Category: Games

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PS5’s Sales Success Is Just the Start – Beyond Episode 711

On this week’s episode of IGN’s PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano and Max Scoville to discuss the biggest news in the world of PlayStation.

We begin the show addressing the recent accusations against Activision Blizzard before jumping into word of PS5’s huge sales success as it crosses the 10 million consoles sold number.  We analyze that success in the face of supply shortages, as well as look at some of the PS5’s biggest hits so far, like the sales for Returnal and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.

We also jump into the PS Plus lineup for August, some recent comments from Shawn Layden as he takes on a new role at a different media company, and much more. Plus, we answer some of your questions, like our hopes for PlayStation’s handheld future, and more.

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Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday. For more on PS5, check out our PS5 console review and our PS5 wiki guide for tips on how to best use your system. And for more Beyond, be sure to watch the first episode of our Bloodborne let’s play!

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Jonathon Dornbush is IGN’s Senior Features Editor, Host of Podcast Beyond!, and father to his Boy, Loki, who is a dog. You can find Jonathon and cute photos of Loki on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Netflix Is the First Major Hollywood Studio To Require COVID-19 Vaccinations

With COVID-19 cases surging in the U.S. due to the Delta variant, Netflix is implementing mandatory vaccinations across all of its American productions. It is the first major Hollywood studio to do so.

Deadline reports that the vaccinations will be required for all actors and any production team members in close proximity. This is following the return-to-work protocols agreed upon by unions and studios last week.

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But while the vaccinations are mandatory, Netflix will reportedly be making a handful of exceptions for medical, religious, and age reasons.

The mandatory vaccines follow the COVID-19 spike that began in early July. Los Angeles County recently reported 2,060 new cases and four deaths. The surge is being blamed on the Delta variant, which is substantially more infectious than the original strain. New data released by Pfizer suggests that a third shot will “strongly” boost protection against the Delta variant.

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In the meantime, shows throughout Hollywood are being disrupted by the surge. Bridgerton, Westworld, American Horror Story, and Woke have all had to pause production at one point or another due to a COVID scare.

Here at IGN, we’ve assembled some ways that you can help amid the ongoing pandemic. You can find more information here.

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Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN.

Halo Infinite: There Will be More, Larger Tech Previews In the Coming Months

Halo Infinite is getting a technical multiplayer preview this weekend, with emails being sent out to those a part of the Halo Insider program. If you did not receive an invite to this weekend’s preview, fear not, for 343 Industries is planning to hold more “in the coming months.”

During a technical preview live stream, Sam Hanshaw the Producer of Live Operations at 343 Industries, said that this will not be the only technical preview that will be held for Halo Infinite. Hanshaw reassured fans that did not or may not get invited to the technical preview will have opportunities to join it in the future.

“This is the first and probably the smallest,” Hanshaw said on stream. “So as we grow and over the coming months as we put out new builds with additional features, they’re each going to have a larger and larger audience as we head towards launch.”

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Important to keep in mind, however, that invitations are still being sent out. Yet, if you do not get invited to the technical preview this weekend, you can feel assured that there will be more opportunities for you to participate in a Halo Infinite technical preview.

This weekend’s technical preview, according to Hanshaw, is a two-month-old build, and 343 Industries is aware of a bunch of issues and bugs in the build. Nevertheless, the developer stressed in a blog post yesterday that bugs and other technical hiccups are expected throughout the technical previews. 343 Industries also confirmed yesterday ahead of the first technical preview that it will be examining player feedback in four areas: core gameplay, maps and modes, the Academy’s weapon drills, and menu and battle pass UI.

Halo Infinite’s first technical preview kicks off on July 29 and will run until August 1. For more information on the upcoming technical previews, you can check out the July 2021 edition of Inside Infinite.

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Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Aussie Deals: Up to 90% off Sonic, Crash, Mario Platformers and Racers!

If you’re young or young-at-heart, now’s the time to stock up on some games. In previous daily deals articles we’ve mentioned the lockdown-transcending power of RPGs — regressing to those platformer days of yore is yet another mood-enhancing way to escape. SEGA is celebrating the blue dude with the ‘tude today. We’ve also sniffed out a bunch of Mario, Crash and LEGO-centric distractions, too.

Purchase Cheaply for PC

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Notable Sales for Nintendo Switch

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Exciting Offers for XO/XS

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Product Savings for PS4/PS5

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Best PS5 Accessories For 2021: PlayStation 5 Headsets, Controllers, And More

The PlayStation 5 launched with a range of first-party PS5 accessories, from the DualSense Wireless Controller to the Pulse 3D Headset and PlayStation Media Remote, but while each of these can enhance your experience in different ways, they’re not the only accessories worth picking up for your new console. Brands like Logitech, Razer, Samsung, and SteelSeries all have quality products designed specifically for the PS5 (or that will work via backwards compatibility), and now that the PS5 has been on the market for some time, you can find a PS5 accessory for pretty much any specific need at this point. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the very best PS5 accessories worth picking up so far, from standard controllers and headsets to flight sticks, racing wheels, external storage, and more.

For more recommendations on PS5 software and accessories, check out our guides to the best PS5 games of 2021, plus the best PS5 headsets and controllers beyond just the first-party options.

$70-$75

Sony’s PS5 DualSense controller is a fantastic upgrade over the PS4’s DualShock 4, reshaping the controller to give it a more comfortable, ergonomic shape and more easily visible light bars on either side of the touchpad. Its standout feature is the haptic feedback that, when fully utilized in compatible games, creates immersive vibrations that really let you feel what’s happening in the game. Adaptive triggers work in tandem with this as well to further enhance PS5 games, offering different levels of resistance in the L2 and R2 triggers to simulate the feeling of, for instance, drawing back a bowstring. This can also be used to make different weapons, like guns, feel different when switching between them. Overall, the DualSense is an excellent controller that feels kind of magical when its features are fully utilized, and now that two new colors, Midnight Black and Cosmic Red, are available, there’s good reason to pick up a second one just to have for multiplayer or switching to while your first controller charges.

$30

Sooner or later, you’re probably going to want to pick up a charging station for your DualSense controller, and this official one from Sony can charge two at once, meaning you’ll always have a controller ready to go when you get that low-battery notification. It takes a little getting used to, but when you slide a controller in, you’ll hear a slight click and see it light up, letting you know it’s connected and charging. In terms of convenience, this is easily one of the best PS5 accessories to pick up as soon as you can. No one likes messing with a charging wire.

$170 for 1TB; also available in 500GB and 2TB

Though you can pick up any external hard drive for cheaper, using an external SSD with your PS5 will give you the fastest storage for PS4 games as well as PS5 games that you don’t want to store on the console’s internal SSD. Samsung is one of the top brands in the game when it comes to SSDs, and the T7 external SSD is a great option to pick up for expanding your PS5 storage. It boasts read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,000MB/s with USB 3.2 Gen 2 devices (like the PS5). The Samsung T7 is also a widely trusted option with 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon and over 10,000 reviews.

$30

The PlayStation Media Remote is a no-brainer purchase for those who use their PS5 as their dedicated streaming device for Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Crunchyroll, and other streaming platforms. The DualSense will let you navigate to the Media section of the PS5 and can be used to play, pause, and rewind shows, of course, but the PlayStation Media Remote makes it feel much natural to do so as it’s designed like a traditional TV remote. It has several convenient features that make it a better choice than the DualSense (or any other controller) for streaming, including quick-access buttons for Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube that will quickly open those apps for you, even if your TV is powered off. It also has dedicated media playback controls and can adjust the volume and power settings of your TV with the built-in IR transmitter.

$100

Surprisingly, the PS5’s first-party headset option, the Pulse 3D, is on the more affordable end of the spectrum for quality headsets; however, this is paired with a build that does feel somewhat flimsy, cheap, and easy to break. On the flip side, it delivers rich audio using Sony’s proprietary Tempest 3D AudioTech, which really brings surrounding environments alive in PS5 games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, letting you hear subtle sounds and get a better sense directionally of what’s around you. It also supports both wireless and wired connectivity for not only PS5 but also PS4, PC, and Mac, with a battery life of up to 12 hours. At the end of the day, it’s still one of the best PS5 headsets to buy, especially if you don’t want to break the $100 mark, but there are even better third-party headsets we recommend that fall between $150 and $200.

$180

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is our reigning pick for the best PS5 headset, combining extreme comfortability with excellent audio quality, a low-latency connection, and a great, removable microphone with focused voice pickup. It can connect wirelessly via a 2.4GHz connection (with the same HyperSpeed Wireless tech seen in Razer’s gaming mice) as well as wired via any 3.5mm port. You can also take advantage of THX Spatial Audio if you use this for PC gaming. Though the BlackShark V2 Pro is $80 more expensive than the Pulse 3D headset, it makes up for it with a fit that’s extremely comfortable and doesn’t overheat during long gaming sessions, exceptional audio quality, and a microphone that hones in on your voice for clarity during online matches.

$150

SteelSeries headsets have been very popular for years, and the Arctis 7P is its next-gen headset designed specifically for PS5, though we like it for its versatility, as you can also use it with PS4, PC, Android, and Nintendo Switch thanks to an included USB-C dongle. Featuring 2.4GHz wireless audio and a low-latency connection, the Arctis 7P also pairs nicely with the PS5’s 3D audio tech with excellent sound quality for such a versatile headset. Like the BlackShark V2 Pro, it’s also a more durable and comfortable option than the Pulse 3D, with a lightweight steel frame and elastic ski goggle band for an adjustable fit. It also has a retractable, bidirectional microphone for clear voice capture and a 24-hour battery life to last during all-day gaming sessions.

$60

For those planning on streaming their PS5 gameplay on Twitch or YouTube, the PlayStation HD camera is one essential accessory that’ll make the entire process a breeze. Featuring 1080p capture, the PlayStation HD camera lets you record yourself and your gameplay by using the DualSense’s share button, and by using the PS5’s built-in background removal tools, you can add yourself to gameplay videos while streaming in picture-in-picture mode. You can crop the background or even lose it completely if you have a green screen.

$65

The Razer Raion has long been one of our picks for the best PS4 controllers, and it still works great for playing backwards-compatible PS4 games on PS5. Though its layout may look strange, the Razer Raion is optimized for fighting games, and its six-button layout resembles what you’d find on a fight stick. It has a fantastic, clicky D-pad and is lightweight enough to comfortably hold in one hand, letting you tap on the rows of buttons piano-style. However, it also has digital buttons for every DualShock 4 shoulder button and trigger if you prefer to use it that way. Also convenient is the fact that you won’t need to switch between the Raion and a more fully-featured controller for things like character customization, as it lets you map the D-pad to the left and right analog sticks. Though the Razer Raion isn’t for most PlayStation games and certainly not every type of gamer, for fighting game fans, it’s a budget-friendly option that will take your experience in games like Mortal Kombat 11 and Tekken 7 to the next level.

$350

The Victrix Pro FS is on the expensive end of fight sticks, but for hardcore fighting game fans, it’s worth every penny, and it’s forward-compatible with PS5. The Victrix Pro FS has a premium build made of durable aluminum and authentic Sanwa Denshi parts, its buttons are satisfyingly clicky, and the joystick is equally satisfying to use as well as accurate in its movements. In addition to all the essential fight stick buttons, it has several added features including three programmable buttons, customizable audio, lighting adjustments, and an easy access door for swapping out components. It’s also a travel-friendly stick with a removable joystick, a plastic organizer to wrap your cables around, and handles for carrying. Costing as much as a console, the Victrix Pro FS isn’t for everyone, but if you’re serious about having the best fighting game experience on PS5 and competitive play, this is an excellent investment.

$400

As with fighting games, you can certainly use your regular old DualSense with racing games, but if you’re passionate about the genre and want a more realistic experience with games like Gran Turismo Sport and Assetto Corsa Competizione, a racing wheel and set of pedals is designed for just that. Released in August 2020, Logitech’s next-gen racing wheel, the G923, has everything you need for the best racing experience on PS5. Its TrueForce technology delivers next-gen force feedback with a physics engine that’s directly connected to the wheel for heightened responsiveness. Essentially, the wheel synchronizes with your gameplay to deliver a more immersive and realistic experience. The downside is that right now, TrueForce is supported for only a handful of games: Grid, Assetto Corsa Competizione, iRacing, Gran Turismo Sport, Showrunner, and Dirt Rally 2.0.

The Logitech G923 also features a programmable dual clutch launch assist to get you off the starting line cleaner and faster, a progressive spring brake to simulate a pressure-sensitive brake system, a built-in rev indicator that can show you when you’re redlining, and a whole set of customization options via Logitech’s G Hub software.

$90

Most flight sticks out there are designed for PC, but with flight sims having a bit of a resurgence recently thanks to games like Star Wars Squadrons and Microsoft Flight Simulator, we’re starting to see more options for consoles. The official PlayStation-licensed Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 is an affordable option that, crucially, is also widely available to buy. It’ll work great with games like Star Wars Squadrons and Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.

A great entry-level flight stick for those just dipping their toes into the flight sim genre, the T.Flight HOTAS 4 features adjustable joystick resistance, a detachable throttle, and a dual-rudder system that operates by rotating the handle with an integrated locking system or by the progressive tilting lever. The flight system has five axes, 12 action buttons, one rapid-fire trigger, and one multidirectional hat switch for navigation/panoramic view.

See Will Smith As Venus And Serena Williams’ Father In First King Richard Trailer

Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for King Richard, the upcoming film that tells the story of Richard Williams, the father and original coach of iconic tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. It looks like an emotional movie that will tug on your heart strings.

“Driven by a clear vision of their future and using unconventional methods, Richard has a plan that will take Venus and Serena Williams from the streets of Compton, California to the global stage as legendary icons,” reads a line from the film’s description.

In addition to Smith as Richard Williams, the film stars Aunjanue Ellis as Venus and Serena’s mother, Oracene “Brandi” Williams. Saniyya Sidney (Hidden Figures) plays Venus, while Demi Singleton (Godfather of Harlem) plays Serena. The cast also includes Tony Goldwyn (Scandal), Jon Bernthal (Ford v. Ferrari), Andy Bean (It: Chapter Two), Kevin Dunn (Transformers), and Craig Tate (Greyhound).

The movie is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men), while Venus and Serena are producers on the film. Other behind-the-camera talent includes director of photography Robert Elswit, who won an Oscar for There Will Be Blood.

King Richard is scheduled for release in theaters and on HBO Max on November 19.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits Delayed Once Again Into September 2021

Kena: Bridge of Spirits, the lovely looking action-adventure game that will be a PlayStation console exclusive, has been delayed a month to “polish the game across all platforms,” Ember Lab wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.

“The team has been working extremely hard and we feel the extra time is critical to ensure the best experience possible,” the statement said. “We know many of you are eager to play and we appreciate your patience as the team continues to work on delivering the best version of Kena.”

Kena was first revealed for PS5 last year, earning positive notice for its attractive art style, which some have compared to Pixar. It focuses on the eponymous hero as she explores a fantasy world and attempts to restore a ruined hub village.

It is one of many games to be delayed in 2021. Due to difficulties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, games including Rainbow Six Extraction have been pushed to 2022. Several other projects have been received smaller delays as teams scramble to implement a last-minute coat of polish. This is the second such delay for Kena.

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Kena was a 2021 Tribeca Festival Games Selection, and we were quite impressed with it in our preview. We’ll see if it lives up to the promise of its visuals when it launches on PS4, PS5, and PC on its new release date of September 21.

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Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN.

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits Delayed Again To September 21

Developer Ember Lab has announced that the adventure game Kena: Bridge of Spirits has suffered another delay and now launches on September 21.

On the game’s official Twitter account, Ember Lab said the studio has been “working extremely hard” on Kena: Bridge of Spirits but needs extra time to “polish the game across all platforms.” The studio has made the decision to push the game out of its August 24 release because the additional time will be “critical to ensure the best experience possible,” Ember Lab said in a statement.

Now Playing: Kena Bridge Of Spirits Preview

Kena: Bridge of Spirits was originally slated to launch on August 24. The game would’ve come out right around the same time as other big August titles like 12 Minutes (August 19), Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (August 20), Psychonauts 2 (August 25), and No More Heroes 3 (August 27). Though not directly connected, Kena’s delay does free up some space in August’s hectic release schedule.

This marks Kena’s third delay (similar to Riders Republic) and is just another tick on the long list of games that have been pushed back this year (largely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic).

Kena: Bridge of Spirits still launches on PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. We had the opportunity to check out some behind-closed-doors gameplay and walked away impressed with the thematic underpinnings. In our preview, editor Phil Hornshaw said the mixture of game design and tropes “make the world of Kena a deep and fascinating one–and worthy of exploring further.”

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EB Games In Canada To Be Rebranded As GameStop By End Of Year

GameStop has announced that it plans to rebrand all of its Canada-based EB Games stores to GameStop. Announced in a press release, all EB Games in Canada and the online store for EB Games will be swapped over to the GameStop name and brand by the end of the year, based on “feedback from our valued customers and stockholders.”

GameStop acquired EB Games back in 2005, at which point EB Games stores in the U.S. and Europe were rebranded as GameStop. There are about 4,000 EB Games and GameStop stores across the world.

Now Playing: What The Heck Is Going On With GameStop

GameStop has been working on transforming its business and revitalizing it after several rough years. The company was on a downward trajectory in recent years, which was exacerbated by GameStop being forced to close retail stores due to the pandemic. However, early this year GameStop’s stock price skyrocketed due to the WallStreetBets subreddit rallying behind the video game retailer. This stock increase helped give the company an opportunity to change its business.

GameStop has since appointed a new CEO and CFO with ecommerce experience, looking to expand the company. While the rebranding of EB Games in Canada might seem minor, it might give GameStop more cohesive branding across the globe.

Fortnite Is Getting The Suicide Squad’s Bloodsport

Fortnite is adding Bloodsport from James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, meaning Epic’s ever-growing roster of superheroes and supervillains is getting one anti-hero bigger soon. First announced by the man beneath the menacing mask himself, Idris Elba said to expect more news on July 29, likely including a launch date.

Bloodsport is a new character to the DCEU, but not to DC Comics, having debuted first in 1987 in a Superman issue. Over three decades later, the anti-hero will make his debut in Fortnite, just like we all will one day–maybe. Get your first look at Bloodsport in Fortnite in the brief teaser below.

Bloodsport can be seen using a zipline, blasting away an enemy, and firing a rocket launcher, which may sound chaotic, but for The Suicide Squad is probably just a Wednesday. The DC Comics star marks the second member of The Suicide Squad to come to Fortnite after Harley Quinn debuted in 2020 with both her Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey styles on offer, though Deathstroke has been in some comic book iterations over the years as well, and he too is in Fortnite these days.

While DC Comics hasn’t been given its own spotlight season like Marvel received last summer with Season 4, there are many DC heroes and villains already in the game, including Batman, Catwoman, Beast Boy, Raven, and Joker, among others. Some characters, such as Batman and Harley Quinn, have several different styles pulling from different source material.

If a recent Epic survey is any indication, Fortnite’s crossovers are just getting started too, as Epic recently polled its players on potential future collaborations with IP such as The Last of Us, Dragon Ball Z, Breaking Bad, and many more.

For more on Fortnite, don’t miss the Week 8 Alien Artifacts, the Week 8 challenges, and details on the August Crew Pack.

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