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Nintendo Switch Lite in Yellow
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Doublejump Digest: July 14, 2019

This week in gaming: Nintendo debuts the Switch Lite, Square Enix shatters Xbox fans’ hopes, Infinity Ward reveals a new game mode, and more!

In the spirit of keeping our readers up to date with what’s happening in the video game industry, the Doublejump Digest is a brief collection of the major news stories from the past week. Keep an eye out for the Digest every Sunday night, and head on into the archive for news from weeks gone by!

FROM DOUBLEJUMP: 

MAJOR NEWS: 

Nintendo unveils the handheld-only Switch Lite, report hints at hardware improvements for regular Switch: 

Following months of speculation, Nintendo finally unveiled its long-awaited revision of the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite. The new system eschews its big brother’s docking functionality, removable controllers, and symmetrical control layout in favour of a smaller screen, lighter weight, and lower price. Furthermore, Nintendo claims that the Switch Lite should last between 20-30 percent longer on a single charge than its older brother. The Nintendo Switch Lite is slated to be released on September at AU$329.95 in three regular colours – grey, turquoise, and yellow – with a special “Zacian and Zamazenta Edition” colour slated to launch ahead of Pokémon Sword and Shield on November 8 for the same price.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKGMEZ-i–EIn related news, Nintendo recently filed an application with the FCC (via The Verge) for a revised version of the original Switch that includes a new processor and flash storage type. While a Nintendo spokesperson told The Verge that it had “nothing to announce”, Digital Foundry recently discovered that a new version of the NVIDIA Tegra chip that powers the system could result in better battery life and performance.

Square Enix confirms that it isn’t thinking about making Final Fantasy VII Remake multiplatform: 

Almost immediately after Xbox Germany accidentally posted about Final Fantasy VII Remake coming to Xbox One, a Square Enix spokesperson told IGN that the Japanese publisher has “no plans” to bring its hotly-anticipated title to platforms other than the PlayStation 4.

Infinity Ward details Modern Warfare‘s special 2v2 mode:

Early this week, the developer invited various Twitch streams to reveal Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s new Gunfight multiplayer mode that will pit two teams of two players against each other. Players will be given new loadouts and only one life each round, with Infinity Ward creating special maps to suit the smaller team size.

Aussie Fortnite streamer pleads guilty to attacking his partner: 

The ABC has reported that Luke James Munday, the Fortnite streamer who was caught hitting his pregnant girlfriend off-camera during a stream last year, has pleaded guilty to assault. According to “an agreed statement”, Munday revealed that he told police that “I just held her down because I wanted her to stop” when he was arrested this past Monday. He is expected to be sentenced on August 26.

Valve announces Steam Labs for testing new features: 

Valve has quietly unveiled a new testing initiative named Steam Labs that will let the company “experiment” with new features that it plans to add to its dominant game marketplace. The first of these machine learning-based experiments are Micro Trailers (automatically-generated six-second trailers), Interactive Recommender (a system for recommending games based on the user’s library and preferences), and Automated Show (a computer-generated highlight reel for new releases).

Yes, the Mortal Kombat film will be very violent and feature Fatalities: 

One of the film’s writers, Greg Russo, took to Twitter to reveal that the upcoming feature will be “R-Rated” and will finally showcase the game series’s popular Fatality finishing moves on the big screen for the first time.

NOTABLE GAME RELEASES: 

  • Dr. Mario World (Android and iOS)
  • Dragon Quest Builders 2 (PS4 and Switch)

VIDEOS AND TRAILERS:

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne – Glavenus Trailer:

Get ready to face two new monster subspecies: Fulgur Anjanath and Ebony Odogaron.

Nintendo Switch Online – Nintendo Entertainment System – Rewind Feature:

Nintendo’s on a roll this week!

StarCraft: Cartooned – Available Now:

Yes, yes, 100 percent, YES!

GRID – Race For Glory Trailer:

It’s been a while, GRID. It’s been a while.

Psychonauts 2 – Double Fine’s Psychonautical E3 2019:

We are simple folks: we see Tim Schafer in the thumbnail and click.

Destiny 2: Forsaken – Bad Juju Quest:

Another classic Exotic returns.

INDIE SPOTLIGHT:

IGDA and IGDA Foundation hire new executive directors: 

The International Game Developers Association has announced that it has appointed Spirit AI Solutions Architect Renee Gittens as its newest Executive Director and former Electronic Software Association Head of Public Affairs Nika Nour as Executive Director of its charitable branch, the IGDA Foundation.

OTHER NEWS:

  • Fiverr has now add freelance game development to its service portfolio: GamesIndustry.biz
  • Double Fine has delayed Psychonauts 2 until next year: Game Informer
  • Bloodstained Kickstarter backers won’t get any of the game’s preorder bonuses or season pass content: GamesIndustry.biz
  • ESPN has honoured one of the Madden NFL tournament’s shooting survivors upon his return to competition: Polygon
  • Amazon has confirmed that it’s working on a free-to-play The Lord of the Rings MMO: GameSpot
  • SEGA might be ready to announce a new Super Monkey Ball game: GamesRadar
  • The Coalition is ditching any on-screen smoking in Gears 5 following a request by Truth Initiative: Variety
  • Mobile gamers download billions of game between April and June: GamesIndustry.biz
  • Fans have translated Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII into English using RPG Maker: Game Informer
  • The Bard’s Tale 4’s upcoming “Director’s Cut” update is due next month: Eurogamer
  • Jordan has banned PUBG due to concerns that its violent content can negatively influence children: GamesIndustry.biz

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