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Gears 5 Gets a Massive Operation 5 Update, Patch Notes Here

Following last week’s update to Gears 5, which added next-gen optimizations for the Xbox Series X / Series S, the game is getting perhaps its largest update yet. Alongside the launch of Operation 5: Hollow Storm, the patch introduces five maps, seven characters, and brings the Scorcher flamethrower back into the fold.

As revealed by the patch’s copious patch notes below, the nostalgia-themed update adds many new features and optimizations to Gears 5, including the return of several beloved characters from Gears 2 and 3, like Dizzy Wallin and Skorge. In addition, the game’s traditional multiplayer modes now run at a locked 120 frames per second on Xbox Series X/S.

Operation 5 also brings major changes to the game’s other multiplayer modes, particularly Horde and Escape. The update has decoupled character and class, meaning that you can pair any character with any class, instead of playing the character with the weapons and abilities you need to win. Finally, my all-Batista dream team can destroy all comers.

That previous update that brought more Dave Bautista to the game also gave it a New Game+ mode, so get back in the fight. It also improved input lag, which is definitely a boon to multiplayer.

Gears 5 Operation 5: Hollow Storm Patch Notes

General

  • Updates to PvP including deploying ‘Community Service’ model for quitters and new bonuses for Ranked matches. Here are the full details.
  • Added a new rarity level added above Legendary called ‘Heroic’
  • Major updates to PVE including decoupling Characters and Classes in for PvE. Here is a complete breakdown of all the changes.
  • Made various Store adjustments to improve navigation and more intuitive organization.
  • We know many of you are interested in hearing about our planned changes to re-ups. We will have more information to Re-up rewards in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

Gameplay

  • Fixed issue with characters briefly disappearing after being counter yanked while having a pistol equipped.
  • Fixed visual feedback inconsistencies with EMBAR firing.
  • Fixed issue with My Tour Objectives not updating after a user runs multiple matches in a row.
  • Fixed issue with incorrect character skins loading in Arcade Blitz and Arcade Deathmatch modes.
  • Fixed issue with xCloud TAK controls for the right joystick being nonresponsive during gameplay.
  • Fixed occasional spawning issue for users playing rolling matches of Golden Gun.
  • Fixed issue with team now appearing online in My Squad.
  • Fixed performance issues with RTX 2080ti.
  • Fixed issue that allowed players to matchmake into “Recruit” playlists after level 30.
  • Fixed an issue so Bastions now shield an enemy target when spawning and no longer use their self-destruct against players.

Characters

  • Fixed universal lip flap animation issue when coughing audio plays.
  • Updated Clayton Carmine with new knife prop.
  • Fixed issues with the venom bomb placement in lobbies for Armored and V-Day Sam, UIR Officer Male and Female, UIR Cosmonaut, and UIR Soldier Female.
  • Fixed issue with UIR Soldier Male and Female arm guards missing from the back of the characters.
  • Fixed issue with Commando Dom’s shoulder armor lighting.
  • Fixed issue with skin deformations on the Speaker’s skin while vaulting.
  • Corrected colored armor emissive lights for Kilo Squad Baird.
  • Corrected issue with Void RAAM’s head not turning while looking in cover.
  • Fixed secondary motion on the pouch and lower back for Armored and V-Day Sam.
  • Added light bleeding effect for Kilo Squad Baird’s shoulder strap emissive lights.
  • Added gore texture to Locust Drone’s holstered knife.
  • Updated Queen Myrrah’s face model on the gore mesh.
  • Fixed LOD popping issues on Murder Pool Lizzie’s severed hand and blood tubes.
  • Removed blood effect from Robot characters during execution.

Maps and Tiles

  • Fixed bug allowing players to walk on air after switching weapons while sliding down ramps in Icebound.
  • Fixed issue with users getting stuck behind a wall after going DBNO near a wall in Reactor.
  • Fixed minor light volume issues on windows in Vasgar.
  • Fixed issue with missing grenade collision on a wall in Checkout.
  • Fixed issue with glass rendering in front of smoke grenade smoke in Checkout.
  • Fixed VFX/SFX issues on computer screens and the couch on the tracks in Asylum.

Other

  • Fixed issue with Social Manager giving “Social Manager is having issues getting updates at this time…” error message that occurred intermittently when accessing the Social Manager.

Now Playing: Gears 5 Video Review

TBS’ Conan Coming To An End, New HBO Max Show In Development

After 28 years as a late-night host that included a much-publicized revolutionary move to a half-hour format in 2019, Conan O’Brien will be concluding his run at the end of his TBS’ show’s tenth season in June 2021. However, this is not the end for O’Brien–according to a release, the comic performer is already developing “a new, weekly variety series” for HBO Max. His Conan Without Borders travel specials, which also air on Netflix and HBO Max, will reportedly continue.

“In 1993 Johnny Carson gave me the best advice of my career: ‘As soon as possible, get to a streaming platform,'” O’Brien joked in the release. “I’m thrilled that I get to continue doing whatever the hell it is I do on HBO Max, and I look forward to a free subscription.”

Striking a more sober, celebratory, and decidedly corporate tone, HBO and HBO Max Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys added, “Conan’s unique brand of energetic, relatable, and at times, absurdist, comedy has charmed late-night audiences for nearly three decades. We can’t wait to see what he and the rest of Team Coco will dream up for this brand new, variety format each week.”

It’s unclear how this move will impact, if at all, the burgeoning constellation of podcasts O’Brien has begun as an apparent measure to counterbalance the reduced television time the 30-minute format: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend has been a fantastic source of insightful and entertaining interviews with other performers, and longtime Conan sidekick Andy Richter’s The Three Questions dabbles in similar tones with a heavier dose of philosophy.

Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey Review

Jingle Jangle is available to stream on Netflix.

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In the perennial hunt to find new-era holiday classics, some rise (Netflix’s Klaus) and some fall (Disney+’s Noelle). Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, fortunately, is a worthy entry into “’tis the season” streaming and features a soaring spirit, enchanting musical numbers, and wholehearted messaging about love and magic.

Though Jingle Jangle is a touch overlong, which causes a few languid moments here and there, the bulk of it is a wonderful, wiry blend of steampunk and soft sorcery, spinning a yarn about a disgraced and depressed toymaker, betrayed long ago by his apprentice, who’s brought back to life by his granddaughter. With spirited songs by Philip Lawrence and John Legend (who also serves as an executive producer), and a cozy clockwork town setting, the film is able to elevate above most other holiday fare.

Forest Whitaker, as the older and despondent inventor Jeronicus Jangle, once again reminds viewers of his awesome versatility as an actor. While his career spans four decades and includes everything from Oscar wins to Star Wars roles, it feels like it’s been a minute since Whitaker’s been able to play small and vulnerable.

Here, as a man who lost everything, from his family to the inner spark he used to power his gizmos, Whitaker excels at shrinking himself into a shell, too shattered to reach out to those he pushed away.

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Young Madalen Mills plays Journey, Jeronicus’ granddaughter from his estranged daughter Jessica (The Princess and the Frog’s Anika Noni Rose). During a holiday visit, a reluctant Jeronicus is forced to confront the light that left him in the form of the perpetually-inspired Journey, making this story sort of part-Grinch/part-Mr. Magorium.

Director/writer David E. Talbert (Almost Christmas, El Camino Christmas) successfully shapes a unique, whizzing world that, shockingly, doesn’t come from a pre-existing book or fairy tale. It’s an endearing original.

Jeronicus’ adversary, sneaky toy stealer Gustafson, is gleefully played by comedian Keegan-Michael Key (who gets a fun musical number of his own) but the actual dangers in Jingle Jangle are kind of hollow. The important themes are regret, reconciliation, and learning to turn your life around and Gustafson is just the catalyst for all that. So much so that it barely matters that Gustafson is controlled/manipulated by a sentient bullfighter toy (created by Jeronicus 30 years earlier) voiced by Ricky Martin. If you focus too much on that, it’s sort of insane and it blurs the entire story.

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Jingle Jangle feels bigger than it is because of the music and set design. Aside from occasional CGI shots that show us a broader view of the town, and some animated interludes, it’s actually a somewhat small production that uses its space wisely and whimsically. Many song-and-dance scenes take place in one room, as do a few action sequences, but because Talbert’s direction never lets the energy die down completely all the underlying themes, both sad and joyful, resonate better.

The gorgeous voices of Anika Noni Rose and Lisa Davina Phillip (who plays mail-carrier Ms. Johnston) provide necessary pops while Whitaker and Key surprise with their lovely crooning abilities. And it’s all bookended by the pivotal warmth of Phylicia Rashad, who plays a woman reading the tale to her own grandchildren.

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Bud Light Announces Its Own Next-Gen Console, And It Looks Incredible

Beer company Bud Light has announced its own next-generation gaming console, well, sort of, and it’s all for a good cause. The BL6, as it’s called, is a new “console” that the beer company says “won’t overheat or spew smoke … even if you vape near it.”

Dubbed the “coolest console ever,” the BL6 features a “high-powered gaming PC” that comes pre-loaded with various Bandai Namco fighting games like Tekken 7 and SoulCalibur VI, along with RBI Baseball 20 and Broforce. It also comes with two specially designed controllers that bear the BL6 name.

The system is cooled by …beer, or, as Bud Light puts it, “A one-of-a-kind first-ever beer cooling system.” The console also comes with a 720p ASUS projector so you can play games wherever you are.

The BL6 will be tough to get, as it’s only sold through an auction on ShopBeerGear.com, with very limited availability. The current high bid is already above $1,800 USD. Bidding will run until November 20.

This is not a cash grab, as Bud Light is donating all proceeds to the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation‘s “Change is on the Menu” campaign. This is aiming to help support restaurant workers affected by COVID.

Bud Light also released a spec sheet that compares the BL6 to “The X” and “The Five,” and the chart is pretty hilarious. Check it out below.

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Go to the BL6 website to learn more about this highly unusual console.

Pokemon Go Brings Three More Legendary Pokemon Back Next Week

Another trio of Legendary Pokemon are returning to Pokemon Go very soon. Beginning Tuesday, November 24, the Legendary lake trio Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie will once again appear in Raids as part of a new Lake Legends event, which will also feature new Field Research tasks, a new Shiny Pokemon, and more.

The Lake Legends event kicks off at 1 PM PT–immediately following Terrakion, Cobalion, and Virizion‘s departure from the game–and runs until the same time on November 30. Not only will the Lake trio be available again in five-star Raids throughout that week, but you’ll also be more likely to encounter certain kinds of Pokemon in the wild and in eggs, including the following monsters:

  • Psyduck
  • Goldeen
  • Magikarp
  • Surskit
  • Starly
  • Bidoof
  • Shellos
  • Abra
  • Machop
  • Ralts

On top of that, Shiny Goldeen will be available during the Lake Legends event. Niantic will also offer themed Field Research tasks to complete during the event, and you’ll be able to earn new rewards by completing AR Mapping tasks. You can read more about the Lake Legends event on the official Pokemon Go website.

In the meantime, to celebrate Pokemon Go support being added to Pokemon Home, the mobile game is holding a new Pokemon Home event until November 23. Throughout the event, certain Pokemon like Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Diglett, and Shiny Slowpoke are appearing in the wild more often than usual. Shiny Meltan is also available again; you’ll have a chance to encounter the Shiny Mythical Pokemon each time you open the Mystery Box during the event.

Beyond that, Pokemon Go’s second November 2020 Community Day is also set for this Saturday, November 21. The featured Pokemon for this weekend’s event will be Magmar, and if you can evolve it into Magmortar up to two hours after the Community Day ends, the Fire Pokemon will learn the Electric-type Charged attack Thunderbolt.

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

Top 5 PS5 Headsets That Maximize 3D Audio

Is the PS5 Pulse 3D Headset Worth Getting? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rlSzOiI9g4

How to enable 3D audio on PS5: 3:22

One of the biggest features of Sony’s PlayStation 5 console is its 3D Audio Tech. Using a proprietary audio engine called Tempest, 3D Audio is set to deliver better sounding games. 3D Audio is turned on your PS5 by default, but what’s the best way to check it out?

There are a lot of options out there for gaming headsets, from Razer to SteelSeries, Astro, and even Sony’s very own Pulse 3D wireless headset. We examine five of the best headsets for your PS5, like the SteelSeries Arctis 1, top of the line alternatives such as the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, and answer important questions like: can it fit big ears, and how good does it still sound good whether or not I’m listening to Enya, or playing Demon’s Souls?

Ranging from $99 to $179, hopefully you’ll find the right one to fit your budget, as well as your gaming needs.

Headphones mention in this video:

Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset: https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/PULSE-3D-Wireless-Headset-PlayStation-5/dp/B08FC6QLKN?tag=gamespot-best-lists-20&ascsubtag=ag%3Ags-1100-6482578%7Cvg%3Abac2c7f7-6e04-4d21-b378-35192c3f8293%7Cst%3Adtp

SteelSeries Arctis 1: https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Arctis-Wireless-Gaming-Headset-Console/dp/B07X96DFR5?tag=gamespot-best-lists-20&ascsubtag=ag%3Ags-1100-6482578%7Cvg%3Afd15285a-6cd8-4d62-8863-c5a4b3760cb7%7Cst%3Adtp

SteelSeries Arctis 7P: https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Arctis-7P-Wireless-Lossless-PlayStation/dp/B08H4YMC22?tag=gamespot-best-lists-20&ascsubtag=ag%3Ags-1100-6482578%7Cvg%3Afd15285a-6cd8-4d62-8863-c5a4b3760cb7%7Cst%3Adtp

Astro A40: https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/ASTRO-Gaming-Wired-Headset-MixAmp-Dolby/dp/B07NSN41YB?tag=gamespot-best-lists-20&ascsubtag=ag%3Ags-1100-6482578%7Cvg%3Afd15285a-6cd8-4d62-8863-c5a4b3760cb7%7Cst%3Adtp

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackShark-Gaming-Headset-Detachable/dp/B08FQG96RP?tag=gamespot-best-lists-20&ascsubtag=ag%3Ags-1100-6482578%7Cvg%3Abac2c7f7-6e04-4d21-b378-35192c3f8293%7Cst%3Adtp

Best Apple Gifts – Holiday Gift Guides 2020

If you have an Apple lover in your life, then they might be interested in all of the high-tech products the maker of the iPhone and iPad have to offer. While that would require a ton of money, even one device can make someone’s 2020 holiday season a truly special one.

Whether they need a new computer or laptop, a new phone, or even some AirPods or an Apple Watch, we’ve gathered all the best Apple products in one place to help make your decision a little bit easier.

Apple has also released cheaper devices, like the iPhone SE and Apple Watch SE, that contain many of the features of the more expensive devices, but at a much more affordable price. These are great options for younger ones who may have finally turned an age to be trusted with an Apple device.

Even if you just want to purchase a loved one a gift card to help them make their purchasing decisions, we’ve made this holiday guide for you to help make someone’s day just a little bit brighter and more awesome.

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Best Apple iPad Gifts

Apple’s iPad is a great gift option as it can do so much and provides a big screen for watching TV or movies and looking at family photos.

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Best Apple iPhone Gifts

If you have an Apple lover in your life, chances are they can’t be peeled away from their iPhone. Purchasing the newest one for them will undoubtedly be a great choice.

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Best Apple MacBook/iMac Gifts

Whether your loved one needs a new laptop or home PC, it’s hard to go wrong with an Apple product.

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Best Apple Airpods Gifts

Who needs wires anymore? Apple’s AirPods solve that problem and offer great sound quality as well.

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Best Apple Watch Gifts

An Apple Watch will be a great gift for any iPhone owner, as it will alert them of their calls and texts, track their workouts, and so much more.

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Best Apple Gifts

From an Apple Gift Card to the Apple TV 4K to Apple’s HomePod, here are some general Apple gifts that will surely be a hit this holiday season.

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The Best Gifts for 2020

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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.