Bianchi is a member of the Goliath Gaming stable and a professional eSports athlete, who says he is proof that it’s possible to transform a hobby into a career and make a name for yourself as an eSports athlete no matter where you’re from.

Julio Bianchi living the dream

“I was just an average gamer playing at home and trying to qualify for the VS Gaming tournament on my own,” he says. “I was definitely not the best gamer at the time, but the difference is that I wanted it more than anyone else.”

Having initially pursued his love for football as a semi-pro player, he later decided to change career paths and pursue a football career of the virtual kind, and it wasn’t long before his talents were noticed.

“It’s thanks to Julio playing online and being connected that we were actually able to scout him,” says Goliath Gaming co-founder and Team Manager, Michele Brondani. “This is why it’s so important to get as many gamers in as many communities across the country connected to platforms, opportunities and other players through a reliable internet connectivity as we possibly can. There are so many hidden gems flying under the radar that you would never find if they weren’t competing online.”

Bianchi worked his way up, ranking second in South Africa on the official FIFA21 Global Series Leaderboard, and even earning a spot in the Forbes 30 under 30 Class of 2021. And, after putting up an incredible fight during the EA Sports FIFA 21 Global Series (#fgs21), Bianchi has qualified to play at the FIFAe World Cup (#FeWC) in London later this year, becoming the first South African and African to participate in the event.

Creating opportunities for greatness

“None of the people I would come across really knew about eSports, and no one in my life really thought I could achieve what I did, especially in my community – these things don’t happen where I’m from,” says Bianchi, adding that eSports changed his life and he’s happy he gets to showcase that to the rest of South Africa. 

“A career in eSports can also be costly. I remember when I was playing as a free agent, my father had to sacrifice his last money to fly me down to Johannesburg to compete in the VS Gaming qualifier. Luckily, this is where I ended up being discovered by Goliath Gaming, so it worked out for me in the end,” says Bianchi.

According to Bianchi playing your heart out and making yourself ‘seen’ during online matches and live tournaments, is key in building a successful gaming profile and being recruited by a team. Bianchi says this is especially crucial for the many young players across the country who may not be able to afford to pay their own way.

“There are likely many more talented South African eSports players waiting on the side lines and hoping to make their break into the industry. They face a great number of challenges on this journey, not least of which are the global pandemic limiting their ability to attend events and get noticed,” says Taylor Kwong, Vuma CSI Manager. “Connectivity plays a major role, now more than ever, in boosting the opportunities for players living and gaming in the underserved communities of South Africa.”

Teaming up with Goliath Gaming, Vuma will be sponsoring Bianchi to attend an intensive week-long bootcamp, where he will have the chance to play alongside and compete against some of the top eSports athlete from around the world.

“It’s a privilege to be able to showcase and amplify a talented young athlete like Julio to get the best possible start ahead of the 2021 FIFAe World Cup. We see this as an opportunity to bring awareness and hype to eSports and all the possibilities that are offered to the youth through this industry. We want to ignite the ‘extraordinary’ in gamers across the country,” concludes Kwong.

XBox committed to Game Pass

Online gaming information site Indivisible Game has revealed five surprising ways that VR headsets can bring physical and mental benefits to players

VR headsets for Pain Relief? It’s True!

Imagine a game that distracts you from chronic pain. VR can do just that! A report from the Virtual Reality Medical Institute found that these virtual environments crafted in games and entertainment experiences can help relieve chronic pain, drawing attention away from your brain and reducing the amount of conscious pain you experience. Hospitals are even using VR to help patients manage post-surgery or cancer treatment discomfort.

Get Active and Burn Calories with VR Games

Move over couch potato gaming! Virtual reality has ushered in a new way of gaming that allows players to be more physically active when playing some of their favorite titles. Rather than sitting on the sofa for a gaming session, VR headsets encourage gamers to be active, using their body and motion controls to explore various virtual locations. Data from the VR Health Institute revealed players can burn up to 13 calories per minute playing VR games, depending on your weight and the extent of movement.

Beat Social Isolation and Anxiety with VR

While excessive VR use can cause headaches and nausea, it can also be a mental health boon. The immersive nature of VR can actually reduce feelings of depression and isolation. Studies during lockdowns showed VR experiences helped combat loneliness and anxiety.

Conquer Your Fears in a Safe VR Space

Fear of spiders? Heights got you down? VR therapy can help! Therapists use VR to expose patients to their phobias in a controlled environment. It’s real enough to address the fear but safe enough to feel comfortable. This allows people to develop coping mechanisms they can use in the real world.

Sharpen Your Mind and Body with VR Games

Games like Beat Saber aren’t just fun, they’re a brain workout too! VR can improve focus, memory, and cognitive skills. These games challenge you to solve problems, remember patterns, and stay alert, keeping your mind sharp.

While VR headsets can cause injuries or discomfort, they also have a bright future in healthcare, education, and entertainment. The key is moderation – experts recommend 15-minute VR sessions with breaks to ensure you experience the real world too. So, step into VR and discover a world of health benefits!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY DUMANI MOYO

Initially a few names were missing from the lists but while Drew McIntyre and Mark Coffey were notable late additions, Lesnar will not feature in the game.

Brock Lesnar left off WWE 2K24 roster

It will be the first time that Lesnar, also a former UFC champion, doesn’t feature in an official WWE game.

Lesnar has been implicated in the Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon. 

While he has not been named in court documents the outline of a party named in said suit fits Lesnar and pretty much everyone has put two and two together.

ALSO READ: What time is WWE Elimination Chamber on TV?

LEGENDS / ALUMNI

“Macho Man” Randy Savage

“Ravishing” Rick Rude

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin

“Superstar” Billy Graham*

Andre The Giant

Bad Bunny

Batista

Beth Phoenix

Big Boss Man

Boogeyman

Booker T

Bray Wyatt

Bret “Hitman” Hart

British Bulldog

Bruno Sammartino

Cactus Jack

Chyna

Diesel

Doink The Clown

Dude Love

Dusty Rhodes*

Eddie Guerrero

Eric Bischoff

Eve Torres

Faarooq

George “The Animal” Steele

Harley Race

Hollywood Hogan

Hulk Hogan

Jake “The Snake” Roberts

JBL

Jerry “The King” Lawler

Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart

John Cena

Kane

Ken Shamrock

Kevin Nash

Kurt Angle

Lita

Mankind

Maryse

Mighty Molly

Molly Holly

Muhammad Ali

Razor Ramon

Rick Steiner

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

Rikishi

Rob Van Dam

Ronda Rousey

Scott Hall

Scott Steiner

Shane McMahon

Shawn Michaels

Stacy Keibler

Stephanie McMahon

Stardust*

Syxx

Ted DiBiase

The Fiend

The Hurricane

The Rock

The Undertaker

Triple H

Trish Stratus

Tyler Breeze

Ultimate Warrior

Umaga

Uncle Howdy

Vader

Wade Barrett

William Regal

X-Pac

Yokozuna

RAW

Akira Tozawa

Alexa Bliss

Becky Lynch

Bianca Belair

Big E

Braun Strowman

Bronson Reed

Candice LeRae

Carmella

Cedric Alexander

Chad Gable

Chelsea Green

Cody Rhodes

Damian Priest

Dexter Lumis

Dominik Mysterio

Drew McIntyre

Erik

Finn Balor

Giovanni Vinci

Gunther

Indi Hartwell

Ivar

JD McDonagh

Jey Uso

Johnny Gargano

Kofi Kingston

Liv Morgan

Ludwig Kaiser

Maxxine Dupri

Natalya

Nikki Cross

Otis

Piper Niven

Raquel Rodriguez

Rhea Ripley

Ricochet

R-Truth

Sami Zayn

Seth “Freakin” Rollins

Shayna Baszler

Shinsuke Nakamura

Sonya Deville

Tegan Nox

The Miz

Tommaso Ciampa

Valhalla

Xavier Woods

Zoey Stark

SMACKDOWN

AJ Styles

Alba Fyre

Angelo Dawkins

Ashante “Thee” Adonis

Asuka

Austin Theory

Bayley

Bobby Lashley

Butch

Cameron Grimes

Charlotte Flair

Cruz Del Toro

Dakota Kai

Elton Prince

Grayson Waller

Isla Dawn

IYO SKY

Jimmy Uso

Joaquin Wilde

Karl Anderson

Karrion Kross

Katana Chance

Kayden Carter

Kevin Owens

Kit Wilson

LA Knight

Logan Paul

Luke Gallows

Michin Mia Yim

Montez Ford

MVP

Omos

Randy Orton

Rey Mysterio

Ridge Holland

Robert Roode

Roman Reigns

Santos Escobar

Scarlett

Sheamus

Shotzi

Solo Sikoa

Tamina

Xia Li

Zelina Vega

NXT

Andre Chase

Angel Garza

Apollo Crews

Axiom

Baron Corbin

Blair Davenport

Bron Breakker

Brooks Jensen

Brutus Creed

Carmelo Hayes

Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo

Cora Jade

Damon Kemp

Dijak

Drew Gulak

Duke Hudson

Fallon Henley

Gigi Dolin

Humberto

Ilja Dragunov

Ivy Nile

Jacy Jayne

Jinder Mahal

Joe Coffey

Joe Gacy

Josh Briggs

Julius Creed

Mark Coffey

Nathan Frazer

Nikkita Lyons

Noam Dar

Roxanne Perez

Sanga

SCRYPTS

Thea Hail

Tiffany Stratton

Tony D’Angelo

Trick Williams

Tyler Bate

Veer Mahaan

Wendy Choo

Wes Lee

Wolfgang

MANAGER

Adam Pearce

B-Fab

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Cathy Kelley

Mick Foley

Miss Elizabeth

Paul Bearer

Paul Heyman

Theodore Long

*Part of the the Nightmare Family Pack.

According to GTAVI_Countdown on Twitter, Rockstar parent company Take-Two confirmed in a financial report that it expects to bring in an eye-watering $8 billion in revenue for the fiscal year 2025, which ends 31 March.

This ultimately suggests that GTA VI may now be less than a year away, since we can probably anticipate it to launch between January and March 2025.

ALSO READ: Grand Theft Auto (GTA) hacker receives life sentence

What do the game analysts say about GTA VI?

“GTA 6 has been one of most anticipated video games since developers announced it back in February 2022,” Dave Cooper, a spokesperson for CasinoUS commented on how GTA 6 could be one of the biggest video games of all time. 

ALSO READ: GTA 6 trailer shatters records

“This sparked global headlines, as desperate fans sought out any information about the new game. 

“The new Grand Theft Auto 6 YouTube trailer set a record for 102 million views in 24 hours. This is in comparison to GTA 5, that amassed 99 million views over 12 years. 

ALSO WATCH: GTA VI official trailer released

“The much-anticipated game returns to the Miami-inspired location of Vice City, including the first HD female protagonist, Lucia, alongside Jason, the male lead character. 

“Currently, GTA remains the second best-selling video game of all time, falling behind Minecraft. 

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“However, the reception of the GTA 6 trailer alone has been astonishing. Therefore, it could well give Minecraft a run for its money. 

“The trailer opens with one of the game’s dual protagonists, Lucia, in a prison uniform at a parole interview. It ends with her and a partner holding up a store.  

“In between we see TikTok-esque footage of mostly illegal Floridian antics involving fast cars, alligators, roof top parties and more- painting a picture of the city’s hard-partying sleaze. 

“Last seen in 2006, players will nostalgically return to Rockstar’s fictional Miami setting, giving a sense of lawlessness and utter thrill- everything GTA fans crave.” 

For the growing African middle class, the game is a low-cost easy-to-play introduction to igames. Younger players are drawn to game mechanics that mirror video games. These new audiences have helped the African gaming market grow 10.5% between Aviator’s 2019 launch and the end of 2022. 

To draw these new clients to their sites, African betting platforms have moved fast to introduce new promotions and raise the individual jackpots for Aviator fans. Supabets Aviator Rain promotion gives regular players the chance to win free bets if they play on a specific day at specified times. They’ve also raised the maximum individual Aviator payout to R10 million, double the possible payout on their other slot or table games.

Aviators’ dynamic gameplay and simple mobile-first design have made the game globally popular, but in Africa, there are two other important reasons for its continental popularity. 

Community Building as a Feature

Aviator’s in-game chat feature is at the heart of its African popularity. The feature promotes engagement and encourages friendly competition among friends and family by allowing players to interact while playing, share strategies, and boast about wins. What Spribe stumbled on, was a way to build communities centered around Aviator. 

In the African context, where social bonds and community ties hold significant importance, the in-chat function has put Aviator at the heart of communal social activity. 

Frankie Brooks, Supabets® Head of Marketing, says “The launch of Aviator Rain has been celebrated by our players as a welcome new level of entertainment for the popular crash game.”

Bringing Youth to The Table

As the African igaming markets continue to evolve, Aviator’s (and other crash games) appeal to a youthful audience will help it win a bigger share of the market.

For younger Africans, traditional table and reel games are seen as the games their parents play. For this market, Aviator’s design and game mechanics are more like the console and mobile games they grew up on.

“Aviator is the most popular crash game we have, but we have other games with similar mechanics. In our market, low-data games like Taxi Ride are incredibly popular as well,” Frankie adds. 

Aviator’s Popularity Is Supported by the Data

The house edge, the built-in advantage that a casino has over a player, is between 6% and 10% on instant and table games. For Aviator, that edge is a low 1%.

Let’s look at some other numbers:

• Spribe, Aviator’s developer, experienced a 450% growth in unique player engagement in the first 10 months after the Aviator launch.
• The app has been downloaded more than a million times since 2020.
• There are more than 100,000 active monthly users globally, with each gameplay session lasting, on average, 10 minutes.

ALSO READ: Supabets R50 sign up bonus – Claim R50 free bet

Even though their data sample is from North America, it still offers us a good idea of the overall market.

ALSO READ: Sometimes there are issues fans don’t understand

The most popular sports video games

New research by sports gaming experts OHgamblers has revealed that NBA 2K is the most popular sports video game in America. 

ALSO READ: Kaizer Chiefs icon salivates at Chivaviro in black and gold

NBA 2K

The data has revealed that NBA 2k has become the most popular sports video game in America, as it has been the most searched game in 31 states in the last 12 months. The game is most searched in Massachusetts, California and New York.

ALSO READ: The latest PSL transfer rumours

Its popularity has soared in recent years, attracting millions of gamers worldwide who want to experience the thrill of virtual basketball.

The game has also evolved, offering advanced features such as realistic graphics, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and the ability to create custom players and teams. These aspects have made it even more appealing to sports enthusiasts and gamers alike.

With its immense success and loyal fan base, NBA 2K remains at the forefront of video gaming. It is the only video game on this list not produced by popular game developers Electronic Arts and it places first. 

ALSO READ: How rich is Virat Kohli

Madden NFL (EA Sports)

Madden NFL is another popular sports video game in America, and it takes the second spot in terms of popularity. According to the data, the game has come first in searches for 20 states and second in 23 states. It is the most popular in Delaware, Ohio and Maryland.

It has a massive following, with millions of fans worldwide eager to experience the excitement of virtual football. The game’s developers have continuously improved the gameplay mechanics, offering realistic features such as player stats, team management, and authentic stadiums.

Moreover, Madden NFL has become popular among e-sports enthusiasts, with many competitive tournaments held annually. The game’s ability to offer a realistic NFL experience has made it a top choice for casual and hardcore gamers. As such, Madden NFL remains one of America’s most beloved sports video games.

While Madden has its critics, it has no significant competition.

FIFA (EA SPORTS)

FIFA is a well-known sports video game globally and has a significant fan base in America.

It is positioned as the third most popular sports game in the US, with the third highest search volume in 33 states.

In seven states, it ranks as the second most searched sport title, including in Illinois, New Jersey and Oregon. giving tough competition to Madden NFL. Although it doesn’t hold the top spot, FIFA has a loyal following and numerous features that attract gamers who enjoy soccer.

You can either choose already established European or American soccer clubs or you can build your own ultimate team.

EA Sports have not renewed the FIFA license and have moved on to producing a football series under a new title.

MLB The Show

Major League Baseball (MLB) The Show has garnered significant popularity in the world of sports video games.

According to the data, it currently holds the position of the fourth most popular game in America in the category. This ranking is based on the game’s search volume, which is the fourth highest in 37 states across the country. In addition to this, it is the third most searched sport title in ten states.

These numbers highlight the widespread popularity and demand for the MLB The Show game among gamers and sports enthusiasts in the United States.

This is a fun game to dip into even if you don’t know much about baseball with the latest edition available to Game Pass subscribers on Xbox.

EA NHL

NHL is the fifth most popular sports video game in America. It is the fourth most popular in 24 states; it was pushed very close by the golfing game ‘PGA Tour’ which was fourth most popular in 21 states.

The game allows players to take on the role of their favorite NHL team or player, immersing them in a virtual world of ice hockey. Its realistic graphics and accurate depiction of NHL teams and players have made it a go-to choice for hockey fans looking for a virtual gaming experience. With its growing popularity, NHL has established itself as a top contender in the world of sports video games in America.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for OHgamblers said: “Sports are amongst the most popular genres for video games in America, and this study highlights the most popular sports video games in the country. It’s interesting to see that despite football being the most popular sport in America, for gamers the most popular sports video game is the NBA 2K. Whilst four of the top five video games on this list are all-American sports, FIFA finishes third on this list, supporting soccer’s growing popularity across the United States, the game has been popularized by famous fans such as streamer ishowspeed.”

The study was conducted by OHgamblers sports statisticians and a trusted gaming source. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY JAMES RICHARDSON

Their data is limited to North America but that gives us a fair indication of the market.

The most popular sports video games

New research by sports gaming experts OHgamblers has revealed that NBA 2K is the most popular sports video game in America. 

NBA 2K

The data has revealed that NBA 2k has become the most popular sports video game in America, as it has been the most searched game in 31 states in the last 12 months. The game is most searched in Massachusetts, California and New York.

Its popularity has soared in recent years, attracting millions of gamers worldwide who want to experience the thrill of virtual basketball.

The game has also evolved, offering advanced features such as realistic graphics, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and the ability to create custom players and teams. These aspects have made it even more appealing to sports enthusiasts and gamers alike.

With its immense success and loyal fan base, NBA 2K remains at the forefront of video gaming. It is the only video game on this list not produced by popular game developers Electronic Arts and it places first. 

ALSO READ: How rich is Virat Kohli

Madden NFL (EA Sports)

Madden NFL is another popular sports video game in America, and it takes the second spot in terms of popularity. According to the data, the game has come first in searches for 20 states and second in 23 states. It is the most popular in Delaware, Ohio and Maryland.

It has a massive following, with millions of fans worldwide eager to experience the excitement of virtual football. The game’s developers have continuously improved the gameplay mechanics, offering realistic features such as player stats, team management, and authentic stadiums.

Moreover, Madden NFL has become popular among e-sports enthusiasts, with many competitive tournaments held annually. The game’s ability to offer a realistic NFL experience has made it a top choice for casual and hardcore gamers. As such, Madden NFL remains one of America’s most beloved sports video games.

While Madden has its critics, it has no significant competition.

FIFA (EA SPORTS)

FIFA is a well-known sports video game globally and has a significant fan base in America.

It is positioned as the third most popular sports game in the US, with the third highest search volume in 33 states.

In seven states, it ranks as the second most searched sport title, including in Illinois, New Jersey and Oregon. giving tough competition to Madden NFL. Although it doesn’t hold the top spot, FIFA has a loyal following and numerous features that attract gamers who enjoy soccer.

You can either choose already established European or American soccer clubs or you can build your own ultimate team.

EA Sports have not renewed the FIFA license and have moved on to producing a football series under a new title.

MLB The Show

Major League Baseball (MLB) The Show has garnered significant popularity in the world of sports video games.

According to the data, it currently holds the position of the fourth most popular game in America in the category. This ranking is based on the game’s search volume, which is the fourth highest in 37 states across the country. In addition to this, it is the third most searched sport title in ten states.

These numbers highlight the widespread popularity and demand for the MLB The Show game among gamers and sports enthusiasts in the United States.

This is a fun game to dip into even if you don’t know much about baseball with the latest edition available to Game Pass subscribers on Xbox.

EA NHL

NHL is the fifth most popular sports video game in America. It is the fourth most popular in 24 states; it was pushed very close by the golfing game ‘PGA Tour’ which was fourth most popular in 21 states.

The game allows players to take on the role of their favorite NHL team or player, immersing them in a virtual world of ice hockey. Its realistic graphics and accurate depiction of NHL teams and players have made it a go-to choice for hockey fans looking for a virtual gaming experience. With its growing popularity, NHL has established itself as a top contender in the world of sports video games in America.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for OHgamblers said: “Sports are amongst the most popular genres for video games in America, and this study highlights the most popular sports video games in the country. It’s interesting to see that despite football being the most popular sport in America, for gamers the most popular sports video game is the NBA 2K. Whilst four of the top five video games on this list are all-American sports, FIFA finishes third on this list, supporting soccer’s growing popularity across the United States, the game has been popularized by famous fans such as streamer ishowspeed.”

The study was conducted by OHgamblers sports statisticians and a trusted gaming source. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY JAMES RICHARDSON

Comic Con goes down at the Cape Town International Convention Centre between 27-30 April 2023.

Telkom Vs Gaming at Cape Town Comic Con

No matter who you are or what virtual sport gets your pulse racing, Telkom VS Gaming has got a match for you. This year, Telkom is proudly hosting a Free-To-Play zone, which includes eDiski, Racing Simulators and mobile gaming. 

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Telkom VS Gaming is home to the Masters (CS:GO) and Championship (Rocket League) leagues, as well as High School esports leagues (HSEL) for both CS:GO and Rocket League. Aligning with the eDiski series, attendees can also get their football fix by playing in FIFA Cups to win daily prizes. The gaming experience doesn’t stop there, attendees get to experience the mobile gaming league and can play a multitude of games on mobile devices and tablets, showcasing the Kaboom Games platform. VS Gaming Weekly, Telkom’s weekly gaming show will also be bringing its racing stimulator to the stand, challenging attendees to set the best lap times throughout the weekend. 

“As we see a growing demand, we want to improve the gaming experience for everyone. Being part of Comic Con allows us further to demonstrate our commitment to esports and gaming in general in South Africa. Our mobile gaming league gives more casual players access to hundreds of mobile games and the chance to join a league – making esports more inclusive in South Africa,” says Gugu Mthembu – Chief Marketing Officer at Telkom. 

ALSO READ: Four major PLAYERS in the video game industry

Free Play Zone

Comic Con Cape Town Marketing Manager, Calvin van den Berg added “We are thrilled to have Telkom VS Gaming’s FREE TO PLAY zone at Comic Con CPT 2023. Gaming has become an integral part of the Comic Con experience, and we are excited to offer attendees the chance to play a variety of games and experience the Telkom VS Gaming properties. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the gaming culture and bring the community together.”

Telkom VS Gaming encourages everyone to come out and join in on the fun. The FREE TO PLAY zone is open to the public, and no prior registration is required. For more information, visit www.vsgaming.co.za.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY JAMES RICHARDSON

ALSO READ: 81-year-old Olympic coach ‘Tannie’ Ans Botha on her 54-year career

Virtual sports in the Olympic Esports Series

The following nine sports will be part of the series:

• Archery on Tic Tac Bow
• Baseball on WBSC eBASEBALL TM: POWER PROS
• Chess on Chess.com
• Cycling on Zwift
• Dance on Just Dance
• Sailing on Virtual Regatta
• Motor Sport on Gran Turismo TM
• Taekwondo on Virtual Taekwondo
• Tennis on Tennis: Clash

Each game has its own process of qualification. Geographical restrictions may also apply depending on the event.

ALSO READ: Sevens rugby race to Paris Olympics heats up

The competition

The qualifying window for the Olympic Esports Series runs from 1 March to 15 May. Both amateurs and professionals are encouraged to participate and try their hands at potential Olympic glory.

Then from 22 to 25 June 2023, the Suntec Centre in Singapore will play host to the live, in-person finals during Olympic Esports Week.

ALSO READ: The South African: The Growth Of Esports In South Africa

Tips and tricks

Esports may be seen as less taxing than traditional physical sports but the Olympic Committee suggests that this is not the case.

They encourage participants to partake in “Practicing outside the pixels in Esports“, stress the importance of mental well-being and developing healthy routines. Take breaks and get physically active.

Like with all sports having plans, goals, and schedules are important. Most professional Esports teams have wellness and nutritional coaches to ensure that players are in peak condition to train and preform.

Not everyone can be an Olympian but the 2023 qualifying season has opened up the field and allowed many to dream. Are you game?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY ZAREENA GAIBEE

BE REALISTIC: Kaizer Chiefs weren’t ever in the title race

LOL: Colombian influencer got a Lionel Messi face tattoo and now regrets it

Cristiano Ronaldo hits new FIFA low

Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA rating has hit its lowest level in 16 years.

The 37-year-old Portugal icon has had a couple of months to forget, now capped off by his overall rating on popular video game FIFA dropping to 88. That’s the lowest it’s been since FIFA 07, when his rating was 87.

Ronaldo had started this campaign in FIFA 23 as a 90-rated star. He scored 18 goals for Man United in the 2021-22 English Premier League season, but 2022-23 hasn’t gone so well.

CAPE TOWN: Five easy breezy hiking routes to explore this summer

His second stint with the Red Devils ended in acrimonious fashion after his fallout with new manager Erik ten Hag and the club hierarchy in general. His Portugal side was then dumped out of the World Cup at the quarterfinal stage by a history-making Morocco side.

A new chapter for CR7

CR7 has since joined Al-Nassr, signing the most lucrative deal in football history. A reported £160m annual salary will rise further based on incentives and other commercial factors.

“I’m feeling very good. I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life,” he said after joining.

AMAKHOSI: All 12 trialists at Naturena so far

FIFA 23 is the final game in the series, with EA Sports working on its own series after a dramatic split from football’s governing body after a relationship spanning almost 30 years. The developer’s new franchise will be called EA Sports FC, while FIFA has said it will work with other publishers, studios and investors on future titles. This via Sky News.

You can get more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game from James Freemantle

Follow The South African on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news updates.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TO FEATURE IN FIFA 23

Sundowns said EA Sports is the club’s “exclusive sports video game partner.” Club Chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe, said the team was delighted to be part of the game and represent the continent.

“For the longest time, supporters of South African football have pleaded with us to get the team included on the platform. Now, we can finally give gamers the chance to play as The Brazilians of Africa, Bafana Ba Style (The Boys with Style) and take on the best clubs in global football. This is a special milestone in Mamelodi Sundowns’ history and I would like to thank EA SPORTS and Roc Nation Sports International for believing in the club,” he said.

James Salmon, EA SPORTS FIFA’s marketing director, said the company was excited to welcome the team to the game’s family and the new partnership would enable FIFA to deliver “comprehensive interactive football experiences for fans to enjoy in FIFA 23 and beyond.”

The elephant in the room is that if Sundowns are the only representatives from the continent, it means Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, were kicked to the curb. Both clubs have been the only South African representation in the video game since 2006.

This has been a divisive topic for local football supporters since the announcement was made – Chiefs and Pirates are still included, alongside Sundowns, in the full list of playable clubs in the upcoming edition of FIFA. Whether this will be the case in exactly a month’s time when the game will be available via early access remains to be seen.

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When will Grand Theft Auto 6 be released?

Ok, hold up one second. It’s been almost 10 years since Rockstar Games released the original version of Grand Theft Auto V. The game first launched on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2013!

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Rockstar this week announced that an enhanced version of the game will be launching on new generation consoles. The constant push for more and more GTA V remakes has pissed a lot of fans off. Rockstar seemed to finally catch wind, and has now spoken about a brand new story for the first time.

Yes, “active development” is already well underway for the next Grand Theft Auto game.

“Many of you have been asking about a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto series. With every new project, our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we’ve previously delivered. We’re pleased to confirm that active development for the next entry in the series is underway. We look forward to sharing more as soon as we are ready. On behalf of our entire team, we thank you all for your support and cannot wait to step into the future with you!

Rockstar Games

So while we still have no idea when this game will come out. The internet has still gone absolutely beserk (in a good way) at even getting some sort of update.

Where is the new GTA set?

Some internet sleuths have decided that the last three words of that Rockstar statement are a clear indication of where the new game will be set. A Grand Theft Auto videogame set in the FUTURE? Could that work? Would that be too cheesy and make the game flop? Or is it the logical next step for the series.

Like Rockstar says, with every new GTA game, it has to move well beyond what has been delivered before. GTA V broke all the records last time, and still delivered three main playable characters. That was a huge advancement for the series. And it worked.

Many hardcore GTA fans have also long hoped for a game set on the streets of London. But there are some concerns too. The departure of Dan Houser from Rockstar and parent company TakeTwo has raised eyebrows. Houser was the main writer and driving force of the Grand Theft Auto games. He also started Rockstar with his brother Sam. Thankfully, Sam remains president of Rockstar Games.

READ | MUSICIAN MOONCHILD SANELLY REACTS TO BEING FEATURED ON THE FIFA SOUNDTRACK

Fifa has come out to confirm in a statement that they will look to revisit their approach pertaining to esports and the gaming industry. 

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS AND ORLANDO PIRATES IDENTIFY THE SAME MIDFIELD TARGET, WHO WILL GET HIM?

The world football governing body also confirmed that, they aim to look beyond just EA Sports as their exclusive rights holders for their FIFA game.  This is due to the football body’s ambition to broaden their horizons and offer their customers more specialised experiences.

Comment from FIFA

“Gaming and eSports are the fastest-growing media verticals on the planet, with new and diverse types of games launching continuously,” it wrote. “It is therefore of crucial importance for FIFA and its stakeholders to maximise all future opportunities for football and gaming fans.” Said the statement from FIFA. 

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FIFA then went further to confirm that preliminary talks with potential new partners and collaborators are already underway. They also mention plans to broaden the availability of the game and see mobile industries amongst others as possible new landscapes they can utilise to continue growing the game, instead of limiting it’s access to EA. 

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS’ NJABULO BLOM ATTRACTING LA LIGA INTEREST? BUT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM!

“FIFA is bullish and excited about the future in gaming and esports for football, and it is clear that this needs to be a space that is occupied by more than one party controlling all rights, Technology and mobile companies are now actively competing to be associated with FIFA, its platforms, and global tournaments. Consequently, FIFA is engaging with various industry players, including developers, investors and analysts, to build out a long-term view of the gaming, esports and interactive entertainment sector.” 

EA reportedly also keen to part ways

EA have yet to issue a statement of their own to respond to FIFA but there is an understanding that the gaming powerhouse has, itself carved out future plans to continues its football gaming legacy under a different name 

Telkom VS Gaming wraps up with their finals series with the Masters Grand Finals, Championship Grand Final and High School Esports League (HSEL) Grand Final.

This weekend gamers in the amateur leagues right-through to South Africa’s best Esports pro’s will battle it out in the finals from 24 – 26 September 2021.

Stream all the Telkom vs Gaming action live

All the action can be take in on Telkom’s free platform TelkomONE – Your Window To Endless Entertainment or Esports fans can tune in to the Telkom VSG Twitch channel.

VS Gaming is a South African gaming brand and lays claim to being the leading platform for online gaming in Africa.

Masters Grand Finals| 24-26 September

The Telkom VS Gaming Masters is South Africa’s largest Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Tournament. Since the tournament kick-off in February 2021, we have seen over 150 Semi-Professional teams competing for their share of the R230,000 prize pool. Bravado Gaming and DNMK demolished their opposition, and have now secured their chance to be the next Telkom VS Gaming Masters. 

Sinister 5 and Goliath Gaming fought their way up through the lower-bracket, where they survived an onslaught from teams fighting to stay in the tournament. Goliath Gaming and Sinister 5 will come face-to-face on the 24th of September. The survivor will play again on the 25th of September against the loser of the match between Bravado Gaming and DNMK.

Championship Grand Final | 25 September

The first season of the Telkom VS Gaming Championship comes to an end this weekend as we see Rocket League teams, Pirates and Socks Up battle it out in a best-of-seven grand finale taking place on 25 September live from the Telkom Studio where the winners will be crowned the 2021 Telkom VS Gaming Champions and win their share of R45 000.

High School Esports League (HSEL) Grand Final | 25-26 September

Through its four years of existence, the HSEL has focused on growing and promoting eSports in schools by providing a competitive league structure. The 2021 edition of the HSEL saw two gaming titles, Rocket League and CS:GO, being played throughout schools across South Africa. 

On Saturday, we will see Rondebosch Boys’ High School and Parklands College battle it out in the CS:GO division. 

The Rocket League (RL) is an extremely accessible esports-ready title, where we will see Paul Ross Gymnasium and Curro Hazeldean going head-to-head on Sunday, 26 September.

This heritage weekend, VS gaming fans will see the Telkom VS Gaming Masters 2021 finals as well as the Championship and High School Esports League (HSEL) Grand Finale live from the studio, starting on 24 September. 

Moonchild Sanelly, whose real name is Seneziswe Sanelly finds herself in illustrious company on the FIFA 22 soundtrack.

Moonchild Sanelly to feature on FIFA 22

The popular football game is set for its much anticipated release on the first of next month (October) and those who are going to be in possession of a copy of FIFA 22, will in turn be in line to hear the voice of popular artist Moonchild Sanelly, who, with her vocals will be flying the South African flag high. 

Moonchild Sanelly’s rise

Born in Gqeberha, Moonchild Sanelly rose to prominence as she featured on the popular 2017 hit song midnight starring alongside mega producer and artist Dj Maphorisa as well as the very popular and fellow Eastern Cape-born artist Busisiwa. She has come along way from that song, building her own brand since and featuring on the FIFA 22 official soundtrack is proof of her international recognition. 

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She was quick to insist that, getting onto the FIFA 22 soundtrack, was not an overnight feat, however, and Moonchild Sanelly revealed that it was rather, something that had been in the works for a while now. 

She reacts to the feat

“I am so excited. We had been working on this (FIFA 22 soundtrack feature) for months and a few weeks ago I was in PE for my sister’s funeral and I got the news. At the time I did not get as excited as I did when the announcement was made yesterday. I am very happy,” said Moonchild Sanelly speaking to Drum

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Moonchild Sanelly also admitted that, she had little knowledge that she would be featured on the FIFA 22 soundtrack but was over the “moon” upon receiving the official confirmation 

Admits she was in the dark

“I do not know the exact details of who approached who, but I am very excited that it is happening. I do not always celebrate my victories and it was not until someone very close to me pointed out how big of a deal this is. I keep pinching myself. I recently had a conversation with someone about how we do not always celebrate our victories because we want to be seen as humble, but I am teaching myself to celebrate myself because I work really hard,” concluded Moonchild Sanelly

EA PLAY FIFA 22 TRIAL

FIFA 22 will officially be available on PlayStation (PS4 and PS5), Xbox (XB1 and Series X|S), PC, Google Stadia and Nintendo Switch from 1 October. Gamers that fork out for the more expensive “Ultimate Edition” of the game will receive four days of early access from 27 September.

However, if you have a subscription to EA Play, which is included in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you should be able to download a free trial version of the game that lasts for 10 hours from 22 September – more than a week before the game launches.

The head start could be vital to fans of the Ultimate Team game mode as they will have some extra time to build their squads before the rest of the opposition arrives on launch day.

 On the Microsoft Store – on Xbox – the “Free Trial with EA Play” option should be sandwiched between the option to purchase FIFA22 or add it to your “wishlist” – the same applies to the PS Store. Madden 22, which was released recently, can be looked at as an example.

It should be noted that if you purchased the “Ultimate Edition” of the game you will only be eligible for the early access from 27 September unless you have an EA Play subscription.

 The EA Play 10-hour trial is expected to be available from approximately 19:00 SAST on Wednesday, 22 September.

ALSO READ:

Messi the FIFA 22 Ratings king

Lionel Messi remains the top-rated player in the FIFA 22 Ratings, having made a blockbuster move to Ligue 1 heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski splits Messi and his long-time rival for the title of best footballer in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, who occupies third spot as he continues to defy age, beginning a new chapter with Manchester United.

PSG may find themselves banned on couches the world over when FIFA 22 drops, with their team stacked with highly-rated stars. As Messi joins the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the French capital.

On the FIFA 22 Ratings, five players share an overall rating of 91, putting Ronaldo on the same level as Neymar, Mbappe, Kevin de Bruyne and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, who is the top-rated goalkeeper in the game.

Liverpool stars dead-even

Liverpool quartet Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Sadio Mane have all come in with and overall of 89 in the FIFA 22 Ratings.

Spurs and England captain Harry Kane will be the highest-rated player in action in the newly-formed UEFA Europa Conference League. Messi, Lewandowski and Ronaldo will headline a week of Champions League action that is loaded with intrigue.

FIFA 22 Ratings: Top 22

Champions League LIVE: Track all the scores and starting XIs

The latest addition to the CoD stable has a World War II setting – something that’s been explored plenty of times before – with a twist. Vanguard will officially be launched on 5 November 2021.

CALL DUTY VANGUARD COMING IN NOVEMBER

Lead developer Sledgehammer Games said Vanguard centres on a single-player campaign that mostly takes place after the war has ended and Adolf Hitler is dead. The lead characters in the campaign are four heroes from different nations – a play on how the Special Forces, as it is known today, was formed. They are Private Lucas Riggs (Australia), Sergeant Arthur Kingsley (United Kingdom), Lieutenant Wade Jackson (USA) and Lieutenant Polina Petrova (USSR).

“The four playable characters overcome the desperation and chaos of war, captured by the Axis powers, each rising from the trenches to become one of the original Operatives; the prototype for the modern special forces soldier as they fight for victory in tide-turning battles across the globe,”  said the Call of Duty website.

MULTIPLAYER MAPS, WARZONE CHANGES

The online multiplayer section of Vanguard will feature 20 maps at launch and the ever-popular Zombies mode will return.

Eventually, Vanguard’s launch will lead to a refresh of the Call of Duty Warzone map. The new map is expected later this year and gamers may finally see a PC “anti-cheat” system implemented in the free-to-play multiplayer shooter. Recently, high-profile streamers vowed that they have quit Call of Duty Warzone over a perceived lack of action from developers when it comes to punishing hackers and cheaters.

The developers said that universal progression will continue, meaning that players of different CoD titles including Modern Warfare, Black Ops Cold War and Vanguard, will carry their rank and Battle Pass progress between the different titles.

Call of Duty: Vanguard is now available for pre-order on major gaming platforms. Check out the trailer below:

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Unfold uncovers stories behind some of the biggest names in esports and gaming. 

Unfold features Thabo ‘Yvng Savage’ Moloi

In the newest episode of the Unfold series Yvng Savage shares exclusive insights into his incredible journey from learning and practising on a second-hand copy of FIFA to winning his first tournament, at only 16 years of age. 

The episode also features interviews with special guests including Goliath Gaming co-founder and team manager, Michele Brondani 

“Yvng Savage is passionately waiting to prove himself on the international stage…and I can say with absolute certainty when he does get that chance, he’s going to shock the world,” Brondani says of Moloi.

The Unfold series has previously featured prominent names such as, Nemanja “huNter” Kovač, Tsunehiro “Gachikun” Kanamori and Amer “Miracle-” al-Barkawi.

Insight into the life of an esports pro

Unfold reflects on Moloi’s gruelling training regime leading up to his first competition, where he spent three months in isolation, blocking out friends and family, and delves into how Yvng Savage burst onto the esports scene. After dominating his first-ever competition, the VS Gaming Festival in 2018, Yvng Savage beat an impressive 512 players, solidifying his spot as one of the best up and coming FIFA players in the world. Following his first win, Goliath Gaming spent “a few days after the tournament searching for Yvng Savage on social media and Google, but couldn’t find anything about him.” It wasn’t until Thabo reached out to fellow pro-FIFA player and Goliath Gaming talent, Julio ‘Beast’ Bianchi asking as to why Goliath hadn’t approached him yet, that the impressive youngster was finally signed. The cameras gleaned insights into Yvng Savage’s personal life – his close relationship with his mother, the unfortunate passing of his father at a young age, and consequently becoming the sole provider for his family.

Much of the press conference was dedicated to the Xbox Game Pass service.

Microsoft pledge to expand Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft’s pledge to expand Xbox Game Pass goes beyond the titles that the service offers.

The computing and gaming giants are reportedly working with global TV manufacturers to embed the Xbox experience directly into internet-connected televisions with no extra hardware required, aside from a controller. Xbox are also working on building their own streaming devices for cloud gaming to reach gamers on TVs without the need for a console or PC at all.

Xbox Game Pass central to Microsoft’s gaming direction

Xbox Game Pass, once seen as a risky move by Microsoft, now appears to be positioned to become the future of gaming across every platform.

Liz Hamren, corporate vice president of gaming experiences and platforms at Microsoft, explained the company’s approach in a recent interview.

“It’s working for gamers, and it’s also working for publishers,” Hamren told Variety. “We’re seeing that Game Pass drives engagement and awareness of a game both in Game Pass and outside Game Pass, so we see it as kind of a discovery and engagement engine… we think that’s one of the unique things about it and as we see more and more engagement on both sides, that makes us just want to invest more because our hypotheses about the benefits, they’re kind of coming to fruition.”

Engagement

Engagement is at the heart of the Xbox Game Pass strategy, and it appears to be working.

“We’re seeing that yes, people are playing in Game Pass, but at the same time, a number of the games in Game Pass you’re seeing topping the charts in terms of digital sales as well,” Hamren says. “Even for day-and-date games, we’re seeing that it just drives overall engagement with the game and drives players to the game.”

According to Microsoft, Game Pass members play 30 per cent more genres and play 40 per cent more games, and more than 90 per cent of members have said they played a game that they would not have tried without Game Pass.

In South Africa, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate monthly membership fee is R149 (Subject to change), although new users can take advantage of the introductory special rate of R15,90 for the first three months.

Not everyone is excited about this lineup, fans have been rallying online to get the games changed. While Control is a worthy addition, many feel that Destruction AllStars shouldn’t have been on the list.

Sony PS Plus Games for February 2021

PS Plus freebie: ‘Destruction AllStars’

Destruction AllStars is a combat game developed by Lucid Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It allows you to experience the art of intense vehicle-based combat.

Featuring explosive, unpredictable levels of free-flowing action in vibrant arenas across the globe, fight to be crowned the Global Destruction Federation Champion. IGN gave it a 6/10 rating:

“‘Destruction AllStars’ can provide fun bursts of frantic car combat action, but never adds up to much more than that”.

Simon Cardy, IGN.

Watch: ‘Destruction AllStars’ trailer

PS Plus freebie: ‘Control: Ultimate Edition‘

Control is a 2019 action-adventure video game developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by 505 Games. If you’re ready to get lost in an ever-shifting building in this third-person action-adventure, then this game is for you.

Control challenges you to master a combination of supernatural abilities, modifiable loadouts and reactive environments while fighting through a deep and unpredictable world. 

Take on the role of Jesse Faden, Director of the Federal Bureau of Control, whose New York headquarters are breached by an ominous enemy. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, Control is described by Polygon as “a technical marvel, and an artistic achievement”.

Watch: ‘Control: Ultimate Edition’ trailer

This trailer as a PEGI 16 rating.

PS Plus freebie: ‘Concrete Genie’

Concrete Genie follows the heartwarming journey of a bullied teen named Ash who escapes his troubles by bringing his colourful imagination to life in his sketchbook.

Help Ash harness the magical properties of his powerful paintbrush to eliminate the darkness polluting his hometown of Denska, a once bright and bustling seaside town.

“Pick up a magic paintbrush and return the polluted town of Denska to its former bright and bustling seaside self in this touching and multi-award winning action-adventure”.

PlayStation.

Watch: ‘Concrete Genie trailer

CD Projekt Red (CDPR) explained that they worked on “various stability improvements”, and vowed to continue this work in patch 1.2 and “other upcoming updates”. The team announced on social media:

“In this update, which lays the groundwork for the upcoming patches, we focused on various stability improvements and bug fixes”.

Cyberpunk 2077 patch 1.1 – What you need to know

Stability and User Interface fixes

CDPR worked to improve two major stability issues, namely memory usage improvement with regards to characters, interactions, navigation, in-game videos such as news broadcasts, foliage, laser effects, minimap, devices, AI, street traffic, environmental damage system, GPU-related, and more.

The second improvement address various crash fixes, “related to, among others, to loading saves, game opening and closing and Point of No Return”. And that’s about it. Underwhelming, right?

Only two UI issues were addressed. Some users reported a missing “exit” button while in a braindance; that has now been repaired, as well well as an “invalid item from loot fix”. Noticed how there’ll sometimes be a blank item when looting? Yeah. That.

Miscellaneous Cyberpunk 2077 fixed

CDPR also addressed “the issue responsible for saves getting oversized”, especially the saves which caused the system to crash if a player crafted new items. They also “trimmed the excess size from already existing saves”.

Do note, however, that this fix would not repair any PC save files which were corrupted before the Patch 1.06 update rolled out on 12 December 2020. CDPR also:

• Fixed an issue where input could stop registering upon opening the weapon wheel and performing an action.
• Fixed an issue where the “Continue” button in the Main Menu could load an end game save.

Patch 1.1 open-world fixes

Several quest fixes were attended to, especially related to Delamain’s Epistrophy quests, as well as M’ap Tann Pèlen, Pyramid Song, Down on the Street, A Day In The Life, Poem of The Atoms and more.

Most of us were waiting for a River Ward and Kerry Eurodyne fix, but alas; Judy and Panam’s quests are still more important for some reason. Spoiler alert: it’s not a mystery why they take priority.

Game developers still, in 2021, have a skewed idea of what a gamer looks like. If you hold the belief that gamers are mostly male, I guess it would make sense to prioritise female characters, sure.

However, shocking as it may seem, woman and members of the LGBT community are gamers too. I know right, who would have guessed? (Feel free to imagine an eye-roll emoji here).

But I digress. The full list of fixes can be viewed here.

Now read: Seven Cyberpunk 2077 secrets you might have missed

Disclaimer: This video clip contains swearing.

The trailer also contains more information about the mysterious new characters. In addition, producer Peter Fabiano was on hand to guide viewers through the world of Resident Evil Village

Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Out there, horrors await you. If you want to leave the lights on, go right ahead, we won’t tell anyone, pinky swear.

‘Resident Evil Village: The Maiden’ – What we know

Capcom’s PS5 Resident Evil Village exclusive extension, now confirmed to be titled The Maiden, gives more insight into what Resident Evil 7 protagonist Ethan Winters must face as the game progresses.

The Maiden is now available to play on PS5. Do note, however, that it doesn’t feature any of RE Village’s weapons or combat encounters. From what we’ve seen, there is no combat at all.

“You won’t be fighting zombies or vampires, but instead traversing through a very cryptic war-torn castle, giving you a taste of some of the beautiful graphics and jump scares that ‘Resident Evil 8’ will have to offer”.

Capcom

The character must find a way out of the castle. It sounds easier than it is, and before you know it, you’ll be fully immersed in the stuff of nightmares.

Watch – ‘Resident Evil Village: The Maiden’ gameplay trailer

‘The Maiden’ plot

Fabiano explained that “Maiden” is not the name of a person. Instead, it symbolises the protagonist, a girl who’s trapped in Dimitrescu Castle. Remember we said the character is separate from the main story?

“The Maiden demo doesn’t take place during the main story of Resident Evil Village. Maiden was originally designed as a visual demo that would allow you to explore the inside of Dimitrescu Castle, but it evolved to include a short story and puzzle-solving”.

Peter Fabiano, Producer

He added: “When you play ‘Resident Evil Village’, or, perhaps, you come back to Maiden after playing the main game, you might discover the connections they have to each other.”

RE Village release date

The demo may be a PS5 exclusive – you’ll currently find it in the “What’s Hot” section of the PS Store – but Capcom confirmed that it would be releasing a separate demo across all platforms later this year.

My copy of The Maiden is already downloading, expect a review soon. Resident Evil Village will launch on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X / S, Xbox One, and PC on 7 May 2021.

Also read: Seven Cyberpunk 2077 secrets you might have missed

Watch the RE Showcase here

Last week, Epic game away Star Wars Battlefront II – The Celebration Edition. If you missed out, you can still get the game for from the store for only $39.99 (R595, at the time of publishing).

Free games from Epic Store – 21 to 28 January 2021

Galactic Civilizations III

Galactic Civilizations III, which was developed and published by Stardock Entertainment back in May 2015, is a 4X turn-based strategy game in which you must build a civilization that will stand the test of time.

You get to choose from dozens of unique races. Make a name for yourself across the galaxy through diplomacy, espionage, technological advances, and more.

What if one day, humans woke up to find that they weren’t alone in the galaxy? They make their way into space and discover other alien civilisations with their own histories and motivations looking to make a name for themselves.”

Electronic Arts

You can also research new technology, design starships, and colonise new worlds. Go out and negotiate trade and treaties, wage wars and spy on your enemies. The lore and history are vast; Galactic Civilizations has replay value.

Watch: Galactic Civilizations III gameplay trailer

Never the same game twice

The developers explain that “each new game offers an array of options as you set it up – choose your map size, an abundance of planets and resources, frequency of events, and more for a unique play experience every time”.

“Galactic Civilizations III also removes linear victory conditions and offers you multiple objectives that you can choose to pursue in order to win, such as military conquest, cultural domination, technological ascension, or political alliances.”

Galactic Civilizations III reviews

Both IGN and PC Gamer gave Galactic Civilizations III 4.5 out of 5 stars, with IGN‘s Leif Johnson finding himself “having an unusual bit of fun in the act of actual world-building.”

“Galactic Civilization III gives all players a hefty head start thanks to a generous starting budget, and I found this allowed me to make smart, key decisions when placing structures on the homeworld”. 

In addition, Richard Cobbett from PC Gamer says Galactic Civilizations III ” is pretty much unique in the 4X genre—a space conquest game that sits alongside Master of Orion instead of simply in its shadow.”

You have until 28 January 2021 to download Star Wars Battlefront II: Celebration Edition for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

You can also still get that Hitman 1, thanks to Access Pass as well. In addition, the triple-A title was also released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch cloud gaming.

As we are approaching the release of IO Interactive’s Hitman 3 release on 20 January 2021 – on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Stadia, and PC – many fans are still in the dark about Early Access.

There is, however, still an opportunity to pre-order the game as well. But where does that leave us with Early Access? Let’s take a look.

‘Hitman 3’ launch

Just in case we forget, IO Interactive reminded us that “Agent 47 returns as a ruthless professional in Hitman 3 for the most important contracts of his entire career”, and added:

“This is the dramatic conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy.”

We’ll get to the details of Early Access (or lack thereof) in just a second. But first, have you seen the new launch trailer?

Watch: ‘Hitman 3’ 4K launch trailer

The countdown is on and IO Interactive released the launch trailer on 18 January 2021. Do note, this video carries an age restriction and may not be suitable for younger viewers.

‘Hitman 3’ Early Access

Hitman 3 Early Access remained a mystery just days ahead of the AAA title’s release. We are sad to announce that there will be no early access for Hitman 3 before 20 January.

The only thing you can do would be to pre-load the game ahead of its release – if you’ve pre-ordered – so that it’s ready to roll as soon as IO Interactive releases the much-anticipated game.

That said, IO Interactive does offer an Access Pass feature which enables you to access content from select titles within the franchise. IOI explained that if you already have the content, getting a pass on the same platform will be free of charge.

“If you buy the ‘Hitman 2’ Standard Access Pass DLC for ‘Hitman 3’, you’ll get access to the locations and missions included in the ‘Hitman 2’ Standard Edition within ‘Hitman 3′”.

‘Hitman 3’ pre-order details

If you pre-order, you’ll get the exclusive Trinity Pack, which includes nine in-game items to sweeten the deal a bit. The Trinity Pack includes three monochromatic outfits for Agent 47.

Might as well look dashing while Agent 47 goes around doing what he does best: assassinating. In addition, the exclusive deluxe edition comes with the game (if pre-ordered) will come with the following goodies:

• Deluxe suits and items.
• Escalations, 
• The World of Hitman digital book,
• The digital soundtracks
• Director commentary.

Also read: Resident Evil Showcase: Here’s what to expect and how to watch the event

Disclaimer 1.a: This is by no means a complete list. Disclaimer 1.b: It goes without saying that there will be spoilers here.

Cyberpunk 2077 secrets

Get a pet cat

Nibbles is a fun little reference to the cat from The Witcher 3. It’s easy to get Nibbles as a pet if you follow just two steps, after which the little furball (I say that sarcastically) take up residence in your apartment.

Heck even Johnny likes the cat, and that says a lot. Getting Nibbles as a pet doesn’t really offer much in the terms of gameplay, but it’s nice to come home to sound of a cat purring and meowing.

You’ll need to find cat food first, there are a few places: The Arasaka Industrial Park, also by Door 5 of the warehouse next to the GIM in Coastview, Pacifica, and in Randy’s bedside table in the Rancho Domingo trailer park.

Down the corridor of your apartment building, you’ll find a dumpster with a shard: Feed Teh Cat. Read it, put the cat food in the bowl on the ground, skip time 24 hours (or come back later) and Nibbles will be eating the food.

Johnny will make a remark. If you pick Nibbles up, the game will skip to your apartment, where you’ll find Nibbles sitting in the laundry basket.

Find Syd Mead’s name in the Columbarium

This one is easy to miss. I for one haven’t even found all of the available names in the Columbarium yet, other than Jackie Wells, Lucian Rhyne, Evelyn Parker, Claire’s husband Dean Russell, Alt Cunningham and a few others.

But who is Syd Mead?. Don’t bother wracking your brain trying to remember who might have died during previous missions. Mead isn’t a character in Cyberpunk, but he still deserves that spot, probably more than anyone else.

Mead was a visual futurist who created the designs for Blade Runner, Tron, Star Trek and more. In short, he is known as the “grandfather of cyberpunk aesthetics”. “Creator of Worlds”, very fitting indeed.

Find the batmobile

Well, technically, it’s not the batmobile. It’s a Rayfield Caliburn. That said, I stumbled upon it in a cave while exploring the outskirts of Night City. There was a journal shard nearby, belonging to one “Murk Man”.

Murk Man’s parents were killed when he was just a kiddo, and he’s vowed to bring justice to Night City. Sound familiar? Head over to the cave just off the sharp bend in the road north of Santo Domingo.

The closest FT terminal is Sunset Motel or the one by River Ward’s house. Far back in the cave is a blue container, legendary items and the Rayfield Caliburn (looks like batmobile). It clocks 210 miles per hour.

Hideo Kojima

Hideo Kojima – Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid creator – makes an appearance in Cyberpunk 2077. He’s not really all that friendly, and we kind of didn’t expect him to be anything else, to be honest.

You will run into Hideo during The Heist mission with Jackie Welles while at Night City’s most prestigious entertainment hub, the Konpecki Plaza; which is an Arasaka facility in the Arasaka Waterfront, situated in Watson.

We don’t want to give too much away, because The Heist is one of those really important missions with plenty of mind-blowing spoilers. At some point at the start of the mission you’ll be given two options:

• Have a look around the place (and a second prompt for “Check out the hotel bar”), or
• Go to your hotel room.

Choose the latter, head over to the bar, and you’ll find him at the back of the room, to the right of the pink counter.

Take Johnny on a roller-coaster ride

Yes, you can indeed take that Rockerboy of yours on a rollercoaster ride. It’s probably one of the few times in the game when Johnny smiles. You might have seen the giant roller coaster in Pacifica, next to the Grand Imperial Mall.

Enter the area from the beach side (or go left around the mall if you arrive via the FT terminal). You’ll need to fix the roller coaster first, so go through Mega Ride gates and past the booth.

Scan the cart and you’ll see the power is out. There’s a maintenance area with its yellow Danger sign towards the back of the cart. Drop down, go down the narrow passage, reconnect the power and you’re ready to ride.

Alanah Pearce

If you’re playing as Nomad V, you’ll run into a character based on video game journalist and Internet personality Alanah Pearce during the These Boots Are Made For Walking side mission.

It’s super short and you might miss it. When V finds her old car – then one that transported the Iguana into Night City at the start of the game – a woman (Lana) will show up, claiming it’s her car.

You can threaten her to leave – she won’t fight you but will call you an asshole. Alternatively, you can pay 100 eddies to buy it back or just give it to her. Johnny will respond accordingly.

I gave it to her and seemed impress. Apparently, he’ll be baffled when you threaten here, or make a remark about the car if you get it back.

The three seashells from Demolition Man

A nice little Easter Egg which took my way too long to find. There are three seashells in V’s apartment, reference to the scene in 1991’s Demolition Man, when Sylvester Stallone tells Sandra Bullock they’re out of toilet paper.

Simply go into V’s bathroom, you’ll see a shelf next to the toilet where toilet paper would typically be, but instead there are three seashells.

Bonus section

There are a ton of other easter eggs to find, such as the Heisenberg Principle mission, which is a reference to Breaking Bad. Remember that one time when Walter throws a pizza on the roof? Yep, that’s been included too.

Musician and producer Grimes also makes an appearance as the pop cyborg Lizzy Wizzy. The guitars in Kerry Eurodyne’s mansion or Bumpers, not Fenders, while V, at times, even quotes Shakespeare:

These violent delights have violent ends.

A teaser video features both feature references to the Gold Chicken Egg, which is a health item first introduced in Resident Evil 4. Here’s what you need to know.

RE Showcase

Date and time

The #REShowcase will take place on Thursday 21 January 2021 at 14:00 PT. For South African viewers, that would be 00:00 SAST (South African Standard Time) on Friday 22 January 2021.

If you’re watching from elsewhere in the world, tune in at 17:00 Central Time (CT) in the States. Alternatively, it would be 23:00 British Summer Time (BST).

If you’re based in India, get ready at 3:30 ISD on Friday. China, set your alarm for 6:00 CST (Chinese Standard Time), while viewers from Japan can tune in from 7:00 Japan Standard Time (JST).

Those in Australia will need to be ready at 9:00 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). New Zealanders, that’s 11:00 NZDT (New Zealand Daylight Time) for you. The event can be viewed below:

#REShowcase: What to expect

RE Village

Capcom has a packed schedule if a recent leak from an insider is anything to go by. Resident Evil Village was revealed to be in the works with Cacpom hinting that much more is to come.

Resident Evil also confirmed that the announcement would include a new trailer and gameplay trailer. In addition, business analyst Roberto Serrano said the following would be announced:

• RE Village Demo Gameplay on PS5
• Resident Evil Saga multiplayer closed beta
• RE Village pre-order
• Timed PlayStation Exclusive Village Demo
• RE Village release date

Brittney Brombacher (@BlondeNerd) will be hosting the event.

“I CAN FINALY TALK ABOUT THIS! Ahhhh. Hosting the #REShowcase is literally a dream, and hand-down the coolest thing I’ve ever been able to do. 8 y/o me, scared shitless after playing RE2 for the first time, is losing her mind.

Brittney Brombacher

Also read: ‘Hitman 3’ launch trailer and Early Access: What you need to know

After interviewing “more than 20 current and former CD Projekt staff”, Schreier wrote the piece and cited “unchecked ambition, technical woes and unrealistic deadlines” for the Cyberpunk 2077 saga.

CD Projekt RED Head of Studio Adam Badowski responded to these claims, saying “that’s what the ‘work in progress’ watermark is for”, amongst other things. See his response below.

Fake Cyberpunk 2077 demo

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ demo was ‘work in progress’

Badowski acknowledged that the demo looked different. However, he said the “final game looks and plays way better” than the demo shown at Electronic Entertainment Expo.

“It’s hard for trade show game demo not to be a test of vision or vertical slice two years before the game ships, but that doesn’t mean it’s fake. Compare the demo to the game. […] If you look at that demo now, it’s different, yes, but that’s what the ‘work in progress’ water is for“

Adam Badowski

He explained Schreier’s readers might not understand that “games are not made in a linear fashion; and start looking like the final product only a few months before launch”.

CD Projekt Red staff force

Badowski also pointed out that Schreier “talked with 20 people”, some being former CD Projekt RED employees, and that only one of those 20 sources was not anonymous.

That doesn’t reflect on the thoughts and opinions of CD Projekt RED’s staff force of more than 500. Schreier therefore cannot say that “most of the staff knew and openly said [Cyberpunk 2077] wouldn’t be ready for release in 2020.”

Schreier also mentioned in his article that “a few non-Polish staffers shared stories about coworkers using Polish in front of them, which violated company rules”.

Cultural differences in studio

Badowski said everyone speaks English during meetings; it’s compulsory for all company-wide emails and announcements to be in English. It’s a multicultural environment with more than 44 nationalities in the studio.

“Rule of thumb is to switch to English when there’s a person non-speaking a given language. It is, however, pretty normal for Germans speaking German, Poles speaking Polish, Spaniards speaking Spanish, etc”.

Adam Badowski

Schreier responds

Schreier said he appreciated Adam’s responses, saying “the team declined to provide an interview before [the] article went live”. He added that Badowski is welcome to share his perspective on the topics not mentioned.

He added: “CD Projekt chose not to respond to specific questions or make Badowski available for an interview for our article; it’s interesting to see these comments arriving now”.

“I do regret bringing up the language issue since it’s gotten a disproportionate amount of attention and is not a particularly big deal. Worth noting, however, what Badowski doesn’t address: the brutal crunch and the unrealistic timeline. I’d be happy to interview him any time”.

Jason Schreier

CD Projekt RED updated the Cyberpunk 2077 website over the weekend. As per the update, the team is actively working on fixes, and working with Sony to bring the game back onto the PlayStation store.

Also read: The 12 most iconic video games of all time

You might disagree with this list, but you would be wrong. Let’s take a look.  

The most iconic video games of all times

PacMan

Pacman is still considered to be the biggest cultural phenomena of the 1980s. The franchise released the popular Ms Pac-Man two years later, which racked up a lifetime revenue of $1.2 billion by 1987.

It was created game designer Toru Iwatani, when he was 24, and was inspired by the phrase paku paku meaning “chomp chomp”. The kanji symbol for the word taberu meaning “to eat” also influenced Iwatani’s creative process.

Fun fact, did you know the ghosts have distinct personalities? Yep, they are called Clyde, Blinky, Pinky, and Inky and have their own personalities based on AI routines.

Pong

Look, let’s be real, the seventies wasn’t the best time for gaming. Spacewar! happened and then they mucked that up, but eventually, the more simplistic Pong came along, proving that sometimes less is more.

The table tennis-themed arcade video game was first released on Atari back in November 1972. It featured two paddles and a ball, and you had to defeat your opponent by being the first one to gain 10 points.

Space Invaders

Developed by Tomohiro Nishikado and released in 1978 in Japan, Space Invaders is a classic among classics. It’s is a fixed-shooter game which pits a horizontally-moving cannon against an ever-descending army of invaders.

It expanded the video game industry in ways that could not even be imagined back in the seventies and is, therefore, no surprise that Space Invaders is considered one of the most influential games of all time.

Final Fantasy

No list would be complete without Final Fantasy the first game to truly bring Japanese role-playing games to the masses. Not only did it help to develop the idea of skill trees but boosted inspired some of the biggest RPGs ever made.

From World of Warcraft to Super Mario Brothers, it all started with Final Fantasy. This is turning into a fun little exercise, so let’s compare the first-ever Final Fantasy, to the upcoming Final Fantasy 16.

Street Fighter II

The ultra-popular Japanese fighting game – also known as Street Fighter II: The World Warrior – was released in 1991 and came to Nintendo’s GameBoy in 1995; it has been released in multiple forms over the years.

 It is the second installment in the series and the sequel to Street Fighter, released in 1987.

Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto was first released in 1997 by Rockstar games (wow, where does the time go) and continues to be one of the most-played and well-loved games to this day.

Little known fact, it’s the first game which truly popularised the open-world concept. One simply has to compare the first GTA to GTA 6 trailer to see how far it has come and why it remains a solid favourite.

Super Mario Bros

Another classic; who doesn’t know the hyperactive little plumber in one iteration or another. We’d go as far as to say that Mario is the best-known character (with the most well-known theme song) in all of video game history.

Super Mario debuted in one of the world’s first games that allowed the character to move horizontally through an evolving landscape. Watch the video below only if you dare, the nostalgia might get you.

World of Warcraft

Speaking of World of Warcraft, it was a trailblazer for the Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), we can all agree. From its initial release, Blizzard’s WoW has grown inactive player base to 4.88 million as of 2020.

By 2014, WoW had more than 100 000 000 registered accounts and had grossed over $9.23 billion in revenue just three years later.

Minecraft

Minecraft deserves a spot on this list – even though I might disagree for purely personal reasons. At 200 million copies, it’s without a doubt one of the bestselling video game of all times.

While many love it’s Lego-like charm, I’ll be honest, I simply don’t get it.

Tetris

We’re going to go ahead and Tetris to this list too and there’s nothing you can do about it. Often copied but never successfully replicated, Tetris marked the beginning of the modern puzzle genre of games.

Did you know there’s an X-rated version as well? But we digress. Tetris showed that you didn’t always need a protagonist or NPCs to have fun. Join is the anxiety of waiting for the one long piece:

Fortnite

Fortnite needs no introduction. The cooperative survival game is so popular, the launch of its fifth season generated five times more online web traffic than Donald Trump winning the US election back in 2016.

It has more than 250 million users worldwide, give or take a few, and can be played across several different devices, all offering the same game experience (for the most part, at least).   

Prince of Persia

I’m going to add this one right here at the bottom, more for personal reasons than anything else, if I have to be brutally honest. This, folks, this right here is where my gaming journey started: playing Prince of Persia on MS-DOS.

And it’s still going strong! Ubisoft announced a full remake of the 2003 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. A release date has been set for 21 January 2021. We’ve come a long way, just compare these two trailers:

Update 1.1.1 includes multiple fixes and support for Ubisoft Connect achievements in-game. It comes exactly a month after the previous update, which improved performance and rectified stability issues.

Update 1.1.0 addressed most of the bugs which had kept players from progressing. It also marked the start of the Yule festival and settlement expansion, fixed pesky photo mode issues and reduced freezes during Splash Screen.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla update

Title update 1.1.1

The update sizes across various platforms are as follows:

• Xbox Series X and Series: 7.5 GB
• Xbox One: 6.6 GB
• PlayStation 5: 2 GB
• PlayStation 4: between 2 and 3 GB, depending on the region
• PC: 6.45 GB

Miscellaneous tweaks

Players will be happy to learn that achievements for quests completed will automatically unlock now and that Ubisoft introduced several accessibility options, such as text-to-speech to letters and colour-blind preview options.

In addition, various quality-of-life improvements included new features such as the Animus Pulse highlighting dead bodies for necessary actions only while the AI detection system had been tweaked.

The complete list of miscellaneous tweaks include:

• The Animus Pulse will now highlight dead bodies for necessary situations only. 
• Enemies can no longer be auto looted using the Throw Weapons perk. 
• Tweaked AI detection when using disguise while dodging or while being in-air.  
• Added a reward to the Death Stranding homage.  
• Quivers and rations will now refill when upgrading them while they are depleted. 
• White dots hinting at rations/adrenaline/arrow loot beyond interaction range will no longer be displayed when the player has max quantity already.  
• Players will now be able to use “Wake up” at any time while in Asgard. Previously you had to complete the first quest.  
• Daily quests will now reset whenever the game detects that it’s not possible to continue or restart the quest. The quest may then be reactivated at the informer.  
• Added Text-to-speech to letters found in-game. 
• Added previews to colour-blind and subtitle options.  

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Game improvement

Apart from improving performance and stability, Ubisoft also rolled out several graphics, audio and animation updates. This includes clipping issues, NCP animation issues and several new photo mode bugs.

Textures for PS4 had also been optimised, while several issues in quests, world events and side activities were attended to. It’s a long list – which can be viewed here – but some of the most anticipated patches include:

• Legend of Beowulf issue where the clue marker would remain after it was investigated.  
• Repaired black screen after building the blacksmith.  
• Some players didn’t receive Storming the Walls after completing Severing the Lines, that has now be fixed.  
• To Serve the Light issue where Hytham would get stuck on the boat when randomly shooting arrows into the water.  
• Binding Fate issue which caused the boss to be stuck on a rock.  
• Price of Wisdom issue which prevented players from completing the quest.  
• Addressed an issue that prevented players from completing the Old Cellar mystery.  
• Knud becoming stuck in A Little Problem as been repaired as well.  
• Basim being in a fight with NPCs before the start of Puppets and Prisoners.   
• A Fiend out of Hell issue which prevented players from examining one of the cows.  

Gameplay, combat and AI

Various NPC behaviour issues were addressed, although Ubisoft didn’t go into detail. Some issues which caused players’ line of sight to be blocked using incendiary or Poison traps with the predator bow is now a thing of the past as well.   

Ubisoft also addresses an issue where guards would sometimes not react with hostility to watching Eivor burn members of their faction with oil jars, as well as an issue where NPCs could be killed by throwing corpses at them in Vinland.   

Free games from Epic Store – 14 to 21 January 2021

Star Wars Battlefront II: Celebration Edition

Star Wars Battlefront II, which was developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, is an action-adventure first-person shooter game first released back in November 2017 under the direction of Bernd Diemer.

Put your mastery of the blaster, lightsaber, and the Force to the test online and offline in STAR WARS™ Battlefront™ II: Celebration Edition

Electronic Arts

Battlefront II it follows the story of an elite Imperial special forces officer named Iden Versio as she grapples with the fallout when the second Death Star is destroyed at the end of Return of the Jedi.

Watch: Star Wars Battlefront II gameplay trailer

Note: This game contains a mature content recommended for ages 18+.

Battlefront II is class-based and every faction has four soldier classes – Assault, Heavy, Officer, and Sniper – as well as three starfighter classes: Fighter, Interceptor, and Bomber

In addition, all factions have three soldier Reinforcements, namely the Enforcer, Aerial, and Infiltrator, as well as two-vehicle Reinforcements. Do note that this version of the game excludes customisation content released after 20 December 2019.

Star Wars Battlefront II reviews

Battlefront II had a bad launch but eventually scored an 8.8 out of 10 from IGN Africa, while individual player reports lean towards five out of five stars. One reviewer said it’s even perfect for “the weekend and evening gamers”.

“I actually really enjoyed the single-player campaign, It is based around the end of Return of the Jedi, adds a lot of canon to the story arcs in the films and feel it is really underrated.”

You have until 21 January 2021 to download Star Wars Battlefront II: Celebration Edition for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

We finally saw the release of the PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S consoles; as well as the announcement of the KFConsole, the one console to end the console wars. Fun times.

One of the best games of this generation – Ghost of Tsushima – was released to keep us occupied during a time when most of us tried to keep our act together. While Ghost wasn’t crowned as GOTY award, it was voted as the Players’ Choice.

And the gaming industry so a massive boost as people were forced into lockdown and looking for new and exciting ways to spend their time. You know, something didn’t involve baking banana bread.

Here’s hoping that 2021 would be even better. Sony recently confirmed which PS5 games would be coming our way next year. These are a few of the titles we are most excited about.

PS5 games to be released in 2021

Most anticipated PS5 game: God of War: Ragnarok

God of War: Ragnarok is slated for a 2021 release date, although an exact date hadn’t been confirmed at the time of publishing. You can prepare for the release by playing God of War from PlayStation’s Plus collection in the meantime.

Not much is known of the upcoming PS5 game just yet. However, it’s believed that the story may pick up from where we last left it in the PlayStation 4 title, where we will catch up with Kratos and his son, Atreus.

The trailer also features an Omega symbol covered in ice or snow. According to Precious Simpasa, this “could be a nod to Fimbulwinter, a prophesied winter that takes place in Midgard”.

Hitman 3

Hitman 3′s release is just around the corner. The IO Interactive title has been slated for launch on 20 January 2021 and will support 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (fps) on PC and next-gen consoles.

It will also be wrapping up the award-winning Hitman trilogy, thus bring the World of Assassination franchise to its conclusion. IO Interactive released a new trailer just this month; two-minute clips narrated by Lucas Grey.

Grey informs the viewer that he and Agent 47 have uncovered the names of Providence’s three leaders. Now, there’s nothing else left to do but take the fight to the leaders’ doorstep.

Yakuza: Like a dragon

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the eighth mainline title in the Yakuza series and the first one that won’t follow Kazuma Kiryu as the protagonist.

You will play as Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza who goes to prison for a crime he did not commit to make himself a hero in his clan. He is released 18 years later and finds that no-one is waiting for him.

Kasuga realises he has been betrayed by the man he trusted most and sets off on a journey to discover the truth behind his family’s betrayal and take his life back.

Returnal

Returnal – the PS5 debut from the same people who brought us Resogun, Stardust, Dead Nation, and Alienation – is a third person action title set to launch on Sony’s next-gen console on 19 March 2021.

You must dive deep into the mind of Selene, an Astra space scout trapped in a hellish loop of endless resurrection while trapped on a hostile planet. And prepare to be bombarded by volleys of bullet-hell projectiles along the way.

The developers say that we would look forward to “super fast loading times”, and confirmed that they’re “using the haptic feedback of the DualSense wireless controller to give players extra awareness of gameplay”. 

Stray

We couldn’t help, Stray just had to be on this list. Who wouldn’t want to play a cat simulator on PS5, amirite? It has a cat, it has a cyberpunk elements and is gorgeously designed; what’s not to love?

 A self-described cat adventure game, the trailer features a cat traversing a neon-lit cyberpunk city. Along the way, the playable cat encounters the robotic citizens of the city, with no humans in sight.

Generally, people love cats. So much so, in fact, that it’s kind of a big deal when games allow players to pet cats. For players like these, playing as a feline could change the game entirely.

Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI is a single-player action-RPG (role-playing game) and Japanese anthology series which was first released back in 1987 and the setting for the Final Fantasy XVI looks pretty dang dark.

Following Sony’s September Showcase, Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida and director Hiroshi Takai explained that the “footage comprised of both battles and cutscenes running in real-time”.

“[It] represents but a fraction of what our team has accomplished since the start of development on this, an all-new Final Fantasy game. In that span, the team’s size has grown from a handful of core members to a full-fledged unit that continues to polish and build upon what they have created so far, all to provide players with an experience unmatched in terms of story and gameplay”.

Final Fantasy XVI Producer, Naoki Yoshida

Deathloop

In Bethesda Softworks’ upcoming PS5 game, you’ll take on the role of Colt as you search for a way to put an end to a timeloop trapping Blackreef while being hunted by the island’s inhabitants.

You’ll be able to use powerful weapons and abilities to take out eight key targets across the stunning and chaotic island before the day resets.

Lurking in the shadows is rival assassin Julianna whose sole mission is to take Colt out and keep the loop going. Learn from each cycle, try new paths and approaches to break the loop once and for all.

Ghostwire: Tokyo 

Bethesda Softworks and Tango Gameworks is working under the direction of Kenji Kimura to bring us Ghostwire: Tokyo in 2021, exact date of release yet to be confirmed. A sneak peek was revealed at E3 earlier this year.

The game is set in Tokyo, Japan after the city was overrun by deadly supernatural forces. Approximately 99% of the city’s population vanished. Now, Tokyo is filled to the brim with paranormal activities and supernatural events.

Executive produce of Tango Gameworks, Shinji Mikami explained at E3:

“You will fight paranormal enemies and rid the city of a supernatural evil […] You have to explore the world and face challenges to uncover the truth and save humanity.”

There are a few others to keep in mind as well, such as Hogwarts Legacy, Martha is Dead, Resident Evil Village, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, and Far Cry 6 

Apple pulled Fortnite from its online mobile apps marketplace on 13 August after Epic released an update that dodges revenue sharing with the iPhone maker.

Fortnite responded by hosting #FreeFortnite tournament and took several jabs at Apple during its marketing campaign. Epic released a video titled Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite as a jab at Apple’s famous 1984 ad.

Fortnight’s New Year’s Eve event

Fortnite’s New Year’s Eve event is an annual tradition by now. This year, however, a few leaks surfaced earlier than usual and some fans aren’t all that happy. Epic announced the event on social media.

Developers were preparing to say goodbye to 2020 for good and worked tirelessly to create the end-of-year celebration. The first images of the event were leaked by M1, also known as @m1fnbr.

Early look at the New Years event pic.twitter.com/s8WzzW6PwR

— M1 (@m1fnbr) December 24, 2020

What could possibly have caused Fortnite gamers to be so upset about a New Year’s Eve event? We’ll, many feel it’s a bit bland, as it features yet more fireworks. Tech Times explains:

However, this leak is not much of a spoiler as it is the same as every year’s celebration of a fireworks display and a night of dancing in different locations in the game. Also, the night time mode on “Fortnite” would be showing by chance, and would not be the same for every gamer, but servers might put everyone in-game near the New Year’s Eve event celebration time with darker skies to fully enjoy the show.

In addition to the above, Epic Games will be adding the famous disco ball that will light up the skies where gamers can dance using their emotes, accompanied by New Year’s Eve music.

Criticism from Fortnite gamers

When the new emote was announced on Twitter, one user simply said, “oh hell naw”. Another netizen known only as Kreek Story added that it’s “literally the same as every year”.

Many other took the comment section as well to express their disdain at the upcoming New Year’s Eve event being “functionally identical” to celebrations held in the past.

Others hoped the leak was only a tiny fraction of the full event, and that there was more to look forward other than just fancy fireworks and lighting effects. However, the trend set in the past probably means this is the full extent of the celebration.

Previous freebies include My Time at Portia, Metro: 2033 Redux, Darkest Dungeon, Alien: Isolation and Tropico 5. Here’s what you need to know.

Festive Freebies – Day 14 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

‘Torchlight II’ – 30 to 31 December

Torchlight II, which was developed by Runic Games and published by Perfect World Entertainment back in September 2012, is an action role-playing dungeon crawler video game.

Paying tribute to the hack-n-slash genre, Torchlight II as an impressive 9/10 rating on Steam, with audience reviews on Google ranging between 3.5 and five stars. Some even say it is “the best ARPG/HnS game of all time”.

“‘Torchlight II’ is filled to the brim with randomised levels, enemies and loot. [It] expands the world and adds features players wanted most, including online and LAN multiplayer”.

Perfect World Entertainment

Watch: ‘Torchlight II‘ trailer

There are four classes to choose from, and each class can be played as either male or female; customised cosmetic features included. You can also choose between going the MultiPlayer route, or just exploring the vast open world.

Joystiq said it features an “incredibly polished and solid world”, while Charles Onyett from IGN said at the time of the game’s release that it “delivers pure, perfectly paced loot-driven euphoria”.

“‘Torchlight II’ doesn’t do anything radically new, but does everything incredibly well. It fits all the pieces of varied monster behaviour, interesting items, excellent skill design and random surprises together into a near-perfect formula, where the action never stops and rewards are never far away”. 

You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 31 December to download Torchlight II for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Previous free games from the Epic Store

If you missed any of the previous games, hurry over to Epic and get it at a reduced cost while the festive season giveaway is still active.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline
• 18 December: Oddworld: New n Tasty
• 19 December: The Long Dark
• 20 December: Defense Grid 1
• 21 December: Alien: Isolation
• 22 December: Metro: 2033 Redux
• 23 December: Tropico 5
• 24 December: Inside
• 25 December: Darkest Dungeon
• 26 December: My Time At Portia
• 27 December: Night in the Woods
• 28 December: Stranded Deep
• 29 December: Solitarica
• 30 December: Torchlight II (You are here)
• 31 December: Jurassic World Evolution (Unconfirmed)

Festive Freebies – Day 9 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

‘My Time at Portia’ – 26 to 27 December

My Time at Portia, which was developed by Pathea Games and published by Team 17 back in January 2019, combines aspects of role-playing video games and simulation games.

The developers invite you to start a new life in the enchanting town of Portia. You need to restore the neglected workshop to its former glory by fulfilling commissions, growing crops, raising animals, and befriending the quirky inhabitants.

Armed with an old handbook and workbench, you must gather, mine and craft your way to being crowned the number one workshop in Portia. Help the locals rebuild the town and uncover the secrets locked deep away beneath it.

Watch: ‘My Time at Portia‘ review

My Time at Portia has a Top Critic Average of 75 out 100, with a “Strong” OpenCritic Rating. Chris Hyde from God is a Geek gave it an eight of time but warns that you will need to “learn a lot”.

“If you’re prepared to learn a lot and have plenty of time to spare, ‘My Time at Portia’ is very enjoyable. Sporadic use of a guide will allow you to experience it in the fun, relaxed way it was intended”.

You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 27 December to download My Time At Portia for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

Previous free games from the Epic Store

Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon, which was developed and published by Red Hook Studios back on 3 February 2015, is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG about the psychological stresses of adventuring. 

You need to recruit, train, and lead a team of flawed heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, famine, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark. Sounds like fun! Take a look at the trailer below.

 The developers invite you on the journey to “battle not only unimaginable foes, but stress, famine, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark”.

If you missed any of the previous games, hurry over to Epic and get it at a reduced cost while the festive season giveaway is still active.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline
• 18 December: Oddworld: New n Tasty
• 19 December: The Long Dark
• 20 December: Defense Grid 1
• 21 December: Alien: Isolation
• 22 December: Metro: 2033 Redux
• 23 December: Tropico 5
• 24 December: Inside
• 25 December: Darkest Dungeon
• 26 December: My Time At Portia (You are here)
• 27 December:
• 28 December:
• 29 December:
• 30 December:
• 31 December:

Festive Freebies – Day 9 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

‘Darkest Dungeon’ – 25 to 26 December

Inside, which was developed and published by Red Hook Studios back on 3 February 2015, is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG about the psychological stresses of adventuring. 

You need to recruit, train, and lead a team of flawed heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, famine, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark. Sounds like fun! Take a look at the trailer below.

 The developers invite you on the journey to “battle not only unimaginable foes, but stress, famine, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark”.

Watch: ‘Darkest Dungeon‘ gameplay trailer

Uncover strange mysteries, and pit the heroes against an array of fearsome monsters with an innovative strategic turn-based combat system.

The New Yorker included Darkest Dungeon in its lineup for “Best Video Games of 2015”, while Rock Paper Shotgun says it’s one of the “50 best PC RPGs of all time”. That’s quite impressive. Don’t miss out.

You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 25 December to download Playdead’s masterpiece for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

Previous free games from the Epic Store

Inside

Inside, which was developed and published by Playdead back in July 2016, is a sombre puzzle-platformer adventure game with a 94% critics’ rating and a “Mighty” OpenCritic Rating.

Christan Dolan from Eurogamer says it’s “Playdead’s follow-up to ‘Limbo’ [which] is a superior game in every way”, while Jaz Rignall from US Gamer says its only downside is being so short. Rignall added:

“Combine a highly a highly compelling visual narrative with superb puzzles and brilliant platforming, and you have ‘Inside’, one of the most intriguing, addictive and beautiful-looking games of this generation”.

If you missed any of the previous games, hurry over to Epic and get it at a reduced cost while the festive season giveaway is still active.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline
• 18 December: Oddworld: New n Tasty
• 19 December: The Long Dark
• 20 December: Defense Grid 1
• 21 December: Alien: Isolation
• 22 December: Metro: 2033 Redux
• 23 December: Tropico 5
• 24 December: Inside
• 25 December: Darkest Dungeon (You are here)
• 26 December:
• 27 December:
• 28 December:
• 29 December:
• 30 December:
• 31 December:

Festive Freebies – Day 8 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

‘Inside’ – 24 to 25 December

Inside, which was developed and published by Playdead back in July 2016, is a sombre puzzle-platformer adventure game with a 94% critics’ rating and a “Mighty” OpenCritic Rating.

Christan Dolan from Eurogamer says it’s “Playdead’s follow-up to ‘Limbo’ [which] is a superior game in every way”, while Jaz Rignall from US Gamer says its only downside is being so short. Rignall added:

“Combine a highly a highly compelling visual narrative with superb puzzles and brilliant platforming, and you have ‘Inside’, one of the most intriguing, addictive and beautiful-looking games of this generation”.

Watch: ‘Inside‘ story trailer

Do note: Inside has Mature 17+ ESRB rating for Blood and Gore, and Violence.

“Hunted and alone, a boy finds himself drawn into the center of a dark project”.

You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 25 December to download Playdead’s masterpiece for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

Previous free games from the Epic Store

Epic Games gave away Tropico 5 on Wednesday, 23 December. If you missed it, I do recommend getting it anyway, if city-building games are your jam. It’s currenlty marked down from R145.99 to R51.09.

You can also get Tropico 6 from Epic Games for R177.99. The Tropico series is both frustrating in every imaginable way, while also a heap of fun. Take my word for it, you won’t want to let this one go.

I’ve played a considerable amount of Tropico 5 (and Tropico 6) over the years, and I can count on one hand the times when revolutionaries liked me from the start, the capitalists knew their place and the royalists left me alone.

If you missed any of the previous games, hurry over to Epic and get it at a reduced cost while the festive season giveaway is still active.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline
• 18 December: Oddworld: New n Tasty
• 19 December: The Long Dark
• 20 December: Defense Grid 1
• 21 December: Alien: Isolation
• 22 December: Metro: 2033 Redux
• 23 December: Tropico 5
• 24 December: Inside (You are here)
• 25 December:
• 26 December:
• 27 December:
• 28 December:
• 29 December:
• 30 December:
• 31 December:

The current update resolves the issues of large saved files becoming corrupted. That means no more anxiety when you hit the save button. Unfortunately, this patch won’t fix save files corrupted before the update.

Cyberpunk 1.06: Corrupted saved files be gone

After Hotfix 1.05 was released, gamers reported that large saved files exceeding 8MB became corrupted. This was a major thorn in the side for gamers who had already spent hours on their quest.

CD Project Red also promises that console players would experience less crashes going forward. Personally, I was fine until Act 2. From there, the game would crash every time I pushed Jackie’s ARCH too hard.

While not the worst issue – compared to what other players had to deal with on base consoles – it was annoying as heck. Hopefully, that would now be a thing of the past.

Watch: Cyberpunk 1.06 hotfix

Cyberpunk 2077 hotfix 1.06 is already available on PC and console. Here’s a breakdown of the updates as received from CD Projekt Red. The patch is approximately 16.8 GB on PlayStation.

Apart from the corrupted saved files, it also fixes a specific quest issue and improves stability for console players, so PS4 and Xbox owners should see less crashes after installing this update.

Cyberpunk 1.06 log

Cyberpunk quest fixes

• Dum Dum will no longer go missing from Totentanz entrance during Second Conflict.

Console-specific fixes

• Improved memory management and stability, resulting in fewer crashes.

PC-specific fixes

• Removed the 8 MB save file size limit. Note: this won’t fix save files corrupted before the update.

Also read: Listen: Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack featuring Grimes, A$AP Rocky and more

CD Projekt Red loses big

Cyberpunk 2077’s post-launch issues have cost CD Projekt Red billions since the game (one of the most expensive ever created) was unleashed on the public, if the company’s stock figures are anything to go by.

The dystopian-themed Cyberpunk 2077 triggered a backlash from gamers who complained it was riddled with bugs, performed poorly on standard consoles and even risked triggering epileptic seizures.

CD Projekt Red plunged 15.6 percent in early trading on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) before starting to inch back up. It’s stock value sank to 32.3 billion zloty ($8.8 billion), down from 42.7 billion from the week prior to Cyberpunk 2077’s launch.

KFC is no stranger to weird and wonderful marketing stunts. From a chicken drumstick mouse and chicken-scented sunscreen and gravy-scented candles to KFC-inspired crocs, they sure know how to get our attention.

So, remember when KFC alluded to a video game console with a “chicken chamber” back in June and we all thought it was a joke? Turns it out it was real, after all. Oh, 2020, in the name of Sithis, what have you done?

KFConsole: What we know about KFC’s video game console

We know quite a lot, actually. And it’s not particularly a proud moment in my gaming journalism career but here we are. KFC and Cooler Master have teamed up to create a “bucket-shaped gaming PC”.

Let’s take that up a notch and tell you the video game console was also designed to keep chicken warm… While you can’t fry chicken in the console (no, that isn’t a suggestion, KFC), it can keep pre-cooked chicken warm.

It looks a bit like an air fryer, though, doesn’t it? We have to give it to KFC, their timing is spot on. With vast numbers of gamers still looking for a PlayStation 5, dare we way the KFConsole might just be the next best thing.

The console is also VR ready, supports Ray Tracing and is built for 4K-TV gaming. Let’s take a look under the hood.

KFConsole specifications

KFC went out guns blazing and promises the uniquely-designed black and red console showcased online supports cross-platform compatibility and True 4K resolution with 240 frames per second (fps) and 240Hz output.

Furthermore, its equipped with an Intel Nuc9 Extreme Compute Element, which Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar referred to as “the new king of tiny gaming PCs”, back in April 2020.

Watch: KFConsole introduction

It also supports Asus-powered graphics that “runs buttery smooth, keeping tearing and frame drop a thing of the past”. The console also has a “first-of-its-kind hot-swappable GPU slot”.

That’s impressive, we have to admit. It also means you’ll be able to play that copy of KFC’s very real game called I Love You Colonel Sanders Dating Simulator Game which you don’t want to admit you own.

“Forged from the fires of the KFC ovens and built by Cooler Master from the ground up, there has never been a tastier way to experience the latest titles in stunning 4k, 240fps”.

When will the video gaming console be released

KFC hasn’t confirmed any information pertaining to how or where the console will be released. The official KFCGaming Twitter account only confirmed on 23 December that the KFConsole is real and not a hoax.

KFCGaming tweeted that the “console wars are over”, and shared a short video clip to introduce the KFConsole, along with the #PowerYourHunger hashtag.

I’m just stating here for the record that I’m still not convinced it’s real until I get to see it for myself.

Festive Freebies – Day 7 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

‘Tropico 5’ – 23 to 24 December

Tropico 5, which was developed by Haemimont Games and published by Kalypso Media Group back in May 2014, is a construction and management simulation video game which will drive you up the walls.

No really, take my word for it. I’ve spent hours of my life swearing at Penultimo, the advisor and second-in-command of El Presidente. He hardly knows anything, but he assures you’ll stay well entertained.

In Tropico 5, you – or El Presidente – return to the remote island nation to expand your dynasty’s reign from the early colonial period to beyond the 21st Century. But there are several challenges you need to overcome.

You need to stay ahead of the times with technology and scientific research, while also exploring the island and mining its resources. It’s a constant balance between keeping Tropicans happy and staving off the next world war.

Yes, the world powers are constantly bickering around you. Either fight them off or use all the drama to your advantage, as long the island keeps functioning and nothing falls apart. Oh, and there are rebels too.

Watch: ‘Tropico 5‘ story trailer

I’ve played a considerable amount of Tropico 5 (and Tropico 6) over the years, and I can count on one hand the times when revolutionaries liked me from the start, the capitalists knew their place and the royalists left me alone.

It’s frustrating, but you’ll love it. You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 24 December to download Tropico 5 for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

Previous free games from the Epic Store

We will update this article daily, with links to every game in Epic Store’s 15-day festive giveaway.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline
• 18 December: Oddworld: New n Tasty
• 19 December: The Long Dark
• 20 December: Defense Grid 1
• 21 December: Alien: Isolation
• 22 December: Metro: 2033 Redux
• 23 December: Tropico 5 (You are here)
• 24 December:
• 25 December:
• 26 December:
• 27 December:
• 28 December:
• 29 December:
• 30 December:
• 31 December:

After the drama of someone leaking an inaccurate list ahead of the giveaway, another leak followed, seemingly with the correct titles. And so far, everything on the list has checked out.

Festive Freebies – Day 6 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

‘Metro: 2033 Redux’ – 22 to 23 December

Metro: 2033 Redux, which was developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver back in March 2010, is a first-person shooter game set in 2033; twenty years after the world was devasted by an apocalyptic event.

Almost all of mankind was annihilated when the Earth’s surface turned into a poisonous wasteland. Only a handful of survivors were able to took refuge in the depths of the Moscow underground.

The annihilation event was the start of a new Dark Ages for humankind. The new generation, born and raised underground, need to face each other and “the horrors that await outside”.

Watch: ‘Metro: 2033 Redux’ story trailer

You play as Artyom, born in the last days before the fire, but raised underground. You have never ventured beyond the city limits until one fateful event sparks a desperate mission to the heart of the Metro system.

Now it’s up to you to warn the remnants of mankind of a terrible impending threat. You will travel “from the forgotten catacombs beneath the subway to the desolate wastelands above, where your actions will determine the fate of mankind”.

However, the developers eerily ask: “But what if the real threat comes from within…?”

You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 23 December to download Metro: 2033 Redux for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

Previous free games from the Epic Store

We will update this article daily, with links to every game in Epic Store’s 15-day festive giveaway.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline
• 18 December: Oddworld: New n Tasty
• 19 December: The Long Dark
• 20 December: Defense Grid 1
• 21 December: Alien: Isolation
• 22 December: Metro: 2033 Redux (You are here)
• 23 December:
• 24 December:
• 25 December:
• 26 December:
• 27 December:
• 28 December:
• 29 December:
• 30 December:
• 31 December:

From God of War: Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West, to Hitman 3 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, here’s what you could look forward to in 2021.

PS5 games and release date for 2021

The information contained in this article was accurate at the time of publishing. Do note that publishers may change dates as they see fit. (Cyberpunk 2077 is a prime of example of that).

We will update this article and provide additional information as it is released. The tables below will contain confirmed titles; tentative games can be found at the end of the article.

PS5 games confirmed for January 2021

PS5 games confirmed for February 2021

PS5 games confirmed for March 2021

PS5 games confirmed for April 2021

PS5 games confirmed for May 2021

PS5 games confirmed for June 2021

PS5 games confirmed for September 2021

• The Pedestrian (January – To be confirmed)
• Destruction AllStars (February – To be confirmed)
• Tennis World Tour 2 (March – To be confirmed)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits (During Q1 2021 – To be confirmed)
• Pray for the Gods (During Q1 2021 – To be confirmed)

During 2021 – To be confirmed

• Aragami 2 
• Blood Bowl 3 
• Braid: Anniversary Edition
• Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead
• Dustborn 
• Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires
• Evil West 
• Far Cry 6 
• Final Fantasy XVI
• Ghostrunner
• Ghostwire: Tokyo 
• God of War Ragnarok 
• Goodbye Volcano High 
• Gotham Knights 
• Gran Turismo 7
• Heavenly Bodies 
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Horizon Forbidden West 
• In Sound Mind 
• Jett: The Far Shore 
• Martha Is Dead 
• Marvel’s Avengers
• Metal: Hellsinger
• Metro Exodus 
• PES 2022 
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 
• Resident Evil Village
• Roots of Pacha 
• Scarlet Nexus
• Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One
• Solar Ash (
• Stray
• The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes 
• The Lord of the Rings: Gollum 
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Tribes of Midgard 
• Unknown 9: Awakening 
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong

2022 (Tentative)

• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
• Granblue Fantasy: Relink (US)
• Granblue Fantasy: Relink (US)
• My Time at Sandrock 
• Pragmata 
• Sea of Stars 
• Sonzai 
• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
• The Callisto Protocol 

TBA

• Beyond Good & Evil 2 
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 

SPP announced that Ghost of Tsushima Legends players have until 15 January 2021 to unlock outfits inspired by characters from God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, Shadow of the Colossus and Bloodborne.

Get cracking, because once the clock ticks over to 16 January 2021, you won’t be able to get these outfits anymore. Here’s what you need to know and how to get the outfit before time runs out.

Ghost of Tsushima: Legends – New outfits

According to Sucker Punch Productions, it’s really easy to get your outfits. Simply complete any Story or Survival mission with each class to unlock all four outfits.

Do note, these only apply to Samurai, Ronin, Hunter and Assassin in Legends. There is, unfortunately, no way to get the crossover items for Jin Saka in the main story mode.

Samurai: God of War skin

The God of War skin is based on the game’s protagonist Kratos. This is the perfect skin if you’re waiting anxiously for the God of War series to return in 2021. It’s easy to get the skin.

Simply complete any Story or Survival mission in Legends while playing as the Samurai class from now until 15 January 2021. Once you do that, this outfit will be unlocked and yours to keep forever.

Hunter: Horizon Zero Dawn skin

My personal favourite – The Hunter – will be getting a Horizon Zero Dawn skin which looks pretty close to the original outfit as worn by Aloy. And as expected, Horizon Forbidden West is due to come in 2021.

All you have to do to get an Aloy-inspired skin for your Hunter is to complete a story or survival mission in Ghost of Tsushima: Legends while playing as the Hunter class. Remember the deadline.

Assassin: Shadow of the Colossus skin

Ah, remember the PS2 classic, Shadow of the Colossus? It was remastered for PS4 and now this costume will be available for the Assassin class. It features a distinct mask based on the colossi from Shadow of the Colossus.

You should know the drill by now. Complete a story or survival mission in Legends while playing as an Assassin to get this outfit pictured below.

Ronin: Bloodborne skin

The Ronin class will be getting a skin inspired by the PS4 Soulslike game, Bloodborne – specifically Eileen the Crow’s outfit. We believe playing as Ronin should be easier than playing Bloodborne. If you know, you know…

All you have to do is complete Ghost of Tsushima: Legends story or survival quest as a Ronin before 15 January 2021 to unlock Eileen the Crow’s outfit. Once it’s unlocked, you can keep it forever.

Also read: ‘Ghost of Tsushima’ bags popular player’s vote in Game Awards 2020

After the drama of someone leaking an innaccurate list ahead of the giveaway, another leak followed, seemingly with the correct titles. And so far, everything on the list has checked out.

Festive Freebies – Day 5 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

‘Alien: Isolation’ – 21 to 22 December

Alien: Isolation, which was developed by Creative Assembly and published by SEGA. back in October 2014, is a survival horror video game which won the BAFTA Games Award for Audio Achievement.

The developers invite you to discover “the true meaning of fear” in Alien: Isolation. The game is set in an “atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger”. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

The tagline is “how will you survive?” and we learn that Ellen Ripley promised her daughter when she left Earth that she would return home to celebrate her 11th birthday. Unfortunately, she never made it.

Watch: ‘Alien: Isolation’ story trailer

No fifteen years later, Amanda Ripley learns that the flight recorder from her mother’s ship has been recovered. Amanda enters Sevastopol space station to finally solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance.

There she is confronted by an unknown menace. From here, you need to “engage in a terrifying quest for survival as you navigate the labyrinthine Sevastopol station”.

Unprepared and underequipped, you will need all your wits and daring to get out alive.

SEGA

You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 22 December to download Alien: Isolation for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

Previous free games from the Epic Store

We will update this article daily, with links to every game in Epic Store’s 15-day festive giveaway.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline
• 18 December: Oddworld: New n Tasty
• 19 December: The Long Dark
• 20 December: Defense Grid 1
• 21 December: Alien: Isolation (You are here)
• 22 December:
• 23 December:
• 24 December:
• 25 December:
• 26 December:
• 27 December:
• 28 December:
• 29 December:
• 30 December:
• 31 December:

Hotfix 1.05 on console includes more than 70 changes, and addresses issues in quests, visuals and stability, to name a few. According to Cyberpunk.net, the hotfix addresses several annoyances, such as the disappearing Jackie.

Cyberpunk 2077 hotfix 1.05

We’ll include the official list of all the changes below, however, base console players are now reporting more problems than ever. One user took to Twitter, saying the exit menus and textures “took a step backwards”.

“Anyone else also feel like 1.05 hotfix made @CyberpunkGame worse? I can’t exit out of menus now on PS4 pro and NPC textures look like a step backwards…”

Cyberpunk 2077’s bugs on PS4

PS4 users reported new issues with the 1.05 hotfix on Reddit. Some couldn’t leave the Options screen from the Main Menu, while others couldn’t reset their graphic settings. One Redditor said the hotfix 1.05 was “just a placebo”.

Several gamers reported seeing a black screen when they select Continue, with one user suggesting that a system reboot is the only way to get out of the endless loop. Another suggested installing the game on an external SSD:

“I’ve got an external Hybrid Drive, and although I’ve had plenty of crashes like everybody else, I’ve had almost none of the crazy texture pop-in and LOD bugs. OG PS4”.

Cyberpunk 2077’s bugs on PS5

Personally, I’ve been having a blast playing Cyberpunk 2077 on the PlayStation 5. The system crashed a few times while I was driving the ARCH (and always when driving the ARCH, no other time).

I’ve seen a woman standing in the Victory pose with her feet sticking through a couch, and saw ammo cases floating mid-air while walking to my hotel room at the Konpeki Plaza during The Heist. And that’s about it.

While I’ve personally had minimal issues on the PS5 console, others have not been as lucky. EncoreXtreme said on Twitter that they’ve had to close the game and start it again, only to be informed that the data was corrupted.

“Changed the settings to my preferred ones but while on the main menu, and now all works fine. Can change during the game as well and have no problem”.

Cyberpunk 2077’s bugs on Xbox

Some Xbox players on Reddit believe that the hotfix addressed the most concerning issues. One user remarked that while the differences seem extraordinary, “nothing major seems to have changed on the Series X”.

The user still believes, however, that the hotfix “really addressed a huge amount in the of bugs”. One noted that the game would crash up to sixteen times during a session before the patch was rolled out. It’s now much better:

“I played for a hour or so today with the new patch, no crashes, frame rate improved. The world still needs a massive AI overhaul but this is a decent start”.

Another user said they played approximately 12 hours in one sitting and “didn’t have a single freeze or crash”. At launch, however, this user was getting a minimum of 6 to 8 freezes per session.

Cyberpunk 2077’s other issues

Pulled from Sony store

The hotfix follows after Sony confirmed on Friday 18 December 2020 that it would be de-listing Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation store. It would also be offering full refunds to customers who purchased the game.

SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment) said in a statement that it “strives to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction”, and would therefore be taking action to ensure the standard remains.

CD Project Red encouraged players to request refunds from physical and digital retailers or contact helpmerefund@cdprojektred.com before 21 December. Furthermore, the studio will continue to work on improving the game.

Risk of epileptic seizures

A week before that, CD Projekt Red confirmed that the team will be adding a warning in Cyberpunk 2077 about the risk of epileptic seizures. In addition, the team vowed to work on a “permanent solution” to minimise the risk.

While the EULA (end-user licence agreement) covers all of CD Projekt Red’s legal bases, the Epilepsy Action charity called on CD Projekt Red to work on making Cyberpunk 2077 “more accessible”

Epileptic seizures are often triggered by rapid blinking lights and more so red and white blinking lights. Regarding a permanent solution, CDPR said the developers’ team is “exploring that and will be implementing it as soon”.

Cyberpunk 2077 hotfix 1.05: The changes

The full list of changes included in Cyberpunk 2077’s Hotfix 1.05 are as follows:

Quests

Quest specific

• It’s no longer possible to trigger the same dialogue twice in Big in Japan.
• Fast travelling before the encounter with Tyger Claws no longer breaks progression in I Fought the Law.
• Wakako’s dialogues no longer get blocked after finishing Search and Destroy.
• Elevator doors should now correctly open in The Heist.
• Saul now correctly gets out of cars in Riders on the Storm.
• Fixed an issue with Militech reinforcements not spawning if driving through the gate too fast in Forward to Death.
• Skipping time while in the club in Violence no longer results in issues with progression.
• Issues with starting Gig: Getting Warmer…
• An issue with the objective of getting stuck on “Talk to Viktor” in The Ripperdoc.
• Added description for Don’t Lose Your Mind in the Journal.

Broken actions:

• Fixed an issue preventing players from landing the helicopter in Love like Fire.
• Fixed an issue with Takemura not calling in Play it Safe.
• Saul now correctly reaches the van in Riders on the Storm.
• Brick’s detonator should now be properly interactable for players to disarm. Or set off. Your call.
• Fixed an issue whereby it was impossible to talk to the bouncer in front of Lizzie’s in The Information.

Calls and messages

• Fixed an issue with not receiving new calls or messages if Happy Together failed as a result of combat.
• An issue with not receiving new calls or messages after Pyramid Song has been abandoned midway.
• Fixed an issue with not receiving new calls or messages after running too far away from Frank in War Pigs.
• Elizabeth Peralez stops being excessively insistent with her calls after her job offer is refused.
• Walking away from Stefan in Sweet Dreams shouldn’t prevent other characters from calling you anymore.

Delamain

• Fixed an issue with Delamain appearing upside down at the end of Don’t Lose Your Mind.
• An issue whereby Delamain core could be already broken when the player enters the Core room in Don’t Lose Your Mind.
• Issues with Delamain not appearing or doing nothing outside the Afterlife in The Heist.

Saving, Menu and Journal

• Fixed an issue blocking progress in Ghost Town if an autosave made upon Raffen Shiv’s arrival was loaded.
• Fixed an issue preventing the player from saving, using fast travels, and talking to other NPCs after reloading a save with an active call with Frank in War Pigs.

Jackie Welles and other NPC issues

• Jackie will no longer disappear in The Pickup or The Heist.
• The scene with Misty and Jackie now starts properly after leaving Viktor’s clinic.
• Jackie now correctly leaves the factory after the combat is finished in The Pickup.
• Fixed an issue with Dum Dum following V after The Pickup is finished.
• An issue with Panam not calling about any other matter until I’ll Fly Away is completed.

Gameplay

• Improved the reaction times of NPCs taking cover.
• Corrected the number of shots needed to kill civilians from a distance while in combat.

Visual

• Fixed an issue with Delamain’s image displayed on top of the current caller during phone calls.
• V’s mouth doesn’t stay open after entering the space lock in Where is My Mind.
• Fixed some UI overlap issues.
• V appears more modest in the inventory preview after the half year montage 😉
• NPCs are faster to appear in the quest area during Stadium Love.
• Added some warmth to HDR.
• Fixed T-posing NPCs in Suspected Organized Crime Activity: Just Say No and Gig: Hot Merchandise.
• Fixed an issue whereby after a braindance it was possible to be stuck in 3rd person view with no head.
• Silencer icons are no longer displayed with no image in the inventory.

User interface

• Fixed an issue with weapon crosshair persisting on screen.
• The inventory menu no longer closes immediately after opening it for the first time after leaving a car.
• Fixed an issue whereby upon accessing a fast travel terminal the button shown on the top right corner prompting to open the quest journal would not work.

Performance and Stability

• Multiple stability improvements, including crash fixes.

Miscellaneous

• Offscreen explosions make noise now.

PC-specific

• [AMD SMT] Optimized default core/thread utilization for 4-core and 6-core AMD Ryzen(tm) processors. 8-core, 12-core and 16-core processors remain unchanged and behaving as intended. This change was implemented in cooperation with AMD and based on tests on both sides indicating that performance improvement occurs only on CPUs with 6 cores and less.
• Fixed an issue with the way Raw Input is collected.
• Removed the use of AVX instruction set thus fixing crashes occurring at the end of the Prologue on processors not supporting AVX.
• Removed debug console to prevent functions that could lead to crashes or blocked quests. This doesn’t mean we don’t want to support the modding community. Stay tuned for more info on that.
• Ray traced reflections should no longer seem too bright in comparison to the environment.
• Fixed an issue with Steam Overlay crash on game shutdown.
• Removed the memory_pool_budgets.csv file. which was not connected with the final version of the game and had no influence on it (it was a leftover file used during the development to estimate memory usage. It had no effect on how much memory was actually allocated). Perceived performance increase after editing the file may have been related to restarting the game.

Console-specific

• Improved image sharpness with Chromatic Aberration and Film Grain on.
• Settings should no longer reset to default after several game session restarts.
• Fixed visual issues occurring during the transition between The Heist and Love Like Fire.
• Corrected the look of several vehicles.
• [Xbox] Entering combat while Synaptic Accelerator is active no longer ends in player health bar not being displayed.
• [Xbox] Game no longer becomes unresponsive when signing out from a profile when the controller disconnection message is visible.
• Telemetry consent request will appear once more due to an earlier issue with settings reset.
• Fixed an issue whereby it was possible to fall down the elevator shaft in Megabuilding H8 in Automatic Love.

Also read: Fallout 76 Season 3 Scribe of Avalon now live – Get these rewards

We had a feeling that the leaked list on Reddit and Twitter was inaccurate. Surely Epic wouldn’t play the fool two years in a row. Sorry if you were looking forward to getting Dying Light for free yesterday.

Festive Freebies – Day 2 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

‘Oddworld: New n Tasty’ – 18 to 19 December

Oddworld: New n Tasty, which was developed by Just Add Water and published by Oddworld Inhabitants, Inc. back in July 2014, is an action-puzzle platformer to take you on an exciting journey.

Abe was once a happy floor waxer in Oddworld’s biggest meat processing plant until he stumbles across his boss’s secret plan to turn the factory’s slave labour force into the latest in the RuptureFarms Tasty Treats line of novelty meat snacks.

New n Tasty is a remake of the 1997 Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee. The remake takes great care to remain true the creative directive of Abe’s Oddysee, while keeping up with the times in its new 3D engine.

Watch: ‘Oddworld: New n Tasty’ story trailer

“Abe now has to save his own skin from the grinders, but simply escaping the flesh farm is only the start of his Oddysee – for many dangers await Abe on his journey to discover his destiny”.

You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 19 December to download Oddworld: New n Tasty for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Oddworld is available on Android, PlayStation, Windows, Game Boy, Xbox, Nintendo, macOS, Wii U and Ouya as well.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

Previous free games from the Epic Store

Cities: Skyline

Cities: Skylines, which was developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive back in March 2015, is strat-simulation city builder, and a modern take on the classic city sim genre.

The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. 

We will update this article daily, with links to every game in Epic Store’s 15-day festive giveaway.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline
• 18 December: Oddworld: New n Tasty (You are here)
• 19 December:
• 20 December:
• 21 December:
• 22 December:
• 23 December:
• 24 December:
• 25 December:
• 26 December:
• 27 December:
• 28 December:
• 29 December:
• 30 December:
• 31 December:

Whether Microsoft would offer the same deal for Xbox customers remain to be seen. Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red confirmed Sony’s de-listing in its latest financial report:

“The decision was undertaken following our discussion with SIE regarding a full refund for all gamers who had purchased Cyberpunk 2077 via PlayStation Store and want a refund at this time”. 

Sony pulls ‘Cyberpunk 2077’

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ refunds

SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment) said in a statement that it “strives to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction”, and would therefore be taking action to ensure the standard remains.

This follows after CD Projekt Red admitted that Cyberpunk 2077’s was not up to par, especially not on base consoles. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One gamers have reported that the game is practically unplayable.

CD Project Red encouraged players to request refunds from physical and digital retailers or contact helpmerefund@cdprojektred.com before 21 December. The studio will continue to work on improving the game.

Will ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ still be playable on console?

CD Projekt Red ensured customers that “all copies of the game previously purchased digitally on PlayStation Store [will] remain available for use by their respective buyers”.

In addition, gamers would still be able to buy physical versions of the game in retail and mail-order stores. Lastly, all copies, “whether digital or physical, will continue to receive support and updates from the Company.”

Also read: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Title Update 1.1.0 improves performance and stability

How to get a refund from Sony for ‘Cyberpunk‘

Sony explained that the team will confirm who purchased the game, and will then “begin processing [refunds]”. It added that “completion of the refund may vary based on payment method and financial institution”.

Read the short statement here [link temporarily removed]. It also contains a link to submit your refund request. You need to be signed in to your PSN account.

Edit: The link is currently broken and will re-direct you to an Error 404 page. Sony is aware of the issue and is working to restore it. We will include the link once it’s functional again.

We’re aware some users are experiencing issues accessing the form available within the provided link. We’re working to get it up and running as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

AskPlayStation

“The Epic Games Store Holiday Sale begins on December 17, and we’ve got some goodies in store for you. Unwrap deals up to 75% off, but that’s not all… Also starting December 17, we’ll be giving away a new game each day for two weeks straight – that’s right, it’s 15 Days of Free Games!”

There are still a few hours to download last week’s freebies if you forget. Get Pillars of Eternity and Tyranny – action-adventure role-playing games developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive.

Festive Freebies – Day 1 of Epic Store’s 15-day sale

Someone leaked the complete list on Reddit, which was then later shared on Twitter. However, it could be fake, or Epic might change things up along the way. Therefore, to be on the safe side, we’ll update this series daily.

That said, the leaked list includes some top-of-the-shelf titles, including The Witcher 3, Resident Evil 7, and Horizon Zero Dawn. Today’s freebie is Cities: Skylines. Let’s take a look.

‘Cities: Skylines’ – 17 to 18 December

Cities: Skylines, which was developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive back in March 2015, is strat-simulation city builder, and a modern take on the classic city sim genre.

The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. 

Watch: ‘Cities: Skylines’ story trailer

Constructing your city from the ground up is easy to learn, but hard to master. Playing as the mayor of your city you’ll be faced with balancing essential requirements such as education, water, electricity, police, fire fighting, healthcare and much more along with your citys real economy system.

You have until 18:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) on 18 December to download Cities: Skyline for free. Simply head over to the Epic Games launcher to get your copy.

Also read – ARK 2 world premiere: Upcoming next-gen game stars Vin Diesel

Previous free games from the Epic Store

Last week, Epic Store gave away Pillars of Eternity and Tyranny, both Gold Editions, and both action-adventure role-playing games (RPGs) developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive.

Going forward, we will update this article daily, with links to every game in Epic Store’s 15-day festive giveaway.

• 17 December: Cities: Skyline (You are here)
• 18 December:
• 19 December:
• 20 December:
• 21 December:
• 22 December:
• 23 December:
• 24 December:
• 25 December:
• 26 December:
• 27 December:
• 28 December:
• 29 December:
• 30 December:
• 31 December:

Hitman 3 will be wrapping up the award-winning trilogy, thus bring the World of Assassination franchise to its conclusion.

Hitman 3: Here’s what we know

The two-minute clip is narrated by Lucas Grey, who you’ll recall is the antagonist of Hitman (2016). Grey informs the viewer that he and Agent 47 have uncovered the names of Providence’s three leaders.

“In their downfall, we lay the past to rest and just maybe, look towards the future”.

Now, there’s nothing else left to do but take the fight to the leaders’ doorstep. Also note that agent 47 is on the run, following the events of Hitman 2, which was released back in November 2018.

Watch: Hitman 3 cinematic trailer

Disclaier: Hitman 3 has a Mature ESRB rating for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Strong Language.

There’s a bit of good news too. If you’ve played the previous Hitman titles, you’d be able to import locations and levels from the previous two titles into the upcoming Hitman 3.

Thereafter, you’d be able to access the entire World of Assassination trilogy once the forthcoming title is released. Another piece of excitement to await: Hitman 3 will run on the new Glacier engine.

Hitman 3: Release date

Hitman 3 has been slated for launch on 20 January 2021, so you don’t even have to wait that long. The upcoming game will support 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (fps) on PC and next-gen consoles.

Furthermore, PS5 players can look forward to adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, thanks to Sony’s DualSense Controller.

The game will also be available on the previous-gen consoles: PlayStation4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. (It will also be released for Nintendo Switch as a cloud-based game).

Also read: Cyberpunk 2077 hotfix 1.05 now live on consoles and PC – But does it make a difference?

Preorder details

If you preorder Hitman 3, you will also get a code for the Trinity Pack, which includes three monochromatic outfits for Agent 47 to wear while he goes around doing what he does best: assassinating.

In addition, the exclusive deluxe edition comes with the game (if pre-ordered) will come with the following goodies: Deluxe suits and items, escalations, The World of Hitman digital book, the digital soundtracks, and director commentary.

Merry Christmas!

“On 15 December, we’re kicking off our third season, which will introduce the new “Scribe of Avalon” Scoreboard. This Season, you’ll step into the world of Astoundingly Awesome Tales to aid the intrepid time-travelling historian, K.D. Inkwell”.

The third season features a new scoreboard and rewards to claim. If you’re getting the patch from Steam, keep in mind that it’s approximately 5.7 GB. Here’s what you need to know.

Fallout 76 Season 3

Scribe of Avalon scoreboard

The Scribe of Avalon Scoreboard is where you need to meet up with the time-travelling historian KD Inkwell. Follow her as she investigates the mysteries of an ancient civilisation in medieval times.

Collect Power Armor paints, Weapon Skins, Outfits, themed cosmetics, C.A.M.P. items, in-game currencies, consumables Perk Card Packs and so much more as you move up through the ranks.

Also, keep an eye out for Lite Allies (more details below), Backpack Flairs, Perfectly Preserved Bubblegum, the Antique Speed Bag, and Perk Coins, which are new rank-up rewards being introduced for the first time.

Watch: Fallout 76 Year in Review trailer

Season 3 highlights

From brand-new cosmetics – such as the Guild of Antiquities and Vertiguard Power Armor paints – and a set of K.D. Inkwell themed cosmetics to weapon skins and items for your C.A.M.P, here’s what could you be getting in season 3:

• Lite Allies: You will be able to claim two new “Lite Allies” during your Season journey. They will offer unique benefits, like healing or feeding you, in place of sending you on Daily Quests.
  • Yasmin Chowdhury – Yasmin is a cooking vendor who will replenish your hunger and thirst once every 24 hours. She also has uncommon, and sometimes rare, cooking Recipes for sale.
  • Solomon Hardy – Solomon primarily deals in medical supplies. He will also heal your HP, Rads, and Diseases in exchange for Caps.
• Backpack Flairs – Bring more personality to your favourite Backpack by modding it to add new cosmetic Backpack Flairs at an Armor Workbench.
• Antique Speed Bag – Practice your punches by brawling with the Antique Speed Bag in your C.A.M.P., which will temporarily increase your Agility.
• Perfect Bubblegum – Chew some Perfectly Preserved Bubblegum to completely replenish your hunger and thirst, and remove the need to eat or drink for an hour.
• Perk Coins – Rank up your Legendary Perks more quickly by filling your pockets with some Perk Coins.

Fallout 76 Season 2

Don’t fret, there are a couple of new items for Core Vault in for Season 2 as well. Some of these times will, however, only be unlocked after you’ve completed the Home Expansion quest.

You’ll get a Foundation version of the Core Vault Floor, as well as a new matching Doorway Wall, and a Vault-themed door.