Month: April 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2’s Online App will have a design reminiscent of its predecessor, showcasing a familiar interface. The app icon is positioned in the bottom left corner of the Switch 2’s main menu, featuring rounded corners that align with the overall aesthetic of the system. On April 13, Nintendo unveiled the main menu for the Switch Online App on the upcoming Switch 2, revealing some elements that will be recognizable to existing users.

While the app retains many familiar features, it will also incorporate some changes that enhance the user experience, showcasing the unique capabilities of the Switch 2. This announcement was made just under two months before the scheduled launch on June 5. The Switch 2 aims to build on the success of the original Switch, primarily through technical improvements.

For subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, exciting new features await, including access to a dedicated GameCube app at launch. This app will allow players to enjoy classics such as F-Zero GX and The Wind Waker. Furthermore, Expansion Pack subscribers can look forward to exclusive editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Excitement surrounding the Switch 2 has sparked action among Nintendo fans, who are actively reporting scalpers selling preorders on platforms like eBay. The user interface of the Switch 2 is designed to maintain the simplicity and functionality seen in the original Switch. Users can easily navigate the new app by selecting the icon on the main menu.

Once opened, a welcoming screen will greet them, setting the tone for their experience. The update includes access to profile icons and subscription information, with options for Cloud Save Backups, Missions, and Subscriptions clearly displayed on the left side of the menu. The ability to customize user icons will remain, ensuring that players can personalize their experience as they explore the array of available games and apps.

In Version 5.7 of Genshin Impact, Skirk is anticipated to be a high-cost character destined to function best within teams composed of Hydro and Cryo members. This new update introduces an endgame mode featuring a boss gauntlet comprising six challenging floors, requiring players to assemble three distinct teams to tackle bosses with millions of HP. Skirk is predicted to synergize effectively with characters like Furina and Escoffier, underscoring her specialization in Freeze gameplay mechanics. Recent leaks have provided insight into Skirk’s capabilities and the new endgame structure, which follows the significant content introduced in Version 5.5, including the second map expansion for Natlan, two playable characters, and the completion of Natlan’s reputation system.

With Mare Jivari remaining as the last piece of the Pyro Nation, players can look forward to new adventures. In Version 5.6, players will revisit Mondstadt through the Archon Quest, which will integrate essential figures into the narrative, including Varka, Durin, and the Hexenzirkel. The update will also wrap in Escoffier and Ifa, with Escoffier acting as a gameplay precursor to Skirk. Both characters are expected to reinvigorate Freeze as an Elemental Reaction, although not to the extent of delivering a complete system overhaul.

As for Skirk, she is projected to be quite resource-intensive; sources suggest she could be at least 30% weaker without a Hydro and Cryo-exclusive team. Given her role as a single-target hypercarry without off-field abilities or complex energy mechanics, Skirk will require careful team composition to reach her full potential. Fans might want to secure Furina and Escoffier to maximize Skirk’s effectiveness, anticipating that achieving both could necessitate an average of 280 pulls due to their 5-Star rarity. Lastly, the new endgame mode’s structure raises concerns among players regarding its design and whether it may prioritize monetization through new character releases like Skirk rather than fostering strategic team building.

Version 5.7 is expected to launch on June 18, 2025.

Shawn Layden has expressed his support for the anticipated price hikes of games for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, arguing that such increases should have been instituted with each generation of consoles. He points out that when adjusted for inflation, video game prices have remained relatively stable since 1999, indicating that gamers have been paying less than they should for their entertainment over the years.

Many Nintendo fans have reacted negatively to the news that new titles on the Switch 2 may be more expensive than their predecessors. However, Layden, a former high-ranking executive at Sony and president of Sony Computer Entertainment, believes the industry has delayed these price adjustments for too long.

He suggests that instead of imposing a significant increase all at once, the gaming sector should have gradually raised prices by about $5 with each new console generation. With a career at Sony spanning over three decades, Layden brings a wealth of experience to his analysis.

He began his journey with the company in 1987 and rose through the ranks, eventually serving as president before departing in 2019. In a recent appearance on the Player Driven YouTube channel, Layden commented on Nintendo’s decision to set front-line games at a price point of $80, suggesting that Nintendo’s strategy is a bold move that reflects the realities of game production costs.

While he acknowledges that current economic conditions may make such prices hard for consumers to accept, he reminds audiences that the cost of developing games has been rising significantly faster than retail prices. Layden also noted that Nintendo’s effective protection of its first-party titles allows the company to implement higher prices more easily than competitors like Sony and Microsoft, reinforcing the idea that iconic franchises such as Mario and Zelda are best experienced on Nintendo’s platforms.

This perspective contrasts sharply with Microsoft’s increasing openness to cross-platform play, suggesting a differing approach to game accessibility in the evolving market.

Yui’s highly awaited Dark Souls Remastered mod has officially launched, quickly gaining traction among fans. Within just 72 hours of its release, the add-on was downloaded over 10,000 times. This mod introduces seamless co-op gameplay, allowing players to team up throughout their journey in Dark Souls Remastered.

Yui, a well-known modder with a history of successful projects, previously brought seamless multiplayer to Dark Souls 3 earlier this year. Following that achievement, they shifted focus to developing a similar mod for Dark Souls Remastered. The emergence of such mods across FromSoftware’s Soulslike titles underlines a demand for this feature, suggesting it should be integrated into future games.

The public release of Yui’s seamless co-op mod occurred on April 10, attracting a remarkable 12,150 downloads from more than 10,000 users shortly after launch. This surge indicates that many fans are eager to revisit the game, now enhanced with cooperative gameplay options. With this mod, players can now engage in multiplayer sessions that carry through player deaths, facilitating a smoother experience when facing challenging bosses.

It also opens up opportunities for exploration without the limitations of disbanded parties after boss fights. The mod includes features that balance co-op play, such as multiplayer scaling for all enemies, ensuring that gameplay remains challenging even with friends. For those who prefer to breeze through the game unimpeded, they can disable this setting.

Additionally, the mod allows players to turn off invasions, creating a purely player-vs-environment experience. It’s worth noting that the mod operates on separate save files from the original game, meaning co-op saves are not transferable to the vanilla version. It uses a peer-to-peer system for multiplayer connectivity, ensuring a safe gaming experience without the risk of bans.

While Yui has finished this project, they have yet to announce their next endeavor.

Season 4 of Delta Force is set to launch on April 21, bringing with it exciting new content, including the introduction of a new operator named Nox, two difficulty modes, and fresh gear. This upcoming season marks the conclusion of the first phase of Delta Force’s expansive post-launch roadmap. Delta Force, which is developed by TiMi Studio Group, a subsidiary of Tencent, debuted as a free-to-play tactical first-person shooter on PC in late January 2025. The game quickly gained popularity, achieving a peak of over 131,000 concurrent players on Steam shortly after its release.

As of mid-April, it continues to attract more than 100,000 players during peak hours, establishing itself as one of the standout new PC shooters of 2025. In an interview with Game Rant, Delta Force game design director Ricky Liao discussed the game’s dynamics and future direction. The game’s sustained popularity can largely be credited to a steady stream of new content. To maintain this momentum, TiMi Studio recently unveiled an official trailer for Season 4 just two and a half months post-launch, highlighting the introduction of Nox.

Nox is characterized as an Assault Operator specializing in assassinations and infiltration. His design aligns with the two new Zero Dam difficulty modes—Normal and Hard—set to debut in Season 4. Nox comes equipped with a drone capable of tracking and eliminating enemies. Additionally, his Ultimate ability can disrupt enemy movement detection.

The new season will also introduce various gear updates, including a tactical flashbang and the Whirlwind Disc, which hinders enemy movement. Initially, Season 4 was slated to include a new Warfare Mode called Victory Unite, but this feature has been postponed until May 30. Nonetheless, the core content for Season 4 remains on track for release on April 21, concluding the outlined four-season roadmap from TiMi Studio, with expectations for new content plans in the near future.

Salamence is set to be the next challenging opponent in the Seven-Star Tera Raid event for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. This event will run from April 17 to 20, with a second opportunity for trainers from April 24 to 27. Salamence, known as the draconic creature, features a Flying Tera-type and has vulnerabilities to Electric, Ice, and Rock-type attacks. The official announcement on April 13 revealed that trainers will face Salamence the Unrivaled during Easter weekend.

Salamence originally debuted in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire as a Dragon and Flying dual-type, evolving from Bagon and Shelgon. As one of the Hoenn region’s pseudo-legendaries alongside Metagross, Salamence is recognized for its swift and powerful attacks, including moves like Dual Wingbeat and Dragon Claw. In Pokemon Scarlet, players can find a unique Past Paradox version named Roaring Moon, while Salamence and its earlier forms are more commonly encountered in Pokemon Violet. Following the Tyranitar Seven-Star Tera Raid, trainers will soon engage another formidable opponent in Salamence.

The battles will commence on Thursday, April 17, at 8:00 PM Eastern and conclude on Sunday, April 20, at 7:59 PM Eastern. The second round will follow the same schedule from April 24 to 27. Defeating Salamence will earn trainers the Mightiest Mark, and its abilities include Intimidate, which reduces the physical attack of opponents, and Moxie, enhancing Salamence’s attack after defeating a foe. To successfully challenge Salamence, trainers may consider utilizing strong Electric-type Pokemon like Miraidon, Eelektross, and Zapdos, as they can exploit Salamence’s vulnerabilities.

With a mix of abilities and moves including Earthquake and Dragon Claw, Salamence promises to be a complex and engaging foe for players in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Recent leaks suggest that Epic Games is gearing up for exciting collaborations in Fortnite, including skins inspired by Tony Hawk, characters from Death Stranding and Doom, along with new additions from Mortal Kombat and pixel-style Marvel cosmetics. This news could align with the planned Tony Hawk Pro Skater event, likely coinciding with the release of the game on July 11. Fortnite is highly regarded for its crossover potential, having previously introduced characters from various genres including classic fighting games like Street Fighter. Icons such as Ryu, Chun-Li, and Cammy have been added to the game, showcasing the seamless blend of different franchises.

Furthermore, Fortnite has embraced characters from popular movies, including Boba Fett, the Terminator, and Indiana Jones. Notable figures from sports and entertainment, such as NFL star Patrick Mahomes and singer Ariana Grande, have also made appearances in the game. Adding to the intrigue, leaker ShpeshalNick has revealed that more crossover skins are on the horizon, including those based on Doom and Death Stranding. During an appearance on the XboxEra podcast, he mentioned upcoming skins for Agent 47 from Hitman, as well as characters from Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and the classic game Double Dragon.

Among the new characters are expected skins for Tony Hawk Pro Skater, though it remains unclear which characters will be featured. The speculation suggests that Tony Hawk himself is likely to be included. Meanwhile, recent collaborations in Fortnite have unveiled characters such as Negan from The Walking Dead and Sabrina Carpenter. The anticipation builds as fans eagerly await the potential new additions to this dynamic game.

Limited Run Games, in collaboration with id Software, is releasing the highly anticipated “Will It Run” Edition of DOOM. This unique bundle contains both DOOM and DOOM 2, featuring an impressive packaging box and a handheld Cacodemon that can play the game. Limited to just 666 units, this exclusive edition will be available for $666.66 starting April 18, 2025.

id Software has been a pioneer in the first-person shooter genre, with DOOM transitioning from an iconic game to a comprehensive media franchise.

This includes eight main video game entries, a series of novels, comic adaptations, and several films, notably the cult classic from 2005 featuring Karl Urban. Last year, a surprise release compiling DOOM and DOOM 2 was introduced, which added cross-platform multiplayer support and a mod to play earlier titles. Recently, the SIGIL 2 campaign, created by original designer John Romero, was added to the collection for free, further enhancing the experience for fans.

The Will It Run Edition boasts a myriad of collectible items, including a Cassette Tape Soundtrack Set, a floating Cacodemon, and a trading card pack. The standout features, however, are the gameplay-enabled packaging box and the handheld Cacodemon. This edition aligns with Limited Run Games’ commitment to delivering stunning physical releases tailored for dedicated fans, similar to their recent Tomb Raider Remastered physical edition.

Echoing the ongoing trend of tech enthusiasts finding innovative ways to run DOOM on unconventional devices, the Will It Run Edition pays homage to this phenomenon. The sale will commence at 10 am EDT on April 18, 2025, with only 666 copies available. Meanwhile, excitement builds for DOOM: The Dark Ages, set to release on May 15, 2025, which will serve as a prequel to the 2016 installment and return to a medieval setting focused on a single-player experience.

The game’s creative team emphasizes a more grounded combat style, paired with spectacular slow-motion kills that fans can expect.

Bungie’s upcoming title, Marathon, will be a premium release rather than the previously speculated free-to-play model. While specific pricing details have yet to be announced, it’s clarified that it will not retail at the full price typically associated with games, hinting that it will be more affordable than $70.

Marathon’s gameplay trailer has provided players with an intriguing glimpse into what’s to come, showcasing four distinct playable Runners and the game’s intense extraction shooter mechanics. The eagerly awaited release date is set for September 23, but those fortunate enough to receive an invitation for the closed alpha can dive into the experience as early as April 23.

Despite receiving positive feedback from early players, the decision to have Marathon as a premium title has sparked some negative reactions within the gaming community. Many fans are concerned about its chargeable model, especially with only three maps available at launch and a battle pass system planned.

Comparisons are being drawn between Marathon and Concord, another premium online shooter from Sony that struggled in a market dominated by free-to-play games. Despite these concerns, it’s essential to acknowledge Bungie’s strong history in the first-person shooter genre.

While some may doubt the viability of a paid model in this competitive landscape, it’s possible that high-quality gameplay might persuade players to invest in the title. The success of Marathon will largely hinge on its gameplay experience, making the upcoming alpha test vital for user feedback.

Fans eagerly await the reception of this feedback and the full launch in September to determine if Marathon will prove its worth in the gaming community.

Bungie has announced the first closed alpha for its upcoming game, Marathon, starting on April 23 and running through May 4. The alpha will be exclusively available to residents of the U.S. and Canada, with future tests expected to be conducted in other regions.

This initiative follows the release of a new cinematic trailer that also revealed the game’s official launch date of September 23. Marathon marks a significant milestone for Bungie as it is the studio’s first new title since Destiny 2, which debuted in September 2017.

Unlike the original Marathon games from the mid-’90s, the upcoming sequel is an extraction shooter, a genre that has gained prominence only in recent years. Bungie originally introduced Marathon during the May 2023 PlayStation Games Showcase, but there has been little information released about the game in the meantime.

However, a recent gameplay reveal on April 12 has reinvigorated excitement among fans. The closed alpha is set to support PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.

Participants selected for testing will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) prior to accessing the pre-release version of the game. To qualify for the alpha, players must be U.S. or Canadian residents aged 18 or older.

Interested players can express their intention by typing /alpha into a designated message channel and will need to check their email for an invitation to participate. Although Marathon is poised to launch with three maps, it remains unclear if the closed alpha will include the same content.

Some players have reported issues with the sign-up process, particularly those whose usernames begin with a number or special character. Bungie is actively addressing these technical difficulties.