The second season of the epic hit series Halo will premiere February 8, with two all-new episodes, on Paramount+. Starting today, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members, who are new to Paramount+, can experience all of the action with a 30-day trial to Paramount+ via Perks.* In addition to Halo, viewers can stream A Mountain of Entertainment on the service, including exclusive originals, big movies and more.
In season two, Master Chief John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) leads his team of elite Spartans against the alien threat known as the Covenant. In the wake of a shocking event on a desolate planet, John cannot shake the feeling that his war is about to change and risks everything to prove what no one else will believe – that the Covenant is preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold. With the galaxy on the brink, John embarks on a journey to find the key to humankind’s salvation, or its extinction, the Halo.
Eligible Ultimate members may claim the 30-day subscription trial through the Perks gallery on their Xbox console, on the Xbox app on Windows PCs or through the Xbox Game Pass mobile app on iOS and Android. Once the Perk is claimed, members will be directed to the Paramount+ site to activate their trial. The Paramount+ app is also available to download and use on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles and Windows PCs in select regions.
*For Game Pass Ultimate members in the U.S.
Valid for new Paramount+ subscribers only. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get a 30-day free trial when you subscribe to a Paramount+ monthly Essential or Paramount+ with Showtime plan. Claim by 4/7/24. Redeem by 5/10/24 (U.S. only). After trial, your subscription auto-renewsand your payment method is charged based on selected plan’s regular price (+tax), as applicable unless canceled. Cancel any time on your account page, effective at the end of bill cycle. No refunds. 18+ T&Cs apply, see pplus.legal/subscription. Only 1 offer per account. Other restrictions may apply.
For Game Pass Ultimate members in other eligible countries
Valid for new Paramount+ subscribers only. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get a 30-day free trial when you subscribe to a Paramount+ monthly Standard plan (available in AR, AU, AT, BR, CA, CL, CO, FR, DE, IE, IT, MX, CH, and GB only). Claim by 4/7/24. Redeem by 5/10/24. After trial, your subscription auto-renews and your payment method is charged based on selected plan’s regular price (+tax as applicable), unless canceled. Cancel any time on your account page, effective at end of bill cycle. No refunds. 18+ T&Cs apply, see pplus.legal/subscription. Only 1 offer per account. Other restrictions may apply.
Thar be no room for landlubbers here. Get ready to start a golden age pirate’s journey taking you from shipwrecked nobody to kingpin when Skull and Bones launches February 16 on PlayStation 5, with an Open Beta running from February 8-11*. The development team at Ubisoft Singapore has been hard at work ensuring that the Skull and Bones experience is as immersive as possible on PS5, thanks to features like 3D audio, adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and more.
We sat down with Skull and Bones Technical Director Jussi Markkanen to find out how these features are utilized to make Skull and Bones such a unique adventure on the PS5, where the only thing missing is the smell of the salty sea.
PlayStation Blog: What is the backstory behind the title of Skull and Bones beyond the infamous Jolly Roger reference?
Markkanen: Skull and Bones is set in an unforgiving environment, during the tumultuous Golden Age of Piracy, in a world inspired by the Indian Ocean. Here peril awaits at every turn, and you will need to leverage every opportunity available to endure and flourish in this harsh world.
The title Skull and Bones reflects the gritty approach that we’re bringing to the pirate fantasy, as you begin your journey a shipwrecked nobody, and have to plunder and outsmart your way to become the most fearsome pirate kingpin.
How are the DualSense controller’s haptics used in Skull and Bones?
In Skull and Bones, naval combat is at the heart of the experience. You are able to equip a multitude of powerful weapons to outgun other ships, attack forts, and take down legendary sea monsters.
On the PS5, naval combat really comes alive with the DualSense wireless controller when using the adaptive triggers. From sea fires and giant ballistae, to rocket launchers and mortars, you will be able to experience the different tensions of the triggers as you fire a variety of different weapons.
For example,faster-firing arsenal such as ballista or carronade require only a light pull on the adaptive triggers. The weight of the long guns or sea fire are communicated through a stronger resistance, while the adaptive triggers translate the heft of your heaviest arsenal, such as of bombards or rockets, ensuring that every shot you fire is Skull and Bones feels satisfying and unique.
The controller also rumbles in specific locations based on where your weapons are firing and where you’re taking damage. When an enemy launches a volley of cannons at your starboard, you’ll feel the intensity of the attack in your hands as you see it on screen.
Do you have any setup recommendations for players using the customizable DualSense Edge wireless controller?
One option could be mapping the spyglass shortcut! An important tool in any pirate’s kit is their spyglass. It allows them to glean more information about the world, including scoping out enemy weaknesses and identifying new opportunities such as bountiful trade routes.
How was PS5’s 3D Audio implemented into Skull and Bones’ gameplay?
3D Audio has allowed us to push boundaries in how you hear our game. For example, you can pinpoint the arc of incoming mortar fire, letting you decide whether to dodge or brace for impact against these powerful attacks.
Be sure to pay attention to your crew as well, who will often call out loot floating in the water – thanks to 3D Audio, you’ll never have to wonder exactly where that loot is.
Also, did we mention that they’ll sing sea shanties on command? Because they will! Map it to your quick action wheel and with a tap of the D-Pad you’ll hear one of 30 shanties sung in Bahasa Indonesia, Malagasy, English, and French!
How does PS5’s SSD speed add to the pirating adventure in Skull & Bones?
In Skull and Bones, you’ll chase the horizon across everything from clear blue-water shoals to violent raging storms as you sail from the coast of Africa to the East Indies. Made solely for current-generation consoles, Skull and Bones allows you to explore its vast open world in 4K at a targeted 60fps.
With the ultra-fast SSD, players will be able to transition from outposts and dens, to the vast Indian Ocean even faster! This will help create an even more immersive experience on the high seas, as players will be able to set sail, explore, and engage in epic naval battles seamlessly.
What is one example of a super granular, nerdy detail about pirate culture that you want to make sure players know about?
For Skull and Bones, we wanted to reinject the defiance, tension, and brutality of piracy back into the genre. Pirates were survivors, ordinary men and women who wanted to challenge the status quo and decide their own fate. Based on our research, the pirates in the Indian Ocean were also enterprising in nature, building their trade throughout the region for intel and seizing resources for their own gain. They came from all around the world including from the Indian Ocean, interacting with locals from different regions; which is something we sought to portray in our game.
Skull and Bones’ release date has changed a few times. What’s an example of a specific gameplay feature you’re thankful the team had more time to work on or a new gameplay feature that extra development time has allowed you to create?
Creating a new IP is as fulfilling as it is challenging and takes time to fully develop.
We’ve been iterating on the version you’ll see on February 16, by working closely with our community through the Insider Program and regular user tests. The community feedback we received has helped us to improve the game, especially in our co-op, naval combat, and gameplay variety.
Our game already has an amazing solo experience, and the time has allowed us to make additional investments in enhancing the co-op experience. This includes ensuring the entire game can be played in co-op and adding the Call for Help feature, just to name a few.
We’ve continued to add depth to our weapon system and further enhance naval combat, making each weapon choice feel unique, and encouraging different playstyles.
Additionally, we were able to expand our gameplay variety with more fantastical activities for you to enjoy, such as ghost ships, and sea monsters.
Finally, you can also look forward to new events and features in our seasonal post-launch.
Pre-order the Premium Edition to start playing up to three days early
Pre-order Skull and Bones on PlayStation Store today. Those who pre-order the Premium Edition will get to play the game up to three days early starting February 13, and will get access to the Premium Bonus Pack, two extra missions, a Smugglers Pass Token, Digital Artbook, and Digital Soundtrack.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will be getting its next big update on March 7 and it will include the highly anticipated New Game+ mode alongside new suits and more.
Insomniac shared the news on X/Twitter, adding that it will be revealing the complete list of features closer to the actual release of the update.
❗ OUR NEXT UPDATE IS COMING MARCH 7
Our title update for Marvel’s #SpiderMan2PS5 arrives next month and adds highly requested features like New Game+, new suits, and more!
In the delay announcement, Insomniac also noted it was looking to add the ability to “change the time of day, swap tendril colors, and replay missions.”
In our Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 review, we said it “delivers Insomniac’s best tale yet, and despite its open world falling short, is a reliably fun superhero power trip.”
Good news, star admirals with decent CPM! Gearbox and Blackbird Interactive’s strategy escapade Homeworld 3 has a demo on Steam. It’s been live for a few days, actually, but whether due to the bombardment of other Steam Fest goodies or my being led astray by the similar-but-nerdier Nebulous: Fleet Command, I didn’t try it till last night. The demo includes a tutorial mission, four maps and the War Games mode, a one-to-three player affair which essentially turns Homeworld into a roguelike – pitching you up against unpredictable opposition while unlocking new fleets and doling out Artifacts that augment your vessels.
Microsoft has picked up spooky indie adventure game Hauntii as a day-one Xbox Game Pass title.
Publisher Firestoke and developer Moonloop Games announced Hauntii is coming to Game Pass though didn’t offer any details as to when that might happen, as the game only has a second quarter of 2024 release window on Steam and its marketing otherwise lists a vague 2024.
“Hauntii is a beguiling adventure built around a creative haunting mechanic that lets you possess the environment and the creatures that inhabit it,” its official synopsis reads. “Once you’ve taken control, you can take on enemies using the special abilities of Hauntii’s denizens and come up with ingenious solutions to overcome the many challenges littered across the game’s enchanting world.
“You will be possessed by a captivating blend of exploration, puzzle solving and twin-stick shooting, all set in a stunning hand-crafted world filled with charming characters, and underpinned with a ghostly mystery that will see you diving deep into your past.”
Those interested in the idea can download a demo on Steam until February 12, but will otherwise have to wait until it comes to PC and Xbox later this year. A Nintendo Switch and PlayStation version has also been announced.
EA Sports has made its annual Super Bowl prediction after simulating the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers game in Madden NFL 24.
The simulation predicted an incredibly close game but put the Chiefs on top in a 30 to 28 victory. This would make the Chiefs the eighth team in history to win back-to-back Super Bowls, and only the ninth instance of it in NFL history.
EA Sports also predicted Chiefs quarterback Partrick Mahomes will become the third player in history to win back-to-back Super Bowl Most Valuable Player awards.
49ers fans perhaps shouldn’t worry too much about the prediction, however, as Madden NFL hasn’t always been accurate in its simulations. The last 10 years have seen it proved wrong 70% of the time, though it did perfectly anticipate the New England Patriots’ 28 to 24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in 2015.
It was wrong last year, predicting a 31 to 17 Philadelphia Eagles victory over the Chiefs, in a game the Chiefs ended up winning 38 to 35.
In our 6/10 review of EA’s latest, IGN said: “New animations and improved AI make Madden NFL 24’s on-field action the best it’s ever been, but everything that happens off the field is a slog of dated modes and laggy menus that brings everything around it down.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
Just in time for Super Bowl weekend, Saber Interactive has today announced a new wave of DLC for its arcade gridiron title, Wild Card Football.
The ‘Legacy QB Pack’ is pretty much what you would expect, adding four legendary quarterbacks for you to slot into your lineup. Included this time are Warren Moon, Steve Young, Kurt Warner and Randall Cunningham, each of whom comes with their own unique outfits.
Can you believe it? Ten years of tanks! The game known today as World of Tanks Modern Armor officially made its debut in the console arena on February 12, 2014.
As one of the first free-to-play titles available on consoles, WoTMA (or just “World of Tanks,” as it was known then!) helped lay the foundation for experiences that PlayStation players would enjoy over the next decade. Of course, the game couldn’t have come as far as it has without the support of a thriving community… or without the efforts of a dedicated staff.
In fact, several of our Wargaming staff members who were present for the game’s early days are still part of the team today. Together, they’re taking a look back at the game’s history and a sneak peek at what’s ahead during the year-long event we’re calling Celebrations.
The past
It takes more than a few people to bring a game like World of Tanks to market, but five who made the game what it is today are:
Andy Dorizas, Art Director
Valerie MacCracken, Director of LiveOps Operations
Ben Crawford, Senior Player Experience Manager
JJ Bakken, Senior Producer
L. Daniel Burr, Live Game Director
Any of them will tell you that hard work and scrappiness were key to their efforts. Valerie MacCracken, who started at Wargaming in 2011 in a customer support role, drives the point home, saying, “The first North American office was brand new when I joined, and there were only maybe fifteen employees; I recall that on one of my first days, we assembled furniture for the lobby area!”
Physical infrastructure for various offices wasn’t the only challenge; there were technical challenges in developing the game, too. According to Andy Dorizas, who was Lead Artist at Day 1 Studios before it became Wargaming Chicago, “We had to trim things down just to get it to run on early hardware. Art assets had to be shrunk or compressed. Levels had to be simplified… It was a seriously large mountain to climb.”
JJ Bakken, who joined the Chicago studio as an Associate Producer in 2013, adds another issue the team faced: the novelty of what Wargaming was doing! “This was the studio’s first time developing a free-to-play game, and it was early in the days of F2P on console platforms,” he says. “Figuring out a new genre and a new way to connect with game players is always challenging, but exciting at the same time.”
How did they do it? MacCracken says that the process was gradual, “with the alpha, beta, [a] soft launch in certain regions, and then [the] full launch happening, back-to-back.” She also ran what she calls a “super-secret” forum, available only to early testers. “When I saw the passion that the game was creating among our early testers, many of which are still around today, I knew we had something good going.”
Bakken echoes this: “…there is always extra trepidation on launching a live-service game (will the servers perform, etc.), so we were hopeful all our technical efforts would be rewarded. Spoilers: it went pretty well and here we still are, ten years later!”
The future
Ben Crawford, who started with Wargaming Europe ten years ago as a Customer Experience Manager, is excited about the changes he sees in WoTMA’s technology and services, saying, “The evolution is evident in the updated portal [website], new support tools, expanded capabilities outside the game, and enhanced in-game features.”
Daniel Burr, who began at Wargaming as a Solution Architect managing network services, notes, however, that development brings new opportunities, and not just for Wargaming: “Ten years ago, the F2P space on consoles was very new, and so there were no console-specific best practices upon which to lean. Today, F2P on consoles is a much more thoroughly understood model, and new F2P games take full advantage of that.”
So, progress and challenges alike lie ahead, but WoTMA is prepared to embrace it all, starting with the Celebrations event!
At the heart of Celebrations is a dedicated website that will allow players to track their progress in each season throughout 2024, starting with the Lunar New Year-themed Year of the Dragon season that launched on January 30. Players will also be able to compare and share stats with their friends and work toward not one but two special reward tanks that will be awarded when Celebrations ends.
That’s not all. February brings players opportunities to claim two new 10th anniversary tanks, the Lago M38 and the MBT-B, complete the first Celebrations Monthly Challenge (as an Anniversary event with shared community goals and rewards), and so much more.
In the end, every aspect of Celebrations is intended to commemorate what makes WoTMA special: not the tanks (as much as we love them), but the people. “Not very many industry folks can say they’ve been at the same company for over a decade, but we have this stability that allows us to build bridges not only between each other, but between us and our community as well,” says MacCracken.
The game’s big ten-year anniversary is underway. Join us for the Celebrations!
Palworld players have come up with an ingenious way of defeating the game’s toughest bosses, and it involves building an actual in-game ‘stairway to heaven’.
As reported by GamesRadar, the video posted to Twitter / X shows how one player created a huge stairway and led a level 50 Jetragon to the top. From there, it’s a simple case of jumping off, gliding to the bottom, and destroying the lower portion of the stairway. Without this foundation, the structure comes crashing down with the Jetragon, presumably so bemused it forgot it can fly, falling to its death. The power of gravity!
This strat is so simple you imagine it’s not long for this world. Palworld developer Pocketpair has yet to indicate its readiness to take action, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it’s noticed (the tweet above has had just shy of two million views, after all) and plans a fix in an upcoming patch.
Speaking of Palworld patches, update v0.1.4.1 is out now on Steam and makes more welcome fixes. The Xbox patch, v0.1.1.4, is also out now. There is a disparity between the Xbox and Steam versions of Palworld, not least in the Xbox version’s lack of dedicated servers, which limits the number of players who can play together. Microsoft has said it will work directly with Pocketpair to assist in supplying the resources necessary to keep the momentum of the monster survival game going strong, including providing support to enable dedicated servers.
Palworld is a smash hit, crossing over an eye-watering 19 million players across all platforms since going on sale January 19. It’s the most-played game on Steam, and the biggest third-party launch in Game Pass history with over seven million players and a daily player peak of just shy of three million. On Steam alone, Palworld has sold 12 million copies.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
If you played and liked last year’s excellent slice-of-life adventure A Space For The Unbound, stop what you’re doing and go and download the Steam Next Fest demo for Until Then. Go on, I’ll wait. Right, sorted? Let’s continue. Like A Space For The Unbound, Until Then is a coming of age story where the ups and downs of everyday high school life start intermingling with strange, supernatural occurences.
