Gaming Archives - Technowize https://www.technowize.com/gaming/ Wise Word on Technology and Innovations Tue, 03 Dec 2024 08:13:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.technowize.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/favicon-32x32-1.png Gaming Archives - Technowize https://www.technowize.com/gaming/ 32 32 Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete Launches for Android and iOS https://www.technowize.com/animal-crossing-pocket-camp-complete-launches-for-android-and-ios/ https://www.technowize.com/animal-crossing-pocket-camp-complete-launches-for-android-and-ios/#respond Tue, 03 Dec 2024 09:00:36 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=43168 Pocket Camp Complete is now available on smart devices but instead of the free-to-play model with in-game microtransactions, players now have to purchase the app to get access to the game.

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Animal Crossing is one of the most popular cozy game titles ever launched for the Switch, but the smartphone app has never been as widely known. Now, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete has launched a day early for smart devices, bringing us the full experience on our mobiles with a one-time purchase. 

Getting rid of the in-app microtransactions, Nintendo has re-released Pocket Camp Complete for players who want to start a new journey or revisit their old saved worlds from the older version of their game. 

Animal Crossing update

Image: Nintendo

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete Launch Goes Live

There were many obvious downsides to the recent pandemic, but for game developers and app creators, it was truly a chance to shine. Animal Crossing: New Horizon was a pandemic baby that attracted an unbelievable number of new users to the game, but the title has always been a popular one, so it’s unfair to attribute all of its success solely to the time period.

Regardless of the pandemic bubble, the title has continued to attract and retain players over the years, with gamers keen on getting away from their daily lives to unwind with the warm and wonderful campsite-building game.

Whether you’re trying to revisit some of the nostalgia of playing the game or you missed out on the initial hype and want to see what the game is all about, the latest Pocket Camp Complete launch is a great way to jump into the game without having to invest in a Nintendo Switch. 

Is the Pocket Camp Complete Game Free to Play?

Pocket Camp was previously available for smart devices, but it was a freemium game. This meant that you could play the game for free, but there were microtransactions in the app that would restrict some of the features or items to those who were willing to purchase them with real money.

Exactly seven years after the original game was launched, it was taken offline on November 28, with the promise of a relaunch on December 3, 2024. Now, Nintendo has officially announced the Animal Crossing relaunch for mobile gamers, but it comes with a price tag. Users who download the app right now can do so at $9.99, which is a reasonable amount for the uber-popular game. 

Those who wait until after January 30, 2025, to try out this Animal Crossing update will miss out on the introductory offer and should expect to pay $19.99, which is quite a bit higher for a smartphone app purchase. So what exactly do you get for your money?

Animal Crossing relaunch mobile

Image: Transfer custom designs from your Animal Crossing: New Horizons account to your Pocket Camp Complete game.

What’s New with the Animal Crossing Relaunch on Mobile?

With the relaunched app, users get access to all the content released over the last seven years to get a sense of what was already available in the game, along with access to new content as well. 

“Exchange Leaf Tokens for in-game items, create and collect (via QR Code®) personalized player Camper Cards, check out the new Whistle Pass location, and experience a variety of returning and new seasonal events throughout the year, to name a few examples.”

—From Business Wire

Seasonal events such as the Garden events and Fishing tourneys and celebrations like Halloween and the Summer Festival will bring new content to the game regularly, so returning players don’t have to worry about being limited to the old content. The new Whistle Pass location is now available for example, so those who want new content immediately have a reason to redownload the app. 

You cannot create custom designs on the smartphone app, but if you’re an Animal Crossing: New Horizons player, you can load your existing custom designs from the Switch game into the app by copying the item code, so there’s a fun overlap between the two versions of the world-building game. 

Can Returning Pocket Camp Players Transfer their Old Saved Data?

If you have an existing Pocket Camp account saved and linked to your Nintendo Account, you can transfer your data to the new app, so you don’t have to worry about starting from scratch. Be warned that the data transfer is only possible until 11 p.m. PT on June 1, 2025, so don’t take too long to decide whether you want to return to your saved game.

Some users have experienced trouble migrating all of their data to the new app which could be due to a “high number of users attempting to use this service.” If you’re a returning player, you could benefit from giving the game a few days before you initiate the transfer, or you could look at Nintendo’s support page to learn more about what you can do. 

Pocket Camp Complete is available across smart devices so regardless of whether you’re an iOS or Android user, you can now get your hands on the game. 

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Palworld’s December Updates Have Fans Stressed and Excited https://www.technowize.com/palworld-december-update-have-fans-stressed-and-excited/ https://www.technowize.com/palworld-december-update-have-fans-stressed-and-excited/#respond Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:51:40 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=43163 The v.0.3.11 patch has resulted in an unexpected change that has frustrated fans, however, the upcoming Palworld December updates still have gamers excited.

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Palworld has been busy trying to bear the brunt of the Nintendo lawsuit without slowing down the progress of the game, but it has met some hiccups along the way. While Palworld’s upcoming December update for the “largest, harshest and most mysterious new island” has fans in a tizzy, the version 0.3.11 update has broken the game just a little bit. 

With the new version of the game for Xbox and PC, the behavior of player-owned pals has changed, making it so that the pals are spawned right next to the player instead of landing at a position of the user’s choosing. Before we get into Palworld’s new island update, let’s understand the issues detailed in the patch notes for 0.3.11.

_Palworld game update issue

Image: Palworld

Palworld’s December Update Has Users “Downgrading” the Game

The Palworld game update issue came to light after users upgraded their game to the latest version, which left them unable to play the game comfortably due to a slight change in player interaction and UI. Since the update, users can no longer throw the pal out to the position where they want them and instead end up with the pal summoned next to them.

This does not sound like a major issue at first, however, players have found their pals spawning and getting trapped in the terrain around them, affecting the pals’ movement capabilities. 

This Palworld game update issue has resulted in gamers turning to Discord and Reddit to understand how to remove the update so they can continue with the older format of the game unhindered. 

Downgrading a game can be a source of future issues once more updates come out, however, for now, fans appear convinced that it is the best way to keep playing the game until Pocketpair makes some changes to the mechanism.

Palworld Update Breaks the Game but Why Did Pocketpair Make This Change to Begin With?

As frustrating as the updated version of the game is, it is likely to be a temporary change. Pocketpair is being sued by Nintendo over the similarities the game has with Pokemon. Nintendo has stated multiple patent infringements that have to do with the in-game mechanics instead of the game concept or design, which means that Palword could eventually be required to change major features of the game.

As WindowsCentral and multiple users online have pointed out, the launching of the pals into the open world is very similar to the mechanics of aiming and throwing creatures. Perhaps the update has been rolled out to end the use of the familiar game details temporarily until designers can come up with something new and then code and design it into the game. 

Users on Reddit have responded to the Palworld game update issue with a plethora of their own ideas on how the launching mechanic could be designed, from suggesting a Pal portal gun to a frisbee disk cage. Their unending creativity should serve as sufficient inspiration for Pocketpair to address and fix the game as soon as possible.

Palworld update breaks game

Image: Palworld’s expansion looks enthralling.

Palworld’s New Island Update Is All Set to Expand the Borders of the Game

Palworld developer Pocketpair took to the Discord, Twitter/X, and Steam page on November 28 to explain the upcoming island expansion, which is expected to be about six times the size of Sakurajima—the region that came with the last update. This will include all new tower bosses and the promise of vicious new species of pals.

The announcement arrived with a few new images of the changes scheduled for the game, but developers haven’t detailed what they mean. The gold loot suggests there could be a new event or method to stock up on the riches and the crystal caverns could just be a new scenic location or a new resource. The new gold-toned pal also looks like a hard-hitter so we’re excited to hear more major patch details for Palworld.

To round things up, there’s also a Palworld x Terraria collaboration on the horizon. The developer has maintained its silence on the specifics of the collaboration, and all we do know is that we’re going to have to wait till 2025 to learn more. Fans are extremely excited to uncover how these two worlds will come together, so despite the disappointing start to the Palworld December update, things are still looking up for the pal-collecting game.

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League of Legends 2025 Leak- New Arcane Champion and Noxus Updates https://www.technowize.com/league-of-legends-2025-leak-new-arcane-champion-and-noxus-updates/ https://www.technowize.com/league-of-legends-2025-leak-new-arcane-champion-and-noxus-updates/#respond Mon, 25 Nov 2024 12:55:59 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=43123 Arcane champion Mel Medarda and major Noxus updates Coming in 2025, leaks revealed.

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The major LoL leaks have finally confirmed many new things coming to the second season of the Arcane 2025. League of Legends will have full Victor visuals, gameplay rework, and the Noxus-themed season in 2025. Additionally, one more Arcane champion will be coming to LoL.

Riot, the developer of League of Legends game is leaning fully towards Arcane, which is no surprise considering how successful earlier crossovers have been. Arcane’s first champion to come over to LoL was Ambessa Medarda, and now it’s her child’s turn to enter the League of Legends.

League of Legends Noxus 2025 leak

LoL 2025 Leak: Noxus-Themed & Arcane Champions Revealed

The LoL leaks have revealed a lot but the biggest news is the arrival of Mel Medarda and a Noxus champion getting full visual and gameplay updates just like Viktor. In 2025, Mel Medarda is coming to League of Legends, and her model is leaked providing a glimpse of her in the game.

It’s been a while since Summoner’s Rift received a major update, mainly due to engine limitations. However, there’s a chance the game’s engine might get an upgrade soon. BigBadBear discussed the potential benefits of switching engines, though it looks like League of Legends won’t see this update until at least 2026.

She will have some amazing Arcane magic moves, with her LoL character being reflective of the power she had at the end of the show. At the end of Arcane Season 2, Swain was teased making it obvious that Noxus is next. The most likely candidate for Noxus VGU is Le Blanc when you compare it to Black Roses’s key role in the events of Arcane and Swaine’s existence.

There are several Non-Noxian champions like Vladimir and Talon are dated character models and kit designs that could make use of some love. Le Blanc is most likely a preference but her inclusion isn’t guaranteed just yet. The new near-jungle boss will be Atakhan, a character present in Legends of Runterra, who will spawn near the lane with the most number of kills. 

As League of Legends looks ahead to the exciting possibilities of its 2025 season, major updates including the introduction of Mel Medarda and a full visual and gameplay overhaul for a Noxus champion are on the horizon. While the game’s engine may not see an update until 2026, these anticipated changes reflect Riot’s continued investment in the Arcane universe. With new champions and features, the future of League of Legends promises to be as dynamic and engaging as ever.

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GTA VI Won the “Most Wanted Game” Award, Rockstar Teases Updates https://www.technowize.com/gta-vi-won-the-most-wanted-game-award-rockstar-teases-updates/ https://www.technowize.com/gta-vi-won-the-most-wanted-game-award-rockstar-teases-updates/#respond Fri, 22 Nov 2024 13:12:40 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=43107 Grand Theft Auto VI receives the "Most Wanted Game" at the Golden Joysticks Awards, and the developer teases "mind-blowing" updates of GTA VI.

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The 42nd Golden Joystick Awards are over, leaving exciting GTA VI updates for fans. Black Myth: Wukong received the biggest award of the event, the Ultimate Game of the Year Award. Helldivers 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth performed excellently, claiming four awards each. Rockstar received an award for Most Wanted Game, which they used to tease “upcoming mind-blowing things” in GTA VI.

While accepting the award, Rockstar’s member David Manley said, “There’s an incredible amount of people doing amazing things on Grand Theft Auto 6, absolutely mind-blowing things. So it’s an honor to be able to come up here and accept this award on everyone’s behalf. I wish more of us could be here. Thank you very much, everybody, and yeah, more to come.”

GTA VI wins award

Image – GTA VI Trailer

Latest GTA VI Reveals

It’s been more than a year since we received the first trailer of GTA VI, the 90-second trailer created enough hype to make it the most wanted game of the year. We can assume that fans will soon receive another trailer with “mind-blowing things” David was talking about. Although there are no clear updates regarding the specifications, the statement has surely made fans more curious.

Many players were waiting for the announcement of the GTA VI release on PCs in 2025. However, the best guess says that Grand Theft Auto VI will be only available on consoles in 2025. Later, you can expect it to be released on personal computers. GTA V was released 11 years ago and still tops the list of best-selling traditional AAA games, which creates a lot of pressure on GTA VI to stand on the expectations of players after a wait of decade.

Highlights from the Golden Joystick Awards 2024

GTA VI winning the Most Wanted Game award isn’t much of a surprise but the selection of Satisfactory as a PC Game of the Year was surely a one. Satisfactory received the award beating out Animal Well, Balatro, Frostpunk 2, Tactical Breach Wizards, and UFO 50.

In addition to Rockstar’s tease, Feng Ji, CEO of Black Myth: Wukong developer Game Science, also gave out updates in his receiving speech. Feng Ji said, “If you haven’t played Black Myth: Wukong yet, you are in luck. Now you have one more reason to give it a try! And if you have already completed our game. That’s perfectly fine too. Keep following us, and there might just be some surprises waiting for you later this year.”

As the 42nd Golden Joystick Awards wrap up, there’s no doubt that exciting things are ahead for gamers. With GTA VI teasing “mind-blowing” updates and the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Satisfactory, the future of gaming looks brighter than ever. 

As we wait for more details and upcoming releases, fans can rest assured that the next few months will bring even more surprises and thrills. The anticipation for these games is only growing, and it’s clear that the best is yet to come.

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Mario & Luigi: Brothership Review—Shipshape Island is Ready to Set Sail https://www.technowize.com/mario-luigi-brothership-review-shipshape-island-is-ready-to-set-sail/ https://www.technowize.com/mario-luigi-brothership-review-shipshape-island-is-ready-to-set-sail/#respond Wed, 06 Nov 2024 13:28:03 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=42959 The gameplay of Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood shines most through its combat system but the mini-puzzles you encounter on your journey are also quite interesting. Despite its limitations, the Brothership Nintendo Switch game is worth a buy. 

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Mario and his less-appreciated brother Luigi are back again to show us what an ultimate sibling relationship can amount to, so of course we’re going to dive straight into a Mario & Luigi: Brothership review. As with most Mario titles, the gameplay for Mario & Luigi remains simplistic and uncomplicated and the story is just as straightforward—the world is in trouble and only our mustachioed brothers can be counted on to save the day.

Despite its basic nature, for true fans of the series who can never truly be done with the uber-colorful world established by Nintendo, Mario & Luigi: Brothership features a ton of interesting combat that elevates it from the typical side-scroller game. The turn-based fighting was something we loved with Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, so it’s good to see the mechanics make another appearance. 

Mario Luigi gameplay review

Image – Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Mario & Luigi: Brothership Review—Double the Power to Make Your Day

Nintendo has remained committed to its Mario series as an easy crowd-puller and we’ve seen multiple iterations of the game get a remake or a revision in the last few years. Between Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Mario vs Donkey Kong, and Super Mario Bros Wonder, there has been a steady revival of interest in the games of the past. Considering how Zelda got her own game and Pokemon card trading is still able to rake in money, it’s no surprise that Nintendo is also sticking to what Nintendo does best. 

As you’ll see with our Mario & Luigi: Brothership review, there are only two ways to feel about this game. Either you’ll love its typical art style as well as the familiar characters and plotlines, or you’ll find it a boring repetition of everything Nintendo has done already. How you feel when you hear “there’s another Mario game,” will determine how enjoyable you find this one.

With anticipation building for the Nintendo Switch 2, the Brothership game is a welcome addition to the older console as it eliminates some of the fear of missing out on titles that are to come for the next console. The turn-based RPG has a lot of content built into it to keep you occupied for hours with the mini-battles and unique ways of integrating the presence of the two brothers into the progression in-game. 

Starting with the Storyline 

The brothers enter the water-locked region of Concordia this time, where a central Uni-Tree keeps the many islands connected, allowing them to prosper under its protection. When the tree is unexpectedly destroyed, the islands are forced to look to the Italian plumbers to create a new tree and revive the connection once again.

The mission is led by young Wattanist Connie and her buddy Snoutlet (not a pig), but you can also expect to encounter some familiar faces like Princess Peach and Bowser. The Mario & Luigi game features an interesting cast of characters like the mysterious villain Zokket and the Extension Corps, all of whom bring a very futuristic, robotic feel to the otherwise rustic and worldly aesthetic of the game.

To save Concordia, Mario and Luigi climb aboard the hybrid ship island, aptly named Shipshape Island, and work to bring the power of the Uni-Tree to all corners of the region.

Mario Luigi combat

The Mario & Luigi Gameplay Is What Makes the Experience Interesting

The game has some of the traditional elements of a side-scroller Mario game as you make your way across different obstacles by walking, jumping, and smashing past hurdles. Various challenges on the journey require you to switch between the two brothers to find the right strategy to continue on the path that you are on. 

Swapping between the two using the A and B buttons takes some getting used to initially, but it’s not impossible to master. Unfortunately, Luigi often acts like an NPC and acts on his own accord during the exploration stage, so that does take away from actually feeling like you’re playing with two characters. The battles allow you a greater sense of control over both characters.

The most interesting part of the gameplay is the turn-based combat. Various enemies await the brothers on their journey and the battles present some interesting opportunities for the two to work as a team. The brothers need to time their attacks correctly to have the biggest impact, and there’s quite a bit of dodging involved in it as well. 

In order to really review the combat element of the game, you have to reach the point in the journey where you can create Battle Plugs. Essentially serving as power-ups in the game, these Plugs enhance your combat strategy and provide additional damage elements to the game. Properly timing and combining these Plugs are essentially for truly enjoying the Mario & Luigi: Brothership gameplay.

Game Highlights—The Best of Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Mario & Luigi: Brothership revives some of the traditional characters and gameplay elements of the older games, however, it also does its fair bit to stand out. The Plugs are an obvious addition to the gameplay experience, designed to make the combat less repetitive. 

In addition to this, Mario and Luigi’s teamwork provides an interesting element of consideration, where you need to strategize how they can work together to solve the puzzles they encounter. Bros. Moves is a hilarious way to combine the abilities of the two brothers to turn into a ball or a UFO to create a whirlwind of power, and it can be fun to experiment with its uses. 

You will also have the ability to use “Luigi Logic” at opportune moments to discover some particularly creative ways of solving problems you encounter in your journey. Some elements of traveling between regions can take a long time, and at these moments, you’re encouraged to explore the side quests available to you. Depending on whether you enjoy being distracted from the real-time wait on your journey, you can choose to explore these quests as well. 

Mario Luigi game features

Mario & Luigi: Brothership Price 

The new Mario & Luigi game brags of over 40 hours of gameplay, but it does not come cheap. The game is available for pre-order and is priced at $59.99 USD. Exclusively designed for the Nintendo Switch, you can start playing it on November 7, 2024, so there’s barely a wait ahead for those who want to give it a go. 

Final Thoughts on Mario & Luigi: Brothership 

Most reviews of Mario & Luigi: Brothership will tell you that the game is well-conceptualized and its in-game mechanisms are expertly designed, but it doesn’t come without its share of cumbersome features. The mini-map doesn’t bring anything new to the game and the ship journey can feel like a pointless wait as you attempt to travel to distant locations. 

The game is also considerably longer than its predecessors so if you’re the type to try and speedrun a game, this one will not lend itself to the mission. The Mario & Luigi gameplay and combat can start to feel repetitive after a point, and so will the hand-holding when it comes to the tutorials. The slow and child-like approach to dialogues remains unchanged so if that’s not your cup of tea, neither is the game. 

Still, if you enjoy Mario and Luigi’s camaraderie and want to experience the bright and uplifting art style typical to these Mario games, then you should consider giving it a shot. The unique islands are pleasing to look at and the combat promises to give you some room to personalize your battle style as well. If you’re excited to re-experience the world of Mario, then this game is a fine place to get started.

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Pokémon TCG Pocket Sales Rake in $12 Million in Just 4 Days https://www.technowize.com/pokemon-tcg-pocket-sales-rake-in-12-million-in-just-4-days/ https://www.technowize.com/pokemon-tcg-pocket-sales-rake-in-12-million-in-just-4-days/#respond Tue, 05 Nov 2024 12:47:02 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=42946 The Pokémon TCG mobile game launch brings in a revenue of over $12 million according to online sources, with over 10 million downloads across iOS and Android.

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If you think Pokémon’s legacy is done and dusted with nothing more to offer, you might want to revisit that theory. Sales of the recently launched Pokémon TCG Pocket have skyrocketed to break all records, earning The Pokémon Company over $3 million per day over its debut weekend. The game was released globally on October 30, 2024, bringing the original card trading experience to smartphones.

The Pokémon mobile game’s success is unprecedented, outperforming the previous Pokémon Go mobile game by a large margin despite the older title having cemented itself as a turning point in the IP’s history. With over 10 million downloads within days of its release, Pokémon TCG Pocket’s $12 million launch sales numbers are staggering. 

Pokémon TCG Pocket $12M launch

Image: Trainer’s Pokémon Return to Pokémon TCG | Official Pokémon Worlds Reveal

Pokémon TCG Pocket Sales Hit $12 Million Within 4 Days

Let’s chart out Pokémon TCG Pocket’s success. According to Sensor Tower, the game is said to have generated $1.9 million in revenue on its release day, and this progressively stacked up to $12 million in the next three days. The app was downloaded 1.2 million times on launch, and within 48 hours on the market, it was said to have crossed the 10 million threshold. 

The Pokémon TCG mobile launch revenue data has been assimilated primarily by app store analytics firm Appmagic via MobileGamer, and it revealed that a large chunk of the estimated earnings comes from players in Japan—45% of it, to be precise. The next biggest market for the game is the US, where 25% of the revenue originates, followed by Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, New Zealand, and France. 

In comparison, Pokémon Go is currently making $1 million every day. Now it may be too early to tell if the new card game app will be able to match Pokémon Go’s long-term success, but it is definitely on the right path to make it happen. 

iOS Purchases Account for a Significant Portion of the Game’s Revenue

The simultaneous release on both iOS and Android has worked in the game’s favor. Both platforms are more closely matched in terms of downloads, with 4.2 million installs on Google Play and 3.3 million on iOS, but the revenue numbers are entirely different.

iOS users are spending more enthusiastically on the game, accounting for $10.5 million of the $12 million earned to date. Developed by Creatures Inc. and DeNA, the Pokémon TCG Pocket $12 million launch suggests that both Pokémon and the card deck genre of gaming are well and truly alive.

Pokémon TCG Pocket success

What’s the Reason Behind the Pokémon Mobile Game’s Success?

It’s impossible to discredit the role of nostalgia in Pokémon TCG Pocket’s success. The game provides users with an opportunity to reminisce about their days of opening packs and collecting physical cards, without the hassle of storing the cards themselves. While this does detract from the experience to a degree, the in-game mechanics and brand-new format offer up a new way of embracing old habits.

The ramping up of the revenue on launch has also been linked to the addition of the second in-game store paired with the Wonder Pick event, which provided gamers with more avenues and reasons to spend money to start building their card collection. 

The $9.99 Pokémon TCG Pocket Premium Pass, a paid section of the game, is also available with a free trial for two weeks. While the trial-period free pass is temporary, users are more likely to see that as an opportunity to spend on other in-game purchases and continue to use the paid version once the free trial ends.

There may be a slump in sales after fans get over the initial excitement of seeing the card-collecting format and return to their other games of actually playing and interacting with their Pokémon, so in-game events will have to do a lot of heavy lifting to keep the interest alive. The battle mechanism, while still primitive compared to other games, also adds a more immersive experience to the app beyond just collecting rare cards. So the game has a lot of potential to draw in gamers who might have otherwise skipped the game.

Pokémon has always been about “catching them all,” and the success of the new game appears to reiterate how successful a game based on this strategy can be.

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Apple’s M4-Powered Mac Mini: A Game-Changer for Console Gaming? https://www.technowize.com/apples-m4-powered-mac-mini-a-game-changer-for-console-gaming/ https://www.technowize.com/apples-m4-powered-mac-mini-a-game-changer-for-console-gaming/#respond Mon, 04 Nov 2024 11:24:27 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=42919 Apple’s latest M4-powered Mac Mini could be its long-awaited answer to console gaming, promising a powerful, compact alternative to PlayStation and Xbox. It’s design shall bridge the gap between high-performance hardware and accessible gaming. The new Mac Mini comes with upgraded processing power, ray tracing, and streamlined connections for a living room setup. Apple M4-powered Mac Mini marks its boldest step yet into a market it has previously struggled to impact. The Mac Mini, could change Apple’s gaming trajectory, with its M4 and M4 Pro chips setting a new standard for the brand’s hardware.

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Apple’s latest M4-powered Mac Mini could be its long-awaited answer to console gaming, promising a powerful, compact alternative to PlayStation and Xbox. It’s design shall bridge the gap between high-performance hardware and accessible gaming. The new Mac Mini comes with upgraded processing power, ray tracing, and streamlined connections for a living room setup.

Apple's M4-Powered Mac Mini: A Game-Changer for Console Gaming?

(Image Credit: apple)

Apple M4-powered Mac Mini marks its boldest step yet into a market it has previously struggled to impact. The Mac Mini, could change Apple’s gaming trajectory, with its M4 and M4 Pro chips setting a new standard for the brand’s hardware.

Mac Mini feature and price

The Mac Mini’s hardware, featuring the latest M4 and M4 Pro chips, positions it as a competitor in both performance and price. The starting price of Mac Min M4 model is $599, which boasts a CPU and GPU with ten cores each. The any day can rival the power of a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. For gamers seeking more Mac Min Pro version outperforms Apple’s recent high-end models, priced at $1,399. With at least 16GB of memory and ray-tracing support, the Mac Mini can deliver graphics and gameplay previously reserved for top-tier consoles.

M4 gaming performance

Apple’s challenge lies in building a game library that rivals Microsoft and Sony. Its recent strides include porting Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding and a promise of Cyberpunk 2077. Additionally, Apple has enhanced macOS’s Metal graphics software, optimized the App Store, and improved tools for porting games. The new Mac Mini also supports third-party controllers, which could appeal to developers and players alike by expanding gaming options.

Apple M4 upcoming AI specs

In December, Apple plans to launch significant AI updates across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iOS 18.2. The update includes features like ChatGPT integration, an Image Playground app, and Genmoji, with an even more advanced AI boost set for April. Meanwhile, Apple’s acquisition of Pixelmator, a high-end photo-editing app, adds to its expanding software portfolio. Pixelmator’s features will likely integrate into Apple’s software ecosystem, strengthening the brand’s premium app offerings.

Apple’s Gaming Future

With gaming console Apple hopes the Mac Mini will finally make waves in that space. The device’s performance, combined with expanded software offerings and developer support, could position Apple as a serious gaming player. Whether the new Mac Mini can establish a lasting presence in a competitive console market remains to be seen, but it definitely is in the right direction defining Apple’s ambition to lead in gaming.

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Black Ops 6 Review – Call of Duty Delivers a Thrilling Installment https://www.technowize.com/black-ops-6-review-call-of-duty-delivers-a-thrilling-installment/ https://www.technowize.com/black-ops-6-review-call-of-duty-delivers-a-thrilling-installment/#respond Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:02:05 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=42923 Black Ops 6 Review - Exciting blend of nostalgia and innovation

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 received a terrific welcome from fans when it was launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox, and Xbox Series S/X. Treyarch spy game saga and Raven have worked on this campaign for four years, and it truly shows. The seamless multiplayer option is fast and exciting, taking the franchise to new levels, even with the few subpar maps. 

Additionally, the cooperative zombies mode is the best it’s ever been in years. Black Ops 6 feels like a nostalgic trip with more adventure and fun. The polished teams of Treyarch and Raven Software have magically brought the best features of the previous game in the series, creating a smooth and enjoyable experience that shines brighter than others.

Black Ops 6 features

Image – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Black Ops 6 Review – What Direction does the Story take?

The Call of Duty – Black Ops 6 campaign occurs 10 years after the incidents of 2020’s Call of Duty – Black Ops Cold War. The story revolves around the Gulf War in 1991, focusing more on covert espionage rather than combat. The players are CIA operatives who are sent to Iraq to capture the Iraqi Minister of Defense and safely return him to the U.S. government.

As expected, the mission takes a turn for worse within a few minutes and a mysterious military force appears to sabotage the mission. After this, players will team up with the beloved character of rogue spy Russel Adler, who reveals that this organization called, Pantheon, has strong connections to the CIA, creating chaos in the team. 

Black Ops 6 Review – Exploring the Missions

Diversity maintains the curiosity of the players, packing exciting mechanics and setting into it a roughly nine-hour length. There is also a refreshing open assassination mission that provides different ways to complete it, encouraging players to replay. After this players enter a political fundraising event, explore various leads, and use a high-tech spy camera to gather clues before diving into a thrilling motorcycle chase.

One unforgettable mission even takes a surprising turn into survival horror, giving you an overpowered grapple hook while throwing hordes of imagined zombies and tough boss monsters at you.

In between the missions, players return to their safe house, which consists of various activities to enjoy. Players can also upgrade their safehouse by collecting the cash scattered on their way. Also, there are several hidden puzzles to be solved which allows players to explore instead of just rushing into the stores.

Black Ops 6 Performance

Undoubtedly, this is one of the best-looking campaigns in Call of Duty history, outshining the visuals of 2022’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Many areas are incredibly realistic, featuring stunningly detailed textures and advanced lighting effects. Some of the more artistic scenes let the developers show off their creativity with bright colors and a dream-like atmosphere.

How is the Multiplayer Experience?

The multiplayer experience of this campaign finally resolves the issue of the complicated weapon attachment system of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Now there is a streamlined selection of options that offers fabulous customization without feeling overwhelming.

Instead of a long list of nearly identical options, each attachment category features a few meaningful mods. Some provide small boosts, while others offer significant advantages with a couple of noticeable drawbacks. Player perks have also been simplified and are now available right at the start of a match, rather than being unlocked over time.

The developers have also introduced the brand new ‘ominmovement’ system that allows players to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction. It is smoothly integrated into the gameplay, creating a ton of exciting moments. For example, diving backward off a ledge while shooting at an enemy feels completely natural, making it hard to believe the movement hasn’t always been this smooth.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 delivers an exciting blend of nostalgia and surprise, making it outshine every other campaign of the franchise. With its engaging campaign, thrilling multiplayer experience, and impressive visuals, it captures the essence of what fans love.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Does Black Ops 6 have a campaign?

Ans. Yes, Black Ops 6 features a single-player campaign. 

Q.2 How big is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6?

Ans. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is only 102 GB on the PC.

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Concord’s Final Kill—Sony Closes Firewalk Studio And Sunsets the Game https://www.technowize.com/concords-final-kill-sony-closes-firewalk-studio-and-sunsets-the-game/ https://www.technowize.com/concords-final-kill-sony-closes-firewalk-studio-and-sunsets-the-game/#respond Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:00:22 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=42909 Despite rumors that Sony may eventually bring back Concord, the company has sunsetted the game and shut down the studio in charge of it.

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Every game establishes a legacy of its own, but Concord’s track record is admittedly unpleasant. Sony has closed down Firewalk Studios, the developers behind Concord, after the game faced a poor reception and was taken down from stores within two weeks of its release. Mobile game developer Neon Koi has also been shut down. 

Sony uploaded a letter from Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hermen Hulst, discussing the decision and the motivations behind it. Announcing that Firewalk Studios was to be closed and Concord permanently canceled, the letter explained that the decision was part of its “ongoing efforts to strengthen SIE’s Studio Business.”

Firewalk Studios Concord canceled

Image: Concord – Reveal Cinematic Trailer

Sony Closes Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi—Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Sony announced its decision to take down its PvP shooting game Concord on September 3, 2024, giving players three final days to try it out before it went offline. The game had been released less than two weeks earlier, but it received extreme backlash from gamers and reported weak sales numbers that gave no indication that they would improve.

Firewalk Studios had spent over 8 years working on Concord, but the game was canceled in a heartbeat, leaving them uncertain about the future of the game and the studio. Reports from earlier this month suggested that the game was still receiving backend updates daily despite being unavailable for purchase or play. This sparked some curiosity about what the updates could be, but as it turns out, we’ll never know what the developers were working on.

There were some discussions on the possibility of Sony releasing the game again after reworking some aspects or making it free-to-play, but Sony has now sunset Concord permanently, leaving no room to revive the game.

Once the decision to stop all work on the Concord game was finalized, it was likely that Sony felt that Firewalk’s closure was the inevitable next step. Sony thanked Firewalk for “their craftsmanship, creative spirit, and dedication,” in its announcement to let go of the team. 

“The PvP first-person shooter genre is a competitive space that’s continuously evolving, and unfortunately, we did not hit our targets with this title. We will take the lessons learned from Concord and continue to advance our live service capabilities to deliver future growth in this area,” Hulst explained in his email. 

The statement also shows that Sony aims to continue trying to break into the live service gaming segment, an area where some developers have found great success despite gamers repeatedly expressing their dislike for the gaming format. Twitter gamers have been pointedly insensitive about the matter of an entire studio of employees losing their jobs, but considering the vitriol that was spread regarding the game, this was to be expected.

Neon Koi and Its Mobile Action Game Will Not Be Moving Forward

Sony’s decision to close Firewalk Studios is drawing a lot of attention but the demise of Neon Koi is just as tragic. Formerly known as Savage Game Studios, the developer was acquired by PlayStation in 2022 to expand Sony’s reach into the mobile gaming segment. The studio was said to have been working on an AAA mobile live-service action title but unfortunately, this will now never see the light of day.

Despite the decision to close Neon Koi, Sony is still committed to expanding into the fold of mobile gaming, which is an underrated but surprisingly lucrative business for companies that can make it in. “To achieve success in this area we need to concentrate on titles that are in line with PlayStation Studios’ pedigree and have the potential to reach more players globally,” CEO Hulst stated.

Sony has stated that it will attempt to find work for some of the workers who have been laid off and reassign them to another position within its “global community of studios,” but no exact numbers have been provided. 

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Batman: Arkham Shadow Review—It’s Prison Crawl Time Gotham https://www.technowize.com/batman-arkham-shadow-review-its-prison-crawl-time-gotham/ https://www.technowize.com/batman-arkham-shadow-review-its-prison-crawl-time-gotham/#respond Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:00:50 +0000 https://www.technowize.com/?p=42828 The Batman: Arkham Shadow gameplay makes the most of the capabilities of the VR headset, allowing you to swing your cape around and punch the bad guys into oblivion. 

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If you haven’t gotten into VR gaming yet, we have a Batman: Arkham Shadow review that might just be the push you need to finally invest in the headset. The new Batman game has been developed by Camouflaj exclusively for the Meta Quest 3 and 3S, and it packs quite a punch—both figuratively and literally. 

The game was just released on October 21, 2024, and it has quickly shown us that the failure of the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League game has not marked the end of games from the DC universe. With an interesting storyline and unique gameplay, Batman: Arkham Shadow is well worth a gamer’s time.

Meta Quest 3 Batman game

Image: Batman: Arkham Shadow gameplay trailer

Presenting a Batman: Arkham Shadow Review—Yes, He Really Is Back

The Batman VR game does not appear to be set in the same timeline, or at least the same time period, as the Suicide Squad game that came out earlier, so we don’t have to worry about reviving a dead Batman. The Meta Quest 3 Batman game falls somewhere in between the timelines established with the Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum titles, marking an early point in Batman’s legacy.

In this game, we still have Batman moonlighting as a superhero, but his daytime activities are also directed at fighting crime under a different guise. The VR format opens a whole new avenue of gameplay considering you have to physically fight the bad guys instead of clicking on some buttons, so for those who don’t mind a little activity, this game is quite well designed. 

Batman Arkham Shadow game

Image: Batman: Arkham Shadow | Become The Knight trailer

What’s the Story Behind the Batman VR Game 

The wicked never rest and this time, it’s the Rats gang that’s causing Batman to lose some sleep. Gotham City is plagued by minions of the gang who have set their sights on the legal system as their main target. Public servants are falling prey to the machinations of the gang and its leader the Rat King. 

Matters get particularly personal as the gang kidnaps a familiar face, Harvey Dent, sending Batman on a killing spree as he takes down the bad guys to get closer to their leader. Due to the many real-world consequences of going on a rampage, our hero is forced to lay low for a while, but Batman never stops working.

The most interesting aspect of the Batman VR game is the alternative daytime routine that Batman is forced to adopt, “daylighting” as a convict at the Blackgate Penitentiary to continue on the trail of the Rat King. Much of the story—and the combat and gameplay—take place at Blackgame, as we work to find the Rat King before his upcoming “Day of Wrath” ruins Gotham.

Batman Arkham Shadow gameplay

Batman: Arkham Shadow Gameplay—There’s a lot of Glitchy Action to Look Forward To

Until technology allows us to enter games like the characters virtually do in Sword Art Online, this is as close as you can get to becoming Batman. Of the many interesting features of Arkham Shadow, the most engaging one is the ability to don your headset like Batman dons his mask and use your controllers to physically act out what you want Batman to do in the game. The technology has its flaws but the Batman VR game gives you a more hands-on experience at gaming.

The gameplay allows you to experience the game from a first-person perspective as you play Batman at night and then dress up as his daytime character Matches Malone when you explore the prison to find the worst of what Gotham has to offer. The central aspect of the game obviously revolves around the many combat scenes you encounter as you get closer to getting to the heart of the Rat King’s plans. 

There are various types of armed enemy mobs you encounter along the way, and you have to fight them by actually swinging your arms and landing the punches. The VR game doesn’t process Batman’s movements as smoothly as you’d like and there are a few glitches and delays that you can expect to encounter, but nothing that permanently ruins your gaming experience. 

There are many interesting combat aspects that take a moment to get the hang of when you’re trying to stagger an enemy, but who doesn’t like mastering a good cape swing? There are many moments in the game where stealth is key, and switching between timing your attacks from these locations and staying down when their guns make for an impossible fight, are also key aspects of Batman: Arkham Shadow’s gameplay.

Considering this is a Batman game, you aren’t equipped with any inherent special abilities like Spiderman would be, but you do get to carry around an arsenal of gadgets like explosives and smoke bombs to refine your attacks. Using the Batarang may take some work initially, but the trial-and-error learning stage can be just as fun for you as the people watching you play. 

Batman VR game

Image: Look for clues through the Detective mode

Other Arkham Shadow Features That You Don’t Want to Miss Out On

A Batman: Arkham Shadow review wouldn’t be complete without addressing some of the other elements in the game. While combat is a core aspect of the Arkham Shadow gameplay, you also get to put your wits to the test with some in-game puzzles. These aren’t as complex as they could have been, but they still create enough breathing room throughout the game. Instead of moving between mobs and boss fights one after the other, you will often have to uncover and traverse the path in between.

Crime scene investigations are also a part of the experience, allowing you to use Detective Vision to uncover and arrange clues to see the bigger picture. You use grapple hooks to get to higher ground and glide back down using your cape. For hardcore fans of the Arkham games or Batman in general, there are a few Easter eggs to be found, like discovering the phone numbers of various characters to call them in-game.

The Batman game is the best use of the Meta Quest 3 tech we’ve seen so far, and it’s also a commendable addition to the Arkham game franchise. While there are a few glitches and hiccups you might encounter along the way, the frequent checkpoints ensure you don’t get frustrated with having to replay large sections of the game.

Price of the Batman: Arkham Shadow Game

Final thoughts to wrap up this Batman: Arkham Shadow review? The game is a stunning, engaging experience that is well worth the $49.99 price tag. If you don’t already own the Meta Quest 3S or Meta Quest 3, purchase of either headset will let you have the game for free. 

The 128GB base model of the Meta Quest 3S starts at $299 while the Meta Quest 3 starts at $499. If you were waiting for a reason to take the leap and buy the VR headset, considering this your sign that now might be a good time. 

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