VG Addict

Blizzard Delays Release of Shadowlands

Blizzard announces delay to Shadowlands expansion for World of Warcraft

Blizzard has announced to the World of Warcraft community that it has delayed the release of Shadowlands to later this year.

The company said that it is still in the process of determining the right new date to launch.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision for the team, as we’re as eager to get the expansion into your hands as you are to play it—but ultimately, we feel it’s the right decision for the game—and for our players.”
John Hight, Executive Producer of World of Warcraft

Hight revealed that the development process is at a polishing and fine-tuning stage with features like the zones, the campaign, the level-up questing experience, and the are “essentially ready to share”.

High added that the challenge of polishing the endgame in particular was compounded by the team having to work from home.

“Blizzard has a commitment to quality. We believe Shadowlands will be something special, and we’ve heard from many of you who feel the same.
We need this extra time to ensure that Shadowlands lives up to its full potential.”
John Hight

While the main expansion has been delayed, the group confirmed that the Shadowlands pre-patch will be released on October 13, and it will lay the groundwork for the expansion.

Minecraft Steve Enters Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Minecraft Steve Joins Super Smash Bros Ultimate Roster

Nintendo revealed this morning that Steve from Minecraft will be the next playable fighter coming to the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game for the Nintendo Switch system.

However, it’s not just Steve crossing over to the battle royal Switch title – Alex, Zombie and Enderman will also arrive to the series.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – A New Seed! – Nintendo Switch

The new characters will be part of the second Challenger Pack in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass Vol. 2.

The pack will also include a new stage and seven music tracks from the Minecraft series.

More details about the two characters will be revealed tomorrow, October 3, by Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of the Super Smash Bros. series.

Giant Squid’s New Adventure Revealed As PS5 Launch Title

Giant Squid's The Pathless Will Launch On PS5

PlayStation has revealed that Giant Squid’s newest title, The Pathless, will be available on November 12 as a PlayStation 5 launch title.

Writing on the PlayStation Blog, Giant Squid explained how players will be able to experience the game’s ‘gorgeous open world and fast, fluid movement’ in 60 fps on PS5, while also ‘feeling the force of every arrow shot with the DualSense controller’s haptic trigger effects’.

“Here at Giant Squid, we’ve been busy the last few months putting the finishing touches on the world of The Pathless,”
“Every corner of the huge open world is handcrafted to provide a truly rewarding exploratory experience.”
Matt Nava, Giant Squid’s Creative Director, wrote on PlayStation’s Blog.

Players will deep-dive into the new world where every nook and cranny holds a secret, be it long-forgotten lore or an arcane puzzle to solve.

The game will also launch on the PS4 on the same day it does the PS5, Nava confirmed.

Giant Squid would be commonly known for it’s 2016 indie-hit ABZU – which featured a rich underwater world ripe for exploration.

Super Mario Bros. 35 Launches On Switch eShop

Super Mario Bros 35. Now Available On Nintendo Switch

Nintendo has announced that Super Mario Bros. 35 is now available on the Switch eShop exclusively for Nintendo Switch Online players.

Those with Switch Online accounts will be able to download the game free of charge and it will be playable until March 31, 2021.

The title will be a battle roayle-styled game where up to 35 players can compete to be ‘the last Mario standing’.

Each player is given the same timed stage, but defeating enemies will earn you extra time while you attack your opponents.

Pokémon GO Unveils Limited-Time Free Remote Raid Pass

Following the announcement that Pokémon GO would be withdrawing some quality of life improvements designed to keep players safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, the developers have now unveiled a limited-time free Remote Raid Pass.

Remote Raid Pass

The new Remote Raid Pass will first become available on October 5, with one free pass being given every Monday until November 30.

According to Pokémon GO, each Remote Raid Pass will be available for only a week, and players must have fewer than three Remote Raid Passes to claim the weekly free Remote Raid Pass.

‘With a Remote Raid Pass, you’ll be able to join any Raid Battle you can see in the Raid section of the Nearby screen or that you can tap on the map… No matter where your friends are, you can invite them to your raid lobby as long as they have a Remote Raid Pass.’

The mobile game developers recently caused controversy with it’s decision to retract lockdown-friendly improvements such as the Hatch Distance for Eggs and relegating the effectiveness of Incense to only apply while the player is walking.

Xbox Announces Spooky Line-Up For October Games with Gold – VG Addict

Xbox has lined up a fitting host of games for it’s October Games with Gold lineup, falling in line with the Halloween season.

Xbox – October 2020 Games with Gold

Xbox One player will have access to the throwback horror puzzle game Slayaway Camp: Butcher’s Cut for the whole month, with the stealth-orientated title Maid of Sker becoming available from October 16 – November 15.

On the Xbox 360, and Xbox One via Backward Compatibility, players will have access to Egypt in Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy and Costume Quest from October 1 to 15 and October 16 to 31 respectively.

Xbox Live Gold members will have exclusive access to these games for a limited time as part of Games with Gold.

Until October 15, the point-and-click adventure The Book of Unwritten Rules 2 will be available still from September’s Games with Gold.

Sony Unveils PS Plus’s Free Games For October

Sony has unveiled the October line-up of monthly free games for PS Plus members, which include Need for Speed: Payback and Vampyr.

Need For Speed Payback – Customization Trailer | PS4

Set in the fictional, corrupt gambler’s paradise of Fortune Valley, players will be able to chose from three unique characters which each their own skills, and take on various heist missions and car battles.

Vampyr – Accolade Trailer | PS4

Vampyr, developed by Dontnod Entertainment, introduces players to a dark and thrilling story set in 1918 London with a heavy focus on narrative choices, as you can choose to either flight or flee from your foes, and whether to save or devour the city’s populace.

Both games will become available on October 6, giving PS Plus members until then to grab September’s free games – Street Fighter V and PUBG: PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.

Pokémon GO To Reverse On Covid-19 Safety Measures As Pandemic Continues to Escalate – VG Addict

Pokémon GO has announced a roll-back on some of the changes it had made earlier in the year which were designed to enable users to play from home safely in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Starting Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 1 p.m. PDT (GMT −7), we’ll be making some changes to temporary bonuses. Read more: https://t.co/t02oV3SMKr pic.twitter.com/kon8jTvk1O
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) September 29, 2020

Hatch Distance For Eggs Reset

Starting Thursday, October 1, the company will be bringing back the original Hatch Distance for Eggs, as well as relegating the effectiveness of Incense to only apply while the player is walking.

Niantic said that, ‘When possible, people are generally encouraged to spend time outside, go on walks, and exercise for their mental and physical health—all while social distancing and abiding by other health and safety recommendations.’

The news comes as many major cities across the world face a continued lockdown and an increase in cases of the disease, a fact that many fans were quick to point out on social media.

Other popular safety additions, such as raiding remotely, the extended duration of Incense and the x3 Stardust and XP for your first Pokémon catch of the day will remain in place.

The news follows The Pokémon Company’s announcement that it will soon launch Linking capabilities between Pokémon GO and Pokémon Home, allowing players to transfer Pokémon from the mobile app to Nintendo Switch title Pokémon Sword and Shield

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Delivers Halloween Event With New Update

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Fall Update

Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ latest seasonal update has been announced for September 30 for Nintendo Switch players – and it’s scarily exciting.

The free update is gearing players up for Halloween, with new costumes, character customization options, DIY projects and festivities all on the way.

Island dwellers will have the opportunity to grow their own pumkin patch, which can then be harvested for new festive crafts which will set the mood perfectly for the Halloween period.

New costumes, like a mage’s dress, at the Able Sisters shop during the month of October will go nicel with the body paint and colored eye contacts which can be collected by exchanging Nook Miles.

After 5pm on the big day, October 31, neighboring villagers will gather in the plaza, with an array of Halloween decorations in full display, where players will be able to trade candy for new seasonal items and crafting recipies.

The island will also receive a visit from Jack, the “czar of Halloween”. By giving Jack lollipops and candy, you’ll earn even more seasonal in-game rewards.

On top of all the spooky additions, the NookLink Service in the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app is also receiving an update in early October, which will allow players to use their smart device to perform Reactions in the game.

“For players that have yet to create their personal island paradise in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, now is a great time to get started,”
“Players who enjoyed their islands during the spring and summer will find new ways to play when they experience the new festive activities that fall has to offer.”
– Nick Chavez, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

FIFA 21 Soundtrack Inspired by Its Fans From Around the World

Electronic Arts (EA) has unveiled the official FIFA 21 Soundtrack, featuring music from different cultures and ‘sounds that represent global fans from all over the world’.

The soundtrack boasts over 100 artists from 23 different countries, as EA says it wants to represent global culture like never before.

The playlist features internationally reknown artists such as Dua Lipa, Anitta, Charli XCX, Disclosure, and Stormzy as well as emerging artists to watch in Tkay Maidza, Madame Gandhi and Chløë Black.

Global Connections

“At a time when our shared connections mean more than ever, the soundtrack to EA SPORTS FIFA 21 defines global culture like never before,” said Steve Schnur, President of Music, Electronic Arts.

“The days of borders – musically speaking – are gone. Our soundtrack goal is to change the way players around the world hear and experience football and introduce them to new music that will change their lives.”

The vast soundtrack is spread across both FIFA 21 and Volta Football, with each their own playlist – but players will be able to listen to these sounds while playing other modes like FIFA Ultimate Team and Career Mode.

Both the FIFA 21 and VOLTA FOOTBALL soundtracks are available today on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple and Deezer.

EA will be celebrating the launch of FIFA 21 with the first-ever FIFA World Celebration, where more than 40 global artists featured on the FIFA 21 Soundtrack will come together on their respective channels to celebrate the FIFA 21 World Premiere.

The World Celebration, taking place on October 1, will feature live performances from the likes of Dua Lipa, Diplo, and Anitta, as well as in-game giveaways and more.