July 2022

PlayStation has announced a new loyalty program that will give players the chance to earn rewards by taking part in activities and completing challenges.

Entitled PlayStation Stars, the program is currently in early tests and launches later this year, starting with phased regional rollouts. It will be free to join, although there will be some extra benefits for PlayStation Plus members.

Loyalty points will be earned in a variety of ways; for example, playing any game once a month will complete the 'Monthly Check-In' challenge. Other activities will require players to unlock specific PlayStation Trophies, win tournaments or be the first in their local time zone to unlock the Platinum trophy on a new release.

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Cary Kwok has been handling public relations since 1999, focusing specifically on video games since 2006. A lot has changed in that time.

"Doing PR almost 20 years ago was still very focused on core gamers," she tells GamesIndustry.biz. "It was working games enthusiast media to make sure that the game was front and centre, making sure we had great Metacritic scores. Being able to speak to the core was very important. But fast forward to 2022, there are still a lot of people who wouldn't self identify as gamers but are playing video games. The audience has dramatically changed."

For the first 11 years of her time in this sector, Kwok worked for Golin representing Nintendo through the transformative Wii era, before joining Rogers & Cowan PMK to spend five years handling Activision Blizzard's lifestyle PR. In October, she left this team to join BerlinRosen to guide its first steps into the games industry.

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The Develop:Star Awards took place last night, an annual celebration of outstanding game development in the last 12 months.

Horizon Forbidden West from Guerilla took home two accolades, one for Best Game and one for Best Visual Art.

Sumo Digital also picked up multiple awards throughout the night -- the UK firm won Recruitment Star and Best Studio.

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(Regular) Virginia is for (Jeopardy!) lovers

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Raven Software has since scrubbed mention of the skin

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The show is part of the next evolution for true-crime mysteries and its fans

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Head to the Tower for some Exotics

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To quote Abraham Lincoln: Why so serious?

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Blonde will be uncompromising look at the ‘Hollywood meat-grinder,’ director has said

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‘I’m trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself,’ says the Fresh Prince

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Say goodbye to Alicia Vikander’s Lara Croft

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Following Valve's pledge to more than double its Steam Deck shipments back in June, the company has announced that improvements to its supply chain mean it'll now be able to fulfil all current reservations for the handheld gaming PC "by the end of the year".

Steam Deck has, of course, been in massive demand since its unveiling last July, with wait times for reservations rapidly stretching into this year. Unfortunately, supply chain issues forced Valve to delay initial shipments from the end of 2021 into this year, with further rollouts perhaps not as rapid as Valve would have liked.

We've had plenty of updates since then - Valve said it would be ramping up production into "the hundreds of thousands" in March, while June saw it announce shipments would more than double in the coming months - and the latest brings great news for those that already have Steam Deck reservations.

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Chamber is clearly Valorant’s most overpowered Agent right now, dominating the game’s meta across both ranked and professional play, even despite a nerf back in Patch 4.09 which took away one of his trips. Players throughout the Valorant community have since been calling for more drastic measures, and today we’ve learned that Riot Games is intent on delivering them — an update to the game’s Public Beta Environment server (PBE) is trialing a host of new Chamber nerfs, and they’re certainly hefty.

Essentially, all of Chamber’s kit is getting a nerf, from the number of points it takes to charge his Ultimate to the expense of each Headhunter bullet, and, of course, an increase to the cooldown after using his teleport. Here’s the full overview via the PBE patch notes:

AGENT UPDATES

Chamber

As players in both ranked and pro play have mastered Chamber, his strengths have started to overshadow his weaknesses, making the counterplay to Rendezvous and his arsenal not as effective as we’d hoped. Chamber’s overall power has also felt outsized, and we believe that we can reduce his kit while still keeping him competitive with the rest of the roster.

Rendezvous (E)

• Base Cooldown increased 20s >>> 30s
• Recall Cooldown increased 20s >>> 30s
• Cooldown set to 45s whenever a Rendezvous anchor is destroyed
• Radius Size decreased 21m >>> 15m

Chamber’s Rendezvous is intended to be powerful at holding space, but the generous radius allowed him to take more space than intended. This change should require Chamber to exert more effort to access off-angles.

Atlus has released another daily trailer of the upcoming JRPG Soul Hackers 2, on top of brand new gameplay.

This trailer shows off Baphomet, a demon inspired by western mythology that has been part of the series almost since the beginning. It also appeared in the recent Shin Megami Tensei V.

Like most daily trailers, we also get the daily horoscope, which sees Scorpio at the top of the fortune ranking and Pisces at the bottom.

We also get gameplay from a livestream hosted by Sega, providing a good look at dungeon delving in the second video below.

You can check the trailer out below.

Analogue Co.’s Pocket has always turned heads: first for being the most authentic-seeming Game Boy replacement ever announced, then for taking an extraordinary length of time to finally come out. But come out it did, and it was pretty good. For some, its biggest drawback was that it required old, increasingly…

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I was 38 years old when I realised I was a bard. I shouldn't really have been surprised - I was Danny Zuko in my high school production of Grease after all, and then I was Frank n' Furter in stockings and suspenders. But the realisation vexed me, because until that point I'd never had much time for bards. They were, as far as I was concerned - and I can barely bring myself to write it now - padding. Oh the hollowness! Oh the shame! How could I ever have been so empty? Yet, perhaps the fault was not entirely my own.

You see, I grew up on bards as interpreted by computer games, and to me, there, they were a forgettable class. They were there only to serve others. In Dark Age of Camelot, which I spent a long time playing, the bard-likes were the speed buff your group needed to get around quickly - that was their purpose. They could do a few other things but none as well as the other classes could. And in World of Warcraft, another game I put a lot of time into, bards weren't a playable class at all.

Look across RPGs and it's a similar story. There's no bard class in the Divinity: Original Sin series, and in Dragon Age, the whole series, the bard only crops up as playable in Origins as a rogue subclass. Those series couldn't be more heavily inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and yet, the poor old bard doesn't get a look-in. And it leaves you wondering why. Or, it reinforces a belief somewhere in your head that bards aren't good enough to make the cut.

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To have an extremely timely conversation: how do you feel about this year's games so far? And how do you feel about this question in the first place? I've had a cracking gaming year, and I thinnnk that's down to lots of new games? Maybe? This type of question has always brushed over the fact that people play games for years and start 'old' games all the time, and maybe it's less useful than ever now every other game is a live service. But I've had a good gaming year, and that's what matters. So what are you playing this weekend? Here's what we're clicking on!

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Assassin's Creed will be stopping by for a visit in PUBG: Battlegrounds later this summer (or Q3, for those of you in the southern hemisphere).

The crossover event will bring Assassin's Creed-themed cosmetics, events, and "world elements" from 17th August until 22nd September.

There'll be costumes, bag skins, parachute skin, emote, gun charm and spray item up for grabs, as well as Abstergo Industries Infiltrate Haven, themed resources and props on the Haven map where you just may find a hidden Animus machine and Leap of Faith ledges…

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Genshin Impact is just entering the second phase of its Version 2.8 content cycle, but a new Genshin Impact Sumeru preview video shows off more of what's next. The upcomingd region of the game. At the same time, it reveals a number of new, potentially playable characters for Travelers to meet.

Check out the video below, which was uploaded to the Genshin Impact YouTube account on July 29, 2022. English subtitles are available via closed captions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrC7DTUsii8

The Genshin Impact Sumeru preview video features comments from IP Scriptwriter Yogurt and Monster Designer Baiheng. They walk viewers through a view of Sumeru society and the people that live there. Sumeru is split between humid jungle and dry desert, and is home to various critters suited to the area. Humid jungles are ideal for evolving powerful Shroom-kin into Fungi, while the desert's ruins are guarded by ancient machines.

The groups living within each environment of Sumeru have differing ways of life, as detailed in the Genshin Impact Sumeru preview video. The people of Sumeru are governed by an organization called the Akademiya. Under the Akademiya, Sumeru citizens trade in knowledge, and take advantage of a system called the Akasha to regulate knowledge like a resource. The Akasha was bestowed by the previous Dendro Archon, Rukkhadevata. Meanwhile, the Eremites are another society in Sumeru, with roots in an ancient civilization from its desert area.

Due to how little people are using the function, Sony will discontinue the PlayStation 5's accolades system in the near future. It is unknown when exactly it will disappear, though it will be some time in Fall 2022. While you will not be able to send accolades to other players, Sony still hopes that people create a positive gaming environment and community. The news comes courtesy of a notice on PlayStation Japan's support site announcing the change [Thanks, ryokutya2089!].

Accolades are a function unique to the PlayStation 5. You mostly send them to players you had a positive multiplayer experience with. There are three accolades you can send – Helpful, Welcoming, and Good Sport – to define what it was about the player you liked. You can also look at your accolades to see what other players liked about you in your matches.

HoYoverse has revealed more about what new region Sumeru has to offer.

We've already seen glimpses of Sumeru, but now the developer has pulled back the curtain to give us a peek at the upcoming Sumeru deserts, as well as a load of new characters.

Check it all out in the three-minute video below, although it all comes with the usual caveats that the new area is under development and the footage below "is not indicative of the final product:

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Summer camp simulator Camp Canyonwood will release next week as an early access title.

From 4th August, you can step into the shoes of the newest counsellor at Camp Canyonwood, where you'll manage campers, teach them new skills, earn badges, and work to restore the camp by "building and modifying the campground".

"Build and manage a struggling summer camp to restore its former glory!" teases the video description. "Each summer, teach new campers activities like fishing, archery and more, while protecting them from dangers natural and supernatural. Keep campers happy to earn funds for improving the campground until it's better than ever!"

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Steam's next event will be Steam Survival Fest, a celebration of survival games that will include "demos and discounts on games that test your ability to survive the elements".

Kicking off on 1st August and running for a week, Valve says that whilst it's "impossible to prepare to survive everything, you can prep for this event by marking your calendars".

"August 1st - August 8th, Steam Survival Fest is a Festival of Fortitude celebrating the struggle to beat the elements with discounts and demos on current and upcoming survival games of all kinds," read Steam's promotional blurb.

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If you’ve been following along with Call Of Duty lately, you’re no stranger to seeing skins that remind of something you’ve seen before, be it John McClain from Die Hard or Ghostface from Scream. A recent, very adorable, very fluffy skin, however, is looking all too familiar to one artist, and they’re now accusing the…

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July 29, 2022 was National Lipstick Day in the United States, but that didn't didn't stop Square Enix from sharing some trivia on the official Final Fantasy VII Remake account. The topic of the day was Shinra executive and known wearer of lipstick, Scarlet.

The official account shared some concept art of Scarlet from FFVII Remake. As head of Shinra's Weapons Development division, Scarlet was in FFVII Remake in a minor role. She took center stage, though, when the Intergrade update rolled around. She was the main antagonist of the Yuffie-centered "Episode INTERmission" storyline. She used her resources to confront Yuffie and Sonon, and their clashes expanded players' perspective on the conflict between Shinra and Wutai.

Check out the art pieces in the gallery below.

[gallery link="file" columns="4" ids="932916,932917,932918,932919"]

The FFVII Remake Scarlet Lipstick Day post included concept art of the character and an in-game capture. It also showed off concepts for the Crimson Mare, Scarlet's personal battle armor. According to the tweet, the Crimson Mare's cockpit is custom-decorated, and includes special holders for Scarlet's lipstick and cosmetics. These weren't seen in-game, though.

Earlier this week, Rockstar released a massive free update for Grand Theft Auto Online. For the most part it focused on improving and expanding on what was already in the game. But the update also included a new series of missions involving covert government operations and conspiracies, and this new campaign ends with…

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It looks like new content may be on the way to The Ascent.

Whilst not formally confirmed by developer Neon Giant - all we got was a cheeky tease on Twitter celebrating the game's first anniversary and a ten-second video - we are told to "gear up for a new contract", leading some to speculate that it may be referencing new, and currently unannounced, DLC.

"It's our 1st Year Anniversary!" Neon Giant tweeted. "We're humbled by the support and love we've had since launch. Thank you to our awesome community for sticking with us and for playing our game! We appreciate each and every one of you!

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Former CD Projekt developers have confirmed they're working on a new online action game with "procedural solutions" set in feudal Japan.

Led by Jakub Ben and Marcin Michalski, the newly-founded studio Dark Passenger will bring the new first-person multiplayer game to Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X. As yet, no name nor release window have been confirmed.

"The troubled time has come in the Land of the Cherry Blossom when nameless conquerors overthrow the ruling shogun and took over his throne," the studio explains. "Everyone who dared to oppose him, not only failed but also, against their will, joined his ranks.

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Square Enix released new trailers of its upcoming Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile game, while also showing gameplay.

The trailers, like the two we saw earlier this week, focus on the cast of characters that will populate the game, including plenty of familiar faces.

During a dedicated livestream the developer also showcased plenty of gameplay including JRPG-style battles and the gacha.

The game is launching in Japan really soon, on August 4, and it has recently passed one million pre-registrations.

You can check out the videos below.

Today Intrepid Studio released a new trailer of its upcoming MMORPG Ashes of Creation, showing a new biome.

We get to take a look at the game’s vast desert and its surrounding, and there appears to be a lot of variety, from a rocky desert with somewhat sparse vegetation to a Sahara-like dune desert.

We also take a look at the fauna, which includes a variety of animals and even rather intimidating monsters like a giant scorpion (and its many little friends).

The video also showcases a very interesting horse design which we could define a… horseslug? It’s certainly quite creative.

Of course, this is a fantasy game, so there is no lack of mystical towers sending beams of energy into the sky, titanic statues, and mysterious ruins.

The desert biome is scheduled to appear in the upcoming Alpha 2 phase as development of this highly-anticipated MMORPG progresses.

You can check it out below.

Ashes of Creation is a very promising fantasy MMORPG coming to PC. If you want to hear more, you can check out our hands-on preview from last year.

The brothers Elric and their friends are making their smartphone debut soon. Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile has a release date in Japan, and it's on August 4, 2022. The release follows a round of closed beta tests in March 2022 [Thanks, 4Gamer!].

Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile is based on the titular manga and anime series created by Hiromu Arakawa. It's a strategy RPG with gacha elements., and players can roll for various characters from the franchise. Combat takes place on a grid and is turn-based. Characters can use various attacks, and unleash flashy ultimate techniques inspired by their actions in the story. Alongside a pre-release stream, Square Enix uploaded a trailer focusing on various characters' ultimate attack animations.

Here's one focusing on the Elric brothers, Winry, Izumi Curtis, and Sig Curtis. Other ultimate compilation trailers focus on characters like Roy Mustang and his subordinates, Amestris soldiers, the Homonculi, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PaOMDeX-MQ

Square Enix is going to release Star Ocean: The Divine Force and Valkyrie Elysium in the fall and Japan is getting fancy Collector’s Editions.

Both games have Square Enix e-Store Collector’s Editions that we likely aren’t getting in the west, and two trailers have been released showing them off.

Star Ocean: The Divine Force‘s edition will be priced at 18,000 yen (approximately $135) and will include the game, an 80-page artbook, a 5-CD soundtrack, two rubber keychains, an art card with its stand, a special box, and a bunch of digital goodies.

Valkyrie Elysium‘s edition will be priced at 19,980 yen (approximately $150) and it includes the game, a download code for Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, an 80-page artbook, a 236-page book with the script, a mini-soundtrack, two acrylic stands, and a coaster, all packed in a fancy special box.

Both editions are available only for PS5 and PS4.

This is unfortunately a rather common situation. Japanese gamers are still very fond of physical games, and fancy collector’s editions are a beloved practice in the country that is unlikely to go away any time soon, even for relatively minor releases.

So we can either import these editions, or be content with watching them from afar, or in the trailers below.

SDCC returned in full for the first time in years, with mixed results on the ground

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If you start now, you can watch Tenet backward and forward before it leaves HBO Max

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The satirical dark comedy starring Zoey Deutch comes to Hulu this weekend

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Welcome to the latest edition of the Giant Bomb Community Spotlight! I, @zombiepie, am honored to be your host as we look back at the best community-created works from the previous week. Obviously, the big news this week pertains to the seven new shirts, one of which is exclusive to premium subscribers, that just dropped in the Giant Bomb Store! If you have yet to check them, give them a gander and be amazed by the wide variety of styles this time.

However, with a major release of merchandise like this, a few issues have cropped up.