May 24 2019
0
dauntless

Dauntless Welcomes Half a Million New Players On Launch Day

Posted by | News, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | No Comments

Phoenix Labs announced that over half a million new players joined up to hunt monsters in the Shattered Isles in the first 24 hours of Dauntless’ release on May 21. This brings the total number of players for the free-to-play monster hunting game to over four million worldwide, following a year-long stint in beta. Those numbers equate to over 2 million hours played and 3 million hunts.

Dauntless is a free-to-play co-op action-RPG. Players take on the role of slayers to join forces and hunt large monsters, known as behemoths, choosing from several different weapon styles. The free-to-play game is supported by seasonal hunt passes, which can be purchased to unlock a seasonal progression system full of cosmetic items. If this sounds like a cross between Fortnite and Monster Hunter, you’re on the right track.

One of Dauntless’ biggest perks is cross-platform and cross-progression between PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The developers refer to it as One Dauntless. By linking an Epic Games account you can play with anyone on any platform, and your progress and characters will carry over between devices.

“After a year in Open Beta and a ton of great feedback from over 3 million Dauntless players, we’re proud to bring our game to console and expand our PC audience through the Epic Games store,” said Jesse Houston, CEO and Co-founder, Phoenix Labs. “When we first started talking about ‘One Dauntless,’ we knew it was a truly audacious goal. No one has ever launched on console with full cross-play support from the start, but we believed in our vision and, thankfully, our friends at Epic Games, Sony, and Microsoft did too. Keeping the community connected is one of our top priorities, and with all the new players coming in at launch, there’s never been a better time to be a Slayer in Dauntless.”

Dauntless is available for free on PC (Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It’s also coming later to Switch and mobile devices.

May 22 2019
1
ea publisher sale

The Sims 4 is Currently Free on PC until May 28

Posted by | News, PC | No Comments

Anyone with an Origin account can download The Sims 4 for free (normally $39.99) until May 28. Simply head over to the Origin app or website and add it to your library. It’s available for both Windows and Mac. It’s not simply a trial either; after the promotion ends the full game will remain in your Origin library.

Only the base game is available for free, of course. EA will try to sell you its Origin Access subscription program, but you don’t need it to get The Sims 4. If you have Origin Access Basic, you get access to The Sims 4 Digital Deluxe version, while Origin Access Premiere also grants the Dine Out and Kids Room Stuff expansions. The Digital Deluxe edition includes the Awesome Animal Hats, Life of the Party, and Up all Night DLC packs, as well as the soundtrack.

The Sims 4 originally launched in 2014. Like previous Sims games, it quickly became a best-seller, though fans and critics had mixed reactions, noting that it stripped many of the content and features that were present in The Sims 3. Since launch the game has received numerous free updates and paid DLC packs and expansions. The most recent, Get Famous, released in Fall 2018 and added acting and influencer as new careers.

The Sims 4 is rated T for Teen with Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, and Violence. It’s also available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The free period on Origin ends May 28.

May 21 2019
1

Publishers Pull Out of Epic Mega Sale Amid Pre-Sale Discount

Posted by | News, PC | No Comments

The Epic Games Store has been the epicenter of controversy as Epic has targeted numerous publishers and developers for exclusivity for PC releases. With their first major store-wide sale currently ongoing, they’ve managed to hit yet another controversial snag. Several publishers, big and small, have opted to temporarily pull their games from the store, presumably to avoid devaluing games that haven’t been released yet.

The problematic part of the sale is Epic offering $10 off any game that’s $14.99 or more purchased during the sale, including pre-orders. The discount is entirely on Epic’s part, but clearly some publishers aren’t happy with such a significant discount for games that haven’t been released yet.

Paradox pulled Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 from the store. It’s a long-awaited sequel of a mature action RPG that’s not due to release until 2020. Klei Entertainment also pulled Oxygen Not Included, which is currently still in Early Access.

Epic released a statement to Kotaku via email: “If a developer or publisher chooses to not participate in our sales, we will honor that decision. Paradox Interactive has chosen to not participate in the Epic Mega Sale and the game has been temporarily removed from sale. If you’ve purchased Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 during the period when the discount did apply at the time of check out, Epic will honor that price.”

Shortly thereafter, 2K Games pulled Borderlands 3 from the sale, one of the most anticipated games releasing in the latter half of this year. Like with Paradox, Epic will still honor the sale price if you were lucky enough to pre-order and receive the discount before it was removed.

Hopefully future sales from the Epic Games Store will result in clearer communication between Epic and publishers, so shoppers don’t have to scramble to sneak in discounts before games are pulled.

May 20 2019
2

Discover New Slime Skins in Slime Rancher DLC Secret Style Pack

Posted by | News, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | No Comments

Monomi Park has announced a new paid DLC pack for Slime Rancher. The Secret Style Pack (June 18) adds new alternate cosmetic skins for all 20 slimes.

Once installed, new treasure pods can be found scattered throughout the alien slime-filled world of the Far, Far Range. Each treasure pod will contain a new secret style for a slime. Each style can be turned off and on at the ranch house to make every slime appear with its new skin.

Note that it’s purely a cosmetic change. Slimes will still act, and eat, according to their normal slime type.

Below is a list of the new slime styles:

  • Sparkly (Pink Slime)
  • Monochrome (Quantum Slime)
  • Heavy Metal (Rock Slime)
  • Shattered (Mosaic Slime)
  • Tiger (Tabby Slime)
  • Nebula (Dervish Slime)
  • Angelic (Phosphor Slime)
  • Nightshade (Tangle Slime)
  • Radiant (Rad Slime)
  • Devilish (Fire Slime)
  • Arcane (Boom Slime)
  • Pre-Jellasic (Saber Slime)
  • Royal Jelly (Honey Slime)
  • Boomerang (Quicksilver Slime)
  • Lilypad (Puddle Slime)
  • Retro (Glitch Slime)
  • Ruby Red (Crystal Slime)
  • Gilded (Gold Slime)
  • Cheshire (Hunter Slime)
  • Guardian (Lucky Slime)

The Secret Style Pack will arrive first on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store) and later on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Slime Rancher is one of our favorite family-friendly games of the last several years (read our review). It’s currently available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One and rated E10+.