S.O.P.H.I.A.

It sounds like the Forza Horizon series is going to be getting some new competition, and it's coming from a team of former Forza Horizon developers. Maverick Games, a new studio formed in 2022, has signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Games to create a new "narrative led open-world driving game," and unlike the Forza Horizon games, this one will also be available on PS5.

Maverick Games studio head and creative director Mike Brown previously served as creative director on Forza Horizon 5. It sounds like the developers will be building on that strong open-world-racing foundation for its new project, but with an increased emphasis on characters and story. Those are present in the Horizon games, but not necessarily a huge focus.

"Lots of great driving games have amazing gameplay, amazing content," Brown said in a press release. "But to really cross that bridge, to become a game that people genuinely love, then there needs to be that human connection where you're actually rooting for these characters, falling in love with these characters. That, I think, is a place where our game will be able to really differentiate itself from the other titles in this genre."

Many of the Maverick Games employees, of which there are currently 62, previously worked on the Forza Horizon series, including the audio director, art director, content director, and executive producer. The lead writer is Skins co-creator Jamie Brittain, suggesting Maverick is very serious about delivering on the story and characters in addition to the racing.

Maverick Games' open-world racer is currently untitled and doesn't have a release date, but it will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

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Exploratory space sim No Man's Sky increasing tilt into the wonderfully bizarre continues today with the launch of a brand-new update, titled Adrift, which this time lets players explore an abandoned universe where civilisation has come to an end.

Adrift is, at least in part, a nod to No Man's Sky's earliest days - where lifeforms were scarce and exploration was an entirely solo, wonderfully lonely endeavour against a seemingly endless backdrop of stars. "There's so much we love about the game now," Hello Games says, "but there was something unique at release in how alone you felt in the universe."

To that end, Adrift gives players the option to explore an alternative universe of broken, rusted buildings and lost Travellers graves, that's free of other lifeforms, shops, trading, shortcuts, or help - all creating what Hello Games calls a "very different survival experience".

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Amazon Games is publishing a new narrative-led, open-world racing game from former Forza Horizon developers.

Developer Maverick Games is based in the UK and was founded in 2022 by key members of the Forza Horizon development team at Playground Games.

Its first AAA game is set for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with lead writing from Skins co-creator Jamie Brittain (yes, that E4 teen drama show).

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Xbox and Game Pass Travellers in No Man’s Sky have already feasted well in 2024 with the release of the Orbital update, which invited all Xbox players to try the game for free, and Omega, which introduced the ability to customize starships and overhauled space stations for the first time since launch. As we close in on our 8th anniversary in the summer, we are pleased to launch our 13th community expedition, Adrift. It’ll be available for Xbox players to jump in later this week.

No Man’s Sky’s expeditions are a chance for the entire community to come together in a specific place in the universe, which is consequently always alive with Travellers completing the expedition’s unique set of limited-time challenges. 

But uniquely, in the Adrift expedition, the galaxy has been abandoned. There is no life to be seen anywhere – no aliens, no space stations, none of the usual network of shops and buildings.

Although everyone awakes on the same planet (the desolate, worm-infested Lapezuk), you will not be together in the usual sense. Communication is consumed by static and the boundaries between each of your individual realities have thickened. 

Even the usually-bustling Space Anomaly is eerily silent and devoid of the usual support from merchants and traders. In this forsaken universe you will have to use all your wits and adapt your approach simply to survive. Self-reliance is more critical than ever. 

The Adrift expedition is a whole new way to experience No Man’s Sky and a chance to meditate on the darkness of deep space. When the world around us is a constant stream of noise and hubbub, it offers up a silent haven. Will you find it a soothing respite, or an eerie and disturbing void?

No matter how you choose to embrace the Adrift expedition personally, there are, as ever, exclusive and collectable rewards for the willing adventurers including the gnawing scuttler companion, a supply of starship stealth paint, a ghostly frigate, and the unique Iron Vulture starship.

Adrift begins later this week, and will run for approximately seven weeks. We have lots more planned throughout the summer so Xbox players should keep their eyes peeled for further updates.

The post An Abandoned Galaxy Awaits in Adrift, The Latest No Man’s Sky Expedition appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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Amazon Games has announced a publishing agreement with Maverick Games, a young studio formed in 2022 by former Forza Horizon developers. The developer’s first project will be a story-focused, open-world driving game.

Maverick Games is based in Warwick, UK, and was founded by six former leaders from Playground Games. Its roster includes studio head and creative director Mike Brown, former creative director of the Forza Horizon series, executive producer Tom Butcher, chief technical officer Matt Craven, and content director Gareth Harwood. It also includes former Playground audio director and art director Fraser Stachan and Ben Penrose, respectively.

The studio announced in January 2023 that its first title would be a “premium open-world game for consoles and PC.” A press release includes an interview with Mike Brown, who provides hints of what Maverick’s game has in store, which appears to emphasize storytelling and character development more than you'd expect for a driving game. 

“Lots of great driving games have amazing gameplay, amazing content,” said Brown. “But to really cross that bridge, to become a game that people genuinely love, then there needs to be that human connection where you’re actually rooting for these characters, falling in love with these characters. That, I think, is a place where our game will be able to really differentiate itself from the other titles in the genre. There’s nothing about this genre that prevents it from having amazing characters and amazing stories – it’s just not really been explored yet.”

The press release also announces the hiring of Jamie Brittain, co-creator of the award-winning British TV drama Skins, as the game’s lead writer. Brown explains his belief in the power of good characters and cites Skins as an example of showcasing interesting, flawed characters to garner its cult-like following. 

Maverick Games’ project joins Amazon’s growing portfolio of games, which includes Crystal Dynamics’ upcoming Tomb Raider title, an MMO based on The Lord of the Rings by New World developer Amazon Games Orange County, along with its existing titles Lost Ark and New Word. 

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Star Citizen has raised over $700m in crowdfunding, even though it still lacks a full release date.

As spotted by Neowin, the funding tracker for Cloud Imperium Games' space sim has seen an uptick in donations recently. On 25th May alone, almost $3m was raised.

This has coincided with Star Citizen's free play period which kicked off earlier this month, and allowed non-backers to give the game a whirl for themselves. At the time of writing, Star Citizen has raised a whopping $702,634,839. And - again - it isn't even fully out yet, and is still in an early access build.

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Modern gamers who have fully embraced digital gaming may believe that the titles they've purchased will belong to them in perpetuity. But if anyone is hoping to pass on their Steam backlog to their next of kin, it turns out that Valve doesn't allow the rights to be transferred. In other words, your Steam library dies with you.

Via Ars Technica, a user on ResetEra posted a reply that they received from Steam support regarding their question about passing on their Steam library through a will. "Unfortunately, Steam accounts and games are non-transferable," replied a representative from Valve. "Steam Support can't provide someone else with access to the account or merge its contents with another account. I regret to inform you that your Steam account cannot be transferred via a will."

Some gamers have put a considerable amount of money into their Steam libraries, and it may be disheartening to hear that those games could simply be gone following the death of the Steam account owner. However, the easiest workaround may be to simply pass on the username and login info to potential heirs without informing Steam. The thorny issue of who really owns the digital games would remain, but at least the titles would still be playable.

An additional way to preserve Steam games is to pass down any computers that already have the titles downloaded. However, without access to the original Steam account, those games wouldn't be available for installation on a different device or even accessible for reinstallation on the computer they're currently on in the event of a hard-drive crash or other system failure. For that reason alone, this may not be an optimal solution. But until Valve offers users a better way to pass on their games, there aren't many other options available.

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MultiVersus welcomed over 100,000 Steam brawlers on its relaunch, but new character restrictions have left a bad taste in the mouth of players.

The multi-franchise Warner Bros. fighter re-released last night across PC, Xbox and PlayStation, following the end of its open beta last year. On Steam, it recorded a concurrent player peak of 114,515 in the last 24 hours.

However, despite some fairly impressive numbers, the free-to-play brawler has come under fire from the community for a number of reasons, with the main issue being new character restrictions.

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Three-and-a-half years after its disastrous December 2020 debut, after dozens of patches and the launch of last year's Phantom Liberty expansion, CD Projekt Red no longer has anyone working on Cyberpunk 2077.

Just 17 people had been working on the game still as of 29th February this year, CD Projekt previously shared as part of their last financial update. Now, as of 30th April, that number is zero.

It's a small but significant moment for CD Projekt as it finally leaves Cyberpunk 2077 behind - with the vast bulk of its development might now focused on its next game in The Witcher series, currently still codenamed Polaris.

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The Sims 4, you might recall, is currently embarking on a sexy "summer of love" - which, so far, has mainly involved some new swimsuits. Now, though, EA has revealed the next two items on its vaguely saucy list: the Riviera Retreat and Cozy Bistro Kit DLCs, both arriving on 30th May.

First up, for those summery sunny days of relaxation and shameless undress, is the Riviera Retreat - a "secluded oasis" incorporating "stucco textures, beautiful archways, and shimmering waterfalls with comfortable linen furniture, wicker lounge chairs, and vine-covered pergolas."

This one's all about creating an "ambience of serenity and connection" for your Sims, according to EA, whether reclining and rejuvenating alone or together with a smooching pal.

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RPG fans who haven't picked up Star Ocean: The Second Story R are in luck. The beautiful reimagining of the classic 1998 role-playing game is on sale for an awesome price. The remake gives the beloved entry in the series a modern touch; it's an adventure that deftly bridges the gap between past and future. The Second Story R has only received a couple discounts since launching last holiday, and the current $35 price matches the all-time low--which sold out quickly at this price last time. This deal is available for Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4 versions of the game at Amazon and GameStop.

Similar to the Octopath Traveler games, Star Ocean: The Second Story R was entirely remade to be both faithful to the source material while incorporating modern elements into its design. The game makes use of 2D pixel art character sprites and places them in retro-styled 3D environments, with the final result being looking like a 4K PlayStation One game. It's a mesmerizing effect that shouldn't work this well but has to be seen in action.

The game also features both English and Japanese voice acting, a newly arranged soundtrack, and a high degree of replayability. Alongside several tweaks and quality-of-life changes, it strikes an ideal balance between staying faithful to the original game and giving it a welcome update for the current era.

"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a remake that manages to not only have the retro feel of its older PS1 and PSP incarnations, but also make it feel fresh with new battle mechanics, as well as audio and visuals updates. It may not be the big break that’ll finally make the Star Ocean franchise explode in popularity, but it’s a fine Japanese RPG on its own terms," George Yang wrote in GameSpot's Star Ocean: The Second Story R review.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R isn't the only Square Enix game on sale for an all-time best price. Check out all four of the great Square Enix deals below.

• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth -- $55 ($70)
  • Buy at Amazon (comes with free controller skin)
  • Buy at GameStop
• Final Fantasy 16 -- $35 ($50)
  • Buy at Amazon
  • Buy at GameStop
• Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince -- $40 ($60)
  • Buy at Amazon - Click "Other sellers on Amazon" and "Add to Cart" on the first option (sold by Amazon)
  • Buy at GameStop
• Star Ocean: The Second Story R -- $35 ($50)
  • Buy at Amazon
  • Buy at GameStop

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It's easier than ever to play tabletop games over the internet these days. Not only are there numerous online platforms that let you plan, organize, and host virtual game nights, but there are also numerous digital versions of popular board games and tabletop games available on Steam--and right now, you can add two of the biggest fantasy tabletop games to your virtual collection with Humble's new bundle deals for Pathfinder 2E and Talisman.

The first of these limited-time deals is the Pathfinder's Finest 2E Fantasy Grounds Experience Bundle. The full $30 bundle includes a lifetime license for the Fantasy Grounds Unity virtual tabletop engine plus a three-month trial to the Fantasy Ground Unity Ultimate subscription, which lets you host games for users who don't own the software. Along with the software, you also get virtual copies of dozens of Pathfinder 2E rulebooks and adventure modules and even a few game maps you can use for your digital sessions. That's a whopping $737 value for just $30. All of the materials included in the bundle are compatible with Fantasy Grounds Unity.

If you don't want the full bundle, there are smaller options available that cost less. The $10 bundle includes the digital Pathfinder 2E beginner box, two adventure modules, and three maps. The $20 tier adds 11 more books and maps, including the Pathfinder 2E Core Rulebook. Both of these cheaper options also include the Fantasy Ground Unity Ultimate three-month trial (the standard license is only included in the $30 bundle).

The Pathfinder's Finest 2E Fantasy Grounds Experience Bundle is available until June 17.

Humble's other digital tabletop bundle is for the Steam versions of the popular board game Talisman. While the Taliman: Digital Edition base game is free to download on Steam, you can grab 49 add-on packs for just $10 with the Talisman: The Complete Collection Returns bundle from Humble. Along with the digital edition content, the pack also includes the Talisman: Origins standalone game, which offers revised rules and single-player campaigns, plus three Talisman: Origins DLC packs that add even more storylines to follow. The entire bundle adds up to a $162 value for just $10. It's available until June 7.

It's worth noting that Talisman: Digital Edition and Talisman: Origins are based on the fourth edition of the board game, but a new fifth edition is on the way later this year from the Hasbro-owned Avalon Hill. The new version will feature all-new art and revised rules. You can preorder Talisman fifth edition for $60 at Amazon. A digital version of Talisman fifth edition was also announced during the Warhammer Skulls 2024 livestream on May 23, though no release date was confirmed.

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The Dune tabletop strategy game, Dune: War for Arrakis is discounted at Amazon. The miniatures-based game released earlier this year at a retail price of $140, but you can grab the core box set for just $112 for a limited time.

Dune: War for Arrakis is an asymmetrical competitive game for two to four players. Each player controls forces from either House Harkonnen or the Fremen as they clash for control over the planet Dune. While the game is focused on tactical combat with plastic miniatures and resource gathering, there is also a narrative component where players can recreate the events of the Dune saga and even change the outcome of the story.

The Dune: War for Arrakis core box includes everything needed for two to four players to play. However, if you want to expand your gameplay, you can also grab the Dune: The Spacing Guild expansion for $45 (was $50). The expansion adds new miniatures and strategies to use in battle, and an expanded game board that pushes the conflict beyond Dune's surface and into space.

More Cmon Games Deals

Dune: War for Arrakis is made and published by Cmon Games, and several of the company's other tabletop releases are also on sale at Amazon, including Cyberpunk 2077: Gangs of Night City for $88 (was $110) and Stranger Things: The Upside Down for $36.60 (was $50). You can also grab several discounted expansion sets from Cmon Games' Bloodborne, Marvel Zombies, and A Song of Fire And Ice tabletop games. Check out Cmon Games' Amazon page for all the deals.

• Dune: War for Arrakis -- $112 ($140)
• Dune: The Spacing Guild expansion -- $45 ($50)
• Cyberpunk 2077: Gangs of Night City -- $88 ($110)
• Stranger Things: The Upside Down -- $36.60 ($50)
• Bloodborne: The Board Game -- $110
• Bloodborne: The Board Game - Chalice Dungeon Expansion -- $69 ($80)
• Bloodborne: The Board Game - Hunter's Dream Expansion -- $37.32 ($40)
• Bloodborne: The Board Game - Cainhurst Castle Expansion -- $45.33 ($60)
• Bloodborne: The Board Game - Forbidden Woods Expansion -- $43.70 ($60)
• Marvel Zombies core box -- $97
• Marvel Zombies: X-Men Resistance -- $104 ($130)
• Marvel Zombies: Fantastic 4 Under Siege -- $42 ($60)
• Marvel Zombies: Hydra Resurrection -- 48 ($60)
• Marvel Zombies: Clash of the Sinister Six -- $41 ($48)
• Marvel Zombies: Guardians of the Galaxy -- $36 ($50)

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Official Xbox Wireless Controllers are awesome as is, but if you want a little more versatility without breaking the bank, the Horizon Vista Strikepack from Collective Minds is a quick and easy way to enhance your device. The detachable gadget is available to preorder for $50 at Amazon ahead of its June 3 release.

This is revitalized and updated version of previous Strikepacks, and the layout for the Horizon Vista model remains the same. What you're getting here is four programmable back buttons that can be bolted onto your controller through the battery pack, creating a fairly seamless appearance. You can still connect a USB-C cable for wired gaming and charging and a dedicated app allows you to tinker with each button to a high degree. Using the dedicated mobile app, you can set your own combos and do some more fine-tuning, making this a pretty versatile device.

The Strikepack is pretty cool since it allows you to keep using your existing Xbox controllers, but it's far from the only customizable controller option out there. Our top pick is the Xbox Elite Series 2, Microsoft's premium wireless controller that offers awesome customization features and swappable components. The more budget-friendly Elite Series 2 Core offers the same premium feel without the extra components, so you'll want to buy a set of back paddles if you go that route.

Notable Xbox controllers with built-in customization features

• Xbox Elite Series 2 -- $151 ($180)
• Xbox Elite Series 2 Core -- $117 ($140)
• Scuf Elite Series 2 Paddles -- $15 ($20)
• Victrix Pro BFG modular controller -- $180
• Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra -- $200
• 8BitDo Ultimate -- $45
• 8BitDo Ultimate with charging dock and Hall Effect sticks -- $70 (Releases June 13)
• 8BitDo Pro 2 (PlayStation-style stick layout) -- $45

The Victrix Pro BFG is another terrific option, especially if you're into fighting and first-person shooter games. It has swappabl sticks (offset and aligned layouts), comes with a fight pad module with six microswitch buttons, an interchangeable D-pad, stick caps, and stick gates. On top of that, a smartphone app allows for even more fine-tuning under the plastic hood.

On the budget side of customizable controllers, 8BitDo has released a couple of solid options: 8BitDo Ultimate and Pro 2, both of which retail for $45. There's also an upcoming 8BitDo controller for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, although this one comes with a few caveats on console and is perhaps even better suited for PC gamers. While this controller features the high build quality and flexibility of other 8BitDo Ultimate devices, you can only use it in wired mode with the included detachable USB-C cable on Xbox consoles. PC users can sync the controller using 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth, sidestepping those console shortcomings.

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Your teacher once told you that you couldn't carry a calculator everywhere with you, but they were wrong! Because if they ever cast their eyes on this stylish new 8BitDo numpad/calculator hybrid, they'd have special pockets sewn into their clothes to keep it with them at all times. The 8BitDo Retro 18 Numpad is a retro-themed piece of tech that you can either use as an extension to one of the company's matching TKL mechanical keyboards, or as a stylish piece of number-crunching equipment for when you need to do some quick math. Remember, life comes at you hard, but numbers hit you even harder.

Inspired by classic hardware, the Numpad features hot-swappable PCB keys, a retro LED display, and can be connected via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz dongle. 8BitDo says it's compatible with Windows and Android devices, and it comes in several different editions. Depending on your personal taste, you can pick one up for $45 in NES, Famicom, Commodore 64, or IBM Model M-inspired designs when it launches on July 15. It's worth noting that the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is also marketed for Windows and Android, but it works great with Mac, Steam Deck, and other devices, too. We'd expect the Retro 18 Numpad to be the same way.

8BitDo Retro 18 Numpad

• 8BitDo Retro 18 Numpad (N model) -- $45
• 8BitDo Retro 18 Numpad (C64 model) -- $45
• 8BitDo Retro Numpad (M model) -- $45
• 8BitDo Retro 18 Numpad (Fami model) -- $45

Even if you're not planning to add an extension to your keyboard, a dedicated calculator is always welcome around the house. Yes, your smartphone can tell you in depressing detail how much your taxes are going to be for the year, but there's a reassuring feeling of comfort to have a calculator on hand to punch out some numbers. Especially when it features satisfying mechanical keys with which to do your math homework.

If you are looking to grab an 8BitDo keyboard as well, you can choose from the same four styles. You can save $10 on the Fami model and $15 off the N model keyboards--both of these come with detachable Super Buttons (giant red buttons). The brand-new C64-style keyboard costs $110 and also comes with an arcade stick module. Lastly, 8BitDo's upcoming M model sports a more subdued selection of white and gray keys, just in case you want to add some rock-solid hardware to your PC without flashy colors. The M Edition releases July 15 alongside the Retro 18 Numpad.

These are affordable mechanical keyboards with responsive switches and multiple wireless connectivity options, but the real draw here is the high level of customization available via 8BitDo's Ultimate Software. The detachable Super Buttons and the arcade stick on the C64 edition adds a unique and fun twist, too. 8BitDo's Retro Keyboard is one of our picks for the best gaming keyboards in 2024.

8BitDo Retro Keyboards

• C64 Edition -- $110
• Fami Edition -- $90 ($100)
• NES Edition -- $85 ($100)
• M Edition -- $100 (Releases July 15)

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A bunch of Mario, Pokemon, and Sonic toys are on sale right now at Amazon and Targe, so if you're looking for a way to keep your kids busy during summer break, get some early holiday shopping done, or just add a few collectibles to your home office, this is a great time to shop. Many of the price cuts apply to children's toys and playsets, but everyone loves RC cars--especially RC karts inspired by The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

One of the best discounts is for the Super Mario It's-A Me Collectible Action Figure, as it's just $28 (down from $50). The premium action figure stands a foot tall and has 15 points of articulation. It also comes with high-quality fabric overalls and is loaded with 30 phrases and sound effects from the games. You can also unlock five songs from the game when striking specific poses with the action figure.

For some RC fun, check out the Mario Kart shown below, which is on sale for over 50% off at Amazon. If you want to relive the Nintendo vs. Sega console wars, there's a Team Sonic RC car on sale for a great price, too.

Gallery

If you're looking for something smaller, a bunch of figures based on The Super Mario Bros. Movie are discounted, such as Bowser, Mario, and Luigi. You could pair those figures with a handful of playsets that come with even more action figures--the most notable being the Mushroom Kingdom Castle Playset, which is just $16 (down from $30) and comes with Mario and Peach figurines, and the Donkey Kong Mini Playset for $11.

Other great deals include the Super Mario Adventure Game DX: Tabletop Skill Game for $30 (down from $40), Pokemon Train and Play Deluxe Pikachu (4.5 inches) for $21 (down from $30), and Sonic the Hedgehog Crash Course board game for $18 (down from $30). Plenty of other toys are discounted today, and you'll find a list of our favorites below.

Best Mario, Pokemon, and Sonic toy deals

• Nintendo Mario Rumble Kart RC Racer -- $22 ($50)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Team Sonic Racing RC Car -- $19 ($30)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Pokemon Pikachu Electric Charge Plus (10 inches) -- $24 ($35)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Pokemon Train and Play Deluxe Pikachu (4.5 inches) -- $21 ($30)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Super Mario It's-A Me Collectible Action Figure (12 inches) -- $28 ($50)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Super Mario Nintendo Deluxe Bowser's Castle Playset -- $28 ($40)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Bowser Action Figure (7 inches) -- $17 ($24)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Heroes of Goo Jit Zu Mini Sonic Pack (6 Figures) -- $14 ($20)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Luigi Figure (5 inches) -- $9 ($20)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Mario Figure (5 inches) -- $7 ($20)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Donkey Kong Mini Playset -- $11 ($20)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Mushroom Kingdom Castle Playset -- $16 ($30)
• • Amazon
• The Super Mario Bowser Island Castle Playset -- $18 ($30)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Super Mario Donkey Kong Deluxe Action Figure (6 inches) -- $10 ($18)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Super Mario Adventure Game DX: Tabletop Skill Game -- $30 ($40)
  • Amazon
• Super Mario Blow Up Shaky Tower Balancing Game -- $11 ($20)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape Tabletop Game -- $12 ($20)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Super Soft Plush Pillow Buddy (Sonic The Hedgehog) -- $15 ($25)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Ravensburger Pokemon Labyrinth: Family Board Game -- $16 ($37)
  • Amazon
  • Target
• Sonic The Hedgehog Crash Course Board Game -- $18 ($30)
  • Amazon
  • Target

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Kerbal Space Program 2 developer Intercept Games will lay off its employees at the end of June according to a senior team manager, despite Take-Two Interactive boss Strauss Zelnick insisting earlier this month that the studio hadn't been shut down.

Word of Intercept Games' impending demise - and the loss 70 jobs at the studio - came earlier this month via a decidedly official Washington state closure notice submitted by Take-Two itself, and was corroborated by affected employees on social media. Later, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier - after viewing an internal Take-Two Interactive email to staff - reported OlliOlli World developer Roll7 was also being closed down.

That didn't stop Take-Two Interactive boss Strauss Zelnick from later repeatedly insisting to IGN, "We didn't shutter those studios." Whatever semantic technicality Zelnick was invoking, it isn't one likely to impress employees at Intercept Games.

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PlayStation's annual Days of Play sale begins tomorrow, May 29, offering deals on games, consoles, and other accessories through June 12. Most of the discounts are expected to go live at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop--giving you plenty of places to shop in case your preferred retailer runs out of inventory. Along with discounts, you'll find new daily challenges available to PlayStation Plus members, and if the community completes the challenge, fans will unlock cool rewards.

PlayStation provided a preview of the biggest deals, but we wouldn't be surprised if more offers pop up when Days of Play officially starts. That said, we already know there will be deals on the PS5 Slim, PS5 Slim Digital, PlayStation VR 2, and a handful of exclusive games, including a few newer releases.

Here's the current list of PlayStation games that will be on sale for $20 off during Days of Play:

Best PlayStation Days of Play game deals

• Marvel's Spider-Man 2
  • Amazon
  • Best Buy
  • Walmart
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered
  • Amazon
  • Best Buy
  • Walmart
• MLB The Show 24
  • Amazon
  • Best Buy
  • Walmart
• MLB The Show 24: The Negro Leagues Edition
  • Amazon
  • Best Buy
  • Walmart
• Rise of the Ronin
  • Amazon
  • Best Buy
  • Walmart

Aside from the above price cuts, there are some great deals through PlayStation Direct. For example, PlayStation Plus members who buy a PS5 or PSVR2 through PlayStation Direct will get a free 12-month membership to Netflix Premium. You'll also see a $10 discount on all PS5 console covers and $80 off the Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Collector's Edition.

They'll be plenty of other ways to save during Days of Play, so be sure to pop into the PlayStation Store from now through June 12 to cash in on the fun.

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There are few better feelings than completely losing yourself in a video game. Wandering aimlessly through fantastical lands, discovering new secrets when you thought you’d already uncovered everything, partying up with friends for “one more match” well into the night… all the while completely losing track of time, but not caring one iota for it.

The last five years have been a bit like that for us at My.Games! As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we want to thank our wonderful Xbox community for the time they’ve spent lost in our worlds, be it Earth’s battlefields or the mystical treasure island of X-Isle.

For a limited time, Xbox players can take part in special events and earn freebies in Hawked and Warface: Clutch on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Enjoy the party!

Hunt for Hidden Treasure in Hawked

Issue #2: Dark Arrival just got started, and while there’s already plenty of treasure kicking around X-Isle, a Renegade can never have too much!

Join the celebrations with three daily rewards just for playing Hawked. That includes a bounty of 10,000 Hawks, 750 Wonderium, and a special My.Games Anniversary Player Banner.

Hungry for more loot? There’s a tasty cake Souvenir with your name on it if you complete 50 Encounters during the event! Band together with Renegades worldwide to finish off 1,000,000 Encounters, and you’ll all receive 2,000 Wonderium. Sniff out treasure in Hawked between now and June 3.

Press the Attack in Warface: Clutch

The eternally warring Warface and Blackwood factions need your help! Choose your side and take the battle to the enemy in the PvP Brawl Team Deathmatch mode, waged across the Port and Yard maps.

If you’re more into the PvE side of things, you can complete different Special Operations in rotation every week during the event.

Every PvP victory and Special Operation completion will net you Event Points and Black Market Coins. Win Event Points for your faction to earn collective rewards like the formidable Rivalry M1911A1, a sleek, deadly Katana, and an exclusive Achievement set. You can also redeem your Black Market Coins to collect even more weapons from the Rivalry set!

Anniversary Arena festivities are live in Warface: Clutch until June 13.

Hawked and Warface: Clutch are available to play for free on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

HAWKED

MY.GAMES

☆☆☆☆☆ 285

★★★★★

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Embark on the ultimate treasure hunt in HAWKED, a free-to-play online Extraction Shooter full of daring adventures, boundless exploration, and all-out PvPvE action in pursuit of ancient treasures. Adventure through a mysterious world where roguish Renegades battle monsters — and each other — to reclaim powerful relics from a lost civilization. Time to flip the page on your Renegade origin story! OUTFOX & OUTGUN! Play solo or team up in 2- or 3-player squads. Fight monsters and rival Renegades in explosive PvPvE combat. Switch up your loadout for the heist at hand with powerful weapons and superpowered abilities. EXPLORE AN UNCHARTED WORLD! Traverse X-Isle, a world lush with verdant vistas, dense jungles, gorgeous beaches, and ancient ruins to raid. Use your Traverser and Hoverboard to get around while dodging traps and enemies! RECLAIM ANCIENT TREASURES! Solve puzzles to collect Glyphs, unlock the Treasury, and claim the Artifact. Get it to an Extraction Point to cash out and upgrade it — wield extracted Artifacts to unlock new powers! BECOME A RENEGADE! Experiment with different playstyles by combining weapons, Gear, Artifacts, and Boosters in your loadout. You can also change your look with hundreds of customization options like Outfits, Weapon Skins, and more! FIND FORTUNE IN AN EPIC, EVOLVING ADVENTURE! Join the adventurers guild GRAIL, complete quests to unlock exclusive rewards, and witness X-Isle change and evolve as new threats rise, alliances shift, and adventure calls. FORTUNE FAVORS THE BAD

The post My.Games Celebrates Five Years with Festivities in Hawked and Warface appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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Last week, Fortnite kicked off its 30th season in the game's unique history. It became a pop-culture titan almost immediately after it debuted in 2017 and has not only enjoyed a level of sustained success that few other games have ever achieved, it's also turned many other live-service games into followers that must react to the waves Epic's game creates. Fortnite has blazed trails and reinvented itself more times than I can easily recall, and yet it's the latest season, Chapter 5 Season 3, that might be the game's best effort yet.

Subtitled Wrecked, this season of Fortnite reinvents the game to an extent Epic has arguably never gone before. Despite seasons debuting roughly four times a year and the introduction of new islands now being an annual event, Wrecked feels like the biggest and boldest change in how the game plays since Chapter 2 Season 3, which saw the entire island be submerged under flood waters that took weeks to recede. Once they did, cars were newly introduced, too, which further altered the future of Fortnite in major ways. Funnily enough, it's this season's focus on vehicles that's resulted in such an immediately exciting and fresh experience.

This season is, to put it bluntly, Twisted Metal. With its punk rock- and dieselpunk-inspired setting befitting of Mad Max, the huge sand dunes and high-velocity stunt ramps make each round the most chaotic experience I've seen in my thousands of hours playing Fortnite. Early portions of a round tend to involve players not just loading up on guns and healing items. Now, they also quickly seek out a ride before attaching various mods onto their weapons of gassed destruction.

Players can attach things like machine guns, grenade launchers, spiked bumpers, and more onto any car in the game, and they can easily swap one mod for another that occupies the same slot by simply driving over the mod crates like a classic arcade car combat game. It feels old-school cool but with all the high-end visual flare and tight PvP mechanics Epic's mesmerizing Unreal Engine 5 allows. According to credible leaks, future updates will bring even more car mods, such as spiked tire rims and bulletproof windows.

There are even boss vehicles on the map right now that, if claimed from the baddies, put their drivers and their teams in the figurative pole position to make it to the final few contenders. With gas reserves now much easier to manage, players aren't just making sweet post-apocalyptic rides; they're staying in them for much or even most of a round, with final storm circles now unfolding like destruction derbies. Every season has an item or two that the community leans into and really loves, but never have I seen the composition of rounds and final circles change so drastically--and for the better. Players are suddenly treating their customized cars like a companion horse in an open-world RPG--tending to their well-being and constantly being aware of their whereabouts.

In one awesome moment this past weekend, while I battled it out in duos mode, I jumped into the passenger seat of my enemies' ride, and then used their machine gun to take down the driver's ally. I've had other rounds where I've had to dodge cars like a bullfighter, carefully dotting them with the new explosive crossbow bolts between evasive maneuvers. And the game's Hulk Hands-like Nitro Fists allow players on foot to pack a punch that can adequately counter a charging supercar like a scene out of a Marvel movie. Each round even opens with many players descending into the Nitro Dome for a literal destruction derby that might feature a tenth or more of the entire lobby's competitors boosting off ramps and smashing each other into giant pits of metal grinders.

I find this latest makeover especially commendable considering just how many times Fortnite has reinvented itself already; this season takes Epic's edict of constantly reinventing the game to a new level. This feels bigger than the debut of Spider-Man Web Shooters, bigger than when Mythic weapons were introduced, and even bigger than the flood. It's such a drastic change that it's simply fascinating to watch this experiment unfold in the games industry. It tells me that Fortnite can be whatever Epic wants it to be, provided the mechanics are there to support it. But more than a live-service experiment, it's also just extremely fun to play. Cars have long been a joy in Fortnite, and this season emphasizes them like no other by basically giving everyone their very own Batmobile. Ultimately, it's this change, which almost seems simple after years of cars in Fortnite, that has transformed the game like never before in its 30th season.

A Fortnite season is ultimately judged not just for its launch suite of new toys, but also for its many smaller changes over the course of a few months. New weapons, abilities, and other unpredictable debuts will spill out between now and August, so I suppose this season could level-out and be remembered as merely another fun one. But given just how different, chaotic, and enjoyable it's already been in its first few days, Chapter 5 Season 3 already feels like the best season of Fortnite to date.

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Xbox Game Studios has reportedly signed a deal to publish the first project from Hundred Star Games, the new studio established by Rocksteady co-founders Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker.

Hill and Walker announced their departure from Batman Arkham studio Rocksteady in October 2022, and Hundred Star Games was founded the following April. However, the pair's connection to the studio wasn't spotted until early this year, alongside the discovery a "handful of lead developers and director-level ex-Rocksteady employees" was already working there.

While little official is known about Hundred Star Games' activities to date - aside from its stated aim of employing a "small team of only 100 industry veterans and emerging talents" - reliable leaker eXtas1s now reports Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios has signed on the dotted line to publish and finance the developer's first title.

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Since first arriving on the scene back in 2022, Starforge Systems has a reputation for great prebuilt gaming PCs, but it's really outdone itself with its new limited-edition Smite rig. Featuring impressive specs, a highly detailed Smite-themed case, and swappable acrylic panels that can showcase one of six iconic gods making a reappearance in this year's Smite 2, this PC is one hell of a beautiful powerhouse.

As we inch closer and closer to Smite 2's release this summer, it may be time for some players to consider upgrading to make the most of the sequel's move to Unreal Engine 5. And though the Starforge Systems' limited-edition Smite 2 pre-build isn't bleeding edge at its asking price of $2500, it's a potent machine with a lot of character that ensures it's worth checking out--especially for hardcore fans of the MOBA looking to add some Smite flair to their battlestation.

You can see the full Smite 2 limited-edition PC stats for yourself below:

• Intel Core i5-13600KF
• GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
• Deepcool LS720 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler
• Teamgroup Delta RGB 32GB DDR5 6000 CL38 (2x16GB)
• MSI Pro Z790-P Wifi
• 2TB Teamgroup Z44A7 PCIe 4.0 NVME
• MSI MAG A850GL PCIe 5

Starforge Systems sent us a unit to try out, and we're mostly impressed with what it has to offer. The upper mid-range specs will handle just about anything the average gamer throws at it with high settings at 1440p--with some room to spare--and even 4K is perfectly doable for those willing to sacrifice some frames in the pursuit of eye candy. Plenty of fans keep things cool and surprisingly quiet, while the 2TB SSD guarantees most folks won't have to worry about making space for all of their games.

The real star here, though, is the absolutely gorgeous case. Sporting a slick black and yellow aesthetic, it'd be a treat even without the extensive Smite branding. But the addition of Zeus art on the case's left and right sides beautifully complements the package. Thin lightning stretches across one side to the front where a giant Smite bolt logo runs from top to bottom, while the grated top goes all in on boldly featuring the game's name. It's somehow both elegant and geeky, and it miraculously manages to avoid looking cheesy.

Enough can't be said about the build quality here, too. This is a very big (and shockingly heavy) case, which allows the components to be arranged in a clean, attractive way that highlights each piece while leaving tons of open space for viewing and comfortable tinkering. With the RGB in full swing, it's one of the most eye-catching builds in recent memory--and a part of this is due to the included platelight and acrylic panels.

Swappable acrylic panels allow fans a way to dedicate their rig to a character from Smite that they adore. Even better, changing these out is relatively painless and only requires unscrewing a few screws to pull out the platelight, so swapping them out frequently isn't a drawn-out task. You can even purchase and showcase any of the non-Smite panels from the Starforge Systems website.

Though it would be amazing to see additional Smite panels become available, it's reasonable that Starforge Systems chose six popular gods from the game to ensure they'd be instantly recognizable even to casual players. The PC comes with the Zeus panel pre-installed, but panels featuring Bellona, Anubis, Scylla, Kukulkan, and Surtr can be purchased separately for $39.99 each. And yeah, that feels a bit pricey, but they're well-made and clearly designed as a supplementary feature for those who want to go all-in on this limited-edition offering.

With that being said, there's no denying that you're paying a bit of a premium for the limited-edition branding and customizability here as a whole. Similar pre-builts can be found for hundreds less, while you can find plenty of top-end options that sport a more powerful processor and GPU at this PC's price point. But this limited-edition build is designed very specifically for the most hardcore of Smite enthusiasts, and with that in mind, it succeeds admirably being at once capable and ravishing.

For those willing to dish out a bit of extra cash for this visually appealing love letter to Smite, it's a beastly rig for stomping your foes in Smite 2 when it lands later this year. In the meantime, you can pick up a Founder's Edition to gain access to closed alpha weekends in the lead-up to the full release.

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Activision is seemingly set to raise the player count in Call of Duty: Warzone. A tweet from developer Raven Software suggests that lobbies in the free-to-play battle royale game are growing from 100 to 120 with the upcoming Season 4 launch on May 29.

As fans no doubt recall, Warzone originally had 150-player lobbies before this was reduced to 100 in 2023. At the time, Activision said it made this change because matches were feeling "too chaotic" with 150 players. Reducing the player count at the time also helped with matchmaking times, Activision said. Since then, though, players have been calling for Activision to increase the player count, and now it's happening. Warzone Mobile also has 120-player lobbies.

Season 4 for Modern Warfare III and Warzone debuts May 29, ushering new maps, operators, and weapons, along with a new battle pass and BlackCell DLC bundle. Check out the gallery below to see some of the new content coming to Call of Duty in the Season 4 update.

Looking further out, Activision has announced Black Ops 6, and Raven Software is a co-developer on the game alongside Treyarch and Activision's network of global studios. A live-action trailer features real-life people like Bill Clinton and Saddam Hussein, and more details on the game are coming this June.

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Diablo 4 Season 4, dubbed Loot Reborn, has overhauled the loot system. This includes a new way to power up your gear in the endgame of Diablo 4 via the new Masterworking system. Masterworking improves the bonuses of every affix an item has, increasing how powerful your build can be. However, getting the materials to masterwork gear requires some grinding.

How to unlock Masterworking

You can masterwork Gear at the blacksmith, but only after unlocking The Pit, a new endgame dungeon, which is the only way to get Masterwork materials. To unlock The Pit, you must first beat a Tier 46 Nightmare Dungeon, which requires you to be on World Tier 4 and features level 100 enemies. The Pit starts at Tier 1, with level 100 enemies, and goes all the way up to Tier 200. To enter The Pit, you need 3 Runeshards, which drop from Whisper Caches, Helltide chests, Legion chests, Nightmare Dungeons, and World Bosses. Once you unlock The Pit, you will need to complete one run to unlock the masterwork menu at the blacksmith.

How Masterworking works

Each item can be masterworked a total of 12 times, with most ranks adding a 5% boost to every Affix an item has. However, ranks 4, 8, and 12 each add a boost of 25% to a single affix at random. Only items that are either Ancestral Legendary with two Tempered Affixes or Ancestral Uniques can be upgraded via masterworking.

Depending on the type of item, you will need some basic crafting materials, like Veiled Crystal or Forgotten Soul, Gold, and one of the three Pit materials, depending on which upgrade rank you are on.

Ranks 1 through 4 require Obducite, 5 through 8 require Ingolith, and 9 through 12 require Neathiron. Obducite is dropped from Tiers 1 to 29 in The Pit, Ingolith Tiers 30 to 59, and Neathiron 60 to 200. You can transmute the higher tier materials into the lower tier versions at the Alchemist, but you can't turn the lower tier materials into the higher tier.

The Pit itself is relatively simple. Each run has a 15-minute time limit to hit mastery, ending with a significant amount of that tier's crafting material. Dying in The Pit takes time off the clock, with the first death taking 30 seconds, the second taking 60 seconds, and the third death and every death after taking 90 seconds. To complete The Pit, you need to quickly kill enemies to fill up a meter. Once the meter is filled, a portal takes you to the boss fight. The boss fight is similar to Nightmare Dungeon boss fights, except a shadow of a random enemy also appears in the arena, firing off attacks during the fight. Completing a tier will unlock the next tier, but if you complete it fast, you can unlock up to three tiers in a single run.

If you run a higher tier with a party than you have unlocked, you will unlock the tiers after that tier, but not before it. For example, if your highest tier is 35 and you run a 45 with a friend, you will unlock tier 46, but not tier 36.

It's important to note that upgrading gear takes a decent amount of materials, especially if you don't get the rolls on the 25% bonuses you want. You can reset an item's masterwork ranks back to zero at any point, but it costs money and materials to do so. You also do not get your masterworking materials refunded, so make sure you really want to reset it.

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Tekken 8’s second DLC fighter, Lidia Sobieska, returns to action in her first gameplay trailer. The Polish politician and karate master will bolster the roster this summer.

First introduced as a DLC fighter in Tekken 7: Fated Retribution, Lidia is the prime minister of Poland and a practitioner of traditional karate. The formal and proud fighter clashes with fellow karate practisioner Jin Kazama in the trailer and humbles the arrogant Reina by dishing out her new Rage Art. 

Lidia follows on the heels of Eddy Gordo as the two revealed Year 1 season pass fighters. Owners of Tekken 8’s Deluxe, Ultimate, or Collector's Editions automatically receive these fighters. Each can also be purchased individually for $7.99. Two more fighters remain in the Year 1 pass, who will be added during the fall and winter

For more on Tekken 8, check out our review.

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