For about as long as anyone can remember, players have been asking for a mobile app that allows them to chat with their Battle.Net friends. Blizzard has finally come through for Android and iOS users with the new Battle.Net app. The app lets you chat with friends, see what games they’re playing and add new friends as well. In short, other than launching games, it functions pretty much like the desktop application.
– Middle-Earth Shadow of War Memorial DLC to be Free to All, Warner Bros. to Donate Directly to the Family
After an eruption of controversy surrounding the Middle-Earth: Shadow of War Forthog Orc-Slayer DLC to honor Mike “Forthog” Forgey who passed away from cancer earlier in the summer, Warner Bros. has had a change of heart. The controversy began when it came to light that donations would only be given through purchases made in the US and only from certain states. In addition, purchases of the DLC outside the US would not be eligible for the donation to Forgey’s family.
Get ready to battle in Britain again with Street Fighter V’s new “English Manor” stage theme
The latest stage to blast out of the past has an appropriately reminiscent theme.
Street Fighter V is getting a big content update today, which includes (among lots and lots of costumes…) Cammy’s classic Super Street Fighter II level remade for the current game as the English Manor stage. The update isn’t fully live yet (servers are still down) but Xuses has pulled the theme out for us to have a listen. As a version of Cammy’s theme, it sounds much more like her classic theme arrangement than more modern versions, appropriately.
Source: XusesGB
– Valnir Rok Sets Sail into Steam Early Access
If you’re into Viking themes and survival games, have we got a big piece of news for you. Valnir Rok has officially kicked off its Steam Early Access program. For a limited time, you can also get a smooth discount to grab the game for a mere $18.
Nissin Cup Noodles is now sponsoring monthly Dissidia Final Fantasy: NT livestreams
If you were watching the Dissidia Final Fantasy: NT tournament at the 2017 SoCal Regionals this past weekend, you probably caught a glimpse of some Nissin Cup Noodle product-placement on stage. Though cup noodles and Final Fantasy may seem like an awkward juxtaposition of Japanese exports, it has been announced that Dissidia Final Fantasy: NT developers and Nissin Cup Noodles have officially forged a partnership.
What was witnessed at SoCal Regionals was a segment now known as 3-MINUTE WARM-UP, where commentators prepare a cup of noodles and answer Dissidia-related questions via a livestream — while they wait for their instant meal to finish cooking. Part of the announcement of this partnership is the news that these Dissidia streams are sponsored by Nissin Cup Noodles, and will be a monthly thing, with the next one taking place at this year’s New York Comic Con happening in October.
This partnership comes as less of a surprise to Final Fantasy fans already familiar with the appearances Nissin’s brand has made in Final Fantasy XV — there is even a special line of Final Fantasy noodles.
Source: Develop
Pokkén Tournament DX beats out Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite on the UK sales chart
Despite many in the FGC changing their opinion once they got their hands on it, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite looks to have been a big flop on its first week of sales — at least in the UK. According to data from the UK sales charts, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite didn’t manage to break the top ten, while Pokkén Tournament DX came in at fifth during its launch week.
This placing for Pokkén is nothing short of amazing, when you consider that the original launched on a dying console and was largely ignored by the mainstream gaming audience. Keep in mind that Pokken Tournament DX was only released on the Switch, yet it managed to get fifth on the all-format chart. MvC:I launched on PC, PS4 and Xbox One, and it only came in at 12th. If you want some more grim reading, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite came in at 16th on the PS4 format chart, while the Xbox One version didn’t even break the top 40.
To add insult to injury, Ultra Street Fighter II had a better debut than Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, with it coming in at 10th during its first week of sale. The combination of no Switch port, bad publicity around its art style, and arguably lackluster launch roster — alongside resentment from the troubled Street Fighter V launch — has seemingly come together to bite Capcom. While the majority of the FGC may have had their minds changed by MvC:I’s stellar combat system, it’s essentially bombed with the general public in the UK.
Sources: Metro via GamesIndustry.biz; Christopher Dring
Claim the Soul Stone by signing up for Milan Games Week’s Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite tournament
The Battle for the Stones is now underway, following Splyce|Filipino Champ’s victory at SoCal Regionals over the weekend. As FChamp has technically already qualified for the final Battle for the Stones bracket, his spot and Space Stone will instead go to the fantastically named Professor Coxwette, the runner-up from SCR 2017. I can’t wait for some poor Disney executives to read his tag.
For those who aren’t aware, each Infinity Stone has a usage outside of the game, allowing players to bend the rules for their benefit. In the first Stone reveal, the Space Stone will grant the user the power to swap positions with another player in the bracket of equal placing. So if your round one match is looking a little dicey, simply pop the Space Stone and change your opponent!
In the #MVCI Battle for the Stones Tournament Series, the Space Stone lets the Stone Bearer face a different opponent! pic.twitter.com/m6BPnpejGH
— Capcom Fighters (@CapcomFighters) September 25, 2017
The next Infinity Stone tournament will be this weekend at Milan Games Week, with the Soul Stone being up for grabs. With Milan Games Week also being the Regional Finals for the European leg of the Capcom Pro Tour, expect stiff competition from Europe’s Marvel collective. Sign-ups are currently available over on Challonge, so get going if you want a chance at winning a trip to California to compete in the Battle for the Stones.
Sources: CapcomFighters; FACEIT
Street Fighter V servers down today for maintenance and addition of new DLC content
Online services will be down to add a new stage, music packs, and herald the arrival of Gill (sort of).
Another Tuesday, another server maintenance window for Street Fighter V. CFN functions will be down from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM PT today:
We will perform server maintenance from 10am to 4pm on 9/26 PDT. Thank you for your patience and support.
— SFV Server (@SFVServer) September 25, 2017
This time, we’re getting some new content after the outage, namely new Halloween (including a Gill outfit for Urien), school, and other premium costumes, as well as the English Manor stage and new music packs. Check them out after the servers come back online this afternoon.
Source: SFV Server (Twitter)
– Flyff Legacy is Based on Flyff MMO & Heads to Mobile Devices in North America
Gala Lab has announced that Flyff Legacy is now available in North America for both iOS and Android mobile devices. Based on the Flyff MMO, the new game combines the anime style and social aspects of the original with game play and graphics specifically designed for mobile devices.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha headset is now available
HyperX’s latest headset is shipping now.
HyperX headsets have become a regular sight at fighting game tournaments, their rise in the community coinciding with their signing of Daigo Umehara to represent their brand in the FGC. If you’re in the market for a new gaming headset, you might want to note that HyperX’s new Cloud Alpha is now shipping. It is now available through HyperX’s network of retailers and both offline and online, with a MSRP of $99.99 USD.
Some information and specifications from HyperX:
Cloud Alpha is designed to deliver the ultimate comfort for hours of extended gameplay with premium HyperX signature memory foam, pliable leatherette and an expanded headband to fit a wider range of gamers. Its durable, lightweight aluminum frame features a unique accent design easily recognized during major tournaments or at a local gaming event. Cloud Alpha also features a detachable cable with in-line audio control allowing gamers to adjust volume and mute microphone on the cable, with multi-platform compatibility on PC, PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Xbox One S, Mac, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, and other virtual reality systems with 3.5mm ports.
Features
- HyperX Dual Chamber Technology for more distinction and less distortion
- HyperX Signature Memory Foam
- Durable aluminum frame with expanded headband, and new fork design
- Detachable braided cable with convenient in-line audio control
- Detachable noise cancellation microphone
- Discord and TeamSpeak Certified
- Multi-platform compatibility
Headphone
Driver: Custom, dynamic 50mm with neodymium magnets
Type: Circumaural, Closed back
Frequency response: 13Hz–27,000Hz
Impedance: 65 Ω
SPL (Sound Pressure Level): 98dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
T.H.D.: < 1%
Weight: 298g
Weight w/ mic and cable: 336g
Cable length and type Detachable headset cable (1.3m) + PC extension cable (2m)
Connection Detachable headset cable – 3.5mm plug
(4 pole) + PC extension cable – 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs
Microphone
Element: Electret condenser microphone
Polar pattern: Noise-cancelling
Frequency response: 50Hz–18,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -43dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)
Global Part Numbers
HX-HSCA-RD/AM (Americas)
HX-HSCA-RD/EM (EMEA)
HX-HSCA-RD/EE (E. Europe)
HX-HSCA-RD/AS (Asia)
For more information on the Cloud Alpha and its global availability, you can head over to the Cloud Alpha webpage.
Source: HyperX [press release]