New Overwatch updates include social features like endorsements and a "Looking for Group" feature as Blizzard practices positive reinforcement. Plus, the reveal of Hero 28 (aka Wrecking Ball) is a big surprise for fans, but it's not without controversy. With continued Meta changes, like the Symmetra rework and major map updates, players and onlookers are eager to see how these adjustments will affect Overwatch League.
The popularity of Epic Games' Fortnite among young gamers is leaving kids vulnerable. Luckily, streamer Ninja chooses to tone down vulgar language for his under aged audience, and teachers adapt by incorporating game terminology into their lesson plans. At the same time, children as young as 9 are being sent to rehab for their Fortnite addictions, and the World Health Organization (WHO) now categorizes Gaming Disorder as a mental condition.
Bethesda claims the new WB Games/ Behavior Interactive Westworld mobile game is a rip-off of Fallout Shelter– so they're taking them to court. Meanwhile, companies like tencent aim to adapt their mobile games for the Nintendo Switch.
Developers claim that Twitch is killing their single player games. With titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 removing their single player campaign and Fallout 76 bringing multiplayer to the series, streaming services are showing their powerful influence on game development. It's clear that "Games as a Service" is not just a lucrative opportunity for publishers but also a strategy to keep games relevant and trending on Twitch.
The League of Legends Summer Split kicked off last weekend, and Echo Fox & Team SoloMid rose to the top. With new LOL Esports franchises, the bizarre state of the meta, and Week 1's technical issues, Riot Games's massive MOBA is reverting to its wild west roots.
Chinese-owned Tencent is the #1 gaming company in the world for the fifth year in a row. The company holds stakes in the studios that brought us games like League of Legends, PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS, and Assassin's Creed: Odyssey. Despite severe government regulations, Chinese gamers are a powerful force. Will American companies like Sony, Apple, Microsoft, and Blizzard be able to keep up?
Fortnite stole the show at E3 Expo 2018 with their Pro-Am tournament, Nintendo Switch release, and massive booth. 2018's conference was the most entertaining to date, but with new guidelines, the show may be suffering from an identity crisis.
Square Enix finally reveals the Kingdom Hearts III release date, EA shows off Anthem, and Bethesda premieres Fallout 76. Plus, Microsoft announces new titles including open-world Halo and Gears of War 5. Every publisher is vying to steal the show at E3 2018.
In one day, Atari racks up a whopping $2-Million to support the AtariVCS on Indiegogo. Plus, Intellivision builds hype for a surprising new console release with an expected October reveal. Meanwhile, the rumored PlayStation Mini and speculations about Nintendo next reboot have nostalgic gamers champing at the bit.
Nintendo promises an influx of new Pokémon titles, from Nintendo Switch exclusives to freemium mobile releases. With Pokémon: Let's Go and Pokémon Quest, trainers have much to look forward to–but can these releases convince mobile gamers to evolve into console players?
Between Nintendo's invite-only Super Smash Bros. tournament, the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts 3 release date, and the announcement of Fallout 76, E3 is awash with rumors. Meanwhile, Ubisoft teases a huge line-up and Epic Games readies for a huge Fortnite event.
Blizzard celebrates Overwatch's second anniversary and Brigitte makes her debut in League play. Will she shield bash the meta in the lead-up to season one's quarterfinals or will players rally against her? Plus, we break down season one with Overwatch League insiders!
Is YouTube turning its back on its user base in favor of sponsorship and celebrities? Established users on the site are migrating to other platforms, while aspiring talent is facing the monumental task of building an audience within this changing landscape.
Cosplay has evolved substantially over the years, transforming hobbyists into pro artists. With major companies cashing in and attendance at conventions at an all time high, some cosplayers have made it profitable, but is this viable for everyone?
Call of Duty's latest event revealed a ton of information, most notably their foray into battle royale. They're going head-to-head with genre giants Fortnite and PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS and there definitely isn't enough room at the top for everyone!
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski suddenly shut down Boss Key Productions, despite just launching a new battle royale title. With the controversy revolving around EA and Microsoft, no game studio is safe.
Yesterday's gamers are today's arcade innovators, leading to an uprise in Gaming Cafes, Tabletop Bars, and Bar Arcades like Dave & Buster's and Game Haus Cafe. With technical advances and the promise of social sanctuary with like-minded people, modern arcades are much more than just cabinets.
Nine years after its debut, Minecraft is the second most sold video game of all time. Microsoft continues to rake in the numbers across consoles, including PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile, with influencers paving the way for continued dominance.
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS cracks down on malicious cheating and halts item trading. Meanwhile, Fortnite gets the Avengers: Infinity War treatment, and H1Z1 makes the leap to PlayStation.
The NFL doubles down on streaming deal with Twitch in an attempt to grab gamers' attention. Plus, Gridiron Champions- a new unlicensed, generic college football game- is in the works to circumvent NCAA rules about amateur players.