Is the new Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, too difficult? Opinions are mixed, but fortunately, there are many options to make the DLC more doable if you’re struggling. One of them that’s particularly beloved by the community right now is one of the new weapons introduced in said DLC: thrusting shields.
The Elden Ring community has reached a consensus: these shields are good. Real good. There are dozens of threads on the Elden Ringsubredditpraising themover the last few weeks, with one thread in particular shooting to the top of the subreddit in recent days with the following subject: “New Thrusting shields are the strongest weapons in the entire game and it’s not even close. NG+ DLC was absolutely obliterated. Thrusting shields can be enchanted with any affinity/damage type that makes them extremely versatile. And it’s just so much fun to slap the grace out of every single boss!”
Based on all the upvotes and comments, the community agrees. Some people are even suggesting the shields are too good, and that they’re bugged, though other players insist their excellence is intended behavior.
If you’re not familiar with thrusting shields, this new weapon type was added in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC along with other weapons like perfume bottles, hand-to-hand arts, and throwing blades. Unfortunately, there are only two of these shields in the entire game: the Dueling Shield and the Carian Thrusting Shield. These shields allow players to both attack and defend at once, and two-handed thrusting shield builds are especially powerful, allowing players to perform lunging stabs that deal major damage, all while still guarding from enemy attacks. And when you throw certain talisman or flask benefits on top of that (such as the Two-Handed Sword Talisman or the Deflecting Hardtear), the build becomes even more powerful.
Regardless of how you feel about the thrusting shield build, it was inevitable that with time and practice people would find ridiculous new build combos in Shadow of the Erdtree that allow for “cheese” boss strats. Brutal as the expansion can be, tricks like this can help players push through its most challenging fights. That, or just finding enough Scadutree Fragments like everyone keeps telling them to.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
The third-person sci-fi shooter Goddess of Victory: Nikke is teaming up with Dave the Diver for a collaborative event. The event launches with the summer update on July 4, and perfect for summertime, it adds a brand-new minigame set underwater that combines the gameplay of Dave the Diver with the characters of Nikke.
If you haven’t had the chance to check out Goddess of Victory: Nikke yet, it’s a free-to-play RPG available on iOS, Android, and PC. You play as a commander leading a squad of soldiers called Nikkes into battle against alien invaders. You can switch between Nikkes to fire their respective guns or use their unique abilities to complete missions in an effort to take back Earth.
Nikke’s latest collab is with Dave the Diver, an action-adventure game that has you spend your days diving into an ever-changing body of water and using a harpoon gun to catch fish of varying types and sizes. You then spend your nights working at a local sushi restaurant, where you determine the menu based on what fish you caught.
To celebrate their new collaboration, Yoo HyungSuk — Director of Goddess of Victory: Nikke — and Jaeho Hwang — Director of Dave The Diver — answered some questions about what brought them together, their plans for the future, and more.
Can you share the story behind Nikke’s collaboration with Dave the Diver? How did this opportunity arise?
Yoo HyungSuk: Nikke and Dave the Diver are both games developed in Korea. We happened to discuss a collaboration because our Nikke team generally loves creative games, and naturally, we also enjoyed playing Dave the Diver. Additionally, Dave the Diver combines casual management gameplay with its diving mechanics, making it an excellent fusion of different gameplay styles. Nikke has also continuously tried to bring new experiences to players through various types of casual minigames in different versions, including a survival minigame for its first anniversary and a tower defense minigame for its 1.5-year anniversary. We hope to bring players different experiences by collaborating with Dave the Diver and learning from their expertise. So we’re honored to have this collaboration project.
Were your team members familiar with Nikke before the collaboration?
Jaeho Hwang: Many of us in the team are players of Nikke, so when we received the collaboration proposal, it’s fair to say we felt both anticipation and concern. This is because the platforms and art styles of the two games are quite different. Previously, Nikke collaborations have mainly focused on storytelling and characters, but we were curious about how this collaboration could integrate Dave’s gameplay into Nikke.
However, after receiving the test build, we saw that the Nikke development team had blended Dave and Nikke very well, creating a wonderful synergy between the two games. We are deeply grateful for this and are even more excited about this collaboration event.
What is the idea behind each collaboration with Nikke?
Yoo HyungSuk: Our goal is to maximize the enjoyment of the collaborative IP as much as possible. While we are creators of these games and cultural content, we are first and foremost users of games and cultural content. We respect the works we collaborate with and hope that through Nikke, you can once again experience the intentions and fun of the original work. We look forward to more diverse and exciting collaboration opportunities in the future.
Will there be any special events or activities in Dave the Diver to complement this collaboration?
Jaeho Hwang: Of course, we plan to bring Nikke-themed boat skin into Dave The Diver. Please look forward to it!
What gameplay or characteristic elements are expected to be included that can bring players a new experience?
Yoo HyungSuk: Since it is a collaboration between the two games, you’ll be able to see scenes featuring both Dave the Diver and the Nikke characters together. Additionally, diving as a Nikke character instead of Dave will offer a different kind of fun. We incorporated the fishing and sushi restaurant operation gameplay of Dave the Diver into Nikke, designing a brand-new minigame that combines the characteristics of Nikke characters and weapons. We hope this will surprise and delight players.
How would you evaluate the special edition Diver Nikke (Mast, Anchor, Helm) released by Nikke?
Jaeho Hwang: Dave the Diver doesn’t have many female characters, so we’re delighted to see the charming female diver characters in Nikke. In particular, the team responded very well to Mast’s outfit. It turns out that a wetsuit can be both cute and sexy! Who knows, maybe Duff will end up liking Nikke’s characters more than Leahs!
What were some of the biggest challenges you encountered during the game’s development, particularly with the Dave the Diver crossover?
Yoo HyungSuk: We put in a lot of effort to present Dave the Diver in the world of Nikke faithfully. Nikke is available on both PC and mobile platforms, so it was challenging and rewarding at the same time to produce an enjoyable Dave the Diver experience on mobile platforms as well.
Given the distinct styles of Nikke and Dave the Diver, how did you manage to merge them seamlessly?
Yoo HyungSuk: The gameplay of Nikke and Dave the Diver may seem significantly different from each other, but they are in fact similar in some ways. For example, both games feature shooting elements to some extent. This time, we have combined Dave’s underwater weapons with the unique characteristics of Nikke characters’ weapons, allowing players to experience a differentiated diving and fishing experience by operating different Nikkes. In terms of art style, we retained the original style of Dave the Diver, aiming to provide a visual experience that is different from Nikke.
Can you talk about your design ideas for the minigame of this collaboration?
Yoo HyungSuk: Dave’s game content is vast and rich, while Nikke’s minigames lean toward providing a lightweight experience. Therefore, the challenge in the design process was how to simplify the framework while retaining the essence of the original gameplay, and at the same time, incorporate Nikke’s unique elements. We hope the outcome can bring you enjoyment and a different gaming experience from before.
What else can Nikke players expect from this collaboration?
Yoo HyungSuk: In the collaborative minigame, you can catch various kinds of fish. Separately, you can enjoy a fishing minigame in the Nikke event field. We believe many of you may find it fun to compare the types of fish you can catch in each minigame.
What considerations led to incorporating the new minigame into Nikke?
Yoo HyungSuk: Although Goddess of Victory: Nikke is based on arcade shooting gameplay, we’ve always strived to offer various fun elements beyond that, including storylines, character collection and growth, decoration, puzzle games, explorations, and co-op mode. Therefore, we have developed many different types of minigames to provide all Commanders with a richer and more diversified experience.
How does this collaboration and minigame compare to what you’ve done in the past?
Yoo HyungSuk: The minigames we have developed so far have been fast-paced, light-weighted ones (e.g. grilling skewers), while Dave the Diver is actually a larger-scale game with more comprehensive gameplay. In this collaboration, we have integrated the settings of both games so that you can fully enjoy the fun of Dave the Diver in Nikke. Besides, we will strive to cover more diverse and exciting genres in the Nikke minigames.
What are your thoughts on how this collaboration aligns with the summer event’s theme?
Yoo HyungSuk: While collaborating with Dave the Diver, we will also launch Nikke’s summer event — Beauty Full Shot. The event’s storyline revolves around the player (commander) and several Nikkes spending their vacation at the seaside. We’ve prepared a variety of activities that allow you to fully enjoy your summer vacation both at the seaside and underwater. We hope everyone can have a refreshing summer together with Dave the Diver and Nikke.
What kind of collaborations do you foresee in the future?
Yoo HyungSuk: Nikke has already engaged in various forms of collaborations and will continue to do so in the future. Especially, there is an unannounced collaboration plan for this year. Stay tuned for more updates!
Dave the Diver recently celebrated its anniversary. Could you tell us about the key activities and significant plans you have for the future of Dave the Diver?
Jaeho Hwang: The new story of Dave the Diver will be released in the form of a DLC. We are working hard to develop it and will strive to release relevant information as soon as possible. Additionally, because many players like the characters in Dave, we are internally discussing the possibility of showing more of the stories of each character in the game. Please stay tuned!
The Goddess of Victory: Nikke and Dave the Diver collaboration will run in July and features a new story and new art for your favorite characters. You can download Nikke on the official site, on the App Store, or Google Play. If you need help settling in, join Nikke’s active Discord, check the Twitter account, and get tons of info from the game’s YouTube channel.
A community of dedicated Nintendo 3DS Street Pass fans has finally found the rarest puzzle in Puzzle Swap, ANAでDS, after weeks of searching. This means StreetPass Mii Plaza: Puzzle Swap has officially been 100% completed for the first time since its release 13 years ago.
We covered the group’s hunt last week, as for months a small community of Puzzle Swap-lovers has been hunting down every puzzle ever made available for the Street Pass app. That includes several time and region limited puzzles that over the years have become quite rare.
As of June they had found every single puzzle bar one: a rare airplane-themed puzzle that was only available at select airports in Japan for a few months. The group was exhausting every connection they could to find just one person who obtained the puzzle back in the day, at which point a simple file upload would allow the group to share it with the world.
Yesterday, July 3, 2024, someone finally came through. Community leader Benny received an email from an individual containing a friend code and a zip file with the text, “I hope the following information is exactly what you’re looking for.” The community immediately got to work. While the file itself looked promising, they needed the person who sent it to accept a friend request first for the transfer to work. The data also needed to be decrypted and put into a usable format, a process which multiple Discord community members helped with.
Then, at 4:45pm Pacific time, a post:
And moments later:
The Discord erupted. The stranger who had reached out with their puzzle had come through, and at last all 63 Puzzle Swap puzzles had been found and archived. In the following hours, the group worked together to share the puzzle with everyone in the Discord who wanted it, before discussing plans to bundle all 63 puzzles together in one file so that anyone in the future who wants access to them can enjoy.
Here it is, in all its glory:
If you yourself want all the puzzles, you do have to be willing to mod your 3DS. For help with that, we recommend tracking down the community behind the hunt, which has a Twitter, email, and Discord all right here and can help out. But even if accessing the puzzle is only doable via modding, this remains a triumph for game preservation and archiving. It is, to the group’s knowledge, the first time all 63 Puzzle Swap puzzles have been assembled in one place.
So what’s next? It’s tough to say. The community first wants to ensure that all puzzles are readily available to anyone who wants to put in the modding work to obtain them. After that, there’s been some discussion in the group about finding ways to add custom puzzles to Puzzle Swap, or try other modding feats with what the group has learned. But many are content just to have finished the puzzle hunt at all.
“I just want to thank the team for their hard work and everyone else who shared and promoted the search!” Benny said when I asked him for comment. “We are grateful for everyone’s support.”
IGN reached out to the kind stranger who sent Benny the ANA file to try and learn the story behind them picking up the puzzle and finding the hunt years later, but we haven’t heard anything back yet. Thanks, mysterious stranger, whoever you are.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Fans of the Attack on Titan anime and virtual reality can finally get their hands on Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable when it hits Early Access on July 23, 2024.
Alongside the release date reveal came the first look at gameplay for the titan slashing game, and given how much players swing around the city at high speeds, it’s likely not one for VR newbies.
“Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable is a 3D VR action-adventure platforming game based on the manga/anime Attack on Titan,” the official synopsis reads.
“Players will join the Scout Regiment and help defend the human race from the onslaught of Titans that have broken through Wall Maria.
Complete timed objectives including outpost defense, securing supply drops to aid fellow soldiers in combat, and slashing towering Titans as they increase in difficulty.”
The gameplay trailer shows a lot of that, but doesn’t show much of the story or drama which fans of the anime or manga may be looking for. The game is launching in Early Access, of course, so improvements are likely to be made in the future. It launches onto Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest Pro via the Meta Quest story.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
The First Descendant’s rough launch continues, with players reporting significant frame-rate drops across PC and console.
Nexon’s free-to-download looter shooter launched big this week with a high concurrent player count on Steam, but user reviews are ‘mixed’ in response to what some are calling “microtransaction hell” as well as various performance problems and rewards issues. Check out IGN’s The First Descendant review in progress to find out what we think of the game so far.
The main performance issue revolves around frame-rate drops across all platforms, which for an action game can cause gameplay problems. Nexon has acknowledged this and suggested a workaround.
The developer is linking these frame-rate issues to those who pre-downloaded The First Descendant, and suggested that if you run into the problem you delete the game and reinstall it “as a temporary solution.” Meanwhile, Nexon said it is investigating further.
Players report mixed results using this temporary solution, with some saying it helps improve the frame-rate on PC, but those on console appear to still be having trouble.
That’s not the only issue affecting The First Descendant at the moment. Nexon has offered compensation to players for launch troubles that have seen promised rewards fail to turn up. Some players say they haven’t received the premium currency they’ve paid real-world money for, either.
Per Nexon, here’s a list of all current The first Descendant issues the developer is working to fix:
[July 3rd (Wed) ]
■ (Additional) Issue with the Partial Distribution of Beta Test Rewards
– It has been identified that some rewards for participating in the 2022 Steam Beta Test and the 2023 Cross-Play Open Beta Test have not been distributed.
– We are currently verifying the information regarding the undelivered rewards and will redistribute them as soon as possible.
[July 2nd(Tue) ]
■ (Additional) Frame drop issues for pre-download
– We have received reports from some Descendants who pre-downloaded the game are experiencing frame drops.
– We are currently investigating this issue. In the meantime, if you encounter this problem, please delete and reinstall the game as a temporary solution.
■ (Additional) Issue where players are immediately moved after starting mission in Special Operations
– Found issue where players are immediately moved to Albion after starting the mission when entering special operations. Partial fixes have been implemented, and a complete fix is currently in progress.
■ (Additional) Issue of Players being occasionally placed into servers without other players during field transfers
– Found when transferring fields solo, players are occasionally placed on a server with no other players existing.
– Void Intercept battle, Infiltration Operations, and Special Operations matching works fine, also transferring fields as a party, all party members are placed on the same server as normal.
■ Temporary solutions for client termination issues with certain antivirus Programs
– We have requested for exceptions for The First Descendant to antivirus programs, but some have not been implemented. Below are temporary solutions for this problem.
– Go to McAfee Security > Navigation > Quarantined and Trusted Items, select TheFirstDescendant.exe from the quarantined programs list, and restore it.
■ Solutions for ‘Easy Anti-Cheat’ not functioning correctly
– If Easy Anti-Cheat malfunctions, refer to the FAQ for solutions. If the issue persists, please contact customer support with relevant screenshots.
– Customer Support Access: Official Website > Customer Support > FAQ > Contact Us
■ Delay when purchasing items through baskets on PlayStation Store.
– When purchasing multiple items through the basket from the PlayStation Store, there may be a delay of the items to be delivered to your inventory.
■ Case for ‘Lethal Infection’ module. After enhancing ‘Lethal Infection’ module to level 5 we found that ‘Skill Power Modifier’ does not fully function.
– An issue where the ‘Skill Power Modifier’ does not increase correctly after enhancing ‘Lethal Infection’ module from level 4 to level 5 has been identified.
■ Unused items appearing in Access Info
– Some consumable items that have not been used are appearing in the information browsing list.
■ Sharen’s ‘Active Camouflage’ skill issue
– When using Sharen’s ‘Active Camouflage’ skill, it untargets the named monsters, switching their condition to non-combat mode, causing their HP to recover rapidly.
■ Ultimate Weapon’s kill not being counted for quests that require ‘Kill with Specific Weapon’.
– Monsters killed using the unique ability of an ultimate weapon are not being counted correctly for quests (e.g., Battle Pass challenges, Awards) that require kills with a specific weapon.
■ Weapon Module Enhancement display issue
– On Weapon Module Enhancing screen, the reduction effect of module capacity, due to socket type assignment is not being displayed correctly. Although the display of each individual module capacity reduction effect is not shown correctly, the summed amount of module capacity is displayed correctly.
■ Incorrect item drops in certain regions during Infiltration Operations
– During Infiltration Operations, destructible objects in regions other than Kingston and the Fortress area are dropping common items from the Kingston region.
■ Incorrect display of Hagios Region Dominique NPC name and description
– The name and description of the Dominique NPC in the Hagios region is mis-displayed.
■ Monster Errors in White-night Gulch
– In the Infiltration Operation ‘Bio-Lab’ in White-night Gulch, monsters sometimes get stuck in the terrain.
– In the hatchery within the White-night Gulch region, monsters occasionally do not appear when progressing with void shard activities
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.
A man was sentenced to four months in prison for carrying a six-inch Master Sword in public.
As reported by Eurogamer, 48-year-old Anthony Bray, of Nuneaton in Warwickshire, England, was spotted carrying a replica of the iconic weapon from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series openly in the local town centre.
Warwickshire Police spotted Bray on June 8 via CCTV walking down the street with something in his hand. Bray was said to have approached officers with the item visible in his hand, at which point he was arrested as he was carrying a bladed article.
Bray subsequently claimed the Master Sword was a “fidget” — something to keep his hands busy — that he had bought online. But police said that because it was a sharply pointed item, it could be used as a weapon, and “put others in fear of it being used against them.” The police said the Master Sword was inside a sheath and could be released with the press of a button.
Despite admitting that the Master Sword could be perceived as threatening if someone else saw it, Bray insisted during his interview that he would not have used it as a weapon, the police said.
Bray was sentenced on June 28 and given a four month prison sentence as well as an order to pay a victims’ surcharge of £154 (approx $195).
It is possible to find fidget toys that aren’t six-inch blades.
Sergeant Spellman of the Patrol Investigations Unit commented: “We take a zero tolerance to bladed articles in public, and Bray has fallen afoul of this.
“It is possible to find fidget toys that aren’t six-inch blades. It is possible not to walk down the street holding them out in front of you. With a bit more self-awareness, Bray could have avoided contact with us completely.”
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.
EA is delisting Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield: Hardline from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 digital stores on July 31, 2024.
Announced on X/Twitter, the delisting comes ahead of Xbox 360 and PS3 servers for all three games being shut down on November 7, 2024. Thus marks the end of an era for some of the most popular multiplayer shooters of all time.
Players who own the games either physically or digitally will still be able to play their single player portions but all multiplayer modes will cease to be playable. All DLC will similarly be removed from sale on July 31.
Servers for the PC version of Battlefield 3 will be unaffected by the sunsetting, EA clarified, as will Battlefield 4 and Battlefield: Hardline servers on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Battlefield 3 is perhaps the most beloved of the three and will celebrate its 13th birthday just two weeks ahead of the servers going offline. “Battlefield 3 offers an unforgettable, world-class multiplayer suite so fun that it more than makes up for the package’s shortcomings,” IGN said in our 9/10 review.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster completely refreshes the original game but fans who don’t love the revised character design of protagonist Frank West can switch back to the original — as long as they preorder.
The wholly single player game, which arrives September 19, 2024 at $50 or $60 for the Digital Deluxe Edition, comes with preorder bonuses too, publisher Capcom revealed in an X/Twitter post. Players gain access to the Frank West 2006 skin, the Chuck Greene Skin (from Dead Rising 2), and the Willamette Parkview Mall Bee skin alongside three music tracks.
This bonus content isn’t included in the Digital Deluxe Edition content by default either despite it including myriad skin packs including ones from Resident Evil and Mega Man. Capcom hasn’t announced post launch pricings for additional content but the original Frank West and other skins will likely be available for an additional cost.
Time to chuck out those dirty clothes and “bee” yourself with some bonus outfits and matching mall music!
Pre-order #DRDR for the Dead Rising Original Pack: 🏍️Chuck Greene 📷Frank West 2006 🐝Willamette Parkview Mall Bee
While this is fairly standard for a 2024 video game, many fans have already expressed dislike for the updated Frank West model so will likely be frustrated to hear they can only mitigate that grievance by committing to buy the game early (or perhaps paying extra later).
“2024 Frank West looks like 2006 Frank West in 2024,” one fan commented on Reddit. “This Frank West 2006 outfit genuinely fixes the main issue I have with the remaster changes, so it’s a bit mad to hide that behind a preorder bonus,” X/Twitter user @Toadsanime said. “But at least it’s here.”
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster launches with 4k graphics and 60 frames per second support and running in the RE Engine. Capcom has made quality of live improvements too, “fine tuned” the interface, added autosave functionality, and more.
In our 8/10 review of the original Dead Rising, IGN said: “Though Dead Rising may seem like a simple, mindless game when you first pick it up, it eventually reveals itself as a deeper experience.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
Xbox’s summer showcase was a home run, with one of the best presentations of upcoming games on the Xbox ecosystem in quite some time. This included titles like Black Ops 6, Doom: The Dark Ages, Perfect Dark, Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, and plenty more. If these sneak peeks have excited you for the future of Xbox, then we’ve got even more good news to share.
Xbox Game Pass has been discounted once again, providing another opportunity for users to stack their membership at a discounted rate. Woot (an Amazon company) currently has 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate codes down to $11.79 and 3-month codes for $34.49. These are significant discounts, and monumentally cheaper than compared to paying the default $17.99/month.
Score 2 Free Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (New Members Only)
For those interested in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offer, it is worth qualifying that this code will only apply to those who currently don’t have an active Game Pass Ultimate membership, and Walmart stresses that this is for new members only. If you’re on Game Pass Core, it should be fine to apply to your account. Otherwise, if you’re a current Game Pass Ultimate member, the code won’t be applicable. If you do qualify, it’s a pretty simple process if you’re looking to bag the two-month free trial, here’s how:
Steps:
Visit the Walmart+ Offer Page and select ‘Get Offer’ next to the 2 free months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate listing
On the ‘Offer Page’ you will see a unique promo code, copy this code and keep a record of it
Hit the ‘Redeem Offer’ button on the page to go to the Xbox Site
Sign in to Your Account
Your promo code will autofill — if it does not then paste/type
Redeem your offer and receive your 2 Free Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Disable auto-renewal afterward to avoid being charged at the end of the trial — this can be located in ‘Services & Subscriptions’ in your Microsoft account. You should also do this for Walmart+ if you used a free trial to access the Game Pass offer
Select Xbox Controllers For $46.99
Looking to pick up an Xbox controller or add some new ones to your gaming setup? Amazon has some great discounts right now on the Robot White, Velocity Green, and Carbon Black controllers, which are all down to $46.99. If you want to see some more controller deals, check out the links below.
It looks like a fridge, and it kinda is a fridge (mini), and it’s also down to $39.94 at Walmart. Not only is it a fun addition to have in your home, but this is a discount you definitely don’t want to miss out on, either! What better time to pick it up?
Best Xbox Expansion Card SSD Deals
Amazon is offering the officially licensed Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series consoles with a nice little discount. Right now it’s $149.99, a minor price drop from its original $160 MSRP. This is one of the best SSDs for the Xbox, which isn’t surprising since your options are pretty limited.
Get 29% Off the HyperX CloudX Headset & More Deals
Does your family complain when you stay up playing loud shooters late into the night? They’ll stop complaining if you pick up anXbox headset that lets no one but you hear the delightful explosions you cause on the screen. Right now, you can get 16% off the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset and 29% off the HyperX CloudX headset at Amazon. To see even more gaming headsets on sale, visit our roundup of the best gaming headset deals.
What is Xbox’s Recent Controversy?
The recent discomfored surrounding Xbox can be isolated to a recent round of brutal layoffs. Microsoft is closing a number of Bethesda studios, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, and more in devastating cuts at Bethesda. Alpha Dog Games, maker of mobile game Mighty Doom, will also close. Roundhouse Studios will be absorbed by The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. Microsoft, currently valued at over $3 trillion, did not say how many staff will lose their jobs, but significant layoffs are inevitable.
Is Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Coming to Xbox Game Pass?
Microsoft has confirmed the arrival of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 day-one on Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft made the announcement alongside the release of a live-action reveal trailer called ‘The Truth Lies’. In it we see world leaders including Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, and Saddam Hussein, delivering cryptic speeches. Black Ops 6 will be set during the events of the Gulf War during the early ’90s.
Is Call of Duty Black Ops 6 300GB?
Activision has also clarified that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 won’t actually require a 300 GB download despite previous messaging. Players began to panic about the size of this year’s Call of Duty after noticing its Xbox store page yesterday.
At the time, the page listed that the game would require a 309.85 GB download for those hoping to hop into the post-Cold War first-person shooter when it launches this fall. That’ll put a pretty big dent in the hard drive of most PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S consoles, so players were, understandably, very concerned.
When Should I Buy an Xbox?
In general, it is advisable to keep an eye out for sales and restocks throughout the year, as availability has improved since the initial launch of the console. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, there is no specific recommendation to wait for a sale regardless of the time of year. Instead, it’s a good idea to monitor various retailers and online platforms for restock announcements and promotional offers.
However, certain events like Black Friday or other holiday seasons may bring about unique bundles, discounts, or promotional deals specifically for the Xbox Series X. These bundles may include additional games, accessories, or exclusive limited editions. While quantities for such promotions might be limited, they can provide an opportunity to get more value for your purchase. See our guide to Xbox Series X prices for more info.
Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?
Choosing between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ultimately depends on your gaming preferences, budget, and specific requirements. Let’s compare the two consoles to help you make an informed decision:
1. Performance: The Xbox Series X is the more powerful option, offering native 4K gaming, higher graphical fidelity, and faster loading times. It has more advanced hardware, including a larger storage capacity. On the other hand, the Xbox Series S targets a lower price point and offers a less powerful performance, targeting 1440p resolution gaming and upscaling to 4K.
2. Price: The Xbox Series S is more affordable compared to the Xbox Series X. If budget is a significant factor for you, the Xbox Series S provides a cost-effective option while still delivering a next-generation gaming experience. For example, the Series S can play Starfield at 1440p 30fps (vs 4K 30fps on Series X).
3. Storage: The Xbox Series X comes with a larger internal storage capacity, allowing you to store more games directly on the console. The Xbox Series S, however, has a smaller storage capacity, which means you may need to manage your game library more actively or rely on external storage solutions.
4. Disc Drive: The Xbox Series X includes a disc drive, enabling you to play physical game discs and enjoy a wider range of media options, including Blu-ray and DVD playback. The Xbox Series S, in contrast, is a digital-only console, meaning you can only play games downloaded from the digital store.
5. Graphics and Performance: While both consoles support ray tracing, the Xbox Series X provides a more immersive and visually impressive experience due to its superior hardware capabilities. If you prioritize cutting-edge graphics and want the best performance available, the Xbox Series X is the preferable choice.
Consider your gaming preferences, budget, and whether you prioritize top-of-the-line performance or cost-effectiveness. If you have a 4K TV, want the most powerful console, and are willing to invest more, the Xbox Series X is the recommended option. If you have a lower budget, a 1080p or 1440p TV, and don’t mind sacrificing some performance, the Xbox Series S offers excellent value for money.
With how expensive gaming is getting in 2024, we’re trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We’ve got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as Switch and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you’re trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
Nexon’s free-to-download looter shooter The First Descendant has enjoyed a huge launch on Steam but players have hit out at ultra aggressive microtransactions.
The First Descendant is a Warframe-esque action game designed to be played co-op with friends, with progression tied to a deep-rooted grind that involves completing missions and defeating bosses. Check out IGN’s The First Descendant review in progress to find out what we think of the game so far.
But it’s the monetization that has sparked debate during the early days of The First Descendant’s launch, as well as issues giving players rewards they’re owed that have forced Nexon into offering compensation.
Korean company Nexon, which is behind other multiplayer-focused free-to-play games such as Kartrider: Drift and Maplestory, launched The First Descendant with a packed cash shop that sells everything you’d expect from a game of this type: a premium battle pass, new characters, premium character and weapon skins, and even experience boosts and increased inventory capacity.
New characters, called Descendants, are sold for real-world money, but the premium virtual currency, Caliber, is sold in bundles that come in just under the cost of a new character itself, forcing players to buy more virtual currency than they need and, thus, having some left over.
Caliber can only be obtained by buying it with real-world money or by buying the premium battle pass. There is currently no way to earn it through gameplay alone.
While you can grind (a lot) for new characters, you can save time by spending money to buy them. You can also pay to gain immediate access to an ‘Ultimate Descendant’, which is a Descendant with better stats and an exclusive skin. Expect to pay upwards of $55 for one.
The First Descendant also locks a paint to a skin, which means if you want to re-use a paint you’ve already obtained, perhaps from the premium battle pass, you have to spend real-world money on it again.
Some players have called The First Descendant “predatory” because of its monetization, while others have said it’s par for the course when it comes to games from Nexon. On Steam, The First Descendant has a ‘mixed’ user review rating, with many of the negative reviews focusing on the microtransactions, but others are also delivering their verdict on the gunplay and mechanics. One Steam user called the First Descendant “microtransaction hell.” Another said: “This game released with more real money purchasable items than actual gameplay mechanics.”
Even those who have spent money on microtransactions are having a tough time, Nexon apologized to players who have yet to receive items they paid for by offering compensation. “We will continue to strive to provide a more stable service,” Nexon said.
Here are the compensation details:
Gold Gain Boost +30% (Duration 3 days)
Kyper Shard Gain Boost +30% (Duration 3 days)
Descendant EXP Gain Boost +30% (Duration 3 days)
Weapon Mastery EXP Gain Boost +30% (Duration 3 days)
2 x Matte Red Paints
Despite all this, The First Descendant hit a Steam concurrent player count of 229,257, which was enough to put it in the top five most-played games on Valve’s platform. The game also launched on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, but Sony and Microsoft do not make player numbers available.
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.
