Starfield Will Let You Pick Your Pronouns And NPCs Will Respond Accordingly

2 years 6 months ago

In Bethesda's upcoming RPG, Starfield, players will be able to customize their characters to the fullest, including being able to select pronouns.

"Really excited about what the team has done with character creation here," said Bethesda creative director Todd Howard. "Including choosing background, skills, etc. You also can pick your pronoun (he, she, they) and we've recorded all the relevant dialogue to support that choice."

In a Reddit AMA, Howard sat down to answer some questions about Starfield. This was his answer to a Redditor who asked if the game's character creation will be more complex like how it is in the Elder Scrolls games like Morrowind or Oblivian. It looks like Bethesda is being as inclusive as it can with Starfield and letting people express themselves the way they want.

Elsewhere in the AMA, some Redditors joked that the info should be written down so that it can be compared to what the final product has when it launches. "Let's see if we get cyberpunked", said one Redditor, referencing the backlash and drama surrounding Cyberpunk 2077's controversial launch.

Howard also confirmed that Starfield will have full mod support, just like in past Bethesda RPGs.

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George Yang

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Total War: Warhammer III Gameplay Trailer Shows Tzeentch vs Grand Cathay Battle

2 years 6 months ago

Today Sega and Creative Assembly released another new trailer of the upcoming strategy game Total War: Warhammer III.

After taking an extensive look at the Ogre Kingdom factionwhich will be distributed as an early adopter bonus with the game, we go back to the Tzeentch and Grand Cathay faction, pitched against each other in battle within the Lord of Change’s own chaotic domain.

You can check it out below.

If you’re unfamiliar with Total War: Warhammer III, which is coming for PC (including Game Pass) on Feb. 17, 2022, you can also read our hands-on preview.

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Giuseppe Nelva

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Starfield Will Have Full Mod Support, Todd Howard Confirms

2 years 6 months ago

Months after releasing a story trailer Bethesda is back with a few more details about what to expect from Starfield, its new sci-fi outer space role-playing game. Chief among them, Starfield will feature full mod support according to director Todd Howard in a new Reddit AMA session with fans.

"Our plan [is to] have full mod support like our previous games," Howard said. "Our modding community has been with us for 20 years. We love what they do and hope to see more make a career out of it."

Modders are certainly looking forward to seeing how extensive that support is and what the community can ultimately do with it. Especially considering Starfield is being developed with a significantly updated version of the studio's Creation engine, which originally powered The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76.

Bethesda games, particularly Skyrim and Fallout, remain some of PC gaming's most active modding communities. Over on Nexus Mods, mods for the original edition of Skyrim boasts an incredible 1.8 billion total downloads, while Skyrim's Special Edition's mods boast another 1.1 billion total downloads.

Aside from the expected graphical enhancements, custom characters, and quality-of-life improvements, Skyrim mods have become an infamous source of inventive, occasionally frightening customization.

Howard also shared additional details about Starfield:

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Joseph Knoop

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PS5's First Year in Review - Beyond 725

2 years 6 months ago

On this week's episode of IGN's weekly PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Jada Griffin and Mark Medina to discuss the PS5's first year as we approach the PlayStation 5 anniversary launch this week.

The trio looks back at the PS5 games and how the PS4 vs PS5 first years stack up, the new additions to this generation like the PlayStation 5's DualSense and 3D audio, and much more throughout our PlayStation 5 anniversary retrospective.

We dig into the PS5's launch games and the many exciting opportunities to explore its new tech in games like Astro's Playroom, Demon's Souls, and Marvel's Spider-Man Miles Morales, how Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Returnal, Deathloop, and more kept us entertained throughout the PS5's first year, and how certain features like trophies, screen sharing, activity cards, and more have or haven't been put to use on the PlayStation 5. Our PlayStation 5 podcast lookback also discusses the PS5's availability, or lack thereof, as people continue to find PS5's have sold out, and the problems that both the supply chain and bots and scalpers have caused for people getting to enjoy the PlayStation 5.

Plus, we discuss what we've been playing on PS4 and PS5, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Ghost of Tsushima, Returnal, Knockout City, and more.

Timecodes:
00:00:10 - Intro & Housekeeping
00:07:20 - Looking Back at a Year of PS5
00:33:20 - PS5 Availability Chat
00:44:22 - Community Responses
01:00:30 - What We’re Playing & Outro

And if you're looking for more places to enjoy this PlayStation podcast show, check out Podcast Beyond! on all available platforms: https://linktr.ee/podcastbeyond

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Jonathon Dornbush

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Far Cry 6's Vaas: Insanity paid DLC is out next week

2 years 6 months ago

Far Cry 6's first chunk of paid DLC, titled Vaas: Insanity, will launch next Tuesday, 16th November on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Amazon Luna, and Stadia.

As announced previously, Far Cry 6's paid post-launch content will cast players as some of the series' most infamous villains - specifically Far Cry 3's Vaas Montenegro, Far Cry 4's Pagan Min, and Far Cry 5's Joseph Seed - across three roguelite-inspired episodes.

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Matt Wales

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Star Citizen Creator Cloud Imperium Opening New Studio in Manchester Ahead of Further Growth

2 years 6 months ago

Today Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium Games announced that it’ll soon open a new location in Manchester, UK.

According to the press release, Cloud Imperium currently employs over 700 people worldwide with 400 based at the current UK studio in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Said Wilmslow team will relocate to the newly opened headquarters at the heart of the Enterprise City district in Manchester Goods Yard.

We hear that the company is committed to growing the Manchester studio to “serve as a pivotal team for its large-scale game plans.” Local recruitment to that end will start in early 2022.

The press release also included a comment from creative director Chris Roberts:

“Manchester is where I started my video game career, when I was hired to write the Game of the Month for BBC Micro User, back in 1983 at the ripe age of 14, so it makes me very happy to announce that we have signed a long-term deal for our biggest office yet, in downtown Manchester.

Manchester is one of the most vibrant and modern cities in Europe, with strong education links and high connectivity, offering outstanding opportunities and quality of life for our team. The new Enterprise City space is the perfect home for game development, with its deep investment in businesses focused on media, technology and creativity.

Manchester joins Los Angeles, Austin, and Frankfurt as home to Cloud Imperium’s team, working in partnership with our community of players on Star Citizen and Squadron 42.”

We also hear from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester:

Author
Giuseppe Nelva

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Starfield – Todd Howard Shares a Few Details on Mod Support, Character Creation, & More

2 years 6 months ago

Today Starfield Game Director Todd Howard answered a few questions about the game in an AMA on Reddit.

Asked whether there are robot companions in the game, he answered “yes, kind of.” He’s also very excited about what the development team has done with character creation in terms of choosing a background, skills, and more.

Players will also be able to choose their pronouns  (he, she, they) and all relevant dialogue has been recorded to support that choice.

The plan for the game is to have full mod support like previous Bethesda games, as the developers love what modders do and hope more will make a career out of it.

We also learn that the ladder climbing seen in the E3 trailer is an animation, and developers use it sparingly in the game.

Speaking of Starfield, today Bethesda also published a video featuring Inon Zur, where he teases a “surprise” for the fans related to the game at the end of the concert to celebrate Skyrim’s 10th anniversary tomorrow.

Author
Giuseppe Nelva

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SteamWorld Headhunter is a brand-new co-op action-adventure from Image & Form

2 years 6 months ago

Image & Form is returning to its critically acclaimed SteamWorld universe with SteamWorld Headhunter, a new co-operative action-adventure that sees the series moving into 3D for the very first time. But that's not all! The developer has also announced a release date for its gloopy third-person sci-fi adventure, The Gunk, which will be heading to Xbox One, Xbox One Series X/S, and PC on 16th December.

SteamWorld Headhunter, to deal with the newcomer first, is the sixth entry in Image & Form's celebrated SteamWorld series - following on from SteamWorld Tower Defense, SteamWorld Dig, SteamWorld Heist, SteamWorld Dig 2, and SteamWorld Quest - and once again looks to offer a radical shake-up for the series.

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Matt Wales

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Microsoft Flight Simulator CRJ 900/1000 Released; Wakkanai & Las Vegas Airports Announced

2 years 6 months ago

Today third-party developers released a relevant aircraft add-on and announced a couple new scenery packages for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

First of all, Aerosoft finally released the package including both the CRJ 900 and CRJ 1000 variants.

In case you’re not familiar with it, the package is an add-on to the excellent CRJ 550/700 and that’s required for it t work.

It’s available at Aerosoft’s own store and on the official marketplace 16,80€ plus VAT. You can also find a bundle with all the versions for 58,82€ plus applicable VAT.

Next comes Simulación Extrema which announced another of its airports in Japan. It’s Wakkanai (RJCW), the northernmost commercial airport in the country, located at the northern tip of Hokkaido.

Author
Giuseppe Nelva

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Major Final Fantasy XI Update Adds Master Levels, Increases Support Job Limit, New EXP Camps & More

2 years 6 months ago

While Final Fantasy XI fans knew that big changes were on the way for the 20th anniversary of the game next year and that leading up to it they would continue to update the game, the developers surprised everyone late last night with a version update that has dramatically changed up the game.

For the first time ever, players will be able to increase the power of their support jobs to more than half of their main job. This is achieved by the introduction of Master Levels which was hinted at last week but fleshed out in more detail today.

Master Levels are designed to be a new job advancement system that is only available to players that have hit master rank on a job. Once unlocked, players will accrue a new type of experience point called Exemplar Points. When you get enough Exemplar Points from defeating challenging enemies (at least Easy Prey or higher, but realistically Apex level), you will level up your Master Level.

Each Master Level you get raises all of your (and your pet’s) attributes and combat skills by one point. Every five levels will increase your maximum support job level by one. As an added detail that old-school players will find amusing: dying will decrease your Exemplar Point total and you can de-level down a Master Level.

To accommodate all of the players likely eager to get to grinding, new Apex mob camps have been added in all of the Promyvion zones and Alzadaal Undersea Ruins.

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Ed McGlone

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The Gunk Release Date Officially Revealed, Coming To Xbox Game Pass Day One

2 years 6 months ago

If you’re excited to see if you gel with The Gunk, you won’t have to wait much longer now as Image & Form Games have revealed its release date: December 16. 

The team behind the SteamWorld franchise first announced its upcoming exploration game, The Gunk, during the Xbox Games Showcase back in 2020. Image & Form Games went quiet with The Gunk for about a year before it stepped back into the spotlight (and out of the gunk) during the Xbox Gamescom 2021 stream held in August. There, it was revealed that the Xbox-exclusive title would be released this December. 

Click here to watch embedded media

Now, we know it’s releasing December 16 thanks to a new blog post from the team. 

“We’re so excited to finally reveal the release date of The Gunk, our highly anticipated Xbox exclusive from the creators of the SteamWorld franchise,” the post reads. “Get stuck into The Gunk on December 16 – for anyone subscribed to Game Pass, it’s launching day and date on the service.” 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Forza Horizon 5 Is Finally Stealing The Show For Microsoft

2 years 6 months ago

The latest game in the open world spin-off series, and the 13th Forza game over all, Forza Horizon 5 is a mostly known quantity. But nearly a decade after the Horizon series started, it feels like many are encountering it for the first time. And they’re loving it, in a way that’s sucking up all the oxygen in the room…

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Ethan Gach

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Thunderful Games Announces SteamWorld Headhunter, A 3D Sequel To SteamWorld Dig 2

2 years 6 months ago

Thunderful held a showcase today featuring upcoming games from the publisher including The Gunk (which holds a newly announced December release date) and the Stadia timed-exclusive aquatic adventure Wavetale, which releases today. Capping off the presentation was a brief look at the next chapter in the SteamWorld franchise, SteamWorld Headhunter.

The teaser (which you can watch below) features two robotic cowboys featuring spectacular 'staches facing off in a familiar pistol dueling position. You know, desert town, high noon, and all of that. One automaton looks to have lost the shootout, and in the process, lost his head. When the victor checks on the deceased's condition, only to find its head is detached and flying at him with deadly intent. 

Click here to watch embedded media

Thunderful isn't saying much about Headhunter other than it's a direct follow-up to "the (literally) earth-shattering events of SteamWorld Dig 2" and will be a full 3D, co-op action adventure experience. In honor of the announcement of Headhunter, SteamWorld Dig 2 is currently free to download on Steam and GOG starting today and lasting until tomorrow, November 11 at 11 a.m. Eastern. 


What do you think of the teaser for SteamWorld Headhunter? Are you interested in seeing more of the surface world, or would you prefer to dig into the depths of the planet some more? Shovel your thoughts into the comments!

Author
John Carson

First Impressions of Lineage2M from the Beta

2 years 6 months ago

After hours fiddling around with the character creator, equipment menus, and wandering the vast, seamless open world of Lineage2M’s beta; this MMORPG has left quite the impression that left us yearning for more when the game launches globally December 2, 2021.

MIGHTY ON MOBILE

The Beta was only available on PC, which presented a perfect environment for PC players. However, Lineage2M will provide cross-play services after the official launch, making it so that you can enjoy the same great experience while playing on mobile.

COLORFUL AND CHANGEABLE CHARACTER CLASSES

Lineage2M offers a number of classes that shift according to the six types of weapons available in-game and character race. Also, you can transfer to a class with a completely different style while playing the game, so all those hours you invested in building up a high-level character will never go to waste allowing you to play around with everything the class system offers.

ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK

Lineage2M’s core gameplay loops cycles back and forth between PvE (player vs environment) action and PvP (player vs player) action. Incentivizing players to compete with one another during boss hunts scattered throughout the open world. But that doesn’t mean it's every person for themself! A solo player has no chance of taking a boss on themself, but working with other player characters to take down a common enemy means treasure, stat boosting skill books, and of course long-lasting bonds with new friends.

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mstegosaurus

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Valve delays Steam Deck into next year due to "material shortages"

2 years 6 months ago

Valve has announced a delay for Steam Deck; the portable gaming PC will no longer begin shipping at the end of this year as intially planned, and will now start making its way to customers in February 2022.

Those that successfully managed to surmount some early technical hitches and join the front of the queue when Steam Deck reservations opened back in July were originally due to receive their hardware in December this year. Unfortunately, those Christmases will now be just a little less merry thanks to disruptions in production caused by a lack of available parts.

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Matt Wales

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Valve Delays Steam Deck Launch to February 2022

2 years 6 months ago

Valve’s portable console will no longer be released during its initial December 2021 launch window. The Steam Deck launch has been delayed by two months, to February 2022.

According to the official news post on Steam, this delay is coming due to supply chain issues. This means that there are material shortages, preventing certain components of the console from reaching manufacturing facilities in time for a December launch.

For those unaware, the Steam Deck will give players access to their Steam libraries on the go. The powerful handheld console will cost $399 for the 64GB version, $529 for the 256GB version, and $649 for the 512GB version.

For the players who are excited to get their hands on the Steam Deck, the good news is that this isn’t a major delay of several months or more. Additionally, a new reservation queue will start in February, while those who have already made reservations get to keep their places in line.

It’s been stated that more updates will arrive shortly, but you can check the bottom of the handheld’s website to read the FAQs to find answers you may be looking for.

Check out our related articles below for more information on the Steam Deck’s features, games that’ll work best, and more.

The post Valve Delays Steam Deck Launch to February 2022 appeared first on Twinfinite.

Author
Ethan Anderson

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Valve Steam Deck Launch Pushed Back To 2022

2 years 6 months ago

Nothing can escape the gravitational pull of February 2022. Not even Valve and its upcoming handheld Steam Deck. The company has announced the initial wave of devices that were supposed to ship out in December will now have a targeted February ship date.

The delay is due to the global supply chain issues plaguing many businesses heading into the holiday season. Here's Valve's announcement of the shifted timeline and its reasoning why in full:

The launch of Steam Deck will be delayed by two months. We’re sorry about this—we did our best to work around the global supply chain issues, but due to material shortages, components aren’t reaching our manufacturing facilities in time for us to meet our initial launch dates.

Based on our updated build estimates, Steam Deck will start shipping to customers February 2022. This will be the new start date of the reservation queue—all reservation holders keep their place in line but dates will shift back accordingly. Reservation date estimates will be updated shortly after this announcement.

It looks like Steam Deck reservations that were due later will also be affected. Keep an eye on your Steam account if you've pre-ordered one already.

While it's disappointing to have to wait the extra couple of months, two months isn't a lot longer to wait. Hopefully, this will give Valve the time needed to gather the proper components and ship these bad boys out to the gaming public. 

Author
John Carson

Xbox Console Exclusive The Gunk Gets a December Release Date

2 years 6 months ago

The Gunk – a third-person sci-fi adventure with shades of Luigi's Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine – will come to Xbox and PC on December 16. The game will also launch into Xbox Game Pass.

The release date was announced during today's Thunderful World event. Set on an alien world covered in the titular Gunk, you'll follow the story of space haulers Rani and Becks, who are faced with the dilemma of scavenging a beleaguered planet, and making the decision whether to leave for the cash, or stay and try to help.

Gameplay sees you clearing the Gunk using a power glove device – called Pumpkin, naturally – as well as solving envirnmental puzzles and avoiding alien threats. The Gunk will run at a stable 30 fps on Xbox One, while it will play at 60 fps and up to 4K resolution on Xbox Series X and S and PC.

First announced last year, The Gunk comes from the developers of the SteamWorld series (previously known as Image & Form, now Thunderful Games), and marks the team's first fully 3D game. We got a fresh look at gameplay during Xbox's Gamescom stream this year.

Author
Joe Skrebels

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Thunderful World: Everything Announced, Including a 3D SteamWorld Game

2 years 6 months ago

Thunderful World, the inaugural digital event for the Swedish developer-publisher, aired today, bringing new game announcements, release date reveals, and even a surprise game launch – and all presented by Mark Hamill, no less.

The show included a brand new entry in the cult SteamWorld series, a release date for Xbox console exclusive, The Gunk, and much more. We've collected together all the news below to help make sure you don't miss anything.

SteamWorld Headhunter Announced

SteamWorld Headhunter is the next installment in the cult SteamWorld series – and the first to move from 2D to 3D. Headhunter will be a "stylised and colourful, third-person co-op action adventure." While the announcement didn't reveal gameplay, a release date, or platforms, a teaser trailer (above) gave us a hint of what to expect.

To celebrate, SteamWorld Dig 2 will also be available to download for free on Steam for 24 hours.

The Gunk Gets a December Release Date

The Gunk – a third-person sci-fi adventure with shades of Luigi's Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine – will come to Xbox and PC on December 16. The game will also launch into Xbox Game Pass.

Author
Joe Skrebels

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