A new "next-gen" headset is in the works, and while nothing concrete has been announced about what it'll be able to do, it's coming from some heavy hitters. The headset--literally just called "Next Gen HP VR Headset" on its own Steam page--is being worked on by Valve, Microsoft, and HP.The device's page on HP's website gives some more information with its description. "Developed in collaboration with Valve and Microsoft, the next gen HP VR headset delivers a more immersive, comfortable, and compatible experience than the previous generation," it reads. "It’s the new standard in VR."Here's a little look at the headset, which will prominently display the "HP" logo.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Xbox Live has gone down again, for some at least. The Xbox Live Support page notes that "Purchase and Content Usage" is affected right now. This is a big deal, because in some cases, these new Xbox Live issues are preventing people from launching their games to begin with.The support pages notes that the game Smite, in particular, is affected by these latest Xbox Live issues, but the problems seem to extend beyond that game alone.Just minutes ago, GameSpot's repeated attempts to boot Call of Duty: Modern Warfare all failed. We were also unable to load the Xbox Store due to the network issues. As always, your mileage may vary, as Xbox Live is a global network that relies on server infrastructure that exists around the world and depends on a number of different factors for smooth operation.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Bells are the main currency in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and you'll need a lot of them if you want to upgrade your house, buy furniture and clothes, and build various structures around your island. There are a lot of ways to make bells, and while it largely comes down to either selling things or otherwise finding money, there are some things you should know to help maximize your income and manage your bells.First off: You can only hold 99,999 bells in your pockets at once, so it's a good idea to deposit bells in the Nook Stop machine at Resident Services so they don't take up pocket space. We recommend saving up a bells this way rather than paying off your loans in small increments in case a pricey item ends up in one of your stores--you'll want the extra money for surprise purchases from time to time.Generally, you can sell any items you don't want or need at Nook's Cranny, though we don't recommend selling any crafting materials, like wood or iron--you'll get more money by crafting with those items. You can take any fossils that Blathers has assessed but are already in your museum and sell those, for example, or sell any furniture you've found but don't want. Below, you'll find tips for selling specific items to maximize your profits, plus some other key money-making tips.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Doom Eternal is full of deadly demons, but none is as worrisome as the Marauder. A former Sentinel soldier, the Maurader has a lot of the same moves as the Doom Slayer, including a short-range dash to avoid attacks and a powerful shotgun to dish out a ton of close-range damage. You'll face the Marauder as a boss in the game's sixth mission, Arc Complex, but later in the game, it'll become a regular enemy you'll have to fight more than once.The trouble with the Marauder is that it's the most defensively minded enemy in the game. Where other demons rush at your face, soaking up all the lead you can dump into them, the Marauder actively avoids attacks with a big shield, while dishing out a ton of punishment along the way. Fighting one Marauder can be tough, but mix it in with other demons and it can seem insurmountable.There are ways to take Marauders down, though. It usually requires sustained damage and a lot of effort, and you'll want to make sure to keep lots of smaller fodder demons handy for health, armor, and ammo recharges. But if you know what you're doing when you see a Marauder, you can prioritize the target and take it out before things get too tough. The key is positioning yourself appropriately to win the fight, and to quickly disengage when you get into trouble.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Naturally, monumental expectations accompany the first Half-Life game in 13 years, and for the iconic franchise's return to come in the form of a VR exclusive is undoubtedly bold. But at each step of the way, Half-Life: Alyx proves that almost everything the franchise did best is elevated by VR: the environmental puzzles that require a keen eye, the threat of a headcrab jumping for your face, the cryptic storytelling. The series' staples are as great as ever here, and in its most powerful moments, Half-Life: Alyx confidently shows you why it couldn't have been done any other way.What's a day in the life of Alyx Vance? In true Half-Life form, the entire game goes from morning to night in a single shot of first-person action in which you, as Alyx, trek through the undergrounds and abandoned zones of City 17. At first, it's to save your dad Eli Vance from the clutches of the Combine. However, you're subsequently led to uncover the nature of that massive floating structure that hovers over City 17, referred to as the Vault. With a cheeky sidekick Russell in your ear, and a trusty, prophetic Vortigaunt who comes in clutch, Alyx is more than prepared. A basic premise for sure, but the journey is thrilling, and the payoff is immense.There's a newfound intimacy captured in doing the things that Half-Life always asked of you. Because it's a VR game, the way you look at and process your surroundings fundamentally changes, thus making the solutions to environmental puzzles more of a personal accomplishment than before. Simply finding the right objects to progress was fine with a keyboard and mouse, but when it's your own hands turning valves, moving junk to find critical items, pulling levers, or hitting switches while turning your head to see the results of your actions, these become enticing gameplay mechanics rather than means for breaking up the pace. Without waypoints or objective markers to guide you, subtle visual cues and calculated level design lead you to the solutions, and progress feels earned because of that.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

In the banal future-war fiction that serves as set dressing for the battlefields of Corruption 2029, soldiers are remote-controlled living machines. These humanoid husks are devoid of humanity, mechanized units designed to be disposable as they fight the second American civil war. Both sides sport bland three-letter initials, the NAC (New American Council) and the UPA (United Peoples of America), their full names reading like soulless corporate think-tanks, their motives as opaque as they are forgettable. Actual people are seemingly absent in this conflict. Lifelessness permeates the entire experience, sapping all interest in what is otherwise an accomplished tactical combat game.In this sense, Corruption 2029 is a disappointing step backward from the developer's debut title, 2018's Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, a game that elevated the XCOM formula primarily through a charismatic cast of characters. The mechanics of combat work in essentially the same way they did in Mutant Year Zero with similarly distinguished results. You control a squad of three units (and occasionally a fourth unit you might acquire mid-mission) and you're able to explore the map in real-time until the enemy spots you or, preferably, you trigger an ambush. Once the fight's underway, you and the engaged enemies alternate between ducking behind cover, firing your weapons, lobbing grenades, and deploying special abilities in turn-based combat.The tactical combat is a triumph of clarity. The UI conveys all the pertinent information flawlessly, leaving you reassured that each move you make is going to play out with a high degree of certainty and few unintended consequences. When deciding where to move, for example, you can hover over each accessible square on the grid and see your exact chance to hit every enemy in range with the weapon you have equipped. Swap that weapon and all the percentages update. Clear icons inform you that the destination is in low cover or high cover and if an enemy is currently flanking that position. Having these details reliably presented on-screen is a constant benefit to the decision-making process and goes a long way to ensure success in each combat encounter is determined by preparation and smart choices rather than an unexpected fluke.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

With Monster Hunter World: Iceborne's third new title update happening on March 23, Capcom has gone ahead and teased what the fourth new title update in May will bring: a powerful and fierce dragon named Alatreon.Alatreon approaches!! Confront the Blazing Black Dragon in #Iceborne this May 🔥❄️⚡️🐉 pic.twitter.com/sai2iqI5da — Monster Hunter (@monsterhunter) March 21, 2020Alatreon is an elementally unstable Elder Dragon that has appeared in previous games, and judging by the reception, a fan favorite. It first appeared in Monster Hunter 3 and is capable of using multiple elements. In previous games, the monster was able to use Dragon, Thunder, Ice and Fire attacks, depending on a few factors and conditions. No information is available yet on how and if Alatreon will be modified for its addition to Monster Hunter World: Iceborne.But taking a step back, other than Raging Brachydios and Furious Rajang being added on March 23 and Alatreon arriving in May, Capcom will also be adding a few new monsters to the game in April. Kulve Taroth will be available to fight through a four-player Master Rank quest. Namielle, an Arch-Tempered monster, will also show up in the game. Arch-Tempered monsters are stronger versions of Tempered monsters and usually deal more damage.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

On March 16, it was announced that Demon Slayer will be receiving a battle-royale mobile game and a PS4 action game. The PS4 game, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hinokami Keppuutan, will be developed by CyberConnect 2, the same studio that developed Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm.A trailer teasing the graphics was revealed today, and it looks to be on par with the much-lauded visuals of the anime. No gameplay elements were really introduced, so it remains to be seen what exactly the action part entails.The mobile battle royale game, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Keppuu Kengeki Royale, also received an early teaser. It's a multiplayer game where individuals are separated into the Demon Slayer faction and the Demons. The goal is to fight and defeat the opposite team. The maps will take place in the Demon Slayer world, and from the trailer, it looks like most of the major demons in the first season of the Demon Slayer anime will be playable.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

During the week of March 16, GameStop made the decision to keep retail stores open during the coronavirus outbreak, even in states that required all non-essential businesses to close their doors. Its internal memo to workers instructed managers to inform any questioning authorities that GameStop views itself as "essential retail."GameStop has decided to reverse that decision and announced that it will close its retail storefronts, go entirely digital on orders, and will offer curbside pick-up at stores and delivery options."We have been steadfast in our adherence to CDC-guided safety and local government orders for retailers in each of our communities. As millions of Americans look to GameStop to adjust to their new normal of increased time at home, for work, learning and play, we have implemented practices to help ensure the safety and health of our employees, customers and partners," George Sherman, GameStop’s chief executive officer said in the press release.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

One of the many industries hit hard by the new lockdown procedures in the United States is the film business. Specifically, movie theatres have been drastically impacted, as thousands of screens have closed due to the COVID-19 crisis.John Fithian, the CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners in the US, has now spoken about the dire situation. He told Variety that the movie theatre business might collapse and go bankrupt if US Congress does not pass the trillion-dollar bailout bill that would provide relief to various industries, including theatres."The situation is that dire," Fithian explained. "Overnight, we went from an industry that makes $15 billion a year--$11 billion in ticket sales and $4 billion in concessions--to one that is not going to make a penny for three or four months."Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

March 22 is a special day in the gaming world. On this day in 2005, Sony Santa Monica launched God of War, the first instalment in a series that would go on to become one of gaming's biggest names.The God of War series dates back further than 2005, however, as the team at Sony Santa Monica started development on the project for years before release, animation director Bruno Velazquez said in a tweet. "I'm glad and the rest of the team trusted me enough to work with Kratos for the past 14 yrs," Velazquez said.Happy 15 you damaged, imperfect bastard.♥️🪓🎮Thanks @SonySantaMonica @davidscottjaffe @PlayStation pic.twitter.com/fS2jaTunBt — Cory Barlog🖖 (@corybarlog) March 22, 2020David Jaffe designed and directed the first God of War, which was released for the PlayStation 2 on March 22, 2005. It was followed up by God of War II in 2007, which was again directed by Jaffe. Joining him as co-director was Cory Barlog, who also designed the 2007 game. Jaffe would go on to leave Sony, and God of War III was released in 2010 with Stig Asmussen as its director.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

New Releases normally covers the biggest video games launching each week, but thanks to Persona 5 Royal, this episode is looking a little farther ahead. It's an action-packed episode with the likes of Ninja Theory's Bleeding Edge, the anime-styled One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, and the Nintendo Switch port of Saints Row 4: Re-Elected. And after more than a decade, Valve is finally returning to City 17 with Half-Life: Alyx.Half-Life: Alyx -- March 23Available on: PCYes, we're finally getting another Half-Life game, and as the name implies, you play as Alyx Vance, filling in the story between Half-Life 1 and 2. Alyx is a VR game, letting you physically reach out and manipulate objects, fire guns, and solve puzzles. The game is compatible with most PC VR headsets, and if you own a Valve Index, you'll get a copy for free.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The Resident Evil 3 remake will change many things from the original PlayStation game, including cutting Live Selection, but several elements that made that game a classic will also carry over. One of those elements is the possibility of completing the entire game with just your knife (if you're a hardcore player).Talking to Game Informer, producer Peter Fabiano has said that the knife in Resident Evil 3 is "inexhaustible," meaning that you can slash at the zombies and other enemies endlessly. This was not the case in 2019's Resident Evil 2 remake, as knives would break after a few uses."We're dealing with survival horror and everything is exhaustible," Fabiano says. "So if you did run out of everything, what would you have? The knife. The director always wanted to make it so that you at least have your trusty knife. That’s always something you can rely on."Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

While governments normally have to put together elaborate campaigns to get kids off their computers and outside to exercise, the Polish government is now doing the exact opposite. With the COVID-19 (coronavirus) threat spreading through Europe, Poland has created a public Minecraft server to encourage kids to do their socializing online.The Polish government has launched Grarantanna, a learning hub that contains the Minecraft server and other fun (but still educational) activities. It includes a game jam, the Minecraft server, online TTRPG sessions, and webinars and quizzes on Polish history and geography made a little more enticing with prizes for the best quizzers.Poland has been proactive in its response to coronavirus, shutting all schools, museums, and cinemas on March 11 and introducing comprehensive border checks. Now, it’s looking to provide all those bored kids with something productive to do--"it’s neither a vacation or a holiday,” the Grarantanna warns.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Streaming giant Netflix has announced the creation of a $100 million fund to help assist people in the entertainment world whose jobs have been impacted by the numerous movie and TV show production closures due to COVID-19 (coronavirus).In a blog post, Netflix's Ted Sarandos said that TV and film production businesses have been devastated by the virus. He mentioned that "almost all" TV and movie productions have now closed down, leaving "hundreds of thousands" of cast and crew out of work.People who are paid hourly wages have been particularly impacted, including electricians, carpenters, drivers, and hair and makeup artists, Sarandos pointed out.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com