireless controller, much like the NES wireless controller.

    Past trends suggest that the launch of retro-inspired hardware for Switch also implies the arrival of old-school Super Nintendo games. To recall, Nintendo released wireless NES Controllers for the Switch in September, along with games via Nintendo Online offered to subscribers for free. The recent FCC filing pretty much confirms that Nintendo plans to release something in the near future.

    If it comes to games outside of SNES, this controller looks great. While the NES controller technically works with everything, it only has two buttons that limit it quite a bit. On the other hand, the controller shown in the FCC application uses a D-Pad, so hopefully, Nintendo releases this controller shortly. That said, more importantly, we hope to see Super Nintendo games reasonably soon.

    What are your views about this new wireless controller from Nintendo? Do let us know in the comments below.

  • Ninja alleges Twitch for suggesting porn on his old channel

    Ninja alleges Twitch for suggesting porn on his old channel

    Popular streamer Tyler Blevins aka Ninja has called out on Twitch for promoting porn on his dormant channel. Polygon reports that streamer Daniel KEEMSTAR Keem was the first to notice pornographic material recommended on Ninja’s old channel on Twitch.

    “Over the last couple of days, there have been some things going on that we’ve let slide, they were kind of annoying, little jabs, we felt like but it didn’t matter, we want to stay professional,” Ninja said.

    Ninja further alleges that Twitch hasn’t done the same to anyone else who has gone offline, but just him. He also added that this could damage his brand and reputation that he’s built over the years.

    “I’ve been streaming for eight years, to build my brand, to build that channel, 14.5 million followers, and they were still using that channel to promote other streamers,” he added.

    This fiasco could likely be a result of Ninja deciding to leave Twitch for Microsoft’s Mixer. Ninja grew a massive fan following on Twitch, however, on August 1, he made a surprise announcement that he would exclusively stream for Microsoft’s Mixer service. By the looks of it, Twitch didn’t take it well as Ninja decided to stream solely on a rival platform. He was consistently one of the biggest streamers on Twitch, and his decision to leave was a significant blow for the platform.

    Twitch has now reportedly reverted Ninja’s dormant page to a regular offline screen, along with chat, where users are lashing out for apparent reasons.

  • Konami resurrects Contra with Contra Rogue Corps

    Konami resurrects Contra with Contra Rogue Corps

    Konami brings back the popular Contra franchise with a new Nintendo Switch game called Contra Rogue Corps. The game was announced during a Nintendo E3 2019 presentation.

    Contra Rogue Corps is a third person shooter with the traditional side-scrolling perspective. It also features moments of a top-down perspective, similar to what we’ve seen in Contra 3: The Alien Wars. Gamers can play solo or enter a battle with other gamers with local or online multiplayer. It features classic Contra characters such as Kaiser, along with new ones such as a mutated bug and a panda.

    Contra Rogue Corps is slated for a release on the Nintendo Switch on September 24, 2019.

    Besides, Konami also announced a new Contra Anniversary Collection which bundles a wide array of popular Contra classics. The Contra Collection includes a total of 10 classic Contra games, along with the European Probotector games. You can check out the trailer below:

    The full collection includes Contra for arcade and NES, Super Contra for arcade and NES, Contra: Hard Corps, Operation C for Game Boy, and the Probotector versions of Contra 3 and Hard Corps. It also comes with Contra 3: Alien Wars. Nintendo also confirmed that the Contra Collection is available for purchase via the Nintendo Eshop, starting today.

    Are you excited about the new Contra collection? Let us know in the comments.

  • Microsoft shows off next gen Xbox code-named Project Scarlett

    Microsoft shows off next gen Xbox code-named Project Scarlett

    Microsoft unveiled the upcoming Xbox console at E3 2019 codenamed Project Scarlett. The company claims it’ll be up to four times more powerful than Xbox One X. That said, Microsoft did not reveal any key hardware details about its next console.

    For now, all we know is that Project Scarlett will support 8K resolution and run content at 120FPS. The HDD will be replaced by SSD, which is an advanced storage solution with some advanced cloud capabilties.

    “We’ve created a new generation of SSDs. We’re using the SSD as virtual RAM,” said an Xbox spokesperson in the unveiling video. Now, this should increase performance substantially over the current gen Xbox, with faster game loads.

    Besides, the next Xbox will have a custom designed CPU based on AMD’s Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture. Microsoft is also adding a fast GDDR6 RAM, which the company claims will offer resolution and frame rates never seen before.

    During the ongoing E3 conference, head of Xbox division, Phil Spencer, also said that inputs from fans indicated they want something focused entirely on gaming, and not a jack of all trades. It’s not clear how this is going to work out, but most probably, the console won’t have stuff like Netflix or YouTube, which also seems highly unlikely.

    Microsoft plans to release Halo Infinite alongside the next-gen Xbox console, laying the groundwork for Microsoft’s next generation console gaming.

    The next-gen Xbox console is expected to release in 2020, sometime during the winter holidays. It’s still a long way to go, therefore, more details about Project Scarlett are likely to surface at next year’s E3.

  • Cyberpunk 2077 featuring Keanu Reeves to release in April 2020

    Cyberpunk 2077 featuring Keanu Reeves to release in April 2020

    Cyperpunk 2077 is slated for a release on April 16, 2020, on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Notably, the game will feature Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, the lead actor in blockbusters such as The Matrix and John Wick. During the ongoing E3, the star himself came on stage to announce the game’s release date.

    Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world sci-fi shooter, set in the future in a town called Night City. Developer Projekt Red says the game offers cybernetic body modification that gives your character a range of different skills. A cinematic trailer was also revealed during the ongoing E3, The cinematic shows a man, V, who returns to his employer to get his reward.

    That said, V has raised many eyebrows and attracted a lot of unnecessary attention which his boss did not like at all. Hence, V is now fighting for his life. John Wick star Keanu Reeves shows up at the end of the trailer. ‘We have a city to burn,” says Keanu. CyberPunk 2077 is a tale fo revenge, which perfectly suits the John Wick star. Sadly, the game’s trailer does not reveal any in-game footage.

    Pre-order page for the Cyberpunk 2077 is already setup on Amazon and Steam. However, they are yet to go live.

  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription launched at $14.99 a month

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription launched at $14.99 a month

    Microsoft announced Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription earlier this year, however, it was only in beta. Now, the company has finally released it to all users along with the addition of PC games. This essentially means you’ll get Xbox Live Gold and and Xbox Game Pass for both Xbox and PC for a single subscription of $14.99 a month.

    Put simply, it’s a great deal for gamers who play both Xbox and PC games, as it offers a bunch of different titles for both PC and consoles. The standalone cost for Xbox Game Pass for PC is avaialble at $4.99/month, Xbox Game Pass for Xbox at $9.99/month, and Xbox Live Gold at $9.99/month. Now, that amounts to a total of $24.97. Therefore, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription saves you nearly $10 a month if you want all three subscriptions.

    Essentially, Microsoft is now offering a total of four subscription services.

    These include Xbox Game Pass PC for $4.99 a month, Xbox Game Pass Console Games at $9.99/month, Xbox Live Gold at $9.99 a month and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at $14.99 a month. The latest Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription is now available at the official Microsoft site.

  • Google Stadia: Price, Release, Games, and more

    Google Stadia: Price, Release, Games, and more

    Google Stadia is a streaming platform designed to run games without a high-end PC or console. All you’ll need is a Chromecast and a television which allows you access high-resolution games via cloud.

    Announced back in March, Google Stadia is slated for a release in November 2019 via a Founder Edition Bundle for $130. This edition includes three months of Stadia Pro which costs $10 a month. It lets you stream games up to 4K HDR at 60fps, includes a copy of Destiny 2, offers discounts on all games on Stadia store, as well as access to a collection of free games.

    Besides, the Founder’s Edition also includes a Buddy Pass which you can gift to a friend for three months. It also includes the exclusive Stadia controller along with Chromecast Ultra.

    The base subscription called Stadia Pro will be offered at $10/month. It gives players access to stream games at 4K resolution/60 frames-per-second. However, the service won’t offer all games as new ones need to bought separately. Also, you’ll have to purchase the standalone Stadia controller which costs $70.

    Google also notes it’ll be just one user per Stadia account, that’ll be linked to your Google ID. However, you won’t be able to subscribe to the standard Stadia Pro subscription until 2020.

    Finally, a free version of Stadia, called Stadia Base, is slated for a release sometime next year as well.

    Games available at launch

    In an official stream, Google also revealed a list of over 30 games whicch will be available for purchase when Google Stadia officially lainches in November. These include the likes of Doom, Doom Eternal, Ghost Recon: Breakout, as well as other popuklar first-person shoooters. Other Stadia games announced include Final Fantasy XV, Darksiders Genesis, Metro Exodus, The Divison 2, and many more.

    Both Mortal Kombat 11 and Battle for the Grid will also be available on launch day. Google Stadia will rival Microsoft’s Project xCloud and Apple Arcade gaming services, which are also slated for a release in the near future.

  • iOS 13 to bring wireless support for PS4 and Xbox One controllers

    iOS 13 to bring wireless support for PS4 and Xbox One controllers

    Apple has officially confirmed that iOS 13 and iPadOS will get support for Sony’s DualShock 4 and Bluetooth-equipped Xbox One controllers.

    Hence, with the rollout of iOS 13, your iPhone or iPad will essentially transform into a portable PS4 or Xbox One. Users will come across all of the standard PS4 or Xbox One related controls. Besides, they will also get full access to the console’s dashboard, user profiles, as well as their respective Stores. Not to mention, players can also access the iOS microphone to talk to other gamers in a party or through game chat.

    Elsewhere, Apple soon plans to launch its own gaming subscription service called Apple Arcade. The service aims to offer access to over 100 new and exclusive games to play across multiple platforms. Users can play these games on demand for a monthly subscription fee.

    Apple Arcade will offer a large suite of games that players can download and play on their iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, as well as Mac laptop or desktop. Though unlike Google Stadia and Microsoft’s Project xCloud, Apple’s upcoming gaming service won’t offer gamers triple-A games over an internet connection. The reason being that Apple Arcade is primraily designed to work on iOS devices.

  • PlayStation 5: Everything we know so far

    PlayStation 5: Everything we know so far

    We already know that Sony has already begun work on its next-generation console – the PlayStation 5. However, we haven’t heard anything substantial so far from the company itself. Luckily, analysts and fans just can’t stop talking about it, giving us an idea about what’s next. Hence, without wasting a beat, here’s an article about all the key details we’ve gathered about the PS5 so far:

    PlayStation 5 release date

    Sony is expected to publicly unveil the hardware roadmap for PS5 on February 21, 2019. However, the hardware reveal date hasn’t been announced yet. That said, sources indicate it could happen between August to September 2019.

    As far as release goes, Sony is rumored to release the PS5 in the United States and Japan on November 16, 2019. Release for Tier 2 regions, which include Australia and Europe, has been planned for November 23, 2019. While the 25th Anniversary Limited Edition PS5 is slated for a release by December 3rd, 2019.

    PlayStation 5 rumored specifications

    We already know for a fact that game studios are already developing titles for the PS5. According to credible industry insider Marcus Sellers, third party studios have had access to PS5 dev kits since early 2018. Thanks to that, key specs of the upcoming PS5 have been tipped at. Hence, we have a fairly good idea about the upcoming console’s hardware.

    Just like the PS4 and PS4 Pro, Mark Cerny is the lead system architect for the PlayStation 5. At the core of the PS5, there’ll be an AMD accelerated processor unit or APU – a chip which includes both the CPU and GPU.  It’ll be a desktop class APU unlike the PS4 which features a mobile-class APU – meant for notebooks.

    The APU unit in the upcoming PS5 will pack 8-cores, 16 threads, and will be based on the latest 7nm manufacturing process. As far as GPU goes, the PS5 will likely feature a custom GPU, based on the upcoming Navi architecture.

    Even the memory is expected to receive an upgrade, as the PS5 will likely come equipped with the faster GDDR6 RAM, compared to GDDR5 found on the PS4. In terms of storage, the PS5 will most likely come with a 2TB HDD, as the size of games keeps increasing.

    Rumor also has it that next-gen consoles will be based on flash storage, which will make noticeably them faster and quieter. Another big focus on the PS5 would Virtual Reality. The AMD APU mentioned above has been designed with VR in mind.

    Elsewhere, an industry analyst also indicates the PS5 will almost certoianly feature backwards compatibility. Mat Piscatella, analyst with NPD group suggests he’ll be surprised if the PS5 didn’t support backwards compatibility.

    Readers, however, should take this information with a pinch of salt as nothing is official for now.

  • Razer unveils its first gaming monitor, the Razer Raptor

    Razer unveils its first gaming monitor, the Razer Raptor

    Razer announced its first gaming monitor during CES 2019, dubbed as the Razer Raptor. According to the company, the Raptor will get a price tag of $699.99 MSRP, and will be available ‘later this year’ via the official Razer website in the US and Canada.

    “Razer has worked alongside partners in the past to bring the Razer experience to monitors, but the full potential was never fully realized. We have decided to tackle this space on our own and are very excited to expand our presence to include desktop displays,” said Razer Co-Founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan.

    The Razer Raptor features a WQHD IPS display which boasts a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. While it does not support 4K resolution, it does offer FreeSync support as well as a refresh rate of 144Hz. Not to mention, it sports extremely thin bezels at just 2.3mm and also comes with RGB lighting.

    “The Razer Raptor will display vibrant colors, with its 95 percent DCI-P3 wide color gamut and support for HDR content, providing deep blacks for truly immersive viewing experiences. Color profiles will be programmed into the monitor to address gamer and prosumer demands for optimized gaming, movie and productivity settings,” explained Razer in a press release.

    razer raptor

    As far as design goes, the Raptor sports a matte-black design with a forged aluminum base. “Its backplate is finished with a blend of fabric and metal to add a touch of elegance. Razer Chroma-powered LED strips illuminate the monitor’s base, which can be customized through the Razer Synapse 3 application to synchronize with other Razer Chroma-enabled hardware,” further added Razer in the press release.

    Another nifty feature the Raptor offers is cable management. It has everything neatly organized and folded into the stand for easy I/O ports access.

    In terms of connectivity, the Razer Raptor comes with 1 HDMI port, 1 display port, 1 USB Type C port, as well as 2 USB-A 3.1 ports. You can check out the complete specifications of the Razer Raptor below:

    • Screen Size: 27 in.
    • Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440p)
    • Panel Type: IPS
    • Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
    • Response Rate: 4 ms with Overdrive, 1 ms with Motion Blur reduction, 7 ms typical
    • Gaming Modes: FPS / Racing / MMO Mode / Streaming
    • Viewing Angle: 178 Degrees (H/V)
    • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
    • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
    • Brightness: up to 420 Nits
    • Color Gamut: 95% DCI-P3
    • HDR: Yes
    • Height Adjustable Stand: Yes, w/ 90-degree tilt for easy port access
    • Connectivity: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DP 1.4, 1 x USB-C (supports DP1.4), 2 x USB 3.0 Pass
    • Throughs
      Included Cables: 1 x Power, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Display Port, 1 x USB-C (also supports DP and Power Delivery), 1 x 2 USB-A 3.1
    • Dimensions w/ Stand: 24.15″ (613.4 mm) W x 15.29 in. 19.23 in. (388.4 mm – 488.4 mm) H x 7.46 in. (189.4 mm) D
    • Weight w/ Stand: 25.4 lbs. (11.5 kg)