Navigating the ever-evolving realm of gaming requires a keen eye for the latest shifts and innovations. Dive into our roundup of the most exciting gaming news from September 18-22, 2023. Whether it’s the launch of a much-anticipated game or a significant industry shakeup, we’ve captured all the essential gaming moments of the week for you.
Fortnite Players Can Now Claim Refund on Unintended Purchases
Epic Games, the developer behind the global sensation Fortnite, has reached a significant settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The settlement comes after allegations that the company employed deceptive tactics, leading players, especially the younger demographic, to make unintentional in-game purchases.
Epic Games settled with the FTC in December, agreeing to pay a whopping $520 million. This settlement was divided into two parts. The first involved a payment of $275 million to the US government, addressing claims that Epic Games violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The violation pertained to collecting personal data from children under 13 without obtaining parental consent. The second part of the settlement saw Epic Games agreeing to refund $245 million to consumers. This refund is for those allegedly misled by the game’s user interface design, which the FTC deemed deceptive.
The FTC has highlighted that Epic Games used “dark patterns” – subtle design strategies on websites and apps that can manipulate user behavior. According to the FTC, these patterns tricked players into making purchases they didn’t intend to and made it easier for children to incur charges without their parents’ knowledge or consent.
For those affected, there’s good news. The FTC has initiated the claims process, allowing over 37 million potential users to stake their claim in the $245 million refund pool. Eligible users will be notified via email, or they can proactively visit the settlement site and file their claim using their Epic account ID. All claims must be filed by January 17, 2024. The exact amount each user will receive remains uncertain.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Set for January 2024 Release
Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have officially announced the release date for their latest installment, “Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth.” Gamers can mark their calendars for 26th January 2024, as the game will be available on platforms including PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
The recent RGG Summit Fall 2023 unveiled a captivating trailer where players see the protagonist, Kasuga Ichiban, in a quest to find his presumed dead mother. This journey takes him to the sunny shores of Honolulu, Hawaii. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for Ichiban. He finds himself entangled in crime conspiracies back in Tokyo and Yokohama, leading to a series of dramatic events in Hawaii. This includes a run-in with the original series protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu.
The game promises intense encounters with the local mafia groups, including the Chinese mafia known as the Barracudas and, of course, the Yakuza. A heart-wrenching revelation is that Kiryu is battling cancer, adding depth to the storyline. The gameplay trailers showcased a plethora of mini-games, from surfing and karaoke to battling giant sea creatures. The combat system has been refined, introducing real-time combat abilities for Kiryu and new job classes.
Fans of the Like A Dragon series, previously known as the Yakuza series, have a reason to rejoice because there’s an exciting new game on the horizon.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Release Pushed to 2026 or Later, Says Microsoft Court Doc
Eager fans of The Elder Scrolls series might have to hold onto their anticipation longer. A recent Microsoft court document states that The Elder Scrolls 6 won’t be gracing gaming consoles and PCs before 2026. Given the buzz and speculation surrounding the game’s release date, this revelation might surprise many.
But that’s not the only piece of news that might raise eyebrows. The same document dropped another bombshell: “The Elder Scrolls 6” will not be available on PlayStation. This exclusivity move will stir discussions among the gaming community, especially among dedicated PlayStation users who have long been fans of the series.
While the exact reasons for this decision remain under wraps, it’s evident that the gaming landscape is evolving, with companies making strategic moves to ensure maximum reach and profitability. The delay might disappoint many, but if it’s any consolation, it gives the developers more time to refine, enhance, and deliver a game that lives up to the colossal expectations.
Leaked Docs Unveil New Doom and Dishonored Titles from Bethesda
Leaked FTC v. Microsoft case documents have unveiled Bethesda’s game roadmap spanning from 2020 to 2024. While some titles on the list were anticipated, a few surprises have certainly stirred excitement in the gaming community.
One such revelation is introducing a new game in the iconic Doom series, “Doom Year Zero.” This title was slated for release in the current fiscal year. “Dishonored 3” has also appeared on the list, with a planned launch in the fiscal year 2024. Bethesda has also hinted at a sequel to the paranormal adventure game “Ghostwire: Tokyo” for the same period.
However, it’s essential to note that Bethesda hasn’t officially announced these titles yet. The roadmap also teased other exciting ventures, including a “Fallout 3 Remaster.” Interestingly, an “Oblivion Remaster” was marked for FY 2022, but its release remains pending.
Diving deeper into the leaked documents, a letter from Microsoft Gaming chief Phil Spencer revealed discussions about acquiring Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax. Bethesda officially joined the Xbox family in 2021 post-regulatory approval. This move might hint at Microsoft’s broader strategy in the gaming world. This is considering their recent intent to purchase Activision Blizzard for a staggering $69 billion.
Missed out on last week’s Gaming updates?
That’s all the most interesting gaming news from September 18-22, 2023! Missed the gaming news last week? Click here for the gaming updates from September 11-15, 2023.
