Month: June 2020

Madden NFL 21’s Cover Is Very Different This Year, And There Is A Good Reason Why

Madden NFL 21‘s cover is striking and unique. In fact, it’s perhaps the biggest departure from the norm in the history of the franchise. As it turns out, there is a good reason for that.

Under normal circumstances, EA Sports would conduct an in-person photo shoot with the year’s cover athlete–this year’s it’s Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. A physical photo shoot wasn’t possible this year due to COVID-19. So EA Sports contacted the Baltimore Ravens and asked if they could use some of team photographer Shawn Hubbard’s photos. Hubbard said on the Ravens website that it was a “huge honor” to work with EA on this, even if he doesn’t have much familiarity with the game series.

Madden NFL 21 box art with Lamar Jackson
Madden NFL 21 box art with Lamar Jackson
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“We were on lockdown with COVID and I know they usually have a shoot for it. It just wasn’t something I expected with all the other bad news happening. … I’m a little embarrassed to say that I’ve never played Madden–ever. Maybe they’ll send me a copy and I’ll get started,” Hubbard said.

In addition to Hubbard’s shots, the Madden 21 cover features some images from the Associated Press. In total, there are five pictures of Jackson on the standard edition cover of Madden 21. The game’s Deluxe and MVP editions feature additional photos of Jackson which are meant to collectively showcase Jackson’s strength, athleticism, and easy-going nature.

The box art also showcases the words “generation rising,” which is meant to reflect how Jackson is a new type of QB who is taking the position to new levels with his play-making and skills.

Madden NFL 21 launches on August 28 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. For the first time in franchise history, the game will be available on Steam.

Now Playing: New Kingdom Hearts Game & Madden NFL 21 Announced, PS5 Size Explained | Save State

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance Celebrates 3 Million Sales With Free Weekend On Steam

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is celebrating a sales milestone–it’s sold 3 million units since launching in 2018, with its accompanying DLC clocking in at 1.5 million units sold.

Warhorse Studios, the Czech team behind Kingdom Come: Deliverance, announced a new logo this week on Twitter alongside the these sales figures. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the medieval action-RPG had also previously sold around two million units in its first year.

It was met with controversy upon release and suffered from a variety of bugs that may have marred first impressions of the game. A conversation was also sparked around representation in video games and whether titles keen to be billed as “historically accurate” could feature inclusivity. However, Kingdom Come: Deliverance appeared to pick up steam when the From The Ashes DLC launched in late 2018.

In recognition of the game’s sales milestone, Warhorse Studios is offering a free weekend of play for people to try their hand at being the best blacksmith that ancient Bohemia has ever seen. This free weekend will be active from June 18 to June 22 on Steam, so if you haven’t yet cracked into Kingdom Come: Deliverance than mark those dates in your calendar. The game is also currently available on PS4 and Xbox One.

GameSpot has officially kicked off Play For All–a celebration of all things gaming. Join us as we bring you the summer’s hottest news, previews, interviews, features, and videos, as well as raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts and Black Lives Matter with the help of our friends from around the gaming world. Check out the Play For All schedule for more.

Now Playing: Kingdom Come: Deliverance Video Review

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Xbox Highlights LGBTQIA+ Games And Donates $250,000 This Pride Month

In celebration of Pride Month, Xbox will be donating $250,000 to various LGBTQIA+ charities and committing to highlighting games made by members of the community.

Microsoft announced recently that it would be curating a list of inclusive Xbox and PC games selected by members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and featuring them for the month of June. This list is available for access to Xbox users and Xbox Game Pass members who are in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

According to the promotional material on the Xbox website, this list of inclusive games features titles such as Life is Strange: Before the Storm, The Outer Worlds, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and more. There is also a special Microsoft Pride page which has posts about being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and personal anecdotes from employees at Microsoft who identity as part of the community.

On top of sharing this curated list of games, Xbox is also offering a range of Pride-inspired products. We’re talking Xbox Pride Gear in the form of t-shirts, pins, skins for a whole range of Microsoft Surface products, and more. Those who are avid users of Microsoft Teams will also be able to download various backgrounds for use from the Pride page.

There will also be a virtual Pride event organized by Microsoft on June 27. It will kick off at 10AM ET on Mixer, and will feature panels on racism, intersectionality, and representation from a variety of content creators. Those wanting to contribute meaningfully to Pride month now while also engaging in LGBTQIA+ livestreams can check out Midboss’ Summer of Pride on Twitch, where money is being raised for various community charities.

GameSpot has officially kicked off Play For All–a celebration of all things gaming. Join us as we bring you the summer’s hottest news, previews, interviews, features, and videos, as well as raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts and Black Lives Matter with the help of our friends from around the gaming world. Check out the Play For All schedule for more.

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New Zealand Video Game Industry Sales Drop For The First Time Since 2012

New Zealand’s video game industry had a difficult 2019, but one local trade group believes the future is bright for the region thanks in part to the upcoming launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) released its report for New Zealand’s game industry on Wednesday, showing that the total industry value in 2019 reached $501.4 million. This was down by 9 percent compared to last year, and it marks the first year-over-year decline since 2012. Note that this number covers total sales, not just for video games developed in New Zealand. For comparison, the IGEA also represents Australia, where 2019 industry sales reached $3.6 billion.

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There is a good reason for the downturn, however. 2018’s results in New Zealand–as well as Australia, the US, and other parts of the world–were very positively impacted by the huge success of Fortnite. That game is now moderating in results, and as such, 2019 was always going to have a tough time comparing.

All spending categories in New Zealand experienced declines in 2019, including hardware, physical and digital games, accessories, and mobile. The only category that grew in 2019 was subscriptions, which jumped 16 percent to $67 million.

The IGEA said 2020’s results should be better, thanks in part to the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series and their new games. Additionally, 2020’s results will reflect an overall uptick in spending and engagement due to COVID-19, which is causing people to stay home more, IGEA said.

“2018 was certainly a hard act to follow, but despite the softening of video game sales in 2019, New Zealanders continue to embrace games and the different models available to purchase and consume them. More than ever, the first half 2020 has shown the power of games to connect, entertain, and educate,” IGEA CEO Ron Curry said in a statement. “The release of new platforms and blockbuster games in 2020 should see a return to growth, resulting in games maintaining their position as the leading form of entertainment, both locally and abroad.”

Fortnite Season 3–Jason Momoa’s Aquaman Joins The Battle Pass

Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 3 has arrived, and it’s called Splash Down. While we’re still piecing together what has changed and what’s stayed the same, one major takeaway from the first trailer is that a member of the DC Universe has joined the fray as part of the new Battle Pass, and will be made available soon.

In the screenshot from the trailer below, you can distinctly see Jason Momoa’s Aquaman makes an appearance. He’s wearing the same costume that he did in James Wan’s 2018 movie, and we can also see the distinctive scar over Momoa’s left eyebrow.

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For comparison, here’s Momoa as he appears in the film. He’s looking a bit more chilled out in the game.

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Aquaman is a part of the Season 3 Battle Pass, so you can get your hands on him in-game–but not right away, as he’ll be arriving later in the season. You can see the trailer for that below.

We’ll update with more details–and guides–as more details come to light, and as we dive deep into Fortnite’s new oceans.

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PAX Online Announced, Bringing 9 Days Of Panels, Events, And More In September

PAX is adapting to the current worldwide climate and the COVID-19 pandemic, and Reedpop has today announced that PAX Online will be happening this September. Fans sad that PAX Australia and PAX West have been cancelled will not have to miss out entirely.

PAX has announced that the event will run from September 12 to 20, and it’ll be completely free. That’s nine full days of content, three times the usual length of PAX–and the organizers are promising “a steady 24/7 stream of content, events, discussions, and gameplay.” There will, in fact, be three separate streams of content running constantly throughout the event.

While there will be changes from what PAX attendees are used to, many of the elements that we usually see at PAX–including esports content, game demos, panels, and merch will be made available online. “In addition to digital adaptations of the panels, concerts, and competitions that pack our theatres at a traditional PAX, we’ve got some new and exciting stuff as well as a few surprises planned,” the announcement reads.

Panel submissions are now open, and will remain so until July 24. Developers can now submit their games for the PAX Indie Showcase, and the first wave of merch preorders are now available. The organizers are also promising “chat rooms, tournament-aggregation systems, and the means to find groups to game with all week long.”

This is not the only event to move online due to the COVID-19 pandemic–Comic-Con has a 2020 digital event, and E3 has been replaced with numerous streams.

Stay tuned for more news on PAX Online in the lead-up to the event.

GameSpot has officially kicked off Play For All–a celebration of all things gaming. Join us as we bring you the summer’s hottest news, previews, interviews, features, and videos, as well as raise money for Black Lives Matter and COVID-19 relief efforts with the help of our friends from around the gaming world. Check out the Play For All schedule for more.

Now Playing: We Rate Video Game Dogs, Again – PAX AUS 2019

The Best Switch Controller For Smash Bros Is Discounted Right Now

There are a ton of fantastic Switch controllers, especially if you’re looking for a GameCube-style one to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, then you’ll be happy to hear that one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers out there is on sale at Amazon right now. Right now, you can snag PowerA’s wireless GameCube-style controller for $37.49, down from its regular price of $50.

PowerA’s GameCube-style controller is quite similar to the original it’s based on, but there are a few key differences. Firstly, it has a significantly larger D-Pad, which makes 2D platformers a lot more enjoyable to play. It also features an extra shoulder button to emulate the Switch’s L button, making it a controller that can handle more than just GameCube-friendly titles–it works great with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. The wireless version of PowerA’s controller can even wake up the Switch from Sleep mode.

In addition to the GameCube-style controllers, PowerA’s Enhanced wireless controllers for Nintendo Switch are also discounted. You can find many of them at the same price, too, including the Pokemon Sword / Shield starters, various Poke Balls, and more.

If you’re looking for more controller recommendations, then I suggest PDP’s Wired Fight Pad Pro. It’s another GameCube-style controller with even more modern niceties. It features larger ergonomics, making it the most comfortable of its kind, as well as an interchangeable right analog stick. Unfortunately, there is no wireless version. The PDP Fight Pad Pro is $25 on Amazon.

PowerA Nintendo Switch GameCube-style controllers

6478593 – PowerA Deal – Switch Controllers

PowerA Enhanced wireless controllers for Nintendo Switch

6478593 – PowerA Deal – Enhanced Controllers

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NBC’s Fall 2020 Schedule Is Full Of Shows That Haven’t Filmed, So What’s The Plan?

What’s going to air on NBC this fall when the new TV season launches? According to the network, a long list of returning favorites and the new Law & Order spin-off starring Christopher Meloni. Of course, the issue at hand is that none of these shows have been filming due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and there’s been no indication that production will begin anytime soon.

NBC revealed its fall schedule in a tweet, noting it’s planning to air new episodes of Superstore, Manifest, New Amsterdam, Law & Order: SVU, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Also on the schedule are three hours of The Voice each week, a new season of This Is Us, and the One Chicago block of shows. As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, though, NBC has not actually revealed when the fall season will launch. Typically, the major networks launch their programming seasons in September. NBC has yet to confirm that, though. The network, however, has revealed that a new 30 Rock special, which will be filmed remotely, will air in July to introduce the fall schedule and preview what NBC has in the works over the next year.

Still, seeing NBC’s approach to a fall season during a pandemic is to conduct business as usual is interesting, given what other networks are doing. Fox has obtained the broadcast rights to the Spectrum series LA’s Finest, while The CW is pushing most of its shows to 2021 and opting to run episodes of DC Universe’s Swamp Thing and CBS All Access’ Tell Me a Story instead.

While certain states have announced that production on TV and film can resume, safety protocols and guidelines are still in the works. Until those come to pass, the chances of TV filming beginning again seems unlikely. That said, NBC is not alone in hoping it’s business as usual. CBS is also planning to bring back its marquee shows in the fall. According to THR, though, the network is expecting to stagger the premiere dates, based on which shows go into production soonest.

While NBC hasn’t revealed whether or not they’re planning to do the same, the network is confident it will begin filming soon. “Thanks to the ingenuity of our creative teams and our partner studios, NBC has assembled a remarkably stable schedule at a time when stability is called for,” NBC chairman Paul Telegdy said in a statement. “With the reopening of the Universal lot for select productions this week, we are confident that our schedule will premiere intact later this fall. We design shows for longevity and this schedule remains a powerful propulsive force for shows to start here and carry on entertaining across generations.”

While the road to a new TV season isn’t clear just yet, the same can’t be said for movies. The Cineworld chain of theaters, which operates Regal Cinemas, has announced its plans on beginning to open theaters later in June. AMC, the largest chain of theaters in the United States, is planning to welcome moviegoers beginning in July.

And speaking of things you should be watching, consider listening to GameSpot’s weekly TV series and movies-focused podcast, You Should Be Watching. With new episodes premiering every Wednesday, you can watch a video version of the podcast over on GameSpot Universe or listen to audio versions on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts.

Steam Summer Game Festival Is Live With Tons Of Demos And More

After getting a brief delay, the annual Steam Summer Game Festival is now live. From now until June 22 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET, you can check out demos and livestreams of tons of upcoming PC games.

Some of the available demos include 30XX, Fallen Angel, Kine, Shing, Spiritfarer, Unto The End, and many more. There are so many demos on the platform, in fact, that Valve said the tally is now well over “900 titles in the summer edition” of the Steam Game Festival.

In addition to the hundreds of demos, the Steam Summer Game Festival will feature “unique content” throughout the week. This includes developer-hosted livestreams, original interviews with participating studios, game playthroughs with developers, and more.

The Steam Summer Game Festival will also spotlight new PC releases until the event ends on June 22. Some of the new releases thus far include casual farming simulator Barn Finders, twin-stick Western shooter Colt Canyon, tactical RTS Desperados III, and others.

In related Steam news, digital distributor Humble Bundle has released a new Steam bundle. The package, titled Humble Fight for Racial Justice, consists of 49 Steam games and 24 DRM-free books. The minimum donation is set at $30, and 100% of the proceeds go to organizations–such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Race Forward–that are fighting to end racial injustice.

Another Steam sale, the Steam Summer Sale, is rumored to start next week. While still unconfirmed by Valve itself, SteamDB developer Pavel Djundik tweeted that the sale will allegedly take place from June 25 to July 9.

GameSpot has officially kicked off Play For All–a celebration of all things gaming. Join us as we bring you the summer’s hottest news, previews, interviews, features, and videos, as well as raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts and Black Lives Matter with the help of our friends from around the gaming world. Check out the Play For All schedule for more.

Now Playing: Top New Game Releases On Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC This Week — June 14-20, 2020

LEGO Super Mario: All Sets Revealed

The LEGO Group has revealed its full Super Mario product list, the result of the toymaker’s collaboration with Nintendo – all of which will launch on August 1.

The first items in the range were revealed back in April, where we got a glimpse of the LEGO Super Mario starter pack, which features a chunky Mario figure with interactive LCD screens in his eyes, mouth and belly. LEGO Mario interacts with ‘action bricks’ to display emotions and augment the experience. This will be complemented by the LEGO Super Mario app, which will track a player’s build score and act as an interactive instruction manual.

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You can read our impressions of the Starter Set and some of the expansions in our hands-on preview, where we say it’s “best enjoyed when you forget the instructions and let your imagination run wild.” You can check out a gallery of all the sets below:

With the full product range now revealed, we can get a more detailed glimpse at the additional adventures you’ll be able to embark upon if you pick up the starter course. According to The LEGO Group, this will include the opportunity to “build Mario’s house, search for treasure hidden by Toad, and defeat a Koopa Troopa in the Guarded Fortress” among others.

The new products that have been revealed are split into three categories – expansion packs, power up packs, and character packs. As mentioned, you’ll need the Adventures with Mario Starter Course to interface with everything on offer here. Expansion Sets offer new set pieces to play with, Character Packs are purchased in blind bags and feature iconic enemies such as Bob-ombs and Goombas, and Power Up Packs give Mario the suits he often dons in-game to augment his powers in the LEGO realm.

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LEGO Mario: Full List of Sets

  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Adventures with Mario Starter Course – £49.99/$59.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Guarded Fortress Expansion Set – £44.99/$49.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Desert Pokey Expansion Set – £17.99/$19.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Whomp’s Lava Trouble Expansion Set – £17.99/$19.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Piranha Plant Power Slide Expansion Set – £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Boomer Bill Barrage Expansion Set – £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Mario’s House & Yoshi Expansion Set – £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion Set – £74.99/$69.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set – £89.99/$99.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Thwomp Drop Expansion Set – £34.99/$39.99 – available only with select retailers
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ King Boo and the Haunted Yard Expansion Set – £44.99/$49.99 – available only with select retailers
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Fire Mario Power-Up Pack – £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Propeller Mario Power-Up Pack – £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Cat Mario Power-Up Pack – £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Builder Mario Power-Up Pack – £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Character Packs – £3.49/$4.99

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Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.