Monthly Archives: September 2020
Amazon Luna: Everything We Know About the New Video Game Streaming Service
Amazon announced its foray into cloud video game streaming today with Luna, a new service that will let users stream games directly from their internet-connected device. It’s similar to services like Google’s Stadia and Microsoft xCloud, and IGN learned additional details in a media Q&A following the announcement.
Like similar services from Google and Microsoft, Amazon Luna is a cloud gaming service where, for a monthly subscription, users can stream and play games directly on their TV, computers, and smartphones.
Unlike Stadia where you have to purchase individual games on top of an additional subscription fee for more premium features, Luna is taking a page out of the Xbox Game Pass playbook and offers a subscription to a library of games called the Luna+ channel along with 4K streaming for $5.99 a month.
The channel system is Luna’s prime differentiating feature as Amazon also announced a Ubisoft channel which will come with the newest Ubisoft games on the day and date they launch. Amazon confirmed that the Ubisoft channel will require a separate subscription and that other channels are being planned for Luna currently.
Amazon said that channels won’t be limited to just publishers, though those are in the works too. One of the examples Amazon’s Director of Devices and Digital Initiatives Gabi Knight mentioned is an “RPG Channel” so these channels can be categorized by genre as well.
Vice president of Amazon’s Entertainment Devices and Services Marc Whitten said Luna, at least at this stage, is not about exclusives or first-party games but on lowering the barrier of entry for great games. This seemingly downplayed any direct connection with Amazon's first-party development studio which is currently working on the MMO New World.
One particular platform Luna is available on that its competitors aren’t is iOS, but this is not as clear-cut as you think. Luna will be available on iOS devices, but not through a native app. Instead, Luna will be playable through the iOS Safari browser.
This is presumably for the same reason that xCloud and Stadia aren’t available on iOS devices, which is because of the restrictions from the App Store policy. Microsoft has even called Apple's policy on game streaming "bad" for customers.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/22/google-stadia-review"]
Curious customers can sign up for the Luna beta starting today and Whitten says the first wave of invites will start going out in October. The Luna controller, which connects directly to the cloud to reduce latency, is available to order now for $49.99.
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Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.
The channel system is Luna’s prime differentiating feature as Amazon also announced a Ubisoft channel which will come with the newest Ubisoft games on the day and date they launch. Amazon confirmed that the Ubisoft channel will require a separate subscription and that other channels are being planned for Luna currently.
Amazon said that channels won’t be limited to just publishers, though those are in the works too. One of the examples Amazon’s Director of Devices and Digital Initiatives Gabi Knight mentioned is an “RPG Channel” so these channels can be categorized by genre as well.
Vice president of Amazon’s Entertainment Devices and Services Marc Whitten said Luna, at least at this stage, is not about exclusives or first-party games but on lowering the barrier of entry for great games. This seemingly downplayed any direct connection with Amazon's first-party development studio which is currently working on the MMO New World.
One particular platform Luna is available on that its competitors aren’t is iOS, but this is not as clear-cut as you think. Luna will be available on iOS devices, but not through a native app. Instead, Luna will be playable through the iOS Safari browser.
This is presumably for the same reason that xCloud and Stadia aren’t available on iOS devices, which is because of the restrictions from the App Store policy. Microsoft has even called Apple's policy on game streaming "bad" for customers.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/22/google-stadia-review"]
Curious customers can sign up for the Luna beta starting today and Whitten says the first wave of invites will start going out in October. The Luna controller, which connects directly to the cloud to reduce latency, is available to order now for $49.99.
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Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.The Boys: Amazon Developing Spinoff Set at a Superhero College
Amazon is developing a spinoff TV series based on its hit show The Boys that's described as "part college show, part Hunger Games."
Given the massively successful of The Boys Season 2, Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television are fast-tracking a new series.
According to Variety, the spinoff is "is set at America’s only college exclusively for young adult superheroes (or “supes”) that is run by Vought International."
As the trade puts it:
"It is described as an irreverent, R-rated series that explores the lives of hormonal, competitive supes as they put their physical, sexual, and moral boundaries to the test, competing for the best contracts in the best cities. Part college show, part Hunger Games — with all the heart, satire and raunch of 'The Boys."
The Boys' Craig Rosenberg will script the pilot and also serve as the spinoff's showrunner and executive producer. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/02/the-boys-how-much-does-homelander-know-about-homelander] The spinoff's behind-the-scenes personnel will include other veterans of The Boys as executive producers, including series creator Eric Kripke as well as Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, and Pavun Shetty. The second season finale of The Boys will debut October 9. For more on the show, check out our The Boys Season 2, Episode 5 review, our explainer on Liberty, and find out why we never see Black Noir's face.NBA 2K21 Review – Ball Another Day
With NBA 2K21, you just know what you're getting into--a basketball simulation with the presentation chops, star power, and gameplay mechanics to embody the sport on a professional and cultural level. You know you'll build a custom player to go through a story that leads into a full career and take to the streets and rec center for pick up games. You know you can play a management sim through MyGM or build a playable fantasy team through card packs in MyTeam. And you also know all too well about the scheme of VC that looms over it all, which remains one of the prominent offenders of intrusive microtransactions.
At this point, NBA 2K21 suggests that the franchise is out of surprises. It comes with a robust suite of modes, but despite minor remixing year after year, the annual releases are starting to blend together (if they haven't already). Mechanics get minor tweaks or additions, but largely remain untouched. So, for those embedded in the 2K cycle, you know what the deal is, but because this year's game changes things mostly on a surface level, it's hard to be excited about yet another entry.
Don't get me wrong, as a lifelong basketball fan who embraced the culture as a wee lad and cherishes street ball memories from back home, I'm still a bit in awe of how well the sport has translated into video game form (I said as much in my NBA 2K19 review). And that doesn't just come from the player likenesses, character creation tools, or the broadcast-style presentation; it's a matter of the core gameplay, too.
Continue Reading at GameSpotNBA 2K21 Review – Ball Another Day
With NBA 2K21, you just know what you're getting into--a basketball simulation with the presentation chops, star power, and gameplay mechanics to embody the sport on a professional and cultural level. You know you'll build a custom player to go through a story that leads into a full career and take to the streets and rec center for pick up games. You know you can play a management sim through MyGM or build a playable fantasy team through card packs in MyTeam. And you also know all too well about the scheme of VC that looms over it all, which remains one of the prominent offenders of intrusive microtransactions.
At this point, NBA 2K21 suggests that the franchise is out of surprises. It comes with a robust suite of modes, but despite minor remixing year after year, the annual releases are starting to blend together (if they haven't already). Mechanics get minor tweaks or additions, but largely remain untouched. So, for those embedded in the 2K cycle, you know what the deal is, but because this year's game changes things mostly on a surface level, it's hard to be excited about yet another entry.
Don't get me wrong, as a lifelong basketball fan who embraced the culture as a wee lad and cherishes street ball memories from back home, I'm still a bit in awe of how well the sport has translated into video game form (I said as much in my NBA 2K19 review). And that doesn't just come from the player likenesses, character creation tools, or the broadcast-style presentation; it's a matter of the core gameplay, too.
Continue Reading at GameSpotCrunchyroll’s Fall 2020 Anime Lineup Announced, Includes Final Attack on Titan Season
Crunchyroll’s fall lineup has been officially announced, featuring a ton of returning favorites and new shows. Chief among the most anticipated shows is the final season of Attack on Titan. In total, Crunchyroll is debuting 25 new or returning series for streaming, a bit of good news for fans who were saddened to see so many anime series delayed due to COVID-19’s impact on the Japanese anime industry.
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Attack on Titan’s final season will be animated by MAPPA, the same studio behind Yuri!!! on Ice. Dorohedoro’s Yuichiro Hayashi will direct, while Mob Psycho 100’s Hiroshi Seko is handling script duties.
Other returning series include Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Black Clover, Case Closed, Digimon Adventure, Fire Force, Haikyuu!! to the Top, One Piece, Major Second, Healin’ Pretty Good Cure, Shadowverse, Golden Kamuy, IDOLiSH7: The Second Beat, Katana Maidens, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime OAD 5, and Genie Family 2020. Some notable new anime series include:- Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? season 3.
- Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon: The long-awaited Inuyasha sequel series, following the daughters of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. The series debuts on October 3.
- Iwakakeru - Sport Climbing Girls: A sports anime focused on a group of young women competing in the world of rock climbing.
The Crunchyroll Originals lineup, having experienced some solid success with The God of High School and Tower of God, continues with several new Originals series.
- Noblesse - Based on the Webtoon series of the same name, Noblesse tells the story of Cadis Etrama di Raizel, a caster who has awakened after 820 years of sleep, and then joins a high school. Expect plenty of battles fueled by superhuman abilities.
- Onyx Equinox: A young Aztec boy finds himself fighting as humanity’s champion during a battle between gods.
- Tonikawa: Over the Moon For You: A new married life comedy from the creator of Hayate the Combat Butler.
- Burn the Witch: From Bleach creator Tite Kubo, this three-episode movie series premieres on October 1.
- Jujutsu Kaisen: Crunchyroll’s hot new Shonen Jump series. The synopsis for this one is a lot to digest, but the long and short of it is a young high school student named Yuki joins an occult research club who accidentally unseals a dangerous talisman, setting off a chain of events in which Yuji becomes the host of a powerful curse and must consume all of the curse’s fingers while attending a magic school. If that doesn’t scream Shonen, I don’t know what does.
- D4DJ First Mix: A new series based on the Bushiroad games.
- With a Dog AND a Cat, Every Day is Fun: A slice of life anime for those who felt like last year’s My Roommate is a Cat gave too much credit to felines.
Yakuza, Uncharted, and Every Video Game Movie in Development
How to Watch Tokyo Game Show 2020
Tokyo Game Show 2020 will be fully digital this year, broadcast live online featuring publishers like Microsoft, Square Enix, Capcom, and more.
For everything you need to know about how to watch some of the livestreams and where, read our details below.
Tokyo Game Show 2020 Livestream Start Time
Tokyo Game Show begins on September 24 at 4 am PT, 7 am ET, 12 pm BST, and 9 pm AEST. The show runs through September 27, with the last segment beginning at 6 am PT, 9 am ET, 2 pm BST, and 11 pm AEST. IGN will be hosting some of the livestreams, which we have outlined below:September 24
- Xbox TGS Showcase: 5am PT, 8am ET, 1:00pm BST, 8:00pm AEST
- Square Enix: 6am PT, 9am ET, 2:00pm BST, 9:00pm AEST
September 25
- Capcom: 6am PT, 9am ET, 2:00pm BST, 9:00pm AEST
September 26
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity: 6am PT, 9am ET, 2:00pm BST, 9:00pm AEST
How to Watch Tokyo Game Show 2020
We'll be hosting the livestreams above on our channels across a variety of platforms including YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and Twitter. Here’s the full list of places you can watch TGS 2020:- IGN.com (homepage)
- IGN's Facebook Channel
- IGN’s Twitter
- IGN's Twitch Channel
- IGN’s Youtube Channel
- IGN's TikTok
- IGN's iOS App
- IGN's Android App
- IGN's PlayStation 4 App
- IGN's Xbox One App
- Roku
- IGN App for Android TV
- IGN for Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- IGN 1 on Samsung TV Plus
- Pluto TV
- Plex Live TV
What to Expect From Tokyo Game Show 2020
For the kickoff day, Microsoft will have their Xbox showcase, and Nier titled their livestream, "We have a decent amount of new info" so new announcements can be expected there as well. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/24/the-medium-official-story-trailer"] It has been confirmed that Resident Evil Village, Monster Hunter Rise, and Monster Hunter Stories 2 - Wings of Ruin will be highlighted during the Capcom livestream. For the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity livestream, we will get a first look at live gameplay for the upcoming game that will launch on November 20, 2020. The developers will also introduce characters and other new details for the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"]Tokyo Game Show 2020: The Biggest News, Trailers, and Gameplay
Tokyo Game Show 2020 has officially arrived and, from September 23-27, there will be a ton of incredible announcements, trailers, and gameplay videos from some of the most anticipated upcoming games.
It can be a lot to keep track of, so we've gathered the best parts of TGS 2020, and we will be updating this article throughout the weekend!
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Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness was announced at TGS 2020 and will be a CGI episodic series starring Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield. It will be arriving on Netflix in 2021.
Biggest Tokyo Game Show 2020 Announcements
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - First Gameplay Shows Young Impa, Daruk, Combat, and More
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/26/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-13-minutes-of-gameplay-japanese-vo-tgs-2020"] New gameplay for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity was revealed at TGS 2020, and gave fans a glimpse of what the action will look like playing as Link, the Champions (specifically Daruk in this look), and young Impa.Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - Breath of the Wild Bonus Item, Special Editions Revealed
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/26/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-official-trailer-tgs-2020"] Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity players who have a Breath of the Wild save will unlock a special wooden training sword, and those in Japan will be able to purchase a special edition of the game which includes a small metal charm of the mysterious white robot and a full-size "parasail blanket." It is unclear if this special edition will come see a western release.Monster Hunter Rise: Gameplay Shows Off New Abilities, Combat, and More
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/26/21-minutes-of-monster-hunter-rise-dual-blades-gameplay-tgs-2020"] Capcom showed off an extended gameplay demo for Monster Hunter Rise at TGS 2020, showcasing more of the Switch game's new abilities, combat, dog companions, and more.NieR: Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139 Coming West in April 2021
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/24/nier-replicant-ver122474487139-tgs-trailer"] NieR: Replicant, Ver 1.22474487139, an upgraded version of the 2010 Japanese RPG, will be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on April 23, 2021. TGS 2020 also featured a new look at the game's gameplay, showing off combat and exploration in the game's updated world.Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires Announced for 2021
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/27/dynasty-warriors-9-empires-official-trailer"] Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires has been announced for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and it will arrive in early 2021.Balan Wonderworld's Next-Gen Features Discussed by Sonic Creator
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/17/balan-wonderworld-nintendo-switch-announcement-trailer"] Yuji Naka, creator of many famous games for Sega such as Sonic the Hedgehog and NiGHTs Into Dreams, joined IGN Japan in the studio during a live Tokyo Game Show 2020 broadcast to discuss his new project, Balan Wonderworld, and how it makes use of the PS5's unique capabilities. He also spoke about his self-assessed "one chance" to make a platform action game for his new employer, Square Enix.Cyberpunk 2077 Environment Designer Explains How His Team Built Night City
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/18/cyberpunk-2077-night-city-wire-episode-3"] A special Cyberpunk 2077 livestream took place at TGS 2020, and environment city coordinator Hiroshi Sakakibara shed some light on the design behind Night City.Resident Evil Village: Capcom 'Looking Into' Xbox One and PS4 Release Alongside Next-Gen
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/resident-evil-8-village-gameplay-trailer"] While Capcom isn't making any commitments, it did mention that "While Resident Evil Village is being developed specifically for next-generation consoles and PC, we're looking into delivering the experience on Xbox One and PS4 as well. We're looking into it, but we can't make any promises. However, we will do our best in creating a top-tier survival horror experience on current generation consoles."Resident Evil Village Will Focus More on Exploration than Resident Evil 7
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/11/resident-evil-8-village-announement-trailer-ps5-reveal-event"] Capcom confirmed at TGS 2020 that Resident Evil Village will feature more exploration than Resident Evil 7, as it wants players to "experiment, to figure out what works for them."Vergil Is Coming to Devil May Cry 5 on PS4 and Xbox One via DLC
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/devil-may-cry-5-special-edition-ps5-gameplay-trailer"] Vergil was previously confirmed as playable for Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and now it has been confirmed that he will be available on PS4 and Xbox One via DLC.Resident Evil Infinite Darkness Netflix Show Officially Announced
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness was announced at TGS 2020 and will be a CGI episodic series starring Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield. It will be arriving on Netflix in 2021.
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory Getting Playable Demo
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/26/kingdom-hearts-melody-of-memory-official-trailer"] Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory will be getting a playable demo in mid-October, ahead of its release on November 13, 2020.How Scarlet Nexus Uses RPG Elements Alongside Action
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/28/scarlet-nexus-the-first-preview"] IGN Japan spoke with Scarlet Nexus' producer Keita Iizuka and director Kenji Anabuki how there may be more to this RPG than meets the eye.Scarlet Nexus Will Have Two Playable Characters, Each With a Different Campaign
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/27/scarlet-nexus-official-trailer-tgs-2020"] Scarlet Nexus received a new story trailer at TGS 2020, and it showcased protagonists Yuito Sumeragi and Kasane Randall.Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster's New 'Merciful Mode' Explained
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/20/shin-megami-tensei-3-nocturne-hd-remaster-official-trailer"] In an interview with IGN Japan at Tokyo Game Show 2020, Shin Megami Tensei series director Kazuyuki Yamai outlined Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster's new Merciful Mode, which will be available as DLC after the cult RPG is re-released.NieR Re[in]carnation Gets a Western Release Announcement
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/29/nier-reincarnation-teaser-trailer"] NieR Re[in]carnation, a 3D and 2D mobile game spin-off title, will be released in Europe and North America. While we weren't given a date, it was promised that further information will come at a later date via the game's official English Twitter and Facebook channels.Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds - First Gameplay Revealed
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/26/ni-no-kuni-cross-worlds-15-minutes-of-gameplay-japanese-vo-tgs-2020"] Level-5 and developer Netmarble showed off the first gameplay of their upcoming mobile RPG Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds.Dynasty Warriors Mobile Game Announced for Japan, Closed Beta Starts Next Weekend
A mobile version of Dynasty Warriors designed for iOS and Android was announced during a special 20th anniversary livestream event at Tokyo Game Show 2020. Koei Tecmo also announced a Japan-only closed beta, with applications opening immediately after the presentation.The Medium Composers Explain How the Game Uses Next-Gen Tech for Sound
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/07/the-medium-announcement-trailer"] The Medium's composers spoke to IGN Japan during TGS 2020 and talked about the upcoming horror game, their work together, and how hardware is enabling them to perform new tricks.Latest Fault Visual Novel Game Gets a Gorgeous New Trailer, Previous Game Also Announced for Switch
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/25/fault-milestone-two-side-below-exclusive-japanese-trailer-tgs-2020"] Alice in Dissonance's newest visual novel, fault - milestone two side: below, received a new trailer at TGS 2020, and is expected to release on Steam in 2020. It was also announced for Switch and PS4 without an estimated release window.Xbox Series S Price Already Reduced in Japan
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/08/xbox-series-s-world-premiere-reveal-trailer"] Microsoft has already reduced the price of the yet-to-be released Xbox Series S by about $28 USD in Japan. No reason was given, but the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition prices were announced after the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S prices in Japan, so this could be in response to that.Microsoft Flight Simulator to Add Japan World Update Next Week
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/24/microsoft-flight-simulator-japan-world-update-trailer"] Microsoft Flight Simulator will get a Japan World Update, and all users will be able to download it for free on September 29, 2020. This update will enhance the game's coverage of Japan thanks to digital elevation mapping of the entire country.The Medium: Exclusive New Trailer Introduces Key Characters
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/24/the-medium-official-story-trailer"] IGN was proud to exclusively reveal a new trailer for The Medium, which revealed more about the upcoming next-gen horror game's story, and helps introduce two of its key characters, the mysterious Sadness, and Troy Baker's antagonist, The Maw.New GigaBash Character Pays Tribute to Japanese Hero Series
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/24/exclusive-17-minutes-of-gigabash-gameplay-with-new-character-gigaman"] GigaBash, the B-movie styled 4-player arena brawler in which giant kaiju, monsters, and ranger heroes battle it out for supremacy, revealed a new character, Gigaman and IGN exclusively presented a 17-minute gameplay video showing the game in action. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.Amazon Fall Echo and Alexa Devices Event: All News Announced
Amazon always throws together a big product showcase in the Fall that introduces a ton of Alexa-compatible devices and appliances – including some you didn’t even think needed a smart assistant like a microwave and wall clock. Well here we are again with Amazon’s Fall Echo and Alexa devices event, and Amazon has actually announced quite a few notable additions including a completely redesigned Echo speaker lineup, an in-home security drone, and Amazon’s own cloud gaming service called Luna.
Without further ado, let’s get into everything Amazon announced.
There’s will also be a Kids Edition of the Echo Dot for $59 that features cute animal faces including a tiger and panda designs at launch.
Amazon Echo
The Echo speaker has been a cylinder for the last three generations, but now it’s growing up to become a sphere. The new, larger spherical design allows the device to use a new larger speaker and it even features premium adaptive sound. It’s also powered by an AZ1 neural edge processor that promises to be 20 times more power-efficient than the Echo Dot 3rd generation and provide two times faster speech processing. The new Echo Dot also features Zigbee and Bluetooth Low Energy and it’s available now for $99.
Amazon Echo Dot
Alongside the new Echo, Amazon has also made its smaller Echo Dot smart speaker into a sphere as well. Despite its small size, the Echo Dot still manages to pack in three drivers for great sounds. You can also use the new Echo Dot as an alarm clock and you can tap it to snooze. The Echo Dot can come with a simple LED clock display for $49 or without it for $39.
There’s will also be a Kids Edition of the Echo Dot for $59 that features cute animal faces including a tiger and panda designs at launch.
eero 6 and eero Pro 6
Amazon has announced a new pair of Wi-Fi mesh routers and as their model name might suggest, they’re ready to support Wi-Fi 6, plus Zigbee to connect to your smart home devices. The eero 6 will retail for $129 and the eero Pro 6 will go for $229.
Ring Car Alarm
Ring has made a big splash in the home security world and now it’s coming to your car. The Ring Car Alarm is a small device that plugs into your automobile’s OBD-II port and once connected it adds intelligent sensors and another set of sirens to your car’s built-in alarm. Additionally, it connects with Amazon Sidewalk to help you locate your car in situations where you’ve forgotten where you parked it or it’s been stolen. The Ring Car Alarm retails for $59.
Ring Car Cam
If you want to add a bit of surveillance to your car alarm, the rin Car Cam is the perfect thing for you. Additionally, the Ring Car Cam includes a siren and emergency crash assistance. The Ring Car Cam retails for $199.
Ring Car Connect
Lastly, if you’re driving a car with its own built-in cameras, the Ring Car Connect is service for you. It’s a new API that leverages your car’s existing camera system to let you see what’s going on around your car at any point with the Ring app. Currently, Ring Car Connect is primarily compatible with Tesla’s S, 3, X, and Y models, but Amazon plans to push its API to all car manufacturers. Ring Car Connect is also a service that will cost $199.
Ring Always Home Cam
The Ring Always Home Cam is the first in-home flying security drone and as crazy as that sounds, it’s also incredibly cool. The drone is designed to fly out of its holding dock and patrol your home while you’re away. The Ring Always Home Cam also has sound and motion sensors, though there’s no word on battery life yet. The Ring Always Home Cam will retail for $249.
Amazon Echo Show
The Amazon Echo Show got a new design that makes it look like Apple HomePod with a screen glued onto it. Not that we’re complaining we like the old school sunflower design that we first saw from the iMac G4. Aside from the Amazon Echo Show looking like multiple Apple devices, the new form factor gives the Echo Show much better sounding 2.1 channel audio. The new Echo Show otherwise features a 10-inch screen and 13MP camera. Additionally, the new design incorporates a motor that allows the Echo Show to rotate and follow you as you are on a video call or moving around your kitchen or living room. You can also control the Echo Show’s movement and use it as a security camera by setting the device into "sentry mode" through the app. The new Amazon Echo Show retails for $249.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
The new Fire TV Stick might not look very different but it’s much more capable now that its Dolby Atmos ready. Amazon also developed a whole new Fire TV user experience with simple tiles, a navigation bar with your favorite apps, and a new Alex hub to show you all the stuff you didn’t know Alexa could do. The Fire TV Stick Retails for $39 and it comes with an Alexa voice remote. Those that don’t need such a fancy remote controller with volume buttons, can get the Fire TV Stick Lite for $29.
Luna
Now we get to the biggest announcement of the show, Amazon’s cloud gaming service. The service serves as a direct competitor to Google Stadia and it’ll work on PC, Mac, smartphones, tablets, and Fire TV devices. Luna will work on a subscription basis to grant users access to a library of games similar to Xbox Game Pass. Amazon’s cloud gaming service will launch with games such as Resident Evil 7, Control, A Plague Tale: Innocence, and Yooka-Laylee, and The Impossible Lair. Luna+, the name of the gaming streaming plan, offers up to 4K resolution at 60 fps for select titles and will allow subscribers to play on two separate devices at the same time. Amazon has also developed a Luna controller that connects directly to your Wi-Fi in a similar way the Google Stadia controller did to minimize input lag. According to Amazon, the Luna controller’s "cloud direct technology" helps reduce latency by 20ms compared to playing with a Bluetooth controller paired to a Fire TV Stick. Subscription pricing is set at $5.99 for early access users, though, you’ll also have to pick up a Luna Controller for $49. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspamDoom Eternal Is Coming to Xbox Game Pass
Doom Eternal is coming to Xbox Game Pass on October 1. It will be the first Bethesda-published title coming to Xbox’s subscription service since the company announced it will acquire parent company ZeniMax Media earlier this week, which includes Doom Eternal developer id Software.
Doom Eternal is the sequel to id’s 2016 Doom. It was released earlier this year back in March, but if you missed out and have Game Pass, you’ll be able to play it soon. The timing of the announcement also coincides with the news that Xbox will acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of developer id Software, among others.
When Xbox announced its plans to acquire ZeniMax, one of the plans for the acquisition Phil Spencer revealed is to bring “Bethesda’s iconic franchises to Xbox Game Pass for console and PC.”
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Now, just days after the announcement Xbox appears to be following through with that promise by bringing in Doom Eternal. It should be noted that some Bethesda games like Fallout 76 were already available on Game Pass prior to the acquisition.
Considering the Xbox first-party games launch day one on Game Pass, it’s easy to imagine upcoming titles like Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 will also be coming to Game Pass at launch. In the meantime, past games like Doom Eternal will most likely trickle into the library going forward.
Check out IGN’s special episode of Unlocked as we discuss the blockbuster sale, and read our analysis on Xbox buying ZeniMax and Bethesda.
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Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.