A third-party controller for the Nintendo Switch promises to bring one of the most requested features to the platform: easy in-game voice chat. PDP’s Faceoff Deluxe+ wired controller is slated for launch this summer, and it boasts the first controller to use a separate chat functionality.

The Faceoff Deluxe+ uses the audio SDK developed by Vivox, the studio behind Fortnite‘s in-game chat. It offers a 3.5mm audio jack and built-in audio controls, which will let you plug in a standard headset and chat normally, without going through Nintendo’s awkward mobile chat app.

The controller also features interchangeable face plates and two programmable buttons, like the previous Faceoff Deluxe controllers. Pre-orders will begin in May. According to the company blog, it will cost $25 and come in Red Camo and Purple Camo at launch.

Last year, outgoing Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime defended the company’s decision to tie its voice chat to mobile devices, claiming it’s easier for consumers because your phone is “always with you.” He also pointed out that Nintendo tends to make unconventional choices for features like online play.

Nintendo Switch Online is another component of its current online offerings, which enables online multiplayer for select games and includes a selection of free NES titles every month, sometimes with special save states. The April offerings include Punch-Out!!, Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels, and Star Soldier. If you’re not a member, you can get it included with a Twitch Prime subscription.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-nintendo-switch-controller-builds-in-voice-cha/1100-6466012/

Borderlands 3 is packed with several returning characters from all across the series. However, there are plenty of new faces too. After all, the series has made a tradition of offering new characters to play in each subsequent entry. The latest game’s new troop of Vault Hunters is no exception, and each is armed with their own unique abilities, skill trees, and personalization options.

Below we detail everything we know about Borderlands 3’s four playable characters. Be sure to check back often as we update this feature with more information as it gets announced. Though, if you’d like a breakdown of everything we know about Borderlands 3 in general, then read our in-depth roundup feature.

Moze the Gunner

Moze the Gunner’s main ability comes from her mech, Iron Bear, which instantly constructs around her when summoned. She’s far more mobile than previous gunner-type classes, who often had to cater their strategies around stationary turrets. Another interesting feature of Moze’s Iron Bear is that other teammates can hop onto it and use the turret mounted at its head. This adds what looks to be an emphasis on cooperation to Moze’s playstyle. Although she seems well capable of defending herself, it seems she’s much more dangerous and effective when a friend tags alongside her.

Amara the Siren

It wouldn’t be a new Borderlands game without the presence of the Sirens, a group of mysterious women with incredible powers who are distinguishable by the tattoos that adorn half their bodies. Amara is the newest Siren to be introduced to the series; though, it’s unclear how long she has existed in the Borderlands universe or where she comes from. Unlike Lillith and Maya, Amara is more melee-focused, which is made apparent by her ability to summon multiple ethereal arms to punch baddies with. Her muscular physique and destructive offensive power make her a solid fit as the brawler of the group.

FL4K the Beastmaster

FL4K is essentially the hunter class of Borderlands 3, but their most intriguing skill is the ability to command pet beasts. From early trailers, it seems FL4K is able to choose between a few different pets that each have their own unique abilities. Based on the screenshot above, FL4K is able to command either a Skag, a Spiderant, and another creature brandishing a gun. Currently, it’s unclear how many creatures FL4K can have alongside them at a time or how they’ll be controlled. If FL4K’s appearance is a basis in which to discern the weapons they’re most effective at using, then it looks like they’re proficient at using close-to-mid range weaponry and grenades.

Zane the Operative

If you’re a fan of Borderlands 2’s Zero, then Zane is likely the Vault Hunter you’ll want to choose in Borderlands 3. We’re not just saying that because of both their names start with a “Z,” but because of his decoy device, which draws aggro from enemies. All this isn’t to say that Zane doesn’t have his own unique abilities; he comes equipped with several gadgets, such as an attack drone that supports him in battle.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-3-playable-characters-skills-abilities/1100-6465987/

Gearbox Software has announced that Borderlands 3 will be available from September 13 and the PC version will be distributed through the Epic Games Store at launch. The game will be available on additional storefronts in April 2020.

Borderlands 3 is the latest in a growing number of games that are shifting their focus from Valve’s Steam platform to Epic’s nascent digital delivery service. In a statement, publisher 2K said this decision was in line with the company’s efforts to embrace new delivery platforms.

“The PC gaming community has been an important part of the success of the Borderlands series, and we are excited to be partnering with Epic, who recognize its worldwide popularity and share in our commitment to bring Borderlands 3 to this rapidly expanding audience,” said 2K president David Ismailer.

“Our mission, in addition to delivering the most engaging and captivating entertainment experiences, is to embrace new distribution platforms that will contribute to our effort to grow the audience for Borderlands 3,” he added.

Gearbox also said that the PC version has been developed with hardware manufacturer AMD. As a result, it has been optimized for AMD Radeon graphics cards and also and Ryzen CPUs.

Borderlands 3 will also be available on PS4 and Xbox One from September 13. Gearbox has released a new trailer for the game, showing off some of its explosive gameplay and also providing us with a closer look at the four new Vault Hunters that players will take on their adventures. Gearbox certainly seems to be being more ambitious for its third entry in the series, and you can read about some of the new features coming to Borderlands 3 here.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-3-pc-wont-be-on-steam-at-launch/1100-6466007/

Late last month, it emerged that Sony would no longer offer PS4 game codes at retailers like GameStop and others beginning April 1. The thinking followed that GameStop and other affected brick-and-mortar stores would take a hit as a result. While it’s too early to say for sure, GameStop believes the move by Sony won’t have much of a negative impact.

Speaking on an earnings call today, GameStop CFO Rob Lloyd, who was involved in discussions with Sony about the change, said the majority of digital games bought at GameStop in fact come from point cards, not full-game download codes.

“Most of the sales of full-game downloads … at retail come in the form of currency,” he said. “So the move by Sony to go back to the currency model, we don’t expect it to have a material impact on our results because we’ll continue to sell that currency.”

GameStop is uniquely positioned to sell virtual currency thanks to its buy-sell-trade model, Lloyd said. He also said buying virtual currency at a physical retailer is also attractive for people who want to use cash, or those who are are unwilling or unable to use a credit card on the internet to buy directly from Sony or theoretically other digital stores.

Sony only stopped supplying full-game codes to GameStop and other retailers on April 1, so it’s certainly too early to say if the change will indeed have any material impact on the bottom lines of affected retailers.

GameStop recently reported earnings for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year, and it could have gone better; for the full year, GameStop lost $673 million. The retailer also said it expects next-generation consoles to possibly be announced or released soon.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-no-longer-sells-ps4-digital-game-codes-at-ret/1100-6466003/

The annual fighting game tournament extravaganza known as the Evo Championship Series, a staple of the fighting game community (FGC), has unveiled how this year’s roster of games is performing based on current registration numbers. Evo president Joey Cuellar tweeted the rankings for the nine games featured on the main stage this year, and it comes with a few surprises (see below).

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the fact that Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late[st] stands tall with the fifth-highest registration. Although the core game of Under Night has been in arcades since 2012 and consoles since 2015, this year is its debut at the Evo main stage. This is in part thanks to Exe: Late[st] being the definitive version of the game which hit the PC, PS4, and PS Vita in 2018 for North America. The smooth, stylish 2D anime fighter comes from the relatively small developer French Bread (makers of the cult-classic Melty Blood series) who worked with Arc System Works for a few aspects of the game. As of now, Under Night even tops ArcSys’ Dragon Ball FighterZ, which had the highest registration at Evo 2018.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate topping the list doesn’t come as much of a surprise, however, considering the wide appeal, its recent release, and the retiring of both Smash Bros For Wii U and Smash Bros Melee. Tekken 7 is having a strong showing in its second year at Evo, followed by the long-timer Street Fighter V and the upcoming Mortal Kombat 11. Despite not launching until June 2019, the reboot of the SNK classic Samurai Shodown currently sits in 7th.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle has been sitting at 9th, but the crossover fighter has a large update for spring this year. We got our hands-on four of the new characters on the way, which you can see in the video above. The game unites the casts of BlazBlue, Persona 4, Under Night, and the animation series RWBY in a 2D tag-team fighter, and we awarded it a 9/10 in our review commending its exciting and deep, yet accessible mechanics.

Registration for each game will remain open until July 14; Evo 2019 will take place in Las Vegas, NV at the Mandalay Bay between August 2 and 4.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/smash-ultimate-tops-evo-2019-registration-dope-ani/1100-6465996/