Author: Game Infliction

Your Guide to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta Weekends on Xbox

Your Guide to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta Weekends on Xbox

Black Ops 6 Open Beta Hero Image

Summary

  • The two Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta weekends will be your first chance to try new Multiplayer features like Omnimovement.
  • Level-up and earn exclusive Multiplayer Beta Rewards that include Weapon Charms, Operator Skins, and a Weapon Blueprint.
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will launch October 25, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and will be available on day one with Game Pass.

Welcome, recruit! Starting today, those who have pre-ordered any version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or those with an active subscription to select Game Pass plans, can start playing the Multiplayer Beta during this limited Early Access period. This will be your first time to check out the Multiplayer offerings of the action-packed spy thriller series that Black Ops has become synonymous with.

Over the course of the next two weekends, with more maps and modes rolling out over this limited play period, your goal during this time will not only be to engage with your opponents across various maps, but to level-up and earn unique in-game rewards that will only be available to those who participate in the Multiplayer Beta period. Also, this time is key for the development team to assess data helping to ensure that Black Ops 6 Multiplayer is going to be as great an experience as possible at launch on October 25, 2024.

This will also be the first time for you to try out the new Omnimovement system and other Black Ops 6 combat innovations that will make this year’s Call of Duty experience one of the most innovative (and fun) experiences you can play this year.

During both Beta weekends, the official Call of Duty Blog will be a great place for you to check out as well during this time, as it will be chock full of gameplay tips, map guides, and much more.

Start Playing – Weekend One: August 30 to September 4

Like we mentioned earlier, if you pre-ordered any version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or if you have an active subscription to select Game Pass plans, you can jump in and start playing the Beta during Early Access which kicks off on August 30 and runs through to September 4. You can download the Beta from the Microsoft Store, Battle.net, or Steam. Digital pre-orders don’t need a Beta code to participate during Early Access – you’re automatically registered and ready to play.

Six Multiplayer Maps will be available for you to play during this first weekend: Derelict, SCUD, Skyline, Rewind, Pit, and Gala. These various maps will take you to locations such as a deserted desert outpost, a shopping plaza, an underground mining tunnel, and even a fundraising event. You’ll also be able to sample a variety of game modes that include Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Order, and Face Off.

Personally, I’m most excited to try out Kill Order, the newest game mode to be introduced in Call of Duty Multiplayer. Here you’ll be tasked with eliminating the enemy’s High Value Target (HVT) while keeping your HVT alive (taking it out can earn your team bonus points). It sounds like a great mix of chaos and teamwork, and I can’t wait to try it myself.

During the first weekend of the Closed Beta, you can max out at Player Level 20. While progressing down this path, you can unlock additional Loadout gear, the ability to create Custom Loadouts, as well as earn in-game rewards playing in the Beta and in Black Ops 6 at launch. You’ll also get a chance to play as a range of Operators during the Multiplayer Beta, including Adler, Park, Brutus, and Klaus who will only be available in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Vault Edition. Plus, flex the Mastercraft Weapon Collection, only available in the Vault Edition.

For even more information on the first weekend of the Call of Duty Multiplayer Beta, check out the official Call of Duty Blog which has a detailed breakdown of every map, Loadout, Beta Reward, and Multiplayer mode for you to experience during the first Beta Weekend event. Check it out here.

Prepare for Weekend Two: September 4 to 9

For the second Beta Weekend, all players can jump in and start playing regardless of if they have pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Game Pass Core not required. It kicks off September 6 and runs through to September 9 and will include all the other maps and modes from the previous weekend.

Speaking of, if you played the previous weekend during the Early Access period, you’ll find that your current Player Level will carry over into this weekend along with the ability to get up to Level 30 now, which in turn also includes several new in-game rewards. The second Beta Weekend will also include two new maps – Babylon and Stakeout – in addition to the Gunfight and Face Off Kill Order game modes.

Diving into a new Call of Duty Beta Multiplayer experience is always a fun time because it lets you scratch that multiplayer itch before launch. And with Omnimovement gearing up to be a game changer, I can’t wait to try this out first-hand and see what makes this such an exciting prospect for engaging opponents online. Also, gunning for all those sweet Multiplayer Beta rewards is a great incentive (I see you “Bug Smasher” Weapon Blueprint).

For even more details on the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta, check out the Call of Duty Blog for a game-winning overview and tips to levelling up to ensure you unlock all those great Beta Rewards. Also, be sure to check out Xbox Wire’s coverage of Call of Duty NEXT to get even more information about what’s in store for the next Call of Duty entry.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will launch October 25, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and will be available on day one with Game Pass.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Open Beta

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Open Beta

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
221
★★★★★

Get it now
Xbox Game Pass

Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and get Early Access to the Open Beta**.

– Early Access is August 30th – September 4th
– Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6th – September 9th

Get your first taste of the next-level action coming to Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 with the Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta.

– Feel Omnimovement for yourself and experience the most fluid Call of Duty® movement to date that allows players to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction.

– Explore several of the brand-new core 6v6 maps and Strike maps coming at launch, and start defining your perfect strategy for each across multiple game modes.

– Try out new weapons and gadgets, in addition to a refreshed Gunsmith and attachment system, to start planning your ideal loadout.

– Gear up, hit the lobby with your team, and experience many other game-changing innovations coming to Black Ops 6 so that you’re ready to go as soon as the game officially launches on October 25th.

Earn in-game rewards for playing the Beta, which will be immediately available in the Beta once unlocked, and playable in Black Ops 6 once the full game launches.

Pre-order the Black Ops 6 Vault Edition and use the Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack in the Beta, including Operator Skins for Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus, as well as the Mastercraft Collection, including five Mastercraft Weapons.

*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Console.

**Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required.

Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.

Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Vault Edition

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
1341
★★★★★

$99.99
Pre-order

Pre-order any digital edition and receive:

– Early access to the Open Beta*
— Early Access is August 30 – September 4
— Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6 – September 9
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, Call of Duty®: Warzone™ and Call of Duty®: Warzone™ Mobile**:
— Woods Operator Pack – unlock the Classic Woods Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Zombie Woods and Numbers Woods Skins
— Reflect 115 Camo Pack – unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies

The Vault Edition includes:

– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– BlackCell (1 Season)***
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities

Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6.

Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.

The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.

In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.

Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.

*Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required.

**Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 25th, 2025.

***Battle Pass, BlackCell an Tier Skips will be accessible in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 once the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in game. Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.

Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.

Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Cross-Gen Bundle

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
4623
★★★★★

$69.99
Pre-order

Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and receive:

– Early access to the Open Beta**
— Early Access is August 30 – September 4
— Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6 – September 9
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, Call of Duty®: Warzone™ and Call of Duty®: Warzone™ Mobile***:
— Woods Operator Pack – unlock the Classic Woods Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Zombie Woods and Numbers Woods Skins.
— Reflect 115 Camo Pack – unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies.

Includes:

– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game

Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6.

Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.

The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.

In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.

Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.

*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Console. Subscribers must login to Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S by October 25th, 2024 to redeem the Woods Operator Pack and Reflect 115 Camo Pack.

**Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required.

***Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 25, 2025.

Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.

Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Vault Edition Upgrade

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition Upgrade

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
4821
★★★★★

$30
Get it now

Upgrade to the Vault Edition and receive the following bonus content*:

– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– BlackCell (1 Season)**
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities

*Requires existing ownership of the digital version of the Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S (sold separately), or active subscription to select Game Pass plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Console).

**Battle Pass, BlackCell and Tier Skips will be accessible in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 once the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in game. Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.

The post Your Guide to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta Weekends on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Wingspan swoops onto PlayStation on October 11

Hi there, PlayStation community! We’re Monster Couch, and we make digital board game adaptations. Our digital version of Wingspan—one of the most acclaimed tabletop games of recent years—will be available on PS5 and PS4 on October 11.


Wingspan swoops onto PlayStation on October 11

We’re excited to tell you about it – let’s start with the basics.

Wingspan, at its heart, is a strategy card game in which every card is a bird you place into one of the three habitats of your portfolio – wetlands, grasslands and forest. Sounds easy, right? It is! But the devil’s in the details, as each habitat has its specific purpose, and every card you place has its own cost and unique abilities you can make use of. By thinking strategically and smartly combining the birds’ abilities, you’ll create satisfying combinations, chains, and engines that will net you victory points, and by scoring more than your opponents, you’ll win the game.

At the same time, the game offers a cozy, relaxing escape. You’ll be placing your birds on idyllic preserve backdrops, listening to their chirps and the game’s serene soundtrack. It’s a change of pace compared to the breakneck tempo of some of the other games on the market. That’s because we wanted Wingspan to be something you can play to unwind, and the visuals and music were created with this in mind.

Let’s talk about game modes for a second. Whether you’re a solo player and want to test your skills against AI opponents or the Automa (which is a specifically designed artificial opponent governed by a deck of cards, which works a bit differently to AI players), or play multiplayer with your friends or family locally, you can do that in Wingspan. You can also hop online to join match-made games with birders from all over the world. There are even weekly challenges for those who really want to show off their competitive spirit. There’s something here for every type of player!

What sets Wingspan apart from similar titles is that it’s not just a bunch of mechanics with a slapped-on theme. It’s a charming little preserve full of beautiful birds you create each game you play, in which the birds’ abilities correspond to their real-life counterparts. For example, your hawks will hunt, your pelicans will fish, and your geese will form a flock. You’ll be able to get to know interesting tidbits about your preserve’s inhabitants from the cards, too.

What’s cool is that when Wingspan launches on October 11, it’s not just the base game that will be available. We’re bringing the entire flock of expansions and decorative content to the PlayStation consoles! These include two big expansions released up to this point – European and Oceania – with all kinds of new birds from the respective continents and new gameplay elements. In addition to that, two decorative packs are coming, with new backgrounds and avatars you can use to customize your in-game profile.

Last, but not least – Wingspan will also launch physically simultaneously, thanks to the fantastic team over at Merge Games. The Special Edition box will include the following:

  • The base game
  • European and Oceania expansions
  • Seasonal Decorative Pack

If you’re one of the gamers who would like to show off your shelf collection, the Special Edition is for you.

Hopefully, the above gives you an idea of Wingspan. In this post, we reflected on the game’s core gameplay aspects and relaxing nature (pun intended). We can’t wait to see you in the game on October 11.

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened Closes Down a Year After Launch — and Fans Are Less Than Impressed

Warner Bros. Games has announced the closure of mobile game Harry Potter: Magic Awakened just over a year after its global launch.

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, a collectible card role-playing game developed by Zen Studio, launched in the west in June 2023 courtesy of Warner Bros. Games’ Portkey Games publishing label. In the game you play as a new student at Hogwarts and collect cards you deploy as spells in duels.

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened was removed from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store on August 26, with servers running until October 29, 2024. It is now no no longer possible to make in-game purchases.

Its Asian release was handled by Chinese games company NetEase, currently in the headlines for reportedly shutting down the Visions of Mana developer, Ouka Studios. Despite its shutdown in the west, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened will remain available to play in Asia.

“We have shared the magical journey of Harry Potter: Magic Awakened with millions of fans around the globe,” Warner Bros. said in a statement published to its support website.

“The time has come for Harry Potter: Magic Awakened to officially close its servers in the Americas, Europe and Oceania territories on October 29, 2024. The game will continue to be available for players in Asia, including Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as other select Asia and MENA territories.

“We’d like to thank those in the Americas, Europe and Oceania for playing, and are incredibly proud and honored that so many fans all around the world have enjoyed Harry Potter: Magic Awakened with such enthusiasm and passion.”

The time has come for Harry Potter: Magic Awakened to officially close its servers.

Already players have expressed their disappointment in the news, asked for refunds, and called on Warner Bros. to allow NetEase to publish the game in the west or enable the transfer of servers. Warner Bros. ruled out server transfers and refunds in an FAQ, and declined to comment when contacted by IGN on the possibility of NetEase taking on the game in the west.

It’s worth noting that the closure of Harry Potter: Magic Awakened comes ahead of the launch of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, a new game based on the fictional sport. That’s out on September 3 across PC and console.

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.

Star Wars Outlaws Hotfix Address PC Stability Issues

Ubisoft has released a hotfix for the PC version of open world space game Star Wars Outlaws, which brings it to version 1.1.1. and aims to improve performance.

The game’s offiical X/Twitter account posted to say version 1.1.1. would arrive for PC players only and look to address “known issues” including VRAM improvements and overall stability improvements.

“Thank you for continuing to share your feedback to us – we hear you and we’re working hard to make sure the Outer Rim is the best it can be for you to explore,” Ubisoft said.

Star Wars Outlaws launched August 27, 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC for those willing to spend $109.99 on the Gold Edition, $129.99 on the Ultimate Edition, or $17.99 a month for the Ubisoft Plus subscription service. The $69.99 Standard Edition arrived three days later on August 30.

Falling more in line with the Star Wars Jedi series compared to the likes of Star Wars Battlefront or Star Wars Squadrons, Star Wars Outlaws is a solely single-player experience that puts players in the shoes of wannabe scoundrel Kay Vess as she looks to make her mark on the galaxy far, far away.

Things haven’t gone incredibly smooth so far, however, as an update caused some PS5 players to restart their game after paying extra to play early, and were left with middling compensation from Ubisoft as an apology.

In our 7/10 review of the game, IGN said: “Star Wars Outlaws is a fun intergalactic heist adventure with great exploration, but it’s hindered by simple stealth, repetitive combat, and a few too many bugs at launch.”

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

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Trailer Explores the Spooky Still World and Link-Like Combat

Nintendo has shared another lengthy trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, this time focusing on the spooky Still World and Link-like combat.

The trailer lasts around five minutes and outlines the purple voids shown in the reveal trailer for Echoes of Wisdom, in which both Zelda’s father the King of Hyrule and the usual hero Link get trapped. This place is called the Still World and players must navigate it as Zelda to save Hyrule.

The levels here have Zelda traversing over destroyed land floating in space and exploring more dangerous dungeons. Nasty bosses are usually at the end of these, and the trailer shows Zelda fighting them in different ways with her Echoes, which are recreations of objects and creatures encountered on the adventure. Myriad different biomes are available in the Still World, including lava zones, underwater areas, and more.

Zelda also has access to something called Sword Fighter Form, which essentially turns her into usual The Legend of Zelda protagonist Link. She can only enter this form for a short amount of time, but doing so sees her don a sword and shield and even a little hat.

The trailer also shows off someone called Dampè, a Hyrule residents who makes clockwork gizmos called automatons. These metal beasties can be summoned by Zelda and wound up to be used in combat and many other situations in the game.

Echoes of Wisdom was revealed on June 18, 2024 with a release date just a few months later: September 26. It features brand new gameplay styles using Zelda’s skillset and promises huge levels of variance between playthroughs.

Fans quickly began working out when and where in the Zelda timeline it takes place, but fan theories reached new heights when Echoes of Wisdom’s ESRB rating revealed Link as a playable character after all.

Nintendo released another lengthy trailer earlier in August, focusing on the overworld of Hyrule and how players can navigate it.

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

Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Trailer Introduces Us To The ‘Still World’ And Dungeons

It’s still dark in there.

Nintendo has dropped a brand new trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and we finally know a little bit more about those rifts that cover Hyrule.

The Still World is a brand new location that probably reminds you of the Dark World by its name alone, but it’s a little bit more than that. In these rifts, Hyrule is literally torn apart, with people and objects floating in mid-air, frozen in time forever.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 2 to 6

Next Week on Xbox - Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 2 to 6

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! This weekly feature highlights all the games arriving soon on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass. Discover more about these upcoming titles below and explore their profiles for additional information (note that release dates are subject to change). Let’s dive in!


Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Deluxe Edition

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Deluxe Edition

Warner Bros. Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$39.99
Pre-order

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions – September 3

Take to the sky as one of the classic positions — Chaser, Seeker, Keeper, or Beater — each with their own unique play style. Soar into legendary Quidditch arenas, as well as maps that showcase never-before-seen areas of the wizarding world.


Star Trucker

Star Trucker

Raw Fury

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Star Trucker – September 3

Available on day one with Game Pass! Hop into the driver’s seat of your rocket-powered big rig as you haul cargo, scavenge for salvage and interact with an eclectic cast of star-hopping truckers in this Americana-infused journey on the ultimate open road – space!


The Casting of Frank Stone™

The Casting of Frank Stone™

Behaviour Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$39.99
Pre-order

The Casting of Frank Stone – September 3

The storytelling prowess of Supermassive Games meets the Dead by Daylight universe in a haunting horror game that won’t soon be forgotten. The shadow of Frank Stone looms over Cedar Hills, a town forever altered by his violent past. As a group of young friends are about to discover, Stone’s blood-soaked legacy cuts deep, leaving scars across families, generations, and the very fabric of reality itself.


3XTINCTION

3XTINCTION

2BAD GAMES

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$9.99
Pre-order

3xtinction – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

3xtinction is an online co-op, top-down shooter with tactical and strategic elements. After a series of experiments on spiders gone wrong, the world is devastated by an outbreak. You and your friend will have to cooperate to complete missions. Prepare yourself before every wave, buy weapons, ammos and set up turrets to stay alive. Each wave, the Infected are more and more numerous.


Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition
Xbox Play Anywhere

Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$29.99
Pre-order

Age of Mythology: Retold – September 4 – Game Pass / Xbox Play Anywhere

Available on day one with Game Pass! From the creators of the award-winning Age of Empires franchise, Age of Mythology: Retold goes beyond history to a mythical age where gods, monsters, and humans collide. Combining the best elements of the beloved Age of Mythology with modern real-time strategy design and visuals, Retold is an epic and innovative experience for old and new players alike. Secure your domain, command legendary monsters, and call upon the power of the gods to crush your enemies.


Alpacapaca Dash

Alpacapaca Dash

Synnergy Circle Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Alpacapaca Dash – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A 2D run and shoot game where you are the last hope of saving the Alpaca World from eternal darkness! Control the last alpaca and run through the world, using your mighty Alpaca Beam to destroy evil your hooves to purify and restore the world to what it once was. Do you have what it takes to save the alpaca goddess?


Billy’s Game Show

Billy’s Game Show

Sometimes You

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★


$9.99

$7.99
Pre-order
Xbox One X Enhanced

Billy’s Game Show – September 4 – Xbox One X Enhanced

You’re the current contestant in a twisted game environment designed by Billy himself, for his own twisted enjoyment. Billy’s Game Show set is made for you to choose your own path, but remember, its Billy’s game, and he sets the rules.


Bunny Battle Nemesis Demo

Bunny Battle Nemesis Demo

DCF Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
10
★★★★★

Get it now

Bunny Battle Nemesis – September 4

Sci-fi, bloodthirsty bunnies, and the powers of a goddess at your disposal! This is Bunny Battle Nemesis. Experience intense action, explosions, and chaos as you defend the Bunny Kingdom from certain doom at the hands of a vengeful demigod and her army of mercenaries and robots. Pick between the servants of Ella, a powerful goddess from the DCF Universe and lay waste to hundreds of enemies with might and magic!


Elon and the Divine Proof (Xbox + Windows)

Elon and the Divine Proof (Xbox + Windows)

DERIK D.F

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$7.99
Pre-order

Elon and the Divine Proof – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Thoroughly explore every part of this beautiful, mysterious beach. Use all of Elon’s skills to perform acrobatic jumps, spins, wall jumps and, above all, his ability to glide without getting tired. You can reach high, distant and dangerous places.


Green Soldiers Heroes

Green Soldiers Heroes

DERIK DF

☆☆☆☆☆
23
★★★★★

$4.99
Get it now

Green Soldiers Heroes – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

After a long and intense war. The army has created a machine to regenerate the bodies of the best soldiers. But due to the chemicals used in the regeneration process, the soldiers’ skin turns greenish. Therefore, many of them do not return to society and live exclusively for military service.


Mining Mechs

Mining Mechs

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Mining Mechs – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Strange noises and weird activities have been detected underground and you’ve been called in to help! Mining Mechs is a retro 2D action game presented in fluid pixel art style! Commander a high-tech mining mech to dig deep into the earth and collect valuable resources. Sell those resources on the surface to earn money, which you’ll need to upgrade your mech or buy new ones.


Offroad Mechanic Simulator

Offroad Mechanic Simulator

PlayWay S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Offroad Mechanic Simulator – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

In Offroad Mechanic Simulator you are employed to modify off-road vehicles and prepare them for the toughest challenges they could face! Accept contracts that go well beyond standard repair jobs. Equip the client’s cars with the best parts that far exceed their original capabilities and make sure they’re ready to travel the most difficult terrains possible.


Super Snake Block DX

Super Snake Block DX

DERIK DF

☆☆☆☆☆
16
★★★★★

$4.99
Get it now

Super Snake Block DX – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Super Snake Block: Moves automatically and along the way there are coins, snake body parts, boxes, shield, magnet and scenery objects. Be careful with objects in the scenery. Even in the dark, the snake will lose body parts when colliding with solid objects.


The Holy Gosh Darn
Xbox Live

The Holy Gosh Darn

Yogscast Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

The Holy Gosh Darn – September 5 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Rewind time and save the future in this hilarious time-travelling adventure game. In six hours, Heaven will be destroyed. Unless you can save it. Use your powers of time travel to jump freely between the past and present across Heaven, Hell, Earth and Helheim.


Mudness Offroad - 4x4 Truck Car Simulator
Xbox Play Anywhere

Mudness Offroad – 4×4 Truck Car Simulator

Midnight Works

☆☆☆☆☆
5
★★★★★

$12.99
Get it now

Mudness Offroad 4×4 Truck Car Simulator – September 5 – Xbox Play Anywhere

Experience the ultimate offroad adventure with Mudness, where you’ll encounter a diverse range of vehicles from standard offroaders to monstrous trucks. Navigate a meticulously crafted map spanning three biomes – a treacherous muddy forest, expansive sandy quarry, and challenging snowy mountains.


Shogun Showdown

Shogun Showdown

Entalto Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Shogun Showdown – September 5 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Shogun Showdown is a turn-based combat game with rogue-like and deck-building elements. Position yourself and attack at the right time, upgrade your tiles and combo them to get ready to face the Shogun!


Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - Ultra Edition (Pre-order)

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Ultra Edition (Pre-order)

Focus Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$109.99
Pre-order

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Ultra Edition and Gold Edition – September 5

Embody the superhuman skill and brutality of a Space Marine, the greatest of the Emperor’s warriors. Hold at bay the horrors of the galaxy in epic battles on far-flung planets with your deadly abilities and devastating weaponry. Uncover dark secrets to drive back the everlasting night and prove your ultimate loyalty to humanity. Pre-order Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Ultra Edition or Gold Edition to play up to 4 days before release.


Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
Xbox Play Anywhere

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆
1
★★★★★

$39.99
Pre-order

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection – September 6 – Xbox Play Anywhere

Experience both Ace Attorney Investigations games in one gorgeous collection! Step into the shoes of Miles Edgeworth, that prosecutor of prosecutors from the Ace Attorney mainline games! Leave the courtroom behind as you walk with Edgeworth around the crime scene, gathering evidence and clues and talking with persons of interest. Use your wit and what you discover to solve tough, intriguing cases through logic and deduction.


Aero The Acro-Bat 2
Xbox Live

Aero The Acro-Bat 2

Ratalaika Games S.L.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Aero The Acro-Bat 2 – September 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

After managing to stop Edgar Ektor’s mad plans to destroy the world of amusement, Aero decides to investigate the madman’s museum of horror. Aero will need to escape the mysterious place he’s trapped in if he wants to stop Edgar Ektor’s new plan!


Live Factory
Xbox Live

Live Factory

17Studio LLC

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Live Factory – September 6

Explore an underground factory hidden from eyes, filled with dangers, secrets and spatial puzzles. Use your wits and reaction to reveal all the secrets!


NBA 2K25 Standard Edition

NBA 2K25 Standard Edition

2K

☆☆☆☆☆
55
★★★★★

$69.99
Pre-order

NBA 2K25 – September 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Compete your way as you define your legacy in MyCareer and MyTeam, and experience MyNBA and The W on Xbox Series X|S or MyLeague on Xbox One. Express your personality with an array of customization options and explore an all-new City (Xbox Series X|S) or urban metropolis in the Neighborhood (Xbox One). Bring your game to life with ProPlay on Xbox Series X|S, immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into engaging gameplay. Get up close and personal with your favorite NBA superstars and immerse yourself in the most authentic NBA experience to date. Pre-order to play up to two days early starting September 4, 2024, and receive 5,000 VC to spend in-game.


Ship Graveyard Simulator 2
Xbox Live

Ship Graveyard Simulator 2

Ultimate Games S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Ship Graveyard Simulator 2 – September 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Dust off your torch and hammer – it’s time to get back to work, you have a new job to do. Visit the new beach coast with the largest, biggest ship graveyard in the world, dismantle huge ship parts and collect tons of precious steel. Roll up your sleeves, it’s time to get back to the business.


SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection

SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection

Red Art Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★


$9.99

$7.99
Pre-order

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection – September 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection, discover three of the legendary Japanese publisher’s 8-bit games and play them in English for the first time ever: The Wing of Madoola, Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido, and Ripple Island.

The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 2 to 6 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s Photo Mode detailed

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 on PlayStation 5 is a stunning game, filled with jaw-dropping action sequences, breathtaking environments, and intense battles that are perfect for capturing glorious screenshots. With the Swarm Engine taking full advantage of the PlayStation 5 hardware, pushing it to its limits to display hundreds of enemies and rich sceneries all at once, you’ll experience what it means to be a soldier in the galactic war that is Warhammer 40,000 like never before. 

Capture yourself shredding Tyranids as towering structures fall in the background. Fight alongside the relentlessly courageous Imperial Guard as they defend the Recidious solar system. The Warhammer universe has never looked so rich. Whether you’re looking to immortalize a perfectly executed move or showcase the intricate details of your armor, Photo Mode is here to make it happen.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to become a master photographer in the grim darkness of the far future. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s PlayStation 5 Photo Mode is more than just a tool—it’s your canvas to create epic, dramatic, and awe-inspiring images. Start your journey as a Warhammer photographer!

Getting started with Photo Mode

You can enter Photo Mode directly from the pause screen during any single-player session. All you need to do is press the Square button and the game will automatically stop, giving you all the time you need to frame the perfect shot. Keep in mind that Photo Mode cannot be accessed during CGI or pre-calculated cutscenes, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial moments in the narrative.

Photo Mode offers a suite of intuitive tools to help you capture the perfect image, and it starts with the ways you can customize your Space Marines (and companions) to set them up just right before the money shot:

  • Character Visibility: Celebrating the sheer power and determination of Lieutenant Titus can sometimes require him to be the only subject of your screenshots, so you can choose to show or hide your AI companions with the Character Visibility function. That’s also true for Titus himself, if you’re looking to capture his battle-brothers Chairon and/or Gadriel.
  • Helmet Visibility: Some Space Marines among you like to feel the last breaths of their enemies on their skin during combat while others prefer the extra safety and the fierce look of a Primaris Marine’s helmet. Choose whether or not to equip it in your shots with the Helmet Visibility function.
  • Facial Expressions: Add some personality to all the Space Marines in your shots with customizable facial expressions. Along with the standard Default, Helmet, and a range of intense emotions like an angry stare, a satisfied grin and more are available for you to play with.

Camera controls

Mastering the camera is key to creating stunning images:

  • Free Camera Movement: Move the camera freely on all axes, but note that it cannot stray more than 10 meters from your character or clip through walls.
  • Rotation: Rotate the camera to find the perfect angle.
  • Vertical Movement: Adjust the camera height to get the best perspective.
  • Camera Roll: Turn the camera from -90 to +90 degrees around your characters.
  • Hide UI: Temporarily hide the Photo Mode interface for an unobstructed view.

If you’d like to revert all the changes and adjustments you made since entering Photo Mode, you may press Reset Changes to return to your original framing. When everything is to your taste, all you’ll have to do to snap your picture is hit the Share button and save it using the PlayStation 5 interface you know so well.

Lens adjustments

To achieve the cinematic look you’re after, Photo Mode includes several lens options:

  • Field of View (FOV): Adjust the FOV from 50 to 115 degrees. The default in-game setting is 73.7, but you can experiment with the full range to dramatically change the feel of your shot.
  • Depth of Field (DOF): Control the distance between the closest and furthest objects in focus, ranging from 0.3 to 50.0 (default is 5.0). This setting is crucial for creating those dreamy, blurred backgrounds.
  • Focus Distance: Set the distance at which objects are in sharp focus. The range is from 0.3 to 25.0, with the default set at 3.0.
  • Blur Intensity: Control the intensity of blur for out-of-focus objects, from 0% to 100%, with a default setting of 15%.

Image effects

Fine-tune the mood and style of your screenshots with a variety of effects. For those who may be new to Virtual Photography, there are a few important subtleties we’d like to explain to let you take full advantage of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s Photo Mode.

Brightness will control the overall brightness of the picture, meaning that all colors are affected at once as you brighten or darken your shot. On the contrary, Exposure will only affect the amount of light shining on your subjects and retain the colors’ true tones. Contrast allows you to increase or lower the colors’ sharpness of your shots, with either a clear difference between the bright light tones and deep dark ones or very little. Tweaking your screenshots’ Saturation setting lets you take a different approach. As with Exposure, you will be retaining the true nature of the colors and be able to play with their intensity, but an easy way to think about it is this: the more saturation you have, the less grey is in your colors and the more intense they’ll look. The less you have, the more colors will look faded and grey-ish versions of themselves.

You can also play with Bloom to blend colors at the edges of your characters and decor to obtain a blurry effect affecting your whole picture, making it distinct from the depth of field that really controls where you decide you set your primary focus and how deep you want it. Think of Bloom as how greasy do you want your camera’s lens to be  Let’s close this section with the Hue, Vignette and Film Grain settings. The first will allow you to shift all the colors in your shot at once while retaining their relative positions on the color spectrum. Your screenshots may look very different color-wise but all details will be kept. The second simply lets you add a dark tone at the edges of your picture that creeps inwards as you increase it. It’s a great way to focus people’s attention on the center of your frame while hiding some of the less interesting details around the sides. Finally, the last lets you add that authentic grainy look that you may know so well if you ever watch old motion pictures shot on film.

Filters and Overlays

In addition to the lens setting, the PlayStation 5 Photo Mode comes with a set of pre-set filters and customizable overlays:

  • Filters: Choose from Default, Monochrome, Sepia, Cold, or Warm filters to change the overall tone of your image.
  • Frames: Select from various frames like Letterbox, Bloody or Toxic to add a dramatic border to your shot.
  • Logos: Proudly display the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 or the Saber Interactive logos.

Saving Your Presets

Once you’ve found the perfect combination of settings, don’t worry about losing them. Photo Mode automatically saves your adjustments within the same game session. So you can exit and re-enter without losing your hard work.

When your screenshots are ready

Share your screenshots of the 41st millennium with your PlayStation friends or show your undying bravery to the world by sharing your bloodiest, most gruesome executions with the Share button on your DualSense controller. You may even post your creations directly to your social media accounts for all of the Space Marine 2 community to see! Once you’re back in the action, enjoy stunning 4K resolution at locked 30 frames per second with Space Marine 2’s Quality Mode or opt for a smooth 60 frames per second with our Performance Mode. This combination of visual fidelity and fluid performance not only enhances the gameplay experience but also elevates the potential of Photo Mode, as you may switch between the two to increase the level of detail and overall quality.

We can’t wait to see what creations you’ll come up with, Astartes.

For the Emperor!

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 releases on PlayStation 5 on September 9. Pre-order the Gold or Ultra Editions to play up to 4 days early and receive new cosmetics after release by purchasing the game’s Season Pass.

Deadlock Gets Major Patch Adding Wall Jumping and Much More

Valve has released a major patch for its invite only hero shooter Deadlock which adds wall jumping and much more.

Though it only comes in at 683MB, the patch includes a long list of changes large and small. Wall jumping is perhaps the most notable and exciting additions, and players can do so without consuming stamina by pushing their input direction away from the wall.

In addition, four teleporters have changed locations and will now remain closed for the first 10 minutes, two bounce pads have been added next to sideland walkers at the cultural center and courthouse, and several buildings have changed size to make their rooftops out of bounds. The full patch notes are available below.

Deadlock is a six versus six, third person hero shooter with a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) twist, taking inspiration from genre classics such as Leage of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm.

Valve seemingly looked to keep it a secret for weeks despite data showing that thousands of players were already online, but has now acknowledged its existence proper with an official Steam page. It’s still invite only, however, with players only able to join if invited directly by Valve or referred by someone already playing.

It’s a certified hit despite this, having already crossed 100,000 concurrent players. Data from player tracking website SteamDB shows Deadlock crossed the 100,000 milestone on August 29, 2024, with exactly 106,447 players online at the same time

Deadlock 8-29-24 Update Patch Notes

[ General Changes ]

  • Added a new Profile page that displays a breakdown of recent matches and all-time player and hero statistics (Note: the newly added stats ‘Souls Collected’ and ‘Healing’ are starting at 0 for all players)
  • Added Report button to ESC menu player list to allow reporting of teammates in-game
  • Improved visibility of report button on post-game screen
  • You can now drag-and-drop items between categories in Builds
  • Added search to the Public Builds list, you can search by keyword within build names
  • Newly published hero builds now store the language of the build
  • Added ‘Show All Languages’ checkbox in Public Builds list, can be unchecked to only see builds in your language
  • Fixed issue with builds list not updating when changing between heroes in sandbox
  • Added localization support for German, Polish, and Korean.
  • Matchmaking window is now open 1 hour earlier on weekdays and weekends
  • Players can only pause once per game
  • A team can only pause at most 3 times in total amongst all the players
  • The game application now flashes when the game is unpaused
  • Various client and server performance improvements
  • Added streamer setting to the options panel. Causes player names in the game UI panels to be hidden.
  • Added a Melee Trainer bot in the ‘gym’ area of hero sandbox
  • Added new “Game out of Date” status message at the top of the hud, so you can quickly know when there is an update rather than finding out at queue time
  • Added a checkbox on the post game survey to make it not show again in the future
  • Items now show their spirit power impact when using alt
  • Fixed profile match history not remembering the history page you were on
  • Added Heal Amp and Debuff Resist to the Vitality stats in the shop
  • Hero details on the dashboard now show spirit information with alt, rather than requiring you to be in-game (this was added in a hotfix patch recently)
  • The game will now prevent any quick ability upgrades for 2 seconds after death, to help prevent against accidental upgrades
  • Can now reliably spectate a friend’s game via the Friendlist
  • Miscellaneous fixes to friends and party menus
  • Added unavailable state to Zipline UI when zipline is on damage cooldown
  • Spectating controls now use Left/Right mouse buttons to switch between players on a team and space to switch teams. This now works with free cursor mode, and you can still click on portraits/minimap to spectate individual heroes.
  • Added new respawn countdown music 5 seconds before respawn
  • Added alternate shop music which plays in the neutral shop
  • Spectator count is now shown in-game
  • Player names are now shown to spectators
  • Added object motion blur
  • Optimized performance of distance field ambient occlusion
  • Fixed selling an item not removing charges correctly. Now you can’t buy Extra Charge and immediately sell it and keep that readied charge.
  • Fixed some tooltips not showing golden statue bonuses if it wasn’t the direct stat (i.e. you got fire rate but bullets per second didn’t show the golden statue)
  • Fixed Sharpshooter showing up in stats for bullet velocity even though it doesn’t increase your bullet velocity
  • Fixed a bug that caused items in the build page to not be dimmed when the shop was out of range
  • Fixed bug with Lash not hearing his own Ground Strike impact explosion sound
  • Added new effects for Withering Whip
  • Updated Ethereal Shift effects
  • Fixed the disarmed spinner not showing up on your crosshair when you get disarmed
  • Fixed parts of Shiv’s coat being considered a headshot
  • Build list will now refresh if you change heroes in the sandbox
  • Fixed Zipline speed from Base Guardian killing and Zip booster ability not stacking properly
  • Fixed Base Guardian boost not properly doing its ramp up and instead instantly being fast
  • Added custom effects for Abram’s Seismic Impact T3 buff
  • Fixed a bug where someone could be holding down M1 and still be attacking when the magic carpet arrives
  • Updated Lash Grapple cast sound
  • Added Decay impact sound
  • Removed wind and city ambient looping sounds
  • Volume and playback tweaks to one shot ambient sounds
  • Removed vent sounds in places where vents had been removed
  • Fixed some spectator music bugs
  • Updated negative feedback sound for clarity
  • Added hit confirm audio functionality to Warden’s Alchemical Flask
  • Updated Majestic Leap sound
  • Updated bounce pad sound
  • Improved some Binding Word effects to be less noisy
  • Increased charged melee volume and falloff for victims
  • Reduced likelihood of irrelevant announcer and hero dialog lines playing during combat exchanges
  • Improved clarity of Dynamo Singularity sound for team and opponents
  • Updated Viscous primary fire sound
  • Soul jar return effect tinted red like minimap to make it more clear it’s the return location
  • Player’s low health screen effect more visible for longer if you’re below 20% of your max HP
  • Teleporter model and effect updated
  • Updated Alchemical Flask projectile effect
  • Fixed Bebop being able to sprint while his gun is spun up
  • Added new voice content for Seven and Lash
  • Added Shadow Weave cast and ambush sounds
  • Fixed bullets hitting the world immediately when looking sharply upward
  • Fixed Sinner’s Sacrifice not always correctly animating
  • Fixed an issue where some kill lines that were only intended for the killer were playing for the victim as well (killstreak taunts still play for everyone)
  • Some heroes can now comment on being alone in enemy territory, losing sight of an injured enemy, or leaving their teammates alone in a lane
  • Fixed a bunch of minor typos / grammar errors in various texts
  • Added ‘Express’ state to zipline indicators when speed had increased from defeating Enemy Base Guardians

[ Misc Gameplay ]

  • Added wall jumping (does not consume stamina, requires input direction away from the wall, can be done once)
  • Moved a flex slot from “Set of enemy Base Guardians” to “All Enemy Lane Guardians”
  • Added ropes to some buildings to let you climb up (hold jump button to latch onto them). Can shoot while hanging on them.
  • A pair of teleporters has been added to the outer lanes at the midpoint (near the three red neutral creeps)
  • Four teleporters have changed locations
  • The upper floor teleporters have moved to the street level
  • The interior teleporters have moved to the Bodega building and the Theater
  • Teleporters are closed for the first 10 minutes (they look visually closed)
  • Guardians no longer give 1 AP
  • AP is now added to the following Soul levels: 3500, 5200, 8000, 9700
  • Parry cooldown reduced from 6s to 5s
  • Urn delivery sprint bonus increased from +2 to +3
  • Walker min range to attack increased from 30m to 32m
  • Golden Statues drop rate increased by 6%
  • Replaced some bounce pads with ropes if the purpose was to go straight up
  • Added two bounce pads next to sidelane walkers at cultural center and courthouse
  • Added bounce pad from the Amber Orange/Sapphire Blue Walker walkway to the low roofs toward the Walker.
  • Removed some rooftop zap volumes that damage players
  • Several buildings have been made taller to make their rooftops out of bounds
  • Several buildings have been made shorter to make them more accessible
  • A few of the buildings have new passageways at higher floors that are along the way to the rooftop
  • Breakable containers have been added to the new playable rooftops
  • Juke closets have replaced the previous location of the upper floor teleporters
  • The half of the underground tunnel towards the outer lanes has been made wider
  • Tunnel walls now have the color of the lane that the exit is closest to
  • Removed the archway leading to the underground shop
  • Placed temporary signage for interior buildings and storefronts for future reference
  • Two upper floor juke spots have been converted to passages through buildings
  • Added a new upper floor juke spot to each side
  • Stairwell from Amber Orange/Sapphire Blue Walker catwalk to the courtyard now less cramped
  • Lowered the statue pedestals in the inner lanes outside of Mid

[ Weapon Items ]

  • Monster Rounds: Bullet Resist vs NPC increased from 30% to 35%
  • Hollow Point Rounds: Spirit Shield increased from +80 to +85
  • Restorative Shot: Heal from heroes increased from 30 to 35
  • High-Velocity Mag: Bullet Velocity reduced from +35% to +30% (now has an upgrade)
  • Active Reload: Lifesteal reduced from 30% to 22%
  • Active Reload: Buff duration reduced from 8s to 7s
  • Kinetic Dash: Active Fire Rate reduced from 30% to 25%
  • Long Range: Now grants +90 Bullet Shield
  • Melee Charge: Now grants +1 HP regen
  • Swift Striker: Now grants +10% Ammo
  • Titanic Magazine: Bullet Armor increased from 10% to 15%
  • Toxic Bullets: Heal Reduction increased from -55% to -65%
  • Toxic Bullets: Bleed damage reduced from 6% to 5%
  • Toxic Bullets: Now grants +100 Health
  • Intensifying Magazine: Now steadily ramps back down to 0% when you stop shooting rather than instantly emptying
  • Warp Stone: Active Bullet Resistance reduced from 40% to 30%
  • Sharpshooter: Now grants +175 Bullet Shield
  • Sharpshooter: No longer provides bonus headshot damage
  • Sharpshooter: Weapon damage increased from 60% to 70%
  • Burst Fire: Active duration increased from 3s to 4s
  • Escalating Resilience: Max Bullet Resist increased from 36% to 40%
  • Alchemical Fire: Cooldown reduced from 28s to 26s
  • Heroic Aura: Active duration increased from 5s to 6s
  • Added new T3 Weapon Item, Headhunter: Requires High-Velocity Mag. Grants +50% Bullet Velocity, +15% Weapon Damage and +150 Bullet Shield. Passive cooldown: Landing a headshot on heroes deals bonus +140 Damage, heals you for +8% Max HP and grants +2 m/s for 3 seconds. Cooldown: 6 seconds.
  • Siphon Bullets: Weapon Damage reduced from 40% to 28%
  • Frenzy: Ammo increased from +9 to +12
  • Lucky Shot: Proc chance increased from 30% to 35%
  • Ricochet: Bounce damage increased from 50% to 60%
  • Ricochet: Fixed not applying spirit bonus damage from Vindicta and Wraith abilities

[ Vitality Items ]

  • Melee Lifesteal: Effectiveness vs non-heroes increased from 35% to 40%
  • Healing Rite: Cooldown reduced from 65s to 60s
  • Divine Barrier: No longer grants +7% Bullet Resist
  • Divine Barrier: No longer grants +1.5 Health Regen
  • Divine Barrier: Now grants +1 Sprint
  • Divine Barrier: Now grants +75 Health
  • Divine Barrier: Now grants +8% Ability Range
  • Combat Barrier: Now also grants +8% Fire Rate while active
  • Enchanter’s Barrer: Now also grants +8% Cooldown Reduction while active
  • Reactive Barrier: Duration reduced from 13s to 9s
  • Healing Booster: Now has also 15% Heal Reduction Resist (Leech no longer has it)
  • Healing Booster: No longer has +6% Bullet Resist
  • Superior Stamina: Air Jump/Dash Distance reduced from +40% to +30%
  • Metal Skin: Cooldown reduced from 25s to 22s
  • Rescue Beam: Channel duration reduced from 3s to 2.5s
  • Lifestrike: Effectiveness vs non-heroes increased from 35% to 40%
  • Fortitude: Damage taken duration threshold reduced from 12s to 11s
  • Veil Walker: Cooldown reduced from 18s to 17s
  • Majestic Leap: Cooldown reduced from 26s to 24s
  • Leech: No longer has 30% Heal Reduction Resist
  • Unstoppable: Can now be cast while channeling
  • Unstoppable: Cooldown reduced from 65s to 60s
  • Soul Rebirth: Cooldown reduction increased from +15% to +18%
  • Soul Rebirth: Now grants +12 Spirit
  • Soul Rebirth: Fixed being able to purchase globally during its brief respawn period
  • Soul Rebirth: Fixed the camera moving away from the player if you will respawn, rather than following the ragdoll
  • Colossus: Slow increased from 25% to 35%
  • Shadow Weave: Spirit Shield health increased from +200 to +300
  • Shadow Weave: Spot radius reduced from 20m to 18m
  • Phantom Strike: Cast range reduced from 30m to 25m

[ Spirit Items ]

  • Ammo Scavenger: Health increased from +50 to +60
  • Extra Charge: Cooldown reduction increased from +8% to +10%
  • Spirit Strike: Debuff duration increased from 8s to 13s
  • Spirit Strike: Spirit Shield increased from +85 to +100
  • Extra Spirit: Health increased from +25 to +35
  • Withering Whip: No longer grants +20% Ammo
  • Withering Whip: Now grants +8% Fire Rate
  • Withering Whip: Fire Rate slow reduced from -40% to -30%
  • Withering Whip: Cooldown reduced from 40s to 25s
  • Quicksilver: No longer has +10% Reload Time
  • Suppressor: Health regen reduced from 3 to 2.5
  • Suppressor: Fire Rate reduction reduced from -30% to -25%
  • Improved Cooldown: Cooldown Reduction increased from 15% to 16%
  • Duration Extender: Health regen increased from 1.5 to 1.75
  • Slowing Hex: Projectile speed increased by 30%
  • Slowing Hex: Cooldown reduced from 27s to 25s
  • Rapid Recharge: Charge count reduced from +3 to +2
  • Rapid Recharge: Faster Time Between Charges increased from +40% to +55%
  • Rapid Recharge: Cooldown for charged abilities increased from +20% to +25%
  • Knockdown: Delay reduced from 3s to 2s
  • Knockdown: Stun reduced from 1.25s to 0.9s
  • Knockdown: Cast range increased from 35m to 45m
  • Silence Glyph: Duration reduced from 3.5s to 3s
  • Torment Pulse: Spirit damage scaling increased from 0.2 to 0.24
  • Surge of Power: Imbued Ability Spirit Power increased from +28 to +34
  • Superior Duration: Non-Imbued duration increased from +24% to +26%
  • Improved Spirit: Health Regen increased from 2 to 3
  • Improved Spirit: Health increased from +75 to +100
  • Improved Reach: Spirit Resist increased from +10% to +12%
  • Curse: Duration reduced from 3.5 to 3.25
  • Magic Carpet: You are now unslowable while on the Magic Carpet
  • Magic Carpet: Cooldown reduced from 40s to 30s
  • Magic Carpet: Barriers now last for 16s
  • Echo Shard: Now grants +8 Spirit Power
  • Escalating Exposure: Base Spirit Resist reduction increased from -12% to -15%
  • Refresher: Now grants +8% Bullet Resist
  • Boundless Spirit: Sprint reduced from +4 to +3
  • Boundless Spirit: Now grants +25% Weapon Damage

[ Heroes ]

  • Abrams: Infernal Resilience Regeneration Time increased from 16s to 18s (this is a nerf)
  • Abrams: Now does pull ups on the zipline once again (this is a buff)
  • Abrams: Fixed Shoulder Charge sometimes stunning enemies on stairs
  • Abrams: Fixed Seismic Impact sometimes not going to the area selected
  • Bebop: Gun range increased from 30m to 32m
  • Bebop: Hook now only targets enemies when used by default. If you use with alt cast (middle mouse) it will be ally only mode.
  • Bebop: Hyper Beam can now be canceled by using Parry
  • Dynamo: Rejuvenating Aurora can now be canceled by using Parry
  • Dynamo: Fixed Kinetic Pulse not traveling properly when cast near corners
  • Dynamo: Gun damage reduced from 15 to 13
  • Dynamo: Singularity cast time increased from 0.1 to 0.2
  • Dynamo: Singularity range reduced from 9m to 8m
  • Grey Talon: Charged Shot collision size reduced by 8%
  • Grey Talon: Charged Shot base damage reduced from 105 to 100
  • Grey Talon: Charged Shot T2 reduced from +70 to +65
  • Grey Talon: Fire Rate now scales with Spirit (0.25)
  • Grey Talon: Can now use multiple air dashes while using Rain of Fire
  • Grey Talon: Immobilizing Trap root duration reduced from 2s to 1.25s
  • Grey Talon: Immobilizing Trap now applies a 50% movement slow for 1 seconds after the root
  • Grey Talon: Immobilizing Trap T2 changed from +1s Root to +2s Slow
  • Haze: Base bullet damage increased from 5.3 to 5.6
  • Haze: Sleep Dagger impact damage happens immediately, rather than after the brief drowsy period
  • Haze: Sleep Dagger drowsy period before sleep kicks in increased from 0.25 to 0.35
  • Haze: Sleep Dagger cooldown reduced from 27s to 25s
  • Haze: Smoke Bomb radius reduced from 20m to 18m
  • Haze: Fixation T2 max stacks increased from +30 to +40
  • Haze: Bullet Dance now provides +2 Weapon Damage in the base ability (similar to the T1)
  • Infernus: Reduced vertical reach on Flame Dash dps
  • Infernus: Flame Dash speed is now affected by slows
  • Infernus: Flame Dash trail now gets wider with Ability Range bonus
  • Infernus: Flame Dash T1 duration reduced from 7s to 6s
  • Infernus: Catalyst Damage Amplification reduced from 30% to 25%
  • Infernus: Catalyst T3 Damage Amplification increased from +10% to +15%
  • Infernus: Catalyst T2 reduced from +20% Lifesteal to +15%
  • Ivy: Bullet damage growth per boon reduced from 0.55 to 0.5
  • Ivy: Health growth per boon reduced from +41 to +35
  • Ivy: Watcher’s Covenant T2 reduced from +3 m/s to +2
  • Ivy: Air Drop no longer silences allies
  • Ivy: Air Drop now causes allies to deal 50% less damage while being carried
  • Ivy: Air Drop movement adjusted to be a little less frantic
  • Ivy: Fixed Air Drop bomb disappearing if you cancel your ultimate after dropping it but before it lands
  • Ivy: Air Drop self cast cast time increased from 1s to 2s
  • Ivy: Air Drop max move speed reduced from 20 to 18
  • Ivy: During Air Drop flight you can pitch up and down with Dash/Crouch buttons
  • Ivy: Fixed getting stuck under bridges and in buildings while Air Drop flying
  • Kelvin: Bullet radius increased from 5 to 6
  • Kelvin: Base health growth per boon increased from +45 to +50
  • Kelvin: Arctic Beam max slow increased from 60% to 80%
  • Kelvin: Arctic Beam now affects soul orbs (secures/denies them)
  • Kelvin: Arctic Beam T3 range reduced from 15m to 13m
  • Kelvin: Fixed Ice Path jitter
  • Kelvin: Frost Grenade T2 Heal increased from 135 to 145
  • Lash: Improved firing arm position to be a little bit more out of the way from the reticle
  • Lash: Grapple no longer gives a stamina charge on use
  • Paradox: Fixed Paradoxical Swap still going through even if Paradox dies during it
  • Pocket: Barrage amp reduced from 8% to 7% per stack
  • Pocket: Fixed Barrage amp visual not showing properly
  • Seven: Static Charge radius increased from 5m to 6m
  • Seven: Static Charge T2 radius increased from +7m to +8m
  • Seven: Storm Cloud spirit power scaling reduced from 1.1 to 0.8
  • Seven: Storm Cloud time to reach maximum radius reduced from 6s to 3s
  • Seven: Storm Cloud Now provides +20% Bullet Resistance in the base ability
  • Shiv: Bullet damage growth per boon reduced from 0.5 to 0.4
  • Shiv: Gun falloff range reduced by 10%
  • Shiv: Health growth per boon reduced from +41 to +35
  • Shiv: Slice and Dice T2 reduced from +100 to +85
  • Shiv: Slice and Dice T3 now considers creeps for only half value
  • Shiv: Bloodletting deferred damage reduced from 35% to 30%
  • Shiv: The targeting UI for Shiv’s Killing Blow is now more clear about when the target will be killed
  • Vindicta: Stake duration reduced from 2.25s to 2s
  • Vindicta: Crow Familiar Spirit Power duration scaling reduced from 0.05 to 0.04
  • Vindicta: Fixed left clicks sometimes deselecting the ability when charges aren’t ready
  • Viscous: Primary Fire redesigned to make it more usable and have improved damage and scaling
  • Viscous: Now has an Alt Fire that has limited range, but deals AOE damage that cannot headshot
  • Viscous: Splatter Spirit Scaling increased from 1.4 to 1.5
  • Viscous: Splatter Damage on 2nd and 3rd hit increased from 66% and 33% to 70% and 50%
  • Viscous: Puddle Punch damage increased from 100% to 110% of Light Melee
  • Viscous: Puddle Punch T2 is now +50 damage and +20% movement slow (was -10s cooldown)
  • Viscous: Puddle Punch T3 is now -12s cooldown (was +80 damage and +20% movement slow)
  • Viscous: Puddle Punch: delay before punch increased from 0.25s to 0.35s
  • Viscous: Goo Ball Spirit Scaling increased from 1.05 to 1.3
  • Viscous: Goo Ball acceleration increased
  • Viscous: Goo Ball base turn radius and turn radius after bouncing has been increased
  • Viscous: Fixed a bug where Goo Ball would have the direction and trail particle stuck on
  • Warden: Base movement speed reduced from 6.5 to 6
  • Warden: Fire Rate scaling with spirit reduced from 0.375 Fire Rate per Spirit to 0.3
  • Yamato: Power Slash max damage time requirement reduced from 1.5s to 1.4s
  • Yamato: Power Slash collision radius reduced by 8%
  • Yamato: Crimson Slash radius increased from 12m to 13m
  • Yamato: Fixed being able to die during Shadow Transformation if hit by Grey Talon’s Owl
  • Yamato: Fixed some cases where Flying Strike could get into a stuck state
  • Yamato: Fixed some cases where Crimson Slash would appear to be cast when it wasn’t

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

Valve Shooter Deadlock Hits 100,000 Concurrents Despite Being Invite Only

Valve hero shooter Deadlock is a certified hit on Steam, somehow crossing 100,000 concurrent players while still being invite only.

Data from player tracking website SteamDB shows Deadlock crossed the 100,000 milestone on August 29, 2024, with exactly 106,447 players online at the same time. Its popularity has been steadily increasing throughout August and will surely continue to do so, especially as the weekend approaches.

But what makes Deadlock’s success particularly interesting and definitely strange is that it’s not officially out yet. Valve seemingly looked to keep the game a secret for weeks despite, again, SteamDB showing that thousands of players were already online.

It was released in this beta or playtesting equivalent state and still remains that way, with players only able to join if invited directly by Valve or referred by someone already playing. Those who did get in were asked to “not share anything about the game with anyone.”

Valve has actually acknowledged Deadlock’s existence now, however, by taking down that request and unveiling its official Steam page. “Deadlock is a multiplayer game in early development,” it says, still vaguely.

Deadlock is actually a six versus six, third person hero shooter with a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) twist, taking inspiration from genre classics such as Leage of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm.

Valve hasn’t shared when players can join freely or when a full release may come, but as its numbers grow, the “invite only” status becomes less and less meaningful.

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