Game Empress

Author: Christopher

  • Victory Turns Volatile: Helldivers 2 Must Destroy Their Anti-Bug Masterpiece

    Victory Turns Volatile: Helldivers 2 Must Destroy Their Anti-Bug Masterpiece

    Surprise! In a big twist, players of Helldivers 2 are now being asked to destroy something they helped create not long ago. About seven weeks back, players were given a mission to switch on the Terminid Control System.

    Helldivers 2 Player Unlocks Game-Changing Stratagem Trick
    Helldivers 2 Player Unlocks Game-Changing Stratagem Trick

    The plan was to lock up the pesky bugs forever. It worked out fine, kinda. But now, as many players guessed, things have taken a turn.

    A new mission in Helldivers 2, starting on April 29th, wants players to wreck the Terminid Control System. The game says bugs are causing trouble on some planets despite efforts to get rid of them.

    Players must go to Erata Prime, Fenrir 3, and Turing to smash the Control System on all three planets. They’ll earn 50 Medals for each. Plus, there are new missions on these planets, a bonus from the game developers. It softens the blow of undoing their earlier work.

    Just before this new mission, players completed another task. They got a fancy weapon called the Airburst Rocket Launcher.

    But it came with a sad twist. An entire planet got messed up to unlock this weapon. To make up for it, the government sent “potato baskets” to the families of those affected.

  • Will Helldivers 2’s Stratagem Gamble Pay Off? Arrowhead Makes a Bold Move

    Will Helldivers 2’s Stratagem Gamble Pay Off? Arrowhead Makes a Bold Move

    Arrowhead Studios thinks having to choose between Helldivers 2 stratagems is exciting for the game. In the co-op shooter, players have to make tough decisions about which rewards to unlock.

    Right now, the game’s major order tasks players with freeing two planets, Choohe and Penta, by a certain date. Each planet offers a different stratagem: the MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines and the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher. But players can only get one stratagem from the planet they free first.

    Helldivers 2 Players Spot Warbond Armor
    Helldivers 2 Players Spot Warbond Armor

    Some players worry that this could lead to toxic behavior among players who want different rewards. But the community manager, Thomas ‘Twinbeard’ Petersson, doesn’t think so. He believes players will find it exciting to have to choose. However, if toxicity does arise, they’ll learn from it and make changes.

    This choice is part of the game’s evolving narrative, and while some players may be disappointed if they don’t get the reward they want, it’s what makes the game special. Helldivers 2 isn’t just about winning all the time; it’s about the struggle and the losses that make victory feel even sweeter.

    Both the mines and rocket launcher will be useful in the game, and Arrowhead Studios might introduce the other reward later on. So, even if players miss out on one for now, they might get another chance in the future.

  • Grand Theft Auto on a Budget: Will GTA 6 Cost More Than GTA 5?

    Grand Theft Auto on a Budget: Will GTA 6 Cost More Than GTA 5?

    GTA 6 is one of the most anticipated games in the action-adventure genre. People are curious about how much it will cost for PS5 and Xbox X/S consoles.

    Did you know that GTA 5 made over $815 million in sales within 24 hours of its release? In just 3 days, it reached $1 billion in sales. So, it’s expected that GTA 6 will do even better when it officially releases on PS5 and Xbox X/S.

    Rockstar Games said that GTA 6 will take place in the state of Leonida, featuring Vice City and more. This shows how much effort and money they’ve put into making it a top-notch open-world game.

    Some rumors say GTA 6 could cost $150, which is quite high. But leaks suggest that it’s being made with a budget of $1 billion to $2 billion, making it one of the most expensive games ever. It’s expected to come out worldwide in the first quarter of 2025.

    However, there are other rumors saying that GTA 6 might cost $70, which is the new standard price for AAA games according to the CEO of Rockstar’s publisher. Other AAA games like NBA 2K24 have been priced at $70, but it’s hard to predict GTA 6’s price for sure.

    Considering its high-quality graphics and immersive gameplay, GTA 6 could be priced between $70 to $80 for the Standard Edition. The Deluxe Edition might cost $90 to $100, and a Collector’s Edition could go up to $150 to $200.

    Given the huge budget for GTA 6, it’s likely to be more expensive than previous GTA games like GTA 5, which was priced at $59.99.

    Pre-orders for Rockstar games usually start a few months before the release. So, we can expect GTA 6 pre-orders to begin around October 2024. The actual pre-order date and bonuses will be announced by Rockstar Games.

    Fans are eagerly waiting for more information about GTA 6, including its price, release date, trailer, and gameplay details. We’ll have to wait for an official announcement from Rockstar Games to know for sure.

  • Calling All Budget Gamers! Steam’s Got 6 Free Games to Snag Before May

    Calling All Budget Gamers! Steam’s Got 6 Free Games to Snag Before May

    Steam is offering six new games for free at the end of April. With so many games coming out in 2024, it’s hard to keep up. I’ve been busy playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Dragon’s Dogma 2, but Balatro and Botany Manor caught my attention too.

    Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth PS5
    Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth PS5

    If you’re looking for something new and free, these games on Steam might be just what you need. Let’s take a look:

    1. Smelogs Playground – It’s an action-RTS game that’s a bit like a simpler version of League Of Legends.
    2. Unbreaded – This is a 3D platformer where you play as a gingerbread man trying to escape from a kitchen. It looks really cute.
    3. Akatori: Chapter One – A stunningly beautiful 2D Metroidvania game. I’m interested in this one.
    4. Rent A Car Simulator 24: Prologue – Ever wanted to experience the exciting world of car rental? Well, now you can.
    5. Gym Manager: Prologue – Managing a gym sounds tough, but this game lets you attract more clients by investing in equipment, keeping the place clean, and even sabotaging your competitors.
    6. Evil Sinister – Despite the scary name, the reviews for this game might be scarier. But who knows, you might like it.

    So, there you have it. Some interesting new games to try out, and they won’t cost you a penny. Give them a go and see if you like them. But remember, I’m not in charge of your gaming choices!

  • World of Warcraft Rocks the Foundations: Earthen Allied Race Gets Stunning Abilities and Class Options!

    World of Warcraft Rocks the Foundations: Earthen Allied Race Gets Stunning Abilities and Class Options!

    World of Warcraft has introduced a new group of characters called the Earthen Allied Race in The War Within Alpha.

    These sturdy dwarves are available for both the Alliance and the Horde factions and come with lots of cool customizations like different beards, gemstones, and skin colors.

    In the latest alpha build, players can finally play as the Earthen, checking out their unique racial abilities and appearance options. They have some neat passive bonuses that boost their armor and gathering skills, and they even gain extra experience from exploring.

    As stone beings, they don’t eat food but instead benefit from a constant Well Fed buff, which they can change by eating gems. Their most exciting ability is Azerite Surge, a powerful skill that deals damage, heals allies and hits enemies hard.

    Earthen characters can choose to be Paladins or Shamans, getting special totems and a unique charger mount. Although the mount isn’t in the alpha yet, fans can catch a glimpse of it through data mining.

    At first, players weren’t too hyped about the Earthen, but their strong abilities and interesting backstory are winning people over. To unlock them, players need to finish the main story and some specific Earthen-related quests.

    But wait, there might be more! Some fans think another Allied Race called the Harronir could be on the way.

    These creatures, resembling a mix of Night Elves and Trolls with quills like porcupines, have caught players’ attention with their potential for customization and animations. While nothing’s confirmed, many are crossing their fingers to see these mysterious beings in the game soon.

  • Fallout 4: RTX Meltdown! One Setting Makes Your Powerful GPU Cry

    Fallout 4: RTX Meltdown! One Setting Makes Your Powerful GPU Cry

    The Fallout 4 next-gen update is out now, but not everyone is happy about it, especially on PC. While the update makes some improvements to the game, it also causes problems. Many mods are broken, and support for ultrawide displays isn’t great.

    But the biggest issue is that the game won’t work on Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics cards if a certain setting is turned on, even though Bethesda has known about this problem for years.

    Most modern graphics cards can handle Fallout 4 well, but if you want the best graphics, Nvidia cards are recommended. However, it’s ironic that the exclusive features of Nvidia cards are what cause the game to break on RTX cards.

    The problem stems from a setting called ‘Weapon Debris’, which enhances how weapons affect the environment. It only works on GeForce cards, but newer RTX cards can’t handle it, leading to crashes.

    I experienced this issue myself while playing Fallout 4 on a GeForce RTX 4090. After the update, I turned on ‘Weapon Debris’ to the highest setting, but it caused frequent crashes.

    It’s puzzling that Bethesda hasn’t fixed this bug, considering how long it’s been known. There are mods to fix it, but they might not work with the latest update.

    But the problems don’t end there. Players with ultrawide monitors have a stretched user interface, and the game doesn’t run well above 60fps. Even the Fallout 4 Steam Deck version has issues.

    This isn’t just a problem with Fallout 4; even older games like Fallout 3 have issues. It’s understandable for older games, but it’s still disappointing.

    PC players deserve better, and hopefully, Bethesda will release more patches to fix these problems. But that might cause more issues for mods like Fallout: London.

    For now, if you have an Nvidia RTX card, it’s best to keep ‘Weapon Debris’ off. But you can improve image quality with a Fallout 4 DLSS mod if it still works after the update.

  • Metroidvania Marvel: Why You Should Be Playing This Underrated Gem!

    Metroidvania Marvel: Why You Should Be Playing This Underrated Gem!

    Hollow Knight Silksong might still be a secret, but it’s a great time if you like action platformer games. There are lots of new games competing to be the best Metroidvania game of 2024.

    Some of these are Prince of Persia The Lost Crown, Ultros, Saviorless, and BioGun. A new game called Tales of Kenzera Zau is also in the mix.

    Metroidvania Marvel
    Metroidvania Marvel

    It’s made by a former leader of Assassin’s Creed. It just came out on Steam, but it’s struggling to get noticed. Only a few hundred players have tried it in the first few days.

    Tales of Kenzera: Zau was first shown at The Game Awards 2023. The person behind it, Abubakar Salim, is famous for being the voice of Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins. He made this game as a way to remember his father who passed away ten years ago.

    In the game, you play as Zau, voiced by Salim. Zau goes on a journey through mythical lands to become a warrior shaman after his father’s death. He uses special powers to battle spirits and heal himself. The game is short but has beautiful places and exciting fights.

    Even though not many people have played it yet, those who have liked the stunning graphics, fun combat, and great voice acting. They say it’s worth playing because of its low price, beautiful art, touching story, and unique setting.

    With so many big games out there, Tales of Kenzera offers something smaller but still memorable.

    It might not be as challenging as some games, but if you want a heartfelt adventure through amazing worlds, you can find Tales of Kenzera: Zau on Steam for $19.99/£17.99.

  • Fallout 4 Goes Next-Gen: FREE Download Unleashes Stunning Visual Makeover!

    Fallout 4 Goes Next-Gen: FREE Download Unleashes Stunning Visual Makeover!

    Fallout is all the rage right now, especially after the live-action Amazon Studios show came out. The series started back in 1997, but it took off when Bethesda got involved. They gave us Fallout 3 in 2008, which was a big hit.

    Then came Fallout: New Vegas in 2010 and Fallout 4 in 2016. Now, fans are eagerly waiting for Fallout 5 to come out, but it seems we’ll have to wait a bit longer.

    Fallout 77 Update Version 1.7.9.7
    Fallout 77 Update Version 1.7.9.7

    It looks like Fallout 5 might come out after The Elder Scrolls VI, but neither game has a release date yet. In the meantime, there’s plenty of Bethesda content to keep us entertained.

    The Fallout show just got renewed for a second season, and there’s a free update for Fallout 4 coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S this week.

    But if you want even better graphics for Fallout 4, you should check out this 8K graphics boost. It’s a free upgrade that makes the game look amazing, almost unrecognizable.

    You can find instructions on how to download and install it on the Digital Dreams YouTube channel. Unfortunately, this upgrade is only available for PC players.

    So, if you’re a fan of Fallout, there’s lots to look forward to. Fallout 4 is available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and there’s even more content on the way.

  • GT7 New Arrivals: Classic Chevelle SS 454, Electric AFEELA, and Futuristic Skoda Vision… But Wait!

    GT7 New Arrivals: Classic Chevelle SS 454, Electric AFEELA, and Futuristic Skoda Vision… But Wait!

    Fans are excited for Gran Turismo 7, hoping it will come to PC with amazing graphics and gameplay features like ray tracing. But for now, it’s only available on PlayStation 5. But don’t worry, the latest update (1.46) has some cool stuff to keep players happy.

    First up is the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe, which you can buy in the “Legend Cars” dealership. This car is a big deal for muscle car fans because it was one of the most popular cars from the ’70s. It had a powerful V8 engine that made it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

    GT7 New Arrivals
    GT7 New Arrivals

    Then there’s the AFEELA fully electric prototype, made by Sony and Honda. They revealed this car at the 2024 CES and even drove it onto the stage using a PlayStation 5 controller. It’s an all-wheel drive with two electric motors, one in the front and one in the rear.

    Lastly, there’s the Skoda Vision Gran Turismo, a single-seater electric car inspired by an old Skoda model. It’s only available in the game, but it’s still impressive with its powerful motors and high horsepower.

    Update 1.46 also adds some new features to the game, like new circuits and small additions to different menus. But there’s a small problem with this update – some car settings can be changed when they shouldn’t be, and certain cars can’t have wheels fitted. The game developers apologized for this and fans appreciate their honesty.

    While we wait for more updates, another Sony game, “Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut,” is coming to PC soon. But fans are still hoping for Gran Turismo 7 to come to PC with all the fancy graphics features.

  • More Wishes, More Fun! Genshin Impact Makes Spiral Abyss More Rewarding Than Ever

    More Wishes, More Fun! Genshin Impact Makes Spiral Abyss More Rewarding Than Ever

    Genshin Impact is changing how players earn rewards in the Spiral Abyss. They’re increasing the number of Primogems you can get by 33%. Primogems are important because they help you get new characters in the game.

    The Spiral Abyss is like a big challenge in Genshin Impact. You have to fight tough enemies with different teams. It’s popular because it’s so challenging. Now, in the next update, they’re adding even more to the Spiral Abyss to make it better.

    Abyss primos increased from 600 to 800
    byu/ukrisreng inGenshin_Impact_Leaks

    But even before the new update, they’re giving out more Primogems for completing the Spiral Abyss. Instead of getting 600, you’ll get 800. That’s enough for a big ten-pull every month if you clear all twelve floors.

    This news comes from a leak on Reddit. The leak also mentioned that Version 4.7 of the game will have three new characters and more updates to the Spiral Abyss. This is a big deal because Genshin Impact hasn’t had such ambitious updates before.

    One thing to remember is that you won’t get the extra Primogems for past Spiral Abyss runs. You’ll only get them after the new update.

    As for the new Spiral Abyss mode, players can expect to earn up to 620 Primogems per season. The first season will be in Mondstadt and will only let you use certain types of characters. You’ll also be able to borrow a friend’s character, which is new. We’ll know more about these changes once the beta footage for Version 4.7 comes out.

  • How to Unlock the Secret Door with the Fallout 4 All Hallows’ Eve Password

    How to Unlock the Secret Door with the Fallout 4 All Hallows’ Eve Password

    To find the Fallout 4 All Hallows’ Eve password, first, you need to start the game after installing the next-gen update. This quest will be added to your log, but if you’re starting fresh, you’ll have to exit the vault first.

    Fallout 77 Update Version 1.7.9.7
    Fallout 77 Update Version 1.7.9.7

    Then, open your Pip-Boy and tune in to the new Mysterious Signal broadcast under the Radio tab. Follow the signal’s marker to the Harbormaster Hotel in Boston, to the east of Diamond City.

    Once there, enter the hotel and proceed to the New England Technocrat Society. Inside, you’ll face feral ghouls and eventually encounter a tough boss named Mr. Wendt. Defeat him and proceed to a hallway with numbered doors and a locked door with a keypad.

    To find the password, locate Dr. Santiago, a ghoul wearing a Jack O’Lantern mask, and take it. Follow the quest marker to Lana’s Notes and read them for clues.

    Each room in the hallway has specific items: Specimen Jars, Skull Candles, Teddy Bears, and Jack-O’-Lanterns. Count how many of each item you find in the rooms in order (1 to 4) to get the password.

    The count for each item is 4 Specimen Jars, 3 Skull Candles, 4 Teddy Bears, and 6 Jack-O’-Lanterns. Combine these numbers to get the password: 4346.

    Enter this password on the keypad to unlock the room. Inside, use the System Controls to disable the system and open the safe. Also, don’t forget to check the desk to the left of the terminal for the Picket Fences Halloween Special magazine, which adds Halloween-themed decorations to your inventory.

  • Did Joel Save the Day, or Spoil the Fun? Helldivers 2’s Major Order Completion Divides Players

    Did Joel Save the Day, or Spoil the Fun? Helldivers 2’s Major Order Completion Divides Players

    Helldivers 2 players are happy about winning the latest Major Order. But some players aren’t so thrilled because they got extra help from the game’s developer, Joel.

    The soldiers of Super Earth are doing well, having defeated 2 billion bugs in just a day and now defending 10 planets in the new Major Order. But there’s a problem.

    FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LAUNCH WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN A DEFENCE MAIN ORDER!
    byu/InkiePie39 inHelldivers

    For some players, winning this order doesn’t feel like a real victory. Defending 10 planets at once was already hard, and some technical problems made it even tougher. So, the game developer, Joel, stepped in to make it easier. They adjusted the game to help players fight back against the overwhelming odds.

    FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LAUNCH WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN A DEFENCE MAIN ORDER!
    byu/InkiePie39 inHelldivers

    Even though many players appreciate the help, some feel like they didn’t earn the win. It’s caused arguments on Reddit, with some players saying they’d rather lose fair and square.

    Others think the early problems with the game made it too hard to communicate and coordinate, so the developer had to help out. They see it as a reward for players’ efforts.

    Overall, some players feel like it’s a fair trade-off. They lost some ground in the game’s story, but they also got medals for winning the Major Order.

  • People Can Fly Pulls the Plug: Project Dagger Development Soars No More

    People Can Fly Pulls the Plug: Project Dagger Development Soars No More

    People Can Fly, known for games like Bulletstorm and Gears of War: Judgment has decided to cancel its co-op action RPG Project Dagger after working on it for several years.

    The announcement about the cancellation was made to investors in early April, but it gained attention recently after being shared by Twitter user MauroNL3.

    The studio explained that they canceled the game after re-evaluating their development plans. This re-evaluation showed that the game’s scope and commercial potential weren’t meeting their expectations.

    With the cancellation of Project Dagger, People Can Fly expects their financial results for 2023 to decrease by about $16.9 million. Their overall financial position will likely drop by $19.7 million.

    Also Read:

    Originally, Project Dagger was supposed to be published by Take-Two Interactive. However, after ending their agreement in 2022, People Can Fly announced their intention to self-publish the game.

    We’ve reached out to People Can Fly to ask about the impact of the project’s cancellation on the studio’s employees. At the time of publishing, we haven’t received a response.

  • Get Ready to Loot Like it’s 2017: PUBG Returns to Erangel in Classic Form this May!

    Get Ready to Loot Like it’s 2017: PUBG Returns to Erangel in Classic Form this May!

    PUBG: Battlegrounds is getting nostalgic as it celebrates its past. The popular battle royale game, which started in Steam Early Access back in 2017, is bringing back its original map, Erangel Classic, for a limited two-week run in May and June.

    Krafton, the developer and publisher, promises that Erangel Classic will capture the essence of the original map, including its concepts, graphics, atmosphere, and user interface (UI).

    However, they’ll also add some modern tweaks to ensure it provides the enjoyable gameplay experiences that players expect today. This means it will feel close to the original while incorporating quality-of-life improvements that have been made over time.

    This idea of bringing back a classic map is similar to what Fortnite did by reintroducing its original 2018 island map last year, which attracted record numbers of players.

    Erangel Classic will feature foggy and rainy weather to add unpredictability, starting island bench weapons for players to grab, and reduced weapon recoil to match the original feel. The care package will include a Tommy Gun, and the map UI and graphics will have a retro style with a unique font.

    Also Read:

    The rollout will happen in stages, with PC players getting access from May 14 to May 28 and console players from May 23 to June 6. During these periods, the classic Erangel map will replace the modern version. More details about the changes coming with the Erangel Classic map will be shared in the May 14 patch notes.

  • City-Builder Dreams: Manor Lords Poised for Success, But Money Isn’t the Main Motive

    City-Builder Dreams: Manor Lords Poised for Success, But Money Isn’t the Main Motive

    Manor Lords is about to hit Steam and become the next big indie game. It’s a medieval city-builder, like Stardew Valley, and it’s already got over three million people wishing for it on Steam. The developer, Greg Styczeń, is getting ready for the big launch.

    Tim Bender, the CEO of Hooded Horse, a strategy game publisher, says Greg’s main focus is making the game great and keeping players happy. They’re not overly worried about making tons of money.

    Bender explains that while the game is expected to do financially well, that’s not the main goal. They expect about 10-20% of wishlists to turn into sales in the first week, which could mean hundreds of thousands of copies sold. But Bender and Hooded Horse value more than just profits. They believe in treating their staff and customers well.

    In the past 18 months, many big companies have laid off lots of staff to chase constant growth, but Hooded Horse has a different approach.

    Bender’s wife, Snow, who is the CFO and president, works hard to make sure the company is stable financially. She ensures they have enough money to cover costs each month and set aside extra for unexpected expenses, like the delay of Manor Lords.

    When asked about the game’s launch, Bender seems relaxed. He says they’ve put in a lot of work beforehand to make sure everything goes smoothly.

    Also Read:

    They’ve focused on marketing, localization, and quality checks. The decision to delay the game for six months was a big one but aimed at delivering the best experience possible.

    Instead of rushing the release, they wanted to offer players a really good game. The success of the October 2022 demo during Steam Next Fest got people excited, but Styczeń and Hooded Horse wanted to take their time to make sure Manor Lords was as good as it could be.

  • BlizzCon 2024 Bites the Dust: No Fan Celebration This Year

    BlizzCon 2024 Bites the Dust: No Fan Celebration This Year

    Blizzard has announced that it won’t hold BlizzCon this year, their annual fan convention. “After careful consideration over the last year, we at Blizzard have made the decision not to hold BlizzCon in 2024,” Blizzard stated on its website.

    Instead of BlizzCon, Blizzard plans to host other smaller events throughout the year and participate in trade shows like Gamescom. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of World of Warcraft.

    Blizzard intends to organize “multiple, global, in-person events” to celebrate this milestone. They will also share updates about WoW’s 10th expansion, The War Within, and Diablo IV‘s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred.

    Despite canceling this year’s event, Blizzard assured fans that BlizzCon will return in the future: “While we’re approaching this year differently and as we have explored different event formats in the past, rest assured that we are just as excited as ever to bring BlizzCon back in future years.”

    Last year was busy for Blizzard, which finalized its acquisition by Microsoft for $68.7 billion, faced legal challenges related to the acquisition in the US and UK, and reorganized its leadership with CEO Bobby Kotick stepping down after more than 30 years.

    BlizzCon has faced cancellations before. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to BlizzCon’s cancellation, returning later in an online format. Then in 2022, BlizzCon was canceled again amidst workplace harassment lawsuits. The event resumed in 2023.

    The cancellation of BlizzCon 2024 follows the end of another major video game event, E3, last year. The video game industry is also grappling with unprecedented layoffs and financial challenges. Earlier this year, Microsoft laid off 1,900 employees across Activision Blizzard and Xbox, marking one of the largest video game industry layoffs in recent years.