Crowdfunded space trading sim and interstellar combat game Elite Dangerous is headed to the PlayStation 4 in an expanded bundle that collects all previously released add-ons and downloadable content (DLC), creator Frontier Developments announced today.
The upcoming PS4 port also boasts platform-exclusive features like touchpad navigation and a unique “fast headlook” mechanic powered by the DualShock 4’s built-in gyroscope.
Elite Dangerous, initially released for Windows and Mac PCs, is an updated version of David Braben and Ian Bell’s 1984 microcomputer hit Elite. In Elite Dangerous, players explore a massive simulated galaxy in search of valuable material that can be mined and traded for cash, funding further expeditions into deep space.
Less scrupulous pilots may opt to steal mined material from other players within Elite Dangerous‘ online multiplayer mode, building their own empire off of interstellar piracy. Players with well-armed ships can separately opt to pursue bounty hunting as a career path, making for a more action-oriented experience.
An Xbox One version of Elite Dangerous surfaced in 2015, but the game has since remained a conspicuous no-show on the PlayStation 4. Frontier Developments revealed that it has spent the last year upgrading the core experience for its forthcoming PS4 debut.
In addition to bundling all previously released DLC and Elite Dangerous: Horizons season pass content, the PlayStation 4 version of Elite Dangerous features touchpad navigation, aiding players in their trek through the Milky Way and beyond. Combat also gets a boost with a motion-controlled “fast headlook” option, and players can further customize the experience with four additional touchpad hotkeys.
Frontier Developments additionally revealed that PlayStation 4 Pro owners will “benefit from enhanced performance throughout Elite Dangerous.”
“We’re thrilled to bring Elite Dangerous to PlayStation 4,” said Frontier CEO and Elite series co-creator David Braben said. “Elite Dangerous is unlike any other space game, with a rich multiplayer or single-player space, a true-to-life galaxy including our own entire night sky, real physics, unique ship handling characteristics, and a player-driven narrative that’s really heating up. The galaxy has been stable for centuries, but all that is about to change. PlayStation 4 players will be joining our galaxy at a very exciting time.”
Elite Dangerous will launch for the PlayStation 4 in the second quarter of 2017.
Acer’s Predator Atlas 8 finally has a US release date and price, several months after the company first showed off the handheld in May. The highlight is the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip inside, which has been adopted by only a couple of other consoles besides the Atlas 8. This version will go on sale exclusively at Best Buy on November 1 for $1,299.99.
Acer originally said the Atlas 8 would arrive in North America in October, but left pricing open at the time. The launch came amid the ongoing DRAM crunch, which has made memory more expensive across the PC industry and complicated pricing for hardware makers.
Gaming laptops and I have a complicated relationship. One of my first gaming rigs was an Acer Predator that was already outdated when I bought it. I was a broke college kid, and that was the best I could afford. So trying out high-end gaming laptops is always fun. But ASUS' ROG Zephyrus G14 is a lot more than a laptop that can run AAA games. It is portable, so you're not lugging around a 2.5kg machine everywhere you go. It is built well, none of that plastic chassis, and can even function as a normal laptop outside of just gaming.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.