It’s been a long wait for Fire Emblem fans since the newest entry in the series, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, was first announced in January 2017. Since then, the release date has been pushed back several times, but the game will finally release on Nintendo Switch July 26. It’ll be the first Fire Emblem main title on a home console since Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, which released on the Wii back in 2007.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses will introduce fans to the continent of Fódlan, which is comprised of three nations who are currently at peace. At Fódlan’s center is the Church of Seiros and the game’s main setting, the Officer’s Academy. Like previous Fire Emblem games, your customizable character will act as an advisor–only this time, you’re actually a professor at the Academy, and your warriors are also your students, who are divided into three houses based on their respective nation.

The game will feature the same style of turn-based combat with life-or-death stakes, only now you can create battalions of troops to support individual warriors in battle. When you’re not on the battlefield, you’ll be able to explore the Academy and form relationships with students, which will in turn influence how they perform in battle.

It’s likely we’ll get one more look at Fire Emblem: Three Houses during the Nintendo Direct scheduled to air at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM BST on June 11, the first day of E3. We’ll update this story as new info about Fire Emblem is revealed; meanwhile, you can also catch up on the other Nintendo Switch games confirmed for E3 2019.

Pre-order listings for Fire Emblem: Three Houses are up on many retailer sites, and there are two editions currently available. Here’s what you should know if you’re planning to purchase the game.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses pre-order bonuses

No pre-order bonuses have been announced for Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which is fairly common for Nintendo games. If any retailers announce bonuses later on, we’ll include that info here.

Pre-order Fire Emblem: Three Houses standard edition

If you only care about owning the game itself, pick up the standard edition, which is selling at the usual launch price of $60. Remember that if you pre-order on Amazon and the price drops between the day you order and release day, you’ll be charged the lowest price when the game ships.

• Get it at Amazon — $60
• Get it at GameStop — $60
• Get it at Best Buy — $60
• Get it at Target — $60
• Get it at Walmart — $60

Pre-order Fire Emblem: Three Houses Seasons of Warfare edition

Hardcore Fire Emblem fans may be interested in the Seasons of Warfare edition, which sells for $100. In addition to the game itself, the Seasons of Warfare edition comes with a sound selection CD, art book, steelbook case, and 2020 desk calendar.

Last time we checked, this edition was sold out at Amazon and Best Buy, but you can currently grab it at GameStop and Target. These types of special editions sell out quickly, so we suggest securing your copy now if you want it.

• Get it at Amazon — $100
• Get it at GameStop — $100
• Get it at Best Buy — $100
• Get it at Target — $100

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pre-order-guide-fire-emblem-three-houses-release-d/1100-6467106/

The mobile spin-off Mario Kart Tour has just launched its closed beta, available to select users who pre-registered. Those early impressions are giving us some of our first indications for what to expect from this new type of Mario Kart game.

On the whole, it seems like a greatest hits of tracks and racers from throughout Mario Kart history. And mechanically, it appears stripped down and simple, but functional; you drag from one side to the other to steer your go-kart around the tracks. Like Mario Kart 8, your loadout includes a racer, kart, and glider selection. It also uses auto-accelerate similar to the Mario Kart 8 option.

However, the game is facing criticism over its approach toward microtransactions. Rather than a traditional Mario Kart game with unlockable racers, Mario Kart Tour is said to have free-to-play loot mechanics for earning additional racers and karts.

In a preview, Kotaku reported green gems serve as the premium currency. You can use those to pull a random racer, kart, or glider out of a golden pipe. But some characters get bonuses based on the track, so it’s possible that to compete at higher levels you may need to use particular characters, creating a loot grind. The game also uses a stamina mechanic, represented by hearts, which bars further play once you run out. You can either wait a requisite time for them to refresh on their own or you can pay the premium currency to refill them.

This is a beta test, so Nintendo could still be testing and balancing these mechanics. The company recently announced it will be pulling Animal Crossing Pocket Camp and Fire Emblem Heroes from Belgium, due to the country’s recent laws against loot box mechanics in games. Meanwhile US Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has recently proposed a bill that would forbid loot box mechanics in games targeted at minors, which would likely impact most of Nintendo’s catalog including Mario Kart Tour if passed.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-tour-closed-beta-raises-f2p-concerns/1100-6467107/

Developer Team Ninja is back with some new, if scant, information on Nioh 2. This time, the Toyko-based studio has unveiled a new trailer detailing a closed alpha for the upcoming hack ‘n’ slash title.

The closed alpha trailer looks very much like Nioh, with all the same imagery and iconography. Something new, however, is the change in characters. Alongside playable male samurai, we see a female samurai (Onna-bugeisha) do battle against yokai throughout the trailer. Later in the trailer, the playable characters transform into yokai themselves with what looks to be different forms and movesets, suggesting that Nioh 2 will feature some sort of transformation state players can use in battle. The game also seems to feature several new weapons, including a longer, nodachi-style blade, duel-wielded axes, a naginata (a pole weapon similar to a spear), and more. You can check out the closed alpha trailer below.

As indicated by the trailer, Nioh 2’s closed alpha will be held for a full week, starting on Saturday, May 25 and ending on Sunday, June 2. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a way to request an invite. According to a tweet from the official Team Ninja Twitter account, “Some PS4 users are invited to take part in the Nioh 2 closed alpha to help gather feedback for the development.” Team Ninja didn’t clarify how it will notify PS4 users that they’ve been granted access, and the studio currently has no plans to expand the alpha.

Nioh 2 was revealed during Sony’s E3 2018 press conference. The short teaser, at the top, sees a wounded samurai fleeing into a marsh field before defending against a few yokai. After succumbing to wounds, the samurai falls to his knees, at which point he grows horns on his forehead and pulls them both out of his skull, revealing the demon underneath. With Sony skipping E3 2019, it’s unclear when we’ll be getting our next look at Nioh 2.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nioh-2-new-trailer-and-closed-alpha-test-announced/1100-6467104/

With the approach of E3 2019, the rumor mill is abuzz with the possible announcements, trailers, and reveals that will come out of the show. Quite a few aren’t very likely–they’re more pipe dreams than anything really. However, some of the rumors carry some weight to them. Of everything rumored to come out of E3 2019, the reveals listed below are (in our opinion) the most likely to carry some semblance of truth.

Remember, nothing detailed in this article has been confirmed (yet). It’s a collection of speculations based off of small tidbits of information, leaked details, and investigative reports. That said, if our collection of E3 2018 rumors is any indication, some speculations can turn out to be fact. Last year, rumors that E3 2018 would see the announcement of Hitman 2 and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey ultimately turned out to be true. Prior to E3, there was also speculation that CD Projekt Red would show off Cyberpunk 2077 (and boy did they) and that Bethesda would announce something Fallout related (and we got Fallout 76).

More leaks and rumors are bound to pop up the closer we get to E3 2019, so continue to check back on this article as we get closer to June. We’ll continue to update the following list of rumors as they come up (provided there’s weight behind them).

Infinity Ward’s Call Of Duty 2019 Is Revealed To Be Modern Warfare 4

Traditionally, Activision reveals the name of its new Call of Duty games in May, but the month is already almost over and there’s no planned announcement in sight. That hasn’t stopped fan speculation though, and rumors are pointing to the new Call of Duty game being Modern Warfare 4. Whatever the game is, it’s been confirmed to appear at E3 2019, and it’s already playable.

Following the established rotation, Infinity Ward has been confirmed as the developer for Call of Duty 2019. Other than revealing Call of Duty will include a traditional single-player campaign and co-op gameplay in a “huge expansive multiplayer world,” Infinity Ward hasn’t announced any concrete details about the game. However, several teases and tweets from the developer’s staff have hinted towards Infinity Ward working on a game related to its popular Modern Warfare series.

Rumors that Call of Duty 2019 is Modern Warfare 4 began when Infinity Ward senior communication manager Aston Williams dropped a hint pointing back to the series. Those rumors gained traction when five Infinity Ward veterans–all of whom had a major influence in developing Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2, and Modern Warfare 3 before leaving Infinity Ward to go work with Respawn on Titanfall and Titanfall 2–changed their LinkedIn profiles to showcase their return to the Activision studio and crucial roles in Call of Duty 2019’s development.

Microsoft Unveils At Least One Of Its Next-Gen Xbox Consoles

Microsoft is rumored to be working on two next-gen Xbox consoles, and it’s possible at least one is being announced at E3 this year. The first, codenamed Lockhart, is supposedly the budget-oriented, standard edition of the console. Meanwhile, the second, codenamed Anaconda, is the high-powered version–equivalent to Xbox One’s more powerful One S and One X variations.

Microsoft is already expected to discuss its plans for next-gen at E3 2019, but it’s unclear if the company is planning something as big as a full reveal (complete with price points, launch titles, and features) or smaller teases of what’s to come. There’s been speculation that the next-gen Xbox consoles will be geared towards wider audiences with a lower price of entry, and include new technology in line with Microsoft’s focus on selling games as opposed to hardware. This would fall in line with what Phil Spencer told GeekWire in regards to consoles.

“That is not where you make money,” Spencer said. “The business inside of games is really selling games, and selling access to games and content in means like that is the fundamental business. So if you open it up, the more often people can play, the more they’re enjoying the art form. It increases the size of the business.”

Though it’s still speculation, Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox consoles are expected to release no earlier than Fall 2020.

From Software Teases The First Of Its Two Upcoming Games

This theory largely rides on whether A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin is actually working with From Software. The novelist has already confirmed he’s been consulted on some game that’s being made by a Japanese developer but hasn’t revealed which one. Rumors popped up in March that the developer in question is Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice creator From Software. Gematsu has since reported that someone “familiar with ongoings at From Software” has confirmed the rumors to be true, but neither Martin nor From Software have made an official statement.

Regardless, the rumors go on to say that, whatever the game is, it will feature various kingdoms to explore and that killing the rulers of each kingdom will allow you to unlock powerful abilities. Gematsu’s source (which the outlet has stated they have not been able to verify) has added that the game is internally known at From Software as “GR,” has been in development for three years, and contains a world and story that’s a collaborative effort between Martin and Dark Souls III and Bloodborne director Hidetaka Miyazaki. The game is also supposedly scheduled to be revealed at E3 2019 during Microsoft’s press conference.

Even if the source hasn’t been verified, it all sounds fairly plausible. Especially since, back in January 2019, Miyazaki announced From Software was already working on two games, both of which would come out after Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and be similar in scope and tone to From Software’s Soulsborne titles. Both Miyazaki and Martin are known for their intricate dark fantasies, so a partnership between the two is very believable. With Sekiro only a few months old, though, it doesn’t seem likely From Software would announce another new game for 2019 (even if it has been in development for three years). Seeing a trailer at E3 teasing a TBA 2020-2021 release seems a bit more plausible. We’d happily love to be wrong though.

Microsoft Brings Back The Fable Series With A Brand-New Game

Speculations about a fourth Fable game have been circulating the internet for years, but a new rumor published by an alleged industry insider has revealed Microsoft is finally set to tease a new title for the series during the company’s E3 press conference. Between the rumors that Microsoft is revealing a new console, a new From Software game, and now a new Fable, it certainly seems like Xbox boss Phil Spencer is keeping his promise the company would “go big” at E3 this year.

The industry insider, whose whole report can be read on NeoGAF, writes, “Some speculate it’s actually Fable IV, but the reality is that it’s a new beginning for the Fable franchise. This game started development in late 2017 and has been in development now for little over two years now. It is a next-gen game only and you will most likely not see it until 2021 at retail at the earliest. You will see a glimpse of a small teaser trailer most likely at this year’s E3 and in 2020 you will see much more of the game.”

Petri executive editor Brad Sams, who’s well-known for his track record in reliably breaking Microsoft news, has confirmed on Twitter that he’s heard a new Fable game is in the works. He doesn’t know if Microsoft plans on revealing the game during E3 2019, but thinks it’s “highly plausible.”

If the full NeoGAF report is to be believed, we’ll see quite a few other Xbox console exclusives at E3 2019, including previously announced Gears 5 and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Perhaps more importantly, the report suggests Microsoft is ready to start revealing the games being made by all the studios it acquired in 2018–starting with Ninja Theory, which is supposedly going to announce a sci-fi game scheduled for 2020 called Bleeding Edge.

Nintendo Announces A New Switch Prior To Or Just After The Show

Nintendo has already confirmed it won’t be announcing a new Switch iteration during E3, but that doesn’t mean the company won’t reveal its existence in the weeks prior to the show or immediately after. Sure it’s no longer an E3 announcement at that point, but we’re including it in this list anyway since we imagine the reveal is happening close to the dates of the show.

Unlike Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch is still relatively young and nowhere near the end of its lifecycle. That hasn’t quelled the rumors of new iterations of the Switch, consoles that would be similar to the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. Nintendo has a long history of making multiple versions of its hardware. That history is mostly handhelds, like the DS and 3DS, but Nintendo has made multiple iterations of its consoles too.

Seeing as it’s been two years since the Switch’s release, it stands to reason that Nintendo has a new iteration (or two) of its latest console in the works. This past March, The Wall Street Journal reported two new Switch models would release by the end of 2019. The first would be a cheaper, pared-down version while the second would be an enhanced variation aimed at more “avid” players.

In April, Japanese newspaper Nikkei seemingly confirmed the existence of the first Switch, again writing that it would release by the end of 2019. Later that month, Bloomberg lent further weight to the rumor of a new, pared down Switch coming in 2019 (only this time suggesting it could possibly release as soon as June). However, neither source confirmed the existence of a rumored enhanced Switch.

Nintendo has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors. But there’s enough there to believe the pared-down Switch is coming this year, and empty spaces surrounding E3 present the perfect opportunity for an announcement–especially if the console does release in June. Nintendo has already confirmed it’s holding its annual E3 Direct this year. The video presentation will feature quite a few games, but will most likely focus on Pokemon Sword / Shield and Animal Crossing, both scheduled for Switch releases in 2019.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2019-rumor-roundup/1100-6467082/