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Marvel’s Avengers Weekly War Table Announced, Weekly Missions Reset Revealed

Crystal Dynamics has announced the Marvel’s Avengers weekly War Table blog, and it lists down the weekly missions reset (not including those that haven’t been released yet), and along with other announcements and a previous recap of news.

Check out the Marvel’s Avengers weekly missions reset:

WEEKLY UPDATES      

PRIORITY MISSIONS

Priority Missions have modifiers that will challenge even the toughest Super Hero. Your first weekly completion of these missions earns you unique gear you won’t find anywhere else.

Global Presence (Low Power Level)

Modifiers:

  • Blizzard: Ice hazards are added to the environment. Cryo damage from enemies and the environment are increased.
  • Capacitor: Shock damage from players is increased.
  • Famine: Enemies do not drop Regen Packs when defeated.

Guaranteed Reward: Polychoron, Hero-Specific Gear

Rocket’s Red Glare (High Power Level) 

Modifiers:

  • Famine: Enemies do not drop Regen Packs when defeated.
  • Pressure: No automatic recovery of Willpower when critically injured.
  • Clash: Melee damage from any source is greatly increased.
  • Capacitor: Shock damage from players is increased.

Guaranteed Reward: Epic Gear

PRIORITY HARM CHALLENGES

Priority HARM Challenges have additional modifiers and reward comics that increase your collection and boost your stats.

Weekly First Completion Reward: 1962’s Incredible Hulk #105 (0.5% Status Resistance rate)

Low Power Level Challenge

Modifiers: 

  • Helix: Gamma damage from players is increased.
  • Maelstrom: All heroics charge at a significantly increased rate. Entering critical health drains all Heroic energy.

High Power Level Challenge

Modifiers: 

  • Famine: Enemies do not drop Regen Packs when defeated.
  • Clash: Melee damage from any source is greatly increased.
  • Helix: Gamma damage from players is increased.

The studio even gave some modifier tips!

MODIFIER PRO-TIPS 

Modifiers are game changers! Check out some pro-tips from our team that will help you prepare for this week’s challenges!

  • Blizzard: Equip any gear that provides Cryo resistance and pay careful attention to Cryo hazards in the environment whenever Blizzard is the modifier in play. Cryo enemies are also especially lethal so make sure to prioritize taking them out first to ensure you won’t be frozen mid fight.
  • Famine: Focusing on Takedowns and careful usage of the regenerative nanite containers are key to survivability when Famine is active.
  • Pressure: Recovering Willpower by any means necessary is key when Pressure is active. Utilize Takedowns, regenerative nanite containers, and skills that boost the chance of enemies dropping Regen Packs to ensure that sustaining critical injuries isn’t always a recipe for a quick defeat.
  • Clash: When Clash is active make sure to player a Hero who has strong melee abilities and equip gear high in the Might attribute. Don’t forget, enemies also inflict greater melee damage so watch out for combatants who try to get in close!
  • Capacitor: Thor’s already impressive pedigree is exacerbated when Capacitor turns up the lethality of his lightning-infused attacks. Make use of his intrinsic Odinforce ability to lay waste to foes in a manner worthy of his heritage. If Thor isn’t your Hero of choice, make sure to equip gear with Shock perks or use other Heroes—like Black Widow—who also have Shock-inducing attacks in their arsenal.
  • Helix: When Helix is active Hulk becomes a force to be reckoned with. Leverage his intrinsic Rage ability and any of his gamma-infused attacks to dominate the battlefield. Don’t like playing Hulk? Make sure to equip gear that inflicts Gamma damage and has high Intensity to help trigger the Gamma status effect.
  • Maelstrom: Keeping Willpower high and utilizing Heroics soon after they’re ready is key to maximizing the benefits of the Maelstrom modifier. Focusing on gear that boosts the Resolve or Valor stats are also effective strategies.

As for the weekly marketplace reset, we have you covered! Check it out here.

If you’re looking to main Captain America, we’ve posted a guide where you can have the Brooklyn Brawler ultimate up all the time for fights!

Source: Avengers Square Enix

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Ghost Recon Breakpoint Title Update 3 Release Date Announced, Here’s What’s Coming

During today’s Ubisoft Forward event, the publisher announced the Ghost Recon Breakpoint Title Update 3 release date! This big content drop, which is also called Episode 3, is set to be released this September 15.

Players can expect a new class, PvP updates and more. Read on below for the detials.

Ghost Recon Breakpoint Title Update 3 Release Date and Overview:

Release date: September 15 on all platforms

  • A new story Adventure: Red Patriot begins when Trey Stone asks Raven’s Rock, a Russian separatist group and their agents, the Bodarks, to plan attacks on US soil. Nomad is assigned a simple mission: take down everyone involved in Stone’s plan and the Bodarks. The Adventure will offer a branching storyline and optional mission objectives for a diversity of approaches. All players will get access to two free missions and can purchase the full adventure afterward, but Year 1 Pass owners can play the adventure’s 10 missions in full. Upon completing missions, players will unlock 26 high-quality rewards.
  • A new class with one-week exclusivity for Year One pass owners starting September 15.
    • Pathfinder class lets player control a rogue Azraёl drone through their special ability, the Armaros Interface. Their special tool, the Uplink Protocol, refills the Pathfinder skill gauge and is only found in well-hidden tactical caches with other high-quality loot. Pathfinders’ passive skills include: Tactical Cache Identification, which allows them to highlight caches; Scout Vision, which allows for white-hot thermal vision; and Wild Metabolism, which allows for ration effects to last longer and to be more powerful.
  • PVP updates, including a new map, three new missions and a Pathfinder class adaptation. The new PvP milestone missions are related to the Pathfinder class and offer two exclusive rewards for completing achievements.

It also adds 65 new items in Maria’s shop which includes weapons, bundles, vehicles and more.

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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The Division 2 Title Update 11 Release Date & Next-Gen Compatiblity Announced, The Summit Mode & More Detailed

During today’s Ubisoft Forward digital event pre-show, Ubisoft announced The Division 2 Title Update 11 release date is set for September 22! In addition to balance changes, those who own the Warlords of New York expansion will get a new mode, as well as the start of Season 3.

If you’ve been keeping tabs with MP1st’s coverage of The Division 2, the new mode included in TU11 shouldn’t come as a shock, as it’s The Summit, which we’ve broken down last week. But for those curious, check out the details from the press release.

The Summit (Warlords of New York Players)

Playing in squads or solo, The Summit will take Division Agents to a high-rise building, where they can scale up to 100 floors of action. Players will face different challenges and enemies on each floor as they progress toward the rooftop, where a special battle awaits. Using Rally Points (permanent checkpoints), players can also choose to focus on select sections of the building. This allows them to play at a preferred difficulty level and be rewarded accordingly for their efforts. The Summit will bring a new way to experience The Division in a single mode and offers high replayability as each attempt with be different. TU 11 will release on September 22 on all platforms for free.

Season 3 (Warlords of New York Players)

Also, on September 22, the third season of The Division 2 Warlords of New York will be available with a new manhunt. Players will target Bardon Schaeffer, the elusive leader of the Black Tusk as he recruits four disavowed agents to form and lead a new rogue cell. They will earn new gear and rewards as they progress through the season.

Seasons are part of the Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 Warlords of New York expansion and are a series of three-month long narrative-driven mini campaigns.

There are also major changes coming to all players regardless if they own the expansion or not.

Major Improvements (All Players)

Core changes and major improvements will be introduced as part of TU 11. These changes were tested on the game’s Public Test Server from September 4 to September 10.

Main Title Update 11 improvements:

  • Appearance Mods – or Transmogrification – is a new system to the existing character menu for The Division 2. Players can change the appearance of their gear beyond the normal dye and coloration. Masks, backpacks, kneepads, gloves, holsters and all armor gear will be changeable. Appearance Mods will allow players to finally get the specialized look they always wanted or change the style of their setup.Appearance Mods will become a mainstay of the game for all players, Level 1-40.

  • The improved ‘Rainbow’ loot will bring an update on how gear is assigning the first attribute on a gear piece. The first attribute will now have a percentage chance to roll the same as the core attribute. Players will experience less rainbow loot, meaning that items for a skill brand (Wyvern) are more likely to roll a skill-related attribute.

  • With Agnostic Mod Slots, all gear pieces will change (mask, chest, backpack) to accept any gear mod type. This means players can add some armor regen into their pure red build without sacrificing a recalibration on the mod slot.

Finally, while The Division 2 doesn’t seem to be getting a PS5 and Xbox Series X upgrade, Ubisoft announced that it will be backwards compatible! It will also offer crossplay support!

Backward Compatibility

Today, The Division 2 also announced that the game will be backward compatible on the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PlayStation® 5, allowing you to play The Division 2 on the new generation of consoles. In addition, the game will be cross-play compatible with next-gen consoles. This means Agents on PlayStation 4 can battle it out with Agents on PlayStation 5. Players on Xbox One can also take on Agents on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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New Dauntless Patch 1.36 for September 10 Released

While developer Phoenix Labs just released a big Dauntless patch last week that introduced new features, it seems that also caused issues as well. Today, the studio has released the new Dauntless patch 1.36 for September 10, and this one is for fixes more than anything.

New Dauntless patch 1.36 for September 10 patch notes:

Here’s the official message from Phoenix Labs:

We’ve addressed the Slayer Link issues on PC, Xbox One, and Playstation 4. Hammer and wrench

This fix will come to Nintendo Switch on the 17th after it passes the certification process.

Thank you for your continued patience!

For those that didn’t see last week’s patch, here’s a rundown of the new stuff that was added:

  • Slayer Links launch Thursday, September 3.
  • Slayer Links let you and a friend earn rewards by hunting together.
  • You can have up to 3 Slayer Links active at any given time.
  • Each Slayer Link lasts 7 days and features a unique rewards pool.
  • Earn the rare “Crown of Friendship” head accessory exclusively through Slayer Links.
  • NEW HUNT PASS: FARSLAYER’S FALL
  • NEW POWER CELL: TENACIOUS
  • NEW UNIQUE EFFECTS
  • AMP AND TALENT CHANGES

Again, you can check out the full details on that here.

If there’s more to this patch that gets announced, we’ll update the post to reflect it.

 

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Ubisoft Forward Livestream for September 10

It’s happening again, folks! Ubisoft is hosting another digital event today! The Ubisoft Forward livestream can be watched below, and the event starts at 12 noon PT/3 p.m. ET/3 a.m. HKT!

We’re expecting details regarding some of Ubisoft’s existing franchises like Rainbow Six Siege, The Division 2 and more to nake an appearance, as well as new game announcements like a Prince of Persia Remake which was leaked last month.

And of course, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Watch Dogs Legion should be present as well.

Same as before, expect the important game announcements here on MP1st!

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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New Apex Legends Update 1.46 September 10 Includes Gameplay Improvements

Respawn Entertainment has released the new Apex Legends update 1.46 September 10 patch, and this one involves gameplay and matchmaking improvements. Head on below for the full patch notes.

New Apex Legends Update 1.46 September 10 patch notes:

Here’s what the official Apex Legends Twitter account had to share:

Patch incoming, addressing the following:
– Improvements to Reconnect
– Wraith portals disappearing if place in certain areas
– Knockdown shields not blocking shots
– Beacons showing up in minimap but not in-world
– Improved Ring logic
– Several game logic errors

And that’s basically it. Note that a longer, bigger set of fixes were released just last week! Check out the changes included in that, here.

We’re keeping an eye on the official Apex Legends Trello board and if there are other changes there not mentioned above, we’ll update the post. Likewise, if you spot any gameplay-related changes not mentioned there, feel free to leave a comment below to let other legends know of the change.

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Marvel’s Avengers Game Weekly Marketplace Reset Today September 10

In case you didn’t know, Marvel’s Avengers will have a rotating list of available cosmetics in the in-game items shop that refreshes every week. MP1st is here to bring players the Marvel’s Avengers game weekly Marketplace reset today September 10.

Marvel’s Avengers Game Weekly Marketplace Reset Today September 10:

Legendary Outfit (1400 cost)

  • Black Widow – Dawnbreaker

Epic Outfit (900 Cost)

  • Iron Man – Chroma Lux
  • Thor – Essence

Rare Outfit

  • Thor – High Guard

Epic Takedown (1200 Cost)

  • Captain America – Falling With Style

Legendary Emote (1000 Cost)

  • Hulk – Tea Time

Epic Emote (500)

  • Hulk – Spectacles

Nameplates (100 Cost)

  • Cap. 011
  • Iron Man 018
  • Black Widow 011
  • Ms Marvel 062

 

In other Marvel’s Avengers news, a new patch has been released yesterday and it includes a host of fixes that you should check out. We’ve also posted quite a number of guides, and we’re not done yet! Head on over here for our Marvel’s Avengers guide hub.

Our review of the game is hitting the site soon, as we just want to make sure we’re hitting all the bases and doing enough multiplayer missions to do our review justice.

More Marvel’s Avengers Reading:

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Xbox Series X Size Comparisons, Box Art Makes Its Way Out

With Microsoft now fully announcing the Xbox Series X (and Series S) price and release date, the company is continuing its marketing blitz by now giving us Xbox Series X size comparisons with other consoles.

Multiple sites like IGN, GameSpot and more, have gotten mock up units (no actual hardware components inside) of the Xbox Series X and Series S to see how it’ll look like in your living room (or wherever you want to put it) or how it stacks up against the PS4 and other gaming devices.

More shots can be seen on IGN, GameSpot, The Verge.

In addition to the Xbox Seres X size comparison images, the Xbox Series X box art has made its way out too (via ResetEra)! Check out the image that shows us dots and holes…lots of ’em!

It looks like the Xbox Series S will be one tiny console that packs in a lot of power in its form factor! Will Sony follow suit and give us the PS5 price, release date and size comparison? I sure hope so.

What do you think of this upcoming console’s size? Too big or just right? Let us know down in the comments.

Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S will be out this November 10, with pre-orders starting on September 22.

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Alex Co

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New Borderlands 3 Update 1.16 September 10 Brings New Content and Changes

Gearbox Software has released the new Borderlands 3 update 1.16 September 10 patch that brings the new campaign DLC “Psycho Krieg and the Fantasic Fustercluck,” along with a new increase in the level cap and more.

New Borderlands 3 Update 1.16 September 10 patch notes:

NEW CONTENT:

  • Added support for Borderlands 3’s forth campaign add-on: Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck
  • Increased the level cap by five levels to 65

GENERAL

  • Added two more ammo SDU upgrades for pistols, shotguns, submachine guns, assault rifles, and grenades and two expansion SDU upgrades for the Lost Loot machine on Sanctuary III
  • Addressed a reported concern where the “Refill Ammo” prompt would persist for clients in a multiplayer session
  • Player class icons will now show with profile pictures for Steam and Epic Games Store PC cross-platform players

MAYHEM

  • Players will now have a chance to redeem themselves in Fight For Your Life when Slayer is active and they have killed an enemy with melee
  • Mayhem modifiers will no longer change when players join through matchmaking
  • Added Mayhem damage scaling support to shields with Nova or Reflect behaviors

CHARACTER

  • Amara’s Ties that Bind augment now only passes gun and melee damages to enemies

Certain types of damage were unintentionally being passed to other enemies caught in the Phasegrasp. This change prevents those interactions, but no other changes have been made to this skill.

  • The Beastmaster’s Headcount passive skill no longer prevents Rakk Attack from gaining the proper number of charges when scoring critical hits
  • The Beastmaster’s Dominance skill will continue to damage beast targets throughout the skill’s duration
  • The Beastmaster’s St4ckbot class mod will no longer reset its damage stack increase when an enemy takes damage from a splash source or elemental damage done over time
  • The Beastmaster’s Friend-Bot class mod now increases pet damage
  • The Gunner’s Drowning in Brass passive skill now applies bonus damage to both of Iron Bear’s weapons, rather than just the left

If there are any changes not included in today’s patch, let us know down in the comments.

Source: Borderlands

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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New Rainbow Six Siege Update 1.92 September 10 Brings Shadow Legacy

Rainbow Six Siege players, the big Shadow Legacy (read: Sam Fisher/Splinter Cell) patch is finally here! Ubisoft has released the new Rainbow Six Siege update 1.92 September 10 patch that brings a new Operator in Sam Fisher, and loads more.

New Rainbow Six Siege update 1.92 September 10 patch notes:

Note that Ubisoft has mentioned that there will be “data repackaging” which means a larger than usual download size.

Zero – Attacker:

Unique Abilities and Playstyle:

Argus Launcher:

Intel is crucial to a good attack strategy, and Zero is well aware of that. His Argus Launcher is equipped with very special cameras that can lodge themselves into breakable and reinforced surface to surveil either side.

Yes, these cameras can cover two angles and effectively allow you to spy on the opposing team. Argus Cameras do have one more quirk though: a single laser shot, perfect for destroying key elements in the Defenders’ setup or drawing attention away from choke points.

MAP REWORK: CHALET
Chalet has been with us for a long time, and it has a special place in our hearts. Unfortunately, in its previous state it was not as viable as other maps, so we wanted to give it the love it deserved with a proper rework.

To modernize the map, we focused on the Objectives and how balanced they were.

The Basement and Kitchen sites were already quite strong, so the changes there were minor. One hallway was added to improve rotation between the sites in Basement, and we switched out the Trophy site for a new one in Dining.

For Bar and Gaming, the difference is mostly in access and rotation, as it is for most of the map. Doors were moved, and a new hallway on the South side links them together.

Finally, you’ll find the biggest changes with Bedroom and Office. The stairs that led up from the first floor have been moved to connect Trophy and a brand-new room that replaces the balcony next to Master Bedroom: the Solarium. The Bathroom no longer connects directly into Bedroom, but rather serves as a rotation point.

A few other noticeable changes include the extension of the Mezzanine to connect to Office Balcony (where most windows have been blocked), roof access with new rappel points, and Wine Cellar no longer being separated into two rooms.

Overall, you’ll find that the map has been greatly reconfigured, whether it be by changing the cover inside objectives, or moving access points, or even offering new options for rotation. However, it remains widely recognizable and keeps its signature thematic.

 

PING 2.0
The new Ping system is coming! On top of regular yellow pings, you’ll now be able to use contextual pings both while in Character and while using Cameras and Drones. You’ll also be able to keep pinging after being eliminated, so your ability to give your teammates intel will remain.

A few notes, however:

You can reveal opposing Operators by pinging their primary gadget.
Regular yellow pings have assigned numbers to make for easier callouts.
The reticle used to determine where your ping will go can be turned off in Options.
When using a controller, the default Ping input has been switched with the Swap Fire Mode input.
Take the time to familiarize yourself with this new system. It’s bound to change the way everyone approaches and considers sharing intel with their team.

MAP BAN
We’re introducing a new feature called the Map Ban that will allow players to gain more control over the maps they play, both on Ranked and Unranked.

Before a match, each team will be able to ban one map from a random pre-selection of three maps from the pool. Banning the same map will result in a random selection from the two remaining maps while banning two different maps, by elimination, will result in the selection of the remaining map. Players can also choose not to ban any maps.

MATCH REPLAY – TEST SERVER ONLY
Rainbow Six Siege is an ever-evolving game and always striving to bring the best to its players. This season, we’re bringing a new feature to our Test Server only, as we are in the early stages of development.

Introducing Match Replay, a function that records your last matches – up to 12 of them – locally on your own PC. The feature is enabled by default in General Options, and you’ll be able to access a “WATCH” section directly from the menu allowing you to playback your last few plays, recorded at an average of 30 MB per minute of gameplay. Once you’re in the replay, you can use the Spectator mode tools to check any top-down view or any first-person view – whether yours, your teammates’, or someone from the opposing team.

We’re aiming to have this feature be helpful for all types of players at any level, from new players looking for knowledge of their maps, to pros and coaches looking for a new strategy, to even analysts and content creators. This could also be a great tool to avoid cheating in the community.

By releasing the feature this season on our Test Server, we intend to gather all your feedback on this feature first, then pull it back to polish and improve it.

NEW OPTICS AND SIGHT COLORS
In an effort to make Rainbow Six Siege a game anyone can enjoy, we are introducing a new feature that will increase the accessibility of the game. We’re implementing new optics and sight colors to allow for a better experience to players that are colorblind or visually impaired.

Our menu section now includes an “ACCESSIBILITY” tab that proposes various color options adapted to different forms of color blindness (Deuteranopia, Protanopia and Tritanopia). A custom option is also available for anyone to adjust the sight colors to their preference. Players will get to preview those sight options in small and full screen mode before making their choice.

We aim to increase the comfort level for all of our players and ensure everyone has the best experience possible.

REINFORCEMENT POOL
We’re changing the way teams prepare for combat with the new Reinforcement Pool system. Rather than have 2 reinforcements to deploy each in their inventories, Operators will now take from a Reinforcement Pool, including 10 available reinforcements to share with teammates. The pool will decrease by 1 for each reinforcement used and will increase by 1 for each failed reinforcement.

The goal of this update is to bring some balance to the Defending team, allowing Operators that already have a lot of preparation before a match to leave it to others. This can also allow for more experienced player to take on the reinforcements if newer players have less knowledge of the map. This feature is also available in PvE, in Protect Hostage.

At the moment, we have removed the amount of reinforcements HUD for the caster. The HUD for the Reinforcement Pool should be added in the coming months.

THATCHER CHANGES
The Disabled State for Electronic Gadget (DSEG) is an update aiming to add a “disabled” state for gadgets, besides “active” or “destroyed”. The duration of this states depends on the ability from the opposite operator that caused the gadget to be disabled. Gadgets in that state can still be deployed and can still be detected by Operators with the proper gadgets.

In this new phase, we’re aiming to implement a loss of functionality for all Defenders gadgets across the board when Thatcher uses his EMP Grenade. Rather than having some gadgets destroyed and others disabled for a short amount of time, we’re choosing to unify the behavior of gadgets affected by Thatcher and have them all be disabled temporarily.

SQUADFINDER
We’re offering a brand-new service called SquadFinder on our website to help Rainbow Six Siege players find the perfect teammates and build the best Squad in the game.

SquadFinder allows players to create a profile based on their in-game data and play habits and set-up a request following their game sessions, languages, playstyle and game mode. The matching system will then connect them to players with similar stats and with good compatibility. From then on, you can send and accept friend requests, allowing players to gain new teammates and friends to join the fight.

The more we are, the better the experience will be!

SIEGE STATS
Another update we are proud to offer is the arrival of a stats tracker available to all players on our website, available during the season. You have been vocal about how important tracking your performance is, so you will soon be able to access your history through the brand new MY SIEGE STATS section on our website.

With only your username, you will be able to access your stats for the current season and break it down into monthly and weekly summaries. You’ll also be able to access your previous seasons, add friends to see how their stats stack up to your own, receive weekly personalized recaps of your best matches and check out the advanced stats pro players use to track their performance!

OPERATORS PRICE DECREASE
This season will see a price decrease for seven Operators. Amaru and Goyo now see their prices down to 20,000 Renown or 480 R6 Credits. Maverick and Clash’s price is going down to 15,000 Renown or 360 R6 Credits, and Ying, Lesion and Ela will go down to 10,000 Renown or 240 R6 Credits.

BALANCING CHANGES
With the introduction of the hard breach charge, new sights and scopes, the change to the DSEG 1.2, and other gameplay balancing updates in this update; we’re holding off on operator-related balancing changes for the time being to evaluate their impact.

LOADOUTS

Montagne: Hard breach charge replacing Stun Grenades.
Ying: Hard breach charge replacing Breach Charges.
Fuze: Hard breach charge replacing Smoke Grenades.
Finka: Hard breach charge replacing Breach Charges.
Amaru: Hard breach charge replacing Claymore.
Nøkk: Hard breach charge replacing Breach Charges.
Capitão: Hard breach charge replacing Stun Grenades.
Lion: Hard breach charge replacing Claymore.
MAVERICK

Maverick now has an additional blowtorch canister, with 6 in all (up from 5).
This gives players more leniency when rationing their fuel to open hatches. On average it requires approximately 2.3 canisters to open a hatch, so an extra canister will be a bit more forgiving of mistakes.

TWEAKS & IMPROVEMENTS
GAME BALANCING

See above for information on the new secondary Hard Breach Charge gadget and changes to Thatcher’s DSEG 1.2.

NEW SIGHTS

New sights are coming! We’re introducing 2 new sights and 2 new scopes:

New M4S Red Dot Sight – 1.0x zoom, which functions as a ‘no zoom’ sight
New MH1 Holo Sight – Alternative Holo that offers a clean sight and new reticule.
New ACOG (1.5x Scope) – An ACOG with short-to-medium range magnification
New Scope (2.0 Scope) – With medium range magnification

MODIFIED SIGHTS

2.5x ACOG – Zoom level changed.
3.0x Scope – No longer a unique option, and will be an option for most DMRs (depending on balancing needs)

REDISTRIBUTION OF SIGHTS

With the introduction of new sights and scopes, we’ll be redistributing them based on operator, gameplay, and balancing needs.

PLAYER COMFORT

MINIMUM MMR GAIN/LOSS

Winning/Losing a ranked match will now give a minimum of 25 +/- MMR gain or loss. We’ve also tweaked the MMR gain/loss distribution to prevent diminishing MMR returns for players who play lots of ranked games.

IN-GAME REPORT NOTIFICATIONS

You will now receive in-game notifications after a player that you reported is sanctioned. These will replace the ‘Thank you’ emails for reporting a banned player. Play nice. Play fair. Report those that don’t.

VOTE-TO-KICK REMOVAL (LATER IN THE SEASON)

Later in the season, we’ll be removing vote-to-kick from Quick Match—the only playlist which had this feature. We’ve been monitoring the use of vote-to-kick and have found that it has since strayed from its original intent, leaning towards a more toxicity-related use case. With the numerous RFF conditions in place, as well as the improved player-reporting panel, we feel the original need for vote-to-kick should be fulfilled by these other options for reporting toxic players instead. We strongly encourage you to report toxic players via the in-game reporting panel so that they can be sanctioned.

CASTER HUD

A new player card is present at the bottom-center of the screen that will help viewers swiftly notice which player they’re spectating. This is extremely useful, especially when switching quickly between players’ views.
Player’s life bar has new feedback to easily spot players taking damage
Activating and deactivating the defuser has a new VFX to make this action more noticeable when it occurs during the round
Drone Info is now present in the player card even if the operator is dead or in the DBNO state
Abilities and gadgets have new VFX for their states when they are ready, active, cool-down, etc.
Hostage and Secure Area game modes are now shown as feedback in the HUD

GAME HEALTH

GADGET DEPLOYMENT REFACTOR

Moving forward with our push for behavioral consistency, we’ve built further on our Y4S4 projectile map asset destruction changes and brought it to deployable.

To make gadget deployment behavior more predictable and consistent, deployable gadgets will now either destroy fragile/smaller map assets when deployed on them (paintings/posters), or deploy without impediment on normal textured surfaces (paneled walls/carpets).

ADS SENSITIVITY SYSTEM

Players now have the option to customize ADS sensitivity in the Options menu. With the ADS Sensitivity System, ADS is more consistent across all sight/scope magnifications. You can customize sensitivity levels per zoom level according to your personal preference by selecting the ‘Advanced’ option in the Options menu.

VAULT DETECTION

Improvement of the vault detection system will make vaulting smoother, easier, and make vault behavior more consistent.

RFF + HOSTAGE RULES CHANGES

We’ve updated the RFF rules around hostage to be more consistent and transparent to prevent ambiguity and abuse.

MMR ROLLBACK CAP

The cap for MMR rollback has been raised from your max MMR for the season to your max MMR + 200. We hope this will give a bit more flexibility for MMR rollback and reduce some of the frustrations surrounding it.

SOUND REFACTORING

We have begun the process of refactoring our sound system, which will essentially repackage the way sounds are stored and connected to the game. For more information on what that means and how it will improve our sound system, please see Top Issues & Community Concerns

If we spot any changes not mentioned here, we’ll update the post.

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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GTA Online Weekly Update September 10 Offers Doube Rewards & More

GTA Online players, Rockstar Games has rolled out the GTA Online weekly update September 10 refresh of activities! Same as before, check out the highlights below. This week includes double rewards for Business Battles and more.

GTA Online Weekly Update September 10 highlights:

  • A free Lemon Sports Tracksuit (both pants and top) for logging in
  • 40% off select Bunkers and 30% off a selection of their modifications
  • Vehicle Discounts, such as: 40% off the Ocelot Ardent and Declasse Weaponized Tampa, 30% off the Pegassi Zentorno, and 25% off the Dundreary Landstalker XL and Youga Classic 4×4
  • Prime Gaming Benefits: A GTA$200K bonus for playing this week, alongside a free Vespucci Canals Nightclub property, and 80% off the Progen T20 and Överflöd Tyrant
  • With the Los Santos Summer Special’s Invetero Coquette D10 as the latest Lucky Wheel top prize
  • And Double GTA$ & RP in all Business Battles, including those featured as part of the Los Santos Summer Special, Double GTA$ & RP in any game of Land Graband Double GTA$ & RP in all Gunrunning Sell Missions
  • Along with a chance to earn a cache of Diamonds for completing the Diamond Casino Heist

Here are this week’s fresh batch of discounts:

DISCOUNTS

Expand your subterranean holdings with discounts on Bunkers and Bunker Modifications, plus earn Double Rewards on Gunrunning Sell Missions this week for some quick ROI. There are also deals on a selection of luxurious vehicles to escape from the prying eyes of the authorities.

40% Off Bunkers

Paleto Forest Bunker, Raton Canyon Bunker, Lago Zancudo Bunker, Chumash Bunker, Grapeseed Bunker, Route 68 Bunker, Grand Senora Desert Bunker, Smoke Tree Road Bunker, Thomson Scrapyard Bunker, Farmhouse Bunker

30% Off Bunker Modifications

Bunker Style, Personal Quarters, Shooting Range, Gun Locker, Transportation, MOC Weaponized Vehicle Workshop

Vehicles:

25% Off Dundreary Landstalker XL

30% Off Pegassi Zentorno

25% Off Youga Classic 4×4

Plus take 40% off the Ocelot Ardent and Declasse Weaponized Tampa through September 16th.

For more details on this week’s activities, head on over here.

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Official Battlefield Twitter Account Vanishes Today on Its 18th Birtday

Here’s your weird news for the day: It seems the official (verified) Battlefield Twitter account is gone! What makes this even weirder (or if it makes more sense), today is the 18th birthday of the franchise, even.

Don’t believe me? Try searching for @Battlefield on Twitter and you’ll be greeted with this:

Checking the other official social media accounts of the game, it looks like it’s just the Twitter account that’s gone. The Instagram account and Facebook page are still up the time of this writing.

Naturally, this has caused quite a stir on Twitter, as Battlefield content creators are now wondering whether this is the start of some sort of viral marketing campaign, or if someone accidentally deleted it or something else. We’ve contacted EA and will update the post if we hear anything back.

Regarding the franchise, the first Battlefield game — Battlefield 1942 — was released in September 10 2002 on PC. Since then, the franchise has garnered tremendous success, and is often seen as the counterpart to Activision’s mega-successful Call of Duty franchise. Since its inception, the Battlefield series has had more tha 10 entries, with most of the games being helmed by Stockholm studio and franchise creator DICE.

Is this the start of something or someone just goofed? Once we know more, we’ll update the post.

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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New Fortnite Update September 10 v14.10 Now Live, Here Are the Changes and Datamined Info (Update)

Epic Games has released the new Fortnite update September 10 v14.10 patch or what console gamers will see as Fortnite update 2.85. This brings a host of gameplay fixes which we’ve listed below, along with datamined content.

New Fortnite September 10 patch v14.10 (Fortnite update 2.85) changes:

General:

Setting to disable Licensed Audio for Radio not working when outside a vehicle.

Description
Licensed Audio will not be muted/disabled, if this setting is selected, for Radio audio heard outside a vehicle. Entering the vehicle as a passenger or driver should properly disable the audio.


Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android


Workaround
Entering a vehicle on the passenger or driver side will keep the setting working.

Battle Royale:

Using Silver Surfer’s Board on PS4 or Nintendo Switch sometimes causing crash.

Description
Using Silver Surfer’s Board during a match on PlayStation 4 or Nintendo Switch can sometimes cause a crash.


Platforms
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Glider audio from opponents is sometimes missing.

Description
The audio from an opponent’s Glider is sometimes missing after dropping from the Battle Bus. This can cause you to be unable to hear enemies gliding above you in the early game.


Platform
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android

Unable to consume or throw fish while in passenger seat.

Description
Players are unable to consume or throw fish when in the passenger seat of a car.


Platform
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android

Using Bifrost Glow Contrail in a match causes FPS drop.

Description
Using the Bifrost Glow Contrail in a match causes a drop in FPS.


Platform
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android

Supply Drops not disappearing after being opened.

Description
Supply Drops may sometimes not disappear off the map after being opened, persisting on both the map and mini-map.


Platform
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android

Creative:

Multiselect copying objects that are scaled down can revert them to the original size.

Description
When multiselect copying grid based objects and scaled down objects, the scaled down object will sometimes revert back to it original size.


Platforms
All

In the meantime, go check out the datamined content from reliable data miners below.

If you notice any gameplay-related changes from this patch, share them down below in the comments. Don’t forget to constantly update the post as we’ll be updating it throughout the day.

Update: We’ve updated the official list of fixes rolled out in today’s Fortnite update via the official Trello board. Datamining is apparently finished too!

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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EA Play Joins Xbox Game Pass For No Extra Charge

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will soon be able to enjoy a mass collection of EA titles, as Microsoft has announced that EA Play will now be part of the Xbox Game Pass.

Along with the news of the Xbox Series X price and release date, Microsoft also shared this morning that they have teamed up with EA for a new partnership to deliver even more titles for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Beginning this Holiday season, subscribers of Game pass Ultimate will be able to enjoy all the titles offered EA Play at no additional charge. Yep, you read right, you are gaining access to a huge library of not only current-gen titles, but also EA titles that are backwards compatible on the Xbox 360. This of course extends to any Xbox console that supports game pass along with PC subscribers. Down below you’ll find a bit of details and some of the additional perks included with EA Play.

  • More than 60 of EA’s biggest and best console and PC games like FIFA 20Titanfall 2 and Need for Speed Heat, as well as titles from some of EA’s most popular franchises like BattlefieldMass EffectSkate, and The Sims.
  • Exclusive in-game challenges and rewards, special member-only content, discounts on EA digital purchases for DLC, games, and more.
  • Access to trials of games for up to 10 hours from best-loved franchises and top titles like Madden NFL 21 and FIFA 21.
  • Not only will EA Play titles be available on console and PC, this holiday, some of the best EA Play games will also be available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play on Android devices via the cloud at no additional charge.

Not bad at all, especially since you aren’t spending anymore than what you currently need to. To help draw up even more hype, here’s a sizzle reel of some of the titles subscribers can expect to see this season.

No exact date was given as to when this perk will kick in, though we are expecting it to see it around the launch of the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X. We should be getting more details as we get closer to the November launch.

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James Lara

A gamer at heart, James has been working for MP1st for the last decade to do exactly what he loves, writing about video games and having fun doing it. Growing up in the 90's gaming has been in his DNA since the days of NES. One day he hopes to develop his own game.

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Dirt 5 Release Date Set for November 6, New Gameplay Races Out

Originally slated for release this October, Codemasters has announced the new Dirt 5 release date and it’s November 6 on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC! There’s also a Google Stadia version set for release in “early 2021.”

In the press release, Codemasters mentioned that the Amplified Edition will not only give exclusive content to gamers, but aso three days early access. It will also offer a free upgrade to Xbox Series X and PS5 owners too.

In addition to the release date announcement, a new gameplay video featuring New York has been released!

Our latest DIRT 5 early gameplay takes you to New York, with classic Ford and Peugeot rally cars battling on the frozen East River!

This Ice Breaker event by Roosevelt Island is at the dead of night, with incredible lighting, atmosphere and fireworks making for a unique racing experience. Up to 12 cars can do battle in Ice Breaker events, with multiple layouts and locations available.

Racing fans — especially those fans of Codemasters games — rev your engines, as November 6 is fast approaching!

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Demon’s Souls PS5 Box Art and Screenshots Revealed

Demon’s Souls is getting a remake exclusively for the PS5 courtesy of Bluepoint Games, and while no release date or details were given on when that is going to happen, the Demon’s Souls box art and new screenshots from the game have been released online!

Check the gorgeous screenshots below.

The Amazon product page also has an updated description of the game, which you can view below:

  • Experience the original brutal challenge, completely remade from the ground up. All presented in stunning visual quality with enhanced performance, this is the world of Boletaria as you have never seen it before.
  • Venture to the northern kingdom of Boletaria – a once prosperous land of knights, now beset with unspeakable creatures and ravenous demons. Meet strange characters, unhinged and twisted by the world around them, and unravel the unsettling story of Demon’s Souls.
  • Perfect and hone your skills in combat – know when to push forward and when to bide your time, as with each missed swing and careless mistake, you risk losing the very souls you’ve worked so hard to collect. The rewards for slaying the strongest foes are immense though, and death does not mean the end – it’s just another state of being.
  • With online invasions adding to the danger of your quest. Or play cooperatively by summoning allies to aid in your fight against the demons.
  • Active PS Plus subscription required for online multiplayer.

Demon’s Souls, for those not familiar with the game, was released back in 2009 for the PS3, and was developed by Souls series and Bloodborne dev From Software. Check out this comparison between the PS3 and PS5 version based on the reveal trailer.

Source: Resetera

Tim Villasor

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Black Ops Cold War Scorestreaks Cost Early Look, No Doors in MP, More Details Revealed

Not only did Treyarch give us our first look at Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer today, but the studio even gave access to a private alpha featuring content creators. Thanks to this, more details regarding the shooter has made its way online.

First up, we have a screenshot showcasing the Black Ops Cold War scorestreaks cost. Note that this is not the complete streaks list, though it does give us an idea on how well players need to do in order to hit each one.

Speaking of scorestreaks, we posted on how it works earlier today, and for those who haven’t read it, the short version is: scorestreaks now do not reset upon death! However, there are cooldowns for each streak, and multipliers too.

In addition to that, thanks to videos by Drift0r and Xclusive Ace where they shared their thoughts on the alpha, more confirmed info has been collected!

  • Doors are out, there are no doors in multiplayer
  • Mounting weapons on surfaces of any kind to mitigate recoil is out
  • Mini map is back to normal (red dots will show up for those firing guns without suppressors)
  • Footsteps audio are lower compared to Modern Warfare 2019
  • Dead Silence has been replaced by the “Ninja” perk that lessens foosteps sounds, though it was mentioned in the video that if the player is running, expect your footsteps to still be audible
  • Time-to-kill (TTK) has been said to be faster than Black Ops 4, but slower than Modern Warfare 2019
  • Health is at 150 again (same as Black Ops 4)
  • Health regen is back, no syringes needed (like in Black Ops 4)
  • Shown in the videos, both enemies and friendlies will have health bars above their player IDs
  • Loadouts can be edited mid-match (per Xclusive Ace Twitter)
  • Vehicles like snowmobiles, tanks, jet skis are in multiplayer and not earned via streaks (sample via Drift0r’s Twitter)
  • Drop-shotting is out! Drift0r has mentioned in his video that going prone will automatically take players out of ADS (aim down sights) and it’s slow

Also, take note that all these were taken from an alpha version of the game, and as such, things could change at anytime between now and the game’s release on November 13.

For more on Black Ops Cold War, check out the full beta schedule here, and we also got an official map and game modes overview from Treyarch.

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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NBA 2K21 Review – Personal Foul

Even amidst a global pandemic, three constants remain in our society: death, taxes, and annualized sports games. Although 2K Games releases their basketball game yearly, 2K21 released with an interesting obstacle that it’s predecessors did not have to deal with. Recently, 2K Games was the first to announce their game will cost $69.99 on next-gen consoles. While most financial analysts have foreseen a price increase, it was a bit odd the first to announce this change was a sports game. For the people who plead their case about minimal changes on a year-to-year basis, prepare to feel vindicated. Not only is 2K21 a near carbon copy of last year’s installment, but it’s also considerably worse in one specific area. Curious? Read on for our NBA 2K21 review.

Creating a Champion

As a fan of the Phoenix Suns, I’ve dealt with my fair share of NBA heartbreak. The latest was watching then-GM Ryan McDonough select Deandre Ayton over Luka Doncic no. 1 overall in the 2018 NBA draft. So naturally, my first stop in 2K21 was MyGM. Just think of Thanos putting the Infinity Gauntlet on at the end of Avengers saying, “Fine…I’ll do it myself.” Now, there’s quite a few ways to go about controlling a franchise. There’s the aforementioned MyGM mode, which places you in a pseudo-campaign as the GM of your selected team. In this mode, you meet with the owner, head coach, and various players in an near-impossible attempt to juggle everyone’s desires. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to win a championship in less than three years, but that might be a bit out of reach for the Suns. At the same time, my head coach wants me to acquire more lottery draft picks. The vast difference of goals set by the owner and head coach are at opposing ends of the spectrum.

On top of trying to cater to the head coach and owner, you can’t forget about the players. Obviously, players want to ensure they’re getting ample amount of playing time. If their requests aren’t fulfilled, they’ll become disgruntled and eventually not want to re-sign with the team. But what’s strange is why rookies or second-year players who’ve shown absolutely no negative feelings toward the team start expressing such emotions. Cam Johnson on the Suns was drafted No. 11 in the 2019 draft and was a major contributor for the Suns going undefeated in the bubble. It might be a bit much want 2K21 to reflect 100 percent based teams’s performances down in Orlando, but it’s ludicrous that Johnson would want to leave the team. Is MyGM supposed to be a roulette wheel to randomized players to show hostility?

The other main way to control a franchise is MyLeague. This mode is a more traditional route to building a franchise and returning players won’t have any trouble easing back in. Again, very little changed between 2K20 and 2K21. The majority of menu navigation is identical, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It promotes continuity and instills a sense of familiarity for players. There’s a major difference between innovation and creating progressive changes versus adding things for the hell of it. However, that doesn’t excuse Visual Concepts for seemingly releasing last year’s game but changing the zero to a one. Maybe we’ve reached the threshold of graphical improvements, but if someone played both 2K20 and 2K21 without knowing, I’d bet they wouldn’t tell a difference. That’s not to say the graphics are an eyesore, but some might chalk it up as just laziness.

A welcoming improvement to the overall gameplay this year has been the A.I.’s scoring efficiency. Countless times have players raged at their computer-controlled teammates making inexplicable decisions handling and shooting the basketball. Thankfully, your teammates make correct passes, perform more successful pick-and-rolls, and don’t miss wide-open shots as frequently as before. This helped me score early VC points in my playmaking skill tree, because I’d average a solid 6-7 assists per game. However, the same cannot be said on the defensive side of the ball. The biggest issue is the A.I. consistently fails to switch properly on screens. It’s not so much as pick-and-rolls, but simple screens to switch defenders. But the problem is, the defender won’t switch over and will instead keep on their assigned man and I get hit with leaving my defensive assignment. It’s these little hiccups that constantly remind me how frustrating 2K can be.

Make It Rain…Sorta

Unlike the graphics, 2K21 tried making a big change in the shooting mechanics. I say “tried,” because, quite frankly, it’s not good. Instead of simply moving the right stick down for the shot meter, you now have to aim the shot as well. Nearly every single shot I took would always rim out. At first, I thought it was user error after shooting 1 for 8 from behind the arc. Until I saw others were having the same problems, including the cover athlete himself, Damian Lillard.

Due to a high volume of negative feedback regarding 2K21’s shooting mechanics, Visual Concepts released a hot fix for improvement. It was tough to identify any significant changes to the shooting mechanics made by the developer. However, the shooting settings can be adjusted. If you’re not a fan of the added aiming feature, you can just focus on the timing of the shot. There’s also an option that goes based on the real player’s shooting percentage, however due to an overwhelmingly amount of distaste toward the player ratings, I would proceed with caution. All in all, even after the presumed patch to fix the shooting, it still feels like something’s slightly off.

On top of the initial distaste of the new shot meter, we can’t have a new sports game without people breaking down the player ratings. Every year there’s always a handful of players incorrectly ranked, and while it could be recency bias, it seems 2K21 really airballed on this one. New Orleans Pelicans small forward Josh Hart was especially unhappy with his rebounding rating.

As I mentioned earlier, it might a bit much to ask for 100 percent realism, but things like player ratings need to be as accurate as possible. Developers of a sports game need to have a full comprehension and understanding on all the players in the league, not just the “popular ones.” If 2K Games can’t, or won’t, take the time to show graphical improves or add compelling new features, the least they can do is have correct ratings. Hopefully there’s an update as soon as the bubble ends, but honestly, we should get roster updates as soon as possible.

My Path to the Assocation

The majority of my time trying to get buckets was in MyCareer. This mode focuses on you filling the shoes of Junior, the son of a well-known basketball player. MyCareer takes you through high school, selecting one of eight colleges, and ultimately being drafted in the NBA. It was strange to me that even though I created my MyCareer player as “Avery Feyrer,” the game forced me to go as Junior on the court. But when I was drafted, my name on the court reverted back to Feyrer. Now, this is where most of the game’s realism goes out the window for me. Everyone from the announcers to your teammates, you’re regarded as a sure-fire, top prospect. If the game holds you in such high esteem, shouldn’t your player absolutely dominate during high school, and possibly college? I created a shooting guard in order to hit those long-range shots, so why was my 3-point shooting a 55 rating? I understand the concept of grinding for Virtual Currency (VC) to increase your attributes, but being hyped up as a generational talent I should be dominating the early competition. What if Visual Concepts made your high school player a 90, then in college it “drops” to a 75-80, and finally in the NBA it’ll be a 60-65. It doesn’t make much sense for the game to continue saying how impactful you are to the game when you finish with 10 points and 7 assists. For lack of a better word, your MyCareer player should absolutely ball out against “weaker” opposition.

With that being said, it doesn’t really matter how good or bad you are, because you still have the ability of selecting any college. Regardless of the school you pick, MyCareer takes an undesirable turn from living your NBA dream to insufferable basketball drama. The journey to the association involves dealing with conceited reporters, an initial shady agent, and a forced, over the top, gagged-filled romantic side story. All things I don’t want in a basketball game. Hopefully in the future, 2K installs an option to remove all that extracurricular material for people who only want to focus on becoming an amazing NBA player. I can confidently say I spent more time watching cut scenes than playing actual basketball, and that’s not a good thing.

nba 2k21 demo release date

MyCareer could’ve regained much of the love lost after the NBA draft. Notice I say “could’ve,” because again, 2K21 air balls the realism aspect of the game. It focuses nearly all of the attention on the poor, cringy narrative of the campaign instead of embracing an accurate road to the NBA. After you enter the NBA Combine, you develop a friendship/semi-rivalry with Hendrixx Cobb. Now, before the combine the game asks you which team you’d like to play for. Deep down I had a feeling 2K21 was essentially telling me the team I select will be the one I get drafted by. I chose the Suns, but when the draft started, Phoenix had the No. 1 pick and took Cobb. I suppose Phoenix got lucky on lottery night and the ping pong balls bounced their way, but how can 2K21 explain the Sun’s not only drafting me when I play the same position as Cobb, but as also as the No. 2 pick. So naturally, that would mean Phoenix gutted their roster to build a new core with Cobb and myself. Nope, sorry. The Sun’s still had the normal roster with guys like Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, and Ayton. It doesn’t make any sense that the Suns were able to draft first and second without trading any players. Again, the sheer lack of realism in favor of a water-downed, predictable sports movie was not the right move.

NBA 2K21 strangely does very little to separate itself from its predecessor, especially when the next-gen version will see a price increase. The change in the shot meter by adding the aim feature proved to be a big miss. With EA seemingly putting an indefinite hold on the NBA Live franchise, the lack of competition essentially gives 2K an annual pass. The lack of realism regarding player ratings, player attitudes in building a franchise, and the overall experience of MyCareer leaves a sour taste in my mouth. 2K has its work cut out for them in transforming NBA 2K21 into an acceptable product. If 2K is going to want to charge more for their nex-gen product, then us consumers deserve a next-gen product in return. As of right now, NBA 2K21 is nowhere near that.

Score: 6/10

Pros:

  • Familiarity of MyLeague/MyGM, easy to navigate menus, formulate roster, and minute distribution
  • Solid create-a-player builds for MyCareer
  • Improvement on A.I. offensive decision-making and offense efficiency

Cons:

  • Adjustment to shot meter, adding shot aim
  • A.I. still make questionable defensive decisions
  • Poor, cringy dialogue in MyGM/MyCareer
  • MyCareer is more of a soap opera than basketball sim
  • Game does very little in showing you how to upgrade MyCareer player
  • Severe lack of realism, player ratings all over the place

NBA 2K21 review code provided by the publisher. Played on PS4. You can read SP1st and MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.

Avery Feyrer

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Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer Gameplay Info on Loadouts, Streaks & More

With today’s Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer reveal, Treyarch gave gamers a huge heaping of info regarding the maps, modes and more. In addition to the gameplay look, we also got an overview of the Black Ops Cold War multiplayer gameplay info for player loadouts, streaks and more.

Note that the info below isn’t the complete overview of multiplayer, but it touches on some of the big stuff that players might be asking.

Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer Gameplay Info:

Signature Combat: Initial Gameplay Information

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s boots-on-the-ground combat is built upon the familiar feel of Black Ops movement and gunplay, all while innovating on key gameplay elements to bring it to new heights.

It begins with, of course, the weaponry. A new weapon sound engine brings further understanding of enemy and friendly gunfire, giving players a sense of what is being fired at them and where it came from through three-dimensional and directional sound.

In terms of loadouts, the Create-a-Class system is back, and is now slot-based! Pick 10 is gone, and each player will get:

  • Primary weapon
  • Secondary weapon
  • Lethal equipment
  • Tactical equipment
  • Field Upgrade
  • Perks

Field Upgrades which should be familiar to those who played Modern Warfare 2019, and this one is set on a timer and doesn’t depend on your performance. Players earn these on an in-game cooldown and lasts after death.

Loadouts can also be outfitted with class-changing Wildcards, which can provide one of four benefits:

  • Grant eight attachments for a primary weapon
  • Carry up to six Perks
  • Double the number of lethal and tactical equipment given on spawn
  • Carry three Perks from any category, rather than be limited to one of each

Gunsmith from Modern Warfare is coming back though with a few key differences.

Gunsmith:

Those looking to further tinker with their primary weapon, or some secondaries, can head to the Gunsmith. Each primary weapon can be customized with up to 54 attachments across eight different nodes, or attachment points, with at least six options per attach point. The benefits and drawbacks of each attachment are shown via exact percentage change, which allows operators to precisely understand the data behind how each weapon configuration will feel out in the field, along with further conversations between developer and community about weapon tuning.

Scorestreaks are also coming back, and this time, everyone will be able to earn one as they don’t reset!

Scorestreaks:

Scorestreaks make a return with several significant changes. In this new system, earned score is kept through death, giving all players a chance at earning these visceral and fun tools that can turn the tide of battle.

However, these Scorestreaks, especially higher-end rewards, must still be earned through earning plenty of score via elite gameplay. Those who string together multiple kills before a death will earn streak score bonuses, which can aid significantly in earning the game’s most powerful Scorestreaks.

Scorestreaks also have cooldowns, preventing players from “spamming” Scorestreaks repeatedly, and some even exist to counter other Scorestreaks outside of traditional anti-Scorestreak measures.

Lastly, Treyarch explained how the movement system works, and it should feel familiar with players of Black Ops 4!

Player Movement:

With more points of motion and physics effects, operators’ movement will feel more lifelike than ever before. On top of these visual advancements, expect four new refinements in movement to be introduced in Black Ops Cold War:

  • Sprint Take Off – Operators automatically receive a burst of speed when starting a sprint, then settle down to a normal sprint speed.
  • Sliding – Slides start and end in a crouched position for a more believable movement pattern.
  • Footstep Control – Faster movement makes more noise, while slower movement doesn’t make as much sound. Players can further reduce the sound of their footsteps while sprinting with the return of the classic Ninja Perk.
  • Jumping – Expect more natural height in jumps, which briefly slows an operator down as they land.

That’s a lot of info to take in! Make sure to read up on the maps and modes, and the official beta details which were revealed today, too.

Source: Activision Blog

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.

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Destiny 6th Birthday Stats Revealed – Over 167 Million Guardians, and More

In case you didn’t know, today marks the the birthday (or sixth year anniversary) of Bungie’s Destiny franchise. To mark this occasion, Bungie has sent out a press release with some impressive Destiny 6th birthday stats!

Destiny 6th Birthday stats:

  • Over 167 million Guardians have joined the ranks
  • Over 8.6 billion hours ( the same amount of time it takes light to travel from the Sun to the Earth on 4,806 occasions)
  • Over $8.5 million raised for Little Lights and worthy causes all over the world
  • Class states breakdown – 31% Titans, 31% Warlocks, 38% Hunters

Note that the stats above reflect that of Destiny and Destiny 2.

It’s been a rather busy week for Destiny 2, as not only did we get the weekly reset yesterday, we also got a new patch, and even the Iron Banner returned yesterday too (check out the Iron Bounties here).

There’s also the launch of Destiny 2’s next expansion called Beyond Light which is set for November. We’ve posted Bungie’s Stasis subclass breakdowns of the Warlock Shadebinder, Titan Behemoth, and Hunter Revenant that you should check out.

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Alex Co

Father, gamer, games media vet, writer of words, killer of noobs.