Month: November 2020

Crusader Kings 3’s Latest Patch Lets You Create Your Own Ruler

The latest update for Crusader Kings III reintroduces an old fan favourite from Crusader Kings II in the shape of the Ruler Designer. This character creator not only lets you customize your monarch’s appearance, with sliders for age, weight, hair, and so on, but also the various traits and skills that will help shape your playthrough.

Developer Paradox Interactive has shared a video with content creator Roll1D2 showing off some of the tools at your disposal when it comes to creating your own ruler. There’s a clear emphasis on the amount of freedom you have, with the option to play as either a man or woman with any in-game culture, sexual orientation, and religion.

Achievements are disabled if you decide to stack your king or queen with too many skills, but these can be counterbalanced with negative traits that deduct from your limited pool of customization points. You’re free to go wild and give yourself as many advantages as possible, but creating a multi-faceted character is the way to go in an emergent grand strategy game like Crusader Kings III.

The Ruler Designer is part of today’s 1.2 update, which also features a comprehensive list of fixes and improvements, including balance changes, tweaks to the AI and interface, and many many more.

You can check out the full patch notes here.

Paradox’s latest earned a score of 8/10 in GameSpot’s Crusader Kings III review, with critic David Wildgoose saying, “It doesn’t always work perfectly, and at times it really makes you work for it, but there’s something amazing in that any of it works at all. Strategy games can tell interesting stories as their empires rise and fall, but their procedural narratives are rarely as affecting and poignant as they are here.”

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Hitman 3 Will Feature Ray Tracing After Launch

Hitman 3 developer IO Interactive has announced that Agent 47’s upcoming adventure will feature ray tracing on PC. The feature won’t be available at launch, but is due to arrive sometime later in 2021.

The announcement was made in a blog post discussing the studio’s new partnership with Intel. IO says that this deal will allow it to provide the best possible performance and optimization for Hitman 3 on PC, particularly for those playing on high-end machines with 8-plus core CPUs. Aside from the addition of ray tracing, those with 8-core CPUs will see denser crowds in the game’s Dubai level, while Dartmoor will feature more complex destructibility.

There’s no word on whether ray tracing is also coming to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions of the game, nor does IO delve into any specifics on how the feature will be implemented. It’s safe to assume, however, that it will use some combination of real-time reflections, global illumination, and hyper-realistic shadows.

IO has promised more details on Hitman 3’s PC release in the next few weeks, but before then, the developer has revealed the game’s next location, Chongqing, and revealed that the game will run in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second with HDR support on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5. AI enhancements made for the third game will also be implemented into the levels from Hitman and Hitman 2.

Hitman 3 is due out on January 20, 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia. A cloud version is also coming to Nintendo Switch but its release date hasn’t been announced yet.

Now Playing: Hitman 3 On Epic Games Store, Call Of Duty Cold War Confirmed, & PS5 DualSense Uses | Save State

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Scalpers Snag Thousands Of PS5s At UK Launch

The PlayStation 5 launched in the UK and Europe on November 19 and quickly succumbed to the same stock shortages that plagued the US launch a week earlier. If you’re having a hard time finding Sony’s next-gen console, it turns out scalpers may be partly to blame for the current shortage.

That’s according to a report from Business Insider, which claims that one organized scalper group, called CrepChiefNotify, snapped up around 3,500 PS5s in the UK. The group boasts thousands of paying members, with subscriptions starting at £29.99 and rising to £399.99. Subscribing to the group grants members access to various bots, allowing them to join in with the scalping and make a profit on their investment.

During the PS5’s launch, these bots notified members when the console was in stock and allowed them to skip queues or waiting times, oftentimes purchasing the sought-after hardware faster than any human possibly could. The group managed to snag 2,472 consoles on November 19, on top of the “just under 1,000” preorders that were made in September.

As of this writing, there are over 3,800 PS5 listings on eBay, with most of them being sold for double the asking price. Organised scalping is nothing new, of course, and the group in question started out by using the technology to purchase and resell sneakers such as Yeezys. Anytime there’s huge demand for a product, scalpers will be there to exploit it, but this is seemingly the first time such a coordinated effort has been focused on a new console launch.

If you’re still trying to get a PS5, we’ve got you covered with all the details on upcoming restocks.

Now Playing: PlayStation 5 Video Review

Mortal Kombat 11 Adds 1995 Movie Skins In New DLC

The 1995 Mortal Kombat movie had a lasting impact on the video game series, with series co-creator Ed Boon teasing a new look at upcoming skins for Mortal Kombat 11 that references the cult classic film. Those have now been revealed in a new trailer, and the skins are now available as part of the MK Movie Skin Pack. It’s priced at $6 / £5.

These new skins won’t be just cosmetic either, as the actors who portrayed the characters will also return to reprise their roles from the movie. In September, dataminers uncovered voice samples from actors Christopher Lambert, Linden Ashby, and Bridgette Wilson as Raiden, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade respectively. You can behold the new look and sound for each of these characters in the new trailer.

The first homage to the Paul W.S. Anderson-directed movie arrived shortly after Mortal Kombat 11’s launch, as Shang Tsung was added to the game as the first DLC character. Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who played the villainous sorcerer in the film, returned to the role and provided his voice and likeness for Tsung.

Mortal Kombat 11 recently made its way to PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S, in a new Ultimate package that features enhanced visuals on next-gen systems, new characters, and “Kross Generation” technology that allows for kombat across multiple consoles. A new Mortal Kombat movie is also in development and includes a diverse cast of actors.

The movie is the biggest production ever to take place in South Australia, and features includes Joe Taslim (Sub-Zero), Ludi Lin (Liu Kang), Tadanobu Asano (Raiden), Sisi Stringer (Mileena), Josh Lawson (Kano), Jessica McNamee (Sonya Blade), and Hiroyuki Sanada (Scorpion).

Now Playing: Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Mileena Gameplay Trailer

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Thor: Love And Thunder Has “Avengers 5 Feel,” Big Ensemble Cast

While COVID-related delays have put the Marvel Cinematic Universe on pause during 2020, with Black Widow getting pushed back over a year from May 2020 to May 2021, big things are in store for Marvel fans once theatres start opening back up. Though there are a heap of films and TV shows currently in the works, it looks like Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder may be the next big Marvel movie to look out for.

In a general MCU update posted by Variety, insider gossip claims that Thor: Love And Thunder is building up to “an Avengers 5 feel” thanks to a sprawling ensemble cast. The film is set to shoot in Sydney, Australia in January, with many of the cast including Christian Bale and Natalie Portman having already arrived to start preparing for the shoot.

Love and Thunder has also suffered setbacks during 2020. Originally scheduled to begin filming in Sydney in March, the shoot was first delayed due to the catastrophic Australian bushfires, and later delayed again due to COVID-19.

Director Taika Waititi has shared a few details on the story of Love and Thunder, teasing an “insane” and “romantic” story back in July while working on the film’s script.

It will feature Chris Hemsworth returning as Thor, as well as Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, but this time wielding Thor’s hammer. Chris Pratt will also be making an appearance while Christian Bale has been cast as the villain, who’s currently unnamed.

Now Playing: Black Widow (2020) – Official Final Trailer

A Heap Of New Details On Amazon’s Lord Of The Rings MMO Have Been Revealed

As part of the acquisition of Leyou by gaming giant Tencent, a number of documents relating to Leyou’s collaboration with Amazon on a Lord Of The Rings MMO have been made public. The documents reveal some juicy new details about a project which, thus far, has been quite secretive.

The documents include a licensing agreement for the Tolkien property, which also makes mention of Lord of the Rings Online, an existing MMO that Amazon’s product will launch in direct competition with. The licensing agreement shows Leyou agreeing to pay over $8 million simply to secure the license for the Middle-earth game.

The documents also include a co-development agreement with Amazon, which involves the broader e-commerce company rather than specifying the gaming-specific Amazon Studios branch.

An amendment to the licensing agreement also includes a production schedule, which shows a rough timeline for the game–though notably the amendment was made prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning the schedule may have changed since.

It points to January 11, 2021 as a due date for a “draft of complete game lore and narrative,” with a playable prototype then due in June of 2021. It’s clearly still early days for the game’s development, with the public not likely to get their hands on it until an open beta in September 2022, or an open beta in January 2023.

This schedule is for the PC, with subheadings for a PS4 and Xbox One launch both saying the aim is to have the content complete and playable within six months of the PC open beta, and a full launch within twelve months of the beta. There is no mention of PS5 or Xbox Series X/S.

It’s no surprise there’s such a wait still to go on this game–MMOs are a big undertaking to make, and Amazon is no doubt hoping to drum up hype for the Middle-earth-themed game with its similarly huge Lord of the Rings TV show in the works.

Now Playing: Amazon Is Developing A Free-To-Play Lord Of The Rings MMORPG – GS News Update

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Black Friday 2020 Deal Brings NHL 21 Down To $28 Right Now

Black Friday 2020 might not officially begin until later this week, but the deals are already starting to pour in. EA’s Madden NFL 21 is discounted already, and now another one of the publisher’s sports games is available for a nice savings.

This year’s NHL game, NHL 21, is currently marked down to just $28 right now at online retailer Amazon. The deal applies to the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game’s standard edition.

Amazon’s deal on NHL 21 is the best around, but other retailers have discounted the title as well. For example, Best Buy is matching Amazon with a $28 offer of its own, while Target has the game for $30 on PS4 and Xbox One.

NHL 21 is playable on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, but EA is not releasing a dedicated update to the hockey game for those machines. Despite that, people playing NHL 21 on the next-gen consoles through backwards compatibility may see some benefits in terms of loading times and smoother frame rates.

For more Black Friday coverage, see our guide to this year’s Black Friday sales, store hours, and more. We’ve also browsed all the biggest Black Friday ads and highlighted the best Black Friday gaming deals to keep your eye on this week, including the best deals for PS5/PS4 and Xbox Series X/Xbox One.

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Black Friday 2020: This Razer Gaming Keyboard Just Got An Incredible Discount

Razer makes some of the best gaming keyboards out there today, and Black Friday 2020 has a number of discounts on some of their most popular models. The best Black Friday deal easily goes to Amazon, where you can get the Razer BlackWidow Elite gaming keyboard for only $85, down from its regular price of $170. That’s an incredible discount that is worth taking advantage of if you need a new keyboard.

$85 (was $170)

This particular BlackWidow Elite gaming keyboard comes with Razer Green keys, which are tactile and clicky. Razer’s keys are among the best in the industry, and these give a nice loud click with each press. Each key can be programmed with secondary functions that work as macros. The keys also have insular walls that can help protect against dust and liquid–though we still recommend you not spill water on any of your peripherals.

The BlackWidow Elite also features Chroma RGB lighting, which you can customize in Razer’s Synapse software; a magnetic wrist rest, which makes gaming for longer sessions more comfortable; and dedicated media keys, which allow you to control your music, podcasts, or YouTube videos while you’re gaming. The Razer BlackWidow Elite also features USB 2.0 and 3.5mm audio passthrough, making it easier to connect certain devices and save on important USB ports on your PC.

If you’re looking for more PC gaming deals during Black Friday, there are quite a few great deals on Razer gaming mice, headsets, and more. Razer is expected to discount even more of its products leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so you’ll want to keep an eye on our guides for the best ones. You can also check out the best gaming monitor deals if you need a new display to get the most out of your gaming experience.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Adds A “Second Breakfast” Option

The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour in New Zealand has announced a new option for travellers seeking to have a more Hobbit-like experience visiting the iconic farm set.

Starting December 20, visitors can choose to embark upon the “Second Breakfast Tour.” As its name suggests, this tour of the set begins with a dusk tour of the movie set, a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a pint, followed by a “hearty breakfast spread” in The Millhouse, the newly added attraction at Hobbiton.

“The breakfast table will be heaped with seasonal fresh fruit, breads, pastries, preserves, and cold meats and, as is the tradition in the Shire, second helpings are encouraged,” reads a line from the description. “A plated hot breakfast will be served featuring an assortment of a Hobbit’s favourite breakfast staples including fluffy scrambled eggs, streaky bacon, potatoes, grilled sausages and rosemary mushrooms.”

Vegetarian options are available, too, while the tour also includes coffee and tea. Below is a rundown of what’s included in the Second Breakfast Tour.

SECOND BREAKFAST TOUR INCLUDES

  • A fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
  • A visit to The Green Dragon Inn with your first Hobbit Southfarthing beverage upon arrival
  • A second breakfast continental breakfast spread in The Millhouse
  • A plated hot breakfast (please note any dietary requirements at time of booking)
  • Coffee and tea served inside The Millhouse during second breakfast

The Second Breakfast Tour doesn’t come cheap, as it costs $140 NZD for adults (17+) and $90 NZD for people aged 9-16.

New Zealand’s borders are currently closed, so you have to live in the country to visit Hobbiton and enjoy this new tour.

Bruce Banner Is Deadpool’s Dad In Netflix Time Travel Movie

If Ryan Reynolds isn’t the busiest actor in Hollywood, he’s definitely in the top five. On top of the just-announced Deadpool 3 and the completed-but-unreleased Free Guy, Reynolds has no less than 7 films in some state of production, including a time-travel flick called The Adam Project headed for Netflix. The movie is in early production, and is picking up an impressive cast that includes Mark Ruffalo (Avengers) and Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich), THR reports.

Reynolds stars as a man who travels back in time to find his younger self, as well as his own father, to save the future, pursued by a woman with powerful technology.

In the above description, Mark Ruffalo plays a physicist, who is the deceased father of Reynolds‘ character. Keener will play the villain in the movie. Ruffalo and Keener join a cast that includes Jennifer Garner and Zoe Saldana.

The film also includes newcomer Walker Scobell, who THR says was discovered in an acting class, as Reynolds‘ younger self, and Alex Mallari, Jr. as Keener’s assistant.

Stranger Things director and producer Shawn Levy will direct the film; he recently worked with Reynolds to direct the video game-adjacent film Free Guy. Production companies Skydance, 21 Laps, and Maximum Effort are producing the movie; the latter two outfits belong to Levy and Reynolds.

Now Playing: Free Guy – Official Trailer