Category: IGN

Hasbro has announced that, following the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, yet another Dungeons & Dragons game is in production.

CEO Chris Cocks told Bloomberg that a fifth D&D game is in development but didn’t share what it’s about, its genre, or the studio making it. It does appear to be in active production, however, as Cocks noted in the same interview that its G.I. Joe game is currently in pre-production.

While D&D has long spawned video game adaptations, the mainstream success captured by Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 has seemingly set Hasbro and direct owner Wizards of the Coast into overdrive.

Alongside this mysterious game mentioned by Cocks, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance developer Invoke Studios is also working on a triple-A game based on the beloved role-playing game universe, plus there’s a D&D survival RPG life simulator from the Disney Dreamlight Valley developer.

Virtual reality fans can also look forward to a D&D game too, as Resolution Games, the developer behind tabletop RPG simulator Demeo, is working on a game set in Faerûn too. This isn’t confirmed to be a recreation of the core D&D experience in a virtual setting but almost certainly is. And there’s a co-op D&D game codenamed Project Baxter in the works at Payday developer Starbreeze.

Baldur’s Gate 3 arrived in July 2023 and became the surprise hit of the year, with players obsessing over its seemingly infinite number of playstyles and story outcomes. It was incredibly successful commercially, pulling in $90 million for Hasbro, and is, remarkably, more popular this year than last.

In our 10/10 review, IGN said: “With crunchy, tactical RPG combat, a memorable story with complex characters, highly polished cinematic presentation, and a world that always rewards exploration and creativity, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the new high-water mark for CRPGs.”

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Valve is reportedly working on a sequel to its original Steam Controller, according to an insider report.

Per YouTuber Brad Lynch, a Steam Controller 2 codenamed “Ibex” is in the works, and en route to mass production.

Codename for Steam Controller 2 is “Ibex”

Separate product from Deckard’s “Roy” controller(s)

Both are being tooled for a mass production goal in their factories right now. That’s why I know they’re in later stages of productization

— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) November 19, 2024

We don’t have too many details on controller specifics, but Lynch did say in replies on X/Twitter that it will look like a standard gamepad. The biggest change is reportedly the shape and size of the trackpads “to get into that gamepad-y form.” It will also allegedly have symmetrical sticks.

Sony has officially announced its lineup of PlayStation Black Friday deals, featuring discounts on PS5 hardware, PlayStation VR2, games, and accessories—including the Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle—at participating retailers and PS Direct.

While the deals officially begin on November 22, here’s everything confirmed so far, along with details on a potential PS5 console bundle discount, new offers on games like Star Wars Outlaws (down to $49.99), and more.

PS5 Black Friday Deals – Starting Nov. 24

If you chose patience with Star Wars Outlaws, then here is your reward. The new Star Wars game has been discounted in the Black Friday sales, now down to $49.99 on PS5 and Xbox. That’s $20 off the original list price and potentially a much better offering for anyone unsure of the game when it launched back in late August.

The deal also features Amazon’s exclusive limited edition content pack, which includes Rogue Infiltrator cosmetics for Kay and Nix. It’s likely the best deal we’re getting on the game before Christmas, so snap it up if you’ve been waiting for a sale, or want to gift it to someone over the holidays.

Kadokawa Corporation has confirmed it has received a buyout offer from Sony, but insists it has yet to make a decision on whether to sell up.

Earlier this week, Reuters reported that Sony was in talks to buy Kadokawa, whose subsidiary FromSoftware is behind smash hit Elden Ring, the Dark Souls and Armored Core games, and PlayStation exclusive Bloodborne.

Kadokawa has now confirmed the report, with a note from CEO Takeshi Natsuno issued after shares in the company skyrocketed on the news.

“There are some articles on the acquisition of Kadokawa Corporation (hereinafter ‘the Company’) by Sony Group Inc,” Natsuno said. “However, this information is not announced by the Company. The Company has received an initial letter of intent to acquire the Company’s shares, but no decision has been made at this time. If there are any facts that should be announced in the future, we will make an announcement in a timely and appropriate manner.”

Sony has so far declined to comment.

Kadokawa’s business extends into areas that fit into Sony’s broader entertainment offering, which includes anime, manga, TV, and film. Kadokawa is a prolific publisher of anime, and Sony already owns anime streamers Crunchyroll and Funimation. As well as FromSoftware, Kadokawa owns Danganronpa developer Spike Chunsoft, Octopath Traveler developer Acquire, and RPG Maker and Pixel Game Maker developer Gotcha Gotcha Games.

Kadokawa is the majority owner of FromSoftware, with around 70% of the company. Sony already owns around 14% of the developer, with Tencent owning around 16%.

Piers Harding-Rolls, Research Director at Ampere Analysis, told IGN that news of a potential deal isn’t that surprising. “Sony’s interest in Kadokawa’s games publisher FromSoftware was made more concrete in 2022 when it acquired a roughly 14% share of the company following up on its long-time collaboration with the company,” Harding-Rolls said.

“At the time, Sony mentioned a broader interest in cross-media development of anime and games IP to support its other media businesses. So, in that sense any deal for the parent company Kadokawa, which also operates extensively in manga and anime, is a natural extension of this earlier deal. These other areas align nicely with Sony’s anime businesses.

“The market conditions for acquisitions have changed dramatically over the last two years but Sony will always be looking for opportunities that can fuel its growth and that bolster its IP portfolio, and that represent value. There may also be a defensive element to this move. FromSoftware is an important partner for Sony’s games business, and it will not want a competitor taking control of Kadokawa and potentially disrupting that relationship. It helps that Kadokawa is also active in areas which are a strong fit with Sony’s wider business.”

For Sony, its gaming business has already suffered significant layoffs this year and the closure of multiple studios, including Concord developer Firewalk. In February, it announced a round of layoffs affecting 900 staff, or about 8% of its global PlayStation workforce. The layoffs impacted a number of PlayStation studios, including Insomniac, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla, and Firesprite, but PlayStation’s London studio was hit hardest with a notice of closure. Since then, Sony-owned Bungie has also suffered devastating cuts as Destiny 2 struggles to find commercial success.

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.

Bethesda’s Starfield has seen 15 million players since launching in September 2023.

Starfield hit six million players on its day of release to become the biggest launch in Bethesda Game Studios history, surpassing the likes of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and Fallout 4. Those player numbers were boosted, of course, by Starfield’s day one launch into Game Pass.

“We’re thrilled that so many of you have embarked on this journey with us, and we appreciate your feedback,” Bethesda said in a post on its website. “We are always looking for ways to improve your experience playing the game.”

To that end, Bethesda has released a new update that makes a number of important changes and additions. Creations by Verified Creators now have the option to be achievement friendly, there are two new free creations (a vehicle and a quest), and there are new quality-of-life improvements, such as an uncapped framerate option for Xbox Series X. However, Achievements will not retroactively unlock on previous game saves with Creations, even if those Creations are now achievement friendly.

Update 1.14.74 adds the newest land vehicle, the Deimog, as a “special gift” to all players for hitting the 15 million landmark, Bethesda said. Here’s the official blurb:

Built for speed and endurance, the Deimog features a fully enclosed cabin to keep you protected as you race through rugged landscapes. Its exceptional handling allows you to navigate even the trickiest terrain with ease, while a powerful rocket launcher ensures you’re prepared for any threats — be it hostile wildlife or clusters of enemies.

And the new quest is called The Perfect Recipe, made available to players for free “in the spirit of Thanksgiving.”

The Perfect Recipe invites you on a heartwarming journey through Akila City, where the past and present collide in the hands of an unlikely dreamer. This character-driven questline introduces you to Harbhajan, a gifted mechanic with a hidden passion for the culinary arts. When you stumble upon a dusty recipe book during your travels, you learn it belongs to Harbhajan — a once-hopeful chef whose ambitions were set aside for a more practical life. Returning the recipes ignites a spark, rekindling old dreams of becoming a galaxy-renowned chef. But could it be too late for a second chance?

Bethesda released the first Starfield expansion, Shattered Space, at the end of September. It was billed as a return to form for the studio, but Shattered Space is currently on a ‘mostly negative’ user review rating in Steam. According to Xbox boss Phil Spencer, Bethesda development chief Todd Howard wondered whether Starfield should have delayed buggies for Shattered Space so it had a bigger impact.

Starfield Update 1.14.74 patch notes:

General

• General performance and stability improvements.
• The uncapped frame rate option is available again for Xbox Series X users.
• The Message of the Day now displays more consistently on the Xbox.
• Addressed an issue where some console commands did not disable certain achievements.
• Shattered Space will now show ownership correctly for Steam users.

Features

• Creation Kit: Lipsync animation data generation is now available.

Gameplay

• The Annihilator Particle Beam damage-over-time effect no longer triggers companion reactions.
• Resolved a Leadership skill issue that could cause companions to not speak up.
• Improved function of the stealth bar while around crowd NPCs.
• Addressed an issue where destroyed ships could load in without collision.
• Addressed an issue where loading a save the relied on missing content could place the player in an undesirable location.
• Trackers Alliance – Roach will now accurately track the number of completed bounties.
• Trackers Alliance – Bounty targets will now appear in Akila, Gagarin, and Cydonia.
• Trackers Alliance – Fixed an issue where the player could receive additional credits by extorting the target and then killing them.
• Trackers Alliance – Bounty targets should now have a larger variety of appearances.
• Trackers Alliance – Bounty targets will now be removed after being dealt with and leaving the area.
• Trackers Alliance – Extorting or bribing a bounty target is no longer a guaranteed success.

Quests

• The Starjacker – The correct quest objective will display when the player boards the Junker Watchdog.
• Legacy of the Fang – Addressed an issue that could cause the key to no longer open the door if the player had left the area.
• The Duel – If the player attacks Danika and gets arrested, they are now able to speak to her afterwards to complete the quest.
• The Scaled Citadel – Anasko’s ID Key is now flagged as a quest item.
• What Remains – Addressed an issue where having certain creations installed could make the hatch on The Oracle non-interactable.
• What Remains – The Engineering Bay Access Card is now flagged as a quest item.
• A House Divided – The doors in the Radiology center will stay unlocked during this quest if the player exits the area and returns.
• A House Divided – The player can now obtain the keycard from Madri after the quest is completed.
• Zealous Overreach – Fixed an issue that could occur if the Va’ruun Zealots at the exterior of Shadow Station Epsilon were killed before receiving the quest.
• Zealous Overreach – Addressed an issue that could prevent the player from speaking to Razma or Viktor if the quest “Conflict in Conviction” is started at the same time.
• Zealous Overreach – Vortex Phantoms will no longer spawn close enough to interrupt the negotiation scene.

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.

Ghostface is out now in Mortal Kombat 1, and players can finally see exactly who is under that most famous of horror masks.

Warning! Spoilers for Ghostface’s true identity in Mortal Kombat 1 are below.

Developer NetherRealm had confirmed Mortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface is none other than Billy Loomis, the main antagonist of the 1996 Scream film and the original Ghostface killer played by Skeet Ulrich. But now Ghostface is out Mortal Kombat 1 players can see the actual face behind the mask when they perform a Fatality or Fatal Blow against him.

Here’s how Billy looks in Mortal Kombat 1:

Billy Loomis confirmed for Woodsburrow ghostface in MK1 #MortalKombat1 #Ghostface #billyloomis #mk1 pic.twitter.com/Ef3usj2Lsx

— Casey (@BoogieBoysGoBoo) November 18, 2024

While this clears things up on one Ghostface, what about the others? If you pick a Ghostface mirror match, dialogue between the two reveals one is Billy and the other is his friend Stu Macher, who in the original Scream films helps during the killing spree in Woodsboro. But the person behind the mask is always Billy (currently there’s no Stu model to be found.)

There’s even more going on with this Ghostface. As IGN had reported ahead of the DLC character’s launch, NetherRealm has used Ghostface to secretly bring back two characters from a 20-year-old Mortal Kombat game. Ghostface is actually three characters in one, as you can switch to temporarily playing as The Enforcer or The Assassin by holding a button during certain moves. The lore justification here is Ghostface has been transported to Lui Kang’s timeline without his partners from the movies, so recruits two members of the Black Dragon clan to help him out.

Mortal Kombat fans had identified moves that are directly related to Kobra (Enforcer) and Kira (Assassin), two human Black Dragon members who each made their debut in 2004’s Mortal Kombat: Deception. With Ghostface’s release, Mortal Kombat modder @thethiny confirmed Kobra and Kira are indeed the two other Ghostface killers who help Billy out.

CONFIRMED
Ghostface 1 is Billy
Ghostface 2 is Kira
Ghostface 3 is Kobra pic.twitter.com/L6p6dVeHv7

— thethiny 🐰🍉 (@thethiny) November 19, 2024

So far, players have yet to uncover faces under the masks for Kobra or Kira, as it’s always Billy no matter which version of Ghostface is in play when the Fatality or Killing Blow is performed.

Ghostface in Mortal Kombat 1 is voiced by Roger L. Jackson, who has voiced the character throughout the Scream franchise. Up next is Conan the Barbarian and T-1000 Terminator.

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.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl developer GSC Game World has confirmed the global release times for its hotly anticipated post-apocalyptic shooter.

In a tweet, GSC said the November 20 release date for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl kicks off at 8am PT / 11am ET, and is consistent across both PC and Xbox Series X and S. It also launches straight into Xbox Game Pass as part of Wave 2 of November 2024’s lineup.

Final Fantasy XIV is the latest online multiplayer game to head to mobile, joining Diablo and Monster Hunter among others. It is being developed by Tencent subsidiary LightSpeed Studios, which is responsible for PUBG Mobile and recently added Dragon’s Dogma director Hideaki Itsuno to its ranks as part of its newly-established Japan Studio.

The official release calls it an “exciting extension of the beloved franchise” and says it will capture the “immersive experience of the original title in a fresh, mobile-friendly format.” It’s unconfirmed whether the new mobile title will include cross-progression or any of the expansions, but LightSpeed Studios does plan to retain lifestyle content including fishing, Triple Triad, and chocobo racing.

In a statement as part of the release, Final Fantasy XIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida called the new release a “sister to Final Fantasy XIV.”

“It has been 11 years since FFXIV 2.0: A Realm Reborn launched, and this new mobile game will be a sister to FFXIV, aiming to recreate the grandeur of the original’s story and combat mechanics on mobile devices,” Yoshida said. “Non-combat features, such as Disciples of the Land and Hand, will also be faithfully implemented and we look forward to growing alongside the passionate FFXIV community.”

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn was first released in 2013 and has experienced huge success since, releasing multiple acclaimed expansions, including Dawntrail earlier this year. It has been lauded for its respectful handling of Final Fantasy history, its storytelling, and its numerous features.

The release claims that the mobile version will allow players to “immerse themselves in the meticulously crafted visual experience that defines Eorzea on mobile.” It will include “intricate weather and time-of-day systems” and “over 600 weather patterns across various landscapes.” The development teams have sought to optimize player character and equipment designs for the original game. IGN has asked for clarification on whether it will only feature the original A Realm Reborn content to start.

Final Fantasy XIV Mobile does not yet have a release date, but a demo will be available for play tests in China, with a global launch following soon after.

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.

Ahead of Black Friday, Best Buy and Amazon are offering the 2TB WD Black SN850X PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe solid state drive (SSD) for the best price we’ve seen all year long. Right now you can get it without heatsink for $129.99 or with heatsink (at Walmart) for $134.99. The WD Black SN850X is one of the best performing PCIe 4.0 SSDs on the market; this is the best SSD for your PlayStation 5 console, but it can also be a blazing fast boot drive for your gaming rig.

2TB WD Black SN850X PS5 SSD (Without Heatsink)