As November winds down, so does your chance to pick up November's Games with Gold, provided you're an Xbox Live Gold subscriber. Once you do, you might wonder what's next. Microsoft has answered that question by announcing December's free Xbox One and Xbox 360 games. Here are the titles you'll be able to download for free during specific windows during the month of December.Throughout all of December, Xbox One owners can grab QUBE 2, a first-person game that traps you in a series of puzzle rooms. To find the exit in any given area, you must interact with blocks of various colors, each of which grants you a different ability. In our QUBE 2 review, Alessandro Barbosa wrote that it's "ultimately a wonderful puzzle game that will often have you exclaiming in joy after solving one of its many riddles."Free December 16-January 15 is Never Alone, a side-scrolling puzzle platformer that's steeped in the real-life traditions and folktales of the Iñupiat people of Alaska. Xbox One owners can also grab Race the Sun, an arcade-style endless flying game that's free between now and December 15.Over on Xbox 360, between December 1-15, you can get Dragon Age II, an action-RPG that Kevin VanOrd wrote in our review, "makes a strong impression, pulling you through with the promise of another fun quest, another character to meet, and another beast to slay." December's final game is a 2005 shooter from the original Xbox called Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction; it will be available December 16-31. Both games are backwards compatible on Xbox One.And if you haven't grabbed November's Games with Gold, there's still time to get Battlefield 1 and Dante's Inferno.December 2018 Games with GoldXbox OneQUBE 2 (December 1-31)Never Alone (December 16-January 15)Race the Sun (November 16-December 15)Xbox 360Dragon Age II (December 1-15)Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction (December 16-31)Info from Gamespot.com

You don't have to be a fan of any one gaming property to be looking forward to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a big, meaty brawler that's coming to Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018. This game boasts a massive roster comprised of every character seen in the series to date--including Snake and Cloud, plus a whole lot more.Metroid's Ridley is also being introduced as a new character alongside Castlevania's Simon Belmont and Animal Crossing's Isabelle--among many others. Another change of note is support for all Smash Bros. Amiibo figures and the ability to select a stage before choosing characters.If you're one of the many people looking to pre-order Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you've come to the right place. We've gathered all the information you need about the pre-order bonuses, special editions, and pricing below.Early BonusIf you buy Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from the Nintendo Eshop or register your physical copy before January 31, 2019, you'll get Piranha Plant as a playable character for free. Piranha Plant will be added to the game in February, and will later be available to purchase as DLC along with a new stage and music tracks. Additionally, some retailers are offering discounts for pre-ordering the game, which you can find below.Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Special EditionNintendo has announced it will release a special edition of the game in the U.S. This version comes in a black steelbook case and is accompanied by a special Smash Bros.-themed Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. If you just want the Pro Controller, you can buy it here for $75.Buy it from Best Buy -- $140 ($10 reward certificate)Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Standard EditionHere's where you can pre-order Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and how much it costs. Note that My Best Buy and Amazon Prime members currently get the best deal, with a $10 reward certificate offered at purchase. You can sign up for a free My Best Buy account here.Buy it from Amazon -- $60 ($10 rewards certificate for Prime members)Buy it from Best Buy -- $60 ($10 rewards certificate for My Best Buy members)Buy it from GameStop -- $60Buy it from Target -- $60Buy it from Walmart -- $60Buy it from Nintendo Eshop -- $60Nintendo Switch Super Smash Bros. Ultimate EditionIf you want a Switch that's decked out in Smash Bros. imagery, this is the item for you. It comes with a special edition Nintendo Switch console, as well as the game.Buy it from Amazon -- $360Buy it from Best Buy -- $360 ($10 reward certificate for My Best Buy members)Info from Gamespot.com

It's hardly a week old, but EA's latest shooter, Battlefield V, is already on sale for $30 at Target right now. This surprisingly low sale price applies to the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game. The deal is only good until Thursday, November 29, so if you've been considering picking up this WWII shooter, you'll want to jump on this deal fast.That's not the only Battlefield V deal going on right now, either. Walmart has the console versions of the game on sale for $40 each, while Best Buy has them on sale for $42 apiece on console, as well as on PC. And if you buy the game on any platform from Best Buy, it comes with a free steelbook case.Best Buy also has the deluxe edition on sale for $72 (normally $80) on PS4 and Xbox One. That isn't as big of a discount as the standard edition, but the deluxe edition comes with 20 weekly airlift items, special assignment missions, and five sets of paratrooper outfits.Battlefield V is an online shooter that will be changing and expanding in the months to come. It already has a single-player campaign called War Stories and a number of multiplayer modes. Between now and March 2019, Electronic Arts will be releasing a slew of free content, including new modes, maps, a new Grand Operations mission, and a battle royale mode called Firestorm.In our Battlefield V review, Michael Higham scored the game 8/10, writing, "The Battlefield series has a winning formula that Battlefield V doesn't deviate far from, at least for now. Conquest and the map roster don't mesh well together, however, Grand Operations--and the other modes within it--steal the show and foster some of the greatest moments the franchise has offered. You might be surprised by the impact of the slight changes made for this entry, especially when you're deep into pushing or defending objectives in Frontlines alongside teammates fulfilling their roles. That's when Battlefield V is at its best."PS4Standard Edition$30 -- Target$40 -- Walmart$42 -- Best BuyDeluxe Edition$72 -- Best BuyXbox OneStandard Edition$30 -- Target$40 -- Walmart$42 -- Best BuyDeluxe Edition$72 -- Best BuyPCStandard Edition$42 -- Best BuyInfo from Gamespot.com

The action-adventure game Darksiders III is now available for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It follows Fury, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (even though she's a woman) and sibling to War and Death, the stars of the first two games in the series. Her mission is to take down the Seven Deadly Sins using magic attacks and her handy whip.If you're ready to lock in your pre-order for Darksiders III, you'll probably want to know what your options are. Brace yourself, because there are a lot. Below, we dive into the pre-order bonuses and special editions to help you choose which version you want and where to place your pre-order.Darksiders III Standard EditionHere's where you can get the standard edition, which just comes with the game itself.Amazon -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCBest Buy -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCMicrosoft Store -- $60 -- Xbox OneNewegg -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OnePlayStation Store -- $60 -- PS4Steam -- $60 -- PCTarget -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneWalmart -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneDarksiders III Deluxe EditionThis version of the game includes access to two post-release DLC expansions. What those are, exactly, is anyone's guess. The PC version also comes with the soundtrack.Best Buy -- $70 -- PCPlayStation Store -- $70 -- PS4Steam -- $70 -- PCDarksiders III Blades & Whip EditionThis edition comes with the core game, plus remastered versions of Darksiders and Darksiders II. Microsoft Store -- $90 -- Xbox OnePlayStation Store -- $90 -- PS4Darksiders III Collector's EditionIf you like your games to come with physical collectibles, you might consider the Collector's Edition. It comes in a large box that contains the following:Fury Figurine (29cm or 11" tall)SteelbookArtbookSoundtrackFury Exclusive Armor DLCAnd here's where you can buy it.Best Buy -- $150 -- PCGameStop -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox OneTarget -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox OneTHQ Nordic Store -- $150 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCDarksiders III Apocalypse EditionIf you're really, truly all-in on Darksiders III, you can buy the $400 Apocalypse Edition. It comes in an even larger box than the Collector's Edition and contains the game along with the following extras:Wall Scroll – Fabric print with hanger (77x100cm or 30"x40")4 Figurines: Fury (29cm or 11" tall), Vulgrim, War, and Death (each about 25cm or 10")Heavy weight amulet (5cm or 2" with necklace)SteelbookArtbookSoundtrackFury Exclusive Armor DLCAnd here's where you can buy this pricy edition.GameStop -- $400 -- PS4 | Xbox OneTarget -- $400 -- PS4 | Xbox OneTHQ Nordic Store -- $400 -- PS4 | Xbox One | PCInfo from Gamespot.com

Just Cause 4 has jumped out of a plane and is plummeting to the earth; it's set to release on December 4 for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Just as you'd expect if you've played previous incarnations, this installment promises more explosions and absurdity.This time around, we'll be spending some time with returning protagonist Rico Rodriguez in the thick of the jungle. Familiar gadgets such as grappling hook, wingsuit, and parachutes will return, as will vehicles such as jets and boats.Below, we've got all the details you need about what comes in each version of the game as well as where to buy it and how much it costs.Just Cause 4 Pre-Order BonusesBoth Amazon Prime and My Best Buy members who pre-order the game will receive $10 reward certificates. No items or digital content has been announced yet.Just Cause 4 Standard EditionAs you might imagine, the standard edition of the game just comes with the game itself.Amazon -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneBest Buy -- $60 -- PS4 (Physical), PS4 (Digital) | Xbox One (Physical), Xbox One (Digital)GameStop -- $60 -- PS4 | Xbox OneJust Cause 4 Gold EditionThe gold edition of Just Cause 4 comes with a heap of extras. It includes 24-hour early access to the game starting on December 3, the expansion pass, and a number of in-game digital goodies like a golden shotgun and a weaponized wingsuit.Amazon -- $90 -- PS4 | Xbox OneGameStop -- $90 -- PS4 | Xbox One Info from Gamespot.com

PlayStation fans of a certain vintage will likely flock to Sony's next piece of hardware. It's a PlayStation console that comes loaded with 20 original PlayStation games. Similar to Nintendo's NES and SNES Classics, the console itself will be significantly smaller than the original, though the included replica controllers will be full size. Dubbed the PlayStation Classic, this piece of kit is set to release on December 3, exactly 24 years after the original system launched in Japan. It will cost $100 / $130 CAN.It took a while, but Sony has finally announced the full lineup, which you can find below. Some of the highlights include Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms. The unit will ship with an HDMI cable, USB cable, and two wired controllers. Notably, it does not come with an AC adapter.It's also worth noting that it ships with replicas of the original PS1 controller, which doesn't have analog sticks. In 1997, Sony released the DualShock controller for PS1, which many people regard as a significant improvement, thanks to its two analog sticks and vibration function. There's no word yet on whether Sony will release DualShock controllers for the PlayStation Classic.Pre-Order PlayStation ClassicIt's unclear how many PlayStation Classic units Sony will make available at launch. But since the NES and SNES Classic consoles were notoriously difficulty to find early on, it's probably wise to pre-order the PS Classic if you're interested in picking one up at launch. Here's where you can place a pre-order.Amazon -- $100Best Buy -- $100GameStop -- $100Target -- $100Walmart -- $100Note that this item has been going in and out of stock at most of these retailers, so if you can't find it in stock now, you may have better luck if you check back later.PlayStation Classic Full Game ListBattle Arena ToshindenCool Boarders 2Destruction DerbyFinal Fantasy VIIGrand Theft AutoIntelligent QubeJumping FlashMetal Gear SolidMr DrillerOddworld: Abe’s OddyseeRaymanResident Evil Director’s CutRevelations: PersonaRidge Racer Type 4Super Puzzle Fighter II TurboSyphon FilterTekken 3Tom Clancy’s Rainbow SixTwisted MetalWild ArmsInfo from Gamespot.com

With the release of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse nearly upon us, the reviews are in. The movie is Sony's first feature-length animated Spidey adventure, and it features no fewer than six different versions of the wall-crawler. It's produced by The Lego Movie's Phil Lord and Chris Miller, with a screenplay by Lord, and the voicecast includes Shameik Moore (The Get Down) as Miles Morales and Jake Johnson (Jurassic World) as Peter Parker, plus Hailee Steinfeld (Bumblebee), Nicolas Cage (Mandy), Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan), and Mahershala Ali (Luke Cage).Sony's last movie to feature characters from Spider-Man comic books was Venom, which was met with very mixed reviews. However, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has so far received an extremely positive reaction--it currently stands at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82% on Metacritic. And of course, Venom went on to be a huge box office success, so there's every expectation that Into the Spider-Verse will also be a big hit, especially as it arrives in theaters just before the Holidays, on December 14. So let's take a look at the reviews...GameSpot -- no score"Its heart is pretty simple. Anyone, anywhere, has the power to be as heroic and as special as Spider-Man. It may seem a bit saccharine, typed out in so many words, but it's a message that superhero comics--that Spider-Man comics specifically--have been touting for ages, and something that's been long overdue for a big screen debut. It probably wouldn't work if Into The Spider-Verse weren't just so funny, self aware, and bleeding-edge modern--but it is, and it does. The end result is an instant animated classic, and, with any luck, the first of many of its kind." -- Michael Rougeau [Full review]Collider -- A"I had high hopes for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and the movie surpassed them. Having seen three different iterations of Spider-Man in the past 16 years, I assumed that Spider-Verse would be backed into a corner with its only cards to play being Miles Morales instead of Peter Parker and animation instead of live-action. Instead, it has surpassed the other Spider-Man movies by breaking down the character without ever losing sight of an entertaining, lovely story. If you feel like you've seen all the Spider-Man you can handle, just wait. You haven't seen anything yet." -- Matt Goldberg [Full review]AV Club -- B+"In the end it plays more like a celebration of both insane comics continuity and the mutable nature of superhero identification. Characters endlessly derived from a single superhero power-set can be hackneyed, but when the movie bands a bunch of those characters together with a lead Spidey of black and Latino heritage, it's making a convincing case for how familiar superheroes can refresh themselves when new faces take up the mantle. For that matter, it makes a cleverly self-serving case for an animated spin-off of a much-adapted character. This is the seventh Spider-Man feature film in 16 years, but this universe has rarely felt so fresh." -- Jesse Hassenger [Full review]The Hollywood Reporter -- no score"It helps to be well-versed in Spider-Man lore to fully appreciate Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a free-wheeling, fast-and-loose, strikingly animated addition to one of the biggest library of films in the Marvel collection. Faced with the challenge of how to further expand the franchise without sating both the character and fans, Marvel and Sony have borrowed from the comics to introduce a fresh origin story that both references the past and swings into a new, thoroughly multicultural and multi-Spidified future." -- Todd McCarthy [Full review]Den of Geek -- 5/5"That Miles Morales can share the screen with one of the most recognizable icons in all of pop culture and still clearly be the hero of his own story is impressive, and a testament to the obvious love that went into crafting both the character and his world. Delivering that kind of emotion in a movie this big and brash is no small task. It's the kind of achievement that brings to mind the adjectives usually attached to one of Peter Parker's comic books. Amazing. Spectacular. Sensational." -- Mike Cecchini [Full review]Uproxx -- A"I love this movie and I love that it exists. I love that Sony took a risk on a (yes) somewhat complicated premise and turned it into something unique and funny and daring (and weird). I don't always love the concept of “rooting” for movies to be financially successful, but I do hope Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse succeeds and sets off, not just a few more of these Miles Morales Spider-Man films, but also a whole plethora of studio-backed animated superhero films that can take real chances. This animated movie has more heart and emotion than most live actions films of this genre." -- Mike Ryan [Full review]Screenrant -- 4.5/5"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse offers nearly two-hours of stunning and altogether captivating animation that's beautifully rendered to bring the superhero origin story of Miles Morales - and the Spider-Verse - to life in a never-before-seen manner. Although the threads left hanging for a potential sequel may be somewhat more fascinating than the fairly by-the-numbers origin story of Miles, the multiverse does provide a unique twist on Miles' coming-of-age hero tale from awkward teenager to self-confident superhero." -- Molly Freeman [Full review]The Wrap -- no score"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse represents some of the best superhero storytelling on the market. The frenetic animation and freewheeling story offer audiences a sense of boundless dynamism. It's not the first time a director has attempted to incorporate comic book iconography into a feature-film adaptation, but it's the most appealing. Watching Into the Spider-Verse evokes feelings of sitting cross-legged on the floor of your bedroom, eating cookies and immersing yourself in outrageous, mostly inviting new worlds." -- William Bibbiani [Full review]Insider -- A"Despite a wordy tongue twister of a title, Into the Spider-Verse feels like a comic-book come to life. Sony's vibrant, hilarious holiday movie is gorgeous to look at, is incredibly self-aware, and delivers the big screen debut of a few new Spideys that will become household names." -- Kirsten Acuna [Full review]Info from Gamespot.com

[Update: The price has gone back up to $60. It might be worth checking the link again to see if it dips back down.] Daily Steals is a retailer that sells a range of products both on its own site and through Facebook. As we saw during the lead-up to Black Friday, the Facebook side of the operation occasionally offers ridiculously good deals. The only problem? Stock is limited, so the best deals can sell out in seconds. That said, right now Daily Steals is selling Spider-Man for PS4 for just $30. Our advice? If you want it, grab it quickly.There are two caveats lurking behind this deal. One is that you need a Facebook account to get it. The other is that the game comes with the Latin American packaging, which the retailer says differs from the US version only in the language of the text on the box. PS4 games are region free, so it will play just fine on US consoles, and it still has English language dialog. But if having Spanish or Portuguese on the box bothers you, you'll want to wait for a different deal.As for the game itself, it's fantastic. Critic Edmond Tran awarded it 9/10 in GameSpot's Spider-Man review, writing, "The feeling of embodying Spidey and using his abilities is astonishing, and the time spent on exploring its major characters help make its story feel heartfelt, despite superhero bombast. There have been open-world Spider-Man games before, but none so riveting and full of personality, none that explore and do justice to this many facets of the universe. Insomniac has created a superior Spider-Man experience that leaves a lasting impression, one that has you longing for just one more swing around New York City, even after the credits roll."Spider-Man's DLC expansions are still rolling out. Two episodes are available now, with the third and final one due by the end of the year. Info from Gamespot.com

This week, Rockstar Games launched the beta for Red Dead Online, the hotly anticipated multiplayer mode for Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS4 and Xbox One. Much like in the original game, players will be able to take part in missions, themed events, and take out rival players as they explore the massive open world at their leisure. This time, however, Red Dead Online is taking more cues from Grand Theft Auto V's online mode, allowing you to create your own character and build up their influence as they rub shoulders with some of Red Dead's most well-known individuals.With the beta, players will get an early look at what to expect from the online experience of Red Dead 2. Unlike the main story, the entire map is available to explore early on, allowing you to freely move about once you've gotten your feet wet. During our time spent exploring and taking part in a variety of events, we had a number of takeaways of how Red Dead Online functions as a whole, which we've detailed here in this feature. In addition to some familiar faces making a return, we've also gotten a better look at the new character progression system, which is a big change from the main story. There was certainly a lot to take in with how Red Dead Online works, be sure to share your thoughts below on what stuck out for you with the new mode.Rockstar plans to gradually roll more players into the beta. So far, it's just limited those who played the game in the initial days after launch or if you own the ultimate edition. In the coming days, more players players will be able to dive in and experience the online mode. If you want to see when you can play, check out our write-up here.For more on Red Dead Online, be sure to keep up with our continuing coverage. And if you're still playing the main story, be sure to check out our guide on the hidden weapons in the game, along with some other strange events and easter eggs that are worth keeping an eye out for.It's Set Before The Main StoryTaking place sometime before the events of Red Dead Redemption 2's story--just prior to the disastrous Blackwater heist that forced the Van der Linde gang on the run--you'll play as a newly incarcerated prisoner in Sisika Penitentiary. After creating your character, you'll quickly dive into the lengthy tutorial detailing the new systems--such as the new ability cards, multiplayer, and co-op, you'll also get to know some of the new characters exclusive to the online mode. Once you've set up your own camp, you're free to take part in a number of activities, which include horse racing, co-op missions, and of course competitive gunfights with rivals. By setting the online mode's story before the main game's plot, it will allow newcomers and those that haven't finished the main story to dive into the different setting spoiler-free.Familiar Faces ReturnWhile exploring the online world, you'll come across many new characters in your travels who won't be seen outside of Red Dead Online. However, some missions will not only have you cross paths with some returning characters from Red Dead 2, but also those from the previous game. In one early mission, your character will meet up with the Davies brothers, who helped Arthur Morgan flip stolen horses during the main story. In RDO, they assist you with purchasing horses and supplies, and will even offer up a free upgrade from your default steed. In another, more surprising appearance, players will meet up with Bonnie MacFarlane, a returning character from the original game who is notably absent from Red Dead 2's single-player story. Just like in GTA Online, you'll see different sides of some returning characters, as they task you with helping them out with various missions.There's A Battle Royale ModeSimilar to Red Dead 1's online mode, there are a variety of gameplay modes to dive into. In addition to free-roam, letting you loose in the open world, there's also a suite multiplayer modes called the Showdown Series. By selecting this option, you can join different multiplayer modes, including team-deathmatch, capture the territory, and free-for-all. However, Red Dead Online is also taking cues from the biggest trend in recent years, allowing you to take part in the open world western's take on the popular battle royale game-mode. Known as Make It Count, this mode puts 32 players together in a large-scale skirmish to see who's the top outlaw. Armed with a bow and arrow, and along with a knife, you'll have to use your wits and quick reflexes to stay one step ahead of the others, all while the field of battle shrinks down. Here's a list of the multiplayer modes on-hand in RDO.Shootout & Team Shootout: Classic gunfight modes with unlimited lives. Compete to rack up the most kills before the timer runs out. Sudden death will trigger in the event of a tie: whoever gets the first kill wins.Make it Count: A true test of resourcefulness in two game modes: use nothing but a bow and a handful of arrows or throwing knives to be the last one standing. With a gradually shrinking player area, there’s nowhere to run.Most Wanted: A tactical race to the top. Every kill pushes you up the scoreboard, but watch out: the closer to the top you are, the more points everyone else gets for killing you.Hostile Territory: Work in teams to control the land. Capture a territory to start racking up points: the team with most points wins - or you can win outright by capturing every territory.Name your Weapon: Demonstrate your personal specialty in this free-for-all or team based match: the trickier the weapon you use to land the killing blow, the more points you get.Character Growth Works A Bit DifferentlyIn Red Dead Redemption 2's campaign, the Cores systems divide Arthur's attributes across three different areas: Health Stamina, and Dead Eye. To upgrade these areas, you simply have to perform actions associated to each area, which included hunting, fist-fighting, shooting, and sprinting long distances. While the basic concept of Cores carry over to Red Dead Online, actual character growth is very different. During character creation, you'll be able to form the basis of your character's stats--letting you put points into whichever attributes you prefer. Your character will gradually rank up after gaining enough experience points and acquire Ability Vouchers to unlock new perks--including the perk A Moment To Recuperate, which allows health regen during Dead Eye. With up to four perks available to you, one focused on Dead Eye, and the others offering passive traits that help you and your teammates, you'll be able to gradually mold your character into the style of outlaw you wish.The New EconomyOver the course of your journey moving up the outlaw ladder in New Hanover and New Austin, you'll slowly acquire more funds to purchase better gear and resources. Many of the systems and the economy from the base game carry over, but with the online mode, there have been some changes to make things a bit more balanced. In addition to access being restricted by your level, many of the items are much more expensive compared to the single-player mode. Along with earning cold, hard cash money from fallen enemies, completing missions, and looting chests, you'll also acquire gold, which is used to purchase premium items. Unsurprisingly, many of the more elite items in Online will require gold, which can be found on your own, or purchased with real money (though this option is not yet available).There's much more to see and find in Red Dead Online, and we're still learning more about what the mode has to offer. Be sure to check out our roundup of all the details in RDO.Red Dead Online:Red Dead 2's Online Battle Royale-Style Mode, Free Roam Activities OutlinedRed Dead 2's Online Co-Op Missions, Story, And Honor System DetailedRed Dead 2 Online Adds More Players; Full Beta Release Date ScheduleRed Dead Online: How To Get Pre-Order And Special Edition BonusesRed Dead 2 Online Microtransactions To Let You Buy Gold, But Not Yet Info from Gamespot.com

Activision is making multiple Call of Duty movies; the first one is being directed by Sicario 2 director Stefano Solima, and now we're hearing the first word on the second one.Variety reports that Activision Blizzard Studios, the video game publisher's TV and movie division, has hired Black Panther writer Joe Robert Cole to pen the script. Activision Blizzard Studios has yet to officially announce Cole as the writer, and the company did not respond to GameSpot's request for comment.The first Call of Duty movie doesn't have cast or a release date yet, but things can move fast (or very slowly) in Hollywood, so it's not unreasonable or unprecedented for Activision Blizzard Studios to be moving forward already with a sequel.There is no word for what the plot might be for any of the Call of Duty movies, but it sounds like they might be part of a Marvel-style cinematic universe with multiple connecting stories.Stacey Sher and Nick van Dyk, co-presidents of in-house production team Activision Blizzard Studios, said in an interview that films based on Call of Duty sub-brands are currently in the works, while multiple scripts have already been written."We have plotted out many years," Sher explained. "We put together this group of writers to talk about where we were going. There'll be a film that feels more like Black Ops, the story behind the story. The Modern Warfare series looks at what it's like to fight a war with the eyes of the world on you. And then maybe something that is more of a hybrid, where you are looking at private, covert operations, while a public operation is going on.""It's going to have the same sort of high-adrenaline, high-energy aesthetic as the game, but it's not a literal adaptation," added van Dyk. "It's a much more broad and inclusive, global in scope ... a big, tentpole, Marvel-esque movie."What would you like to see from the Call of Duty movie? Let us know in the comments below!Info from Gamespot.com

The upcoming Gears of War movie from Microsoft and Jurassic World company Universal has found a writer, it seems. The Wrap reports that Universal has hired F. Scott Frazier to write the upcoming untitled Gears of War movie. He previously wrote action movies xXx: Return of Xander Cage starring Vin Diesel and Collide starring Anthony Hopkins and Nicholas Hoult.It was previously reported that another action movie writer, Shane Salerno (Armageddon, Shaft) was hired to write a script for the Gears of War movie. Things change all the time in Hollywood, in particular as it relates to scripts, so a change in writing duties is not uncommon or unexpected.Gears of War boss Rod Fergusson, who is also producing the film, seemingly confirmed the news on Twitter by re-tweeting The Wrap's report. "Y'all said you wanted Gears movie news, right?" he said.A Gears of War movie has been a very long time coming. The Lord of the Rings studio New Line Cinema purchased the rights to make a movie based on the game originally back in 2007, but in October 2016, Microsoft confirmed that the Gears of War movie was in the works with Universal Pictures. Rod Fergusson previously said the goal for the movie is not necessarily to copy the story of any previous Gears game. Instead, Fergusson said they want to make the best Gears movie possible rather than one which is the most faithful to the games.There is no word as of yet about who may star in the Gears of War film, but Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista has said Marcus Fenix is his dream role. Given that there are no details available about the script, we don't even know if Fenix, or his son JD, will be in the film.The late Tony Scott, who directed Top Gun and Man On Fire reportedly wanted to direct the Gears of War movie.The next mainline Gears of War game is Gears 5, which launches in 2019 for Xbox One and PC. It is the first entry in the series with a female playable lead. The game tells the story of Kait Diaz, who was first introduced in Gears of War 4 and whose character arc culminated with a dramatic conclusion in that left many wondering what would happen next.In addition to Gears 5, Microsoft is developing a turn-based strategy PC game called Gears Tactics and the mobile spin-off Gears Pop.Info from Gamespot.com

Treyarch has released a new update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. This latest patch makes an assortment of tweaks and fixes across game modes on all platforms, including another round of stability improvements for Zombies, a new multiplayer playlist for PS4, and more.First, Treyarch has introduced the Safeguard playlist to the PS4 version of Black Ops 4. This mode has two teams vying to escort a robot into enemy territory while preventing the opposing side from doing the same. On top of that, the studio has added three other new Featured playlists on all platforms: Hardcore Nuketown, Mercenary Objective Moshpit, and Chaos Hardpoint.Along with the new playlists, Treyarch has added nighttime versions of two popular maps to the game. Seaside Sunset and Firing Range Night are available now for free for all players in the multiplayer map rotation and will remain in the game "indefinitely."For the battle royale-style Blackout mode, Treyarch has added a new weapon: the Bowie Knife. It can be found in equipment stashes or as drops from Zombies, and it allows for "stealthy 1-hit kills" according to the patch notes the developer shared on Reddit. Additionally, the Blightfather event is available once again on PS4, and Treyarch has introduced Character Missions to unlock Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, and Richtofen.Rounding out the update are more stability improvements and crash fixes for Zombies modes. These apply to all maps, as well as a few specific to IX. Treyarch teases that there will be "some exciting additions to Zombies in the coming weeks." You can read the full patch notes for the update below and on Reddit.Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 November 27 Update Patch NotesSummaryMultiplayerSafeguard playlist (PS4).Seaside Sunset and Firing Range Night MP maps.Hardcore Nuketown, Chaos Hardpoint, and Mercenary Objective Moshpit playlists.Exploit/bug fixes for Nuketown and Summit.BlackoutZombies Origins Character Missions (PS4).Blightfather Event with lower health in Solos and Duos (PS4).Bowie Knife now available on all platforms.ZombiesStability fixes across all maps.GeneralSpecialist HQ and After Action Report improvements.All PlatformsMultiplayerPlaylistsFeatured Playlist changed to Safeguard (PS4) / Hardcore Mercenary Moshpit (Xbox One and PC).Hardcore Nuketown added to Featured category.Chaos Hardpoint added to Featured category. Hardpoints spawn in a random orderScore increases with each teammate on the HardpointScore limit increased to 10006v6Mercenary Objective Moshpit added to Featured category. Domination, Hardpoint, Control, Search & Destroy, HeistNo parties allowed5v5MapsAdded Seaside Sunset and Firing Range Night to all playlists.Closed exploits in Nuketown that allowed Ruin to grapple outside of the map.Resolved an issue where the scoreboard would flash on screen after ending a game on Nuketown.Resolved an issue on Summit that allowed Care Packages deployed on a ramp in the eastern part of the map to float.Create-a-ClassResolved an issue that removed an attachment from weapons with maximum attachments and a Clan Tag or Kill Counter equipped.ChallengesTactical Mask Challenge now properly tracks kills while an enemy Counter UAV is active.BlackoutWeaponsBowie Knife now available in Equipment Stashes, as a random drop from killing Zombies, and as a randomized item spawn in Zombies-themed locations on all platforms.Character MissionsZombies Origins Character Missions (Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, Richtofen) now available to find and complete (PS4).PlaylistsBlightfather event enabled in all playlists (PS4).Reduced the health of the Blightfather in Solo and Duo playlists.ZombiesGameplayIX Resolved an issue where sliding under a Blade Trap without taking damage would not contribute to another player’s challenge.StabilityGeneralFixed a crash that could occur occasionally when using Anywhere But Here.Fixed a rare crash that could occur when a player disconnected while another player was downed.Fixed a rare crash that could occur when a player disconnected during Fast Travel.IX Fixed a crash that could occur when killing enemies with traps in IX.Fixed additional crashes related to a player helping another with challenges in IX.GeneralSpecialist HeadquartersImproved Torque tutorial mission scripting.After Action ReportAfter Action Report in Multiplayer and Blackout will now display all earned Tier Rewards and allow the player to scroll through the Tier Rewards menu.Info from Gamespot.com

The first impression you get when holding Sony's $100 PlayStation Classic is that it's a well-made little device with some great details on the surface. Memories of gaming in the '90s will likely come flooding in, and if the cute console wasn't enough, the classic and quaint PlayStation controller will almost certainly get you in the mood for some Tekken 3, Metal Gear Solid, or maybe even the original Resident Evil.Upon booting up the system and diving into the main menu, you're greeted by the bright color scheme of the original PlayStation's memory card and CD player menus, albeit with a carousel of the 20 available games ready for perusal. So far so good. Pick a game and you're seconds away from revisiting some of the iconic games from Sony's debut console.That reintroduction, however, may not go as smoothly as you'd expect. As someone who regularly plays PlayStation games today on both HD and SD displays, take it from me: The PS Classic will give you a false, negative impression of what PlayStation games should look like. Even if you don't want to go to the trouble of playing with the real thing, you can always emulate games on a slew of devices--including a PS3--and have a far better experience than the PS Classic offers.It's well known that mid-'90s 3D games can look rough around the edges, so it's not surprising to see jagged 3D models and crummy textures on the PS Classic. You may also recognize the familiar screen door-like dithering effect over large parts of the screen, though because you are playing on an HD flat screen and not a CRT monitor, the effect is very pronounced. All of these caveats are part and parcel of the PlayStation experience and could in theory be forgiven, but not in practice. The PS Classic is configured in such a way that the overall image is rendered blurry at 720p due to poor image stretching, which consequently muddies up graphics that were already borderline ugly to begin with.Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the PS Classic's implementation is that some games exhibit frame rate issues, Tekken 3 being the most obvious example. This is because Tekken 3 and other games noted below are based on the PAL release from Europe, where analog video standards limited refresh rates to 50hz. NTSC regions, including North American and Japan, ran at 60hz. Regardless of the cause, if you're used to Tekken 3 running at 60 frames per second, prepare for additional disappointment.Going back to the notion of playing on a CRT, the difference between analog and digital display technologies is one that can almost be overcome with the help of a scanline filter that blanks every other line of resolution. Lots of emulation devices, such as the NES Classic and SNES Classic for example, offer this setting. It's a divisive trick that doesn't suit every player let alone every game, but it's a nice option to have when faced with games that are made unsightly due to the increased scrutiny when playing 240p or 480i content at 720p.Sadly, the PS Classic doesn't offer simulated scanlines--likely due to the fact that the image is seemingly rendered before being stretched to 720p, hence the overall blurriness. If Sony has indeed opted to display games via that assumed tech pipeline, I'd love to know why.PlayStation Classic Games (*Indicates PAL games) Battle Arena Toshinden*Cool Boarders 2*Destruction Derby*Final Fantasy VIIGrand Theft Auto*Intelligent QubeJumping Flash*Metal Gear SolidMr DrillerOddworld: Abe’s Oddysee*RaymanResident Evil Director’s Cut*Revelations: PersonaRidge Racer Type 4Super Puzzle Fighter II TurboSyphon FilterTekken 3*Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six*Twisted MetalWild ArmsThe frustrating thing about the PS Classic's basic configuration is that it's based on a well-documented emulator--ePSXe--which supports a wide range of options to help you tailor the handling of games to your liking. Want to add anti-aliasing or change the native resolution? You can do that most anywhere you use the emulator, but not on the PS Classic. Sony has effectively left options on the table that could have made a big difference when it comes to actually playing the games you're feeling nostalgic for.Rough images on screen shouldn't totally overpower a great game though, right? In some cases you can still find enjoyment after you get over the initial hump of disappointment. Ridge Racer Type 4 is a snappy racing game with Pilotwings-like vibes and a great soundtrack, all of which comes across on the PS Classic. Mr. Driller, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, and Intelligent Cube make for a strong trio of puzzle games that are even better when played competitively--great reasons to put the included second PS Classic controller to use. But if grand single-player adventures are what you're after, Final Fantasy VII or Wild Arms are two games ready and willing to give you dozens of hours of classic RPG gameplay. Tekken 3 might not survive unscathed, but thankfully not every game feels as sluggish as it does.During gameplay, you do have the option of using save states--an emulation convenience that did make its way on board--to suspend games wherever you are and pick them back up later. There are virtual memory cards assigned to each game that function like software-based versions of actual memory cards. Both of these solutions work as expected, thankfully.After you've spent considerable time with the PlayStation Classic, the simple included controllers start to feel inadequate compared to full-featured DualShock controllers. The PlayStation had them way back in 1997, dual analog sticks, vibration, and all. These weren't defining qualities of the PlayStation experience at large, but some games do suffer by their omission--I'm looking at you, Metal Gear Solid.That point lies at the heart of why the PS Classic goes from being an enticing curio to a disappointing missed opportunity in short order. The debate over the selected games aside, using the PS Classic feels like partaking in a rough recreation of the original PlayStation experience. And if you've spent any time with Nintendo's Classic consoles, you'll see the user experience here for what it is: just good enough. The PS Classic doesn't feel like a celebration of PlayStation's formative years the way Nintendo's systems do. Nor is it a smart adaptation of a capable emulator working behind the scenes.I'd like nothing more than to tell you that the PS Classic is a pleasant surprise, that it will match your excitement and then some. This sadly isn't the case, and short of Sony refreshing it, or the hacking community breaking it open and reconfiguring it, the PS Classic may never be more than a puny PlayStation with good looks. Info from Gamespot.com

Even after more than a dozen releases, the Mario Party franchise remains incredibly popular. Nintendo has announced that the newest entry, Super Mario Party for Nintendo Switch, has already passed 1 million copies sold in the United States alone following its release on October 5. That makes it the fastest-selling entry in the history of the Mario Party franchise.What's more, Super Mario Party becomes the fifth first-party Switch game to sell more than 1 million units in the US alone; it joins The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, and Splatoon 2.This news was disclosed as part of Nintendo of America's wider announcement that the Switch had a great Black Friday. Over the five-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, the Switch became the best-selling Nintendo console ever for that five-day period, even eclipsing sales of the Wii over any of its Thanksgiving-Cyber Monday periods.Nintendo products generated more than $250 million in revenue over the five-day period this year, Nintendo said, and the company sold more than 1 million first-party games (including downloads) over that period. You can read more about Nintendo's Black Friday performance here.While Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, Nintendo still has one more major release coming up. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will launch for Switch on December 7, and it is expected to be a big hit. Info from Gamespot.com

A TV show based on Blake Harris' 2014 video game book "Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle That Defined a Generation," is in the works--and it has some big names behind it. Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who directed Kong: Skull Island and is in line to direct the upcoming Metal Gear movie, will direct the series. Mike Rosolio (American Vandal) is writing the pilot. What's more, funny people Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who wrote the foreword for the book, are attached as executive producers alongside James Weaver through their Point Grey Pictures label, according to Nerdist.The Console Wars book centers on the story of former Sega executive Tom Kalinske, who led the company's American division in the '90s during its heyday, and helped launched the Sega Genesis that further accelerated Sega's place in the gaming world. As its full title suggests, the book, which is based on numerous interviews, also goes into Sega's battle against Nintendo for dominance in the gaming industry. The companies were indeed rivals, with Sega putting out a commercial that proclaimed, "Genesis does what Nintendon't." Kalinske quit Sega in 1996 in part because the board rejected his idea for a Sega-Sony collaborative game console. Given all the behind-the-scenes business drama between Sega, Nintendo, and other companies, the Console Wars TV show seems like it has potential be a very intriguing show. There is no word yet on who will star in the Console Wars TV show, when it may release, or what platform it may air on, but keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest. In 2014, Rogen and Goldberg were hired to write and direct a movie based on Console Wars, but it appears that's not happening any more. At the time, the movie was lined up at Sony Pictures, but now it's at Detective Pikachu studio Legendary Entertainment. Info from Gamespot.com