Dallas Fuel and London Spitfire were both knocked out of the Overwatch League playoffs.
Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
The second day of the 2020 Overwatch League playoffs is behind us, and it’s the end of the season for another four teams. The 2018 champions London Spitfire, Toronto Defiant, Boston Uprising and Dallas Fuel have all been knocked out. As such, Chengdu Hunters, Los Angeles Gladiators, Atlanta Reign and Washington Justice are all progressing to the next stage.
Read on for more on how that all went down.
London Spitfire 1-3 Chengdu Hunters
The Hunters were always likely to be competitive in a meta where shields aren’t favored. Main tank Ding “Ameng” Menghan is famed for his terrific Wrecking Ball play, and he won all three maps that he played during the 3-1 win.
As great as Ameng is, the match will probably be best remembered for the Spitfire’s terrible loss of focus while defending on King’s Row, which allowed Ameng to sneak the payload into the final checkpoint — even though he was napping after being hit by a sleep dart. It wouldn’t be the Overwatch League playoffs without a horrible C9, which, poetically enough, is named for the Spitfire’s parent organization Cloud9.
Toronto Defiant 2-3 Los Angeles Gladiators
The second match of the day, between Toronto Defiant and Los Angeles Gladiators, was much closer (and more entertaining) as it went all the way to the third point of map five. Ji-hyeok “birdring” Kim was feeling sick and missed out on Illios, which Toronto won. But after he subbed in for Chris “MirroR” Trịnh, birdring helped the Gladiators come roaring back to claim Hollywood and Temple of Anubis. The Defiant themselves bounced back to take Dorado.
We saw yet another player best known for playing in the damage role flexing over to tank duties in this match. Justice have been deploying Gui-un “Decay” Jang on Zayra and here, Brady “Agilities” Girardi was on Roadhog for Toronto during the first four maps. Main tank Seb “numlocked” Barton subbed in for the deciding map, Lijang Tower, but the change didn’t quite pay off as the Gladiators won out.
Boston Uprising 1-3 Atlanta Reign
After that slobberknocker, Friday’s second North American playoffs match saw Atlanta Reign take on Boston Uprising, who surprised many by beating Houston Outlaws on Thursday. If you tuned in at halftime and saw that the Reign were up 2-0, you might have thought they were running away with this one. Both maps were close though, and Boston rallied back to dominate on Volskaya Industries.
But they couldn’t keep the good times rolling, and lost out on Havana to exit the playoffs. The Uprising played well over their two playoffs matches, and after the torrid season they’ve had, they can go into the offseason with their heads held relatively high and start looking forward to 2021.
Washington Justice 3-0 Dallas Fuel
The final match of the day had a heck of a storyline going into it. Decay left the Fuel in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in August and joined the Justice a week later. I can’t say with complete certainty that he was out for blood when he took on his former teammates, but you can do the math.
This one wasn’t all that close. The Justice won 3-0, but the Fuel didn’t help themselves by opting for strange, firmly off-meta hero picks in Torbjörn on Lijiang Tower and Genji on their Numbani attack. Decay’s probably feeling pretty pleased after helping the Justice dump out the Fuel.
As for what’s next, Chengdu have to make it through one more knockout match on Saturday before they can enter the knockout stages, and it’ll be a tricky one against New York Excelsior. In the day’s other APAC match, Hangzhou Spark will battle Seoul Dynasty.
The North American sides who advanced will go into the double-elimination rounds tomorrow. There’s a stacked lineup of matches as Gladiators will play Philadelphia Fusion, while the resurgent Justice battle one of the Overwatch League’s juggernauts in the San Francisco Shock. Paris Eternal opted to take on the Reign, which means Los Angeles Valiant will revive their rivalry with Florida Mayhem. You can check out the full schedule for all of Saturday’s matches right here.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
