Wasteland 3 Developer Is Working on 2 New RPGs Right Now

Wasteland 3 developer inXile Entertainment has two RPGs in the works, according to a tweet from Studio Head Brian Fargo.

Fargo responded to a fan on Twitter over the weekend, noting that the studio is “working on wonderful new RPG’s.” “It’s too bad they take so long to make,” Fargo’s tweet ends.

In a follow-up tweet, Fargo then clarified that the second of the two RPGs that InXile Entertainment has in development is still “in the infancy of pre-production”, suggesting it’s a long way off.

As well as launching Wasteland 3 for PC, Xbox One and PS4 on August 28 this year, The studio has also been hard at work on Frostpoint VR, which recently launched in Open Beta on the Oculus Store and Steam.

Some will be hoping that Fargo’s future projects will be in some way related to Microsoft’s acquisiton of Bethesda. InXile is also owned by Microsoft and, with Fargo’s role in creating Bethesda’s Fallout series, some have hoped for a crossover. In a similar vein, many have already requested an Obsidian-Bethesda crossover for Fallout: New Vegas 2.

You can check out our review of Wasteland 3 here. We scored the game an 8, calling it a “memorable RPG” offering “choices with major consequences.” If you’re playing through the game at the moment and on the lookout for all of the game’s followers and companions, check out our handy guide.

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Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Xbox Games On An External Hard Drive Will Be Playable Straight Away On The Xbox Series X/S

While the new generation of consoles set to release this November is promising huge advances in performance, upgrading to next-gen has never been more confusing. Now, some details about backwards compatibility and external storage are being cleared up for the Xbox Series X/S.

For players who use an external USB SSD or HDD to store and play games on their Xbox One, the process is simple. “It is easy as unplugging your existing external USB 3.1 HDD or SSD from your Xbox One and connecting it to your Xbox Series X/S and all your games are instantly available,” Xbox director of program management Jason Ronald explained in an interview posted to Xbox Wire. “You can continue to play your favorite Xbox One games, including backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, directly from the external hard drive.”

The interview also confirmed that Quick Resume, a new feature that allows the next-gen Xbox to pause games in the background even while other games are being played, will also work for games being loaded off an external hard drive or the Seagate Storage Expansion Card. The Expansion Card is a new bespoke storage product just for the Xbox Series X/S, which you may need given the new generation of Xbox supports backwards compatible games going back three generations.

The Xbox Series X and S launch on November 10. While you wait, check out GameSpot’s hands-on experience with a preview build of the Series X.

Now Playing: Xbox Series X Vs. PS5 Console Comparison

Batwoman, Riverdale, And Other Productions Paused Due To COVID-19 Testing Delays

As production resumes on numerous shows and movies amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some are facing setbacks and challenges while trying to maintain a safe set. Now Variety is reporting that several big shows filming in British Columbia, Canada–including Riverdale and Batwoman–have had their productions halted due to a delay in COVID-19 test results being returned.

Production had resumed on both shows, Variety’s sources report, but had to be shut because the lab that is overseeing coronavirus testing in the region has had to prioritize schools, which have reopened. Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl, which were meant to begin filming this week, have also had their production start dates pushed back.

This means that production will likely resume soon, assuming that tests come back negative, but the pandemic continues to present challenges to film crews. Recently, filming on The Batman was shut down after star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19–it has since resumed. Fargo season 4, meanwhile, has begun airing before the season finale has been shot, which is unusual.

As Variety notes, many other shows film in British Columbia, including Sony’s The Good Doctor and the Disney+ Mighty Ducks series. Their status is unknown at this point.

Riverdale is set to return to screens in January 2021, assuming production can begin again soon. Here’s everything we know about Season 5. Batwoman, meanwhile, will recast its lead role for season 2 after star Ruby Rose exited the show.

Now Playing: 13 TV Shows Netflix Has Canceled In 2020

Crusader Kings 3 1.1 Patch Is Here, And It’s A Big One

Paradox’s grand strategy game Crusader Kings 3 may be a lot to handle for new players, but what other game would deliver patch notes like “historical characters will no longer be their own parent,” or “children can no longer be educated by hardened criminals.” The game’s 1.1 patch is here and huge, offering cultural and historical corrections, bug fixes, and plenty of balancing tweaks.

Paradox’s highlights from the massive list of patch notes are as follows:

  • A host of bug fixes, including changes to character interactions and succession rules.
  • Corrections to the historical setup in many regions.
  • Key balance changes to many parts of the game, including succession rules, nation formation, and military management.
  • User interface tweaks including new siege views, a bookmark screen, and a general makeover.
  • Tougher Mongol invasions.
  • Improved AI decision making.
  • New abilities for modders.

Many of the changes made in patch 1.1 are historical and cultural fixes, with some of the notes containing a full history lesson in themselves. Others fix some frankly hilarious bugs in the game’s sprawling dynastic system, such as “people are now less eager to marry people they are terrified of,” or “if you instantly regret romancing someone the game will now accept that you’ve moved on.”

You can check out the full list of patch notes here, but be warned it is very long.

Paradox has also celebrated its first month of release by revealing some of its global statistics, including a grand total of 40,591,268 children born, 18,212,157 successful murder plots, and a whopping 1,543,790 prisoners cannibalized–including at least one Pope. That may explain why, as of patch 1.1, “the Pope can no longer publicly accept cannibalism.”

Crusader Kings 3 is available on PC, including support for Linux and Mac, and is included on Xbox Game Pass. GameSpot’s review of Crusader Kings 3 praised it for the depth of its generated stories, saying “strategy games can tell interesting stories as their empires rise and fall, but their procedural narratives are rarely as affecting and poignant as they are here.”

Now Playing: Crusader Kings III – “Real Strategy Requires Cunning” Cinematic Story Trailer

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Official James Bond Podcast Launches Soon With Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, And Other Big Interviews

Ahead of No Time To Die’s release in November, the producers are launching a new James Bond podcast, and the first episode is out very soon.

The Official James Bond Podcast, as it’s called, premieres on September 30. The show promises “unrivalled behind-the-scenes access,” featuring interviews with 007 himself, Daniel Craig, as well as Rami Malek, who plays the main villain in the film.

Movie critic James King hosts the six-episode series, and in addition to Craig and Malek, the podcast will feature interviews with No Time To Die’s other stars, including Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Jeffrey Wright, Naomie Harris, Ana de Armas, Rory Kinnear, Billy Magnussen, director Cary Joji Fukunaga, and producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, who wrote the haunting theme song for No Time To Die, will also appear on the podcast. What’s more, the podcast will host the world premiere of the movie’s score, which was composed by Hans Zimmer.

Here are the titles for the six episodes in The Official James Bond Podcast (via Collider).

  • Episode One: Bond in Context
  • Episode Two: Bond Around the World
  • Episode Three: A Name to Die For: Allies and Enemies of Bond
  • Episode Four: The Craft of Bond
  • Episode Five: Clothes, Tech and Cars
  • Episode Six: Being 007

The teaser for the James Bond podcast links to Apple Podcasts, but the series is also available on Spotify, among other places.

No Time To Die is scheduled to premiere in November 2020 in theatres. The film was originally expected to debut in April, but it was delayed due to COVID-19. For more on the next 007 film, check out everything we know about James Bond: No Time to Die.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update 1.5.0 Is Out Now, Adding Pumpkins And Halloween Gear

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has released its latest update, taking the game to version 1.5.0. This update adds Halloween-themed gear to the game, including pumpkins to grow and new events.

Once you’ve downloaded the update, you’ll be able to buy pumpkins from Nook’s Cranny during the month of October–and all year round from Leif. These can be planted and grown for DIY projects, and they’ll let you kit your town out ahead of Halloween.

Throughout October, thanks to this update, you’ll also be able to purchase costumes from the Able Sisters and learn some new DIY projects. There will be special in-game celebrations on the night, and you’ll be visited by Jack, a mysterious pumpkin-headed character who you can ply with candy for unique rewards.

You’ll also receive two treats in the mail–a Mom’s Candle Set from your mom, and a Ring-Con from Nintendo, just like the one used for Ring Fit Adventure. Another part of this update is the addition of a dream list in the Dream Suite, so you can revisit the towns you’ve been to in dreams easily.

Another update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons will arrive in November, preparing the game for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

As another month ends, the list of bugs and fish you can catch is about to change, too–make sure that you grab your September fish and bugs before they’re gone.

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Tiny Tina’s Bunkers & Badasses TTRPG Now Has An Official Sourcebook

Start thinking up your own Vault Hunter’s backstory: Borderlands is getting its own official TTRPG based on Tiny Tina’s favorite game, Bunkers & Badasses. The game is up for pre-order now, either as the sourcebook by itself, or a deluxe package of game board, screen, miniatures, a dice set, and more.

While Borderlands fans have been playing Bunkers and Badasses homebrew campaigns presumably since it was first introduced to the series, you can now play an official, Gearbox-sanctioned game of B&B. A blend of high fantasy and classic Borderlands, the game will see you exploring Pandora through a different lens.

The sourcebook includes Tiny Tina’s own Assault on Dragon Keep campaign for players who want to experience the Borderlands 2 DLC in actual tabletop form, as well as a one-shot called Marcus’ Quest For The Wizard’s Wand designed to get players and aspiring Bunker Masters accustomed to the rules. There’s also a new Tiny Tina-authored campaign called Butt Stallion’s Hunny Heist which is, in her own words, “about gettin smooches and blowin stuff up and talkin about feelings but mainly blowin stuff up.”

The sourcebook and deluxe package are available to pre-order now. The final release date hasn’t been announced, but pre-order emails suggest the game will be available in early 2021.

Now Playing: Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep – Launch Trailer

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Sea Of Thieves Adds DLC To Support Stand Up To Cancer Campaign

Microsoft’s pirate game Sea of Thieves has added new DLC that supports the Stand up to Cancer charity. The “Sails of Union” cosmetic pack is out now, and it includes a new cosmetic option for your ship’s sails.

As you can see in the trailer below, in the daytime, the Sails of Union show off the Stand up to Cancer’s arrow-themed logo, with a yellow background and small holes. At night, the sails take on a different look, with the moonlight streaming through the holes to give off a starry nightsky vibe.

The majority of the proceeds from the Sails of Union will go to Cancer Research UK in support of the Stand up to Cancer campaign, which helps support research toward finding a cure and other charitable efforts. 100% of proceeds from the Sails of Union made through the Microsoft Store outside North America will go to charity, while 75% of the purchase price on Steam will be given to the charity. For purchases made in the USA, the donations will go the US version of Stand up to Cancer. The campaign runs until November 6.

You can grab the DLC right now through the links below.

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PlayStation Gift Guide 2020: Best Gifts For PS5 And PS4 Owners

The PlayStation 5 is set to be one of the biggest gift items this holiday season, as it kicks off a new generation of gaming with exciting upcoming titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls. Sony’s new console is definitely going to be at the top of many gamers’ wish lists, but they don’t need the new console to have a great time this holiday season. Thanks to games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, and Watch Dogs Legion offering free next-gen upgrades, gamers can still play some of this year’s biggest titles on PS4 and will be able to upgrade to the PS5 version for free once they have the new console. That makes this console launch particularly exciting, as no one is going to be left completely behind if they don’t have a PS5 come December. And that’s a good thing as the PS5 is sold out at all retailers–though you may still get lucky with a PS5 preorder before launch.

No matter who you’re shopping for, there are a ton of great games, accessories, and merch out there that would make any PlayStation fan happy. This holiday season is absolutely packed with huge PS4 and PS5 games, and there are plenty of new figures, art books, and more for gamers to add to their collection. Marquee titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Cyberpunk 2077, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla join the vast library of great PlayStation games along with gems from earlier this year like The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima, and Final Fantasy VII Remake.

For more PlayStation gift ideas, see our guides to the best PS5 gaming headsets, the best 4K TVs for next-gen gaming, and the biggest PS5 games up for preorder now.

PS5 and PS4 games

It’s looking to be one of the biggest holiday seasons for games in quite a while. Highly anticipated games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Watch Dogs Legion are finally coming out, while first-party launch games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls have spiked a huge amount of interest in the PlayStation 5. Even if you can’t snag a PS5 before Christmas, you can still buy your loved one PS4 games as they will still run on PS5 in the future (due to backwards-compatibility), and many new PS4 games come with a free next-gen upgrade as well. Note that some of the following games aren’t out yet (but will release in time for Christmas), so they haven’t been reviewed; however, we anticipate they’ll be some of the most wished-for games this year, so we’ve included them below.

PlayStation art books

Sometimes a game is so good, you want to dive even deeper into its world, and an art book is a great way of doing so. Fortunately, Sony has a ton of them for its best games, and they make great gifts as well. These hardcover books are full of gorgeous art, in-depth information about the game’s world, and usually behind-the-scenes development details. If your loved one is a fan of any of the following PlayStation games, an art book will be the perfect addition to their collection.

The Office: Dwight Actor Rainn Wilson Is Up For A Reboot

Plenty of popular TV shows have been rebooted in recent years, and The Office might be next. A new version of the show is reportedly in the planning stages, and now actor Rainn Wilson–who played the buffoon Dwight K. Schrute on the workplace comedy–has said he would be interested.

Speaking to Collider, Wilson said he would “love” to come back for a new version of The Office. In fact, he said he has already spoken with The Office’s US creator Greg Daniels about the idea.

“Maybe someday we’ll do something. It’s funny, I hear things like, ‘We can’t do anything because we ended this show perfectly, and we don’t wanna do anything else,'” Wilson said. “But then, someone will send some idea that’s just preposterous and I don’t know what to think. Hopefully, one day. The fans would really love it. That’s the thing that counts the most. The fans would really love to see those characters again and have an experience with them.”

While there are no official plans to reboot or revisit The Office yet, reports have suggested it will feature a new cast. As with other reboots, it seems possible that some of the legacy cast members could feature in cameo roles, but this is not confirmed.

The Office, which is adapted from the UK version created by Ricky Gervais, is leaving Netflix and coming to NBC’s own streaming service Peacock in the US at the start of 2021.

Also in the interview, Wilson shared that one of his favorite scenes with Dwight was when he emotionally connected with Jim (John Krasinski) amidst his breakup with Angela (Angela Kinsey). You can watch the scene below.

“There’s a moment when [Dwight is] really emotional and Jim gives him some words of kindness and empathy, and then he doesn’t notice it but Jim has left,” Wilson said. “He reaches out and Jim’s not there and he looks around. To me, that moment perfectly encapsulated what we did on The Office. It’s a Chekhovian, priceless little human misconnection that was really special.”

Steve Carrell, who played Michael Scott on The Office, said in an interview that he thinks it’s a bad idea to bring back The Office. Not only should the show not come back, but it also might not work if it has a similar tone, he said.

“The climate’s different. I mean, the whole idea of that character, Michael Scott, so much of it was predicated on inappropriate behavior,” he said.