Author: Trafficblast

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Adds DualSense Adaptive Trigger Support On PC

The latest Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War update seemingly added support for the PS5 DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers feature on PC.

Support for DualSense controllers on PC including haptic feedback has been reported around Reddit, YouTube, and social media, though the official Season 4 Reloaded patch notes don’t mention anything about it. Apparently, trigger haptics are only supported when the DualSense controller is connected to PC via cable and not wirelessly.

The PC settings menu for Black Ops Cold War on PC now specifically mentions trigger haptics, as you can see in the image below shared on Reddit (via Eurogamer). A video further down the page shows the trigger haptics feature running in a game setting.

Black Ops Cold War’s adaptive triggers with the DualSense controller make weapons feel different in your hands depending on what gun you’re using and how you’re firing it.

“So when you’re pulling the trigger, it’s shaking, every time a gun fires there is a little motor in there that’s firing every time,” Treyarch’s Tony Flame said. “There is sensitivity on the trigger that represents the trigger pressure on a real weapon. All of that has been tuned in the game for each individual weapon. So it’s quite a lot to take in, but it’s pretty awesome, and it gives the guns a feeling like they’ve never had before.”

The adaptive trigger feature for Black Ops Cold War has been available on PS5 (and wirelessly) since launch.

The Black Ops Cold War and Warzone Season 4 Reloaded update is a big one. It adds a new round-based map for Zombies called Mauer der Toten, while Warzone gets its first-ever objective-based mode in the form of Payload. Black Ops Cold War’s multiplayer offering, meanwhile, now has a paintball mode. For more, check out the full Season 4 Reloaded patch notes.

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Gamescom 2021’s First Confirmed Companies Include Xbox, Bethesda, And EA

Gamescom has announced the first batch of companies confirmed for the annual gaming convention, with 19 names coming to the online events scheduled for August 25-27.

Big names coming to the event include Xbox and Bandai Namco–both of whom also appeared at E3 2021 in June–as well as E3 holdouts Activision and Electronic Arts. The list also includes Bethesda Softworks separately from Xbox despite the two having merged, implying a separate presence for the Deathloop publisher during the show. The full list of participants is below.

  • 505 Games
  • Activision
  • Aerosoft
  • Assemble Entertainment
  • astragon Entertainment
  • BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
  • Bethesda Softworks
  • Electronic Arts
  • GAMEVIL COM2US Europe
  • Headup
  • Indie Arena Booth
  • Koch Media
  • NExT Studios (Tencent Games)
  • SEGA Europe
  • Team17
  • Thunderful Games
  • Ubisoft
  • Wargaming
  • Xbox

The Indie Arena Booth listed above is a list of “80 curated top indie titles” that will feature in virtual booths during Indie Arena Booth Online, an event within the full Gamescom experience. The full IAB Online list will be made available later this month.

Gamescom 2021 will begin with Gamescom Opening Night Live, hosted by Geoff Keighley, on August 24. Gamescom Opening Night Live 2020 was an online-only showcase–also hosted by Keighley–set on a virtual stage and viewed by over 2 million people worldwide.

Review Roundup For Space Jam: A New Legacy

25 years later, the Space Jam franchise is back with a new entry called A New Legacy that stars LeBron James playing basketball with a bunch of Looney Tunes.

The film hits theaters and HBO Max on Friday, July 16, and reviews have begun to appear online. You can see a sampling of review excerpts below, while a wider look at the critical reaction to A New Legacy can be found on GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

In addition to James, A New Legacy stars Don Cheadle, along with a number of other NBA and WNBA superstars like Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Diana Taurasi. The film is produced by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler.

Space Jam: A New Legacy

  • Directed By: Malcolm D. Lee and Terence Nance
  • Written By: Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Keenan Coogler, Terence Nance, Jesse Gordon, Celeste Ballard
  • Starring: LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Cedric Joe, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green, Ceyair J Wright, Harper Leigh Alexander, Xosha Roquemore, Jeff Bergman, Zendaya
  • Release Date: July 16 (United States)
  • Runtime: 115 minutes
  • Rating: PG

Collider

“Even on the simplest critique of ‘Is Space Jam: A New Legacy entertaining?’, the answer is a resounding, ‘No.’ It may look more expensive than the original and LeBron James is willing to poke fun at himself in a way that Michael Jordan never did, but it’s still a listless, overlong, brand-fetishizing affair that seems designed to appeal to shareholders first and everyone else second. I can’t imagine kids having the patience for this and even those who are nostalgic for the original will likely lose interest. Warner Bros. essentially made a sizzle reel for their IP and thought it was a slam dunk when it’s clearly an air ball.” — Matt Goldberg [Full review]

The Playlist

“All things considered, yeah, this newest Space Jam installment is a good time and boasts real heart. LeBron’s steady work as the lead and a narrative undercurrent built on a believable father-son relationship makes for a breezy 115 minutes and improves on the harmless, yet admittedly stiff original. And while LeBron might not be in the Finals right now, he has definitely scored a win here.” — Warren Cantrell [Full review]

Polygon

“Space Jam: A New Legacy is only really satisfying to people who care about marketing and company profits, people who approach it as a product that’s successfully been sold. It’s like a basketball game your favorite team is winning–except the team isn’t one playing on screen. It’s the company that sold you the ticket.” — Joshua Rivera [Full review]

The Guardian

“As commercial propaganda, this isn’t even convincing, portraying the studio it set out to glorify as a fading institution entering its decadent last-days-of-Rome phase. In this display of expensive corporate onanism, we arrive at a creative dead end for a studio reliant on classics that they’ve stopped minting. Gee, ain’t it a stinker?” — Charles Bramesco [Full review]

Entertainment Weekly

“There are no other living American athletes who could really get away with Space Jam: A New Legacy (a lack for which we should all be grateful), and James basically does. The man’s stature, already impressive, grows a little bit more when he gets to stand atop this enormous chunk of movie, now piled up with his many other achievements. Just as a film, though, for people to actually watch? Algorithmically speaking, it’s no slam dunk.” — Mary Sollosi [Full review]

Report: Nintendo Switch OLED Model Only Costs $10 More To Make

Nintendo surprised fans with a Switch revision announcement this month, one that adds an OLED screen and several other improvements to the existing hardware. The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) is likely to be a profitable device for the company, as the technology used to create a Switch has gotten cheaper in the years since the console was first launched. According to a Bloomberg report, the new updates are estimated to add around $10 more to the manufacturing cost of each unit.

This particular model of the Switch will cost more than its regular counterpart, $350 as opposed to the standard price of $300. It’s not an unusual move for mid-life consoles to charge consumers more instead of less but compared to the significant upgrades that the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X introduced to the market when they launched, Nintendo’s OLED model Switch strategy seems peculiar for a device that offers little else besides an upgraded screen, storage, new console stand, and LAN port.

Now Playing: Nintendo Switch OLED Hands On Impressions

“Nintendo failed to provide enough added value to justify a $50 bump in the new hardware,” Morningstar’s head of equity research Kazunori Ito said to Bloomberg. “The new hardware is barely half-baked and would do no help at all in sustaining the platform’s momentum. The Switch had its peak last year and is only going to slow down from here.”

Other experts disagree with Ito’s opinion, citing the improved display and popularity of Nintendo’s brand is more than good enough to “squeeze $50 more out of consumers” as the console stays on track to reach the 100 million lifetime sales milestone in its current fiscal year.

“Nintendo made a real bold decision because it’s obvious that people would spend more on services and less on goods going forward,” Sony Financial Holdings senior economist Takayuki Miyajima said. “From a macroeconomic viewpoint, the move couldn’t be made if they have even a slight concern on how well the console would do.”

Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter also believes the $350 price tag is justified, as he recently explained that Nintendo wouldn’t charge that amount unless it firmly believed in how well the device will sell in a market where most people prefer to use their Switch as a handheld gaming device. As for the rumored Switch Pro, Nintendo has confirmed that it’s constantly developing new hardware, so a more powerful console could eventually be released.

The new Switch console launches this October, and if you’re curious about upgrading, you can check out our feature on what the difference is between the Nintendo Switch OLED and Nintendo Switch Lite. Switch OLED preorders begin today, July 15.

Pokemon Unite Release Date Is July 21 On Switch, Free Zeraora Available

Pokemon Unite, the first strategic team battle game MOBA for the series, will release on July 21 for Nintendo Switch, The Pokemon Company has announced. Additionally, it was announced that everyone who logs into the free-to-play game by August 31 will get Zeraora to use. The freebie offer will eventually be available on mobile when the game is released there.

Zeraora is an electric-type Pokemon that can do “massive damage in the blink of an eye.” Zeraora’s special Unite move emits an electric blast that puts out plasma.

Pokemon Unite is also coming to mobile devices, but not until September. There will be cross-play between the Switch and mobile editions of the game. Cross-progression is available, too, by logging in using your Nintendo Account or Pokemon Trainer Club account.

Pokemon Unite is set on Aeos Island, which is the home to the Unite Battle Committee. This group organizes Unite Battle tournaments that players take part in. Teams of five battle against each other to rack up the most points before the clock runs out.

To get points, players gather Aeos energy by defeating other Pokemon and then putting the energy into one of the opposing team’s designated zones. There are multiple battle stadiums in the game, and each has its own unique rules that determine things like match length and what types of Pokemon will appear.

Pokemon Unite has a ranked matchmaking system that starts with the Beginner Cup and advances up to Master Cup. There is also a global leaderboard so you can see how your statistics match up with the rest of the playerbase.

You can dress their Pokemon in different clothing, and you can customize the look of their trainer, too, with different clothing and accessories. Pokemon Unite also has a seasonal battle pass that gets you various rewards for use in the game.

Pokemon Unite has an in-game shop that accepts three types of currency, including Aeos gems, which are paid for with real money. There are also Aeos coins and Aeos tickets. Coins and tickets are available simply for playing the game, and they can be spent on “licenses” that allow you to partake in the Unite Battles. There is an Aeos Emporium shop that accepts coins and gems where you can buy cosmetic items and more.

If Pokemon Unite doesn’t seem like your speed, The Pokemon Company is also developing a new RPG called Pokemon Legends: Arceus for release in 2022 on Switch.

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FPS Documentary Adds John Carmack And Other Big Names

First Person Shooter: The Definitive FPS Documentary, an upcoming documentary about the history of first-person shooter games, has added a number of big names to its production.

John Carmack, Brian Upton, and John Cook will be featured in the documentary, the producers have announced as the Kickstarter campaign enters its final 10 days.

Carmack is the co-founder of id Software who worked on a number of iconic franchise in the FPS space like Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake. Upton is a veteran of the Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon franchises, while Cook is known for his work on Valve’s Team Fortress and Half-Life series.

The Definitive FPS Documentary has already raised more than $80,000, which is well above its goal. The campaign wraps up on Monday, July 26. Pledges of £30 or more get you access to the documentary when it’s released, while there are a number of nice perks like getting your name in the credits, a poster designed by Dave Merrell, t-shirts, and more, that you can receive at various pledge levels. Head to The Definitive FPS Documentary Kickstarter page to learn more.

“This definitive documentary brings together the legends who created this genre, highlights the legacy of the most popular and significant FPS titles from the last 48 years, and gives fans the chance to be involved in this iconic celebration,” reads a line from its description.

Other FPS legends who will be featured in the documentary include Adrian Carmack (id Software co-founder), David Alan Smith (The Colony creator), John Romero (Doom, Quake), Warren Spector (Deus Ex), Cliff Bleszinski (Gears of War), Bonnie Ross (Halo), Ed Fries (Xbox), and Ken Silverman (Ken’s Labyrinth).

“This all-star cast will take you on a journey from the genre’s humble beginnings in the 1970s with the simple wireframe graphics of Maze War through to the present day. FPS: First Person Shooter will celebrate the impact of a wide range of classics and cult favorites, from Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Unreal Tournament and GoldenEye, to Half-Life, Halo, Call of Duty, and beyond,” reads a line from its description. “Industry insiders will reveal behind-the-scenes stories and unheard anecdotes in engaging interviews that provide new insights into FPS fans’ favorite games.”

CreatorVC is behind the documentary. The company previously made In Search of Darkness, a horror movie documentary.

Zach Braff Joins Cast Of New HBO Max Sci-Fi Rom Com Moonshot

Actor and director Zach Braff will star in the new sci-fi rom-com Moonshot for HBO Max, joining a cast that already includes Cole Sprouse, Lana Condor, Mason Gooding, Emily Rudd, and Lukas Gage. The film is set to be directed by Chris Winterbauer.

Braff recently made headlines after he earned an Emmy nomination for directing on the Apple show Ted Lasso. He is perhaps best known for his starring role on Scrubs and for writing, directing, and starring in the 2004 movie Garden State.

“The story is set in a future where Mars has been terraformed and colonized by the best humanity has to offer. Two very different college students wind up joining forces and sneak onboard a space shuttle to the red planet in order to be united with their significant others,” reads a line from THR’s description of Moonshot.

Braff will play an “entrepreneur and visionary” character who led the campaign to colonize Mars.

Braff has a number of projects in the works. He plays a lead role in the new Cheaper by the Dozen movie for Disney+, while he also stars next to Robert DeNiro in The Comeback Trail.

Resident Evil Multiplayer Spin-Off, Re:Verse, Delayed Until 2022

Resident Evil’s multiplayer spin-off game, Re:Verse, have been delayed from its previous July 2021 window into 2022. Capcom announced the news on Twitter today, saying that it needed additional time to work on the game further.

Delayed a few weeks ago to July 2021, Capcom says the multiplayer game will now release sometime in 2022. An exact window was not shared.

Originally slated to launch alongside Resident Evil Village in April, Re:Verse is a standalone multiplayer title that pulls in characters from throughout the series’ history for third-person shooter firefights. The game did host an open beta that featured gameplay in the Raccoon City Police Department featured in Resident Evil 2 Remake, albeit with a more stylized look akin to cell-shading.

Capcom advised Resident Evil Village customers to redeem their codes for Re:Verse now to avoid losing them before launch. All Village players will be able to play Re:Verse when it eventually launches.

Resident Evil Village should make that wait a little easier if you haven’t yet dived into its weird and twisted adventure. In Gamespot’s 9/10 Resident Evil Village review, editor Phil Hornshaw praised the game’s setting and setpieces, writing, “Though it captures some of the same things that made RE7 such a breath of fresh air (or maybe rancid, stale, mold-filled air, but in a good way), Village evolves to become its own unique creature. It makes you wonder what beautifully twisted fiend Resident Evil might mutate into in the future.”

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Mortal Kombat Making-Of Documentary Reveals Plenty Of Kool Secrets And Easter Eggs

Video game film adaptations can be tricky to do right, but when a project manages to combine an original spin on the source material with the right cast, and a decent budget, magic usually happens. This year’s Mortal Kombat is one such example of a video game movie getting the formula right, and if you were looking to watch a short documentary on how the film was put together, then you’re in luck. Warner Bros. has uploaded a mini-documentary on the making of Mortal Kombat, which you can watch below.

It’s a fascinating deep dive into how Mortal Kombat was put together for the big screen, as director Simon McQuoid and the rest of the cast talk about the film, the video games, and how each character’s unique look was created. Plus a whole lot of blood and gore, so consider yourself warned in case you’re squeamish. One of the interesting easter eggs revealed is with Kabal’s costume, as his special moves are part of the fine print on his mask and armor.

What’s next for Mortal Kombat after it managed to earn an impressive box office haul during the current pandemic era of cinema? Writer Greg Russo has a few ideas for the sequel, which includes a trip to the realm of Edenia.

While that second film hasn’t been greenlit just yet, a sequel to the animated movie Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge is on the way this year. In case you missed it, you can check out the Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms trailer that reunites Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Liu Kang for one tournament to decide the fate of all the realms.

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Tom Hiddleston Reflects On Loki TV Series

Even after a decade in the role, actor Tom Hiddleston never seems to get tired of talking about Loki. Hiddleston spoke about the TV show in a recent pre-finale interview with Deadline, and though the actor was careful to dodge spoilers, he had some musing to do on the future of Loki and the MCU.

The series’ final episode has aired since the interview was conducted, revealing more about the direction the MCU is heading, as well as the mid-credits announcement that Loki would be returning for another season. Before the announcement was made, Hiddleston was coy when asked about returning to the role, though he did talk about his journey as Loki.

Now Playing: 8 Marvel Theories For WandaVision, Falcon And Winter Soldier, Loki

“I have learned, at this point, having said goodbye to the character more than twice, two and a half times maybe, to make no assumptions,” the actor said. “So, it’s not up to me. But I do love playing him, and every time, I seem to find new, interesting things about him. So, yeah, I’m a temporary passenger on Loki’s journey, but we’ll see. We’ll see where the ride goes now.”

Hiddleston also talked about Loki’s journey as a character, and how it’s changed over the course of the TV show. “Loki’s someone who’s probably been deluded by the idea that he’s burdened with glorious purpose, and that perhaps that purpose has been revealed to be fraudulent or meaningless, and maybe his self-image or the role that he has condemned himself to play is redundant,” Hiddleston explained. “His experiences through this story have shown him that there are actually more opportunities available to him, and you know, it speaks to this idea, like, can we change? Can we evolve, and in that evolution, is there room to grow?”

The actor also appears to be just as excited as most fans about what the TV show means for the larger MCU storyline that’s developing. “I feel that the MCU is even more expansive, is even braver, more inclusive than it’s ever been,” Hiddleston explained.

“I think the stories are getting really exciting,” he added when pushed for more detail. “Not that they weren’t before, but I think they understand that the investment of the audience is very deep, and they don’t take it for granted for a second. So, yeah, I suppose the perspective I have on how Loki might affect the ongoing course of the MCU is this idea of the multiverse.”

While the actor clearly can’t give away anything too detailed about the future of the franchise, he was more than happy to speculate. “I know that there are lots of, you know, interesting titles of movies that’ve been announced, which kind of hint at where it might be going,” he said.