Category: IGN

Treyarch and Raven Software have published a small update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 that fixes a number of issues across its Multiplayer and Zombies modes.

Activision posted the patch notes on its website today, bringing a list of changes ahead of Season 1’s launch later this month. This is the third patch to arrive since last weekend’s release and adds a host of tweaks and fixes for glitches big and small. Although the update largely focuses on Multiplayer and Zombies, it also includes a trio of universal touch-ups, including the removal of that pesky black screen glitch that has bothered players when trying to load into a match.

Today, in a sort of buried, sly wink kind of way, Rockstar Games announced it would finally bring PS5 and Xbox Series console features to the PC version of Grand Theft Auto Online sometime next year.

Hidden at the bottom of a GTA Online community update today, Rockstar said the following: “There is much more still to come, including ongoing weekly special events and bonuses, festive celebrations, gifts, surprises, as well as plans to bring the much-requested PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S features of GTA Online to the PC platform in the new year. Please stay tuned to the Rockstar Games Newswire for details.”

What this refers to are the features contained exclusively in the enhanced release of GTA 5 for PS5 and Xbox Series consoles that launched back in 2022. These included everything from graphics setting enhancements to actual new features, including quality of life improvements, a new intro and tutorial, new vehicle upgrades, and a lot more. There’s also character transfer features that allowed players to transfer story mode progress and GTA Online characters from prior gen systems to current-gen and even cross-platform, which suggests we may be able to similarly transfer progress to PC now too.

It’s an update that’s been due for several years now, and fans have been asking for it pretty much since the enhanced editions landed on console.

The rest of the community update, which talks about the stuff actually showing up in GTA Online for everyone in December, including new things to do at the Darnell Bros Garment Factory, new missions, vehicles, and some quality of life improvements.

It’s plenty to be getting on with while you wait for GTA 6, which we’ve learned is still a ways away, currently planned for fall of 2025. GTA 6, unfortunately, doesn’t have a PC version coming at release, but hopefully it will only be a matter of time.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Black Friday is undoubtedly the best time of year for picking up everything gaming-related. From standout releases of the past decade to recent Game of the Year contenders, almost nothing is off the table during this sales season. With November now underway, we’re on the cusp of seeing some major deals on the best PS5 games.

Here’s the scoop: Most major offers typically appear in the final two weeks of November, with the biggest deals concentrated around Black Friday week, from November 23 to Cyber Monday on December 2 this year. Given the lackluster sale events in 2024 so far, Black Friday feels primed to deliver in a big way for gamers. So, what PS5 game deals should we expect this Black Friday? Here’s what I’m hoping to see.

Sonic X Shadow Generations

It’s only been a short time since release, but hear me out. Sega has a history of offering early discounts on its games, even if they’re performing well. Just look at Sonic Frontiers, which saw a solid Black Friday discount the same year it launched.

So it wouldn’t be too surprising if Sonic X Shadow Generations gets similar treatment. It’s currently down to $39.99 at Woot, but we may see another reduction in the coming weeks. Notable leaker billbil_kun has even suggested the game could go for around €26.99 in Europe, hinting at a potentially hefty discount when Black Friday rolls around.

On a personal note, Shadow Generations is everything I hoped it would be. Sonic fans are in for a treat, and for everyone else, this is a perfect entry point into one of the best Sonic games to date. Plus, with Sonic 3 releasing in cinemas this Christmas, it’s a great time to dive into the Sonic universe – and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Elden Ring

Consistently topping our best PlayStation games list, Elden Ring is a must-play on any console – and a game that has already earned its place among the greatest of all time. This year, it gained even more depth with Shadow of the Erdtree, a new expansion set to challenge even the most seasoned Souls veterans.

Though Elden Ring has been out for a while, a truly epic deal has been elusive, often selling out fast when it does appear. This Black Friday, here’s hoping retailers bring Elden Ring (and ideally, the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition) to the table with a deal worth the wait.

Alan Wake 2

More people need to play Alan Wake 2. It was my personal Game of the Year for 2023 and one of the best horror games I’ve experienced in ages. It delivers a thrilling, terrifying ride with that signature Remedy charm woven throughout. Now available physically via the Deluxe Edition – which includes the Lake House and Night Springs DLCs – Black Friday would be a perfect time to offer a discount and get this gem into more players’ hands. Since it’s still a hefty price of $79.99 right now, let’s hope it’s on sale soon.

Astro Bot

It’s one of the biggest surprises of the year: Astro Bot is amazing. If you haven’t played it yet, please change that ASAP. Hopefully Black Friday can help assist in that matter and you can experience the sheer platforming brilliance that Asobi Team put together. It’s not been long since release, so I wouldn’t expect any massive discounts, but even just $10 off the game would be great going into the holidays.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Since its release last year, Spider-Man 2 has seen mixed reactions, despite being one of my favorite games of 2023 and even a serious Game of the Year contender. Unfortunately, enthusiasm for the game has waned, especially with Insomniac’s recent announcement that it’s moving on to its next project (likely Wolverine) without releasing any DLC for Spider-Man 2.

For me, though, it’s still a fantastic game, faults and all. Black Friday could be the perfect opportunity for more players to experience the special everyday moments that make the game memorable – like sitting by the lake with someone’s grandfather as he reminisces or helping Harold’s pigeons find a new home. These “friendly neighborhood” moments, along with the incredible swinging and smooth dynamic combat, make it an experience worth trying. If it goes on sale, I highly recommend picking it up. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is full of heart, and if you haven’t yet, it’s a ride you don’t want to miss.

Stellar Blade

Now, let’s shift to something a little more recent: Stellar Blade. This action-packed game, released earlier this year, hasn’t seen any significant discounts since launch. There was one brief deal a few weeks back, but it sold out fast, leaving many players waiting for a second chance to pick it up at a reasonable price. Black Friday could be the perfect opportunity for retailers to bring back a solid deal and let more people (and their Nan!) experience this fantastic game.

Resident Evil 4

One of last year’s standout games, the Resident Evil 4 remake, recently saw a fantastic price drop to just $19.99 – an incredible value for a game often considered one of the best of all time. Although that deal is still available, I’m especially hoping it continues (or maybe even gets cheaper?) for Black Friday. For now at $20, this game is a must-have, and it’s a deal that more people should jump on if it sticks around through Black Friday.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Yes, Alan Wake 2 was my Game of the Year last year, but Phantom Liberty is right up there as well. Though technically an expansion, Phantom Liberty feels like a complete game in itself, and it marks an impressive comeback for Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt RED has truly redeemed themselves, and Phantom Liberty is the icing on the cake. If this expansion drops in price for Black Friday, it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience one of the finest RPG additions in recent memory.

The Last of Us Part 1 and 2

Naughty Dog sure loves to re-release its games, and while I get it, here’s hoping for a serious price drop this Black Friday. Both Part 1 and Part 2 are incredible games, but a more accessible price could bring in new players, especially with HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 set to break our hearts all over again next year. A Black Friday discount would be the perfect way to gear up for the show’s return.

Star Wars Outlaws

If there’s a deal during Black Friday, it could be a good time to jump on Star Wars Outlaws, especially since Massive Entertainment have recently deployed update 1.2. It brought about a host of performance and gameplay enhancements on console and PC.

The publisher laid out everything new in title update 2 on its website, which introduced a bunch of visual improvements and bug fixes to Ubisoft’s open-world sci-fi game. Ubisoft emphasized that these updates were shaped by player feedback, reaffirming its commitment to closely listening as post-launch support for Star Wars Outlaws continues. While we’re at it, how about Star Wars: Jedi Survivor gets a Black Friday discount as well? Let’s wait and see.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Fellow deals expert Chris Reed was all in on Space Marine 2, saying in his review, “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 may not break the third-person shooter mold, but it looks amazing, makes good use of its Warhammer lore, and has brutal combat that just feels great.”

Now that the dust has settled, Black Friday could be an ideal time to put this thrilling third-person shooter into even more hands for the holiday season. Got a Warhammer fan in your life who hasn’t played it yet? If this goes on sale, you’re looking at a perfect gift idea. Fingers crossed – Space Marine 2 would make an incredible find under the tree this year.

That’s all she wrote! Notice any big games that I’ve missed off the list? Let us know below in the comments what you’d like to see on sale over Black Friday this year.

Looking for deals right now? Have a look at our roundup of the best PlayStation deals to see the biggest discounts available today. Or, if you’d like to see what’s caught our eye on other platforms, have a look at our individual roundups of the best Nintendo Switch deals and the best Xbox deals or our overall look at the best video game deals.

When Is Black Friday 2024?

The actual date of Black Friday in 2024 falls on November 29 this year, but the deals season will begin a lot sooner than that. Leading up to the big event, retailers will begin to open deals online. This usually starts in the last week of October, just before Halloween. Each week leading up to the event will slowly roll out more deals, which ultimately leads to Black Friday. Retailers will not reveal their biggest Black Friday deals until the big day, but most general deals will be available well in advance. Walmart, for example, has announced its official sale for November 11 this year.

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

Pokemon TCG Pocket launched earlier this week, and players are already falling in love with a certain Pokemon. He’s cute, he’s mighty, and he has great deck utility (and great duck utility)…it’s Farfetch’d!

For those who aren’t playing Pocket, it’s essentially a card collecting/pack opening sim with the ability to play a truncated version of the Pokemon TCG. The rules are simpler, the battles are shorter, and it’s a lot easier to build an interesting competitive deck due to the game being free-to-play and the availability of booster packs for players who don’t spend any money.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is undoubtedly one of the biggest new releases of 2024. Hot on the heels of the game itself is Dark Horse’s latest video game-themed artbook, The Art of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. And with that book hitting stores in a matter of days, IGN can exclusively reveal a new preview.

Check out the slideshow gallery below to see several interior pages from The Art of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, showcasing some of the wealth of concept art and behind-the-scenes material in this massive hardcover:

Here’s Dark Horse’s official description for the book:

Explore the world of BioWare’s latest immersive fantasy RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, with this incredible, oversized art book! Uncover the secrets of Thedas and experience the world through new eyes with stunning concept art.

Throughout this book, readers will see characters as you’ve never seen them before, from concept to final design. Fans can explore the world and varied cultures of Thedas with splash art designs and props from the beautiful locales in the game, and inspect the armory, examining in detail hundreds of weapons and armor pieces.

Created in collaboration with the developers at BioWare, this art book showcases the painstaking detail with which Thedas has been lovingly crafted.

The Art of Dragon Age: The Veilguard is priced at $49.99 for the standard hardcover and $99.99 for the deluxe edition (which includes bonus goodies like a foil-stamped cover and slipcase and two lithograph art prints). It’ll be released on November 5 in bookstores and November 6 in comic shops. You can preorder both versions below:

• Preorder The Art of Dragon Age: The Veilguard here.
• Preorder The Art of Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Deluxe Edition) here.

In IGN’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard review, writer Leana Hafer scored the game a 9 out of 10, saying “Dragon Age: The Veilguard refreshes and reinvigorates a storied series that stumbled through its middle years, and leaves no doubt that it deserves its place in the RPG pantheon. The next Mass Effect is going to have a very tough act to follow, which is not something I ever imagined I’d be saying before I got swept away on this adventure. Enjoyable action combat, a fantastic cast of allies with sweeping story arcs all their own, top-notch cinematics, and moving, nuanced character writing are the wings on which this triumphant dragon soars, pulling out all the stops in a whirlwind tour of Northern Thedas and capping it with a terrific finale that’s built on memorably tough choices and consequences. If we never get another Dragon Age, at least it got to go out on a high note.”

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Good morning, happy Monster Hunter Wilds beta day! And what a day it is! A quick glance at SteamDB this morning indicates that a lot of people are playing the Monster Hunter Wilds beta this morning: over 463k at some point in the last 24 hours, with plenty of room to grow further over the weekend.

As of this morning, the Monster Hunter Wilds beta is currently the fourth most-played game on Steam, behind only Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, and Dota 2. It’s managed to surpass GTA 5, Call of Duty, Naraka: Bladepoint, and even Banana, the weird game that’s consistently had massive player counts for months despite just being a game about clicking bananas. Anyway, yes, Monster Hunter Wilds is more popular than clicking a banana.

That player count will likely only continue to grow over the weekend, as well, given that the current player count as I’m writing this at 5:45am PT on a Friday is 424k. Will Monster Hunter Wilds dethrone Dota 2? We’ll see!

The Monster Hunter Wilds beta has technically been out since October 28 on PS5 via an exclusive two-day early access period for PS Plus members, but it landed on PC, Xbox, and for the rest of PlayStation uses yesterday at 8am PT. It runs until November 3 at 7pm PT. The beta includes the character creator, with the ability to transfer characters to the full game, a bit of story content, and a full hunt for the monster Doshaguma.

In our most recent preview of the game back in August, we were pretty pleased with what we saw. We called it “a Monster Hunter that embraces the parts of Rise that made it so much more inviting, but also doesn’t shy away from the larger scale and spectacle that helped make World the more enduring entry.”

In case you’re waiting for the full release, Monster Hunter Wilds launches in full on February 28, 2025, and Capcom has shared the system requirements for PC players. We’ve already seen a number of trailers previewing what to expect, including a recent new monster reveal that’s…a farting pink ape? Neat?

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Alan Wake 2 continues to be a success for Remedy, with the company reporting today it has recouped “most” of the development and marketing cost of Alan Wake 2 as of the end of September.

In its quarterly earnings today, Remedy reported that while the game is not yet generating royalties, it’s close to fully recouping costs thanks to continued strong sales. The studio has released two expansions for Alan Wake 2 this year that have likely helped – Night Springs and, more recently, The Lake House.

Alan Wake 2 shifting to generating royalties seems inevitable, and will likely be a big deal for Remedy. It’s the company’s fastest-selling game so far, selling 1.3 million copies as of March 20 this year. Currently, the company’s only major sources of ongoing revenue are sales of Control and older Alan Wake games.

Fortunately, it’s getting infusions of cash from partner companies for the purpose of developing more games. For instance, Annapurna Pictures recently entered into a partnership with the studio that will fund 50% of the development of Control 2, while Annapurna creates film and TV spin-offs of Control and Alan Wake. Remedy reports that Control 2 development is on track to start full production in 2025, with a number of critical features already implemented.

As for Remedy’s other games in progress, Codename Condor, Remedy’s multiplayer Control spin-off, was announced recently as FBC: Firebreak. Remedy reports that Firebreak is still in full production, and focused on iterating on the core loop and implementing UI for player clarity based on playtesting feedback. Meanwhile, Max Payne 1&2 Remake is making “steady progress” in full production.

For the quarter, Remedy reported revenue up 128.6% year-over-year to €17.9 million ($19.4 million), largely due to the one-time payment from Annapurna Pictures to develop Control, as well as other development fees taken from other sources.

Alan Wake 2 itself seems excellent, netting a 9/10 from our reviewer who called it “a superb survival horror sequel that makes the cult-classic original seem like little more than a rough first draft by comparison.” Its most recent DLC, The Lake House, is also excellent, and appears to be teasing Control 2.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

It’s been close to three years since the January 2022 reveal of Showa American Story, whose B-movie style trailer depicting 1980s America as a colony of Japan became a viral hit.

Updates have been few and far between since then, but IGN can now exclusively reveal a new trailer along with a 2025 release window on PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam). The game genre is described as an “end of the century romantic RPG fantasy ensemble period drama”.

The dramatic trailer introduces new boss character named Shogun, a tough-looking villain who holds a shield like Captain America, a fluttering cape, and floats like Superman against the sunset. Elsewhere in the video, we see Shogun riding on the back of a pitch-black giraffe.

Creative Director XY.Luo told IGN, “Shogun is a boss character who stands 6 meters tall. He uses the giraffe’s long neck to strike, and he can also fly, throwing his shield to attack the player.”

Luo explained that the battle against such an oversized enemy who rides on the back of an even taller beast will create an epic scale reminiscent of Monster Hunter.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s launch has already made it EA’s biggest ever single-player game on Steam, topping the charts and beating out the concurrents for 2023’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

At the time of publication, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s peak was about 70,414 concurrents, putting it just outside the top 10 most played games on the platform with mostly positive reviews. It sits one spot ahead of Baldur’s Gate 3, which continues to enjoy ongoing success thanks to the introduction of mods and other new features. EA previous high watermark was Jedi Survivor, which managed an all-time peak of 67,855.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson predicted success for Dragon Age during Tuesday’s earnings call, saying that BioWare had “returned to its strengths,” and that it would be benefit from limited competition thanks to Ubisoft’s decision to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

We wrote in our own review, “Dragon Age: The Veilguard refreshes and reinvigorates a storied series that stumbled through its middle years, and leaves no doubt that it deserves its place in the RPG pantheon. The next Mass Effect is going to have a very tough act to follow, which is not something I ever imagined I’d be saying before I got swept away on this adventure.”

Overall it’s a solid start for BioWare’s new RPG given that it launched on a day when most of its fans are either at work or in school. It’ll be worth keeping an eye on its performance heading into its first full weekend as players properly dig into the first new Dragon Age release since 2014.

For more, check out our guide to Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s major choices and consequences as well as our romance guide.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

The House of the Dead will be the latest video game to head to the big screen, and it’s got a seasoned adaptation director at the helm.

Per a Deadline report on Thursday, Paul W.S. Anderson will write and direct the big-screen version of The House of the Dead, the Sega horror shooter series. He’ll also be producing alongside his longtime creative partner Jeremy Bolt.

And it seems Anderson just can’t stay away from this genre, with The House of the Dead marking his fourth adaptation of a video game property. Previously, Anderson directed Mortal Kombat (1995), Resident Evil (2002), and most recently Monster Hunter (2020).