The original Oculus Quest will soon be getting Air Link support, which allows for PC-based VR games to be streamed directly to the headset without a wired connection. On a Facebook post teasing Quest software update v30, CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg commented that Air Link support for the first Oculus Quest headset is coming, although he did not say when.
Air Link recently launched on Oculus Quest 2 in the v29 update, allowing the headset to play PC VR games that aren’t available on the Oculus Quest directly through the headset, like Half-Life Alyx. This feature is a wireless solution for Oculus Link, which did the same thing but via a USB-C cable and provides official support for playing non-Oculus games. Using Air Link does require having a powerful enough PC to run the games and a good enough internet connection to stream to the headset. The feature requires a 5GHz router; Facebook recommends having your PC connected via ethernet in order to minimize latency.
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Sonic Colors: Ultimate is the upcoming remaster for the original 2010 game on Nintendo Wii. While modern Sonic games have been hit or miss, Sonic Colors was warmly regarded by critics and fans alike. It offers a solid and stylish blend of classic 2D platforming and 3D action with the use of the game’s Wisps–special assist characters that help Sonic throughout the level. With the remaster of Sonic Colors: Ultimate release on September 7, we’ve seen more gameplay pop up.
For GameSpot’s Play For All, we have an exclusive gameplay video showcasing an update of the original Sweet Mountain world, a series of stages that look like an explorable land filled with candy and junk food. The world was a challenging and visually stunning setting in the original game, and it’s since been updated in the new remaster, giving it much sharper visuals. The new footage looks great, and it captures what made the original Sonic Colors such a well-loved game within the Sonic fanbase. Just for this reveal, we also had a chance to chat with Sega producer Calvin Vu about the making of Sonic Colors: Ultimate.
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Now Playing: Sonic Colors: Ultimate – Exclusive Sweet Mountain Gameplay [Play For All 2021]
Sonic Colors: Ultimate is something of a cult favorite among fans. What was it like to revisit this game that found an audience on the Nintendo Wii, and revitalize it for modern audiences?
It’s been an amazing experience revisiting Colors. Since it was originally designed for the Wii, we’ve done quite a bit of tinkering to reimagine the gameplay experience for new consoles and PC for more of our fans to enjoy. We spent a lot of time bringing it up to the high-definition quality of today, supporting resolutions up to 4K on capable platforms, and working on several aspects of the game, including improved lighting and visuals, enhanced textures, remixed audio, and overall refined gameplay elements. We’ve worked incredibly hard to make Sonic Colors: Ultimate the best version of the game that it could be, and we can’t wait for our new and returning fans to experience it first-hand in September.
What do you think Sonic Colors offered that made it different from other modern Sonic games, and why do you think it’s still held in such high regard from Sonic fans?
Sonic Colors was one of several Nintendo exclusives developed by Sonic Team during the Wii/Wii U era, which was an exciting time for SEGA creatively. With the Wii we were able to introduce an all-new style of gameplay at the time that utilized Nintendo’s technology that encouraged players to stand up while playing the game. Fans were incredibly receptive to the interactive elements of Colors and created lots of fun memories with family and friends playing the title on Wii.
Colors also introduced Wisps and Color Powers to Sonic, which was a major gameplay addition for the series that fans enjoyed. We’re super excited to bring Colors to current platforms to share these creative gameplay elements for all types of players.
Along with the remastered presentation, can you talk about what sort of new content is coming to this game that sets it apart from the original?
There are quite a few gameplay improvements that really make this feel like the ultimate version of Sonic Colors. We’ve added a new wisp to the game, the Jade Ghost. This wisp’s Color Power allows Sonic fly around as a ghost and phase through objects when using his homing attack and reach new areas. There’s also the “sweet spot attack,” a new mechanic that rewards Sonic when he perfectly times his attacks with bonus boost energy. There are new customization options for Sonic. Players can collect Park Tokens they find throughout the game and exchange them to unlock different shoes, gloves, boosts, and auras to change how Sonic looks. We’ve also added a new feature called “Rival Rush” where players can race against Metal Sonic in select acts throughout the worlds.
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The original Sonic Colors also had a spinoff game on the Nintendo DS, which had its own set of levels and story. Was there any consideration from the early stages of this project to revisit that game as well?
We mainly focused on remastering the Nintendo Wii version of Sonic Colors. It was a great game on that platform that we felt the need to modernize for the more powerful platforms we have today and reach more players. However, many of the fan-favorite environments from the Wii also appeared on the Nintendo DS version, such as the Sweet Mountain level and Aquarium Park, which fans can rediscover in Sonic Colors: Ultimate.
Sega is also working with the dev Blind Squirrel Games on Sonic Colors: Ultimate, who have had experience porting and remastering other classic games. What was it like working with them on this project?
It’s been amazing to work with Blind Squirrel Games on Sonic Colors: Ultimate. They’re experts in their craft and were able to help achieve our shared vision for the remaster. With Blind Squirrel, we were able to bring a fresh hue to some of Colors’ most beloved environments and retain the great gameplay elements in a way that will ring true to longtime fans while delivering improved gameplay enhancements for current-generation platforms.
The Batman fanbase was thrown into a frenzy on Monday when reports came out revealing that DC leadership asked the team behind HBO Max’s animated Harley Quinn series to remove a scene in the show where Batman performed oral sex on Catwoman. According to the show’s co-creator Justin Halpern, DC’s reason behind the decision was that “heroes don’t do that.”
The news sparked an ongoing conversation among fans about the nature of the Dark Knight’s sex life. Now, former Batman actor Val Kilmer has weighed in on the debate on Twitter, though his response about the superhero’s decisions in the bedroom seems to be somewhat tentative.
Kilmer’s post contains a GIF featuring a moment from the actor’s lone Batman movie, 1995’s Batman Forever. In the featured scene, the Caped Crusader rendezvouses at the Bat-Signal to discover that Nicole Kidman’s Dr. Chase Meridian has ignited Gotham PD’s spotlight to have a flirtatious conversation. After some pectoral grazes and a comment about how “chicks love the car,” Batman takes off into the night.
“I haven’t had that much luck with women,” Batman says. “Maybe you just haven’t met the right woman,” Meridian replies.
While Kilmer’s post did not provide a concrete stance, he is the first live-action Batman actor to weigh in on the matter. As for the future of Batman on-screen, the superhero will be played by Robert Pattinson in Matt Reeves’ upcoming reimagining The Batman, which is slated to hit theaters in March 2022.
Additionally, both Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck will reprise their roles as Batman in the upcoming solo film The Flash. The production teases that the film will be based on the Flashpoint story and will “restart everything” in the DC cinematic universe, bridging between various characters and timelines. Perhaps, in one of these alternate dimensions, there will be a Batman that goes where no other previous Batman is prepared to go.
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J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.
Knockout City, the competitive dodgeball game, is getting a summer-themed event called Heatwave. Announced during GameSpot’s Play For All Live stream, the Heatwave event–which runs from June 22 through July 5– will add new items, contracts, and playlists to the game.
Players can earn new items by collecting Ice Pops hidden throughout the Knockout City matches, which can be used to unlock new items, like an Ice Cream Truck glider or an intro-pose where their character lounges in a beach chair. Players can also earn Heatwave tickets by playing, which can be used in the Heatwave Event shop. Lastly, anyone who completes all of the Heatwave limited-time contracts will unlock a Legendary Ultimate Hologram, the Fire Hydrant.
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Now Playing: Knockout City Devs Talk Game’s Success, Upcoming Heat Wave Event, And Season 2 | Play For All Interview
There will also be two new playlists during the event: Party Face-Off on June 22 and Triple Team Chaos on June 29. Party Face-Off adds all special balls into the normal 1v1 setup. Triple Team Chaos sees three teams of two in a free for all, with the first team to get 15 KOs winning the match.
While E3 2021 may be over, Microsoft still has more exciting news to share with its Xbox Games Showcase: Extended on Thursday, July 17. Featuring conversations with Double Fine, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Rare, and more, these behind-the-scenes discussions should be worth a look.
IGN is carrying the stream and, as usual, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to watch the show, including when it starts, a list of places you can watch it with us, and what you can expect to see at the show.
The upcoming Xbox Games Showcase: Extended takes place on Thursday, June 17, and will start at 10am PT, 1pm ET, 6pm BST. If you’re tuning in from Australia, that translates to Friday, June 18 at 3am AEST.
Where to Watch the Xbox Games Showcase: Extended
If you’re interested in watching the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase: Extended, we’ll be hosting the stream here and across our many channels on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook, and more. Here’s the full list of places you can watch the Xbox Games Showcase: Extended:
What to Expect From the Xbox Games Showcase: Extended
While Microsoft hasn’t officially named any specific games that will be a part of this showcase, which is being hosted by Kinda Funny Xcast and Gamertag Radio’s Parris Lilly, the studios mentioned provide exciting possibilities.
Excited to announce I am the host for Xbox Games Showcase: Extended
Airing on Thursday, June 17 at 10:00 AM PT. Featuring conversations with developers from studios like Double Fine, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Rare, and dev partners from around the world! pic.twitter.com/jeaQ3OtiZm
Ninja Theory will undoubtedly be talking about their progress on Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, which also wasn’t featured in the Xbox and Bethesda E3 2021 Showcase. They’ve been sharing development updates every few months, and we may get something like those this Thursday.
It’s important to remember that Microsoft specifically mentions this will be focused on conversations with these developers, meaning there may not be big reveals. However, surprises may be in store!
Life Is Strange: True Colors in the next installment in the anthology narrative adventure series. GameSpot’s Kurt Indovina had the chance to sit down with Life Is Strange: True Colors’ narrative director Jon Zimmerman and pick his brain about the game’s new protagonist, her powers, and its new focus on exploration.
In the above video, Jon elaborates on Alex’s empath-like abilities, where she can absorb the emotions of people around her, sometimes resulting in overwhelming circumstances that the player must navigate carefully.
Unlike previous installments in the series, Alex’s powers have more emotional resonance with her personality–a contrast to the series’ past protagonists. In the first Life Is Strange, Max Caulfield has the power to temporarily rewind time; in Life Is Strange 2, Daniel Diaz’s powers are telepathic. Their powers had more extroverted effects, opposed to Alex’s, which are reflective of how she resonates with people around her, and can inform her about the characters that inhabit Haven Springs (the game’s central location) and influence the choices Alex will have to make.
Something else discussed in the video is the choice to focus on Alex Chen as a sole protagonist–another contrast for the series, which often relies on a duo (Max and Chloe, or Sean and Daniel). Jon explains that this choice was deliberate in order to allow Alex develop relationships with several characters in Haven Springs.
Learn about that, the importance of exploration, and more in the above video.
Life Is Strange: True Colors is expected to release September 10, 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Stadia.
GameSpot’s Kurt Indovina had the chance to sit down with Elder Scrolls Online creative director Rich Lambert and ZeniMax Online Studios studio director Matt Firor to talk about the MMORPG’s next chapter, Blackwood.
Part of the year-long Gates of Oblivion saga, which was first kicked off in the Flames of Ambition DLC, Blackwood puts Tamriel into dire circumstances as Mehrunes Dagon reigns terror across the land with the help of the Daedra.
In the above interview, Rich Lambert and Matt Firor detail Blackwood’s many new features, one of the most prominent being the addition of companions. Companions will give players the chance to venture with an NPC, allowing for a more traditional experience similar to single-player Bethesda classics like Skyrim or Oblivion. Additionally, Blackwood sees the return of areas that haven’t been explored in the Elder Scrolls series since its first installment, Arena.
Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood is available now for PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Stadia.
The discounts apply to both the physical and digital versions of the games, though note that some of the digital versions cost more than the physical ones. Without further ado, here’s what’s on sale.
It’s also worth noting that you can play nearly all of these games with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. You can pick up a three-month membership for $44.99. It grants you access to hundreds of Xbox games, including all the first-party Microsoft-published games for going back years. It’s really one of the best deals in all of gaming.
But if you just want one or two games to keep, you’re probably better off grabbing them from the list above while they’re on sale.
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Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert at IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.
The new film will feature the return of both Joel McHale and Jennifer Carpenter to their voice roles of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, respectively. While many cast members from Scorpion’s Revenge will reprise their voice roles for the sequel, Battle of the Realms will also feature new voice actors, including Matthew Mercer as Stryker and Smoke, Bayardo De Murguia as Sub-Zero/Kuai Liang, Matt Yang King as Kung Lao, Paul Nakauchi as Lin Kuei Grandmaster, Emily O’Brien as Jade, and Debra Wilson as D’Vorah.
Core crew members from Scorpion’s Revenge are also returning for the sequel, including director Ethan Spaulding, screenwriter Jeremy Adams, producers Rick Morales and Jim Krieg, and executive producer Sam Register. Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon will also return as a creative consultant.
In our review of Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge, IGN gave the film a 6, saying that the sequel “does deliver when it comes to the basic franchise staples — gory martial arts action and a self-deprecating sense of humor — [but] it doesn’t offer much else.”
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J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.
