Eurogamer
What we've been playing
2 years 6 months ago
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Hello! Welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little bit about some of the games we've found ourselves playing over the last few days. Okay, the bad news: sincere apologies but only Donlan had time to contribute this time. The good news is a lot of other people were too busy because they're putting together a huge feature for next week. Enjoy!
If you fancy catching up on some of the older editions of What We've Been Playing, here's our archive.
Destiny 2 to remove Forsaken campaign next year
2 years 6 months ago
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Bungie has announced how much of Destiny 2's Forsaken expansion will be vaulted when the next expansion, The Witch Queen, arrives next year.
As of 22nd February, 2022, Forsaken's campaign, the Tangled Shore destination and the bulk of Year 4's seasonal content - including the fan-favourite Presage and Harbinger missions - will be removed from the game.
The Shenmue anime gets its first trailer
2 years 6 months ago
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We've known for a while that One Punch Man director Chikara Sakurai and producer Yu Suzuki were working together to bring us a Shenmue anime, and now we've got our first look at the Cruncyroll/Adult Swim production in action - and it looks pretty decent!
With an understandable focus on the action of the series rather than its more ponderous moments where star Ryo Hazuki feeds a kitten or goes for a long walk at night across town so he can play Hang-On, it's a high energy look at the world of Shenmue as established in the first three games. Indeed, there are several memorable moments such as Ryo's encounter with Lan Di as well as his arrival in Hong Kong, as seen at the start of Shenmue 2.
EA says it needs to work on "real solutions" for FIFA players who lose control of their spending
2 years 6 months ago
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EA has said it needs to work on "real solutions" for FIFA players who lose control of their spending.
But it failed to commit to fundamentally changing the way FIFA's controversial Ultimate Team monetisation works, even in the face of a potential change in UK law.
Imagining FIFA Ultimate Team without pay-to-win loot boxes
2 years 6 months ago
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After I'd wrapped up my interview with EA's Chief Experience Officer Chris Bruzzo on FIFA's loot boxes, I felt like I was clear on one thing: the company is willing to lightly edit the way Ultimate Team's controversial monetisation works, but the fundamentals? It's sticking with those.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. In our interview, Bruzzo makes the case for why EA believes it's perfectly reasonable to sell loot boxes that contain gameplay-affecting items within FIFA, and I challenge him on that. If nothing else, I think it makes for an interesting back and forth - one that gives us a good idea of how EA thinks about its prize cash cow. I finished the interview with a better understanding of where EA's coming from and where it's going with Ultimate Team, but my opinion on it remains unchanged.
The big interview: EA, FIFA and loot boxes
2 years 6 months ago
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FIFA 22 is out in the wild, and in gameplay terms it's going down well. But, as anyone who's read Eurogamer's review will know, we still have a few problems with how it's monetised. Specifically, the hugely-popular Ultimate Team mode and its controversial loot boxes.
Ultimate Team, which drives hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for publisher and developer EA each year, revolves around the idea of building a squad of players, which you then use to play in matches, both offline and online.
Metroid Dread has landed: where to buy the Special Edition and amiibo
2 years 6 months ago
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Metroid Dread has officially landed, with Samus making her debut on Nintendo Switch today (8th October). For those who have been holding on to hope for a release after 20 years, here's where you can secure a copy of Metroid Dread and where you can buy the Metroid Dread Special Edition.
Announced as part of this year's E3 Nintendo Direct, the 2D adventure marks the fifth mainline entry in the Metroid series. Following on after the events of Metroid Fusion, Samus is up to her usual shenanigans descending onto an unknown planet to investigate a mysterious transmission. Naturally, the place is full of dangerous alien lifeforms, mechanical adversaries and a series of locations she can only explore with the right tools.
Nintendo says it has "improved" Joy-Con analogue sticks, but wear is unavoidable
2 years 6 months ago
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While the Nintendo Switch is a beloved console for many fans, one persistent technical issue has continually plagued the device: its Joy-Con analogue controls.
Reports of Joy-Con controls drifting or behaving erratically after a period of time are nothing new, and while the company still faces a class-action lawsuit over the issue, Nintendo's president has apologised for the situation.
Apex Legends' Halloween-themed Monsters Within event starts next week
2 years 6 months ago
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Apex Legends is getting in on the spooky action October inevitably brings with its special Halloween-themed Monsters Within limited-time event, starting next Tuesday, 12th October.
Monsters Within's most notable addition is Encore, a brand-new map for Arenas mode that whisks players off to Boreas, the home planet of recently introduced playable character Seer. This wide-open map is flanked by two high-ground power positions - the VIP Lounge and the Performance Stage - said to require strong environmental awareness, teamwork, and strategy if victory is to be secured.
Blizzard announces Joe Shely as new Diablo 4 game director
2 years 6 months ago
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Blizzard has announced Joe Shely as the new game director on Diablo 4, following the departure of previous director Luis Barriga amid ongoing legal action by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing alleging sexual harassment, discrimination, and a "frat boy" work culture at the studio.
Shely is a long-time Blizzard employee with game designer credits on the likes of Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls, and World of Warcraft expansions The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King, and has been a design lead on Diablo 4 since "the beginning".
Eidos Montreal announces move to four-day work week
2 years 6 months ago
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Eidos Montreal, the Square Enix studio behind the likes of Shadow of the Tomb Raider and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy game, has announced it's switching to a four-day working week - a move it hopes will "increase the productivity and well-being of our employees."
Announcing the initiative on its on its website, Eidos Montreal explained it would begin closing its Montreal and Sherbrooke studios each Fridays within the next few weeks - shifting its teams from the current 40-hour weekly work schedule to 32 hours "without changing the working conditions currently in place nor the salaries of employees".
Resident Evil movie gets first trailer, December release date in UK
2 years 6 months ago
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If you've been curious to know what Sony Pictures' latest stab at a Resident Evil film adaptation looks like, then wonder no more: the studio has offered up a first trailer alongside news that the movie will be getting a theatrical release on 3rd December in the UK.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City, to give the movie its full title, is directed by 47 Meters Down's Johannes Roberts and marks Sony's second crack at adapting Capcom's beloved survival horror series for the big screen, following on from Paul W. S. Anderson's Milla-Jovovich-starring six-movie take on the video game franchise.
Tales of Arise adds new difficulties, weapons
2 years 6 months ago
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The enjoyable Tales of Arise gets a selection of new free and paid content today, including some fresh gameplay difficulties and yet more premium costumes.
First up, for free, there's the addition of Very Easy and Unknown modes, which will offer new simple/extremely difficult gameplay options.
Xbox 20th anniversary controller announced, unlocks exclusive background
2 years 6 months ago
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Xbox is releasing special edition hardware to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the console in November.
That includes a £60/$70 controller with an exclusive dynamic background locked behind it, which disappears if you choose another background and disconnect the controller.
Sky partnering with Microsoft on new Kinect-like camera
2 years 6 months ago
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The spirit of Kinect is being revived by Sky and moulded into the new - yet very familiar-looking - Sky Glass Camera, for release next year.
Sky is even partnering with Microsoft on the device's software, which will let you sync your TV with others to watch films, sport and telly shows in a group while video and text chatting (thanks, The Verge). It's like Snap never left.
The best video game trailer you'll see this week is about brake pads
2 years 6 months ago
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There are game trailers, and then there are Polyphony Digital game trailers - overblown, melodramatic and frequently marvelous, the one that's just dropped to announce a new partnership with Brembo might well be a new favourite.
It offers a brilliantly moody monochrome look within the factories of Italian brake manufacturer Brembo - a place I'd thought might have been fairly mundane, but the tense Hollywood soundtrack and loving shots of all that machinery have convinced me otherwise. By the time those pads had been bolted onto a GT3 Audi R8 I'll admit I was on the edge of my seat.
Arkane Lyon studio head leaves after 16 years
2 years 6 months ago
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Romuald Capron, the head of Arkane Lyon, is stepping down after 16 years at the studio.
Capron stepped down last week, shortly after the launch of Deathloop, which received high acclaim across the board, and less than a year after the company became part of Microsoft.
There's a new official Ashes cricket game, after a couple of years without
2 years 6 months ago
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Cricket 22: The Official Game of The Ashes will launch next month, on 25th November for Steam, PlayStation and Xbox.
Pre-order customers will get early access to The Nets Challenge, a portion of the game where you can train up ahead of the main release, later in October.
New database for gaming accessibility launches
2 years 6 months ago
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A new database for gaming accessibility has been launched, allowing players to make informed choices based on accessibility options.
Discussions around accessibility are becoming more open, with Sony promoting the abundance of features present in the likes of The Last of Us Part 2 and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Psychonauts 2 developer Double Fine highlighting assist features.
Randy Pitchford steps down as Gearbox Software president
2 years 6 months ago
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Gearbox Software co-founder Randy Pitchford is stepping down as president of the company.
Replacing him in the position is former chief technology officer Steve Jones, while Pitchford remains CEO of The Gearbox Entertainment Company (the holding company of Gearbox Software) and president of Gearbox Studios, which will oversee Gearbox's development of film and television shows.
Take a peek inside Steam Deck with Valve's latest promotional video
2 years 6 months ago
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We're just a few months away from the first batch of Steam Decks shipping, and, in the run-up to release, Valve has ripped open its handheld gaming PC to give those curious sorts in the audience a quick peek at its decidedly compact innards.
"One of the most frequently asked questions we've received about Steam Deck," Valve's explains over on Steam, "is about the components inside it, and whether they're replaceable or upgradable. The answer is a bit more complicated than just a yes or no, so we've made a video to explain all the details."
Microsoft announces official Xbox-inspired Adidas trainer range
2 years 6 months ago
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Have you ever loved something so much you wanted to put your feet in it? If you answered yes and the something you love is Xbox, then there's good news: Microsoft has teamed up with Adidas to launch a range of official Xbox shoes.
The foot-focussed collaboration, part of Microsoft's ongoing celebrations to mark 20 years since the launch of the original Xbox, begins with the arrival of the Xbox 20th Forum Tech - a pair of trainers sporting "translucent green details" said to be inspired by the Halo: Combat Evolved special edition Xbox, released back in 2001.
Sony ending credit card, debit card, and PayPal payments on PlayStation 3 and Vita
2 years 6 months ago
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Sony may have given the PlayStation 3 and Vita stores a last minute reprieve earlier this year following a consumer backlash, but its plans to rein in its legacy services continue, with the company now announcing it'll soon be removing the option to pay for items using credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal on its older consoles.
Writing on its Discontinued PlayStation apps, features and services page, Sony says customers will no longer be able to use the aforementioned payment options to either purchase digital content or to add funds to their wallets directly from their PS3 or Vita starting on 27th October.
Grounded getting sizzling sandbox biome, first dungeon and more in "biggest update yet"
2 years 6 months ago
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It's been just under 11 months since Obsidian launched inch-high garden survival adventure Grounded into early access for Xbox and PC, and as its one-year anniversary approaches, the team is readying Hot and Hazy, its "largest update yet", for a 20th October release.
Since Grounded's stellar launch last year - it attracted a million players within two days and 5 million within four months - the team, still relatively small at only 20 people, has continued to expand on its appealingly diminutive premise.
Twitch source code leaked by anonymous hacker
2 years 6 months ago
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UPDATE 4.30pm UK: Twitch has finally acknowledged this morning's reports of a security breach and has said it is now investigating further.
"We can confirm a breach has taken place," Twitch said in a message posted to Twitter. "Our teams are working with urgency to understand the extent of this. We will update the community as soon as additional information is available. Thank you for bearing with us."
Animal Crossing Direct scheduled for Brewster's birthday
2 years 6 months ago
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Announced during September's Nintendo Direct, the Animal Crossing Direct finally has a time and date.
Fans can tune in at 3pm UK time on 15th October for 20 minutes of information about new content coming to Animal Crossing New Horizons some time in November. Watch on the Nintendo YouTube channel.
Twitch leak reveals streamer earnings and lack of diversity
2 years 6 months ago
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A Twitch data leak has revealed the supposed earnings of its top streamers.
As previously reported, an anonymous hacker has published a torrent on 4chan that includes the Twitch source code and streamer payout reports.
Pokémon fans ponder how much Legends: Arceus is open world
2 years 6 months ago
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The latest round of Pokémon Legends: Arceus screenshots have prompted fresh fan discussion on the game's structure.
In the past, Nintendo has described the game as offering "natural expanses" and "untamed landscapes". Meanwhile, trailers have suggested the game will offer some of the series' largest spaces to date.