Redfall is out, and unfortunately it’s basically a worst-case scenario. We talk through our personal impressions of the game so far, and then get into a larger discussion about what it means for Xbox customer confidence, the intense pressure that now falls on Starfield, and where Xbox can go from here.
Subscribe on any of your favorite podcast feeds, to our YouTube channel, or grab an MP3 of this week’s episode. For more awesome content, check out our interview with Todd Howard, who answered all of our Starfield questions after the big reveal at the Xbox Showcase:
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
David Gaider, who was a narrative lead for Dragon Age before leaving BioWare in 2016, said in a recent Twitter thread that writers at the developer became “quietly resented” and were seen as an “albatross.”
Gaider posted the tweets just as film and television writers went on strike yesterday, demanding better pay structures and improved working conditions from Hollywood studios. Talking about writing broadly, Gaider said it’s a discipline that’s “constantly undervalued,” and it’s an attitude that’s seen among those trying to get into the video game industry as well.
“Even BioWare, which built its success on a reputation for good stories and characters, slowly turned from a company that vocally valued its writers to one where we were… quietly resented, with a reliance on expensive narrative seen as the ‘albatross’ holding the company back,” he wrote.
“Maybe that sounds like a heavy charge, but it’s what I distinctly felt up until I left in 2016,” he went on. “Suddenly all anyone in charge was asking was ‘how do we have LESS writing?’ A good story would simply happen, via magic wand, rather than be something that needed support and priority.”
Maybe that sounds like a heavy charge, but it’s what I distinctly felt up until I left in 2016. Suddenly all anyone in charge was asking was “how do we have LESS writing?” A good story would simply happen, via magic wand, rather than be something that needed support and priority.
Gaider was with BioWare for 17 years before he left, and his narrative footprint on the company is an undeniably large one. He served as lead writer for Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age II, and Dragon Age: Inquisition, and is credited with the creation of the world in which the game series take place, Thedas.
The next Dragon Age game, Dread Wolf, is still awaiting a release date. Prior to Dragon Age, Gaider also worked on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn for BioWare. He’s currently working on a new narrative RPG for Summerfall Games, Stray Dogs.
Gaider’s comments come at a time when Hollywood’s writers are fighting for more stability in the industry, especially after streaming upended entertainment as we know it and as emerging AI technology is increasingly being eyed as a way to devalue writers even more (for more on how AI could impact the entertainment industry, check out IGN’s AI Week coverage).
“At the end of the day, you can say you like good writing – whether it’s in a game, a movie, an online article, or whatever – but if you don’t value it enough to prioritize it and support it… and, yes, pay writers what they’re due… that’s not what everyone else is hearing,” Gaider concluded.
Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Last time, you decided that cool spellcasting gestures are better than seizing control of a rolling boulder trap. I assume you have very cool gestures to conjure a magical meteor or other big rock on command. Maybe a dramatic dragging-down (or up) with two tensed arms and clawed hands? Very cool. As we continue our scientific process, this week I ask you to choose between two things which combine help and hurt. What’s better: heals harming the undead, or voice chat?
The Xbox app for Windows PC lets you discover and download new games with Game Pass, play console games on your Windows PC with cloud gaming, and chat with friends across PC, mobile, and Xbox console. Below you’ll find the latest updates and patch notes for the Xbox App on PC for April 2023 – this update is now available for download from the Store. Always be sure to keep your app up to date for the latest improvements and bug fixes. You can learn more about the Xbox App for PC here.
April Release (2304.1001.15.0)
Quick Games to Play and Longest Games collections added to your Home screen:
When browsing your Home Game Pass screen, you can scroll down to view various collection channels, including these new collections that list average gameplay times to fit your gaming preferences.
Accessibility filters for All PC Games:
Filtering the All PC Games list just got better by adding a wide variety of Accessibility filters to help find the right game for your needs.
Bug Fixes
Fixed a bug where no games appeared in the All PC Games section.
Fixed a bug where some text was cut off when directed to install the Riot or Ubisoft game launcher.
Fixed a bug where some cloud games were not showing in the Cloud Gaming section.
Fixed a bug where installation errors did not provide additional details and troubleshooting suggestions.
Los Vaqueros and the Las Almas Cartel not only rebuild — they also reload.
The fight escalates to epic proportions in Season 03 Reloaded for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, launching May 10 on PlayStation 4 and PS5.
With new content coming to Special Ops, Multiplayer, and Battle Royale, there’s plenty to look forward to in the midseason update!
New Special Ops Raid and Mission, 6v6 Multiplayer map and modes
Whether you’re teaming up in co-op or looking to compete against the best in the world, Season 03 Reloaded has your six with a new Raid, Special Ops Mission, and Multiplayer map, as well as new modes.
Special Ops Raid Episode 03: As Gaz breaks off from the team to contact Laswell and set up an exfil, Captain Price, Farah, and Alex push deeper into the Soviet base in pursuit of Hadir and the missing armament. Descend into a massive pit punctured with old train tunnels, electrically charged waters, and heavily armed enemy combatants.
Special Ops Mission — Defender: Hafid Port: Take on the cartel’s latest operation in Al Mazrah’s Hafid Port. Eliminate the first line of defense and then defend your position against multiple waves of incoming enemies.
Alboran Hatchery (6v6): Drop into Alboran Hatchery, a medium-sized core 6v6 map set on a remote hillside beneath towering wind farm turbines. Use copious cover to set up more stealthy takedowns, or ascend to upper vantage points for a clearer line-of-sight across the storage and warehouse facilities. Expect this map in featured Playlists throughout Season 03 Reloaded.
Giant Infection and Faceoff: Take on the horde across larger Battle Maps that support a greater number of players in Giant Infection, and get tactical on small-scale Gunfight maps in modes like Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed via 3v3 Face Off.
New Warzone Modes, Equipment, and Ranked Play
New Tactical Equipment: Up your strength in the early game through preset Perk Packages found in Supply Boxes and at Buy Stations. On the go and need to resupply? The Deployable Buy Station’s got your back. And don’t forget to grab a Gulag Entry Kit to fight for your chance to redeploy, even if you’ve already been there once before.
Plunder Is Back: Don’t forget: Plunder from the original Call of Duty: Warzone is currently in Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. In this frenetic mode, Operators benefit from respawns and can equip their custom Loadouts at the start of the match. Gather Cash, complete contracts, and take out enemy Operators to amass riches before time runs out.
Introducing Warzone Ranked Play
Put your Battle Royale skills to the test in Warzone Ranked Play, featuring competitive settings, progressive ranking, a visual skill system, and seasonal rewards.
Start in the Bronze ranking and survive to climb your way into higher Skill Divisions, utilizing a Skill Rating (SR) custom-made for Battle Royale. Increase your SR through assists and eliminations and by earning a high placement in the match. Pay a modest SR entry fee for each match and see the end-of-match SR summary for a rundown of your losses and gains. The most skilled players will be visible for all to see in the Top 250 Skill Division leaderboard.
New DMZ Exclusion Zone
There’s something going on deep underground in Al Mazrah. Operators who deploy to that Exclusion Zone should keep an eye out for one of several entrances into a new facility known as the Koschei Complex, accessible during Season 03 Reloaded. Gain access and fight the combatants within to secure high-value loot.
General Overview
Weapon Camos: Complete a series of challenges and earn two new Weapon Camos for all weapon categories in the game.
Two New, Full-Auto Handguns
Season 03 Reloaded is introducing not one, but two new sidearms to the weapon roster:
FTAC Siege: Designed to be a compact and maneuverable machine pistol, this has a jaw-dropping fire rate and rapid swap speed. A trusted secondary for upl-close engagements. Unlock it by completing the in-game Weapon Challenge (get 50 Sidearm Hipfire Operator Kills) or by purchasing via Store Bundle.
GS Magna: This fully automatic .50 GS boasts a thunderous rate of fire and enough power to put an end to anyone crossing your path. Unlock it by completing the in-game Weapon Challenge (get 30 Operator Headshot Kills) or by purchasing via Store Bundle.
Kevin Durant, Reporting for Duty
Step into the shoes of one of basketball’s greatest players of all time as Kevin Durant arrives in a special, limited-time Store Bundle releasing as part of the midseason update.
In addition to his Operator, the Bundle will also include “Reap This” AR Blueprint and the “Easy Money” Sniper Blueprint, the “Deadly from Downtown” Finishing Move, the “B-Ball” Weapon Charm, the “Ankle-Breaker” Loading Screen, the “Hoops” Sticker, and the “KD Baller” Animated Emblem.
Watch for other Store Bundles arriving in the midseason, including the Throwback Pack: ’09 Weapon Audio Bundle, VII: Wrath, and more.
Season 03 Reloaded Launches May 10
For the best midseason experience, purchase Modern Warfare II on PlayStation today, offering access to additional content across three modes, including the ability to unlock 14 exclusive Operators for use across both games. Modern Warfare II owners also get awarded Premium XP at the end of every match while playing Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0.
Infinite Master Balls. Maxed out stats. Walking through walls.
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they’ve been chewing over.Today, Ethan remembers a time when he flew too close to the sun…
When humanity meets its end what will be left of Earth? This is the question Piccolo Studio’s platforming adventure title, After Us, looks to answer. As Gaia, the Spirit of Life, you are tasked with sprinting, jumping, airdashing, and rail-grinding your way across the surreal and barren planet while freeing the souls of extinct animals. Along the way you’ll encounter the monstrous Devourers, countless tear-jerking moments, and a lot of somber, yet beautiful, scenery.
In our hands-on time with the game we were met with all this on top of a wonderfully unique and expressive gameplay core that proved After Us is a great addition to the pantheon of platformers.
A unique powerkit
Bring life back into the world: Gaia is the Spirit of Life, bestowed with the ability to bring beauty back into a world consumed by a dark void. Pressing L2 fires a boomerang-like orb of light, used to retrieve lost souls, attack enemies, and even make simple wires into green grindable rails. Holding L2 down instead charges her with light and upon release unleashes a blast of bright energy that replaces untraversable goop-covered land with safe grass and fauna to traverse.
Battle the dark with life: Not only is Gaia’s power used to return greenery into the world and unlock secrets, but it can be used to defeat dark hordes of enemies as well. The Devourers, oil-covered monstrosities that trap souls, wait beyond many corners. To free the trapped souls Gaia must use her boomerang-like spirit ball to fight back while using her superb movement options to avoid their attacks.
Platforming in a post-human world
Free, expressive platforming: Gaia can jump to various heights, double jump, dash through the air, float, wall run, and rail grind through the world. Putting all these together allows players to freely express themselves no matter the challenge encountered. Those that master these movement options never have to stop moving on the journey to free the animal spirits.
An open-world platformer journey: You don’t have to stick to one path when soul-searching in After Us. The world is crafted masterfully and encourages completing tasks in whichever way you want. Want to use your airdash to reach a floating car to skip over a dangerous street? Or maybe you saw a far-off island you’d rather detour towards? The direction you take exploring this platforming wasteland is up to you.
Challenges aplenty: Around every corner is a new trial to tackle and it’s up to you to triumph over each of them. This includes puzzle-platform challenges where you must put your platforming skills to the test in tandem with Gaia’s special life-force powers.
Many require combining Gaia’s movement and attack options – such as jumping over a large gap while perfectly timing an energy burst to create a plant-covered path. Other challenges push players to react to their environment to create rail grinding and wall run opportunities. Just be ready for incoming plastic bags that seek to stop your momentum and impede on your progress.
An emotional journey
You can pet the dog, cat, raccoon, horse, and more: After Us is a game with a message that we are responsible for the innocent animals of the planet. Not only is Gaia’s job to free the trapped spirits of the extinct critters of the planet, but she can comfort them with a pet using the DualSense controller’s touchpad once they’re saved.
There will be tears: After Us presents players with a unique vision of a post-human Earth. You’ll find statues of humans that once were, presenting a visual of their last moments. This feature is shared by some animals, some that passed away due to simple loneliness and sadness. Freeing these souls not only gives a bittersweet ending to a sad tale, but it also gives you a vision of their memories before the end of the world. Yet another turn on the emotional rollercoaster.
A beautifully empty world: While thematically somber, the surreal world of After Us is filled with beautiful visuals that will have you taking a breather to enjoy. From floating roads to Babylon-like post-apocalyptic cities and crumbling buildings that signify a civilization that once was, the world around Gaia and her mission makes venturing this sad world a joy.
The journey to save the last spirits on Earth starts when After Us releases May 23, 2023 for PS5.
Microsoft had already announced their annual not-E3 Xbox Games Showcase, but now we know when exactly to tune in: June 11th at 10am PT/6pm BST/7pm CEST. Microsoft are promising “new surprises and first-looks” from both Xbox-owned studios and third-party teams, but I’m sure most people will be tuning in for the (also previously announced) Starfield Direct, which is airing immediately after the Xbox show.
Upcoming PS5 game Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is getting a prequel in the form of a comic, which will be available as part of Free Comic Book Day on May 6.
Insomniac Games announced the comic in a PlayStation Blog post today, with narrative director Jon Paquette sharing details of the story’s plot. The story is said to give fans an idea of what Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Mary Jane (MJ) have been doing since the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
“When we initially sat down with the team at Marvel, we explored a few different ideas about what kinds of stories we could tell in a prequel comic,” Paquette said. “But we kept coming back to the same core premise—What if Peter, Miles, and MJ had to team up against a new Super Villain whose powers they didn’t understand? Additionally, we wanted to make sure that we could get a peek into what this heroic trio has been doing since the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. What is Pete up to now that there are two Spider-Men in the city? How is Miles doing in school? And how is MJ’s journalism career going?”
The result is a story in which Peter, Miles, and MJ balance their responsibilities to New York City and each other while coming face to face with The Hood, a supervillain who possesses supernatural abilities that rival those of both Spider-Men. The comic is written by Christos Gage, who wrote the story for Marvel’s Spider-Man, and drawn by Ig Guara.
Starting on May 6, fans in the US can get the Spider-Man 2 prequel comic at any comic book store participating in Free Comic Book Day or download the comic digitally from the Marvel Unlimited App or Marvel.com. International fans will get the comic at a later date.
Insomniac also announced that Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered will receive a standalone release on the PS5, which will become available on the PlayStation Store later this month. If you own a physical or digital copy of Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS4, you’ll be able to upgrade to the remastered version on PS5 for $10. Otherwise, you can get it for $50.
Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. She has contributed her work to various publications, including Digital Trends, TheGamer, Twinfinite, Mega Visions, and The Escapist. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.
