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Gaming, News

Blizzard Announces 2023 Release Date for Diablo IV

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In the midst of chaos and controversy, the Diablo franchise is teasing the next instalment. Blizzard used the XBOX and Bethesda Showcase to announce that Diablo IV will be making its official debut in 2023. Of course, in typical Blizzard style, no specific dates were given.

However, Blizzard didn’t just leave us hanging without a morsel to nibble on. With the release year (hopefully), Blizzard also unveiled the final class featured in Diablo IV – the necromancer. The Necromancer is returning to Sanctuary for the fourth time. The class has been a mainstay in the series since Diablo 2. This time the Necromancer will be joining the Druid, Crusader, Monk and Rogue in their battle against Lilith.

D4 Necromancer Campfire 001
Source: Blizzard

The developers also gave a little more insight into what we can expect when we return to Sanctuary this round. A completely open world map is one of the most intriguing changes coming to Sanctuary. Unlike the past Diablo games, players will be able to roam the world of Sanctuary unhindered. You’ll be able to travel from the dunes of Kehjistan to the snowy peaks of Mount Arreat to the sombre remains of Tristram without needing to leave an act. While exploring the vast open world with close to 150 dungeons, you’ll come across Strongholds where the forces of Hell have taken root. You will need to clear these Strongholds to be rewarded with riches or set towns free.

Diablo IV | Developer Gameplay Showcase

You will also face even more terrifying hordes of demons and undead as you venture into Diablo IV. Demons Lords and hordes of all sizes are making a return to the franchise in Diablo IV. You will be encountering towering demons and gigantic ones that will definitely strike terror in your hearts. You don’t need to take them down alone anymore though; your friends will be able to join your adventure. Blizzard has revamped the partying system in the game allowing you to form spontaneous parties during your adventure. You’ll be able to collaborate and party with your friends regardless of the platform they are on – PS4, PS5, PC, XBOX One. Character progression also occurs across all platforms. On console, you’ll even be able to have couch co-op.

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  • D4 Necromancer Stronghold 006

In addition, Mephisto’s influence has created areas in Sanctuary where players can attack other players. These areas will see the best players duke it out. Be wary, as you reap victories, you’ll also become a target for everyone. Diablo IV is also bringing back an open skill tree which will allow you even deeper customisation of your character. This comes in addition to the extensive aesthetic customisations that you’ll be able to undertake as you adventure in Diablo IV. This continues further as you progess after you complete the main game. As you max out your level, you’ll unlock the Paragon Board which will allow you to unlock hundreds of optional paths for your characters.

With everything that has been revealed to-date, Diablo IV is shaping out to be a return to form after Diablo III’s shortfalls. We’ll be patiently waiting to see what Sanctuary brings us in 2023.

Business, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

Microsoft to Buy Embattled Activision Blizzard

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After months of growing legal battles and losing some of its top talents, Activision Blizzard may be getting a much-needed break. Microsoft is sweeping in to acquire the game developer for a whopping USD$68.7 billion. The acquisition will make Microsoft the third biggest gaming company behind Tencent and Sony.

Activision Blizzard’s acquisition will give Microsoft access to IPs from Blizzard, Activision and King studios. This includes titles like Diablo, StarCraft, Warcraft and Overwatch in Blizzard’s portfolio; Candy Crush in King’s portfolio; and Call of Duty, Destiny and more in Activision’s portfolio. These game IPs are apparently making their way to XBOX’s GamePass sometime after the acquisition has been finalised.

Microsoft-Activision Blizzard Acquisition Header
Source: Activision Blizzard

While the acquisition may seem like a big win, it may not be in the best interest of gamers as we’ve already seen Microsoft use acquisitions to bolster its exclusive games catalogue. Most recently, the company acquired ZeniMax which owns popular game studio Bethesda. In the wake of that acquisition, Bethesda has already announced that the latest instalment of one of its most popular IPs, Elder Scrolls VI, will be exclusive to XBOX. While it’s still too early to say if games like Diablo and Overwatch will be exclusive to Microsoft, it is something that gamers should be wary of.

In addition to this, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard isn’t addressing the underlying issues which have been plaguing the company. In fact, in its announcement, Activision Blizzard has confirmed that embattled CEO, Bobby Kotik, will continue as the CEO for now. Activision Blizzard has had a tumultuous 2021 plagued with workplace issues that have come to light thanks to multiple lawsuits.

However, Microsoft’s new CEO of Gaming, Phil Spencer, mentions in his email to employees, “Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players. We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment.”. Hopefully, this holds true when it comes to dealing with their latest acquisition’s colourful state beyond the close of the acquisition. Beyond the acquisition, Activision Blizzard will be reporting to Phil Spencer which leaves many of the concerns raised by both gamers and Activision Blizzard’s developers at his doorstep.

XBOX Gaming OrgChart
Source: Activision Blizzard

That aside, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is a huge development in the gaming industry as a whole. It could be the jolt the industry needed to push it forward to adapt to a newer approach to gaming experiences including VR. In fact, in their statements, Microsoft’s leadership has indicated that their vision of the now trending, “metaverse”, is one that is populated by creative content that can be consumed at any time.

Microsoft’s acquisition comes at a crucial point in the development of some of Activision Blizzard’s most anticipated titles including the much anticipated Diablo IV and Overwatch 2 and Diablo’s foray into mobile, Diablo Immortal. Having had such a tumultuous year, the games are in need of an infusion of quality leadership and talent.

The new acquisition is pending the approval of regulators and the shareholders of both companies. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is expected to close by the end of Microsoft’s fiscal year in June 2023.

Gaming, Lifestyle, News

[E3 2021] The Xbox Mini Fridge is Here – The Meme Comes Alive!

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When the current generation of Xbox Series X was leaked in the press years ago, there was a lot of comments on how the boxy design looks. That is naturally always the case with any design renders that comes out of any manufacturers and companies though. Before a product is out in the market or announced, a render leak of what the product would most likely look like might be ‘leaked’ to the press or the public to sometimes create a public hype. It could almost be like a litmus test of whether or not there is genuine interest in the product.

Sometimes it backfires though, and design renders get ridiculed or gets turned into a meme. In the case of the Xbox Series X, the public quickly points out that it looks like a refrigerator of some kind and that quickly turned into a meme. No doubt, there was a lot of excitement about this product coming out of Microsoft. Thanks to the public reaction at the time, it could give the designers of this gaming console a few things to think about.

Welcome to E3 2021 though, where new games get teased and launched. It is also the place where the unexpected can be expected to happen. This year, the unexpected happened on Microsoft’s stage in their ‘one more thing’ segment at the end of their show. They made it.

Microsoft introduced the world to the “world’s most powerful mini fridge” set to hit the stores in the coming months. They call it the Xbox Mini Fridge, which is thoroughly fitting of a name for this little box that holds canned drinks or other things you put in a mini fridge. They also say that it uses Xbox’s clever velocity cooling architecture to keep your drinks cool in the fridge, hence “world’s most powerful mini fridge”. How did this mini fridge meme become a reality though?

Xbox Mini Fridge - World Premiere
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Twitter Marketing ran a #BestOfTweets championship in April for users to vote on which brands ran the best twitter account. It came down to Skittles and Xbox. Xbox was trailing behind when they announced in their twitter account that they would make the Xbox Mini Fridge a reality if they won the campaign. They did, by 1 percent of votes.

Xbox fulfilled that promise in E3 2021 and the product is actually something that you can purchase later in the year, not just a concept. Except, Microsoft did not say that it will be for sale. They pointed out that it will be available in the holiday season (presumably in the United States), but not its price or where it is going to be available. It could be a free gift if you already own an Xbox, or a bundle if you buy the new Xbox in that season.

Whatever it is, it shows that tech giants like Microsoft are listening to the public and are moving with the public. While it is a little bit more marketing gimmick and move, it also shows that Microsoft has some sense of humour after all. You should be reminded also that Microsoft made a fully sized refrigerator in the shape of the Xbox Series X just for Snoop Dogg last year just because they can.

Gaming, News

[Update] E3 2021 is Online and Completely Free

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UPDATE: Microsoft and Nintendo has confirmed their presence in E3 2021. The Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo participation joins big names like Capcom, Konami, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive, Warner Bros. Games, and Koch Media. Sony, EA, Activision Blizzard, Bandai, Sega, and Square Enix has not confirmed their presence. Sony did not turn up in 2019 and was not going to be in E3 as of last year though.

When we say E3 2021 is online, we mean two things really. For one, it is happening. That means at E3 will go on in 2021 despite its 2020 cancellation for obvious reasons. The next thing we mean when we say that it is online is that it is happening completely virtually. For obvious reasons as well, E3 will happen and showcase completely online.

There is more good news here though, it is supposed to be an all-free event. That also means that you can register yourself and attend E3 without paying a single cent. According to their Twitter page as well, there should be no contents hidden behind annoying paywalls. Attendees are supposed to have access to all the major announcements and keynotes happening at E3 this year.

E3 is one of the world’s largest, if not the largest games convention and stage. E3 usually sees developers and platform owners run huge keynotes to announce new AAA titles to be released later in the year or even beyond. One of our favourite games; “Horizon: Zero Dawn” that was launched in 2017 was teased in E3 2015. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 took even longer from its first teaser to its final launch in 2020.

E3 is where we expect huge announcements from the likes of Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox camps. They made the first announcements of their next generation consoles in E3 as well. Of course, this year we have the Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X/S. That also means that we can expect even more AAA titles to be announced from their camps. You can expect even more announcements made for PC games as well. Best part of this year’s E3 announcement is that you do not have to pay to get access to the keynotes.

E3 2021 is expected to happen June 15th, 2021 onward this year. Early on, there were rumours of keynotes and announcement behind paywalls only for E3 to come forward to dispel the idea. Of course, as per mentioned earlier, E3 2021 will be a completely virtual event for obvious reasons. For more information on E3 2021, you can visit E3’s official website.