2K today announced it has acquired HookBang’s Austin-based video game division that will become part of Visual Concepts, the wholly-owned studio and developer of the NBA 2K video game franchise.
Bethesda Softworks today revealed the 2021 content roadmap for Fallout 76. Here’s what to expect this year:
Spring
The Spring update introduces S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Loadouts, C.A.M.P. Slots, Mannequins, and an all-new Daily Ops expansion. For a deeper look at the new features, check out the Inside the Vault article here. Additionally, the update marks the return of Armor Ace, this time in a fierce battle against Commissioner Chaos and the Yukon Five. Season 4 brings all-new rewards to the Scoreboard, from cosmetics, to consumables and everything in-between.
Summer
Last year the Brotherhood of Steel arrived in Appalachia and players witnessed a conflict between the ranks and discovered new obstacles in their path. Steel Reign continues the story of The Brotherhood, introducing all new quests, locations, NPCs, and new rewards. Whose side will you take? Your choices will change the Wasteland. Legendary modules also arrive this summer, allowing players to craft specific Legendary items.
Fall
The winds of change are coming, and with it an evolution to Private Worlds. Stay tuned over the coming months for more information as we get closer to release. Bethesda are also bringing another expansion to Daily Ops to give players even more ways to play.
Winter
This Winter introduces four-star Legendary Weapons and Armor along with the arrival of the highly-requested and anticipated C.A.M.P. Pets. In the brand-new Public Challenge: Invaders from Beyond, players across the server will unite to complete challenges, face off against challenging new foes and earn rewards. Last but not least, the Cultists of Appalachia are up to something sinister in a brand-new Seasonal event: The Ritual. Help the cultists in Point Pleasant prepare a dangerous ritual, and they’ll repay you with unique rewards.
Capcom’s survival horror franchise reaches a monumental milestone today with the 25th anniversary of Resident Evil. Over the years, the series has shipped more than 107 million units. The next entry in the series is coming soon with Resident Evil Village releasing May 7th, 2021 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam and newly confirmed Stadia. Ahead of the launch, Capcom confirmed a new Resident Evil Showcase digital event will be coming in April and announced details for an open beta test for the upcoming multiplayer experience Resident Evil Re:Verse.
New game details will be revealed in a new Resident Evil Showcase digital event in April, giving fans a look at what’s in store for them when Resident Evil Village launches on May 7th. The Resident Evil Showcase in January revealed information on new gameplay features and characters for Resident Evil Village as well as other brand updates, and the April event will follow suit with new game content and 25th anniversary news to share.
Today Capcom announced PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam players can participate in an open beta test for Resident Evil Re:Verse taking place April 7th through to April 10th. Players who participated in the earlier closed beta test and still have the game installed on their hardware can play via a game update once the open beta is live. New players will be able to pre-load the open beta content starting April 5th. All open beta participants will need a registered Capcom ID to play.
Pre-orders for Resident Evil Village are available now, with digital Standard and Deluxe Edition options for all platforms, plus physical Standard, Deluxe and Collector’s Edition for console players. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game and a digital “Trauma Pack,” which consists of additional in-game content including a Samurai Edge weapon, Resident Evil 7 biohazard-inspired found footage screen filter, tape recorder save point option, immediate access to an especially challenging difficulty setting, and more. The physical Collector’s Edition includes the Deluxe Edition content plus a statue of franchise veteran Chris Redfield, a SteelBook case, art book, and a cloth map of the village with key art printed on the reverse side.
Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition will be available on Stadia as an individual purchase option and will be free with Stadia Pro beginning on April 1st. Players can also delve into the library of titles from Resident Evil with several discount promotions across multiple platforms in celebration of the 25th anniversary. Check respective digital storefronts in the coming weeks for sale promotions.
Bandai Namco today announced that Lidia Sobieska, the fictional young Prime Minister of Poland from the Tekken 7 universe, will be joining the roster of playable characters in Tekken 7’s next DLC drop, which is scheduled to release on March 23rd. Players will also be able to have battles under the sunshine and palm trees in the new Island Paradise stage.
Today in a Twitter post, WB Games Montréal announced that Gotham Knights has been delayed and will now launch in 2022 in order to “deliver the best possible experience for players”.
— Gotham Knights (@GothamKnights) March 19, 2021
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone Season Two is still underway, and today the Call of Duty blog has some tips and tricks for completing the first half of the Multiplayer Season Challenges, including the tough “Cybersecurity Threat” and “Brap Brap” objectives.
Today, Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja revealed the latest pre-order and Digital Deluxe information for their upcoming title, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. The trilogy, containing the classic Ninja Gaiden Sigma alongside Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, will release digitally on June 10th for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.
The special Digital Deluxe Edition allows fans and newcomers alike to dive deeper into the world of Ninja Gaiden. The special edition includes a 70-page digital art book, a soundtrack featuring over 180 tracks, and all three games in this collection. Koei Tecmo also announce various pre-order bonuses available for both the Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions of Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. Those who pre-order the Standard or Digital Deluxe version on PS4 will receive a special theme for their console and five Ninja Gaiden themed avatars, while those who pre-order the Digital Deluxe version on Xbox One will receive 10% off their purchase. Bonuses available for Nintendo Switch and Steam pre-orders, alongside the dates they will go live, will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Today, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s first major expansion, Wrath of the Druids, will be available on April 29th. In addition, Season 2, Ostara Season, features exclusive narrative content and in-game events accessible to all players. Starting today, players can celebrate Spring as part of the time-limited Ostara Festival with new challenges and rewards.
Ostara Festival, the first update of Ostara Season, invites players to discover an in-game event active until April 8th in a dedicated area of Ravensthorpe. Various Easter-themed festivities will be available, including:
To experience the Ostara Festival, players must reach England and complete one of the first narrative arcs – either Grantebridgescire or Ledecestrescire. The festival will then be triggered automatically when players visit the settlement. To access the May-Queen activity, players’ settlement must have reached Level 3.
Starting today, players will be able to change Eivor’s gear appearance with visual customization, better known as transmogrification or “Change Appearance” in-game. The original gear and armor stats remain unchanged as Eivor is visually customized, allowing players to stick to their build and unleash their inner Viking in style. Once a piece of gear or a weapon is found, its visuals can be equipped in exchange of silver by visiting the Blacksmith in Ravensthorpe if the item is from the same category.
To celebrate the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla community, players will receive Altair’s Outfit, the Yule Gear Set and cosmetics, and 300 opals for free. To claim the rewards, they must access the Animus Store.
Two future updates will add more content for Ostara Season, including:
In Wrath of the Druids, available on April 29th, players will journey to Ireland and unravel the mysteries of an ancient and mysterious druidic cult, tracking and discovering their members. Diving into Gaelic myths and folklores, they’ll need to fight their way through haunted forests and dazzling landscapes while gaining influence among Gaelic kings. The Wrath of the Druids expansion can be purchased as a standalone for $34.99. Players can also access the expansion through the Season Pass, available now for $49.99 or as part of the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Gold, Ultimate, and Collector Editions.
During the Square Enix Presents digital-showcase event, Square Enix announced Forspoken, the debut title from its newly established studio, Luminous Productions. Originally revealed as Project Athia last year,
Forspoken puts players in the shoes of Frey Holland, an ordinary young woman who must harness her magical abilities to survive in a fantastical and dangerous land called Athia.
As a part of today’s show, the team announced that the game’s protagonist, Frey, will be performed by Ella Balinska, best known for her starring role in the 2019 film, Charlie’s Angels.
Square Enix today announced Life is Strange: True Colors during the company’s showcase livestream, Square Enix Presents. This newest entry in the franchise has been created by Deck Nine Games, the developers behind Life is Strange: Before the Storm, in collaboration with Square Enix External Studios. Life is Strange: True Colors took center stage during the digital show, where its new protagonist, her supernatural power and a new mystery was introduced. For the first time in the franchise, there will be no more waiting for the next episode – players will be able to experience Life is Strange: True Colors in one single release.
Square Enix also announced the Life is Strange Remastered Collection, a new edition of Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm featuring all new enhanced graphics and animations. The collection will be available as part of the Ultimate Edition of Life is Strange: True Colors and as a stand-alone edition later this year.
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