NVIDIA’s Jacob Freeman has shared some screenshots from a WIP RTX Remix Mod for Worms Forts: Under Siege. This mod aims to add Full Ray Tracing/Path Tracing effects to this 3D Worms title. So, let’s take a look at it. Developed by Team17, Worms Forts: Under Siege came out on Xbox, PlayStation 2 and PC in … Continue reading Take a look at Worms Forts: Under Siege with Path Tracing→
Modder ‘Zzyxzz’ has released a pretty cool mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition that adds 80+ dynamic combat styles to its NPCs. Thus, using this mod will make your encounters with your enemies more unpredictable. Going into more details, the mod distributes the combat styles randomly via SkyPatcher while you play. As … Continue reading This cool mod adds 80+ dynamic combat styles to Skyrim’s NPCs→
Our absolute favorite Switch deal at the moment is Super Mario Party Jamboree, down to just $47.99 at Woot. IGN's Logan Plant loved the new entry into the series, awarding it a 9/10 and saying in his review: "Super Mario Party Jamboree is the series’ newest superstar, with fantastic boards, minigames, and customizable rules that return to the classic formula while also confidently improving upon it."
The best Switch SD card should be fast, reliable, and as future-proof as possible. That last one is important, especially with the Switch successor on the horizon. Therefore, you're going to want to opt for the latest in SD card tech, which is a micro SDXC UHS-I U3 A2 V30 memory card. That's a lot of random letters, so to save you a bit of time we've left our top suggestions and deals just above and below for your convenience.
Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Holiday Bundles Are Live
Black Friday has arrived a little early for Nintendo fans. For the past few years, Switch holiday bundles with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe have dropped during the holiday sale event. If you've been itching to pick up one of these bundles, you thankfully don't need to wait until November as the Standard and new OLED bundle are already live at Best Buy. With these bundles, you're essentially getting the game for free, which is totally worth it.
Best Switch Power Bank Deals
Looking for a new power bank? This incredible deal on the Anker PowerCore 737 is absolutely worth checking out. Featuring a spacious 24,000mAh capacity and a hefty 140W charging output, it's a fantastic pick for your Nintendo Switch. We also featured it in our list of the best power banks for 2024, so it's well worth investing in.
Best Nintendo Switch Accessory Deals
Whether you're looking for a new controller or a carrying case for your Switch, there are quite a few different accessory deals that are worth checking out. Here, we've listed just a few of our favorite discounts at the moment, including a deal on an Orzly carrying case and a great deal on Neon Purple and Neon Orange Joy-Cons.
The short answer is that you should buy a Nintendo Switch whenever there’s any kind of sale, regardless of the time of year. Amazon will likely offer the same console bundles on any other sale as it will on Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, so there’s no real reason to wait if you’re in need of a Nintendo Switch.
That being said, there are sometimes some unique bundles and promotions during Black Friday that you won’t find any other time of the year. They usually includes additional games (like the infamous Mario Kart 8 bundle) or Switch accessories for free, but quantities tend to be limited. As always, do your research into the seller before you make a purchase and keep in mind that the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming out next year.
With how expensive gaming is getting in 2024, we're trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We've got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as PlayStation and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand-new offers. If you're trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
Even though there are some major seasonal sale events right around the corner, Xbox has plenty of excellent deals for fans to take advantage of right now. That includes a superb deal on Xbox controllers at Lenovo using code FALLXBOX, with colors like Astral Purple down to just $39.99 for a limited time. There's also Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake), down to just $21.99, which is its best price ever. That's not all, as there are also offers on more games, storage, and so much more.
Best Xbox Controller Deals
Lenovo has a killer deal on the Astral Purple, Electric Volt, or Carbon Black Xbox Controllers, now down to just $39.99 when using promo code FALLXBOX at checkout. This is one of the best Xbox deals going right now, and well worth considering even with the Black Friday sales right around the corner. The new Xbox Ghost Cipher Controller is also discounted now long after release, down from $69.99 to $59.49 at Amazon today.
Here's what Tristan Ogilvie had to say in his 10/10 Resident Evil review for IGN: "Whether you're a fan of the original or a newcomer with a hankering for some action-heavy horror of the highest quality, Resident Evil 4 is like a parasite-riddled Spaniard: a total no-brainer."
More Xbox Video Game Deals:
Best Xbox Series X Deals
Two new variants of Xbox Series X are now available alongside a new 1TB Series S. If you're interested in picking one of these up, the fancy 2TB Galaxy Black Series X will set you back $599.99, the 1TB All-Digital Robot White Xbox Series X can be bought for $449.99, and the 1TB Robot White Xbox Series S goes for $349.99.
Best Xbox Game Pass Deals
CURRENTLY SOLD OUT - STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES
One of our favorite Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deals has returned at Woot, providing another opportunity for users to stack their membership at a discounted rate. You can get three months of the service for just $36.49. This price won't stick around for long, so act fast to secure your membership.
The headline here is of course the October 25 release of Black Ops 6, the first Call of Duty game to launch day-one on Game Pass. It comes a year after Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which has also seen the likes of Diablo 4 and Modern Warfare 3 arrive on Game Pass, and will, in November, see StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection hit the subscription service.
Black Ops 6’s launch straight into Game Pass is a big gamble for Microsoft. It hopes the power of Call of Duty will boost subscriber numbers and revenue (itself bolstered by the recent Game Pass price rise and restructure), but it comes with the risk of losing sales of the full-price game. While Xbox executives have insisted sales can be boosted by a game’s presence on Game Pass, some publishers remain unconvinced.
Does your family complain when you stay up playing loud shooters late into the night? They'll stop complaining if you pick up anXbox headset that lets no one but you hear the delightful explosions you cause on the screen.
Right now, you can get 13% off the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX wireless headset and 36% off the Razer Kaira Pro wireless headset at Amazon. To see even more gaming headsets on sale, visit our roundup of the best gaming headset deals.
What is Xbox's Recent Controversy?
The recent discomfored surrounding Xbox can be isolated to a recent round of brutal layoffs. Microsoft is closing a number of Bethesda studios, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, and more in devastating cuts at Bethesda. Alpha Dog Games, maker of mobile game Mighty Doom, will also close. Roundhouse Studios will be absorbed by The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. Microsoft, currently valued at over $3 trillion, did not say how many staff will lose their jobs, but significant layoffs are inevitable.
Is Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Coming to Xbox Game Pass?
Microsoft has confirmed the arrival of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 day-one on Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft made the announcement alongside the release of a live-action reveal trailer called 'The Truth Lies'. In it we see world leaders including Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, and Saddam Hussein, delivering cryptic speeches. Black Ops 6 will be set during the events of the Gulf War during the early '90s.
When Should I Buy an Xbox?
In general, it is advisable to keep an eye out for sales and restocks throughout the year, as availability has improved since the initial launch of the console. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, there is no specific recommendation to wait for a sale regardless of the time of year. Instead, it's a good idea to monitor various retailers and online platforms for restock announcements and promotional offers.
However, certain events like Black Friday or other holiday seasons may bring about unique bundles, discounts, or promotional deals specifically for the Xbox Series X. These bundles may include additional games, accessories, or exclusive limited editions. While quantities for such promotions might be limited, they can provide an opportunity to get more value for your purchase. See our guide to Xbox Series X prices for more info.
Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?
Choosing between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ultimately depends on your gaming preferences, budget, and specific requirements. Let's compare the two consoles to help you make an informed decision:
1. Performance: The Xbox Series X is the more powerful option, offering native 4K gaming, higher graphical fidelity, and faster loading times. It has more advanced hardware, including a larger storage capacity. On the other hand, the Xbox Series S targets a lower price point and offers a less powerful performance, targeting 1440p resolution gaming and upscaling to 4K.
2. Price: The Xbox Series S is more affordable compared to the Xbox Series X. If budget is a significant factor for you, the Xbox Series S provides a cost-effective option while still delivering a next-generation gaming experience. For example, the Series S can play Starfield at 1440p 30fps (vs 4K 30fps on Series X).
3. Storage: The Xbox Series X comes with a larger internal storage capacity, allowing you to store more games directly on the console. The Xbox Series S, however, has a smaller storage capacity, which means you may need to manage your game library more actively or rely on external storage solutions.
4. Disc Drive: The Xbox Series X includes a disc drive, enabling you to play physical game discs and enjoy a wider range of media options, including Blu-ray and DVD playback. The Xbox Series S, in contrast, is a digital-only console, meaning you can only play games downloaded from the digital store.
5. Graphics and Performance: While both consoles support ray tracing, the Xbox Series X provides a more immersive and visually impressive experience due to its superior hardware capabilities. If you prioritize cutting-edge graphics and want the best performance available, the Xbox Series X is the preferable choice.
Consider your gaming preferences, budget, and whether you prioritize top-of-the-line performance or cost-effectiveness. If you have a 4K TV, want the most powerful console, and are willing to invest more, the Xbox Series X is the recommended option. If you have a lower budget, a 1080p or 1440p TV, and don't mind sacrificing some performance, the Xbox Series S offers excellent value for money.
With how expensive gaming is getting in 2024, we're trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We've got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as Switch and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you're trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
Banjo-Tooie launches on Switch on October 25, Nintendo has announced.
The N64 sequel to Rare’s popular platformer Banjo-Kazooie launched in 2000 to critical and commercial acclaim, with visuals considered among the best the console had to offer. It hits Switch via the Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online collection of games. (Banjo-Kazooie hit Switch in 2022.)
Here’s the official blurb:
It's the bear-bird duo Banjo and Kazooie to the rescue! Magical minigames, perplexing puzzles, and freaky foes await them in the stages ahead — through ancient ruins, underwater realms, and even an amusement park of sorts.
In 2009, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Rare, Banjo-Tooie launched on Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade with a smoother frame-rate and HD graphics. Then, in 2015, Banjo-Tooie was re-released as part of the Rare Replay compilation. In 2019, Banjo-Tooie was enhanced to run at a native 4K resolution on Xbox One.
The last brand new Banjo-Kazooie game to come out, Nuts & Bolts, launched on Xbox 360 in 2008. Fans have called for Microsoft to release a sequel ever since, but so far not a peep. Banjo and Kazooie are playable characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, though.
Banjo-Tooie joins a growing list of Rare-developed games on Switch, which includes the aforementioned Banjo-Kazooie, the seminal shooter GoldenEye, Blast Corps, and Jet Force Gemini.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Halloween is fast approaching so that means it's the time of year again when Cardy, Mat, and Jesse share their favourite "under the radar" horror movies, shows, games, books, and more. Before that, though, there's time to discuss two of the month's standout new horror films The Substance and Terrifier 3. Plus, we've even got a great Endless Search to play. What a day.
Remember to send us your thoughts about all the new games, TV shows, and films you're enjoying or looking forward to: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.
New York Comic Con 2024 has officially begun and promises another weekend of big announcements in the world of movies, TV, video games, comics, and so much more. There's a lot to look forward to and this roundup will ensure you don't miss a thing.
While the show has just begun, there have already been some exciting reveals, including a trailer and release date for Dune: Prophecy, a new look at some upcoming MCU projects, a glimpse at the future of current Dragon Ball games, a new comic series where Doctor Doom is emperor of the Marvel Universe, and much more.
You can check out all the news below, and be sure to keep checking back as we will be updating this page with all the biggest moments from NYCC!
HBO Prequel Series Dune: Prophecy Gets a Trailer and Release Date
“From the expansive universe of ‘Dune,’ created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, ‘Dune: Prophecy’ follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit," the official logline reads. "‘Dune: Prophecy’ is inspired by the novel ‘Sisterhood of Dune,’ written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson."
At the show, a piece of artwork in the form of a Marvel Logo included a tease of the future, including the first live-action look at The Fantastic Four's Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics a.k.a. H.E.R.B.I.E. and Harrison Ford's Hulk.
Elsewhere, we were treated to a new looks at some Daredevil: Born Again costumes.
Doctor Doom Becomes Emperor of the Marvel Universe in 2025
This five-issue limited series will begin in February 2025 and is set six months after Doom becomes the Marvel Universe's new Sorcerer Supreme. He emerges from hiding and declares himself emperor of the world. The other world powers don't seem to opposed to this idea, and even the Avengers - who are the only ones who can stand in his way - start to question whether the world is better off under Doom's rule.
The Rise of Emperor Doom is written by Ryan North (Fantastic Four) with art by RB Silva (Powers of X) and cover art by Ben Harvey.
The full lineup of creators in these teasers includes:
Chris Burnham & Dennis Culver
HamletMachine
Si Spurrier & Matías Bergara
Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan & Bob Quinn
Miles Gunter & Patrick Mulholand
Curt Pires, Rockwell White, Mike Vendrell & Ryan Quackenbush
Curt Pires & Amilcar Pinna
Cavan Scott & Nick Brokenshire
Chuck Austen & Patrick Olliffe
B. Clay Moore & Mack Chater
Chip Mosher & Peter Krause
DSTLRY plans on revealing more about its future in two panels this weekend - DSTLRY Presents: Surviving the Most Sinister Sci-Fi Dystopias and The Future of Horror Comics with DSTLRY.
Special Naruto and BLEACH-Themed Pop-Up Hits New York This Weekend
The event kicks off today at Shopify New York (131 Greene St, Soho) and also runs Friday and Sunday:
10/17-10/18 - 12 - 8pm
10/20 - 10am - 6pm
The special event will include something for everyone including:
BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War and Naruto photo installations, where visitors can snap a picture with life-size character stands of their favorite heroes.
Limited-edition collections for Naruto, BLEACH, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Kaiju No. 8, Sakamoto Days, and other merch straight from from the iconic "Jump Shop" in Japan.
An interactive Naruto photo op.
Interactive QR codes highlighting the history of both BLEACH and Naruto
A special manga gallery celebrating Naruto's legacy.
NYCC Offers a Glimpse of the Future of Current Dragon Ball Video Games
NYCC has given Dragon Ball fans a glimpse of the future of some of their favorite, more recent titles, including Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
Thank your own personal deity—possibly Malvirta Drako Eht—it's Friday! We're going to round this week out with a bunch of bargains on Mario-centric titles that usually aren't this cheap, some discounted keyboards, and a marvellous Spidey saving (or two). Stay safe, save often, and see you Monday!
In retro news, I'm throwing a 33rd birthday lunch for Streets of Rage. The main course: bin-sourced chickens. Some of my fondest gaming memories are of toe-tapping to Yuzo Koshiro's sick beats as I co-oped through Sega's worthy Final Fight competitor. After the initial argument over who got to be Axel, you almost always had a jagged alliance with sneaky kidney hits and outright in-fights to the death if your bud taxed too many baseball bats / apples / money sacks. Personally, I saved my aggression for the 'bad ending' choice where one may betray their fellow vigilante cop for the crime boss throne instead.
Let's make this simple: You want to know if there are any post- or mid-credits scenes in Smile 2. The answer is no. Like the original, we cut to the credits on a big moment and writer/director Parker Finn lets that moment speak (and smile) for itself.
Writer-director Parker Finn's horror sequel Smile 2 sees the return of the shape-shifting demon from the 2022 film, back to haunt a whole new cast of characters. In our Smile 2 review, our critic gave the film a 7 out of 10. He called the film "a solid sequel that sicks the suicide-hex phantom on a pop star played – in a highly volatile, committed performance — by Aladdin’s Naomi Scott. Smile 2 doesn’t quite match its sadistically effective predecessor in the scare department, because once you’ve seen one phantom doppelganger grinning like the Cheshire Cat, you’ve seen them all. But the movie works as a nasty portrait of the downside of music-biz fame, and it builds to an ending deserving of every crooked smile it earns."
Starting on Friday, we'll have a full spoiler breakdown of the film's ending and more. So be sure to check back then!
Does Smile 2 Have a Post-Credits Scene?
As noted, there are no post-credits or mid-credits scenes in the film. Though the closing credits do find Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s terrific score going into a surreal, experimental place, overlaying music with sounds of screaming and agony, invoking the feeling that the movie’s events are bleeding into the music.
Are you excited for Smile 2? Vote in our poll and let’s discuss in the comments!
It seems Tom Holland is feeling pretty optimistic about Spider-Man 4 after reading a draft of the script, which he says still needs work but is otherwise "excellent" in a interview with the Rich Roll podcast.
“We have a creative and we have a pitch and a draft, which is excellent. It needs work, but the writers are doing a great job. I read it three weeks ago and it really lit a fire in me," Holland said. "Zendaya and I sat down and read it together and we at times were bouncing around the living room like this is a real movie worthy of the fans’ respect.”
Holland's comments were part of a wide-ranging conversation in which he touched on his relationship with Robert Downey Jr., what it's like to be part of the MCU, and his overall career as an actor. He claims that he's juggling "three or four things" right now, the "biggest of which is my re-entry into the MCU and what the looks like."
Zendaya and I sat down and read it together and we at times were bouncing around the living room like this is a real movie worthy of the fans’ respect
“One of the things is that, with Marvel, your film is a small cog in a large machine. That machine has got to keep running," he explains. "You have to make sure you can fit into that timeline at the right time to benefit the bigger picture. That’s one of the challenges we’re facing. The time in which we need to get that done is a tall order but definitely achievable with the people we have working on it now.”
As for Holland, he has his own ideas about his character moving forward, including how he might relate to an MCU version of Miles Morales. “If I would be lucky enough to somehow bring Miles Morales into my Spider-Man universe and into the MCU, I’d love to do for a young kid what [Robert] Downey [Jr.] did for me.”
Retro PC YouTuber LGR was relieved to find much of his collection intact, but told me that "more than ever that there's a need to redistribute a lotta this stuff" to ensure its preservation.
Not everyone is the DIY type. If you're in the market for a prebuilt gaming PC, Dell is one of best brands we'd recommend. Alienware desktops and laptops feature solid build quality, top-of-the-line gaming performance, excellent cooling (further improved on the newer models), aggressive styling, and pricing that is very competitive with other pre-built options. Best of all, there are plenty of sales that happen throughout the year, so it's not difficult to grab one of these computers at considerably less than their retail price. This page includes all of the best deals that are currently available.
Dell and Alienware Coupons
Featured in this article
You can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. See below for our favorite picks.
Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4070 Super Gaming PC
Good for 1440p gaming
Ahead of Black Friday, Dell has dropped the price on this Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4070 Super gaming PC to $1499.99 after a $400 instant discount. This is the best value for gamers who want a PC that can run any game currently available, but don't want to spend to overspend. The RTX 4070 Super is the best graphics card for most people; it's not exorbitantly priced, and it's powerful enough to run games at up to 4K resolution (although 1440p is its sweet spot).
Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4080 Super Gaming PC
Good for 4K gaming
The Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4080 Super gaming PC drops to $2399.99 after a $400 instant discount. The 4080 Super is a second generation card that supersedes the RTX 4080. It's Nvidia's second most powerful card and a superior GPU to AMD's Radeon RX 7900 RTX if you factor in DLSS and ray tracing performance. In our RTX 4080 Super review, Jacqueline Thomas writes, "If you're in the market for a 4K graphics card around $1,000, it's hard to think of any GPU that's a better purchase right now. This is the RTX 4080 that should have launched in 2022."
Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4090 Gaming PC
Good for 4K gaming
The Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4090 Super gaming PC drops to $3099.99 after a $400 instant discount. The RTX 4090 is the most powerful GPU on the market. In his RTX 4090 review, Chris Coke writes, "The RTX 4090 may be huge and expensive, but holy smokes if it doesn’t blow the competition out of the water... Until the rest of the pack can catch up, between its impressive hardware specs and its DLSS 3 AI wizardry, even the $1,599 price doesn’t seem unreasonable for the unrivaled frame rates that this card can crank out." The 4090 is also great for AI thanks to its 24GB of VRAM.
Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PC
Good for 1080p and 1440p gaming
The Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4060 Ti gaming PC drops to $1299.99 after a $300 instant discount. The 4060 Ti is about 5-10% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti at 1080p, but it also gets an additional boost with DLSS 3.0. It is an excellent GPU for 1080p gaming. It's also more than capable of handling 1440p resolution, although we think that the RTX 4070 Super PC for an extra $200 will give you more peace of mind.
Alienware m16 R2 16" Gaming Laptop
Dell is offering an Alienware m16 R2 16" RTX 4060 gaming laptop for only $1,299.99 after a $300 instant discount. The GeForce RTX 4060 is a very capable GPU, but if you're looking for something even more powerful, you can upgrade to an RTX 4070 for an extra $300. The "R2" is a second generation model that was released earlier this year; it's lighter and more compact than its predecessor without compromising on performance.
Alienware m18 R2 18" Gaming Laptop
The Alienware m18 is the biggest Alienware laptop you can buy with an imposing 18" 2560x1600 display and top-of-the-line components like an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and RTX 4090 GPU. The RTX 4090 is still the most powerful mobile GPU on the market, and by a very substantial margin. It's roughly equivalent to a desktop RTX 3090 GPU.
Alienware x16 R2 Slim Gaming Laptop
The Alienware x16 laptop is one of the most portable gaming laptops around, measuring in at 0.73" at its thinnest point and weighing less than 6 pounds. Unlike other slim gaming laptops, the RTX 4090 GPU in the x16 isn't throttled; that means it should perform comparably to full-sized RTX 4090 equipped laptops like the m16 or m18 in games.
Dell G-Series Gaming Laptops
Dell has dropped the prices on both the Dell G16 and Dell G15 gaming laptops. Dells G-series laptops are great options for budget gamers. They offer excellent gaming performance equal to a comparably equipped Alienware laptop but at a much lower price point. They also have better build quality than Dell's consumer-oriented Inspiron lineup, with nicer materials that include anodized aluminum, and an aggressive cooling design borrowed from Alienware laptops.
32" Alienware AW3225QF 4K OLED Monitor
Dell is taking $200 off the new-for-2024 Alienware AW3225QF 32" 4K QD OLED gaming monitor, dropping the price to $999.99. This is one of the very few 4K OLED gaming monitors under 42"on the market, and at this price it's also the least expensive. If you're looking for the best gaming monitor for 2024, this should definitely be on your short list.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Horizon: Zero Dawn was developed by Guerrilla Games, and its remaster is being worked on by them as well. But today, the remaster's co-developer Nixxes stepped into the spotlight on the PlayStation blog to highlight a number of improvements we'll see in the remaster, including the addition of lots of new NPCs.
The post breaks down a number of updates to the game, perhaps the most notable of which is that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered will "significantly boost the number of non-player characters." This doesn't mean more quests or story, but it does mean that villages and camps will have more folks just wandering around, attending to their business. Brian van Nunen, senior technical game designer at Nixxes, offered more details and what I find to be a delightful example of this:
Building the game for PS5 allowed us to leverage the increased amount of memory available, enabling us to significantly boost the number of non-player characters," he said. "We added many more places for NPCs to stand, sit, work and fulfil their needs. We gave them more varied schedules to increase movement and liveliness in different areas. We also tried to make creative use of existing animations. For example, there is now a woman feeding geese at the well in Meridian, reusing an existing sowing animation. Additionally, on the bridge to Meridian, we’ve made significant strides in improving the atmosphere and sense of activity.
Let's hear it for feeding the geese!
More NPCs isn't the only change players will see. The blog also goes into detail about how foliage is being overhauled to be more dense, realistic, and closer to the original concept art. Terrain, too, is being updated, including snow and sand that actually moves as it's disturbed. This was a feature in the Frozen Wilds expansion, but in the remaster we'll see it elsewhere.
In addition to these improvements, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered benefits from 10 additional hours of motion capture data for various characters, which Nixxes says will make conversations seem livelier and closer to those in Forbidden West. Mark Bazelmans, senior technical artist, has a really fascinating explanation for how all this data was incorporated into the massive game:
Horizon Zero Dawn has almost 300 conversations and well over 3100 dialog options, so we needed to find a way to easily integrate this huge number of updated animations into the conversations," he said. "We created a tool with Python to process the almost 2500 mocap files that Guerrilla provided to replace the original animation in the conversations, removing deprecated events and replacing those with the mocap and setup.
We then focused on creating a pipeline in Maya for our animators to easily load, edit and re-export the individual mocap files for any other edits that were needed, such as finger animation, art direction feedback and fixes. Animators could select the conversation and subsequent dialog option from a list which created the scene from scratch, or simply opened it if it already existed. Our tool referenced the characters and imported the dialogue audio, so the animators could time the movement better and create the camera cuts and layout. Later, we extended this pipeline to also include existing animations for both conversations and cinematics, as some of these also required edits. Our animators could then go into Guerrilla’s DECIMA engine and edit or change the updated conversation.
And there's more. The blog post goes over details to how lighting was improved, both world and cinematic, and how character models were updated to have more detail to hair, skin, and oufits. Aloy has peach fuzz, and apparently you can see it. And while before only Aloy would react to the environment and weather, now both her and her companions will react when it's too hot or cold.
If you're a sicko for fascinating, in-depth explanation of how game dev works, this blog goes into incredible detail about how some of this stuff works with quotes from a number of Nixxes developers. Here's the link again to read the whole thing.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered it out on October 31 for PS5 and PC.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
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