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The Nintendo Switch just added a big piece to the indie puzzle. Today, Unreal announced that game developers will be able to release their games on the Nintendo Switch. The featured announcement said that the Nintendo Switch will have “fully-featured native support for the popular platform in Unreal Engine 4.16.” Unreal and Nintendo started out, with early support for Unreal 4.15 build back in February, but now they’ve officially partnered up.

Unreal and Switch

Powerful Development For Nintendo Switch

This powerful engine has been used to develop huge AAA titles including: Gears of War 4, Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, and the upcoming Kingdom Hearts III. But it’s also made indie titles like Dead by Daylight, Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds, and about 1,500 different titles on IndieDB. A common criticism for Nintendo has been sacrificing performance for, innovation. While the PS4 and XBONE have boasted about having the best processors and graphics chips (for a console), Nintendo has preferred to focus on pushing the boundaries of how we look at gaming.

Whether it was the motion controls of the Wii, the second screen for the Wii U, or the Switch’s grab and go functionality. Nintendo really tries to think differently. But that different thinking has required developers to work with less, and in harsher conditions. Developers stated that they were floored by how easy it was to develop for the Switch.

The Wii and WiiU on the other hand, were hard to develop for, for third party developers. And Nintendo was also difficult to work with apparently. This was a major factor into the failure of the WiiU and it’s rather short lifespan. But with this new engine, and it’s famous ease of development, Nintendo is hoping to turn the corner. Because at the end of the day, more games will mean more money for Nintendo and for developers.

Getting Started with Switch

The steps for getting started with Unreal and Nintendo are very straightforward. First, developers will need to go to Nintendo’s Developer website and become an approved developer. Then they need to fill out Unreal’s Console Development Request UE4 form. Once developers are approved for it will be sent an electronic NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). After that, all they have to do is wait for source access, and compile the code for the Nintendo Switch platform.

Looking Forward

This is all a far cry from Wii U’s issues with third party development. Nintendo has learned from it’s mistakes in the past. No matter how many units the latest Mario Kart, and Legend of Zelda game move, the Switch will need third party support. Adding an engine that is as open and easy to develop is a major step up. More games are made every day, and it’s not AAA titles leading the pack. It’s the small developers struggling to hone their craft. The disgruntled former employees, tired of the corporate grind. Young, fresh faces right out of college ready to show the world what they can do.

Some of the best games I ever played came from indie developers, and the Switch can now look for that diamond in the rough. I’m very excited about this announcement, not just for Unreal, but what it means for indie developers everywhere. And you should be too.

I've always been a gamer. Way back when I was sitting on the basement floor with my sister playing Spyro and Madden '99 I knew what my future was. Gaming. Now I try to squeeze as much gaming in as possible when I'm not in class at Bellarmine University.

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Helldivers 2 Players Face Overwhelming Hordes of Factory Striders

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In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.

There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.

Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.

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Todd Howard affirms that the timeline of the Fallout series is coherent and well-constructed

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The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”

It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Evaluating Fallout 76’s Value in 2024

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If you’ve been keeping up with the new Fallout show on Amazon Prime, chances are you’ve been relying on PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium to access and enjoy one of Bethesda’s legendary RPGs. We decided to bypass the highly acclaimed Fallout New Vegas and Fallout 3, opting instead to explore the vast landscapes of West Virginia in Fallout 76. Infamous for its initial reception, Todd Howard’s “Fallout with Friends” has evolved significantly over the past six years. However, does that imply the game is of high quality? Is it worth playing in 2024?

As we ventured out of Vault 76 for the very first time, we were determined to find the answers to those burning questions. Recalling our escapades on the Push Square YouTube channel, we encountered quest-giving NPCs—a feature that was surprisingly absent upon release—awe-inspiring bases built by fellow players—and an abundance of loot that could easily burden us 76 times over.

In the midst of the vast array of open-world online experiences, we found ourselves quite enthralled by the combination of 50s classics playing in the background as we obliterated the heads of ghouls. And to top it off, we were able to enjoy all of this with our friends. Exploring the wasteland in the company of a ragtag band of survivors adds a unique element to Fallout 76, setting it apart from other games in the series. However, does it manage to prevent us from uninstalling and transitioning to one of the mainline entries in the series? To discover more, be sure to watch the complete video!

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