Welcome to TAG Roundup!
Ever wonder what you missed in the world of gaming last week? No worries – we’ve got you covered!
We read a ton of video game articles each week and wanted to share some of our favorites with the Average Gamer community. We’ll feature everything from previews to reviews and everything in between.
The articles we share will be from a combination of well-known sources (like IGN) and more niche blogs that you may not have heard of. In the previous TAG Roundup post, we talked about the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct, Warframe, Tony Hawk and more!
At the top of the hour, we’ve got one of the biggest gaming announcements of 2020! Nintendo is launching a 35th Anniversary Super Mario compilation that is sure to be a hot item going into the holidays.
Ninja Back to His Roots – The Verge
What a time to be alive! The top gamers are getting paid millions of dollars to play their favorite video games!
At the top of the food chain sits Ninja, a streamer with such an absurd reach that he was featured on ESPN and many popular talk shows. While he’s been streaming for many years, his exponential growth really started when Fortnite Battle Royale came out.
Ninja had been streaming on Twitch for years before Microsoft poached him to stream exclusively on their platform. Now that Mixer has shut down, Ninja is making his return to Twitch!
To make things even better, Ninja gets to keep all the cash listed in his 7-figure Mixer contract. Pair this with the ridiculous amount of money that he’s set to make on Twitch, through endorsements and partnerships, and future tournaments, Ninja is well on his way to building generational wealth through gaming.
Ninja secured a multiyear deal with Twitch, and we all know Twitch isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Ninja is already 5th in viewership on Twitch in September 2020 and his numbers are sure to improve as his subscriber base grows.
For aspiring streamers, Ninja set the foundation for a lucrative career playing video games. It’s definitely a grind to make your way towards meaningful income, but the idea of getting paid to play video games is becoming less taboo!
Gamer Gum – Gamer Gum
I’ve written about gamer socks in the past so I’m not that surprised that gamer gum is now a thing. Razer typically produces PC gaming peripherals and they’re now looking to take over your tastebuds!
Labeled ‘Respawn’, their new gum is supposed to boost reaction time and focus using caffeine and B vitamins. It sounds very similar to pre-workout powders and you can grab a 150-piece pack for $30. Someone please try this and let me know how it goes.
New Turn-Based RPG – Gematsu
Black Legend brings turn-based strategy to a 17th-century fantasy world. A cult of fanatics have taken over the city and your squadron must take them out.
The fighting system is based around alchemy, with 4 “instabilities” to master and 15 playable classes. Team customization, discoverable equipment, and careful planning will be needed to help the resistance overcome their oppressors!
Xbox Financing Package – Input Mag
We now know that the next-gen Xbox consoles will be $299 and $499 for the Series S and Series X, respectively. Additionally, Microsoft announced financing options that allow players to pay for a console plus games on a monthly basis.
Xbox All Access will get you an Xbox console, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and EA Play for $25 or $35 a month, depending on which console you go with. Given the impressive game collection offered in this package, this is looking like an attractive option for anyone who wants to play the latest titles but isn’t willing or able to shell out hundreds of dollars at once.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XiZcDiFsIQ
CoD: Black Ops Cold War Open Beta – Polygon
Following last week’s leak of some Cold War gameplay, we were graced with an official reveal trailer on the upcoming Call of Duty title. The 3-minute clip showed off intense gameplay, some cool movement mechanics, various scenery, and a dope remix of Notorious.
The game is set to launch on November 13, but there will be a couple of chances to play the beta on all platforms before the release. It’ll only be available to folks who pre-ordered the game and PS4 users will get the first crack at Cold War.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXRQyd6_5j4
Scorpion Gaming Chair – CNET
Gaming is probably one of the greatest activities in terms of dollars spent per hour of enjoyment. Every so often, however, you find a gaming item that is so ridiculous that it makes you do a double-take.
Cluvens has introduced its $3.3k scorpion computer cockpit for the most extreme of gamers. While there have been similar iterations of this type of computer work station in the past, the unique scorpion-like movement of Cluvens’ chair seems to be the differentiator.
If anyone is unsure of what to get me for my birthday, this would make an excellent gift!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdfuR46eZ7I
Just Dance Returns – Gamespot
I’ve got Just Dance 2020 and can attest to its high entertainment value and ridiculous lolz potential. The 2021 version is now available for pre-order, bringing 40 new tracks to start your at-home dance party!
For those of you looking for a workout, Just Dance 2021 is also bringing back Sweat Mode for maximum calorie burn. Kids Mode and co-op are returning too, so there’s something for everyone!
Oculus Quest VR 2 Leak – 9to5 Toys
Virtual Reality hasn’t exactly taken off yet, but big companies like Facebook are still pumping money into it. Last week, we saw a leak for the successor to the Oculus Quest, touting more impressive specs and a redesign of the original’s frame.
In addition to the extra comfort, the product is now lighter and should be easier to wear for longer periods. Claims have it that each side of the headset will have “nearly 2K’, but hopefully we’ll hear more confirmed details from FB this week.
Star Wars Fortnite Unlocks – EuroGamer
If you pre-order the upcoming Star Wars Squadrons game on the Epic Store, you’ll receive a free X-wing gift in Fortnite! This is a nice little bonus for anyone who still plays Epic’s battle royale.
In Squadrons’ trailer, we get a glimpse at the intense space battles, closely replicating what we’ve come to expect from Star Wars movies. The game will be available on October 1, but you can pre-order now to claim your gift!
https://youtu.be/f2VmOqjV_7Q
That’s All For Now
There were plenty of other highlights from last week but these ones really stood out. Be sure to check in next time to read about video game current events.
For more regular updates, feel free to follow our Flipboard, where we have a news feed of all the latest and greatest gaming news!
What were some of the most interesting things you read last week? Leave us a message in the comments so we can check it out!
If you like games and want to be the first to read our latest post, leave your e-mail below. We promise not to spam you!
Also, we just started a new podcast! Check out episode one here, where we talk about the free-to-play gaming model!
