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Microsoft Submits New Activision Blizzard Deal for Review After CMA Confirms Original Deal Block

Microsoft has submitted a new Activision Blizzard deal for review after the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed the original deal is blocked.

To address the CMA’s concerns, Microsoft has restructured the deal to buy a “narrower” set of rights. This includes signing a deal with Assassin’s Creed maker Ubisoft to sell the cloud streaming rights for all current and new Activision Blizzard PC and console games released over the next 15 years, and for non-exclusive rights to stream in the European Economic Area. The rights will be in perpetuity.

“As a result of the agreement with Ubisoft, Microsoft believes its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard presents a substantially different transaction under UK law than the transaction Microsoft submitted for the CMA’s consideration in 2022,” Microsoft president Brad Smith said.

“As such, Microsoft today has notified the restructured transaction to the CMA and anticipates that the CMA review processes can be completed before the 90-day extension in its acquisition agreement with Activision Blizzard expires on October 18.”

Microsoft said that under the restructured buyout, it will not be in a position either to release Activision Blizzard games exclusively on Xbox Cloud Gaming, or exclusively control the licensing terms of Activision Blizzard games for rival services, opening the possibility of Activision Blizzard games appearing on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles on cloud gaming services. Ubisoft can now commercialise the distribution of the games via cloud streaming, including to Microsoft itself.

Ubisoft will buy the cloud streaming rights to Activision’s games through a one-off payment and through a market-based wholesale pricing mechanism, including an option that supports pricing based on usage. Ubisoft will have the ability to license out to third-parties the cloud streaming rights to Activision’s games under any business model of its choosing, including buy-to-play, multigame subscription services, or any other model that may arise, the CMA said. Ubisoft will also be able, for a fee, to require Microsoft to adapt Activision’s titles to operating systems other than Windows, such as Linux, if it decides to use or license out the cloud streaming rights to Activision’s titles to a cloud gaming service that runs a non-Windows operating system.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “The CMA has today confirmed that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision, as originally proposed, cannot proceed.

“Separately, Microsoft has notified a new and restructured deal, which is substantially different from what was put on the table previously. As part of this new deal, Activision’s cloud streaming rights outside of the EEA will be sold to a rival, Ubisoft, who will be able to license out Activision’s content to any cloud gaming provider. This will allow gamers to access Activision’s games in different ways, including through cloud-based multigame subscription services. We will now consider this deal under a new Phase 1 investigation.

“This is not a green light. We will carefully and objectively assess the details of the restructured deal and its impact on competition, including in light of third-party comments. Our goal has not changed – any future decision on this new deal will ensure that the growing cloud gaming market continues to benefit from open and effective competition driving innovation and choice.”

“We believe that this development is positive for players, the progression of the cloud game streaming market, and for the growth of our industry,” Smith added. “And as we continue to navigate the review process with the CMA, we remain as committed as ever to bringing the incredible benefits of the acquisition to players, developers, and the industry. Today’s development brings us one step closer to bringing the joy of gaming to players everywhere.”

Ubisoft said the deal will “further strengthen Ubisoft’s content offering through its subscription service Ubisoft+, as well as allowing Ubisoft to license streaming access of the Activision Blizzard catalogue of games, including future releases, to cloud gaming companies, service providers, and console makers”.

“Ubisoft+ will be able to further expand its growing library of titles enabling players the ability to play across multiple platforms including PC, Xbox consoles and Amazon Luna with a single subscription to Ubisoft+ Multi Access, and on the PlayStation platform with Ubisoft+ Classics.”

Developing story…

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.

Immortals of Aveum Review

Much like the waistband of MacGyver’s trousers, Immortals of Aveum is a gun-free zone. This may sound like a peculiar predicament for a first-person shooter to place itself in, but developer Ascendant Studios has made it work. How, you ask? Magic. And I’m not being facetious here; I mean, literal barrages of brightly-coloured bullets magically blasted from the fingertips of a bloke who really puts the war in warlock. An unexpected collision of traditional high fantasy adventure with slick FPS action, Immortals of Aveum boasts a wonderful backdrop for its classy combat and comes with everything I crave in a modern shooter: it’s striking to look at, sturdy to play, and it’s strictly single-player only.

There are times when Immortals of Aveum feels like Wolfenstein with wizards, and others when it feels like Doctor Strange has been airdropped directly into Doom. It’s a curious concoction but it’s one that works surprisingly well, and I’ve particularly enjoyed how different Aveum is to anything I’ve played in recent memory. The firefights are frantic and visually spectacular, the light platforming and puzzle work is generally satisfying, and the world itself is very well-crafted.

Aveum’s arcanepunk aesthetic is very absorbing and creates a world of interesting extremes.

Aveum’s arcanepunk aesthetic is very absorbing and creates a world of interesting extremes; it’s a world where magic is ubiquitous and powers highly-advanced technology for war-torn societies still living a medieval-inspired lifestyle. This means wild flying machines and mindbending virtual puzzle rooms juxtaposed against gilded castles and ramshackle timber slums. It’s a cool clash of styles, and straddling multiple genres seems to suit Aveum’s ambitions as a first-person shooter with a twist.

Spells like Teen Spirit

We play as Jak who, in a moment of extreme stress in the opening phase of the story, is suddenly revealed to possess the power of a Triarch – an extremely rare person able to wield the world of Aveum’s three forms of magic simultaneously. Jak subsequently finds himself drafted into the Everwar – a battle for control over Aveum’s magic that has been raging for millennia but appears to be barrelling towards a catastrophic conclusion. The story specifics get a little lost in the weeds during occasional salvoes of fantasy phrases but it’s otherwise easy to follow – and there’s a steady cadence of moderate twists to keep it from getting bogged. If you want to get seriously steeped in lore there’s a lot of optional stuff to dig through, but it definitely isn’t required to sufficiently understand what’s going on. There are some very elegant ecological and social parables tucked in here, too, and I ultimately appreciated the contemporary relevance – and that the story wasn’t just spinning its wheels mindlessly.

I’ve noticed some resistance to the choice to use modern vernacular and colloquialisms in Aveum’s dialogue, but I honestly can’t see myself being as engaged as I was if Ascendant had opted instead for po-faced, pseudo–Early Modern English. In fact, I’d argue that leaning on archaic language would only undermine how otherwise fresh and modern Aveum feels in the first-person shooter space. Not every line lands – and there’s a certain Generation Z angst about Jak that I didn’t always find entirely endearing – but the performances are good and I can get behind it broadly. Besides, I don’t know about you, but I don’t know that I need all my fantasy stories sifted through a Shakespeare filter just to dress up the dialogue with some 400-year-old dribble.

I don’t know that I need all my fantasy stories sifted through a Shakespeare filter just to dress up the dialogue with some 400-year-old dribble.

On default difficulty, Aveum kept me busy for well over 20 hours to reach the credits. It’s nicely paced and strikes a good balance between switching up our surroundings for new locations and returning us to places we’ve already visited. While there are a few drab and dreary spots, most of Aveum’s environments are exceptionally good looking – from its giant lava pools to its icy and jagged crystal caves. The excellent lighting is regularly a strong component of what makes Aveum’s levels so eye-catching.

It’s a relatively linear experience and not a single open world, but there are some maps that are admittedly quite large and primed for exploring off the main path. There were definitely occasions I found myself slightly frustrated at Jak’s inability to leap on and over surfaces that look entirely suitable for standing on, but my bigger frustration was the lack of communication around things Jak couldn’t access yet by design. For instance, Aveum was very quick to have Jak drop an audio solution to an environmental puzzle I was already well on top of solving, but it’s also content to leave me fruitlessly trying to figure out how to get into a bonus area Jak literally hasn’t been rewarded with the ability to do yet.

Rusty Mage

Jak’s list of abilities is, however, impressively long. They’re also rationed out until quite deep into the story, meaning things that might have stumped us hours and hours prior may suddenly make sense. Aveum feels a little plain at first, when Jak is limited to just his initial basic spell strikes, but as the story progresses he gains access to far more interesting attacks and abilities. These include things like sticky charges that have a slow-motion effect, the ability to hover after a double jump, and a lash that drags enemies in for an easier close quarters kill. Aveum is undoubtedly a lot more than a disguised military shooter with finger guns.

The finger guns are a fun touch, though, and they’re essentially split into three categories. Blue magic attacks function as a large calibre pistol, green magic attacks manifest as rapid fire SMG rounds, and red magic attacks are essentially a sawn-off shotgun. Red attacks are reloaded by fist pumping, by the way. Now we know what Tiger Woods is doing every time he sinks a putt.

However, if you’re worried this means there are only three basic “weapons” in Aveum, don’t be; there are variations on each that change their damage, fire rate, and shots per reload depending on the associated “sigil” you equip to Jak’s arm, and there’s also another layer of secondary attacks – from damaging blastwaves to snaking volleys of magic missiles. There’s even an extremely potent beam that combines all three magic colours in a single, destructive torrent – gushing forwards like someone just knocked Cyclops’ sunglasses off. I really enjoy how powerful this attack makes Jak feel, and it’s crucial in some of the tougher boss battles.

Aveum does motivate us to engage with discovering and experimenting with new sigils, although it also didn’t punish me for settling with the ones I had already fully upgraded and sticking with them until the end of the story.

There’s a significant degree of controller gymnastics required to get the most of Aveum’s combat. I would also say that, as a man with the multitasking abilities of a peanut, it certainly grazes the upper limit to the amount of systems I can effectively juggle at once. At its most hectic I was nursing multiple ability cooldowns, boosting both my health and mana levels, switching sigils depending on which enemy poses the most immediate threat, and slinging special spells to deal out the fastest damage I can – all while building my big beam attack.

At times, I felt on top of [combat]; at other times things descended into panicked blasting. The strength of Aveum is that it all looks rather spectacular either way.

At times, I felt on top of it; at other times things descended into panicked blasting. The strength of Aveum is that it all looks rather spectacular either way. Whether you’re efficiently and ruthlessly carving through enemies with focus and finesse – or wading into battle spamming spells and seeing what works – combat is a wild storm of shattering shields and colourful fireworks at a welcome 60 frames per second on consoles. Movement is smooth, and Jak feels agile and responsive compared to the bulk of his foes. Jak is by definition one of the most dangerous battlemages in all of Aveum, and I certainly felt like that most of the time.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Includes a Warning for Content That ‘May Be Considered Outdated’

Whether in the incest themes in Otacon’s backstory or the series’ overall leering approach to women, Metal Gear Solid is no stranger to controversy. Noting this, Konami has seen fit to include a content warning in the opening of each of the major games in the collection, which include Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Metal Gear Solid 3 as well as versions of the original 8-bit games.

According to Gamesradar, which first spotted the content warning during the recent round of previews, the collection contains the following message warning players about elements that “may be considered outdated.”

This game contains expressions and themes which may be considered outdated. However, these elements have been included without alteration to preserve the historical context in which the game was made and the creator’s original vision. Player discretion is advised

The message declines to name Hideo Kojima, who is closely associated with the series. Kojima, who was fired shortly before the completion of Metal Gear Solid V, is not involved with the Master Collection or the upcoming MGS 3 remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta.

Konami’s content warning bears a striking resemblance to the one utilized by Warner Bros. ahead of some of its golden age Looney Tunes cartoons, which contain content typically viewed as racist by modern audiences. It’s not a common sight in video games, though.

Naturally, fans were quick to speculate on what specifically might have motivated the content warning. Apart from the above-mentioned incest themes, some pointed out that Metal Gear Solid 2 included a scene in which the President grabs Raiden’s crotch, among other things. Needless to say, Metal Gear Solid has never been shy about being silly and risque with its humor.

An ‘authentic’ Metal Gear Solid experience

One way or another, Konami says it is dedicated to providing an “authentic” Metal Gear Solid experience, telling IGN, “We want to add that the concept for this collection really is to provide the most authentic MGS experience possible, with minor quality of life changes to smooth out a few edges from a different era of game development. Konami’s goal is to provide a new generation of players an accessible way to experience MGS while including all the MGS-flavored set dressing and bonus content that the core fans will appreciate.”

Konami’s professed commitment to authenticity seemingly includes releasing the collection in 720p even on modern consoles, which is currently spurring controversy among fans of the series. While it includes plenty of bonus content, it is otherwise a fairly straightforward port of the original Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, with some previewers even spotting a 2012 copyright (the original HD collection release date) in the menu screen.

Our own Metal Gear Solid Master Collection preview notes many of these issues, including the noticeable slowdown and lower framerate in the Switch version. You can read our first impressions right here.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 is set to release October 24 on PC, Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. As for Metal Gear Solid Delta, it’ll be out in 2024.

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.

Canceled Immortals Fenyx Rising Sequel Would Have Been a Mix of Wind Waker and Elden Ring

Last month, reports emerged that Ubisoft had quietly canceled a sequel to Immortals Fenyx Rising, its colorful open world action-adventure game that many reviewers compared to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Now new details have emerged suggesting that Ubisoft’s canceled game would have taken inspiration from not just Zelda, but Elden Ring as well.

According to new report on Axios, Immortals 2 — codenamed Oxygen within Ubisoft — would have shifted its setting to Polynesia, giving it an island vibe that would have been reminiscent of Wind Waker. What’s more, it would have apparently borrowed heavily from Elden Ring, eschewing map points in favor of dropping players in a hostile world.

The story would have had an environmental theme, with player actions impacting the land around them. It would have featured elemental powered and shape-shifting, with players earning new tattoos based on their actions. The art style would have eschewed the cartoonier look of the original game, featuring instead characters who were more realistic. On top of all of that, Immortals 2 would have reportedly dropped the original’s narrator and focused away from puzzles.

In short, it would have been a very different game — different enough that Ubisoft apparently considered rebranding it as a different game entirely.

Developer Ubisoft Quebec was reportedly taking its time with the project, but by spring the studio had apparently produced an internal demo featuring several playable hours. Ultimately, though, Ubisoft opted to cancel it to focus on established franchises like Assassin’s Creed.

Ubisoft tries to right the ship

Oxygen’s sudden cancellation is emblematic of Ubisoft’s recent pivot toward its best-known properties as it grapples with the effects of a bare release schedule and other issues. The original game was a modest success, but seemingly not enough to warrant a sequel. Nevertheless, its cancellation was reportedly a “surprise” to the development team at Ubisoft Quebex.

In the meantime, Ubisoft is all in on Assassin’s Creed. Assassin’s Creed Mirage, billed as a return to the franchise’s root, is set to release later this year, with Assassin’s Creed Red and Assassin’s Creed Jade also in development. Numerous other Assassin’s Creed projects are also in development as Ubisoft seeks to regain its footing in what has been a rough couple years for the publisher.

As for Immortals: Fenyx Rising, it seems destined to fade into history as Ubisoft moves on to other projects. Happily, it’s still relatively easy to find the original game, which is available on all major consoles on PC.

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.

See an Iconic Sonic Statue From London Restored to Its Former Glory in Time for Gamescom

Many UK gamers have fond memories of Segaworld, a massive arcade billed as the largest in Europe during the 1990s. Greeting visitors at the entrance was a huge status of Sonic the Hedgehog spinning a globe on his finger. It was the most exciting entrance to an arcade a ’90s teen could ever imagine.

IGN Japan editor Daniel Robson is among those who have fond memories of the Sonic statue, saying that it’s “seared permanently” into his memory.

“The arcade was closed after four years in 2000, and I had assumed the statue was gone forever,” he says

Much like the arcade scene in general, the Sonic statue was thought lost to time. But in a new video posted to Sega Forever on X, the statue is seen being uncovered and beautifully restored. It’s not the only statue fans are trying to save, either. In 2019, we reported on a similar effort to save statues of Sonic and Princess Sally from a Sydney theme park in Australia.

The Sonic statue will once greet visitors at Sega’s booth at Gamescom, which is set to kick off later this week. Sega is currently in the midst of promoting the upcoming release of Sonic Superstars, a classic Sonic platformer that will utilize 2.5D graphics.

Outside of Sega’s lineup, Gamescom is expected to feature a host of upcoming games including Mortal Kombat 1 and Alan Wake 2. It will kick off tomorrow with Opening Night Live, which host Geoff Keighley says will be “less about announcing new projects” and will focus on those already shown.

IGN will be at Gamescom all week. You can find find our Gamescom 2023 how to watch and schedule right here.

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.

Remnant 2 Takes Down Diablo 4 to Become July 2023’s Best-Selling Game in the U.S.

The battle for Game of the Summer has found its victor. Remnant 2 beat Diablo 4 to become the best-selling game of July 2023 in the U.S. According to the latest NPD data from Mat Piscatella, Gearbox’s Remnant 2 ranked first in July sales for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Steam, dethroning Activision Blizzard’s Diablo IV.

Pikmin 4 was July’s other notable debut, jumping into sixth place, just behind Final Fantasy XVI. Online updates also saw the return of Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Call of Duty: Black Ops III to the Top 20, coming in at #13 and #20 respectively.

You can see the 10 best-selling games of July 2023 below.

1. Remant 2

2. Diablo IV

3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

4. Hogwarts Legacy

5. Final Fantasy XVI

6. Pikmin 4

7. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

8. Street Fighter 6

9. Elden Ring

10. MLB The Show 23

Remnant II’s ranking is partly attributed to it selling over a million copies in its first week after releasing on July 25. We called it a “triumphant sequel” in our review, and it quickly jumped to the top of Steam’s charts, fueled by a dedicated community searching for a host of easter eggs.

“Remnant II exceeded our expectations,” Gearbox Publishing San Francisco president Yoon Im said at the time. “As a commercial and critical hit, we’re incredibly proud of the Gunfire team and everyone here at Gearbox Publishing who brought this title to life.”

Remnant II is currently the 18th best-selling game of 2023, with Hogwarts Legacy at number one and Tears of the Kingdom behind it at number 2.

PS5 was the top-selling console in July

Meanwhile, the PS5 continues to top the charts despite the 19% decline in year over year hardware spending to $292 million. Hardware spending is up overall by 17 percent.

PlayStation 5 was the best-selling platform in both units and dollars last month, with the Nintendo Switch ranking second in both categories. The PS5’s DualSense Edge controller also became the best-selling game accessory of 2023 in dollar sales, driving last month’s accessory spending to $173 million, which is 8% higher than last year’s sales.

The PS5 surpassed 40 million units sold last month, trackling slightly behind PS4 in total sales. The PlayStation 5’s next big release is Spider-Man 2, which is expected to be one of the biggest releases of 2023. It’ll be out October 20 alongside a special PS5 console bundle, which you can pre-order now.

Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.

Seven Things You Need to Know About Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis

Final Fantasy VII is one of the most beloved role-playing games of all time, and its endearing cast is a big reason for its ongoing popularity. Every FFVII fan has spent some quality playtime with the former SOLDIER Cloud, the martial artist Tifa, the flower girl Aerith, and the rest of the misfit AVALANCHE resistance members. We love them, but maybe it’s time for a change of perspective.

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis (FFVIIEC) is an upcoming RPG that includes a playable new story which revolves around a young Sephiroth. The fledgling world-famous antagonist offers a new point of view on classic moments in Final Fantasy VII’s story. But there’s far more to FFVIIEC than re-visiting the past. Here are seven things you should know about the game.

Learn Why Sephiroth Is the Way He Is

Sephiroth has been regarded as a top-tier RPG villain since his debut in 1997. Despite his many appearances in the Square Enix universe (and a jaunt into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate), we don’t know much about this black-robed enigma. FFVIIEC takes us back to when Sephiroth was quite young (and still growing out his trademark silver hair). What was Sephiroth like before he was an adult? Was he always destined to be a villain, or is there the spark of a hero in his heart? FFVIIEC tells us the tale.

Play Through Three Stories, Including a New Tale with New Protagonists: Glenn, Matt, and Lucia

Sephiroth’s story in FFVIIEC is called “Final Fantasy VII The First SOLDIER,” and it’s a brand-new adventure that also features three new protagonists: SOLDIERs named Glenn, Matt, and Lucia. The hidden truth behind SOLDIER will be revealed as this generation rises, and we’ll find out how the fate of the three SOLDIERS become intertwined with Sephiroth. While FFVIIEC teaches us more about Sephiroth, it also lets us revisit classic Final Fantasy VII characters and locales. Look for new side-stories involving established Final Fantasy VII cast members and plot points, as well as new tales about Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII characters like Zack Fair.

Battles Against Big Bads Look Cooler Than Ever

FFVIIEC’s battle system plays off the original Active Time Battle system that drives the fights in Final Fantasy VII. FFVIIEC’s battles inspire nostalgia with the reappearance of certain enemies, bosses, and locales, but the new, modernized visuals give you a new perspective on places you already thought you knew. Limit Breaks and monster Summons happen through cutscenes, and the mobile game’s new options to auto battle or change battle speed let you control the pacing of FFVIIEC’s scuffles.

Help the Characters Become Their Best Selves

FFVIIEC lets you power up your dream party with a huge array of materia and weapons. Materia can be synthesized using recipes and materials you collect in the world of FFVIIEC. Special consumable items let you strengthen your weapons. In time, you’ll be able to summon powerful monsters and access new, more devastating Limit Breaks. The more quests you take on, the more these vital resources flow into the construction of your favorite team.

Outfit Your Party in Costumes Galore

Let’s be honest with ourselves: We love to dress up our favorite video game characters for the same reason we like to put shirts on cats. FFVIIEC recognizes the joy of putting silly (and cool!) clothes on Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Zack, et al. That’s why you can obtain new outfits, dresses, and costumes for your characters, several designed exclusively for FFVIIEC. Best of all, they stay pristine no matter how many monsters you gut while wearing them.

Fight Powerful Bosses With Your Favorite Characters in Co-Op

FFVIIEC doesn’t just contain a meaty story that’s full of familiar faces and brand new surprises. There’s also a co-op mode that lets you team up with friends to take down powerful bosses. Form parties of three by choosing your character–including popular faces like Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Zack–and wreak havoc on huge monsters. Coordinate with your comrades in the lobby as well as the battlefield, ensuring that your battle plans should lead you to victory. (Emphasis on “should.”)

The Final Fantasy VII Cast is Nostalgic, but New

Remember how Final Fantasy VII’s character models were revolutionary for 32-bit systems, even though Cloud, Barret, Tifa, and everyone look like they’re made of boxes? Square Enix remembers, which is why FFVIIEC “remixes” the cast. The character models are rendered in a style that recalls the PlayStation’s popular polygons. The visual mix lends the game a unique air.

There’s always a new tale to be told in the Final Fantasy VII universe, and this time it’s Sephiroth’s turn to speak up. FFVIIEC lets you revisit old friends, meet new ones, and test your fighting prowess alongside your friends. Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is coming to the App Store, as well as Google Play on September 7th.

Splatoon 3 Amiibo Are Up For Preorder at Best Buy: Pick Up Big Man, Shiver, and Frye

If you’ve been looking to add some more amiibo to your collection this year, you can now preorder Splatoon 3 amiibo at Best Buy. This collection includes Big Man, Shiver, and Frye – members of the band Deep Cut and hosts of the Anarchy Splatcast – and they’re all set to release this year on November 17.

Click on the links below to preorder yours today from Best Buy’s website.

Splatoon 3 Amiibo Up For Preorder at Best Buy

We adored Splatoon 3 when it was released last year, giving it an 8 out of 10 in our review and explaining that “Splatoon 3’s single-player campaign takes all the highs of Splatoon 2’s creative Octo Expansion missions and places them in a satisfying hub world where freedom of choice lets you get as much as you want out of your playthrough — confident that you’ll be back for more.” We also explained that it has, “smart level design and objectives, and bosses brimming with personality”.

And if you’re looking to pick up even more amiibo, some more exciting new releases from this year have come from The Legend of Zelda series. With the release of Tears of the Kingdom back in May, a variety of Zelda reprints and new amiibo went up for purchase alongside it. Not only did this include the brand new Tears of the Kingdom Link amiibo, but also reprints for an Ocarina of Time Link amiibo, a Twilight Princess Link amiibo, a Wind Waker Link amiibo, and a Majora’s Mask Link amiibo. If you’d like to see every Zelda amiibo available, make sure to check out our breakdown of every Legend of Zelda amiibo for details on what’s available and where you can pick them up. You can find even more amiibo available outside of Zelda in our best toys and collectibles gift guide as well.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.

Ghostrunner 2 Release Date Officially Revealed After Leak

Following its release date leak, 505 Games has officially confirmed that Ghostrunner 2 will launch on October 26 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

“Despite our best ninja skills, we couldn’t stop the news leaking on Ghostrunner 2,” 505 Games said in a Tweet.

Before 505 Games had the chance to properly announce the date, it leaked alongside prices for the various editions as well. The Standard version is $40, the Deluxe Edition is $50, and the Brutal Edition is $70.

Those who preorder the game will receive the Red Eye Dragon and Golden Traditional sword and hand skins, but they will also be sold separately at a later date. For those who upgrade to either the Deluxe or Brutal editions, they will receive 48 hours of early access as well.

Ghostrunner 2 was officially announced during May 2023’s PlayStation Showcase, and the game’s release date may have been set to be revealed at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live. Either way, the leak prompted the teams to announce it earlier than planned.

The first Ghostrunner was released in 2020. In IGN’s Ghostrunner review, we said, “With its breakneck pace and skill-heavy gameplay, Ghostrunner is a speedrunner’s dream. But even beyond that demographic, this is a great first person action game that feels punishing but fair.”

George Yang is a freelance writer for IGN. He’s been writing about the industry since 2019 and has worked with other publications such as Insider, Kotaku, NPR, and Variety.

When not writing about video games, George is playing video games. What a surprise! You can follow him on Twitter @Yinyangfooey

Nintendo Confirms Original Mario Voice Actor Charles Martinet Is ‘Stepping Back’ From Recording

Nintendo has confirmed that Charles Martinet, the original voice actor of Mario who has played the character since 1991, will be “stepping back from recording character voices for our games” and will now serve as a “Mario Ambassador.”

Nintendo shared the news on Twitter/X, saying fans can also expect a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Martinet to arrive at a later date.

“Charles Martinet has been the original voice of Mario in Nintendo games for a long time, as far back as Super Mario 64,” Nintendo wrote. “Charles is now moving into the brand-new role of Mario Ambassador. With this transition, he will be stepping back from rrecording character voices for our games, but he’ll continue to travel the world sharing the joy of Mario and interacting with you all!

“It has been an honor working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him. Please keep an eye out for a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles himself, which we will post at a future date.”

Martinet quote tweeted Nintendo’s post, saying, “My new adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart! #woohoo !!!!!!!”

Martinet won the job for Mario after a friend told him there was an audition at a tradeshow where he’d need to “talk to people as a plumber.” He obviously won the job, and first voiced Mario at tradeshows for a 3D version of the character that was meant to be able to converse with attendees.

His first video game appearance as Mario was in 1994’s Mario Teaches Typing, but many came to know and love him in 1996’s Super Mario 64. He would continue to not only voice Mario for Nintendo, but also Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Metal Mario, Shadow Mario, Baby Mario, and more.

Back in 2021, Martinet said he wants to “voice Mario until I drop dead.” While that dream appears to be over, it’s reassuring to know he will still be spreading joy and happiness across the world with that iconic voice.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.