Nvidia announced today that it’s bringing Fortnite back to Apple platforms with an open beta on Android and iOS devices through its cloud gaming service, Nvidia GeForce Now. This limited-time testing will take place on the Nvidia GeForce Now Android app and the iOS Safari web browser. Note that it’s the Apple web browser, not an app.
GeForce Now members can sign up for the open beta before it starts next week. However, there’s limited space available, so everyone who signs up won’t necessarily receive an invite. Those who want to participate but don’t yet have a Nvidia GeForce Now account can sign up for free.
Nvidia’s cloud gaming service doesn’t cost anything for its basic subscription, though paid tiers offer more perks such as longer session lengths and the potential for higher resolution graphics. Though GeForce Now offers PC and mobile options, its Fortnite beta is specifically for mobile devices and implements touch controls.
Fortnite returning to iOS in such a roundabout way is especially hilarious given Apple and Epic Games’ recent feud from last year. Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store back in 2020 for breaking its developer agreement and setting up a system that prevents Apple from receiving a cut of its revenue from in-app purchases. The incident escalated into the famed Apple vs. Epic court case, which turned into somewhat of an online exhibition. As a result, Fortnite stayed banned from the App Store. Todd Sweeney even alleged that Apple blacklisted Fortnite from the storefront for five years.
It’s unclear exactly when the Fornite beta will start next week. Interested fans can still signup for the waitlist through the Nvidia website.
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 One of my first gaming rigs was an Acer Predator that was already outdated when I bought it.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.