Genshin Impact Version 3.4 lets players venture into Sumeru, the Desert of Hadramaveth

Hello Travelers! The Genshin Impact dev team is excited to share with you the latest information on our first version update of 2023, coming on January 18. As the world of Teyvat ushers in a new year, Version 3.4 The Exquisite Night Chimes will introduce two new playable characters, Alhaitham and Yaoyao as well as lots of fun, events, and rich rewards. While the people of Liyue are busy preparing for annual Lantern Rite celebrations, the Yashiro Commission and Arataki Itto are also planning something exciting and challenging. Players can look forward to claiming the following rewards for free: 10 + 3 Intertwined Fates, a 4-star Liyue character, and Lisa’s new outfit! Kamisato Ayaka’s new outfit will also be available in store with a limited-time discount.

In addition to celebrations and events, a new area amid sandstorms finally reveals itself among the vast desert of Sumeru, where myths, wonders, and mysteries are buried.

Festivities, games, and rewards

In the annual Lantern Rite celebrations, Liyue Harbor has been adorned with ribbons, lanterns, fireworks, and various festive activities are also in full swing. A special music festival will be hosted this year featuring guests from afar. In the meantime, the locals are ready to share some traditional crafts, such as the Paper Theater Performance, which is a must-see among the children. The performance features the Valiant Bearded Hero Huanguang, and Travelers will assist behind the scenes to ensure that the series of performances runs smoothly. Another event gameplay, Radiant Sparks, allows players to experience the feeling of soaring into the sky like blooming fireworks.

The joy also spreads to Inazuma, where two competitions await challengers. The Yashiro Commission is busy preparing for “Warrior’s Spirit,” a competition in which participants will duel with blades using Inazuma’s traditional skills of “Parry” and “Honed Techniques.” During the event, Kamisato Ayaka will wear a new outfit and engage in an extraordinary duel with a special guest. On the other side of the islands, Arataki Itto is also hosting a competition, but it is one that requires contestants to duel with their beetles. During the “Beetle Brawl,” you can control your Onikabuto to crush your opponents with techniques and perfect timing.

More events and surprises are yet to come. The “Second Blooming” challenge event will give Travelers an opportunity to redeem Lisa’s new outfit for free. Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out the daily login and greeting emails to claim up to 10 + 3 Intertwined Fates.

A “Feeble” Scholar of Sumeru and an endearing Soul of Liyue

In Version 3.4, both two new playable characters Alhaitham and Yaoyao possess a Dendro Vision, but their personalities differ in many ways. Alhaitham, the current scribe of the Sumeru Akademiya, is a rational individual in pursuit of truth and wisdom, while Yaoyao indulges herself in nature and people around her, forming close bonds with many creatures, friends, and even the adepti of Liyue.

Serving as the Akademiya’s scribe, Alhaitham has been a trusted companion on our journey to rescue Nahida. You can find out more about Alhaitham’s current situation in his Story Quest Vultur Volans Chapter, where the story continues after he has taken up the role of Acting Great Sage. Additionally, this self-proclaimed “feeble scholar” can now join your party as a five-star sword wielder, allowing you to apply his wisdom to your own journey. Alhaitham values efficiency in combat. He can create Chisel Light Mirrors with his Elemental attacks and other means. The Chisel Light Mirrors can convert Alhaitham’s attacks into Dendro damage, unleash coordinated attacks, and enhance the damage dealt by his Elemental Burst when more Mirrors are present. Therefore, how to manage the number and use of Chisel Light Mirrors is the key to enhancing Alhaitham’s capability in combat.

The new four-star character, Yaoyao, is a lovable child who is favored by both the adepti and locals in Liyue. She is an apprentice of Madame Ping and was given a rabbit-shaped adeptus device named Yuegui by Cloud Retainer. In combat, Yaoyao wields a polearm and throws Yuegui to assist her in battle. She also provides healing to the team, or buffs her movement speed and Dendro Resistance. Also, Yaoyao is very familiar with different types of creatures, so she won’t spook nearby creatures like small animals and Crystalflies when she approaches them.

Yaoyao, Alhaitham, and Xiao’s rerun will take place in the first half of Version 3.4’s Event Wishes, and the latter half will feature Hu Tao’s and Yelan’s reruns. Also, don’t forget to invite one of the nine 4-star characters from Liyue, including Yaoyao, to your party for free when you accumulate a certain amount of Festive Fever.

Amidst sandstorms and legends

Amid dust and sandstorms, a perilous area of Sumeru, the Desert of Hadramaveth is finally unveiled. With a perpetual gigantic tornado at its center, the landscape expands and spirals out into the distance. The closer you get to the center, the stronger and harsher sandstorms you may encounter, making it harder to see through the storm. As the adventure progresses, you can also receive protection and help to withstand the raging sandstorms.

Meanwhile, dangers also lurk beneath, where the Wenut seek chances to penetrate through the surface to launch attacks against you. The deadliest among them is the new boss, the Setekh Wenut, a cunning predator that lures its prey using mimicry of flowers on its tail. The Setekh Wenut resurfaces at intervals, taking on various forms during battle, leaping out of the sand like a worm firing powerful Anemo beam attacks in the form of a flower. Here’s a little tip: the Swirl Reaction can be the key to weakening the Setekh Wenut at the right time.

However, the relentless wind also brings up buried pieces from different eras. Parts of ruins and thorn-filled caverns scattered in rifts and valleys may lead you to the remains of the city of Gurabad, or even the Orchard of Pairidaeza (now referred to as the Eternal Oasis by the desert dwellers), where legend has it that King Deshret built this eternal space of stillness to commemorate the Goddess of Flowers.

If you’ve finished the Golden Slumber World Quest, you will team up with Jeht again and a mysterious Magic Bottle in search of the long-lost Orchard of Pairidaeza. Set out from the Tanit Camps – a massive settlement with a unique culture, and witness Jeht’s journey in search for her family origins. A history lost in time will gradually be unveiled.

New card game mode

Starting from Version 3.4, each version update will feature a limited-time Genius Invokation TCG gameplay mode. For Version 3.4, the new rule of the limited-time mode is to start with 8 Omni Dice. Meanwhile, two new Character Cards: Klee and Beidou will be joining the duels in this upcoming update.

Last but not least, we would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who has joined the fantasy world of Teyvat. Thank you, Travelers, and we look forward to spending another brilliant year with all of you!

Dead Space and Hogwarts Legacy Have Gotten Massive Preorder Discounts

Okay so here’s the gravy; there’s a big sale on at eBay at the moment with code NEW15 which can take an extra 15% off your order. That’s good, but here’s what makes it better; it can be used on preorders via discount gaming retailer The Game Collection.

We all know TCG for its stellar preorder deals, but this just takes it to a whole other level with up to £20 off the RRP on upcoming games Dead Space and Hogwarts Legacy.

To snag the deals below, all you need to do is use code NEW15 at checkout. But, TCG has already increased the Dead Space preorder price today (from £48.41 to £50.11), so I’d jump on and order ASAP if you want to get the best price (this promo will also expire after January 9).

TL;DR – Preorder Using Code NEW15

Hogwarts Legacy

Dead Space Remake

Preorder Hogwarts Legacy for Just £47

Right now you can preorder one of the most hotly anticipated games of the year Hogwarts Legacy for just £46.71. To give you some perspective, its RRP is £64.99, and Amazon currently has it listed for £59.95. This is a huge deal, and well worth considering if you want to get the game on release day.

Not only that, but the #(seemingly sold out at every other retailer) Deluxe Edition is also available for just £57.76. This Deluxe Edition will ship three days early February 7 (rather than the regular release day of February 10), and includes a bunch of other digital goodies to enjoy within the game. Moreover, it’s also sold out at a bunch of other major retailers, so this is an even better deal to take note of.

Preorder Dead Space Remake for Just £50.11

Don’t feel like paying £70 for the Dead Space remake? Well, have no fear, as you can preorder for just £50.11 with this latest discount. This comes via a brand new NEW15 discount code at eBay. Just enter the code via The Game Collection’s eBay outlet store, and your preorder will be secured for January 27.

This is a huge deal, and over £20 off the RRP before the game has even dropped. But, just like the deal above, this promo will expire after January 9, so get those preorders in ASAP. For more on the Dead Space Remake, check out our extensive preview coverage here.

Use eBay Promo Code NEW15 for Even More Discounts

There’s plenty more to check out in the NEW15 sale at eBay, and here’s a few of my other favourites in the sale as well you might want to check out. Happy shopping!

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey Reveal Their Reactions to Seeing Clickers in The Last of Us HBO Series

The stars of HBO’s The Last of Us series, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, have shared their reactions to seeing the half-zombie, half-fungus infused Clickers for the first time.

Revealed in a new interview with IGN (below), Pascal seemed to have a reaction somewhere between disgust and fear, while Ramsey found them to be somewhat beautiful.

“You were very grossed out by them,” they said to Pascal. “I found them sort of beautiful. That’s what was scary actually. I think the beauty that they had, that was what was terrifying.”

Pascal did agree somewhat, describing the Clickers – which are humans who act like zombies as a result of what’s called the Cordyceps fungus growing out of their heads – as “a monstrous, floral nightmare”.

He did retch at the word “fungus”, however, as Ramsay added: “The whole fungus, [the] Cordyceps infection is based on science. Theoretically it’s possible, and that’s what’s also terrifying.”

Fans will get to enjoy (or not) their own reaction to the Clickers when The Last of Us premieres on HBO Max on January 15. Details around the show were hazy for a long time but the marketing train has been speeding up for the last few months, with HBO sharing new looks at the cast and a dramatic official trailer.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Hidden Path say their Dungeons & Dragons game is still happening, despite cancellation report

reported that D&D owner Wizards Of The Coast had cancelled five unannounced projects, naming Otherside Entertainment and Hidden Path as two of the studios affected. In a Twitter post last night, Hidden Path emphasised “Our epic D&D project with Wizards is still happening!”; Bloomberg, meanwhile, stand by their reporting.

Read more

PSA: A New Limited-Time Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Tera Raid Battle Is Now Available

Update: Hydreigon and Dragapult available until 8th January.

Update : Get your best Pokémon ready, as the limited-time Hydreigon and Dragapult Tera Raid event has now begun.

Pokémon Scarlet players will be able to encounter Hydreigon, while Violet players will have a higher chance of encountering Dragapult in four and five-star Tera Raid battles.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

CD Projekt Red Settles Lawsuit Over Cyberpunk 2077’s Rough Launch for $1.85 Million

CD Projekt Red has settled another lawsuit over Cyberpunk 2077’s rough launch for $1.85 million.

As reported by GameSpot, the settlement will see CD Projekt Red pay investors who bought stock between January 16, 2020 to December 17, 2020 settlement administration costs, taxes, attorney’s fees, and more.

Investors filed the class-action lawsuit in 2020 claiming that CD Projekt Red hid the state of Cyberpunk 2077 from them after the game launched with several bugs that, at least on console, rendered the game unplayable for many.

Multiple lawsuits were filed against CD Projekt Red following the game’s launch, one of which was settled in December 2021 for the same $1.85 million figure.

Cyberpunk 2077 remained riddled with bugs for several months and was completely removed from the PlayStation Store as a result, only returning in June 2021. CD Projekt Red has since updated the game several times, however, leading to somewhat of a resurgence of its player-base and even Steam’s Labor of Love award earlier in January.

The biggest leaps forward for Cyberpunk 2077 arguably began in February 2022 with the launch of the next-gen update, or Version 1.5 for PC players, which saw several bug fixes and even free DLC added to the game.

This theme continued in September when developer CD Projekt Red released the Edgerunners update to go alongside the launch of the anime series (which itself was praised by fans and critics alike). It also announced the Phantom Liberty expansion which is due to launch this year, and continued to build excitement by revealing that its sequel, codenamed Orion, is also on the way.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Epic Games Might Be Bringing A Free-To-Play “Brawler Royale” To Switch

Get ready to rumble.

It seems like we could soon have another brawler releasing on the Nintendo Switch, with the Taiwanese Ratings Board recently listing Epic Games’ free-to-play title Rumbleverse for the hybrid platform.

Rumbleverse was developed by Iron Galaxy Studios and made its debut on the Epic Store and other console platforms in August last year. Simply put, it’s an “exciting” 40-person brawler royale. Although it’s free, it does allow players to pay real money for add-ons, seasonal items and in-game currency.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Fire Emblem Engage Gets A Nine Minute Overview Trailer

Take a look.

Nintendo’s marketing campaign for Fire Emblem Engage is now well and truly underway. Following previews going live, it’s now released a brand new overview trailer that runs for close to nine minutes. One catch is it’s only been uploaded to Nintendo’s YouTube channels in Japan, so you’ll have to watch the whole thing in Japanese.

It still provides a closer look at the game – showcasing the lands of the new title, the new protagonists, returning characters, the series’ famous tactical gameplay and even some of the fun mini-games, like a workout one!

Read the full article on nintendolife.com