Gaming News

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Developer Deck Nine Announces Its Second Round of Layoffs in 2024

After laying off 20% of its staff early in 2024, Life Is Strange: Double Exposure studio Deck Nine has announced that it's been hit with more layoffs to end the year. In a statement posted to X/Twitter, Deck Nine Games CEO Mark Lyons wrote they'd have to "say goodbye to some of our talented team members," but didn't specify how many would be affected by the cuts. "This was an extremely difficult decision and reflects the challenging times many companies in our industry are currently facing," Lyons wrote. "We are extremely grateful to every individual who has dedicated their hard work, passion and commitment to making transformative entertainment with us." Deck Nine, which is also behind Life Is Strange entries Before the Storm and...

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Path of Exile 2 Early Access Review

It only took an hour of playing Path of Exile 2’s early access version to know I’d soon be firing up an Excel spreadsheet and saying goodbye to all my loved ones for the foreseeable future. Just when I thought I was out, the heartless maniacs (in a good way) at Grinding Gears Games have pulled me back in with a sequel to one of my favorite action RPGs of all time – a game which has already consumed much of my life since it came out a decade ago. The gameplay, endgame mechanics, and insanely intricate buildcrafting all take massive steps forward, and even though it’s subject to many of the usual “early access jank” caveats and suffers from some seriously stingy loot drops right now, there’s already a lot to love about this fantastic...

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Deathstroke Rounds Out Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s Currently Announced Roadmap — but Then What?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gets its final year one DLC character, Deathstroke, next week, alongside the launch of Season 4, but questions remain over Warner Bros. and developer Rocksteady’s plan for the game’s second year. Deathstroke and Season 4 come out on December 10 and kick off the end of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s currently announced roadmap as the game nears a year from launch. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was panned by critics and endured extremely low player numbers on Steam. Some of the frustration stemmed from Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League not being another Batman game from Rocksteady, despite being set within the Arkhamverse. The developer’s single-player Arkham series is...

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Free-to-Play Strategy RPG Girls Frontline 2: Exilium Launches on PC and Mobile

The Girls Frontline series is back with the free-to-play strategy RPG Girls Frontline 2: Exilium, which recently launched on PC and mobile. It introduces a new cast of characters and fully 3D maps while building on the groundwork laid by its predecessor. If you’re not familiar with the franchise, this is a sequel to the 2018 free-to-play mobile game Girls Frontline. It introduced a war-torn future world in which much of humanity has died, and they now rely on androids called Tactical Dolls, also known as T-Dolls or Dolls, to fight their battles for them. Players took on the role of a commander in charge of Doll combat teams, known as echelons. The first title spawned a manga and multiple anime series, and now the sequel follows in...

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How Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Evolves Its Combat

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 had a weighty task to spar with: following up on one of the most in-depth, skill-based, historically-inspired melee combat systems to ever slice its way into the RPG world. But it's no secret that it was an uphill battle just to become competent with the first game's complex directional strikes and precisely-timed blocks. Plenty of players bounced off of those demanding skill requirements. But the technical demands of the combat, and the feeling of getting better as a player, were also a huge part of what made it great. Warhorse's goal for the sequel, then, was twofold. They wanted to lower the skill floor required to play competently – without getting your butt handed to you in a cloth sack by any random...

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Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Is Up for Preorder on PS4 and Nintendo Switch

Revealed during August's Nintendo Direct, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is officially up for preorder right now at various retailers for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. While it doesn't have a set release date, its announcement trailer during the Direct said it's coming in 2025, so you hopefully won't have to wait too long to have this collection in your hands. Preorders are available for $39.99 at the links below. We've also included information on what games come in this collection, what new features are included, and more. Preorder Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Nintendo Switch Get it at Amazon - $39.99 Get it at Best Buy - $39.99 Get it at GameStop - $39.99 PS4 Get it at Amazon - $39.99 Get it at Best Buy - $39.99 Get it...

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Days After Shutting XDefiant and Laying Off Hundreds of Staff, Ubisoft Is Reportedly Considering How to Structure a Tencent Buyout Without the Guillem

Ubisoft’s share price skyrocketed today amid intensifying rumors that Chinese megacorp Tencent is engaged in buyout talks. The company behind Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six Siege has suffered a torrid year, with multiple studio closures, mass layoffs, and game shutdowns. The company’s next big game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, was delayed into 2025, and Star Wars Outlaws failed to meet sales expectations. According to Reuters, Ubisoft shareholders are “considering” how to structure a possible buyout of the French company without reducing the founding Guillemot family’s control. The Guillemot family is the largest shareholder in Ubisoft and is reportedly in talks with Tencent and “other investors” as it seeks funding a...

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It Takes Two Dev’s Next Game, Split Fiction, Leaks Online, With The Game Awards 2024 Announcement Expected

The next game from It Takes Two developer Hazelight Studios has leaked online ahead of an announcement expected at The Game Awards next week. Reliable dealabs leaker billbil-kun reported that Hazelight Studios’ next game is called Split Fiction and is due out on March 6, 2025, on PC and consoles (we don’t know which exactly). A reveal trailer is reportedly due out this month. Hazelight is headed up by Josef Fares, the charismatic designer of the Brothers, A Way Out, and the 20 million-selling It Takes Two. The studio’s games are published by EA under its EA Originals banner (IGN has asked EA for comments). Fares is an eye-catching regular at The Game Awards, with this year’s event set for December 12. Split Fiction is another co-op...

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IGN UK Podcast 777: Indiana Jones and the Great Game

Cardy, Matt, and Jesse have all been playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Could it make a late game of the year surge? Listen to find out. Also out this week is Marvel Rivals, a new hero shooter that certainly doesn't lack heroes. Is it good? Again, listen to find out. Then there's Secret Level, the animated video game Prime series. Want to know if it's worth watching? I'd listen to find out. And as for Clint Eastwood's courtroom thriller Juror #2? Just listen, innit. Remember to send us your thoughts about all the new games, TV shows, and films you're enjoying or looking forward to: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com. IGN UK Podcast 777: Indiana Jones and the Great Game IGN UK Podcast 776: Breaking Down the Top 20 PlayStation Games IGN...

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The Boss of Stalker 2 Dev GSC Game World Didn’t Expect Such a Positive Response From Players Given the Bugs, Insists It Was Impossible to Have Delayed

The boss of Stalker 2 developer GSC Game World has spoken about its troubled development and the brutal crunch it suffered as it tried desperately to get the game ready for launch amid Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. Stalker 2 finally launched on PC and Xbox Series X and S at the end of November after a number of high-profile delays and after half the development team had moved out of Ukraine and into a new studio home in the Czech Republic. However, half the staff stayed in Ukraine even as the war raged around them, making development extremely difficult. Stalker 2’s rocky road to release and the incredibly difficult circumstances its developers found themselves in is at the heart of the 90-minute documentary, War Game: The Making of...

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Marvel Rivals Codes (December 2024)

Looking for Marvel Rivals codes? IGN has you covered! In this article, you'll find all the active and working Marvel Rivals codes that you can redeem for free rewards and bonuses in December 2024, including skins. All of the Marvel Rivals codes below have been tested as working at the time of submission. Codes with unknown expiry dates may stop working at any time. Spotted a new code or one has expired? Let us know in the comments! Active Marvel Rivals Codes (December 2024) Below, you'll find all the active and working Marvel Rivals codes in December 2024 and the free rewards you get for redeeming them: nwarh4k3xqy - Iron Man Armor Model 42 skin. Expires March 5, 2025 (NEW!) Expired Marvel Rivals Codes There are currently no...

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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Patch 5 Release Date Confirmed, New Screenshot Shows a Blood Raven Holding (Stealing?) Something Players Haven’t Seen

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 publisher Focus Entertainment has confirmed a December 10 release date for the hotly anticipated Patch 5 and Dark Angels Chapter Pack, and released a new screenshot showing something players haven’t seen in the game yet. Focus has said Patch 5 makes the recently released Neo-Volkite Pistol (the one players were using to recreate Ghostbusters) available in PvP, adds a new PvE Operation called Obelisk, the new Tzaangor Enlightened Majoris enemy, and the aforementioned Dark Angels Chapter Pack, which includes a unique armor set and banner for the Bulwark Class. In a tweet, Focus released four new screenshots (below) showing off the new content, but there’s one image in particular that’s set tongues...

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Sony Signed an Exclusivity Deal for GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas Because It Was 'Worried' About Xbox, Former Exec Reveals

Sony’s original PlayStation exclusivity deal for Grand Theft Auto 3 and the following two games in the series was in part a reaction to concern about Microsoft’s launch of the Xbox, a former executive has revealed. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, former PlayStation Europe boss Chris Deering (who was recently criticized for saying laid off developers should “drive an Uber” or “go to the beach for a year”) admitted Sony was concerned about the November 2001 launch of the original Xbox, and sought exclusivity deals with third-party publishers to bolster the appeal of the PlayStation 2. "We were worried when we saw Xbox coming," Deering said. "We knew exclusivity was the name of the game in a lot of fields, like Sky TV with sports. Just...

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'We Never Expected Things to Go This Big During Early Access' — Path of Exile 2 Dev Braces Itself for Over 1 Million Concurrent Players

The developer of Path of Exile 2 has warned players to brace themselves for server queues this weekend, with over one million concurrent players expected to hit the Early Access launch. In a video message, Grinding Gear Games co-founder Jonathan Rogers spoke about anticipation for the action role-playing sequel surpassing the studio's expectations, and expressed concern that its backend services could buckle under the weight of the Early Access release. Path of Exile 2’s global release times set the launch for 11am PT today, December 6, and it’s at this point that the floodgates will open. Path of Exile 2 is already the top-selling game on Steam by revenue, suggesting Rogers’ concern is well-placed. Whether the game is up to the task...

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Marvel Rivals Launches to Huge Steam Concurrents

Marvel Rivals enjoyed an immediate huge launch, with over 440,000 concurrent players on Steam alone. NetEase’s free-to-play Marvel-themed hero shooter saw a peak concurrent player count of 444,286 on Valve’s platform. But the true concurrent figure will be much higher given Marvel Rivals launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S also (Sony and Microsoft do not make player numbers public). It seems to be going down well on Steam, too, with a ‘mostly positive’ user review rating from over 5,700 reviews (76% of the reviews are positive). Check out IGN’s Marvel Rivals Review in Progress to find out what we think. For NetEase, it will be hoping not only to keep Marvel Rivals’ player count as high as possible for as long as...

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AU Deals: Score 16 Free AAA-Level Games Actually Worth Owning, A Seriously Axed God of War, and More!

Thank your own personal deity—possibly Jubileus the Creator—it's Friday. And what an end-of-the week closer I have for you today! FREE is the keyword of the moment for specific reasons I care not to know nor seek to quantify. For PlayStation owners, that means a lovely Mini Turismo for nada. For PC gamers, well... it means a landslide... In retro news, I'm wondering how the hell a quarter of a century has gone by since I bought Donkey Kong 64 at launch. In '99, I'd already played the backpack off Rare's Banjo-Kazooie and was therefore stoked with DK64's slick, 4MB-enhanced presentation and insane gameplay variety provided by its hot-swappable, rotating cast of Kongs. Couple that with tunes that still have permanent residence in my...

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League of Legends Developer Riot Games Announces Project K, a Physical TCG Based in the League IP

Riot Games has announced Project K, the developer’s take on the physical TCG genre and a competitor to Magic: The Gathering. It’s based in the League of Legends IP and revolves around playing with friends in-person. Riot said Project K is made by a “small” development team within the company led by game director Dave Guskin and executive producer Chengran Chai. It’s not publishing the game itself; rather, it’s found a publishing partner in China for an initial launch there in early 2025. A global launch is planned, however, and Riot is on the hunt for a publishing partner for the U.S. and other countries. Riot said Project K is not a physical version of its existing digital collectible card game Legends of Luneterra, but "it does...

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review

It’s been over 30 years since I wore out my VHS copy of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Since then the film franchise has been in a state of escalation. Where do you go after uncovering the literal Holy Grail? Aliens, then time machines, apparently. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the perfect antidote to all of this; one that uses its own figurative Dial of Destiny to propel us back in time to Indy’s prime. The result is easily one of the best Indy stories across both the games and the movies, with painstakingly detailed environments, wonderfully atmospheric tomb raiding and puzzle solving, a pitch-perfect score, and quite possibly the greatest punch sound effect in the business. While it does stumble occasionally as a...

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Marvel Rivals Review in Progress

I’m not new to the hero shooter genre, having pumped well over 1,000 hours into Overwatch since its 2016 release. And it's hard not to feel like 2016 is exactly when Marvel Rivals was meant to be a thing. I should've been eagerly awaiting its launch while mourning the loss of Harambe, witnessing a low point in English football at the hands of Iceland, and, crucially, riding the high of watching Captain America: Civil War. That said, what we're getting in 2024 is a fun hero shooter that I've found a good deal of satisfaction in so far while playing on pre-release servers this week. It’s launching with a chunky roster of varied heroes, as well as some solid maps and modes. What remains to be seen, however, is whether Rivals will find a...

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Pre-Order the Far Cry 20th Anniversary Soundtrack Collection Vinyl Now at IGN Store!

Far Cry is one of the most beloved series from Ubisoft, and for good reason. Over the last 20 years, Far Cry has challenged and twisted the shooter formula with all sorts of settings through 13 different games. This includes places like America, Cuba, the Himalayas, the dystopian future, and even a trip to 10,000 BCE. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series, you can pre-order the all-new Far Cry 20th Anniversary Soundtrack Collection on vinyl at IGN Store! Pre-Order the Far Cry 20th Anniversary Soundtrack Collection on Vinyl! This soundtrack collection includes 48 tracks from across three LPs. The music was selected from some of the biggest games in the series, including Far Cry 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, Blood Dragon, Primal and New...

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Infinity Nikki Interactive Map is Now Available

IGN's Infinity Nikki map is here! Our interactive map tracks collectibles across the world of Miraland including Whimstars, Dew of Inspiration, and Treasure Chests for those who like to farm collectibles. It also displays the locations of Styling Challenges and Mini Games so you know where to go to spend time. Our team of Stylists is hard at work filling out our Infinity Nikki interactive map, so make sure to check back often and track your progress across Miraland. Infinity Nikki Interactive Map Click on the map filters on the left-hand side of our interactive map to filter specific markers, such as collectibles or locations. You can also mark them as completed to track your exact progress! The available Infinity Nikki...

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Infinity Nikki Codes (December 2024)

If you're looking for Infinity Nikki codes, IGN has you covered! In this article, you'll find a list of active and working Infinity Nikki codes that you can redeem for free rewards and bonuses in December 2024, including Diamonds and Energy Crystals. All of the Infinity Nikki codes below have been tested as working at the time of submission. Spotted a new code or one has expired? Let us know in the comments! Active Infinity Nikki Codes (December 2024) Below, you'll find all the active and working Infinity Nikki codes in December 2024, the free rewards you get for redeeming them, and their expiry date: GROUPSTYLIST - 10x Shiny Particles, 15,000x Bling. Expires December 5, 2024 (NEW!) REDDITSTYLIST - 50x Shiny Bubbles, 15,000x...

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The Game Awards 2024: How to Watch and What to Expect

The Game Awards 2024 is almost here – a night celebrating recognition of the biggest games released throughout the year. The event will take place on Thursday, December 12, and we’ll share below exactly how you can tune into the livestream and what to expect for awards. How to Watch The Game Awards 2024 Livestream The Game Awards 2024 will kick off on December 12 at 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET and is expected to run for roughly three hours, according to The Game Awards. If you live in the GMT or AEST timezones, this translates to 12:30am GMT/10:30am AEST on December 13. IGN will be hosting a pre-show for The Game Awards that takes place at 4pm PT/7pm ET before the official festivities begin. We will also be back after The Game Awards for an...

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How Metro Awakening Transplants The Classic Horror FPS Series Into VR

Long beloved for its first-person survival horror trappings and stirring depiction of an apocalyptic, devastated Moscow dripping with atmosphere, the Metro series has made an overdue leap to VR and with it comes a range of all-new challenges for adapting such a beloved franchise into an all-new dimension. That said, Metro Awakening has ultimately done […] Continue reading...

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Fortnite OG Details Revealed Ahead of Its Launch Tomorrow, December 6

Fortnite OG, which will once again take players back to the first days of Fortnite Battle Royale, will launch tomorrow, December 6, and The Fortnite Team has revealed more details on what fans can expect from this trip down memory lane. Fortnite OG will begin with Chapter 1 - Season 1 and the team plans to recreate those early days of the battle royale, complete with "loot pool changes and feature introductions." Season 1 will end on January 30 at 11pm PT/January 31 at 2am ET, which will end up being shorter than Season lengths in the main game, so fans can expect their anticipated additions to arrive in a timely fashion. Don't worry, though, as Solos, Squads, and Zero Build will be available at launch. The loot pool will include...

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Remnant II's Nimue Comes to Life as a Gorgeous Bust Sculpture

Dark Horse is adding another popular gaming franchise to its lineup of exclusive collectibles. This time it's Remnant II, as the Fae goddess Nimue takes center stage in the form of a gorgeous new sculpted bust. Head down to the slideshow gallery below for an exclusive first look at the Remnant II: Nimue Bust: The Remnant II: Nimue Bust measures 9 inches tall, with a base diameter of 4.5 inches. The bust features a light-up LED heart and base, along with glow-in-the-dark paint, all of which are designed to reflect Nimue's connection to the Dreamer and the energy at the heart of the multiverse. This bust was crafted Bigshot Toyworks, with prototyping and paint by J.W. Productions. It's being sold exclusively on the Dark Horse Direct...

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Infinity Nikki Website Temporarily Hacked to Display Offensive Message and Reference to Genshin Impact

Sensitivity Warning: The following article contains references to self harm which some readers may find disturbing. Please proceed with caution. The official website for Infinity Nikki, the open-world dress up role-playing game from former The Legend of Zelda director Kentaro Tominaga, was temporarily hacked to display an offensive message and reference to Genshin Impact. The highly anticipated game arrived on PlayStation 5, PC via the Epic Games Store, iOS, and Android today, December 5, but many users visiting the official website to download it were instead met with the offensive message. Though it usually, and does again, feature colorful advertisements, information, and the actual download links for Infinity Nikki, alongside...

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AU Deals: Four Free Games to Nab Now and the Best Black Friday Deals You May Have Missed!

Welcome back, dear friend and fellow discount fiend, to my regularly scheduled programming. I've helped a bunch of you navigate the bargains of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now it's all about picking through the wreckage and finding the gold that everybody else somehow missed (and you'd be surprised). Or, alternatively, let's all just score a bunch of free games*. In retro news, I'm hosting a 21st...er, party for Mario Party 5. This GameCube entry tried to bring change to the static formula of the series, most notably with its new capsule system. Mixed results there, because while there was a decent amount of creative minigames, the aging board gameplay remained creaky. Regardless—and this is true of most Mario Parties—I had the...

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Sol's RNG Codes (December 2024)

Last updated on December 04, 2024: Checked for Sol's RNG codes! Since the game's debut back in 2023, Sol's RNG has become one of the Roblox RNG genre's biggest hits, tempting thousands of players to begin building their collection of rare auras. However, as you get stuck into the game's dice-rolling collectathon grind, you'll likely start wondering if there are any redeemable codes to give you a leg up in building your aura arsenal. We've put together this page to give you all the details on the game's status regarding redeemable codes. Are There Any Active Sol's RNG Codes? Unfortunately, there are currently no codes for Sol's RNG. There's no word on whether redeemable codes are a feature the team behind the game intends to...

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Blade Ball Festivities Update Adds Gingerbread Spin and Holiday-Themed Crate

Roblox sports experience Blade Ball is charging into the holiday season with a Festivities Update to help celebrate winter. The latest update to developer Wiggity’s strategic dodgeball game, titled V6.5, arrived over the weekend. It comes with a new Gingerbread Hourly Spin and a special festive crate alongside a host of bug fixes, new swords, emotes, and more. It’s unclear exactly how long the Festivities Update-related goodies will be live, so make sure you start getting those spins in sooner rather than later. The Festive Crate can be found in the lobby and grants access to specific rewards. Wiggity didn’t reveal everything the crate can hold and instead teased just one item: an OP-tier sword called Northstar Reaper. Players who...

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