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5 things we DIDN’T see at E3 2019

Did E3 give you enough to slake your thirst, or were you hoping to see more?

And so, another E3 has come to pass. With it came a lot of games we weren’t expecting to see. However, there were a bunch of things we were hoping to see but they never graced the stage.

Here are the things we sadly didn’t get to see at E3 2019 that we will hopefully hear more about soon.

Halo Infinite gameplay

At E3 2018, Halo fans went nuts when Halo Infinite was announced.

This year, we were dying to see gameplay for the new game, or at least hear some new cool details. What we got was this:

Sure, it’s kinda cool. However, we don’t want to see a trailer that’s basically a cut scene we will try to skip through on subsequent playthroughs. Why can’t we see Master Chief in action? Why can’t we see new weapons or changes in combat mechanics? Why can’t we hear about what’s coming to online?

We’re happy that we got SOMETHING, but this was hardly worth the year we had to wait.

Anything about the PlayStation 5

So what did Sony bring to E3?

Although Hideo Kojima gave us a new trailer for Death Stranding a few weeks ago, and we got a few new PlayStation 5 details in the months leading up to E3, Sony was notably absent this year.

If Sony would have shown up with just a few details about the PS5, we would have been thrilled. We didn’t even need much; they could have just given us a better idea of when it would be released and potential new features. But no, Sony instead left E3 in the hands of Microsoft and Nintendo.

To be fair, Nintendo kinda killed it at E3 this year. Although, there was one game that we tragically heard nothing about…

Metroid Prime 4

Two years ago at E3 2017, we first saw the announcement trailer for Metroid Prime 4, and we were elated.

However, at the beginning of the year, we got some unfortunate news. The game was going to be delayed.

After already waiting so long to see Samus’s next adventure, it was a kick in the teeth to learn that we were going to have to wait even longer. However, since that announcement was made about five months ago, we were hoping that by now we would get some sort of update on the game. Sadly, we heard nothing.

We’re hoping that Samus isn’t doomed to forever be trapped in the Brinstar Depths, but our hopes of actually playing this game are quickly dwindling.

The Last of Us Part II

To be fair, we already know a LOT about The Last of Us Part II. We got a cool reveal trailer two years ago, and we got more than 10 minutes of gameplay footage last year. However, we are still worried about the release date.

At first, we were optimistic that we would finally get to see what Joel and Ellie have been up to by the end of 2019, but that is looking further and further from the truth.

Death Stranding has a concrete release date of Nov. 6, 2019, and we simply cannot see Sony releasing two games with such massive hype that close together. I mean we are probably going to buy both at launch anyway, but it isn’t a smart move to let two console exclusives compete with each other for sales.

This suggests that The Last of Us Part II will just have to wait until early 2020. However, now we aren’t sure of that either because Cyberpunk 2077 is set to be released in April of 2020. Sure, Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t a PS4 exclusive, but we can’t imagine Sony wanting to compete against that title either. Do you really want to go toe-to-toe with Keanu Reeves?

We didn’t think so.

Elder Scrolls VI

At E3 2018, Bethesda released this 36-second announcement trailer for the next Elder Scrolls game… and it definitively was the most hyped announcement of that year.

One year later, we were hoping to get something more than a glorified JPEG, but we instead got a trailer for Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr:

What do we think of that trailer?

We got nothing for Elder Scrolls VI. We didn’t get a release date, we didn’t get a new trailer, and we didn’t even get an official title!

Honestly, if Bethesda didn’t show us Doom: Eternal, they might as well not have come at all.

Doom Eternal looks gory, disgusting, and incredible

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It was still a pretty awesome E3

At the end of the day, we still got some awesome announcements at E3 2019. Come on people, we got a trailer for a new Zelda game. What more could you ask for?

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild gets a sequel

Read now ►

What games were you hoping to see at E3 this year? Were you satisfied with the lineup, or were you hoping that this would finally be the year for Half Life 3? Let us know in the comments below.

Google Stadia game service launches this year – here’s what you need to know

The Google Stadia’s Founder’s Edition touts a $129 pricetag.

If you’ve been looking forward to Google Stadia, this new info might sour your expectations, but we still have our hopes up!

In order to play Stadia this year, you’ll need to purchase the Founder’s Edition bundle for $129. On top of that, you’ll pay $9.99/month after the first three months. The monthly subscription to Stadia Pro allows you to play games in 4K and in 5.1 surround sound. The subscription also includes additional “free” games on a regular basis. On top of that, you will still have to pay separately for other games you may want. (There’s other pricing available, but we’ll get to that in a minute.)

That $129 bundle includes an exclusive game controller, a Chromecast Ultra, a copy of Destiny 2, a free three-month subscription, and a buddy pass that gives a friend a free three-month subscription as well. You have to have a Chromecast Ultra in order to play on a TV. If you purchase one outside of this deal, it costs about $60.

A $129 price tag may sound steep, but it’s a far cry from the minimum $300 you’ll pay for a new PlayStation 4.

When the service is released in November, launch games will include Tomb Raider games, Doom, The Division 2, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, and Destiny 2. Early rumors suggest there will be 31 games available when the service debuts.

New games that have not yet been confirmed to be launch titles include Baldur’s Gate 3 and Ghost Recon: Breakpoint.

Stadia Pro vs Stadia Base

Again, the free version (Stadia Base) will not be available until 2020. The biggest difference between the services is the quality. In the free version, you play in 1080p rather than 4K and your game will be in stereo rather than 5.1 surround sound.

You also won’t have access to free games distributed to pro members, and you will not have access to pro deals and discounts.

A mixed bag

Getting a system and a game for $129 is unheard of by today’s standard. When Microsoft released the Xbox One, it cost $500 at launch. The PlayStation 4 wasn’t much better, costing $400 at launch.

However, the subscription service really seems like a raw deal. Paying a subscription every month really adds up. At $9.99 per month, the service essentially costs an additional $120 per year.

If the price doesn’t change, and the Stadia has a lifespan like the PS4 (six years), then that’s an additional $720. When you add the initial $129 for the controller and other goodies, it’s not far from the same price as the Xbox One and the PS4 combined.

To be fair, both Xbox and PlayStation have subscription services. Depending on your plan, playing Xbox or PlayStation online costs about anywhere between $4 and $9.99 per month. However, that’s just for online play, not for playing the games you already purchased on the system you already purchased.

Why would I want to buy Google Stadia?

The important thing to point out is that you do not have to pay the subscription fee in order to use Stadia. If that extra $9.99 a month is a sticking point, you don’t have to pay it. After all, playing games in 1080p is still decent.

Putting the price aside, there are some cool features about the Stadia worth mentioning.

First off, you will be able to play across all your screens: TV, smartphone, computers, and tablet. You also don’t have to download or update the games you want to play.

Unfortunately, the only phones you will be able to play games from are the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a. However, you will be able to purchase games and build your Stadia profile on any Android or iPhones with access to the Stadia app.

The games you buy are streamed from the cloud and will play immediately at 60 fps. Supposedly, you will also be able to click a button and start playing a game in a matter of seconds.

If you want to play with something other than the Stadia controller, you can use a USB controller. However, you must use the Stadia controller and a Chromecast Ultra when playing on a TV. If you want to buy another Stadia controller, it will cost about $70. You can add it in checkout when buying your bundle.

Finally, you do not need a physical console with the Google Stadia. Instead, you are paying for a service, so you don’t have to worry about a cumbersome giant console with wires getting tangled.

Wrapping up

We’d recommend waiting it out for a while to see how the Stadia performs at launch before buying one. However, some of these features do seem too good to pass up. You also have to wonder about how your data cap might hold up when streaming so much 4K 60fps 5.1 content.

When we buy games, we want to play them as soon as possible. We don’t like waiting around for hours on end for a game to download. The Stadia is giving us the opportunity to jump right into the action. At $129 for the service, how do you beat that?

Play PS4 games on your iPhone with a controller

This new feature from iOS brings the PlayStation to your mobile device!

Soon, you will be able to play your favorite PlayStation 4 games from your iPhone just like you do on your console!

Earlier this week, Apple announced at WWDC that the new iOS13 and iPadOS will support Xbox One and PlayStation 4 controllers. If you pair that with Sony’s app PS4 Direct Play, you can use the iPhone or iPad as a monitor, while the PS4 controller gives you full control of the game. The feature will be available later this year.

PS4 Remote Play Download now ►

Basically, if you have an iPad or iPhone, you also have a portable PS4. Next time your flight gets delayed and you have a few hours to kill at the airport, you can bust out Overwatch.

Overwatch Download now ►

The upsides

As it currently sits, you can’t play every game to its full capabilities on Remote Play. For example, you can’t use either of the thumbstick controls. As these are typically used to sprint or crouch in most games, you’re out of luck if they’re necessary to the game.

Luckily, the addition of the controller means that you can play each game as it was intended.

This can really be a game-changer. From now on, if you have a long train ride to work, or if you have downtime after class, you can get playing!

The downsides

Remote Play still requires a console. You could technically connect it to your friend’s PS4 at their house, but you would be playing their save files. We imagine they’d be a bit upset if you deleted their God of War save file to start your own.

If you can charge your iPhone or iPad while playing, you don’t need to worry about depleting your battery. If you can’t, streaming your games from the PS Network on top of actually playing them will surely drain your battery.

How to set up PS4 Remote Play

After downloading the app and turning on your PS4, log into your account on your PS4
Log your PS4 and iPhone onto the same Wi-Fi network
Open the app
Open Settings and log in to your PlayStation Network account
Click the big, blue start button. This will make the app search for your PS4
There’s a chance that it will fail. If it does, do NOT panic
A prompt will pop up asking for a code so you can manually connect the device
On the PS4, go to your Settings, and choose “Remote Play Connection Settings”
From there, choose “Add Devices” where you will see the code
Type the eight-digit code on your app.
Once you’re done, click “Register”
You’re all set!

Wrapping up

One of the worst parts about getting a new game is having to leave it behind while you’re in the middle of something. When Insomniac’s Spider-Man came out last year, we highly debated going on hiatus at work so we could play it. This new feature from iOS means that the game is no longer confined to our living rooms.

We’re psyched to be able to play on the go. We just hope we don’t become video game addicts while we’re at it.

Skyrim’s best and most useful followers

When traveling throughout the world of Skyrim, it’s important to bring a companion. Here are the best!

Facing the trials of Tamriel can be difficult by yourself. Thankfully Bethesda has given you many companions to choose from in the massive game of Skyrim.

These followers come in all shapes and sizes, as there are dozens upon dozens that can help you complete the quests you face. Before starting your journey, you should take the time to find the follower you like the most. Here are some of the best followers you can find in The Elder Scrolls V:

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Best followers in Skyrim

J’Zargo (vanilla)

One of the only characters from the base game that has no level cap, J’Zargo is one of the easiest and strongest followers you can acquire. His quest becomes available after the first few quests of the College of Winterhold line.

Since his level is uncapped, his destruction magic can reach devastatingly strong levels in the late game. Also, he’s one of the only mages that will keep up with you past level 50. He also has pretty funny commentary on your actions as the game progresses.

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Frea (Dragonborn DLC)

There are only a few followers in the game that are marked as “essential” and have an uncapped level limit. Since Frea is one of them, that means you can bring her for the most dangerous missions and never have to worry about her dying.

She can’t even be killed by you, the Dragonborn. Also, despite being a dual axe wielding tank-ish follower, she will actually use restoration magic when she gets low on health. This allows her to stay in the battle even longer.

Barbas (vanilla)

This good boy brings a new definition to “man’s best friend.”

Barbas is a complicated case. He is technically only usable during his quest, but you can also take advantage of this to have multiple followers at once. Most of the time you can only have one humanoid and one animal companion at a time, but since he’s a quest follower, he will join you regardless.

He is also an essential companion that is incredibly powerful. He will never die and consistently do high damage. The downside to using him, however, is his constant barking if you aren’t following his quest. If you’re willing to put up with this though, he can make one of the best followers in the game.

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Rieklings (Dragonborn DLC)

The only “animal” followers that you can give equipment to, the Rieklings are a group of followers that you gain access to after completing their quest. While technically not essential, you basically have an unlimited supply of them, since you can just go back to their hut and get a new one.

We definitely recommend picking up one of these little guys, as they can help to effectively triple your inventory space along with a humanoid follower.

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Serana (Dawnguard DLC)

From the moment you help this vampire out of her imprisonment, you are able to take advantage of this very powerful necromancer. She can basically give you two companions, as she will consistently reanimate your dead enemies, and provide a constant source of magic damage. Since she is also an essential unit, you never have to worry about her dying in battle.

On top of this, she has many unique interactions with the world as she is the only follower who is able to interact with all crafting areas. This is purely aesthetic, but it can be very fun to watch. If you have an older version of Skyrim, you’ll need the Dawnguard expansion to unlock her, as she is only obtainable from its main questline.

Dark brotherhood initiate (vanilla)

Along with J’Zargo, these two are the only followers from the base game without a level cap. However, unlike J’Zargo, they are marked as essential, meaning they will never die. If you don’t finish the quest they are associated with while you have them following you, it’s possible to get a second follower along with them.

This is a little exploitative, but even without this, they are a strong follower that anyone can benefit from using. They are also one of the few followers that are able to successfully sneak with the player.

Go on an adventure

If you’re playing Skyrim on the Nintendo Switch or a similar re-released version, you will already have all DLC installed. This means you won’t have to worry about whether you have the DLC to unlock some of these characters.

Hopefully, this list proved to you that there’s a world beyond Lydia.

Best exclusive games for each console

Some people like Nintendo, some like Sony. But when it comes to the big three consoles, who has the best exclusives?

The grass is greener on the other side… or is it?

Some people buy consoles for the tech specs. They want the PS4 because the graphics look crisper They want the Xbox because the user interface works like a charm. They want the Switch because it’s portable and versatile.

When it comes down to it, tech specs aren’t always the game changer. In the end, whatever console you choose comes down to one thing — preferences.

This may be controversial, but we believe exclusive games are the real difference between consoles! In fact, they’re so important we almost find ourselves annoyed by the disparity. PS4 players are clearly hogging God of War and Spider-Man. Thank goodness Xbox has Halo and Forza!

So, to see where the grass grows greenest, we compiled each main consoles’ three best exclusives in one place.

Best exclusive console games

PlayStation 4

Sony’s PlayStation 4 appears to have some of the biggest exclusives by far. We were hard-pressed to sort through honorable mentions like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Bloodborne to choose the greatest among them.

We should note: these exclusives are suspiciously only single-player, story-driven games. It seems the best multiplayer exclusives lie elsewhere…

Okay, we’re just trying to be fair to the others; this lineup rocks!

god of war 4

God of War 4 received universal acclaim for its storyline, gameplay, graphics, and more. It was voted Game Award’s Game of the Year, a coveted title.

If you’re unaware, the story goes a little something like this: After the death of his wife, Faye, the god-killing Spartan warrior Kratos journeys with his son Atreus to the “highest peak of the nine realms.” From there, they plan to spread her ashes and complete her last wish.

On the way, they get into a bit of a tussle; the world serpent Jörmungandr shows up, Norse gods stop by to party, it’s a whole thing.

Kratos swings around his mighty ax, making you feel like Thor swinging around Mjolnir. If action games are your jam, this is the game for you.

This one is well worth the price, and you will not be disappointed.

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marvel’s spider-man

We loved Spider-Man games ever since we tried our first on the GameCube! Swinging through New York City, fighting bad guys, and inevitably jumping off the Empire State Building was a blast!

If you haven’t jumped off the ESB, have you really played Spider-Man?

Fast forward 16 years: in the midst of the MCU adventure, Insomniac Games creates a PS4 exclusive with all the majestic charm of the MCU. Swing through the streets of a Manhattan and fight bad guys!

This time, Peter Parker is dealing with a convoluted conspiracy that centers around the bioweapon Devil’s Breath. Naturally, everyone wants it: from Kingpin to Osborne to Doc Ock. Good luck with all that, Parker!

Marvel’s Spider-Man gives you all the tools you need for your web-slinging experience.

uncharted 4: A Thief’s end

Nathan Drake, the infamous thief, goes on one last journey.

Metal Gear games are known for being cinematic experiences that play out like a James Bond flick, where the player gets to be the spy. Uncharted thrusts the player into a similarly movie-like experience, However, rather than venturing into a military melodrama, you go on an adventure with all the swashbuckling excitement of Indiana Jones!

Drake’s brother, Sam, reappears after years of imprisonment and asks Nate for help. They must retrieve the treasure of the pirate captain Henry Avery or he will be killed by a drug lord. Together, they race to find the loot against their former financier and the cause of Sam’s imprisonment.

The epic end to a legendary story doesn’t disappoint! The story is thrilling, the combat is fluid is fast-paced, and the exploration has never been better!

honorable mentions

Horizon: Zero Dawn
Bloodborne
Shadow of the Colossus

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have as many exclusive titles as we’d like. However, we are excited for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, coming out later this year.

5 things Game Freak must add to Pokémon Sword and Shield

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The Switch is unlike anything on the market. Players can play games from home or on the go all on the same console. If you want, you can play something like the L.A. Noire remake or Saints Row: The Third remake at home, or race against friends in Mario Kart on the go!

The Legend of zelda: breath of the wild

Throughout time, many heroes by the name of Link fought to defend Hyrule and its princess, Zelda, from the evil Ganondorf. Each of them succeeded in warding off the darkness after a great journey…

Until now.

After 10,000 years of safety, Calamity Ganon reappears and turns Hyrule’s ancient, advanced robotics against them. Link falls in battle, and their heroes are killed. As a result, Zelda has to use the power of the gods to hold Ganon at bay for a long, long time…

Then Link wakes after 100 years of recuperation in a stasis chamber and begins his quest anew. Monsters roam the land, the robotics still control Hyrule’s capital, and Zelda’s power won’t hold much longer.

He failed once, but the hero is back in the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a massive open world game. The developers allow the player to play the game however they want to. Players can complete dungeons in whatever order they want in this very non-linear game. If you want, you can grab the Master Sword and all of the best armor you can find. However, you can also collect all the tree branches and rusty swords you can find and challenge Ganon in your undies.

The choice is yours.

super mario odyssey

Yep: Mario loses Peach again.

In order to save her this time, he joins a sentient hat named Cappy, whose sister has been stolen by Bowser for use as Peach’s wedding tiara!

However, Cappy has a few tricks up his sleeve… if hats had sleeves.

Cappy has the ability to let Mario take control of nearby creatures. When under Mario’s control, you have full access to their abilities. You can become a T-Rex and destroy everything in your path. You can become a Hammer Bro and throw an onslaught of hammers at enemies. The choices seem nearly endless.

There are a ton of worlds to choose from and a ton of things to do. Cappy’s introduction adds a fresh level to the game, and the new worlds and enemies all have the familiar Nintendo charm.

This addition to the Mario Bros world holds up so well. In fact, many would argue it belongs higher than Breath of the Wild. If you agree or disagree, let us know in the comments!

Will Mario games ever go out of style? We hope not.

super smash bros: ultimate

This is the definitive party multiplayer. Got an argument? “Settle it in Smash.”

Oddly enough, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate performs double-duty here. Not only does it reach the top 3 for Nintendo exclusives, it champions every single one of their other characters and games.

You can play as characters from Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, Xenoblade Chronicles, Pokémon, Kirby, Animal Crossing, and more!

Smash Bros. players range from the pros who compete in huge tournaments, to newbies who mash buttons and hope for the best.

The game now also features customizable stages. However, those are another story…

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All of these characters blend perfectly in one of the greatest titles of our favorite fighting game series! (No offense to Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter fans.)

Honorable Mentions

Octopath Traveler
Splatoon 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Xbox One

Xbox has some of the most surprising games. These are titles you wouldn’t immediately think of when someone says “exclusives.”

Except Halo. Everyone would think of Halo.

Xbox is a bit tricky. Most of their exclusive titles aren’t necessary console exclusive. They are exclusive to Microsoft but can be played on both home console and with Windows 10.

halo 5

Oh yeah.

When the super-soldier Master Chief, goes rogue in pursuit of his AI friend Cortana, an elite team called Spartan Locke goes on a mission to track him down. Through their collective adventures, we gain insight into the mysterious happenings surrounding the Guardians, huge beasts controlled by an artificial intelligence network known as the Domain.

Aside from quick-moving, futuristic, first-person shooter gameplay, you can find one of the greatest video game storylines here. We even like the book series, which continues to release novels yearly!

The world still feels great, and we’re excited for Infinite!

gears of war 4

Years after the defeat of the Locust, a new aggressor arrives: The Swarm.

Gears of War 4’s oddly emotional storyline shouldn’t mesh so well with the violent, chainsaw-borne violence. Somehow, it does, and it does really well.

This time, the Lancer falls in the hands of Marcus Fenix‘s son, J.D. The only appropriate response to a new invasion is to buckle down, crouch behind the ubiquitous shoulder-high walls, and keep firing!

forza: horizon 4

This is one of those games that your grandfather will confuse with a movie or real-life sporting event. In all honesty, it has tricked us, too.

Forza has long been lauded as an excellent, realistic driving simulator with all the safety benefits of being a video game. This basically means if you’re still too much of a kid at heart to drive between the lines, you can crash some of the nicest cars known to man!

Forza Horizon 4 Download now ►

honorable mentions

Rare Replay
Sea of Thieves
Crackdown 3

Wrapping Up

“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Or, in this case, exclusives lead to jealousy, jealousy leads to hate, and hate leads to the console wars! Don’t be a console crusader, friend.

When it comes down to it, we wish every one of these titles were available for every console, even though such a move wouldn’t make any sense from a business standpoint for developers. Still, could you imagine playing Breath of the Wild with the controls and graphics the PS4 can offer?

Exclusives bring business. To play them all, you’ll just have to buy more consoles or borrow from friends. While you’re at it, whoop their butts at Smash Bros. real quick.

Here’s what we know about the PlayStation 5

Sony releases info for the PlayStation 5 and it screams “next-gen.”

Oh PS4, how we have loved you. From scaling cliffsides with Nathan Drake to shooting zombies in The Last of Us, you’ve been a gem. However, it is time for the next generation.

Sony recently released a few new details of the PlayStation 4’s successor in an interview with Wired. Although it hasn’t officially been called “PlayStation 5,” we highly doubt Sony would break a winning formula.

As you can see below, PlayStation hasn’t told us a lot. However, what we do know is interesting.

Backwards compatible

Don’t worry, you will bring your library of PS4 games with you to the new PlayStation 5.

8K vs 4K

If you have a 4K or 8K television, it means the TV has sharp image quality, with a horizontal screen resolution of around 4,000 pixels.

You probably don’t have an 8K television. Right now, 4K is the norm. However, 8K is available and it’s becoming more popular.

Having 8K resolution support means that Sony expects the PlayStation 5 to have a long life. For years after you buy your console, you will still be gaming with the industry standard.

SSD vs. HDD

This one is a bit complicated, but trust us, it’s awesome.

The hard disk drive storage system of the PlayStation 4 is being upgraded to a solid state drive for the PlayStation 5.

If something has a hard disk drive, there are moving parts to it that read and write storage information. A solid state drive doesn’t have any moving parts, as all data is stored on microchips. This makes SSD faster and better than HDD. How is it better? Let’s lay it out with this info from GamingScan:

SSDs have virtually no access time.
SSDs are 15 times faster in i/o performance.
SSDs are about 10 times less likely to fail.
SSDs save more energy and use less energy from the CPU.
Request times are about 20 times faster.
Backups are four times quicker.

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Ray-tracing

The new system’s graphics processing unit (GPU) will support a technology called ray-tracing. Ray-tracing is a visual technique that models how light and shadows will behave in a 3D environment. Typically, you see ray-tracing in Hollywood blockbusters. It does exist to some degree in PC gaming, but not on any current home-console.

The functionality of ray-tracing is up for debate. Many current users don’t like it because it sacrifices FPS for only marginally better graphics.

PlayStation 5 needs to enable ray-tracing technology without compromising FPS. If they can, then both Microsoft and Nintendo will have their work cut out for them.

Sooooo… it’s gonna be awesome?

We don’t have a lot of details, but so far everything looks promising. We highly doubt Sony will reveal a major hindrance to the system that will ruin it. However, this is the same company that thought Knack was an appropriate launch title. Stay tuned and we’ll share more details as they become available.

PlayStation announces preorder refund plan

PlayStation allows users to get a refund prior to downloading games in PlayStation Store.

Sony announced a change to its existing refund policy for digital content purchased on the PlayStation Store. Think of it as buyer’s remorse insurance.

Sony will refund you within 14 days of sale for games and DLC as long as you haven’t downloaded or installed them. The funds are added back to your PlayStation Wallet regardless of payment method.

If you download or install a game and the game is not working, you can receive a full download.

If you preorder a game, you can “return” the game any day leading up to the release date. You can return it for a refund as long as you did not download or install it. Essentially, you can’t return a game because you found out it sucks after downloading it. However, if you find out a game sucks before downloading it, you can return it.

If you buy a membership for a subscription service like Spotify Premium or PlayStation Now, you can also get your money back within 14 days. If you already started using the subscription service, you will be refunded for the amount of time you have not used.

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You will be prompted to a customer service screen if you request a refund. Then file your claim through customer service. Once the request is processed, you can get your refund.

Sony does not offer refunds for PlayStation Vue subscriptions or for changing your online ID for PlayStation Network.

Sony kills PS Vita in preparation for PS5

Another mobile gaming device bites the dust.

Sony’s presence in the handheld console market is about to come to an end. In an official announcement released via Sony Japan, the company has revealed that they will officially be ceasing production of the PS Vita in Japanese markets, with production expected to cease completely in all markets by April 2019. This comes on the heels of a previous announcement that Sony will be phasing out support for the Vita over the course of the next fiscal year. With no plans to launch a successor device, this move signals that Sony will be leaving the handheld console market for good.

The Vita’s end began with the announcement that Sony would no longer be releasing free games for the console via PlayStation Plus. The most recent announcement reveals that there will be no new shipments of the device going forward. New PS Vita titles will continue to be released over the course of the coming year, albeit on a much more limited scale.

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Following much success and critical praise during its initial rollout, the PS Vita was eventually overshadowed by other, more successful handhelds. In particular, the Nintendo Switch has dominated the handheld market since its release, drawing gamers away from competitors such as the Vita. Sony’s exit from the handheld market precipitates a shift in focus to their other products, in particular, the PlayStation and PlayStation VR systems.

The announcement that Sony has officially begun phasing out the Vita comes hand in hand with speculation that development of the PlayStation 5 has begun in earnest. Most sources point to the PS5 being paired with PlayStation VR support as a standard feature, and VR will be much more integrated into Sony’s next generation of consoles.

Speculation has also pointed towards backward compatibility being included with the PS5. This speculation is based on a Japanese patent filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment under the name of Mark Cerny, a lead PlayStation developer. When translated to English, the patent is titled “Simulation of legacy bus operation for backward compatibility.” Though no specific reference is made to the PS5, it seems exceedingly likely when taken together with other patents filed by Sony over the past year. At this point, it is almost certain that backward compatibility will be standard on the PS5. Whether this will only include PS4 games or will extend further to older systems like the PS3 or PS2 remains to be seen.

Sony has yet to make any official announcements with regard to the PS5’s release date or price point. That said, industry insiders seem certain that the console will be released at some point in 2020.

How to download digital games on your PSP in 2019

Got a PSP that’s collecting dust? Add some new games with our guide.

The PSP is one of the few gaming consoles with internet capabilities that is outdated and been replaced by a more modern console. That said, the PSP also holds many exclusive games. These games can be incredibly expensive to buy hard copies of, due to the age of the PSP, so the best way to get them is to buy a digital download from a retailer like GameStop. However, if you have a modern internet router, you’ll soon discover that the PSP lacks internet connectivity with most routers these days (at least in their default settings). So how can you download a game without an internet connection?

How to download digital games to your PSP

If you have a PS3

The easiest way to download PSP games is if you have a PS3. PSP games don’t usually take up much space, so even if you don’t have a lot of room on your PS3, you will still probably be able to download the game.

First, you’ll need to make sure the game is on your Sony PlayStation Store account. If you purchased the game from another online retailer, like GameStop, then you will have to enter a “redeem” code on your PlayStation Store account. Afterward, on your PS3 there should be a section for purchased games if you go into the PlayStation Store. Under this section, download the game you want.

Then connect your PSP to the PS3. You can do this with a standard USB cable. You may even use the USB cables that charge PS3 controllers. Afterward, under “games” there should be a section labeled PSP. Here, it will give you the option to copy games onto your PSP if you’ve gone to the “USB connection” section of your PSP (all the way to the left of the main menu). Then just sit back and wait as your PSP receives the game.

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If you don’t have a PS3

If you have Sony MediaGo from before MediaGo was discontinued, then not having a PS3 won’t pose much of a challenge. The steps are essentially the same as downloading the game with a PS3.

First, you’ll need to connect a standard USB cable from your PC into your PSP. Then you’ll need to download the game file from your Sony MediaGo library onto your computer. From there you can find the file in your downloads folder and simply move it into a GAME folder on your PSP. You’ll still have to follow the above instructions to update your PSP if you haven’t.

If you don’t have a PS3 or Sony MediaGo, things start to get more difficult. The only other way to download games onto your PSP is to connect it to your Wi-Fi. As we said earlier, if you have a newer router, then your PSP will likely be unable to recognize the Wi-Fi connection.

There is a way around this, as you can change your Wi-Fi settings so that older devices can read it. You’ll have to log into your router by typing your IP address into the search bar and change the settings to WPA encryption. You’ll also have to make sure your connection is set to channel 11. By changing the encryption type from WPA2 (the default version for most new routers) to WPA, you should be able to see the connection on your device.

You will want to change this back once you’re done, however, since it can mess with your Wi-Fi connectivity on other devices. WPA is also less secure than WPA2, so you don’t want to leave it on this encryption type for long.

An alternative to these options is to purchase a PS Vita. While a PS Vita can’t play cartridge PSP games, it can download and play pretty much any digital PSP title. Since the PS Vita is a system that is still updated regularly, you won’t have to worry about missing out on any older games due to Wi-Fi connectivity. You’ll also be able to keep seeing new games released for the device.

The PlayStation Classic lets you relive the PS1’s glory days

Here’s what we know about the upcoming retro console from Sony.

It appears that Sony’s next PlayStation console won’t be a PlayStation 5. Instead, Sony loyalists are being treated to the PlayStation Classic, a revamped version of the original PlayStation. Sony is planning to release the console to mark the 24th anniversary of the original release. Nostalgic gamers, rejoice: The PlayStation Classic will look just like the 1994-era console.

sony playstation classic console — Sony’s PlayStation Classic

Though it may look similar to its namesake, the console isn’t to scale. In fact, it’ll be about half the size of the PlayStation. This mini-console will be sold pre-loaded with 20 classic games, similar to Nintendo’s NES series of mini consoles. So far, five titles have been confirmed:

Final Fantasy VII
Jumping Flash
Ridge Racer Type 4
Tekken 3
Wild Arms

This list might not be the same for you, though. Games will vary by region to reflect Sony’s goal of including the most popular titles of the original PlayStation. Since the popularity of titles can vary depending on region, it stands to reason that each region’s list will be slightly different.

Sony has confirmed, however, that there are no plans to bring new post-launch content to the PlayStation Classic, meaning that those 20 titles will be the only ones you’ll be able to play. Sony has also confirmed that the Classic won’t be getting PSN or Trophy support, meaning that it’ll be an entirely standalone experience… or an authentic one, depending on your viewpoint.

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The console has several other features that bring it into the modern era. These include a smartphone AC USB adaptor. According to a spokesperson, the PS Classic can be powered by any USB power source meeting a 5V/1.0A requirement. The Classic won’t be packaged with a USB adaptor… but any old iPhone charger will do the trick if you have one. Also included are HDMI ports that enable output to any HD TV, as well as an internal memory card.

PS Classic playstation — PlayStation Classic with in-box features

The console will be bundled with a pair of controllers, also styled to look like the classic 1994 controllers. Questions remain about exactly what else is going to be included with the PS Classic at launch, but Sony has been releasing a steady stream of information since the initial announcement that should clear up any lingering uncertainties.

Finally, there’s the price point. The PS Classic and all of the above features will be available for $99.99. The console will be released December 3, with pre-orders available on Sony’s official website.