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Apex Legends Octane Is Based on Titanfall 2 Gauntlet World Record Holder

  by   Alex Co  
March 19, 2019 6:42 pm in News

Today, Respawn Entertainment commenced Season 1 of Apex Legends, and the biggest content to come with it is undoubtedly the new Legend named Octane.

While Octane’s abilities and design are designed from the ground up by Respawn, it seems this new Legend was based on the person (Reddit user Cash_Mayo) who holds the record for the fastest Gauntlet run in Titanfall 2! For those not familiar with both, the Gauntlet is part of Titanfall 2’s training area, and this is where you come to grips with the game’s (TF2) controls, movement system and more. Titanfall 2 is, of course, Respawn’s previous major game release before Apex Legends.

This was highlighted by Reddit user APEX_Wraith who underlined the following message to emphasize Octane’s origins.

Given Octane’s abilities are all based on movement and whatnot, I’d say it’s a good homage, no? In case you’re curious, you can watch Cash_Mayo’s Gauntlet run of 12 seconds (!!!) below.

Also of note, to put any doubt to rest, Respawn has even linked to the Gauntlet run in the game’s “Meet Octane” video. I have to admit, this is an insanely cool move by Respawn, and one I hope gets copied by other studios in the future.

In other Apex Legends news, you can read up on the Battle Pass contents right here to see what you’ll be getting for spending real world money.

Tags: Apex legends EA Respawn Entertainment
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Alex Co

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

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Game Settings Update Introduces Shamrock & Awe on PC/XB1

  by   Alex Co  
5:23 pm in News

Xbox One and PC Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 players, the Shamrock & Awe event is finally available for your platform! Treyarch has rolled out a Black Ops 4 game settings update that should let PC and Xbox One players experience what PS4 gamers have been playing since last week.

For PS4 players, there’s a few fixes rolled out that you might want to check out too.

General

  • Weapons
    • Melee range for Cha-Ching and Secret Santa weapons adjusted to match the range of the Combat Knife.
  • Theater
    • Reinstated proper pause/play functionality in Theater.

Multiplayer

  • Game Modes
    • Featured category updated:
      • Mercenary Objective Moshpit
      • Hardcore Moshpit
      • One in the Chamber
      • Domination (Xbox One/PS4), Objective Moshpit (PC)

Blackout

  • Shamrock & Awe
    • Addressed an issue that allowed players to activate the Shamrock & Awe Easter Egg multiple times in a match.
    • Addressed an issue that prevented the rainbow from appearing when the Shamrock & Awe Easter Egg is available in an area.
  • Game Modes
    • Hot Pursuit continues on all platforms.

Zombies

  • Stability
    • Dead of the Night
      • Fixed a crash that could occur during the Stake Knife Quest.

Xbox One and PC:

General

  • Events
    • Shamrock & Awe Event now live in Multiplayer, Blackout, and Zombies.
    • Players can visit the Black Market to collect their free St. Patrick’s Day Gesture & Calling Card.

Multiplayer

  • Shamrock & Awe Event
    • St. Patrick’s Stockpile
      • Carry your banked enemy shamrocks to the nearest pot of gold to score points and claim victory for your team in this limited-time game mode.

Blackout

  • Game Modes
    • Hardcore added as Featured Playlist.
    • Quads version of Blackout with no HUD, armor, vehicles, or zombies.
    • No mini-map, player information, team information, compass, player count, or killfeed.
    • Quick Equip Menu disabled.
    • Med Kits are the only available healing items (no Trauma Kits or Bandages).
    • A fleet of helicopters drops flares overhead to inform players of each new circle location.
  • Weapons
    • Contraband Stashes
    • Contraband Stashes allow access to the latest weapons: Rampage shotgun, Switchblade X9 SMG, and KAP 45 auto-pistol.
  • Vehicles
    • Muscle Car & SUV
    • Muscle Car and SUV now available in Solos, Duos, and Quads, without their special abilities exclusive to Hot Pursuit.
  • Shamrock & Awe Event
    • St. Patrick’s-themed map updates, including additional loot available in Pot-o-Gold Stashes, Homunculus Leprechaun hoards, and in Mystery Boxes at the end of the rainbow.

Zombies

  • Gauntlets
    • Hellcatraz
      • Take on 30 rounds of new challenges as the Primis crew in “Blood of the Dead” for rewards at Tiers 10, 20, and 30.
  • Shamrock & Awe Event
    • Green-eyed zombies and a new seasonal Easter Egg now live in Classic Chaos story maps.

PC:

Multiplayer

  • Featured Playlists
    • Split the Deathmatch Moshpit back out into separate Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed playlists.
    • Objective Moshpit added to Featured category this week.

Blackout

  • General
    • Reduced the number of players required to auto-start Blackout Quads, Duos, and Solo matches from 100 to 80 for faster match start times.

Zombies

  • “New Map” Playlist
    • Temporarily removed the “New Map” playlist for Zombies, which was previously “Dead of the Night”.
    • This playlist will return on PC once “Ancient Evil” has been released for Black Ops Pass holders.
    • “Dead of the Night” can still be played in the “Chaos” playlist.

 

​Source: Reddit:

Tags: Activision Call of Duty Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Treyarch
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Alex Co

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

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Red Dead Online Upcoming Features, Spring Update Content Revealed

  by   Alex Co  
3:53 pm in News

If you’re trekking through Red Dead Online’s multiplayer world and want to know what’s next, we got you covered! Rockstar has announced the Red Dead Online upcoming features, which will be out in four weeks’ time.

Players can expect new Showdown Modes, Racing Modes in the next four weeks, and a Free Roam Event with new items and bonuses set to out later today. In spring, expect a new update that will add Free Roam missions, and lots more.

The next Red Dead Online major update is scheduled for spring, and will bring a host of feature upgrades and new content.

The Hostility System

The Hostility system builds upon the anti-griefing measures added in February with smarter and responsive features that keep players immersed in the world through confrontations and PvP action. For example, players who have damage inflicted on them by attackers will be able to defend themselves without incurring Bounties or Hostility increases. Previously, the attacker and target would be marked as an enemy – now the attacker who inflicts damage will be immediately marked as an enemy to the attacked player; players will not accumulate Hostility increases for killing other players who are marked as an enemy.

Hostility increases will not apply within structured events such as Free Roam Events, Free Roam Missions, Showdowns and Races. Engaging in player vs player behaviors related to Free Roam missions will not incur Hostility increases, however attacking other players not engaged in the activity will cause your Hostility level to rise.

The Hostility System has many more functions and will help balance experiences for all play styles.

Offensive and Defensive Playing Style Options

Some players just want to immerse themselves in the world, riding, hunting and fishing in peace. We want to offer these options while allowing players to coexist comfortably alongside other players in the world. The Offensive Playing Style is much like the current Free Roam play as we know it while the Defensive Playing Style is a more evolved version of the Passive Mode concept, designed for Red Dead Online’s more grounded experience – giving players more flexibility in how they interact with the world and at the same time de-emphasizing hostile contact with other players.

Choosing the Defensive option introduces balances that compliment a less confrontational approach: Defensive players cannot be lassoed by rival players – although if a Defensive player lassos another player, they’ll be removed from Defensive play and incur a significant Hostility level increase. Defensive players will trade the ability to lock on to other players for the benefit that other players will not be able to lock on to Defensive players.

While Defensive players can target and be targeted in free aim, they cannot deliver or receive critical hits – if a Defensive player is attacked with a headshot, they’ll survive and be able to defend themselves via the Hostility system or escape all while remaining Defensive.  There are several other adjustments that come with the Defensive Playing Style, all of which are built to work seamlessly with systems like Hostility and Bounties to keep all players rooted in the world.

Some other new additions include:

  • More A Land of Opportunities Missions: continue Jessica LeClerk’s search for revenge as you explore between the path of a Gunslinger or an Outlaw
  • New Free Roam Mission givers and mission types: Red Dead Online is set in the years before the single player story so expect to encounter a range of new and familiar faces as you traverse the frontier
  • The Introduction of dynamic events: fight off ambushes, initiate rescues, defend folks in need and more as you travel across the world

According to Rockstar, players can also expect updates to the character creator, restructured Daily Challenges that eliminate hostile gameplay in Free Roam, and even the return of a classic weapon the LeMatt Revolver from the original Red Dead — all coming soon.

Tags: red dead online Red Dead Redemption 2 Rockstar Games
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Alex Co

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

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Apex Legends Update 1.05 Now Live, Here’s the Complete Patch Notes

  by   Alex Co  
1:54 pm in News

With Apex Legends Season 1 starting today, Respawn Entertainment has released Apex Legends update 1.05, which is live now on all platforms (PS4, Xbox One, and PC).

Clocking in at 3GB on the PS4, this Apex Legends update adds Octane to the mix, a bunch of technical fixes, and of course, the Battle Pass!

SEASON 1: WILD FRONTIER PATCH NOTES

INTRODUCING BATTLE PASS SEASON 1

  • Added Battle Pass tab to Lobby.
  • Cost: 950 Apex Coins
  • Earn over 100 unique items throughout the season – everything you snag before the season is over is yours to keep.
    • Updated dashboard images for Season 1 on PC and Xbox [PS4 is on the way!]
    • Updated Main Menu with new Season 1 art.
    • Updated the Lobby visuals for Season 1.
    • Updated Apex Legends site FAQ with info on Battle Pass.

​

INTRODUCING THE BATTLE PASS BUNDLE

  • Get the Battle Pass, plus unlock your next 25 levels for Season 1 instantly.
  • Cost: 2,800 Apex Coins.

​

FREE REWARDS

Everyone that plays Apex Legends during Season 1 can earn the following rewards:

  • 1 Wild Frontier Legend Skin
  • 5 Apex Packs
  • 18 Wild Frontier themed Stat Trackers

Read full blog about Battle Pass with FAQ and video here:

​

NEW LEGEND: OCTANE

High-Speed Daredevil

If it doesn’t involve diving, leaping, plummeting, or racing, then Octane wants nothing to do with it. Always the life of the party, Octane truly believes winning the Championship isn’t enough… not if you didn’t cheat death at least twice to get there.

​

Passive: Swift Mend

  • While not taking damage, Octane restores 1 health every 2 seconds.

Tactical: Stim

  • Move 30% faster for 6 seconds. Costs health to use. While active, Octane is affected less by attacks that cause slowdown. 2 second recharge.

Ultimate: Launch Pad

  • Deployable jump pad that catapults players through the air. Takes 90 seconds to recharge.

Cost:

  • 12,000 Legend Tokens
  • 750 Apex Coins

​

STABILITY & PERFORMANCE

We’ve got some fixes in this patch that will improve stability on PC but we know there are still issues out there we need to address. We also added crash reporting so we can better understand how to tackle the issues we haven’t solved yet and address future ones.

  • Improved stability for various GPU configurations.
  • Capped PC FPS to 300 to balance improving stability but still letting you folks enjoy those sweet frames.
  • Addressed issue with PS4 crashes due to running out of memory.
  • Introducing better reporting when Apex crashes on PC without error message.
    • We really want to fix any crashes people happen to get on PC. We also respect our player’s privacy. So, if the PC game crashes, it will write “apex_crash.txt” to your “Documents” folder. This tiny file is plain text, so you can easily see for yourself that it has no personal information. If you choose to share this file with us, it will tell us whether the crash was in Apex or in third party software. If the crash was in Apex, our programmers can use the information to find and fix it. If you experience a crash, please include this file when you report.
      • We protect your personal information.
      • You can easily see everything in the file yourself; we have no secrets.
      • You’re in control of whether we ever see the file.
  • Added Report a Player feature for cheating and abuse on PC.
    • Players can now report cheaters they encounter in-game and it’ll be sent directly to Easy Anti-Cheat. You can do this from either the spectate view after dying or when looking at your team’s Banner Cards in the Squad tab.
    • We have lots of other work going on behind the scenes and this remains high priority for us. We won’t be able to share many specifics of what we’re doing but we’ll strive to provide updates on progress for the things we can talk about.
    • As I’m finishing the notes this morning, 499,937 accounts and counting have been banned for cheating.
    • Speed hacking: We do currently have anti-speed hacking in Apex Legends, but it’s not being as effective as intended due to a bug that we believe we’ve identified and will be addressing in our next server update. Will provide ETA for it when I have it. Working to get it out ASAP.
  • Added Report a Player for abuse on Consoles
    • You can report players from the spectate view after dying or when looking at your team’s Banner Cards in the Squad tab.
  • Optimized skydiving to improve overall server performance.
  • Fixed bug where sometimes the client could crash when opening Apex Packs one right after the other.

​

QUALITY OF LIFE

  • Added “Swap LT/RT & LB/RB” / “Swap L1/R1 & L2/R2”) toggle in the Controller Button Layout settings.
    • Lets you quickly swap what your bumpers & triggers are set to, with any controller preset.
  • Added “Sprint View Shake” setting under the Video tab.
    • Setting this to “Minimal” can be especially helpful for players susceptible to motion sickness.
  • Added “Trigger Deadzones” setting under the Controller tab.
    • Customize how far you want to pull the triggers before they register.
  • Added “Advanced Look Controls” settings submenu under the Controller tab.
    • Fine-tune specific aspects of the look controls for a custom feel; such as Deadzone, Response Curve, Target Compensation (aim assist), and more.
  • When you relinquish the Jumpmaster position to another player you will now hear your Legend’s VO line in addition to the new Jumpmaster. The third player won’t hear it though.
  • Pathfinder grapple: updated icon
  • Pathfinder grapple: added indicator near crosshair to show when player is in range of grapple-able geo
  • Improved mantling from a grapple point.
  • Pathfinder can now grapple ziplines.
  • We’ve added D-pad navigation as a convenience in most of the menus. Our hope is this will speed up browsing and improve accessibility.
  • UI improvements to the KO Shield
    • Shield bar drains to indicate the remaining health of the shield.
    • When you have a Gold KO Shield and are down, we’ve added an effect to the label that reminds you that you can self revive.
  • We saw that the Ring indicator that appears when players are viewing the whole map wasn’t accurately showing the player’s position so we fixed that.
  • Character animations while taking damage now accurately reflect the direction the damage is coming from.
  • Fixed a bug where occluded sounds would sometimes sound unoccluded.
  • Patched up some issues with missing geo on Kings Canyon and fixed a few spots where players were getting stuck.
  • Fixed a script error that could happen when removing attachments on holstered weapons.
  • General polish to game UI fixing some grammar issues, improved navigation, and composition of elements.
  • Fixed PC users constantly switching weapons while scrolling through items in a Death Box.
  • Fixed issue where we were seeing server stability issues sometimes caused by purchasing items while matchmaking.
  • Fixed script errors that could occur during the skydive.
  • Reduced skybox fog.
  • Adjusted the code for Supply Bins so they are less likely to kill players. If you do still get killed by one please let us know!
  • Made it so push-to-talk is no longer on when a chat box is active.
  • LT/RT no longer switches between players in spectator mode while the map is open.
  • Updated the minimap to more accurately reflect the geo and points of interest on the main map.
  • Adding sound FX to the UI for the key binding menu.
  • Fixed issue where a player’s name would not show up when they send a message that reached the character limit.
  • Fixed bug where sometimes the Champion screen resolution would be stretched in widescreen resolutions.
  • Fixed audio bug where sometimes the zipline sounds FX would keep playing after disembarking.
  • Added accessibility option to modify the subtitle size.
  • Improvements / fixes for color blind players:
    • Added better color blind support for Blood Hound’s Threat Vision.
    • Colorblind colors per setting are now displayed in the settings menu.
    • Colorblind settings moved from Video Settings to Gameplay->Accessibility. They are now applied on the fly.
    • Enemy pings now use proper enemy color instead of only using red.
  • Audio:
    • Turned down volume when Wraith activates a portal.
    • Turned down the end sounds on the Peacekeeper charged shot.
    • Turned down the draw/holster sound slightly for thermite grenades.

​

LEGEND BALANCE & HITBOX ADJUSTMENTS

  • Adjusted hitboxes for Gibraltar, Caustic, and Pathfinder to better align with their shapes.

​

Caustic:

  • Reduced cooldown of Traps 25 -> 30 seconds.
  • Increased radius and proximity radius by about 10%.
  • Removed a 1 second delay on the smoke dealing damage to players.
  • Reduced cooldown of Gas Grenade 2:30 -> 2:00 seconds.

​

Pathfinder:

  • Grapple
    • Increased distance 850 -> 900.
  • Insider Knowledge
    • Increased the number of beacons in the world 10-> 12.

​

Bangalore:

  • Double Time
    • Reduced move speed bonus to 40% -> 30%.

​

Gibraltar:

  • Defensive Bombardment
    • Fixed a bug where your teammates wouldn’t be affected by Shell Shock. This was meant to be the same as Bangalore’s ultimate.

WEAPONS

  • Fixed players being able to shortcut weapon swap by changing stance
  • Fixed players being able to shortcut Peacekeeper rechamber sequence
  • Fixed inaccurate auto ranging fullscreen (sniper) optics when base FOV is not set to default
  • Spitfire: fixed ADS view on Legendaries partially obscured by custom geo. (The Continuum, The Heavy Construct)
  • Fixed ADS view being blocked when using Caustic legendary skins with certain weapon/ optic combos
  • Digital threat optics: threat highlights are now more visible (slightly brighter; no longer affected by TSAA)
  • Fixed bug where Devotion audio sometimes wouldn’t accurately reflect rate of fire.

​

ADDITIONAL BUG FIXES

  • Fixed rare issue where a player could get stuck on the drop ship and be invulnerable.
  • Patched up the hole we found in Gibraltar’s shield.
  • Fixed issue where Lifeline’s revive shield wouldn’t stay put while on a moving platform.
  • Fixed issue where sometimes players would get stuck in map geometry while skydiving from the dropship or Jump Towers.
  • Fixed bug where players could still shoot even after being downed.
  • Fixed bug where occasionally Lifeline’s D.O.C. drone would stay connected to a player but not heal them.
  • Limited the amount of Lifeline’s D.O.C. drones that can connect to a player to 2.
  • Fixed Pathfinder’s zipline not deploying when jumping.
  • Fixed a bug with the HUD where sometimes the Heal Bar would stay up if the heal was cancelled right after it was started.
  • Fixed a bug where sometimes the audio would continue to play sound FX for the Knockdown Shield even after it’s been destroyed.
  • Fixed issue where sometimes players could get disconnected when unplugging their controller during a game.
  • Fixed the exploit where you could do infinite wallclimb using Pathfinder’s Grapple.
  • Fixed bug where sometimes you couldn’t fire the Peacekeeper after riding a zip line.
  • Fixed issue where sometimes the skybox fog would not appear while spectating after you died.
  • Fixed bug where Banner Cards would show through walls occasionally when viewed through a very high FOV.
  • Fixed some odd light flickering that was happening on the ballon flags attached to Jump Towers.
  • Fixed bug where sometimes a player’s Banner Card would not show up after character select.

RAZER CHROMA SUPPORT

Apex Legends will now detect Razer Chroma peripherals and supported devices will now play animated colors that react to things you do in the game! Some examples:

  • Red lights during banner transitions.
  • While skydiving colors will tune to the color of your smoke trail.
  • Picking up loot.
  • Opening Apex Packs
  • Firing and taking damage.
  • Colors that flash when your Ultimate is ready.
  • And more!

Possibly the best news from the patch is the confirmation that hitboxes for Gibraltar and the rest have been tweaked! Want to know how bad it was then? Her’s a comparison chart.

Source: Reddit

Tags: Apex legends EA Respawn Entertainment
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Alex Co

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

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Google Gaming Platform Called “Stadia” and It’s a Streaming Service Not a Console

  by   Alex Co  
1:35 pm in News

It’s been rumored for some time now that tech giant Google would be entering the gaming sector, and now we know how. The Google gaming platform is called “Stadia,” and it’s a platform for streaming rather than hardware.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai admits that he’s not a big gamer, but that Google wants to solve the hardware limitations offered in each console generation. Currently, the press conference is still on-going now, which you can watch below.

We’ll post more news on Stadia as it becomes available as the event is still on-going.

Don’t forget to check out the prototype mock ups of the controller based on patents filed by Google back in 2018.

Are you disappointed with the Stadia announcement or do you think Google can achieve success and we’ll have a platform-free gaming landscape soon?

Tags: Google stadia
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Alex Co

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

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Anthem Post Launch Update From BioWare Mentions New Story Content, Features & More

  by   Alex Co  
11:41 am in News

While Anthem has been going through one uphill climb after another, that hasn’t stopped BioWare from delivering patches, and reassuring fans of their support for the game.

Today, BioWare General Manager Casey Hudson has posted a new Anthem post-launch content message, where not only does he thank the fans for their support, but also mentioned how new story elements, world events, and even features are all coming to the game later this spring!

In these first few weeks, our Live team has worked hard on that, delivering over 200 improvements through patches and live updates, across stability, loot and progression, customization, and more.

We also continue to listen to your feedback, with more improvements to endgame loot and progression, game flow, and stability and performance coming soon – so there’s a lot more work that we intend to do.  This is all a learning experience for us, and as we work to make sure the game is improved and perfected, we can’t emphasize enough how much we appreciate you staying with us.  Especially because the next stage is where things really get exciting.

As we move through this most difficult period of launching a new game and IP, we are also working on the things that will really show what Anthem is capable of – a series of world events, new story content, and new features, that all build towards the Cataclysm later this spring.

For the full message where Hudson also mentions how he understands the skepticism of people and whatnot, head on over here.

Tags: Anthem Bioware EA
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Call of Duty: Mobile Announce Trailer Shows Us Gameplay, Read Up on the Details

  by   Alex Co  
March 18, 2019 11:41 pm in News

In a press release, Activision has announced Call of Duty: Mobile, which is — you guessed it — for mobile phones. In what appears to be an ambitious move by the publisher, it appears that they are aiming to bring the franchise’s bread and butter multiplayer to everyone with a capable smartphone!

Check out the our first look at Call of Duty: Mobile gameplay below in the announcement trailer!

This is the same Call of Duty made for mobile games that’s out in China, and other parts of the world. Activision has partnered with Tencent to bring the mobile game to North America, South America, Europe, and more.  As one can expect, it’s a free-to-play title, and will bring maps, mdes, weapons, and even characters from across the Call of Duty universe!

Call of Duty: Mobile is being developed by Tencent’s Timi studio for Android and iOS, and the release date will be announced at a later time.

Those interested can sign up and pre-register here to gain access to the public beta, which is expected to come out this summer in select regions.

Are you interested to try this out? Personally, I’m wondering how the controls would translate to touch buttons without feeling too loose, which will be a problem for a multiplayer game, right? Nonetheless, will try it out just for the experience.

Tags: Activision call of duty: mobile Tencent
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Close to a Month After Launch, Anthem Still Has Placeholder Text for One of the Missions

  by   Alex Co  
7:57 pm in News

By now, it’s safe to say that Anthem’s launch, and what it’s currently navigating through now in the gaming landscape is less than ideal.  Is EA to blame for making BioWare rush a game that could have benefited from more time in the oven?

While we can’t answer that for sure, possibly one of the signs that a game got rushed is when something is in the game that wasn’t meant to be there permanently. If your line of thinking falls into that thought pattern then you’ll find this next bit of news a bit intriguing (or worrying) depending on your point of view.

It seems Anthem still has placeholder text for some missions even after close to a month after launch, and after multiple patches have been rolled out! This was shared by Reddit user DocNightmare with a screenshot, which you can see below.

Naturally, this has caused discussion over in the Anthem community, which you can read about here.

Is this a sign that Anthem was rushed or just an honest mistake? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

More Anthem Reading:

Tags: Anthem Bioware EA
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Update 1.15 Now Live, Here’s What’s New

  by   Alex Co  
6:49 pm in News

Treyarch rolled out a super small Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 update today, and i t’s Black Ops 4 update 1.15! Clocking in at just 160MB on PS4, it’s mostly bug fixes and a few tweaks.

Check out the full patch notes for the Black Ops 4 update today:

The following updates are now live on all platforms since our last update:

General

  • Stability
    • Fixed a crash that could occur when frequently switching between modes at the main menu.

Multiplayer

  • Collision
    • Addressed an issue causing increased player collision boundaries with teammates.
  • Specialists
    • Outrider
      • Addressed various issues that could occur when parking the Hawk immediately after deploying it.
  • Stability
    • Fixed a crash that could occur when using Mesh Mines in certain situations.

World League Hub

  • Miscellaneous
    • Updated friendly hitmarker.
    • Added improved stats in Hardpoint.

Zombies

  • Stability
    • Fixed a crash that could occur when setting Custom Option “Damage Multiplier” under enhanced AI.

The patch for PC is a lot beefier, and includes a host of fixes.

March 18 Update: PC 1.14 Update, Player Collision Fix, CWL Fort Worth Recap
byu/treyarch_official inBlackops4

In other Black Ops 4 news, Treyarch said that an answer to where the Combat Record is, will be given “ASAP.”

Tags: Activision Call of Duty Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Treyarch
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The Division 2 Maintenance for Today Over, Upcoming Patch DroppingThis Week to Fix Skills Issue

  by   Alex Co  
6:23 pm in News

If you’ve tried logging in to The Division 2 but couldn’t, it’s because Ubisoft has once again taken down the servers for some The Division 2 maintenance, though it should be up again by the time you read this.

According to Ubisoft, the 15-minute downtime was triggered so they can roll out a server-side update that should fix The Division 2 skills issue. The publisher also shared that a The Division 2 upcoming patch is scheduled sometime later this week that should clear everything up.

Here’s the full message (via The Division forums):

Agents, good news! We have identified several issues that were causing skills to immediately destroy themselves and go on a 15 second cooldown. Our development team has been hard at work during the weekend and throughout today to find a fix for those problems.

We will be able to solve most of these occurrences with the brief maintenance today, March 18th at 10:15 PM CET / 5:15 PM EST / 6:15 AM KST / 8:15 ACT. The servers will be down for approximately 15 minutes and you should encounter these issues way less often from this point on.

The team is continuing their work to resolve all the remaining issues on this topic with a future patch later this week. Until then you can try to avoid the talents EXTRA and OVERLAP which seem to be the culprit and can cause skills to act up even after maintenance, albeit still much less often.

We want to thank everybody for your continued reports, your feedback and most importantly your patience. The health of the game continues to be our highest priority!

Once the patch later this week goes live, we’ll be sure to let you know.

More The Division 2 Reading:

Tags: the division 2 Ubisoft Ubisoft Massive
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The Division 2 Weapon Talents, Gear Talents, Gear Set Bonus List

  by   Alex Co  
5:43 pm in News

If you’re playing The Division 2, then you’re no doubt, collecting weapons, gear and more, right? What makes collecting these things so much fun isn’t just the stats, but the talents each weapon has.

Curious what you’re missing out on? We’re here to help. Thanks to Reddit user Apocryphate, we now have The Division 2 weapon talents, gear talents, and gear set bonus list! It’s a pretty extensive list, which you can browse in Google Spreadsheet form here. If you want to check it out ASAP, the list can be viewed below as well (used with permission).

The Division 2 Weapon Talents List:

The Division 2 Weapon Mods List:

The Division 2 Brand Talents List:

The Division 2 Brand Set Properties List:

The Division 2 Brand Attributes List:

Hopefully, this will help you overtake Washington, Agent! For more The Division 2 news and guides, make sure to bookmark our The Division 2 game hub!

More The Division 2 Reading on MP1st:

Tags: Featured The Division the division 2 Ubisoft Ubisoft Massive
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Alex Co

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

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Battlefield V Battle Royale Map “Halvoy” First Full Look

  by   Alex Co  
4:51 pm in News

With Battlefield V’s battle royal mode “Firestorm” set to launch before the month’s out, DICE is now slowly opening the dam when it comes to info! Today, the Battlefield 5 battle royale map called “Halvoy” is shown off!

For comparison’s sake, Halvoy is ten times as big as Hamada, which is the biggest map in Battlefield V!

That’s big, no? In other Battlefield V Firestorm news, go check out this leaked quick tutorial video to know what to expect. Not only that, but there’s also the full cinematic trailer to watch as well!

Battlefield V Firestorm is set for release this March 25, and will be free for all existing Battlefield V owners.

Source: Reddit

Tags: Battlefield battlefield v DICE EA
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Alex Co

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

Home > News

Apex Legends Battle Pass Release Date Set for Tomorrow, Pricing and Info Revealed

  by   Alex Co  
2:14 pm in News

If you’re an Apex Legends player, chances are you’ve been looking forward to the Apex Legends Battle Pass release date ever since its existence was mentioned. Today, EA has finally lifted the lid on the Battle Pass, and that includes what’s in it, and more.

The Apex Legends Battle Pass release date is set for tomorrow, March 19, and will be available at 10 a.m. PT. It’ll cost 950 Apex Coins, or roughly $9.50. There’s also the Apex Legends Battle Pass Bundle, which costs 2,800 Apex Coins, and will instantly unlock the next 25 levels for Season 1 instantly.

So, just what do buyers get when they purchase the Battle Pass? First off, they instantly unlock the Wraith Survivor skin, Mirage Outlaw skin, and the Lifeline Revolutionary skin! Here’s what they look like:

According to EA, there are over “100 unique items” throughout the season which players can obtain. Those who don’t want to spend anything can also get the following free rewards:

Finally, EA has also published an FAQ for those looking to buy the Apex Legends Battle Pass, and those just curious what they can earn, and more.

BATTLE PASS FAQ

How do I buy the Battle Pass?

The Battle Pass can only be purchased in the in-game store using Apex Coins. Launch Apex Legends, navigate to the Battle Pass tab, and purchase the Battle Pass from there. If you need to purchase Apex Coins, you can do that in the store, too.

What happens if I buy my Battle Pass late in the season?

You’ll receive all the rewards up to your Battle Pass level (which is your current level for the season) retroactively! For example, if you’re on level 20 for the season when you buy the Battle Pass, you’ll unlock all rewards for every level up to 20, plus three special Battle Pass skins.

If you buy the Battle Pass Bundle, you’ll get the rewards for 25 levels in addition to the levels you’ve already reached. So, if you’re on level 20 for the season when you buy the Battle Pass Bundle, you’ll get all the rewards through level 45 and the three special Battle Pass skins.

Can I keep leveling my Season 1 Battle Pass after the season ends?

No, the rewards available in the Season 1 Battle Pass can only be earned until the season is over. After it ends, you won’t be able to earn new Wild Frontier content.

Do I keep my stuff after the season ends?

Yes! You keep every Battle Pass reward you’ve unlocked after the season is over.

What if I don’t buy the Battle Pass? Can I still earn rewards for free?

Yes. Even if you don’t purchase the Battle Pass, you can still earn the following items for free:

  • 1 Wild Frontier Legend skin
  • 5 Apex Packs
  • 18 Wild Frontier stat trackers

If I buy the Battle Pass, can I also get the free rewards?

Yes! Everyone can earn the free rewards during Season 1.

Don’t forget, Octane is also coming with Apex Legends Season 1! Read up on his abilities and watch his ultimate in action here.

Source: EA

Tags: Apex legends EA Respawn Entertainment
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Alex Co

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

Home > News

New Splinter Cell Game Being Teased by Italian Voice Actor for Sam Fisher (Update)

  by   Alex Co  
8:25 am in News

Update: 

Ubisoft has replied to our email and gave told us, ” Ubisoft does not comment on rumors and speculation,” which is par for the course.

Original Story:

While Ubisoft constantly reminds us that the Splinter Cell franchise is alive and kicking, we still haven’t heard anything regarding a new Splinter Cell game.

Could this be changing soon? Over on Facebook (via Reddit), Luca Ward, who’s the Italian voice actor for Splinter Cell protagonist Sam Fisher, has changed his profile cover with the franchise’s three-light goggles.  Check out the image below just in case he changes it or is ordered to change it:

Ward even posted footage of him voicing Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow. Of course, this could all be for nothing, but could also be the start of something. We’ve reached out to Ubisoft and will update the story if we hear anything back.

For reference, the last proper Splinter Cell game was “Blacklist,” which was received well critically, when it was released back in 2013.

Could 2019 be the year we finally hear from Sam Fisher? Former Ubisoft exec Jade Raymond confirmed that she was working on a Splinter Cell game before she left, so we know the publisher isn’t letting the franchise hibernate or something.

What do you want to see in a new Splinter Cell game? Do you think Ubisoft will debut one at E3?

Tags: Splinter Cell Ubisoft
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Alex Co

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

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Report: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 F2P Version Release Date Set for This Month

  by   Alex Co  
March 17, 2019 4:02 pm in News

If you’re looking for more free games to play on your PS4 this March, and you’re a fighting game fan, you’re in luck! It seems Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is getting the free-to-play (F2P) version later this month!

In the latest issue of Japan’s V-Jump magazine, it mentions that a Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 F2P version called “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Lite” will be made available on March 20 in Japan for the PS4! Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Lite will include the beginning of the story, Parallel Quests, Photo Mode, My Raids, all of Hero Colosseum, and even online matches!

For those wondering whether this will be available out in the US, the short answer is “maybe?” Earlier today, the PlayStation Blog’s “The Drop” has included Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Lite as part of the weekly releases, and it also marked it down for March 20. However, as of this moment, that listing has since been pulled.

Given how popular Dragon Ball is out west, it’s doubtful Bandai Namco won’t make a Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 F2P version available in the US.

If you’re looking for another F2P fighting game, Dead or Alive 6 Core Fighters is currently out now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Source: Gematsu

Tags: Bandai Namco Entertainment Dragon Ball Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
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Alex Co

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

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Report: EA Access PS4 Leak Spotted on Brazilian PSN Store

  by   Alex Co  
2:58 pm in News

If you’re an Xbox One gamer, and you like EA’s games, chances are, you’ve tried or you’re currently a member of EA Access; EA’s subscription-based gaming service, which is similar to Origin Access for PC.

While the service isn’t available on PS4, could that be changing soon? Over on Reddit user Sabazin posted a picture of an EA Access PS4 image which he allegedly nabbed from the PlayStation Store.

ea access ps4

According to another Reddit user, the text when translated says, “EA Access now available.”

If this is legit, then this should further aid gamers, as PS Plus members can take advantage of it, and get quite a handful of “free” games every month when you factor this one, and the monthly PS Plus freebies.

We’ve reached out to EA to seek a comment and will update the post if we hear anything back.

Tags: EA EA Access PlayStation
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Alex Co

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

Home > Features

What EA Sports Games Need to Become Legitimate eSports

  by   Alex Co  
12:00 pm in Features

The world of eSports has taken off over the last five years to the point where its potential and entertainment value has reached the mainstream. The industry has been built around balanced games of skill that often feature teams. Many people would expect the ever-popular licensed sports titles from Electronic Arts – FIFA, NHL, Madden – to be among the most popular eSports due to their likeness to already established, heavily followed traditional sports, but EA’s titles have greatly struggled for legitimacy and fandom on the competitive scene.

EA knows this and, as reported by GamesIndustry, they’re trying to build an emotional attachment, as traditional sports do, to the teams and players of their eSports effort to join the likes of DOTA 2, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive as the big eSports titles. But there are far more fundamental issues stopping the traditional sports titles from being considered legitimate eSports.

Change the focus to another game mode to bring in real skill

The primary issue that most eSports fans have with games like Madden and FIFA on the competitive scene is that the user only has control of one player at a time, and so the user plays a diminished role in the eventual result of each game.

EA pushes its cash cow Ultimate Team mode as its eSport, where users who input more money to get better players gain an advantage through the players that they won’t be directly using most of the time. SB Nation sees this as a major stumbling point also, as in true eSports, users succeed or fail on their play

It comes down to being an issue of balancing and whether or not true gaming skill is actually on show. However, not only do users continue to play the game and compete knowing full well of the imbalances in play, but third parties offer odds on FIFA German Bundesliga matches, legitimising the competitive gaming scene as they deem it to be fair and viable for betting alongside the other major eSports.

Still, the game mode being pushed allows for easy criticism of EA Sports titles being considered as legitimate eSports, while a switch to the Pro Clubs game modes – where full in-game teams are comprised of each user controlling only one created player – would go a long way towards creating a game of skill and teamwork.

Make people care about the major tournaments

A major sign of an eSport’s legitimacy is the size of its audience, and the EA titles simply don’t have one unless they offer small in-game perks to those who tune-in. One problem behind getting viewers is that people who are interested in seeing a sport play out can watch the real-world sport. In other eSports, the top games on display don’t mirror anything that consumers could enjoy in the real-world, enabling the brand of entertainment to fill a niche.

In real-world traditional sports, people who are highly skilled compete for coveted trophies with their efforts being recognised and appreciated by viewers who then become fans. In the competitive play of EA Sports titles right now, the gamers control very little of the field and are competing for comparatively measly rewards.

In 2017, EA reported a massive $1.68 billion in digital content revenue, per Tweak Town – a great deal of which will be from people paying for packets in Ultimate Team – and yet all they’re willing to put up for their ‘big push’ into eSports is a $400,000 prize pool for their ‘prestigious’ FIFA eWorld Cup 2018 tournament when DOTA 2’s The International has surpassed $20 million in each of the last three tournaments.

If EA Sports wanted to become a legitimate name in eSports, they would switch the focus to a more skill-based format like Pro Clubs and offer a prize pool big enough to make people care about the result.

Tags: EA EA Sports sponsored post
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Alex Co

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

Home > Features

How Technology Has Revolutionized Video Games

  by   Alex Co  
12:00 pm in Features

Video gaming has and always will be one of the most lucrative industries, both online and offline. The niche dominates the online market, especially since social video gaming became popular. Now almost everyone is part of this fun past time, and even grandma is asking for cheats to get to the next level. And while it may be a hobby for some, others are lucky enough to play video games for a living and get paid. So how did video gaming get to where it is today? How has it become so popular and how has it become so accessible? The answer is a simple one; technology. Modern tech has brought the success of video gaming, it is the platform that has powered it and made it popular. We take a look at how technology has revolutionized video games and made them what they are today.

Accessibility of Video Games

If you look at video gaming at online casinos, technology has provided an easily accessible interactive platform to real cash video gaming as well as free gaming thanks to free slots and other popular casino games. As a video gamer, you are able to access all the games at a land based casino establishment, except now you have a wider variety to choose from and you can do so without having to travel. That leads us to the next revolutionary aspect of how tech has made video gaming really convenient. You don’t have to cruise to your friends place to play against someone, you have access to an entire online world of players starved for a gaming buddy. Even online gambling grants you access to tournaments which includes players from all over the world.

Gaming Quality of Video Games

If you look at the graphics of video games in the 90’s and compare them to today’s video games, there’s a vast difference. Technology has evolved throughout the years to deliver these high definition graphics. What was once a block-figured Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, is now curvaceous and crystal clear image which is the only way in 2019. The only time old graphics are allowed is when we play arcade or some indie games.

Sound Effects

The sound effects in video gaming have drastically improved and there is tons more variety. Back in the day, you wouldn’t know what an RPG sounded like, but now we do. For avid video gamers, the sound quality is a massive element of quality gaming. In fact, true die hard gamers have installed the best sound systems to their PC’s and TV’s to feel a truly immersive experience.

VR Gaming

This is the ultimate example of how technology has revolutionized a mainstream market. VR gaming, or virtual reality gaming, is where the player enters the game which has been made possible through a three dimensional world which allows you to touch and interact with object and characters through VR gaming headsets. The Oculus Rift is the most popular VR headset on the market and technology has enabled users to explore the 3D realm of gaming. What’s more is technology has evolved so much that you can download these VR games to your mobile device and play anywhere in the world whenever you want.

In conclusion, we see technology is the reason video gaming is a thriving industry and with that being said we can look forward to many more changes within both the technology world and video gaming. Tech is bound to deliver some pretty awesome changes before 2020. If virtual video gaming is a thing of the present, just imagine what the future holds!

Tags: sponsored post
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Alex Co

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

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Battlefield V Patch Scheduled for Next Week Along With Firestorm Info Blowout

  by   Alex Co  
March 16, 2019 7:34 pm in News

With Battlefield V’s battle royale mode Firestorm now confirmed to be out this March 25, DICE is set to open the dam when it comes to Battlefield 5 Firestorm info! As part of DICE’s sneak peek into the studio’s plans for next week, a flood of Firestorm info is set to go up as well! Prepare to read up on vehicles, objectives, and lots more!

Also of note, a new Battlefield V patch is set to be released as well. Check out the full list of announcements and news coming next week!

Sneak Peek into Next Week – Week of March 18th

  • DEVTALK
    • Battlefield V Dev Talk covering Chapter 3 Overview and Battlefield V 2019 Roadmap for Chapters 3-5
  • RELEASE
    • Battlefield V Chapter 3: Trial by Fire Update #1
  • TRAILERS
    • Battlefield V: Firestorm Gameplay Trailer
  • BLOGS
    • Battlefield V: Firestorm Overview
    • Battlefield V: Firestorm Objectives and Reinforcements
    • Battlefield V: Firestorm Weapons, Gadgets, and Armor
    • Battlefield V: Firestorm Combat Vehicles, Transport Vehicles, and Towables
    • Battlefield V Quality of Life Tracker Update
    • Roadmap for Chapters 3-5
  • DISCUSSIONS
    • Classes – While there may be some overlap with our Classes discussion and our previous Gadgets discussion, let’s focus specifically on Classes and Combat Roles.
    • Battlefield V: Firestorm Gameplay Trailer – Watch the gameplay walkthrough trailer, then let’s chat about BFV: Firestorm gameplay.
    • Battlefield V Chapter 3: Trial by Fire Update #1 – Let’s talk about the update.

If I had to hazard a guess, we’ll be getting one Battlefield V Firestorm blog post for each day of the week! So expect a blog post on Monday until Friday.

Don’t forget to watch the latest Firestorm trailer right here to whet your appetites for battle royale done the Battlefield way.

Source: Reddit

Tags: Battlefield battlefield v DICE EA
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Alex Co

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

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Combat Record to Have an “Incoming Answer ASAP” From Treyarch

  by   Alex Co  
4:57 pm in News

If you’re a hardcore Call of Duty fan, chances are you’ve been looking forward to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Combat Record release as soon as Treyarch said it would be coming “in a week.” Mind, that was way back in October, and up to now, we still don’t know when it will be released, or if it’ll ever see the light of day.

With the community constantly up in arms about it, we finally have an update! Well, sort of! Over on Twitter, Treyarch Design Director David Vonderhaar has tweeted that we’ll be getting an answer regarding it soon from the studio, and that he’s not in a position to talk about it.

Great points. We have an answer coming. I am not in the position to talk about it until we lock some things down. It’s a valid question with a incoming answer ASAP. It’s not quite as simple as people think —but that’s an excuse to come short of your expectations.

Chances are, that’s not the answer Black Ops 4 players want to hear, but at least it got acknowledged, right? Let’s hope “ASAP” means we’ll get an update within the week, and once we do, we’ll be sure to let our readers know.

In other Black Ops 4 news, there’s an on-going free DLC trial for multiplayer players right now, as well as double XP for all modes!

Are you still looking forward to the Black Ops 4 Combat Record or you don’t care about your stats given how often it’s been pushed back?

Tags: Activision Call of Duty Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Treyarch
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Alex Co

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

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