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oblivion:-somehow,-17-years-have-passed-since-the-elder-scrolls-went-mainstream-and-changed-gaming-forever VG247

Oblivion: Somehow, 17 years have passed since The Elder Scrolls went mainstream and changed gaming forever

March 20, 2023VG247

From Fallout to The Witcher, Oblivion paved the way for console-friendly RPGs to become the dominant force they are today. It’s completely absurd that the best part of twenty years have chundered along since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion came out. I barely feel old enough to have fully formed memories of doing things that long ago. But yes, fine, calendars don’t lie, and it really has been seventeen years, three console generations, and an entire global pandemic between the time that Oblivion first graced our monitor screens… and now. It’s difficult to remember just how different the gaming landscape…

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european-commission-postpones-decision-on-approving-activision-blizzard-acquisition-until-may-22 VG247

European Commission postpones decision on approving Activision Blizzard acquisition until May 22

March 18, 2023VG247

The decision was original scheduled for April 25. The European Commission will decide on whether to approve or deny Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard on May 22. Originally scheduled for April, the decision was delayed so that the commission is able to review more feedback from Microsoft’s rivals and customers before deciding one way or the other, per Reuters. Season 02 Reloaded – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & Warzone 2.0 This will also give Microsoft time to offer its games and Activision Blizzard titles to other services. It most recently made a deal with streaming companies Boosteroid and…

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No One’s Getting Laid In Starfield, Apparently

March 17, 2023Kotaku

Starfield, Bethesda Game Studios’ Skyrim-but-in-space RPG, finally has a firm September 6 release date. A June 11 presentation will give us a closer look at the game that has over 1,000 planets, but something you might not have expected to learn before then is just how sexless Starfield will be. By sexless, I mean, truly sexless because the game has none whatsoever.Announced at E3 2018, Starfield is easily Bethesda’s most anticipated game to date since it’s the first new IP the developer has dropped in decades. And despite a delay or two, the space-faring RPG will also mark Bethesda’s first…

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microsoft-is-“confident”-that-call-of-duty-can-be-optimised-for-the-switch VG247

Microsoft is “confident” that Call of Duty can be optimised for the Switch

March 12, 2023VG247

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority previously wrote there was no guarantee it would be possible even with Nintendo and Microsoft’s recent deal. In part of its bid to acquire Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has told the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that it’s “confident” Call of Duty can run on Switch. Microsoft is obviously putting the work in to make sure its deal to acquire Activision Blizzard will go through. Part of convincing all the relevant parties that it doesn’t want to harm competition has been by signing deals like it has with Nintendo, where the two companies agreed…

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the-xbox-series-s-is-the-best-value-in-gaming-–-that-doesn’t-mean-it-isn’t-also-a-problem VG247

The Xbox Series S is the best value in gaming – that doesn’t mean it isn’t also a problem

March 9, 2023VG247

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S were always supposed to be treated the same, but the reality of that promise is starting to show its teeth – and it’s not good news. It’s been a rumor for a while, the sort of statement whispered between developers and occasionally to the media in hushed tones and with pleas for a guarantee of anonymity. But these last couple of weeks things have gotten a little more real, and it’s even been said out loud once, in a round-about way: the Xbox Series S is a problem. In defense of the…

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starfield’s-latest-tease-shows-that-bethesda-is-embracing-its-fantasy-roots VG247

Starfield’s latest tease shows that Bethesda is embracing its fantasy roots

March 9, 2023VG247

On the one hand, their space bound epic depicts a realistic sci-fi future. On the other, it’s got a big swirly thing in it. It’s a pretty good week to be a Bethesda fan, because now we have two very important dates to mark in the calendar: firstly, on June 11th, we’re getting the much promised Starfield focused direct (which was recently reported to be imminent, but I guess we’re going to have to wait until the magical E3 period for any more reveals, like usual). Secondly, on the 6th of September, the thing will actually – probably, hopefully –…

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halo-infinite’s-season-3-ray-tracing-update-is-here,-and-looks-kinda-underwhelming Rock,Paper,Shotgun

Halo Infinite’s season 3 ray tracing update is here, and looks kinda underwhelming

March 8, 2023RockPaperShotgun

As promised last year, Halo Infinite’s season 3 update has arrived with a new ray tracing option for us PC folks. Although it was announced as part of a promo event for AMD’s Radeon RX 7000 GPUs, Infinite’s ray tracing works on any graphics card that can usually handle RT effects; all you need to do is download the update and flick it on in the display settings. Granted, it’s not the most visually sumptuous form of ray tracing I’ve clapped a visor on. Reflections and global illumination are unchanged, as it’s only sun shadows – shadows cast using a…

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minecraft-1.20-update-is-now-the-trails-&-tales-update VG247

Minecraft 1.20 Update is now the Trails & Tales Update

March 3, 2023VG247

If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Ride your camel across the land. The Trails & Tales Update will be released to Minecraft players later this year, Mojang has announced. Previously known as Update 1.20, it is about “self-expression through representation, storytelling, and world-building.” Minecraft Monthly – Minecraft 1.20 Name Reveal – Trails & Tales You can already try out the Trails & Tales features in Bedrock betas, previews, and Java Snapshots. You can sniff for seeds with the sniffer, trim your armor, perform archeology, run around…

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new-report-says-the-microsoft-activision-merger-is-a-go-in-europe VG247

New report says the Microsoft Activision merger is a go in Europe

March 2, 2023VG247

The EU Commission is apparently sated, and will allow the acquisition. A new report states that the European Commission will allow Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard without the former being made to sell assets to win approval. This is according to sources familiar with the matter speaking to Reuters. If the sources are correct, this would mean Microsoft would not have to sell Call of Duty or other IPs off to appease the Commission. Xbox Games With Gold – March 2023 When reached for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson told the outlet the company was “committed to offering effective and easily…

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redfall-trailer-shows-a-sunny-island-town-plunged-into-darkness-and-overrun-with-vampires VG247

Redfall trailer shows a sunny island town plunged into darkness and overrun with vampires

February 21, 2023VG247

One thing about living in Redfall I never could stomach: all the damn vampires. Bethesda has released a new trailer for Redfall, the vampire game from Arkane Austin. The video shows the once pleasant island town of Redfall overrun with vampires who have eclipsed the sun, plunging it into darkness. The vampires have also pushed back the sea from the land and made getting off the island impossible. Those who have survived the bloodbath, are doing their best to fight back against the vampire threat. You included. Redfall features an open-world where you will do your best to protect the…

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soul-hackers-2-and-wo-long:-fallen-dynasty-included-in-the-next-batch-of-game-pass-additions Rock,Paper,Shotgun

Soul Hackers 2 and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty included in the next batch of Game Pass additions

February 21, 2023RockPaperShotgun

Time is flying by a little too fast in 2023, although it’s not all bad news as a new month means new Game Pass additions. Microsoft have announced the next four games hitting the service before March 3rd, alongside Atomic Heart which releases today. I was interested in the steely Soviet shooter until I read James’ review and saw that the protagonist yells “Crispy critters,” more than once – I think I’ll skip. Here are the next batch of Game Pass titles: Merge & Blade (Feb 28th) Soul Hackers 2 (Feb 28th) F1 22 (March 2nd) Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty…

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call-of-duty-will-be-coming-to-nintendo-switch,-10-year-contract-confirmed VG247

Call of Duty will be coming to Nintendo Switch, 10-year contract confirmed

February 21, 2023VG247

“With full features and content parity.” Microsoft and Nintendo have signed a 10-year contract that will ensure Call of Duty is available for Nintendo players, as countries continue to push back against the Microsfot x Activision Blizzard merger. Microsoft first announced its plans for a 10-year deal with Nintendo back in September of last year. These plans detailed that Microsoft was committed to bringing the Call of Duty series to the Nintendo Switch, provided that the merger with Activision Blizzard was approved. Xbox Series S isn’t holding next-gen back, reality is. In more recent developments, president and vice chair of…

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minecraft-1.20-update-will-add-cherry-blossom-biome,-archaeology,-and-sniffer-mobs VG247

Minecraft 1.20 update will add cherry blossom biome, archaeology, and Sniffer mobs

February 15, 2023VG247

The summer update is shaping up to be a good one, again. Minecraft is the survival game that keeps on giving. Since its initial conception in 2011, the game has been privy to various updates that expand on the game and everything in it. Last year, we saw the likes of caves and cliffs added to Minecraft, with mobs of axlotls and goats joining them. This year, however, we’ll be seeing even bigger things come to Minecraft in time for summer; a whole new cherry blossom biome, the ability to dig around and learn about archaeology, and more mobs will…

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oh-no,-chatgpt-ai-has-been-jailbroken-to-be-more-reckless Twitch

Oh No, ChatGPT AI Has Been Jailbroken To Be More Reckless

February 8, 2023Kotaku

If you’ve spent any time toying with or reading about ChatGPT, one of the internet’s latest obsessions and topic of contentious conversation concerning artificially intelligent software, then you know the service has specific restrictions on what it can and cannot say…until now. Some clever users have found a way to bypass ChatGPT’s strict list of no-talk subjects, tricking it into adopting a new persona, DAN, which stands for “Do Anything Now.” As DAN, ChatGPT can now blow past the restrictions on “appropriate topics” to deliver amusing and upsetting responses.

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