Switch-exclusive ‘Namco Museum Arcade PAC’ is the ultimate retro collection
Bandai Namco has announced the Nintendo Switch-exclusive Namco Museum Arcade Pac, bundling together classic arcade titles with Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus. The collection releases this September, though you can buy the individual titles included in the bundle right now on the Nintendo eShop.
Early ‘Battlefield V’ closed alpha gameplay is simply breathtaking
A new video has been released showing off closed alpha footage for Battlefield V, including a look at the building system that allows players to reinforce areas of the map. The full game is out in October, and players can get early access with an EA Access or Origin Access subscription, or by buying the deluxe edition.
International Olympic Committee will host a forum to discuss adding esports
The International Olympic Committee and the Global Association of International Sports Federations will hold a forum in July to discuss potentially including esports in the Olympics. The IOC has previously said any included games would have to be non-violent, leaving out competitive fighters or shooters like Overwatch.
The next ‘Overwatch’ hero is a hamster in a gun-blazing robot
The Overwatch community had previously assumed that the next hero to release for the game would be a small ape named Hammond, but we were very wrong. Instead, it's a tiny hamster in a robot, but his machine is packed with enough firepower to take on any bigger heroes that try to hurt him.
‘Tempest 4000’ reboots Atari’s classic shooter franchise this July
Atari's Tempest 4000, a reboot of the classic retro shooter series, will come to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this July. The game is being produced by Tempest 2000 developer Jeff Minter, whose company Llamasoft was also responsible for the Tempest-like arcade shooter TxK for PlayStation Vita.
Bethesda knows where ‘The Elder Scrolls 6’ will take place, but it’s a secret
Bethesda Game Studios and director Todd Howard have nailed down the location for the upcoming role-playing game The Elder Scrolls VI, but the studio won't say where we'll be heading yet. The title is still several years away, with Fallout 76 and the new IP Starfield releasing beforehand.
C.A.M.P. trailer for ‘Fallout 76’ will make you want to call the apocalypse home
Bethesda released a new gameplay video for Fallout 76, and this one shows off the mobile building system known as CAMP. Using the system, you can create an oasis nearly anywhere in the wasteland, but you will have to be ready to defend it against mutants and scavengers who come looking for trouble.
Sony working on ‘solution’ to PlayStation 4 crossplay fiasco
Thus far, Sony has not enabled crossplay between the PlayStation 4 and either the Switch or Xbox One, but it appears that could change in the future. The issue was made more prominent during E3, when Fortnite players discovered their accounts couldn't be used if they had been associated with a PS4 already.
You’ll be able to run your own nightclub in ‘Grand Theft Auto Online’
This July, Rockstar Games is giving Grand Theft Auto Online players the ability to run their own nightclubs. Players will be able to start from the ground-up, staffing their clubs and promoting them across Los Santos, and they'll be joined by musicians like Tale of Us, Dixon, The Black Madonna, and Solomun.
Blizzard seeks patent for ‘play of the game’ system in ‘Overwatch’
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a patent application for the technology used in Overwatch's Play of the Game system, which shows the top play from a multiplayer match at its conclusion. The application was filed in December 2016 and was made public on the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office earlier this month.
New addiction center in London to focus on gaming disorder
The United Kingdom's National Health Service will soon open a new addiction center in London focused on internet addiction as well as gaming disorder. Gaming disorder was recently classified by the World Health Organization as a mental condition, though criteria for diagnosis are extensive.
Stop killing in ‘Fortnite’ and explore nature with new Playground mode
An upcoming content update for Epic Games' Fortnite will introduce the new Playground mode. Four players are sent to the battle royale map where they are free to explore and create, making it the perfect choice for new players looking to experiment with the game's many systems. It is only available for a limited time.
Prepare to cry again when ‘Life is Strange 2’ arrives in September
Developer Dontnod Entertainment will release the first episode of Life is Strange 2 this September. More information on the game will be revealed in August, and it will be a five-part series. The free The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, which serves as a sort of prelude to the game, is available for free June 25.
‘PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’ responds to player backlash with new freebies
The developers of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds recently launched the game's paid "Event Pass," and after receiving criticism from fans for ignoring those unwilling to pay more money, more free items have been added. On PC and Xbox One, the game typically costs $30, and a free version is on iOS and Android.
Bethesda reportedly sues Warner Bros. over ‘Westworld’ mobile game
Game publisher Bethesda has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the recent Westworld mobile game, claiming code, art, and design had been lifted from its own Fallout Shelter game. Developer Behaviour Interactive worked on both projects, developing Fallout Shelter alongside Bethesda Game Studios.
Yes, ‘Gears 5’ is the full title of The Coalition’s latest shooter
Gears of War will drop the "of War" from its title for Gears 5, which The Coalition studio head Rod Fergusson has confirmed is the game's full title. Microsoft previously announced Gears of War 4 as "Gears 4" but ended up reverting back to the standard title before the game launched in 2016.
‘Dangerous Driving’ from ex-Criterion developers sure sounds like ‘Burnout’
Three Fields Entertainment, a developer founded by ex-Criterion staffers, has announced the Burnout-like racer Dangerous Driving. The game brings back arcade-style crashed to closed-circuit racing. Also coming in the crash-heavy Danger Zone 2, which will release this July on consoles and PC.
Don’t expect to ever see virtual reality on the Xbox One
Xbox One fans may have been hoping to play virtual reality games on the console in the future, but Microsoft currently has no plans to bring any sort of VR or AR technology to its console. The PlayStation 4's PSVR remains the only virtual reality device compatible with home consoles this generation.
Sony’s new PlayStation Hits line gives you acclaimed games for $20 each
Sony has announced PlayStation Hits, a discount program that offers acclaimed games like Doom and The Last of Us Remastered for $20. The program kicks off later this month in the United States and Canada, though the latter country will not have $20 price tags on all of the included games.
Nintendo isn’t abandoning the 3DS, despite its absence at E3
Nintendo chose to ignore its 3DS system during the company's E3 2018 presentation, but that doesn't mean the handheld is dead and buried just yet. More games are planned for it in the future, and it appears Nintendo will continue to support it alongside the newer Switch, which launched in 2017.
Former Sony exec: Money is likely holding back ‘Fortnite’ crossplay
The former president of Sony Online Entertainment has said that Sony's stance against cross-platform Fortnite play on the PlayStation 4 is likely down to only money. Currently, PS4 players cannot play with Xbox One or Nintendo Switch players, though they can play with PC and mobile users.
Mysterious skull logo has ‘Fortnite’ players bracing for missile launch
Mysterious skull logos have begun appearing on television sets in Epic Games' Fortnite, and a countdown timer suggests a major event will kick off on Tuesday, June 19, possibly involving a missile. Data miners appeared to discover a new event that will let players launch a missile themselves.
Playable beta for ‘Beyond Good & Evil 2’ won’t be ready for quite some time
Beyond Good & Evil 2 creative director Michel Ancel has revealed that his team doesn't expect a playable beta of the game to launch before the end of 2019. This likely pushes a full release into 2020, which seems appropriate given the scope of the project. Ancel is also currently developing the independent game Wild.
Disney Channel’s Nintendo Switch Family Showdown tests your gaming skills
This summer Disney Channel will host the Nintendo Switch Family Showdown, a competition to find a skilled family of Nintendo fans. Games in the competition include Mario Tennis Aces and Super Mario Odyssey, and you must submit a minute-long video professing your love of Nintendo to be eligible.
After nearly two years, ‘Pokémon Go’ finally adds a trading feature
Nearly two years after its initial launch on mobile devices, Niantic's Pokémon Go has finally given players the ability to trade monsters with their friends. The feature comes alongside a new "friends" system, which also gives players the ability to send presents to their friends, and to secure bonuses.