Since mid-December 2021, Halo Infiniteplayers have been frustrated by bugs in the Big Team Battle mode. Even though a patch was released in January this year, it did not fix the major issue with Halo’s biggest and most popular gamemode. A new patch released on February 3rd finally addresses these issues and should be the fix the community needs.
The January patch may not have solved the issues present in BTBsince December, but it did provide the telemetry data needed to develop the February 3rd patch. The new patch isn’t just focused on BTB; it also makes a few notable changes to Oddball, resulting in an additional minute being added if scores are tied after the timer runs out. If thereafter, the match is still tied, it will end in a draw.
Here are some of the other multiplayer patch notes that accompanied the February 3rd parch:
Improvements to matchmaking service for BTB, resulting in players finding full matches more consistently and faster.
Update to the ‘join in progress’ function so that players cannot join matches that are almost over.
Changes in Oddball resulting in victory to the team with the most rounds won if two separate rounds end in a draw.
Wraiths and Scorpion Tanks will be a much more frequent occurrence on BTB maps.
BTB Fireteam members will have markers in the selected colors but can still start matches on different areas of the map.
The patch is available on all platforms and has a download size of approximately 1.1 GB, if not less.
We’ve been longing for another Warcraft game, this time on mobile since the rumors of a mobile game started popping up in 2017. However, with all the turmoil facing Blizzard Entertainment recently, we thought it would be another title that we’d never see realized. However, there may be hope for a Warcraft mobile game yet.
Blizzard just released an announcement stating that a Warcraft Mobile game will be released this year! This announcement came in Blizzard’s quarterly report. During this press release, Activision-Blizzard also mentioned that they would be releasing some substantial new content for the entire Warcraft franchise, including new experiences in World of Warcraft and Hearthstone, and finally, the long-awaited mobile Warcraft game.
During a previous press release held in August 2021, Activision-Blizzard announced that they had a few Warcraft mobile experiences in the final stages of development. However, they’ve been very secretive about what these experiences may be so far. To date, they haven’t released any information on the genre or even what element of the massive Warcraft universe will be covered by the mobile release. There is, however, a rumor that suggests one of the mobile games might be a Pokemon GO-styled AR game. Are you intrigued yet? We sure are.
The company has been having some serious issues lately. Not only are they facing serious charges of sexual harassment, among others, but they’ve also been losing players from World of Warcraft due to the playing style being too ‘restrictive’ compared to other online games. New content, experiences and a mobile version could be just what they need to bring new life to the Warcraft universe.
Following the announcement of Microsoft acquiring Activision-Blizzard, we can only hope to see more improvement to a game and universe that’s been loved by many since 1994, when the first Warcraft game was released. We can’t wait to see what the future holds and be sure we’ll be ready for the Warcraft mobile game once it launches. Until then, check out this list of potential Activision Blizzard games coming to Games Pass.
Amazon is set to increase the price of its Prime subscriptions in the US soon. The new pricing scheme will apply to both new and current subscribers and will go into effect in the coming weeks between February and March2022.
This news is rather opportune and coincides with the recent price changes that have also been taking place over at Netflix, given the sizable share loss that it suffered and the less-than-optimistic forecasts going into the new year.
Amazon Prime is essentially an all-encompassing subscription that offers a wide range of perks and services, such as free shipping and exclusive offers when shopping over at its e-commerce site. Subscribers will even gain access to Prime Music and to Prime Video‘s ever-expanding catalog of movies and shows that have made waves in the past couple of years.
As for the exact pricing, monthly fees will go up from $12.99 to $14.99 for US users. Meanwhile, those who will opt for an annual plan will see an uptick from the former $119 to $139—a rather sizable increase of 16%. New subscribers can expect to pay these updated fees starting February 18, 2022. Current subscribers can expect these prices to reflect on their plans starting March 25, 2022.
There is a possibility that these price increases could make their way to other markets around the world, as well. It wouldn’t be all that surprising if it does turn out that way, but this is all speculative at this point. For now, US subscribers should ready themselves for the impending changes.
High contrast, varying light sources, and video noise account for the biggest obstacles when it comes to capturing night footage. Fortunately, Adobe Premiere Pro offers some of the most advanced color correction effects available in the consumer and professional markets.
Adobe makes color correction easy by providing effects and tools that allow you to fix video captures directly on the timeline. They work just like standard effects, except Adobe’s color effects allow for fine color and luminance corrections to ensure vibrant, matching footage while optimizing your camera’s dynamic range. Below, we explain how to grade your night stock for optimal results.
Start by enhancing your night footage in Adobe Premiere Pro
Capture your best night footage
Proceed to upload the nighttime stock to your hard drive before launching Adobe Premiere Pro.
Create your first Adjustment Layer
Once you have the project set up in Premiere Pro and the clip is in your timeline:
– Navigate to File at the top left and drop down
– Scroll the mouse to New
Find Adjustment Layer and Open
Locate the Effects Control tab
Find the Effects Control tab on the clip you’re working within the timeline and right-click on the effect.
Select and enable the Find Edges effect
At this point, you’ll see multiple effects options. The Edges Effect falls just beneath the standard Video Effects and Stylized Effects. Drag and drop this effect onto the new Adjustment Layer you’ve already created. Now, select the box adjacent to Invert.
Locate Opacity in Effects Controls
Underneath Opacity, locate the Screen Mode. Switch from Normal to Screen Mode.
Enable Tint
Return to Effects. Find Tint and apply it to the new Adjustment Layer by dragging and dropping.
Navigate to Map White in Premiere Pro
Under effects controls, locate Map White. Now, pull up the Color Picker tool to select a particular color.
Blend the image
Under the Find Edges effect, look for an option called Blend. Next, Blend the edges with the original image with a setting no greater than 20%, so you don’t lose any fine details.
Use the Camera Blur effect
Drag and drop the Camera Blur effect into the night footage clip on your timeline. After applying this effect, bring the Opacity down somewhere closer to 80%.
Create a copy of your Adjustment Layer
Once you’ve duplicated you layer, delete the Camera Blur. Find Tint again, and set it to a color on the red spectrum to enhance the image. In the duplicate layer, lower Opacity to below 20%.
Now you can grade your nighttime video
Remember, if you’re grading an image for the big screen, the above grading procedure in Adobe is far more advanced. But if you’re simply creating online content or you need a quick insert for your video, follow these easy steps:
1. Find Lumetri Color
In the basic correction effects, open Lumetri Color and apply LogC2Rec709.
2. Adjust color and contrast
At this step, you can quickly adjust highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks along with your white balance until the image improves.
3. Choose the Fuji Eterna 250D effect
Continue to manipulate with your correction settings to Fuji Eterna 250D effect until the video looks vibrant.
In closing
Color grading for professional video is an advanced procedure and specialized career in itself. There are many, many more color correction features to unlock in Adobe Premiere Pro. However, the above techniques offer a relatively easy and fast way to produce fantastic-looking night shots.
The moment many of us battle royale gamers have been waiting for is finally here. After several weeks of Epic Games teasing about it, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is finally available on Fortnite in The Foundation. You can run around and play as the new character in a new outfit, with many new items attached to the latest bundle.
However, you won’t simply find him in your locker (sorry, ladies, no pun intended). The Foundation has a new string of quests for you to complete that consists of two pages. When you complete the first page’s missions, they unlock the second page for the final content.
We recommend you start with the Fortnite quest that unlocks the actual outfit that looks like Dwayne Johnson. You’ll need to land at a Seven Outpost, head to the Mighty Monument, and then finally enter Sanctuary. We suggest you do it in that order to make gaming life easier for you, but you’ll need to do it in a single match.
From there, the other quests are easy. You’ll unlock a new glider, different variations of The Foundation suit, and some emotes and other goodies. The two other items we enjoyed were the new harvesting tool that looks like lightsabre blades extending from the wrist armor and toggling the visor open and closed. When open, you can see the full glory of Dwayne Johnson’s face, and he even randomly lifts his eyebrows up now and again, his signature expression from WWE days.
Before you log into Fortnite in excitement, there’s news of more to come. It appears as though Anderson. Paak and Bruno Mars are also heading to the game shortly, with indications that they may be here as soon as Feb 10. We also read in the in-game news that there will be radio stations where you can listen to their music. It seems like Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1 still has loaded in store for us.
It’s already been seven years since we fought the Infected and experienced true horror in Dying Light. What first seemed like another zombie game by Techland (Dead Island) quickly turned into a cult classic, becoming one of the most engrossing co-op open-world experiences in videogames. After years of delays, fans can rejoice as Dying Light 2 Stay Human is here.
Dying Light 2 brings everything that made its predecessor a hit and takes it a step further, promising lots of new features to make it more appealing to all types of gamers. Thinking of spending the whole weekend bashing zombies? Here’s a complete rundown of the 10 most important things you should know before venturing into Techland’s latest AAA hit.
One of the classic questions every gamer asks when a sequel is released is “Do I need to play the first part before this one?”. While you will definitely enjoy Dying Light 2 a lot more if you’ve played the first game, it’s not mandatory to understand the plot or get engrossed with the excellent survival mechanics. The game takes place 20 years after the original Dying Light and features a new main character as well as a new setting. This means that even if you’ve never heard of the Harran virus or the Infected before, you’ll have a great time surviving in this dark world.
It has a new story and main character
As we just mentioned, Dying Light 2 Stay Human takes place 20 years after the events of the original game. During this time, the Harran virus has completely destroyed civilization as we know it and infected more than 98% of the human population. With a world that has gone back to the Dark Ages and the Infected roaming freely all over the world, only one place is considered the bastion of humanity on Earth: The City.
Players will take the role of a new character called Aiden Caldwell, a Pilgrim that has just reached The City. However, he holds a very dangerous secret: he’s been infected. While trying to stay human, Aiden will venture headfirst into a hopeless crusade to find his lost sister as well as a cure for the virus.
The map is 4-5 times bigger than the original
Villedor, also known as The City, is Dying Light’s 2 main setting. This amazing location is a mixture of different cultures and structures, from slums and skyscrapers to amazing Turkish and Islamic mosques. Even though The City is considered a sanctuary to humans, it’s definitely not a safe place. The Infected infest the streets and lower levels of the city, forcing humans to adapt and live on its rooftops.
Dying Light’s map is divided into seven different districts with some offroad facilities that Aiden can explore at his own will. Each of them has its own factions, sidequests, and hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. As a whole, the map of Dying Light 2 is 4-5 times bigger than the one from the original game.
There are 3 factions ruling The City
While exploring The City, you will meet three different Factions you can aid or defy: Survivors, Renegades, and Peacekeepers. The Survivors are a group of humans that try to keep Villedor’s facilities working while they stay away from the Infected as much as they can. The Renegades on the other hand are a group of dangerous ex-prisoners led by The Colonel who will selfishly do anything to stay alive. Last, but not least, we can find the Peacekeepers, a very strict military group that focuses all their efforts on getting rid of the Infected.
Your choices have consequences
As Aiden, you’ll face many tough decisions and difficult conundrums that you can’t take lightly. All of them will have a consequence on how the game evolves. For example, your choices can have a deep impact on the importance of certain characters, making their roles minor or vital to the development of the story. So, think twice about your actions or you might regret them later.
There’s a City Alignment System
One of the most notable improvements in Dying Light 2 is the presence of a City Alignment System. As we’ve already explained, Villedor is ruled by three different factions; the Survivors, Renegades, and Peacekeepers. The way you interact with them and which zones of The City are under their control will change the dynamic of the game. For example, if you decide to help The Survivors, who are the Faction that rules a certain part of Villedor, it will completely change its surroundings, adding zip lines that will help you move around the area. Just think carefully about who you give your loyalty to, as you might make enemies with the other two Factions.
The parkour system has been improved
One of Dying Light’s most applauded features was its amazing parkour system. Techland was very aware of that fact and, for that reason, they’ve added a large number of improvements to it. Running, jumping, and gliding over The City is a frenetic experience like no other. Dying Light 2 not only has more than 3,000 new animations, but also adds new skills and abilities that result in a new level of freedom to open-world games.
There are new types of Infected
It’s already been 20 years since the outbreak of the Harran virus and the Infected change; some would even say they’ve become more aggressive. While we’ll face classic enemies such as the Virals or the Biters again, Dying Light 2 features new types of zombies such as the Degenerates, Drowners, Revenants, Howlers, and the terrible Banshees. Make sure to be prepared if you face them when night falls!
Co-op returns
Dying Light 2 features a new and improved co-op system that will surely please fans of multiplayer games. It allows up tofour friends to join the same game and take on the Infected. Since the map of Dying Light 2 changes depending on your choices, one of the four players will be hosting the game and everyone will play in the host’s version of The City. There won’t be crossplay though, so make sure all your friends get Dying Light 2 on the same platform if you want to play together.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the time of the day
Dying Light 2 is very serious about the importance of its day and night cycle. If you want to explore The City and make sure to get the best gear from the start, then be sure to keep an eye on the clock. During the daytime, the Infected will seek shelter inside buildings, making the streets a bit safer to explore. When the night falls though, the zombies will take over the streets, turning them into a battlefield. It will be, however, the best time to get into their lairs and check for weapons. Make sure to plan how you want to explore the map according to the time of day.
Are you ready to explore The City?
Dying Light 2 Stay Human is a must-play for all survival horror fans looking for an open-world game that mixes plenty of actions with role-playing elements and a thrilling parkour system. Will you be brave enough to face the Infected one more time? DL2 is already available on the following platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Warframe Players prepare for Angels of the Zariman expansionREAD MORE
The Brazilian Carnaval is one of the most iconic celebrations in the Southern Hemisphere, if not the world. While the physical world is still waiting for massive celebrations and social events like Carnaval to become the norm again, Simmers are holding their breath for a whole other reason; Carnaval is headed to The Sims 4 in the form of the Carnaval Streetwear Kit.
The Brazilian-inspired kit is due to be released into the virtual world of The Sims 4 today, February 3, and for passionate Simmers, it means much more than a few new items of clothing for Create-A-Sim (CAS). Electronic Arts and Maxis partnered with Pabllo Vittar, a Brazilian singer-songwriter, advocate for inclusivity and social change and lover of all things Carnaval to assist with designing the items in the pack. Pabllo says that Carnaval has always been a festival of unity, and that’s the kind of energy this kit carries within the Sims 4 community, even before its release.
Concept art for the kit has already been released, as well as a teaser video posted to social media by the Sims team. The video shows various sims rocking out to Pabllo’s iconic electronic dance anthem, Buzina while showcasing some of the items featured in the new kit. The theme for the kit is neon colors, cutouts, and copious amounts of mesh. Anyone looking to recreate the glamor and extravagance of Carnaval will not be disappointed.
The Sims 4 is notorious for being a watered-down variant of older Sims games. Still, including packs like this will forever change the Sims 4 landscape, adding color, depth, and the ability to truly ‘play with life’ as the famous catchphrase goes.
PUBG: New State was released in November 2021, and apart from a few bugs and glitches, it’s been smooth sailing so far. The game is fairly well established as a battle royale titan in a saturated market, but for any new players looking to diversify their gaming experience, now is definitely the time to get into PUBG Mobile. Kraftonhas sweetened the deal by releasing a bunch of new codes that you can enter for free loot, gear, and gadgets this February, and we’re about to show you how to get your hands on them.
How to Redeem PUBG: New State Codes
The codes themselves are easy to redeem, and you only need to follow a few simple steps listed below:
Enter the code you want to redeem and your account credentials
Solve the Captcha and click Redeem
Your rewards will be loaded up in the in-game mail system
PUBG: New State coupon codes for February 2022
DDSJJCZCDZ9U – An AKM gun skin
HTDS78FTU2XJ – An M416 gun skin
BDGRAAZBZJGS – Gives you the latest skin for the M416
P8HZDBTFZ95U – Gives you a new Sniper skin
Q12KARZBZYTR – New parachute or crates full of loot
Y12KARBYD2ER – BP coins and loot crates
7TREMIK6YERU – A new AKM gun skin
INUTRE97YU3N – Free loot crates
12JUNN7GTRER – New skins for cars
OJI87YUHITEE2 – A new parachute
An active and regularly updated player reward system is an integral tool for modern gaming. Specifically, on mobile gaming and within the battle royale classgames, this provides new players with ample incentive to sign up and begin playing, leading to an increase in loyal PUBG: New State players.
Now that you know how to get the most out of PUBG: New State, why not check out some of our PUBG Mobile guides?
Apex Legends will be arriving on mobile as its own title, aptly named Apex Legends Mobile. We’ve been waiting for this mobile game for a while now and had almost given up hope that we’ll ever see it. However, on February 1, EA Games made an announcement that restored our hope in seeing this release.
EA announced that they are ready for a soft launch, including a small number of players from a select number of countries.
The soft launch will also only be available for Android users, which means if you have an iOS device, you’ll have to wait a little longer to join in on the fun. The developers have assured us that Apex Legends Mobile will be coming to iOS at some stage.
If you have an Android device and live within one of the qualifying countries, you can go to the Google Play Store and pre-register for the soft launch. The countries that qualify for this first round of the soft launch are:
Argentina
Australia
Colombia
Indonesia
Mexico
Malaysia
New Zealand
Peru
Philippines
Singapore
These countries were chosen based on the percentage of the population that prefers playing games on mobile devices. This makes complete sense as the target audience for Apex Legends Mobile is mobile gamers.
There is also an important distinction between Apex Legends and Mobile. These are completely separate titles. Consequently, there will be no cross-platform or cross-over play, and there are now plans to introduce this feature in the future.
EA Games has not yet released an official release date for Apex Legends Mobile. As such, pre-registering for the game (if you’re situated in an accepted country and have an Android) is your best chance to hop straight into the game once the soft launch happens. EA and Respawn have asked other players to sit tight as news of a wider release is not that far off, and honestly, we can’t wait to see how the mobile version stacks up to the original.
Twitter, the popular social networking platform, is reportedly working on a new feature called “Twitter Articles” to be introduced sometime in the future. It will let its users write full-on articles for their posts, bypassing the 280 character limit that has long been a condition when creating new tweets.
When Twitter first started out, it imposed a 140 character limit for its tweets. Back then, it was great for churning out quick thoughts and making random quips about certain topics and ideas. It eventually became too constrictive for any kind of meaningful commentary, which is why the company doubled down and set it to 280 characters a few years later.
Twitter has always tried to find a way to allow its users to express themselves in a more expansive and detailed manner. If the recent rumors come to fruition, they might finally be able to write articles for their posts. Aptly named Twitter Articles, the new feature opens up the possibility for long-form writing on its platform.
The feature was initially discovered on Twitter’s official website through a hidden menu showing an option named “Create a Twitter Article“. While information about it is still sparse, a spokesperson from the company did say that they will share more details about it soon.
For long-time fans and users of the social media platform, this is great and welcome news. Considering the recent introduction of Twitter Blue, it seemed like the company was slowly shifting towards a subscription-based business model. This recent development shows that, at least, users of the free version are not being left out.
