Destiny’s PVP Mode Crucible is Getting an Overhaul
Major changes are coming to the PVP mode in Destiny known as the Crucible. During a recent studio visit IGN had the opportunity to sit down with Bungie’s Lars Bakken the Crucible Design Lead and Derek Carroll the Senior Crucible Designer who have been hard at work bringing a lot of much sought after improvements to multiplayer.
First and most importantly they’ve doubled the marks and reputation across the board in Crucible which is used to buy certain weapons and armor. Now when you win you’ll receive six marks instead of three and twice the amount of experience per match. They also promised that you’ll be seeing a lot more loot in Crucible. Lars Bakken said "We've doubled that stream period so you're going to see a lot more blues dropping at the end. On top of that we've added purple. I believe there are 12 new legendaries that will drop." "Not only that, but we're allowing you to get etheric light." Etheric light is the new item that lets you upgrade all your gear to the new maximum level. Bungie confirmed that you’ll receive one from hitting level 3 in Iron Banner, one for hitting level 5 in Iron Banner, as random drops in Trials of Osiris, and as a supplemental drop in Nightfall missions. Deej also confirmed that the weekend vendor Xur will be completely abandoning the old upgrade system and that the only way to level up weapons and armor will be by using the etheric light items.
Destiny’s Dark Below Crucible Maps Will Soon Be Free
Bungie has confirmed to IGN that with the release of The House of Wolves, The Dark Below multiplayer maps for the Crucible will be made free for all players.
The Dark Below, the first expansion released for Destiny featured new strike missions, story content, a new raid called Crota’s End, as well as new Crucible maps. According to Bungie, when the House of Wolves launches the three maps included with the first expansion, The Cauldron, Skyshock and Pantheon will be free for all players even if they didn’t purchase any of the DLC content. When purchased separately the original expansion can be purchased for $19.99, or buyers can purchase the season pass that includes both The House of Wolves and The Dark Below for $34.99.
All 4 of Destiny’s New PVP Crucible Maps
The Trials of Osiris may be the big feature everyone is paying attention to today, but Bungie also revealed four new maps that'll be available when The House of Wolves launches on May 19th. Below we've posted gameplay from each so you can get an idea of how they're constructed. We think Crucible fans are going to enjoy them.
A decommissioned Firebase that's believed to have been a key defensive position used by the Cabal when they established their warbase on Mars.
A Fallen hideout located in the calderas of Venus with precarious drops that offer alternate routes for those willing to risk the fall.
Microsoft’s New Web Browser Gets a Name
During the Build 2015 conference, Microsoft showed off details of its new web browser, previously known as Project Spartan. The new browser will officially be known as Microsoft Edge.
The all new replacement for Microsoft's much-maligned Explorer browser promises to "blur lines between creation and consumption." Originally announced during a Windows 10 Live Event in January, the new Windows 10 web browser was code-named Project Spartan.
Web extensions were also touted during the presentation, with the ability for developers to work in Edge illustrated through the use of a version of Reddit Enhancement Suite modified to work natively within Microsoft's new browser.
Windows 10 Could Bring Android Apps to Windows Phone
During its annual Build 2015 conference, Microsoft revealed a new way for developers to bring Android apps over to Windows Phone with the help of the Windows 10 platform. Essentially, this could prove potentially big for Windows Phone users who have felt left out by previously Android-exclusive apps.
"Windows Phones will include an Android subsystem," said Microsoft's executive vice president of operating systems, Terry Myerson. "There, an app can be written that takes advantage of the Android code, but also the extensions you would write in the Windows platform to really delight the Windows user."
Adventure Time Meets LittleBigPlanet 3 in New Level Kit
Fans of Adventure Time can soon create their own adventures in the Land of Ooo using LittleBigPlanet 3's newest level kit.
Accorind to the PlayStation Blog, the pack includes:
- 16 Materials, 4 Objects, 25 Decorations, 81 Stickers to design with!
- 2 Original Music tracks (“A Blip and a Bubble”, “Manlorette Party”), 1 Interactive Music track (“Zombie Loop”) and 3 Cinematic Stingers (“Tragedy of Jake”, “Level 1″ and “Distortion Dirge”) by original Adventure Time composer, Tim Kiefer.
- Land of Ooo Level Background
- A Bonus Fionna Costume
Additionally, several Adventure Time costumes for LittleBigPlanet 3 characters are also available for purchase. For $6, the costume pack includes Jake, Finn, Ice King, Gunter, and Cosmic Owl. These can also be purchased separately for $2 each.
Microsoft Expects Windows 10 to Be on 1 Billion Devices
During the Build 2015 keynote today, Microsoft's VP of operating systems Terry Myerson said the company's goal is to have Windows 10 on 1 billion devices.
Myerson said Android KitKat is currently on around half that many devices, while iOS is "less."
Windows 10 is built to work on every piece of hardware supported by Microsoft, from Windows Phone to PCs to its upcoming Hololens. The claim of 1 billion devices when put up against operating systems currently only running on mobile hardware is a bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison.
Currently iOS accounts for 23% of the smartphone market and 66% of the world's tablets. Overall Android activation has exceeded 900 million. Windows will get a boost from the simple fact that the OS covers so many different devices.
This Season’s Must-See Movies
It's that magical time of year again, when Hollywood lets their buckets of blockbusters rain down upon us in all of their glory. To help you suss out which movies should be on your list over the impending summer, we showcase these must-see flicks of summer 2015.
Release Date: May 1 (US), Already Release (UK, AU)
When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron (James Spader) emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.
Batman: Arkham Knight’s Season Pass is Absurd
I don’t believe that the existence of DLC content will necessarily diminish the quality of the $60 version of Batman: Arkham Knight. After WB’s recent announcement of a season pass, it remains one of my most hotly anticipated games of 2015, and I intend to play the hell out of it. That said: what the hell is this?
For $40, Warner Bros and Rocksteady promise us the following:
“This season pass for Batman: Arkham Knight delivers new content every month for 6 months, featuring new story missions, more supervillains invading Gotham City, new legendary Batmobiles, advanced challenge maps, alternative character skins, and new drivable race tracks.”
PlayStation Plus May 2015 Games Revealed
Sony has revealed the six new games free for PlayStation Plus subscribers in May.
Check out the full list below:
- Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition (PS4)
- Ether One (PS4)
- The Unfinished Swan (PS4, PS3, Vita)
- Race the Sun (PS4, PS3, Vita)
- Hohokum (PS4, PS3, Vita)
- Murasaki Baby (Vita)
First up is Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition, a 2D brawler and platformer with a helping of Mexican folklore. STCE includes the El Inferno DLC add-on pack that includes a series of challenge rooms. Read our Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition review.