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An
Update on Anthem from the Development Team on Reddit offers a
state-of-the-game, reporting what BioWare has learned in the 10 weeks since the
game's release. The announce the release of the version 1.1.0 patch for the
action/RPG, giving an overview and pointing to
this post for
further details. They also say they are going to pump the brakes on some of
their plans for new ACT 1 features. They say they have delivered many of these
already, but they plan to step back on working on the core game before producing
more new features and content. Here's a bit: Act 1 Calendar
While we have delivered many of the Act 1 features on time, we are not going to
hit all the goals on our Act 1
Calendar.
We have been prioritizing things like bug fixes, stability and game flow over
the new features of Act 1. We set aside time for this work, but the reality is
there are more things to fix and improve than we planned for. While this is the
best thing to do for the game, it means some items from the calendar will be
delayed.
Features delayed:
- Mastery System
- Guilds
- Legendary Missions – Phase II
- Weekly Stronghold Challenge
- Leaderboards
- Some Freeplay Events
- Cataclysm
We want to make sure everything we add to the game has a purpose and fits
with our long term goals. When we have information to share on the items above,
we will do so.
Cataclysm
The Cataclysm is an important addition to the game and it’s currently a big
focus for the team. The Cataclysm will bring new challenges and rewards and
pushes the story of Anthem forward. As our work continues, we will share more
with you in May.
Loot
We have heard your concerns around end game loot. We agree that our loot and
progression systems need to be improved and we are working towards this. When we
have more information to share, we will.
NVIDIA announces the release of new version 430.39 WHQL-certified drivers
for GeForce graphics cards running under Windows, saying these are the
game-ready drivers for Mortal Kombat 11. They also
announce new GeForce GTX 16-Series Laptops and
more gaming monitors with G-SYNC compatible validation, saying these are
game-ready for all of those as well. Word is: "Our latest GeForce Game Ready
driver delivers day-one support for Mortal Kombat 11, introduces support for
more G-SYNC Compatible gaming monitors, adds a SLI profile for AnthemTM, and
noticeably improves Vulkan performance in Strange Brigade."
Paradox Interactive and Harebrained Schemes officially announce BATTLETECH:
Urban Warfare, a new DLC pack they first mentioned last year as
part of the BATTLETECH Season Pass. This is taking it to
the streets on June 4th, and is automatically included for owners of that
aforementioned pass. This announcement
trailer accompanies the news, which follows: Paradox Interactive and
Harebrained Schemes today unveiled details for the next big thing to hit
BATTLETECH this summer. Urban Warfare will bring 'Mech combat to the vast
cityscapes of 3025. With electronic warfare, large-scale building destruction,
environmental mechanics, new enemy units and more, the urban sprawl will be a
whole new battlefield on June 4th, BATTLETECH: Urban Warfare is available for
preorder now at the SRP of $19.99 and is also available in the BATTLETECH Season
pass.
City combat is center stage in this expansion, introducing new street features
including blocked lines of sight, collateral damage rules, and all sorts of new
destruction. Weigh the hazards and benefits before going into urban battle,
though - explosions, floods and more await. With new urban challenges, the
return of lost technologies, new ‘Mechs, vehicles, encounters and flashpoints,
Urban Warfare takes the BATTLETECH experience to new, gritty heights.
“Urban Warfare delivers one of the biggest 'Mech combat player fantasies there
is: Fighting it out on the streets and rooftops of epic sci-fi cityscapes,” said
Mitch Gitelman, Co-founder of Harebrained Schemes and Game Director of
BATTLETECH. “The truth is, we've wanted to build city combat environments and
gameplay for years, so we're thrilled to be finally bringing this experience to
BATTLETECH.”
Key features:
- Urban Warfare - Street brawls introduce new
tactical gameplay challenges as ‘Mech combat moves from wide-open natural
landscapes to vast urban sprawls. Every building in the new urban biome is
fully destructible, so you’re never more than a few salvos away from a new
line of sight, or the defensive cover of high-rise rubble. Abandoned
explosive fuel trucks, destroyed coolant exchanger buildings, and broken
electrical transformers that disrupt targeting will drastically change the
battle as you go.
- Electronic Warfare - The return of these
lost technologies will forever change the 31st century battlefield. ‘Mechs
equipped with Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) and nearby friendly units are
obscured from enemy targeting systems, and immune to indirect fire.
Meanwhile, ‘Mechs equipped with Active Probe can reveal, locate, and target
enemy units that would otherwise be hidden.
- Two New BattleMechs - The experimental
Raven 1X sports an advanced electronic warfare package combining ECM and
Active Probe systems into a lightweight component. The Javelin is a
compromise between speed and firepower, with close-range knockout power.
- New Flashpoints - A wide variety of new
branching short stories that link together mercenary missions, crew
conversations, special events, critical choices, and rare bonus rewards.
- Three New Enemy Vehicles - The Tank sports
a variety of weapons to fight at all ranges with speed and agility, the
Packrat is a battlefield support vehicle equipped with a prototype version
of ECM, and the Rotunda is a reconnaissance vehicle equipped with a
prototype version of Active Probe.
- New Encounter - Attack and Defend is a
challenging new mission type where your mercenaries must destroy an enemy’s
base to stop a steady stream of attackers before they can overcome your
forces and knock out your employer’s base.
Continue here to read the full story.
Perfect World Entertainment and Cryptic Studios announce the launch of
Undermountain, the new expansion for
Neverwinter, their
free-to-play Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG. There's a look at Undermountain, but no
underboob in the Official
Launch Trailer, and here's a quick summary of the news: Adventurers
are summoned to Halaster Blackcloak’s enormous dungeon beneath Waterdeep where
they will explore five diverse, new Adventure Zones via the Yawning Portal
social hub. Players will encounter and be guided by the proprietor of the
well-known tavern, Durnan (voiced by Dungeon Master Ruty Rutenberg), and the
Chultan priest of Waukeen, Obaya Uday (voiced by D&D community leader and
founder of Gilding Light, Satine Phoenix). Adventurers in Neverwinter can also
look forward to a level cap increase to 80, an Endgame Dungeon, Class Powers and
Feats overhauls, a revamped Boons system, a richer loot drop experience and tons
more in Undermountain.
Ubisoft announces Sakura, Year 3, Season 2 in For Honor, gets underway on
May 2nd. This will introduce the Hitokiri, a new Dark Samurai hero playable as
either a male or a female. The new character will be immediately playable for
Year 3 Pass owners, while for the unwashed masses this will be able for purchase
starting May 9. The Hitokiri can be seen in
this cinematic reveal
trailer. Here's word: Today, Ubisoft announced that the Hitokiri, a new fearsome warrior,
will be joining the Samurai Faction in For Honor® with the launch of Year 3,
Season 2 on May 2 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One
family of devices and Windows PC. This new Season is the second of For Honor’s
Year 3, which will continue to bring even more Heroes, new maps, seasonal events
and more throughout the year.
The Hitokiri are ghostly warriors who have lost all faith in humanity. They
wander the land clutching their Masakari, the mighty axes they used to sentence
criminals, their presence on the battlefield spreading a black cloud that can
terrify all enemies. This new archetype will have both female and male versions:
Sakura and Yato. The Hitokiri will be immediately playable for all owners of the
Year 3 pass on May 2 10 AM PST, while all other players will be able to unlock
the Hitokiri on May 9 for 15,000 Steel.
In addition, Year 3, Season 2 will introduce additional Hero updates to improve
the roster, focusing on the Lawbringer and on the Raider as well as a new map,
Canopy, that will be added free for all For Honor players on May 2. A first look
at Year 3, Season 2 and the Hitokiri will take place on a special Warrior’s Den
livestream on Thursday, April 25 on the For Honor Twitch channel,
https://www.twitch.tv/forhonorgame.
Continue here to read the full story.
Overhype Studios announces a release date for Warriors of the North, saying
this will come
to Steam on May 9th, offering new content for
Battle
Brothers, their turn-based, tactical RPG. Here's
a trailer showing
off gameplay. Here's the war plan: Wield your weapon of choice and put your armor on, soldier! Overhype Studios
announces today that Warriors of the North, the next DLC for Battle Brothers,
will be released on May 9th for $8.99 / €8.99 / £7.99. This new content expands
the popular turn-based tactical RPG with lots of new content centered in the
cold reaches of the northern region and their inhabitants, the fierce
barbarians.
But that’s not all: new origins for your company of mercenaries, new
contracts and events, and new gear and banners offer a new layer of strategic
depth to Battle Brothers. Legends also talk about a mythical creature, the
Ijirok… Prepare to explore the frozen north and face the barbarians in Warriors
of the North – the challenge will put your battle skills to the test, but
immortal fame and legendary treasures await the victors!
KEY FEATURES
- Pick one of ten different origins for your company
and play as northern barbarians, peasant militia, or a flock of cultists.
Each origin has special rules that shape your campaign into a different
experience from beginning to end.
- Face an entirely new faction of northern
barbarians, complete with their own gear and unique mechanics
- Visit two new legendary locations and fight two
new bosses in a quest that leads to a legendary reward
- Hunt down enemy champions and face them in battle
to claim famed items for yourself
- Dress in style with a collection of new viking and
rus inspired banners, shields, helmets, and armors. Use new weapons and let
loose the new nordic warhound!
- Earn your stay in the north by taking on new
contracts
- Immerse yourself in leading a mercenary company
with even more illustrated events.
- Two new music tracks accompany you on your
adventures.
- Challenge yourself with new achievements
Continue here to read the full story.
Mortal Kombat 11 is now available as promised
on Steam,
offering the Windows edition of this brawler sequel, which is also now available
for consoles. Early players of the game should check out
this clip on
Twitch where the developers at NetherRealm Studios discuss how they are
already working on changes to progression and rewards, based on feedback.
Game Informer has a summary: "The change will come from a behind-the-scenes
tweak that the studio can do in the background, adjusting values of what you
get, rather than in a full patch. A patch requires a much bigger list of tasks
bundled together, so you won't seen an update notification fixing the values, it
will just be different one day." The previously released
launch trailer kicks
things off, and here's the official description of the game: The all new
Custom Character Variations give you unprecedented control of your fighters to
make them your own. The new graphics engine showcases every skull-shattering,
eye-popping moment, bringing you so close to the fight you can feel it.
Featuring a roster of new and returning Klassic Fighters, Mortal Kombat's
best-in-class cinematic story mode continues the epic saga over 25 years in the
making.
Continue here to read the full story.
Ubisoft now offers Fields of Elysium, the first episode The Fate of Atlantis,
the second post-launch story arc of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, adding to the
ever-more complex cascade of content for the sequel. Word is: "Throughout Fields
of Elysium, players will continue their odyssey in the Greek afterlife to
uncover the great mysteries within the ancient realms of the gods."
This post covers the news, and offers
this launch trailer
from last week. Here's a futile attempt to simplify the release news and where
it fits with their DLC roadmap: Fields of Elysium introduces players to
the paradise of Elysium, an otherworldly realm of luscious growth and no
conflict, ruled by the goddess Persephone. As the story unfolds, players uncover
its sinister secrets while trying to unlock the power of the Staff of Hermes to
find a way out of Elysium. Helping Hermes, Persephone's friend Hekate as well as
the human Adonis, players uncover the true nature of Elysium as it inevitably
descends into civil war.
Each of the three episodes of The Fate of Atlantis will introduce new ability
enhancements related to the three branches of the skill tree – Hunter, Warrior
and Assassin. In this first episode, players will discover four new ability
enhancements, including:
- Ares Bull Charge is part of the Warrior branch of
the skill tree, and will summon a projectile that takes the form of a bull
charging forward. The projectile knocks down any enemy it hits and pierces
though them.
- Ares Madness, also part of the Warrior branch of
the skill tree, will allow players to have a new fighting set that
overpowers their enemies for a short period of time.
- Might of Artemis is part of the Hunter branch of
the skill tree. Enemies, when hit by the stun, automatically take critical
damage from any subsequent melee attack for the duration of the stun.
- Kronos Time Warp is part of the Assassin branch of
the skill tree. This ability will grant each head shot additional slowdown
time and higher damage, which is perfect for fighting enemies.
In order to play Fields of Elysium, players will have two different options:
- Following the main game, players will have to
complete the questline Between Two Worlds, the mythological main game story
arc, and Heir of Memories, the Lost Tales of Greece questline that is
available after completing the former questline. Finally, they must have
reached character level 28 or above.
- Otherwise, players will be able to use a shortcut
created specifically for those who would like to play The Fate of Atlantis
and who do not fulfill all the above conditions. Thanks to this shortcut,
players will enter Greece level 52 with preset abilities and resources
enabling them to start their adventure into the afterlife with the Lost
Tales of Greece questline Heir of Memories. They will also have the
opportunity to choose their hero. However, contrary to the previous option,
player progression using the shortcut will not carry over to the main game
save, and they will not be able to obtain achievements.
Continue here to read the full story.
A
thread on ResetEra has
post from 343 Industries on the possibility that Halo Infinite will
include a battle royale mode, a sign of the times that this commands such
attention (thanks
MP1ST). While the post says they don't plan on including a
last-player-standing mode on release, it doesn't rule out adding it at some
point either. Here's word from Frank "Stinkles" O'Connor: We will not
talk about the launch content of Halo Infinite until we're ready. I haven't
watched the video so if I am misinterpreting the headline as "'Halo Infinite is
launching with/as a Halo Battle Royale mode" that is still not the case. You can
probably make your own Battle Royale mode in Forge even right now though. It's a
mode not a genre. And all the variants out there now are in my opinion quite
radically different from my perspective. Apex vs Fortnite is chalk and cheese -
one focuses on movement and map traversal and the other on building and
budgeting. Like CTF. BTB Super Fiesta (for example) contains a lot of the
shenanigans and emergent fun of that kind of large experience but big sandbox
modes are not Battle Royale any more than Oddball is CTF. The launch modes for
MP are not 100% defined and are subject to change till quite late in the process
- but Battle Rifle will still be there. So you can have BR. But are we
interested in big social modes with loads of organic shenanigans? Yes.
Specifically A blimp full of survivors heading to an Island after a
(metaphorical) lecture from Beat Takeshi? No.
We are NOT doing this as of now - and no plans to -- but Battle Royale could be
made for any of the Halo games in MCC or 5 with some content and scripting
additions, because it is a mode. It would have limits based on each engine. I'm
pointing that out to be clear that it's one of the ways we think about gameplay
possibilities rather than a single direction for a title.
Causa, Voices of the Dusk is a new deck-building game coming soon to consoles
and
Steam, offering free-to-play gameplay and cross-platform support. Chilean
indie developer Niebla Games says they've been working on this for a few years
now, thanks to assistance from "multiple Chilean governmental institutions." The
PC edition is heading for a closed beta test next month, and players interested
in participating can sign up on the
Causa Website. This
reveal trailer offers a look at what to expect, and the announcement has
more details: As players embark in the free-to-play Causa, Voices of the
Dusk, they will take on the role of a number of powerful leaders struggling to
make their faction’s ideas prevail. Set in a vast and exotic fantasy world,
players will find opportunities to play in Duel or Story modes. With more than
one way to win, players will have the chance to engage in dynamic and fast-paced
gameplay utilizing a wide array of strategies.
Causa, Voices of the Dusk is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 4, and
XBOX One, and will offer cross-platform capabilities. Causa will be entering a
Closed Beta for PC during May. Players can sign up now for the beta
HERE, and also wishlist the game
in
its recently revealed Steam Store page.
Causa: Voices of the Dusk Main Features
- Original gameplay with unique mechanics
- Different paths to victory
- Pledge allegiance or build your own strategy
- Collect Leaders, cards, gameplay backgrounds and
more
- Explore a vast narrative world in Story Mode
Continue here to read the full story.
The Pepper Prince: Episode 2 - The Sadness is now available
on Steam, offering an indie adventure that uses state-of-the-art ASCII
graphics. As the second episode in the series, this requires ownership of
The Pepper Prince: Episode
1 - Red Hot Chili Wedding to play. There is no video of the new installment,
but you can get a look at the game in action in this
Seasoning 1 - Announcement
Teaser. Here's word on the new chapter and plans for the rest of the series:
Today the award-winning German indie studio Hypnotic Owl releases Episode
2 of their rhyming fairy tale adventure The Pepper Prince. In
Episode 2, you continue as either Hansel or Gretel, helping the titular Pepper
Prince overcome the deep sadness caused by the - SPOILER ALERT! - heartbreaking
ending of Episode 1.
Episode 2 is - as you might expect - again full of silly humor and quirky
rhymes. Expanding the lovely handmade ASCII-art world, you will be able travel
to explore new worlds like the Kingdom of the Sea to solve increasingly
difficult puzzles. Though still not frustratingly hard, Episode 2 contains quite
a few more complex puzzles, introducing the genre-staple of combining items into
new ones. With those greater challenges and the story kicking into gear, Episode
2 has a playtime of about 45 minutes. So if you like retro games and quirky
adventures, The Pepper Prince is for you!
The new episode is delivered in the form of DLC for The Pepper Prince: Seasoning
1. All in all, Seasoning 1 will have 5 episodes, with Episode 3 to 5 (Into Thin
Air, Lover’s Peak, A Royal Descent) to be released over the course of
2019.
Continue here to read the full story.
I recently noted here that I was experiencing so much discomfort in my hamstring
that I was considering limping over to the doctor for a look-see. As I mentioned
when this came up since then in the forums, this seems to have largely taken
care of itself. MrsBlue gave me a foam exercise roller to work out the painful
area at the top of the muscle, which helped a bit with that. As for the area
around my knee, I simply tried to take extra care not to cross my legs oddly, or
do anything that would torque the area at all. It's a surprise for me that a
little additional rest and care was enough to set this right, as I only got to
the point of mentioning it here at the point I was pretty sure my discomfort was
not going to go away on its own. Obviously, I'm not going to complain about
that.
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