Spelunky 2 has had another update, and it's made some big changes that will make some parts of the game a little easier, and others, perhaps, a little harder. Patch 1.15.0 is now available on Steam and PS4. The biggest changes have been applied to the Olmec boss fight, although whether they help you beat the fight or not will depend on how you usually fight it.

The Olmec boss fight has been tweaked so that the boss will now only throw bombs at a player when they are below him. This means that bombs are only thrown when they might do some damage, which could make it harder to take Olmec down. However, the floaters sent out by the boss have had their HP reduced down to 1HP, so they'll be easier to take down now.

Layer doors have also been added on the right in Olmec's level.

The patch contains a long list of fixes and changes, too. The physics are now a bit more forgiving and less likely to crush players, and players will find that grabbing something in a hurry is now more responsive. Some other changes target exploits, like spamming the attack while climbing.

Here's the full list of changes and tweaks introduced in this update.

Here’s something I like very much: interviews with console executives about upcoming next-gen machines that get very into hard numbers, internal procedures and an explanation of just how much work went into making sure the Xbox Series X/s backwards compatibility was up to scratch.

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Apex Legends Season 7 is just hours away from starting, with the new season projected to land at 8 PM PT / 11 PM ET, November 4. With the start of a new season, one of Apex Legends' best--and definitely its most iconic--maps will be sent to the vault for a while, meaning you have just a few hours to play on it.

Kings Canyon will not be a part of Apex Legends Season 7, meaning that in a few hours it'll be locked away until a future season. The map, which has changed over time as new seasons and events have shifted the landscape, is a beloved classic--and it's worth dropping in for a last round or two before it goes away.

YouTube rabbit holes can be dangerous. You think about one thing, it sparks another, and by the end of the night who knows what you could be watching. That happened to me recently with boy band music videos. Which, I know, sounds a little weird. But if you grew up in the 1980s or ‘90s and listened to pop music, boy…

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Since mounting anxiety has robbed me of higher cognitive thought, let’s talk about dinosaurs—specifically, why the hell are there dinosaurs in the first three Tomb Raider games? To be clear, I don’t mind that they’re there—they’re challenging to fight and make for some thrilling jump-scares. I’m also aware of how odd…

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Purple being toxic? Red using hacks? Among Us developer InnerSloth says players will have new tools for punishing these impure souls come December when the game gets a new account system.

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This summer, folks spotted a new playtesting button on the Steam store page for Total War: Elysium, that hadn’t been mentioned by Valve. Well, now they’ve officially released details about the new playtesting feature that developers can use as a new way to run limited-time testing periods without juggling special Steam keys. The feature is still in beta, they say, so it may yet change before they officially release it. Total War: Elysium is indeed running that playtest though, if it suits your fancy.

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A new thrill has been added to Microsoft Flight Simulator thanks to a newly-released add-on by Airworthy Designs.

The third-party developer just released its Saint Martin & Gran Case add-on for Microsoft’s new sim adding the popular tourist destination on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.

This includes both the famous Saint Juliana International Airport and Grand Case-Espérance Airport, respectively on the Dutch and French sides of the island.

Saint Juliana is especially famous for having a beach just beyond the fence on the approach to Runway 10, thrilling tourists with extremely low passes just over their heads, often encouraging rather reckless behaviors.

The scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator comes equipped with plenty of beachgoers for you to scare by landing just beyond the fence just as low as you possibly can.

The package costs €19.51 including VAT, so the price may vary slightly depending on where you’re located.

Below you can see a few screenshots and a summary of what you get.

EA Motive, the studio behind the recently released Star Wars: Squadrons, has confirmed it has multiple projects in the works, but they are not Star Wars games.

A job listing spotted by GamesRadar mentioned specifically that EA Motive was hiring for an upcoming "Star Wars action game." However, the job listing apparently contained an error, and this project is not related to Star Wars.

EA Motive said on Twitter that "human error" was involved in the mistake. "Due to human error (hey, it happens!) we’ve seen a lot of speculation. While we're not working on a new Star Wars project, we are working on something pretty special," the studio said.

Arcade1Up, the makers of retro arcade cabinets and other accessories, has introduced their first sit-down arcade driving cabinet. Check out the trailer below.

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The cabinet includes 1986’s Outrun, 1989’s Turbo Outrun, 1992’s Outrunners, and 1988’s Power Drift. Most notably, rather than having to stand to play it like a normal arcade cabinet, the package includes a custom matching bench seat, just like the arcades of days gone by. Check out the gallery below.

Arcade 1Up's Outrun cabinet also includes a steering wheel, brake, and pedal peripherals, a 17-inch LCD screen, a variable volume switch, dual speakers, and a light-up marquee. Like most of Arcade1Up’s offerings, the cabinet is a little smaller than the more bulky machines you’d find in classic arcade, but definitely not by much this time around. The Outrun cabinet measures 45.8 inches in height, while the bench seat measures: 38.5” x 19.8” x 18.5”. The box itself measures 6.75” x 47.75” x 23.75”.

Weighing in at a spritely 113lbs, this mini Outrun is a blessing to backs everywhere, considering the original cabinet could reach 350lbs, according to VintageArcade.

The easiest way to turn cute and compact into absolutely terrifying is to combine mannequins and an abandoned hospital. Twinfinite had the eerie pleasure of experiencing this while checking out an early demo of Little Nightmares II this week.

Just after the first game, Little Nightmares II sees the original protagonist, Six, escape from the Maw and meet up with a boy named Mono. Together, they must navigate a decaying city, filled to the brim with deformed, tv-addicted citizens, creepy mannequins, and so many more terrifying antagonists.

The demo starts by tasking the two characters to find batteries to activate an elevator that’ll help them progress the Pale City. While they’re both together, Mono is actually the only controllable character, at least in this section.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare gets a lot of flack for how it basically takes over your console with its huge install sizes. For Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Activision has given players the courtesy of knowing exactly how much hard drive space they'll need to allocate ahead of its November 13th launch. 

Those who pre-ordered the game digitally will be able to pre-install the game on the following dates, times, and platforms:

PlayStation 4: November 5th at 9pm PT
Size: 95GB

PlayStation 5: November 12th (no time given)
Size: 133GB

Xbox One: November 5th at 9pm PT
Size: 93GB

Xbox Series X/S: November 10th (no time given)
Size: 136GB

PC: November 10th at 10am PT
35 GB (multiplayer only)
82GB (full game)
125GB (full game on ultra graphics)

Stardew Valley

No matter your opinions on the United States election today, it’s a stressful day for millions of people no doubt. Gaming is one of the most popular ways to unwind, and today could be a very long day for those of us at home, so here are four relaxing games to pick up and play all day while you wait for the results.

Minecraft

has another big update planned for next summer, but you don’t need to wait nearly that long to try out the Caves & Cliffs update. As Mojang do with Minecraft, a “snapshot” build has been released today containing some of the features and new blocks planned for next year. You can load up the Java Edition of the game and swap over if you’d like to try your hand at building with copper or take a peep through a spyglass. (more…)

A new map is on the way, too

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Players will only have to install the modes they want to play

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Today Ubisoft released a new trailer of its upcoming open-world game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

This time around, while the trailer shows gameplay and the beautiful environments we can expect to experience, it mostly focuses on providing a gist of Norse mythology.

You can watch it below.

If you’re unfamiliar with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, below you can read an official description of the game:

“Assassin’s Creed Valhalla throws players axe-first into ninth-century England, an age of warring kingdoms and Viking conquest. As Eivor, a fierce Viking raider, you’ll lead your clan to build a new home amid England’s fractured dominions. Launching Holiday 2020 on PS5 and Xbox Series X, as well as PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will let you raid, conquer, and fight for glory in a mysterious, brutal new land.

The Rune Factory 4 Nintendo Switch Online free trial isn't a Japan-exclusive offer. It's now available for subscribers in Europe too.

The post Free Rune Factory 4 Switch Trial Begins in Europe This Week appeared first on Siliconera.

Top Product: Lekko Dark Chocolate Spread | $5 | Amazon

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Wednesday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals

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Apex Legends Season 7 goes live today. EA has already released tons of trailers to showcase the new map, Legend, patch notes, and more. It’s time to put all of that new info in one place. Here’s everything you need to know about Apex Legends Season 7, Ascension.

Minecraft is one of those games that absolutely inspires the best in all of us in terms of creativity. Through the years, we've seen so many amazing crossovers in Minecraft due to creative and dedicated players and with Beyond Light just around the corner for Destiny 2, this Tower homage is just too perfect not to share. 

Courtesy of YouTuber 'EetzJosh, we've got an interesting take on Destiny 2's social space with a complete Tower walkthrough. Given the limitations of Minecraft and its particular art style, the Tower isn't an exact replica but that doesn't mean it's any less impressive: 

The Minecraft craftsman even faithfully recreated the secret route to get into Zavala's office, a location that many Destiny 2 players became familiar with due to a particular Exotic questline. They even added a picture of Cayde-6, because we're still not ready to accept that he's really gone. 

Weird children’s videos are giving pop stars a run for their money

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Door Kickers 2, the sequel to developer KillHouse Games' acclaimed SWAT-themed real-time tactics effort, has surprise-launched into Steam early access.

Door Kickers 2, subtitled Task Force North, was initially announced back in 2016 for a release that same year. However, the game soon slipped out of the spotlight, only re-emerging this February where a number of changes were revealed to be afoot for the sequel, including a shift from 2D to 3D and a switch in focus, with players now controlling a military squad in the Middle East, rather than the SWAT team of the original.

"True to the violent and dynamic nature of combat in the region," says Killhouse on Steam, "Door Kickers 2 models deadly threats and technologies such as booby traps, suicide bombers, RPGs and concealed insurgents - while handing you new toys such as Light Machine Guns for suppressive fire, drone reconnaissance, night vision goggles and wall breaching charges."

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Remedy has been playing the long game. Ever since the release of Alan Wake in 2010, the studio has been teasing the tortured writer’s return through sneaky easter eggs, retrospective references, and alternate reality games. But with Control: AWE and the official launch of the Remedy Connected Universe, the studio’s methods have pivoted into something far more surreal.

Remedy regained the publishing rights for the Alan Wake franchise back in 2019. Then, in March 2020, the studio signed a deal with Epic Games to publish two next-gen titles. The first is a AAA multi-platform game already in pre-production – which plenty of fans are hoping is a sequel to 2010’s cult hit Alan Wake – and the second is a smaller-scale project within the same franchise. Remedy is also working on a live-service multiplayer title called Vanguard.

Narratively, the team’s most recent release – the AWE expansion for Control – has raised far more questions than it answered, and we’re going to do our best to piece together Remedy’s fractured web of interconnected worlds, stories, and games.

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SPOILER WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS FULL SPOILERS FOR CONTROL, ALAN WAKE, QUANTUM BREAK, AND THE AWE EXPANSION

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There's no question that Animal Crossing: New Horizons was one of the biggest games of 2020. The latest entry in the popular franchise launched on March 20, just as many people were starting to stay home due to COVID-19. Its highly anticipated release contributed to a massive spike in Nintendo Switch console sales and shortages, with people eager for a new form of entertainment to enjoy safely at home. Now the second best-selling Switch game of all time, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was embraced by millions of fans new and old, sparking a major resurgence for the series and introducing it to a new generation of gamers as well.

In addition to New Horizons, a new limited-edition Animal Crossing Switch console was released earlier this year, and though it sold out fast at launch, Nintendo recently restocked the system at major retailers. A slew of new Animal Crossing merchandise hit stores this year as well, offering new Switch accessories, apparel, and more for fans to add to their collection.

If you're shopping for an Animal Crossing fan this holiday season, you've got plenty of options to choose from--in fact, there's an almost overwhelming amount of Animal Crossing merch out there these days. To keep you from having to wade through all the Isabelle plushies and villager Amiibo out there, we've done it for you and rounded up the very best Animal Crossing gift ideas for fans of New Horizons and the series as a whole. From carrying cases and controllers to T-shirts, Nendoroids, and more, here are some of the best Animal Crossing gifts for 2020.

Today’s issue of Weekly Famitsu included an interview with Xbox division head Phil Spencer about the upcoming next-gen release and the Japanese market.

According to Spencer, Japanese is considered by Microsoft a very important market in the gaming industry. There are great Japanese game developers and many enthusiastic gamers in the country.

Spencer admits that the delay of the Xbox One’s launch in Japan (in September 2014, nearly a year after the west) gave a negative impression. That’s why Microsoft decided to launch Xbox Series X and S in Japan on November 10, wanting to prevent the same situation from happening and out of respect for Japan.

Asked about the shortages in available pre-orders, Spencer mentions that it’s humbling for him to see the Xbox Series X and Series S accepted by the Japanese fans.

Given the goals Microsoft is looking at for the new consoles, this is still the first step in a long way to go. The fact that many people have pre-ordered them is encouraging.

Microsoft plans to ship as many units as possible at launch, and that is considered the top priority. However, it’s inevitable that demand will be higher than supply at launch and afterward.

In the future, Spencer would like to be able to meet demand within a few months from launch. Especially in Japan, Microsoft is planning according to a long-term perspective.

Speaking of the two consoles, Spencer mentions that historically price has always been an important factor in reaching a wide target of people. Xbox Series S is being released because it allows players to enjoy the next-generation at a relatively low cost. The Xbox Series X brings more power to the gaming experience. They’re like two wheel of the same vehicles.

Ah yes, a tale as old as time—or at least as old as old-school MMO players. You’ve got multiple World Of Warcraft accounts, for one reason or another, and are “multiboxing” to sign in to both accounts simultaneously. Blizzard have updated their policy on multiboxing to clarify that multiple instances of the game are fine, but they’ll be issuing warnings and bans to players using third-party software to automate playing them.

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Red may be sus but the new content plans for Among Us are pretty awesome. The indie title that released two years ago has seen a massive surge in popularity over the past month thanks to streamers and the impact of Fall Guys from Mediatonic. In response to that rapid (and random) success, the team over at InnerSloth has decided to abandon Among Us 2 plans so that they can focus on improving the game currently out. In a recent blog update, the studio has confirmed what some of those plans look like. 

In its latest blog post, InnerSloth first addressed the hacking elephant in the room, saying: "Firstly, we want to be sure to talk about the cheating and hacking going on. It was pretty bad there for a bit, so Forte pushed out server changes really fast. They seemed to help a lot, but some cheats still work and now there are bugs too. There will be more server updates to fix all of this, but rushing anti-hacks is what caused the bugs, so cleaning things up is a slower process. Also rest assured that any threats made in the game are false and your devices and data are safe. If you see a hacker, ban them or find a different room."

A new update has been deployed adding an anonymous voting option that makes all jelly bean astronauts appear greyed out during Emergency Meetings. This allows people to vote for who they want without the repercussions, adding a new layer of intrigue to this deceptive game. 

Fans of sleeper hit ghost-hunting sim Phasmophobia may be disappointed to know that the developer has officially canned any plans to bring a PvP mode to the game.

At one point, Phasmophobia's public Trello board mentioned the addition of a PvP mode where one player could control the ghost being hunted. But in an interview with IGN, Kinetic Games' sole dev Dknighter said that he added that PvP post to gauge reactions, but he currently has no plans to add a PvP mode.

"Right now I have no plans to add another game mode, as it would turn the game into something completely different, and push the game away from what I want it to be. I want the game to remain 4 players vs. 1 AI, and balance the game, then add new features around that style of gameplay," Dknighter stated in the interview.

The PlayStation 5 DualSense controller has been going out to customers ahead of the PS5 launch, and it's already gotten picked apart quite a bit by the community. One such deep drive into the hardware shows what appears to be a previously unknown customization feature.

As seen in a video from YouTuber John Glasscock, the black piece of the DualSense faceplate can be easily removed. That suggests it could be replaced with a customized faceplate. Though Sony has not announced alternative plates, it seems likely that this could attract third-parties to offer their own designs.

But, it's not clear whether Sony would allow this kind of sale. A third-party had planned to sell customized PS5 faceplates for the console hardware itself but changed its plans after Sony issued a legal notice. Instead, the company is offering vinyl skins, which cost less than the plates.

Kenny Ilko helped us understand how Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia took shape and what fans and newcomers can expect when it releases.

The post Talking Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia Story and Design with Executive Producer, Kenny Ilko appeared first on Siliconera.

Building off their previous work on “The Park” and “The Neighborhood” modes, NBA 2K developer Visual Concepts has announced new NBA 2K21 social multiplayer hub dubbed “The City” for next-gen consoles. Check out the trailer below.

Visual Concepts says the City will be “many, many times larger” than previous Neighborhoods. The City is comprised of four different districts, each run by a rival Affiliation. Visual Concepts adds that “hundreds” of players will populate each City.

“The City is our most ambitious execution of a virtual basketball community...ever,” Visual Concepts executive producer Erick Boenisch said in a lengthy blog post.

Players all start out in Rookieville, a dock community where they must prove themselves against other MyPLAYERS before actually gaining access to the City. The four Affiliation-controlled Burroughs each have their own aesthetic and unique basketball courts that promise new MyPLAYER progression.

The City also houses an Event Center area, a giant shining monolith where all new and returning events will be hosted, as well as competitions between Affiliations. LED screens and lighting will change the mood of the Event Center depending on the occasion.

The Rainbow Six: Siege EU Majors are a few days away, so a big reveal is coming. The Majors take place on Nov. 8 on Twitch, and Ubisoft has told fans to prepare themselves to see more of Rainbow Six’s Operation Neon Dawn. For now, today’s trailer gives us a quick look at a new Operator.

The new Operator is a defender named Aruni. From the looks of it, she can effectively block doorways with some kind of laser wall.

Her device seems to function similar to Castle’s, except it’s pretty evident that these lasers of hers can actually do some damage.

Check out the reveal trailer below to get a glimpse at Aruni before more Operation Neon Dawn details are revealed at the EU Rainbow Six Majors:

In case you missed it, Rainbow Six is currently offering an interesting “Sugar Fright” Halloween event before Neon Dawn in which sock puppet costumes are available for Operators. You read that right. It started on Oct. 27, and it’s lasting until Nov. 10.

People might have a way to save on PS5 games at Target. A B2G1 sale starting next week includes some next-gen titles.

The post Target Buy 2 Get 1 Free Sale Shows PS5 Games appeared first on Siliconera.

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Rainbow Six Siege continues to beef up its gameplay experience with a constantly evolving setup of new operations and operators. With Operation Neon Dawn on the horizon, Ubisoft is sharing a first look at what the next step for this game offers, and that's our introduction to the latest operator to join in on the fun: Aruni. 

Ubisoft took to the game's official Twitter page to share a teaser surrounding the latest Defender that is joining the fight: 

Can you take the heat? ☀️ pic.twitter.com/ezGgjzX2n1