Category: Shooter

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Gaming News Horror Shooter

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl

STALKER 2
STALKER 2 was released on 20 November 2024 after 15 years in development.

After 15 years, STALKER 2 is finally here. The fan-favorite survival horror franchise was just released on 20 November 2024. We can now return to the beautiful horror of the Zone. This long-awaited sequel has captured the hearts of new and returning players. Developed using Unreal Engine 5, STALKER 2 boasts stunning graphics, an immersive story, and brutal survival mechanics.

Set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, STALKER 2 promises a mix of horror, adventure, and first-person shooter action. Finally, players can explore the radiated wasteland teeming with mutated creatures and rival factions. Although, danger lurks around every corner. STALKER 2 offers an expanded storyline and numerous moral choices. Your story and destiny are up to you.

A Deeper Look

One of the standout features is the use of Unreal Engine 5 to deliver impressive graphics and weather systems. These two features help create a hauntingly impressive universe. Additionally, every decision matters. The in-game ecosystem adapts to your choices making every game unique.

Additionally, the return of fan-favorite mechanics such as artifact hunting, weapon customization, and resource management elevate your experience. Fans have said that resource management can be the difference between life and death.

Whether you are a seasoned fan or a newcomer, STALKER 2 offers a thrilling story marked by horror and exploration. After 15 years, the game is a heartfelt nod to the series’ roots. Although the game feels familiar, it delivers a fresh take on the series.

Before You Go

GamerSaloon is currently offering special tournaments for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. So grab your friends, team up, and compete for special prizes. You can find our tournaments by following this link.

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Call of Duty Gaming News Shooter

Black Ops 6: Controversial Changes in Season 1

Black Ops 6 Season 1
The Black Ops 6 Season 1 update was released 14 November 2024

While Black Ops 6 continues to top the FPS genre, the recent update has left some fans disappointed. The most recent update saw changes to COD Points in the battle pass and issues with Warzone.

The battle pass in previous titles awarded the player with 1,400 COD Points for completing it, assuming you upgraded to the premium pass. The Season 1 update to Black Ops 6 saw a reduction to 1,100 COD points. While this is still enough to purchase the next pass for free, fans disapprove of the reduced number.

Next, the recent update to Warzone seems to have undone many of the changes that were implemented during Modern Warfare 3. The most talked about pain point? Audio bugs. Many players are saying that there is zero footsteps audio in the recent update. Additionally, many fans on PC are experiencing frame rate drops of 30-40%.

I have been playing both Black Ops 6 multiplayer and Warzone. In my experience, Warzone feels clunky and slow compared to multiplayer. There is definitely missing audio in Warzone. In fact, they feel like separate games at the moment. There is no word on fixes at the moment, but I expect them to come in the near future.

Fan Favorite Modes

To change things up, I want to discuss two of the most popular modes in Black Ops 6 right now. Gunfight and Hardpoint.

The return of gunfight has pleased many fans who enjoy the 2v2 mode where skill and communication are tested. In my opinion, the randomness of your kit is one of the most exciting factors. When discussing with fans, many stated that the unpredictability of the mode keeps it exciting without compromising competitiveness.

Hardpoint has remained one of the top game modes with teams competing to secure and hold strategic locations around the map. The revamped map design adds new dynamics that were missing in previous titles. Whether you are an aggressive player or a tactical shooter, hardpoint requires constant teamwork and communication. It is one of my go-to modes right now.

Before You Go

GamerSaloon is currently offering special tournaments for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Grab your friends, team up, and compete for special prizes. You can find our tournaments by following this link.

GamerSaloon is dedicated to providing you with news and updates surrounding the gaming industry. Check back regularly to find more content created just for you.

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Call of Duty ESports Gaming News Shooter

Black Ops 6: Season 1 Update

Black Ops 6
The Season 1 update will release on 14 November 2024

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has been out for a little over two weeks now. The latest update, which comes out on 14 November, will bring new maps, weapons, and features. The newest update seeks to keep the game energized and exciting for fans. This update will focus on expanding gameplay options, and the multiplayer experience – ensuring players have countless ways to enjoy the game.

So What’s New?

A major highlight of the update is the introduction of three more multiplayer maps – and a new Warzone map. Each map will bring with a unique terrain with strategic advantages for various playstyles. Regardless if you run and gun up close or snipe from afar – each map has something for everyone.

The new update even includes a wide variety of additional guns, scorestreaks, and weapon attachments. If you enjoy the customization options in Black Ops 6, you’ll enjoy the extended range of options released as the season progresses.

We will also receive a handful of additional game modes, including the fan favorite Prophunt. A new zombies map – Citadelle Des Mortes – is also in the update.

What Are Fans Saying?

In short, fan reactions remain largely positive. Even the highly criticized omnimovement has received some praise. Fans remain critical about the “skill based damage” mechanic suggesting that you are punished for performing well. Additionally, fans who enjoy the zombies mode suggest adjusting the difficulty in later rounds as it becomes much too difficult.

Before You Go

GamerSaloon is currently offering special tournaments for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Grab your friends, team up and compete for special prizes. You can find our tournaments by following this link.

GamerSaloon is dedicated to providing you with news and updates surrounding the gaming industry. Check back regularly to find more content created just for you.

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Battle Royale ESports Gaming News Shooter

Off The Grid: An Innovative Battle Royale

Off The Grid
Off The Grid is currently in early access. Full release will be announced shortly.

Gunzilla Games has entered into the battle royale scene with ‘Off The Grid’. Their hope is to push the boundaries of traditional play. Set in a dystopian, cyberpunk future, Off The Grid invites players into a massive open world where corporate factions vie for control. The game offers storytelling depth that helps it stand out from others. The game combines narrative-driven missions across PvE and PvP modes.

The standout feature of Off The Grid is its 150-player battle royale mode designed for large-scale battles and a dynamic world. By blending PvE and PvP missions, players can pursue their own personal story arc alongside competitive online play. This unique hybrid design offers a more immersive experience by creating narrative choices that impact your gameplay.

Additionally, Off The Grid offers customizable gear, cybernetic augmentations, and a range of weapon upgrades. Gunzilla Games promises you endless possibilities to play your own personal style.

Reviews

The game is currently in early access. So far, it has received high praise from testers and critics alike. They praise its cinematic approach and storytelling. Also, many applaud its integration of a robust narrative in a genre that primarily focuses on gameplay. Testers in particular notice that the world feels alive, constantly changing. They suggest this makes every match unpredictable.

Updates

Gunzilla prides itself in responding to player feedback. Specifically, they continually address balance issues and regularly introduce new content. So far, updates have included new maps, cybernetic gear, and limited-time events with rewards like exclusive skins. Lastly, developers are constantly refining the in game experience, making Off The Grid one of the most anticipated battle royale titles.

Even though Off The Grid is in early access, it might be worth keeping an eye on as it continues to evolve.

Before You Go

Do you want to test your skills? Maybe refine a strategy? Make new friends? Check out FREE tournaments here.

GamerSaloon is dedicated to providing you with news and updates surrounding the gaming industry. Check back regularly to find more content created just for you.

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Call of Duty Gaming News Shooter

Call of Duty Black Ops 6: What’s New?

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will release 25 October 2024

Activision is about to release its most recent game in the Call of Duty franchise. Following the success of returning to the modern timeline, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will continue the trend. Activision promised they would push the limits of current FPS games. They announced new features, gameplay improvements, and returning fan-favorite game modes.

What You Can Expect

The fans requested it, and Activision delivered. The franchise is returning to the modern era. The same gritty, tactical warfare is back, but with a fresh take on campaign and multiplayer. The campaign is inspired by current geopolitical events, providing a relative and immersive experience.

One of the most anticipated updates is to the movement system.  Activision promises smoother transitions, fluid movement, and refined gunplay. Additionally, the new “Tactical Ops” game mode features large-scale skirmishes; with a changing dynamic depending on the outcome of the previous match.

The fan-favorite and free-to-play Warzone will also be overhauled when Black Ops 6 releases. Players can expect larger maps and a destructible environment. Integrating the base game with Warzone ensures all your progress carries over.

Activision also ensures that Black Ops 6 will take full advantage of next-gen hardware to give you jaw-dropping visuals. You can also expect faster load screens and realistic environments. The graphics should be consistent across platforms.

Unfortunately, unlike previous titles, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 does not have early access. Meaning you will have to wait until full release on 25 October 2024.

Final Thoughts

I am not a Call of Duty fan, but even I am anticipating this one. The return to a modern setting should provide nostalgia for veteran players; Also, the innovative features should keep it feeling fresh. The new mechanics, and gameplay updates should make this one of the most exciting games in the franchise. Fans have high hopes for this one, so Activision better deliver.

Before You Go

Do you want to test your skills? Maybe refine a strategy? Make new friends? Check out FREE tournaments here.

GamerSaloon is dedicated to providing you with news and updates surrounding the gaming industry. Check back regularly to find more content created just for you.

Thank you for reading!

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Shooter

Blizzard Releases Overwatch 2 Beta

Overwatch 2 Beta

After months of ups and downs including widespread misconduct allegations, worker walkouts and a $68.7 billion purchase by Microsoft, Blizzard is finally back to releasing games. Earlier this week, Blizzard rolled out the beta test for Overwatch 2, the sequel to its popular team-based shooter.

Overwatch 2 isn’t officially out yet, but players can try its PVP mode as part of a test that runs through May 17. The test represents multiple major milestones for Blizzard: It’s the studio’s first major release since misconduct allegations arose last year, it’s also the first time since 2020 that Overwatch has received a new playable character. The original game’s update schedule had become essentially non existent leading many players to move on from the franchise.

Overwatch, which released in 2016, was one of the biggest competitive shooters for years. Regular updates and announcements were met with great anticipation. Overwatch’s popularity reached its peak in 2018 with the debut of Blizzard’s Overwatch League, a franchised esports league with team slots reportedly costing in the tens of millions of dollars.

Judging by Twitch viewership numbers, Overwatch 2′s beta test is off to a strong start. Twitch viewership peaked at 1.4 million concurrent viewers on Thursday.

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Shooter

Halo Infinite Is About To Get Some Juice

Halo Infinite, released last November, is the first game in the series to feature a free-to-play model. It’s continued success is built around a seasonal framework. For the most part the game has been met with positive reviews but criticized for the expensive cosmetics and a general lack of new content.

Season two, “Lone Wolves,” is set to release on May 3 and it looks like something people are going to want to check out. Developer 343 Industries dropped a brief trailer that included a reel of new maps and cosmetics.

In January, 343 announced that players could earn credits that could be spent on Halo’s microtransactions via simply playing but didn’t get into the details. Now, we have some.

Those who buy the premium battle pass for season two, which cost 1,000 credits, can earn 1,000 credits over the course of the pass. In theory you could bank those 1,000 credits and spend them on the premium battle pass for season three.

“Free money” isn’t the only thing worht mentioning, Infinite is getting a bunch of new additions next month, including two new maps.

Arena playlists will get Catalyst, a map that looks to be set on a Forerunner structure. Big Team Battle is getting a new map called Breaker. Unfortunately 343 still hasn’t yet featured remade versions of popular maps from previous games.

King of the Hill will be available from the start of the season. As will Attrition, the team-based deathmatch that was playable for a few weeks in January.

Last Spartan Standing mode is also being added. It’s a “free-for-all elimination mode,”according to the release but details, like its release date or even a an explanation of how it works, haven’t been made available.

The big question for Halo players is if Season 2 can pull players back in.

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