Valve has updated its refund policy on Steam, making a small but significant change in the process.

This updated policy means players will no longer be able to exploit a loophole that allowed them to play an 'advanced access' game for more than two hours and still request a refund further down the line.

Sharing news on its amended policy, Valve explained that "playtime acquired during the advanced access period will now count towards the Steam refund period", which itself states a player can ask for their money back as long as they have purchased the game within the last 14 days and played less than two hours in total.

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Fallout 76 has just hit an impressive player milestone, almost six years after the game first released.

According to Bethesda, over one million players were gallivanting around the MMO in a single day. Not bad for a game which, on its initial release in 2018, we called "a bizarre, boring, broken mess" in Eurogamer's Fallout 76 review.

Resharing Bethesda's original post, Fallout 76 creative director Jonathan Rush said how "amazing" it was to see this influx of players. "A very exciting moment with many (many) more to come," he wrote on X.

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Nintendo's Switch Online service has today received two additions to its N64 catalogue.

Extreme-G and Iggy's Reckin' Balls are both racing games originally released for Nintendo's 64-bit console, now available for Expansion Pack subscribers.

Extreme-G is a high speed futuristic racer released in 1997. With its original trance soundtrack and various weapons, it was the N64's answer to PlayStation's WipEout series. This Switch version has local and online multiplayer.

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A recent patch for Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered appears to have removed a set of Lara Croft pin-up style posters in the game's Remastered graphical mode, despite them previously having been flagged by the official Tomb Raider website as a detail to go find.

Fans spotted the posters' removal over the past week (thanks, Kotaku) when playing the game, and have expressed surprise at the change quietly occuring now, several months after launch, with no mention in any patch notes.

The posters are still shown on TombRaider.com as one of 10 original details to go find, alongside Easter eggs pertaining to developer Crystal Dynamics and another of its games, Legacy of Kain. Eurogamer has contacted Crystal Dynamics and remaster developer Aspyr for more.

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Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler has defended the studio's decision to launch its latest game No Rest for the Wicked in early access.

The dark fantasy game launched last week, but was criticised by players for its poor performance, which Moon Studios pledged to improve.

In a lengthy statement on social media platform X, Mahler discussed the benefits of an early access launch and said he's "confident" more games will be released in this way in future.

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Lords of the Fallen has reached the final stage of its free content roadmap, as developer Hexworks acknowledges the technical difficulties that hampered the game's launch last year.

Master of Fate, as the modifier is known, will allow players to randomise seven different aspects. Choosing to randomise enemy spawns and loot drops alongside permadeath, for instance, effectively turns the Soulslike into a rogue-lite.

Since the launch of Lords of the Fallen in October, Hexworks has been frequently updating the game with quality of life tweaks, performance improvements, and new content.

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Get To Know Our Team
Chad
Senior Software Engineer

Hi, everyone! Wynn here again. Welcome back to another Xbox Insider Team interview. Today’s chat is with Chad—the very first of our incredible Xbox Insider engineers. How’s it going, Chad?

Doing pretty well, Wynn.

Glad to hear it! Well, let’s jump right in.

Tell the community a little bit about how you joined the Xbox Insider team.

Yeah, so, I joined the team ten years ago. Probably like a month or two after everything initially launched.

Oh, wow. So, you’re pretty OG on the team?

I’m the longest-serving engineer, and I think only Leland has me beat on overall tenure for the team.

That’s really impressive man. You must’ve seen a lot in your time here.

Haha. It’s been a journey. I’ve seen the program evolve from a little applet, where we just had a few visible rings, to where it is now, with a fully blown hub app and multiple different types of flighting. It’s been really rewarding to be part of that transformation.

Let’s talk more about that transformation. How have you seen things change over the years?

In the beginning, the program was a kind of scratch group of different people all trying to just get things working and stood up. We had the flight dashboard setup, but we realized really quickly that we needed an actual app for people to access. So, we worked to build that out. Then when Todd took over, he was really focused on the outward expansion of the program. Game flights, app flights, better infrastructure for all that, Todd pushed a bunch of those initiatives forward. Now, with Brad’s leadership we’ve been working on a lot of the crystallization of process and harmonization aspects.

I love hearing about this kind of history. I didn’t think about it initially, but I guess you’ve worked under everyone who has led the program.

Yup! I’ve seen every manager, every leader, every re-org, etc. that’s happened throughout the years.

Well—since you’ve been here for so long—what’s your favorite moment from your work or like something you’ve worked on that you’re the most proud of?

Hmm. That’s a great question. I think I have two different answers. To answer the “what I’ve worked on part”, it’s really the feedback system as a whole. There’s probably not a single thing in that codebase I haven’t touched over the years, and I’ve been building that from the ground up all the way to now.

But the favorite moment portion is definitely something that’s not related to the work I do at all. Before the lockdowns started, we had these holiday parties every year. Just a small thing with the flight team, a white elephant type deal. The cast may have changed somewhat, but there was also a static core throughout the years. So, there’s this series of cherished memories that I have with all of my teammates from each of those parties that I hold dear.

I’m torn between being mind blown about the feedback reveal and being moved by the holiday party anecdote. I wonder if there’s any way we could start that back up.

It would be cool to see them come back in some form.

Well, we’ve seen what you’ve worked on in the past. Do you have any updates about what you’re currently working on that you can share with the Xbox Insider community?

Lemme think if there’s anything I can talk about publicly. The nature of engineering work isn’t always the most flashy or interesting to everyone, but we are doing a lot of upcoming modernization work on the backend for all things XIP.

Okay. I can get behind that. Sprucing up the infrastructure?

Yeah, exactly. Tech progresses pretty quickly, so you always want to make sure you’re doing things as efficiently as possible. With some of these changes, it’ll end up freeing up our engineering team to work on more “fun” projects later in the year.

That sounds awesome! Looking forward to seeing how that turns out.

Okay, let’s move on to the more rapid-fire style questions. What’s your favorite video game or one that’s impacted your life the most?

This is slightly tangential from the question, but as far as a game that impacted my life, the first thing that comes to mind is a teacher I had in high school. I grew up in a more rural area where we didn’t have many AP classes at the time. I had a particularly cool computer science teacher who saw potential in myself and a handful of other students. He hand-crafted multiple years’ worth of computer-related courses specifically for us. He showed us everything: computer history, visual logic and visual basic, some computer animation and modeling. A lot of the classes were designed around us creating little apps and games. That memory: those games I built with that teacher and my classmates, are what I remember the most.

That might be the best answer that isn’t quite an answer to this question I’ve gotten yet. I’m incredibly glad you shared that. I think a lot of people had that one teacher in high school that really connected with them in a meaningful way.

Definitely. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without those experiences in those formative years.

Agreed. Let’s try a little lighter fare. Favorite album?

Renaissance by Beyoncé has been a go-to for a while now. I’m a bit of a house-head and I’ve always loved the Queen Bee, so that album has really been firing on all cylinders for me.

I know purely from my wife’s excitement that the next album in that trilogy is dropping soon.

Yeah, it comes out at the end of the month, but it’s actually a country album instead of a more dance/electronic one. [Note: This interview was conducted prior to the album’s release.]

Haha. It seems I’m far out of the loop when it comes to Beyoncé. I’m like, “The same person who did Single Ladies is doing house and country?”

The Queen Bee has range.

Truly. Let’s move onto the screen. Any favorite shows or movies you like to rewatch?

Avatar: The Last Airbender I can literally watch any time, start to finish. For movies, I’m a Miyazaki guy, and Spirited Away is my favorite.

Oh, you and Austin should do a simultaneous rewatch of ATLA. You can start a podcast!

That’s not a bad idea. Lemme write that down.

I’ll be the first subscriber.

Okay, do you have any hobbies outside of the realm of entertainment media?

I love travelling with my partner and my friends. I’ve actually been to Antarctica before. But traveling is too cliché, right?

Let me just check my notes here. Nope. We don’t have a single other person who says they’ve been to Antarctica.

Haha. I guess it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime things even though I do hope I get to go back someday.

I wish we had a little more time to dive into that because I’m so curious about what that was like. Anything else besides being an actual literal globetrotter?

I’ve gone to Burning Man for the past nine years and I spend a decent amount of time working on projects for that.

The environmental dichotomy of Antarctica and Burning Man being your answers is truly perfect.

Thank you.

Well, any last thoughts for our Xbox Insiders before we wrap?

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has ever submitted feedback through the program. Whether it was system related, a game flight, or just a one-off, we really do look at all of that and it’s extremely important for what we do as a team. We really can’t thank everyone enough.

I can cheers to that! Chad, thank you so much for stopping back to chat with everyone.

The pleasure’s mine, Wynn!

Xbox Insiders, be sure to be on the lookout for more content all throughout February including more interviews from the team, a trip down memory lane, and so much more. All of our 10th Anniversary content can be found on our Hub Page.

Until next time! Wy\nn/

The post Get To Know Our Team: Chad – Senior Software Engineer appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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NetEase Games, the publisher behind the upcoming hero shooter Marvel Rivals, has shared a video showcasing what the god of mischief, Loki, can do in an arena. In true Loki fashion, many of his moves will be based on confusing players as much as possible.

In this new trailer, we can see his efficient long-range attacks, but that's not all he has up his sleeve. If players get too close to him, he can leave his body and move somewhere safe. He'll also have the power to teleport to nearby areas, similar to Reaper's ability in Overwatch 2. What's most notable about Loki is that his ultimate move allows him to become another character, and in doing so, he gains all of their abilities.

As of now, Marvel Rivals doesn't have a release date, but it'll be free-to-play when it launches on PC. However, those who want to try it soon can sign up for its alpha test, which is scheduled for next month in May. It is worth mentioning that the test will only be available for PC players, but they'll be able to play various Marvel characters such as Black Panther, Spider-Man, Magneto, and Scarlet Witch.

It's unclear whether or not the game will come to console when it's fully released. However, PC players can wishlist the game on both Steam and the Epic Game Store.

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Hello there! I’m Leo Zullo, Co-founder and MD of Wired Productions and we really love indie games.

Today my team hosted “Wired Direct ’24”, our blockbuster indie showcase where we revealed free updates for the games you already love – release dates for the games you are waiting to love, and announced one that youre going to love. If you caught the show live – you rock, but if you didn’t then let us bring you up to speed.

Kicking off the showcase we dropped the release date for Gori: Cuddly Carnage. Those of you who played the demo during the Xbox Winter Showcase (where you left it with five-star reviews and more hype than you can shake a bag of catnip at) will be intimately familiar with the unique brand of carnage that Gori brings to the table. But if this is the first time you’re seeing our feline friend – let us sum it up for you.

You’re a cat. On a hoverboard. Fighting unicorns.

Obviously there’s way more to it than that – it looks fantastic, has a bone-shaking soundtrack and a surprisingly heartfelt story, but at a base level it’s the fever dream neon drenched marriage of Sunset Overdrive and Devil May Cry with a splash of Conker’s adult humour for good measure that you didn’t know you needed – wrapped up in a disturbingly cute and violent package. And more Importantly – It’s launching on August 29, 2024 and you can pre-order right now!

Up next we announced Karma: The Dark World – A psychological thriller drenched in abstract Lynchian imagery, intense horror, jaw dropping Unreal five visuals, set in an alternate history take on a dystopian post war Germany.

There’s a lot we could tell you about Karma: The Dark World, but honestly, the trailer will give you none of the answers and leave you asking ‘what the hell?’ and wanting to know more – which is right where we want you to be right now – take a trip down The Rabbit Hole.

We think we better try to settle pulses a little after that one, so next we’ll take a dive down to the Great Depths and check up on Lumote. Originally released on Xbox back in ’22, Lumote: Mastermote Chronicles is a beautiful 3D puzzle platformer with a reactive, mesmerising soundtrack that stole our hearts.

Now, two years later, we are providing a free next-gen update for Xbox Series X|S – and this time you can bring a friend! With a visual overhaul and brand new co-op mode coming that lets you squish, bop and bounce with a companion by your side. Together, you can take control of the world’s inhabitants on a quest to seize control of the Great Depths from Mighty Mastermote! The free Companion Mode and Next-Gen Update is coming soon to Xbox.

Finally – we take a trip back to the Great Ursee – A world that will be familiar to those of you that played the Bulwark demo last year on Xbox, or soared high with solo developer Tomas Sala’s previous game and Series X launch title, The Falconeer.

Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is a chill twin stick builder with a focus on verticality and a focus on giving you true freedom to paint the last great civilization across a world shattered by war, and though it only launched last month, solo developer Tomas Sala is providing the first of several sizeable updates to the game on its roadmap with the aptly named  “Trade, Tribute and Splinters”.

Check out the trailer to see how Bulwark continues to evolve, allowing you to secure and spend fresh resources, and more ways to interact with the inhabitants of the world as you leave your mark upon i

The “Trade, Tribute and Splinters” update is coming very soon, so keep your eyes peeled for the free update landing in your Bulwarks!

That wraps up the announcements for our Direct this year. Thank you all for helping to celebrate indie games with us, and helping us bring the outstanding talent of small teams the world over to light, where you might just find your next favourite game!

The post Upcoming and Available Xbox Games in Wired Direct 2024 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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Sea of Thieves Season 12 is scheduled to launch next week on April 30. Ahead of its launch, Rare decided to share some information on what changes players can expect in the upcoming season, including the use of throwing knives, new ways to board ships, and the ability to summon skeletons to help in a fight.

In a video shared on the official Sea of Thieves YouTube channel, the studio explained that an update on April 25 will allow players "to get straight into the new features" when Season 12 launches on April 30. Players who recently participated in the game's closed beta for PS5 will have a few cosmetic rewards waiting for them when they jump into the game. These Dauntless Adventurer Sails are "an homage to the Vanguard Sails" Rare gave out to Xbox and PC beta players in 2017.

Rare also explained that servers are returning to allow for as many as six ships and 18 players per server following some updates that stabilized this part of the game.

From April 30 to May 7, players will also be able to earn new cosmetics via Twitch Drops. Those who participate will unlock the Sea Dog Tankard Pocket Watch, the Eastern Wind Sapphire Boots, and the Short Jacket. Of course, the Pirate Emporium will get a wave of new content, including new owl pets that players can unlock with real-world money on April 30. With the launch of Season 12, all this, plus new weapons like throwing knives and new tools (not rules), will be available.

It's safe to say that PlayStation players are excited to travel the seas. As of late, it's earned a spot on the PS5 best-seller charts.

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Flaming Fowl, the developer behind card battler Fable Fortune and the acclaimed Gloomhaven video game adaptation, has unveiled its new game - but in an unusual move has announced its shelving development and confirmed layoffs at the studio all at the same time.

Flaming Fowl, which was founded in 2016 by former members of original Fable developer Lionhead Studios, embarked on its rollercoaster of announcements in a post on Steam, beginning with a reveal for its new project, known as Ironmarked - a "1-3 player co-op RPG with turn-based combat" - and the launch of an accompanying demo.

In an unexpected and rather sobering twist, however, Flaming Fowl immediately followed Ironmarked's unveiling with some unhappier news, revealing, "Unfortunately, due to the current lack of funding in the games industry, we are putting production on hold and have had to downsize the studio, letting go of some amazing people."

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While Sony has released two PlayStation VR headsets, Microsoft has stayed out of the wearable tech market when it comes to gaming (though it has the business-focused HoloLens 2). But now, the Xbox brand will appear on an upcoming Meta Quest VR headset.

Spotted by The Verge, Meta revealed the collaboration with Xbox as part of the VR company's "next step toward our vision for a more open computing platform for the metaverse." The partnership seems pretty straightforward, with Meta saying it's developing "a limited-edition Meta Quest, inspired by Xbox."

This isn't the first time the two companies have worked together. Last year, Xbox Cloud Gaming arrived on Meta Quest 3, letting you play games like Halo Infinite on the VR headset. On Instagram, Meta Platforms founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg teased an Xbox edition of Meta Quest that came with an Xbox controller and Xbox Game Pass.

Meanwhile, other companies will apparently go further with their collaborations with Meta. For instance, ASUS is apparently "building an all-new performance gaming headset" with the Meta Horizon OS.

Meta Quest 3 launched last year and starts at $500 for the 128GB version of the headset. As for Microsoft, it does seem to be eyeing new hardware fronts in the future. Last month, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer talked about how an Xbox handheld was an intriguing idea.

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The latest Nintendo Switch firmware update has arrived, but don't expect anything too substantial in terms of improvements or new features.

This newest update, which brings the system up to version 18.0.1, fixes an issue pertaining to wireless access points. Specifically, these wireless access points could sometimes fail to be recognized when setting up a new wireless network, but that should be fixed now.

Anyone who cannot update to version 18.0.1 because of this issue should temporarily change their settings of their network to use WPA2 (AES), which will allow them to connect and download the update. After that, you can go back and revert to the earlier settings.

The update also includes "general system stability improvements."

Social media user OatmealDome usually digs through the files of new updates and discovers unannounced changes or updates to Nintendo's list of banned words, but this update doesn't appear to have any. A previous update banned the Japanese word for testicles.

You can see the full patch notes for the Switch firmware update below.

Nintendo fans are looking forward to what's coming next, and that includes a heavily rumored Switch successor. It remains officially unannounced, but key details have emerged. For more, check out GameSpot's rundown of everything we know about the Switch 2.

Ver. 18.0.1 (Released April 22, 2024)

• Fixed an issue where some wireless access points cannot be found when setting up a new wireless network.
  • If you’re unable to update to Version 18.0.1 because of the issue, temporarily change the security settings for your wireless network to use only “WPA2 (AES)” so you can connect wirelessly to download and install the system update.
  • After updating to Version 18.0.1, restore your network’s security settings to its previous settings.
• General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.

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• Captivating adventure inspired by Studio Ghibli, featuring vibrant landscapes and intricate puzzles.
• Diverse environments, and engaging puzzles in a mystical realm.
• Breathtaking visuals and immersive gameplay for all ages.

Hey there, gamers! Let’s delve into something truly exciting: the unveiling of Lost Twins II, a highly anticipated puzzle platformer from Playdew, an innovative indie game developer based in Pakistan. This momentous occasion represents the culmination of seven years of hard work and dedication, promising players an extraordinary gaming experience that transcends the ordinary. Step into the whimsical realm of Lost Twins II, where you’ll guide the titular lost twins, Abi and Ben, through a mesmerizing adventure filled with intricate puzzles and unexpected twists. With its focus on exploration and discovery, rather than conflict, Lost Twins II invites players to unravel the mysteries of its dualistic-inspired narrative, where seemingly opposing forces merge to create a harmonious and enchanting journey.

Embark on a Mystical Adventure

Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the heart of Lost Twins II, where wonder and adventure await at every turn. In the mystical realm of Phoenix, a radiant community of sibling phoenixes once flourished, their existence a testament to the eternal dance of life and rebirth. But fate had other plans. A mighty storm, born of unseen forces, tore through their world, leaving devastation in its wake. The once-vibrant phoenixes were frozen in time, transformed into statues of stone, their essence scattered to the winds.

Our story begins amidst this chaos. Twin siblings, Abi & Ben, stumble upon the remains of one such phoenix, hidden within the halls of their parents’ museum. Drawn by a mysterious light, they follow its ethereal trail, leading to the stone phoenix and a portal beyond imagining.

With a burst of radiant energy, you are whisked away to the shattered remnants of the phoenixes’ homeland, where a grand adventure awaits. Joined by the phoenix, now in a transformed state, you’ll embark on a quest to reunite him with his scattered essence and breathe life back into the world of Phoenix.

Discover Vibrant Worlds and Engaging Puzzles

The game unfolds across three primary zones, each offering a distinct environment inspired by the vivid imagination of the twins. From lush forests to majestic castles, players will explore beautifully crafted landscapes while solving puzzles in each zone.

As you progress, you’ll collect feathers to unlock new areas, unveiling the secrets of this enchanting world one puzzle at a time.

Dive into Captivating Features

As you guide the twin siblings through dynamic environments, you’ll encounter a myriad of challenges and delights along the way. With the ability to control both siblings, you’ll navigate through enchanted forests, traverse frozen castles, and explore the whimsical realm of Toyland, all inspired by the captivating worlds of Studio Ghibli. Immerse yourself in the beauty of each landscape with an atmospheric soundtrack that sets the tone for your adventure, while unlocking achievements hidden throughout the game. Solve a variety of puzzles, from logic challenges to spatial conundrums, each offering multiple solutions to spark your creativity. With privacy and offline play guaranteed, Lost Twins II invites you to delve into a world of magic, mystery, and endless exploration.

Featuring stunning visuals reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic style and meticulously designed puzzles, Lost Twins II guarantees an unforgettable experience brimming with wonder and delight for players of all ages. With Lost Twins II, you are invited into a world where curiosity and creativity reign supreme. So, are you ready to embark on this enchanting journey and reunite the lost twins? Wishlist now, and get ready for the release later this year on Xbox.

Wishlist now to be the first to embark on this thrilling journey!

Lost Twins 2

Playdew

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Lost Twins 2 is an incredibly cute puzzle adventure that will challenge, entertain and maybe even inspire you. Guide Abi and Ben on their journey to find a way back home across a whimsical polygonal playground crafted with an enormous amount of care. Is the mystical Fenghuang leading them home or steering them down a rabbit hole? Inspired by Miyazaki, the art style merges soft, painterly backgrounds with simplified, memorable characters and fluid animations. Each frame is crafted meticulously with pride – specific lighting techniques, thoughtful composition, and immense attention to detail mean that every single moment you'll spend playing Lost Twins 2 will be a feast for the eyes. The original musical score is atmospheric, soothing, and thematic to complement the art style. The puzzles in Lost Twins 2 are painstakingly designed, with elegant solutions that make you feel, momentarily, like a genius. They are hard enough to present a challenge but logical enough that you'll be able to solve them within a few attempts. There is a joy to be discovered in every level in Lost Twins 2. A signature sliding puzzle mechanic forms the core complemented by mechanics such as pressure switches, water gates, breakable domes, lifts, elevators, and more to ensure that the pace of the game never falters. There's no repetition in the puzzles, each new puzzle will feel interesting and unique. The goal is to delight both children and adults with a gameplay experience that is based on discovery, tinkering, and exploration–not on conflict and threat. There are no timers, no enemies, no deaths, not even any dialogues to read – just a poetic, visually breathtaking world full of puzzles challenging your wits. A cerebral and pleasant experience for everyone, never frustrating without proper reward, never dull or monotonous.

The post Wishlist Playdew’s Lost Twins II, Coming this Year appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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Take-Two Interactive has won a case regarding its depiction of LeBron James' tattoos in NBA 2K. While James himself was not involved in the case, his tattoo artist, Jimmy Hayden, was.

Hayden sued Take-Two by alleging that the use of James' tattoos in NBA 2K violated his rights as he was not compensated despite being the one who inked them onto the basketball star. However, an Ohio federal jury rejected those allegations. Since Take-Two had an agreement to use James' likeness in the game, the studio also had an implied license to also depict those tattoos onto his character.

As a result, the jury determined that Hayden's rights were not violated. Take-Two's attorney, Dale Cendali of law firm Kirkland & Ellis, praised the decision. He told Reuters that it was an important decision for the entertainment industry and "anyone who has ever gotten a tattoo and might have otherwise worried about their freedom to share their bodies with their tattoos."

This isn't the first time Take-Two was sued for this issue. In past cases, Take-Two both won and lost. In 2020, Take-Two settled another lawsuit involving the NBA 2K series from Solid Oak Sketches. In 2022, Take-Two lost a lawsuit related to WWE 2K and its depiction of pro wrestler Randy Orton's tattoos. The federal jury in Illinois awarded the tattoo artist $3,750 in damages.

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Halo Infinite will finally restore one of the franchise's classic weapons to its former glory come its next free update, making it so the Plasma Pistol will once again disable vehicles with a fully-charged shot.

When Halo Infinite's multiplayer launched in November 2021, players were dismayed to see that the Plasma Pistol's EMP effect had been stripped away. Instead, developer 343 Industries gave the Plasma Pistol's original functionality to the game's new electricity-based weapons, the Disruptor and the Shock Rifle. That left the Plasma Pistol without much utility aside from its normal shield-depleting charge shot, much to the sadness of old-school Halo fans.

It may have taken two and a half years, but the Plasma Pistol will once again be useful come Halo Infinite's Banished Honor update on April 30.

"I've been way too happy for the team to get this implemented," Halo senior community manager John Junyszek said during the livestream reveal of the new update. "It's been one of the most common points of feedback since launch around the plasma pistol. We wanted to make sure it was feeling more effective, more loved, and has plenty of utility."

Aside from the return of the Plasma Pistol's most potent ability, the Banished Honor update will introduce a new, free 20-tier Operation themed around the Banished, as well as two new Forge palettes for players to build custom maps with. Last but not least, it will introduce a new way to earn cosmetics, called the Exchange, where players can use credits earned from matches to purchase previously released customization items.

Halo Infinite moved away from full seasons at the end of its Flood-themed Season 5, and instead has pivoted to free Operations that last between 4-6 weeks. Those Operations have included new versions of previous events like The Yappening and Cyber Showdown, as well as the introduction new customizable armor cores, like the Mjolnir Mark IV armor worn by the Spartans in Halo Wars.

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The video game industry has been beset with layoffs and canceled projects in 2024, and one company in particular, Embracer, has received a wave of criticism for laying off staff, closing studios, and cancelling games after a huge hiring spree and growth period years earlier.

Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors said in a new interview that, as the CEO, he deserves criticism. But he says there is a job to be done, and he's plodding ahead to try to "always maximize shareholder value in any given situation."

"It's been painful," he told GI.biz. "But I still believe in what we do, I believe in my teams and the vision we set out. I also believe the public markets, if we do it right, are a fantastic place to finance your business and tap into both investors and the debt market.

"But you need to execute well. If you do, it could be a fantastic platform to enable growth and to really have a competitive edge."

In February this year, Embracer disclosed that it canceled 29 unannounced games and laid off nearly 1,400 people in the previous six months as part of its previously announced restructuring effort.

Embracer made these drastic cuts in part due to a major deal falling through at the 11th hour, which has subsequently been revealed to be a pact with Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games. Embracer previously took $1 billion from Saudi Arabia and defended that decision when people criticized Saudi Arabia's position on human rights.

Wingefors said that as the leader of Embracer, he needs to "take the blame" and "be humble" about mistakes made.

"I'm sure I deserve a lot of criticism, but I don't think my team or companies deserve all the criticism. I could take a lot of that blame myself. But ultimately I need to believe in the mission we set out and that is still valid, and we are now enabling that by doing this [new] structure," he said.

The new structure Wingefors is referring to is Embracer's decision to split the company into three divisions in an effort to become more profitable.

Wingefors also touched on why Embracer bought so many studios and staffed up so substantially years ago. The COVID pandemic led to a surge in revenue and potential opportunities for companies, and Wingefors said "everyone" was behind his decision to ramp up so significantly at the time. However, the reality today is "different and it's painful and we need to adapt to it," he said.

Some of the most high-profile moves from Embracer included the reported cancellation of a Deus Ex game and the closures of Saints Row studio Volition and TimeSplitters developer Free Radical. Embracer has also cut jobs at subsidiaries like Crystal Dynamics and Beamdog, among others. The company sold Gearbox to Take-Two for $460 million.

The video game industry layoffs are not limited to Embracer and its studios, as Microsoft cut 1,900 positions from its gaming team and League of Legends developer Riot also cut hundreds of positions, representing just a small number of gaming cuts so far in 2024.

For more, check out GameSpot's deep-dive feature on video game industry layoffs.

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Steven Ogg, who played Trevor Philips in Grand Theft Auto 5, has revealed he "shot some stuff" for a DLC that would have continued the character's adventures, now working as an undercover agent for the FBI, but it "just disappeared and [Rockstar] never followed up on it."

As those with long memories might recall, Rockstar announced it was working on "some very exciting" story DLC for Grand Theft Auto 5 all the way back in 2013. However, those plans were quietly shelved after it shifted its focus to the hugely popular GTA Online.

Rockstar never officially revealed what it had been planning for its Grand Theft Auto 5 story DLC, but a few tantalising details have now emerged during a Q&A livestream hosted by Streamily. According to Michael de Santa actor Ned Luke - appearing alongside Shawn Fonteno, who played Franklin Clinton, and Steven Ogg - Rockstar was "originally... gonna do the continuing stories of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor".

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2K Sports released a new NFL video game today as part of the company's deal with the NFL that covers non-simulation games. The card battler mobile game NFL 2K Playmakers is out now on iOS and Android as a free game supported by microtransactions and developed by Cat Daddy Games.

NFL 2K Playmakers has players putting together NFL player cards with the aim of making the strongest roster overall, covering offense, defense, and special teams. The game's two main modes are Red Zone Drive and Seasons. In Red Zone Drive, players have to leverage their football know-how to call plays strategically and hope their players execute. In Seasons mode, players build a team and take them through an entire NFL season, culminating in the Super Bowl if they can make it that far.

NFL 2K Playmakers has real player likenesses, as the game was produced in partnership with the NFL Players Association. Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud is the cover athlete.

Starting with the upcoming 2024 NFL season, players can make predictions about real-life matchups to obtain points that they can use for a chance to grab in-game rewards. 2K said more details about this will be announced when the new NFL season begins later this year.

2K is also making an arcade-style NFL game, but it has been delayed indefinitely and there continues to be no word on when it might release. In 2023, Insider Gaming reported that development on the game had restarted at least twice since it started development.

2K's NFL 2K series was once very popular, but the publisher ended the series in 2004. Under its new agreement with the NFL, 2K will make non-simulation NFL games. That's an important distinction because EA Sports remains the exclusive developer of simulation-style NFL games with its Madden NFL series.

The new NFL games from 2K will have the names, numbers, images, and likenesses of more than 2,000 current NFL players.

With 2K getting back into NFL games, the publisher is extending its sports game catalogue. 2K already makes NBA, WWE, and PGA Tour games. The company is also getting back into the tennis game, and will launch TopSpin 2K25 on April 26.

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Supergiant Games has never made a sequel. Instead, it's a studio that has consistently iterated and innovated with each subsequent game, arguably culminating in the team's greatest work to date: Hades. The engrossing roguelite dazzled with tight and engaging combat, an iconic visual presentation, and novel take on a persistent narrative that interweaves the progression of its story with its repeating gameplay loop. If Supergiant Games were ever going to commit to a sequel, Hades definitely provided the most fertile ground for further development, ensuring that its follow-up has a strong foundation established in a proven hit. Hades II's technical test is a small slice of the game and a very quick look at how Supergiant plans to build on the success of the first game, but it's already clear that it is anything but a safe improvement on what has come before.

Hades II stars Melinoe, sister of Hades protagonist Zagreus and the daughter of the titular god. Unlike the first game, in which Zagreus attempted to escape the underworld in search of his human mother, Melinoe is entangled in a war with the titan, Chronos, who is wreaking havoc on both Mount Olympus and the Underworld. With her family missing and her father's throne usurped, Melinoe has taken refuge at the Crossroads, which has become a safe haven for simple shades displaced by Chronos' rampage, as well as the few fighters left trying to mount a resistance.

Melinoe controls just like her agile brother, moving around each area with speed and grace, accentuated by a snappy dash that now has a new sprint ability associated with it if you hold the input down, giving you a subtle but important addition to your movement repertoire. You'll notice a change when glancing over to your health bar, with Melinoe utilizing a new magic resource that becomes a key consideration in the throes combat. Magic is used for new Omega abilities, offensive variations of attacks that are all channeled by holding down one of the three attack buttons you have on offer. Each weapon features standard and special attacks, with the weapon type determining where they are either short or long-range.Melinoe introduces a third spell attack that she has regardless of which weapon you choose. It lets you ensnare enemies in place, while also being open to modification by boons awarded by gods from Olympus. This additional attack alone adds an interesting layer to the frenetic action, offering a persistent attack type that is primarily focused on crowd control that allows even early skirmishes to get delightfully chaotic without becoming overwhelming. Coupled with the variety and complexity that Omega attacks introduce, this gives Hades II a tangible sense of differentiation that both returning and new players will relish to pick apart one run at a time.

With this added variety to combat, the abilities that each of the gods of Olympus lend to you are expanded too. You'll still get familiar augments such as imbuing your attacks with lightning from Zeus or accentuating them with knockback effects from Poseidon, but there are a bunch of fresh ones too. New gods have also been introduced, such as Apollo, god of light, Hestia, goddess of fire, and Hephaestus, god of the forge. Numerous characters from Hades have yet to be introduced or could potentially be omitted entirely, but some have been recontextualized to fit the new story, such as Artemis now occupying a role similar to that of Thanatos, challenging you to kill the most enemies in a room in exchange for a reward. The new elemental abilities are entertaining to experiment with, especially Hephaestus' explosive additions to standard and special attacks or Hestia's burning attribute on boons that deals satisfying damage over time to groups of foes. Balancing these new boons with the alterations to existing ones is a task Supergiant Games will likely be laser-focused on during the early access period, but it's already satisfying to find effective synergies between boons you're randomly handed throughout a run.

Now that you have another input for attack, as well as three new ones in the form of Omega abilities, these gifts from the gods can also become far more nuanced. One example of this comes from Demeter, who changes the Omega version of your binding spell so that it follows you while its channels, rather than sticking to the spot where you first cast it. This changes the dynamic of how it's used from anticipating and trapping enemies for areas of effect damage to a targeted attack that you can precisely aim by moving directly towards a group of enemies. Other changes are subtler; your sprint can have an attack added to it, or your existing short and long-range strikes can be empowered, all at the expense of additional magic being used when these effects are triggered. An overreliance on these can detract from your ability to use Omega attacks as frequently, or rely on your magic meter being topped up to be effective in combat at all. This feeds into the persistent need to balance your run's build around more variable elements than the original game ever demanded.

Hades II's technical test is a small slice of the game and a very quick look at how Supergiant plans to build on the success of the first game, but it's already clear that it is anything but a safe improvement on what has come before

This might have the potential to become too complex to make starting a new run an easy and welcoming decision, but so far in this technical test, everything feels well-balanced. Magic is completely replenished between rooms, meaning you can think about how to maximize your Omega abilities for each individual skirmish without worrying about having enough for the boss waiting at the end of an area. This alone changes some of the thinking around what abilities to take with you room-to-room, forcing you to decide between moves that fully exhaust your bar for quick maximum damage or balancing that with others that can help you replenish this resource for more consistent use of these moves during more drawn-out combat encounters. Larger special abilities, bestowed on you by Selene, goddess of the moon, are also tied directly to how much magic you've burnt in a room, only activating once you've accrued enough and resetting until you burn as much again. Without abilities that replenish magic, it's sometimes impossible to even use these moves, but aligning yourself in that direction forces you to forgo other abilities that can influence every one of your attacks. The fact that Hades II is already presenting complex decisions like this and engaging builds this early in its development, with so much more content promised to come, is extremely encouraging for the final package. It's clear that Supergiant Games understood every element of what made Hades tick and has carefully considered where it can get more mileage.

The Crossroads represents a significant portion of Hades II that feels the most familiar to its predecessor. This is your home between runs where you converse with other characters (Dora's persistence to practice her haunting voice each time you die is a particular delight) and engage with a variety of upgrades that empower you when you next venture out on your mission. Some new mechanics act as analogues for systems from previous games, such as conjuring upgrades to the Crossroads via a giant, bubbling cauldron or unlocking new weapons using particular resources you find during each run. Character upgrades are slightly different this time, however, with a new Arcana system providing a bit more flexibility on how to set yourself up. You purchase arcana cards, which in turn unlock adjacent cards, with each one offering a specific upgrade. Some can increase your health pool, while others can bestow an extra life for you to use if a run comes to a premature end, for example. Each card has an associated cost, with Melinoe only able to equip a certain total (this number being upgradable over time, too). It's an interesting change to the system that leans more towards thinking about specific builds to pair with your chosen weapon, and I'm curious to see how it's further expanded as more content gets added.

Another tweak is the inclusion of tools alongside Melinoe's weapons, each of which allows you to gather more of a certain resource during runs. The pickaxe allows you to extract more silver from ore veins you might come across, while a spade will let you dig into dirt mounds and claim any treasures below the surface. You can only take one tool out with you at a time, encouraging you to ponder what new item or upgrade you're pursuing to maximize each one of your runs. With a variety of upgrade systems and ingredient lists to think about, Hades II allows you to pin what ingredients are required for upgrades you want to focus on and helps you identify tools you'll need to gather these, preventing a wasted run after picking the wrong tool.

Gallery

Given how limited Hades II's technical test is content-wise, it's remarkable how much of its tweaked framework is exposed in just its opening moments. The iterative approach to combat, changing the way you tackle enemies as Melinoe ever so slightly while introducing new elements entirely, is a smart way to keep the action feeling familiar but fresh at the same time. Similarly, the small changes to character progression and base management at the Crossroads is smartly constructed to keep you focused on the resources and items you need during your next run, so you can make meaningful progress each time you return home.

There are lots of questions as to how the established base of Hades will enrich the new areas that Supergiant Games plans to add in the near future, and how well the freshly introduced mechanics hold up over much longer, and hopefully complex, runs. But if this is the foundation that Hades II is to build off over, it's exciting to think where it's eventually going to end up.tHade

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A small update has arrived to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone on April 23. The patch notes include fixes for several map exploits in Modern Warfare 3, and the expanded weapon trial has concluded for multiplayer's Ranked Play mode.

For Modern Warfare 3, the update adds collision to prevent players from reaching exploitable areas across Season 3's new multiplayer maps: 6 Star, Growhouse, and Tanked. The patch notes also mention a correction for an issue in the One in the Chamber party mode, which previously caused the last player standing to incur a loss for the match.

The limited-time trial has ended for the expanded weapon pool test in multiplayer's Ranked Play mode. The developer says teams will be discussing the findings of the weapon trial, and more information will be shared about the test after the launch of Season 3 Reloaded. The conclusion of the trial means the following weapons are once again restricted in Ranked Play:

Assault rifles:

• BP50
• Holger 556
• MTZ-556

Submachine guns:

• WSP Swarm
• HRM-9
• RAM-9

The update is very light on the Warzone side. The patch notes details three bug fixes for battle royale, including a fix for collision issues on Rebirth Island that allowed players to exploit the map, correction for an issue that previously prevented the gas mask animation and proper functionality, and an issue has been resolved that prevented players in a passenger seat of a vehicle from using UAVs.

The full patch notes for Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 can be found below, as shared by Activision.

In other recent Call of Duty news, players can now choose to be a dinosaur soldier in Modern Warfare 3, Warzone, and Warzone Mobile. Season 3 Reloaded should arrive next month, and here are all the major announcements for the midseason update.

MW3 GLOBAL

GAMEPLAY

• Resolved an exploit involving Rear Grips on Handguns allowing players to gain an unfair advantage.

MULTIPLAYER

PROGRESSION

• Challenges that require quickscope kills are now more lenient in detection when using Weapons that cannot one-shot kill.

MAPS

• 6 Star
  • Added collision near the Garden to prevent players from reaching exploitable areas.
• Growhouse
  • Added collision near the Container to prevent players from reaching exploitable areas.
• Tanked
  • Added collision near the Entrance to prevent players from reaching exploitable areas.

MODES

• One in the Chamber
  • Corrected win conditions to prevent the last-standing player from incurring a loss.

MWIII RANKED PLAY

Gameplay

• Concluded: Weapon Evaluation
  • Thank you for your feedback and gameplay data! The Call of Duty League, Sledgehammer Games, and our teams will discuss findings and share an update after the launch of Season 3 Reloaded.
• Content Restrictions Update
  • Weapons
    • ARs
      • BP50
      • Holger 556
      • MTZ-556
    • SMGs
      • WSP Swarm
      • HRM-9
      • RAM-9

WARZONE

BUG FIXES

• Fixed additional collision issues on Rebirth Island that allowed players to exploit geography.

• Fixed an issue preventing the gas mask animation from playing, leading it to function improperly.

• Fixed an issue preventing players in a passenger seat from using UAVs.

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A new trailer for Destiny 2's next expansion, The Final Shape, gives the clearest sense we've yet seen of what players can expect when they venture inside the Pale Heart of the Traveler. It's a weird, somewhat distorted reflection of the world Guardians have explored for the last 10 years, made all the more unsettling by the creeping, corrupting influence of the Witness spreading through it.

The new trailer sets a haunting tone for The Final Shape, which stands as the culmination of 10 years of storytelling in the Destiny universe. It's narrated by Cayde-6, the upbeat, jokey Vanguard leader who died in the Forsaken expansion and who is resurrected within the Traveler by unknown means. Nathan Fillion reprises the role after seasoned voice actor Nolan North briefly stepped in during the Forsaken expansion, but he's not cracking wise through this trailer--he's giving a solemn and spooky accounting of what Cayde has seen and felt since he woke up, alive again, inside Destiny 2's powerful machine god.

Check out the trailer below.

There are a few other strange and interesting tidbits to be seen within the trailer. For one thing, the perspective of the camera constantly shifts and reorients as the landscape itself is cut apart and put back together. As Cayde talks about how the very ground beneath his feet and the sky above his head are memories, implying that this place is more illusory than it first appears, the ground flips upside down and we see Guardians traversing in the distance, standing with heads pointed toward the land above, their feet hovering above sky below.

Another notable tidbit: Savathun, Caiatl, and Mithrax appear in this trailer, cut together in such a way that it appears they are standing together against a threat. Caiatl and Mithrax, of course, are alien former enemies of the human Guardians who have since joined with the Vanguard to create a coalition against the Witness. Savathun's appearance in that moment, however, is new.

While Savathun has been, uh, "helpful" in the battle against the Witness, she's always also been an enemy--a character the good guys bargain with but keep at arm's length, when they're not actively trying to kill her. In the Season of the Witch, Savathun was resurrected and gave the Vanguard information about how to follow the Witness into the Traveler, but she hasn't really been around since then. It appears, however, that a real alliance between the Vanguard and the Lucent Hive is in the offing, at least as long as the Witness remains a threat.

The trailer was released Monday night after it briefly appeared on Sony's PlayStation YouTube channel, seemingly launched by mistake. After the Sony version was made private in the afternoon hours, Bungie re-released the trailer across all channels. If this trailer dropped a little earlier than intended, one wonders what else might be in store for players in the run-up to the expansion, especially with the current content event, Into the Light, slowly unspooling over the next few weeks.

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Winter is over, and now you can chill outside on a warm night with a few rounds of Monopoly: House of the Dragon. Hasbro has a version of Monopoly available for seemingly every fandom, and for Game of Thrones fans, this newly launched $35 edition focuses on the prequel to the hit TV series.

Gallery

Like the show--which is a Game of Thrones spin-off set nearly 200 years in the past--House of the Dragon will see you battle your friends for control of the Iron Throne. It combines art, storylines, and characters from the series into a good-looking board game, and perhaps the nicest touch are the game tokens each player will use. Instead of a top hat or a race car, these are golden zinc pieces that represent one of the six major houses of the show; House Targaryen, House Hightower, House Velaryon, House Lannister, House Strong, and House Royce.

On the game board, you'll find key locations throughout your journey across Westeros and Essos. As usual, the main goal is taking control of as many strongholds as you can. Plastic dragon eggs and dragons replace houses and hotels, and the board game comes with 102 themed cardboard coins. Once you accumulate enough strength--dragons certainly help--rival houses will hopefully bend the knee. Or perhaps Westeros will be invaded by the hungry beings (kids) from beyond the wall (their room) and no house will win (because you need to stop playing).

If you'd prefer to bankrupt your friends--metaphorically--with a different fantasy-themed game of Monopoly, there are lots of alternatives to choose from currently. It's getting harder to find Monopoly: Game of Thrones at a decent price these days, but Amazon has the collector's edition available for $50. You can also pick up The Witcher, Lord of the Rings, and Dungeons & Dragons Monopoly games right now.

For younger members of the family, everyone's favorite genetic experiment from the Disney vaults, Stitch, has received his very own edition of Monopoly.

Monopoly board games

• Monopoly: House of the Dragon -- $35
• Monopoly: Game of Thrones -- $50
• Monopoly: Lord of the Rings -- $45
• Monopoly: The Witcher -- $30 ($45)
• Monopoly: Dungeons & Dragons -- $20 ($35)
• Monopoly: Stitch -- $25

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Amazon's Fallout adaptation was officially renewed for a second season last week, and now its showrunners have given us the briefest of teasers for what is in store next.

Please note, there will be major spoilers for the first season of Fallout below. If you are yet to finish the show, and want to keep as much under wraps as possible, please head elsewhere now.

Speaking with GQ, Fallout showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet addressed the final moments of season one.

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