Minecraft will soon require a Microsoft account
You're going to be blocked from playing Minecraft if you don't add some security to your account. Minecraft's owner has mandated that a Microsoft account is required for all of Mojang's games.
The reason for the change is mostly focused on security and safety. It'll allow for two-factor authentication, it'll introduce improved parental controls, and it'll enable chat and invitation blocking. Another perk is that all Minecraft PC games will be connected to the same acconut.
This affects all editions of Minecraft, from the original Java Edition to the most current version. Microsoft assures everyone that nothing else will change, though. Microsoft says "You'll also keep your Minecraft Java username, and new players will still get to choose their Minecraft username." Once you've completed the free account migration, you'll receive a cape for your trouble; the cape can be seen in the gallery below.
It's all going down relatively soon. Anyone with a Java or Mojang account will have to make the switch sometime early next year. New players will have to create Microsoft accounts rather than Mojang accounts starting this fall.
Java Edition is Moving House [Minecraft]
All of Ubisoft's games will have cross-platform saves from now on
Ubisoft's Uplay is going away. Before you start celebrating too vigorously, it's only going away in name. More than a decade after it first showed up alongside Assassin's Creed II, Uplay is being rebranded to something that better suits every company's ambition to curate an ecosystem.
This morning, Ubisoft unveiled the new Ubisoft Connect. It seems to be a lot of what Uplay already was. There's still a rewards program where accomplishing in-game feats earns currency for buying perks. It's still a client for launching PC games.
However, one big change is that Ubisoft Connect will support cross-platform saves on "as many future titles as possible." Of course, you'll have to buy the games on multiple platforms to make use of this feature. But, picking up an Assassin's Creed on a super sale years down the line might look more attractive when you know that you have a bunch of progression from another platform. Many of Ubisoft's games are padded-out affairs, and the assurance that you're not always starting from scratch is enticing.
There are a few other tweaks to Ubisoft Connect. The UI has changed, probably to look more streamlined and current. Ubisoft has created a cross-platform friends list. There's been an overhaul to the "Sam" AI who doled out game tips; now it's called "Smart Intel" and is supposedly better at its job. (Are any of these video game advice-giving assistants actually good?)
The headliner is definitely the cross-progression, though. Ubisoft has already confirmed that it's coming to Hyper Scape, Watch Dogs: Legion, Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, Immortals Fenyx Rising, and Riders Republic. All you need is a free Ubisoft Connect account to unlock the functionality. Ubisoft Connect kicks off alongside the launch of Watch Dogs: Legion on October 29. Maybe some cross-saves will quiet down all that rioting in the UK.
Scorn looks like a nasty slow burn in this Xbox Series X gameplay
15 seconds into this Xbox Series X gameplay preview for Scorn, I let out a loud "what is that?!"
This goes without saying if you've been following Ebb Software's fleshy horror game over the past four-plus years, but that was far from the only time I reacted vocally to something grotesque. This first-person adventure isn't H.R. Giger-inspired so much as it is a fervent tribute to the late, great artist.
Even though you'll have an eXistenZ-approved gun in Scorn, this is a more methodical, slow-going, exploration-driven experience (at least based on this 13-minute preview from GameSpot). It might not seem super riveting right now, but I'm open to it – and I think it'll feel far better when we're in control and we're the ones risking our necks in this nightmare realm. A guided tour on YouTube isn't the same.
Whether this is your particular brand of horror or not, Scorn is going to be accessible to a big pool of players in the Xbox Game Pass library. The latest word on the PC and console release date? 2021.
Some of these corridors low-key remind me of Prey. I really dug Prey, and I still do.
Mario Kart Tour's Halloween Tour brings spooky skins and Golden Boos
Mario Kart Tour is the latest game to get its spook on for the Halloween season. The Halloween Tour, which is live in the mobile racer right now, adds a selection of themed character skins and other spooky-ooky goodies to the game's gacha pipe.
The first week sees the addition of Halloween Mario, which basically just jams a Jack O'Lantern on the plumber's bonce and sits him in a matching kart. In addition, the Butterfly Glider also makes its return to the mix. Week two will herald the arrival of Halloween Peach, dressed to the nines as a witch and sporting a cool black-and-pink roadster.
Of course, it wouldn't be Halloween in Mario world without King Boo, and the ghostly monarch is available in all his golden glory for Gold Pass owners. Tour Gifts this event include extra rubies and Larry Koopa. You can check out all the Halloween content in the trailer below.
Genshin Impact's Klee arrives this week, Venti is out
You probably shouldn't go into Genshin Impact with the mindset of collecting every character.
Although the game is fairly generous in terms of allowing players to experience the entire campaign without spending a dime, it is a gacha game after all, so cycling characters in and out is part of the framework of the game. To that end, Venti, one of the first gacha-related party members, has been cycled out. Klee, the bomb-wielding maniac, is stepping in.
Klee is live now as part of the "Sparking Steps" banner, which is a fancy name for one of the gacha menu options in Genshin Impact. You'll need to make "wishes" inside of this banner to nab Klee, who is a five-star "pull" (reward). Thank goodness this game is free-to-play and you don't need all of these characters to make progress; even if the FOMO angle is real.
As you can see in her debut video below, she kind of kicks ass: showcasing plenty of slow-walks away from enemy crowds that are blowing up in her wake. She'd make a great addition to my party, but since I'm not spending any money on the game; if she doesn't show up, she doesn't show up.
So what's next for the game? Well, we're getting one big update on November 11 and another on December 23. Klee is expected to cycle out on the former date.
Klee [miHoYo]
Darkest Dungeon 2 is using Epic for Early Access in 2021, but 1.0 will hit 'other' PC stores
We knew Red Hook Studios was making a sequel to Darkest Dungeon, didn't we? Don't tell me I'm the only one who let that tidbit slip. They can't hurt me or my heroes if I don't acknowledge them!
The studio is back today with a more substantial (but still very teaser-y) trailer for Darkest Dungeon 2, along with news that the tough roguelike RPG will debut on the Epic Games Store in 2021. There's a sparse landing page on the Epic Store with verbiage that could definitely apply to the original game.
In a follow-up tweet, Red Hook said the 1.0 version will also launch on "other PC storefronts." If you're wondering about possible console ports, no word yet, but I'm sure they'll eventually come to fruition.
As for the trailer, it's weirdly cozy in a world-ending sort of way. Apart from the staple narration, we're also getting a peek at the now-very-much-3D character models, which I've grabbed screencaps of below. I'm curious to see how these classes will look in the full context of Darkest Dungeon 2.
"Has been a really cool experience working with our character modelers Kevin and Jordan to sculpt these 3D canvases for me to draw on," said Red Hook co-founder Chris Bourassa. "Preserves the game's signature art style/hand-drawn quality while allowing us to push animation and VFX."
It's been interesting to see indie sequels go big like this. Should be cool.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC is almost done as the Halo 4 test flight is underway
343 Industries will finish the fight as soon as it finishes the flight. Closed testing on the final Halo game has officially begun. Once that has wrapped up, Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC will be complete.
Halo 4's test flight is live for everyone who's enrolled in the Halo Insider program. Here's the content that's included:
The Neighbor returns in new Stadia title Hello Engineer
Indie outfit tinyBuild has revealed that its next release will be Hello Engineer - a spin-off from its creepy 2017 stealth title Hello Neighbor - currently in development for the Stadia platform.
Details are relatively slim at this time, but a new reveal trailer demonstrates that Hello Engineer will see groups of players come together to scavenge materials and resources in an abandoned scrapyard, ultimately allowing for the construction of bizarre, ramshackle vehicles and robots. Unfortunately, our young crafters are not alone, as "The Neighbor" is also on the scene, and has a few monstrous contraptions up his own diamond pringle.
Hello Engineer will launch on Stadia in 2021. Hello Neighbor 2 is also currently in development.
Pokemon's Crown Tundra DLC will allegedly contain 'the hardest challenge in the game'
The second half of Pokemon Sword and Shield's season pass is nearly here, as Crown Tundra is set to debut tomorrow.
So far, all of the promotional materials for the DLC have shown that it could be more expansive than the first half (Isle of Armor), but of course the jury is still out in terms of just how deep it would be. With the current generation's limitations, anything is possible.
For now, things are sounding good. Speaking to VG247, a Game Freak rep confirmed that much of the DLC will deal with the mystery of Calyrex, which is the main questline of the new zone. Beyond that, players will be able to explore another mystery dealing with a legendary tree, as well as hunt down three new legendary birds that shift around the landscape just like the legendaries in Pokemon Gold and Silver.
Additionally, "Dens" are going to be a major mechanic, which lead players to one of the big gimmicks of the DLC: the ability to capture every old legendary. Here's a rundown from VG247 that explains how they'll work: "he twist in the tale is that you're not fighting with your own Pokemon. At the start of the lair, you choose one from a set of randomly-generated creatures – and then each time you defeat a Pokemon in a dynamax battle, before moving on one player can choose to swap their existing, probably injured Pokemon for the one you just defeated. At the end of the lair behind numerous battles and branching pathways is a legendary or other similarly rare Pokemon."
Then there's the Galarian Star Tournament, which brings back the big stadium battles from the main storyline. Here, you'll get to partner up with another trainer of your choice, then duke it out tournament style. According to a Pokemon Company rep, it's the "hardest challenge in the game" thus far.
On paper, this sounds like a really complex DLC you can sink your teeth into and might eclipse Isle of Armor in terms of replay value. We'll find out tomorrow.
Pokemon The Crown Tundra DLC [VG247]
Devolver Digital acquires Serious Sam developer Croteam
Irreverent indie publisher Devolver Digital has announced that it has acquired Croatian video game studio Croteam, best known for the explosive Serious Sam series as well as philosophical puzzler The Talos Principle.
The acquisition comes at the end of an extended working relationship between the two companies, which Devolver cutely describes as "dating." In an official statement on the publisher's website, Devolver announced the match made in hell and that it was "thrilled" to be partnered with its childhood sweetheart.
"A decade ago Devolver Digital was just getting started and looking for its first project to partner on in the emerging digital distribution world. Similarly, Croteam was on the search for a partner it could trust to help them bring their beloved franchise back to prominence with the upcoming Serious Sam 3. And like that, the next big Serious Sam game brought old partners back together and forged a decade of friendship and dedication."
"Since then Croteam and Devolver Digital have partnered on dozens of games - from the frantic Serious Sam series to the award-winning The Talos Principle across PC, consoles, VR, and mobile platforms. Croteam and Devolver Digital have been dating for so long that we decided to go ahead and just get married."
Croteam's latest release, Serious Sam 4, is available now on Stadia, and is coming to PS4 and Xbox One in 2021. A sequel to The Talos Principle is currently in development.
Orcs Must Die 3 is getting its first DLC next month
Orcs Must Die 3 has its issues, but in all it's a nice return to form for the series that a lot of us thought was dead based on the unfortunate fate of Unchained.
Alas, it is alive and well, but only if you have a Stadia account (for now). For those of you who are Stadians, Google has announced today that Orcs Must Die 3 is getting its first major DLC: Drastic Steps. It's billed as an "expansion," and will contain five new scenarios (including a large scale War level), as well as new weapons, traps, skins and an endless map. It's $10 and it'll arrive on November 10. I'll be there: all of the above is just what the game needed, and I hope there's more to come.
In more Stadia-related news, the Humankind beta demo is live today. Also, ARK: Survival Evolved is coming in "early 2021," and will be a part of the Stadia Pro program; which is kind of like Game Pass for Stadia.
As a reminder, several demos went live yesterday as part of Stadia's week of demos promotion. There's more news coming tomorrow!
NBA 2K21's unskippable ads will be 'fixed' in future update, says 2K Games
Earlier this week, we reported on a controversy that had blown up within the NBA 2K community, after publisher 2K Games added unskippable commercials to the loading screens of the latest entry in the basketball franchise one month after the title's launch.
The commercials for the Oculus Quest 2 appears during pre-game loading screens as a part of NBA 2K21's "2K TV" segments. Fans took to Reddit and social media to express their disdain at being forced to sit through product ads in a title they had paid upwards of $70 for.
2K Games has released a statement on Twitter, where the publisher acknowledged that the offending videos "impacted our players' experience in a way we didn't intend, as these ads are not meant to run as part of the pre-game introduction." 2K Games then stated that "This will be fixed in future episodes."
Note that "fixed" does not necessarily mean "removed." As such, players will have to see how the ads are implemented going forward. Last year's franchise entry, NBA 2K20, would become a notorious example of aggressive monetization, advertising, and gambling within the AAA industry. NBA 2K21 has already gotten off to a poor start in regards to turning around said reputation - and the ball, ultimately, lies in the publisher's court.
Here's a look at Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot's new 1-versus-100 mode DLC
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, like most DBZ-related media, is alive and kicking. And it's about to get its second major DLC pack this year.
In case you missed it, Bandai Namco revealed that the second DLC is called "A New Power Awakens - Part 2," and the main gimmick is 1vs100+ battles; where your Z Fighter is facing off against a giant horde. You'll gain new abilities to boot, with potential additional content to sift through beyond the upcoming mode, which is titled "Mob Battle."
Now, the publisher is ready to give us our first real look at the DLC via screenshots, which we've gathered in the gallery below. According to Bandai Namco, you'll square off against Frieza (Golden) and the Frieza Force, which seems to be the titular "mob" in the Mob Battle gametype.
While the first DLC was fine for what it was in many respects, this one looks a lot more enticing and way more in the spirit of Dragon Ball. I'd probably play a full game based on this concept, as long as the "mobs" remain interesting and dynamic. We'll see if they pull it off for this DLC later this fall when it launches.
Fight hordes of enemies in the next DLC [Bandai Namco]
Review: Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One
For Doom, hope springs eternal.
I know it seems counterintuitive for a game based around the powers of hell, but even if the series starts to slip and falter, eventually, someone will make a new Doom and it will, in all likelihood, hit the mark. It has a better track record than a lot of other shooter franchises; namely due to the respect the pedigree demands.
Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal managed to keep the good times rolling. Now, it's time for DLC.
(Update) Tour the real-life inspiration for Pokemon's Galar region with this new video series
[Update: You can find future episodes as they arrive below.]
Say what you will about Pokemon Sword and Shield (and you will!), but I really love the Galar region.
Some portions of it feel underdeveloped, but the vistas and actual landscapes are beautiful and fun to look at. Having played Pokemon since day one of picking up Red and Blue at Toys "R" Us, it's crazy seeing how far the series has come: even if it hasn't come far enough for a lot of people.
If you also dug Galar, this video from The Pokemon Company's YouTube channel should give you a bit of background on the real-life UK inspiration. One word of warning though: if you want to skip all of the influencer-esque freaking out about how cool all the free stuff is, skip ahead to roughly 5:00 in.
While the actual touring is fairly light in this episode, there's more to come: it's part of a series that will be traveling around the UK "each week." If you're in the UK, you're probably thinking: this is just my backyard! Well, your backyards are breathtaking!
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 just got a huge update focused around parties and social play
Surprise! Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 just got an update. No, it's not Tony Hawk 3 DLC. Wouldn't that be amazing though?
No, this one is a lot more low key if you're going at it solo, as it's focused entirely around multiplayer. Vicarious Visions has just patched in additional party features, which include "private skate sessions, party migration and leader promotion." You also now have the ability to play private matches across every map or "hang out in Free Skate."
Sadly, this patch doesn't open up matchmaking for free skate, so you're still at the whim of playing with people you know directly. It would be pretty amazing of Vicarious Visions intended on adding to the same game over time: patching in Tony Hawk 3+4, as well as social public free skating, to create some sort of Frankensteined Tony Hawk MMO.
That probably won't happen though, as Tony Hawk 3+4 as a separate SKU seems like a given, especially with the success of 1+2.
Vicarious Visions [Twitter]
Cotton Reboot! is headed west on PS4 and Nintendo Switch
ININ Games has announced that Cotton Reboot! - the all-new remake of the classic kawaii shmup - will be headed west on PS4 and Nintendo Switch in early 2021, expected to be around the same time frame as its February release in Japan.
As a quick refresher, Cotton Reboot! is a remake of the X68000 port of the 1991 arcade release Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams. It concerns the adventures of a young, mischievous witch-in-training, who teams up with a sexy space fairy to free the latter's homeland from a malevolent force known as "The Evils." Well, that's the idea anyway, in actuality out hero has learned that her new pal's home planet is full of candy.
Developed by studio Beep, Cotton Reboot! has had quite a trek to fruition, facing several delays and other hurdles en route to completion. But the cute 'n' colorful release, which features updated visuals, redesigned characters, and all-new score attack modes, along with the original X68000 release in its entirety - looks set to finally hop on its broom and take to the skies.
Cotton Reboot! will launch in Japan on PS4 and Nintendo Switch on February 25, with a western localization to follow soon after. A special Limited Edition is also in the works, and will be available to pre-order from ININ Games next month.
Cotton Reboot! coming west in Q1 2021 [Gematsu]
Twitch deletes 'thousands' of videos in mass DMCA crackdown by copyright holders
Twitch has implemented a mass purge of videos and clips from the VOD sections of its huge user base. Thousands of clips were removed from Twitch users' archives in a mass crackdown of the use of copyrighted material on the live-streaming website. Twitch has forgone its usual routine of requesting users take down the videos themselves, and is not offering those affected the opportunity to appeal.
In an email to many of its partners, obtained by esports writer Rod Breslau, Twitch stated that "We recognize that by deleting this content, we are not giving you the option to file a counter-notification or seek a retraction from the rights holder. In consideration of this, we have processed these notifications and are issuing you a one-time warning to give you the chance to learn about copyright law and the tools available to manage the content on your channel."
Twitch also requested that all of its users go through their archives and voluntarily remove all videos that feature copyrighted video, music, or other media. The purge is believed to be a Hail Mary play instigated by the streaming site after it had received "thousands" of individual complaints and DMCA notices from music labels and other copyright holders, leading to an unmanageable backlog of videos requiring investigation.
Twitch purges videos after "thousands" of requests from music labels [GamesIndustry.biz]
Sucker Punch job listing requests a writer with 'knowledge of feudal Japanese history'
Sucker Punch Productions has opened a new job listing on its corporate website, which has, unsurprisingly, already set tongues wagging with excitement at the mystery project.
The studio is looking for a new narrative writer, and specifically asks that ideal candidates have "AAA open-world experience" as well as a "desire to write stories set in feudal Japan." Knowledge of feudal Japanese history is also listed as a positive boon.
While this listing is obviously no outright confirmation of anything in particular, it's hard not to get excited about the obvious outcome: Sucker Punch is in the pre-production stages of a Sly Raccoon sequel set in 12th century Kyoto. That's my takeaway and I'm sticking to it. Let's go, samurai Carmelita!
...What?
Sucker Punch job listing hints at more Ghost of Tsushima [IGN India]
Review: G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout
When "movable fighting man" G.I. Joe first made his way to British shores in the 1960s, he was renamed as the less nation-specific "Action Man." Despite this amusingly bland new moniker, Action Man was still a smash success with British kids, going on to sell thousands of dolls, ("It's an action figure, mum!"), in the ensuing decades.
The plastic military man and his kung-fu grip became so huge here in Britain, that when the super-popular G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero animated series made the leap overseas, it also needed to be renamed, to keep marketing in line with the toy range. So do you know what we got? Action Force. ACTION FORCE. The Brits are nothing if not great at poorly localizing American properties. That and making abysmal political decisions.
Nice history lesson, Moyse, but what does this have to do with G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout, GameMill Entertainment's new video game adaptation of the aforementioned Saturday morning show? Honestly, not all that much. But what's important is that now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
Dirt 5 will be a day-one PlayStation 5 game
Even when it comes to games we've known about for a while, the PlayStation 5 launch lineup isn't set in stone just yet. Today, Codemasters confirmed Dirt 5 will make the November 12 deadline.
In a tweet, the studio also reiterated several features: 4K and 120fps support, faster load times, cross-generation multiplayer with the PS4 player base, and "DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers." As we previously learned, there's a free upgrade from PS4 to PS5 – but saves won't transfer.
Aside from the save-file caveat for PlayStation users, the rest of that list should sound familiar. Codemasters is making a similar pitch – including a 120Hz mode – for the Xbox Series X version.
As it now stands, Dirt 5 will hit PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 6, followed by Xbox Series X/S on November 10, and finally PS5 on November 12. There are a lot of dates to keep track of next month. (Speaking of: Dirt 5 will come to PlayStation 5 in "other territories" one week later, on November 19.)
The last time I got a racing game for a just-launched console was Project Gotham Racing 3.
@dirtgame [Twitter]
Don't let Yakuza: Like a Dragon slip through the cracks
I know, I know – November is packed. But try not to forget about Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
You don't need to play it on November 10 – heck, you don't even need to play it on an Xbox Series X (or on a PS5 when March rolls around) – but keep it on your "thinking about you!" list, at the very least.
That might go without saying for a lot of Destructoid readers who are well-versed in the Yakuza series and know what to expect. For everyone else, I hope this game can be a breezy entry point with its English dub (which is wild), its new party-leading hero, Ichiban Kasuga (who's another lovable lug), and its new setting, Yokohama (which is significantly larger than our old stomping grounds in Kamurocho).
That's to say nothing of the surprisingly fresh turn-based combat, which I recently previewed.
Really, this tongue-in-cheek "Next Generation of Yakuza" trailer says it all. No one is out there making games like Yakuza, and we shouldn't take Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio for granted. It's such a heartfelt series.
Risk of Rain 2 console players can face the final boss today with update 1.0
Whether you already own Risk of Rain 2 or you've been waiting for the 1.0 update to land on consoles, today's the day. The fifth – but not final – major update rolled out on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One. Before you ask, yes: the Switch version plays well enough to warrant a recommendation.
What does 1.0 entail? Most importantly, there's a new stage and ensuing final boss – along with a "proper ending" – and a new survivor, Captain, who wields microbots and a shotgun. Hopoo has also added several items to spice up your runs, a few more challenges and monsters to face, tons of lore entries, and several new songs. Current characters, stages, and bosses have been re-tuned, too.
Version 1.0 also raises the "difficulty rate over time for all difficulties by +10%." To compensate, the update buffs "a ton of items" and provides "way more agency over the way a run progresses."
The Captain is the tenth playable character.
For extended thoughts on Risk of Rain 2, check Patrick's review of the 1.0 PC release from August. "There is so much to love here, whether you are a fan of the first game or roguelikes as a whole."
I concur! I don't think the sequel necessarily makes the best first impression – it doesn't open up until you've unlocked more characters, all of which play very differently – but once it hits, it's hard to put down. (That said, I have a tough time switching off of the Huntress. She's always been my favorite.)
As for the future of Risk of Rain 2 post-1.0, the developers are planning to continue balancing the game as needed with free updates, but the team will eventually get cracking on paid DLC expansions.
Risk of Rain 2 Console 1.0 Update [Gearbox]
Square Enix updated Final Fantasy VII Remake for the first time (but not to improve that door)
Unlike every other big game released in 2020, Final Fantasy VII Remake hasn't gotten many patches. Actually, Square Enix only updated the game once – and it happened today, six months after launch.
Reports are starting to come in that FFVII Remake update 1.01 has rolled out in certain regions, but at the time of writing, it's not yet available for download in the United States. Before you plan your next playthrough, it's worth stressing that this is a comparatively minor update meant to fix "various bugs."
With that said, there isn't a breakdown. Some players have speculated that the late-game "vent bug" might be addressed, and that seems like a safe bet. Otherwise, I haven't heard of any major glitches.
Oh, you're wondering about the infamous door and other low-res textures?
1.01 still same texture issues #PS4share pic.twitter.com/97Km3syUPx
— xenosaga (@xenosaga7) October 20, 2020
They're the same as always. 1.01 isn't a silver bullet for "level-of-detail" complaints.
Larger-scale changes will have to come down the road, potentially in a PlayStation 5-optimized version of Final Fantasy VII Remake. That's what I'd expect, anyway. We'll see if Square Enix follows through. With the way the stars are aligning, I might be ready for a replay right before Remake Part 2 drops.
After half a year, FFVIIR gets its first update (ver. 1.01) [ResetEra]
Assassin's Creed Valhalla takes the same approach to DLC as Odyssey, but scaled down a bit
Assassin's Creed Odyssey was absolutely herculean in its approach to post-launch content. On the paid side, it featured two very substantial add-ons, each made up of three episodes. The free support was substantial too, as every player got access to 11 free missions called The Lost Tales of Greece. All of that was alongside level cap increases, new skills, a story creation mode, a discovery walkabout mode, and more. When all was said and done, Assassin's Creed Odyssey was relevant for more than a year after it first released.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla seemingly has similar ambitions, albeit maybe not quite as grand. Ubisoft has announced its plans for Assassin's Creed Valhalla's DLC, and it takes the same two-pronged approach to free and paid-for content.
Both of the premium add-ons will have Eivor leaving England. The first, called Wrath of the Druids, takes place in Ireland. It prominently features Gaelic myths, haunted forests, and a druidic cult. Wrath of the Druids is scheduled to launch in Spring 2021.
The second paid DLC channels its inner Assassin's Creed Unity. It's titled The Siege of Paris, and it tackles one of the most famous battles in Viking history. Ubisoft details it by saying "players will infiltrate the fortified city of Paris and the River Seine under a prolonged siege, uncover enemy secrets, and form strategic alliances to safeguard their clan's future." This add-on is planned for Summer 2021.
Additionally, anyone who buys the $40 season pass (or who purchases the Gold or Ultimate edition of Valhalla) will have access to the "Legend of Beowulf" quest which is available at launch. We learned about the Beowulf quest around the time Valhalla was announced, but this is the first time Ubisoft has actually confirmed it.
Xbox Series S can run all the Halo: The Master Chief Collection games at 120fps
If Halo is Xbox's flagship franchise, The Master Chief Collection is its crown jewel. This anthology of Halo games is being constantly updated and ported, made better and better as time goes on. It's no surprise it'll be present right alongside the new generation of Xbox consoles.
Microsoft announced today that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be "fully optimized" for Xbox Series S/X starting on November 17. That means hitting 120fps in both campaign and multiplayer, improvements to split-screen, and hitting 4K on Xbox Series X.
Fallout 76's Bombs Drop Day event comes with all sorts of extra perks
As we told you a few days ago, Fallout 76's Bombs Drop Day event takes place this week. It's a reason to dole out double XP and double S.C.O.R.E. (for getting through the battle pass), and there's a 25 percent discount at legendary vendors. That's what was messaged ahead of time.
However, things look markedly better now. The Bombs Drop Day event runs longer than previously thought, going from October 20 to October 26; that's two days more than what Bethesda said last week. It's also free to play for the week on all platforms. There are substantial sales for anyone who decides to buy it after the free week. As always, progress carries over to the full game.
Here's where it gets really bougie, though. Players get a taste of the high life with a weeklong Fallout 1st free trial. In case you need a reminder, Fallout 1st is the $100 per year membership that grants you access to a private server and unlimited crafting component storage through the Scrapbox. After the preview ends on October 26, players can keep whatever materials they had placed in their Scrapbox. It's a good time to load up.
If all that wining and dining has you ready to open up the wallet, players are also treated to the first ever Fallout 76 sale on microtransactions. The atom bundle discounts range from $1 off the smallest pack to $14 off the biggest pack.
This post on Bethesda's site has the breakdown off all the extra perks that weren't mentioned last week, including all the various sales tiers. Even though Microsoft has acquired Bethesda, PlayStation 4 isn't getting frozen out of event perks. Not yet at least.
Fallout is Celebrating Bombs Drop Day with a Free Play Week, Sales, & In-Game Events! [Bethesda]
Splatoon 2's free Halloween gear is available to download if you missed it the first time around
Just because things have gone quiet on the Splatoon front, that doesn't mean the community isn't gearing up to celebrate the spooky Halloween season on the messy arena shooter. Next weekend will see the return of a classic Halloween splatfest, as players will wage war in a battle of "Trick" vs."Treat."
And for those of you hoping to look the part, then you're in luck, as Nintendo has re-released the Splatoon 2 Halloween gear DLC pack, which is available for all players to download for free right now. All you need do is visit the Splatoon section in the Nintendo Switch news channel, and click on the confirmation that lies therein.
Once confirmed, you will receive a package in-game that includes a hockey mask, a monster head, some devilish horns, and a ghostly hat, each of which includes a useful in-game buff. So be sure to don your creepiest outfit before you hit the arenas on the weekend of Friday, October 30, and let's win one more for everyone's favourite lil' devil, Pearl.
Final Fantasy XIV's free login campaign starts today
Final Fantasy XIV is in-between patches right now, which is a perfect excuse for Square Enix to try and get people back in and playing again. To that end, there's yet another "Returner" login campaign that's kicking off today.
It's live right now actually (it went live at 1AM PT), and will run all the way through November 23 at 6:59AM PT. Basically, all you need to do is be eligible (own the game, have an inactive account for at least 30 days) and you're good.
Literally all you do is log into the game as normal like you have active gametime and you're able to play "for the duration of [the] free play period." That duration, mind is four days, which ends "on the fourth day at 11:59PM local time). Square Enix warns that once you login, the timer starts: regardless of whether or not you're actually playing.
As a reminder, the Futures Rewritten patch is due in "early December" of this year. Square Enix typically doesn't provide exact dates until a few weeks out from a patch, so stay tuned for the final breakdown eventually. The main highlights include the last Eden raid wing on the hardcore side, as well as new main story quests (MSQs). If you're making the shift to PS5, you'll be able to experience faster load times!
From there, the current Shadowbringers expansion will likely end at patch 5.5 in 2021, followed by another expansion later in the year.
Free Login Campaign [Square Enix]
Gearbox unveils two of the new Borderlands 3 skill trees and they sound rad
To the surprise of no one, Gearbox revealed that more Borderlands 3DLC was on the way beyond the scope of the initial season pass. So much so, in fact, that they felt the need to bundle it into a second season pass.
One of the things in that follow-up pass is the "Designer's Cut" add-on, which is basically a new DLC that grants players access to several features: one of which is new skill trees. Today, Gearbox gave us a quick look at the gist of Amara and FL4K's additional trees, which are looking pretty sweet. Sweet enough to justify gating them behind a DLC? Probably not, but hang with me for a second.
PSA: You can print more arrows to add to your Mario Kart Live track for free
We spent last week testing out Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, and mostly came away impressed.
As we pointed out in our review; the greater your imagination is (and the space you have available), the more fun the game will be. But you can get a very easy boost right out of the box for free, it seems, so long as you're willing to print these simple black and white designs.
Straight from the official Nintendo site, you can print off additional (replacement) gates and arrow signs. The latter really is the most important bit, as the game lets you add arrow signs to the game beyond the two official cardboard ones that came with the $99 box. In other words, you can add to the panache of the track with more goodies, which show up on-screen as flashy neon arrows.
It's a small thing, but I'm sure a lot of you who have been experimenting with Mario Kart Live will appreciate the tip.
Mario Kart Live Gates [Nintendo]
Mortal Kombat 11's Johnny Cage gives you the forekast on Rain
Last week, NetherRealm Studios released the first gameplay trailer for Rain, one of the next kombatants headed to its blockbuster fighter Mortal Kombat 11. Now we've seen the wet one in action, your boy Johnny Cage is here to bring you up to speed on the lore of the Prince of Edenia.
In a new "Meet Rain" trailer, Cage gives us a lowdown on Rain's backstory, recounting the tale of an orphan child who became a master strategist in the ranks of Edenia's army. Once made aware of his true lineage - a lineage that makes him a half-god, no less - Rain struck out on his own, battling to claim the heritage that is rightfully his. Yeah, that's all well and good, drippy, but motherfucking Sindel will always be Edenia's true overlord, so get in the sea.
In related news, NetherRealm Studios will be holding its first Kombat Kast live stream in quite some time this afternoon, showing off Rain in all of his soggy glory. You can catch the action over on the official NetherRealm Twitch channel, with the stream scheduled to begin at around 13:00 PT / 16:00 ET / 21:00 BST.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate will launch for PC as well as current and next-gen consoles on November 17. Players who already own Mortal Kombat 11 on PS4 or Xbox One will be able to upgrade free-of-charge to PS5 or Xbox Series X platforms.
Attention Stadians: A limited-run Immortals: Fenyx Rising demo is coming this week
Stadia gave us a blowout of new information today on top of the reveal that Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle [read: Pac-Man Battle Royale] is coming to the service.
Google is running a "three days of demos" event, which will kick off today with the aforementioned Pac-attack followed by the Humankind beta on October 21, as well as Immortals: Fenyx Rising on October 22. Jedi: Fallen Order is out on November 24.
As a recap, Jedi: Fallen Order came out nearly a year ago and served as one of the few fully single-player experiences that EA has put out in some time. Immortals: Fenyx Rising is the new title for Gods and Monsters, which was reintroduced to the world during a recent Ubisoft stream. Google says these Stadia demos will be live for seven days and to "play them now while you have a chance." "Neither Stadia Pro nor a form of payment is required to play these titles," according to the publisher.
Of note, the Immortals demo is one of the first times the game has ever gone public (beyond the leaks, right before the new title reveal): so you may want to take advantage of that.
The next Pac-Man game is Mega Tunnel Battle, and you can try it now for free
Bandai Namco is always working on something when it comes to Pac-Man: it's just that much of a cash cow. Even if the little guy isn't getting his own starring games he makes appearances in everything from Smash Bros. to Minecraft, but today he actually is getting a new game, with some caveats.
It's called Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle, and will be a "First on Stadia" title. It's out right now, accompanied by a free Stadia demo here, which you can use to try the game instantly in your browser. Bandai Namco says that it was created to "leverage Google's cloud gaming platform to create the largest multiplayer Pac-Man game ever developed," with 64 players in total.
The gist is that you'll duke it out, battle royale style, across connected grids until you're the last Pac standing New power-ups are a go as is a spectator mode, likely to encourage streaming. It's a lot like Super Bomberman R Online, another Stadia title.
Enjoy it, or not! It's a pretty breezy low stakes demo. It'll run through October 27: then the full game will be released on November 17 for $19.99.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War beta players are turning off cross-play due to cheating
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War might only be in its beta stage, but players are already finding out that it's never too early to start breaking the rules, as aimbotters, wall-hackers, and other villains are already ruining the experience for many in the CoD community.
Over the course of the beta weekend, players encountered Killcam replays that showed others utilizing mods to rack up insane killstreaks - a practice that has dogged shooters on PC since the genre's inception. This frustration led to many Call of Duty console players choosing to switch off cross-play capabilities, essentially banning PC players from their matches, but also shrinking the player base.
Now, this being Call of Duty - the biggest FPS franchise on the planet - turning off cross-play is hardly going to result in Black Ops Cold War becoming a "dead game", but it's a shame that players do end up having to wall off other communities because of the actions of a few cheaters. Last year, Activision adopted a "zero tolerance" stance against hackers in both Modern Warfare and Warzone - banning nearly quarter of a million players in the last 12 months alone - but you're never going to catch everybody, and some of these banned accounts will simply find ways to circumvent the ban and continue playing.
Ultimately, it's positive to see titles like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege push back against shadier or more toxic players, but they'll be unlikely to ever truly eradicate the relentless mentality of those who want to cheat. This is just a beta, and people are already breaking the rules to rack up kills and XP in the new sequel. For some players, for whatever reason, cheating is apparently an integral part of playing - and winning - at video games.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War beta already has cheaters [PC Gamer]
Here's how to unlock Luigi in Super Mario Bros. 35
Although Super Mario Bros. 35 has some issues in regards to its endgame, it's a fun little treat to boot up every now and then and a nice way to dive back into a classic.
One of the things I liked about it was its penchant for tiny little Easter eggs, which includes this newly discovered trick: you can play as Luigi. Sure, it's just a color swap for the most part, but Twitter user CombotronRobot managed to uncover the secret and I'm sure it'll get a lot of people talking about the battle royale release again.
There's basically just one main requirement: you need to be at star rank (level) 100 or above. From there, hold L as you are starting a match (it's recommended that you hold it until it begins) and bam, you can celebrate the Year of Luigi in 2020.
It's time to grind!
Don't miss the beautiful (and very weird) opening movie to Balan Wonderworld
Square Enix has released the stunning opening movie to Balan Wonderworld, the upcoming platform adventure from studio Arzest, and headed up by legendary industry veteran Yuji Naka.
The beautifully directed video sees our heroes, Leo and Emma, and they are whisked into the colorful and whimsical Wonderworld of Balan, a charismatic showman with just a touch of uncomfortable weirdness. Bombarded by cute, fuzzy creatures, Leo and Emma journey through a phantasmagoria of the strange sights and sounds that make up Balan's Wonderworld.
The mysterious adventure itself will see players guide the duo through a vista of 12 ever-changing worlds, exploring stages while utilizing a huge host of special abilities earned from over 80 in-game costumes. At the heart of Wonderworld is self-discovery, and as they progress through the game, Leo and Emma will face their own joyous memories and deep-seated worries. It all sounds very intriguing, and with Naka at the helm, will most assuredly be one to watch out for.
Balan Wonderworld launches March 26 on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
Pokemon Home will be down for a bit to adjust for the new Crown Tundra DLC
Pokemon Home is about to get a lot busier, so the powers that be are making some adjustments later this week.
That means there's going to be some downtime; which is taking place on Thursday, October 22 at 23:00 UTC until October 23 at 4:00 UTC (the latter is the planned end time, which could be extended). In case you missed it, Nintendo recently revealed the release date for Pokemon Sword and Shield's Crown Tundra DLC, which is due out on October 22 as the last known DLC and second part of the season pass.
So why is it getting busier? Well, it was confirmed that legendary Pokemon will have a 100% capture rate so long as you make it through the gauntlet to acquire them and finish them off. Hence, it'll behoove a lot of players to jump into Home and move some stuff around: especially if they already have the supported mythological beasts in question.
You can find the full maintenance notice below, taken directly from our app. While the first Isle of Armor DLC was fun for what it was, I have higher hopes for the seemingly larger and more detailed Crown Tundra add-on.
Cagliostro brings her mischievous magic to Granblue Fantasy: Versus today
Granblue Fantasy: Versus has been updated to Version 2.11, bringing a selection of bug fixes and mode tweaks to CyGames' attractive fighter, along with all-new DLC character Cagliostro.
Known as "The Prettiest Alchemist," Cagliostro is a young mistress of the arcane arts, arts that she utilizes in the pursuit of a state of absolute cuteness. Despite her adorable demeanor, Cagliostro has quite a temper bubbling under her kawaii surface and is a force to be reckoned with in the thick of the fight.
Not only is Cagliostro capable of producing huge swords and spears from the environment with ease, but her tricky teleportation skills also keep her well out of harm's way. Sneaky gal. Cagliostro is available to purchase for around $7, which includes the requisite lobby avatar and a new RPG Mode chapter.
Alongside Cagliostro, the new update fixes several minor text and technical issues across the board, as well as tweaking an ongoing issue involving Throw Breaking. You can check out the full patch notes over on the official Granblue Fantasy: Versus blog.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus is available now on PS4 and PC.
Grime showed off more of its surreal world and I'm so down to explore it
I haven't forgotten about Grime, and I hope you haven't either. Clover Bite's action-adventure RPG about a "humanoid black hole" who can absorb bizarre creatures continues to show great promise.
In this narrated footage from director Yarden Weissbrot, we're shown just how much utility the absorption ability has, from catching and sending back projectiles to dislodging tightly-held shields. As you absorb foes, you'll fill out a bestiary and start to unlock (and rank up) traits with bonuses/abilities like dealing more damage with backstabbing attacks or pulling on "nearby vulnerable surfaces."
I'm also intrigued by the "fully interconnected" map – it already looks like a world I want to pore over.
I know some of you are feeling this game, and I imagine plenty more of you will be on-board today if you happened to miss the Gamescom trailer in August. Grime is still scheduled to release on Steam in 2021.
This PlayStation montage recaps the best of the best PS4 games with one-second clips
I'm excited as anyone to get my hands on a PlayStation 5 and marathon Demon's Souls with a sleepless binge, but with that said, I'm still having a wonderful time with my PS4, and I'll continue to enjoy it right up until the new console shows up at my door. (Fingers crossed for no last-minute delivery delays.)
I'm not sure I'd have an answer if someone asked me to name my favorite console – I'm terrible at coming up with top tens for anything – but I know that the PlayStation 4 would be up there pretty high.
I've consistently liked this system since 2013, even back when it was little more than a Resogun machine for me. It brought about Bloodborne, one of my unshakable all-time besties, to say nothing of many other modern classics. I also loved PlayStation VR more than most people – it rekindled something inside me. Resident Evil 7 VR will go down as one of the best gaming experiences of my life.
Before I get any sappier, here's a fun video to watch on the precipice of the PS5 launch. PlayStation Access edited a three-minute montage with "one second from every game that defined PS4." It's not just the usual obvious picks, either – you're going to wonder what some of these games even are.
Many of the games in this video aren't PlayStation exclusives, and some of them have undeniable flaws, but that's what makes this list so interesting. On the whole, it really captures the last seven years.
It's been a damn good run, one that's worth reflecting on and celebrating.
@PlayStationUK [Twitter]
Review: The Jackbox Party Pack 7
Ah, here we are with another installment of The Jackbox Party Pack, the insanely popular virtual party game enterprise that takes every nerd's house by storm each year - although perhaps it's now more mainstream, as my parents are starting to take part and there are now explicitly family-friendly settings and options!
So, without further ado, I present this year's games.
World of Warcraft's newest event lets you earn the Headless Horseman Hearthstone again
World of Warcraft's Shadowlands expansion might be delayed, but we have the pre-patch and this newest seasonal event to mess around with in the meantime.
Hallow's End has been a staple of WoW for a while now, with the Headless Horseman's Hearthstone arriving in 2018 when Battle for Azeroth came into the picture. Among several other rewards this one is recently cited as the cornerstone of the event; allowing players to add to their spooky outfit with some visual effects when hearthing. Now you can earn it again as of this week.
From now until November 1, the Hallow's End event will be running through Azeroth. Basically all you need to do is log in, queue up for the Headless Horseman challenge (which can drop up to i395 gear) or visit Razor Hill or Goldshire to participate in world events. In all there's 14 quests to participate in, as well as trick or treating stations to earn candy from; throughout Kalimdor to Outland, Northrend, the Cataclysm regions and Pandaria.
Given that Halloween events typically tend to be the most flavorful in MMOs, I'll be poking my head in among all of the other stuff I'm doing with the pre-patch right now.
The Horseman Rides: Hallow's End is Nigh! [Battle.net]
Can Marvel's Avengers pull a No Man's Sky and totally redeem itself?
It's no secret that Marvel's Avengers isn't in the best of places right now. Yes, it sold big in September, enough to top Super Mario 3D All-Stars as the month's top title on the NPD charts, but it's struggling, and with new consoles and several massive titles on the horizon, things are not going to get easier for Crystal Dynamics. But just because it's down now doesn't mean it's out. As we've seen with No Man's Sky, developers can pull their games back from the brink.
That's just one of the topics on this episode of Podtoid. CJ, Charlotte, Occams, and Dan chat about Marvel's Avengers, Ring Fit Adventure, Dragon Quest Tact, and Spooky Encounters. All that, plus you shouldn't rap about real crimes you're committing, on Podtoid Episode 463.
Dragon Quest Tact may not be that tactical, but it is a charming diversion
Dragon Quest of the Stars hit North America at just the wrong time earlier in 2020. Arriving almost five years after its initial release in Japan, the free-to-play, gacha RPG reached our shores right around the same time COVID-19 did. A month later, my employer put out a memo instructing anybody who could work from home to do so, and soon enough I found myself dropping off this mobile adventure in favor of Dragon Quest XI S - Definitive Edition on my Switch.
In a few months though, depending on how this winter goes, I'll start going back to the office for a few days a week. Because I won't be stuck at home as much, I'm probably going to once again find time for those simple little gacha games that help pass the time. And while Dragon Quest of the Stars still has some life to it that I wouldn't be against picking it back up, it may have to step aside for Dragon Quest Tact.
You might see the Saw puppet and Leatherface running wild in Call of Duty
Call of Duty is hosting another horror crossover for Halloween, and this year, Billy the Puppet from Saw and Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre are here to play. Don't be alarmed if you see them running around in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Call of Duty: Warzone. Well, be a little alarmed.
Activision has a full recap of the Haunting of Verdansk – the event starts October 20 and will stick around until November 3 – but there's also a quick and to-the-point roadmap below in one easy image.
Aside from the premium Saw and TCM skin bundles (for Morte and Velikan, respectively), Warzone is getting a "nighttime" variant, there are Trick or Treat supply boxes to collect (with 16 total rewards to find), and Zombie Royale mode will skip the Gulag skirmishes in favor of turning fallen players into zombies who can move faster, jump higher, hit harder, and rely on thermal vision to stalk their prey.
"When a player is killed, they drop a syringe that shows up on the map. Collect two of these Syringes as a Zombie and you'll parachute back in with your loadout on your Squad for a second chance! The last squad standing with a surviving Operator wins... even if the rest of the squad has turned undead."
Even if the horror movie outfits are way too pricey ($20!), I always appreciate a good Halloween event.
Nintendo sales surge in this week's UK Charts
While Electronic Arts' football simulator FIFA 21 retains the number one spot of the UK Charts for a second week, a surge of physical sales saw a glut of Nintendo Switch titles shoot up the rankings.
GamesIndustry.biz cites Amazon's Prime Day event as the reason behind the spike in Nintendo game sales, which saw Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Minecraft, Ring Fit Adventure, and Super Mario 3D All-Stars among the titles having a particularly successful week. Even Ubisoft's Just Dance 2020 made a comeback, hot-stepping all the way from number 17 to number seven.
Elsewhere in the charts, there is little to report. Activision's Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time remains in the Top Ten at number nine, while Square Enix's Marvel's Avengers has seemingly long-peaked, leaving the upper echelon within a month of release. nWay's Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid saw its physical launch this week, but failed to make much of an impact, debuting at number 38. Releasing digitally back in 2019, fans would likely have picked up the licensed tag-fighter long before now.
Konami says PT won't work on PS5, but that seems wrong
Two weeks ago, Sony revealed the 10 PlayStation 4 games that won't work on PS5. It's a small list, and there's nothing of real consequence being left behind. One game wasn't mentioned meaning it's de facto backward compatible, but people wanted confirmation anyway.
That game is PT. We asked Sony whether PT could be played on PS5, but we never heard back. Everyone was just left to assume that it'd work. Why wouldn't it work?
Hold up. GamesRadar+ got ahold of Konami who confirmed that PT wouldn't be backward compatible. Konami says "[PT] will not be available on the PS Store, so users won't be able to re-download the content through the backwards compatibility feature to the PS5."
That seems wrong though, doesn't it? Konami's statement only appears to address what we already know (and have experienced) with PT. It was delisted in April 2015 after the announcement that Silent Hills was canceled. Nobody has been able to download PT for more than five years.
But, Konami's seemingly ignoring the option to transfer it from hard drives for people who already have it downloaded. Sony has said the transfer process works for both wired and wireless connections. Simply moving the game from PS4 to PS5 should work. Or, at least we don't have any evidence as to why it shouldn't work. Time will tell, but it kind of appears as though Konami missed the intention behind this question.
PT won't be backwards compatible with the PS5 [GamesRadar+]
XIII remake Nintendo Switch port delayed to 2021
Microids has announced that the remake of classic first-person shooter XIII will not meet its originally announced release date on Switch. While the PS4, PC, and Xbox One editions are all still set to launch on November 10, the Switch release has been pushed back to 2021.
Playmatic's XIII is a remake of the 2003 Xbox and PS2 title, based on the 1980s Belgian comic book of the same name. It follows the hazardous and violent journey of a nameless and amnesiac man wanted for the killing of the U.S. President. Teaming with a mysterious female mercenary named Jones, "XIII" (from the identifying tattoo on his shoulder) must uncover the truth behind the assassination, his role within it, and a shadowy organization known as "Mongoose."
Microids also released a new trailer, showing off the arsenal of lead-flingers that XIII and Jones will utilize in their ballistic quest to stay alive long enough to bring down Mongoose and discover the facts behind our anti-hero's origins. The remake will feature all of the content from the original title, as well as its iconic cel-shaded look, which has been redesigned to make the most of modern-day visuals.
Essential retailer GameStop closing down for Thanksgiving
Employees of big box retailers in the United States are generally subjected to the same annual Thanksgiving routine: Do all the family stuff early in the day because they're off to work in the evenings. The Black Friday creep gets earlier and earlier every year, as each store tries to set the pace for how soon people can shop their sales.
In a bit of refreshing news, GameStop employees will have the full Thanksgiving holiday free this year. GameStop has revealed its Black Friday-centric plans, and it includes all stores in the United States being closed on Thanksgiving.
There are likely a couple strategic reasons for the closure. GameStop has announced that it'll host "more pre-Black Friday sale events than ever before," although it hasn't revealed any of the deals yet. Also, with the pandemic very much still in progress, GameStop is probably (rightly) predicting that in-store traffic will be lower than during normal years. All the hustle and bustle of jam-packed consumerism isn't as cute when there's a contagious virus on the loose.
It's the right outcome, especially from a company who has a very recent history of doing the wrong thing. In March, GameStop circulated an internal memo to employees directing them to refuse compliance with local orders to shut down at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reasoning was that GameStop and all its video game hardware and software should be classified as "essential retail."
The logic seems to be that GameStop is hoping to spread sales out over a longer timeline rather than just chasing a spike on Black Friday. We'll see if it can resist putting all of its best deals on actual Black Friday. Unlikely but maybe. It's not like there will be any new consoles available to lure customers in anyway.
GameStop Releases its 'Ready. Set. Gift.' 2020 Holiday Gift Guide [GameStop]
