FromSoftware has released the patch notes for Elden Ring version 1.13, which includes a series of balance adjustments and bug fixes across all platforms. The patch introduces several PvP-exclusive changes to improve the balance of PvP combat. 

Key changes include increased poise damage for normal attacks with Light Great Swords, Backhand Blades, Hand-to-Hand Arts, and Beast Claws. Dual wield attacks with Straight Swords, Thrusting Swords, Curved Swords, Katanas, Spears, Whips, Fists, and Claws have also seen increased poise damage. Several spells and incantations have also been modified, including Miriam's Vanishing and Knight's Lightning Spear.

The patch also includes general balance changes affecting both PvE and PvP. Light Greatsword charge attacks now have increased damage against non-player enemies. Summoned NPCs such as Needle Knight Leda, Pureblood Knight Ansbach, and Thiollier have received stat and status boosts. Summoned spirits, except for the Mimic Tear, have increased attack power and damage negation when upgraded.

Several armaments, including the Repeating Crossbow, Spread Crossbow, and Rabbath's Cannon, have improved attack power scaling when upgraded. The Shield of Night now has increased damage negation for physical attacks, while Euporia has enhanced Holy damage and a shorter restoration process.

Following up on previous concerns, this patch includes the correction of the end credits by adding missing translations. The patch also addresses issues with FP consumption, spell casting behaviors, and multiplayer area borders. 

Elden Ring and the DLC Expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, are available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC via steam.

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Arc System Works announced the full lineup and upcoming content for Guilty Gear Strive Season Pass 4, adding Dizzy, Venom, the anime adaptation character Unika, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners heroine Lucy as DLC. There will also be new stages, new colors for every character, a new character, and, for the first time in Guilty Gear history, a guest character. Team of 3 mode is also available.

The trailer, showcasing the new additions, was posted to the Arc System Works official YouTube channel on July 21, 2024. You can watch that trailer below:

The trailer dropped during the Evo 2024 Grand Finals of Guilty Gear Strive and listed out everything that would be coming in the fourth Season Pass. There will be brand new stages for players to fight on, an exclusive new color for every character, redesigns for the returning characters of Venom and Queen Dizzy, and Guilty Gear -Strive- Dual Rulers' Unika, and Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners as the first guest character to ever enter a Guilty Gear game. Beyond the characters, a new fighting format will also be added to the game: three-on-three battles, much like Marvel Vs Capcom.

Here's how Lucy looks in the game. However, she won't arrive until 2025.

While the Season 4 Pass for Guilty Gear Strive will be available on July 22, 2024, new DLC will start appearing in a few months. Here are the tentative release windows for each one:

• October 2024: Dizzy
• Early 2025: Venom
• Spring 2025: Unika
• Summer 2025: Lucy

Guilty Gear -Strive- and its previous three seasons of characters and stages are available now on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC

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Nintendo announced that the Family Computer (Famicom) controllers for the Nintendo Switch are now available to buy for everyone via the company's official Japanese store. Previously exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, these controllers can now be bought by anyone.

The Famicom Controllers, priced at ¥6,578 (approximately $42 USD) each, are designed to replicate the classic feel of playing on the original Family Computer system on the Switch. They can be attached to the Nintendo Switch console for charging, much like the standard Joy-Con controllers. However, due to their limited button layout, Nintendo noted that the controllers are only compatible with the games in the Famicom Nintendo Switch Online app and Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition.

Customers can purchase up to four controllers per person. The expected delivery date is typically between two to six days after ordering, excluding some isolated islands. The store only ships to people in Japan.

Nintendo hasn't made any worldwide announcements as of yet regarding whether or not this change could be made globally. The US website for the Nintendo Switch Online service still shows the NES Switch controllers as an offer for subscribers. That set normally costs $59.99.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is available on the Nintendo Switch worldwide.

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Capcom has announced new merchandise for its latest mobile puzzle game, Monster Hunter Puzzle: Felyne Isles. The merchandise is now available at Capcom's directly-managed stores. Online sales began on July 17, 2024, at the Capcom Store on PARCO Online. For more details on Felyne Isles Merchandise, you can visit the official Capcom Store website.

The game, which launched on June 27, 2024, features the Felyne species, popular companions and characters from the Monster Hunter series. One of the main items available for purchase are a series of acrylic stand key holder featuring Felynes in different costumes for ¥990 (approximately $7 USD). Additionally, there are connecting key holders priced at ¥660 (approximately $5 USD) each, and clear files featuring designs of familiar monsters from the Monster Hunter series, also available for ¥660 (approximately $5 USD).

In related news, a detailed preview of Monster Hunter Wilds was showcased at Summer Game Fest 2024. The game builds on the success of Monster Hunter World and Rise, featuring improvements such as no loading screens, vertical maps, and dynamic weather conditions. Monster Hunter Wilds is set for release in 2025. 

Monster Hunter Wilds will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam in 2025.

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Bandai Spirits revealed via social media a new Journey to the West Naruto figure to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the GEM series, featuring Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto Shippuden. The figure is titled "Great Saint Uzumaki Naruto." This special edition figure is part of the GEM series remix. 

View the original announcement post below:

The GEM series has been a significant part of the anime figure market for 15 years. This latest figure is revealed to be a homage to Journey to the West’s protagonist Sun Wukong, fusing his iconic features with those of Naruto Shippuden's main character, Naruto Uzumaki. The figure showcases Naruto holding a staff and riding alongside Kurama, with Sun Goku forming the base of the figure.

For those interested in the Naruto series, navigating the extensive list of canon and filler episodes can be challenging. Check out our guide on how to watch the Naruto anime without filler arcs to streamline your viewing experience. To place an order, visit the GEM 15th Anniversary Page and the Premium Bandai product page.

Naruto and Naruto Shippuden can be watched on Crunchyroll, which offers all 720 episodes. For manga readers, Viz Media distributes the Naruto manga outside Japan.

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Square Enix has announced the release of a new book titled Square Enix AI featuring the FFVII Remake, with Cloud Strife on the cover. The book aims to provide an easy-to-understand guide on game AI and will be published on July 30, 2024. Pre-orders are now available.[Thanks, BD Publishing!]

View the announcement post below: 

The book was created by Square Enix staff involved in AI development, aiming to make game AI accessible to a broader audience. It covers various aspects of game AI, including character definition, navigation mesh, pathfinding, steering, avoidance, 3D navigation, decision-making systems, and character animation.

Additionally, the book explores character interaction, emotional AI, natural language processing, and the concept of "meta-AI." It also discusses deep learning applications in games, such as style transfer, automatic lip-sync animation, and character animation generation. The final section addresses the use of AI in automating quality assurance, including bug classification and data analysis.

The book is published by Bourne Digital and will be available in Tankobon Softcover format, consisting of 336 pages. It is written in Japanese and currently ranks #879 in Japanese Books on Amazon.

FFVII Rebirth is readily available for the PlayStation 5, and the exclusivity arrangement ended on May 29, 2024.

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Bandai Spirits has announced the launch of a new comprehensive brand called Rowtashii Noise, which aims to bring high-end collectible items to fans worldwide. This brand inherits the manufacturing techniques of the TAMASHII NATIONS line known for its collector's products for adults and is including figures for Oshi no Ko and Gintama for it's launch. The announcement was made on July 11, 2024. [Thanks, Hobby Watch!]

Rowtashii Noise will introduce two new figure series: "Adokenette" and "Tekupiku. Adokenette is a 5-head-tall figure series that focuses on the concept of innocence. The figures feature poses that make it seem as if they are peeking out from behind something. The first Bandai spirits releases in this series will include Oshi no Ko in September, followed by Gintama in November. Each figure is priced at ¥3,960 (approximately $25 USD).

The Tekupiku series consists of chibi figures designed for portability, characterized by their large bag and eye designs. Figures from Bandai Spirits Gintama and Haikyu!! will be available starting in November. Each figure in this series is priced at ¥3,850 (approximately $24 USD).

Bandai Spirits plans to expand both series with various IP products and introduce new figure series in the future.

The first season of Oshi no Ko can be streamed on HIDIVE. Gintama and Haikyuu are streaming on Crunchyroll.

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Fishing for cats, a new game by the indie developer xigehong, will make its way to Steam on July 25, 2024. The game is described as "a third person casual game where players fish in the park and attract stray cats," will be a realistic fishing sim set in a park full of cats.

The title, Fishing for cats, also describes the core gameplay loop. Players will be angling for fish and feeding it to the local cats in the park, building a relationship with the many cats they will encounter. You will also be able swim in the lake, go for pleasant jogs around the park, and roast fish to entice the many felines that will be roaming about.

You can take a look at screenshots from the game below:

For those looking for other cat-centric games, Little Kitty, Big City released in 2024. One of several titles featuring cats as a key fixture, this title will have you playing as a cat, instead of trying to curry their favor with fish.

Fishing for cats will release for PC through Steam on July 25, 2024.

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Good Smile Company has announced the upcoming release of a Marcus Fenix from Gears of War Nendoroid figure. Preorders for the figure are now avaliable, priced at ¥7,300 (approximately $50 USD). The preorder period runs from July 2, 2024, to August 21, 2024 (JST), with a shipping date set for January 2025.

The Marcus Fenix Nendoroid comes with two face plates, featuring a grizzled expression and a combat-ready look. Additionally, the figure includes a variety of optional parts such as the iconic Lancer MK II Assault Rifle, gunfire effects, and blood spray effects, allowing for dynamic action set pieces.

The figure is painted plastic, non-scale, and stands approximately 100mm (about 3.9 inches) in height. It was sculpted by Shichibee (Matsuda Model) with production cooperation from Nendoroid.

In related news, a new mainline game in the Gears series, Gears of War: E-Day, was announced during the Xbox Game Showcase 2024. Set as a prequel to the original game, it takes place 14 years prior and features a young Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago. For more details, check out our article on the announcement.

Gears of War: E-Day is currently in development for the Xbox Series X. There is no announced release date or window for the game yet.

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Square Enix has announced the expansion of its business structure with the opening of a new office in Shibuya, Tokyo. Scheduled to begin operations in October 2024, this new location will join the existing Shinjuku and Osaka offices, transitioning the company to a three-based business structure in Japan. [Thanks, Square Enix!]

The Square Enix Shibuya Office will be situated in the Shibuya Sakura Stage SHIBUYA Tower complex in Sakuragaoka, Shibuya, Tokyo. This move is part of Square Enix's efforts to create an environment that supports the creativity of its employees. The head office of Square Enix Holdings, Inc. will remain in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

The Shinjuku Office is located in Shinjuku East Side Square, Shinjuku, Tokyo, while the Osaka Office's specific details remain undisclosed. The Shinjuku location will continue to house the Square Enix motion capture studio, sound studio, and the official character goods store "ARTNIA." Additionally, the Square Enix Café in Akihabara, Tokyo, will remain unchanged.

In related news, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Producer Yoshinori Kitase, Director Naoki Hamaguchi, and Battle Director Teruki Endo will be attending Otakon 2024 for its 30th anniversary. This will be the first time these creators visit Otakon. For more details on this announcement, check out our coverage.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is available on the PlayStation 5. The first entry in the remake series is on the PS4, PS5, and PC. 

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Producer Yoshinori Kitase, Director Naoki Hamaguchi, and Battle Director Teruki Endo will be attending Otakon 2024 for its 30th anniversary. This marks the first time these creators will visit Otakon. The announcement was made on Twitter.

You can view the official announcement post below, which includes a video message from Kitase and Hamaguchi: 

Otakon, known for celebrating Asian pop culture, will host Kitase, Hamaguchi, and Endo. It is unknown how involved the creators will be when present at the event, which runs from August 2-4, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The official site doesn't yet list a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Otakon 2024 panel for them, but that should be updated on the schedule in the coming weeks.

For those new to the series, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a sequel and remake of the original FFVII, offering a fresh narrative while paying homage to the classic. It involves three parts, though only the first two are out now. FFVII

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is available on the PlayStation 5. The first entry in the remake series is on the PS4, PS5, and PC. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit the official Otakon website. The convention will be held from August 2-4, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

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Capcom announced that it released a limited-time free trial for Dragon's Dogma 2. Players interested in the new action-RPG from Hideaki Itsuno and crew will be able to experience up to two hours of the game for free.

On Capcom's official Twitter account, the company announced both that the free trial was live for those who would like to give Dragon's Dogma 2 a taste and that the game would be going on sale. It is 20% off on Steam, bringing the price down to $55.99.

The trial itself is also only available for a limited time. It will end on July 17, 2024 for PS5 users. Xbox Series X and PC players can take part until July 18, 2024.

Capcom also recommended that, for players to get the most out of their time, the company suggested getting the Dragon's Dogma 2 Character Creator & Storage app beforehand. This keeps the demo's playtime from being devoted to creating an Arisen and Pawn.

Capcom revealed that Dragon's Dogma 2 sold 2.5 million copies after launch earlier in 2024, bringing the series' lifetime sales to over 10 million copies. The success of it caused Capcom to favorably revise their earnings forecast.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is available on the PS5, Xbox and PC. The Free Trial lasts from until July 17, 2024 for the PS5 and until July 18, 2024 for the Xbox Series X and PC.

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HoYoverse's latest action RPG, Zenless Zone Zero, is set for release on July 4, 2024, and in a Game Watch interview Producer Zhenyu Li shared how Devil May Cry and Evangelion influenced it. He also offered insights into the game's development. [Thanks, Game Watch!]

Li discussed the pressures of developing Zenless Zone Zero, highlighting his concerns about creating an engaging experience for players and meeting their expectations. He also noted that the early development of Zenless Zone Zero was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented various challenges. He noted that also pushed the team to innovate and adapt.

Li specifically mentioned that the stylish combat and fluid action mechanics of Devil May Cry influenced the game's battle system, aiming to provide a similar sense of intensity. As a longtime fan of Evangelion, Li drew inspiration from its complex narrative and character depth, striving to incorporate these elements into the Zenless Zone Zero world-building and character development. He also stated that he takes cues from Western comics and art, studying a wide selection of works when working on projects.

Regarding the game's character roster, Li revealed that Nicole Demara is his favorite character. She is an A-rank Agent tied to the Cunning Hares faction. She's an Ether unit who will always be available in the gacha.

Zenless Zone Zero will release on July 4, 2024 for the PS5, Windows PC, and mobile devices. 

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The Suicide Squad ISEKAI anime released its full opening theme song, featuring vocals from Hololive's Calliope Mori. The anime is set to premiere on June 27, 2024, and the opening was released on YouTube via Warner Bros. Japan's channel.

Watch the full opening sequence below:

The Suicide Squad ISEKAI opening theme, "Go-Getters," is composed by Giga and TeddyLoid with lyrics by Calliope Mori and Yuki Tsujimura. 

The video highlights the titular Suicide Squad members: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, King Shark, and Amanda Waller. The accompanying video showcases the cast dancing to the song, with Waller, the hardcore government official in charge of the team, prominently displaying intense dance moves and poses reminiscent of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. In contrast, the squad is showing off their style with poses reminiscent of Vogue magazine, with Harley Quinn prominently displaying center stage.

Suicide Squad ISEKAI  features , Amanda Waller, the head of A.R.G.U.S., assembling a group of notorious criminals for a mission. Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, and King Shark are sent into an otherworldly realm, an "ISEKAI" filled with fantasy creatures such as orcs and dragons.

"Go-Getters" by Mori Calliope will be streaming from July 5, 2024 alongside the show, and can be found on various music platforms here.

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On August 1, 2024, Mandalorian Bounty Hunter Jango Fett will return in a full remaster of the 2002 PS2 and GameCube game starring him. The release date was confirmed for this updated version of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, which will include textural overhauls and be playable on the PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

A trailer showcasing gameplay and the updated texture work debuted to show everyone what to expect. The game features mission-based gameplay, where you use all of Jango Fett's bounty hunting tools to accomplish jobs. Players will jetpack through areas, use Jango's twin blasters to fight off foes, and travel across famous Star Wars locales in pursuit of bounties. The game, focusing on the history of the famous Bounty Hunter and source of the Clone Troopers, shows the adventures he went on before becoming selected to be the Clone Trooper template.

The new Star Wars: Bounty Hunter release date trailer can be viewed here:

The rerelease is developed by Aspyr. Aspyr had a hand in Star Wars rereleases for a while now, porting the classic Star Wars: Battlefront games to modern consoles alongside the remasters of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. This game was also released exclusively for the PS4 in 2019, via a physical edition through Limited Run Games. It joins the new Star Wars: Hunters hero-shooter.

The Star Wars: Bounty Hunter rerelease release date is August 1, 2024. It will be available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.

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