Author: Trafficblast

Fortnite‘s popularity is not slowing down. The game had its biggest month ever in August when 78.3 million people played the popular battle royale game, Epic announced. That’s the highest single-month player figure for the game since it launched.

The massive figure led to some issues. With so many players logging in, “This exposed weak points and allowed us to make targeted improvements to critical systems, such as stats and servers,” Epic said.

While nearly 80 million players is absolutely a massive figure, Fortnite is free, so it’s theoretically available to everyone who has a console, PC, or mobile device. And more importantly, Epic did not say how much Fortnite brings in from its microtransactions.

In other Fortnite news, the game’s mysterious narrative continued this week as the Cube sank into Loot Lake. This is all some kind of tease for the upcoming Season 6, apparently.

Fortnite is currently available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC, as well as mobile devices.

The release date for Red Dead Redemption 2 is fast approaching–it’s due out for PS4 and Xbox One on October 26 (with a rumored PC version to perhaps come some time after that). Despite being only about a month away, we were still very in the dark about most of the game, but that’s just changed. A flood of new information has been released, and we’ve even gotten to go hands-on with Rockstar’s new open-world western game for ourselves. We’ve also learned the first tidbits about Red Dead Online, the game’s multiplayer mode that won’t debut until November.

As you’d expect from a new Rockstar game that has been in development for years, this is a deep, detailed game. And as a result, there’s a lot to dig into. More information is sure to come between now and launch, but below we’ve rounded up everything new that we’ve just learned about the game. For more on how to buy it, check out our Red Dead Redemption 2 pre-order guide.

We Played Red Dead Redemption 2

A number of us at GameSpot recently got to go hands-on with the game. The demo lasted 90 minutes and included two story missions, but we were also able to check out the open world itself. In addition to writing up everything we saw, we’ve rounded up all of the new features, as well as the details that surprised us.

Red Dead Redemption Can Be First-Person, Lets You Turn Off The Hud

One of the many ways Red Dead Redemption 2 follows the path that Grand Theft Auto V established is in adding a new perspective. While third-person remains the default, Rockstar has introduced the option to navigate the world with a first-person camera. Additionally, those looking for a less game-like experience can opt to disable the hud.

You Can Swim, Take Selfies, And Drift On A Horse

Like the GTA games of old, Red Dead Redemption did not allow you to swim. But like more recent entires in the series, Red Dead Redemption 2 protagonist Arthur Morgan is capable of jumping into the water–he just doesn’t much care for it. Additionally, Arthur gets his hands on a camera, which he can use to take pictures of the world or even himself for some old-school selfies. And when you’re on horseback, you’ll be able to pull off some neat tricks, like essentially drifting to change directions.

Composer Woody Jackson Is Back

If you were a fan of the music from the original Red Dead Redemption, you’re in luck. RDR2 features the return of composer Woody Jackson, and the game’s original soundtrack remains quite good.

You Can Lose Your Hat

In what’s obviously the most significant bit of news to come out as part of this embargo is word that you can lose your hat. If you want your hat back, you’ll have to guide Arthur to where it was lost. Alternatively, you can pick up someone else’s hat. This has been your Hat Update.

Skinning Animals Is Much Grosser

Red Dead Redemption had a distinct cutscene of sorts that would play out whenever you skinned an animal, but it didn’t involve watching the animal be cut up. RDR2 goes a different and much more intense route.

New Screenshots

Alongside all of this information, Rockstar shared some new screenshots from the game. In addition to the videos and screens we got recently, these provide yet another look at what to expect from the game’s world.

Red Dead Online: Beta And Delayed Release

Just prior to all of this information hit, Rockstar actually shared the first details about the game’s online component, which is known as Red Dead Online. As with GTA V and GTA Online, Red Dead Online won’t launch at the same time as the game. Instead, it’ll hit in November–and even then, only in the form of a beta. Rockstar has warned players in advance that they may encounter some difficulties, as it’s learned from GTA Online that launching a mode of this magnitude is never going to be problem-free.

If you’re a GTA Online fan, you needn’t worry. Rockstar reaffirmed it will continue to support that game. In fact, it even plans to stagger the release of updates for it and Red Dead Online to avoid overlapping too heavily.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an incredibly dense open-world game that’s jam-packed full of details. In our time spent playing the high-anticipated sequel recently, we discovered a wealth of mechanics that go above and beyond those from the original Red Dead Redemption. While the game features improvements to pre-existing mechanics, there are light survival systems this time around that have you paying attention to body temperature, gun maintenance, and meat expiration. As fans of the original, all of these new details are surprising and unexpected. But what has us the most enthused about it all is how these mechanics are likely to foster tons of ridiculous shenanigans in the game’s world.

We got to experience many of the new systems at work–most of which you can read about in our comprehensive feature compiling them all. But there were some fascinating standouts we wanted to highlight that we feel will contribute to some of the game’s most memorable and entertaining moment-to-moment experiences. Included in this feature are nine of the most unexpected mechanics and details in Red Dead Redemption 2.

If you haven’t already seen our Red Dead Redemption 2 preview covering the story missions we saw, make sure to read it for our in-depth impressions on the game. Though, if you want to get caught up with everything there is to know about Red Dead Redemption 2, check out our roundup of everything we’ve learned about RDR2. In the meantime, what details are you most excited to experience in Red Dead Redemption 2? Let us know in the comments below.

Clothes Make The Outlaw

The game’s clothing customization options are comprehensive–each character will have different sets to coincide with hot and cold weather conditions. The type of clothes you wear will affect Arthur’s performance. For example, if you wear a weighty jacket during a hot summer day, your running stamina will take a big hit.

Other customizations will allow layering and minor adjustments, like the option to roll up your sleeves or tuck your pants into your boots. Whatever you end up choosing, you’re free to craft Arthur into the high plains drifter you want him to be.

You Can Fire Warning Shots And Whistle For Fun

By having your gun unholstered and holding Up on the d-pad, you can fire warning shots into the air. This is handy for intimidating people, scaring off animals, or generally being a rowdy buffoon while you’re riding around.

Speaking of possible buffoonery, you can even whistle at people to get their attention or call your horse. And if you keep holding down the button, you can keep whistling until Arthur runs out of breath. Imagine combining both warning shots and whistling; you’ll become the countryside menace you’ve always dreamed of being.

Your Guns Can Degrade And Jam

You need to take care of your weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2. You have the option to clean them, which is incredibly important to do regularly because guns can jam mid-fire due to disrepair and environmental conditions. You don’t want to be caught with a rusted gun–lest you seek to dig yourself an early grave.

Hunted Materials Can Rot And Be Damaged

The components you acquire from hunting all have an expiration date. If you’re not careful, time will eventually take its toll and both the fresh pelt and carcass you’ve acquired will start to rot and attract vermin, reducing its value and making you generally unpleasant to be around. Not only that, but if you use a firearm to kill an animal as opposed to an arrow or knife, its pelt will be damaged and will sell for less at local stores.

Cleaning. Grooming, And Feeding Yourself

Speaking of unpleasantness, NPCs will react not just to the stink of your rotting deer corpse, but also if you haven’t taken a bath in a while. Arthur needs to get clean and change his clothes every once in a while, since townsfolk may refuse to talk or serve him based on his appearance–having blood on your jacket doesn’t attract the best reactions.

Time also has an effect on Arthur’s hair, which actually grow longer. Customizing Arthur’s haircut and facial hair styling is also dependent on length since you’re allowed to cut things shorter, but won’t have access to options that require more hair–a more realistic take on customization compared to GTA V. Of course, you’re welcome to not pay attention to grooming. In fact, you can totally rock the mountain man look by just letting Arthur’s hair and facial hair grow to its max.

Arthur will need to eat to keep his health and stamina meters up, but will also lose and gain weight depending on his food intake. He’ll have to stay active in order to keep in top shape.

You Will Get A Camera

We started a side quest during our time with Red Dead Redemption 2, and the mission giver handed Arthur a camera. This camera could be used at any time via your inventory, and yes, the first thing we did was take a selfie.

These aren’t arm-out handheld selfies, though. The mode is titled “self-portrait” and will frame Arthur’s whole body as if the camera were set up on a tripod. You’ll be able to adjust expressions and poses, too–expect to see a whole bunch of self-portraits depicting Arthur squatting in front of various things on Twitter once the game releases.

You Can Lose Your Hat

If you’re not careful, you can easily lose your hat in the midst of a shootout. If you drop your hat, you need to physically pick it back up to get back to looking like a proper outlaw. And if you ride away from your hat, you can only get it back by returning to the location where it dropped. Alternatively, Arthur can swap his hat for any other one that just happens to fall off someone else’s head. Sometimes you just have to adjust your style on the go.

There’s A Killcam That Changes Depending On Your Honor

When you take out the final opponent during a gunfight, a killcam will frame that final blow a la Max Payne 3. This will change depending on Arthur’s moral standing: If you’ve been a naughty cowboy, these kill cams will be gorier. If you’ve been upstanding and honorable, they’ll be framed in a more heroic fashion like those from the classic film Westerns of old.

You Can Break Enemy’s Weapons

Speaking of heroic behavior: if you want to go the more non-lethal route, it’s possible to shoot weapons out of enemy hands. Not only that, but you can even shoot at their weapons and break them. This seems like a handy technique if you’re looking to be an outlaw with a heart of gold as opposed to a straight-up cold-blooded killer.

Horse Dressage And Drifting Techniques

Horses are an important part of Red Dead Redemption 2, but it seems like they’re far more capable creatures than they’ve ever been in previous games. During our hands-on, we were able to rear our horse on its hind legs, perform drifts to change direction quickly (apologies to equestrian enthusiasts), and move our horse precisely by performing dressage techniques.

Most video game retailers go to great lengths to advertise their sales. Amazon isn’t most retailers. For as ubiquitous as the online mega-corporation is, it doesn’t put much effort into promoting its game sales and discounts. Regardless, we’ve noticed that right now you can find some nice price drops on a number of big games–including many first-party Nintendo Switch games. So let’s take a look at all the best games on sale on Amazon right now.

Let’s start with the discounted Switch games, because those make up the bulk of the current sale. The two biggest ones are The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, both of which are available for $45 each. That’s a nice 25% discount on games that don’t tend to go on sale very often.

Also $45 apiece are Mario Tennis Aces, Kirby Star Allies, Splatoon 2, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. If you’ve been wanting to pick any of those up, you’re not likely to find a better price anytime before Black Friday (and there’s no guarantee they’ll go lower even then). Also, a shout out to Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, whose star has been in the news lately in an unenviable way; that game is $10 off, bringing it down to $30.

In non-Nintendo news, you can pick up the PS4 version of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare for just $11. The Banner Saga Trilogy is down to $30, and Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is only $15. Racing game fans can pick up the surprisingly Overwatch-like racer Onrush for $35. And you don’t have to wait for the mini PlayStation Classic to get a PS1-era fix–Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is on sale for $30.

It’s unclear when these games will go back to full price, so it would be wise to grab them sooner than later.

Spider-Man, Spider-Man. Sony sold lots of Spider-Man. Cash registers go cha-ching. Revenue more than Homecoming. Watch out! It’s payday for Spider-Man.

USA Today reports that Sony sold 3.3 million copies of Marvel’s Spider-Man within the first three days of release, setting a new sales record. That edges out the prior record of 3.1 million in the first three days set by God of War earlier this year. Pre-orders were a record-setter as well, at one million copies. This figure doesn’t account for sales of the PlayStation 4 Pro bundle that included a specially painted console and a copy of the game.

As the report notes, the retail price of $60 would translate to roughly $198 million in revenue, which actually tops the $117 million opening weekend box office for Spider-Man Homecoming. Not all of the copies would have sold for exactly $60, so the actual figure could be a bit less. Plus the comparison is a little skewed given that movie tickets cost significantly less than a new video game, but it’s still an impressive achievement.

“Our expectations are always set at the highest levels,” said Sony global VP of sales Stephen Turvey. “It’s met and exceeded all expectations. I think the company, and the campus, and our fans are super proud of it.” He added that Insomniac Games brought Spider-Man back “in a way that you want to experience it.”

Marvel’s Spider-Man is a critical success as well. It scored an aggregate 87 on GameSpot sister site Metacritic. Sony is planning three narrative expansions through the rest of the year, along with a New Game Plus mode. In GameSpot’s Spider-Man review, Edmond Tran praised the dynamic combat, fluid web-swinging, and surprisingly rich story.

“There have been open-world Spider-Man games before, but none so riveting and full of personality, none that explore and do justice to this many facets of the universe,” Tran said. “Insomniac has created a superior Spider-Man experience that leaves a lasting impression, one that has you longing for just one more swing around New York City, even after the credits roll.”