Bethesda has released a statement to address the developer's community just prior to the launch of the first Fallout 76 beta. This first beta comes to Xbox One on October 23 at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET and ends four hours later.In the statement, Bethesda highlights just how different Fallout 76 is from the previous games in the franchise. The developer cites the inspiration for Fallout 76 comes from wanting to try something new after feeling as if every previous Bethesda games had "similar DNA." That said, Bethesda doesn't want to alienate the fanbase its spent building over the years. "Our worlds, whether it be Fallout, Elder Scrolls, or the coming Starfield, are important places to us," Bethesda wrote. "We do everything we can to treat them with care. We know they mean just as much to you." Bethesda also acknowledged that it's treating Fallout 76 a little bit differently from past Fallout titles. Before, the company said that its employees take a small break after the release of a game. With Fallout 76, Bethesda is looking at the game's launch as if it were the starting line. "Given what we're doing with 76, we know we're opening everyone up to all new spectacular issues none of us have encountered," Bethesda wrote. "Some we're aware of, such as areas where performance needs to improve with lots of players."Even though the first beta is exclusive to Xbox One, Bethesda is following up with another beta for PS4 and PC on October 30. Although the beta periods are only for a few hours, each one will offer the full Fallout 76 experience. You can only participate in the beta by pre-ordering Fallout 76. Fallout 76 releases on November 14 for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.Info from Gamespot.com

We're giving away PS4 codes for Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood to twenty-five (25) lucky fans! Scroll down to enter.This is not an instant win. No purchase necessary. Competition ends at 12:00 PM PT on October 29, 2018, in which 25 winners will be chosen at random and emailed a code for the full game (MSRP: $20).Enter below: About the game: Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood is a bundle of the classic titles, but re-formatted to feature modern game elements. Experience two of the greatest games from the Castlevania series as you make your way to the top of Dracula's castle as Richter Belmont - descendant of the famed clan of vampire hunters - in Rondo of Blood, or take the leading role as Dracula's son Alucard in Symphony of the Night. Enjoy the unique world, the epic classical music, and the side-scrolling action in Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood, exclusively for the PlayStation4.Fun facts about Symphony of the Night:The Jewel Knuckles are a powerful and quick weapon you can normally get in the Outer Wall once Alucard gains Form of Mist, however, you can get it as well as the Mirror Cuirass early. Once you enter the Outer Wall, go down and to the left to fight an Armor Lord. In the room he’s guarding, destroy the wall for some food and hold down for about 20 seconds to be transported to the room with the items.After completing the game, a few New Game bonuses will be unlocked if you enter the name RICHTER, AXEARMOR or X-X!V’’Q before starting a new game.Fun facts about Rondo of Blood:After defeating a boss, don’t think you’re safe yet! Bosses have one final desperation attack that can still get you after you take out their HP meter.Info from Gamespot.com

While the new Halloween movie scares up box office records, now comes a new report that claims a reboot of the Friday the 13th horror franchise is coming, and it's being backed by an unexpected source. According to Bloody Disgusting, NBA superstar LeBron James' production company SpringHill Entertainment is in talks to buy the rights to a new Friday the 13th movie. The Departed producer Roy Lee's Vertigo Entertainment is also attached.According to reports, the writer of the 1980 original Friday the 13th movie, Victor Miller, recently renegotiated to get the rights back. The new film is reportedly on in the very early stages of development, but it's expected to bring back masked killer Jason Voorhees, of course. There are no further plot details available at this stage, however.Friday the 13th! Jason Vorhees is one of my favorites. Still don't understand how he caught people running and he just walked though. — LeBron James (@KingJames) August 13, 2010The most recent Friday the 13th movie, simply titled Friday the 13th, was released in 2009. There were a number of sequels before that as well.In 2010, before LeBron James had even started a media company, he tweeted about how much he enjoyed Jason Voorhees as a character. Specifically, James said he was flabbergasted by how Jason was able to kill so many people even though he walks very slowly in the early movies.James' company is making moves in Hollywood, as this news about Friday the 13th follows the announcement that SpringHill is bringing back Space Jam. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is set to produce the new Space Jam starring James in the lead role. Info from Gamespot.com

For one day only--ending October 23 and available in limited supply--you can get the Sniper: Ghost Warrior Trilogy from Fanatical for just $1. That's three games for a buck, or $0.33 each. Not a bad deal if you're interested in dipping your trigger finger into this series of PC shooters. Once you make your purchase, you'll instantly get a code you can redeem on Steam.Released between 2008 and 2013, the Sniper: Ghost Warrior trilogy was developed and published by the Polish game maker City Interactive (which also made Lords of the Fallen). The trilogy puts you behind the scope of a sniper rifle and has you take out enemy soldiers across a variety of missions. When you make your kills, the game slows down and zooms in to display a close-up view of the splattering gore. If you turn up the difficulty level, you'll also have to take into consideration real-life sniper considerations like wind speed and direction, your breath and heartbeat, and gravity's pull on the bullet.The first game in the trilogy, Sniper: Art of Victory, is a World War II shooter that didn't fare so well in reviews, getting a 36 from our sister site Metacritic. The next installment, Sniper: Ghost Warrior got dinged for having odd bullet physics and bad enemy AI, though the online multiplayer mode fared better than the campaign. Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 improved upon the others in nearly every way, with only a handful of minor problems keeping it from a wholehearted recommendation.If this sounds like a series you want to try, make sure to head over to Fanatical and grab it before it's gone.[This story has been updated with the correct list of titles included in the trilogy bundle.]Info from Gamespot.com

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is out now, and it continues the franchise's history of explosive multiplayer, first-person shooter combat. Old mechanics and features return, such as the fan favorite Zombie mode, but the game implements several changes to the Black Ops formula. We've compiled everything we know about Black Ops 4 below.Black Ops has a pretty lengthy history. The first Black Ops, releasing in 2010, takes place during the Cold War in the 1960s, switching between CIA operatives Alex Mason and Frank Woods. 2012's Black Ops 2 moved the story to 2025 and follows Alex's son, David Mason. 2015's Black Ops 3 continues the previous game's journey into the future and focuses on operatives in 2065.The first Black Ops featured the first playable protagonists in a Call of Duty game to speak during gameplay, and not just cutscenes. Its sequel introduced the Grief and Turned variations to Call of Duty's Zombies mode. The third game was the first Call of Duty title where Activision and Sony's partnership created limited-time exclusive DLC content for PlayStation consoles.Table of Contents [hide]What Is Black Ops 4?Release Date/Day One Update/PreloadingReviewGetting StartedMultiplayer, Maps, And SpecialistsBlackoutZombiesExclusive PS4 ContentWhat Is Black Ops 4?Black Ops 4 is the seventh Call of Duty game developed by Treyarch, one of the many video game companies under the Activision umbrella. The game is the first Call of Duty title to lack a traditional single-player campaign, instead including individual missions that each focus on the backstory of one of Black Ops 4's multiplayer Specialists. The feature is similar to the Operator missions from Rainbow Six Siege, but are more story-driven and tie together in an overarching plot. The missions take place between 2025 and 2065, making Black Ops 4 a sequel story to Black Ops 2 and a prequel to Black Ops 3.Release Date/Day One Update/PreloadingCall of Duty Black Ops 4 launched on October 12 for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. The game has a fairly large Day One update, so be sure your system of choice has enough hard drive space. The game comes with special Deluxe, Digital Deluxe, Pro, and Mystery Box Editions, all of which are detailed in our buying guide.ReviewAfter spending time with the game following its launch, we've published our full Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 review. In it, GameSpot reviews editor Kallie Plagge offers a look at each of the three main modes, writing, "Black Ops 4 isn't short on content, and its three main modes are substantial. Multiplayer introduces more tactical mechanics without forcing you into them, and it largely strikes a good balance. Zombies has multiple deep, secret-filled maps to explore, though its returning characters don't hold up and prove distracting. Finally, Blackout pushes Call of Duty in an entirely new direction, making use of aspects from both multiplayer and Zombies for a take on the battle royale genre that stands on its own. Sure, there isn't a traditional single-player campaign, but with the depth and breadth of what is there, Black Ops 4 doesn't need it."Getting StartedBlack Ops 4 includes a lot of features and mechanics that might be familiar to an experience Call of Duty player, but completely foreign to franchise newcomers. If you need any assistance, turn to one of our Black Ops 4 guides, which should provide you with all the help you need to get started with multiplayer, Zombies, and Blackout.Blackout - 11 Useful Tips You Should Know Before StartingBlackout - Tips That Battle Royale First-Timers Need To KnowBlackout - How To Unlock All The Characters So FarZombies - Voyage Of Despair Starter TipsMultiplayer, Maps, And SpecialistsFor the first time in a Call of Duty game, Black Ops 4 ditches health regeneration. Firearms employ both hitscan and projectile damage, instead of just the former in the game's new ballistics system. Predictive recoil patterns and weapon customization return. Together, it makes for a more tactical experience that promotes teammates working together instead of playing as a lone wolf. Several classic Call of Duty modes--including Zombies--return in Black Ops 4, but the game also features the series' first battle royale mode, called Blackout.Black Ops 4 launches with 14 multiplayer maps--Frequency, Contraband, Seaside, Payload, Hacienda, Gridlock, Arsenal, Icebreaker, Morocco, Militia, Jungle, Slums, Firing Range, and Summit. In November, the Call of Duty classic map Nuketown will launch for free, making a total of 15 maps in the Black Ops 4 base game. More maps will launch later as paid post-launch DLC.Just like its predecessor, Black Ops 4 will feature Specialists in multiplayer. Each Specialist has their own unique loadout and is designed to handle specific tasks. There are 10 in Black Ops 4, six of which--Ruin, Prophet, Battery, Seraph, Nomad, and Firebreak--return from Black Ops 3. The other four--Recon, Ajax, Torque, and Crash--are completely new to the series.BlackoutBlackout incorporates all the hallmarks of previous battle royale games. Up to 100 players drop onto a map and have to battle it out until only one player or team remains. Weapons and equipment can be scavenged from buildings, and vehicles can be found on the road and used to cross the map more quickly. The safe areas where players can survive gradually shrinks over time, forcing the survivors closer together into more hectic firefights. The mode can be played solo, or in squads.Blackout is a little different from games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite. For one, the map in Blackout is fairly large and encompasses a wide variety of different terrains and landscapes instead of focusing on a single theme, like a forest or desert. Blackout is the largest battlefield seen in any of the Call of Duty games, incorporating numerous landmarks and Easter eggs from past titles. There's also a slight PvE element to Blackout, as computer-controlled zombies wander around certain areas of the map. Killing them lets you earn special loot items from Call of Duty's Zombie mode, like the Ray Gun and Cymbal Monkey.ZombiesThe cooperative Zombies mode returns in Black Ops 4, but this time it features two separate storylines for you to play. The first, titled Aether, follows the reestablished Zombies storyline from the first three Black Ops games. The second, called Chaos, features new characters--Scarlett, Stanton, Diego and Bruno.Exclusive PS4 ContentLike the Call of Duty titles in recent years, Black Ops 4 will have content that's exclusive to the PS4 for a limited time. This exclusivity period includes all seasonal events, new Specialists, and post-launch multiplayer maps. However, instead of the PS4 having a two-to-four week head start on the other system, the console will only have exclusive access to post-launch content a week early.Info from Gamespot.com

You know the battle royale concept is a force to be reckoned with when a long-standing series like Call of Duty decides to join the fray. Black Ops 4 introduces Blackout, the series' rendition of last-person-standing deathmatch, and we've spent plenty of time with the new mode, which you can read about in our Black Ops 4 review. So, if you're not caught up on the battle royale craze or want to know how Black Ops 4 distinguishes itself from the top dogs of Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, we have you covered.Before getting into the details, you should note that Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a full-priced $60 game that comes with a new version of the lauded Zombies mode and traditional multiplayer modes in addition to Blackout (but no standard single-player campaign). The game is set to release on October 12 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Fortnite: Battle Royale on the other hand is free-to-play and playable on nearly every modern platform, including iOS and Android. Fortnite also contains the horde-based survival mode Save The World, but only on PS4, Xbox One, and PC if you purchase the Founder's Pack for $40--however, Epic says that the mode will become free sometime this year. PUBG is currently available on PC and Xbox One for $30 and free-to-play on iOS and Android.Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 - BlackoutBlack Ops 4's Blackout mode shares many of the basics of its battle royale counterparts. Up to 100 players get airdropped onto a wide-open, sprawling map in either teams of two or four, or in solo matches. Everyone has one life and the goal is to be the last player or team standing. In duos and (s)quads, players can be revived by teammates within a short window of time before bleeding out. And of course, an ever-shrinking deadly circle closes in as the match progress and numbers dwindle to force players into conflict.Looting works similarly to PUBG in that weapons, ammo, attachments, grenades, and healing items are scattered on the ground and within structures, and supply crates containing valuable gear occasionally drop onto the map. Guns can be tricked out with scopes, grips, and barrel attachments in a fairly streamlined inventory menu. While you won't have to worry about encumbrance and item weight, backpacks grant you additional space in your inventory to carry extra items--a sort of middle road between the two other games.One of the alluring factors of Blackout is that it's a Call of Duty game, which means it has the smooth, refined movement and shooting that the 15-year old franchise is known for on a much larger scale. However, Call of Duty has now incorporated a new ballistics model just for Blackout; players will now have to account for bullet drop at long ranges. The game remains solely a first-person shooter, although vehicles are operated in third-person--PUBG has optional first-person matches and Fortnite is strictly third-person.As for vehicles, the map is littered with ATVs, cargo trucks, and speedboats. But map traversal is notably different from other battle royales when you account for the helicopter; Fortnite and PUBG do not feature controllable aircraft. Bailing out of the helicopter or jumping off tall buildings is also made possible by using your wingsuit, making verticality a bigger factor than it would be otherwise.Another twist in Blackout is that it isn't strictly PvP since the Asylum area and a few pockets of the map contain AI-controlled zombie hordes. Fighting through zombies can lead to some high-level gear like the coveted Ray Gun, but it's risky and costly for those low on supplies.Blackout also incorporates the franchise's Perk system and Specialist abilities in a unique way; they are treated like loot. Perks work as consumable items that grant passive bonuses for a limited duration. For example, Stimulant boosts your health by 100 for a three-minute window, and Paranoia activates an audio cue for when you're being targeted by an enemy through ADS. Each can be especially effective in certain scenarios. Specialist equipment like the barricade, grappling hook, or sensor darts are rare items found during a match and are not tied to any one specialist.While the overall battle royale formula doesn't change much in Black Ops 4, smaller components from previous games work their way into Blackout for something that's more accessible with a Call of Duty flavor.Fortnite: Battle RoyaleThe feature that makes Fortnite stand out immediately is construction. Success in Fortnite is predicated on your ability to swiftly build walls, floors and ramps with the materials you collect around the map. Players have to keep in mind that there are three separate material types (wood, brick, steel) with varying durability and construction timing. It may seem like just a carry-over mechanic from the original Save The World mode, but learning the clever ways of connect these building blocks together to protect yourself and create effective combat opportunities is absolutely vital.Fortnite regularly evolves through seasons. It's not just about introducing new cosmetic items to earn or giving new challenges to keep gameplay fresh. New seasons often alter the map significantly, ranging from the obliteration of entire towns to completely redone areas. As of now, there's a floating island right at the center of the map, and a desert biome now stands where swamps were once located. Epic's dedication to constantly changing Fortnite little-by-little staves off the monotony of playing the same map over and over. And the fact that all these changes are tied to a central theme provides a festive vibe that the other games don't capture.Equipment changes over time as well. While there are still colored tiers of shotguns, assault rifles, pistols, and SMGs, newer weapons like the guided missile or grappler can change combat encounters. Long-time items like the disco grenade or launch pad play into the silly, lighthearted nature of it all while still serving compelling use-case. Vehicles were originally omitted from Fortnite, but developer Epic later introduced a golf cart to get around the map a little faster. Limited-time game modes also pop into Fortnite, such as 50v50, Teams of 20, Explosives Only, or Snipers Only. Epic isn't afraid to get ridiculous either; Season 4 was based on superheroes and even included the Infinity Gauntlet which transformed players into Marvel villain Thanos, who had a slew of overpowered, yet fun abilities.Since it's a free-to-play game, microtransactions exist. A battle pass grants you access to exclusive rewards and V-Bucks act as in-game currency to acquire many cosmetic items; no purchasable content affects gameplay.Fortnite plays fast and loose in a way that's easy to pick up, and its cartoon-y aesthetic feels inviting. But that doesn't take away from the skill level needed to earn that Victory Royale because high-level play will often have you juggling multiple systems in high-pressure situations.PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)It's safe to say that PUBG was the progenitor of the recent battle royale trend and influenced similar games that followed (including Fortnite). PUBG plays much closer to a military sim, which makes sense given that the game's roots can be traced back to the battle royale mods for the ARMA games. Player movement is much more deliberate and slower paced, and the damage and ballistics models lean a bit closer towards realism compared to Call of Duty and Fortnite. Weapons require more precision to use effectively, but attachments--like scopes and grips--can make them viable in cases they wouldn't be otherwise. Airdropped supply crates offer powerful gear, but of course pose the risk of enemies preying on you as you loot.There's no construction or special abilities in PUBG, making combat more about situational awareness and the right tactical decisions. Smoke grenades and flashbangs are your main supplements to your aiming skills. Cars, motorbikes, and boats can get you around maps a lot faster than simply staying on foot, but they can help pull you out of tough spots, too. As a result, firefights feel much more tense and the anticipation of encounters can be harrowing. If you get caught in a vulnerable position, there's very little you can do but lament your mistakes.PUBG now sports multiple maps that emphasize different styles of play. Erangel acts as the traditional large-scale map with foliage and forestry filling gaps between towns, while Miramar leaves you a sitting duck in its barren desert. Sanhok offers a faster-paced match in a compact map within a tropical environment. And later this year, a fourth map will bring a snow-covered theme that's likely to present its own unique tactical opportunities. PUBG has also dabbled in alternate game types like training mode, deathmatch with respawns, and bigger team sizes. You can also choose to play in either third- or first-person matches.Although PUBG has a price tag, microtransactions remain part of the game's economy. It now has a battle pass similar to Fortnite so you can earn different cosmetics outside of randomized loot crates you get through BP (currency earned by playing).Which One Should You Play?The answer to this question depends on what you're in the mood for. If two ends of a spectrum are Fortnite and PUBG, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's Blackout lies somewhere in the middle. It taps into the military-style approach while giving players tactical flexibility with perks and equipment, all based on the solid foundation the Call of Duty franchise boasts. There a few more systems at play when it comes to Fortnite but its lighthearted nature and persistent evolution make it stand out from the bunch; just know that there's no escaping the construction mechanics. If hardcore military sims are more your taste, then PUBG will be your game.Other battle royale-style games are out there, such as the free-to-play H1Z1 on PC and PS4. H1Z1 was an early access title on Steam well before PUBG came onto the scene, and it brings a straightforward take on the mode. The Battlefield franchise's version of battle royale is coming later this year with Firestorm in Battlefield V. We know that Firestorm pits four teams of 16 against each other in what developer DICE is calling "the largest Battlefield map ever." The game launches for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on November 20.Additional Coverage:Latest On Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 Release Date, Blackout, Zombies, And Everything We KnowCall Of Duty: Black Ops 4 Needs A 50 GB Day One UpdateCall Of Duty: Black Ops 4's Free DLC Plans Detailed, PS4 Exclusivity Scaled BackWhy Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 Doesn't Have A Traditional CampaignThe History Of Call Of Duty: Black OpsLatest On FortniteFortnite Week 2 Challenges: Visit Corrupted Areas, Use Shadow Stones, And More (Season 6)Fortnite Dev Purchases Anti-Cheat CompanySee Fortnite Season 6's New Skins, Sprays, Emotes, And Battle Pass CosmeticsMore Fortnite Halloween Skins Leaked With New 6.02 Update's ReleaseFortnite Patch Notes (Update 6.02): Disco Domination, Quad Launcher, And MoreLatest On PUBGNew Update For PUBG On PC; Here's The Full Patch NotesPUBG Xbox One Update Finally Adds BP Exchange; Here's The Full Patch NotesPUBG PS4 Is Coming, According To A New ListingPUBG Hits 100 Million Downloads On MobileInfo from Gamespot.com

As is to be expected from a new project that Rockstar has been working on for years, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an incredibly dense open-world game that's jam-packed full of details. We recently got to go hands-on with the high-anticipated sequel, and while playing we discovered numerous mechanics and details that go above and beyond those from the original Red Dead Redemption. While the game features improvements to pre-existing mechanics, there are light survival systems this time around. These require you to pay attention to things like your body temperature, gun maintenance, and meat expiration. As fans of the original, all of these new details are surprising and unexpected. But what has us the most enthused about it all is how these mechanics are likely to foster tons of ridiculous shenanigans in the game's world--especially once Red Dead Online releases.We got to experience many of the new systems at work--most of which you can read about in our comprehensive feature compiling them all. But there were some fascinating standouts we wanted to highlight that we feel will contribute to some of the game's most memorable and entertaining moment-to-moment experiences. Included in this feature are nine of the most unexpected mechanics and details in Red Dead Redemption 2.If you haven't already seen our Red Dead Redemption 2 preview covering the story missions we saw, make sure to read it for our in-depth impressions on the game. Though, if you want to get caught up with everything there is to know about Red Dead Redemption 2, check out our roundup of everything we've learned about RDR2. In the meantime, what details are you most excited to experience in Red Dead Redemption 2? Let us know in the comments below.Clothes Make The OutlawThe game's clothing customization options are comprehensive--each character will have different sets to coincide with hot and cold weather conditions. The type of clothes you wear will affect Arthur's performance. For example, if you wear a weighty jacket during a hot summer day, your running stamina will take a big hit.Other customizations will allow layering and minor adjustments, like the option to roll up your sleeves or tuck your pants into your boots. Whatever you end up choosing, you're free to craft Arthur into the high plains drifter you want him to be.You Can Fire Warning Shots And Whistle For FunBy having your gun unholstered and holding Up on the d-pad, you can fire warning shots into the air. This is handy for intimidating people, scaring off animals, or generally being a rowdy buffoon while you're riding around.Speaking of possible buffoonery, you can even whistle at people to get their attention or call your horse. And if you keep holding down the button, you can keep whistling until Arthur runs out of breath. Imagine combining both warning shots and whistling; you'll become the countryside menace you've always dreamed of being.Your Guns Can Degrade And JamYou need to take care of your weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2. You have the option to clean them, which is incredibly important to do regularly because guns can jam mid-fire due to disrepair and environmental conditions. You don't want to be caught with a rusted gun--lest you seek to dig yourself an early grave.Hunted Materials Can Rot And Be DamagedThe components you acquire from hunting all have an expiration date. If you're not careful, time will eventually take its toll and both the fresh pelt and carcass you've acquired will start to rot and attract vermin, reducing its value and making you generally unpleasant to be around. Not only that, but if you use a firearm to kill an animal as opposed to an arrow or knife, its pelt will be damaged and will sell for less at local stores.Cleaning, Grooming, And Feeding YourselfSpeaking of unpleasantness, NPCs will react not just to the stink of your rotting deer corpse, but also if you haven't taken a bath in a while. Arthur needs to get clean and change his clothes every once in a while, since townsfolk may refuse to talk or serve him based on his appearance--having blood on your jacket doesn't attract the best reactions.Time also has an effect on Arthur's hair, which actually grow longer. Customizing Arthur's haircut and facial hair styling is also dependent on length since you're allowed to cut things shorter, but won't have access to options that require more hair--a more realistic take on customization compared to GTA V. Of course, you're welcome to not pay attention to grooming. In fact, you can totally rock the mountain man look by just letting Arthur's hair and facial hair grow to its max.Arthur will need to eat to keep his health and stamina meters up, but will also lose and gain weight depending on his food intake. He'll have to stay active in order to keep in top shape.You Will Get A CameraWe started a side quest during our time with Red Dead Redemption 2, and the mission giver handed Arthur a camera. This camera could be used at any time via your inventory, and yes, the first thing we did was take a selfie.These aren't arm-out handheld selfies, though. The mode is titled "self-portrait" and will frame Arthur's whole body as if the camera were set up on a tripod. You'll be able to adjust expressions and poses, too--expect to see a whole bunch of self-portraits depicting Arthur squatting in front of various things on Twitter once the game releases.You Can Lose Your HatIf you're not careful, you can easily lose your hat in the midst of a shootout. If you drop your hat, you need to physically pick it back up to get back to looking like a proper outlaw. Though, if you ride away from your hat, it'll appear as an icon on the map. However, it will reappear back on your horse if you go too far away. Alternatively, Arthur can swap his hat for any other one that just happens to fall off someone else's head. Sometimes you just have to adjust your style on the go.There's A Killcam That Changes Depending On Your HonorWhen you take out the final opponent during a gunfight, a killcam will frame that final blow a la Max Payne 3. This will change depending on Arthur's moral standing: If you've been a naughty cowboy, these kill cams will be gorier. If you've been upstanding and honorable, they'll be framed in a more heroic fashion like those from the classic film Westerns of old.You Can Break Enemy's WeaponsSpeaking of heroic behavior: if you want to go the more non-lethal route, it's possible to shoot weapons out of enemy hands. Not only that, but you can even shoot at their weapons and break them. This seems like a handy technique if you're looking to be an outlaw with a heart of gold as opposed to a straight-up cold-blooded killer.Catch A Stage ShowAssuming he isn't too stinky to make it past the ushers, Arthur can kick back and catch a show at the local theater. We're curious the sorts of genre of theater you'll be able to see or what Arthur like watching. You Can Dance (If You Want To!)If you find yourself at camp and the mood strikes you, you can break a leg and dance with your gang. The simple moves in the trailer seems fairly traditional, but we'll put good money on there being sillier options whenever Red Dead Online launches.Horse Dressage And Drifting TechniquesHorses are an important part of Red Dead Redemption 2, but it seems like they're far more capable creatures than they've ever been in previous games. During our hands-on, we were able to rear our horse on its hind legs, perform drifts to change direction quickly (apologies to equestrian enthusiasts), and move our horse precisely by performing dressage techniques.Info from Gamespot.com

October has arrived, and this month is packed with some major releases for PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and even 3DS. With the holiday season quickly approaching, some of this year's biggest titles are set to debut soon, including this year's new Call of Duty game, Black Ops 4, and Rockstar's highly anticipated western, Red Dead Redemption 2.But while those titles may draw the most attention, they are hardly the only noteworthy games coming to each platform this month. Capcom's Blue Bomber Mega Man returns after a long hiatus with Mega Man 11, while the GameCube classic Luigi's Mansion arrives on 3DS in time for Halloween with a few new features in tow, including cooperative multiplayer. Square Enix's cult classic DS RPG, The World Ends With You, is also making a comeback this month when Final Remix launches on Switch.There are plenty of other games worth checking out this month, as well. You can see all of the biggest releases for each platform in October 2018 below. For a look at all of the other games coming this year, be sure to check out our complete list of game release dates in 2018.Forza Horizon 4 (Xbox One, PC) -- October 2The latest installment in Microsoft's open-world driving series, Forza Horizon 4, kicks off this month's releases, arriving on Xbox One and PC on October 2. This time, players will be able to cruise around Great Britain at their leisure in a variety of different vehicles. The biggest new feature, however, is the introduction of seasons, which will cycle every week from the game's launch. Like other first-party Microsoft games, it is also available in the Xbox Game Pass catalog.Further reading:Forza Horizon 4 Review: Shifting Gears, Shifting SeasonsForza Horizon 4: Every Barn Find Car LocationForza Horizon 4 First Free Seasonal Events And Cars DetailedAssassin's Creed Odyssey (PS4, Xbox One, PC) -- October 5Following a brief hiatus, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise returned last year with Assassin's Creed Origins, a new interpretation of the series that featured an open-world setting and RPG elements. This year's follow-up, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, takes the franchise to Ancient Greece and builds upon these features with an even larger world to explore, romance options, and a much greater emphasis on player choice.Further reading:Assassin's Creed Odyssey Review: A Brave New WorldAssassin's Creed Odyssey Lets You Pay For Permanent XP BoostNo Multiplayer In Assassin's Creed Odyssey, But The Franchise Isn't Necessarily Done With ItCall of Duty: Black Ops 4 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) -- October 12Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 arrives on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 12. Unlike previous installments in the series, this year's entry forgoes a traditional single-player campaign in favor of solo missions centered around each Specialist, and it introduces a number of new modes to the fore, most notably the battle royale-style Blackout. It also launches with an expanded Zombies mode, with three different Zombies episodes available right off the bat.Further reading:PS4's Exclusivity Window Is Shorter Than Usual For Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4's Free DLC Plans DetailedWhy Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 Doesn't Have A Traditional CampaignRed Dead Redemption 2 (PS4, Xbox One) -- October 26Rockstar's highly anticipated Red Dead Redemption 2 closes out a month on October 26. This installment is set 12 years before the events of the first Red Dead Redemption and follows new protagonist Arthur Morgan as he and the Van der Linde gang flee from the law across the American frontier. The game features a sprawling, detailed world that reacts to your actions, along with a wealth of activities to take part in, from hunting and fishing to good, old-fashioned holdups.Further reading:Getting Away With Crime In Red Dead Redemption 2 Is TrickyHow Red Dead Redemption 2's Cores, Health, And Stats WorkRed Dead Redemption 2 Gameplay Hands-On: 12 Most Surprising Features And Details (So Far)Full October Release ScheduleGamePlatformRelease DateForza Horizon 4Xbox One, PCOctober 2Fist of the North Star: Lost ParadisePS4October 2Mega Man 11PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PCOctober 2Assassin's Creed OdysseyPS4, Xbox One, PCOctober 5Super Mario PartySwitchOctober 5Disgaea 1 CompletePS4, SwitchOctober 9WWE 2K19PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PCOctober 9Call of Duty: Black Ops 4PS4, Xbox One, PCOctober 12Luigi's Mansion3DSOctober 12The World Ends with You: Final RemixSwitchOctober 12Lego DC Super VillainsPS4, Xbox One, PC, SwitchOctober 16Starlink: Battle for AtlasPS4, Xbox One, SwitchOctober 16Warriors Orochi 4PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PCOctober 16Syberia 3SwitchOctober 18Dark Souls RemasteredSwitchOctober 19SoulCalibur VIPS4, Xbox One, PCOctober 19Just Dance 2019PS4, Xbox One, SwitchOctober 23Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of BloodPS4October 26My Hero One's JusticePS4, SwitchOctober 26Red Dead Redemption 2PS4, Xbox OneOctober 26Kingdom Hearts: The Story So FarPS4October 30Mutant Football League: Dynasty EditionPS4, Xbox One, PC, SwitchOctober 30Info from Gamespot.com

The GameSpot Theatre returns to PAX Australia this year, with a swath of panels to inform and entertain. We've got panels featuring Hitman 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Pete Hines from Bethesda, and more!If you're in Melbourne, come visit us! The theatre is located by the main entrance on Level 1, next to the Take This AFK Room.If you're not lucky enough to be at PAX Aus in person, you'll be able to watch all the action via livestream and on-demand video right here on GameSpot, so stay tuned after the show!Table of Contents [hide]Friday, October 26 (All Times Are AEDT)11:30 AM - The Ultimate Super Smash Bros. Panel1:00 PM - Let's Hack A Video Game!2:30 PM - Voice Actor Showdown4:00 PM - Hitman 2: Six Million Ways to Die…Choose One5:30 PM - Zelda Universe Presents: Ocarina of Time, 20 Years LaterSaturday, October 27 (All Times Are AEDT)10:30 AM - What?! Pokémon is Evolving!12:00 PM - Lee Carvallo's Simpsons Game Reviewing Challenge1:30 PM - This Year's Indie Game-Changer3:00 PM - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Let's Play4:30 PM - We Rate Video Games DogsSunday, October 28 (All Times Are AEDT)10:30 AM - Getting Started Painting Miniatures12:00 PM - Why The Mainstream Media's Reporting On Fortnite Is Dumb And Harmful1:30 PM - Video Games, Ya Baw Bag3:00 PM - The Great Port Resurgence4:30 PM - One Perfect Game's Mario Tennis Invitational 2018 Friday, October 26 (All Times Are AEDT)11:30 AM - The Ultimate Super Smash Bros. PanelSuper Smash Bros. started off as a crazy experiment by Nintendo that morphed into a game of enormous scope—insanely spanning more than 30 game franchises and featuring third-party characters. With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate due out in December, join us as we rummage through Smash’s history, look at how it’s revived dead franchises, discuss what we want to see in the upcoming game, talk about how it has become a popular competitive fighting game, and learn a few tips from the pros.PANELISTS: David Johnson [Publication Director, Zelda Universe], Shona Johnson [Project Manager, Zelda Universe], Cody Davies [Community Manager, Zelda Universe], Jack "Pudge" Gorman [Smash Tournament Organiser, Couch Warriors], Joshua "Sora" Lyras [Pro Melee player, ORDER], Nick "Extra" McKenzie [Pro Smash 4 player, Dark Sided]1:00 PM - Let's Hack A Video Game!Have you ever wondered how you might go about breaking into a video game, and twisting its gross, hidden insides to your will? Join Lance McDonald (Warpchair), known for cracking open hidden Bloodborne and Dark Souls secrets, as he performs a live hack of PS1 horror classic Silent Hill using only cutting edge technology from 1999. We’ll show processes, talk methods, and answer your questions about video game hacking!PANELISTS: Edmond Tran [AU Editor, GameSpot], Lance McDonald [Warpchair]2:30 PM - Voice Actor ShowdownWhen it comes to building memorable characters in a game, what you see on screen is only part of the story. So what goes into creating an entire character with just your voice? We grill the experts on the voice acting process and put them through their paces recreating their favourite characters (and maybe a few new ones) live on stage.PANELISTS: Claire Reilly [Senior Editor, CNET], Cissy Jones [Voice Actor, The Walking Dead, Firewatch], Courtenay Taylor [Voice Actor, Regular Show, Fallout 4]4:00 PM - Hitman 2: Six Million Ways to Die…Choose OneJoin IO Interactive’s Eskil Møhl for an hour of creative, murderous hijinks as he goes hands-on with Hitman 2. And he wants you, the PAX audience, to be an accessory!5:30 PM - Zelda Universe Presents: Ocarina of Time, 20 Years Later2018 marks the 20th anniversary of Ocarina of Time, a game that not only influenced the Legend of Zelda series for decades but also quite literally changed the video game landscape. We return to the polygons of the past and discuss how it shaped the industry, whether the game still deserves its accolades, whether it’s still relevant today, and if it’s been surpassed by more recent titles. There will be trivia with prizes for correct answers, so brush up on your knowledge of the game.PANELISTS: Shona Johnson [Project Manager, Zelda Universe], David Johnson [Publication Director, Zelda Universe], Cody Davies [Community Manager, Zelda Universe], Sebastian Wilkinson [Contributor, Zelda Universe] Saturday, October 27 (All Times Are AEDT)10:30 AM - What?! Pokémon is Evolving!Join a group of six Pokémon community leaders and competitive players, as they come together to talk about how the series has evolved since Red and Blue first fired upon our GameBoys. From how Pokémon GO helped revive the franchise to taking the next steps with Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee!, to picking up some pro tips from actual champs on your road to competitive Pokémon Mastery, to maybe a few extra surprises, there’s no better place for Pokémaniacs to be this weekend.PANELISTS: Emma Williams, Sam Pandelis, Russell Peters, Tiffany Keane, Alfredo Cheng-Gonzalez, Jesse Wilsone12:00 PM - Lee Carvallo's Simpsons Game Reviewing ChallengeYou’ve seen plenty of reviews of real Simpsons games, but what about the fictional games of The Simpsons? How DO you Escape From Grandma’s House? What’s the best way to win Triangle Wars? Our panel of Simpsons Superfriends review the best Simpsons games that absolutely don’t exist… except in our cromulent imaginations. As they say in Bonestorm, "Come to this panel or go to hell!"PANELISTS: Claire Reilly [Senior Editor, CNET], Lucy O'Brien [Games & Entertainment Editor, IGN], Mark Serrels [AU Editor, CNET], Edmond Tran [AU Editor/Senior Producer, GameSpot], David Milner [Editor, Game Informer Australia]1:30 PM - This Year's Indie Game-ChangerThe Nintendo Switch hasn’t just revolutionised the way we play games, but also the games we’re open to playing. Indie games are seeing a lot of success on the hybrid console, so join a panel of Aussie independent game developers as they share their stories about how the Switch has changed the landscape, and share their favourite Nindies.PANELISTS: Joe Park [Harmonious Games], Ash Ringrose [SMG Studios], Henrik Pettersson [The Voxel Agents], Matthew Rowland [League of Geeks], Eugenia Woo [Switch Focus], Edmond Tran [GameSpot]3:00 PM - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Let's PlayLet’s keep this friendly! The biggest ever Smash Bros. game is coming soon. Very soon. So soon that we’re getting a whole theatre in on the training for its arrival! A Nintendo exclusive, come and check out panel teams take on Smash and the audience on the big screen!PANELISTS: Edmond Tran [GameSpot], Jess McDonell [GameSpot], Mark Serrels [CNET], Dan Crowd [IGN], Shannon Grixti [Press Start], Eugenia Woo [Switch Focus]4:30 PM - We Rate Video Games DogsWatch as we review some of the best (and worst) dogs in gaming. They’re good video game dogs, Brent.PANELISTS: Mark Serrels [CNET], Stephanie "Hex" Bendixsen, Leah Williams, Goldie Bartlett, Amanda Yeo Sunday, October 28 (All Times Are AEDT)10:30 AM - Getting Started Painting MiniaturesSome of the most impressive board games and RPGs today bring us amazing miniatures. If you want to help bring your tabletop adventures to life but don’t know where to begin, start here and step into the world of miniature painting! Join us as we show you how to get started on your miniature painting journey, and take you through the simple steps to go from a bare model to your very first miniature masterpiece.PANELISTS: Marc Chee [Marc Chee], Natalie Szymczak [Eva Studios]12:00 PM - Why The Mainstream Media's Reporting On Fortnite Is Dumb And HarmfulWhat does it take to turn an on-screen avatar into a real-world cosplay masterpiece (aside from a lot of duct tape)? We grill cosplay experts Henchwench and Scrap Shop Props’ Cain Halliwell on designing, constructing and finessing the perfect cosplay creation. Do you need to be a serious seamstress or pro painter, or can you get started with the basics and build from there? Come along for practical advice, design ideas and tips to make your cosplay legit enough to make the mainstage.PANELISTS: Alice Clarke [Herald Sun], Tim Biggs [Sydney Morning Herald], Chris Ferguson [Stetson Univesity], Raelene Knowles [IGEA], Eddie Makuch [Gamespot]1:30 PM - Video Games, Ya Baw BagCan you guess what video game the angry Scottish man is talking about in his beguiling Scottish brogue? We challenge a host of Australia’s best games journalists. Can you understand a single word of what this guy is saying?PANELISTS: Mark Serrels [CNET], Claire Reilly [CNET], Joab Gilroy [Red Bull], Jess McDonell [GameSpot], Dan Crowd [IGN]3:00 PM - The Great Port ResurgencePorts, remasters, and remakes of games are getting increasingly common. But how does a new version of a game change the way we see it and play it? We talk about the value and apprehension behind HD re-releases and Nintendo Switch ports, and try to come to a definitive conclusion of what works and what doesn’t.PANELISTS: Pete Hines [Bethesda], Lee May [Defiant Development], Dean Woodward [League of Geeks], Jess McDonell [GameSpot], Edmond Tran [GameSpot]4:30 PM - One Perfect Game's Mario Tennis Invitational 2018It’s time to lace up the Dunlop Volleys, string up the rackets and step on the court. Eight of Australia’s best and brightest streamers, podcasters and presenters will duke it out in a highly prestigious Mario Tennis Aces tournament in what is sure to be a smash hit. Come and help cheer your favourite gaming personality to glory!PANELISTS: Matt Tilby [Podcaster/Presenter, One Perfect Game/Sabotage Media], Naysy [Twitch Broadcaster, Naysy (Twitch)], Vondle [Twitch Streamer/Influencer, Vondle], Maedi [Streamer/Marketing Manager, Hanabee Entertainment/Maedi], HolmesInFive [Twitch Streamer, HolmesInFive], JackHuddo [Partnered Twitch Streamer, JackHuddo], Alexander Foldi [Caster/Commentator]Info from Gamespot.com

What truly distinguishes SoulCalibur from its genre contemporaries is a pervading sense of adventure. It tells a grand tale of knights and ninjas, axe-wielding goliaths and pirate warriors, all struggling over mythical weapons of good and evil. It accents this with a rousing orchestral score and grandiose narrations about entwined destinies and inescapable fates. Sure, deep and rewarding mechanics are at the heart of every good fighting game--and SoulCalibur VI certainly has that--but for this series, adventure has always been the soul.That spirit of adventure is most evident in SoulCalibur VI's two story modes. Libra of Souls is the meatier of the two and takes inspiration from SoulCalibur II's beloved Weapon Master Mode. It's part fighting game, part role-playing game, part Dungeons & Dragons campaign; you create and customize your own unique fighter using options that, while serviceable, aren't nearly as robust as the ones in Bandai Namco's other fighter, Tekken 7. From there you embark on a journey that will take you across the world, and along the way you'll cross paths--and swords--with both named characters and generically named bit-parters.Libra of Souls tells its story primarily through text, but it's all surprisingly engaging, with dialogue and descriptions setting the stage for the inevitable fight and giving even its throwaway opponents a bit of flavour. The story's conceit for making you travel around the world is that you're "malfested" with an evil energy and must absorb Astral Fissures to stay alive. Although you're ushered between main quest missions, various side-quests pop up around you, with NPCs asking for a hand solving their problems. Naturally, the solution each time is a sword-swinging contest, but the game does a valiant job of world building along the way to give texture to its fantasy universe. You'll learn that Ceylon is a major producer of cinnamon, which is favoured by royalty and thus very precious, and that hamlets are being decimated by a rampaging Azure Knight with a thirst for souls. You'll meet a would-be entrepreneur who, while affable, is mostly after handouts; a weaponsmith who is looking to impress the royal family to win a contract; and a priestess who doubts her abilities, among others.Completing these missions rewards you with experience that levels you up, and this is where the RPG hooks are strongest. As you grow, you'll be able to use stronger weapons that have different visual styles and properties. Enemies also become hardier and, on top of that, special battle conditions spice up fights. These may make one type of attack more effective while decreasing the strength of others, thus forcing you to diversify your skillset within the battle system. Another wrinkle to the RPG mechanics is the ability to select a food item to take into battle. These bestow bonuses such as increased counter damage, a boost to health at the start of a new round, or extra experience for a win, to name a few. If you’d rather let someone else do the dirty work, you can visit the Mercenaries Guild and hire a fighter, outfit them with a weapon and food, then send them into battle. At best the AI will secure a victory; at worst they’ll knock off some health from the enemy before you step in.There are also little touches in Libra of Souls that reinforce the idea that you're a wandering warrior on an epic journey. One of them is an indicator at the top of the world map that ticks down the years as you progress, establishing a passage of time as you bounce between locations and fights in rapid succession. Another is the decision-making moments, some of which will simply dictate how you act towards a character, while others will weigh your soul towards good or evil, impact the story, and decide how the ending battle plays out. The eventual consequence of your actions is small, but it's a neat way to give you a tiny bit of authorship in the story.The main issue with Libra of Souls is the ratio of storytelling to actual gameplay. The mode is very text-heavy, which would be less of a problem if its battles weren't so quick. In the hands of a capable fighting game player, many enemies can be dispatched within as little as 10 seconds, which means time spent in Libra of Souls is heavily skewed toward reading over fighting. And although the loading screens before and after battles are quite short, they can become increasingly tedious. The mode is also lacking in variety, so beyond the occasional battle condition, it does very little to keep you on your toes. For the most part, applying an aggressive strategy will see you emerge victorious.The second mode, Soul Chronicles, is a more typical take on a fighting game story but is still expansive and has an interesting approach to laying out its narrative. It features a main story that chronicles what happens with the legendary Soul Edge but supplements this with 19 character-specific campaigns, drilling down on what they're doing while the broader story takes place. Although they're heavily reliant on static artwork, they're fully voiced and the artwork itself has an eye-catching, sketch-like style. There's a microcosm of Libra of Souls' issues here too, though, as battles can be over in the blink of an eye, and that means more hitting buttons to advance text.Nevertheless, Libra of Souls and Soul Chronicle make for a satisfying single-player offering, with the former lasting upwards of eight hours and the latter taking around four. Idiosyncrasies aside, both give you plenty to do and provide a comprehensive, engrossing story throughout. By the time it's over, you'll have travelled the world, met a variety of colorful characters, and fought all manner of strange creatures. Quite the adventure.SoulCalibur VI doesn't demand hours of study and experimentation ... you can pick up a controller and feel like you're competent in no timeThe beauty of SoulCalibur's gameplay is its simplicity, and in that respect SoulCalibur VI is a bit like rock-paper-scissors. At its most superficial, the rules of engagement are simple and the pace of battles means decision-making is based on instinct as much as considered tactics and being reactive. Admittedly, the same can be said of most fighting games, but unlike them SoulCalibur VI doesn't demand hours of study and experimentation to do this; you can pick up a controller and feel like you're competent in no time. Although there are complicated systems and techniques to consider, an inability to interact with them doesn't loom over you. Before long vertical attacks will reveal themselves as powerful but slow, you'll quickly realise that horizontal attacks interrupt sidesteps and are a safe way to apply pressure, and kicks are a nice balance of the two but with limited range. It takes little time to internalize those fundamentals, and so their intricacies become apparent quicker than in most fighting games. Throw in blocking and movement, both of which are intuitive, and the pick-up-and-play factor becomes a key strength of SoulCalibur VI.The surface simplicity belies more complex systems beneath, and SoulCalibur VI is mechanically dense. It layers systems from throughout the series on top of each other so even veterans will need to examine the individual pieces and figure out how they fit together. Although each character has a relatively limited range of attacks, the eight-way run movement lets you modify them. Attacks also land at different heights--high, mid, and low--and in turn blocking becomes a three-tiered system. More confident players can react to an attack by executing a last-second Guard Impact to repel and leave their opponent open, but a staggered player can retaliate with a Reversal Impact--a reversal reversal.From there it only gets more complicated. Reversal Edge is a special stance that will counter incoming attacks at any height. It's executed with a single button and the longer it's held the more attacks it can absorb. This makes defending against an onslaught of attacks really easy, but the ease of execution means it also steps on the toes of the more skill-based Guard Impact. Reversal Edge seems to be aimed at casual players as, while a successful Guard Impact places the initiator in a more advantageous position, Reversal Edge establishes a neutral playfield by initiating a clash. Here the action slows, the camera swoops in close, and the two fighters effectively bet on what the other player will do and counter it. This is a useful way to create some breathing room when being smothered, but the guessing game leads to a feeling of randomness that can be frustrating. The workaround here is to land an unblockable break attack to stop a Reversal Edge.Beyond that there are Critical Edges, which are the game's equivalent of super moves. These are governed by the Soul Gauge, which is built up by attacking, defending, and taking damage. Once one level is attained, it can be spent on executing an incredibly powerful and outlandish cinematic attack. A Soul Gauge can also be spent on a Soul Charge, a comeback state of sorts that opens a separate set of moves up for a character to use, powers up normal attacks, and makes them cause damage to blocking opponents for a brief period.Click image to view in full screenThose are just a few of the systems in SoulCalibur VI, so for those that want to become students of the game, it offers plenty to learn. However, at times it can also feel needlessly complex. This is likely a symptom of creating a collection of systems that give the hardcore fighting game players the depth they crave while also enabling casual players to stand their ground against them. On paper that might seem like a good approach, but the end result is a construction that is at odds with itself, as if built out of both K-Nex and Lego--the simpler parts undermine the complex ones, and although it works, it's inelegant. A good player with an understanding of all the systems will almost always triumph over someone only making use of the basic ones, so the biggest issue this superfluousness presents is that it makes the path from casual to expert a little less appealing to walk. That complexity is overwhelming when it doesn't need to be, and if there are simpler and easier options there's less incentive to dig beneath the surface.As with most fighting games, it'll be some time before overly powerful characters or dubious strategies emerge online, if at all. However, from a network perspective SoulCalibur VI's online modes are stable. We played a number of matches online in ranked and casual and had no trouble finding other players, connecting, and having smooth fights. In casual mode, you can search for a room based on customizable parameters such as skill level, round count, region, and language. You can also specify if custom characters are allowed. Alternatively, you can establish your own room and invite others to join or have it open to anyone.In ranked mode you select your character and style from a pop-up menu, forgoing the need to go into the game's normal selection screen. There's also the option to pick connection status, region, and preferred starting side, for those that want it. If you're looking to learn and refine your skills, the replay channel is handy for rewatching your own saved matches, as well as finding recent replays from the community to favorite and watch. A nice touch is the ability to see who won the match, so if you want to see how to play a character successfully it's easy to do so. Overall, SoulCalibur VI's online suite is fairly no-frills, sticking to the basics but doing them well.SoulCalibur VI is a fighting game that's easy to recommend. Like all the best titles in the genre, it has a low barrier to entry and high skill ceiling. For those looking to get in a few games with friends it's welcoming and immediately enjoyable. For those committed to ploughing the depths of its systems to get tournament ready, it has plenty to unpack and understand. Better still, those that want to play alone will find SoulCalibur VI has some of the most substantial single-player content in any fighting game today. Info from Gamespot.com

WWE Evolution, the first all-women's PPV in the company's history, will air live on the WWE Network on October 28. It's a landmark occasion. Female performers, once considered by some fans as the "bathroom break" portion of the show, will now carry an entire production on their own. And the main event--a title match between Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella, is a sort of meta-commentary on the Women's Evolution, and how the division will continue progressing forward.The Bellas Twins debuted on the main roster in 2008, and they functioned as models and valets nearly as much as in-ring competitors. Their appearance and their twin gimmick, rather than their in-ring skill, kept them on TV. But in their defense, they were neither an exception nor a special case; they were emblematic of the way that most women wrestlers were promoted a decade ago. The Bellas were the ideal representatives for the era they dominated. And they were a far cry from the mud wrestling, bra and panties, lingerie, and Playboy shenanigans just a few years prior.Progress is incremental, and the Bellas Twins were a necessary prelude to the current, modern era. They were sexy but not debased. They were passable ring workers, even if they weren't great ones, and they featured in the sort of 5-minute matches that the #GiveDivasAChance movement was built on. And when Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and Charlotte Flair debuted on Raw, the Bellas took steps to raise their game. Nikki, in particular, evolved into a solid competitor before a serious neck injury sidelined her.But transitional, intermediary steps to change are rarely celebrated; it's the people who definitively break the mold that get the hype, even if the smaller transitions are necessary to make that break possible.Nikki and Brie position themselves as underrated pioneers in the Women's Evolution. But even if that's true, they'll never have the same critical acclaim as Lynch, Flair, Banks, and Bayley, who served as a storyline rebuttal to the "Divas Era" that Brie and Nikki dominated.On the October 15 episode of Raw, Rousey leaned into this perception; in addition to calling the Bellas DNB's (which she claimed was a "PG" acronym for Do-Nothing Bellas), Rousey fired off this controversial zinger:“My entire career I’ve been knocking down doors. The only door you ever knocked down was the door to John Cena’s bedroom. And he eventually threw you out of that exact same door!”Brie looked shocked, Nikki looked pissed, and the audience went wild. Some critics have derided Rousey's promo--that it cheapens the women's division to reduces Nikki to a sexual opportunist. But it's also a self-critical, meta indictment of the narrow ways that WWE female performers have been booked and stereotyped in years past--as the supportive girlfriend, the manipulative valet, or the hungry gold digger. And in a subversive way, Rousey came off a little heelish in this exchange because she's attacking two women from an earlier, more limiting era, who cannot be fairly judged on the same merits as the up-and-comers.Rousey promotes herself similarly to how Paul Heyman promotes Brock Lesnar--as a lethal force that the audience can believe in. And this promo, which implicitly contrasts her own decorated, competitive history to Nikki's scripted one, is a continuation of that narrative. Rousey has more real-life legitimacy than any other woman on the roster, but she is also a recipient of the goodwill they've generated. And although the Bellas are not in Rousey's league, skill-wise, they have a point. They moved the needle by inches--necessary inches--to get the women's division to a current state that would promote Rousey as its champion.WWE has done something clever. Rather than making Rousey and Nikki's title match at Evolution a comparison of prowess--which Rousey obviously wins--they're making it into a referendum on the Women's Evolution itself, which is more debatable. Who deserves credit? Who broke which ground? Who's underrated and who's overpraised? And who gets to tell this story, when all is said and done?These are questions that will be litigated for years; everyone wants to take credit for a success. And this storyline is the first of many meta narratives. Let's hope to see more; these feuds are, above all, something that WWE's savviest fans can invest and believe in.Make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday, October 28 for live coverage of Evolution. Info from Gamespot.com

Yet another video game studio has suffered significant layoffs. Trion Worlds, the studio behind games like Rift, Trove, Defiance, and Archeage, has reportedly cut more than 150 jobs following its acquisition by a German free-to-play game company, Gamigo. A statement from Trion Worlds confirms that "there has been a transaction involving Trion Worlds and its games" that will result in layoffs."While many of the names and faces you've come to know in our studios will remain on through this transition, others will not be making the journey," reads a line from the statement. "To those who are leaving us, we are forever grateful for your incredible work and contributions over the years."A source told Gamasutra that Trion Worlds had more than 200 people on staff across its offices in California and Texas, but after the layoffs only 25 people are staying with the company.Trion's games, at least some of them, will remain online in the "capable hands" of Gamigo, the company said. "Everyone involved is aiming to make this transition as smooth as possible for you. We will have more information to reveal as soon as we possibly can," the statement continues.Polygon reports that the affected Trion developers were paid severance, unlike the people who lost their jobs when Telltale announced its own "majority studio closure."Trion is just the latest video game studio to suffer serious layoffs. In September alone, more than 500 people lost their jobs due to the closure or significant staffing reductions at Carbine (50 layoffs), Capcom Vancouver (158 people), Telltale (250 people), and Big Fish Games (75 people). With Trion's 175 layoffs, there have now been more than 600 video game industry jobs lost in the past two months. Info from Gamespot.com

On the October 22 episode of WWE's flagship series, Raw, Universal Champion Roman Reigns shocked the world by announcing he has leukemia, that he's vacating the title, and leaving to heal.During the opening segment of the Monday night series, Reigns came down to the ring, with the title on his shoulder, and gave a heartfelt speech to the fans in attendance and those watching at home, breaking character to reveal that for the past 11 years, he's been battling with leukemia. "My real name is Joe, and I've been living with leukemia for 11 years," explained Reigns. "And unfortunately, it's back. And because the leukemia is back, I cannot fulfill my that role. I can't be that fighting champion. And I'm going to have to relinquish the Universal Championship.A portion of the speech was tweeted out by WWE, which you can see below..@WWERomanReigns has to relinquish the Universal Championship due to a battle with leukemia. #Raw pic.twitter.com/EhomllNwjK — WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018Reigns went on to say that he was diagnosed with leukemia at 22 years old, but the leukemia was quickly in remission. He stated that he didn't have a job or a home and football was done with him. On top of all that, Reigns had a child on the way."But you wanna know who gave me a chance? The team that gave me a chance was the WWE," continued Reigns. "When i finally made it to the main roster, and I was on the road, they put me in front of you, the WWE Universe, and y'all have made my dreams come true. It didn't matter if you cheered me. It didn't matter if you booed me. You've always reacted and that's the most important thing, and for that, I have to say thank you so much."Sometimes life throws you a curveball. And right now, the best thing for me to do is to go home and focus on my family and my health... But I want to make one thing clear. By no means is this a retirement speech. After I'm done whooping leukemia's ass once again, I'm coming back home. And when i do, it's not just gonna be about titles and being on top. It's about a purpose. I will beat this, and I will be back, and you will see me very, very soon."Reigns laid the title in the middle of the ring and walked back up the ramp, where his brothers-in-arms Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins met him and gave him a hug. With tears in their eyes, they lined up their fists in the classic Shield pose one more time. Info from Gamespot.com

After nearly a decade, the end of the Game of Thrones TV show is in sight. Fortunately, fans of the series have new things to look forward to, but even for those with faith in George RR Martin, the prospect of a new Song of Ice and Fire novel looks increasingly unlikely. Similarly, what the future holds for video game adaptations of the franchise is unclear. Telltale is all but dead, and for a series that has proven to be such a phenomenal success in other mediums, it's surprising that there haven't been more game adaptations. Reigns: Game of Thrones may not be the Elder Scrolls-style RPG you're hoping for, but it does nonetheless offer a welcome use of the license--even if it does occasionally stumble with repetition.Reigns: GoT has you take on the role of king or queen of Westeros. You're faced with a series of situations, and you respond to each card that pops up with a binary choice by swiping left or right. Your decisions impact four different meters you must constantly balance: military, religion, citizens, and money. It sounds simple, but you have to prevent all of these meters not just from emptying, but also from filling all the way up. Becoming overwhelmingly popular with the people sounds great, but it's a one-way ticket to losing your throne thanks to jealous lords who launch a coup. You're able to preview the impact of any decision, but you're only told which meters will be affected and whether it'll be a minor and major effect, not whether it will increase or decrease.This results in a certain amount of guesswork when you're initially presented with any scenario, which can lead to a swift death--I've had runs end with my very first swipe. In time you'll develop an understanding for how to approach situations, and the challenge comes in being prepared for anything. You're never sure what opportunity or obstacle lies around the next corner, and deftly handling whatever is thrown at you is the key to success.As is appropriate for Game of Thrones, no character is untouchable, and that's true for each of the rulers you can play as. Like in the previous Reigns games, your death is the very likely outcome of any run, but it comes in many forms, and discovering them all (whether it's contracting greyscale, getting lost in the tunnels of the Red Keep, or being burned to death by wildfire) is one of the most entertaining aspects of the game. It's a rarity that death is a legitimately enjoyable moment in a game, but that's undoubtedly the case here.That's thanks in large part to the excellent writing. Despite each card consisting of a few sentences at most, characters are colorful, distinct, and full of personality. And although the subject matter is often serious, and the world brutal, the game manages to maintain an air of lightheartedness throughout. Some part of that is due to the apparent decision to leave out the sexual assault and rape that is a common element of Martin's novels and the TV show. The game is better off by not trivializing these things by having you respond to them with a Tinder-style swipe, and their absence makes you feel no less like you're inhabiting the world of the books and show.The use of well-established characters is thankfully not heavily reliant on quotes or wink-wink references to the show, like you might expect. While it makes sense that your own ruler's personality is dictated by your choices, there are the occasional moments where characters feel less like themselves and more like generic individuals who share the name and look of their book/show counterparts, but these instances are few and far between.Reigns: GoT embraces its non-canonical status, building loosely on the state of the world from Seasons 6 and 7 and allowing it to expand in many different directions. You're able to make decisions that run contradictory to what we know about these characters; there's nothing stopping you from making Cersei into a benevolent leader or Jon Snow into a materialistic jerk. You will face resistance where you'd expect; Winterfell is not inclined to take kindly to Cersei's attempts at diplomacy. This helps to deepen the sense that you are occupying this world, and not one that just happens to have characters whose names you recognize.The game is well suited to mobile, where you can quickly knock out a brief run. It's designed to be replayed over and over as you take different paths and try different rulers and approaches. In time, you recognize patterns and scenarios that emerge repeatedly, and playing begins to feel like exploring an elaborate maze. You can't save your progress during any run, so you're unable to do the old choose-your-adventure book trick of peeking ahead to see if you're making the "wrong" choice. While there were times that I wished I could place a bookmark I could return to in order to see how differently things could have played out, the absence of such a feature provides a weight to each of your decisions. You'll just have to live (or, well, die) with your decisions, whether or not you like the outcome.As with discovering the many deaths that await you, much of the fun comes from finding every corner of the maze, rather than successfully navigating your way out of it. The threat of the White Walkers is constantly looming in the background, and some runs do prove to be repetitive and dull, offering nothing new to see or do. But more often, you'll be faced with some well-written scenario to see through, be it a war with Dorne, the threat of the Greyjoys, or experiments with wildfire. While this could have felt directionless, vaguely described optional objectives--win a tavern brawl, make Dothraki pie, and so on--provide you with a loose path to pursue as you seek to check everything off your list.While the Game of Thrones license is the headlining feature, there are some advancements here that provide welcome variety and iterate on the formula established in Reigns and Reigns: Her Majesty. You'll periodically have the opportunity to pick from a handful of branches of a decision tree (though these still lead to swipe left or right choices). Slightly more elaborate sequences have you making a series of decisions that, rather than directly affect your four reputation meters, determine whether you successfully complete a long trip or win a battle. In the latter case, you'll have to make tactical decisions about which of your forces to use against specific opponents. StarCraft this is not, but these sequences help to break up the action and make these moments feel like the significant events that they should.Reigns: GoT is by no means perfect. It doesn't lend itself to long play sessions thanks to the potential for repetition, which can make the action feel tedious. But that's ultimately a minor quibble for what's a genuinely fun experience: a choose-your-own adventure where you're faced with non-stop decisions and a seemingly endless combination of ways for things to play out.Info from Gamespot.com

Just over a week since release, developer Treyarch has rolled out numerous updates for Black Ops 4. The latest such patch introduced a variety of bug fixes and stability improvements, while multiple upcoming updates will focus on improving network performance. A Halloween event has also been announced, and Treyarch has brought back the series' Black Market feature where you can acquire new cosmetics. Read on for our full review (originally published on October 17).As a continuation of the Black Ops subseries, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 both benefits from and is limited by its past. All three of its major modes--multiplayer, Zombies, and the new battle royale mode Blackout--pull from and build upon previous games. Multiplayer is largely successful in its mix of old and new, while Zombies struggles more with dated elements. Blackout, though, strikes an excellent balance, putting a clever Call of Duty spin on a genre entirely new to the series.While Black Ops 4 doesn't have a traditional single-player campaign, it does have a helpful set of character-focused tutorial missions. Called Specialist HQ, it introduces you to each of the 10 multiplayer Specialists one by one, taking you through their unique abilities and a practice multiplayer match. It does have a bit of a story and some gorgeous (and gory) cutscenes threading each mission together, but it's all in service of getting you acquainted with the new Specialist mechanics--which is well worth the three or so hours it takes, since some of those mechanics appear in Blackout as well. One mission even weaves in a bit of general Zombies training, an unexpected but welcome touch that helps make the largely separate modes feel a little more cohesive.MultiplayerMultiplayer is the most straightforward of the modes, and Black Ops 4 attempts to be more tactical than previous entries. The wall-running and thrust-jumping of Black Ops 3 is gone, replaced with weighty, grounded movement, and healing is now manual and on a cooldown timer. The combination forces you to be more thoughtful about your positioning, since you can't just jet and dodge enemy fire until your health regenerates--you need to make sure you have adequate cover and time to heal yourself in your immediate vicinity. This encourages a slightly slower, more cautious pace on an individual level, and it's refreshing to play it smart instead of just fast. But time-to-kill is still low and respawning still near-instant, ensuring that matches don't stagnate.The more tactical feel extends to the Specialists, which build upon those introduced in Black Ops 3. Each has a unique weapon and equipment with a specific combat focus, like area control or high damage output. Each Specialist's weapon is tied to a longer cooldown and functions as a superpowered attack (or defensive ability, in some cases), while their equipment varies from a special grenade to trip mines and other gear with a clear strategic purpose. This includes roles other than offensive ones--there's even a pseudo-healer Specialist, Crash--and it's a change that gives multiplayer more variety.Certain Specialists and strategies are more useful in some game types than others, though. Area control is best for objective-based modes like Domination, for example, and far less effective in the more scattered Team Deathmatch. Generally, your choice of Specialist and your team's composition won't matter in any mode if you aren't skilled in basic shooting and positioning, even if you're in a more defensive or supporting role. This means you can play selfishly and still emerge victorious, which works well for those of us who often solo queue and would rather not risk trying to communicate with randoms. But it can also make playing support-focused Specialists less rewarding if you aren't working as a team, since your efforts are useless if your teammates don't take advantage of them. It's a surprisingly good balance overall, though, giving you the flexibility to be only as tactical as you want or are able to be and enjoy the match regardless.The map design, too, facilitates that flexibility. Each map has areas perfect for different Specialists to take advantage of, like blind corners where Nomad's trip mines can take enemies by surprise or high ceilings where Recon can shoot and hide his Sensor Dart that reveals enemies on your radar. But the long and narrow three-lane structure each map is built on is a strong foundation for more traditional shooting as well, with both long sightlines good for sniper and tactical rifles and tight spaces for close-range automatic weapons.The Specialist strategies are best showcased in the new Control, an objective-based mode in which each team, one attacking and one defending, shares 25 lives. You win by either exhausting all of the enemy team's lives or gaining or maintaining control of the two objectives. A defensive Specialist like Torque, who has Razor Wire perfect for placement under windows and a Barricade "weapon" for extra cover, is a great option if you're trying to hold an objective, for example. An offensive Specialist, on the other hand, can aim to wipe out the enemy team.ZombiesBlack Ops 4's Zombies is as broad as it is deep, with two separate storylines across three maps (or four if you have the Black Ops pass included in the game's special editions). The first two, IX and Voyage of Despair, are part of the brand-new Chaos story, while Blood of the Dead and Classified round out the selection of maps to make up the returning Aether story. All of them follow the familiar Zombies formula--fighting waves of the undead, saving money to access better weapons and new areas, and uncovering wacky secrets and puzzles along the way--but each has its own quirks that take time and effort to discover.The Chaos maps are strong aesthetically, with rich level design and clever puzzles to match--draining water that has seeped into the Titanic's depths so you don't drown while searching for other secrets, for example. Like previous Zombies maps, a lot of the fun comes from figuring out how the map ticks while also trying not to die, and both IX and Voyage of Despair have the complex layouts that lend themselves to thorough yet hectic exploration. Voyage is a personal favorite, with narrow, creepy hallways and presumably drowned zombies that have water gushing from their heads.On the Aether side, Blood of the Dead is based on Black Ops 2's Mob of the Dead, while Classified is a reimagination of Black Ops' Five. Although they're definitely familiar, there are still surprises to entertain returning players--some puzzles don't unlock what you expect them to unlock, for example. However, the Ultimus crew hasn't aged particularly well, even considering that each of them is stereotyped to the extreme. The jokes just don't land anymore, especially Takeo's overdone Japanese accent where Ls are replaced with Rs at every opportunity. In Blood of the Dead it's distracting, but in Classified, lines about the Emperor and eating sushi are just plain offensive. You'll also hear these same lines every time you start a new run, which doesn't help.On top of the already hefty amount of Zombies content, Black Ops 4 introduces a new mode of fighting the undead, Rush. It's a much faster-paced version of Zombies where you don't have to do any thinking or puzzle-solving; you're just there to kill them horde-style. There's no money, so you don't need to save up to buy a weapon or unlock a door. You're instead told which area will have the next Rush wave, and you're directed from room to room as you go. It's too intense to be a tutorial, per se, but it's a great way to familiarize yourself with the map, test weapons, and plan where to go next if you get stuck in Classic mode.BlackoutThe third and most exciting of Black Ops 4's three main sections is, of course, Blackout. Like other battle royale games, Call of Duty's take puts 100 players on one map with the goal of being the last person or squad standing, and a collapsing circle of death forces you in closer and closer proximity. It's unlike anything Call of Duty has done before, and slight alterations to its mechanics, like the addition of bullet drop on some weapons, help it adapt to the very different gameplay style.Brilliantly, experience in both multiplayer and Zombies benefits you in Blackout. Perks and Specialist equipment can be looted during a match, and knowing how to both use and counter them can give you an advantage. There are also zombie-infested areas that offer powerful loot at the risk of attracting human players to your position, and that PvE twist in particular helps distinguish Blackout from the likes of PUBG. A successful Blackout round can last over 20 minutes, so if you're impatient or more used to Call of Duty's shorter multiplayer formats, seeking out zombies and causing a ruckus mid-match is a great way to see more action.The map itself is also distinctly Call of Duty, filled with references to previous games, including the fan favorite Nuketown. Vibrant and varied design makes each region stand out from the next, and the map as a whole is easy to navigate as a result. That in turn facilitates the strategic movement and positioning necessary to succeed; it's easy to pivot if a lot of other people are nearby, for example, if you know where you are in relation to the next-best loot area.The combination of Call of Duty-specific mechanics with PUBG-style health, loot, and shooting systems is executed well, with quality-of-life improvements to UI--notably, you can quick-equip weapon attachments without going into your menu. The twists are balanced, too, and the Specialist equipment in particular doesn't make things feel unfair. Like in multiplayer, you can ignore anything you don't want to bother with, and survival ultimately comes down to your situational awareness, your skill with various weapons, and a bit of luck with looting and the circle. That makes victory feel earned and, as a result, immensely gratifying--Blackout definitely captures the tense, shaky excitement that makes battle royale such a popular genre.Black Ops 4 isn't short on content, and its three main modes are substantial. Multiplayer introduces more tactical mechanics without forcing you into them, and it largely strikes a good balance. Zombies has multiple deep, secret-filled maps to explore, though its returning characters don't hold up and prove distracting. Finally, Blackout pushes Call of Duty in an entirely new direction, making use of aspects from both multiplayer and Zombies for a take on the battle royale genre that stands on its own. Sure, there isn't a traditional single-player campaign, but with the depth and breadth of what is there, Black Ops 4 doesn't need it.Info from Gamespot.com