Magic: The Gathering has offered Universes Beyond crossovers with other franchises for a few years now, and while some become full sets like Spider-Man and Final Fantasy, others are more squarely focused on Commander.
Fallout Commander Decks: Under $40 Each With This Bundle Deal
Amazon has all four decks for $144.99, a reduction of 11% on the $162.99 list price. That might not sound like a huge amount, but consider what that value represents when the Mutant Menace deck is selling for $70 and upwards on its own.
As for the decks, the good news is that they’re all pretty great. Mutant Menace is one of the best, powering up its spooky Mothman Commander with counters as you deal radiation to everyone else at the table, while Hail Caesar is all about being aggressive and sacrificing cards to power up Caesar himself.
Science! offers something a little different since it leans into energy counters and powering up the board with artifacts, while Scrappy Survivors is definitely popular since it’s helmed by the adorable Dogmeat and has the series’ four-legged star rummaging through your graveyard for equipment and tokens.
As a reminder, each of these decks comes with a Collector Booster Sample Pack, too. They contain two cards each, but it’s better than getting irradiated, right?
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.
I dunno about you, but I usually dig a big Skyrimmod that threatens to make my number of hours spent padding around Tamriel even more ludicrous. Lordbound is the latest danger to the free time of poor folks like me, having just soft launched after ten years of development spent creating a fresh region bigger than the Dragonborn DLC’s Solstheim and filling it with stuff to do.
Ask a fan if they want to see more of Assassin’s Creed Mirage hero Basim, and you’ll likely get a resounding yes in response. One of the most intriguing characters in the franchise’s recent history, Basim already ranks among the few of its hooded heroes to appear in multiple games — in 2020’s Valhalla as a central figure, and then in 2023’s Mirage which featured a younger version of the character as its star.
The fate of Basim post-Valhalla remains a signficant hanging plot thread, while fans have also yearned to see more of the character between the events of the two games (such as his meeting with Valhalla character Sigurd in Constantinople, centuries before Ezio visited the city). But Ubisoft seems uninterested in entertaining either scenario while cooking up new Basim content, instead working on a new story chapter without any extra lore for the Hidden Ones, and anything that might impact the series’ modern day.
Five years on from his first introduction, Basim’s story will continue in Valley of Memory, a side-story set within the events of Mirage itself. Launching for free on November 18, the expansion will see Basim visit AlUla, now a UNESCO World Heritage site in modern day Saudi Arabia.
Publicly, Ubisoft has shied away from discussing the expansion’s funding, though previously told IGN that it had retained complete creative control over Valley of Memory’s content. Internally, however, Ubisoft has reportedly responded to concerns from developers by drawing a distinction between Saudia Arabia’s ruler Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the PIF itself, whose chair is also Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
To hear Ubisoft tell it, AlUla was simply a location Mirage’s team wanted to explore. “AlUla has always impressed us and was considered for the main game instead of Baghdad,” producer Vincent Maulandi-Rabbione said during a recent presentation to press, attended by IGN. “We had access to experts, resources, archeologists, while maintaining a complete creative freedom on how we would create the content.”
Certainly, AlUla seems to fit visually with the Assassin’s Creed series’ sense of exploration and parkour. The site features thousands of years worth of history for players to learn about, and geographically it’s only as distant from Baghdad as Mirage’s existing sequences set within the Assassin fortress of Alamut. But while the concept of AlUla may have existed on a whiteboard within Bordeaux during Mirage’s original development years ago, art director Florian Salomez told IGN that no actual work on the region began until Valley of Memory’s development began last year.
Discussing the content’s main concept, Salomez said the expansion’s narrative added “a new piece to Basim’s coming of age story, and why he chooses the path that ultimately define him.” (Oddly, it will also be Bordeaux’s second Assassin’s Creed add-on about a protagonist searching for a long-lost parent in as many months, following its work leading Assassin’s Creed Shadows expansion Claws of Awaji.)
“Before his final mission in Baghdad, and before the series of events that lead to the end of the game, Basim hears about his long-lost father Is’haq,” creative director Olivier Leonardi said. “[He] is mentioned in the game many times, and he’s even mentioned in Valhalla. We know he abandoned Basim as a child aged 7. Now, Basim hears Is’haq may still be alive in the wondrous valley of AlUla. It’s so important to him, that he goes on this long journey to get answers.”
Valley of Shadow sounds subtantial, which makes its addition for free all the more surprising. Ubisoft estimates it contains around six hours of new gameplay spread across a new in-game region with five districts. Familiar Mirage mission types are back, alongside new missions where you chase down stolen goods and gain opportunities to learn about AlUla itself.
Alongside all of that, the Valley of Memory update will add several improvements to the main Mirage experience, not least an impressive-looking challenge mode that lets you replay missions from both the new expansion and the main Mirage campaign with additional objectives, which feels a lot like the franchise’s classic ‘Full Sychronization’ rewards. There’s a reward track to unlock additional in-game items by testing your prowess here, and you’ll be aided by additional game-wide tool upgrades that allow, for example, smoke bombs to now dissolve bodies, or blow darts to pierce armor.
As a free gift to fans, Valley of Memory feels generous — even if its setting and choice of storyline are not something fans asked for.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Oh boy. Unfortunately, it’s one of those days. You might remember that last week, Dune: Awakening developer Funcom laid off an unspecified number of staff. Yep, that same Dune: Awakening that appeared to be doing pretty well for itself. Go figure! Today, there’s more bad news, as it turns out that Metal: Hellsinger studio The Outsiders will be shutting down completely as part of said layoffs at parent company Funcom.
Special Olympics and Xbox Unite for Inclusive Gaming
Team Xbox
Summary
Tune in to the Xbox Twitch channel on October 14 at 10am Pacific for the 2025 Gaming for Inclusion Celebrity Showcase.
Xbox Game Camp hosts 9 Special Olympics athletes for an Immersive Learning Experience featuring studio tours, leadership lunches, career panel, game development training and more.
Visit Special Olympics to learn more about their work and support their mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
At Xbox, we believe play can foster connection and empathy, unlock potential, and create unforgettable moments of joy for everyone. Since 2014, Xbox and Microsoft have proudly partnered with Special Olympics to empower athletes of all abilities through technology and gaming.
Our journey began with a shared vision: to break down barriers and make sure every player gets in the game, whether on the field or in the virtual world. Over the years, our collaboration has grown to include the annual Gaming for Inclusion event, an esports tournament where Special Olympics athletes and their Unified partners compete for a chance to play in front of a global gaming audience.
These events not only show the top-notch gaming skills of the athletes, but also the transformative potential of gaming to bring people together and empower individuals with intellectual disabilities. From build challenges in Minecraft Education to fierce Rocket League competitions, each milestone has celebrated ability, teamwork, and the spirit of play. We’ve hosted athletes at Xbox Headquarters, provided shoutcaster training, and continually sought new ways to make the gaming industry more accessible for people with intellectual disabilities.
Gaming for Inclusion Celebrity Showcase 2025 Airing Next Week
We’re thrilled to announce that the Gaming for Inclusion Celebrity Showcase 2025 will air next week, on October 14 at 10am Pacific on the Xbox Twitch channel.
This broadcast will feature highlights from the recently completed athlete tournament, where Special Olympics athletes and their Unified partners brought energy, skill, and teamwork to the Rocket League arena. Viewers of the Celebrity Showcase can get excited for live Rocket League gameplay, inspiring conversation and guest appearances by some of your favorite gaming creators and celebrity supporters.
Whether you’re a fan of gaming or a supporter of Special Olympics, you won’t want to miss the action, the stories, and the community spirit on display. Save the date and invite your friends and family to celebrate these incredible athletes as we power up for an inclusive future in gaming!
How to Watch:
Tune in to the Xbox Twitch channel on October 14 at 10am Pacific for the Gaming for Inclusion Celebrity Showcase 2025! This stream is also available on the XboxASL Twitch channel.
The showcase will air on Special Olympics’ YouTube immediately following the Xbox event.
Xbox Game Camp Welcomes Special Olympics Athletes for an Immersive Learning Experience
This summer, we took our partnership a step further by welcoming nine Special Olympics athletes to a bespoke Xbox Game Camp—a behind-the-scenes experience on our Redmond campus designed to inspire career ambitions in the world of gaming and technology.
During Xbox Game Camp, Special Olympics athletes experienced two days of immersive learning, exploring accessibility innovations, building professional skills, and engaging in coding and game development activities guided by industry experts. Memorable moments included interactive workshops, meetings with Xbox leadership, and behind-the-scenes tours of Mojang Studios and Halo Studios, all designed to empower Special Olympics athletes within the gaming community.
From hands-on learning to unforgettable conversations, Xbox Game Camp 2025 was a testament to the power of inclusion and the limitless potential of every athlete.
For more on the camp’s highlights and impact, read the deep dive recap on the Microsoft Game Dev blog.
Support Special Olympics and Inclusive Gaming
At Xbox, we’re proud to stand with Special Olympics in championing inclusion, accessibility, and the transformative power of play. Want to get involved? Visit Special Olympics to learn more about their programs and ways to support their mission.
Rewards members in select markets can donate points to Special Olympics and help advance this important work.
Let’s continue to build a world where everyone can play, compete, and belong. We’ll see you next week at the 2025 Gaming for Inclusion Celebrity Showcase!
Five years ago, Sucker Punch took us to new frontiers on “Tsushima Island”, where we were introduced to Jin Sakai, a samurai struggling between abandoning his code of honor and protecting his home from the first Mongol invasion of Japan.
Three hundred years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, a new warrior has risen. In Ghost of Yōtei, Atsu seeks revenge on the Yōtei Six after they ruthlessly slaughtered her family. As she takes on each of her enemies with an “underdog vengeance”, Atsu traverses the open world of Ezo and adopts the spirit of the onryō to pursue justice on those who took everything from her.
Ghost of Yōtei takes players through a sensory-driven, open world that offers players a unique perspective and experience. The original score, composed by Toma Otowa, is the perfect accompaniment to immerse you in a cultural adventure as you unlock hidden levels of beauty and brutality. East meets West when the sounds of traditional Japanese instruments merge with the modern Western influences to create a one-of-a-kind score that fully captures Atsu’s journey.
Ghost of Yōtei – Official Soundtrack Listening Party | October 15
The PlayStation Studios Music team and Sony Music Masterworks are thrilled to invite you to the official soundtrack listening party celebrating the recent release of Ghost of Yōtei!
Join our 60-minute livestream on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 PM PT, featuring exclusive commentary, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights into the production of the game soundtrack.
We’ll be joined by four talented speakers, each offering their own unique perspective and contribution on the creative process behind the music and characters that bring Atsu and the open world of Ezo to life.
Toma Otowa
Toma Otowa is a multi-award-winning film and game composer based in Los Angeles. He has worked on such Hollywood blockbuster films as Thor: Ragnarok, Croods: A New Age, Lego Movie 2, and Hotel Transylvania 3 with veteran film composer and DEVO frontman, Mark Mothersbaugh.
Otowa’s video game work includes Resident Evil 5, Afrika, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures, Halo 2: Anniversary, Knack, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which he co-composed with Mothersbaugh.
Jason Connell
Jason Connell is a Creative Director on Ghost of Yōtei and was Creative Director and Art Director on Ghost of Tsushima, leading lighting, cinematography, and concept direction. He has more than 20 years of game development experience, over half of which have been with Sucker Punch. Alaska-bred, he loves adventuring with his wife and two children. Jason lives in a beanie 99% of the time and abuses the word awesome.
Brad Meyer
Rev. Dr. Bradley D Meyer is an Audio Director at Sucker Punch with over 27 years of experience in game audio. He’s fortunate enough to have led the team that won both the BAFTA and D.I.C.E awards for best Audio in 2020 for Ghost of Tsushima. Brad now leads the team on Ghost of Yōtei. He has lectured extensively about game audio at universities and conferences around the world. He is an ordained minister and a Doctor of Metaphysics and Immortality, and you wouldn’t know if he didn’t plaster it everywhere his name appears.
Erika Ishii
Erika Ishii (all pronouns) is a well-known figure in games, animation, and comedy. They star as main character Rook in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sektor in Mortal Kombat 1, Valkyrie in Apex Legends, and in October 2025 will play the titular lead in Ghost of Yōtei. Erika is considered an especially chaotic regular cast member on comedy streamer Dropout’s shows including Dimension 20, Game Changer, and Make Some Noise. They have appeared with Critical Role, hosted Marvel red carpets, and recently performed as a special guest in the Off-Broadway theater production Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern. Erika is the proud co-creator of the record-breaking narrative play and storytelling collective Worlds Beyond Number, along with Aabria Iyengar, Brennan Lee Mulligan, and Lou Wilson.
Now Streaming: Ghost of Yōtei Original Soundtrack
The Ghost of Yōtei original soundtrack by Toma Otowa is now streaming on all major platforms! This symphonic odyssey intricately weaves the haunting gravity of what Atsu has lost and carves the path of who she will choose to become. Listen now wherever you get your music.
If you liked what you heard, tune in to Twitch | YouTube on Wednesday, October 15at 5:00PM PT / 8:00PM ET to join the Ghost of Yōtei soundtrack listening party! Ghost of Yōtei is now available on PS5.
Grabbing Prismatic Evolutions cards at a good price has felt like a lost cause for Pokémon TCG collectors, but Walmart has confirmed that its upcoming October Deals event will include a significant offer that seems too good to be true.
If you’re not already a member, it’s admittedly a slight drag that you’ll essentially have to add $12.95 onto that $59.99 price tag; it’s still better than the $200 minimum you’ll currently find on other marketplaces like TCGPlayer for the same set.
Plus, this is going to sell out FAST, and I highly doubt there will be any remaining for the general non-Walmart+ shoppers looking for a bargain. Not only that, but you’re going more for your money if you’re looking to grab the brand new and upcoming Mega Evolution expansion, Phantasmal Flames.
Walmart is doing a repeat of the Prismatic Evolutions deal preview drop, but this time with preorders for the upcoming set featuring Mega Charizard X during Walmart Collector Con. The preorders will drop at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET on October 9, so you better bookmark those links and be ready to go.
Whether you’re after Prismatic ETBs or elusive preorders at MSRP for Phantasmal Flames, picking up a Walmart+ membership is undoubtedly the move this week.
It’s also important to know that whilst Walmart+ does have a 30-day trial available, the Walmart+ hub page states that only paid members will have access to its early deals on 6 October.
The annoying part of the Walmart+ subscription process, if you want to buy early access items right away, is that you’re only given the initial option to claim the 30-day trial. However, you can get around this by starting your free trial, cancelling it, and resubscribing for paid access.
The Walmart Deals event, scheduled for 7-12 October, is designed to compete directly with Amazon’s Prime Day. However, Walmart+ members will benefit from exclusive early access starting the day prior, on 6 October.
The idea is that after that early access day, the deals will then be made available to the wider public who don’t have Walmart+. However, given how quickly almost any MSRP-priced stock for new sets in the Pokémon TCG is selling out at all retailers, we’re certain this particular ETB will be sold out within hours, if not minutes.
A Walmart+ subscription is priced at $12.95 per month, or $98 annually, and offers a range of benefits beyond early shopping privileges. Members receive free delivery with no order minimum, savings on fuel, access to Paramount+ or Peacock at no extra cost, and additional perks such as pharmacy delivery and discounts at selected partners.
Although we are expecting Amazon Prime Day and the upcoming Black Friday sales to offer some decent Pokémon TCG deals of their own, this is still quite frankly one of the best we’ve seen this year.
We don’t expect Walmart to repeat this kind of deal for the foreseeable, or Walmart to match it. Even so, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to beat out all the other keen collectors, scalpers, and their bots who might be trying to nab one before you can.
What we’d advise is to have your paid Walmart+ subscription set up and you be logged in on 6 October, and if you get the chance to add one of those half-priced Prismatic Evolutions ETBs to your basket, you take it.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
Note: Pokémon TCG pricing is incredibly volitile and any mention of sale pricing is indicative of the current market rate for the aforementioned products.
For example, Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes are meant to sell for around $50-$60 MSRP, but instead retailer at around $100+ post launch.
There is a belief that appears to crop up within the games industry that to work in it, you must be wholly aware of everything in it. You must live, breathe and die by games! That doesn’t always result in interesting games though, sometimes it’s actually quite useful to have outsiders come in to bring other perspectives. Admittedly that occasionally results in writers from the film industry waltzing in thinking it’s a one-to-one transfer, which is admittedly not great. But other times you get Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, whose writer, as it turns out, had not played a single video game in her life before writing it.
When Sega and Creative Assembly’s Alien: Isolation launched in 2014, I was deputy editor at Official Xbox Magazine. I remember getting the review copy from our contributor Alex “Game Over, Man” Dale, and asking him how long the game was. 35-40 hours, he said. WTF, I said. I can’t remember how Alex responded – possibly his transmission ended with a jangling scream and a burp of static, or possibly he agreed with me that 35-40 hours is indecently hefty for a horror game, even with the qualification that you can get through the main campaign in around 20. 35-40 hours? That’s a farking Final Fantasy, mate!
Over 10 years later, we finally know who to blame. Surprise surprise, it was the xenomorph all along. According to Alien Isolation writer Dion Lay, the Gigerbeast’s increasing capability during development made certain areas more time-intensive than they were originally supposed to be. There’s probably a relevant Alien quote to invoke, here, but I’m going to settle for that Jeff Goldblum line from Jurassic Park.
A listing for the unannounced Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 has appeared online.
The website for the Entertainment Software Rating Board has a listing for Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, which is set for release on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Its publisher is listed as Daybreak Game Company LLC, which owns Cold Iron Studios, developer of the first game. As you’d expect, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is rated M for Mature 17+ by the ESRB, with “Blood and Gore, Strong Language, and Violence.”
Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a cooperative third-person survival shooter which drops players into the role of a Colonial Marine aboard the USS Endeavor, recently tasked with answering a distress call from the outer colonies. It was well-received upon its 2021 launch, earning a 7/10 from IGN’s review. We said: “There’s plenty of wild shootouts with swarms of xenomorphs in Aliens: Fireteam Elite, but some awkward pacing and repetitive level design prevents it from being a classic.”
Aliens: Fireteam Elite recently hit Xbox Game Pass, expanding its audience. It was a well-timed addition, with the critically acclaimed Alien: Earth TV show set to hit FX and Hulu at the time. This sequel, while so far unannounced, looks like a sure thing.
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.
