Category: Games and Gaming

PUBG Mobile 0.13.0 Update: Hands-On
PUBG Mobile (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) version has received a new update. The latest build 0.13.0 was first announced on the 11th of June by the developers. Tencent Games, the company behind the globally popular mobile iteration of the PC game has also undergone server maintenance to accommodate the new changes. The latest update is a massive download of 1.98GB for Android and 2.45GB on iOS. New features of the latest build are not limited to, Team Deathmatch on EvoGround and gameplay updates for the zombie mode.

Team Deathmatch Hands-On

Team Deathmatch is a game mode derived straight from the popular Call Of Duty franchise, with fast-paced firefights in both FPP and TPP. Custom rooms can also be created for the new mode as well. With the new updates, players now have an option to have separate settings for TPP and FPP in-game. Additionally, a new MVP showcase system at the end of the match has been added, all players will receive a default MVP pose.

PUBG Mobile TDM is set in the warehouse with the entire environment complimenting the game mode. Players can dart back and forth between covers, run through the large ship containers, and have an open firefight in the warehouse itself. The gameplay is rushed and will keep players at the edge of their seats. No moment can be spared as the first team to 40 kills wins the match, so the formula is to grab your preferred gun of choice and gun down the enemy.

The match starts with a couple of seconds allotted for players to equip a gun of their choice along with its attachments. Players character does not need any medical supplies as health is automatically generated once the player stops taking fire for after a few moments. So cover does play an integral part. The map can be used for various vantage points in the map or simply to flank an unsuspecting enemy. MVP’s from the winning team will be featured after the game ends alongside the scoreboard for the entire match.

Other Noteworthy Updates In PUBG Mobile
- Players can now decide if their team-killing squadmates deserve to lose merit or not.
- A new factory map has replaced the police station.
- The key visual design change overall comes from the new Godzilla theme in the lobby background. Many more rewards and events are planned after the update.
- The old zombies from the game mode have now been replaced by 4 new types of the undead; certain tank zombies will empower their allies while Skinners can slow nearby players. However, the mode is still locked for the next couple of hours.
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PUBG Mobile is the highest grossing mobile game ever raking in about $146 million (approx. Rs.10,12,14,50,000) in just May 2019. Tencent Games has cemented its dominance in the market with its constant content updates through cosmetics and events that have a massive appeal in the Indian market as well.
June 12, 2019
Nintendo Roundup At E3

Nintendo’s keynote at E3 2019 went by in a flurry of new announcements. Some much-awaited titles have been further delayed, while other rumours have been since confirmed. The Japanese video game developer took the stage on the exact date as last year to talk about its share of promised new content for its loyal fanbase.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Sequel Confirmed

One of Nintendo’s most popular game franchise till date has been confirmed on getting a sequel. The game of the year winning title for 2017, had garnered critical acclaim in the gaming community for its breath-taking visual style and art forms. The company has not revealed any solid details apart from the video confirming the title currently being under development.

The Dark Crystal

Nintendo’s portable gaming console, the Switch, is receiving a new turn-based strategy game. The title will be based in the same universe as Netflix’s prequel called The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. The game is set on a fictional planet with different races and in the reveal, the trailer looks unique in its own right. The exact release has not been specified but will be available for purchase later on in 2019.

The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Unlike its mature-themed main storyline version, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening has a lot more cartoonish aesthetics going for it. The title is set to launch on 20th September 2019 and will feature great new visuals and game designs. New game modes will allow players to design their very own dungeon to challenge and run through.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Port

The award-winning title from one of the gaming industries most beloved studio’s, CD Projekt Red, is receiving a port. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is touted to be one of the best role-playing game (RPG) ever made. In late 2019, the game will finally receive a port to Nintendo’s Handheld Console, the Switch, giving players the ability to explore the rich world within the game on the go.

Resident Evil Port

Adding on to the already large catalogue of supported games on the Nintendo Switch, two more of Resident Evil series title have now been ported as well. The 5th and 6th instalment in the horror-action genre of the shooter wasn’t received as warmly as its predecessors but still sold relatively well. Both games will be launching this fall 2019.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

The underrated title from Nintendo receives its latest entry, that jumpstarts the franchise again with a myriad of new features. A blend of horror and comedy go hand-in-hand as seen as the trailer with more physical gameplay that allows players to tackle ghosts. The new instalment in the series now supports a co-op system, allowing for a friend to tag along as the squishy Gooigi. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will hit the shelves later in the year on the Switch.

Daemon X Machina

The game that was teased last year finally receives a trailer and it is exciting, to say the least. The game releases this September on the 13th and will feature warring mechs (giant fighting robots piloted by humans) go up against each other and large mechanical behemoths. This trailer was one of the few that garnered notable anticipation within the audience.

No More Heroes 3

The sequel to the 2nd entry in the franchise, No More Heroes 3 will pick up right after it infamously disliked ending with the predecessor. The game is as over the top as the previous titles and will feature the return of eccentric and highly amusing characters. Notably, the game in a bizarre manner will now also have flying mechs involved. Players will take control of Travis Touchdown again after the game releases in 2020.

Banjo-Kazooie Debut In Super Smash Bros

Super Smash Bros Ultimate, the title where many of the gaming community’s favourite character brawl it out for victory, receives a new set of characters. The fan favourites from Dragon Quest, Banjo-Kazooie are arriving in the game this fall and will bring new levels of fun-filled antics to the family-friendly franchise.

Panzer Dragoon

Nintendo is remaking the iconic Sega Saturn consoles shooter, Panzer Dragoon, for the Switch. The new version will feature updated visual fidelity alongside enhanced gameplay for new the generation and for the most part, will remain true to the original title. The expected launch date is year-end 2019.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Gamers that still have a Pokéball Plus in their homes can still make use of them. The upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Switch will not be controlled by the Pokéball, however, unlike Let’s Go. Now critters can be taken out of the game and into the real world, earning players various bonuses.

Cadence of Hyrule

Cadence of Hyrule took the world by surprise with its art styles and forms that make the game resemble an Indie development and not a AAA title. The musical spinoff of the Zelda franchise will launch relatively early, shipping to Switch on 13th June 2019.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The long-awaited title from Nintendo that was previously supposed to launch this year has received a delay. Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch will now be available on 20h March 2020. The title still carries the series iconic art style albeit in a more updated form that makes it look gorgeous in a cartoonish manner. Players are now tasked with building up a community on a deserted island with the latest entry.

Alien: Isolation and Dauntless Ports

Two of the new ports that have been announced caught everyone by surprise, welcomed nonetheless. Alien: Isolation, the terrifying horror game with the classic Xenomorph is arriving to Switch. It will be joined by the recent free-to-play monster-slaying title, Dauntless, that only recently received a port from PC to consoles. Both games will be available in late 2019.

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Nintendo with its new announcements in the worlds largest gaming expo, E3 2019, is on its way to a jam-packed schedule for new releases and remakes. The company that manufactures its own handheld consoles have still remained relevant in the industry through its iconic games that have also withstood the test of time so far.

June 12, 2019
Ubisoft Roundup At E3

Ubisoft’s keynote at E3 2019 gaming expo, has showcased a diverse lineup of new games along with the latest iterations of popular titles. The stage for the French video game developer also showcased a healthy criticism of game development of this day and age with a documentary. Additionally, apart from just game titles, the publisher announced details on a new TV show and a PC subscription service.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint

Ghost Recon Breakpoint has already been confirmed to be under development before E3 2019. However, Ubisoft announced the official release date of the new iteration of the Ghost Recon series. October 4th is the date the action-packed shooter will hit the global shelves. Jon Bernthal, most famously known for his work as the Punisher, will play as the main antagonist. Interestingly enough, the American made an appearance on Ubisoft’s E3 Stage with a dog by his side.

Watch Dogs Legion

The third iteration of the Watch Dogs title finally gets confirmed with the new reveal trailer by Ubisoft. The company in a bold move shifts the focus of the third entry into the near-future post-Brexit London. The key feature that sets the new title apart from its predecessors is the ability to control virtually any character in the game. This lets players build up a squad of hacking vigilantes from different demographics and skills. Watch Dogs Legion will be released on March 2020.

Assassin’s Creed Odysseys Story Creator & Educational Mode

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey from 2018 took the popular franchise to a historic Greek setting. This instalment of Assassin’s Creed is now receiving new features to add a more in-depth customisation system for the players. Story Creator mode allows players to design their own quests using the web-based tool that is already available for free in open beta. Ubisoft is also planning another mode dubbed, “Discovery” that will be similar to Assassin’s Creed Origins accomplished Education mode.

Rainbox Six Quarantine

It has been a while since a fresh entry appeared in Ubisoft’s Rainbox Six franchise of tactical shooters. The upcoming co-op game was teased by the company at E3 and had showcased playable characters from Rainbox Six Siege making an appearance in the new title. Rainbox Six Quarantine is a squad-based survival first-person shooter that is being developed by a new dedicated team at Ubisoft’s Montreal studio and will release in early 2020.

Roller Champions

Stepping away from the recognizable game titles, Ubisoft unveiled a fresh unexpected title. Roller Champions is a competitive multiplayer game with the roller derby game as the main setting. Giving off a futuristic aesthetic with interesting characters, the game will also be free-to-play at launch. A release date has not been given but is rumoured to be in 2020.

Gods & Monsters

Ubisoft’s team behind Assassin’s Creed Odyssey have been working on a brand new game titled Gods & Monsters. While the Assasin’s game featured Greek history, the new title will dive into Greek mythology. The game is, ever so slightly, in resemblance to Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. This is in great taste for both the Nintendo title and Ubisoft game look gorgeous with their unique art styles and environment renditions. The game is set to launch on 25th February 2020.

The Division Movie

Not a lot of information regarding the upcoming division movie has been unveiled. Apart from the lead star, Jake Gyllenhaal that will also be seen in Spiderman: Far From Home, only the movie’s platform has been discerned. The movie has no official release date but will be available for streaming on Netflix.

Ubisoft’s PC Subscription Service

Ubisoft at E3 announced its own take of the PC game subscription plans that have been going about. The company unveiled UPlay Plus that cost $14.99 (approx. Rs.1,000)per month and will offer customers access to more than 100 Ubisoft game titles and DLCs. The subscription will be available starting from 3rd September 2019.

Also Read: Square Enix Roundup At E3

Ubisoft has come a long way from its past missteps at E3 that had it face accusations ranging from false advertising to poor after sales service. The game developer and publisher has made great efforts in the pro-consumer form of business strategies. This dedication to its community and good service with popular games and constant new titles will ensure its longevity in the highly competitive gaming market.

June 11, 2019
Square Enix Roundup At E3

Square Enix has a lot to prove at E3, the largest gaming expo in the world. The Japanese video game developer has kept its loyal fans waiting for its Final Fantasy VII Remake and Avengers titles. Square Enix has announced the release date for both the games. Announcements were made for further titles in Final Fantasy series to also receive remakes and remasters (namely Final Fantasy VIII). Additionally, the franchise’s iconic music is now available for streaming online.

The Avengers

Reports had already confirmed Crystal Dynamics studio collaborating with Eidos Montreal for an upcoming Avengers game. A first look was given to the world through a trailer after years going by since the announcement of its development. Actual gameplay can be seen in the trailer with the heroes in all their glory, capes, and superpowers. The Avengers game is scheduled for a May 2020 launch.

Final Fantasy VII

One of the most critically acclaimed game in the Final Fantasy series, the 7th title still holds a special appeal to RPG (Role Playing Game) lovers. Loyal fans have asked for the remake of the 22-year-old game for a while now. Square Enix has dropped trailers and teasers since the announcement of the remake at E3 2015. The game now features a robust action-oriented combat system with the return of fan favourite characters like Cloud, Tifa and Sephiroth.

Outriders

A new co-op action game has been announced by Square Enix. The creators of the popular shooter Bulletstorm are working on the new title. Outriders is “set in an original dark and desperate sci-fi universe,” with drop-in an and drop-out co-op feature similar to many live always online game services like Destiny 2 from Blizzard and The Divison 2 by Ubisoft. The game will launch in summer of 2020.

Final Fantasy VIII

The 8th instalment in the Final Fantasy series that came after the extremely popular 7th game finally gets the attention it deserves. Final Fantasy VIII will be available on Steam later on this year alongside its PS4, Nintendo Switch, And Xbox One release later this year.

Oninaki

Tokyo RPG factory, famous for its Japanese styled RPGs or JRPGs, has announced its third title release at Square Enix E3 stage. The studio behind I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphear takes a slightly different approach with its latest game in the same genre. Oninaki is an action RPG with the players controlling a character “whose duty is to usher souls into the next world.” The trailer showcases some gorgeous art styles similar to most JRPGs. The game will be released on Steam, Switch, PS4 on 22nd August 2019.

Final Fantasy Chronicles

Square Enix announced a remastered edition of Crystal Chronicles, which originally released on the Nintendo Gamecube. Apart from the fresh new aesthetical changes, the game will now feature an online multiplayer. The remaster will ship to platforms such as the PS4, Switch, iOS, and Android. The title will arrive this winter.

Square Enix has been reeling from a disappointing E3 event and lacklustre performance in 2018. On stage, this year the company has a lot on its roaster for its loyal fans with the hope to recapture the glory of its past days with the new remasters and remakes of its most popular tiles.

June 11, 2019
Microsoft Xbox 2020 Leaked To Arrive In Two Variants

Shortly after Project Scarlett was announced at the E3 Gaming Convention 2019, leaks and rumours have shrouded Microsoft’s upcoming gaming console in mystery. The next iteration of the Xbox is expected to define a new era in console gaming. For instance, it is speculated that the upcoming Xbox will support 8K gaming, 120 fps and ray tracing technology. Microsoft has named it Project Scarlett, and more information regarding the gaming console is expected to be available soon. However, a user on social media website Reddit has revealed some key information regarding the upcoming Xbox.

The leaks state that the next generation gaming console will officially be named the Xbox V. Furthermore, the company will announce not one, but two consoles and the specced-up variant of the Xbox V will be called the Xbox VX. Where the toned down variant of Microsoft’s gaming console is speculated to be priced at US$ 400 (~INR 27,800), the Xbox VX will most likely be priced at US$ 500 (~INR 34,800).

The Xbox V will not include a disk drive, which explains the lower pricing of the same. Additionally, the console will also compromise on some other hardware specifications, implying that Microsoft wants to take on the cheaper variant of Sony’s PlayStation 5 when it will be announced. On the other hand, the more powerful Xbox VX will feature an inbuilt disk drive, 4K support, and a Blu-Ray reader. Both variants of the Xbox will have 1TB of internal storage by default. The 2TB variant of both consoles will be priced at US$ 100 more than the price of the base variants.

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The leak source further states that Microsoft has some exclusive game titles that are lined up for a later release. However, the American company may not unveil any information regarding the games anytime soon since it is more focused on strengthening its current lineup of games. Lastly, the speculated Xbox V and Xbox VX are expected to be released in the month of November 2020. Going by the leaks, the project was named Scarlet but infact the code names of both the consoles are “Lockhart” and “Anaconda”. Note that the information mentioned above is solely based on a leak, so it’s wise that it should be taken with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, a clash of the consoles is apparent in 2020, so interested fans might just have to wait.

June 11, 2019
Bethesda Roundup E3 2019

Bethesda Game Studio’s kicked off its E3 2019 announcements with the keynote on June 9th. The keynote featured some great reveals and information regarding a lot the studios much-awaited game titles and projects. Bethesda however, has decided to not give out any details regarding The Elder Scrolls VI and Starfield, two of its arguably best titles.

Project Orion

With the advent of game streaming services arrival to mainstream audiences and markets globally, Bethesda announced its own stance on it. Orion is a software that essentially optimizes game engines for online streaming services. It will make games run better on streaming platforms like Google’s Stadia and Microsoft xCloud. The selling point is the fact that it can reduce latency by upto 20% per frame and lower the bandwidth demands by an impressive 40% as claimed by Bethesda. The software is open to any platform and will be compatible with any game engine as said by the company.

Doom Eternal Release Date

Doom Eternal will be one of the first few new titles that will bring the debut wave of many game streaming services. The company showcased this feature by playing Doom on a mobile platform. A new trailer of the run-and-gun shooter game has been unveiled with its new story. Exciting new locations were seen in the trailer with many more demons to slay. November 22nd is the official release date in the year-end of 2019.

Arkane’s Deathloop

https://youtu.be/MXv5IDp8y74

The live press conference by Bethesda unveiled a fresh new game title, an always welcomed sight in the industry. Arkane studios best known for its critically acclaimed Dishonored series is back with a new take on its action-adventure genre of games. Deathloop will be from a first-person perspective that will have two assassins, primarily, fighting in an ‘eternal struggle’. The focus of the campaign will have players explore environments hunt down targets all over the island to put an end to the endless cycle of death and revival.

Wolfenstein: Young Blood

Bethesda’s announcement last year of the upcoming Wolfenstein spin-off game finally got an actual release date. Wolfenstein: Youngblood is launching on July 26th on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC and Nintendo Switch. The game will bring a unique 80s vibe to the game with an emphasis on co-op form of gameplay.

Elder Scrolls On The Switch

https://youtu.be/wev_raLJ6PM

Bethesda is seeking to bring its hit mobile version of its famous game title Elder Scrolls to the Nintendo Switch. Elder Scrolls: Blades, was recently launched to the mobile on open beta. The game is a free-to-play dungeon crawler that will ship with cross-play compatibility and cross-progression with its existing mobile variants.

Major Fallout 76 Update

The infamous entry to the popular Fallout series, Fallout 76, is an always online co-op and quest based looter-shooter. The game has received major backlash from gamers and media globally due to false advertising, buggy gameplay, lag and the worst of all predatory form of monetisation in a paid game. This update will seek to revert the negative PR with NPCs from the hit single player titles making an entry, seeking to branch out more storylines with new quests. ‘Wastelands’, the new update, will also bring a 52-person battle royale mode called “Nuclear Winter”.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Shinji Mikami at Bethesda’s E3 keynote revealed his studio’s next big project. Ghostwire: Tokyo is an action-adventure game title. The premise revolves around a horror setting with people mysteriously vanishing in the city of Tokyo. Although, even if it is a horror game by the Resident Evil creator, it will highlight action-oriented combat as a key point in gameplay. Shinji Mikami’s Tango Gameworks latest work includes The Evil Within series.

Commander Keen Mobile

https://youtu.be/FtQjGPfkEe8

The 90s hit side-scrolling action game Commander Keen is being revisited. However, the title is gonna be different from the past with its new free-to-play tag. The cartoon-styled mobile game will receive a soft launch this summer on both the Android and iOS.

Rage 2 Expansion

Rage 2 is receiving a big expansion dubbed the “rise of the ghosts”. The post-apocalyptic first-person shooter gets an addition of new quests, weaponry, and vehicles. The most anticipated addition in gameplay is the new mech suits. Release date is still uncertain but it is confirmed to hit the shelf later on in this year 2019.

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Bethesda with its diverse lineup of new game entries and healthy updates to pre-existing titles seek to undo the negative press it had garnered over the past year. Tell us about your favourite upcoming game title that you look forward to experiencing in the comment section below.

June 10, 2019
Halo Infinite 2020 Xbox, PC Trailer Released

Halo, the almost two-decade long-running series will launch its latest entry in fall 2020. The multi-billion dollar franchise that comprises of video games, feature films, and novels will culminate the vast and detailed storyline in its 6th title in the main story. The legendary first-person shooter game that cemented many of the fundamentals of the genre will be the launch title for the new generation Xbox.

Microsoft initially teased Halo Infinite at E3 in 2018. It unveiled the game studio’s plan on going back to the original artwork and styling like the first three games in the series. The trailer at E3 has given the iconic Master Chief (the protagonist) a lot more screen time. The Chief was seen slotting in Cortana’s chip into his helmet, with her voice also being heard later at the Control Room, suggesting her possible return.

Halo Infinite will launch alongside the company’s next-generation consoles, codenamed Project Scarlet. The game will also be available to Xbox One and, for the first time since Halo 2, on PCs. Microsoft earlier in the year announced the entire lineup of the Halo franchise will be ported to PC. In the new trailer, an unnamed engineer is seen resuscitating the Spartan, Master Chief.

343 Industries, the team behind the game states that Halo Infinite will be a “spiritual reboot” of Halo. The game will feature new characters and a “perfect starting point” for new players. This implies that the game would be set on the titular Halo ring just like the first title 20 years ago.

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The story will bring distinct challenges for the Master Chief along with new and repeating characters. Halo Infinite is rumoured to be an open-world version of Halo. The game will run on the new Slipspace Engine developed by 343 Industries. This will provide ample power for future Halo entries and experiences. Glimpses of the engine’s capabilities are seen in the trailers that carry the “in-game captured footage” tag.

June 10, 2019
Cyberpunk 2077 Trailer Revealed At E3 2019

Among the many announcements at E3 2019, one of the biggest so far is the cinematic trailer and the release date of Cyberpunk 2077. The anticipation for the game has played a key role in building up the hype. Microsoft, the game’s publisher has revealed that the game will be released on April 16, 2020. And, the game trailer features Keanu Reeves.

The Cyberpunk 2077 game trailer retains the original elements of the Cyberpunk universe, including neon billboards and a futuristic appearance. Set in the fictional metropolis called Night City, the game can be stated as a continuation of the Cyberpunk board game and Cyberpunk 2020 released in the year 1988 and 1990 respectively. Apparently, criminal activity is common in the city. The game’s protagonist is named V, and he is a customizable mercenary who fights for (and against) street gangs. A lot of sci-fi elements are sure to be unveiled with time.

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The game’s developer studio, CD Projekt Red previously released the Witcher 3 in the year 2015, which received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and went on to earn the title of the ‘Game of The Year 2015’. And on top of that, Keanu Reeves is a part of Cyberpunk 2077. The actor is known for his roles in movies like the John Wick series, Speed and the Matrix. He appeared on the stage during the announcement and discussed how the game developers approached him regarding the game. Hopefully, Cyberpunk 2077 will turn out to follow the same lines of the Witcher series, even though it is a huge shift from the ancient-fantasy setting of the aforementioned game.

June 10, 2019
Microsoft Xbox Project Scarlett Detailed

At the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3 as it is generally called; American technology giant Microsoft has revealed key details about its next-generation Xbox gaming console. Codenamed Project Scarlett, the device will be the successor to the Xbox One X gaming console released in the year 2017. It will also go head to head with the upcoming PlayStation by Sony, details of which were released a while ago. The details about the new Xbox were unveiled via a video shared by the company.

Microsoft Project Scarlett

As mentioned above, the newest generation Xbox or Project Scarlett will be Microsoft’s flagship gaming console. This insinuates that a smaller device, likely to be a successor to the Xbox One S might also be released with Project Scarlett. According to the company, the upcoming device will have a custom designed CPU; based on the Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture by AMD. Microsoft claims it will be up to four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, which is still the most powerful gaming console on the market. To improve the resolution and framerates while gaming, the console will use the latest GDDR6 RAM.

Also read: Nokia Reportedly Plans On Releasing Two 5G Smartphones In Q3 Of 2019

The upcoming Project Scarlett gaming console will also have support for 8K gaming, with framerates up to 120fps in games. Like the upcoming PlayStation 5, it will also feature ray tracing and have a variable refresh rate support. The upcoming device from Microsoft will also use an SSD as virtual RAM which is touted to reduce game load times and increased speeds. According to the company, all the aforementioned upgrades will increase performance by 40x over the current generation. While Microsoft has not announced a particular launch date for the Project Scarlet gaming console; but it has revealed the device will launch in the second half of 2020. For the beginning, the gaming title Halo: Infinite has been exhibited to be available for the console at launch.

June 10, 2019
PUBG Lite Confirmed To Launch In India Soon

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) took the world by storm when it launched in March of 2017. The game brought the widely popular Battle Royale genre of gaming to the global mainstream audience. The game took inspirations from various games and mods like H1Z1 and Arma II mods. Now a Lite version of the original game that was tested in some countries will most likely see its debut in India by the end of June 2019.

PUBG wasn’t as successful in India due to its high cost of entry (Rs.1,000 then) and high system requirements to actually play it on PCs. However, where the company struck gold is the mobile platform with PUBG mobile. India is the second largest market for smartphones in the world; naturally, a large player base and fan following was gained in the southeastern country. Bluehole, the company behind the original PUBG seeking to lower the aforementioned barriers of entry for many of the Asian countries made a new free Lite version of the PC game.

PUBG Lite is a free-to-play entry in the BR franchise that carries, for the most part, the formula and gameplay of the original game along with watered down graphics for a broader PC units compatibility. The BR game is an online last-man-standing survival looter shooter that can be played solo, duo or in teams of four. The original game is notorious for its massive RAM and processing power remands that left out low-end PCs from even attempting to run the game. Only the higher-end PCs could deliver the complete full gameplay experience of visual fidelity and fast-paced action.

Also Read: Asus To Launch The ZenFone 6 In India As Asus 6Z On The 19th Of June

Bluehole Corporation launched PUBG Lite back in the month of January and so far has only been available in countries such as Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. The game is now rumoured to release by the end of June 2019. Reports claim the date could be around June 25th, right about the time when the famous Steam sale hits the Valve store. Tencent, the company famously credited for porting the PC game to the mobile platform is also in the works of releasing PUBG Mobile Lite which starts its testing in India.

June 8, 2019
Google Stadia Price And Launch Date Revealed

Google, ahead of the gaming expo E3 2019, has unveiled the details for its new game streaming service. The company’s announcement in March for Google Stadia had left out many of the finer details that have since been disclosed. Google will directly compete with companies like Sony and Microsoft, that are suddenly dealing with a new platform that had no hardware limitations, in the widely popular and ever-growing cloud based gaming market.

Google Stadia is confirmed to launch in November 2019. 14 regions will be in the first wave of countries to receive the game streaming service, such as the US and Canada. 31 games from 21 different publishers will be available at the initial launch with the “Founder’s Edition”. The special edition will cost $130 (approx. Rs.9,000) for a hardware starter kit (bundling a $70 or Rs.4,000 controller) with 3 months of premium service, and a $10/per month (approx. Rs.700) after the complimentary period ends.

The company has only announced the pricing of one tier in Google Stadia’s subscription options. Stadia Pro that is priced at $99.9 (approx. Rs.7,000) will offer 4K gaming at 60fps streaming with HDR and 5.1 surround sound. This pack requires a stable 35Mbps of bandwidth connectivity. Google Stadia promises more games in its free category alongside exclusive discounts on games. A Standard edition is being prepared as well, with no details given on that version, more information might be revealed at E3 2019.

Google is also planning a separate free tier that will be seen sometime in 2020. Pre-orders for the “Founder’s Edition” of Google Stadia are now open in 14 countries that receive the service first. The quality of this service is yet to be determined in the real world since Stadia has only been seen in action under controlled environments. Stadia should not be grouped with services like Netflix, in which users pay a monthly subscription and watch movies or a series. Google only offers a platform in which users can buy the games that they wish to play, along with a monthly fee for the online service. The only game that comes free with just the subscription is Destiny 2 by Blizzard-Activision, as of right now.

Google Stadia in practice is closer in resemblance to Steam, the digital game store by Valve. Apart from the 31 game titles at launch, like Mortal Kombat 11 and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, more games will be added eventually along the way. However, it is still unclear if Google Stadia will be a host for games developed exclusively for the platform. Notably, the $130 price tag for early buyers is still a cheaper alternative to any gaming console currently available in the market, namely PS4 and Xbox One. Google is currently bundling the Chromecast Ultra that plugs into TVs with a limited-edition dark blue version of Stadia’s controller.

Also Read: iPhones Valued At $19 Million Stolen By ‘Fraud Ring’

The cross-platform streaming of games from Xbox allows users to play on any PC, Pixel 3 or 3a device (Google plans on supporting more smartphones soon) or Chromecast TVs. Google Stadia has led Microsoft and Sony to develop their own game streaming services such as xCloud and PlayStation Now respectively. A move just to stay relevant in the market and in the future. With the advent of network advancements like 5G, digital media is growing at an ever-increasing pace.

June 7, 2019
Sony PlayStation 5 Details Revealed By Company CEO

Sony may have stated that no big announcements will be made at E3 2019, but on the other hand, fans are getting their fair share of PS5 details from the company itself. Previously, company officials revealed key pieces of information regarding the upcoming console. The loading speed of games on the PlayStation 5 was also compared to that of PlayStation 4, in which PS5 beat the PS4 by a huge margin. As per latest reports, Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment has also revealed that the ‘PlayStation Now’ game streaming service will be ‘taken to the next level’ with the next generation Playstation amongst other upgrades.

As per sources, the Japanese company also plans to introduce Cross-Generational play with the successor of the PS4. With cross-generational play, players can simply switch to a new console and continue playing their game of interest from the point where it was left off. This implies that it won’t matter to Sony’s servers what device players are using. The friend list will be retained across all the consoles including the PlayStation 5, no matter what.

Sony’s CEO also stated that the company has an active user base of 94 million players, out of which 36 million players have an active Sony PlayStation Plus subscription. To hold on to such a huge player base, the company plans to include a custom-designed SSD (Solid State Drive) in the console to make games load faster. In terms of graphics, it will offer HD 4K graphics at a staggering 120Hz refresh rate, Jim Ryan added.

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The PlayStation 5 is expected to sport 3D audio technology, which will enable gamers to have immersive gaming experience. Last but not least, some new PS5 games may support Ray Tracing. Ray Tracing simulates the interaction of real-world light with real-time objects in the game, which leads to lifelike graphics rendering. Battlefield 5 was the first game to support Ray Tracing on NIVIDA RTX powered PCs, and we can expect developers to release more titles in accordance with Ray Tracing technology if consoles start supporting it too.

June 6, 2019
Samsung Collaborating With AMD For Radeon Graphics On Its Smartphones

The gaming industry is currently valued at an estimated $93 Billion, with mobile gaming accounting for the largest piece of the pie. American chip manufacturer AMD and Samsung have announced their partnership for upcoming smartphone graphics. Looking at the pace at which the mobile gaming industry is growing, it was only a matter of time until tech giants like AMD had the aforementioned sector in their sights.

Previously, the video game industry used to be a small part of the entertainment business but now, it is one of the major forefronts for digital media. In the year 2018, the gaming industry raked up the same amount of revenue as the US film industry. Unlike in the past when development teams and investment were low and the return profitable, now a dedicated highly qualified team works on a million-dollar project just for the sake of development.

Samsung alongside AMD confirmed the joint venture in a common report. The partnership will see the development of a new ultra-low power high-performance graphics technology. AMD is confirmed to have licensed its proprietary graphical technology to Samsung for use in future mobile chipsets. The South Korean giant will reportedly pay for AMD’s brand new recently announced RDNA graphics architecture.

This will mark a new market for AMD to capitalize on. The graphics technology from team Red will seek to replace the ARM-based Mali GPUs that are found in the Exynos chipsets. Samsung’s strategy to retail different chipsets in different countries may lead to certain countries not witnessing the aforementioned architecture. Most countries are receiving the Exynos chipset while US, Canada, China, Japan and Latin America receive the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors with Adreno GPUs.

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It can be noted that AMD previously owned the Adreno GPU technology before it sold its graphics division to Qualcomm in 2009. Radeon graphics are renowned for its desktop GPU lineup and incorporation in game consoles like PS4 and Xbox One. Its architecture is also being optimized in upcoming Google Stadia, the cloud gaming service.

June 4, 2019
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare Trailer Reverts The Series Back To Its Roots

We get dirty, so that the World stays clean

Activision’s vision of a game closer to reality has never looked so good, as showcased in the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare reveal trailer that was released on May 30, 2019. The franchise can be deemed nothing less than legendary, and while the reviews of the previous iterations of the game have been dwindling in quality, Modern Warfare aims to take the player back to the roots.

The trailer is centred around the ‘golden’ CoD character, Captain John Price, who is one of the more prominent faces of the franchise. It is expected that other characters such as John “Soap” MacTavish and Derek “Frost” Westbrook will also make an appearance in the reboot. The trailer showcases scenarios that are heavily relatable to the current state of the world in some cases. Terrorism and bio-chemical wars are just two of the threats that were poised in the trailer.

One significant fact is the return of the original developers, Infinity Ward back to the franchise. As per reports, the core developer and design teams working on the game (including developers from Naughty Dog) are focusing on the emotional impact that the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare can have on the players. Infinity Ward co-head stated that the story designers will aim to be sensitive and edgy at the same time. Since the game is based on real world headlines and events, it is expected to feature psychological warfare along with dictating villains and a rich dose of violence.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
The trailer further reveals that the storyline of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare can be experienced from two separate perspectives. The player can play as a lethal Tier-1 Marine with a complete set of weapons and equipment, or he can play as a freedom fighter in the Middle-eastern region. Similar to the previous games, the players can call in airstrikes, perks and care packages to strengthen their position.

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The game is scheduled for launch on October 25, 2019. Additionally, Infinity Ward revealed that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will support cross play across all major platforms, which may be a major upside to the game. Furthermore, more information regarding the gameplay and the game itself is expected to be revealed at the E3 2019, which will start June 11 onwards. And we can all hope to catch some more glimpses of old characters from the previous Modern Warfare games, because the end of the trailer packs a clue too obvious to ignore.

Who’s your team?

Some Old Comrades

Watch the official reveal trailer of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare below

May 31, 2019
A 16 Year Old Dies After Allegedly Playing PUBG Mobile For Six Hours

Chinese conglomerate Tencent released the game PUBG Mobile for Android and iOS last year. The game was the mobile adaptation of the renowned battle royale title PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). Since its release on smartphones, the game has seen an unexpected spike in its popularity which eventually led to a few cities in India going as far ahead to ban PUBG Mobile completely. Now, reports have surfaced that a 16-year-old boy from Madhya Pradesh has died; after allegedly playing the battle royale game for six hours on a stretch.

About the case

According to the report from a reputable media house, 16-year-old Furkan Quereshi of the Neemuch town in Madhya Pradesh died; after playing PUBG Mobile continuously for six hours. The incident occurred after he lost a game, became agitated and started shouting at his teammates. It is then claimed that he collapsed on the floor, after which when his family took him to the hospital, the doctors declared him dead on arrival. The boy started playing the game after lunch on the 26th of May, and the aforementioned incident happened at around 7 PM. His brother claims that he was addicted to PUBG Mobile, playing close to 18 hours in a day.

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According to the doctor who examined Furkan, his heart was healthy as he was a swimmer; but the excitement of the game PUBG Mobile might have caused a surge in the adrenaline. This is reported to have caused a cardiac arrest in the boy, taking his life. The police have filed a case and an investigation; to further determine the cause of death of the boy is underway. The doctor, along with the family of the boy has pleaded for a ban on the game entirely across the country.

May 31, 2019