Pokemon Go, the mobile app that allows users to travel the globe on their own Pokemon journey, is finally open for registration for United States users. Niantic Labs' field test is available to sign up for right now, with users being chosen to try out the upcoming game later on.
Source: Polygon
Have you been coveting an Xbox Live gamertag that someone else happened to nab before you years ago? You may well be able to claim it yet as of May 18th, when Microsoft plans to release a million different gamertags from "abandoned" accounts.
Via: GameSpot
If you've got a VR headset, you've probably noticed that finding compelling virtual experiences isn't as easy as it could be. Disney is hoping to fix that, at least for its own properties, with its new VR app on Steam. It puts all of the company's virtual offerings -- including experiences for Star Wars, The Avengers and The Jungle Book -- in a single location. And best of all, it's free and compatible with both the HTC Vive (which runs SteamVR) and the Oculus Rift.
Source: Steam
The new Doom is buttery, plain and simple -- no other word captures the ridiculous smoothness imbued in the game's mechanics. As he traverses Hell on Mars, the protagonist moves at a constant sprint, but the controls never feel too sensitive or rushed; it's the perfect speed for rapid-fire, twitchy gameplay. With Doom, developer id Software and publisher Bethesda have crafted an innovative first-person shooter that pays homage to the series' long history while propelling it into the future.
A large part of Doom's history involves the chainsaw. Doom and chainsaws go together like lumberjacks and flannel, and the latest game doesn't disappoint in this department. It brings the close-up brutality of chainsaw kills into the 21st century, in glorious high-definition.
Yo-Kai Watch 2 is on the horizon, and it's headed to the US this September, with a second season of the anime series to follow. Originally launched last November for western audiences, the 3DS title served up decadent and accessible role-playing goodness, with collecting elements for the youngsters and meaty side quests and commentary for adults.
Via: BusinessWire
When West Ham United and VfL Wolfsburg signed their first eSports players, they were surprising but understandable deals. After all, both clubs were supporting FIFA -- a video game franchise that ties back into their normal soccer (or football, as it's known to most of the world) businesses. Now, FC Schalke 04 -- one of the top clubs in the German Bundesliga -- has bucked this trend and signed a League of Legends team instead. Formerly known as Elements, the new-look squad comprises of Etienne "Steve" Michels, Hampus "Fox" Myhre, Berk "Gilius" Demir, Rasmus "MrRalleZ" Skinneholm, and Hampus "Sprattel" Abrahamsson.
Source: FC Schalke 04
Console gaming killed the American arcade, but it's possible that PC gaming might be responsible for the resurrection. Razer is opening its first US-based retail store in San Francisco but it sounds more like the arcades of yore than a high-end retailer. The centerpiece of the 1,300 square foot, two level outlet is the 20 "gaming stations" where patrons are encouraged to "stay all day and play games." In addition, the company will support the local community with regular gaming competitions, which will be broadcast on the store's 16 x 9-foot video wall.
As Nintendo continues to stretch beyond gaming for new money-making opportunities, it might get into the movie biz. According to Nintendo spokesman Maokoto Wakae, details are undecided, but the results could be a big movie release... or a straight to DVD / Blu-Ray affair. The company had broadly referenced the opportunity for using its popular characters and titles in future movies mid-2015, buried in this financial report, but then the mention of "visual content production" could have been directed at Nintendo's recent Star Fox animation -- it's keeping busy with its IPs.
Source: AP, Asahi Shimbun (Japanese)