Nerdfleet
Issue #15 || 21st June 2024 || Friday
Hey Nerdfam,
Welcome to another edition of our newsletter!
We hope you enjoy this week's selection of news! Let us know in the comments what you find most interesting, and if there are any specific topics you'd like to see covered in the future.
Captain out. ✨
Fact of the week: Did you know that an estimated 60% of the world's lakes can be found in Canada? Time to pack your hiking boots!
Pixelated Pursuits:
Dragon Age: Veilguard Promises Revamped Combat, Former Exec Says
Former exec producer Mark Darrah, now a consultant for Veilguard, claims the upcoming game boasts the series' most enjoyable combat yet.
In an interview with Game Informer, Darrah acknowledged past Dragon Age titles had "not-so-great" combat, but assures players Veilguard delivers a fun and engaging experience.
"Veilguard bridges the gap," Darrah said. "While previous games weren't terrible, Veilguard's combat is truly fun. It maintains the core focus on your character (Rook), but integrates the abilities of your party members seamlessly."
This focus on action-oriented combat has been a hot topic since the game's reveal. Unlike past Dragon Age titles, Veilguard features a smaller party size (3 vs 4) and emphasizes dodging, countering, and strategic use of powerful charge attacks.
While the action heats up, players can utilize an ability wheel for tactical commands, allowing you to customize your companions' roles as support units or healers.
"Balancing combat for the fourth Dragon Age is a challenge," says director Corinne Busche. "Each game reinvents combat to some degree, and Veilguard is no exception. We want to cater to existing fans while welcoming new players, so we have a diverse player base to consider."
Veilguard arrives 10 years after Inquisition and 15 years after the series debut, Dragon Age: Origins. BioWare recently unveiled the game's official name, character creator details, and extended gameplay footage. Stay tuned for our Summer Game Fest coverage to learn more about romance options and player choice in Veilguard!
Dragon Age: The Veilguard launches Fall 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Elden Ring DLC Soars to New Heights, Claims Metacritic Crown!
The Lands Between reign supreme once more! FromSoftware's highly anticipated Elden Ring expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, has achieved a remarkable feat. According to Metacritic, the acclaimed DLC has dethroned The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine for the highest-rated downloadable content ever.
This news comes as Shadow of the Erdtree prepares for its official launch. Critics have been raving about the expansion, praising its ability to capture the essence of the base game and deliver a fresh, challenging experience for veteran Tarnished.
Previously, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine held the top spot with a score of 92 on Metacritic. Shadow of the Erdtree, however, has surpassed that mark, currently boasting a 95-user rating.
This achievement solidifies Elden Ring's position as a gaming phenomenon. The base game captivated players with its sprawling world, challenging combat, and cryptic lore. Shadow of the Erdtree appears to be continuing that trend, offering dedicated fans a condensed yet rewarding experience.
Xbox Dominates Gamescom 2024 with Huge Booth, Playable Games
Microsoft is going all-in at Gamescom 2024, showcasing its biggest booth ever! Expect to see upcoming titles like Avowed, Diablo 4 content, and World of Warcraft expansions. This is Blizzard's first Gamescom since joining Microsoft.
Meanwhile, Sony and Nintendo are skipping the show. Sony hasn't attended in years, and Nintendo likely has its sights set on its 2025 Switch successor.
Get ready for a Microsoft extravaganza at Gamescom, with more announcements expected during the event!
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Launch Times Revealed!
The wait is over, Tarnished! FromSoftware has confirmed release times for Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Preloaded the expansion? Here's when you can dive in (remember, you'll need to defeat two bosses first!).
For Preloaded Players:
PC
Pacific U.S. - June 20 at 3pm
Central U.S. - June 20 at 5pm
Columbia - June 20 at 5pm
Eastern U.S. - June 20 at 6pm
Brazil - June 20 at 7pm
UK - June 20 at 11pm
Central Europe - June 20 at midnight
South Africa - June 20 at midnight
Eastern Europe - June 21 at 1am
Moscow - June 21 at 1am
Qatar - June 21 at 1am
Gulf - June 21 at 2am
Singapore - June 21 at 6am
South Korea - June 21 at 7am
Japan - June 21 at 7am
Eastern Australia - June 21 at 8am
New Zealand - June 21 at 10am
Bangladesh - June 21 at 4am
PlayStation and Xbox
Pacific U.S. - June 20 at 9pm
Central U.S. - June 20 at 11pm
Eastern U.S. - June 20 at midnight
Columbia - June 20 at midnight
Brazil - June 20 at midnight
UK - June 20 at midnight
Central Europe - June 20 at midnight
Eastern Europe - June 20 at midnight
Moscow - June 20 at midnight
Qatar - June 20 at midnight
Gulf - June 20 at midnight
Singapore - June 20 at midnight
South Korea - June 20 at 7am
Japan - June 20 at midnight
Eastern Australia - June 20 at midnight
New Zealand - June 20 at midnight
Gear Up, Tarnished!
Get ready for a fresh Elden Ring adventure! Shadow of the Erdtree promises a condensed 20-25 hour experience packed with new challenges for hardcore fans.
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Authors: Abdul Ahad
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