Ideal podcast game and source of all my lorry knowledge Euro Truck Simulator 2 is expanding its map to Ireland in the future, devs SCS Software have revealed. The DLC, dubbed Isle of Ireland, will include both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as fresh trucking locales.
It’s another entry in the list of add-ons in the works for Euro Truck Sim 2, which also includes a Nordic map expansion, coaches, and a number of reworks to existing areas. The latter includes a UK revamp announced just the other week, which should ensure that driving from Birmingham to Belfast shouldn’t resemble a voyage from 2013 to 5.
As we reported last week, the director reflected on criticism of the series’s pacing and lengthy instalments. Asked if he agreed with the feedback that “certain sections” in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth felt a little long, he disagreed, saying: “Regarding time management in certain sections, especially in FF7 Rebirth, I honestly don’t believe that they were longer than necessary. I feel like nowadays, players just have too much to do and too much to play; so they often feel the urge that something has to be concluded quickly.”
In a new interview with VGC, Hamaguchi expanded further on this, saying: “Just to explain, the original question I was asked there was, they said that there are some people who played Rebirth, the second game in the series, and they felt that because we’ve added in new story content, which wasn’t in the original Final Fantasy 7, to them it felt like the story was being stretched out,” he explained. “So they asked whether we were considering doing anything related to that in the third game.
“I feel that the pacing, the content, and the balance in Rebirth is exactly as I wanted it. I personally don’t feel it’s been stretched out; it doesn’t feel unnecessarily long. To me, I think I got that right, and I think a lot of people would agree with me.”
Hamaguchi explained that while he is looking at pacing and ensuring “that the story developments move forward in a fairly speedy manner and with the right pace essentially, rather than feeling slow and drawn out,” his comment may have been “misconstrued.”
“I think that may have been misconstrued by people; they may have said, ‘Okay, that means they’re going to cut down on the volume and they’re going to remove story content, it’s going to be a shorter game, they’re going to cut it down’, and that’s not what I’m saying at all,” he added.
“It’s about making sure the pacing feels right, it’s not about cutting out content, it’s making sure that it feels right, the speed that the story progresses at feels right, and it is fairly quick and feels like you can get through it at a reasonable pace. But it has to feel right, so that’s what I mainly intended to say there.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
In further evidence that the Vampire game series is as cursed as its toothy goreguzzlers, the developers of troubled battle royale offshoot Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt have announced that it’s shutting down for good – mere days after Bloodlines 2, the long-delayed (yet apparently still okay-ish) mainline sequel finally released.
Microsoft’s announcement that Halo: Campaign Evolved is coming to PlayStation is the final nail in the coffin for the Xbox exclusive, and for some marks the end of the console wars. Now, the White House has waded in with an AI image of Donald Trump as a saluting Master Chief that, well… there’s something very wrong about it.
For the uninitiated, Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the campaign of 2001’s Halo: Combat Evolved, is due out on Xbox Series X and S, PC, and PlayStation 5 at some point in 2026. It is the first Halo game ever to launch on a PlayStation console, and cements Microsoft’s position as a multiplatform video game developer.
The idea of a Halo game on a PlayStation console would have been outrageous before, say, a few years ago, when Microsoft’s multiplatform push began (reportedly in part due to a need to make an increased profit margin from Xbox studios). Perhaps that’s what prompted U.S. video game shop GameStop to tweet a statement declaring the consoles wars over.
Someone somewhere within the bowels of the White House saw that tweet and decided it would be a good one to jump on. The tweet in question shows the U.S. president as Halo protagonist Master Chief — clearly generated by AI — holding an Energy Sword and saluting in front of the White House and the American Flag.
But look closely at that flag and you’ll see the mistake — there are 40 stars when there should be 50. Has Trump, as Master Chief, teased plans to scrub 10 states from the U.S. map? Did the AI powering the creation of this image hint at generative AI’s endgame? Should we be worried?
Is Trump claiming a key role in ending the console wars? Is the White House making a play for the gamer crowd here? It’s hard to say what this image is trying to achieve, but it has gone well and truly viral, with 9.3 million views at the time of this article’s publication. IGN has asked Microsoft for comment.
It’s an especially odd “collab” from the White House when you consider Trump’s prior comments on video games. In 2019, Trump suggested one way to prevent future mass shootings in America was to take a firm stance against violent video games.
“We must stop the glorification of violence in our society,” he said. “This includes the gruesome and grisly video games that are now commonplace. It is too easy today for troubled youth to surround themselves with a culture that celebrates violence. We must stop or substantially reduce this and it has to begin immediately.”
Perhaps, in Trump’s mind, Halo doesn’t count.
The Trump administration has form when it comes to using AI images to promote the President. In May, Trump sparked a backlash from some Catholics after posting an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope. The picture, which was shared by official White House social media accounts, was released as Catholics mourned the death of Pope Francis and prepared to choose the next pontiff.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Almost half of the 1,448,270 signatures amassed by the Stop Destroying Videogames EU citizens’ initiative have now been verified, according to the campaigners’ latest update. Meanwhile, the group are working to “secure expert backing” which doesn’t rely on “expensive consulting firms” for their effort to push EU lawmakers to look into the issue of publishers rendering online games unplayable when servers are switched off.
Nintendo has announced that the next seasonal Splatfest is right around the corner, with Splatoon 3‘s Splatoween event returning next month.
Running from 25th-26th October (depending on your region), this event will see the return of the monster-based teams, with us all once again having to decide between Team Zombie, Skeleton, and Ghost in the battle of “Which would be the best friend?”
Screenshots for Bluepoint’s cancelled live service God Of War game appear to have slipped through the titan fingers of publishers Sony. Assuming they aren’t a dream woven by Morpheus (via his earthly emissaries at MP1st), they reveal a few work-in-progress environments from the abandoned project, which Sony reportedly cancelled earlier this year alongside a new game from Days Gone devs Sony Bend.
Microsoft has finally unveiled Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the campaign portion of Bungie’s beloved Halo: Combat Evolved. Halo fans have spent most of the weekend debating the changes Halo Studios has made for this upcoming 2026 shooter, from the addition of sprint to the more pristine art style. But what do the developers of Halo: Combat Evolved itself make of the remake?
Jaime Griesemer is one of the key developers behind Halo. He was most involved with designing Halo’s famous ‘30 seconds of fun’ gameplay loop and designed much of the campaign itself. Now creative director at Highwire Games (Six Days in Fallujah), Griesemer took to X / Twitter to deliver an early verdict on gameplay footage coming out of Microsoft’s Halo: Campaign Evolved reveal.
He did not sound impressed.
“You aren’t supposed to be able to take the Warthog up to steamroll the Hunters,” Griesemer said. “I intentionally placed rocks in the way so you had to fight them on foot. When you can just smash the crates out of the way it wrecks the encounters.
“But the worst part? They put trees in the landing area of the WooHoo Jump. Lame.”
Let’s unpack this a bit. Griesemer is criticizing a key part of the iconic campaign mission, The Silent Cartographer: the first encounter with two Hunters. In the original Halo, this fight is meant to be played with Master Chief on-foot (players soon discovered it was possible to brute force a Warthog into the arena). But in Microsoft’s remake, players can freely take their Warthog up to the Hunters and ride roughshod over their hapless victims. I imagine the Hunters, with their dying breaths, gurgling: “no fair!”
(Oh, and that WooHoo Jump? Griesemer explained: “There’s a ramp that is supposed to have a bunch of jackals at the landing spot. Your gunner would always say ‘Woohoo!’ When you got airborne.”)
It’s fair to say Griesemer’s tweet, viewed 2.3 million times, has sparked a reaction online, with some fans insisting the level layout change ruins the gameplay flow, others saying this change and others like it will make the game more fun. As for Griesemer, in a subsequent tweet, he explained that if Microsoft is going to change Halo’s crates to be dynamic, then they should have also redesigned the encounters that use them as permanent cover.”
He continued: “Most people forced the Warthog through BECAUSE of the Hunters. The introduction of the Hunters was supposed to be intimidating and difficult, but in the light so you can understand them. Then you meet them in an enclosed dark area and they are even harder. But then you get Rockets and Vehicles and turn the tables. It’s a three act play of enemy design and you want to throw it in a blender. Fine, it’ll go down easier but it’s not going to taste as good.”
And: “It’s like the dance remix of a classic song that skips the intro and the bridge and just thumps the chorus over and over.”
Griesemer later offered a potential explanation for this change: “On further analysis I’m sure it’s because the vehicles take damage and so you’re just as likely to destroy the hog as get it over the rocks. If anything that makes it -worse- because -none- of the vehicle tricks are going to work anymore.”
“Make it an option” is the biggest red flag for a dysfunctional design. We have no vision for what this is supposed to be, here’s the tools to fix it yourself.
Another aspect of Halo: Campaign Evolved that Griesemer has taken issue with is the addition of an optional infinite sprint button. Sprint seems to be the biggest talking point about Halo: Campaign Evolved; while you can choose not to sprint, some are saying using it destroys Halo: Combat Evolved’s classic, considered gameplay pace and thus its sense of wonder. Others say believe it’s essential for the fun factor.
Griesemer doesn’t sound like a fan of sprinting in the Halo remake, either. In another tweet, he pointed out that the player was able to sprint into The Silent Cartographer’s shaft vignette so fast that it broke the music transition. “Who is this for?” he asked.
Then: “If the world isn’t scaled to sprint, you will be able to trivially skip encounters.”
Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Needler, too, has caused quite the kerfuffle. This iconic Halo weapon shoots deadly needles into an enemy, then, after a cool-sounding charge, they explode. The Needler stands out because the ammo — the needles themselves — stick out the top of the gun, so you can easily see how much ammo you have at any given moment. Still, Microsoft saw fit to add an ammo counter on the Needler, just in case.
This change has drawn some ridicule online, and Griesemer is clearly not a fan. “By far the most comically unnecessary embellishment in the whole announcement,” he said. “I’m not sure it isn’t intentional satire.”
Then: “But why would you add an ammo counter to a weapon that IS an ammo counter in the first place?”
By far the most comically unnecessary embellishment in the whole announcement. I’m not sure it isn’t intentional satire.
In response to Griesemer’s original, now viral tweet on Halo: Campaign Evolved, one user accused the veteran designer of “crying” about nostalgia, to which he responded: “Because I made it right and they are breaking it for no reason.”
He continued: “… I think there are dozens of changes (reload speeds, no health packs, falling damage, etc) that make the game ‘slicker’ but ultimately less interesting.”
After Bungie left Halo behind to develop Destiny, Microsoft, via what was known as 343 Industries, continued the franchise with Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and 2021’s Halo: Infinite. The internet would suggest that with these games, Microsoft has struggled to recreate the Bungie “magic,” for want of a better term. Certainly Bungie’s Halo games are more fondly remembered than Microsoft’s. But why has Microsoft struggled so?
Griesemer was asked this question, and in his response revealed his thoughts on the idea of remaking Halo and continuing to make new Halo games now, nearly 25 years after Combat Evolved came out.
“It’s not the early 2000s anymore,” he said. “Halo is of its time, maybe more than any other game franchise. So they are constantly trying to either take Halo out of 2001 and modernize it (which breaks it) or take players back to 2001 with nostalgia (which is impossible).”
“Keep getting them checks.” Remakes and remasters are soul-destroying and I feel for any dev working on one. They can’t win and even if they do they won’t get credit. Bad situation unless you are getting paid $$$.
Probably not. But I’m not sure what the point is of a “remake” anyway. Nostalgia? A new generation of fans? Occupying an enormous art team while you figure out what to do?
One member of the original Halo team who sounds thrilled with Halo: Campaign Evolved is Marcus Lehto, who was the art director on Combat Evolved and thus heavily involved in the iconic look of Halo itself. Lehto, who recently left the now shuttered Battlefield 6 developer Ridgeline Games (and hit out at EA for not properly credited former staff), offered a positive assessment of Halo Studios’ work.
“My honest impression of seeing the new Halo Campaign Evolved is this,” he said on X / Twitter. “I absolutely love where this is going. The game looks and feels genuine. It’s gorgeous in a way I wish we could have built it originally back in 2001. It warms my heart to see Halo CE like this.”
Halo: Campaign Evolved isn’t out until 2026 (and probably near to the game’s 25th anniversary in November), so Halo Studios has time to react to some of the feedback it’s seen and make changes — if that’s what it wants to do, of course. It may stick to its guns on the likes of sprint, those rocks, and the Needler’s ammo counter. Meanwhile, the Halo community continues to debate the changes, fussing over every detail and what it means for the tone, feel, and gameplay of Bungie’s seminal shooter. I suspect this will be a running theme well into 2026.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
We’re officially in the spooky season, and apart from an eShop sale, it appears Nintendo will also be offering some Halloween icons.
These icons will be made available between 28th October and 4th November, and you’ll need to have a Switch Online membership to redeem them. As you can see, there’s Mario dressed up as a pumpkin, and the rest of the Super Mario cast is joining him with their own themed outfits.
We’ve rounded up the best deals for Saturday, October 25, below, so don’t miss out on these limited-time offers.
Save $10 Off Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater was one of 2025’s most anticipated games for many, as it marks a major return to the MGS franchise for Konami. This weekend, you can save $10 off the release for either PS5 or Xbox Series X. In our 8/10 review, we wrote, “Between its old-school stealth-action gameplay and engaging spy-thriller story, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater largely succeeds as a faithful, visually impressive remake of the 2004 classic.”
NBA 2K26 for $49.94
NBA 2K26 is on sale this weekend for $49.94, just in time for the start of the NBA season. Play kicked off this week with the OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets, and if you haven’t yet picked up 2K26, this deal can make every day game day. In our 8/10 review, we wrote, “Ball Over Everything” is a fitting description for NBA 2K26. The smooth on-court action is better than ever and MyCareer’s excellent started-from-the-bottom journey to the pros story make it so the imperfections are easier to ignore.”
Save on Xbox Ally X
Best Buy has open box models of the ROG Xbox Ally X already on sale, allowing you to save on this brand new device. The Xbox Ally X is an excellent choice if you’re looking to take your Xbox experience with you wherever you go, as you can instantly access your library and Xbox Game Pass with the press of a button.
Alan Wake 2 for $39.88
Alan Wake 2 is one of the best games of the last decade for many reasons, and the Deluxe Edition is the perfect way to dive in. This package includes the base game, the two DLC expansions, and deluxe cosmetics. If you’re keen on adding this beloved game to your collection, this weekend is a great time to do so.
Madden NFL 26 for $49.94
PlayStation 5 copies of Madden NFL 26 are available for $49.94 this weekend at Amazon. This latest entry brings new updates that make a noticeable difference, particularly when compared to entries of the last few years. In our 8/10 review, we wrote, “There’s always room for improvement, but it’s hard to overstate what a leap Madden NFL 26 feels like both on and off the field.”
Apple AirTag 4-Pack for $64.99
Apple AirTags are some of the best products out there for numerous reasons. While they aren’t necessarily exciting, AirTags can make your life so much easier. Throw one in your luggage, backpack, or even Nintendo Switch 2 case for easy tracking.
Logitech G502 Gaming Mouse for $37.99
The Logitech G502 Gaming Mouse has been around for a long while, but it’s still one my favorite gaming mice on the market. Some of its best features include a Hero 25K sensor, an adjustable weight system, mechanical switch button tensioning, and a total of 11 customizable buttons. This is an amazing mouse for competitive games, single player games, and even just daily web browsing.
Save $30 Off Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
This weekend, you can score Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 for $39.99. You can play solo or with two friends in three player co-op. In our 8/10 review, we wrote, “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 may not break the third-person shooter mold, but it looks amazing, makes good use of its Warhammer lore, and has brutal combat that just feels great.”
Save 50% Off the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Power Station
There is nothing worse than losing power due to a storm or outage at a critical moment. A full backup generator can be very expensive to install, but Anker has a portable solution on sale this weekend for $397.99. The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Power Station has a 2,000W power output, which is perfect to set up as a UPS. With 100% battery available in under one hour of charging, this can be a game-changing device to your home.
Logitech G515 Lightspeed Gaming Keyboard for $109.99
This weekend, you can score the Logitech G515 Lightspeed Gaming Keyboard for $109.99 – that’s 31% off the MSRP! This TKL keyboard is quite slim, making it fit into any setup with ease. The Red Linear switches with double-shot PBT caps offer durability and performance, with a 1.3mm actuation distance.
