Blizzard Overhauls Heroes of the Storm in 2.0 Update
Heroes of the Storm will update and overhaul its leveling and reward systems - as well as add a new character - in an update significant enough for Blizzard to dub it "Heroes of the Storm 2.0".
The MOBA will now feature no level cap for either player or hero levels and reward loot chests (not unlike Overwatch's loot boxes) for every player level reached. Specific player level milestones will reward chests with guaranteed rarer items, while hero level milestones will drop chests with rewards specifically for that hero.
Existing players' XP will be converted into the new level system, with the appropriate number of loot chests and rewards given to them immediately.
Chests can include full playable heroes, which in the past have only been unlockable through in-game or real currency. Blizzard has also created several new types of cosmetic item, which can be unlocked through loot chests:
Gears of War 4 to Begin Seasons for Ranked Play, Adds Rewards
Some changes are coming to ranked play in Gears of War 4. As well as basic improvements and additions, the first ever ranked Season will soon be under way.
According to the announcement on the Gears of War website, players will take part in placement matches and earn a rank which will go up and down based on performance. The optimal length of the season is still being determined.
As for Season rewards, you'll earn parts of some new weapon skin sets based on your rank, which ranges through Bronze, Silver, Gold, Onyx, and Diamond.
The current matchmaking system will be receiving an update over the next few days, which should "provide improved team balance in Ranked Play." The Skill Ratings system is also being improved, and by taking your change in skill over time into account, should provide a more accurate rating for you.
Rocket League Dev on Game’s Growth, Future Plans
One of the biggest challenges facing Rocket League developer Psyonix, according to the studio's Vice President Jeremy Dunham, is keeping up with the pace of the game's rapid growth.
"It’s sort of a race, to grow the company at a rate somewhat comparable to how fast the game is growing," Dunham said while speaking to IGN about the game past success and future, including its potential for coming to the Nintendo Switch.
"It’s been both flattering and a whole bunch of work because every time we think we’ve hit some sort of plateau or maybe the game is settling down, our community shows us, no, it’s not even close yet," he explained. According to Dunham, Rocket League set records for both the most games played and most players in a single month in December 2016. That most players in a month record was then broken in January — then again in February.
New Jumanji Film Is About a Cursed Video Game
In a first look at Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, it was revealed that there's a modern twist to this well-known tale.
At Sony's CinemaCon Panel (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter), Dwayne Johnson brought some footage to show fans of the new film.
Some slight story spoilers follow.
In the upcoming reboot, high school students stumble upon an old video game console which plays a game entitled Jumanji. After picking characters, the teens then change into their various avatars when they are teleported to the jungle.
Watch Dogs 2’s Multiplayer DLC Will Now Be Free
Showd0wn, Watch Dog 2's multiplayer mode, will be available for free across all platforms from April 17, 2017.
Showd0wn - described as an "endgame challenge for experienced players" on the Ubisoft blog - will offer three competitive matches: Steal the HDD, a King of the Hill-style match called Doomload, and a domination mode entitled Erase/Protect the Servers. All modes will be available across "15 distinct locations" that will "flow seamlessly from one to the next".
Showd0wn was previously going to be a part of the paid-for No Compromise DLC pack.
“There are two main drivers behind making Showd0wn free for all of our players,” says Kris Young, Watch Dogs 2’s live producer. “The first is that we want everyone to be able to participate and play it. We really wanted to have as many people as possible playing the mode for a better challenge, better matchmaking time and quality, and a healthier, more active community.
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Shadowverse: Talking Tempest of the Gods with Cygames
I’ve had a blast playing Shadowverse over the last year. Developed by Tokyo-based Cygames (a studio well-known in Japan for its hits Rage of Bahamut and Granblue Fantasy) this anime-infused card game takes cues from Magic the Gathering and Hearthstone, but is ultimately gratifyingly unique. That’s partly because of its innovative Evolution gameplay mechanic, but also because every class has a very defined identity driven by bespoke resources and abilities. In this game, combo decks and super greedy control decks are alive and well.
To get an insight into Shadowverse as a whole, but more specifically, the goals and design process behind its third expansion, Tempest of the Gods, which is available from tomorrow, I sat down with Lead Game Designer Naoyuki Miyashita and Card Designer Yuichiro Sato. (I also spoke with Game Producer and Executive Director at Cygames, Yuito Kimura, but that will be published separately, so stay tuned for that interview.)
Wreck-It Ralph 2 is Called Ralph Breaks the Internet
Disney's Wreck-It Ralph sequel is officially called Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Disney revealed the name of the sequel to its 2012 smash hit at this year's CinemaCon, and said that Jane Lynch (the original's Sergeant Calhoun) and Jack McBrayer (who played Fix-it Felix) would be returning alongside John C.Reilly as Ralph and Sarah Silverman as Vanellope von Schweetz .
The original creatives will also be returning, including directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston, and producer Clark Spencer. “To take these characters we love and have them enter the enormous world of the internet has given us so much to explore,” said Moore in a press release. “Our production team has been hard at work designing a world that takes something we all think we know – the internet – but shows it in a whole new, imaginative way.”
Parks and Recreation Stars Reunite for a New Game Show
Comedians Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman are teaming up for a new game show about craftsmanship.
NBC has ordered 6 episodes of 'The Handmade Project,' which will pit contestants' skills in the art of, well, making things.
Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, who starred in NBC's hit comedy series Parks and Recreation together, are going to be reunited to work on the project. Poehler is looking forward to conquering her fear of paper mache, while Offerman boasts a wealth of knowledge in the woodworking world, owning his own woodshop and holding a spot in the New York Times best-selling list in his field.
The Handmade Project invites participants of all ages and creative specialties to apply on their website, which also states the need for availability from August 2017 to December 2017 as a loose production date.
Take That Singer Gary Barlow Joins Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Gary Barlow, British songwriter and frontman of pop group Take That, has joined Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Barow, who's a huge Star Wars fan, revealed the news on ITV's Lorraine show (via BBC), saying he has a role in the new movie. While Barlow did confirm he isn't playing a stormtrooper, he didn't give away any details about his mysterious character and just how significant his role might be in the film. The singer also joked about how he'll be cut out of The Last Jedi now since he spoiled that he's in the film.
Take That singer Gary Barlow.