Xbox boss: Microsoft can survive its $7.5 billion Bethesda purchase without bringing future titles to PS5


What that might mean for the future cross-platform availability of Bethesda's upcoming epics, such as Elder Scrolls 6 or Starfield, is still up in the air, but Xbox chief Phil Spencer did shed some light on the company's philosophy today.

Continue reading...

Google Assistant arrives on Samsung's 2020 TVs


Samsung made its AI the front-and-center (and, in some cases, only) virtual assistant across many of its devices, including its smartphones, smart TVs, and, of course, smart refrigerators.

Continue reading...

Two free games per console is returning to PlayStation Plus members again

In context: There are some definite advantages to having a PlayStation Plus (PS+) membership. The $60-per-year service is required for online gaming, but even if you are not an online player, the subscription provides free games and discounts that more than pay for a year of service.

With the launch of the PlayStation 5, PlayStation Plus members will get a new benefit and one that is not so new.

The newest perk for PS+ members is called the "PlayStation Plus Collection"

Continue reading...

Atari to launch its own cryptocurrency later this month


Atari has announced plans to sell a gaming-focused cryptocurrency later this month.

Continue reading...

Blizzard ceases major content updates for StarCraft II after over a decade


Sadly, as Blizzard has proven today with its latest StarCraft II community update, no king lives forever. In the update, the company reminisces about its long history with this beloved franchise and lays out its bittersweet plans for StarCraft II's future.

Continue reading...

Google will shut down Hangouts in the first half of 2021

In context: If there's one thing Google is known for, it's launching -- and then later shutting down -- dozens upon dozens of services, no matter how old they might've been. Indeed, this practice is so commonplace at Google HQ that someone has developed and maintained a site called the Google Graveyard, which keeps track of past and future service shutdowns, planned or already executed by Google.

For better or worse, Google's once-popular Hangouts communication platform is joining the

Continue reading...

Analogue's all-in-one TurboGrafx console is a thing of beauty


The TurboGrafx-16 has been getting a lot of love lately. Konami, which acquired the rights to the console back in 2012, announced and subsequently released a miniature version of the underappreciated system earlier this year. Now, it’s Analogue’s turn.

Continue reading...

Virtual profanity filter bans the word "Bone" at a paleontology conference


The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology gathered for its annual meeting this week. In true 2020 fashion, this conference was held virtually, containing daily presentations and follow-up, written Q&A sessions.

Continue reading...

Apple Silicon

Pre-orders open for new iPad Air and iPhone 12


The new iPad Air broke cover during Apple’s Time Flies digital presentation in mid-September. It features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display driven by Apple’s new A14 Bionic SoC, a six-core processor / four-core GPU that affords a 40 percent boost in CPU performance and a 30 percent improvement in graphics...

Continue reading...

Check out this Disco Elysium Game Boy port that's also playable on PC and mobile


To celebrate Disco Elysium’s first anniversary, a Nintendo Game Boy version has been developed by UI/graphic designer Colin Brannan alongside GB Studio. The graphics have been remade in the style of classic Game Boy RPGs such as the Final Fantasy series and Legend of Zelda.

Continue reading...