While we’ll have to wait until July 5 to learn all the details of this surprise announcement, Behaviour Interactive has revealed that the actual Nicolas Cage is coming to Dead by Daylight.
Dead by Daylight’s Twitter confirmed the news, saying, “It’s the performance of a lifetime. Dead by Daylight: Nicolas Cage. Coming to a realm near you. Learn more on July 5th.”
The accompanying video gives us our first look at the actor in the game, and it appears this will be a similar case to The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent where Cage is actually playing himself and not another new character in Dead by Daylight’s universe.
“There is nothing more powerful than imagination,” Nic Cage says in the trailer. “It can shape the fabric of reality… transforming everything you think you may know.”
Behaviour stated we’d learn more about Nicolas Cage, who very well may end up being a new Survivor, on July 5, but there’s a chance he may show up at Dead by Daylight’s 7th Anniversary Stream on May 23 as well.
Indeed, Nintendo of America’s President, Doug Bowser, took to Twitter to thank fans for their unwavering support, but in doing so managed to make a rather amusing mistake in the process. Whether a result of autocorrect being a little too strict at the time or a genuine mistake from Mr. Bowser himself, his tweet mentioned ‘Hyland’ instead of ‘Hyrule’. Check it out:
The Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) helps unemployed / underemployed veterans find high-quality careers.
In recognition of Military Appreciation Month, the C.O.D.E. Valkyrie Pack is now available and 100% of all net proceeds go directly to the Endowment to help military veterans.
Activision and Infinity Ward answer our questions about the Call of Duty Endowment, how you can support this program, plus a couple of noteworthy features included in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 Season 03 Reloaded update.
I normally don’t discuss my military service, but in the mid-2000’s I deployed to the Middle East, like so many others had before me. After landing in country at the international airport, I sat there on the hot and dusty tarmac with dozens of other service members, waiting for transportation to the base to begin my one-year tour of duty. I continually scanned my surroundings, not knowing what to expect from this place. One thing was for certain, I was a stranger in a strange land. Amidst all the hustle and bustle consistent with any airport, I heard these two service members talking. They looked to be in their early twenties, one had just arrived in theater and the other was preparing to leave. It was obvious they were friends, catching up in the minutes they had until they were once again separated. One commented on this being his third tour in two years, the other said this would also be his third. And then their conversation changed to happier thoughts. The one asked the other about the latest video game releases back home since he had been away for so long, and what the other had been playing. The other responded, “Call of Duty”.
I’ll never forget this moment, these two young kids sitting in the middle of a warzone having already completed a couple tours, and they’re bonding and laughing and sharing stories about Call of Duty. There was something encouraging about this moment that put me at peace, like everything was going to be okay. I didn’t know them or whatever happened to them, but my hope is they both made it home okay and are once again playing Call of Duty together.
Call of Duty has always been an important video game series for me, and not just because they are amazing games with these epic single player campaigns and insanely fun multiplayer modes, but perhaps just as importantly because of their efforts to support military veterans transitioning to the civilian world by helping them find employment opportunities through the Call of Duty Endowmentprogram.
Since 2009, the nonprofit Call of Duty Endowment has helped more than 118,000 veterans find meaningful careers after their military service (that’s a group of vets more than half the size of the US Marine Corps). The Endowment seeks to help U.S. and U.K. veterans find high-quality careers by supporting groups that prepare them for the job market and by raising awareness of the extraordinary value veterans bring to the workplace. For more information about the Call of Duty Endowment, please visit www.callofdutyendowment.org
Dan Goldenberg, Executive Director for the Call of Duty Endowment, discussed the program with us, including how it has helped service members since its inception and this year’s activities during Military Appreciation Month. My first question was why this program and why this approach.
“Every veteran needs a job when they return from service. The data shows that if a veteran finds high-quality employment upon re-entry into civilian life, the other challenges they face become much more surmountable,” explains Goldenberg. “A good job means a roof, the ability to raise children in a healthy environment, access to healthcare, social interaction, and, perhaps most importantly, purpose.”
The Call of Duty Endowment ensures success by monitoring results through rigorous quality controls and periodic performance reviews. “We have developed a great, scalable model for finding and funding the highest performing nonprofits that place vets in jobs,” states Goldenberg.“Our model, launched in 2013, is called the Seal of Distinction. In short, it helps us find the needles in the haystack and turn them into spears.”
Military Appreciation Month and C.O.D.E.
Every year, Activision Blizzard and the Call of Duty Endowment support Military Appreciation Month through various activations providing gamers the opportunity to proactively support the endowment. Earlier this month, they hosted the Loot for Good campaign culminating in a substantial donation to C.O.D.E.
“Each Military Appreciation Month, the Endowment launches an in-game activation to engage the community in our work. We have been blown away by the response – last year we launched the first-ever in-game charity run – Call of Duty Veterans. This year, we launched Loot for Good and the response from our community was incredible,” says Goldenberg. “The Loot for Good campaign was the first of its kind charity extraction challenge and was a way for players to extract in-game loot and be credited with a real-world cash contribution. We raised $1,000,000, which will help fund the placement of more than 1,600 veterans into high-quality jobs.”
One of the other ways Activision Blizzard offers gamers the opportunity to support this program is through the purchase of special C.O.D.E. packs. This year’s pack is a bit different than previous packs, and Goldenberg discusses how and why.
“This month, we are launching the Call of Duty Endowment Valkyrie Pack, which has the Endowment’s first-ever female operator skin. These content packs have proven highly successful with our community, raising more than $27 million for veteran employment to-date while also raising awareness about the cause,” explains Goldenberg. “We also try to embed the cause with the content. This latest pack highlights female veterans and the major contributions they make every day in our armed forces.”
The Call of Duty Endowment was created after I left the military so I couldn’t use the services it provides, but since then I have reviewed the program so I could assist friends and fellow service members as they prepare to leave the military, and there are some great resources available. I asked Goldenberg if he had any advice for transitioning service members looking for employment.
“Our research shows that veterans who reach out for professional help with resume writing and interview preparation are 2-3 times more likely to land high-quality employment. Veterans should reach out for this help and should never pay for these types of services,” says Goldenberg. “Getting help translating military experience into civilian hiring language is critical to getting hired. The best place to find world-class support is at our website.”
For more information about this program, check out this week’s Official Xbox Podcast with Major Nelson interviewing Dan Goldenberg, Executive Director, Call of Duty Endowment.
In addition to the new Call of Duty Endowment Valkyrie Pack launching on May 17, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 recently launched Season 03 Reloaded on May 10. The latest season includes a new raid and mission; new 6v6 map; new modes, equipment, and ranked play for Warzone 2.0; and much more! Stephanie Snowden, Director of Communications at Infinity Ward, provided us with more details about a few of the features from Season 03 Reloaded.
Step Into the Shoes of the Basketball MVP – Kevin Durant
We’ve witnessed some spectacular operators added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, but perhaps never one as unique as basketball MVP Kevin Durant. “Kevin is a huge Call of Duty fan, which made scanning and designing his operator and items a ton of fun for us at Infinity Ward,” says Snowden. “While making the operator as realistic as possible is always a priority, it was important for us to be sure the feel of the items matched KD’s swagger both on and off the court. We can’t wait to see players easy money sniping.”
New 6v6 Multiplayer Map – Alboran Hatchery
Maps are one of the most talked about features, especially anytime we are near a new season. There are always lengthy discussions online about fan-favorite maps from previous Call of Duty games and speculation about what map might be added with each new season. But in Season 03 Reloaded, we already know this new map is Alboran Hatchery.
“Alboran Hatchery is set in Galicia, Spain, which was a featured locale in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II campaign in the Recon By Fire mission. The map can be broken down in 4 overall sections: Fishery Warehouse, Containers, Main Entrance, and Storage Building,” explains Snowden. “Prepare for close-quarters action in the Warehouse, while rooftops may offer a vertical advantage. Containers can provide key defensive cover for your team in 6v6 modes.”
For more details about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 Season 03 Reloaded, check out the official site and follow @CallofDuty on Twitter.
As a veteran, I’d personally like to thank Activision Blizzard for their tremendous efforts with the Call of Duty Endowment. It’s worth noting the company funds all operating costs for this program and has donated over $38M to the endowment, with 100% of all player contributions going straight to providing employment support to veterans with the goal of finding them high-quality jobs that fully leverage their experience, character, skills, and education. Read more about the program here.
Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II drops players into an unprecedented global conflict that features the return of the iconic Operators of Task Force 141.
Infinity Ward brings fans state-of-the-art gameplay, with all-new gun handling, advanced AI system, a new Gunsmith and a suite of other gameplay and graphical innovations that elevate the franchise to new heights.
Modern Warfare® II launches with a globe-trotting single-player campaign, immersive Multiplayer combat and an evolved Special Ops game mode featuring tactical co-op gameplay.
You also get access to Call of Duty®: Warzone™ 2.0, the all-new Battle Royale experience.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Welcome to Warzone™ 2.0, the massive free-to-play combat arena which now features the brand-new map, Al Mazrah.
Turn the Heat Up
Join forces with your friends and jump into a sprawling battleground in the metropolitan area and rural outskirts within the Republic of Adal.
Loot For Rewards
Discover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.
Introducing DMZ Mode
Drop into the all-new sandbox objective-based mode to choose your own experience within the warzone and collecting gear to keep in your Call of Duty®: Warzone™ 2.0 inventory.
Purchase the Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II Vault Edition and get the Red Team 141 Operator Pack, FJX Cinder Weapon Vault*, 10 hours of 2XP, 10 hours of Weapons 2XP, Battle Pass and 50 Tier Skips** – also usable in Warzone™ 2.0.
An Xbox Live Gold subscription is not required to play the Warzone™ 2.0 game mode. All other online modes still require Xbox Live Gold.
*Weapon Vault design limited to Weapon Vault contents at launch.
**Battle Pass redemption applies to one season of Modern Warfare® II Battle Pass only.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
We’re thrilled to announce the return of an exciting tournament for fighting game fans, FGC Arcade PlayStation Tournaments: Road to Evo on PS4. The tournament offers gamers worldwide a chance to win cash prizes, and winners across each region will get a roundtrip ticket to compete in Evo 2023. We invite all players who want to test their skills and take on the world stage. This is your chance to represent your region at the biggest fighting game tournament of the year.
Last year, we saw players across the world compete in PlayStation Tournaments for an opportunity to play on the world’s biggest fighting game stage. Among them, we saw amazing performances and even new champions crowned. Watch the recap from last year’s event.
Road to Evo 2023 Tournament Details
This tournament will give players in the global fighting game community a chance to make a name for themselves in their region. See the tournament details:
Dates
May 26 – June 24, 2023
Regions
North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific
Prizing
$7,500 in prizes and a trip to compete in Evo 2023
Featured Titles
Tekken 7, The King of Fighters XV, Mortal Kombat 11, Guilty Gear -Strive-, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Melty Blood: Type Lumina
Rules & Eligibility
Active PS Plus membership required. Must be of appropriate age and a member of an eligible country. Void where prohibited. See full rules.
Each title will have four Qualifiers per region, with the top competitors moving onto broadcasted Final matches in an ultimate showdown of talent and skill. Whether you’re planning to sign up to compete or a spectator looking to watch some amazing action — it’ll be an exciting competition that will shift the global FGC rankings and spotlight the players to watch out for at Evo 2023.
How you can sign up for the Road to Evo 2023
*Sign up for the Road to Evo 2023 in your region on the Competition Center, or head over to the Events tab on PS4. See you there.
*Access to PS4, game title, and active PS Plus membership required. Must be 18+ and a member of an eligible country. Void where prohibited.
*The Event in all parts is open to players from across the world, except as otherwise provided in this Section. The Event is not open to individuals wherever restricted or prohibited by applicable law or in any country where participation is prohibited by U.S. law. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Event is not open to individuals in the Crimea region, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Turkey.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is now available, and for those who want to get their hands on a guide to help them explore every inch of it, both the Standard and Collector’s Edition Official Guides are now up for preorder with a release date of June 16, 2023. Better yet, both editions are on sale. While you’re waiting for your hardcopy guide to arrive, there’s no sense to flail around Hyrule directionlessly when we already have one of the most comprehensive Tears of the Kingdom guides online.
Preorder The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – The Complete Official Guide
With these, you’ll have a detailed overview of Hyrule, a helpful walkthrough to get you through the game, and much more. Not only that, but they have gorgeous covers as well, especially the Collector’s Edition. The Standard Edition has an MSRP of $29.99 but is on sale for $21, and the Collector’s Edition normally runs for $44.99, but you can get it for $27. You can find preorder links to both Editions on Amazon above.
In the lead-up to Tears of the Kingdom’s release this week, you still have time to jump on preorders for various collector’s items as well. If amiibo are up your alley, you can still preorder a variety of reprinted Link amiibo alongside the latest amiibo release of Link for the new game. As far as the reprints go, there’s a Majora’s Mask Link amiibo, Twilight Princess Link amiibo, and Ocarina of Time Link amiibo that you can still preorder.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
Universal Pictures have dropped the first teaser for their Five Nights At Freddy’s film adaptation, based on the hit horror series. Ten years ago, I’d hear schoolmates chatting about the games’ ghosts, purple people, and dismembered heads stuck in animatronics. Now, we’re old enough to buy R-rated cinema tickets, and Hollywood’s ready to capitalise on some teen nostalgia – essentially the film industry’s version of min-maxing. Check out the first teaser here:
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was the best selling game of April 2023 despite only being available for two days before sales for the month stopped being recorded.
According to the latest figures from Circana (formerly NPD), EA’s long-awaited sequel to 2019’s Jedi: Fallen Order overcame Dead Island 2, PGA Tour, Minecraft Legends, and all other new releases to take the top spot and instantly become the 4th best selling game of 2023 so far.
Dead Island 2 came in second, followed by MLB: The Show 23, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Hogwarts Legacy, PGA Tour, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, FIFA 23, and Mario Kart 8 in tenth.
My ever-growing backlog of farmlife sims gives me a judgemental side-eye every week, as I crawl back to my scarily silent husband in Stardew Valley. That list of Stardew-likes is becoming harder and harder to ignore, though. I’m very much looking forward to Grave Seasons (aka Stardew meets murder mysteries). I was looking forward to Roots Of Pacha (aka Stardew meets the Stone Age) before its publisher woes. And now, I’m incredibly excited about Mirthwood (aka Stardew meets Fable). Check out its announcement trailer below:
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has a sold an eye-watering 10 million copies in its first three days on the market, making it the fastest selling title in franchise history.
The early sales milestone also makes it the fastest selling Switch game ever in the Americas and the fastest selling Nintendo title on any system released in the region.
Nintendo also revealed that the Zelda series overall has sold 130 million units as of March this year, before Tears of the Kingdom’s ten million sales have been added at all.
The Legend of #Zelda: #TearsOfTheKingdom has sold over 10 million copies worldwide in its first three days, becoming the fastest-selling game in the history of the Legend of Zelda series.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 17, 2023
“Many players are returning to Hyrule with all its new mysteries and possibilities, and with the record-breaking launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch, we can’t wait to see what they’ll create in the game and the stories they’ll share next,” said Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales, marketing and communications Devon Pritchard.
“We’re grateful for all of our fans who’ve shown their passion for The Legend of Zelda over the years, and these sales numbers for the latest instalment continue to show the strong momentum for both the franchise and Nintendo Switch this year.”
For everything else Tears of the Kingdom, be sure to take a look at our walkthrough and guide about making your way through Hyrule. In fact, you can start here:
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
It was in the second official trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (the one that closed out the February 2023 Nintendo Direct) where we first got a snippet of Link driving around on what appeared to be a hand-made vehicle. We couldn’t make sense of it. Are these cars dotted around Hyrule? Will someone make them for us? Is this just Zelda: Nuts and Bolts?
Some of these questions were answered in the 10-minute gameplay demonstration, in which Eiji Aonuma showcased a small amount of what the new Ultrahand ability would be capable of. We were amazed at the thought of being able to stick two logs together and whack a fan on the back. Maybe two or three. “It can’t get more creative than this”, we thought.
