Apple has released iOS 14.5 for public beta testers today. Per The Verge, the most exciting feature in terms of gaming is controller support for the PlayStation 5’s DualSense and the Xbox Series X controller. 

There’s no confirmation on when the update will go live for everyone, but iOS 14.5 allows users to use the new-gen controllers for the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS. This is on top of the existing support of the last-gen controllers. While it might not be the most exciting news for some, having more controller options for mobile gaming (specifically for Apple Arcade) is always welcomed, not to mention getting extra mileage out of your kind-of-expensive gamepads. The new consoles have gradually found support outside of their platforms; for example, both controllers recently became playable on Nvidia's Shield TV for Android. 

iOS 14.5 will also introduce App Tracking Transparency, the ability to use FaceID while wearing a mask to unlock your phone, AirPlay 2 support with Apple Fitness+, among other features. Apple doesn't generally intermingle much with Microsoft and Sony, so it's nice to see the bridges extended like this as well as other examples, such as Apple TV’s presence in both the PS5 and Xbox app stores. What do you think of the iOS update and how do you plan to use the controllers in your mobile gaming? Let us know down in the comments.

[Source: The Verge]

If you missed out on the Yakuza spinoff Judgment when it hit PlayStation 4 in 2019, you’ll soon have another chance to check out the detective thriller. Sega has announced that a remastered version of Ryo Ga Gotoku Studio’s game will be coming not only to PlayStation 5 but also the Xbox Series X/S and Google Stadia on April 23.

Judgment is getting a bit of an upgrade during the transition, too, with shorter load times, 60 frames-per-second gameplay, and the inclusion of all of its previously released DLC. The re-release is priced at $39.99. A Sega representative told us there aren’t any cross-buy plans, so if you’ve already purchased the game on PlayStation 4 you’ll have to buy it again to enjoy the PlayStation 5 enhancements. 

Judgment isn’t my favorite game in the Yakuza universe, but it’s a solid entry that brings plenty of new ideas to the familiar structure. It’s set in the same Kamurocho district that longtime Yakuza fans have etched into their memory, but you don’t need to come into the game with any prior knowledge. It features a standalone story starring a down-on-his-luck investigator, Takayuki Yagami, who uses his perception and deductive reasoning to solve cases. Failing that, he’s also a pretty capable fighter.

It’s understandable that, with so many numbered entries, players who have been curious about the Yakuza series may feel a little intimidated getting started. It’s a feeling that Blake recently wrote about, too. Judgment wasn’t his top recommendation for on-boarding prospective fans (that honor goes to, unsurprisingly, Yakuza 0), but Judgment was his top third pick. It offers a nice slice of what you can expect from the mainline games – exploration, minigames, silly side stories, lengthy cutscenes, and plenty of fighting – while telling a self-contained story that’s satisfying in its own right.

Judgment’s upcoming re-release means that Xbox players will soon have access to the majority of Yakuza and Yakuza-adjacent games. The remastered versions of Yakuzas 3, 4, and 5 recently hit the console (and Game Pass), and Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is set to arrive on March 25 on Xbox and PC.  

Blizzard is celebrating 30 years of fandom glory this year and a small part of the celebratory festivities includes a first look at an impressive Helm of Domination replica. This collectible comes at a good time, considering Sylvanas destroyed it in the World of Warcraft: Shadowlands DLC.

While the in-game helmet is used to control the Scourge, this replica (seen above) just looks really cool in your house. Still, it's an impressive take on an important aspect of World of Warcraft lore and its painstakingly detailed finish makes this a worthy trophy for any hardcore fan (or a casual one, since collectibles are for everyone).

The helmet itself comes in at over 15 inches – 17 if you count the stand – and is an exact replica of the powerful WoW artifact. Forged according to the Jailer's will, the Helm of Domination was meant to be the vessel of Death's influence on Azeroth. The Nathrezim imprisoned the spirit of the orc chieftain Ner'zhul within the helm, giving the chieftan command over a vast army of undead Scourge. The fallen Prince Arthas Menethil freed the Helm from the Frozen Throne, donning it to take up the mantle of the Lich King. That was until Sylvanas Windrunner said "haha, just kidding, I'll take that."

This Blizzard-exclusive replica will be available to purchase during this year's BlizzConline virtual event on February 19 starting at 3:00 P.M. Pacific Time. To make sure to nab yours, and to learn more, you can check out Blizzard's post about the upcoming event right here. 

Though BlizzCon is doing something a little differently this year because of COVID-19 restrictions, the company is still aiming to recreate that same fan-driven and community-focused atmosphere. The virtual event will take place February 19 and 20, and promises a new look at Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 alongside a few other surprises. 

Thoughts on the Blizzard Helm of Domination replica? Too cool for Blood Elf school or a hard pass? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Fans are waiting with bated breath for any inkling of Overwatch 2 news (and they might not have to wait much longer with BlizzCon Online happening this month), but in the meantime, the Overwatch in-game event calendar presses on. Just a week removed from the Kanezaka challenge centered on Hanzo, and less than a month after the conclusion of its latest event, Winter Wonderland 2020, Overwatch players can begin getting excited for the Lunar New Year 2021 event: Year of the Ox.

As usual, fans can expect new and returning skins, emotes, voice lines, highlight intros, and sprays. Those who jump into the mix can also likely look forward to weekly challenges to unlock exclusive skins, player icons, and sprays, plus special limited-time event-specific modes; the Lunar New Year event typically revives the Capture the Flag mode in the Arcade section of the menu.

Ready for the fireworks? ?

Overwatch Year of the Ox begins Feb 4! pic.twitter.com/O0LEeqVcUG

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 1, 2021

Last year's Year of the Rat event brought new celebratory skins for Sombra (complete with a changing mask), Moira, Brigitte, Lucio, Winston, Doomfist, and Wrecking Ball, while Bastion and Soldier: 76 were the recipients of new emotes. As usual, the event also brought back all the limited-time items players may have missed out on with past Lunar New Year events at reduced gold cost. There hasn't been any word on what characters will receive new skins this time around, but Blizzard has typically begun rolling out teases every day once a new event is announced, so keep your eyes on the Overwatch social media channels in the lead up to the Year of the Ox event.

The Overwatch event celebrating the Year of the Ox runs from February 4 to February 25.