Game News
Sabrina Carpenter Is Officially Fortnite Festival's Season 8 Icon
Grammy-winning artist Sabrina Carpenter is on her way to Fortnite with skins, music packs, and more. Officially announced in a blog post on the Fortnite website, the artist will headline Fortnite Festival Season 8 as this season's Icon, beginning on April 8.
For those unfamiliar, Festival is sort of like a Rock Band-like game mode that lives within Fortnite and lets up to four players perform together online. Carpenter is the latest of Festival Icons joining Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Metallica.
"I've always found it exciting for fans to be able to interact and engage with music through different art forms and to interact in a way that’s genuinely fun," Carpenter told Rolling Stone in a statement. "So, for the fans that haven't been able to come to the tour, or to any new fans, this is such a special way to still be a part of Short n' Sweet world."
Continue Reading at GameSpotOriginal Switch Games Could Get Performance Boost Without Paid Switch 2 Upgrades
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will receive a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition when the system launches June 5. But the open-world game might feature "certain improvements such as faster load times" even for players who don't pay for the enhanced upgrade. That's because original Switch titles could get performance boosts without spending extra money on Switch 2.
Speaking with GameSpot, Takuhiro Dohta was asked whether it was possible to see a performance boost in Zelda: Breath of the Wild without upgrading to the Switch 2 Edition. "First I'll start with what happens when you play a game without applying the update, which is that, and this will depend heavily on how the original game was created and also how it was designed. But I think you can expect certain improvements such as faster load times, maybe improved frame rate. But again, it'll depend on how that game was built," explained Dohta, who's the Switch 2 director and previously served as technical director on Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (another title with a Switch 2 Edition).
Last week, Nintendo noted that some Switch games will receive free updates for Switch 2, such as Super Mario Odyssey and Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics. It's unknown exactly what will improve for each title, but Clubhouse Games will get GameChat functionality, for instance.
Continue Reading at GameSpotA New Rainbow Six Tactics Game Is Reportedly In Development
A turn-based tactics game set in the Rainbow Six universe is reportedly in the works, and it's possible it could be on the Switch 2.
According to Insider Gaming, the game is still a year or two away from being released on current-generation platforms, including PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2. It reportedly has a top-down camera in the style of Diablo and XCOM, and it has players assume control of Rainbow Six operators.
Its gameplay loop reportedly is similar to Rainbow Six Siege, where players can pick between different operators. By using their skills, players can raid buildings and save hostages. The total playtime for the game is reportedly between about 25-30 hours.
Continue Reading at GameSpotNintendo Explains Why Switch 2 GameChat Frame Rate Looked Like That
Nintendo's full unveiling of the Switch 2 finally answered the mystery of what the new C button was for: a new GameChat function, which will let you easily talk with friends, share your screen in group sessions, or even show your face if you purchase a camera peripheral. But the GameChat shown during the debut stream was less than stellar, with a noticeably choppy framerate. Nintendo told GameSpot in an interview that it intentionally made GameChat the smallest footprint possible, to save system resources for the games themselves.
"In order to explain this well, I think it might first help to explain about the resources the system has," Switch 2 hardware director Takuhiro Dohta said, via a translator. "So obviously, chat is meant to run and work simultaneously and coincide with the game you're playing. But we also think it's critical that it doesn't get in the way of the game that's running right now. And so we wanted to definitely make sure we do was to make sure that running game chat alongside the game doesn't result in the game experience or quality being reduced at all in any way.
"So from a system resource perspective, obviously even the Nintendo Switch had a set of system resources that it needed to tap into to run the system. And now that we have Nintendo Switch 2, there is bigger, more, basically resource budget to use. However, even with that enhanced and larger budget, we try to use as little of that as possible. And they made it happen somehow. And within that small slice of the resource budget, there's other things to take into consideration, like network systems, all that kind of stuff, and all of that taking into account is where we landed in terms of quality of the video that you saw in the footage."
Continue Reading at GameSpotDune Lego Set Gets Rare Discount - Snag The Ornithopter For Its Best Price Yet
Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter
See at Amazon
The Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter is currently down to its lowest price ever, allowing you to pick up the large-scale display model for $131.95 (was $165). Along with a chance to build a large replica of the Atreides Royal Ornithopter, it comes bundled with several minifigures and additional accessories.
If you want some background noise while building, the Dune 2-Film 4K Collection is available for a nice discount. And if you want to learn about Ornithopters from the man who created them, Amazon has a terrific deal on the Dune 3-Book Deluxe Hardcover Box Set.
Continue Reading at GameSpotLego River Steamboat Available Now For Insiders, Includes Free Limited-Time Bonus Sets
If you’re a Lego Insider, the sprawling River Steamboat Set is now available to purchase. For everyone else, it’ll become available on April 10. Thankfully, becoming a Lego Insider is free, so if you’d like to pick up the 4,090-piece set without having to worry about it selling out, you can become a Lego Insider in a matter of minutes. As a bonus, your purchase includes two additional sets: the Easter Egg Chick Painting Fun Set and Amelia Ticket Booth. Both are available until April 13, though the latter is only available to Insiders.
Lego Ideas River Steamboat (4,090 pieces) $330At 4,090 pieces, the River Steamboat is one of the largest Lego sets on the market and is aimed at expert builders. Inspired by classic paddle steamers, the boat features heaps of interactive features and is packed with intricate details. For one, the waterwheel can actually rotate, and there’s a working piston and Watt steam engine buried below the deck. On the ship's exterior, you’ll find an operational wheelhouse that moves the ship’s rudder.
See at Lego Store Lego Ideas River SteamboatGalleryInside the cabin, the build features rooms for the crew, a luxurious dining area, and a variety of other small details. Make sure you have plenty of space in your home to display the completed set, as it stands 16 inches tall, 6 inches wide, and 28 inches deep. The bonus Amelia Ticket Booth (only available until April 13) is much smaller, at just a few inches wide, but its design matches the steamboat's, making it a wonderful companion.
Though it’s not quite as large as the Lego Titanic Set, this River Steamboat is shaping up to be a popular launch. It’s also half the price of the Titanic, so if you want to bring a nautical piece into your home without spending more than $350, this is an excellent choice (especially when bundled with its two bonus sets).
Continue Reading at GameSpotMagic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Cards Leak After Some Were Apparently Sent Overseas Early
Prerelease events have barely completed for Magic: The Gathering's upcoming set Tarkir: Dragonstorm, but the next set--Magic's collaboration with Final Fantasy--has a wave of hype surrounding it. Wizards of the Coast itself seems to be excited too, as images of cards from the upcoming set have surfaced on Reddit after some product was shipped to Brazil earlier than expected.
A Reddit user (username deleted) posted images to the MTGRumors subreddit of cards whic are apparently from the MTG FF Starter Set--which includes two ready-to-play decks and instructions on how to play MTG for new players. Two cards from the Starter Set were revealed previously--Cloud and Sephiroth, who act as the two "face" cards of the two decks--but these new images on Reddit reportedly show the full contents of the starter package.
FF starterkitby inMTGRumors
The cards pictured in the Reddit post contain multiple familiar faces from Final Fantasy history--the Cloud deck includes Freya, Steiner, and Beatrix from Final Fantasy IX, G'raha Tia from FFXIV, and Barret Wallace from FFVII, while the Sephiroth deck features Ultimecia from FFVIII, Xande from FFIII, and Seymour Flux from FFX. A few famous scenes from FF lore also appear in the cards, with one notable example being the infamous "suplex a train" meme from FFVI.
Continue Reading at GameSpotTwo Extremely Popular Minecraft Lego Sets Are Steeply Discounted At Amazon
Lego Minecraft: The Sword Outpost (427 pieces)
See at AmazonOne of the most popular Lego Minecraft sets is back on sale for its Black Friday 2024 price at Amazon. Minecraft: The Sword Outpost, a 427-brick playset that doubles as a cool display piece, is discounted to only $30.49 (was $45). It's one of two limited-time Minecraft Lego deals at Amazon. This set is currently sold out at all other major retailers and the Lego Store.
You can also save $20 on The Deep Dark Battle set, dropping the price from $65 to only $44.49. Deep Dark Battle is a 584-piece set that comes with two minifigures and a big recreation of a warden.
Lego Minecraft: The Sword Outpost (427 pieces) $30.49 (was $45)Minecraft: The Sword Outpost lets you snap together a cool playset featuring a large recreation of the iconic Diamond Sword in its background. The kit includes a few interactive components, such as a lever that collapses part of the playset.
You’ll also find figures for a Sentinel Soldier, Guardian Warrior, allay figures, a pig, and Skeleton and Creeper mobs. It also comes with various accessories, including a juke box and cookie table.
See at AmazonThe Sword Outpost and Deep Dark Battle sets are the best Minecraft Lego deals at Amazon, but you can also save on several other cool playsets:
Continue Reading at GameSpotSwitch 2 Carts Still Taste Bad, Designed Purposefully To Be Spat Out
The Switch 2 includes a number of upgrades and improvements over the original Switch, but one thing has stayed the same. The Switch 2 carts remain coated in material that tastes very bad in an effort to help prevent children or animals from accidentally eating them.
In an interview with GameSpot, Nintendo's Takuhiro Dohta confirmed that the gross-tasting coating returns for Switch 2 carts, adding that the goal was the same: "We don't want anybody to be at risk of any unwanted consumption. We have indeed made it so that if it enters your mouth, you'll spit it out."
Anyone who licks a Switch 2 cartridge won't be harmed apart from having a bad tase left in their mouth, Nintendo said. We licked the original Switch cartridges and found them to taste very gross. We have not (yet) been able to conduct the same very important scientific research for Switch 2 cartridges. Whatever the case, we're going to take Dohta at his word for now. "I do not advise that you do," he said of licking a Switch 2 cartridge.
Continue Reading at GameSpotSwitch 2 Doesn't Have An Official Achievement System
The Switch 2 will not have a system-level achievement system like PlayStation and Xbox consoles do, but individual developers can decide to make them if they want.
During the recent Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, we saw that the Switch 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom feature new achievement systems. Some thought this meant the Switch 2 would broadly support achievements, but Nintendo's Bill Trinen told Polygon, "Nope."
This is how it also worked with the original Switch.
Continue Reading at GameSpotWhy Switch 2 Is More Expensive, According To Nintendo
The Switch 2's price was recently announced, and the $450 price tag was higher than some anticipated. It could grow higher still due to US President Donald Trump's controversial tariffs. Now, Nintendo's Bill Trinen and Doug Bowser have defended and explained the price point.
Trinen told IGN, "Obviously, the cost of everything goes up over time, and I personally would love if the cost of things didn't go up over time." The Switch 2 has "new features and new tech," and this carries a cost, Trinen said.
"We look at what is the experience on Nintendo Switch? What's the experience on Nintendo Switch 2? What are the new features that it offers? And certainly there's the cost of goods and things that factor into that, but we try to find the right appropriate price for a product based on that," he said.
Continue Reading at GameSpotNintendo Defends Mario Kart World's $80 Price Tag
Mario Kart World will justify its $80 price tag once Nintendo unveils everything there is to know about the game, according to Nintendo's Bill Trinen. Speaking to GameSpot, Trinen said Nintendo looks at each game on a case-by-case basis when it comes to pricing, which is why Mario Kart World is $80 and some other Nintendo Switch 2 games might cost less.
"We'll look at varying prices and things like that for software based off of just how robust the experience is," Trinen said, reminding us that there is an upcoming Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct on April 17 that promises to show off more of the game and its features.
Trinen went on to say, "People will get to learn more about that game. And I think that as they start to learn more about that game, they're going to be pretty excited about the content that's offered there."
Continue Reading at GameSpotMario Kart World's Cow Can Eat Burgers And Steak
One of the breakout stars from Mario Kart World is the cow, and now a critical piece of information has come to light about the creature. As it turns out, the cow can eat its own kind in the Switch 2 game--and it seems to enjoy this.
As the new Mario Kart World trailer showed us, Mario can chomp down on a giant three-decker burger to morph into a different version of himself. With the cow being a new racer for Mario Kart World, some wondered if the cow, too, could eat a burger. IGN confirmed that this is possible, but there are still plenty of unanswered questions.
For one, we don't know what the burger is made of. Though burgers are commonly made of beef, it's not the only possibility. A burger is just one of many items that players can obtain at Mario Kart World's Yoshi's diner locations. Some of the others are steak kebabs, pizza, and donuts.
Continue Reading at GameSpotDeath Stranding Movie Reportedly Finds A Director Who Seems Like A Great Fit
The Death Stranding movie has just taken another major step forward, as A Quiet Place: Day One director Michael Sarnoski will reportedly helm the live-action adaptation of the Hideo Kojima-directed game.
According to Deadline, Sarnoski will write and direct the film, which is being co-produced by A24 and Kojima Productions. Sarnoski is currently in post-production on his next film, The Death of Robin Hood, which stars Hugh Jackman as the legendary outlaw. A Quiet Place: Day One received critical acclaim after it was released last year, and Sarnoski's directorial debut in 2015, Pig, was also a big hit with critics.
Kojima himself retweeted news stories about Sarnoski directing the Death Stranding movie, which may or may not mean the news is real.
Continue Reading at GameSpotHow The Devil May Cry Anime's Best Episode Was Made
Devil May Cry's anime adaptation launched on Netflix last week, and between all of the demon-slaying and quips, the standout episode of the first season is a surprisingly whimsical origin story of the characters Mary Arkham--AKA Lady--and the show's primary antagonist, the Rabbit. Featuring two contrasting animation styles, the episode explores the motivations behind these characters, and it does so without any dialogue for the bulk of its runtime.
Speaking with GameSpot, showrunner Adi Shankar said the decision to paint the Demon Realm as a more magical reality was inspired by his childhood in Calcutta, India. "When I was a kid, Time Magazine called it the dirtiest city in the world, just rampant poverty everywhere," Shankar said. "I can't speak to everyone's experience, but that really, deeply, and profoundly affected me as a kid. So I was trying to really just capture this feeling of hopelessness and how you're powerless to do anything about it. In the show, the Human world is more serious. The Demon world is kind of cute."
Shankar explained how poverty had become the norm in India at that point, and while he wasn't born into it, he still wanted to do something to help as a child. Those strong emotions found their way into Devil May Cry, while Shnakar's thoughts on how people are encouraged to share every part of their lives online also had an impact on the production of Devil May Cry's sixth episode.
Continue Reading at GameSpotHow To Beat Mizutsune In Monster Hunter Wilds: Location, Weaknesses, And Drops
Monster Hunter Wilds' Mizutsune battle is one of the game's toughest, thanks to the monster's fast, unpredictable movements and extensive control over the battlefield. Mizutsune moves quickly and uses a mix of ranged and up-close attacks to keep you on the defensive, though with the right armor and weapons, you can give yourself a much better chance of survival.
Our Monster Hunter Wilds Mizutsune guide breaks down Mizutsune's weaknesses and attack patterns, the best gear you should use, and what you'll get for defeating the beast.
Table of Contents [hide]Monster Hunter Wilds: Mizutsune locationMizutsune uses the forest's waterways to get around. Look for chances to use rocks and branches to damage it while it travels.Continue Reading at GameSpot
ESA Says Tariffs Will Have A "Detrimental Impact" On Entire Gaming Industry, Not Just Nintendo
Earlier today, Nintendo made the unprecedented decision to delay prerelease orders for the Switch 2 in the US in order for the company to "assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions." The news follows the Trump Administration announcing its plan to implement steep and controversial tariffs across the globe, with nations such as Japan, Vietnam, China, Canada, Mexico, and the EU facing the worst of these trade penalties. But while Nintendo might be the first company to address the impact these tariffs will have on production, the Entertainment Software Association--the video game industry's trade association that represents most of its major publishers--suspects that this is just the beginning.
In an interview with IGN, ESA spokesperson Aubrey Quinn said that the tariffs being announced the same day as the Switch 2's pricing reveal was "just unfortunate coincidental timing," and that Americans "aren't taking it seriously" if we think think it's just the Switch 2 that will impacted by tariffs.
"It's been interesting with media coverage around video games and tariffs because just unfortunate coincidental timing that the Switch [2 reveal] was the same day as President Trump's announcement. There are so many devices we play video games on. There are other consoles, but as I was saying, VR headsets, our smartphones, people who love PC games, if we think it's just the Switch, then we aren't taking it seriously. This is going to have an impact," Quinn said.
Continue Reading at GameSpotShin Megami Tensei Tabletop RPG Finally Restocked At Amazon With A Discount
Shin Megami Tensei - The Roleplaying Game: Tokyo Conception is finally available to purchase again at Amazon for a 10% discount after being sold out for months. The English translation of the SMT tabletop RPG has suffered multiple delays due to supply chain issues, though Amazon's listing now notes that the book released on April 1. It was previously scheduled to launch in September 2024 before quietly being delayed indefinitely.
Get deal at AmazonShin Megami Tensei - The Roleplaying Game: Tokyo Conception $45 (was $50)
At the moment, Amazon is "temporarily out of stock," but you can still place an order for $45 (was $50). Walmart sold out at the $50 price point and remains out of stock as of April 4.
The tabletop RPG originally released in Japan in 1993 and has seen numerous editions and revisions in the years since, but this marks the first English localization. As mentioned, the 320-page Shin Megami Tensei RPG rulebook has already sold out multiple times since it first popped up on Amazon. We don't expect this to remain available to purchase for long.
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LG Launches Three New Premium Curved Gaming Monitors With 240Hz Refresh Rates
LG has expanded its UltraGear lineup with three premium GX9 OLED smart monitors. These all share the same high-end specs--including a vibrant 3440 x 1440 resolution, 0.03ms response time, a 240Hz refresh rate, and come bundled with webOS, which can access all your favorite streaming platforms. That should make them a versatile entertainment hub, as they are well-equipped for both high-end gaming and a relaxing movie night. There are 34-inch, 39-inch, and 45-inch models, and each are available now.
LG UltraGear Smart Gaming Monitors Starting at $1,400This smart OLED monitor is available in three sizes--45 inches, 39 inches, and 34 inches. Thankfully, you won't be sacrificing any features if you opt for a smaller display, as all three get you the exact same specs. Along with the 3440 x 1440 resolution and 240Hz refresh rate, the display boasts an 800R curve that should result in a better viewing experience. You'll also get an excellent 0.03ms response time that's great for gaming.
- UltraGear 45-Inch OLED Curved Monitor (45GX90SA) -- $1,700
- UltraGear 39-Inch OLED Curved Monitor (39GX90SA) -- 1,600
- UltraGear 34-Inch OLED Curved Monitor (34GX90SA) -- $1,400
Other notable features include support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, and each runs on webOS 24, which lets you access a variety of streaming services, 350 free channels on the LG Channels app, and cloud gaming platforms like GeForce Now and Amazon Luna. The monitors also feature a sleek "virtually borderless design" that maximizes screen space, and can be moved via tilt, height, and swivel adjustment points. They also include hexagonal RGB backlighting for extra flair.
While these newly released smart monitors look impressive, they're also quite expensive. If you want something more affordable, here's a look at some other great gaming monitors currently on sale. In fact, two LG UltraGear models are on sale right now--including a compact 27-inch OLED monitor and an affordable 34-inch curved monitor.
Continue Reading at GameSpotTikTok Has Another 75 Days To Find A Buyer, Trump Says; Walmart Considering A Bid
TikTok's fate in the US will not be decided just yet. US President Donald Trump said today that he will sign an executive order that will keep the social media site running in the US for another 75 days. This is coming about amid reports of Amazon and Walmart reportedly gearing up to make bids to buy the company.
In January 2025, the US Supreme Court upheld TikTok's ban, and the platform briefly went dark. At the time, Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to find a US buyer until April 4, and now he's extended this again for another 75 days, ending June 18.
Today, Trump said he wants to "save TikTok" and that there has been "tremendous progress" thus far in the process of trying to find a buyer. However, he said a deal needs more time to come together, so he's signing a new executive order that will keep TikTok online in the US for at least another 75 days.
Continue Reading at GameSpot