Sonic’s new 2D adventure, Sonic Superstars, is finally here. The game has released on multiple platforms today, so the choice of where to play is all yours — what a treat! Some of you may already be tucking into the blue blur’s latest (and we can’t say that we blame you), but if you have been waiting to see how the console versions stack up against each other, then gosh, do we have the video for you.
The good folks over on the YouTube channel GameXplain have put together a graphics comparison for the Switch and the PS5 so you can check out the visual discrepancies between the two. The video provides both a wipe and side-by-side comparison, so you can really get a feel for how the game runs (heh heh) on both consoles.
Epic have dropped a bunch of details as to planned improvements for the Epic Games Store in the on-going race to out-Steam Steam – the Coca-Cola to Epic’s Pepsi Max. Amongst other things, we can expect more robust search features, support for third-party subscriptions, better EGS launcher performance, a download manager with improved controls, and a new “for you” personalisation tab – all of that rolling out across 2024 and 2025.
Naturally, Epic will be continuing with their free games program through “2023 and beyond”, and they’ve also put together a couple of special publishing offers for developers, Epic First Run and Now on Epic, which are designed to lure more studios from the amoeba-like embrace of Valve’s gaming empire.
Lies of P has sold one million copies since going on sale last month, publisher Neowiz has said.
Round8 Studio’s well-received soulslike launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, PC via Steam, and Mac via the Mac App Store on September 18. It reimagines the classic fairy tale of Pinocchio in the Bloodborne style.
IGN’s Lies of P review returned an 8/10. We said: “Lies of P might not branch out particularly far from its soulslike inspiration, but it plays the part extremely well.” Lies of P has a “very positive” user review rating on Steam too.
“This incredible milestone for Lies of P proves the potential of Korean console games on the global stage,” said Seungchul Kim, co-CEO of Neowiz. “The Lies of P project was a challenging endeavor for Neowiz and Round8 Studio and we take great pride in what we achieved with this title.”
Given the success of Lies of P, thoughts turn to the possibility of DLC and a sequel. Earlier this month, IGN reported on a job listing for a quest planner role for a Lies of P DLC, with one of the bullet points on the listing directly stating that the DLC is in development. At the time, Neowiz told IGN it did not have an official statement regarding upcoming DLC for Lies of P, however, the studio said it “will be providing a roadmap of the contents planned for Lies of P as soon as it is ready”.
Spoilers of Lies of P are ahead
Lies of P includes a clear hint at either upcoming DLC or a sequel. A post-credits scene shows the ruby shoes worn by Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. An unnamed character says: “When I return, I will find her. For sure. Another key of ours. Dorothy.”
In today’s announcement Jiwon Choi, Director for Lies of P, teased more to come: “The reception has been incredible so far, and we are beyond thankful that over one million players have already embarked on their journey through Krat. Likewise, we are excited for what the future holds for Lies of P, and can’t wait to share more when the time is right.”
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.
As the holiday season approaches, we are excited to share that we have a new PS5 model launching. To address the evolving needs of players, our engineering and design teams collaborated on a new form factor that provides greater choice and flexibility. The same technology features that make PS5 the best to play are packed into a smaller form factor, along with an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive and a 1TB SSD for more internal storage.
The new PS5 has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models. There are four separate cover panels, with the top portion in a glossy look, while the bottom remains in matte. If you purchase the PS5 Digital Edition, you can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 later, as it will also be sold separately for SGD 159 / MYR 529 / IDR 1,839,000 / THB 3,790.
The new PS5 model will be available starting this November in the U.S. at select local retailers and direct.playstation.com where available. It will continue to roll out globally in the following months. Once inventory of the current PS5 model has sold out, the new PS5 will become the only model available.
The recommended retail prices for the new PS5 model are as follows beginning with the rollout in November at participating retailers.
Singapore
PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – SGD 799
PS5 Digital Edition – SGD 669
Malaysia
PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – MYR 2,499
PS5 Digital Edition – MYR 2,069
Indonesia
PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – IDR 9,699,000
PS5 Digital Edition – IDR 8,199,000
Thailand
PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 6THB 18,690
PS5 Digital Edition – THB 15,690
Philippines
PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – PHP 30,790
Vietnam
PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – PHP 15,990,000
A horizontal stand will be included with the new PS5 model. Also a new Vertical Stand compatible with all PS5 models will be sold separately at SGD 44.90 / MYR 149 / 499,000 / THB 1,090 / PHP 1,690 / 799,000.
A variety of PS5 Console Cover colors for the new model will be available starting in early 2024, including an all-matte Black colorway and the Deep Earth Collection colors in Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. Prices for the PS5 Console Covers will start at 54.99 USD | 54.99 EURO | 44.99 GBP | 7,480 JPY. Additional colors will be released in the future.
We are ten days away from the launch of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, with additional games including Alan Wake 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launching shortly after. With these fantastic games coming, in addition to recent releases such as EA Sports FC 24, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, and Baldur’s Gate 3, there’s plenty for gamers to play on PS5 this holiday season.
I want to thank all of you for your continued passion and support.
Nintendo has announced it will be releasing a new patch for Splatoon 3 this week, bumping the game up to Version 5.1.0.
It will include new data related to the Splatoween Splatfest and tweaks to multiplayer. At the very end of the patch notes, Nintendo also mentions how it will be releasing the “next patch” for Splatoon 3 around the middle of November to add in the Deep Cut amiibo data.
Starting today, we’re taking a step forward in cloud gaming by rolling out our PS5 cloud streaming feature for PlayStation Plus Premium members. This includes supported PS5-native games available through the PlayStation Plus Games Catalog* and Game Trials, as well as supported digital PS5 titles you own.
We know you have questions, so let’s dive right in!
What plan option do I need to access the cloud streaming benefit from PlayStation Plus?
The cloud streaming benefit for PlayStation Plus is available through the PlayStation Plus Premium plan, which is offered in the following locations:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.
We’re tracking the following launch dates for this new feature in local times:
Japan – starting today, October 17
Europe – targeting October 23
North America – targeting October 30
Where will the option to stream a game appear?
You can either select the game from PlayStation Plus through your PS5 dashboard, or if you have the game in your PS5 game library, select ‘streaming’ from there.
What titles can be streamed through the cloud streaming benefit from PlayStation Plus Premium?
Cloud streaming is available for the following platforms through PlayStation Plus Premium. Please note that cloud streaming availability may vary by title.
Original PlayStation, PS2, PS3 and PSP games, though Classic Catalog
PS4 and PS5 games through Game Catalog
PS5 games available as Game Trial
Supported digital PS5 games from your game library
Can PS5 games also be streamed on PC (where available) or PS4 consoles?
Currently, the PS5 game streaming experience is only available on PS5 consoles via the PlayStation Plus Premium plan.
Can PS VR2 games be streamed?
Cloud steaming access does not support PS VR2 games.
Can disc-based PS5 games be streamed?
Cloud streaming is only available for digital PS5 titles.
Are the Monthly Games streamable with a PlayStation Plus membership?
Supported PS5 games available through the Monthly Games benefit will be available for streaming by PlayStation Plus Premium members as long as you redeem the title during the month it is offered.
What’s the difference between cloud streaming via PlayStation Plus Premium and PlayStation’s Remote Play feature?
Remote Play requires the titles to be downloaded locally to a PS5 console prior to using the Remote Play app; cloud streaming does not. Please note that Remote Play is not compatible with cloud-streamed titles.
Are titles from the PlayStation Plus Game and Classics Catalog compatible with the PlayStation Portal remote player?
The PlayStation Portal remote player is designed to use Remote Play functionality – allowing you to play titles already installed on your PS5 storage via a WiFi connection.
Titles from the PlayStation Plus Game and Classic catalog that can be installed on your PS5 will be compatible with the PlayStation Portal remote player. However, the PlayStation Portal remote player will not support cloud streaming of these titles.
What are the supported video resolutions?
High- quality resolution options in SDR or HDR at 60Hz will be available for PS5 titles when streamed. Below are our recommended available internet bandwidth (in mbps) mbps for each option.
2160p (4K) – 52 mbps recommended
1440p – 38 mbps recommended
1080p (Full HD) – 23 mbps recommended
720p (HD) – 13 mbps recommended
Requires minimum internet speed of 5mbps, 15 mbps for 1080p and 38 mbps+ for 4K.
Will DLC and add-ons be available if I decide to stream a PS5 title?
Players can purchase and use add-on content for supported PS5 games with a streaming option. Content will be available immediately after it is purchased from PlayStation Store.
How will my game progress be saved if I decide to stream a PS5 game instead of downloading it?
Save data and game progress is automatically synced between all devices via cloud storage, making it easy to switch seamlessly between local and streaming gameplay, and between multiple devices.
Can I transfer game progress from Game Trials to my full purchase if I choose the streaming option instead of downloading?
Yes, similar to downloading Game Trials, you can still keep any Trophies or progress saved if you decide to purchase the full game.
Additionally, Trophies you earn will remain on your PlayStation Network profile, even if you decide not to purchase the title. If you decide to purchase the title later, you can continue to earn Trophies where you left off.
What is the difference between playing a downloaded PS5 game and streaming a PS5 game?
Playing a locally downloaded PS5 game and streaming a supported PS5 game is a similar experience (determined by internet speeds), except save files are stored via cloud storage instead of locally on the PS5 console.
*Availability of Game Library varies over time, region/country and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms
After an illustrious career spanning more than 60 years, Michael Caine is ready to bid goodbye. The 90-year-old actor confirming that he intends to retire in the wake of the real of The Great Escaper, which will be his final film.
Caine, who has been frequent collaborator with director Christopher Nolan, feels he has nothing else to accomplish.
“I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well, I am now,” Caine told BBC Radio 4’s Today show. “I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and it’s got incredible reviews. The only parts I’m likely to get now are old men…And I thought, well I might as well leave with all this — what have I got to do to beat this?”
Caine bids farewell to an illustrious career
Caine has been hinting for sometime now that he plans to retire. He previously told the Telegraph, “I am bloody 90 now, and I can’t walk properly and all that. I sort of am retired already.”
Caine’s career stretches back to 1956’s A Hill in Korea, and in the years that followed would include The Italian Job, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Children of Men and numerous Christopher Nolan films. Caine famously played Alfred Pennyworth in Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, lending the role a fatherly gravitas as Bruce Wayne’s mentor and conscience. Caine didn’t appear in Oppenheimer, ending an eight-year streak of appearances in Nolan’s films.
Arguably his greatest role is 1975’s The Man Who Would Be King, where he co-starred alongside Sean Connery as an ex-soldier on a journey to Kafiristan. Caine has been nominated for an Oscar six times, his first win being for 1986’s Hannah and Her Sisters. He also won Best Supporting Actor for his role in 1999’s The Cider House Rules.
Caine’s final movie is The Great Escaper, a biographical drama based on the true story of an 89-year-old British World War II veteran. It released in the United Kingdom on October 6.
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.
A new Grand Theft Auto Game may be on the horizon, and no, we’re not talking about Grand Theft Auto 6. Instead, it sounds like streaming giant Netflix wants a taste of the GTA pie, and is reportedly trying to get a Grand Theft Auto game of some kind onto its Netflix Games service.
This comes from a report in the Wall Street Journal today covering the company’s ongoing efforts to make a meal out of its library of original IP in the games space after acquiring a number of game development studios. The report claims that the company has “discussed plans” to release a Grand Theft Auto game on its service through a licensing deal with publisher Take-Two Interactive. What kind of game it would be, or who would develop it, remains to be seen.
As things now stand, any GTA spin-off that ended up on Netflix would inevitably be a mobile game, as currently the only way to play Netflix’s portfolio is through its mobile app. The report suggests that Netflix hopes to eventually expand its library to include games that can be streamed from TV or PC.
According to one analyst speaking to the WSJ, Netflix has spend about $1 billion on games so far. And it seems to be aiming to hire more game executives to oversee a foray into AAA titles. But there’s currently no good way to tell exactly how well that investment is paying off for the company, or whether it ever will. Rather than standalone purchases, the games are tied into Netflix subscriptions, which we’ll get an updated figure on during the company’s earnings on Wednesday. But there’s no way of knowing if games are convincing people to subscribe.
They don’t seem to be providing an especially strong draw for existing subscribers, though. As of September 20 these games have been downloaded 70.5 million times total. That may sound like a lot, but it’s a far cry from some of the massive numbers pulled in by the world’s biggest mobile games. For instance, Honkai: Star Rail managed over 20 million downloads by itself on its launch day alone earlier this year. And Apptopia estimates that fewer than 1% of Netflix subscribers play its games on a daily basis – perhaps unsurprising given that much of its catalog, including its most prestige titles like Oxenfree, Immortality, Spiritfarer, and others, are available elsewhere.
We previously wrote about Netflix’s big video game push earlier this year, but it sounds like the landscape hasn’t changed much since then. While a big Grand Theft Auto release could potentially turn the tide, it’s also possible that an imminent Grand Theft Auto 6 release elsewhere would drastically overshadow whatever Netflix cooks up, rather than neatly tie onto it.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
The Alt Controller showing at EGX this year was properly top tier stuff. There was, of course, the Future Of Play booth that our Graham organised for the show (the contents of which you can see right here), but every year the Leftfield Collection houses a couple more custom controller games that are just as illustrative of all the amazing things going on in the world of interactive entertainment these days.
Case in point, there were two games from this year’s cohort that impressed me in equal measure over the weekend – and it was perhaps fitting that they were located directly opposite one another in the Leftfield Collection’s long, white corridor. One was a mind-bogglingly complex, almost military-grade-looking briefcase stuffed full of switches, nozzles and buttons, and the other was an impossibly cute cardboard flip book and projector combo that let its cartoon hero Bib bound across the 3D paper environments to find a way home. Here’s a little look at both of them in action.
Netflix has reportedly spoken with Grand Theft Auto devs Rockstar about releasing a GTA title via the streaming service, according to new reports. The talks occurred as the movie and TV behemoth apparently works to bring “higher-end” titles to their growing catalogue of video games.
