Get ready to say “Cheese”, and take pictures with your and your friends’ Pokémon. Niantic have officially finished rolling out the Shared AR Experience in Pokémon Go. Now all level 2 Trainers and above can use this new feature.

This new feature allows you to have your Buddy Pokémon appear together with your friends’ Buddy Pokémon. Using your phones in-camera AR, you and your friends can take pictures of your Pokémon together.

Since the feature is still very new, a lot of players are still figuring out how to use it. Fortunately the official Pokémon Go Twitter account shared an instructions video that explains how to use the Shared AR Experience.

How to use The Shared AR Experience with friends in Pokémon Go

UPDATE: Say “Shared AR Experie—” Er...CHEESE!!! 😄 Shared AR Experience has now completed rolling out! It is now live for Trainers level 2 and above. Celebrate this moment with a #GOsnapshot of you, your buddy, your friends, and their buddies! 📸 pic.twitter.com/3wu4TfnFpc

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) December 21, 2019

First thing to do is gather a small group of your friends, and make sure that you all are in a brightly lit place. One of you will need to go to your Buddy Profile, and tap on the AR Experience icon; the icon should be right next to the Play button in the Buddy Profile. That person then needs to host a group by tapping on the “Create a Group QR Code”.

A Buddy Group QR Code will then appear on that person’s phone. Up to two other players can scan that QR code with their phones and join the group. When the two other players have scanned the code, the host just needs to tap “GO” to start.

From there, all three players need to hold their devices upright. Everyone will then point their device at a single object in the room. The video claims that a chair or table will work as the object. All three players will then have to walk left and right around the object in a 180° rotation. A checkmark will appear on screen if everyone was able to successfully sync up.

Yellow footprints will begin appear on screen; tapping on the footprints will make your Buddy Pokémon appear. If the other two players in your group have done everything right as well, all three Buddy Pokémon should appear together on screen.

Once all Pokémon are on screen together, you can now take all the photos want together.

Saint-14 is back in Destiny 2, and he already has work for us to do. To start the Tribute to the Colonies quest, go and visit him near his ship in the Tower hangar. 

Step 1 - Early Colonies. For the first step in this quest, you need to make your way to Titan and take out 100 enemies. I would suggest doing a Public Event like the Witches' Ritual, as it will be teeming with enemies for you to kill. Lost Sectors are also a great way to kill dozens of enemies at a time rapidly. 

Step 2 - Lost Colonies. For this step, you need to go and visit Failsafe on Nessus. You can spawn to Exodus Black, then make your way over to Failsafe, who is on the map in your Director. 

Step 3 - Remembrance Through Service. This step gives you three different tasks that you need to complete while you are on Nessus:

• Complete 2 Public Events
• Complete 1 Patrol
• Kill 100 Enemies

These are pretty quick because you don't need to make the Public Events heroic, you can finish up the standard ones. You should easily hit the 100 kills mark while doing this. 

Step 4 - Casualties of War. For this step, you need to visit the EDZ and talk to Devrim at the Church in Trostland. Once again, you will need to complete a selection of tasks before moving on.

• Complete 2 Public Events
• Complete 1 Patrol
• Kill 100 Enemies

Thankfully, Public Events are a common occurrence in Trostland, and it's effortless to finish up the nearby "Kill Enemies" Patrol while you are doing them. 

Step 5 - Return to Saint-14. Head back to Saint-14 in the Tower, and he will ask you to place a tribute near his ship. You will also get a Triumph from finishing this quest. 

Over this festive season, Epic Games is giving away 12 days of free games on their store, making one game available each day. So far, Epic has given away the excellent strategy game Into the Breach from FTL: Faster Than Light developer Subset Games, and action arena favorite Towerfall Ascension. 

Today, it’s Day Three, and it is about to get SUPERHOT. Usually, $24.99, the game is available to add to your library of games for free until 11am EST on Dec. 22.

A cult classic indie game from early 2016 presented initially as a Kickstarter project, SUPERHOT is an action game, simply stylized, where you go through several stages taking down groups of baddies. The game’s premise gets interesting is that time only moves when you do, including your enemy's bullets. Stand still and watch everything slow to a crawl. 

This mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy to an otherwise frantic shooter, allowing you to take a moment to plot a route to the next enemy, grabbing a weapon along the way, ranging from a katana to assault rifles.

The game isn’t overly long, but it’s genuinely exciting when confronted with a wall of enemies firing at you at different rates. It might take a few attempts, but it all adds to the experience. 

A VR version of the game released later in 2016, adding to the thrill of watching bullets fly past your nose. However, this version does not come with the ability to play the game in VR, so you may need to look to the Steam version if you specifically want to play the game in VR.

To add this excellent little game to your collection, go to SUPERHOT’s store page on the Epic Games Store and pick it up.

At the beginning of Temtem, you need to pick from one of three starters, Crystle, Smazee, and Houchic. All three are different types, have varying stats, and particular benefits. 

Crystle

Crystle is a Crystal-type and evolves into Sherald at Level 30. Crystal-types are effective against Electric and Mental-types but are ineffective against Fire and Earth-types. They take less damage from Electric, Mental, and Toxic-types, but take more damage from Fire, Earth, and Melee-type.

• HP - 60
• STA - 41
• SPD - 33
• ATK - 61
• DEF - 69
• SPATK - 46
• SPDEF - 42

Crystle has a good mix of offensive and defensive stats, but more importantly, is resistant to Electric-types, and does more damage to them. This resistance is important in the early game, as electric types are reasonably common in the current build of the game.  

Smazee

Smazee is a Melee-type and evolves into Baboong at Level 30. Melee-types are effective against Earth and Crystal-types but are ineffective against Mental-types. Melee-types take less damage from fellow Melee-types but take more damage from Mental and Digital-types.

• HP - 49
• STA - 55
• SPD - 66
• ATK - 69
• DEF - 44
• SPATK - 37
• SPDEF - 37

Smazee has great attack stats but is not that effective in the early game due to the lack of early Crystal and Earth-types in the current build. 

Houchic

Houchic is a Mental-type and evolves into Tental at Level 30. Mental-types are effective against Neutral and Melee-types and are ineffective against Crystal-types. Mental-types take less damage from Neutral and Melee-types but take more damage from Electric, Digital, and Crystal-types. 

• HP - 38
• STA - 44
• SPD - 66
• ATK - 40
• DEF - 41
• SPATK - 72
• SPDEF - 52

Houchic has a hard time in the early game until it gets some extra abilities, and the lower HP is a hindrance. 

Where the game currently stands, we feel like Crystle is the best starter Temtem. Not only does it have good attack and defensive stats for the early game, but it is also strong against a prominent early game Type, so it should be quite forgiving as players learn how to play the game. 

Saint-14 has arrived at the Tower in Destiny 2. You'll need to complete the Completing an Impossible Task quest for Osiris if you want him to show up during Season of Dawn, so make sure you've done this first. After, you can find him in the tower next to his ship in the hanger. It'll be difficult to miss him. When you speak to him, he'll have three quests available on him, and this is one of them you can do.

Step 1: Community Service. Saint-14 wants to start helping out the residents of the Tower by helping them complete specific tasks. For this step, you need to grab eight bounties and have them completed. These need to be Gambit, Crucible, or Vanguard bounties, so make sure you speak to The Drifter, Shaxx, or Zavala to complete any of these.

Step 2: A Sense of Duty. Once you have completed your shown bounties, you must return to Saint-14 in the tower to tell him of your acts.

Step 3: New Duties. Now that Saint-14 has had a taste of what things can happen on the Tower, he'd like to add more tasks for you to do. Place the new bounty book on the stand next to his ship. By unlocking this, you'll gain further access to unlocking the Obelisk on the tower.

Temtem is about collecting creatures and battling with them. Types are an essential aspect of the game, and all Temtem will have a type making them weak or strong against other types. Knowing these types to counter each other is essential when making your squad or taking on a specific battle. 

Temtem Types

There are twelve different types in the game:

• Crystal
• Digital
• Earth
• Electric
• Fire
• Melee
• Mental
• Nature
• Neutral
• Toxic
• Water
• Wind

Temtem Strengths and Weaknesses

The critical thing to know about strengths and weaknesses is they can differ depending on whether we are discussing attacking or defending. All Temtem have other Temtem types they are effective or ineffective against. They will also take less, or more, damage depending on the ability type used against them. This mechanic can be a little confusing, so we listed all types and how they interact with others below. 

Keep in mind, Temtem can learn new abilities and attacks, so just because you are facing a Wind-Type doesn't mean that all their attacks will be Wind-Type. 

For a quick reference on how the types interact, you can use the below chart, which was made by Redditor Asura64.

Crystal

• Effective against Electric and Mental-type
• Ineffective against Fire and Earth-type
• Take less damage from Electric, Mental, and Toxic Type abilities
• Take more damage from Fire, Earth, and Melee Type abilities

Digital

• Effective against Mental, Digital, and Melee Type
• Is not ineffective against any Type
• Take less damage from Toxic Type abilities
• Take more damage from Water, Electric and Digital Type abilities

Earth

• Effective against Fire, Electric, and Crystal Type
• Ineffective against Water, Nature and Wind Type
• Take less damage from Fire, Electric, Crystal, and Toxic Type abilities
• Take more damage from Water, Nature, Wind, and Melee abilities

Electric

• Effective against Water, Mental, Wind and Digital Type
• Ineffective against Nature, Electric, Earth and Crystal Type
• Take less damage from Electric and Wind Type abilities
• Take more damage from Earth and Crystal Type abilities

Fire

• Effective against Nature and Crystal Type
• Ineffective against Fire, Water, and Earth Type
• Take less damage from Fire, Nature, and Crystal Type abilities
• Take more damage from Water and Earth Type abilities

Melee

• Effective against Earth and Crystal Type
• Ineffective against Mental and Melee Type
• Take less damage from Melee Type abilities
• Take more damage from Mental and Digital Type abilities

Mental

• Effective against Neutral and Melee Type
• Ineffective against Crystal Type
• Take less damage from Neutral and Melee Type abilities
• Take more damage from Electric, Digital, and Crystal Type abilities

Nature

• Effective against Water and Earth Type
• Ineffective against Fire, Nature, and Toxic Type
• Take less damage from Water, Nature, Electric, and Earth Type abilities
• Take more damage from Fire and Toxic Type abilities

Neutral

• Is not effective against any Type
• Ineffective against Mental Type
• Doesn't take less damage from any Type abilities
• Take more damage from Mental Type abilities

Toxic

• Effective against Water and Nature Type
• Ineffective against Earth, Digital, Crystal, and Toxic Type
• Take less damage from Water and Nature Type abilities
• Take more damage from Wind Type abilities

Water

• Effective against Fire, Earth, and Digital Type
• Ineffective against Water, Nature, and Toxic Type
• Take less damage from Fire, Water, and Earth Type abilities
• Take more damage from Nature, Electric, and Toxic Type abilities

Wind

• Effective against Earth and Toxic Type
• Ineffective against Electric and Wind Type
• Take less damage from Earth and Wind Type abilities
• Take more damage from Electric Type abilities

If you're looking to gather all the collectibles during the Winterfest event in Fortnite, then today's challenge may have you a little confused. 

The challenge has you sitting by the fire in the Winterfest Lodge to complete it, but it can be a little tricky figuring out just what that means. But the challenge is incredibly easy once you know what to do, and we are here to show you what you need to do.  

At the main menu of the game, head to the Winterfest Cabin, a new location that comes as part of the game's Winterfest event. To do this, you can click on the snowflake in the menu. The lodge is where you will be able to unwrap your presents from completing the daily challenges in the event. 

Once you have entered the cabin, click on the Nutcracker character in the chair. Doing this will give you some new options of objects to interact with, including the fire. Click on this, and you will be brought in close to the flames. Now, all you have to do is wait for a bit. 

After waiting long enough, you should see an EXP amount given out. When you see this, you can now back out from the fire, and you will unlock the new item and complete the challenge. 

Whatever your opinion on Epic Games might be over the last year, it’s hard to deny that they’ve been spoiling us rotten this festive Season. Three days of quality indie titles, Into The Breach, Towerfall Ascension, and yesterday’s SUPERHOT, all offered for absolutely nothing to you. It is the season of giving, and Epic and the developers who have provided their games for this promotion have embraced that.

No signs of a drop in quality on day four either as today, you can add 2012’s indie hit Little Inferno to your collection for free. It’s available to claim until 11am EST on Dec. 23. 

Little Inferno is developed by Tomorrow Corporation, a three-person team consisting of one of the brains behind one of the games that pioneered the boom in indie game development World of Goo.

Little Inferno is a single-player puzzle game with a sandbox element, whereby you’re tasked with keeping a fire going in a fireplace for as long as you can using a variety of items in combination.

Each item burned gives you coins that you can use to buy more items, that in combination with others, allow you to keep the fire burning for longer. There’s some strategy to it, and while it’s not entirely on the level as World of Goo, it still provides a lot of fun, especially as the pressure heats up!

Little Inferno can be found on its store page on the Epic Games Store, though if it sounds good to you, you’d prefer to play it on another platform, it’s available on Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch.

We have seen both Sony confirm that the PS5 and Microsoft their next Xbox, the Xbox Series X, are in active development. Details of the PS5 were first unveiled to WIRED in some time with programmer Mark Cerny. The information that came out during an interview with Playstation CEO Jim Ryan for CNET showed us more details and the latest reveal earlier in October.

Microsoft used its stage during E3 in June to unveil the new system using a video with several developers sharing their stories about the desires and expectations of gamers, while also sharing details of what the new console can do. Phil Spencer confirmed the name of the new system at the Game Awards in December. 

PS5 vs. Xbox Series X - What exactly do we know?

Well, we know that both consoles will be coming to stores in the Holiday season of 2020.

Both consoles will be ditching old, mechanical hard-drives and instead will be utilizing an SSD. This SSD is probably one of the most significant advancements in technology in recent years, allows for exponentially lower loading times and other quality of life features. A demonstration video for Marvel’s Spiderman has already shown the difference that an SSD can make, even to an actual game, as shown below.

Sony's official video comparing performance of PS4 Pro vs next-gen PlayStation pic.twitter.com/2eUROxKFLq

— Takashi Mochizuki (@mochi_wsj) May 21, 2019

Secondly, they will both be utilizing the power of AMD’s next-generation Ryzen Processor technology to power their systems. This hardware is significant as the technology is not even available (at the time of writing) to the crowd that this would generally excite the most, the PC gaming and building community.

Thirdly, both games console will support games in 8K, double the current 4K standard, which is already available on their PS4 Pro and Xbox One X consoles. They will also both be able to handle Ray-tracing, a technology that is very ambitious but will make a noticeable difference in the way games use reflections. 

Finally, both companies appear to be utilizing Cloud-based gaming tech, though Microsoft so far is the only one to announce it with xCloud officially.

For the PS5, we know there is still a big drive for Virtual Reality gaming. The PSVR headset getting used with the PS4 is very much part of Sony's strategy. Mark Cerny, in the WIRED article, was quoted as saying, “I won't go into the details of our VR strategy today, beyond saying that VR is very important to us and that the current PSVR headset is compatible with the new console.”

However, there have been reports that a new Virtual Reality headset could be set to debut with the system. There are a minimum amount of details at the moment. There's the chance updated hardware, and potentially wireless capability could get included with the new headset. These features could make it easier to play and give access to higher resolution gameplay with a more powerful new console.

Cerny also confirmed that the console would have some backward compatibility with the PS4 due to the similarities in architecture. Whether it will have more than this or continue to use the Playstation Now service for older games is yet to be seen. 

Jim Ryan also previously confirmed some cross-compatibility with the next Playstation, where you can begin by playing a game onPS4, and then continue the game you are playing on PS5. These new features would be helpful for those looking to complete a game on their new PS5 console, having started it on their PS4. It also means that there will likely be plenty of support for the PS4 when after the PS5 releases.

The extent of the backward compatibility, however, is still up in the air with the official confirmation of the console not showing any information about it. But Sony is later confirming it is “verifying” the ability to bring backward compatibility.

The designs of the controller have only come out as a rumor. However, we do know that the controllers will include adaptive triggers, meaning there's a more realistic touch to them. The rumble will work in tandem with the speakers on the pad. There's the rumor of an AI voice assistant for the console, and a microphone hole in the controller would add credibility to this. 

In terms of games, there are no confirmed titles yet. With the all-new console generation coming out, we can expect a plethora of new games to get announced for the systems. We can also include the likelihood of updated versions of some of the best games currently on the market, such as Fortnite, FIFA, and Call of Duty. We have compiled a list of games that we would expect to be available at launch for the PS5.

For the Xbox One successor, we learned that the official name, previously known as Project Scarlett, is the Xbox Series X and that not only will it be capable of 8K, but it will also run at 120hz, meaning it will increase possible frame-rates to up to 120 per second. It will also use variable frame-rates, something which will help developers when it comes to balancing power output on their games between image quality and frame-rate.

The console will also be hardware accelerated for the first time, something which allows developers to push the boundaries of the console further than ever before. The processor is also reportedly set to dedicate cores directly for Ray-Tracing technology. Considering the amount of power the tech requires is an incredible amount to produce, there is intrigue to see if Microsoft can pull this one off reliably.

We now also know what it looks like, as the picture at the top shows. It’s ditched the small form factor of traditional consoles in favor of a look more associated with desktops, with a concave grille at the top of the unit. The reaction to it has been mixed, but it may have been a necessary step to ensure that the promised tech can be accomplished. Microsoft has, however, confirmed that previous peripherals, such as Xbox One Elite controllers, will work with the next-gen system. 

A big plus for the new system is that titles from all previous Xbox systems will be backwards compatible with it. The backwards compatible feature means that if you harbor an extensive collection of Xbox One games that are still on your to-play list, or you’ve kept classics from the older generations of Xbox, the Series X will always be able to play them all. Considering that this has been a sticking point for the Playstation brand for the last two generations, this is a piece of excellent news for Microsoft to announce early.

A powerful camera is rumored to be shipping with the console too. The original Xbox One got shipped with the controversial Kinect camera. However, it’s likely the more prominent focus for this new camera is going to be on streaming and sharing content. It’s likely to be a more significant push for social interactions more than to add games to use it with.

Currently, there are four confirmed games for the new system, with the only game so far to be confirmed to launch with Xbox Series X being Halo Infinite. The other announced games are Senua’s Saga: Hellbade 2 from Nina Theory, Everwild from Rare Games, and a new installment in Forza Motorsport, likely Forza 8. All of these will be console exclusives for the Xbox Series X. Similar to the PS5, we should expect a plethora of games to get announced as we draw closer to the release.

Both consoles will likely see a lot more crossover in terms of their capabilities as they move closer to the current pinnacle of technology. Both are likely to be some way off. Neither of the console's physical models has come out to the public yet. We should know more about both consoles soon.

Let’s be fair. There are some nights when you can’t sleep. Maybe you have a mid-morning flight that you don’t want to miss; maybe your neighbors are making too much noise, or perhaps you have other concerns that are weighing you down to the point you can’t doze off. It happens.

Fortunately, some games will help you pass the time in the best way possible when you can’t catch Z’s. Whether you’re looking for something to keep you entertained for hours, or just in short bursts, you’ll find this to be a helpful list of games to get you through a restless night.

Tetris 99/Tetris Effect

Tetris is always an excellent go-to table when it comes to playing well into the night. However, there are two different variations to choose from, depending on what you’re in the mood for.

First up is Tetris 99, the multiplayer-oriented version of the classic favorite. It’s battle royale with a twist, as you compete with 99 other players — AI or human — in the hopes of being the last player standing. It’s so addictive; you may find yourself trying time and time again to become the champ. Or it might exhaust you enough to fall into dreamland finally.

If you prefer something a little more soothing, there’s Tetris Effect. Produced by the same team that brought you Rez Infinite, it takes the standard rules of the Pajitnov favorite and bends it around several mesmerizing themes. The soundtrack alone makes the game worth the purchase, but the additional gameplay components and dazzling visuals are welcome additions as well. This one will give you a little ease, maybe enough to finally sleep.

Get it here from Epic Games Store, and here for PlayStation 4.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Feeling nervous and can’t quite ease the tension? Then turn to Link and his latest adventure for Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. This classic top-down favorite benefits from a gorgeous visual makeover, but features the same old-school gameplay you’d come to expect from the original. And with all the stuff you need to find within the game, you’ll find it to be a challenging, yet welcoming, experience that should do away with those negative vibes. A few rounds with Link, and you may find yourself happily sleeping away to the next day, where you can jump right back into the journey.

Super Mario Maker 2

Sometimes you need a little retro flair when it comes to finding your happy place. And Super Mario Maker 2 on the Nintendo Switch is just the game to give it to you. In this sequel, you’ll be able to build the levels of your dreams — or nightmares — and then share them with others. What’s more, you can see what the community has to offer in return, whether you’re looking for a cakewalk or a diabolical challenge that requires split-second timing. After a few rounds, you may find yourself eager to create something new — or finally feel like you conquered the impossible, and have earned the ability to doze off as a result. (That’s a sweet reward, tell you what.)

Untitled Goose Game

Can a goose help you find peace of mind? Especially if it’s a bothersome one that likes stealing stuff and being a complete pain in the butt? Surprisingly, yes. Untitled Goose Game is a journey in itself, a fun, sometimes hilarious game that will challenge you to annoy the next human that pops up in your life. Honk like a mad goose and flap your wings to intimidate, then steal, steal, steal until the day is yours. You’d be surprised how happy and stress-free you feel being an a-hole goose to others. (Don’t try it in real life, yeah?)

Sayonara Wild Hearts

Finally, Simogo has something that will truly mesmerize you, in case you want to experience a dreamy world and can’t quite do it on your own. Sayonara Wild Hearts follows a woman through a journey towards transformation, through a series of beautiful stages. What’s more, the entire game is backed by a fantastic soundtrack, which is even better once you pop on a pair of headphones. You might also find yourself purchasing it on iTunes, and then listening to it as you finally drift off for some well-deserved sleep.

The Initiative's first game will be revealed next year, according to a Game Informer interview with Xbox Game Studios' head Matt Booty. Microsoft's first-party studio based in Santa Monica, California has been established in 2018 and announced at that year's E3.

The studio has yet to share information about what it is working on. It's led by former Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics' Darrell Gallagher and has hired from Naughty Dog, SIE Santa Monica Studio, Insomniac Games, and more over the last two years.

According to the details shared by Game Informer, the studio has been "using its geographic ties to the film industry to tap those resources and explore new ways to push gaming forward as a medium." The studio is likely aiming for a highly cinematic experience in the vein of the latest and biggest action-adventure games.

Game Informer's Brian Shea has wrapped up his coverage about The Initiative, adding that "Booty tells me we’ll learn more over the next 12 months," and this is the first hint at more news about the development team revealing what it is working on at E3 2020.

While we won't know more about that for a while, the Initiative's Drew Murray (former game director on Sunset Overdrive, now design director) has shared that the team is already leveraging other Xbox Game Studios' expertise. The one that has been particularly collaborative in that process is Gears 5's The Coalition.

"They’ve been incredibly generous sharing their methods for designing features and levels," Murray said and added that staffers from that team have been the first outside of the studio to look at and even play a build of their incoming title, as you can see in the tweet below.

"A couple of the people there were the first non-The Initiative people to see (and play) the game, and they’ve given us some great outside, objective perspectives on our work. Good people."

This doesn't come as a huge surprise, as in October already, we had reported about the studio starting a playtest session on its next game. The title has been known to be playable for at least several months now and is likely receiving the last touches before getting revealed. 

They’ve been incredibly generous sharing their methods for designing features and levels. A couple of the people there were the first non-@TheInitiative people to see (and play) the game, and they’ve given us some great outside, objective perspectives on our work. Good people.

— Drew Murray (@PlaidKnuckles) December 21, 2019

Mobile gaming is known for being affordable, and publishers love to put games at a low price. Unlike Steam, PlayStation Network, or even the Nintendo eShop, mobile games traditionally go on sale for low prices to convince interested app store users to put down money on a game. Some of the best titles available on mobile tend to run the gamut from just 99 cents to $4.99 or $5.99.

Whether it's a Tamagotchi mobile pet or a pocket monster game similar to Nintendo's Pokémon, there's a little bit of everything available for just $1 online. For both iOS App Store shoppers and Android's Google Play Store users, here are some of the best games available for $0.99 each.

Tamagotchi Classic

• Publisher: Bandai Namco
• Genre: Life Simulator
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Remember the virtual pet craze over Tamagotchi from the '90s? Well, Bandai Namco brought the series back once again, this time for mobile phones. Called Tamagotchi Classic, this smartphone app mimics the original Tamagotchi handheld device by letting players feed, clean, and play with their Tamagotchi pet on their iOS or Android device. And for smartwatch users, Tamagotchi Classic even supports Apple Watch, letting players check on their Tamagotchi while in a meeting or on-the-go.

Scribblenauts Remix

• Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• Genre: Puzzle Platformer
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Scribblenauts Remix wasn't always $0.99, but once Warner Bros. decreased its price in 2011, the game quickly became one of the most popular mobile titles on iOS and Android to date.

Based heavily on both Scribblenauts and Super Scribblenauts, Scribblenauts Remix takes 40 levels from the first two games. It adds ten new additions onto the game, letting players solve puzzles by spawning objects with adjectives and nouns. Enormous in size and incredibly hilarious, Scribblenauts Remix makes a great addition to any gamer's mobile library.

Goat Simulator

• Publisher: Coffee Stain Studios
• Genre: Open-World Action, Satire
• Available on: iOS via App Store

Coffee Stain Publishing's mobile version of Goat Simulator brings the classic humor game's open-ended goat-em-up gameplay to iOS and Android in a port that stays true to the original game. If you're looking for something humorous parodying both simulator shovelware and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Goat Simulator is worth picking up for sure. Be warned, this game only costs 99 cents on iOS; the full game costs $4.99 on the Google Play Store.

Plague Inc.

• Publisher: Ndemic Creations
• Genre: Real-Time Strategy
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Interested in destroying the world population with your very own plague? Now you can, and all from the comfort of your smartphone. Plague Inc. lets players control and maintain a deadly illness unleashed onto the world, causing an enormous international epidemic that leaves millions wounded or killed. Evolve your virus and find ways to spread your disease further before world governments figure out how to quarantine and wipe out your illness in this incredibly addicting real-time strategy game perfect for mobile gameplay.

Nexomon

• Publisher: Lime Turtle
• Genre: RPG
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Interested in a mobile game similar to Pokémon? That's Nexomon, in a nutshell, a pocket monster game that tasks players with exploring a world inhabited by creatures called Nexomon. In Nexomon, players can fight AI trainers in turn-based combat and capture new Nexomon using Nexotraps. Fitted with its very own RPG story and party characters, Nexomon is easily worth a purchase for just $1.

Parkour Flight

• Publisher: Alexander Bukharev
• Genre: Sports
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Parkour Flight plays around with physics to create a simple (and somewhat hilarious) stunt game where players have to perform mid-air parkour tricks to score points. Players can carry out backflips, gainers, and other moves in-game, too, as long as they're able to execute their movements before they land. Be warned, while the iOS version is $0.99, Parkour Flight's Android edition is $1.49.

Hitman Sniper

• Publisher: Square Enix
• Genre: First-Person Shooter
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Inspired in part by Hitman: Absolution's preview demo Hitman: Sniper Challenge, Hitman: Sniper casts players as Agent 47 as he snipes at assassination targets from afar. Players can choose to go as loud or as quiet as they'd like, either outright killing enemies one-by-one out in the open, using environmental triggers to make deaths appear to be accidents, or shooting bodies so that they fall off bridges and remain hidden from sight.

While Hitman Sniper certainly isn't identical to IO Interactive's Hitman 2, it's still an enjoyable spin-off experience that any fan can enjoy on mobile.

Doodle Jump

• Publisher: Lima Sky
• Genre: Platformer
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Ah, Doodle Jump. One of the most popular mobile games to date, Doodle Jump, first launched in 2009 and quickly became enormously popular among iPhone users. The game later came to Android and various other mobile operating systems, as well as Xbox 360 and Nintendo 3DS.

In Doodle Jump, players try to jump as high as possible by repeatedly launching from platform to platform while in portrait mode. If the player falls, they lose.

Doodle Jump is available for free, but the game's paid version removes ads, adds UFOs, and takes away the game's limit to how high The Doodler can go. Doodle Jump is a classic, and if you don't have it already, now's the perfect time to give it a shot.

The Impossible Game

• Publisher: FlukeDude
• Genre: Platformer
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Unsurprisingly, The Impossible Game is not an easy game to beat. You control an orange square as it travels on a path filled with black squares and triangles. The black squares act like safe boxes to give yourself a little boost for jumping. If you come into contact with the triangles, you die and have to start over. The Impossible Game takes a great deal of patience and coordination for a game that has one control input.

Badland

• Publisher: Frogmind
• Genre: Adventure Platformer
• Available on: iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play Store

Often hailed as one of the best mobile games available for both iOS and Android, Badland casts players into a side-scrolling platformer adventure in a forest world that's as immersive as it is dark and twisted. Players must avoid traps, overcome obstacles, and solve physics-based platforming challenges to progress through the game, which even supports multiplayer co-op. If there's one mobile game to make sure you have on your smartphone, go with Badland for sure.

The Quarry

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The Quarry is a simulation game where you build the best mining rig possible. As you continue to dig, you find hundreds of resources and materials to better your rig and invest into better techniques and machinery. As you play, you are continually seeking the most highly advanced tech and to put yourself at the peak of engineering.

• Publisher: Dakror Games
• Genre: Simulation
• Available on: Google Play Store

Evertale

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Evertale is an RPG in the style of a Pokemon game. You jump into a world filled with monsters that you capture, train, and evolve to battle down the line. While Pokemon Go mixes up the Pokemon formula, Evertale is more of a classical monster-catching experience for the mobile crowd. It also is no small game, as it contains over 180 monsters, six regions to explore, and online battles. For 99 cents, you are receiving a lot of content.

• Publisher: Zigzagames
• Genre: RPG
• Available on: iOS App Store, Google Play Store

Mini Metro

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• Publisher: Dinosaur Polo Club
• Genre: Simulation
• Available on: iOS App Store, Google Play Store

Mini Metro is a subway simulator that has gained recognition from IGN and Gamespot for being one of the better mobile games available. Your job is to plan out the subway’s track across a randomly growing city. The game may look simple from the outside, but the complexity of making your subway run the most efficiently is an addictive hook that will have you spending a lot of time on Mini Metro.

Netflix's The Witcher has boosted The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's userbase during the weekend and overall in December, according to a report from Playtracker. The show has been released worldwide on December 20, starring avid gamer Henry Cavill as protagonist Geralt of Rivia.

The game has indeed managed to hit 48,000 concurrent players on Steam, a record that hadn't been hit since Summer 2016 when the game was still highly supported and had just received its final DLC Blood and Wine.

The Wild Hunt's performances have been impressed not only on Steam for PC. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 also saw a return of users thanks to Netflix's show, particularly on the main game, which was played more than other versions (GOTY and Complete) that were released several months later and have the full experience with add-on and expansions.

Overall, based on Playtracker's findings, "an estimated 1 million players have played The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in December," which is "several hundreds of thousands above" standard performances for the game "in the past two years."

The figure might have been pivotal in allowing developer CD Projekt and book's creator Andrzej Sapkowski to sign a new deal for the rights on The Witcher games and merchandise after a long controversy based on the current value of the brand.

The new deal, we were said in a press release last week, "satisfies and fully clarifies the needs and expectations of both parties… and sets out a framework for future cooperation between the two sides." While details about the new deal haven't been disclosed, in October 2018, it was revealed that Sapkowski's demands were for around USD 16 million.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt released on Nintendo Switch two months ago thanks to a cooperation between original developer CD Projekt RED and Saber Interactive. Another The Witcher game, Thronebreaker, is reportedly coming soon to Nintendo's hybrid system.

With Winterfest going on, you have probably already visited the Winterfest Lodge in Fortnite through the menus. Doing so is quite easy, you click on the snowflake icon beside the "Play" tab in the top-left of the screen, then click on "Visit Lodge" in the bottom-right.

But, did you know that the Winterfest Lodge can also be found when you are playing a game? It's not quite as well kept as the menu version, but it is still a spot you can visit in the game. 

If you head for Frenzy Farm, you can find the Winterfest Lodge just across the river to the south. You won't find any presents here, unlike the menu version, but you will discover some Sneaky Snowmen, a lovely Christmas tree, and a rather run-down version of the Winterfest Lodge to explore. There are plenty of chests and ammo cases here, so it's not a terrible place to visit early in the game. 

Be careful though, it's a pretty busy spot right now as everyone wants to take a look at it, so expect some fighting to get in and out, and be extra careful around those Sneaky Snowmen, as you never know who might be hiding in them. 

Remember, Winterfest is still going on, so make sure you visit the Lodge in the get your daily gift, search your Holiday Stocking, and get today's daily challenge for some easy free loot. Winterfest will be running until Jan. 07, so you still have plenty of time to get all the changes wrapped up.

Fortnite's Winterfest continues, so that means there will be a new daily challenge waiting for you. All you need to do is visit the Winterfest Lodge through the menus, then search your Holiday Stocking. Make sure you grab your daily present while you are there. You can open one present a day, and they can contain gliders, music, Back Bling, and even new skins. 

Today's challenge is to dance at six different Holiday Trees in named locations. You can find the locations of the various Holiday Trees shown on the map above. They are very easy to see as you drop in, as they are all done up with lights and decorations, so land at one and then dance. You don't need to get them all in one round, thankfully, and you have until Jan. 7 to finish up this challenge and claim your free loot. 

The trees will have some chests under them, and a Star Wars chest spawning under then seems to be pretty common, so keep an eye out for Lightsabers! These areas are also pretty busy right now, as everyone is trying to get their dancing done, so you will more than likely have to fight quite a lot while doing this. Hopefully, people at least give you time to bust a move before they start shooting at you. 

Winterfest will be running until Jan. 7, with lots more challenges on the way. Don't forget; the Winterfest Cabin can also be found in the game, not just in the menus, although it is a little worse for wear when you see it in the game itself. 

In the run-up to the release of Gauss, Warframe's most recent speedster-Frame, there was some concern that his top speeds wouldn't be that beneficial, because people would have trouble controlling him. Much of Warframe's interior design can be considered as somewhat of a legacy, a hangover from years ago when the game was very different. The movement system has come a long way since then, but those tight corridors and endless doors remain. This is despite the fact that Warframes can move much faster through the levels, and skills players can do some pretty impressive parkour moments. Gauss is a different type of beast, however. He is known for head down, straight-line speed, so it takes a very skilled hand to get him through some of the environments at high speed. 

"Gauss' speed wouldn't work in Warframe's environments" from r/Warframe

In the above clip, you can see Redditor TheXenianRedditor expertly controlling a highspeed Gauss through a myriad of obstacles, seamlessly traversing the level at high speeds. It's an impressive feat, but one that not even the game was prepared for. 

When TheXenianRedditor is just about to reach the extraction point, and end the mission, the game seems to lose track of him and is unable to update his account information. Undone by his own skill, TheXenianRedditor's session then ends. Whether it's a result of the speed he was traveling at or a happy coincidence, the result is hilarious. 

So what do you think? Is Gauss truly too fast for the game, or was this one of those happy accidents that give us all something to laugh about?

Epic Games and their partners continue to bring the goods this festive season. They have already gifted to us the likes of Into The Breach, Towerfall Ascension, SUPERHOT, and Little Inferno this Christmas season.

Today's gift is a game from the mind of indie developer Gabe Cuzzillo, with help for the art from Bennett Foddy of Getting Over It fame, as you take control of a primate that’s escaped from his confines with Ape Out. 

A top-down twin-stick shooter style action game, in Ape Out, you must wriggle from the confines of your captors by grappling them and throwing them at walls, through glass windows, and at each other. It looks minimalist as your ape, the surroundings, and enemies all take on the simple colour schemes, but it works well with the simple nature of the game. 

Be prepared for blood, though, as the game is surprisingly gory for a game about an ape escape. 

The score is also top-notch, offering an upbeat jazzy tone that crackles with the action, giving kills and narrow escapes that much more bite. There’s plenty of game here too, especially great value for a game that’s free.

Ape Out is available to claim for free through the game’s store page on the Epic Games Store, and is available to claim until 11am EST on Dec. 24. It's also currently available on Xbox Gamepass for both PC and Console.

Tomorrow's wrapping graphic also hints at what’s to come, with the silhouette of a mountain suggesting a release on the 12 Days of Free game for a game involving snow or mountain peaks.

It may be Christmas week, but the Marvel Ultimate Alliance isn’t on vacation. In fact, it’s expanding its roster with a familiar quartet.

Nintendo announced that the latest downloadable content for its hit Switch game Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is available today. Called Rise of the Phoenix, it introduces four new X-Men characters into the fold, along with a mode that’s sure to keep you and a few friends busy.

Players can now take control of the gun-toting Cable, the ultra-powerful Phoenix, the cool-headed Ice Man and the card-dealing Gambit. The only real question is who to start with, since they’re all awesome additions.

If that’s not enough, there’s also an additional mode called Danger Room, ready to challenge even the best of Marvel Ultimate Alliance players. Up to four people can team together to take on a slew of bosses while earning a number of buffs and dealing with debuffs. 

The trailer gives you a good idea of what to expect from this downloadable content. It’s only available as part of the Expansion Pass, which you can buy for $19.99 through the Nintendo eShop. Keep in mind that this also gives you access to the previous Marvel Knights DLC pack, bringing Blade, The Punisher, Morbius, and Moon Knight into the fray. And there’s still one more pack on the way, with the Fantastic Four, due sometime in 2020.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is available now on Nintendo Switch. 

This year has seen a number of excellent games come and go, but the truly great games stick around. The chief reason for that is the developers that continue to bring it new ideas to the gaming world, and that keep the the tried-and-true concepts fresh. 

Whether it’s new content, quick fixes and patches that improve performance regularly, or simply being an awesome community player, developers who engage and recognize that their game is worth continuing to support are what makes them worth playing. 

Here are the development studios we think truly stood apart in 2019. 

Honourable Mentions: 

Nintendo

Nintendo has been killing it with the Switch this year. It released quality games this year, including Super Mario Maker 2 and Ring Fit Adventure, while also having a hand in a number of first party games, including Luigi’s Mansion 3, Pokémon Sword and Shield, and the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. 

Nintendo has had its share of controversy, such as the micro transactions in their mobile games and the fiasco behind the National Pokédex in Sword and Shield, but it has still had a big influence on a number of excellent games, and the Switch seems to be an unstoppable force, leading sales on Black Friday and recently releasing in China.

Respawn Entertainment

After the lukewarm success of the critically acclaimed Titanfall 2, we wondered whether Respawn would be able to make a success of a game from the now-second-biggest movie franchise of all time (thanks, Marvel). The blueprint is there, and Respawn CEO Vince Vampella is a seasoned veteran when it comes to development, but the expectations on them to deliver, considering Disney’s and EA’s pressure, must have been huge. 

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has been a huge success, though, and proves that Respawn can do more than first-person shooters. Not only that, but Respawn has been improving and keeping up with regular content for their battle hit royale Apex Legends. Season One of their Battle Pass might have been shaky, but they have made it much better value for money since and, for this, they deserve a mention.

Runner-up:

Hello Games

Everyone thought No Man’s Sky was dead in the water. The launch was, by almost all accounts, a disaster. Hello Games could simply have decided to call it a day with the game and work on something new.

But CEO Sean Murray and his team have done this year what very few developers do. They’ve realised their mistakes, rolled up their sleeves, and set to make the game what they originally envisioned. Their Beyond expansion overhauled the game to bring it to a state where it’s now worth playing, with much more to do in its endless space, and added variety both planetside and in the stations and stars—and it’s still growing. 

Hello Games has very much proved they have two traits that typically make a great game developer: Passion, and a willingness to step up to criticism. Hello Games has done everything to prove that they’ll get the job done, piece by piece.

Best Game Development Studio:

Capcom

It’s difficult to see any studio develop as many great games in a single year as Capcom has in 2019. Not only do they have one of the frontrunners for Game of the Year in their remake of Resident Evil 2, but they also released the hotly anticipated Devil May Cry 5, which was excellent, and Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, which is arguably one of the best full expansions to a game that’s ever been released.

Not only that, but they’ve done so without filling any of their games with microtransactions that come across as predatory, simply out for the money that comes with other big name triple AAA publishers. Even Tenpen, their mobile card game, is fair and modest when it comes to microtransactions. 

Capcom has also proved one thing that gamers knew already, but other publishers seemed to have forgotten: There is still a hunger and desire to play solely single player games. One that doesn’t require it to be a “service” in order to be feature complete and is worth your time. One that is built upon offering the full experience from the get-go. 

Capcom is perhaps a dying breed when it comes to traditional video game development, as we’re certainly living in the “games as a service” era today. But so long as it, and others like it, continue to remember where games came from, it will maintain its legacy as one of the best third-party developers in the world.

For more of our Year in Review 2019 series, head to our hub page.

A couple of years back, Steam began offering refunds on titles purchased from the Steam store, effectively changing how customers buy games on the PC distribution service. These days, it's relatively common knowledge that all games bought on the Steam store are refundable. But there are some limitations regarding how refunds work. For instance, while DLC inside the Steam store is refundable, some in-game purchases aren't. And while the hardware can be refunded, there are certain limitations involved.

While Steam's refund service is comprehensive, it's also pretty complicated. So before purchasing a game, you think you'll end up refunding, here's what you need to know about the Steam refund system.

How to initiate a refund

Refunding Steam games is relatively simple. Head on over to the Steam Support section and login if you aren't already. In the opening drop-down menu, click "Purchases," find the game in question that you want to refund, and then go to "I would like a refund." Then hit "I'd like to request a refund."

Afterward, Steam should open a short form detailing more information needed to refund your purchase. Fill out your refund form by choosing a refund method, the reason for the refund, and any additional notes required to process your request.

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From there, Valve will either approve or deny your refund. If approved, refunds can take up to seven days to appear, with more extended periods for international refunds. Don't worry if your request is denied, either. Customers can appeal an original denial by sending in an additional refund request. Another Valve employee will look over the refund and make a decision.

Games are refundable based on hours played and days owned

When it comes to refunding games and DLC on Steam, there are two critical criteria to keep in mind before sending in a refund request.

Refunds can only be made if the player has less than two hours of in-game time and has solely owned the game in question for less than two weeks. For example, players can refund games they've owned for eight days and only played for an hour or titles they bought during a Steam sale and changed their mind on a week later. But both ownership length and in-game playtime must meet the rules to receive a refund.

So if a Steam user buys a game, plays 25 hours, and then decides to refund their title, their request will most likely be denied. Similarly, Steam players cannot refund a game they've owned for half a year but have only played for 15 minutes. So when in doubt, it's better to play new purchases sooner rather than later to find out if they're worth holding onto.

DLC and microtransactions are refundable

Good news for Steam users that love purchasing post-launch content for their games. Steam refunds also cover DLC and microtransactions. Here's how it works.

DLC can be refunded if:

• It's been within 14 days since the DLC was purchased
• The base game has been played for less than two hours since purchase
• DLC has not been modified or consumed
• DLC is not otherwise listed as nonrefundable

Microtransactions can also be refunded, but there are more specific regulations. For one, all Valve titles' microtransactions can be refunded in 48 hours as long as the player hasn't used the items purchased. But other publishers' games vary. Developers and publishers can also enable refunds for items, but microtransactions can also be labeled as nonrefundable.

Generally speaking, games will mention ahead of time if in-game purchases are nonrefundable, so it's best to check on individual games' storefronts within the Steam store before making a purchase you might regret.

But you can only refund purchases bought within the Steam store

Steam refunds are strictly tied to purchases made within Steam's store, and refunds aren't available for any Steam titles that are activated outside Valve's official service. That means Steam games bought via Green Man Gaming or eBay aren't refundable through Valve.

This also includes DLC purchased outside the Steam store. If a game requires the player to purchase DLC or microtransactions outside of Steam, then refunds aren't available through Steam. For instance, anyone who purchases additional content for Mortal Kombat 11 through Warner Bros. directly or a third-party store, such as The Humble Store, cannot be issued a refund through Steam.

And you can refund games to rebuy them at a discount

One of the nice things about the Steam refund is that it's relatively flexible when it comes to sales. Steam refunds are set up to honor discounts if the user buys a game right before a Steam sale goes live.

According to Steam Support, all eligible purchases before a sale can be refunded so users can repurchase a game at its discounted price. While Steam's regular refund rules apply, and approved refunds "may take up to seven days" before they're processed, customers can refund purchases to save money on discounts, thereby taking away risk around purchasing games before a holiday sale.

Hardware can be refunded

Steam's refund system doesn't just cover games and microtransactions. Any hardware bought through the Steam store can also be refunded, too. But the process is a bit more complicated than refunding a game digitally via the Steam storefront.

Here's how it works. Within 30 days after the hardware has been delivered, Steam users can request a refund for their hardware and accessories ordered from Steam. From there, any users requesting a refund must send the hardware back within 14 days after making the request.

Because returning hardware is a bit more complicated than digital software, Steam may provide additional instructions to follow to successfully obtain a refund. If a refund goes through, Steam will reimburse the least expensive delivery option along with the refund, as long as the refunded product is received within 14 days. For more information, check out Steam's official hardware order terms.

Pre-orders can be refunded, too

Steam refunds aren't just reserved for games that are already out. Titles pre-purchased through the Steam store are also eligible for refunds. Any games paid for before release can be refunded before release at any time, with no 14-day limit from purchase. That means a game pre-ordered two months before release can be refunded five days before the game comes out.

Afterward, players can also refund games they pre-ordered if need be, but the regular Steam refund rules apply. That means post-release, pre-purchased games can be refunded as long as the player submits their refund within 14 days and does not play any more than two hours in-game. In other words, while pre-release refunds are refundable at any time, games refunded post-launch have the regular refund window.

VAC bans nullify refunds, though

Valve treats refunds as a privilege, not a right. And abusing the Steam refund system can lead to users losing their ability to refund a game. Case in point, players cannot ask for a refund on games with a Valve Anti-Cheat ban.

For those unfamiliar, VAC bans are specific restrictions that prevent hackers, crackers, and cheaters from playing on servers using VAC software. In short, this means Team Fortress 2 or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players caught using cheats will be banned from playing on VAC servers, significantly diminishing those games' multiplayer capabilities.

When it comes to Steam refunds, players who have been VAC banned from a game cannot refund their game. So Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players cannot refund Global Offensive if they've been VAC banned. However, VAC bans only affect refunds on individual games. So if that same player purchases The Witcher 3 through the Steam store and needs a refund, they can successfully receive one as long as they follow the rest of the Steam refund rules.

But the refund rules are loose, so ask for a refund anyway

Rules are rules, and more often than not, Valve will implement the rules they've officially laid out if you request a refund. But sometimes complications happen. A game may be accidentally left on for two hours, or an idling computer can cause a player to have more hours than they really played accidentally. Maybe an abysmally low-quality game ends up working fine during its first 14 days owned, but on the 15th, it breaks down.

That's life, and Valve gets that. So the company encourages consumers to send a refund request through Steam anyway even if they're technically ineligible. All refunds are handled by a Valve employee, so refunds are handled based on individual discretion. And remember, all refunds are made through the distribution service's Steam Support section.

So when in doubt, send a refund request out. It doesn't hurt, right?

Gamepur writer Sam O'Hara contributed to this story.