Halo 5: Guardians Forge Mode Coming Free to Windows 10 May 21, 2016

Big news coming out of Microsoft this week as Halo developers 343 Industries have officially announced that they will be releasing Forge Mode from Halo 5: Guardians free to all Windows 10 owners.

This is a huge announcement.  Forge was first included in Halo 3, and since then it has become an enormous part of what makes Halo multiplayer so successful. It allows private users the ability to create and tweak their own multiplayer maps, and share them with their friends and other users online.  However, up until this point, level creators using Forge have been stuck creating content using a only  a game controller and many content creators would prefer using a keyboard and mouse.  Now they’re not going to have to worry about that because the Forge editor is coming to Windows 10 completely free of charge.

While this announcement was made a day or two ago, we held off on reporting it until we knew more information, and now we have it. The Windows 10 app will likely be released exclusively through the Windows 10 store when it is available.  The app is written specifically to take advantage of the new DirectX 12 api, and takes full advantage of a keyboard and mouse interface. Modders used to creating content for PC titles should feel right at home.

There will be some limitations to the free Windows 10 editor. Users will be able to test their created content on Windows 10 can be tested on Windows 10 and the Xbox One, but the Windows 10 editor will not have access to the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer matchmaking service.  Windows 10 users will only be able to play and test Forge maps with users on their friends list.

While Microsoft has no plans to release the full version of Halo 5: Guardians on the PC, Halo 5: Guardians is out now exclusively on Xbox One.

Pokemon Go Field Test Signups Begin May 16, 2016

The Pokémon Company has officially revealed that they are finally accepting applications for Pokémon Go Beta Testers across the US!

Pokemon GO is a new type of Pokémon game coming to Android and iOS devices. It is expected to be free to download once released, and will allow players to “catch” Pokémon while in real-world locations using your device’s motion control and GPS capabilities. You will need to provide an email address tied to a Google Account to participate in the Field Test.

All sound good?  Here’s all the details you need to sign up!  Just make sure you live in the US and have a compatible iOS or Android device!

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Patch 1.03 Released May 13, 2016

A small 75MB patch promising “General Fixes and Improvements” was released for the PS4-exclusive game Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End earlier today.

The patch’s release notes are far too vague to determine just what was actually fixed, but take my advice, if you plan to play the game online, make sure to check for the update before you start!

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is out now exclusively for the PS4.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster Now on PC May 12, 2016

Today, Square Enix has announced that an HD Remastered bundled version of Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 are now online for purchase on the PC through Steam.  Here’s the official launch trailer.

The PC version of the games include all of the special features and enchancements from the PS3 and Vita versions of the games, as well as the option offered in the PS4 version to select between the original and the remastered soundtrack selection.  Because of that, the games are bundled together and can’t be purchased individually.

This is big news that came right out of nowhere. Seriously, check out my Final Fantasy Wish List, I gave this release a next to zero chance of happening.  Looks like I’ll have to look for some crow to eat.

The game is currently being sold at a discounted price of $24 US until May 19th, so if you want to get it on PC now I suggest you do so.

Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 is out now on the PS2, PS3, PS Vita and PC.

Halo 5 Guardians Memories of Reach Update Released May 12, 2016

A massive Title Update for Halo 5: Guardians has just been released on the Xbox One. The new update contains new maps, REQ Packs, game types, and a whole lot more.

The best part is that all of this new content is completely free to all Halo 5 players. Here’s the update’s official launch trailer.

Not enough?  Yesterday, 343 Industries hosted a two-hour live stream where they previewed the new update in depth. If you happened to miss it, here’s a video of yesterday’s event in its entirety:

If you previously installed most of the game’s major updates up to this point, the Memories of Reach Update should weigh in at around 4.5GB.

Halo 5: Guardians is out now exclusively on the Xbox One.

Pokemon Sun and Moon Starter Pokemon Revealed May 10, 2016

The Pokemon Company promised us a big reveal today, and here it is, our first look at actual gameplay from Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon.  Enjoy.

If you read my article yesterday, you’d see that I considered a GEN 7 gameplay reveal to be the most likely thing to be revealed today, and I am not disappointed. The new starters look great and the environment looks like it’s inspired by the state of Hawaii or one of the islands of the South Pacific.  Can these games come out any sooner?

Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are coming November 18th, 2016 exclusively to Nintendo 3DS systems.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Patch 1.02 Released May 10, 2016

At least two day one patches have been released to the PlayStation Network in anticipation for the release of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.  They can be downloaded immediatly after installing the game to your PS4 Hard Drive.

The new 1.02 update includes fixes from two seperate patches.  The 1.01 patch includes multiplayer support and a bunch of cool extras, like Photo Mode.  The 1.02 patch includes no new features but promises to include several bug fixes.

The guys at Naughty Dog insist all players install the patches before playing the game for the first time, even if they only plan to play Uncharted 4 in single-player mode.

UPDATE: The 1.02 Patch (along with the 1.01 Patch) weigh in at a combined download size of just over 5GB.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is out now exclusively on the PS4.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Interview With The Brothers Drake May 9, 2016

The most anticipated PS4 exclusive title Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is coming out at midnight tonight and I’m sure there are plenty of players who just can’t wait.  The Uncharted games were some of the finest titles released on the PS3, and part of that success came from a great story, great graphics, great gameplay, and amazing casting.

Sony has released an incredible interview with Uncharted 4 stars Troy Baker and Nolan North.  These guys are two legendary voice actors known for their voice work in games like Halo Wars inFAMOUS: Second Son, and The Last of Us.

So if you’re like me and you’re counting the hours until the game is released, here is something to hold you over until then.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is coming out at midnight exclusively on the PS4.

Uncharted: Fortune Hunter Released on iOS and Android May 6, 2016

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End may not be coming out until Tuesday, but Sony and Naughty Dog have decided to launch an awesome free companion app for smartphones and tablets in the meantime!

Uncharted: Fortune Hunter is a freemium puzzle game for Android and iOS devices. You play as Uncharted hero Nathan Drake as he navigates ever changing tombs in the search for gold, treasure and loot!

The best part is that by playing the game and unlocking loot, you can earn exclusive content you can bring into Uncharted 4 multiplayer games when you sign in to your PlayStation Network account. 

The app is free to download right now on your respective device’s App Store and will take up about 450MB of storage on your device.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is coming May 10th, 2016 exclusively for the PS4.

Reminder: Free Comic Book Day 2016 This Saturday May 4, 2016

For the past fifteen years, independent comic book shops all across the country have hosted Free Comic Book Day, a special event where a selected bunch of specially marked comic books are offered for free to anyone who wants them.  I’ve participated in FCBD nearly every year since 2002, and I’ve always enjoyed it. It’s more than just a fun event to do on a Saturday, it gives comic book fans the opportunity to preview comic books they may be missing out on, and it allows enthusiasts to connect with each other in person.

Now you’re probably asking yourself why I’m bringing up a comic book event on a gaming related website. Well, a lot of  video game properties have gotten comic book spin offs which are offering free issues on FCBD, including Assassin’s Creed, Sonic and Pokémon, and some of those titles will be offered for free on Saturday alongside titles like Civil War II and Suicide Squad #1.

You can read all of the details on which comics will be offered this year (and in some cases check out a sneak preview of the book) on the offficial event website.  You can also use the website to find the local businesses in your area which are participating in the event.

Special thanks to all comic shops that are participating in FBCD! Now if I could only convince more RPG retailers in my area to participate in Free RPG Day when that happens in June.