Nintendo has released a day-one update for its adorable new device, the Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo.

Earlier this week, instead of announcing the long-rumored Nintendo Switch 2, the Japanese company unveiled its new hardware, an interactive alarm clock that detects movement and plays sounds to make waking up more bearable.

Now, Nintendo has released the device's first software update, which aims to add improvements to the system. With Version 2.0.0, Alarmo now features a brand-new mode called Moderate Mode, a new Records feature that will display if you go to bed on time, as well as a new max distance of 50cm for King/Super King size beds.

Nintendo noted that the users will receive a notification if a system update is available. All they have to do is press the 'Notification Button' when the envelope icon is displayed on Alarmo to see recent notifications. You can check out the full patch notes below.

Alarmo is now available to purchase for $99.99 / £89.99. If you're thinking about getting your hands on one, you can check out our Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo buying guide.

Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo - Version 2.0.0 Patch Notes

• Added Moderate Mode as a new mode option.
• Added Movement Records as a new Records feature.
  - This data will automatically display in Records if you go to bed within your set bedtime.
  - You can set this to On or Off in the Records menu on the clock.
• The clock's distance from the bed can now be set to 50cm max for King/Super King size beds.
• When a sensor zone check is run, an estimated position of movement will now be displayed.
• General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.

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Nintendo has announced that it will perform a playtest this month for a mysterious, new Nintendo Switch Online feature.

The Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program is scheduled to begin on October 24 and will run through November 6.

According to Nintendo, the playtest is related to "a new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service", but hasn't divulged any details on what it could be just yet.

The company is also looking to recruit people to participate in the playtest, but they must have Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack memberships to qualify.

Customers will also be required to download "exclusive software" to their own Nintendo Switch system in order to participate, Nintendo explained.

To apply to the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program, users will need to head to the Application Page from this blog post.

You also need to be 18 or over and have a Nintendo Account registered to either Japan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain.

Nintendo adds that the playtest is "expected to accept as many as 10,000 participants" and that it will close applications early if the number of accepted participants has reached the required limit.

Elsewhere, Nintendo Switch 2 rumors are ramping up as the most recent leak allegedly revealed the design for the unannounced system.

Around 12 images were shared online and began making their rounds in September and supposedly showed the final design for the Nintendo Switch successor, which looks to be a bigger version of the base model with a bigger screen.

Nintendo hasn't formally revealed the console at this time, but an announcement has been confirmed for before the end of this year. This could mean the Switch 2 could launch sometime in 2025.

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• Microsoft is reportedly releasing a brand new Xbox wireless headset this month

A brand new, more expensive Xbox wireless headset is reportedly launching this month.

That's according to the reliable data miner 'billbil-kun' on Dealabs who reported that Microsoft will be launching a new headset this month called the "Xbox Wireless Headset Refresh".

The 'Xbox Wireless Headset Refresh' is claimed to launch in Europe on October 22 and the US on November 5 and will cost $109.99 / £99.99 / AU$163.56.

Compared to the current Xbox Wireless Headset on the market, which first launched in March 2021, that's an increase of $10 / £10 / AU$14.87

Billbil-kun claims that there won't be a white version of the new wireless headset at launch and that the data they collected only referenced a black version.

"Aside from some minor packaging changes, we don't know what the design differences are yet," the dataminer said (machine translated). "However, there's a good chance that these differences will be very minimal or non-existent."

Billbil-kun recently leaked the release of a new Xbox Series X wireless controller collection, called Ghost Cipher, which was later announced by Microsoft.

Alongside new controllers, Microsoft will also be releasing new Xbox models, including a 2TB Xbox Series X in a new Galaxy Black Special Edition, an all-digital 1TB Xbox Series X in Robot White, and an all-digital 1TB Xbox Series S in Robot White.

All three consoles will launch on October 15, as well as in select countries on October 29. If you're looking to get your hands on a new Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, you can check out our pre-order and buying guide.

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Ahead of the launch of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Microsoft is giving away a special edition Xbox Series X inspired by the game.

Starting November 12 through January 6, fans can visit Microsoft Experience Centers in London, Sydney, and New York to view an Indiana Jones-inspired display.

While there, they will be given the chance to solve a puzzle to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win this unique console.

The one-of-a-kind Xbox Series X, which is encased in a puzzle box drawn from the game and adorned in gold, was built over 350 hours and also comes with a matching Xbox Wireless controller featuring a leather and gold finish with bejeweled buttons.

The company has confirmed in an Xbox Wire post that if fans can't make it to the Microsoft Experience Centers in person, there will be another chance via the Bethesda social channels.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to launch on December 9, 2024, for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC as a timed exclusive. It will also be available day on on Xbox Game Pass.

During Gamescom's Opening Night Live in August, it was announced that the action-adventure game will also be coming to PlayStation 5 in the "first half of 2025", meaning we can expect it to be released in Spring.

Developed by Wolfenstein studio MachineGames, The Great Circle will star actor Troy Baker as Indiana Jones and will feature an original narrative that draws from the iconic film franchise.

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Fortnitemares 2024 returns later this month, adding in new gameplay mechanics, items, and weapons to experiment with. There'll be a whole host of new tie-ins as well, including a Saw-themed bundle, and the appearance of Texas Chainsaw Massacre's Leatherface. As such, it's easy to see why players are clamoring to know the Fortnitemares 2024 release date.

Fortnite is currently in Chapter 5 Season 4, a primarily Marvel-themed offering that gives players the chance to take on Doctor Doom, Mysterio, and Emma Frost. While we wait for the next season of Fortnite to drop, which is rumored to be Fortnite OG, there's plenty of spooky fun to be had now that Fortnitemares has started to ramp up in the game. It's regular seasonal updates like these that cement Fortnite's place as one of the best battle royale games around.

If you want to know when you can start celebrating Halloween in Fortnite, here's the Fortnitemares 2024 release date, as well as a look at what's going to be added to the game. For now, Epic is yet to reveal the full slate of skins and modes, so stay tuned for further updates to this page.

Fortnitemares 2024 release date

Fortnitemares 2024 launches October 11, 2024. As for a more specific time, Epic has yet to give the full details. Generally, though, Fortnite updates drop at 1AM PT / 4AM ET / 9AM GMT. We'll be sure to update this section if we hear any more on the precise Fortnitemares 2024 release timings.

Fortnitemares 2024 skins revealed so far

Thanks to a new cinematic teaser, Epic Games has confirmed a selection of Fortnitemares 2024 skins. Here's what's set to be added to the game:

• Shadow Monks (available now)
• Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
• Witch
• Billy the Puppet (available now, Saw)
• Mephisto

In addition to the skins confirmed above, we have seen some additional skins through Fortnite leaker @HYPEX on Twitter. Check out the tweet below for sneak peeks at a new Marshmello skin, as well as a pumpkin warrior.

The Billy the Puppet bundle is already available for purchase in the Item Shop for 2500 V-Bucks. It contains the Billy skin, the Spiralized Slicer Pickaxe, Puppet's Choice Wrap, Billy's Tricycle Emote, as well as the Trap Television Back Bling.

Fortnitemares 2024 - what to expect

Epic is yet to reveal the full details on Fortnitemares 2024, but looking at past seasons, it's likely that we'll see changes to certain map POIs, some Halloween-themed weapons and items, and some new skins. Last year, a Vampiric Blade was added, alongside a Witch's Broom and Pumpkin Launcher. Given the Saw and Leatherface tie-ins, it's likely we'll be seeing new NPCs and weapons. According to leaker @HYPEX on Twitter, we could be seeing an explosive Mythic called 'Boom Billy'.

Fortnitemares 2024 quests are also very likely to be added, revolving around the new weapons and items. Stay tuned for further updates.

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Finally, after 14 years, Rockstar Games has officially confirmed that Red Dead Redemption and its Undead Nightmare expansion will be coming to PC on October 29, 2024.

"For the first time in its storied legacy, John Marston’s beloved journey can be experienced on PC in stunning, new detail, with both Red Dead Redemption and its iconic zombie-horror companion story, Undead Nightmare, arriving to PC on October 29," Rockstar said in its announcement post.

When the game re-releases later this month, in collaboration with Double Eleven, the fan-favorite title will be available on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Rockstar Store.

Rockstar has also confirmed that the PC version will feature some significant enhancements including native 4K resolution at up to 144hz on compatible hardware, Ultrawide (21:9) and Super Ultrawide (32:9) monitor support, HDR10 support, and full keyboard and mouse functionality.

Red Dead Redemption on PC will also support NVIDIA DLSS 3.7 and AMD FSR 3.0 upscaling technologies, as well as NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation, on top of adjustable draw distances, shadow quality settings, and more.

You can take a look at the enhanced PC version in the latest trailer below.

According to the Steam page, the PC version will feature the complete single-player experiences of both games, including bonus content from the Game of the Year Edition. However, it won't feature a multiplayer mode.

Red Dead Redemption first launched in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 before it eventually made its way to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2023.

The game's standalone expansion pack, Undead Nightmare, was released originally in October 2010 and added a zombie-themed single-player campaign, along with two multiplayer modes and a bunch of cosmetics.

The downloadable content (DLC), which was also re-released in 2023, is essentially a non-canonical story that follows John Marston as he sets out to find the cause and possible cure for a zombie plague.

The game's PC release was leaked this summer, so it was only a matter of time before Rockstar made an announcement.

Elsewhere, the studio is gearing up to launch perhaps its most anticipated game of all time, Grand Theft Auto 6, which is slated for a Fall 2025 launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. A PC version has not been confirmed at this time.

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Assassin's Creed Mirage will be the first Assassin's Creed game to arrive on Steam marking a return to the platform for the series.

In September, Ubisoft delayed Assassin's Creed Shadows from its original November 12 release date to February 14, 2025, announcing that it needs extra time to polish the game before it's ready for launch.

In addition to the delay, the company confirmed that, unlike more recent Assassin's Creed games, Shadows will also launch day one on Steam alongside PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Amazon Luna.

However, it won't be the first title in the franchise to make a return to Steam.

According to a brand new Steam store page for Assassin's Creed Mirage, fans will be able to purchase the game on the platform in "October 2024", so it looks like an official release date announcement from Ubisoft itself could arrive soon.

"Experience the story of Basim, a cunning street thief seeking answers and justice as he navigates the bustling streets of ninth-century Baghdad," the description reads. "Through a mysterious, ancient organization known as the Hidden Ones, he will become a deadly Master Assassin and change his fate in ways he never could have imagined."

Although there's no release just yet, you can wishlist the game on Steam.

Assassin's Creed Mirage first launched in October 2023 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Epic Games and the Ubisoft Connect.

Ubisoft stopped releasing its PC games on Steam in 2019 after releasing its own launcher but hasn't given a reason for the decision, however, it could come down to a need to increase overall sales after Star Wars Outlaws performed badly for the company.

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Voting for the 42nd Golden Joystick Awards is now open.

The longest-running annual award show will return on November 21, 2024, and can be watched live here, but ahead of the event fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite games of 2024 in a total of 19 categories.

Included in those categories are Console Game of the Year, PC Game of the Year, and Best Storytelling, but it's worth noting that the nominees for the Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist will not be announced until November 4, with voting in that category opening the same day.

Among the games nominated in the Console Game of the Year are the critically acclaimed Astro Bot for PS5 which was released last month, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Dragon's Dogma 2, Helldivers 2, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and the latest game in The Legend of Zelda franchise, Echoes of Wisdom.

This year's event will also introduce a few brand-new categories, including Best Soundtrack and Best Audio Design, which will replace the Best Audio award, and the Still Playing Award has also been split into two, with separate ‘Mobile’ and ‘Console & PC’ categories.

A new Best Indie Game - Self Published award has also been created to sit alongside the long-standing Best Indie Game category.

You can vote in the currently available categories here. Voting closes on November 1 at 4pm PDT / 7pm EDT / 11pm BST.

"2023 was one of video gaming’s best years ever, with Baldur’s Gate 3 and Larian Studios claiming a record seven trophies at last year’s Golden Joystick Awards," said Daniel Dawkins, content director for games, video, and digital events.

"2024 has been a challenging year for the games industry in so many ways, but the variety and diversity of releases over the last 12 months has made this one of the most difficult - and exciting - Golden Joystick Awards nominees list we’ve ever compiled."

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Ahead of the release of Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl, GSC Game World has released a documentary recording the lives of its developers amid an ongoing war.

The 'War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Documentary' can now be watched on YouTube, featuring first-hand accounts of members of the development team and what it's been like to make a game since Russia's invasion of their home country Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The 90-minute documentary touches on the history of the Ukrainian studio and details the personal lives of employees following the invasion, while also depicting the harrowing images that have been documented of the war for the last two years.

Since the war began, the GSC Game World has had to work under challenging conditions to complete Stalker 2, which creative director Mariia Grygorovych calls "the biggest game in the history of the company".

The documentary highlights Ukraine's history and how the Chornobyl nuclear disaster influenced the studio, along with recollections of the months leading up to Russia's invasion.

According to Grygorovych, when rumors began circulating about the invasion in 2021, GSC already had transport booked for its developers to escort them to safety in Uzhhorod, from Kyiv.

As the conflict escalated, the team was ultimately forced to evacuate, with many employees being moved from Ukraine to Budapest, a decision that came with a lot of issues, like roadblocks and crossing borders on foot (via Xbox Wire).

One developer, named Anton, discussed his experience during the invasion, recalling how he had to take shelter in a cellar with his family, saying "Like a Stalker, you have to learn how to live in such situations".

There was no internet for weeks and Anton switched to drawing on paper, "so I didn't stop developing", saying that Stalker 2 was "my goal in life to do this project".

GSC eventually moved the studio to Prague in 2022 where they were able to continue working safely, however, the team had to work from scratch in some aspects.

Some actors who had roles in the game had to be replaced as they had joined up to fight in the war, while others had moved elsewhere or lost contact.

Due to the ongoing war, the game has seen many delays.

The game was set to launch on September 5, but in July, GSC announced a two-month delay for emergency bug fixing.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is now expected to launch on November 20, 2024, for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC and day one on Xbox Game Pass.

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J Allard, the co-founder of Xbox, has officially joined Amazon as vice president of devices and services.

As reported by GeekWire, the first sign of Allard's career change came from his LinkedIn profile where his latest role was updated to read "vp, product - amazon".

Amazon has since confirmed the news to the publication, stating that Allard has joined the company’s Devices and Services team, the division responsible for Alexa and Echo devices, among other products.

Speaking to The Verge, Allard confirmed his new role but was unable to discuss the projects he'll be working on, saying it's "too early to have anything to say" beyond Amazon's "new ideas".

Allard worked at Microsoft from 1991 to 2010. As chief experience officer and chief technology officer of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, he co-founded Xbox, which was released in 2001, Xbox Live, Live Arcade, and 2005's Xbox 360.

He also helped launch more than 40 products at the company, including the Zune portable media player, as well as had a hand in Windows NT and Microsoft's Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

After leaving Microsoft in 2010, Allard spent time running his own company called Project 529, a community-led service that specializes in combating bike theft and promoting cycling.

Allard rejoined the gaming industry in 2020 at Intellivision Entertainment as the global managing director but left the company a year later.

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Microsoft is expanding its Xbox Research division to include game developers and is looking to hear feedback from more studios outside the company.

In a new blog post, the company said that the objective for the expansion is to listen to partners in the Xbox ecosystem "to bring forward insights and data that could help improve future tools and services," as well as "address pain points".

"By directly engaging with game creators, Xbox aims to get the data that'll help address pain points and enhance the experience of partners across the spectrum of disciplines involved in bringing games to market," Microsoft explained.

The company said it is also welcoming input from developers and studios who aren't currently making games for Xbox consoles.

"If you are making video games, we're interested in hearing from you. If you aren't on Xbox, we'd love to know why," said Dr. Deborah Hendersen, principal user researcher for Xbox. "And honestly, if you are using our competitor's products, you probably have a great perspective we could learn from!"

This will allow Microsoft to gain a "fresh perspective" and avoid becoming an "echo chamber" as the Xbox Research division - which has been active for 20 years - expands.

"We want to hear from everyone who works on games or helps support game studios because if we can make your life easier, it makes gaming better," Hendersen added.

"It's a bit like testing players who play games like yours - they are your target audience and you want to hear fresh perspectives because their expectations may differ from folks who are deep in your community."

This new program will employ methodologies for developers that will mirror those used in player-focused studies, like interviews, usability, playtesting, surveys, and flighting.

"It's the same sort of studies we perform when testing games, just on tools and services," Henderson explained, adding that the program will also offer flexibility and thoroughness for the recruitment process.

Studios based in the US can now sign up to the Xbox Research team, but Microsoft says it's actively working to expand recruitment to more countries.

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Epic Games has introduced new time limit controls in Fortnite, allowing parents to restrict their child's playtime.

The studio announced the changes in a new blog post today, confirming that the new tools apply to both the popular battle royale game and Unreal Editor for Fortnite.

According to the new safety guidelines page, with 'Time Limit Controls', parents will have the ability to limit the total amount of time their child can play per day. They can also choose specific time windows when their child can play each day, and set time limits within that window.

After setting a time limit, kids will start seeing in-game banners notifying them when they have 30 minutes left in Fortnite or the Unreal Editor for Fortnite.

"Once your child reaches their limit, they will not be able to use Fortnite or UEFN until the next day or until a new window begins, unless you choose to add more time," Epic Games explained.

Parents can also grant extra playtime with the 'Request for More Time' setting. When the setting is on, the player can request more time, but if it's turned off, they can't.

"If you have allowed your child to request more time, and they have 30 minutes or less left in their window, your child can request more time from within Fortnite," the developer continued.

An email will be sent from Epic Games to parents with a link where they can add more time for that day, even if requests are disabled, but the additional time must be added through Fortnite's main menu settings.

Epic has also added 'Time Reports', allowing parents to see how much time their child spends in the game, as well as 'Time Reports Email', which will send a weekly email to parents with a report summarizing their child’s time spent getting victory royales.

Time Limit Controls are now accessible across all consoles and devices, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. As long as a player is using the same account across devices, the time limit will be enforced, no matter where the child plays.

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