Gaming
Sony PlayStation VR gets global release
Virtual reality platforms have the potential to be the future of entertainment, so it’s only natural that so many companies, like Samsung, HTC, and Facebook-owned Oculus, are getting in on the action with their own VR gear that were made available earlier this year. Sony, one of the most reputable names in the entertainment industry, is also trying to burst onto the scene.
And despite a late start, its PlayStation VR platform arguably has the best chance at winning over consumers who are willing to pay a premium for a high-end experience. And it’s all thanks to one feature: Sony’s headset will be powered (though not exclusively) by the PlayStation 4, the company’s fastest-selling gaming console, which has sold over 40 millions units since its launch in late 2013.
That’s a huge differentiator for Sony, as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive — the PlayStation VR’s biggest rivals — both require a top-specced PC to operate. PSVR ships with a headset, plus a box that connects to the PS4 and provides additional processing muscle.
The headset itself is pretty impressive in terms of specs; it boasts a 5.7-inch, full-resolution OLED display and supports up to 120 frames per second, which is ideal for VR. The kit won’t turn any PS4 game into a VR game, but it will have 60 different VR titles on offer at launch, among them a new Resident Evil game and Batman Arkham VR. It can also stream existing PS4 games and video content directly to the headset for a widescreen cinematic experience.
The PlayStation VR is slated for release in Australia, the U.S., the U.K., and Asia on October 13. In Sony’s home turf of Asia, the headset will launch in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Sony’s PSVR will retail for AU$550 in Australia, $399 in the U.S., €399 in Europe, and £349 in the U.K. In Japan, it will run you 44,980 yen, while in Singapore the price of admission is 599 Singapore dollars. It will be priced at P22,900 in the Philippines, we’re told. It bears noting the standard package doesn’t include the PlayStation Move controller and the PlayStation Camera that’s necessary to have the proper VR experience.
[irp posts=”1749″ name=”Microsoft HoloLens VR headset starts shipping today”]
Gaming
The Nintendo Switch is now Nintendo’s best-selling console ever
Meanwhile, the Switch 2 just crossed 17 million units sold.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s success was bound to happen. After enormous success with the original Switch, Nintendo is practically destined to also put up impressive numbers for the console’s recently released sequel. Today, the company has whipped out some proof. The Nintendo Switch 2 officially sold 17.37 million units, as of December last year.
Nintendo shared the console’s numbers through an investor’s report. Despite coming out only eight months ago, the Switch 2 is already putting up impressive numbers. With those numbers, the console is already Nintendo’s fastest selling platform to date.
For comparison, the original Switch sold less than half of what Switch 2 has sold in the former’s first eight months. Though the second console is still miles away from its predecessor’s total numbers, it’s already well on its way. In fact, Nintendo already expects the Switch 2 to break 19 million units by the end of the quarter.
The second Switch isn’t the only console reaping the rewards of its hard work. The original Switch has also crossed a major milestone. As of last year, the console has sold 155.37 million units, making it Nintendo’s bestselling console ever. It just overtook the Nintendo DS, which sold 154.02 million units.
With that, the Switch 2 has a mountain to climb, just to reach the same heights that its predecessor already attained. For sure, the console’s ongoing success is buoyed by the goodwill established by the original. Now, the question is whether the Switch 2 can sustain its growth on its own.
To help, the console is expecting significant first-party titles including Pokémon Pokopia and Meetup in Bellabel Park, a Super Mario Bros. Wonder DLC.
SEE ALSO: The Nintendo Switch is nearing the end of its lifecycle
Gaming
New Civilization VII update will address everyone’s biggest issue
Soon, everyone can play as a single Civ.
Despite being enjoyable in its current state, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is a work in progress. Firaxis Games is still working on improvements, especially as suggested by the franchise’s fans. Now, approaching the new game’s first anniversary, Civilization VII is getting a massive patch, called the Test of Time update, later this spring.
Playing as a single Civ
Test of Time will address the biggest problem that players had with the base game: the inability to play as a single Civ. Currently, players are forced to evolve into Age-appropriate Civs at the end of the previous Age. The system leads to odd histories, such as Maurya somehow evolving into modern-day America.
Starting with the update, players can now take a single Civ across the test of time. And it’s not a shoehorned feature, too. Civs will now have an Apex Age, meaning the Age they were historically associated with. Playing Civs outside of their Apex Age will introduce a new kit that corresponds to the other Ages.
Plus, this also introduces a new system called Syncretism. Playing a Civ outside of their Age allows players to choose a unique military unit or infrastructure from other Civs to help bolster their strategy.
The new system works in reverse too. Players can start a game in the Modern Age using an Antiquity Age Civ. Finally, if players decide to use this system, the AI will follow suit, ensuring an equal playing field.
Reworked victory conditions
Besides the playability of Civs, Civilization VII will rework Victories. Instead of a clear path to victory via Legacy Paths (which players have complained as being too rigid), the new Triumph system will introduce new optional objectives to prod players further down the line of victory.
Plus, getting extraordinary progress in one victory condition can help players earn victory even before the Modern Age. Victory can be earned as early as the Exploration Age, but Firaxis has not explained how this can happen.
Firaxis says that the new system should help the game feel more dynamic and exciting after the Antiquity Age.
Now, to celebrate the actual anniversary, players will get access to a new leader, Gilgamesh, a fan favorite from the previous game. He will be free for all players with update 1.3.2.
Gaming
CM Punk graces cover of WWE 2K26
The game will feature over 400 playable characters, the largest to date.
Compared to the gigantic NBA 2K, WWE 2K is a relatively small series. Well, with thirty teams and a healthy roster of hall of famers, that’s no surprise. This year, however, WWE 2K26 wants to catch up, featuring the biggest roster that the franchise has ever had and a plethora of new features.
WWE 2K26 will feature over 400 playable characters, which includes current Superstars from RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. As always, Legends and Hall of Famers will be playable wrestlers.
This year, however, the roster of classics are much healthier. Specifically, there are three different editions dedicated to past wrestlers. The first, called The King of Kings Edition, centers the spotlight on Hall of Famer and Chief Content Officer, Triple H (or Paul Levesque). The Attitude Era Edition features Superstars from that era, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and The Rock. Finally, the Monday Night Wars Edition includes Superstars from WCW such as the nWo’s Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.
Meanwhile, the Standard Edition features a Superstar that’s been no less decorated over the years. CM Punk, who will also grace the cover, will have his entire career featured in the annual 2K Showcase.
For gameplay, WWE 2K26 has four new match types: I Quit, Inferno, Three Stages of Hell, and Dumpster. Intergender matches are also available now. The environment is now more interactable with more usable weapons. Plus, the Stamina and Reversal systems have been reworked.
The Standard Edition (US$ 69.99) launches on March 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
The King of Kings Edition (US$ 99.99), the Attitude Era Edition (US$ 129.99), and the Monday Night War Edition (US$ 149.99) will all launch a week prior, on March 6.
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