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'Rainbow Six Siege' will be ready for PS5 and Xbox Series X at launch
Rainbow Six Siege will be available to play on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles as soon as they launch, Ubisoft game director Leroy Athanassof told Windows Central. On top of that, cross-generation multiplay will be supported, meaning next-gen console buyers will be able to play the game with friends that own current-generation PS4s and Xbox Ones, he added.
'Rocket League' loses online multiplayer on Linux and Mac
Psyonix has announced that it is withdrawing support for Rocket League on Linux and macOS as part of its push to update the game with "new technologies." In a statement, the company said that it was "no longer viable" to maintain support for the macOS and Linux / SteamOS versions of the title. Consequently, after a final patch in March, online functionality (one of the main reasons to play the game) will be deactivated.
Now everyone can play 'Mario Kart Tour' multiplayer
At launch, Nintendo's Mario Kart for mobile devices (iOS, Android) had a major missing piece: multiplayer. Now Mario Kart Tour has kicked off the second round of its beta test for head-to-head racing, and this time it doesn't require that players purchase a $5 Gold Pass subscription for access. Being able to race your friends instead of just AI and the clock might make its touch-based controls and various free-to-play wrinkles a bit easier to stomach, but you won't know until you try. You can race random competitors, or turn on your location to race your friends -- if they're nearby. If you've unlocked at least one cup within the game, then all you'll need to do is click the menu button and switch to multiplayer to race against live competition. The only thing to note for now is that multiplayer saves won't transfer over to the proper release once the beta ends at midnight ET next Tuesday, January 28th.
Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer won't arrive until after 2021
CD Projekt Red never intended to release Cyberpunk 2077's multiplayer mode with the main game at launch. But if you were hoping to play with your friends in the game's futuristic setting within the year or the next, then we've got bad news for you. According to Polygon, the developer's SVP of development Michał Nowakowski told investors in a call that the mode won't be coming out until after 2021. Not entirely surprising, seeing as the company has just announced that the game's release date has been pushed back to September 17th.
'Tetris 99’ gets a team battle mode
Tetris 99 is one of the best reasons to grab a Nintendo Switch Online membership. The free game pits 99 players against one another in crowded and tense matches. But the game isn't just about endurance; by clearing lines of blocks, players push their competitors' bricks closer and closer to the top line -- and the resulting KO. The title's new Team Battle Mode changes the formula by pitting four groups against each other, but adds some twists.
'Mario Kart Tour' multiplayer test is coming in December
Mario Kart Tour came to Android and iOS devices last month, but unfortunately, it shipped without without Nintendo's signature multiplayer mode. Now, the company has announced that it's launching real-time multiplayer mode into beta this December -- with one caveat.
Sony opens up PS4 cross-platform multiplayer access to all developers
The console gaming world could be about to get a lot more open. For a long time, Sony was resistant to let people play PS4 games with their friends on other platforms. It cracked open the door with a cross-play beta for Fortnite a little over a year ago, and now it's allowing all developers to make use of cross-platform capabilities.
'Cyberpunk 2077' will have multiplayer, eventually
One of next year's biggest games just got bigger. Today, CD Projekt Red (CDPR) confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077 will eventually get a multiplayer component. In a tweet, the studio said: "The plan for now is to deliver Cyberpunk 2077 in April, then follow up with DLCs (free!) and single player content, and — once we're done — invite you for some multiplayer action." CDPR had previously said the mode was "in R&D." Few thought it would materialize in the final game, though, given the single-player campaign -- like the Witcher titles before it -- is supposed to be absolutely massive.
'LEGO Star Wars Battles' is a competitive strategy game for mobile
The upcoming LEGO Star Wars Battles is a real-time competitive jam for mobile. While most LEGO games are tied to a specific platform and based on adventures, this title breaks the mold. Anyone with iOS or Android will be able to battle, in real-time, as Luke Skywalker, Rey, Darth Vader and other familiar characters.
Tencent's own battle royale game has hackable zombies
At first glance, Synced: Off-Planet looks like a battle-royale blend of Left 4 Dead, The Division and World War Z. When Tencent Next Studios debuted the game at NVIDIA's Gamescom 2019 press conference, social media lit up with comparisons to these existing franchises. Some comments wrote off the game as a cheap clone, while others were intrigued by the idea of a new, yet familiar-looking shooter. "You can argue it looks like World War Z and The Division," Next creative director Clark Jiayang Yang said the day after Synced's reveal. "But to be honest, having so many players -- we have 48 players in a round and 1,500 AI zombies in the same place. That's something that in any other games we haven't really seen before."
'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare' multiplayer beta kicks off in September
When Call of Duty: Modern Warfare launches on October 25th for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, it'll come with a handful of multiplayer modes, including classic options like Team Deathmatch, Domination and Headquarters, plus a 2v2 Gunfight option (complete with local splitscreen), Cyber Attack (the new Search and Destroy) and Ground War (battle royale, baby). Ground War supports more than 100 players in traditional team-based multiplayer matches, though it also allows smaller rounds like 20v20. The Modern Warfare open beta kicks off, exclusively for PS4 players, on September 12th. The Early Access beta runs from September 12th - 13th, while the open beta will be from September 14th - 16th, both only on PS4. Players on other platforms can jump in the following weekend. Early Access for Xbox One and PC is September 19th and 20th, and the PS4 beta will be live those days as well. The open beta for all platforms happens from September 21st - 23rd.
‘Tetris 99’ will get an offline multiplayer mode later this year
Nintendo has been slowly expanding how and where you can play Tetris 99. In February, the company released the battle royale game as an online exclusive for Switch. A few months later, Nintendo offered downloadable content, so users could play the game offline. While you could still battle against opponents, offline you were forced to duke it out against bots. Now, it looks like that's going to change. Nintendo appears to be planning an offline multiplayer mode.
Here's how multiplayer works in 'Dr. Mario World'
Nintendo is set to release its latest mobile game Dr. Mario World on July 10th, and we're starting to get a better idea of what the game will look like. Today, Nintendo dropped a trailer that reveals how the game's multiplayer mode will work. It also launched a new site with general info, like when and where you can download the game.
Snapchat made a Bitmoji tennis game to celebrate Wimbledon
It's no secret that Snapchat is a big fan of sport, and tennis is no exception. Last year it released a 3D Bitmoji Lens that let users "take on" tennis legend Serena Williams at Wimbledon, now it's launched a real-time Bitmoji multiplayer tennis game that'll let you challenge your friends right within the chat function.
Google's Area 120 made a free, drag-and-drop 3D game builder
Google's in-house incubator, Area 120, has produced things like an app that teaches coding and tools to boost literacy. Now it wants to help gamers create their own 3D games, no experience necessary. Today, it launched Game Builder, a free platform that aims to "make building a game feel like playing a game."
The end is near for 'Uncharted' and 'The Last of Us' multiplayer on PS3
After nearly 10 years of operation, Naughty Dog is pulling the plug on PS3 multiplayer servers for Uncharted 2, Uncharted 3 and The Last of Us. The developers say the decision is "bittersweet to say the least," as the games marked "defining entries" in Naughty Dog's history. But you've still got time to get your fill, as the servers will remain intact until September 3rd. And, as part of a fitting send-off, Uncharted 2, Uncharted 3 and The Last of Us will be totally free on PS3 until then -- get the bundle from the PlayStation Store.
A multiplayer 'Predator' game is coming to PS4 next year
A new take on Predator is coming to PS4. At yesterday's PlayStation State of Play, we learned that IllFonic, the studio behind Friday the 13th, is working on Predator: Hunting Grounds. Due out in 2020, the game is still in early development, but we know that it will be a competitive, online multiplayer experience. And it's being created by a team of Predator fans, loyal to the 1987 film and subsequent takes on the Predator universe.
'Borderlands 3' hands-on: More of the same, but in space
Borderlands 3 is achingly familiar. It's as if Gearbox distilled the grimy, viscous essence of Borderlands into a crisp new game highlighting the core aspects of the franchise, battle royale be damned. As most studios are focused on adding online multiplayer modes and social features galore to their games, Gearbox is going back to basics. When it comes out on September 13th, Borderlands 3 will have four-player online co-op, and it'll also support local, split-screen multiplayer for up to two people. It has more than 1 billion guns, comic-book-inspired visuals, new narrative arcs with famous in-game folks, customizable skill trees and heaps of enemies to mow down. Perhaps most importantly, every scene is dripping with crass sarcasm.
Original 'Burnout Paradise' servers shut down August 1st
All good things must come to an end, and that includes multiplayer support for the original Burnout Paradise. Emails sent to players and a tweet from Criterion confirm that the game's servers -- which have been in operation since it launched in 2008 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC -- will shut down on August 1st. There's still offline play, but getting every trophy, even using backwards compatibility, will be impossible unless you make the jump to the Remastered edition that launched last year for newer platforms.
UK investigates Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony over game service practices
Do you feel that game console giants hold you over a barrel by making you subscribe to a service to play online? You might have an ally in your corner. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority is investigating Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony to see if their online service practices violate consumer protection law. It wants to know whether their auto-renewal policies are fair, how easy it is to get a refund (or cancellation) and whether or not the terms of service grant these companies too much power.
