May 16 2019
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Epic Mega Sale at the Epic Games Store

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Epic Games have kicked off their first ever store-wide sale at the Epic Games Store with the Epic Mega Sale. From now until June 13 you can find digital PC games up to 75% off.

Highlighted games include The Walking Dead: The Final Season at $4.99, Metro Exodus for $34.99, Hades at $6.99, Slime Rancher for $4.99, and The Witness at $9.99.

In addition to the sales prices, all games priced $14.99 or above will be discounted with a further $10 off. The $10 discount will be automatically applied when checking out with any game priced $14.99 or higher. Note that the discount applies only to games and not DLC or add-ons.

Epic is offering two helpful conveniences that I haven’t seen other digital stores such as Steam use before. First, if you pre-ordered a game via the Epic Games Store, you’ll automatically be given a $10 refund. There’s no need to cancel your pre-order only to purchase again to take advantage of the discount.

Second, people often feel bad when they purchase games not knowing a major sale was just around the corner. For anyone who purchased a game between May 2 and May 15, you’ll be refunded the difference in the sale price.

Normally the Epic Games Store features a game that can be downloaded completely free, similar to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Gold membership. The Epic Games Store does not require a membership, other than signing up, and the free game rotates every two weeks. However during the Epic Mega Sale, a new free game will be available every week, instead of every two weeks.

The current free game is Stories Untold, which will be available until May 30. After that is RiME, which will be free starting May 23.

The Epic Mega Sale ends June 13.

May 15 2019
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wow classic

World of Warcraft Classic Out this Fall, Closed Beta Running Now

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In a stirring example of “ask and you shall receive,” Blizzard Entertainment is launching World of Warcraft Classic on August 27 worldwide. It’s out a day earlier in the US, August 26, at 3 pm Pacific/6 pm Eastern.

The launch will be preceded by a “small-scale, focused closed beta test” to help stress test the servers. Active WoW subscribers can opt into the closed beta via Blizzard account management. The closed beta will run from May 15 through July. Players will have a greater chance to join during the three stress test periods that run throughout the summer.

  • Stress Test 1: Wed May 22–Thurs May 23
  • Stress Test 2: Wed Jun 19– Thurs Jun 20
  • Stress Test 3: Thurs Jul 18– Fri July 19

Opting into the closed beta does not guarantee a spot. Participants will be chosen based on different factors, including how long they’ve subscribed to World of Warcraft, with Blizzard seeking “the right mix of players.”

WoW Classic is a uniquely retro version of the behemoth MMO that brings the gameplay, world, and progression back to the year 2006, just before the launch of the Burning Crusade expansion. Also referred to as Vanilla WoW, fan-created emulated servers of the classic MMO had been previously shut down by Blizzard. After claiming that it was impossible to do, Blizzard has now reversed course due to fan demand.

Wow Classic servers will use the 1.12 patch, and gradually roll out new content and features similarly to the original schedule over a decade ago. This includes the gradual roll out of the PvP and Battlegrounds systems.

Active subscribers will be able to claim their character name in WoW Classic beginning on August 13, when character creation becomes available. WoW Classic will be freely included in regular World of Warcraft subscriptions, which remains $15/month.

Wow Classic will launch on August 26 on PC (Blizzard Launcher). It’s rated T for Teen.

May 14 2019
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dauntless

Free-to-Play Monster Hunter Dauntless Launching Next Week

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After a year-long stint in open beta, Phoenix Labs have announced the official release date for Dauntless. It will launch as a free-to-play game on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (Epic Games Store) on May 21.

Dauntless is a free-to-play Monster Hunter-like online co-op action game where players team up to take down large creatures called behemoths. Like Monster Hunter, players can utilize different weapons and styles, and craft new gear from monster parts. Unlike the Monster Hunter series, Dauntless is a free-to-play, supported by seasonal battle passes, called Hunt Passes.

Every season you can purchase (with real money) a new Hunt Pass to unlock 50 levels of cosmetic rewards. If that sounds like Fortnite, you’re exactly right.

The launch of Dauntless on May 21 will also end Hunt Pass Season 4 and begin Season 5: Hidden Blades. Hidden Blades adds the Moon Blossom Festival to the Shattered Isles. Slayers can look for ninja-themed gear in the Hunt Pass.

The official launch will also add various improvements, updates, and a campaign rework. Missions will provide a new End of Hunt screen to help provide details on Mastery Card quests, quest rewards, and monster parts. The new Master System lets Slayers earn experience, unlock achievements, and acquire new rewards from weapons and Behemoths.

Dauntless, and Season 5, launches on May 21.

May 06 2019
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splitgate

Portal-Meets-Halo Shooter Splitgate: Arena Warfare Launching as Free-to-Play

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Indie developer 1047 Games announced that competitive shooter Splitgate: Arena Warfare will be launching as a free-to-play game on PC (Steam) on May 22.

“As Splitgate evolved, we realized that players would be best served with a free-to-play model. We want to ensure that everyone who wants to play has the opportunity to do so,” said Ian Proulx, CEO, 1047 Games. “Rest assured this will not detract from its hyper-competitive design – all items for sale in the game are purely cosmetic.”

Spiltgate is succinctly described as competitive Halo meets Portal. It features a (now) old school multiplayer shooter design combined with portal guns to zip around the arenas. Combatants keep their momentum as they create their own linked portals and hurtle through the arena to grab weapons and flank opponents.

The free to play model will be supported by a real money loot store where players can purchase cosmetic skins for weapons, gear, and armor.

Splitgate: Arena Warfare will launch on PC on May 22, and include a competitive W-L ranking system. Other consoles are being considered. The game has not been rated by the ESRB. Read about our hands-on preview for Splitgate back in January.