News:: Get your action-RPG fix on Xbox One with the Path of Exile beta

Quick, before it's too late! Grinding Gear Games is holding an Xbox One closed beta test for its free-to-play action-RPG Path of Exile. The actual beta itself is live and playable, but you'll need to get your name down first to potentially score a key. From the sound of it, the team is sending them out in batches.

This console port will launch with The Fall of Oriath and all prior expansions. "While this expansion completes our storyline (for now), we're not done yet," says managing director Chris Wilson. "Our team is passionate about the world we've created and the fans who join us there. We're committed to bringing even more Path of Exile content to your living room in the coming months and years."

The Xbox One beta is expected to run for the next three weeks, and Grinding Gear will be listening for feedback related to the build's "content, controls, and user interface."

Xbox One beta sign-up [Path of Exile]

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News:: Need for Speed Payback is doing customization a little differently

As familiar as Need for Speed Payback looks -- it's been described as "Need for Speed filtered through the lens of a Hollywood blockbuster" -- I might still be up for it. There's nothing inherently wrong with some mindless action now and again. At least, this speaks to me more than 2015's NFS title.

Following that scripted-looking heist scene out of E3, Ghost Games is showing off customization.

When you're roaming the world, you'll be able to find "derelicts" that you can turn from rusted-out vintage cars to souped-up monsters. And aside from stat-boosting part upgrades, Payback will also let you go overboard with vanity items like underglow, nitrous flames, and even tire smoke.

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News:: Preordering Destiny 2 grants a timed-exclusive exotic laser weapon

Thus far, the only known pre-order bonus for Destiny 2 was early access to the beta that just ended. Now that that's done with, you knew something else would come up. It turns out it's a new exotic weapon in a class all its own.

Coldheart is an exotic trace rifle, which is a new weapon type for Destiny 2. It functions as a continuous beam of energy whose damage increases the longer its on a target. Basically, it's a laser gun, but it's more of a beow laser gun, not a pew pew laser gun.

Though it's called Coldheart, it doesn't deal ice/freeze/cryo damage; that just refers to the cooling necessary to maintain the energy output. It deals arc (electric) damage, and it goes in the new energy weapon slot (that took place of the special weapon slot).

In addition to the new weapon, pre-orders get a salute emote, a dynamic theme, and a "Kill-Tracker Ghost," which sounds interesting. It seems like Ghost shells will have even more functionality than before, where they only provided minor cooldown and in-game economy benefits before. Now it sounds like different Ghosts can track different statistics, perhaps like Rocket League's car parts.

Those who don't pre-order can still get Coldheart, but they'll have to wait until December 5 to get it. There is speculation that this points to the release of Destiny 2's first DLC around that time.

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News:: This free, thoughtful browser game explains why people suck so much

Nicky Case makes games that might just teach you something. There are topics ranging from voting to coming out to two-dimensional matrices. This most recent game hits pretty hard right now, when the world seems bad and people in it seem bad. But it explains how we got where we are using game theory.

Now, the prisoner's dilemma is a pretty well-known concept, but The Evolution of Trust applies it past a simple one-time decision between two individuals to an extended interaction among a population. Not only that, but it also provides an explanation for the famous World War I Christmas truce.

It's disheartening at first; in general the liars, cheaters, or at the very least petty revenge-seekers generally come out ahead in many early scenarios. But it ends on a hopeful note, providing the elements that need to be in play for trust to prevail. It's something we could really use in the world today. Play it.

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News:: Niantic CEO gives date for Moltres and Zapdos, addresses Pokemon Go Fest technical difficulties

Following the bonafide disaster that was Pokémon Go Fest, Niantic CEO John Hanke took to Niantic's blog to address the festival's issues as well as confirm the release date of some new legendary Pokémon.

Moltres will be available between July 31 and August 7, and Zapdos between August 8 and August 14. Lugia and Articuno are already available for players, but Articuno's distribution period ends July 31.

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News:: Overwatch troublemakers to be dealt with 'more aggressively'

Blizzard, wielding a banhammer as mighty as Reinhardt's, have announced a tougher penalty system is to be introduced for misbehaving players of arena-shooter Overwatch.

In the post made today, Blizzard asks players to be vigilant and make use of the in-game report system. Players should be reported for, among other reasons, abusive chat and harassment, griefing, match inactivity and text spamming. Players found guilty of verified shenanigans can be silenced, suspended or even banned completely. The team is also working on a system to inform you of when action has been taken against a player that you have reported.

"Over the next several months, we have plans to make additional improvements based on your feedback," reads the post, which also says the system will include "functionality that will allow us to more aggressively penalize players who attempt to abuse the in-game reporting tool."

The new system will be trialed on PC, but Blizzard are hoping to bring it to the PS4 and Xbox One platforms in the near future, giving those platforms their first opportunity to call out cheeky rascals.

Overwatch improved reporting system [Battle.net]

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News:: The D-Team went on a wild ride in PUBG and I have no clue how we survived

What happens when the D-Team is down one Steven and decides to play more PUBG anyway? Good things, it turns out. Very good things. It's just like they always say: the journey is more important than the chicken dinner, and if you see someone that appears to be AFK, take the dang shot.

This particular Battlegrounds journey begins my preferred way (with a whole lotta reckless early-game punch-outs) and ends with what I can only describe as a fateful motorbike ride. Or, as Ray lovingly puts it, "There's nothing more liberating than two dudes sharing one souped-up hog."

We're still figuring out this whole spinoff channel thing, but we're easing into a consistent  weekly schedule. If you want to keep up with our continued adventures, please do consider tagging along. We've got another full D-Team episode dropping on Friday that you won't want to miss, and also some silly "How the hell did that just happen?" bonus clips lined up for the weekend.

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News:: Walmart cancels early SNES Classic Edition preorders

If you're one of the lucky folks that got a preorder in at Walmart for a Super Nintendo Classic Edition unit last week, you might want to sit down. Walmart is canceling all of the preorders, claiming that it was "mistakenly made available last Friday evening ahead of the official release date." The retailer has started notifying customers today.

Via: Thanks, Robert

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News:: Strike Vector EX is out on PC and BOOM KABLOW ZOOOM

So I am flying through these big girders all like “NEEERRRRRMMM” and I just BARELY managed to grab a single repair kit before the asshole behind me pumped my rear engines full of missiles. I transform my Vector and flip around and fire off my cannon and “BOOM,” fucking blow him to pieces and just barely win the match.

This is a typical description of my time spent with Strike Vector EX, a game all about piloting a boxy looking metal rig around an arena across several multiplayer modes and multiple maps full of health power-ups and blowing up other boxy looking metal rigs in an environment full of even larger boxy looking carrier ships made entirely of girders and caution tape. And it has been a hell of a lot of fun.

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News:: 'The Sims 4' will get weird on consoles November 17th

After an eight year absence, The Sims is coming back to consoles in a very big way. Come November 17th you'll be able to control a virtual society from the couch in The Sims 4 with what sounds the best console installment of the 17 year-old social sandbox series.

Source: EA, PlayStation Blog

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News:: Walmart just canceled all the SNES Classic pre-orders

Last Friday, a lot of people felt a rush of relief when they locked down an SNES Classic pre-order through Walmart's website. Now they're feeling a pang of panic. Walmart just canceled all those pre-orders.

In an email to everyone who ordered an SNES Classic, Walmart explained that the page went live on accident. "Unfortunately, due to a technical glitch, the Super Nintendo Classic Edition was mistakenly made available last Friday evening ahead of the official release date. We, regrettably, will have to cancel this item on your order. We know that this is incredibly disappointing to you, and we’re truly sorry for this mistake," the email reads. The full letter is in the gallery below.

And, we're back to square one for everyone in the United States. No one has a pre-order secured and the playing field is level again. The hunt continues.

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News:: The Nubians are coming to Civilization VI

It has been almost half a year since the last DLC pack for Civilization VI was released, but the wait is finally over. The Nubian kingdom of Kush will be coming to the game with Amanitore leading the cause. She's here to walk like an Egyptian and kick some ass while doing so.

Amanitore's unique unit is the Pitati Archer, a specialized ancient era unit that is faster and stronger than traditional bowmen. Their exclusive structure is the Nubian pyramid, which is a tile improvement that leaches bonuses from adjacent tiles (such as getting more food from a farm or faith from a temple/church). Amanitore also has increased productivity towards creating districts and all ranged units will have faster experience gain (as well as shorter production queues).

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News:: Atari made a baseball cap with speakers, and we're giving 10 away

Here's a wild one: Atari has also partnered with Audiowear to create a baseball-styled cap with built-in speakers, which will also have a limited-edition release with BladeRunner 2049. You read that right! The 1970's old gal even opened an Instagram account. They're getting into the wearables business, I swear this is a real thing that is happening. According to their COO, this might not be the last spinoff Atari lifestyle gadget we'll see, either. They're looking for beta testers to check this out.

We don't know much about the device other than what you see in the gallery below: It's a dark cap, there's a button and a blue light on it for sync, it's rechargeable (we're not sure via what port), there's dual speakers on the flap, it has a microphone, and it connects via bluetooth. You can't really see the speakers unless you're right up in someone's grill. I'm dying to try this thing out in church. In all seriousness, Venturebeat tried one out and noted that the downward-facing speakers aren't easy to eavesdrop on at lower volume levels. Huh.

Honestly, I was full-on ready to hate on this because it's so random and kitsch, but my fat head can't stand jogging with headphones/earbuds or a ghettoblaster over my shoulders. I've got a soft spot for Atari; the 2600 was my first console ever. I'm picking up their new console and following them in awe and confusion. I'm totally gonna review this if I can get my hands on one.

Want one for free? Enthusiast Gaming (our parent company) has ten Atari Speakerhat bundles to give away (10!) which also includes an Atari T-shirt, and the Atari Flashback game collection for PS4 or Xbox One. To enter, just do the social media thing below. Good luck!

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News:: Final Fantasy XV's multiplayer expansion has an online test next week

Square Enix has been releasing a steady stream of content for patient Final Fantasy XV players. Before Episode Ignis hits, you'll be able to get a taste of the upcoming multiplayer mode, Comrades. 

Anyone with the season pass and access to Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus will be able to download the test on August 2. The test will run from August 3 to August 8. 

Got the FFXV Season Pass & PS+/XBL Gold? Then you can take part in the #FFXVComrades Multiplayer Expansion Closed Online Test next week! http://pic.twitter.com/SOV700vBQQ

— Final Fantasy XV (@FFXVEN) July 26, 2017

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News:: Re:Legend is a co-op monster raising RPG that looks cute as heck

Re:Legend is an RPG about raising monsters, farming, and generally chilling on a tropical island. Its developer, Magnus Games, just launched a Kickstarter, and while I don't usually report on crowdfunding campaigns until after the goal gets met, this game is too stinking cute to ignore.

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News:: Dtoid in Japan: Hands-on with Mario Kart Grand Prix VR Arcade

Despite everything cool I saw at E3, an official Nintendo-licensed Mario Kart VR was the most pleasant surprise of the year for me. It sounded too good to be true. A few of us in the press room had to do a triple take to believe it wasn't some weird fan-made homebrew (which by the way has existed since 2014, though I've never bothered). 

Is this real life? I couldn't wait to see what the world's first Nintendo "true" VR game might be like, so here I was ready to get back on the horse, er, kart. No offense to Virtual Boy fans, but I've been patiently waiting 22 years for this moment, and it's finally here. 100% authentic and it's out right now Japan, open to the public at the world's largest VR Arcade, a new facility in Shinjuku. I'm one of the lucky few to have spent all morning there for a chance to play the brand-new Mario Kart VR from start to finish. 

The burning questions I'll try to answer for you today: How does it play, what's the VR like, does it suck, and is it worth the trip to have a life-sized Luigi give you "the look"?

Warning: Minor spoilers follow, with the full track spoiled in the off-camera videos. 

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News:: Overwatch League pro players will earn at least $50,000 a year

Activision Blizzard is taking Overwatch eSports seriously. The Overwatch League begins next year and it completely transforms the face of professional play, tying teams to specific cities around the world and establishing a baseline of player protections, including minimum salaries and benefits. But, Blizzard has kept most details of its new system under wraps -- until today.

Source: Activision Blizzard

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News:: Sony pulls out the big guns for August's PS Plus games

I guess Sony got tired of the criticism about their monthly free games line up, because they've actually pulled out the stops for August. The headliner this month is Just Cause 3, which is just in time to ride off the news of the PC multiplayer mod. Now people can try out the game and possibly go and buy it on PC to screw around with their friends. Maybe I'm overplaying how generous Sony is.

Along with Rico's third outing comes Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry on PS4, the standalone version of the DLC expansion to Black Flag. I've actually played this before on PC and its pretty good. Its nice to see a smaller scale Assassin's Creed game that cuts out the bullshit and gets straight to the game.

On Vita, gamers will see Downwell (cross-buy) and Level 22 and PS3 gamers have Motherload and Snakeball. I'm not really sure what those games are, a part from Downwell, but Destructoid has some reviews for a few of the games. Basically everything this month is worth playing, so that is great.

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News:: Blizzard shut down fan-run World of Warcraft server

A fan-created server, which intended to emulate WoW's popular 2007 Burning Crusade expansion pack, has been closed within hours of going live by Blizzard Entertainment.

The server, a four year work-in-progress by creator Gummy52, was hoping to house a closed community of around 3000 players, but word had spread fast about the emulated server in recent weeks, drawing attention to its upcoming launch. Blizzard issued a cease-and-desist letter to Gummy52, five hours after of the "Felmyst" server's opening. This is similar to an incident just last year in which fan run server "Nostalrius" was also shut down.

Gummy52, who had managed to run a previous WoW server under-the-radar before, released a statement online explaining the situation "Last year's news of what Blizzard was doing came at the absolute worst time for me.. with so many years already invested." They also cite a medical condition as preventing them from hosting in a different country.

"The old game was a great way to meet people and see new faces," the statement continues. "It makes me happy, and programming makes me happy. Of course, I am sad that things didn't turn out the way I'd hoped but I don't think I'd change any of the decisions I made."

This is another one of those situations, where it becomes fan passion vs.. well.. the law. Many home-grown projects are successfully shut down by their respective rights holders, but people still continue to create risky ventures out of their love for various brands.

You can appreciate the heart, drive and talent that spawns these ideas, as they usually come from a good place with no ill intent. At the same time, there is always a shrugging inevitability of the expected outcome, which almost always comes to pass.

It's a shame to see a person's dream crushed, regardless of whether you believe that dream was ill-advised or otherwise. Hopefully Gummy52 can find a more successful project to focus their talent and efforts on in the future.

Blizzard shuts down "legacy" WoW server [Ars Technica]

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News:: Pokémon Go Fest's big flop shows Niantic needs to think bigger

This past weekend's Pokémon Go Fest felt like a bit of a flashback to 2016. Users were having connection problems and couldn't even sign into the game. People were angry, and refunds were doled out. But the truth is that game developer Niantic has spent the past year ironing out those issues, and the game has improved quite a bit. The festival in Chicago was intended as a love letter to those who stuck through it all and kept playing, while also giving the company a chance to unveil long-awaited Legendary Pokémon. Instead, it was a mess that showed the developer is still struggling with unexpected success.

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News:: Are you picking up a New 2DS XL?

Nintendo is going to be pushing the New 2DS XL hard this week. In addition to Miitopia, Hey! Pikmin is also out for the entire 3DS family, which will likely spur some extra in-store sales when people see that there's "another portable" in the mix.

Really, at this point, the 2D limitation is almost a selling point. Nintendo has been winding down the feature in recent years, and we've come full circle now where major first-party games like Hey! Pikmin aren't even supporting it. It makes the decision to pull the trigger that much easier, especially since it'll run graphically intensive or exclusive 3DS games that demand the "New" hardware.

But will those aforementioned games actually sell? Are people just too Switch-crazy to notice that the 3DS still exists? We'll probably know in a little less than a year. The Switch needs to break its 10 million target first (they're basically halfway there), and although we know Reggie's promises mean nothing, he claims that the 3DS will be supported past 2018. I got one, but I also collect these things, and use them frequently on trips (my favorite all-time portable is probably the GBA SP).

If you haven't read our detailed review yet, it might influence you if you were leaning toward a decision one way or another.

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News:: The Sims 4 moves to PS4 and Xbox One this November

Premature retailer listings strike again! Earlier this week, we had a strong hunch that The Sims 4 was coming to Xbox One later this year. EA has just confirmed this and more.

As it turns out, The Sims 4 is actually making its way to both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 this fall. The neighborhood is getting a little bigger and a little more competitive. EA says that November 17 is the release date for both console ports; the PC version originally launched three years ago.

However, in EA fashion, that November 17 due date is flexible. EA Access members can get the game as early as November 9 with the Play First Trial, deluxe edition pre-orderers can get it three days early -- it all just depends on your level of commitment. EA also mentions that some of the PC version's DLC will eventually make its way to consoles, and that "fans can look forward to periodic game updates and extra content releases."

Despite the announcement, EA neglected to confirm a price for The Sims 4 on PS4 and Xbox One. It's currently going for $40 on Origin, so that's probably where we can reasonably expect the console versions to settle in. 

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News:: THQ Nordic to unveil 'brand new post-apocalyptic kung fu-fable open world IP' at Gamescom

Gamescom, that convention that us non-Europeans always forget about until we start getting emails about it, is on the horizon, and THQ Nordic has big plans for it. The phoenix of THQ that's risen from the ashes has been busy this past year or so, picking up multiple "dead" franchises like Darksiders and bringing them back.

In addition to Elex, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, SpellForce 3, Wreckfest, The Guild 3, and Aquanox: Deep Descent, they also have two surprises in store to announce at the show. One is a "brand new post-apocalyptic kung fu-fable open world IP," and the other is a "new installment of a well-known, mysterious, and horrific IP."

Okay, well, the former is what has me the most excited!

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News:: The best game consoles and accessories for your dorm room

Not all of your college fun will involve keggers or games of ultimate frisbee. As the weather gets colder, you might have difficulty tearing yourself out of your dorm, in which case your entertainment options are limited: Host an in-room dance party, Netflix and chill or settle in for a little gaming. In addition to our favorite consoles (no, we couldn't choose just one), we've selected a handful of accessories and must-have titles for our back-to-school guide. Enjoy, and may you do a better job making friends with rival fanboys in real life than you do online.

Source: Engadget's 2017 Buyer's Guide

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News:: Get your creep on with 'digital voyeur simulator' Do Not Feed the Monkeys

Simulation games have always been kind of off-putting to me ever since I begged my parents to buy me Sim Ant from one of those Scholastic Book Fairs at my school back in fourth grade. I played about ten minutes of Sim Ant. Sim Ant is a bad game.

Why simulate an ant when you can simulate a creep with a camera? Enter Do Not Feed the Monkeys, the self-dubbed "digital voyeur simulator" from Fictiorama Studios.

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News:: 3D platformer A Hat in Time is also coming to PS4 and Xbox One

Some of you were wondering about possible console versions of A Hat in Time and I'm right there with you. Today's good word: they're coming! Gears for Breakfast and Humble Bundle (they've gotten into publishing) are bringing the 3D platformer to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One this fall.

So, no Nintendo Switch version (at least not yet).

I've seen enough of A Hat in Time's worlds and traversal abilities that I'm convinced I'll like it. To what extent, I'm not sure, but I'm hopeful I'll come away from this one feeling warm and fuzzy.

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News:: Review: Hey! Pikmin

Pikmin is one of those series that probably wouldn't still exist under a different banner. It's one of Shigeru Miyamoto's babies, an idea he fostered by playing in the wilderness as a child. One he's going to see through until the end.

I didn't love it as much as Miyamoto -- that is until Pikmin 3. After years of casually playing the series I finally "got" it after a few multiplayer sessions with my wife, and I still play its Bingo mode to this day.

If it hasn't clicked for you yet, Hey! Pikmin likely won't change your mind. Unless you like amazingly cute things.

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News:: Capcom is fixing Chun-Li's face in Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite with a day-one patch

Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite is fighting an uphill battle.

In addition to not being able to hear "BERSERKER BARRAGE!" for the first time in a Marvel vs. Capcom game due to a presumed lack of X-Men, Capcom has been also dealing with the fallout surrounding Street Fighter V's lack of content at launch, and pushback regarding its character models.

While there are a few questionable designs, Chun-Li has become the epitome of the blowback -- just check out the below tweet if you want a comparison. "Other" characters are getting alterations too, which presumably includes Dante, who's design has been downgraded somehow from PS3 to PS4.

Infinite is out on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on September 19. I'm still completely unsure on it. Dragon Ball FighterZ stole a lot of its thunder, but that's not even due until 2018 (though a beta will hilariously run right up to Infinite's launch).

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite [Kotaku]

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