Steam Updates Chat and Friends System in New Beta
Steam has announced a slew of new updates to its chat and social features, all currently part of an opt-in beta program.
The beta update allows Steam users to group their friends into a “favorites” tab, by the game they’re currently playing, and also by party if multiple friends are currently grouped together in a game. The update also displays information on where friends are mid-game, if they’re currently in a match or available for matchmaking, what party playing, and other information that individual game developers decide on. Steam users can also create unique group chats.
Next Xbox Consoles Reportedly Coming in 2020
Microsoft will launch the next-generation Xbox in 2020, according to a new Thurrott report.
In the report, Thurrott also reaffirmed the earlier rumor that Microsoft has codenamed the project Scarlet, and that the codename refers to "a family of devices," not a single console. Scarlet (or, as some publications are spelling it, "Scarlett") is supposedly "multiple pieces of hardware" releasing in 2020.
While Microsoft is yet to confirm its next-gen hardware's codename or launch year, Xbox head Phil Spencer revealed Sunday that the company is working on an Xbox One successor. He also seemed to preemptively confirm the scuttlebutt that Scarlet will take the form of multiple devices.
Ridley Plays Fast and Vicious in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Entering the E3 show floor, I knew I had an appointment to see and play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate later in the day - but upon spotting a hidden line to go play Smash Bros. on the main stage, I knew I couldn't wait that long to try out everyone's favorite nemesis: Ridley. I've been a patient man - Sakurai said Ridley was too big for Smash and I believed him, knowing one day my dark wishes would come true. Since I often played as certain slow and heavy characters like Ike and Ganondorf, I was very intrigued to see how the behemoth space pterodactyl felt when unleashed upon a hapless foe.
I only had a few rounds with Ridley, but I can tell you he's no Charizard. His flame breath can either expelled in single bursts like Mario's fireball, or charged up to unleash a flurry of faster moving fireballs that can reach a much wider arc, or drip down from ledges onto opponents below. His smash attacks have a ton of power behind them, and weren't as slow as I was predicting, though a clever player may want to feint into his wonderful tail jab special move that can pierce and disorient an opponent before following up with a smash attack.
Fortnite on Switch Players Cannot Carry Over Existing Epic Games Accounts Linked to PS4
If you're interested in playing Fortnite on Nintendo Switch, you won't be able to carry over your existing Epic Games account linked to PlayStation 4.
A few players on Twitter have pointed out if you created your Epic Games account on PS4, you won't be able to log into that same account on Switch.
Existing Epic Games account on PS4 can't be logged into on Switch, image via Twitter user GreedyEars.
New Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee Gameplay Details
Pokemon director, producer, and composer Junichi Masuda shared new details about Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee during Nintendo's Treehouse Live stream today at E3 2018.
Capturing a Pokemon will earn you experience that will be distributed across your entire party. The relative size of the Pokemon you capture will determine the amount of experience you get. The larger the Pokemon, the more experience your party will receive. Additionally, Pokemon in the wild will be surrounded by an aura to indicate their size, with red indicating a larger than normal creature and blue indicating the Pokemon is smaller than average.
Masuda also revealed that your partner Pokemon, which follows you outside its Poke Ball as you traverse the world, will wag its tail when an item is nearby.
Avengers: Infinity War Becomes Fourth Film to Cross $2 Billion
Avengers: Infinity War has become the fourth film ever to cross the $2 billion mark at the global box office, according to Variety.
The three other movies to make over $2 billion worldwide are Avatar, Titanic and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Infinity War hit the mark 48 days after being released. After 11 days, Infinity War had become the fastest film to reach $1 billion worldwide.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a First-Person RPG
The first gameplay details on CD Projekt RED's Cyberpunk 2077 have emerged, most notably that unlike The Witcher 3, this game is a first-person RPG. This news came during a live gameplay demo behind closed doors at E3 2018.
CHECK OUT OUR FULL IMPRESSIONS OF THE DEMO HERE. Below are some of the biggest details that emerged from the live demo.
- CD Projekt describes the game as a "first-person RPG."
- Gameplay is in first a first-person perspective, but switched to third-person during a cutscene.
E3 2018: Starlink Battle for Atlas – Hands-On Impressions
Starlink: Battle for Atlas takes place in a massive sci-fi universe which spans between seven explorable planets that players can seamlessly travel to and from at their will. Each world carries its own ecosystem and wildlife with multiple factions who are in constant battle for planetary control. The creative minds spearheading development for Starlink are some of the same artists and designers whose previous works include the Far Cry and Assassin's Creed franchises, yet it's designed entirely in mind for kids.
Unlike many games designed for younger audiences, Starlink doesn't water down the fun or the difficulty. In fact, after getting some hands-on time with Starlink at Ubisoft's behind closed doors event during E3 2018, I can safely say that it feels a lot less like "my first space shooter" and a lot more like No Man's Sky.
8BitDo Reveals New Controllers Inspired by Retro Consoles
8BitDo has announced a host of new controllers inspired by retro consoles and handhelds alike, including some which recall the original NES, Famicom, and Game Boy systems.
The new controllers were revealed at E3 2018, and each one, available "Holiday 2018," will work with Nintendo Switch, Windows, Steam, macOS, and Android.
The Zero 2 is a keychain-sized controller inspired by the classic and pocket versions of the Game Boy. It has motion control support, Bluetooth, and will be available in five different colors.
The N30 Pro 2 is a redesign of the N30 Pro with new function buttons, vibration, and motion controls. It also has Bluetooth support and a USB-C port. It will come in six variants inspired by the NES, Famicom, GameCube, and more.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a Glorious FromSoftware Cocktail with Ninjas
When I entered Activision’s demo room for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, I briefly thought I was in the wrong room, as the home screen FromSoftware was showing off was so uncharacteristically colourful. But though Shadows Die Twice may not be as grimy as FromSoftware’s Souls series, it remixes its gameplay and idiosyncrasies with such finesse there was no doubt this game came from the same studio.
Shadows Die Twice takes place in Japan at the end of 1500s, in the warring period of Sengoku. FromSoftware is keen to stress that it’s not based on historical fact, rather, it’s a reimagining of this time period, and its primary aesthetic focus is to recreate the beauty of old Japan. It bursts through our demo in purple petals, turquoise skies and burning orange embers.