Gaming - ReadWrite https://readwrite.com/category/game/ Crypto, Gaming & Emerging Tech News Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:06:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://readwrite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/star-nw.svg Gaming - ReadWrite https://readwrite.com/category/game/ 32 32 Nearly 40% of game devs create assets with AI, as turkeys seemingly vote for Christmas https://readwrite.com/nearly-40-of-game-devs-create-assets-with-ai-as-turkeys-seemingly-vote-for-christmas/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:06:55 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261880 An AI-generated image of a packed room full of turkeys on computers.

If you are one of those people who hates the idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) being used to create the… Continue reading Nearly 40% of game devs create assets with AI, as turkeys seemingly vote for Christmas

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An AI-generated image of a packed room full of turkeys on computers.

If you are one of those people who hates the idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) being used to create the games you love because it puts talented people out of work and replaces them with Chat-GPT’s overly enthusiastic writing or MidJourney’s seven-fingered monstrosities, you are going to hate this.

The new 2024 Unity Gaming Report has surveyed 7,062 workers in the game industry and “found that around 62% (4,378) of developers are leveraging AI tools during production” according to an analysis by GameDeveloper.com

Of those people, a further 63% (2,758) confirmed they used generative AI to help them create assets for the projects.

This means around 39% of everyone surveyed (7,062) is using AI to build assets for the game. It is super interesting as the games industry undergoes wave after wave of layoffs amid panic that AI will ultimately cost many jobs, that the very tools being blamed for redundancies are being flaunted by such a high number.

AI and generative AI should be being used as a tool and an aid, but whether decisions to bring our future robot overlords on board at this early stage are being made in the board room and being forced on the workers, or whether the developers themselves – the artists and programmers are embracing the tech to help them be more productive would be a wonderful thing to learn.

‘We’re empowering designers’

VP of product management, Kjell Bronder at Niantic (famous for Pokemon GO!), said:

“To increase our productivity, like many others, we’ve been really looking at AI and seeing how we can use this new generation of tools to empower our designers so they can create new assets to explore new ideas.”

“Also, how we can prototype new ways of characters, bring them to life, and have them animate in new ways.”

These empowered designers were obviously not part of the 25% of staff layoffs the company made in the middle of 2023.

Unity itself said, “While 2023 was a year marked with persisting economic headwinds, game developers are strategically navigating the challenges and successfully adapting to changes in technology, the economy, and player habits by doing more with less.” 

Presumably, the less includes the 1,800 people Unity itself let go at the start of the year. 

One thing is for sure, the better AI gets, the less work there will be for humans in the games industry. That is something we need to get our heads around and accept, but we, as the people who buy the games,  should not be expected to accept lower standards for profit.

Featured Image: AI-generated by Ideogram

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Denuvo creators launch TraceMark as solution for hacking and gaming leaks https://readwrite.com/denuvo-creators-launch-tracemark-as-solution-for-hacking-and-gaming-leaks/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:43:02 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261822 Irdeto launches TraceMark for Games, a new solution for hacking and leaks in the video game industry

Irdeto has confirmed the launch of a new technology designed as a “watermarking solution” to act as a bulwark against… Continue reading Denuvo creators launch TraceMark as solution for hacking and gaming leaks

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Irdeto launches TraceMark for Games, a new solution for hacking and leaks in the video game industry

Irdeto has confirmed the launch of a new technology designed as a “watermarking solution” to act as a bulwark against gaming leaks.

TraceMark for Games comes from the same company responsible for the contentious Denuvo digital rights management system, with the new release able to add markers to video game content to act as invisible identifiers.

These tags allow content to be traced back to the source, as already utilized across media output such as sports broadcasts, TV shows, and movies.

Irdeto, the digital platform cybersecurity firm, has placed faith in the qualities of TraceMark, taking the view it will act as a deterrent to dissuade individuals from leaking game content when accessing early play tests, beta, or reviews.

Its features include flexible watermark generation to match specific requirements, with quick and easy deployment to the user’s consumer base and a wide range of devices and platforms.

Irdeto positions TraceMark for Gaming as the solution for clients to “enjoy peace of mind throughout the content lifecycle, from development to distribution.”

What’s the problem with hacks and leaking?

The video game industry has been beset with hacks and leaks in recent times, with even non-disclosure agreements being broken as was the case with Skate when early content surfaced. Grand Theft Auto VI is another prominent title to be impacted, with hacks resulting in leaks of the long-awaited release, undermining the official release more than a year later.

TraceMark isn’t being presented as a cure for all ills on leaks, nor does it claim to be. It most likely won’t have a significant impact on the unwanted, unauthorized flow of content from headline gaming titles but for the early stages and development of many new releases, it could prove to be a useful tool.

TraceMark for Gaming will be supported by Windows, Xbox, iOS, and Switch.

Image credit: Ideogram AI

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Apex Legends: Hackers deploy cheats disrupting tournament https://readwrite.com/apex-legends-hackers-deploy-cheats-disrupting-tournament/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:32:19 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261784 Apex Legends tournament finals disrupted by hackers

Hackers have targeted the esports final of online shooter game Apex Legends, causing significant disruption to the closing stages of… Continue reading Apex Legends: Hackers deploy cheats disrupting tournament

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Apex Legends tournament finals disrupted by hackers

Hackers have targeted the esports final of online shooter game Apex Legends, causing significant disruption to the closing stages of the North American tournament.

The competition was thrown into disarray after unwanted cheats were deployed in-game with clips shared by pro players, showing their consternation toward the outside interference.

Apex Legends is a free-to-play, team-based battle royale shooter developed by EA-owned Respawn Entertainment, the studio synonymous with Star Wars: Jedi Survivor.

As the action was unfolding, Apex pro player Noyan “Genburten” Ozkose announced his game was being hacked with cheats used on his profile. A video clip from the player’s Twitch livestream showed a cheat program’s settings menu appear, resulting in a frantic Genburten outburst, “I’m getting hacked, I’m getting hacked!”

The malicious actors were witnessed repeatedly typing into the chat box from his account, “by Destroyer2009 & R4ndom” and “Apex hacking global series.”

Another high-profile player, ImperialHal, shared a similar response to the experience of the cyber attack.

Official reaction to the hack on Apex Legends

A comment was made on the X account of Apex Legends, late on Sunday night.

“Due to the competitive integrity of this series being compromised, we have made the decision to postpone the NA finals at this time. We will share more information soon.”

At present, the origin of the hack is unknown, whether Apex Legends’ servers or game may have been exploited, or if the incident has stemmed from its Easy Anti-Cheat software, with online suspicion of a possible remote code execution (RSE) attack.

This attack appears to have come from an outside source, but players have previously broken protocol to insert cheat modes into the game. Due to concerns around this issue, Apex streamer Lindsey “LuluLuvely” has implored developers at Respawn to urgently fix an “out of control” cheating situation, suggesting the kernel-level anti-cheat system doesn’t go far enough.

This hacking controversy surfaced just days after EA disposed of around 23 staff working on Apex Legends, as part of a cut to the workforce also impacting an estimated 200 QA testers on the game.

Image Credit: Apex Legends/EA

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GTA 6 – Release date, trailers, setting, and everything we know so far https://readwrite.com/gta-6-everything-we-know-release-date-speculation-trailers-setting-and-more/ Sat, 16 Mar 2024 19:30:22 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260616 The two main characters of GTA 6 robbing a store

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 might actually be the most anticipated game ever created. The follow up to the incredibly… Continue reading GTA 6 – Release date, trailers, setting, and everything we know so far

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The two main characters of GTA 6 robbing a store

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 might actually be the most anticipated game ever created. The follow up to the incredibly successful GTA 5 has been something most, if not all gamers have been chomping at the bit for, seeking any shred of information.

Here, we’ll reveal all the details we have on the latest iteration of Rockstar’s biggest IP, hopefully providing insight into the release date, setting, characters, map, and much more.

What is the GTA 6 release date?

For the longest time, fans of the franchise were left completely in the dark when it came to any form of release date for what could be Rockstar’s magnum opus. However, thanks to the first official trailer, and the latest Take-Two Interactive investor call, we have a release window of Q1 2025.

From Trailer 1, we got confirmation of the 2025 release year but the Take-Two Interactive investor call has potentially narrowed this further. Chief Finance Officer Lainie Goldstein revealed that the company is anticipating “a significant inflection point in fiscal 2025 that will culminate in us delivering new record levels of operating performance next year and beyond.”

Fiscal years operate from April to April, so this suggests that since GTA 6 is “a significant inflection point”, we expect to see it released between January and April.

To play devil’s advocate, if we were to take a look at the data, it does point to the contrary. Based on previous Rockstar releases in recent times, there seems to be a trend of September-November launches thus meaning GTA 6 could fall into this same category rather than Q1.

All we can hope is that we get trailer 2 sooner rather than later and get a concrete day to look forward to.

All GTA 6 trailers

At this current time, there has been one trailer released for GTA 6, showcasing a bunch of details including the setting, main characters, and of course, an iconic backing track to go along with it.

Here is the aptly named ‘Trailer 1’ in all its glory:

When new trailers get released, we’ll be sure to give you direct links right here.

Where is GTA 6 set?

GTA 6's new look Vice City

Contrary to GTA 5, GTA 6 is set in the fictional state of Leonida, where Vice City is also situated. This game world draws huge comparisons to that of Florida, backed up not only by the reimagining of Miami clone Vice City, but also swamplands, real-life events, and various key areas in the state.

This is a pretty big departure from that of Los Santos but one that is being welcomed with open arms by fans both new and old. Vice City has always been a huge fan-favorite area, and with Rockstar stating that what they have created is “the most immersive” world the Grand Theft Auto franchise has seen, it’s one you will almost certainly lose countless hours in.

Who are the GTA 6 main characters?

Lucia in a inmates outfit in GTA 6

Based on GTA 6’s first trailer, there are two main characters that look to be playable – Lucia and a currently unnamed male. Both of these appear to be criminals, wanting to secure a quick buck in whatever way possible.

GTA 5 had a three-pronged affair, allowing you to switch between Michael, Trevor, and Franklin, creating a multi-layered story beloved my millions of gamers. With seemingly one less main protagonist thrown into the mix, this will almost certainly streamline any character switching, and may even offer the chance for simple co-op action if the feature is introduced.

Naturally, there will be an army of side characters that you will meet along the way to becoming the most wanted criminal in Leonida, but these will come and go, even if they do join you on various missions.

How big is the GTA 6 map?

A vista from GTA 6's Leonida

As we’ve previously stated, you’ll be dropped into the Florida clone Leonida which encompasses various areas, including Vice City.

The real life Florida is a pretty large state coming in at approximately 140km2. So, if this is translated into game form, it would almost be double that of GTA 5’s map which is around 75km2 in size.

With this being said though, according to Bloomberg, the initial plan for GTA 6 was to have a map that spanned both North and South America. This would mean that an almost unheard of playable space could have been made available and one that would surely have been full of all types of shenanigans.

However, sadly, these plans were cut back, with a focus more on the aforementioned Leonida region.

How much is GTA 6?

Here we come to one of the hottest topics surrounding the game. There has been much speculation on the GTA 6 price, with leaks suggesting it will cost around $150. However, there has been no concrete evidence stating this figure is correct.

What is more likely is that it falls in line with the current game prices at around $70. But, considering that GTA is reportedly costing $1-2 billion to make, it could also be one of the first mainstream titles to launch with a $80-$90 price tag for the base game.

What platforms is GTA 6 on?

According to GTA 6 trailer 1, followed up by an official press release from parent company Take Two, the game will officially be launching on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

‘Where is PC?’ I hear you ask. Well, unfortunately, it appears GTA 6 will follow the trend of Rockstar releases where it will launch after the initial console release window. We hope this will be less than a year but it would not be surprising if the developer chose to do this, ensuring the port is as bug-free as possible.

Being a 2025 launch, as you would expect, Xbox One and PS4 consoles will be getting left in the dark on this one. But, considering the base versions of these systems will be a whopping 12 years old at that point, it’s likely a game of this ilk wouldn’t be able to run regardless.

Featured image: Rockstar

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Highway Police Simulator ready to patrol your gaming in September https://readwrite.com/highway-police-simulator-ready-to-patrol-your-gaming-in-september/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:28:19 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261839 A cinematic image of a Police 4x4 from Highwau Police Simulator/

The Flight sim experts Aerosoft are going to be offering up something a little different in September this year. Today… Continue reading Highway Police Simulator ready to patrol your gaming in September

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A cinematic image of a Police 4x4 from Highwau Police Simulator/

The Flight sim experts Aerosoft are going to be offering up something a little different in September this year. Today the German studio announced Highway Police Simulator – a new cop game it is working on alongside Z-Software.

Slated for a launch on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 5 the game will see you as a lone Highway Patrol cop in America [performing a work shift that includes breakneck high-speed chases, shootouts, and routine traffic stops.

When it is released Highway Police Simulator will include:

  • Varied open-world environments, each with its own challenges and missions
  • A storyline with exciting cases, career progression, ranking system, and more
  • Unique vehicles, including different police cars, helicopters, and more
  • A wide array of missions with traffic stops, accidents, car chases, and more
  • A morality system that challenges players to make difficult decisions with real consequences for the story and the environment

“Highway Police Simulator encapsulates the investigative, often stressful role of law enforcement in a detailed and realistic world,” said Dirk Ohler, Head of Product at Aerosoft. “We’re thrilled to announce the title and our partnership with the talented team at Z-Software, and we look forward to all our new recruits joining the force in September 2024!”

The short launch trailer isn’t giving too much away although it is giving us some Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit vibes, but as well as the car chases it looks as though Highway Police Simulator is going to also feature a little legwork for your cop.

It’s set in the fictional American state of Caminora and can be played casually or with the simulation aspects ramped up. You can wishlist Highway Police Simulator on Steam right now and start polishing your boots in anticipation of its release in a few months time.

Aerosoft is more known for its work on games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, so it is interesting to see it diversifying into a different kind of sim.

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Indie Deckbuilder Balatro sales exceed one million in landmark achievement https://readwrite.com/indie-deckbuilder-balatro-sales-exceed-one-million-in-landmark-achievement/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:46:18 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261734 A screenshot from poker game Balatro

Playstack and LocalThunk have confirmed their highly popular roguelike deckbuilder Balatro has exceeded one million sales, less than a month… Continue reading Indie Deckbuilder Balatro sales exceed one million in landmark achievement

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A screenshot from poker game Balatro

Playstack and LocalThunk have confirmed their highly popular roguelike deckbuilder Balatro has exceeded one million sales, less than a month after its release.

The poker-inspired title launched for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC on 20 February, proving to be an instant smash hit after it grossed $1 million in just eight hours.

A press release from Playstack, via its parent company Tru Fin, confirmed Balatro has been its “fastest selling game to date” with Harvey Elliott, company CEO stating, We’re incredibly grateful for the support and enthusiasm from players worldwide.”

“The game’s success is a testament to the quality and creativity that the indie sector can deliver, proving that even in uncertain times, innovative games can thrive. We extend our deepest thanks to every player who has joined us on this adventure.”

Developer LocalThunk posted on Steam to express gratitude for the landmark achievement.

“I’m so grateful to all the players and people that have made this happen. I still can’t grasp the response to this game, and I am overjoyed that so many people have been able to have fun with my silly creation. I’m so fortunate that I can continue working on my passion as a career. Thank you!”

What recognition had Balatro received?

Balatro has gained a sought-after “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on gaming marketplace Steam, achieved thanks to more than 17,000 positive reviews in addition to a commendable rating of 90 on Metacritic, the reputable critic aggregator.

The game also enjoys a rank of 10th in peak CCU (concurrent users) among all Steam games with the ‘roguelike’ tag, listed in between Warm Snow (44.7k CCU) and Hades (37.7k CCU).

On the ‘roguelike deckbuilder” tag, Balatro is second to the free-to-play roguelike battle royale title Gene Shift Auto, which is not necessarily considered to be a deck-building game, and listed above games such as Slay the Spire (33k CCU) and Backback Battles (36.5k CCU).

Image credit: Balatro/X

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PlayStation 5 Pro leaks hint at release date and specs https://readwrite.com/playstation-5-pro-leaks-hint-at-release-date-and-specs/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:26:01 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261757 Close up of Playstation logo on wireless controller for PS5

As console fans are gearing up for the release of Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro, the rumor mill continues to spin… Continue reading PlayStation 5 Pro leaks hint at release date and specs

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Close up of Playstation logo on wireless controller for PS5

As console fans are gearing up for the release of Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro, the rumor mill continues to spin as further predictions and ‘leaks’ come out of the woodwork.

Last Friday (Mar. 15) Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson confirmed that ‘the leaked PS5 Pro specs leaked earlier today are real.’

This has been further determined as being real by IGN today (Mar. 18).

They cite anonymous sources who saw that the leaked documentation from the YouTube channel Moore’s Law is Dead is legit, as it’s said to be from a PlayStation developer portal that was sent out to third-party developers.

These documents suggest the PlayStation 5 Pro will feature the following:

  • Rendering 45% faster than the PlayStation 5

  • 2-3x Ray-tracing (4x in some cases)

  • 33.5 Teraflops

  • PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution Upscaling) upscaling/antialiasing solution

  • Support for resolutions up to 8K is planned for future SDK version

  • Custom machine learning architecture

  • AI Accelerator, supporting 300 TOPS of 8-bit computation / 67 TFLOPS of 16-bit floating point

These largely point to improvements to the GPU, with the CPU also seeing an upgrade as it could have the addition of a ‘High CPU Frequency Mode.’

The standard PS5 offers 10.28 teraflops, with the Pro version expected to be considerably more.

Rumors from over the last few months point towards a focus on image quality too. Gaming insider Tom Henderson wrote on Key to Gaming that he had heard the new console would “[target] improved and consistent FPS at 4K resolution” and a “new performance mode” for 8K resolution…”

When is the PlayStation 5 Pro release date?

Sony hasn’t yet confirmed or announced a date, but that hasn’t stopped people from guessing.

Generally, the rough window for a release date is thought to be September 2024. However, the new leak could line up with the Pro version being available from the holiday season.

The second half of 2024 would make sense with the planned release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in 2025.

Featured Image: Photo by Ahmad Mohammadnejad on Unsplash

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Final Fantasy XIV Online will drop on Xbox in just three days time https://readwrite.com/final-fantasy-xiv-online-will-drop-on-xbox-in-just-three-days-time/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:00:14 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261772 An image of characters from FFXIV Online

We knew it was coming, we just didn’t know when, but now Square Enix has just announced that Final Fantasy… Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV Online will drop on Xbox in just three days time

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An image of characters from FFXIV Online

We knew it was coming, we just didn’t know when, but now Square Enix has just announced that Final Fantasy XIV Online will arrive on Xbox on 21st March after completing its open beta which has been running since last month.

There are some great games coming to Game Pass already this week, you also do not want to miss out on Lightyear Frontier which arrives on the 19th.

The game will launch at 1 am (PDT) and will be available in the Microsoft Store in several different flavors.

Final Fantasy XIV Online Xbox versions

You are certainly not spoilt for choice when it comes to how many versions of FF XIV you can choose from. Here is what will be available. If you are a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber you can download the basic Online Starter Edition free of charge until April 19th.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Starter Edition

For newcomers, the Starter Edition includes three award-winning titles: the base game, A Realm Reborn, and the first and second expansions, Heavensward and Stormblood.
* Players with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan may download the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Starter Edition for free until Friday, April 19.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker

Players can experience the main scenario quests and content available in the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansions. Requires FINAL FANTASY XIV Starter Edition to play.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker Collector’s Edition

The Endwalker Collector’s Edition includes several in-game bonus items. Requires FINAL FANTASY XIV Starter Edition to play.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Complete Edition

For newcomers, this is the most comprehensive edition and includes A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker expansions.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Complete Collector’s Edition

This version includes the in-game bonus items from the A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker Collector’s Editions.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Free Trial

Play for free up to level 70 and experience the main scenario quests and content from A Realm Reborn, and the Heavensward and Stormblood expansions with no restrictions on playtime.

Pre-purchasing will get you the rather underwhelming free in-game cosmetics:

  • Wind-up Palom Minion
  • Menphina earring (grants 30% EXP bonus up to level 80)

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Dragon’s Dogma 2: Every Vocation you can play when it launches https://readwrite.com/dragons-dogma-2-every-vocation-you-can-play-when-it-launches/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:25:04 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261694 A screenshot of an archer in Dragon's Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 offer us a huge range of possibilities when it comes to our character creation and class. You… Continue reading Dragon’s Dogma 2: Every Vocation you can play when it launches

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A screenshot of an archer in Dragon's Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 offer us a huge range of possibilities when it comes to our character creation and class. You may have already played around with the free Character Creator that has been released, once, of course, you have checked your system requirements to make sure your rig can play the thing in the first place.

Just like in the first game, all those years ago, classes in Dragon’s Dogma 2 are known as Vocations – but we will let you off if you are still referring to them by the ior more traditional moniker for this sort of thing. Anybody who is used to playing RPGs will likely already be drawn to certain play styles, so the table below will show you the Vocation and what it specializes in, so you can get off to a flying start when you begin your first game.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Vocations (Classes)

There are 10 Vocations / classes in DD2 at launch. Let’s have a closer look at what each offers us: There is one notable omission from the original game The Mystic Knight vocation is very much Missing in Action here. It may be that they have blended the Vocation into the 10 below to give a more rounded character, or well, future DLC is always a possibility.

Vocation Description
Archer Archers are experts in ranged warfare, adept with bow and arrow. They launch their assaults from a distance, capable of hitting targets in elevated positions and playing a pivotal role in supporting the vanguard. By pinpointing enemy vulnerabilities, Archers pave the way for allies to launch effective strikes.
Fighter Masters of close-quarters combat, Fighters excel with sword and shield in hand. They carve through adversaries with ease and land-crushing hits, while their shields serve as steadfast protection for themselves and their comrades.
Mage Armed with a staff, Mages bolster their group with a diverse array of support abilities, from unleashing magical assaults and enhancing allies’ weapons to casting restorative spells. The thrill of strategy comes alive as Mages carefully time the casting of their increasingly potent spells.
Magick Archer Unique to the Arisen, Magick Archers dominate ranged combat with enchanted arrows. Beyond attacking and healing, they adeptly support allies and can sacrifice a portion of their maximum health to deliver a sweeping, area-wide assault.
Mystic Spearhand Exclusive to the Arisen, the Mystic Spearhand merges martial prowess with magical aptitude, ensuring effectiveness at any distance. Wielding the Duospear, they command spells to immobilize foes or launch a barrage of objects, showcasing their versatility.
Sorcerer Dedicated to the art of magic, Sorcerers wield their power to alter the battlefield’s dynamics. Channeling spells with a grand staff, they must choose the perfect moment and position to unleash their lengthy incantations, turning the tide of conflict.
Thief The Thief strikes with lightning speed, unleashing a flurry of attacks using dual daggers, coupled with remarkable agility. They dart in and out of combat, seizing opportunities to ambush foes and deal significant damage. Thieves are also skilled at pilfering items from NPCs and adversaries.
Trickster An Arisen-specific vocation, Tricksters weave illusions from their unique Censer’s smoke. They manipulate these deceptions to turn enemies against each other and can briefly amplify their Pawns’ strength, pushing them beyond their usual capabilities.
Warfarer Exclusive to the Arisen, the Warfarer is a jack-of-all-trades, proficient with every weapon type and borrowing skills from across vocations. Their adaptive arsenal allows for a versatile combat approach, combining weapons and skills to form unique combos. The Warfarer’s adaptability is key, compensating for their lower base stats by exploiting the strategic advantages of diverse weaponry.
Warrior Warriors showcase formidable strength and a preference for up-close battles, thriving under the weight of enemy blows. Proficient with heavy weapons like greatswords and hammers, their devastating attacks, following a moment of charge, stand as some of the most powerful amongst the vocations.

How to change your Vocation in Dragon’s Dogma 2

As you travel around the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2, keep a close eye out for wandering Vocation Masters. Interactive with these wise old NPCs to gain access to their vocations and teachings.

What are Pawn Vocations in Dragon’s Dogma 2?

Pawns in DD2 are characters you can control with your main character. You can have up to three of these under your spell which is great, however the downside is, Pawns do not have access to all Vocations, in fact they can only be one of the following six:

  • Archer
  • Fighter
  • Mage
  • Sorcerer
  • Thief
  • Warrior

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PlayStation 5 Pro: release date, price, and specs https://readwrite.com/playstation-5-pro-release-date-price-and-specs/ Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:40:40 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=256218 PlayStation 5 Pro release date.

Following the launch of the PlayStation 5 Slim in November of 2023, console fans haven’t wasted any time in trading… Continue reading PlayStation 5 Pro: release date, price, and specs

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PlayStation 5 Pro release date.

Following the launch of the PlayStation 5 Slim in November of 2023, console fans haven’t wasted any time in trading rumors about a possible PlayStation 5 Pro that’s rumored to be on its way this year.

As the name would suggest, the PS5 Slim was a smaller, lighter console that still packed a punch, offering increased storage and a detachable disk drive to boot. However, that’s nothing when compared to the potential power of the rumored PS5 Pro. Based on what we know so far, here’s a closer look at the PlayStation 5 Pro release date, the specs, and the possible price.

When is the PlayStation 5 Pro release date?

After a substantial leak we have a pretty good idea when the release date of the PlayStation5 Pro will take place.

According to claims, Sony plans to unveil its mid-cycle console upgrade in time for the upcoming 2024 holiday period at the end of the year.

A document obtained by YouTube channel Moore’s Law is Dead unveils several crucial specifications for the highly anticipated new console. It indicates that the Pro model will feature significant enhancement in graphical performance, boasting rendering speeds up to 45% higher than the current PlayStation 5. The prediction has since been backed up by several other gaming media outlets.

What is the PS5 Pro price?

Much like the release date, much of the chatter around a potential PlayStation 5 Pro price is speculative. However, this isn’t the first time Sony has released a Pro console following a Slim version. The company did just that back in 2016 with the PlayStation 4 Pro.

Back then, the Pro console cost $100 / €50 / £50 more than the Slim version. By that logic, we might expect the PlayStation 5 Pro to cost in the region of $599.99 / £529.99 if we just hike up the Slim’s price of $499.99 / £479.99. However, consoles, in general, were less expensive back in 2016. For a 2024 console, it’s possible that the console could be even more expensive, reaching over the $600 mark.

Sony might also employ a price hike for the PS5 Slim, perhaps dropping the price of the PS5 baseline down to $399 for the disk version and $49 for the disk-based SKU to $449. Adding $100 on top of that to account for the PS5 Pro would settle it at around $549.99.

Of course, we won’t for certain until we get a formal reveal from Sony. However, it does give you a rough idea of what to expect to pay for the rumored console.

What are the PlayStation 5 Pro specs?

An area where there are more industry rumors to go on is specs. The ‘Pro’ in PlayStation 5 Pro means we can likely expect some beast mode power to come. It’s reported by industry sources via the YouTube channel RedGamingTech that the PlayStation 5 Pro will feature eight-core Zen 2 CPUs (clocking in at 4GHz), an RDNA 3 GPU at 2.8 GHZ, and 16GB of 18,000 MT/s GDDR6 memory with a bandwidth of 587 GB/s.

That’s a pretty significant upgrade to the Slim, which boasts a still-respectable eight-core custom AMD Zen 2 at 3.5GHz and AMD RDNA 2 at 2.23 GHz – although the same memory stats. All in all, it would represent a decent boost in performance.

Specifically, image quality is believed to be a major focus for the PlayStation 5 Pro, with gaming insider Tom Henderson writing on Key to Gaming that he had heard the new console would “[target] improved and consistent FPS at 4K resolution” and “a new ‘performance mode’ for 8K resolution, and accelerated ray tracing.”

Currently, no games support 8K resolution, but this would mark Sony’s continued futureproofing for when that’s the norm that started with the baseline PS5.

Hypebeast also reports that the PS5 Pro will be kitted out with Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS)-style technology developed in-house by Sony. Developed by Nvidia, DLSS refers to a family of real-time, deep-learning image enhancement and upscaling technology that offers another level of visual quality, only available via Nvidia’s RTX line of graphics cards. With the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro, it seems that Sony might be coming out with its own proprietary technology to rival that of its competitor.

In practical terms, these tech boots would result in a clearer, faster experience for PS5 Pro gamers. Faster memory and CPU clocking speeds would reduce the slow load times many PS5 critics complain about.  Games could load near-instantly, perhaps offering a chance for the PS5 Pro to copy a feature from the Xbox Series X/S known as ‘Quick Resume.’ The console allows multiple games to be suspended at once, so players can quickly jump from game to game, returning directly to where they left off rather than clicking through the traditional start screen.

Featured image: Sony

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Sony to ‘halt PSVR2 production due to surplus of stock’ https://readwrite.com/sony-to-halt-psvr2-production-due-to-surplus-of-stock/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:56:36 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261497 PSVR2 headset and PlayStation console

Sony Group Corporation has allegedly put a stop to production of its PSVR2 headset, due to a backlog of unsold… Continue reading Sony to ‘halt PSVR2 production due to surplus of stock’

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PSVR2 headset and PlayStation console

Sony Group Corporation has allegedly put a stop to production of its PSVR2 headset, due to a backlog of unsold units.

The news came from an article by Bloomberg journalist Takashi Mochizuki who claims that sales of the product have slowed ‘progressively since its launch and stocks of the device are building up.’

Citing unnamed sources who are ‘familiar with its [the firm’s] plans,’ Sony has apparently produced ‘well over two million units of the product launched in February of last year.’

This comes just over a year after the PlayStation VR2 was officially launched, catapulting Sony as one of the front runners in the virtual reality gear market. The device, priced at $549.99, allows users to explore reality gaming with PlayStation VR2 Sense technology.

In the Bloomberg article, Macquarie analyst Yijia Zhai offers a reason for the potential lack of take-up: “The high price of VR hardware acts as the main hurdle for its expansion,”

“Currently, there are limited games that support VR devices, and that will also lead to lack of motivation for players to purchase VR hardware. This limited content also has a reason – the development cost for VR games is substantially higher than normal titles.”

Sony has not yet confirmed or denied the halting of production and it is expected that they’re continuing to work on expanding the PSVR2 headset range.

Reality of the video game industry

The Tokyo-based technology giant has faced some challenges recently, as it announced plans to cut around 900 jobs within its PlayStation unit and shut down a London-based studio in late February 2024.

These layoffs affected in-house studios like Guerrilla Games which worked on creating an exclusive game for the headset from its popular Horizon series.

Sony is not alone, as both Microsoft and Tencent-owned Riot Games also underwent significant layoffs in recent months due to a slow recovery in the gaming industry.

PlayStation 5 Pro expected launch in September

Although the PSVR2 headset may not be performing as well as the company hoped, that isn’t stopping them from gearing up ahead of the PlayStation 5 Pro release.

An exact date isn’t yet known, but console fans are trading rumors about a possible date in September of this year. Several gaming tech insiders seem to agree about this rough window which would line up logically with the planned release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in 2025.

It’s reported by industry sources via the YouTube channel RedGamingTech that the PlayStation 5 Pro will feature eight-core Zen 2 CPUs (clocking in at 4GHz), an RDNA 3 GPU at 2.8 GHZ, and 16GB of 18,000 MT/s GDDR6 memory with a bandwidth of 587 GB/s.

Much like everything else, the price isn’t yet known either. In 2016, when Sony released a Pro console after a Slim version, the Pro version cost $100 more. By that logic, the PlayStation 5 Pro could potentially be in the region of $599.99.

Featured Image: Photo by Triyansh Gill on Unsplash

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Official City Skylines Mod Support finally nears release – new roadmap released https://readwrite.com/official-city-skylines-mod-support-finally-nears-release-new-roadmap-released/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 11:30:16 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261518 A screenshot showing a bay in Cities Skylines II

Cities Skylines II has had a rocky start, part of which is down to just how good playing the original… Continue reading Official City Skylines Mod Support finally nears release – new roadmap released

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A screenshot showing a bay in Cities Skylines II

Cities Skylines II has had a rocky start, part of which is down to just how good playing the original Cities Skylines, even today, with all its mods, patches, and tweaks, can be.

A ropy start, poor optimization, and a feeling that the devs Colossal Order were fire–fighting from the off have meant some poor publicity for the game, but things have been getting better slowly but surely.

The lack of official mod support has been a huge bugbear of the community for a while now but a post today on the official blog should now help put that to bed with the news that we are just a week away from getting mod support – albeit in a beta format initially.

Updated Cities Skylines II roadmap

The post reads: “With Mods (short for modifications), you can tailor your gaming experience to your unique preferences. Uploaded by creators all over the world, you can pick between anything to create the city of your dreams. Along with Beach Properties, the first wave of Cities: Skylines II Modding will be available. The Beta release of Modding will initially support Map and Code mods.

With the Map Editor, you can make maps with the Terraforming Tools you’re used to, import hightmaps to create highly accurate depictions of your hometown, and upload your creations to Paradox Mods.

With the Code Tools, you can show off your coding skills and create Code Mods to meet your heart’s desire!”

This will be news to warm the hearts of Skylines II players. The prospect of mods to improve quality of life quicker than the devs can push them out should now help propel the games towards where it should have been at launch.

The Mods beta will launch on March 25th alongside a beach Properties Asset Pack that will bring a new Waterfront Zone to the game.

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Stop! Step away from Minecraft. Do not update it by order of Mojang https://readwrite.com/stop-step-away-from-minecraft-do-not-update-it-by-order-of-mojang/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:09:44 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261362 An image of the Minecraft Hogwarts build

Minecraft devs Mojang has urged players not to update their Minecraft games for fear of losing all their worlds in… Continue reading Stop! Step away from Minecraft. Do not update it by order of Mojang

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An image of the Minecraft Hogwarts build

Minecraft devs Mojang has urged players not to update their Minecraft games for fear of losing all their worlds in what is a pretty major big deal when you think some people have been creating their worlds, for like, oooh, ten years or so.

Mojang, who today also launched the Minecraft Marketplace monthly subscription, posted the following message on its official Mojang Status X account:

“Do not update Minecraft through the Xbox app on PC. If you do, your worlds may be lost. We recommend that you run the Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC before installing the Minecraft update.”

This is all well and good, as long as you actually see this post, which is on an ancillary account on X before pushing the update button in your Game Pass app and potentially crying yourself to sleep for the rest of your days.

A further post on the linked Microsoft support page states:

“Do not download the recent update for Minecraft through the Xbox app for PC.

If you do, your worlds may be lost. We recommend that you run the Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC in the Xbox app on PC before installing the Minecraft update. Using this tool updates the Gaming Services to version 19.87.13001.0, which will avoid the update error. Below are instructions on running the tool;

  • Launch the Xbox app on PC.
  • Click your Profile picture.
  • Click on Support.
  • Click on Gaming Services Repair Tool
  • Click on Start Troubleshooting.

For more information about this tool, see our support article here: Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC.

A further issue is that the Xbox App will probably try to automatically update the game for you, regardless of whether you are even in the building so this could be a blocky disaster.

There is no indication as yet as to what the problem is, but Minecraft is not the first game to suffer save game issues this year, with Baldur’s Gate 3 players also losing hours of gameplay due to save game corruption.

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Flexispot wants the GT5 to be your new perfect gaming station https://readwrite.com/flexispot-wants-the-gt5-to-be-your-new-perfect-gaming-station/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:06:36 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=255950 A photograph of the GT5 gaming desk.

The team at Flexispot has been rolling out stylish furniture with an emphasis on mechanized sitting/standing desks that have found… Continue reading Flexispot wants the GT5 to be your new perfect gaming station

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A photograph of the GT5 gaming desk.

The team at Flexispot has been rolling out stylish furniture with an emphasis on mechanized sitting/standing desks that have found their way into many a gaming setup for a few years now. Popular with influencers and YouTubers, Flexispot’s desk has offered an easy and affordable way to get an adjustable height surface into your setup.

It’s not only perfect for day-to-day work with your PC or console but the ability to alter the desk height if you are playing fighting games with an arcade stick to make it more akin to the height you would find on an arcade cabinet, or even lower it to a driving height for racing games in VR has meant they have become popular choices, especially if you are redesigning your gaming space.

The new GT5 desk brings all that technology and models into a gaming desk that would fit into just about any scenario while looking less like an office desk and more like you are a pro influencer in the bargain.

Large enough to hold multiple monitors and covered in a carbon-fiber texture that looks stylish, the GT5 is powered by efficient duel motors, one on each of its sturdy legs, and controlled by a simple panel mounted at the front of the desk, which can be locked to make sure you don’t lean on it by accident.

The height can be adjusted between 58 and 123cm (the standard for sitting is generally around the 85ish cm) and it only takes seconds to switch between heights. You can also set favorite heights say for seating and standing and effortly switch between the two.

In an accessory pack that comes with it, you also get a cup holder, headphone hanger, and cable management system, and the control panel has a built-in charger for your phone.

Optional extras such as a keyboard tray or castors increase the cost but certainly aren’t necessary.

Another nice feature is the contoured cut-out at the front of the desk meaning you can improve your posture while sitting by getting that bit close, or better still, when you have finished playing you can get your gaming chair an inch or so further underneath it and create a little more space in your room if you need to.

The price is around the $499 mark but Flexispot has regular sales on which may mean you can pick it up cheaper. 

The GT5 probably is not an impulse buy at that price but it is very good value for what you do get. The desk surface comes in two different sizes 160x80cm or 180×80 if y ou need the extra length for more screens.

If you are in the market for a new gaming desk, especially if you are upgrading your gaming space then the Flexispot GT5 could be just what you are looking for.

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What are the most popular Steam Deck games? https://readwrite.com/what-are-the-most-popular-steam-deck-games/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:32:24 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261186

The Steam Deck has proven itself as a popular bit of kit, with Valve confirming late in 2023 that they… Continue reading What are the most popular Steam Deck games?

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The Steam Deck has proven itself as a popular bit of kit, with Valve confirming late in 2023 that they had sold “multiple millions” of the handheld device.

Developers have stepped up accordingly and “Steam Deck Verified” is a mark of honor many strive for.

Valve, creators of the Steam Deck and games marketplace platform Steam, have released a list of the 100 most played games on the Deck between March 2023 and March 2024. In this case, “most played” means the highest daily active player count. Grab them now during the Steam Spring Sale.

Top Ten most played Steam Deck games in the last year

  1. Baldur’s Gate 3

    • Steam Deck Verified: Yes
    • Steam Sale: -10%, currently $53.99
    • This game hardly needs an introduction. It was voted Game of the Year in 2023 and continues to delight fans across the globe.
  2. Vampire Survivors

    • Steam Deck Verified: Yes
    • Steam Sale: -20%, currently $3.99
    • An addictive bullet hell roguelike with one of the most replayable gameplay loops to emerge from the genre in years.
  3. Dave The Diver

    • Steam Deck Verified: Yes
    • Steam Sale: -25%, currently $14.99
    • Run a sushi restaurant by diving for delicious fish, but don’t let the customers get too mad. Imagine Overcooked, but you can’t blame your friends when it all goes wrong.
  4. Elden Ring

  5. Palworld

    • Steam Deck Verified: Compatible
    • Steam Sale: -10%, currently $26.99
    • The smash-hit success of early 2024, adventure your way through Palworld collecting pals and creating whatever you can imagine. It’s still being updated with new content like raids.
  6. Cyberpunk 2077

    • Steam Deck Verified: Yes
    • Steam Sale: -50%, currently $29.99
    • A true redemption arc, the 2.0 update saved this game from the scrap heap. Explore Night City and embark on epic quests, then check out the DLC, Phantom Liberty.
  7. Grand Theft Auto V

  8. Stardew Valley

    • Steam Deck Verified: Yes
    • Steam Sale: -20%, currently $11.99
    • After being the internet’s darling for over eight years, ConcernedApe is still updating this all-time great, which recently broke over 30 million sales.
  9. Red Dead Redemption 2

    • Steam Deck Verified: Compatible
    • Steam Sale: -67%, currently $19.79
    • Lose yourself in the epic tale of Arthur Morgan as you ride around in this Cowboy ’em up that defines its class in every way.
  10. Hades

    • Steam Deck Compatible: Yes
    • Steam Sale: -50%, currently $12.49
    • An incredibly crafted roguelike with a story to rival many more traditional games, Hades is exceptional. Grab it now before the sequel comes out this year.

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Lightyear Frontier – How to restore Pine Heights https://readwrite.com/lightyear-frontier-how-to-restore-pine-heights/ Sat, 16 Mar 2024 12:00:59 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261430 A screenshot showing the lush landscape in Lightyear Fronttier.

We are definitely a little bit in love with Lightyear Frontier and if there is one thing the demo has… Continue reading Lightyear Frontier – How to restore Pine Heights

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A screenshot showing the lush landscape in Lightyear Fronttier.

We are definitely a little bit in love with Lightyear Frontier and if there is one thing the demo has taught us is that things are not always obvious in this beautiful little life/farming sim with chilled No Man’s Sky vibes.

From the off, you will be getting tasks popping up in the window at the top right corner of your HUD, one of which will be Restore Pine Heights. All well and good, except you don’t know where it is, or what to do when you find it. Let’s solve those problems for you now.

It’s a multi-part process so let’s get going

How to restore Pine Heights

First things first, check out the Map (the M key on your PC. Here you will see you starting area and Pine Heights to your North West. It’s actually quite a sizeable area of the initial map, but there is no point heading there yet. You need to first locate all your missing tools after you have recovered your Mech.

Get in the Mech and wander around the map until you have collected all the tools it tells you to. You can spot them on the terrain because they will be issuing colored smoke from the wreckage.

You are now going to use two of those tools to restore Pine Heights. The first you need is the Vacuum Harvester. Access your Tool Wheel (Q) and find a pool of water, there are plenty about but you are going to need multiple visits as the vac doesn’t hold anywhere enough of the resources to get the job done. Slightly irritating, but such is life. Use the Vacuum Harvester on the water to suck it up until the meter is filled.

Collecting water in Lightyear Frontier.

Now we can head off to Pine Heights. It’s worth noting here it is so called as it contains a lot of Pine Trees which are a source of Soft Wood.

Make your way to Pine Heights using the map if need be. Here we are going to have to wash away the Noxious Slime pools with the fresh water you sucked up just now. Switch your tool to the Irrigation Hose and now you can spray water on the slime to get rid of it.

Don’t go crazy because you will soon need another trip to a pond to refill so try and use just the correct amount.

As you trot about removing the slime a Percentage bar will fill up showing you how close you are to restoring Pine Heights. Note, it will go up slower than you would like it to. There is a lot of slime hanging around and it is quite a big area and it is easy to miss a patch or two and struggle to fill the bar and complete the job.

A screenshot showing water being sprayed on Noxious Slime in Lightyear Frontier

The best advice to find it all is it glows more obviously at night and to try and get a higher vantage point to see where there might be some left.

Once it has all gone, Pine Heights is restored. Mission accomplished.

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Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree – everything we know: release date, trailer, story, and more https://readwrite.com/elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-everything-we-know-release-date-trailer-story-and-more/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 16:00:15 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261188 A battle between the player and Mesmer in Shadow of the Erdtree

There’s no mistaking that Elden Ring is one of those games that will go down as one of the all… Continue reading Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree – everything we know: release date, trailer, story, and more

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A battle between the player and Mesmer in Shadow of the Erdtree

There’s no mistaking that Elden Ring is one of those games that will go down as one of the all time greats. The beautiful vistas, incredibly designed world, and mechanic-rich boss battles come together to create a jaw-dropping experience.

Shadow of the Erdtree, Elden Ring’s only announced DLC, is primed and ready to enhance the base game even further, bringing additional story beats, bosses, and even more POIs to explore.

Here, we’ll take you through everything we know on Shadow of the Erdtree so you can be as informed as possible before jumping into the expansion.

What is the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree release date?

Even though Shadow of the Erdtree was announced some time ago, it didn’t have a release date. However, thanks to the official trailer for this much anticipated DLC, we now know the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree release date is June 21, 2024.

This is almost two and a half years after the base Elden Ring game launched so whatever FromSoftware has been cooking up, you know they have put their heart and soul into it.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree trailer

On February 21, 2024, FromSoftware gave fans exactly what they had been waiting for – a glimpse into what Shadow of the Erdtree has to offer – in trailer form.

If you haven’t had chance to watch it yet, here it is:

This is the only trailer that has been released for the DLC as of right now but as we get closer to launch, we expect there to be at least one more, full of exciting tidbits before the full experience releases.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree editions

Akin to the Dark Souls series that also received the DLC treatment post-launch, Elden Ring has a fresh set of editions which come packaged with Shadow of the Erdtree content.

There are four fully fledged editions of the DLC that are on sale, all including variations of the product:

Shadow of the Erdtree Edition

  • Elden Ring base game code
  • Shadow of the Erdtree DLC code

Shadow of the Erdtree Premium Bundle

  • Shadow of the Erdtree DLC code
  • Digital copies of the Shadow of the Erdtree soundtrack and artbook

Shadow of the Erdtree Deluxe Edition

  • Elden Ring base game code
  • Shadow of the Erdtree DLC code
  • Digital copies of the Elden Ring soundtrack and artbook
  • Digital copies of the Shadow of the Erdtree soundtrack and artbook

Shadow of the Erdtree Collector’s Edition

  • Shadow of the Erdtree DLC code
  • Digital copy of the Shadow of the Erdtree soundtrack
  • 40 page hard-cover artbook
  • 46cm statue of “Messmer the Impaler”

The three main editions of Shadow of the Erdtree

As shown above, the two editions that come with the base Elden Ring game, required to play the DLC, are the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition and Deluxe Edition. So, if you don’t own the vanilla experience already, this is the route you want to go down.

Pre-ordering will also net you the Ring of Miquella gesture but this can also be unlocked via playing through the DLC so don’t worry too much about missing out.

You can always purchase Shadow of the Erdtree DLC completely separate to the above editions, and is the cheapest of all the options.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree story details

Elden Ring’s story is rich and full of really intricate details if you know where to look. With intertwining family trees, lore-rich NPCs, and famous weapons and armor, you can see George R. R. Martin’s influence on the enthralling narrative.

Shadow of the Erdtree continues this, focusing more on the family aspect, delving deep into Miquella who is Malenia’s twin brother, as well as Radagon and Queen Marika’s children.

Miquella was born with the curse of never growing into an adult and as time passed, spawned his need to age in whatever way possible. This was when he utilized a cocoon and his blood to become one with the Haligtree in an effort to become an Erdtree.

Miquella's cocoon in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

However, he was not successful, and if you reach the Mohg Lord of Blood boss in the base game, you can see the aforementioned cocoon with Miquella’s arm seeping through the cracks.

It is here where you enter the DLC and into the Land of Shadow, where we expect that more will be revealed on this bloodline, hopefully clearing up Miquella’s fate.

The trailer above also showcased Mesmer – the scary looking guy dressed in warrior attire and appearing to control snakes. This is likely the final main boss of the DLC, and will likely hold the key to revealing the finale of the story.

Whatever the full story of Shadow of the Erdtree is, there’s one thing for certain – it’ll be complex and only unearthed through diving deep into every item and listening to every NPC.

How many bosses are in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?

One of the bosses from Shadow of the Erdtree

There are at least ten new bosses that are introduced with Shadow of the Erdtree, with some potentially being as difficult as the infamous Malenia according to game director Hidetaka Miyazaki.

This will take Elden Ring’s total boss count to around 250, including both optional and required fights. Obviously this is a staggering number, and one that will likely be unmatched by anyone other than FromSoftware.

How big is Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?

A vista from Shadow of the Erdtree

Since the FromSoftware pattern for DLC releases is usually a two-part affair, the fact that Shadow of the Erdtree is one big, complete package means that you’re going to be spending some hours in it.

In fact, Miyazaki stated that Shadow of the Erdtree is the “largest expansion” FromSoftware has created “in terms of overall volume”. This translates to a whole new area that is larger than “Limgrave in the base game” coupled with even more dungeons to explore.

In fact, Miyazaki has even managed to squeeze in one of his trademark poison swamps into Shadow of the Erdtree. If you’re feeling shudders down your spine or even fully-fledged nightmares of Dark Souls’ Blighttown, you’re not alone…

Featured image: FromSoftware

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14 ‘new’ retro classics coming to Xbox this month https://readwrite.com/14-retro-classics-coming-to-xbox/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 08:27:58 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261330

Antstream Arcade, a massive library of retro games available to Xbox owners and PC gamers for an annual fee of… Continue reading 14 ‘new’ retro classics coming to Xbox this month

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Antstream Arcade, a massive library of retro games available to Xbox owners and PC gamers for an annual fee of $30/year, is adding 14 new titles to the service this month.

The app launched in July 2023 and provides subscribers with instant access to over 1,300 classic titles. The games range from the Atari, through the NES, to the Game Boy, all the way up to the PlayStation 1 (calling the PlayStation 1 retro makes me concerned I might be about to crumble into dust) and more. As well as games, the service has sweetened the pot by providing tons of extra features and continually expanding its game library.

With their subscriptions, players gain access to over 600 minigame challenges, a vast number of which Antstream Arcade is adding to every month. There are global weekly tournaments for the really competitive players, and couch co-op for people looking to recapture the feeling of a classic games night.

Although $30 for an annual subscription to such a vast library plus extra features may seem like a great deal, it gets better: you can get a lifetime subscription for just $80. One subscription allows you access across all of your devices.

What games are coming to Antstream Arcade in March?

  • Bristles (Arcade)  – can you navigate Peter the Painter through the house and paint every wall?
  • Demons of Asteborg (Arcade) – fight the demonic hoards and save your homeland in this action platformer.
  • Firelord (Amstrad) – explore the cursed kingdom of Torot and recover the four charms of eternal youth.
  • First Samurai (C64 and SNES) – a beat ’em up platformer that sees you defeating rival swordsmen to prevail as the first Samurai.
  • Hobgoblin (Amstrad) – cross the swamps of the hobgoblin hoards and retrieve the stolen Golden Orb.
  • Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (Amiga) – help Indie discover the fate of Atlantis in this classic point-and-click adventure.
  • Mr. Tuff (SNES) – never originally released, now is your chance to check out this action platformer.
  • Pitstop (Atari) – put your foot down in this semi-first-person racing game and see if you can win the championship.
  • Pitstop 2 (Atari) – a more complex older brother to Pitstop which adds split-screen racing for two players.
  • R-Type (Arcade) – dive into this side-scrolling shooter and destroy the alien threat before they wipe out humankind!
  • Streak Hoverboard Racing (PS1) – famed for being extremely difficult, are you up to this racing challenge?
  • Switchblade (Arcade) – a side-scrolling run-and-gun action platformer where you must defeat the enemies and collect the shards of the Fireblade.
  • Xenon (Amstrad) – become a future space pilot in this vertical-scrolling shooter to help win the war against the aliens.

Antstream Arcade has also announced multiple future titles on their way to the platform, including the ultimate game night game, Worms Armageddon. Don’t forget to grab yourself an 8BitDo keyboard for maximum retro immersion.

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Genshin Impact leaks reveal Arlecchino’s splash art and weapon https://readwrite.com/leaks-reveal-arlecchinos-splash-art-and-weapon/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:18:17 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261121

As fans get stuck into Genshin Impact’s 4.5 release across the world, leaks have revealed more details about the hotly… Continue reading Genshin Impact leaks reveal Arlecchino’s splash art and weapon

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As fans get stuck into Genshin Impact’s 4.5 release across the world, leaks have revealed more details about the hotly anticipated five-star character Arlecchino, known as The Knave. Reliable sources have shown off her splash art and her weapon.

Arlecchino is a Fatui Harbinger, the fourth of eleven, and initially appeared in a trailer that showcased eight of these mysterious characters. She has also been a part of the Fontaine storyline, leaving fans wanting more.

The leaks, which have been shared by reliable sources, come from the Genshin Impact 4.6 beta testing server. The splash art is eye-catching, with its black, red, and white color scheme. Arlecchino stands atop the “Ancient Mountain of Doom” and sports a single red wing.

Equally as exciting is the reveal that Arlecchino’s signature spear weapon transforms into a scythe as she uses it. The attack, named “Crimson Monn’s Semblance” has been shown by other leaks to have a very high attack value, making Arlecchino a valuable DPS character.

The new leaks have added to the hype though, and people can’t wait to add Arlecchino to their rosters. Her weapon’s sub-stat is CRIT rate, a huge boon for damage-dealing characters. It also grants a Bond of Life effect of 25% max hit points whenever a charged attack lands. This prevents opponents from healing mid-fight. The cherry on the cake is that having an active Bond of Life grants a damage bonus to Arlecchino.

When will Arlecchino be released?

While there is no firm release yet for when players can get their hands on Arlecchino, it has been confirmed by HoYoverse that she will release with Version 4.6, the next major patch due for the game. Genshin Impact has a tendency to follow a 6-week release cycle, and if that continues to hold true, Arlecchino might be available on April 24. 

Naturally, all information gained from leaks, no matter how reliable, should be taken with a pinch of salt. All this information is subject to change as HoYoverse gathers information from the 4.6 beta testing server.

Image credits: HoYoverse

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War Thunder gets Alpha Strike update with new jets and dozens more vehicles https://readwrite.com/war-thunder-gets-alpha-strike-update-with-new-jets-and-dozens-more-vehicles/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:14:36 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261238 A cinematic image from War Thunder of a fighter launching a missile.

If you like War Thunder you are in for a treat with Gaijin Entertainment’s new Alpha Strike content update. Alpha… Continue reading War Thunder gets Alpha Strike update with new jets and dozens more vehicles

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A cinematic image from War Thunder of a fighter launching a missile.

If you like War Thunder you are in for a treat with Gaijin Entertainment’s new Alpha Strike content update.

Alpha Strike contains dozens of new military vehicles including the European Alpha Jet attack aircraft, the M60 120S tank, the most up-to-date Chinese infantry fighting vehicle – the ZBD-04A, the American F-20A Tigershark fighter jet, the Hungarian aviation subtree, as well as the North Holland map and other content and improvements.

The Alpha Jet is a compact two-seat attack and trainer jet created by European designers in the 1970s for the local Air Forces. It was exported to a couple of dozen countries, is still in service with France, and is actively used by the Nigerian Air Force in missions against Boko Haram.

Every nation in the game has received at least one new ground vehicle, so no matter who you play as there is something fresh to try out.

If you like playing as Japan, the Imperial Japanese Navy now has the IHN Mutsu, which has the largest guns in the whole game.

Map-wise another new addition is the North Holland location for ground forces which features a city battleground complete with a large mall that is big enough to get your tank into!

The update isn’t all vehicles and new stuff however, a lot of fixes and balances are included in the patch which is the first major update for War Thunder in 2024.

All new vehicles in War Thunder Alpha Strike

Aircraft

Country Equipment
USA F-20A (Pack)
Germany Alpha JET A
BF 109 C-1
USSR Su-25SM3
Great Britain Buccaneer S.2B
Japan F-5E FCU (Squadron vehicle)
F-15J — unique detailed cockpit added
Italy Hungarian Aircraft Subtree
Yak-9P
Tu-2S-59
IL-10
Il-28
MiG-15bis
MiG-17PF
Su-22M3
MiG-21MF
MiG-21bis-SAU
MiG-23MF
MiG-29 (9-12B)
JAS39EBS HU C
France Alpha JET E
Israel BAZ — unique detailed cockpit added

Ground Vehicles

Country Equipment
USA 120S
Germany Zerstorer 45
USSR ZSU-23-4M4
T-80UD (Premium)
Great Britain FV721 Fox
Japan Type 90B Fuji (Pack)
China ZBD04A
Italy Centauro RGO (Pack)
France VTT DCA
Sweden Strv 121B Christian II (Pack)
Israel Merkava Mk.3 Raam Segol (Pack)

Helicopters

Country Equipment
USA AH-1W
AH-64A, AH-64D, AH-64A Peten, AH-64A (GR), YAH-64 — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added
Great Britain Wessex HU Mk.5
AH Mk.1 Apache — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added
Japan AH-64DJP — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added
China AH-1W
Sweden AHS — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added
Israel AH-60
Peten, Saraph, AH-64A Peten — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added

Naval Fleet

Country Equipment
USA USS Dealey (DE-1006)
Great Britain HMS Diamond (Premium)
Japan IJN Mutsu
Italy RN Bolzano
France Kleber
Bretagne

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