Cinemark Theaters brings The Game Awards to the big screen with Jumanji
Cinemark Theaters is partnering with Sony and The Game Awards for a special event on December 12. The film Jumanji: The Next Level will be screened before a live broadcast of The Game Awards. The awards will still also be shown on streaming platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and Twitter.
Could Google Stadia “go far beyond video games?” The dev behind Kine thinks so
The dev behind Stadia launch title Kine thinks the service aspires to pilot technology Google could use in more than games. That's assuming, however, that Stadia makes it past a rocky launch, which is held back by as slim launch library.
Google Stadia will be missing some of its biggest features at launch
Google Stadia's unique social features like State Share and Crowd Play could revolutionize how we play games with others, but neither feature is actually going to be included when it launches this month. These missing features only make its limited launch game library seem more barren.
Rockstar acknowledges big problems in Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC
Rockstar Games has issued an apology for the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2, acknowledging issues with crashing and stuttering that have plagued some players since it launched last week. Steps are being made to correct the issues and players will receive a gift package with items for the online component.
How to watch the X019 Xbox presentation, and what to expect
Microsoft is planning a special episode of its Inside Xbox show to be streamed during the X019 celebration in London. Here is how you can tune in to watch the show, and what we expect to see. Confirmed studios and topics include Rare, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Respawn, Devolver Digital, and Project xCloud.
Google Stadia vs. Nintendo Switch: How do the gaming platforms compare?
Google Stadia releases on November 19, but is the game streaming service a worthwhile alternative to the Nintendo Switch, or should you stick with Nintendo's hybrid console? We compared the two to help you decide, breaking down things like performance, game library, unique features, and cost.
Amazon’s Sennheiser gaming headset deals save you as much as $131
The Black Friday and Cyber Week sales are just a few weeks away, but you don’t have to wait that long to score amazing deals on gaming peripherals. We scoured Amazon and spotted cool deals on two Sennheiser gaming headset models: The Game One and the GSP 600.
Sony’s cartridge patent may describe a custom external SSD for the PlayStation 5
Sony filed a patent in June describing what appeared to be a game cartridge design for an unannounced PlayStation-branded handheld device. Now, there’s speculation that this patent actually describes a custom external SSD for the PlayStation 5 console arriving at the end of 2020.
Sonic the Hedgehog finally looks like himself in redesign for new movie
Sonic the Hedgehog has been given a brand new design in the latest trailer for his upcoming movie. The character design in the first trailer received backlash from fans when it was first revealed, leading to Paramount delaying the film in order to completely alter his appearance to better resemble the games.
Don’t wait for the Nintendo Switch’s price to drop, because it likely won’t
Nintendo has revealed that it has no intention of cutting the Nintendo Switch's price in the near future. It has remained at $300 since its launch in 2017, though the handheld-only Switch Lite is $200. There also doesn't appear to be any significant sales being offered on the consoles for Black Friday.
Pretend it’s 1985 again with this 8BitDo NES-style mouse
8BitDo created a new wireless mouse inspired by the design of the original Nintendo Entertainment System's controller. It features a directional pad on the side and buttons that mimic the controller, with colors and sizes that make them nearly indistinguishable from the original buttons.
Gamers in the U.S. create as much carbon dioxide as 5 million cars, study says
A new study puts the spotlight on gaming's power consumption, and it's not good news. It finds that gaming energy use in the United States puts out carbon dioxide equal to 5 million cars, more than all freezers nationwide.
The Google Stadia launch lineup is looking a little barren
Google has revealed the games available for those who purchase Google Stadia access on November 19. Though some big games are included, it is much smaller than players were likely expecting. A handful of additional games will be made available by the end of the year, including Ghost Recon Breakpoint.
Tencent wants to make console games with Nintendo characters for U.S., Europe
Tencent, which is said to be looking to further leverage its partnership with Nintendo, reportedly wants to make console games with Nintendo characters. The long-term benefit for Tencent in such a project is the chance to learn from Nintendo how to win over gamers in the U.S. and Europe.
Pokémon fans repel negativity, spread the love with #ThankYouGameFreak
Pokémon fans have made #ThankYouGameFreak go viral through tweets that share their stories on what makes the franchise special. The hashtag was created to support Game Freak, the long-running developer of the video games in the series that has recently been under fire for Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Sony cartridge patent found: PlayStation 5 feature, or PlayStation Vita sequel?
The same Dutch website that spotted patents for the PlayStation 5 development kit's design discovered a patent for a cartridge. Speculations on the purpose of the cartridge are running rampant, including a new feature for the next-generation console and the possibility of the PlayStation Vita 2.
Overwatch 1 and 2 clients will merge; four new heroes reportedly in the works
The clients of Overwatch 1 and 2 will eventually merge, according to director Jeff Kaplan, so that the player base will not be fragmented. Four new heroes are reportedly in development for the sequel, including a female character with a massive four-sided weapon and a creature by her side.
PlayStation CEO wants PlayStation 4 owners to quickly upgrade to PlayStation 5
PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan said in an interview with Games Industry that Sony wants PlayStation 4 owners to upgrade as quickly as possible to the PlayStation 5. While Ryan did not confirm any specific details, his comments suggest that Sony is planning a massive launch for the next-generation console.
The Outer Worlds ditches romance for friendship, and is better for it
Many modern RPGs include characters you can romance, but The Outer Worlds instead focuses on friendships. You're not the would-be lover but instead a trusted ally. That unique perspective makes The Outer Worlds' companions feel fresh.
AMD’s next-gen Navi 23 graphics chip may support ray tracing
AMD’s next-generation graphics chip code-named Navi 23 will reportedly feature hardware ray tracing. That an important ingredient missing in AMD’s current GPU lineup. Hardware-based ray tracing surfaced in Nvidia’s RTX 20 series this time last year. AMD’s next-gen GPUs are expected around June 2020
Diablo 4’s lead designer says the game will feature cosmetic microtransactions
Diablo 4 lead designer Joe Shely said that the game would feature cosmetic microtransactions similar to those in Blizzard's shooter Overwatch. . Shely discussed the upcoming game's microtransactions in a session with Twitch streamer Quin69, adding that in-game purchases would not be pay-to-win.
Don’t fret, PC players: Death Stranding will hit Epic Games Store and Steam
Death Stranding PC publisher 505 Games will release the title on the Epic Games Store and Steam simultaneously in summer 2020. The game is currently available as a PlayStation 4 timed exclusive, and is the first project from Hideo Kojima since his public split from longtime employer Konami.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s best shotgun gets a big nerf
Infinity Ward has released an update that reduces the effective range of the 725 shotgun in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. The weapon has been criticized as being overpowered since the game's launch. Changes to footstep audio effects and a map for both normal multiplayer and Ground War were also included.
The best alternate history games, from Wolfenstein to Fallout
Alternate history has long existed as a tool for film and television, and video games are no different. These are some of the coolest alternate history games you can play right now, including Wolfenstein: The New Order, Freedom Fighters, Assassin's Creed III, and the original Fallout
These Xbox gifts are the perfect choice for gamers this holiday season
The holidays are upon us, and as you are shopping for friends and family, you may want to purchase Xbox products. Using our Xbox gift guide, find the best systems, accessories, and games to buy this year, including console-exclusive games like Gears 5 and the super-powerful Xbox One X console.
How to use Project xCloud: Microsoft’s game streaming service
Microsoft has launched its game streaming service, Project xCloud, in a preview. You'll need an invite, the right phone, and a compatible controller. Here's all you need to know to try out Project xCloud.
Discover the Ego Outposts in our Fortnite week 5 challenge guide
The Fortnite Chapter 2, season 1 week 5 challenges are available right now. The Lowdown challenges this week task players with finding the Fortnite Ego Outposts locations on the map. Discover the locations of the outposts right here.
Mass Effect skins breathe new life into Anthem — for a limited time
As part of BioWare’s annual Mass Effect celebration, N7 Day, the developer now offers four themed Javelin skins in Anthem, two of which BioWare pulls from Mass Effect 3. You’ll also find a new emote in the in-game store along with an Andromeda-themed wrap. You can grab these items for a limited time.
Why wait? You can download the Google Stadia Android app right now
Google has released the official Stadia Android app ahead of the streaming service's official launch later this month. The only mobile phones compatible at launch are the Pixel 3 and newer. Additional mobile devices will be compatible at a later date, and the free Base Edition arrives in 2020.
These are the holiday gifts any PlayStation fan will love
PlayStation fans have tons of options for holiday gifts in 2019. We'll help you sift through the trash to find the perfect gift for the PlayStation player in your life, from games to consoles. Even if they just want merchandise to show their PlayStation obsession, we have you covered.
Valve appears to be working on its own Google Stadia cloud-gaming competitor
A Valve code shows off hints of what could be a Steam Cloud Gaming platform in the works. It may help Valve compete with Google Stadia and other inbound platforms. A move by Valve to introduce Steam Cloud Gaming makes perfect sense, and it's almost a surprise to see it showing up this late.
Gamers spent a staggering $9.18 billion in the third quarter of 2019
The video game industry is big business, and the latest report reveals that gamers spent $9.18 billion in the third quarter of 2019. That's up slightly compared to the same quarter in 2018. Digital sales were the biggest winners, along with gaming services and mobile games. Hardware sales declined.
How to build the crazy sniper shotgun in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare players have discovered a new build that turns the game's 725 shotgun into a deadly sniper rifle. You'll need a specific combination of gun upgrades and perks for this build, but it'll let you take out enemies across the map. Our sniper shotgun build guide tells you how.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate adds Fatal Fury’s Terry Bogard to the roster
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate added a new character to its roster in the form of Terry Bogard from SNK's fighting game series, Fatal Fury. With his inclusion, Terry brings a ton of unique moves and attacks along with a slew of SNK-themed content to the popular Nintendo Switch exclusive.
Section Editor, Gaming
Giovanni is a writer and video producer focusing on happenings in the video game industry. He has contributed stories to Inverse, Fanbyte, The Inventory, and more. He was previously a segment producer on Polygon’s daily gaming show Speedrun and he currently hosts the Left Trigger Right Trigger podcast. Four Tetris 99 wins, and counting.