Android | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Fri, 22 Mar 2024 01:28:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Android | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Epic Games Store coming to Android/iOS later this year https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/epic-games-store-coming-to-android-ios-later-this-year/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/epic-games-store-coming-to-android-ios-later-this-year/#respond Thu, 21 Mar 2024 11:15:51 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=652184 After years of legal battles and all sorts of shenanigans, Epic Games’ relationship with Apple has come to a mutual standstill – thanks to the EU’s new Digital Markets Act. With the law now in effect, Epic Games have announced that its Epic Games Store is coming to mobile devices later this year. Announced during …

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After years of legal battles and all sorts of shenanigans, Epic Games’ relationship with Apple has come to a mutual standstill – thanks to the EU’s new Digital Markets Act. With the law now in effect, Epic Games have announced that its Epic Games Store is coming to mobile devices later this year.

Announced during GDC and via Twitter, Epic revealed to fans that “We’re coming to iOS and Android! Same fair terms, available to all developers, on a true multi-platform store –  with amazing games for everyone.”

The app will arrive at some point before the end of the year; its release coinciding with the official relaunch of Fortnite on iOS.

Epic Games have been fighting to have their own store front in the mobile space for quite some time now. It will be interesting to see how Epic proceeds, and whether it will all have been worth it for them.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of this announcement? How big of a deal is this? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Multiple mobile Sonic games reportedly in development https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/multiple-mobile-sonic-games-reportedly-in-development/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/multiple-mobile-sonic-games-reportedly-in-development/#respond Wed, 31 Jan 2024 09:30:52 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=646454 Earlier this month, we reported on a rumour claiming that SEGA are preparing to launch a Sonic the Hedgehog themed Fall Guys-like experience for mobile devices. The leaker has since returned with even more claims, revealing that the publisher is in fact working on 3 separate Sonic games for the platform. Following on from the …

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Earlier this month, we reported on a rumour claiming that SEGA are preparing to launch a Sonic the Hedgehog themed Fall Guys-like experience for mobile devices. The leaker has since returned with even more claims, revealing that the publisher is in fact working on 3 separate Sonic games for the platform.

Following on from the leak earlier this month claiming that “this year, a new Sonic spin-off title will be released for mobile [whose] gameplay elements will be similar to Fall Guys.” notable SEGA/ATLUS leaker ‘MbKKssTBhz5’ returned with even more Sonic news, taking to Twitter to say:

“A Sonic Chao game and new Sonic sports title are both currently in development for mobile devices,” adding that “the Sonic Chao title will be exclusive to Netflix. The Sonic sports title will be on Apple Arcade.”

As mentioned previously, the Fall Guys-like title will not be limited to any service, and will instead be made available directly through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store “at the beginning of summer.”

Sonic has always had a notable presence on mobile, with a number of the Blue Blur’s free-to-play efforts surpassing 100 million downloads on Android alone. Hopefully these upcoming titles offer quality experiences.

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KitGuru says: How do these games sound to you? Are you subscribed to Apple Arcade? What about Netflix? Let us know down below.

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Backbone announces limited edition Death Stranding controller https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/backbone-announces-limited-edition-death-stranding-controller/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/backbone-announces-limited-edition-death-stranding-controller/#respond Thu, 25 Jan 2024 11:00:43 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=645331 Next week, Death Stranding Director’s Cut will arrive on Apple’s latest iPhones, marking one of the first AAA titles to be ported to mobile platforms. In anticipation of its release, the mobile controller hardware maker Backbone has announced a limited edition Death Stranding themed USB-C controller. Making the announcement on their website, mobile accessory maker …

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Next week, Death Stranding Director’s Cut will arrive on Apple’s latest iPhones, marking one of the first AAA titles to be ported to mobile platforms. In anticipation of its release, the mobile controller hardware maker Backbone has announced a limited edition Death Stranding themed USB-C controller.

Making the announcement on their website, mobile accessory maker Backbone said “For Backbone’s first-ever game collaboration, we’ve partnered with the legendary Kojima Productions to bring you the Backbone One – DEATH STRANDING Limited Edition controller.”

They continue, “This collaboration commemorates the release of DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT for iOS. The Backbone One controller features custom product and packaging designs that blend the innovative design of the Backbone One with the artistic vision of Hideo Kojima and his award-winning title, DEATH STRANDING.”

In an interesting move, all purchases of the limited edition controller will come with a free copy of Death Stranding for iOS (which will cost $39.99 at launch – though is $19.99 currently). The Backbone One is one of the most popular mobile USB controllers and following the release of the PlayStation Edition, it is exciting to see more unique and themed controllers on their way.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the controller? Do you own a Backbone One? What other game would you like to see them collab with? Let us know down below.

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Plants vs Zombies 3 soft launches in the UK https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/plants-vs-zombies-3-soft-launches-in-the-uk/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/plants-vs-zombies-3-soft-launches-in-the-uk/#respond Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:15 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=644337 Plants vs Zombies is a classic lane-based tower defence game which released back in 2009 to a great deal of success. Since then, the game has gotten one sequel and multiple spin-offs. Going back to its roots however, PVZ3 will once again see players defending Neighborville from a swarm of zombies. While the game’s official launch …

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Plants vs Zombies is a classic lane-based tower defence game which released back in 2009 to a great deal of success. Since then, the game has gotten one sequel and multiple spin-offs. Going back to its roots however, PVZ3 will once again see players defending Neighborville from a swarm of zombies. While the game’s official launch is still a ways away, those in the UK can get their hands on PvZ3 right now.

Taking to their blog, the team at PopCap announced the official soft launch for Plants vs Zombies 3, saying “Welcome to the neighborhood! We’re beyond thrilled to announce that Plants vs. Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia has soft launched! Players in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia, Philippines, and the Republic of Ireland will have early access, with more countries coming at a later date.”

PopCap had engaged in a bunch of limited testing throughout 2022 and 2023, but today marks the first time that anyone can hop into the 3rd entry of this classic series – assuming you live in one of the applicable countries.

While the first Plants vs Zombies was somewhat of a phenomenon, PvZ2 saw some backlash back when it was released due to the game’s overabundance of microtransactions. With PvZ3 seemingly being exclusive to mobile platforms, hopefully the game does not overindulge in these practices once the game fully releases.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of the PvZ series? Have you ever played the second game? What was your favourite plant to use? Let us know down below.

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Sonic the Hedgehog reportedly getting Fall Guys-like spin-off https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/sonic-the-hedgehog-reportedly-getting-fall-guys-like-spin-off/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/sonic-the-hedgehog-reportedly-getting-fall-guys-like-spin-off/#respond Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:00:34 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=644169 Following a solid 10 years of less-than-stellar Sonic releases, the Blue Blur has had somewhat of a resurgence as of late – with the likes of Sonic Frontiers reinventing the series and the live action Sonic films releasing to great success. SEGA looks set to keep the momentum going with a Fall Guys-like Sonic the …

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Following a solid 10 years of less-than-stellar Sonic releases, the Blue Blur has had somewhat of a resurgence as of late – with the likes of Sonic Frontiers reinventing the series and the live action Sonic films releasing to great success. SEGA looks set to keep the momentum going with a Fall Guys-like Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off.

As reported by a notable SEGA/ATLUS leaker, “This year, a new Sonic spin-off title will be released for mobile. The gameplay elements will be similar to Fall Guys.”

Sonic has had quite a few games released onto mobile platforms over the years. That said, recently we have seen SEGA putting a greater emphasis on bringing high quality games to the platform with the recently-released Sonic dream Team for Apple Arcade.

Unlike Dream Team, this upcoming game will reportedly be coming to both iOS and Android, meaning it should not be limited to any particular subscription service.

SEGA making a Fall Guys Sonic game is interesting, as the Blue Blur is already playable in the actual Fall Guys – well, a Sonic costume is anyways. As with many of SEGA’s mobile efforts, this could wind up being massive for the company, or it could fall completely under the radar. We will have to wait and see.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of this rumour? Would you play a Sonic-themed Fall guys-like game? How can SEGA differentiate it from the original? Let us know down below.

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ATLUS reportedly developing multiple games for Netflix https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/atlus-reportedly-developing-multiple-games-for-netflix/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/atlus-reportedly-developing-multiple-games-for-netflix/#respond Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:30:00 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=643968 Following the success of Persona 5, ATLUS have been pushed into the limelight, with the studio tackling new games, IPs and platforms. According to one insider, ATLUS is currently working on multiple games for Netflix. As shared by a notable ATLUS leaker, the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei creators are reportedly “developing multiple titles for …

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Following the success of Persona 5, ATLUS have been pushed into the limelight, with the studio tackling new games, IPs and platforms. According to one insider, ATLUS is currently working on multiple games for Netflix.

As shared by a notable ATLUS leaker, the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei creators are reportedly “developing multiple titles for the Netflix mobile game platform,” with the insider adding that “One of these titles are related to Shin Megami Tensei series.”

Over the past few years Netflix has accumulated a rather healthy library of games on its service, ranging from ports of console games to titles based on their own original shows. As mentioned by the leaker, at least one of these titles will be based on the studio’s popular Shin Megami Tensei series.

That said, it is currently unknown whether this title will be developed specifically for Netflix or if ATLUS are working on porting some of their pre-existing titles – perhaps earlier entries in the series.

While Netflix’s game library does feature a decent amount of shovelware, the streaming service has put greater emphasis on bringing quality titles to the service over time. Just some of the best include Death’s Door; TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge; Before Your Eyes; Dead Cells; OXENFREE; World of Goo and the recently-added GTA Trilogy. Hopefully ATLUS’ efforts are going towards something substantive.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of Netflix Games? Do they have enough quality titles? What do you think ATLUS is working on? Let us know down below.

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2023’s highest-grossing mobile games revealed https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/2023s-highest-grossing-mobile-games-revealed/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/2023s-highest-grossing-mobile-games-revealed/#respond Fri, 12 Jan 2024 12:00:08 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=643266 Delving into the mobile gaming ecosystem can sometimes feel like a foreign experience for those who mainly engage with the medium through consoles or PC. While there are some familiar faces, 2023’s top-grossing mobile games have now been revealed – showcasing a number of surprise additions. As reported by ‘mobilegamer.biz’, analyst Appmagic data has revealed …

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Delving into the mobile gaming ecosystem can sometimes feel like a foreign experience for those who mainly engage with the medium through consoles or PC. While there are some familiar faces, 2023’s top-grossing mobile games have now been revealed – showcasing a number of surprise additions.

As reported by ‘mobilegamer.biz’, analyst Appmagic data has revealed the top 10 highest grossing mobile games for 2023. While some of the included entries come as a bit of a surprise, what isn’t surprising is the fact that all of the featured games are free-to-play. With that, the full list is as follows:

  1. Honor of Kings ($1.48bn)
  2. PUBG Mobile ($1.14bn)
  3. Candy Crush Saga ($956.9m)
  4. Genshin Impact ($943.8m)
  5. Roblox ($868.6m)
  6. Royal Match ($835.2m)
  7. Coin Master ($728.7m)
  8. Honkai: Star Rail ($659.1m)
  9. Monopoly Go ($645m)
  10. Gardenscapes ($605.7m)

It is worth noting that games such as Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail and Roblox – which all have console/PC counterparts – only had their mobile revenue included in the calculations.

Even so, it is interesting to see the differences and disparity between the top 10 entries – in terms of age, monetisation and consumer unfriendliness. Hopefully come this time next year we see more positive practices being rewarded in the mobile gaming space.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of the top 10 list? Do you play any of these games? Let us know down below.

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Crunchyroll brings console games to mobile with new subscription service https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/crunchyroll-brings-console-games-to-mobile-with-new-subscription-service/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/crunchyroll-brings-console-games-to-mobile-with-new-subscription-service/#respond Thu, 09 Nov 2023 11:00:59 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=636824 The mobile gaming market has been an increasing focus for many companies in recent years, in particular when it comes to bringing full-blown console titles to smartphones. Following the likes of Netflix Games, Anime streaming service Crunchyroll has now announced the ‘Crunchyroll Game Vault’. Making the announcement on their blog, the Crunchyroll team said “Your …

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The mobile gaming market has been an increasing focus for many companies in recent years, in particular when it comes to bringing full-blown console titles to smartphones. Following the likes of Netflix Games, Anime streaming service Crunchyroll has now announced the ‘Crunchyroll Game Vault’.

Making the announcement on their blog, the Crunchyroll team said “Your Crunchyroll membership just leveled up! Announced today, Crunchyroll is officially opening its Crunchyroll Game Vault for Mega and Ultimate Fan members, delivery (sic) unlimited access to a constantly growing library of mobile games, kicking off today with River City Girls, inbento, Wolfstride and more.”

Currently, the service is only live for Android devices, though iOS support is said to be coming “very soon”. As expected, one of the core issues with mobile games (i.e. their overabundance of ads and in-app purchases) won’t be a problem here, with all included titles being feature-complete and free of advertising.

As we have seen with Netflix, Crunchyroll is actually bringing full-blown console games to the service, with a mobile port of the popular side-scrolling arcade-styled beat ‘em up River City Girls being included from launch.

With that, the full list of tiles available currently is as follows:

  • River City Girls
  • One Punch Man: World
  • Street Fighter: Duel
  • Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden
  • Bloodline: The Last Royal Vampire
  • My Hero Academia: The Strongest Hero
  • Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump Dimensions
  • Wolfstride
  • Behind the Frame
  • Inbento

While a small list of titles, it is exciting to see that more console games are finding their way onto mobile platforms – even if it is through a subscription service.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you a Crunchyroll subscriber? What do you think of the line-up so far? What console games would you like to see brought to mobile? Let us know down below.

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Hitman: Blood Money is coming to iOS, Android and Switch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/hitman-blood-money-is-coming-to-ios-android-and-switch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/hitman-blood-money-is-coming-to-ios-android-and-switch/#respond Fri, 06 Oct 2023 10:30:41 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=633102 Smartphones are much more powerful than they are given credit for, with these portable pocketable machines being able to run many modern video games. We are slowly but surely seeing more console titles making their way over to the platform, with IO Interactive now announcing that their PS2 classic Hitman: Blood Money is being remastered …

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Smartphones are much more powerful than they are given credit for, with these portable pocketable machines being able to run many modern video games. We are slowly but surely seeing more console titles making their way over to the platform, with IO Interactive now announcing that their PS2 classic Hitman: Blood Money is being remastered for iOS, Android as well as the Nintendo Switch.

Releasing a brief trailer to YouTube, IO Interactive and Feral Interactive officially announced Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal: “a comprehensive reworking of the stealth-action classic, refined for screens large and small — with a new Minimap, Instinct Mode, and gameplay improvements inspired by later games in the series.”

Detailing this new release further, the team continued, “Hitman Blood Money — Reprisal’s modernisations make it a great fit for all three platforms, and both mobile editions come equipped with a fully customizable touchscreen interface, as well as controller and keyboard & mouse support.”

This upcoming release is in celebration of the franchise’s 25th anniversary and will arrive on mobile platforms later “this Fall” with the Switch release following “this Winter.”

For the uninitiated, Hitman: Blood Money was the 4th game in the Hitman series, initially released all the way back in 2006 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. At the time, the title was well-received, with some considering it to have been the best in the series so far.

Despite being an older title, it is exciting to see more console games being brought over to mobile platforms. Hopefully there will come a time when IOI’s latest games find their way onto smartphones – but until then, revisiting a classic such as Blood Money is a welcome step in this direction.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Hitman: Blood Money? What is your favourite entry in the series? What other classic games would you like to see ported to mobile? Let us know down below.

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Candy Crush Saga surpasses $20 Billion in revenue https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/candy-crush-saga-surpasses-20-billion-in-revenue/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/candy-crush-saga-surpasses-20-billion-in-revenue/#respond Fri, 29 Sep 2023 10:45:32 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=632218 With all the talk surrounding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a 3rd branch of the company is often forgotten about: King. Despite this, the mobile game publisher remains a huge part of the industry, with just one game – Candy Crush Saga – having raked in over $20 Billion since its launch. In a report …

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With all the talk surrounding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a 3rd branch of the company is often forgotten about: King. Despite this, the mobile game publisher remains a huge part of the industry, with just one game – Candy Crush Saga – having raked in over $20 Billion since its launch.

In a report by VentureBeat, the publication spoke on King and the fact that the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary. 20 seems to be the magic number, as in this time the publisher’s flagship free-to-play mobile game – Candy Crush Saga – has managed to amass over 5 Billion downloads and has brought in more than $20 billion in revenue.

Candy Crush Saga was first released all the way back in 2012 and despite being more than a decade old, has continued to be updated with additional puzzles on a consistent basis – now featuring more than 15,000 unique levels.

King was acquired by Activision Blizzard back in 2016 for $5.9 Billion. Of course, since then Microsoft has announced its intentions to purchase the entirety of Activision-Blizzard-King for $68.7 Billion.

It is interesting to see that just one single mobile game has netted almost a 3rd of the entire acquisition price – showcasing just how lucrative this deal could be for Microsoft. With almost 250 million monthly active users, King seems to have cemented itself as a solid 3rd pillar in the Activision Blizzard King conglomerate.

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KitGuru says: Do you still play Candy Crush? What level are you on? What is your favourite casual mobile game? Let us know down below.

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Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat open beta goes live https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/devil-may-cry-peak-of-combat-open-beta-goes-live/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/devil-may-cry-peak-of-combat-open-beta-goes-live/#respond Thu, 06 Jul 2023 08:30:47 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=622262 For some, Devil May Cry represents the peak of action combat – pushing the genre further with each new entry in the series. Capcom now looks ready to bring this experience to mobile devices, announcing an open beta for Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat. Releasing a trailer onto YouTube, Capcom officially announced that Devil …

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For some, Devil May Cry represents the peak of action combat – pushing the genre further with each new entry in the series. Capcom now looks ready to bring this experience to mobile devices, announcing an open beta for Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat.

Releasing a trailer onto YouTube, Capcom officially announced that Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat can be played on your Android devices right now thanks to an open beta which runs from now for a period of 5 weeks.

For the uninitiated, Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat is “an authorized mobile game created by NebulaJoy, with the deep participation of the official team of CAPCOM” which “inherits the Devil May Cry's free, flexible, strategy skills and gorgeous, unconstrained fighting style, and at the same time, it also brings players an immersive combo experience with its industry-leading motion capture technology, which perfectly reproduces the most distinctive battles of Devil May Cry, make the experience more diverse.”

Mobile hardware is constantly improving and evolving, with many modern smartphones far outpacing the Nintendo Switch performance-wise. Considering the fact that the original Devil May Cry was ported to mobile phones all the way back in 2007, it will be interesting to see how much more improved this bespoke mobile experience ends up being all these years later.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat? Will you give the beta a go? What other gaming franchise would you like to see get a bespoke mobile release? Let us know down below.

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Android 14 beta officially available https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/android-14-beta-officially-available/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/android-14-beta-officially-available/#respond Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:33:14 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=611537 Over the past few years we have seen Google hunker down and find its own unique yet refined look and feel for the Android operating system. That said, there is always more which can be improved or changed – and Google seems to be focusing on these elements for Android’s next version. Early adopters can …

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Over the past few years we have seen Google hunker down and find its own unique yet refined look and feel for the Android operating system. That said, there is always more which can be improved or changed – and Google seems to be focusing on these elements for Android’s next version. Early adopters can take a peek into the future of the platform as Android 14’s beta is now live.

Making the announcement on their blog, Dave Burke, the VP of Engineering for Android said “Today we're releasing the first Beta of Android 14, building around our core themes of privacy, security, performance, developer productivity, and user customization while continuing to improve the large-screen device experience on tablets, foldables, and more.”

While not a comprehensive list of all the changes and additions, Android 14 brings with it:

  • Improved support for tablets and foldable form factors
  • Smarter System UI
    • New gesture navigation back arrow
    • A superior system sharesheet
  • More graphics capabilities
  • Per-app language preferences
  • Limiting visibility to disability-focused accessibility services

These are just a few of the many changes coming with Android 14. Already, users have discovered a number of unlisted changes including new animations for the media player, a deeper implementation of predictive back animations and more.

Of course, being a beta, things are likely to break and so it is not recommended you install the update without taking this into consideration. Still, for those wanting to live on the bleeding edge, Android 14 beta is available now.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of the beta? Will you install it? What Android 14 feature are you most looking forward to? Let us know down below.

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PlayStation Vita Emulator finally released for Android https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/playstation-vita-emulator-finally-released-for-android/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/playstation-vita-emulator-finally-released-for-android/#respond Fri, 17 Feb 2023 09:09:52 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=593776 Smartphones are low-key the best emulation devices that one could ask for – especially if you have a relatively modern Android Smartphone. Thanks to the tireless work of countless developers you are able to emulate dozens of consoles on smartphones, from the NES to the PlayStation 2 and even the Nintendo Switch. Finally, the much-anticipated Android release for the PS Vita emulator ‘VITA3K’ has gone live.

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Smartphones are low-key the best emulation devices that one could ask for – especially if you have a relatively modern Android Smartphone. Thanks to the tireless work of countless developers you are able to emulate dozens of consoles on smartphones, from the NES to the PlayStation 2 and even the Nintendo Switch. Finally, the much-anticipated Android release for the PS Vita emulator ‘VITA3K’ has gone live.

Vita3K is by far the biggest and most popular PlayStation Vita emulator, letting PC players experience the handheld console’s nearly 2000 titles. It being a handheld device however, PS Vita games would feel right at home on a smartphone and so it is exciting to see that an Android version of Vita3K has finally been published.

Available to download HERE, the Android release of Vita3K is still relatively early in its development – especially when compared to the likes of other systems – and so game compatibility is still spotty. That said, as we have seen with other emulators, this Android release of Vita3K has already seen a great deal of active development with updates releasing on an almost daily basis.

With Vita3K finally coming to Android, there are now only a handful of video game systems which CAN’T be emulated on mobile – namely the Wii U, PS3, 4 and 5 as well as the Xbox systems – though with how quickly the scene is evolving, it would not be surprising to see at least some of those consoles get an Android emulator sooner rather than later.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Vita3K? Will you check it out? Do you use your phone for emulation? Let us know down below.

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TMNT Shredder’s Revenge joins Netflix’s mobile gaming library https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/tmnt-shredders-revenge-joins-netflixs-mobile-gaming-library/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/tmnt-shredders-revenge-joins-netflixs-mobile-gaming-library/#respond Wed, 11 Jan 2023 12:30:35 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=589908 In an interesting move, Netflix has been amassing a decent collection of indie games which subscribers can play for no additional cost. Following the likes of OXENFREE, Moonlighter and Immortality, the latest game to join the service is the hit arcade-styled side-scroller TMNT Shredder’s Revenge. Available right now, TMNT Shredder’s Revenge is an authentic throwback …

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In an interesting move, Netflix has been amassing a decent collection of indie games which subscribers can play for no additional cost. Following the likes of OXENFREE, Moonlighter and Immortality, the latest game to join the service is the hit arcade-styled side-scroller TMNT Shredder’s Revenge.

Available right now, TMNT Shredder’s Revenge is an authentic throwback side-scrolling beat 'em up which pays homage to the turtles’ legacy while also adding to it. As with other Netflix games, you are able to directly download it onto your iOS or Android devices, meaning the experience should be no different to playing on a dedicated console.

Of course, mobile devices are primarily screens these days, and so the game does offer full touch screen support. That said, if you did want a more tactile experience, you can always add a Bluetooth/USB controller and play to your heart’s content.

It seems Netflix is getting quite serious with its gaming offerings. In the months since its inception, the service has seen more than 40 titles added, including the likes of Into the Breach, Kentucky Route Zero, Twelve Minutes and more. A couple upcoming games have also been announced, including Valiant Hearts: Coming Home from Ubisoft and Vikings: Valhalla from Tilting Point.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Netflix’s gaming plans? Are you subscribed? What game do you want to see brought over next? Let us know down below.

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Major Stardew Valley update finally comes to iOS and Android https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/major-stardew-valley-update-finally-comes-to-ios-and-android/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/major-stardew-valley-update-finally-comes-to-ios-and-android/#respond Mon, 09 Jan 2023 14:30:26 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=589692 We have seen a decent number of indie developers bring their fully-fledged console/PC games to the mobile platform, with one of the biggest being the hit farming simulator Stardew Valley. Like with many mobile ports however, the game is lagging behind when it comes to updates. Fortunately, the game’s latest and greatest 1.5 update has …

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We have seen a decent number of indie developers bring their fully-fledged console/PC games to the mobile platform, with one of the biggest being the hit farming simulator Stardew Valley. Like with many mobile ports however, the game is lagging behind when it comes to updates. Fortunately, the game’s latest and greatest 1.5 update has finally come to iOS and Android, bringing near-feature-parity to the game.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the primary developer for Stardew Valley – ConcernedApe – revealed that “The mobile 1.5 update has been submitted for iOS and Android, and will start rolling out to users over the next few days. The update should already be available to some on Android.”

While undoubtedly exciting, there are a few things to keep note of however, with ConcernedApe saying “On Android you will be asked to do a 1 time save file transfer. This was necessary because of new operating system rules concerning file access.”

Interestingly, the developer revealed that 1.5 serves as a major rewrite for the entire mobile app, meaning that while currently players may encounter new bugs, it should allow for much faster development of future updates on mobile. Considering the fact that 1.6 has long been underway, this is undoubtedly good news.

Update 1.5 is huge and comes with countless additions, changes and fixes, including but certainly not limited to:

  • The addition of an entire new region of the world, Ginger Island
  • Added new locations, dialogue, events, minigames, puzzles, and a quest line involving multiple NPCs
  • Added Qi challenges which unlock rare or unique items
  • Added an unlockable resort you can open to let villagers visit the islands, including new beach attire and schedules
  • Added a volcano dungeon which changes each time you visit it similar to the mines
  • Added secrets and puzzles to discover around the island
  • Added 9 new enemies

Update 1.5 is huge and has been a long time coming for mobile Stardew Valley players. Better late than never however, and with how big the update is, it is certainly worth the long wait. It is exciting to see that future updates will be much faster however.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: what do you think of update 1.5? What platform do you play Stardew Valley on? What is your favourite feature from update 1.5? Let us know down below.

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PlayStation 2 Emulator development indefinitely suspended following death threats https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/playstation-2-emulator-development-indefinitely-suspended-following-death-threats/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/playstation-2-emulator-development-indefinitely-suspended-following-death-threats/#respond Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:00:37 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=589261 Over the past many years we have seen the game emulation scene explode in popularity, both in terms of the number of devices capable of emulating older titles, but also thanks to the tireless efforts of the software developers who continuously optimise the emulators to run better and support more games. Unfortunately, one of the …

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Over the past many years we have seen the game emulation scene explode in popularity, both in terms of the number of devices capable of emulating older titles, but also thanks to the tireless efforts of the software developers who continuously optimise the emulators to run better and support more games. Unfortunately, one of the most promising emulators has now ceased development due to identity theft, death threats and more.

AetherSX2 is an Android-based PlayStation 2 emulator which had quickly ballooned in popularity thanks to its impressive development speed and consistent updates, making it by far the best (and in the eyes of some, only viable) PlayStation 2 emulator for Android. Unfortunately, AetherSX2 will no longer be seeing any updates from the original developer, as they took to their website to say:

“AetherSX2 development is indefinitely suspended. Due to neverending impersonating, complaints, demands, and now death threats, I'm done.”

Fortunately, you will still be able to download and use the emulator, but it will not be receiving any future updates, with the developer claiming “You can still download/use the app and it will continue to work for the forseeable future.”

Further explaining the reason for their decision, the developer explained “AetherSX2 was always meant to be a fun hobby for me, not profit driven. It doesn't make sense to continue working on a hobby which isn't fun anymore.”

They concluded by saying “Stay safe out there, and watch out for scammers, there seems to be a lot of them. (e.g. there's multiple people claiming to represent AetherSX2 on various social media – they are not legit). Thanks to everyone who wasn't a d*ck for the last year.”

As mentioned, AetherSX2 was one of the most promising new emulators for Android out there, and to see it being abandoned is truly unfortunate. Of course, the reasons for its ended development makes complete sense, and so hopefully AetherSX2’s creator manages to find the peace they seek.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you disappointed by this decision? Did you use AetherSX2? Do you emulate games on your smartphone? Let us know down below.

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Xiaomi’s new 12T Pro packs a 200MP camera system and powerful SoC in an affordable package https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/matthew-wilson/xiaomis-new-12t-pro-packs-a-200mp-camera-system-and-powerful-soc-in-an-affordable-package/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/matthew-wilson/xiaomis-new-12t-pro-packs-a-200mp-camera-system-and-powerful-soc-in-an-affordable-package/#respond Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:01:07 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=577078 Xiaomi has two fresh smartphones hitting the UK market this month – the new Xiaomi 12T and the 12T Pro. These are the company's new flagships for the international market, powered by a suite of new technologies, including a new imaging system for enhanced photos and videos.  The Xiaomi 12T Pro is the one to …

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Xiaomi has two fresh smartphones hitting the UK market this month – the new Xiaomi 12T and the 12T Pro. These are the company's new flagships for the international market, powered by a suite of new technologies, including a new imaging system for enhanced photos and videos. 

The Xiaomi 12T Pro is the one to go for if you are a camera enthusiast. The phone packs a 200MP imaging system, which uses a mix of hardware and AI to enhance images, whether you are shooting at night or in low-light conditions, or if you are trying to get up close. The Pro has three camera sensors, a 108MP primary camera, joined by an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro camera.

Under the hood, the 12T Pro is equipped with the latest 4nm Snapdragon SoC, bringing a CPU and GPU performance uplift of 16.7% and 11%, respectively, compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The new chip also reduces power consumption considerably, so you should get very good battery life too.

The standard Xiaomi 12T uses a MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Ultra SoC instead, which is based on TSMC's 5nm process. The chip has several improvements in power efficiency, GPU performance, cache and storage speeds compared to the previous generation, making it a solid upgrade too compared to the previous Xiaomi 11T.

Both phones have a large 5,000mAh battery and feature 120W HyperCharge, so if you have a compatible charger, you'll be able to juice up the phone to 100% in under 20 minutes. From there, you should have 13.5 hours worth of screen-on time before needing to charge again, although that number will obviously fluctuate depending on the apps you are using.

Both phones also feature a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display, so you'll get vivid colours and plenty of clarity for watching videos, playing games, scrolling through the socials or taking photos and video.

The Xiaomi 12T Series is available in Black, Silver or Blue colourways. The 12T Pro will be available with an ‘early bird' offer from the 20th to the 24th of October. During this period, you can get the 200MP camera version for £599, after that the price will go up to £699. The standard 12T will cost £399 (128GB) or £499 (256GB) during the early bird period, after that the prices will rise to £499 and £549 respectively.

If you need a pair of earbuds to go with your shiny new phone, then Xiaomi is also launching the Redmi Buds 4 Pro. These are wireless earbuds that come in a charging case, offering Hi-Res certified audio, Active Noise Cancelation and up to 36 hours of battery life with the charging case. For extra convenience, you can also sync them to two devices at once.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you currently shopping around for your next smartphone upgrade? Are you considering going for a more cost-effective device rather than a Samsung or Apple flagship? 

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KitGuru Games: Razer Kishi V2 – Not quite a ‘zero compromise’ controller https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/kitguru-games-razer-kishi-v2-not-quite-a-zero-compromise-controller/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/kitguru-games-razer-kishi-v2-not-quite-a-zero-compromise-controller/#respond Tue, 19 Jul 2022 08:32:41 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=566127 Razer recently released the Kishi V2 USB-C mobile gaming controller, and after getting my hands on it I can safely say that, objectively speaking, the Razer Kishi V2 is the best mobile gaming controller currently available – though it’s far from perfect...

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The term ‘mobile gaming' is a loaded one, conjuring images of freemium titles, microtransactions and predatory practices. While a large majority of the games available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store fall into such categories, the power of these slim little smartphone slabs are in many ways unrivalled and can be used to play hundreds, if not thousands, of console games.

Playing video games using touch inputs is unfortunately a wholly subpar experience and serves as the primary factor holding mobile gaming back. Accessory manufacturers have tried to circumvent this limitation for years, though unfortunately their capabilities were unable to match their ambitions. Razer recently released the Kishi V2 USB-C mobile gaming controller, and after getting my hands on it I can safely say that, objectively speaking, the Razer Kishi V2 is the best mobile gaming controller currently available – though it’s far from perfect.

The Razer Difference

First things first: What is the Razer Kishi V2? It is a £99.99 USB-C universal mobile gaming controller which according to the manufacturer “brings a console-class gameplay experience to your smartphone”. Indeed, the controller comes with all the buttons, joysticks and triggers that one might need and then throws in a couple extra on top for added functionality.

Most notably, the Kishi V2 comes with two additional shoulder buttons making for a total of three on each side. Sandwiched next to the R1/L1 shoulder buttons and the analogue triggers are small but highly useful M1/M2 buttons, which can be programmed however you wish. Razer quite smartly made the M1/M2 buttons small enough to not get in the way of the other shoulder buttons, while increasing their depth so that they are distinctly felt when gripping the controller. The Kishi V2 also features two additional non-standard buttons – one which will start recording your screen, while the other takes you straight to the Razer Nexus app.

Speaking of the app, Razer’s Nexus companion is what allows you to customise all of the Kishi’s controls while simultaneously serving as a game launcher. The Nexus app collates all of your currently installed games while also recommending other controller-compatible titles available for purchase on the Google Play Store. For an individual new to gaming on mobile, this game discovery functionality could prove quite useful thanks to its focus on console-like titles as well as its minimalist aesthetic. As someone intimately familiar with the Play Store and its games however, the Nexus launcher feels in many ways like a glorified billboard. That being said, it is still a must-have for its button customisation functions alone – and the remainder of its ‘features’ can be easily and safely ignored if you so desire.

As mentioned, this isn’t my first rodeo into the world of gaming on mobile. I own multiple different Android controllers, from the Gamesir x2 to the Hyperkin Smartboy which has helped me to identity and appreciate the subtle yet significant improvements made by the Kishi V2 – though also its drawbacks.

The Good

As mentioned, there are very few USB-C mobile controllers, and even fewer with analogue triggers. Luckily, the Razer Kishi V2 is one of the few with such functionality. Admittedly, not too many games actually take advantage of analogue triggers, with the main genre to utilise it being racing games. Still, regardless of whether it is used all the time or not, the triggers being analogue in nature helps to create a more console-like sensation in the hands, thanks to its plentiful button travel while also giving you a ridge to rest your fingers on when not using them.

Speaking of buttons, triggers aside, the Razer Kishi V2 makes use of “cutting edge microswitch buttons” and a mechanical D-pad for tactile and immediate responsiveness. While certainly smaller than a dedicated console controller, the buttons are all comfortably placed and the D-pad is both large enough and accurate enough for all your 2D gaming needs. My Gamesir X2 and Hyperkin Smartboy both exhibit occasional mis-clicks with their D-pads, especially when rolling from one input to another. I did not encounter any such issues with the Kishi V2. The reliability of a controller is one of its most important aspects and the Kishi V2 passes with flying colours.

That being said, while the buttons are objectively good, I personally prefer the softer, mushier clicks of a rubber membrane button and D-pad. I must stress however that this is a personal preference and differs from person-to-person. That being said, a large number of console controllers both new and old use rubber membrane buttons, meaning that you are more likely to have experience with rubber membranes and so might need some time to get used to the clickiness and short travel of microswitch buttons. I understand why Razer would opt for such buttons seeing as how both the short travel and loud click make for an immediately recognisable sensation in the fingers – highly useful for multiplayer or competitive titles – but I simply prefer otherwise.

Though not uncommon for mobile controllers which connect to your phone via USB-C, the Kishi V2 features passthrough charging, allowing you to charge your phone through the controller’s USB-C slot. The Gamesir X2 also includes passthrough charging, though the Hyperkin Smartboy does not – so it’s not always a guarantee.

The final positive I’d like to comment on is the overall hand feel. While there isn’t one single aspect to the controller which puts its above others, the purposeful curvature of the device helps it to rest nicely within my hands, and the slim retractable yet stable bridge leaves plenty of space for your fingers to grip the controller. Whether using the triggers and sticks to drive a car in Forza, or making use of the D-pad and buttons for some old-school platforming, the Kishi V2 offered flexibility in way I was able to hold the system, allowing me to shift my grip to suit the game – though I must say 2D titles felt especially nice with it.

The Bad

Unfortunately, the analogue sticks are not to my liking. Though I cannot confirm whether they are the exact same sticks used for the Nintendo Switch, they certainly look and feel identical. I did not suffer any stick drift, and I cannot say whether they will develop such an issue in the future, but as with the Nintendo Switch, the Kishi’s analogue sticks feature very little Z-depth and the circumference of their rotation leaves very little space for accuracy. To be fair to Razer, it is quite tough to fit any decent analogue sticks in a controller that small and so most gaming handhelds released these days use Switch-like sticks.

Interestingly, the Gamesir X2 opted for its own solution, using analogue sticks which manage to take up a similar amount of space while feeling significantly better to use. Positioned diagonally like the Kishi V2, Gamesir X2’s analogue sticks are twice as tall while also featuring a thicker stem and greater rotational circumference. These three changes make for a much more accurate and console-like experience – though nothing can compare to the sticks of an actual console controller of course.

With all that said, if you do not mind the sticks on the Nintendo Switch, then you won’t find any issues with the Kishi’s. In fact, you might have a slightly better experience with the Kishi due to its more ergonomic design when compared to the flat slab that is the Nintendo Switch. Even so, it’s far from my favourite analogue experience (though in all transparency, I actively despise the Switch’s Joy-Cons).

The extendable back bridge is designed to fit almost any major USB-C smartphone. My 6.7 inch Google Pixel 6 Pro easily fits with plenty of room to spare. The Kishi also comes with two sets of replaceable adapters, meaning all but the most fringe of phones should easily fit. That being said, as the controller is comprised entirely of plastic, there is very little grip for the top of the phone especially, meaning that it can slide and pivot with very little force.

Your phone won’t fall out of the grip thanks to the pressure of the controller’s retractable bridge, however a thin layer of rubber on the inside would have easily eliminated this issue, making for a much more solid and secure feeling grip. As mentioned, the controller is nearly entirely plastic, which is fine, however the textured back of the Kishi V2 would have also benefited from being made of rubber instead – though this critique falls more in the line of personal preference.

The final flaw of note comes from the Kishi’s USB-C connector and its rigidity, though in order to explain, I must once again refer to its competitors. The Gamesir X2 offers a slightly elongated USB-C connector which is also capable of tilting up and down. This implementation offers two key advantages: It allows for greater case support and is more likely to stand the test of time. Razer has noted that the Kishi V2 is able to support SOME phone cases, and I can certainly see that being true.

Unfortunately, when trying to use the Kishi with the Pixel and its case, the added depth of the phone’s USB-C port is just slightly out of reach for the Kishi, meaning that for me, using the controller means removing the phone's case. The elongated USB-C connector on the Gamesir X2 meanwhile is just about long enough to allow me to use the controller with my case on, and its flexibility means that I can connect the phone at an angle and then anchor it into place without causing any strain to either the controller itself or the phone. I’m not saying that the Razer Kishi will ruin your phone’s USB-C port, but its rigidity means that it has the potential to cause more damage should any excessive pressure be put on the connector accidentally or not.

Conclusion

All of these nit-picks aside, the Razer Kishi is the best USB-C Android gaming controller I’ve used thanks to its small form factor, reliable build quality and comfortable hand feel. It may have a healthy number of small issues, but none of them (aside from maybe the Switch-like analogue sticks) really detract from the overall experience while gaming.

There are certainly enough drawbacks to give some people pause, however if you are looking for a USB-C smartphone controller (and there is more than enough software out there to justify it), the Razer Kishi V2 gets most of the fundamentals right – and the M1/M2 buttons alone are enough to warrant a heavy consideration, especially if you want to use your phone for emulation.

Now that I have the Razer Kishi V2, the Gamesir X2 will most likely be retired. I've owned a dozen or so handheld consoles over the course of my life, and yet my Pixel 6 Pro in combination with the Kishi V2 is undoubtedly one of the most comfortable – second perhaps only to the Steam Deck. Of course, the Steam Deck is pushing the limits of what a handheld is, and so it’s quite an unfair comparison. That being said, with Razer claiming the Kishi V2 to be a “zero compromise” peripheral, I feel it important to push back slightly on such a statement. The Kishi V2 is great, but as I explained, it is far from an uncompromised experience.

Even so, you’d be hard pressed to find a USB-C Android controller which offers a comfortable hold in a slim and light chassis while also including analogue triggers; extra reprogrammable buttons; and reliable build quality. The Razer Kishi V2 manages to do all these things and more, making it an attractive package, both physically and functionally.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in the Razer Kishi V2? Have you owned any USB-C Android controllers? What's a dealbreaker for you when it comes to controllers? Let us know your thoughts down below.

Rating: 8.

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Four Niantic projects cancelled as company cuts staff https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/four-niantic-projects-cancelled-as-company-cuts-staff/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/four-niantic-projects-cancelled-as-company-cuts-staff/#respond Thu, 30 Jun 2022 11:00:24 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=566163 Niantic hit it big in 2016 with Pokemon GO, creating a Summer trend which saw the game reach millions of fans and in turn made billions in revenue. Unfortunately, the studio’s other projects have been much less successful, with 4 upcoming titles now being cancelled. In a report by Bloomberg and Jason Schreier, it was …

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Niantic hit it big in 2016 with Pokemon GO, creating a Summer trend which saw the game reach millions of fans and in turn made billions in revenue. Unfortunately, the studio’s other projects have been much less successful, with 4 upcoming titles now being cancelled.

In a report by Bloomberg and Jason Schreier, it was revealed that Niantic is set to cut between 85 and 90 staff members from its team of roughly 800. Alongside the announcement of the job losses, Niantic has also cancelled 4 games which were previously in development:

  • Heavy Metal
  • Hamlet
  • Blue Sky
  • Snowball

Little is known about the latter two titles, however Heavy Metal was previously announced to be based on the Transformers license, while Hamlet was pitched as a collaboration between Niantic and Punchdrunk to “develop the next generation of live experience.”

Considering the fact that Niantic’s second biggest IP effort with Harry Potter: Wizards Unite shut down recently and its Settlers of Catan game never came out of beta, it is understandable to see why the studio would choose to downscale the number of projects in the works. Hopefully whatever the team works on next actually ends up seeing a release.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of these cancellations? Are you surprised? What Should Niantic focus on next? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Snapchat announces new monthly subscription – still includes ads https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/snapchat-announces-new-monthly-subscription-still-includes-ads/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/snapchat-announces-new-monthly-subscription-still-includes-ads/#respond Wed, 29 Jun 2022 19:00:44 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=566115 Subscriptions are seemingly the new hotness when it comes to ensuring recurrent user spending. Making someone pay monthly for what would previously have been a single lump sum makes for greater profits in the long term while also ensuring a stronger likelihood of them remaining within your company's ecosystem. It is therefore disappointing yet unsurprising …

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Subscriptions are seemingly the new hotness when it comes to ensuring recurrent user spending. Making someone pay monthly for what would previously have been a single lump sum makes for greater profits in the long term while also ensuring a stronger likelihood of them remaining within your company's ecosystem. It is therefore disappointing yet unsurprising to see Snapchat adding a paid subscription service to its messaging platform.

Making the announcement via The Verge, the Snap team officially unveiled Snapchat Plus. Costing $3.99 a month, this premium tier service is said to be targeted towards “the people who spend most of their time communicating with their closest friends on Snap.”

Though we do not yet know the full long-term plans of this subscription, currently, Snapchat Plus will allow you to change the app’s icon, see who has viewed your Story more than once, and pin a conversation to the top of your chat history.

(Image Source: The Verge)

Focusing on offering early access to new functions, some of the aforementioned Snapchat Plus features could find their way to the free tier eventually, though others decidedly will not. Unfortunately, paying $3.99 a month will not spare you from Snapchat’s abundance of adverts plastered throughout the app’s navigation, with the company’s SVP of Product, Jacob Andreou, claiming that “ads are going to be at the core of our business model for the long term.”

Snapchat isn’t the first previously-free app to later get a subscription service. In fact, it seems as if this is the direction that the entire industry is taking, video games included. Hopefully the obsession towards subscriptions by tech companies subsides soon – though this is unfortunately unlikely.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Snapchat Plus? Will you pay for it? Are subscriptions inherently bad? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Razer announces its second generation Kishi smartphone controller https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/razer-announces-its-second-generation-kishi-smartphone-controller/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/razer-announces-its-second-generation-kishi-smartphone-controller/#respond Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:00:01 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=563803 Today’s smartphones are powerful enough to run all kinds of games, from console-like experiences in Genshin Impact to the dozens of systems able to be emulated through the likes of Retroarch. Unfortunately, smartphone controllers have historically left a lot to be desired. The Razer Kishi was one such controller. Finally however, Razer has announced a …

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Today’s smartphones are powerful enough to run all kinds of games, from console-like experiences in Genshin Impact to the dozens of systems able to be emulated through the likes of Retroarch. Unfortunately, smartphone controllers have historically left a lot to be desired. The Razer Kishi was one such controller. Finally however, Razer has announced a version 2.

The Razer Kishi V2 is a horizontal USB-C gaming controller which intends to bring “a console-class gameplay experience to your smartphone”. When compared to the first Kishi, the V2 shows a whole host of improvements.

Firstly, the design has been overhauled entirely, now featuring “a stable, extendable bridge that perfectly holds most popular Android smartphones, providing a secure fit that won’t come loose while you game”. The first Kishi controller was much less stable, utilising more flexible materials.

Thanks to the inclusion of a USB-C connection, latency is minimised, while also allowing for passthrough charging. Other added conveniences include a new dedicated screenshot and video record button as well as a Razer Nexus app launch button – offering a much more console-like experience when the controller is connected.

Android phones are not all one size, which was an issue many came across when trying to use the first Razer Kishi. Fortunately, the V2 comes with adaptable inserts for compatibility with some cases and screen protectors. While not every android device will fit, significantly more will now be able to.

The final major change is in the design of the button hardware. While the first Kishi utilised membrane buttons and d-pad, the V2 switches it up with microswitch buttons and a D-pad with mechanical clicks. Unlike many of the other changes, this one is more down to preference –  though the feedback of the buttons on the V2 should be more tactile.

The Razer Kishi V2 is available right now for Android and will set you back £99.99. The full list of officially supported devices can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Razer Kishi V2? Are you interested in gaming on mobile? Do you prefer microswitches or membranes for controllers? Let us know down below.

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GTA: The Trilogy for mobile has been pushed back https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/gta-the-trilogy-for-mobile-has-been-pushed-back/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/gta-the-trilogy-for-mobile-has-been-pushed-back/#respond Tue, 17 May 2022 15:26:41 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=560510 Late last year saw the release of GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, a re-release and remaster of the franchise's first 3D outings. Alongside the confirmation of this remaster was the announcement of a mobile release of this latest ‘Definitive Edition’. Originally intended to launch in the first half of 2022, the game has …

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Late last year saw the release of GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, a re-release and remaster of the franchise's first 3D outings. Alongside the confirmation of this remaster was the announcement of a mobile release of this latest ‘Definitive Edition’. Originally intended to launch in the first half of 2022, the game has seemingly been pushed back.

When Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition was first confirmed to be coming to mobile devices, it was accompanied with a release window of sometime in the first half of 2022. Now, as part of Take-Two’s most recent fiscal earnings report (and reported by VGC), it was revealed that the game has instead now been scheduled to release by the end of the new fiscal year – aka the 31st of March 2023.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition was a mess when it first launched on consoles and PC, featuring many broken features, texture issues, performance problems and highly distracting visual glitches – to name a few. Over the months, all versions of the game have seen notable improvements, bringing the game up to a more acceptable standard of quality.

It is entirely possible that GTA Trilogy – Definitive Edition’s poor launch state on consoles is what prompted the delay on mobile. Regardless of the reason, hopefully the extra time allowed by the delay is used to ensure a smooth and solid mobile port.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the GTA remaster? Did you buy it? Would you play it on mobile? Let us know down below.

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Genshin Impact has made over $3 Billion on mobile alone https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/genshin-impact-has-made-over-3-billion-on-mobile-alone/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/genshin-impact-has-made-over-3-billion-on-mobile-alone/#respond Thu, 05 May 2022 18:15:23 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=559429 While the mobile market is often forgotten, it continues to chug along as the single biggest video game sector. An example of this can be seen by none other than Genshin Impact, which has now officially made over $3 Billion on mobile alone. Genshin Impact is one of the biggest gacha games currently available. Having …

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While the mobile market is often forgotten, it continues to chug along as the single biggest video game sector. An example of this can be seen by none other than Genshin Impact, which has now officially made over $3 Billion on mobile alone.

Genshin Impact is one of the biggest gacha games currently available. Having released on the 28th of September 2020, the game saw immediate success, making $100 million in its first two weeks. It seems this rapid rate of revenue did not slow down however as according to Gamesindustry.biz and research firm Sensor Tower, Genshin has made over $3 Billion on mobile alone – averaging $1 Billion every 6 months.

Even more impressive is the fact that this rate of success has not only been maintained but increased over time, with the report stating that Q1 2022 saw Genshin rise by 44% YoY. Genshin on PC and PlayStation has also been performing well, with most recent figures from November 2021  putting total revenue at £3.7 Billion across all platforms within its first year – though 2022 stats are not yet available.

What this means for the future of both Genshin Impact and the market as a whole is unknown. While some have been spelling the end of console gaming ever since the first iPhone released in 2007, the markets have continued to survive and even thrive.

There is certainly enough space in the industry for console and mobile gaming to co-exist, and while for many, mobile gaming is much more accessible, hopefully developers such as MiHoYo do not take the market’s success as an indicator to move entirely away from consoles and PC.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Genshin Impact? What platform did you play it on? Will mobile and console/PC gaming always co-exist? Let us know down below.

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Apex Legends is finally coming to mobile next week https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/apex-legends-is-finally-coming-to-mobile-next-week/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/apex-legends-is-finally-coming-to-mobile-next-week/#respond Thu, 24 Feb 2022 17:30:56 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=551542 Almost 3 years ago we reported that Respawn Entertainment had announced that they would be bringing Apex Legends to iOS and Android devices. Since then, we have seen the entire battle royale landscape change and evolve. Finally however, Apex Legends is coming to iOS and Android next week – at least in some countries. A …

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Almost 3 years ago we reported that Respawn Entertainment had announced that they would be bringing Apex Legends to iOS and Android devices. Since then, we have seen the entire battle royale landscape change and evolve. Finally however, Apex Legends is coming to iOS and Android next week – at least in some countries.

A few weeks ago, Respawn Entertainment announced that Apex Legends was available to pre-register on the Google Play Store in 10 countries. More details, including information on the as-of-yet-unseen iOS version was promised to be coming at a later date. That time is now, as the team took to their blog to say:

“We know you have been waiting for updates on Apex Legends Mobile ever since we conducted our closed beta tests last year. We’re excited to announce that Apex Legends Mobile will enter the next major development milestone: a limited regional launch starting next week and expected to run throughout the Spring. This next phase will see Apex Legends Mobile go into limited release in 10 countries so we can continue our work on in-game systems, features, and more prior to launch!”

The 10 countries listed are: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Colombia and will include support for both Android and iOS across all of these regions.

For further information, including the minimum specs required to run the game and an FAQ, click HERE. Since its launch, Apex Legends has continued to improve, adapt and evolve – becoming one of the premiere BR experiences. If they can translate that experience to mobile, then Respawn may have yet another hit on their hands.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the lengthy beta period? Are you excited for Apex Legends mobile? Is your country included in the soft launch? Let us know down below.

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A JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure mobile game is in the works https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/a-jojos-bizarre-adventure-mobile-game-is-in-the-works/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/a-jojos-bizarre-adventure-mobile-game-is-in-the-works/#respond Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:23:04 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=548507 JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a very popular property currently, with the manga recently wrapping up its 8th ‘season’ Jojolion, and the Anime currently midway through its 6th (Stone Ocean). In alignment with this, a new JJBA mobile game is in development – and it’s coming to the West. Making the announcement in a press release, …

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JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a very popular property currently, with the manga recently wrapping up its 8th ‘season’ Jojolion, and the Anime currently midway through its 6th (Stone Ocean). In alignment with this, a new JJBA mobile game is in development – and it’s coming to the West.

Making the announcement in a press release, KLab “announced the acquisition of worldwide distribution rights, excluding Japan, for the mobile online game based on the “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure” animated series.”

Being developed in partnership with Shengqu Games, very little has been said of the game. What we do know however is that the game was originally intended to be released in Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau but has now been given a wider release.

There have been many JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure games over the series’ 35 years, however most of them failed to find their way officially to Western nations. It is therefore exciting to see more JJBA content being made – especially as fans eagerly await for the remainder of Stone Ocean’s episodes.

One other little tidbit suggests that this game will focus on the first 4 parts of the series – namely Phantom Blood; Battle Tendency; Stardust Crusaders; and Diamond is Unbreakable. That being said, depending on the genre of the game, it is entirely possible that it may be set up as a live service title with future content planned. There is little to be gleamed from this announcement so far, but for JJBA fans, the potential is certainly exciting.

Discuss on our facebook page HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you excited for the game? Have you watched JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure? What form do you want to see this mobile game take? Let us know down below.

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Windows 11 Insiders will soon get to test Android apps https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/matthew-wilson/windows-11-insiders-will-soon-get-to-test-android-apps/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/matthew-wilson/windows-11-insiders-will-soon-get-to-test-android-apps/#respond Thu, 27 Jan 2022 16:03:29 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=548077 When Microsoft first announced Windows 11, one of the marquee features of the new OS was the ability to install and run Android apps without the need for an emulator like Blue Stacks. The feature wasn't ready in time for launch back in October, but Windows Insiders can now finally test it out.  In a …

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When Microsoft first announced Windows 11, one of the marquee features of the new OS was the ability to install and run Android apps without the need for an emulator like Blue Stacks. The feature wasn't ready in time for launch back in October, but Windows Insiders can now finally test it out. 

In a new blog post, Windows Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay, explained that starting in February, Android apps on Windows 11 will be entering preview through the Windows Insider program. Supported apps will be made available through the Microsoft Store via partnerships with the likes of Amazon and Intel.

In theory, once you've found an Android app, you should be able to download and install it and open it up like any other piece of software on the Microsoft Store. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Google will be supporting Microsoft's efforts or integrating the Play Store with the Microsoft Store anytime soon.

With Microsoft's Android support coming up, Google is looking to provide some competition itself, with plans to introduce its own PC app that will allow you to run Android games from the Play Store.

KitGuru Says: It will be interesting to see how well this works, and more importantly, what apps will be available when the preview begins. Will any of you be making use of this feature once it lands? 

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Take-Two buys Zynga in biggest studio acquisition ever https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/take-two-buys-zynga-in-biggest-studio-acquisition-ever/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/take-two-buys-zynga-in-biggest-studio-acquisition-ever/#respond Mon, 10 Jan 2022 16:00:03 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=545842 Zynga is one of the most well known video game publishers in the mobile space, having released classics such as Farmville, Words With Friends and more. Their repertoire within the mobile space must have piqued the interest of Take-Two Interactive as they have acquired the company for $12.7 Billion. Making the surprise announcement via a …

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Zynga is one of the most well known video game publishers in the mobile space, having released classics such as Farmville, Words With Friends and more. Their repertoire within the mobile space must have piqued the interest of Take-Two Interactive as they have acquired the company for $12.7 Billion.

Making the surprise announcement via a press release (through Businesswire), Zyna and Take-Two Interactive revealed that the “two leaders in interactive and mobile entertainment, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, under which Take-Two will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Zynga in a cash and stock transaction valued at $9.861 per Zynga share, based on the market close as of January 7, 2022, with a total enterprise value of approximately $12.7 billion.”

This represents the biggest acquisition of all time in gaming, with second place going to Tencent’s purchasing of Supercell for $8.6 Billion in 2016 and Microsoft's acquisition of Zenimax Media in 2020 for $8.1 billion.

Speaking on this move, Take-Two’s CEO Strauss Zelnick said “We are thrilled to announce our transformative transaction with Zynga, which significantly diversifies our business and establishes our leadership position in mobile, the fastest growing segment of the interactive entertainment industry.”

“This strategic combination brings together our best-in-class console and PC franchises, with a market-leading, diversified mobile publishing platform that has a rich history of innovation and creativity. Zynga also has a highly talented and deeply experienced team, and we look forward to welcoming them into the Take-Two family in the coming months,” he added.

According to Frank Gibeau – the CEO of Zynga – “Combining Zynga’s expertise in mobile and next-generation platforms with Take-Two’s best-in-class capabilities and intellectual property will enable us to further advance our mission to connect the world through games while achieving significant growth and synergies together.”

With such a large purchase on the part of Take-Two, it will be interesting to see what the company has planned for the mobile developer. Time will tell, but whatever it is, it’s likely to be big.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this purchase? Are you surprised by the amount spent? Which acquisition do you think was the most profitable so far? Let us know down below.

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A record-breaking number of mobile games made $1 Billion in 2021 – and they’re all free-to-play https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/a-record-breaking-number-of-mobile-games-made-1-billion-in-2021-and-theyre-all-free-to-play/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/a-record-breaking-number-of-mobile-games-made-1-billion-in-2021-and-theyre-all-free-to-play/#respond Mon, 20 Dec 2021 14:00:30 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=544330 Despite being free at the point of entry, many free-to-play game studios have managed to amass an audience who are willing to spend a great deal of money on their games. This has been proven time and time again, and in 2021 a record-breaking 8 mobile titles managed to rake in more than $1 Billion …

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Despite being free at the point of entry, many free-to-play game studios have managed to amass an audience who are willing to spend a great deal of money on their games. This has been proven time and time again, and in 2021 a record-breaking 8 mobile titles managed to rake in more than $1 Billion in revenue…and they are all free-to-play.

As reported by mobile-focused analytics company Sensor Tower, 8 mobile titles managed to make more than $1 Billion in revenue from between the 1st of January and the 14th of December 2021. These titles are:

  1. PUBG Mobile ($2.8B)
  2. Honor of Kings ($2.8B)
  3. Genshin Impact ($1.8B)
  4. Roblox ($1.3B)
  5. Coin Master ($1.3B)
  6. Pokemon GO ($1.2B)
  7. Candy Crush Saga ($1.2B)
  8. Garena Free Fire ($1.1B)

As you may have noticed, all of these titles are free-to-play, lending credence to the idea that free-to-play games actually make more money than premium titles. Of course, it is worth keeping in mind that the mobile game market and the console/PC market are wholly different entities, and what applies to one doesn't necessarily apply to the other.

That being said, the console and PC market are not free from the influence of free-to-play games. Many of the most popular games (at least when it comes to consumer discourse) are free-to-play, with titles such as Fortnite, Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone (as well as Genshin Impact on {PS4/5 and PC) remaining in the zeitgeist for far longer than many premium offerings.

In some cases, the free-to-play variants are even more successful than similar premium counterparts (as can be seen with the F2P Call of Duty: Warzone compared to the $60/$70 Vanguard).

What the success of free-to-play games means for the industry is currently unknown. For every successful free-to-play game, there are three others which were unable to garner a big enough audience to warrant maintaining support. Whether free-to-play games are here to stay or not, there is no denying that they are currently having a big moment.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of free-to-play games? Do you play any? Which is the fairest F2P game you have played? Let us know down below.

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WotV: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius crosses over with Persona 5 https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/wotv-final-fantasy-brave-exvius-crosses-over-with-persona-5/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/mustafa-mahmoud/wotv-final-fantasy-brave-exvius-crosses-over-with-persona-5/#respond Mon, 20 Dec 2021 12:00:43 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=544327 Square Enix has never been afraid to cross over its Final Fantasy games with different franchises. This is even more so the case with the publisher’s mobile efforts. Following in the footsteps of its older brother, War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius will be crossing over with the popular RPG Persona 5 Royal. …

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Square Enix has never been afraid to cross over its Final Fantasy games with different franchises. This is even more so the case with the publisher’s mobile efforts. Following in the footsteps of its older brother, War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius will be crossing over with the popular RPG Persona 5 Royal.

Making the announcement via a teaser video on YouTube, Square Enix revealed  that a number of Persona 5 Royal characters will be coming to WotV: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. The three obtainable characters are Joker; Queen (aka Makoto Niijima) and Violet – aka Sumire Yoshizawa.

Alongside these three additions, the crossover will be bringing three of Persona 5’s villains into the world of War of the Visions, accompanied with a special event quest and even custom maps which harken back to Persona 5 Royal.

As is a must with all Persona 5 crossovers, the characters are just as stylish in this mobile release, with the likes of the action-heavy all-out-attacks being recreated for this game. The collaboration has currently only been announced for Japan, but as with most others, it will likely come to all players some time in 2022.

Of all the various crossovers that Final Fantasy games have had over the years (including but not limited to Pot Noodle, Ariana Grande and of course the entire Kingdom Hearts franchise), Persona 5 Royal is certainly not the most out there – but it is one of the more exciting ones. Hopefully such collaborations between SEGA and Square Enix continue into the future – and not just in mobile games.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this crossover? Do you play WotV: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius? What would be your dream video game collaboration? Let us know down below.

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Razer’s Android-powered handheld gaming device leaks https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/razers-android-powered-handheld-gaming-device-leaks/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/mustafa-mahmoud/razers-android-powered-handheld-gaming-device-leaks/#respond Wed, 01 Dec 2021 19:46:13 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=542151 As mobile chipsets get more and more powerful, and bigger – more expansive – games come to mobile phones, there has started to become a need for a gaming handheld to represent the Android community. In response, Razer is collaborating with Qualcomm to create just that. Videocardz.com managed to get their hands on a number …

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As mobile chipsets get more and more powerful, and bigger – more expansive – games come to mobile phones, there has started to become a need for a gaming handheld to represent the Android community. In response, Razer is collaborating with Qualcomm to create just that.

Videocardz.com managed to get their hands on a number of powerpoint slides showing off SoC manufacturer Qualcomm’s next generation products. Alongside the already announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Qualcomm is reportedly working on a gaming-focused G3x.

To show off this chipset, Qualcomm has partnered with Razer to create a Developer Kit handheld device. This specific device will come with a 120hz OLED screen, 6000 mAh battery, 5G support, haptic feedback, and even both a front and back camera.

(Image Source: videocardz.com)

This device will reportedly be advertised as a streaming device, taking advantage of services such as Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Remote Play and Steam Link. That being said, as it runs Android, the handheld will not only be able to play titles from the Android Play Store but will also be able to emulate many older consoles – perhaps even GameCube and PS2 titles!

As is evident from the name of course, it seems this device will not be positioned as a mainstream handheld. Even so, it being a blueprint for future devices is exciting. Mobile phones are incredibly powerful, and so hopefully this helps to incentivise game developers to push for grander scopes.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the device? Would you buy it? How much do you think it will cost? Let us know down below.

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