Author: Trafficblast

There have been rumors for some time that Nintendo was planning a pair of hardware revisions for the Nintendo Switch, and that at least one of them–a cheaper version–could launch as soon as this year. The idea of such systems would come as no real surprise given Nintendo’s history of offering new iterations of its gaming hardware. E3 came without any word of such a device, but out of nowhere, Nintendo has now confirmed one of those rumored systems. It’s called the Switch Lite, and it releases later this fall.

This won’t replace the existing Switch model. The most notable takeaway, aside from the lower price point of $200, is that it can’t be docked with a TV, making it a handheld-only device. But there’s plenty to know about the new system, and you can follow along with all of our coverage below.

Nintendo Switch Lite Announced; Price, Release Date, Specs Revealed

All of the core details Nintendo had to share about its first addition to the Switch family. [Read more]

Nintendo Switch Lite Won’t Use Joy-Cons, But Has One Big Controller Improvement

The long sought-after D-pad on the left Joy-Con will be included with Switch Lite. [Read more]

Nintendo Switch Lite’s New D-Pad Won’t Be Added To Joy-Cons

Here’s what Nintendo has to say about the possibility of bringing that D-pad to its standard Joy-Con controllers. [Read more]

Nintendo Switch Lite Getting Pokemon Sword And Shield Model

Alongside the colorful versions of the Lite, Nintendo will also sell a slick-looking Pokemon model, though it won’t launch until November. [Read more]

Nintendo Planning Switch Lite Transfer Features

You’ll be able to move in between Switch devices, according to Nintendo. [Read more]

Responding to requests from fans, The Division 2 is adding matchmaking for raids.

Matchmaking will be available for the Operation Dark Hours raid, which was originally released back in May. The eight-player raid sees players working together to take down Black Tusk forces who have overtaken the Washington National Airport.

The wording of Ubisoft’s press release suggests that matchmaking may only be available for the new, more casual “Discovery” difficulty mode. Here is how Ubisoft described it in a press release:

“The new Discovery Difficulty, along with its corresponding matchmaking option, will allow more players to experience The Division 2 in its entirety. While Operation Dark Hours Exotic loot remains exclusive to the Normal difficulty, Agents playing the Discovery Difficulty can expect a variety of great rewards, while training for the Normal Difficulty.”

Matchmaking with anyone for story missions and other parts of the game is part of what makes The Division 2 so great. As such, some fans expressed their disappointment when Ubisoft confirmed there would be no matchmaking for raids.

“We decided to not include matchmaking, as we don’t think this would make a good gameplay experience for random groups,” The Division 2 community developer Hamish Bode said in a statement back in May. “The Raid will test your ability to communicate well, have a good build set up, and will require great teamwork to beat encounters.”

In other news, The Division 2’s first free episode of its Year 1 content plan, DC Outskirts: Expedition, is scheduled for release on July 23. For lots more on the expansion, check out GameSpot’s breakdown of everything you need to know.

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The Division 2 is preparing for its first major content update, and it’s on its way very soon. The first free episode of its Year 1 content plan, titled DC Outskirts: Expeditions, will release on July 23 for Year 1 Pass holders and a week later, July 30, for all players.

The release is split into two main content types: the main story missions, and the new Expeditions. The main story will pick up where the campaign left off, sending your agents into areas around DC to find a lost convoy. That will consist of two new main missions: Camp White Oak, on the trail of the traitorous President Ellis, and the Manning National Zoo, where you’re aiming to finish off the Outcast leader Emeline Shaw.

Expeditions are split into three different wings that will release weekly. Finishing all three will give you access to an exclusive treasure room with a new exotic weapon (Diamondback Rifle), exotic gear (BTSU Datagloves), and two more weapons (Stoner LMB and Carbine 7). It all begins when you explore Kenly College to find what happened to a supply convoy.

Both the story missions and Expeditions feature will launch on July 30 for all players. The expansion will also bring Classified Assignments that are exclusive to Year 1 Pass holders. These take place in the Central Aquarium and NSA Site B13.

Ubisoft also detailed a set of tweaks and improvements that will be coming in the update, many of them based on player feedback. Most significantly, the Operation Dark Hours raid will have a new “Discovery” difficulty that will let players use matchmaking. The lack of raid matchmaking led to complaints from the community. The Normal mode will still have its own exclusive loot, but Discovery will let players try the raid and learn the ropes in a more casual setting.

A few other changes are coming as well. Crafting will max out at Gear Score 500 and players can share blueprints across characters and recalibrate crafted weapons. It will also introduce a range of balancing tweaks and an overhaul of various Skills.

This is the first of three planned major content drops for Year 1 of the game. The others will take you to the Pentagon in the fall, and then Coney Island in early 2020.