Gaming

Google is closing down Stadia

Ending mid-January 2023

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The concept of cloud gaming is pretty simple. With a decent internet connection, players can have access to the best games today without the need for expensive hardware. However, for all the promise that the technology held, cloud gaming’s journey has been rough. Today, one of the technology’s biggest names is closing up shop. Starting early next year, Google is shuttering Stadia.

According to a blog post from the Stadia team’s vice president Phil Harrison, the device never really took off in the way the company was expecting. As such, the entire team is shutting down and moving on to other ventures inside the company. However, Google still hopes to use the technology (and the lessons associated with the failed venture) to other branches.

Now, for consumers, the Stadia store is now closed. Anyone who purchased hardware or games through the Play and Stadia Stores will receive refunds during the shutdown period. (However, Stadia Pro subscribers will not get refunds. On the upside, they won’t get charged for additional months.)

The service will shut down on January 18, 2023. In the meantime, Stadia users can still access their library until that date.

The writing has been on the wall for a while now. Previously, the company also shut down the team’s in-game development, limiting what the service offered.

If you’re enjoying cloud gaming as a technology, Google isn’t the only player around. Amazon and Xbox both have their own services dedicated to cloud gamers.

SEE ALSO: Google will alert you if your info pops up in a search

Gaming

Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2: What you need to know

New chapter, new adventure

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Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2

Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2 has officially unfolded. The refined new chapter sees the franchise going from earth and moon to the solar system, where players embark on an electrifying new adventure.

Taking off from the main story in Part 1 where the Valkyries leads humanity against the mysterious energy called Honkai, Part 2 will feature new main characters and NPCs with distinct looks and personalities.

Unlike in the real world, Mars, where Part 2 debuts, is inhabitable in the Honkai-verse. There, unique civilizations exist and nature develops, with people hanging out in bustling and lively commercial streets. Mysteries are likewise hidden behind the daily lives of residents to be discovered by players.

Here, players team up with new partners while assuming the role of a team supporter called the “Dreamseeker.”

Aside from the main story, the combat system has also been fully upgraded to enhance the battlefield experience. Three-dimensional combat shall be enhanced and all characters will be able to jump freely.

Astral Ring, a new combat mechanic, will also provide an unprecedented experience during fights. When unleashed, it enables simultaneous burst skills of multiple characters. It makes for an easier and more direct option to achieve burst damage. The combat mechanism of monsters will also be improved so they can react more intelligently.

Honkai Impact 3rd is available for both mobile and PC devices (via Epic Games) and supports cross-save, making the game even more accessible.

Watch the trailer. 

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Gaming

MSI, Capcom partner for limited-edition Monster Hunter products

Featuring Rathalos

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MSI, Capcom

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Monster Hunter, MSI and CAPCOM have partnered for a series of limited-edition gaming products.

The announcement of the collaboration took place at the 2023 Tokyo Game Show and the products are set for a March 2024 release.

The exclusive line will include gaming laptops, monitors, graphics cards, motherboards, cases, liquid coolers, and controllers.

Rathalos, one of the series’ most iconic monsters, gets to be infused to the various gaming peripherals.

Both MSI and the developer exchanged ideas to be able to craft unique products that will represent the game well.

The Monster Hunter series features action RPG games that pit players against giant monsters in a natural environment. The first title debuted in 2004, and the franchise has since grown into a megahit, with a movie of the same name even hitting cinemas in 2020.

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Gaming

Resident Evil Village gets a launch date for the iPhone 15 Pro

In time for Halloween

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One of the biggest developments for the new iPhone 15 Pro series was the genuine push towards gaming. The new flagship promises a healthy lineup of modern games coming to the platform soon. Now, one of those titles, Resident Evil Village, has finally received an official launch date.

Resident Evil Village is one of the most notable entries in the long-running horror franchise. Though Resident Evil 4 remains an unbeaten classic in gaming history, Village leverages modern consoles to deliver the iconic feel of the series. In fact, it’s already available on a lot of different platforms including unlikely ones such as the Nintendo Switch and macOS.

Now, the title is getting an official iOS version. Without the version, it’s difficult to say how the game will perform on the smartphone. Thankfully, the wait won’t be long anymore. Resident Evil Village will be officially available on the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max starting October 30, right on time for Halloween. It will also come to the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. The base game will cost US$ 40 and an additional US$ 20 for the DLC.

Besides Resident Evil Village, the iOS and iPadOS platforms will also get other big names such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Death Stranding.

SEE ALSO: Resident Evil 4 Remake coming to iPhone 15 Pro

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