Monthly Archives: May 2018
Xbox Creator on the Origins of the ‘Duke’ Controller
When it first released, the “Duke” controller for the Xbox was ridiculed for its abnormally meaty size, considering almost every controller that had come before it. Though it’s come back into style with its re-release by hardware manufacturer Hyperkin, it was stirring fear and uncertainty in the minds of people like Seamus Blackley, who wrote the original proposal for the Xbox.
“The Duke controller is the way it is because of how big companies work,” Blackley says, referring to the management structure of large companies like Microsoft allowing all levels of management to have input on the Xbox’s initial prototyping and development. Blackley was busy trying to secure a hard drive to put in the console and ethernet port, as well as courting Japanese developers, so direction of the controller was tasked to another department.
PETA Has Released a Free Switch Game Called Kitten Squad
PETA, in collaboration with Arcade Distillery, has released a free Switch game called Kitten Squad that teaches you about animal abuse.
As detailed on PETA's website, the action-adventure arcade game has you play as an elite kitten to fight evil robots and liberate various animals across the world, including sheep from the mechanic “Sheep Puncher,” elephants from the circus, and cows from dairy farms.
Along the way you can earn weapon upgrades (like the carrot gun), new costumes, and play with up to four other people. Check out some of the gameplay in the image gallery below.
Destiny 2 Crucible Labs Will Let Players Try ‘Experimental PvP Content’
Bungie has unveiled its updated roadmap for Destiny 2, with Crucible Labs coming in Update 1.2.1.
As revealed by design lead Derek Carroll on Bungie's official site, "Crucible Labs will give every player of Destiny 2 access to experimental PvP content." Players will be able to provide feedback that will aid Bungie as it further builds upon Destiny 2's PvP content.
More details about Crucible Labs will be revealed at a later date prior Update 1.2.1's launch on May 29.
In July, Bounties will make a return, along with a new seasonal event. Dubbed Solstice of Heroes, the event will give Guardians the opportunity to earn new rewards and celebrate all they've accomplished thus far.
Fortnite: Solo Showdown Limited Time Mode Announced
Fortnite's newest limited time mode is called Solo Showdown.
Epic Games says gameplay will stay the same with Solo Showdown, a notable change from other limited time modes like the Avengers: Infinity War crossover event. "Instead, you will be placed against other self-selected competitors making this the ultimate test of survival," said the developer on Epic's website.
The top 100 players will earn V-Bucks in the limited time mode. The Solo Showdown rules say that 50 matches are needed to enter the competition, with first place obtaining 50,000 V-Bucks. Everyone who completes 50 matches, however, will get a unique spray.
iZombie Will End With Season 5
The CW's offbeat comedy iZombie is ending with Season 5.
Deadline reports the upcoming fifth season will conclude the series. A premiere date for Season 5 has not been set yet.
Based on the Vertigo comic of the same name, the show follows Olivia "Liv" Moore (Rose McIver), an over-achieving medical resident who suddenly transforms into a zombie after attending a party.
iZombie's ratings have been declining, but The CW opted to renew the series anyway so its passionate fan base can get a proper conclusion. Meanwhile, The CW comedies Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin will end with fourth and fifth seasons, respectively.
The Best Honor 10 Deals and SIM-Free Price: Available to Order Now
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The Honor 10 has been officially launched, with the flagship phone now available to purchase on contract and SIM-free. Honor flagships are usually priced a little lower than market-leading phones such as the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S9, and this year is no different.
The colour variants for Honor 10 are Glacier Grey, Midnight Black, Phantom Green and Phantom Blue, all available in a 128GB model. There's also a 64GB version priced at €399.99, but this won't be coming to the UK. The 128GB model price starts at £399.99.
Little Nightmares on Switch Has a Horrifying Amiibo Unlock
The Pac-Man amiibo might look friendly, but it'll unlock an unsettling mask in Light Nightmares on Nintendo Switch.
The official Little Nightmares Twitter account gave an up-close look at the costume, which is seen below. "Escape the Maw with style! With the Pac-Man amiibo, you can unlock the in-game Pakku mask, cute and creepy at the same time," the tweet says.
Use the Pac-Man amiibo with Little Nightmares on Nintendo Switch to unlock the creepy costume.
GTA 5 Has Now Sold Over 95 Million Copies
Grand Theft Auto 5 is on its way to a frankly absurd milestone as it hits over 95 million copies sold to date.
The news was announced during Take Two's Q4 earnings call, up 10 million from November's 85 million.
Take Two attributes much of the game's success to the continued release of free content, with GTA Online delivering "its biggest year yet" for sales of in-game currency.
Last month it was reported that the title has seemingly made more money than any film, book, or game, generating approximately $6 billion in revenue.
Spider-Man PS4 Villain Mister Negative Explained
Spider-Man’s new game for PS4 from Insomniac looks like it’s delivering a lot between the new costume, new web-slinging combat, and a new spin on the Spidey mythos, but one thing no one expected it’s choice of villain: Mister Negative.
Here’s a recap on where he came from in the comics, what his power and abilities are, the supporting characters he brings along with him, and why he’s actually a great foil for Spider-Man.
Comic Book Origin
Mister Negative is a relatively recent addition to the Spider-Man villain lineup, debuting in 2008’s Amazing Spider-Man #546. Mister Negative is the literal dark side of philanthropist Martin Li. While the benevolent Li runs a homeless shelter, his alter ego is a crime lord who controls the Inner Demons, one of the most powerful gangs in New York City.
What Did You Think of This Week’s Comics?
It was another big week for the comic book industry, as Marvel celebrated the upcoming wedding of Kitty Pryde and Colossus and both Avengers and Justice League: No Justice barreled forward.
Scroll down to check out our new reviews and thinkpieces, and be sure to let us know your favorite books of the week in the comments below.
Written by Jason Aaron | Drawn by Ed McGuinness
"Generally, the best Avengers teams are those brought together by circumstance. Way back at the beginning, Loki's machinations compelled Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Giant-Man and Wasp to join forces for the first time. Decades later, a similarly eclectic band of heroes were brought together by fate in New Avengers #1. The latest incarnation of these series is cut very much from the same cloth. It's building a compelling new team using the invasion of the Dark Celestials as a catalyst. And despite some concerns about the early course of the series, this new team is looking to be a promising successor to those that have come before." -Jesse