E3 2019 is fast approaching, but this year the industry’s big annual event is getting preempted by a new challenger. Google has announced it will hold a special “Stadia Connect” presentation that will outline several key pieces of information about its ambitious video game streaming service, just days before the rest of the games industry debuts its wares in and around the Los Angeles Convention Center.

What Time Does Google’s Stadia Connect Livestream Start?

Google Stadia Connect will debut on Thursday, June 6. For those in the United States, it will bein at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET. For UK gamers, that’s 5 PM BST. Australian watchers will need to make a late night of it, since the stream will begin at 2 AM AET on June 7.

Where To Watch

Google Stadia Connect will air through Google’s own Stadia YouTube channel. You can check it out through your standard YouTube app, or just bookmark this page and watch it right here. The company has already set a placeholder stream for the live event, embedded below.

What To Expect

Google previously promised that the details to come this summer would include price, game announcements, and launch information. The brief teaser confirmed that all of those are on-tap for Thursday’s event, which means we’ll soon see some of the answers to our most burning questions.

Google has already stated that Stadia won’t be sold like a traditional video game console. It is a streaming solution, so it can be used on anything with a Chrome browser. That includes Chromecasts, which can act as your connection to a TV, but you could just as easily play on your tablet or laptop. Google will be introducing dedicated hardware in the form of the Stadia controller, however. The price details will probably include a price for both the controller itself, and more broadly, how games will be priced. At the moment it’s an open question if games will be sold a la carte or as some kind of subscription plan.

The launch details should include word of when we can expect Stadia to become widely available in various territories. Likewise, the game announcements should give a better idea of what we’ll be able to play when it does launch. We know that the company is working closely with Ubisoft, and that Bethesda is planning to make Doom Eternal available on it.

For more on E3 2019, check out the schedule of all the E3 2019 press conferences.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2019-google-stadia-connect-what-time-it-starts-/1100-6467324/

In anticipation of another big showing at this year’s E3, Microsoft has announced another entry for its line of custom Xbox One consoles, this one themed after Fortnite: Battle Royale, Epic’s zeitgeist-defining competitive shooter. Available starting June 7, the Xbox One S Fortnite Battle Royale Special Edition Bundle (1TB) will normally sell for $300 from the Microsoft Store, but for a limited time in celebration of E3, Microsoft will offer a $50 discount off the bundle through June 17.

In addition to the console itself, which sports a stylish royal(e) purple gradient, the bundle includes a matching purple Xbox wireless controller, a copy of Fortnite, a Dark Vertex cosmetic set for the game (comprising a Legendary Outfit, Epic Glider, and Rare Pickaxe), 2000 in-game V-Bucks, and a one-month free trial Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass (the former of which is required to play Fortnite). While the base game is free, so much of Fortnite’s culture revolves around cool player cosmetics, so this package should give any new player a leg up in the real battle royale: fashion.

Although Microsoft recently announced a move away from physical media with the reveal of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, the Fortnite Battle Royale Special Edition appears to be a holdover from earlier versions with a disc drive. The Fortnite console bundle is launching as part of a huge upcoming Xbox sale on a variety of games, consoles, and accessories–check out all the discounts that’ll be available from June 7 through 17.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-fortnite-themed-xbox-one-console-revealed-just/1100-6467319/

Microsoft has said for months that it plans to “go big” at E3 2019, and with rumors of a next-generation Xbox console announcement at Microsoft’s E3 press conference, it’s only fitting the company would throw a big sale to get Xbox One owners even more hyped for all the upcoming news. Microsoft revealed its biggest Xbox sale of the year will launch Friday, June 7–just two days before Sunday’s big event–with major discounts on newly released games, consoles, bundles, and more.

Xbox One S Fortnite Battle Royale Special Edition Bundle (1 TB) – available 6/7

A brand-new Xbox One console is launching as part of the huge Xbox sale. Starting June 7, fans can get their hands on an Xbox One S Fortnite special edition bundle (1 TB), which comes with the new gradient purple console, a matching controller, 2,000 V-Bucks, and a Dark Vertex Fortnite cosmetic set that comes with a Legendary Outfit, Epic Glider, and Rare Pickaxe (available only in Battle Royale and Creative modes). You’ll also get one month free of Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass. The complete bundle will sell for $300, and during the sale, you can get it for $50 cheaper.

In terms of other hardware, you’ll also be able to save $100 on a brand-new Xbox One X and get $50 off other Xbox One S bundles and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. If you’re in need of new controllers, you’ll be able to save $10 on black, white, special-edition, and limited-edition Xbox wireless controllers. PC hardware will also be marked down, with up to $500 off a new gaming PC or laptop from Microsoft’s partners, like Asus, Razer, and MSI.

Xbox One X Enhanced titles (playable in 4K ultra HD) will be on sale, too.

Expect to see some great games marked down. While the full list of games hasn’t been revealed, we know there will be discounts up to 75% off new Xbox One games like Mortal Kombat 11, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Tom Clancy’s The Division 2. Other confirmed deals will include Forza Horizon 4, World War Z, Sea of Thieves, NBA 2K19, Anthem, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Spectre Rising Edition. Some games will start as low as $20. In addition, some PC games will be on sale, including Forza Motorsport 7 Ultimate, Gears of War 4, and Deep Rock Galactic.

Stay tuned for more info on Microsoft’s E3 gaming sale, which will run June 7 through June 17 online and in stores. If you’ve also got a PS4, be sure to check out all the upcoming game deals in Sony’s Days of Play sale, which kicks off the same day.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2019-xbox-sale-the-best-xbox-one-game-and-conso/1100-6467318/

The partially crowdfunded sequel Shenmue 3 needs more time in development and has been delayed. The game had been slated for release on August 27 but has now been pushed back to a fall release of November 19. In a letter on the game’s Kickstarter page, creator Yu Suzuki explained the delay.

“Whilst almost ready, the game simply needs a little more refinement before being truly finished,” it states. “We feel that the extra time we have will help us deliver the true Shenmue experience players around the world deserve! We thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Shenmue 3 debuted at E3 2015, neatly seguing into a Kickstarter campaign that reached an at-the time record-breaking $6.3 million from 70,000 backers. It kept the crowdfunding going with a slacker backer campaign, which added roughly another million. In 2017, Deep Silver announced it would publish the game. At that point it was scheduled for the second half of 2018.

The sequel to Shenmue has been a long time coming. Shenmue 2 was released in 2001, and being aware of the development through the crowdfunding campaign has made the length of this sequel’s development stand out. It has gone through multiple delays, and Suzuki has let fans in on the process and promised changes based on feedback.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/shenmue-3-release-date-delayed/1100-6467313/