A Major Free Update Just Made This Game From 2021 A 2023 GOTY Contender

No one would've guessed Hitman would go the way of the roguelite 24 months after its World of Assassination finale debuted, but an even bigger surprise is just how great the free update actually is. While roguelite fans are probably willing to give a new entry to the genre a try, I worry that, for others, the word "roguelite" may be enough to stop reading and shrug off the new Freelancer mode. But this would be a mistake, because Freelancer Mode pushes Hitman to new heights. We loved Hitman 3 so much that we named it one of the best games of 2021. Since then, we've continued to enjoy a long run of post-launch updates. In a surprising twist, the most recent addition has reimagined an already exceptional trilogy, making it a game of the year contender again. In Freelancer, Agent 47's mission is to eliminate members of The Syndicate, a shadowy cabal whose function in the story is simply to give the bald assassin a renewed excuse to globetrot and hunt down the world's most wicked billionaires. The story-light mode consists of 18 missions in a single successful campaign, including four showdowns with bosses along the way. Fail any two missions, or one boss mission, and it's back to the start. Each chunk of locations is pre-selected by you in groups of three, four, or five as you progress, so you'll want to lean into the levels you know well. For me, that's places like Paris, Sapienza, and Dartmoor, and less so stuff like Haven Island, New York, or the newest map, Ambrose Island. You can't handpick every level; instead, you select from established sets of levels. The tactical advantage comes in finding a group that has more of your favorites than not. This familiarity is key because so much else in Freelancer depends on variables that are beyond your control.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sjdncr

The Word "Zombie" Was Not Allowed On Set Of The Last Of Us, Apparently

According to a cinematographer working on HBO's The Last of Us, the word "zombie" was banned from the set of the TV series. Eben Bolter, who is responsible in part for the show's absolutely stunning visual imagery, said in an interview that the word "zombie" was banned on set because The Last of Us universe doesn't have zombies--the humanoid enemies are instead known as Infected. "It's not a cliché zombie movie, it's not Hollywood backlit where everyone's close-up is perfect. It's a world of organic cinematic naturalism, and that's something I could just feel," Bolter told The Credits. "We weren't allowed to say the 'Z word' on set. It was like a banned word. They were the Infected. We weren't a zombie show." The "Infected" in The Last of Us are humans who have been infected by a Cordyceps fungal disease. The fungus infects the brain of its host and gives them traits and characteristics associated with the traditional "zombie."Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjdXwt

SpongeBob And Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Are Getting Official Roblox Experiences

Nickelodeon and Paramount are bringing SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Roblox in two new standalone experiences, which will be developed by Gamefam. "We are creating immersive new experiences on Roblox to let the millions of SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans inside these worlds play and explore alongside the iconic characters they know and love," said Paramount Senior Vice President Doug Rosen. Both franchises already have a presence on Roblox--SpongeBob is included as part of Nickelodeon's Nickverse game, while TMNT has a game called Turtle Trouble that launched in 2007. The new games should be a big update on the older instalments, with developer Gamefam having lots of experience creating branded content for Roblox.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sjd5dC

Game Freak Wants To Make More Games Besides Pokemon

Game Freak is going to continue making games outside of Pokemon, according to new developer statements. In an interview with Axios, Pocket Card Jockey director Masao Taya stated that the team believes "it is very important for the studio to continue making and releasing titles outside of the Pokémon series.” While the studio's output has been very Pokemon-focused since Red and Blue's release, Game Freak has also released a fair amount of games outside of that. In recent years, Game Freak has developed Little Town Hero and Giga Wrecker. Most recently, Game Freak put out the Apple Arcade exclusive remake of Pocket Card Jokey, subtitled Ride On! This version added 3D races, updated visuals more generally, and changed some of the rule set. Taya directed both versions. The complexity of putting out Pokemon titles almost every year has made it difficult to make games without external support. In the interview, Taya said, “In recent years, the resources needed for game development have grown and grown, so Development Department One has been trying out a style of development where it works with external studios.” On Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On, Game Freak worked with Infiniteloop Co. and Pixyda.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjcxcK

Fortnite Heat Level Explained

If you're diving into Fortnite during the Most Wanted event, you'll have quite a lot of cool stuff to figure out and find. From fresh cosmetics to unlock to brand-new exotic guns to find alongside some unvaulted favorites, you're probably already feeling like it's a lot to take in, but now you've noticed the new Heat Level in every match. If you're wondering how it all works, we've got you covered below. How Heat Level works in Fortnite During the Most Wanted event, you'll have a Heat Level in every match, which you'll be able to see as flame icons in your HUD. This level will increase each time you eliminate another player, open a vault, or answer one of the burner payphones in Cold Blooded-controlled areas of the map--and that can be both a good and bad thing. On the plus side, you'll gain some neat boons at each level, but they'll come at the cost of you becoming more visible to opponents and showing up on the minimap.Answer burner pay phones and pay gold bars to increase your heat level. * Heat Level 1 - Eliminated opponents drop additional bars. * Heat Level 2 - Increases your movement speed by 15%, and you’ll regenerate up to 100 health out of combat. * Heat Level 3 - Increases your movement speed by 20%, and you’ll regenerate up to 100 health and 50 shields out of combat. * Heat Level 4 - Increases your movement speed by 25%, and you’ll regenerate up to 100 health and 100 shields out of combat. As you can see, you'll be playing a game of risk and reward when taking out your enemies or opening Cold Blooded Vaults, but it's our opinion that it's typically worth it. That extra movement speed and constant regeneration outside of combat significantly offset the fact that you'll have a target on your back (figuratively speaking). So get out there and mow down your enemies and become, well, the most wanted.
http://dlvr.it/SjbkPf

Get A Free $30 Gift Card When Joining Costco

If you’re lucky enough to live near a Costco, you have an easy way to save on not just groceries, but also video games, electronics, and other household products. The bulk retailer frequently holds members-only discounts--and back when PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles were scarce, Costco was one of the best places to look. You need to be a member to shop most of the sales, but a new promotion is giving away $30 gift cards when signing up for a Gold Membership, making this a great time to join. Sign Up For Costco Gold This Costco promotion comes with a few caveats. You’ll want to read the lengthy fine print, but the main takeaway is that only new members are eligible for the free gift card. But if you’ve never been part of the Costco family, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better time to join. An annual Gold Membership typically costs $60, but with a free $30 digital gift card, this essentially cuts that to just $30.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjbQcx

Netflix Is Pulling All Of Arrested Development, Including Seasons It Produced

As of March 15, fans will no longer be able to stream any episodes of Arrested Development on Netflix, despite the streaming service producing the last two seasons of the hit comedy, Variety reports. Arrested Development originally aired on Fox for three seasons before it was cancelled in 2006. Netflix was behind the series' revival when it licensed a new season in 2011, which aired on the service in 2013. A fifth and final season aired exclusively on Netflix in 2018 and 2019. Netflix also acquired non-exclusive streaming rights to Fox's first three seasons, meaning Netflix has thus far been the only place fans can binge the entire show at once. The first three seasons are also available to stream on Hulu, which is owned by Disney.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjZsL3

Overwatch 2's Valentine's Day Event, Loverwatch Dating Sim Are Now Live

Overwatch 2 is going all-in on Valentine's this year, with a new game mode, a Cupid Hanzo skin, new challenges, and a standalone dating sim called Loverwatch, where players will be able to romance Mercy or Genji. The new V-Day game mode is called Love of Geometry, and will pit two teams of four against each other, with every player as Hanzo in his Cupid skin. As if that wasn't chaotic enough, the Love of Geometry event will temporarily replace Hanzo's Storm Arrow with Scatter Arrow, a special arrow that can split and bounce off walls to deal widespread damage. The controversial ability was patched out of Hanzo's kit back in 2018, deemed too frustrating to players who found themselves in Scatter Arrow's erratic firing line. Blizzard has also teased a surprise for players who use Hanzo's Dragonstrike in Love of Geometry. Loverwatch, Blizzard's official-but-not-canon dating sim is also live for a limited time to celebrate Valentine's day. The standalone browser game is surprisingly good, letting players romance either Mercy or Genji, with options to unlock rewards in the main game as well. Loverwatch even hints that Blizzard may have plans for a more in-depth Overwatch dating sim some time in the future.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjZcfC

Mario And Luigi Promote Their Family-Owned Business In New Commercial For Movie

A new ad for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie dropped, and it's a super-throwback commercial for Mario and Luigi's side-hustle, their plumbing business. The Super Mario Bros. Movie will hit theaters on April 7. Complete with a slightly worn VHS effect, the commercial features lyrics from the '90s Super Mario Brothers Super Show's "Plumber Rap," and points to a website for the family-owned business. "Thank you Super Mario Bros., it seems like the only thing you haven't drained is my bank account," one satisfied and slightly confused customer says in the ad. Check it out below. The animated film is produced by Illumination, the company behind the Despicable Me and Minions franchises, and is directed by animation veterans Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. The screenplay was written by The Lego Movie 2's Matthew Fogel. In addition to Pratt as Mario, the Super Mario Bros. Movie features Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Seth Rogen as DK. Check out GameSpot's breakdown of everything you need to know about the Mario movie.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjXyFh

How They Filmed The Bloater Scene In The Last Of Us Episode 5- SPOILERS

In the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us, there are different kinds of Infected ranging from the fast and hungry Runners to the blind and even nastier Clickers that hunt their prey using a variation of echolocation. The top-tier of evolution for the Infected are called Bloaters. We saw a teaser of them in a marquette statue in a behind-the-scenes feature a few episodes back, but with the recent episode, we got our full glimpse of those fungal behemoths. Created by four-time Emmy-winner prosthetics designer Barrie Gower, who did the prosthetics for HBO's Chernobyl mini-series as well as the monsters from Stranger Things and HBO's Game of Thrones. The specialized Bloater suit weighed about 88 pounds and was donned by the 6'6" British stuntperson, Adam Basil. Basil has provided stuntwork for some of the biggest names including Tom Hardy in Venom 2 and the Beast for Disney's Beauty and the Beast remake in 2017. "The suit would be very soft, but very slimy and wet," Gower explained to Variety. "We covered him in this gel-like solution, which gave him a gloss to all the fungus. We had lots of little spines and spiky hairs punched into his body, like little growths burrowing out...it was like a texture that we were building up, so we were constantly going in and slathering them in this gloss, just so the shapes would pick up in the silhouettes. We were repeatedly going in and gelling him up more, covering him in this lube, so he was nice and shiny."Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjXc78

The Last Of Us Episode 6 Trailer Sees Brothers Reuniting

Joel and Ellie appear to cover a lot of ground between the fifth and sixth episodes of The Last of Us. The newest trailer for the HBO series shows the pair rolling into a snow-covered Jackson, Wyoming, settlement, which sits over 1,000 miles west of Kansas City. Warning: Spoilers ahead. The teaser begins with Ellie revealing to Joel that she tried to save Sam's life by using her blood on his infection spot. But as is obvious now, he replies that the cure is going to be more complicated than a simple transfusion. This exchange also highlights the grief Ellie feels after losing another person close to them. Afterward, the video cuts to the duo on horseback, riding into the Wyoming settlement, where Joel seemingly finds his brother quickly. The happy reunion doesn't last, though, as Tommy shows remorse for the murders they committed in the past.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjWz0V

Hogwarts Legacy - All Moth Mirror Puzzle Locations Guide

There are countless secrets for you to discover in Hogwarts Legacy. One particular type, known as Moth Mirrors, will show a glimpse of an area, and you'll need to find a flying magical insect that you could bring back. Here's our Hogwarts Legacy guide to help you find all Moth Mirrors in the game.Table of Contents [hide] * Moth Mirrors and Like a Moth to a Frame Moth Mirrors and Like a Moth to a Frame Unlike most other puzzles or collectibles in Hogwarts Legacy, you don't need to complete a quest just to start looking for Moth Mirrors. However, there's one sidequest called Moth to a Frame that serves as an introduction to the puzzle mechanics. You'll learn here how these puzzles are solved, as opposed to just stumbling upon them while exploring. Basically, there's a student named Lenora Everleigh who's standing in front of a Moth Mirror in the Library Annex: Central Hall area. Talk to her and track Like a Moth to a Frame. To solve Hogwarts Legacy Moth Mirror puzzles, you simply need to do the following:Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjWjyp

Hogwarts Legacy - How To Catch Shiny Beasts

The Vivarium in Hogwarts Legacy functions as a sanctuary for your animals. While you can tame a lot of creatures, most of them will be of the regular variant, with perhaps a slight change in color. However, there are rarer varieties that you can discover. Here's our Hogwarts Legacy guide to help you catch rare Shiny Beasts for your Vivarium. How to make Shiny Beasts spawn The trick to getting a Shiny Beast in Hogwarts Legacy is making them spawn in the first place. This is completely random, and it can be quite a hassle. As such, your best bet is to do the following: * Find a type of Beast that you want to capture and go to its den. Normally, you won't see a Shiny at all. * Even if a Shiny isn't there, go ahead and catch a few of them. For instance, Puffskein and Mooncalf dens tend to have four or more animals lounging around. * After getting a few or even all of them, open your map and press the button prompt to change the day-night cycle (i.e., "F" key for PC players). * Then, save your game manually. * Click on Restart From Last Save. The day-night cycle, plus save-reload trick is a way to force the game to repopulate an area with creatures if any are missing. As such, the animals that you caught earlier have a chance to respawn as Shiny Beasts.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjV0gS

Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 Super Bowl Trailer Prepares The Team For One Last Ride

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is teasing "one last ride" in its Super Bbowl trailer, as the team prepares for one final mission together in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Once again directed by James Gunn, the new co-CEO of DC Studios, the crew of the Milano sets out to save Rocket's life, face off against the High Evolutionary, and take on their most dangerous mission yet. "In Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn't long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket's turbulent past," The official film synopsis reads. "Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket's life--a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them." With Gunn moving over to the Distinguished Competition, teasers for the final Guardians film have been heavily hinting at one of the misfits meeting their end. Dave Bautista has already confirmed that this will be his final turn as Drax the Destroyer, although he has no problem with the role being passed on to a different actor.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjTfLF

The Flash Big Game Trailer Brings A Familiar Batman, Supergirl, And General Zod To The DC Universe

The Superbowl trailer for The Flash has arrived, delivering the best look yet at Michael Keaton's returning dark knight, Kara Zor-El, and the surprising return of Man of Steel's General Zod. Caught between broken timelines is not one but two Barry Allens, as the original scarlet speedster's time travel shenanigans has managed to create a world without metahumans around to protect the Earth from Kryptonian invaders. "Worlds collide in 'The Flash' when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past," the official synopsis reads. "But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no superheroes to turn to. That is unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian... albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?" One of the big elements that The Flash borrows from the Flashpoint mini-series is the idea that Superman did make it to Earth, but was quickly scooped up by the US government and imprisoned inside of a cell that was designed to dampen his powers entirely. Instead of Superman though--or Henry Cavill--it's Supergirl AKA Kara Zor-El who has been imprisoned inside of a sunless cell. Michael Keaton's Batman is also sporting a newer--and nicer-- outfit in this film alongside a more acrobatic fighting ability, but he's still cursed with a costume that has his neck locked firmly in place.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjT2jr

Overwatch 2's Next One-Punch Man Skin Is Mumen Rider

Blizzard Entertainment has announced that another Overwatch 2 legendary skin inspired by the anime One-Punch Man will be obtainable in season three. With the recent release of season three, the developer revealed its very first IP collaboration with One-Punch Man, a campaign that will run from March 7 to April 6 and will feature "a collection of cosmetics from the beloved anime." A Doomfist skin inspired by the anime's protagonist, Saitama, has already been revealed, but players will also be able to get their hands on a Mumen Rider skin for Soldier: 76 next month. Season 3 has earnable rewards for everyone 🎉 📈 Get 5 free Battle Pass tiers by logging in before Feb 14 💰 Earn 1500 OW Credits in the free Battle Pass track 🔓 Unlock OW1 Skins, now available in the Hero Gallery & so much more! 🚴 pic.twitter.com/a4PKETiLXy — Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 10, 2023 In a recent tweet, Blizzard shared new details about the upcoming event and showed the first look at Mumen Rider, an earnable legendary skin for the DPS hero. Additional earnable rewards will be available to players during this time, for example, if players log in to the game between now and February 14, they'll receive 5 free battle pass tiers, 1500 credits will be available in the free battle pass track, and more rewards will be given to those who accomplish in-game challenges. The PachiMarchi event is also expected to start on March 21.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjSnHC

Hogwarts Legacy - How To Get A Graphorn Mount And Pet

There are many Fantastic Beasts that you can encounter in Hogwarts Legacy. Most of the time, they'll simply run away and when you attempt to catch them. One creature, however, is far deadlier. Here's our Hogwarts Legacy Graphorn guide to help you get this animal as a mount, as well as capture additional ones if need be. The Graphorn mount in San Bakar's Trial To be clear, the Graphorn is currently the only ground mount in Hogwarts Legacy. It won't become available until you complete San Bakar's Trial, which is one of the last few quests in the game. As such, you'll just need to progress further in the campaign until it becomes available. Once you do start it, you'll go to Cragcroft Shore, which is in the southern half of the world map. Use Incendio or Confringo on the vines to reveal a Graphorn carving. From there, you're tasked with capturing a Graphorn. Its den is located in Clagmar Coast, at the southeastern tip of the map. You can use your broom or flying mount to reach the location faster.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjR3mP

How To Catch A Phoenix In Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy allows you to capture and tame several magical creatures, eventually releasing them into your Vivarium. It's an animal sanctuary that's part of the Room of Requirement. Still, there's one creature of legend that's fairly elusive, though you do have a chance to acquire it. Here's our Hogwarts Legacy guide to help you tame your own Phoenix pet. Phoenix Rising quest To catch a Phoenix pet in Hogwarts Legacy, you'll need to complete the Phoenix Rising quest. However, it won't be available until much later in the campaign. Here are some requirements: * Finish the Niamh Fitzgerald's Trial main quest. * Complete all of Deek the house elf's sidequests, such as Plight of the House Elf and Foal of the Dead (which unlocks the Beast breeding mechanic). Shortly thereafter, you're told that Deek needs your help once more. With the Phoenix Rising quest tracked, you'll want to head to the southern portion of the world map in a region called Poidsear Coast.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjQkV8

The Last Of Us' Lamar Johnson Talks Fighting Infected And Gut-Wrenching Scenes

Another The Last of Us episode has debuted and, as such, more heartbreak has played out on our televisions. Seemingly each week, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) find themselves in the middle of a devastating situation and the fifth installment of the HBO series’ first season was no different--especially after introducing game characters Henry (Lamar Johnson) and Sam (Keivonn Montreal Woodard) into the mix. Warning: The following contains spoilers for Episode 5 of HBO's The Last of Us. If you haven't watched it yet, head over to HBO Max now to catch up. Henry and Sam were first introduced at the end of Episode 4, holding Joel and Ellie at gunpoint. In Episode 5, though, the four team up to escape Kansas City together, bringing down the wrath of Kathleen (Melanie Lynskey) and her army of revolutionaries that control the city.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjQ6db

Bungie Raises $200,000 In 24 Hours For Earthquake Relief In Turkey And Syria

Destiny developer Bungie has raised more than $200,000 in just 24 hours for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria as the devastating natural disaster's death toll passes 20,000. Bungie is raising funds through its Bungie Foundation charity. The developer said on Twitter, "The Bungie community is truly world class and have the biggest hearts! Thank you all for the generosity and support!" The @Bungie community is truly world class and have the biggest hearts! Over $200,000 have been raised for the earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria! In just 24 hours! Thank you all for the generosity and support! https://t.co/GyM0mjajbP — Bungie Foundation (@BungieLove) February 10, 2023 People can donate whatever they want, but donations of $25 or more come with the Compassion Concentric emblem that was designed exclusively for humanitarian aid efforts. Visit the Bungie Foundation earthquake donation page to learn more.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjPs6C

Hogwarts Legacy - House Chest And All Daedalian Keys Guide

There are 16 Daedalian Keys in Hogwarts Legacy, and they're scattered all over the castle. By finding them, you'll acquire tokens used to open a special chest, one that has an amazing cosmetic reward. Here's our Hogwarts Legacy guide to help you unlock the House Chest by collecting all Daedalian Keys. Starting The Daedalian Keys sidequest To start The Daedalian Keys sidequest in Hogwarts Legacy, you'll need to talk to a student named Nelli Oggspire. She's standing behind the tree in the Transfiguration Courtyard area. Agree to help her and track the sidequest. Astronomy Tower and Daedalian Cabinets Follow the markers until you arrive at the destination. The key will zip straight to a nearby classroom, whereupon you'll notice a curious-looking cabinet. Interact with it to start a minigame.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjN9Zb

Watch The Dungeons And Dragons Super Bowl Commercial Now

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves finally hits theaters next month and the trailers we've seen so far really help encapsulate the fun and adventure of the TTRPG with sword and sorcery antics and a large helping of humor. The latest bit of footage comes from the Super Bowl commercial which acts more like a sizzle reel of monster fights and our party, led by Chris Pine's Edgin the Bard. There's a quick shot of an owlbear tangling it up with what appears to be a gold dragon. You can check it out below. Along with Pine, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stars Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves also stars Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Hugh Grant, Justice Smith, and Sophia Lillis. Each actor plays a different class of character from the game ranging from Paladin to Barbarian. You can see Justice Smith's sorcerer cast Magic Missle in the spot as well.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjMqr9

Assassin's Creed IV And Origins Director Has Left Ubisoft

Jean Guesdon, creative director of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Origins, has announced that he's leaving Ubisoft after 17 years at the studio. Guesdon recently shared a post to his LinkedIn profile--via Kotaku--announcing the decision, saying, "Hello everyone, 2023 will start for me with the end of a bit more than 17 formidable years at Ubisoft Montreal. I can't express how much I owe to this unique company. "So many people met, so many skills learned and so many projects shipped. And Assassin's Creed, of course Assassin's Creed... Thank you Ubi, very very much!!"Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjMCVn

Preorder Zelda And Pikmin 4 With Switch Game Vouchers To Save $30

Nintendo is once again selling "game vouchers" on the Nintendo Switch eShop. The vouchers allow you to get two games for $100, offering a savings of up to $30. Though most pairs of games you can pick will save you $20 total, the voucher program includes The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which costs $70 on its own. If you don't mind going digital for your Switch games, this is a great opportunity to save some cash on your preorders. There are currently five upcoming Switch exclusives in the voucher program: * The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - May 12 * Pikmin 4 - July 21 * Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp - April 21 * Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon - March 17 * Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe - February 24 Combining Tears of the Kingdom with any of the other four will save you $30 overall. Essentially, you're getting Switch exclusives for $50 a pop. Since Nintendo Switch exclusives aren't discounted as often as other games, this is a pretty remarkable deal. Those who prefer physical editions of your games should check out our The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom preorder guide as well as GameSpot's exclusive discounts on Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe and Bayonetta Origins ($49 each).Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjLzHp

Spider-Man Noir Live-Action Series Is In Development At Amazon

Amazon is developing a live-action Spider-Man Noir series, following on from the previous announcement of its Silk: Spider Society show. As reported by Variety, the as-of-yet untitled series follows a slightly older, grizzlier take on the web-slinging hero, set in New York in the 1930s. According to someone with knowledge of the show, it will take place in its own universe separate from everything else, and the main character won't be a version of Peter Parker. Can confirm! And also confirm that it’s going to be amazing. https://t.co/kFTB9AAeaJ — Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) February 9, 2023 Mortal Kombat (2021) writer Oren Uziel will write and executive produce, and is developing it alongside Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, as well as former Sony boss Amy Pascal. Lord, Miller, and Pascal will also serve as executive producer on the series. Miller has also confirmed the series is in development himself on his personal Twitter account, saying that he can "also confirm that it's going to be amazing."Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjKNyp

Super Bowl 57 Trailer Roundup: All The Big Game Spots

Super Bowl 57 is right around the corner, with the big game slated for Sunday, February 12, in Arizona. It's the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Kansas City Chiefs for the title. Millions are expected to tune in to watch the big game, and a major part of the broadcast are the commercials. Given the size of the expected TV audience, advertisers are eager to show off their products and services, and they will pay top dollar. According to Fox, which is hosting the game this year, 30-second spots sold for between $6 million-$7 million. Years ago, Super Bowl commercials didn't appear online until the evening of the game, but these days, the advertisements show up days and weeks ahead of time to get the hype train rolling. 2023 is no different, as many of the big game spots are already out there. In this post, we're rounding up all the biggest and best Super Bowl commercials so far, including the reunions and spoofs of Breaking Bad, Caddyshack, Clueless, and more. PopCorners Featuring Breaking Bad One of the most talked-about advertisements for the big game is the PopCorners TV spot that brings back Walter White and Jesse Pinkman (and Tuco!) from Breaking Bad. The gang is back together to hype PopCorners, and, well, here it is:Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjK6ps

Baten Kaitos 1 And 2 Are Being Remastered For The Nintendo Switch

Bandai Namco is bringing Baten Kaitos to the Switch in 2023 with the Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster. The HD collection will remaster GameCube titles Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings And The Lost Ocean, and Baten Kaitos Origins to be released together. The Baten Kaitos series originated on the GameCube as a card-based RPG set in a fantasy realm where huge islands float on a sea of clouds. Rather than playing directly as the protagonist, the player takes the role of a guardian spirit who guides them through the story, offering advice at key points. Eternal Wings And The Lost Ocean follows the story of Kalas, a young man who sets out to avenge the deaths of his brother and grandfather, and ends up entangled with a mysterious girl named Xelha in a plot to overthrow the corrupt Alfard Empire.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjJjGL

Metroid Prime Remastered Coming To Nintendo Switch Today

Nintendo has finally revealed a remaster of the original Metroid Prime during today's Nintendo Direct presentation, and it releases today for $40. The game originally launched in 2002 for the Nintendo GameCube, but it has not been re-released since the Metroid Prime Trilogy bundle for Nintendo Wii in 2009. This new version of Metroid Prime adds dual-stick controls, which allow you to move and look at the same time. The announcement--and subsequent shadow drop--comes as Metroid Prime 4, which was originally announced at E3 2017, still has not seen a full in-game reveal since that initial teaser. Nintendo did report in 2019 that development on the game was restarting, and during the E3 2021 Nintendo Direct, it mentioned that development was still progressing before revealing Metroid Dread.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjJYKX

Cities: Skylines Remastered Revealed For PS5 And Xbox Series X|S

The wait won't be long for the newly announced Cities: Skylines Remastered. Paradox Interactive has revealed that the updated game will arrive on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on February 15 for $40. It will also be a free upgrade for people who already own the title on PS4 and Xbox One. Cities: Skylines Remastered will feature 25 buildable tiles, which Paradox notes is 16 more than possible on last-gen systems. Other features coming with this new version of the game include visual improvements, a quick selection tool, environmental controls, and map editor. Developed by Colossal Order, Cities: Skylines originally launched back in 2015 for PC. The simulation game eventually came to PS4 and Xbox One in 2017, followed by a Nintendo Switch edition in 2018.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjHTlX

Apex Legends' New Character Classes Explained

This season, Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment is shaking up the meta like never before. Nowhere is this more evident than in the developer's recently revealed plans to sort the legends into new character classes, a change that will go into effect when Season 16: Revelry launches on February 14. In a recent blog post announcing the changes--collectively referred to as Remastered Legend Classes--Respawn confirmed that players can still expect to see new playable characters in the future, and explained the reasoning behind the decision to re-work all 23 legends. "We wanted to see how the core Legends could evolve the ways players have been using them," the blog reads. The new Remastered Legend Classes system rearranges the legends into one of five character classes: Assault, Controller, Recon, Skirmisher, and Support. Each class has its own unique perk that only applies to the legends in that class. The legends within each new class, and the Class Perk that applies to them are listed below:Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjHFKX

Apex Legends Lead Says Cross-Progression Is "Definitely Coming"

Apex Legend's developers haven't forgotten about cross-progression, it's just been difficult to implement, game director Steven Ferreira has explained in a new interview. The much-anticipated feature is "definitely coming" he told Dexerto, but it doesn't have a definitive date yet. Apex fans were disappointed to discover that cross-progression likely wouldn't be introduced with Season 16, but Ferreira reaffirmed Respawn's commitment to implementing the feature--and doing it right. "We're definitely excited about cross-progression coming. It was trickier than expected, and we want to make sure it's ready. Also because you only get one crack at rolling something like this out," Ferreira explained. "I don't have a definitive date, but it's definitely coming."Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjGqk5

This War Of Mine Joins Permanent Video Game Collection At Museum of Modern Art

This War of Mine has been added to the New York Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. The storytelling-forward strategy game will be displayed at the ongoing exhibit Never Alone: Video Games and Other Interactive Design. The conflict simulation will join games like Tetris and Flower, as well as less game-like forms of interactive design like the zine Everything Is Going To Be Okay and the @ symbol. The exhibition is on display until July 23, 2022. The MoMA first added 14 video games into their collection back in 2012. Since then, the museum has steadily added more video games. Now, the permanent collection includes just under 40 games. These games are under the umbrella of its Architecture and Design collection. Paul Galloway, Collection Specialist for the Department of Architecture and Design at MoMA and co-curator of the exhibition, said about This War of Mine: “There is often a kind of a conversation about games as fun, games as a diversion, but I think that there’s an increasing range of games that ask more of the players. When I played This War of Mine it made me sad, it made me afraid, it made me very tense, and in the end, it left me with a very changed understanding of what it is to be playing in a war space.”Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjGgSy

Next Resident Evil Film Brings The Zombie Apocalypse To San Francisco And Alcatraz

Resident Evil is off to San Francisco and Alcatraz Island for its next CG-animated film, which will once again see Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield face off against rogue bioweapons. While Kennedy embarks on a rescue mission for the Division of Security Operations, Redfield's job as a Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance agent takes him to San Francisco to deal with a fresh zombie outbreak. With both cases linked to Alcatraz Island, Redfield and Kennedy find themselves visiting the infamous island prison and imprisoned with a new breed of horror within its walls. This new Resident Evil film features heavyweight anime talent behind the scenes, as Assassination Classroom's Eiichiro Hasumi directed the film from a screenplay by Makoto Fukami of Psycho-Pass fame.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjFVbN

Today's Wordle Answer (#598) - February 7, 2023

It's Tuesday, February 7, and we're back with another edition of our Wordle guides. The answer today is not a difficult one by any stretch, but it can trip some players up if they are careless with their guesses. However, the word doesn't feature any uncommon letters and it's a word that every player will know very well. If you haven't started the February 7 Wordle yet, you can check out our list of recommended starting words to give yourself an advantage before you've begun. However, if you're already a few guesses deep and you're on this guide, then you're likely looking for a lifeline so your streak doesn't end. Fortunately, we're here to provide that lifeline and offer some hints that should allow players to easier guess the answer. Below, players will see two hints for today's Wordle in addition to the full answer that's located further down in the guide. Today's Wordle Answer - February 7, 2023 We'll begin with two hints that directly relate to the Wordle answer but won't immediately give the word away.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjFCwy

The Office's Michael Scott In Mass Effect Is The Crossover You Never Knew You Needed

Mass Effect's Normandy can already be a bit of a dysfunctional workplace under Commander Shepard, but YouTuber eli_handle_b.wav has taken it further by imagining The Office's Michael Scott in charge of the ship. The video sees Michael Scott navigating the attack on the Normandy, interviews with the press, intimate discussions with crew members, and the perfect "that's what she said" joke with his trademark lack of social grace. And yes, there's a dance scene too. The most impressive part of eli_handle_b.wav's mashup video is the expert editing, with Scott slotted seamlessly into some of the Mass Effect series most iconic scenes. The video perfectly replicates the style of The Office, from the opening montage (now featuring a Reaper attack) right down to the handheld camera work.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjDfjc

Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope Is Super Cheap At Amazon

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, one of GameSpot's favorite Switch games of 2022, is currently discounted to its lowest price yet. Amazon is selling physical copies of the charming strategy game for only $30. Sparks of Hope just launched a few months ago, so the 50% discount is somewhat surprising. As this is an Amazon deal, it could end abruptly or sell out fairly quickly. See at Amazon If you’re unfamiliar with the game, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a quirky strategy game that features a mashup of characters from the Nintendo and Ubisoft universes. You’ll take part in strategic, turn-based battles as you combat Cursa and her evil army in an attempt to save the galaxy.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjDQjh

Respawn Sunsets Arenas, Adds TDM & Playlists To Apex Legends

Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment announced today that it will be sunsetting the game's 3v3 Arenas mode once Season 16: Revelry goes live on February 14. This news comes just a week after it was announced that Respawn will also be sunsetting Apex Legends Mobile. But while diehard Arenas fans and Apex Mobile players may be heartbroken, all is not lost. A beloved feature from the mobile game is finally making its debut on console and PC: Team Deathmatch. For the first three weeks of Season 16, a 6v6 TDM mode will be available to play 24/7. Starting March 7, however, TDM will be replaced with Mixtape. Mixtape is a permanent playlist that cycles through three different game modes on a rotating schedule: Control, Gun Run, and TDM. The game's standard duos and trios battle royale modes will remain untouched, but unlike Arenas, Mixtape will not have a Ranked mode--for now, anyway. TDM will take place on the following maps:Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjBqM3

The Last of Us Episode 5 Trailer Lets A Bloater Out To Play

Things aren't getting any easier for Joel and Ellie. A new teaser for The Last of Us highlights that the pair have found themselves in a messy situation in Kansas City that they wanted no part of to begin with. Warning: Spoilers ahead. HBO has released The Last of Us Episode 5 preview on YouTube, which showcases that Kansas City isn't in the best shape. In fact, Kathleen (portrayed by Yellowjackets star Melanie Lynsky) sarcastically tells a group of what seems to be prisoners: "Haven't you heard? Kansas City is free." This is interspersed with footage of chaos in the metro area. Kathleen is determined to get her revenge on Henry, who she believes played a part in her brother's murder. Henry is seen at the end of the fourth episode of The Last of Us holding Joel and Ellie at gunpoint. But by the looks of this trailer, they will soon be working together.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/SjBWNT

New Scream 6 Trailer Delivers A Different Kind Of Ghostface

We got our first look at Scream 6 last month with a tense teaser trailer, but Paramount released a new trailer Thursday morning that shows this Ghostface is something completely different. They seem bolder, more violent, and from what we see in the new trailer, a shrine dedicated to all who have worn the mask before. For almost 30 years, audiences have been frightened by the Ghostface killer as they collectively have killed almost 50 victims throughout the film franchise. They're back once again to take on New York as Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) try to outrun them once again and come out alive. Check out the new trailer below. Barrera had said that the latest entry to the long-running franchise will be "a hundred times gorier" than the previous installment, and if this trailer is any indication, it definitely looks that way.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj9xYn

Bungie Assures Players Their Destiny 2 Characters Weren't Lost

Destiny 2 can take hundreds, if not thousands of hours of your time, and the thought of losing your characters due to a system error is terrifying. During the last few days, some users over at Reddit reported this very same scenario, detailing when and how it happened. Now, developer Bungie shared a notice saying that the studio is "confident that no characters or progress were incorrectly lost by our systems." One of the Reddit threads, which was posted by user MasterCJ117 and has gathered 2,000 upvotes and over 200 comments by the time of publication, dives into the situation. Back when the Dawning event started last year, the user logged on and saw that their Warlock had been removed from their list of playable characters. According to them, a similar scenario had happened to a friend's Hunter a week afterward, but a quick restart managed to fix it. MasterCJ117 wasn't so lucky, but Bungie doesn't think it was due to an internal error. Maintaining your characters and progress is our top priority. After kicking off a deep dive investigation of a very low number of reports of missing characters out of an abundance of caution, we are confident that no characters or progress were incorrectly lost by our systems. — Bungie Help (@BungieHelp) January 18, 2023 The player made a post over at Bungie's forums back on December 14, stating that nobody but them has access to their account. MasterCJ117 also shared a link to their Wasted on Destiny profile, where there is a slot for a "Deleted" character with 839 hours - presumably the Warlock they lost.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj9jg4

New On Disney Plus In February 2023: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2

February is right around the corner, and a new month means a whole bunch of new content coming to Disney+. Some of that content will be available on February 1, while other shows and movies will be available a little later next month. An obvious marquee new entry to Disney+ next month is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which is fortunately coming to the platform right on February 1. In GameSpot's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever review, writer Mason Downey gave the film an 8/10, saying it "provides a beautiful, if uneven, tribute to one of the MCU's best heroes." Black Panther: Wakanda Forever started production in 2021, nearly one year after star Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer at the age of 43. At the time, Marvel boss Kevin Feige confirmed that Boseman's role of King T'Challa would not be recast, and in fact the character would be retired from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Downey says as a result, the movie "tries to be a few too many things at once" but is also packed with "amazing scenes and iconic shots." In a few weeks, you can check it out for yourself. Wednesdays throughout February will continue the bulk of Season 2 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, which kicked off earlier in January with a two-episode premiere. The Bad Batch follows "elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War." Each member of the Bad Batch has their own specific skill, and together, they make a formidable crew in a galaxy far, far away. The episode will wrap up in late March.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj84r9

Netflix 2023 Movie Slate: Extraction 2, Murder Mystery Release Dates And Much More Revealed

Netlifx has announced release dates for its 2023 movie slate, and this includes the highly anticipated Chris Hemsworth sequel, Extraction 2, as well as the next Murder Mystery movie starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. The new Chicken Run movie, Dawn of the Nugget, is also coming to Netflix this year, as well as an untitled Roald Dahl movie from Wes Anderson. "This year it's all about epic new worlds, movie stars and returning favorites, all directed by the world's best filmmakers," Netflix said in its announcement. "We're talking action blockbusters, rom-coms, comedies, sci-fi, fantasy, crime thrillers, new installments of beloved franchises--there's something for every mood." Murder Mystery 2 arrives March 31, with Extraction 2 following on June 16. The new Chicken Run film, Dawn of the Nugget, comes to Netflix at some point in 2023.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj7mN6

Today's Wordle Answer (#578) - January 18, 2023

It might be the middle of the week, but there's still no slowing down this Wordle train. We've returned to offer more help to people in need when it comes to getting the Wordle correct. This time, we're helping out with the answer on January 18, and players will likely need a ton of help with this word. It's not a common word whatsoever unless you eat a very specific kind of food. If you haven't started the Wordle just yet, then you can check out our list of recommended starting words. However, if you're already past the starting point, then you're likely looking for some hints. Luckily, we provide just that further down in this article. We also spell out the full answer even further down, so if you don't want to be spoiled, don't read below the hints. Today's Wordle Answer - January 18, 2023 We'll begin with two hints that directly relate to today's Wordle answer, but don't give it away immediately.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj7D9Q

Go Behind The Scenes Of HBO's The Last Of Us Pilot In A New Video

In conjunction with the pilot of HBO's The Last of Us, a behind-the-scenes video has been released. The video features interviews with actors Pedro Pascal, Nico Parker, Bella Ramsey, and Merle Dandridge, as well as executive producers Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin. You can watch it below. The video itself mostly goes over the plot and emotional beats of the pilot, with the actors and writers commenting on the action and showing off behind-the-scenes footage. For example, Nico Parker, who plays Joel's birth daughter Sarah, remarks on the series' use of practical effects, saying, "you could really immerse yourself because it was all there in front of you." Craig Mazin remarks on the difficult position Nico Parker was in as a performer, saying, "It was important for us to present the audience with a Sarah that we felt we could follow for the rest of the series." Merle Dandridge, who also played Marlene in the original game, discuses growing into playing the role again. "It's another thing to step in front of the camera and embody her with my own instrument. I had a couple of things on my side... I aged into her a little bit and I guess my deep passion and love for her." Though she didn't think that they would cast her, as soon as she heard about the show, she wanted in. In the video, she says, "I don't remember when I first heard about [the show], but when I did I was like 'Mommy want that.'"Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj6zsK

PS5's Top 10 Most-Downloaded PSN Games For 2022 Revealed

After announcing the top 10 most-downloaded PSN games for December 2022, Sony has now confirmed the most-downloaded PSN games for the entirety of 2022. Unsurprisingly, Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II was 2022's most-downloaded game on PSN across both PS5 and PS4 in the United States and Canada. For Europe, FIFA 23 was the most-downloaded PS4 and PS5 game for all of 2022. In another non-shocking development, Sony's own God of War Ragnarok ranked No. 2 for the year on PS5 in the US/Canada and No. 3 for Europe. On PS4, Ragnarok ranked significantly worse, coming in at No. 9 in the US/Canada and No. 15 in Europe.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj5M8y

Review Roundup For Fire Emblem Engage

Nintendo is starting off the new year strong with the release of Fire Emblem Engage on Switch later this week. The turn-based strategy game is the 17th core release in the series and garnering early praise from critics, though it isn't without its faults. "While Fire Emblem Engage certainly builds on the deep and rewarding tactical combat, the predictable story and repetitive side activities feel like a step backward for the long-running series," Jake Dekker writes in GameSpot's Fire Emblem Engage review. This new entry returns to a traditional narrative structure compared to what Three Houses offered in 2019. Players assume the role of Alear, a son or daughter of the Divine Dragon, and can fight alongside previous heroes from the franchise, like Marth and Roy (who also may be remembered from their Super Smash Bros. appearances). This is possible by finding 12 Emblem Rings throughout the game.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj53bQ

Nintendo Switch Was 2022's Best-Selling Game Console In The US For Unit Sales

The numbers are in, and the Nintendo Switch was 2022's best-selling console of the year in the United States based on units sold, according to NPD. The system that drove the most dollar sales in 2022, however, was the PlayStation 5 due in part to its bigger sticker price relative to the Switch. For December 2022 specifically, the PS5 ranked No. 1 for dollar sales and the Switch topped the charts for unit sales. Spending on hardware in December grew by 16% to $1.5 billion, while hardware revenue for the full year of 2022 in the US reached $6.6 billion, which was up 8% year-over-year. The NPD report had no information at all about how the Xbox platform performed in December 2022 or the full year of 2022.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj4SHP

New Destiny 2: Lightfall Trailer Shows Off The Secret City Of Neomuna

A new trailer for Destiny 2's next expansion has gone live, showcasing the Neptunian city of Neomuna that players will be able to visit. Having managed to remain hidden during the war between the Light and the Darkness, Neomuna has finally been discovered and is under siege from the forces of Calus, former Cabal emperor and the latest Disciple of the Witness. While players can expect to join forces and fight back against the Shadow Legion of Cabal troopers that have invaded Neomuna, they'll have to be wary of lethal Tormentors who have infiltrated the technologically advanced secret city. Lightfall won't just introduce new enemies and locations to explore, but it'll also see a brand-new Darkness subclass called Strand debut within the game. Warlocks can wield the psychic energy to become telekinetic Architects, Hunters have a rope dart as Threadrunners, and Titans are claw-bearing Tyrants who can slash enemies apart. Other big changes coming in Lightfall include a built-in LFG feature, commendations that can be given out to players at the end of PvE activities, and after being on player wishlists for years, in-game loadout builds and a mod manager. For more details, you can read up on everything that we know about Destiny 2: Lightfall. While Lightfall is scheduled to launch on February 28, there's still plenty to do in the final season of The Witch Queen expansion, Season of the Seraph.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj4CnN

Original Power Rangers Stars Reunite To Remind Fans It's Always Morphin' Time

When Mighty Morphin Power Rangers premiered in America on August 28, 1993 on the Fox Kids programming block, it launched a pop culture juggernaut and became the greatest-selling toyline of the 1990s. Recycling footage from Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, the s16th installment in the long-running Super Sentai franchise in Japan, and Haim Saban's first successful attempt at bringing the show to the states after his Bioman adaptation failed at launch. Crossover episodes of seasons have occurred in the past with previous Rangers appearing in the concurrent season, even having huge episodes like the Forever Red special they made for the 10th anniversary. However, nothing compares to what Hasbro has in store for its colossal 30th-anniversary special, which has been in the works for months. After almost three decades away from the franchise, original Rangers David Yost and Walter Jones are back as Billy and Zack and donning the colorful suits once again.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj2bR9

Microsoft-Activision Deal Reportedly Faces Yet Another Major Hurdle

Microsoft's proposed purchase of Activision Blizzard hasn't fared well in recent days, and it seems that yet another obstacle has emerged, this time from the European Union. A new Reuters report states that the EU will give Microsoft an antitrust warning, which will likely lead to a round of negotiations where Microsoft will offer possible concessions. The EU will render its decision by April 11. The Microsoft-Activision Blizzard merger has remained one of the biggest news stories in gaming for months now, with both US and EU authorities expressing skepticism of the deal. The Federal Trade Commission and Microsoft have been involved in legal battles for weeks over the deal, with the tech giant going so far as to claim that the FTC's structure violates the US Constitution in a court filing. Microsoft later removed this language. In recent days, we've also seen Nvidia and Google get involved in the action, with both companies reportedly providing information that backs a key FTC claim: that the deal with give Microsoft an unfair advantage in terms of mobile gaming, subscriptions, and the cloud. However, that Bloomberg report also suggests that Nvidia does not directly oppose the deal.Continue Reading at GameSpot
http://dlvr.it/Sj2HRr