Last Week in Gaming (in 3 Sentences or Less) – Catch up with the news (March 16-22)

Hi. Happy Self-Isolation and Quarantine Week! Here’s what happened in gaming this past week, each boiled down to 3 sentences or less.

Last week’s headline: The new generation in numbers

1. First, Microsoft rushed to unveil Xbox Series X full hardware specification together with the most important features the console had to offer.
2. Sony responded with disclosing the full hardware specification of PlayStation 5 during what is now known as one of the most yawn-inducing presentation of all time (not only according to us, but to most of the experts as well).
3. The aftermath: Sony still won (when it comes to numbers, at least).

Anybody feels like taking a nap?

Monday, March 16

1. Capcom unveiled the release date of Resident Evil 3 Remake Demo. Then they released it 4 days later with the first loading screen that reads, “This new plague is spreading at a terrifying rate.” Get it here.
2. Hackers tried to benefit from the coronavirus panic with a ransomware app that supposedly tracked the spread of the virus. Learn more here – and don’t try to download it.
3. A Portuguese Witcher fan made these outstanding anime drawings of the Netflix series characters and scenes. You can find all of them here. Meanwhile, here’s an obligatory sneak-peek:

Hmm. Bath.

Tuesday, March 17

1. Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t get delayed. And it WON’T be delayed anymore, CD Projekt RED reassured. Looks like the coronavirus is gone in 2077.
2. Call of Duty Warzone finally got solo mode. Before that it could only be played in teams of three. Better hurry and play solo now, because soon you may not be able to anymore.
3. A bug in Apple phones caused them to consume extreme amounts of mobile data. Way beyond the limits. And nobody knows what to do about it.

Phantom data thief is pretty much real for some iPhone owners.

Wednesday, March 18

1. Part of L.A. Noire 2’s soundtrack got leaked, revealing that the game itself is in the works. And as far as music is concerned, it’s heading to Vice City. As long as nothing breaks its stride.
2. Internet traffic increased by 20% as people began to use the internet more during the coronavirus pandemic. Digital highways are now jammed with gamers during rush hours. Here are all the stats.
3. Final Fantasy VII Remake is not getting delayed, Square Enix announced. But that doesn’t mean you will play it on time. Here’s how coronavirus may postpone your nostalgia trip.

Thursday, March 19

1. GTA IV got back on Steam after the death of Games for Windows Live had caused it to disappear 2 months earlier. Meanwhile, Episodes from Liberty City disappeared from Valve’s platform – only to be merged with the original game. To buy it, you’ll have to wait one more day, though.
2. Gabe Newell said that “we’re way closer to The Matrix than people realize.” Of course he means VR. Here’s how Gabe wants to turn your brain into a game controller.
3. Microsoft denied that Xbox Series X would release in November – despite earlier signs that it would release in November. Confusing as it is, everybody’s now waiting for some kind of official announcement. Here’s what the fuss is about.

Ever since these three got together again, life wasn’t so complicated anymore.

Friday, March 20

• Toiled paper became a new luxury good in Fallout 76. Just like in real life.
• Half-Life Alyx began shaping up to be a big hit as pre-order numbers climbed to 300,000. What a time to be VR?
• Doom Eternal was hiding something. That something was Doom 1 and 2 embedded in the game. That’s three-for-one!

As for the weekend

• If you got banned in Fallout 76, consider yourself banned in Doom Eternal as well.
• Artifact is not dead, Valve announced. Actually, it’s getting reborn.
• In February, Steam belonged to games you never heard about.

You may call it a failure, but for Valve, Artifact is a journey.<br>

Thanks for sticking around till the end. Keep your quarantine routine going and see you next Monday. Now, off you go to get some fresh news.