‘Pokemon Go’ field test signups are now live
Pokemon Go, the mobile app that allows users to travel the globe on their own Pokemon journey, is finally open for registration for United States users. Niantic Labs’ field test is available to sign up for right now, with users being chosen to try out the upcoming game later on.
Like Niantic Labs’ alternate reality app Ingress that takes place in the real world, players are encouraged to get out of the house and go outdoors to catch various Pokemon, engage in battle with other trainers and complete special challenges.
If chosen for the field test, which requires either an iOS or Android device, users will be required to keep their experiences with the game confidential, with progress removed before the full game actually makes its debut later this year. According to Niantic, game data will actually be completely removed multiple times during the test, so if you plan on participating and are chosen, it’s prudent to bear this in mind.
The app was previously available for Japanese users to test out, and while there’s currently no concrete release date for the full version of the game out there at the moment there’s still plenty of footage to find online from testers if you’re curious about how the app actually works. For now, you can sign up for the chance to be one of the early adopters with their own real-life Pokemon journey.
Source: Polygon
Microsoft will free up 1 million Xbox gamertags this week
Have you been coveting an Xbox Live gamertag that someone else happened to nab before you years ago? You may well be able to claim it yet as of May 18th, when Microsoft plans to release a million different gamertags from “abandoned” accounts.
Beginning Wednesday, any Xbox Live Gold member with a year’s worth of Gold status since 2002 can pounce on one of these freed-up accounts. The first wave of accounts will be up for grabs on 11 AM PT/2 PM ET and staggered over a period of 24 hours to allow gamers in various countries an “equal chance” to snag one.
You can head to this particular Xbox.com page to prepare yourself for the great gamertag commencement, but if you’ve already changed your gamertag before once for free, it’s going to cost a small fee to change your gamertag again here, and every subsequent time after that. If it’s worth assuming an identity that feels right to you after potentially having to wait a few years to grab the perfect one, then see if you can jump in and take what’s rightfully yours.
Microsoft won’t be publishing the list of available gamertags, so you’ll need to ready yourself for a whole lot of guesswork.
Via: GameSpot
The glorious gore of ‘Doom’ chainsaw kills
The new Doom is buttery, plain and simple — no other word captures the ridiculous smoothness imbued in the game’s mechanics. As he traverses Hell on Mars, the protagonist moves at a constant sprint, but the controls never feel too sensitive or rushed; it’s the perfect speed for rapid-fire, twitchy gameplay. With Doom, developer id Software and publisher Bethesda have crafted an innovative first-person shooter that pays homage to the series’ long history while propelling it into the future.
A large part of Doom’s history involves the chainsaw. Doom and chainsaws go together like lumberjacks and flannel, and the latest game doesn’t disappoint in this department. It brings the close-up brutality of chainsaw kills into the 21st century, in glorious high-definition.
Disney puts all of its movie VR experiences in a single app
If you’ve got a VR headset, you’ve probably noticed that finding compelling virtual experiences isn’t as easy as it could be. Disney is hoping to fix that, at least for its own properties, with its new VR app on Steam. It puts all of the company’s virtual offerings — including experiences for Star Wars, The Avengers and The Jungle Book — in a single location. And best of all, it’s free and compatible with both the HTC Vive (which runs SteamVR) and the Oculus Rift.
Obviously, these VR tidbits are really just interactive marketing for Disney’s franchise empire, but they could still be a fun way to show off VR to kids. It doesn’t look like the long-awaited Star Wars: Trials on Tatooine VR experience is a part of this app, but we hear it’ll be launching sometime soon for the HTC Vive.
Source: Steam
Top soccer club FC Schalke 04 signs ‘League of Legends’ team
When West Ham United and VfL Wolfsburg signed their first eSports players, they were surprising but understandable deals. After all, both clubs were supporting FIFA — a video game franchise that ties back into their normal soccer (or football, as it’s known to most of the world) businesses. Now, FC Schalke 04 — one of the top clubs in the German Bundesliga — has bucked this trend and signed a League of Legends team instead. Formerly known as Elements, the new-look squad comprises of Etienne “Steve” Michels, Hampus “Fox” Myhre, Berk “Gilius” Demir, Rasmus “MrRalleZ” Skinneholm, and Hampus “Sprattel” Abrahamsson.
League of Legends is one of the biggest games played on a professional level. With growing audiences, prize pools and sponsorships, it’s not surprising to see a traditional sports club wading in. FC Schalke 04 has the finances to sign some of the game’s best players, as well as staff that can provide vital support and advice. Elements is by no means a dominant force in the League community, but it does have a legacy dating back to 2013, when it competed under the name Alliance. With Schalke’s help, it’s possible the team can grow into World Championship contenders.
#Schalke 04 acquires eSports team “Elements”.
More info: https://t.co/r3hJWVFToi@S04Esports! @LeagueOfLegends pic.twitter.com/iQYClQVOWS
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) May 16, 2016
Source: FC Schalke 04
‘Yo-Kai Watch 2’ invades the US this September
Yo-Kai Watch 2 is on the horizon, and it’s headed to the US this September, with a second season of the anime series to follow. Originally launched last November for western audiences, the 3DS title served up decadent and accessible role-playing goodness, with collecting elements for the youngsters and meaty side quests and commentary for adults.
The sequel launches September 30 with over 100 new Yo-kai to collect and fight alongside, a new town outside of the area of Springdale, time travel, and a new and improved Yo-kai watch. Its being split into two distinct versions, each with its own rare Yo-kai that can only be found in its unique game: Yo-Kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits and Yo-Kai Watch 2: Fleshy Souls.
The second season of the animated series will follow heroes Nate, Whisper and Jibanyan as they continue their adventures with the brand new Yo-kai Watch Model Zero. There’s also a whole new line of toys coming by way of Hasbro to snap up, including the new Yo-kai Watch itself.
While Yo-Kai Watch didn’t enjoy the exact same success as Pokémon in the west, it still managed to grab plenty of consumers’ attention, with plush Yo-kai, collectible medallions, trading cards and various other merchandise selling like hotcakes behind Nintendo’s 3DS release and in support of the series that airs on Disney XD. Not long ago Yo-Kai Watch Wibble Wobble, a mobile tie-in, debuted on iOS, enjoying a comfortable Top Ten spot in the App Store.
Now might be a good time to brush up on your “Gera Gera Po” dance moves, play the original Yo-Kai Watch or watch the series on Netflix. There’s a lot to catch up on.
Via: BusinessWire
Razer’s first US retail store is also an arcade
Console gaming killed the American arcade, but it’s possible that PC gaming might be responsible for the resurrection. Razer is opening its first US-based retail store in San Francisco but it sounds more like the arcades of yore than a high-end retailer. The centerpiece of the 1,300 square foot, two level outlet is the 20 “gaming stations” where patrons are encouraged to “stay all day and play games.” In addition, the company will support the local community with regular gaming competitions, which will be broadcast on the store’s 16 x 9-foot video wall.
It’s the fourth Razer location to open but the first on this continent, with previous launches taking place in Manila, Taipei and Bangkok. It’s a matter of hometown pride that the first US store would open in SF, since the company has an office just down the street. If you, too, are based in the Golden City (or nearby) then you can head down to the grand ribbon cutting this Saturday at 10am PT. Although, given the company’s passionate fan base, you might want to get in line a few hours beforehand.
Nintendo is thinking about getting (back) into the movie business
As Nintendo continues to stretch beyond gaming for new money-making opportunities, it might get into the movie biz. According to Nintendo spokesman Maokoto Wakae, details are undecided, but the results could be a big movie release… or a straight to DVD / Blu-Ray affair. The company had broadly referenced the opportunity for using its popular characters and titles in future movies mid-2015, buried in this financial report, but then the mention of “visual content production” could have been directed at Nintendo’s recent Star Fox animation — it’s keeping busy with its IPs.
According to the AP, filmmaking is one of the future investments Nintendo plans to make once it sells its stake in baseball team the Seattle Mariners. Japan’s Asahi Shimbun says projects could include 3D animation, with the games maker reportedly talking to film companies about collaboration possibilities. As long as it’s better than Pixels — we’ll probably be open to whatever’s in the pipeline.
Source: AP, Asahi Shimbun (Japanese)
ESL gives eSports an official oversight body
While eSports is now a big money-maker, it’s still wildly inconsistent at times: rules, prizes and schedules can vary from league to league. The Electronic Sports League thinks the industry can do better, though. It’s forming the World Esports Association (WESA), a governing body that will set standards for the fledgling sports field. WESA promises to bring “structure, predictable schedules and transparency” to competitive gaming, including how teams receive promotion and split revenue. Importantly, it’s not just the higher-ups calling the shots — there will be a player council, and teams will appoint two of WESA’s five executive board members.
Eight eSports teams are helping to found the association, and the ESL Pro League for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will be the first to abide by WESA rules.
Whether or not WESA gets a foothold depends on other league systems falling in line. Will Activision’s Major League Gaming go for it, for example? Still, this is a big move that could be necessary for both giving eSports public recognition and making it a viable career path. Media outlets may be more likely to broadcast eSports if they know that it’s above-board, and players might be quicker to sign up if they know they’ll get enough prize money to supplement or even replace a more conventional job.
Via: Gamasutra
Source: ESL, WESA
Acer will help Starbreeze make its VR headset
Starbreeze may be comparatively new to virtual reality headsets (and hardware in general), but it’s getting some big allies in its corner. The Payday 2 game studio has revealed that Acer will help design, make and sell its theme park-oriented StarVR headset as part of a planned joint venture. Yes, the computer industry veteran is doing more than just making VR-ready PCs. While Starbreeze already has some help from outsiders (Toshiba is one of its partners), the alliance should give it a better shot at becoming a significant player in the VR world. And for Acer, this isn’t just about entering an undiscovered country — this and the company’s existing mobile efforts are a hedge against a declining PC market.
Source: Starbreeze (BusinessWire)
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