It's the weekend again...here's a recap of the week's big stories and some you might have missed.
The Big Stuff:
With Battlefield 1's release coming up relatively soon, EA this week announced every map and mode that will be playable at launch on October 21. EA also confirmed that EA/Origin Access members can start playing the game's Play First Trial, for 10 hours, beginning October 13. However, it won't have all the maps and modes, at least not right away.
PlayStation Plus got more expensive this week, as the yearly rate went up to $60 from $50. If you locked in for a new year before September 22, you won't be asked to pay more until a year from now.
The rumors were right. Grand Theft Auto V is getting biker DLC, Rockstar revealed this week. The new update is called Bikers and allows players to form biker gangs of up to eight players. There will be different roles in the club (prospects and presidents are both mentioned), which can partake in "a massive slate of new competitive and co-op gameplay." Details of those activities weren't shared, but Rockstar talks in its announcement about ascending the ranks of your gang and building a lucrative business.
Pokemon Go might be getting a battle mode. The CEO of The Pokemon Company said this week that developer Niantic plans to add new features, like a multiplayer mode, over time. It didn't want to put out all the new features at launch so as not to overwhelm new players, the executive said.
The name Battle.net will soon be no more. Blizzard announced this week that it has begun the process of phasing out the name because it doesn't make sense anymore. Learn more here.
Bungie's multiplayer game Destiny expanded again this week with the launch of Rise of Iron, its latest DLC offering. The $30 expansion added new quests, weapons, items, and more. It also brought a new raid, Wrath of the Machine, which players quickly beat, of course.
The Other Stuff:
An official virtual reality version of Alien Isolation could happen, according to a Sega boss. Can you even imagine how scary that would be? Get all the details here at MCV.
Roadhouse Interactive, a Canadian studio that was working on metal band Iron Maiden's mobile game, has reportedly closed its doors. An estimated 100 people are believed to be out of work. Get more information on the story at Pocket Gamer.
The 38 Studios case continues. Rhode Island news site NBC 10 WJAR reports that the RI Commerce Corp. has reached a $2.5 million settlement with defendants Curt Schilling and others at the defunct Kingdoms of Amalur studio.
The Battlefield 1 beta was a huge success, drawing more than 13 million players. There were also a lot of hilarious glitches, as this wonderful video shows off.
A Pokemon Go player says he was mugged while livestreaming the game in New York City recently. The video footage of the attack is dramatic and tough to watch. We hope he's OK.
Could NBA 2K17 overheat your PS4 and cause major problems? Some people on Reddit are saying that is indeed the case. Be careful out there.
Drama in the world of GTA 5 mods this week, as the creator of the stunning GTA 5 Redux mod has been sued by another modder. The other people claims Redux uses his work without crediting him. Get the full story at Eurogamer.
Mafia III is getting a tie-in mobile game. Mafia III: Rivals is the name of the title from developer Cat Daddy. It's a "battle RPG" that will launch alongside the console/PC game for iOS and Android on October 7.
FIFA 17 isn't officially out until September 27, but Xbox One owners with an EA Access membership can start playing right now. Go, go, go.
Here are some rad-looking Zords posters for the new Power Rangers movie. This movie, due out in 2017, continues to look and sound good.
Rolling Stone's Glixel has a fascinating, in-depth interview with Gears of War boss Rod Fergusson. In the sweeping interview, Fergusson talks about pushing the franchise to new areas with Gears of War 4 while trying to respect the franchises legacy--and a lot more. Read it here.
Kotaku UK did a lengthy investigation into what it called the troubled development of Star Citizen. The feature is packed with insight and quotes to help you understand how the game is coming along. Read it here.
There is a big sale on Rockstar Games titles going on now on Steam, with games like Grand Theft Auto V, Max Payne 3, and LA Noire discounted. See all the deals here.
Some major changes are coming to DC Universe Online. Get the full rundown here on developer Daybreak's forums.
A Zelda movie made by Studio Ghibli? It may never happen, but one fan created a video that shows off what it could look like. Watch the fan-made trailer below and get more details at Game Informer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
More...
The Big Stuff:
With Battlefield 1's release coming up relatively soon, EA this week announced every map and mode that will be playable at launch on October 21. EA also confirmed that EA/Origin Access members can start playing the game's Play First Trial, for 10 hours, beginning October 13. However, it won't have all the maps and modes, at least not right away.
PlayStation Plus got more expensive this week, as the yearly rate went up to $60 from $50. If you locked in for a new year before September 22, you won't be asked to pay more until a year from now.
The rumors were right. Grand Theft Auto V is getting biker DLC, Rockstar revealed this week. The new update is called Bikers and allows players to form biker gangs of up to eight players. There will be different roles in the club (prospects and presidents are both mentioned), which can partake in "a massive slate of new competitive and co-op gameplay." Details of those activities weren't shared, but Rockstar talks in its announcement about ascending the ranks of your gang and building a lucrative business.
Pokemon Go might be getting a battle mode. The CEO of The Pokemon Company said this week that developer Niantic plans to add new features, like a multiplayer mode, over time. It didn't want to put out all the new features at launch so as not to overwhelm new players, the executive said.
The name Battle.net will soon be no more. Blizzard announced this week that it has begun the process of phasing out the name because it doesn't make sense anymore. Learn more here.
Bungie's multiplayer game Destiny expanded again this week with the launch of Rise of Iron, its latest DLC offering. The $30 expansion added new quests, weapons, items, and more. It also brought a new raid, Wrath of the Machine, which players quickly beat, of course.
The Other Stuff:
An official virtual reality version of Alien Isolation could happen, according to a Sega boss. Can you even imagine how scary that would be? Get all the details here at MCV.
Roadhouse Interactive, a Canadian studio that was working on metal band Iron Maiden's mobile game, has reportedly closed its doors. An estimated 100 people are believed to be out of work. Get more information on the story at Pocket Gamer.
The 38 Studios case continues. Rhode Island news site NBC 10 WJAR reports that the RI Commerce Corp. has reached a $2.5 million settlement with defendants Curt Schilling and others at the defunct Kingdoms of Amalur studio.
The Battlefield 1 beta was a huge success, drawing more than 13 million players. There were also a lot of hilarious glitches, as this wonderful video shows off.
A Pokemon Go player says he was mugged while livestreaming the game in New York City recently. The video footage of the attack is dramatic and tough to watch. We hope he's OK.
Could NBA 2K17 overheat your PS4 and cause major problems? Some people on Reddit are saying that is indeed the case. Be careful out there.
Drama in the world of GTA 5 mods this week, as the creator of the stunning GTA 5 Redux mod has been sued by another modder. The other people claims Redux uses his work without crediting him. Get the full story at Eurogamer.
Mafia III is getting a tie-in mobile game. Mafia III: Rivals is the name of the title from developer Cat Daddy. It's a "battle RPG" that will launch alongside the console/PC game for iOS and Android on October 7.
FIFA 17 isn't officially out until September 27, but Xbox One owners with an EA Access membership can start playing right now. Go, go, go.
Here are some rad-looking Zords posters for the new Power Rangers movie. This movie, due out in 2017, continues to look and sound good.
Rolling Stone's Glixel has a fascinating, in-depth interview with Gears of War boss Rod Fergusson. In the sweeping interview, Fergusson talks about pushing the franchise to new areas with Gears of War 4 while trying to respect the franchises legacy--and a lot more. Read it here.
Kotaku UK did a lengthy investigation into what it called the troubled development of Star Citizen. The feature is packed with insight and quotes to help you understand how the game is coming along. Read it here.
There is a big sale on Rockstar Games titles going on now on Steam, with games like Grand Theft Auto V, Max Payne 3, and LA Noire discounted. See all the deals here.
Some major changes are coming to DC Universe Online. Get the full rundown here on developer Daybreak's forums.
A Zelda movie made by Studio Ghibli? It may never happen, but one fan created a video that shows off what it could look like. Watch the fan-made trailer below and get more details at Game Informer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
More...