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Rainbow Six Siege Community in an Uproar Over Ubisoft Visual Changes to the Game

While the majority of video games are marketed to the audiences in the west, the market in Asia is big (and Asia isn’t only Japan), and it even reaches massive status when you factor in China. Ubisoft has announced a list of changes it’s making to Rainbow Six Siege’s aesthetics since it plans to expand to Asian territories.

There will be changes made to the maps, icons, though nothing that will affect gameplay. Some of the visual changes include the icons:

Ubisoft is also taking out the slot machines, skull designs and more. You can check out a big sampe of the changes right here.

While the changes might be just visual in nature, that hasn’t stopped the Rainbow Six Siege community on Reddit to go up in arms! As of the time of writing this, the entire front page of the Rainbow Six Siege subreddit has been littered with thread titles that stem from “I assume the sharp edges are too violent to post here?” to more serious ones like “I’m Chinese. Giving in to the demands of one country that has its mentality backwards will only set your progress 10 steps back , but also make you, Ubisoft look spineless.”

Here’s a screenshot of the subreddit as of today:

That’s more than 20 threads started that all have gripes with Ubisoft’s decision, which is insane if you think about it.

Will the players actually stay true to their word and not play Rainbow Six Siege due to the changes or are these empty threats? I can’t say for sure. While I understand Ubisoft’s decision in wanting to make the visual changes to appease to a larger fan base, I do hope the publisher and community finds a good middle ground so the focus can get back to what it needs to be — which is the actual game.

Are you OK with the changes Ubisoft wants to make? Is the community overreacting or is the outrage warranted? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Alex Co

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

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Battlefield V Platoon Features Will Be Available at Launch, Emblems Won’t Be

DICE has confirmed that Battlefield V platoon features will be available at launch! This as announced today by Battlefield Global Community Manager Dan Mitre.

Here’s his entire message (via Reddit):

Hi Battlefield V Community,

Apologies. I had communicated inaccurate details in regards to Platoon support at BFV launch.

We will have similar Platoon features as seen in BF1. However, Platoon emblems will not be in at launch.

Your Platoon tab will be visible in-game, but your name will not show up in the game like it did in BF1 (such as on your squad name, on flags, in Best Squad screen).

We will have more information as we expand this tool set through the Tides of War.

It sounds like DICE will continually improve Battlefield V platoon features as part of the game’s live services approach.

In other Battlefield V news, check out our first look at Final Stand gameplay! We also posted the latest trailer that showcased all of the game’s maps that will be available at launch.

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Alex Co

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

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New Overwatch Hero “Ashe” Announced, Watch the Reveal Trailer Now

As part of today’s BlizzCon press conference, Blizzard unveiled a new Overwatch hero! Named “Ashe,” the new Overwatch hero is from the wild west — complete with a cowboy hat, and a repeater rifle!

Watch the trailer below to see some of Ashe’s abilities which include being able to launch yourself into the air (just like Junkrat), and dynamite area of effect ability! We even get to see her sock McCree in the jaw! Plus you won’t believe what her ultimate is!

Introducing Ashe—leader of the Deadlock Gang and rebellious gunslinger who’s not afraid to get her hands dirty.

No word on when Ashe will be available, but once Blizzard announces the PTR details, we’ll be sure to let you know.

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Alex Co

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

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Here’s Our First Look at Battlefield V Final Stand Gameplay Footage

In case you didn’t know, Battlefield V will be bringing back Operations from Battlefield 1 but on a much grander scale. It’ll now be called “Grand Operations,” and will span days, with the last part of the Grand Operations labeled as “Final Stand,” wherein players from both sides will have depleted resources, which means super scarce ammo, and other more attrition-like qualities.

If you’re curious how it looks, wonder no more! We now have our first look at some Battlefield V Final Stand gameplay! It’s a super short clip, but it’s a good indicator of what we’ll see at launch in Grand Operations!


As you can see, visibility is super low, and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of ammo lying around, which means Support, and Medic players will need to pull their weight and ensure their teammates have enough supplies to claim victory.

From what we know, not every Grand Operation ends in a Final Stand, but those only that end in  draw. Let’s hope team balancing is up to snuff, so we don’t get lopsided matches, and get to experience this epic-ness, ourselves.

Are you liking what you’ve seen so far or is it too much for those that just want to shoot people and be done with it?

Make sure to check out gameplay footage of all eight of the Battlefield V maps! We also posted a meaty in-depth look at how players should tackle each one as well.

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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 Rolled Out, Includes Server Fixes

Treyarch has once again rolled out a new Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 game settings update in time for the weekend! This one has a bunch of multiplayer bug tweaks, server updates, and even some weapon tweaks on PC!

Check out the full list of changes for today straight from Treyarch:

We’ve made the following updates to the game (Global):

Blackout

  • Performance
    • Resolved an issue that caused hitching when playing in Quads.

Multiplayer

  • Miscellaneous
    • Added a message to the Defeat screen to clarify that losses are not (and have not been) counted when losing a game that was joined in progress.
    • Resolved an issue in Gun Game where the end-of-match screen would display “Top 3” even if the player was not in the Top 3.
    • Players who unlock the Marksman Mastery Challenge will now receive the XP Reward.
  • Create-a-Class
    • Resolved an exploit where Create-a-Class changes in Custom Games could be carried over into Public Matches.

General

  • Miscellaneous
    • Added UI elements to help players find new items in their inventory.
    • Added new playlist images in the Lobby for various Hardcore game modes.
    • Resolved an issue where the game’s version number could overlap with the player name on various menu screens.
    • Resolved a UI error message that occurred when Black Ops Pass owners skipped the prompt to redeem their bonus.

We’ve also made the following updates to the game on PC:

Multiplayer

  • Saug 9mm
  • The Dual Wield Saug 9mm was extremely popular on PC, and needed further tweaks in addition to its hip-fire accuracy reduction in the weapon balancing update earlier this week.
    • Dual Wield Operator Mod
      • Further increased the hip-fire spread.
      • Lowered the maximum damage falloff distance.
  • Koshka
  • The Koshka was sitting at the bottom of the sniper leaderboard in terms of performance on PC, so we’re giving it an edge to help it be competitive against the Paladin and Outlaw. With this change, each bolt-action sniper rifle now has a different one-shot kill zone.
    • Moved one-shot kill zone from “head only” to “head and upper chest”.
    • High Caliber
    • Now grants a one-shot kill from the chest-up.
  • MOG-12
  • While this weapon was already balanced differently for PC, we felt the Barrel Choke attachment still performed a bit too well outside of its intended range.
    • Barrel Choke
    • Reduced one-hit kill range.

Menus

  • Zombies
    • Resolved an issue causing UI elements to overlap in the Zombies menu.
  • Create-a-Class
    • Resolved a visual issue that caused icons to duplicate when attempting to navigate the Create-A-Class menu with “Q” and “E”.

Note that the PC changes made today were already rolled out for consoles on Wednesday. Treyarch also clarified weapon balancing for consoles and PC.

For our PC players, we’d like to clear up any confusion around the state of weapon balancing on PC vs. console. The first phase of weapon balancing changes exclusive to the PC buildhas rolled out in today’s PC game update, including changes to the Saug 9mm Operator Mod, the Koshka sniper rifle, and the MOG-12 shotgun, and more weapon tuning changes to the PC meta are coming in a future update.

Finally, those in South America and South Africa experiencing low server populations, it’s due to an update for Blackout, and Treyarch is working to improve on it.

In other Black Ops 4 news, the community is in an uproar regarding the Black Market tiers and how hard it would be to even reach the max tier without paying or grinding for hundreds (!) of hours in the game.

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Alex Co

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

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Here Are the Best Online Xbox One Games Sale for the Week – XBL Gold Memberships, Red Dead 2 & More

Continuing from our Xbox One games sale post from last week, we’re now here to bring you a round up of the week’s best Xbox One deals you can find online!

Without further ado, check out the games and hardware you can pick up at discounted prices today. Note that some are in limited quantities, and others will expire soon, so best hurry if you want to avail of any of these.

Games:

  • Madden 19 (physical) $29 (Walmart)
  • Red Dead Redemption 2 + Shadow of the Tomb Raider (physical) $70 (ebay)
  • Buy 2 get 1 free on games except Red Dead Redemption 2 (Target)
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider $36.89 (CDKeys)

Hardware and Accessories:

  • Xbox One vertical stand $5.98 (Target)
  • 12-month Xbox Live Gold membership $41.99 (CDKeys)
  • 3-month Xbox Live Gold membership $10.49 (CDKeys)
  • Xbox One 1TB PUBG bundle + Red Dead Redemption 2 + Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 $459.99 (ebay daily deals)
  • Xbox One S bundle + Red Dead Redemption 2 + 2 extra controllers + $5 GC $259 (Walmart)

Would you want us to include EU and other territories in these sales round ups? If so, let us know in the comments.

Related Reading:

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Alex Co

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Diablo Mobile Game Announced as “Diablo Immortal,” Watch the Trailer Now

At BlizzCon today, Blizzard announced the next chapter in the highly successful, and highly addictive action-RPG franchise Diablo. Now, if you were expecting Diablo 3, then you’re sadly going to be a bit disappointed as the company instead announced a Diablo mobile game titled “Diablo Immortals.”

Note that this announcement was the capper of the press conference, which meant Blizzard saved this for last as the “big reveal.” So what’s Diablo Immortal? It’s a new MMOARPG (massively multiplayer online action RPG) that’s exclusively for iOS and Android devices. It’s said to be the “first” mobile MMOARPG, and should continue where Diablo II: Lord of Destruction left off!. Check out the announcement trailer now.

Enter the world of Diablo Immortal, a new entry in the Diablo universe. Taking place between the events of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction and Diablo III, this mobile massively multiplayer online ARPG is a true Diablo hack-and-slash adventure, all in the palm of your hand.

There’s no release date yet for Diablo Immortal, but if the recent trend in gaming is any indication, expect a beta soon.

Are you OK with this announcement? Would it have made a difference if Blizzard didn’t close off the show with this?

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Alex Co

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

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Best PS4 Games Sale of the Week – God of War Collector’s Edition, Diablo 3 and Lots More!

It’s another Friday, which means another week is ending. If you’re looking to nab some PS4 games online at a good price, you’ve come to the right place! Here are the best PS4 deals of the week, which include some very good stuff! Here are the best PS4 games sale that can be seen online this week all in one place!

Games:

  • Madden 19 $29 (Walmart)
  • FIFA 19 (physical disc) $29 (Walmart)
  • God of War Collector’s Edition $59.99 (GameStop)
  • Assassin’s Creed: Origins $19.99 (RedBox)
  • THQ Nordic PlayStation Humble Bundle 
  • No Man’s Sky $26.39 with PS+ membership (PlayStation Store)
  • Far Cry 5 (physical) $19.99 (RedBox)
  • All video games buy 2 get 1 free -excluding Red Dead Redemption 2 (Target)
  • Diablo 3 Eternal Collection $29.99 (Amazon)
  • God of War $34.99 member’s only (Costco)
  • Devil May Cry HD Collection (physical) $19.99 (GameStop)
  • Banner Saga Trilogy Bonus Edition (physical) $19.99 (GameStop)
  • Gran Turismo Sport Limited Edition (physical) $29.97 (GameStop)
  • God of War (physical) $39.99 (Amazon)
  • Dynasty Warriors 9 (physical) $19.99 (GameStop)
  • Red Dead Redemption 2 $50.87 (Google Express use code “FALLSAVINGS” for a 20 percent discount)
  • Hidden Agenda (physical) $4.99 (BestBuy, $3.99 with GCU)

In case you missed it, Sony is also running a “Double Discount” sale on the PlayStation Store this week.

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Alex Co

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

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Destiny 2 PC Version Is Free for a Limited Time

If you ever wanted to try Destiny 2 and you aren’t gaming on consoles, or wanted to try it out on PC but didn’t want to spring for it, now’s your chance! In a press release, Activision announced that the Destiny 2 PC version will be free to everyone for a limited time!

According to the press release, from November 2 to November 18, Destiny 2 PC free downloads can be initiated on Battle.net! For those who already bought it on PC, these players will be given an exclusive anniversary emblem in December also via Battle.net!

For those new members on Battle.net will have the opportunity to claim Destiny 2 as a “free gift.” New Battle.net accounts created after 11 a.m. PDT on November 2 (today), will be required to enable Blizzard’s SMS Protect before claiming the game. You can redeem the Destiny 2 PC free download right here.

Coinciding with Destiny 2 being free on PC for a limited time, Destiny 2: Forsaken’s PvP mode “Gambit” will also go on a free trial weekend from November 9 to November 11.

If you’re interested in giving it a whirl, here are the PC requirements for Destiny 2:

Destiny 2 PC is playable on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Minimum system requirements for the PC game are an Intel Core i3-3250, Intel Pentium G4560, or an AMD FX-4350, along with a GeForce GTX 660 2GB, GTX 1050 2GB, or Radeon HD 7850. Additionally, 6GB of RAM, and 104GB of HDD space and internet connection are required.

For those interested, there’s a current in-game event going on called “Festival of the Lost,” which you can read about here.

Anyone giving this a go? Let us know what you think of the PC version of the game in the comments.

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Alex Co

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

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Latest Battlefield V Dev Talks Episode Talks About the Maps and Modes

DICE has released yet another episode in its weekly Battlefield V Dev Talks, where the studio sits down and talks about a specific topic or topics within the game. For this week? It’s none other than maps and modes!

For the second time in a row, Multiplayer Producer David Sirland is hosting the show, with Valerian Nogh (Lead Multiplayer Designer), and Ludvig Kingfors (Multiplayer Level Designer), doing most of the answering. Listen to the 18-minute chat below, and try NOT unsee Kingfors’ choice of footwear, I dare you.

Speaking of maps, check out the trailer released yesterday that showcased all eight Battlefield V launch maps in action! DICE has also given the maps a deep dive, and talks about the play styles need on them and more in this latest blog post.

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Alex Co

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

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Hitman 2 Day One Content Revealed, Here’s What’s Included in the Different Editions

If you’re looking forward to Hitman 2 later this month and just wondering what you’ll be getting at launch, we’re here to help. Shown below are what players can expect in terms of the Hitman 2 day one content!

There will be over 60 firearms, six new locations, more than 400 challenges and lots more!

Told you there’s a lot. Now, if you’re thinking of pre-ordering, this little table should help you understand where your money is going, and just what you’re getting as extras!

(Image via Hitman.com)

If you want to see what’s new in Hitman 2 compared to the previous game, I suggest watching this trailer. Set to launch this November 13 for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC, Hitman 2 will feature a brand new multiplayer component called “Ghost Mode.”

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Alex Co

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

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Check Out These Funny Red Dead Redemption 2 Clips to Brighten Your Day in the Wild West

While Red Dead Redemption 2 is a serious game through and through that shows us some of the hardships and violence out in the wild west, there’s also a bit of comedy to be had, though more often than not, unintentionally. Want to see some Red Dead 2 funny moments that you might not see anywhere else?  Of course you do!

I’ve really fallen for this game…
byu/SaltyPudding inreddeadredemption

What are the chances.. 🙄😅
by inreddeadredemption

[RDR2][Video] Don’t trust goats.
byu/HippityHippo inPS4

[Video] [RDR2] Accidental Bath thanks to a dog and a horse.
by inPS4

Someone managed to do this during a shakedown:

The most dangerous animal in Red Dead Redemption 2:

Possibly the worst way to lose a horse:

[GIF][Red Dead Redemption 2] anyone else managed to turn an enemy into a ballerina yet?
byu/robjwrd inPS4

Not a bad lot, no? These will surely brighten up your day a bit, and remind you that sometimes, Arthur and the game can be funny even for a little while.

What funny thing has happened to you in Red Dead Redemption 2? Share your story in the comments below.

More Red Dead Redemption 2 Reading:

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Alex Co

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

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Call of Duty App Announced, Will Let You Change Loadouts, Compare Stats & More

Are you a big Call of Duty fan? Big enough that you want to check the game even when you’re not playing? Activision has just the thing! The publisher has announced the Call of Duty app available now on iOS and Android devices!

So, what can you do with the Call of Duty companion app? Activision says that you can keep tabs on your friends’ progress, compare battle stats and achievements, and more! Check out the short trailer.

The Call of Duty app will also let players squad up with 20 other gamers and earn in-game and exclusive rewards by completing weekly objectives as a squad. There will be weekly challenges for squads, and this applies to multiplayer and zombies. In addition to the in-game rewards, Activision mentions that squad rewards will also include real-world items like KontrolFreek.

Check out some of the official info straight from Activison:

Personalized Match Reports and Gameplay Analysis

By connecting to your in-game profile, the Companion App will give you a personalized, deep dive into your previously played matches across Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 in Blackout, Multiplayer, and Zombies, as well as Call of Duty: WWII Multiplayer, including War Mode.

Once you sign up, you will receive a weekly Action Report of how you played in the previous week, as well as a Weekly Briefing with suggestions, tips and tricks that can get you back into the battle with an edge. Now you’ll be able to head into the weekend warfare with a new battle plan based on this intel!

Along with stats for your individual Weapons, Equipment and Loadouts – the Companion App will show you Match Analyses and Heat Maps to track every bullet and movement in that match. Based on your play, the app will give you personalized recommendations to help you drive up those stats.

Want to be an elite run-and-gun player? Or how about the ultimate sniper? The Call of Duty Companion App can track what fits you and put you on the road to improved performance.

You can download the Call of Duty app on iOS and Android right now.

Related Reading:

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Alex Co

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Here Are All the 8 Battlefield V Maps Important Details: Play Styles, Game Modes, and More

While DICE might have released a new Battlefield V trailer that featured all the game’s maps, the studio isn’t done yet! We now get a deep dive into each of the game’s eight multiplayer maps that will be available at launch!

Want everything all in one place? We got you covered! Check out each map, how you should tackle it, what game modes will be available on it, and more!

Narvik:

Narvik at a Glance

Units:

  • Infantry
  • Tanks
  • Aircraft

Size:

  • Medium-Large

Tempo:

  • Moderate-Fast

Play Style

If you’re looking for a solid map with a little something for everyone in terms of play styles, Narvik is a great choice. Whether you want aggressive, close-quarters combat in the now ruined streets of the city center, or more open battle with clear line-of-sight options for Recon snipers down by the harbor, you’ll find it here. Climb into the cockpit of a Spitfire and rain death from above on enemy positions or tear through war-torn neighborhoods in a Panzer, grinding formerly charming houses beneath your treads. Narvik is the very definition of all-out war.

Available Game Modes

Narvik offers players the opportunity to take on a wide variety of modes, including:

  • Airborne – Parachute on to the battlefield and spearhead an invasion or scramble to defend and fortify your positions from the oncoming attack.
  • Breakthrough – Fight to control sectors as an attacker and push the enemy back to claim vital ground in this intense mode.
  • Conquest – An all-time Battlefield classic, this vast game mode includes up to 64 players who battle for control of key locations on the map.
  • Domination – Fast-paced, infantry-based combat in close quarters where you’ll see the enemy up close and personal and where the fighting revolves around significant strategic objectives.
  • Frontlines – An intense tug-of-war battle where one single key area at a time is contested.
  • Team Deathmatch – Kill or be killed is the name of the game, inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible to emerge victorious.

Check out a super detailed look at capture points and map description right here.

Rotterdam:

Rotterdam at a Glance

Units:

  • Infantry
  • Tanks

Size:

  •  Medium

Tempo:

  •  Moderate-Fast

Playstyle

Consider Rotterdam a spiritual successor to the Battlefield 3 Seine Crossing map with a hint of Amiens from Battlefield 1. It’s an urban environment decorated by canals, tall buildings, and a marketplace that no longer soothes pedestrians but preludes close-quarter firefights. The railway provides an elevated position to move across the map or oversee chokepoints with a ranged weapon from east to west – but is still dangerous if you don’t keep an eye on the railcar next to you.

Wide main roads support vehicular combat, and narrow alleys are where players discover who’s the better squad. The not-yet destroyed Rotterdam allows more room for vehicles than its counterpart, Devastation.

Available Game Modes

Rotterdam offers players the opportunity to take on a wide variety of modes, including:

  • Airborne – Parachute on to the battlefield and spearhead an invasion or scramble to defend and fortify your positions from the oncoming attack.
  • Breakthrough – Fight to control sectors as an attacker and push the enemy back to claim vital ground in this intense mode.
  • Conquest – An all-time Battlefield classic, this vast game mode includes up to 64 players who battle for control of key locations on the map.
  • Domination – Fast-paced, infantry-based combat in close quarters where you’ll see the enemy up close and personal and where the fighting revolves around significant strategic objectives.
  • Frontlines – An intense tug-of-war battle where one single key area at a time is contested.
  • Team Deathmatch – Kill or be killed is the name of the game; inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible to emerge victorious.

Check out a super detailed look at capture points and map description right here.

Devastation:

Devastation at a Glance

Units:

  • Infantry
  • Tanks

Size:

  • Medium

Tempo:

  • Fast

Playstyle

Devastation is an unconventional Battlefield map marked by periods of intense close-quarter firefights, created by the same mind behind Battlefield 1’s Fort de Vaux.

Direct roads have warped into an aimless blend of claustrophobic avenues of approach, obstacles, and defensive positions. Players will have to fight among these ruins, dried out canals, and the metal skeletons of buildings. Several places, most notably the cathedral, still retain their shape and can be used as defensive strongpoints. The abundance of cover left by the bombardments works both ways, so you’ll have to outsmart your enemy and not get trapped in a meat grinder.

Available Game Modes

Devastation offers players the opportunity to take on a wide variety of modes, including:

  • Breakthrough – Fight to control sectors as an attacker and push the enemy back to claim vital ground in this intense mode.
  • Conquest – An all-time Battlefield classic, this vast game mode includes up to 64 players who battle for control of key locations on the map.
  • Domination – Fast-paced, infantry-based combat in close quarters is where you’ll see the enemy up close and personal and where the fighting revolves around significant strategic objectives.
  • Final Stand – There can only be one team left standing, and this tie-breaking conclusion to Grand Operations will determine the winner.
  • Frontlines – An intense tug-of-war battle where one single key area at a time is contested.
  • Team Deathmatch – Kill or be killed is the name of the game; inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible to emerge victorious.

Check out a super detailed look at capture points and map description right here.

Hamada:

Hamada at a Glance

Units:

  • Infantry
  • Tanks
  • Aircraft

Size:

  • Very large

Tempo:

  • Moderate

Playstyle

Can’t wait to leap into the cockpit of a fighter plane or behind the turret of a tank? This Battlefield V map is made for you. Ferocious vehicle combat is the focus of this all-out warfare map, but you’ll also need boots on the ground to take and hold the objectives. Infantry will need to focus on what scant cover they can find on the lower elevations, and head to the high ground to really make a difference. And speaking of heights, the flyable space on this map is immense, making it perfect for both intense dogfights and deadly strafing runs.

Available Game Modes

Hamada offers players the opportunity to take on a wide variety of modes, including:

  • Airborne – Parachute onto the battlefield and spearhead an invasion or scramble to defend and fortify your positions from the oncoming attack
  • Breakthrough – Fight to control sectors as an attacker and push the enemy back to claim vital ground in this intense mode
  • Conquest – An all-time Battlefield classic, this vast game mode includes up to 64 players who battle for control of key locations on the map
  • Domination – Fast-paced, infantry-based combat in close quarters is where you’ll see the enemy up close and personal and where the fighting revolves around significant strategic objectives
  • Frontlines – An intense tug-of-war battle where one single key area at a time is contested
  • Team Deathmatch – Kill or be killed is the name of the game; inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible to emerge victorious.

Check out a super detailed look at capture points and map description right here.

Twisted Steel:

Twisted Steel at a Glance

Units:

  • Infantry
  • Tanks
  • Aircraft

Size:

  • Large

Tempo:

  • Moderate – Fast

Playstyle
Vastness and location variety make all playstyles valid on Twisted Steel. Everybody has their place and there’s plenty of room for both infantry, large vehicles, and planes to make a mark. If you deploy in a land vehicle, you may prefer be roaming in the swamp area north of the bridge. If you’re playing as infantry here, use the vegetation as cover – but remember that the trees are destructible, and the landscapes may change drastically. If you’re into close-quarters fighting, you’re likely to spend a lot of time in the small village south of the bridge, where buildings and trenches provide cover.

No matter your playstyle, Twisted Steel’s green/gray color palette, open fields, tall vegetation, trenches, and ambush opportunities may make this your favorite map when it comes to experiencing iconic WW2 scenarios.

Available Game Modes
Twisted Steel gives you the opportunity to take on a wide variety of modes, including:

  • Airborne – Parachute on to the battlefield and spearhead an invasion or scramble to defend and fortify your positions from the oncoming attack
  • Breakthrough – Fight to control sectors as an attacker and push the enemy back to claim vital ground in this intense mode
  • Conquest – An all-time Battlefield classic, this vast game mode includes up to 64 players who battle for control of key locations on the map.
  • Domination – Fast-paced, infantry-based combat in close quarters is where you’ll see the enemy up close and personal and where the fighting revolves around significant strategic objectives.
  • Frontlines – An intense tug-of-war battle where one single key area at a time is contested
  • Team Deathmatch – Kill or be killed is the name of the game; inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible to emerge victorious.

Check out a super detailed look at capture points and map description right here.

Aerodrome:

Aerodrome at a Glance

Units:

  • Infantry
  • Tanks

Size:

  • Medium

Tempo:

  • Moderate-Fast

Playstyle
The action on Aerodrome will take place on land, with infantry and land vehicles battling it out. Excluding air combat, all playstyles are supported; fans of close-quarter infantry combat will shine on the busy C flag, and land vehicle operators will have a blast rushing through the desert roads. There are many Fortification opportunities, which gives extra weight to Support players, and the map’s high points provide good sniping spots.

Available Game Modes
Aerodrome offers players the opportunity to take on a wide variety of modes, including:

  • Airborne – Parachute on to the battlefield and spearhead an invasion or scramble to defend and fortify your positions from the oncoming attack
  • Breakthrough – Fight to control sectors as an attacker and push the enemy back to claim vital ground in this intense mode
  • Conquest – An all-time Battlefield classic, this vast game mode includes up to 64 players who battle for control of key locations on the map
  • Domination – Fast-paced, infantry-based combat in close quarters where you’ll see the enemy up close and personal and where the fighting revolves around significant strategic objectives
  • Final Stand – There can only be one team left standing, and this tie-breaking conclusion to Grand Operations will determine the winner
  • Frontlines – An intense tug-of-war battle where one single key area at a time is contested
  • Team Deathmatch – Kill or be killed is the name of the game; inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible to emerge victorious

Check out a super detailed look at capture points and map description right here.

Arras:

Arras at a Glance

Units:

  • Infantry
  • Tanks
  • Aircraft

Size:

  • Medium-Large

Tempo:

  • Moderate

Playstyle
Arras is about all-out warfare, meaning everybody will have a place and a chance to shine with their personal playstyle. There are open areas where tanks and planes will prefer to fight, but also hectic, infantry-friendly zones like the center of the map, where snipers can take advantage of the bird’s-eye view made possible by the church, the map’s highest point.

For this setting (and for Battlefield™ V in general) we’ve got a killer tip: build Fortifications. On open fields, they give you the option to build trenches, which will be a much wiser way to get around than exposing yourself like a sitting duck. On top of creating new routes, Fortifications can block routes for the enemy, too.

Available Game Modes

Arras offers players the opportunity to take on a wide variety of modes, including:

  • Breakthrough – Fight to control sectors as an attacker and push the enemy back to claim vital ground in this intense mode
  • Conquest – An all-time Battlefield™ classic, this vast game mode includes up to 64 players who battle for control of key locations on the map
  • Domination – Fast-paced, infantry-based combat in close quarters is where you’ll see the enemy up close and personal and where the fighting revolves around significant strategic objectives
  • Final Stand – There can only be one team left standing, and this tie-breaking conclusion to Grand Operations will determine the winner
  • Frontlines – An intense tug-of-war battle where one single key area at a time is contested
  • Team Deathmatch – Kill or be killed is the name of the game; inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible to emerge victorious.

Check out a super detailed look at capture points and map description right here.

Fjell 652:

Fjell 652 at a Glance

Units:

  • Infantry
  • Aircraft

Size:

  • Small

Tempo:

  • Fast

Play Style

Anyone who prefers infantry-focused, rapid close combat is going to spend a lot of time on Fjell 652. This map has a lot in common with the Battlefield 1 map Argonne Forest, particularly its small size and closed environment. Fjell 652, however, isn’t as linear as its predecessor, so it’s less a funnel than an open-air warren of complicated, narrow passages and rocky barriers. Another difference between the two is the addition of aircraft; planes can dart in and around the peaks dogfighting or strafing enemy positions. Control the summit and force the enemy pilots to prove their skills in the gorges below.

Available Game Modes

Fjell 652 offers players the opportunity to take on a wide variety of modes, including:

  • Breakthrough – Fight to control sectors as an attacker and push the enemy back to claim vital ground in this intense mode.
  • Conquest – An all-time Battlefield classic, this vast game mode includes up to 64 players who battle for control of key locations on the map.
  • Domination – Fast-paced, infantry-based combat in close quarters where you’ll see the enemy up close and personal and where the fighting revolves around significant strategic objectives.
  • Final Stand – There can only be one team left standing, and this tie-breaking conclusion to Grand Operations will determine the winner.
  • Team Deathmatch – Kill or be killed is the name of the game, inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible to emerge victorious.

Check out a super detailed look at capture points and map description right here.

Make sure to check back here on MP1st for the latest Battlefield V news in our game hub!

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Alex Co

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

Home > Features

Online Poker – The Ultimate Multiplayer Battle

Poker was brought into the mainstream in the early parts of the millennium when amateur player Chris Moneymaker shot to fame with the most epic bluff in card history at the World Series of Poker. His success inspired a new generation of wannabe poker stars to place their bets and stack their chips high.

One of the best results from this new wave of poker popularity was the rise of online poker games. In the United Kingdom we have access to hundreds of different sites, almost all of which offer elite poker experiences to customers.

And let’s face it, poker is best played online if you’re in it for the long haul. Many land-based casinos have minimum play hour’s restrictions on entering tournaments and if the entry limits are say 60 hours then you’re going to have to spend a lot of unnecessary time in the casino.

With online poker there’s no such hassle, you can literally play wherever and whenever you want, you can even play on the toilet! You also don’t have to dress up smart, get a taxi, spend money on expensive food and drinks or pay extortionate membership fees.

Those are just a few of the reasons that online poker is the ultimate multiplayer battle, in this article we’ll explore a whole host of other reasons that make the online iteration the ultimate experience for poker lovers.

Competition

Most land-based casinos have cash tables available to patrons, however they are only open on demand and the level of competition depends mainly on pot luck for players. A seasoned card pro could head to the tables one night and demolish your stack of chips or alternatively, you could be playing with complete novices and not face any challenge at all.

That’s not the case with online poker as most providers issue you with a skill level and match make your games to ensure you’re playing against opponents perfectly suited to your level of skill.

Accessibility

As previously mentioned, the accessibility of online poker takes it one step ahead of the lad-based casinos and traditional poker venues. Online poker is available to users 24 hours a day 7 days a week and there are no restrictions on where you can play.

As long as you have a decent mobile data connection you can literally play poker anywhere from your phone or tablet. The easy accessibility makes it easy to qualify for tournaments and play at a time that suits you, having a much lower impact on your free time than a land-based casino.

Availability of games

Texas Hold ‘Em is the most popular variation of poker out there but online providers offer a whole range of different games; Chinese poker, speed poker, three card stud and many more all available at your fingertips.

Pot calculators

Most online providers have pot calculators that you can use in game to calculate your chances of success. You can also use a pot calculator after a hand to review how you played and what you should have done.

They are a fantastic tool to help improve your game and get you accustomed to pot odds and probabilities. They are not available at land-based casinos and the only thing you can learn at a physical poker table is how you respond to pressure and recognise other players tells.

Satellite tournaments

Think of these as the FA Cup qualifying rounds of online poker. Satellite tournaments give those with a smaller bankroll the opportunity to earn entry into higher buy in tournaments such as the World Series of Poker.

Instead of winning cash you gain entry points by placing high in satellite tournaments which accumulate to gain your entry into the higher ticket tourneys. That’s exactly what Chris Moneymaker did in 2003 when he entered a satellite tournament for 39 dollars before going on to win 2.5 million dollars in the World Series of Poker.

The best technique for these satellite tournaments is to play aggressively at the beginning, earn some entry points and then aim to survive from then on to reach the target tournament.

Grinding

Okay it’s not something that’s widely accepted in the poker world, but the act of grinding is easier in the world of online poker. Professional players or those with a higher skill level can head into lower buy in tournaments with ease and win a decent amount of money from lesser skilled players.

If you are one of those lesser skilled players’ just keep your eyes open for conservative betters who suddenly bet big – they’re more likely to be grinders and you stand a good chance of losing your chips quickly.

Don’t lose the real feel

One of the biggest draws of a land-based casino is the traditional aspect of playing poker. Having a professional dealer, a neat surrounding and waiters piling you full of free drinks and food.

Unfortunately online casino hasn’t developed a concierge service just yet but it wouldn’t be too surprising if it did in the near future! However most online providers do offer customers live, professional dealers that they can interact with.

Some online poker companies also allow players to participate in poker games that are taking place in actual casinos meaning that effectively nothing is lost from the traditional casino poker experience.

Summary

Online poker is streets ahead of land-based poker for a plethora of reasons. The competition possibilities are greater and much more equal on the internet platform and give players the chance to go from zero to hero.

Virtual reality technology is currently in development as well which will allow for a completely immersive poker experience almost giving people no need to go and play cards at their local casino.

And then of course there’s the accessibility aspect, no matter where you live you’re never too far away from a poker competition online where you could be playing opponents from the other side of the world.

MP1st

MP1st Staff

Home > News

Report: COD Community Is Not Happy That Black Ops 4 Weapon Variants Require About $200 or 250+ Game Hours to Get

If you’ve stopped playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 since it launched in early October, you might have missed Activision’s re-introduction of the Black Market, and seasonal events that will grant players cosmetic items, gestures, and more. One of the things the Black Market also gives out are the “Reserves” which house random items, and the ever elusive Black Ops 4 weapon variants of the existing guns in the game.

While players can grind to earn Contraband points for their Contraband stream, it’s a painfully slow process. Of course, players can also use COD Points to purchase Tiers that will grant them these additional cosmetic items. COD Points are, of course, purchasable with in-game cash. The process of earning Contraband streams are so slow that a lot of people in the Call of Duty community are up in arms about it.

In a lengthy post by Reddit user Refractives, he does the math that if you want to get that Tier 200 weapon variant, you’ll need to spend $200 in real world money to buy COD Points, or spend 250+ game hours, which is further complicated by these Tiers and events set on a time limit.

Here’s a rundown of some of the key things the community is up in arms about:

  • If you’re looking to own that Tier 200 Weapon Varient you better be prepared to Pay $200 or Grind 250+ In Game Hours. (Oh.. and there’s a time limit)
  • In this new Black Ops 4 System you are now having to put in almost 2 in-game hours to Receive 1 Single Item which consists of: Stickers, Emotes, Sprays, Face Paints and Outfits which you cannot equip or view without owning the full set and you cannot mix outfits and face paints with others.
  • Reserves (Supply Drops) are back and worse than ever before with having zero control of which 1 item you receive, It will be even worse as more items are inevitably brought into the Black Market.
  • They have made the Tier Progression Rate so painfully slow that you are almost penalized for not paying to reach the top tier and then not offering any alternatives to progress other than to pay up or dedicate hundreds upon thousands of hours.
  • The game is already lacking in base core customisation features to begin with, but the fact that all specialist customizations and others are now locked behind a black market system is beyond absurd, Huge step backwards from Black Ops 3 which you was able to obtain unique outfits via Challenges, Gear that should be accessible to everyone who already paid the premium price tag for the game shouldn’t count as additional game content.
  • It baffles me that Activision & Treyarch have come to the conclusion that all these Black Market items are more valuable than the Actual Game Price, it just goes to show that they will continue to use these distasteful anti-consumer practices until there is a mass outrage and we speak up in numbers to show them that this is not okay.
  • There’s a restriction on outfits and gear where you cannot equipt or view them unless you own the full set from Reserves Supply Drops. What is all that about Treyarch? The chances of obtaining 2 matching items are already astronomically slim with the 1 item per supply drop system not to mention all the upcoming items being thrown into the pool.
  • Big improvements are definitely necessary, Anyone with a normal social life is not going to reach the insanely ridiculous requirement you have set towards unlocking the tiers, a huge buff towards the rate of the tier progression and alternate challenges are needed, There should also be a way to earn reserves without the tiers.
  • This is just the beginning, today’s cosmetics and tomorrow’s DLC Weapons with stat changing variations will be locked behind this system with no option to earn other than grind hundreds and thousands of hours or pay the additional price tag, Previous systems such as IW allowed season pass owners to receive all base DLC Weapons and there were challenges that also allowed you to unlock them.
  • Community Challenges & Zombies Black Market Progression is also missing. It is evident that the game was rushed and very unpolished. They have been cutting corners, the overall production design feels cheaper than previous instalments and still feels like it is in the beta stages, You would think that Treyarch would double down and give more incentives to play and ultimately expand over the previous systems that did it much better (WW2), They have opted for quantity over quality and that really hurts the game, It is a shame because at it’s core it can be a fun experience. But it seems that because they are “Treyarch” they’re able to pull off these greedy shenanigans and they wait for everything to blow over (such as the #SayNoToTheBlackOpsPass scenario) and it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the consumer.

As of press time, the Reddit post has been upvoted over 13,000 times on the official Black Ops 4 subreddit. It’s also on the r/games subreddit and has been upvoted by over 4,000 people. Treyarch has not posted a response at either subreddits currently.

What makes it worse is, there’s no specific computation on how Contraband is earned in a match since it’s not tied in to how you perform in the game. And as it’s tuned now, it’s very slow to get from one Tier to the next. Case in point? I’ve been playing everyday since the Black Market was launched, and I’m still only at Tier 30+ which means there’s very little chance of me getting to Tier  200 unless I just play Black Ops 4 for the next few weeks for the entire day.

While some might argue that the items in the Black Market and obtainable in via the Contraband streams are just cosmetics, it’s definitely baffling how anyone could reach the final tier unless you’re ready to spend some real world coin…and maybe that’s Activision’s point?

What’s your take on this? Does the Black Ops 4 community have a point? Or are people throwing a tantrum over nothing? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Alex Co

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

Home > News

All the Anthem Javelin Abilities and Ultimates Showcased – You’ll Want to Watch This!

With Anthem set to enter the “shared world” shooter/RPG genre in February 2019, and it’s focus on team play and PvE, it’s normal for a lot of people (including me) to wonder just how the Anthem javelin abilities and ultimates look like in action.

While we already listed down the javelins that will be available at launch along with their abilities, we can now see it in action!

Here are the ultimate abilities of each of the four javelin exosuits:

Ranger – Multi-Target Missile Battery

Dealing precise damage across a wide swath of the battlefield, the Ranger’s Multi-target Missile Battery allows it to target many fast-moving enemies with guided projectiles. As the master of versatility in combat, the Ranger’s ultimate allows for a flexible approach that can quickly eliminate an overwhelming number of enemies.

Colossus – Siege Cannon

The Siege Cannon is pure mayhem unleashed on the battlefield. This ability allows for multiple shots which each create large explosions, which makes it ideal for clearing out smaller enemies, controlling enemies in a choke point, or putting some extra damage on a boss.

Storm – Elemental Storm

The Storm calls down a torrent of energy to decimate a targeted area. Manipulating the raw force of the Anthem, the Storm emits successive blasts of frost, electricity, and fire – ending with a meteoric finale. This ability is great when enemies are in a contained area where they’ll all be struck.

Interceptor – Assassin’s Blades

The Interceptor becomes supercharged, arming its Assassin’s Blades and carving through enemies at high speed. Each target hit by one of these melee attacks will be hit continuously by echoes of the original attack over a 10-second duration. This is a highly precise attack that lets the Interceptor choose his targets carefully and single them out for huge damage.

Some of the power effects and the like might remind people of Destiny, but hey, there’s only so much ways a space wizard and their powers can be designed, right? Or maybe it’s just me. There’s also our first gameplay look at the melee abilities which should fit fine with the melee build BioWare promised the game will have.

For more gameplay, check out an archive of the BioWare Anthem livestream from Paris Games Week.

Source: EA

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Alex Co

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

Home > News

Battlefield V Maps Trailer Shows Us All 8 Maps That Will Be Available at Launch

As expected and teased by DICE, a new Battlefield V trailer has dropped today that shows us the eight maps players will be able to wage war on at launch!

From the snowy paths Norway, to the desert heat of North Africa, there’s a lot of variety to this set of maps DICE has crafted for Battlefield V — at least at first glance! Those looking for a more urban setting, there’s the Rotterdam map which players have played on during the beta, and the “dramatic French countryside” will be torn apart by war too!

Also in the trailer are our first look at the Panzerstorm map coming post-launch via Tides of War. There are more post-launch maps coming to the game for free, which you should read about now to know what’s coming.

Are the maps shown good enough for you so far? Or were you expecting more “meat grinder” maps like Operation Locker or Operation Metro to be part of the showcase?

In other BFV news, go get this free in-game emblem right now. Also read up on the progression and economy of the game right here.

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Alex Co

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

Home > News

Red Dead Redemption 2 Music Produced by Over 110 Musicians, Score & Soundtrack Made Exclusively for the Game

While Red Dead Redemption 2 looks insanely gorgeous, a lot of the ambiance of the game can be attributed to the fantastic sound design as well. It might not get as much attention, but the Red Dead 2 music and sound effects definitely are top-tier, too.

In a press release, Rockstar Games names a lot of the people behind Red Dead Redemption 2’s music, and it’s a badass list of known movie, TV, and video game sound people!

First off, the dynamic score is produced by Woody Jackson, whom Rockstar fans might rememeber as the same person who scored Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire, and Grand Theft Auto V with Tangerine Dream, The Alchemist, and Oh No.

Additional production and arrangement from the musical score by Jeff Silverman (Truth and Soul, Aloe Black), with additional musical score and orchestration provided by:

  •  Colin Stetson (Bon Iver, Hereditary)
  • David Ferguson (Johnny Cash’s engineer)
  •  David Ralicke (Beck, Sons of Anarchy)
  • Gabe Witcher (Punch Brothers, True Detective)
  • Luke O’Malley
  • Mario Batkovic (of Geoff Barrow’s Invada)
  • Matt Sweeney (Chavez, Superwolf, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Prince Billy)
  • Rabih Beaini
  • Senyawa

In addition to that, there are contributions from over 110 other musicians as well! These include but are not limited to:

  • Arca (frequent Bjork, Kanye West, Frank Ocean and Kelela collaborator)
  • Duane Eddy (Lee Hazlewood protégé)
  •  Jon Theodore (former drummer of Mars Volta and current Queens of the Stone Age drummer)
  • Michael Shuman aka Mikey Shoes (Queens of the Stone Age, Mini Mansions)

Impressed by the vocal work in Red Dead Redemption 2? You should be as they are produced by Grammy Award-winner Daniel Lanaois, who’s known for producing albums for Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Willie Nelson, as well as collaborating with musician Brian Eno to produce several albums of the band U2 (including album The Joshua Tree).

Rockstar has also named some of the vocal actors who lent their voices to the game, and they include:

  • D’Angelo
  • Willie Nelson
  • Nas
  • Rhiannon Giddens
  • Josh Homme

Lastly, an additional track was written, produced and performed by David Ferguson. Rockstar mentions that all songs for both score and soundtrack were created exclusively for Red Dead Redemption 2.

Want to download the official Red Dead Redemption 2 soundtrack? Rockstar says that news and info about that will be shared at a later date.

Impressive, no? Then again, the entire game’s scope is massive, and to no one’s surprise, that includes the musical arrangements and vocal work.

Related Reading:

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Alex Co

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

Home > News

Battlefield V Aerodrome Map Sneak Peek

DICE is set to unveil the eight Battlefield V maps that will be available at launch tomorrow (later?), and we get a small taste of what’s to come thanks to DICE Global Community Manager Dan Mitre.

Shown below are two screenshots of the Battlefield V Aerodrome map, with one map view, and the other an in-game action shot that shows how dirty the map is (in a good way).

According to Mitre, the blog post where the studio will talk about the eight maps will go live tomorrow. He also adds that the Aerodrome map is located in North Africa, and the hangar flag cap can get “intense.”

In other Battlefield V news, we posted the PC recommended and minimum requirements so you’ll know what kind of setup your PC needs to run the game. The revive icons have also been given a facelift, and can now relay what your teammate wants just by the icons!

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Alex Co

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