It appears another crossover event is coming to Fortnite. Following the game’s second 9.30 content update, the portals from Netflix’s popular Stranger Things series have begun appearing in the game, conveniently in time for the launch of the series’ third season (you can read our Stranger Things Season 3 review here).

There are several portals in the game right now, and they can be found, fittingly, inside the Mega Mall, one of the new areas introduced to the game at the start of Season 9. It’s unclear what the purpose of the portals is–at present, they’ll simply teleport you to other areas of the mall if you walk inside one–but it could signal some more Stranger Things content coming to the game. Netflix had previously hinted at a Fortnite/Stranger Things collaboration around the launch of Season 3 (and the Scoops Ahoy ice cream parlor from Stranger Things 3 was even added to Mega Mall recently), so this could just be the beginning.

This certainly isn’t the first crossover to happen in Fortnite. Epic has previously collaborated with a number of blockbuster films. Earlier this year, Fortnite hosted an Avengers: Endgame crossover event that allowed players to wield some of the Avengers’ iconic weapons. After that, the game held a John Wick crossover event to coincide with the release of John Wick 3. Epic Games boss Donald Mustard even appeared in the Avengers: Endgame re-release.

Fortnite is still in the midst of its 14 Days of Summer event. Until July 16, you’ll be able to complete new challenges and unlock some special summer-themed rewards. There will be 14 challenges in total, and if you manage to clear all of them by the end of the event, you’ll unlock the Smoothie back bling. Epic is also unvaulting a weapon and hosting a different limited-time mode each day of the event.

The aforementioned 9.30 content update went live on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices on July 2, and it was a fairly minor one as far as Fortnite updates go, only adding a single new weapon to Battle Royale mode: the Drum Shotgun. Fortnite’s premium Save the World mode, on the other hand, has brought back a handful of festive heroes to celebrate the Fourth of July, while Fortnite Creative has received a handful of new prefabs and galleries.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-has-been-invaded-by-stranger-things-porta/1100-6468228/

July is officially here, which means we’ve entered the second half of 2019. This year has already seen some great games release for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch, and there are even more on the way as we head closer to the holiday season.

This month is packed with some notable releases, so there are plenty of games to look forward to regardless of what platform you own. Switch gets two major exclusives this month in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, while the former PlayStation exclusive Beyond: Two Souls makes its way to PC. RPG fans can also jump into Dragon Quest Builders 2 and Final Fantasy XIV‘s latest expansion, Shadowbringers, this month.

There are a few other noteworthy titles coming in July as well. You can see all the biggest games on the way to each platform this month below. For a wider look at what’s still in store for the rest of this year, be sure to check out our complete list of game release dates in 2019.

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers (PS4, PC) — July 2

Kicking off July’s releases is Final Fantasy XIV‘s third major expansion, Shadowbringers, which is available now on PS4 and PC. The expansion introduces a ton of new content to the popular MMO, including new areas to explore, nine new dungeons to conquer, and two new raids–one of which is a crossover with Nier Automata. Shadowbringers also adds two new playable races, the Hrothgar and Viera, as well as a pair of new Jobs, and more.

Further reading:

• FFXIV Shadowbringers New Jobs: Gunbreaker And Dancer Guide And Quest Location
• FFXIV Shadowbringers 5.0 Update Patch Notes Revealed–Here’s What’s New
• Final Fantasy 14 Will Be Overwhelmed By Fat Black Chocobos If Amazon Gets Its Way

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (Switch) — July 19

After nearly a decade, the Marvel Ultimate Alliance series returns with a brand-new, Switch-exclusive installment. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order arrives on Nintendo’s hybrid console on July 19. This entry is set in a different universe than the previous Ultimate Alliance games, but it offers the same co-op, button-mashing gameplay that made the series so beloved. It also features an expansive roster of Marvel heroes and villains, with more to come as post-launch DLC.

Further reading:

• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: We Try To Trick The Devs Into Revealing Characters
• New Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 Trailer Shows Off A Ton Of Marvel’s Best Characters
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 Adds Two Avengers To Its Playable Roster

Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch) — July 26

Nintendo’s long-running tactical RPG series makes its Switch debut on July 26 with the release of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the first home console installment since 2007’s Radiant Dawn on Wii. This time around, players are placed in the role of a professor at the Officers Academy, which is made up of three houses representing the continent of Fódlan’s three ruling nations. As a professor, you’ll be responsible for raising your students and guiding them, both in the classroom and on the battlefield.

Further reading:

• Fire Emblem: Three Houses Has Save Scumming, Sorta
• New Fire Emblem: Three Houses Trailer Revealed At Nintendo’s E3 2019 Direct
• Fire Emblem: Three Houses Pre-Order Guide–Special Seasons Of Warfare Edition, Pre-Order Bonus

Wolfenstein: Youngblood (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch) — July 26

Arriving alongside Fire Emblem: Three Houses on July 26 is the next entry in Bethesda’s Nazi-shooting series, Wolfenstein: Youngblood. Set 20 years after the events of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, Youngblood begins with series hero BJ Blazkowicz going missing in Paris, and it’s up to his twin daughters Jess and Soph to find him. Despite the change in leads, Youngblood offers the same over-the-top Nazi-killing the series is known for (with some new RPG elements for good measure), and the entire game is playable in co-op.

Further reading:

• Wolfenstein: Youngblood’s Estimated Game Length Revealed
• Wolfenstein: Youngblood Microtransactions Don’t Let You Buy Upgrades
• Wolfenstein: Youngblood’s Kids Add Newfangled RPG Stuff To BJ’s World

Full July Release Schedule

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-release-dates-of-july-2019-ps4-nintendo-switc/1100-6468216/

Bugbear Entertainment’s Wreckfest, which first launched on PC in June 2018 to favorable reviews, is making its way to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 27, publisher THQ Nordic announced. The high-speed demolition racing game will come in standard and deluxe editions and includes a Bandit Ripper V8 racer for those who pre-order digitally or physically.

Cashing out for the deluxe edition grants one-day-early access to the game and the Season Pass, which includes 20 new cars, 20 special roof decorations, and extra customization options like armor, rims, and more. This additional content will roll out periodically after release, alongside more free content updates. The standard edition retails for $40 USD / $57 AUD / £32 GBP, while the digital deluxe edition sets you back $60 USD / $85 AUD / £48 GBP.

Check out the announcement trailer below.

PC players won’t be left behind, as the PC version of Wreckfest will receive a massive update on August 27. The free update will include three new race tracks and one new derby arena; three new challenge cars; a new reward for completing career mode; new and improved career mode events; new paint jobs for existing cars; more daytimes for all tracks; and more.

Finnish developer Bugbear is best known for the FlatOut action derby racing game series. The studio also developed Sega Rally Revo (with Sega) in September 2007 and Ridge Racer Unbounded (with Bandai Namco Entertainment) in March 2012 before working with THQ Nordic on Wreckfest.

In our Wreckfest review, we said, “Minor issues with menus and its soundtrack aside, [Wreckfest] wows with a gorgeous look and wonderful driving feel, along with a damage system that satisfies in the most brutal of fashions. With its array of different cars, tracks, and event types, Wreckfest is a brilliantly fun and frenetic racing game that can be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone, not just racing game fans.”

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/high-speed-racing-game-wreckfest-gets-ps4xbox-one-/1100-6468221/

Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner, but lots of American retailers are offering serious summer savings already this weekend in Fourth of July sales. Best Buy, Walmart, and Microsoft in particular all have some great deals on games and consoles that we’ve highlighted for you below so you can spend your Independence Day doing that most American of activities: shopping.

Get Marvel’s Spider-Man Free With 1TB PS4 »

Best Buy is getting patriotic with a huge Fourth of July sale running now through this Saturday. There are big savings available across the store, but most notably, buying a 1TB PlayStation 4 console will net you a free copy of the fantastic Marvel’s Spider-Man. You can also get set up for multiplayer on that console with the option to save $30 when you buy two DualShock controllers, which is half off the price of the second one. Best Buy is also offering the PS Classic retro console for a record-low $25. Note that My Best Buy members also get free shipping as part of the sale.

Over at Walmart you can grab Red Dead Redemption 2 for half off at just $30 on both PS4 and Xbox One. The Overwatch: Legendary Edition (which includes five epic and legendary hero skins, along with various other goodies) is also just $30 on both PS4 and Xbox One. With NBA 2K20 pre-orders now available, last year’s NBA 2K19 is available for just $20 on PS4 and $18 on Xbox One. The base game of Destiny 2 is also now just a mere $8 on either PS4 or Xbox One, which is the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the game.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is offering savings from $50 up to $300 off various gaming PCs. You can also save $60 when you buy a white 1TB Xbox One X console bundled with a free, second wireless controller.

Deals-conscious gamers will also want to get ready for Amazon Prime Day, which is coming up soon and sure to feature lots of excellent deals on gaming software and hardware. The Amazon-owned Twitch is also getting in on the event this time around, with free in-game goodies and a variety of special events for Prime subscribers.

Best Buy

• PlayStation 4 1TB console with Marvel’s Spider-Man — $300
• 2 DualShock 4 PS4 controllers — $90
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4) — $30
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (XB1) — $30
• Overwatch: Legendary Edition (PS4) — $30
• Overwatch: Legendary Edition (XB1) — $30
• NBA 2K19 (PS4) — $20
• NBA 2K19 (XB1) — $18
• Destiny 2 (PS4) — $8
• Destiny 2 (XB1) — $8

Microsoft Store

• $50-$300 off gaming PCs
• Xbox One X 1TB two controller bundle — $500

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/get-marvels-spider-man-free-with-ps4-purchase-and-/1100-6468219/