Month: May 2018

Scuf Gaming is known for its extravagant, modular controllers that feature a number of additional inputs and grips. While the company currently has a roster of gamepads for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, it just introduced the first Sony-licensed third-party controller for the PS4 in North America with the Scuf Vantage. A wired USB version will have a base price of $170 USD and the wireless Bluetooth model will start at $200–customization options will alter the price. This fully-featured gamepad is set to release sometime in August. Both the wired and wireless versions of the Scuf Vantage for PS4 are now available to pre-order through the official Scuf website and GameStop.

One of the noticeable changes from the standard DualShock 4 is the offset analog stick placement, similar to the Xbox controllers. You’ll also have the option to swap out the thumbsticks with ones that have either dome-shaped mounds or taller stick height. It’s a tool-less process as the Vantage’s magnetic faceplate easily snaps out, which reveals another thing you can customize; two rumble packs on the handles can be taken out to reduce weight and disable vibration.

The most important advantage users get is the set of programmable buttons. Four paddles reside on the back of the controller, all of which can be mapped to act as any other button; face buttons are typically mapped to the paddles so your thumbs don’t have to leave the analog sticks to perform common actions. Scuf stated that it reworked the paddle mechanism so that actuation is smoother than previous controllers. Two programmable side buttons (called the “sax buttons”) are new to Scuf’s lineup. These are situated just around the triggers so that minimal motion is required to press. All the Vantage’s features are outlined in the image below.

Several quality-of-life additions are integrated with this new controller. Unlike previous Scuf gamepads, the Vantage does not require a magnetic key to remap buttons; it’s now relegated to a simple switch that lets you change controls on the fly. A touchbar lets you adjust master volume, mix chat and in-game audio, or quickly mute chat altogether. If you wish to use a disc-like directional pad instead of the standard four-way design, that’s an option as well. Swappable trigger caps also come in the package, and the hair trigger mechanism that allows you to change the L2 and R2 trigger pull resistance and stop distance is still found on the Vantage. The wireless Bluetooth model can work as a wired controller as well, and is said to offer 1ms response time when connected.

Scuf isn’t just any gamepad manufacturer either; in 2015, it lent a hand in creating the Xbox Elite controller by licensing some its tech to Microsoft. Scuf currently offers the Impact and Infinity 4PS Pro controllers for PlayStation 4 users, which feature programmable paddles and customizable buttons. You can see how they compare to the DualShock 4 in our review of both Scuf controllers. Be sure to check out our roundup of aftermarket PS4 controllers as well.

Rainbow Six Siege‘s big Operation Para Bellum update is right around the corner, and now some players are able to try it out a little early. Ahead of its release next month, Ubisoft has deployed the Para Bellum update on Siege’s test server, giving PC players a chance to test out its new features before the patch officially arrives in the live game.

Among other things, Operation Para Bellum introduces two new Operators to the game: Alibi and Maestro. Both of the characters are Defenders and hail from the Italian counterterrorism unit, the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale. Alibi is able to deploy holographic decoys to distract opponents, while Maestro can lay down a bulletproof turret that can fire laser-powered rounds and see through smoke.

Arriving alongside the Operators is a new map called Villa–a luxurious mansion located in the Italian countryside. Villa marks the 20th map to arrive in Rainbow Six Siege and is described by Ubisoft as the game’s “most tactical map to date.” The villa is the property of the Vinciguerra crime family and features “wide staircases, narrow tunnels, and secret hatches.”

Beyond the new content, Operation Para Bellum introduces a Pick & Ban system, which Ubisoft says “will be revolutionizing the selection process of Operators.” The system will be available in custom games and allows players to counteract opponents by banning certain Operators from play. The developer is also “buffing” the Clubhouse map and giving several Operators the bulletproof camera as a secondary gadget.

Additionally, Ubisoft has made a number of balance improvements, all of which are outlined in the patch notes on the Siege website. Most notably, Echo has gotten a second Yokai drone and other buffs, while the speed of 1- and 3-speed Operators has been adjusted. Ubisoft has also added new Para Bellum weapon skins to unlock and made an assortment of other gameplay tweaks and bug fixes.

Operation Para Bellum launches for PS4, Xbox One, and PC in June and marks the start of Season 2 of Year 3. Those who own the game’s season pass will get the two new Operators immediately upon the update’s release, while all other players will be able to unlock them with either Renown or R6 Credits a week later. For a closer look at the Operation Para Bellum update, you can watch us play several matches of Siege with Alibi and Maestro on Villa.

H1Z1 is joining Fortnite and seeing big success in bringing the battle royale genre to PS4. Players are embracing the game, which just had its first console launch on May 22, and within 24 hours it had amassed more than 1.5 million players. H1Z1 is more realism-focused than Fortnite, along the lines of PUBG, which has seen incredible success of its own. However, thanks to a timed-exclusivity arrangement with Microsoft, PUBG’s only console version is on Xbox One, leaving H1Z1 to fill that void on PS4.

“We believe we’ve found the right balance for battle royale on console and players have responded positively to our reimagining of H1Z1. We will continue to refine the game based on feedback from Open Beta to ensure the best experience possible for our actively growing community,” said H1Z1 Producer Terrence Yee.

H1Z1: Battle Royale’s PS4 release is an open beta, with a full release scheduled for later this year. It’s been redesigned for PS4, with a larger weapon arsenal, a new UI, and faster-paced gameplay. There’s a tweaked control system featuring a radial weapon menu and a grab-and-go equipment system to make loot-collection easier, along with frequent and increasingly lucrative airdrops with higher-powered weapons and armor. Unlike the PC version, the number of players caps out at 100. Check out the PS4 beta trailer below.

H1Z1: Battle Royale was formerly called H1Z1: King of the Kill. The game reinvented itself as a battle royale version of the zombie-survival game, with each match pitting players against each other in a last-man-standing deathmatch. Players have the option of playing solo or partnering with another player. They can also play in groups of five, or in a mode called Auto Royale, where four players drive a car into battle in an attempt to survive by collecting power-ups and outlasting their opponents. Developer Daybreak Games has said it is open to creating an Xbox One version, although it hasn’t been confirmed.

Fortnite continues to evolve, and its developers are giving a sneak peek into some big new additions to the game coming in the near future on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and iOS. Following a big new content update that introduced jetpacks to the game, Epic Games has released its fifth State of Development as a window into future content, with tweaks to controllers, quality-of-life improvements, more Limited-Time Modes, and a new Playground mode that allows respawns on the way.

Playground is a Limited Time Mode that will load you into the Battle Royale map with an extended period of time to roam around the map. There will be increased resources, all treasure chests and ammo crates will be present, and friendly fire will be enabled, but with immediate respawns. We’ve also been promised there will be “Lloads of Llamas” on the way too.

Epic is tweaking controllers, as well. It says, following feedback about Builder Pro feeling inconsistent, it has made major improvements. The same goes for the Turbo Building feature, which should be faster and more enjoyable to use. An optional “aim assist” is coming for Edit Mode, which will pull your crosshair toward the closest square when you’re editing your buildings.

There are performance enhancements on the way: Epic is optimizing load times and is promising to boost server performance. As for gameplay, here are a few of the changes and additions on the way:

• Challenge Progress Notifications–Starting in v4.3 there will be in-match pop ups to highlight your challenge progress. Track what you’ve completed and plan out your strategy for the remainder of the match or your next one!
• In-world markers–Marking positions on the map is a great way to communicate with your squad, but often the marker on the compass isn’t enough to get you to your location. We’re investigating ways to display an in-world marker to allow for easier navigation around the island.
• Victory Royale screen–Getting a Victory Royale should be a memorable experience, and the victory screen should support that. We want to freshen up the celebration and make it a bit more rewarding.
• High-resolution mini map–The ability to zoom in on the map was added in a recent update, but the resolution of the image isn’t quite as good as we want it to be. Our goal is to capture the world with as many details as possible to make it easier when figuring out where you’re droppin’!
• Better Footstep and Vertical Audio–Our v4.2 update had some footstep audio improvements, where we added slightly more variation to above/below sounds. We recognize it’s still difficult to identify enemy position in high-density locations (such as Tilted Towers) and we’ll continue to iterate on this.

There are many more changes to Fortnite on the way, and you can check out the game’s latest State of Development for all the details. Meanwhile, read about the new additions and latest challenges that have just arrived in Fortnite’s 4.2 content update.

Pokemon Go players have a handful Legendaries to add to their collections right now, but another one will soon be available in the game. Developer Niantic announced that it will roll out a new batch of research quests next week, which can lead to an encounter with the Legendary Ice-type Articuno.

Beginning June 1 at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET, players will be able to find a new assortment of Field Research tasks when visiting Pokestops. Niantic hasn’t detailed what these quests will entail, only that they’ll revolve around Water-type Pokemon. By completing the quests and earning enough Stamps, players will achieve a Research Breakthrough, with the reward being another chance to capture Articuno, one of the first Legendaries to appear in the game.

Since they were implemented in Pokemon Go earlier this year, Field Research quests have provided players another avenue for capturing certain Legendary Pokemon outside of Raid Battles. The first set of Field Research quests focused on Fire-types and led to an encounter with Moltres, while the most recent batch revolved around Electric- and Flying-type Pokemon, with Zapdos waiting for those who were able to complete enough of them.

Before Articuno returns, players can still capture the Eon Pokemon, Latios and Latias. The two recently began appearing in new regions and are scheduled to leave the game on June 5. The Legendary bird Ho-Oh also recently returned to Raid Battles and will be available until June 7.

On top of all the aforementioned Legendaries, Alolan forms are set to arrive in Pokemon Go soon. Additionally, Niantic is kicking off a new in-game Adventure Week event, which runs until June 5 and makes Rock-type Pokemon easier to find. The next Community Day will follow shortly after on June 16 and also features a Rock-type, Larvitar.