Gaming News

Square Enix Pokes Fun at Itself by Giving Away Infamous Low-Poly Grapes from Final Fantasy 14

Square Enix is officially in on the joke surrounding Final Fantasy 14's infamous low-poly grapes as the publisher is giving away real versions of them at Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival. Square Enix announced a goody bag for those attending the fan event in Las Vegas on July 28-29. Among the random bits of merch in that bag is a phyical version of the grapes that became an instant meme upon release of the Endwalker expansion. Though the chunky piece of DLC was generally loved by fans, the internet erupted in accumulative laughter at one piece of its environment which featured the cuboid grapes. Anyone with a ticket to Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival will get the grapes alongside a crossbody bag featuring the event logo, a 10th...

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Overwatch 2 Players Should Expect a Multi-Season Gap Between Story Missions, Blizzard says

Overwatch 2 likely won’t get any further story missions for at least the next two seasons following the launch of Season 6, Invasion, according to the game’s executive producer Jared Neuss. "Don't expect the next round [of story missions] in the next season and the season after that, or anything like that," commented Neuss during a recent Twitch appearance alongside streamer Emongg, reported on by GamesRadar. "It is very much like trying to find that balance between getting [story missions] in front of players quickly because we love story stuff, and giving ourselves enough time to make changes or add features." Neuss revealed during a seperate Twitch stream in May earlier this year that Blizzard was outright cancelling Overwatch 2’s...

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Ark: Survival Evolved Remaster Delayed to October

The already messy situation around Ark: Survival Evolved's remaster just got messier as developer Studio Wildcard has delayed the game to October. As reported by PC Gamer, an update on the Ark forums revealed the push to October but no specific release date was shared. The controversial move from Studio Wildcard to shut down the original game's servers has also been delayed to September 30. The remaster, titled Ark: Survival Ascended, has also received a price reduction to $44.99 but those who buy it on day one will pay $39.99. The delay is a result of complications in working with the new engine. "We’ve found it challenging working with Unreal Engine 5.2, but at the same time, it is incredibly exciting," said Studio Wuldcard in the...

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Life Is Strange: Steph’s Story Shows a Franchise Still Determined to Change Video Games

Few franchises have received as much praise for their narratives as Life is Strange, so it isn’t a total surprise that the series just received a spin-off in the form of the novel Steph’s Story. This might seem to some gamers, however, like a spin-off too far. Video game adaptations don’t exactly have a reputation for capturing the quality of the source material. However, here is a genuinely great piece of work that reflects a series of stories keen to punch above expectations. A History of Video Game Novels Many of the most significant series in gaming have leaped across to the printed page. Doom is the perfect example of an unlikely candidate making that jump. Its original two titles were basically plotless games that managed to...

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$204 off a AAA Mega Pack, $34 Sonic Frontiers, and the Hottest Steam Sale Litter Picks!

The much beloved Steam Summer Sale is now in its fourth day. To say the store is thick with discounts would be something of an understatement. Instead, let me use this space to say something non-obvious: legendary console, the Super Nintendo, celebrates its 31st birthday today. What a machine. This Day in Gaming Aussie birthdays for notable games and hardware - Super NES console launch, 1992. - Unreal Tournament 3 (X360) 2008. - Trine (PC) 2009. Table of Contents Nintendo Switch PC Xbox PlayStation Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch Expiring Deals From Yesterday Hardware Watch How much to make the switch to Switch? Back to top Purchase Cheaply for PC Expiring Deals From Yesterday Hardware Watch Slay your pile of...

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Valve Reveals Its Thought Process In Regard to Games Being Shipped With AI-Generated Content on Steam

Following reports of games made with AI art being banned from Steam, Valve has revealed a bit of its thought process in regard to games being shipped with AI-generated content on its digital storefront. Valve responded to our question about these reports, like from Kotaku, which gathered stories from various devs who were seeing their AI-infused games blocked from Steam for reasons such as Valve not being able to "ship games for which the developer does not have all the necessary rights" or for "utilizing AI tech." Valve confirmed it is still learning about the ever-quickly-evolving AI just as we all are. Furthermore, it doesn't want to discourage devs from submitting games with AI-generated content for Steam, it just wants to make...

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Summoners War RELOADED: A Massive Update is Coming to Summoners War: Sky Arena

Summoners War RELOADED: A Massive Update is Coming to Summoners War: Sky Arena Fans of Com2uS’ tactical fantasy RPG hit, Summoners War, know that after celebrating nine years of success, Com2uS has no intention of slowing down. From amazing anniversary rewards for players, to in-game events and even an Assassin’s Creed collaboration, Summoners War has given players plenty of reasons to return to the world they love. With their latest showcase on June 23rd for Summoners War RELOADED, they’ve announced another massive set of updates! Read on for all of the latest news. Dungeons, Artifacts, and Monsters! There was a lot of content announced at Summoners War RELOADED showcase. New players will have hours and hours of content to...

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Will Xbox Win the FTC Trial? We Asked the Experts

If Microsoft could make a video game that was as successful and beloved by gamers as Call of Duty, it wouldn’t have been in court in late June. That’s the core of the issue, according to economists, the San Francisco judge, and onlookers who await the judge’s decision with baited breath. “We wouldn’t be here if Microsoft had created Call of Duty,” Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said to lawyers representing Microsoft and the FTC. The law wants people to make their own creative video game smash hits, rather than purchasing them, according to the judge last Thursday. Corley is poised to make a decision within two weeks on whether Microsoft can acquire Activision Blizzard for nearly $70 billion. Most experts IGN spoke to think that...

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Peter Molyneux Wanted to See More Gameplay in the New Fable Trailer, Too

Xbox recently took the wraps off Playground Games' Fable reboot at the Xbox Games Showcase, revealing a fun and whimsical take on the classic franchise. The trailer was well-received, but some observers criticized its lack of gameplay. Peter Molyneux, who helped design the original Fable and has more recently been dabbling in NFTs, agrees. "Like you, I would have loved to see more gameplay, but I loved when the hero threw the fireball. I loved the sensation of the impact. I thought it was truly promising. So yes, my expectations are high," Molyneux told GameReactor in a recent interview. He went on to praise the IT Crowd's Richard Ayoade as a "perfect choice" for the game, and that "making him be obsessed with vegetables was very...

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12 Surprising Reveals From the Xbox FTC Trial

The Microsoft FTC trial is a wrap, and while we don't have a ruling yet, we learned a lot of inside industry information that's not usually available to the public. From drama surrounding the exclusivity of Starfield and other Bethesda titles to the cost of producing huge AAA games like The Last of Us Part II, there were plenty of bombshell reveals from this week's court battle. Here are 12 big things we learned from the Xbox FTC hearing. Xbox Admits It Lost the Console Wars The entire Xbox/Activision Blizzard saga has been filled with both Microsoft and Sony downplaying their respective achievements to appear as meek as possible to regulators. The FTC hearing was no exception, as the week kicked off with news of Microsoft claiming...

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Ubisoft Is Reportedly Working on an Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag Remake

Ubisoft is reportedly developing a remake of 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. However, it's apparently in its early stages and won’t be complete for a few years. According to Kotaku, a team at Ubisoft Singapore is heavily involved in the remake’s development. The Singapore studio is also helping out with evolving Assassin’s Creed’s ocean technology as it is currently working on Skull and Bones. In an internal email viewed by Kotaku, the Singapore studio is reportedly forcing its developers to work on Skull and Bones in person at the office instead of remotely. While the studio is seemingly providing breakfast and dinner, it looks like the move is to pressure its developers to work longer hours in order to ship the closed beta...

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Destiny 2: Where Is Xur Today? Location and Exotic Items for June 30-July 4

The bucket o' deals, Xûr, is now live in Destiny 2 for the weekend until next week's reset. If you're looking to get you some shiny new Exotic armor or weapons for your Guardian, look no further. Each week, Xûr has a random assortment of Exotic armor, one for each Guardian class, as well as a random Exotic Weapon and an Exotic Engram available for purchase. In addition to his Exotic wares, he's got a random collection of Legendary weapons and armor to deck out your Guardians. We've rounded up all the info on Xûr for the week including where to find Xûr, which Exotic weapons and armor are available, as well as which Legendary weapons you should pick up, either for PvE or PvP. Where Is Xûr Today? Xûr's location today can be found at...

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Daedalic Entertainment Ending Internal Development, Work on New Lord of the Rings Game Halted

Daedalic Entertainment, the studio behind the long-delayed and poorly-reviewed The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, is shutting down its internal development arm. In a new article by Games Wirtschaft, the outlet reported that Daedalic Entertainment will now focus on game publishing, sales, and marketing. The studio sent out a statement to Games Wirtschaft, stating that it was a "difficult turning point" for the company. Daedalic Entertainment also told the studio that it is laying off people, with 25 individuals impacted by the layoffs. "We value each and every member of our team, and it is important to us that the transition goes as smoothly as possible," a Daedalic spokesperson told Games Wirtschaft. "Therefore, we will support our...

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How Respawn Created Catalyst and Championed Inclusivity in Apex Legends

“I don't know if I've ever played a character that I've connected with more,” enthuses Meli Grant, voice actress for Apex Legend’s Catalyst, the game’s first trans character. It’s clear from the huge smile on her face that she loves playing the controller Legend, who was first introduced back in November 2022. “There are so many fun little parallels that we've discovered as we were recording the character, just crossover between the Venn diagram of Catalyst's sense of humor and her sort of wry, sort of snarky energy and things that I can relate to in my life.” Catalyst has since become a hugely popular character in Apex and also an LGBTQ+ icon, joining an already-diverse roster list in the game – something that’s incredibly important...

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Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale on Pre-Owned Games at GameStop

If you’re looking to save on some of this year’s most exciting games - like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Final Fantasy XVI, or Diablo IV - GameStop has a Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale going on right now for pre-owned games. This includes some excellent newer releases like those previously mentioned. Check out some of the games included in the sale below, and to see all of the pre-owned games available in the sale, click here. GameStop Buy 2, Get 1 Free on Pre-owned Games Sale For those with a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership, you can also save on select Nintendo games at Best Buy right now through their Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale. This sale even includes preorders for newly announced games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super...

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Psychonauts 3 Isn't Coming Anytime Soon

Fans hoping for a Psychonauts 3 reveal shouldn't get their hopes up as franchise creator and Double Fine Productions founder Tim Schafer has said it's not being worked on at the moment. Schafer told Cressup on YouTube that Double Fine is currently in a "closed doors" stage and isn't ready to talk about what it's working on, but he personally isn't working on a sequel to 2021's Psychonauts 2. "I’m not working on Psychonauts 3," he said plainly. "We’re kind of at the ‘Willy Wonka, closed doors’ phase. But soon we could open and cause a lot of harm to a lot of children, just like Willy Wonka." This comes despite what many thought was an obvious Psychonauts 3 tease ahead of the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase, though Schafer insisted he didn't...

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Beware the Diablo 4 Treasure Goblin, Which Cannot Attack but Is Killing Hardcore Characters Anyway

The Treasure Goblin is not meant to instill fear in the hearts and minds of Diablo 4 players. It is, after all, an enemy that spits out loot and cannot attack. And yet, players across Sanctuary have a newfound fear of the unassuming demon after it killed a raft of high-level Hardcore characters. Let’s start with Diablo 4 player Killthuzad. Icy-Veins reported this Hardcore character unexpectedly died to a Treasure Goblin while running a tier 37 Nightmare Dungeon. Stunned into silence, Killthuzad has no option but to return to the character creation screen. They eventually get up from their gaming chair and put their head in their hands. What happened here? Killthuzad had the Death Pulse affix enabled. This means "killing a monster...

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Magic the Gathering's $2 Million Lord of the Rings Card Has Been Found

Someone has found Magic: The Gathering's Lord of the Rings The One Ring card, which currently has a bounty of $2 million. As reported by The Gamer, the one-of-a-kind One Ring card avoided the grasp of sticky-fingered children and was instead found by someone who was aware of its value and immediately submitted the card for authentication with the leading card grading firm, the PSA. Trading card buying and collecting company Dave and Adam's Card World upped its initial $1 million bounty of the card and is now willing to pay $2 million for it, though the transaction has not yet happened as the card has only just emerged. The owner of the card wants to remain anonymous, according to the PSA. The One Ring received a Mint 9 grading from...

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The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie Review

Ever wanted to experience the Marvel Cinematic Universe of RPGs? The Trails series is exactly that. More specifically, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is the Avengers: Endgame of RPGs. It’s the culmination of three different subseries within Trails and two decades’ worth of meticulous storytelling, easily totaling over 100 hours of gameplay time between its story, combat, and post-game activities. Despite a bloated cast of characters resulting from combining the expansive Trails series, impeccable pacing makes every event and interaction manageable. With its politically engaging story and strategically fun turn-based gameplay, it's one of the best RPGs of 2023. Reverie is able to pack so much content in because its...

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Xbox Game Pass Not 'Value Destructive' Like PlayStation Claims, Football Manager Boss Says

The studio head of Football Manager developer Sports Interactive has said PlayStation's claim that Xbox Game Pass is "value destructive" is not true. The United States' Federal Trade Commission spent the last week battling Microsoft in court over Xbox's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, during which PlayStation boss Jim Ryan said publishers do not like Game Pass. Sports Interactive head Miles Jacobson refuted this to Eurogamer, however, saying Game Pass has been a positive experience for Football Manager. "Different studios will have different data, because different games work well in different situations." "Every studio is going to have different opinions on this," Jacobson said. "Different studios will have different data...

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Baldur’s Gate 3 Standard Playthrough Takes 75 to 100 Hours, Larian Says

Wondering if you’ll be able to squeeze in a playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3 before Starfield comes out? Be warned: one run takes on average 75 to 100 hours, developer Larian has said. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a sprawling open-ended role-playing game from the makers of the Divinity: Original Sin series. Larian announced it had brought the PC version release date forward a month, from August 31 to August 3, in order to avoid a clash with the likes of Bethesda’s upcoming behemoth Starfield in early September. The PlayStation 5 version, meanwhile, is delayed slightly to September 6, and the Xbox Series X and S versions are without a release window (more on Baldur’s Gate 3’s Xbox hold-up here). Speaking to IGN, Larian boss Swen Vincke said the...

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Steam Deck is Up to 20% Off in the Steam Summer Sale

Hold the front page, Valve's Steam Deck has gotten only its second-ever major discount in the brand new Steam Summer Sale for 2023. That's right, you can currently get up to 20% off the portable gaming PC, bringing the 512GB model down from $649 to $519.20, a healthy $129.80 discount overall. The 64GB model is also 10% off, down to $359, while the 256GB model is 15% off, down to $449.95. Check out our Steam Deck review or ROG Ally vs Steam Deck comparison for more details on the handy device. Steam's Summer Sale is running until July 13, so you've got a little bit of time to weigh up your options before committing to any big purchases as well. Best Steam Deck Accessories To Consider If you're picking up a Steam Deck during the...

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IGN UK Podcast 703: The Best of 2023 So Far

We've officially made it halfway through 2023. Congrats to everybody. To celebrate, Cardy, Mat, and Wes are here to share their favourite games, films, and TV shows from the year so far. But that isn't all, they then look ahead to the rest of 2023 to what they're most excited for. Want to let us know which games you’re most excited for later this year, or just want to tell us the weirdest thing you've had as a pizza topping? Drop us an email: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com. IGN UK Podcast 703: The Best of 2023 So Far IGN UK Podcast 702: The Good and Bad of Final Fantasy 16 IGN UK Podcast 701: Starfield, RoboCop & Friar Tuck IGN UK Podcast 700: Geoff's Big Night IGN UK Podcast 699: Diablo 4: Chilli Heatwave IGN UK Podcast 698: Snake N' Wake...

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Xbox vs. FTC Trial: 7 Big Things We’ve Learned So Far – Unlocked 601

With the Microsoft vs. FTC trial concluding, with a verdict expected next week, we discuss and analyze seven big things we've learned so far, from the fate of Bethesda game exclusivity to the other publishers Microsoft considered buying and more! Plus: our own investigative report into the state of The Initiative and the Perfect Dark reboot. Subscribe on any of your favorite podcast feeds, to our YouTube channel, or grab an MP3 of this week's episode. For more awesome content, check out my recent interview with Todd Howard, who discussed the realization of his vision for Starfield after eight years, how Red Dead Redemption 2 was something of an inspiration, what his future holds, and more! For more next-gen coverage, make sure to...

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Prepare Thy Wallet for These Steam Summer Sale Picks, and More Gaming Deals!

Prepare thy wallets. Gird the storage space of yon hard drive. The Steam Summer sale — that annual migration of funds from your bank account to Valve's coffers — has begun. I've taken the liberty of picking out not only the best stuff but also the best stuff often done cheaper at competing storefronts (if you use the supplied code). Happy hunting! This Day in Gaming Aussie birthdays for notable games and hardware - Jade Empire (XB) 2005. -75% - Street Fighter Alpha Anthology (PS2) 2006. -67% - Resident Evil: The Mercenaries (3DS) 2011. Table of Contents Nintendo Switch PC Xbox PlayStation Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch Expiring Deals From Yesterday Hardware Watch How much to make the switch to Switch? Back to top...

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Wild Card Football Announced as Arcade Madden Alternative With Colin Kaepernick on the Cover

Saber Interactive is working on a football-themed take on its popular NBA Playground series, with former NFL player and social activist Colin Kaepernick taking center stage on the game's cover. Like NBA Playgrounds, Wild Card Football will include hundreds of real-life football players, including T.J. Watt, Jalen Hurts, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and more. But while it features real NFL players, it's not an NFL game, meaning you won't be able to play as the Kansas City Chiefs or the Minnesota Vikings. Instead, you can create your own customized seven-on-seven team with players "reimagined Playgrounds-style." The gameplay is reminiscent of arcade classics like NFL Blitz, with special Wild Cards granting powers like super strength and...

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Steam Summer Sale 2023 Is Live

The Steam Summer Sale, that most special event of the summer, is now live, and for only the second time since release, the Steam Deck is on sale. All three versions of the Steam Deck are discounted, with the biggest discount going to the most expensive 512GB version. The 64GB version is marked down 10% to $359.10, the 256GB version is marked down 15% to $449.95 and the 512GB with the premium screen is marked down 20% to $519.20. Valve's nice little handheld PC-gaming machine is a great bargain, and it's basically how Valve is trying to lure you into their Steam ecosystem to buy games on sale several times a year. I can't tell you how many PC games I own, that I bought on sale, that I've literally never even installed. It's a lot, and...

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Annapurna Interactive Is Developing a Blade Runner Game

During today's Annapurna Interactive showcase, the publisher announced that it's no longer just a publisher. It's developing its first in-house game, based on the Blade Runner franchise, entitled Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth. Though we saw a brief teaser trailer today, we don't have too many specific details about what Blade Runner 2033 will entail. We know it takes place in (surprise!) 2033 in a dystopian LA after the Blackout, wedged firmly between the original Blade Runner and the sequel, Blade Runner 2049. We don't know any details about genre or gameplay, but it will supposedly have a strong focus on narrative. And development is being led by Chelsea Hash, who formerly worked on both Solar Ash and What Remains of Edith Finch...

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To a T Is a New Game From the Creator of Katamari Damacy That Stars a Character Stuck in a T-Pose

To a T is a new episodic 3D adventure from Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi and Uvula that stars a teenager stuck in a t-pose. To a T, which has no release date or window as of yet, was featured in the Annapurna Interactive Showcase and the trailer was a hilarious look at the world that promises to have a "strong focus on character, interaction, story, and exploration." The teen you play as only wishes to live a normal life, and you will join them on their journey to realize that their "unique posture" has much more than meets the eye and that they are "the perfect shape." Alongside going to school, exploring your small coastal town, dealing with bullies, and adventuring with your mom and adorable dog, you will also learn...

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Thirsty Suitors Gets a November 2023 Release Date

Thirsty Suitors is a very unique game that features turn-based combat against your exes, skateboarding, cooking, and so much more, and it will be released on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S (Game Pass!), Xbox One, PC, and Switch on November 2, 2023. Thirsty Suitors was featured at the Annapurna Interactive Showcase and we also got a new trailer that shows off some of the adventures ahead for Jala, who must learn to "handle her demanding parents, reconcile with her exes, and mend broken friendships in time for her sister's wedding." As if that wasn't enough packed into a game, Thirsty Suitors is also a stylish celebration of South Asian culture that takes great inspiration from the developers' lived experiences. Each of Thirsty Suitors'...

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