Nintendo has released a brand-new overview trailer for Mario & Luigi: Brothership, showcasing a wonderful evolution of both visuals and mechanics since the last iteration in 2018 for the 3DS.
We’ve already gone hands-on with the upcoming game, which is scheduled to launch on 7th November 2024, so be sure to check that out if you’re after a more comprehensive breakdown of what to expect. If you’re sensitive to exposing yourself to too much information, mind, this overview trailer should serve you well.
Activision has delivered a report on the work it’s done to combat toxicity in Call of Duty, insisting it’s already made a huge impact ahead of the launch of Black Ops 6.
Call of Duty was for years associated with toxic player behavior, both in voice chat and over text message. But Activision has worked to reverse the franchise’s thorny reputation, launching 2023’s Modern Warfare 3 with in-game voice chat moderation powered by AI.
Activision is using ToxMod from Modulate, which uses AI to identify in real-time and enforce against toxic speech including hate speech, discriminatory language, and harassment.
Addressing privacy concerns from the Call of Duty community, Activision has insisted voice chat is only monitored and recorded “for the express purpose of moderation,” and “is focused on detecting harm within voice chat versus specific keywords.”
“The Disruptive Behavior team knows that hype and passion is part of Call of Duty’s DNA,” Activision said in a fresh progress update. “Voice and text-based moderation tools in Call of Duty don’t target our competitive spirit – it enforces against behavior identified in the Call of Duty franchise Code of Conduct, targeting harassment and derogatory language.
“Similar to Modern Warfare 3, the Call of Duty Code of Conduct will be visible during the initial in-game flow when players first launch core multiplayer modes in Black Ops 6, asking players to acknowledge the Code of Conduct pillars.”
Since rolling out an improved voice chat enforcement in June, Call of Duty has seen a combined 67% reduction in repeat offenders of voice-chat based offenses in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone, Activision added. In July 2024, 80% of players that were issued a voice chat enforcement since launch did not re-offend. Overall exposure to disruptive voice chat continues to fall, Activision said, dropping by 43% since January. At launch, Black Ops 6 will expand its voice moderation to French and German, in addition to English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Voice and text-based moderation tools in Call of Duty don’t target our competitive spirit.
This is well-timed, given one new feature for Black Ops 6 that’s sure to test Call of Duty’s AI voice chat moderation to its limit. Black Ops 6 has a new Body Shield feature in multiplayer that lets you grab an enemy and hold them in front of you to soak up bullets while firing off a few rounds of your own. But that’s not all: it also enables voice chat between the attacker and the victim, which players certainly had fun with during the game’s beta weekends.
Call of Duty’s text moderation tech, meanwhile, which analyzes text chat traffic in “near” real-time, has blocked over 45 million text-based messages in violation of the Call of Duty Code of Conduct since November 2023. Activision said Call of Duty has also implemented a new analysis system for username reports “to enhance efficiency and accuracy, surfacing critical reports to our moderation team for investigation and action.”
Activision has used research from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) to improve its approach here, and worked with researchers from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to work out ways to better identify and combat disruptive behavior. Activision said it’s “actively engaged” in research surrounding disruptive behavior and prosocial activities in gaming.
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.
Amazon has announced the October 2024 Prime Gaming lineup of free games (Prime Gaming is a benefit of Amazon Prime membership).
There’s a Halloween-theme to this month’s lineup, which includes the likes of BioShock Remastered, Doom Eternal, and Scorn. Other horror games in the deal include Creative Assembly’s Alien: Isolation (fresh from the studio’s announcement that a sequel is in the works), Tormented Souls, a survival horror game inspired by the original Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark series, and Death’s Door. Illfonic’s Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is also on the list.
October 2024 Prime Gaming lineup in full:
Now AvailableHive Jump 2: Survivors [GOG Code] – Hive Jump 2: Survivors is a sci-fi, action-packed, bullet heaven roguelike. After a squad of intrepid jetpack Jumpers are decimated in an intergalactic ambush, a lone survivor sets out for vengeance while fending off endless waves of killer insects.
Now AvailableSCARF [Amazon Games App] – Scarf is an atmospheric and emotional journey about what it means to be a hero. An adventure game mixing puzzles and 3D platforms.
Now AvailableTomb Raider: Legend [GOG Code] – Follow Lara Croft down a path of discovery as she travels the globe to remote, exotic locales in search of one of history’s greatest artifacts that unleashes unwelcome figures from Lara’s mysterious past.
Now AvailableThe Eternal Cylinder [Epic Games Store] – Control a herd of strange creatures called Trebhums and explore an unforgettable alien world filled with exotic lifeforms and surreal environments. Discover dozens of mutations and evolve to reach new areas, overcome puzzles and survive a dangerous world.
Now AvailableSpirit of the North [Epic Games Store] – Spirit of the North is a single-player 3rd-person adventure game inspired by the breathtaking and mysterious landscapes of Iceland. Play as an ordinary red fox whose story becomes entwined with the guardian of the Northern Lights, a female spirit fox.
Now AvailableNo Straight Roads [Epic Games Store] – Start a rock band and end the EDM empire in No Straight Roads, a rockin’ action-adventure that mashes together rhythm-infused third-person combat with a kick-ass soundtrack!
Now AvailableBioShock Remastered [GOG Code] – BioShock is a shooter unlike any you’ve ever played, loaded with weapons and tactics never seen. You’ll have a complete arsenal at your disposal from simple revolvers to grenade launchers and chemical throwers, but you’ll also be forced to genetically modify your DNA to create an even more deadly weapon: you.
Now AvailableDOOM Eternal [PC via Microsoft Store Code] – Hell’s armies have invaded Earth. Become the Slayer in an epic single-player campaign to conquer demons across dimensions and stop the final destruction of humanity. The only thing they fear… is you.
○ Please note: The DOOM Eternal offer is available only in Prime Gaming regions where the Microsoft Store is also available. Prime Gaming offers may sometimes vary by region. See primegaming.com for more details.
Now AvailableDreadOut 2 [Amazon Games App] – A third-person horror adventure that draws inspiration from Indonesian urban legend. Play as Linda, a high school student with the ability to sense and see ghosts. This spine-chilling sequel expands on the cult hit original, making DreadOut 2 another terrifying addition to the horror genre.
Now AvailableGhostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto Edition [Epic Games Store] – Hunting or haunting! The choice is yours in the upcoming asymmetrical Ghostbusters game from IllFonic, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. Play with up to four friends or solo on multiple platforms.
Now Available Priest Simulator: Vampire Show [Epic Games Store] – A mockumental action game. Go forth and rock in the absolute weirdest and most messed up simulator in the history of sandbox shooters. Fully unprofessional English language version. This dub will have you in stitches.
Now AvailableThe Gap [Amazon Games App] – Driven by a rare neurological affliction plaguing his family, Joshua has to recover his memories by exploring parallel realities through déjà vu. Facing the innermost depths of his past – moments both joyous and painful – seems to be the only way to get his life and family back together.
October 17Mystery Box: Hidden Secrets [Legacy Games Code] – Solve intriguing puzzles in different boxes to discover mysterious stories about popular inventions!
October 17Vlad Circus: Descend Into Madness [Amazon Games App] – Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness puts your sanity to the test, challenging you to escape a labyrinth of nightmares and torment. Test your mind against a slow burn of puzzles, light survival mechanics, and methodical action.
October 17Through the Darkest of Times [Amazon Games App] – Berlin 1933. “Adolf Hitler is chancellor!” We all know the consequences this message bore. Unspeakable horrors and suffering would sweep across the world. Few would stand and fight the monstrosity that was the German Reich. Will you? Lead an underground resistance group Through the Darkest of Times.
October 17Killing Floor 2 [Epic Games Store] – In KILLING FLOOR 2, players descend into continental Europe after it has been overrun by horrific, murderous clones called Zeds that were created by rogue elements of the Horzine Corporation. 6-player Co-Op & 12-player VS Zed-slaughtering mayhem.
October 17Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Ghoul Patrol [Amazon Games App] – Enjoy 16-bit console gaming with the cult classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors and its sequel, Ghoul Patrol. Join Zeke & Julia on their adventures as they save people from Zombies, Chainsaw Maniacs, Mummies, Evil Dolls, Lizard Men, Blobs, Vampires, Giant Ants, Martians, Garbage Can Ghosts, Ninja Spirits, zombified historic dudes, and more.
October 24Pumpkin Jack [GOG Code] – Pumpkin Jack is a Spooky Scary 3D platformer in which you embody Jack, the Mythical Pumpkin Lord! Dive into an Epic Adventure through otherworldly landscapes and help the Evil annihilate the Good!
October 24The Gunk [GOG Code] – The Gunk stars Rani, part of our duo of gritty space haulers, struggling to make a buck as they chance upon an untouched planet brimming with life. They came in search of valuable resources, and it looks like they’ve hit the jackpot.
October 24STASIS: BONE TOTEM [Epic Games Store] – Get ready for a thrilling underwater adventure with classic point-and-click gameplay. Explore with three characters simultaneously. Featuring atmospheric isometric graphics, rendered video, and a soundtrack by Mark Morgan.
October 24Gargoyles Remastered [Amazon Games App] – Gargoyles Remastered is an artfully crafted revival of the ‘90s classic 16-bit side-scrolling platform adventure. Relive the epic journey of Goliath and the Gargoyles featuring enhanced visuals, animations, and SFX, all inspired by the acclaimed animated series.
October 24Monster Train [GOG Code] – Monster Train is a strategic roguelike deck building game with a twist. Set on a train to hell, you’ll use tactical decision making to defend multiple vertical battlegrounds. With real time competitive multiplayer and endless replayability, Monster Train is always on time.
October 24Morbid: The Seven Acolytes [Epic Games Store] – Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is a Horrorpunk Action RPG filled with Lovecraftian horrors and Cronenbergian gore, making it the most gruesome take on the isometric Souls-like genre yet!
October 31A Plague Tale: Innocence [GOG Code] – Follow the grim tale of young Amicia and her little brother Hugo, in a heartrending journey through the darkest hours of history. Hunted by Inquisition soldiers and surrounded by unstoppable swarms of rats, Amicia and Hugo will come to know and trust each other. As they struggle to survive against overwhelming odds, they will fight to find purpose in this brutal, unforgiving world.
October 31Death’s Door [Epic Games Store] – Reaping souls of the dead and punching a clock might get monotonous but it’s honest work for a Crow. The job gets lively when your assigned soul is stolen and you must track down a desperate thief to a realm untouched by death.
October 31 Haunted Hotel: Personal Nightmare Collector’s Edition [Amazon Games App] – After 20 years, you receive a letter about your missing mom and sister. Answers are waiting at the Freedom Hotel, but nothing there is quite as it seems. Can you overcome your deepest fears and save your family in time?
October 31Scorn [GOG Code] – Scorn is an atmospheric first-person horror adventure game set in a nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry.
October 31Coromon [GOG Code] – The sun begins to dawn on Velua, a new day for the world and a new day for you, a freshly minted Battle Researcher of the global research society known as Lux Solis. It’s your first day and everything goes smoothly until a mysterious force attacks your latest workplace. Build up a squad of Coromon, track down the invaders, and grapple with a rising threat that endangers everyone on Velua!
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.
The recent release of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics will have had many Switch owners pondering the robustness of their control setup; as much as we like the console’s Joy-Con and Pro Controller offerings, they’re not exactly ideal for the intense nature of one-on-one fighting games.
That’s where Hori’s Fighting Commander for Nintendo Switch comes in. The latest in a long line of similar pads created by the Japanese company, this controller has been designed with competitive brawlers in mind.
That great disturbance in the Force you just felt wasn’t a million voices crying out in terror. It was, in fact, me crying out in terror a million times. You see, Aspyr have just announced that they’re porting Star Wars: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles to PC and Steam. I have a complicated relationship with Jedi Power Battles, in the sense that I think I still have scars on my thumbs from when I played it all night on a busted PS1 controller. I have bled for this game. I’d close my eyes after each six-hours session and see fields of lightsabers flickering and dancing like luminous leeches, chasing me through the Dagobahnian jungles of my dreams.
Free Play Days – Mafia III: Definitive Edition, Moving Out 2, Destiny 2 Expansions and Conan Exiles
Kyle Ocean, Business Planner, Xbox
Gear up for another epic gaming weekend with Free Play Days, featuring the gritty revenge tale of Mafia III: Definitive Edition, the chaotic fun of Moving Out 2, the cosmic adventures of Destiny 2‘s Witch Queen and Lightfall expansions, and the brutal survival challenges of Conan Exiles.
Mafia III: Definitive Edition, Moving Out 2 and Conan Exiles are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday October 10, 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, October 13, 11:59 p.m. PDT.
Additionally, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen and Destiny 2: Lightfall are free to play for all from October 8, 10 AM PDT until October 15, 10 AM PDT.
How To Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate Required)
Mafia III: Definitive Edition Part three of the Mafia crime saga – 1968, New Bordeaux, LA. After years of combat in Vietnam, Lincoln Clay knows this truth: family isn’t who you’re born with, it’s who you die for. When his surrogate family, the black mob, is betrayed and wiped out by the Italian Mafia, Lincoln builds a new family on the ashes of the old and blazes a path of military-grade revenge through the Mafioso responsible.
Moving Out 2 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Moving Out is back and wackier than ever, and now with online play! Return to Packmore and use your moving skills across brand new dimensions and some old favorites. Help rebuild Smooth Moves and become an all-star F.A.R.T. (Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician)!
Conan Exiles Optimized for Xbox Series X|S An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer.
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, Destiny 2: Lightfall Experience the Definitive Destiny Campaigns. Delve into Savathûn’s Throne World to uncover the mystery of how she and her Lucent Hive stole the Light. In Lightfall, uncover new rewards, explore Neptune, and master a new subclass.
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
Neva is the next game from Nomada, the studio behind Gris. In it, thehero Alba forms a bond with a teenage wolf. Over time, the wolf will grow bigger and stronger, and the duo’s relationship will evolve.
You’ll be able to play Neva on PlayStation 5 soon, and we have implemented a number of features designed especially for the console.
The game’s original concept was about two human characters then morphed to an animal – including a bear – before settling on the wolf cub that the team felt will provide a more interesting relationship and striking visual.
Neva will make full use of the unique features of the PS5, including utilizing the DualSense controller to draw you deeper into the game’s hauntingly beautiful world. We want you to be as immersed as possible in Neva’s story as Alba and her wolf, Neva, forge their bond and work together to defeat the strange creatures confronting them.
There was a lot of gameplay testing to understand what sort of attacks would be interesting without getting in the players’ way. Neva doesn’t always auto-attack, as she grows and becomes more capable Abla will be able to direct her attacks using the thumbstick and adding a more strategic approach to combat and even puzzles.
In combat, Alba can command her wolf companion Neva, to attack enemies that she can’t handle on her own. When the wolf lunges at a foe and unleashes a fury of teeth and claws, you’ll feel the full kinetic force of the attack through the DualSense’s haptic triggers.
Alba is a woman of few words, but whenever she calls for her furry friend, you’ll hear her shout out Neva’s name. On PS5, her voice will echo through the DualSense controller’s built-in speaker. When Neva is a young cub, the mischievous wolf will be easily distracted, and you’ll have to call out his name to make him stick by your side.
Early in the story when Neva is just a cub there will be tender, sweeter moments where she is a bit nervous about jumping over chasms or by the world around her so Alba will need to call to her, encourage her, or give her a comforting pet to reassure Neva of her capabilities.
Neva is, as you can see from the screenshots, a vibrantly colorful game, and each lovingly hand-crafted level has its own distinctive palette. As you progress through Alba’s journey on PS5 , the light bar on the DualSense controller will change to reflect the current stage’s colors. So if Alba and Neva suddenly plunge into a part of the world lit with an atmospheric crimson red glow, your DualSense will shift hue to match it.
This is a world being overrun with an unnamed evil, often taking form of ‘infected’ fauna that stand in the way of Neva and Alba. Almost everything is organic to the world so it was important to the team that this evil was present in once beautiful places and creatures and it’s the mission of Neva and Alba to cleanse the world of this evil and return the beauty that lies within these corrupt animals.
Neva will also take advantage of the power of the PS5’s hardware to run at 4K and 120fps out of the box, making its lush artwork really sing on your TV. Neva features a minimal UI, delicate art, high-quality traditional animation, and an elegant musical score, all of which will come beautifully to life on PS5. We can’t wait for all you PlayStation players to lose yourselves in our story and world and enjoy Alba and Neva’s adventures together.
A Silent Hill 2 Remake modder has continued the tradition of turning a game’s big bad into Thomas the Tank Engine, this time replacing Pyramid Head with the children’s cartoon character.
The Pyramid the Tank Engine mod from ZombieAli is available to download on Nexus Mods and, as per the description, it simply “replaced Pyramid Head with Thomas the Tank Engine.”
The pyramid head does remain, however, but comes across more like a bold fashion choice for Thomas as opposed to the focal point of a horrific monster. “As the mod prophecy once foretold, thou shalt always put Thomas into moddable games,” ZombieAli said.
The Thomas the Tank engine mod is only one of many to hit the Silent Hill 2 Remake, with other mods removing things like hair sheen and the fog, and one even turning the game into Sunny Hills.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
I will not lie to you, gentle reader. When I first laid eyes on Secret Door’s Sunderfolk, while lurking to the rear of a gaggle of journomancers at a preview event last week, I let out an ostentatious sigh. Fortunately, I still mask up to preview events, and am thus free to adopt all kinds of snotty facial expressions without being set upon by burly PRs and shoved into the minifridge for later disposal. To sum it up, Sunderfolk is a hex and turn-based 2-4 player digital boardgame with fantasy animal characters and deckbuilding elements, reminiscent of Gloomhaven. Conceived during the pandemic lockdowns as a way to “bring back game night”, but without the traditional 30-minute unboxing ritual, it’s played on the big screen but controlled using a dedicated smartphone app, with players stroking and swiping to move characters and play cards.
With massive sale events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon, the holiday season of savings is kicking off. In the meantime, though, there are still quite a few discounts for PlayStation fans to check out. And with the brand new PS5 Pro up for preorder now with a hefty price tag, there’s really no better time to take advantage of PS5 deals.
The PS5 Pro has finally, officially been announced with a monumental price tag of $699.99. If you’re itching to get your preorder in, today’s the day! Preorders are live at a variety of retailers we’ve listed out below. The console will officially release on November 7.
It was also revealed during the 9-minute presentation that the new console does not come with a disc drive or the vertical stand. So we thought it best to point you in the direction of these items so you can purchase them now in the event they sell out. The PS5 Disc Drive will cost you $79.94 and the vertical stand will set you back $29.94.
Preorder PlayStation 5 Digital 30th Anniversary Limited Edition
For those looking to get their hands on the 30th Anniversary PS5 console, preorders are now live for that as well. They’re selling out fast, though, and already sold out at quite a few retailers, so be quick to pick one up if you find one still available.
See it at GameStop – Pro membership required, restocking 600 units each hour until sold out
DualSense Controller 30th Anniversary Edition Preorders Now Live
Styled to evoke nostalgia for the original PlayStation console, the 30th Anniversary Edition DualSense is now live for preorder. Unfortunately, it’s sold out everywhere right now, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for when the next wave of preorders come in.
SSD prices have been rising in 2024 but, with significant discounts available, now is the perfect time to buy. This is one of the best deals on a 2TB SSD at the moment: You can score the 2TB Seagate FireCuda 530R PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $139.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. This deal isn’t the only one worth checking out right now, either. You can see even more of our favorite SSD deals below.
Best PS5 Headset Deals: 60% Off the Razer Kaira Pro Dual Wireless Gaming Headset & More Deals
There’s no shortage of PS5-compatible headsets. If you’re constantly having to turn down the volume when you play, you might want to pick up one of these, then you can listen to your games as loud as you darn well please. And if you’d like to see even more options that are worth buying, check out our collection of the best gaming headsets.
If you’re looking to trade in your old PlayStation consoles, you can do so at select retailers in-store and online. Often, the most widely available retailers are GameStop and Best Buy. However, you can also trade your used devices online at retailers such as Amazon and Microsoft.
Some retailers will offer you cash for your used goods, while others may provide you with a gift card that can be used in-store and online. This is a great way to offload your old gaming gear and get some money that you can put towards a newer console and games.
While trading devices in at retailers will often net you the lowest amount for your used consoles, there are also online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and OfferUp that may fetch higher prices, but you’ll often be responsible for packing and shipping costs, or be required to meet someone in person for the transaction, the latter of which poses its own risks.
With how expensive gaming is getting in 2024, we’re trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We’ve got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as Switch and Xbox, and we keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you’re trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
