While games like Skyrim and Fallout 4 feature some pretty impressive mods, this is one of the coolest I’ve ever seen.

A modder (@Arestame_Arkeid) has blended Pokémon Scarlet and Violet into Elden Ring, making the former titles much prettier.

Elden Ring X Pokémon Scarlet is here! From Paldea to The Lands Between, expand your #Pokemon journey with new summons in #ELDENRING ! pic.twitter.com/djOWo9ogpg

— Arestame (@Arestame_Arkeid) December 28, 2022

In the mod, you can use spirit summons and a Koraidon as your spectral steed. Additionally, the modder replaced several enemies with Pokémon, such as the Magma Wyrm with Skeledirge and the Black Knife Assassins with Meowscarada. The best of them all is the Walking Mausoleums are now giant Pokémon Centers.

Overall, the mod seems pretty great, and it’s definitely the best Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has ever looked. Of course, like most mods and projects tied to Nintendo properties, it’s not likely that this mod will be around for very long if it gets a public release.

Source: @Arestame_Arkeid Via: Kotaku

Xbox’s Digital Game sale has a number of games on sale at a discounted price, including Marvel’s Midnight Suns, Far Cry 5, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, and more.

Below are some of the deal highlights:

Abzu: now $6.99, was $19.99
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: now $19.99, was $79.99
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla + Watch Dogs: Legion Bundle: now $36.49, was $145.99
Control Ultimate Edition: now $16.49, was $54.99
Code Vein Deluxe Edition: now $16.49, was $109.99
Far Cry 5: now $19.99, was $79.99
Dragon Ball Xenoverse: now $4.99, was $49.99
Gotham Knights: now $44.99, was $89.99
Little Nightmares II: now $13,19, was $39.99
Kingdom Come: Deliverance: now $9.99, was $39.99
Marvel’s Midnight Suns Enhanced Edition: now $60.29, was $89.99
Metro Exodus: now $9.25, was $37
Yakuza: Like A Dragon Hero Edition: now $28.04, was $93.49

Image credit: WB

Via: Lbabinz

2023 is shaping up to be a big year for games. Between the likes of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Final Fantasy XVI, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Starfield, Street Fighter VI, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy, we’ll have no shortage of titles to play over the next 12 months.

While you’ve likely heard of most, if not all of those, what you may not have known is just how many other 2023 games hail from Canadian studios. Indeed, quite a few of them do, ranging from new entries in such major franchises as Minecraft and Dead Space to promising indies spanning all kinds of genres.

Due to the ever-evolving nature of game development, some of these are titles that have been delayed and, therefore, have shown up on previous lists. There’s also no guarantee that any of these games won’t see further delays. In the meantime, though, there’s a lot to be excited for in 2023 from Canadian developers, and here’s a small taste of that.

Dead Space

Image credit: EA

Developer: EA Motive (Montreal, Quebec)
Publisher: EA
Genre: Sci-fi, horror, third-person shooter
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: January 27th, 2023

Nearly 10 years after the release of Dead Space 3, EA’s acclaimed sci-fi horror series is back, compliments of Canada’s own EA Motive (Star Wars: Squadrons). Taking inspiration from Capcom’s incredible remake of Resident Evil 2, the Montreal-based developer has created a compelling reimagining of Visceral’s original Dead Space that expands upon the original story while giving everything a stunning modern sheen. The remake also leverages current-gen consoles’ SSDs for a loading screen-free experience that should only enhance Dead Space‘s signature eerie atmosphere.

Farewell North

Image credit: Mooneye

Developer: Kyle Banks 
Publisher: Mooneye Studios
Genre: Adventure
Platform: PC
Release date: TBA 2023

Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyle Banks and his wife moved from Canada to Scotland, and that journey helped inspire a video game. Enter Farewell North, an adventure game in which a young woman and her Border Collie must restore colour to a darkened world while recovering her memories. All told, it looks to be quite the emotional story about depression, and exploring the Scottish Highlands-inspired setting should make for a uniquely absorbing experience. And yes, you can absolutely pet the dog!

Goodbye Volcano High

Image credit: KO_OP

Developer/Publisher: KO_OP (Montreal, Quebec)
Genre: Narrative adventure
Platform: PlayStation 4/5 (timed console exclusive), PC
Release date: TBA 2023

After delays out of 2021 and 2022, Goodbye Volcano High is (hopefully) set to finally release this year. Focused on teenagers going through their final year of high school, the game aims to tell a sentimental coming-of-age story with anthropomorphic dinosaurs. And beneath that fantastical premise is a push for rare representation: Fang, the main character, is non-binary and actually voiced by Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s Lachlan Watson, one of Hollywood’s youngest non-binary actors.

Minecraft Legends

Image credit: Xbox

Developer: Mojang, Blackbird Interactive (Vancouver, B.C.)
Publisher: Xbox
Genre: Action-strategy
Platform: Xbox consoles, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release date: First half of 2023

One of the biggest games of all time is getting a brand-new spin-off in 2023, and it’s being co-developed by Vancouver’s own Blackbird. In Minecraft Legends, the Nether’s corruption of the Overworld leads a great hero to unite the mobs and defend their home. Gameplay-wise, Legends blends real-time action combat with ally-commanding strategy mechanics to deliver something wholly unique for Minecraft. You’ll also be able to team up with — or fight against — other players to defend your village.

Nightingale

Image credit: Inflexion

Developer/Publisher: Inflexion Games (Edmonton, Alberta)
Genre: Survival, crafting, shared world
Platform: PC
Release date: First half of 2023 (Early Access)

New IPs don’t come around often, and certainly not those from BioWare Edmonton alums (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect) like Aaryn Flynn. But Nightingale isn’t selling itself on pedigree alone — it aims to pull you in through its rich Victorian gas lamp setting filled with fearsome magical creatures. Whether on your own or with other players, you’ll have to travel the mystical land, build out your character and face off against monstrous beasts.

Ravenlok

Image credit: Cococucumber

Developer/Publisher: Cococucumber (Toronto, Ontario)
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: Xbox consoles (plus day one on Game Pass), PC
Release date: TBA 2023

In 2021, Cococumber released its acclaimed turn-based RPG Echo Generation, and now, the Canadian developer is crafting a more action-focused spin on the genre. As Ravenlok, players will be transported into a fantastical monster-infested world ruled by the evil Caterpillar Queen. Beyond the Alice in Wonderland and Ghibli-inspired setting, Cococucumber aims to tell a heartfelt coming-of-age story filled with real-time combat, creepy creatures and more of the studio’s signature charming voxel art style.

For more on Ravenlok, read our interview with Cococucumber co-founder and director Vanessa Chia.

Sea of Stars

Developer/Publisher: Sabotage Studio (Quebec City, Quebec)
Genre: RPG
Platform: PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release date: Mid-2023

Sea of Stars is a prequel to Sabotage’s acclaimed 2018 action-platformer, The Messenger, and follows two young heroes who must wield the power of the sun and moon to stop an evil alchemist. This retro-inspired RPG features new music from Chrono Trigger composer Yasunori Mitsuda, as well as a teamwork-focused combat system inspired by the iconic Square RPG, a beautiful 2D pixel art style and grind-free progression system. All in all, it looks like a perfect mix of homage and modernity.

For more on Sea of Stars, check out our preview.

Sons of the Forest

Image credit: Newnight

Developer: Endnight (Vancouver, B.C.)
Publisher: Newnight
Genre: Survival horror
Platform: PC
Release date: February 23rd, 2023

Studio Endnight’s sequel to its 2018 cult hit The Forest boasts a more realistic open-world sandbox filled with even deadlier threats to survive against. Now, though, you have a 3D printer to craft items, a greater number of weapon types, seasonal changes for warmer and colder weather challenges and full co-op support. Without any NPC quest-givers, how you survive in this cannibal-infested hellscape is entirely up to you.

Spiral

Image credit: Folklore Games

Developer/Publisher: Folklore Games (Montreal, Quebec)
Genre: Narrative, adventure
Platform: PC
Release date: TBA 2023

For the past several years, two Canadian school friends have been toiling away at Spiral, a game about an elderly man going through cognitive degeneration. As you relive his memories one last time, his disease will begin to affect all facets of the game, including UI, music, characters and environment. At the same time, Folklore says it doesn’t want its debut title to be “tragic,” with the experience instead intended to evoke feelings of “empathy, patience and love.”

Venba

Image credit: Visai Games

Developer/Publisher: Visai Games (Toronto, Ontario)
Genre: Narrative, cooking
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PC
Release date: Spring 2023

Following a delay out of 2022, Venba is ready to serve a delicious main course of South Indian cuisine. Drawing from creator Abhi’s personal experiences of immigrating to Toronto, Venba follows an Indian mother, her husband and their child as they adjust to life in Canada. By preparing signature Indian dishes, the family is able to reconnect with their homeland’s culture. Throw in a wonderfully distinct art style and authentic Indian soundtrack and Venba looks real appetizing.

For more on Venba, read our interview with Abhi.

Of course, this only covers some of the games that are confirmed for 2023; others include The Outlast Trials from Quebec City-based Red Barrels, Tails: The Backbone Preludes from Vancouver-based Eggnut and Homeworld 3 (Blackbird Interactive).

That’s to say nothing of the many Canadian games that we know are on the way, but likely are still a ways off:

Assassin’s Creed Infinity (Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Quebec)
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf (BioWare Edmonton)
Unrevealed new PlayStation IP (Jade Raymond’s Haven team in Montreal)
Unrevealed new multiplayer-focused IP (Amazon Games Montreal)
Untitled new Mass Effect game (BioWare Edmonton)

And, naturally, there are so many more unannounced Canadian games that could be formally revealed throughout the year.

For now, though, which Canadian games are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.

A round-up of 2022’s top Canadian games can be found here.

Image credit: Sabotage/Xbox/EA

Google’s first foldable phone is rumoured to launch in 2023, with a recent leak suggesting a Google I/O release window. However, a new report based on industry sources now says that the phone will launch in Q3 2023 instead.

Korean publication, The Elec, reports Google is getting 7.57-inch foldable and 5.78-inch cover display panels from Samsung Display with mass production starting in July or August this year. This would mean that the previously stated I/O release date from Android Authority may not be accurate.

However, with a Q3 production release, it looks like Google might launch the Pixel Fold alongside the Pixel 8 series in October.

More details include details about the phone’s display. The in-folding screen will sport ultra-thin glass for added protection. A previous rumour indicates that the display will have a brightness of 800 nits and a peak rating of 1,200 nits.

Previous rumours indicate the Pixel Fold will cost roughly $1,799 USD (about $2,459 CAD), matching the U.S. cost for Samsung’s foldables.

Source: The Elec Via: Android Police

In an uncharacteristic move, Apple is working with the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) on a next-generation charging standard called “Qi2” that’s based on MagSafe.

At CES 2023, the WPC confirmed the news, stating that the new standard aims to improve the efficiency and interoperability of the technology through a MagSafe-based “Magnetic Power Profile” that aligns the Qi2-compatible accessory with a compatible wireless charger.

If this sounds a lot like Apple’s current magnetic MagSafe technology, you aren’t wrong.

Apple’s current version of MagSafe is proprietary and requires accessory makers to pay a fee to use the standard. This is why so many iPhone accessories and smartphone cases are compatible with MagSafe but are not officially MagSafe-certified.

“Consumers and retailers have been telling us they’re confused concerning what devices are Qi Certified and those that claim to work with Qi but are not Qi Certified. This confusion can lead to a poor user experience and even safety issues,” said Paul Struhsaker, executive director of the Wireless Power Consortium, in a press release.

Beyond opening up MagSafe tech to other manufacturers, including Android device makers, it’s unclear what advantages Qi2 will offer over Qi and MagSafe. Hopefully, the plans include stronger magnets because many MagSafe accessories don’t attach to the back of the iPhone firmly, along with faster charging speeds. For example, MagSafe and Qi only support up to 15W wireless charging.

It’s also important to note that Apple isn’t forging this partnership solely to share its technology with Android manufacturers and level the playing field. With the EU’s smartphone USB-C mandate looming, the tech giant is likely looking to avoid similar controversy with its wireless charging standard.

The WPC says its upcoming Qi2 standard will replace its current Qi technology. Devices featuring Qi2 are expected to release by the end of the year.

Source: BusinessWire

With the OnePlus 11 scheduled to make its first appearance in China tomorrow, January 4th, in-store images of the flagship have already surfaced on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

As expected, the images reveal that the OnePlus 11 sports a hole-punch selfie camera positioned on the display’s top left with thin bezels and curved edges. On the rear, the flagship’s camera module is circular, and fuses with the edge of the device almost seamlessly.

Interestingly, the rear has a glossy look to it, in contrast to its predecessors OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 10T, both of which featured a textured glass back. The top of the device has two holes, one for the phone’s microphone, and the other is likely a speaker. On the bottom, the phone features a SIM card slot, another microphone, a speaker grille, and a USB-C charging port.

Further, while the flagship’s leaked specs have already made the rounds, here’s a recap. From what we know so far, the OnePlus 11 will feature a 6.7-inch 2K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and runs on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. The device is reported to weigh 205g and will come in either 12GB or 16GB RAM configurations with either 256GB or 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The OnePlus 11 will also sport a 5,000mAh battery and support 100W fast charging.

On the rear, the OnePlus 11 will sport a primary 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 32-megapixel telephoto shooter with 2x optical zoom. On the front will be a 16-megapixel selfie camera, and the device will IP54 certification, a downgrade from the OnePlus 10 Pro’s IP68 water and dust resistance.

The device will release worldwide on February 7th.

Check out the in-store images of the OnePlus 11 below:

Image credit: GizmoChina

Source: GizmoChina

Even though it’s only been a little over a year since Nvidia’s RTX 3080 GeForce Now membership launched, the company is already replacing the membership tier with a better one.

Now that Nvidia’s Ada Lovelace architecture RTX 4080 GPU is out, the company is phasing out the RTX 3080 GeForce Now tier in favour of a new ‘Ultimate’ subscription tier at the same price.

“GeForce NOW RTX 4080 SuperPODs will deliver over 64 teraflops of graphics horsepower to an individual user, which is more than 5x that of an Xbox Series X and nearly 1.75x over the previous-generation SuperPODs,” reads Nvidia’s news release about the upgrade.

Each member subscribed to the new tier gets access to a dedicated RTX 4080 GPU in the cloud, which offers a substantial performance boost over other GeForce Now subscription tiers.

The RTX 3080 GeForce Now tier allowed subscribers to game 1440p gaming at up to 120FPS on a Mac or PC, 4K HDR at 60FPS on Nvidia Shield and up to 120FPS on select Android devices. However, the new Ultimate tier gives users access to up to 240FPS. 4K gaming has been upgraded from 60FPS to 120 FPS, “while ultrawide monitors will be supported for the first time, at up to 3,840 x 1,600 resolution, including many popular variants such as 3440 x 1440 and 2560 x 1080.”

All GeForce Now RTX 3080 member accounts will automatically be upgraded to the new Ultimate tier at no additional cost, with Upgraded GeForce RTX 4080 performance streaming from the new SuperPODs will be available in North America and Europe starting later this month.

The pricing for the new ultimate tier is the same as the RTX 3080 tier. It costs $24.99 per month, or $129.99 for six months.

Learn more about the new subscription tier here. In other Nvidia-related news, the company recently revealed it’s bringing its GeForce Now cloud-based gaming service to cars.

Image credit: Nvidia

Source: Nvidia

The January security patch is now rolling out to the Pixel 4a and newer, alongside an update adds fixes to the Pixel 7 series.

Of course, this update doesn’t come with anything significant, as Google released a Feature Drop in December.

The security patch also came with 20 security issues resolved, with vulnerabilities that range from moderate to critical.

The update is rolling out over the air and should hit your phone sooner than later.

Via: 9to5Google

As part of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Nvidia has announced that it’s bringing its GeForce Now game streaming service to cars.

Specifically, the tech giant is partnering with Hyundai, Polestar and BYD, who are all part of the company’s ‘Nvidia Drive’ autonomous vehicle platform. However, Nvidia didn’t provide details on which cars will be supported or when this might even launch, simply saying the GeForce Now client will run in cars either via Android-based infotainment systems or built-in web browsers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNQVdvZStLM&feature=emb_title

The popular service features a catalogue of more than 1,000 controller-supported games, including Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, A Plague Tale: Requiem, Rocket League and Fortnite. GeForce Now will also only be accessible to drivers and front-seat passengers when parked or charging, with those in the backseat able to play at any time.

Automakers have been looking at gaming as a way to bolster their entertainment offerings for a while now. 2019 saw the launch of Tesla Arcade, which lets Tesla owners play games like Cuphead and Sonic the Hedgehog, while Sony and Honda are even looking into bringing PS5-quality games to their joint venture’s electric vehicles.

Source: Nvidia

A 19-year-old Ottawa resident has been arrested for posting threats on Twitter.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) say they were first made aware of the threats on November 8th. The tweets targeted Parliament Hill, the Department of Defense, and the Chinese and American embassies in Ottawa.

The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) arrested Daniel Houde. He is charged with several counts, including knowingly uttering a threat to damage property.

Not sure if this is the digital town square Elon Musk envisioned when he bought the social media platform, which reported a spike in hate speech soon after the acquisition.

Source: RCMP