IGN Video Games

IGN Video Games

Game Scoop! 652: The GTA Trilogy Deserves So Much Better

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 12:07 PM PST

Welcome back to IGN Game Scoop!, the ONLY video game podcast! This week your Omega Cops -- Daemon Hatfield, Tina Amini, Sam Claiborn, and Justin Davis -- are discussing Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition, Halo Infinite, Saints Row, and more. And, of course, they play Video Game 20 Questions.

Watch the video above or hit the link below to your favorite podcast service.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts

YouTube

Spotify

Stitcher

Find previous episodes here!

Hideki Kamiya Apologizes to Fans and Microsoft For Scalebound Cancellation

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 11:33 AM PST

One of the most highly anticipated exclusive titles for Xbox One and PC was Scalebound, which unceremoniously got canceled in January 2017. Platinum Games director Hideki Kamiya is now apologizing for the game's development.

In a new interview with the YouTube channel, Cutscenes, Kamiya shed some new light on Scalebound's cancelation. He had the desire to make a high-end, photorealistic game. That meant Platinum Games had to improve its graphical abilities as the next step in modern game creation.

"I'm sorry to the players who looked forward to it, and moreover I'm sorry to Microsoft who had placed their trust in us as a business partner," Kamiya said. "I want to apologize both as a creator and as a member of Platinum Games."

Kamiya said that he loved fantasy worlds with swords, magic, and dragons growing up. He also played classic PC games like Sorcerian and Hydlide, so that's where he got the idea to center Scalebound around a young man fighting together with a dragon.

"However, it was a big challenge for Platinum Games," says Kamiya. "We were working in an environment we weren't used to. We were developing on the Unreal engine, we also lacked the necessary know-how to build a game based on online features. The hurdles we had to overcome were very big."

He explains that the studio wasn't experienced enough to get over the many walls, leading to the cancelation of Scalebound. Back in 2019, Kamiya also lamented that Microsoft took the brunt of the criticism, noting that both sides had issues.

Last year, Platinum Games said that the studio would love to finish Scalebound, but Microsoft owns the entire IP. So It's up to Microsoft to decide if the game ever comes back.

George Yang is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @yinyangfooey

Original Versions of the GTA Trilogy to Be Relisted for Sale on PC

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 09:49 AM PST

Rockstar's definitive edition of the GTA Trilogy had a, um, not so great launch last week, and now Rockstar is responding by giving everyone back the original trilogy on PC. You know, the one with surprisingly fewer bugs.

In a blog post today, Rockstar apologized for the numerous technical issues plaguing the remakes, acknowledging that they hadn't met standards, and that the studio was planning to "address the technical issues and to improve each game going forward," beginning with an update in the coming days.

In the meantime though, Rockstar went further to acknowledge that maybe it ought not have removed the original, non-definitive edition trilogy from storefronts last month ahead of the definitive edition's release, and so it's returning the original Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to the Rockstar Store in a bundle. They're also giving the bundle out for free to anyone who purchases the Definitive Edition trilogy via the Rockstar Store through June 30, 2022. Sadly, there's nothing here about whether the original trilogy will return to the other storefronts it was pulled from, including consoles and Steam.

Bugs and technical issues are a sizeable bit of the problem with the definitive editions, but in our review we pointed out a number of other ways in which the return of the GTA Trilogy was surprisingly disrespectful to the original creations. Meanwhile, on a more mysterious note, fans think they might have found a tease for GTA 6 hidden in a photo within the Definitive Edition.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

GTA Trilogy Remasters to Be Patched, First Update Coming Within Days

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 09:41 AM PST

Rockstar Games has announced that it will be taking steps to improve the quality of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition starting with the first Title Update which will be released in the coming days.

In a new blog post, Rockstar says that "The updated versions of these classic games did not launch in a state that meets our own standards of quality, or the standards our fans have come to expect." To this end, Rockstar will address the technical issues in the trilogy.

The hope is that with each update "the games will reach the level of quality that they deserve to be."

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition is a collection of remasters that includes Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. While these games have been updated with newer graphics, players have discovered multiple bugs and other noticeable graphical imperfections.

Bugs range from visual oddities to AI difficulties. One bug causes planes to keep crashing around the open world for no apparent reason.

It didn't help that Rockstar de-listed the original versions of each of these games, making the Definitive Edition the only available way to play these titles. However, in the same blog post, Rockstar announced that the classic PC versions of GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas will be available again on the Rockstar Store as a bundle. Anyone who purchased the Definitive Edition will receive the classic versions of these games for free.

Check out IGN's review of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy in which we highlight how this new edition fails to live up to the legacy of Rockstar's three crime classics.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.

Halo Infinite Shows Off Its Upcoming Multiplayer Events

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 08:55 AM PST

343 Industries has revealed further information about the upcoming limited-time events coming as part of Halo Infinite's first multiplayer season, Heroes of Reach.

Shown off by the official Halo account on Twitter (below), the studio shared further information about the different events that Halo fans can expect in the game over the coming months. "With our 20th Anniversary event wrapping on Monday, Nov. 22, we wanted to look ahead at what's to come. Draw your blades for Fracture: Tenrai, arriving next week," said 343 on Twitter.

Although the Fracture: Tenrai event has been confirmed as the first that fans will encounter this season, it's not the only event that 343 has shared in relation to Heroes of Reach. In the coming months, additional multiplayer experiences will include Winter Contingency, Cyber Showdown, and Tactical Ops events.

While the studio has given few other details away about the specifics of the upcoming evenst, it has shown off some of the different rewards that players will be able to unlock across the period. As revealed on a poster shared by 343 (below), the Fracture: Tenrai event will contain 30 tiers of free unlockable content with special cosmetics including new badges, weapon skins, and a pretty neat-looking Samurai-themed armour set.

The studio recently confirmed that it had been assessing progression in its main multiplayer battle pass after it received a range of negative fan feedback surrounding the system's slow grind. Since announcing the review only a number of days ago, the development team further updated fans to reveal that it had implemented the first changes to its multiplayer progression system in order to make the experience more enjoyable.

For more on Halo Infinite, make sure to check out this piece detailing the first Craig Meme Easter Egg that has been discovered in the game's single-player campaign.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

The First Halo Infinite Craig Meme Easter Egg Has Been Discovered

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 08:29 AM PST

Craig, the unfortunate Brute who fans turned into a meme following his low-quality depiction in a Halo Infinite trailer last year, has been discovered as an Easter Egg inside the game for the first time.

The first sighting of a Craig Easter Egg in Halo Infinite was made by YouTuber Mint Blitz when he came across a shrine to the character during the content creator's early access playthrough of the game's single-player campaign.

You can check out the Easter Egg, and how to get to it, in our video below:

As noted by Mint Blitz, the developer has left a number of references to the brute, which can be found on top of the tower at the start of the game's fourth mission. While Craig's first outing saw him taking shots to the body during last year's gameplay reveal trailer, it seems that 343 recognised that a change in profession was much-needed for the calm-faced brute.

Navigating your way to the top of the building at the start of the game's fourth campaign mission, you'll find a number of references to the NPC that suggest he traded in his fighting days to become a rockstar. The Craig shrine itself includes a greatest hits vinyl cover as well as a tour poster detailing when Craig is holding a Zeta Halo tour. Songs on the album include a number of classic Craig chart-toppers such as, 'The Day You Become a Meme', 'Popped in the Chin By My Friend' and 'My Mom Used to Love Me'.

Last month, the Halo Infinite devs explained that they had a "love-hate relationship" with the Craig and its eventual transition into meme form. While the meme itself only came about due to ridicule that 343 faced over content shown off from the game, the character actually allowed the developer more time to refine and polish the game to a higher standard.

"While it was fun to see the community gravitate towards Craig, he unfortunately represented some content and systems that were not ready for prime time in that demo," said Character and Combat Director Steve Dyck in a Halo Insider post during October.

"The positive outcome of Craig was that he was one of the factors in gaining some more time to finish work and get Brutes to a place where the team is happy with them. This is one of the many positive examples of 343 working with and aligning with the Halo community around expectations."

For more on Halo Infinite, make sure to check out this piece detailing how the game's Campaign co-op and Forge modes have recently been pushed back.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

IGN UK Podcast #619: Bustin' Ghosts and Spartans

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 07:09 AM PST

Microsoft surprised us all with the launch of Halo Infinite's multiplayer this week, and Cardy, Jesse, and Matt have been getting into the Spartan groove by spanking as many people as possible. But not content with just giving opinions on the likes of Slayer and Capture the Flag, we've also got thoughts on the Halo Infinite campaign, which Matt has played the first chunk of.

Beyond Halo chat, we've also got a few bones to pick with the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy, which hasn't exactly revitalised our nostalgia for the PS2-era of GTA. Balancing that out, we've got chat about Ghostbusters: Afterlife and the new Radiohead Kid A Mnesia Exhibition, a strange musical museum on PC and PS5.

Want to submit your own Endless Search, food opinion, or a bit of other nonsense? Feel free to get in touch with the podcast at: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.

IGN UK Podcast #619: Bustin' Ghosts and Spartans

Forza Horizon 5 Had 'The Biggest First Week in Xbox History'

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 06:34 AM PST

Microsoft has confirmed that Forza Horizon 5 has seen the biggest launch of any Xbox title in the history of the company, with 10 million players jumping into Playground Games' beautifully reimagined Mexican landscape within its first week.

In a tweet from the official Forza Horizon Twitter account (below), the company confirmed that it was the biggest launch for a game in Xbox history, obviously meaning it's broken those records for Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Studios games, too.

Prior to the announcement, Xbox boss Phil Spencer also recently revealed that the game had experienced the largest launch day of any Xbox Game Studios game ever. The open-world racing game amassed over 4.5 million players in its launch week where it also featured peak concurrent player count heights over three times the size of its predecessor Forza Horizon 4.

As with all Xbox Game Studios games, Forza Horizon 5 was released into Xbox's popular subscription service Xbox Game Pass, meaning that subscribers could gain access to the game at no additional cost from day one.

While some have questioned the financial viability of a service like Game Pass, Spencer recently explained that the platform is proving to be "very, very sustainable." That news will likely please those currently signed up to the service – especially if that proves to be the case in a year where Microsoft itself announced that subscriber growth has slowed down.

As Horizon 5 continues to break new records moving forward, Playground Games also recently announced that it is continuing to add elements into the game that will increase inclusivity and make the game more accessible to a wider range of players. On top of its base accessibility features that can currently be found within the racing sim, Horizon 5 is also set to add an on-screen sign language interpreter to the game in a future update.

IGN recently reviewed Forza Horizon 5 where we awarded it a rare score of 10/10 and dubbed it "the best open-world racing game available." For more from the series, make sure to check out our dedicated Forza Horizon 5 IGN page.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Xbox: All the Best Black Friday Deals

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 06:34 AM PST

Black Friday lands on November 26 this year, but the official Black Friday deals have already begun. Best Buy's Black Friday sale has started in earnest, and Amazon is price-matching most of the deals. It won't be long until Walmart and Target's big sales kick off, either. So if you're looking to save some cash on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S games or accessories, you've come to the right place. We're tracking all the best Xbox Black Friday deals below.

And if you're in the market for non-Xbox-related deals, we have you covered with our best Black Friday deals mega-post. But for all things Xbox, let's get to it.

Best Black Friday Xbox Deals

These are our favorite early Black Friday deals available right now. Check back often, because they'll change as deals expire and new deals come available

Xbox Black Friday Game Deals

Amazon

Best Buy

GameStop

Walmart (DEALS NOT LIVE YET)

Note: These deals will go live Monday, November 22 at 7pm ET.

The deals have begun. In my opinion Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy was a massively overlooked game. And even though it just came out not long ago, it's already on sale for half off. Pick this one up for yourself or the Xbox fan in your life. Far Cry 6 is another winner, and so is Riders Republic.

Xbox Accessory Deals

The best accessory deal available now is the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller on sale for $139.99. It's been flickering in and out of stock at Amazon, but it's currently available for that price at Walmart. Grab it if you want it.

Our deal coverage is much more extensive than just these Xbox deals. Be sure to take a look at our best Black Friday deals mega-post to find all the best deals across retailers on a wide variety of categories, ranging from PCs to gaming gear to workout equipment and more. And if you have a Switch, you'll want to take a look at the upcoming Nintendo Black Friday deals to expect as the big day approaches.

No, Cyberpunk 2077 Isn't Coming to Xbox Game Pass

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 06:05 AM PST

CD Projekt Red has clarified that the studio currently has no plans to bring the game to Xbox Game Pass, despite rumours suggesting that it might be on its way to the subscription service.

In response to speculation (as reported by VGC) that the game may be on its way to Game Pass, CD Projekt Red's Global PR Director, Radek Grabowksi confirmed that this isn't the case.

"I just thought I'll chime in to say that there are no Game Pass plans for Cyberpunk 2077," confirmed Grabowski on the social media platform.

Initial speculation that the game might be heading to Game Pass surfaced after a recent marketing video for Xbox Cloud Gaming on consoles appeared to show a brief snippet of the game. This led to people theorise that the game might be coming to the platform as players accessing Cloud Gaming on consoles are currently required to hold a Game Pass ultimate membership.

While Grabowski's comments may have ruled out any possibility of the studio bringing the game to the platform in the immediate future, that doesn't necessarily mean that it will never be available on the platform. Over the years, Microsoft has managed to successfully bring a number of third-party games to Game Pass, meaning that fans hoping for the arrival of Cyberpunk on the platform shouldn't give up all hope just yet.

As part of celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Xbox, Microsoft's head of gaming ecosystems Sarah Bond recently delved into the origins of the company's popular subscription service and how it was originally set up to be a video game rental service codenamed Arches. In an interview, Bond explained that the company's decision to repurpose Arches into the subscription service we now know as Game Pass came in part due to the success of other companies adapting similar models such as Netflix and Spotify.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

GTA 6: Fans Think Rockstar Snuck a First Screenshot Into GTA Trilogy

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 04:34 AM PST

A single image of a house in the remastered version of GTA: San Andreas has sparked fan speculation that it is, in fact, the first screenshot of Grand Theft Auto 6.

Posted on GTA Forums, the image is found among photos on the wall of San Andreas' UFO-themed Lil' Probe'Inn and, somewhat appropriately, has kicked off a new conspiracy theory – that Rockstar has surreptitiously tucked the first image of GTA 6 into its latest remasters.

The image, which you can see in the tweet below (both as an in-game screenshot and an artificially uprezzed version), simply shows a front-on view of a nondescript house, albeit with a UFO hanging above it. The intrigue comes from the fact that even the most ardent GTA fans can't seem to locate where that house model has come from.

The high quality of the visuals in the image means fans don't think it comes from GTA Trilogy itself, but the house seemingly can't be found inside GTA 5, either. That's inevitably led to discussion around where the image has come from, and why Rockstar would include it – especially in a room full of UFO references, famously one of the GTA series' hotbeds of fan theory-crafting.

Previous rumours have suggested that GTA 6 could return to a Miami-inspired setting, and GTA Forums user igrobar tracked down a real-life house in Boca Raton (located just north of Miami) that bears striking similarities to the screenshot. Rockstar is known for reimagining real-life buildings inside its fictional cities, and fans have latched onto the idea that this image is a concrete hint to the setting.

As enticing as all this is, it's of course nothing more than speculation at this point – the image could just as easily be unused concept imagery, environmental testing, or simply an image made or repurposed for the game. We've contacted Rockstar for comment.

Whether it's an image of GTA 6 or not, it seems we have a long time to wait to actually play the game. While we know it's in development, recent reports have suggested the game will launch in 2024 or 2025, which somewhat tallies with Take-Two preparing for a major surge in big game releases. We've also heard that Dr. Dre is making new music for GTA, and that Rockstar has been working on some impressive-sounding NPC tech.

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.

Best Black Friday Deals in the UK: PS Plus for £33, Far Cry 6 for £40

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 04:29 AM PST

Black Friday 2021 is right around the corner, and it's set to be bigger than ever in the UK this year. Early deals are already in full swing for the biggest shopping event of the year, including 3-months of Audible for 99p, £40 off New Apple AirPods Pro, and £600 off LG OLED 4K TVs perfect for PS5.

We'll be updating this page constantly over the next month, so keep it bookmarked or head on over to @IGNUKDeals on Twitter for constant updates. Here are the absolute best Black Friday deals in the UK.

Hot Black Friday Deals (Our Favourites)

AD: Save Up to £90 on Facebook Portal Devices

Black Friday: Amazon Fire TV Stick Deals

Amazon are offering up to 50% off of their nifty Fire TV sticks this Black Friday. All three models come with Alexa voice remote and stream in HD.

Black Friday: Deals on PS5 Games

Black Friday: Best PS5 SSD Deals

Black Friday: Get 12 Months of PS Plus At Reduced Price

Black Friday: Best Amazon Subscription Deals

Best Black Friday VPN Deals: 72% Off NordVPN

Best Headphone Deals: New Apple AirPods for £199 (Save £40)

Black Friday: Save £600 on New LG OLED 4K TVs

Black Friday: Best Switch Game Deals

£5 Off Video Games with Code GAMENEXTDAY

PS5 and Xbox Series X Black Friday 2021 Stock in the UK

Even a year later, PS5 and Xbox Series X stock is still hard to find. We're still providing constant stock updates @IGNUKDeals, but with the ongoing supply shortage globally, the hunt for next-gen systems continues.

We actually saw some console stock in and around Black Friday last year, so fingers crossed, this might happen again at the likes of Amazon, GAME, Currys, Argos, and more during Black Friday week.

PS5 Stock for Black Friday 2021

Xbox Series X Stock for Black Friday 2021

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Halo Infinite Campaign Co-op and Forge Mode Releases Pushed Back

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 03:00 AM PST

Halo Infinite won't be getting a co-op option for Campaign mode until May 2022 at the earliest, and Forge mode will be even further down the line.

Speaking to Eurogamer, 343 head of creative Joseph Staten confirmed that the game's extension of Halo Infinite Season 1 means the two much-requested features have been delayed.

When 343 announced that Campaign co-op and Forge would not be in the launch game, it made clear that the former would drop during Season 2, and the latter in Season 3. Staten confirmed that, with Season 1 now taking place for around 6 months instead of the planned 3, that means those modes have also been pushed back. Season 2 should begin in May 2022, with Season 3 likely to be around August/September.

Staten couldn't offer firm release dates for either, however: "We can't commit to any hard dates right now, because as we're seeing with this multiplayer beta, other things might move up in the priority stack for us. If it turns out that our progression system just isn't working the way that we intended, if we need to move some of these bigger rocks sooner, then we as a team will make those decisions and will clearly communicate to our fans why we're why we're doing certain things."

As Staten mentions, the team has rapidly had to respond to complaints about the game's Battle Pass progression system, after players found it to be a grind. Staten's comments suggest that more work could be done on that system over time.

Despite that response, Halo Infinite's early multiplayer launch has been received broadly positively, seeing huge success on Steam as well as Xbox's own platforms. Campaign mode will be released on December 8, and we've got 5 minutes of gameplay to show you early.

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.

Black Friday 2021: Best PS5 and PlayStation Deals in the UK

Posted: 19 Nov 2021 12:30 AM PST

PlayStation players have been eagerly awaiting Black Friday for several months now, and we're almost there. There are few better times to grab yourself some amazing deals on PlayStation games, accessories, and subscriptions. You can even get 12-Months of PlayStation Plus for just £32.99 right now (see here).

We've compiled some of the best deals going on games and SSDs for your PS5 this Black Friday. There's also some exciting news regarding PS Plus that you won't want to miss out on.

TL;DR - Our Favourite Deals

Black Friday: Get 12 Months of PS Plus At Reduced Price

If you've been putting off getting a PS Plus subscription for a while, now's your chance to grab one at a reduced price. Amazon are offering a 12 month PS Plus subscription for just £32.99, down from the standard price of £49.99.

A PS Plus subscription gives you access to new titles every month that you can play for free. You'll also get access to online multiplayer features and exclusive members-only discounts. Don't miss this one.

Black Friday: Deals on PS5 and PlayStation Games

There are currently some great Black Friday deals on PS5 and PS4 games. They might not seem like the biggest discounts on the face of it, but you'll also be saving yourself an pretty much extra £5 on delivery for each purchase if you order with Amazon Prime.

Best PS5 and PS4 Deals at Currys

Black Friday: Best PS5 SSD Deals

Best Deals on Heatsinks

If your PS5 SSD doesn't have a heatsink included, you'll need to grab yourself one. Luckily for you, there's also some great deals on these this month.

PS5 Stock for Black Friday?

There's a possibility some retailers are holding back PS5 stock for the Black Friday sales, but we'll just have to wait and see. Both Amazon and GAME have recently had stock drops, but we could be in for a couple more before the end of the month. Make sure you're following @IGNUKDeals for instant updates.

New Earthworm Jim TV Series Is In the Works

Posted: 18 Nov 2021 03:12 PM PST

In today's edition of "who asked for this?," Variety reports that an Earthworm Jim TV series is in the works at Interplay Entertainment, the current owners of the franchise.

Interplay released a 2-minute teaser trailer featuring Earthworm Jim in a tongue-in-cheek "Behind-the-Music" like interview describing his history as a spacefaring adventurer.

The series, titled "Earthworm Jim: Beyond the Groovy," reportedly follows Earthworm Jim's adventures fighting evil from planet to planet throughout the galaxy, with each planet featuring a different race of anthropomorphic animal-like aliens. Earthworm Jim's ultimate goal is to get back to his home planet, you guessed it, Earth.

Interplay is launching efforts to develop new TV series and films with a new division of the company. Interplay is working with Passion Pictures, which has produced various animated short films and commercials, such as two episodes of "Love, Death, and Robots," and several animated trailers for Apex Legends.

The teaser trailer indicates a slightly more mature tone for Earthworm Jim, with the character referring to a thermostat added to his suit to "keep my ass warm" and that he spent 25 years in rehab. The Earthworm Jim games (and even the shortlived 1990's animated series on Kids' WB) stuck relatively close to kid-friendly fare, but the original developers at Shiny Entertainment and creator Doug Tenaple (who also voiced Jim in the games) frequently skewered video game and film tropes, adding characters like "Princess What's-her-name" as a riff on Princess Peach and more generic damsels in distress.

It's unclear if creator Doug TenNaple or other members of the original development team are involved in the project. TenNaple has a history of anti-LGBTQ views, speaking out against marriage equality, and has misgendered a transgender journalist who criticized his work in 2017. IGN has reached out to Interplay to ask whether TenNaple has any involvement, but did not immediately recieve a reply.

"I remember loving 'Earthworm Jim' as a kid," said Michael K. Parand, the director of Interplay's new film and TV division. "And there's so much potential in this story universe: a galaxy full of animals battling for power.  Jim is an earthworm in a universe where Earth is nothing more than a myth. His struggle to find meaning is surreal and comical, but it's also relatable."

Earthworm Jim's star power has faded since his height in the mid-to-late 90's. While the first two games were successes based on their gameplay and attractive 2D graphics, Earthworm Jim 3D and subsequent releases were critical and commercial failures, with the last game releasing in 1999.

Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/lowly worm for IGN.

New Deathloop Patch Adds Some Much-Requested Features

Posted: 18 Nov 2021 01:37 PM PST

Deathloop's second big update is here, and the patch notes indicate that it addresses some of players' biggest concerns. The update focuses on enemy AI, UI issues, audio, and other elements.

One of the biggest changes is that Julianna players will receive a win if a Colt player drops out of their game, a change that will surely make fans of Deathloop's multiplayer happy. Previously, a Colt player bouncing from a multiplayer session could mean a lot of wasted time for a Julianna player with little to no reward.

Colt players who try to wait out Julianna will also get a sort of slap on the wrist. If a Colt player hides in the tunnels that connect each area of Deathloop's map, they'll be automatically pinged and the tunnel doors will open, allowing a Julianna player to more easily eliminate them. The antenna that Colt must hack to escape also takes slightly longer to hack, and Bethesda says an AI-controlled Julianna will be "more reactive" to Colt's actions, though doesn't explain how.

Enemy NPC behavior has also been dramatically improved. NPCs will react to bullets whizzing by their heads, when another NPC is assassinated nearby, and can hear better and react faster to footsteps.

Accessibility changes include controller remapping being added, left/right stick inversion, larger UI buttons and text in menus and larger selectable menu areas.

You can find the full patch notes below.

  • NPCs now react to bullets passing close by, such as headshots that miss
  • NPCs now react when another is assassinated close by
  • NPCs now hear better and react faster to nearby footfalls
  • NPCs under fire no longer move to take cover if the player is too close
  • NPCs can now deduce the direction from which a grenade was thrown
  • NPCs no longer stop trying to kill Colt if Julianna uses Nexus to link him to them
  • Interrupted aerial assassinations will no longer cause NPCs to become mostly invulnerable
  • Numerous other small fixes and improvements to NPC behavior, reactions, pathing, and placement
  • Charlie Montague no longer gets stuck in the floor or ground if he's kicked while using Shift

QUALITY OF LIFE/ACCESSIBILITY

  • Added controller remapping and left/right stick inversion
  • UI buttons and text in options menu are now larger, as are their selectable areas
  • [PS5] Added Field-of-View and motion-blur options. We continue to listen to community feedback and explore more quality of life and accessibility options for a future update.

INVASION

  • Colt dropping the game now counts as a win for a player-controlled Julianna
  • AI-controlled Julianna is now more reactive to Colt's actions
  • The antenna that Colt must hack to escape now takes slightly longer to hack
  • AFK players are tagged
  • Colt players who linger in Colt's tunnels for too long are automatically tagged and that causes the tunnel doors to open
  • Higher chance that you will invade players on your Friends list while they are playing in 'Online mode'
  • Strelak Sapper Charges thrown by NPCs that Julianna has attacked will no longer create false Colt tags for Julianna
  • Players now properly hear audio reactions from the opposing player during melee
  • Strelak Sapper Charges will now stick to Julianna as they do to other NPCs

USER INTERFACE

  • The UI is now clearer regarding Residuum loss on death
  • The appearance of weapons and other items is improved within the Loadout UI
  • The UI HUD will now properly display updates made to key bindings and controls
  • The game will now pause fully during the Game Over splash screen
  • Melee will now be labeled correctly when in the weapon cycle on a controller (Y)
  • When aiming down sights, crosshairs will no longer disappear while the player is close enough to an NPC to perform an assassination
  • The Heritage Gun's reticle will now indicate the increased scatter from the Scattergun perk
  • [PC] Players will no longer be asked to confirm changes to visual settings if nothing was changed
  • [PC] Fixed an issue in which mouse wheel sensitivity was overreduced when zooming in or out to view a weapon in the Loadout UI

MISC. GAMEPLAY

  • Duplicate Slab upgrades are now converted to a harvestable Residuum object
  • In Karl's Bay, Harriet and her cultists can no longer shoot at Colt through the closed security door to her office
  • Also in Karl's Bay, a certain window in Hangar 2 has been restored to its intended functionality
  • Strelak Sapper Charges can no longer be thrown in a way that enables the player to clip through doors or other surfaces
  • Kicking a Strelak Sapper Charge while "cooking" it no longer causes the Charge to explode and no longer causes subsequent Charges to disappear when thrown
  • Turret placement can no longer be used as a way to enable the player to clip through doors or other surfaces
  • Hackable antennas now give clearer audiovisual feedback of their hacked status
  • Fixed an issue that could result in Colt having 2 guns in the same hand or one gun in the left hand instead of the right hand after a reprise
  • Fixed an issue that could prevent a weapon from being further reloaded if player switched to a same ammunition type while reloading then switched back to original weapon
  • Fixed an issue that could cause the Hackamajig not to be automatically equipped to an empty hand when first picked up
  • Fixed an issue that could lead to a player using the Shift Slab to reach a ledge, triggering the vaulting action, and getting stuck in the ledge instead of vaulting it
  • Fixed a case in which 2-Bit interactions were not working as intended
  • Fixed an issue that caused some hackable doors to become unopenable if kicked while hacking
  • More than one turret can no longer occupy the same space
  • Fixed an issue that could trap players if Fia's large bunker doors close on them

GRAPHICS/AUDIO

  • Fixed an issue in which the player could unequip the machete during an assassination animation
  • Corrected some issues with FSR integration and improved overall implementation.
  • Fixed in issue in which the player could unequip a jammed gun during the unjamming animation
  • Fixed bugs, including some that could cause crashes, related to the DLSS and ray tracing graphics options
  • Fixed numerous minor visual glitches, including some related to indirect lighting
  • Fixed or improved numerous audio details and timings, including some improved voiceover lines
  • Improved audio mixing across the board
  • Fixed an issue that could cause graphical glitching when a door is opened at the same time a sensor closes it
  • Turret indicator lights now no longer function if the turret's battery is destroyed
  • The hostile/friendly indicator lights on Field Nullifiers are now consistent with those on turrets
  • Fixed an issue that caused deactivated turrets to sound as though they're deployed when thrown or dropped
  • Fixed an issue that rarely caused closed doors to appear as though they're open

ACHIEVEMENTS/TROPHIES AND FEATS

  • Fixed an issue that enabled Julianna to be rewarded with duplicate trinkets
  • Fixed an issue that prevented the "Ensemble Tragedy" achievement from being rewarded properly
  • Fixed an issue that prevented Julianna from earning the Double Vision feat if killing Colt via assassination while Masquerading as a Visionary
  • Fixed an issue that enabled Julianna players to earn the Sorceress feat even if weapons were used
  • Fixed an issue that counted Colt's own deaths to Julianna's gunfire toward the "Don't Mind Me" achievement

STABILITY

  • Fixed an issue that could cause the game to crash while using the Strelak Verso
  • Fixed an issue that could cause the game to crash if Colt dies just as a cinematic begins
  • Fixed an issue that could rarely cause the game to become unresponsive on exiting the Journal
  • [PC] Fixed an issue that could cause the game to become unresponsive while remapping controls from keyboard to controller or vice versa

CONNECTION-RELATED

  • Fixed an issue that could cause the first weapon to be dropped when the Julianna player picks up multiple weapons at once
  • Fixed an issue that could cause the mission results screen and progression to be skipped for the Julianna player if that player goes straight to Invasion matchmaking after successfully breaking the loop as Colt and watching the game credits
  • Fixed an issue that could cause the "network connection to the server failed" message to remain on-screen after being resolved
  • Fixed an issue that could cause Julianna to spawn above the ground, having to briefly fall before being able to move
  • Fixed an issue that caused the visual effects of Karnesis, when used on an NPC, not to appear from Julianna's point of view

Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/Mr. Kill for IGN.

New Super Smash Bros. Tournaments Could Heal Rift Between Pros and Nintendo

Posted: 18 Nov 2021 01:31 PM PST

In a community-shaking move, Nintendo is partnering with Panda Global for the first officially licensed series of Super Smash Bros. eSports tournaments in North America. Nintendo is not only supporting official Super Smash Bros. tournaments but events for the GameCube fan-favorite Super Smash Bros. Melee, as well.

Nintendo of America announced the new Smash Bros tournament series today. In a tweet, the company said, "Ready your A-game, Super #SmashBros competitors. We've partnered with @PandaGlobal to launch the first officially licensed Super Smash Bros. championship circuit in North America, coming 2022!"

In a press release, Nintendo's senior director of product marketing Bill Trinen called the partnership with Panda Global "the next step in Nintendo's efforts to create a more consistent, fun and welcoming competitive environment for our players and fans."

To call the Smash community's relationship with Nintendo "shaky" would be an understatement. Professional players who devote their lives and careers to being the best at Smash have often been at odds with Nintendo over the years, making today's announcement a huge step to healing those wounds.

The most famous example is back in 2013 when Nintendo attempted to shut down Melee from appearing at Evo. When that failed, Nintendo tried to block live streams of the event After fan outrage, Nintendo instantly reversed the decision, and the Melee event took place as planned. However, many players felt Nintendo had played their cards, and from that day forward much of the Smash community believed Nintendo was against them.

As the years went on, Nintendo dabbled in supporting Smash events in some official capacity. From the Smash invitational at E3, where pro players were invited to try out the new Smash game ahead of release, to Nintendo's sponsorship of smaller tournaments and online events. However, the Smash community didn't feel it was the support they were looking for.

"From the public looking in, we had some game demos or booths from Nintendo at a few events, and maybe a few tweets about the events. No huge prize pots or organization of any kind though," Christina "Chia" Korsak, a longtime member of the Smash Bros. community, said in an interview with IGN last year.

Korsak went on to say Nintendo-sponsored events led to different problems, like not using popular modded versions of Smash, broadcast restrictions for licensed music tracks, and more.

In 2020, it seemed the divide between Nintendo and the Smash community was only widening, as the fighting game community dealt with allegations of sexual misconduct involving players, organizers, and commentators.

At the time, Nintendo issued a statement to IGN, saying, "At Nintendo, we are deeply disturbed by the allegations raised against certain members of the competitive gaming community. They are absolutely impermissible. We want to make it clear that we condemn all acts of violence, harassment, and exploitation against anyone and that we stand with the victims."

Later in 2020, multiple Nintendo game communities spoke out against Nintendo, vocally criticizing the company's approach to canceling events featuring games including Smash Bros. and Splatoon. The backlash came after Nintendo served a cease-and-desist to the Smash Bros. Melee 'Big House' tournament, which is one of the biggest events for the scene. The cease-and-desist focused on the tournament's use of Melee's unofficial Slippi mod, which lets players play Melee online. Eventually, The Big House canceled the event entirely. The cancelation led to the #freemelee movement, a social media movement protesting Nintendo's decision.

As tensions continued to boil, it seemed some hardcore Smash players were gearing up to jump ship from Smash and latch onto Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, a recently-released platform fighter inspired by Melee. The new game was attractive because it came with a fresh developer and publisher devoid of the baggage associated with Nintendo and the Smash community's notoriously strained relationship.

It remains to be seen how this officially licensed circuit will differ from other events Nintendo has sponsored in the past, but the simple fact that Nintendo is acknowledging Melee at all is already a big change. Generally, Nintendo only supports the latest Smash game's scene, which is currently 2018's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Panda Global is a professional eSports organization, and Nintendo's choice to partner with them may represent a more serious attempt to support the competitive scene, rather than organizing everything on their own. In a press release, Nintendo and Panda Global announced that additional details including official rules, event dates, and prizing will be revealed in the future.

While we wait for official details on what this partnership will entail, Smash pros are already reacting to the bombshell announcement. Responding to Nintendo's Tweet, Melee player Juan 'hungrybox' Debiedma called today, "the first day of a beautiful future."

"Thank you for acknowledging competitive Melee and for providing support to both scenes," hungrybox wrote. "I'm looking forward to what can be accomplished with both parties working together. This is gonna be something very special."

Still, some players are skeptical about the announcement, given Nintendo's rocky relationship with the community over the years.

"I trust that Panda Global has the best interests for the community at heart," Melee player Hugo 'HugS' Gonzalez wrote in a statement to IGN. "Nintendo has proven otherwise over the years. It's good news if executed correctly, but I'll be waiting on further details."

We'll have to wait and see how Nintendo's officially licensed circuit pans out. For example, there could still be disagreements on Melee mods like Slippi and 20XX, or ruleset decisions the community may not agree with. Still, Nintendo is extending the olive branch to a community it has consistently clashed with, which will certainly turn into a fascinating chapter in Smash Bros. history.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Babylon's Fall: The First Preview

Posted: 18 Nov 2021 01:26 PM PST

With the ongoing popularity of "Games as a Service" titles, more and more companies are trying to create their version of the model that will gain traction and grow over time. In collaboration with renowned developer Platinum Games, Square Enix has attempted to do this with Babylon's Fall, which takes place in a more fantastical setting. While the combat feels fresh and new – right according to Platinum's reputation – Babylon's Fall is otherwise shaping up to be a fundamental mess with base features being absent or convoluted. It thus far adds up to create a sluggish, boorish rut that needs much more time to hone in and focus on what it wants to be, or else it will be dead on arrival.

In Babylon's Fall you play as a Sentinel, a customizable warrior chosen by a relic known as the Gideon Coffin. You're given the power to fight against the looming threats in a grand standing tower titled The Ziggurat. Each quest will advance you higher until you inevitably hit the summit. With my play time being from a closed beta test, I was only given access to the first six levels, which naturally became more difficult the higher I rose in the tower.

When it comes to the level design, quests are uninspired, to the point of unengaging hallways, obvious encounter areas, and few loot chests along the way.

After finishing each quest I was rewarded with loot to make my character stronger, but what made the situation frustrating was I couldn't see the loot I earned until the level was already over. Instead of showing me exactly what the items were, I picked up "relics" instead – stopping me from being able to upgrade in between fights during a quest.

Playing with your friends is a complicated hurdle to jump over.

Between quests, sentinels are housed at the Sentinel Force HQ where I was able to accept quests, sell items, and manage inventory. Quests are picked up through a job board, and other players in the hub world can join your missions to create a team of up to four. Playing with your friends, on the other hand, is a complicated hurdle to jump over.

There is a very limited number of players who can be in the Sentinel Force HQ at the same time, and despite being primarily a cooperative experience, Babylon's Fall doesn't give you the option to invite a friend into your party in a traditional sense. To have a friend join, you must give them your "HQ code," an eight-digit number that will let them join the same hub world as you to squad up into the same quest. Making matters worse, once your friend joins you are not automatically in a party together; you're just in the same hub. Thus, it's possible to accidentally start a mission without your friend being a part of it.

This HQ code approach is likely a result of cross-play support between PlayStation consoles and PC, but with so many other online games nowadays utilizing much simpler options, implementing a bloated multistep system like this in 2021 is, frankly, unacceptable.

Sentinels are equipped with four different weapons that are dedicated to one specific button. Two weapons work as the light and heavy attack while the other two are your spectral weapons. Outside of health you have a spectral energy bar that depletes as you use your spectral weapons, but returns both over time and when you hit enemies with your light and heavy attacks. There are five different weapon types including a sword, hammer, bow, rod, and shield allowing you to mix and match with different loadouts creating some varied combat scenarios once you obtain better gear, but that does not make up for much when most encounters are so uneventful. Bosses put up more of a fight down the line, but when they're as rare as they are the gameplay isn't worth investing in.

Babylon's Fall is in a rough state right now.

Babylon's Fall is in a rough state right now. It has little going for it, especially when other games as a service titles like Destiny are thriving more than ever before and others in the same vein with name recognition behind it like Marvel's Avengers is itself struggling to gain a solid footing. Platinum has certainly proven over the years that they have the talent. Here's hoping they get the time to bring Babylon's Fall up to its full potential.

Battlefield 2042: Someone Made a List Of Every Missing Feature, And It's Quite Long

Posted: 18 Nov 2021 01:13 PM PST

Battlefield 2042 has had a rough launch week thus far, whether it's server issues, UI problems, or more creative frustrations like features or modes that 2042 has opted not to include. One Reddit user by the name of Jellyswim has even gone so far as to create a list of features "removed or downgraded" from Battlefield 2042, and it's a surprisingly long (if subjective) read.

Some notable complaints include:

  • No persistent lobbies, requiring players to matchmake after every game.
  • No global leader boards
  • No standard server browser
  • Fewer standard game modes, like team deathmatch
  • Fewer vehicle types
  • No small transport-type vehicles, such as ATVs or bikes
  • Fewer gun choices
  • Various mobility mechanics, like manual leaning, high wall vaulting, backwards prone, no diving while swimming
  • Technical issues, like less control and UI optimization options, less ultrawide monitor support, and issues with aim assist on console.
  • A less obvious method of communicating a medic is on the way to revive a downed teammate.
  • And easily a few dozen more complaints.

It's worth noting that none of these features are necessarily "missing." Sequels omit features from previous games all the times, whether it's for budgetary reasons, the realities of a game's development timeline, or just a creative decision to lean into a less-is-more approach, all of which doesn't necessarily mean a game is better or worse for it. That said, the list is a pretty stark reminder of how different Battlefield 2042 is in the details from its predecessors.

The list is just a short taste, but the post has become one of the Battlefield 2042 subreddit's highest-upvoted posts in recent history, with plenty of users joining in on the complaints.

"I'll admit I had fun for 10ish hours, but these things became more and more obvious, and the fun just dwindled rapidly," wrote a user named MultimediaCarl.

"'Assist counts as Kill' is literally one of my favorite features of BF4," wrote user KaineZilla. "It was the first game I noticed it in, and it just feels GOOD. Especially to someone like me that struggles with clean up.

"Portal really is the saving grace but it's a shame we have to rely so heavily on user-created servers to fill in so many of the gaps missing from the base game, and portal isn't going going hold that status forever," wrote user Jellyswim.

IGN's own Battlefield 2042 review echoed some of these complaints, noting how classes seem to matter less when all specialist characters can utilize most of each class' tools, and even an issue with dead teammates' bodies remaining visible on the ground, acting as false bait for a medic.

DICE responded early Thursday with its first update for Battlefield 2042, targeting server issues like rubberbanding, and instances of stuttering on the Breakaway map, among other issues. DICE has also updated with a fix for Battlefield 2042's prox sensor item.

DICE is also planning to release two additional updates in the next 30 days, aimed at fixes, balance changes, and quality of life issues.

Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN.

MultiVersus Fans Have One Question: Who the Heck Is Reindog?

Posted: 18 Nov 2021 12:05 PM PST

After weeks of leaks and rumors, Warner Bros. finally revealed MultiVersus, a Smash Bros.-like fighting game featuring characters from Scooby-Doo, Adventure Time, DC Comics, and more. While the roster is mostly full of recognizable characters like Shaggy and Superman, one inclusion has everyone asking: who the heck is Reindog?

Reindog is a green and white reindeer who is an original character for MultiVersus. He's the only member of the game's lineup that's not from any recognizable property, which has caused some confusion on social media. Reindog's official description on the MultiVersus website says he's 165 years old and his actual name is unpronounceable.

It goes on to say Reindog is the last survivor from the world of Zanifeer, and that he's a long-lived protector of the Zanifeer royal family. Now, he gets to clash with Shaggy, Arya Stark, and Superman, and the reactions are mixed.

Many people online were bewildered at an original character's inclusion among a roster of all-stars.

Some fans still don't know much about Reindog, but can't wait to learn more when the game comes out.

And, Reindog reminded some of the "Ollie the Friggin' Reindog" video that went viral last holiday season.

MultiVersus is coming next year to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC via Steam. It's a free-to-play game that will be supported by in-game purchases. The game's first trailer also shows what looks like a battle pass system, but there aren't any details yet on how it will work.

Fans were also surprised to see Arya Stark from Game of Thrones joining the battle, while others were excited to see Kevin Conroy voicing Batman and Matthew Lillard from the live-action Scooby-Doo movies who reprises his role as Shaggy.

MultiVersus is the next big crossover fighting game, coming after this year's Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, which received a nomination for the best fighting game at The Game Awards.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.
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