“It is a great blow to have him step away from the project”.
Shuntaro Ida, a veteran designer on the Castlevania franchise and director of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, has sadly stepped down from the development of Bloodstained 2 following a cancer diagnosis.
Ida announced his decision on social media (thanks, VGC), stating that although he had already come up with ideas for the upcoming game, he will pass these on to others while he receives treatment. Koji Igarashi, long-time producer of the Castevania series, reposted this message to express his sadness while wishing Ida a quick recovery.
Hi all – Luke Karmali here from the team over at Larian Studios, bringing you the exciting news that Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 7 is now officially available on PlayStation 5 today. There’s quite a meaty buffet that stands before us, and a lot of ground to cover, so let’s dive in.
First up, the dastardly-minded among you will be pleased to know Patch 7 brings a whopping 13 new cinematic Evil Endings, including unique ones for each Origin Character. Unsatisfied with how much The Sword Coast has suffered to this point? Well now’s your chance to set the world to rights…or wrongs, as it turns out.
Alongside this, we’ve revamped our split screen gameplay offering for couch co-op play. Dynamic split screen means each side of the screen will merge when you near each other and split back up as you head off on your own adventures. No more arguments over which direction to head in!
But the addition that we’re especially keen to talk about today is our brand new Mod Manager, allowing console players to experience a fresh brand of mutable mayhem authored by community members like yourselves.
With mods running the gamut from the mad to the macabre, we can appreciate it may be a bit overwhelming for some to know where to start. With that in mind, we’re here to offer a rundown of five of our favourites, showing just what’s possible with this latest toolkit.
Five game-changing Mods to get you started
1) Adjustable Party Limit by PixellBytes
If you’ve been suffering from choice paralysis when it comes to building your party, then rejoice! Our first mod adds spells that allow you to adjust the number of companions in your party, up to 16, and can even work in multiplayer. Not content with your fellows swearing just their swords, bows and axes to you? Well now you can add their daggers, flails, glaives, staves, salamis and even their lutes at the same time! Speaking of which…
Download the image
2) Underwear of Rituals by Xelphos
Undercrackers. Budgie-smugglers. Banana hammocks. Words that no doubt conjure an array of images to your mind. But what if they could conjure more than just that? What if they unlocked your latent ability to read minds, shapeshift, or even speak with the dead?! Well, wonder no more, as this mod realizes this potential via the Gilded Chest of Ritualistic Underwear. We promise, it’s anything but pants.
3) Underdark Dice by elliegreenart
Spores spores spores! How do you like them, why don’t you like them!? Amid a SPOREgasbord of options for dice reskins, it’s these Underdark-themed beauties that really caught our (fung-)eyes. While other dice are available, we don’t think there’s mushroom for improvement. Okay, I’ll stop now.
4) Kuo-Toa Playable Race by Gonzalo_Marcos
Of all the myriad races inhabiting Faerun, there’s one in particular that never fails to leave an impression – one could even say, BOOOAL us over. We’re talking, of course, about the enigmatic Kuo-Toa. Just look at his face – what is he thinking? What does he know!? Well, wonder no more as these questions and more can finally be answered. And remember – where there’s a gill, there’s a way.
5) Mystic Class by Xhevo
Unable to choose between the initial offering of 12 classes and 46 subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3? Well, the choice just got even harder, with a bevy of new classes being added as I type thanks to our illustrious modders. Though there’s some very interesting variations on offer on the Paladin and Warlock fronts, this take on the Mystic class from the Unearthed Arcana is a great place to start.
This is just a taster of all that’s on offer with new mods being added all the time. We hope you’re inspired to give some of them a go…and perhaps even look into authoring some yourself!
Who knows what mayhem you may be capable of wroughting with your very own hands?
One of our favorite Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deal has returned at Woot, providing another opportunity for users to stack their membership at a discounted rate. You can get three months of the service for just $36.49. This price won’t stick around for long, so act fast to secure your membership.
Game Pass has a nice rotation of new titles to play every month. If you’re curious about what’s in store for the start of October, we’ve got you covered there as well. The Xbox Game Pass October wave 1 lineup is:
Open Roads (Console) – October 2 Game Pass Standard
Sifu (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 2 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Mad Streets (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 7 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Inscryption (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 10 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Another massive piece of Game Pass news is that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is officially available to play on Game Pass right now for console, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate users. This features the full package for CoD fans: the campaign, multiplayer, and zombies modes. Subscribers can also expect to see Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 day-one on Game Pass when it releases on October 25. However, for those subscribing to the new Standard tier (available for $14.99/month), this does not give Game Pass users access to day one releases, meaning Black Ops 6 will likely not be available on that tier.
What Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass?
Unfortunately with new games joining the catalog it means a few must take their leave. Below, we’ve listed the games that’ll be leaving Xbox Game Pass on October 15.
If you’re looking for even more savings on all things Xbox, have a look at our roundup of the best Xbox deals. There, we’ve highlighted all of the latest and greatest discounts on the platform, from incredible game deals to fantastic offers on high-quality headphones. Or, if you’d rather see what’s going on with other platforms, check out our roundups of the best PlayStation deals, the best Nintendo Switch deals, and our overall roundup of the best video game deals.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
For reasons that seemingly amount to japery, Google have unveiled a double-sided, endlessly looping keyboard design – but only in Japan, and they’re not actually making it. However, the blueprints for 3D-printing it are freely available on GitHub, which is enough to convince me that someone needs to develop some kind of chaotic party game that uses the Möbius strip-shaped Gboard (good spot, Tom’s Hardware) as a controller.
Smite 2 developer Hi-Rez Studios has laid off an undisclosed number of employees as the MOBA sequel struggles throughout its early access period.
Hi-Rez Studios CEO Stewart Chisam announced the layoffs on X/Twitter alongside a shift in strategy for Smite 2, which launched in early access on August 27 and is planned for a full, free-to-play launch in 2025.
“We’re making some difficult but necessary changes to ensure Hi-Rez’s long-term success, with a specific focus on positioning Smite 2 for a long and sustainable future,” Chisam said.
We’re making some difficult but necessary changes to ensure Hi-Rez’s long-term success.
“As part of this internal reorganization and reprioritization, we are laying off some team members across Hi-Rez. This will disproportionately impact those in marketing and publishing roles, as well as some from our Evil Mojo, G&A, and Titan Forge divisions. The game team roles impacted disproportionally affect our team working on cosmetic skin content and system features.”
Hi-Rez is now focusing entirely on Smite 2 beyond “small teams supporting light updates” for its other games. It is “exclusively prioritizing gameplay development in the near term” instead of the cosmetic and monetization features previously planned.
Chisam assured the development team hasn’t been decimated by the layoffs, saying it’s still a “significant size” and larger than the development team behind the original Smite for the majority of its lifecycle.
“Our goal for Smite 2 in the near term is to create the best possible game experience for our community and a game that provides joy to players and can sustain itself long into the 2030s,” Chisam added.
“As we’ve gained experience through the Alpha, the process of migrating gods from Smite 1 to Smite 2 is now clearer, and we also better understand what players want from the game. We’re doubling down on ensuring this transition meets player expectations and moves faster, taking into account the lessons we have learned in the early alpha.”
The sequel has not necessarily gone down well with fans, however. Only 55% of its Steam reviews are positive and concurrent player numbers have fallen off, having premiered at 12,549 but dropped off to a 24 hour peak of jut 1,869, according to player tracking website SteamDB.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
Three months later Krafton announced its intention to buy Tango Gameworks. Only the Hi-Fi Rush intellectual property was brought over as part of the studio transfer from Microsoft-owned Zenimax Media to Krafton, leaving the likes of The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo behind.
In a new interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Krafton’s head of corporate development Maria Park was asked about the company’s plan for the Hi-Fi Rush franchise following the acquisition. Park said Tango Gameworks wants to bring the first game to other platforms, such as Nintendo Switch, and wants to work on Hi-Fi Rush DLC. Rather than rush out a sequel, Tango Gameworks wants to “take the necessary time to refine the game and come up with a different experience,” Park added.
But what of the sequel? Park revealed that not only was Tango Gameworks working on Hi-Fi Rush 2 when Krafton first met with the team, but it had a six month old build ready, with the goal of offering a more open world type of game after the linear level design of the first.
“Yes, the team was working on Hi-Fi Rush 2 when we first met them,” Park said. “They want to make sure [it] surpasses the expectations of the existing fans. For instance, some of the feedback about Hi-Fi Rush was that some people felt it was [just] going through factories, so now they want to give a more open world type of experience. I don’t think it’s going to be completely open world, but a more dynamic environment [that] you play in. Also, having more advanced technology applied to the rhythm action so that it feels more synchronized.”
I don’t think it’s going to be completely open world, but a more dynamic environment [that] you play in.
Park continued: “I think the build that we looked at was about six months old when we went to meet with them. At the moment, because the IP acquisition is in progress, it’s been on hold because all the related assets and tools will be transferred to Krafton from Microsoft. But yes, we’ll continue working on it for sure. Like I said, we won’t really rush to the market just to deliver a sequel. We want to make sure that the sequel is actually at a quality level that surpasses the community’s expectations.”
Meanwhile, Park confirmed Tango Gameworks was working on anniversary content for The Evil Within, which is now unlikely to see the light of day. Park also said that by the end of the acquisition process, around 70 to 80 of Tango’s 90 staff will have joined Krafton. “We’re also going to backfill some of the positions that are immediately in need,” Park added. “So the studio total will probably add up to around 90 to 100 towards the end of the year or the beginning of the next.”
Park also teased that Tango Gameworks has a new co-op online game under development, and that Krafton will bring its live-service expertise to bear and “help bring it to the next level.”
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.
Continuing the tradition of releasing golden, Zelda-themed hardware – which dates all the way back to the GBA era – this new Switch Lite is a gorgeous-looking object, complete with the usual iconography the series is famous for.
Coming Soon to Game Pass: Sifu, Inscryption, Mad Streets, and More
Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass
Welcome back friends! If you didn’t catch the surprise games we added last week during Tokyo Game Show, we’ve got that recap for you along with Kung Fu, MMA, and puzzles to install soon. Let’s get to the games!
Coming Soon
MLB The Show 24 (Console) – October 2 Game Pass Standard
Swing for the fences, experience game-deciding moments, become a legend and live out your baseball dreams in MLB The Show 24. Everyone has a moment to own. Everyone has a story to tell. Unlock your moment. Own the show.
Open Roads (Console) – October 2 Game Pass Standard
Long-lost family secrets. Hints of a hidden fortune. And miles to go before they sleep. Tess Devine’s relationship with her mom has never been easy, but they’re about to set out together on a journey into the past that they’ll never forget.
Sifu (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 2 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Sifu is a realistic third-person brawler with tight Kung Fu combat mechanics and cinematic martial arts action. Get in the shoes of a Pak Mei disciple on a path to avenge the murder of your family. With countless enemies and no allies, the sheer will to persevere and adapt will be key to unlocking the enigma of becoming Sifu.
Mad Streets (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 7 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Mad Streets is the kind of game that makes you crack a smile all while punching someone in the face. It’s a physics-based party game meshed with a brawler that feels like an evolution to the genre with a deeper system that allows skilled players to direct their blows for face-crunching KO animations that wouldn’t look out of place in MMA highlights.
Inscryption (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 10 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Inscryption is an inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still are the secrets “inscrybed” upon the cards.
In Case You Missed It from Tokyo Games Show
All You Need Is Help (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Dive into a quirky multiplayer co-op puzzle game where adorable, fluffy cube-shaped creatures collaborate to reach their goals. This cooperative-centric game is designed for enjoyment across generations – from children to grandparents – making it perfect for family and friends.
Legend of Mana (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Set off on a journey to find the mystical Mana Tree in Legend of Mana. Meet a colorful cast of characters, square off against fearsome monsters, and complete quests in the vast world of Fa’Diel. Discover the classic title, remastered with a rearranged soundtrack, graphic improvements and more!
Trials of Mana (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Trials of Mana is the 3D remake of the classic RPG. Experience the beloved adventure with graphic improvements, character voiceover support, a remastered soundtrack and a new episode, in addition to an ability system and a new class that reconstructs the character levelling system plus more active battles!
We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Help the Prince roll the katamari and fix the universe! Play the remastered We Love Katamari Damacy, the second title in the Katamari series released in 2005 along with the new features such as Royal Reverie. The graphics have been completely redesigned, and the in-game UI has been revamped to make it even easier to play.
Game Pass Ultimate Perks
MultiVersus: MVP Pack 3 – Available now The MultiVersus MVP Pack offers in-game content to further customize and boost your play for subscription members. MVP Pack 3 includes a Jaw Stretcher Special Taunt and PopReinDog Sticker.
EA Sports FC 25: Welcome Pack – Available now Try EA Sports FC 25 today with a 10-hour trial and get a Welcome Pack reward, available with your EA Play Membership!
XDefiant: Combat Pack – Available now Ready your Season 2 loadouts with five new weapon skins in this season’s Combat Pack which includes: Rare Deep Red MK20 Weapon Skin, Rare Deep Red D50 Weapon Skin, Cobalt AK47 Weapon Skin, Ember M44 Weapon Skin, Morganite MDR Weapon Skin.
Leaving October 15
The following games will be leaving the Game Pass library soon. Be sure to jump back in before they go or use your membership discount to save up to 20% to keep them in your library.
Dyson Sphere Program (PC)
Everspace 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
From Space (Cloud, Console, and PC)
F1 Manager 2023 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Scorn (Cloud, Console, and PC)
I recommend some fresh batteries for your mouse, controller, keyboard, maybe make some room for (another) vessel of hydration before you prep what games you’re going to download next. As always, keep an eye here on the Wire for when games will be available to play, or catch us on @XboxGamePass, @XboxGamePassPC, or @Xbox. Cheers!
Sony has released the PlayStation Plus Essential Tier games for October 2024, meaning subscribers can now download Dead Space (PS5), WWE 2K24 (PS4 and PS5), and Doki Doki Literature Club Plus (PS4 and PS5).
First revealed on during Sony’s 2024 State of Play, all three games are available at no extra cost to PlayStation Plus subscribers until November 4.
Dead Space is perhaps the biggest game in October’s line-up. It arrived in 2023 as a remake of the survival horror classic that puts players aboard a desolate space station with very little to protect them from the invading hoards of aliens.
“Dead Space is a superb remake and undoubtedly the definitive way to experience one of the best survival horror shooters that Capcom never made,” IGN said in our 9/10 review.
Also available in October is WWE 2K24, the latest in the long-running wrestling franchise from 2K Games.
“While not drastically different, WWE 2K24 is better in almost every way, touting small but smart additions to well-tested systems and modes as opposed to taking bigger risks,” IGN said in our 8/10 review.
Finally, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus is a revamped version of the beloved indie title. “The Literature Club is full of cute girls,” reads the synopsis. “Will you write the way into their heart? Now that you’re a club member, you can help make the dream of creating something special out of the things you love come true!” While all cute and fluffy on the outside, however, the visual novel holds a very sinister secret.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
The main party members of Baldur’s Gate 3 — including characters such as Karlach, Astarion, and Shadowheart — are getting official Dungeons & Dragons miniatures from WizKids.
The D&D Icons of the Realms: Baldur’s Gate 3 box set is now available to preorder on the WizKids website for $49.99 and comes with seven minis in total.
Alongside Karlach the tiefling barbarian, Astarion the elf rogue, and half elf cleric Shadowheart, the box set also includes Gale the human wizard, Lae’zel the githyanki fighter, Wyll the human warlock, and Withers, the wise zombie man who revives fallen allies and summons companions in Baldur’s Gate 3.
“Transport your favorite characters from the screen to the tabletop with the new D&D Icons of the Realms: Baldur’s Gate 3 Character Boxed Set,” reads the official description. “This set features seven iconic characters from the critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3 video game, perfectly recreated as detailed, pre-painted miniatures.
“Housed in non-blind windowed packaging, this set includes pre-painted miniatures for Astarion, Karlach, Gale, Shadowheart, Wyll, Lae’zel, and Withers. The set is perfect for Dungeon Masters looking to feature a famous character or as a collector’s piece for Baldur’s Gate and D&D fans.”
As mentioned, the set is particularly exciting for dungeon masters who happen to be fans of Baldur’s Gate 3, the D&D based role-playing game that proved a critical and commercial hit in 2023. It allows players to meet the Baldur’s Gate 3 party in their own campaigns, fitting around the story of the video game. A nice option to have, perhaps, given Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian has now moved on from Baldur’s Gate 3 and Dungeons & Dragons to make a brand new game.
The set obviously doesn’t include the additional party members characters can pick up later such as Halsin or Minthara, but perhaps this leaves a little room open for WizKids to release a second Baldur’s Gate 3 box set.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
