Category: Games

Fortnite: Chapter 2 is finally here. Rather than take the form of Season 11, which would have followed the game’s established pattern, Epic recently took Forntite: Battle Royale offline entirely for more than a day. Now, servers are back up and there’s a major new update out on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile. Among other things, the big highlight is that Epic has finally introduced a brand-new Fortnite map, rather than continuing to evolve the initial island.

Epic Games has yet to issue full patch notes but it states the game has an “all-new island featuring 13 new locations.” Water will seemingly be a big factor this time round, with new mechanics such as swimming, fishing, and motorboats added. You can also carry fallen teammates to safety or revive them using the bandage bazooka.

Additionally, Epic has revealed a new battle pass for Chapter 2: Season 1. It will of course include new skins, emotes, and weapon wraps, but it also offers more chances to earn XP and medals. You’ll contribute just by searching chests, for example, or eliminating opponents or completing challenges.

Fortnite: Chapter 2 has been highly anticipated since the game went dark over the weekend. However, while people were expecting Season 11, Epic has instead followed up with Chapter 2: Season 1, indicating a fresh start for the game.

It’s a whole new world!

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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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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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 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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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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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

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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.

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.