Overwatch League, Call of Duty League to exclusively stream on YouTube
Activision Blizzard and Google entered a partnership that includes an exclusive streaming deal for the Overwatch League and newly launched Call of Duty League on YouTube. The Overwatch League moves after two seasons on Twitch, which appears to be losing its dominance in the video game streaming industry.
Players need to re-confirm Final Fantasy VII Remake pre-orders to not lose them
Players in the United States who pre-ordered the Final Fantasy VII Remake from the Square Enix store will need to re-confirm, or their slots will be canceled. The requirement is due to the recently announced delay of the highly anticipated game, which will launch on April 10 instead of March 3.
Apex Legends Season 4: Assimilation to add brawler Forge, and possibly Revenant
Respawn Entertainment revealed that Apex Legends Season 4: Assimilation will add Forge, a former MMA champion, as a new character, as well as a new weapon and changed to Ranked mode. However, hints suggest that Revenant, the robot from last year's Shadowfall map, will also soon join the roster.
Pandemic strategy game Plague Inc.’s popularity renewed amid coronavirus threat
Plague Inc., a mobile strategy game where players evolve a deadly pathogen with the goal of infecting the world, has spiked in popularity amid the current coronavirus outbreak. Developer Ndemic Creations said that the game could be an educational tool, but it should not be seen as a scientific model.
Developers looking ahead to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, GDC survey shows
A survey conducted by the Game Developers Conference revealed that developers are already looking ahead to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which are set to launch later this year. Among nearly 4,000 respondents, the survey revealed that over 10% are working on a game for a next-generation console.
Apple Watch wearers may track workouts, earn rewards in new program with gyms
The Apple Watch Connected program, which has launched with four partner fitness facilities, provides Apple Watch owners with additional motivation to work out. The program combines an Apple Watch and iOS app, GymKit-enabled equipment, Apple Pay, and an incentive program that depends on the gym.
Super Nintendo World will also rise at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando
Super Nintendo World, set to open in Universal Studios Osaka this summer, will also rise at Universal Studios Orlando's Epic Universe by 2023. The theme park, which will immerse visitors in a video game experience with the help of Power Up Bands, is also expected to open in Hollywood and Singapore.
Metroid Fusion sequel, new Paper Mario rumored for Nintendo Switch this year
A new 2D Metroid game and a new Paper Mario RPG are rumored to be coming to the Nintendo Switch this year. The Metroid game is said to be a sequel to Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance, while the new Paper Mario will reportedly bring the series "back to how it was," and will not be a remake.
Mortal Kombat 11’s Joker wields metal cane, Batman doll, and Friendship finisher
Joker is set to join the Mortal Kombat 11 roster on January 28, equipped with an arsenal of weapons that includes a metal cane, oversized mechanical boxing gloves, and a Batman doll with a gun firing from the mouth. Joker also comes with a Friendship move, though opponents should not take it seriously.
PlayStation 4 exclusive Horizon: Zero Dawn to launch on PC in 2020?
Horizon: Zero Dawn will reportedly no longer be a PlayStation 4 exclusive within the year, as Sony is said to be planning to launch the game to the PC. If the rumors are true, it will be the first time that a console game funded and developed by Sony will be released on a non-PlayStation platform.
TikTok beats Facebook, Messenger in 2019 with over 700 million downloads
TikTok was downloaded more than 700 million times in 2019, beating Facebook and Messenger and behind only WhatsApp. The music video app's top market in terms of downloads was India, despite a brief ban in April, but most of its revenue was earned in China, the home market of owner Bytedance.
Cost of Oculus Go stand-alone VR headset permanently slashed by $50
The Oculus Go stand-alone virtual reality headset received a permanent $50 price cut, bringing the price tag of the 32GB version to $149 and the 64GB version to $199. There are certain limitations with the Oculus Go compared to the Oculus Quest, but it is still a capable device for basic VR experiences.
Sony rumored to unveil PlayStation 5 in February, in line with PS4 timeline
Sony is reportedly planning to fully unveil the PlayStation 5 in an event in early February, according to hints and reports from insiders. If the rumors are true, the new console will follow the same timeline of the PlayStation 4, which was revealed in February 2013 and released later that year.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore box art hints at Persona 5 collaboration
An eagle-eyed Twitter user spotted what appears to be Persona 5's Joker at the back of the box art for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore. The speculation is that it will be a costume for the RPG's protagonist Itsuki Aoi, which is possible as Joker has already previously appeared in a Nintendo Switch game.
Pokémon GO had its best year ever, earns $894 million in 2019
Pokémon GO earned $894 million in 2019, marking its best year ever as it exceeded the revenue from its 2016 launch year of $832 million. Sensor Tower attributed the mobile game's growth to in-game and real-world events, and significant updates that continue to add new content to the app.
Apex Legends’ Grand Soiree Arcade will feature different game mode every 2 days
The first event for Apex Legends in 2020 is the Grand Soiree Arcade, which will feature a different game mode every two days. The modes, which includes matches where the ring keeps shrinking and a return to the night-time version of King's Canyon, will offer challenges that may be completed for points.
Microsoft Teams will soon add push-to-talk walkie-talkie feature to smartphones
Microsoft Teams will soon add a push-to-talk feature that will provide walkie talkie functionality to smartphones and tablets. The feature will easily broadcast a message to a person or a group of people, while also preventing crosstalk or eavesdropping from outsiders compared to using analog devices.
Microsoft contractors reviewed Skype, Cortana audio with ‘no security measures’
A former Microsoft contractor working in Beijing revealed that there were "no security measures" in place for their work of grading Skype and Cortana recordings. The source said that over two years, he worked on his personal laptop from home, from where he accessed the audio from a Google Chrome app.
Two more Wii U games will reportedly be ported to Nintendo Switch
There are at least two more unannounced Wii U ports in the works for the Nintendo Switch, according to reliable insider Emily Rogers. While the games were unnamed, it may be relatively easy to narrow down the possible titles, especially as most options have already been re-released on the hybrid console.
