Niantic recently rolled out another update for Pokemon Go, introducing a new feature to the game called Lucky Pokemon. Despite being listed in the patch notes, Lucky Pokemon weren’t initially available when the update rolled out, but the developer has confirmed on Twitter that the feature is now live on both iOS and Android devices.
Lucky Pokemon are special kinds of Pokemon that players can only obtain through trades. According to Niantic, some Pokemon that you receive from other players have a chance of turning into Lucky Pokemon, which are denoted on the collection screen by a sparkling background.
What makes Lucky Pokemon special is they require less Stardust to power up than typical Pokemon. This is an especially beneficial trait to have, as the lower Stardust requirement means players can raise the Pokemon’s Combat Power much faster than they would normally be able to.
Not every Pokemon you send or receive in a trade will become a Lucky Pokemon, but some will have a greater chance than others. According to Niantic, the longer a Pokemon has been sitting in your storage, the more likely it is to become a Lucky Pokemon when traded. Additionally, players will now receive XP for sending Gifts to friends, while the Gifts themselves now have a chance of containing Stardust.
In other Pokemon Go news, the Legendary Pokemon Registeel recently began appearing in Raid Battles. The powerful Steel-type will be available until August 21, when it will be replaced by the last of the Legendary titan trio, Regirock. Other new Pokemon may be on the way to the game soon as well, based on a new piece of artwork for Pokemon Go’s second anniversary featuring Gen 4 Pokemon.
Next, the newest update for No Man’s Sky, is live and it’s implemented some big changes to the game. However, more than a few bugs have appeared on the PC version of the update, so Hello Games has created a temporary fix. Logging into the Experimental Branch on No Man’s Sky on PC gives players access to a version of Next where Hello Games has already implemented patches to address crashes and bugs.
To opt into the Experimental Branch, right-click on No Man’s Sky from the Steam library page. Select “properties” and then click on the “betas” tab. In the dropdown menu, scroll over “Select the beta you would like to opt into” and then select “Code: 3experimental” when it appears. Opting into the Experimental Branch of Next is completely optional, and you can continue to play in the main version of the game–or switch back and forth–if you want.
In the Experimental Branch, the bug that stopped exosuit technology from converting into obsolete technology is gone. The mapping of old substances to new substances during save upgrades has also been improved. Neither of these changes apply retroactively to previously saved games where the upgrades have already been done. The Experimental Branch simply stops these issues from happening in the future.
The rest of the issues fixed in the Experimental Branch are listed below, and you can find the full patch notes on No Man’s Sky’s Steam page. Hello Games will continue to quickly roll out small patches for the Experimental Branch as they are created, before implementing more permanent changes to the main version of No Man’s Sky. Sean Murray tweeted that patches are on their way for the console versions of No Man’s Sky as well.
Experimental Branch Patch Notes
Fixed a crash in creature routines
Fixed a crash when multiple players put ammunition into a refiner
Fix for occasional crash when receiving mission rewards
Fix for crash when adjusting anisotropic filtering settings in the graphics options menu
Fix for potential crash in geometry streaming
Improvements to texture caching for AMD GPUs
Fixed an issue where some players still had physical nanites in their inventory that could not be spent at vendors
Granted players nanites when they dismantle their Obsolete Technology
Added a tutorial mission to guide players through the restoration of their old base
Fixed an issue where players were unable to build Frigate Terminals in Creative Mode
Fixed an issue where S-Class ships changed appearance
Fixed an issue where players were unable to build the Base Cache on their freighter to retrieve compensation for the loss of their freighter base
No Man’s Sky is available for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Announced in May, the Xbox Adaptive Controller is designed for people with limited mobility. The controller’s design takes into consideration the needs of gamers who may not be able to hold a controller for a long time or reach all the triggers and buttons. It’s a forward-thinking, important piece of technology, but Microsoft’s efforts don’t stop at the controller alone.
The controller will come inside innovative packaging that aims to be easier for people with mobility considerations to unpack, Microsoft announced today. In development for nearly a year, the packaging was created in partnership and based on the feedback of various people who have limited mobility, just as the controller was. Microsoft packaging designers Kevin Marshall and Mark Weiser said during a presentation attended by GameSpot that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, and that’s part of the reason why they put so much effort into the controller’s packaging.
The designers created more than dozen prototypes before landing on the final version. They thought about challenges related to people not being able to grasp, while the materials were important, too, because some people will need to open the packaging with their teeth.
As you can see in the images above, the packaging uses ribbons and loops that people with limited mobility may be able to grasp more easily. The packaging does require a sharp edge to get through the initial tape. But after that, it should not require much strength to open.
Additionally, it can be opened with hands or feet, while people can also use gravity to help the controller slide out of the box. The controller itself is positioned lower in the box so that if someone needs to pull it out of the box, it won’t fall too far and is unlikely to get damaged. What’s more, there are open ends on the cord packaging so they can slide out easily. Further still, the cords do not have any twist ties on them, as those can be difficult to unravel.
Marshall and Weiser said they hope the Xbox Adaptive Controller packaging helps set a precedent for other adaptive controllers that other companies might create in the future. The developers talked about how they designed the packaging with the intention for it to not feel “othered,” but rather that it would help the disabled gamers to feel empowered.
With a standard gaming box, the packaging team’s main design goal is to get the consumer to the product as quickly and elegantly as possible, Marshall said. But with the packaging for the Adaptive Controller, the thinking was to have more steps, but make them easier to complete. They found through testing that people were happy and eager to take longer to get into the packaging if it meant they could do it. With standard packaging, some elements like clamshells might be easy for someone with full control of their hands who can operate scissors, but that might not be the case for everyone.
Marshall acknowledged that the Xbox Adaptive Controller packaging may be more expensive to produce than a normal box. While that may be true, Marshall and Weiser said they are proud of the work Microsoft is doing.
This new packaging is a big first step from Microsoft towards creating products that appeal to a wider group of people. But will Microsoft go on to introduce accessible packaging for its Xbox consoles, too? That could happen later down the track, Marshall said, though for now it doesn’t appear to be in the cards. And while Microsoft itself is committed to packaging that takes into consideration the needs of people with mobility considerations, Marshall pointed out that the company can’t control what third-party companies do with their own products.
“We worked closely with them and directly with gamers who have limited mobility to assist in our development. Our goal was to make the device as adaptable as possible, so gamers can create a setup that works for them in a way that is plug-and-play, extensible, and affordable,” Xbox boss Phil Spencer said.
The controller has two big buttons built in that can be reprogrammed to work as any of the inputs on a standard controller using the Xbox Accessories app. Additionally, the Xbox Adaptive Controller supports external inputs from a range of third-party manufacturers, including PDP, Logitech, and Quadstick (you can see a full list here).
Funko has succeeded as a company because it delves into every single fandom, creating cute little figures at a low price point. At times, the company can get into some pretty deep dives within comic books, television shows, and movies. And then sometimes, Funko makes a flashing gremlin into a Pop figure.
As seen in Gremlins 2, Kate (Phoebe Cates) is trapped in a skyscraper, which is filled with gremlins. While inside a bar crowded with the monsters, she turns around and a gremlin flashes her. That three-second moment from a movie made in 1990 is now a Funko Pop figure. And guess what? It’s available now at your local Pop retailer. Additionally, there will also be a Greta Pop figure, the female gremlin who’s featured predominantly during the Broadway-style finale. Have we mentioned that Gremlins 2 is a really weird movie?
On a more serious side, Funko is also releasing a two-pack from its Vynl line featuring Gizmo and Stripe from the first Gremlins movie. This set will be available in August. Prices for both sets are not listed but Vynl two-packs on average cost $15 while Pops run between $10-15.
If you’re looking for more Funko Pops, check out the ridiculous amount of ones exclusive to Comic-Con this year, the Spider-Man PS4 game set, and the ones from Toy Fair earlier this year, which are all available now. And we’ll let you know when Hulk Hogan tearing his shirt off in a movie theater Pop figure from Gremlins 2 comes out. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.
If you own a PS4, you probably know you have to shell out cash for a PlayStation Plus subscription to play most games online. But what if you didn’t? That’s the question posed by Rockstar Games with the release of the After Hours update for GTA Online in Grand Theft Auto V. Between now and August 6, anyone with a PS4 and an internet connection can play GTA Online, regardless of whether you have a PlayStation Plus membership. That gives you two weeks to run amok in San Andreas for free.
GTA 5’s After Hours update introduces a whole new set of night life content to the game, including nightclubs, vehicles, outfits, and more. Nightclubs are the biggest addition. To get a nightclub, you have to partner up with Tony Prince, who will help you buy and run the club. You get to personalize your establishment however you want, choosing the decor, hiring staff, and deciding how to promote your new enterprise.
Nightclubs also include an underground warehouse, which becomes the hub for your less-than-legal activities. Here you can assign technicians to gather supplies for your existing Biker, Special Cargo, Smugglers, and Gunrunning businesses. They can then sell the items to add to your bankroll, all without you lifting a finger. The update also introduces seven new vehicles, including the Ocelot Swinger sports car, the Dinka Jester Classic, as well as delivery vehicles for your warehouse supplies.
In addition to not needing PS Plus to play right now, some other bonuses are waiting for you. If you log in to GTA Online between now and July 30, you’ll get a free Tony’s Fun House t-shirt. And if you joined the “guest list” by logging in before July 2, you’ll receive additional rewards, including GTA $350,000 and some free apparel.
But once August 6 rolls around, free GTA Online access goes away unless you subscribe to PlayStation Plus. It’s a worthwhile subscription service, though. In addition to online play, PS Plus members also get free games each month.
After the first trailer for Castle Rock, Hulu’s new series inspired by the works of Stephen King, it was clear this show would be packed with Easter eggs and references to novels from the iconic writer–and the films they were adapted into. Now that the first three episodes have been released, though, fans of the author are facing a serious challenge when it comes to decoding every little nod.
Whether it’s monologues that reference everything from Stand By Me to Cujo or an opening credits sequence that features pages from a number of King’s books, there’s plenty to uncover when watching Castle Rock over and over again. Within the show itself, though, there are a number of visual cues that act as clever references.
Thus far, we’ve had the opportunity to watch the first three episodes of the series and have compiled some of the very best Easter eggs and references to Stephen King’s works. Some of them are more obvious than others–Shawshank State Prison plays a huge role in the series–but all are incredibly important in setting the creepy tone for the series.
What Easter eggs and references did you notice while watching Castle Rock? Sound off in the comments with your favorite moments and come back as new episodes air and we update this gallery!
Episode 1: Sheriff Alan Pangborn
Origin: The Dark Half
Sheriff Alan Pangborn (Scott Glenn) is a character referenced in several of King’s works as the sheriff of Castle Rock. He was most notably played by Westworld star Ed Harris in 1993’s adaptation of Needful Things.
Episode 1: Shawshank State Prison
Origin: The Shawshank Redemption
Anyone who saw a Castle Rock trailer knew this prison would play a major role in the series. Still, that first hint of what’s to come, from the sticker on the back of the outgoing warden’s car, set a haunting precedent for what Shawshank is in this show. Shawshank’s inclusion also includes the prison’s sordid history.
Episode 1: Bill Skarsgard
Origin: It
Though he’s playing The Kid in Castle Rock, this is not Skarsgard’s first visit to the world of Stephen King. He also plays Pennywise in the big screen adaptation of It–along with the sequel, which is currently in production. In King’s universe, Derry is fairly close to Castle Rock, so chances are we will see more nods to It.
Episode 1: Warden Norton
Origin: The Shawshank Redemption
As the new warden is being given a tour of the grounds, it’s pointed out where Warden Norton killed himself in his office, an event described in both the novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption and its film adaptation.
Episode 1: Sissy Spacek
Origin: Carrie
Much like Skarsgard appearing as The Kid, Spacek’s casting brings her back to the world of Stephen King. The actress played the role of Carrie White in 1973’s Carrie, perhaps King’s best-known work. In this, she plays Ruth Deaver, adopted mother of Henry (Andre Holland).
Episode 2: Jackie Torrance
Origin: The Shining
When the character played by Jane Levy was introduced as Jackie Torrance, chances are your ears perked up. After all, the haunting of Jack Torrance is what drove The Shining. Thus far, it’s unclear if Jackie is actually connected to the Torrance family, but there’s no way they’d name her that unless it meant something specific. Perhaps we’ll see her become a little unhinged, like her namesake, in upcoming episodes.
Episode 2: The Mellow Tiger Bar
Origin: Needful Things
Set in the town of Castle Rock, Needful Things was the first work to introduce the Mellow Tiger Bar. It’s established that it is the only bar in Castle Rock, meaning we’ll probably be seeing a lot of it as the series continues.
Episode 2: A Makeshift Pet Sematary
Origin: Pet Sematary
This is one of the best nods to King’s work in that it’s not simply borrowing a location or character, but rather the overall tone of a book. In the second episode, Pangborn is seen digging up a dead dog in the Deaver backyard, due to Ruth believing it’s come back to life. It harkens back to Pet Sematary, which saw dead animals becoming reanimated.
