Halo: Reach is coming to Xbox One, but the wait for it just got longer. Developer 343 Industries has now confirmed that the first "flight," or beta test, has been delayed.In a blog post (via onmsft), 343 explained to fans that making games is hard. For Halo: Reach, which is part of the Master Chief Collection, the studio pointed out that the package comprises 7 games and 11 game engines that live "under the roof of one title [MCC]" while sharing the same hardware resources.As for why Reach's beta for Xbox One has been delayed, 343 said it comes down to how the studio is trying to use Unreal Engine 4 to run the new character customization options in the new progression system coming to MCC on Xbox One. In particular, the studio is running into issues related to memory constraints. "This however has proved to be quite challenging as MCC was already close to memory limits running on the original Xbox One consoles," 343 said. "Bringing the entire progression and customization system into MCC also requires memory to be used to run the additional UE4 engine. Currently, a lot of progress has been made in getting it up and running, but the title still is not within memory constraints to properly run on the Xbox One. In order to flight on Xbox One, we need to be within these limits, otherwise instability will be an issue."Reach's release on Xbox One will remain delayed "until the team has an adequate solve for this unique issue." 343 added that the studio is "pushing hard" to find a solution.Reach's first beta is currently available on PC, so players can go there to check out a first look at Reach within the Master Chief Collection.Posting on Twitter, Halo community director Brian Jarrard said 343 shares in the frustration of fans as it relates to the launch of Halo: Reach in The Master Chief Collection. "We all want to get this into players' hands as soon as possible. When it's ready, it's ready."Everyone is understandably eager for more Halo: Reach flighting. And understandably getting frustrated and impatient. We are eager and frustrated, too. We all want to get this into players’ hands as soon as possible. When it’s ready, it’s ready. Thanks for your support 👊 — Brian Jarrard (@ske7ch) August 1, 2019In other Halo news, the next mainline instalment is Halo: Infinite. The game releases in holiday 2020 as a launch title for Project Scarlett.Info from Gamespot.com

It is officially Madden season, as Madden NFL 20 launches today for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The game was already available on EA Access and through premium versions, but the game's official release date is August 2, seemingly timed with the first NFL pre-season game between the Falcons and Broncos on August 1.To help you get an idea for if Madden NFL 20 is worth your time and money, we're collecting review scores and excerpts from a variety of outlets to give you an at-a-glance idea if you want to pick it up or not.Here at GameSpot, I scored Madden NFL 20 an 8/10. The new QB1 story mode generally felt like a disappointment to me, while I particularly enjoyed the new X-Factor and Superstar abilities that shake up the franchise's familiar formula in new and exciting ways.You can see a roundup of review scores and excerpts from other publications across the internet below. You can also visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic to see a wider look at the critical reaction to Madden NFL 20.Madden NFL 20Game: Madden NFL 20Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PCDeveloper: EA SportsRelease date: August 2Price: $60 / £60 / $100 AUDGameSpot -- 8/10"When it comes to the on-the-field action ... the new X-Factor and Superstar abilities shake up the familiar gameplay formula to give seasoned players and newcomers alike a fresh way to scheme plays and orchestrate strategy on both sides of the ball." -- Eddie Makuch [Full review]Shacknews -- 4/10"Once the crown jewel of the EA Sports catalog, Madden NFL 20 seemingly revels in its reputation as recycled garbage and belongs in a bin." -- Chris Jarrard [Full review]IGN -- 8.1/10"In addition to the usual incremental graphics upgrade and respectable new story campaign, Madden NFL 20 meaningfully improves on a lot of the issues that plagued the previous iteration(s). The running game is noticeably smoother and X-Factor traits make superstar players actually feel like a force to be reckoned with on the field, and while there are still problems that linger with animations, it’s safe to say that EA Tiburon is making large strides in the right direction." -- Robert Kollars [Full review]GamesRadar -- 4/5"Collectively, it feels like Madden is in the early stages of re-building a perennial contender. Like drafting a left tackle with the first overall pick, the changes to Madden 20 aren't flashy, but they feel like the right moves to make in order to compete for years to come." -- Mark Delaney [Full review]SportingNews -- 4/5"Whether it's the X-Factors, new Face of the Franchise mode, or even signature player animations, 'Madden NFL 20' feels more true to life than ever before. The lack of advancement in core areas such as presentation and Franchise Mode, however, hold this edition back from being the complete package." -- Bryan Wiedey [Full review] GameRevolution -- 3/5"The new Face of the Franchise mode is totally underwhelming and fails to tell a meaningful story and the X-Factor abilities are helpful for newcomers but don’t really change how a solid player would play the game any. These changes are all a positive for long-term but it lacks any selling point and has launched in a frustrating state that undermines the solid football mechanics that EA has refined over the past several decades." -- Tyler Treese [Full review]Metro Game Central -- 7/10"The casual fan will find plenty to enjoy but diehards will see Madden 20 as just another facelift to a franchise that knows how to succeed but struggles to innovate." -- Jay Jaffa [Full review] Info from Gamespot.com

Here is a pretty sweet deal: Microsoft is throwing in a free copy of Madden NFL 20--which launches today, August 2--with the purchase of a new Xbox One console. The offer is available from the Microsoft Store, and it's good on 13 different Xbox One bundles, most of which already come with a free game or other extras. It's really easy: just visit this Microsoft Store page and add one of the consoles to your cart. Madden NFL 20 will be automagically added to your order; the game comes in the form of a digital code, in case that matters to you. Also, it is the standard edition of Madden NFL 20, not the premium versions.The cheapest option is the $250 USD Xbox One S All-Digital Edition (which also comes with Forza Horizon 3, Sea of Thieves, and Minecraft), while the offer is also good on various other Xbox One S and Xbox One X bundles.Madden NFL 20 is getting general good review scores, including an 8/10 Madden NFL 20 review from GameSpot. You can see a roundup of review scores and excerpts here.In addition to Xbox One, Madden NFL 20 is available today on PlayStation 4 and PC. Info from Gamespot.com

Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most highly-anticipated PS4, Xbox One, and PC games on the horizon, and now there's an extra element to be excited for. Developer CD Projekt Red and tabletop publisher Cmon have announced a new Cyberpunk card game.Titled Cyberpunk 2077: Afterlife, the card game is due to launch in 2020. Its official description states: "The game thrusts players into the dark alleyways of Night City, where ruthless gangs clash with corporations in an endless war for money, power, and control."It continues: "In Cyberpunk 2077: Afterlife, players become Fixers, the data brokers and masterminds in Night City that recruit cyberpunks, equip them with gear, and send them out on missions. But nothing's free in Night City. Players need to balance between what they want and what they can actually afford. Using an innovative drafting mechanic and special dashboard, players must decide which cards they want to buy, and which to sacrifice for funds in order to purchase new ones."Each successful mission raises the player's Street Cred, with mission survivors becoming Veterans, imparting their knowledge and experience to newer recruits. In this chrome-infused world, Street Cred is the only currency that truly matters."The press release goes on to state this is the first collaboration between CD Projekt Red and Cmon, "with plans for more to follow." It's unclear if this refers to more Cyberpunk card games, Witcher titles, or something else entirely.The news comes as Cyberpunk Red, a tabletop prequel to 2077, launches its Jumpstart Kit, with a full version coming at a later date. As well as an updated lorebook, the starter set includes a set of custom dice, six customizable characters, four physical maps, and a new adventure scenario.Cyberpunk 2077 the video game, meanwhile, launches on April 16, 2020. It features The Matrix actor Keanu Reeves in a big role, and it was recently revealed that the actor could have appeared in Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding.Info from Gamespot.com

Capcom is asking for feedback on a new game it has in development--interesting enough in itself, but the kicker is that it's specifically asking the Japanese Resident Evil community. The email to Resident Evil ambassadors, which was seen and translated by Resi fansite Biohaze, informs them of a new "game that's in development."The email reads: "To all Resident Evil Ambassadors, thank you for your patronage regarding the Resident Evil series. Today, we are letting you know that we are recruiting testers for a game that's in development!"We are interested in incorporating the feedback of all Ambassadors into our development, so please read the details below and, if you are interested in participating, click the Entry button."It's unclear which game Capcom is referring to in the email. It's possible the company is working on the next mainline entry to the series or another remake akin to this year's Resident Evil 2 remake. However, Resident Evil 5 and 6 are being ported to Switch later this year, so it could merely be these versions undergoing testing. It may not necessarily be a Resident Evil title at all, of course, though it would perhaps be a strange move to ask the Resi community for feedback on a non-Resi game. GameSpot has contacted Capcom for more information.The most recent Resi game is the Resident Evil 2 remake, which launched in January to a positive reception. "Resident Evil 2 is not only a stellar remake of the original, but it's also simply a strong horror game that delivers anxiety-inducing and grotesque situations, topping some of the series' finest entries," said our critic, Alessandro Fillari."But above all, the remake is an impressive game for the fact that it goes all-in on the pure survival horror experience, confidently embracing its horrifying tone and rarely letting up until the story's conclusion. Though Resident Evil 2 has its roots firmly in the past, it reworks the familiar horrors into something that feels brand new and all its own." You can read more in our full Resident Evil 2 remake review.Info from Gamespot.com

There's a lot to like about Obsidian Entertainment's next RPG, The Outer Worlds. It's pretty much a conglomeration of all the best things about the developer's past games, like Alpha Protocol and Fallout: New Vegas, with a big emphasis on an expansive conversation system and plenty of consequences for your actions. It utilizes its turn-of-the-century aesthetic perfectly to create the game's expansive, funny send-up of capitalism and corporate culture. And it provides you with a band of companion characters who react to the story and situations as they unfold, and who make the game a lot more interesting with their presence.Obsidian recently gave GameSpot a chance to get hands-on with The Outer Worlds, providing roughly two hours to dig into one of the game's locations, a lawless and hostile world called Monarch. As Obsidian has detailed in the past, you play a character of your own creation, with the game reacting heavily to your choices as you decide whether to be good, evil, or something in between. Instead of venturing straight out in a random direction to tangle with various creatures, I spun around to speak with the other two major characters of the demo: your companions, Nyoka and Parvati."They have opinions of their own and they're reacting to the choices you've made."Companion characters are a big part of The Outer Worlds, as they have been in other, similar Obsidian RPGs, like New Vegas. You can have two in tow at any given time once they've joined up with you, and of course, they help in combat with whatever weapons you decide to equip them with. They're also a major component of your story in The Outer Worlds."We wanted to integrate companions quite a bit more, so each of the companions has a backstory and a companion quest," lead designer Chris Staples said during an interview at the press event. "Talking to them along the way opens up those companion quests and you can do things for them. But also, how those companion quests play out influences what they think of you. Your decisions and how you treat various factions also plays into that.""For example, a companion might not like the Board [the corporate overlords of The Outer Worlds] at all, and if you start helping them, they'll have issues with that," he continued. "They'll bring that up and say, 'Hey, I don't like what you're doing, if you keep doing this, we can't work together.' We wanted to make sure that there was a lot of--I mean part of the space fantasy is, you know, building your crew and flying through space and having adventures with your crew. And that is sort of what we're going for, to try to make sure they are involved along the way. They have opinions of their own and they're reacting to the choices you've made."Helping OutWith no quests on the docket, we were free to wander into a nearby outpost and talk to its denizens or go tromping across Monarch's monster-filled fields to see what we might find. As it turned out, though, our demo had a companion quest ready to go from Nyoka, a character who has been living on Monarch, working as a hunter and general monster killer. Talking to her triggered a conversation that gave the backstory for her companion quest. She told a story about her former crew, several of whom had been killed during a monster attack and hastily buried or, worse, left behind. Nyoka asked for help in retrieving some mementos from the burial sites in order to properly honor the team--and take some sweet revenge on the giant alien mantiqueen that murdered them. If you accept, things get altogether more complicated than that.The first part of the mission sends you running across the fields of Monarch in search of the gravesite of one of Nyoka's friends. Getting there isn't exactly easy since the area is populated by groups of bandits (who also have alien attack dogs) and families of vicious aliens that can spray you down with swarms of bugs they exude from their abdomens.Luckily, you're pretty proficient in combat, too. Your backstory is that you were frozen in cryostasis for decades while Monarch and its counterpart planet, Terra-2, were colonized. Now that you've awoken, your experience has given you the strange capacity to slow down time, allowing you to line up shots or melee strikes on specific parts of enemies' bodies. The Outer Worlds packs a variety of weapons, from blades that poison to sniper rifles and giant mini-guns, and in our demo, we had a variety of different tools for blasting away at enemies.Combat felt strong during our demo, especially compared to New Vegas, which The Outer Worlds draws inspiration from. But it's your companions who give the whole experience a fast-paced, strategic feel. Each companion has a special ability move, Staples said, which comes with a cooldown timer. You can activate it on the fly with one button, ordering your teammate to use it on whoever you're targeting. Doing so triggers a brief cutscene as the character executes their move--Nyoka unloads a torrent of armor-shredding ammo from a mini-gun, while Parvati winds up for a big, stunning strike with an electricity infused melee weapon. Both moves were essential to victory in battles, as teammates could stun some enemies briefly while weakening others.You also have a few squad commands. Similar to what you might expect from a Mass Effect game, you can order your teammates to specific locations or to focus fire on a particular enemy. Mostly, though, you'll let your teammates handle their own fights, but you can dictate their behaviors from The Outer Worlds character menus. The game provides all sorts of options, allowing you to set how aggressive a character is, from what ranges they'll attack, and a lot more. You can even set one of your companions to function as the squad leader, shouldering the burden of commanding the team. They'll still follow you around, but if you're a person who's not great in combat situations, letting another character lead can make things a bit easier.Bantering It UpNyoka's mission involved picking up a decaying necklace from the grave of one of her friends and then looking to enlist some help to find the cave where the rest were killed. That meant finding two members of the team who'd left Monarch, which required the help of a local hermit with access to some communications gear. We found him on top of a nearby mountain, which was surrounded by mercenaries who'd basically taken the place over.Nearby, we found a team of mercenaries who had been contracted by the facility's owner to protect the place. Their contract stipulated that they had to stop attackers coming from a nearby cave--since it didn't mention anyone marching up the mountain pass the way my squad did, the mercenaries ignored the attackers. In order to talk them into doing their jobs (and therefore putting them into the line of fire, instead of us), we had to venture into the cave and help their missing commanding officerWorking our way across Monarch gave Nyoka and Parvati a few chances to swap stories. Mostly, those became opportunities for more of The Outer Worlds' humor to creep in. Despite comments from Obsidian about how the game doesn't take a political stance, it's clearly a pretty hilarious send-up of capitalism. At one point, Nyoka mentioned that her life on Monarch wasn't so bad because she at least got weekends--a concept completely foreign to Parvati, a resident of the completely corporate Terra-2.Which companion you bring with you will matter beyond the banter you're likely to hear on missions. Staples said that having the right character with you can change how a mission plays out."Sometimes you'll talk to a quest-giver and they'll mention it, or like Nyoka has a history with some of the other characters on Monarch," he explained. "So she can chime in and say certain things that might open up either different paths of a quest, where if you didn't have her, that option wouldn't be available."Each character has one main companion quest, Staples said, plus the ability to interject and influence a lot of other quests, as well. It'll be up to you to pay attention to the characters, talk to them, and learn about them, to find out where, when, and with whom they're most likely to have an impact.I wasn't able to finish the mission in the demo--although I did talk a local corporate mercenary gang into fighting the bandits for me--The Outer Worlds did give a taste of how a lot of its systems will work, most notably its companion characters. Staples said a big priority for Obsidian is making the game feel highly reactive to you and your choices, and that means presenting different options based on your chosen character traits and the personality you flesh out through conversations. And that goes for which characters you have with you, too.From our short time getting hands-on with The Outer Worlds, spending some time with your companions seemed to be the best part. Combat works well, but it's better with your AI buddies. The same goes for exploring the world and trying to talk your way out of all the trouble you're liable to get up to on various planets. While Obsidian's dumb, hyper-capitalist sci-fi world is fun on its own, it's the characters you hang around with that really make it feel real. And it seems like spending time to get to know your companions will pay off, not just in what it adds to the story, but in the gameplay capabilities and options they offer to help you accomplish your goals in The Outer Worlds--whatever they might be.Info from Gamespot.com

Hello Games has announced that No Man's Sky will receive its next major update, called Beyond, on August 14. The Beyond expansion includes the ability to play the entire game in virtual reality and expands its online multiplayer functionality. It will be a free update on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.Beyond includes No Man's Sky Online, which introduces a new social and multiplayer experience, allowing players to meet and play together. Hello Games previously announced this feature as an easier way to meet up and play with your friends, but it says it doesn't consider this a shift to an MMO structure because it doesn't feature a subscription or microtransactions.The update also brings NMS Virtual Reality to PS4 and PC, letting you explore the entire procedurally generated galaxy in VR. There is also a third component to the update that Hello Games is not yet talking about.This is the seventh major expansion to No Man's Sky. Last year, the game received the Next expansion, which was such a major overhaul we named it one of the best expansions of 2018. It also recently released the underwater Abyss expansion and tons of new biomes in the Visions expansion.All of this has helped revive the game after a release window that some considered disappointing. Hello Games recently opened up about why it went dark after No Man Sky's rocky launch, and how attempting to placate the fans with words wouldn't have worked.Info from Gamespot.com

As another week comes to an end, two more PC games are free from the Epic Games Store if you need some weekend entertainment: mystery thriller Alan Wake and action fighting game For Honor. Epic has been giving away free games regularly for over eight months now, but it seems to be switching things up a bit lately. For one, this week's free games became available on a Friday, rather than a Thursday, as usual. Secondly, for the past two weeks, Epic has been offering a pair of games rather than just one. The company explained that anytime it gives away a game with an M or PEGI-18 rating, which could be restricted by Parental Control settings, it will offer another free game that's more accessible to younger players. In this week's case, For Honor is rated M, and luckily, that means Alan Wake is available too.Alan Wake is an action-adventure game that unfolds like a mystery-thriller. The story follows best-selling writer Alan Wake, whose wife disappears during their vacation in the Pacific Northwest; soon after, he discovers pages from a thriller novel he doesn't remember writing. "The foreboding atmosphere that permeates every inch of this wilderness never lets you forget the dangers that await the unprepared, but the feeling of dread that defines the early portions dissipates as you get deeper into this moody adventure," wrote critic Tom McShea in GameSpot's Alan Wake review, which scored the game an 8.5/10. "Alan Wake doesn't offer enough surprises to keep you unhinged, but the storytelling is so enthralling and the combat is so frantic that you'll be sucked in until the thrilling conclusion."For Honor is also free this week. Set in a medieval-fantasy world, the fighting game features four main factions to choose from--Knights, Vikings, Samurai, or Wu Lin, the latter of which was added in the Marching Fire expansion. It earned an 8/10 in our For Honor review for its satisfying combat, rewarding skill progression, and multiplayer modes, although GameSpot's Matt Espineli found the narrative lacking. "In its highest moments, For Honor is difficult to put down," he wrote. "Its slow combat pace and narrative shortcomings might turn off those unwilling to take the time to dive deep into what it has to offer. However, make no mistake--those who do will be rewarded with some of the most satisfying multiplayer melee fighting conceived in recent years."Both Alan Wake and For Honor are free to claim now through August 9, when they'll be replaced by Epic's next freebie, GNOG. To claim the games, all you need is an Epic account, which is free to create if you don't already have one. After adding the games to your account, they're yours to keep forever.Get Alan Wake and For Honor free at EpicInfo from Gamespot.com

Unfortunately, Destiny 2's next expansion, Shadowkeep, has been delayed from its original September release. The upcoming chapter is now slated for October 1. At least it's time for the arrival of Xur, Agent of the Nine, who is always on time. He's back with another haul of Exotics you can use to complete your collections as we near the completion of Destiny 2's Year Two.Where Is Xur?Head to the Tower and down the stairs on the Hangar side to find Xur. He's chilling out on a catwalk toward the north end of the area, up a flight of stairs and near the edge of the Tower.What Is Xur Selling?As is always the case, Xur is offering an Exotic weapon and three pieces of Exotic armor, one for each character class. It's a pretty good haul this week if you're a Titan: Xur brought One-Eyed Mask, a Year Two Exotic he's only sold rarely--and it has a great role with Enhanced Hand Cannon Targeting. If you need something Xur isn't carrying, you can always snag an expensive Fated Engram, which will guarantee you an Exotic you don't already have--but only from the first year of Destiny 2 content or Forsaken. Anything that has come from the Annual Pass expansions over the last year won't be in the Fated Engram pool, so make sure you know what you need before you buy. You can also grab a Five of Swords card, which lets you adjust Nightfall runs for higher scores, and an Invitation of the Nine from the Season of the Drifter if you haven't completed them all yet.The Huckleberry (Exotic submachine gun) -- 29 Legendary ShardsST0MP-EE5 (Exotic Hunter leg armor) -- 23 Legendary ShardsWinter's Guile (Exotic Warlock gauntlets) -- 23 Legendary ShardsOne-Eyed Mask (Exotic Titan helmet) -- 23 Legendary ShardsThe HuckleberryIf you like submachine guns, and especially if you haven't yet unlocked The Recluse pinnacle weapon, The Huckleberry is a gun you should consider. It chews through enemies in PvE situations very quickly. Its Ride the Bull perk increases your fire rate the longer you unload while reloading part of the magazine when you earn kills. It also carries the Rampage perk, making this a bullet firehose that absolutely devastates groups of enemies at close range.ST0MP-EE5If you don't have ST0MP-EE5 by now and you play Hunter, buy them. This Exotic is essential for some troubling platforming moments, especially in Raids. The boots greatly increase your jump height and maneuverability, while also amping up your sprint speed and slide distances. There's too much utility in ST0MP-EE5 for any Hunter not to own them.Rolls:Slot 1: Fusion Rifle Dexterity; Submachine Gun Dexterity; TractionSlot 2: Arrow Scavenger; Scout Rifle ScavengerWinter's GuilePunch-happy Warlocks will enjoy Winter's Guile. Kill enemies with melee attacks, and the Exotic increases your melee damage. Nothing simpler than that.Rolls:Slot 1: Rocket Launcher Loader; Momentum Transfer; Enhanced Impact InductionSlot 2: Shotgun Scavenger; Sniper Rifle ScavengerOne-Eyed MaskA favorite among Titans in the Crucible, One-Eyed Mask marks enemies who damage you. If you manage to then track them down and destroy them, you get an overshield and a damage increase. This is a great one for helping you clear bounties and Solstice of Heroes requirements in PvP.Rolls:Slot 1: Unflinching Pulse Rifle Aim; Pump Action; Enhanced Hand Cannon TargetingSlot 2: Linear Fusion Rifle Reserves; Special Ammo FinderInfo from Gamespot.com

Madden NFL 20 is officially out today on Xbox One, PS4, and PC, although if you pre-ordered the Superstar or Ultimate Superstar edition, you've been enjoying early access to the game for a few days now. The game included quite a few pre-order perks, including bonus content for the popular Madden Ultimate Team mode, but even if you didn't bother pre-ordering, you can get a nice freebie via Twitch if you're an Amazon Prime member.Twitch Prime, which is automatically included with any Amazon Prime membership, announced today you can claim one of the greatest NFL players of all time, Jim Brown, in Madden Ultimate Team. This is the first time Brown has been released for the Ultimate Team mode. Brown previously sued EA for the use of his likeness without permission in Madden NFL 09, and the two parties reached a settlement in 2016.To claim this freebie (and any other perks from Twitch Prime), first make sure your Twitch account is linked to your Amazon Prime account to unlock the benefits. You'll also be asked to link your EA account to your Twitch account. Then, you can simply claim the offer at Twitch. You have until September 3 to claim Brown in-game.More free Madden 20 content is coming--during the first week of September, as the NFL regular season kicks off, you'll also be able to claim an exclusive Twitch Prime uniform to use in Madden Ultimate Team. In the meantime, check out GameSpot's Madden NFL 20 review for our thoughts on the new game.Plus, if you're still not sure what this whole "Twitch Prime" thing is, you really should check out all the other benefits you get just by being an Amazon Prime member. One of the biggest offers right now is 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online for free, and you can also claim free PC games every month, free loot for games like Apex Legends and Red Dead Online, and more. See all the offers at Twitch, and sign up for Twitch Prime below if you haven't already.Sign up for Twitch PrimeInfo from Gamespot.com

CBS All Access has revealed that one of the cult-classic films from the '70s, Nicolas Roeg's The Man Who Fell To Earth, will be rebooted as a new original series for the streaming platform. Though David Bowie--who starred in the 1976 film and passed away due to liver cancer in January 2016--will not be in the project, CBS All Access is "thrilled to add another iconic genre favorite" to its expanding lineup.The reboot of The Man Who Fell To Earth will be spearheaded by Star Trek: Picard executive producer Alex Kurtzman and produced by The Mummy writer Jenny Lumet. The two will also serve as co-showrunners, with Lumet directing. No casting announcements have been made yet.Julie McNamara, executive vice president of original content at CBS All Access, is excited about this reboot, saying, "We know this series will capture the soul and spirit of the source material and further push narrative boundaries in the capable hands of Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet and the entire producing team."CBS Television Studios, which will co-produce the reboot, is looking forward to seeing it on the streaming platform. The company's president, David Stapf, said, "While no one can ever hope to surpass Bowie, bringing the film to series will allow for an ongoing detailed and nuanced exploration of the concepts established in the novel."The novel of the same name, written by Walter Tevis and published in 1963, follows an alien who comes to Earth looking to save his people from a severe drought on his home planet. It was adapted into the David Bowie-led 1976 feature film and the 1987 Lewis Smith-led made-for-television film.Both Kurtzman and Lumet have been fans of Bowie and Tevis since experiencing The Man Who Fell To Earth, saying, "Walter Tevis' visionary novel gave us a tech god Willy Wonka from another planet, brought to life by David Bowie's legendary performance, that foretold Steve Jobs' and Elon Musk's impacts on our world."CBS is going all in with All Access, continuing to grow and expand the list of programs coming to its streaming service. The Man Who Fell To Earth is joining the platform's list of upcoming original programming, including Interrogation, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Picard, and The Stand.Disclosure: CBS is GameSpot's parent company.Info from Gamespot.com

At long last, Showtime's upcoming adaptation of Halo is coming into focus. The project has been in the works for a very long time, but since the news broke that American Gods alum Pablo Schreiber will portray the iconic role of Master Chief John-117, not much has been revealed. That all changed at Showtime's TCA press tour presentation, though, with several major casting announcements.The biggest is the addition of former Californication star Natasha McElhone, who will play two roles on the series. First, the actress will play Dr. Catherine Halsey, the person behind the Spartan supersoldier program that created Master Chief. Taking a page from the games, she will also play the artificial intelligence construct Cortana, which is based on a cloned copy of Halsey's brain. Showtime describes Cortana as "the most advanced AI in human history, and potentially the key to the survival of the human race."Beyond Cortana, five additional castings have been announced. Bokeem Woodbine (Overlord) will play Soren-066, a character who first appeared in the short story Paria from the Halo: Evolutions--Essential Tales of the Halo Universe collection. Showtime describes Soren-066 as "a morally complex privateer at the fringes of human civilization whose fate will bring him into conflict with his former military masters and his old friend, the Master Chief."Shabana Azmi has taken on the role of Admiral Margaret Parangosky, a character mentioned throughout multiple iterations of Halo. The character, who made her first appearance in the Halo: Ghosts of Onyx novel, is in charge of the Office of Naval Intelligence. While Showtime says little else about the character, in Halo lore she has a not-so-friendly history with Halsey.The rest of the new roles are for characters created for the series--all Spartan soldiers. Bentley Kalu (Avengers: Age of Ultron) plays Vannak-134. This cybernetically augmented troop is essentially Master Chief's deputy in the USNC, which he was conscripted into as a child. Natasha Culzac (The Witcher) is taking on the art of Riz-028, "a focused, professional and deadly, cybernetically enhanced killing machine." Lastly, Kate Kennedy (Catastrophe) plays "an all-new courageous, curious, and deadly Spartan supersoldier" in Kai-125.It was previously announced that Halo would also see newcomer Yerin Ha play Kwan Ha, "a shrewd, audacious 16-year-old from the Outer Colonies who meets Master Chief at a fateful time for them both." Halo is currently scheduled to debut on Showtime in the first quarter of 2021, with filming set to begin later this year in Budapest.Disclosure: Showtime is owned by CBS, the parent company of GameSpot.Info from Gamespot.com

Google is testing a new premium app subscription service, which appears positioned in part to compete with Apple Arcade. The Google "Play Pass" costs $5 per month, and offers a selection of "hundreds of premium apps and games" without ads or in-app purchases.Android Police reports that the service appears to be in the final stages of testing. It promises everything from puzzle games to premium music apps. Some of the games spotted include Stardew Valley, Marvel Pinball, and Risk.The inclusion of premium apps in addition to games could serve as a distinction from Apple Arcade, which is a games-only subscription service. Like Play Pass, games in Apple Arcade won't have in-app purchases or ads. Apple has secured development partners like Sega, Konami, Disney, Sumo Digital, and Cartoon Network, and it promises 100 exclusive games. Apple has also suggested it is helping assist with development costs for its partners.One thing we don't know yet about Apple Arcade is a price point. It's due this fall, but if Google is in the final stages of testing with its own service, it could launch near or even before Apple's subscription service, and possibly at a lower price.Info from Gamespot.com

Season X of Fortnite has arrived. The new season of Epic's popular battle royale shooter is officially underway on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, and it's shaken things up considerably. As expected, there are new areas of the map to explore, as well as a new Battle Pass to purchase, which gives you access to a load of challenges to complete and rewards to unlock.That isn't all that's different this season, however; this time around, Epic has also made some big changes to how challenges work. In the past, the developer would release a new set of challenges to complete each week throughout the season, some of which would be available to everyone, even if they didn't own a Battle Pass. Now, however, most of the game's missions are locked behind the Season X Battle Pass.The missions are also structured a bit differently this season. Instead of weekly challenges, Epic is grouping tasks together under different, themed sets. Each set also only initially offers three challenges, with additional ones being unlocked as you complete them. There are two themed sets available thus far, Road Trip and Rumble Royale, although more will be available as the season progresses.You can see the full list of Fortnite Season X challenges thus far below, along with links to our dedicated guides to help you complete them. We'll continue to update this list throughout the season as more challenges become available, so be sure to check back regularly for all the latest tips and guides.Fortnite: Battle Royale Season X ChallengesRoad Trip ChallengesDestroy Stop Signs With The Catalyst OutfitAs its name states, this challenge involves destroying stop signs while wearing the Catalyst skin. The outfit is unlocked in tier 1 of the Season X Battle Pass, so once you've gotten it, equip the skin and get ready to commit some casual vandalism. You'll need to destroy 10 stop signs in total to complete this challenge, and this can be done across matches. As you'd expect, the stop signs are scattered across the entire island, but you'll find several of them in a handful of locations, particularly Pleasant Park, Salty Springs, Mega Mall, and Paradise Palms. Once you've destroyed 10, the challenge will be complete and you'll earn 10 Battle Stars. Be sure to check out our stop sign locations guide for more details on where to go.Visit Drift-Painted Durr Burger Head, A Dinosaur, And A Stone Head StatueThis challenge is straightforward enough on the face of it--all you need to do is visit the three specified locations. The Durr Burger head can be found atop a hill just east of Pleasant Park. The dinosaur, however, is on the opposite end of the map--you'll see it beside a road to the south of Paradise Palms. Finally, the stone head statue is located near the frozen lake to the north of Polar Peak--it resembles a Moai statue (with a chair on top of it for some reason), so you can't miss it. Once you've visited all three monuments, you'll complete the challenge and receive 10 Battle Stars. For a more detailed look at where to go, check out our stone head statue, Durr Burger head, and dinosaur locations guide.Rumble Royale ChallengesIn contrast to the Road Trip challenges, the Rumble Royale challenges are all tied to Team Rumble mode. You'll begin with a total of three tasks, with additional ones unlocking as you complete them. These are fairly straightforward compared to the Road Trip missions, ranging from winning a certain number of matches to assisting teammates with eliminations. You can see the list of Rumble Royale challenges we've unlocked so far below.Play matches of Team Rumble with at least one elimination (5) -- 10 Battle StarsWin a match of Team Rumble (3) -- 10 Battle StarsAssist a teammate with eliminations in Team Rumble (20) -- 10 Battle StarsFortnite Season X CoverageFortnite Season 10 Battle Pass: Skins, Price, How It Works, And MoreFortnite Season 10 Battle Pass Rewards: Skins, Emotes, Back Bling, Pets, And MoreFortnite Season 10 Update Notes: BRUTE Mech, Rift Zones, And MoreFortnite Season 10: Big Changes To How Daily & Weekly Challenges WorkFortnite Season 10 Map Changes: Rift Zones, Comet, Skeleton, And MoreInfo from Gamespot.com

The Evo Championship is where the best players show their skills at fighting games, but this year the show opened with a new game announcement. Riot Games, the company behind League of Legends and its associated tournaments, is working on a fighting game.The new game is coming from Radiant Entertainment, which Riot acquired in 2016. At the moment, Riot isn't saying when the game will be coming--other than to warn fans not to expect it too quickly. "We'll be in touch; not soon, but someday," said Radiant's Tom Cannon.At the moment, Riot isn't even saying what the game is. It recognizes that players are assuming it's a fighting game based on League, which already has a deep roster of characters, but hasn't indicated whether it will leverage the popularity of League characters for a fighting game.. It also may not necessarily a follow-up to Rising Thunder, the fighting game that was scuttled when Riot acquired Radiant.Evo will run throughout the weekend, showcasing high-level fighting game play for some of the current greatest technical fighters. Planned tourneys include Mortal Kombat 11, Smash Bros. Ultimate, Street Fighter V, Samurai Shodown, and more.Info from Gamespot.com