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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Why The New DLC Character Feels Like A Letdown – GameSpot

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Game director Masahiro Sakurai announced the fifth and final character in the first Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass, Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses. The reception was less than glowing. While Smash character reveals are often highlights for fans, this one felt disappointing, and worse yet, dull. Why does this one feel like a letdown, especially for a game bursting with variety?

The commentary on Twitter was quick to name the perpetrator. It was too many Fire Emblem characters, some said, or too many sword wielders, as the reveal video itself cheekily referenced. And while those elements might play a part, I think the problem really comes down to expectation-setting, and the element of surprise.

The Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC was pitched as a series of surprising inclusions, and the characters offered have followed through on that promise, until now. As fond as I am of Byleth and their game–Fire Emblem: Three Houses was my personal Game of the Year–there’s simply no way to say that the latest Fire Emblem protagonist is unexpected. It is exactly expected. If Fire Emblem: Three Houses had been out when Smash Bros. Ultimate was first released, we’d fully expect them to be on the default roster alongside Corrin and Robin.

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We can trace the origins of fan expectations back to the very first character reveal. When Persona 5’s Joker was revealed during the 2018 Game Awards, then-NoA President Reggie Fils-Aime took to the stage to explain how Joker was an example of what Nintendo was trying to accomplish with its choices of DLC characters.

“This gives you a flavor of how we’re approaching the DLC,” Fils-Aime said. “There’s going to be five characters–each character will come with a stage, it’ll come with a collection of music. These are going to be characters that are new to the series just like Joker from Persona 5, characters that you would not anticipate to be in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.”

The fighters who followed Joker–Dragon Quest’s Hero, Banjo and Kazooie, and Terry Bogard from Fatal Fury–have followed as part of a pattern. Each of them are characters from outside the Nintendo ecosystem, and because of that, they are surprising to varying degrees. Banjo and Kazooie are the closest to classic Nintendo characters, originally debuting on the N64, but now that they’re Microsoft-owned their inclusion may have been the biggest surprise of all.

Fils-Aime’s comments paired with a steady stream of wild, non-Nintendo picks set expectations, which is why Byleth landed with such a thud. The character looks good, and their abilities have the degree of flavor and homage that we’ve come to expect from Smash Bros. But after being told we’re in for surprises, and the rat-a-tat release of four unexpected picks in a row, this one broke the mold by being so utterly conventional.

Sakurai ended the presentation by announcing details on the next Fighters Pass, set to release another six characters by the end of 2021. It will go on sale at the end of January, right as Byleth releases. Once again, Sakurai said he would be grateful if fans would understand why the pass is going on sale without the identities of the new characters announced, and on that front, he’s earned some goodwill. The mix of additions in the first Fighters Pass was mostly eclectic and charming, and even the less exciting ones had the sheen of fine craftsmanship. Going forward, though, we may do well to remind ourselves to keep expectations in check. Not every announcement will be a delightful surprise. Some of them are just fine.

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Record low prices hit Apple's M3 MacBook Pro 14-inch, now on sale from $1,399 – AppleInsider

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B&H has dropped MacBook Pro prices further as March comes to a close. Pick up an M3 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM for just $1,549 — or opt for the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14-inch for $1,699. Both are record-breaking deals.

14-inch models

16-inch models

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There are numerous MacBook Pro deals on upgraded configurations, so if you’re looking for an M3 Max configuration or extra storage, it’s worth checking out our Mac Price Guide to shop the latest sales.

Even more month-end deals on Apple

Best Apple prices

Aggressive savings are in effect now on nearly every current Mac. You can also find discounted prices on streaming services, closeout models and software. Here are a few of the top deals going on now:

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Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) New iPad Pro and iPad Air to Hit Markets Soon – TipRanks.com – TipRanks

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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.

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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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Take-Two Interactive to Acquire 'Borderlands' Developer Gearbox From Embracer Group for $460 Million – Yahoo Canada Sports

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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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