Author: Game Infliction

Blizzard Reveals Five-Point Plan to Overhaul Diablo 4’s Uniques, Resistances, and More for Season 2

With Diablo IV Season 2 just around the corner, Blizzard’s developers have once again gotten together for a campfire chat to detail some of the major planned changes coming to Season of Blood. They are part of what Blizzard is calling its “five-point strategy” to “focus on addressing player feedback and making systemic improvements.” You can find the full patch notes here.

Designers Adam Jackson and Charles Dunn joined community lead Adam Fletcher to discuss the changes coming to Patch 1.2.0, including updates to the elemental resistances, damage buckets, and elemental resistances. Blizzard also says it will also seek to address feedback around unique items, which have been controversial since Diablo IV released earlier this year.

In particular, Blizzard hopes to make unique items “more exciting and impactful” with completely new stats, updated unique effects, and other improvements. The changes are intended to address what Blizzard considers to be an issue with the items generally not being exciting enough, which is at odds with their extreme rarity.

“Can’t wait to see this whole new crop of uniques. Some classes really needed it,” one user responded on Reddit.

Resistance and damage mechanics are also getting reworked

In addition to uniques, Blizzard is planning major updates to elemental resistances, which the developers will “become a much more important part of a character’s survivability.” The current system uses an “inverse multiplicative” model that will allow players to stack resistances infinitiely but with diminishing returns, meaning you can never get 100 percent resistance to any one element.

The new model will be additive, Blizzard says, but with a base cap of 70 percent. Additionally, armor will now only resist physical damage.

“By utilizing methods such as itemization, the Skill Tree, Elixirs, and the Paragon Board, the more resistance you have against a particular element and the more valuable each percentage is for total effective life,” Blizzard explained in a follow-up release. “For example, going from 60-65 percent Fire Resistance is much more valuable than going from 20-25 percent.”

Fans seem pretty happy with the change, with several comparing it to a similar system in Diablo II.

“I am EXTREMELY happy that they’re making the resistances additive with a cap,” one player wrote. “That was one of the more enjoyable aspects of D2, trying to solve the resistance puzzle with your gear. Looking forward to this!”

Aside from resistances, Blizzard hopes to better balance classes so certain playstyles don’t dramatically outperform others, including capping bonuses for vulnerable, critical, and overpower damage. Other planned updated include a “slew” of class improvements, including increasing the damage of the Barbarian’s Blood Rage skill and increasing the ramp-up speed to the Sorcerer’s Incinerate skill. Blizzard also says it will make it easier to respec characters while offering training dummies to test out damage.

Blizzard has sought to placate Diablo IV’s community since the release of Season 1, which featured heavy class imbalances and other issues. The release sparked a major backlash that sent Blizzard scrambling to address the community’s feedback as quickly as possible. This time around, fans seem a bit happier with the changes.

“Overall, I think this patch is a huge step in the right direction based on player feedback. They get a lot of flack because of how the game launch, but I got my time out of it. I figured the development process had a lot of issues/staff changeup, crunch time, Activison “WE NEED TO MAKE MORE MONEY!!” design and marketing and I have been sticking it out with the team knowing they are listening and knowing it is going to take time to make the game better,” one user wrote. “This patch is a bigger stride in the right direction than I was expecting, so I am very excited to come back on the 17th. I’ve had my fun with D3 Season 29 for the past couple weeks. I’m glad I get time to farm these uniques and stuff.”

Diablo 4 Season 2 is currently slated to release on October 17. Season of Blood will pit players against a vampire lord as part of a new questline, and will also feature a new vampire hunter companion among other changes.

We wrote in our original review, “Diablo IV takes the strategy of refining things the series already did so well rather than giving it a more substantial overhaul, and that careful and reverent path has shaped this massive sequel into one of the most polished ARPGs ever created, which makes slicing through the legions of the damned a hell of a good time.”

You can find our complete guide to Diablo IV right here.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

This 34-inch LG ultrawide gaming monitor is just $200 after a wild $250 discount

LG makes a ton of monitors, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that I wasn’t familiar with their 34WP60C-B ultrawide model. This unassuming choice normally retails for $450, but does offer a higher-than-average 160Hz refresh rate to go along with a 34-inch VA panel and 3440×1440 resolution.

Today though, this monitor crashes into new relevance as it’s been discounted to just $200 at LG’s US store, an incredible price that makes it almost an impulse buy pickup for anyone that wants to try out the majesty of an ultrawide monitor.

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Sony Confirms PS5 Slim Will Still Support Expandable Storage

In a reassuring nod to gamers’ storage needs, Sony has officially confirmed that its PS5 Slim console will maintain its expandable storage capabilities, ensuring players will still have the option to add extra storage to their console if they desire.

A PlayStation spokesperson told IGN via email that the PS5 Slim that “there are no changes with the new model,” meaning the process of removing the back cover panel of the console and manually installing an additional SSD.

Either way, the PS5 Slim will include more memory than the launch version, sporting 1TB of internal SSD storage instead of the 825GB found on the launch model (which only 667GB was useable). Nevertheless, the PS5 Slim’s continued support of expandable storage figures to be a big plus for those looking to buy the redesign.

With many blockbuster games launching on Sony’s ninth-generation home console featuring hefty file sizes, the option to throw in an M.2 SSD to expand the storage on the system is a nice feature, especially when you consider that last month a software update rolled out, allowing support for up to 8TB of additional SSD storage.

As with the launch model, you can’t just throw any M.2 SSD inside the PS5. Sony has previously said that the M.2 SSD needs to be PCIe Gen4, and while it said the read speeds need to be at minimum 5,500MB/s, several users have tested out that a slower read speed M.2 SSDs will work inside the console.

Sony will release the PS5 Slim sometime next month. For more, check out our piece on how the PS5 Slim compares side-by-side with the launch model and the Xbox Series consoles. If you plan to buy a PS5 anytime soon (Slim or not), check out the best PS5 SSD deals.

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

See How the PS5 Slim Compares Side-by-Side With the Launch Version and Xbox

Sony has officially announced that slimmer versions of the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition will be arriving just in time for the holidays, and we’re here to see not only how they compare to the launch PS5s, but also to the Xbox Series X/S.

Using the disc drive and controller as a reference, IGN’s Armando Torres mocked up a rough size comparison between the two consoles, which you can see above.

Sony says the “new PS5 has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to previous models.” The original PS5 was 390 mm x 260 mm x 104 mm (15.4 in x 10.2 in x 4.1 in), and the new model will be approximately 358 mm x 96 mm x 216 mm (14.0 in x 3.7 in x 8.5 in).

Meanwhile, the PS5 Digital Edition launch model is 390 mm x 260 mm x 92 mm (15.3 in x 10.2 in x 3.6 in), while the new PS5 Digital Edition will be 358 mm x 80 mm x 216 mm (14.0 in x 3.1 in x 8.5 in).

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are obviously very different from the old and new PS5s, but we thought we’d compare them so you can see how they’ll all stack up in your home. The Xbox Series X is 152.4 mm x 304.8 mm x 152.4 (6.0 in x 12.0 in x 6.0 in) and the Xbox Series S is 279 mm x 149.8 mm x 66.0 mm (11.0 in x 5.9 in x 2.6 in).

For an accurate idea of how all the consoles compare, we used the site CompareSizes to generate a rough picture of all them all together.

While the new PS5s aren’t any more powerful than the launch models, there are some key differences. First of all, both models now have 1TB of storage, which is up from the 825GB offered in the launch models. Furthermore, Sony is offering the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive to the PS5 Digital Edition at any time for $79.99. The new models also have four separate cover panels, with the top two sporting a glossy look and the bottom remaining matte.

It’s also important to note that the new PS5 Digital Edition has gone up in price by $50 when compared to the launch model. So, the new PS5 model with the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive already installed will be the same price as the original at $499.99 and the new PS5 Digital Edition will now be $449.99 instead $399.99.

Additionally, Sony will be selling a new vertical stand that will be available for $29.99, but it will be including a horizontal stand with both models.

For more from the world of PlayStation, be sure to check out the internet’s reaction to the PS5 redesign and Digital Edition price increase and and the best PS5 deals for October Prime Day.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Poll: Which LEGO Animal Crossing Sets Will You Be Splashing Your Bells On?

A modest sum, hm?

After the initial tease last week, it thankfully hasn’t taken Lego and Nintendo too long to lift the lid on its latest collaborative line-up, revealing five sets based on the Animal Crossing franchise launching in March 2024.

With prices ranging from $14.99 all the way up to $74.99, the first batch in what we assume will be an extensive product line represents some of the franchise’s most beloved characters, including Tom Nook, Isabelle, and Kapp’n.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Starfield’s greatest mystery is a boardgame nobody knows how to play

One thing that keeps luring me back to Starfield – other than the idea of building space stations out of onions – is a mysterious game within the game. Titled “Symbol Game”, it consists of chunky, etched, sloping pieces and a 4×6 grid mat adorned with stars, dots and lines. You may have pocketed a few sets, during your journeys across the Settled Systems. They’re not hard to find. But as far as I can tell, nobody has discovered the rules, though there are plenty of theories.

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Find Humanity in War with Long Gone Days

A Quick Intro to Long Gone Days

Long Gone Days is a JRPG set in a near-future, war-torn version of our world. Through a mixture of traditional exploration, expressive storytelling, and innovative turn-based combat, this game explores human connection during war with a focus on civilians, language barriers, and borders.

You play as Rourke, a young man who has trained all his life to be a sniper for The Core—a secretive and militaristic nation with a charismatic leader. Rourke believes strongly in the ideals of his nation, but on his first mission he stumbles into a vast conspiracy that strains his conscience and drives him to desert.

As an idealistic fugitive, Rourke will go on an odyssey to escape The Core’s clutches and avert the catastrophe they’ve set in motion. This journey will take Rourke across Europe, and in each new country he encounters a language barrier (including German, Polish, and more) that must be deciphered to progress.

LGD screenshot

Expand Your Skills by Forging Bonds with a Party of Comrades

Luckily, Rourke has help. Along his way, Rourke will forge bonds with a diverse party of colorful and well-rounded characters. Each party member contributes potential story arcs, valuable skills in and out of combat, and, crucially, fluency in new languages that allow Rourke to communicate with locals and achieve his goals. These characters form the heart and soul of Long Gone Days, and they serve as bridges between the player and the distinct communities found in each of the game’s three major cities.

These party members include Adair, a cool and collected fellow soldier who has trained as a medic, and in so doing seems to have made peace with the cost of war. By contrast, players will also meet Lynn and Ivan – civilians who find themselves under attack by the Core. Lynn is quiet but won’t hesitate to fight tooth and nail for those she loves. Meanwhile, Ivan is a pacifist who will not hold a gun but contributes everything he can to support the party—including foreign language skills and some fantastic cooking. Atiye and Pascal are two fan-favorite characters from later chapters in the game, and while we don’t want to spoil too much of their stories, suffice to say each brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and language capabilities to the table.

LGD characters

Overcoming Language Barriers is Key to Progression

As characters join your party and contribute their linguistic skills, a world of possibility opens. When you first arrive in a new city and can’t understand the language, you’ll find yourself feeling a bit alienated and without much freedom—much like in real life. But once you unlock the ability to understand the locals, you can make your way through each town, access shops, and progress storylines. Beyond the main plot, being able to communicate lets you engage with the numerous side-quests in each chapter.

Through both the main and side quests, the ability to speak the local language lets Adair and the party quickly become enmeshed in the lives of others. The game’s quests focus on the small stories of specific characters, but each also feeds into the larger plot. For example, you might evade curfew to bring medicine to a home-bound grandmother, help a local animal shelter search for stray animals before a city is evacuated, or help defang propaganda by covering it in hand-made art. With language as the key, these quests all unlock heartfelt emotional moments rooted in the people and the culture on display in each chapter.

LGD screenshot

Languages, Borders, and Human Empathy

Language and communication are powerful concepts, and they are at the heart of what Long Gone Days is trying to say. On the one hand, language can feel like an insurmountable, alienating barrier. Yet, the moment one understands another, they can freely access a new world of humanity—they can once again find common ground. In this way, through its unique language mechanics, Long Gone Days consistently highlights the beauty and importance of people, no matter their circumstances or nationality.

 Long Gone Days is out today, October 10th, on Xbox! We hope you’ll join Rourke on his journey to fight for a future he can believe in. For more updates on the game, follow @SerenityForge on Twitter!


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Long Gone Days is an RPG set in the real world about human connection during war, focusing on civilians, language barriers, and borders.

Follow Rourke, young man trained from birth to be a sniper for The Core— a subterranean paramilitary state.

On his first mission, he is sent to the surface under orders of great significance. Motivated to finally be able to show the fruits of his training, he carries out his first orders to perfection only to find out that The Core was far from being the noble organization he thought he knew.

The post Find Humanity in War with Long Gone Days appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The Internet Weighs in on the PS5 Redesign, and Plenty Think It Looks No Different Than Before

Nearly three years after releasing its next generation of PlayStation home console hardware, Sony announced today that it is phasing out the original design and launching a redesigned PS5 console next month.

Model redesign aside, the new console (also known as the PS5 Slim) reduces the weight of Sony’s ninth-generation console by 18-24%, depending on which model you get. The redesigned PS5 includes more storage, 1TB instead of 825GB, and an increased price for the Digital Edition.

With the announcement of new gaming hardware, users on X (formerly known as Twitter) have turned to the platform to share their thoughts. Some are excited (especially if they did not already buy a PS5), while others are not mincing words on how they feel about the reveal, including poking fun at the fact that the design of the remodel looks a lot similar to its predecessor.

One person noted that the design makes it look like the new PS5 should get checked out by a doctor.

Others were quick to call out the horizontal stand that was also revealed today, which is sold separately. There were doubts about how exactly the lil guy would work, as well as some jokes about the disproportional look.

I, too, am interested to know if the new stand can prevent the console from tipping.

Others were quick to bemoan the PS5 Digital Edition seeing an increase from $399.99 to $449.99. Some are perplexed at the decision and argue that the increased internal storage does not warrant a $50 price hike.

But my personal favorite reaction is from Blessing Adeoye Jr., who created a new “It Can’t Hurt You” meme.

The new PS5 redesign is out next November. Eventually, it will replace the 2020 model once all the current inventory is sold out.

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Dive into ultrawide OLED gaming with $300 off Dell’s superb Alienware AW3423DWF 34-inch QD-OLED

Alienware’s AW3423DWF is a fantastic gaming monitor – and the one that I was the most sad to return after my review. This 34-inch QD-OLED ultrawide debuted at $1100 last year, but it’s now available for $300 off at Dell’s US store in a nicely-timed Anti-Amazon deal. That brings it to $800 – still a lot of money for a monitor, but absolutely worth it for a monitor that has become well-loved for users and critics alike.

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Classic Fallout fans might enjoy Space Wreck, which launches out of early access today

If you’ve been gunning for a CRPG in the classic Baldur’s Gate or Fallout vein, and you don’t have many leisure hours to spare, you might get a kick out of Space Wreck. Created by Latvia-based Pahris Entertainment, it launches out of Early Access today with a brace of Very Positive reviews, tantalising perma-hungover Disco Elysium players like me with flirtatious mention of “an intentionally short”, very non-linear campaign in which combat is totally optional and there are “three to eight ways” to complete any quest. “It’s okay to fail,” you say? Every NPC can be killed, even those apparently central to the story? Be still my beating heart.

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