IGN

Here's how to access The Crown Tundra DLC in Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Don't miss a single collectible in I Am Dead.

Historically, splicing dino-DNA with different species has gone terribly for everyone involved, but in this case merging it with the frantic intensity of Left 4 Dead’s co-op and setting it on a vast, open world-style map has worked out nicely thus far. Second Extinction, by Generation Zero creators Systemic Reaction, is a simple concept that I might’ve doodled on my homework in junior high school, but it relies on the speed and polish of its action and the variety of its mutant enemies to stand out. For a co-op focused shooter that just hit Early Access with a planned several months of runway left before full launch, it’s off to a strong start.

The premise here is that mutated dinosaurs are taking over the planet and it’s somehow up to you and up to two friends to massacre them and “reclaim Earth” before it’s too late. That’s about it; there isn’t much of an overarching plot here in the sense of overt exposition. Instead, the evolution of the world is the story, conveyed by way of a more organic and emergent format with its singular big, connected world map.

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When you choose a mission you also choose a drop point that determines where you start – though at the moment, that always means “icy tundra.” Once you’ve arrived you’re free to explore and do whatever you want – including optional side objectives or even going into neighboring zones in search of higher-value targets or to pursue a distant optional mission. It’s typically up to you to decide if you want to go after better rewards in more dangerous areas or play it safe and progress more slowly.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light -- the original Fire Emblem -- is getting a surprise translated release on Nintendo Switch this December. Join Casey DeFreitas, Peer Schneider, Brian Altano, and Tom Marks as they react to the announcement. Plus, the Nintendo Switch hits a new milestone, as the best-selling console in the U.S. for 22 months in a row. Stick around for discussions on Nintendo's AR experiments, Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC, Stardew Valley's split-screen multiplayer mode, and more. Timecodes!

• 00:00:00 Welcome!
• 00:01:45 A new, old Fire Emblem on Switch
• 00:10:45 Nintendo Switch sales record
• 00:19:02 What's next for Nintendo AR games?
• 00:37:47 More news!
• 00:53:14 Games out this week
• 00:58:50 What we're playing
• 01:04:03 Question Block!

Games out this week:

• ScourgeBringer, $16.99
• Torchlight 3, $39.99
• GONNER 2, $12.99
• Disc Room, $15
• The Red Lantern, $25

NVC is available on your preferred platform!

Sucker Punch Productions revealed today that the Ghost of Tsushima: Legends raid will be released on October 30 and revealed the requirements players will need to meet to take part in 'The Tale of Iyo'. The studio also announced that starting tomorrow, and every Friday after, Ghost of Tsushima: Legends will feature a two-player story mission and four-player mission survival mission with specific weekly modifiers. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ghost-of-tsushima-legends-and-version-11-new-game-screenshots&captions=true"] "This is the culmination of the story in Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, bringing the fight directly to Iyo's realm," the announcement blog post reads. "This Raid is divided into three chapters and requires a full team of four Ghosts, as well as excellent coordination and communication." The Tale of Iyo raid will not support matchmaking, according to Sucker Punch, so players wishing to participate will need to arrange their raid team ahead of time. It's also recommended that everyone's gear be at KI level 100 as an "absolute minimum." Sucker Punch recommends completing all story missions and replaying story and survival missions on higher difficulties to obtain higher gear before the raid. If players complete all of the new weekly challenges and all bonus objectives, they'll receive max-level gear perfect for the raid. Doing so won't be easy because the weekly challenge missions will be Nightmare difficulty, "intended to put you and your team to the test." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/16/the-first-18-minutes-of-ghost-of-tsushima-legends"] An exact launch time for the raid will be announced closer to its launch on October 30, but weekly challenges will go live every Friday at 8 a.m.

It's almost here: Pikmin 3 Deluxe is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch on October 30 (see it on Amazon). It, like other "Deluxe" Switch titles, is a souped-up version of a Wii U game, in this case Pikmin 3. The upcoming Switch version has a handful of new features added to improve the experience, but we'll get to those below. In the meantime, here's where you can preorder it now.

Preorder Pikmin 3 Deluxe

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• Get it at Amazon - $59.96
• Get it at Amazon (digital copy) - $59.99
• Get it at Best Buy - $59.99
• Get it at GameStop - $59.99
• Get it at Walmart - $59.99
• Get it at Nintendo eShop (digital copy) - $59.99

In Pikmin 3 Deluxe, you play as a trio of aliens who have landed on a mysterious planet that looks a good deal like Earth. But unlike our blue orb, this planet is populated by tiny helpful creatures called pikmin.

A video host for Xbox Brazil has parted ways with the company after a months-long harassment campaign from elements of the Brazilian gaming community. However, while the host says this decision was a result of her harassment, a Microsoft spokesperson says the split is “unrelated” to the online attacks directed at her. Isadora Basile announced her new job at Xbox Brazil in September of this year. Since then she has been bombarded by harassment, ranging from accusations that she’s a 'fake gamer' to death and rape threats.

Não sou mais apresentadora da Xbox Brasil. pic.twitter.com/pytwIRhMIE

Score special Halloween-themed bonuses and discounts this week in Grand Theft Online.

Any good looter game worth its, well, loot, needs to have a solid grasp on its inventory system and customization options. Players need to want to keep looking for more loot, while still finding value in what they’ve already acquired. And so crafting that loop has been a core ambition for Counterplay Games, the team behind PS5 launch game Godfall, which is coming to Sony’s next-gen console and PC on November 12. Speaking with IGN, senior technical producer Richard Heyne walked us through the philosophy behind Godfall’s loot, the customization options it offers, and the many ways the developers are hoping to let players look good, feel powerful, and want to keep coming back to play more. Watch the video above for a look at some of Godfall’s customization and UI options, and read on for more on the philosophy and practical application of Counterplay’s work.

The Tinkerer’s Dream

As Heyne and I spoke about all the options Godfall has on hand, he used one phrase that best encapsulates the wide array of options players will have — the Godfall team aimed to make it “The Tinkerer’s Dream.” “We had this idea, we wanted [Godfall] to be the tinkerer's dream.

2K and Gearbox have revealed the final two skill trees coming as part of the Borderlands 3 Designer’s Cut DLC. With new active and passive abilities for Moze and Zane, it means all four Vault Hunters have something new to experiment with. Moze’s skill tree is Mother Bear, and swaps out her stompy mech for a mini-mech called Iron Cub. This smaller mech cannot be piloted, but will run around on its own and maul any enemies it finds until its fuel tank runs dry. While the Iron Cub is smaller than the Iron Bear, it has access to the same weapon hardpoints, so can still be equipped with grenade launchers if you so wish. You’ll probably want to use the Salamander flamethrower, though, as the skill tree provides bonuses for setting enemies on fire. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/01/borderlands-3-moze-character-trailer-the-bffs"] Zane’s new skill tree is called The Professional, which comes with the Active Skill MNTIS Shoulder Cannon. This new gun is a high-tech railgun that can be used as an OTT sniper-rifle.

A raft of updates were announced for Hearthstone today, including a brand new mode, a brand new expansion, and a complete overhaul of the game’s progression system. Let’s go through them.

Hearthstone Duels

First up, the new mode is called Hearthstone Duels and it takes the build-as-you-go deckbuilding gameplay that has been so popular across many of Hearthstone’s Solo Adventures of recent years and lets you take on other players. If you’ve played Dungeon Run, Monster Hunt, Rumble Run, The Dalaran Heist or Tombs of Terror, you’d have some idea of the format, but a key difference here is that Duels is structured like Arena, so players are striving for 12 wins, while three losses ends the run. At the start of a run, players choose a hero, each of which has a bespoke hero power, and then builds their own starter deck of 15 cards to take into the run. These cards can be anything from the current legal pool for the mode, but instead of the usual limit of one copy of each legendary and two copies of each card of other rarities, Duels only allows one copy of each card, regardless of rarity. With each win, players can choose between different options to add cards to their decks, and – as anyone who has played the Solo Adventures would expect – powerful treasures will also be a fixture of the mode, allowing players to make truly over-the-top plays. With each season, the heroes, hero powers, treasures and card pool will change. The debut season’s theme is Wizard Duels, so the ten heroes are pulled from the Scholomance Academy expansion. And in terms of the cards players can use, Season 1 will include the Basic and Classic sets, as well as Scholomance Academy, Curse of Naxxramas and One Night in Karazhan. Duels will be a free game mode, although there will also be a Heroic Duels option for 150 gold or a Tavern ticket, with rewards based on how well you perform.

Ghostrunner is running onto next-gen consoles in 2021. The official Ghostrunner Twitter account announced today that owners of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game will receive a free upgrade to next-gen versions of the game. Those upgrades will come in 2021 when the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions of the game are released.

Owners of the @PlayStation 4 & @Xbox One versions of Ghostrunner will receive a free upgrade to the next generation versions when they release in 2021!

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & The Blade of Light - the first Fire Emblem game from 1990 - will be released on the Nintendo Switch on December 4, 2020, and will be fully localized for the first time. This Fire Emblem game, that was released only in Japan on the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom), told a story that featured the "heroic exploits of Prince Marth," and began a franchise that has spawned 20 games, spin-offs, and remakes, most recently with Fire Emblem: Three Houses for the Nintendo Switch. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & The Blade of Light will be available on the Nintendo eShop for $5.99 and will only be available to purchase until the end of the franchise's 30th anniversary on March 31, 2021. Super Mario 3D All-Stars and Super Mario Bros.

Sony has revealed that Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, Twitch, and YouTube will all be available on PS5 on its launch day of November 12, 2020. Announced on PlayStation.Blog, the PS5 will also be getting additional streaming apps in the future like Amazon Prime Video, MyCanal, Hulu, Peacock, and more. Some of these apps also have an integrated experience with PS5, including being able to play Spotify in the background while you play a game, watching or livestreaming on Twitch, and broadcasting and sharing gameplay moments from YouTube. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/16/ps5s-ui-the-5-biggest-gamechangers"] Furthermore, these apps, as was shown in the PS5's UI reveal, will have a dedicated media entertainment space next to the Game home screen. There will also be no need to download the entertainment apps through the PS Store as they will now all be contained in the Media space. This will allow for switching quickly between Game and Media spaces and PS5's new Control Center will also make controlling your music even easier with the ability to switch between channels, skip, and pause whatever you may be playing. The PS5's Media Remote will also be available with the launch of the console, and will let users power on the PS5, quickly navigate media, adjust volume and power settings on compatible TVs, and will feature dedicated launch buttons for Disney+, Netflix, Spotify and YouTube. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story?

[UPDATE: An earlier version of this preview incorrectly listed The Falconeer as an Xbox Game Pass title. That is not the case, and IGN apologizes for the error.] It’s tough for just about any game to get noticed these days, and even trickier for a one-man indie game launching on the Xbox Series X alongside 30 other choices. But maybe this will do the trick: what if I told you that, in some loose but refreshingly familiar ways, The Falconeer feels like something of a spiritual successor to the beloved original Xbox aerial combat game Crimson Skies? To be fair, you’re on a giant Warbird here, not in a plane, and you can’t dismount and wander around on land. And the setting is pirate-fantasy rather than an alternate-reality post-World War I. But both are aerial dogfighting games where you’ll need to dive, roll, and evade your targets in spectacular fashion. They also both take place out on the high seas as well, and both give me the same exhilarating feeling in combat. For whatever reason, games like this don’t come around too often, and as such The Falconeer feels fresh and new. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-falconeer-on-xbox-series-x&captions=true"] The Falconeer makes a reasonable attempt at worldbuilding, but at first it’s all pretty dense. The story isn’t told through cutscenes; rather, it’s dictated to you by characters in the world. You’re a Warbird pilot in The Great Ursee, trying to defeat the bad guys while also taking on the occasional side job. You can upgrade your Warbird along the way, too, with mutagens that up its stats while you level up as its pilot. The stylized graphics probably won’t blow you away on the Series X, but of what I’ve played on the new Xbox so far, The Falconeer’s 120fps option is the most impressive high-framerate game I’ve seen; I wish I could properly show it to you on this video.

Publisher Ragnarok Game has amended a lawsuit against Human Head Studios, suing Bethesda for $100 million over its alleged part in an "intentional sabotage" of Ragnarok's Rune 2 in an attempt to protect The Elder Scrolls franchise. As reported by PC Gamer, the lawsuit was originally filed in December of 2019 and focused on Human Head Studios, the original developers of Rune 2. Ragnarok claims that the developers intentionally abandoned the game upon launch and refused to turn over the source code, so the publisher is seeking damages and restitution. The reason Bethesda Softworks and ZeniMax Media are now involved in the suit is that Human Head Studios went out of business a day after the game's launch, only to be absorbed by Bethesda and re-opened as Roundhouse Studios on the same day. You can read the amended complaint here, which notes that Ragnarok "seeks redress for fraud and the intentional sabotage of two video games, Rune II and Oblivion Song." Oblivion Song wasn't announced, but it appears to be an adaptation of the popular Robert Kirkman comic book series that was left unfinished when Human Head Studios announced their departure.

Nintendo has pushed a patch to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that removes the unintentionally NSFW victory pose used by Minecraft Steve. The Mojang mascot arrived in-game on October 13, and shortly after fans made the internet aware of his provocative victory animation. If Steve triumphs over his Nintendo colleagues, he will start eating a piece of steak in the endgame screen and then hold the steak slab at waist height, creating an image rife with potential innuendo for those of us with a dirty mind.

THE SMASH ULTIMATE 9.0.1 UPDATE REMOVED STEVE’S VICTORY MEAT LMFAOOO pic.twitter.com/25Fa0ds7as

Kojima Productions has confirmed that it's working on a new project, and is hiring "best-in-class talent" for its Tokyo studio. Confirmed on Twitter, the studio explained that, "a new project is in development and is looking to hire the best-in-class talent to work out of our Tokyo studio."

#KojimaProductions confirms a new project is in development and is looking to hire the best-in-class talent to work out of our Tokyo studio. For more information on the openings and requirements, please visit our website at https://t.co/jeTGnnwLAW pic.twitter.com/StLOrxTlhg

See every new and newly returning Pokemon available in Sword and Shield's Crown Tundra expansion.

Unlock new content, quests, and areas to explore by raising your Adventure Rank with these tips in Genshin Impact.

Plus, we have every puzzle solution.

On this week's episode of IGN's PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano, Max Scoville, and Janet Garcia to discuss the PS5 launch lineup, compare it to the PS4's launch, and break down why we're so excited for the launch. Plus, we dive into the UI reveal for the PS5, some of the latest news on PS4 chat and the PS5's fan, plus much more. [poilib element="accentDivider"] [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-game-and-announcement-featured-in-the-playstation-5-showcase-event&captions=true"]

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It's nearly here. Watch Dogs: Legion is set to release on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 29, with a free PS5 and Xbox One upgrade available when those consoles launch. The third installment in the futuristic, tech-focused franchise is headed up by Clint Hocking, the creative director of Far Cry 2, and is set in an open-world version of London. When you need a specialist in your fight against the overbearing government, you can recruit (and play as) any NPC in the world, from hardened criminals to... (checks notes)... grannies? If you're ready to lock in your preorder for Watch Dogs: Legion, you're going to want to know what comes in each edition, how much it costs, and where you can get it.

Set to run from October 21 to November 3, players will have the chance to jump into the popular limited-time Halloween event, Fortnitemares, and score themselves several free cosmetic items before the event ends. To kick off the release of Fortnitemares 2020, an all-new game mode has been introduced. This game mode will see all eliminated players across Solo, Duos, and Squads return to battle as a Shadow. Working with other eliminated teammates, players will receive access to otherworldly abilities that will allow them to possess the body of vehicles, phase through obstacles, and even perform a deadly combat swipe attack as players attempt to earn themselves a Nitemare Royale.

Fortnitemares Weapons, Rewards, and Afterlife Event

As usual, Fortnitemares brings with it a set of unique Halloween themed weapons that can be found randomly across the map. This year's weapons will include the Pumpkin Rocket Launcher, the Fiend Hunter Crossbow, a Witch Broom, and even Shadow Midas' Drum Gun, which can be found upon killing Midas at The Ruins. What's a Fortnitemares event without rewards? Throughout the event, players will have the chance to complete a set of challenges to unlock all-new rewards such as Midas' Shadow Wrap, the Smash O'-Lantern Pickaxe, Bobo Back Bling, Loading Screens, and more. Along with the announcement, Reggaeton Global ambassador and four-time Latin GRAMMY winner J Balvin is set to present Afterlife Party, an exclusive Halloween music event. Debuting a brand new song featuring Sech, Balvin will take to the main stage in Party Royale on October 31, at 6 pm PT and 9 pm ET.

“Anyone want to play Among Us with me on Twitch to get out the vote?” New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman to ever be elected to congress, asked out of the blue on Twitter. She added the parenthetical “I’ve never played but it looks like a lot of fun.”

Within seconds, Twitch’s top streamers filled the congresswoman’s mentions. “It would be an honor,” Pokimane, who has an audience of 5.9 million followers, tweeted. Illhan Omar, a Minnesota Representative closely associated with Ocasio-Cortez, also joined in. Several popular streamers and personalities came together to play the massively popular Among Us, a multiplayer murder mystery game that has taken Twitch by storm in recent months, in an effort to encourage voting efforts a few weeks before the U.S. election in November.

Here's how to play as Luigi.

With just a few more weeks until Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is released on PS5 and PS4, Insomniac Games has revealed yet another new spider-suit for Miles dubbed the Crimson Cowl Suit. Since the debut of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, we've been given quite a few glimpses at Miles' main spidey suit and his recently-revealed T.R.A.C.K. suit. Insomniac revealed the new Crimson Cowl suit today on Twitter and it's one of Miles' most fashionable suits yet. You can check it out in the tweet below.

Wondering about this new Spider-Man and his suits? Daily Bugle Now has you covered with this latest story. #MilesMoralesPS5 #BeGreater #BeYourself pic.twitter.com/PTdMhGRQqq

Hey, listen! We love hearing your feedback on Nintendo Voice Chat, and now you once again have the chance to make your voice heard on NVC. At the bottom of this article, you will find an option that lets you share a brief video with us and the IGN community, powered by audio and video commenting tool, Yappa. We want as many NVC fans as we can get to answer this question for next week's episode: We’ve had Pokemon GO and now Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit introduce Nintendo properties as AR games. What other Nintendo franchise could make an awesome AR game? How would it work? This question is inspired by a question sent in by listener Benedict Bond! Write to us at nvc@ign.com to ask your own questions.

Here's how you can participate:

• Create a Yappa account or sign in with a Facebook, Google, Disqus, or LinkedIn account.
• Look for the video commenting box at the bottom of our articles on both desktop and mobile web. Note that the feature is currently not available on our mobile apps.
• Hit the green bar with the speech bubble icon, allow access to your mic and camera if your permission settings require that step.
• You can choose between audio and video recording. We’d prefer video to see your face (and only your face, please -- although Samus and Master Chief helmets or God of War face paint, etc. are cool with us), but you can use the audio-only option if you’re having a bad hair day.
• When you can see your face, hit record to start recording your video. Hit stop when you’re done. You can leave a message that's up to 45 seconds long.
• You can rewatch your video and then choose to cancel or post.
• If you'd rather upload a video you recorded separately, you can use the Upload Media function to do so. This'll be handy to show off your amiibo or classic games collections.

The Galarian legendary birds from Pokemon Sword & Shield's Crown Tundra expansion will roam like Pokemon Gold & Silver's legendary dogs. A Game Informer preview of the new DLC explains that some of the footage shown to press concerned a quest called 'A Legendary Tree of a Legendary Three' in which Galarian Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno fight and then scatter across the Crown Tundra, to be found by players as they explore the region. "They realize you're watching, and they disperse to different parts of the Crown Tundra," the preview reads. Following the trail of the new legendary trio, players will be able to track, chase and eventually battle the new Pokemon forms, in a fashion that will be familiar to fans of the Pokemon Gold and Silver games. "The Pokemon Company likens the methods of encountering the Legendary trio to how you encountered the Legendary dogs in the Johto region," the preview adds. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/29/pokemon-sword-and-shield-crown-tundra-expansion-pass-trailer"] The idea of roaming Pokemon was introduced in the Johto region with the legendary dogs Suicune, Entei and Raikou and has persisted throughout the franchise.

See a list of every game you can play on the Xbox Series X when it launches on November 10th.

The next-gen versions of NBA 2K21 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will feature next-gen AI and new MyPlayer customization. The next-gen versions of NBA 2K21 are set to launch on November 10 and November 12 on Xbox Series X and PS5, respectively, and 2K has released a slew of details today about AI and MyPlayer customization. In terms of customization, 2K has reworked how stats are presented, how badges work, and how the Takeover system applies to players in the game. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-nba-2k-review-ever&captions=true"] "The next-gen player builder is all about customization," a blog post from 2K reads. "We've taken in a lot of feedback from the community over the past few years as we've evolved the MyPLAYER building experience. One thing that we heard loud and clear from you is that you want more options." 2K says that preset skill breakdown pie charts are a thing of the past and that players will instead be given control over setting each individual rating to the cap they prefer. There will still be restrictions based on in-game player vitals so players won't be able to max out every skill, but 2K says there's more control than before to make your character exactly who you want them to be. Badges have been reworked for next-gen NBA 2K21 as well. Many fan-favorites will return, but 2K says that most have undergone significant functionality changes. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=nba-2k21-screenshots&captions=true"] "There are also some new ones, some revived ones, and some removed ones," according to the blog post.

2K has revealed two new Skill Trees coming as part of Borderlands 3’s Designer’s Cut, which is coming as part of the game’s second season pass this November. The two new skill trees are for Vault Hunters Amara and FL4K. The first, for Amara, is the Enlightened Force skill tree, which allows you to build Amara around cryo elemental effects and freezing enemies. The tree’s passives help maximise elemental damage and show enemies down, while the Phaseflare action skill summons an orb of elemental energy that can be controlled and directed towards enemies. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/08/borderlands-3-fl4k-character-trailer-the-hunt"] For FL4K, the Designer’s Cut adds the Trapper skill tree, which provides shield and critical hit bonuses for the character’s pet. The tree’s action skill is Gravity Snare, which periodically lifts enemies into the air, interrupts their attacks, and then slams them into the ground for damage. Both skill trees are now available to view and customise on the Borderlands 3 website - check out the Amara and FL4K ones here - which allows you to see all the branches and what individual skills can provide. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=top-10-borderlands-dlc-of-all-time&captions=true"] These skill trees are part of the Designer’s Cut, which releases on November 10, and can be bought individually or as part of Season Pass 2, which also includes the Director’s Cut DLC that will release in Spring 2021.

Devolver Digital has purchased Serious Sam developer Croteam. Devolver Digital announced today that, having worked together for over a decade, the decision has been made to bring the two companies together, with Devolver joking in its announcement blog post that they had decided to get married. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=serious-sam-4-screenshots&captions=true"] "Croteam and Devolver Digital have been dating for so long that we decided to go ahead and just get married," the blog post reads. Despite the acquisition, Devolver says Croteam will maintain "total creative freedom," although Devolver still plans to keep making "dumb recommendations that Croteam just ignores." The announcement came with a summary of the relationship between Devolver and Croteam. Croteam began nearly 30 years ago as a group of childhood friends in a small garage in Zagreb, Croatia. The studio "was built around creative experimentation, pushing technical boundaries, and a trust in one another that would span decades." Croteam started with soccer games before putting together a demo that eventually became the first Serious Sam. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/23/the-first-13-minutes-of-serious-sam-4"] The team struggled to find a publisher for the demo, and subsequent game, but one publisher bit: Gathering of Developers. "That support blossomed into friendship and respect which would eventually reconnect Croteam with some of the Gathering of Developers team when they later helped found Devolver Digital," according to the blog post. "A decade ago, Devolver Digital was just getting started and looking for its first project to partner on in the emerging digital distribution world. Similarly, Croteam was on the search for a partner it could trust to help them bring their beloved franchise back to prominence with the upcoming Serious Sam 3.

Ubisoft has announced Ubisoft Connect, a new player service that combines and expands upon its two existing digital services: Uplay and Ubisoft Club. Players will be able to track their progress in any Ubisoft game while earning exclusive rewards through its loyalty program. Ubisoft Connect is a new “universal interface” that will be available on all platforms and work with all Ubisoft games starting with Watch Dogs: Legion. With a single button press, players will be able to pull up a refreshed in-game overlay on PC and consoles that features all your standard overlay toolkits. Track your activity, see which friends are online, and check in on a game’s community. Ubisoft Connect will also provide “Smart Intel” which is a feature that delivers gameplay tips and videos based on a player’s game activities. Not unlike the new game help feature in the PS5 UI. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ubisoft-connect-screenshots&captions=true"] Also included is a points-based rewards service where players can tackle time-limited and community challenges to earn rewards, and then exchange the earned points for exclusive digital goods. These can be cosmetics like skins or weapons or also XP buffs. Ubisoft tells IGN that the rewards program is massively popular in live-service games like Rainbow Six: Siege, but the rewards experience will be brought to single-player affairs like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Immortals Fenyx Rising, and more.

Humankind, the upcoming 4x strategy game, will be released in April 2021. Stadia players will be able to play a free 100-turn gameplay scenario right now to try out Amplitude Studios’ upcoming game. In Humankind, players will lead a civilization through six major eras of human history. Through every era, players will select one of ten civilization types based on historical societies and choose how that society will grow and evolve. Amplitude says there can be a million different civilization patterns players can develop based on the choices players make. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=humankind-pre-order-screenshots&captions=true"] To celebrate the launch window announcement, Amplitude has released an early access version of Humankind on Stadia through a new OpenDev Beta scenario. This will let players try out the first 100 turns of a Humankind run for free. Pre-orders for Humankind begin today and players can get the digital deluxe edition which includes: Humankind, the in-game Notre-Dame Pack, Official Digital Soundtrack, and PDF of the Unit & Tech Tree. Furthermore, pre-purchasing Humankind will net players a Boudicca Avatar Set, Player Profile Pre-Purchase Decoration, and Player Profile Symbol Set. Check out our interview with the Humankind development team from IGN's Summer of Gaming below. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/18/how-humankind-differs-from-other-4x-games"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Asmodee Digital and developer Artefacts Studio have announced Arkham Horror: Mother's Embrace, a new game based on the board game series of the same name, will be available for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch in 2021 for $19.99. Alongside the new screenshots, which you can see below, Asmodee confirmed the squad-based adventure game is the new name for the previously revealed Mansions of Madness: Mother's Embrace. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=arkham-horror-mothers-embrace-screenshots&captions=true"] The adventure will include exploration, investigation, and squad-based tactical RPG combat with a story set in the Lovecraftian universe. The official plot description reads:

The year is 1926, and a professor of astronomy is found dead in her mansion, the apparent victim of a heinous murder. Players must pick from 12 of the most iconic protagonists from the Arkham Horror universe, each with a unique skill set, and assemble a team of investigators to uncover the secrets behind this mysterious death.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/08/03/arkham-horror-3rd-edition-announcement-trailer-gen-con-2018"] Though based on the Arkham Horror universe, Mother's Embrace endeavors to tell an original story that will feature turn-based combat as players face off with "curious science, living nightmares, and a sinister cult. For more on the Arkham Horror franchise, be sure to check out why we called Arkham Horror: The Card Game one of the best horror board games around. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge will arrive exclusively for Oculus Quest on November 19, and a new trailer has shown us what we'll be doing in the VR game. Revealed on the Star Wars website, the VR experience will have players meet C-3PO, R2-D2 and a Frank Oz-voiced Yoda, and is described as "a whole new way to explore the world of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and discover what exactly happens past the boundaries of Black Spire Outpost." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/21/star-wars-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge-official-trailer"] Director Jose Perez III explains that the game will be anthological, and take place across multiple eras of the Star Wars canon. Part I of that story will involve you playing a Droid Repair Technician, visiting the cantina, performing repairs, and getting into blaster fights. Other parts are more secretive, but we know Yoda will appear in a standalone Tale, and that we'll be getting to grips with lightsabers at a Jedi Temple. Perez adds that the idea is to offer experiences different to those you'd get by visiting the real-life Galaxy's Edge attraction, "like building a lightsaber or going to Oga’s Cantina. We’re trying to build out stories that are on the outskirts, that bleed in and expand that world.

With every new game and every expansion, Pokemon continues to make it easier for players to do what they love: from building competitive teams to befriending their companions. And with new landscapes and stories to explore, Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Crown Tundra offers more of the good stuff while leaning into some welcome nostalgia with returning favorites and new takes on iconic legendaries.

Dynamax Adventure Your Way to a Dream Team

Pokemon Sword and Shield made it easier to craft your Pokemon team with nature-changing mints readily available if you had the skills to earn the necessary Battle Points. Crown Tundra builds on this with Dynamax Adventures which give you the chance to add Legendary Pokemon to your team. Additionally, you can potentially nab useful items as victory rewards, such as Bottle Caps, Dynamax Candy, Armorite Ore, and the new Ability Patch – which lets you change a Pokemon’s Ability to its species’ Hidden Ability if it has one.

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Explore these max lairs with up to thrree others, with each of you choosing just one Pokemon to borrow for the quest. Thanks to this rental system, the barrier of entry is practically non-existent but that doesn’t mean success is guaranteed.

We're all looking to get a piece of the next-gen pie, some are even quite desperate in fact, and we don't blame you. But, we do hope you're not this desperate. UK retailer Currys PC World currently has the Xbox Series X listed for an eye-watering £2449. That's right, almost two-and-a-half-thousand of the Queen's finest pound sterling, and about $3,200 USD at the time of writing. But why, you might be asking, is a major British retailer deliberately selling the console at such a ridiculous price? Rather strangely, this surprise price tag is just another part of the retailer's preorder process. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-xbox-series-x-games&captions=true"] According to Nick Hayden, Head of Gaming at Currys PC World, the "unique pricing strategy" has been put in place to prioritize those who have already preordered the console. Every customer who has managed to secure a preorder has been supplied a code that will effectively discount the listing by £2000, back down to the expected £449. Those who had preordered an Xbox Series X (or PS5) with Currys were already required to put down a £5 deposit and this current situation is, presumably, a way for the retailer to give everyone an option to pay the full price for the console now, or when it ships in November.

Fortnite's latest patch on PC has reduced the game's file size by over 60GB. The news was revealed by the Fortnite Status account on Twitter. To accommodate the optimizations, the v14.40 is larger than normal on PC, totalling 27GB. The patch is live as of writing and brings with it the Fortnitemares 2020 event, Midas' Revenge.

Please note the patch size will be larger than normal on PC (approx. 27 GB). This is to make optimizations on PC resulting in a massively reduced Fortnite file size (over 60 GB smaller), smaller downloads for future patches, and improved loading performance.