gaming
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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. If you’re tired of constantly going back and forth between your gaming setup and the kitchen to get a soda, energy […]
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Source: SOPA Images / Getty / Grand Theft Auto 6
As we get closer to the big reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, the hype for the highly-anticipated video game is so thick you can cut it with a knife.
GTA VI is trending on X, formerly known as Twitter, but this time around, the energy is much different. Unlike the other times the long-awaited sequel to GTA V trended, there is actual excitement now because a trailer for the game is on the horizon.
Rockstar Games confirmed a trailer is on the way following the equivalent of Woj Bomb in the video game space due to Bloomberg’s Jason Scheirer coming through with slam dunk reporting claiming the studio was dropping a trailer for the game.
In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Rockstar Games president Sam Houser wrote:
“We are very excited to let you know that in early December, we will release the first trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto. We look forward to many more years of sharing these experiences with all of you.”
Gamers React To GTA VI’s Trailer Coming In December
With that in mind and Thanksgiving and Black Friday now behind us, gamers have taken to Elon Musk’s trash platform to express how excited they are about GTA VI’s announcement being on the horizon.
“The only thing on my mind right now is #GTAVI December hurry up!!! Its gonna be game of the generation bruh….,” one post on X read.
Another post read, “I hope we get that #GTAVI trailer Friday but I’m expecting nothing until next week at least. Regardless, I can’t believe we’ve made it this close.”
We feel both posts and wonder when the trailer will drop in December.
There is a strong chance it could happen during the upcoming Game Awards.
We shall see.
Until then, hit the gallery below for more reactions.
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Photo: SOPA Images / Getty
2. Howling
3. The graphics will be mind-blowing
4. Not confirmed, but if true, this will be crazy.
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Source: Epic Games / Eminem x Fortnite Big Bang Event
Slim Shady is officially coming to Fortnite. Enimen and Epic Games confirmed the rapper will be a part of the upcoming “Big Bang” event in the extremely popular video game.
After a day of speculation, Fortnite and Eminem confirmed his existence in the game and will be a part of the Big Bang event to close out the highly successful Fortnite OG chapter.
Epic Games confirmed that Fortnite players will be greeted by a new Big Bang loading screen featuring the “Without Me” rapper in preparation for a virtual performance from the Detroit rapper.
Source: Epic Games / Fortnite / Eminem
Also, if you’re going to attend the event, you have to look the part, so of course, three Eminem-related skins will be available: Rap Boy, Slim Shady, and Marshall Never More, which also come with matching accessories.
The new looks, the latest edition to Fortnite’s “Icon Series,” will be available starting Wednesday, November 29, at 7 PM ET.
Source: Epic Games / Eminem x Fortnite Big Bang Event
Those who attend the Big Bang event will unlock the Marshall Magma Style for the outfit, whether you purchased the outfit before or after attending.
As expected, Eminem and Fortnite fans have been reacting to the news of the legendary rapper coming to the video game.
“imma be honest… Eminem in Fortnite will go hard,” one X user wrote.
You can see more reactions to the news in the gallery below.
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Photo: Epic Games / Fortnite Big Bang Event
1. Good question
2. Proper use of Em bars.
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Source: Epic Games / Fortnite / Eminem
Fortnite is enjoying a resurgence thanks to its OG Season. Now, word on the street is that Eminem will come to the game to help close Chapter 4.
Spotted on Polygon, reliable Fortnite leaker HYPEX is reporting that Eminem will be the star of Fortnite’s upcoming “Big Bang” event to close out the Fortnite OG event and usher in a new season of Fortnite.
According to the leaker, the picture above will be the announcement photo, and it “will be the BIGGEST one to date,” saying the download size will come in at “1.5GB+, making it the biggest in terms of file size alone.”
Eminem will also be a playable character in Fortnite Chapter 5, with players getting their hands on Slim Shady and Marshall Never More skins, each with two styles.
The Marshal Skin will come with a Marshall Magma exclusive to Fortnite players who attend the end-of-season event on December 2.
Eminem is not the only thing reportedly coming to Fortnite Chapter 5. According to leaker Shiina, Lego Fortnite will be released on December 7, Rocket Racing will follow on December 8, and Fortnite Festival will drop on December 9.
HYPEX also says the Fortnite Festival will allow players to play vocals, guitar, drums, and bass over tracks from Lady Gaga, Imagine Dragons, Linkin Park, Toto, and Alice Cooper.
The Lego mode will feature playable Lego minifig characters and allow players to craft and build.
When Eminem hits the virtual Fortnite stage, he will join other artists, Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, and J Balvin, who also had epic Fortnite concerts.
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Photo: Epic Games / Fortnite / Eminem
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Source: Insomniac Games / PlayStation / Dove
Black and Brown video game characters are constantly plagued with awful-looking generic hairstyles. Dove and Open Source Afro Source Hair Library to fix that glaring issue.
Did you know that 85% of Black gamers do not feel video games are coming up painfully regarding the representation of Black characters?
Did you also know that 74% of game developers really want to actively promote better representation?
Dove and Open Afro Source Hair Library are on a mission to fix the Black hair issue in video games with the launch of “Code My Crown,” the first complete and free guide about coding textured hair and protective styles specifically for video games.
Code My Crown aims to eliminate the tired excuse that Black hair is hard to emulate in games by providing coders and developers with an instructional guide allowing them to code more diverse and “true to life” hairstyles in 3D games.
As mentioned above, the guide is free to download at Dove.com/CodemyCrown. This site was also created to help increase diversity in the video game world.
Speaking on the lack of texture hairstyles in games, Isaac Olander, lead Code My Crown developer 3D Artist, said in a press release, “Out of hundreds of possible hairstyles to choose from in the video games I play most often, only a handful are textured hairstyles,”
Olander added, “I am personally grateful to the many talented artists that have selflessly shared their knowledge before me. Their generosity has shaped my artistic journey, and it feels incredibly rewarding to give back to our artistic community with this guide.”
What Is The Open Source Afro Hair Library?
Open Source Afro Hair Library features a bunch of Black creators, developers, and natural hair experts who point out the top textured and protective hairstyles that are always absent in video games.
Code My Crown also features 15 original hair sculpts created by international Black 3D artists, animators, programmers, and academics to help give developers a foundation to create better virtual hairstyles for Black characters.
Each sculpt has 360-degree image mapping, step-by-step instructions, and cultural context to help them create Black hairstyles in the game.
“In the real world, there is an incredible variety of Black hairstyles. But this is rarely reflected in the gaming world,” A.M. Darke, founder and lead Code My Crown contributor, said in the release. “When Black hair is absent from the games we play or are consistently low-quality, it communicates that Black players and our culture are an afterthought, that our stories aren’t worth telling.”
Black Hair In Video Games Has Been A Hot Topic Issue
In March, Kinda Funny’s Blessing Adeoye Jr. released a fantastic video highlighting the need for immediate fixes to Black hairstyles in video games.
The video notes there have been some strides.
For example, see Miles Morales’ crispy ceaser haircut in the above photo from Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales or his latest hairstyle in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, but the issue in gaming is still glaring.
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We can still find some recently released games that provide users with subpar cornrows, afros, and other hair options that only Tyler Perry would use in his television shows or films.
However, we applauded Dove, the Open Source Afro Hair Library, the developers, and Blessing for bringing attention to this important issue.
Representation will always matter.
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Photo: Insomniac Games / PlayStation
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Source: Sony / PlayStation Portal
When the PlayStation Portal was officially unveiled, there were more skeptics than believers about the latest PlayStation accessory. Now that people have tried it, surprisingly, it is being well-received by many.
The PlayStation Portal is an unusual device. For $200, you’re basically getting the perfect PS5 companion device that truly puts the console’s Remote Play option to use better.
Of course, there are caveats; it doesn’t allow for cloud streaming, even though there are reports that the feature could be coming eventually. Another complaint is the lack of Bluetooth functionality.
Plenty of people have said you don’t need this device, given that you could use Remote Play on your smartphones and even connect your DualSense controller. Still, after using the PlayStation Portal leading up to its release, some reviewers are much more optimistic about the device than initially.
What Are The Critics Saying About The PlayStation Portal
Tech Radar’s Rob Dwiar had nothing but glowing words for the PlayStation Portal, giving it a perfect score in his review:
“Offering superb ergonomics as well as excellent design and build quality with all those exquisite DualSense controller features on top, this Remote Play beaut and its bright and sharp 8-inch LCD screen present a wonderful portable PS5 experience. … The Portal is not pretending to be anything else apart from a quality remote-play device for your PS5, and it absolutely nails its brief. As long as you come to it knowing what it does and what it can offer you, then it wholeheartedly, unabashedly, spectacularly succeeds.”
Surprising Skeptics
IGN’s Seth G. Macy had his issues with the device but overall was surprised by the PlayStation Portal after initially being skeptical about it, writing in his review:
“The PlayStation Portal is the most surprising device I’ve ever come away from loving after going in loaded with skepticism. It’s such a better experience than using your phone with a slap-on controller, and it works so much better than I was anticipating. I really love the freedom it gives me to play my PS5 from anywhere with decent WiFi coverage … The biggest things keeping the Portal from being a truly amazing device are its current lack of a way to access WiFi that requires a web browser to log in, and its lack of Bluetooth support for audio. [Grade: 8/10]”
A Perfect Gift For Gamers, But There Is Room For Improvement
Kotaku’s Jen Glennon praised the PlayStation Portal’s battery life, calling it “a solid sub-$200 gift option,” but also noted in her review that there is room for improvement with the Portal.
“While there are tweaks I’d like to see in the weeks and months ahead, I’ve been quite impressed with the time I’ve spent with Portal so far. I’ve played for about six hours on a single charge and still have a bar of battery life left to go. It’s a solid sub-$200 gift option for the gamer in your life who’s always hogging the TV when you’re trying to watch Vanderpump Rules or Monday Night Football.”
Some Are Meh On The PlayStation Portal
With the good, some people were always left feeling meh about the PlayStation Portal experience.
The Loadout’s Callum Self described his experience with PlayStation Portal as “enjoyable and disappointing” but noted in his review that it is the best way to use Remote Play.
“My overall time with the PlayStation Portal was both more enjoyable and disappointing than I expected. It’s certainly the best way to use Remote Play currently, by a long shot, and I’m sure I’ll be using it frequently in the future. But the washed-out screen, lack of cloud gaming support, and so-so battery life make me wish for a better, but unlikely, PlayStation Portal 2. [Grade: 5/10]”
No Reasonable Use For The PlayStation Portal
Then, of course, some just feel PlayStation swung and missed with the Portal. PC Mag’s Will Greenwald calls the Portal “just a screen sandwiched between a controller” and not worth the $200 price point.
“The screen works as intended, but the 1080p resolution looks fuzzier than most modern mobile devices. … The most baffling aspect of the Portal is its fundamental limitation. … I can’t see a reasonable use case for the Portal that wouldn’t be served more economically, and with a better screen, with many other devices. Ultimately, the Portal is just a screen sandwiched between a controller, and for $200, it should be more than that. [Grade: 2.5/5]”
Well, for the most part, people are high on the PlayStation Portal, but it sounds like this is a device for a very niche group of people, and those are the gamers who love Remote Play and hate using their smartphones to utilize it.
Will you be buying a PlayStation Portal? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Photo: Sony / PlayStation Portal
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.
Nearly 30 years after its release, Nintendo remastered the classic Super Nintendo game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
Exclusively for Nintendo Switch, Super Mario RPG is priced at $57.99-$59.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target. After saving Princess Peach from King Bowser, the Smithy Gang, led by an evil robotic blacksmith named Smithy, invades the Mushroom Kingdom and shatters the Star Road into seven pieces.
Nintendo
Super Mario RPG
As far as gameplay, you play as Mario and his friends — Princess Peach, Mallow, Geno and even Bowser — trying to defeat the gang and restore the Star Road to its former glory. The role-playing game has elements of turn-based combat with up to three characters, while it was heavily influenced by Final Fantasy, but in an isometric 3D platform game. Think of Super Mario RPG as Nintendo’s version of Final Fantasy, but with Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom.
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The Super Mario RPG remake has updated graphics that are brighter, colorful and modern, while audio is deeper and richer — specifically designed for the Nintendo Switch. It also has some new gameplay mechanics, like timed attacks and triple moves, that varies from different character groups, so it’s encouraged to mix and match between the five characters to discover new attacks and abilities.
Back in 1996, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars was the first Mario RPG and the last Mario game released for the Super Nintendo. The game is very influential for Nintendo fans, as it paved the way for more role-playing games, such as the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series.
Super Mario RPG for Nintendo Switch is available at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target for $57.99-$59.99. In the meantime, watch a trailer for the game, below.
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Although Sony just released the newly designed PlayStation 5 Slim, the tech and entertainment company has another gaming device up its sleeve with the PlayStation Portal, which comes out on Wednesday, Nov. 15.
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Retailing for $199.99 at Amazon and Target, the new PlayStation Portal is a handheld remote player for the PS5. While it may look like a Nintendo Switch or a SteamDeck, it’s not an independent gaming console. It’s a remote player that pairs with your PS5 and mirrors its games so you can play anywhere on the PS Portal when you’re on the same Wi-Fi network as your PS5. The PlayStation Portal comes in handy if, for example, you want to play the new Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III in the bedroom while someone else is watching TV in the living room.
Please note: You need to own a PlayStation 5 to use the PlayStation Portal.
Sony
Sony PlayStation Portal
The new Sony handheld supports 60fps (Frames Per Second) at 1080p HD resolution gaming, while it has a sharp 8-inch LCD touchscreen display and DualSense wireless controller features, like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. In fact, it looks and feels exactly like the DualSense wireless controller that comes with the PS5 proper, only it’s split into two with a tabletlike display placed in the middle.
It comes with a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired headphones. Unfortunately, there is no built-in Bluetooth. If you want to go wireless with a pair of headphones and earbuds or a gaming headset, you’d have to use the upcoming Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds (drops on Dec. 6 for $199.99) or Pulse Elite Headset (releases on Feb. 21, 2024, for $149.99) via Sony’s proprietary PlayStation Link connectivity standard.
The Sony PlayStation Portal comes out on Wednesday, Nov. 15. It’s available for $199.99 at Amazon and Target. In the meantime, watch a trailer for the new handheld, below.
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Source: Sascha Schuermann / Getty / Amazon Games
While gamers are enjoying what might be the most remarkable year in gaming history, the people behind the scenes are enduring massive layoffs. Amazon is the latest company to let workers go.
Spotted on The Verge, Amazon announced, via a memo sent to employees by the VP of Amazon Games, Christoph Hartmann, that it would cut 180 jobs in its gaming division and make “some” changes to its games initiative.
The changes will see Amazon shut down its Crown Twitch channel and shutter its Game Growth effort, which helps game developers market their products, while “refocusing” its work with the free games it offers through its Prime Gaming service.
“We are proud of the work the teams have been doing, pushing into new areas with weekly content on Crown Channel and finding more ways to help publishers reach new audiences with Game Growth,” Hartmann said in the memo. “But after further evaluation of our businesses, it became clear that we need to focus our resources and efforts to deliver great games to players now and in the future.”
Speaking on the free games that are a beloved benefit to Amazon Prime subscribers, “We’ve listened to our customers, and we know delivering free games every month is what they want most, so we are refining our Prime benefit to increase our focus there,” Harmin added.
It’s A Spooky Time To Work In The Video Games Industry
These changes came after Amazon announced in April that over 100 staffers in Amazon’s games organization were let go.
This news joins the list of layoffs in the world of video games. Destiny 2 developer Bungie laid off dozens of staff, The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog cut developers in October, and Humble Games was also affected recently by layoffs.
Our thoughts are with all of the workers affected by these layoffs.
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Photo: Sascha Schuermann / Getty
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.
While the original PlayStation 5 was released back in November 2020, Sony just released a new generation refresh of the gaming console, which drops on Friday, Nov. 10.
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Priced at $499 at Walmart, and $499.99 at Amazon, Best Buy and Target, the new PS5 “Slim” has just about the same specs and features as the previous model, such as 4K gaming with HDR (High Dynamic Range) picture quality for vivid colors and deep black levels, up to 120fps (Frames Per Second) with 120Hz output for buttery smooth action, backwards compatibility with PS4 games and more. However, it’s more than 30% smaller by volume and 18% lighter.
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PS5 Slim – Call of Duty Modern Warfare III Bundle
This is the disc edition of the console and it comes with a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drive that’s detachable to make it even slimmer when not in use, while the console retains its white look and feel with a new four-panel design that makes it more customizable. The top two panels are glossy, while the bottom two are matte.
Walmart
PS5 Slim – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Bundle
The new Sony console comes with four USB ports (two front-facing USB-C and two rear USB-A) for expansion, inputs and peripherals, as well as HDMI out and Ethernet ports. It also includes 1TB of on-board storage, which is increased from the previous model’s 825GB SSD (Solid-State Drive).
Inside of the box, you’ll find a Sony PS5 DualSense wireless controller, an HDMI cable and an AC power cable. While it comes with a horizontal stand, it doesn’t come with a vertical stand, as the photo above would suggest, unfortunately. It’s sold separately for an additional $29.99.
The new PS5 Slim model is bundled with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (digital download) at Target, while Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is included with the console at Walmart. And since Modern Warfare III and Spider-Man 2 have a $69.99 value each, it’s like getting the game for free when you buy the console.
The Sony PlayStation 5 Slim model (Disc Edition) bundled with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III or Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 comes out on Friday, Nov. 10. It’s available for $499 at Walmart and $499.99 at Target.
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