Electronic Arts is canceling its planned Black Panther game and shutting down developer Cliffhanger Games, IGN has learned.
In an email sent to staff from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, Miele said that these changes, alongside other recent cancellations and layoffs, are being done to “sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities.”
In addition to closing Cliffhanger and canceling Black Panther, EA is also laying off some individuals on both its mobile and central teams. When asked for an exact number of individuals impacted, EA declined to comment. IGN understands the total number of affected individuals in this wave is less than the roughly 300 roles cut last month across Respawn and EA’s Fan Care teams – but cannot confirm by how much.
“These decisions are hard,” Miele wrote. “They affect people we’ve worked with, learned from, and shared real moments with. We’re doing everything we can to support them — including finding opportunities within EA, where we’ve had success helping people land in new roles.”
As with past rounds of layoffs, EA is endeavoring to place affected individuals in other roles across the company. The company has made use of this placement program with each round of layoffs in recent years, an effort that remains possible despite the constant team cuts likely due to EA seemingly drastically increasing headcount on other teams at the same time. Per Game File’s reporting, EA employed 800 more people as of March of this year than it did the same time in 2024.
To that end, Miele’s email continues, the company is focusing on a small handful of franchises going forward: Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends. Miele also reassures EA will continue to invest in its Iron Man game at Motive and the third Star Wars: Jedi game, as well as it maintain its mobile business despite today’s cuts, while Bioware works on the next Mass Effect. Additionally, last year, CEO Andrew Wilson announced the company would be “moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry.”
The email doesn’t mention EA Sports, but this is due to Miele running EA Entertainment, while EA Sports is a separate division. IGN understands that the sports division is unaffected by these changes for now.
Meanwhile, EA recently implemented mandatory return-to-office for all workers, a move that some employees told IGN has left many currently remote workers with concerns about what will happen to their roles long-term.
When asked for comment on the exact number impacted, the reasons for these repeated cuts, or if more cuts are expected in the near future, EA referred IGN back to Miele’s email. Marvel has not yet responded to IGN’s request for comment.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
The PlayStation VR2 headset has dropped to match its all-time low price thanks to the PlayStation Days of Play sale, so if you’ve been considering picking one up for yourself, right now would be the time to do so. But the question is: Should you actually buy one in 2025? The PSVR2 originally launched for a whopping $599, but Sony dropped the price down to just $399 back in March. The latest discount brings that price all the way down to only $349 for both the stand-alone headset and the Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle.
The PlayStation VR2 Headset Is On Sale at Amazon Today
The new $50 discount on the PSVR2 bundle is certainly tempting if you’ve been wanting to get into VR, but there are a few things to consider before you buy. This is likely the lowest price we’ll see on this headset for quite some time and it is the only VR option for PS5 owners. If you want to play Horizon Call of The Mountain, owning a PSVR2 is currently the only way you’ll be able to do that. Just last year Sony also released the PSVR2 PC adapter that allows you to connect it to your PC and play VR games there as well.
That being said, Sony isn’t really investing much into first-party VR games anymore. And with the price drop back in March and the release of the PC adapter, it definitely seems like PS5 owners aren’t going to be seeing a slew of new and exciting VR games any time soon.
Is It Worth Buying a PSVR 2 in 2025?
Now that the PSVR 2 is cheaper than the standard Meta Quest 3 and has PC compatibility, it’s worth considering if you’re looking to get into VR. Since it is really the only VR option for PlayStation, this price definitely makes it worth it if you have both a PS5 and a PC that can handle VR games. You do have to purchase the PC adapter if you want to access your SteamVR library, but connecting to PC is a fairly simple process overall.
If you don’t own a PS5 and are just looking for a decent VR headset for PC, the PSVR 2 probably isn’t worth your money. The Meta Quest 3S is still cheaper and doesn’t require any sort of extra adapter to start playing games. Since the PSVR 2 isn’t a standalone VR headset, you’d also be better off going with the Quest 3 if you don’t have either a PS5 or a PC to connect to.
Crystal of Atlan is an action MMORPG from developer VI-Games that wants to put its own unique spin on the gameplay of the genre. It features a focus on class-based build diversity, fast-paced aerial combat, and chaining together abilities to build up your combo meter. It’s available to download for free right now, but if you’re looking for more info before you dive in, we’ve got you. Let’s start with the classes.
Diverse Class Paths for Personalized Builds
There are five base classes available at launch, all unlocked for free at the start of the game: the melee damage dealing Swordsman, ranged attacker Musketeer, magical Magister, martial artist Fighter, and summoner Puppeteer. Each class branches into specialized subclasses, with a total of 11 subclass options and more than 20 unique abilities to experiment with and tailor to your preferred style.
For example, the Swordsman branches into the Magiblade or Berserker. They’re both melee damage dealers, but the Magiblade adds magical abilities (which you could probably guess from the name), and the Berserker can sacrifice health to generate shields and increase power as you get closer to death. Regardless of the subclass you choose, each of the skills you unlock have individual cooldowns. You can mix and match those skills at any time, letting you come up with unique character builds and find skills that chain together well to build combos.
Seamless Ground-to-Air Combat Innovation
Traditional MMO combat focuses on ground-based attacks with a fairly simple stand-and-attack style. Crystal of Atlan differentiates itself by including a heavy focus on the Z-axis, introducing a system that encourages you to seamlessly transition between ground and aerial combat.
You can attack and dodge in mid-air, allowing you to pull off aerial combos and adding a new dimension to each battle and a level of responsiveness to moment-to-moment gameplay. You can jump to avoid attacks, then chain that into aerial combos to keep the pressure on enemies. So you’re rewarded for staying on your toes, reacting quickly, and using all your abilities to fluidly chain attacks together.
That focus on ground and air combos also informs the design of Crystal of Atlan’s varied environments. All of the game’s maps, from the fantastical Wonderland to the mechanical Chrome Military Factory, have an open 3D layout to allow freedom of movement. Couple that with smooth animations and you get a combat system that’s fluid and fast-paced.
Cooperative Challenges and Social Progression
As you might expect from an MMO, there are a variety of dungeons you can tackle with other players. You fight through packs of normal enemies before getting to the end and facing off against a boss with unique mechanics. That’s all pretty standard, but Crystal of Atlan mixes things up by requiring synchronized team coordination.
There are numerous dungeons with interaction-based mechanics that require teamwork to solve problems. Naturally, if your whole group is tackling such a dungeon for the first time, you’ll need to communicate and help each other figure out what to do. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you can take on a mentor role in future runs, but everyone will always need to work together.
There’s also a fleet system, which is basically like guilds you’ve probably experienced in other games. It’s a key part of Crystal of Atlan’s social ecosystem, allowing you to link up with friends to tackle co-op gameplay together or just hang out and chat.
Competitive PvP and Creative PvE Challenges
If you’re the competitive type, there are also options for PvP combat. There are 1v1 and 3v3 battles, with attributes, skill damage, and skill cooldowns balanced so there’s no competitive advantage. It’s all about skill.
While Crystal of Atlan is an MMO at heart, it has plenty of content for solo players too. In classic MMO style, there are hub areas where you can see lots of other players. These areas are where you’ll find quests to complete and new zones to explore.
Adventure Mode takes you through the game’s main story, which unlocks in stages. You can tackle these stages solo, and they have a variety of different goals. Some will be focused on combat, where you need to defeat groups of enemies or take on a boss. Others introduce new elements, like requiring you to use stealth to sneak past enemies or use platforming to progress through the area.
There are plenty of other modes you can tackle solo or co-op. The main one is the Arena, where you can fight alone or with a partner and gradually work your way up through tiers of opponents, earning escalating rewards as you do. If you manage to get through all the tiers, you can reach the Finals for the ultimate reward.
To sum it all up, Crystal of Atlan is an MMORPG that mixes together classic staples of the genre with evolved gameplay to keep things fun, fast, and fluid. It launches May 28 on PC, PS5, iOS, and Android, with crossplay across all platforms. The PS5 version has an optimized HUD layout to avoid clutter and utilizes the haptic feedback of the DualSense controller. It also has a remapped UI for controller input, using a function wheel you’re probably familiar with from other games. There’s HDR support for enhanced lighting, and PSSR is enabled on the PS5 Pro for sharper visuals and more stable frame rates.
For more info on the world, classes, and features of Crystal of Atlan, you can check out the official website. Or to join the community and get news updates, you can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Discord.
Capcom has announced that Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will be getting a brand-new mode to coincide with its release on the Switch 2 on 5th June 2025.
Dubbed ‘Otherworldly Ventures’, the mode takes the basic action/strategy gameplay of the main story mode and simplifies a few things to make it more approachable for those who want to jump in and out.
The Bark Ages Returns — Raising Hell for a Good Cause
Team Xbox
Summary
Xbox and Bethesda are donating $32,000 to three animal welfare locations (Nebraska, Seattle, and Montgomery Co., MD) in honor of DOOM’s 32-year legacy.
A new “The Bark Ages” charity t-shirt will launch on May 28 at 9am PT / 12pm ET, with all net proceeds going to support the same shelters.
The shirt is available for two weeks only via the Bethesda Gear Store, shipping to the US and select international locations.
For over three decades, DOOM has been about facing demons head-on. Now, we’re channeling that same spirit into fighting for something even more meaningful: animals in need.
To celebrate the recent launch of DOOM: The Dark Ages, Xbox and Bethesda are teaming up with three animal shelters to support shelters across the country — and unleashing a brand-new wave of chaos-turned-compassion with an updated version of our fan-favorite The Bark Ages charity t-shirt.
Last year, fans at QuakeCon rallied behind the original Bark Ages design, raising thousands for Dallas Pets Alive with a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the world’s most ferocious (and adorable) four-legged fighters. This year, we’re going even bigger: Xbox is donating $32,000 — one thousand for every year since DOOM first rocked the world — to three animal welfare organizations; Nebraska Humane Society, Seattle Humane, and Montgomery County Humane Society.
And on May 28 at 9am PT / 12pm ET, we’re officially launching the new Bark Ages t-shirt on the Bethesda Gear Store. The net proceeds from sales will go directly to support those same animal welfare organizations locations. The shirt will only be available for two weeks, so act fast — and do good.
Whether you’re a DOOM Slayer or a dog lover (or both), this is your chance to gear up and give back.
Because every good Slayer deserves a loyal companion.
DISCOVER
Seattle Humane – Seattle Humane is more than a shelter – they are a pet resource center for the region, providing adoption services, a pet food bank and support for pet owners, low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and veterinary care, dog training, humane education for all ages and more. With the support of their generous community, Seattle Humane save lives, complete families and keep pets with the people who love them. Learn more at SeattleHumane.org.
Montgomery County Humane Society– For over six decades, the Montgomery County Humane Society has been rescuing, caring for and adopting out homeless pets, with unwavering compassion and dedication. But today, we’re more than just an animal rescue. We’re building a more humane future, one paw at a time. In addition to saving hundreds of lives every year, we’re supporting pets and their people with affordable spay/neuter, vaccinations and other care, and we offer a pet food pantry that gives a lifeline to families who are facing hardship. And, we continuously seek new programs to add that are designed to strengthen the human-animal bond and promote the welfare of all animals in our community. Learn more at: www.mchumane.org
Nebraska Humane Society– The Nebraska Humane Society protects, saves and enriches the lives of animals in the communities they serve. Sheltering has evolved to not just include those within the Nebraska Humane Society’s walls, but also those needing help in the community. They have established several programs to assist those in need, educate about proper pet ownership and improve the wellbeing of all pets in the Omaha area. Learn more atwww.nehumanesociety.org
Tear up the court in NBA 2K25, survive a horror-filled manor in Alone in the Dark, combo your way through a future world in Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and take on some sci-fi adventures in Destiny 2: The Final Shape with June’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup.
Let’s take a closer look at each game.
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NBA 2K25 | PS4, PS5
Stack wins, raise banners and make history in NBA 2K25. Command every court with authenticity and realism Powered by ProPLAY, giving you ultimate control over how you compete. Play anywhere, as you define your legacy in MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA and The W. Express your personality with an extensive array of customization options and explore an all-new City, where opportunity awaits behind every door.
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Alone in the Dark | PS5
Alone in the Dark is an atmospheric reimagining of 1992’s ground-breaking survival horror of the same name. In 1920s America, Emily Hartwood recruits private detective Edward Carnby to aid in the search for her missing uncle. Their hunt leads them to Derceto Manor, a home for the mentally fatigued in the gothic American South that hides a dark secret. Play as either Edward or Emily as they explore Derceto and discover horrors that defy explanation. You’ll have to brave the shadows, solve environmental puzzles and survive chilling encounters with murderous creatures if you’re ever going to make it through this nightmare.
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Bomb Rush Cyberfunk | PS4, PS5
Start your own cypher and dance, paint graffiti, collect beats, combo your tricks and face off with the cops to stake your claim to the sprawling metropolis of New Amsterdam. In this action-adventure platformer, Red is a graffiti writer who lost his head and instead has a cyberhead. In search of his roots he joins the Bomb Rush Crew, Tryce and Bel, who are aiming to go All City. Together they slowly discover who it was that cut off his head and how deep Red’s human side is linked to the graffiti world.
All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on June 3 until June 30.
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Destiny 2: The Final Shape | PS4, PS5
The Final Shape looms – a nightmarish calcification of reality into the Witness’s twisted design. Embark on a perilous journey into the heart of the Traveler, rally the Vanguard, and end the War of Light and Darkness. This Destiny 2 expansion* includes the new story campaign, new Prismatic subclass, three new Supers, a new destination and new weapons and armor to collect.
*Requires the base game of Destiny 2, available on PlayStation Store, to play.
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Last chance to download May’s games
PlayStation Plus members have until June 2 to add Ark: Survival Ascended, Balatro and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun to their game library.
There’s a lot to get excited about in today’s deals, especially if you’re looking to upgrade your gaming setup or add some new collectibles to your stash. For starters, Amazon is running a killer sale on SteelSeries gear. It’s a perfect time to grab a new gaming headset like the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (23% off right now) or a sleek Apex 9 TKL keyboard for your battle station. There are also solid price drops on the Arctis Nova 5X and the Alias USB Mic, so it’s a great time to kit yourself out without breaking the bank.
Twilight Masquerade and Surging Sparks booster bundle restocks are live on Amazon this morning, although once again, they’re way above MSRP. A quick look at TCG Player sees Surging Sparks for $10 less and Twilight Masquerade at $15 below Amazon’s asking price. Yes, the market value on TCG Player is above MSRP, but this is the current market value for these products.
Slashing Legends Tin In Stock At Walmart
Featuring a new promo, Journey Together and Surging Sparks boosters alongside Obsidian Flames and Paradox Rift, this is arguably one of the best Pokémon TCG tins people can buy for retail value right now. Snap it up before the bots do!
Destined Rivals Single Cards Are Available Right Now
If you’d like to pay for sealed product in this climate to rip open boosters and find your chase card, go mad and have a blast. But if you’d like to save some money long term and guarantee that chase card, TCG Player has Destined Rivals single cards available in their presale before they set officially releases on Friday. Looking for the best market values on Destined Rivals sealed products? Here you go:
Pokémon TCG Stock Update
Long story short; things are looking bleak at retail for Pokémon TCG right now. Almost everything is way above MSRP and seems to becoming the new normal for big box retailers. I could write a whole article and why this is and what should be done to stop this practice, but here we are. If you have your heart set on opening booster packs, have at it, but you might want to check out the sections below to save money.
TCG Player Has The Same Products For Less
TCG Player and the Pokémon TCG secondary collectors market is significantly cheaper than big box retailers at the time of writing. This will likely be the case unless you can secure preorders on new sets such as Destined Rivals, Black Bolt and White Flare. Make no mistake products are still over MSRP, but If small businesses can undercut large retailers on TCG Player, there’s something fundamentally broken in the supplier-distributor-retail chain.
This Weeks Pokémon TCG Crashers and Climbers
The Single Pokémon TCG market on the other hand is going through a grand reset right now, which is down to a few factors. The crypto bro mentally to reselling products is dying down a little and more product is becoming available thanks to reprints. We’re not out of the woods yet by any means, but this weeks Crashers and Climbers show recent cards going down in price and cards from the X and Y era shooting up in value. We’re 100% moving in the right direction.
MTG Final Fantasy Bundle Walmart Preorder
This is the only preorder I can find from a big box retailer this morning, and it’s actually cheaper than the market value over on TCG Player right now. Imagine that? If you’re planning on picking up Final Fantasy at launch, this is a no-brainer.
MTG Final Fantasy TCG Player Preorders
MTG: Final Fantasy is set to be the biggest Magic: The Gathering set ever, which is a shock to absolutley no-one. Preorders are drying up at retail, but there’s plenty of choice available on TCG Player right now. I’ve found all the preorders listed so far (including prerelease boxes) alongside massive cases on booster displays. Don’t sleep on these preorders, MTG FF is going to fly off the shelves on release.
MTG Final Fantasy Single Cards
The single card market for MTG Final Fantasy is flying right now, so I’ve included over 40 of (in my opinion) the most popular Final Fantasy cards collectors and players will be chasing once packs start getting ripped. Don’t want to spend money on boosters and hope? Secure your chase cards for release day instead.
MTG Marvel’s Spider-Man Preorders
Whilst there’s only the Play Booster Box and Scene Bundle for MTG: Marvel’s Spider-Man live on Amazon right now, TCG Player has every sealed product that will hit the market on launch day. I’ve even found some pricing on cases of sealed product for those looking to rip open a tonne of boosters, so get on it before the market value on these products shoot up.
MTG Spider-Man Single Cards
Unfortunatley there’s no listings for Spider-Man single cards right now considering we’re a few months out from release, but I’ve managed to round up the listings for cards currently sitting on TCG Player waiting for presale allocations, so keep your eyes peeled.
DOOM The Dark Ages Limited Edition A3 Art Print
For fans of the DOOM franchise, the DOOM The Dark Ages – Limited Edition A3 Art Print from the IGN Store is an absolute must-have. This officially licensed piece features Slayer in the thick of the action and is limited to just 995 hand-numbered prints worldwide. Printed at one of the oldest commercial printers in the UK on high-quality art paper, this A3-sized print (11.69 x 16.53 inches) includes a certificate of authenticity to make it extra special.
SteelSeries Sale
Amazon has a solid sale going on right now for a bunch of SteelSeries gear, and if you’ve been waiting for a good excuse to upgrade your gaming setup, this is it. You can grab essentials like the SteelSeries New Apex 9 TKL, which is down to $109.99, or go all-in with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset, which is $269.99 right now (23% off). For Xbox and PC gamers, the Arctis Nova 5X is also a solid pick at $122.99. And if you’re looking to upgrade your audio setup, the SteelSeries Alias USB Mic for PC is a steal at $107.27. Whether you’re after a sleek new keyboard, a high-end headset, or a pro-level mic, these deals are worth a look before they’re gone.
Team 17 Chains of Command Bundle
If you’re looking to dive into some fresh indie titles, the Humble Team 17 Game Bundle is a solid pickup. For $20 or more, you’ll unlock eight games, including the intense 50v50 FPS Hell Let Loose, the gritty WW2 tactics of Classified: France ’44, the brutal, plague-fueled combat of Thymesia, and the cult-building chaos of Honey, I Joined a Cult. Other highlights include the haunting CONSCRIPT, pixel-perfect Narita Boy, chaotic WARCANA, and the party-perfect King of the Castle. Best part? Your purchase supports indie developers and The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), so you’re gaming for a cause.
Lossless Scaling
Lossless Scaling is a game changer for PC players who want to upscale games or generate extra frames without sacrificing quality. Available via Humble for just $6.99, this tool lets you scale windowed games to full screen using a range of algorithms like AMD FSR, NVIDIA Image Scaling (NIS), and Anime4K. The latest update even adds frame generation support for games that don’t natively offer it, including emulators. Whether you’re running older pixel-art titles or modern games with GPU limitations, Lossless Scaling offers a smarter, sharper way to game at higher resolutions.
UGREEN USB C to USB Adapter 4 Pack
If you’re tired of juggling different cables for your devices, the UGREEN USB C to USB Adapter 4 Pack is an affordable and practical solution. This pack includes four sturdy USB-C male to USB 3.2 female adapters, each capable of 10Gbps data transfer speeds—perfect for moving files quickly between your USB-A devices like flash drives, keyboards, or mice and your latest USB-C devices, including the MacBook Pro, iPhone 16, and Samsung Galaxy S24. The ultra-compact, thumb-sized design makes them easy to stash in your laptop bag or pocket, and the aluminum housing is built to withstand over 10,000 plug/unplug cycles.
Fallout Pip-Boy
Fallout Pip-Boy Die-Cast Replica is a stunning, 1:1 recreation of the iconic Pip-Boy 3000 Mk V as seen in the Fallout TV series. Available exclusively from the IGN Store for $199.99, this collector’s item is crafted with a die-cast metal front, injection-molded ABS body, and a memory foam cuff for comfort. It features a functioning TFT LCD screen that displays over 45 in-universe animations, an alarm clock function, and an FM radio for tuning into your favorite stations or Wasteland broadcasts. Whether you’re wearing it as the ultimate cosplay accessory or displaying it on its elegant, laser-etched aluminum stand, the Pip-Boy Die-Cast Replica is an essential piece for any Fallout fan.
Cable Zip Ties 400 Pack
For an all-in-one cable management solution, the HAVE ME TD Cable Zip Ties, 400 Pack offers unbeatable value. This set includes 400 self-locking black nylon zip ties in a variety of sizes: 4, 6, 8, and 12 inches. With a strong tensile strength of up to 40 lbs, these versatile ties are perfect for organizing cords in the home, office, garden, workshop, or garage. Whether you’re bundling wires, securing plants, or tidying up tools, the HAVE ME TD Cable Zip Ties are built for durability, flexibility, and easy handling even in high temperatures. At just $3.99, this assortment is a no-brainer addition to any DIYer’s toolkit.
INIU 45W Power Bank
If you’re looking for a reliable, high-capacity charger that won’t weigh you down, the INIU 45W Power Bank is a stellar choice. This compact 10,000mAh portable charger is 25% smaller and 15% lighter than comparable models, yet it delivers a full 45W of charging power—perfect for topping up your iPhone 16, Samsung S24 Ultra, and more. The built-in USB-C cable doubles as a lanyard, eliminating the need for extra wires in your bag, while the charger’s trickle-charging mode ensures safe, optimized power for smaller devices like earbuds.
Javascript, Scripting And Web Development Book Bundle
Humble is serving up a piping hot bundle for web devs and JavaScript enthusiasts, offering 19 coding resources in the JavaScript Tech Book Bundle for as little as $1. For just $18, you can unlock the full collection, including highlights like Clojure Brain Teasers, Test-Driven React, Second Edition, and Serverless Apps on Cloudflare. Diving into Ruby, Rails, Tailwind, or WebAssembly? There’s something here to level up your skills across the board. Every purchase supports Save the Children, so you can sharpen your coding chops and make a difference at the same time.
Peacock TV
Peacock TV is running a stellar promotion for new and returning subscribers: grab a full year of Peacock Premium (Ad-Supported) for just $24.99 when you redeem code SPRINGSAVINGS at checkout. That’s a hefty discount from the usual $79.99/year. Peacock Premium offers a massive library of hit shows, movies, originals, live sports, and NBC/Bravo content, alongside 50+ always-on channels.
Expedition 33 Merch
If you’ve been captivated by the hauntingly beautiful world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the IGN Store has an exclusive collection of officially licensed merch. The lineup includes a range of clothing like the Expedition Hoodie and Petals T-Shirt ($64.99 and $27.50, respectively), plus art prints of characters like Gustave, Maelle, and Sciel, starting at $30. For everyday essentials, there are mugs, tote bags, tumblers, and mouse pads, all featuring designs straight from the game.. Whether you’re looking to wear your fandom or add some atmosphere to your space, the full Expedition 33 merch collection has you covered. Browse the entire lineup now at the IGN Store.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
“Greebling” is George Lucas’s term for the decoration of spacecraft models with showy, superfluous details – clumps of antennae, bulky rivets, bulging pipes, anything that whiffs of function. Speaking as the human grown from the ashes of a child who once built the Death Star out of LEGO, I do enjoy a good greeble now and then, but it very easily becomes a parody of itself – like turning a machine inside out, but none of the exposed parts are meaningfully connected. Liliana, founder of Eridanus Industries and lead developer of space tactics sim Nebulous: Fleet Command, has more practical objections to greebling, based on her eight years in the US Navy: excess surface details are an absolute dust trap for radar waves.
Looks like Death Stranding isn’t only heading to live-action, but anime as well. In a new article ahead of June’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, director Hideo Kojima has seemingly confirmed an anime adaptation of Death Stranding is on the way.
Speaking to Vogue Japan (via VGC), Kojima mentioned his current collaboration with A24 on the live-action Death Stranding film adaptation, but closed off with a little extra note about an anime in the works. Here’s the quote, via machine translation:
“I am also currently working with A24 on a live-action film adaptation of ‘DEATH STRANDING”. When it comes to film adaptations of games, there have been recent films like ‘The Last of Us’ that keep the plot of the original intact, and films like ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ that are more like a service to game fans. Each of these works has its own merits, but as a film lover, I want to pursue expression as a film. I am aiming to make ‘DEATH STRANDING’ in a way that can only be done as a film, and that will win awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival. In fact, we are also currently working on an anime adaptation.”
While no production studio was confirmed, it does certainly sound like Death Stranding has another adaptation on the way, in anime form.
In 2023, A24 officially confirmed it was collaborating with Kojima Productions and its director on a live-action Death Stranding movie. At the time, Kojima said the adaptation was not just a “direct translation” of the game. “The intention is that our audience will not only be fans of the games, but our film will be for anyone who loves cinema,” said Kojima. “We are creating a Death Stranding universe that has never been seen before, achievable only through the medium of film, it will be born.”
With another adaptation on the way, I’m admittedly curious to see what could be done with Death Stranding in the anime space. Depending on which studio picks it up, we could get some different and interesting versions of the Death Stranding universe. It’s pretty fun to imagine a Studio Trigger-made Death Stranding, for example.
Meanwhile, in the video game world, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is due out on June 26, 2025 for the PlayStation 5. If you’re curious about how the next entry in Death Stranding is coming together, check out our hands-on impressions of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach after a whopping 30 hours with the game.
Elden Ring had a starting class named the Wretch that gets a club and some ratty underwear filled with dreams and nothing else, and there’s something special about the first few hours in Limgrave playing them, scavenging your first pieces of mismatched armour and build-defining treasures. The first time you hit a site of grace, that initial stat boost feels like a deific power surge. Insomuch as Elden Ring’s most memorable stories run tangential and emergent to its static lore, this early fraught scramble is the player’s self-woven tale at its most captivating. Soon enough, though, the feeling is gone. You’re as powerful as god, desiring nothing but more bulbous Albinauric skulls to toss on the pile.
Elden Ring: Nightreign feels unique among FromSoft’s modern catalogue for its flippant attitude toward a convincing sense of place, and so regrettably sacrifices much of its studio’s identity as committed worldbuilders, even while amplifying some of their more peculiar and interesting beats. It’s tempting, then, to ask why it exists in the first place. On a generous day, I’d say that Nightreign exists to recreate – over and over – that same, wretchedly gratifying early-game feeling. Where every scrap of progress feels like a milestone, dull smithing stones shimmer like silver, and each incremental bonk stat increase is a hero’s journey in miniature.
