Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout has taken the gamingworld by storm since its release on August 4, 2020. The game falls under the increasingly popular Battle Royale game mode and has been trending among avid and casual gamers alike. According to data presented by Safebettingsites.com, Fall Guys has sold over 7 million units of the game on gaming platform Steam in less than 3 weeks and is fast becoming one of the most popular games on streaming platform Twitch.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout – A Wholesome Battle Royale
In the last few years, the Battle Royale game mode has become one of the most popular game modes in terms of both active players and in viewership on streaming platforms. The game mode was popularized with the release of Fortnite in 2017.
Itentails gamers playing online against other real-life gamers all vying to be the last one standing at the end of a match. However, most of the different iterations of the game mode involve combat of some sort where opponents are needed to be killed off to be eliminated from the game.
This is what separates Fall Guys as it puts a totally wholesome twist on the Battle Royale game mode. Fall Guys is played with up to 60 online players all vying to finish an obstacle course where only a certain number qualify for each level of the course.
The obstacle course has been described by many as a combination of popular tv shows, Wipeout and Takeshi’s Castle. The graphics of the game is also designed to be suitable for most ages. Players are represented by little animated avatars that they can customise to their liking. This made the game appealing to even the most casual of gamers.
The game was developed by Mediatonic and is available to download for free on PlayStation Plus or for various prices (depending on region) on Steam.
Fall Guys Takes Over Steam, PS Plus and Twitch
Since its release in the first week of August, Fall Guys has sold over 7 million units of the game in just a little over 3 weeks after its release. Sony also announced that the game has set the record for most downloaded Playstation Plus game of all time.
The game’s appeal stretches beyond the gamer experience as it has also proven to be popular among those who merely enjoy watching the game being played. In August, Fall Guys was already making its way to the top of the charts despite being in its infancy on streaming platform Twitch.
Publisher and co-developer Dotemu with co-developers Lizardcube and Guard Crush Games have announced a new patch for Streets of Rage 4 that brings almost 80 updates, bug fixes and balance changes to the game, all of which were tested by the community itself.
The co-developer and publisher also revealed the title has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times.
Streets of Rage 4’s new patch brings enhancements and fixes to the game, including:
Specials and start move can interrupt all hitstun states
Axel has been buffed, with a faster move speed and less recovery on some moves
Cherry has been buffed, with her flying punch from combos now being fully invincible
“We couldn’t be happier with the reception of Streets of Rage 4. We thank the fans who have supported the game from day one – a lot of the updates in the patch enhance the replay value for folks who have been with us from the start,” Cyrille Imbert, executive producer on Streets of Rage 4, said. “Additional updates are currently in production and we’ll have more to share on that soon.”
Streets of Rage 4 is a revival of the classic beat em’ up series released in 2020 that was released earlier this spring on PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. After not seeing a release for 25 years, Streets of Rage 4 brought the series into the modern era, and received critical praise upon launch. The titlefeatured new and returning fighters, stylish hand-drawn artwork, brand new combat abilities and mechanics, retro pixel character unlocks, and a soundtrack crafted in homage to the sound and style that made the original games so popular.
Streets of Rage 4’s console releases were made possible through collaborations with Blitworks, the partner who managed the game’s port to Xbox One and the Microsoft Store, as well as Seaven Studio, the partner behind the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 versions
Electronic Arts, Motive Studios and Lucasfilm unveiled a new look at the authentic single-player story featured in Star Wars™: Squadrons, the highly anticipated space dogfighting experience set in the beloved Star Wars™ galaxy, with an all-new trailer as part of Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night Live show at Gamescom 2020.
The all-new single-player trailer expands on the story of Star Wars: Squadrons and the alternating perspective players will experience as they go back and forth as two customizable pilots on opposing missions to safeguard the newly formed New Republic, or to help restore order to The Galactic Empire.
In addition to the new trailer, Motive has released the fourth Star Wars: Squadrons’ Pilot Briefing here, with commentary from Star Wars: Squadrons Writer Joanna Berry. The blog provides an overview of the narrative featured in Star Wars: Squadrons and how it relates to the overall Star Wars storyline, as well some background on the two key squadrons: the New Republic’s heroic Vanguard Squadron, and the Galactic Empire’s fearsome Titan Squadron.
Beyond Azeroth’s shattered sky,a realm of infinite afterlives awaits: the Shadowlands, where mortal souls go to reckon with their pasts, discover new purpose . . . or suffer an eternity of torment.
On October 27, the heroes of the Horde and the Alliance will forge their own fate in the next world as World of Warcraft®: Shadowlands, the eighth expansion for Blizzard Entertainment’s acclaimed massively multiplayer online role-playing game, launches around the globe.
Upon entering the Shadowlands, Azeroth’s champions will encounter an otherworld in disarray. Virtuous souls are being wrongfully cast into the eternal darkness of the Maw, while the Covenants—powerful factions who hold dominion over the afterlife’s disparate realms—face ruin and strife as the flow of the Shadowlands’ essential anima mysteriously dwindles. As an ancient, long-bound evil gathers the strength to break its chains, players must carve their path through the uncharted reaches of the beyond, forge a pact with the Covenant that most aligns with their own principles and purpose—and ultimately restore balance to the hereafter.
“In Shadowlands, players will explore one of the Warcraft universe’s most mysterious undiscovered frontiers,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “And in selecting a Covenant to align themselves with, they’ll face one of the most challenging decisions they’ve ever made in the game—one that will impact nearly every aspect of their experience with this expansion. We can’t wait to see what paths players choose when Shadowlands launches this October.”
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is loaded with content and features that give players whole-new ways to discover and shape their characters’ destinies:
§ Explore Warcraft’s Afterlife—Discover the wonders and horrors that await in the world beyond the veil. Ride across the gleaming fields of Bastion, lose yourself among the gothic spires of Revendreth, find yourself at the crossroads of fate in the eternal city of Oribos, and much more.
§ Pledge Yourself to a Covenant—Align with one of the Shadowlands’ four Covenants, each with unique story campaigns, gameplay features, and powers that they bestow upon those who pledge themselves to their cause. Choose between Bastion’s valiant Kyrian or Revendreth’s prideful Venthyr, fight for the mighty Necrolords of Maldraxxus, or seek renewal with the wild Night Fae of Ardenweald.
§ Ascend the Tower of the Damned—The vilest souls in existence are locked away in Torghast, an otherworldly prison ruled by the terrifying entity known as the Jailer. This ever-changing, roguelikechallenge is open to solo players and groups of up to five, and those who brave its trials will earn materials to commission rune-carved legendary equipment of their choosing.
§ Rise as a Death Knight—Bolvar Fordragon, the former paladin who once wore the helm of the Lich King to keep the Scourge at bay, seeks to bolster the Death Knights’ numbers—now, all Allied Races as well as pandaren can join their unholy ranks. (Available with pre-purchase.)
§ And More. . .—Endure the Jailer’s watchful eye in the Maw, where the challenge mounts the longer you linger; Soulbind withkey characters of your chosen Covenant to share their distinct powers; choose how to restore your Covenant’s Sanctum to glory . . . Shadowlands is unlike anything ever before experienced in World of Warcraft.
Death Rises in Azeroth
Prior to the expansion’s release, Azeroth will begin to bear the effects of Sylvanas’s actions during a special pre-launch in-game event: “Death Rising.” This limited-time event will send players to the frozen wastes of Icecrown, where the veil between worlds has been shattered—and the reawakening of the undead Scourge heralds the stirring of more sinister forces.
The “Death Rising” event is part of the major pre-expansion game update to prepare for Shadowlands’ release, which also includes a newly revamped leveling experience that takes players to the new pre-Shadowlands level cap of 50, the addition of an epic introductory adventure for players new to World of Warcraft set on the accursed island of Exile’s Reach, a variety of updates to classes and abilities in preparation for the expansion, and more.
Choose Your Path Into the Shadowlands
Players who wish to prepare for their journey into the Shadowlands today can pre-purchase the expansion now at www.worldofwarcraft.com. World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is available in a range of editions to suit players’ interests:
§ Shadowlands Base Edition (£34.99, digital only), which comes with the expansion only, and provides a new lower entry point compared to previous expansions.
§ Shadowlands Heroic Edition (£49.99, digital only), which comes with the expansion; a character boost so players can be ready to enter the Shadowlands at launch; and the Ensorcelled Everwyrm mount, which additionally provides access to a quest line through which players can earn the Vestments of the Eternal Traveler transmogrification set.
§ Shadowlands Epic Edition (£69.99, digital only), which includes everything in the Heroic Edition plus the Anima Wyrmling pet; the Wraithchill cosmetic weapon effect; the Eternal Traveler’s Hearthstone, which provides a unique visual effect; and 30 days of game time.
§ Shadowlands Collector’s Edition (£109.99 SRP, retail only), a limited-edition boxed set that comes with the Epic Edition content along with mementos to adorn the physical realm, including four pins bearing the sigils of the Covenants; a mouse pad reflecting the shattered sky over Icecrown; a hardcover Art of the Shadowlands book; and a key to download the Shadowlands soundtrack. The Collector’s Edition is scheduled to begin shipping from retailers starting October 13, 2020; check with your local store for pre-order availability or information regarding their shipping policies. Players who pre-purchased a digital copy of Shadowlands and who upgrade to the Collector’s Edition will automatically be credited Blizzard Balance†† based on their original purchase (some restrictions apply; read Blizzard’s Collector’s Edition article for details).
All bonuses from the Heroic and Epic Editions are unlocked immediately upon pre-purchase. In addition, pre-purchasing any edition of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands will open the ability for players to create Pandaren and Allied Race Death Knights.
Esport event organizers 983 Media have announced a charity event to bring the Competitive Card Game community together and raise funds for the Covid-19 Response aid.
The event is appropriately named…Cards for Humanity.
It’s no secret that the world is in a bizarre place right now, and for all the chaos happening around us, there are also a lot of good deeds taking place. 983 Media is adding to that list of good deeds by organizing not one, not two, not even three but four competitive CCG tournaments in some of the genres biggest games.
Cards for Humanity will bring the communities from Magic: The Gathering Arena, Mythgard, Gwent, and Legends of Runeterra together to face off in their chosen game.
The top 8 for each of the four events will be aired on 983 Media’s Twitch channel on Saturday the 18th April in a monster 16-hour charity production.
Cards for Humanity has been fully backed by the developers and publishers involved, who have provided a variety of in-game goodies to not only compete for but to also giveaway to viewers of the event.
The fundraising target for the event is $1000, with every penny raised going to the Covid-19 Response Unit. Over the course of the 16-hour production, there will be an opportunity for the viewers to donate towards the funding goal.
To make Cards for Humanity are must-watch event on the CCG calendar 983 Media and reached into their contact pool and managed to bring some of the biggest names from the official games’ esports broadcasting teams to cast the events. The likes of Merchant and AliasV will be casting the Magic: The Gathering top 8, while the dynamic duo themselves WatchFlake and McBeard will be casting the Gwent section of the event.
The playing date of Cards for Humanity is the weekend of 11th/12th April, sign-ups are open now on the 983 Media website https://983media.com/upcoming-events/
The National Videogame Museum is launching a new initiative today at BFI Southbank, leading a network of museums and independent collectors who are engaged in videogame preservation.
The Videogame Heritage Society (VHS) includes the Science and Media Museum, Bath Spa University, British Library and Museum of London as well as many independent collectors. It will develop best practice and share knowledge across the museum sector and beyond about preserving and exhibiting videogames.
Ian Livingstone, chair of the BGI (the charity which governs the NVM) commented, “This group is for anyone who cares about or works in videogame preservation. We recognise that in the UK and around the world, the expertise in this field isn’t just locked inside museums and heritage institutions, but also inside a wide range of dedicated and passionate private collectors. The VHS will bring everyone together to preserve the important heritage of videogames in our country.”
The event today will also mark the launch of a new White Paper: ‘Time Extend’, on video game history, heritage and preservation. There will also be a special address from legendary Nintendo console designer Masayuki Uemura. The National Videogame Museum has worked closely alongside Uemura, who is a professor at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto and is giving a talk at the NVM on 26th February.
The NVM preserves the history of UK development through its UK Collection, a special collection within the Museum that focuses on the story of British videogames creation. This was recently launched with Rebellion, the first studio to formally collaborate with the NVM on the project.
Gina Jackson, Trustee for the BGI, said “In order to develop as an art form, to become more diverse and reflect all kinds of areas of our lives, and to build a cultural confidence that is sometimes absent, we need to be able to learn about videogames. In order to learn about them, we need to be able to access them and make sense of them. The work we’re doing at the NVM and BGI isn’t out of nostalgia. It’s out of a concern for the future. We want to be able to inspire and educate new kinds of game-makers to make new kinds of games.”
Ever wondered how many games you need in your library to call yourself a ‘Games Collector’?
Well, you may be closer to this exclusive group than you think!
Digital game distributer Fanatical surveyed over 6,000 people to understand the growing trend of ‘Games Collecting’ and to find out just how many games you need to own in order to join the club.
71% of the people asked considered themselves to be collectors, each owning a whopping 931 games on average. Considering that the average amount of games owned per person works out at 770 each, most gamers are only 161 games shy of earning the ‘Game Collector’ status.
Men are closer to earning the title than women, with men on average owning 179 more. However, that’s not to say that women aren’t serious about their gaming either, 70 of them said they own over 1,000 games with a few having up to 7,000 in their collection.
In fact, 23% of the overall audience claims to have more than 1,000 games, with some boasting an incredible 20,000 Steam and console games to choose from, which takes a portion of gamers past collector status and into the elite category!
Gaming is not just reserved for the young either. The age group which boasts some of the biggest collection sizes is the 35-44s who were kids when popular mainstream gaming found its way into many households in the 1970s and 1980s.
Teenagers own the least amount of games when compared with other age groups – under 18s have on average around 525 in their collection, compared with 907 in the 35-44 age group. Respondents were also asked for their views on the hobby and the industry itself.
When asked what they consider to be the best thing about the gaming industry, ‘choice’ came out on top.
“The best thing about the gaming industry is the variety of developers out there that pump out a multitude of games,” a survey respondent said. “Gamers in 2020 have more choice than ever before when it comes to games. 2D, 3D, VR, horror, sci-fi, racing, adventure – there’s a game out there for anyone and everyone.”
When asked about what the worst aspect of the industry was, ‘microtransactions’ was at the top of most gamers’ lists, with aspects such as publishers releasing unfinished games that require upgrades and creating games where they have to pay to do well. The majority of gamers stated that they preferred the ability to just buy a game and play it through to the end, without having to purchase items or upgrade their characters.
With new technologies and social media channels now leveling the playing field for Indie developers to compete with the big AAA brands, and websites like Fanatical offering bundled game packs for a much lower cost than the RRP, it’s never been easier for a gamer to quickly amass a few thousand games into their collection. With games also being released at a rapid rate each year, the number of ‘Games Collectors’ is only set to increase.
The ‘Games Collector’ rankings are:
Game Saver – Less than 931 games
Games Collector – 931 games and above
Super Games Collector – Over 5,000!
Elite Games Collector – Over 10,000!
Why not save a badge, show off your collection and join in the conversation on Facebook or Twitter #Gamescollector
GAME are delighted to share, that for the sixth year running, they will be supporting GameBlast20 – https://www.gameblast20.org.uk.
GameBlast is an annual event run by GAME’s longstanding charity partner SpecialEffect, a UK based charity who use technology to help people with disabilities benefit from the fun and inclusion of video games.
Gamers everywhere are invited to join the many streamers, studios and student societies taking part in GameBlast20 from the 21st to 23rd February. Heralded as “the best excuse to game EVER!”, GameBlast sees SpecialEffect invite gamers to complete a challenge of their own design, whether it be a marathon livestream, speed run, esports tournament or games-themed office party!
In addition to the individual gamers and stream-teams who’ll be gaming hard over the weekend, GAME will add their customary fundraising activity which will take place across all GAME stores and BELONG arenas nationwide. GAME and BELONG HQ will also be burning the midnight gaming oil with 24hours of continuous gaming as part of the UK’s largest charity video gaming weekend!
GameBlast will be live streamed via Twitch to raise money and help people like Aaron, (http://bit.ly/308JG4Q) who never thought he’d be able to play video games again because his muscular dystrophy stopped him using a controller.
GameBlast truly is the perfect opportunity to do what you love, whilst helping people with disabilities enjoy the fun, inclusion and community of video games! Please join in or donate to – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/gameblast20
Atari® — one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers — today announced that it has acquired an exclusive license for all assets of Wonder, the innovative gaming company behind WonderOS, an Android-based hybrid mobile gaming and entertainment platform.
Wonder was founded in 2016 by CEO Andy Kleinman, an entrepreneur and former executive of Disney and mobile game companies Scopely and Zynga. Wonder has a diverse roster of media and entertainment industry investors. The pioneering WonderOS technology was designed to unify mobile, console, and PC gaming experiences, offering an ecosystem that gives access to multi-platform games, entertainment apps, and streaming services — locally or through the cloud.
Atari anticipates incorporating WonderOS into the development roadmap of the Atari Video Computer System (Atari VCS™) and making it available across mobile devices, which will further expand the capabilities and reach of the home gaming and entertainment system.
As Atari continues to grow its mobile game business, and re-enter the home hardware market with the new Atari VCS, the WonderOS and mobile IP will make an important contribution in the coming years as the company drives to make mobile gaming and content streaming persistent and pervasive for consumers.
“As a life-long gamer and fan of the brand, I can’t imagine a better company than Atari to be moving forward with,” said Kleinman. “I am confident that Atari is the right partner to bring Wonder’s promising technology to market.”
“Atari has strong mobile gaming business and deep experience as a publisher,” said Atari CEO Frédéric Chesnais. “Incorporating Wonder’s exciting technology will accelerate mobile integration within the Atari VCS platform, while better positioning Atari to capitalize on the promise offered by 5G digital cellular networks.”
CCP Games, creators of the in-depth and uniquely player-driven spaceship MMO game EVE Online, are proud to announce that over $100,000 has been raised by the pilots of EVE Online for the Red Cross and their relief work on the Australian Bushfires.
Raising $107,454 (£83,299.95) in just 11 days, PLEX for GOOD is a charitable program operated by CCP Games on behalf of EVE Online players.
It provides a way for EVE players to donate to a charitable cause through the use of the in-game digital currency PLEX – allowing for charitable donations by those who otherwise might not have the means to donate real money.
This equates to 2,687,693 PLEX, which is equivalent to:
448 years of game time
9.14 Trillion ISK at current market prices
CCP Games and the Icelandic Red Cross came together at CCP’s headquarters in Reykjavik to officially hand over the cheque for the money raised on behalf of the capsuleers of New Eden.
The money will be delivered to their Australian Red Cross counterparts where it will in turn find its way to the relief services that are being provided on the ground to those affected.
Starting in 2005 to raise funds for the South East Asian Tsunami, PLEX for GOOD has now raised a total of $578,000 (£448,033.81) for charitable causes over the years, an incredible feat for which all EVE Online players can be proud.
Players who donated a minimum of 100 PLEX will receive a piece of in-game apparel in March as a ‘thank you’ for their generosity. This will consist of two t-shirts (one men’s and one women’s) featuring the logo of the Reserve Frontier Safeguard (RFS) for pilots to wear proudly.
EVE Online can be downloaded for free by visiting www.eveonline.com.
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