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So, it’s been a while since Mojang released the snapshots that precede a full new patch release for the game, but the time has finally come again.
1.9 is called the Combat Update and already we know that a lot of things that will be added to or overhauled this time round have to do with the combat and PvP elements of the game. This snapshot though introduces some very early versions of the things that mostly don’t though.
The two main features of this snapshot are the dual-wielding/dominant left hand feature that many have wanted to see added to the game for some time and the new levitation effect that you get from potions and the new Shulker mob.
Dual-wielding is not yet finished, but already we can tell you that it’s not possible to wield two swords at once. Sorry. It is possible to use a bow though while holding something like a torch in your offhand though, although this could be patched out before 1.9 releases properly. Dual-wielding will mean that mining will also be a bit easier, as you can now use a pick and hold torches to place at the same time. There’s also a few bugs and quirks to be worked out with the dominant left hand feature too, although the b and c versions have at least nixed a few already such as certain actions reverting you back to default righty.
The levitation effect too is still a bit unfinished, but at least we can tell that certain levels of effect applied will make a difference. More levitation effect means a faster rise into the air, while a little effect can actually make it seem like you’re on a low-gravity planet when you descend back down to blocky earth. Of course, if you’ve played on any Minecraft server in the last few years, you’ll know that the game can and often will kick you for ‘cheating’ if it thinks you’re using a cheat to fly in Survival. That used to happen with the levitation too until it was patched out in the b version of the snapshot.
As always, if you want to play with this snapshot remember to backup your worlds just in case. Especially with this one, Mojang admit themselves in their blog that this is a very early Alpha stage snapshot and had a lot of potential to mess things up.
Last night brought us the answer to what the new Hearthstone thing Blizzard had been teasing actually was. The Grand Tournament aims to add over 130 new cards to the game and we saw at least 15 during that hour and a half of announcement livestream. Now 3 more have been revealed, and one is quite the card.
Firstly we have Silver Hand Regent which makes use of the new Inspire effect that triggers when you use your Hero Power. She summons a Silver Hand Recruit at 1/1 and what makes her interesting is that it seems she is a Neutral card so now any class could possibly have access to the Silver Hand Recruits.
Next we have Garrison Commander who is one of the new cards introduced to work with your Hero Power, allowing you to use it twice on your turn. Again this is a Neutral card and decent mana cost and Attack/Life means that it certainly looks like a valuable addition to a deck.
And finally we have the most interesting reveal of all, a new Legendary – Justicar Trueheart. With a Battlecry effect that changes your Hero Power to a slightly more powerful version of itself, this card could really liven up play. It’s uncertain whether the upgraded Hero Power is a match-permanent effect or if it reverts back to normal when Justicar Trueheart is removed from play. It also won’t have any effect on Hero Powers that have already been altered in some way (I assume they mean made cheaper or powered up in some way).
Stay tuned to Sanitarium.FM for more card reveals as they are made public!
Seems that Electronic Arts is going through a rebrand of their Origin accounts program. Some users of the service are reporting that they’ve received e-mails about an account branding change.
The e-mail says that “in the coming weeks your Origin Account will be renamed to an EA Account” but otherwise nothing else is expected to be changed – just the branding and the design. Account owners are reassured that “Your Account identity, preferences, and order history will remain unchanged.
You will continue to use this account and the same login credentials to access all EA games, web sites, and services, including Origin.”
No reasons have been given for the change of account naming, but it’s possible that EA are seeking to try and brand things under one umbrella to improve association between all the parts of their business. The changes will happen automatically without any users needing to do anything, and EA hope that the transition will go smoothly.
GTA V is a few years old by this point, but Rockstar are still putting out free updates for it. The latest one was the second part of the GTA Ill-Gotten Gains update, which added a bunch of new cars, boats, clothes and other expensive, luxury items to buy. The problem is that it also came with a noticeable framerate problem.
Players have noticed that lower frame rates had become more regular since the update last week, and Rockstar have already said that they’re “looking into” the causes on a support page. Users on the /r/Games Reddit have been speculating that the new anti-modding and hacking measures for GTA Online could be the cause, but issues have effected all players regardless of whether they play the game straight or flavoured with a mod or two.
Rockstar should have a patch out soon once the root cause has been nailed down.
