The Minecraft Team at Microsoft has landed a major combination with its first Summer Sale and the launch of the Minecraft Marketplace on the Nintendo Switch. Those big moves have led to a growth spurt for the block-building game’s content store, which served up a massive 669,795 downloads in July. That’s up from 396,511 downloads in June, which was already impressive on its own. The Minecraft Team doesn’t share how much money the Marketplace generates each month, but most creations sell for around $1-to-$5. At a hypothetical average of $2 per download, the store could have generated more than $1 million in sales last month.

Minecraft’s Marketplace Summer Sale began July 19 and through the end of the month. The game’s development team worked with its partners, many of whom are small third-party content creators, to discount their Marketplace products by as much as 50 percent. That fueled intense interest from fans who wanted to get the most bang for their buck.

This reveals that many fans are aware of the Minecraft Marketplace and think about using it regularly, but they want to hold off for better prices. That’s something that Mojang, the studio responsible for Minecraft, and Marketplace creators can take advantage of.

But enough of all that, let’s get to the charts.

Top 10 most downloaded
4. City Life 4. City Life
Here it is in list form:

Kingdom Survival
Millionaire Mansions
Mineville High School
City Life
Castles & Dragons
Dinosaur Park
Isles of Aloha
Spring Mini-Games Festival
Dinosaur Island
Prison Escape
Top 10 highest grossing
8. Chroma Hills 8. Chroma Hills
Here it is in list form:

Millionaire Mansions
City Life
Castles & Dragons
Dinosaur Park
Mineville High School
Dinosaur Island
Wildlife: Savanna
Chroma Hills
Planes
Dwarven Mining Company
We’ll be back with more news from the Minecraft Marketplace next month.

Anthem’s previously-announced demo will launch on February 1, developer BioWare has revealed during today’s Anthem PAX West 2018 panel.

Arriving on February 1 will put the demo exactly three weeks ahead of the game’s full release, and thus, the demo will be a complete demo of the final product, not simply a beta test shrouded as a demo.

Details on the nature of the demo – such as its length – haven’t been revealed, but it will presumably be of the game’s opening hours. Or maybe not. Who knows. Concrete details should arrive closer to February though.

In the build-up to said demo, BioWare plans on holding beta tests, though this won’t be as open as the demo. Details on said tests will be provided as they draw closer.

The demo will release on each of the game’s platforms – PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One – however, in order to gain access you will need to either pre-order a copy of the game or be subscribed to EA Access/Origin Access Premier. In other words, if you aren’t subscribed to EA’s games service or don’t want to pre-order, you won’t be seeing Anthem three weeks before launch.

To accompany the release date announcement of the demo, BioWare also revealed a brand-new trailer focused on the game’s story, its innovative storytelling techniques, and its shared, dynamic world.

Anthem is poised to release on February 22 via the PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One.

For all the recent news and media on the game, check out our previous coverage of the title by clicking here. Or if it’s simply more information about Anthem and its premise you’re after, then here’s a brief overview:

“In Anthem, up to four friends can unravel the world’s mysteries and take on its most fearsome challenges together. Shared danger means shared glory, and successful Freelancers will all be richly rewarded for successful exploits. Throughout their adventure, players can outfit their Freelancers with powerful Javelin exosuits, each of which are equipped with unique weapons and abilities. Players can also customize their Javelin with gear they earn and craft throughout the adventure, and leave a lasting mark on the world.”

An unofficial Pokemon guidebook is being crowdfunded on Kickstarter that takes a look at the original 151 Pokemon designs and the inspirations behind them.

Author Noah Shepherd combined backgrounds in biology and graphic design to create On the Origin: Kanto Edition, the Kickstarter project that’s seen here. An analysis of the original Generation I, all 151 Pokemon get double-page spreads that break down the creatures’ designs with explanations for the real-world organisms and effects that influenced them. An example of these pages, seen below, takes a look at Drowzee while the accompanying page further down gives the backstory on the Pokemon.

Drowzee Pokemon On the Origin
(Photo: Noah Shepherd)

Speaking to ComicBook.com, Shepherd said that his inspirations for the project were rooted in Pokemon Go and an encounter with a Wailmer.

“The idea came about when I was playing Pokémon Go whilst walking home from work along the river Thames,” he said. “A Wailmer encounter reminded me of the time that a real whale swum up the river, and in typical biologist fashion I started thinking about the type of whale that Wailmer is based on.”

That led to the creation of an Instagram page where Pokemon Go players shared images of Pokemon which Shepherd would then analyze from a biological perspective. From there, Shepherd took the idea and decided to put it into a physical form by starting the Kickstarter project for On the Origin: Kanto Edition.

Tracking towards the fully-funded goal of $19,441, the book project has currently raised $13,337 with one week to go at the time this is being published. Shepherd has a variety of pledge packages ranging from “Take a Chansey” to “Doduo Hardcovers,” the latter being one that grants backers two copies of the hardcover edition of the book. Several different pledge options are available through the Kickstarter page that offer PDF, softcover, and hardcover versions of the book among other incentives.

Drowzee Pokemon Backstory On the Origin
(Photo: Noah Shepherd)

Within the next week, Shepherd also added that he plans on adding stretch goals to the project to supplement the physical books with more features.

“One example stretch goal is a cover sleeve for the hardcover book,” he told us. The sleeve will display a map with an illustration of every Kanto Pokemon’s backstory located where it originates!”

When asked if the Kanto Edition could lead to other Pokemon guides that featured later generations, Shepherd told us that he’s focused on the Kanto Edition right now but added that analyzing other Generations with more guides is a dream of his.

The Kickstarter project for On the Origin: Kanto Edition currently has 266 backers and is scheduled to end on September 9.

Today, retailer Best Buy announced that new demo events for upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, will be coming to select stores starting next week.

Details on the actual content of the demo are unknown, but we do know the special event will last all the way until October 7 and hit multiple stores across the country, offering up a chance to virtually every hardcore Super Smash Bros. fan to get their hands on the game prior to its launch later this year.

Best Buy has also teased that special prizes will be handed out at the event, though unsurprisingly it didn’t provide any details on said prizes.

Anyway, here’s a rundown of every location the demo event will hit:

New York

Best Buy Upper West Side
1880 Broadway
New York, NY 10023

Saturday, September 8: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, September 9: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

San Francisco Bay Area

Best Buy San Jose
181 Curtner Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125

Saturday, September 8: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, September 9: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Chicago

Best Buy Bucktown
2100 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614

Saturday, September 15: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, September 16: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Los Angeles

Best Buy Torrance
3675 Pacific Coast Highway
Torrance, CA 90505

Saturday, September 15: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, September 16: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Minneapolis

Best Buy Richfield
1000 West 78th St
Richfield, MN 55423

Saturday, September 22: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, September 23: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Dallas

Best Buy Park Lane
9378 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75231

Saturday, September 22: 10 a.m.–7 p.m
Sunday, September 23: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Atlanta

Best Buy Buckhead
2537 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324

Saturday, September 29: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, September 30: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Denver

Best Buy Colorado Blvd.
4100 E Mexico Ave.
Suite A
Denver, CO 80222

Saturday, September 29: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, September 30: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Miami

Best Buy Hialeah
4001 W 20th Ave.
Hialeah, FL 33012

Saturday, October 6: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, October 7: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Seattle

Best Buy Bellevue
457 120th Ave. NE
Bellevue, WA 98005

Saturday, October 6: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, October 7: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

You can find more information about the demo events here.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is scheduled to release on December 4 via the Nintendo Switch. For more news, media, and information on the game, be sure to check out our previous coverage of the title by clicking here.

Source: Nintendo Everything

February of next year can’t come soon enough for BioWare fans anxiously awaiting to try out the studio’s latest IP, Anthem. A big staple in BioWare games in the past such as the Dragon Age and Mass Effect series is that beautiful stories crafted in a way that throws the player all in. These branching narratives is what BioWare is known for but Anthem is shaking things up in more way than one. Luckily for those wanting to enjoy the online aspects but don’t have a steady group of friends to enjoy the co-op option, BioWare has confirmed that matchmaking will be available at launch for all content.

Much of the story can be done solo but there are certain in-game events available to earn higher level gear that does require four people. For those that don’t have a squad, matchmaking will be available so no one has to miss out on any part of the game. This is also applicable to generic quests and other undisclosed content options as well.

The confirmation comes from the developer team during the PAX West Anthem story as the team dove deep into the most asked questions they get from fans. We learned about character customization and how choices will matter, we learned more about the characters and how the story will progress – basically, a lot of those multiplayer fears have been sated thanks to the open transparency from the Executive producer and the rest of the BioWare Anthem team.

As a huge BioWare fan myself (shamefully admits I’m on playthrough 29 of the original Mass Effect trilogy), this does make me feel better about the upcoming game. Though I was impressed with my own hands-on time with the online title, it’s still hard not to feel the loss of the earlier Andromeda controversy. Luckily, it seems EA is giving BioWare the freedom they need to get this right – and for that, we thank them.

Interested in learning even more about the game? You can check out our Anthem community hub right here for all of our previous coverage regarding the latest venture for BioWare.

You can follow the author of this story over on Twitter @DirtyEffinHippy.

One of the all-time classic tactical role-playing games, Valkyria Chronicles, is coming to Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop on October 16, priced at $19.99 USD.

Further, players who purchase Valkyria Chronicles 4 on the Nintendo Switch digitally will be offered a 25 percent discount when purchasing Valkyria Chronicles.

For those that don’t know: Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is a remaster of the 2008 hit and critically acclaimed game that kicked off one of the most beloved tactical RPG series, which not only saw multiple different releases, but even spawned an anime.

Valkryia Chronicles Remastered is currently available for PlayStation 4. It will hit Nintendo Switch, in Japan, on September 27, and the west on October 16. You can read more about the game below:

Set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of the 1930s, Valkyria Chronicles depicts Europa, divided and ruled by two super powers: the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading the principality Gallia, which shares its borders with the two superpowers, in an attempt to secure an invaluable natural resource, Ragnite. Within this struggle a hero named Welkin, and his fellow soldiers of the Gallian Militia, ‘Squad 7’ are fighting back against the invasion and the Empire’s attempts to unify the continent under its power.

During the ensuing war, Squad 7 discovers that the Empire possesses a secret weapon, known as the “Valkyrur” – an ancient race with special powers thought to exist only in legends. With this new discovery, the fate of Gallia’s ability to defeat the Empire and save the lives of the Gallian citizens…

“CANVAS” graphics engine: A unique engine that produces breath taking images that look like watercolour paintings in motion.
“BLiTZ” tactical battle system: Experience strategic maneuvering of units combined with conventional RPG gameplay, all layered on top of the moment to moment action afforded by real-time controls as players command each squad member and tank in battle.
Epic storyline: Players will immerse themselves in the epic struggle for freedom, as the fate of the world lies in the hands of Welkin and the members of the 7th platoon.
Customisation: Over 100 customisable characters allow players to create a variety of platoons to suit each battle’s needs.
Beautifully rendered battlefields: Players explore 30 different environments, using unique terrain features to gain advantages in battle.

Fortnite just got a whole lot more groovy with tonight’s store update, which has added a brand-new set of gear, dubbed Flower Power.

Headlining the store update and Flower Power gear is two new outfits that find themselves dropping onto an island from a bus to murder people following a bad trip during day three of Woodstock. Accompanying the two new outfits is also a new tie-dye glider and an equally trippy harvesting tool.

The new outfits — dubbed “Far Out Man” and “Dreamflower” — are of Epic (purple) rarity, meaning they will cost a healthy 1,500 V-Bucks, each. Meanwhile, the new “Tie-Dye Flyer” glider and “Drumbeat” harvesting tool are Rare (blue) and Uncommon (green) rarity, respectively. The former costs 800 V-Bucks, while the latter comes in at 500.

In other words, if you want to channel your inner peace llama by obtaining the whole set, you will need to feed the corporate man 4,300 V-Bucks.

Speaking of Llamas, the new Llama Bell emote is back, so if you made the mistake of missing it the first time, don’t make the same mistake again.

Below, you can check out the new items, as well as every other item available in tonight’s store update:

By Saturday Fortnite store update standards, I must say this is a pretty good one, at least if you appreciate the new items, which I do. Unlike many outfits and items this season and last season, the Flower Power set reminds me of early Fortnite, which was less flashy, less clean, and more basic and silly.

Fortnite is available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile devices. For more news, media, and information on the game, be sure to check out our previous coverage of the title that covers it extensively by clicking here.

As always, hit the comments section and let us know your thoughts and hot-takes. Planning on picking up any of these new items? I know I am, much to the displeasure of my wallet and good conscious. Curse you, Fortnite.

Minecraft, despite having been out for almost a decade now, continues to prove that the creatively driven title has a lot of life left it. The community is strong and never ceases to amaze with their amazing creations in-game. From epic crossovers, to just incredible innovation – the sky is the limit for these block creators and this recent Reddit post proves just that.

The building mechanics in this game are really limitless. For those that bypass the Survival mode and go right into the Creative one, it is a nice outlet for letting that inner artist shine. With the easy to use building mechanics and the incredibly soothing soundtrack, it’s really no wonder that so many still tank an impressive amount of hours into this game.

Posts like this always make me incredibly happy because you can just imagine the level of pride the creators are feeling with it. I can’t even seem to build a one-level house with four solid walls, so seeing entire realities coming to life is absolutely astounding to me.

Now that the “Build It Together” update is live, it’s even easier to create entire worlds. Excited to squad up with friends and family? Here’s what you can experience together with this expansive update:

“Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles. Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs.”

Minecraft Marketplace
For the first time, skins, textures, and worlds designed by the community are available in the store. Buy once and enjoy across Xbox, Windows 10 and mobile devices!* (and soon, the Switch)
Endless exploration
Create and explore your very own world where the only limit is what you can imagine.
Build almost anything
Crafting has never been faster, easier or more fun!
Co-op play
Play with up to four players in split screen for free, or invite hundreds of friends to a massive gameplay server or your own private Realm!

Minefaire: The Ultimate Minecraft Experience event is coming to the Schaumburg Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9.

Between 12,000 to 15,000 attendees are expected to attend the event involving one of the most popular video games.

Minefaire is the brain child of two fathers who realized they needed to bridge the gap between children who love Minecraft, and parents who may not fully understand the game and its educational aspects.

“Minecraft was the ‘go-to’ activity for my four kids before dinner, and I realized how much the game was teaching them about topics like agriculture, history, geology and architecture — all without their feeling like they were being ‘taught,'” says Minefaire Co-Founder Gabe Young. “Kids at Minefaire get to grab their parents by the hand and say, ‘Look what I’m doing.’ As parents, we then have the chance to better understand our children and guide them.”

Minecraft is a virtual game where you build new worlds, block by block, by mining the resources you find and crafting them into structures that might include staircases, mazes and amusement parks. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to Minefaire.com.

Minecraft is a worldwide sensation which has sold millions upon millions of copies to date. The game is available on everything from desktops to mobile phones. A few years ago, Microsoft purchased the game from its creators and has since greatly expanded its scope. However, when it comes to games, the company has always struggled in the Japanese market. With Minecraft though, it seems like that’s changing.

According to a report in Nintendo Life, Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition sold 25,948 copies last week. So far, it’s sold over 212,170 units to date. Minecraft on Nintendo Switch beat games like Splatoon 2 and Mario Tennis Aces.

A few weeks ago, Minecraft on Nintendo Switch was updated to the “Bedrock” edition. This allows players to access a lot of new features and play with gamers on other platforms like Xbox One and Windows 10. If you already bought the old version on Nintendo Switch, you can download it for free. Sony still doesn’t support cross-play so the Bedrock version isn’t available on PlayStation 4.

Hopefully Microsoft’s success with Minecraft will result in more visibility for the company in the country. If you look at console sales figures, the Xbox One only sells a dozen or so units each week. Maybe if there were more Microsoft experiences like Minecraft that appealed to Japanese gamers, it would be a boost for the company’s console ambitions.