Battlefield 6 Update 1.1.2.0 Patch Notes Include Aim Assist Tweaks and Bloom Adjustments as Season 1 Continues

Battlefield 6 is roaring ahead, with update 1.1.2.0 patch notes revealing that open beta aim assist settings are back, as are more weapon dispersion and bloom tweaks, as EA and Battlefield Studios roll out the next new Season 1 map: Eastwood.

The latest Battlefield 6 and REDSEC patch notes, which cover every change in tomorrow’s update, were listed in a new post on the project’s website. It comes with a breakdown for all of the new weapons and features included with the long-promised mid-season update, as well as a shortlist of other major changes, including additional clarity for challenges, a “major polish pass” for gadgets, improved latency and stick response for controllers, a healthy dose of bug fixes, and much, much more.

Aim assist is no doubt the headline for this week’s update and arrives as further proof that BF Studios plans to continue delivering on its post-launch promises. Those who tuned in for the Battlefield 6 beta tests in August will notice base aim assist settings will fall more in line with that build of the game.

It’s a U-turn from the launch version of the option, with the team explaining its original goal was to “make aim assist feel more effective beyond mid-range fights which was one of our focuses within Battlefield Labs and Open Beta.” Now, BF Studios admits those changes resulted in high-zoom aiming that was more difficult to control. Players can expect Battlefield 6 aim assist following update 1.1.2.0 to feel more consistent, steadier, and smoother.

“After reviewing player feedback and gameplay data, we’re reverting aim assist back to the values some of you experienced during Open Beta and Battlefield Labs,” BF Studios says. “This will now serve as the default, whilst still providing you with the ability to alter the aim assist to your preference and playstyle via settings.”

Battlefield 6 fans should be happy to see more weapon dispersion and bloom tweaked further after update 1.1.1.5 changes resulted in positive feedback. While the previous patch tackled dispersion related to gunfire when aiming down sights after sprinting, tomorrow’s Season 1 update delivers a slight reduction to dispersion across the board. While each change suggests BF Studios is getting closer to reaching the smooth FPS experience they desire, Portal players can also look forward to more Portal tools in update 1.1.2.0, including the golf cart and a sandbox map option.

With the one-month-post-launch-mark in the rearview mirror, EA and BF Studios are moving steadily ahead with a level of communication that has kept its player base coming back for more Battlefield 6. Tomorrow’s update will make good on the promises made in a community outline published by the developers last week, but it’s clear there’s more work to do, too.

More weapon bloom tweaks, for example, are likely to arrive in the future as the team monitors feedback, with lighting adjustments, another promise from last week’s outline, absent from the 1.1.2.0 patch notes. These are upcoming changes in active development for Battlefield 6, but other hot topics, including map size, UI, player stats, hit registration/netcode, and more, are said to be under review for potential tweaks in the future.

The three-phase Battlefield 6 Season 1 launched with its first chapter, Rogue Ops, as well as the Blackwell Fields map, October 28, 2025. November 18 ushers in California Resistance, which comes with the 1.1.2.0 update, Eastwood, Sabotage limited-time mode, Rodeo mission for Gauntlet, DB-12 shotgun, M357 sidearm, Battle Pickups feature, and more. The final, major Season 1 update, Winter Offensive, will follow December 9, adding in more gameplay changes, a limited-time Ice Lock version of Empire State, and the ice climbing axe melee weapon.

Battlefield 6 update 1.1.2.0 launches November 18 at 1 a.m. PT / 4 a.m. ET. While we wait for more, you can read our interviews with BF Studios to learn more about a solo queue option for battle royale and other upcoming REDSEC map updates. You can also read our 8/10 Battlefield 6 multiplayer review and our 7/10 REDSEC review.

Finally, the full Battlefield 6 update 1.1.2.0 patch notes can be seen below.

Battlefield 6 1.1.2.0 Update Patch Notes

This update delivers a broad set of improvements to soldier responsiveness, aim consistency, animation fidelity, and overall stability across Battlefield 6. We’ve also introduced a new limited-time mode, refined Aim Assist behaviour, and resolved a large number of weapon, gadget, and vehicle issues based on community feedback. The update will be available tomorrow, November 18th, at 09:00 UTC.

New Content: California Resistance

  • New Map: Eastwood. A map with the Southern California theme.
    • Variations of this map will be available for all official modes.
    • Conquest mode on this map will include tanks, helicopters, and the Golf Cart.
  • New Time-Limited Mode: Sabotage. A themed event mode focused on demolition and counterplay.
  • New Weapons: DB-12 Shotgun and M357 Trait Sidearm.
  • Gauntlet mode to include a new mission type: Rodeo. This mission provides multiple vehicles for players to fight over and battle with each other with. Players earn bonus points for defeating enemies while in a vehicle.
  • New feature: Battle Pickups. These powerful weapons will be available in specific experiences and Portal with limited ammunition but pack enough firepower to help turn the tide of battle in your favor.
  • Portal updates:
    • Sandbox map. This option will let Portal experience builders start with a more level playing field to bring their imagination to life.
    • The Golf Cart vehicle is available for use in building experiences.
  • Battle Pass: The California Resistance bonus path becomes available for a limited time.
  • New underbarrel attachment: Slim Handstop, unlocked via Challenge.
  • New feature coming later in the update: Battle Pickups. These powerful weapons will be available in specific experiences and Portal with limited ammunition but pack enough firepower to help turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Major Updates for 1.1.2.0

  • Aim Assist has been reset to its Open Beta tuning, restoring consistent infantry targeting behaviour across all input types.
  • Improved input latency and stick response for controllers, providing smoother aiming and more responsive soldier movement.
  • Weapon accuracy and dispersion tuning: fixed unintended weapon dispersion increase rates and improved non-Recon sniper rifle accuracy while globally reducing dispersion across all weapon types.
  • Challenge and progression clarity improvements make requirements easier to understand and track.
  • Major polish pass to deployable gadgets, including the LWCMS Portable Mortar, LTLM II Portable Laser Designator, and Supply Crate systems.
  • Fort Lyndon added to Portal, expanding available segments for community-created experiences.

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT

Aim Assist

As we got closer to launch, we revisited aim assist tuning based on internal testing and the full range of maps and combat distances coming with release. Our goal was to make aim assist feel more effective beyond mid-range fights which was one of our focuses within Battlefield Labs and Open Beta.

At launch, we increased slowdown at longer ranges, but once the game went live, we saw that this made high-zoom aiming feel less smooth and harder to control.

After reviewing player feedback and gameplay data, we’re reverting aim assist back to the values some of you experienced during Open Beta and Battlefield Labs. This will now serve as the default, whilst still providing you with the ability to alter the aim assist to your preference and playstyle via settings.

This change keeps aim slowdown consistent across all ranges, helping with muscle memory and providing a steadier, more reliable feel as we move into future seasons.

CHANGELOG

PLAYER:

  • Aim Assist: fully reset to Open Beta tuning, with related options reset to default to ensure consistency.
  • Fixed an issue where Vehicle Stick Acceleration Presets would affect Infantry Aiming Left/Right Acceleration option availability.
  • Fixed an issue where setting Stick Acceleration Presets to “Standard” would set the Aiming Left/Right Acceleration options incorrectly to 50% instead of 70%.
  • Fixed missing Infantry and Vehicle prefixes in captions for Stick Acceleration Presets and Aiming Left/Right Acceleration options.
  • Fixed an issue where stick deadzones would ignore the first 10% of movement if using a PS5 Controller on PC.
  • Fixed an issue where player movement (Left Stick) would not register until beyond 30% of travel past the deadzone.
  • Fixed joystick aiming input behaviour.
  • Added a short sprint “restart” animation when landing from small heights.
  • Added new death animations for sliding and combat-dive states.
  • Fixed a diving loop when entering shallow water.
  • Fixed an issue preventing players from vaulting out of water in certain areas.
  • Fixed an issue preventing takedown initiation against an enemy soldier if the enemy soldier already initiated a takedown against a friendly player.
  • Fixed an issue where a dragged player could face the wrong direction if turning quickly.
  • Fixed an issue where holding a grenade while jumping, sliding, or diving froze the first-person pose.
  • Fixed an issue where switching weapons while drag-reviving would break the reviver’s first-person view.
  • Fixed an issue where the Assault Class extra grenade ability would not grant two grenades on spawn.
  • Fixed an issue where weapons could become invisible when crouching before vaulting.
  • Fixed bouncing behaviour when landing on object edges.
  • Fixed broken ragdolls when killed on ladders, while jumping, near ledges, or in vehicle seats.
  • Fixed camera clipping when dropping from height while prone.
  • Fixed clipping when initiating a drag & revive.
  • Fixed first-person camera clipping through objects when dying nearby.
  • Fixed the issue where the Rush signature trait ‘Mission Focused’ applied its icon and speed boost to all teammates.
  • Fixed incorrect prone aiming angles on slopes.
  • Fixed misaligned victim position during takedowns when using high FOV settings.
  • Fixed mismatched rotation between first-person and third-person soldier aim directions.
  • Fixed misplaced weapon shadows while vaulting or swimming.
  • Fixed missing pickup prompts while prone.
  • Fixed missing water splash effects while swimming.
  • Fixed stuck third-person soldier animations when entering player view.
  • Fixed teleporting or invisibility when entering vehicles during a vault.
  • Fixed third-person facing inconsistencies when soldiers were mounted.
  • Improved combat-dive animations in first and third person.
  • Improved LTLM II sprint animation in first person.
  • Improved vault detection in cluttered environments.
  • Increased double-tap window for Danger Ping from 0.2 s to 0.333 s.
  • Updated first-person animation cadence for moving up and down stairs.
  • Fixed an issue where hit registration would fail when engaging into gunfights after exiting vehicles.

VEHICLES:

  • Fixed camera reset when entering an GDF-009 AA Stationary Gun after another user.
  • Fixed clipping gunner weapons in IFV seats.
  • Fixed faint metallic impact sound from M1A2 SEPv3 Main Battle Tank turret wreckage.
  • Fixed several cases where IFV’s MR Missile could do more damage than intended to MBT, IFV and AA vehicles
  • Fixed inconsistent projectile video effects on the Abrams main gun.
  • Fixed instant 180-degree turn after exiting a vehicle.
  • Fixed missing scoring for Vehicle Supply when teammates received ammo.
  • Fixed oversized hitbox on UH-79 Helicopter.
  • Fixed passenger and gunner placement issues in the UH-79 Helicopter.
  • Fixed re-entry issues when mounting flipped Quad Bikes.
  • Fixed unintended aim-assist from Attack Helicopters gunner missiles.
  • Fixed unresponsive joystick free-camera controls in transport vehicles.

WEAPONS:

  • Dispersion tuning pass: dispersion has been globally reduced slightly to reduce its impact on the experience
  • Fixed multiple instances of Canted Reflex and Canted Iron Sight optics clipping with higher-magnification scopes
  • Fixed several issues with underbarrel attachment alignment
  • Fixed minor misplacements or clipping on sights and barrels
  • Fixed missing or incorrect magazine icons, naming, and mesh assignments.
  • Fixed the issue where the SV-98 displayed lower damage stats when equipping the 5 MW Red attachment.
  • Fixed the issue where slug ammunition despawned too quickly after being fired from shotguns.
  • Fixed the issue where the SU-230 LPVO 4x variable scope lacked a smooth transition and audible zoom toggle when aiming down sights.
  • Fixed the issue where two Green Lasers for the DRS-IAR shared identical Hipfire stat boosts.
  • Fixed the issue where impact sparks failed to meet photosensitivity compliance standards.
  • Fixed an issue in third-person where the Mini Scout could clip with the player’s head while aiming.
  • Fixed animation and posture issues affecting the PSR and other rifles when moving or looking at extreme angles.
  • Increased weight of long-range performance in balance for automatic weapons; benefiting PW7A2 and KV9, with minor adjustments elsewhere.
  • Reduced recoil and variation for LMR27, M39, and SVDM for improved long-range reliability.

GADGETS:

  • Allowed friendly soldiers to damage and detonate certain friendly gadgets.
  • Fixed an issue where Class Ability would sometimes not activate although the UI shows it as available.
  • Fixed auto-deployment of Motion Sensor after recon kit swap.
  • Fixed broken M320A1 Grenade Launcher ground model.
  • Fixed C-4 pickup edge-of-screen interaction.
  • Fixed clipping of the UAV remote when activating it while using certain weapons like rifles.
  • Fixed clipping when holding the CSS Bundle.
  • Fixed CSS Bundle line-of-sight requirements causing unwanted blocking.
  • Fixed Deployable Cover persistence after vehicle destruction.
  • Fixed disappearing “pip” indicator during CSS Bundle supply.
  • Fixed duplicate deploy-audio playback on M4A1 SLAM and C-4.
  • Fixed failed projectile attachment for X95 BRE Breaching Projectile Launcher.
  • Fixed inconsistent hit registration for the Defibrillator after range adjustment.
  • Fixed interaction logic for the Supply Pouch and Assault Ladder.
  • Fixed LTLM II Tripod soldier collision.
  • Fixed M15 AV Mine premature detonation on aircraft wrecks.
  • Fixed M15 AV Mine proximity placement exploit.
  • Fixed missing pickup prompt for thrown C-4 satchels.
  • Fixed MP-APS smoke-propagation failure between friendlies.
  • Fixed multiple haptic and feedback issues on gadgets, including the LWCMS Portable Mortar and the CSB IV Bot Pressure Mine.
  • Fixed placement preview interference from the GPDIS.
  • Fixed XFGM-6D Recon Drone physics allowing vehicle pushing.

MAPS & MODES:

  • Added Sabotage as a new time-limited event mode.
  • Added the new map “Eastwood”.
  • Fixed black-screen spawn issue with Deploy Beacon in TDM, SDM, Domination, and KOTH.
  • Fixed incomplete or incorrect round-outcome data when joining mid-match.
  • Fixed matchmaking logic to prevent late-stage match joins.
  • Fixed multiple destruction-reset issues after side swap in Strikepoint and Sabotage.
  • Fixed post-insertion movement lock at round start.
  • Fixed unintended AFK kicks while spectating in Strikepoint.
  • Reduced opacity of excessive environmental smoke across multiple maps.

UI & HUD:

  • Added a message when attempting to change stance without sufficient space.
  • Downed players now appear in the kill log in modes using the crawling downed state (e.g. Strikepoint, REDSEC).
  • Extended top UI on Strikepoint to show detailed alive/downed/dead player counts.
  • Fixed incorrect Assault Training Path icons.
  • Fixed incorrect colour usage on squad-mate health bars.
  • Fixed missing tooltips and UI prompts across tutorials and mission briefings in Single Player.
  • Fixed missing XP Tracker icon at level 3 when using Field Upgrades.
  • Kill-confirmation indicator now displays if a victim bleeds out after being damaged by the player in modes using the crawling downed state (e.g. Strikepoint, REDSEC).
  • Minor UI polish and alignment updates to various game modes.
  • Non-squad friendlies now display a “Thank you!” subtitle after being revived.

SETTINGS:

  • Added a new option allowing players to sprint automatically when pushing the stick fully forward.
  • Added new keybinding that allows the player to instantly swap to the knife instead of having to hold the button. This keybinding will not allow to perform takedowns contextually but will still allow takedowns to be performed once the melee weapon is equipped.

SINGLE PLAYER:

  • Addressed multiple occurrences of excessive bright flashes and unintended visual effects.
  • Fixed an issue where AI squadmates would not respond to revive orders and other commands, improving squad functionality and responsiveness.
  • Fixed loss of grenade functionality and shadow-rendering errors in underground areas during the “Moving Mountains” mission.
  • Fixed multiple instances where sound effects or Voice Over would fail to play correctly during gameplay and cinematic moments.
  • Fixed subtitle and audio-video synchronisation issues during gameplay and cinematic sequences.
  • Fixed various instances of corrupted shadows and LOD behaviour when using lower graphics settings.
  • Resolved object clipping and teleporting issues during car-chase sequences in the “Moving Mountains” mission.
  • Resolved several cases of stuttering and desync when using certain graphics presets on NVIDIA and AMD hardware.
  • Resolved several issues that could result in infinite loading screens during mission transitions and save or load operations.
  • Resolved shader stutters in the prologue mission “Always Faithfull”.
  • Fixed issues with party invites not working during campaign loading screens.

AUDIO:

  • Added new sound effects for Double Ping; refined single and danger ping sound hierarchy.
  • Added new soldier movement and gunfire sound effects, and fixed multiple foley issues.
  • Added turret movement audio for Marauder RWS weapons.
  • Corrected door sound assignments.
  • Corrected swimming, obstruction, and platform footstep audio.
  • Fixed character voice over not updating when changing soldier mid-match.
  • Fixed looped ambient sounds (e.g. food truck) and incorrect debris impacts.
  • Fixed missing first person voice over gasp when revived.
  • Fixed missing third person voice over for explosive deployments.
  • Fixed missing LP voice over zoom audio.
  • Fixed missing ping audio while spectating.
  • Fixed missing reload sound effects when a weapon had 1 bullet remaining.
  • Fixed missing voice over for supply actions and revive requests.
  • Fixed multiple Commander voice over issues.
  • Fixed Music-in-Menus setting not muting music.
  • Fixed seat-change and turret-reload audio on Marauder RWS guns.
  • Fixed underwater breathing voice over and inconsistent swimming audio.
  • Polished Front-End and Loading music transitions between matches.
  • Synced Battle Pass sounds effects to animations.
  • Tweaked light-fixture audio setup.
  • Updated hostile-voice over logic and adjusted reload voice over mix.
  • Updated music urgency system for Portal.

PORTAL:

  • Added new scripting functions for music control: mod.LoadMusic(), mod.UnloadMusic(), mod.PlayMusic(), mod.SetMusicParam().
  • Fixed RayCast() in ModBuilder to properly detect terrain and environment objects.

HARDWARE:

Fixed an issue where framerate would be be capped to 300FPS with Nvidia cards

REDSEC

VEHICLES:

  • Fixed the issue where the Golf Cart could set off the PTKM-1R gadget in Gauntlet.
  • Fixed persistent gunner MG model after Rhib Boat destruction.

UI & HUD:

  • Added level display information to the Training Path section within the Class Details screen.
  • Fixed an issue where soldiers and UI elements could be missing in pre-game lobbies after matchmaking.
  • Fixed an issue where the M417 A2 would not appear in kill cards or the kill feed.

AUDIO:

  • Fixed an issue where the squadmate death sound effect could trigger for non-teammates.

This announcement may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing and evolving our Live Service & Content. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Amazon Has a ‘Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off’ Board Game Sale Ahead of Black Friday

We’re a week away from official Black Friday week, but the early deals are already popping off. One such deal is a “Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off” sale that’s live at both Amazon and Target. All you have to do is add two games to your cart, and at checkout the cheaper of those two games will show up at half price. That’s a great deal, but it ends November 22, so don’t hold off too long. In any case, let’s take a look at what games are available.

Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off on Board Games

As you can see, we’ve focused on the Amazon sale in the catalog above, but you can check out Target’s sale here if you prefer doing your shopping there. It’s also worth noting that this is in fact a “Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off” sale at Amazon, despite the confusing way Amazon words it on the retailer’s sale page. Amazon has been using confusing wording for these types of sales for years now, and I don’t expect anything to change. That said, you can rest assured that you only need to buy two games total, and you’ll save 50% off one of them.

In particular, this sale is a great time to pad out your board game shelf with some of the most popular and accessible of the newer crop of games. We’re talking games like Catan, Splendor, and Ticket to Ride: Europe. These are mainstays. You’ll also find crowd-pleasers like Camel Up and Horrified, giving you a nice range of themes, from horror board games to Marvel board games.

In addition to these more advanced board games, you’ll also find tons of family and party games on sale. We’re talking classic games like Scrabble and Twister, as well as newer family games like What Do You Meme and Flip 7.

It’s not just board games that are eligible for this sale, either. Check the main sale page, and you’ll find things like candy, toys, and Starbucks coffee in there, too. So even if you don’t find two games you like, you can still grab some Nerds Gummy Clusters for cheap.

For more, check out our picks for the best board games to play in 2025 as well as our extensive Black Friday coverage, because buddy, it’s coming whether you like it or not.

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.

Deals for Today: Elegoo 3D Printer Early Black Friday Sale And Pokémon TCG Under Market Value

Let’s brighten up your Monday with a fresh set of awesome deals that should have been during Black Friday, That’s right, there are some epic early Black Friday deals today, kicking off with a fantastic sale from Elegoo across their line of FDM and Resin 3D printers. There has never been a better time to get into the hobby.

TL;DR: Deals for Today

Did you manage to pick up any Phantasmal Flames or Mega Evolution over the weekend? Well I’ve got just the thing to scratch that Pokémon TCG itch with Phantasmal Flames Booster Boxes under market value. How about another $60 off? Or free Phantasmal Flames and Mega Evolution Booster bundles? I’ve got you.

For the shell heads i’ve got the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Roning box set up for preorder with a chonky discount. That also goes for a Meta Quest 3S headset early Black Friday Deal. There’s also a solid chunk busted of the Final Fantasy I – VI collection (Anniversary Edition) on Nintendo Switch. Let’s get straight into it:

Phantasmal Flames and Mega Evolution Deals

So the Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is $239.99, with Booster Bundles for free if you sign up and get accepted for an Amazon Visa card. Upon Approval, you’ll get a tidy $60 Amazon Gift Card automatically and instantly added to your account. It’s that simple, just behave yourself with that Visa card!

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra Resin 3D Printer Deals

The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra line of Resin printers are perfect for anything that needs intricate detail, especially the 16k model, although the standard ultra does an amazing job too. The Saturn 4 Ultra and Mercury V3.0 wash is a perfect starter kit for anyone wanting to get into the hobby.

Elegoo FDM Printer Deals

What if I said I printed a full sized Stormtrooper helmet on a Neptune 4 Max in one go? It was such a fun project and this printer can handle some insane projects on the large and small side. In fact all of these FDM 3D printers are great for printing anything practical. I’m looking at you cosplayers.

Meta Quest 3S 128GB (Gorilla Tag Bundle)

$50 off a Quest 3S isn’t a bad deal to say the least, and you also get the “Cardboard Hero: Gorilla Tag” game bundled alongside a three month trial to Meta Quest Horizon+, which means free access to over 40 games. You can also upgrade to the 256GB version and get Batman: Arkham Shadow bundled in instead for $329 instead of $399.99. Now that’s an early Black Friday deal.

TMNT: The Last Ronin Box Set

This set contains three hardcover graphics novels encompassing the TMNT: The Last Ronin continuity. That includes “Lost Years”, “The Last Ronin”, and “The Last Ronin II: Re-Evolution”. I won’t spoil them for you, but this is one of the best series i’ve ever read, and I’m not a massive TMNT fan. And you won’t be charged for your preorder until this bad boy ships. Not a bad deal at all with that cheeky 25% off.

Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition

For Final Fantasy fans who haven’t played the 2D old school games, or for those who are fans of the sprite-based RPG vibe, this is the deal for you. It features a re-arranged soundtrack by original series c omposer Nobuo Uematsu, improved gamplay, a user interface overhaul, auto battle options and more quality of life improvements. 47% off makes this collection a no-brainer.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

Assassin’s Creed Publisher Ubisoft Says ‘Many New Games Are Struggling’ As Players Turn Away From Traditional Releases In Favor of Subscriptions, Live-Service and Free-To-Play Games

Ubisoft has warned of falling company revenues and said it’s seen that “many new games are struggling to stand out” as players turn away from traditional full-price releases.

Projects that would previously have stood out are now finding it tough to “achieve the sales they may once had had,” Ubisoft wrote in a new UK financial filing (thanks, CityAM), which blames a wider change in taste among players.

Explaining that the “traditional ‘full game model’ of selling a single £50-60 [$65-$80] game to a consumer as a one-time purchase” was continuing to “become less ubiquitous”, Ubisoft said players were now opting to spend their time and money in other ways, such as “subscription services, long-running Games As A Service titles, Free to Play Games and cloud streaming.”

In a nutshell, Ubisoft continued, “consumers are playing fewer games.” And while some one-off, full-price titles were continuing to be successful, these had become “a few notable exceptions” to the wider trend, it continued.

The remarks come amid a continued period of uncertainty for Ubisoft, which has suffered layoffs and a sizable corporate restructure in the past year. The Paris-headquartered company — whose biggest franchises are now operated by an independent subsidiary backed by Tencent — has struggled to find its next big hit after disappointing sales for Star Wars Outlaws and continued attempts to crack the increasingly-saturated live-service game market, such as with doomed shooter XDefiant, and the pre-emptively cancelled The Division: Heartland.

As for Assassin’s Creed, the company has gone all-in on its biggest brand — though was forced to slow its production line of upcoming games and remakes to give this year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows more time. Still, a slew of upcoming other titles in the franchise are expected over the next few years (including the witchcraft-focused Hexe, a multiplayer spin-off, and a long-awaited Black Flag remake).

Last week, Ubisoft dramatically halted trading of its company shares and postponed the wider firm’s latest financial report mere minutes before a scheduled shareholder call was due to go live. Days later, Ubisoft is yet to provide more context for the move, as fans of its games — and the vast majority of its staff — wait to hear more.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Borderlands 4 Hits a New Low Price, Including Switch 2 Preorders

Black Friday is creeping up on us. For those keeping an eye on the calendar, the big sale event kicks off next week on November 28, but there are already plenty of great deals to look through. This is especially true of video games, with select releases seeing some nice discounts so far. Borderlands 4 is among them at Amazon, as it’s hit a new low price for PS5, Xbox Series X, and even preorders on Nintendo Switch 2.

Borderlands 4 Hits a New Low Price

According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price yet for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions of Borderlands 4. It’s also a first-time price drop for the Switch 2 preorders, which is worth taking advantage of if you’ve been looking to own it for the handheld. It’s worth keeping in mind that the Switch 2 version has been delayed indefinitely, but this will still secure you a copy for when it’s ready.

We were big fans of Borderlands 4. In our 8/10 review, writer Travis Northup said it’s “a badass open-world evolution of a wonderfully unhinged looter-shooter series that needed to try something new, and it largely nails the biggest swings it takes. Combat is slicker than ever thanks to exciting new movement options and some interesting enemy designs, and the entertaining story takes things in a fresh direction while still tying neatly into existing lore.”

This deal is just the beginning. There’s so much more to come as we get closer to Black Friday, especially when it comes to video game deals. Our breakdowns of what to expect from PS5 and Xbox’s sales this year can help you plan ahead. Nintendo’s already announced its Black Friday sale so you can see what they’ll have up their sleeves as well.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.

Pokemon TCG: Phantasmal Flames Boosters Are Back in Stock at Amazon Ahead of Black Friday

Phantasmal Flames is officially out in the wild, ready for Pokémon Trainers worldwide to catch it. Luckily, I’m here to make sure they can do it with more Pokécoins left in their backpacks.

Right now, the Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is under market value compared to TCGplayer, and you could save another $60 on top of that deal if you play your cards right.

This isn’t just exclusive to the Booster box either; you can even get Phantasmal Flames and Mega Evolution Booster Bundles for free with Amazon’s latest promo card offer in the run-up to Black Friday.

All you need to do is apply for an Amazon Visa card, get accepted, and you’ll receive an instant $60 credit on your Amazon account.

Got AMEX or Discover? Use it at checkout to pay $1 off your order for a possible discount of up to 50%. It isn’t always available, but 100% worth checking before you commit to buying.

The discount should be applied automatically. Just follow the link here to see if you qualify, or see here for the Discover offer instead.

Of course, I wouldn’t give any financial advice, so if you’d struggle not getting into debt with a credit card, it might be best just taking the discounted price as is.

There’s always a chance you’ll pull the Mega Lucario ex Gold Hyper Rare or SIR or perhaps the Mega Gardevoir ex Gold Hyper Rare or SIR, but there’s also some gorgeous full arts to catch such as the Bulbasaur IR, Ivysaur IR and Venusaur ex SIR.

Or you could just follow the hyperlinks and buy them outright, with the Illustration Rares costing far less than a booster bundle if you can’t snag the free gift card.

Best Phantasmal Flames Chase Cards You Can Buy Right Now

The good news is Phantasmal Flames is moving to more affordable pricing after it’s launch weekend, with over $200 off the Gold Hyper Rare Mega Charizard X ex alone.

There’s plenty to chase in this set, but if you want to save more money i’d suggest buying single cards over opening endless boosters.

Here’s where to buy the top chase cards right now alongside up-to-date market values.

  1. Mega Charizard X ex – 125/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $809.99
    Market price: $783.68
    Most recent sale: $750
  2. Mega Charizard X ex – 130/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $649.95
    Market price: $641.73
    Most recent sale: $625
  3. Mega Charizard X ex – 109/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $84
    Market price: $55.40
    Most recent sale: $54.98
  4. Mega Lopunny ex – 128/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $58.02
    Market price: $44.58
    Most recent sale: $42.19
  5. Mega Sharpedo ex – 127/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $88.99
    Market price: $44.65
    Most recent sale: $41.23

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

Nintendo Resurrects Two Classic Characters For Donkey Kong: Bananza DLC

Donkey Kong 64 fans celebrate! Nintendo will pay tribute to a pair of classic N64 characters via an upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza Emerald Rush DLC challenge.

After years left in the wilderness, both Chunky Kong and Lanky Kong will return in the DLC as “exclusive in-game statues”, Nintendo has today confirmed, as part of the upcoming So Strong It’s Funny in-game challenge.

The event, set to run from November 25 to December 2, will be set on the game’s Hilltop Layer. As of yet, there’s no word on exactly how may points players will need to rack up to earn these latest cosmetic items used to decorate DK Island.

Regardless, long-term Kong fans are simply celebrating the fact that Nintendo has referenced these long-lost characters at all, after only a handful of glimpses over the past few decades.

Brawny but gentle Chunky Kong (cousin of Dixie Kong) has only made three video game appearances since his 1999 debut in Donkey Kong 64. He cameos in a Donkey Kong Country 3 mini-game on Game Boy Advance, then pops up as a sticker and spirit in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Ultimate.

Eagle-eyed fans also spotted a split-second appearance by Chunky Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, standing alongside an equally-brief appearance for Diddy and Dixie — though you’ll need to pause the film to really know it’s him.

Fans had hoped that this appearance, and the fact Nintendo had gone to the trouble of slightly tweaking his design, suggested more appearances for Chunky Kong in future. And indeed, Bananza’s upcoming statue seems to feature this same slightly-tweaked look. Could we see more of him in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie, or perhaps even that long-rumored upcoming Donkey Kong movie spin-off? Time will tell.

The long-armed Lanky Kong, meanwhile, is similarly little-seen. He didn’t get a Super Mario Bros. Movie cameo, but did appear as an unlockable character in 2007 Wii racer Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast. Could we be seeing more of him in the future too?

If you haven’t picked it up already, Bananza’s DLC is stuffed full of references to Donkey Kong 64 and other past classics, with appearances from Diddy, Dixie, Cranky, Squawks the parrot from Donkey Kong Country and DK’s house from Donkey Kong Country Returns. Other Kongs referenced (but not seen) include a poster for Candy Kong (don’t ask) and a pair of Donkey Konga bongo drums to bounce around on top of.

So now, who’s next for a return?

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Magic: The Gathering’s New Final Fantasy 7 Game Edition Commander Decks Are Finally Back in Stock

Amazon has finally restocked preorders for Magic: The Gathering’s Final Fantasy 7 Game Edition Commander Deck. It’s just in time, with the deck and several other new Final Fantasy MTG products set to release in just a couple of weeks on December 5.

Costing $99.99, the new version of the “Limit Break” Commander Deck offers the same 100-card deck you can find already, but with a download code for the original Final Fantasy 7 on PC, and a new promo card featuring the iconic shot of Cloud in FF7.

The new lineup has been incredibly hard to come by since it was revealed, and preorders sold out within a day. Amazon stocking up with a whole new allocation is great news for fans, and you no longer need to pay inflated prices to third-party sellers.

It’s not just a collectible item either; the commander deck itself is absolutely fantastic, and actually dovetails nicely with Fallout’s Scrappy Survivors precon from last year (as long as you’re happy with yet another bold RPG crossover).

Limit Break is all about getting your creatures to 7 power to trigger additional effects from Cloud or Tifa, while minimizing equip costs to allow you to switch gear and keep opponents guessing.

Reprint value is decent, too. Not only do you get Darksteel Plate, Sword of the Animist, and Fire-Lit Thicket, but Clever Concealment has some amazing new art of Cloud’s disguise.

Thanks to its Final Fantasy synergies, Stoneforge Mystic has been shooting up in both popularity and price.

This two-mana staple slots perfectly into the equipment-heavy Limit Break deck, tutoring out gear with ease, and the market has noticed, it’s jumped from under $20 to around $50 in recent listings.

That’s some serious stonks, and it could end up being a smart long-term pickup.

Check out the full MTG release schedule for this year to see what expansions are coming next, including Avatar: The Last Airbender. And for more Final Fantasy, consider picking up the 1-6 Pixel Remaster Collection at its lowest price yet in the early Black Friday sales.

Final Fantasy MTG: Best Chase Cards

The set is the most popular in Magic’s long history, and has led to prices skyrocketing for collector’s items like the Travelling Chocobo range and characters like Sephiroth.

Whether you’re opening boosters, sorting through prerelease pulls, or keeping tabs on the market for trade value, it’s clear this set is drawing serious attention.

If you’re curious which cards are in highest demand right now, either to cash in or just to see what the hype is all about, here’s a few handy pointers on what to look out for.

Robert Anderson is Senior Commerce Editor and IGN’s resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.

While Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Acknowledges Deliberate AI Use, Ubisoft Pledges to Remove AI Image That ‘Slipped Through’ To Anno 117’s Final Version

Assassin’s Creed publisher Ubisoft has said it will act swiftly to remove an image found within Anno 117: Pax Romana that contains AI-generated elements, which it says was not designed to be included in the game’s final version.

Fans of the city-building Anno franchise quickly spotted a loading screen featured in the series’ latest entry that was not of the same quality seen in others, with some telltale signs of AI generation: missing limbs, low-quality features and oddly composited elements.

As posted on reddit, and first reported by Kotaku, the game’s Steam listing also features a warning that “AI tools were used tp help create some in-game assets.” In a statement to IGN, Ubisoft noted that the image had been a “placeholder” and provided a final, human-made version of the artwork it had meant to include instead.

“This image was a placeholder asset that unintentionally slipped through our review process,” a Ubisoft spokesperson said. “The final image is attached here and will replace the current version of this artwork with the upcoming 1.3 patch.

“With Anno 117: Pax Romana being our most ambitious Anno yet, we’ve assembled the largest team of artists ever for the franchise and to help meet the project’s unique scope, they use AI tools for iterations, prototyping, and exploration. Every element players will experience in the final game reflects the team’s craft, artistry, and creative vision.”

Still, the final version of the image simply looks to have been retouched to clean up the original image’s more wonky elements — suggesting that anything else AI-generated which did look passable will remain.

Regardless, Ubisoft’s response differs from that of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 publisher Activision, which hit the headlines last week by simply acknowledging the widespread use of AI-generated imagery in its latest blockbuster shooter — particularly in its Studio Ghilbi-inspired calling cards. In a statement, Activision said its AI use was designed to “empower and support our teams to create the best gaming experiences possible for our players.”

Activision previously acknowledged the use of AI imagery in last year’s Black Ops 6, too — though only after fans pointed out a particularly egregious example of a six-fingered zombie Santa.

Outside of its AI use, Ubisoft’s Anno 117: Pax Romana has otherwise been warmly received. The game “is a gorgeous antique city-builder that sucked me in for dozens of hours,” IGN wrote in our Anno 117: Pax Romana review, awarding the game a 9/10 score.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Drops to All-Time Low Price in Early Black Friday Sales

Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection just hit its best price ever ahead of the Black Friday sales. It’s sitting at $40 right now, down from the usual $75, which is a clean 47% cut and even beats the recent Prime Day offer by another five bucks.

Break it down, and the value is absurd. Based on HowLongToBeat times, you’re looking at roughly 30 cents per hour of classic Final Fantasy if you work through the whole bundle.

In a market where new releases can run you double this package for a fraction of the content, that’s downright generous. These Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 editions also run perfectly on Switch 2 and PS5, so you’re covered on the hardware front.

Maybe you’ve recently discovered Final Fantasy because of the Magic: The Gathering crossover, and you’re curious where those characters and creatures actually come from.

This is the easiest way to get the full tour. You’re getting the first six games with modern touches like adjustable EXP gain, toggleable encounters, and auto-battle, all of which make these versions the most approachable they’ve ever been.

Not long ago, the physical edition was one of those almost impossible-to-find collector items. Reprints finally fixed that, and now all six games cost about half the price of a single new release.

As I mentioned, it’s the best price ever on this collection, so you’re getting the best deal possible (backed up by trusted price trackers like CamelCamelCamel).

Should You Wait for Black Friday?

Probably not. When a deal hits an all-time low during the run up to Black Friday, that’s usually the signal that retailers have already fired their biggest shot for deals like this.

This collection doesn’t swing up and down like mainstream blockbusters, and Square Enix hasn’t been in the habit of pushing deeper cuts on it outside the major tentpole events. The last meaningful drop was during Prime Day, and this price already beats that.

Plus, physical stock also isn’t guaranteed to sit around forever. This is still a niche collector-leaning release, and once the early Black Friday rush cleans out retailers, you’re at risk of FOMO.

Could Black Friday proper knock off another dollar or two? In theory. In practice, retailers use early Black Friday offers to test demand, and if something sells well at an all-time low, they don’t bother dropping it further. So if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to grab this set, in my expert opinion, this is the moment.

More Early Black Friday Deals

Black Friday discounts are already starting to roll in, and we’ll see a whole host of sales go officially live in the next few days across retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and more.

Big new deals include $50 off the Meta Quest 3S at Amazon, now $249, or just $329 for the 256GB version with Batman Arkham Shadow included.

Robert Anderson is Senior Commerce Editor and IGN’s resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.