Gaming

Pokémon Sword and Shield will launch on November 15

Featuring new Pokémon

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Back in February, Nintendo announced the eighth generation of Pokémon games. Pokémon Sword and Shield will bring the universally lauded series to the Nintendo Switch. Likewise, the duo is the first generation to debut on a home console. Since the announcement, however, Nintendo has not revealed any substantial details regarding the new series.

Finally, in a recent Nintendo Direct, Nintendo has unveiled more key details on the upcoming games. As revealed before, Pokémon Sword and Shield will take trainers to the UK-inspired Galar region. The new trailer shows a vast, sweeping landscape previously unseen in Pokémon games. Galar will feature different terrains including arid deserts and snowy tundras.

For the actual critters, Nintendo revealed more Pokémon from the upcoming generation. Evolving into the Cotton Bloom Pokémon Eldegloss, the Grass-type Gossifleur is one of the staples of the generation. Wooloo is a fluffy sheep Pokémon. Drednaw is a snapping turtle Pokémon. A huge raven, Corviknight, is one of the larger creatures in this generation. These Pokémon will join the generation’s starters — Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble.

Much like every new generation, Pokémon Sword and Shield will come with a matching pair of Legendary Pokémon. In the recent Direct Presentation, Nintendo finally revealed the lupine pair, Zacian and Zamazenta. Zacian wields a gigantic sword in its jaws. Zamazenta sports a shield-like mane. Naturally, both Pokémon will have backstories in the upcoming games.

For new gameplay elements, Pokémon Sword and Shield will feature the new mechanic called Dynamax. Like the Mega Evolution mechanic, Dynamax is a temporary boost to certain Pokémon. The new mechanic supersizes creatures, boosting their size and power. The trailer specifically features a gigantic Raichu going up against a Gyarados.

The new games will also feature a cooperative playing element. Like Pokémon Go, Sword and Shield will have a raid mechanic, allowing up to four trainers to take down a more powerful raid boss.

Pokémon Sword and Shield will launch on November 15. The Switch exclusives will come as single games or as a two-game bundle. The two-game bundle — available now through pre-order — will retail for US$ 120.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon Sleep will gamify your sleeping patterns

Gaming

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash character trailer revealed

Check out what the cast can do in battle

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Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash

The first cast of playable characters for upcoming Bandai Namco title Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash has been revealed through the game’s first trailer.

Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki and Satoru Gojo are all shown in the trailer. Meanwhile, battle footage featuring Ryomen Sukuna has been showcased as well to give fans a tease of what to expect.

Itadori is a melee puncher who has a passive skill called “High Gear,” relying on Cursed Energy for him to be able to dash easier. He also has “Divergent Fist” for close-range situations.

Fushiguro is a close-range Combo Master that specializes in coordinate strikes with Shikigami. His “Ten Shadows Technique” will summon Nue, Toad, and Divine Dog. These can be commanded by players to attack on their own.

Meanwhile, Kugisaki is a mid-range striker who uses the “Straw Doll Technique: Hairpin” attack on opponents. This hammers several nails onto foes several times, inflicting more damage. Moreover, “Marking” will allow these planted nails to detonate from any distance.

Gojo specializes in crowd control. He utilizes “Technique Amplification: Blue” to block the movement of enemies. Then there’s “Cursed Technique Reversal: Red” to keep enemies from coming toward him.

His powerful “Hollow Technique: Purple” takes time to build up, but can finish off enemies using a powerful move to knock them all down.

Lastly, Sukuna acts as an anti-hero who can make it difficult for both friends and foes. The wide-range melee attacker can blow up an entire battlefield, while his “Reverse Cursed Technique” allows him to heal by counterattacking.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash will be available for PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Steam at a yet to be announced date.

Watch the trailer.

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Gaming

Counter-Strike 2 is now available

Free upgrade for CS:GO players

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Amid the unabated popularity of Valorant, the iconic Counter Strike still stands tall as a classic choice for multiplayer shooters. Now, the Valve franchise is finally stepping into its next generation. Counter-Strike 2 is now online.

Announced back in March, Counter-Strike 2 is a free upgrade for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Though the announcement promised the same fun of the original titles, the sequel features better graphics, mechanics, and connectivity to keep the matches going.

Spotlighting the entire upgrade, the sequel will revamp all the maps including the iconic de_dust2. Smokes are now volumetric objects, which means they react to the player and player actions. A lot of effects were improved to keep up with modern hardware. After all, Global Offensive was launched way back in 2012.

Besides the graphics, Counter-Strike 2 will introduce “sub-ticks,” a new system designed to reduce latency and improve the fluidity of matches. Since the game was in beta since the announcement, Valve likely had the time to test out the technology before the launch.

In any event, Counter-Strike 2 is now available on Steam. If you already have Global Offensive, Steam automatically updated its entry in your library to the sequel. If you don’t, the new game is currently free to play.

AMD Update

Not wasting any time, AMD launched a software update that supports and optimizes Radeon graphics for the popular first-person shooter. Users can download AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 23.9.3 here.

SEE ALSO: Counter-Strike 2 is official!

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Gaming

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan is retiring next year

Aims to spend more time with his family

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Since the start of the pandemic, the PlayStation has had a steady face. Jim Ryan essentially ushered in the PlayStation 5 generation by powering through the pandemic. Sadly, Ryan’s tenure is about to come to an end. The Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO and President has announced his retirement from the position.

Yesterday, Jim Ryan officially announced that he will step down from his position after March 2024. Starting April 1, Hiroki Totoki — the current COO, CFO, and president of the Sony Group — will assume the position as interim CEO. Totoki will continue Ryan’s work while finding a more permanent replacement for the latter.

Ryan has been with the company for almost 30 years. However, he only recently assumed the top spot in 2019, just in time for the new PlayStation 5. Ryan’s job was made more difficult with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because everything turned to online communication, he was forced to be the more visible face of the PS5 through a series of digital launches.

However, according to his announcement, the position was taking a huge toll on his work-life balance. The constant commute between his home in the United Kingdom and his work in the United States led him to consider and decide on retirement.

SEE ALSO: PlayStation Portal launching in November

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