Epic Games further nerfs Fortnite mechs: Are the B.R.U.T.E. vehicles fair now?
Epic Games has further nerfed the controversial mechs of Fortnite, in response to the complaints of players since they were added in Season X. The B.R.U.T.E.'s rockets and mobility have been downgraded, and its ability to instantly harvest materials from the structure that it destroys has been removed.
Turn up the heat in Fortnite with our season 10, week 4 hot spot challenge guide
Season 10, week 4 Smash and Grab challenges have arrived in Fortnite: Battle Royale, and among the seven regular challenges and prestige challenges, we see the return of hot spots. Here are tips for which mode you should tackle these missions in, along with an easy guide for completing them.
Everything we know about Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne will add the largest region in the game to date, new monsters and reworked versions of existing ones, new mechanics, a Master Rank difficulty, and more. Here's everything we know about Monster Hunter World: Iceborne ahead of its September 6 launch on PS4 and Xbox One.
Bees are all the buzz in the latest Minecraft Java Edition update
The latest Minecraft: Java Edition update added bees and honey to a trio of biomes. Please don't agitate the bees, as they have important work to do. Beekeeping work in Minecraft sounds both fun and educational, and you will reap the rewards for being a gracious and helpful host.
Everything we know about Need for Speed Heat, including how you can play early
Need for Speed Heat will bring two distinct racing modes: A more leisurely, legal racing series during the day and a risky, not quite legal series by night. Ahead of Heat's November 8 launch on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, we've compiled everything you need to know from cars to customization and more.
How to get the Major Lazer skin in Fortnite
Fortnite is collaborating with Major Lazer on a special skin to be included in the game. Here is how you can get that skin so you can look fly while you're beating everyone in Battle Royale. Other special goodies like a dance and pickaxe will also reportedly be available, as well.
Your Xbox One may have let other people listen to you, Microsoft contractors say
A new report claims contractors were able to hear Xbox users when voice commands were activated. This was often done erroneously, as users accidentally said a wake word for the Xbox One when they did not mean to actually activate the voice command features. The Kinect sensor is no longer being sold.
PlayStation Now: Everything we know including Sony’s plans for the future
PlayStation Now gives PS4 and PC subscribers access to more than 750 PS4, PS3, and PS2 games. While limited in features and performance at the moment, there's reason to believe PlayStation Now will become a major focal point as the PS4's lifecycle ends and the PlayStation 5 takes the stage.
Get a cool Fire Emblem theme for Tetris 99 in this weekend’s Maximus Cup event
The Maximus Cup coming to Tetris 99 this weekend will let you win a special Fire Emblem theme. The theme includes a special background, block skin, and music from the Fire Emblem: Three Houses Nintendo Switch game that just released at the end of July. It is the latest in a long line of strategy games.
From hurdles to Mankrik’s wife, here are the best bits from the WoW Classic AMA
With only six days to go before launch, the World of Warcraft Classic team took to Reddit to answer player's burning questions. Here's what they had to say on everything from holiday events to Mankrik's wife.
Digital Trends Live: Apple TV+, Ford’s esport racing, FogCam goes dark, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discuss the biggest stories in the world of technology, including the launch of Apple TV+, updates from Gamescom 2019, Ford’s esports racing team, FogCam switches off after 25 years, a 40-mph e-scooter, and more.
The best portable monitors
Find the best portable monitors for work and play with our list of the top movable displays. From on the go gaming to complex office setups - or ambitious DIY projects -- these portable monitors are exactly what you need. Take a look and find the connections, display size, and pricing that are right for you.
Some future Sony exclusives could be released on PC as well
SIE Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden said Sony could open up some of its future exclusive games to PC players, specifically those with an online multiplayer bent. Sony's recent slate of PS4 exclusives have been heavily single-player focused, so it will be interesting to see what the future holds.
How doctors are fighting Alzheimer’s with a cleverly designed VR game
Between mobile and VR, Sea Hero Quest has been gathering data for the last three years for the purposes of dementia research. Now that studies have confirmed the game served its purpose, the development team and their scientific consultants look towards the future and the most beneficial use of their work.
Visually stunning HP Omen X 27 HDR TN display closes color gap with IPS monitors
HP's new Omen X 27 high-speed gaming display is amazingly fast, with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1ms overdrive response time. But that's not all. Thanks to HDR support and a strong dynamic contrast ratio, its color range is broader than most TN panels, offering gorgeous looks as well as speed.
Ford is looking to recruit gamers for its first-ever esports racing team
Ford is getting into esports in a big way with the launch of its own racing team, called Fordzilla. The automaker is planning to start building a number of national teams at the Gamescom gaming event in Germany this week. Those racing for Fordzilla will compete in a range of games, including Forza Motorsport 7.
Everything announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live
To kick off the Gamescom 2019 festivities, Geoff Keighley hosted Opening Night Live, a presentation packed with new trailers and announcements. We saw new looks at Death Stranding, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Borderlands 3, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, and much more during the two-hour event.
Digital Trends Live: Gamescom 2019, Huawei reprieve, Apple Arcade, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discuss the biggest trending stories in tech, including Gamescom 2019, the U.S. extends its Huawei reprieve for 90 days, the Apple Arcade is on its way, Virgin Galactic’s new “Gateway to Space,” and much more.
From Stadia exclusives to Death Stranding, Here’s everything shown at Gamescom
Gamescom 2019 will be the site for four different presentations, including the next Google Stadia Connect event. Here you can find out where to rewatch the shows and catch up on all of the announcements that came from each of them. Gamescom 2019 will be the second-biggest gaming event of the year.
From Escape mode to story, here’s everything we know about Gears 5
The Coalition's second game in the Gears franchise drops the "of War" and will bring some big changes to Microsoft's flagship cover shooter. From a new cooperative mode called Escape to the new story to a peculiar crossover, here's everything we know about Gears 5 ahead of its September 10 launch.
Cyberpunk 2077 headlines the biggest games announced for Stadia at Gamescom 2019
Google held a Stadia Connect presentation for Gamescom 2019, and Cyberpunk 2077 stole the show with a new look at the choices you'll be able to make across the story and combat encounters. Other games mentioned in the show include Watch Dogs Legion, Darksiders Genesis, and the exclusive Orcs Must Die! 3.
Inside Xbox reveals big changes to Gears 5 Horde Mode at Gamescom 2019
Microsoft and The Coalition officially revealed the Horde mode for Gears 5. It mixes up the formula with the addition of Ultimate abilities and power taps force you to change your location. The mode launches with the game, which will also feature a traditional campaign and competitive multiplayer.
Ghost Recon Breakpoint developer counters comparisons to The Division
Ghost Recon Breakpoint is implementing some design changes that make the series more similar to The Division, and we got a chance to ask how the team feels about the inevitable comparisons. Breakpoint's creative director addresses the idea by focusing on the lack of bullet sponges.
Ghost Recon Breakpoint’s PvP is a high-tension battle royale lite
In the PvP Ghost War mode, the developers behind Ghost Recon Breakpoint drop eight players into various maps for competitive, 4v4 conflicts where the last team standing wins. We got hands-on with the mode and took stock new additions to the mode’s formula and the best ways to take on the enemy team.
Exclusive: How Alienware dared to ditch black, boxy designs for something radical
With its new Legend design language, Alienware has been rapidly launching gaming peripherals, laptops, desktops, and monitors in this science fiction inspired design theme. Alienware's lead designers talk about the challenges and opportunities of bringing the Legend design ID to the Aurora R9 desktop.
Every game shown during Nintendo’s indie showcase at Gamescom 2019
Nintendo provided new trailers and information on more than two dozen indie games during its latest Indie Showcase ahead of Gamescom 2019. Here is every game shown during the presentation, including a few acclaimed titles like Ori and the Blind Forest coming to Switch for the first time.
Nintendo denies Nintendo Switch exchange program rumors
Nintendo has issued a statement denying rumors that customers can exchange their old Nintendo Switch for the revised model with better battery life. According to some customers who bought their Switch recently, Nintendo customer service representatives offered them an exchange.
HyperX gives the Fury DDR4 memory line a face-lift and adds RGB lighting
HyperX has refreshed the popular Fury DDR4 line up with a new look and added LED lighting to the Fury DDR4 RGB. The lighting works with a variety of major motherboards lighting software. The memory is Plug N Play ready and has predefined Intel XMP profiles for optimal performance.
Phantom Thieves get ready: Persona 5 Royal Western release set for spring 2020
Atlus revealed a spring 2020 Western release window for Persona 5 Royal, the extended version of the popular Japanese RPG Persona 5. The developer also uploaded new screenshots for the game, showcasing some of the new Personas and in-game events, as well as the new palace and the mysterious Jose.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild tagged as franchise’s bestselling game
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has taken the title as the bestselling game in the long-running Nintendo franchise. The game, a launch title for the Nintendo Switch and also released on the Wii U, took two years to outsell Twilight Princess, which was rolled out to the GameCube and Wii.
Apple Arcade early access program now underway with Apple employees
Apple has started the Apple Arcade early access program with its employees, charging them $0.49 per month after a free one-month trial. The internal testing will end with the release of iOS 13, expected in mid-September, which may also be when the video game subscription service is rolled out.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses prepares to invade Tetris 99’s 6th Maximus Cup
Fire Emblem: Three Houses will collaborate with Tetris 99 for the battle royale puzzler's 6th Maximus Cup. Players who are able to earn 100 points by participating in the four-day event, which starts on August 23, will be able to unlock an exclusive Fire Emblem: Three Houses theme for Tetris 99.
Sorry, you can’t exchange your Nintendo Switch for an upgraded model
Customer representatives said earlier this week that those who purchased the old model of the Nintendo Switch after July 17 will be able to upgrade their console into the new model with longer battery life, for free. A Nintendo spokesperson, however, has now denied that such an exchange program exists.
Microsoft’s Xbox head debunks rumors of streaming-only console in the works
Xbox head Phil Spencer debunked rumors that Microsoft is working on a streaming-only console that will utilize the company's Project xCloud. Spencer also said cloud gaming is one of the directions where the video game industry is headed, but the technology will not yet replace traditional consoles.
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.