Mario Kart Tour drifts into record-breaking launch day for Nintendo
Mario Kart Tour sent blue shells into the competition, setting a new launch day record for downloads of a mobile game. It only ranked third among Nintendo mobile titles for first-day revenue though, which may be attributed to the two-week free trial of the racing app's Gold Pass subscription.
Nintendo Switch Lite teardown reveals same analog sticks as drift-prone Joy-Cons
A Nintendo Switch Lite teardown by YouTube channel Spawn Wave revealed that the console's analog sticks are similar to the Joy-Cons of the original Nintendo Switch. This means that the new portable console will still be prone to drifting issues, dashing hopes that Nintendo has fixed the problem.
Minecraft character creator augments skins with new body parts, accessories
The Minecraft Character Creator, currently in beta testing, will allow players to personalize their avatars beyond using custom skins. The feature will make changes to the actual models, including body size and shape, some body parts, and characteristics like the eyes, mouth, hair, and skin tones.
Nintendo Switch Lite’s $200 price tag made possible by months of negotiations
Pulling down the Nintendo Switch Lite price tag to $200 was not an easy task, as it took months of negotiations between Nintendo and component suppliers. Nintendo was reportedly even trying to get the portable console's price to below $200, but apparently, that was a goal too lofty to reach.
Crypto seeks to show the truth in Apex Legends Season 3: Meltdown
Apex Legends Season 3: Meltdown will show the next stage in Crypto's revenge against The Syndicate, which framed him for murder. The new season will also add a new Battle Pass, an updated Ranked League, and the Charge Rifle, a powerful weapon that further links the game to the Titanfall universe.
Google Maps adds tools to help people recover from drug, alcohol addiction
Google Maps, as part of National Recovery Month, added two new features that will support people on the path to recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. The first tool marks more than 83,000 recovery support meetings, while the second tool reveals nearby establishments where Naloxone may be obtained.
Minecraft stays strong after 10 years with 112 million players per month
Minecraft stays dominant in the video game industry with 112 million players per month, even though 10 years have passed since it launched. The game's wide availability contributed to the achievement, but making the milestone more impressive is that it is not free-to-play, unlike today's standard-bearers.
Universal’s Super Nintendo World may feature Nintendo Switch integration
Super Nintendo World, which will open first in Universal Studios Japan, may feature some form of Nintendo Switch integration to add to the interactive experience. Visitors will also be wearing magnetic wristbands that will keep scores as the wearer plays different games throughout the theme park.
Civilization VI tries to cash in on battle royale craze with new Red Death mode
Turn-based strategy game Civilization VI tries to take advantage of the battle royale craze through its new Red Death mode. In the multiplayer mode, players lead a faction in as they fight over limited resources while the play area continues to shrink, which resembles battle royale mechanics.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game goes mobile with iOS release in October
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, which was originally released for the PC and consoles, is set to go mobile next month with an iOS release on October 29. The collectible card game, which started out as a minigame in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, will share progress between the PC and iOS versions.
Microsoft patent reveals liquid-filled hinge to make better foldable devices
A Microsoft patent reveals a liquid-filled hinge that will make foldable devices more durable by reducing stress on the screens and preventing the entry of debris. It remains to be seen whether the technology will make its way into a product, though it will likely not be part of the rumored Centaurus.
Spotify family plan members required to prove they live at the same address
Spotify now requires members of a family plan to prove that they live in the same address to limit the practice of friends availing themselves of the cheaper subscription price. The music streaming service said that it will request location data from time to time, raising privacy concerns.
Final Fantasy VII Remake will also offer turn-based gameplay with Classic Mode
The Final Fantasy VII Remake, which will have an action-oriented battle system, will also offer Classic Mode to bring back the original RPG's turn-based gameplay. The feature was highlighted by series producer Yoshinori Kitase at the Tokyo Game Show, alongside the squat mini-game and Ifrit.
Pokémon Masters is no Pokémon Go, but it’s good enough for $26M in first week
Pokémon Masters earned $26 million in its first week, which is not enough to match the overwhelming popularity of Pokémon Go in its first seven days. The revenue is good for the second-best mobile launch for a Pokémon game though, beating Pokémon Quest, Pokémon Magikarp Jump, and Pokémon Rumble Rush.
EA sets dubious world record for Battlefront II Reddit comment
Electronic Arts achieved the Guinness World Record for the most downvoted comment in the history of Reddit. The comment is a response to a player's complaint on having to unlock Darth Vader in Star Wars Battlefront II, which is a small peek into the controversial pay-to-win scheme for the game.
Hideo Kojima confirms Very Easy Mode in Death Stranding for non-gamers
Hideo Kojima confirmed that Death Stranding will offer a Very Easy Mode for non-gamers who will be playing it for the storyline. With a star a star-studded cast that includes Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, and Lea Seydoux in the lead roles, it is easy to confuse the game with a Hollywood film.
Denver Nuggets MVP candidate looks different in NBA 2K20, drawing player outrage
NBA 2K20 players have expressed their disapproval of the character design for Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, an MVP candidate. Jokic is one of the league's elite players and the Nuggets are an exciting team, which increases the chances that the visual shortcoming will be highlighted.
Patent reveals possible new Nintendo Switch Joy-Con design with hinges
A patent found in Japan's official database revealed a possible new design for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. The removable controllers may soon be updated with hinges to make them more comfortable for longer play sessions, as Nintendo continues to try new ideas for its innovative console.
Shady World of Warcraft Classic farming method catches Blizzard’s attention
A shady farming and leveling method in World of Warcraft Classic has caught Blizzard's attention, as the community grows concerned that it will make some players too overpowered early on. The developer said that measures to prevent the exploit are on the way while downplaying the severity of the problem.
No more regular schedule in release of Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES games
The addition of more retro games to Nintendo Switch Online will no longer follow a regular schedule, according to a company representative. In the meantime, subscribers may play the recently added library of 20 popular SNES games, in addition to the service's NES titles, for their kick of nostalgia.
Tile deepens Google Assistant integration as competition with Apple looms
Tile deepened the integration of its item trackers with Google Assistant, allowing users to ask help in finding their lost things even if their phone is not around. It remains to be seen if more updates are on the way, in preparation for the rumored launch of Apple's own version of the accessory.
Blizzard sues Sina Games for blatant Warcraft rip-off Glorious Saga
Blizzard filed a lawsuit against Sina Games due to Glorious Saga, which blatantly ripped off Warcraft with the usage of characters and other assets from the franchise. Glorious Saga has since been taken down, and while it is still available on the Google Play Store, it no longer launches.
This Nintendo Switch Lite snap-on case with flip cover highlights its perks
Nintendo is offering a snap-on case with flip cover for the Nintendo Switch Lite that protects the console's joysticks and screen without adding bulk. It is being sold in Japan for about $35, but it remains unclear if the accessory will find its way to Nintendo's online store in the United States.
Facebook taps Minecraft as training ground for next stage of A.I.
Facebook researchers have chosen Minecraft as the training environment for the next stage of artificial intelligence. A.I. assistants are currently limited to performing one task well, but the game may help create a generalist A.I. that is capable of carrying out different kinds of activities.
Minecraft Earth beta rolls out for Android with feature not found in iOS version
The Minecraft Earth closed beta is now available for invited Android players, starting in Seattle, London, Tokyo, Stockholm, and Mexico City. To make up for the delayed beta release on Android compared to the iOS version, the Android beta will offer a feature that is currently not available on iOS.