A limited edition original Xbox themed after Marvel’s 2003 Hulk film has been donated to a UK charity shop despite being worth thousands.
The British Heart Foundation is selling the console on eBay, where bids have so far risen to more than $2,300 despite the auction not ending until June 15, 2024. The BHF estimated it could bring upwards of $11,000 for the charity, which funds medical research of heart and circulatory diseases and aims to raise public awareness of these issues.
A collaboration between Xbox, the Hulk film, and Pepsi saw 50 of the consoles made to give away to winners of a competition. UK residents tasked with watching Hulk at the cinema, who purchased a Pepsi and popcorn meal deal, received a scratchcard which offered a chance of winning the bright green hardware.
Only 36 people actually won a console, and only around 20 of them are known to exist today, more than two decades later, according to the BHF. The Xbox bears resemblance to a limited edition Mountain Dew console released in the U.S., but as 5,000 of those were made, the Hulk version is much more rare.
The console was confirmed to be fully working by the BHF’s Paul Smith, who is thankfully an avid gamer and noticed the console was particularly unusual.
“We test all the electrical donations we receive, and this one really caught my eye,” he said. “I’m a games enthusiast myself but the rare green color combined with the Hulk and Pepsi logo really stood out. Whoever is lucky enough to snap this up will make their friends green with envy.”
“Whoever is lucky enough to snap this up will make their friends green with envy.
If this incredibly rare piece of bizarre Xbox history isn’t enough to entice a bid out of fans, it even comes with five games: Tony Hawk’s Underground, Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie, and a French version of Bilbo the Hobbit.
Microsoft is still a fan of releasing ridiculous limited edition consoles via competitions 21 years later, as its current Xbox Series X and S consoles have received myriad wild and wacky colorways. These include designs based on Fallout, SpongeBob SquarePants, Bluey, and sticking to the Marvel theme, X-Men ’97.
A gameplay video for Slitterhead was briefly made available to watch on YouTube before it was pulled offline ahead of a reveal during Summer Game Fest.
This week, Summer Game Fest chief Geoff Keighley tweeted to tease the world premiere of Slitterhead, the next game from Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama and his studio, Bokeh.
Don’t miss the gameplay world premiere of SLITTERHEAD, from the mind of Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama and @BokehGameStudio during #SummerGameFest live this Friday.
Ahead of the livestream set for 2pm Pacific / 5pm Eastern / 10pm UK today, June 7, the gameplay trailer was viewable before being set to private. The internet noticed and took notes, of course. The gameplay trailer confirmed a release date of November 8, 2024 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox One was not listed.
Toyama, the director of Silent Hill who then formed Project Siren, also known as Team Gravity, under Sony’s umbrella, left the company in late 2020 with other Japan Studio developers and formed his own studio, Bokeh Game Studios.
He continued: “However, the game will include many new mechanics that have not been seen so far in other games, so I think it will result in a unique experience.”
If you missed the trailer, it won’t be long before it’s shown off officially at Summer Game Fest.
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.
Whether or not they actually amount to anything, rumours of a new Doom have had me diving back into Doom Eternal recently. There’s at least one level in it that feels like essay-bait, so I’m obliging. The centerpiece of Mars Core – the FPS’ best level – is a comically massive superweapon called the BFG-10000. Oh, Chekov. If only you could see what we’ve done with your wisdom. The literary subtlety to gun-big-enough-to-scar-planets pipeline will eventually subsume all of pop culture, and those of us who chose to specialise writing about headshots will alternate between grins and tears from the wreckage.
Nintendo of America is back with a fresh batch of eShop discounts as the ‘Mega Extreme Fun Sale’ is now underway.
The sale kicked off yesterday (6th June) and will run until 16th June, bringing some welcome discounts to a selection of games and DLC expansions. This one is only available on the North American eShop at the moment, though we’re sure that it won’t be too long before Europe gets a similar sale period of its own.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! This weekly feature highlights all the games arriving soon on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass. Discover more about these upcoming titles below and explore their profiles for additional information (note that release dates are subject to change). Let’s dive in!
A twist on your standard deck-building roguelike. It isn’t just about what you carry, but how you organize the items within your bag! Find them the right spot in your backpack to increase their power, meet colorful friends and fight deadly foes, explore ancient dungeons, caves, swamps, and more!
Explore the streets of Munich with various cars, master diverse missions and challenges, enjoy the fun of comfortable or sporty driving, and train your driving behavior in traffic with other road users – all with authentic vehicle physics.
Sunrise GP features cars inspired by European classics and races through fantastic locations – among beaches, caves, mountains and lakes. Everything is designed to help you relax and soak up the laid-back atmosphere. The amazing soundtrack also enhances the unique experience.
Play the fully remastered Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater & Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 games in one epic collection on Windows PC, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD. Skate as the legendary Tony Hawk and the original pro roster, plus new pros, listen to songs from the era-defining soundtrack along, and hit insane trick combos with the iconic handling of the series.
A few days ago, under the veil of night, a mysterious being attacked a village. Now it’s up to you, a noble warrior, to rescue the captured villagers and eradicate the unknown creature. Dragonic Resurgence is a metroidvania where you must explore different locations, collect upgrades, and fight different bosses.
Meow meow meow mes amis! Cats, kittens, kitties and other fuzzballs are hidden all around the Parisian landscape, each waiting to be found! Take a relaxing stroll around Paris where every cat you spot brings its unique splash of color into the scenery and finding them all will fill the city with life!
The 2nd game in the Lost Chiko series, this time with a different adventure, a different story and a different gameplay! One day while we were sleeping under a tree, a bird comes and tells us that our mother has been kidnapped.
A young white-haired vampire was walking through the darkness of the forest and saw a large castle on top of the mountain. He then decides to go inside and explore the environment. But he discovers that the magic present in the castle makes him trapped. Help the young vampire overcome traps, challenges and find the way out.
Break the witch’s wicked curse and conquer her many challenges across a wide variety of pinball tables, from arenas themed around parks and urban streets to casinos and more! Unlock cosmetics for character customization to express your winning style and prove once and for all that you are the true pinball champion!
Are you ready to conquer the fear… again? Your ship crashes on Titan, a moon of Saturn. Your only way out is to find salvation in the abandoned space station TAU-9. Explore dark corridors, find new weapons to fight dangerous monsters, solve puzzles to open new paths in search of surviving humans on the station. All this and even more in a sequel of the atmospheric horror platformer.
Hop in the Paladin power armor, seize melee weapons from the demonic invaders, and give them a taste of their own medicine! The sight of giant swords blazing through the night sky might be hair-raising but stand your ground! The sinister Ravenous and his legions of brutal demons are poised for battle.
A 2.5D beat ‘em up game based on the cult film of the same name, in which a group of Animatronics come to life and slaughter people who dare visit Willy’s Wonderland. Take control of either The Janitor or Liv as they face the hordes of evil commanded by the nefarious Animatronics – Tito Turtle, Siren Sara, Arty Alligator, Cammy Chameleon, Willy Weasel and more!
Embark on a thrilling journey with magical girls in the enchanting world of Astrune Academy! Discover the tale of aspiring sorcerers at this towering academy in the Sternship region. Engage in the daily life of the magic academy, complete assignments, and strive to become a skilled sorcerer.
A cute, miniature puzzle platformer starring the eponymous Froggy the Frog. When Froggy’s buddy, Buzzy, disappears through a mysterious portal, it’s up to our amphibian hero to come to his friend’s rescue. Get ready for 60 levels of jumping and dashing, accompanied by a cozy aesthetic with colorful pixel art and relaxing music.
The legendary Japanese Arcade game is back! Choose your favorite character and play in one of the numerous game modes available. Solve diabolical puzzles or beat strong opponents in versus matches. Play through an exciting adventure full of twists and turns, in Story or Path of Destiny modes. Challenge your friends and the best players online.
Embark on this definitive version of the critically acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei V, massively expanded with a brand-new storyline featuring new locations, demons, and choices to make that will dictate the fate of all existence. Pre-order to receive two Sacred Treasure sets that will aid you during your journey through Da’at.
Dear Trailblazers, greetings from the Honkai: Star Rail dev team. Today, we are excited to share the details of Honkai: Star Rail version 2.3, Farewell Penacony. This update introduces the highly anticipated Stellaron Hunter, Firefly, as well as a significant figure from the IPC, Jade. Additionally, under the guidance of Mr. Screwllum, the new update in the Simulated Universe – Divergent Universe – will be unveiled as well.
After inheriting the Watchmaker’s Legacy and embarking on the new Path of Harmony, Trailblazers awaken in the real world following the climactic battle with Mr. Sunday. Now, the abrupt termination of the Charmony Festival has left The Family’s reputation in tatters, with numerous delicate issues urgently demanding attention. In response, aside from the Oak Family, the major lineages are preparing their strategies to address the aftermath. In the version 2.3 Trailblaze Mission, the Express Crew will be invited aboard the Radiant Feldspar, soaring into the skies above Penacony to witness crucial Family discussions firsthand.
Meanwhile, aboard the Radiant Feldspar, a new project within the Simulated Universe, Divergent Universe will be conducted under the guidance of Mr. Screwllum, utilizing technology from his home planet to bring gameplay improvements. For instance, the Arithmetic Mapping function in the Divergent Universe testing removes character download limitations. If a character’s level is below the current Equilibrium Level Cap, it will automatically increase to meet the cap. The update also introduces the Equation feature, where combining buffs from two different Paths grants corresponding combat abilities once the required amount is achieved. Additionally, when facing defeat in the Divergent Universe, Trailblazers can now restart challenges without needing to force-stop the game. With the new Restart Challenge option, players can regroup and give it another shot.
In the upcoming version, Origami Birds will also make their way onto the Radiant Feldspar, bringing a new mini-game. In this arcade challenge, Trailblazers must achieve eliminations within a set number of moves to boost the birds’ Combat Power. During the Origami Bird Clash event, Trailblazers can not only participate in Story Challenges, but also freely battle friends from across the universe!
After venturing alongside the Trailblazers for a time, we will uncover more about Firefly in version 2.3. Firefly is a member of the Stellaron Hunters, originating from the long-destroyed world of Glamoth. Once a prosperous and expansive empire, Glamoth was left thrashed and devastated by the calamity brought on by the Swarm. Firefly, a young girl encased in mechanical armor known as SAM, was created as a weapon against the invasion. Unfortunately, she suffers from Entropy Loss Syndrome due to genetic modification. Driven by the quest to find meaning in life and to defy fate, she joined the Stellaron Hunters to further her goals and calling.
As a 5-star Fire-Type character, Firefly possesses an immense power. After using her Technique, she can summon her SAM armor and leap into the air, moving freely, with SAM attacking all enemies within a set range to enter battle. Each wave of enemies can have Fire Weakness forced upon units without Fire Weakness, lasting for a set number of turns. In the heat of battle, SAM will be operating in two forms. In the initial form, using her Skill consumes HP but simultaneously replenishes her Ultimate energy. The less HP Firefly has, the less damage she sustains. Furthermore, when activating her Ultimate, SAM transforms into its second battle form — the dazzling Complete Combustion state! Alongside more potent Basic Attacks and Skills, her Speed and Weakness Break efficiency are also heightened. The Break DMG dealt by SAM is increased until the countdown for Complete Combustion ends. An aspect worth mentioning is that this state not only displays SAM’s might, but also provides players with a unique perspective from within the cockpit of the SAM mech. In this perspective, Firefly’s unwavering gaze is an embodiment of her fiery spirit, capable of setting the starry seas ablaze.
Another Quantum-Type 5-star character, Jade, is set to make her distinguished debut. As a senior manager in the IPC Strategic Investment Department and one of the Ten Stonehearts, she is recognized by her Cornerstone, Jade of Credit. Cold and elegant, Jade is a skilled moneylender with a keen understanding of the human heart. Her personal hobby, Bonajade Exchange, highlights her patience in waiting for high-value acquisitions through accepting pawning of assets and her ability to extract value from seemingly destitute clients.
Jade’s Skill allows her to forge a binding agreement with a single ally, making them her Debt Collector and bestowing upon them enhancements. Interestingly, if she selects herself as the Debt Collector, the only part of the enhancement will be applied. Each attack launched by Jade or her Debt Collector accumulates Charges for Jade. Once fully charged, Jade unleashes a follow-up attack against all enemies. Her Ultimate, however, enforces the terms of the agreement with unyielding precision, dealing damage to all enemies while also enhancing her follow-up attack.
It’s worth noting that the limited 5-star characters — Ruan Mei and Argenti — will make their appearances in event warps during the first and second halves of version 2.3, respectively. Their formidable strength ensures they will remain powerful allies in your future adventures.
That wraps up our insights on Version 2.3. While there are still more surprises in the wings, we’ll keep this update brief and delightful. We hope you’re enjoying your cosmic adventures, that Firefly and the new Simulated Universe will bring surprises to everyone, and look forward to rendezvousing with you in the next one.
Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and more “gone but not forgotten” video game studios were honored by a Los Angeles billboard ahead of this week’s major summer showcases.
Spotted by Stephen Totilo on X/Twitter, the electronic billboard was created by publisher New Blood Interactive in the wake of brutal industry lay-offs and studio closures.
“Gone but not forgotten,” the billboard reads, before listing affected studios and their 2024 closing dates: Arkane Austin, Roll7, Tango Gameworks, Volition, and Sony’s London Studio. It also shouts out “everyone laid off, downsized, and made redundant.”
“We love you. We miss you. We hate money.”
An electronic billboard from New Blood Interactive in downtown LA mourns the closure of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Roll7, Sony’s London Studio, Volition and more
“Thank you for your great games from your friends at New Blood,” it added. “We love you. We mss you. We hate money.”
Microsoft shut down Redfall developer Arkane Austin alongside Hi-Fi Rush and Ghostwire Tokyo developer Tango Gamework in May 2024 in a move met with shock and anger by industry peers and fans. Xbox owner Microsoft posted a 17% increase in revenue and $21.9 billion in profit in its latest financial earnings report. Xbox executives have blamed the move on the video game industry’s lack of growth and a need to prioritise other games and studios.
OlliOlli World developer Roll7, meanwhile, was seemingly shut down by Take-Two Interactive in the same month despite its CEO Strauss Zelnick refusing to confirm this in an interview with IGN and dodging follow-up questions. Last month IGN reported on how the closure of Kerbal Space Program 2 developer Intercept Games and Roll7 are a part of a larger move by Take-Two to either sell off or shut down the entirety of its indie label, Private Division.
“Thank you for your great games from your friends at New Blood. We love you. We mss you. We hate money.
The billboard will be seen by many still in the video game industry as it looms over downtown LA in the lead up to a number of summer events, including Summer Games Fest, a showcase featuring several high profile announcements in the place of defunct video game event E3. Microsoft is set to host an Xbox showcase followed by a Call of Duty Direct, where it will unveil Black Ops 6.
An announcement for Civilization 7 appears imminent after an image for the game was spotted on 2K Games’ official website.
As spotted by users on ResetEra and Reddit, the banner for the unannounced strategy sequel was briefly available on the 2K website homepage and even pointed to a currently non-existent trailer and Steam page for wishlisting before it was removed. The leak suggests an announcement at Summer Game Fest today, June 7. 2K is yet to comment.
In May, Summer Game Fest said 2K Games would reveal the “next iteration in one of its biggest and most beloved franchises” during the show. The tease instantly got fans speculating on the possibilities, with many wondering whether BioShock 4 would finally be revealed after a five year wait. Others suggested it might be Mafia 4 or Borderlands 4. It seems likely now that the tease is related to Civilization 7.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 was developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K on PC in 2016, before ports for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and mobile were released. IGN’s Civ 6 review returned a 9.4. We said: “Civilization 6 is fully loaded with features and makes some very smart changes to its winning 4X strategy formula.”
Given the game’s enormous popularity (Civ 6 remains in the top 20 most-played games on Steam and the franchise has sold an impressive 71 million copies to date), a seventh entry in the long-running series was inevitable. Indeed, in February last year Firaxis announced it was working on the next mainline Civ, although it didn’t call it Civ 7 at the time.
That’s all we have to go on for now, with more sure to be revealed during Summer Game Fest.
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.
What now for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League? The live service shooter flopped to the tune of $200 million upon its launch earlier this year, and ever since players have wondered just how long support would last.
Following a Bloomberg report into the development of the game, the author of that report, Jason Schreier, has tweeted to say Rocksteady is now providing “some barebones support, definitely not as much as they’d originally planned.”
Some barebones support, definitely not as much as they’d originally planned
That’s a worry for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s small but loyal fanbase, which is made up of fans who continue to play the game despite its failings. And it calls into question how long publisher Warner Bros. will have Rocksteady devote resources to the game.
According to Bloomberg, staff at the studio are currently working on a director’s cut of the phenomenally successful Hogwarts Legacy, while leadership pitches a return to single-player following this live service misstep.
Warner Bros. has so far failed to respond to IGN’s request for comment.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League did look set to receive new content (the game recently teased the introduction of Mrs. Freeze as a playable character for Season 2) in the short-term, at least. But Rocksteady has yet to announce Season 2 or what it will add to the game. Season 1 added Joker as a playable character. Datamining has suggested playable characters on their way include Mrs. Freeze, Lawless, and Deathstroke.
But will Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice actually get these playable characters, or even subsequent seasons? The game’s community, such as it is, has declared the game dead following Bloomberg’s report. “I honestly don’t think the planned Seaons 2 to 4 are happening,” redditor Gizmo16868 said. Those in the game’s official Discord have already turned their attention to Rocksteady’s next game and the hope it will rekindle the excitement around the studio’s much-loved Batman: Arkham series.
For now, though, it seems a question of when, not if, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League goes the way of so many live service failures and its developer officially moves on.
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.
Ahead of Antonblast‘s launch later this year on 12th November 2024, developer Summitsphere has released the game’s opening cutscene, and it’s pretty great.
It showcases Satan (naturally) who, after conversing with a magical mirror, discovers that there is a ‘red guy’ who happens to ‘shine more crimson’ than he. This, of course, is our protagonist, Dynamite Anton, so poor ol’ Satan decides to take what Anton loves the most, coax him into his lair, and ‘siphon his delightfully rosy tone’.
Pro Skater
