Crypto investment firm Revix did a simulation where they ranked the top 50 internet companies by market capitalisation (which is just a fancy word for the company's total value). They then invested in each company equally, right at the peak of the internet bubble in 2000. After investing 2% into each of these top 50 companies, Revix’s simulation left these investments untouched until 2017.
During this time, over 88% of these companies failed. But due to the power of diversification, the 2% allocated to the winners (Amazon and the likes) helped the portfolio recover all its losses and still managed to return an impressive 14% per year. That equates to an 828% (9x) return over the 17 year period.
Given what we know now, we would have jumped at the chance to invest in internet companies like Amazon and Google back in the 90s. But, back then, picking the winning investment of the internet age wasn’t as easy as you think.
Surely investing in Amazon or Google early would have been one of the best investments of all time?
Sure, but there were hundreds of internet companies to choose from back then. Even if you did invest in Amazon, would you have held on when it fell over 95% in 2001? That’s right, even the mighty Amazon fell over 95% before rising to become the company we know today.
That’s an incredible result but what does that have to do with cryptocurrency?
The lesson remains the same. Investing in crypto is just like early internet investing — it's nearly impossible to pick the long-term winner when you are so early in crypto’s existence.
So how do we invest in crypto and make sure we always own the long term winners? The answer is with diversified crypto Bundles.
What are crypto Bundles?
Diversification simply means spreading out your bets.
By making multiple smaller bets as opposed to one bigger concentrated bet, you are much more likely to win. Except here, betting is investing and winning is to make a good return on your investment.
Just like Revix’s simulation above, it's possible to invest in the entire crypto market in a similarly smart and diversified manner. A Bundle is essentially a basket of the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation — with an equal amount invested into each of them.
The top 10 cryptocurrencies (excluding stablecoins) currently account for over 72% of the total cryptocurrency market value. By owning the top 10, you’ll automatically track the broader cryptocurrency market and the growth that comes with it. There is no need to risk it all on one cryptocurrency or be dragged down by its individual cryptocurrencies.
Now that we understand diversification, what are the benefits?
As you can see in the graph below, the Smart Contract, Payment and Top 10 Bundles have outperformed the major individual crypto’s in each Bundle in terms of returns and allowed investors a smoother ride with less price volatility.
Diversification works wonders for your investments and helps you invest for the long term.
Bundles are less risky and easier to hold onto because they are less volatile than Bitcoin, Ethereum and other single cryptocurrencies.
(Image credit: .)
“Diversification works in every investment class in the world. It should come as no surprise that it works in crypto as well,” says Sean Sanders, CEO of crypto investment firm Revix.
Revix crypto Bundles vs BTC
Let's assume you make the jump and invest in a Revix Bundle, how does this compare to Bitcoin in terms of price performance and investment returns?
Historically, even if you bought Bitcoin at the worst possible time in Bitcoin’s existence, you would have still seen a return of 27% per year. Now that we know Revix Crypto Bundles outperform Bitcoin, it's clear to see why investing in Bundles is the way to go.
But where can I invest in these crypto Bundles?
Cape Town-based crypto investment platform Revix is backed by JSE listed Sabvest and offers something unique to you, the investor. Set yourself apart from the rest by investing in ready-made diversified crypto Bundles which look similar to ETFs.
Their Crypto Bundles enable you to effortlessly own an equally-weighted basket of the world’s largest and, by default, most successful cryptocurrencies without having to build and manage a crypto portfolio yourself. Revix currently offers three Bundles:
The Top 10 Bundle is like investing in the top companies in the stock market but for crypto and provides equally weighted exposure to the top 10 cryptocurrencies making up more than 75% of the crypto market.
The Payment Bundle provides equally weighted exposure to the top 5 payment focused cryptocurrencies looking to make payments cheaper, faster and more global.
The Smart Contract Bundle provides equally weighted exposure to the top 5 smart contract-focused cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Solana and Polkadot that enable developers to build applications on top of their blockchains, similar to how Apple builds apps on top of its OS operating system.
How would you invest if you knew you couldn't lose? Revix is giving you that chance. From 16th February to 1st March, Revix is offering you the opportunity for an investment that cannot decrease in value. And if it does, Revix has you covered. It's your chance to make money and diversify your portfolio with the confidence that you can only win.
How do I take part?
Sign up using the promo code: COVER. After signing up, you need to invest R5 000 into either the Smart Contract Bundle, the Top 10 Bundle or the Payment Bundle between the 16th February and 1st March 2022*. During this period, your investment is covered against loss. If the value of the Bundle has decreased by the end of the promotion period, Revix will pay you back the difference. It’s that simple. You will be compensated in Bundle units only. *T&Cs apply.
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Micron made a surprise announcement today via press release, stating that it will end production of its Ballistix RAM products from its Crucial brand, which targeted the gamer and enthusiast segment.
According to the statement, Micron will “continue to support the performance compute and gaming communities” through its many SSD products, as well as “focus on the development of Micron’s DDR5 client and server product roadmap.”
Micron Vice President and General Manager Teresa Kelley released a statement as well, which confirmed the earlier release’s explanation of the company moving to focus more on its NVMe and Portable SSD product categories.
Additionally, Kelly added: “Crucial JEDEC standard DDR5 memory provides mainstream gamers with DDR5-enabled computers with better high-speed performance, data transfers and bandwidth than previously available with Crucial Ballistix memory."
Though no reason was specified for why production on the Ballistix RAM products is ending, it might have to do with factors such as the ongoing DRAM and NAND shortages that the company previously warned of.
This move will most likely be to the market’s detriment, as Micron was one of the few DRAM manufacturers offering high-end RAM modules. There currently aren’t any large manufacturers that are ready to move in to fill in the gap.
Photoshop might be rapidly improving its AI editing tools, but a more affordable rival called Luminar Neo just arrived for photographers who want something a little simpler and more affordable.
Want our verdict on Skylum's latest editing software, which has just been given its full release? Check out our in-depth Luminar Neo review, which praises it as "powerful, very easy to use, and a great place to start for photographers who fear the complexity of Lightroom or Photoshop".
The software builds on the promise of predecessors like Luminar AI, but adds new AI tools, like smartphone image processing, that are designed to help you produce pleasing snaps without any editing fuss.
You still get industry-standard tools like curves and white balance adjustments to help you tweak colors and contrast, but Luminar Neo's real special sauce is those AI tools, a few of which we've seen before in Luminar AI. The AI crop tool, for example, quickly fixes your compositions, while the opinion-splitting Sky Replacement mode is on board, too.
But there are lots of new tools in the full version of the software. Luminar Neo can, for example, automatically remove power lines or dust spots from your photos, and performed this very effectively in our tests.
More complex automated edits are a bit of a mixed bag The Relight tool, for example, lets you make exposure tweaks based on a depth map of your photo, but struggles with snaps that have a large depth of field.
Luminar Neo is also currently missing two fairly big features, MaskAI and Portrait Background Removal, which are expected to be added in the next few months. But at only $79 / £59 (for a one-time purchase), the program offers good value that does work out considerably cheaper than a combined Photoshop and Lightroom subscription from Adobe (which is currently $9.99 / £9.98 / AU$14.29 per month).
Analysis: Another strong AI rival for Photoshop
(Image credit: Future)
A smartphone-style revolution is taking place in desktop photo editors, thanks to AI-powered tools – and our full Luminar Neo review found it to be a compelling new contender, particularly for amateur snappers.
You won't find Lightroom-style cataloguing or the pro-level depth of Photoshop, but that's precisely the point. If you don't need that level of photo editing or management or find Adobe's software a little too complex, then Luminar Neo is worth checking out.
It's a shame that some tools, like MaskAI, aren't included in the current version of the software, but what's there already is certainly enough to help speed up your editing process.
These kinds of tools, particularly Sky Replacement, tend to split opinion among photographers, with some considering them overstepping the mark and taking post-processing from photography to digital art.
But the majority of Luminar Neo's automated tools make edits in a subtle, time-saving fashion. And with other rivals like Affinity Photo and Capture One offering fine alternatives to Photoshop and Lightroom, Adobe has its work cut out to continue justifying its subscription pricing. Of course, the real winners of all this competition are photographers.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the latest game in TT Games' Lego Star Wars franchise and, after a few delays, we finally have a release date: April 5, 2022.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will be the first Lego Star Wars game since 2016's The Force Awakens, and looks set to be the most ambitious addition to the series yet, covering all nine of the core Star Wars movies while giving players access to hundreds of playable characters from every era of the saga. It'll be possible for players to visit many iconic settings as they play through the movies “in any order they choose” to “create their own unique journey through the galaxy.”
This will be music to the ears of any long-term fan, as well as good news for any Star Wars newcomers. Especially those who might have only recently found their way to the galaxy far, far away through the new The Book of Boba Fett or The Mandalorian TV series on Disney+.
Want to know more? Read on for everything we know about Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Lego Star Wars The Skywalker Saga: cut to the chase
What is it? The latest Lego game to take place in the Star Wars universe.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga release date and platforms
(Image credit: Travellers Tales / Lego / Disney)
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is currently scheduled to release on April 5, 2022.
This release date was confirmed in January 2022 after a few delays for the game as a result of a difficult development. After missing an October 2020 release window, the game tried to hit a ‘Spring 2021’ launch date and missed that too. After an announcement at Gamescom 2021, we were told Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga's release date was set for 'Spring 2022' which has now been narrowed down to April 5.
Fortunately for Star Wars fans, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will be available on pretty much every platform, releasing on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4 and PC.
Gameplay overview trailer A gameplay overview trailer for Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker was revealed alongside the game's official release date of April 5, 2022. The six-minute trailer shows off the game in extensive detail and gives fans a great idea of what awaits. You can pick and choose any saga, play as multiple characters, enjoy brand-new gameplay mechanics, and experience all of the fun that Lego titles are famous for. Check it out below.
Gamescom 2021 gameplay trailer
A gameplay trailer for Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker dropped during Gamescom 2021's Opening Night Live, giving us a tantalizing look at the game in action. Check it out below.
Gamescom 2020 gameplay trailer
In August 2020, we were pleasantly surprised to see a gameplay trailer that matched the visual polish of the teaser. As well as showing off key playable scenes from the franchise, from dogfights to lightsaber duels, the game still features the wacky toybox-like potential for mischief that previous Lego games have had. Keep an eye out for C-3PO riding a bantha, for instance:
Announcement trailer
Prior to that Gamescom trailer, we had, of course, already seen a little bit from the game. Way back in 2019 we were treated to a reveal trailer, showing off the franchise’s glitzy new visual look, and the series’ trademark humor, albeit in a teaser that didn’t appear to show any gameplay:
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga setting and gameplay
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is in the enviable position of being able to adapt tales from right across the entire ‘Skywalker’ saga.
In other words, you’ll be playing scenes from the original trilogy (Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi), the prequel trilogy (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith) and the sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker).
(Image credit: Travellers Tales / Lego / Disney)
That does mean the excellent Rogue One, Solo: A Star Wars Story and The Mandalorian TV show are not set to feature. But, don't worry, there are plenty of other characters to choose from, with players able to take on the role of Luke Skywalker, Rey, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Finn, Leia, Yoda, Boba Fett, Darth Maul, Poe and over 300 more unlockable characters including Jabba the Hut and R2D2.
However, if you do find yourself hankering for some more choice then you can pick up the Deluxe Edition of the game, which is set to include a ‘Character Collection’ bundle, that throws in six character packs including characters from The Mandalorian, Rogue One, Solo and even the new Star Wars: The Bad Batch animated series, as well as an additional pack including ‘Classic Characters’.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is expected to be a slight departure from the Lego games that have come before it, promising deeper gameplay than the simplistic platforming and combat of previous Lego games.
(Image credit: Travellers Tales / Lego / Disney)
Each episode of film will feature five story missions, for a total of 45 core levels in the game. Players can use the galaxy map on their holoprojector to chart their course through the saga (there are a lot of games after all), unlocking planets to explore on their journey. It's up to players whether they want to pursue the main storyline or to be enticed by the galaxy's many side quests and puzzles.
You’ll have plenty of hub worlds to explore before taking on the core missions, and these will be littered with secrets to find and collectibles to… er… collect. Hubs will range from the desolate wastes of Tatooine to the forests of Endor and the dark heart of Exegol, where the Emperor holds court. It’s an incredibly ambitious undertaking then, collating all the major sights (and sites) of the near-complete Star Wars universe. All of these locations will include random encounters too – you might be messing around before being ambushed by a Tie Fighter fleet, for example.
You're actively encouraged to explore in Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, with exploration rewarding players with Kyber Bricks which unlock new features and ability upgrades across the game's various character classes, which include Jedi, Hero, Dark Side, Villain, Scavenger, Scoundrel, Bounty Hunter, Astromech Droid, and Protocol Droid.
Whichever character class players choose, you'll likely notice some improvements. Combat has been sharpened up – lightsaber duels will focus on combo building, with a mixture of light, heavy and Force attacks wielded in tandem, while ranged shooting/blaster combat allows for more precision - as well as the ability to hide behind cover - and moves the gameplay to an over-the-shoulder viewpoint, ala Gears of War or Uncharted. It’ll still be family-friendly, but might not be quite as button-mashy as previous Lego games.
(Image credit: Travellers Tales / Lego / Disney)
Vehicular-based play will also be significant. Gameplay trailers show the player taking the controls of everything from a podracer to an X-Wing, a Snowspeeder to those stupid horse things that turned up in Rise of Skywalker.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga news and rumors
(Image credit: Travellers Tales / Lego / Disney)
PC system requirements
If you’re looking to play Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga on PC then you’ll need to know exactly what the game requires of you in terms of your setup. The game’s Steam page has been updated with Recommended and Minimum requirements which are detailed below:
Minimum:
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce GTX 750 Ti or Radeon HD 7850
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 40 GB available space
Recommended:
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce GTX 780 or Radeon R9 290
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 40 GB available space
Accessibility options
As tweeted out by TT Games, the Family Video Game Database has compiled a report detailing some of the accessibility features that will be available to players of Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Though the game won’t have strict ‘easy’, ‘medium’ and ‘hard’ modes, there will be settings such as automatic health recovery, fall recovery and aim assist to make the game less difficult.
To help players navigate the game world, waypoint arrows are enabled by default, with breadcrumb trails revealing quick routes to objectives. Objectives are always displayed in the top corner of the game as default but there’s an option to toggle that on and off. There are also visual prompts in the game to identify which specific character the player will need to use to solve different puzzles.
Players can customise specific audio levels, making it possible to foreground the most important audio elements, and the report flags the game as motion sickness friendly.
There will also be multiple control schemes, with, for example, options to remap all buttons on controllers, disable controller vibrations, sole keyboard play with no mouse and more. The full report can be found here.
What about online co-op?
We’ve learned a lot about Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga ahead of its release date but online co-op – a mode that’s appeared in only a few Lego games – hasn’t really been touched on just yet. According to the Family Video Game Database (via BrickFanatics), the game can’t be played online, with co-op limited to local support for two players.
Boba Fett? Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has been making some noise on Twitter with a brand new character clip. Following the release of The Book of Boba Fett, the Lego Star Wars Twitter account posted a promotional clip featuring Boba Fett on Tatooine. In the clip, Boba Fett wields a weapon but, even more importantly, he speaks.
When one Twitter user asked whether the voice in the clip belonged to Daniel Logan, the voice of young Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones, Logan himself responded by saying that it was him. It’s possible that this means Logan will be the voice of older Boba Fett throughout the game, though this hasn't been outright confirmed just yet.
You choose the order We know that players will be able to play across nine films of the Skywalker saga but according to the Warner Bros page for Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Sage, players will be able to access all of them right away and play "in any order they choose. They can direct where to go and how to play." This means a good amount of freedom and the chance to play through all of your favorite worlds first.
In an interview with StarWars.com, Jonathan Smith, head of production and strategic director at TT Games, said this freedom of choice "is a really important principle for us", adding, "We love stories and storytelling; but we also feel, both as gamers ourselves and with particular concern for young players driven to experimentation and change, that stories exist to be played with, however the player wants."
Play on the light or dark side of the force According to the Warner Bros page for the game, players will also have access to "hundreds of playable characters from throughout the galaxy and every era of the saga" from Luke Skywalker through to Darth Vader. Of course, this means you'll be able to choose whether to play on the light or dark side of the force.
Plenty to explore The game's official page also highlights some of the locations that players will be able to explore "such as the desert of Geonosis, to the swamps of Dagobah and the snowfields of Starkiller Base", never mind the space exploration. It will, apparently, be possible to revisit a planet at any time, too, so there's no need to worry about never seeing your favorite settings again.
Elden Ring is, finally, almost here. In just a matter of days, we'll be able to experience developer FromSoftware's trademark brand of crushing difficulty and despair once again on PC and consoles.
It's been a long time coming, too: Elden Ring was first unveiled at E3 2019, meaning it's been over two years of waiting and wailing (and likely dying in other Soulslike games). Despite a brief delay, though, we now know that Elden Ring is coming on February 25, 2022.
Elden Ring is an open-world, third-person action RPG, coming from the studio behind the Dark Souls franchise, FromSoftware, in collaboration with Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin. That’s a pretty exciting creative partnership and from the trailers and screenshots we’ve seen so far, we’re expecting a mix of Dark Souls, Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, with influences from myths and legends all over the world.
We know quite a bit about Elden Ring ahead of its release, from its expected file size on PS5 to how the stunning visuals of the Demon's Souls PS5 remake forced a rethink from the development team. So if you're wanting to brush up on all the juicy details before you get your hands on what's set to be one of the biggest games of 2022, then you're in the right place. Read on for everything we know so far about Elden Ring.
[Update:We now have the PC system requirements for Elden Ring. Read on to find out more.]
Elden Ring: cut to the chase
What is it? An open-world action RPG from the studio behind Dark Souls
When can I play it? February 25, 2022
What can I play it on? Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Initially, Elden Ring was due to release on January 21, 2022 but, in October 2021, developer FromSoftware announced that the game was delayed until February 25 "as the depth & strategic freedom of the game exceeded initial expectations".
Elden Ring pre-orders
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring pre-orders are live right now for all platforms. There are several editions of Elden Ring available for pre-order: Standard, Launch, Deluxe, Collector's and Premium Collector's. All editions include an adventure guide and "The Ring" gesture as a pre-order bonus.
The Standard Edition of Elden Ring costs $49.99 /$59.99 / AU$99.95, the Launch Edition costs £54.99 / $59.99 / AU$109.95, the Deluxe Edition costs £64.99 / $69.99, AU$129.95 the Collector's Edition costs £169.99 / $189.99 / AU$379 and the Premium Collector's Edition costs £229.99 / $259.99 (roughly AU$400).
The handy guide below tells you what comes in each edition, so you can compare and decide which is best for you. However, it's worth noting that the Collector's and Premium Collector's editions are sold out at most retailers.
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Below, you'll find links to Elden Ring pre-orders.
Elden Ring trailers
Elden Ring story trailer A new Elden Ring story trailer was shown during The Game Awards 2021, which provided players with some more details of the game's narrative, written by Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin.
Elden Ring Gameplay Preview On November 4, 2021, we were treated to a new gameplay preview of Elden Ring, which gave us the biggest look yet at the fundamentals of the game. A lot was covered in the preview, including various mixes of horseback, on-foot and stealth-based combat.
Alongside that was some light exploration of the open world, showing off how level design affords the player options in how they want to approach any given area. We also got a brief look at smaller and major dungeons that populate the world, which are loaded with loot, enemies, traps and of course, boss encounters.
Reveal trailer The Elden Ring reveal trailer was shown during the Summer Game Fest: Kickoff Live showcase. The trailer gives us our best look yet at the world George R.R. Martin and FromSoftware have cooked up: and it's pretty dark. The trailer features grotesquely unique mythical creatures, werewolves, moving pots, mounted combat and epic battles. Check it out below:
Announcement trailer The announcement trailer for Elden Ring didn't give away anything in terms of gameplay, but with more than one sword shown, and a spear and hammer given screen time, it looks like it will be as melee-focused as FromSoftware's past games. Check it out below:
Elden Ring story
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring is set in the Lands Between, a name invented by George R.R. Martin. Miyazaki told IGN, that the name is meant "supposed to invoke this feeling of something that's very mysterious and very ethereal".
But what's Elden Ring's story? Here's Elden Ring's story outline, according to a press release from Bandai Namco:
"The Golden Order has been broken. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between.
"In the Lands Between ruled by Queen Marika the Eternal, the Elden Ring, the source of the Erdtree, has been shattered. Marika's offspring, demigods all, claimed the shards of the Elden Ring known as the Great Runes, and the mad taint of their newfound strength triggered a war: The Shattering. A war that meant abandonment by the Greater Will. And now the guidance of grace will be brought to the Tarnished who were spurned by the grace of gold and exiled from the Lands Between. Ye dead who yet live, your grace long lost, follow the path to the Lands Between beyond the foggy sea to stand before the Elden Ring.
"And become the Elden Lord."
But what does that all mean? Miyazaki has explained that the Lands Between were previously blessed by the Elden Ring, with the Erdtree symbolizing the presence of the Elden Ring. The presence of the Elden Ring gave a blessing to those living in the Lands Between, with those who were blessed being identifiable by a golden light that's seen in their eyes.
However, over time, there were those who lost this blessing and the light diminished from their eyes, resulting in them - and their ancestors - having being exiled from the land. But when the Elden Ring is shattered in a "historical event", the land and its inhabitants lose the blessing, with the Tarnished being guided back to the Land Between. This is apparently where Elden Ring begins, with players taking on the role of a Tarnished.
Bandai Namco has revealed that players will "encounter adversaries with profound backgrounds, characters with their own unique motivations for helping or hindering your progress, and fearsome creatures" and that "players will choose the fate of this cursed land by unraveling its secrets and myths."
Elden Ring setting
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Open-world action RPG Elden Ring is set to be FromSoftware's biggest game yet, with clear Norse mythology influences and gameplay similar to Dark Souls.
"However, that doesn’t mean that it plays out in the same way," director Miyazaki told IGN. "With a more open and vast environment, the way combat plays out becomes fundamentally different.”
A press release for Elden Ring states that the open-world RPG will feature "fantastical landscapes" and "shadowy complex dungeons that are connected seamlessly." Players will cross "grassy plains, suffocating swamps and lush forests" as they explore the Lands Between. In addition, on your quest to become the Elden Lord, you will "ascend spiraling mountains, enter breathtaking castles, and witness other sites of grandeur on a scale never seen before in a FromSoftware title."
Speaking with IGN, following Elden Ring's reveal, Hidetaka Miyazaki explained there are six distinct regions in the game, each ruled by a demigod that has "inherited the mad tainted power of the Elden Ring once it shattered". And while there's an "apparent" order to go through the regions, players aren't technically required to do so.
“We wanted to give a free level of progression and exploration through the Lands Between, so there’s a lot of different ways," Miyazaki said. "You won’t be able to access everything from the start, but there are a lot of different ways you can approach each area. And there’s a lot of freedom as to which order you tackle different areas as well".
There's going to be a "hub" connecting these six regions, similar to how Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls served as a central connecting point for the different interconnecting pathways.
You'll be able to traverse the Lands Between on foot or on horseback, with an option to play online with up to three other players. In addition, the world features natural weather cycles and time-of-day progression as well as fast-travel.
Elden Ring gameplay and combat
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring will allow you to customize your character, rather than having a set protagonist.
Miyazaki told Xbox Wire that Elden Ring "puts more focus on RPG elements" than FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which Miyazaki described as having "a heavy focus on action".
"Of course, we are not shying away from the fun of responsive melee-based combat, and these elements will be present as well," Miyazaki said.
Elden Ring will let players experiment with a variety of weapons, magic and other skills found throughout the world, with an aim to giving you more control over your playstyle. It's up to players whether they want to go charging into battles or to take a more stealthy approach, with the option to call upon allies for aid also available - you can even summon the spirits of deceased enemies and use them as allies in battles. This choice also extends to exploration.
"Along with this new vast world, we have created a number of new action systems and game systems to enhance this, and to go hand-in-hand with the vast new world," Miyazaki told IGN. "For instance, the player can jump now, you can ride on horseback, and there's a number of new additions to combat, which just raise the level of freedom higher than our previous games. And it all matches with the sense of scale of the world itself."
Players will also be able to customize and craft items using resources found in the world - there will also be a stamina bar in the game, though this is set to have "less influence" than in previous titles from the developer. According to Miyazaki, there will also be more health resources available than in previous FromSoftware games as players will be "fighting for a longer time than before".
On the official Elden Ring page on Bandai Namco's website, the publisher explains the breadth of choice that will be available to players in terms of exploration and approaching combat. Apparently, it’ll be possible to use the environment, the weather and even the time of day to your advantage in battle. Players will also be able to experiment with “dozens of skills” to find out what suits them best, use stealth to take enemies by surprise and master arcane spells.
“Ultimately,” the page says, “your journey will be defined by the strength of your own ambition. The greater your goals, the greater the challenge will be.”
Miyazaki has also emphasized that FromSoftware wants to retain a sense of progression and flow in Elden Ring - but confirmed that the title will feature permadeath. Speaking on how Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice's resurrection system helped the game retain a sense of rhythm, Miyazaki said:
"We have a couple of elements in Elden Ring, which come from a similar kind of breed. Something that will keep them going and keep them encouraged to explore further. But you won't be able to resurrect in this game."
Elden Ring news and rumors
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
PC system requirements
The official PC requirements for Elden Ring have been revealed via the game’s Twitter account. You can find the minimum and recommended specifications listed below.
FromSoftware has revealed two more of the playable classes that will feature in Elden Ring: the Confessor and the Samurai. The Confessor is described as “a church spy adept at covert operations. Equally adept with a sword as they are with their incantations.” The Samurai, on the other hand, is “a capable fighter from the distant Land of Reeds. Handy with katana and longbows.”
CONFESSOR: A church spy adept at covert operations. Equally adept with a sword as they are with their incantations.SAMURAI: A capable fighter from the distant Land of Reeds. Handy with katana and longbows.Pre-Order #ELDENRING: https://t.co/PTkxSAMqvh pic.twitter.com/OkdCYsGPZUFebruary 15, 2022
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These classes join the previously confirmed Hero, Bandit, Astrologer, Warrior, Prisoner, Wretch, Vagabond and Prophet classes.
Yes, there will be poison swamps
Poison swamps aren’t for everyone—particularly those with previous experience playing FromSoftware titles—but Hidetaka Miyazaki has confirmed that they’ll be present in Elden Ring. Speaking in an interview with Game Informer, Miyazaki said, “In terms of how the player feels when they encounter this area that is a different story. But when making the game I rediscovered my love for making poison swamps. I know how people feel about them, but you know, suddenly I realize I'm in the middle of making one and I just can't help myself. It just happens.”
Miyazaki revealed there’s something called “Scarlet Rot” in the world of Elden Ring and said it’s “something that is separate a little bit from poison or toxicity” but otherwise remains something of a mystery.
George R.R. Martin might be "shocked"
Elden Ring director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, has said that George R.R. Martin might be “shocked” by what he has done with some of the characters Martin wrote for the game. Speaking in an interview with Game Informer, Miyakazi said, “When Martin wrote these characters, and when he provided that origin story, that mythos for the world of Elden Ring, these demigods were much closer to their original form, and maybe closer to human form back then, before the Shattering, before it all started.”
"So it was more up to us to interpret this and say, ‘how did they become such inhuman monsters," continued Miyazaki. "'And how did the mad taint of the shattered shards of the Elden Ring and its power affect them?’ So that was our job to take these grand heroes and sort of misshape them and distort them into something they were not.”
“And I think if we get a chance to show Martin and if he gets a chance to see the game and see these characters, I think he might be a bit shocked. When he wrote them, he was really envisioning something a little bit more human, a little bit more traditional human drama and fantasy characters. So I hope he gets a kick out of that.”
A blend of Souls and Sekiro-style storytelling When interviewed by the official PlayStation blog, Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki was asked how FromSoftware's previous game, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, impacted the development of Elden Ring. His answer was actually pretty interesting.
"I’d have to say that, considering Sekiro’s development overlapped with Elden Ring’s to an extent, there’s nothing that directly came through from that project. But there were several indirect examples there," Miyazaki explained. For instance, the enemy stance break mechanic in Elden Ring is similar toSekiro’ssuccessful posture system. We even referenced Sekiro’s player traversal for the horse mounting system and how you traverse the map in Elden Ring."
Miyazaki added that Elden Ring's style of storytelling will also feature a blend of Sekiro's more upfront character drama, mixed with the Souls-style "fragmented narrative" that offers players vague clues within item descriptions and the environment, allowing us to piece together the events of the game ourselves.
Miyazaki's recommended starting class? Once again in the official PlayStation blog interview, director Hidetaka Miyazaki was questioned on which starting class he thinks would be perfect for beginners. A humorous response ensued:
"As for a starting class, it’s entirely up to the player," he said. "It’s an RPG, and they can approach it however they like and choose whichever looks the coolest to them. But I would recommend against choosing the naked one (known as the Wretch). As before,it’s probably the most difficult starting class!"
Previous Soulsborne entries have occasionally featured a deliberately difficult starting class - Dark Souls' Deprived, for example - who wears absolutely nothing but a loincloth and typically starts with wanting stats and a mediocre weapon. It's great to see a similar option persist in Elden Ring, but we would also advise against choosing the Wretch if it's your first time!
New Game Plus and multiple endings returning Confirmed in the official PlayStation blog interview linked above, two Soulsborne staples are returning in Elden Ring, those being multiple endings present at the conclusion of the adventure, as well as New Game Plus. It's unclear as to what benefits and restrictions New Game Plus will feature in Elden Ring, but typically, the mode lets players carry over their weapons, gear, most items (barring progression-focused key items), level and stats.
We imagine that'll mostly be intact in Elden Ring. We'd also love to see a Dark Souls 2 style of New Game Plus. This game specifically spiced up the extra mode by adding in new items and enemies in certain locations, making it well worth a second playthrough.
Less stressful than Sekiro and Bloodborne? In an interview at the Taipei Game Show 2022 (via IGN), Elden Ring producer Yasuhiro Kitao went to great lengths to explain how relatively low-stress the game will be compared to FromSoftware's previous Soulsborne entries.
"With the game's world being so large, that can produce real depth and breadth of enjoyment, but it can also lead to unnecessary stress for some players," said Kitao. "The dev team has been very careful to avoid that where possible."
Interviewer Misuzu Araki added that this was understandable: "With battle already being fairly difficult, I can understand wanting to reduce stress elsewhere." Kitao agreed, adding "especially as the enemies are so strong."
While Elden Ring will maintain most if not all of the crushing difficulty From's games are known for, elements such as traversal in the open world have been dialed back to ensure the game is tough in all the right places.
"Horses provide a stress-free method of traveling across the long distances the player needs to travel in the game."
Kitao also suggested that air currents exist for that same reason – to provide players an easy way to ascend cliffs with ease: "That system was introduced as a means of quickly and enjoyably moving vertically upward in order to explore those higher areas."
Wheel of Time author isn't pleased with George R.R. Martin's involvement In a recent Q&A, Brandon Sanderson, the bestselling author behind the Mistborn and Wheel of Time series, expressed his disappointment that George R.R. Martin was asked to write the lore of Elden Ring, rather than a fantasy author more familiar with the developer’s previous work, such as himself.
“Let me be salty,” Sanderson said. “FromSoftware decides to make a fantasy game and partner with a fantasy novelist, and they choose someone who spends his days blogging about the NFL rather than the person who has played their games since King’s Field and has listed their games as among his top 10 consistently over time.”
“What are you thinking people,” he adds, rather tongue-in-cheek. “They went to George and made a game with George, and I’m like, George doesn’t play video games. George has no idea.”
Sanderson is currently working on a secret video game project that seemingly saw him turning down an opportunity to write the lore of Square Enix's upcoming game Forspoken.
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Character creator leak In January 2022, Elden Ring’s character creation system leaked online via a recent closed network test, giving us a glimpse of the customization features that will be included in FromSoftware’s upcoming game.
Recorded by YouTuber ER-SA, a six-minute video (which has since been removed) shows the character creation screen in action. Although the system looks incomplete, with many of its toggles and sliders left blank or unlabelled, ER-SA is able to edit every one of them to change the appearance of their character in-game. The video gives a good indication of the system’s breadth.
As well as a range of hairstyles and facial features to pick from, the basic bone structure of your character can be tweaked for some pretty radical results. Mouth, nose, and eye size can also be changed, and combined into realistic designs or fairly grotesque positions.
(Image credit: FromSoftware / ER-SA)
A range of influences Speaking to Edge Magazine, Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki has cited “The Lord Of The Rings, The Eternal Champion series of novels by Michael Moorcock, aspects of tabletop RPGs such as RuneQuest, etc,“ as influences on the game. ”There are a lot of motifs and themes that I was able to pick from these various works that had an effect on the development of Elden Ring,“ he said, elsewhere in the interview calling Elden Ring “close to my ideal game.”
Demon's Souls Remake raised the bar In an interview with Edge magazine, Hidetaka Miyazaki spoke of the impact that the stunning PS5 remake of Demon's Souls had on the development of Elden Ring.
Interestingly, it appears that Miyazaki hasn't played the recent remake – "because I just don’t enjoy playing the games that I’ve made in the past. It brings up a lot of old emotions, a lot of old memories, and this gets a little bit overwhelming, and it doesn’t feel like playing any more. So I have not played the Demon’s remake, but I am very glad to see it get this fresh look, these brand-new current-gen graphics."
It sounds like the great work that Bluepoint Games did on remaking the game really lit the fire under FromSoftware's graphics department, too.
"I’m pretty sure our graphics-creation staff felt that pressure more than anyone else," he added. "And not just with Elden Ring, but with all the games we make. Graphical fidelity is not something we put as the top priority. What we ask for on the graphics side depends on the systems and requirements of the game itself, and it takes less priority compared to the other elements of development."
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Preload date and file size for PS5? Elden Ring's preload date and file size on PS5 might have been revealed two months ahead of its release date. The PlayStation Game Size Twitter account discovered an entry for Elden Ring in the Sony database and claims that the game will be 44GB on PS5 without a day one patch (if there is one at all).
Preload is listed to begin on February 23, two days ahead of launch. That's got to be pleasantly surprising news for those who had been worried Elden Ring would take up a chunk of their hard drive.
Look out for spoilers Elden Ring spoilers are making the rounds online so we recommend you stay on high alert if you don't want to know too much before launch.
You won't find any of these spoilers here but, according to PCGamesN, data miners have uncovered (and shared) thousands of voice lines and plot details that give away Elden Ring's endgame.
In terms of how this information has been acquired, it's believed to have come about from recent hacking exploits that have made the PlayStation 4 easier to jailbreak, which were reported on by The Verge. This led to hackers accessing data related to Elden Ring's network test, which contained the now-leaked files.
George RR Martin's praise George RR Martin has shed a little light on his involvement in the creation of Elden Ring in a new blog post. According to Martin, Hidetaka Miyazaki and his team reached out “many years ago" to get him involved. Martin has previously said that his work on the game finished up a long time ago but he's still looking forward to it, writing, “I’ve got to say, it looks incredible.”
New Artwork Following the release of Elden Ring's story trailer at The Game Awards, new character artwork was shared on the game's official Twitter account alongside some images taken from the trailer.
His memory still towers over the Lands Between. #ELDENRING pic.twitter.com/1eyxS3RmxZDecember 15, 2021
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Performance modes confirmed Bandai Namco has provided some additional details on what players can expect from Elden Ring in terms of framerate and resolution, in addition to confirming that ray tracing support will be patched in for the latest-gen consoles and PC at a future date.
On PC, the game will support resolutions up to full 4K (3840x2160p), and framerates up to 60fps. PS5 players will get two modes, one prioritizing resolution and the other prioritizing performance. The first limits the framerate to 30fps at 4K while the latter targets 60fps, adjusting resolution and load balance to do so. Xbox Series X and S will also offer performance modes hitting 60fps but it's only Series X that will achieve 4K, with Series S hitting a lower 1440p resolution. Last-gen consoles will run at 30fps.
The page also promises full cross-gen compatibility within console families, saying "the game can be ported between both generations and the save data can be transferred." There are some limits on PlayStation though—while the PS4 version can be ported to PS5 and the save data can be transferred to the newest generation, "the PS5 version cannot be ported to PS4."
Could still look amazing even on older consoles Based on some apparent leaked footage, it looks like Elden Ring could look great on older consoles as well as the latest generation. The alleged footage from the game shows Elden Ring running on what is said to be an Xbox One-generation console – likely an Xbox One X, given the solid framerate.
Posted by Gamebeat’s Jeff Grub to his Twitter page, it shows the player character standing on a cliff edge, with a huge glowing tree behind them. The camera spins around to show a distant city across a large open plain, while a few eagles fly away as the player approaches them, feathers fluttering to the ground as they take off.
Alleged Elden Ring footage from xbox One. pic.twitter.com/uaGbogXBrBOctober 16, 2021
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According to a follow up from The Washington Post’s Gene Park, this isn’t footage from a recent press showing either, suggesting that this is indeed a clip from the near-final game build.
In the “final stages of development” During a chat with Famitsu as part of Tokyo Game Show (via PCGamer) in October 2021, the game’s producer Yasuhiro Kitao revealed that development is “moving forward quietly” and has entered the “final stages of development”.
Kitao also revealed some other interesting tidbits about the game, including that it’s got a “very unusual map structure” with things that players haven’t seen in a FromSoftware game before. Apparently, there’ll be no errand quests on the open map but it’s “a system that lets you go anywhere you want, but also tells you when you're in trouble.” To help find your way around, you’ll also be able to collect map fragments which allow you to mark your way with a beam of light in the sky.
Gamescom screenshots New screenshots from Elden Ring were been posted online following a behind-closed-doors gameplay screening during Gamescom 2021. Geoff Keighley posted the images to Twitter, giving a fresh look at mounted combat and some of the incredible creatures players will encounter in the game.
Surprise! Here are new images from @ELDENRING I promised #gamescom wasn't over yet...Earlier this week @fromsoftware_pr kindly showed me and a few others over 16 minutes of raw gameplay footage on PC. Game is on track for January 21, 2022 release. The Godrick boss fight 😯 pic.twitter.com/KgwC5U8te5August 27, 2021
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Elden Ring Steam page appears Elden Ring has appeared on Steam with its own page, confirming resolutely that the game won't be an Epic Games Store exclusive. Though it doesn’t give much more away about the game —no system requirements just yet, unfortunately — it does describe the game’s “multilayered story told in fragments” and the ability to “freely combine the weapons, armor, and magic that you equip” as well as the option to “develop your character according to your play style, such as increasing your muscle strength to become a strong warrior, or mastering magic.”
The page also confirms the game’s online multiplayer elements “where you can directly connect with other players and travel together” with an option to enjoy “a unique asynchronous online element that allows you to feel the presence of others.”
Support for VR headset and PSVR controllers The Elden Ring PlayStation Store listing states that the game is compatible with VR headsets and PSVR aim controllers, but specifies that it does not support PlayStation VR. So, while we know that Elden Ring won't release on PSVR any time soon, it does have compatibility with VR headsets, suggesting that the compatibility is there if FromSoftware wanted to bring the game to PC VR in the future.
Elden Ring PS Store Info #PS4 #PS5:✅ PS Plus required for online play✅ Supports up to 4 online players✅❗️VR headset enabled ✅❗️PS VR aim controller enabled https://t.co/Z8UNs46YK2 pic.twitter.com/9vDZzKmr9KAugust 6, 2021
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“Very difficult but can be handled” Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki touched on the game's difficulty in an interview with Japanese magazine Famitsu (via GamesRadar). According to Miyazaki, FromSoftware is making the game difficult, as difficult as Dark Souls 3, while giving players a range of ways to overcome the difficulties, saying it’s a game that's “very difficult, but it can be handled.” This means there won’t be traditional difficulty settings but players will find features that may help to mitigate difficulty, from character customization, to co-op play, to greater freedom of choice in combat and exploration.
George R.R. Martin’s work finished up years ago George R.R. Martin has revealed that his role in the development of Elden Ring was actually done years ago. Speaking to WTTW News Chicago, the Game of Thrones creator said that, from him, FromSoftware “wanted a world created to set the game in.”
"World building is a big factor in fantasy and science fiction,“ he explains, ”You’re not only talking characters and the plot, but the setting is almost as important as everything else: Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, Robert E. Howard’s Hyborian Age, the foundation universe of Isaac Asimov.”
Martin says he “worked up a fairly detailed background for them” and that the developer “took it from there.” As a result, his “work on it was actually done years ago. These games, they’re like movies, they take a long time to develop.”
After this, Martin only saw occasional glimpses of the game and says he is "as excited as anyone else to see it."
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Extra materials
It's possible we could see spin-off Elden Ring material in the future, with Bandai Namco President Yasuo Miyakawa saying: "We will continue to develop Elden Ring not only as a game but also in a variety of other areas in order to deliver the worldview and charm of this title to our fans around the world."
Multiplayer A press release for Elden Ring states that you can explore the world "alone or online with friends", in addition, the release says that Elden Ring can be played with "1-4 players". It's unclear whether this multiplayer will take the same form as Bloodborne, where you can beckon other players to help you out or whether we'll be able to freely team up with friends.
Smart Delivery and free upgrade Elden Ring supports Smart Delivery on Xbox consoles as well as a free upgrade to PS5 for players who purchase the PS4 version. Players who purchase the physical disc version of the game cannot upgrade on the PS5 Digital Edition, due to the lack of hard drive, while players who purchase the digital version for PS5 on the PlayStation Store can also download the PS4 at no additional cost. Those who buy the game once on either Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S, can play across both console generations.
What's with the name? The name 'Elden Ring' is apparently a mysterious concept that defines the game world itself. One of the key themes of the action RPG is that the Elden Ring has been shattered, but it remains a mystery exactly what that means for the game's narrative.
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
George R.R. Martin has written the "overarching mythos" Miyazaki revealed that the George R.R.Martin collaboration came about as the developer is a huge fan of Martin's work. This collaboration has resulted in Martin writing the "overarching mythos" of Elden Ring.
"The actual collaboration itself begun with Mr. Martin ever so politely confirming what sorts of themes, ideas as well as many game-related aspects I had envisioned for the game," Miyazaki told Xbox Wire. "This allowed us to have many free and creative conversations regarding the game, in which Mr. Martin later used as a base to write the overarching mythos for the game world itself.
"This mythos proved to be full of interesting characters and drama along with a plethora of mystical and mysterious elements as well. It was a wonderful source of stimulus for me and the development staff.
"Elden Ring’s world was constructed using this mythos and stimulus as a base."
Development started after Dark Souls 3 DLC In an interview with Xbox Wire, Miyazaki revealed that Elden Ring development began just after Dark Souls 3 DLC development has ended. The second and final Darks Souls DLC, The Ringed City, was released in 2017.
"At the time, Elden Ring was being planned as a more classic fantasy title compared to others that were either being considered or already in the early stages of development," Miyazaki said.
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
More variety than previous FromSoftware games When asked by Xbox Wire whether Elden Ring will be as challenging as previous FromSoftware games, Miyazaki said:
"Yes, I do. The importance we place on the joy the player experiences through overcoming challenges will be the same as it is in our other titles. I believe it will prove to be a very satisfying experience.
"Earlier I had said that this title focuses more heavily on RPG elements. This title will include a wide variety of weapons, magic, and ways to engage enemies, that make it possible to provide users with a style of gameplay and strategy that suits them.
"Even when compared to the Dark Souls series, I believe this title will provide even more variety in the ways for players to overcome challenges and tweak their tactics when facing enemies."
Phil Spencer has played Elden Ring Speaking to GameSpot, Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed that he's been playing Elden Ring and thinks its Miyazaki's "most ambitious game" yet.
"As somebody who's played all of Miyazaki's games over at least the last decade, this is clearly the most ambitious game that he's done," Spencer said. "I mean, I love his games, but seeing some of the gameplay mechanics stuff that he's tackling, he and the team are tackling this time, of the setting, working with another creator in terms of story. I love it."
Biggest FromSoftware game yet Speaking to Xbox Wire, Miyazaki explained that one of the big differences Elden Ring has from FromSoftware's previous titles is its sheer size.
"If I were to put aside the world full of fresh stimulus thanks to our collaboration with Mr. Martin, I would have to say the biggest difference is it being open world," Miyazaki said.
"Due to this, the scale of the world and its narrative, as well as the depth and freedom of exploration have increased dramatically. It is without a doubt our biggest title yet in terms of sheer volume."
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A Saints Row reboot is in development and, after a slight delay, we’ll be playing it later this year.
The first original game in the series since 2013’s Saints Row 4, the new Saints Row looks like it’s going to pay homage to the tongue-in-cheek, off-the-wall elements for which the series has become famous, while keeping things fresh enough to feel like a reboot rather than a strict sequel.
Originally expected to release in February 2022, the game has since been pushed back six months and now has an August release, with developer Volition explaining that “due to the size and scope of our new Saints Row, it’s become apparent that to create the best game possible, we need to give our team longer to perfect their craft.”
As a series that’s known for defying convention, we’re looking forward to seeing more from what we can expect from Saints Row as the year goes on. In the meantime, keep reading to find out everything we know about the game so far.
Saints Row reboot: cut to the chase
What is it? A reboot of Saints Row
When can I play it? August 23, 2022
What can I play it on? PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Saints Row was meant to release on February 25, 2022, but developer Volition announced in November 2021 that the reboot had been delayed to allow for extra development time.
"Our priority is to create the best Saints Row game yet and, if we released on the original date, it wouldn’t be up to the standards we’ve set ourselves, and that you’re expecting and deserve," Jim Boone, Chief Creative Officer of Volition stated in a press release. "The team just need more time to do our vision justice; we’re doing some fine tuning and there won’t be much change in the game outside of overall quality and polish.
"In all honesty, we underestimated the impact COVID would have on our schedule, although everyone adapted very quickly to the working from home arrangement and continued to be incredibly productive.
"However, due to the size and scope of our new Saints Row, it’s become apparent that to create the best game possible, we need to give our team longer to perfect their craft."
Saints Row trailers
Want to see all the Saints Row reboot trailers in one place? We’re rounding up every trailer for the game so you don’t have to waste your time scouring the internet to find them all.
Saints Row - The Game Awards 2021 gameplay trailer We've been given another glimpse at Saints Row, as a new gameplay trailer was released during The Game Awards 2021. The trailer shows off some of the game's customization options, combat, and typical bonkers moments the series is famed for.d
Saints Row criminal ventures Learn how you can build your empire in Saints Row. You'll take your gang from upstarts to running a criminal empire, and you'll get to choose how you do it. Check out the new trailer below.
Saints Row Districts of Santo Ilesco Check out the city of Santo Ilesco in the latest Saints Row trailer. You can see some of the districts and territories that the three factions control below.
Saints Row Official Announce Trailer A beautiful CGI announcement trailer for Saints Row was revealed during Gamescom 2021, showing the types of antics you'll be getting up to when the game arrives in 2022. Check it out below.
What is Saints Row?
(Image credit: Deep Silver)
Saints Row started off as a fairly straight bat competitor to Rockstar’s colossal Grand Theft Auto series. Released in 2006, Saints Row was an Xbox 360 exclusive, though the game’s sequel, Saints Row 2, did make its way to PlayStation 3.
Both games were perhaps unfairly labeled as GTA clones, which led to developer Volition ripping up the rulebook for Saints Row: The Third. The move to being as daft as feasibly possible was generally well-received, particularly as there’s a growing number of gamers who miss the days when Grand Theft Auto didn’t take itself so seriously. The decision to let loose at least helped Saints Row carve out its own audience, and avoid further comparisons with Rockstar’s iconic series.
Saints Row reboot gameplay and setting
(Image credit: Deep Silver)
The Saints Row reboot seems to use the original game as a very loose blueprint, and sprinkles over some wacky touches to inject some more fun and vibrancy into the overly serious first game. Expect a lot of crude jokes, unthinkable weaponry and a general tendency to turn things up all the way to 11.
The Saints Row franchise has taken players to the depths of hell, given us superpowers and giant foam heads, but now we know the game will take place in an entirely new city: Santo Ileso (set in the America southwest).
Rather than starting as a kingpin, the Saints Row reboot sees players on the role of custom character "The Boss", who teams up with three unhappy friends/gang members, Kevin (a DJ), Neenah (a mechanic), and Eli (the entrepreneur), to start their own criminal empire. The Saints, as the gang is known, is formed with the aim of taking control from the Santo Ileso's currently residing gangs.
Santo Ileso is controlled by three main criminal gangs: Los Panteros (gas monkey fitness fanatics), The Idols (the party gang) and Marshall Defense Industries (a private military corporation). The city itself is broken up into nine districts, which The Saints will aim to gain control of throughout the game, with districts including gambling casino El Dorado and rural town Rancho Providencio.
As you secure districts, you'll be able to set up criminal businesses (with legitimate fronts, obviously) to help finance your gang. But Saints Row isn't all about business, you'll also be able to utilize a selection of weapons and vehicles to make your climb to the top of the criminal ladder as enjoyable as possible. Expect a more comprehensive create-a-character option than what was available before, too, and all-new missions and side quests to complete.
In addition to playing solo, you'll also be able to play Saints Row multiplayer, with drop-in drop-out co-op multiplayer also available.
Developer Volition promises that the Saints Row reboot will be the "biggest and best Saints Row playground ever created" and that the world of Santo Ileso is the perfect place for "criminal ventures and blockbuster missions, as you shoot, drive, and wingsuit your way to the top".
Saints Row reboot news and rumors
(Image credit: Deep Silver)
Want to know the latest Saints Row reboot news? You’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find all the biggest announcements about the Saints Row reboot that you won’t want to miss, so make sure you check back regularly to stay up to date.
Crossplay co-op Volition has confirmed that the Saints Row reboot will include "cooperative play across console generations", meaning that those on PS4 should still be able to play with those on PS5 and vice versa.
A brand new story, but some Easter Eggs Volition has confirmed that the Saints Row reboot features a brand new story, that doesn't fit chronologically with any other games in the series, but the developer has hinted the new game could include some Easter Eggs for previous titles.
"We have little nods here and there to some of our previous mascots and things like that, but it is a brand new story," Jim Boone, Volition's COO, told Polygon.
Grounded but outrageous
In the same interview with Polygon, Jeremy Bernstein, Saints Row's lead mission narrative designer, explained that the Saints Row reboot is more "grounded" than its predecessor, but that doesn't mean the game will be too straight-laced.
“While this is a more grounded game than Saints Row 4, it’s hard not to be a more grounded game than Saints Row 4, honestly,” said Bernstein told Polygon. But, "We’re still going to have outrageous antics; we’re still going to have lots of fun. This is not a grimdark Saints Row."
Cars as weapons The Saints Row reboot takes inspiration from films such as John Wick, Baby Driver and Hobbs & Shaw. This inspiration influenced how vehicular combat is approached in the new game and led to the decision to remove cruise control.
"We did spend a lot of time with a driving model to try to make it as drivable as possible," Boone told Polygon. "You will still be able to fire out the window like you could in previous games, but we’ve gone a different route in terms of the way the car combat works. You’re using the car more as a weapon in Saints Rowthan you are using your firearms. As a result of that, we didn’t feel like we needed to try to come up with that cruise control mechanic from the past."
Saints Row reboot website is live A website for the Saints Row reboot is now live, and shows a brick wall covered in various graffiti. The most prominent piece of spray-can art can be found in the middle of the wall, and says “rebooting”. It doesn’t take a detective to figure out, then, that we’re getting a Saints Row reboot.
