Tech
Fortnite Chapter 4 has completely stolen Warzone 2.0’s thunder
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Although Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 reached a whopping 25 million players within five days of its launch, the shooter launched in a troubled state. It’s full of bugs and controversial design choices that have pushed its community away. Since the game’s release on November 16, players have expressed their disappointment with Warzone 2.0, with some community members feeling pessimistic about its future.
Fast-forward to the beginning of December 2022, and Warzone 2.0’s issues seem amplified when placed next to the extraordinary Fortnite Chapter 4.
This all-new Fortnite chapter is one of the — if not the — best in the game’s history, offering plenty of exciting gameplay features, a visual overhaul, enticing cosmetics, and new mechanics that just work. It’s baffling that a Call of Duty entry could launch in such poor shape, considering it’s one of the top-selling franchises of all time. Meanwhile, Fortnite, a game often criticized for being “for kids,” is crushing it, update after update. But what exactly does Warzone 2.0 need to change to keep up with its competition? Perhaps it could look to Fortnite for inspiration.
Lack of meaningful content
Right out of the gate, Fortnite Chapter 4 came packed to the brim with content. It included a major change to the island (that truly feels like a brand-new map in many ways), new features such as dirt bikes, a fresh set of weapons, and the new Reality Augments system. In fact, Fortnite has a rich history of implementing a hefty amount of new features with each major update, while smaller patches frequently keep the game stable in-between.
Warzone 2.0, on the other hand, hasn’t received much since its launch, and based on what we know about the upcoming Season 1 Reloaded, there isn’t a ton in the pipeline. Even what was available on day one was disappointing, as it lacked features we’ve grown to expect, such as leaderboards, combat records, and a Resurgence map like Rebirth Island. Quantity doesn’t equal quality, sure, but it’s tough to deny just how impressive Fortnite’s recent efforts have been in terms of the amount of content implemented.
Wide appeal
Another strength of Fortnite Chapter 4 is the degree of engaging new cosmetics and mechanics. As part of the battle pass, players can earn incredibly detailed versions of Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher series, along with the Doom Slayer from Doom. These two characters have accompanying cosmetics that flesh out each outfit, such as back bling, weapon charms, and emotes. The Incredible Hulk will join the roster later this season, further bolstering the list of beloved characters.
This season also includes motorcycles for the first time, along with Reality Augments, which serve as perks that enhance the gameplay experience. When combined with the major map change, and other minor additions like hurdling, Fortnite has never looked — or played — better.
All of these things make the game appealing to a wide variety of players, especially after the Zero Build update that features a dedicated playlist without the controversial building mechanics.
It just works
Preferences aside, Warzone 2.0 is unbelievably clunky at present; you wouldn’t know it’s funded by one of the biggest video game publishers out there. It’s full of bugs, sluggish menus, one of the worst inventory systems in recent memory, and an abysmal UI. When compared to Fortnite, there’s a gulf in quality between these live-service titles. Sure, it isn’t perfect, but almost everything in Fortnite is streamlined, easy to understand, and has a high degree of polish that makes it seem finished.
Epic Games is incredibly fast when it comes to addressing issues within Fortnite — typically bugs are squashed within days. Warzone 2.0, on the other hand, still crashes frequently, and feels like it’s held together with duct tape, just like its predecessor.
That’s the thing: The original Warzone also felt unpolished too. It’s incredibly frustrating that Activision has repeated many of the same mistakes with the sequel, while other successful live-service games have a much firmer handle on their ongoing operations.
Of the time
Fortnite Chapter 4 is made possible by Unreal Engine 5.1, giving the game an enhanced look. Everything including its lighting, shadows, and performance have gotten an upgrade with this update, making the already gorgeous game look even better. Oddly enough, many of these new visual features give Fortnite a sense of realism, despite its art direction being anything but realistic. Still, its overall presentation looks expensive and appealing.
Warzone 2.0 looks inoffensive, but certainly doesn’t hold a candle to Fortnite, especially after the Chapter 4 update. The Call of Duty battle royale appears like a PS4 game, with washed-out visuals that sometimes make it hard to see enemies. It’s a night-and-day comparison that really makes me wonder what Activision was thinking with Warzone 2.0.
With all of these critiques, I’m not just comparing Fortnite to some indie game with no budget. Activision and Epic Games are two of the largest behemoths in the video game space, with seemingly endless resources compared to other publishers. It doesn’t add up that one is currently in shambles while another is consistently innovating in the right direction. Warzone, as it stands, is in need of a change and I hope its developers can draw some inspiration from Fortnite to make it happen, as it continues to set the bar for multiplayer games like it.
Tech
Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) New iPad Pro and iPad Air to Hit Markets Soon – TipRanks.com – TipRanks
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is likely to introduce its new iPad Pro and iPad Air as soon as May. The much-anticipated product launch will come just ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.
End to a Long Wait
As the much-awaited moment draws near, Bloomberg reports that the tech giant’s suppliers have already ramped up production of the devices. For Apple’s devout customers, the introduction of the revamped iPads marks the end of a nearly 18-month drought of major new releases from the company. The iPads are expected to boast features such as new OLED displays for the Pro model and an option for a 12.9-inch screen for the Air model.
Revamped iPads Unleashed
The long wait for new iPad models has resulted in sluggish tablet sales for Apple in recent times. Consequently, the company will likely look to the revamped versions to boost demand. Additionally, Apple is introducing more processing power to the new versions. The Pro models will feature a new M3 chip. Similarly, the iPad Air is also receiving an upgrade with a new processor, moving from its last version’s M1 chip to the latest technology.
What to Expect in June
Importantly, the product launches are scheduled just before Apple’s highly anticipated annual Worldwide Developers Conference. This event is slated for June 10. The iPhone maker is widely expected to unveil its AI strategy as well as software updates for its range of products at the event.
Is Apple a Buy, Sell, or a Hold?
Apple’s share price has corrected by nearly 11% year-to-date. The Street has a cautiously optimistic stance on the stock with a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Furthermore, the average AAPL price target of $203.40 points to an 18.6% potential upside in the company’s share price.
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Tech
Take-Two Interactive to Acquire 'Borderlands' Developer Gearbox From Embracer Group for $460 Million – Yahoo Canada Sports
Take-Two Interactive has acquired video game developer Gearbox, the maker of the “Borderlands” franchise, from Embracer Group for $460 million.
Per Take Two, the company “expects the transaction to deepen its successful relationship with Gearbox Entertainment and to provide increased financial benefits through a fully integrated operational structure.”
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As part of the deal, Take-Two will acquire Gearbox IP, including “Borderlands” and “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” franchises, games published by Take-Two’s 2K Games, as well as “Homeworld,” “Risk of Rain,” “Brothers in Arms” and “Duke Nukem.”
Currently, Gearbox has six “key interactive entertainment projects in various stages of development,” per Take-Two, which includes five sequels, two from “Borderlands” and “Homeworld” universes, and at least one “exciting new intellectual property,” all of which have been acquired in the sale.
Take-Two’s purchase of Gearbox is expected to close in June, pending regulatory approval. Upon completion, Gearbox will operate as a studio within 2K, continuing to be led by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and his management team.
Former Gearbox owner Embracer, a Swedish gaming conglomerate who snapped up the rights to “Lord of the Rings” two years ago, has undergone a severe restructuring program over the past year, which has seen the company shut down or dispose of dozens of games studios and titles and lay off hundreds of staff, resulting in aftershocks that have reverberated throughout the games industry.
The sale of Gearbox marks the latest insistence of Embracer unloading assets, following the company divesting Saber Interactive.
“Our acquisition of Gearbox is an exciting moment for Take-Two and will strengthen our industry-leading creative talent and portfolio of owned intellectual property, including the iconic Borderlands franchise,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said. “This combination enhances the financial profile of our existing projects with Gearbox and unlocks the opportunity for us to drive increased long-term growth by leveraging the full resources of Take-Two across all of Gearbox’s exciting initiatives.”
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Tech
An OLED iPad Pro and the first big-screen iPad Air will reportedly arrive in May – Engadget
Apple will finally launch new iPads in early May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Expected are a new iPad Pro with an OLED display and a faster iPad Air, including a 12.9-inch model for the first time in that lineup. The details of the upcoming iPad models have been consistent, circulating through the rumor mill since last year.
The new iPad Pro models will reportedly add OLED displays (offering deeper blacks and richer colors) and run on the new M3 chip, already found in several Macs. The new tablets are said to launch alongside a redesigned Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Other than a white color option, the latter has remained unchanged since its arrival four years ago.
Meanwhile, the iPad Air will supposedly run on a new processor. Bloomberg didn’t specify which, but — considering the current model uses the M1, and Apple likely wants to reserve the M3 for the more expensive Pro — the M2 sounds like a safe bet. The 12.9-inch screen option would mark the first time the iPad Air line has offered a display larger than 10.9 inches. Although Apple will charge more for that model than the smaller sibling expected alongside it, that would be the cheapest way yet to get a supersized iPad screen.
Gurman said early this month that the new tablets would launch alongside the M3 MacBook Air, but the laptop arrived without any iPads in tow. He now reports that Apple’s release schedule was pushed back to finish working on the devices’ software and ironing out the kinks from the “complex new manufacturing techniques” they require.
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