Everything Announced at the Made by Google ’19 Event

Google held its 2019 Made by Google event and revealed the release date of Google Stadia alongside a ton of new products, including the Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL, Google Pixel Buds, and the Pixelbook Go.

We’ve gathered everything announced today at Google’s big event below. Enjoy!

Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL

Google announced the Google Pixel 4 and the Google Pixel 4 XL and they both are the first smartphones to feature radar capabilities with Google’s Motion Sense. This allows users to use their phones “without touching” them by sensing through materials and improving the gesture experience.

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How to Find the Best Black Friday Gaming Deals for Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are closer than you think, and these sales present a great opportunity to pick up deals on the Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.

This is the perfect time of year to find a bargain on all things gaming, with new consoles expected to land prior to Black Friday next year. This sale season could be the last chance for retailers to sell current systems, and as a result, Microsoft and Sony are expected to push console sales as much as possible this year.

Why Should You Buy Now?

We can confidently say that current-gen consoles will receive significant discounts come Black Friday. They’ve received discounts every year, so it would be unexpected if this didn’t happen again. Why should you consider a purchase now though, six years after the initial launch? It’s a fair question to ask, considering the PS5 and Xbox’s “Project Scarlett” aren’t that far away, but there are a few different reasons, with one of the biggest contributing factors being cost.

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Fortnite’s Chapter 2 Battle Pass Gives You New Ways To Level Up

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After numerous leaks and a big world-ending event, Fortnite‘s Chapter 2 update has finally arrived on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, bringing the game back online following an extended blackout. Not only does the update introduce a wealth of new skins and an entirely new map to battle on, it marks the start of a new Season–and its Battle Pass works a little differently than before.

Instead of Season 11, this is the first season of Chapter 2. As usual, the Battle Pass costs 950 V-Bucks–roughly $10 USD–to purchase, and it gives you access to 100 tiers of rewards to unlock over the course of the season, including skins, wraps, back bling, loading screens, and more. In previous seasons, you could level the Battle Pass up by completing weekly challenges, and while that will still presumably be the case this season, Epic has introduced a few new ways to level up.

This time around, you’ll be able to earn season XP and new medals by completing in-game activities, such as looting chests, eliminating opponents, harvesting materials, and other actions. These medals will be upgraded the more you complete their associated tasks. Moreover, you’ll be able to increase your level beyond 100 now, although it’s still unclear what the new level cap is and if there are any extra rewards for getting that far.

Chapter 2, Season 1 runs until December 12, according to Epic’s website, which seems to be a little shorter than a typical season. If you want to get a head start on the rewards, you can purchase a Battle Pass bundle for 2,800 V-Bucks, which unlocks the first 25 tiers immediately. Those who spring for a Battle Pass can also earn up to 1,500 V-Bucks by playing Fortnite this season, which is more than enough to cover the cost of next season’s Battle Pass.

As previously mentioned, Fortnite Chapter 2 introduces a new map, which features 13 new locations to explore, along with a handful of returning areas such as Pleasant Park and Retail Row. Water is a bigger factor this time around; not only have speed boats been added to the game, you can also now swim and fish. Keep checking back at GameSpot for more Fortnite Chapter 2 coverage.

Robert De Niro Says De-Aging VFX Can Make Movies ‘Cartoony’

Robert De Niro has shared his opinion on technological advances in filmmaking, saying that special effects in films can reach a point where it becomes “another type of entertainment”, referencing Marvel.

The acclaimed actor, who recently starred in DC’s Joker as talk show host Murray Franklin, addressed the extensive use of computer technology in comic book adaptations and films while promoting Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman at the BFI London Film Festival on Friday.

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Developer Interview: The Outer Worlds

We’re joined by two developers from The Outer Worlds, the new first-person RPG from new Xbox first-party studio Obsidian Entertainment: co-director Leonard Boyarsky and narrative designer Nitai Poddar. It launches on October 25 (including straight into Xbox Game Pass!). We discuss the origins of the project with respect to Boyarsky’s Fallout background, crazy things that have happened during playtesting, the importance of The Outer Worlds’ deep character creator, and more!

Subscribe on any of your favorite podcast feeds, or grab an MP3 download of this week’s episode. For more awesome content, check out the latest episode of IGN Unfiltered from our new barcade set, featuring a career-spanning interview with Oxenfree and Afterparty creator Sean Krankel. It’s an open bar; come and join us!

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Get Sega Genesis Mini for $58 and Other Amazon Warehouse Deals

Amazon is running a deal that gets you an additional 20% off select already-discounted Amazon Warehouse items. Lots of video game hardware and software is on the list, so if you’re in the market for a Sega Genesis Mini, SteelSeries Arctis 9X headset, or other items, now is a great time to buy. Amazon Warehouse is the online retailer’s used section, so take note of the condition the items are in before buying. Also, stock is limited, so if you see something you want, grab it before it’s gone.

Sega Genesis Mini

Here’s Fortnite Chapter 2’s New Map

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After a cataclysmic world event accompanied by a total game blackout, Fortnite Battle Royale has for Chapter 2, with what would have been Season 11. It’s not quite like you remember in some key ways, though, starting with big changes to the map.

The old map has ostensibly been destroyed, replaced by a new island with 13 new locations. The new named locations don’t reveal themselves on your in-game map until you visit them for the first time. There are also new “landmark” locations that are like smaller versions of named locations, and aren’t identified on the map.

The new map is much more aquatic, with rivers and lakes dotting the landscape. You have new tools a your disposal to make use of these mechanics, like swimming, fishing, and motorboats. Other additions include the ability to carry fallen teammates or revive them with a bandage bazooka.

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This event marks the beginning of Fortnite Chapter 2, signaling occasional bigger changes than the already large-scale seasonal changeovers. A trailer for Chapter 2 also teased new skins, which are live now. Naturally this all comes along with a new Battle Pass, emotes, and other goodies to collect. Check out our wrap-up of the changes in the new chapter to catch up before you drop in.

Google Pixel 4 Announced, Has Radar Built-In

After being the world’s worst kept secret ever for months, Google has finally officially announced the Pixel 4 at its Made By Google Press Event.

The Pixel 4 is the first smartphone to include radar capabilities. Radar allows the phone to be touched “without touching,” sensing through materials and improving the gesture experience, according to Google.

One of the new features touted with Motion Sense on Pixel 4 was shutting off your morning alarm. As you reach for your phone, the radar senses your reach and the nalarm volume decreases as your hand grows closer.

On top of the new radar features in Motion Sense, Google Pixel 4 also has live transcription capabilities. The Pixel 4 audio recorded “taps into

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New Pokemon Sword & Shield Info Coming Tomorrow

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Pokemon Sword and Shield arrive on Nintendo Switch next month, and The Pokemon Company has more to share about the games ahead of their launch. The company has announced a new Galar Research Update video will drop tomorrow, October 16, promising some more new details about the Switch RPGs.

The Pokemon Company hasn’t teased what we can expect from tomorrow’s update, only that it will drop at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET. Previous videos have revealed new Gen 8 Pokemon and game mechanics, so we’ll presumably get our first look at some of those in the video, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

The last video The Pokemon Company aired was a 24-hour “livestream” from the Glimwood Tangle, a mysterious forest area in the Galar region. While that broadcast was largely uneventful, it did reveal a new Pokemon: Galarian Ponyta. This form is exclusive to Pokemon Shield and has a billowy purple mane much like a unicorn.

Pokemon Sword, meanwhile, will be the only place players can encounter Sirfetch’d–a Galar-exclusive evolution of Farfetch’d. You can check out all the other new Gen 8 Pokemon revealed so far in our gallery.

Pokemon Sword and Shield launch for Nintendo Switch on November 15. Download cards for the games have reportedly started appearing in stores in Japan and reveal the titles’ file size is 10.3 GB. For more on the games, be sure to check out our Pokemon Sword and Shield pre-order guide.

The Pixelbook Go is Google’s Most Affordable Self-Made Chromebook Yet

Google’s has a history of making the most premium and expensive Chromebooks around, but at its Made by Google event, it introduced an affordable Pixelbook Go laptop.

A “thin and light laptop” with reported all-day battery life, the Pixelbook Go comes in just black “and not pink,” but the “not pink” can be ordered at a later date.

It includes a “wavy” bottom for increased grip and has a keyboard promised to be both “comfortable and quiet.”

Unlike Google’s previous convertible Pixelbook or detachable Pixel Slate, this new Chrome OS device is a classic clamshell laptop. From the outside, it looks like an everyday slim 13-inch notebook, that is until you flip it over and reveal its ribbed, washboard-styled bottom.

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