Author: Trafficblast

During the latest Kombat Kast, additional details about the server-side update that went live in Mortal Kombat 11 right after release–which reduced the maximum health of AI opponents in the Tower–as well as a coming hotfix update were announced. The live stream also addressed in-game microtransactions in Mortal Kombat 11 as well.

After player outcry in concern for the Towers of Time in Mortal Kombat 11, NeatherRealm agrees that the mode is too difficult in its current state–adding that it made earning rewards to go through the Krypt “punishingly slow” as a result. The developer is working on a patch “as quickly as they can” to balance the issue, with the update scheduled for the end of this week. However, NeatherRealm added that the update could be pushed back to as late as early next week. The update will specifically address AI difficulty and modifiers in the Towers, and also adjust the frequency of modifiers so that they show up less and make certain unblockable modifiers into blockable ones.

Despite these changes to make the Towers of Time less difficult, certain aspects of the mode will remain challenging. Group Battles, for example, will remain a difficult challenge for players because “they are meant” to be.

During the Kombat Kast, NeatherRealm also addressed in-game purchases. The developer said they don’t want to artificially drive people toward microtransactions. As a result, cosmetics, Time Crystals, and easy fatalities will remain the only things you can buy in Mortal Kombat 11’s in-game store outside of DLC. The store will not be changed to allow you to buy in-game currencies.

NeatherRealm also has a bundle of free in-game currency coming to all Mortal Kombat 11 players. The developer doesn’t have a timetable for when the bundle will release quite yet, but it will include 500k Coins, 500 Hearts, 1000 Souls, and 1000 Time Crystals–the latter of which is enough for two premium skins.

Mortal Kombat 11 is available for Xbox One, PS4, Switch, and PC. In our Mortal Kombat 11 review in progress, Edmond Tran wrote, “MK11 isn’t just a sequel for series fans and Netherrealm devotees, it’s a gateway into the realm of fighting games for anyone who has a passing interest in watching ruthless warriors beat each other silly. Streamlined mechanics keep the act of fighting furiously exciting no matter what your skill level, and comprehensive tutorials encourage you to dig into the nitty-gritty. There’s a diverse roster of interesting characters and playstyles, and the story mode is an entertaining romp. The unfulfilling approaches to the game’s dynamic single-player content and progression may feel like they’ve totally whiffed (at least at this early stage), but Mortal Kombat 11 hits where it matters.”

Phoenix Labs has launched the new Path of the Slayer content update for its Monster Hunter World-like hunting co-op action RPG, Dauntless. Path of the Slayer releases alongside the latest expansion to Dauntless’s Hunt Pass: Season 4: Burndown.

Path of the Slayer introduces the new Mastery system to Dauntless, which allows you to earn rewards for finishing challenges related to hunting certain Behemoths or wearing specific gear. “Each Behemoth and crafted weapon–not just weapon class–has its own unique Mastery card for players to delve into,” Phoenix Labs PR manager Andy Burt wrote in a press release. “Players will also find new alternate special attack options for the Hammer, War Pike, Sword and Chain Blades, allowing Slayers to further customize their experience.”

The expansion also introduces a new progression system into Dauntless. “The progression rework introduces a brand new End of Hunt screen that provides Slayers with a wealth of information, including progress made in various Mastery cards, quest rewards, Behemoth break parts earned, and more,” Burt wrote. “Quests and the Dauntless map have also been revamped to clearly define the challenge Slayers can expect on any given hunt, and Behemoth hunts are now organized by their elemental attribute.” This system plays into Dauntless’ new crafting features and mechanics which has replaced the multitude of crafting parts for a simpler system of elemental Orbs and Arcstones.

Ahead of Dauntless’ console release, the game begins its fourth Hunt Pass season. “[Burndown] transforms Ramsgate into an arid landscape marked with ceremonial braziers spread throughout the city, and offers Slayers a number of limited-time barbaric rewards,” Burt wrote.

Currently available in open beta on PC, Dauntless will officially launch on the Epic Games Store this summer. PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game are planned as well. Every version of Dauntless will support cross-platform play and progression, allowing you to move your account between multiple systems and party up with your friends regardless of system.

With Avengers: Endgame arriving in theaters around the world, fans are starting to see first-hand what is likely the biggest piece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe puzzle thus far. As the Infinity Saga, as the last ten years’ of movies have been dubbed, comes to a close, there are many questions that need to be answered. Warning: The following contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame.

One of the biggest questions was whether Stan Lee would have his customary cameo in the film. As you’ll remember, Lee died in late 2018 at 95 years old. While it was previously confirmed that the Marvel Comics icon had filmed a cameo for Avengers: Endgame, there was no telling what it was or if it would actually end up in the movie or how the cameo itself fit into the story. Consider this your last warning: If you haven’t seen Endgame yet, stop now. We’re going into spoiler territory, so continue forward at your own peril.

As it turns out, Lee does, in fact, have a cameo appearance in the movie. It’s a simple but funny moment somewhere near the middle of the film. The scene opens on a car license plate, pulling back to reveal the driver of the vehicle is Lee’s character, with a woman in the passenger seat. As they drive by a military base, Lee’s character shouts “Make love, not war” out the window. Fittingly, the car has a bumper sticker that reads, “Nuff said.” The phrase is one Lee used often in his Stan Lee’s Soapbox editorials in Marvel comic books. He also said the phrase as part of his cameo in Spider-Man 3.

It’s worth noting this will be the final cameo for Lee in the MCU, which is very fitting given this film is wrapping up the first decade of storytelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Speaking to RadioTimes, co-director Joe Russo said of Lee’s role in Endgame, “Obviously it was exceedingly sad that this cameo was his final appearance, but I do think what was shot was very fitting.”

For more on Avengers: Endgame, make sure to check out our review of the movie, as well as whether or not the film has a post-credits scene. And, for your own safety, here’s when it’s safe to run to the bathroom during the three-hour film.

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This year’s Call of Duty is still yet to be announced, but some people have seemingly already played it. A select few American athletes have shared images across social media of them playing this year’s game.

Riley Ridley, Tajae Sharpe, and N’Keal Harry have each posted pictures of themselves playing the new shooter at what looks to be an official event, while All Games Delta has more images. We’ve reached out to Activision to verify this isn’t some elaborate ruse from the American footballers.

The publisher is yet to announce this year’s Call of Duty. Traditionally, each game in the series gets announced in the May before it eventually launches, so we might be just around the corner from Activision lifting the lid on this year’s game.

We do know it’s Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare developer Infinity Ward working on the upcoming shooter. Infinity Ward also created the Modern Warfare sub-series, as well as Call of Duty: Ghosts. There are rumors this year’s title is Modern Warfare 4, but this has not yet been confirmed.

Activision has confirmed, however, that 2019’s Call of Duty game will include a single-player campaign, despite last year’s Black Ops 4 doing away with the traditional story mode. Activision also confirmed the new game will have a “huge expansive multiplayer world,” as well as “fun co-op gameplay.”

PS4, Xbox One, and PC shooter World War Z has made a strong start in the UK games chart, finishing top in its debut week. Sales monitor Chart-Track says the co-op game, which is set in the same universe as the 2013 film of the same name, sold more physical copies than any other title in the UK for the week ending April 20. That’s despite the PC version not even receiving a boxed edition in the UK.

Below Saber Interactive’s zombie game, FIFA 19 holds its place at No.2–a position it has now held for three consecutive weeks. The Division 2, however, falls two places to No.3 this week.

Two other new games enter the chart this week: Snooker 19 debuts at No.9, while My Time at Portia finishes at No.27. You can read more about the latter in our My Time at Portia review, in which Ginny Woo awarded the management sim a 6/10.

World War Z, meanwhile, has sold well since launching on April 16, with more than 1 million copies shifted worldwide already. Our review for the game is currently in the works; for now, check out the launch trailer above or 90 minutes of World War Z gameplay.

You can read the full top 10 sales chart for this week below, courtesy of UKIE and GfK Chart-Track. Note this table does not include digital sales data, and so should not be considered representative of all UK game sales.

1. World War Z
2. FIFA 19
3. The Division 2
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
5. Red Dead Redemption 2
6. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
7. Yoshi’s Crafted World
8. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
9. Snooker 19
10. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe