Sands of Salzaar, a Chinese online RPG, was an immediate hit when it launched on Steam in January. In fact, the game sold around 50,000 copies during its first week. During that time, English speakers would have a hard time playing the game as it was only available in Simplified Chinese. However, having it translated to English was a top priority for the developers.
Now, Han-Squirrel Studio and XD Network have confirmed that Steam Early Access will introduce an English-release this September 22, 2020. This will finally make the game fully accessible for those English speakers who have been dying to try out this fantastic open-world RPG.
This upcoming English release will include new story content as well as 30 new quests. Along with that, the game with its 500,000-word script will be fully translated to English, so you definitely won’t miss anything.
The Steam Workshop will also support mods for Sands of Salzaar, which means new characters, custom maps, and more will be made available once the English edition is launched.
The game is set following the fall of the Old Empire, which means that rival the factions are trying to take hold of people. Sands of Salzaar is an epic open-world sandbox game, where you get to make allies and enemies as well as participate in all kinds of fighting – from small-scale brawls to all-out war.
For now, XD Network is running a closed beta test for the English version of the game.
Honestly, Sands of Salzaar looks very promising and we’re more than excited for the English release so that we can try it out ourselves. If you want a more hands-on experience, you can join the Discord server so that you can participate.
In a recent announcement, Psyonix recently confirmed that Rocket League will be free-to-play starting this summer and you don’t need an online membership on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
A patch will be made available to Rocket League sometime in September, and the update that will make the game free-to-play will follow suit after. There’s no exact date as to when the free-to-play update will launch, but it has been made clear that those who play on the Switch and PS4 won’t need an online membership.
Among other adjustments include a brand-new difficulty for the bots, some changes to Rocket ID friends as well as Quick Chats. Heatseeker will also be available in private matches.
In addition, Psyonix will be merging together multiple offerings i.e. Competitive Seasons, Rocket Pass, and Competitive Tournaments into one Season. This will still follow the same schedule as the other offerings and will start once the game becomes free-to-play.
Just like how battle passes work in games like Fortnite or Apex Legends, once a Rocket League season is over, this means that the season’s Competitive Season and Rocket Pass will also end along with it. This will make the game’s content easier to take note of.
Not only that, but new ranks will also be added. Currently, the highest rank you can get is ‘Grand Champion,’ which will be split into three: Grand Champion 1, Grand Champion 2, and Grand Champion 3.
“Current Grand Champions will likely be placed in Grand Champion 1 (depending on placement matches). Then begins the journey to the new highest competitive rank: Supersonic Legend.”
That being said, you will be required to reach at least Level 10 so that you can take part in the Ranked Playlists once the free-to-play update goes live. Of course, once it’s free, more new gamers are expected to play Rocket League.
As such, Psyonix will be adding a new tutorial experience in order for the new players to get used to the mechanics. Asides from that, a feature called New Driver Challenges will be included, which is where you can unlock items that are a part of the base game.
Psyonix has already provided a detailed explanation of how Rocket League’s cross-platform progression will work. That is to say that in order for you to transfer your game’s data, you will need an Epic Games account first.
While you wait, you can also add the game to your wishlist via the Epic Games Store.
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is the latest 3D variation of the Plants vs. Zombies franchise. It is such a world-renowned franchise, with both kids and adults playing an iteration of it even up until today.
Electronic Arts has a few things planned for the month of September, such as a harvest-themed Fall Festival event. This month will also bring the final update for Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville.
According to the announcement on the EA website, two new characters will be added to Battle for Neighborville: Wildflower and TV Head Zombie. You could get these characters before during the exclusive weekly events in August, but you can get them with Coins later within the month.
In addition to that, you have the option to use Prize Bulbs in the Fall Festival map to get awesome cosmetics such as victory slabs, epic hats, as well as costumes for Imp, Chomper, and Z-Mech.
Changes have also been made to the Ranked Battle Arena. For the month of September, this will return to unranked and will move away from seasons. “We’ve heard player feedback and want to make sure that Battle Arena is fun for the entire community. We think this will make the experience better for everyone,” EA explains.
The good news is that going forward, Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville will start alternating the previous Festivals as well as their Prize Maps. This means that you will be able to get the items that you weren’t able to before.
That’s not all! The game will remember where you left off so that you don’t have repeat yourself.
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is the third spin-off in the PvZ franchise, following Garden Warfare and Garden Warfare 2. Released in 2019, you can play Battle for Neighborville on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Funselektor Labs Inc., an indie game developer and publisher, has announced only today that their new racing game will be released this on September 23, 2020 for the PC via Steam.
Art of Rally is a vibrant and stylized racing experience like no other. It will feature a single-player campaign as well as a Career mode, which will have over 60 stages. An online leaderboard will also be made available once it’s launched.
The world in Art of Rally is soothing and beautiful, as well, with the environments being inspired by actual countries like Japan, Germany, Norway, and more. You get to choose from a wide variety of cars, over 50 options actually.
Plus, the iconic rally cars you get to browse are vintage beauties from the ’60s to the ’80s. It won’t matter whether or not you’re a beginner or a seasoned player of racing games, Art of Rally provides ease that’s convenient for all.
You get the option to finetune your options to make sure that you’re playing the game to the best of your abilities. For instance, you can tweak the stability, countersteer, or choose between automatic or manual transmission.
Art of Rally also provides daily and weekly challenges in order to spice up your gaming experience. If you think you can get your name to the very top, this leaderboard will be great for you.
Last but not least, the game will feature a Photo and Video Replay mode. For this, you will be able to share your beautiful action shots with the world.
Finselektor is responsible for the game Absolute Drift, which received a 78% rating on Metacritic. As such, we’re beyond excited to try out Art of Rally, especially after seeing just how calming and beautiful the art style and environment are.
As mentioned, Art of Rally will launch this September, but you can add it to your wishlist now on Steam.
A new month can only mean one thing for Animal Crossing New Horizons fans – new bugs are coming this September! Now that the month is officially here, more bugs are creeping inside Animal Crossing islands.
However, most of the bugs for this month are returning critters from earlier in the year. This is great news for new and old players who have missed a couple of bugs since they started. It’s the best time to complete their Critterpedias with old and new Animal Crossing bugs.
Crickets will start appearing inside Animal Crossing New Horizons islands from 5 PM to 8 AM.
Bell Cricket
Bell Crickets also appear on the ground similar to the Cricket. They can be seen all over the island from 5 PM to 8 AM.
Bugs on trees
Violin Beetle
The Violin Beetle can be caught all day. They usually appear on tree stumps, so leave a few cut down trees to be able to spawn them.
Critters hiding on rocks
Pillbug
Pillbugs make their return to Animal Crossing New Horizons. Players can find them by hitting rocks with their shovels. Players must make sure to catch them quickly since they can fly off after revealing themselves. They are available every day from 11 PM to 4 PM.
Centipede
Centipedes spawn from 4 PM to 11 PM. Similar to the Pillbug, these bugs can be found hiding under rocks so players must make sure to hit or destroy one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij-egHbJzw4
Bugs flying around
Common Butterfly
These critters are commonly seen flying around the island where there are flowers. They can be caught between 4 AM to 7 PM every day.
Yellow Butterfly
These bugs are hard to miss. They spawn from 4 AM to 7 PM daily.
Monarch Butterfly
This rare butterfly spawns from 4 AM to 5 AM. They can be easily spotted since they stand out from normal butterflies.
Red Dragonfly
Red Dragonflies are available in the game from 8 AM to 7 PM. They are easy to spot since they have a red body but are difficult to catch because of their quick movement.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare players are given the ability to choose from various kinds of loadouts. They have the ability to thoroughly customize their guns and put attachments that improve them as well as equip new skins that aid in showing their status to fellow players. One of the best methods to bring you’re A-game to the game is through obtaining new operators such as the new Call of Duty Modern Warfare Morte Operator.
By slowly filling out the battle pass, players will earn access to new types of operators they can use in the game. With the new update released, players now have the chance to obtain the new Call of Duty Modern Warfare Morte Operator. There is one problem though; players won’t be able to get the new operator just by leveling the battle pass. Here is a comprehensive guide on how players can get the new Call of Duty Modern Warfare Morte Operator:
How to get the new Call of Duty Modern Warfare Morte Operator
Since the new skin isn’t obtainable through the current battle pass, players will have to shed a few dollars in order to get their hands on the new operator.
The Call of Duty Modern Warfare Morte Operator Bundle can be located in the in-game shop and players will have to chance to purchase it anytime they want. The Bundle costs 2,400 COD points which contain the Morte Operator, a few limited skins, and weapon blueprints.
What’s inside the bundle?
Players will also obtain Morte’s Concilliare skill which enables them to use the skin in both Modern Warfare and Warzone. The Bundle also contains the new Tombstone weapon blueprint for the M4A1 and the Saguaro weapon blueprint for the MK2 carbine. Both weapons will have the Dismemberment effect which allows players to dismember their opponents after being shot.
The guns will also come with special tracer rounds that alternate between the Italian flag’s three colors. Players using the Morte operator will also gain access to finishing moves, a charm, spray, and a calling card. Finally, players will also get the Chisolm Knife and an exclusive vehicle horn after purchasing the Call of Duty Modern Warfare Morte Operator Bundle.
After purchasing, players must download the bundle into their consoles. Downloading it will allow them to use all of the above-mentioned content in both Modern Warfare and Warzone. Morte can also be chosen as the operator at will.
Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 4 is currently ongoing and another weekly task has been released. The Fortnite Awakening Challenge demands players to locate Jennifer Walter’s office and destroy her vase.
Upon unlocking the season’s new Battle Pass, the first players can unlock Thor’s new skin. Upon reaching Level 22, players will receive Jennifer Walter’s skin, who is She-Hulk’s alter ego. To complete the Fortnite Awakening Challenge, players must have already unlocked Jennifer Walters’ skin and must wear it at all times, or else all efforts are useless.
Much like the Thor skin, players can unlock a built-in Jennifer Walters emote which allows them to transform into the She-Hulk. Here is everything you need to know to complete the Fortnite Awakening Challenge:
Fortnite Awakening Challenge: Find Jennifer Walter’s office
Players must take note that they must have the Jennifer Walters skin equipped before attempting to start the quest. The office is located to the West of Retail Row. Players should head inside the building and run around for a bit to register the challenge as complete.
After completing the quest, players can now head to Doom’s Domain and defeat a couple of Doctor Doom’s henchmen. Players will also have the chance to unlock the Jennifer Walters skin silver foil in here too.
Fortnite Awakening Challenge: Smash the vase
The final part of this weekly challenge is to Hulk Smash a vase and then using the built-in emote while wearing the Jennifer Walters skin. Players need to locate a huge vase standing in Cape Cod and smash it. After smashing the vase and using the emote, players will unlock the Gamma Overload emote which lets players transform into She-Hulk anytime they want.
Players who missed the first weekly challenge can check the Wolverine challenges here.
Starting today, September 1, 2020, Nintendo eShop users can now cancel any pre-ordered game made on the digital store as long as it is seven days before the game’s scheduled release date. Cancellations can be made through the Nintendo eShop Menu located in the Nintendo Account settings on the Switch.
With the new update, payment will be subtracted a week before the game’s scheduled release date rather than at the time of purchase. However, pre-orders which are made seven days before a release will have no cancellations and payments will be processed instantly.
Microsoft and Sony have allowed their users to cancel pre-orders if they change their minds before the game is released but Nintendo previously did not allow this to happen, both for US and European users. In contrast, both Microsoft and Nintendo gave users the chance to request digital refunds even after a game has been released. However, refunds will only be granted depending on the individual’s circumstances.
Last year, Nintendo was charged by Norwegian and German consumer rights authorities over this issue. The group claimed that restricting pre-order cancellations violates European Law. However, the court later ruled out that Nintendo Europe was not obliged to refund to their consumers who wanted to cancel their online pre-orders.
Back then, users who pre-ordered a game in the Nintendo eShop were obliged to agree to a non-playable edition of the game is pre-loaded on their Nintendo Switch. The Japanese gaming company favorably argued that the download defined the fulfillment of its contract rather than when a product was playable. The court’s decision was immediately appealed but based on the law it could take almost two years before the case reaches a decision again.
In related news, Sony’s PlayStation also announced a new refund policy for its PlayStation Store last year. This gave their users at least 14 days to cancel their PlayStation 4 digital purchases. This new policy covers pre-ordered games, released DLCs, and games that their players haven’t streamed or downloaded yet.
After the policy change was implemented on the PlayStation 4, UK’s Competitions and Markets Authority started an investigation to find out if Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo eShop’s online gaming policies are violating consumer protection laws.
Telecom giant Huawei and Boosteroid – a European cloud gaming service provider – have revealed that they are strengthening their partnership through a newly signed memorandum between the two companies.
Based on the agreement signed yesterday, September 1, 2020, Boosteroid will now have the ability to broaden the reach of its service to various locations as well as improve the quality of their cloud gaming services thanks to its partnership with Huawei.
Both companies also agreed that they will cooperate with each other to assist in the progress of Boosteroid’s cloud gaming services in the long run. Since 2017, both companies have been in partnership with each other in innovating new technical opportunities which have opened the doors for the faster distribution of their services in hard to reach regions.
Boosteroid’s CEO, Ivan Shvaichenko, revealed that he was more than happy that their partnership with Huawei has reached new heights:
“Currently, the situation on the market is the one when there are no platforms providing the service at a good level and keeping the price/quality balance at the same time. It is a balm for the soul to know that Boosteroid is in the top three cloud gaming companies in Europe. Our users who already enjoy high-quality gaming thanks to the wide net of Boosteroid servers will continue using this great service in the future. Gamers from other regions striving to use Boosteroid will experience better quality gaming/service in the nearest time. These steps will help increase the number of active users worldwide.”
Shvaichenko also added their company’s success was because of its technological and strategic partnership with Huawei. He also revealed that they have been in constant communication with each other and are sharing IT practices to aid in providing advanced cloud gaming solutions.
Thanks to their partnership with Huawei, Boosteroid gained millions of users from Central and East Europe in just a short period of time. Their partnership with Huawei also gave them a huge advantage from their rival cloud gaming providers such as Project xCloud, Google Stadia, Vortex, and GeForce NOW.
The companies’ cooperation with each other through the signed memorandum is considered to be the solution to Boosteroid’s scaling challenge. The company’s head office is strategically located in Kyiv which makes it easier for them to work with Huawei’s Ukraine branch. This memorandum appears to be more critical now that the world is facing the coronavirus pandemic.
ESports is now the fast-growing segment in online sports betting. Industry observers estimate that the betting market will grow to more than $1.5 billion in 2023. When it comes to the total value of wagers, this industry registered $8 billion in bets in 2018 and it’s estimated that this amount can reach up to $16 billion yearly in the next few years. The trends are looking good for the eSports betting industry and this extends to countries where betting is allowed like India.
In India, there are several factors that help boost its popularity. One of these is the growing number of exciting and competitive eSports games to bet on. Sports fans no longer enjoy these games for friendly competition; amateur and professional tournaments are now hosted year-round that allow real money bets. To fully understand the popularity and growth of eSports betting in India, it’s important to learn more about the popular games that capture the attention and interest of players.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
The most popular eSports in the world is also the market leader in India. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a first-person shooting game that has dominated the industry for years. Introduced in 2000, this asymmetrical shooter game has proven its durability even in the face of competition from emerging eSports games. This game rests on an exciting premise- there are two separate teams, and players choose whether to play as ‘Terrorists’ or ‘Counter-Terrorists’. There are different rounds played in the game, and each side is assigned a set of weapons, strategies, and conditions. There’s a Bomb Defusal mode that’s highly competitive and appeals to players looking for more action. Since players can choose a side and weapons can be customized, Counter-Strike provides punters with an exciting set of betting opportunities.
Dota 2
Although not as popular compared to Counter: Strike, Dota 2 or the Defense of the Ancients still commands a sizeable following in India. Again, this game comes with two teams composed of five players with the ultimate objective of destroying a structure called ‘Ancient’. First released in 2013, Dota instantly became popular thanks to its gameplay and the use of iconic heroes that players use and train. Aside from the exciting gameplay and more than 100 heroes to choose from, Dota 2 is popular among punters and eSports players thanks to several lucrative tournaments. The most popular Dota 2 tournament is the Dota 2 International that boasts massive prize pools, often exceeding $30 million! With many Indian eSports players participating in these tournaments, you can expect that this game will continue to gain ground in the Indian online betting market.
Fortnite
If battle royale rocks your boat, then Fortnite should be on your list. This is another popular game among Indian eSports fans and offers exciting betting possibilities. There are three distinct game mode versions that you can play with the Fortnite Battle Royale as the most exciting option for many. Just like in other games, this game mode allows you to compete with 99 other players to become the last man standing.
Also, Epic Games released the Fortnite Creative where participants can create battle arenas and worlds where they can play and compete. Just like Counter-Strike and Dota 2, Fortnite is also played in different tournaments. The most recent addition to the growing number of tournaments is the Fortnite World Cup where a 16-year old player took home $3 million in cash!
Call of Duty
This is an emerging game that’s also gaining popularity in India. Although it cannot compete just yet with Counter-Strike, this game is making its presence felt. The nice thing about Call of Duty is that players are given options on how to play and participate. It comes with a Multiplayer and Ranked Match modes and there are season passes too that can help players participate in different types of matches using a variety of weapons.
Just like Fortnite, Call of Duty also features the Battle Royale. In this game mode, players can participate individually, with a partner, and as part of a four-man team. Again, the objective in Battle Royale is to become the last man or team standing.
These are some of the leading eSports games that are popular among Indian eSports players and punters. The games are now played on different platforms, and there are several tournaments in place that showcase these games. With an increasing number of games introduced in the market and with lucrative prize pools in tournaments, we can expect a brighter future for eSports betting in India.
