Roguelikes! They’re all the rage lately, whether it’s a pure run-based game like Hades 2, a devilish combination with something like the settlement-management of Cult of the Lamb or the application of the genre’s live-die-live-again loop to add a new bit of spice to a familiar series like The Rogue Prince of Persia. Into that last category comes a new contender: Diablo 4, which will soon introduce a new wave-based roguelike mode in its next season.
Twitch streamer Perri Karyal has taken down two major Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree bosses using a hands free ‘mind control’ virtual controller, which decodes electrical information fed directly from her brain in real time.
Prior to Shadow of the Erdtree’s release, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki was quoted as saying that the challenge posed by the DLC “really pushed the envelope in terms of what we think can be withstood by the player”. True to his word, the days following Shadow of the Erdtree’s June 21 launch have seen many players take to social media to lament that the new content is simply too hard, while others complained of performance issues, leading to a ‘mixed’ review on Steam.
However, its fearsome difficulty hasn’t stopped Karyal from attempting to take on the DLC using a very unconventional method of controlling her tarnished, which also proves that 90 percent of a FromSoftware boss fight plays out between the ears.
Thought I’d post a clip of what mental controls I use and how I get around
Getting to the boss is often harder than the boss😅#shadowoftheerdtree #EldenRing pic.twitter.com/RmetlwJb8h
— Perri (@perrikaryal) June 23, 2024
Karyal made headlines last year after beating Elden Ring’s base game content while using an electroencephalography (EEG) brain monitoring headset to control specific in-game actions such as attacking, and rolling. EEG technology is ordinarily used by physicians as a diagnostic tool. However, after encountering the brain-scanning headwear while studying for a masters degree in psychology she became curious as to whether the technology could be adapted to control video games as part of a virtual controller.
To that end Karyal was able to use some fancy coding to train the software that came with her commercial EEG headset to recognize patterns in her brain’s electrical activity that were brought about when she imagined a particular object, action, or emotion. Each pattern was then assigned to an input on a virtual controller, which allowed Karyal to execute actions with her mind by imagining things during gameplay. For example, by imagining herself pushing a cube forward she could execute a roll, or alternatively she could imagine a plate spinning to make her tarnished perform an attack, or simply make herself angry to heal.
WE DID IT
Shadow of the Erdtree, first boss, COMPLETED with mind control, and ZERO HANDS
I can’t believe it. This was the hardest thing ever. We’ve come SO FAR! Let’s gooooooo pic.twitter.com/INrwrgOH0Y
— Perri (@perrikaryal) June 22, 2024
WE DID IT AGAIN
Shadow of the Erdtree, SECOND boss, Renalla, DEFEATED with mind control, and ZERO HANDS. Absolutely INSANE
Let’s gooooooooooo
If you have any questions, look at the full VOD below – I do set-up, training, and troubleshooting all LIVE pic.twitter.com/H0UpxUj8hz
— Perri (@perrikaryal) June 23, 2024
During the 2023 Elden Ring runthrough Karyal had still been beholden to a physical Xbox controller to dictate the movement of her tarnished warrier. However, for Shadow of the Erdtree, the streamer opted to attempt a completely hands-free run, by using eye-tracking software to track the movement of her head to control her character’s movement, and voice prompts to trigger more nuanced actions, including saying “I choose you” to summon a spirit ash. Navigating to bosses also required a completely different command setup to the one used during the climactic fights themselves, adding another layer of mental gymnastics to the process.
Impressively, Karyal has already managed to use her mind-control approach to take down two challenging early DLC bosses in the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, and Rellana, the Twin Moon Knight. Of course this isn’t the first time that FromSoftware fans have employed a non-traditional controller to shame Elden Ring bosses. Just last year Twitch streamer MissMikkaa managed to beat two Malenias simultaneously in two separate instances of the game while using a Dance Pad and a PS5 DualSense. Another FromSoftware challenge runner by the name Dr. Decomposing was also able to complete a no-damage run while using a modified electric saxophone as a controller.
Be sure to check out IGN’s interactive map and comprehensive guide for all the tips, tricks, and walkthroughs that you need to get the most out of your time in the Land of Shadow, or read up on how modders are already finding ways to make the game easier on PC.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
The developers of multiplayer aerial combat sim War Thunder have apologised after a picture of the real-life Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, which killed seven crew members when it exploded just 73 seconds after launch in 1986, was used in artwork promoting the game’s recent Seek & Destroy update.
Good news, From Software fans: Future Press is set to release Bloodborne Complete Guide: 25th Anniversary Edition on September 30. You can preorder it now at Amazon for $59.99. This officially licensed guide is a hefty tome, ringing in at 736 full-color pages. It gets into the nitty gritty, covering the main game of Bloodborne, plus The Old Hunters expansion. It also has lots of behind-the-scenes info we’ll dive into below.
The Bloodborne Complete Guide has all the resources you need to get the very most out of the game. It reveals all the secrets and hidden areas for you to fully explore Yarnham. It’s an excellent resource for all the items, weapons, and characters found in the game. It also dives deep into the game’s lore, much of which you might have missed in previous play-throughs.
Plus, it contains a good deal of bonus material. There’s a new, exclusive interview with Bloodborne creator Hidetaka Miyazaki. It includes a 20-page concept artwork gallery, and a dedicated Lore Index to help you tell your Vilebloods from your Scourge Beasts.
If you’re doing the math to figure out just how long ago Bloodborne came out (it was released in 2015 as a PS4 exclusive), you’re not losing your mind. The 25th anniversary in the book’s title is how long Future Press has been printing books.
Our critic gave Bloodborne a 9.1 in the review, and the game was a runner up for IGN’s Game of the Year 2015.
This isn’t Future Press’s first rodeo giving such thorough coverage to From Software’s games. The publisher released the beautiful Official Strategy Guides for Elden Ring (Vol.1 & Vol. 2), which are currently down to $44.99 at Amazon. It also released an incredibly popular Dark Souls Trilogy guide.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Threads.
The end of EA’s decades-long FIFA deal in 2022 means there’s currently a FIFA-shaped hole in the world of video games that isn’t quite filled by EA’s not-FIFA replacement EA Sports FC 24 and is yet to measure up the efforts of whoever the footballing organisation gets to make the next officially licensed FIFA game. So, naturally, FIFA is looking to help plug that gap in the meantime by hosting a virtual World Cup in car-football game Rocket League.
Sales are down 17% compared to last year.
GSD, via GamesIndustry.biz, has shared the latest sales data for the video game market across Europe in May 2024, and it looks to have been a quiet month. So quiet, in fact, that the entire top ten failed to sell as many copies as May 2023’s highly-anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Across physical and digital data from the major European markets (excluding Nintendo which doesn’t share digital figures), Game sales dropped 17% in May 2024, compared to the same period last year. That’s still 11.6 million game sales.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
The post Call of Duty – Season 4 Reloaded Details for Modern Warfare III, Warzone, and Warzone: Mobile appeared first on Xbox Wire.
The DNA bomb has detonated at Popov Power Plant, releasing powerful mutagens in the Season 4 Reloaded mid-season update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone. Deploy across new mutated modes, maps, Unstable Rifts, events, and more, and get your hands on new weapons and Aftermarket Parts to help face the challenges ahead.
Season 4 Reloaded of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone launches on June 26 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Three Core 6v6 Maps
Incline (New Core Map): Battle over frozen ground on this small-sized research outpost deep in the Caucasus Mountains of Urzikstan. Fire down from the cable car in the central transit station and prepare for long-ranged encounters along the northern road.
Bitvela (New Variant): Experience Multiplayer like never before in this pixel-art inspired version of Favela appearing in the Bit Party Playlist modifier. Pixelated cars, buildings and trees, jagged clouds, and pixel smoke particles perfectly mimic the original map, without a curved edge in sight. When competing in Bit Party, your Operator’s head will grow after every elimination, making you a bigger target while also granting objective bonuses.
Das Gross (New Variant): A vile infection has enveloped downtown New York City, sending bloody tendrils over the ceiling and walls of Das Haus. An alien planet looms overhead in the night sky. Try to keep your wits about you in this map variant arriving with a new Vortex Playlist.
Mutation: Take turns playing as humans and mutants in a moshpit of game modes. Mutants can choose from a variety of classes including the Mutated Leaper, Radioactive Beast, Contaminated Slugger, and Camouflaged Sneaker.
Havoc: In this twist on Team Deathmatch inspired by classic arena shooters, random modifiers activate throughout the match, dramatically altering gameplay in a mode where no two matches are the same!
Plus, perfect your aim in the Headshots Only mode, wield powerful weapon blueprints in Blueprint Gunfight, and flex your parkour skills with the limited release of G3T_H1GH3R.
Face Waves of Enemies in an Unstable Rift
Gear up for a new wave-based challenge via the appearance of unstable rifts. Squads must race to be the first to enter: reports of [[REDACTED]] in the Exclusion Zone may lead the way.
After entering an unstable rift, squads must defend against increasingly difficult waves of enemies. Survive the onslaught to reset the cooldown on all your insured weapons and schematics. Squads who gain access to multiple unstable rifts can repeat the activity within the same match.
The DNA bomb has exploded at Popov Power Plant in Urzikstan, altering the environment and releasing a toxic chemical agent in the vicinity. Approach the site with extreme caution.
[Redacted] Weapons: Look for [Redacted] Weapons now found within Loot Hot Zones and Bunkers in Urzikstan. These extra-powerful weapons hold more than the normally five allowed attachments, granting their owner an edge in combat.
Runaway Train Public Event: Each match within Urzikstan has the chance to trigger the Runaway Train public event announced around the sixth gas circle. When active, the safe zone will remain over the moving train until the end of the match. Hop aboard and clear out enemy stowaways.
Mutated Playlists: Plus, wield mutant powers in two limited-time modes arriving in the mid-season: Mutation Resurgence Quads and Mutation Buy Back Quads.
Reclaimer 18 (Shotgun, Battle Pass): The Reclaimer 18 supports two firing modes. Activate pump-action for extended damage range and semi-auto for increased fire rate. Toggle between them as the situation demands to reign in close-ranged fights.
Sledgehammer (Melee, Challenge): Smash skulls with the Sledgehammer, sporting a 20-pound carbon steel head with a variety of attack moves including swings, an overhead attack, and a pole butt.
PlayStation Plus members don’t forget to grab the Season 4 Combat Pack. This pack grants Élodie, Lockpick a new operator skin Chemical Warfare.
PlayStation Plus members will also receive the following: the Composition Carbine weapon blueprint, the Brushstroke Ballistics weapon blueprint, the Fuming with Pashion Large Decal, the Toxic Artist Weapon Sticker, the Mini Infiltrator Charm, and the Infectious Vision Emblem.
Plus, PlayStation players will receive a 2XP Player boost in-game from June 26 – 27 and from July 4 – 5.
Check for new weekly challenges throughout the mid-season to unlock more Aftermarket Parts plus the animated Molten Obsidian weapon camo for completing all eight Weekly Challenges.
Earn more rewards across a variety of in-game events, including Altered Strain, Retro Warfare, Redeployment Missions, Vacation Squad, and Vortex: Death’s Grip.
Deploy as 8-Bit versions of Task Force 141 with the Tracer Pack: 8-Bit Blitz bundle and suit up in astronaut gear with the Out of This World Pack. Look for other wild bundles arriving in the mid-season, including a crabby Zodiac-themed Pro Pack.
Purchase Modern Warfare III on PlayStation to enjoy the benefits of two additional loadout slots, monthly exclusive Double XP events, +25% PlayStation Party Bonus XP, +5 bonus Battle Token Tier Skips with a BlackCell purchase, and a free in-game bundle each season with the Combat Pack.
Stay frosty. Available on PS5 and PS4.
Dungeons & Dragons players will finally be able to drink potions as a Bonus Action in One D&D, meaning the popular homebrew and Baldur’s Gate 3 mechanic is becoming an official rule in the next iteration of the game.
As reported by Comic Book, a video from D&D game designers Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins walked fans through some changes to the Player’s Handbook, which will be refreshed for the first time in more than a decade in 2024, including the long-requested ability to have a cheeky heal as a Bonus Action.
Crawford specifically said that health potions can be used as a Bonus Action in One D&D — which arrives beginning September 17, 2024 with the Player’s Handbook but won’t launch fully until the Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual arrive on November 12, 2024 and February 18, 2025 respectively — but it’s unclear if the rule change will apply to other potions too.
As a health potion can theoretically be drank at the same speed as any other kind of potion, however, it would certainly make sense for the Bonus Action rule to affect all of the magic smoothies. The current 5th Edition of D&D forces players to use a potion as a full Action, meaning players miss a turn of doing potentially more interesting things if they need to heal.
Using potions as a Bonus Action has long been a popular mechanic in players’ homebrew or home rules though, and even Baldur’s Gate 3, the hit D&D video game which follows most of 5th Edition’s rules, let players drink them as a Bonus Action.
The release of the updated rules, meaning the transition from 5th Edition to One D&D, comes alongside the tabletop role-playing game’s 50th anniversary. Publisher Wizards of the Coast announced the biggest miniature booster set ever to celebrate, and has been slowly but surely sharing tidbits of information about the new set of core rulebooks.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is officially up for preorder with a price tag of $39.99 and a release date of September 6, so you won’t have to wait too long before it’s in your hands. You can find links to the physical release for Nintendo Switch below. It will be available on other platforms as well in digital storefronts – including Nintendo, Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox – on the same day.
This collection features Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit with full HD graphics, quality of life improvements, and more. There’s even a preorder bonus of five arranged in-game tracks for Ace Attorney Investigations 2. You can preorder the game and learn more about its preorder bonus below.
When you preorder the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection you’ll get five in-game tracks for Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit. These can be played either in game or you can listen to them in the Gallery.
As revealed during the most recent Nintendo Direct in June, the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection features remasters of Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit. Per Capcom’s website, the collection features, “full HD graphics along with quality of life improvements and special bonus materials, this two-game collection is the definitive experience!” You can also enjoy upgraded character sprites, a helpful Story Mode, you can check dialogue history, and more. It’s a great investment if you’ve been itching to have these games in remastered formats.
If you’re looking for even more games to preorder right now, look no further, we’ve got a helpful list below of upcoming games available to preorder right now. From the physical release of Alan Wake II to Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble, check them out below.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
