Hello and welcome, fellow gamers and speedrunning enthusiasts, to your essential weekly recap of all things gaming, right here on GamingSpeedrun.com! The digital streets have been buzzing with announcements, leaks, and whispers, and we've gathered the juiciest bits for you. Whether you're chasing that perfect PB or just looking to stay in the loop, this is your ultimate dive into the week's hottest topics. This week, we're talking about what's new with PlayStation Plus, the persistent rumors surrounding Silent Hill, and the anticipated Gears of War collection. Let's get this speedrun started!
PlayStation Plus Refresh: What's New?
This week saw Sony officially unveil the revamped PlayStation Plus tiers, a move that's been on many gamers' minds. The new structure consolidates the existing PS Plus and PS Now services into three distinct offerings:
Essential,
Extra, and
Premium (or
Deluxe in some regions).
- Essential: This tier largely mirrors the current PS Plus offering, providing monthly free games, online multiplayer access, and cloud storage.
- Extra: Building on Essential, this tier adds a vast catalog of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games, comparable to Xbox Game Pass. This includes major first-party titles and a wide array of third-party hits. For any serious gamer, this offers incredible value.
- Premium/Deluxe: The top tier includes everything in Extra, plus cloud streaming for popular PlayStation titles from previous generations (PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP), game trials, and a classic games catalog.
The rollout began in Asia and is set to expand globally throughout June. Many are eagerly anticipating how this impacts their gaming library and subscription choices. We're seeing this as a huge shift in the subscription service landscape, a real game-changer for
PlayStation owners.
"The tiered approach offers flexibility, but the true value lies in the sheer volume of games available in the Extra and Premium tiers. It's a bold move by Sony to compete more directly with its rivals."
Silent Hill Rumors: Hope on the Horizon?
The fog appears to be lifting, just a little, on the Silent Hill front. For years, fans have been clamoring for a return to the iconic survival horror series, and this week, new leaks and rumors have resurfaced, suggesting that not one, but possibly multiple
Silent Hill projects are in development.
While Konami has remained tight-lipped, credible sources have hinted at a new mainline entry being developed by a Western studio, alongside potential remakes of classic titles like
Silent Hill 2. The community is abuzz with speculation, replaying old entries, and hoping that the next installment can capture the psychological dread and atmosphere that made the series a legend. In the world of
horror games, few names carry as much weight as Silent Hill.
Gears of War Collection: A Blast from the Past?
Speculation is also heating up around the
Gears of War franchise. With the recent release of
Gears 5, many believe it's only a matter of time before we see a comprehensive collection of the earlier titles, perhaps remastered for current-gen consoles.
Rumors suggest a potential "Gears of War: Ultimate Collection" could be in the works, bundling the original trilogy and maybe even
Gears of War: Judgment with updated visuals and performance. This would be a fantastic way for newcomers to experience the gritty world of Sera and for long-time fans to relive iconic moments. A good collection could reignite interest before any potential new entries are announced. This is the kind of news that gets
shooter fans excited for a potential
remaster.
"If a new Gears collection is on the horizon, I hope they focus on solid performance and faithful remasters. The originals are classics for a reason."
Other Notable Gaming News
Beyond the major headlines, the gaming world continued to churn:
- Indie Spotlight: A number of exciting indie titles showcased their gameplay this week, promising innovative mechanics and unique art styles. Keep an eye on the indie scene; that's where true innovation often sparks.
- Esports Buzz: Major esports tournaments continued with thrilling matches across various titles. The competitive scene is always evolving, pushing the boundaries of skill and strategy.
- Platform Updates: Developers are constantly refining their games with patches and updates, addressing bugs and adding new content. Staying current with these changes is crucial, especially for competitive online play.
This week in the world of
speedrunning, records continue to fall and new strategies are constantly being discovered. The dedication of these athletes is truly inspiring.
- New WRs: We saw some incredible new World Records set across various categories and games. The relentless pursuit of perfection in speedrunning is a testament to the human drive for optimization.
- Glitch Discoveries: Explorers continue to delve deep into game code, uncovering game-breaking glitches and sequence breaks that shave precious seconds off run times. Some of these discoveries are mind-boggling!
- Community Streams: Many prominent speedrunners were live on platforms like Twitch, showcasing their runs, sharing tips, and interacting with their communities. It’s a fantastic way to learn new strats and witness top-tier gameplay. Supporting these streams is vital for the health of the streaming community.
"The depth of optimization in modern speedruns is insane. What was once considered impossible is now a standard part of a WR run."
This has been your SPEEDRUN news roundup for Week 20, 2022. The gaming landscape is always shifting, and we're here to keep you on the cutting edge. What news are you most excited about? Did we miss anything crucial? Drop your thoughts and hot takes in the comments below! Join our
Discord server to connect with fellow gamers and speedrunners, and don't forget to subscribe for more exclusive content. Until next time, keep those controllers charged and those timers running!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new PlayStation Plus tiers?
The new tiers are Essential, Extra, and Premium (or Deluxe). Essential offers basic benefits, Extra adds a large game catalog, and Premium/Deluxe includes classic games, streaming, and game trials.
Are there official announcements about new Silent Hill games?
Konami has not officially announced new Silent Hill projects, but numerous credible leaks and rumors suggest multiple games are in development by both internal and external studios.
What games are typically included in a speedrun news roundup?
A speedrun news roundup often covers new game releases relevant to the speedrunning community, major speedrunning events, notable World Records (WR), significant glitch discoveries or strategy changes, and updates from popular speedrunners and platforms.
What is a 'PB' in speedrunning?
'PB' stands for Personal Best. It's the fastest time a specific runner has ever completed a game or a particular segment of a game.
Where can I find more speedrunning content?
You can find more speedrunning content on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, where many runners stream live and upload their completed runs and tutorials. Websites like speedrun.com are also invaluable resources for leaderboards, game-specific information, and community forums.