April Fools 2019: All The Best Gaming Pranks And Updates (VIDEO)
Even with so much hard work and competition currently going on in gaming, a particular time of year sees companies from all around the industry (not Microsoft) unite in the playful art of the troll. Of course, we’re referring to the yearly occasion of April Fools Day and just like every year, today’s proceedings didn’t disappoint with goofy showcases from numerous ridiculous products as well as a few especially hilarious game updates. A list of our favorites can be viewed below.
Corsair Game Launcher Launcher
As more and more PC storefronts rise to prominence, players are inclined to keep track of each of these services’ through an endless collection of launchers. For today’s festival of foolishness, Corsair has let out its heartiest “yo dawg” and unveiled a universal solution: a game launcher for your game launchers. While this would seem like an admittedly stellar idea, Corsair’s result is much more complicated than expected; with “some of the brightest minds on Reddit” concocting a hodgepodge of helpful features such as hair-trigger notifications, a loot box trade-in system, as well as a launcher-specific digital currency.
Devil May Cry 5 – New Playable Character
Check out this fun announcement for DMC5!#AprilFools #DMC5 pic.twitter.com/JX33BUBZYn
— Capcom Dev 1 (@dev1_official) April 1, 2019
Speaking of Hell, Capcom’s Devil May Cry 5 has taken a break from absolutely slaying it with critics to cobble together its own chuckle-worthy April Fools prank. Premising a new DLC, the bug-like Empusa enemy was jokingly revealed to be the game’s next playable character, devs going as far as to render a few gloriously-recreated cutscenes. As an added surprise, DMC5’s free Bloody Palace update was given a release date, confirming players’ ability to battle a gauntlet of demonic forces starts today. No joke!
DOOM – The Joy of Slaying
Introducing a new DOOM experience for the artist in everyone. pic.twitter.com/rU2NvMkHI6
— DOOM (@DOOM) April 1, 2019
Destroying endless waves of hell-beasts sure does warrant some down time, and id Software and Bethesda are offering up a healthy serving in the form of DOOM: The Joy of Slaying. While we’re currently waiting for DOOM Eternal to make is debut, April Fools Day painting a decidedly different picture utilizing the awesome power of Bob Ross. Quake before the might of his happy little trees!
Final Fantasy XIV – Omega Digital Assistant
Following the epic reveal of the upcoming Shadowbringers expansion, Final Fantasy XIV is now giving fans another hot commodity to drool over for the time being. In a new video, the series’ ultimate doom-devising weapon Omega is transformed into a digital home assistant, offering readily available guidance from the interdimensional engine of destruction itself. This fantastic repurposing transpires as one might expect; Omega continuously running down its organic owners and waiting for the smallest excuse to unleash a devastating Wave Cannon attack.
For Honor – Rabbids Invasion
Rabbids are invading For Honor for one day only! Think this is an April Fool’s prank? Go in-game to find out! ?https://t.co/JXxOkn9q1b pic.twitter.com/XLojxN0loa
— For Honor (@ForHonorGame) April 1, 2019
Fans of For Honor know the game’s general premise pretty well at this point; the title essentially presenting a fight club of history’s most formidable warriors. While the game has so far stuck to traditional champions such as Medieval Knights and Feudal Japanese Samurai, April Fools has introduced the unlikely addition of Ubisoft’s Raving Rabbids, with players able to engage in combat alongside the insanely strange creatures until the end of the day today. Welcome to the magical land of April Fools Day, where pure insanity like this can happen!
Google Maps – Snake
Your favorite 90s game is taking over Maps for #AprilFools! Here’s how to play:
? Update to the latest version of Maps
? Tap the menu icon
? Tap “Play Snake” and start!Click here to play #GoogleMapsSnake: https://t.co/rV4iRX64gJ pic.twitter.com/qcCgvKALFG
— Google Australia NZ (@googledownunder) April 1, 2019
Who needs the productivity of Google Maps when there’s glorious retro gaming to be had? Debuting earlier yesterday, Google has put out a fun little variant of Snake, the 90s phone staple using the world’s maps as a stage. Available via App and web browser, players take control of a particularly busy train, picking up pixelated passengers as the means of transit gets exceedingly longer. Those with the nostalgic urge to take the snake by the fangs can do so by updating the official Google Maps app or via the dedicated website.
Mortal Kombat 11 – Light Balance
Mortal Kombat 11 already sports comedic levels of violence, so its only fitting that NetherRealm Studios and WB goes different direction for April Fools Day, debuting a collaboration with stunning performance group Light Balance. In the video above, the likes of Raiden, Sub-Zero, Baraka, and of course Scorpion all make their LED-infused debut, choreographed to a short-but-sweet visual treat designed to market the game’s upcoming release.
Nvidia GeForce RTX R.O.N.
Hardware makers Nvidia weren’t one to stay out of the fun, as the company has now introduced a new AI-powered virtual assistant dubbed the GeForce RTX R.O.N. The video above showcases the full array of next-generation abilities at the device’s disposal, such as support for a variety of languages, calculating top-tier gaming advice, and even handling trolls with the best comebacks Nvidia technology has to offer. As R.O.N.’s official website simply proclaims, “It just works.”
PlatinumGames’ New IP
PlatinumGames presents a thrilling new original title that’ll give you a run for your life… and your money! This April 1, witness the birth of a lustrous new hero! pic.twitter.com/aR5L6MmwkR
— PlatinumGames Inc. (@platinumgames) April 1, 2019
Rather than beat around the bush with developer interviews and gameplay previews, PlatinumGames is cutting to the chase with its showcase for April Fools. Gunning for players lives as well as their wallets, a new style-heavy video presents a new self-published IP starring studio president Kenichi Sato as a “lustrous new hero” dubbed Chief Executive Omni-Weapon Ken-Ichi. Complete with fully-mechanized body armor and a sweet pair of shades, its not difficult to surmise that this guy means business; video game business.
PlayStation Memorabilia Keychain Collection
PlayStation is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its first console later this year, but Sony is seemingly getting a leg up on the milestone for April Fools Day. Presenting a bizarre advert, the company is extending a strange piece of faux-merchandise to mark the occasion: full-scale console keychains. Replicating the brand’s 2+ decades of hardware (weight included), the proposed line of PlayStation swag looks to provide nothing but sheer inconvenience to an exceedingly ridiculous degree. We’ll take 20.
Pokémon GO – Ash Photobomb
Trainers, There are reports of Pikachu with Ash Hat ? appearing in Pokémon GO photobombing AR Photos for April 1st in your local timezone!#PokemonGO #GOFieldGuide #PokémonGO pic.twitter.com/5MK9kxKFd4
— PokeWreck | GO Field Guide (@PokeWreck) March 31, 2019
Though the star character of Pokémon GO has largely been its hundreds of collectible Pocket Monsters, a surprise contender is now gunning for that coveted spotlight for the duration of April Fools Day. As part of the mobile game’s jolly holiday update, Ash Ketchum of anime fame is out to prove he’s still the very best (like no one ever was), even if it means randomly photobombing the game’s AR photo mode. Ash’s trusty pal Pikachu also looks to be in on the snapshot-spoiling action, but we’re guessing people won’t be too upset about that one.
Rainbow Six Siege – Rainbow is Magic
Well there’s something you don’t see every day. Ubisoft’s hard-edge tactical shooter Rainbow Six Siege has now adopted an enchanting new aesthetic in the form of the free Rainbow is Magic Collection Pack. Shimmering sparkles, multi-colored unicorns, and every discernible shade of pink cover the extent of this magical event, also introducing a critical in-game mission to “rescue the VIP teddy bear held hostage in a toy plane.” The best part? All this flamboyantly flowery fun extends until the end of the week.
Resident Evil 2 – “Zombies Wanted”
Raccoon City needs you! The zombie population has decreased dramatically over the last few months. Find out how you can help at the link below: https://t.co/vk9ROLwaaD#AprilFools #zombieswanted #RE2
— Capcom Dev 1 (@dev1_official) April 1, 2019
Ever since Resident Evil 2 launched back in January, zombie slayers have entered the adventure from all walks of gaming to see what the fuss was about, contributing to an already glorious new era for Capcom. However, it appears this extreme popularity wasn’t without cost, Capcom revealing the world zombie population has decreased by a staggering 700 million corpses. This April 1st marks the start of a campaign to replenish the undead population, developers issuing a job applications to “hire additional staff” consisting of “all ages, genders, and educational backgrounds” to fight this “serious zombie shortage.”
“Square Kirby”
エッ！？
カービィ先輩が四角（ハコ）に！？！？！？#エイプリルフール #AprilFoolsDay#四角いカービィ #マルボーイ#カービィ #キュービィ pic.twitter.com/Ej0ujszI1K— 【ハコボーイ！公式】キュービィの部屋！ (@Hakoboy_HAL) March 31, 2019
The pink, shape-shifting entity known as Kirby has always been one of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters, but for the occasion of April Fools, the iconic blob is adopting a much more edgy look. Literally. In lieu of a classically round appearance, Kirby is now sporting the shape of a cube (Kuby?), Nintendo Japan and HAL Laboratory revealing the acute new angle over social media. On the flip side, fellow HAL creation Qbby from BoxBoy! has undergone a similar transformation, appearing round in a an apparent shape-switcheroo between the two characters.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Vermintide 2’s battle-ready Dwarf Bardin Goreksson may be one of the game’s most vocally-inclined members of the battlefield, but April Fools day is rolling with that concept into an apparent record deal. In a rousing new album titled Bardin’s Songbook, such classics such as “Over the Mountain” and “Where have all the Gobboz gone?” can now be pumped into players’ ears without ever logging into the game. Those eager to add Bardin’s Songbook to their collection can head to its official website, though it appears all copies of the compilation are currently sold out (of course).
What do you think? Are you a fan of these April Fools Day gags, or were there some that we missed? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out these next few news stories:
Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.
