Gaming
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Team Teases New Desert Map

If you’re getting a bit sick of getting shot in Pochinki, don’t worry. There’ll soon be another new place for you to get shot in. PlayerUnknown himself has revealed a WIP screenshot of a new desert map being developed for the wildly popular PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
At his keynote speech during the Gamescom 2017 event, Brendan ‘PlayerUnknown’ Greene revealed the aerial shot below, showing a dense urban map. Based in South America, Peru to be exact, this new image shows buildings that are at least eight stories high, dwarfing any of the buildings that are used in the current map of Erangel.
This level of verticality and tight close-quarters combat will be something of a new experience in a game that often revolves around people hiding behind trees and shooting each other at distance (not that I’m complaining or anything). From what it looks like, this new urban map will feature much more opportunity for frantic indoor battles, multi-tiered building to building combat and no doubt people falling from roofs by accident.
Whether or not each and every building is accessible is (player)unknown, although the fire escapes and roof access doors on some of the buildings suggest the majority are.
Two teams are currently working on the new map, which should have little to no impact on the upcoming updates that have already been teased.
With this desert map being teased and Greene confirming that a map based in the Adriatic is currently in the works, players who are finding Erangel to be getting stale should be pleased that Bluehole Studio and PlayerUnknown are going to be shaking things up soon.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is still hurtling towards its full release, which is slated for sometime ‘late 2017’. Having already passed eight millions players and counting, it’s good to see that the team isn’t sitting around counting their money.
In the meantime, I’ll be mentally preparing for the first time me and another unlucky individual are stuck in the circle on different floors of an eight-tier building.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is set for a full release on PC in late 2017, following a recently announced ‘console launch exclusive’ release on Xbox One and the enhanced Xbox One X.
Gaming
Battle Pass for Crash Team Rumble is not necessary to unlock new characters; the upcoming closed beta

The competitive multiplayer spinoff of Crash Team Rumble, which will be available on both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, will debut on June 20. A closed beta for the game will be held in the coming weeks, and the good news that character unlocks won’t be dependent on Battle Pass progress was just revealed.
Publisher Activision made its intentions very clear in a lengthy blog post, writing, “New heroes and powers will be unlocked through in-game challenges rather than being connected to the Battle Pass because we want every player to have a balanced experience while enjoying the N. Sane fun that Crash Team Rumble has to offer.” “For those who wish to get a WUMP on the season’s newest looks, Battle Passes will solely reward cosmetic goods; however, cosmetics will still be earnable through participation in seasonal events.”
Those who preorder the platformer/battle royale mix can take part in a limited beta between April 20 and 24. For those who want to jump right in, online matches against other players and practice matches versus AI bots will be offered.
How does Crash Team Rumble strike you? Will you participate in the closed beta test?
Gaming
Indie Not on PlayStation Wins BAFTA Game of the Year, Beating PS5, PS4’s Greatest Hits

God of War Ragnarok and Elden Ring were both beaten out for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award for Best Game by a tiny little independent title called Vampire Survivors, which isn’t even accessible on PlayStation systems. Do you really believe that?
Putting all lightheartedness aside, Vampire Survivors was something of a phenomenon in 2022, and you would have to be living under a rock (or live offline) to have missed it. It burst into prominence and eventually became a favorite among industry insiders. A fiendishly addictive fundamental gameplay loop hides beneath a deceptively simple exterior, earning developer Luca Galante, aka Poncle, this year’s BAFTA for Game Design as well as another honor.
Last up it’s the award for Best Game. Huge congratulations go to… Vampire Survivors! 🌟🦇🌟#BAFTAGamesAwards pic.twitter.com/nnH9xRQkn1
— BAFTA Games (@BAFTAGames) March 30, 2023
There hasn’t been any news of the mega-hit coming to PlayStation as of yet, so there’s probably some sort of exclusivity agreement in place or anything else blocking it. Perhaps one day we will be granted access to it, but until then, console yourself with one of the numerous high-end games on our preferred platform, such as The Last of Us, which won Best Game back in 2014.
In slightly related news, Shuhei Yoshida, a PlayStation legend, received a BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honor bestowed by the organization.
What do you think about the Vampire Survivors’ victory—do you believe it was well-deserved or totally absurd?
Gaming
On May 17, Crusader Kings 3: Royal Court Expansion will be available on consoles

While we felt Crusader Kings 3: Console Edition was fantastic when it was launched on the PS5 last year, we were only able to play the base game. We are incredibly grateful that the great Royal Court extension will be coming to consoles. This is a regal proclamation that we could not be more delighted to make.
It’s pretty difficult to switch back after you’ve experienced the conveniences and enhancements that Royal Court offers to the well-stocked table, as anyone who has played Crusader Kings 3 on PC knows. It’s not just for show; players will be able to use trophies and priceless pieces of art to adorn their throne room, which adds a minor RPG system to an already magnificently complex adventure.
If you haven’t already and like the basic Crusader King’s experience, we highly encourage you to give Royal Court a try. This expansion is the ideal reason to jump back in for another round of backroom maneuvering. Are you going to create your own royal court?
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