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IGN Video Games

Aliens: Fireteam - Meet 6 New Xenomorph Types

Posted: 09 Mar 2021 09:00 AM PST

The recently announced Aliens: Fireteam – the third-person, three-player PvE co-op survival shooter set after the original Alien trilogy – isn't just throwing you into the Alien-verse with friends to shoot at enemies you already know about, like Xenomorphs, Facehuggers, and Synthetics. It's also adding some new entries into the Alien codex. We're spotlighting six of the new Xenomorph alien types you'll run into in Fireteam in the gallery below. Say hello to the Runner, Drone, Praetorian, Prowler, Burster, and Spitter. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=aliens-fireteam-new-xenomorph-types&captions=true"] We've got exclusive coverage of Aliens: Fireteam all March long as part of our IGN First editorial initiative. We got our month of coverage started with the world-exclusive gameplay reveal, in which we showcased 25 minutes of mission gameplay that we played with developers Craig Zinkievich and Matt Highison. Check that out at the link below. Meanwhile, our coverage continues next week, so check back for more Aliens: Fireteam then! [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/04/aliens-fireteam-exclusive-25-minutes-of-gameplay-ign-first"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's Executive Editor of Previews. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan, catch him on Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.

Fortnite Is Getting Its First Single-Player Story Event

Posted: 09 Mar 2021 08:32 AM PST

Fortnite will soon provide players with a new single-player story event that acts as a conclusion to the current season of the battle royale. When Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 6 launches on March 16, the first thing players will be met with is the Zero Crisis Finale. Described as a "solo experience" by developer Epic, it is the conclusion of Agent Jones' mission that formed the basis of the Season 5 story. Epic promises that the aftermath of this single-player event will "shape Reality as we know it", suggesting that the event will push forward and make changes to Fortnite's storyline. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/01/fortnite-llambro-arrives-for-fortnite-crew-members-trailer"] Zero Crisis Finale also includes a story cinematic, which can be watched as part of the global premiere. Epic plans to share details on how to watch this in the coming days. All of this means there is just one week of Season 5 remaining, and so it is recommended that players spend their Gold Bars now before their cache is reset at the end of the season. It also means you only have a week to finish any Beskar Quests to complete Mando's Beskar Armour, as well as unlock The Child Back Bling, which requires you to hit Level 100 on the Battle Pass. Chapter 2 Season 5 was a major period for Fortnite and its many big franchise crossovers, with Ant-Man being the latest hero added to the game just days ago. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=fortnite-ant-man-tease-and-official-reveal&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Inside the Community Deciphering Ex-GTA Boss' Mysterious New Game

Posted: 09 Mar 2021 08:30 AM PST

Joining the Everywhere community Discord is, for the most part, a conventional experience. You agree to a set of rules and get access to channels full of fans sharing everything they can find on this mysterious new game from the former president of GTA developer Rockstar North. Actually, he happens to be the first person you speak to. Leslie P. Benzies is the tongue-in-cheek name of the group's Discord bot that welcomes new sleuths into the fold.

The strange thing about the Everywhere community is that its members are wildly excited for the game not based on what they've been shown, but what they've dug up themselves. Everywhere is, in the wider popular consciousness, barely more than a name and a set of vague ideas – but the sheer development pedigree of Benzies himself has led to hundreds of fans doing everything they can to find out about his next project.

Benzies was thought to be Rockstar's "unseen mastermind" during his time at the studio, producing several of its most formative games and directing GTA Online, a game that is still growing its player base and increasing its revenue some eight years after launch. In 2016, he left amid some controversy to found his own studio, Build A Rocket Boy and has been working on Everywhere ever since.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/01/26/ex-rockstar-president-announces-new-game-using-amazons-engine-ign-news"]

The Discord is full of ex-pat Rockstar fans who are very fond of Benzies, with memes depicting him as a father figure ready to deliver unto them a new era of gaming innovation, and in one case, a custom hoodie with "The Benz" written on the back. That devotion has led to a mild obsession with discovering exactly what (ahem) The Benz's next game will actually be.

Admins Nestor and Razor have been following Everywhere since its announcement in 2017, and out of grassroots excitement, they have built Everywhere communities, well, everywhere — across Discord, Reddit, Twitter and Instagram. With over 600 members in the subreddit, it's a relatively modest crew, but that hasn't stopped a steady flow of excitable headlines and URLs to obscure corners of the internet that might point to clues on the game.

We spoke extensively to Nestor and Razor about what they've found so far, and it creates a very intriguing picture of what sounds like an almost absurdly ambitious game. But before we get to that, it's probably useful to hear what Build a Rocket Boy itself has already told us about Everywhere.

The Official Word on Everywhere

You might not even be aware of Everywhere yet – and you couldn't be blamed for that. The game is in active development, but there have been no trailers or teasers just yet, never mind gameplay reveals.

Officially, we know that Everywhere will be some kind of MMO thanks to this job listing for a Vehicle Artist, which says the candidate will be responsible for creating "a wide range of vehicle assets to populate an immersive and large MMO experience." The human faces we can see on the landing page for the game's website also tease a realistic art style, with the official description calling Everywhere "a game, a community and a new world." [caption id="attachment_2484169" align="alignnone" width="663"]One of the few pieces of official art for Everywhere. (Source: Build A Rocket Boy) One of the few pieces of official art for Everywhere. (Source: Build A Rocket Boy)[/caption]

"In the near future, technology has brought humanity to the precipice of a world shifting change," it reads. There are those who want to use this technology to advantage only themselves, and those who want to use it to help all humankind. Will we look to the stars? Or stare only at our feet? Will we be inspired? Or live in fear?"

A handful of interviews were conducted to promote the game's announcement in 2017, revealing vague but important details. Benzies told VentureBeat that the goal for Everywhere was "to create a platform where players can be entertained, and also entertain others while blurring the lines between reality, and a simulated world."

"I see a future where we don't reference single or multiplayer — we just choose when we play and if we want to hang out with others or we want to be alone," he told Polygon. "We're making "Everywhere" as seamless as possible so players won't have to think about jumping from mode to mode — except when it helps the gameplay." With all the pieces put together, the game starts to appear more like a living social platform than anything bound by typical video game genre convention.

Batting away inevitable Grand Theft Auto comparisons, Benzies told Polygon that Everywhere is "very different" from the series to which he gave a good part of his career. "There may be parts of our game that include satire but the tone will be very different and at times our players will be in control of how the tone is set," he said.

[poilib element="quoteBox" parameters="excerpt=%E2%80%9CI%20see%20a%20future%20where%20we%20don't%20reference%20single%20or%20multiplayer%20%E2%80%94%20we%20just%20choose%20when%20we%20play%20and%20if%20we%20want%20to%20hang%20out%20with%20others%20or%20we%20want%20to%20be%20alone%22%20-%20Leslie%20Benzies"]

Ex-Rockstar North lead Matthew Smith, who joined Benzies in founding Build a Rocket Boy, described the game as "more like a social network", and cryptically added that, "If a future President chose to make policy announcements in Everywhere, that's something I'd certainly find interesting."

Official channels have been silent for a good few years now, but as of 2020, it at least looks like development has been ramping up. Last September, Build a Rocket Boy raised $40 million in funding for the game from firms such as Netease and Galaxy Interactive. In November, the studio announced that the game had made the leap from the troubled Amazon Lumberyard engine to Unreal Engine to "create a game built on a foundation that will remain at the forefront of the industry for years to come."

Overall it feels like we've heard quite a lot, but learned quite little. Thankfully, beyond these small, often disconnected official details, the Everywhere community has been picking up every potential puzzle piece of information it can find – from patents to hidden websites – and using them to slot together a potential picture of what Everywhere will be. How much of this will turn up on our screens, and how much is simply the experiments of a brand new studio, remains to be seen – but it's clear that Build a Rocket Boy is trying to live up to its grand promises.

[caption id="attachment_2484173" align="alignnone" width="663"]Another of Everywhere's eye artworks. (Source: Build A Rocket Boy) Another of Everywhere's eye artworks. (Source: Build A Rocket Boy)[/caption]

What the Community's Found

Beyond the bold blurbs above, there really wasn't much to go on for the superfans in the Everywhere social media community, before a set of patents blew the metaphorical doors off earlier this year. Nestor says that a user known as Wolf first shared a link to these documents in the Everywhere Discord. The community gave them a thorough investigation, posting their conclusions to Reddit in February of 2021.

Before explaining their findings, Nestor and Razor were clear (as we should be, too) that these are just patents — it's possible that none of this technology will make it into the final game. But that hasn't stopped the community from getting very excited about it all, and creating its own vision of what Everywhere could be.

[poilib element="quoteBox" parameters="excerpt=%22If%20the%20%5Bpatents%5D%20are%20correct%2C%20Everywhere%20will%20be%20a%20multiplayer%20open%20world%2C%20set%20in%20the%20near%20future%2C%20where%20players%20will%20be%20able%20to%20buy%20their%20own%20vehicles%20and%20objects%2C%20create%20minigames%20and%20interact.%22%20-%20Nestor"]

"If the [patents] are correct, Everywhere will be a multiplayer open world, set in the near future, where players will be able to buy their own vehicles and objects, create minigames and interact," Nestor says. "It is inevitable to think of Ready Player One, where there were different worlds with different games, and you could dress as you wanted and have the car or motorcycle you wanted. Virtual reality will also play an important role in the game, but I don't think it is necessary to enjoy it." These ideas summon inevitable Roblox comparisons, another game with its own metaverse nurtured by player-built games and spaces.

Many outlets have referred to the game as a "GTA Killer," but after studying the patents, the community doesn't see that as a fair comparison. "I think it will be a very, very different game from GTA — there's no sense in calling it 'the GTA killer', as it's not here to kill anything," Nestor says. "It will be an open-world MMO, but nothing to do with what Rockstar has created so far."

Razor echoes Benzies' 2017 comments, saying they don't believe that Everywhere is "looking to replace GTA." Instead, they argue that Benzies is trying to build a reputation for his new studio separate from his existing legacy, adding new mechanics and content as-yet-unseen in the industry.

[caption id="attachment_2484192" align="alignnone" width="1920"]Image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com) Image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com)[/caption] Part of this innovation includes the minigames mentioned by Nestor, which, if the patents are to be believed, feel like a key pillar of Everywhere. It's thought that they would be accessible via in-game virtual reality glasses. This feature is seen in the patent drawings where a user in a lifelike setting dons a visor peripheral and enters a surreal metaverse.

"In the patents, we see a moment in which the in-game character, in the third person, puts on virtual reality glasses," says Nestor. "That serves as a transition to enter a different world, where, according to patents, everything can be different, from visual style, gravity, physics etc." Razor calls it "a good syntactic way to justify some things 'out of the ordinary.'"

[caption id="attachment_2484196" align="alignnone" width="1920"]Image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com) Image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com)[/caption]

As for the makeup of these two disparate worlds, Nestor has ideas: "I think the first world will be something similar to GTA Online and the second world will be the one that looks like Ready Player One, where you can create worlds and games for the enjoyment of other players, and access them through doors or portals."

Build A Rocket Boy's patents also suggest a unique approach to monetisation in Everywhere. "If the patents refer to Everywhere, we are going to see microtransactions to be able to buy in-game objects, but not only that, since a system is named to be able to make purchases in the game of real objects, in real life," Nestor explains.

[caption id="attachment_248419" align="alignnone" width="1920"]everywhere billboard Image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com)[/caption]

The patents suggest that players will be able to examine purchasable objects, including clothing, vehicles, food and even kitchen appliances in Everywhere. One drawing depicts a product advertisement on an in-game billboard, with players able to select it, see its attribute benefits and purchase the asset on the move. Razor notes that the functionality of purchasing real-world objects in-game could shake out similarly to Nintendo's Amiibo figure collection, which are toys that can be bought in real-life but also have effects within virtual software.

Another critical feature seen within the patents is a means to broadcast media content from within the Everywhere platform. "We can see Netflix with friends in a cinema (perhaps with VR, to make it more immersive), or Spotify music on the jukebox that you have bought in an Everywhere store, for example." Razor compares it to Garry's Mod - which has embedded cinemas already - and says that players may have to log in to their streaming account APIs within Everywhere to watch the content. It's worth noting that Fortnite is already riding a similar wave, debuting trailers from Tenet and Star Wars within its virtual playspace.

[caption id="attachment_2484202" align="alignnone" width="1920"]An image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com) Image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com)[/caption]

This idea appears elsewhere in the patent in the form of an in-game screen that would let players spectate content while playing Everywhere. Nestor compares it to watching another player's game via the television in your virtual room in GTA Online. Razor refers to a patent drawing that shows a player in one world observing another player engaged in a military shooter. This could be one of Everywhere's minigames or even an esports event beyond the game, thanks to the screen's potential versatility.

Perhaps the most curious patent seen by the community is for another multiplayer game that could be an Everywhere minigame or exist as a separate project. This game is perhaps best described as a musical battle royale that uses the attributes of music tracks to dynamically change the game's scoring system and incur environmental events.

[caption id="attachment_2484203" align="alignnone" width="1920"]Image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com) Image from Build A Rocket Boy's patents. (Source: espacenet.com)[/caption]

Based on the patent wording and drawings, Nestor has ideas how this idea could work in motion. "Personally, I imagine it is a battle royale in which the music will alter EVERYTHING. When the song reaches certain moments, things will happen on stage (volcanoes or storms are mentioned), or when the speed of the music advances, the players can go faster etc. The song would be chosen by the players before starting each game through a vote."

To pull every part of this ambitious experience together, both admins believe that there will be some kind of Everywhere companion app accessible via a browser or through smart devices. The official Everywhere website alludes to this, saying that "through both website and in-game challenges, your player will evolve and your place in Everywhere will become clear."

Brilliantly, through some URL tinkering, the community has even found a hidden page on the game's website that seems to confirm how this will all work.

[caption id="attachment_2484198" align="alignnone" width="1920"]Image of the hidden Everywhere account page. (Source: Build A Rocket Boy) Image of the hidden Everywhere account page. (Source: Build A Rocket Boy)[/caption]

After signing up to the site, and clicking your account name in the top-right, you can then chop the end of the URL that reads "edit" – which takes you to a progress hub (shown above). It explains that this page will eventually let players manage their settings and attributes in Everywhere, which can be developed by completing challenges in solo or co-operative play.

Challenges will improve a 'Tenacity' attribute, with a separate unexplained 'Kinship' skill listed underneath. The page also introduces a global currency called 'Artas', which players can earn, with "new opportunities" to bank more coming soon. Everywhere might still be a mystery, but the fact that Build A Rocket Boy is building up its backend services already seems to tell us quite how in-depth a project this is aiming to be.

At this early stage, this is quite the motherload of information for one small community to stumble upon, and it's likely Everywhere fans' finds will only grow in detail and interest as the Build A Rocket Boy marketing machine revs up.

The Future of Everywhere – and its Community

The fact that a community this dedicated to the tiniest of details already exists speaks to quite how exciting – and tantalisingly mysterious – Everywhere feels. And that's down to the pedigree of the people making it, most particularly Benzies himself (who is personally listed as the sole inventor of those patents).

Nestor says that they've been following Benzies since the widely publicized lawsuit between Benzies and Rockstar exposed his "behind the curtain" role in crafting some of their favourite games. "I think many fans delved much deeper into Leslie's story. Sam and Dan [Houser] did a spectacular job, they are two of the best developers in the history of video games, but Leslie was a bit in the shadows," Nestor explains. "He was the mind behind GTA Online, and also the one who saved RDR 1, according to Sam Houser's emails."

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/04/12/former-rockstar-north-president-suing-company-for-150-million-ign-news"]

Razor echoes that idea. "When I found out that Leslie was leaving (or was being fired) from Rockstar, I was upset, because although he was always working in the shadows, it is thanks to him that we have games of this immense quality. When I found out that we was creating a new video game, I immediately became interested in it, because as [Build A Rocket Boy] described it in the first interview they gave, it seemed like the ideal game for me. It was just my favourite developer creating my favourite game – what could go wrong?"

"Our excitement for the game is comparable to what people had in mind when [Hideo] Kojima left Konami to start a new project," Nestor continues. "Why were we so excited for Kojima's new project but not so much about Leslie's one? I mean... Kojima made Metal Gear, which is one of the biggest sagas of all time, but Leslie was the one behind GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA 4, GTA V, RDR 1, etc."

There's an early sense that Build A Rocket Boy's Everywhere is aiming to be unlike anything we've seen before. The truly unanswered question is that, with so many ambitious ideas in the pipeline, when is it going to come out? Starved of official details, the folks over at /R/EldenRing were forced to make their own version of the game to control their hype - are we seeing the beginnings of the same thing happening with Everywhere?

[poilib element="quoteBox" parameters="excerpt=There%E2%80%99s%20an%20early%20sense%20that%20Build%20A%20Rocket%20Boy%E2%80%99s%20Everywhere%20is%20aiming%20to%20be%20unlike%20anything%20we%E2%80%99ve%20seen%20before."]

One of the latest finds from the Everywhere Discord was a strategic company report from December 2019, which included some telling financial statements. "The goal of a game launch in Q4 2021 remains viable," the document reads. "However, given the ambition of the game and the complexity of the technology development, there is risk that the game will need more development time to complete."

Build A Rocket Boy wrote this pre-COVID, so it's fair to say that the viability of a Q4 2021 launch for Everywhere has most likely changed. In a blog post written in March 2020, the studio wrote that the transition to working from home has gone "quite well," with the team's effort during the pandemic described as "nothing short of inspirational." In any case, if the studio initially planned to launch the game later this year, it suggests that development must be quite far along.

That's only likely to push the Everywhere community to find more. Even with precious little to work with, this community is putting together a picture of the game we'd never seen before – as much a testament to the community's ingenuity as the studio's imagination-stoking ideas. That community will only grow with time too, as what we've seen so far suggests that we may hear more about this project soon, perhaps in a more official capacity. Until then, we can be sure that the Everywhere community will be doing its best to find out more about the new baby from their beloved Benz. We'll certainly be watching.

IGN reached out to Build A Rocket Boy for comment on this story, but it didn't get back to us before publication.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

'Some' Bethesda Games Will Be Xbox/PC Exclusives Under Microsoft

Posted: 09 Mar 2021 07:23 AM PST

Some future Bethesda games will be exclusive to PC and Xbox consoles, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has revealed. In an article on Xbox Wire welcoming Bethesda to Team Xbox, Spencer wrote the following: "With the addition of the Bethesda creative teams, gamers should know that Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass will be the best place to experience new Bethesda games, including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/09/microsoft-bethesda-heres-to-the-journey-official-announcement-trailer"] The news arrives as Microsoft's $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media has been finalized, which brings franchises like Doom, Fallout, Wolfenstein and The Elder Scrolls under Xbox's wing. Many fans have been interested in whether new games from Bethesda could be exclusive to the platform going forward as a result of the deal. Spencer's comments suggest that "some" will. Previously, Spencer said that future Bethesda titles would come to "other consoles on a case by case basis." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/09/xbox-series-xs-accolades-trailer"] One of the biggest games hanging in the balance is The Elder Scrolls 6. Bethesda boss Todd Howard has said that it's "hard to imagine" it as an Xbox-exclusive game. After the acquisition was announced, Bethesda and Lucasfilm revealed a new Indiana Jones project, which could also potentially be exclusive to Xbox. In other Xbox news, Director of Program Management Jason Ronald recently said that there are unannounced Xbox games scheduled for release in 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Microsoft's ZeniMax Acquisition Officially Complete, Bethesda Now a Part of Xbox

Posted: 09 Mar 2021 06:35 AM PST

Microsoft's $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the parent company of developers like Bethesda, Arkane, id Software, and more, has been finalized. To celebrate, more Bethesda games will be added to Xbox Game Pass this week. It's also been confirmed that some new Bethesda games will be exclusive to Xbox and PC. In a post on Xbox Wire, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer welcomed ZeniMax, Bethesda Softworks, and all their development studios to the Xbox family, saying, "Now that everything is official, we can begin working together to deliver more great games to everyone." Spencer added that there will be more news about how Xbox's teams will work coming later this year, but promised further Bethesda games would be added to Xbox Game Pass later this week to celebrate (no details on what those games are has been announced yet). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/09/microsoft-bethesda-heres-to-the-journey-official-announcement-trailer"] In a separate blog post, Bethesda's Pete Hines wrote that "we're not making any landmark announcements or changes right now," but added that "we'll be working on putting even more of our games into Game Pass than ever before." Spencer did make one major point clear, clearing up some of the speculation around whether Bethesda games would be exclusives on Xbox: "With the addition of the Bethesda creative teams, gamers should know that Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass will be the best place to experience new Bethesda games, including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players." Spencer reiterated that Microsoft would allow Bethesda to continue "making games the way it always has", and it's worth pointing out that neither Xbox nor Bethesda mention Xbox Game Studios in their releases about the acquisition. That perhaps points to Bethesda working under a different umbrella to Microsoft's other first-party studios. To help manage this new acquisition, Xbox has seemingly set up a new company called Vault – that could be the new brand for Bethesda games made under Xbox. Late last week, the European Commission cleared the way for Xbox's acquisition of ZeniMax to proceed, clearing a significant hurdle to the massive purchase. The United States SEC also approved the acquisition. With the purchase complete Xbox has acquired the following ZeniMax developers:
  • Alpha Dog Games
  • Arkane Studios (Including offices in Lyon, France and Austin, Texas)
  • Bethesda Softworks (including Bethesda Game Studios in Maryland, Bethesda Game Studios Austin, Bethesda Game Studios Dallas, and Bethesda Game Studios Montreal)
  • Id Software (Including offices in Richardson, Texas and Frankfurt, Germany)
  • MachineGames
  • Roundhouse Studios
  • Tango Gameworks
  • ZeniMax Online Studios
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-xbox-series-x-games&captions=true"] Xbox hasn't been too straightforward with its plans for developers like Bethesda and id when it announced plans to acquire ZeniMax in 2020. Xbox boss Phil Spencer said in an interview that he wasn't actively planning for the future of studios like Bethesda until after the acquisition is complete. So while Xbox hasn't announced plans for console exclusivity, Xbox CFO Tim Stuart said that at the very least games from Bethesda and other ZeniMax studios will be "first or better or best" on Xbox platforms. There are plenty of ways Xbox can put ZeniMax games on various first-party channels, whether that's through the Xbox Game Pass subscription service on console and PC or the xCloud streaming service. Both options Spencer previously discussed when talking about the ZeniMax acquisition. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/bethesda-boss-hard-to-imagine-elder-scrolls-6-being-xbox-exclusive-ign-daily-fix-"] Xbox's blockbuster acquisition of ZeniMax has sent shockwaves throughout the industry, bolstering Xbox's first-party lineup, and has even seemingly scared off competitors like Google Stadia. With the acquisition now official, it's time to see just what exactly Xbox has plans for ZeniMax and games from studios like Bethesda, which is currently developing titles like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Resident Evil Village: Here's What Comes in Each Edition

Posted: 09 Mar 2021 06:07 AM PST

It's official: Resident Evil Village is set to release for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on May 7, 2021. If you buy the PS4 or Xbox One version, the next-gen upgrade is free within the same console family. It will also be available in several editions, so read on to see what comes in each. You can preorder the game now (see it on Amazon, and in the UK).

Preorder Resident Evil Village (Standard Edition)

revillPS4 (includes free PS5 upgrade)

PS5

Xbox One / Series X

The standard edition of Resident Evil Village comes with the game itself, along with the preorder bonus detailed below. Note that the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions are holding steady at $59.99, rather than the $69.99 price of some other "next-gen" games.

Resident Evil Village Deluxe Edition

resident-evil-village-deluxe-editionPS4 (includes free PS5 upgrade)

PS5

Xbox One / Series X

The deluxe edition comes with the game itself, plus the Trauma pack, which following in-game items:
  • Mr. Everywhere
  • Safe Room Music
  • Found Footage RE7 Filter
  • Save Device
  • Albert01Chris
  • The Tragedy of Ethan Winters
  • Max Difficulty

Resident Evil Village Collector's Edition

resident-evil-village-collectors-edition The collector's edition is available at GameStop and comes with all the digital items from the deluxe edition, as well as the following items:
  • Chris Redfield figure
  • Artbook
  • Poster
  • Box and steelbook case
  • Trauma pack (see deluxe edition above for contents)

Resident Evil Village & Resident Evil 7 Complete Bundle

resident-evil-bundle If you missed Resident Evil 7 and want to play both games, you can buy the digital-only Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 7 Complete bundle. While on PlayStation you get instant access to Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition (and Village once it comes out), on Xbox you don't get RE7 early (you have to wait for May 7 to play both games. It's also worth noting that Resident Evil 7 is available in the PlayStation Plus Collection and on Xbox Game Pass.

Resident Evil Village Preorder Bonus

resident-evil-village-preorder-bonusPreorder any version of the game, and you'll get the following in-game items:
  • Mr. Racoon Weapon Charm
  • Survival Resource Pack
A couple of retailer-exclusive preorder bonuses are also available:
  • PlayStation Store - Resident Evil Village soundtrack
  • Best Buy - Steelbook case

What Is Resident Evil Village?

Resident Evil Village is a sequel to Resident Evil 7, so once again you play as Ethan Winters, a poor unfortunate soul who arrives at a castle to rescue his daughter only to find a new group of vicious, supernatural characters who are eager to torture and kill him. This includes the tall vampire lady who became a meme the moment she made her debut, as well as her daughters, who are apparently made of bugs that can... go under your skin? It's all a bit over the top, but that's what fans love. Like RE7, Village is a first-person shooter, but this time they've added a blocking mechanic that will play a key role in combat. They've also added crafting and an RE4-like inventory system. PlayStation 5 owners can download a demo now, but a different demo is planned later for the previous-gen consoles.

Other Preorder Guides

[poilib element="commerceDeal" parameters="slug=other-preorder-guides&type=list"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert at IGN. 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"]

Six Days in Fallujah Boss Clarifies His Comments on the Game's Politics

Posted: 09 Mar 2021 04:20 AM PST

Apex Legends Switch Will Run At 30 FPS With Optional Cross-Play

Posted: 09 Mar 2021 04:10 AM PST

Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch will run at 30 FPS in both docked and handheld mode, but will come with optional cross-play, presumably to mitigate concerns about Switch players being put at a disadvantage. As reported by Eurogamer, Respawn and Panic Button developers revealed the details in an interview with Famitsu. The game will run at 720p in docked mode and 576p in handheld mode, with both modes offering 30 frames-per-second (Apex Legends on existing platforms runs at 60 FPS by comparison). Players will be able to use gyroscopic aiming in mobile mode, and the UI has been adjusted to make it clear up close. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/02/12/apex-legends-review"] It was also revealed that cross-play between Nintendo Switch players and other platforms is an optional feature that can be disabled if players just want to match up with users on the same console. Given that console and PC players will have superior framerate and a better resolution to play with, this will no doubt raise questions about how players on other platforms may have an advantage over the Nintendo Switch player base, so turning off cross-play may benefit some Switch players. The interview adds that the Apex Legends engine is the same as the console and PC release, but Switch support was built into it by the team at Panic Button, which handled the port. The game's Nintendo Switch port was initially delayed into 2021 in October of 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but is now set to launch later today. In other EA news, check out our interview with Chief studios officer Laura Miele about how EA is putting the future of its franchises into its studios' hands. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Valheim: How to Back Up Your Save Data

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 09:26 PM PST

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Are Up for Preorder

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 01:39 PM PST

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are set to release exclusively for Nintendo Switch sometime in late 2021 (see at Amazon). These are 3D remakes of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, a pair of games that originally released in 2006 on Nintendo DS. Both upcoming remakes are available for preorder now.

Preorder Pokemon Brilliant Diamond

pokemon-brilliant-diamond

Preorder Pokemon Shining Pearl

pokemon-shining-pearl Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl bring players back to the Sinnoh region, where you'll go on an adventure while collecting, evolving, and battling Pokemon along the way. The Pokemon Company says these are faithful remakes, preserving the towns and routes found in the originals. However, the games will also include some quality-of-life improvements found in more recent games in the series. And for those who need a reminder, the starter Pokemon are Chimchar, Turtwig, and Piplup. Brilliant Diamon's Legendary Pokemon is Dialga, while Shining Pearl's is Palkia. In IGN's 2006 Pokemon Diamond and Pearl review the game received an 8.5, thanks to its "strategic depth and gameplay that's incredibly rewarding." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-official-trailer"]

No Preorder Bonus

As yet, no preorder bonuses have been announced for the latest round of Pokemon remakes. If that changes, we'll drop the information here.

Other Preorder Guides

[poilib element="commerceDeal" parameters="slug=other-preorder-guides&type=list"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert at IGN. 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"]

All the Animal Crossing Sanrio Items We've Spotted So Far

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 11:44 AM PST

Deborah Snyder and Kiki Wolfkill in Conversation

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 11:00 AM PST

It's International Women's Day, and to celebrate we decided to pair two women at the top of their field in the video game and entertainment space to have a conversation about their careers, what they're working on, advice for newcomers, and a lot more. Please enjoy producer Deborah Snyder, best known for bringing the DCEU to life, who has most recently been working on Zach Snyder's Justice League and Army of the Dead, in conversation with Kiki Wolfkill, formerly Executive Producer at 343 Industries and current  Studio Head of Halo Transmedia and Entertainment, currently shooting the upcoming Halo TV series.  

Disintegration Developer V1 Interactive Shuts Down

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 10:47 AM PST

V1 Interactive, the development studio behind RTS-inspired first-person shooter Disintegration, is closing its doors today. In an announcement to Twitter today, the studio thanked its staff for their work over the last five years, with CEO and founder Marcus Lehto adding in a separate tweet that this news was not coming as a shock to the studio's employees. "We've been transparent with them about the state of things for months and are making this decision now so they still have ample time to search for new jobs while being supported by our studio," he said. As of the middle of last year, the studio had around 30 employees. V1 Interactive was founded by Lehto, the co-creator of the Halo franchise, with Disintegration as its only published title. The game was first envisioned as a real-time strategy title, but was gradually shaped into an FPS ahead of its official announcement in July of 2019. It launched in June of last year, but our review of the game said that its simple shooting and squad management made its campaign "fall pretty flat." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/10/disintegration-single-player-review"] Support for multiplayer was shuttered three months after release, and publisher Take-Two (via its Private Division label) CEO Strauss Zelnick called Disintegration's sales "a bit disappointing." This is the second Private Division studio to go under in recent years, with development of Kerbal Space Program 2 being moved to a new, internal studio from independent external studio Star Theory in February of 2020, along with half of Star Theory's employees. Those remaining at Star Theory were eventually forced to shutter the studio due to an inability to secure new publishing contracts. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
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