Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will land on March 21

It's been quite some time coming, but Activision has at long last revealed when Call of Duty fans can drop into a mobile version of its battle royale spin-off Warzone. The publisher previously said the game would arrive properly this spring after a period of limited release in certain territories. In fact, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will land on the third day of spring, March 21. That's just over two years after Activision announced the free-to-play mobile title.

Two battle royale maps will be available at the outset: original Warzone locale Verdansk and Rebirth Island. Verdansk supports up to 120 players across iOS and Android. If you get eliminated, you'll get another chance to rejoin the fray if you win a duel in the gulag. Rebirth Island is a smaller map that hosts a maximum of 48 players. Instead of heading to the gulag after dying, you'll respawn as long as one of your teammates is still alive. 

Several classic CoD multiplayer modes will be available in Warzone Mobile too. You'll be able to hop into the likes of Team Deathmatch, Domination, Kill Confirmed and Search & Destroy in maps including Shipment, Shoot House and Scrapyard.

Shorter multiplayer rounds could help you level up a weapon or increase your overall level when you have a few minutes to spare. Progress is shared between Warzone Mobile and the console and PC versions of Modern Warfare III and Warzone, as long as you're logged into the same Activision ID. XP you earn in Warzone Mobile will be reflected in Warzone and Modern Warfare III and vice versa. The same goes for weapon leveling and battle pass progression.

Except for a small number of exclusive bundles, most of your unlocked cosmetics and equipment will be available across all three games. If you see a Connected tag on a bundle in the Warzone Mobile store, that means those items will also be available in Modern Warfare III and Warzone should you buy them.

You'll have access to a shared friends list and chat channels so you can play with your friends and stay in contact with them. Warzone Mobile supports proximity voice chat, so you can hear noisy nearby enemies. After you score an elimination, you'll be able to hear their last words through the death chat feature too.

Activision says Warzone Mobile is deeply customizable. You'll be able to move controller inputs around the screen and tweak other parts of the user interface to your liking. You can choose from several graphics modes to focus on performance, fidelity or a mix of the two. There's controller support as well.

There's clearly a ton of interest in Warzone Mobile. Activision says the game has more than 50 million pre-registrations. If you pre-register, you'll get a few bonuses, such as a Ghost operator skin, weapon blueprints and a vinyl and emblem.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/call-of-duty-warzone-mobile-will-land-on-march-21-180026387.html?src=rss

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will land on March 21

It's been quite some time coming, but Activision has at long last revealed when Call of Duty fans can drop into a mobile version of its battle royale spin-off Warzone. The publisher previously said the game would arrive properly this spring after a period of limited release in certain territories. In fact, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will land on the third day of spring, March 21. That's just over two years after Activision announced the free-to-play mobile title.

Two battle royale maps will be available at the outset: original Warzone locale Verdansk and Rebirth Island. Verdansk supports up to 120 players across iOS and Android. If you get eliminated, you'll get another chance to rejoin the fray if you win a duel in the gulag. Rebirth Island is a smaller map that hosts a maximum of 48 players. Instead of heading to the gulag after dying, you'll respawn as long as one of your teammates is still alive. 

Several classic CoD multiplayer modes will be available in Warzone Mobile too. You'll be able to hop into the likes of Team Deathmatch, Domination, Kill Confirmed and Search & Destroy in maps including Shipment, Shoot House and Scrapyard.

Shorter multiplayer rounds could help you level up a weapon or increase your overall level when you have a few minutes to spare. Progress is shared between Warzone Mobile and the console and PC versions of Modern Warfare III and Warzone, as long as you're logged into the same Activision ID. XP you earn in Warzone Mobile will be reflected in Warzone and Modern Warfare III and vice versa. The same goes for weapon leveling and battle pass progression.

Except for a small number of exclusive bundles, most of your unlocked cosmetics and equipment will be available across all three games. If you see a Connected tag on a bundle in the Warzone Mobile store, that means those items will also be available in Modern Warfare III and Warzone should you buy them.

You'll have access to a shared friends list and chat channels so you can play with your friends and stay in contact with them. Warzone Mobile supports proximity voice chat, so you can hear noisy nearby enemies. After you score an elimination, you'll be able to hear their last words through the death chat feature too.

Activision says Warzone Mobile is deeply customizable. You'll be able to move controller inputs around the screen and tweak other parts of the user interface to your liking. You can choose from several graphics modes to focus on performance, fidelity or a mix of the two. There's controller support as well.

There's clearly a ton of interest in Warzone Mobile. Activision says the game has more than 50 million pre-registrations. If you pre-register, you'll get a few bonuses, such as a Ghost operator skin, weapon blueprints and a vinyl and emblem.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/call-of-duty-warzone-mobile-will-land-on-march-21-180026387.html?src=rss

The latest Samsung Frame smart TVs are back on sale for record-low prices

Those on the lookout for a good deal on a new TV could do worse than to consider Samsung's The Frame lineup. The latest versions of the smart TVs are currently on sale. The 50-inch model has dropped by $400 to $898 at Amazon and Walmart. That marks a record-low price for this size.

When you aren't watching a show or movie, a Frame TV displays artwork, making it look like a hanging picture instead of an ominous black mirror. It's likely to be a classy upgrade from an older TV you've been hanging onto, and one that's a neat party trick when unassuming guests see it switch into TV mode for the first time.

You can display your own collection of images and photos on the TV. In addition, you'll have the option to subscribe to Samsung's Art Store and access more than 1,400 artworks from emerging and well-known artists alike.

The latest models have an anti-reflective matte finish to add to the illusion, while the bezel is customizable and magnetic, so you can swap it out whenever you like. Samsung also attempted to reduce cable clutter by having a single tin wire that connects to an external receiver into which you might plug game consoles and/or a cable box.

Let's not forget that The Frame is a QLED 4K TV too. Samsung says it delivers 100 percent color volume and vivid images. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate and it supports Google Assistant and Alexa. It runs a variety of apps, including the likes of Apple TV+, Samsung TV Plus, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce Now, ESPN and Max — in other words, all the major streaming services and some cloud gaming options.

The Frame is available in a variety of formats, from 32 inches to a whopping 85 inches, so you're bound to find a size that fits your needs. Meanwhile, Walmart is running a broader flash sale on Samsung TVs, so if you're perhaps looking for an option with a higher refresh rate, you might be able to snap one up for a discount.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-latest-samsung-frame-smart-tvs-are-back-on-sale-for-record-low-prices-154155612.html?src=rss

The latest Samsung Frame smart TVs are back on sale for record-low prices

Those on the lookout for a good deal on a new TV could do worse than to consider Samsung's The Frame lineup. The latest versions of the smart TVs are currently on sale. The 50-inch model has dropped by $400 to $898 at Amazon and Walmart. That marks a record-low price for this size.

When you aren't watching a show or movie, a Frame TV displays artwork, making it look like a hanging picture instead of an ominous black mirror. It's likely to be a classy upgrade from an older TV you've been hanging onto, and one that's a neat party trick when unassuming guests see it switch into TV mode for the first time.

You can display your own collection of images and photos on the TV. In addition, you'll have the option to subscribe to Samsung's Art Store and access more than 1,400 artworks from emerging and well-known artists alike.

The latest models have an anti-reflective matte finish to add to the illusion, while the bezel is customizable and magnetic, so you can swap it out whenever you like. Samsung also attempted to reduce cable clutter by having a single tin wire that connects to an external receiver into which you might plug game consoles and/or a cable box.

Let's not forget that The Frame is a QLED 4K TV too. Samsung says it delivers 100 percent color volume and vivid images. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate and it supports Google Assistant and Alexa. It runs a variety of apps, including the likes of Apple TV+, Samsung TV Plus, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce Now, ESPN and Max — in other words, all the major streaming services and some cloud gaming options.

The Frame is available in a variety of formats, from 32 inches to a whopping 85 inches, so you're bound to find a size that fits your needs. Meanwhile, Walmart is running a broader flash sale on Samsung TVs, so if you're perhaps looking for an option with a higher refresh rate, you might be able to snap one up for a discount.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-latest-samsung-frame-smart-tvs-are-back-on-sale-for-record-low-prices-154155612.html?src=rss

An Apple modder added a USB-C port to the AirPods Max, and you can buy a kit to do the same

It's no secret that Apple is slowly transitioning away from the Lightning connector and embracing USB-C after the European Union forced its hand. While many accessories, the iPad and even the iPhone now use USB-C, the AirPods Max are still mired in Lightning land. However, engineer Ken Pillonel (who previously brought USB-C to the iPhone and AirPods before Apple did) has created a USB-C connector for the headphones.

Pillonel found that it was easy to knock out the Lightning connector AND leave a perfectly sized hole for a USB-C cable. Then, he designed a custom circuit board and found the right connector to make everything work. Pillonel managed to charge the AirPods Max via USB-C on the first try.

Unfortunately, wired USB-C audio isn't feasible through this mod. Pillonel notes that doing so would require a chip from Apple's own adaptor, which costs $35. At that point, you may as well just buy a USB-C headset. So, this mod is only really worthwhile if you really want to charge your AirPods Max via USB-C, meaning there's less of a reason to carry around a Lightning cable.

The AirPods Max are three years old and they're probably due for an upgrade. Any future model is likely to have a USB-C connector to comply with EU regulations. However, if you're willing to tinker with your existing headphones (or perhaps even replace a busted Lightning connector), you can download the circuit design and buy all the other parts you need. Everything's listed in the description of Pillonel's YouTube video and directions are on his website. Alternatively, you can buy a kit directly from Pillonel's store.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/an-apple-modder-added-a-usb-c-port-to-the-airpods-max-and-you-can-buy-a-kit-to-do-the-same-140018507.html?src=rss

An Apple modder added a USB-C port to the AirPods Max, and you can buy a kit to do the same

It's no secret that Apple is slowly transitioning away from the Lightning connector and embracing USB-C after the European Union forced its hand. While many accessories, the iPad and even the iPhone now use USB-C, the AirPods Max are still mired in Lightning land. However, engineer Ken Pillonel (who previously brought USB-C to the iPhone and AirPods before Apple did) has created a USB-C connector for the headphones.

Pillonel found that it was easy to knock out the Lightning connector AND leave a perfectly sized hole for a USB-C cable. Then, he designed a custom circuit board and found the right connector to make everything work. Pillonel managed to charge the AirPods Max via USB-C on the first try.

Unfortunately, wired USB-C audio isn't feasible through this mod. Pillonel notes that doing so would require a chip from Apple's own adaptor, which costs $35. At that point, you may as well just buy a USB-C headset. So, this mod is only really worthwhile if you really want to charge your AirPods Max via USB-C, meaning there's less of a reason to carry around a Lightning cable.

The AirPods Max are three years old and they're probably due for an upgrade. Any future model is likely to have a USB-C connector to comply with EU regulations. However, if you're willing to tinker with your existing headphones (or perhaps even replace a busted Lightning connector), you can download the circuit design and buy all the other parts you need. Everything's listed in the description of Pillonel's YouTube video and directions are on his website. Alternatively, you can buy a kit directly from Pillonel's store.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/an-apple-modder-added-a-usb-c-port-to-the-airpods-max-and-you-can-buy-a-kit-to-do-the-same-140018507.html?src=rss

Former Call of Duty designer to lead new NetEase studio

It's been a bleak year so far for the gaming industry, between mass layoffs, projects getting canceled and studios shutting down. There are some specks of light in the darkness, though, thanks to a few surprise hits like Palworld and Helldivers 2, while there are still some studios opening up. One of those is BulletFarm, a nascent NetEase studio led by a former Call of Duty multiplayer designer.

Studio head David Vonderhaar will draw from his experience of working on the Call of Duty: Black Ops series for his latest project, a co-op game set in an original universe. The studio is aiming to offer "a fresh take on first-person gameplay." Vonderhaar describes the project as a "departure from the games I’ve worked on, but one that showcases my passion for rich characters, precise mechanics, more intimate storytelling and plenty of action."

BulletFarm is currently hiring workers for the project and, although it's headquartered in Los Angeles, it's a remote-first studio. That could make BulletFarm an enticing prospect for game developers who have lost their jobs over the last several months and may not be able to move to Southern California.

The game industry is said to have cut more than 16,000 jobs since the beginning of 2023, so there are a lot of talented people looking for work. One new studio isn't going to fix that massive labor problem, but it's a step in a positive direction.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/former-call-of-duty-designer-to-lead-new-netease-studio-130058307.html?src=rss

Former Call of Duty designer to lead new NetEase studio

It's been a bleak year so far for the gaming industry, between mass layoffs, projects getting canceled and studios shutting down. There are some specks of light in the darkness, though, thanks to a few surprise hits like Palworld and Helldivers 2, while there are still some studios opening up. One of those is BulletFarm, a nascent NetEase studio led by a former Call of Duty multiplayer designer.

Studio head David Vonderhaar will draw from his experience of working on the Call of Duty: Black Ops series for his latest project, a co-op game set in an original universe. The studio is aiming to offer "a fresh take on first-person gameplay." Vonderhaar describes the project as a "departure from the games I’ve worked on, but one that showcases my passion for rich characters, precise mechanics, more intimate storytelling and plenty of action."

BulletFarm is currently hiring workers for the project and, although it's headquartered in Los Angeles, it's a remote-first studio. That could make BulletFarm an enticing prospect for game developers who have lost their jobs over the last several months and may not be able to move to Southern California.

The game industry is said to have cut more than 16,000 jobs since the beginning of 2023, so there are a lot of talented people looking for work. One new studio isn't going to fix that massive labor problem, but it's a step in a positive direction.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/former-call-of-duty-designer-to-lead-new-netease-studio-130058307.html?src=rss

A Paranormal Activity game is coming in 2026 and it might actually be good

One of the most successful horror movie franchises of the last 20 years is coming to a gaming system near you. Paramount Game Studios has teamed up with DreadXP and DarkStone Digital (aka solo developer Brian Clarke) to create Paranormal Activity: Found Footage. The horror game is slated to hit multiple platforms in 2026.

Paranormal Activity: Found Footage will build on the lore and the world that was established in the seven-film series, which debuted in 2007. It will be the first non-virtual reality Paranormal Activity game.

As the title suggests, the game will use the found-footage format of the movies. Details are otherwise slim for now, though Paranormal Activity: Found Footage will feature what's said to be an advanced "haunt system" that will dynamically change the intensity and kinds of scares players will face based on their actions. Several other games have used a dynamic scare system, including Don't Scream (an early access title that picked up some buzz a few months ago), so it'll be interesting to see how DarkStone Digital uses that here.

Clarke previously created the well-reviewed first-person horror game The Mortuary Assistant. "My latest project is a Paranormal Activity game," Clarke, who is also a co-director of publisher DreadXP, wrote on X. "I am beyond excited to be doing this as I have loved this series from the very beginning and it heavily shaped my style of horror."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-paranormal-activity-game-is-coming-in-2026-and-it-might-actually-be-good-193120056.html?src=rss

A Paranormal Activity game is coming in 2026 and it might actually be good

One of the most successful horror movie franchises of the last 20 years is coming to a gaming system near you. Paramount Game Studios has teamed up with DreadXP and DarkStone Digital (aka solo developer Brian Clarke) to create Paranormal Activity: Found Footage. The horror game is slated to hit multiple platforms in 2026.

Paranormal Activity: Found Footage will build on the lore and the world that was established in the seven-film series, which debuted in 2007. It will be the first non-virtual reality Paranormal Activity game.

As the title suggests, the game will use the found-footage format of the movies. Details are otherwise slim for now, though Paranormal Activity: Found Footage will feature what's said to be an advanced "haunt system" that will dynamically change the intensity and kinds of scares players will face based on their actions. Several other games have used a dynamic scare system, including Don't Scream (an early access title that picked up some buzz a few months ago), so it'll be interesting to see how DarkStone Digital uses that here.

Clarke previously created the well-reviewed first-person horror game The Mortuary Assistant. "My latest project is a Paranormal Activity game," Clarke, who is also a co-director of publisher DreadXP, wrote on X. "I am beyond excited to be doing this as I have loved this series from the very beginning and it heavily shaped my style of horror."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-paranormal-activity-game-is-coming-in-2026-and-it-might-actually-be-good-193120056.html?src=rss