Moving Out, which makes moving house far more fun than it is in real life, has received a major new update that adds free content to the game. Update 1.2 adds a new character, challenges, and dance moves to the game, which is available on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
The new character, T. Pott, is…well, a tea pot. You can see them in the trailer below, which also showcases some of the other new features–like the incredibly difficult Platinum medals, which you’ll need to be extremely good to unlock.
Other new features include additional dance moves, a “Disco Detector” that sends down a disco ball whenever all players are dancing at once, and improved visibility for your best times.
The complete list of changes is below.
Moving Out Update 1.2 notes
General bug fixes & improvements – including a fix for achievements/trophies that would not unlock
Added ‘Disco Detector’ – Disco ball appears when all players dance at the same time
Added additional controller layout options
Added Platinum Times and Medals for base game levels
Added a new character: T. Pott
Updated text and localisations
Added best times visibility for all player counts on the level results screen
Added four new dances for the movers to perform
You can try Moving Out through Xbox Game Pass, and it’s definitely worth a play if you have one or more other players. Also check out GameSpot’s interview with developer SMG Studio about the game and the importance of inclusivity in design.
The next Nintendo Direct event has been announced, but this one is a little different. The first-ever Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase is slated for Monday, July 20, at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET.
The Partner Showcase is a new series “focused on titles from our development and publishing partners.” In the debut episode, Nintendo will share “a few updates” on Nintendo Switch games that have already been announced, so do not expect any new game reveals at this show.
On 7/20 we’ll debut the first #NintendoDirect Mini: Partner Showcase, a series focused on titles from our development & publishing partners. We’ll share a few updates on a small group of previously-announced #NintendoSwitch games. Check out the full video release at 7am PT. pic.twitter.com/GbEbxVL6fD
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 20, 2020
The broadcast will be streamed on YouTube, and you can watch it right here at GameSpot. It will be about 10 minutes long, according to Nintendo Japan.
According to a report, Nintendo delayed its usual June summer presentation due to development complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This event, which is not the Partner Showcase, is now expected to air “late in the summer.”
Rogue Company, the team-based shooter, teased on Twitter that it may be involved with the Nintendo Direct event on Monday.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a new Location Incentive program, with $280 million in cash grants intended to attract big international productions to film down under, Variety reports. The new program has been added in addition to Australia’s Location Offset program, which provides tax rebates for productions and post-work carried out in the country.
The new program follows $175 million that was announced for Australian arts and entertainment industries last month, as both struggle to recover from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Around $34 million of that will go towards insurance guarantees for the TV and film industries, enabling productions to restart after COVID-19.
The Australian government is no doubt hoping to capitalise on Australia’s low rates of coronavirus, while other production hubs in the US and UK are still virus hotspots. However a recent outbreak in Melbourne resulting in extended lockdowns and closed borders proves the threat is still very much present.
Australia was a production hotspot in the late 90s and early 2000s, with big-name films such as the Matrix trilogy and parts of the Star Wars prequel trilogy filmed in Sydney. Now, the government is hoping to attract that industry back with similar tax incentives. Hollywood films including Aquaman, Thor: Ragnarok and Alien: Covenant have filmed in Australia in recent years, with upcoming productions Thor: Love and Thunder and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings also set to film in Sydney this year.
First announced back in 2018, Amazon’s Invincible animated series has announced another round of additions to an already star-studded cast, THR reports. The series is based on Image Comics’ Invincible series by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman. Like his famous zombie franchise, Invincible will be targeted at adults, with the animated show taking on a dramatic tone borrowed from the comics.
The Walking Dead’s Steven Yeun will lead the voice cast as the titular hero, also known as teenager Mark Grayson. Yeun will now been joined by his fellow Walking Dead alum Khary Payton, who will play Black Samson, a member of the Guardians of the Globe–Invincible’s answer to the Avengers-esque supergroup. Zachary Quinto has also signed on to play Robot, one of the lead character’s allies.
Already announced cast members include J.K. Simmons as Invincible’s father Nolan Grayson, Sandra Oh as mother Debbie Grayson, and Zazie Beetz as love interest Amber Bennett. Other voice actors include Mark Hamill, Gillian Jacobs, Grey Griffin, Jason Mantzoukas, and Seth Rogen, who is also on board to write, direct and produce together with Evan Goldberg. Creator Robert Kirkman is on board with the adaptation as executive producer.
The series is kicking off with eight hour-long episodes, and though Amazon hasn’t yet announced a release date, it’s expected to drop on Amazon Prime Video sometime in 2020.
A Nintendo Direct Mini will air later today, showcasing titles from non-Nintendo developers and publishers. It will go live at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK / midnight AEST, and should last roughly 10 minutes.
The Nintendo Direct Mini July Showcase was revealed on Twitter by the Nintendo of America account, and it apparently the first in a series of broadcasts to come. Today’s show will “share a few updates on a small group of previously-announced Nintendo Switch games.” According to Nintendo Japan, the Direct Mini will run for 10 minutes.
On 7/20 we’ll debut the first #NintendoDirect Mini: Partner Showcase, a series focused on titles from our development & publishing partners. We’ll share a few updates on a small group of previously-announced #NintendoSwitch games. Check out the full video release at 7am PT. pic.twitter.com/GbEbxVL6fD
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 20, 2020
Per previous showcases, you’ll most likely be able to catch it on Nintendo’s official YouTube account. The Twitter account behind HiRez Studios’ upcoming team-based multiplayer shooter Rogue Company quoted Nintendo’s tweet with some cryptic wording, suggesting the game may appear during the show. A few games that may well qualify for this direct include Bayonetta 3 and Shin Megami Tensei V – which are developed by Nintendo’s partners, and are yet to be revealed in any great depth.
Visitors to the newly re-opened Disney World will no longer be allowed to wander the parks maskless with the excuse of food or drink, thanks to new rules banning eating or drinking while walking. While the rule change didn’t merit an announcement from the entertainment giant, the change to Disney World’s face mask policy was picked up by Disney fan blogs, and reported by Variety.
Guests at the park are still allowed to remove their masks for the purpose of eating or drinking, but the rule change now specifies that they remain stationary and socially distanced from other patrons while doing so.
“Face coverings are required for all guests (ages 2 and up) and cast members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming,” read the guidelines on Disney World’s website. “You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.”
It seems too many patrons were using the excuse of eating or drinking to avoid wearing a mask since the park re-opened on July 11, warranting the new addition to the rules.
Despite the new guidelines on mask-wearing, physical distancing and increased cleaning procedures, experts have slammed the decision to re-open Disney World in Florida, a current hotspot for COVID-19. The number of new daily cases detected in the state has fluctuated between 10,000 and 15,000 since Disney World opened on the 11th, with almost 5000 deaths now recorded in Florida.
Unlike some pre-shows that don’t have much news, this one will be different, according to Xbox marketing boss Aaron Greenberg. “Trust me you don’t want to miss this pre-show,” Greenberg said on Twitter. “We have been working with and our partners on some exciting reveals!”
Greenberg did not offer any further teases about what to expect. GameSpot will be reporting for the entirety of the event, so keep checking back with us for the latest.
Greenberg has also clarified that the July 23 event will focus exclusively on games. The executive said he’s seen some “wild expectations” for what people think Microsoft will show.
“No business, devices, or similar news, just games. A whole show about hour-long focused on games. Hope you enjoy it!” he said.
Greenberg is likely referring to the long-running rumors that Microsoft is working on an all-digital next-generation Xbox. If Microsoft is, it won’t be announced until a later date. More recently, rumors sparked that Microsoft is going to further integrate Xbox Live and Xbox Game Pass, but as Greenberg says, this July 23 event will focus only on games, not the business models surrounding them.
The Chris Hemsworth action movie Extraction ranks No. 1–it was seen by 99 million households worldwide over its first four weeks. The movie was written by Avengers’ veterans Joe and Anthony Russo, and it was directed by stunts expert Sam Hargrave.
Following at No. 2 is the 2018 Sandra Bullock movie Bird Box, which was seen by 89 million homes in its first four weeks. After that, the Mark Wahlberg movie Spenser Confidential ranks No. 3 (85 million views over its first 28 days), with 6 Underground (83 million) and Murder Mystery (73 million) rounding out the top five.
Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman was No. 7 with 64 million homes watching it over its first four weeks. The movie picked up 10 Oscar nominations last year, but it did not win any.
THE OLD GUARD is breaking records! The Charlize Theron blockbuster is already among the top 10 most popular Netflix films ever — and Gina Prince-Bythewood is the first Black female director on the list.
Even if the numbers are sort of whack–requiring only a small amount of watch time to count as a view–they showcase which shows on Netflix claims are most popular.
New Releases is here to highlight some of the top new games launching each week, and this episode features some indies you shouldn’t let slip under your radar, like the 8-bit Panzer Paladin, the bloody Carrion, and the snow-covered Roki. Nintendo Switch also proves its power with Crysis Remastered, and Dying Light gets its new Hellraid DLC.
Panzer Paladin — July 21
Available on: PC, Switch
This platformer puts you in control of Flame. The little pilot can take on the game’s 17 stages himself or hop into his mech suit to really bring the heat. While in the suit, you can steal weapons from enemies and turn them against your foes, or snap the weapons in half to unleash powerful magic. There are more than 100 of them to wield.
More Coverage:
Crysis Remastered — July 23
Available on: Switch
Crysis Remastered
Crysis was once the benchmark title for top-of-the-line PCs, and after a delay, the remaster is coming first to Switch. As you explore its open world, you can wield all sorts of weapons as you battle enemy soldiers and aliens–some firefights even happen in zero gravity. Your super-powered suit lets you bring the pain with a variety of powers, too.
More Coverage:
Carrion — July 23
Available on: Xbox One, PC, Switch
Carrion
Carrion is being called a “reverse horror game” because you actually play as the monster. Your goal is to escape the facility where you’ve been tortured by scientists and guards, and you’ll get your revenge as you grow in size and gain new powers. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can jump in on day one.
More Coverage:
Dying Light: Hellraid — July 23
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Dying Light: Hellraid
Hellraid was once a totally separate game from developer Techland, but it was put on hold. A few years later, the studio has revived the game as DLC for Dying Light. You can leave Dying Light’s city streets behind as you step into a tower filled with medieval monsters. As you take runs through the tower, you’ll rank up and earn new weapons–and those weapons can be taken back into the main game too.
More Coverage:
Roki — July 23
Available on: PC, Switch
Roki
Roki is based on Scandinavian folklore, so expect to encounter a few different monsters on your journey. Protagonist Tove goes into the wilderness to find her missing family, and her quest will include exploration and puzzle-solving. Her handy journal will help you keep track of where you’ve been and the loot you’ve collected.
July isn’t over just yet. Next week, New Releases will wrap the month up with some chances to revisit games you might’ve missed the first time around: the Destroy All Humans remake and the Xbox One release of Yakuza Kiwami 2.
PGA Tour 2K21 is releasing August 21, and it’ll contain some audio lines that players will hear once and then never again. The commentary team of Luke Elvy and Rich Beem recorded some lines while “in full flight” that won’t repeat after you hear them the first time.
This news comes via a tweet by John McCarthy, the senior audio designer at developer HB-Studios, which previous developed The Golf Club series. He says that he’s been going over the commentary, and found a “classic” that he had forgotten about.
Oh man…. We’ve got some bits of commentary in @PGATOUR2K that will only play once EVER and you wont hear it again. Just got a classic from @Luke_Elvy and @beemerpga that I had forgotten about. Can’t wait for people to hear these two in full flight 😂😂😂
What exactly this means isn’t clear, but judging from the tweet, they’ll likely be strange, funny lines. McCarthy gave one example to Elvy when he asked what he was referring to, discussing an “aside” that will make its way into the final game.
definitely used Rich’s aside where he talks about his aunt and uncle’s pet store in Arizona in the middle of the course intro 😂👌
We also know that these two commentators will also make fun of you if you make a bad shot, which should be interesting.
The EA-produced PGA Tour series also had some strange, self-referential commentary–one of the commentators in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 would sometimes explicitly reference the fact that you were playing a video game, rather than real golf.
