Taylor Lyles
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Based out of Baltimore, Maryland, Taylor is a contributing writer for Digital Trends covering the latest news in the computer and gaming industries. In addition to professional writing, Taylor also co-hosts BootUp: A Video Game Podcast.
In her spare time, she enjoys playing video games, kayaking across the Potomac River, fishing, and helping her friends build gaming PCs.
Xbox head says Amazon and Google are major competition. He’s not wrong
Xbox head Phil Spencer recently revealed that the company views Amazon and Google as significant competition for Microsoft's gaming division in the future while also dismissing gaming Nintendo and Sony as major threats to the company during a recent interview with the technology website, Protocol.
Fortnite to receive a new game engine ahead of Season 2’s start date
Epic Games has confirmed new information regarding the second season of Fortnite Chapter 2. In a recent blog post, Epic Games confirmed that Fortnite Chapter 2 - Season 2 will begin on Thursday, February 20. Additionally, the upcoming season will run on the Unreal Engine's Chaos physics engine.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum developer confirms PS5 and Xbox Series X versions
Daedalic Entertainment unveiled new details regarding its upcoming title, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, including confirmation that the game will see a release on the next-generation gaming consoles the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X as well as new information on the portrayal of the titular character.
Best holiday 2019 gaming deals: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and PC
Retailers are offering massive discounts on some of the most popular games of the year across various gaming platforms. Whether you play on Xbox, PC, PlayStation, or Nintendo, there are a slew of deals for you to take advantage of. Here are the best holiday 2019 video game deals available right now.
Witcher game studio inks new deal with author. What does it mean for franchise?
Following a yearlong feud, CD Projekt announced that it has inked a new deal with The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski. This new agreement solidifies and reinforces the professional relationship between the developer and Spakowski and clarifies the “requirements and expectations of both parties."
The best virtual reality headset deals for the 2019 holidays
In recent years, virtual reality has become increasingly popular. With the rise of standalone virtual reality headsets such as the Oculus Go, and with the VR game Half-Life: Alyx slated to launch next year, interest in the product has spiked exponentially. These are the best holiday VR headset deals
Play Spiritfarer, our E3 Best Visuals award winner, for free with 12 others
In addition to announcing the big winners and revealing some (hopefully) big announcements, this year's Game Awards will feature a slew of free game demos for featured and yet-to-be-released games, now until Saturday, December 14, including our E3 Best Visuals award winner, Spiritfarer.
Amazon Prime members can snag a Nintendo Switch Lite for $180 on Woot
While the holidays are the most expensive time of the year for many of us, several retailers are easing the hit to our wallets by offering a slew of deals. If your loved one has their eyes on a Nintendo Switch Lite console, you’re in luck: Woot is currently offering the console for under $200.
Amazon’s latest Nintendo Switch deal snags you the console plus a $30 credit
While gaming is among the most popular gift categories, Nintendo has a history of avoiding discounting its products during the holiday season. Luckily, third-party sellers like Amazon are offering some sweet deals, including this Nintendo Switch bundle that includes a $30 Amazon promotional credit .
Dauntless on Switch introduces crossplay and progression support, new content
During Nintendo's Indie World showcase, developer Phoenix Labs announced that Dauntless would launch on the Nintendo Switch. In addition to the Switch port, the game will also introduce full crossplay support, as well as a new update called Stormchaser, along with new cosmetic in-game items.
Redbox to end video game sales and rentals at the end of the month
Redbox recently announced that it would be ceasing the sale and rentals of video games at the end of the year. For years, Redbox's trademark kiosk was a reliable way for consumers to rent physical copies of both movies and games, but it will now shift focus entirely on movies moving forward.
Rumor has it that these are the hardware specs for the next Xbox
This time next year, a new generation of gaming systems will be released. With both Sony and Microsoft gearing up to start a new generation of hardware, Windows Central believes it has a good idea of the type of hardware each next-gen Xbox console will include in terms of hardware power.
Best Buy’s Nintendo Switch holiday deal includes a free game and a gift card
December is finally here, and the holiday shopping season has officially begun. As holiday deals start to pop up throughout the month, this is one of the best times to acquire new products at a discounted rate, including video games. There are numerous games, accessories, and consoles on offer.
Here’s the only Nintendo Switch deal you need to see for Cyber Monday
Black Friday 2019 is over and Cyber Monday 2019 has arrived, bringing with it a ton of great gaming deals. Video game consoles are among the most popular products during Cyber Monday, but Nintendo tends to avoid discounting the Switch hybrid gaming console. Here's the best deal we've found on the Switch.
The only Nintendo Switch deal you need to see for Black Friday
Black Friday 2019 has finally arrived and there are some awesome deals to be had, including on video games. While some deals are certainly better than others, there is no denying that game consoles are among the most desirable products throughout the weekend including the Nintendo Switch.
Age of Empires 4 is finally happening, and this is the first gameplay trailer
After it's official announcement back in 2017, Microsoft released a new trailer for Age of Empires IV during X019 presentation in London. The new teaser trailer for the upcoming title displays a battle in the middle ages as two sides — the Mongols and the English as they face off in an epic battle.
The Witcher series renewed for a second season ahead of season 1 premiere
Ahead of The Witcher's season 1 premiere, Netflix announced it renewed the fantasy drama series for a second season. Based on the dark fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, Man of Steel star Henry Cavill serves as the show's protagonist, Geralt of Rivia.
Diablo 4’s lead designer says the game will feature cosmetic microtransactions
Diablo 4 lead designer Joe Shely said that the game would feature cosmetic microtransactions similar to those in Blizzard's shooter Overwatch. . Shely discussed the upcoming game's microtransactions in a session with Twitch streamer Quin69, adding that in-game purchases would not be pay-to-win.
Gamer group plans BlizzCon 2019 protest over Blizzard Hong Kong controversy
With BlizzCon 2019 set to kick off on Friday, fans plan to ramp up their campaign against Blizzard over its decision to punish competitive players for expressing solidarity with the ongoing protests in Hong Kong. One group is planning a three-hour protest outside of the BlizzCon exhibition.
Blizzard Gear store leaks Overwatch 2 art, World of Warcraft expansion info
With Blizzcon 2019 expected to kick off at the beginning of November, new images have been leaked on the official Blizzard Gear store, indicating that the gaming giant may possibly reveal the next iteration of Overwatch as well as the next expansion for World of Warcraft titled Shadowlands.
AMD may have a next-gen, high-end Navi graphics card coming soon
Recently, an unnamed AMD device received certification from South Korea's National Radio Research Agency. Based on the first three digits of the codename, it appears the next AMD device is a new and more powerful iteration of the AMD 'Navi' graphics cards, which are expected to launch next year.
ESPN claims Overwatch 2 may debut at BlizzCon, with a greater emphasis on story
ESPN claims it has received a document that contains a slew of information surrounding Overwatch 2. According to the site's report, Blizzard Entertainment is expected to reveal the next installment in the Overwatch series and will have a heavier emphasis on narrative elements, plus a new PvE mode.
Fortnite players spot a rare golden fish that kills enemies in a single hit
After days of speculating, fan theories and rumors, players have confirmed that a mysterious golden fish can be found in Fortnite. Several lucky players have managed to capture the rare creature and it has been learned that anyone who comes into contact with the item will be killed instantly.