Fortnite players are used to having challenges and mysteries thrown their way regularly and, with the start of Season 9, Epic Games has a new way to keep players on their toes. For the new season, a collectible called Fortbytes is being introduced for those who purchase the Battle Pass, and they're the key to solving the mystery of Season 9. Here's how they work and what you need to know.When you load up the game and head to the Challenges section, you'll now find a new entry in the events category. Here you'll find the Fortbyte challenges, which task players with using clues to find the new, special items on the island. These items are small, glowing computer chips and, once acquired, will uncover a small piece of a larger picture. Some of these Fortbytes are also unlocked by meeting certain conditions such as earning 175,000 XP, reaching specific Battle Pass tiers, or going to certain areas. The ultimate goal is to collect all the Fortbytes from across the season and decrypt the mystery. You can find a list of Fortbyte challenges below.Fortnite Season 9 Fortbyte Challenges1: Awarded for gaining 175,000 XP10: Awarded for gaining 60,000 XP13: Found at a location hidden within loading screen number 225: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 4035: Awarded for gaining 225,000 XP36: Accessible by Sentinel on a frozen island39: Awarded for completing six challenges from Week 244: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 2046: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 10057: Awarded by finishing top 10 in squads, duos, or solo 25 times66: Awarded by finishing top 10 in squads, duos, or solo 75 times71: Awarded for completing six challenges from Week 184: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 6085: Awarded for gaining 30,000 XP87: Awarded by finishing top 10 in squads, duos, or solo 50 times90 Awarded by finishing top 10 in squads, duos, or solo 100 times96: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 8099: Awarded for gaining 125,000 XPIt's important to reiterate that Fortbytes and are exclusive to those that have spent V-Bucks on a Battle Pass. They are, effectively, another set of unique challenges that function similar to the way as the Battle Pass-exclusive weekly challenges, which means if you don't own the Battle Pass, you won't be able to see any of it. You can read our Fortnite Season 9 Battle Pass guide to find out how it works and what it includes.Fortnite Season 9 brings a number of other new additions, tweaks, and changes to Epic Games' battle royale title. You can read the full Fortnite Season 9 update patch notes to get a breakdown of it all. If you haven't already seen it, check out the first trailer for Fortnite Season 9, as it sets up all the weird changes that have happened on the island through a short and sweet story about a couple of lads getting locked in a vault.Info from Gamespot.com

Fortnite: Battle Royale's Season 9 didn't come in quietly. In fact, as players who attended the Unvaulting event will attest to, it was quite an explosive transition into the new season. After jumping into the mysterious vault at the center of Loot Lake and then freeing the Tommy Gun, players were launched back into the sky above the island. There they watched as the volcano that appeared early in Season 8 erupted, destroying Tilted Towers. This was the setup for Season 9 and, now that it's begun, we finally have a look at what's changed--and it includes two major new named areas, Neo Tilted and Mega Mall.Season 9 has a futuristic theme and, if you watch the trailer, you'll know that a few new areas have appeared to support this theme. The first is Neo Tilted, which replaces the Tilted Towers of old and has a very vibrant, city of the future vibe to it. There's neon lighting, floodlights piercing the sky with pearlescent beams, and a blimp floating about.Neo Tilted is home to Slipstreams tunnels, which are a new type of map element. Players can leap into them and ride wind currents to quickly move around the map. Check it all out in the image below.Another area that has appeared in the wake of the volcano's eruption is the Mega Mall, which replaces Retail Row. The Mall looks to be a little bigger than Retail Row and, like Neo Tilted, there is a Slipstream tunnel that snakes around it. All the stores you'd expect to see in a mall are present and accounted for, there's restaurants, toy stores, arcades, and more. Alongside the Slipstream, there are various air vents located around the Mega Mall, which are handy for getting around the larger space. Take a look at the Mega Mall in the image below.Naturally, there are various other small tweaks to the map, but these two locations are the biggest changes. We expect players will be visiting them regularly, as Epic likes to tie new locations closely to weekly challenges. (Week 1 challenges include visiting all the sky platforms.) This season, there's an extra set of challenges focused on finding Fortbytes, a new pickup that will reveal the secrets of the season. You can learn more about Fortbytes here.A new Battle Pass is also available, which means there's new unlocks to be had. If you're not familiar with how all that works, head over to our Fortnite Season 9 Battle Pass guide, where we explain what a Battle Pass is, how you can get one, what you'll get for having one, and more.Info from Gamespot.com

Fortnite Season 9 has officially begun, and that means plenty of new content is dropping in the battle royale game. This season has several reasons to get excited--there's a new Battle Pass, some map changes, and more challenges to tackle--but perhaps some of the cooler things this time around are the new skins. For what's the point of winning a fierce round of battle royale if you can't do it in style?Of course, it's not going to be easy, as Season 9 will have you work hard to earn its new skins and styles. If you're not familiar with the process for unlocking new skins, here's a quick overview: Every player is given a Battle Pass when they start playing Fortnite and, as part of that, there are tiers and cosmetic unlocks tied to those tiers. By completing challenges you unlock Battle Stars, which level up the pass and push it through the tiers, unlocking the skins and other goodies as you go along.However, there's also a premium Battle Pass that can only be acquired by spending 950 V-Bucks on it. This premium pass not only has exclusive cosmetic unlocks, but also exclusive weekly challenges, which means those that have one can unlock more and unlock it faster. If you decide to purchase one, you'll get the Sentinel and Rox skins immediately, and they're pretty cool. Rox, in particular, is a really nice outfit as it evolves over time. However, for the remaining skins, you'll have to put in the work and earn them. You can take a look at all the new skins, and also the styles that alter them slightly, in the gallery below.Fortnite Season 9 takes players to the future, specifically in Tilted Towers and Retail Row, which were destroyed during the climax of Season 8 and then remade for Season 9 as Neo Tilted and Mega Mall.But that's not all that's new in the season, as developer Epic Games has also introduced an interesting new transportation system: Slipstreams. You can read about that, as well as all the other various changes, tweaks, and new additions included in the update by reading the Fortnite Season 9 patch notes.Info from Gamespot.com

Nintendo has announced its plans for E3, once again including a pair of tournaments and a special Nintendo Direct presentation in lieu of a formal press conference. The Nintendo Direct will detail its plans for Nintendo Switch throughout 2019.The Direct presentation will kick off on June 11 at 9 AM PT--the morning the E3 show floor opens, as usual. After that, Nintendo will follow up with its three days of Treehouse streams, which often include developer chats revolving around the games revealed during the presentation.Before any of that happens, though, Nintendo is planning two game tournaments for the weekend prior to E3. First on June 8 at 11 AM PT, the company will host the Splatoon 2 World Championships. Then, once that wraps up around 2 PM PT, the company will host a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate World Championship tournament, composed of 3v3 teams.The announcement didn't detail what is on Nintendo's slate for this year's presentation, but given that it focuses on 2019 it's likely that both Pokemon Sword and Shield and Animal Crossing Switch will be on tap. Super Mario Maker 2 and Fire Emblem: Three Houses could also be shown, but those are both summer releases that will be just weeks from release during E3.One game that's unlikely to make an appearance is Metroid Prime 4, which reportedly restarted development under Retro Studios earlier this year.Nintendo hasn't removed itself from E3 entirely like Sony, but it was among the first major platform holders to eschew a press conference in favor of a streaming presentation. Sony appears to be announcing its lineup of titles through a series of State of Play streams, one of which is scheduled for today, May 9. Microsoft, meanwhile, promises to "go big" at E3 and says we'll start to see some projects from its newly acquired studios.Info from Gamespot.com

Season 9 of Fortnite: Battle Royale has begun, bringing new skins, a new battle pass, a new v9.0 update, and more. There's a ton of new content to dig into right now, like checking out the new map areas Neo Tilted and Mega Mall, but it also gives dataminers a lot to work with. And they've been at it already: It seems there's a John Wick event coming to Epic's battle royale game.According to Twitter user and Fortnite dataminer FortTory, a set of John Wick challenges are on the way to Fortnite very soon. It appears they'll task players with collecting coins, dealing damage with the new combat shotgun, and winning a match of a seemingly new limited-time mode named Wick's Bounty. The challenges also make reference to a new gun named the tactical assault rifle. There's no word on when the LTM or any of this will go live, but it's likely it will be fairly soon.Beyond this, there's actual concrete in-game evidence of this, as John Wick's house, seen in the first two movies, can now be found on the map. You can get a look at it above.Another Fortnite leaker, Lucas7yoshi, has uncovered a new John Wick cosmetic set that seems to have the codename "assassin suit." Fortnite received a series of John Wick-style cosmetics named the hired gun set all the way back in Season 3, over a year ago. With John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum coming to theaters on May 17, now would be a perfect time for an official crossover event to occur.pic.twitter.com/JpfcW8SVfJ — FortTory - Fortnite Leaks & News (@FortTory) May 9, 2019Avengers: Endgame--and Infinity War before it--received similar treatment just recently, with a new Fortnite event based on the Avengers franchise and an entire set of Avengers challenges. John Wick fans have plenty more to look forward to, meanwhile: Thomas Was Alone and Volume developer Mike Bithell is working on John Wick Hex, a new action-strategy game based on the films.Info from Gamespot.com

The rollover to Fortnite: Battle Royale Season 9 is complete. We've got a brand new Battle Pass that's absolutely packed with cosmetics to unlock, including some very cool skins. But if you want any of those, you'll need to earn Battle Stars so that they level up your Battle Pass and make them accessible. The best way to do that is the weekly Season 9 challenges, the first batch of which is now available. Here's what's in store for Week 1, and what you'll need to do.In Fortnite Season 9, Week 1, players will need to ride the new Slip Stream travel system around Neo Tilted, one of the new areas that have been added to the map. On top of that, they'll need to visit all seven sky platforms, and deal damage to enemies immediately after using the Shadow Bomb item.Players that have the premium Battle Pass will have to grab a legendary item in five different matches, search seven chests in either Lucky Landing or Loot Lake, take out enemies using scoped weapons, and deal damage to opponents from at least two stories above them. If you're able to complete any four challenges from this week (which requires you to buy the Battle Pass), you'll get some bonus XP to speed up your progression. Completing all seven will unlock an accompanying Utopia challenge.FreeStage 1 of 2: Ride the Slip Stream around Neo Tilted (1) -- 2 Battle StarsVisit all Sky Platform (7) -- 5 Battle StarsDeal damage to an opponent within 10s after using a Shadow Bomb (200) -- 10 Battle StarsPremiumPick up a Legendary Item in different matches (5) -- 5 Battle StarsSearch chests at Lucky Landing or Loot Lake (7) -- 5 Battle StarsScoped weapon eliminations (3) -- 10 Battle StarsStage 1 of 3: Deal damage to opponents from at least 2 stories above (300) -- 3 Battle StarsRemember, everyone that plays Fortnite will have access to a small selection of the weekly challenges, but there's a second set that's exclusive to players that have spent 950 V-Bucks on a premium Battle Pass. That also includes exclusive unlocks and, overall, is the quickest way to earn Battle Stars, thanks to the extra set of challenges. As such, make sure to buy it if you're interested in getting Season 9's new skins as soon as possible.Epic Games has released the patch notes for Fortnite's 9.0 update, which details everything that's new to the game for Season 9. On top of that, there's info on all the tweaks that have been made, including a list of items and weapons that have been vaulted.Info from Gamespot.com

The Week 1 challenges for Fortnite are now available with Season 9 underway. For the most part they're fairly easy going and mostly intended to push players to check out the new locations, Neo Tilted and Mega Mall, while using the new Slip Stream transportation system. However, one of the challenges requires a little bit of extra effort, so we've put together a guide to make it easier for you.The challenge asks players to visit all the Sky Platforms on the new Season 9 map. This might be familiar to you if you played a bunch of Season 8. If you cast your mind back to when the Pirate Camps appeared--it's basically the same challenge. All you've got to do is visit the locations and before long you'll have the challenge completed.The actual platforms are very easy to spot as they'll look like weird, hovering drones. Just hop on board, and then move on to the next one. Below you'll find a map of all the locations as well as a list of where the platforms can be found.Sky Platform LocationsSouth-east of the volcano in the newly named area, Pressure PlantSouth-west of Pleasant ParkSouth-west of Lazy LagoonEast of Neo Tilted, overlooking Dusty DivotNorth of Paradise PalmsSouth of Salty SpringsWest of Shifty ShaftsFor details on what's changed, check out our Fortnite Season 9 update patch notes article. We've also put together a comprehensive gallery showcasing all the new items in the Battle Pass, and collected all the new Fortnite skins in one place. If you're new to the game and not quite sure what a Battle Pass is or what it does, take a look at our explainer.Info from Gamespot.com

As promised earlier this week, the first trailer for It: Chapter Two is here. The sequel to 2017's blockbuster Stephen King adaptation It is set 27 years later and features a new cast playing the adult versions of the kids in the first movie. Check our our full breakdown of the footage. The trailer opens with a fairly long sequence in which Beverly (Jessica Chastain) returns to her home town of Derry and visits her old apartment. There is now a weird old lady living there, who seems to hold a dark secret. It's a really effectively creepy scene, and is followed by a quickly-cut montage that alternates between the new cast and their younger counterparts--plus a scary appearance from the evil clown Pennywise. There are some teases that we'll learn more about Pennywise's origin story, with the old woman talking about her father (who looks a lot like Pennywise) working at the circus. Check it out above.It: Chapter Two also stars James McAvoy as Bill, Bill Hader as Richie, James Ransone as Eddie, Andy Bean as Stan, and Isaiah Mustafa as Mike. Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise, one of the guises of the terrifying interdimensional entity of the title. The movie hit theaters on September 9.In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Skarsgård spoke about how Pennywise has changed in the years between the two movies. "He's been doing this forever really, so he doesn't change in the sense that you would look differently," he explained. "He looks however he wants to look for any particular prey at the time, but I do think there's a change. His last line--‘Fear' --is him experiencing it for the first time, and he's sort of shocked and perplexed and surprised. Like, what is this?"It fuels hatred and anger towards the kids, who will be adults in this one, so I think there might be an even more vicious Pennywise. He's really going after it."In related news, a new TV version of King's fantasy series The Dark Tower is on the way. A movie adaptation arrived a few months before the first It movie in 2017 but flopped at the box office. This new version is being overseen by former Walking Dead showrunner Glen Mazzara and is being produced for Amazon.Info from Gamespot.com

Captain Marvel is one of the biggest movies of 2019, introducing one of the most powerful superheroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Grossing more than $1 billion in the box office, Captain Marvel was a smash, and very soon, it will be available for you to own, coming with a slew of special features.On May 28, Captain Marvel will be released to digital storefronts with exclusive content, including featurettes on creating the visual effects, a breakdown of the "Mind Frack" sequence, concept art, and on-set images. Additionally, the digital release will contain all of the special features listed below. The May 28 digital release will be available in UHD, HD, and SD.On June 11, Captain Marvel will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD at various retailers. The 4K edition comes a 4K, Blu-ray, and digital copy of the movie, while the Blu-ray comes with a digital code, in addition to the main movie. There are retailer exclusives as well, each with its own unique packaging and extras. The Target exclusive comes with a limited-edition 40-page filmmaker book, while the Best Buy exclusive comes in exclusive steelbook packaging.The release of Captain Marvel is littered with special features. There are six featurettes on subjects like Brie Larson joining the MCU, Nick Fury's first chronological appearance in the MCU, and the Kree and Skrulls. In addition, there is a gag reel and six deleted scenes.Where To Preorder:There are a few places you can pre-order your copy of Captain Marvel. If it is a physical copy, keep in mind that won't hit stores until a couple weeks after the digital release. Additionally, different retailers may have exclusives offered with them.Amazon -- $20Best Buy: 4K Edition (Steelbook) -- $35Best Buy: Blu-ray Edition -- $25Target: 4K Edition (Filmmaker Book Included) -- $35Target: Blu-ray Edition -- $25Google Play -- $15iTunes -- $20Vudu -- $20Bonus Materials (May vary by retailer)Blu-ray & Digital:Alternate Movie VersionsMovie with Intro – An introduction by directors/screenwriters Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck.Movie with Commentary – Commentary by directors/screenwriters Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck.Featurettes:Becoming a Super Hero – Follow Brie Larson's journey as she joins the MCU, and see what it takes to be a Marvel Super Hero in every sense of the word.Big Hero Moment – Explore how impactful Captain Marvel's entrance into the MCU is, and how she inspires audiences around the world.The Origin of Nick Fury – Witness some of the MCU’s most significant events through Nick Fury's eyes, and see how his influence helped shape the MCU.The Dream Team – Discover why Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck are the perfect pair to direct Marvel Studios’ most powerful hero.The Skrulls and the Kree – Take a deeper look into the Skrulls and the Kree, their ongoing conflict, and the importance of shifting perspectives in the film.Hiss-sterical Cat-titude – The cast and crew dish on working with Goose and the raw talent it takes to portray such a complex character on-screen.6 Deleted ScenesGag ReelDigital Exclusives:Journey into Visual Effects with Victoria AlonsoWhat Makes a Memory: Inside the “Mind Frack”Concept ArtOn-Set ImagesSome links to supporting retailers are automatically made into affiliate links, and GameSpot may receive a small share of those sales.Info from Gamespot.com

If you're a PS4 owner who regularly plays online with friends, you're probably very familiar with PlayStation Plus, Sony's premium membership that grants access to not only online multiplayer but also steeper game discounts and free monthly games (May's freebies are two excellent indies). While the perks are great, the annual fees are less exciting--a year of PS Plus generally sells for $60. However, for a limited time, you can grab a 12-month PS Plus subscription for $40 at MassGenie.The digital code can be redeemed in the PlayStation Store, and even if you're already subscribed, you can stack subscriptions to automatically extend your membership, so you're still saving money down the road.GET A 12-MONTH PS PLUS SUBSCRIPTION FOR $40 »MassGenie's PS Plus deal is running through May 31 (or while supplies last). The 24-hour countdown timer resets every day, so you have more time than what it indicates to claim the deal. Here's how to claim the Power Deal: On the product page, click the Power Deal circle. You'll be prompted to sign in or create a free account (there's no guest checkout for Power Deals). After you've signed in, you'll be redirected to checkout, where you'll see that the coupon PLAYSTATIONPLUS2 has automatically been applied, dropping the price to $40.After checkout, the PlayStation Plus digital code will be the tracking ID in your order history. To see the digital code, click "track your package" in the tracking email you receive, and you'll be redirected to your order history where you'll see the tracking ID at the bottom right.Info from Gamespot.com

The future is here. Season 9 of Fortnite is officially underway on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, and a lot has changed in the hit battle royale game. Not only are there a load of new skins and cosmetics to unlock, developer Epic Games has introduced new areas of the map to explore. Tilted Towers, which was destroyed toward the end of Season 8, has been replaced by a futuristic, neon-soaked city called Neo Tilted, while Retail Row has morphed into the sleek Mega Mall.Of course, a new season also brings with it a new Battle Pass, which gives those who purchase it access to an exclusive assortment of challenges to complete each week as the season progresses. Week 1's challenges are now live on all platforms and feature the usual mix of straightforward tasks and those that require a bit more legwork, such as visiting all Sky Platforms. There's also a two-stage challenge that first asks you to ride a Slip Stream, a new type of wind tunnel found in Neo Tilted and Mega Mall.As usual, the Battle Pass costs 950 V-Bucks--roughly $10. Purchasing it unlocks two new outfits right off the bat: Sentinel and Rox. The latter is a progressive skin, which means it can be leveled up throughout the season into new styles. If you'd like to get a head start, Epic is also offering a Battle Bundle for 2,800 V-Bucks. This comes with the Battle Pass and the first 25 tiers unlocked, giving you immediate access to those rewards.Like in previous seasons, each set of weekly challenges in Season 9 is divided up into two categories: those that are available to everyone, and those reserved for players who've purchased a Battle Pass. This means that even if you don't spring for a Pass right away, you'll have access to some challenges, and you'll retroactively unlock any rewards you would have earned if you decide to purchase it partway through the season. This time around, however, Epic is giving players an extra incentive to pick up a Battle Pass: Fortbyte challenges. These missions are exclusive to Battle Pass holders and involve finding new computer chip-like items, which can be obtained either by following clues or reaching specific milestones, such as gaining a certain amount of XP. Each Fortbyte you collect will unlock a small portion of a larger picture that will be revealed by the end of the season.Season 9 also features a secondary set of missions called Utopia challenges--this season's equivalent of the Discovery challenges from Season 8. As before, these can only be completed by finishing all seven challenges from a given week, and they'll reward you with a special loading screen that features a unique piece of artwork. More importantly, these screens also contain a subtle clue that leads you to either a free Battle Star or Banner hidden somewhere around the island. The Battle Star will level your Battle Pass up by one full tier, while the Banner can be used as a profile icon.You can see the full list of Fortnite Season 9 challenges 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 as Season 9 progresses for all the latest tips and guides.Fortnite: Battle Royale Season 8 ChallengesWeek 1FreeStage 1 of 2: Ride the Slip Stream around Neo Tilted (1) -- 2 Battle StarsVisit all Sky Platform (7) -- 5 Battle StarsDeal damage to an opponent within 10s after using a Shadow Bomb (200) -- 10 Battle StarsPremiumPick up a Legendary Item in different matches (5) -- 5 Battle StarsSearch chests at Lucky Landing or Loot Lake (7) -- 5 Battle StarsScoped weapon eliminations (3) -- 10 Battle StarsStage 1 of 3: Deal damage to opponents from at least 2 stories above (300) -- 3 Battle StarsReward: 5,000 XP (after completing four challenges, only for Battle Pass owners)Fortnite Week 1 Challenge List: Visit Sky Platforms, Scoped Eliminations, And More (Season 9)Fortnite Week 1 Guide: Where Are Sky Platforms? (Season 9)Fortnite Season 9 Fortbyte Challenges1: Awarded for gaining 175,000 XP10: Awarded for gaining 60,000 XP13: Found at a location hidden within loading screen number 225: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 4035: Awarded for gaining 225,000 XP36: Accessible by Sentinel on a frozen island39: Awarded for completing six challenges from Week 244: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 2046: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 10057: Awarded by finishing top 10 in squads, duos, or solo 25 times66: Awarded by finishing top 10 in squads, duos, or solo 75 times71: Awarded for completing six challenges from Week 184: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 6085: Awarded for gaining 30,000 XP87: Awarded by finishing top 10 in squads, duos, or solo 50 times90 Awarded by finishing top 10 in squads, duos, or solo 100 times96: Awarded at Battle Pass tier 8099: Awarded for gaining 125,000 XPInfo from Gamespot.com

Blizzard announced that with this year's first Hearthstone expansion, Rise of Shadows, it would be trying something a little different for this year's single-player component. Now that the expansion is nearly a month old, the studio is ready to roll out the first part of the single-player adventure, The Dalaran Heist.The Dalaran Heist launches on May 16, and as previously announced, the first chapter will be free. Each subsequent chapter will cost 700 gold or $7, or you can unlock them all as a set for $20. This is the first in an ongoing story that is meant to last throughout the entire Year of the Dragon, and ties in directly with the flavor of the main expansion. Rise of Shadows had you put together a team of Hearthstone villains, and this story details them hatching their plot.The chapters include a Dalaran Bank robbery, a prison break at the Violet Hold, making your way through the crowded Streets of Dalaran, ducking into the Underbelly, and finally, ransacking the Kirin Tor Citadel. These will include a new loadout system for your hero including alternate hero powers, non-combat encounters to let you edit and customize your deck as you go, and the Anomaly Mode to replay stages with random rule alterations.As part of the announcement, a Hearthside chat with missions designer Giovanni Scarpati walks through some of the adventure's features. You can check it out below. Info from Gamespot.com

Newegg is known for offering some pretty clutch deals on console and PC games, and the digital store's latest video game sale is no different. Two promo codes are currently available: code EMCTATE25, which gives you 20% off select games and accessories including Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and DualShock 4 controllers; and code EMCTATE28, which slashes the price by 50% on a different group of games including SoulCalibur VI, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Kingdom Hearts III, and more. Many of these games are already discounted, so you're getting a discount on top of another discount. Here's a closer look at what's available in each sale:Sale 1: Save 50% using promo code EMCTATE28 »There are some gems offered in this batch of deals, including Spyro Reignited Trilogy for just $15 on Xbox One, XCOM 2 for only $5 on both PS4 and Xbox One, and SoulCalibur VI for $15 on Xbox One. Battlefield V is down to $20 on PS4--the lowest price we've seen yet--and Kingdom Hearts III is only $30 on both PS4 and Xbox One. The very cute sushi-throwing battle game Sushi Striker: The Way of the Sushido is also selling for $15 on Nintendo Switch.See some of our picks below--the price indicated is what you pay after the promo code has been applied.Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $25 (PS4)Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $25 (Xbox One)Battlefield V -- $20 (PS4)Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $25 (PC)Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $25 (PS4)Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 -- $25 (Xbox One)Dead or Alive 6 -- $30 (PS4)Dead or Alive 6 -- $30 (Xbox One)Dragon Ball FighterZ -- $20 (Xbox One)Far Cry New Dawn -- $20 (Xbox One)Final Fantasy XV - Royal Edition (PS4)Kingdom Hearts III -- $30 (PS4)Kingdom Hearts III -- $30 (Xbox One)NBA 2K19 -- $17.50 (Switch)NBA 2K19 -- $17.50 (PS4)NBA 2K19 -- $17.50 (Xbox One)Overwatch - Game of the Year Edition -- $17.50 (PS4)Red Dead Redemption 2 -- $30 (PS4)SoulCalibur VI -- $15 (Xbox One)Spyro Reignited Trilogy -- $15 (Xbox One)Starlink: Battle for Atlas Starter Pack -- $30 (PS4)Starlink: Battle for Atlas Starter Pack -- $30 (Xbox One)Sushi Striker: The Way of the Sushido -- $15 (Switch)World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth - Collector's Edition -- $40 (PC)XCOM 2 -- $5 (PS4)XCOM 2 -- $5 (Xbox One)Sale 2: Save 20% using promo code EMCTATE25 »This sale is smaller, but there are a few deals here that stand out. Diablo III: Eternal Collection for Nintendo Switch is available for $48 (it's selling for $50 to $60 most other places). A couple of great PS4 exclusives, God of War and Marvel's Spider-Man, are each selling for $32. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which launched March 22, is down to $44 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. There's also a decent selection of controllers and gaming headsets marked down, so it's worth checking out those deals too.Once again, you can check out some of our picks from this batch of deals below, including the price you pay after the code has been applied.Diablo III: Eternal Collection -- $48 (Switch)Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller - Gold -- $44 (PS4)God of War -- $32 (PS4)Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- $48 (Switch)Marvel's Spider-Man -- $32 (PS4)PlayStation VR - Borderlands 2 VR + Beat Saber Bundle -- $224 (Open Box)Resident Evil 2 -- $40 (PS4)Resident Evil 2 -- $40 (Xbox One)Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice -- $44 (PC)Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice -- $44 (PS4)Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice -- $44 (Xbox One)Tom Clancy's The Division 2 -- $40 (PS4)Tom Clancy's The Division 2 -- $40 (Xbox One)Xbox Wireless Controller - Phantom Black Special Edition -- $52Info from Gamespot.com

The leak was true. Ubisoft pulled back the curtain on a brand-new entry in the Ghost Recon series during today's world premiere livestream. Titled Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, the new open-world shooter is coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC this fall, and it introduces some notable changes to the tactical shooter franchise.Breakpoint is set in Auroa, a fictional Pacific archipelago reminiscent of New Zealand. Auroa is home to Skell Technology, a corporation specializing in AI drone tech. When communication with the company ceases, you're sent to the archipelago to investigate. When you get there, however, you'll find yourself not in the role of the hunter, but the hunted.Throughout the game, you'll encounter a paramilitary group known as the Wolves, who Ubisoft says are just as skilled on the battlefield as the Ghosts. Because of this, the game places a greater emphasis on stealth. You'll be able to employ drones and hide the bodies of any enemies you kill. Similarly, you can avoid detection by crouching in foliage or covering yourself with mud. The game also features some survival elements; any injuries you sustain will need to be treated, and you'll need to maintain your weapons.The Wolves are led by Cole D. Walker, who is portrayed by actor Jon Bernthal. Wildlands players will recognize Walker as the Ghost who was introduced in that game's recent Operation Oracle update, which Ubisoft says serves as a prelude to Breakpoint.In contrast with Wildlands, the perks, abilities, and weapons you'll be able to use in Breakpoint are determined by distinct character classes. Ubisoft says there will be four of these available at launch, with additional classes following in the months after release. The company also confirmed there will be solo, co-op, and PvP modes at launch, and your progress will carry over between them.Ghost Recon: Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 4. Players who pre-order the title will get access to an upcoming beta test ahead of the game's release. We had a chance to go hands-on with Ghost Recon: Breakpoint at a demo event and thought it was both promising and concerning.Info from Gamespot.com

During a livestream today, Ubisoft revealed Ghost Recon Breakpoint, a new open-world entry in the shooter franchise coming this fall.Slated for an October 4 release date, Breakpoint follows in the vein of 2017's Ghost Recon Wildlands, with a massive world, four-player co-op, and a mix of tactical firefights and vehicle combat. Despite the similarities, though, Breakpoint may be the franchise's biggest departure yet. I attended a Ubisoft presentation last week, and got 20 minutes of hands-on time, and if one thing is clear, it's this: Breakpoint is, for better and worse, an attempt to answer Wildlands' critics.Ubisoft Paris' previous game brought the series to its first open-world in cartel-occupied Bolivia. In doing so, it drew flak for its problematic depiction of the South American country (more on this later). Breakpoint, on the other hand, is set in Auroa, a fictional Pacific archipelago with rocky coasts, dense forests, and even a volcano. In terms of ecosystems, think small-scale New Zealand.Auroa serves as the headquarters of a corporation focused on AI research and advanced military technology. When the company goes radio silent, you're sent in to investigate, only to discover that one of your former teammates has taken over the islands. If you've played Wildlands' recent Operation Oracle DLC, you'll recognize the rogue agent: Cole Walker, played by Jon Bernthal of Marvel and Netflix's The Punisher fame.With a drone army and special ops training, Walker's paramilitary force is a much more formidable threat than Wildlands' cartelWalker and his paramilitary force present a more formidable challenge than the cartel of Wildlands. In Breakpoint, you're not the predators, but the prey. As Ubisoft told me, you'll be continually hunted by Cole, his agents, and their newly acquired drone army. This sets the stage for a more stealth-oriented experience.By crouching in ferns or going prone in tall grass, you can enter concealment a la modern Assassin's Creed titles. You can even cover yourself in mud, should a nearby patrol emerge from the woods, or a group of drones pass overhead.Based on my short demo, these mechanics allow for environmental interaction that Wildlands largely lacked. Ubisoft's Bolivia was more than just window dressing, sure, but there was always a barrier between how we wanted to use the world and the limited ways we were actually able to use it. Breakpoint seems to recognize that. And if all goes well, it will weaken that barrier--if only just a little.Supplementing this increased focus on tactics are character classes. Whereas Wildlands allowed for custom loadouts--you could complete most of the game with an assault rifle and grenade launcher attachment, if you chose to--Breakpoint divides perks, abilities, and weapons into specialized roles. At release, there will be four classes, with more to come in updates or expansions. What's more, Breakpoint features shared progression across all of its modes: your character improvements will carry over from single-player to co-op, to the yet-to-be-revealed PvP mode.For my demo, I chose the Panther, a class that emphasizes stealth and evasion. My team's mission was to extract an injured civilian from an enemy outpost, shortly after detonating explosives we had previously planted. Following an enemy ambush, I activated the Panther's instantaneous smokescreen ability, obscuring our retreat as the outpost went up in flames. All the while, my human teammate crouched in the woods in his ghillie suit and killed the enemy threats we couldn't see.Breakpoint is, for better and worse, an attempt to answer Wildlands' criticsBut the execution of this mission is only half of the story. Breakpoint puts as much emphasis--if not more--on planning and preparation. It does so with the use of bivouacs. For the less militarily inclined among us, these are essentially temporary, makeshift camps.In Breakpoint, bivouacs are a chance to change your loadouts and pick your character class, yes, but also to check the weather forecast and choose the best time for your next mission. They're also a place to clean and maintain your weapons. You can even zero your rifle for accuracy bonuses, or treat injuries that have been harming your max health. Oddly enough, using a bivouac reminds me of Dragon's Dogma or State of Decay, games that encourage you to plan expeditions carefully before venturing into a dangerous world.It's worth noting that, owing to its focus on survival, Breakpoint's single-player won't include AI teammates this time around. Instead, you'll have player-controlled drones that allow for the series' signature Sync Shot ambushes. Ubisoft said it hopes removing AI teammates will contribute to a sense of isolation and (brace yourself) realism.Herein lies my biggest concern with Ubisoft's direction. In fact, it's in the title itself: "Breakpoint." That question of how far a combatant can go before giving up--of what needs to happen before they, in so many words, break down.Three times throughout Ubisoft's presentation, I heard the word "realism" touted as a focus of the narrative. Emil Daubon, Breakpoint's writer and military advisor, and a 14-year-member of the U.S. Army's Green Berets, promised that he and the studio are taking pains to paint trauma, brotherhood, and mental exhaustion as accurately as they can.Still, only two years ago, Wildlands stumbled painfully in its narrative department. Its characters were flat, its dialogue cringey, and any attempts to reference the complicated problems the Ghosts faced during or after combat were the absolute low points in an otherwise thrilling experience. At best, Wildlands' story felt obligatory. At worst, it was a detriment to the whole game.None of this is to mention that video games, as a medium, have a terrible track record of depicting war, trauma, and mental illness. And Breakpoint is is not the first time a studio has hired a military advisor to ensure accuracy. Far from it. Call of Duty has long employed the knowledge of veterans and active military members, and the franchise is as close to campy action-blockbusters as games can be.Lastly, as someone with numerous familial ties to combat veterans of the American military, I'm on the periphery of post-traumatic stress disorder every day. It's complicated and it's pervasive. It is a sensitive subject very much worth talking about, and I'm not looking to the creators of Ghost Recon: Wildlands to depict it faithfully.But who knows? Maybe Ubisoft Paris will change my mind. Maybe it will stick the landing, and be the next AAA developer to do this subject matter justice. I'm not betting on it, but I'm holding out hope.Almost everything else about Breakpoint's gameplay tweaks and design decisions suggest the studio understands where Wildlands fell short. It's focusing less on Grand Theft Auto mayhem, and more on survival in a dangerous world. And that's encouraging. But if Ubisoft's writers can't find a way to reconcile their sensitive narrative material with the game unfolding around them, Breakpoint might be an extension of Wildlands. In other words: another gem that's at its best when you ignore anything profound it's trying to say.Info from Gamespot.com