Tuesday, July 25, 2017

News:: Niantic tries to explain the Pokémon Go Fest problems

On Saturday Pokémon Go players from around the world gathered in Chicago's Grant Park for a promised special anniversary event, but as we now know, things didn't quite work out. As Niantic Labs explains it, the issues that tripped up Pokémon Go Fest were layered, starting with technical issues that caused the client to crash, before tweaks to the servers fixed that. Once the clients worked, network congestion and overloaded cell networks held up players from connecting and staying connected.

Source: Niantic Labs Blog



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News:: SDCC 2017 had some crazy stuff for toy and figure collectors

We may not equate SDCC with toy collecting, but that would be a mistake. The industry's biggest names are always in attendance; who would give up a chance to market to that many pairs of eyeballs?

Indeed, the main reason I used to go to Comic-Con was to see what kinds of plastic goodness would be shown off for figure collectors. The event isn't big for the Japanese manufacturers (except Kotobukiya as they have an established US presence) but the Western toy makers are no less impressive. So here are my toy highlights from the show!

SDCC 2017 had some crazy stuff for toy and figure collectors screenshot

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News:: LawBreakers is holding an open beta on PC and PS4 this Friday

Boss Key Productions is giving arena shooter fans another chance to try out LawBreakers before its full release on August 8.

The next open beta is scheduled to run on PC and PlayStation 4 from Friday, July 28 at 7:00am Pacific to Monday, July 31 at 7:00am Pacific. Pre-loading has already started, though, so if you're interested, you can get situated ahead of time and make the most of the event. Or not! Procrastinating is fun too.

I'm curious to see how this game fares once it's out in the wild as a $30 multiplayer game. I've definitely heard mixed reactions to it, but more to the point, I'm wondering if people are even aware it's a thing. I get the feeling LawBreakers will need all the buzz it can muster to get its community going.

Play Open Beta For Free [LawBreakers]

LawBreakers is holding an open beta on PC and PS4 this Friday screenshot



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News:: Robot Girls Z makes its adorable debut in Super Robot Wars X-Ω

The Super Robot Wars series may focus on having giant robots from various anime titles, but there are a few occasions where it tries something different. One recent example is Super Robot Wars X-Ω, the franchise's mobile game, since we got to see Godzilla and Zyuranger's Daizyuzin/Power Ranger's Megazord join forces.

While we're on the topic of random surprises, the main cast from Robot Girls Z, the anime about cute girls based on Toei's classic mecha shows, are spreading their cuteness in X-Ω. Players will go moé over Z-chan (Mazinger), Gre-chan (Great Mazinger), Grenda-san (Grendizer), Gecchan (Getter Dragon), and Gai-chan (Gaiking) taking down waves of enemy machines.

The best part about their debut is that it could result in some priceless exchanges between the girls and the pilots of their giant robot counterparts. Come to think of it, I wonder if Mazinger's Sayaka will get mad at Kouji for having a conversation with Z-chan.

Unfortunately, the game's roster might be the only great thing about this title, since I heard it lacks the main series' signature features, such as the dynamic attack animations. At least Bandai Namco's announcement was silly, so I might try to binge-watch Robot Girls Z soon.

Robot Girls Z makes its adorable debut in Super Robot Wars X-Ω screenshot

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News:: Live Show: Pyre

Allow me to start this post by being completely honest with all of you. I have NEVER played a Supergiant Games title. Not Bastion, not Transistor, nada. I know, shame on me, but I could just never find the time to play them when they were released. While I HAVE watched live streams of both of their previous titles, tonight will be my first personal foray into any of Supergiant's highly colorful and stylized worlds as I dive into Pyre.

Other than checking out a couple videos and reviews, I'm going into this game 100% blind and have almost zero idea what to expect. If you've also been curious about this game, and want to see what the first few hours are all about, come by Dtoid.TV tonight at 6:00pm PST and join in the adventure with myself and the community. Also, for a more in-depth analysis, be sure to check out our review right here on Destructoid before the show. 

Live Show: Pyre screenshot



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News:: Rayman Legends hits Switch in September with some new features

Even though it released in 2013, Rayman Legends continues to live on. It was ported to PS4 and Xbox One early-ish into its lifespan. Now, it's coming to Nintendo Switch later this year. As it turns out, extremely good games can get away with this.

Ubisoft has just revealed that Rayman Legends will release on Switch on September 12. It's called a "Definitive Edition" even though the game never had any paid DLC. Instead, it's a host of Switch-exclusive features that serve as the extras.

According to the "key features" section of the Rayman Legends listing on Ubisoft's site, the Switch version will have four-player wireless multiplayer. There's also the ability to use the touchscreen when the Switch is undocked; swiping is useful for killing enemies, cutting ropes, etc. It's also said that there's now a tournament mode for Kung Foot.

The Switch adaption of Rayman Legends will be priced at $40. However, there's going to be a demo later this summer for anyone who's still wary. A demo should be all you need to realize that this game is seriously excellent.

Rayman Is Coming To Nintendo Switch [Ubisoft]

Rayman Legends hits Switch in September with some new features screenshot



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News:: Mighty No. 9 found its way into the Humble Saints Row Bundle

They're pitching it as the Humble Saints Row Bundle, but with extra games like Mighty No. 9 and Killer is Dead, this is really more of a Deep Silver dealio. Which, hey, it worked. They got my attention.

Pay $1 or more:

  • Risen 3: Titan Lords Complete Edition
  • Deadlight: Director's Cut
  • Homefront
  • Saints Row 2

Pay more than the average:

  • Saints Row: The Third
  • Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell
  • Mighty No. 9
  • Killer is Dead - Nightmare Edition
  • More games to come

Pay $15 or more:

  • Homefront: The Revolution
  • Saints Row IV: Game of the Century Edition
  • Saints Row: The Third - The Full Package
  • Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell - Devil's Workshop Pack

Pay $75:

  • Agents of Mayhem (pre-order)

Plenty of people prefer Saints Row IV's superpower antics to The Third, but I think the latter has the edge -- it's an overall better-playing game than Saints Row 2, and while the story is unabashedly ridiculous, it doesn't go over the top to the extent that IV does. For me, it hit that exact right balance.

If you're new to the series, I'd go for the beat-the-average tier and then wait on a standalone sale for IV.

Humble Saints Row Bundle [Humble Bundle]

Mighty No. 9 found its way into the Humble Saints Row Bundle screenshot



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News:: PUBG is getting some sweet Battle Royale-inspired skins

Just the other day, I was telling Ray that I'm liable to spend real money on cosmetic items if they're for a game I'm super into and intend to play long-term. He concurred. That first purchase is dangerous, though -- it opens the floodgates, making each subsequent purchase that much easier. It's the main reason I've yet to pay for a Loot Box in Overwatch despite adoring that dang game. I'd be ruined!

Anyway, we had this conversation while playing Battlegrounds. You know where this is going...

"We're aware that many of you want new in-game skins to further customize your character," Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene wrote in a post on Steam. "While we won't be rolling out the full system until we move out of early access, we would like to provide more content as well as test the basic crate & key system we want to implement in the final version of the game."

PUBG is getting some sweet Battle Royale-inspired skins screenshot

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News:: Mafia 3's Sign of the Times DLC has major True Detective vibes

The third and final piece of Mafia 3 DLC is out now, some nine months after the base game's release. It's called Sign of the Times, and boy does it give off some major True Detective vibes.

Mafia 3's Sign of the Times DLC has major True Detective vibes screenshot

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News:: Once the portable versions are delivered, the Mighty No. 9 saga can come to a close

Fangamer has made good on their promise to deliver physical backer rewards for Mighty No. 9, several years after the campaign began. Based on reports Fangamer is not to blame, but rather core developer Comcept, as they allegedly did not deliver the assets required to the former to get rewards out in a timely manner.

However, movement was made on that front after Comcept was acquired by Level-5. Fangamer swiftly sent out surveys earlier this month, and as of today, several folks (including myself) have obtained their rewards. All is well, finally.

Well, not quite. There's still a bit of bad blood with the project, namely in the department of portable ports. Comcept also promised that the game would hit the 3DS and Vita platforms (something many backers held them to, as they only pitched in money for those versions), but multiple delays have stopped that from happening. Delays so severe actually, that progress only resumed recently on the pair of ports.

It's...really bad. It's a crash course on what not to do in terms of producing a Kickstarter. But what's done is done, and this whole saga is nearly over.

Once the portable versions are delivered, the Mighty No. 9 saga can come to a close screenshot



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News:: Killing Floor 2 murders its way onto Xbox One next month

If you've been dying to kill stuff with buddies in the blood filled Killing Floor 2, but only own an Xbox One, then today is a good day for you. Launching next month on August 29, Tripwire Interactive has announced that Killing Floor 2 will be shooting its way on over to Xbox One with some timed exclusive content. The game will retail for $39.99/£ 34.99 (UK)/€39.99 (EU) and will include all previously released DLC packs.

If you don't own the XBone, but you're looking to pick up the Xbox One X, then you're also in for a treat! Whenever the refreshed console launches, Killing Floor 2 will have support ready to go.

One of the new guns mentioned is a Freezethrower, which is exactly what it sounds like. You'll be able to spray liquid nitrogen at zeds (this game's version of zombies) and then shatter them with melee attacks. There will also be some new armor called the "Wasteland Armor" and a bunch of extra skins for it.

As for what the Xbox One X patch will include, the obvious is 4K resolution (seeing as how Microsoft is in love with that). Tripwire Interactive also mentions increased performance, higher resolution textures and increased shadow-fade-out-distance. That sounds ever so vital to the experience.

Killing Floor 2 murders its way onto Xbox One next month screenshot



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News:: Take $40 off PlayStation 4 Pro, Ryzen CPUs with this coupon

When Jet was bought out by Walmart last year we anticipated an end to its popular first-time-customer coupon and the site would slowly become a clone of what Walmart is offering on its site. Turns out we were wrong, and Jet has continued to offer decent incentives on rarely discounted gaming consoles and PC hardware deals to lure in new customers.

Just today Jet fired up two coupons that stack with instant savings and are worth $25 or $40 off depending on the purchase price, resulting in hot deals on a few rarely discounted items.

The coupons only work on select electronics, but after wading through the many mediocre-at-best offers, there are a few gems we came across like a rare $41 discount on the PlayStation 4 Pro. While not the cheapest we've ever spotted a PS4 Pro, it is the cheapest PS4 Pro of the summer at $359. Sony's spruced-up PS4 rarely goes on sale and when you can find it for cheap, the deal generally expires sooner rather than later. Our educated guess is that this will be the best deal for the year until the Xbox One X graces us later this fall and competition picks up.

Some of the best deals you can make with the coupon also revolve around PC hardware. AMD's Ryzen 5, for instance, is now hitting its lowest ever price. The latest mainstream CPU from AMD hasn't seen big price cut since its February debut earlier this year. Conversely, while video cards at most retailers are at inflated prices thanks to the continued demand in cryptocurrency mining, the coupon at Jet drops two GeForce GTX GPUs down to a "reasonable" price point.

Jet Coupon (exp 7/30)

  • $250+ Use Code: ITSELECTRIC40
  • $150+ Use Code: ITSELECTRIC25

Gaming Hardware

HDTVs

PC Hardware

The coupon has a limited run to it and expires after Sunday, July 30. That essentially gives us through the weekend to use a rare $40 off code at Jet. Most of the deals listed above, particular items like the PS4 Pro will most likely "expire" before the July 30 date.

Game deals from Dealzon. Sales help support Destructoid.

Take $40 off PlayStation 4 Pro, Ryzen CPUs with this coupon screenshot



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News:: Bayonetta headlines August's Games with Gold selection

For a couple of months now, the selection of Games with Gold titles hasn't been too hot. Microsoft had continuously outdone Sony's choices on PS Plus for awhile, but then Sony seemed to pick things up and provide something other than obscure indie titles. This month, though, Microsoft is coming guns blazing with Bayonetta on offer. To sweeten the deal, Bayonetta is backwards compatible on Xbox One, so it opens up the classic to a much wider audience.

Along with everyone's favorite witch comes Red Faction: Armageddon on Xbox 360 as well as Slime Rancher and Trials Fusion on Xbox One. You'll be able to nab Slime Rancher all month while Trials Fusion will be available from August 16 to September 15. Bayonetta will be free until August 15, at which point Red Faction will take its place until August 31.

Bayonetta headlines August's Games with Gold selection screenshot

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News:: Across the street from E3, Devolver works hard, plays hard, and picks fights

[Photos of the E3 2017 lot by Spencer Zehren]

Somewhere in the 372 miles between Phoenix and Los Angeles lies the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm – a tourist attraction that literally bowls you over between the sheer scope of the operation and all the god damn wind. The striking imagery of those stark iPod-white windmills jutting up from the California desert evokes a Star Trek-esque utopian vision of Americana that currently lies rotting in an unmarked grave. The wind farm also serves a second purpose: an unintentional speed trap, as the wind tunnel slows the cars on I-10 to a unified 50-60 miles per hour as the gusts whip around them. It's a stunning vista.

The San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm is easily the best part of the drive between Phoenix and LA, a six-hour tour of landscapes that would fit perfectly in a Spaghetti western, towns in various states of decay, and a handful of rest-stop Wendy's. It's also the last leg of the journey for the Devolver Digital Penske truck, a yellow six-wheeler packed with the fragile equipment Devolver needs to put on their dog and pony and beer show across the street from E3. The truck needs to make a full round trip, from Austin, TX, to Los Angeles, and back to Austin once more.

This journey is taken in service of the Devolver Digital E3 Lot, a parking lot leased by Devolver during the show, where independent developers take appointments in AirStream trailers and everyone else takes full advantage of the free beer and food. It's a uniquely off-brand part of attending E3; everyone knows the Devolver lot, even if they're just going to take advantage of the free food. And yet this shibboleth – this weird part of E3 that has become so curiously intrinsic to the showgoing experience in the past four years – was born from opposition to E3 and their masters at the ESA.

Across the street from E3, Devolver works hard, plays hard, and picks fights screenshot

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News:: Splatoon 2 infinite ticket glitch found

Those precious meal tickets are hard to come by in Splatoon 2. Currently, they’re only available through Salmon Run and the single-player modes. However, an easy exploit has been found (via GameFAQs), so you’ll never have to worry about fighting on an empty stomach again!

Splatoon 2 infinite ticket glitch found screenshot

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News:: Hellblade has an in-game photo mode

Digital photographers will have a chance to snap shots in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. Developer Ninja Theory today announced that the action game will launch with a fully operational Photo Mode on August 8.

Hellblade has an in-game photo mode screenshot

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News:: Playing Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star on Nintendo Switch is fun, but kind of a hassle

Earlier this year, I watched through the three currently available versions of the Fate/Stay Night series. It was pretty interesting throughout, and kept my attention (Rin is best girl), but each "season" was littered with issues. A stylish and fun series with the kind of problems that wouldn't deter enjoyment unless you spent a lot of time with it.

And that's basically Fate/Stay Extella: The Umbral Star in a nutshell. With its Nintendo Switch port, it's built perfectly for short bursts. But once you really sit with it, the flaws in the facade begin to show. 

Playing Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star on Nintendo Switch is fun, but kind of a hassle screenshot

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News:: Rocket League brings us together and tears us apart

You may have already heard, but we're a bunch of fighters around here. That's why we launched a new video channel called Dtoid Fight! It's for proving our dominance over other humans and also highly-relatable banter (or so we like to tell ourselves).

So far, it's all PUBG all the time, but that changes today. We're doing another series and Steven made me name it Red Rocket League. See, there's an allusion to communism and also dog dicks. I'm on-board with exactly none of this.

Here's what we're doing: Three games of Rocket League per episode. That way we wind up either positive or negative. We're playing 2s for now, but maybe we'll eventually move to 3s. Who knows! For every game we win, I'll open up a crate. For every game we don't win, I'll whine off-camera about how we need to rotate better.

I guess our goal is to eventually look like a real team. Passing to each other, trusting the other person will do what they're supposed to, not ball chasing. It's tougher than it sounds. We might just rip out each other's throats before we ever spam the "What a play!" button.

Also, if you wanna help us get this Dtoid Fight! thing off the ground, go throw us a subscribe on YouTube or a follow on Twitter. We'd super love you forever.

Rocket League brings us together and tears us apart screenshot



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News:: Henry Cavill's mustache will need to be digitally removed for Justice League reshoots

Jusitce League came out of SDCC looking pretty rosy all things considered. There was a great new poster and a new trailer, and everyone cheered really loudly. But let's all please remember who we're talking about here. This is DC. This is WB. These are the people who have been stinking up the DCEU for multiple films, and just because they made Wonder Woman not suck doesn't mean they're in the clear.

That's why this Variety report of the massive costs of reshoots for the film isn't too surprising. After the runaway success of Wonder Woman the studio is trying to cram her into every last part of Justice League... because knee-jerk reactions aren't what got us here in the first place. The cast and crew are evidently in the process of major reshoots under the guidance of new director Joss Whedon, and it seems to be causing some friction with schedules and costs.

Reshoots are a pretty standard practice, and they'll cost around $8 million or so for a film like this. It's just a way to get things finalized, grab shots that didn't work the first time, and make any last minute changes. However, Variety's sources say that the cost for Justice League's reshoots has ballooned to $25 million (that's basically the budget of a mid-tier action movie). This has also led to actors returning for up to four weeks of shooting. That, once again, is enough time to film another whole action film, which some actors are actually in the process of doing. Henry Cavill (SPOILER: Superman isn't dead!) is currently filming Mission: Impossible 6 and has a full Cavillstache going on, and it is now going to be digitally removed in post because Paramount, the studio behind M:I 6 won't, let him shave it. Cesar Romero is spinning in his grave, I tell you.

You can't make this stuff up, and it unfortunately makes me think of Rooney Mara's wig fiasco in Fantastic Four. Comparing anything to the abortion of a film that was Fantastic Four probably isn't fair, but all these reshoots and the fact that Whedon is finishing the film is evidently also raising questions over who is going to get director credit for the movie. Sources say that Whedon doesn't want his name on it, but he's already "punched up" the script, and worked to smooth the characters out a bit all while directing the film for the last couple of months. Snyder's set pieces are said to be usable (such a flattering term), but Whedon has been working heavily on "connective tissue" to tie them together.

Anyway, just in case you were feeling kind of comfortable that this whole thing wasn't a big giant mess I figured I'd come and crush all your hopes and dreams. Thank me later.

‘Justice League’ Extensive Reshoots Causing Headaches for Star Schedules (Variety)

Henry Cavill's mustache will need to be digitally removed for Justice League reshoots screenshot



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News:: Gundam Versus launches Perfect Strike, Gusion Rebake and more as DLC

Hope you've got deep wallets, as Bandai Namco has confirmed that five more mobile suits are coming to Gundam Versus as DLC. While there is no confirmation on how the suits will be distributed internationally come September, they will be releasing in Japan throughout August.

That being said, it's a real shame there isn't a bundle option for buying the DLC.

Gundam Versus launches Perfect Strike, Gusion Rebake and more as DLC screenshot

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News:: Lost Sphear, from the developers of I Am Setuna, is out soon in Japan

Square Enix has announced that they now have a set release date for Lost Sphear, their RPG about a boy who is on a quest to save his hometown -- October 12 in Japan. It'll run you 5,800 yen if you decide to pick it up, which you very easily can on the Switch eShop (or by way of a physical import).

Tokyo RPG Factory is also ditching the weird chimera of PC, PS4, and Vita (as they did for Setsuna), as Lost Sphear is only being developed for PS4 and Switch at this time. When it comes to the US release, the PC platform will join that duo in "early 2018," and the west will also be getting physical editions.

If you're pulling the trigger a full list of pre-order bonuses can be found below.

Lost Sphear, from the developers of I Am Setuna, is out soon in Japan screenshot

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News:: We've got more Dissidia Final Fantasy NT closed beta keys right meow

If you missed the first chance, we've got more! Tons this time, you're almost guaranteed to get one. Almost. 

To win yourself a closed beta key, just follow the instructions listed in the widget below. You'll receive an email within a few hours with a confirmation.

No social media accounts or any of that stuff are required to enter. Good luck!   

DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT PS4 Closed Beta Key Giveaway

 

We've got more Dissidia Final Fantasy NT closed beta keys right meow screenshot



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News:: Hey Lugia, you feeling alright?

Missingno. may not be a on the roster for Pokémon GO (although he should be, on coasts), it appears there are still glitches. This one involves one of the legendary Pokémon added recently, Lugia. The face of Pokémon Silver has been captured looking not so, well, legendary by some Japanese Pokémon GOers.

Otherwise this is perhaps a sign that The Pokémon Company is looking to take a new direction with some of their designs. Lugia may look ridiculous all spaghettified like it's approaching a black hole, but it is no worse a change than when they phased out the fat Pikachu for the thin one with a clearly defined head. Just kidding this is glitch, but unfortunately new wave Pikachu is not.

Hey Lugia, you feeling alright? screenshot

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News:: See 14 minutes of adventuring in the next 'Uncharted'

We've been looking forward to Uncharted: The Lost Legacy for awhile, and we know many of you have as well. That's why we're excited about Naughty Dog's announcement today. They've released roughly 14 minutes of gameplay from the August release that features the two main characters exploring the Western Ghats. It's the biggest peek at the game we've gotten so far.

Source: Naughty Dog



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News:: Minecraft for Switch finally gets the ability to run in 1080p when docked

Minecraft: Switch Edition owners have been clamoring for a 1080p update for a while now, and they finally have it. In addition to a ton of bugfixes, 4J Studios has also rolled out an upgrade for Switch.

Now the game will run at 720p in portable mode, and 1080p when docked. Microsoft refrained from pointing fingers in this case at Nintendo (probably because they were right about to announce a massive partnership for cross-play that Sony is out on), basically chalking it up to issues with newer hardware, and how the Switch swaps from portable to docked mode.

The full patch notes are below. Several platforms, including the Xbox One are getting a 4K update this year in addition to the aforementioned cross-play initiative.

Minecraft: Switch Edition [Minecraft Forum]

Minecraft for Switch finally gets the ability to run in 1080p when docked screenshot

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News:: Pokemon Go Fest's global rewards receive time extension

Pokemon Go Fest kinda stumbled, to put it mildly. Severe connectivity problems and other tech issues made the event redundant for a lot of people, despite the awkward on-stage attempts to keep spirits high among the baking, pissed-off attendees.

I'm not really up on Pokemon, I know that Gardevoir's hot, and that's about it. Oh, and Jigglypuff sings you to sleep, right? But I do feel bad for the attendees, a lot of players were very excited for the inaugural (final?) festival and traveled far for the gathering.

Anyway, it was tweeted out today by developers Niantic that the Global Rewards from the ill-fated weekend have been extended by 72 hours. So hopefully this will provide at least some sort of solace for Pokemon Go trainers, attendees or otherwise, who are feeling blue about the whole affair.

You now have until 5pm PDT on July 27 to capitalise on the weekend's rewards. So get out there fellow kids, because you.. umm.. "Have to Catch All of Them."

Pokemon Go Fest's global rewards receive time extension screenshot

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