Minecraft - Java Edition 1.12 Update Released

Sunlight yellow, chili red, royal blue, midnight black, grass green, lilac purple, true lime, fresh salmon, hot cappuccino, pretty much all of the off-white, annoying cyan, alpha-tested magenta, that brown-greenish barf shade… the World of Color update is here! (Minecraft Java Edition 1.12, editor’s note.)

With this update we bring you a fresh take on all the colored blocks in Minecraft, using the infamous “Jonni Palette 0.2” for wool, sheep, shulker boxes, and banners, and introducing glazed terracotta, colored beds, and colored concrete. These bring you many new options to building colorful creations in your meticulously planned spawn area.

The World of Color update also introduces the recipe book and a whole new advancements system. These will help guiding your way through the adventure of Minecraft, and can be utilized by creators to make interesting custom adventure maps and mini games.

And lets not forget, parrots!

The World of Color change log,

• Added Glazed Terracotta blocks
• Renamed Hardened Clay to Terracotta
• Added Concrete Powder blocks
• Added Concrete blocks
• Updated base color palette
• Added advancements
• Added recipe book
• Added Knowledge Book item
• Added Parrots
• Added functionality to save toolbars in creative mode
• Added text-to-speech narrator
• Added new sounds for the Note blocks
• Added commands relating to recipes and advancements
• Many minor fixes and changes
• Removed Herobrine

Gears of War 4 ‘Rise of the Horde’ DLC Announced

Prepare for the biggest ever update in the history of Gears of War 4 – and all for free – with the Rise of the Horde arriving on June 6th!

15 New Skills, Level 6 Skills, 2 New Difficulty Levels, 20 New Achievements and more await. For full details, go to http://www.gearsofwar.com/rise-of-the…

Need for Speed: Payback Announced

Ghost Games™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) studio, announced Need for Speed Payback, the new action driving blockbuster from one of the world’s bestselling video game franchises, hitting stores November 10th, worldwide. This explosive adventure is filled with intense heist missions, high stakes car battles, epic cop pursuits and jaw dropping set pieces. It’s blockbuster gameplay never before seen from the series, fueled by a gripping story of betrayal and revenge. With Need for Speed Payback, it’s no longer just about being the first to cross the finish line or racing to prove to be the best, it’s about building the perfect ride, getting behind the wheel and playing out an action driving fantasy.

“Need for Speed returns this year to challenge what players expect from racing games,” said Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer. “We’re still delivering everything our fans love about the franchise – the deepest customization, an impressive roster of cars, intense races and open world pursuits – but with Need for Speed Payback, we’re bringing together all those elements in an all new blockbuster driving experience. From the story, to the different characters you can drive as, to the varied missions, to the edge-of-your-seat moments, this is our vision for what action driving entertainment means today.”

Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, players will drive as three distinct characters reunited by a quest for vengeance against The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. They will take on a variety of challenges and events as Tyler, the Racer; Mac, the Showman; and Jess, the Wheelman to earn the respect of the underground. Featuring the deepest customization from the series, players can truly craft a personalized and unique ride, or spend hours finding and tuning an abandoned derelict into a supercar. They can then push their cars to the limit and raise the stakes by betting on their own performance, where they can either multiply their winnings or risk losing it all.

Need for Speed Payback will be available worldwide on November 10^th for Xbox One, PlayStation®4, and Origin™ for PC.

Extinction Announced

Legend calls them the Ravenii, encroaching armies of bloodthirsty monsters that once threatened to destroy humankind. Now, the threat has returned. Iron Galaxy and Maximum Games are proud to announce their thrilling, fast-paced action game – Extinction.

As far back as anyone can remember, humanity has been at war with itself. For generations, kingdoms have fought amongst themselves while the real threat loomed in the distance. Only those trained in the ways of the ancient order stand a chance at defeating the 150-foot-tall ogres and the armies that trail in their wake. You are one of the world’s last Sentinels, a soldier named Avil, equipped with the skills to battle the endless waves of Ravenii.

In Extinction, you’ll fight massive ogres and their minions across a sprawling countryside, defending cities and rescuing native villagers torn from their homes. Swiftly define your strategy as hordes attack from the ground and air. Use the dynamic skill-based combat system to tactically disarm and dismember enemies before going in for the kill.

“Extinction is absolutely relentless,” said Kraig Kujawa, Game Director at Iron Galaxy. “We’re really happy with the fast, fluid feel of the game and we’re looking forward to showing it behind closed doors at E3.”

“As the protagonist tasked with a huge undertaking – both in fighting enormous ogres and saving humans from disaster – each player’s experience will be varied, as the landscapes and battle situations are never identical,” said Derek Neal, Executive Producer at Maximum Games.

Features include:

• Deep Story Campaign. Protect the human population across an abundant story campaign, rescuing as many civilians as possible and taking down brutal opponents.
• Dynamic Side Missions. Complete numerous side missions with various objectives, earning upgrades to aid you in your campaign.
• Skill-Based Combat. Travel horizontally and vertically, perform wall runs, and use your whip as a vault to perform devastating air assaults. Master dynamic combat maneuvers to effectively traverse the giant beasts and expose their weak points, progressing along different skill trees to develop a path best suited to your playstyle.
• Interactive Environment. Move freely around a fully destructible environment, and use objects throughout the world to your strategic advantage.
• Innumerable Battle Scenarios. Every battlefield is different from the last, ensuring a unique combat situation each time you play.
• Custom Battles. Create custom battlegrounds with varied objectives, and challenge players online to compete for the top score.
• Extinction Mode. Fight off a continuous horde of assailants as wave after wave of ogres and their minions attack without relent.

This is no longer a war. It’s an annihilation. And you are all that stands between humanity … and extinction.

Extinction will be available on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC in Q1 2018.

Darksiders III Announced

THQ Nordic today announced that hack-n-slash action adventure Darksiders® III is currently in development for PC, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox® One, and is slated for release in 2018.

“As promised, we have taken our time to ensure that this next Darksiders will be everything action-adventure gamers and especially Darksiders loyalists could dream of and more,” said Lars Wingefors, Co-Founder and Group CEO, THQ Nordic AB.

The company also announced that it is working with the team at Gunfire Games, which is largely comprised of the original creators of the Darksiders franchise, on development of the long and highly-anticipated project.

“The Gunfire team brings an intimate involvement with every aspect of the Darksiders franchise since its inception,” said Reinhard Pollice, Director of Business and Product Development, THQ Nordic. “There is simply no team better qualified to create Darksiders III, beginning with our unpredictable and enigmatic hero FURY – a mage who is considered the most powerful of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!”

About Darksiders III
Return to an apocalyptic planet Earth in Darksiders III, a hack-n-slash action adventure where players take on the role of FURY in her quest to hunt down and dispose of the Seven Deadly Sins. The Charred Council calls upon Fury to battle from the heights of heaven down through the depths of hell in a quest to restore humanity and prove that she is the most powerful of the Horsemen. As a mage, FURY relies on her whip and magic to restore the balance between good and evil. The expansive, Darksiders III game world is presented as an open-ended, living, free-form planet Earth that is dilapidated by war and decay, and overrun by nature. FURY will move back and forth between environments to uncover secrets while advancing the Darksiders III story.

IGN FIRST trailer HERE

Gears of War 4 - May Update Trailer and Details

The May content update arrives tomorrow, May 2, packed full of surprises for Gears of War 4 fans! Strap in as we unveil a new original map created by The Coalition, celebrate the return of a fan-favorite map from Gears of War 2 and see a beloved hero brought back from the dead to join the multiplayer ranks.

Maps
This month brings a brand-new map designed by The Coalition in Dawn, along with our first returning map from Gears of War 2 – Security!

Dawn
Set in a stunning Outsider village built around an abandoned mining colony, Dawn is a map defined by two defensive structures – the high ground of the bar, and the entrenched mine on the low side. Prepare for a new kind of fight centered around the vital Dropshot spawn, as it’s surrounded by both high and low flanks and features a risk-it-all one-way vault to secure the weapon.

This map combines tight corridors of combat with open spaces – learn to use the right weapon for the right situations on this map and you’ll truly become a master of Dawn.

Security
Fans have been asking us since the launch of Gears of War 4 to bring back some of the classic maps from Gears of War 2, and we’re incredibly excited to answer your cries with Security! We’ve worked extensively to bring this map up to modern graphical and gameplay standards, with improvements that incorporate Gears 4’s close-cover combat, Horde and proper support for respawn-based modes like TDM.

This new reimagined setting for Security takes you to a fight over a glorious decadent COG depository, with stacks of gold bars providing makeshift cover throughout the map. Defensive lasers bar access to key parts of the map, so prepare for a tough fight for the button that disables the lasers to give your team control over the flow of combat.

For Gears of War 4, we’ve made a major change to how the lasers work. In King of the Hill and one of the key central rings on Escalation, the security lasers will only block the side entrances to the top sandbags to focus on opening flanks rather than blocking off entire areas. In addition, the lasers are activated in Horde when pressing the button (rather than disabled), offering a short defensive window that kills enemies as they try to run through it. Time your press just right to decimate groups of enemies getting too close to your base!

Multi-GPU Support Arrives on Windows 10
We are excited to announce that Multi-GPU support arrives with the May Update for our Windows 10 players! Our Windows 10 team have been hard at work implementing support for users who use multiple graphics card setups, and now fans can take full advantage of their setup to really push the stunning visuals of Gears of War 4.

Looking Forward
As always, there’s plenty more for Gears fans to play for this month!

Back in Gears of War 2, the plucky Benjamin Carmine met his horrible end inside the Riftworm. This month, you’ll be able to find Benjamin Carmine back from the dead in one of our May Gear Packs as Zombie Ben Carmine – complete with his missing lower torso innards.

Our monthly Versus and Horde events also continue in May with a brand-new Horde variant and the return of Gnashers Only King of the Hill for Versus fans. Head on over to our Gears of War Community Hub for full dates and information.

And for you Locust collectors out there, start saving your Scrap – the Locust Grenadier Elite will be our Craftable Character for this month!

Forza Horizon 3 ‘Hot Wheels’ Expansion Announced

Forza fans, your Hot Wheels fantasies are about to come true! The second Forza Horizon 3 expansion – Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels – arrives on May 9 exclusively on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs (Xbox Play Anywhere), and is included in the Forza Horizon 3 Expansion Pass. This expansion lets players travel to a brand-new location in Australia, a place where lazy Sunday drives are replaced by insane high-speed stunts on miles of looping, banking, giant iconic orange Hot Wheels tracks. Starring famous Hot Wheels vehicles like the Twin Mill, the Rip Rod, and the Bone Shaker, Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels promises an automotive adventure unlike anything in Forza history.

Tune in on May 8 for our special world debut livestream of the Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels experience, live from Hot Wheels’ headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. The show kicks off at 1 p.m. PDT and we’ll be showing off an exclusive live look at this new expansion as well as behind-the-scenes fun, special guests, and more! Don’t miss it: www.beam.pro/ForzaMotorsport

Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels takes players to six new themed islands located off the coast of Australia; all connected by a network of Hot Wheels tracks – positioned hundreds of feet in the air – featuring classic Hot Wheels configurations like loops, corkscrews, and more. This is stunt driving at its most extreme, where you can master tracks by performing brand new Hot Wheels skills that make use of boost pads, high-bank turns, half-pipes, insane jumps, and even giant mechanical dinosaurs. If you’re looking to get creative, check out the new Stunt Swap feature to modify stunt track sections and dare your friends to try them.

Explore the world of Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels in an all-new campaign, completing events on your way towards the ultimate stunt-driving test, an epic Grand Finale taking place on the massive new Hot Wheels Goliath circuit. Hook up with your buddies and compete in online multiplayer racing on Hot Wheels tracks, or find out whose skills reign supreme in a brand-new Playground Arena. Along the way you’ll earn 28 new Xbox Live achievements worth 500 Gamerscore.

Get ready to explore the world of Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels in ten new cars, including several Hot Wheels’ world-famous vehicles, as well as a brand-new Barn Find just waiting to be discovered and restored. Here’s a closer look at the cars:

1969 Hot Wheels Twin Mill
When it comes to Hot Wheels, there is nothing more iconic that the over-the-top Twin Mill. Designed by Ira Gilford, who quit his job at Chrysler to design cars for Mattel, the Twin Mill is a prime example of the kind of outlandish concepts that make Hot Wheels such a success story. A life-size, drivable replica was built in part by legendary hot rod designer Boyd Coddington with then upcoming car icon Chip Foose in charge of the build. It was finished by Barry Lobeck years later and debuted at SEMA in 2001. What the Twin Mill lacks in visibility from its detailed cabin, it makes up for in horsepower. Dual-blown Chevy 502 big blocks blast around 1,400 horses, making it one of the most powerful cars in Forza history.

2011 Hot Wheels Bone Shaker
Designed by “Mr. Hot Wheels” designer Larry Wood, the Bone Shaker is one of a handful of Hot Wheels deemed popular enough to warrant the creation of a real-life version. Built in 2011 by Picture Car Warehouse, the Bone Shaker carries all the details of the original 1:64 scale model. The trademark skull face with hands gripping the headlights make it clear that this is no run-of-the-mill rat rod. The small-block Chevy motor with headers and straight pipes was built to intimidate in both sound and performance. To show off the interior details and stay true to the original form, the top is open — although closed-top die-cast versions were also made. Inside, creepy details like the skull-topped spine shifter and the skull-and-crossbones steering wheel pair perfectly with the awesome flame-job on the outside.

2012 Hot Wheels Rip Rod
Is it a buggy? It is a hot rod? It doesn’t matter what you call the Rip Rod because this diminutive Hot Wheels ride is ready to shake things up on any surface. This beast is equipped with a souped-up two-cylinder motor that makes better than 100 hp. While that might not seem like much, in this rod, it is more than enough to thrill (or spill depending on your skills behind the wheel). One look at the suspension tells you this tricked-out custom is ready for any terrain. This is a super lightweight tube chassis pro-built machine and it’s all Hot Wheels. In short, the Rip Rod really rips.

2005 Hot Wheels Ford Mustang
To celebrate 50 years of the iconic Ford pony car, Hot Wheels and specialty-builder Action Vehicle Engineering started with a 2005 Mustang and created this beautiful custom model. Featuring huge fender flares, the car’s oil-cooler lines are routed through the empty grill, and its dramatic (and adjustable) spoiler and rear diffuser all contribute to the look. The wheels are one-of-a-kind, built specially for this car. The purple and orange paint colors and carbon-fiber accents make this Mustang pop that much more. Ready for drifting duty or fit for tracking, this one-off build is as collectible as the 1:64 version it inspired.

2016 Jeep Trailcat
What do you get when you cross a lifted Jeep Wrangler shod in 40-inch rock-crawling tires and a Hellcat 707 hp engine? While the answer is quite obviously the 2016 Jeep Trailcat, you may wonder why Chrysler has mixed some of their most hallowed DNA. In fact, the Trailcat was built to attend the 2017 50th running of the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. In line with the design of the rock-crawling menaces found in King of the Hammers competition, the Trailcat was designed to clamber over anything in its path and sprint across open ground with wicked abandon. Since you won’t find this factory-built specialty for sale and, unless you are buddies with the Chrysler design team, Forza is the only place you will have a chance to get behind this wheel.

2016 Zenvo ST1
When you only produce about one car per year and the interior alone can take up to 8,000 hours – that’s 333 days – it’s ok to expect perfection. Zenvo, Denmark’s super car maker, does just that with an attention to detail you should also expect for a car that costs more than $1.5 million. Power and performance are on par with exotic supercar status with bespoke material throughout. In the nitty-gritty department, there is massive 6.8-liter V8 with a turbo and supercharger. That will get you to 60 mph in less than three-seconds and a top speed over 230 mph. Let the looks grab your eye, take it all in, then get behind the wheel to experience something truly special.

2007 Toyota Hilux Arctic Trucks AT38
Unless you are part of a scientific expedition or you decide to sign up for the Artic Trucks experience in Iceland, getting behind the wheel of this specially-fitted Toyota 4×4 in Forza is your sole opportunity to experience its otherworldly capability. Artic Trucks has been fitting out vehicles for the rigors of Icelandic driving since 1990. The AT38 model has been fitted with features such as oversize tires that are ready to tackle any terrain and an articulating suspension that has taken these vehicles as far as the North and South Poles. No matter where you point it, expect the AT38 to conquer any surface with authority.

2010 Pagani Zonda R
The Zonda R is a bit of a puzzle. It’s essentially a racecar, and yet it’s not properly sanctioned for any particular racing series. At the same time, it’s not legal to drive on the road, particularly due to its deafening F1-inspired exhaust system. Furthermore, it shares only ten percent of its components with other Zondas with a bespoke bare carbon fiber body, a different AMG-sourced V12 engine pulled from the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR racecar, and a gearbox sourced often found in LMP cars. It’s probably best not to try to classify the Zonda R, and just simply to drive it, because doing so is an experience as unique as the car itself. From the straight-cut gear whine to the manic howl of the 740-horsepower engine, it makes all the right noises. With the huge rear wing and fully optimized aero package, the 2,500-lb. car can easily reach 100 mph in less than six seconds on its way well past 200 mph.

1972 Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E49
When Australian Minister of Transport Milton Morris called the E49 and its competition “bullets on wheels,” it was the death knell for the muscle cars from down under. Fortunately, the VH Valiant Charger in the E49 configuration was already out and all 149 of them sold like hot cakes. With its mighty 265-cubic-inch slant-six with a racy cam and four-speed, the E49 set a production vehicle acceleration record that would stand for 27 years. Speed and rarity aside, the VH Valiant Charger represents the only car designed completely by Chrysler Australia.

In addition to the new Hot Wheels expansion, on May 9 we will be releasing an update for Forza Horizon 3 which includes some significant improvements for Windows 10 players. These changes include improved new support for numerous popular driving wheels, improved CPU performance, additional graphical options, and more. Look for the full list of all the improvements coming with the latest update on the day of release.

Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels arrives on May 9 on Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. It is available now as part of the Forza Horizon 3 Expansion Pass or as a standalone purchase for $19.99.

Call of Duty: WWII Announced

Over two years in the making, Sledgehammer Games delivers a gritty, personal experience in the setting of the largest worldwide conflict in history to a new gaming generation in Call of Duty®: WWII. Play through the story of ordinary men turned soldiers in the 1st Infantry Division as they fight to preserve freedom in the face of tyranny. Call of Duty: WWII delivers fast-paced, boots-on-ground combat through iconic locations in the European Theater.

THE DEFINITIVE WORLD WAR II CAMPAIGN
Experience the story of the unbreakable brotherhood of common men fighting to preserve freedom in a world on the brink of tyranny.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND MULTIPLAYER
Call of Duty: WWII Multiplayer engages players in grounded, fast-paced combat across many of World War II’s most iconic locations. Players will also enjoy exciting new ways to interact and socialize with their friends and the Call of Duty community.

HIGH-OCTANE CO-OPERATIVE
Call of Duty: WWII’s co-operative mode unleashes a new and original story. Play with your friends in this next-level standalone game experience full of unexpected, adrenaline-pumping moments.

Prey - ‘Neuromod Research Division’ Trailer

Never mind the improvements to the Neural Modifier (or “Neuromod” for short) – including “smaller insertion points” on the rapid release needles that you literally jab into your eye. The real innovation is what this device can actually do: alter your neural circuitry in very potent ways. This isn’t just about enhancing your human abilities – like boosting you strength, speed, hacking skills and more – but also acquiring unique abilities that have been learned from the hostile Typhon aliens aboard Talos I.

Prey will be available on May 5, 2017, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Destiny 2 - ‘Rally the Troops’ Worldwide Reveal Trailer

Bungie and Activision have announced Destiny 2, the sequel to the internationally acclaimed Destiny, a first-person action game that takes the player on an epic journey to defend humanity from annihilation. The official Destiny 2 reveal trailer, “Rally the Troops,” debuted a character-driven glimpse at Destiny 2’s story today. Additionally, the first hands-on gameplay reveal livestream will be broadcast around the world on 18th May 2017. The broadcast will showcase a variety of fun, action-oriented activities within Destiny 2 and will highlight the brand-new, epic adventure waiting for players. With a fresh start for all players right from the opening cinematic, Destiny 2 will expand across the globe with a worldwide release on 8th September 2017. Destiny 2 will be available on PlayStation®4 systems with additional timed exclusive content*, Xbox One (PlayStation®Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription, respectively, required for significant features), and for the first time in Destiny’s history, a new platform to enjoy this universe will be offered – Destiny 2 is coming to PC!

“Destiny was the biggest launch of a new console video game franchise ever. Along with our incredibly talented partners at Bungie, we are focusing on making Destiny 2 even better, with state of the art first person action, an awesome new story, great characters, and thoughtful innovations that make the game more accessible to all different kinds of players,” said Activision CEO, Eric Hirshberg. “We’re also bringing Destiny 2 to the PC platform for the first time. Destiny 2 will make an already great game franchise better than ever.”

Bungie CEO, Pete Parsons, said, “The past three years have been incredibly inspiring and rewarding for Bungie. To know that millions of players around the world have forged lasting Destiny memories and even made it their hobby is truly humbling and we can’t wait to continue the journey.” He added, “We are looking forward to sharing a fresh, inviting story, and with the upcoming Destiny 2 Beta slated for this summer, we are eager to get feedback from millions of players around the world who will get a glimpse of the new adventures that will unfold for all of us. Together, with our partners at Activision, we are thrilled to get Destiny 2 in the hands of players in September.”

In Destiny 2, the last safe city on Earth has fallen and lays in ruins, occupied by a powerful new enemy and his elite army, the Red Legion. Every player creates their own character called a “Guardian,” humanity’s chosen protectors. As a Guardian in Destiny 2, players must master new abilities and weapons to reunite the city’s forces, stand together and fight back to reclaim their home. The official Destiny 2 reveal trailer, “Rally the Troops,” shows two of the Vanguard, leaders of the Guardians, inspiring the people of the last city in an impassioned (and occasionally sarcastic) call to arms. In Destiny 2 players will answer this call, embarking on a fresh story filled with new destinations around our solar system to explore, and an expansive amount of activities to discover. There is something for almost every type of gamer in Destiny 2, including gameplay for solo, cooperative and competitive players set within a vast, evolving and exciting universe.

Destiny 2 is not yet rated by PEGI. The product line-up will also feature the Destiny 2 – Game + Expansion Pass Bundle, the Destiny 2 – Digital Deluxe Edition featuring premium digital content, the Limited Edition and the Collector’s Edition, featuring a fully-wearable Destiny 2 Frontier Bag, Expansion Pass, premium digital content and a Cabal-themed Collector’s Box.