Genki Covert Dock is a Nintendo Switch charger that also functions as a dock. Each Switch comes with a dock so you can hook it up to your TV. But it’s not very portable when you want to take your Switch on the go. It’s easy to use: Just plug your Switch into the charger, then plug the Switche’s HDMI cable from the charger to your TV. The Kickstarter campaign says it uses a chemical compound called Gallium Nitride (GaN). “By using the latest GaN technology, we get incredible efficiency gains that run cooler enabling us to surpass the limits of last generation silicon chargers.” Although it was designed for the Nintendo Switch, the campaign says it works with a variety of other USB-C devices. You can pledge US$59 or more to get the early bird special (81 left of 1,500 backers). Estimated delivery is December 2019.
Play the Original Diablo in a Web Browser on Your iPad
The developers at Rivsoft made it possible to play the original Diablo game using a web browser. Someone on Reddit also got it working on their iPad.
Like the newer Diablo games, the original is an isometric top-down dungeon crawler with multiple character classes, tons of loot, and hoards demons to fight. The version of Diablo on Rivsoft’s site is the Shareware build — in modern times, we’d call this a demo. You can play the first two dungeons of the game with one of the game’s three character classes.
For the past several weeks I’ve been playing Diable III on my Nintendo Switch. I should give the original a play, too.
Here's How to Watch the Fortnite World Cup Finals
If you didn’t know that Fortnite World Cup Finals was a thing, don’t worry because I didn’t either. But if you’re interested, Melissa Locker tells us how to watch it.
Over the course of three days this week (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), the world’s most elite Fortnite players will be competing in front of a live audience at New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Duos final is set for Saturday with 50 teams of two competing, while Sunday features the Solo competition, where 100 players will battle it out over the course of six matches, with points awarded for match placement and number of kills. Winners of the Solo and Duo finals will receive $3 million each.
Nintendo Switch Lite Coming in September for $199
Nintendo unveiled its Nintendo Switch Lite today, coming in September and costing US$199.
Nintendo Switch Lite has integrated controls and is smaller than the flagship version of Nintendo Switch. It has no kickstand and, as a dedicated handheld gaming device, does not support video output to a TV. Therefore, it does not come with a dock or HDMI cable.
I love my Switch and its great to see a more affordable option.
WWDC19: Project Catalyst Could Help Revive Mac Gaming
Project Catalyst is Apple’s official name for what we now as Marzipan. It lets developers port iOS apps to the Mac. I think it can help revive Mac gaming, because presumably games will also be able to get ported. Apple Arcade will be available on macOS as well.
But the big news is clearly Catalyst. Details are still thin, and Apple will most likely share more information this afternoon during its State of the Union WWDC keynote.
Play Date is a Handheld Game Console With a Hand Crank
Panic has made iOS and Mac software for over 20 years, like Coda, Transmit, and Prompt. They’re also the creators of the popular Firewatch game. Now they’ve decided to get into hardware with Play Date. To summarize it, Play Date is a black and white Gameboy with a hand crank and a game subscription. There aren’t a lot of details yet, but it sounds like the hand crank acts as a controller, rather than as a way to power the device. The console will cost US$149, ship in early 2020, and come with 12 games as part of “Season One” that will be included.
The games will be delivered over-the-air, once a week for 12 weeks, and they’ll be a surprise: when the new game light flashes, you’ll never know what you’re about to play. Panic recruited some of the world’s best game designers — some well known; others under the radar — to make games exclusively for our system.”
EVE Online Makes it Easier for Mac Gamers Running Wine
EVE Online is an MMO where gamers can build and pilot spaceships and explore the universe. Today the company will start using direct upstream Wine versions for its Mac client.
On rollout, Mac users will no longer need to run a wrapper to execute a 32-bit client on their native 64-bit operating systems, which will allow the EVE client to make better use of system resources and resolve a number of long standing issues that pilots who are playing on Mac experience.
Using upstream Wine will also improve the speed at which updates will reach our pilots who’re playing on Mac, with a multitude of Mac compatibility improvements becoming available to all Mac users with this single release.
New Federal Bill Would Outlaw Video Game Loot Boxes
Under federal legislation proposed by Republican Sen. Josh Hayley (Mo), video game loot boxes would be prohibited.
Hawley’s proposed bill, outlined Wednesday, covers games explicitly targeted to players under age 18 as well as those for broader audiences where developers are aware that kids are making in-game purchases. Along with outlawing loot boxes, these video games also would be banned from offering “pay to win” schemes, where players must spend money to access additional content or gain digital advantages over rival players.
I think this is a good move. Companies like EA would have to make good games again, instead of relying on a player’s “sense of pride and accomplishment.”
Snap Games Launches With 6 Games
Snapchat’s gaming platform called Snap Games launches today with six games. The feature rolls out today for everyone around the world.
Indie Games Get a Seat at the Apple Arcade Table
Apple introduced Apple Arcade, a gaming subscription service focussed on original, creative games from big game studios and indie developers.
We Finally Have a Super Mario Party Update
Nintendo finally released a Super Mario Party update. It’s not a major update but it fixes an annoyance some players had with Online Mariothon.
Fixed an issue with Online Mariothon in which ranking data was not displaying properly.
- Connect the Nintendo Switch console to the Internet.
- Return to the HOME Menu and launch the game.
- The update will be downloaded and installed automatically.
- Once the update is installed, the newest version number will be displayed on the title screen.
Everything You Need to Know About Google Stadia
You may have heard about Stadia, a new gaming platform that Google is launching. Here’s what we know so far.
Snapchat Gaming Platform to Launch Next Month
Reports suggest that a Snapchat gaming platform will launch next month, which is currently codenamed Project Cognac.
The new games initiative will be unveiled at Snap’s first-ever summit for content and developer partners in Los Angeles on April 4, the person said, adding that video initiatives like more original shows will also be announced. An invitation to the event that was seen by Cheddar includes the tagline, “Less talk. More play.” — a nod to the gaming platform.
Everyone seems to be trying to conquer gaming now. Facebook, Apple, Google, and now Snap.
Pokemon Sword and Shield Will Bring Generation 8
Nintendo announced the arrival of Pokemon Sword and Shield that will come to the Nintendo Switch later this year. It brings with it the eighth generation of Pokemon. We saw a sneak peak of three starter Pokemon: Grookey, a chimp full of boundless curiosity; Scorbunny, a rabbit bursting with energy; and Sobble, a timid water lizard.
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will be set in Galar, an expansive region with many environments—idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forests, and craggy, snow-covered mountains. The people and Pokémon live together in this region, and they’ve worked together to develop the industries here.
I recently bought a Switch and I’m currently playing Pokemon Let’s Go: Eevee. I haven’t kept up with the previous generations but I look forward to getting this game.
Apple Cloud Gaming and Augmented Reality
Rumors point to Apple creating a gaming subscription service. This Medium post suggest it might be something called “cloud gaming” where you don’t download anything. Sounds perfect for a thin client like Apple Glasses, although gaming is more of a VR thing. Speaking of AR though, there’s a new executive for that.
Between, Apple, Sony, and many other large tech companies (or startups comprised of people from these companies), we’re bound to soon have a reality with fast and reliable cloud gaming.
Apple Could Launch a Gaming Subscription Service
Rumors suggest that Apple plans to launch a gaming subscription service described as a “Netflix for games.”
Test Your Knowledge With Quiz Pursuit Trivia App
With millions of unique quiz questions and thousands of topics, QuizPursuit is one of the best trivia games out there. With this fun and engaging quiz game, you can enhance your knowledge, while having a fun trivia game experience. And with the Levels feature you can boast to your friends about your expertise in your chosen topics of interest. Play this quiz game by yourself or invite and challenge friends for a fun round of trivia. No matter what your topic of interest is, we’ve got you covered. Choose from thousands of interesting topics, including sports, entertainment, science, and general trivia. The more questions that you answer on a particular topic, the higher the levels you reach. What’s more is that you win nuggets to advance through levels. You can use these nuggets to wager with your friends in challenges. You can double your wagered nuggets by winning the challenges. App Store: Free
Heads Up Gamers: Civilization VI Expansions Packs are Free
Aspyr is giving gamers a fantastic deal for the holidays. The Civilization VI expansion packs will be free for the rest of December. There will only be a free pack every 48 hours though. This is only for the iOS app. Here’s the schedule:
- Dec. 20-22: Poland Civilization & Scenario Pack (usually US$4.99)
- Dec. 22-24: Vikings Scenario Pack (usually US$4.99)
- Dec. 24-26: Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack (usually US$4.99)
- Dec. 26-28: Persia and Macedon Civilization & Scenario Pack (usually US$8.99)
- Dec. 28-30: Nubia Civilization & Scenario Pack (usually US$4.99)
- Dec. 30 – Jan. 1: Khmer and Indonesia Civilization & Scenario Pack (usually US$8.99)
Stephen Fry Voices Einstein in Human Heroes Game
Stephen Fry voices Einstein in a game that launched on iOS recently. Einstein on Time is the first in a children’s educational app series—Human Heroes—centered on history’s greatest minds. From the philosophers of ancient Greece, to the giants of science, renowned artists, composers, mathematicians, authors and architects – these inspirational characters are brought back to life in a futuristic theatrical setting to perform a captivating live-show experience covering their life and their famous discoveries. In addition to the educational value of the subjects covered in each individual app, the series aims to develop a deep-lasting bond between the user and these intellectual champions so that they become life-long role models for children. Created by edtech startup KalamTech and in collaboration with education experts, the app blends computer generated animations, latest gamification techniques and interactive storytelling to bring a fresh kind of learning experience to the next generation. App Store: US$3.99
Command & Conquer: Rivals PVP Launches on iOS
Command & Conquer: Rivals PVP launches on the App Store. Lead your army to victory in The War for Tiberium. Battle to dominate your enemy with Commanders from the Global Defense Initiative and Brotherhood of Nod. Customize your army with a unique commander, infantry units, and vehicles. Conquer opponents in one-on-one battles and strategically direct your forces to earn every victory. In this war, control is power. The strategy behind your skills determines victory or defeat. Choose a Commander to lead your forces – each holds powerful abilities that can influence your approach and turn the tide of battle. Create winning combinations of infantry, tanks, aircraft, and high-tech behemoths. Customize your army to align with your Commander’s unique abilities, then unleash formidable weapons and vehicles in all-out war. App Store: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
