Everyone has a fighting chance
The Overwatch PTR patch notes have been published on the game’s forum and they include a surprise for players: A new map is coming and it’s out NOW on the PTR! The Paris map is an Assault type mape where players will battle through the streets, alleys and corridors of The City of Lights. There’s no word on how long the map will be on PTR, but it is said to be coming to the live game “soon”.
Brazilian indie studio Inutaishos has announced that its “16 bit-like 2D MMORDG (MMO roleplay-driven game)” Azusa RP Online has officially launched on Steam. Players engage the game from a to-down perspective with no restrictions on the way characters develop. “Your actions can change everything in the world you live in” including unlocking new races, working different jobs, training with combat masters and roleplaying with other players.
The fourth Spring Series is set to kick off at Free Play Arcade in Arlington, Texas, from April 12 – 14. These three days of competition will see eight events in total, all featuring classic games from the arcades’ golden age.
Main events include such titles as The King of Fighters XI with a $1,000 pot bonus, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 with a $1,000 pot bonus, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike with a $1,500 pot bonus — and finally, Super Street Fighter II Turbo with a whopping $10,000 pot bonus.
That’s not all: Free Play Arcade is also flying out five Japanese legends to take part in the competition… although the players in question have yet to be announced.
It is worth noting that the 3rd Strike tournament takes place on the recently-unveiled 20th anniversary Jazzy Circuit; for players participating in the series, this could be a prime opportunity to win a qualifying title and score some points!
Spring Series Four is the last in a series of satellite tournaments, with the first taking place at the hallowed grounds of NLBC on February 9, and the second throwing down at Don’s Arcade in Los Angeles on February 16.
Arlington isn’t just home to the Free Play Arcade, either. The city likewise unveiled its Esports Stadium in November of 2018, breathing life into Texas’s already bustling competitive gaming scene. Players looking to give the town a tour can register on the Spring Series’ website, or enter one of the two satellite tournaments for a chance at winning room and travel to the main event on April 12.
A tentative registration end date has been set for April 10.
Source: Free Play Spring Series
After Belgium enacted legislation that states that loot boxes violate national regulations against gambling, many companies, including Blizzard Entertainment, removed loot boxes from their games in-country. It appeared that EA would not comply and that it was headed to court. However, EA has “blinked” and told its FIFA players that they will no longer be able to purchase FIFA Points in Belgium. This move brings EA in compliance with Belgian law.
It’s a huge day for fans of Diablo II as the Median XL mod has finally been released. The mod is a complete overhaul of the game that brings new and revamped skills, deep customization options, “extensive endgame content”, thousands of new items, and multiple other improvements to the base Diablo II game.
Bandai Namco Entertainment unveiled Dragon Ball FighterZ‘ highly anticipated Season 2 DLC with a new trailer announcing Universe 11’s almighty, Jiren, and the spunky lady fighter, Videl to headline the season pass. While the trailer was meant to be saved for after the tournament, it has found its way online a bit ahead of schedule.
Currently, the trailer is not available through official channels. The video embedded was shared by gaming influencer, Rhymestyle, and is available below. The trailer will be updated as soon as an official version is released.
Jiren appears to utilize counter moves and epic attacks that deal big damage. Videl fights alongside the Great Saiyaman, similar to how Android 18 functions, but way more adorable. Both characters will be available when the pass goes on sale on January 31 at a currently undisclosed price.
The trailer finishes by showcasing that there will be fewer characters added this time around with only six slots available compared to last season’s eight. The final two additions were announced, skipping the middle pair, bringing in Gogeta (SSGSS) and Broly (DBS). There is no concrete release date for new movie titans, but supposedly they are coming “soon”.
Source: Rhymestyle
Between now and the launch of PlanetSide Arena in March, Daybreak has plans for several closed beta events. Players can get involved in closed beta testing either by preordering the game ($20 or $40 packages) or by signing up and being selected. The first event will take place on January 30th, with another planned for February 1st. According to the new FAQ, other events will be scheduled after February 1st and prior to the Founders Season that starts on February 20th.
Daybreak Games has sent word that the closed beta for PlanetSide Arena is scheduled to start on January 30th. In addition, those who preorder the game will be able to take part in “Founders Season” that will kick off on February 20th. Lastly, Season 1 launch is scheduled for March 26th. You may remember that Daybreak’s take on the battle royale genre was supposed to launch on January 29th, but the team feels that there are core features that need tuning in the next couple of months.
NCSoft has announced that Aion: Legions of War is now available for both iOS and Android mobile devices. The game is set in the same universe as the Aion MMO and challenges players to “assemble the best team to fight in PvE dungeons or in PvP arenas”. There are over 100 heroes for players to collect that can be uniquely customized through equipment and by selecting one of five different elemental affinities. “It also has a narrative story that takes players on an epic journey”.
Cyberstep Inc. has announced that its free-to-play MMO Onigiri is headed to both Steam and Nintendo Switch in the very near future. The Switch version will be available starting January 31st and the Steam version will be coming in February. Steam and Switch players will be on one server and can participate in cross platform game play. It is unknown if the game will be available for crossplay with other versions including PS4, XB1 & Vita.