Dota 2’s Dark Rift Update Goes Live Today
The first Dota 2 update since the conclusion of The International 6 goes live today, and with it come a new hero and post-game stats screen.
Announced at TI6, Vrogros the Underlord is the last hero to be ported over from the original Defense of the Ancients game. Described as a disabler, nuker and support, Underlord massively reduces enemies' damage output and can teleport his team across the map with his ultimate, Dark Rift.
Also launching today is the new post-game summary, which hosts a variety of improvements over previous iterations. Individual hero stats can be compared with both the other team's and the global average for that hero, and graphs for Net Worth, XP Advantage and more are now available after the game's conclusion. You can also see your stats as they relate to your teammates, so if you've been wanting to form a team, you can look up which of your friends is most compatible with your own style of play.
Amazon Developing The Departed TV Series
After The Departed producer Roy Lee teased the possibility of TV series follow-up to Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning film earlier this year, Amazon has officially secured the project and is moving forward with development.
According to Deadline, Amazon Studios is producing the series in association with Warner Bros. TV, and in partnership with the group of producers behind the 2006 movie, including Vertigo Entertainment, Initial Entertainment Group and Plan B Entertainment.
PlayStation Now Service Coming to PC
Sony's PlayStation Now games streaming service is coming to PC, the company announced today.
In a new post on the PlayStation Blog, Sony revealed that the PS Now app will be available in Europe soon, followed by a release in America shortly after. No exact launch date was announced, however.
The app's availability on PC will bring a host of exclusive PlayStation titles for the first time — and over 400 games in total — to PC for PS Now subscribers to play without the need of a PlayStation console.
Alongside the announcement of the app, Sony also revealed that a new DualShock 4 USB Wireless Adapter will launch in September for $24.99. The adapter allows wireless connection for PS4 controllers to PCs and Macs and can be used for both PS Now and PS4 Remote Play. DualShock 4 controllers can still also be connected by USB cable and used with either service.
Bungie Clarifies Whether Destiny Is Free on Xbox
The base game version of Destiny has appeared as free on the Microsoft Store, but, according to a statement from Bungie, players will not receive the full original game as part of the digital version's price change.
A statement posted on Bungie's website states that downloading the free version of Destiny will only entitle players to the game's trial mode. To play through the original full adventure, the upcoming Destiny: The Collection must be purchased.
The statement reads:
"The original Destiny adventure may appear to be free on some digital console marketplaces.
Daily Deals: LEGO Marvel Sale, Deus Ex with Free Game, PlayStation Humble Bundle
Massive Sale on LEGO Marvel Playsets
Today on Amazon, over a dozen Marvel LEGO playsets are all within a couple dollars on their lowest prices. Sales on LEGO and Marvel stuff are pretty rare, so you should definetly browse the whole thing (there are several pages worth! Don't miss the next Next Page at the bottom!) but by the far the biggest savings can be found on the coolest set, which depicts the airport battle from Captain America: Civil War. Its normally $73, but right now you can add it to your collection for $64, the lowest price I've seen. It comes with six Marvel mini-figures, including the not so mini Giant Man, as well as Cap himself, Iron Man, An-Man, Scarlet Witch, and more.
Ultimate Spider-Man Introducing Spider-Gwen
Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man is gearing up for the big “Return to the Spider-Verse” storyline and IGN can exclusively reveal it will include the animated debut of none other than Spider-Gwen!
The current fourth season of the series, titled Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man vs. the Sinister Six, will conclude with the four-part storyline, which will find Spider-Man, joined by Miles Morales, once again encountering a ton of alternate reality Spideys. Spider-Gwen will debut in the final installment, voiced by Dove Cameron (Liv and Maddie, Descendants). The super-powered, alternate reality version of Gwen Stacy has been a fan favorite since her debut in the comic book version of the Spider-Verse storyline, and currently stars in her own spinoff title.
Arrow: Season 5 Will Be Magic-Free
The magic-filled Arrow: Season 4 was an experiment that won't be repeated in Season 5.
Executive producer Wendy Mericle told IGN the writing staff is going back to basics with the upcoming season and is developing a story and villain grounded in the real world.
"The show was always meant to be a gritty crime drama at its heart. And then Flash came along, and oh my gosh, we have meta powers. And then Damien was, well, we haven't done magic on the show, let's try to do that," she said. "I think for Season 5, just because it is an answer to Season 1, and we are sort of closing this chapter out, we did want to go back to our roots and figure out what is specific to this show. What is our universe? Go back to, 'What is Arrow?'"
Sleeping Dogs Dev Announces Smash + Grab
Sleeping Dogs developer United Front Games has announced Smash + Grab, an online, 3v3 multiplayer game for PC.
According to the announcement, Smash + Grab will first be playable as a beta, before moving into Early Access. The Early Access version will include two maps and modes, seven playable characters, and an offline practice mode. It'll then see a full release "approximately six months" later, which will include additional maps, modes, characters, and weapons.
With a focus on gang warfare, Smash + Grab's fifteen minute matches are won obtaining $50,000 worth of goods, obtained by stealing from stores within the map or from your opponents. There will also be plenty of customization options, ranging from moddable weapons to your character's clothing and abilities.
Marvel Relaunches Avengers & Iron Man in November
Marvel released their full lineup of solicitations for November 2016 today. Look for a new wave of Marvel NOW books to ht the stands that month, including The Avengers, Thanos, The Invincible Iron Man and The Unworthy Thor.
New Series:
- Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
- Avengers #1 & #1.1
- Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1
- Foolkiller #1
- Ghost Rider #1
- The Invincible Iron Man #1
- IVX #0
- Occupy Avengers #1
- Thanos #1
- The Ultimates 2 #1
- The Unworthy Thor #1
The Witness Announced for Xbox One
The Witness is coming to Xbox One, creator Jonathan Blow has exclusively revealed to IGN.
Blow and his team at Thekla Inc. are aiming for a September 13, 2016 release date. An iOS version is also still in the works.
According to Blow, the Xbox One version of The Witness will not differ from its PC or PlayStation 4 versions.
“There are some technical differences, but it’s basically the same game,” Blow told IGN, dismissing the idea of platform-exclusive content for The Witness.
“I feel like that would kind of… mess up the game,” he continued.