Game News
Analogue 3D Delayed For The Third Time, Now Ships Q4 2025
The Analogue 3D has been delayed for a third time. The modernized Nintendo 64 was expected to ship before the end of August, but now it's slated for Q4 2025. The retro console was initially scheduled to arrive Q1 2025 before being pushed to July and then August. The previous delays were tied to ongoing uncertainty with US tariffs, whereas the latest delay stems from an unexpected production issue.
The manufacturer's statement notes that the new Q4 2025 window was "intentionally set conservatively." Analogue didn't cite the specific issue that caused the delay, but it did note that nearly every aspect of production is complete. "Analogue 3D has been in development for 4 years, obsessively. It’s at 99%. Hardware, system, packaging--the full kit--been set for months. The last 1% is where we’re focused."
Analogue 3D with 8BitDo 64 ControllerContinue Reading at GameSpot
Lego Voyagers Offers Something Other Co-Op Games Often Ignore
I don't know that we've ever seen a year quite like this one when it comes to new co-op experiences. From major-publisher-backed hits like Split Fiction and Grounded 2, to indie darlings like REPO and Peak, there hasn't just been a significant quantity of games meant for co-op play, but they've gone in so many different, yet similarly exciting, directions.
Still, I've been left wanting for one specific reason, and I imagine other parents can relate: It's hard to find games to play with my kids, so I'm glad Lego Voyagers is just around the corner.
Split Fiction, for example, may be regarded as the best co-op game of the year and, more broadly speaking, a possible Game of the Year contender, much like It Takes Two before it. But Hazelight's co-op games aren't meant for smaller, less-experienced hands. Their puzzles and action sequences demand a lot from players, to the extent that I can't play it with my six-year-old, who is a lifelong gamer, but still finds such games a bit too chaotic to handle. And then there are games like REPO, a game about repossessing valuables from locales stalked by monsters, and Peak, where Boy Scouts scale mountains to reach help after a plane crash, but often plummet to their cartoonish deaths. While I'm personally okay with some of the more mature visuals and themes in these games and play them with my older child often, they can still ask too much of my youngest on the controller, and that's if their anxiety-inducing gameplay doesn't undo her.
Continue Reading at GameSpotNew Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Update Lets You Shred Your Custom Maps With Friends
You can now perform sick jumps with friends online on your custom skateparks in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, thanks to a new update. Activision says players can go into private matches to grind around their DIY American wastelands and proving grounds with buddies.
In addition, the full patch notes point to improved loading times and bug fixes for all platforms, whether it's PC, PS5, Switch 2, or Xbox Series X|S. Activision promises that tracking challenges and collectibles should be easier going forward as well in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4. Another aspect touched on with the update is "more consistent grinds and gap triggers" for the game.
Activision also touted that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 has over 10 million hours played (as of August 13) in a press release. That doesn't really give insight into sales data for the title, though the company was happy to say that amount of time would allow for someone to skate the planet 3,500 times. How you cross oceans on a skateboard is left unexplained, however.
Continue Reading at GameSpotTales Of Xillia Remastered Coming This Fall To Modern Consoles
Two years ago, Bandai Namco kicked off the Tales Remastered Project with Tales of Graces f Remastered. Later this year, the project will continue as Tales of Xillia Remastered makes its way to modern consoles. The announcement was accompanied by a reveal trailer that shows off the game's enhanced visuals and quality-of-life improvements.
Originally released in 2011 in Japan and 2013 internationally, Tales of Xillia gives players a chance to explore Rieze Maxia, a world where humans and spirits coexist. There are two primary heroes, Milla Maxwell and Jude Mathis, each with their own stories. However, Milla and Jude's destinies will collide when they uncover a conspiracy surrounding a weapon that can drain the spirits and disrupt the balance of the entire world.
Auto-save, early access to the Grade Shop, and destination icons that appear to guide you toward objectives are a few of the most prominent additions to the game. All of the previously released DLC content--including costumes and bonus items--will be included in this release. Although this is primarily a single-player game, up to four players can join in co-op during battle sequences. Tales of Xillia utilizes the a real-time combat system that lets players unleash powerful combo attacks in conjunction with their allies.
Continue Reading at GameSpotSaw II 4K Steelbook Edition Is Only $24 And Exclusive To Amazon
Saw Limited Edition Steelbooks (4K Blu-ray)
On 4K for the first time: Saw II / Saw III / Saw IV
Preorder at AmazonFans of the gruesome long-running horror series Saw will soon be able to watch Jigsaw's contestants play more of his diabolical games in 4K resolution. The second, third, and fourth Saw films are releasing on 4K Blu-ray for the first time with Amazon-exclusive Steelbook Editions. Saw 2's Limited Edition Steelbook is up for preorder for $24.42 (was $35) at Amazon. At the time of writing, preorders haven't opened for Saw 3's 4K Steelbook or Saw 4's 4K Steelbook, but both should be available soon.
Note: Amazon originally listed October 21 release dates for all three films, but now the timing is a bit unclear. After dropping the price of Saw II's Steelbook, Amazon removed the release date entirely, making it appear as if this edition already launched (with a 4-5 week delivery estimate).
Saw 2 Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Blu-ray) $24.42 (was $35)All three of the new Saw Limited Edition Steelbooks come with 4K Blu-ray, 1080p, and digital copies that can be downloaded or streamed on a wide variety of devices thanks to Movies Anywhere support. The 4K discs have Dolby Vision and HDR10 as well as Dolby Atmos surround sound. This should be the ideal way to watch Saw 2-4 in 2025.
Saw 2's Steelbook Edition features John Kramer on the cover. It comes with heaps of special features, including a few exclusives.
Saw 2 Bonus Features
- Audio commentary with director Darren Lynn Bousman and actors Donnie Wahlberg and Beverley Mitchell
- Audio commentary with Darren Lynn Bousman, production designer David Hackl, and editor Kevin Greutert
- Audio commentary with executive producer James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell
- The Scott Tibbs Documentary
- The Story Behind the Story
- Gregg Hoffman: In Memoriam
- Bits and Pieces: The Props of Saw 2
- Zombie: A Short Student Film by Darren Lynn Bousman
- New Blood: Director Darren Lynn Bousman Looks Back (Exclusive)
- Appreciating Life: Actor Tobin Bell on Saw 2 (Exclusive)
- Establishing Shot with Darren Lynn Bousman (Exclusive)
- Theatrical Trailer (Exclusive)
We're still waiting on preorders to open, but Saw 3's Limited Edition Steelbook releases the same day for $35.
Saw 3's cover art showcases the creepy pig mask worn by a certain character in the early movies. Special features include audio commentaries and an assortment of featurettes, including a few that are exclusive to the new edition.
Saw 3 Bonus Content
- Audio commentary with director Darren Lynn Bousman, writer Leigh Whannell, and executive producers Peter Block and Jason Constantine
- Audio commentary with producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg
- Audio commentary with Darren Lynn Bousman, editor Kevin Greutert, and cinematographer David A. Armstrong
- The Traps of Saw 3
- The Props of Saw 3
- The Writing of Saw 3
- Amanda: The Evolution of a Killer
- Darren's Diary
- Deleted scenes
- Making Your Own Choices: Darren Lynn Bousman Looks Back (Exclusive)
- The Clock is Ticking: Actor Tobin Bell on Saw 3 (Exclusive)
- Theatrical Trailer (Exclusive)
Saw 4's Limited Edition Steelbook might have the best cover of the three, as it features Jigsaw wearing the Billy the Puppet mask. Like the other two, this one releases October 21 for $35, but preorders haven't opened just yet. Once again, special features include multiple audio commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, and a few exclusives.
Saw 4 Bonus Content
- Audio commentary with director Darren Lynn Bousman and actor Lyriq Bent
- Audio commentary with producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg, and executive producers Peter Block and Jason Constantine
- Darren's video diary
- The Traps of Saw 4
- The Props of Saw 4
- Saw 4 Music Video by X Japan
- Bonus deleted scenes
- Game Over: Darren Lynn Bousman Looks Back (Exclusive)
- My Work Will Continue: Tobin Bell on Saw 4 (Exclusive)
- Theatrical Trailer (Exclusive)
Six films in the series now have 4K Blu-ray editions.
See at AmazonIt would've been cool to get a new Steelbook Edition for the first movie, but it's understandable why it's missing. The unrated edition of Saw released on 4K Blu-ray back in 2021, and you can grab a copy of the 2004 horror classic for $15 at Amazon.
Continue Reading at GameSpotPowerWash Simulator 2 Is Coming To Game Pass At Launch
PowerWash Simulator 2 will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, Microsoft has confirmed. The company revealed this in the description of a video for the game's newest trailer, which focuses on mementos that players can place in their home after washing them off.
The first PowerWash Simulator, released in 2022, also came to Xbox Game Pass at launch. The game became an enormous success, so much so that developer FuturLab cited the commercial success as being one of the reasons the sequel won't cost anything more despite adding a range of new features.
Outside of Game Pass, people can buy PowerWash Simulator 2 outright for $25. FuturLab said keeping the price at that level is meant to acknowledge the current cost-of-living climate and how people see PowerWash Simulator as "more than just a game" but also a "wellbeing tool."
Continue Reading at GameSpotDelta Force: Cross-Play And Cross-Progression Explained
Delta Force is a free-to-play tactical FPS that offers explosive 32v32 battles across three unique modes. With so many players in each match, it's perfectly reasonable to expect cross-play support to ensure that you're always able to find enough players to fill out each team. Plus, if you're trying to play with your friends, you'll want to be sure you can all group up together regardless of your platform preferences. So, let's take a look at Delta Force's cross-play situation, as well as break down its cross-progression situation.
Does Delta Force have cross-play?Yes, Delta Force does have cross-play between PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC players. But players on those platforms can not play with anyone on iOS or Android, as the mobile versions are only cross-play with one another.
If you're on console, you can check in Settings > Game to ensure you have cross-play toggled on. If you'd prefer to only play with folks on consoles, you'll want to keep this toggled off. However, if your friends are on PC, this has to be toggled on for you to play with them. The game does not have a cross-play toggle on PC, meaning PC players will always be placed in potentially mixed lobbies.
Continue Reading at GameSpotHere's A Look At Hollow Knight: Silksong Gameplay From Gamescom, Which You Might Recognize
Gamescom had a flurry of announcements during the ONL presentation, but also glimpses of already-announced games, including the long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight, Hollow Knight: Silksong. Taking on the role of Hornet this time around, the princess-protector is on a deadly pilgrimage in an unfamiliar world. At Gamescom, we got to go hands-on with the game, and you can check out the new gameplay in the video below.
As the game was delayed time and time again, fans became increasingly angsty about when it would actually be released. But here we are, and yes, we've played it, but there's a small caveat...which we'll get into.
While it's not the best audio, so you can't appreciate the somber tones of Christopher Larkin's score, you get the idea of how Hornet moves and how her attacks work. As she was in the first Hollow Knight game, Hornet is equipped with her trusty needle, which also features a charged-up attack to do a little bit more damage. The boss fight with Mother was simple enough, and it's great to finally dive back into the world of Hollow Knight again.
Continue Reading at GameSpotSwitch 2 Could Get More Expensive In 2026, Analyst Predicts
In the wake of Sony's announcement that it's raising the price of the PlayStation 5 in the US, analyst Daniel Ahmad has said Nintendo could potentially follow suit and hike the price of the Switch 2 due, in part, to tariffs.
Ahmad said Nintendo explored the possibility of raising prices on the Switch 2 earlier this year, when tariffs for Vietnam, where some of the consoles are produced, were at 10%. The tariff rate for Vietnam is now 20%, and this "definitely" impacts how much money Nintendo makes, Ahmad said.
He further predicted that Nintendo may not be willing to raise the price of the Switch 2 right now, but said the company may reconsider in 2026 after the busy holiday shopping season.
Continue Reading at GameSpotGrab This PS5 Slim Digital Bundle For $400 Before It Sells Out
PS5 Slim Digital Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Bundle
$400 | Valued at $570 starting August 21.
See at PS DirectThe PS5 Slim Digital Black Ops 6 bundle is in stock at PlayStation Direct for $400, but it probably won't be available for much longer. In what seemed like an inevitability, PlayStation announced hardware price increases in the US on PS5 consoles. All three models are increasing by $50 on August 21, which bumps the PS5 Slim Digital from $450 to $500.
Released in May, the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 PS5 Slim Digital bundle already offered terrific value at its $400 promotional price. Based on current prices, the bundle is valued at $520. Even if you don't care about Call of Duty, you're still saving $50 versus buying the console on its own. Based on the new PS5 prices, the savings doubles to $100 just for the console. Black Ops 6 is just the cherry on top here.
PlayStation also released a regular PS5 Slim version of this bundle for $450, but it's no longer in stock at any retailers. Since this is a promotional console bundle, it's unlikely to increase in price alongside the standalone PS5 Slim Digital. But it's also unlikely to be in stock when the price increases go into effect.
Continue Reading at GameSpotTropico 7 Announced At Gamescom, And It'll Arrive At Launch On Game Pass
Kalypso Media has unveiled Tropico 7 at Gamescom for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S--as well as a day-one release on Game Pass. The city-building game is set to arrive in 2026, which would be seven years after the last entry in the series, Tropico 6.
Once again, Tropico 7 will see players taking on the role of El Presidente to oversee an island nation. What's new for this sequel includes a terraforming feature that means you can disappear mountains; a political affiliation system to select your type of dictatorship; and council negotiations with faction leaders. The last element is teased in the game's announcement trailer (seen below), in which El Prez sits with what looks like a military leader and hippie.
There is a new developer for Tropico 7 with Kalypso's in-house Gaming Minds Studio, known for working on the Rail Empire and Port Royale franchises. For Tropico 6, Limbic Entertainment was the team behind the simulation title, but it was acquired by Bandai Namco a few years ago.
Continue Reading at GameSpotSurviving Mars Is Getting A Remaster With New Features, Mod Support On Console, And More
Haemimont Games and Paradox Interactive have announced that they are remastering their sci-fi strategy city builder Surviving Mars. Appropriately titled Surviving Mars: Relaunched, this new version of the game will feature "enhanced graphics," new UI, and even some new content not featured in the original game.
One such addition is a new gameplay feature called Martian Assembly, which adds colony factions into the game. This means that colonists will now have their own agendas and personal demands, with the ability to set up laws and policies--you'll even be able to gain full independence from Earth. Another key aspect of this remastered version of the game is that there will be "expansive" mod support that works across all platforms. These platforms include PC, as well as PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Aside from including the original base game, the remaster will also feature every single bit of DLC. That includes all of the game's major and minor expansions, cosmetics, and radio stations. The game is launching at $40, but players that own the original version of the game will be able to pick it up at a discounted price of $20, as long as you're doing so on the same platform you originally bought it on.
Continue Reading at GameSpotThis Thin Entry-Level MSI Gaming Laptop Is Just $599 at Walmart
MSI Thin 15.6-Inch Gaming Laptop
See at Walmart
If you're looking for an entry-level gaming laptop, Walmart is discounting the MSI Thin 15.6-Inch Gaming Laptop to $599 (was $900). Featuring a GeForce RTX 4050 and 512GB SSD, you'd be hard-pressed to find a laptop as well-equipped as this for under $600. We're not sure how long the discount will stick around, so cash in while you can.
MSI Thin 15.6-Inch Gaming Laptop $599 (was $900)- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 6GB
- CPU: Intel Core i5-13420H
- Screen: 15.6 inches (FHD, 144Hz)
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- SSD: 512 GB
MSI is responsible for many of our favorite gaming laptops, monitors, and other accessories, as the brand typically produces high-quality gear with reasonable price tags. This specific laptop is usually a bit pricey at $900, but now that it's listed for just under $600, it's an easy recommendation for anyone seeking an entry-level laptop for gaming. The RTX 4050 isn't the most powerful GPU on the market, but it'll run less-demanding titles with ease, along with newer releases at low settings.
Beyond its GPU, the laptop features an Intel Core i5-13420H, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB SSD. The whole thing clocks in at just over four pounds, so you should have no problem tossing it in a backpack and lugging it around the office or campus. Internet connections should be smooth thanks to Wi-Fi 6E support, and even though you can customize its appearance with all sorts of RGB lights, the laptop is relatively muted compared to other gaming rigs, thanks to an all-black design and understated MSI logo.
See at WalmartBefore pulling the trigger on the MSI Thin 15.6-Inch Gaming Laptop, take a peek at the Lenovo LOQ 15. Walmart is slashing its price to $880 (was $1,220), and since it boasts a more powerful RTX 4060 GPU and 1TB SSD, it might be worth the extra $80.
Continue Reading at GameSpotDisney Dreamlight Valley - All Retro Roadtrip Star Path Duties And How To Complete Them
Disney Dreamlight Valley is back at it again with an all-new Star Path, this time with a focus on summer vibes and retro aesthetics. You can score a wide variety of unique motifs, clothes, furniture, and more in the exciting Retro Roadtrip Star Path, granting you tons of new ways to decorate your valley (or yourself).
But before you can claim all these cool things, you'll need a limited-time currency that is only earned by completing Star Path duties. Here are all of the Retro Roadtrip Star Path duties and how to complete them.
All Retro Roadtrip Star Path duties and how to complete them- Buy seeds from the Forgotten Lands - Buy seeds from Goofy's Stall in the Forgotten Lands
- Cast around for seafood - Catch any seafood
- Catch fish in gold ripples - Catch legendary fish
- Catch fish somewhere dazzling - Catch fish in Dazzle Beach
- Catch fish somewhere peaceful - Catch fish in the Peaceful Meadow
- Collect some shoreline shellfish - Pick up Clams, Oysters, or Scallops
- Complete Boutique Challenges - Complete challenges at Daisy's Boutique
- Cook a fairly fancy appetizer - Cook a 4-star appetizer
- Cook a fairly fancy dessert - Cook a 5-star dessert
- Cook a fairly fancy dinner - Cook a 3-star entree
- Cook a perfect appetizer - Cook a 5-star appetizer
- Cook a perfect dessert - Cook a 5-star dessert
- Cook any 2-star meal - Cook a 2-star meal
- Craft a potion you can really dig - Craft an Even More Miraculous Shovel Varnish
- Craft any refinement Item - Craft any refinement item, such as Brick, Iron, Gold, Rope, etc
- Dig anywhere in the Valley - Dig holes anywhere
- Dig for pottery material - Dig for Clay
- Dig up a root vegetable with many eyes - Harvest potatoes
- Earn 5,000 Dreamlight - Obtain 5,000 Dreamlight
- Earn 7,500 Dreamlight - Obtain 7,500 Dreamlight
- Feed the sunbird critters their favourite food - Feed sunbirds their favorite flowers
- Fish somewhere forgotten - Catch fish in the Forgotten Lands
- Fish somewhere frosty - Catch fish in the Frosted Heights
- Fish somewhere that's always Sunlit - Catch fish in Sunlit Plateau
- Fish somewhere trustworthy - Catch fish in the Glade of Trust
- Fish somewhere valorous - Catch fish in Forest of Valor
- Gain 10,000 Star Coins - Obtain 10,000 Star Coins
- Get crafty! - Craft any items
- Give the sea turtle critter their favourite food - Feed sea turtles some seaweed
- Go fish! - Catch fish anywhere
- Harvest different fruits - Harvest different types of fruit
- Harvest something white and fluffy - Harvest Cotton
- Mine for blue gems - Mine for any blue gem
- Mine for green gems - Mine for any green gems
- Mine for oval gems - Mine for any oval gems
- Mine for purple gems. Mine for any purple gems
- Mine for red gems - Mine for any red gems
- Mine for something shiny - Mine for any shiny gems
- Mine for square gems - Mine for any square gems
- Mine for white gems - Mine for any white gems
- Mine for yellow gems - Mine for any yellow gems
- Mine precious gems with a Royal Tool - Mine for any shiny gems
- Open up fresh Memories - Fine and pick up Memory Orbs
- Pet your critter companion - Interact with your companion to pet it
- Pick blue flowers - Collect blue flowers
- Pick the fruit that put Snow White to sleep - Harvest Apples
- Practice MINE-fulness - Mine any nodes
- Sell fish - Sell any fish at Goofy's Stall
- Sell fruit - Sell any fruits at Goofy's Stall
- Sell gems - Sell any gems at Goofy's Stall
- Sell seaweed - Sell seaweed at Goofy's Stall
- Spend time with a joyful emotion - Hang out with Joy
- Spend time with a sorrowful emotion - Hang out with Sadness
- Tackle Royal Tasks - Complete Royal Duties
- Take a picture of Scrooge's shop - Take a photo of the outside of Scrooge's shop
- Talk with a joyful emotion - Have a daily discussion with Joy
- Talk with a sorrowful emotion - Have a daily discussion with Sadness
- Uproot Night Thorns - Remove Night Thorns or Splinters of Fate
- Whip up a 1-star meal - Cook a 1-star meal
For more on Disney Dreamlight Valley, check out our comprehensive guides hub.
Continue Reading at GameSpotThe First Descendant Dev Apologizes After TikToks Featured AI Versions Of Content Creators Without Their Permission
Recently, The First Descendant developer Nexon ran a Creative Challenge program on TikTok that allowed users to submit content they have made to be used in ads for the game. However, it was quickly discovered that a number of videos submitted for the challenge, which later appeared on the official First Descendant TikTok account, had been entirely AI generated. These AI videos even included the likenesses of content creators who had no part in making them, and as a result Nexon has put out a statement on Steam apologizing for the situation.
"We would like to sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by the recent issue regarding the TikTok Creative Challenge," the Steam post reads. It goes on to note that TikTok had confirmed with Nexon that the video sharing social media currently has no system to "verify potential copyright infringement, and TikTok is now conducting further investigations to identify any additional cases." The post also said that Nexon is taking the situation "very seriously," further adding that it plans to improve its advertising and marketing processes.
It's worth noting that not only were the content creators used in these AI videos not involved in their creation, they also did not give their permission for their likeness to be used--one creator, DanieltheDemon, noted that he did not consent for his likeness to be used in such a way in a comment on a TikTok by Game Central.
Continue Reading at GameSpotCall Of Duty: Black Ops 7 Devs Are Monitoring Fan Feedback On Its Weird Skins
Multiplayer in Call of Duty games has become colorful over the last few years, as players have been able to dress up as their favorite celebrities and pop-culture icons before dropping into a match. Between WWE performers and I Know What You Did Last Summer's iconic slasher, there have also been original creations mixed in, and this has been met with a mixed reception by the playerbase. With Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on the way, Activision has spoken about how it's listening to fan feedback and how it will "calibrate" what it has to offer when the game launches in November.
"We have thought about this, and I think if you look at us, we're always looking at community feedback," Black Ops 7 associate creative director Miles Leslie said to IGN. "We always try to make sure that we are trying to touch the widest audience. I've had the pleasure of working on Call of Duty now for almost 20 years, and we're constantly looking at ways to push into different audiences and fans, and that's what you saw with that; there are fans that really love it. Obviously, there are fans who those may not be their favorite. We're going to try to calibrate that as we move forward, and we take that feedback seriously."
In comparison, Battlefield 6 will have more "grounded" skins in the game, according to design director Shashank Uchil, who referenced Call of Duty's unusual DLC skins. "I don't think it needs Nicki Minaj. Let's keep it real, keep it grounded," Uchil said. Call of Duty fans have also pointed out how the current state of the game is at odds with how it originally presented itself as a serious action game--complete with real-life quotes from historical figures like Winston Churchill--when compared to its present-day form and abundance of lucrative skins.
Continue Reading at GameSpotPS5 Price Hikes Announced For The US As Trump's Tariffs Continue To Take Their Toll
PS5 Slim Digital Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Bundle
See at PS Direct
Sony is raising PS5 prices in the US, with every system going up by $50. The company said it is continuing to "navigate a challenging economic environment" and will pass the cost on to consumers in the form of higher prices. The new prices go into effect on August 21.
The new prices can be seen below. All three models are still available for the lower prices at Amazon and other retailers until tomorrow. Notably, the PS5 Slim Digital bundle with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is still in stock at PlayStation Direct for $400, so you're saving $100 compared to the new price and getting a free game.
Continue Reading at GameSpotMarvel Rivals Made Me Quit Competitive Gaming
A few weeks ago, after yet another frustrating match of Marvel Rivals caused me to power off my console and loudly deride the game and its players, my boyfriend asked how many hours I had played. The game launched shortly after my segue into the world of freelancing, and I had a lot of spare time on my hands. When my boyfriend, who often plays when I do, told me he had logged 16 hours so far, I conservatively guessed "at least double that."
When I looked at my stats, I nearly threw up. I had spent more than 16 days in the NetEase hero shooter's ranked mode (I don't play anything else) since its December 2024 launch. That's over 400 hours, and for most of that time, I was frustrated, annoyed, or "tilted," as the kids say--desperate to reach an arbitrary goal I had set for myself before I could properly take a break from the game.
Those shocking gameplay numbers, coupled with an unceremonious rank tumble after the Season 3 rank reset a few weeks ago, made me realize something.
Continue Reading at GameSpotAs Anthem Approaches Its Shutdown, Ex-BioWare Boss Reflects On What Could Have Been
Anthem, being a live-service game, could easily have shut down at some point in time even if it had been incredibly successful. That's just the nature of the format: If there's not enough money being made, there's no incentive to keep servers running. The reality that we're currently in is one where Anthem performed incredibly poorly, and as of next year, will be completely unplayable. And in a recent interview, the game's executive producer Mark Darrah said that he "always knew it was going to go away eventually."
"Anthem could have been built in a way where this wouldn't be necessary," Darrah said. As an example of what he means, he pointed to Destiny and how it has "sophisticated bits of technology for host migration," and the fact that it's peer-to-peer--meaning one computer can act as a server for another without the need for a central server. "We didn't know how to do that, and we frankly couldn't afford to do that," Darrah continued. "But we could have done something."
He does also admit that the game likely would have been uglier, had more latency issues, and a worse experience "second-to-second" to get a game that wouldn't need to be sunset down the line. On the other side of things, he also posited how maybe it would be better to have a world where games don't have such high fidelity, but at least they would always be playable.
Continue Reading at GameSpotMicrosoft Won't (Or Can't) Reveal ROG Xbox Ally X Price Yet But Report Says It Could Be $900
Microsoft announced the release date for the ROG Xbox Ally devices today, confirming they will release worldwide on October 16. However, the company has not disclosed the price points, telling fans to sit tight for a bit longer for pricing and preorder dates. Additionally, a report has emerged that claims the price of the most expensive ROG Xbox Ally device could run you $900.
Xbox executive Jason Ronald told IGN that the "macro-economic climate is challenging" when it comes to pricing. This is likely a reference to the ongoing tariff situation, which has led to increases in prices for some products, including gaming items.
Beyond the impact of tariffs and other macro-economic factors, Ronald said it's "always a challenge" to set a product's price and have it strike the "right balance between affordability and price point."
Continue Reading at GameSpot