Doublejump Digest: July 29, 2017
This week in gaming: PS Plus prices go up, PUBG’s new loot requires payment, and Blizzard fights Overwatch griefers!

In the spirit of keeping our readers up-to-date with what’s going on in the video game industry, the Doublejump Digest is a brief collection of the major news stories that happened in the past week. Keep an eye out for the Digest every Saturday night, and head into the archive if you’ve missed any!
From Doublejump:
- In this month’s collaborative piece, the Doublejump staff members sat down around the virtual table to discuss their favourite video game weapons of all time!
- Rhys reviewed Oh…Sir! The Hollywood Roast and found that the quirky sequel’s brand of satire “gets stale quickly”.
- Cav, on the other hand, loved his time with legendary game designer Eugene Jarvis and Housemarque’s shoot-em-up collaboration, Nex Machina!
Major news releases:
Sony increases PlayStation Plus prices:
Sony has begun emailing PlayStation Plus subscribers around the world to inform them that it will increase the service’s subscription fees at 9.01am AEST on August 31.
Yearly subscriptions will now cost $79.95 (up from $69.95), quarterly ones to $33.95 (from $27.95), and monthly subscriptions to $10.95 (from $9.95). Current subscribers can renew their subscriptions at current prices if they do so before the rollover date.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’ latest update adds paid loot box system:
Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene took to the game’s official Steam page to announce that developer Bluehole will launch three new content crates that feature items inspired by the Battle Royale film. The crates will be released on August 3, and while the first two can be unlocked for free, players will need to purchase a US$2.50 “key” to unlock the third one, the Gamescom Invitational Crate. The last crate will feature “the most diverse pool of themed clothing” and the funds raised from key sale will fund the official “GAMESCOM PUBG INVITATIONAL” tournament at this year’s Gamescom.
The game’s August 3 update will also add first-person-only server options to the North American and European SOLO and DUO game modes, a field-of-view slider for the game’s first-person view, and a new rifle.
Blizzard beefs up Overwatch player reporting, announces more Overwatch League changes:
In an official forum post, Blizzard Community Manager Stephanie Johnson recently announced that the developer will harshening the punishment for players reported for their “bad behaviour”.
“In Overwatch, [bad behaviour] means anything from abusive chat, harassment, in-game spam, match inactivity (being intentionally [away from keyboard]), and griefing,” she wrote. “If you see someone engaging in any of these types of behaviors, report them. Players in violation will be silenced, suspended, or even banned from the game as a result.”
Johnson also revealed that the developer plans on introducing new features such as notifications for when action has been taken against a reported player before acknowledging players’ frustration at the lack of in-game reporting features on PS4 and Xbox One.
In related news, Blizzard also announced its remuneration plans for the inaugural season of the Overwatch League:
- “Teams will sign players to one-year guaranteed contracts with the option to extend the contract for an additional year.
- The minimum salary for players is USD $50,000 per year. Teams will provide players with health insurance and a retirement savings plan.
- Teams will distribute at least 50% of their team performance bonuses (i.e. money from winning playoffs and other League events) to their players directly.”
These bonuses will total US$3.5 million with the winning team to be awarded at least a US$1 million bonus.
The Overwatch League’s first season is set to take place between August 1 and October 31 with Boston, Los Angeles, Miami-Orlando, New York City, San Francisco, Seoul, and Shanghai currently confirmed as match locations.
Bungie sets Destiny 2’s PC beta for late August:
Bungie Community Manager David “DeeJ” Dague recently announced that the game’s PC beta is slated to take place from August 28 (early access)/August 29 (open beta) to August 31.
He also revealed the following minimum and recommended specifications for the beta:
Minimum:
- CPU: Intel Core i3–3250 and AMD FX-4350,
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (2GB) and AMD Radeon HD 7850 (2GB), and
- RAM: 6GB.
Recommended:
- CPU: Intel Core i5–2400 and AMD Ryzen R5 1600X,
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 and AMD Radeon R9 390, and
- RAM: 6GB.
Nintendo locks Metroid: Samus Returns content behind specific amiibo figurines:
A Nintendo spokesperson has confirmed to Eurogamer that players will need to own four amiibo figurines — two new and two existing — to unlock special features and content within the 3DS remake.
The new Samus (far left) amiibo will unlock an extra energy tank during the story and an exclusive Metroid II media gallery after completing it; the new “squidgy” Metroid (middle left) will show nearby Metroids on the map, unlock Samus’ Fusion suit from Metroid Fusion, and add an extra difficulty mode upon completion; the older Samus amiibo (middle right) will unlock a missile tank and additional concept art; while the Zero Suit Samus figurine (far right) will add another energy tank as well as unlocking the ability to listen to the game’s soundtrack after completing the story.
The spokesperson did not reveal whether or not players will eventually get to unlock the additional content without owning the aforementioned figurines.
The Sims 4 is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One:
Earlier this week, EA announced that it will be bringing Maxis’ popular life simulation title to both consoles on November 17. These new versions will include some of the downloadable content that was released for the game’s PC version with more set to be released in the future. Players on all three platforms can share their “Sims stories”, but developer Maxis stopped short of announcing any sort of cross-platform multiplayer functionality.
Notable game releases:
- Pyre (PC and PS4)
- Splatoon 2 (Switch)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (PC and Xbox One)
- Hey! Pikmin (3DS)
Major video releases:
Shadow of War — Shelob Reveal Trailer:
The spider lady herself makes for an unlikely ally in Talion and Celebrimbor’s war against Sauron.
Need for Speed Payback — Official Customization Trailer:
It looks like Ghost Games is channeling Forza Horizon with the game’s customisation options.
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite — Gameplay Trailer 4:
Capcom wants to remind us that going over-the-top isn’t a bad thing at all!
F1 2017 — Born To… Make History Trailer:
Codemasters is upping the visual ante in this year’s iteration of its racing series.
Indie corner:
The Gardens Between gets a launch window:
Melbourne-based developer The Voxel Agents recently announced that is upcoming adventure puzzle game, The Gardens Between, is set to launch during “Q1 2018” on Mac and Windows.
The Gardens Between follows two best friends, Arina and Frendt, as they explore a dreamlike world of mysterious gardens. Players will take control of the duo and time to guide the pair through lush gardens which grow around objects from their past, in this bittersweet story of friendship.
Brawlhalla will offer cross-play functionality between PC and PS4:
Developer Blue Mammoth Games has announced that its free-to-play platform fighter Brawhalla will offer cross-play functionality between Mac, PlayStation 4 and Windows players at launch. The game is currently available via Steam Early Access, with no full launch date as of this writing.
Blue Mammoth also announced that PlayStation 4 players can now purchase the Founder’s Pack for US$19.99 and gain immediate access to the console’s closed beta, along with access to all current and future players, as well as future “exclusive PS4 content”. Those looking for free access to the closed beta can do so via the developer’s signup page.
QuantumSquid’s Pylon: Rogue is coming to PC:
Those looking for a new upcoming roguelike roleplaying game are in luck, as developer QuantumSquid has announced that its first PC game, Pylon: Rogue, is scheduled to release on September 21 on Windows.
Pylon: Rogue has roguelike elements like procedural-generation and permadeath, but picking up magical items ensures better drops in subsequent playthroughs. The game will enable players to battle as one of four champions, each of which has three distinct play-styles that can be augmented through abilities and special items, weapons, and armor.
Other news:
- Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is coming to the West next year: YouTube
- Don’t forget to check out Lawbreakers’ final open beta before release: Official
- Dying Light’s developer is launching its own online game store: Gamasutra
- Bayonetta and Trials Fusion leads August’s Games with Gold offering: Xbox Wire
- We’ll soon get to ride around in Noctis’ Regalia in Forza Horizon 3: YouTube
This article was originally published on Doublejump. Follow us here on Medium to see more top-quality content, and/or feel free to support us:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Discord Server | Merchandise | Patreon
