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Tens of Thousands of People Are Already Waiting to Watch the GTA 6 Trailer 24 Hours Before Launch

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:46:34 +0200

Will the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer break records for viewing numbers? It seems entirely possible, given the incredible interest even now, 24 hours before it’s due to go live.

Rockstar Games uploaded a video premiere for “Trailer 1” to YouTube that includes a countdown to launch at 6am Pacific / 9am Eastern / 2pm UK on December 5.

But eagle-eyed viewers also noticed the GTA 6 Trailer 1 runtime was revealed via a method of exposing a glitch on YouTube’s end. On mobile, while unsubbed from the Rockstar Games channel, view the video preview through the YouTube app’s search. Notice the little tag that reads “upcoming” on the bottom right, and the runtime should pop up over it.

There may be spoilers ahead!

Just in case you don’t want the runtime spoiled, we’ve added a spoiler tag above.

The runtime of the GTA 6 Trailer 1 is one minute and 31 seconds. That should afford plenty of time for a decent look at the game. Perhaps we’ll even get a release date and launch platforms.

Remarkably, tens of thousands of people are already queuing up to watch Trailer 1. At the time of this article’s publication, nearly 24 hours before go time, 43,172 people were waiting to see what may well end up as the biggest video game trailer of all time.

In November, when it announced a December window for the GTA 6 trailer, Rockstar said: "We are very excited to let you know that in early December, we will release the first trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto. We look forward to many more years of sharing these experiences with all of you.

"Thanks to the incredible support of our players worldwide, we have had the opportunity to create games we are truly passionate about — without you, none of this would be possible, and we are so grateful to all of you for sharing this journey with us.

"In 1998, Rockstar Games was founded on the idea that video games could come to be as essential to culture as any other form of entertainment, and we hope that we have created games you love in our efforts to be part of that evolution."

With excitement reaching fever pitch, IGN has reported on how it looks like Rockstar teased the GTA 6 Trailer 1 release date on a GTA Online T-shirt released nearly half a year ago.

GTA 6 has been rumoured ever since the release of Grand Theft Auto 5 just over a decade ago. It was reported on loosely in a 2020 Kotaku report about Rockstar's efforts to alleviate crunch culture at the studio, and was confirmed in a press release back in 2022, with the studio saying that development was "well underway." Later that year, in-development footage of the game was leaked in a massive breach, with authorities eventually arresting a British teenage hacker in relation to the incident.

A release window between April 2024 and March 2025 has been speculated since earlier in 2023, when publisher Take-Two Interactive projected massive financial gains in that fiscal year that would be difficult to attain without the boost from the enormously profitable series.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

The Best Gaming PC Deals Today (December 2023)

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:39:00 +0200

For most PC gamers, buying a prebuilt gaming rig is far more attractive than it used to be. Years ago, it was inarguably cheaper to build your own gaming PC than to buy a boutique gaming rig. That's not the case anymore. It's not uncommon for major brands like Alienware, HP, and Lenovo to offer quality pre-built PCs for cheaper than the cost of building your own PC with the exact same specs. And that's if you can find all your parts in time. In an era of component shortages and supply not keeping up with demand, OEM PC builders get first dibs. If you want the latest and greatest video cards and processors, it's easiest getting it in a prebuilt PC rather than sourcing your own parts. Factor in the extra work and lack of warranty, and DIY PC builds are reserved for enthusiasts who welcome the challenge.

We've compiled a list of the best current gaming PC deals, both from the manufacturers themselves like Dell (Alienware), HP, and Lenovo, as well as from reliable 3rd party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. If price isn't a factor and you're only concerned about getting the best PC for your needs, check out our picks for best gaming PCs of 2023.

If you've picked up a new gaming PC, check out the best PC games to play in 2023.

Today's Best Gaming PC Deals

We singled out the best gaming PC deals available right now. These PCs are significantly discounted from their normal retail price and are going to be less expensive than comparable models from other brands.

Alienware Aurora R15 RTX 4060 Gaming PC for $1299.99

Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 8 RTX 3060 Ti Gaming PC for $1129.99

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 8 RTX 4080 PC for $2169.99

Alienware Aurora RTX 4090 Gaming PC for $3099.99

Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4070 Ti Gaming PC for $1749.99 - SOLD OUT

More Dell and Alienware Gaming PC Deals

If you're in the market for a prebuilt gaming PC, Dell is one of the brands we'd recommend. Alienware gaming desktops offer a staggering array of options, all built into a custom chassis that's both easy on the eyes and easy on the wallet. Consistent build quality, available inventory, frequent sales, and solid customer service are the main reasons why Dell is at the top of our buying list.

More HP Gaming PC Deals

Of the big three OEM PC manufacturers, HP usually offers the lowest price on equivalently configured items. HP carries several different models of gaming PCs depending on how much power you need. At the upper end of the scale, the HP OMEN 45L offers a massive tower chassis with space for up to a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler as well as a total of four additional 120mm case fans for ventilation. This is also the only model that can be configured with the latest RTX 40 series GPUs. On the other end of the scale, the HP Victus, Eny, and OMEN 25L gaming PCs feature understated aesthetics and a bargain price point. These PCs can still be configured into formidable gaming rigs.

More Lenovo Gaming PC Deals

Lenovo Legion gaming PCs may be the priciest of the big three OEM manufacturers, but they are also generally the highest praised among gamers and reviewers alike. The Legion gaming PCs are highly rated for their build quality. People like the fact that Lenovo does not use proprietary components in their rigs, so they're much easier to upgrade with easiy obtainable, off-the-shelf components compared to some other popular prebuilt PC brands. Lenovo gaming rigs generally also utilize solid cooling, especially for the CPU, even if you opt for the base models. The new Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 gaming PCs, which are equipped with the latest RTX 40 series GPUs, feature up to 360mm all-in-one liquid cooling to take on even the hottest components.

Things to Consider When Buying a Gaming PC

Which video card is enough for me?

As a general rule of thumb, you want to size your gaming rig based on (1) the resolution, not size, of your monitor and (2) the games you play. A 4K monitor has 2.25 times more pixels than a QHD (2560x1440) monitor and 4 times more pixels than a 1080p (1920x1080) monitor. Simply put, the more pixels on your monitor, the more power your GPU needs. Some games are also more performance intensive than other games, but that's often scalable by tweaking your settings. This is a rough recommendation:

1080p - RTX 3060 to RTX 3060 Ti (RX 6600 XT to RX 6700 XT)
QHD - RTX 3060 Ti to RTX 3080 (RX 6700 XT to RX 6900 XT)
4K - RTX 3080 to RTX 4090 (RX 6900 XT)

If you have a gaming PC already and want to simply upgrade the GPU yourself, check out our picks for the best graphics cards of 2023.

Console vs Gaming PC?

Consoles may have come a long way in terms of graphical improvements, but gaming PCs still remain uncontested when it comes to absolute technical performance. A PS5 or Xbox Series X might be the most powerful consoles ever created, but they seem antiquated compared to the likes of a PC equipped with GeForce RTX 4080 or 4090 video card. Unlike consoles, gaming PCs are also infinitely backwards compatible, and the thousands upon thousands of games available at your disposal via Steam, Xbox Live, Origin, Battle.net, and more puts any console library to shame. Even better, most games that are released for the current gen consoles are often also available for the PC as well, often with even more extensive customization and graphics options.

Gaming PC vs Gaming Laptop?

Gaming laptops have become more and more popular in recent years, but they certainly don't make gaming PCs obsolete. First and foremost, a gaming laptop simply isn't as powerful as an equivalently priced gaming PC. Gaming laptops requires more delicate (and thus more expensive) engineering; because the laptop is such a compact form factor, and gaming components generally draw a lot of power and heat, compromises need to be made. The most powerful gaming laptops are about as powerful as a mid-range gaming PC. The highest end gaming PCs use video cards that are larger and heavier than your average laptop and can draw up to 600W of power all by itself. If you're on the fence between getting one of the other, you will have to weigh your priorities. If you want to know more, check out our in-depth article on the gaming laptop vs gaming desktop dilemma.

For more gaming computer deals:

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.1 Patch Notes Include Metro System, Romantic Hangouts, and New Vehicles

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:17:15 +0200

CD Projekt Red has revealed the full notes for Cyberpunk 2077's Update 2.1, the final major patch arriving December 5, which includes details on the metro system, romantic partner hangouts, new vehicles, and more.

Revealed in a blog post, Update 2.1 — which arrives at around 3am Pacific / 6am Eastern / 11am UK — is headlined by the long-requested metro system, which was shown in the original Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty's cinematic trailer. Players can travel between 19 metro stations, either by sitting inside the carriage and waiting for the full, immersive role-playing experience, or by fast traveling for convenience.

Romantic partner hangouts will also arrive in the update as another much requested feature. CD Projekt Red didn't give too much away, but promised these would be unlimited events where the player can invite their significant other to their apartment to chill.

Six new vehicles are also being added, including five motorbikes to address complaints that Update 2.0 didn't add new ones. Motorcycle mechanics are also being upgraded, with wheelies, flips, leans, and so on all being added to Cyberpunk 2077.

Update 2.1 will be the final big update for Cyberpunk 2077, as developer CD Projekt Red turns its attention towards the sequel, codenamed Orion, and the next mainline Witcher game, codenamed Polaris. An Ultimate Edition will launch alongside it.

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.1 Patch Notes

New features

V's issue with their NCART City Pass is resolved and they can now travel between the 19 metro stations located throughout Night City on 5 different lines via fast travel or riding the train itself while gazing out the window and watching the world go by.
V will now be able to invite their love interest to spend some time together in any of the apartments. Hangouts are a repeatable, unlimited event that become available once the romance path with a given character has concluded.
You can now listen to the radio while on foot (or while riding the NCART train) using the new Radioport feature. Available while you explore, it switches seamlessly to car radio whenever you get in a vehicle and turns off when quest-specific music starts playing. It is now also possible to adjust the volume directly in the radio window.
Added replayable car races V can take part in after finishing The Beast in Me. Look for race flag icons on the map and win the races to get eddies and a discount for the Autofixer website. Additionally, we improved the racers' AI to make them more competitive and made enhancements so that the whole experience is much more fun!
Sightseeing binoculars in various scenic spots have been added as another way to appreciate Night City's vistas.

Accessibility

You can find out more about the Accessibility features available in the game in this article.
Added an option to enable a bigger interface font.
You can now disable the timer in the Breach Protocol minigame.
Added more customisation options for the HUD:
- Larger HUD elements.
- Larger HUD elements.
- Removed HUD Lens Distortion (the curved effect on the HUD).
- Removed HUD Visual Effects (the "ghosting" effect on the HUD).
- Reduced HUD Decorative Elements to improve clarity
- Added a new Accessibility tab, moved the Difficulty and Subtitles settings and some of the Controls and Interface options.
- Added a "Weapon Cycling to Arm Cyberware" setting, which allows to enable or disable cycling arm cyberware when cycling through equipped weapons.
- UI panel's Up/Down and Left/Right keys are now rebindable to adapt to AZERTY and QWERTZ keyboards.

Quests & Open World

V can now be pursued by gangs after taking an aggressive approach toward them during certain gigs and main quests.
Gigs that involve stealing and delivering a vehicle can now turn into a car chase and a combat sequence.
Decorative vendors spawned inside some kiosks are now functional. Please note that food stands are not impacted by this change.
It is now possible to sit at various bars in Night City and interact with the vendors.
Fixed an issue where some gigs wouldn't trigger after approaching the quest area.
Chippin' In - Fixed an issue where Rogue would follow V around permanently.
Cyberpsycho Sighting: House on a Hill - Fixed an issue where Peter Greene's body was still highlighted after scanning.
Every Grain of Sand - Fixed an issue where the reward vehicle for completing all Badlands gigs did not spawn.
Gas Gas Gas - Fixed an issue where the reward vehicle for completing all City Center gigs did not spawn.
Gig: Olive Branch - Fixed an issue where it was not possible to talk to Sergei Karasinsky because he did not spawn.
Killing in the Name - Fixed an issue where it was not possible to progress past the "Go to the signal's source" objective because the conversation with Johnny did not trigger.
Life During Wartime - Fixed an issue where Panam would not get on the motorcycle when required to follow her to the gas station.
Space Oddity - Fixed an issue where the quest did not activate even after updating the game to Patch 2.01.
The Prophet's Song - Fixed an issue where the quest could reappear as "Undiscovered" on the map.

Phantom Liberty-specific

Fixed an issue where enemies in some Suspected Organized Crime Activities in Dogtown did not spawn, blocking progress.
Fixed an issue where in-game time would not pass after watching the braindance from Lizzy Wizzy's concert. It is required to use the Skip Time option for the fix to take effect.
Fixed an issue where Arachnophobia and All the President's Men achievements were not granted despite meeting the requirements.
The Relic Ruler achievement will no longer unlock after acquiring only one Relic Perk. Please note that this fix will not reset an already unlocked achievement.
Previously exclusive Iconic weapons are now obtainable in the game.
Alabai, Borzaya, Laika, Taigan and Volkodav Iconic weapons will now be available for purchase from the Black Market Vendor if they were not retrieved from an Airdrop.
Addicted to Chaos - Fixed an issue where the quest would complete automatically without actually finishing it.
Addicted to Chaos - Fixed an issue where the garage door would not open after entering the code.
Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos - Fixed an issue where Mr. Hands would not answer when called.
From Her to Eternity - Fixed an issue where it was not possible to place the metal pin on the table in V's apartment.
Get It Together - Fixed an issue where it was not possible to enter the Heavy Hearts club.
Hi Ho Silver Lining - Fixed an issue where it was not possible to talk to Mr. Hands in the Heavy Hearts club because he wasn't interactable or did not spawn.
Lucretia My Reflection - Fixed an issue where the player could be stuck in a permanent holocall with Songbird after leaving the abandoned apartment.
Lucretia My Reflection - Fixed an issue where Reed would not call after waiting two days.
Somewhat Damaged - Fixed an issue that could cause the player to get stuck in a crouching position, making it impossible to connect to the port in the core.
Somewhat Damaged - Fixed an issue where sprinting or jumping was permanently disabled after riding the elevator.
Things Done Changed - Fixed an issue where the screen could go black after calling the nurse for players who still experienced this issue on Patch 2.02.

Gameplay

Improved the boss fights with Yasha Ivanov, Boris Ribakov and Adam Smasher. Smasher will now be able to activate Sandevistan.
Added new Cyberware:
- Feen-X: Skeleton Cyberware
  - Cyberware Capacity cost: 16
  - Armor: 8/14/20/26/31
  - +250% RAM Regen Rate when available RAM is below 3/4/5/6/7
- Cogito Lattice: Integumentary System Cyberware
  - Cyberware Capacity cost: 12
  - Armor: 18/27/36/45/54
  - +200%/210%/220%/230%/240% Armor from this cyberware when available RAM is below 2/4/6/8/10
Rebalanced stats of multiple Cyberware:
- Adreno-Trigger: Decreased movement speed bonus duration.
- All Berserks (except Militech Berserk): Added a damage reduction bonus.
- Axolotl: Decreased Cooldown reduction.
- Camillo RAM Manager: Decreased Cooldown.
- Chrome Compressor: Increased the Cyberware Capacity bonus, lowered the price.
- Dense Marrow: Decreased Armor, increased melee Stamina cost.
- Epimorphic Skeleton: Decreased Armor.
- Ex-Disk: Increased quickhack upload speed bonus.
- Leeroy Ligament System: Increased Armor.
- Lynx Paws: Added 20% damage reduction from falls.
- Microgenerator: Decreased Electrical damage.
- Militech "Apogee" Sandevistan: Decreased the extended duration bonus, decreased Max Duration, increased headshot damage, increased Crit Chance and Crit Damage.
- Militech "Falcon" Sandevistan: Decreased the extended duration bonus, increased Max Duration, increased Health bonus after neutralizing an enemy.
- Nano-Plating: Changed Attunement from Cool to Reflex (Crit Chance bonus).
- Peripheral Inverse: Increased Armor.
- RAM Reallocator: Increased recovered Max RAM.
- RAM Upgrade: Increased RAM recovery rate.
- Reinforced Tendons: Decreased Armor.
- Self-ICE: Decreased Cooldown.
- Shock-N-Awe: Changed Attunement bonus to Tech weapon damage.
- Universal Booster: Health Item effects will now stack.
- Decreased Cyberware Capacity cost for: Memory Boost, Bioconductor, Kerenzikov Boost System, Rara Avis, Reflex Tuner, Defenzikov, Cellular Adapter, Handle Wrap, Axolotl, Microgenerator, Peripheral Inverse, Leeroy Ligament System, Camillo RAM Manager.
Balance changes for some of the perks:
- Spontaneous Obliteration: Changed -15% recoil to +12.5% Crit Chance for Level 1.
- Die! Die! Die!: Changed -15% recoil to +12.5% Crit Chance for Level 1, added a bonus where weapon handling improves as Stamina decreases for Level 2.
- Sharpshooter: Added a Stamina cost bonus on top of the existing Stamina Regen Rate bonus for Level 3.
- Shoot to Chill: -7% Stamina cost replaced by +4% Armor penetration.
More balance tweaks for some of the weapons
- Electric Baton: Electric Batons Alpha, Gamma and Beta now have slightly differing stats. They can now hit multiple enemies at the same time. Base damage has been reduced by 7.5%.
- M2067 Defender, MA70 HB: Adjusted recoil patterns.
- DR-12 Quasar: Increased damage by 8%, Headshot Damage Multiplier increased from +150% to +175%.
- HA-4 Grit: Increased damage by 10%, Headshot Damage Multiplier decreased from +150% to +125%.
- L-69 Zhuo: Increased damage by 6%.
- DB-4 Palica: Increased damage by 9%.
- Tech weapons that fire in full auto when fully charged (Senkoh LX, DR-12 Quasar, HA-4 Grit): They will now be more stable and do roughly +15% more damage when the charge mode is active.
- Crafted weapons can now have up to two mod slots. Please note that this change won’t affect weapons crafted prior to this patch.
- Increased the rate at which mods drop from enemies. Added a chance for weapon mods to appear in containers that previously offered only Crafting Components.
- Increased the availability of mods in weapon vendors' stock, Pax mod will be always available.
- It will be now possible to properly install Tech weapon mods instead of Power weapon mods on the HA-4 Grit.
- Tier 4 and Tier 5 weapon mods can now be found in weapon vendors' stock (if the player's Tier is high enough).
- Increased the max ammo limit you can carry in your inventory for all ammo types.
- Crafted Iconic weapons will now be properly displayed when put in the stash.
- Cyberware Capacity Shards should now drop properly for players who have reached the max level.
- Fixed an issue where some Tier 5+ weapons and cyberware were upgraded to Tier 5+ again or to a lower tier.
- It will now be possible to activate Overclock while controlling cameras.
- Kerenzikov will now work with throwable weapons.
- Fixed an issue where the V for Vendetta achievement would unlock despite not meeting the requirements. Please note that this fix will not reset an already unlocked achievement.
- Fixed an issue where the player didn't receive The Quick and the Dead achievement despite meeting the requirements.
- Reduced the minimum stick tilt angle required to stay in sprint when playing on a controller.
- Secondary stats in cyberware changed via the "Chipware Connoisseur" perk will no longer have their values randomized after saving or loading.
- After reaching level 60 in the Netrunner skill, the Overclock ability will now properly reveal the enemies within 10m and allow you to hack them through the cover.
- Adjusted the Synapse Burnout quickhack. Decreased the max damage bonus from +400% to +300% for Tiers 3-5. Decreased the max damage bonus from +600% to +400% and lowered the bonus per RAM unit from 12% to 10% for the Iconic variant.
Made player movement smoother and more responsive:
- V can now start sprinting immediately after shooting rather than after a delay.
- Fixed an issue where sprinting with held input was canceled by jumping, falling and other actions that don't cancel toggled sprinting.
- If V jumps while sprinting, sprint will now resume upon landing even if V was shooting while in the air (but not at the moment of landing). Also works for aiming, scanning and using melee weapons.
- Fixed several issues with the "Multitasker" perk: sprint couldn’t be started while already shooting; sprint was cancelled by jumping, dodging/dashing or running out of Stamina; weapons were rapidly going in and out of the sprinting position (held closer to the chest).
- Fixed an issue with the "Ninjutsu" perk where crouch sprinting couldn’t be activated with the hold crouch input.
- During a slide with the "Ninjutsu" perk, pressing sprint or dodging/dashing will now make V crouch-sprint.
- Sprinting "area" on controller sticks increased slightly to prevent accidentally stopping sprint.
- Fixed an issue where sprint couldn’t be toggled during dodge/dash.
- Dash slide! Pressing crouch during dodge/dash from a standing position makes V either slide (for forward dashes only) or crouch.
- Dodge/dash during slide is now performed in the correct direction based on camera instead of the slide path, but can no longer be backwards or sideways - slide is canceled instead.
- Slide direction can now be adjusted slightly sideways with directional inputs.
- Slide can now be more consistently performed during a diagonal sprint.
- Sliding can now be properly canceled with backward directional input.
- Automatic vaulting during dash will no longer happen for backwards or sideways dashes. Regular vaulting with jump input is still possible in any direction.
- Automatic climbing during dash will no longer happen if directional input isn't held.
- Automatic vaulting and climbing during dash should now be more consistent.
- Fixed an issue where shooting was blocked while falling after an air dash.
- Double tap dodge/dash can now be performed while another directional input on keyboard is held (resulting in a diagonal dodge/dash).
- Fixed an issue where sprint was canceled by double-tap dodge/dash.
- Fixed an issue where slides did not fully execute when playing with the Dynamic Control Scheme on a controller.
After crafting an item with the Active Chimera Core or Cerberus's Decoded Behavioral System Component, the crafting specs required will disappear from the Crafting panel.
Players who completed all of Regina's gigs prior to Update 2.0 will have the Neofiber cyberware they received as a reward replaced with Axolotl.
Stats from arm cyberware will now be applied correctly regardless if they are drawn or not.
Fixed an issue where V's HP wouldn't drop below 25% due to BioDyne Berserks's effect remaining active permanently. Please note that this fix is not retroactive, as it won't affect cases where this issue already occurred prior to 2.1.

Vehicles & Traffic

Opened the previously closed-off highway that spans Westbrook, Santo Domingo and Heywood.
It is now possible to lean while riding bikes. Use LShft/LCtrl on keyboard or Left Stick on a gamepad to make the rider lean - Up to lean forward, or Down to lean back. Leaning only changes your Center of Mass. Lean back and apply the gas to do a wheelie, lean forward and apply the brake to do an endo. Changing your Center of Mass changes how much traction you have at either end. Lean forward a little mid corner to induce oversteer, lean a little back to induce understeer. In the air, lean forward/backward to do flips, steer to do spins!
Added 5 new bikes to purchase from the Autofixer website.
Added a new car - the Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Visit the Autofixer website for more details.
Added an option to mark vehicles as Favorite in the Call Vehicle menu.
Added an option to throw knives and axes while riding bikes.
Improved the melee animations when driving bikes in third person perspective.
Attacking an NPC driver will now cause their vehicle to swerve.

Sound

Overhauled sound effects in scenes in the base game's main, side and minor quests.
Authoring and up-mixing of scenes to the Surround Sound format.
Added missing sound effects.
Fixed missing post-processing for voices.
Improvements to gun and combat sound effects.
Improvements to vehicle audio.
Various sound fixes.
Panam will no longer sound as if she's in a holocall when talking to her about events from Phantom Liberty in person.

Visual

Various lighting improvements around the city.
Improved the visuals of Kiroshi scanner highlights.
Changed the appearance of the Blackwall in Transmission to match its appearance in Phantom Liberty.
Fixed an issue where there could be a cigarette permanently attached to V's hand.
The flame will now be properly aligned with exhaust pipes on the Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X.
Electroshock VFX released by Microgenerator will now have VFX when playing without Phantom Liberty.
Fixed some instances where the animations after installing cyberware at Ripperdocs would not trigger.

Added an option to mark weapons as Favorite, so that selling, disassembling or dropping them is locked.
Changed how Resolution Scaling modes are presented in Graphics Settings. Added a toggle to switch between DLSS Super Resolution, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.1 and Intel Xe Super Sampling 1.2. Depending on your selection you can customize other options, e.g. enable Dynamic Resolution Scaling.
Added a tooltip describing how to gain XP in each skill in the Skill Progression panel.
Attempting to attack or shoot in areas where combat is disabled will now display an "Action Blocked" popup on the HUD.

PC-specific

Ray Tracing: Overdrive Mode - exits preview status and includes several image quality improvements.
Introduced ReSTIR GI – Further improves path-traced lighting quality in RT: Overdrive mode, especially darker areas with no impact on performance, minimizes ghosting.
DLSS Ray Reconstruction – now available in RT Ultra and other RT modes with RT Reflections enabled.
Fixed an issue where V's and NPCs' skin could have a metallic-like effect when Ray Tracing was enabled.
Fixed an issue where some characters' hair didn't cast shadows when Ray Tracing was enabled.
Added support for DualSense controllers. If you experience issues with the game freezing on Steam when the controller is connected after the game is already launched, please make sure to change PlayStation Controller Support in Steam settings to "Not Enabled" instead of "Enabled" or "Enabled in Games w/o Support".
Added support for Samsung HDR10+ GAMING for NVIDIA GPUs. To enable this feature, your display has to support the technology and have the "Game Mode" enabled. The HDR10+ GAMING toggle can be found in Settings in the Video tab.

Console-specific

[Xbox] Fixed an issue where a "Save failed - insufficient space" popup would appear when trying to save despite not reaching the save limit.
[Xbox] Added a new error message that will appear when Phantom Liberty is installed on an unsupported drive.

Misc

Fixed a crash occurring when trying to reach the second sniper in Play It Safe.
It will now be possible to properly interact with the radio in V's apartment in Megabuilding H10.
Fixed an issue where there was still some dead zone after setting the Inner Dead Zone on a controller to 0.
Added more secrets to be discovered by players in Night City.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

The Best PS5 SSD Deals (December 2023)

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:11:00 +0200

2023 is finally the year where 2TB PS5 SSD upgrades are actually worth the price. Last year, prices for 1TB PS5 SSDs averaged around $150, whereas 2TB SSDs hovered closer to $300. This year, we're seeing 1TB SSDs trickle below the $70 price point and 2TB SSDs can drop to around $100 or sometimes even lower. Note that you can't use any old SSD and expect it to perform well on the PS5 console. You'll want to pick up a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid-state drive with at least a 5,500MB/s read speed to match the PS5's internal drive.

TL;DR - The Best PS5 SSD Deals Right Now

Note that Sony recommends a heatsink attached to your SSD and not all SSDs listed here have pre-installed heatsinks. For the ones that do, we'll be sure to mention it. For the ones that don't, all you have to do is purchase your own heatsink (like this one for $9) and install it yourself. For our top recommended picks for 2023, check out our full breakdown for the Best PS5 SSDs.

Silicon Power 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $117.99

The Silicon Power XS70 SSD with a preinstalled robust aluminum heatsink costs $117.99. The aluminum heatsink is still slim enough to fit in the PS5 without obstruction. It boasts transfer speeds of up to 7300MB/s read and 6800MB/s write, comfortably faster than the 5500MB/s minimum recommended requirement. It actually performs a little better than the Crucial P5 Plus, the original WD Black SN850, and the Samsung 980 Pro, although that won't make a difference in your PS5.

Corsair MP600 PRO 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink $119.99

Corsair is a very well known brand for DIY PC builders. Corsair makes some of the best gaming products on the market, and that includes solid-state memory like RAM and SSDs. The MP600 Pro is Corsair's fastest M.2 SSD and the "LPX" model is "optimized for PS5" because it includes a rugged preinstalled heatsink that is slim enough to fit in the PS5 bay without any issues. We like this RAM so much, we rated it the best PS5 SSD for 2023.

Adata Legend Max 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $136.99

The "Legend" is Adata's newest lineup of high-speed PS5-compatible SSDs, replacing the XPG Gammix S70 Blade and the Adata Premium. The "Max" in the name means that this model has a preinstalled heatsink that's slim enough to fit in the PS5 drive bay. This is one of the faster SSDs on the market with read speeds of up to 7400MBps and write speeds of up to 6800MBps.

WD Black SN850p 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $289.95

WD is the only brand that sells an officially licensed PS5 SSD. The SN850P is physically the same SSD as the SN850X, which is the latest generation of WD's flagship Black series M.2 SSDs. The SN850P's upgrades over the SN850 include newer flash chips (BiCS5 vs BiCS4) and an updated firmware, both of which offer improved sequential and random read/write speeds. It's easily one of the fastest SSDs on the market.

Samsung 990 Pro 4TB PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSD for $299.99

The Samsung 990 Pro is an excellent SSD for your PS5. From a purely performance perspective, it's overkill; the stock SSD in your PS5 will be the limiting factor. You'll want to pick up an PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid state drive with a rated 5,500MB/s read speed to match the PS5's internal drive and the 990 Pro is much faster. However, at the current price point, this SSD is cheaper than many slower options, so you might as well get it anyways.

What if the SSD Doesn't Include a Heatsink?

Sony recommends you install an SSD that has an attached heatsink. If the SSD you purchase doesn't include one, it's simple enough to buy one for $9 on Amazon and add it yourself. Most of these heatsinks are just attached using an adhesive like thermal tape.

Budget to Best: PS5 SSDs

There may be other SSD deals out there, but these are the PS5 SSDs we've tried ourselves and highly recommend. They also double up as outstanding boot drives for your gaming PC, in case you don't need additional storage for your PS5 console.

How To Install a New PS5 SSD

It's extremely easy! Removing the case cover is completely toolless. In fact, the only screw you have to remove is the one that keeps the cover for the SSD bay in place. You don't even put it back when you're done. Sony has a quick and easy YouTube video guide.

What Made Grand Theft Auto: Vice City So Special

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0200

There really is no original discussion left to be had about 2002’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Every spoonful of praise it’s deserved to have heaped upon it over the years has been dolloped. Every pixel has been pored over. Every Easter egg analysed. Every angle exhausted.

GTA: Vice City’s status is cemented: it’s legendary. A key pioneer of open world action, with a style like no other, and a soundtrack that’s beyond reproach. Released a mere 12 months after the astonishing GTA III, as far as sequels go they don’t get much more spectacular.

Of course, none of this is news to the 17-odd million people who bought it, or indeed the unknown millions more who’ve played it. To be honest, writing about GTA: Vice City is a little like trying to find a new way to describe how good the 1990s Chicago Bulls were at basketball.

We get it.

Still, for some of you, 2002 really is a literal lifetime ago. Perhaps beyond it. For some of you, maybe GTA: Vice City is little more than a distant artefact, with little to no personal resonance. A retro-themed retro relic itself, coated in two decades of digital dust.

For those of you who grew up detached from the aura around Vice City – that magic that older disciples of GTA remain dedicated to – we could explain that Vice City is special for being the GTA where vehicle variety truly exploded (introducing motorcycles, helicopters, and planes that didn’t have their wings clipped off). We could describe how it was the first GTA that didn’t ask you to rely solely on a paper map, or how it introduced property purchases and outfit changes. We could even discuss its drastically different (and vastly improved) approach to storytelling, which benched GTA III’s mute protagonist in favour of a fully-voiced one – brought to life by none other than the late, great Ray Liotta, no less.

GTA: Vice City famously transported players back to the neon-drenched excess of 1986, and it was fabulously successful at it.

All of these things were meaningful improvements but, in terms of what really makes GTA: Vice City so special, they all pale in comparison to the setting itself.

The where? Sure. More specifically, though? It was the when.

GTA: Vice City famously transported players back to the neon-drenched excess of 1986, and it was fabulously successful at it. It wasn’t the fleet of angular exotic supercars and wallowing American land whales on the roads. It wasn’t the blend of beachside glamour with a cocktail of chainsaw carnage, cocaine, and cheap porn. It wasn’t the pastel pants, the palm-lined streets, or the pulsating period soundtrack. It was all of those things working together to form an irresistibly immersive time capsule.

It’s been put by some that GTA: Vice City was the driving force behind the whole subsequent wave of ’80s nostalgia – the prototype for pop culture’s fascination with the decade fashion forgot – but that isn’t really a view I subscribe to. Yes, GTA: Vice City was a phenomenon – and its period approach was powerfully influential – but it really should be looked at as a piece of a larger puzzle. Hell, half of 1997’s Boogie Nights is set in the ’80s. 1998’s The Wedding Singer is set in 1985. 200 Cigarettes from 1999 is set in 1981, and 2000’s American Psycho is set in 1989. That’s before we even consider the likes of Dazed and Confused, 54, Detroit Rock City, Almost Famous, or That ’70s Show, all productions that used the 1970s as their backdrop.

No, GTA: Vice City didn’t pioneer the period approach. However, even though it didn’t singlehandedly invent the retro lens, it did give us a unique way of experiencing it. That is, we weren’t just looking through it – we were living it.

To this day, the opening moments of GTA: Vice City remain one of my most memorable gaming experiences. Ever. After getting into your first car in Vice City the very first thing you’ll hear is the sonically unmistakable intro of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. Before the scourge of social media sharing, that small but meaningful moment feels like a happy accident; there are, after all, dozens and dozens of classic ’80s gems stitched into the virtual stereos of GTA: Vice City. It could have been any one of them, right? No, it couldn’t have. It was engineered to be Billie Jean. Everyone heard it. Or, at least, they did until later re-issues and remasters of the game had the song trimmed from the soundtrack.

Either way, the effect was instantaneous, and I was plunged into the past from that moment on. It may be a primitive looking game by modern standards, but back in 2002 GTA: Vice City was an extraordinarily effective time machine that took me back to the era I grew up in, albeit to a place I only knew from the likes of Scarface, Miami Vice, and… well, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach. You don’t have to tell anybody else about that last one.

A GTA game that launches in 2024 and set equally as distant in the past as GTA: Vice City was in 2002, would be set in 2008.

Rockstar is yet to officially showcase the first glimpse of the next chapter of Grand Theft Auto to the world, but it has confirmed it will do so this week. If we go by early reporting, the game is set to unfold in a new vision of Vice City, and will occur in the present day (just as GTA IV and GTA V each did at the time of their releases). Is this the complete picture? Who can say until we see the final result?

Are there ways a new Grand Theft Auto that revisits Vice City can recapture some of that magic without a period backdrop? Sure there are. Its soundtrack would play a massive part. A heavy dose of glam, stadium ballads, pop, and yacht rock would be essential to serve as echoes of the city’s gaudy past. There’d need to be slabs of dated architecture to add layers of history to the environment itself, which is something I’d anticipate Rockstar is well on top of considering its supreme ability to craft authentic worlds that feel aged and lived-in.

Personally, I hope the scuttlebutt so far isn’t the full story. As much as I’m desperately keen to explore a new GTA world regardless of where or when it’s set, I really would love a twist here that somehow inserts the 1980s back into the equation.

I know there’s resistance to the idea out there but, frankly, I don’t really know what makes the present day so interesting. We live in it every day. Hell, Arthur Morgan doesn’t have a mobile phone, and it doesn’t seem to have harmed Red Dead Redemption 2.

It certainly wouldn’t be entirely unprecedented for a GTA game to reach back over three decades. 2000’s Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 was set over 30 years in the past at the time of release. That is a bit of a deep cut, though. Perhaps it is wishful thinking. Maybe I’m just old.

I certainly feel it, sometimes. After all, a GTA game that launches in 2024 and set equally as distant in the past as GTA: Vice City was in 2002, would be set in 2008.

For those of you playing along at home, that’s exactly the year Grand Theft Auto IV was released.

Luke is a Senior Editor on the IGN reviews team. You can chat to him on Twitter @MrLukeReilly.

Sony Pulls Discovery Videos PlayStation Users Already Own, Sparking Concern Over Our Digital Future

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 16:44:33 +0200

Sony has signalled its intention to pull some PlayStation content even from those who bought it, sparking concern from customers.

In a brief notice on the PlayStation website, Sony said it planned to remove hundreds of Discovery films from users’ video libraries, preventing them from watching the content they’d paid money for. Sony explained the decision as being due to “content licensing arrangements with content providers”.

Here’s the statement in full:

As of 31 December 2023, due to our content licensing arrangements with content providers, you will no longer be able to watch any of your previously purchased Discovery content and the content will be removed from your video library.

We sincerely thank you for your continued support.

Thank you,

PlayStation Store

There follows a long list of affected video content, which includes over 1,000 seasons of shows, including Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, Tanked, MythBusters, and An Idiot Abroad.

The decision has sparked a backlash online, and fuelled concern around ownership of digital media. Video game preservation is a hot topic within the industry, but the issue of content removal from digital platforms is top of mind of movie and TV makers, too. Last month, Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro backed Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan in championing physical media amid controversial moves by streamers that have seen some films pulled from availability.

Redditor skatern8r said they would never lose the Discovery shows they had paid for. "I just received an email from PS about how the end of the year due to licensing arrangements I will no longer be able to watch any of my previously purchased Discovery content," skatern8r said. "Is there a way I can save this content? I use PS4... But I have bought many seasons of shows such as Dual Survival that I do not wish to lose. I was actually under the impression since I owned it, I wouldnt ever lose it..."

There is currently no way to back up purchased PlayStation Store video content from a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. They cannot be transferred to a disc by any means.

Here's some more reaction:

Tell us again how having internet helps you in cases like this. #PlayStationDiscovery content will be gone by the end of the year due to licensing arrangements expiring. pic.twitter.com/Da4vSzsRc9
— Does it play? (@DoesItPlay1) December 1, 2023

@Sony, @PlayStation/@AskPlayStation, @Discovery, I’m expecting a FULL refund for all my purchases immediately.

I PURCHASED all these TV shows on YOUR platform and you’re all removing MY purchased content.@FTC @linakhanFTC @bbb_us #PlayStation #PS5 #FTC #Discovery pic.twitter.com/AkcZDTRdNb
— PepsiManX360 🇺🇸 🇵🇷 🇪🇨 🦅🗽 (@PepsiManX360) December 2, 2023

Wild. If you "purchased" any of these titles via Playstation, they are going to disappear soon and too bad for you.

Buying digital media is simply renting with an open-ended expiration date. They can and will take it from you if they feel like it.https://t.co/t40XxwElUM
— DrewMcWeeny (@DrewMcWeeny) December 3, 2023

If I only played PlayStation, I’d be really concerned about an all digital future, this is bad and it’s crazy no one is talking about it pic.twitter.com/gEOV8oQnnY
— Roadhammer Darktide (@roadhouse2100) December 1, 2023

Gamers are starting to receive this email from #PlayStation telling them that all content on the #Discovery streaming service will be removed on December 31, 2023, EVEN that which was purchased directly by users.

Absolutely, shameful this should change our minds about digital! pic.twitter.com/9MDiu1xaKq
— THOMAS (@x_gamer_kid) December 3, 2023

PlayStation announced that individuals who purchased Discovery content through their platform will have their purchased content removed December 31st, 2023

This is why internet piracy is alive and well. pic.twitter.com/87bcqZwHWR
— vx-underground (@vxunderground) December 2, 2023

The removal of @Discovery content that people purchased, on the @PlayStation store, is pathetic. If you pay for a product and it is removed where you can not access it, they should give you a refund. (Being banned is another story) Shame on Discovery and PlayStation for this.
— John Price - AwashFern2 XBox Gamertag (@JPrice02) December 3, 2023

Oh wow. @PlayStation is going to be in for a class action lawsuit over the Discovery stuff. Removing purchased content after purchase is theft. These kind of actions only validate piracy.
— Jared (@JaredWyns) December 2, 2023

I love how thanks to the discovery stuff with PlayStation people have finally realised that unless you own it physically or have a drm free downloaded copy you own nothing today. You just own the license to play that media and it can be revoked at any time.
— Buster | The Central Scrutinizer 🔜 CFz (@BusterFurry) December 3, 2023

Looks like that thing you might have always been worried about is finally happening. People are losing access to movies and shows they bought digitally through PlayStation. Guess you were renting that movie this whole time.#playstation #sony #discovery #warnerbros pic.twitter.com/ZVkLJWjaxt
— Things N Such (@ThingsNSuch_LB) December 3, 2023

Last year, Warner Bros. was criticised for pulling six HBO Max original movies from the prestige streaming service they were created for. Warner Bros also made the shocking decision last year to not release Batgirl either in theaters or on streaming, even after the Leslie Grace-starring DC film had completed filming. Animated movie Scoob! Holiday Haunt was also scrapped, with Warner Bros. taking tax write-downs on both.

The situation with the Discovery content is different, however, because it relates to individual films users have bought outright, rather than made available as part of a subscription. It’s also different from the typical case with delisted video games, which remain available to play and download to those who own them. In its statement, Sony does not offer a refund or apologise for the decision. IGN has asked Sony for comment.

Sony has form when it comes to pulling content PlayStation users already own. Last year, Sony removed purchased Studio Canal content from PlayStation users in Germany and Austria due to "evolving licensing agreements with its content providers," leaving users unable to view purchased content in their library.

It’s worth noting that when Sony stopped selling TV shows and movies from the PlayStation Store in 2021, it said users would still be able to access existing purchases.

“At SIE, we strive to provide the best entertainment experience for PlayStation fans, and that means evolving our offerings as customer needs change,” Vanessa Lee, Head of Video Business, SIE, said at the time.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth from PlayStation fans using subscription-based and ad-based entertainment streaming services on our consoles. With this shift in customer behaviour, we have decided to no longer offer movie and TV purchases and rentals through PlayStation Store as of August 31, 2021.

“When this change takes effect, users can still access movie and TV content they have purchased through PlayStation Store for on-demand playback on their PS4, PS5 and mobile devices. We thank our fans for their continued support, and we look forward to further enhancing the entertainment experience on PlayStation.”

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

The Best PlayStation Holiday Gift Ideas for 2023

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 16:38:04 +0200

As we near the end of the year -- and more importantly, the holiday season -- there's no better time to start looking at gifts for the PlayStation fan in your life. Whether it's brand-new games, apparel, or collectibles and toys, we've scoured the internet for what is sure to be the most popular gifts this season, so check out the many great PlayStation gift recommendations below to make your shopping this year a breeze. We've also collected all the best PS5 Black Friday deals for 2023 as well if you're interested.

TL;DR - Best PlayStation Gift Ideas

The Ultimate Holiday Gifts for Gamers (AD)

Every kind of gift. For every kind of gamer.

Swing In With The Best Spidey Themed Gifts

PlayStation has finally dropped its latest big exclusive title for PS5 owners: Marvel's Spider-Man 2. For those who love swinging through New York City again, we've collected some Spidey-related gifts below that are must-have purchases along with the new game.

This selection also includes the infamous dbrand Spidey PS5 plates dupe, which starts at $64.98 but can rise to $91.88 depending on your add-ons. Seemingly as Sony has sold out of the official Spider-Man 2 faceplates, this is a great alternative.

See More Spider-Man Themed Gifts

Consider These PlayStation-Themed Gaming Cookbooks

Level up your culinary skills with these PlayStation-themed gaming cookbooks! Dive into the flavors of your favorite gaming worlds with recipes inspired by God of War, Horizon, Destiny, and more. Whether you're a warrior in the kitchen or a seasoned guardian of taste, these cookbooks offer a delicious adventure for all. Unleash your inner chef and embark on a culinary journey that will satisfy both your gaming cravings and your taste buds. It's time to conquer the kitchen with these delectable recipes straight from your favorite gaming universes.

See More Gaming Cookbooks Here

The Essential PlayStation 5 Gifts in 2023

If you haven't yet been able to secure one, have no fear, PS5 consoles are finally available regularly. That's right, you can currently order a PS5 without any stress at Amazon and several other retailers. You can find a link to the console here so you can pick one up for yourself or the fan in your life who's been dying to get a PS5.

But, if you've already recently scored a PS5 for you and your family - well, you're going to need to get suited and booted with all the essential accessories. Here are the very best PS5-themed gifts to make sure your loved one is making the most out of their console. From boosting their internal SSD storage to the very best gaming headset, we've got you covered with the selection below.

See More PS5-Themed Gifts for 2023

Best PlayStation Clothing and Apparel Gift Ideas

Buying clothes for someone else is never easy. But, if they're into PlayStation, then there are plenty of great options to choose from to showcase their fandom, including a couple of sweet bomber jackets, t-shirts, pullover hoodies, hats, socks, and so much more.

See More PlayStation Clothing Gifts

Best PlayStation Board and Table Top Game Gifts

Are you ready to level up your gaming experience beyond the console this holiday season? Embrace the excitement of PlayStation in a whole new way with thrilling board games inspired by your favorite titles. Best keep in mind that the Horizon Zero Dawn board game could also be a money-sink, as there are what feels like dozens of expansions for the set on offer as well. These all retail for around $60, so make your choices wisely. Otherwise, we've also collected some more board game options for the holidays just below as well.

See More Board Games for Adults

See More Amazing Holiday Gift Ideas for 2023

For an even broader spectrum of holiday gift ideas that cater to various tastes and preferences, we invite you to peruse our handpicked collection of the finest Marvel gifts, perfect for the superhero enthusiasts in your life. Additionally, if you're looking to satisfy the gaming cravings of your loved ones, our extensive compilation of the best Switch gifts is sure to offer some fantastic options.

But the gift-giving journey doesn't end there; we have a treasure trove of diverse gift guides covering everything from tech gadgets to cozy winter essentials, ensuring you'll find the ideal presents for everyone on your list. So, for a comprehensive array of gift recommendations that span various interests and passions, explore the rest of our thoughtfully crafted guides. With these invaluable resources, you'll be well-equipped to spread holiday cheer and make your loved ones' spirits bright.

Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

Best Nintendo Switch Micro SD Card Deals (December 2023)

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 16:33:00 +0200

If you've started compiling a collection of digital games, you probably already know just how limited the Switch's base storage capacity is. The Switch and Switch OLED have 32GB and 64GB of internal storage, respectively. Some of that is reserved for the OS. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes up over 18GB of storage all by itself. Other must-have titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Pokemon Sword or Shield tap out at 13.5GB each.

TL;DR - Best Switch SD Card Deals

There's only one expansion slot in the Switch console so you want to make sure you get the biggest card you can afford. Below, we've found some of the best SD card deals right now so you can maximize your Switch's storage space without breaking the bank.

TeamGroup A2 Pro Plus SD Card for $22.99

For now, our favorite deal is definitely on the TeamGroup 512GB Micro SDXC card. You can pick up the TeamGroup card for just $22.99 at Amazon right now, which is a great price. Otherwise, the 1TB is also at a great price for $53.99 right now as well.

SAMSUNG EVO Select 512GB Micro SDXC Card for $24.99

Amazon has the SAMSUNG EVO Select 512GB Micro SDXC card for $24.99. It boasts a U3 A2 speed rating, which is faster than most Micro SDXC cards, including the official Nintendo Switch ones.

It doesn't make any difference for the Nintendo Switch itself, since it will throttle any Micro SDXC card down to U1 speeds. However, it will be useful if you ever want to swap it down the road to your smartphone, GoPro, camera, or any device that supports faster speeds. Plus, it could future proof your purchase if the next Nintendo console supports A2 micro SD cards.

Budget to Best: Micro SDXC Card Deals

If you're not married to a particular brand, then there are plenty of lesser-known but still legitimate companies that offer some outstanding deals on memory cards.

For example, TeamGroup is actually a well-known company, but people recognize them more for their T-Force branded lineup of RAM and SSDs.

The Switch isn't the only gaming system that accepts these cards. If you're a Steam Deck or ROG Ally owner, you can also use this card, especially if you picked up the 64GB Deck storage option.

For even more Switch deals, check out our complete Nintendo deals round-up featuring discounts on games, accessories, Switch online memberships, and more.

With how expensive gaming is getting in 2023, we're trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy.

We've got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as PS5 and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you're trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.

Best Dungeons and Dragons Gift Ideas for 2023

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 16:31:40 +0200

Everybody has that one friend in their life who is a complete tabletop RPG nerd. The world of D&D can often feel completely impenetrable with all its lore and lingo. If you want to get one of these friends a gift, it can be a bit of a daunting task wading through all this.

Which is why we've compiled this super helpful gift guide. All of our top picks for D&D gifts are in here, so you don't need to feel confused about whether or not the D&D fan in your life would like any of this. We promise you they will. We also get it, you're busy. There is a wealth of D&D gifts listed just down below, but if you just want the super duper short version, then take a look at this list here.

TL;DR - Must-Have D&D Gifts of 2023

The Best D&D Gifts Under $50

The world of D&D has blown up in popularity recently. Popular as it may be, it remains a particularly expensive hobby. What with base games and expansion packs and lore books and all that jazz. So, if you're working on a budget, these are our favorite D&D items going for less than $50 right now.

See More D&D Gifts Under $50

Consider These Magical Cookbooks to Cater for Your Adventures

These unique cookbooks take your D&D and gaming experience to a whole new level by bringing the magical worlds you love into your kitchen. You'll gain legendary Dungeon Master status as you transform your dining table into a bustling tavern and serve a delectable feast to your fellow adventurers.

We've included a nice variety of options here, but our personal favorite is the new Witcher Official Cookbook that's sure to delight all RPG fans. Indulge in a comforting bowl of aromatic stew or succulent baked fruit sourced from the renowned White Orchard trees to chase away the chill; wrap up a challenging journey to Velen with a satisfying, traditional feast at the nearby tavern.

See More D&D and Gaming Cookbooks

Best Baldur's Gate 3 and Larian Gifts

Game of the Year contender Baldur's Gate 3 has taken the gaming world by storm, and it's an absolute triumph of Dungeons & Dragons media. Whether they've already completed a Dark Urge playthrough (and three more just for good measure), or they're just getting started -- these BG3 and Larian gifts will surely delight the RPG fan in your life. From Astarion plushies to the latest Divinity Original Sin Board Game expansion, we've got you covered.

See More Baldur's Gate 3 Gifts

Best D&D Books & Adventures of 2023

A D&D fanatic will never turn down the opporutnity to their hands on a new book. This is true whether they're starting their first ever campaign, becoming a games master, or ending their tenth campaign of the year. This year's releases have been great. They've sent players to space, the astral planes, and they've widened the scope of fan-favorite settings. There is also a whole new book of monsters with updates rules.

More D&D Books & Adventures Gifts

Consider These D&D: Honor Among Thieves Movie Gifts

One of the surprise hits of the year, the D&D movie turned out to actually be brilliant, hilarious, and a seriously good time. It won't win any awards, but the film starring Chris Pine has quickly become a fan favorite, and any gifts associated with the film are a surefire win with D&D fans. Check out the Blu-ray, 4K, or associated actions figures, comics, and more right here. Christmas is saved.

See More Honor Among Thieves Gift Ideas

Other Awesome Tabletop RPGs to Check Out

D&D is the oldest and most well known tabletop RPG out there, but it is far from the only one. The tabletop RPG fan that you know might be getting a little bit bored of playing D&D over and over again, so check out these excellent alternatives. The Cyberpunk tabletop game is our top pick, it's a great way to delve into the Cyberpunk universe. Of course, if you don't see anything here, our favorite thing to reccommend is that you pay a visit to your friendly local gaming store! They'll almost definitely be able to help you find the game that's right for you.

See More Great Alt D&D RPGs

Best D&D/RPG Accessories of 2023

Playing D&D requires you to have a few bits of extra stuff. You've probably already got the dice, some character sheets, and some minis. But the world of D&D accessories doesn't stop there. There are so many useful (or just plain dope) accessories out there that make your game so much more fun to play.

See More D&D Accessories

Best D&D Gear and Apparel of 2023

It's time to start repping your tabletop RPG gaming experience. If you want to show off your love for the game, then make sure to grab one of these pieces of D&D themed clothing. These would make a great gift for anyone (or even for yourself, if you're here looking to treat yourself).

See More D&D Gear and Apparel Gifts

Best D&D Minis of 2023

Come on now, we can all admit that one of the biggest allures of the tabletop RPG is the immersion factor. No matter which RPG you're playing, your hero is going to end up in some form of combat. And while this is fun enough to play it out in your own head using your imagination; it's even more fun to bust out the minifigs. It's a great way to make your game feel more real and personal. These minis will make a god-tier gift for any RPG nerd.

See More D&D Minatures

See More Amazing Holiday Gift Ideas for 2023

Sega Teases 'New Era, New Energy' Game Awards Announcement, Fans Think It's Virtua Fighter

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:51:23 +0200

Sonic, Persona, and Yakuza/Like a Dragon publisher Sega is teasing a "new era, new energy" announcement for The Game Awards, which many fans think is Virtua Fighter-related.

Twitch streamer Curiousjoi posted a video on X/Twitter of a letter she and other influencers received from Sega, which alongside the vague "new era, new energy" headline, said: "Make sure to tune in to The Game Awards December 7."

A big reveal from Sega certainly wouldn't be out of place at the event, which typically includes a string of video game announcements alongside the awards themselves. Another streamer, Maximilian Dood, also received the letter, and noticed a link as he and Curiousjoi are both big fighting game players.

It seems to use the same font that the VF5 Ultimate Showdown trailer used, just in blue/not italicized. VF6 likely pic.twitter.com/GrP3dUTHAD
— Brodoof 🐈 (@Brodoof) December 2, 2023

"I got one too," he said. "Curious, have these gone out to others that are not huge fighting game creators?" As for why fans think it's specifically related to Virtua Fighter, X/Twitter user @Brodoof noticed a connection.

"It seems to use the same font that the Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown trailer used, just not in blue and not italicised," they said in response to Maximilian Dood. "Virtua Fighter 6 likely." Whether or not a full sequel is "likely" remains to be seen, but it would definitely signal a "new era".

That's because the last full game, Virtua Fighter 5, was released in arcades way back in 2006 and for PlayStation 3 in 2007. Various editions have released since, but none since a PlayStation 4 version of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown launched in 2021.

Fans will just need to wait and see what Sega announces at The Game Awards though. The pre-show will begin at 4:30pm Pacific / 7:30pm Eastern on December 7, meaning 12:30 midnight UK on December 8, while the full event will start 30 minutes later and last around three hours. Though many developers and publishers have remained quiet, Xbox has announced it will attend with "major announcements".

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

Fans Realise Rockstar Teased the GTA 6 Trailer 1 Release Date on a GTA Online T-Shirt

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:32:21 +0200

It looks like Rockstar teased the Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 1 release date on a GTA Online T-shirt released nearly half a year ago.

The shirt, which was added to the GTA Online shop in June 2023 seemingly by mistake before being pulled, was called “???” and found in a category titled “GTAV Anniversary”. It contained a hidden message fans soon deciphered as “ONEDAYWILLREVEALALL". The X/Twitter below, from user @GTANet, reveals how the T-shirt looked.

Now over in your favourite clothes shop in #GTAOnline San Andreas Mercenaries, a GTA V Anniversary Top category... Along with something mysterious that may get some community analysers going.... pic.twitter.com/5TtUdNUcB2
— GTANet (@GTANet) June 13, 2023

While this mysterious virtual shirt was eventually officially released as part of an October event, fans have now realised it contained a hint at the release date for the GTA 6 trailer: December 5, 2023.

The shirt has numbers plastered all over it alongside strange symbols. One string of numbers reads “12523”, aka December 5, 2023. Twitter account @_Dyllie_ noticed the link.

Rockstar Games cooked 😭
The "ONEDAYWILLREVEALALL" Tshirt has a number sequence of 12523 which is the release date of the #GTA6 trailer. pic.twitter.com/MwJyVX0uyp
— Dyllie (@_Dyllie_) December 3, 2023

It gets better. The next two numbers after the string are “09”. The trailer goes live at 9am PT.

Worth adding that the numbers that follow the "12523" sequence is "09" the exact hour the GTA 6 trailer is set to debut (EST).

Also props to @_Dyllie_ for pointing all this out first!
— Michael (@LegacyKillaHD) December 3, 2023

It seems like a clear tease at the trailer release date, although few people noticed it at the time. Now for more fun speculation! If we agree the T-shirt was a deliberate tease from Rockstar at the trailer’s release date, then perhaps we should consider this sequence of numbers as a tease for GTA 6’s release date: “040125”, aka April 1, 2025.

Ok, so not only did Rockstar tease us with the trailer date RIGHT in front of our eyes

But there’s also a sequence of numbers pointing to April 2025… could that be the initial release date for #GTA6? pic.twitter.com/PCXRRU2KMn
— Dyllie (@_Dyllie_) December 3, 2023

Besides @RockstarGames teasing at the GTA 6 reveal date & time with the secret number sequence of "1252309" on this GTA Online shirt a few months ago, there's also more POTENTIAL interesting numbers here.

040125 = April 1st 2025

Could that be the intended GTA 6 release date?! pic.twitter.com/yoR0jJjraR
— Michael (@LegacyKillaHD) December 3, 2023

It seems unlikely Rockstar would release GTA 6 on April Fool’s day, and this string uses a different number format for the day of the month than the trailer release date tease string, so perhaps it's just a joke. Those pesky developers with their misdirection!

Such is the level of hype for GTA 6 that its debut trailer may end up the most-viewed video game trailer for all time. GTA 6 itself is expected to obliterate video game sales records when it eventually goes on sale.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Stardew Valley Creator Gives Fans a Progress Report on 1.6 Update

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:30:45 +0200

Stardew Valley creator Erik ‘Concerned Ape’ Barone has taken to X/Twitter to give fans a progress report on the RPG's highly anticipated 1.6 update, and to shed light on his motivation for continuing to work on the popular 2016 farming sim over seven years after it came out.

“A ton of progress on 1.6 last month, it's (self-imposed) extreme crunch mode, nose to the grindstone (raw nose) mode,” said Barone in a recent post. “Here's one of the many additions in 1.6. Keeping mostly everything secret.”

An accompanying screenshot revealed that a new storage chest, which can hold almost twice the amount of materials/items as a regular chest, will be coming to the game as part of the 1.6 update. Sadly, the new post didn’t give any concrete info on when the new content will drop, but Barone’s wording indicates that he has entered the final stage of the update’s development.

A ton of progress on 1.6 last month, it's (self-imposed) extreme crunch mode, nose to the grindstone (raw nose) mode. Heres' one of the many additions in 1.6. Keeping mostly everything secret pic.twitter.com/cFT3Nks8z0
— ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) December 1, 2023

The brief post quickly garnered over 130,000 likes, and was met with an outpouring of support from the community, including one curious fan who asked Barone what made him want to keep working on Stardew Valley after so many years.

“Many things, including that so many people are still playing it, and many new people every day, I want it to be the best it can be, It will never be perfect but I feel an urge to keep improving it,” replied Barone. “Up to this point its been my life's work and I care a lot about it.”

The 1.6 update is set to bring a host of new features to Stardew Valley, including new festivals, items, stories, secrets, a new farm type, along with eight-player PC multiplayer support, over 100 lines of new dialogue, and fresh late game content.

Recent months have also seen Barone tease screenshots of his upcoming title, The Haunted Chocolatier, which is set to “channel the energy of the Moon'' relative to Stardew Valley’s Sun. The developer also indicated in a recent interview with IGN that he would be open to creating a Stardew Valley movie adaptation, should the right parters - namely Studio Ghibli or David Lynch - be interested in such a project.

Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer

Switch Online Memberships and eShop Gift Cards Are Back on Sale After Black Friday

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:42:58 +0200

While the Black Friday sales may have come and gone, there are still some sneaky discounts hanging around or even cropping back up. Most recently we even saw an Xbox Series X console drop to just $349 at retailers like Amazon and Walmart -- don't get too excited it sold out fast. But while these new Nintendo deals aren't as dramatic, it's still worth bringing attention to it. Nintendo Switch Online memberships and eShop gift cards are currently 10% off at Amazon, and the best deal in this sale is currently on the Family 12-month pass + Expansion Pack, which is now down to just $71.89. Just so you're aware; you need to add the relevant pass or gift card to your cart to see the aforementioned 10% discount.

10% Off Nintendo Switch Online Memberships

You will need a Nintendo Switch Online membership if you plan on accessing the online portions of your favorite games. That includes being able to play online against other opponents in Super Smash Bros Ultimate or Splatoon 3, downloading other people's creations in Minecraft or Mario Maker 2, or visiting someone else's island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Other perks include access to the NES, SNES, and Game Boy emulator libraries, which include classic games like Super Mario Bros. 3, F-ZERO, and Donkey Kong Country. You'll even be able to play these games offline for up to seven days after you last logged into your Nintendo Switch Online account. Members also get access to exclusive deals and offers at the eShop, cloud saving, and access to the NSO mobile app.

The Individual membership gets you Nintendo Switch Online access to only one account. That should be fine if you have only one Switch gamer in the family. However, if you've got an entire household of Switch gamers, it makes more sense to get the Family membership, which gives you Switch Online access to up to eight accounts. In general, you want to stick with a 12-month plan because it's significantly cheaper. The per-month cost of the Individual membership is $3.99, which totals out to $48. That's expensive.

Get 10% Off an eShop Card and Buy Your Membership Later

Not sure if you want to pay for a membership yet? Well then there's a safer deal for you. Amazon is offering 10% off the $20 and $35 eShop gift cards. These happen to be the exact price of the individual and family memberships. Buy the eShop cards instead and you can purchase a Switch membership later at effectively 10% off. If you end up not wanting the membership, you can use the eShop cards to buy video games instead. Otherwise, as their name implies, these make the perfect Nintendo gift for the holiday season as well.

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

Starfield Has Now Had Over 12 Million Players, Phil Spencer Says

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:36:32 +0200

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has announced that Starfield has now seen over 12 million players.

Speaking during the CCXP event in Brazil, Spencer described Bethesda’s space RPG as “a tremendous hit”, although failed to announce sales figures or the split of players between Game Pass subscribers and owners of the game itself.

“Starfield has now had over 12 million players since the launch of Starfield, and it still sits in our top 10 most-played games from our studios,” Spencer said. “So thank you everybody for all the support on Starfield, and making it a tremendous hit.”

Starfield launched on PC and Xbox Series X and S in September as a day-one Game Pass title. It became the biggest launch in Bethesda history after shooting past six million players during week one, then saw more than 10 million players less than three weeks after it came out.

The news follows the emergence that Bethesda is responding to negative reviews of Starfield on Steam. Representatives of the Microsoft-owned company have been replying to negative reviews on Valve’s platform since early November amid Starfield's ‘mixed’ user review rating of 68%.

On the community front, one Starfield player recently completed the game via New Game Plus over 30 times, and encountered a surprisingly cool interaction they hadn’t seen before.

Looking to the future, Spencer promised more content is coming to Starfield, and said it was the team’s goal to have people playing the game over a decade after its launch, just as people have played Bethesda’s own Skyrim 12 years after that monster hit came out.

“Skyrim is such an amazing hit from Bethesda Game Studios, and talking to Todd Howard and the team, really what they wanted to do as people who love space and space exploration, is give them that same opportunity [as Skyrim].

“So we’ve already announced that we’ve got our next expansion coming, Shattered Space. We’ve already told the community that they’ll get all the mod tools so they can go and create their own content in Starfield, which has been so important to Skyrim.

“So a ton of confidence that for many many years Starfield will be sitting very high in the gameplay [charts].”

IGN’s Starfield review returned a 7/10: "Starfield has a lot of forces working against it, but eventually the allure of its expansive roleplaying quests and respectable combat make its gravitational pull difficult to resist."

IGN has a number of helpful Starfield guides, including best mods, best traits and backgrounds, and best ship build. We’ve also got a list of all Starfield Item IDs.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Cyberpunk 2077 Gets 'Last Big Update' Tomorrow as CD Projekt Moves on to Cyberpunk 2, Witcher 4

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:02:22 +0200

Cyberpunk 2077 will receive its "last big update" tomorrow, December 5, 2023, as developer CD Projekt Red turns its attention towards the sequel, codenamed Orion, and the next mainline Witcher game, codenamed Polaris.

Speaking to IGN, CD Projekt Red confirmed Update 2.1, which arrives alongside the Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, is the final major update for the three year-old game. CD Projekt Red, as well as ramping up development for i ts next mainline Witcher game, codenamed Polaris, is switching focus to the full Cyberpunk 2077 sequel.

A post on X/Twitter from global community director Marcin Momot first implied this was the case, saying CD Projekt Red had "one more patch for Cyberpunk 2077" up its sleeve. IGN reached out for clarification from the developer, to which a spokesperson confirmed: "To echo Marcin Momot's tweet, Update 2.1 is meant to be the last big update."

The developer certainly suggested as much in its November 2023 financial earnings report, in which it showed that, following the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 expansion Phantom Liberty, nearly half of its staff were now working on Witcher 4. The Cyberpunk 2077 team had been diluted to include developers working on the main game, Phantom Liberty, the Ultimate Edition, and developers "in transfer".

CD Projekt Red confirmed in May 2023 that former Cyberpunk 2077 staff would be joining Orion's development as well as the next Witcher, so many of these developers in transfer will slowly but surely join the sequel's team proper.

Developing Orion isn't as simple as the next Witcher entry, however, as CD Projekt Red is building a brand new studio in the U.S . to create the sequel. CEO Adam Kiciński said in November 2023 that a core team of 10 Cyberpunk franchise leaders, including game director Gabe Amatangelo, are currently there already, and while some hires have been made, the team is still in its infancy.

Orion is currently in its conceptual phase, meaning pre-production hasn't even begun yet. Kiciński made clear CD Projekt Red North America therefore won't need hundreds of developers immediately, but likely only around 40 or 50 team members within the next year.

CD Projekt Red told IGN in November it's determined not to repeat the same practices that led to Cyberpunk 2077's turbulent launch, which saw the game removed from sale on the PlayStation Store, and has already changed several significant development processes as a result. It was this rocky start that led CD Projekt Red to work on Cyberpunk 2077 for so long, as the developer sought to turn it around and regain the trust of players.

Little is known about Orion given it is still in a conceptual phase, but Cyberpunk 2077 narrative director Igor Sarzyński said he wants the series to undergo a similar evolution to The Witcher. Even major gameplay decisions are yet to be made, but CD Projekt Red is open to changing things up if it deems the likes of third-person better than first-person.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

The Best Gaming Cookbook Gift Ideas for 2023

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:52:25 +0200

With the holidays fast approaching, it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out what to buy for friends and family. For those who know someone in their life with a love of games, it can feel even more overwhelming given the sheer amount of games, hardware, accessories and more to look through. Have no fear, though, we're here to help you conquer your holiday season shopping with some great gift ideas for gamers.

While we have larger gift guides centered around Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo - featuring a wide variety of items from consoles to collectibles - here, we wanted to zero in on a very specific part of gaming gifts: gaming cookbooks. These make for an incredibly fun gift idea, as they often feature recipes that have been plucked from the worlds of your favorite games. Whether you want to see what feasts are available to you from God of War's Nine Realms or want to dive into Fallout's Vault Dweller's cookbook, we have an excellent selection listed below for you to enjoy.

TL;DR - The Best Gaming Cookbook Gift Ideas

PlayStation Gaming Cookbooks
Xbox Gaming Cookbooks
Nintendo Gaming Cookbooks
Dungeons & Dragons Cookbooks
Additional Gaming Cookbooks

Dig Into These PlayStation-Themed Cookbooks

For the PlayStation fan in your life, these cookbooks will make an excellent addition to their kitchen. Whether they want to journey to Horizon's futuristic Forbidden West or God of War's Nine Realms, there are some tasty meals in here that are just waiting to be cooked up. Not only do these come with recipes, though, but some also feature interesting new bits of lore and art from the games, so they can be fully immersed in these worlds while cooking.

Enjoy Tasty Recipes with These Xbox-Themed Cookbooks

From Fallout to Halo, there are plenty of delicious gaming cookbooks to flip through if you're looking to buy a gift for an Xbox fan (or yourself). These all offer a variety of tasty options as well from Xbox's many gaming universes, so whether you want a quick treat or a warm meal to tide you over for the night, there are several options listed here to enjoy.

Impress Your Guests With These Nintendo-Themed Cookbooks

When buying for the Nintendo fan in your life, there are a couple of fun gaming cookbooks that are worth picking up. The Unofficial Legend Of Zelda Cookbook, in particular, contains a whopping 195 recipes to keep you full and happy! That includes over 125 vegan and 150 gluten-free dishes, so it's a great investment for those with sensitive stomachs.

Cater Your Next Adventure With These D&D and RPG-Inspired Cookbooks

Elevate your cooking experience with these incredible D&D and RPG-inspired cookbooks. With a variety of recipes within each one, your cooking skills are sure to impress your party the next time you stop for a rest, that's for sure.

We've included a nice variety of options here as well, but our personal favorite is the new Witcher Official Cookbook. Featuring 80 tasty recipes, you can enjoy everything from a refreshing drink to an exquisite banquet. It's set to come out on November 21, so you can have it ahead of the holidays to really impress your guests!

More Gaming Cookbooks to Consider

There are plenty more gaming cookbooks out there that are worth picking up for someone in your life. The Ultimate Final Fantasy XIV cookbook is a massive hit with Final Fantasy fans, but it's also worth noting the recently-announced Stardew Valley cookbook. This is set to release on May 14, 2024. Preorder it now so you can spend next summer cooking up some of Stardew Valley's scrumptious meals!

See More Amazing Holiday Gift Ideas for 2023

If you want to check out even more gift guides for your holiday shopping, look no further, we've got an excellent selection available for you to look through. From the latest and greatest pieces of tech to cozy winter essentials to the finest gifts for various fandoms, we're here to help you find the best gifts for everyone on your shopping list.

Below, you can find a comprehensive list of gift guides with recommendations that span various interests and passions. With these, you'll be ready to spread holiday cheer to those in your life this holiday season.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.

Mortal Kombat 1 Story DLC Confirmed, ‘Big Surprise After That’

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:49:23 +0200

Mortal Kombat 1 development chief Ed Boon has confirmed plans to continue the story of the game and teased further surprises.

Speaking at the CCXP23 event in Brazil, Boon announced what sounds very much like an Aftermath-style expansion for Mortal Kombat 1, but stopped short of revealing any details. “Just like we did with MK11, we’re going to release a second part with more story and we have a big surprise after that,” Boon said.

Mortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath story expansion launched just over a year after the game itself, and included an additional story mode, new characters, new stages, stage Fatalities, and the Friendship finisher. It seems reasonable to assume Mortal Kombat 1 will get similar content as part of the continuation of its story. But this “big surprise” Boon teased is anyone’s guess.

Boon added that developer NetherRealm plans to support Mortal Kombat 1 for even longer than it supported Mortal Kombat 11. NetherRealm moved on from Mortal Kombat 11 in July 2021, more than two years after the game came out. “So we’re going to be supporting the game for even longer than we did with Mortal Kombat 11,” he said. “It’s going to be fun.”

Over the weekend, NetherRealm and publisher Warner Bros. Games revealed the release date and gameplay for DLC character Quan Chi, and gave us our best look yet at John Cena's Peacemaker and Khameleon as a Kameo fighter. Peacemaker is another member of Mortal Kombat 1's Kombat Pack alongside Homelander, Omni-Man, Ermac, and Takahashi Takeda, and arrives in February 2024.

There’s a lot happening in the world of Mortal Kombat 1. IGN has reported on players starting to discover hidden Brutalities, including one for popular DLC character Omni-Man. Mortal Kombat 1’s controversial Seasonal Fatality Bundle, which features unique Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Winter Fatalities, is now live.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Christopher Nolan Reveals His Favorite Zack Snyder Film Moment, Calls Watchmen 'Ahead of Its Time'

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:55:41 +0200

Christopher Nolan has not only revealed his favorite moment from a Zack Snyder film, but he also shared that he believes Snyder's Watchmen was "ahead of its time."

THR spoke to Nolan for its Zack Snyder cover story, and the director has plenty of great things to say about him. The two go way back, and Snyder himself called Nolan his "only close director friend" and revealed they talk on the phone about once a month.

Nolan was asked if there was a specific shot or moment in a Zack Snyder film that "lives in your head," and the director of the Dark Knight trilogy chose a heartfelt one from Man of Steel.

"The moment in Man of Steel where Kevin Costner tells young Clark that whatever his origin, he’s still his son puts a lump in my throat every time," Nolan said. "Zack is best known for his facility with iconic image making, but his casting instincts are second to none."

Noland continued on to praise Snyder's work on Watchmen, a film that didn't perform incredibly well at the box office but still caught the attention of the director.

"I’ve always believed Watchmen was ahead of its time,” Nolan said. “The idea of a superhero team, which it so brilliantly subverts, wasn’t yet a thing in movies. It would have been fascinating to see it released post-Avengers.”

Snyder's next film is Rebel Moon Part 1: A Child of Fire, and it will be released on Netflix on December 22, 2023. Until then, check out the news that Snyder recently regained the rights to Blood and Ashes, the former 300 and 300: Rise of an Empire sequel that is described as "incredibly homoerotic" and "super violent."

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Zack Snyder Regains Rights to Former 300 Sequel Script That's 'Incredibly Homoerotic, Super Violent'

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:31:07 +0200

Zack Snyder has regained the rights to Blood and Ashes, the former 300 and 300: Rise of an Empire sequel that is described as "incredibly homoerotic" and "super violent."

As reported by THR, Snyder wrote the script for Blood and Ashes for Warner Bros. before he left after Justice League, and the story he turned in ended up being different than just a 300 sequel.

This new story focused more on the relationship between Alexander the Great and his second in command, Haphaestion. It was described as "a gay love story that was also an ancient Greek war epic, one he said then-Warners executive Courtenay Valenti liked and championed."

However, after the rocky road that was the Justice League saga, Warner Bros. decided not to move forward with the film. Now, the project that was co-written by Kurt Johnstad may see the light of day as Snyder and his wife and producing partner Deborah Snyder have regained its rights.

“We got the rights back so we can make if we want it,” Snyder said. “I don’t know what the marketplace is for an incredibly homoerotic, super violent, super sexual movie. But maybe it’s perfect.”

Snyder had previously talked about 300 sequels set during the American Revolutionary War or at the Alamo alongside a George Washington film in the style of 300, but it looks like this project may be the closest thing we get to that in the near future if it can find a new home.

For more, check out what else Warner Bros. wouldn't let Snyder make and our reviews of 300 and 300: Rise of an Empire.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Mortal Kombat 1 Reveals Quan Chi Gameplay and Release Date Alongside Our Best Look Yet at Peacemaker

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:08:47 +0200

Not only has NetherRealm revealed the release date and gameplay of Quan Chi, it has also given us our best look yet at John Cena's Peacemaker and Khameleon as a Kameo fighter.

Quan Chi is one of the characters that make up Mortal Kombat 1's Kombat Pack, and the legendary sorcerer will become available to those who have purchased the DLC package on December 14. If you just want Quan Chi and don't want to purchase the Kombat Pack, you will be able to unlock him on December 21.

The trailer is a great showcase for Quan Chi, who first appeared in the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm. His first video game appearance was Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and he made his playable debut in Mortal Kombat 4.

The gameplay video features Quan Chi using his abilities to conjure portals to the NetherRealm and use them to attack his foes. We also got a glimpse of one of his Fatalities, and it has him summoning large planes of glass and slicing his enemy into many thinner pieces of themselves.

Khameleon is seen throughout the gameplay video as a Kameo fighter with Quan Chi, and her skills are just as impressive as the way she can change colors. Khameleon will become available in January 2024.

The gameplay trailer ends with a great tease as we see Quan Chi getting ready to battle Peacemaker. In the short scene, we get to hear John Cena's voice as the character in Mortal Kombat 1 for the first time as he says, "Not fight, beat senseless" after Quan Chi asks him if he wants to fight him.

Peacemaker is another member of Mortal Kombat 1's Kombat Pack alongside Homelander, Omni-Man, Ermac, and Takahashi Takeda, and he will arrive in February 2024.

For more, check out our Mortal Kombat 1 review and the news that Omni-Man is as broken as he is hilarious.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.