343 Industries Stands Hopeful On Master Chief Being Added To Smash Ultimate After Minecraft Steve’s Announcement

For those who might have missed the memo – Mojang Studios’ Steve from Minecraft will be coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as the newest addition to the game’s Fighter Pass Vol. 2. After years of jokes and memes flooding fan predictions, Masahiro Sakurai officially unveiled the blocky protagonist to be added to the legacy roster on Nintendo’s latest brawler. Included in the new addition as illustrated from the trailer includes remixed music of the game’s soundtrack, a total of eight different alt skins including Zombie & Enderman, and a new transitioning stage which flips through different world biomes. With more to be unveiled at a later livestream this Saturday, fans are enticed to see what else will be shared then. It should also be noted that Minecraft Steve will be the second Microsoft property given the green light for Smash Ultimate – following Banjo-Kazooie which were added last September. But with two now confirmed for the game, this leads many fans to believe there is the possibility for another prolific character to debut as well: Master Chief. For a long time alike Minecraft Steve, many wished the Halo protagonist would be included in the game’s expansive roster. Now following today’s announcement, 343 Industries shares to be hopeful on the possibility too. Shared on Twitter, studio Community Director Brian Jarrard disclosed his aspirations to see Master Chief in Smash. Granted, this only presents excitement from a higher stand point on Master Chief being added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and does not solidify the possibility. Though fans do share a similar opinion, it cannot be directly determined if the character will be added to the game or not. But the chances of that happening is not ruled out either. Back in March 2018, Phil Spencer did state he would be eager to see Banjo-Kazooie added to Smash Ultimate which later became a reality. But one Twitter post does not leave the possibility with concrete enough chances. Similarly, Overwatch was also given clearance from its developers to introduce a character to Smash, but evidently that never came to fruition. So for now, there is no solid confirmation on Master Chief being added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but we do understand 343 Industries would wish that to be more than just a fantasy. Perhaps the character has some competition if it’s a masked super soldier from Microsoft’s first-party arsenal as now Doom is owned by the firm thanks to the recent acquisition announced last month. You can read the full report by heading here. Would you be down for Master Chief to be added to Smash Ultimate? Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is out now for Nintendo Switch.

Cross-play Enters Beta For Apex Legends Next Week With Limited Time Aftermarket Collection Event

Rewinding back to the beginning of this summer, developer Respawn Entertainment during this year’s annual EA Play Live, the firm spared a full roadmap of details for the still growing battle royale, Apex Legends. In that, the team offered the game will be migrating with a Steam version arriving this fall and Nintendo Switch users to expect a port later in 20201. Among that, cross-play was also said to be included by the end of 2020. Now today, the studio has returned to announce that the beta for cross-platform play is officially arriving to Apex Legends next week. Even more, the next stage for online play for the 2019-rleased property will be releasing alongside a new event dubbed the ‘Aftermarket Collection Event’. With this new limited time experience, players of course can find new cosmetics to unlock in-game among other niché game modes to indulge in as well. You can watch the new trailer in the video below: Regarding the new event set to take place this Tuesday, players can experience a new game mode: Flashpoint. When dropping into King’s Canyon uniquely, there will be several zones that players can enter and heal player health & shields. With no consumables littered in this new mode, players are required to remember where these locations are to survive. As for more on the matter of cross-play, the feature will be set on by default, but players do have the option to turn it off if desire. For how fair play is implemented – specifically between controller and keyboard & mouse players – Respawn Entertainment explains that matches will be segregated based on the user’s peripheral. However, if teamed with a PC player on either Xbox or PlayStation, the team will be loaded into a PC lobby. Currently, cross-play will be supported on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Origin for PC. However, the Steam version is also said to be integrated later on. Noted, the feature is in beta and not all elements are included as of yet – such as cross-progression. Respawn Entertainment thankfully clarifies more will be elaborated on that closer to the release of Apex Legends on Steam. What are you most excited about for Apex Legends from this new update? Apex Legends is out now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Source: Respawn Entertainment

Mojang Studios Shares The Three Possible Mobs To Vote In For For Minecraft Live, Polling Begins October 3

Just nearly one month ago, developer Mojang Studios disclosed that this year’s Minecraft Live will be taking place in early October. Already instantly acknowledging the current predicament that is inflicted on the world’s population with the novel coronavirus, the firm earlier this year already clarified there would be no hosting for the Minecraft Festival as the event was pushed into 2021. Thankfully, the team in the meantime told that Minecraft Live would keep fans excited this fall with the anticipated gathering arriving in the following year. While clarifying the new titling of the event from ‘Minecon Live’ to ‘Minecraft Live’, Mojang Studios did not spare as to what will be provided from this year’s livestreamed showcase. In a new set of video recently, the developer unveiled that players can vote for the next mob that will be added to the game – similar to last year’s biome election won by the Mountains biome. You can watch the trailer in the video below: Among the candidates presented, players can decide between the Moobloom, Iceologer, or the Glow Squid to be introduced to Minecraft’s library of living entities. For more perspective on the potential addition to Minecraft, Mojang Studio as illustrated in the video elaborates on each of the three mobs. The Moobloom alike its Mooshroom counterpart is a non-hostile mob decorated in flowers and other vegetation. The Iceologer is a villager-like mob that will take residency in the icy mountains of the world and will cast ice clouds to fall on those who poses a threat. And the Glow Squid as derived from the name will add some vibrancy to the eerie oceans and bodies of water surrounding land – giving some life to the nearby waters. Which of the three are you planning to vote for? Minecraft Live 2020 will kick off on October 3, 2020 at 9 AM PST / 12 PM EST. Source: Mojang Studios

Steve from Minecraft is the next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC Fighter

Nintendo had hosted a short reveal for its new DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate today that lasted around 5 minutes long. The next fighter to join Ultimate is Steve from Minecraft as he “Rocks the Block”. Along with Steve you will get to choose from three other Minecraft characters such as Alex, Zombie, and Enderman. Steve is now the seventh DLC fighter added to the game without including Piranha Plant and this is the also part of the Fighters Pass Vol. 2. This now makes another Microsoft IP debuting in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as Banjo Kazooie was the other one from 2019. For a number of years now there have been jokes and rumors about Steve joining the fight in Smash and Sakurai has delivered to the fans. On Saturday, October 3rd at 10:30 ET there will be a presentation hosted by Masahrio Sakurai to give you a more in depth look at how the movesets work for Steve and giving us more details on how the new stages works as well as a bunch more to show off. During the presentation we will learn what the release date will be for Steve & Alex.   

Rogue Company Goes Free-to-Play Today

First Watch Games and Hi-Rez Studios have today made their stylish cross-platform team shooter, Rogue Company free-to-play worldwide on Nintendo Switch, PC via Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. From today, players can enjoy Rogue Company’s third-person action, tactics and attitude for free across all four platforms – complete with full cross-play and cross-save support. Any DLC will be cosmetic only, there’s no pay-to-win here. In celebration of the free-to-play launch, developer First Watch Games has added a new Rogue to the roster of playable mercenaries: Dahlia is an uncompromising former military officer and one of the most decorated squad leaders in the world. She never hesitates to make difficult decisions on the battlefield and doesn’t care what people think of her – she just wants to get the job done. Welcoming over 2 million people to the early access game since July, Rogue Company is the most successful ever game launch from publisher Hi-Rez Studios. With the numerous additions since July, including last week’s popular new Lockdown map- plus the regular updates on the roadmap, Rogue Company has a very bright future. Lead Game Designer and former Halo world champion, Scott Lussier had this to say: “From July’s early access launch we’ve gathered a huge community of over 2 million cross-platform gunslingers”, says Chris Larson, Executive Producer. “Their invaluable feedback has ensured the game keeps getting better and better. By making the game free and delivering an ever-growing roster of mercenaries, game modes, weapons and gadgets we’re incredibly excited for many more players to join us in Rogue Company”. Rogue Company is now available to download and play for free on all four platforms: Nintendo Switch PC PlayStation Xbox