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‘The Sims 4’ Announces Collaboration With Supermodel Winnie Harlow, Introduces Vitiligo Skin Feature

February 13, 2024

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Source: The Sims 4 / Winnie Harlow
Representation matters, and that’s why the latest update for The Sims 4 is very important.
The Sims 4 announced a partnership with supermodel and beauty entrepreneur Winnie Harlow to bring Vitiligo skin detail to the Create-A-Sim feature.
Harlow suffers from an autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigmentation, so partnership and announcement of the highly requested feature makes all the sense in the world.
Winnie was an avid The Sims player in her youth, so it is a dream come true to see her likeness and a Simified version of her home in the video game.
“It’s magical to see The Sims 4 team introduce this new Vitiligo feature,” Winnie said. “As a child, I spent a lot of time playing The Sims, and I think it’s so beautiful to be able to represent your true self in-game. This partnership is a powerful statement encouraging players to embrace what makes them unique – both in-game and in real life.”
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“Skin details are an important area of focus for the dev team as we remain committed to expanding representation in The Sims 4. Birthmarks, stretch marks, scars, and freckles have empowered our players to tell diverse and authentic stories, and today’s update continues with these efforts. We have known for a while we wanted to add VitiVitiligothe game, and we spent a lot of time learning about it and considering how to authentically provide it to players,” a statement from The Sims 4 development team read.
The update featuring the vitiligo skin feature is now live. Hit the gallery below for more photos.

1. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow

Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4

2. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow

Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4

3. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow

Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4

4. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow

Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4

5. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow

Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4

Xbox Unveils ‘Dune: Part Two’ Custom Series S Console & First-Ever Floating Controller

djfrosty

February 13, 2024

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Source: Xbox / Dune: Part Two
Despite the Xbox community being in shambles following rumors of exclusives possibly landing on the PS5 and Nintendo Switch, the company continues to deliver exclusive Xbox Series S consoles and controllers.
On Tuesday, Xbox announced another partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures for the studio’s latest film, Dune: Part Two.
Like its previous collaboration with Wonka, which saw a custom Series X console inspired by a Wonka chocolate bar, a controller taking its cues from the character’s jacket, and an edible chocolate controller, Xbox gamers can get their hands on custom hardware inspired by the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s Dune.
While not being “sweet” or featuring any edible components, the Dune: Part Two does feature what Xbox describes as the “first-ever floating controller.”
The controller comes in a seemingly marble finish with the Dune: Part Two logo written on it. The controller also has a stand with the same finish that looks like it is magically floating over a sand base.
That’s not at all; a custom Series S console rests in a “specially designed console holder inspired by the Ornithopter,” making it a “true collector’s item for fans.”
Source: Xbox / Dune: Part Two
But wait, there’s more. Microsoft Flight Simulator fans can also boot up the game and pilot the Royal Atreides Ornithopter over the deserts of Arrakis in the latest expansion for the game.
Xbox is also bringing two life-size Royal Atreides Ornithopter gaming simulators to the London Microsoft Experience Center on Oxford Circus starting February 16 and the New York Microsoft Experience Center on Fifth Avenue starting February 26.
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How Do You Get The Dune Series S & Controller?
Unfortunately, you can’t buy these items. Still, you can enter a free contest to win the custom hardware by following Xbox on X (formerly Twitter) and retweeting the official Xbox sweepstakes tweet.
The contest will run from February 13, 2024, through March 25, 2024.
Good luck.

1. Xbox x Dune: Part Two Collaboration

Source:Dune: Part Two
Xbox x Dune: Part Two Collaboration xbox,dune: part two

2. Xbox x Dune: Part Two Collaboration

Source:Dune: Part Two
Xbox x Dune: Part Two Collaboration xbox,dune: part two

Amazon Has a ’90s Throwback NFL Arcade Cabinet on Sale for Nearly 20% Off Ahead of the Super Bowl

djfrosty

February 9, 2024

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
In the lead-up to Super Bowl LVIII this Sunday, everyone has football fever, with the eyes of sports and pop culture centered on Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11. To celebrate the Super Bowl matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, video-game manufacturer Arcade1Up has a deep discount on one of its NFL arcade cabinets.

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On sale for $499.99 (regularly $599.99) at Amazon, Arcade1Up NFL Blitz Legends Arcade Machine is a ’90s throwback that features some of the all-time greats of the pro football league, including Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Cris Carter, Deion Sanders and others.

And since it’s from Amazon, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re an Amazon Prime member.

Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video; fast same-, next-, or two-day free shipping with Prime Delivery; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day and Black Friday — and more.

Arcade1Up

Arcade1Up ‘NFL Blitz Legends’

$499.99

$599.99

17% off

Equipped with a 17-inch LCD screen, Arcade1Up NFL Blitz Legends features four-player action with full-size joysticks and buttons, a light-up marquee and coinless operation for unlimited gameplay. It comes with a 13-inch riser to bring the arcade cabinet up to 5-feet tall in height.

Meanwhile, the arcade machine comes with three games loaded — NFL Blitz, NFL Blitz ’99 and NFL Blitz 2000: Gold Edition — for hours of football action. It’s even Wi-Fi-enabled, so you can play against other gamers online with multiplayer options and leaderboards for bragging rights.

The Arcade1Up NFL Blitz Legends Arcade Machine is on sale for $499.99, or $100 off its list price, at Amazon — that’s a 17% savings. In the meantime, watch a brief trailer for the arcade cabinet below:

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Want more deals? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

Go Retro! Here Are the Bestselling Old-School Arcade Cabinet Video Games at Walmart

djfrosty

February 7, 2024

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Video-game manufacturer Arcade1Up celebrates old-school gaming with its lineup of replica arcade cabinets. Although each one is a slightly smaller scale […]

Xbox Gaming Community In Shambles After Multiple Reports of Exclusives Ttitles Heading To PlayStation 5

djfrosty

February 6, 2024

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Source: JUNG YEON-JE / Getty / Xbox
The Xbox community is in shambles after several leaks over the weekend, indicating a significant shift when it comes to the company’s “exclusive” titles is coming.
Multiple reports from The Verge, XboxEra, and Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb claim Xbox will put exclusive titles like Bethesda releases, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Starfield, and even Gears of Wars are coming to the PlayStation 5, adding a lot of fuel to those Xbox going multiplatform fires.
According to The Verge’s reporting, a source close to Bethesda told the outlet that MachineGames, which is owned by Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media, is “considering” releasing the upcoming Indiana Jones game on the PS5 console after its launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S in 2024.
We got our first look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle during the recent Developer_Direct presentation, and it met with some mixed reactions, with some excited about the game and others mum on the idea of the game being in first person.
Per XboxEra’s reporting, Starfield, the massive Xbox exclusive, is also coming to the PlayStation 5, allegedly sometime after the release of the Shattered Space DLC. The website also claims Microsoft has invested in more PlayStation 5 dev kits to make the interstellar RPG’s jump to the PS5 happen.
“The other one that I’ve heard that’s definitely under consideration—it doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen, but it’s in talks—is Gears of War,” Grubb said on a recent episode of Game Mess Mornings.
Other games like live service pirate adventure Sea of Thieves and Tango Gamework’s surprise hit Hi-Fi Rush are also rumored to jump from Xbox consoles to the PS5.
As you can imagine, the news sent the Xbox community spiraling on X, formerly Twitter, with Spaces titled, I’m not an Xbox fanboy anymore.”
We’re dead serious. Well-known Xbox enthusiast Tim Dogg started it, and we paid a visit to it, and it was A LOT, to say the least.

Phil Spencer Hears You
Hilariously, while all this was happening, Xbox Chief Phil Spencer was happily playing Diablo IV, according to Tim Dog, but he finally broke his silence on Monday, Feb 5.
In a very Spencer-like response, he wrote on X:
“We’re listening and we hear you. We’ve been planning a business update event for next week, where we look forward to sharing more details with you about our vision for the future of Xbox. Stay tuned.”
Oh boy.
He honestly needs to say something now, but we’re just going to have to be patient and wait on Phil.
Justified Anger or Just Overeacting?
Until that day comes, and Phil drops the news many Xbox fans are dreading, there are plenty of reactions, some hilarious, also quite delirious.

Are these reactions to this news warranted? We guess. Listen, we get it; some people buy these consoles due to brand loyalty and love the idea you can have certain titles on them.
Believe it or not, some gamers bought a PS4 or PS5 because they want to play exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, or God of War.
Xbox console owners were hoping to get the same thing, and hearing games they used in their arguments to prop up their consoles are now possibly heading to the competitor.
Then, some don’t care where they play their games; they want a machine that can run them flawlessly.
But if this news is accurate, it does seem that Xbox is waving the white flag, and understandably, the people who ran out and bought Xbox Series X and Series S consoles are now giving them the ultimate side-eye.
We shall see if there is any truth to these reports next week when Phil Spencer speaks on it; until then, you can see more reactions in the gallery below.

3. Howling

5. Did they?

‘Halo Infinite’s Black History Month-Inspired Armor Shaders Turns Your Spartan Into A Pan African Covenant Destroyer

djfrosty

February 2, 2024

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Source: 343 Industries / HALO Infinite
It’s Black History Month, which means companies are doing their best to show how inclusive and down for the Black cause they truly are. Halo Infinite studio 343 Industries’ attempt to celebrate BHM is getting clowned on social media.
Don’t get it twisted; we know there was goodwill in 343 Industries’ attempt to celebrate Black History Month by introducing armor shaders to commemorate the annual celebration of Black excellence.
But, man, we understand why the jokes are flying across the timeline.
Gamers can now add bold green, gold, and maroon colors, typically associated with African country flags, plus kente cloth, the West African traditional textile as a pattern on their Spartan armor.
To announce the new Black History Month-inspired shaders, the Halo account on X, formerly Twitter, dropped a photo of a Spartan with all the custom shaders, which did not land well.

Immediately, comparisons to A-Train, the only Black superhero on The Seven in the hit Amazon Prime series, The Boys, hit timelines.
In that particular episode, Jessie T. Usher’s character got an African-themed super suit to gain the approval of Black people, but 343 Industries’ attempt was nowhere near as egregious in terms of pandering. However, you still can’t unsee it, especially when you compare A-Train’s costume.
The Verge’s Ash Parrish confirmed that with her well-timed response to the Halo account tweet.

Xbox’s Other BLM-Inspired Initiatives
The announcement of the Black History Month-inspired Halo Infinite shaders was just a small part of a more significant initiative that Xbox announced to celebrate BHM.
The Microsoft-owned company announced a partnership with the Gameheads development program and other amazing Black History Month initiatives.

Announcing a partnership with Gameheads to showcase games created by students (ages 11-25) who have gone through Gameheads’ game development program. Gameheads is a California-based non-profit that uses game design and development to engage, prepare and train low-income youth and youth of color for careers in the video games and technology industry. Check out the games, and how you can play them here.

As part of the partnership, Xbox also donated to Gameheads to support their commitment to diversifying the pipeline in the gaming industry & empowering the next generation of game developers.

Sharing a collection of games available on Xbox, made for and by the Black community, including spotlighting Black game developers from the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program who, with Xbox’s support, are increasing Black representation and elevating underrepresented voices in the games they create.
Encouraging players to donate Microsoft Rewards points to both Gameheads and/or Cxmmunity.
Sharing Xbox Ambassador stories, including tips they have for how to stay safe when gaming, and more!

By heading here, you can learn more about how Xbox and Gamesheads are working together to amplify Black voices in the gaming industry.
Still, Xbox, you are going to get these jokes. You can see more reactions to the Blackety, Black Spartan armor in the gallery below.

2. Won’t be shocked to see this at New York Comic Con

3. Howling

5. Someone likes it

6. Intriguing

7. Wait a minute

Nintendo Drops Demo For ‘Mario vs. Donkey Kong’ & Special Gift To Celebrate Valentine’s Day

djfrosty

February 1, 2024

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Source: Nintendo / Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Wahoo, you can take Mario vs. Donkey Kong for a. quick spin.
A demo for the Gameboy Advance Classic Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake is now available in the Nintendo eShop before its release later this month.
The demo will allow players to experience four levels from the game where players will control Mario as he jumps, backflips, handstands, and solve puzzles on his mission to recover all the Mini-Mario toys stolen from the factory from his longtime nemesis not named Bowser, Donkey Kong.
The remake will feature a new Two-Player Mode, challenging new levels, and a fully reorchestrated soundtrack. “Mario vs. Donkey Kong is all about finding someone who completes you … but not without making you work for it,” the press release reads.
Along with the demo, Nintendo also shared a brief gameplay overview trailer that gives more of a look at the game.
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Eurogamer reports the demo will allow players to experience the game’s casual or classic modes. Casual removes the timer while placing checkpoints between levels and giving players five hit points before they die.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day The Nintendo Way
But that’s not all; to celebrate the upcoming love holiday, Valentine’s Day, Nintendo wants its fans to celebrate their lovers, the Donkey Kongs, to their Marios with Valentine’s Day eCards inspired by the upcoming game.
Source: Nintendo / Mario vs. Donkey Kong
The remaster officially launches on the Nintendo Switch on Feb.16 and joins other remasters coming this year, like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Luigi’s Mansion 2.
Nintendo is poised to have another strong year, and if the rumors of the “Super Nintendo Switch” or “Switch 2″ dropping this year are true, 2024 will be lit for fans of the Nintendo brand.
Hit the gallery below to see and download the other Valentine’s Day eCards.

1. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards

Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong

2. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards

Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong

3. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards

Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong

4. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards

Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong

5. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards

Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong

Hideo Kojima Delivers A 9-Minute Look At ‘Death Stranding 2 On The Beach’ & Announces New Game ‘Physint’

djfrosty

January 31, 2024

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Source: Kojima Productions / Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
PlayStation’s first State of Play broadcast arrived, and there were bangers announced that we can look forward to playing on the PS5 consoles.
The presentation was roughly 40 minutes long and had surprises, but Hideo Kojima stole the show.
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source: Kojima Productions / Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 is no longer a worker title. It has an official name, Death Stranding 2 On The Beach. In typical Kojima fashion, we got a 9-minute plus trailer. Norman Reedus’ Sam Porter Bridges returns and will face a new threat in Drawbridge, plus the BTs due to the Death Stranding.
Sam comes face to face with a character voiced by Troy Baker to cap off the trailer, who returns from the beach holding a guitar that shoots out electricity and doubles as a sword.
Source: Kojima Productions / Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
It’s the most Kojima game ever, featuring some other strange touches that could come from the mind that gave us the Metal Gear video franchise.
The game doesn’t arrive till 2025, but thankfully, that will give you enough time to play Death Stranding: Director’s Cut in the time being on either your Apple devices or PlayStation consoles.
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A New Tactical Action-Espionage Game From Hideo Kojima
Hideo Kojima blew our minds with his project OD coming to Xbox, but it doesn’t mean his relationship with PlayStation is over. To cap off the State of Play, Kojima announced that Physint is coming to PlayStation and will be a new tactical action-espionage game called Physint.
Kojima says the new game will blur the lines between video games and film.
We have no idea what this game is, but consider us very excited. Watch the announcement below, and hit the gallery for more screenshots from Death Stranding 2 On The Beach.
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1. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach