Ubisoft Montpellier’s Beyond Good And Evil 2 has been delayed so much that it has transcended the label of “vapourware”, while staunchly refusing to become “abandonware”. Announced in 2008, it has now comfortably outstripped Duke Nukem Forever as the “triple-A” game with the longest development time. I’m sure there are a few indie passion projects that have been bubbling away in the shadows for longer, but nothing on this scale. What’s less tangible than vapour? Ectoplasm? The promises of small children?
Ubisoft has released Star Wars Outlaws Title Update 1.3.0, which makes a number of significant changes to the game.
The patch, available across all platforms, focuses on improving Outlaws’ much-maligned stealth “to give players more flexibility in how they approach situations,” Ubisoft said. It also tunes enemy AI (another aspect of the game that came under fire) and speeder travel. The patch notes, courtesy of Ubisoft’s website, are below.
Ubisoft added that it’s aware of an ongoing issue affecting PC players after the 24H2 Windows Update, and is working to fix it. Elsewhere, Ubisoft has created a dedicated Bug Reporter tool where players can report issues and track their status, in a bid to “improve transparency and communication.”
Star Wars Outlaws has struggled since its launch in August, with Ubisoft admitting sales failed to meet expectations. Developer Ubisoft Massive has said it’s committed to improving the game, however, with more patches planned in the run up to the crucial Christmas sales period. Update 4 will arrive on November 21, featuring further combat and stealth improvements as well as free additional contracts. The upcoming story DLC, Wild Card, will “see Kay and Nix infiltrate a high-stakes Sabacc tournament where they will face off against the legendary Lando Calrissian.”
It comes amid a shakeup at Ubisoft following the collapse of the company’s share price and Outlaws’ aforementioned poor sales. Ubisoft has returned to Steam (Outlaws hits Valve’s platform on November 21) after years of Epic Games Store exclusivity on PC, delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows into next year, and is reportedly considering partnering with Tencent to take the company private.
Star Wars Outlaws Title Update 1.3.0 patch notes:
PATCH DETAILS (version 7199763.TU3):
PlayStation 5: 3.48 GB (version 01.003.000)
Xbox Series X|S: 5.07 GB (version 1.0.3.0)
PC: 4.88 GB (version 1.0.3.0)
NOTABLE CHANGES:
Implemented stealth changes to ‘False Flag’ and other missions to give players more flexibility in how they approach situations without the risk of failing
Improved speeder travel by reducing collisions with objects in the environment
Improved NPC combat behavior
Increased auto-save opportunities in open world hostile areas (Imperial Compounds and Faction Territories)
Scaled ‘Wanted’ difficulty based on player progression
Improved AI speeder avoidance
FULL PATCH NOTES:
Performance & Stability
Fixed an issue where the game would crash when ‘New Game’ was selected
Improved overall stability and FPS drops
Fixed an issue where the game could crash when using the Electrobinoculars on PS5
Improved stability with GeForce Now
General Gameplay
Increased and improved quest checkpoints
Improved manual and autosave features including allowing more opportunities to save in the open world, compounds, and syndicate territories
Removed autosave restrictions for combat/detection
Improved NPC and player animations
‘Wanted’ difficulty now scales based on player progression
Fixed an issue where Death Troopers would not spawn from search parties
Improved enemy AI and combat behavior
Fixed an issue where the Stun Shot would miss if shooting from cover when unholstered
Fixed an issue where the Boonta Brawler Belt did not increase grenade blast radius
Fixed an issue where grappling hook haptics were not present on PS5
Improved camera detection for defeated enemies
UI, HUD and Settings
Improved UI when detected
Updated the keybind for Hyperspace jump
Added segments to the VRAM meter
Equipment screen now has an option to mark all items as viewed
Fixed an issue where the map cursor could disappear when using a controller on PC
Audio
Made NPC voice lines more consistent with player detection
Fixed an issue where there was no music on Renpali station
Fixed an issue where multiple sound effects would disappear after completing the game
Fixed an issue with blurred images during cinematics and dialogue scenes
Camera
Improved the camera when interacting with vendors
Improved camera re-center speed on the speeder
Worlds, Fauna and Flora
Increased spawn rates for speeder races
Made the Varaki predator on Toshara more formidable
Sabacc:
Fixed an issue where music and ambiance were missing
Photo Mode:
Enabled splitting camera inversion from gameplay camera
Added option to disable UI sounds in photo mode
Camera speed applies to both panning and movement
Enable switching between 16:9 and 21:9 modes
Implemented a color picker UI
Added a black, white and neon cyan Star Wars Outlaws logo
Fixed an issue where some UI elements could be seen in photos
Accessibility:
Removed glitch effect while using Electrobinoculars
Removed directional arrow for Kay’s captions when in standard gameplay camera view
Added setting to show a visual reminder of the button used for Nix quick actions
New settings from updates 1.2 and 1.3 added to accessibility presets
Menu remapping section added, allowing some keyboard controls for navigating menus to be remapped
The keys for Hyperspace menu and Hyperspace jump are now remappable through the keybind menu
Added settings to invert X and Y axis of photo mode camera
Moved menu narration to top of the UI menu & top of the vision preset menu
Added setting to stop voice lines interrupting menu narration
Menu narration now reads negative brightness slider values, the heal button while low on health, new quest notification, reputation changes in contracts menu, quest tracker ‘more info’ prompt, cloud upload/download notifications, that starting a Sabacc game requires a hold, and whether abilities of partially equipped gearsets are locked
Fixed an issue where Nix sense was not affected by protanopia color preset
Fixed an issue where ND5 and Gedeek would not appear as allies in high contrast mode for some missions
Fixed an issue where some inputs would have a double action if remapped
Miscellaneous
Fixed an issue where NPC speeders could collide with each other
Fixed an issue with the intel location for Thorden’s itinerary
Fixed an issue where the Trailblazer’s auxiliary devices couldn’t be used during syndicate quests
__MAIN & SIDE QUESTS __(beware of spoilers)
Canto Bight
Beginnings
Fixed an issue where Nix could get stuck when stealing credits
Toshara
Underworld
Traversal opportunities are now better highlighted
False Flag
Adjusted the mission to enable flexibility in how players approach situations in addition to stealth
Removed some alarm panels from the mission
Adjusted the text when failing the mission
Adjusted NPC and enemy placement
‘I’m here’ Intel
Fixed an issue where a rock blocking the fan wouldn’t spawn if the player left the area and returned later
Kijimi
The Hive
Adjusted NPC and enemy placement
Fixed an issue where Jet Kordo’s vault would not be able to be opened
Tatooine
Jabba’s favor
Fixed an issue where Vail would not mount her speeder
Removed some alarm panels from the mission
Adjusted NPC and enemy placement
Akiva
Viper
Fixed an issue where the rebels could remain stuck after the Viper droid fight
The Scavenger
Fixed an issue where the speeder would not spawn after talking to Temmin
Money Drop
Fixed an issue where the objective would be missing
Revelator
Fixed an issue where players could not move or shoot the Trailblazer
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.
Update: Ubisoft confirms “exploration phase” of brand.
Update :
Ubisoft has confirmed to Kotaku that the Montpellier and Milan studios have begun an “exploration phase” of the Rayman brand following rumours of a remake project.
With the release of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Update 4.1, the community is rallying against “gatekeepers” who have called on developer Saber Interactive to retire a reward given only to those who complete all PvE missions on the hardest difficulty.
Update 4.0 added the Lethal difficulty to Space Marine 2’s PvE Operations mode, and with it exclusive rewards. One of these rewards, the Survivor’s Helm, is highly coveted by the community because all PvE missions must be completed on Lethal to unlock it.
Before today’s release of Update 4.1, Lethal difficulty was not only brutally hard, but unfairly so. It included the universally hated ‘Tight Formation’ system, which forced players to stick close together in an almost impossible fashion. Update 4.1 has stripped this mechanic out from Lethal mode entirely, with developer Saber admitting its mistake.
The rollback has caused some players who own the Survivor’s Helm to not only “act superior” online because they obtained it when Space Marine 2 was at its hardest, but to demand Saber now retire it or prevent it from displaying on characters who obtain it post 4.1. Some have even asked for yet another reward exclusive to those who completed a Lethal Operation on 4.0.
The Space Marine 2 community accused one player who said those who get the helmet post-4.1 “don’t deserve it” of “gatekeeping.” “As someone who already has the helmet, who cares if people know?” said redditor veqtro. “I know I got it before the patch and that’s all that matters. I’m proud of myself and I don’t need others to be proud of me. Everyone deserves the chance to earn it.”
“It’s literally just a helmet in a game,” added Bantabury97. “You can be proud of your achievement but to act superior because of it is just sad. One day, this game will be offline, and your achievement will be lost to time. Worthless. Nothing to show for it. It carries no weight nor worth. If you come here to say you got it, great man, good for you for beating the challenge. But if you come here to dunk on others for NOT getting it, then you’re part of the problem and need to go outside and touch grass.”
“Anyone who says this should automatically have their precious helmet turned into a Leandros face,” joked kidmeatball.
You can be proud of your achievement but to act superior because of it is just sad.
One of the (many) silly things about gatekeeping this Space Marine 2 helmet is that it might have been obtained by cheesing the Bio-Titan boss on the new PvE map, as one player managed to do solo on Lethal.
This isn’t the first time a video game community has rallied against gatekeeping of virtual items and it won’t be the last. Indeed the communities for FromSoftware’s infamously hard action games often deal with gatekeeping around how the likes of Dark Souls and Elden Ring are “meant to be played.”
Meanwhile, most Space Marine 2 players are excited to jump back in now the game is less stressful across all difficulties, and Bolters have finally been given a buff.
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.
The developers of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 have released an update to the third-person shooter that reverts a lot of tough difficulty changes made in a previous patch. Turns out upping the spawn rate of the vicious Tyrannid baddies across all difficulty modes was not welcome among the meathead murder boys of the Imperium. And this change wasn’t the only one that caused enough ructions to justify hasty recalibrations from Saber Interactive.
Despite Nintendo’s warning to Switch owners not to breathe a word about its mystery online playtest, players have posted screenshots, gameplay videos, and even streamed it online now it’s live.
Nintendo has worked to take down various streams and videos this morning, October 24, but it faces an uphill battle, with footage doing the rounds across social media and Discords. Remarkably, it appears Nintendo failed to disable screenshots and recording for the playtest, further fueling the “leaks.”
One Twitch channel that streamed the playtest now contains the boilerplate “Content from this channel has been removed at the request of the copyright holder” message. The owner of the channel took to reddit to say their channel is now “super dead.”
“Yeah I got fully DMCA’d, so channel super dead,” redditor BrettWils_ said, before threatening to share the footage. “I recorded everything locally, but not sure I want to take further risk and share it through other means. Open to it if anyone has a safe-ish way to do it tho.”
Spoilers for Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program test follow.
Gameplay shows a somewhat bizarre third-person MMO in which players move blocks about on a planet’s surface. The odd-looking avatars can use a rope to swing like Spider-Man and attach to surfaces in the world. It’s been likened to Minecraft and Dragon Quest Builders, with the focus on carrying blocks around and placing them to create ever higher staircases.
There is a player progression system, with avatars able to level up in the hub area. There’s a shop, too, and players can unlock new tools to help with the building part of the game. Footage shows the hub area packed with player avatars, and out on the planet multiple players stacking blocks within and without their Beacons.
The playtest looks a little barebones to be considered a standalone game in its own right, although players are reporting having plenty of fun with it. Nintendo may be using the playtest with future games in mind, or perhaps it plans to flesh the test out over time with new features. Nintendo’s secrecy over its playtest is almost as bizarre as the playtest itself.
The playtest is a Switch experience for now, but the big question is whether it will also be available on the upcoming Switch 2, which Nintendo has yet to formally announce.
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.
To be fair, there are several, far more substantial additions teased in Total War: Warhammer 3 design director Mitchell Heastie’s latest blog on the strategy game’s upcoming Patch 5.3. There’s also some interesting insight regarding design decisions, and the systems CA are hoping to tweak in the future. We’ll talk about that in a moment, but first, I must draw your attention to this magical map. I’m very excited about it. Not so much for what it does on its own – more for what its design philosophy represents and could mean for future additions.
Now, in an update, the playtest has gone live and users are already uploading screenshots, video footage and even streaming the game. According to a participant via social media, Nintendo hasn’t bothered to disable screenshots or recordings for the playtest, so footage of this build can be archived.
When development on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate finally ended, fans were relieved the game’s director Masahiro Sakurai would be able to take a break and get some rest.
We’ve got some adventurous announcements to make for those who are eagerly awaiting the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28!
First, we invite you to participate in the Open Beta Test in October to traverse the dynamically-changing locales, examine the diverse ecology, and test your hunting skills on PlayStation®5. We will also be offering special bonuses to those who participate.
PlayStation®Plus subscribers will have early access to the Open Beta Test from Tuesday, October 29 at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00pm GMT+8 until Thursday, October 31 at 9:59am GMT+7 / 10:59am GMT+8.
Those who are not PS Plus subscribers can also participate in the Open Beta Test from Friday, November 1 at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00am GMT+8 to Monday, November 4 at 9:59am GMT+7 / 10:59am GMT+8.
Today, we’ll be sharing information about the newly released trailer, as well as special experiences you can enjoy on PlayStation®5. Make sure to watch until the end!
Monster Hunter Wilds: 5th Trailer | The Black Flame| PlayStation®5
New locale – Oilwell Basin
The Oilwell Basin is a new locale where the expedition team arrives. As the name implies, the area is brimming with oil wells, which will periodically burst into violent flames.
Azuz, the Everforge
In the Oilwell Basin, there’s a community that has settled around a large fire forge, where people skilled in the art of forging reside. Please look forward to what stories await you in Azuz.
New monsters with unique ecology to discover in the Oilwell Basin
The Black Flame
A mysterious monster the people from Azuz call the “Black Flame.”
Fanged Beast, Ajarakan
With a distinct well-developed shell that covers its back, Ajarakan is active during the Inclemency of the Oilwell Basin, the Firespring, and turns into a sweltering red when it rubs its shell against itself.
Brute Wyvern, Rompopolo
A monster that inhabits areas with deep oil silts.
As you may have noticed, monsters in the Oilwell Basin have adapted to the changing environment with their unique ecological anatomies.
What did you think of the new trailer?
What will the hunter and the expedition team witness in this area? Expect new findings, deeper mysteries, and a story that will expand into the vast reaches of the land.
What you can experience in the Open Beta Test
The Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test includes three pieces of content: Character Creation, the Story Trial, and the Doshaguma Hunt. Traverse the Windward Plains to experience a changing ecosystem rife with opportunity.
Character Creation
Identical to the full release, Character Creation in the Open Beta Test allows players to select their physique and other characteristics (physique does not affect the player’s ability to play the game). Character designs created in the Open Beta Test can be carried over to the full release of the game (game progress will not be carried over). During the Open Beta Test, you can redo Character Creation as many times as you like, so why not take this opportunity to create your favorite Hunter and Palico?
Story Trial / Doshaguma Hunt
In the Story Trial where you can experience the opening of the game, you will play through the beginning of the story in an uninterrupted and seamless experience to defeat Chatacabra, which also includes a basic tutorial.
In the Doshaguma Hunt, take on the titular Doshaguma (alpha) that leads the herd.
Both quests can be enjoyed in multiplayer using an SOS Flare to connect with other online players. If players are unable to gather, up to three NPC support hunters will join to assist in the hunt.
The quest counter, which can be accessed by talking to Alma, the Handler, allows you to set the number of multiplayer players and other conditions in detail. You can set the number of players to four, or you can call one NPC support hunter and hunt alongside a Palico, etc.
Open Beta Test Bonus
By participating in the Open Beta Test, players will receive a Pendant and item pack that can be used to decorate their weapons and Seikret in the full release. These bonuses will be available as downloadable content. Enjoy decorating your weapons and Seikret in the full release of the game on February 28.
Now let’s review the Open Beta Test schedule!
PlayStation®5
PlayStation®Plus subscribers will have early access to the Open Beta Test from Tuesday, October 29 at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00pm GMT+8
A minimum of 18 GB of free space is required on the PlayStation®5.
All PlayStation™Network account holders
(Those who are not subscribed to PlayStation®Plus can also participate.)
Date: Friday, November 1 at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00am GMT+8 until Monday, November 4 at 09:59am GMT+7 / 10:59am GMT+8.
Pre-downloading is scheduled to begin at 10:00am GMT+7 / 11:00am GMT+8 on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
A minimum of 18 GB of free space is required on the PlayStation®5.
Start times may vary.
For more information, please visit the official Monster Hunter Wilds website.
Discover a special experience with PS5®.
Today, we are also happy to reveal the DualSense wireless controller – Monster Hunter Wilds Limited Edition.
Starting on November 22, 2024, players from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam will be able to pre-order the controller from select retailers for SGD 119 / MYR 419 / IDR 1,549,000 / THB 2,890 / PHP 4,890 / VND 2,399,000.
The DualSense wireless controller – Monster Hunter Wilds Limited Edition will be available from February 28, 2025, day-and-date with the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. Availability may vary by country/region, so be sure to check your local retailers.
DualSense® Wireless Controller
Haptic feedback
Feel every moment in your hands with haptic feedback, which allows you to enjoy precisely expressed vibrations in a variety of scenes, from natural phenomena such as lightning strikes to the roar of a monster.
Integrated speaker
The controller’s Integrated speaker emits the sounds of the Seikret and other endemic life. You can hear the breath of nearby living creatures.
Supports Tempest 3D audio technology
With state-of-the-art acoustic technology, you can hear the pulse of nature and life as if you were surrounded by it.
Adaptive triggers
Another supported feature is adaptive triggers, which change the button resistance depending on the situation. The adaptive resistance allows players to zoom in and out of the map more intuitively and improves usability while exploring vast locales.
Motion sensor
The accelerometer and gyroscope allow intuitive camera operation. This improves maneuverability during Focus Mode and long-range weapon aim, making it easier to target monsters.
Expect an immersive experience that only the PlayStation®5 version of Monster Hunter Wilds can provide.
Summary
That is all for today!
Although gameplay in the Open Beta Test will be limited, we hope you will be able to experience the seamless immersive experience, the dynamically-changing environment, and realistic monster ecology.
Monster Hunter Wilds is now available for pre-order. Make sure to get the Hunter Layered Armor, Guild Knight Set, and Hope Charm.
Pre-ordering at PS Store will also include the PlayStation®Store exclusive pre-order bonus Monster Hunter Wilds Digital Mini Art Book.
Hunters around the world, we’ll see you in the Open Beta Test! Monster Hunter Wilds will release on PlayStation®5 on Friday, February 28.
Online multiplayer in the full version requires a PlayStation®Plus subscription. Broadband Internet access is required.
