Introducing Good News Gaming, the show where we highlight uplifting gaming news stories that’ll warm your hearts. This week, a wholesome wedding in Animal Crossing, the awesome ways gaming companies are helping charity relief efforts, and flipping off bad guys in Half-Life: Alyx.
Gaming News
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare Multiplayer Is Free To Play Right Now!
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s battle royale spin-off, Warzone, has actually been incredibly popular. Several high profile pro-gamers have left Epic’s Fortnite to stream Warzone. Whether they return to Fortnite or not is yet to be seen. However if you want to try the core game’s routine multiplayer modes, now is your chance! Modern Warfare’s multiplayer offerings will be FREE until April 6 at 10 AM PT/ 1 PM ET. Even if you do not end up buying the full video game, you have 2 more days to level up your weapons and create some loadouts for Warzone– all of your Warzone levels and purchases also carry over to multiplayer.
If you have already downloaded Warzone just select the “Multiplayer” option from the main menu to access the free multiplayer weekend. If you don’t currently have Warzone, then make sure to download it now, so you can play as much as possible. Regrettably, if you want to keep playing Modern Warfare’s multiplayer past the complimentary weekend, it looks like you’ll need to pay full price as no discounts have been announced.
One of this weekend’s offered playlists includes “Stocked Up, Locked Down,” which alternates between the 10 vs 10 Atlas Superstore and 6 vs 6 Shoothouse maps with game modes like Team Death Match, Domination. Other video game modes you can expect consist of the 64 vs 64 Ground War and Gunfight, which is a 2 vs 2, last-man-standing battle. It’s incredibly tense and is perfect to play with a buddy.
PC Gamer Call of Duty: Modern Warfare review scored the game an 80 and praised the multiplayer’s various modes, most notably Gunfight, and they were impressed the “first-person gun feel”. The Final conclusion was “Modern Warfare evolves the series for the better, but it could be so much more.”
” Modern Warfare’s moments of unfamiliarity that impressed me—rebuilt weapon handling, ambitious new multiplayer modes, and characters that aren’t the cookie-cutter operatives we’ve seen in the last decade. Modern Warfare is an evolution for the series, and it’s exciting.” writes Morgan Park. “Other modes stand out too, like the re-imagined Search and Destroy replacement Cyber Attack and the Realism rule set, which strips away all HUD and makes head shots a one-hit kill. Cyber Attack adds depth to the elimination format by splitting priorities between playing the objective and reviving teammates.”
Call of Duty publisher Activision recently released a remaster of Modern Warfare 2’s campaign. The original Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer is not included, as Activision has decided to revamp and release classic maps in the new Modern Warfare instead.
Top 5 Ways to Make Money in the Booming Esports Market
Esports attract more and more attention from viewers, sponsors, and aspiring players all around the world, which always means one thing in particular – more money. Playing games doesn’t mean that you’re lazy, careless, and too easy-going anymore. People are more eager to invest their money in esports, the tournament prizes are getting bigger, young players are less afraid to pursue careers in gaming, and the public is less skeptical about it. Are you fascinated by the esports market as well? Would you like to find yourself a place there, but you’re not sure what are the opportunities? Here’s a list of the best ways to make money in the esports market to inspire you:
Mar 30, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia Union player doolsta (Cormac Dooley) reacts during the championship round of the eMLS Cup event at The Castle at Park Plaza . Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
1. Sports betting
If you have some sports knowledge, and you’re looking for ways to make money without having to leave your horse, sports betting is something for you. Websites like Winbig can provide you with all the necessary information – how and where you can bet to maximize your chances of winning and minimize the risks. Your strategy may be guessing if you have too much money to spend and time to kill, but it would be better if you already had some knowledge in a certain esport. It will help you predict the most probable outcome. Of course, we are all only human, and life is full of surprises, the sports world especially, but with solid expertise, you will be able to boost your chances of winning.
2. Investments
If you do have some cash, but you don’t see yourself as a gamer, a host, or a better, you still can put them to some use – try investing! You don’t need a lot – you can start small and build your way up. You can buy stocks of companies investing in esports, or start a partnership with an esport company. And who knows, maybe with time, you will have a decisive or contributional voice in the matters concerning the future of esports.
Apr 13, 2019; St. Louis , MO, USA; TSM battles Team Liquid during the League of Legends Championship Series Spring Finals at Chaifetz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
3. Playing and teaching
In today’s world, and on the booming esports market, a great professional player can earn even millions of dollars. The prize pools vary, depending on the sponsors, the tournament, the location, etc., but we are talking about really big money here. If you’re only starting, you should try specializing in one of the popular games, e.g., League of Legends, FIFA or Overwatch. Then you must work on your skills. Just like in the case of every other regular sport, esports require practice and training. When you feel you’re ready, start signing up for local tournaments, and after some time, you may be picked up by one of the professional teams.
However, if you are a player, but you don’t want to become a professional, you can always teach other beginners. Consider becoming a gaming coach for a young person who needs help in perfecting their skills. You may also start a YouTube channel with tutorials or tutoring services.
4. Stream and host
Streaming was one of the very first things that have begun to make esports famous. Gamers all around the world have started their channels on YouTube or Twitch, and the audience eager to watch games has been continually and surprisingly growing since then. Your own channel can help you build your authority and promote your name in the gaming world. You can stream your own games, comment those of professional players, and create a whole entertaining watching experience for other spectators. With time (and more viewers), you will be able to make big money on ads and sponsors.
5. Video game development
Video game developers are the foundation of the whole market. And since the market is booming, there is a growing demand for their skills. Esport companies are popping like mushrooms, while the older, established ones are growing in size. Very often, these are the game creators who organize the biggest and the most famous tournaments. For example, the creator of League of Legends has multiple different leagues for their players. That’s why game designers, programmers, software developers, and project managers can earn hundreds of thousands annually in today’s world.
However, all is not lost if you’re not much of a technical person. Video testing doesn’t require you to have a degree related to digital entertainment, or, to be precise, any degree at all. Every game needs to be tested before it can be released to the market. It’s not as well-paid as working in development, but it will give you an opportunity to make money on playing games. Not bad.
Find your place
Don’t go for anything. Don’t choose the most profitable way to make money, because if you don’t enjoy or feel it, you won’t be able to keep going in the long-term. Esports market has become so big that you will surely find something that you will like, or at least don’t mind doing.
ASUS announces e-gaming tournament ‘ROG Showdown’
ASUS India has launched an e-Gaming Tournament, ROG Showdown, a getaway for gamers to bust their stress levels while the world is navigating through the crisis of Covid-19. The tournament will be held from April 3 to 29. According to the company’s official release, this is a perfect opportunity for gamers to play indoors and battle it out for the ultimate glory.
The ROG Showdown tournament would begin with CSGO, for which registrations have started as well. The winner will take home a prize pool of $300 worth of steam wallet codes. This would be followed by several other tournaments across different titles like PUB G, R6, and LOL. The tournament will offer participation opportunities for squads, teams, and individuals.
Commenting on the announcement, Arnold Su, Business Head – Consumer and Gaming PC, Asus India, stated in the official release: “At a time when the world is undergoing so much stress, we aim to encourage gamers to utilize their time productively, thus enabling them to cope with the change in the usual routine.”
He noted that by staying indoors and avoiding social gatherings is perhaps the safest and easiest way to curtail the spread of the virus. He added: “Everyone could use a bit of healthy competition to boost their spirits and enjoy this time at home and the objective of this gaming tournament is exactly this.”
According to Arnold, post such testing times, the world shall soon be enjoying spirited offline tournaments. However, until then, he urged the steadily expanding gaming community to stay home and enjoy The ROG Showdown.
Nintendo Switch Shortages Leading To High Markups
As more people are staying home to work or study due to the coronavirus outbreak, there is a rise in demand for home entertainment systems, like the Nintendo Switch. The console was always pretty popular, but now that more people are stuck at home, it has resulted in the console being sold out across various retailers. Everyone wants one.
So, if you are hoping to get a Nintendo Switch, it looks like third-party retailers and other individuals are taking advantage of the situation and are marking up the prices. Third-party resellers on Amazon are now asking for $460 to $500 for a brand new Switch console.
This is at least a 50% markup where the MSRP of a brand new Nintendo Switch is at $299.99. Even platforms like eBay are seeing a markup in prices where some are selling brand new Switch consoles for $410, while pre-owned consoles are being sold at around $360.
However, Nintendo has announced that more units are expected to be coming in soon. In a statement released by the company, it says, “Nintendo Switch hardware is selling out at various retail locations in the US, but more systems are on the way. We apologize for any inconvenience.” So stay tuned for more.
Source: arsTechnica
Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con – HAC-001(-01)
- Play your way with the Nintendo Switch gaming system. Whether you’re at home or on the go, solo or with friends, the Nintendo Switch system is designed to fit your life. Dock your Nintendo Switch to enjoy HD gaming on your TV. Heading out? Just undock your console and keep playing in handheld mode
- This model includes battery life of approximately 4.5 to 9 hours
- The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (games sold separately)
- Model number HAC 001( 01)
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Razers new Blade 15 gaming laptops: everything you need to know
NVIDIA announced its new GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER and GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER Max-Q graphics cards today, with their various OEM partners now unveiling new super-powered gaming notebooks.
Razer unveiled its new Razer Blade 15 gaming notebook that has improvements on both the inside, with some kick ass new CPU and GPU technology, as well as some changes on the outside. Razer will have two models available in May 2020 including a Base model starting at $1600, and the more Advanced model that taps out at $3300.
Razer Blade 15 Base
The new Razer Blade 15 Base model includes an Intel Core i7-10750H processor, which is a 6C/12T chip that offers a base frequency of 2.6GHz and up to 5GHz turbo. Razer starts things off with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card with 6GB of RAM, but there are options for the RTX 2070 or RTX 2080 graphics cards.
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i7-8750H 6 Core, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q | 15.6″ FHD 144Hz | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD, CNC Aluminum, Chroma RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3
- Zero Compromise Powerhouse: Built for gaming and creative work in a 0.7 thin CNC aluminum unibody with high-performance, vapor chamber cooling
- Futureproof Design: Thunderbolt 3 capable, compatible with Razer Core external GPU enclosures for additional power; supports dual-channel memory and SSD upgradability
- Perfect Display for Work or Play: An edge-to-edge, 100% sRGB, factory-calibrated matte screen with a 144 Hz refresh rate offers the best experience for intense gaming sessions or content creation
- Biometric Security: Supports Windows Hello instant facial unlock with integrated webcam and IR sensor
- Customizable RGB Individual Key Lighting: Includes 16.8 million colors available with multiple preset profiles
- Summary: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H 6 core processor w/ 4.1 GHz turbo, NVIDIA Geforce 2070 RTX Max-Q, 15.6 FHD 144 Hz display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Note: you cannot buy the new Razer Blade 15 Base model with GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER or GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER — they are the non-SUPER variants. The RTX SUPER graphics can only be with a configured Blade 15 Advanced gaming laptop.
One of the best bits is that the new Razer Blade 15 packs a 15.6-inch 1080p LCD with a 144Hz refresh rate, all while Razer offers a 4K OLED display if you want the higher-quality goodness. The 4K OLED option gives the Razer Blade 15 a factory-calibrated OLED panel with 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage.
Inside, Razer is offering 16GB of DDR4 at a minimum, 256GB and 512GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD options, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and a 65W rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery.
Razer Blade 15 Advanced
The higher-end “Advanced” model of the new Blade 15 gaming notebook rocks Intel’s fresh 10th-gen Comet Lake Core i7-108750H processor, which is an 8C/16T chip with a base clock of 2.3GHz and a turbo clock of 5.1GHz. Yeah, 5.1GHz inside of a laptop.
Razer’s new Blade 15 Advanced rocks NVIDIA’s new GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER Max-Q graphics by default, with the option to upgrade up to the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER Max-Q.
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i7-8750H 6 Core, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q, 15.6″ FHD 144Hz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, CNC Aluminum, Chroma RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3
- Zero Compromise Powerhouse: Built for gaming and creative work in a 0.7 thin CNC aluminum unibody with high-performance, vapor chamber cooling
- Futureproof Design: Thunderbolt 3 capable, compatible with Razer Core external GPU enclosures for additional power; supports dual-channel memory and SSD upgradability
- Perfect Display for Work or Play: An edge-to-edge, 100% sRGB, factory-calibrated matte screen with a 240Hz refresh rate offers the best experience for intense gaming sessions or content creation
- Biometric Security: Supports Windows Hello instant facial unlock with integrated webcam and IR sensor
- Customizable RGB Individual Key Lighting: Includes 16.8 million colors available with multiple preset profiles
- Summary: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H 6 core processor w/ 4.1 GHz turbo, NVIDIA Geforce 2080 RTX Max-Q, 15.6 FHD 144 Hz display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Inside of the Razer Blade 15 Advanced the company is offering a 15.6-inch 1080p panel but with a super-fast 300Hz refresh rate. The Razer Blade 15 Advanced also enjoys some beefed-up internals over the Base model, such as 512GB to 1TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD storage options, a large 80-watt battery, and per-key RGB powered by Razer Chroma keyboard.
Even the ports are high-end, with Razer packing in an ultra-fast SD card reader that supports UHS-III speeds. This means that you can pull a huge 624Mbps from an SD card, if it is indeed an UHS-III card.
Connectivity and features on both of the new Razer Blade 15 include:
- Wi-Fi 6
- High-speed 2933MHz DDR4 RAM
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A ports
- HDMI port
- USB Type-C port
- Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port
Razer Blade 15 Pricing
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i7-8750H 6 Core, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q | 15.6" FHD 144Hz | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD, CNC Aluminum, Chroma RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3 | Prime | Buy Now | ||
| Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop 2019 - Intel Core i7- 9750H 6 Core, GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q, 15.6" FHD 1080p 240Hz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Chroma RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3 Compatible (Renewed) | Prime | Buy Now | ||
| Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i7-8750H 6 Core, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q, 15.6" FHD 144Hz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, CNC Aluminum, Chroma RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3 | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
| Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop - Intel Core i7-8750H 6 Core, GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q, 15.6" FHD 144Hz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Chroma RGB Keyboard, Thunderbolt 3, 0.70" Thin, CNC Aluminum (Renewed) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
| Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop 2019: Intel Core i7-9750H 6 Core, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q, 15.6" FHD 1080p 240Hz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, CNC Aluminum, Chroma RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3 | Prime | Buy Now | ||
| Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition Laptop: Intel Core i7-9750H - NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 - 15.6" 4K OLED Touch - 32GB RAM - 1TB NVMe SSD, CNC Aluminum, RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3, Mercury White | Prime | Buy Now |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
As an Amazon Associate CaveboyCreeper.com earns from qualifying purchases.