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The squabble between Epic Games and Apple has been a long and drawn-out tale, but it seems it’s finally over, as the two sides have come to an agreement that allows the Epic Games Store, and thus Fortnite, to return to iOS devices very soon.

The game was removed from Apple devices in 2020 as Epic protested the company’s store fees. The ensuring corporate argument lasted about four years as the two sides tried to find a solution that would work for both sides, while Epic continued to accuse Apple of moving the goalposts and making it as difficult as possible to get what it wanted.

Epic Games

Still, it’s all over now and Fortnite will be back on iPhone and other iOS devices very soon, so Epic has decided to celebrate by releasing a free skin into the item shop to coincide with the relaunch. The Katalina skin will be available once Fortnite returns to iOS and will remain free to claim by anyone until November 2, 2024.

It’s a great time for Fortnite players, but unfortunately Epic couldn’t go even a week without picking another fight, as it has now removed Fortnite from the Samsung Galaxy Store, with plans to release the Epic Games Store on Samsung instead, similar to the solution it created for Apple.


This article first appeared on Video Games on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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Hololive CEO Says Death Stranding 2 And The Vtuber Cameo Is Only The Beginning
Video Games

Hololive CEO Says Death Stranding 2 And The Vtuber Cameo Is Only The Beginning

When Death Stranding 2 decided to sprinkle in a Hololive Vtuber cameo, it felt like the kind of strange flex Kojima Productions is known for. After all, leave it to Hideo Kojima, the self-proclaimed patron saint of futuristic weirdness, to blend freight delivery simulation with anime idols like it’s the most logical thing since putting monsters in your pocket in the ’90s. Death Stranding 2’s Vtuber Cameo Is Only the Beginning of More Anime Girls Appearing in Your Favorite Games, Hololive CEO Says What Even Is the Deal With Vtubers in Games? For the uninitiated, Vtubers are basically CGI anime avatars brought to life by real streamers. Think of them as the gaming-geek equivalent of sci-fi holograms with an army of simping fans. And Hololive, as far as Vtuber agencies go, is like The Avengers of the anime streaming world. Their talents play games, sing, create viral memes, and now, apparently, they’re busting into AAA video games, taking the weird and wonderful into unsettling new directions. Death Stranding 2’s little Vtuber experiment kicks off with appearances from Hololive stars like Amelia Watson, likely echoing their livestreams into the virtual dystopia Kojima’s team is piecing together. But Yagoo doesn’t want this to be a one-hit wonder; this is just the opening act for an era where neon-haired anime girls might become as common in gaming as loot boxes (but maybe less infuriating, depending on your perspective). When asked about the decision, Tanigo said, “This is only the beginning,” which I’m pretty sure is CEO-speak for “We’re not stopping until we’re in every big game you play.” Cue existential dread, or hype, depending on how easily swayed you are by cat-eared idols with sugary voices. Why Would Developers Even Do This? Honestly? The math adds up. Vtubers, in all their chaotic, meme-worthy glory, tap directly into niche internet culture while wielding an almost cult-like following. That kind of audience engagement is marketing gold for game developers looking to generate buzz. It’s not crazy to imagine why studios would shell out big bucks for cameo appearances that can send hordes of fans rushing to pre-order. And let’s not forget symbolizing community engagement. Dropping idols in the middle of your game world isn’t just a quirky add-on; it’s a neon-sign declaration to younger generations that studios get them. Or at least, that’s what they’d like you to think. Imagine the Possibilities (Or Don’t) Imagine slaying a dragon in Elder Scrolls VI, and just as you land the final blow, you hear a kawaii “Sugoi!” burst from the game’s subtitles because, surprise, one of Hololive’s Vtubers voice-acted the shopkeeper back in town. Or picture NBA 2K, but every sideline commentator looks like they just walked out of an isekai anime. It’s the type of chaos you didn’t ask for but now fully expect, thanks to Yagoo’s grand ambitions. Does it add to player immersion? Probably not. Will it get people talking? Absolutely. And in the world of gaming, where attention is currency, those Twitter threads dissecting whether the collab is genius or cringe are worth every penny. The Future of Vtuber Collaborations Of course, this isn’t just about novelty. Hololive is banking on this strategy to push the cultural boundaries of Vtubing, pulling it beyond YouTube streams and TikTok trends right into the very fabric of interactive storytelling. But whether this becomes a long-lasting feature of big gaming franchises or a fleeting gimmick like 3D movies in the early 2010s will depend on how much developers lean into it. For the moment, it seems we’re at the tipping point. Death Stranding 2 may very well be the test case to see if gaming audiences want Vtubers peppered into their experiences. Given Kojima’s penchant for breaking molds, maybe this collab will end up being the fusion of memes and artistry we didn’t realize the gaming landscape needed. Visit Total Apex Gaming for more game-related news.

Justin Fields Called 'Biggest Loser' In Jets Training Camp
NFL

Justin Fields Called 'Biggest Loser' In Jets Training Camp

The New York Jets opted to cut Aaron Rodgers and sign Justin Fields to replace him during the offseason. This kind of commitment to Fields should bolster his confidence, but it could also place a lot of pressure on his shoulders. To this point, Fields has looked solid in training camp, aside from a scary toe injury that was quickly resolved in July. Justin Fried of the Jet Press recently reported that Fields' training camp may have reached a new low over the weekend as the young signal caller struggled. "Justin Fields put together his best practice of the summer to this point on Friday, completing his first 12 passes en route to an excellent all-around performance. The same can't be said about his showing on Saturday, however," Fried wrote. "Fields finished the day an abysmal 2-of-10 in the air, including a drop from rookie tight end Mason Taylor. "Some of his incompletions were catchable balls, but the Jets' passing game struggles on Saturday can largely be blamed on No. 7. Fields did flash his running ability with a 25-yard rushing score on the first play of red-zone drills, but the Jets would like to see more consistency in the air from the starting quarterback. Saturday's scrimmage was far from his best showing of the summer." Fields is a runner first at the NFL level, but his arm is nothing to scoff at. For most of training camp, his arm talent has been better than advertised, but during Saturday's scrimmage, it just wasn't there. A 2 for 10 performance is unacceptable for a $40 million quarterback who was signed to take over the team. The running game should open up the passing game for the Jets, which is going to need to be the case if Fields is going to struggle like this. However, it's just one day of camp. It's nothing to be too concerned about. Just because Fields lost this specific practice doesn't mean he's heading in the wrong direction as a whole.

Steelers In Town Scouting Elite Top Quarterback Prospect For 2026 NFL Draft
NFL

Steelers In Town Scouting Elite Top Quarterback Prospect For 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of excitement heading into the 2025 season with Aaron Rodgers in town, along with many other new faces. The team has Super Bowl expectations, but the fan base is still craving a true franchise quarterback to lead them for years to come. While rookie Will Howard has looked promising in training camp, he is not expected to be the long-term answer at quarterback. After the 2025 season concludes, the Steelers will be hosting the 2026 NFL Draft. Many pundits believe this event will be where the Steelers finally find their franchise quarterback, a player who can bring stability and success to the position. The anticipation is high, and the organization is clearly preparing to make a big move. On Monday, it was reported by Brad Denny, who provides excellent coverage of Arizona State football, that the Steelers have sent scouts to evaluate their prospects. Among those they are watching closely is the top quarterback prospect Sam Leavitt, indicating the team’s serious interest in securing a future star through the draft. In November of 2022, the Sun Devils hired Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, who has quickly transformed the team. What was once considered a struggling program has now become an exciting and competitive squad, with serious potential to contend for a national title heading into the 2025 season. Naturally, Steelers fans immediately think of Leavitt when they hear about scouts visiting, but the Sun Devils’ roster is loaded with NFL talent beyond just their star quarterback. It’s very possible the Steelers’ interest extends to other promising players as well. Chris Karpman gave more details about the amount of NFL scouts at the ASU practice on Monday. "There are 11 NFL scouts representing 10 teams at today’s ASU practice, the most at any practice since Dillingham became head coach," Karpman said on social media. It’s certainly interesting, but not surprising, to hear that the Steelers had scouts in attendance at the ASU practice. Sheldon White, the Steelers’ Director of Pro Scouting, is clearly involved in deciding who the organization will scout, when, and why. It’s no secret that the Steelers are in desperate need of a true franchise quarterback. Many believe the 2026 NFL Draft will be Pittsburgh’s biggest opportunity to find that quarterback since their attempt with Kenny Pickett in 2022. That experiment didn’t go as planned, and now, with 12 expected draft picks in a quarterback class that could be loaded with talent, the Steelers are getting an early look. They’ve begun scouting at ASU, keeping a close eye on potential prospects. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that former Steelers legend Hines Ward is still the wide receivers coach at ASU. His presence adds another layer of connection to the reports of Steelers scouts attending ASU practices, suggesting strong ties and serious interest in the program and its players. Steelers' Will Howard Has Looked Good In Training Camp Early reports out of camp are that sixth-round pick Howard has done a solid job with the opportunities he’s been given. The issue for Howard is that the Steelers are expected to draft a top quarterback prospect. Making such a big investment in a promising player will make it even harder for Howard to steal the starting job. Naturally, when more resources are tied up in a higher-end prospect, the team will do more to get the most out of that player. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible for Howard, but he will need to continue to thrive if he wants any chance to compete for the starting job after Rodgers.

Jordan Love’s surprising anecdote about Aaron Rodgers changes what everyone assumed
NFL

Jordan Love’s surprising anecdote about Aaron Rodgers changes what everyone assumed

When Jordan Love was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, the media immediately made his relationship with Aaron Rodgers a rivalry. In a recent post on the Players’ Tribune, Jordan Love finally addressed the noise. Many were stunned by the Green Bay Packers’ decision to draft Jordan Love in 2020. It was the first round. Aaron Rodgers had just thrown for over 4,000 yards, and there was no indication that he was going to be hanging up his cleats anytime soon. The Packers made a move out of left field, selecting the developmental quarterback out of Utah State with the 26th pick in the first round. Jordan Love was immediately engulfed in a media circus with a legendary quarterback he hadn’t even met yet. The media wanted Rodgers and Love to be rivals, but a recent post from the heir himself denies the claim There are endless rumors in the media about Aaron Rodgers being a bad teammate. Some will claim that where there’s smoke, there’s fire, while others will deny the claim. Many have come to Rodgers’ defense against that claim, with stories of his leadership and support for his teammates. New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson told one of those stories, explaining that the veteran QB helped him fly across the country when he needed surgery on his Achilles. In Green Bay, whispers of Rodgers refusing to support Jordan Love were everywhere. Now, five years into his career in the NFL, and with two years as a starter under his belt, Love took the time to show his appreciation for the veteran. In his post on the Player’s Tribune, Love recalled the night he was drafted. He said the Packers called and explained to him that they would be moving up to the 26th pick in order to select him. He was stunned and before he could take a breath, every question he was asked was about Aaron Rodgers. Love said: “before me and Aaron could even talk, the narrative was rolling. And it’s so crazy to me, because from the jump, Aaron was great with me. He laid out how he was in my same situation, and that he wanted to make sure there was no hostility. I told him I just wanted to learn and soak it all in.” Love had no problem being QB2. He said it was the ideal scenario. He was just 21 years old and coming into the league with a lot to learn. Behind Aaron, he was afforded the time that many rookie quarterbacks are not, often thrust into the starting lineup in Week 1 of their very first season. He had to learn how to handle adversity, the media, and command a locker room. He explained: “I got to watch Aaron and how he handled those situations, and that was invaluable.” Jordan Love barely played for the first three seasons of his career. Today, that’s extremely rare. Patrick Mahomes sat for one season before he started for the Kansas City Chiefs, and even that is considered an anomaly with the way the game moves on these days. Jordan Love, however, spent three years observing: “I also got to watch him spin that thing. There’s nothing like it. When him and Davante were out on that practice field, they wouldn’t miss. Literally. They had some kind of telepathic thing going on. Aaron would snap the ball, and he’d just glance over at Davante’s release, and within a split second, he knew where to put it — doot — back shoulder. Perfect. There was no check, no communication. Just a look.“ The Green Bay Packers quarterback revealed how much he learned from Rodgers. That in the league, the game is so much more than just playing, and that Rodgers was the master of manipulation. He closed the segment by saying that when he finally took over in 2023, his mom said: “Big shoes to fill. You going to be alright? You gotta play good, or they’ll get another quarterback.” So far, Jordan Love has done just fine, and 2025 could be a breakout year for the third-year starter. Jordan Love had front row seats for back-to-back MVPs, and one of the greatest duos in NFL history There are only two quarterback and wide receiver duos that have connected on more touchdowns than Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. They are Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, and Steve Young and Jerry Rice. Elite company. Jordan Love got to watch that partnership at practice every day, and then see it come to life on the field on game day. Rodgers may have been supportive of Love as a young quarterback, but he was still determined to show the Packers, and the rest of the league, that he could still play at an elite level. In Love’s rookie season, Rodgers threw 48 touchdown passes and just five interceptions, while earning the league MVP in the process. The following season he won the award again. He was playing the best football of his career, and Love was right there on the sidelines watching every snap. That has to mean something. There has to be value in studying those reps, and then sitting down with the man himself to watch the tape and understand what he saw. Jordan Love is poised for a big year in 2025, and it’s a beautiful touch to pay homage to the mentor he felt so fortunate to have. Barring any unforeseen injuries, the two will face one another for what may be the first and only time in their careers. The Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road on October 26th, on Sunday Night Football.

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