Notorious Battlefield 6 skin Wicked Grin has had its colors toned down once again, but this time, players are celebrating the removal of, well, its Wicked Grin.
Battlefield Studios launched update 1.1.3.0 alongside its Season 1 finale, Winter Offensive, today. Although patch notes covered sweeping changes to Breakthrough, hit registration, and the overall audio experience, much of the online community was pleased to see the update tackle one of the EA FPS’s biggest controversies.
You may recognize the above Support cosmetic as the Wicked Grin skin. While the clothing items themselves seem to be largely unchanged (minus one new bright yellow armband), the outfit’s standout features have been almost completely reworked. Where there were once bright blue colors highlighting the infantry class, players will now find muted tones and the complete removal of the toothy smile the skin originally earned its name from.
The Wicked Grin changes exist as what many in the Battlefield 6 community are calling another victory what has become a massive push against goofy skins. Players began fighting against fears that Fortnite and Call of Duty-esque skins would eventually infiltrate Battlefield 6 when the System Override skin, not-so-lovingly called the “Monster Energy drink skin,” was unveiled weeks before launch. With technical director Christian Buhl previously telling IGN that BF Studios would stick to realistic, grounded visuals “for a while,” players worried the developers could change course sooner rather than later.
Wicked Grin emerged weeks after launch as a prime example of what many believed was the beginning of the end for grounded infantry skins. Backlash related to the Support skin got out of hand so quickly that some players threatened to not revive any player seen wearing it.
Word of player dissatisfaction got back to BF Studios and resulted in changes to System Override. Now, Wicked Grin, which had already been tweaked with lighter colors with the November 18 launch of California Resistance, is almost unrecognizable in Winter Offensive. There is almost certainly a group of players disappointed to see those bright blues leave, but for the more vocal players online, they’re mostly happy BF Studios is listening.
“They fixed him,” one popular Reddit post says. “They fixed this skin, super muted blues and removed the ugly mask design. Big W on lostening to the people.”
“Props to the community for standing up,” one comment adds, “props to the devs for listening and acting accordingly.”
Battlefield 6 launched October 10 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S, and BF Studios has been doing a balancing act since. A few updates targeting glitches, aim assist, gameplay balance, hit registration, and more have arrived in the last month alone, with content updates adding new maps as Season 1 rolls on. Today, Winter Offensive added snowy terrain to some familiar locations while handing players access to the new Ice Climbing Axe melee weapon.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
A game where music is illegal and you do crimes. It’s the perfect tone-setting tagline for Unbeatable, a rhythm game about a bunch of young adults (and one child) rebelling against an oppressive regime by playing raucous garage rock.
Bethesda surprised us all today with the announcement that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition was heading to Switch 2 with a bunch of technical upgrades to boot. But with a game we’ve all seen this many times, would it really look all that different from the re-release we saw on Switch 1 back in 2022?
Well, wonder no longer, because Mr Alex Olney is here to reveal all! In the above video, we’ve got a side-by-side comparison of how Skyrim matches up on Switch 2 vs Switch 1, showcasing all the gameplay you could wish for.
We’re thrilled to launch the Indie Selects Demo Fest! Starting today, discover over 30 amazing game demos — now including PC and Handheld titles for the first time! All demos are free to download and play anytime from December 9 through 31.
Explore the full collection in the Indie Selects Demo Fest section on the Xbox Store and at Xbox.com. We’d love for you to share your feedback with the developers — it’s a great way to help shape the final experience!
Please note: most demos represent early builds and may differ from the final release, including regional availability, as developers continue polishing their games.
We’re also excited to share that 4 newly announced games below are coming to Xbox!
Ready for something off the wall? Meet Knuckle Jet — a jetpunk action platformer from the creators of Teslagrad! Soar as Anastasia, ricochet off walls, and smash foes with the mighty Knuckle Jet. Mix and match gear for wild gameplay twists — fashion sense optional! Team up in 2-player couch co-op to topple Baron Tychoon, or throw down in Knuckleball for some friendly chaos.
Create your deck, build your robot, and dive into a roguelite adventure full of surprises! Design your own fighter, experiment with unique strategies, and discover countless ways to battle. Just one rule: don’t die!
Raging Bill is a single-player sandbox of pure chaos. Play as Bill — ex-MMA champ turned billionaire — whose island paradise spirals into madness: party crashers, UFOs, zombies, dragons, and more. Inspired by Goat Simulator and Duke Nukem, it’s a mix of combat, stunts, puzzles, and freedom.
Built in Unreal Engine 5 with Lumen, Nanite, and Chaos physics, the 5km² world is packed with biomes, secrets, and retro Easter eggs. From jetpacks to hoverboards, every moment is designed for fast-paced, shareable fun. Created by Jérôme Tissot (Muttonheads) under Artpunk Studio, this is indie gaming turned up to 11.
Dive into Reef Defense, a fast-paced strategy challenge where crustaceans are coming for your eggs! Build clever defenses, plan your moves, and fight to keep your reef safe. Can you outlast the swarm, or will the crabs feast tonight?
In addition to the new reveals, dive into a diverse mix of creative games you can play right now! See the lineup below for all participating titles and amazing developers in this year’s Indie Selects Demo Fest.
Head over to your Xbox and start enjoying these incredible game demos now! And yes, we’d love to hear what you think. Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord, Twitch, Bluesky and YouTube. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire to learn more about what Team Xbox has planned. Your next favorite game is waiting!
Each year brings unforgettable memories for our PlayStation community across the globe, and 2025 was no different with the launch of memorable games like Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Blue Prince, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. To reflect on another momentous year in gaming, we’re launching PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up starting today.
From today through January 8, 2026, PS5 and PS4 players can access their PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up experience* to view their gaming achievements for the year, including most played games and genres, total hours played across single-player and multiplayer titles, a personalized PlayStation Plus playlist, and trophy milestones. There’s also insights around gameplay with accessories like PlayStation VR2, PlayStation Portal remote player, as well as your most used DualSense wireless controller design.
The 2025 Wrap-Up experience will continue to update through the end of the year, so be sure to check back again before January 8 for your full 2025 summary. Players who complete the experience can redeem a unique glass-themed avatar as well as access their summary card – check out my 2025 summary below:
Download the image
Explore your PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up at https://wrapup.playstation.com – and share your favorite gaming moments from 2025 in the comments below.
*Users need to have a PlayStation account in their region, be of adult age or over and, have played games on a PS4 or PS5 console for at least 10 hours between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025.
Users who have not consented to the collection of “Full Data” from their PlayStation 5 system settings in 2025, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign. Users located in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia, India, and Russia, who have not consented to the collection of “Additional Data” from their PlayStation 4 system settings in 2025, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign.
High on Life 2 is our IGN First “cover story” game for December, which means we’ve got exclusive coverage all month long. We’ve already posted plenty of new gameplay, and today we’re thrilled to announce one of High on Life 2’s brand-new weapons: Say hello to Travis, the SMG-style weapon voiced by Ken Marino, who you might know from The State as well as Wet Hot American Summer. Travis is one-half of a dual SMG pair with Jan – check out the half of a heart pendant around his, uh, neck, I guess? Anyway, they’re married, but it seems the relationship has gotten a bit toxic.
Take a look at some footage of Travis in action in the video below, and for more exclusive High on Life 2 coverage – including another weapon reveal coming up soon.
High on Life 2 will be released on February 13, 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S – including launching on day one into Xbox Game Pass.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
My husband died in a horrible toilet accident. Also, I’m distantly related to Ronald Reagan and spend summers in an underwater chateau. These aren’t just very true facts about the author of this article, they’re things you can tell the reprehensible billionaires of the future in Better Than Us. It’s the latest work of Vampire Therapist developers Little Bat Games, and it’s set to arrive in 2026.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is the full name of Ubisoft’s piratical remake that’s had more leaks than a sunken ship.
The game’s new title is now visible on the PEGI European ratings board website, which is about as official as it gets. (The game is rated 18 for violence and bad language.)
Additionally, there’s a mention here that Black Flag Resynced will include the ability to make in-game purchases. It’s still unknown how Resynced will plug into the franchise’s existing Animus Hub, which lets you buy optional cosmetic content. Alternatively, this could potentially signify the ability to buy DLC further down the line. Is the game’s memorable Freedom Cry add-on in line for a remake, too?
Today’s development comes just a couple of weeks after the game’s release date was reportedly spilled online. During Ubisoft’s latest financial results the French publisher laid out a slate of upcoming games set to arrive before the end of its current financial year, on March 31, 2026.
Despite years of internal leaks, fan speculation and even hints from the original game’s lead actor, Ubisoft still has yet to officially confirm its Black Flag remake exists. IGN has contacted the company again today, in case it has anything it wants to tease. Or, perhaps we’ll hear more at The Game Awards later this week?
Previous reports have suggested Black Flag Resynced will be a substantial remake of the series’ beloved piratical entry, with visual and gameplay upgrades that see the game closer in quality to this year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
New story content will reportedly be added to flesh out more of hero Edward Kenway’s life, though the game’s modern day gameplay sections have apparently been excised — something that many fans aren’t happy about. It will be interesting to see how Ubisoft handles the game’s new ending — which previously tied together story elements from its historical and modern day narratives — in light of that change.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Look lively, me hearties. There, cast your eyes starboard. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced PEGI rating ahoy. The fair winds have seemed to be blowing our sails towards Ubisoft’s long-rumoured remake or remaster of the fourth mainline Assassin’s Creed, the one that’s all piratey, for years at this point. At last, it seems, we may be on track to slide our hull into its port.
The brainchild of Mike Pondsmith back in 1988 as a TTRPG, Cyberpunk as a property has exploded in the past decade, thanks in no small part to CD Projekt Red and 2020’s release of their first-person RPG, Cyberpunk 2077. Now, five years and expansions, patches, and board games later, the world of Cyberpunk is trying its robotic hands in a brand new – and highly competitive – market with a fully fledged, and collectible, Cyberpunk: Trading Card Game.
IGN has had the opportunity to speak with the teams at WeirdCo and CD Projekt Red, who are working on the newly announced TCG, to get a better understanding of the designers at WeirdCo, how this partnership came to be, and even some goodies about the game itself. We’ve also got an exclusive first look at key card art from the Cyberpunk TCG (flip through the gallery below), featuring Cyberpunk 2077’s Saburo and Yorinobu Arasaka, and their handy bodyguard, Goro Takemura.
WeirdCo, a new face in the world of TCGs, has been working in close partnership with CDPR themselves to devise this new card game, aiming to capture the tone and aesthetic of 2077 and the Edgerunners’ Netflix anime, to deliver a game that doesn’t just feel like another TCG just with a coat of Cyberpunk yellow overtop. One way the team is doing this is by working with high-profile artists, both internal to CDPR and the wider community, to deliver gorgeous card art featuring faces that will be familiar to anyone worth their wait in Chrome.
Speaking with Elliot Cook (WeirdCo President) and Luohan Wei (WeirdCo CEO), both co-founders of the business, I wanted to know how this new studio came about.
Elliot began, “WeirdCo was formed when Luohan and I met each other through our mutual mentor, Bill Mooney: a true legend in the digital gaming space. We immediately hit it off over our passion for building games that truly connect with their communities. Later, we formed WeirdCo to create games together — ones that authentically bring together and inspire people.”
“Players can look forward to collecting an array of unique variants of characters including V, Johnny, Panam, Judy, Adam Smasher, and more.”
“CD Projekt Red has a similar goal, and when we saw this in each other we knew it would be a great partnership. What has been paramount, and the question we ask ourselves daily, is “how do we make a game that represents and celebrates every part of Cyberpunk — everywhere it has been and everywhere it is going?” That is the north star of our development.”
With Cyberpunk being one of the biggest media properties right now, I was curious how a brand new group could tackle such a monster IP, but despite it being a new team, the group working on the Cyberpunk TCG has worked on other large IP card games you probably have heard of. “We at WeirdCo have direct experience working on some great card games” Elliot explains.
“Marvel Snap, Duel Masters, and Universus, to name a few. At our core we are disruptors, just like CD Projekt Red, and we both strive to inspire our players. We saw this in each other from the beginning, and I think CD Projekt Red saw our love for the Cyberpunk 2077 universe too. This is an IP that deserves to be explored in different and exciting ways, and we’re committed to doing this authentically with Cyberpunk TCG, side by side with the community.”
On the topic of CD Projekt Red, they have been a constant ally during the game’s design and development. Elliot provides further details, “We have worked with CD Projekt Red very closely since the beginning of development. They have been the ideal partner; you may even see the same amazing artists who worked on Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and more as featured artists in Cyberpunk TCG! Every part of the TCG has the impeccable RED touch, ensuring this is a completely authentic Cyberpunk experience.”
The Cyberpunk TCG won’t be CDPR’s first collaboration in the tabletop space, with other titles like Cyberpunk 2077: Gangs of Night City and Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Combat Zone Board Game, but I was curious what unique joys or challenges came from working on a TCG, so I asked Patrick Mills, CDPR’s Franchise Content Strategy Lead.
“Every collaboration is unique, and we’re lucky to work with many partners who are passionate and extremely dedicated to their crafts. While making a physical TCG is something completely new for us, we see the genuine excitement, enthusiasm, and talent in WeirdCo that act as the foundation of any successful collaboration.”
“Their passion for the franchise has been evident at every stage, and they’re doing an incredible job developing an engaging TCG that ensures an authentic Cyberpunk experience. On the flip side, many of us at CD Projekt Red are huge TCG enthusiasts too — so we’re thrilled to be entering this space with WeirdCo”
One thing that is clear is that both teams at WeirdCo and CDPR are taking care to ensure that this is faithful to the Cyberpunk property that its creator, Mike Pondsmith, imagined back in 1988.
“For the initial release, our primary goal is to represent the core identity of Cyberpunk 2077”
“We want Cyberpunk TCG to be authentic to the spirit and dynamic nature of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe, and wanted to create a TCG that is accessible to Cyberpunk fans who have never touched a card game.” Luohan says, “At the same time, as TCG players ourselves, we wanted our game to have the depth necessary to entertain for a long, long time. And I think we have struck that balance well.”
Elliot continues, “The best part of this job is spending hundreds of hours with the Cyberpunk universe — whether that’s replaying Cyberpunk 2077, watching Edgerunners for the fifth time, or reading all the Dark Horse comics. Every one of us at WeirdCo loves the Cyberpunk universe, and we built the TCG bit by bit on this foundation. At each step we analyzed every little detail, constantly asking ourselves: “How do we make this more authentic to Cyberpunk?”
Many fan favorite characters will be making an appearance as well in this TCG and picking who would be included in this first set was a big decision. “For the initial release, our primary goal is to represent the core identity of Cyberpunk 2077 by featuring many of its most iconic and beloved characters,” explains Patrick. “We’ve collaborated closely with WeirdCo to ensure that the artwork and flavor of every card faithfully captures the essence of who they represent, providing a snapshot of their personalities and what they stand for, as well as including memorable moments players will instantly recognize. Given the complexity of our characters, we wanted to capture their many facets across multiple cards. So, players can look forward to collecting an array of unique variants of characters including V, Johnny, Panam, Judy, Adam Smasher, and more.”
On the WeirdCo side, Elliot shares, “We worked very hard to figure out which Legends make the most sense for players, and which ones make the most sense for the overall theme of Set 1. While some of them, like V and Johnny, are obvious hits, we have a few surprises up our sleeves too.”
Being a game composed of a ton of cards, artwork is pretty important in a TCG and WeirdCo is special care to make sure that what players can expect is nothing short of beautiful.
“We’ve been working for a long time with a team of over 20 talented artists for Set 1, and are excited to explore new ways of bringing the world of Cyberpunk to life through our card art. Working with artists like Ito, Vincenzo Riccardi, and Joshua Raphael, who each bring their own unique flair to the project, makes each card more exciting than the last,” Elliot continues, “We’re not sharing gameplay details yet, so there’s not too much I can say. But Cyberpunk is known for its beautiful yet tragic atmosphere — this is a major focus of ours when it comes to the card art.”
Details on how Cyberpunk TCG will work remain shrouded behind CDPR’s and WeirdCo’s firewalls, so we have a bit yet before we have an in-depth picture of how it plays. Cyberpunk’s TCG will be launching its crowdfunding campaign in 2026, which is right around the corner. WeirdCo and CDPR will be revealing more of the game soon, along with a deep dive into how the game plays, more artwork, and card reveals, with some more special reveals found only here on IGN.
The TCG space is pretty crowded with new contenders entering the ring, it seems like every quarter or so, but few have the name recognition behind them like WeirdCo has with Cyberpunk. The fact that this project has so much support from CD Projekt Red behind it puts it in a different league from others, even before it’s out.
The excitement from the designers is electric, with Luohan leaving players with this, “I can’t wait for players to see how we’ve adapted the themes of Cyberpunk, like taking on gigs or building a crew, to a trading card game format. I think it is both true to Cyberpunk itself while being innovative to the TCG market as a whole; it’s a perfect combination in this way.” As far as I know, no other TCG lets you play with Keanu Reeves, so that is already a big plus in its favor. Wake up, Samurai, there’s a whole new way to burn the city coming.
If this sounds up your alley, follow the game and get yourself a special and exclusive Lucy “Nova Rare” card free by signing up over on the game’s Launch Oracle page.
Scott White is a freelance contributor to IGN, assisting with tabletop games and guide coverage. Follow him on X/Twitter or Bluesky.
This article features contributions from Robert Anderson, Senior Commerce Editor for IGN.
