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If you’ve bought a Nintendo Switch since July 17th, you might be able to upgrade for free

Nintendo made a lightly updated version of the original Switch console that offers improvements like better battery life. But if you bought the old model recently, you might not be out of luck. The company is offering upgrades to the newer model for customers who bought the old version from July 17th going forward (when Nintendo announced the new model), according to a report from Polygon, which confirmed Nintendo is performing the swaps.SHIPPING NOT INCLUDED

The upgrade program was first reported by Reddit user u/DarthMewtwo23, and at least one other user has said that they were able to upgrade their older unit. Per Polygon, a Nintendo customer representative has confirmed it’s doing the swap, although customers will still have to shell out for shipping costs to send the old model back to Nintendo.

The updated Switch model isn’t the only new Switch console Nintendo’s offering this fall. The company also has the $199 Switch Lite, a smaller, cheaper version that cuts out the removable Joy-Con controllers and TV dock, which is set to release this September.

The offer only seems to be valid for residents of the US and Canada, and it’s unclear how long it’ll be offering the upgrades. We’ve reached out to Nintendo for more details and will update if we have any more news. But for now, if you recently bought a Switch and are stuck with the old version, it can’t hurt to give Nintendo a call to see what it can do.

Source: The Verge

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The PS4’s DualShock 4 controller is getting some fresh fall colors

Sony’s DualShock 4 controller for the PS4 already has dozens of color variants, but that’s not stopping the company from announcing a few more today: electric purple, titanium blue, rose gold, and red camouflage (for blending in to a bright red forest, I guess?).

All four controllers feature a subtle (or, in the case of the red camouflage, not-so-subtle) two-tone color scheme. The electric purple model, in particular, is getting some extra flair in the form of all-white icons for the face buttons in place of Sony’s iconic red / green / pink / blue colors.

As is typical for non-black DualShock 4 controllers, the new colorways will be available for $64.99 in September. That’s $5 more than the standard (boring) version, which starts at $59.99 before the frequent discounts it tends to get.

If you’re a fan of the rose gold color, there’s more good news: Sony will be releasing a matching version of its gold Wireless Headset for the PS4, cleverly called the “rose gold Wireless Headset,” for $99.99 in November.

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FIFA 20 has female managers for the first time

In a recent release of game notes for FIFA 20, Electronic Arts announcedthat players will be able to play its Career mode as female managers for the first time in the game’s history. Now, there will be the choice to manage your soccer squad as a woman or a man. The addition of female managers came as a part of a larger announcement that FIFA 20 will introduce a detailed avatar editor system for managers.

This is not the first time that women are playable in a FIFA game. FIFA 16 allowed players to choose from a limited selection of women’s national teams, like the World Cup-winning U.S. squad, to compete in soccer matches. However, the Career mode, where players manage and run the logistics of the team, could only be played as a man. Now, the new avatar editor in FIFA 20 will finally change that.

The avatar editor boasts a wide variety of character customization options. It’s not just that players will get to pick between male or female — they’ll have the ability to change a host of avatar characteristics, including skin tone, haircut, clothing, and accessories.

If you want to take a stab at managing the best pro soccer team the world has ever seen, and now do it as a woman, FIFA 20 comes to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on Sept. 27.

Source: The Verge

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Twitch has released its own broadcasting software

Twitch just launched Twitch Studio, the company’s first broadcasting software.

Though the platform is the biggest player around in the live-streaming space, its broadcasters — from the most prominent creators to the smallest streamers — all rely on third-party software to get their streams to their viewers. The idea is to give new streamers an easier experience of getting started on Twitch — and, of course, to bring more people in.

“We’ve been listening to our users give us feedback, talk about their experience, how they started streaming, how they progress,” says Cheng Cheng, Twitch’s director of product management for the creator experience. “And one really consistent pain point was that multiplayer entertainment is really fun, it’s really engaging, but the bar to really get started is quite high.”

Before this, to start streaming on Twitch, you had to download one of a few different pieces of broadcasting software, like OBS, and then configure it so that it works with your camera, microphone, and, if you’re trying to stream console gameplay, your capture card. It can take a while to get right. “We don’t want to throw an hour of setup at you. We want you to just actually get started and start to enjoy what you’re passionate about,” says Cheng.

The software took several months to build. Different countries and hardware setups make consistency complicated, which is why Cheng says Twitch spent time going to “different geographies” and testing different hardware. Twitch Studio was designed to hide the traditional multistep process it takes to stream — to hide the complexities of configuring your hardware, software, and network connection — in order to allow potential streamers to get started as soon as possible. Most of the team who worked on the product were streamers themselves and understood why it’s sometimes so difficult to get started. (Cheng is “an avid streamer to zero viewers,” he says.)

Twitch Studio is aimed directly at new streamers, and it’s not meant to compete with any of the more advanced options to get a stream on Twitch, like Streamlabs or Xsplit. The idea is to expand the range of people who are streaming on Twitch. Right now, the platform overwhelmingly plays host to video game streams, though it’s expanding into other domains of live entertainment, like sports and music.

“It’s about interacting with your audiences, and being able to have that magical relationship building,” says Cheng of Twitch Studio. “And that’s something that we really want to make easy as well, because I think that’s really where that live format kind of shines.”

Twitch Studio’s closed beta is PC only and starts today. You can apply here.

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Microsoft unveils Gears-themed Xbox One X console that looks frozen

A dream come true for Gears of War fans

Microsoft is celebrating the launch of Gears 5 with a new custom Xbox One X console and controller. The limited edition console includes the Omen Gears of War symbol frozen under ice and snow, and it’s the first limited edition Xbox One X since the Project Scorpio launch edition. Microsoft’s Xbox industrial design team and The Coalition teamed up to design the custom Xbox One X, and it’s available to preorder today for $499 ahead of the Gears 5launch next month.

The limited edition console will include download codes for Gears 5 Ultimate EditionGears of War Ultimate EditionGears of War 2Gears of War 3, and Gears of War 4. That’s quite the bundle for a Gears of War fan. It also includes a new Gears 5 Xbox One controller with textured grips and a snow design. This controller will also be available separately on August 20th for $74.99. Microsoft has also licensed a $49.99 charging stand, which includes the same design.

If a limited edition console wasn’t enough, Gears of War fans can pick up a Gears 5 headset or a Gears 5-themed Razer mouse and keyboard set for $299.99. Last but not least, Seagate made a Gears 5 2TB hard drive with the snow-weathered design.

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NVIDIA is actually working on two new Shield TV devices

The new smaller NVIDIA Shield device is codenamed “sif”.

There has been a lot of news about the NVIDIA Shield TV lately. First, we found out that NVIDIA is working on an updated version of the Android TV box, and then it dropped the Android Pie update at the end of July.

Now, thanks to the guys over at XDA-Developers and their keen eye while digging through the code, we’ve learned NVIDIA has another Shield device in the works. We’ve already covered that NVIDIA has a new Shield device with the codename “mdarcy”, but the new code makes reference to another device, this one codenamed “sif”.

According to the code, “sif” will not feature a TV Tuner or USB support, meaning we could be looking at a new Shield TV form factor. The code does make references to “sif” including SD card support, though. To further back up that “sif” will be a new form factor, we have the FCC listing which shows off two different label designs, one of which is made for a much smaller device.

The new Shield TV Remote (P3700) is now on FCC website. OEM: Remote Solution.https://fccid.io/TX4-P3700 

Also the 2017 model (P2897) has new Exhibits.https://fccid.io/VOB-P2897 

P3430 is probably a Shield TV Dongle (compare the 2 pics) & the 2017 model is getting the new processor.

View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter

Putting this all together, it appears “sif” will be a smaller dongle or puck-sized Shield TV device. We can also assume it will be cheaper than the NVIDIA Shield TV, which would give consumers more choices when looking to purchase an Android TV device.

There’s a reason we get excited about the NVIDIA Shield TV around here, and that’s because the current model is the best Android TV box you can get. Sure, there are cheaper alternatives out there such as the Mi Box, but no Android TV box has been able to stand up to the NVIDIA Shield. Even Google’s own Nexus Player was no competition for it.

It’s unclear when the new Shields will be announced, but with IFA 2019 right around the corner and CES 2020 coming up in January, hopefully we won’t have to wait too much longer before we learn more.

Source: Android Central

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Nintendo confirms its plans for Gamescom 2019

Gamescom 2019 is fast approaching and Nintendo has now revealed what its on and offline plans for the show will be. 

Gamescom itself runs from August 20 to August 24 but the majority of Nintendo’s online activity will take place between the 20th and 22nd. Across these dates, those not attending the show itself will be able to watch a series of videos featuring extended gameplay from the publisher’s upcoming Switch lineup. 

Games getting some time in the spotlight will include Luigi’s Mansion 3The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, The Witcher 3, Astral Chain, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Dragon Quest 10 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age.

Bringing the gameplay

For visitors to the show floor, Nintendo will have a booth where it’ll be possible to get hands on with titles including The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Dragon Quest 10 S, Pokémon Sword and Shield and even that highly-anticipated The Witcher 3 port. 

New gameplay is all very well and good but if you like nothing more than a good competition then you’ll want to tune into Nintendo’s one-off Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Gamescom 2019 Invitational on August 22. The event will start streaming on Nintendo’s YouTube channel in the afternoon and will see players go head to head for the chance to be flown to Japan for the Ultimate World Challenge Cup held in October.

Source: Techradar

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Razer’s new Viper is a light and fast ambidextrous wired gaming mouse

The $79 Razer Viper is the lightest wired gaming mouse I’ve ever used. It weighs just 69 grams, which I learned is the weight of two standard-sized light bulbs. What are the benefits of such a feather-light gaming mouse? It depends on who you ask. Those who prefer a hefty mouse with added weights won’t want much to do with it, but during my week with the Viper, I really liked how easy it was to flick along the mouse pad whenever the in-game moment demands some brisk, twitchy movement.

The relative weightlessness — at least compared to the Logitech G502 Lightspeed I’ve been using, which weighs 130 grams with all of its added weight installed — doesn’t come at the expense of ergonomics. The Viper molds well to my hand, and its ambidextrous design accommodates both left- and right-handed people with two macro buttons on each of its sides. It also doesn’t come at the expense of innovative hardware features.

The Viper uses optical switches in place of mechanical ones under its main left and right mouse buttons. These improve on standard mechanical switches in some important ways. Physical switches have to hit a metallic contact to send a signal to your PC, and that signal is inherently slower and sometimes more prone to accidental misfires due to the fact that they bounce several times when you press them. Optical switches are more responsive, says Razer, and more reliable than their physical counterparts.

This is Razer’s first mouse with optical switches, though it’s not the first to market on the technology. Razer says that it helps to boost the Viper’s lifespan to an impressive 70 million clicks, which is 20 million more than the mechanical switches in Razer’s DeathAdder Elite (which is featured in our best gaming mice roundup) are capable of, and generally, well ahead of where its competitors are.

Razer is also making a big deal of its new braided “Speedflex” cable leading off of the mouse. It’s lightweight, like the mouse, and its smooth texture aids in preventing snags as it glides along your mouse pad. Razer says that it’s especially useful if you use a low DPI setting and really like to make large, sweeping arm movements when you play. The fabric that wraps around the cable looks similar to what’s used on most other braided cables, but the Viper’s cable is far more bendy, and it feels more like actual fabric than other braided cords that I’ve used.

The Viper is lean in terms of features, but, unsurprisingly, Razer squeezed a Chroma LED inside. The color and lighting pattern of the Razer logo on its top can be customized in Razer’s Synapse companion app, and it’s easy enough to find a setting that looks subdued, or if you want, the complete opposite of that. The only other LED on this mouse is on the bottom where you’ll find a textured button next to it that switches DPI settings. I’m accustomed to this button being on the top of most mice that I use, but Razer said that the overwhelming majority of professional gamers wanted it on the bottom to avoid accidental toggling it during a match.

The five DPI levels default at 400, 800, 1,200, 1,800, 2,400, and 3,200 DPI, though each can be customized in Synapse (up to 16,000 DPI). Reaching for this button might take some getting used to, but Synapse helps you stay focused on the screen with a small pop-up window that tells you what DPI selection that’s been made.

Personally, I do miss having the button on top, since I don’t play games with thousands of dollars at stake (or any dollars, for that matter), but Synapse lets me remap the buttons to my liking. Since I’m right-handed, the side buttons reserved for left-handed players are perfect candidates to handle DPI switching. It’s still a little cumbersome, but Razer’s software mostly solved this problem for me.

Like most gaming PC peripherals, the new Razer Viper is built with professional gamers, and those who aspire to be one, in mind. But this one isn’t built for all gamers. For some, its lack of a customizable weight and a small selection of macro buttons might be deal-breakers. Though, if you’re not in that crowd, the Viper’s lightweight, ambidextrous build makes it a fun addition to Razer’s lineup. And, with its optical switches advertised 70-million click limit, the $79.99 investment should last you quite some time.

The Razer Viper will be available for purchase at Razer.com and Best Buy starting today, August 2nd.

Source: The Verge

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Nintendo and Tencent reveal Switch release plans for China

At a press event at the ChinaJoy gaming conference in Shanghai today, Tencent and Nintendo announced the first details of their strategy for releasing the Nintendo Switch console in China.

The Chinese internet giant will be providing cloud services and servers for the Switch’s online platform in China as well as localizing Nintendo’s games into Simplified Chinese. Titles like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have already been announced, with more on the way. The Switch’s eShop store will also be modified so that users can buy games with Tencent’s hugely popular WeChat payment system.

The companies’ collaboration was first revealed in April, when Tencent won initial approvalfrom Guangdong authorities to start selling the Switch. What is still not known is when the Switch will actually be released in China or how much it’ll cost. There are still various layers of regulatory approval that Nintendo and Tencent need to work their way through before the launch can take place, but the potential upside is huge.

The iQue Player.

Although China is the world’s biggest gaming market, almost all of that is accounted for by smartphones and PCs. Console manufacturers have only legally been able to sell their hardware in the country for a few years, following a ban first implemented in 2000. The PlayStation 4 became the first current-generation console to be released in China in 2015.

This isn’t Nintendo’s first attempt to crack the Chinese market with a partner. A joint venture called the iQue Player was launched in 2003; the unusual design involved cramming Nintendo 64 hardware into a customized controller that hooked up to a TV, and owners had to visit in-store kiosks to download games to memory. The effort was not successful.

Tencent may seem to be the ideal partner for Nintendo today, putting the Japanese giant in the best position to navigate cultural and bureaucratic barriers. Aside from its dominance with WeChat and its major investments in Western game companies like Riot and Epic, Tencent is responsible for some of the biggest games in China and the world beyond, like Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile.THE SWITCH’S SUCCESS IN CHINA IS FAR FROM ASSURED

Even Tencent comes with risks in China, however. The company was thrown into chaos last year when the government stopped approving new game releases, subsequently leaving Tencent out when the de-facto ban was lifted. Tencent’s most notable game release since then has been an outwardly patriotic PUBG clone that the company is allowed to monetize, unlike the original game that it was forced to shut down.

The Switch’s success in China is far from assured, then, but the size of the market means it’s undoubtedly worth Nintendo’s while to give it a shot. The mobile nature of the Switch, particularly the upcoming lower-priced, handheld-only Switch Lite, could also make it a good fit for Chinese customers — Tencent has already brought Honor of Kings to the platform. But today’s announcements came with a lot of questions, and Nintendo is a long way from being able to answer most of them.

Source: The Verge

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Call of Duty Modern Warfare multiplayer wants to become the adult Fortnite

You could say that the multiplayer gameplay is going back to its roots, but it’s also taking obvious cues from much newer games like the free-to-play Battle Royale phenomenon Fortnite.

It’ll introduce cross-platform multiplayer so that console players on PS4 and Xbox One can play with PC gamers. You’ll no longer have to consult friends on which version they’re buying in order to jump into siloed, version-specific matches.

While CoD Modern Warfare won’t be free-to-play like Fortnite or PUBG, it will have a free season pass – there’s no subscription attached to extra content for the first time. Activision has previously charged $50 for extra content, and it was another decision that divided friends.

Finally, we don’t have a max player count yet, but 64-player deathmatches are a thing and the Call of Duty team says its new gameplay engine can easily scale up to support larger player counts, even though the new 2v2 mode is just as fun. 

‘It’s not like superheroes’

Call of Duty wants compete with the modern multiplayer arena with these features: cross-platform multiplayer, free season pass content and much larger player counts. But it also wants to stake its claim on being the anti-Fornite in some ways.

“It’s not like superheroes,” said Infinity Ward studio head Patrick Kelly. “It’s real soldiers, it’s real guys, it’s real equipment.”

“We wanted to make a game that was authentic, that was gritty. The things you’re going to see in the game are to the extent we possible can, we always ask ourselves ‘Is this realistic? Is this authentic?'”

“We always talk about things like ‘ripped from the headlines.’ Is it relatable content that feels like ‘that’s the kind of conflict or scenario that I’m used to seeing in the zeitgeist of today.”

New Gunfight mode

The chaos of massive multiplayer deathmatch games can be fun, and Call of Duty Modern Warfare certainly has that, but the new 2v2 Gunfight mode feels restrictive in the best possible sense. It leans heavily on precision.

It pits players against each other with the same exact weaponry loadout. So if your two opponents have pistols, so will you and are one teammate. Every round of Gunfight randomly switches up the guns, with everyone having the same arsenal. 

The maps are purposely small, so it makes matches quick and accuracy count. A lot of twitch gameplay will happen in this game type, and that acts as good training for new CoD players, or ones who haven’t played multiplayer in a while.

More Call of Duty gameplay changes

You won’t find zombies in Call of Duty Modern Warfare – that’s never been in the spirit of this more realistic game. That’s always been more of a Black Ops thing.Advertisement

Instead, you’ll find a new Spec Ops mode and more tactical gameplay throughout the multiplayer mode. For the first time, you can mount your heavy weapons to stabilize them on windows and against walls, and then cleanly sweep rooms.

Night Vision is here like never before, allowing you to don easy-to-equip goggles on demand and dramatically change up nighttime gameplay maps. Players who are used to attaching laser sights to their guns are immediately be outed.

The new tactical sprint and door breaching moves are also bound to add a twist to your approach when taking on enemies, especially in limited 2v2 and 6v6 matches. They’re more fast-paced and less chaotic – in a good way. 

Are these changes enough to compete with Fortnite when it comes to attracting an audience that has moved on to Battle Royale games? We’ll know after Modern Warfare makes its return to a decidedly different video game battlefield on October 25.

Something that won’t change is console exclusivity for one platform. PS4 gamers will get early access to the multiplayer beta on September 12 (which is two days after the suspected iPhone 11 launch date). Everyone on Xbox One and PC should get access a week later, according to Infinity Ward.