This $20 Xbox Live Gold Bundle Includes 8 Game Development Courses

If you’re looking to re-up your Xbox Live Gold subscription, GameSpot Deals has a great bundle promotion right now that’s worth checking out. For just $20, you can get three months of Xbox Live Gold and eight online classes focused on introductory game development. Considering Xbox Live Gold normally costs $25 for three months, you’re getting a deal just on the subscription. The online courses really sweeten the pot, since these are regularly priced at more than $20 each.

All of the online classes are offered through Zenva Academy, one of the leading e-learning sites for various computer skills, including game development. The coursework bundle features a dozen hours of video instruction focused on novice-level game development. There are courses that teach you the basics of Unity and Unreal Engine–two of the most popular game engines and development tools around. Here’s the full list of courses, which cover a myriad of genres:

Intro to Unreal Engine Game DevelopmentUnreal Engine Mini-Projects3D Micro-Project: Point & Click RPGCreate a Micro Turn-Based RPGAction-RPG Development for BeginnersConstruct an Arcade Game in Unreal EngineCreate a Platformer in Unreal EngineDevelop a First-Person Shooter in Unreal Engine

Meanwhile, Xbox Live Gold grants access to online multiplayer on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. You also get two free games each month as well as exclusive discounts on the Xbox Store.

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Need For Speed Unbound Leaks As EA Sets Announcement For October 6

Electronic Arts will officially announce the next Need for Speed game on October 6, the company has announced, but an early leak might have spoiled the publisher’s surprise.

EA’s own website apparently hosted an image for a game called Need for Speed Unbound, though this page no longer appears to be online. The name Unbound would be no surprise, as a previous report pointed to this being the title. The reveal will officially take place on October 6 at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET.

the new Need for Speed game is titled Unbound (art leaked from EA’s own website) pic.twitter.com/ndjbJ3eS1L

— Wario64 (@Wario64) October 4, 2022

Unbound will be revealed via a 90-second trailer, a report said. The game will reportedly be focused on multiplayer and include a feature called “meetups” where players can sync up to compete in races.

Need for Speed Unbound will be exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for its console release, according to a report, and it will also be released on PC. The rumored release date is December 2, 2022. All should become clear soon.

Burnout developer Criterion is said to be developing the next Need for Speed. Leaked gameplay footage showed some arcade-style animated elements, which matches up with reports that the game will have photorealistic graphics mixed with anime elements.

The last game in the franchise was a remaster of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit in 2020 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One. In addition to the Need for Speed series, EA publishes the F1, Grid, Dirt, and Project Cars franchises via Codemasters.

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Dead By Daylight Invades PUBG Battlegrounds And PUBG New State For Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner, and video game devs are starting to show their scary sides. Krafton Inc. will be getting in on the frightening fun, as the company has announced a partnership with Behaviour Interactive to bring its horror franchise Dead By Daylight into both PUBG Battlegrounds and PUBG New State.

PUBG Battlegrounds will receive the bulk of the attention in this collaboration, with a two-month event beginning October 19 on PC and October 20 on consoles and running until December 7 and 8 respectively. The event will feature a full slate of Dead By Daylight-themed cosmetics for players to earn, including four costumes, four masks, three backpack skins, a nameplate, and a special skin for the frying pan weapon.

The teaser image for the PUBG x Dead By Daylight collaboration.

The collaboration will also add a limited-time game mode called Survive The Hunt, where three players must team together to repair generators around a map in order to power up the exit gates and escape from a fourth player known only as The Killer. The event will include exclusive rewards for playing including a mask, spray, and a PUBG-themed outfit that can be redeemed in Dead By Daylight.

On the mobile front, PUBG New State–not to be confused with PUBG Mobile, which is not part of this collaboration–will offer Dead By Daylight-themed items and crates from October 20 to November 23. More information about the specifics of the New State part of the collaboration will be announced at a later date.

PUBG Battlegrounds is available to download for free on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, while PUBG New State can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices. Dead By Daylight is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

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Lost Ark Will Receive Two New Classes And Four New Raids Before The End Of 2022

Lost Ark is going to have a busy next three months, as publisher Amazon Games has revealed all the new content coming to the free-to-play MMORPG before the end of 2022.

Specifically, Amazon has detailed the two new advanced classes and four new raids coming before year’s end in a new content roadmap. Both the Reaper and Summoner advanced classes will join the game’s class roster. Reaper, an Assassin advanced class, will come in November, while Summoner, a Mage advanced class, will come in December.

The addition of Reaper and Summoner will make it so the global version of Lost Ark released earlier this year matches all the available classes in the Korean version of the MMO, which launched in 2019. But that doesn’t mean more classes won’t be coming in the future. Developer Smilegate RPG has already teased new classes for the Korean version, and Amazon wanted to ensure the game’s current Korean class roster made its way to the rest of the world before those new classes arrived.

A number of new raids are coming in the next three months as well, with a limited-time Mystic Abyss raid kicking things off in October. Also in October will be the Achates Trial Guardian raid, which is said to be equivalent in difficulty to the game’s most challenging Inferno difficulty Legion raids. Those who conquer the Achates Trial Guardian will be granted a legendary title and special achievements. The existing Vykas Legion raid will also be receiving an Inferno difficulty version for those looking to be the best of the best.

Two additional raids will come in December. The Brelshaza Legion raid will have players face off against the cunning commander of the Phantom Legion, while the Caliligos Guardian raid will have players battling against a fearsome lightning-wielding dragon.

Amazon notes that the content above isn’t a complete list of all the changes and content coming in the next few months. A new accessory type will be coming with the arrival of the Brelshaza raid, and harder versions of the game’s Tier 3 Cube and Boss Rush activities, as well as a new holiday event, will also be coming before the end of the year.

Lost Ark’s most recent update introduced the drone-wielding Machinist class, alongside a new raid where players can take on the killer clowns of the Mayhem Legion.

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Fortnite Bytes Quests: How To Tune The TV, Find Chromed Vehicles, And More

Fortnite Season 3 Chapter 4’s battle pass sports an exclusive pickaxe that can only be used by the unlockable character Bytes. However, even if you can only use the pickaxe with one character, battle pass owners can at least score some extra alt styles for it starting this week via brand new Byte’s Quests. In this guide, we’ll tell you how to unlock Byte’s Quests, how to complete them, and what you’ll earn for doing so.

How to unlock Byte’s Quests

To unlock Byte’s Quests, you’ll first need to have unlocked The Nothing’s Gift pickaxe on the second page of this season’s battle pass. It will run you 7 stars to unlock, and once you’ve obtained it, you’ll be able to see the quests listed in the “Byte’s Quests” tab within your Quests menu.

Byte’s Quests and how to complete them

There are seven quests to complete to unlock all of the alt styles for The Nothing’s Gift pickaxe. Each one will unlock after completing the one before it.

Tune the TV while wearing the Byte’s Outfit

This can be done either at Lustrous Lagoon or just west of Herald’s Sanctum. While wearing any variation of the Bytes skin, head to one of the locations marked by the quest. You’ll see an exclamation point show up when you’re near the TV, which you’ll just need to hold a button on to tune.

Damage opponents with Evo-Chrome weapons

You’ll need to deal a total of 2,500 damage with Evo-Chrome weapons, which include the Evo-Chrome Burst Rifle and Evo-Chrome Shotgun. These can be found most easily in heavily chromed areas and within chromed chests.

Drive Distance in chromed vehicles

Use a Chrome Splash to chrome a vehicle, then drive it for 5,000 meters. Repeat as necessary until the quest completes.

Pass through chromed structures in different named locations

Simply head over to Herald’s Sanctum, Shimmering Shrine, or Chrome Crossroads, then just walk into any chromed wall and you’ll phase right through it. Repeat this process by splashing walls at other named locations and then passing through them.

Search 20 chromed chests

Chromed chests are frequently found at Herald’s Sanctum, Shimmering Shrine, or Chrome Crossroads. Just loot 20 of them to complete this quest.

Deal 2,500 damage to chrome wildlife

You’ll find chromed wildlife scattered all across the map, most commonly near chrome-infested POIs. Deal 2,500 damage to these to complete this quest.

Eliminate 20 opponents at a chromed named location

Eliminate 20 players at Herald’s Sanctum, Shimmering Shrine, or Chrome Crossroads.

Chrome 10 opponents

Use a Chrome Splash on opponents 10 times. This may prove slightly challenging during gunfights, so be prepared for a bit of mayhem.

Byte’s Quests rewards

For completing the quests, you’ll earn the following alt styles for The Nothing’s Gift pickaxe:

Complete Bytes Quests to earn seven new styles for Bytes’ pickaxe.Dread ClawSharpened SunburstRazer ThornReaper’s LamentSkewerChaotic EdgeThe Thrasher

For more on Fortnite Season 3 Chapter 4, take a look at our list of best landing spots this season.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel, New Witcher Games, And An Original IP In Development At CD Projekt Red

As part of its strategy presentation, CD Projekt has announced that it has multiple new games in development. Although details are slim, the company did announce that a sequel to 2020’s Cyberpunk 2077 is in development under the codename “Project Orion” and will “prove the full power and potential of the Cyberpunk universe” when it is released.

pic.twitter.com/yrIj5A8nC1

— CD PROJEKT IR (@CDPROJEKTRED_IR) October 4, 2022

Additionally, a number of new games set in The Witcher universe are also in various stages of development. These are all being developed under various codenames as well, and include Project Sirius, Project Polaris, and Project Canis Majoris. Beyond it’s two most well-known franchises, CD Projekt is also working on Project Hadar, a new standalone IP.

This story is developing

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Apple AirPods Are Ridiculously Cheap Right Now

A good set of earbuds is an essential purchase if you happen to enjoy your music while on the go, and Apple’s AirPods are one of the best and most popular pieces of hardware that you can slot into your ears. They’re also naturally pricy, but right now, you can grab them for a bargain deal that’s likely to not be repeated for a very long time. The 2nd generation Apple AirPods are currently on sale for $79, a huge discount from their usual price of $159

Each pod has a stylish design that fits into the Apple aesthetic, and for people who aren’t too keen to shove a small piece of silicone into their audio canals, the more comfortable design will nestle nicely inside of your ear.

The long-lasting battery life is a big draw for Apple’s AirPods, and this model can provide up to five hours of listening from a full charge, and 24 hours in total before the battery case needs to be recharged. For audiophiles, the H1 chip in the AirPods will deliver crisp and stable sound through a low-latency wireless connection. Additional features include sharing a single song between two sets of AirPods, Siri integration, and a simple one-tap setup to get you started.

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PlayStation Plus Free Games For October 2022 Go Live Today

The PS Plus free games lineup for October 2022 goes live today, October 4. All PS Plus subscribers can claim Hot Wheels Unleashed, Injustice 2, and Superhot throughout October. Overall, this is a solid lineup of freebies, so make sure you snag them while you can.

Hot Wheels Unleashed is an arcade racing game that released last year to pretty solid reviews. We awarded the zany racer a 7/10 in our Hot Wheels Unleashed review. Though it can get repetitive, the racing mechanics are solid and there are a lot of tracks. You can also build your own tracks and then race online against friends. Both the PS5 and PS4 versions of Hot Wheels Unleashed will be available to claim.

If you haven’t played Injustice 2, you’re in for a treat. NetherRealm’s second entry in the DC superhero fighting game series is an absolute delight. Even though it’s five years old at this point, Injustice 2 still looks and plays great. It features a ton of unique content, including a wonderfully made story mode and a boatload of challenges with unique rewards. The expansive roster is bolstered by a cool leveling and gear system that rewards players who keep playing. It earned a 9/10 in our Injustice 2 review, and it remains one of the best games in the genre over the past decade.

The lineup is rounded out by Superhot, one of the best indie games in recent years. Superhot is a first-person shooter that plays like a puzzle game. Your objective is to get through each room without getting shot, and it features a very clever mechanic. Time only moves when you move, so each time you stop, enemies freeze, too. You have to plan your moves ahead of time, developing a strategy to take out the bad guys without getting hit. It’s a stylish and unique game that everyone should at least try.

PlayStation Plus free games October 2022

Available October 4-November 1

Hot Wheels Unleashed (PS5/PS4)Injustice 2 (PS4)Superhot (PS4)

Editor’s Note: Article updated on October 4, 2022

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Mobile Games Based On SpongeBob And Narcos Are Coming To Netflix Gaming

Netflix is adding even more new games to its gaming section, with the latest announcement involving a partnership with indie mobile publisher Tilting Point. The publisher has announced that cooking game SpongeBob: Get Cooking is available now on Netflix, with Narcos: Cartel Wars Unlimited joining it in fall, as well as a third unnanounced game due for a 2023 release.

SpongeBob: Get Cooking is a cooking game based off Nickelodeon’s hit show, which sees players exploring the world of Bikini Bottom to cook dishes for familiar characters. Based off Tilting Point’s existing mobile game SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off, Get Cooking is exclusive to Netflix subscribers. Players can download SpongeBob: Get Cooking here.

Narcos: Cartel Wars Unlimited is a base-building strategy game based off Netflix’s popular series. Players take the role of a cartel kingpin, deciding along the way how they want to build up their power and reputation. Cartel Wars Unlimited will be available through Netflix this fall. The third game Tilting Point is bringing to Netflix is still unnamed, but the publisher has said it’s being developed by Emerald City Games, and will be “based on a popular Netflix series.” The game will arrive on Netflix’s gaming platform in 2023.

The Netflix Games catalogue currently contains over 30 titles, with indie hit Oxenfree one of the most recent games to be added. Netflix’s focus is on mobile gaming with no ads, no hidden purchases, and no microtransactions, and it currently has a roster of both third-party titles and Netflix original games–including some based on its popular original TV shows.

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Death Stranding 2 Rumors Emerge Again, Reports Game Is Condenamed “Ocean”

Kojima is still keeping secret about what his studio is working on next, though that doesn’t stop rumors about what might be on the cards for Kojima Productions. The latest comes from a known leaker who claims to have an inside source on Death Stranding 2, saying that the game is still under production with the codename “Ocean.”

As reported by Insider Gaming, the rumor comes from ResetEra user Dusk Golem, who has been a reputable leaker of horror-related games in the past.

“Death Stranding 2 is in development (and for some insiders to know I’m not bullshitting about this in the future, its internal codename is Ocean),” Dusk Golem wrote. “But Kojima has had a long standing deal with Sony on this, which is being analyzed if Sony and Kojima Productions should renew their contracts after DS2 or not at present, but was never in question before this due to a multi-game contract Sony and Kojima Productions have.”

Last year it was reported that Kojima could be working on an Xbox exclusive game, leading fans to question whether the Death Stranding sequel could become an Xbox exclusive. Dusk Golem responded to this speculation, as well as to seemingly baseless rumors that the sequel was supposedly being developed for the Google Stadia.

“The deal with Xbox was never meant to be DS2, this rumor is just false, Sony and Kojima Productions have a multi-game contract that expires after DS2 and at present is being decided by both parties whether to continue their relationship or end it after DS2,” Dusk Golem explained.

For now, the new rumors don’t confirm many new details about the actual game, other than that it is in production as part of a partnership with Sony. Dusk Golem has also said that they wouldn’t be leaking any details about the actual game, only debunking rumors about its production.

While it hasn’t been officially confirmed by Kojima Productions, we can be reasonably certain that Death Stranding 2 is in production, with Norman Reedus previously announcing he was working on a sequel, and Kojima responding in a joking manner.

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