HUNT: Showdown
News, coverage and analysis tracking HUNT: Showdown across the outlets.
Latest coverage
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various gaming-related topics and broader cultural commentary. It touches on the graffiti in Left 4 Dead, the design of single-player extraction shooters like Witchfire, and the ambitious AI in Black & White. The piece also explores the evolution of AI from video games to companies like Google DeepMind, and touches on music industry issues related to Spotify and AI investments.
Marathon Review – What did we extract from its first month and Season 1?
Bungie's new extraction shooter, Marathon, offers a challenging and rewarding experience for dedicated players, differentiating itself with unique Runner Shells and a deep narrative. The game features slick movement and gunplay, but a short time-to-kill and complex item management can be punishing. Its seasonal reset system aims to maintain competitiveness by wiping player progression, a bold move for the live service genre.
Morning Gatherings and Events
The PC Gaming Show and Future Games Show are returning in June, promising world premieres, interviews, and new game demos. Additionally, the 'Inferno' event is back for the game Hunt: Showdown.
Marathon isn't going to be the big hit Sony wants because it's just too much of a sicko game
Despite Bungie's signature gunplay and visual flair, Marathon's niche as a hardcore extraction shooter may prevent it from becoming the hit Sony desires, especially given the significant investment. The game's unforgiving nature and focus on high-stakes PvP contrasts with the broader appeal of titles like Arc Raiders. Sony's history with live-service games suggests a low tolerance for underperformance, making Marathon's long-term future uncertain unless the company proves willing to support a niche title.
Undertaker – Beta Demo | Alpha Beta Gamer
Undertaker is a gothic first-person shooter set in Transylvania where players hunt eldritch horrors using a combination of melee, firearms, and occult rituals. Inspired by games like Hunt: Showdown and Blood West, the demo features an open world with quests, various enemies, and a boss fight, showcasing impressive stealth and combat mechanics.
You don't have to choose between a controller and a keyboard; there's a secret third option, and I may not…
This article discusses the Azeron Cyborg II, a hybrid gaming peripheral that combines a controller's thumbstick with a keypad's functionality, offering a unique solution for PC gamers who struggle with traditional mouse and keyboard controls. The author highlights its ergonomic design, customizability, and how it bridges the gap between controller and keyboard input for an improved PC gaming experience.
Marathon isn't deathmatch gone wide, it's multiplayer Alien: Isolation and every other player is a xenomorph
Marathon is described as a multiplayer evolution of single-player stealth experiences like Alien: Isolation, where other players act as intelligent, listening threats. The game emphasizes sound design and player-driven pacing, allowing for avoidant strategies similar to classic titles like Thief and Far Cry. Bungie's approach creates persistent ambiguity and a tense atmosphere, making it a compelling experience for stealth fans.
Marathon Review – Bungie Nails the Extraction Shooter Loop
Bungie's Marathon successfully revitalizes the extraction shooter genre, offering a compelling gameplay loop that respects player time. Despite initial hesitation towards the genre, the game's smart design, engaging faction system, and satisfying gunplay make it a standout experience. However, effective communication with teammates is crucial, especially in later maps, which can be a challenge with random matchmaking.
First came RAMageddon and storage inflation, now a CPU shortage could be on the cards as PC makers report limited…
PC makers are reporting limited CPU supply, potentially leading to shortages and price inflation similar to recent RAM and storage issues. This is partly driven by AI infrastructure demands consuming manufacturing capacity. Companies like Intel and AMD have previously warned customers about server CPU shipment delays.
Razer goes a step further than SteelSeries, offering five different speeds of its latest gaming mouse pad, and that's the kind of detail an FPS setup control freak like me wants
Razer has released its new Gigantus V2 Pro mouse pad, offering five different speed options compared to SteelSeries' previous three. The mouse pad utilizes proprietary GlideCore Foam with variations in density to achieve different friction levels, catering to specific gaming needs. The author argues that these nuanced differences in mouse pad technology can significantly impact aiming precision in various FPS titles.
Marathon is the first FPS to challenge Escape from Tarkov on its own turf, and after 80 hours I'm glad Bungie…
Bungie's Marathon is a stylish take on the extraction shooter genre, offering a faster pace and more accessible mechanics than titles like Escape from Tarkov. After 80 hours, the reviewer finds it to be a compelling experience that successfully blends high-stakes PvP with engaging lore and streamlined systems, making it a favorite multiplayer shooter.
Morning Patches
Several games have received official updates and patches. Crimson Desert has released patch notes version 1.00.03, Hunt: Showdown has a hotfix 2.7.0.3, and Million Depth has a major update version 2.0. The article also notes unofficial game patches and mods.
"No reruns. No second chances" - Maingear is launching a $4,500 Crimson Desert gaming PC, but there will only ever be 30 made, so good luck locking one down
Maingear is launching a limited-edition Crimson Desert-themed gaming PC for $4,499, with only 30 units available worldwide. The PC features high-end components including an AMD Ryzen 9 9850X3D CPU and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, celebrating the anticipated release of Crimson Desert. Despite the premium price and exclusivity, the article notes that similar specs could be assembled for less, suggesting this is for dedicated fans of the game.
Peak extraction shooter is waiting 7 minutes and 38 seconds to kill one guy in particular
This opinion piece delves into the unique tension and emotional investment found in extraction shooters, using Bungie's Marathon as a primary example. The author, Morgan Park, recounts a lengthy encounter that highlights both the thrilling highs and frustrating lows of the genre, particularly when playing solo.
Morning Patches
Several games have received recent updates. EVE Online's Catalyst expansion has a major update, FBC: Firebreak released patch v1.9.1 with a Friend's Pass, Hollow Knight: Silksong is now live with version 1.0.29926, and Hunt: Showdown received update 2.7.
The best extraction shooters on PC or: how I learned there are other games like Arc Raiders
This article explores the extraction shooter genre on PC, highlighting seven recommended games. It details the core mechanics of securing loot and the risk of losing it upon death, while also noting the genre's flexibility with examples ranging from PvP-focused titles like Arc Raiders and Marathon to singleplayer experiences like Escape from Duckov and the hardcore simulation of Escape from Tarkov.
Are you sick of your Quest 3 controllers dying? This all-in-one headset charging stand deleted that issue for me
The article discusses a common frustration with Meta Quest 3 controllers using AA batteries, which frequently run out. The author found a solution in the PrismXR D1 Carina charging stand, which neatly stores and charges both the headset and its controllers using magnetic rechargeable batteries.
Marathon ignores extraction shooter 'rules' and is better for it
Marathon distinguishes itself in the extraction shooter genre by eschewing common design tropes like safe pockets and multiple simultaneous quests. Bungie's approach prioritizes frequent PvP encounters and shorter round timers, creating a more explosive and less punishing experience compared to titles like Escape From Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown. The game's design encourages constant player interaction and quick engagements, making each match feel dynamic and engaging.
Marathon Launch Day: Bungie’s Sci-Fi Return Feels Like Destiny Meets Escape From Tarkov
Bungie has launched its new extraction shooter, Marathon, marking its first major new intellectual property since Destiny. The game features full crossplay and cross-save functionality across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with pre-loading available and server slam rewards for early players. Marathon aims to bring Bungie's signature gameplay design to the high-stakes extraction shooter genre, potentially redefining it.
Hunt: Showdown keeps experimenting with the extraction genre, and its next twist sounds irresistible: Soon, extraction…
Hunt: Showdown is experimenting with its extraction shooter formula in the upcoming Devil's Trail event, starting March 18. This event will hide supply and extraction points at the start of a match, requiring players to discover them through in-game maps or by interacting with new Scout Towers. Additionally, the event introduces "The World Remembers" feature, which expands passive tracking by leaving more permanent traces of player actions in the game world.
