Author: Trafficblast

Nintendo and Game Freak are releasing two big DLC expansions for Pokemon Sword and Shield this year: The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra. The former will release on June 17 while the latter is slated to follow this fall, and each will introduce a wealth of additional content to the titles, including new gameplay features, locations, characters, storylines, and even Pokemon.

Since the expansions were announced earlier this year, The Pokemon Company has been gradually revealing more details about Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra in the lead up to their launch. To help get you up to speed on the upcoming DLC, we’ve rounded up everything we know so far about Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra below.

Expansion Pass Price

Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra are bundled together as part of the Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, which is available through the Switch Eshop for $30 USD / £27. The expansions cannot be purchased individually. Each game also requires its own Expansion Pass, so if you own both Sword and Shield, you’ll need to purchase the pass for each version if you’re hoping to access the new content in both titles.

Early Purchase Bonuses

You’ll receive a few free bonus items for pre-purchasing the Expansion Pass. First, you’ll get an exclusive Pikachu uniform and Eevee uniform for your trainer. If you purchase the Expansion Pass before August 31, you’ll also receive clothing items based on Leon’s cap and tights.

Confirmed Returning Pokemon

As previously mentioned, Game Freak is bringing back an assortment of old Pokemon alongside each expansion. These monsters are being added as free updates, so you don’t need to purchase the Expansion Pass to get them; you’ll be able to receive the Pokemon through trades or import them via Pokemon Home even if you don’t pick up the expansions. However, the returning Pokemon can only be encountered in the wild if you own the Expansion Pass.

In total, more than 200 old Pokemon will be added to Sword and Shield, including practically every Legendary from previous games. You can see all the returning Pokemon that have been confirmed so far below:

Isle of Armor

• Psyduck
• Golduck
• Poliwag*
• Poliwhirl*
• Poliwrath*
• Politoed*
• Magnemite
• Magneton
• Magnezone
• Exeggcute*
• Exeggutor*
• Happiny
• Chansey
• Blissey
• Tangela*
• Tangrowth*
• Kangaskhan*
• Horsea
• Seadra
• Kingdra
• Staryu*
• Starmie*
• Scyther*
• Scizor*
• Tauros*
• Azurill
• Marill
• Azumarill
• Whismur*
• Loudred*
• Exploud*
• Shinx*
• Luxio*
• Luxray*
• Sandile*
• Krokorok*
• Krookodile*
• Zorua
• Zoroark
• Emolga*
• Mienfoo*
• Mienshao*
• Druddigon*
• Bouffalant*
• Larvesta
• Volcarona
• Fletchling
• Fletchinder
• Talonflame
• Skrelp*
• Dragalge*
• Dedenne
• Rockruff
• Lycanroc

The Crown Tundra

• Nidoran (F)
• Nidorina
• Nidoqueen
• Nidoran (M)
• Nidorino
• Nidoking
• Zubat
• Golbat
• Crobat
• Elekid
• Electabuzz
• Electivire
• Magby*
• Magmar*
• Magmortar*
• Aron*
• Lairon*
• Aggron*
• Swablu*
• Altaria*
• Absol*
• Spheal
• Sealeo
• Walrein
• Relicanth*
• Beldum
• Metang
• Metagross
• Gible
• Gabite
• Garchomp
• Cryogonal
• Amaura
• Aurorus

Legendaries

• Entei
• Raikou
• Suicune
• Ho-Oh
• Lugia
• Regirock
• Regice
• Registeel
• Latios
• Latias
• Groudon
• Kyogre
• Rayquaza
• Azelf
• Mesprit
• Uxie
• Heatran
• Cresselia
• Dialga
• Palkia
• Giratina
• Tornadus
• Thundurus
• Landorus
• Reshiram
• Zekrom
• Kyurem
• Xerneas
• Yveltal
• Zygarde
• Tapu Koko
• Tapu Lele
• Tapu Bulu
• Tapu Fini

* Confirmed in the latest trailer

New Pokemon

On top of all the returning Pokemon, each expansion introduces a handful of new Pokemon to the games. Chief among these are two new Legendaries: Kubfu, the mascot of Isle of Armor; and Calyrex, the mascot of The Crown Tundra.

The expansions introduce new forms of some older Pokemon as well, including Galarian variants of Slowpoke, Slowbro, and Slowking, as well as Gigantamax versions of Venusaur and Blastoise. The Pokemon Company has also shown off Galarian forms of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, as well as two new Regis: the Electric-type Regieleki and the Dragon-type Regidrago.

Isle Of Armor Characters And Storyline

The Isle of Armor expansion takes place on the titular island, which lies off the coast of Galar proper. The isle is home to a Pokemon dojo, where aspiring trainers learn under the tutelage of an old man named Mustard, who is the longest-reigning champion in Galar history and Leon’s former mentor.

Early in your adventure on the Isle of Armor, Mustard will gift you the Legendary Pokemon Kubfu, which you’ll be able to raise into Urshifu after conquering one of two towers on the island: the Tower of Darkness or the Tower of Waters. Which tower you challenge will determine how Kubfu evolves. If you complete the Tower of Darkness, Kubfu will evolve into Single Strike Style Urshifu, a Fighting/Dark type; if you complete the Tower of Waters, Kubfu will instead become Rapid Strike Style Urshifu, a Fighting/Water type.

During your adventure on the Isle of Armor, you’ll also meet a new rival. This character will differ depending on which version of the game you own. Sword players will meet Klara, a deceptively cunning Poison-type trainer, while Shield players will encounter Avery, a gentlemanly Psychic-type trainer.

The Crown Tundra Characters And Storyline

The second expansion for Sword and Shield takes place in the eponymous Crown Tundra, a mountainous region blanketed in snow. According to The Pokemon Company, the theme of this expansion is “exploration.” Players will be appointed leader of an exploration team by “a certain person” and will be tasked with investigating the area.

Beyond that, not much else is currently known about The Crown Tundra expansion, but players will encounter the Legendary Calyrex during their adventure. Calyrex is a Grass/Psychic type that ruled over the Galar region in ancient times. Little has been revealed about the Legendary, but it is said to be omniscient and can “see every past, present, and future event.”

Gigantamax Starters

During your journey on the Isle of Armor, your starter Pokemon from Sword and Shield–Rillaboom, Cinderace, or Inteleon–will gain the ability to Gigantamax. Like other Gigantamax Pokemon, each will have a unique appearance and G-Max move. Rillaboom’s is called G-Max Drum Solo; Cinderace’s is G-Max Fireball; and Inteleon’s is G-Max Hydro Snipe. Each of these attacks deals more damage than a typical Dynamax move and ignores the opposing Pokemon’s Ability.

The Kanto starters Venusaur and Blastoise will also receive Gigantamax forms in Isle of Armor. Each likewise has its own unique G-Max move. Gigantamax Venusaur’s attack is called G-Max Vine Lash, and it damages non-Grass-type foes for four turns. Gigantamax Blastoise, meanwhile, is able to use G-Max Cannonade, which similarly damages non-Water-type opponents for four turns.

New Features And Items

In addition to the new Pokemon and locations, each expansion will introduce some new gameplay mechanics to Sword and Shield. The Pokemon Company hasn’t revealed too many details about these as of yet, but we know that The Crown Tundra will let you explore Pokemon Dens with other players.

Each expansion will also add new clothes, League Card customization options, and different looks for your bike. There will be other new items in each expansion as well. The Isle of Armor will bring back Apricorns, which can be crafted into different kinds of Poke Balls, and it introduces a new item called the Exp. Charm that will earn more experience points for your team.

Release Date

The Isle of Armor expansion will release on June 17, while The Crown Tundra will follow in Fall 2020. You can read more in our Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra pre-order guide.

Netflix’s The Witcher season 2 could resume filming soon, as production studios in the UK are starting to open their doors again.

Deadline reports that Arborfield Studios, which was one of the first production studios to shut down in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, is preparing to reopen for business in the coming weeks.

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Arborfield Studios’ managing director Bob Terry confirmed that work is “underway to reopen the site,” as the UK government recently approved a new mandate of safety protocols in relation to film and television productions, outlining rules around physical distancing, safety training, and temperature tests.

The Guardian notes that these new guidelines, compiled by the British Film Commission and the British Film Institute, will enable some film and television shoots to take their first steps back into production. However, it will be up to each individual production to decide how, and when, to restart filming; Netflix has not given any official word on its position as of yet.

“This is a green light that signals that the UK is open for business again for film and high-end TV production,” an industry source told the outlet. “Many productions have to get up and running again in the next two months or they won’t get made this year as they rely on summer weather and conditions.”

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The Witcher season 2 suspended its production in London back in March, as Netflix paused filming on all of its films and TV shows in the US and Canada, including Stranger Things, which was shooting its fourth season before the unscheduled interruption.

The Witcher season 2 is currently expected to premiere in 2021. For more on the fantasy series, check out our cast rundown of all the new characters appearing in season 2, discover all about the new fantasy elements being introduced in future episodes, and find out why Netflix ultimately decided to adapt the books and not the games.

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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

If the year 2020 had been a usual year, we’d all be gearing up for E3 right now. Since things are decidedly different, there is no E3 (check out our Summer of Gaming event instead), but Microsoft is keeping up its tradition of an E3-adjacent sale event. One of the most popular deals going on is the $299.99 special edition 1TB Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox One X, but it’s already gone from Walmart and GameStop.

It’s similar to Sony’s Days of Play sale in a lot of ways, but I personally feel the Xbox sale is the better of the two just because Game Pass Ultimate is such a great value. But I’m not going to get into any arguments over PlayStation vs. Xbox because I think they both rule and if you prefer one over the other that’s your deal and who am I to question what you’ve decided you like?

Don’t see the deals below? Click here.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Deal

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Xbox One X Console Deals

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Xbox Deals Unlocked Game Deals

Best Buy Deals

As far as total volume of deals, Best Buy currently leads the pack, but there are still deals to be had elsewhere if you’d rather buy from another retailer.

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In response to the global protests following the death of George Floyd, many games, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and NBA 2K20, have added in-game Black Lives Matter tributes.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, after delaying Modern Warfare, Warzone, and Call of Duty: Mobile’s upcoming seasons and committing to ban racist names from its online modes, has added an update that prompts a Black Lives Matter message to each and every Modern Warfare player as they log on.

The message reads “Black Lives Matter. Our community is hurting. The systemic inequalities our community experiences are once again center stage. Call of Duty and Infinity Ward stand for equality and inclusion. We stand against the racism and injustice our Black community enures. Until change happens and Black Lives Matter, we will never truly be the community we strive to be.”

As reported by Kotaku, NBA 2K20 has also chosen to use its platform for Black Lives Matter and is giving away three free shirts for players to wear on their in-game avatars. These shirts say “Black Lives Matter,” “I Can’t Breathe,” and “Say Their Names.”

In addition, a message pops up in-game saying “In Memoriam – George Floyd, Black Lives Matter #BLM.”

In the neighborhood hub world section of NBA 2K20, many players wore the free shirts and protested in-game, all while large “Black Lives Matter” posters adorned the surrounding buildings.

The in-game tributes accompany the many companies around the world spreading the Black Lives Matter message and stepping back to allow for important voices to be heard.

In a mission to not take over this important conversation, Sony delayed its PlayStation 5 reveal event, Fortnite delayed Chapter 2 Season 3, Rockstar shut down GTA Online and Red Dead Online for 2 hours, and the Cyberpunk 2077 news broadcast, Night City Wire, was delayed from June 11 to June 25.

IGN stands in solidarity with the black community, and condemns racism. We encourage those reading to donate to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and support the fight for racial justice.

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Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who can’t say this loudly enough – Black Lives Matter.. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Big summer deals for gaming are just kicking off, and you can now order the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition Xbox One X console. Not only that but the console will only cost $299 for a limited time only.

This is likely to be a hot item, especially with that $100 discount, so don’t miss out if you’ve been eagerly waiting for the last ever special edition Xbox One X to be released. Right now only Walmart has the console up and ready to order, but this is likely to change as the day goes on, and we’ll be updating this page with all the current listings.

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• Xbox One X 1TB Cyberpunk 2077 Console Bundle – was $399, now $299

We can now also be certain what the console will come with, as listed on its retailer description, we can expect the console, controller, a full copy of Cyberpunk 2077 on September 17, and “the first expansion will be delivered directly to the console upon release.” This is worth taking note of. If you want to see even more of the console and controller, check out the gallery we’ve included below.

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The console features custom panels that look straight out of the game’s futuristic setting, alongside an ominous glow in the dark message on the console that reads “No Future,” which matches up quite nicely with the previously see Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox controller. The controller features Johnny Silverhand’s black and silver color scheme, along with touches of red.

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Robert Anderson is a Commerce Writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @robertliam21

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Players who boot up Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone now will be prompted to download an update, and it’s added a new splash screen to the game announcing support for Black Lives Matter. The screen, reported on by The Verge, contains a message for the Call of Duty player community.

“Our community is hurting,” the screen reads. “The systemic inequalities our community experiences are once again center stage. Call of Duty and Infinity Ward stand for equality and inclusion. We stand against the racism and injustice our Black community endures. Until change happens and Black Lives Matter, we will never truly be the community we strive to be.”

The screen will appear for all players upon booting the game, and The Verge reports that it is also appearing on loading screens and when you switch between different modes.

While Call of Duty has long been notorious for having many toxic players, this is one of several efforts being taken or promised right now to address racism among the player base. Season 4 has been delayed following the murder of George Floyd, and Infinity Ward has promised to combat in-game racism with enhanced counter-measures.

Infinity Ward is one of several developers and publishers that has addressed current world events and pledged support for Black Lives Matter.

GameSpot would like to encourage readers to donate to Black Lives Matter, and to seek out black voices in media.

GameSpot is now hosting Play For All–a celebration of all things gaming. Join us as we bring you the summer’s hottest news, previews, interviews, features, and videos, as well as raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts and Black Lives Matter with the help of our friends from around the gaming world. Check out the Play For All schedule for more.

Konami has recently expressed an interest in expanding its portfolio by publishing more games by Western developers. This new initiative began on June 3 with the release of Skelattack, an indie platformer developed by Californian studio Ukuza. However, Konami doesn’t just want to publish western indie games–the studio has expressed interest in innovative games “regardless of size.”

“I guess the reason we’re talking about smaller titles is because the first title we announced is Skelattack, which is obviously an indie title,” Konami senior European brand and business development manager Richard Jones told GamesIndustry.Biz. “I think one of the reasons we’re looking to those types of smaller teams is just that there’s so much creativity out there with those guys–you know, teams working on small but ambitious titles. Those guys are the ones daring to do innovative games, and I think that’s something very exciting, which we wanted to support as a publisher.”

Jones continued: “[But] I think the criteria we’re looking for really is similar across all new IP regardless of size. Maybe some of those criteria become amplified with the smaller projects. I’m thinking specifically of people coming with fresh ideas, and teams that are pushing existing genres in new ways, or coming up with something genuinely unique. There’s just so much going on in this flourishing indie scene at the moment that I think it’s only natural that we’re looking at small teams and small titles, as well as other titles.”

Though Konami has only just gone public with this push for new Western IPs, the studio has been planning this “for months,” says Jones. At the moment, Konami is specifically looking “at short and mid-term titles that need funding and publishing support” with an emphasis on games being developed in Europe given the less severe time zone difference in comparison to North and South America.

GameSpot’s Play For All–a celebration of all things gaming–has officially begun. Join us as we bring you the summer’s hottest news, previews, interviews, features, and videos, as well as raise money for both COVID-19 relief efforts and Black Lives Matter with the help of our friends from around the gaming world. Check out the Play For All schedule for more.