Tag Archives: News

Featured, Games, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

What to expect of Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 2

Activision has officially revealed the highly anticipated updates for Season 2 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, set to launch on January 28, 2025. This season promises to bring a host of new content, gameplay improvements, and significant anti-cheat updates to enhance the overall player experience.

I guess it is fair to say that the long blog post needed to be filtered in a more summarized and understandable list and here goes:

Key Updates for Season 2

  1. Console-Only Crossplay for Ranked Play: Responding to community feedback, Activision will enable the ability to disable cross-play for consoles in Ranked Play modes. This aims to reduce cheating and provide a fairer competitive environment.
  2. New Zombies Content: Season 2 will introduce a brand-new Zombies map, along with new weapons, modes, and other exciting content to refresh the Zombies experience.
  3. Anti-Cheat Enhancements: The Ricochet Anti-Cheat team has been hard at work, implementing new detection models and server updates to combat aim-botting and other cheating behaviors. Over 136,000 Ranked Play account bans have already been issued since the modes launched.
  4. Server Improvements: Activision has addressed server issues, including rubber-banding, packet loss, and server disconnects, especially in Ranked Play and certain regions. New improvements have been made to Call of Duty’s server infrastructure to reduce malicious activities and enhance stability.
  5. Samurai Theme: The leaked key art for Season 2 hints at a Samurai theme, featuring a character holding a tanto (a short Japanese blade) and dressed in traditional Samurai attire. This theme is expected to bring a fresh and immersive experience to the game.
  6. Charity Support: Activision has donated $1 million to LA wildfire relief efforts and released a new cosmetic bundle in the in-game store, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting charities connected to wildfire relief.

Release Details

Season 2 will go live on January 28, 2025, at 10 AM PT, across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PC (Steam and Battle.net), and Xbox Series X/S. Players will need to download update files for the Call of Duty app to access the latest content additions and enhancements.

About Ranked Mode in both Black Ops 6 & Warzone

Also, Activision said it was disabling crossplay between consoles and PC in Ranked Mode for both Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone in response to player feedback and in the spirit of improving the gameplay experience.


We’ve heard the feedback from players about wanting the choice to toggle cross-play in Ranked Play since its launch earlier this season, and in the spirit of improving the gameplay experience, we’re returning to the way we’ve traditionally handled cross-play. In Season 02, we are enabling the ability to disable cross-play for console players who want to compete only against other console players.

  • This is currently in testing and is planned to go live for both Black Ops 6 Ranked Play and Warzone Ranked Play during S02. We’ll be monitoring closely and will consider further changes to prioritize the integrity of the ecosystem, and we’ll have more details to share as we get closer to the launch of this feature.

The Vote to Forfeit feature is coming at Season 02 launch, which allows players to vote with their team to end a match early if the team is getting blown out, or you’ve lost a teammate. Forfeited matches count as a standard loss and do not result in SR penalties or suspensions.

The ability to rejoin Ranked Play matches is also planned for later in Season 02, which should help to ensure fuller teams in matches if players experience a disconnect.

New S02 Ranked Play Rewards will include:

  • Large Decal for 100 wins
  • Camos for Gold Rank and up
  • Jackal PDW Blueprint for 10 wins

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News

Hollow Knight Silksong is alive despite long silence

The Hollow Knight Silksong community has been buzzing with excitement and speculation recently, thanks to a cryptic social media post by William Pellen, co-director at Team Cherry. Pellen changed his profile picture to a slice of chocolate cake and posted a mysterious message hinting at something big coming soon. This coincided with the announcement of Nintendo’s Switch 2, leading fans to believe that Silksong might be revealed at the event.

However, Matthew Griffin, Team Cherry’s Marketing and PR director, stepped in to clarify the situation. Griffin confirmed that the cake photo had no deeper meaning and wasn’t part of any alternate reality game (ARG). He reassured fans that Silksong is still in development, progressing well, and will eventually be released.

The excitement around the cake photo and the Switch 2 announcement highlights the passionate dedication of the Hollow Knight community, which has been eagerly awaiting Silksong since its announcement in 2019. Despite the long wait, Griffin’s update provides some much-needed reassurance that the game is still on track.

Silksong is being developed by a small team at Team Cherry, and they’ve been relatively quiet about its progress. This has led to increased speculation and rumors each year. While there’s no official release date yet, Griffin’s recent update confirms that the game is real and will eventually be released.

The game itself is highly anticipated, with fans looking forward to exploring new areas and facing new challenges as the Hornet, a character introduced in the original Hollow Knight. The development team has promised over 150 new enemies and a new difficulty setting called Silk Soul mode, which will change the game after the first playthrough.

Despite the lack of official news, the community remains hopeful that Silksong will make an appearance at the upcoming Nintendo Direct event for the Switch 2.

Until then, fans will continue to speculate and eagerly await any updates from Team Cherry.

Games, Gaming, News, Nintendo

Nintendo did it again with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD!

I guess that it takes long for Nintendo to be extremely careful as fan are as observers as ever, but due diligence seems to be annoying and with this, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a remastered version of the original game developed by Retro Studios for the Wii and later ported to the 3DS.

The remaster was handled by Forever Entertainment, but when the credits rolled, the original Retro Studios team members were not individually credited

Instead of listing the names of the original developers, the credits simply stated: “Based on the work of the original development staff.” This has caused significant backlash from fans and former Retro Studios staff.

After this made enough sound, Nintendo issued a statement to Eurogamer, saying:

“We believe in giving proper credit for anyone involved in making or contributing to a game’s creation, and value the contributions that all staff make during the development process.”

However, they did not provide a detailed explanation for why the original team’s names were excluded.

This was brought to the general attention as actually, isn’t the first time Retro Studios has faced this issue. In early 2023, the developers behind Metroid Prime Remastered were also left out of the credits, leading to similar frustrations. Senior gameplay engineer Zoid Kirsch expressed his disappointment on social media, calling it “a travesty.”

And it baffles that Nintendo didn’t expect many fans and former Retro Studios staff have voiced their disappointment and frustration over the omission. They feel that the original team’s contributions are not being properly recognized.

Despite the backlash, Nintendo has maintained its stance on condensing the credits for an entire development team into one sentence. This decision has sparked a debate about how remastered games should credit their original creators.

Business, Games, Gaming, News, Nintendo

Nintendo scores a 1st ever arrest for Switch Modding

A 58-year-old man named Fumihiro Otobe from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, was arrested for selling modified Nintendo Switch consoles loaded with pirated games. This is the first arrest of its kind in Japan.

Otobe modified second-hand Switch consoles by soldering hardware components to their circuit boards, enabling them to play pirated games. As reported by NTV News and translated by Automaton, he sold these modified consoles for approximately ¥28,000 (around $180) each, with 27 pirated games pre-installed.

Upon his arrest, police found four modified consoles in his possession.

In a public statement, Fumihiro Otobe said:

I was curious to know whether people would think I was great if I sold modified consoles.

This significant development marks a turning point in Japan’s legal approach to video game console modifications, which have long been contentious due to concerns about piracy and copyright infringement.

For Nintendo, this is the first arrest of its kind in Japan. The arrest highlights increasing efforts by authorities to crack down on such activities and protect intellectual property rights, acknowledging that modded consoles are not legally sold in major retail stores worldwide.

Nintendo’s efforts are aimed at protecting the integrity of its intellectual property and ensuring that game developers and publishers can continue to innovate and create new games. The company cooperates with law enforcement worldwide to pursue legal actions against those involved in piracy.

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

PlayStation Live Services future in question?

In a surprising turn of events, Sony has announced the cancellation of two more live service games, one of which was a highly anticipated God of War title. The affected projects were being developed by Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, two of Sony’s well-regarded studios.

As part of Sony Interactive Entertainment past CEO Jim Ryan’s legacy, one of his last main task was having Sony announcing an ambitious plans to launch over 10 new live service games by 2026.

However, the company’s recent decisions indicate a significant shift in strategy. The cancellations follow the mixed results of their live service experiments, with notable successes like Helldivers 2 and notable failures like Concord.

BREAKING: PlayStation has canceled two more live-service games, from subsidiaries Bend and Bluepoint, Bloomberg has learned.Fans have long wondered what Bluepoint has been working on for the last couple of years. I can report it was a live-service God of War game. www.bloomberg.com/news/article…

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) 2025-01-16T23:09:48.705Z

The two cancelled projects were part of a larger initiative to expand Sony’s portfolio of live service games. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Bluepoint Games was working on a live service game set in the God of War universe. This news came as a shock to fans who had speculated about Bluepoint’s new projects since their well-received PS5 remake of Demon’s Souls.

Bend Studio, known for their work on Days Gone, was reportedly developing a new IP with multiplayer elements that built upon the open-world systems of their previous game. Unfortunately, neither project will see the light of day.

In response to the cancellations, a Sony spokesperson emphasized that neither Bend Studio nor Bluepoint Games would be closed down. The company is working closely with both studios to determine their next steps. Sony’s CEO Hermen Hulst had previously indicated a renewed focus on single-player games, which seems to align with the recent cancellations.

Needless to say that the cancellations have raised concerns among PlayStation fans about the future of Sony’s software lineup. With several live service projects scrapped, there is speculation that Sony may be shifting its focus back to single-player experiences. While this may disappoint fans of live service games, it could also mean exciting new single-player titles from Sony’s talented studios.

Sony’s decision to cancel these live service games marks a significant moment in the company’s gaming strategy. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Sony adapts and what new projects they will bring to the market.

Gaming, News, Xbox

Microsoft & Activision Deny Financial Performance Claims

In a recent turn of events, both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have publicly denied claims regarding their financial performance, as reported by various sources. This comes amidst ongoing scrutiny and speculation about the financial health of the two companies, especially in light of their proposed merger.

A little back story…Microsoft and Activision Blizzard announced their merger agreement back in January 2022, with the deal valued at nearly $70 billion. The merger aims to create a powerhouse in the gaming industry, combining Microsoft’s technological prowess with Activision Blizzard’s extensive game portfolio.

The report came form The Information, which states that things were not lookign good for Xbox in2021 and pretty much and after a maratonic defense of the buyout of Activision Blizzard as a subsidiary of Microsoft Gaming (instead on being folded within Xbox Game Studios umbrella) in 2022, the purchase has not served the purpose of Xbox Game Pass capitalization.

To provide some context, Activision Blizzard’s financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022 showed a significant increase in net bookings, growing 43% year-over-year to a record $2.33 billion. For the full year 2022, the company reported net revenues of $7.53 billion, compared to $8.80 billion in 20211. Despite the slight decline in revenue, the company’s operating margin and earnings per share (EPS) remained robust.

Microsoft, on the other hand, has continued to show strong financial performance across its various business segments, including its gaming division. The company’s recent quarterly reports have highlighted growth in revenue and profitability, further supporting their stance against the claims made in the report1.

The denial of these claims (noted by Insider Gaming as sources are behind paywalls) is crucial for the ongoing merger process. Both companies have emphasized that the merger will enable them to better serve their players, create greater opportunities for their employees, and succeed in an increasingly competitive global gaming industry1. The deal, which has faced regulatory scrutiny and delays, is now expected to close by October 2023.

In conclusion, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard’s strong financial performance and denial of the claims highlight their commitment to the merger and their confidence in the future of the combined entity. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, this merger could set a new standard for innovation and growth.

Breaking, Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, Nintendo

Nintendo unveils the Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo has officially unveiled its highly-anticipated successor to the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch in 2025. The announcement came with a first-look trailer that showcased the new console’s design and features.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2.

As per the first-look presentation, the Nintendo Switch 2 features a larger display compared to the original Switch, providing an enhanced gaming experience. The Joy-Con controllers have been redesigned to attach magnetically to the console, making them more secure and easier to use. Additionally, the Joy-Con now includes an optical sensor, adding new possibilities for gameplay.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Nintendo Switch 2 is its backward compatibility as Nintendo already confirmed late last year 2024. The console will support both Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games and existing Nintendo Switch games.

However, it’s important to note that some older games may not be fully compatible with the new system.

Nintendo has scheduled a Nintendo Direct showcase for April 2, 2025, where more details about the console and its release date will be shared. To give fans a hands-on experience, Nintendo will host experience events in various cities around the world, starting in April 2025. These events will be held in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo, and more.

What We Don’t Know Yet

While the announcement provided a lot of exciting information, there are still some details that remain unknown. Nintendo has not yet revealed the price of the Switch 2 or the full software launch lineup. Fans will have to wait for the Nintendo Direct and experience events for more information.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be an exciting upgrade to the beloved Switch console. With its larger screen, redesigned Joy-Con controllers, and backward compatibility, it’s sure to be a hit among gamers. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the release date!

Entertainment, Gaming, Movies, News

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep got a release date

Fans of the dark fantasy series, The Witcher, have a reason to rejoice as Netflix has officially confirmed the release of a new animated movie titled “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep”. Set to hit screens on February 11, 2025, this feature-length anime is based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s short story, “A Little Sacrifice”.

A little context about the short story collections from the author…

Originally, “Blood of Elves” was considered the first book in The Witcher series, and while Geralt of Rivia is the protagonist, it did not serve as a good introduction for new readers in the long term.

Then, Andrzej Sapkowski began publishing short stories within The Witcher communities. By 1992, he released the book “Sword of Destiny,” followed a year later by “The Last Wish,” which served as collections of stories designed to prepare readers by introducing important facts about Geralt that frequently appear in “Blood of Elves.”

Despite the order of their releases, people consider “The Last Wish” to be chronologically first rather than following the release date with “Sword of Destiny.” As a result, they are often referred to as ‘Book 0.1’ and ‘Book 0.2’, with “The Last Wish” being labeled ‘Book 0.1’ because it provides more background on Geralt.

“A Little Sacrifice” is part of the short story collection contained in the “Sword of Destiny” book.

The story follows Geralt of Rivia and his companion, Dandelion, as they venture to the port town of Bremervoord. They are hired by a local prince to help woo a mermaid named Sh’eenaz. However, things take a dramatic turn when both lovers realize they are unwilling to give up their current lifestyles, leading to a near-war between the two kingdoms.

One of the most exciting aspects of this new film is the return of Doug Cockle as the voice of Geralt. Cockle, known for his iconic portrayal of Geralt in the Witcher games, will be taking over from Henry Cavill, who voiced the character in the live-action series. Additionally, Joey Batey will reprise his role as Jaskier, while Anya Chalotra will voice Yennefer. Newcomer Christina Wren will join the cast as Essi Daven.

The film promises to be a visual spectacle, featuring stunning underwater scenes, epic battles with merfolk, and a host of new monsters. Studio Mir, known for their work on “The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf”, is once again behind the animation, ensuring high-quality visuals and action-packed sequences.

“The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep” is not just about action; it delves into Geralt’s emotional journey as he navigates new relationships and confronts his past. Fans can look forward to a mix of thrilling combat and heartfelt moments, making it a must-watch for any Witcher enthusiast.

Games, Gaming, News, Nintendo, PC, Playstation, Xbox

LUNAR Remastered Collection for nostalgia & new fans

GungHo Online Entertainment America has just announced the release of the LUNAR Remastered Collection, bringing two beloved JRPG classics back to life for a new generation of gamers. The collection, featuring LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete, will be available both physically and digitally on April 18, 2025.

Originally developed by GAME ARTS for the original Playstation, these games have captivated fans with their romantic storytelling and breathtaking soundtrack. The remastered edition not only preserves the heart of the original games but also introduces modern enhancements such as wide-screen support, high-definition pixel and animated art, and quality-of-life updates like customizable battle and strategy setting.

The collection will be available on PlayStation 4 (compatible with PlayStation 5), Xbox One (compatible with Xbox Series X|S), Nintendo Switch, and Steam. Digital editions are priced at $49.99 USD / €49.99 EUR, while physical editions will be available for $54.99 USD in North America and €54.99 EUR in Europe. The physical editions will feature reversible covers with new key arts illustrated by Toshiyuki Kubooka.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the LUNAR saga, this remastered collection promises to captivate you with its timeless charm and enhanced features. Dive back into the enchanting worlds of LUNAR and experience the magic all over again!

Entertainment, Gaming, Movies, News, Playstation

Get a glimpse of the Until Dawn movie

Exciting news for horror fans! The highly anticipated Until Dawn movie, based on the popular 2015 interactive drama horror game by Supermassive Games, is set to hit theaters on April 25, 2025. Directed by David F. Sandberg and written by Gary Dauberman, the film promises to expand the universe of the game while offering a fresh, standalone story.

Back in 2015 in the game, players control eight young adults who find themselves trapped on Blackwood Mountain. The story begins with the disappearance of two sisters, Hannah and Beth Washington, during a snowstorm. A year later, their brother Josh invites his friends back to the lodge to celebrate the anniversary of their disappearance.

As the night unfolds, the group faces various threats, including a masked killer, and must survive until dawn. The game’s unique butterfly effect system means that players’ choices directly impact the story, leading to multiple possible endings.

First Look at the Movie

Sony recently released the first look at the movie, giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come. The teaser trailer reveals that the film will incorporate a time loop mechanic, similar to the game. Characters will relive the same night repeatedly, each time facing different horror scenarios. Director David F. Sandberg explains that this approach allows the movie to capture the same tone and vibe as the game while expanding on its mythology.

The film will follow Clover and her friends as they venture into the remote valley where Melanie disappeared. They will explore an abandoned visitor center, only to be stalked by a masked killer. Each time they die, they wake up at the beginning of the same night, forced to relive the nightmare with different threats each time. The only way to escape is to survive until dawn.

Cast includes: Ella Rubin as Clover, Michael Cimino as Max, Odessa A’zion as Nina, Ji-young Yoo as Megan, Maia Mitchell as Melanie, Belmont Cameli as Abel, and Peter Stormare as Dr. Hill (a new character different from his role in the game).

UPDATE – First trailer got released!