Two more sports could be coming to Nintendo Switch Sports, a recent datamine has suggested.
Nintendo Switch Sports was announced at a Nintendo Direct in February, with Nintendo revealing that the successor to Wii Sports would include sports like tennis, bowling, volleyball, and more. But a datamine suggests that at least two more sports could be added after the game's launch on April 29.
Dataminer @Wipeoutjack7 on Twitter posted a screenshot of datamined lines of code that reference Dodgeball and Basketball, alongside Nintendo Switch Sports' other playable games (via Nintendo Everything ). Jack's datamine has been corroborated by another dataminer, @ToyConGarageVR , who was also able to find the file with the code in it.
Currently neither Basketball nor Dodgeball has been confirmed for Nintendo Switch Sports, suggesting these sports could be added in a future update.
Analysis: but is this wishful thinking?
The datamined code was likely obtained via the Nintendo Switch Sports online play test in February, which allowed us to get our hands on the game (well three of the sports, anyways) ahead of its full release in April.
While the code could suggest that basketball and dodgeball will come to Nintendo Switch Sports in a future update, it's also worth considering that the code could reference sports that were scrapped earlier in development.
However, given basketball was included in Wii Sport and we've seen Nintendo include dodgeball in both Mario Sports Mix and Mario Dodgeball Rush, both sports feel like suitable fits for Nintendo's next sport outing.
If they are to be included, it's likely we'll see them added in a future update after launch, so don't expect to be hurling dodgeballs at your virtual friends come April 29.
TechRadar Gaming has contacted Nintendo for comment.
Deus Ex and System Shock creator has a new game in the works
Warren Spector, the acclaimed video game producer behind Deus Ex, System Shock, and Epic Mickey, is heading the development of a brand new title.
The upcoming game is under development at OtherSide Entertainment, the same studio currently working on System Shock 3, and is described as an immersive sim (think Deathloop or BioShock ).
“Fans of my work already know what to expect: an immersive world and engaging narrative that players will directly impact through their choices and playstyles,” Spector said in a press release .
“We are still in early development and are looking forward to sharing more information soon!”
Otherside previously announced it had appointed industry veteran Jeff Goodsill as general manager of the studio to lead the production of “upcoming next-gen console and PC titles”. That might suggest Spector’s new game will be hitting PC and console platforms when it releases.
Goodsill has his own impressive collection of credits, having worked on classic RTS games like Age of Empires and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, as well as the Diablo -esque action RPG Titan Quest.
Otherside has released a single piece of concept art for the upcoming game, featuring what looks to be a humongous whale decked out in golden armor flying through an alien scene. Another, smaller character also looks to be flying on a golden platform to the left. Perhaps Spector has taken a leaf out of BioShock’s book, setting his new game underwater.
Analysis: immersive sims are here to stay
While immersive sims have never reached the same heights of commercial success as other genres, they’ve been a mainstay of gaming and their influence reaches far - cropping up in strange places like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild . The late-2000s saw a resurgence of the genre with the release of BioShock, while 2011’s Deus Ex: Human Revolution, 2012’s Dishonored, and 2021’s Deathloop have kept the immersive sim torch burning.
Add to that the upcoming release of System Shock 3 and Spector’s new title, and the heyday of the immersive sim might be just around the corner. The open-ended, player-led gameplay of the original Thief, Deus Ex, and System Shock games was somewhat curtailed by the hardware limitations at the time of their release. It’s exciting to see how the genre can be taken in new directions under the development of more powerful game engines and the spread of 4K resolutions.
What's especially exciting about this game, however, is Spector's place in the industry. The designer has worked on an impressive roster of games that have become much-loved classics. Now he's returning to his roots, there'll be a lot of pressure to live up to the expectations of nostalgic fans.
If you fancy dipping your toe into one of the newer immersive sims to hit the market, check out the best deals on Deathloop below.
This new e-bike boasts 100-mile range and built-in Garmin radar
Cannondale has released an updated version of its Mavaro Neo e-bike , with huge range on a single charge and a built-in Garmin radar that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind.
As Ebiketips reports, the 2022 Mavaro Neo follows hot on the heels of the new Tesoro Neo X electric tourer, which launched last week. Both bikes use the new Bosch e-bike smart system , which includes a new high capacity battery to deliver impressive range. The 2022 Mavaro Neo has a maximum range of 175km (just over 100 miles) with power assistance, which is a huge upgrade from the previous model.
As Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems, explained to TechRadar in an interview last year , the new system also includes a new mobile app that gives you fine control over your bike's behavior and performance.
“What is most of what is initially important for the rider is the settings, which you can use to adjust the bike to your liking,” Fleischer said. "So you can choose different modes, different configurations, and adjust them to your to your own individual riding style.”
Go with the Flow
The Flow app also allows you to receive over-the-air updates, so it's no longer necessary to take your e-bike to a service center to receive the latest firmware. It serves as a bike computer too, allowing you to track your rides, and for the new Mavaro Neo, Cannondale has added an integrated Garmin radar unit to the mix so you can focus on the road ahead.
The bike itself is designed to be as low maintenance as possible, with a belt drive system that doesn't require lubrication and tensioning like a conventional chain, and is paired with stepless hub gearing. It's available with either a low step-through or step-over frame.
The new Mavaro Neo is available now for £5,800 (about $7,800 / AU$10,600) direct from Cannondale in two frame sizes. That's a premium price for an everyday city cruiser; our current top-rated e-bike, the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 (2022) is $4,000 / £3,900 / AU$5,000. However, if it's going to replace a second car for everyday commuting, errands and shopping then it's much easier to justify.
