Month: January 2018

Unlike recent entries in the series, Monster Hunter World is in development for both consoles and PC. A PS4 and Xbox One release is just weeks away but as we already knew, it’ll be a longer wait for the PC version. However, Capcom has now provided some idea of when to expect it.

In a new video shared on Monster Hunter’s official Twitter account (below), World producer Ryozo Tsujimoto provided an update on the PC version’s status. “We’re working hard on it right now and aiming for an Autumn 2018 release. We’ll update you with more details later and thank you for your patience.”

The tweet itself adds that the PC version is currently being optimized. We don’t yet know exactly what will distinguish it from the console versions, if anything; presumably there will be a range of visual options, at the very least. At this point, however, Capcom has not discussed the subject.

As for the console versions, World launches on PS4 and Xbox One on January 26. A pair of beta tests for the game were held on PS4 in December, but there’ve been no plans announced for a beta on Xbox One or PC. We do know that Capcom has plans for free post-launch content, including new monsters, on all platforms. Those on PS4 can also look forward to exclusive, Horizon: Zero Dawn-themed content.

Already consistently one of DC’s best ongoing series, Batman ended 2017 on an exceptional high note thanks to Batman Annual #2 and the short, delightful “Superfriends” story arc. The downside to being on a hot streak like that is eventually a book becomes its own worst enemy. Batman #38 isn’t a bad comic, but merely one that’s unable to meet the same lofty standard set by its recent predecessors.

The cover bills this issue as “The Origin of Bruce Wayne,” and while technically accurate, that doesn’t mean what readers are likely expecting. Writer Tom King divides his focus between Bruce’s attempts to help a newly orphaned boy and the rise of a new killer in Gotham. King has done great working revamping Batman villains both major (Riddler, Bane) and very minor (Kite Man), but this is the first time we’ve seen him attempt to add a significant new member to Batman’s rogues gallery. That’s largely where this issue stumbles. There’s a definite appeal to the idea of Batman discovering a new foe even as they’re in the midst of their evolution. But with so much emphasis on how this new character echoes villains like Mr. Zsasz and Two-Face, they never really come into their own or feel like a fully realized player in the Gotham underworld. In the end, King’s pitch for this character strikes me as a better overhaul of an existing Batman villain (one who shall remain nameless here), than as fodder for a wholly original creation.

Continue reading…

The holidays may have come and gone, but Pokemon Go players still have one more chance to take part in the game’s second annual Christmas event. The in-game event concludes tomorrow, January 4, giving you a few more hours to catch a rare festive Pikachu and take advantage of increased spawns for certain Pokemon.

The holiday event began last month, on December 22. Like the first Pokemon Go Christmas event, it introduced a Santa hat-wearing Pikachu, which can only be encountered during the event. This special Pikachu can evolve into a Santa hat Raichu, and unlike the previous holiday event, you also have a chance to hatch a rare Santa hat Pichu.

In addition to the festive Pikachu, the holiday event introduced 20 more Ice- and Water-type Pokemon originally from Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire to the mobile game, including Relicanth, Milotic, Sharpedo, and Wailord. Players also have a chance to encounter Ice-type Pokemon such as Seel, Shellder, and Swinub more frequently for the duration of the event. Finally, Pokemon Go’s in-game shop will continue to sell special boxes that contain Super Incubators, Lure Modules, and new Star Pieces until January 4.

While the game’s Christmas event may soon be coming to an end, players have a bit more time to capture Pokemon Go’s current Legendary Pokemon, Groudon. The powerful Ground-type monster can be encountered as a Raid Battle at certain Gyms until January 15. Groudon is the first Gen 3 Legendary to appear in Pokemon Go, though developer Niantic teased that its Pokemon Sapphire counterpart, Kyogre, may also soon be added to the game.

Niantic recently released a new update for Pokemon Go that added an improved AR+ mode to the game. The mode makes Pokemon appear closer to their actual size in the mobile game, along with making them more aware of their surroundings. Niantic CEO John Hanke also confirmed that Pokemon Go will finally be released in China, though he didn’t give any indication as to when the game will roll out in the region.

As previously announced, the latest round of maintenance has begun for Destiny 2 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Although it will remain playable for a short while longer, most people will be unable to play the game for a period of time today as Bungie prepares to release a new update.

Server maintenance officially began today at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET / 3 PM GMT (2 AM AET on January 4). As is usually the case, those who were already online can continue playing for an hour, at which point everyone will be booted offline. Bungie expects servers to come back up at 12 PM PT, though that may end up happening sooner or later.

Once maintenance concludes, a new update, hotfix 1.1.1.2, will be released on all platforms. Bungie has not yet shared the patch notes or provided much insight into what this will do, but Destiny 2 hotfixes typically involve making small changes or resolving bugs. Community manager David Dague did tease on Twitter, “We’ll be restoring game rituals like Iron Banner and Faction Rallies to working order for all. Updates to the live calendar to come next week.”

The most recent Faction Rally event was canceled in light of the uproar over Bungie’s handling of content that was available to DLC and non-DLC owners. Rather than take place in mid-December, just prior to The Dawning, Bungie postponed the event “to ensure all of our players can access the activity and the appropriate rewards.” Rewards that were offered through Faction Rally (and Iron Banner) events during Season 1 will continue to be available to everyone. However, there will be new seasonal rewards, including armor ornaments, that only Curse of Osiris owners can get their hands on. This is one of several changes the studio has made to Destiny 2’s DLC paywall.

We’ll report back with the details of hotfix 1.1.1.2 once we know exactly what it does. Meanwhile, the ongoing Dawning event runs for a short while longer, coming to a close on January 9.