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Genshin Impact update adds more story missions and a melee-ranged hybrid character

Genshin Impact developer miHoYo today announced the first major update for the mobile and console RPG. The update, which hits phones (or console) on November 11, introduces a bunch of new features, characters, and events. We scored the game 7/10 in our Genshin Impact review, and forthcoming updates only look to bring more of the great exploration that we enjoyed so much.

First of all, we’ll get the finale to the Liyue chapter of the game through a bunch of brand-new quests and story beats. You can expect to explore the other five cities in Teyvat in future updates, too, so you won’t be short of new content for a good while.

As well as finishing the section of story set in Liyue Harbor, update v1.1 also adds Genshin Impact’s first seasonal event, which we can expect to see more of in the future. November’s seasonal offering is  called Unreconciled Stars, and sees players come together to stop a terrible catastrophe from destroying Teyvat as we  know it. The event goes on for two weeks, during which time you can  complete new quests, take on co-op challenges, and unlock  rewards – including 4-star character Fischl.

But that’s not all, as the update also introduces four new playable characters. The 5-star characters are Childe and Zhongli, who possess unique abilities and skills. ‘Childe’ is a hydro archer and can switch between two combat modes, melee and ranged. Zhongli is a  Geo polearm user with great defensive capabilities – oh and he can also petrify his foes.

We’ve got less information at this stage about the two new 4-star characters, Xinyan and Diona, but rest assured that they’ll be ready to diversify your party and unlock nifty combos as you adventure through Teyvat. We’ll have to wait and see where these four characters fit in our Genshin Impact tier list, but we’re excited to find out.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7xFSSu0-V8?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

The last major addition in the update is a new ‘Reputation’ system. This allows you to build up your standing in the regions of Teyvat, and the higher your prestige among the citizens of a certain area, the more rewards you get. There are region-exclusive items, customisations, and new tools to  aid you on your adventure. You can also get your hands on a portable waypoint, stove, and treasure compass via the reputation system, so keep your rapport with each region’s citizens in top form.

We’ve also got a great Genshin Impact guide if you’re just getting started – or if you need to look up something about the map, multiplayer or primogems. If you’re after a freebie, check out our list of Genshin Impact codes to make sure you don’t miss out.

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Godot Engine Web Update

The Godot game engine recently released a developer update of their Web export development progress. This blog post discussed some of the upcoming features of the new WIP web exporter, including work to support GDNative on the Web, which would be a huge step forward.

Of perhaps more interest though is the new version of Godot Online, a version of Godot that runs entirely in your browser. Getting started is remarkably simple, go to Godot Online url, then upload a zipped copy of the project you want to edit by clicking Choose File then selecting the zip, once done hit the Start Godot Editor button:

Uploading your Godot project

Next click the Import button, then navigate to the zip file containing your project.

Importing your Godot Project online

Next you need to create a project, this is the same process as normal Godot, create a new empty folder in your projects directory then click Import & Edit:

Creating your Godot import project

At this point everything else should be exactly like using normal desktop Godot. The only major difference is exporting your project. When you are done you can export your project as a zip file using the Project->Tools->Download Project Source.

Exporting your Godot Online project

You can learn more about Godot Online and see it in action in the video below.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUvi4SCq_s?feature=oembed&w=1500&h=844]
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The Machinery Game Engine Enters Open Beta

The Machinery by Our Machinery is an in development professional game engine that just entered open beta. We went hands-on with The Machinery earlier in the year when it was still in closed beta if you want an in-depth but slightly out of date hands-on experience. With the move to open beta all you need to do is register an account and download the engine to get started.

In a world dominated with game engines, what makes The Machinery unique? This engine is being developed by members behind the Stingray/BitSquid engines, used in such titles as Magicka and Warhammer Vermintide. The engine is light weight, modular and written in the C language with a focus on customizibility. Details from the open beta announcement:

If you are still wondering what The Machinery is, it’s a new lightweight and flexible game engine, designed to give you all the power of a modern engine in a minimalistic package that is easy to understand, extend, explore, rewrite, and hack. Beyond games, the API can also be used for simulations and visualizations as well as building custom tools, editors, and applications. 

 Some of the things that make The Machinery more hackable than other game engines are:

  • The Machinery’s API is written in C. It’s easy to understand without learning the complexities of modern C++. And don’t worry, you still have type-safe vectors and hash tables, just as in C++.
  • We use a modular design that is completely plugin-based. This makes it easy to extend and replace parts of the engine.
  • The engine can be stripped down to a minimalistic core. Don’t need physics, animation, or sound? Just ship the engine without those DLLs.
  • Individual DLLs can be hot-reloaded. You can modify gameplay, UI, etc, while the editor is running.
  • The codebase is small, readable and well documented.
  • We offer licenses with full source code for both small and large developers. 

You can learn more about The Machinery open beta and a quick hands-on/getting started guide in the video below.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6C5vUm55Eg?feature=oembed&w=1500&h=844]
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Win a copy of Action-RPG Torchlight III on Nintendo Switch!

We love Switch games, which is why we were so excited to start writing about them on the site last month. But this week marks something even more exciting: our first Switch giveaway! We’ve partnered with the lovely folks at Perfect World to give away some Switch copies of the recent installment in the popular RPG series, Torchlight 3.

One hundred years after the events of Torchlight 2, Novastraia is once again threatened by invasion, this time from the Netherim and its allies. You must choose your own hero, and become the land’s defender, fighting off fearsome foes, adventuring, and just generally exploring the wilderness with your friends, or by your lonesome. Torchlight 3 also features collectible animal companions, and even lets you build and upgrade your very own fort.

So if you’re hankering for a fun, fleshed-out RPG experience, Torchlight 3 might just be for you. So what do you need to do to get a copy? Well, just enter below and you’ll be in with a chance of winning when our giveaway ends on Thursday, October 5.

In order to enter, simply follow the instructions in the box below. Though, please do take a glance at our terms and conditions first!

Torchlight III Switch giveaway

If you can’t wait to play Torchlight 3, you can find the game on the Switch store and Steam. For more similar recommendations, see our list of the best Switch RPGs!

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001 Game Creator Humble Bundle

The 001 Game Creator game engine is currently featured in the Game Dev STEM Humble Bundle that just launched. 001 Game Creator was previously featured in a Humble, so be sure to check your library to make sure you aren’t purchasing it twice. If you are interested in learning more about 001 Game Creator, check out our hands-on review available here.

As with all Humbles, this bundle is organized into tiers:

1$ Tier

  • Misc design documents

10$ Tier

  • 001 Game Creator Engine
  • 001 Basics E-Book
  • 001 Resource E-Book

20$ Tier

  • Point and Click Adventure Kit
  • Dragons Den Resource Pack
  • Retro Fantasy Music Pack
  • Sound Effects Pack Vol 1

25$ Tier

  • Enhanced RPG Kit
  • FPS Kit
  • MMORPG Kit
  • Visual Novel Kit

As with all Humble Bundles you get to decide how your money is allocated between the publisher, charity, Humble and if you so choose (and thanks if you do!) to support GFS using this link. You can learn more about the bundle in the video below.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkHKwRbUSk8?feature=oembed&w=1500&h=844]
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ODIN 2 Synthesizer VST

Recently updated, today we are checking out the free and open source ODIN 2 synthesizer. It is built on top of the JUCE audio framework (also open source). ODIN 2 is described as:

Ever dreamt of a kickass synthesizer which is available on every platform? With a deep synthesis engine, endless modulation capabilities and it is literally for free? Look no further, Odin’s got you covered!

The sound of this 24-voice polyphonic beast will take you from your studio right to Valhalla. Earth shattering basses, exquisite leads or mad FX, Odin’s got them all! Use the classic sound of analog waveforms – or draw your own. High quality emulations of legendary analog filters like the Moog-ladder or the Korg-35 further shape your signal. Round your sound off with four onboard FX, or get crazy with modulation. There’s much to discover in Odin 2.

The source code for Odin 2 is available on GitHub under the GPL 3 open source license. Odin 2 is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux operating systems and is implemented as an VST compatible with most modern DAWs. If you are looking for a DAW to host Odin 2, check out our coverage on Reaper, LMMS, Mixcraft or ZRythm.

You can check out Odin 2 in action in the video below.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsVzmXnL9mY?feature=oembed&w=1500&h=844]
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Codecks Game Development Project Management

Codecks is a project management tool in the vein of Trello but aimed specifically at game developers. Modelled around the concept of a card game, decks are created for the various different tasks that need to be accomplished. Individual users interact in the form of hands, formed from cards either created locally or taken from community decks. There are also milestones as well as integration into several other technologies such as Github and Discord, as well as Trello import.

Key features of Codecks include:

Cards, Decks & Projects

Well designed collectable card games provide a great sense of the current state of your game. Let’s apply those design cues to project management.

Conversations & Notifications

Ever lost track of a comment thread? Conversations in Codecks are very explicit about who is part and whether it’s been resolved.

Time Tracking

Codecks’ optional time tracking allows you and your team to see how much time you’re actually spending on your tasks.

Search & Order

Use our advanced search and ordering options to dice and slice your work just the way you need.

Metrics & Reports

“Will we manage to release in time?” is a tough question. Especially in game development. Codecks is here to help.

Milestones

Plan for your release – one milestone at a time.

Codecks has a free tier available for teams up to 3 developers in size with several other pricing tiers available.

Codecks Pricing Tiers and Details

You can learn more about Codecks and see it in action in the video below.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8YeAHm0GY?feature=oembed&w=1500&h=844]
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Crash Bandicoot: On the Run somersaults onto mobile in Spring 2021

October 27, 2020: We now have a release date for Crash Bandicoot: On the Run.

The mobile game publisher, King, has finally revealed when we are likely to see the newest Crash Bandicoot game arrive on mobile. Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is set to release in Spring 2021, and if the App Store listing is anything to go by, March 25 is the likely release date.

We first heard about the new Crash Bandicoot mobile game back in February, when rumours appeared that it was in development by King, the famous publisher of Candy Crush. The game was later confirmed and named as Crash Bandicoot: On the Run, alongside a reveal trailer, and ever since then we’ve been waiting to hear news about release.

Fans of the original Crash Bandicoot games can expect this endless runner to involves sprinting, jumping, sliding, and just generally avoiding obstacles as you complete levels to earn rewards. There’s also set to be boss battles with some of the series most iconic baddies, such as Scorporilla, Nitrus Brio, Nina Cortex, Dingodile, and Fake Crash.

If you want to see what gameplay looks like, check out the brand new trailer below:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKcFjfhfloM?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is available to pre-order now from Google Play and App Store, and if you do you get the exclusive blue hyena skin at launch, made famous by Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled. You can also stay up to date with the release schedule by following the official Crash Bandicoot: On the Run Twitter account.

If you just can’t wait to play On the Run, we’ve got some other great recommendations for endless runners in our lists of the best iOS games and the best Android games!

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Godot 3.2.4 Beta Adds Sprite Batching Support

Earlier this week the first beta of Godot 3.2.4 was released bringing several fixes and improvements as well as a few new features.

The primary features of the first Godot 3.2.4 beta from the Godot blog include:

  • Android App Bundle and subview embedding support.
  • 2D batching for GLES3 (remember that we added it for GLES2 in 3.2.2), and improvements to GLES2’s batching.
  • A new software skinning for MeshInstance to replace the slow GPU skinning on devices that don’t support the fast GPU skinning (especially mobile).
  • Several smaller fixes and improvements

Downloads for all major platforms are available for download here. The major new feature of most interest to me is the new sprite batching, an optimization trick to improve 2D rendering speeds. In the video below we run the popular Bunnymark test on Godot 3.2.3 and the new Godot 3.2.4 and we saw respectable improvements.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrM-dJklrZU?feature=oembed&w=1500&h=844]
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Tactical shojo RPG, Illusion Connect, launches globally on iOS and Android

Superprism Games celebrates the global launch of its tactical shojo RPG, Illusion Connect, as it debuts on iOS and Android. Over 600,000 users pre-registered to play Illusion Connect, an impressive feat for any mobile game. Those of you that sign in over its launch period can expect to receive a number of free-to-claim rewards, including skins, resources, and even characters.

In a battle to save humanity, you must team up with Saya to fight the mysterious enemies who have invaded the space between the real world and the dream world. These enemies, also known as Nightmares, are incredibly powerful and will require you to bolster your squad. Fortunately, there are plenty of Lenses available to team up with to make fights easier.

To uncover the hidden conspiracy, you’ll need to defeat all the Nightmares who stand in your way. Your path should be different from most players thanks to the faction system, giving each team their own unique purposes and faiths. Illusion Connect isn’t all about fighting, however, as you can learn all about your partners with the social features built into the game.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inSsuW067LU?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

Here’s a list of everything you can gain during Illusion Connect’s launch window:

  • Login for eight days in total to gain massive Diamonds, Nina’s skin ‘Redhood’, and SSR partner Miyuki
  • Anna’s Gift: clear stages to gain massive resources including diamonds, coins, partner EXP, and SSR gears
  • SEED’s Recruitment: collect a certain number of SR and SSR partners to gain Summon Ticket x30 and a bikini skin for Kasumi
  • Dreamweaver (third day after character creation): collect stage stars to gain massive Diamonds
  • Newbie Bonus Gacha: ‘Summon x10’ guarantees an SSR partner (Frantiva, Hotaru or Nicola)
  • The Journey of Growth: complete all seven-day objectives to upgrade Saya from R to SSR, and gain Saya’s skin ‘Nightingale’

You can download Illusion Connect from the App Store and Google Play right now. Interested in other gacha games like this? Check out our list of the best gacha games available on mobile devices.