Game Informer

In a shocking announcement, Microsoft has revealed that they have officially acquired Bethesda and its parent company ZeniMax Media. Bethesda is behind numerous popular franchises including The Elder Scrolls, Doom, Fallout, Wolfenstein, and more. 

In a press statement to Game Informer, Microsoft purchased ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion, giving them ownership of some of the biggest series in gaming to-date. 

Microsoft also tells us that this move was made with the primary goal in mind for cloud-based services like Xbox Game Pass, which just celebrated another major milestone with over 15 million members. 

“Gaming is the most expansive category in the entertainment industry, as people everywhere turn to gaming to connect, socialize and play with their friends,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “Quality differentiated content is the engine behind the growth and value of Xbox Game Pass—from Minecraft to Flight Simulator. As a proven game developer and publisher, Bethesda has seen success across every category of games, and together, we will further our ambition to empower the more than three billion gamers worldwide.”

Sure, you could play an actual Batman game but wouldn't you rather see a Batman who could join the Brotherhood instead? Batman Day has arrived and instead of the usual "here are the Batman games you should scope out" piece, we decided to dive back into the world of mods since that's been an area of interest lately. 

From the Dark Knight taking over the Wasteland in Fallout to Batman hyut-ing his way through Hyrule in Breath of the Wild, here are our top picks for getting that sweet, sweet justice on. 

Batman in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Surprisingly enough, Breath of the Wild actually has some pretty awesome mods out there, though most of them are jokes like Shrek taking over as Ganon. Still, today is an appropriate day to celebrate one Legend of Zelda mod in particular, one created by YouTuber 'WilianZilv. 

Not only does this mod let you become Batman, but it also gives you a Bat Glider and the Batarang to replace the Lizal Boomerang. Don't lie, you know this is dope: 

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You can learn more about this mod right here. 

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Few games truly take player choice to heart and implement it in meaningful ways. With its multitude of branching paths, loyalty missions, and an ending that lived and died on the choices you made before, 2010's Mass Effect 2 set the gold standard for allowing players to create their own story for Commander Shepard and their crew.

On top of the gripping narrative, Bioware's beloved sequel also improved upon the rough edges of the original and created one of the best sci-fi games of all time.  

Join Andrew Reiner, Dan Tack, myself, and our newest member of the team, Liana Ruppert, as we gush about Mass Effect 2 and discuss where we want to see the series go next.

We had to prerecord this week's show, but we'll be back in seven days with another fun episode! If you can't get enough of our live shows, remember to subscribe on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and Facebook to get notified when we go live each week!

Earlier this week, PlayStation 5 preorders went live ahead of schedule, shortly after a new showcase confirmed the new system's release date and price. Unfortunately, the process from there hasn't been the smoothest; many Amazon customers are reporting some potentially bad news concerning their orders.

With false checkouts, timed-out websites, and server overloads, the chaotic preorder process has many worried that their secured systems might not be as secure as they thought. For those that preordered through Amazon, the online store has been sending out mass emails to those who pre-purchased, saying the high demand for PS5 means the systems may not arrive on launch day.

Our own Daniel Tack is among those that received the email, as seen below: 

The email above states that some may not receive their preordered unit by the promised launch day "due to high demand." Though not the type of email one wants to see, the retailer did add that they will "make every effort to get the item to you as soon as possible once released."

PlayStation 5 will offer backwards compatibility but unlike the Xbox Series X, their library will not span across generations. 

It was previously touched on that the PlayStation 5 would only go as far back as PS4, a point that Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan drove home during a recent interview. 

Speaking with Famitsu, Ryan clarified that the PlayStation 5 will offer backwards compatibility but the focus on that will be for the PS4 generation, not the eras before that. 

The reasoning for this, according to Ryan, is that the focus for developing the PS5 remained on its new technologies, especially concerning the system's SSD. It was because of this primary objective that Sony says it couldn't make older titles fully functional on the newest console. 

According to the CEO, "We keep in mind the engineering specialized for the PS5, as we produced the device. In the midst of that, the PS4 already has 100 million players; we thought they ought to want to play PS4 titles on the PS5 as well indeed, so we included compatibility with the PS4. While implementing that, we also focused our efforts on taking in the high-speed SSD and the new controller DualSense at the same time. So, unfortunately, we couldn’t reach the implementation of such compatibilities."

Some games are ambitious, with mechanics and systems we haven’t seen before. Some games are massive, offering expansive and dense worlds ripe for exploration. Some games are complex, delving into mature themes involving violence, authority, and sexuality. And then there’s Cyberpunk 2077, which aims to be all of those things. It is one of the most overwhelming and intricate open-world games we’ve played; after multiple Game Informer editors spent hours charting their own course through the urban sprawl of Night City, everyone had different experiences to share. But it was easy to agree on one thing: This game is enormous in every sense of the word.

Inspired by and rooted in the world of a long-established tabletop role-playing game, Cyberpunk 2077 catapults players into a lurid future. People dramatically modify and augment their bodies as a matter of course, and enter virtual mindscapes to chase fleeting thrills. Megacorps hold vast power, scheming and killing with impunity. And in the underbelly of this bleak dystopia, outlaw edgerunners chart their own paths beyond the reach of the grasping corporations, leveraging underground connections, insane tech implants, and earned street cred to shape their own destinies. You are V – one of these enigmatic cyberpunks – and you’ve got a lot of options in front of you. Read more...

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Everything we've seen so far of Cyberpunk 2077 has been nothing short of stunning but those breathtaking graphics have had many PC players worried that their rigs might not be able to take the heat. Luckily, the entry point for PC gamers is much lower than originally anticipated as CD Projekt RED confirms the Cyberpunk 2077 PC requirements, both minimum and recommended. 

During the studio's most recent Night City Wire showcase, they confirmed the specs that PC players can look forward to: 

The minimum system requirement set with the NVIDIA GTX 790 or the Radeon RX 470 is a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Obviously players will want to shoot for the recommended settings if possible if they want to experience the highest quality of Cyberpunk, but knowing that the minimum specs are a little more in reach means good things for fans ready to jump in.

With a game this massive, seeing the storage space required is also not surprising. CDPR has mentioned previously that this is a living, breathing city. Night City and its surrounding areas are massive and with completely interactive environments. A game of that scale will always require some hefty storage requirements. 

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We'll be able to see exactly how this game performs when Cyberpunk 2077 launches on November 19, 2020 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia.

Humble Bundle is a great way to buy the games you love while also helping out a variety of charites out there to do some good in the world. Their latest bundle is one that we all need more of. 

For those not on Twitter, there is an account called @YouCanPettheDog that tells gamers online which games let you ... well, pet the dog. It also features other animals as well, which makes it incredibly wholesome, and Humble is taking that love for animals a step further by helping them in real life! 

The Humble "You Can Pet the Dog" bundle offers a plethora of games that let players interact with the goodest of good boys while donating a portion of the proceeds to various animal charities. 

The latest bundle is available to buy now and will run until October 1st. From horror games like Blair Witch that has cute little floofers in them, to more family-friendly games like Scribblenauts Unlimited, there are quite a few different options to choose from. Here's what you need to know: 

Bloober Team has announced that Observer: System Redux will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on day one. This updated version of the acclaimed cyberpunk thriller adds new content, including three new major missions, updated character models, and new locations.

Additionally, the next-gen hardware enables 4K resolution, upgraded textures, new animations, models, and effects. The visuals also now benefit from ray-tracing and HDR lighting. The game will cost $30, a priority for Bloober Team. "We know next-gen pricing is a major concern for our fans and we feel that releasing all the new content and upgrades in Observer: System Redux at the same cost as the original Observer is a great way to stay close with our community," CEO Piotr Babineo said in a press release.

We liked Observer when it launched in 2017, giving it a 9 out of 10 in our review, saying, "Observer is simply the best of both worlds and is a must-play for anyone who considers themselves a fan of either sci-fi or horror."

Observer: System Redux hits Xbox Series X/S and PC on November 10, then PlayStation 5 on November 12.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot has new DLC coming out here soon and with it comes Golden Frieza. Golden Frieza is this character's most powerful form and we've got a sneak peek at this OP evolution thanks to the latest issue of V-Jump. 

A scan of the most recent of V-Jump magazine not only shows off Golden Frieza, but also the return of Ginyu Force and the Super Saiyan Blue forms for Vegeta and Goku. 

DBZ: KAKAROT - Proper & Full V Jump Scans! pic.twitter.com/OYahgDTugX

— Dragon Ball Hype. (@DbsHype) September 17, 2020

Golden Frieza, according to the scans above, comes with the second part of the game's first DLC: New Power Awakens. The first part made its debut back in April of this year and focused heavily on the Dragon Ball film Battle of Gods. The second part of the DLC will touch on Dragon Ball Z: Ressurrection F, which explains Golden Frieza's appearance in Kakarot. 

DBZ: Kakarot V Jump Leaks. SSB Vegeta and Goku, new skills!
(Thanks to: @DB_KR0914) pic.twitter.com/uBCZBH4B9Z

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Monster Hunter had an awesome news week with both Monster Hunter: Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2 being revealed. Nintendo is making that news even sweeter with the reveal of three new Amiibo coming at the beginning of next year, including an adorable little Palico! 

Nintendo revealed the three new Amiibo figures that are going to be coming out March 26, 2021. The three latest additions include a Palamute figure, a Magnamalo, and a smiling Palico: 

Each figure will unlock a special armor set in Monster Hunter: Rise. No word on if these will also impact Monster Hunter Stories 2 at this time, but even if it's just for Rise, that Palico one is too cute to pass up! 

Amiibo first crashed onto the scene back in 2014 and there was a whirlwind period where they were so hard to get, so exclusive, that it was a madhouse just to try to land that coveted figure. Since that period, however, Nintendo has been much more on top of supply and demand, making collecting these little cuties back on hobby level and not frustrated obsession. 

The Monster Hunter Amiibo line debuts March 26, 2021. Are you planning on scooping one up? All three? Sound off in the comment section below! 

Game designer Michel Ancel, known for his work on Beyond Good & Evil and Rayman, has announced that he is retiring from the game industry after a career spanning more than 30 years. Instead of creating virtual worlds, he is going to focus on the real world, devoting time to a wildlife sanctuary.

Ancel made the announcement on Instagram, assuring fans that his two current projects – Beyond Good & Evil 2 and Wild – will continue going forward. "Many of you might want to know what will happen to Wild and BGE2. No worries, since many months now the teams are autonomous and the projects are going super well," Ancel writes. "Beautiful things to be seen soon." 

Ancel spent most of his career at Ubisoft, though he also led an independent studio called Wild Sheep.

TO YEET OR NOT TO YEET, it's not really a question, it's going to happen no matter what. The Big Yeetus is officially here in Fall Guys and this chaotic neutral addition is not only causing mayhem in-game, but is also giving us some hilarious moments from gamers capturing those epic fails. 

Is this news? No. Is it hilarious and we all deserve a good laugh this 2020? Yes. So without further adieu, here are some of the Yeetiest moments that made us smile: 

Big Yeetus failed me #PS4sharehttps://t.co/na2oERmkG4 pic.twitter.com/yOkufRnq6M

— Mr. Roboto (@Jupaso514) September 15, 2020

This dingus got the big yeetus pic.twitter.com/3tEWLoD8Ms

The tensions between the Trump administration and Chinese conglomerate Tencent continue to intensify with the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment's recent prioritization of national security. As per a Bloomberg report, letters from the Committee have been sent to multiple development companies – like Riot Games and Epic Games – inquiring about the management of their U.S.-based consumers' personal data. 

Last month, President Trump ordered a ban on Tencent's WeChat app. The specifics of the ban as well as the order itself will go into effect on September 20 once the parameters of the restrictions are determined and announced by the Commerce Department. It was initially reported that the video game companies under the Tencent umbrella would not be impacted by the executive orders signed in August, but that appears to have changed in the time since. Only time will tell what kind of impact this has, not only on the games industry, but on American foreign policy as a whole. 

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Sony's pre-order rollout for the PlayStation 5 was a little confusing, to put it lightly, but it looks like pre-ordering the Xbox Series S/X will be a lot easier. In the name of transparency, Microsoft detailed exactly when gamers can pre-order next gen Xbox systems. Here's what you need to know in order to pre-order an Xbox Series X and Series S. 

When can you pre-order an Xbox Series console? 

Pre-orders for the Xbox Series X and Series S kicks off on September 22 at 11 AM ET / 8 AM PT. For those interested in nabbing a system day one, the new consoles will be available at all major retailers including GameStop, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Newegg, and more. 

The Xbox Series X will retail at $499 with the Series S coming in at $299. Pre-orders for the PlayStation 5 are already up, though they went live a day early on September 16, which caused a fluster of confusion and frustration for many that were looking to get their pre-order in the moment that option became available. 

Both systems look incredible and with services and hardware alike making next gen look incredibly appealing, it's easy to see why hype is so high. 

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Which system appeals to you more as your first purchase for next gen, or are you putting down the cash for both at the same time? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! 

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In this week's episode of The Game Informer Show we talk about a handful of the games we've been playing recently, including: Spelunky 2, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, and Avengers. We also go hands-on with Oculus' newest Quest 2 VR headset before breaking down and reacting to Sony's recent PS5 Showcase. Finally, we end the show with another fantastic round of community emails and Meaningless Character Rankings. So please join Jeff Cork, Brian Shea, Jay Guisao, Liana Ruppert, Alex Stadnik, and myself for another wild and ever-entertaining episode!

A few weeks ago, a Ubisoft support page confirmed that PS1, PS2, and PS3 games would not be backwards compatible for PS5. In response to public outcry, the language supporting these claims was swiftly removed from the Ubisoft website. In a recent interview with The Washington Post, however, Sony CEO and President Jim Ryan stated that "99 percent" of PS4 games would be playable on PS5. 

"The PS4 community will continue to be incredibly important to us for three or four years,” Ryan would later affirm. “Many will transition to PS5, we hope if we do our job well, but tens of millions will still be engaged with the PS4.”

Now that the PS5 prices and release dates have been revealed, make sure you get out there and pre-order the console (if and when you can!). Also make sure to check out all the awesome titles that come with the PlayStation Plus Collection. 

[Source: Washington Post] 

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Sony recently revealed the PlayStation Plus Collection, an excellent service that brings essential PS4 experiences to the PlayStation 5. While there are many similarities to Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass, there are a few differences to note. While both services offer something different, both are huge wins for gamers, especially going into next gen. 

The Xbox Game Pass, something that Sony previously competed with thanks to its PlayStation Now service, has been seen as a massive success for Microsoft. While that service has been seen as a little more dated, the newly revealed PlayStation Plus Collection offers something very similar to that of the Game Pass, but don't expect it to be a carbon copy. 

Key differences between Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Collection

So what are the key differences between the two services? One feature that fans love about the Xbox Game Pass is that the service not only includes previously released games, but also day one additions to the library for first-party exclusives. While Microsoft does not have as many first-party exclusives as Sony does at the moment, the company continues to acquire more studios with the goal of a stronger lineup in the future. 

One of the most striking elements of Kena: Bridge of Spirits is its soundtrack, which features the music of traditional Balinese musicians in new compositions. It’s the result of a collaboration between composer Jason Gallaty and the ensemble group Gamelan Çudamani. We talked to Jason, as well as Gamelan Çudamani founding director Dewa Putu Berata and associate director Emiko Saraswati to learn how this musical partnership came to be. 

Gallaty says that he was listening to Çudamani’s music for inspiration, so he decided to see if they would be interested in working together on Kena’s soundtrack. “I felt like with something that the music comes originally from Bali and Indonesia and all these instruments come from Bali and Indonesia, I wanted to approach it respectfully and asked to work with them.” He sent them an email, and hoped for the best.

“I’ll be totally honest, I told the guys this, but my first reaction was like, ‘No,’” Saraswati recalls. “No Gamelan in video games. Dewa and I are traditional artists, right, so this gets into more complex problems, but sometimes there’s a sense from traditional artists that things like video games are things that we’re working against all the time.” She says that Gallaty’s email was persuasive, however, so she agreed to talk to him on the phone and hear him out. 

One of the four major covenants players can align themselves in the upcoming Shadowlands expansion this October is Revendreth. The Venthyr of Revendreth are soul vampires, draining the sins away from their less-than-virtuous spirits that have found their way to their realm. While Revendreth isn't quite as grim as the Shadowlands take on Hell, The Maw, it's a place for really bad spirits to come for potential painful redemption.

Players will no doubt recognize some faces from throughout Warcraft's history in this zone, atoning for terrible crimes in the afterlife. The Venthyr, despite having an important purpose in cleansing these souls through punishment and torture, are not exactly the grand moral arbiters of the great beyond. They have their own selfish wants and needs, and are mired in a corrupt aristocratic culture that has descended into decadence for the haves and the most bare existence for the have-nots.

In this new trailer, explore the thoughts of Sire Denathrius, one of those in control of the castle-kingdom of Revendreth (It's totally Bloodborne the zone). Those that defy his policies meet with a bright fate in one of the few areas where the light seeps into the dark realm, a punishment that can result in exile, madness, or death. Of course, if you do side with the Venthyr and Revendreth, you might get your own coffin to sleep in as you rise through the ranks of vampire nobility.

Shadowlands arrives on October 26, with the "pre-patch" experience expected to hit around the end of this month. Learn more about Revendreth in the trailer below!

Riot Games is teaming up with Spin Master Corp, a company that is a leading name in the children's entertainment industry, to offer some exciting new products for League of Legends fans. 

From toys to role play items, even some detailed action figures – the new lineup will be debuting in the Fall of 2021. The newest collaboration will span over the next few years and will offer a variety of items for fans to collect to take their love for the popular PC MOBA even further. 

With the Fall 2021 launch date for a global retail release, the new line of League of Legends merch will arrive just in time for next year's holiday season. 

“Spin Master is excited to collaborate with Riot Games to bring innovation and meticulous attention to detail to the rich characters and unique worlds in League of Legends,” John Blaney, Spin Master’s Senior Vice President of Licensing, told us in a recent statement. “Our League of Legends line up will appeal to fans of all ages, delivering high-quality products on the cutting edge. We look forward to delivering enhanced collectability and unique play experiences for the massive global League of Legends fan base both on and offline.”

“Spin Master is the perfect partner for the League of Legends franchise and together we have the opportunity to enhance our champions and their stories giving players the opportunity to go even deeper into the League of Legends universe,” added Christian Bayley, Director, Brand Management for consumer products at Riot Games.

According to WB Games' FAQ, JK Rowling was not involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy. The world renowned author, known for her Harry Potter series, has been a controversial figure under public scrutiny for a long time. It likely comes as a relief to a plethora of fans that she had no direct influence or affect on the development of Avalanche and Portkey Games' upcoming open-world adventure. 

Hogwarts Legacy appears to be the perfect game for Harry Potter fans to role-play in their favorite magical universe. As a Hogwarts student, players will mingle with other young wizards, explore the mystical landscapes beyond the school's main campus, and learn exciting spells. 

Hogwarts Legacy releases in 2021 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One X, and PC. 

[Source: GameSpot]

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Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most anticipated games of the year, and for good reason. Players can tailor the gameplay experience in countless ways, including tons of choices that affect the story and combat. The first choice? Your playstyle, which you hone over time by investing in different skills across distinct trees. This class system is not fixed; it is a fluid approach to how players can operate in Night City. In this Cyberpunk 2077 class breakdown, we are going to help you find which Cyberpunk 2077 playstyle is right for you.

There are three base archetypes in Cyberpunk 2077, each offering unique skills and abilities while even changing how other characters see you in the world of Night City. They are: Solo, Netrunner, and Techie. These aren't the standard RPG classes. These are starting points where players can begin to craft their character, and where they can pull from the different class skill trees to perfect their playstyle even further. But odds are good you will gravitate towards one rather than taking a completely balanced approach, so which one fits you the best to start out with? Let's dive right in with Solo. 

Solo 

The solo is for those looking for a more traditional play experience. It's very melee-heavy and is perfect for those that love to just rush right in and get blood regardless of the consequences.

When Disintegration launched earlier this summer, we had a few qualms with its uninspired combat and mission design. And while we did enjoy its engaging multiplayer components, not many other players did. After only a few months, Disintegration's multiplayer servers will be phased out. 

An update on Disintegration multiplayerhttps://t.co/gRG4Ea54an

— Disintegration (@Disintegration) September 17, 2020

Private Division and V1 Interactive issued a statement on the Disintegration official blog today explaining that while the single-player campaign of the game was popular, the same could not be said for its multiplayer mode. The in-game store will be removed today and by November 17th, Disintegration's multiplayer servers will be gone for good. Private Division and V1 Interactive did assure, however, that the game's single-player mode would remain. 

If you're on PlayStation, the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer alpha begins tomorrow, and you can preload today. The alpha is free for all PS4 users. What's on deck? Well, for starters, it's a quick shot — September 18 to September 20. So that's not a whole lot of time. A weekend worth of blasting, sliding, and shooting for Black Ops Cold War multiplayer should be an interesting showing, though. Anyone who plays will score an exclusive calling card.

The alpha contains three classic modes for 6v6 play. Prepare for Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, and Domination. Essentially the bread and butter traditional multiplayer modes, these should give players a good idea of how core multiplayer combat plays.

The alpha also features 12v12 Combined Arms: Domination mode, which gives players five different points to fight over and a slew of vehicles, both light transport and heavy guns. Tanks, gunboats, snowmobiles and jetskis allow players to battle in brutal new ways while attempting to cap big, broad boards.

Are you ready to grind your way to glory in turn-based tactical combat that probably involves throwing explosive penguin creatures at your opponents? Are you ready to level up to levels of power with damage numbers that would astonish a mathematician? If you've played any of the strategy RPG Disgaea titles, you have a good idea of what you're in for... and it's coming exclusively to the Switch! Whoa, dood!

Play as the zombie Zed with 3D visuals in a world that's sure to have wild, weird humor and a ridiculous amount of customization. The action begins Summer 2021. You can check out our review of Disgaea 5 here! Watch the announcement trailer below.

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Surprise! Ori and the Will of the Wisps is not only coming to Nintendo Switch today as a digital download, as confirmed by a new Mini, but a beautiful new collector's edition has also been revealed! 

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the sequel to the stunning and award-winning Ori and the Blind Forest game, and it's just as heartbreaking and beautiful as its predecessor. Previously only available on Xbox and Windows 10, the breathtaking continuation of Ori's adventure is now in the palm of our hands thanks to the Nintendo Switch starting today. 

Even more exciting than the Switch version being announced is the beautiful collector's edition also revealed, thanks to the team over at iam8bit. The collector's edition, which can be seen in full in the video at the top of the article, includes physical versions of both Blind Forest and Will of the Wisps. 

Also included in the new collector's edition: 

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The next generation of gaming is almost here and with the low entry point of the Xbox Series S at $299, many are curious about just how different the smaller console is from its larger counterpart. The S is still powerful in its own right, but new information has been revealed that may be a surprise to some regarding the system's resolution. 

The main objective for the Xbox Series S is to run at a 1440p resolution and many assumed this to mean that the console simply couldn't run at 4K. Microsoft has confirmed that the more affordable option is capable of a full 4K output, but they have found that most developers are opting into the 1440p goal instead. 

Microsoft also confirmed that developers have the power to play around with the settings they want players to experience their games with, including offering a lower resolution output in order to accentuate some of the more complicated graphic settings. 

Another interesting note is that the Xbox Series S is also capable of the same ray tracing technologies that the X uses, but devs also can tweak this as well to turn that option off. 

The Xbox Series S retails for $299 with the X coming in at $499. Pre-orders are also going live on September 22 ahead of next gen's launch date of November 10th. 

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Nintendo is bringing that Monster Hunter realness, because shortly after revealing the upcoming Monster Hunter: Rise game they also shared that a continuation of the Stories iteration is also on the way. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is coming Summer 2021. 

During the Big N's most recent Direct Mini, the company revealed our first look at Monster Hunter Stories 2. In the stunning style that we've come to expect with fierce battles also on the horizon, the first half of 2021 is shaping up to be a good one for fans of this iconic franchise. 

In the trailer seen at the top of the article, Nintendo showed off some of the characters that we will be getting acquainted with, including a few familiar faces. With its beautiful art style that will appeal to fans of games like Breath of the Wild and an expansive world to explore, Wings of Ruin is the latest adventure to make the Nintendo Switch library all the better. 

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No exact release date yet for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin outside of a Summer launch window, but we're pretty excited about what we've seen so far! What did you think about the trailer? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! 

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After several rumors 'arose' earlier this week, Nintendo has confirmed during a recent Direct Mini that Monster Hunter: Rise is indeed coming to Nintendo Switch in March of next year. Even better? You can pet the dog! 

With the expected setting of Japan for the upcoming game, Nintendo has confirmed that monsters such as Tetranadon, Great Izuchi, Magnamalo, and Aknosom are set to return. Players can even ride a dog, and, of course, pet the goodest of good boys too. 

The upcoming Monster Hunter: Rise title is poised to launch on March 26, 2021 for Nintendo Switch fans, giving yet another incredible Monster Hunter experience for fans to dive into. With the incredible success of Monster Hunter: World and the ease of travel that is allowed thanks to the hybrid console's very nature, this is a big win for both longtime fans of this series and newcomers that are interested in joining the fight. 

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Monster Hunter: Rise arrives on March 26, 2021. Thoughts on the latest reveal? Sound off with what you thought of the latest reveal in the comment section below! 

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When the original Quest released in the middle of 2019, it seemed like a smart move for VR. Oculus’ portable headset wasn’t as powerful as headsets like the Rift, but it also didn’t need to remain tethered to a PC. The Quest gave you the freedom to play games anywhere you had room to move around, and its lack of cords was surprisingly freeing. Better still, some of VR’s best experiences – Beat Saber, Pistol Whip, Job Simulator – prove that you don’t need a lot of horsepower to have a good time. As a result, sales of the Oculus Quest quickly outpaced all of Oculus’s other offerings.

Sony confirmed the price of both the standard and all-digital versions of the PlayStation 5 and now we know exactly how much the DualSense will retail for as well. PS5 DualSense controllers will run $69.99. 

Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan recently took to the PlayStation Blog to outline some useful information for those interested in the next generation of gaming. Among the console prices and which PS5 games will still be available on the PlayStation 4, Ryan also revealed a few key price points for vital peripherals. 

In addition to the $69.99 price for the PS5 DualSense controller, Ryan also confirmed prices for key headsets, HD Cameras, DualSense Charging Stations, and more: 

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Earlier this year, talk began about what sort of price tag PS5 and Xbox Series X games would have. While some studios have confirmed that they will be offering games for $70, it doesn't look like that will be the necessary standard for all future releases. That being said, Demon's Souls for PlayStation 5 will be among some of the next-gen games that will have the higher cost. 

In a recent post over on the official PlayStation Blog, Sony Interactive Entertainment President Jim Ryan confirmed the price points for several games coming out for the PS5. Among the prices revealed is that the Demon's Souls remake will be retailing for the aforementioned $69.99. 

New hardware is exciting for many reasons, but the most important one is playing exciting games. We have plenty of those on the horizon, but with fewer console exclusives and so many cross-generation games releasing, this transition to next-gen is a bit different from previous ones. If you take the leap, what exactly will you be playing?

For anyone considering getting a PlayStation 5, we've compiled this list of games to give you a clearer idea of the experiences at your fingertips through the end of this year. And don't worry, Xbox fans – we'll have a similar list for you in the near future.

Now that we know the price and release date for the next generation of PlayStation, many are ready to make the leap into the future of consoles. For those not quite ready to make the leap but still want to enjoy the new titles coming out, here is a list of the PlayStation 5 exclusives that will be made available on PlayStation 4. 

In a post over on the official PlayStation Blog, Sony Interactive Entertainment President Jim Ryan gave those not ready to part with PS4 some good news. He began by saying, "We know that the PS4 community will transition to PS5 at different times, and we're happy to announce PS4 versions of some of our exclusives." 

While not all future exclusives will make their way onto the current generation library due to technological restraints, PS4 players can at least look forward to the below adventures without having to spend the extra cash for a generational upgrade: 

• Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure
• Horizon Forbidden West

Ryan added, "While these three games were designed to take advantage of PS5 and its unique next-gen features like the ultra-high-speed SSD and DualSense controller, PS4 owners will also be able to enjoy these experiences when they launch. The PS4 digital versions of launch games include a free upgrade on both PS5 consoles, while the PS4 disc versions of these games include a free upgrade on the PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-Ray disc drive."

During today's PlayStation 5 Showcase, Sony introduced the PlayStation Plus Collection. This new feature for subscribers to PlayStation Plus delivers several of the biggest hits from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 players as an added benefit to their subscription.

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Games shown in the reveal trailer include:

• Batman: Arkham Knight
• Battlefield 1
• Bloodborne
• Days Gone
• Detroit: Become Human
• Fallout 4
• Final Fantasy XV
• God of War
• Infamous: Second Son
• The Last Guardian
• The Last of Us Remastered
• Monster Hunter: World
• Mortal Kombat X
• Persona 5
• Ratchet & Clank
• Resident Evil VII: Biohazard
• Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
• Until Dawn

According to the trailer, subscribers just need to download the games to start playing. No word on if the feature will be available at PS5 launch on November 12, or if more titles will be added in the future, but this is sure to be a crowd-pleasing perk for fans of backwards compatibility.

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Get ready for that animatronic horror, because there is more Five Nights at Freddy's on the way with Security Breach for PlayStation 5. 

Five Nights at Freddy's Security Breach dropped a cinematic trailer that shares our first look at what this game has to offer the next generation of consoles. While we don't have too many details at this time, we can expect it to be just as terrifying as previous Freddy's experiences. 

Seriously, this game has no right being this creepy.

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Arkane Studios showed off a new trailer for its upcoming Deathloop during Sony's PlayStation event today, showing that the studio known for its immersive sims isn't ditching player freedom in its shooter. The clip explains how players will be able to manipulate events on a looping timeline to nudge targets into position for their assassinations.

In the trailer, we see how an inventor and another target can be pushed into attending a party on Blackreef Island. The inventor is on the verge of making a technological breakthrough; if players prevent that from happening in the game's looping timeline, the discouraged techie will attend the party to drown his sorrows – giving players the opportunity to take him and the other target out in one convenient hit.

Deathloop is coming to PlayStation 5 and PC in Q2 2021.

Since its reveal, Oddworld: Soulstorm has always been a game that looks like it could benefit from next-gen technical specs, thanks to the huge number of characters it aims to put on screen.

In today’s PS5 Showcase, we got to see some of the game running on PS5, and the video proves out that Abe and his friends are in for some explosive action on the new platform.

Check out the new trailer below. Oddworld: Soulstorm is headed to release on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC.

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