Wednesday, September 30, 2020
How to Play Co-op in Genshin Impact
Dress Up With Animal Crossing Halloween Skin Tones and Eye Colors
PS5's Confusing Game Save Situation
Crash Bandicoot 4 Dev on Making the Biggest Crash Game Ever
EA Pulls Ad That Markets FIFA Microtransactions to Children
In other words, you're spending real money on the chance to get a random virtual player in-game. That ad will be pulled from the magazine, according to EA in a report from Eurogamer. "We take vey seriously the responsibilities we have when marketing EA games and experiences in channels seen by children," EA told Eurogamer. "In spite of this, we're aware that advertising for FIFA Points has appeared in environments it shouldn't have. We have been working diligently with Smyths (toy magazine) to ensure this advertisement is not distributed in any remaining copies of their 2020 catalogue." EA said it has undertaken an immediate review of all future media placements to ensure each of its future marketing efforts better reflects the "responsibility we take for the experience of our younger players." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/06/fifa-21-official-gameplay-trailer"] It's unclear if the now-pulled advertisement was placed in the Smyths toy magazine on purpose or if it was a mixup of some kind. Regardless, it's expected to be removed from the rest of the 2020 catalog for the magazine. This isn't the first time EA has found itself in hot water over microtransactions. Microtransactions in Star Wars Battlefront 2, which was an EA game, caused enough controversy that then-Disney CEO Bob Iger got involved and the company even found itself defending loot boxes, which are a form of microtransactions, to the UK's parliament. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.Put your two eyes on step two.#ThisIsntOK pic.twitter.com/IA6HRv2Elf
— FIFA21Mistakes (@AllFifaMistakes) September 26, 2020
Here's How to Get a Ring Con in Animal Crossing
Console Wars Face-Off Results: What's the Best '90s Game of All Time?
With a 91.2% win percentage, claiming victory in 18,563 of its 20,354 battles, SNES' Super Mario World has officially come out on top. Super Mario World narrowly beat out The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Super Mario Kart, games that placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Super Nintendo games - including Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time - claimed the top six spots, while Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was the first Sega Genesis game at #7. Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Street Fighter II Turbo, and Super Mario All-Stars rounded out the top 10. 
As for the bottom of the barrel, Magical Taruruto-kun came in last place with only a 17.1% win percentage. It was joined by Herzog Zwei, which had a 21.8% win percentage, Target Earth, Sword of Vermilion, Pulseman, Wings of Wor, Mazin Saga: Mutant Fighter, Zero Tolerance, Steel Empire, and General Chaos. 
Are you wondering where your favorite SNES or Genesis game landed? Like Final Fantasy VI, perhaps? (It took 20th place, just above Mortal Kombat!) For all the rankings, You can check out the full list of the best '90s game of all time results here. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/18/the-100-best-games-of-all-time-in-10-minutes"] Be sure to check out Power Ranking our new community-focused polling series, dedicated to settling important arguments like the what's the best Star Wars games of all time and who's the greatest video game characters of all time. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Godfall Is $10 Cheaper on PC Than PS5
How to Get Pumpkins in Animal Crossing
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War - Here's What Comes in Each Edition
Preorder Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Standard Edition
PS4
- Get it at Amazon - $59.99
- Get it at Best Buy - $59.99
- Get it at GameStop - $59.99
- Get it at Walmart - $59.99
- Get it at PS Store (digital) - $59.99
- Get it at Amazon - $69.99
- Get it at Best Buy - $69.99
- Get it at GameStop - $69.99
- Get it at Walmart - $69.99
- Get it at Amazon - $59.99
- Get it at Best Buy - $59.99
- Get it at GameStop - $59.99
- Get it at Walmart - $59.99
- Get it at MS Store (digital) - $59.99
- Get it at Amazon - $69.99
- Get it at Best Buy - $69.99
- Get it at GameStop - $69.99
- Get it at Walmart - $69.99
- Get it at GameStop - $59.99
- Get it at Battle.net - $59.99
Preorder Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Cross-Gen Bundle
- Get it for PS4/PS5 (digital) - $69.99
- Get it for Xbox One/Series X (digital) - $69.99
Preorder Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Ultimate Edition
- Get it for PS4/PS5 at PS Store (digital) - $89.99
- Get it for Xbox One/Series X at MS Store (digital) - $89.99
- Get it for PC at Battle.net - $89.99
- Land, Sea and Air Pack:
- 3 Operator Skins
- 3 Vehicle Skins
- 3 Weapon Blueprints
- Battle Pass Bundle (1 Season Battle Pass + 20 Tier Skips)
- Confrontation Weapons Pack
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Preorder Bonus
Preorder any digital edition of the game, and you'll get access to the beta. Additionally, Best Buy is offering a $10 reward for My Best Buy members. As for what to expect from the game itself, the campaign is set in the early 1980s, where Activision says you'll encounter real-life historical figures as you drop into hostile situations in places like East Berlin, Vietnam, Turkey, and Soviet KGB headquarters. The multiplayer and Zombies mode will use the same era-appropriate weapons in skirmishes against real-life opponents and undead enemies respectively. You'll find a lot more information in our Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War hands-on preview.Other Preorder Guides
[poilib element="commerceDeal" parameters="slug=other-preorder-guides&type=list"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Chris Reed is IGN's shopping and commerce editor. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed. [widget path="ign/modules/recirc" parameters="title=&type=articles%2Cvideos&tags=us-shopping&count=3&columnCount=3&theme=article"]Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered Reveals New Peter Parker, PS5 Details, 60 FPS Gameplay
Source: Sony Interactive Entertainment/Insomniac Games[/caption] Check out IGN’s Spider-Man Miles Morales preorder guide to check out how to get the Ultimate Edition, which comes with Spider-Man Remastered. Also, check out our original Spider-Man review. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.
28 Best Xbox Game Pass Games
Crusader Kings 3
Xbox Game Pass (PC) In IGN's Crusader Kings 3 review, we called it "a superb strategy game, a great RPG, and a master class in how to take the best parts of existing systems and make them deeper and better." Its strong grand strategy mechanics are propped up by meaningful human stories that emerge as you build and sustain a dynasty. It earned a 10 in our review, which crowned it the "new king of historical strategy." Read IGN’s Crusader Kings 3 review.Dead Cells
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Thanks to its ever-changing level design, each run of Dead Cells feels fresh. The fast and fluid action-platformer provides the promise of something new at the start of each run, creating a loop of discovery that alleviates the frustration of failure; with each death comes an eagerness to see what surprises the next run holds. Read IGN’s Dead Cells review.Destiny 2
Xbox Game Pass (console) Game Pass subscribers on console now have access to Destiny 2 and all of its current expansions, including Forsaken and Shadowkeep. It's a great time to dive into the ever-evolving shooter, as its next expansion, Beyond Light, will launch day and date on Game Pass in November. Read IGN’s Destiny 2 review. [poilib element="commerceCta" json="%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F04%2F02%2FGPU1585854790416.jpg%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F04%2F02%2FGPU1585854790416_%7Bsize%7D.jpg%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e86394ae4b0c8e1b49fa750%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbrs4%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Xbox%20Game%20Pass%20Ultimate%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D"]Dishonored 2
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Dishonored 2 is all about player choice. It’s clear from the very beginning, when you’ll choose between two playable characters, and extends throughout the roughly 12-hour campaign, which allows you to tackle each mission with any combination of stealth, smarts, and violence. And it’s all set within some of the best-designed levels in recent memory. Read IGN’s Dishonored 2 review.Doom Eternal
Xbox Game Pass (console on October 1, PC "later in 2020") Doom Eternal is the first Bethesda game added to Game Pass since Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media earlier in September. A sequel to id Software's 2016 Doom reboot, Eternal is one of the finest first-person shooters in recent memory. Subscribers have a lot to look forward to with Microsoft's big Bethesda acquisition, as the publisher's existing and future games, including heavy hitters like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI, will launch day and date on Game Pass. Read IGN’s Doom Eternal review.Fable II
Xbox Game Pass (console) One of the all-time great Xbox 360 exclusives, Fable II is filled with well-written and fully realized characters and stories, loads of quests, and moral freedom in how you interact with the fantastical world of Albion. In our initial review, we called it “a captivating, unforgettable experience,” and that still holds true to this day. Read IGN’s Fable 2 review.Fallout: New Vegas
Xbox Game Pass (console) Another massive open-world RPG, Fallout: New Vegas is a take on the apocalyptic wasteland painted with developer Obsidian Entertainment’s signature wit and charm. A branching main story and excellent side quests keep you moving through the Mojave Wasteland, where you’ll encounter memorable characters (its dialogue is particularly brilliant) and creatures. Game Pass also includes Fallout 4, but if you don’t mind the 360-era graphics, New Vegas is our go-to for a Fallout fix. Read IGN’s Fallout: New Vegas review.Forza Horizon 4
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Playground Games has established Forza Horizon as the premier open-world racing franchise. With stunning visuals (highlighted throughout its shifting seasons), remarkable sound design, hundreds of customizable vehicles from over 80 car manufacturers, and a host of events—from racing and rally to drift and drag—Forza Horizon 4 is a must-play racer. Read IGN’s Forza Horizon 4 review.Gears 5
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Gears 5 may be the second game in the series’ new saga, but it feels very much like a first; The Coalition’s latest shifts its story focus to new protagonist Kate Diaz, introduces a more open world, and the new Escape co-op mode. However, not all is new: Gears 5 retains (and sharpens) the excellent cover-based shooting and visceral up-close combat the series was built on. If you’re new to the series, we recommend you start at the beginning with Gears of War Ultimate Edition, as the entire series is available on Game Pass. If you’re put off by the time investment, at least start with Gears 4; it includes some important context to understanding the story of 5. Read IGN’s Gears 5 review. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/04/gears-5-campaign-review"]Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Xbox Game Pass is arguably the industry’s best value in terms of services, and within that service lies arguably the best value in terms of software with Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Compiling Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and beautifully remastered versions of Halo 2, 3, ODST, Reach, and Halo 4, The Master Chief Collection includes one of gaming’s greatest sci-fi sagas spread across several of its best first-person shooters. Read IGN’s Halo: The Master Chief Collection review (2019 update).Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Hellblade tells an emotional 6-7-hour story, “one of confusion, sadness, fear, and loss [that’s] punctuated by moments of beauty, and strength,” as we said in our review. Its HUD-less display immerses you in a gorgeously realized Norse hellscape as protagonist Senua, whose perception of the world infiltrates your experience in imaginative, unsettling ways. The brilliant binaural audio design makes playing with headphones a must, as the voices in Senua’s head echo through yours. Even if it’s just to prepare for the sequel on Xbox Series X, Hellblade is a must-play. Read IGN’s Hellblade review.Hollow Knight
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) One of the best Metroidvanias in recent memory (and the first of two on this list), Hollow Knight is a stylish 2D platformer that prioritizes exploration and rewards those patient (and brave) enough to venture into its depths with a surprisingly developed story, challenging combat, and plenty of secrets to uncover. Read IGN’s Hollow Knight review.Microsoft Flight Simulator
Xbox Game Pass (PC) Microsoft Flight Simulator uses real-life mapping data to turn the entirety of Earth into an aviation playground. It's a technical marvel that provides endless opportunities for exploration and discovery, with flexible settings that cater to novices and aficionados alike. IGN's reviewer Seth Macy awarded it a 10 and called Flight Simulator "the most incredible experience I've ever had on a computer." Read IGN’s Microsoft Flight Simulator review.Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Shadow of War builds on its already excellent predecessor, Shadow of Mordor, resulting in a bigger and more ambitious action game set in one of fiction’s most beloved worlds. The series’ main draw, however, remains the excellent Nemesis System, which has been expanded in Shadow of War to make even more memorable enemies out of otherwise forgettable foes. Read IGN’s Shadow of War review.Monster Hunter: World
Xbox Game Pass (console) Monster Hunter: World is an excellent action-RPG with gameplay systems as deep as its open world is expansive. While more accessible than its predecessors, Monster Hunter: World is still dense, but commit to learning its systems and you’ll discover a wonderfully addictive crafting-and-hunting gameplay loop. Read IGN’s Monster Hunter: World review.Night in the Woods
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Night in the Woods is a story-based adventure that explores the fears and anxieties of young adulthood through the lens of an anthropomorphic cat named Mae. It's an affecting story that balances its sadness with cartoonish charm and well-written humor. Read IGN’s Night in the Woods review.Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Ori and the Will of the Wisps demands your attention from start to finish. It’s necessary as you dash and slash your way through its challenging platforming sections, and it’s constantly captured by the gorgeous environments, whimsical characters, heartfelt story, and excellent score. Will of the Wisps oscillates between tension and serenity, and the result is an expertly choreographed dance through the vibrant land of Niwen. Read IGN’s Ori and the Will of the Wisps review. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/10/ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-review"]Outer Wilds
Xbox Game Pass (console) Outer Wilds is a true adventure game, one that requires patience and thoughtful problem solving skills. To say much would risk spoiling its unique cyclical structure, but suffice it to say that as your understanding of its world and history grows, so does the satisfaction of discovery and exploration. Read IGN’s Outer Wilds review.The Outer Worlds
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) The Outer Worlds is developer Obsidian Entertainment doing what it does best: a cleverly designed, well-written RPG. Filled with dark humor, top-tier dialogue, and a wealth of player choice in how you build your character, interact with the world, and tackle quests, The Outer Worlds is easily one of the best RPGs of the last few years. Read IGN’s Outer Worlds review.Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Resident Evil 7 is one of the best horror games of this generation. By introducing a new protagonist, setting, and first-person perspective, Capcom brought the series' focus back to horror, and in doing so created its best-selling Resident Evil of all time. Game Pass subscribers will want to catch up on the story of Ethan Winters so far, as next year's Resident Evil Village will be a direct sequel to Biohazard. Read IGN’s Resident Evil 7 review. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=25-scariest-games-of-this-generation&captions=true"]Slay the Spire
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) “Slay the Spire takes some of the best parts of deckbuilding games, roguelikes, and dungeon crawlers and mixes them into a wholly new and extremely satisfying package,” reads IGN’s review. Like the best strategy games, Slay the Spire is easy to pick up but difficult to master, making its hundredth hour as engaging as its first. Read IGN’s Slay the Spire review.Spiritfarer
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Spiritfarer is a gorgeous adventure that blends platforming and town management gameplay with emotional stories of life and death, joy and grief, beginnings and ends. As Stella, you're tasked with befriending spirits and providing them passage to the afterlife. Along the way you'll collect resources, learn recipes, and build homes — all while forging relationships with your passengers, to whom you'll inevitably have to say goodbye. Read IGN’s Spiritfarer review.State of Decay 2
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Perhaps a post-apocalyptic simulation in which humanity was decimated by a plague is not the game you need right now, but State of Decay 2 does provide a fun, zombie-filled co-op sandbox in which you and your friends can connect as you practice social distancing. With the recent release of the Juggernaut Edition, which fixes many of its bugs, overhauls its visuals, and adds a ton of new content (and tutorials) on top of all the already-released expansions, there’s no better time to dive into State of Decay 2. Read IGN’s State of Decay 2 review.Sunset Overdrive
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Sunset Overdrive is probably the most under-appreciated Xbox One console exclusive. Developer Insomniac’s singular vision of the apocalypse is full of color, charm, and comedy. The stylistic shooter also features some of the best traversal mechanics from this generation — only outdone by Insomniac’s followup, Marvel’s Spider-Man. Read IGN’s Sunset Overdrive review. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2014/12/17/why-sunset-overdrive-is-a-game-of-the-year-nominee"]Tell Me Why
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) Tell Me Why is a three-chapter narrative adventure from Life Is Strange developer Dontnod Entertainment. It tells the story of twins Alyson and Tyler Ronan, who reunite 10 years after their mother's death and return to their hometown of Delos Crossing, Alaska, to prepare their childhood home for sale. Like Life Is Strange, Tell Me Why features plenty of player choice and juxtaposes a grounded, human story with a touch of the supernatural. Read IGN’s Tell Me Why review.Wasteland 3
Xbox Game Pass (console and PC) IGN's review called Wasteland 3 "one of the more memorable [tactical RPGs] to date," thanks to its "impressive freedom of choice, its dark and rough humor, and its satisfying combat." It's another strong RPG from inXile, which is encouraging news for Game Pass subscribers, as every future game from the now-Microsoft-owned studio will launch on the service. Read IGN’s Wasteland 3 review.What Remains of Edith Finch
Xbox Game Pass (console) What Remains of Edith Finch is a story-based adventure in the vein of Gone Home. Clocking in at around two hours, Edith Finch’s multi-generational tale is told through a series of allegorical vignettes. While each vignette follows the final moments of a different ill-fated member of the Finch family, the way in which each story is told is singular. Read IGN’s What Remains of Edith Finch review.The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
Xbox Game Pass (console) CD Projekt Red’s epic is this generation's best RPGs — and arguably its best game, period. As the famed monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, you’ll explore a massive open world featuring a riveting story, worthwhile side quests, a memorable supporting cast, a bestiary full of creative foes, endless lore, and engaging combat. There’s easily over 100 hours of gameplay in The Witcher 3, and if escapism is what you’re after, this is the best Game Pass has to offer. Read IGN’s The Witcher 3 review. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Those are our picks for the best games you can find on Xbox Game Pass. Let us know in the comments what made your list that might have been left off ours! [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies Mode Revealed
Dance, Drink, and Die in Strobophagia: Rave Horror
PlayStation Plus Games for October 2020 Announced
Need for Speed: Payback is the more underwhelming of the two offerings - in our 5.9 review we called it "a big, competent, and confident arcade racer but it’s really let down by its linear cop chases, its overwrought and insidious upgrade system, its dreadful dialogue, and its superficial action sequences." Vampyr is a step up, however. In a 7/10 review, we called Dontnod's narrative-focused experience "a slow burn of an RPG, taking its time to ramp up its intriguing blend of science and the supernatural in an elaborately gloomy version of London." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/06/04/vampyr-review"] Last month's games, PUBG and Street Fighter 5, will remain available for free to PS Plus members until October 5, so make sure to claim them in time. [poilib element="accentDivider"][poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Need for Speed: Payback and Vampyr are your PS Plus games for October: https://t.co/kKNMxUDkCL pic.twitter.com/K1Kutlws67
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 30, 2020
Immortals Fenyx Rising - All of Our New Info and Gameplay - IGN First
From Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to Gods & Monsters to Immortals Fenyx Rising
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/15/how-ac-odyssey-became-gods-monsters-and-finally-immortals-fenyx-rising"] Immortals Fenyx Rising is the game formerly known as Gods & Monsters, which Ubisoft first announced at E3 2019. Originally set to be released in February 2020, it was delayed for several months, and in that time it has become Immortals Fenyx Rising. We chatted to game director Scott Phillips to learn more about how the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey team took their love of Greek mythology and turned it into this new game, and why the name changed along the way.Inside the Vaults of Tartaros
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/17/inside-immortals-fenyx-risings-vaults-of-tartaros-ign-first"] The world of Immortals Fenyx Rising is littered with puzzles. Many of these are hidden beneath the surface of the land, in pockets of the Greek underworld known as the Vaults of Tartaros. We spoke to associate game director Julien Galloudec to learn about how the team was influenced by Zelda, World of Goo, and Portal while making these puzzle dungeons.A Tour of the Golden Isle
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/21/immortals-fenyx-rising-a-tour-of-the-golden-isle-ign-first"] The world of Immortals is known as the Golden Isle, and is split into seven regions, each dedicated to one of the gods of the Greek pantheon. Game director Scott Phillips and art director Thierry Dansereau gave us some insight into how the team designed and built these areas, and what players can expect to do in them, as part of a tour of the Golden Isle.Meet Zeus and Prometheus
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/23/immortals-fenyx-rising-meet-zeus-and-prometheus-ign-first"] While Fenyx is Immortals’ main character, they’re not the one who’ll be doing the most talking in the game. That honour belongs to Zeus and Prometheus, a bickering odd couple who commentate your gameplay like godly shoutcasters. We spoke to narrative director Jeffrey Yohalemto learn more about the game’s narrators, and how they bring comedy to the story.The Mythological Creatures of Immortals Fenyx Rising
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/25/the-mythological-creatures-of-immortals-fenyx-rising-ign-first"] Fenyx's enemies are all pulled from the ancient Greek myths. You can expect to see plenty of harpies, gorgons, and minotaurs on your travels around the Golden Isle. To learn more, we spoke to game director Scott Phillips and art director Thierry Dansereau about how the creatures were adapted from the myths, and what kind of gameplay challenges they pose players.Exclusive Hands-On Preview
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/28/immortals-fenyx-rising-2nd-hands-on-preview-ign-first"] When Immortals Fenyx Rising was re-revealed with its new name at Ubisoft Forward, we were able to bring you a hands-on preview of The Forgelands region of its open world. But, as part of IGN First, we’ve also been able to play an exclusive section of the game that no other press outlet has been able to try. You can learn about what we played in the Aphrodite zone of the Golden Isle in our exclusive hands-on preview. [poilib element="accentDivider"]Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Next DLC Character Will Be Revealed On Thursday
Wasteland 3 Developer Is Working on 2 New RPGs Right Now
As well as launching Wasteland 3 for PC, Xbox One and PS4 on August 28 this year, The studio has also been hard at work on Frostpoint VR, which recently launched in Open Beta on the Oculus Store and Steam. Some will be hoping that Fargo's future projects will be in some way related to Microsoft's acquisiton of Bethesda. InXile is also owned by Microsoft and, with Fargo's role in creating Bethesda's Fallout series, some have hoped for a crossover. In a similar vein, many have already requested an Obsidian-Bethesda crossover for Fallout: New Vegas 2. You can check out our review of Wasteland 3 here. We scored the game an 8, calling it a "memorable RPG" offering "choices with major consequences." If you're playing through the game at the moment and on the lookout for all of the game's followers and companions, check out our handy guide. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.I should probably clarify that our second RPG is in the infancy of pre production.
— Brian Fargo (@BrianFargo) September 26, 2020
Call of Duty: Warzone - Activision Reportedly Bans 20,000 More Cheaters
Cyberpunk 2077 Studio Head Responds to Mandatory Crunch Reports
"This is one of the hardest decisions I've had to make, but everyone is well compensated for every extra hour they put in," Badowski adds. "And, like in recent years, 10% of the annual profit our company generates in 2020 will be split directly among the team." If you're unfamiliar with the concept of crunch, it's a term used in the video game industry to describe situations where employees are asked to work overtime to meet project deadlines. For more information, check out our article covering the state of mental health in game development. In other Cyberpunk 2077 news, CD Projekt Red's Environment City Coordinator Hiroshi Sakakibara recently explained how his team built the game's setting, Night City. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.https://t.co/Ie5W0O7iiv pic.twitter.com/IJBZ3IIT6m
— Adam Badowski (@AdamBadowski) September 30, 2020
Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Gets Halloween Skin Pack
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Nintendo's Jump Rope Challenge to Remain on Switch eShop 'Until Further Notice'
Living With the Xbox Series X So Far
Cyberpunk 2077 Devs Reportedly Required to Crunch to Meet November Release Date
PS5 Launch Games Preorder Details Revealed: Bonuses for Demon's Souls, Spider-Man, and Sackboy
Sackboy: A Big Adventure Digital Deluxe Edition:
- A digital artbook showcasing the world of Sackboy
- Digital soundtrack
- Four Sackboy costumes from different PlayStation Games: Jin from Ghost of Tsushima, Sam Porter Bridges from Death Stranding, Connor from Detroit Become Hume, and Deacon St. James from Days Gone
- Four Sackboy emotes based on previously mentioned characters.
- 20 Sackboy Avatars
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Standard or Ultimate Edition:
- T.R.A.C.K. Suit DLC skin. Designed by Javier Garron, artist on the Miles: Morales Spider-Man comic series. Includes Untrackable Suit Mod.
- Second Spidey suit: Unannounced mystery DLC suit.
- Gravity Well Gadget: Early unlock for the Gravity Well Gadget that pulls enemies together and knocks them down, disarming them.
- Extra skill points: Bonus points that can go towards new powers and abilities.
Demon's Souls Digital Deluxe Edition
Demon’s Souls is unique in that its Digital Deluxe Edition comes with new armor and weapons that weren’t in the original PlayStation 3 version of the game. Preorder any version of Demon’s Souls and players will receive the new Reaper’s Scythe weapon. Digital preorder for the Deluxe Edition will also include:- Legendary Hero Soul
- Renowned Warrior Soul
- Stories Warrior Soul
- Red-Eye Knight Armor
- Boletarian Royalty Armor
- Ritual Blade
- Hoplite Shield
- Ring of Longevity
- Preservation Grains
- Phosphorescent Grains
- Bearbug Grains
- Large Hardstone Share
- Moonlight Share
- Original Soundtrack
How Among Us Came Back From the Brink of Obscurity
The ship had already sailed on Among Us.
The cloak-and-dagger party game, fashioned in the tradition of classic social deduction activities like Mafia and Werewolf, was initially released in the summer of 2018 exclusively for Androids and iPhones to a winsome, but mostly neglected response. The gameplay was always solid but, for whatever reason – be it the exclusively to mobile platforms, the local-only multiplayer, or the limited marketing abilities of developer Innersloth's small team – Among Us didn’t catch on with the general gaming public. By the time it hit Steam a year later, with online multiplayer patched in, nobody expected it to become a runaway success.
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Fast forward to 2020, however, and Among Us has quickly established itself as one of the preeminent party games on Twitch and YouTube. After an entirely inauspicious launch, Among Us has now racked up over 75,000 reviews on Steam, and is averaging hundreds of thousands concurrent players around the clock. This isn't a new story; indie games go viral all the time – just look at Surgeon Simulator, Escape From Tarkov, or Getting Over It. But it is rare for a title to sit dormant for multiple years before inexplicably catching fire. Before Innersloth knew it, they had the hottest game on the planet.
"The first thing we really noticed was a Twitch stream from Sodapoppin," says Forest Willard, programmer and co-founder of Innersloth. "We had various moments where we were like, 'We're doing well,' but it was that point where we saw that a lot of people and other streamers started to climb onboard."
There are three people credited for the development of Among Us. Willard was the primary coder, Marcus Bromander served as the animator and designer, and Amy Liu handled the lion's share of the art. For the last two years since release, Willard says he was pretty much the only person working on day-to-day operations. That wasn't an especially difficult job; after all, it's not like Among Us had a huge player base demanding his oversight. So it was a shock to boot up the game's backend after Sodapoppin's endorsement to find that Among Us had 10,000-plus players attempting to barge into a server at the same time. Willard was the only intermediary to make sure the game's infrastructure survived.
"[Among Us] couldn't handle that server load. You have to re-do code and re-do systems so you can get more servers onboard. It was really overwhelming," he remembers. "It was just, 12-hour days, nose-to-the-grindstone until you get it done."
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Innersloth doesn't really have a professional office. The team is local to the Pacific Northwest, and while they saw each other occasionally during the Among Us development process, for the most part, they work from home remotely. As of right now, the trio remains united as a completely independent studio, but as is customary when an indie game takes the world by storm, triple-A sharks are starting to sniff around their estate, looking to strike a deal. "We've had a number of big companies come into contact with us," says Willard. "Before [Among Us blew up] we only ever had one big company take an interest in our work."
That success has also led to a deluge of hopeful future Innersloth co-workers. Every day, Willard finds a stack of fresh portfolios in his inbox. There are dozens of different offers to translate Among Us into practically every language that the game is not currently available in. After years spent on the fringes of the games industry, Innersloth is suddenly flushed with resources. The future is wide open.
Willard believes the proliferation of Among Us' popularity can be chalked up to the simplicity of the design. It might be a little more robust than your average bluffing game; there are corridors to explore, and wires to reroute. But fundamentally, anyone can learn the core mechanics in about 10 minutes; stay frosty if you're one of the good guys, and eliminate the team as quietly as possible if you're an imposter. Willard tells me that Innersloth has an official Discord channel that's full of suggested gameplay wrinkles that would add an extra dose of complexity to the metagame, but thus far the team has opted to stand pat. The tension in Among Us is perfectly balanced, according to Willard – he doesn't want to rock the boat. "We're planning on supporting the game pretty much as it is," he says. "As long as it has players."
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When I first reported this story, Innersloth said their long-term goal is to build a standalone Among Us sequel that could host the original version of the game within it. That was a little bit surprising. These days, when a studio has a hit, they tend to iterate on the original product with a constant stream of patch notes filled with new maps, characters, and often-experimental game modes. In that sense, Willard and the team were pushing against the grain. Among Us is built on old tech, he says; it began as a mobile party game with no online multiplayer and mutated into a Steam monster. At this point, iterating on the game's core infrastructure is an onerous task. "Making any changes is really scary. It's hard to test all the pieces that were accidentally connected together," says Willard. "We feel like we have enough things we want to add to Among Us 2 that it deserves to be its own thing."
However, in the weeks since I spoke to Willard, Innersloth announced they would be canning the plans for a sequel entirely. Instead, all of the plans they've sketched out for Among Us 2 would be integrated into the primitive code, no matter how much of a challenge that might be. Willard reminds me that all of that work is very early in its development process, and some of its new flourishes have barely begun to germinate in Innersloth's braintrust. But one truth is undeniable; Among Us has a bright future ahead of it. All that's left to see is how the team takes advantage of the moment.
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Luke Winkie is a writer and former pizza maker in Brooklyn. He's written for Vox, Vice, The New York Times, Gizmodo, PC Gamer, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, and wherever else good content can be found.
Diablo 4's Endgame Is Being Designed to Make Hardcore Players Happy
Updated: Which Game Subscription Service Is Right For You?
Over the past year we’ve seen game subscription services launch, grow, and evolve, and it’s time to check-in and find out which services offer the best bang for your buck. From Xbox Game Pass to the newly announced Amazon Luna and everything in between, we break down each of the biggest game subscriptions available today to help you decide which is best for you.
Note - all prices are in USD, and will vary from country to country.
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Xbox Game Pass (+Ultimate)
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PC, compatible Android devices
Price: Console Only $9.99/mo, PC Only $9.99/mo, Game Pass Ultimate (Xbox One, PC, mobile streaming + Xbox Live Gold) $14.99/mo.
Trial Period: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate $1 for first month
The king of game streaming continues to be Xbox with its Game Pass subscription service.
Even though Sony was first to the subscription party, Microsoft has just about perfected the formula. Xbox Game Pass allows you to play over 100 games as part of an ever-evolving catalog, including all of Microsoft’s first-party titles on the day they launch such as Halo Infinite, Gears Tactics, and more.
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With the recent acquisition of Bethesda, Microsoft is adding a back catalog of games to its service starting with DOOM Eternal. To make this even sweeter, all future Bethesda games will be included in Game Pass the day they launch including The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield, not to mention any future Fallout, Wolfenstein, and DOOM games.
If that wasn’t enough to entice you, Microsoft also announced a partnership with EA to bring EA Play to Game Pass this November at no additional cost. This will add another roughly 60 games to Game Pass including Titanfall 2, the Mass Effect series, Battlefield V, FIFA 20, Need For Speed Heat, and more.
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Xbox also recently added mobile streaming to Game Pass Ultimate for those with a compatible Android device. Game progress is synced to your Xbox Live account allowing you to pick up where you left off between console and mobile.
If you don’t have an Xbox, Microsoft also offers Xbox Game Pass for PC as a standalone service. For $9.99 per month you’ll have access to a library of over 100 games, often including games rotated in and out each month.
There’s also a number of limited-time perks and challenges included with Game Pass that you can take advantage of including 3 months of Postmates Unlimited, 3 months of Discord Nitro, free in-game loot, and more.
PlayStation Now
Platforms: PS4 & PC
Price: $59.99/12 mo., $24.99/3 mo., $9.99/mo.
Trial Period: 7-days free
Sony’s PlayStation Now service has been around the longest, beginning back in 2014. The service was originally available for PS4, PS3, PS Vita, PS TV, and select Sony Bravia TVs, but support has since ended on older platforms.
Currently, you can stream PS4, PS3, and PS2 games to your PS4 or PC. Additionally, Sony added the ability to download PS4 and PS2 games for offline play, however, this feature is only available on PS4. PlayStation Now still boasts the largest catalog of all the major streaming players at over 800 games for $9.99 per month. If you’re interested in checking out PlayStation Now, Sony offers a 7-day free trial that you can take advantage of.
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The best value is subscribing for the entire year, which only costs $59.99 - or the price of one full-priced game. The only downside to the service is that many of Sony’s biggest releases of this generation are suspiciously absent - including Horizon: Zero Dawn and Spider-Man, just to name a couple. There are some heavy hitters here, though, including God of War, The Last of Us, Bloodborne, and the original Uncharted trilogy of games on PS3.
Wondering what you should play? Check out our index that lets you sort the entire PS Now catalog by review score, release date, and more.
Google Stadia Pro
Platforms: Stadia-compatible devices,TV via Chromecast Ultra, laptops/desktops via Chrome browser
Price: $9.99/mo.
Trial Period: 1 month free with purchase of Stadia Premiere Edition ($99)
Google Stadia Pro is the premium tier of Google Stadia that includes a catalog of games updated on a monthly basis that includes Destiny 2: The Collection, HITMAN: The Complete First Season, and more. Additionally, you can stream games in 4K HDR with 5.1 surround sound on compatible devices (and with a minimum download speed of 35Mbps). Stadia Pro also offers discounts on games not included in the rotating catalog.
While Google also offers a free tier for Stadia, there are no games included in the service by default. Games will need to be purchased individually and will stream at a maximum of 1080p with stereo surround sound.
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For those looking to jump in and check out Stadia Pro, Google offers the Stadia Premiere Edition for $99 that includes the Stadia controller and a Chromecast Ultra for hooking up to your TV. While you can technically use any controller with Stadia, the Stadia Controller offers the best experience including seamless switching across screens, Google Assistant integration, and an easy capture button.
In our updated review we said Google Stadia’s “catalog is still troublingly empty and a handful of its most exciting features haven’t been mentioned for months.” With the addition of a free tier for Stadia, there’s little incentive to subscribe to Stadia Pro in its current state, save for a handful of old games available as part of the service.
Amazon Luna
Platforms: PC, Mac, Fire TV devices, iOS/iPad OS (via web browser), Android (coming soon)
Price: $5.99/mo. (introductory price)
Trial Period: Nothing announced, early access registration is open
Amazon has officially entered the game streaming market with Amazon Luna, its take on cloud-based games. Initially, it looks very similar to Google Stadia Pro, featuring a growing library of games that can be accessed across your many screens. But, what makes Amazon Luna unique are the various “game channels” you can subscribe to.
Amazon’s own channel, Luna+, will launch with games such as Control, Resident Evil 7, A Plague Tale: Innocence, and Yooka-Laylee and The Impossible Lair for the introductory price of $5.99 per month during its initial early access period. At launch, games will stream at 1080p/60fps, although Amazon has stated that 4K is “coming soon” and recommends a minimum internet speed of 35Mbps for the best experience. With Luna+, you’ll be able to stream to two devices simultaneously.
The Ubisoft channel will also be coming to Amazon Luna which will offer the latest games from Ubisoft’s catalog when they become available, including ultimate editions for specific titles. Pricing has not been announced, but games will be playable at 1080/60 with 4K being added later, as well. This is "the first of multiple Luna game channels in development, where customers can play games from their favorite publishers and genres,” Amazon has stated.
Twitch integration will be at the core of Amazon Luna, allowing you to watch streamers play games and jump right into playing the game yourself immediately, if available on Luna.
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Amazon’s Luna Controller will also be available for $49.99 and feature Alexa integration as well as seamless device switching across platforms since it is connected to the cloud, and not directly to the device itself. You can also connect a mouse and keyboard or 3rd party game controllers to play with Luna, as well.
While there is no release date yet, you can sign up to be one of the first to try Amazon Luna once it launches. Also, check out everything we learned about Amazon Luna so far.
Apple Arcade
Platforms: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS
Price: $4.99/month, $49.99/year
Trial Period: 1-month free
A subscription to Apple Arcade gives you access to over 100 premium games, all built exclusively for the service. One of its standout features is that all games included in Apple Arcade are ad-free and none of them feature any in-app purchases or microtransactions. Furthermore, all games can be downloaded to your device and played offline, which is great for people who utilize public transportation and can’t always be connected to the internet. A single subscription of Apple Arcade covers up to six family members for one single price.
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Over the past year Apple Arcade has added a number of exciting indie games including Grindstone, What The Golf?, Sayonara Wild Hearts, The Last Campfire, and many, many more. The majority of games can be played with a DualShock 4, Xbox One, or MFi controller paired via Bluetooth making this a great way to check out new games on the cheap.
Your progress is synced across iCloud, allowing you to put the game down on your iPhone or iPad and pick it up on your Mac or Apple TV. And, with the latest software updates for all of Apple’s platforms, you can even pair your PlayStation 4 or Xbox One controller. New games will be added to the catalog each month.
Curious how the service stacks up? Check out our hands-on impressions of Apple Arcade.
EA Play (Formerly EA Access and Origin Access) / EA Play Pro (Formerly Origin Access Premier)
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (via Steam or Origin)
Price: $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr (EA Play), $14.99/mo or $99.99/yr (EA Play Pro)
Trial Period: None
EA recently rebranded its streaming service to EA Play across consoles and PC in an effort to unify the two services, however, all the same benefits remain. With EA Play you’ll have access to The Play List—a library of EA titles across its most popular franchises including Mass Effect, Madden, FIFA, Battlefield, and more. Additionally, you’ll be able to play up to 10 hours of new release titles when they launch. If you want to purchase games or digital content not included in the service, you’ll save 10% on your purchase, as well.
EA Play Pro is exclusive to Origin, EA’s PC game launcher, and offers the same benefits as EA Play plus more. You’ll have access to The Pro Play List which offers the entire EA Play catalog plus unlimited access to new release titles such as Madden NFL 21, FIFA 21, and Star Wars Squadrons when they release. Some titles even include early access up to 10 days before launch. EA Play Pro also includes upgraded versions of certain titles that give players season pass content and additional in-game goodies.
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Both EA Play and EA Play Pro also offer exclusive in-game loot to subscribers including Madden Ultimate Team packs each month, FIFA Ultimate Team rewards and XP boosts, in-game cosmetic items, and more.
If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, Microsoft announced that EA Play will be added to Game Pass by the end of 2020 at no additional cost.
UPlay+ (Ubisoft)
Platforms: PC only, coming to Google Stadia in 2020
Price: $14.99/month
Trial Period: None
Ubisoft announced UPlay+ during E3 2019, a subscription-based service that gives players access to over 100 Ubisoft titles which include many popular franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, Tom Clancy games, and more. Similar to Xbox Game Pass and EA Play Pro, you’ll have access to the latest Ubisoft titles the day they launch.
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Currently, the service is only available on PC but Ubisoft has confirmed that UPlay+ will be available on Google Stadia sometime in 2020. The current catalog includes recent titles like Tom Clancy’s The Division II, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and more, and will feature upcoming games such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs Legion, Far Cry 6, and Immortals Fenyx Rising.
With UPlay+ you’ll also have access to premium editions of certain games, which includes all expansions, DLC, and add-on content at no additional cost. Games that offer beta periods or early access trials are included in the subscription, as well, allowing you to play some games early. Currently, UPlay+ is available for $14.99 per month, with no annual plan, meaning the service will cost you $179.88 a year, or roughly the cost of three full-priced games. If you’re a fan of Ubisoft’s catalog, and plan on buying its upcoming titles, then UPlay+ is a great offer - if not for the premium edition of the games alone.
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So, assuming you wanted to have it all, what would it cost you? If you are looking at subscribing on a month-to-month basis to all services, it will run you $75.93 each month. This includes access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PlayStation Now, Google Stadia Pro, Amazon Luna, Apple Arcade, EA Play Pro, and UPlay+. If you are looking for the best price, you’ll need to spend $209.97 up-front, then $45.96 a month for the additional services, which effectively works out to $63.46 per month - roughly the price of one full-priced release. If you were to subscribe to every service, you’d have a catalog totalling over 1,500 games. If we assume the average cost of these games to be $30, that’s roughly $45,000 in value! With an average game length of about 20 hours, that means it would take you roughly 30,000 hours to play through everything - that’s almost 3 ½ years! And you thought your current backlog was daunting.
Which of these services do you currently subscribe to? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Matthew Adler is a Features, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.
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