Author: Trafficblast

Cyberpunk 2077 Patch Finally Comes To Stadia

After a messy launch and more than its fair share of bugs, developers at CD Projekt Red have been hard at work issuing patches to address the game’s most glaring issue. Yet hotfix 1.06, an important patch that launched just before Christmas for consoles and PC, has only just arrived for Stadia players, many of whom were counting the extra days they had to wait for the fix.

In a CDPR forum thread about the hotfix, disgruntled Stadia players counted the days since the hotfix launched on other platforms, with one commenter still suffering from the missing Dum Dum glitch that the hotfix addresses.

The hotfix has a number of extra bug fixes on Stadia, which may have been why the patch was so delayed on Google’s game streaming platform. The Stadia-specific patch notes are as follows:

  • Improved driving mechanics for story NPCs while V’s a passenger.
  • Fixed rare crashes upon loading near end-game saves, and repaired some of the previously broken saves.
  • Weapons should no longer get stuck when using gadgets (such as grenades) or shooting in quick succession.
  • V should no longer randomly get stuck in a Strong Attack position.
  • V should no longer randomly switch to a sprint while crouching forward.
  • Fixed the inability to reload weapons or use grenades and consumables.

Players on platforms who’ve had the 1.06 patch loaded for weeks are already waiting on the next 1.07 patch to arrive, which is expected by the end of January. The stakes are high for Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red, which is facing fines and lawsuits if upcoming patches don’t sufficiently improve the game in a reasonable timeframe.

The company is now also dealing with a new report on Cyberpunk 2077’s development process, which claims development didn’t really begin until 2016, and that insiders didn’t believe the game would be ready in time for announced release dates.

Now Playing: Cyberpunk 2077 – Best Bugs And Glitches

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USB Is Now 25 Years Old

USB connectors are the universal standard not just for computer peripherals, but for charging most phones, tablets, and small devices. It’s hard to remember a world without USB, which debuted almost exactly 25 years ago, on January 15, 1996.

The reminder comes courtesy of How-To Geek, which has published an in-depth feature on the history of the USB and its development. It’s a reminder of how complicated, difficult to set up, and even expensive computer ports could be before the USB, or Universal Series Bus, became the standard for connecting a mouse, keyboard, game controller, or any number of computer peripherals that adopted the technology.

USB was a truly universal effort, emerging as a collaboration between multiple big tech names: Intel, Microsoft, IBM, Compaq, Digital Equipment Corporation, NEC, and Northern Telecom. Adoption of the tech wasn’t immediate, and many attribute its eventual success to Apple’s release of the iMac in 1998, which was the first PC to ditch legacy ports and only support USB.

The USB also has Atari to thank for its ongoing existence, with a precursor in the Atari 800 SIO saving the USB from patent trolls.

Now, USB is everywhere, with many devices even doing away with all ports except for USB-C entirely. Xbox and PlayStation have long used different USB connector types for charging and connecting wireless controllers, with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S controllers featuring USB-C connections.

Now Playing: Biggest PC Games To Play In 2021 And Beyond

Pokemon Go Hack Lawsuit Ends With $5 Million Settlement

A lawsuit filed in 2019 by Niantic Inc has reached a settlement, with hacking group Global++ agreeing to pay out $5 million to the Pokemon Go developer. As reported by Polygon, the rogue developers created and sold hacked versions of Pokémon Go, Ingress, and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite that gave players the ability to spoof their GPS locations and use features like “auto-walk.”

After ignoring a number of cease and desist letters, Global++ had a lawsuit filed against it in mid-2019, after which a number of its social media and online presences went dark. In the original filing, Niantic alleged that the hacker group had made millions by selling “hundreds of thousands of subscriptions” to apps based on Niantic’s original code.

In the settlement details, Global++ was found to have accessed and used Niantic’s map data, and profited from the process by selling access to its programs through a subscription model. The defendants admitted to a number of breaches of federal law, including copyright infringement and violations of California’s Computer Data Access and Fraud Act.

The hacker group is not only paying out $5 million in damages, but it will have to cease a number of activities including making Niantic hacks, selling programs that include Niantic’s code, and accessing or interfering with Niantic’s servers and data in general.

While Niantic has been involved in a number of lawsuits, this is the first time it’s been on the receiving side of a settlement payout. In 2019 it settled a lawsuit brought by angry homeowners for alleged trespasses on their properties by Pokemon Go players, with Niantic paying out $4 million in legal fees plus $1,000 to each plaintiff–without accepting liability. Another lawsuit related to the disastrous Chicago Pokemon Go Fest was settled in 2018, with Niantic paying back a total of $1,575,000 to reimburse attendees for travel expenses including flights, hotel rooms, car rentals, and more.

Now Playing: Pokemon Presents – New Pokemon Snap, Pokemon Go, Pokemon Smile And More

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Godzilla Vs Kong Moves Forward, Will Hit HBO Max And Theaters In March

The upcoming monster movie Godzilla vs Kong will be released earlier than expected. The film was due to hit theaters and HBO Max simultaneously in May, but it will now arrive in March instead.

As reported by Deadline, Godzilla vs Kong hits theaters internationally and on HBO Max in the US on March 26. The film was originally set for release in November last year, but was pushed to May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new date for Godzilla vs Kong follows several weeks of negotiations between distributors Warner and Legendary, who financed the majority of the movie. In November, Warner reportedly blocked a $200 million deal for Legendary to sell the film to Netflix, only to announce it was putting it straight onto HBO Max, its own service, along with every other Warner movie in 2021. Legendary threatened legal action over this decision, but have now reached an agreement with Warner, which includes the earlier release date.

Godzilla vs Kong isn’t the only Legendary movie that Warner is releasing this year. The sci-fi epic Dune is currently set for an October release, although Deadline states that negotiations are continuing over whether that will also hit HBO Max. Director Denis Villeneuve has been very outspoken about the fact he wants people to see the movie on the big screen, and the vaccine roll-out could mean that a lot more theaters are open by the fall.

Godzilla vs Kong stars Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, Alexander Skarsgård, Rebecca Hall, Zhang Ziyi, Brian Tyree Henry, and Demián Bichir. It’s directed by Adam Wingard (Death Note, The Guest).

One Warner movie we won’t be seeing in March is the Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark. Last week it was confirmed that the film has now moved to September.

Now Playing: Godzilla: King Of The Monsters – ‘Beautiful’ Trailer

Sony’s New San Diego Team Is Working on ‘Existing Franchises’

PlayStation’s new San Diego-based studio is working to “expand upon existing franchises”, according to the LinkedIn profile of the studio’s former head.

Michael Mumbauer worked at PlayStation as Studio Head until November 2020. In the segment of his profile detailing his work with the new San Diego team, Mumbauer writes: “His latest achievement is having built a brand new, all-star, AAA Action/Adventure development team for Playstation. Based in San Diego and utilizing proprietary engine technology, this team was assembled to expand upon existing franchises and craft all new stories for the next generation of gamers.”

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As to what those existing franchises could be, there have been rumours for a while that PlayStation has been working on a partnership with Naughty Dog to continue the Uncharted series. Nothing official is available to confirm that this new development team is working on an Uncharted game, but there is an unusual and interesting wrinkle…

In the ‘Featured’ section of Mumbauer’s LinkedIn profile, between videos of a keynote presentation and GDC talk from him, is a video from YouTuber RobinGaming about Sony “secretly” creating a studio to make Uncharted 5. The ‘Featured’ section of a LinkedIn profile is filled in by the profile owner themselves, and so this Uncharted 5 theory video has been purposefully placed there by Mumbauer. This is, of course, by no means an official confirmation of the rumour, but is an interesting detail all the same.

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As for this new development team, it should not be confused with San Diego Studio, Sony’s first-party development house that has spent much of its lifetime dedicated to creating installments of MLB The Show. Instead, this new San Diego-based studio is a new assembly that has yet to be officially announced.

For more on PlayStation Studios, take a look at the news of the upcoming God of War Ragnarok, PS5 exclusive Returnal dropping in March, and the discussion of PS5’s 2021 lineup.

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Matt Purslow is IGN’s UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Matt Damon Reportedly Joins Cast of Thor: Love and Thunder

Matt Damon has reportedly landed in Australia to quarantine for two weeks ahead of production on Thor: Love and Thunder.

As reported by local news outlet News.com.au, Damon and his family were spotted disembarking a private jet in Sydney on Sunday before they reportedly moved into a private facility to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine to help prevent any potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Once the isolation period elapses, it’s believed that Damon will head out for the Thor 4 shoot.

“I’m so excited that my family and I will be able to call Australia home for the next few months,” Damon reportedly said in a statement to the local press on his arrival in the country, per CNET. “Australian film crews are world-renowned for their professionalism and are a joy to work with so the 14 days of quarantine will be well worth it.”

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Damon’s alleged role in the movie remains a mystery, though it’s worth noting that he previously made a very brief appearance in Thor: Ragnarok, playing an Asgardian actor portraying the God of Mischief in a stage play. It’s unknown whether he will have an expanded role in Taika Waititi’s next movie, which has been reported as being almost like an Avengers 5 due to its large cast.

The all-star ensemble features the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Chris Pratt, Tessa Thompson, and Christian Bale as the villainous Gorr the God Butcher. Waititi will also once again voice Thor’s alien pal Korg in the movie, which is currently slated for release on May 6, 2022. It will follow Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and many more in the MCU’s Phase 4.

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For more on the studio’s future slate of projects and releases, read our breakdown of the biggest and most noteworthy developments in the MCU, on Disney+ and in Marvel’s comics this year.

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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

WWE Announces WrestleMania Plans for 2021 and Beyond

After the COVID-19 pandemic caused WWE to change its 2020 WrestleMania plans, moving the event from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium to the company’s Performance Center in Orlando, and splitting the card over two nights, fans have been wondering what was in store this year.

Originally, WrestleMania 2021, aka WrestleMania 37, was to take place in Los Angeles, but now, with the COVID crisis still raging, plans have changed once again.

The company has announced that ‘Mania 37 will take place over two-nights, April 10 and April 11, at the venue that was ditched last year, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay.

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WWE also announced that WrestleMania 38, in 2022, will take place on Sunday, April 3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – the site of 2016’s WrestleMania 32.

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Furthermore, WrestleMania 39, in 2023, will happen on Sunday, April 2, at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA – which was the site originally planned for this year’s WrestleMania.

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No word yet on what attendance is expected to look like for this year’s ‘Mania, at Raymond James Stadium, which can hold 65,000 people. Will WWE run at half, or less, capacity for the sake of fans’ safety or will it try and fill ip the arena? Like last year, plans could change as we get closer to the event, and WWE’s Tropicana Field “ThunderDome,” in Tampa Bay, where they’ve been filming weekly Raws and SmackDowns, could be a last-minute switch.

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Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

Daily Deals: Big Savings on Digital Nintendo Switch Games

Welcome to our Sunday Deals page, where the digital goods are plentiful and cheap. Best Buy is currently running a great sale on several Digital Nintendo Switch titles, so if you’re not the kind to worry about owning a physical copy, you can save yourself a few dollars and some space on the shelf by downloading these discounted games. The Final Fantasy art books continue to be discounted at Amazon, and Western Digital has put one of their NVMe SSDs on sale, and it’s no slouch, as it’s one of the highest end models they have!

The Best Deals for January 17th

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Dell and Alienware RTX 30XX Gaming PCs

Alienware gaming PCs are generally more expensive than most other brands, but you get what you pay for in terms of quality and customer support. Unlike most other vendors, Dell designs its own cases and cooling systems. Their desktops (especially the entire Alienware lineup) feature great build quality and brand-name components. Dell’s customer service is also considered one of the best in the business, especially if you opt for the higher tiered packages.

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HP RTX 30XX Gaming PCs

HP OMEN PCs offer high quality construction at a price that usually beats out most other competitors. Like Dell, HP designs their own chassis. The OMEN 30L and 25L gaming PCs are understated yet very well built. They’ve been around for a while and their customer service is reliable.

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