Author: Game Infliction

World of Tanks Modern Armor gets loud with Motörhead and Rob Zombie July 30

How do you make a second act spectacular? Turn the volume up even higher.

This summer, World of Tanks Modern Armor gets loud as Motörhead and Rob Zombie take the stage for Metal Fest, the central event of our new Heavy Metal season!


World of Tanks Modern Armor gets loud with Motörhead and Rob Zombie July 30

Just like all the best music festivals, Metal Fest has become an annual event. Anyone who missed our 2023 headliners (Sabaton, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden) is in luck; for a limited time, we’ll be bringing back last year’s content in all of its guitar-shredding glory.

But you don’t want to just relive last year’s epic moments. You want to hear about the new stuff. So let’s talk about what it took to make this year’s event happen with the legendary Motörhead and Rob Zombie!

Motörhead

Motörhead blasts its way into battle with new content that includes:

  • The Thunder Chief Object 452K tank
  • The “Bomber” Skin for the FV107 Scimitar
  • 2D Commanders representing band members Lemmy Kilmister, Phil Campbell, and Mikkey Dee
  • 3D Commanders modeled after Lemmy and the band’s mascot, Warpig

Motörhead is one of the true vanguards of heavy metal. Their lifestyle and legend remains fiercely popular, and founding father Lemmy (who passed away in 2015) continues to be revered in the community.

But as well as leading Motörhead to deafening global popularity, Lemmy was also an avid gamer, and the band was actively involved with concepts and ideas for Tanks’ new content. Talking about the Lemmy 3D Commander, the band states, “Modern technology has enabled us to have Lemmy fully integrated into the game, which felt appropriate given that this is exactly the sort of game he played and avidly enjoyed.” 

It’s a legacy that the Motörhead superfans in Tanks’ design and development crews took seriously. “We did a ton of visual research to make sure we were making the most authentic version of Lemmy seen in any video game ever, and I think we achieved that,” says Andy Dorizas, Tanks’ art director. “I wanted to make sure we honored him as the amazing guy he was.” 

This dedication is reflected not only in the Commanders but in the Motörhead tank and skin (“the back of the tanks, the amps—you will know if you know,” says Dorizas) as well as the Warpig 3D Commander. According to Dorizas, “We even have Warpig carrying the bomb from the Bomber album cover into the game when you choose him in the UI.”

In fact, this marks the first time that fans will get to hear Warpig’s voice, a responsibility that fell to another Motörhead fan: Brendan Blewett, Tanks’ audio director.

“Motörhead provided clear goals and direction for Warpig in that they wanted a character that was a cross between a wild, free-wheeling-no-rules biker and an English bulldog,” Blewett explains. “I had to think about how to achieve this, and I decided that interpolating recordings, in combination with modulating a human voice recording against a different recording of dog vocalizations, was going to be my method.”

So, who was chosen to assist with this iconic role? “My sister-in-law has a puggle named Ollie, and he is a legendary vocalizer when it comes to snorting and breathing and grunting and whatnot, so the solution presented itself,” says Blewett. “The whole of every line is a human voice being directly modulated by dog vocalizations.”

Sometimes you go to great lengths to make rock and roll happen.

Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie thunders onto the battlefield with new content that includes:

  • The Dragula T-55AGM tank
  • The “Superbeast” Skin for the M53/55
  • 2D and 3D Commanders modeled after the man himself

Zombie is an unmatched creative force who, with the 1998 release of Hellbilly Deluxe, solidified his status as a ruler in the realm of shock rock. The Dragula T-55AGM acknowledges this with a design that pays tribute to the album’s lead single.

But Zombie’s career extends far beyond that, which meant that his 3D Commander in particular had to reflect all his accomplishments and interests.

“We made two designs of his 3D commander,” says Dorizas. “Rob chose the one that was more authentic to Rob and not tied to any one album theme … a bad-ass tanker with evil style and some serious menace.”

No matter which act is your favorite, this year’s Metal Fest aims to thrill. Motörhead and Rob Zombie were among players’ top five most requested acts, and we’re honored to bring them you.

So crank it up. We’ll see you on the battlefield for Metal Fest starting July 30 on PS5 and PS4!

Massive Fallout 4 Mod Fallout London Finally Has a Release Date — and It’s Today

The hotly anticipated Fallout 4 mod, Fallout London, finally launches today, July 25, after a series of delays.

Team FOLON lead project manager Dean Carter told Inverse that, “unless nuclear war happens, yes,” July 25 is the release date.

Fallout London is perhaps the most high-profile mod ever created, and lets players engage with everything from “stuffy parliamentary aristocrats to a resurrection of the Knights of the Round Table to an uncompromising cult of revolutionaries” in what amounts to an expansion-sized add-on.

It has even secured the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Neil Newbon for its voice cast, with former UK Speaker of the House John Bercow in the game, too.

The mod was previously due to arrive on April 23, 2024 but actual Fallout developer Bethesda announced a surprise update for Fallout 4, which the mod developer feared would impact its release.

Carter later lamented how Bethesda, which has made clear it’s aware of Fallout: London, failed to inform Team FOLON of its plans. “That has, for lack of a better term, sort of screwed us over, somewhat,” Carter said.

As a result of Bethesda’s Fallout 4 updates, the release of Fallout London is slightly fiddly. If you get the mod on GOG, it’s compatible with Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition from both GOG and Steam. But the Steam version of the game is after the next-gen update, making it non-compatible, which means you have to downgrade your game.

Meanwhile, GOG has confirmed that Fallout London won’t be playable via Epic Games Store-bought copies of Fallout 4 at launch because the storefront doesn’t support update rollbacks.

Bethesda development chief Todd Howard has confirmed Fallout 5 will arrive after the Elder Scrolls 6, which is still years away itself, though massively multiplayer online game Fallout 76 continues to be updated.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

This web game lets you drag words around a communal fridge door to create poetry

I’ve never been a poetry guy, not because I don’t like it, I’ve just never gone out of my way to read them over books or whatnot. The poems I’ve engaged with the most are those read out during wedding ceremonies, those that pop-up before the start of a horror game, or The Tiger by 6-year old Nael that occasionally pops up as I’m doomscrolling. But thanks to the multiplayer web game “fridge poetry”, where you drag words to create poems, I might become a day-to-day poem guy. Going off my first effort, I don’t think many will appreciate my career switch.

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Sony’s $40 Hero Shooter Concord Does Not Have a Battle Pass

Concord, Sony’s $40 hero shooter set to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC in August, does not have a battle pass.

Sony-owned developer Firewalk Studios took to social media to answer questions coming out of the recent closed and open betas, and confirmed Concord bucks the live service trend by ditching a battle pass in favor of an old-school unlock system fueled simply by playing the game, completing objectives, and leveling up.

“Concord does not have a battle pass,” Firewalk said. “We wanted to focus our attention on making Concord a rewarding and robust experience on day one, where just playing the game, leveling up your accounts and characters, and completing jobs yields meaningful rewards.”

No Battle Pass, folks. You own Concord, Concord doesn’t own you.

Firewalk Studios gameplay animation director, Mark DeRidder, followed up by tweeting: “No Battle Pass, folks. You own Concord, Concord doesn’t own you.”

Concord is set to enter the tough live service hero shooter market, taking on established players such as Blizzard’s Overwatch 2, EA’s Apex Legends, and Riot’s Valorant by charging $40 all-in, rather than go free-to-play with microtransactions and battle passes, as its competitors do.

The game’s chances of success are a hot topic online, with recent poor concurrent player numbers on Steam for the closed and open beta fueling the sense that Concord will likely struggle on PC. Concord may fare better on PS5 (Sony does not make PlayStation player numbers public), but tough questions will surely continue around whether the game hits Sony’s commercial expectations for it.

Sony has found enormous success going down the PS5/PC cross-platform route for fellow PlayStation live service, Helldivers 2. Arrowhead’s third-person co-op shooter, which also launched at $40, is PlayStation’s fastest-selling game of all time with over 12 million sold in 12 weeks. Early indicators suggest Concord will struggle to emulate its live service predecessor’s sales success.

Meanwhile, Firewalk confirmed Concord does not have a PvE mode at launch, although pointed to the addition of new modes in the future. Concord launches with the six 5v5 PvP modes seen in the beta, alongside 12 maps and hundreds of customization items to unlock.

The idea is Firewalk will release new characters, maps, and plenty more as part of regular post-launch seasons. Cinematic vignettes will be released weekly in-game at launch (three we shown during the beta). These let you get to know the characters and learn about life as a Freegunner and the broader Concord galaxy.

One big problem the beta suffered from was no mid-match leaver penalty, and no join-in-progress system. That meant players would be faced with playing as part of an under strength team, or against a team short on numbers, which would encourage more players to leave.

Firewalk said “ensuring teams are complete and evenly matched throughout a game is a priority for us,” and confirmed plans to explore the potential of a leaver penalty system “to incentivize players to start and stay in complete teams,” but it doesn’t sound like it will be in place for launch.

And finally, at launch, Concord will have its training mode and Galactic Guide unlocked.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Grit And Valor 1949 is a real-time Into The Breach, or at least vaguely similar enough that I can squeeze a more popular game in this headline

Grit And Valor 1949 certainly evokes the tactics of Into The Breach, with its stompy machinery and floating tile battlegrounds. But, despite all appearances, this one isn’t actually turn-based at all. A tiley, tiny real time strategy then? Aye, and one that’s actually pretty frantic as it happens. Missions are snappy, intense skirmishes. You’ll fight off waves while trying to protect your useless, freeloading command vehicle. This threat, combined with on-the-fly tactical consider-me-do’s like utilising cover and keeping rock-paper-scissors matchups in your favour ends up spawning something quite distinct. Please, do stomp on, preferably with less hypens for all our sakes.

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Best Capture Card for PS5

The PlayStation 5 can record, but it’s limited to capturing an hour of gameplay at a time, but the best capture cards remove any limitations, leaving you free to make the best content possible for your audience.

TL;DR – These are the best capture cards for PS5:

  1. EVGA XR1 Pro Capture Card – Best overall
  2. AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus – Best standalone
  3. Elgato HD60 X – Best budget 4K
  4. AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini Capture card – Best budget
  5. AVerMedia Live Gamer Bolt – Best 240fps
  6. Asus TUF CU4K30 – General use
  7. Razer Ripsaw HD – Best value
  8. Rode Streamer X – Best all-in-one

A great capture card will not only take the strain off your console, but in most cases, you can also use them to live stream your gameplay. Even if you’re not using your capture card for streaming, there are many out there that support recording in 4K and with HDR, meaning you don’t have to compromise on visual fidelity.

Most capture cards will work with the best gaming PCs, and Nintendo Switch, because they primarily capture anything sent through your HDMI cable. There are some capture cards that are pickier about the content they’ll capture, but for the most part, these capture cards should be compatible with anything you can plug an HDMI cable into.

1. EVGA XR1 Pro Capture Card

Best Capture Card for PS5

If you’re just starting your career as a content creator, the EVGA XR1 Pro is a beginner-friendly capture card. But, just because it’s suitable for beginners, it doesn’t mean it’s not powerful. Despite not being able to capture 4K @ 60fps, this PS5 capture card can still capture 1440p at 60fps, and 4K at 30fps.

With no drivers required, you can simply plug the EVGA XR1 Pro into your laptop and console and get to gaming. And, as well as being compatible with PS5 consoles, you can connect it to a DSLR camera, webcam, camcorder, and so on.

The fun doesn’t stop there. This capture card looks as stylish as it is powerful. With customizable RGB LEDs and built-in audio mixer controls, you’ll feel like you’re in the driver’s seat.

2. AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus

Best Standalone Capture Card for PS5

The AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus can be used with or without a PC. Whether you’re a streamer, content creator, or hobbyist, you can record up to 1080p60 while gaming in 4K on your PS5

While it’s compatible with OBS and other software, the AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus does come with AVerMedia’s own free RECentral software. If you’re new to video editing, it’s probably worth looking into this since it’s incredibly easy to use. Plus, it allows you to update the device’s firmware, select video quality levels, and more.

As a standalone capture card, this device is incredibly handy. And, since there’s support for high-capacity microSD cards, you can capture a lot of footage without the need for a PC. If you’re not fussed about capturing 4K natively, then this is a good value capture card for PS5.

3. Elgato HD60 X

Best Budget 4K Capture Card for PS5

The Elgato HD60 X’s biggest conundrum is deciding whether you want to capture 1080p at 60fps, or 4K at 30fps. Once you get past this, you can enjoy this affordable capture card for PS5. It offers a serious middle ground in the capture card market, as well as being reliable and lag-free.

Granted, it’s not the most stylish-looking device, and it’s not going to win any RGB awards, but it does what it says on the tin. Like some other capture cards, the Elgato HD60 X comes with its own free software for Windows, but since it supports third-party software too, I’d recommend going with the latter.

If you’re looking for a capture card that delivers lag-free 4K at 30fps, you won’t find much better at this price. But, if you want to achieve 4K60, you’re going to need to invest a little more, okay, quite a lot more into Elgato’s 4K60 S+.

4. AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini Capture card

Best Budget Capture Card for PS5

The AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini Capture card is fantastic if you’re on a budget. This is an ideal starter card, allowing you to capture 1080p resolutions at 60fps. The device itself is small and compact; perfect if you need it to be portable.

With USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 compatibility, you can simply plug the AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini Capture card into your Windows PC or Mac – no drivers needed, no installation necessary! As well as using the capture card to capture PS5 gameplay, it also works with Xbox and Switch consoles.

Like the AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus, you can use RECentral 4 to edit your videos. But, the device is also compatible with OBS, so if you’re slightly more advanced or want to tinker with OBS Studio, you can.

5. AVerMedia Live Gamer Bolt

Best 240fps Capture Card for PS5

Ramping up a gear, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Bolt is an eye-watering investment, but one that’s totally worth it if you’re serious about streaming and content creation. Able to capture 4K at 60fps, and 1080p at a whopping 240fps, this beast of a capture card looks as good as it performs.

There’s a catch: This capture card requires a Thunderbolt 3 connection on your PC or Mac; USB is not supported. If you have the relevant ports, you’ll be greeted with exceptional video quality and 7.1 surround sound passthrough support. Now you can truly capture how immersive your PS5 games are and share it with the world.

If you can stomach the cost, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Bolt is truly worth it. It’s designed carefully, and beautifully, and the results are stunning. There’s no added load to your system, either, and the included software is a breeze to use.

6. Asus TUF CU4K30

Best General-Use Capture Card for PS5

The Asus TUF CU4K30 sits firmly in the middle of the road when it comes to PS5 capture cards. You don’t get 4K60, but there are plenty of other capture options, including 1080p at 120fps. So, you can expect excellent results that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

If you want to record footage for your YouTube or Twitch channels, this capture card ticks all the boxes. It’s compatible with PS5 and Xbox consoles and works with Windows or Mac. It also doesn’t require any software to set up (but doesn’t come with any included for free either).

Small, compact, and portable, the Asus TUF CU4K30 is like your best friend who can do no wrong. This device performs well, looks great, and really is a no-brainer at its price point.

7. Razer Ripsaw HD

Best Value Capture Card for PS5

Although the Razer Ripsaw HD caps out at capturing 1080p at 60fps, it does feature 4K60 passthrough, meaning it’s ideal for PS5 streamers and broadcasters. Thanks to its 3.5mm input and output, you can also use this capture card for some minor mixing, resulting in crisp audio with zero latency.

Due to the lower price point, you can’t expect 4K30 or 4K60. It also comes with a slightly steeper learning curve compared to some capture cards, so I wouldn’t recommend it for beginners. Video and audio must be added separately, which could leave some users scratching their heads.

But, if you’re looking for a capture card for PS5 that’s incredible value for money, you’ve got what you need right here with the Razer Ripsaw HD. It’s a solid device and the 4K passthrough tips the scales if you’re considering a compact device that won’t let you down.

8. Rode Streamer X

Best All-in-One Capture Card for PS5

Want a capture card that does more? Grab the Rode Streamer X. Beyond capturing footage in 4K at 30fps, this device also works as an audio interface. So, you get studio-grade preamps and powerful audio processing, ensuring your live streams and recordings sound just as good as they look.

The Rode Streamer X is full of ports for both audio and video. There are dual USB-C outputs, an HDMI in, and a zero-latency HDMI passthrough. A jack is ready to connect the best gaming headsets, and the XLR combo jack is ideal for slotting in the best streaming microphones. This gadget also comes with customizable smart pads, gain dials, and a few other handy extras that are perfect for using with Rode’s Unify software

Unfortunately, you won’t get the top-of-line capture card features, but it still records video at 4K30 and offers higher frame rates or HDR support at lower resolutions. Since there’s no HDMI 2.1, passthrough is limited to 4K60. At least, VRR and HDR are supported. Still, it’s a commendable performance from this versatile device.

How to pick the best capture cards for PS5

To choose the best capture card for PS5, think about your priorities. If you stream on Twitch, for example, you may not need to spend as much as you thought since 4K streams aren’t allowed.

Most middle-ground capture cards will support 1080p at 30 or 60fps, which is a good place to start. This will result in great video quality that is easily consumed by most audiences. You will probably find it’s easier to find a more affordable capture card in this range, too.

You’ll also need to consider whether you want an internal or external capture card. Internal capture cards tend to be more expensive than external capture cards and often have a steeper learning curve. External capture cards are more portable, affordable, and easier to use.

FAQ

Can I stream PS5 to OBS with a capture card?

Many popular capture cards are compatible and support OBS. Since it’s one of the most popular pieces of software for streamers, most capture cards will state whether they are compatible or not. If your capture card is compatible, you simply need to connect your PS5 to the HDMI input on the card, connect the device to your computer, and then launch OBS Studio. Here, you can add a new video capture device source.

Is it better to stream from a PS5 with a capture card?

Although you can capture gameplay directly on your PS5, a capture card will not interfere while you game at all. The results are often of higher quality, allowing you to stream directly to platforms like Twitch and YouTube, as well as being able to edit the results using programs like OBS. That makes a capture card one of the best PS5 accessories to invest in if you’re a streamer.

What is the point of a capture card?

Capture cards allow you to record and stream video and audio from a source, such as a PS5, Xbox, camera, and so on. They connect via the HDMI port on your console which can then be connected to your computer, allowing you to edit your captured gameplay. They are a worthwhile investment for content creators and streamers.

Kegan is an avid gamer who has been playing games since his Atari days. From a young age Kegan was tinkering with PCs and now has a passion for building custom gaming computers.

Switch Online Adds Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Icons

Wave 1 is available now.

To celebrate the recent launch of Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, a new batch of icons have been released for the Switch Online service.

The first wave is now officially underway and will be available until 31st July 2024. NSO Icons Alerts on social media has shared a closer look at what’s on offer in Wave 1, with each icon available for 10 Platinum Points. As you can see, you can get retro icons based on Super Mario Bros., Kirby, Metroid, and more.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

New MultiVersus Datamine Suggests Future Content Around Barbie, Harry Potter, and More

MultiVersus players may soon be able to enjoy content from the worlds of Harry Potter and Barbie if a datamine leak is to be believed.

Information on what could be the Warner Bros. platform fighter’s next batch of content comes from X/Twitter user @AusilMV, who has been sharing what appears to be images from concepts of different stages and characters. While some of the pictures highlight what appear to be early-in-development locations and gameplay modifiers, others are instantly recognizable.

One notable example shows a stage with broomsticks that hover above a platform decorated with four distinct colors: blue, red, green, and yellow. It doesn’t take a Harry Potter expert to recognize that the broomsticks could signal that the map is intended to be Quidditch-themed, but those banners also seem to be placeholders for the universe’s four houses, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff. While no Harry Potter representative can be seen in the image, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the stage accompanied by someone like Dumbledore or Hermione should Harry Potter content ever make its official MultiVersus debut.

The datamine also reveals a stage that is unmistakably inspired by last year’s megaton movie hit, Barbie. The all-pink location is dressed with palm trees, multiple levels to fight on, and a twisty slide that seems to lead to a pool. It looks almost exactly the same as star Margot Robbie’s Barbie Dreamhouse, though like the Harry Potter stage, it lacks any Barbie or Ken character representation.

Other MultiVersus datamine images show off heavily rumored characters like the Powerpuff Girls, DC’s Nubia, and Adventure Time’s Marceline, though until developer Player First Games has anything to announce, it’s best not to expect any of the content shown to officially appear in-game. It’s at least clear that the developer has more plans behind the scenes, as Warner Bros. Games moved to acquire the studio earlier this week.

MultiVersus is still in the midst of renewed player interest following its re-launch in May. Fans are currently enjoying Season 2 of its post-launch roadmap, which brought along newcomer Samurai Jack with Beetlejuice promised to arrive at a later date. This is all while players continue to wait for introductions for other characters who have been previously leaked, such as Aquaman and maybe even a few mystery anime characters.

We’ve had our eye on MultiVersus since its return to the public and had great things to say about it in our 8/10 review. At the time, we said, “MultiVersus may not be a must-play at social gatherings, but its refreshing team-based battles make it a great platform fighter online.”

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.