S.O.P.H.I.A.
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Posts posted by S.O.P.H.I.A.
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A new animated Minecraft series has been announced for Netflix.
The series was revealed as part of Minecraft's 15th year anniversary celebrations, with a short teaser trailer. This trailer shows a lone Creeper making its way onto the scene, before it explodes. The camera then pans through over a blocky lava filled cavern in the Nether, before it comes to rest on Netflix's large red 'N' logo perched atop a rock. Bats fly overhead.
"This just happened," the description reads. "The best selling game of all time and the biggest streamer in the world are teaming up to bring you a brand NEW Minecraft Netflix animated series!" You can check it out for yourself below.
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A retail listing for Resident Evil 9 has popped up on Play Asia, along with PS5 versions of Code Veronica, Resident Evil 0, and Resident Evil 5.
Whilst the remakes have long been rumoured to be in development, the former includes a hitherto unknown subtitle, "Revenant Shadows", what may or may not be the final cover art, and a description of the game.
"Resident Evil 9: Revenant Shadows is the latest instalment in the iconic survival horror series by Capcom," the store description says.
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PlayStation has reiterated its approach to releasing its games on PC, stating live-service games will launch day-and-date on PC. However, its tentpole single player games will not.
This comes from one of PlayStation's dual CEOs, Hermen Hulst, during a public business presentation held earlier this morning. During it, Hulst explained the strategy for releasing PlayStation's single-player games on PC at a later date, rather than day-and-date, citing it's part of a strategy to bring more people into the PlayStation platform.
"Indeed, we are bringing our titles to the PC platform, and we have a dual approach here," Hulst said. "On the live service side, we are releasing our titles simultaneously, so day and date on PlayStation 5 and PC. But with our tentpole titles, our single player narrative-driven titles that [are] the backbone of what PlayStation studios has delivered in recent years and in our history, we take a more strategic approach and we introduce our great franchises to new audiences, and we're finding new audiences that are potentially going to be very interested in playing, for example, sequels, on the PlayStation platform.
"We have high hopes that we are actually able to bring new players into PlayStation at large, but into PlayStation platforms specifically. Actually, the same goes for the work that we do with extending our great properties onto other media, such as television series and film, for example, as you have seen with The Last of Us on HBO or Gran Turismo on film, that brings new players into our franchises as well."
While this doesn't come as a surprise – we saw the live-service multiplayer Helldivers 2 launch earlier this year simultaneously on PS5 and PC while Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut only just hit PC this month, years after its PS5 release – it's nice to officially hear PlayStation's approach moving forward.
For more, read about how the PS5 generation is already Sony's most profitable yet, and then read about how the PS5 recently broke a sales record for Sony. After that, check out Game Informer's list of the top 10 PS5 games.
Do you think PlayStation's making the right call with how it handles PC releases? Let us know in the comments below!
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The PlayStation 5 generation is already Sony's most profitable yet, the company has announced. In terms of numbers, the PS5 generation has already earned Sony $106 billion, according to a slide from its "Game & Network Services Segment" presentation from PlayStation's two new CEOs, Hideaki Nishino and Hermen Hulst.
However, on that same slide, Sony shows that the PlayStation 4 generation earned $107 billion, which is obviously more than $106 billion. But, the reason Sony is calling the PS5 generation the most profitable one yet is because the PS4 generation is largely complete whereas the PS5 presumably still has years to go. Given it's made $106 billion in roughly four years, it seems Sony is confident it will surpass $107 billion in the coming months or years.
As for what Sony is including in its profits, it's the entire gamut of the PS5 generation. This includes the PS5 console itself, associated hardware and accessories, and software, too. It also includes services, like PlayStation Plus, as well, according to the presentation.
One of the reasons the PS5 generation might be Sony's most profitable yet is because even though the playerbase is as big as the PS4 – both are sitting at 49 million active consoles as of last month – PS5 players are playing significantly more on their console. The PS5 generation sits at 2.4 billion total gameplay hours while the PS4 sits at 1.4 billon. More playtime likely equates to more spending, which might be one of the reasons the PS5 generation is doing as well financially as it is.
Life-to-date spending on the PS5 is also higher amongst players than the PS4, too. Across peripherals, services, content/add-ons, and content/full games, the PS4 life-to-date spend is $580 while PS5 players average $731.
For more, read about how the PS5 recently broke a sales record for Sony, and then check out Game Informer's list of the top 10 PS5 games.
What are your thoughts on the PlayStation 5 generation so far? Let us know in the comments below!
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Eyes up, Guardian – The Final Shape DLC has leaked online after the expansion was temporarily available earlier today.
As reported dozens of times in the Destiny 2 subreddit community and beyond, "the entire" The Final Shape DLC was "playable" – although some say this is an exaggeration and the content was merely accessible – until, eventually, developer Bungie "killed" the servers.
Unfortunately, this was not before spoilers about the story, raid, trophies, loot, and more – much, much more – swamped social media and online communities. It appears the content became available after yesterday's scheduled maintenance.
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Netflix has announced a partnership with Mojang Studios to create a new animated series based on Minecraft. The news comes as part of a celebration of Minecraft’s 15th anniversary.
WildBrain, the studio behind other Netflix shows such as Sonic Prime, Ninjago: Dragons Rising, and Carmen Sandiego, is developing this CG-animated Minecraft show. Plot details are nonexistent, but a press release states the series will be "showing the world of Minecraft in a new light" and feature an original story with new characters.
This won't be the only on-screen adaptation of the best-selling video game of all time. A live-action Minecraft movie is currently in production, with Jack Black confirmed to star as Steve.
The Minecraft show, whatever it winds up being titled, has no premiere date. In the meantime, be sure to catch up on the other video game adaptations Netflix has on the way, including the first teaser for Season 4 of The Witcher (now starring Liam Hemsworth), the first trailer for Arcane Season 2, and the first look at the animated Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft starring Hayley Atwell.
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How Still Wakes the Deep Makes You Care for a Doomed Crew
Summary
- Still Wakes the Deep follows through on its cinematic inspirations as we go hands-on with the first two hours of the game.
- Being able to develop a rapport with the Beira D oil rig crew before disaster strikes helps you connect emotionally.
- Still Wakes the Deep is launching June 18, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and will be available day one with Game Pass.
I never thought I’d find the open sea air more terrifying than navigating through a confined, flooded bulkhead… but here we are. I think part of that comes from the fact that as you look upon the open ocean that surrounds the Beira D oil rig – the central location of The Chinese Room’s (Dear Esther, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs) upcoming horror game Still Wakes the Deep – it’s an ever-present and cold reminder that you’re trapped here with just a handful of crew standing between you and impending doom.
There’s no getting off this ride; the terror on board is something that you must contend with at some point, and I love that part of the game so far. This mix of tension, dread, and inevitable horror is clicking so well that it’s going to be excruciating having to wait a few more weeks to finish my tour of duty in Still Wakes the Deep when it launches June 18, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and day one with Game Pass.
We’ve previously covered some of the many cinematic inspirations the team has brought to Still Wakes the Deep. Now having played through the first third of the game and seen many of those films, I think they’re nailing the look, feel, and inspiration for many on that list. In particular, “The Thing” and “Annihilation.”
Another that came to mind while playing — which is a different type of horror — is Craig Mazin’s excellent “Chernobyl.” That’s felt most especially in the early stages –an accident on the mammoth oil rig sets off a cascade of events, rocking the station and everyone on board, and the crew springs into action trying to make sense of what just happened. Before they know it, the situation has continued to spiral further and further beyond their control, shifting from containment to one of survival mixed with fleeting thoughts of escape.
But crucially, before that moment arrives – the calm before the storm – the game opens with the chance to explore a good chunk of Beria D and interact with what feels like every member of the crew in some capacity. Each one is given a moment with your main character, Cameron “Caz” McLeary, mixed in with a fair bit of swearing and ribbing. With the oil rig located off the coast of Scotland, it’s well written and believable, allowing you to develop a rapport with this crew before things start to fall apart.
Time with everyone early on might be brief, but it’s immersive, and it’s handled with great effect — like how the spoken dialog leans heavily on UK English and the regional dialects (I had to play with subtitles to catch everything said accurately). In just a short amount of time we’re brought into Caz’s predicament and how that feeds through the entire crew in the lead-up to the accident. It also gives you a good sense of the crew’s bond with each other — they care a lot for one another. This makes the latter parts of the demo land particularly emotional, once many of them become distressed (and much, much worse).
As shown in the gameplay footage from last year, we’re asked to navigate through bulkheads, flooded passageways, and very dark corridors with nothing but a screwdriver and a headlamp. The design of the interior of the Beria D is very impressively modeled – you can practically feel how cold it is to walk through the station, or when placing your hands on the wheel of an airlock, as the sound of the wind rushes through you once you step outside. It’s a great contrast to the silence that comes when all the hatches are locked down tight, letting any little sound reverberate through the station.
The… let’s call it the terror here as we’ve been asked to avoid spoilers, is… well… terrifying. I’ll leave it at that. If that’s not enough, Caz finds himself at times falling into a bizarre hallucinatory state that seems connected to the events around him, which is another mystery I’m eager to explore further, and see how the story brings all these events together.
We only experienced a taste of what Still Wakes the Deep has in store for us, but it’s clear The Chinese Room appears to be firing on all cylinders here — they’re on the cusp delivering another masterpiece of gaming horror. Look for Still Wakes the Deep to launch June 18, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and day one with Game Pass.
The post How Still Wakes the Deep Makes You Care for a Doomed Crew appeared first on Xbox Wire.
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Anyone looking to jump into Destiny 2's The Final Shape expansion next week might want to steer clear of the internet for a while, as some players reportedly accessed the new content after it accidentally went live. According to a warning post on the Destiny 2 subreddit, details on the entire campaign, seasonal content, and the raid were leaked online.
"If you don't like leaks/spoilers, tomorrow is gonna be hell. Get off the internet. It's so bad that I'd be surprised if they didn't just release The Final Shape early to avoid people getting spoiled," the warning reads.
Bungie has not responded to the leaks yet, which are reportedly the result of an accidental update made by Sony. What makes this leak notable is that The Final Shape is being billed as the conclusion to the decade-long Light and Darkness Saga of Destiny. The last few years have seen Bungie focus more on the story of its game, slowly weaving in new threads and developments across multiple expansions and seasons, and this expansion is expected to provide a satisfying conclusion to all of this work.
A recent cinematic set at the end of Season of the Wish has reintroduced a pivotal and previously dead character back to Destiny--he got better--and The Final Shape launch trailer has hinted at another major character possibly being corrupted by the Witness as it seeks to bring about the "Final Shape" of the universe.
The Final Shape launches on June 4, and until then, you can check out spoiler-free previews discussing the expansion's new destination, the Pale Heart of the Traveler, and the new Prismatic subclass.
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Repeating what he originally said in 2022, PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst said during Sony's latest business update briefing that Sony will not launch most of its first-party "tentpole" titles to PC at the same time as they come to PlayStation 5. The exception here is for live-service titles, which is something Hulst also made clear years ago. Microsoft, on the other hand, launches many of its first-party games on Xbox and PC at the same time, and also as day-one releases on Game Pass.
"We have a dual approach here. On the live-service side, we are releasing our titles simultaneously, so day-and-date on PlayStation 5 and PC. But with our tentpole titles--our single-player, narrative-driven titles that are the backbone of what PlayStation Studios has delivered in recent years and in our history--we take a more strategic approach," Hulst, the new co-CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, said.
Back in 2022, Hulst said the company would not bring its marquee first-party PS5 games to PC for at least a year after they originally debut. The exception is live-service exclusive games like Helldivers II, which launched on Steam and PS5 on the same day earlier this year. The Steam release went over positively at launch before Sony announced that Steam players would need to create a PSN account to keep playing. This was poorly received by fans and Sony backtracked.
Also during the business briefing, Hulst said with this approach, PlayStation is hoping that PC players might try one of Sony's single-player games that has already come to PC and then consider buying a PS5 to play a sequel.
Sony has released a number of its single-player games on PC already, including Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, Horizon: Forbidden West, and Spider-Man, among others.
Hulst also added that the same effort is true for Sony's TV and film adaptations--if people watch and enjoy, say, The Last of Us series on HBO, they might be encouraged to buy a PS5 and play the next title in the series. As it happens, Naughty Dog has provided a strong indication that it will make The Last of Us: Part III.
Hermen Hulst, soon to be co-CEO of Sony's PlayStation business, addresses day 1 PC releases. Live service games will come day and date on PS5 and PC, but single player narrative games on PC are designed to then entice PC owners to play sequels on a PlayStation console pic.twitter.com/uAO0stlBS6
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) May 29, 2024As for why Sony doesn't release its new games into the PlayStation Plus catalog, the company has said the "virtuous cycle" of investment that leads to commercial payoff would be significantly derailed if Sony were to take that approach. For its part, Microsoft is only pushing further into this by bringing Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to Game Pass at launch later this year.
In other PlayStation news, the next State of Play broadcast is coming up today, May 30, promising news and updates on PS5 and PSVR 2 games.
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Dungeons of Hinterberg Captures True Vacation Vibes (With Added Monster Slaying)
The classic vacation dilemma – do we go out, experience this new place, and find activities to do; or do we just sit down and relax? When I started playing the first 5 hours of Dungeons of Hinterberg, I wasn’t expecting a video game to so perfectly capture a feeling I’ve had on every real-life trip I’ve taken. And yet, through a clever melding of action-puzzling and Persona-like social statistics, that’s exactly what I found myself thinking in this game’s early stages.
Dungeons of Hinterberg has a curious, unique set-up – it’s set in our world, but for that fact that, three years ago, mysterious dungeons popped up around the globe, packed with folklore-inspired monsters, and offering magical powers to those that travel there. We take on the role of Luisa, a disillusioned lawyer who’s travelled to Hinterberg – a picturesque Austrian resort town that’s made a tourist industry out of its 25 new dungeons – for a vacation.
While it could be simple story set-up, that vacation forms the entire structure of the game. Each day in Hinterberg is split up into Morning (usually accompanied by a story sequence), Noon (where you can decide to explore the game’s 4 biomes and tackle dungeons – or simply relax for stat boosts), Evening (where you can meet other characters in the town for various benefits), and Night (where you can either head to bed, or add more to your stat boosts for the day, with a penalty for staying up late).
It makes for a cycle that constantly has you assessing and reassessing what’s best for Luisa, not to mention your own curiosity. The overall structure here has the feel of a Persona game – you only get limited numbers of actions per day, and there are many characters to meet and social stats to level up, which come with their own benefits.
You may just want to look around for a while – Hinterberg and its surroundings are beautiful, rendered in a thin-lined comic book style and bold colors, a literal picture-postcard look – but who you choose to meet around the town comes with meaningful consequences. Entire mechanical systems are gated behind their friendship, and it’s a constant compulsion to work out what you want next. Do I want to hang out with abrasive journalist Travis, who unlocks a photo mode, or embittered blacksmith Hannah, who can help me improve my equipment in new ways?
But the other half of Dungeons of Hinterberg holds an entirely different experience. The overworld hubs hide secrets to discover and monsters to take down, while the titular dungeons held within them are tightly wound action-puzzle experiences in and of themselves, bringing to mind the likes of Zelda, Tomb Raider, even occasionally Mario levels.
I won’t go into too much detail here for fear of spoilers – discovering the dungeons’ tricks is a huge part of the game’s charm – but you’ll quickly realize that each new test can be extremely varied. Some are combat gauntlets, others filled with mechanical puzzles, and some bring entire perspective shifts, briefly turning the game into a side-scroller or an isometric adventure. This variety is helped along by the game’s magic system – each biome offers new spells, but they can only be used in that biome, meaning you’re effectively relearning how to use your abilities in each new place, and allowing Microbird to create fresh experiences in each location. That each spell can be used for exploration and combat only adds to the pleasure.
Combat is snappy and action-oriented, offering you a variety of moves, unlockable abilities, and a precious dodge roll, and you’ll quickly help Luisa turn from a tourist into a bona fide slayer. Couple that with RPG-inspired gear systems, and a web of mechanics created and expanded in an order that you help choose, and you have a truly compulsive cocktail.
But holding it altogether is that lazy vacation vibe – this never feels like a stressful game, like you’re being pushed from story beat to story beat. Instead, I’ve been choosing to spend some days exploring, and others relaxing, knowing that I’m always building my stats in some way, free to explore this strange destination at my leisure. It’s a truly unusual feeling for an action game to get across – and one I’m sure I’ll be thinking about well beyond my stay.
Dungeons of Hinterberg arrives for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Cloud on July 18. Play it day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Dungeons Of Hinterberg
Curve Games
Welcome to Hinterberg, a new tourist hotspot in the idyllic Austrian Alps! You play as Luisa, a burnt-out law trainee taking a break from her fast-paced corporate life to conquer the Dungeons of Hinterberg. There are plenty of dungeons to find and adventures to be had in Hinterberg – will Luisa be sent packing on her first day, or remain to become a Master Slayer? Only one way to find out… Snowboard down a glacier, zipline through the forest, climb a mountain, or have a coffee by the lake… There’s no shortage of places to discover while you’re out looking for your next dungeon! Monsters lurk around every corner in Hinterberg, and your sword and magic skills are essential for keeping them at bay. Harness the wind, conjure a snowboard out of thin air, or freeze your enemies in a jelly block! Braving a dungeon requires more than just cutting-edge sports gear and a good sword arm: Hinterberg’s dungeons are full of puzzles that will surprise and challenge you. Use your head, your magic skills, and every trick in the book to solve them! Spend your nights forging friendships with the locals and other adventurers! Some of them will help you get stronger or teach you new tricks, others are just here for excitement and selfies… But good relationships don't just make your stay more memorable – they're the key to becoming a better slayer!The post Dungeons of Hinterberg Captures True Vacation Vibes (With Added Monster Slaying) appeared first on Xbox Wire.
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The Boys' Homelander will join Mortal Kombat 1's roster next week.
As shared by Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon on social media, Homelander is set to fight from 11th June, although early access players with the Kombat Pack DLC will have access to him from 4th June.
Ferra, on the other hand, will join the Kameo roster at an unspecified date "later in June".
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Soon-to-be PlayStation CEO Hermen Hulst has shed more light on the company's strategy for bringing its games to PC.
Speaking as part of this morning's business segment meeting and investor presentation, Hulst stated live service titles will be released day and date on PC.
However, its plans remain more "strategic" with single player and narrative driven titles, as the company hopes this will entice PC owners to play any subsequent sequels on a PlayStation console.
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A federal court has awarded Activision £11.3m ($14.4m) after it ruled in favour of the publisher's lawsuit against cheat makers EngineOwning and Garnatz Enterprise Ltd, and 11 individual people.
As spotted by VentureBeat, the lawsuit, which was filed at the beginning of 2022, accuses the companies and individuals – Valentin Rick, Leonard Bugla, Leon Frisch, Marc-Alexander Richts, Alexander Kleeman, Leon Schlender, Bennet Huch, Ricky Szameitat, Remo Loffler, Charlie Wiest and Pascal Classen – of profiting from cheats and giving an unfair competitive advantage to players prepared to pay for auto-aim and auto-fire software cheats.
At the time, Activision said it sought "to put a stop to unlawful conduct by an organisation that is distributing and selling for profit numerous malicious software products designed to enable members of the public to gain unfair competitive advantages", and described EngineOwning as a "German business entity... engaged in the development, sale, distribution, marketing, and exploitation of a portfolio of malicious cheats and hacks for popular online multiplayer games, most prominently the COD Games".
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available across all Game Pass tiers, Microsoft has confirmed.
"Upon launch, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be playable on Xbox and PC for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass for Console members," a Microsoft spokesperson told Eurogamer earlier today.
The company initially confirmed Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 would be coming to Game Pass day one earlier this week, after the information leaked ahead of schedule. At this time, however, some wondered if Microsoft may use the game's debut to change Xbox Game Pass' pricing or tier structure in some fashion.
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Sony has called the PlayStation 5 its "most profitable generation to date".
During this morning's business segment meeting and investor presentation, the company revealed its PS5 generation had hit $106bn in sales. It is close to catching up with its predecessor the PS4, which generated a total of $107bn sales for the company.
Operating income for the PlayStation 5 generation, meanwhile, has surpassed that of the PS4, having now reached $10bn. To compare, the PS4 is sitting at $9bn.
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The PlayStation Days of Play 2024 sale is now live, offering huge discounts on PlayStation games and hardware, including the new PlayStation VR 2 headset. From now until June 12, you can save $100 on two versions of the PS5-compatible headset. The base PlayStation VR 2 box, which includes the headset and controllers for $450 (was $550), and a bundle which includes the headset, controllers, and Horizon Call of the Mountain for $500 (was $600). The discounts are available at a variety of online retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop, and Target for the duration of the Days of Play 2024 sale.
PlayStation VR 2 -- $450 ($
550)PlayStation VR 2 - Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle -- $500 ($
600)The PlayStation VR 2 is an appreciable upgrade over the original PSVR, sporting an OLED screen with 2000 x 2040 pixel resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, and offering a simple VR setup for PS5 players. GameSpot reviewer Tamoor Hussain called the PSVR 2 "a thoughtfully designed piece of hardware that is powerful and delivers a user-friendly, plug-and-play experience that is almost entirely frictionless." Horizon Call of the Mountain, which is set in the same universe as Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West, is one of the few VR games wholly exclusive to PSVR 2, but plenty of other PS5 games are compatible with the headset, including Resident Evil Village, No Man's Sky, and Gran Turismo 7.
While Sony previously announced plans to make PSVR 2 compatible with PC sometime this year, for now it remains a PS5-only accessory. That said, if you're interested in PSVR 2 but still need to upgrade your console, the are also deals on the PS5 Slim and PS5 Slim digital edition during the PlayStation Days of Play sale.
- PS5 Slim (console only) -- $450 ($
500) - PS5 Slim digital edition (console only) -- $400 ($
450)
Along with all the hardware price drops, many PlayStation games are available for limited-time discounts during the Days of Play sale. The deals include PS5 exclusives like The Last of Us Part 1 and Demon's Souls, PS4 games like Days Gone and God of War 2018, and more. This is also the first sales event to include Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Rise of the Ronin, both of which are $20 off. Check out a list of the best PlayStation game deals below.
- Days Gone (PS4) -- $20 (
$40) - Death Stranding Director's Cut -- $20 (
$50) - Demon's Souls -- $30 (
$70) - Destruction AllStars -- $10 (
$20) - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth -- $55 (
$70) - Final Fantasy 16 -- $35 (
$50) - God of War (PS4) -- $10 (
$20) - God of War III Remastered (PS4) -- $10 (
$20) - God of War Ragnarok -- $40 (
$70) - Gran Turismo 7 -- $40 (
$70) - Horizon Forbidden West -- $27 (
$50) - Horizon Forbidden West: Complete Edition -- $40 (
$60) - The Last of Us Part I -- $40 (
$70) - The Last of Us Part II Remastered -- $40 (
$50) - Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales -- $20 (
$50) - Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition -- $40 (
$70) - Marvel's Spider-Man 2 -- $50 (
$70) - Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Launch Edition -- $50 (
$70) | Comes with bonus content - MLB The Show 24 -- $50 (
$70) - MLB The Show 24: The Negro Leagues Edition -- $75 (
$125) - The Nioh Collection -- $20 (
$70) - Ratchet & Clank (PS4) -- $10 (
$20) - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart -- $30 (
$70) - Returnal -- $30 (
$70) - Rise of the Ronin -- $50 (
$70) - Sackboy: A Big Adventure -- $20 (
$60) - Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection -- $20 (
$50) - Until Dawn (PS4) -- $10 (
$20)
- PS5 Slim (console only) -- $450 ($
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Headphone manufacturer JLab is offering big, limited-time discounts on many of its wireless headphones and other audio gear ahead of Father's Day. There are tons of deals at both the JLab online store and at Amazon, so we combed through the listing to round up the best since this sale is the perfect chance to grab a new pair of headphones, wireless earbuds, or even a new USB mic at lower prices.
Before we get to the deals themselves, it's worth noting that, in some cases, the specific items and the size of the discount will differ between JLab's store and Amazon, with Amazon usually having the better prices while JLab has more discounts overall. JLab is also offering a bonus promo deal for a free set of JLab Cloud foam earbud tips when you spend $100 or more, and Amazon Prime members can even use their account to get free faster delivery from JLab's store. Of course, buying from Amazon means you get free same- to two-day shipping, so it's worth checking both retailers.
JLab Wireless Earbud Deals
Unsurprisingly, the majority of the deals are for JLab's earbud line, with numerous true wireless models on sale for up to 50% off. One of the best deals is for the JLab Epic Air noise-canceling earbuds, which are down to $70 (was $100) at both Amazon and the JLab online store. You can also grab the JBuds Air Pro for just $30 at Amazon, or $48 at JLab (normally $60). Plenty of other models like the JBuds Mini, JBuds Air, and Go Air are also part of the sale. Check the list below for a round-up of the best JLab true wireless earbuds deals.
- JBuds Mini true wireless earbuds -- $30 ($
40) - JBuds Air true wireless earbuds
- JBuds Air Pro true wireless earbuds
- JBuds Air ANC true wireless earbuds -- $50 ($
70) - JBuds Air Sport true wireless earbuds (3rd gen) -- $50 ($
70) - JBuds Air Sport true wireless earbuds -- $40 ($
60) - JLab Epic Air Sport Noise Canceling true wireless earbuds
- JLab Epic Air ANC true wireless earbuds (2nd gen)
- JLab Go Air true wireless earbuds -- $20 ($
30) - JLab Go Air Sport, true wireless workout earbuds -- $20 ($
30) - JLab Go Air Tones true wireless earbuds (Multiple color options)
- JLab Go Air Pop true wireless earbuds (multiple color options)
- JLab Go Air Pop Clear true wireless earbuds -- $28 ($
35)
More JLab Deals
Beyond the litany of wireless earbuds discounts, there are also deals on other JLab audio gear like the JLab Epic Talk USB microphone that's down to just $119 (was $150) at Amazon when you redeem the coupon code listed on the store page. You can also grab a set of the JBuds Frames speakers, which add open-ear audio to your glasses. The JBuds Frames normally cost $50, but you can grab them for $15.75 at Amazon or $25 at JLab. There are also deals on over-ear headphones, wired earphones, and more, including a bundle deal that includes pink color versions of the Go Air Pop, JBuds Mini, and Studio Pro over-ear headphones for $75 (was $100).
- JBuds Frames Wireless Open-Ear Audio for Your Glasses
- JLab Epic Talk USB Microphone -- $119 with coupon code ($
150) - Fit Sport 3 Wired Earbuds -- $20 ($
25) - JLab Neon Wireless on-ear -- $10 ($
30) - JLab Neon wired on-ear -- $15 ($
20) - JLab Pretty In Pink Bundle -- $75 ($
100)
- JBuds Mini true wireless earbuds -- $30 ($
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Season 4 of Activision's Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone has officially launched. Alongside the new season's start, a series of leaks revealed various items coming to the game, such as the iconic Beam Saber from the Gundam universe, new skins, and more.
Thanks to the official Charlie INTEL X/Twitter account, we now know how many of these cosmetics and weapons will look in action. The Beam Saber is arguably the most eye-catching of them all. Not only does the aesthetic of the weapon stay true to the anime, but it could also easily double as a purple lightsaber.
Beam saber melee weapon in MW3 & Warzone pic.twitter.com/idJDOOrxxf
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 29, 2024Those who purchase the game's Vault Edition for Black Ops 6 will also receive five exclusive weapon skins. What's notable about these skins is that they all appear to be inspired by the Dark Aether, a key location in the game's Zombie mode.
NEW: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Vault Edition weapons have also leaked pic.twitter.com/PX0ynyX2h6
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 29, 2024In addition to the Vault Edition weapons, we also know that the Black Ops 6 operator bonus will include three Frank Woods skins. The first will be his classic outfit, while another will have you playing as a zombified version of him. The last will be based on the numbers which affected Mason in previous Black Ops titles.
The Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Operator bonus Frank Woods has three variants to use in MW3 and Warzone:
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 29, 2024
Classic Woods
Zombies Woods
Numbers Woods
(Via @BobNetworkUK) pic.twitter.com/Oki3mOFVvpFor more Call of Duty news, check out our story covering the Fallout crossover leak and our story detailing all the changes happening in Season 4.
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Joy-Con are among the most expensive first-party controllers on the market, carrying a regular retail price of $80 for a pair. They also rarely see discounts, as Nintendo is well-known for keeping items at list price throughout most of the year. However, right now is one of the rare times you'll find Joy-Con at a discount, with a variety of styles currently seeing a price cut at Amazon and Walmart.
One of the most enticing deals is for the Pastel Pink and Pastel Yellow Joy-Con, as they're down to just $66. They're also sold and shipped by Amazon, with Prime members eligible for one-day shipping in select locations. These are your standard Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, offering HD rumble, two black wrist straps, and support for both the original Switch and OLED model.
Beyond this deal, several third-party sellers are discounting Joy-Con at Walmart. Keep in mind that these are offered by companies other than Walmart, but the retail giant will be the one fulfilling the order. They do, however, come with free 30-day returns, so you can shop with confidence. They're also sold by a "Pro Seller," meaning they've developed a reputation for selling high-quality products and are a trusted source for Walmart.
Here's a look at the best Joy-Con deals.
Best Switch Joy-Con Deals
- Pastel Pink and Pastel Yellow (Amazon) -- $66 ($
80) - Pastel Pink and Pastel Yellow -- $66 ($
80) - Neon Green and Neon Pink -- $64 ($
80) - Neon Blue and Neon Yellow -- $67 ($
80) - Neon Purple and Neon Orange -- $66 ($
80) - Pastel Purple and Pastel Green -- $71 ($
80)
Most of these deals don't have an advertised end date, so we'd recommend checking them out soon if you want to cash in on the offers.
Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controllers - Pastel Pink and Pastel Yellow (Amazon) -- $66 ($
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Pokemon Go's new Shared Skies season officially begins on June 1, and the game is kicking things off in a big way. Developer Niantic is hosting a variety of events and bonuses in Pokemon Go next month, including new Spotlight Hours, two Community Days, and weekly raids that bring back some beloved legendary and Mega Pokemon.
Here's the full list of events happening in Pokemon Go in June 2024.
Raid Schedule
A handful of legendary and Mega Pokemon are returning to raids in June. Tying in to the new season's sky theme, many airborne legendaries like Zapdos, Incarnate Forme Landorus, and Yveltal will be appearing in five-star raids, while Mega Gyarados, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Tyranitar will appear as Mega raid bosses.
You can see June's full raid schedule below:
June 1-10
- Five-star raids: Zapdos
- Mega raids: Mega Gyarados
June 10-19
- Five-star raids: Landorus (Incarnate Forme)
- Mega raids: Mega Alakazam
June 19-28
- Five-star raids: Yveltal
- Mega raids: Mega Charizard Y
June 28-July 8
- Five-star raids: Ho-Oh
- Mega raids: Mega Tyranitar
In addition to the aforementioned Pokemon, Shadow Raikou will appear as a Shadow Raid boss every weekend throughout June.
Spotlight Hours
Pokemon Go's weekly Spotlight Hour event returns in June with new Pokemon to catch and bonuses to earn.
Every Tuesday evening from 6-7 PM local time, a particular Pokemon will spawn in the wild much more frequently than usual, giving you more opportunities to catch them and stock up on that species' candy. On top of that, you'll earn an additional bonus during Spotlight Hour, such as double candy or Stardust for capturing Pokemon.
You can see June's full Spotlight Hour schedule below:
June 4
- Featured Pokemon: Makuhita
- Bonus: 2x catch Candy
June 11
- Featured Pokemon: Wingull
- Bonus: 2x transfer Candy
June 18
- Featured Pokemon: Roggenrola
- Bonus: 2x evolution XP
June 25
- Featured Pokemon: Morelull
- Bonus: 2x catch Stardust
Slumbering Sands
Pokemon Go's first major event of June is called Slumbering Sands, and it runs from June 7-12. Throughout the event, summery and sleepy Pokemon like Slowpoke, Drowzee, Munna, and Komala will appear in the wild more frequently, and you'll have your first chance to catch special visor-wearing versions of Slakoth, Vigoroth, and Slaking.
In addition to the featured monsters, players will earn double XP for catching Pokemon throughout the event. There will also be special event-themed Field Research tasks, which will dole out various rewards including additional Pokemon encounters.
Goomy Community Day
Pokemon Go will host not one, but two Community Days during June.
The first is scheduled for Sunday, June 9 and features the adorable dragon Pokemon Goomy. From 2-5 PM local time, Goomy will spawn in the wild much more frequently than usual, and you'll have more chances to encounter a Shiny Goomy. Following the event proper, Goomy's evolved form Sliggoo will appear as a four-star raid boss from 5-10 PM local time.
On top of that, various bonuses will be available during the Goomy Community Day event. Lure Modules and Incense will last for three hours rather than their usual duration, and you'll earn double candy and triple Stardust for catching Pokemon. Finally, any Sliggoo that you evolve into Goodra between 2-10 PM local time will learn the special Charged Attack Thunder Punch.
Community Day Classic
Later in the month, Pokemon Go will host another Community Day Classic on Saturday, June 22. This rerun event will give players another chance to catch a previously featured Pokemon. We don't yet officially know which Pokemon will star in June's Community Day Classic, but a brief teaser video points to the fire Pokemon Cyndaquil.
Raid Day
Before June ends, Pokemon Go will host a special Raid Day on June 29. Niantic has not yet announced which Pokemon will appear during the event, but the studio has teased that Mega Rayquaza will make a return sometime in June, making the dragon Pokemon a likely candidate.
There are still more events on the horizon for Pokemon Go, including Pokemon Go Fest 2024. This year, Go Fest will introduce the legendary Pokemon Necrozma, and it'll take place across multiple dates and locations, capping off with a global virtual event in July.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will apparently release across multiple console generations. With the Season 4 launch today for Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone, dataminers dug into the files and found references to a Black Ops 6 cross-gen bundle.
If the bundle is real, its name would suggest Activision will offer a bundle that includes copies of the game for multiple console generations, just like the company did with Modern Warfare 3 before it.
Black Ops 6 now officially confirmed for last-gen
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 29, 2024
Logo for Black Ops 6 Cross-Gen Bundle found in files pic.twitter.com/WFNB1O0MGaActivision supporting the PS4 and Xbox One wouldn't be a big surprise. After all, the PS4 alone has sold more than 117 million units, and even though the Xbox One is lagging behind that, the combined number of PS4 and Xbox One units out there is no doubt very substantial.
GameSpot has contacted Activision in an attempt to get more details on the supported platforms for Black Ops 6.
The datamining effort also revealed that people who preorder Black Ops 6 will receive the Frank Woods operator. A more expensive Vault edition of the game, meanwhile, seems like it will include a variety of other extras, including a BlackCell bundle, weapon skins, and more.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Editions:
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 29, 2024
Standard Edition/Cross-Gen Bundle includes the game + Frank Woods Operator preorder bonus
Vault Edition will includes game, Bonus Operators, BlackCell, Weapon Skins, Gobble Gum, and Frank Woods Operator preorder bonus
(Via @BobNetworkUK) pic.twitter.com/AXNuCVlYrCBlack Ops 6 got its first trailer this week. The live-action Black Ops 6 trailer showed glimpses of real-world people like Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H.W. Bush, and Saddam Hussein.
Black Ops 6 is in the works at Raven Software and Treyarch and is reported to release in October, and it will launch day one on Game Pass. Activision and Microsoft will further showcase Black Ops 6 on June 9 as part of a special broadcast dedicated entirely to the next entry in the FPS series.
For more, check out GameSpot's rundown of everything we know about the next Call of Duty. Black Ops 6 will join Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile on the market at the same time.
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Season 4 adds four new killstreaks to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer, but each new streak will need to be unlocked. Here we'll explain how these new streaks work and how to gain access to them.
Intelligent Munitions Systems (I.M.S.)
Killstreak cost: 7 kills or 875 score.
The Intelligent Munitions System (I.M.S.) streak was first introduced in the original Modern Warfare 3 from 2011. The I.M.S. works similarly to a Bouncing Betty, but this device is armed with smart explosives that lock onto its target and propels towards them.
How to unlock the I.M.S.
You must select the Intelligent Munitions System (I.M.S.) as an active challenge in the Armory Unlock System, and then complete eight daily challenges to unlock this killstreak. These new streaks are not auto-selected in the armory. You must manually select the I.M.S. in the Armory Unlock menu.
Loitering Munition
Killstreak cost: 8 kills or 1,000 score.
This new streak is an unmanned rocket-equipped drone that loiters above the map. With each activation of the Loitering Munition, the drone selects the targeted location with the largest number of viable targets to bombard with rockets. It can be activated up to three times.
How to unlock the Loitering Munition
You must select Loitering Munition as an active challenge in the Armory Unlock System, and then complete eight daily challenges to unlock this killstreak. These new streaks are not auto-selected in the armory. You must manually select Loitering Munition in the Armory Unlock menu.
Missile Drone
Killstreak cost: 11 kills or 1,375 score.
The Missile Drone is simply described as a small, player-controlled drone that fires guided missiles.
How to unlock the Missile Drone
You must select Missile Drone as an active challenge in the Armory Unlock System, and then complete eight daily challenges to unlock this killstreak. These new streaks are not auto-selected in the armory. You must manually select Missile Drone in the Armory Unlock menu.
DNA Bomb
Killstreak cost: This streak can't be earned with score points, and 25 kills without dying is needed to activate it.
The DNA Bomb is a killstreak that returns from 2014's Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Reaching the set amount of kills (25) needed will eliminate every player on the opposing team, but unlike the nuke killstreak, it won't end the match. You don't need to manually unlock this new streak in the armory, but you will need to achieve the required amount of kills to use it.
The update also adds two new multiplayer perks, so make sure to check out our Season 4 perk guide to learn how each new perk works and how to activate them.
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A bunch of great games are on sale as part of PlayStation's annual Days of Play celebration, including the recently launched MLB The Show 24. You'll find the hit baseball game available for just $50 (down from $70), which is the first big discount we've seen for the title since in arrived in March. Days of Play runs through June 12, so you've got a bit of time to check out the other deals and see if it's worth adding MLB The Show 24 to your collection.
MLB The Show 24 -- $50 ($
70)MLB The Show 24 Negro Leagues Edition -- $80 ($
125)Though Days of Play is a PlayStation event, MLB The Show 24 is available on Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X|S, too. The Switch version is discounted to $40 at multiple major retailers, while the Xbox version is down to $50.
If you want to snag some bonus content with your purchase, consider purchasing MLB The Show 24 Negro Leagues Edition. This is also seeing a generous discount, bringing it to just $80 (down from $125). Along with the base game, you'll get a New Era hat, a physical steelbook, and a bundle of in-game goodies (such as 20,000 Stubs, a bunch of Choice Packs, and cosmetics).
Our MLB The Show 24 review found this to be a solid entry in the series, even if it doesn't make any radical changes to the established formula.
"MLB The Show 24's on-field action remains stellar," wrote critic Richard Wakeling. "For the first time, new rules like the pitch clock, slightly larger bases, and limited pick-off attempts have been implemented. Impact Plays, a new addition that emphasizes great defense, are also new, reinforcing the impact of spectacular diving catches and difficult throws. MLB The Show 24 might not swing for the fences, but it's still a great way to spend the looming summer months."
This isn't the only game on sale for Days of Play, as a handful of others are also seeing a nice $20 discount. Here are a few others you should check out before they disappear on June 12. Alongside the game deals, PS5 Slim consoles are $50 off and you can save $100 on a PlayStation VR 2 kit.
More PlayStation Days of Play game deals
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2 -- $50 (
$70) - The Last of Us Part II Remastered -- $40 (
$50) - Rise of the Ronin -- $50 (
$70)
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2 -- $50 (
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Season 4 of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is live, adding a new battle pass, more maps, weapons, and modes. The update also includes two new multiplayer perks, but first you'll need to unlock them. Here we'll explain how these new perks work and how to access them.
Mission Control Vest
This new vest perk works similarly to the Hardline perk from previous Call of Duty games, which lets you earn killstreaks with fewer kills.
This streak specialist vest provides the following:
- Equipment Slots (6): Tactical, Lethal, Field Upgrade, Gloves, Gear (2)
- Reduces kills required by 1 and score required by 125 for killstreaks
- Earn 1 kill or 125 score for every 2 kill assists or cross-fire assists
Duplicate effects do not stack with similar perks. If this is equipped with Mission Control Comlink perk, you will gain the effects of the High Gain Antenna instead.
How to unlock the Mission Control Vest perk
You must select the Mission Control Vest as an active challenge in the Armory Unlock System, and then complete eight daily challenges to unlock this new perk. The perks are not auto-selected in the armory. You must manually select the Mission Control Vest in the Armory Unlock menu.
Compression Plate
Compression Plate is a new gear perk that works like Call of Duty's familiar Quick Fix perk, as it lets you start regaining health immediately after a kill or while you're capturing objectives. The health regen will start as soon as you earn a kill from a primary weapon, secondary weapon, or from throwing knife/throwing star kills.
How to unlock the Compression Plate gear perk
You must select the Compression Plate as an active challenge in the Armory Unlock System, and then complete eight daily challenges to unlock this new perk. The perks are not auto-selected in the armory. You must manually select the Mission Control Vest in the Armory Unlock menu.
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Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Says Next Game Is Codenamed Excalibur, No Idea What It Is Yet
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Posted
Baldur's Gate 3 was an enormous success, and many people are wondering what Larian Studios will make next, now that it's confirmed that it won't be Baldur's Gate 4. In an interview with Gamepressure (via PC Gamer), Larian CEO Swen Vincke said the company's next game is codenamed Excalibur (which is also the name of his puppy) and that it's still very early days with many key decisions yet to be made.
"We're working on it. If we're brutally honest, we're trying to figure out what the hell it is," he said with a laugh. "We have ideas. We have lots of little fragments."
"If anybody from Larian at this point tells you this is what the game is going to be, they're lying. They don't know because we're trying a whole bunch of things," he added. "We have ideas, but we're an iterative company. So we iterate. We're trying things. We're experimenting."
What we do know is that Larian is not going to make Baldur's Gate 4, though Vincke did confirm that Larian started working on Baldur's Gate 4 (and DLC for Baldur's Gate 3) before shifting gears.
Vincke wanted to make something new in part because Baldur's Gate is owned by Hasbro, and he wanted Larian to branch off on its own.
"It literally wasn't for us anymore. I think one of the problems is--it's not our IP. It's not ours. Obviously, all that success attracts a lot of attention. But it was always important for us to be able to do our own thing, to maintain the Larian's independence. And with BG3, the miracle was that we were left alone so we could do our own thing," he said.
Beyond Larian's next game, Vincke is thinking even further out and has grand plans to create a "very big RPG" that will "dwarf" any of Larian's previous releases. "It's an inspirational goal. That's it. I cannot say more, because it needs to stay in that dream-reality," he said.
While Larian will not make Baldur's Gate 4, Hasbro has said it is keen to expand the Baldur's Gate series with other teams. "We're going to take our time and find the right partner, the right approach, and the right product," Hasbro previously said about the future of Baldur's Gate.
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