Game Over Online

Bethesda Officially Joins Xbox

Today Microsoft officially completed the acquisition of ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda Softworks, welcoming the eight development studios – Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios – to the Xbox family. Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, had this to say in regards to exclusivity:

“This is the next step in building an industry-leading first party studios team, a commitment we have to our Xbox community. With the addition of the Bethesda creative teams, gamers should know that Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass will be the best place to experience new Bethesda games, including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players.”

Microsoft plans to celebrate this special moment by bringing additional Bethesda games into Xbox Game Pass later this week. Stay tuned for more details.

Watch Dogs: Legion Online Mode Now Available

Today, Ubisoft announced that the online mode for Watch Dogs: Legion is now available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Stadia at no additional cost for Watch Dogs: Legion players. The mode will also be coming shortly after on the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Store on PC, and Ubisoft+.

The online mode of Watch Dogs: Legion includes:

• Free-roam open-world co-op where players can team up with their friends for up to four-players and explore London, encounter city events, complete challenges and participate in side activities.
• New co-op missions for two-to-four players using new co-op gameplay mechanics and giving players the opportunity to recruit the perfect team and fight back against London’s threats across the most iconic landmarks of the city.
• The first available Player-vs-Player (PvP) mode, Spiderbot Arena, where four players control armed spiderbots and compete in a free-for-all deathmatch.

Two exclusive single-player missions for Season Pass owners are also available today:

• Guardian Protocol: DedSec will track down an algorithm that shows that AI can sometimes override human decision. If this algorithm was to be used in weaponized drones… they would have power over life and death.
• Not In Our Name: DedSec discovers a secret group using their name in London, working under the orders of a ruthless tabloid owner, who uses information stolen by this group to blackmail his notorious victims and gain power in the city.

On March 23rd, “Leader of the Pack,” the first four-player co-op Tactical Op which will require teamwork and efficiency will be available. More content will continue being added after launch through free updates, including Invasion PvP mode, all-new co-op missions, free characters and more.

Apex Legends Launches on Nintendo Switch

Respawn Entertainment today released Apex Legends on the Nintendo Switch. Players on the Nintendo Switch can jump right into the action along with players on PC and consoles in the latest limited time event, the Chaos Theory Collection Event, also available starting today. This event ushers in a brand new town takeover featuring fan favorite Legend Caustic and the introduction of the Ring Fury Escalation Takeover mode for the duration of the event.

Stronghold: Warlords is Available Now

Firefly Studios’ latest entry in their ‘castle sim’ series, Stronghold: Warlords is now available on Steam, GOG, Humble and other retailers. Firefly celebrates today’s release with a final launch trailer for the game featuring new gameplay, the full campaign map and a story preview narrated by Rae Lim.

Century: Age of Ashes Gameplay Trailer Takes Flight Ahead of Second Closed Beta

Playwing today announced that the second Century: Age of Ashes closed beta will take flight on Steam this Friday. After a successful initial test, Playwing’s second closed beta is set to run March 12th to 21st with all player progress including experience, earned currency, and unlockables carrying onward to April’s Early Access launch. Player limit has also been increased drastically to test servers and get riders in on the action.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Flames of Ambition DLC is Now Live

The Elder Scrolls Online: Flames of Ambition DLC game pack is now live and available for purchase on PC, bringing two new dungeons and kicking off 2021’s year-long Gates of Oblivion story. In addition, Update 29 has also gone live for PC, introducing a host of free changes and improvements for all players, including a redesigned Champion System for high-level players. Flames of Ambition and Update 29 will arrive on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on March 16th.

March Monster Hunter Digital Event Reveals New Info for Upcoming Games

During today’s Monster Hunter Digital Event, members of the development team for Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin shared new information, trailers and gameplay looks for these upcoming Nintendo Switch titles. Monster Hunter Series Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto and Monster Hunter Rise Director Yasunori Ichinose provided an in-depth look at the game’s new Rampage quest type, game feature details, and confirmation of a second demo releasing on March 11th ahead of the game’s March 26th release. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin teased cooperative multiplayer quests coming in the game, revealed the deluxe edition contents and preorder bonus, and confirmed its July 9th release date. It will be available as a physical and digital release on Nintendo Switch, and digital-only version on Steam.

Nintendo Celebrates MAR10 Day with Sales and In-Game Events

Every year on March 10th, Mario fans mark the occasion of MAR10 Day, recognizing the mustached hero. This year, Nintendo is commemorating MAR10 day with a number of offerings and in-game events:

• Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Sales – From now until March 13th, in continuation of the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary, select games and merchandise are on sale.
  • Games for the Nintendo Switch featuring Mario and friends are currently available for 35% off their retail price at select retailers and in Nintendo eShop, including Super Mario Maker 2, Mario Tennis Aces, Super Mario Party, and Luigi’s Mansion 3.
  • Super Mario Bros. 35th anniversary-themed merchandise is now available for purchase at a 35% discount from the Nintendo NY store and store.nintendo.com.
• Super Mario Bros. Items in Animal Crossing: New Horizons – For fans enjoying island living on Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary themed items have arrived in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The iconic Super Mushroom, ? Block and other Mario-themed items can be ordered in-game. You can even place two Warp Pipes and then use them to travel between locations on your island.
• Nintendo Switch – Mario Red & Blue Edition – This special edition hardware, featuring some of Mario’s signature colors, is now available again in limited quantities through select retailers at a SRP of $299.99 USD. The system includes red Joy-Con controllers with blue wrist straps, a blue Joy-Con grip accessory, a red Nintendo Switch dock and a red Nintendo Switch.

PGA Tour 2K21 Season 2 Kicks Off with Free Course: Bay Hill Club & Lodge

2K and HB Studios today announced a new update for PGA Tour 2K21 featuring Season 2 of the Clubhouse Pass and a free, brand new course available to all players – The Bay Hill Club & Lodge – available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia and Nintendo Switch.

Season 2 of the Clubhouse Pass, an ongoing live service featuring new clubs, new gear and new MyPlayer customizations for players to earn and unlock, runs from March 4th to June 3rd and includes the potential to unlock a variety of gear, VC and cosmetic items for MyPlayers.

Hitman 3 March Roadmap Revealed

IO Interactive today revealed its Hitman 3 March roadmap, which brings new weapons, elusive targets, escalation, contracts, and…eggs?

• March 4: Escalation – The Lesley Celebration
• March 11: Featured Contracts by Easy Allies – Chongqing
• March 19 – March 29: Elusive Target – The Stowaway
• March 25: Featured Contracts by Eurogamer – Mendoza
• March 30 – April 12: Seasonal Event – Berlin Egg Hunt & Unlockable Raver Outfit
• March 30: Deluxe Escalation – The Satu Mare Delirium & Unlockable Items