Respawn boss Vince Zampella has confirmed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a story-driven, single-player game. There will be no multiplayer to speak of, and no microtransactions either.On the Star Wars Celebration Day 1 live stream, Zampella said, [Jedi: Fallen Order] is a single-player story game… No multiplayer, no microtransactions. It's a story game." Zampella's words were met with applause and shouts of joy. This echoes Jedi: Fallen Order writer Chris Avellone's earlier comments, when he said story is "very important to Respawn.""I hope [the six writers] are listed in the reveal because I accidentally said 'I've wrapped this up,' but there are other writers and I'm not even the lead guy," Avellone said. "Story was very important to Respawn. I think they do a good job of introducing various narrative layers into their games already, but they think the story is an important part of what they perceive to be a Star Wars game. That's one of the reasons I like Respawn, because when they tackle something like that, they understand what the important points are."The Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords writer has said he's done with his portion of Jedi: Fallen Order's story. "I think they brought me on because I have a pretty strong Star Wars pedigree so I'd probably be able to just jump right in," Avellone continued. "And I was, which was good. It didn't require a ton of new research."Jedi: Fallen Order was revealed during E3 2018, and Zampella said the Star Wars game is set after Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. You'll play as a Jedi Padawan that escaped Order 66, and you'll have access to a lightsaber. Respawn is expected to announce further details about Jedi: Fallen Order during a panel at Star Wars Celebration on April 13 at 11:30 AM PT / 2:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM BST.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is currently scheduled to release Fall 2019, presumably for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Some art for the game has already been leaked. Despite not knowing much about it, there are quite a few people and places we want to see in the game.Info from Gamespot.com

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order writer Chris Avellone has said story is "very important to Respawn" in concern to the upcoming game. The Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords writer tweeted that he's done with his portion of the Jedi: Fallen Order's story. Respawn is expected to announce further details about Jedi: Fallen Order during a panel at Star Wars Celebration."I hope [the six writers] are listed in the reveal because I accidentally said 'I've wrapped this up,' but there are other writers and I'm not even the lead guy," Avellone said in an interview with VG247. "Story was very important to Respawn. I think they do a good job of introducing various narrative layers into their games already, but they think the story is an important part of what they perceive to be a Star Wars game. That's one of the reasons I like Respawn, because when they tackle something like that, they understand what the important points are."The lead narrative designer for Jedi: Fallen Order is Aaron Contreras, who previously led the creation of the story for Mafia 3. "I think they brought me on because I have a pretty strong Star Wars pedigree so I'd probably be able to just jump right in," Avellone continued. "And I was, which was good. It didn't require a ton of new research."The first details for Jedi: Fallen Order were revealed during E3 2018. Respawn boss Vince Zampella said the Star Wars game has you play as a Jedi Padawan who escaped Order 66 after Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, still armed with a lightsaber. Zampella and Jedi: Fallen Order game director Stig Asmussen will further discuss Respawn and Lucasfilm's collaboration on the game on April 13 at 11:30 AM PT / 2:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM BST. Prior to the panel, Jedi: Fallen Order art work was leaked.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is scheduled to release Fall 2019. Despite not knowing much about it, there's quite a few people and places we want to see in the game. Respawn hasn't announced scheduled platforms for Jedi: Fallen Order, but the game is presumably releasing for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.Info from Gamespot.com

Father's Day can be one of the hardest holidays to shop for--after all, what do you get the man who has everything? Fortunately, if your dad or husband is into games, there's practically an endless list of games-related products he'd probably enjoy, especially with new games coming out for PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC all the time.Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the choices out there? We've got you covered--here are some of the best gift ideas for gamer dads this Father's Day, including consoles, accessories, merchandise, tabletop games, and more. Plus, check out the best video games available for each console below in case you're shopping around for a title he doesn't own.The Best Xbox One Games Available NowThe Best PS4 Games Available NowThe Best Nintendo Switch Games Available Now1. NES Classic and SNES ClassicCHECK PRICE (NES Classic)CHECK PRICE (SNES Classic)If dad has been playing games since the '90s, he probably remembers the original NES and SNES and has fond memories of their now-iconic games. These mini versions of Nintendo's retro consoles come pre-loaded with dozens of games (the NES comes with 30 games, the SNES comes with 21), and each system takes up so little space, even the most crowded living room can accommodate them.2. PlayStation VR HeadsetCHECK PRICEIf he owns a PS4, then a PlayStation VR headset is the next logical addition to his gaming setup. Despite being more affordable than many VR headsets on the market, PSVR produced some of the best VR games of 2018 and was our top choice for VR gaming last year. He'll be able to buy and download PSVR games right away, or you can also get the headset as part of a bundle that includes games, like this Borderlands 2 and Beat Saber PSVR bundle.3. Nintendo Switch Protective CaseCHECK PRICENintendo's newest console was built to be portable, but that large, precious screen is especially vulnerable to scratches if you ever take it outside the house (and most of us do, at some point). If he travels frequently and likes to play his Switch on the plane, train, bus, or elsewhere, this hard case will protect the console and also provides handy storage for all its games and accessories.4. Razer Man O'War Wireless 7.1 Gaming Headset CHECK PRICECompatible with PC, Mac, and PS4, Razer's Man O'War is one of the best gaming headsets you can buy in terms of price, performance, and comfort, particularly if you're looking for a wireless option. If he plays online multiplayer games, he'll appreciate this comfortable, surround-sound headset, which has a retractable microphone and crisp sound quality.5. The Legend of Zelda EncyclopediaCHECK PRICEThe Legend of Zelda is a powerhouse franchise that isn't slowing down anytime soon, as Breath of the Wild proved with its critically acclaimed release. If he's a Zelda fan, he'll appreciate this 320-page guide to the Zelda universe, from the 1986 original to Twilight Princess (BOTW isn't included here, but there's another book completed dedicated to it). This encyclopedia is a fascinating look at the making of the games, including their art and lore, and makes the perfect gift for any hardcore Zelda enthusiast.6. Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum Gaming MouseCHECK PRICEWith 4.5 stars on Amazon and over 1,000 reviews, the Logitech G900 Chaos mouse is a solid bet if he's a dedicated PC gamer. This mouse, which can be used wired or wirelessly, will stay charged for up to 30 hours and has a highly responsive sensor for quick, precise movements. And with its customizable button layout, it can be used whether he plays with his right or left hand.7. Poké Ball Waffle MakerCHECK PRICEListen: It's hard to argue with Pokémon and waffles. What's not to like? Particularly if he's a big breakfast person or enjoys cooking for the family, he'll love using this waffle maker to make warm, fluffy Belgian waffles with a nerdy theme.8. Xbox Wireless Controller - Phantom White Special EditionCHECK PRICEThe newly released Phantom White wireless controller for Xbox One is gorgeous, with a translucent design that fades to white and reveals the controller's inner workings. The Bluetooth-enabled controller has a comfortable, textured grip and will be a prized addition to any Xbox collection.9. Space Invaders PoloCHECK PRICEYou can't go wrong with a nice T-shirt or polo, and this ThinkGeek exclusive shirt is both classy and subtle with its design so he can feel comfortable wearing it anywhere. If he's a fan of classic arcade games like Space Invaders, this officially licensed top is perfect--but if not, ThinkGeek has a ton of other apparel inspired by various video games, movies, TV shows, and more.10. The Witcher 3 Original Soundtrack Exclusive Vinyl SetCHECK PRICEIf he's a dad who still enjoys listening to vinyl records, surprise him with a deluxe set featuring the official soundtrack from his favorite game or movie. (Even if he doesn't own a record player, vinyl records look quite nice as decor on a shelf.) This stunning deluxe vinyl set featuring The Witcher 3 soundtrack would make a great gift for any fan of the critically acclaimed RPG, and Think Geek has other vinyl options too, from Undertale and Dark Souls II to Spider-Man Homecoming, Stranger Things, and more.11. The Legend of Zelda Triforce Cufflinks and Tie ClipCHECK PRICECufflinks and tie clips are subtle ways of adding personality to an otherwise traditional suit, and this silver set made from high-quality metal makes an excellent gift for any Zelda fan. You can also get the same set in gold, if that's his preference.12. Betrayal at House on the Hill CHECK PRICEIf he's a fan of board games, horror, and/or games with a strong narrative, he'll get a kick out of Betrayal at House on the Hill, a board game for three to six players who play as a group of strangers exploring a haunted house. As they enter different rooms, they'll stumble across mysterious objects and trigger certain events that will eventually lead to one player turning on the others, who must then fight for survival. Suspenseful and addictively fun, Betrayal has a ton of replay value with 50 unique scenarios that make the game different every time.13. PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live GoldCHECK PRICE (PlayStation Plus)CHECK PRICE (Xbox Live Gold)If he's a dedicated console player who isn't subscribed to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold, getting him a pre-paid membership is a solid gift any gamer would appreciate. The subscription services for each console grant access to online multiplayer, free monthly games, and exclusive discounts. A one-year membership generally sells for $60 on each platform, and one-month, three-month, and six-month passes are also available for cheaper.14. Bluetooth-Enabled Media Remote for PS4CHECK PRICEIf his PS4 is the main media device in your household--meaning he uses it to stream movies and TV and play DVDs as well as games--then this handy little device will be a small quality-of-life improvement for his entertainment space. For just $20, this officially licensed remote can quickly turn the PS4 on and off, navigate the PS4 screen, pause and play media, and more. While the capabilities are essentially the same as a PS4 controller, it saves your controller's battery for gaming, and some people simply prefer the feeling of a traditional remote.Info from Gamespot.com

With all the high-end hardware requirements typical of VR gaming, you'd think of the Nintendo Switch as the least likely candidate to adopt it. But one of the many things Nintendo is unequivocally good at is making the most of its tech and working within its limitations. The new Labo VR Kit is yet another example. While it doesn't always overcome its inherent shortcomings, Nintendo's latest cardboard-based do-it-yourself package cleverly transforms the Switch into a light, inventive virtual reality gaming experience with the tools to go beyond the initial library.First things first: You have to build. Thankfully, assembly is part of the fun. Like the previous Labo packages, the software contains detailed and digestible step-by-step instructions, which are animated to show you how to put everything together without a hitch--the encouraging communication also helps take the edge off the laborious, time-consuming aspect of it all. Construction is almost fool-proof since each cardboard sheet has precisely cut lines and slots for everything to be folded and snapped into place. There's no denying the satisfaction of seeing little bits of cardboard gradually come together as an intricate device solidly held together by rubber bands, exact creases, and plastic grommets.So, how does the Switch become a VR headset? You first build the mount that contains the slot you slip the Switch into, which also holds the packaged goggles. The mount keeps everything in place nicely and the adhesive pads keep the Switch safe. Once you set the Labo software to VR mode, the screen transforms to a stereoscopic view for the lenses. Since there is no headstrap, you'll need to hold the Switch up to your face throughout your time in VR mode. It's worth noting that the Switch's 720p screen resolution is well below that of any other VR platform, resulting in a distinct lack of visual clarity--luckily, this limitation doesn't detract from the types of experiences Labo VR delivers.With the headset ready to go, you can physically look up, down, left, and right by moving your head. But because the Switch isn't able to do positional tracking, forward or backward movements aren't recognized and could be nausea-inducing. Tracking relies entirely on the Switch's built-in gyroscope and accelerometer, which results in a relatively smooth viewing experience. Looking in and around in VR works pretty well, and in combination with the Joy-Cons' own gyroscope and accelerometer (and the right Joy-Con's IR sensor), the cardboard devices become functional pieces of hardware.By and large, the creative process is what drives the Labo VR Kit to become more than its packaged contents--but to see that, you should experience its roster of games, minigames, and proof-of-concept sandboxes. Once you've assembled a new cardboard toy (called Toy-Cons), Labo then walks you through a specific game made for it. The Toy-Con Camera transports you to the middle of an ocean where you can snap photos of marine life, or look upward to float to the surface and see a bigger world. Twisting the Toy-Con Camera lens works just like zooming in with an actual camera lens because of the Joy-Con placed inside recognizes those small movements. Despite the Toy-Con Elephant being the toughest one to work with, the Marble Run game it's tied to is a series of smart physics-based puzzles for you manipulate platforms, gravity, and trampolines to get a marble through a goal.The novel applications don't end there, either. The Toy-Con Bird delivers flight movements for its open-area collectathon and racing game because the Joy-Con, which is placed on the "bird"'s beak rocks back and forth when you flap the cardboard wings. A personal favorite is the Toy-Con Blaster; it's a pump gun for with tactile feedback that matches the launching of explosive balls for its on-rails shooter game. There's impressive cleverness in how Nintendo makes use of the motion-tracking capabilities and cardboard components, and how they translate to sensible control schemes. These aren't intended to be long-form experiences; rather, they're bite-sized showcases of VR functionality for each of the cardboard devices you assemble.The Labo VR Kit is much more than just VR gaming for the Switch; it's educational, accessible, and imaginative, with a robust suite of programming tools. And that's what makes it wholly unique from anything else on the VR market.On paper, it may seem like a hassle to constantly hold the Switch headset to your face without a strap to hold it in place, but it's not as bad as it sounds--each Labo VR device is designed with this in mind. Take the Toy-Con Blaster, for example; your view in its rail shooter game is essentially a persistent aim-down-sights, and the ergonomics of the Blaster itself make it a comfortable experience. With the Elephant, you get a handle beneath the cardboard face to hold it up as you extend the trunk to move your in-game hands. And of course, the physical act of holding up the Toy-Con Camera to your face coincides with the real-world action.The content in VR Plaza distills it down even further by isolating certain aspects of each toy's potential in 60+ minigames/sandboxes. They essentially act as the building blocks for the inventive Toy-Con Garage and this is where the Labo VR Kit lets your imagination run wild--it's literally the toolset used to program the minigames contained in the VR Plaza section. It's a part of previous kits as well, but this version adds tools to create VR experiences. Toy-Con Garage is extremely complex and much more than a level creator you may find in other games. It's possible to teach yourself and eventually get to a point where you can wrap your head around the logic and programming for something and see it come to fruition, but it'll take significant time and effort if you don't have prior experience with programming. What's neat is that you can edit every sandbox/minigame in VR Plaza using the Garage tools and basically use them as the foundation to create your own thing. By virtue of seeing the programming guts of each game, you can then start to unravel how they're built. Things like Make An FPS Game and Make An Action Game in VR Plaza are specifically designed to let you use them as templates. And editing doesn't have to be solely done in VR thanks to the ability to select a 2D editing mode.Like the other kits, the Labo VR Kit does so many great things outside of its more standard game experiences, and it's really about what you do with the technology.In addition to the games and programming tools, Discovery Mode works as a laudable educational tool. Discovery offers a series of cheeky dialogue scenarios between a few Labo-based characters that effectively walk you through the Switch's technology, asking you questions along the way to make sure you're keeping up. Think of it as a crash course in physical science and electronics that explains everything from how the right Joy-Con's IR sensor works to showing you why gyroscope drift happens. Not only does Discover further contextualize what the hardware is doing, but makes knowledge of complex tech accessible to a wider audience.However, there are a few cases in which the Joy-Con tracking can be frustrating due to gyroscope drift. It's fairly easy to constantly recalibrate the Joy-Con position in a free-hand experience like shooting hoops, hitting a ball with a paddle, or moving blocks in a 3D space. But it becomes an issue in something like the Doodle application or the Marble Run stage creator, where you have to use the Elephant to craft a 3D sculpture or build a course, respectively. Your plane will always drift off-center. You can recenter yourself by accessing the pause menu, but it's frustrating to frequently wrestle with the motion-tracking in these cases. As a result, it's difficult to keep your work consistent and gets in the way of certain parts of the creative process with VR mode.The Labo VR Kit is much more than just VR gaming for the Switch; it's educational, accessible, and imaginative, with a robust suite of programming tools. And that's what makes it wholly unique from anything else on the VR market. Despite all its limitations and seemingly makeshift appearance, each contraption is an example of a creative vision in action, most of which works exceptionally well in bite-sized portions. In a broad sense, Labo VR is a smart, clever use of existing tech and expertly designed cardboard devices. The biggest factor in the lasting appeal of Labo VR (and the Labo lineup in general) lies in the Toy-Con Garage, because there's no denying the barebones aspect of the packaged gaming content, which is more of a collection of proofs-of-concept for VR's potential. Like the other kits, the Labo VR Kit does so many great things outside of its more standard game experiences, and it's really about what you do with the technology.Info from Gamespot.com

The new Hellboy movie starring Stranger Things actor David Harbour hits theatres this weekend, and ahead of that, reviews have started to appear online. To help you get an idea about if the film is worth your time and money, we've rounded up review scores and opinions from various outlets. GameSpot reviewer Dan Auty called it a "demonic disappointment."This is the first Hellboy since 2008's Hellboy II: The Golden Army. That film, along with the 2004 original, featured Ron Perlman as Hellboy, with Guillermo del Toro directing. The new film is the first with a new actor in the lead role, and if the movie makes enough money, it might not be the last, as the end-credits very strongly tease a new movie is coming.The new Hellboy is directed by Neil Marshall, who directed episodes of Game of Thrones, Westworld, Hannibal, Black Sails, and Constantine. The script was written by Andrew Cosby (Haunted, 2 Guns), and it's based on the Mike Mignola comic series.In addition to Harbour, the new Hellboy features Milla Jovovich as the evil Blood Queen, Ian McShane as professor Broom, Daniel Dae Kim as Ben Daimio, Sasha Lane as Alice, and Thomas Haden Church as Lobster Johnson.You can see a rundown of Hellboy reviews below, while more information on the film's critical reception can be found on GameSpot sister site Metacritic.Hellboy (2019)Directed By: Neil MarshallWritten By: Andrew Cosby, Mike MignolaStarring: David Harbour, Ian McShane, Milla Jovovich, Daniel Dae Kim, Sasha Lane, Thomas Haden ChurchRelease Date: April 12 (United States)GameSpot"Harbour remains a great choice to play the character, and it will be a shame if this is the last time we see him in the role. But ultimately this is not the Hellboy movie fans wanted to see him in." -- Dan Auty [Full review]Uproxx"I spent almost Hellboy's entire run time either recoiling in horror or howling with laughter. Like Hellboy's climax, the subtext of which is essentially the protagonist heroically screaming 'Yuck, girls!' it was perfectly true to the spirit of an extended adolescent metalhead fantasy. I think this is how Hellboy was always meant to be." -- Vince Mancini [Full review]New York Post"The race for worst movie of the year is heating up. You could even say it's hotter than hell, now that Hellboy has taken the lead. This awful, disgusting, unfunny, idiotically plotted comic book flick offends the senses as much as the rankest subway car on the hottest summer day." -- Johnny Oleksinski [Full review]Entertainment Weekly "Look, I'm glad expensive movies are R-rated again. But this is the doofiest kind of maturity: boring CGI bloodsprays, F-bombs galore." -- Darren Franich [Full review]USA Today"Hellboy is kind of all over the place, with two hours' worth of adventures (and misadventures) that never gel cohesively and momentum-killing flashback origin stories for pretty much every main character." -- Brian Truitt [Full review]Associated Press"Maybe the reason it staggers so poorly is because its DNA is all wrong. If the first two films lacked a certain verve and the third is a violent muddle, maybe making 'Hellboy' movies is as cursed as its hero." -- Mark Kennedy [Full review]The Hollywood Reporter"It's just lousy. Bloated, vastly less funny than it aims to be and misguided in key design choices even when it scores with less important decisions, the film does make bold choices that might have paid off under other circumstances. But these aren't those circumstances." -- John DeFore [Full review]Info from Gamespot.com

Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment is developing a new Star Wars game, Jedi Fallen Order, and it's finally set for its big debut this week at Star Was Celebration.The event is taking place this Saturday, April 13, during an panel that begins at 1:30 PM local time in Chicago where Star Wars Celebration is taking place. That works out to 2:30 PM ET and 11:30 AM PT. Internationally, the stream starts at 7:30 PM GMT and 4:30 AM AEST in Australia on Sunday. Respawn boss Vince Zampella and game director Stig Asmussen will appear on a panel where they'll talk more about Jedi Fallen Order. Presumably we're getting a trailer, too.So far our most detailed look has come from a brief teaser on social media. That showed a glowing hilt of a broken lightsaber accompanied by the words "Don't stand out." It's possible this is a reference to a stealth mechanic, the story of a Jedi who has escaped the purge and gone into hiding, or both. Here is the official description for the Jedi Fallen Order panel:"Join the head of Respawn Entertainment, Vince Zampella, and Game Director, Stig Asmussen, along with many special guests, to be the first to learn about this holiday's highly anticipated action adventure game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Hear how Respawn and Lucasfilm collaborated on this original Star Wars story, following a young Padawan's journey in the Dark Times following Order 66. And of course, we'll have a few surprises in store."Watch live video from EAStarWars on www.twitch.tvWhile Jedi Fallen Order is scheduled for release later this year, very little is known about it so far. That's set to change during Star Wars Celebration, and we'll have all the news here on GameSpot as it's announced.What we do know is that Knights of the Old Republic II writer Chris Avellone worked on the script, while Asmussen, the game director, previously worked on the God of War franchise at Sony before moving to Respawn. In terms of the story and timeline, Jedi Fallen Order tells an original story that takes place "shortly after" the events of Episode II: Revenge of the Sith.For more on Jedi Fallen Order, check out GameSpot's story: "Everything We Want From Respawn's Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order."Star Wars Celebration also promises news and reveals for Star Wars: Episode IX and lots more. Go to GameSpot sister site CNET to see a full rundown of what to expect from the show.Info from Gamespot.com

PlayStation fans can rejoice, as the much-requested PSN ID change feature is finally live on PS4. Changing your PSN ID is free for the first time; each subsequent change will cost $10 / £8, while PS Plus subscribers get a reduction to $5 / £4. The news is good, but there's a catch: not every PS4 game might not play nicely with your new ID, and in some cases the problems could be significant.As stated on the PlayStation Blog, "As a result of the preview program, we've found an instance where a game did not fully support the feature." Sid Shuman, PlayStation's director of social media, clarified that any game published on or after April 1, 2018 should support the feature. However, not every game has been tested with the feature implemented. There is an extensive list of games with no issues, including heavy hitters like Fortnite and Destiny 2.Sony has also provided a tentative list of games that could present issues for those who change their PSN IDs. Sony says a "large majority of most actively played PS4 games support the feature," and while you can rollback the change, you'll want to be aware of the potential for issues. Sony specifically recommends checking "all" of your games after a name change and requesting a rollback by contacting customer service if you do have issues. There are two ways to change your PSN ID: on the PS4 itself or via a web browser. Once you've done so, be mindful when jumping into the games below, which are separated into those that have been found to have issues and those with "critical issues."Games With Issues IdentifiedChanging your PSN ID may cause the previous ID to remain visible or disappear entirely, user accounts to unlink, and settings to return to default in these games. Sony suggests that signing out and signing back in should resolve these non-critical issues.Absolver: DownfallAssassin's Creed IV Black FlagBig City StoriesBloodborneCall of Duty: GhostsCrossoutDark Souls II: Scholar of the First SinDark Souls IIIDragon Quest BuildersFIFA 17 Standard EditionGauntlet: Slayer EditionGod Eater 2 Rage BurstGrand Theft Auto VGundam VersusGuns Up!Injustice 2 - Standard EditionKillzone Shadow FallMarvel vs. Capcom: InfiniteMLB The Show 17Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4Naruto Shippuden: Storm TrilogyNaruto Storm: Road to Boruto ExpansionNBA 2K19PlayStation VR WorldsRock Band 4Rocksmith 2014 Edition – RemasteredThe Last of Us RemasteredTitanfall 2Trackmania TurboTroveUncharted 4: A Thief’s EndUNOWarframeWipEout Omega CollectionGames With Critical IssuesChanging your PSN ID may cause you to lose progress and/or in-game currency in these games. Additionally, some parts of the game may function properly. Sony doesn't recommend changing your ID if you want to keep entitlements and Trophies as it's "possible to incur permanent game errors or data loss."Disc JamEverybody's GolfJust Dance 2017LittleBigPlanet 3MLB 14 The ShowMLB The Show 16MLB® The Show 15ONRUSHThe Golf Club 2Worms BattlegroundsInfo from Gamespot.com

The massive Star Wars fan event, Star Wars Celebration, begins tomorrow with a high-profile panel focused on Star Wars: Episode IX. The panel is set for 11 AM CDT on Friday, April 12, and it promises new details about the highly anticipated third movie in the new trilogy. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director JJ Abrams will be on stage, while the panel's official description also teases there will be "plenty of surprises and special guests." According to Lucasfilm, this is an event "you will definitely not want to miss."Thankfully, it's being streamed. You can watch it through an embed from Star Wars that we'll add here when the show gets closer. As mentioned, it begins at 11 AM CDT from Chicago, which works out to 12 PM ET, 9 AM PT, 5 PM GMT, and 4 AM AEDT in Australia on Saturday.Episode IX doesn't have a title yet, so that could be among the reveals for the panel. There also hasn't been a trailer, and Star Wars Celebration seems as likely a place as any to release one.The third and final entry in the new trilogy that began with 2015's The Force Awakens, Episode IX wraps up the entire Skywalker Saga that began all the way back in 1977. Star Wars Celebration also promises news and reveals for the new Star Wars game Jedi Fallen Order from the developers of Apex Legends and Titanfall. Go to GameSpot sister site CNET to see a full rundown of what to expect from the show. Info from Gamespot.com

The EA Access catalog of free games continues to grow. The newest addition, NHL 19, arrived this week, and the timing is notable given that the NHL Playoffs just began. NHL 19 is a fantastic simulation ice hockey experience, and it stands out from previous entries with its addition of pond hockey. GameSpot's NHL 19 review scored it an 8/10.EA Access is only available on Xbox One right now, but it's reportedly coming to PlayStation 4 as well. A PC edition called Origin Access is also available, but NHL 19 is not available on PC. EA Access costs $5/month or $30/year, and for that, subscribers get access to a growing catalog of EA Games including other 2018 sports titles like NBA Live 19 and Madden 19. Outside of those, titles like Battlefield 1, Skate 3, Titanfall 2, and many others are in the Vault of freebies. Subscribers also save 10 percent on all EA digital content, while members also usually get to play upcoming EA games multiple days before their public release. There are also perks like bonuses in new EA games like Apex Legends.During an earnings call in February, management discussed bringing EA Access to another "major" platform, so that could be a reference to PlayStation 4. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.Info from Gamespot.com

Vampyr, the 2018 game starring a doctor who turns into a vampire and struggles with his new bloodthirst, is a commercial success, it seems. Developer Dontnod Entertainment announced today that the game has sold more than 1 million copies since release. The game was published by Focus Home Interactive, and the two companies are now renewing their publishing deal.Terms of the renewal were not disclosed, but Dontnod said in a press release that the "new co-production promises to be one of the most ambitious in the history of the publisher and the studio."Focus Home COO John Bert said the publisher has been "delighted" to work with Dontnod, going to to tease that the developer's new game is "intended to be among the most ambitious" in the history of both Focus Home and Dontnod.Dontnod CEO Oskar Guilbert said in his own statement that Focus Home is an "ideal partner" for their new game thanks in part to Focus Home's expertise in the areas of marketing, digital distribution, and other factors. "Vampyr is a great success and we are very happy to develop this partnership with this exciting new project," Guilbert said.Vampyr is currently available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It's free on Xbox One for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The game is also reportedly coming to Nintendo Switch, but a release date hasn't been announced.Based in France, Dontnod was founded in 2008, and its first title was 2013's Remember Me, which was published by Capcom. The studio went on to create the Life is Strange series with Square Enix, including the spin-off The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit. In addition to Life Is Strange 2, the developer is working on another episodic game, Twin Mirror, which is going to be published by Bandai Namco. The studio is independent, which allows it to choose a publishing partner.Info from Gamespot.com

April's free NES games for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers are now available. While the selection of titles in recent months has varied between the West and Japan, this month's lineup is the same across regions and includes the classic boxing game Punch-Out, the shoot-'em-up Star Soldier, and the notoriously difficult Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.In addition to those three games, Nintendo has added a special save state of one of last month's titles, Kid Icarus, to the NES library. This version starts players off in the final level before the climactic confrontation with Medusa, with all three Sacred Treasures already equipped. You can watch a trailer for this month's NES lineup below.The NES library is one of the perks Switch owners receive for subscribing to the Nintendo Switch Online service, offering unlimited access to more than 30 NES games with added online multiplayer support for as long as you have an active membership. Nintendo adds new games to the catalog every month; March brought Kid Icarus and StarTropics, while Kirby's Adventure and Super Mario Bros. 2 were added in February.Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions run for US $4 / £3.49 / AU $6 for one month, US $8 / £7 / AU $12 for three months, and US $20 / £18 / AU $30 for one year. Nintendo also offers a Family Membership that can encompass up to eight Nintendo Accounts for US $35 / £31.49 / AU $55. Other benefits for subscribing include the ability to play Switch games online, cloud save data backup for most games, and exclusive offers such as Tetris 99, which is free to download for NSO members.Info from Gamespot.com

It's been a long time coming, but Sony has finally rolled out the much-requested PSN ID change feature. PS4 users now have the option to change their PSN IDs as many times as they'd like either through the console itself or a web browser. Here's how the process works.The first time you change your PSN ID will be free, but each subsequent change will carry a $10 / £8 fee. If you have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you'll pay half that, so each change will cost you $5 / £4. As previously mentioned, there are no limits to the number of times you can change your PSN ID, and you can always revert back to any previous ID at no charge by contacting PlayStation support.To change your PSN ID through your PS4, first go to the Settings tab and select Account Management. From there, choose Account Information, then Profile, and finally Online ID. Input the PSN ID you'd like to use and follow the on-screen prompts to finish the process. To change your ID through a web browser, first log in to your PSN account, then select PSN Profile. Click the Edit button next to your PSN ID and you'll be able to change it. Follow the remaining prompts to complete the change.As previously noted, you'll only be able to change your PSN ID either through a PS4 console or a browser; you can't do so on PS3 or Vita. Moreover, child accounts cannot change their ID. If you do change yours, you'll have the option to display your old ID next to your new one on your profile for up to 30 days to help your friends notice the change. You can read more about the process on the PlayStation Blog.Another caveat to keep in mind is that not all PS4 games will support ID changes. While any title published on or after April 1, 2018 should display your new ID in-game, Sony says it discovered one instance "where a [recent] game did not fully support the feature." A small handful of games also have "critical issues" that may potentially result in the loss of game progress and other data if you do change your ID. You can see the full list of games that support PSN ID changes here.Info from Gamespot.com

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is coming to PC for the first time, publisher Sega has announced. The Yakuza 2 remake makes its way to Steam on May 9, and it's available to pre-order now for $30 / £25.Kiwami 2 first launched on PS4 in Japan at the end of 2017, before coming to the West on the same console in August 2018. May 9 will mark the first time the game has released on any other platform.Sega says the new version is "fully optimised for PC, including stunning 4K resolution and unlocked framerates, customisable controls and robust graphics options." In addition, if you pre-purchase now, you'll "receive the complete Clan Creator Bundle DLC, including super rare Clan Creator Leaders and Packs, exclusive weapons, outfits and more."We enjoyed the PS4 version here at GameSpot; critic Edmond Tran awarded it an 8/10 in our Yakuza Kiwami 2 review. "The tale of Tokyo and Osaka, Kiryu and Sayama's partnership, and Kiryu and Goda's rivalry remains one of the Yakuza's best stories, and Kiwami 2's minor missteps don't affect the heart of that experience," he wrote. "The modernization of its presentation and its mechanics elevate it, making it absolutely worth revisiting or experiencing for the first time. Yakuza is an exemplary, if flawed series that does an incredible job of steeping you in contemporary Japanese-style crime drama, and establishing an evocative sense of place. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an excellent example of the series at its best, coupling its most memorable stories and characters with its most sophisticated mechanics yet."Info from Gamespot.com

Marvel continues to roll out fresh looks at the upcoming Avengers: Endgame. The latest preview of what's to come takes the form a TV spot. The much-anticipated follow-up to Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War releases later this month, and this new promo features some new footage not seen in previous trailers.The theme of the TV spot is focused on the remaining Avengers' mission to stop Thanos and get their friends back. There's a voiceover from Steve Rogers that suggests that the team will split into separate units to complete their mission and there's lots of quickly-cut action-packed shots that show just how dangerous it will be. Check it out above.This TV spot is the latest in a whole load of promotional material released for Endgame in the last few weeks. The first full clip was released earlier this week, while this recent trailer was packed with new footage. Recent looks at the movie have played up the prominent role Captain Marvel may play. There was also specific talk about fighting Thanos to gain control of the Infinity Stones to undo the deaths he caused, though it's unclear if that plan connects with the "missions" referenced in this latest TV spot.Avengers: Endgame releases on April 26, 2019. It stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Brie Larsson, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Danai Gurira, Paul Rudd, and Josh Brolin. Tickets went on sale last week, and so far presales have far exceeded those for Captain Marvel, Infinity War, Aquaman, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi combined.Endgame will be followed by Spider-Man: Far From Home in July, with Tom Holland's Spider-Man and Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury both returning, along with a variety of characters from Homecoming.Info from Gamespot.com

It's that time of the week again: Fortnite is now in Season 8, Week 7, which means there's a fresh set of challenges in its wildly popular battle royale. You know the drill: complete the challenges, earn Battle Stars, level up the Battle Pass, and then watch the cosmetic unlocks roll in.Week 7's challenges shouldn't give you too much trouble at all as they're all pretty easy and, for the most part, can be completed in natural play. In the free section, which is available to all players, there are three challenges. These involve dealing damage with a pickaxe, visiting two locations in a single match, and also heading to three Pirate Camps.For those that have spent V-Bucks on a premium Battle Pass, you'll need to do damage to players from above, search chests in Loot Lake or Snobby Shores, take out enemies in five different named locations, and deal damage to enemies while riding a zipline. That last challenge is a multi-part one, so you'll have another stage open up when it is completed.Fortnite Season 8, Week 7 ChallengesFreeVisit Pirate Camps in a single match (3) -- 10 Battle StarsStage 1 of 3: Visit Junk Junction and The Block in a single match (2) -- 1 Battle StarDamage opposing players with the Pickaxe (100) -- 5 Battle StarsBattle PassGet eliminations in different named locations (5) -- 10 Battle StarsSearch chests at Loot Lake or Snobby Shores (7) -- 5 Battle StarsDeal damage to players from above (500) -- 5 Battle StarsStage 1 of 2 - Deal damage to opposing players while riding a zipline (1) -- 5 Battle StarsDamage While Riding ZiplinesThe ziplines are fairly plentiful on the island, so the difficulty here really is actually getting on one and then landing shots. Expect lots of players to gather around ziplines and, as we all know, they're not going to just line up and let everyone take their turn. Prepare to defend yourself while trying to get on the zipline. If you manage to get on a zipline, try and use a weapon that spits out bullets fast, as that'll give you the best chance of hitting another player.Damage From AboveEasy peasy: Get to stockpiling resources. Once you've got loads of material, start building and go high to give yourself a nice vantage point. When you're elevated, just start taking shots at anyone around. If you're feeling particularly spicy, you can aim to do this in the heavily populated areas or even around ziplines to catch players trying to complete the other challenge.Damage Using PickaxeThis one is familiar, as Epic likes to throw this challenge in fairly regularly. As a result, you've probably got a working strategy at this point. Our one is to group up with other players and wait for ambush opportunities. Now that respawning is a bigger deal in Fortnite, you may get lucky and stumble upon downed enemies or someone so focused on rescuing teammates that they don't see you coming with your Pickaxe.Visit Pirate CampsEpic loves this challenge. It was used in a previous week and is also part of the current Buccaneer's Bounty event. The upside of re-using old challenges is that we've already got a detailed breakdown of how to complete it, including specific locations of the Pirate Camps.As previously mentioned, a recent Fortnite update has borrowed yet another mechanic from battle royale rival Apex Legends: respawns. You can see how Fortnite and Apex Legends' respawn systems compare here.Info from Gamespot.com