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Resident Evil Requiem's Switch 2 Pro Controller Is Up for Preorder

Resident Evil Requiem is getting its very own Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which will release alongside the game on February 27, 2026, and is now up for preorder at Best Buy, costing $99.99.

It's the first Switch 2 game to get its own Pro Controller, and, at $10 more than the standard Switch 2 Pro Controller ($89), likely sets the pricing precedent for these special edition gamepads.

The controller keeps the same black-gray color scheme as the standard model, but stands out with an RE-themed front faceplate that looks like a newspaper clipping from Raccoon City.

The words "Resident Evil" appear prominently at the top, with "Requiem" just beneath it, while the rest of the design features snippets of in-universe articles and haunting images of the city's grim setting.

Capcom looks to be throwing the full force of Resident Evil Requiem behind the Switch 2 with several exclusive announcements for the console.

That includes the aforementioned controller, alongside an amiibo, and the 'Resident Evil Generation Pack', containing Resident Evil Requiem, Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition, and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition for Switch 2.

At the time of publication, only Best Buy and Nintendo (sold out) are hosting preorders for the first themed Switch 2 Pro Controller. But, we're also expecting the likes of Amazon, Walmart, and Target to follow suit soon. Stay tuned for more preorder updates in this regard.

In the meantime, we’ve got plenty more on Requiem to keep locked in, including the director of the game explaining why Western fans are more likely to play in first-person, and how the developers can’t tell if the game’s actually scary any more.

Resident Evil Requiem arrives for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S on February 27, 2026.

Robert Anderson is Senior Commerce Editor and IGN's resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.

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Stranger Things Season 5 Trailer Offers Our Best Look Yet at the Series Finale

Stranger Things is coming to an end with Season 5, and a new trailer from Netflix goes deep into what fans can expect.

The near three-minute trailer, below, gives us our best look at Season 5. The setup is as follows: with Hawkins under lockdown, El in hiding and danger lurking at every turn, the entire party unites with a single goal: to hunt and kill Vecna.

At long last… we can begin. The trailer for the epic final season of STRANGER THINGS is HERE. pic.twitter.com/5qi9memqSv

— Netflix (@netflix) October 30, 2025

Stranger Things Season 5 debuts on Netflix in three parts, with the first four episodes arriving for the Thanksgiving holiday on November 26. The next three episodes premiere on Christmas, and the series finale will debut on the streamer and in over 350 theaters nationwide on New Year’s Eve.

Stranger Things Season 5 release dates:

  • VOL 1 - November 26, 5pm PT
  • VOL 2 - Christmas, 5pm PT
  • THE FINALE - New Year’s Eve, 5pm PT

Cocreator and showrunner Ross Duffer has warned fans to see the Season 5 finale in theaters only if they’re cool with crying in a crowded room. "The finale. Theaters. New Year’s Eve," Duffer wrote in an Instagram post alongside a photo of the drawing Lucas and Max used to ask each other on a date in Season 4. "This is something my brother and I have dreamed about for years. If you don’t mind crying in front of strangers, GO. And if you’re in LA… maybe we’ll see you there."

Matt Duffer has said Linda Hamilton's character, Dr. Kay, who we see briefly in the new trailer, is a "hyper-intelligent and intimidating" government agent hunting down Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven. Meanwhile, Ross Duffer took to Instagram earlier this month to confirm the runtimes for the premiere episode, “The Crawl,” which will run one hour and eight minutes, Episode 2, whose title has yet to be announced, which will run 54 minutes, Episode 3, titled “The Turnbow Trap,” which will run one hour and six minutes, and Episode 4, “Sorcerer,” which comes in at one hour and 23 minutes.

Here’s the official blurb on Stranger Things Season 5:

The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.

Netflix also released a series of comments from the cast about where their characters are at going into Season 5, as well as comments from the Duffers and executive producer Shawn Levy:

“Eleven is in training mode. She's in a warrior state, which is the first time you see Eleven like that at the beginning of a season. As for her mindset, all she is thinking about is protecting her friends. Her friends are her chosen family, so she will do whatever it takes to protect them and we're going to see that.”

- Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven)

Dustin is kind of in a bit of a funk. I think everybody probably is considering the state that Hawkins is in, and it's getting a little bit harder for the gang to keep all the pieces together. We're all dealing with the day-to-day issues of what it is to try to keep everybody safe and figure out where Vecna is, while having a lot of unpacked baggage from the events in the previous season.” - Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin)

“It's always been in the beginning of a season that everything is all good, but this is the first season we come into it and the stakes are the same as where we left off. We haven't defeated Vecna and the problem is still there. We're still trying to figure it out and we may not be able to figure it out, so you feel that burden on Lucas as well as everyone else on the show. Everyone is on edge and we’re all just trying to keep hope alive.” - Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas)

“Will is back in Hawkins this season. He was out of Hawkins for the last season, so now we're seeing the effects of him being back in that realm. We kind of hit the ground running right away this season, which is really exciting and not how we've started any other season. Everyone is all in one place and we all have the same objective.” - Noah Schnapp (Will)

“We [ended] Season 4 in a tough place for Max. Her final moments were her in a hospital bed. Eleven was searching for her in the void and couldn't find her, so Max is definitely not the way she once was. There’s still a small glimmer of hope, though, and her friends are hanging on to that.” - Sadie Sink (Max)

“Mike is back in leadership mode, and he’s kind of taken it more upon himself to help plan out these missions, and he and the whole gang are devoted to finding Vecna and ending this.” - Finn Wolfhard (Mike)

“I think what's unique about this season is that it starts a little bit in chaos because our heroes ultimately lost at the end of Season 4. We usually set up their normal life and how they’re going about school, and then we introduce the supernatural element. But in this case, this season is sprinting from the start.” - Ross Duffer (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, Director)

“They’re not experiencing normal life. Nothing in Hawkins is normal anymore…their movement is restricted, and there are Big Brother cameras everywhere. So not only are they active — their everyday, normal lives are anything but.” - Matt Duffer (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, Director)

“The action is next level, the visual effects are next level, but I'm also happy to say that the emotional center remains the same. And part of the magic of this show is that even as we evolve, even as the storytelling becomes more epic, it's always anchored in these characters that we love.” - Shawn Levy (Executive Producer & Director)

Season 5 arrives over three years after the finale of Season 4. For more, check out the burning questions we still have from Stranger Things Season 4.

While Stranger Things is coming to an end in terms of its main Netflix series, there’s plenty more from the franchise to look forward to. Stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow made its Broadway debut in April, there’s a Stranger Things animated series that will take fans back to Hawkins in 2026, a collection of books, and the touring Stranger Things Experience.

Image credit: Netflix.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

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Nintendo Announces Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition and a Free Update to the Base Game

Nintendo has brought Animal Crossing: New Horizons back into the big time with a Switch 2 Edition and a free update to the base game. Both launch January 15, 2026, with preorders coming soon, Nintendo said.

The Switch 2 edition features new features like higher resolution visuals (with the framerate capped at 30fps), mouse controls, an in-game megaphone that uses the system’s built-in microphone, online play for up to 12 players, and CameraPlay.

The free update for the base game, meanwhile, features a new resort hotel run by Kapp’n’s family, new themed items and characters, extra exclusives like Slumber Island for Nintendo Switch Online members, and more. The content of this update can be played in both versions of the game from January 15.

Nintendo said Switch 2 players can buy digital or physical versions of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons when it launches on January 15 for $64.99, and if they already have the game for Nintendo Switch, a paid upgrade pack will also be available for $4.99. Pre-orders for the paid upgrade pack are available starting today on the My Nintendo Store and Nintendo eShop.

Here are the finer details, from Nintendo:

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 with several enhancements to enjoy, including:

  • Improved resolution (4K in TV mode).
  • Mouse controls with the right Joy-Con 2 controller to decorate indoors, create Custom Designs and even compose hand-written bulletin-board messages.
  • Locate residents by calling their names using the in-game megaphone item and the built-in Nintendo Switch 2 microphone.
  • Join 12-player sessions for online sessions if everyone is playing the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
  • Play with friends via CameraPlay. Connect a compatible USB camera (sold separately) and see their reactions in-game while exploring your island together.

And both versions of the game will receive new features to experience, including:

  • Resort Hotel’s Grand Opening: A resort hotel is opening on the pier, and it’s run by Kapp’n’s family. To bring in guests from off the island, you’ll help out by decorating guest rooms and more. Plus, find new furniture and clothing at the souvenir shop and dress up mannequins with outfits that guests can wear.
  • Making Island Life More Convenient: Want a fresh start? Resetti is on hand with a convenient Reset Service to help tidy up your island. Additionally, you can now upgrade your home storage to hold up to 9,000 items, and store trees, shrubs and flowers there, too.
  • Slumber Island: Players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership can design and save up to three islands and play with friends online. Select the size and layout of the island, build and design it collaboratively, access your inventory and decorate, plus invite residents from your home island.
  • Collaborations: Collect Nintendo items like the Ultra Hand and Nintendo consoles in-game to add some classic flair to your island. Nintendo Switch Online members can play select classic Nintendo titles in-game when interacting with specific Nintendo console items, too! LEGO items will also make their debut with this update. And use select The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series amiibo8 to invite certain characters — and unlock various items inspired by those series.

Most fans had accepted that Nintendo had left Animal Crossing: New Horizons behind, despite it being the second best-selling game on Switch with an enormous 48.19 million units sold. Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched in March 2020 and benefited from play-at-home gaming fueled by lockdowns, but Nintendo failed to capitalize on its popularity with significant DLC throughout the last five years. IGN's Animal Crossing: New Horizons review returned a 9/10. We said: "Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an expanded, polished, next-generation reboot of a classic Nintendo game that's full of surprises."

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

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Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Review

Even 33 years after its debut, the Mortal Kombat series can still shock and impress with its over-the-top violence and gory spectacle. That feels especially true with the latest game compilation and documentary release from developer Digital Eclipse, which not only brings the earliest Mortal Kombat games back for another round but also offers deeper insight into their history and how this brutal fighting series was brought to life. Though the collection falls just a bit short of executing a proper Fatality due to a few unfortunate omissions and some uneven balance and polish for the games that are here, it still offers enough of a comprehensive and engaging dive into the genre’s most infamous franchise to make for a killer package.

Focusing primarily on the history behind the games that defined the first 10 years of Mortal Kombat, the Legacy Kollection really leans into the formative hits. It starts from the first Mortal Kombat arcade game in 1992 and going through the series' first steps into 3D with Mortal Kombat 4 and the handheld ports of Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance, which tells the larger story of how Mortal Kombat co-creators Ed Boon and John Tobias went on to shake up the genre.

Included in the Legacy Kollection is the original Mortal Kombat trilogy and its ports, MK4, the Mythologies and Special Forces spin-offs, and the various handheld releases of other MK games. You're free to jump into any game in the collection right from the start, and they are essentially as they were upon release, which includes the memorable quirks, secrets, and exploits that were present. Unfortunately, this also includes the infamous enemy AI from certain versions of the original trilogy, notorious for reading player inputs and snapping back with counterattacks.

It was very jarring to see how brutal and, at times, unfair CPU opponents can be. The arcade ladder for MK2 and MK3 and its variations in particular, even on the lowest settings, can be relentless – though it's at least a great way to see just what ‘90s gamers were up against. However, the collection does make efforts to balance out those hurdles by adding some firsts to the classic games, such as a fleshed out training mode with tuning options, a difficulty setting for most games in the main menu, a Fatality training mode to help nail down the timing of those pesky finishers, and online play for the arcade and even Sega Genesis and SNES releases (though I wasn’t able to test out server stability for this review, and will update it after release if that turns out to be an issue).

The new rewind feature can help offset the infamously brutal original enemy AI.

One of the more helpful features that the Legacy Kollection includes is the rewind option, which lets you roll back 30 seconds of playtime in every game. This rewind can be a super useful option for offsetting the often absurd difficulty, but it's also nice to have for trying to perfect your run when going for a particular secret in arcade mode. However, one strange quirk I noticed was that rolling back in the middle of a fight can often supercharge enemy AI, which already has the odds stacked in their favor. In some cases, I was left in a real death loop of attacks whenever I tried rewinding a few seconds, with the AI somehow countering my roll back with a brutal throw or special move.

To be clear, these are not total remasters. While some healthy new features come with the collection, the classic games are essentially as they were, with only quality-of-life updates and visual tweaks to dress them up for modern platforms. You can even add some neat visual filters and borders to simulate the old-school arcade or home experience, or just strip it back to the essentials. The collection offers a solid, well-made container for these classics, and I appreciated that it can even make most of them look sharp on my modern display.

The Legacy Kollection doesn't just focus on the key arcade games; it also includes many ports released after and alongside them, which is how many people in the '90s played them. It's such a great decision to include the supplementary ports for the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, and Game Boy as they help show just how popular Mortal Kombat was and how much work went into each release. I was too young to visit arcades on my own, so I ended up forming a stronger attachment to the Sega Genesis ports of the original MK games. Even though it's not totally up to the standards of the arcade releases, the ports still hit the spot when it comes to showing off that classic MK combat and spectacle. I couldn't help but feel nostalgic when I heard the Sega Genesis' scratchy rendition of the Dead Pool theme.

That said, parts of the package do feel more like curiosities, showing how early Mortal Kombat ran on more modest hardware. For instance, playing the Game Boy and Game Gear versions of Mortal Kombat 1 can be an eyesore. The handheld-sized experience is blown up to fit a larger screen, and the gameplay is so sluggish and unresponsive that it can feel disorienting. I would have preferred an option to shrink the screen to a more visually appealing scope, but that's not available in the collection. Still, I'm glad to have them for posterity's sake, as they are vital parts of MK history.

It's such a great decision to include so many supplementary ports.

I especially loved to have a new way to play the PS1 edition of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, which is essentially the Super Smash Bros. of the MK series with its massive roster. The Legacy Kollection also improves it with greatly reduced load times, which makes it likely the best version of MK Trilogy available. It's a fantastic addition to the overall collection.

One of the most anticipated inclusions in the collection is the fabled WaveNet release of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, an updated version of the arcade game that rebalanced the combat, featured Noob Saibot and Human Smoke as unlockable characters, and also had the then-rare opportunity to play online against other arcade players. This is such a tremendous find, making the collection feel all the more comprehensive as it allows long-time fans to play the 'lost' release of UMK3, and it runs incredibly well.

Unfortunately, the one game that feels the most unpolished is Mortal Kombat 4, which is appropriate given that it's the series' first crack at 3D combat in the arcade. The version included in the package is the finalized arcade release, which has some odd visual and gameplay bugs. Some of the new additions with the Legacy Kollection seem to magnify its quirks, too, such as stage geometry popping out of view or obstructing the action, or instances in the training mode with characters getting stuck out of bounds. In that way, it feels like a letdown given this is the only modern way to play MK4.

Interestingly, the Legacy Kollection includes playable versions of some of the franchise's early spin-offs, including Mortal Kombat: Mythologies - Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, which have not been seen since their initial releases. Instead of fighting games, Mythologies and Special Forces try to inject the over-the-top violence and spectacle into action stages. Unfortunately, the two spin-offs have not gotten better with age, even with some minor improvements to controls. They are easily the weakest games of the package, being both frustrating and unintentionally hilarious to sit through. But the inclusion of these games is still very much welcome because they were, at the time, ambitious swings for the series to try something different. It's commendable that the collection includes these misfires and gives them equal attention alongside the hits. It also highlights that they served as stepping stones for more well-rounded spin-offs that were to come.

We get to see the series' growth well in the documentary mode, which is where the Legacy Kollection truly shines as a fantastic celebration. Much like Digital Eclipse's work on The Making of Karateka and Tetris Forever, the documentary mode is displayed as an explorable timeline that shows factoids about the series, interviews, archival footage of development, deleted characters and special moves, and even classic commercials and arcade advertising for each of the key games.

The documentary mode is a fantastic history lesson, not just on the series but also on video game development and shifting pop culture during the 1990s. With new interviews of key creatives from Williams Entertainment, Midway, and Netherrealm Studios, the documentary offers a detailed account of the developers' roots in pinball games and how Mortal Kombat became a lightning rod for the backlash against violence in media during the ‘90s. My favorite details were seeing how Mortal Kombat became a pop culture hit and how the developers felt about fans who thought Mortal Kombat 3's run-button changed the meta too much. It's a fantastic dive behind the scenes.

All in all, the Legacy Kollection has some truly great inclusions and additional features, but I couldn't help but feel a little let down by some game omissions that would have helped round it out further. Along with the lack of the N64 release of Mortal Kombat Trilogy – which had a fun and experimental 3v3 mode – Mortal Kombat 4 Gold edition and the console versions of MK: Deadly Alliance not being included really make for an odd choice given that they were the series's more confident steps into 3D. This also results in the documentary mode skimming over certain details in the timeline due to the absence of these games. Though I recognize the core focus was on the main games within the first 10 years of the series, and that other outside or technical issues likely prevented these games from being included, it’s still a bit disappointing to see the package lose steam towards the end, even with how impressive the Game Boy port renditions are.

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'She Is a Pawn in the Middle of All of It' — Wicked: For Good Director Confirms You'll See More of Dorothy This Time Around, but Not Her Face

Wicked: For Good will feature more of Dorothy this time around, but it will not show Dorothy’s face.

Confirmation comes from director Jon M. Chu, who told People that while Dorothy Gale will appear more heavily in Wicked: For Good compared to the Broadway show upon which it is based, fans won’t get to see her face because this remains Elphaba and Glinda’s story.

“I didn’t want to step on who you think Dorothy is in whatever story that you came into this with,” Chu said. The movie “is still Elphaba and Glinda’s journey, and she is a pawn in the middle of all of it.”

There has been intense speculation on who would play Dorothy, with Abigail star Alisha Weir and even Taylor Swift suggested. In the first trailer for Wicked: For Good, below, Dorothy can be seen from behind, but there aren’t any telling visuals that give away who will play the coveted role.

Dorothy was of course played by Judy Garland in the 1939 musical, The Wizard of Oz. Here's the official blurb on Wicked: For Good:

Directed once again by award-winning director Jon M. Chu and starring the spectacular returning cast, led by Academy Award nominated superstars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba and Glinda estranged and living with the consequences of their choices.
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard.
As Glinda’s stardom expands and she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She attempts to broker a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, but those efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda only further apart. The aftershocks will transform Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero forever, and threaten the safety of Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a girl from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives.
As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.

Wicked: For Good hits theaters November 21, 2025.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

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The Top 5 Ghost Movies From Around the World

Welcome to another installment of CineFix on IGN’s Horror World Tour: Ghost Edition! Yes, this time we’re checking in with the things in the night that don’t go bumping into other things (depending on which philosophy you prescribe to). And even though ghosts can’t touch things, the eerie nature of their existence in relation to morality grounds them in something very palpable and haunting.

So we’re going to break down some ghost movies from around the world that demonstrate the tropes we’re so familiar with. And since they are ethereal beings, some ghosts can and will float in and out of each of these topics…

Starting with basically the history of cinema itself, Georges Méliès’ two versions of The House of the Devil (1896 and 1897) can be considered the first portrayals of ghosts in film. Granted, the movies aren’t so much horror as they were a display of impressive visual effects for their time. Nevertheless, these short films do lay the groundwork for many ghost movies to follow, which leads to the question: What is a ghost? What do they look like? Can they talk? What are their motives: good or evil? Just how picky are we going to get?

Well, not picky at all. After all, this is a celebration of ghost stories from around the world. From the cartoonish to the human-like and beyond, there are so many cultural and religious interpretations of the afterlife and ghosts. It’s only right to acknowledge and appreciate all ghost forms in all… mediums. Get it? Christians believe ghosts are spirits who exist in an unofficial limbo while on their way to Heaven or Hell, yet other cultures believe in another place entirely where spirits live in parallel to our world after they pass, co-existing and living among us. Many cultures have their ways of honoring death so that loved ones can literally rest in peace, and that leads us to our first point: Ghost stories are almost always about the idea of death.

5. DEATH AND GRIEF

Ghosts are creatures that toe the line between science and religion; they exist in almost every culture. Whether the story is about someone’s untimely, unexpected death, or the reaction to it, reflection of death is always a part of a ghost story. Many stories feature women in mourning, like The Woman in Black, or in any telling of La Llorona. In The Asphyx, Sir Cunningham’s scientific pursuit of immortality is to avoid certain death by toying with human souls – a pursuit that ultimately ends in tragedy. In Ghost and A Ghost Story, widowed women have their late partners watching over them, but we also live within their grief. In The Others, Grace’s denial of a dark truth keeps her and her children lingering in limbo at their huge house. Goodnight Mommy and A Tale of Two Sisters examine children’s extreme reactions to loss. But our pick for a ghost story where death and grief take center stage is Australia’s The Babadook.

Seven years after losing her husband in a car accident on the way to give birth to her son, Amelia’s depression hangs over her like a cloud. She herself is like a ghost – emotionally unavailable to her child, angry, closed off to love, and moving around like an empty shell of a woman. While many concerned loved ones encourage her to move on, The Babadook’s introduction into her and her son’s life is a reckoning. As a metaphor for depression, the Babadook pointedly warns her of the pain he’ll cause if she continues to deny him. Like any mental illness, it’s not that simple to repress it with medication; there needs to be actual work to overcome it. The Babadook torments Amelia by isolating her from others and threatening to take her son. The battle with depression is constant, and the Babadook is a perfect metaphor for what it feels like to cope with grief, recognize what’s important, and move forward on an indefinitely paused life.

But not all are here for a long time – just a good time – so next we look at the unfinished business of ghosts.

4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Most times – though not all of the time – ghosts are products of unfinished business in this mortal realm. Whether they stay around because of a loved one, like in A Ghost Story or Ghost, or because they want to exact revenge on those who have wronged them, there is always a reason keeping them in this limbo. Of course, there are instances where they act as moral guides or metaphysical messengers for those still lost on Earth…but those types of movies aren’t spooky. No matter what, though, ghosts are subjected to a limbo not of their own making, yet 2004’s Shutter from Thailand serves as an examination of who gets to decide how and when to move on.

Shutter’s approach to unfinished business is two-fold. Haunted by the ghost of a wronged ex-girlfriend, Tun visits her mother and discovers that her body has been decaying in a bed upstairs. Hypothesizing that a proper burial will set Natre free of this limbo, the temporary peace is the fault of mortal hubris. As the rest of the story unfolds, it’s clear that moving on is on the spirit’s terms; for Natre, this is revenge on her abusers. Tun already feels the literal weight of his guilt and the tension of his impending reckoning, and when Natre is finally revealed to Tun and the audience, it only makes sense that she has been with him the whole time. She loved him, but he pushed her away; now she gets what she wants, but she doesn’t disappear the way others do. She’s choosing to stay, and that’s more disturbing than anything else; not all secrets can go to the grave and stay there. Shutter effectively shows how both the living and the dead can view “unfinished business,” yet the power is never truly with anyone on this plane. Natre is a ghost who justly got her revenge and was in control of the terms of her stay.

In the same way that people can be haunted, so can the places in which they dwell. Our next subject? Houses.

3. HOUSES/HOMES

Usually one of two things are “haunted” by a ghost: a person or a place. (“Things” are usually cursed, but that’s a whole other article.) I’d even go so far as to say that most haunted house movies can be considered ghost movies; in films like A Ghost Story or Beetlejuice, where a couple’s future is cut short but the house remains, the ghosts remain too. In TV shows like Being Human and Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, people who have died in their homes are tied to the house. The Shining’s Overlook Hotel becomes a menace to both Torrance men. When the location’s architecture and idiosyncrasies are vital to the story, then the place becomes as much of a character as the humans, but the house that we’re moving into is the Stewart estate in the English-language The Others from Spain.

The house that Grace and her two children live in is sprawling, cold, and lonely, but largely because of Grace hersel. While awaiting her husband’s return from the long-over war, the house becomes the post that Grace cannot afford to leave. And with two children with rare skin disorders, the home becomes both a shield and a prison to the outside war and reality itself. When joined by a small staff with mysterious motives, the house starts to reveal itself to Grace and the children. Grace becomes disoriented trying to figure out what sounds and sights are real – are they truly alone in the house, or are her daughter’s ghost sightings real? The house has some dark truths, some of which Grace uncovers, but the darkest revelation is both thrilling and reinforces the idea of a place ghosts can also call home.

The Others is also a film wherein you just have to believe children sometimes, which leads us to our next: children are ghost radars.

2. CHILDREN AS GHOST RADARS

Much like animals that can feel natural disasters before they happen, children can and will always tell when there’s a ghost around. From Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice to both Casper movies, and from Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone to The Babadook, children are often tools of the ghost genre simply because children still have open imaginations and only deal in honesty (up until a certain age). Are kids just more aware and approachable to ghosts compared to adults who are so busy with everyday life? When kids have imaginary friends, are they actually just ghosts? That’s a question for another time, but for us, our pick for this category is M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense.

While the children in those other movies have the luxury of seeing maybe just one or two specific spirits or ghosts, poor, sweet, scared Cole Sear freaking sees all the dead people all the time, even as a baby! As a child with an incredibly morbid ability but no idea how to process this gift, Cole needs the help of Bruce Willis’ Dr. Malcolm Crowe. A benevolent psychiatrist and blissfully ignorant ghost – spoiler alert! – Crowe helps Cole, and the normally one-sided relationship becomes a two-way street. The Sixth Sense demonstrates the sympathy that children possess, as Cole meets a parade of lost souls who need someone to help them pass on. His fear reminds us that children are still very vulnerable and susceptible to those who need help until taught otherwise, and in a way, The Sixth Sense becomes a meta-genre guide on how children should help ghosts who need it.

Sometimes, however, even the cutest little kid can’t do much, and ghosts just need a vessel to possess…which brings us to our last topic: Possession.

1. POSSESSION

One of the cool and freaky things ghosts can do (depending on what mythology you follow) is possess inanimate objects or even people. This ability leans more into the poltergeist-y idea of a ghost, as in (duh) Poltergeist, The Possession, The Exorcist, or Hereditary. Even weird alien-type spirits can possess someone, as in Possession or Ghostbusters. We also see the humorous application of this in films like Beetlejuice and Casper. It can also be deadly, as in the case of Shutter, or straight-up terrifying, like in The Others. When we see things move without a visible force, we can assume that there is a ghost behind it. Though not every spirit can touch things right away, some have to learn it so they can have very iconic, very sexy reconnections with their loved ones. All in all, control and manipulation of anything and everything is important to the genre, but we’re looking to an early example of ghost possession through multiple thematic and practical forms in Mexico’s Hasta el viento tiene miedo/Even the Wind is Afraid.

Unlike modern ghost movies where we see some ghostly figure take over or control something, Andrea’s presence in “Even the Wind is Afraid” is purely atmospheric. We don’t need to see Andrea or flashbacks to her death to feel spooked out; her unfortunate demise already casts a dark shadow over the movie. Andrea is able to actively create an atmosphere of remorse around the girls to possess their curiosity with the mystery of her death. Like cult leaders, a small group of curious, impressionable people is something ghosts need in order to be effective. When Andrea does want to make herself known, she shows up as the loud, dangerous winds at night and as a voice in Claudia’s dreams, drawing her toward the tower. Andrea’s subtle approach to possession guides Claudia and these other characters to where she wants them and sets the standard for what Claudia’s eventual possession would look like. We don’t need to see Andrea slip into Claudia’s body and convulse to demonstrate her control over her new vessel; she gets in, gets out, and leaves Claudia basically unscathed. As a ghost, Andrea doesn’t abuse her ability to be a jerk; she approaches it with utility, which is something the others end up almost respecting. The portrayal of an unrested spirit in this film establishes the idea of omniscient ghosts in film and in our real world with a hand hovering over everything, which is why Even the Wind is Afraid is our pick for possession. We can never be truly sure who is with us at any moment, and for that, we can all believe in ghosts to some degree.

So those were some of our favorite ghost stories and more from around the world. Which ones did we miss? Let us know in the comments.

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New Report Alleges Doctor Who Disney Deal Fell Apart After Plans to ‘Marvel-Ize’ the Franchise Failed to Work Out

A new report into the end of Disney’s deal with the BBC for Doctor Who has alleged that part of the reason for its demise was that plans to "Marvel-ize" the franchise failed to work.

This week, the BBC confirmed the future of Doctor Who with a Christmas 2026 special written by Russell T Davies and the promise of a future season. But the announcement came alongside confirmation that the show’s partnership with Disney+ had come to an end after two seasons and upcoming spinoff The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Now, Deadline reports that the Disney deal fell apart due to concerns that Doctor Who failed to break out from its existing fan base and appeal to a mainstream American audience, as well as its big budget, among other things. Deadline said the show’s budget was between £6 million (approx. $8.5 million) and £8 million (approx. $10.5 million) per episode, putting the value of the deal at as much as £168 million (approx. $221 million).

“It was pretty apparent from early on that this wasn’t for the long term,” a former Disney executive told Deadline. “Everyone got the impression that it wasn’t doing what it needed to do [on Disney+] to be sustained.” Another source added: “The writing has been on the wall for ages. There has been a complete lack of enthusiasm over at Disney.”

Disney, BBC Studios, and the BBC declined comment to Deadline.

Doctor Who had been left on hiatus following the departure of Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor via a reshot ending and its last-minute reveal of Billie Piper in an unexplained role. In the wake of Gatwa's two-season run on the show, which drew mixed reviews and the show's lowest ratings since 2005, fans had raised questions over whether showrunner Russell T Davies would continue. We now know he will return for next year’s Christmas special and potentially more. Amid criticism of the series' writing and story arcs, Doctor Who actor and writer Mark Gatiss recently suggested the show was in need of a rest.

Lindsay Salt, the BBC's Director of Drama, issued a comment to go alongside this week’s announcement:

"We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea. The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas, and we are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026. We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.”

The War Between the Land and the Sea will be released on the BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year. There's a brand-new Doctor Who animation series for CBeebies in development, too. The BBC did not announce a streaming partner for the global release of the Doctor Who Christmas 2026 special.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

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Pokémon TCG: Full Release Schedule for 2025

The Pokémon Trading Card Game shows no signs of slowing down in 2025. Whether you're a competitive player, a casual collector, or someone who's just dropped way too much money on framed booster art, this year's TCG lineup is going all in with new mechanics, nostalgic reprints, and plenty of chances to chase that cardboard high.

Pokémon TCG: 2025 Release Calendar - At a Glance

Mega Evolution: Phantasmal Flames - Nov. 14, 2025

The next big expansion in Pokémon TCG has been steadily gearing up. Phantasmal Flames lands on 14 November 2025, and collectors are already scrambling to secure their favourite sealed products before the inevitable shortages. With headliners like Mega Charizard X ex taking centre stage, demand is set to run hot across every major retailer.

The Elite Trainer Box is the marquee product for each set, and Phantasmal Flames is no different. Packed with nine booster packs, a 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Charcadet, themed sleeves, dice, and all the accessories needed for play.

What makes this set even more exciting is its size , about 90 cards before secret rares, which makes it the smallest English set in nearly a decade. For collectors like me, that usually means a much more manageable chase, while still packing in plenty of heavy hitters for players.

The product lineup looks pretty stacked too. We’ll be getting the usual booster packs and booster box (36 packs), a 9-pack Elite Trainer Box featuring a shiny new Charcadet promo, and an Ultra-Premium Collection built around Mega Charizard X ex.

On top of that, two theme decks for Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex are arriving a few weeks early on October 24, which is a fun way to get a taste of the set before launch. If you’re like me and love cracking packs, the booster box is the way to go, but the UPC is already looking like the big collector piece this time around.

What ties it all together is the Japanese set Inferno X, which hit shelves there in late September. That set had only 80 cards, and once you add in the Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie decks, you basically get the full Phantasmal Flames lineup.

We’ve already seen some killer reveals, including the Mega Charizard X ex secret rare previewed at Worlds, so I’m fully expecting that to be the chase card when this launches. Between the smaller set size, Charizard hype, and some solid gameplay cards, I think this one’s going to fly off shelves and I’m definitely locking in my preorder.

Mega Evolution - Released Sept. 26, 2025

Just when you thought the Pokémon TCG had enough going on with Destined Rivals and Black Bolt and White Flare, in comes a brand new series altogether with the Mega Evolution sets.

Announced at Japan's Championship tournament, the two new sets featuring Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex mark the popular trading card game stepping away from its Scarlet and Violet era.

Mega Evolution will release on August 1, 2025, in Japan, and September 26 in English markets (with more preorders also supposedly taking place on September 13).

Finding sealed products like these at a fair price is already a challenge. Some stores are holding MSRP, others are inflating prices, and secondary marketplaces have their own dynamics to keep in mind, too.

But the gist is: collectors who must have the ETB, Best Buy and Walmart are worth constant refreshing. If reliability matters more, TCGplayer is the most straightforward (though slighty more costly) option.

While we can maybe expect products from this set to be joining Pokémon TCG deals further down the line, huge initial demand will definitely see certain cards become price juggernauts among upcoming crashers and climbers.

It’s already shaping up to be a huge year, so here’s everything from the rest of the Pokémon TCG releases in 2025. And yes, IGN will be tracking all the buy links, both here and on socials at @IGNDeals.

Pokémon TCG 2025 Holiday Calendar - Released Aug. 22, 2025

The Pokémon Company started releasing annual holiday calendars back in 2022, inspired by the Pokémon Countdown Calendar from 2008.

These products are surprisingly good value in the current TCG market, as well as for casual fans of the series in other forms. You can see the listing here at Amazon or scroll on for more details.

The 2025 Pokémon Holiday Calendar released on August 22 and initially retailed for $49.99 at Target before quicklly selling out. It's now available at Walmart for a pricier $64.99 or at Amazon for $69.

Black Bolt and White Flare - Released Jul. 18, 2025

Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare are now available. We recently previewed the new sets that brought 156 Unova Illustration cards to Pokémon TCG, and it's pretty good!

If you haven't secured your boosters for Black Bolt and White Flare sealed products, feel free to try your luck at launch at your local brick and mortar or online, or even at Amazon right now.

Alternatively, TCGPlayer pricing for presale sealed product is crashing, so I reckon we're seeing the usual price crash post-launch coming earlier.

What do I think of the set? I think it's great and possibly the best opportunity to pull Illustration Rares in the Scarlet and Violet era, it's ending on a high note.

Personally I'm not a fan of stuffing the set with Pokéball and Masterball rares, but in terms of quality and presentation they look cool. It would be grand to see Mega Evolution double down on the dual format and loads of Illustration Rares, but this is an encouraging sneek peek into what's next for Pokémon TCG.

Black Bolt and White Flare focus on the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region. Each Unova Pokémon will appear as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with different versions available in Black Bolt and White Flare products.

  • July 18, 2025: Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt/White Flare ETBs (9 boosters, promo, accessories); Binder Collection (5 boosters, Zekrom/Reshiram album); Unova Poster Collection (6 boosters, Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott promos, poster); Unova Mini Tin (2 boosters, art/sticker card).
  • August 1, 2025: Tech Sticker Collection (3 boosters, Reuniclus/Gothitelle promo, stickers); Unova Victini Illustration Collection (4 boosters, foil/parallel/oversized Victini).
  • August 22, 2025: Booster Bundle (6 Black Bolt/White Flare boosters).

Destined Rivals - Released May. 30, 2025

Things really kicked off on May 30 with Destined Rivals. This set brings back Trainer’s Pokémon, reintroduces Team Rocket for another round of villainous fun, and includes some of the best card art we’ve seen in ages.

Destined Rivals top chase card prices are also finally stabilizing, making it a great time to snap some up. Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR has been going for anything over $450 since release, but is starting to settle on a more respectable $370.

A few weeks ago the Destined Rivals singles market was bouncing all over the place. Some cards were doubling in price overnight and it was tough to tell what was hype and what would hold. Now prices feel a lot more stable.

Some have dipped. Some Destined Rivals bangers are just cruising right at market. It feels like we’re finally seeing what these cards are actually worth.

Above are the ten most expensive cards in the set right now. A couple of them are legit strong in decks. A few are pure collector bait. Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex was the hottest card in the set for a while and it’s still holding close to market. The artwork is what does it for me.

Mewtwo looks like it's about to explode, floating in this dim lab setting with everything glowing around it. The ability makes it tough to use unless you’re running a full Rocket build, but once it's active, Erasure Ball gives you some serious power. Definitely still a top-tier pull even with the market calming down.

What Cards Are Hot Right Now?

Scarlet and Violet 151 card prices continue to shift, with Charizard ex, Blastoise ex, and Venusaur ex SIRs climbing steadily thanks to standout artwork, competitive playability, and high collector demand. Charizard has jumped to $210, Blastoise is up 28% to $84.99, and Venusaur is up 27% to $69.99. Zapdos ex and Alakazam ex are also on the rise, with Alakazam seeing the biggest gain of 35% to $44.98.

On the other hand, prices for Kanto starter Illustration Rares like Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle have dipped as more product floods the market. Charmander is down 14% to $44.44, Bulbasaur is down 18% to $32.20, and middle evolutions like Charmeleon and Wartortle are following the same trend. While the final evolutions remain the most sought-after, now is a good time to pick up the earlier stages at a more reasonable price.

Journey Together - Released Mar. 28 2025

It’s about time we got a set like this. Bringing back nostalgic Trainer’s Pokémon cards from the Gym Heroes era. N’s Zoroark ex and Lillie’s Clefairy ex end the chaos of endless secret arts for a more curated, collectible experience.

With just 16 Pokémon ex, 11 illustration rares, and three hyper rare gold cards, it’s easier to track what’s worth pulling without feeling like you need a PhD in pack odds.

Fancy snagging the Enhanced Booster Display Box with its bonus N’s Reshiram illustration rare or pull Iono’s Bellibolt ex? This set screams nostalgia with a new coat of paint.

Rare Cards and Collector’s Highlights

If you’re into collecting, this set hits the sweet spot. It’s got 16 Pokémon ex, six unique illustrations rares, and just three hyper rare gold cards, which means you won’t have to mortgage your house chasing every rarity. And the artwork? Illustrating rares like N’s Zoroark ex will look incredible in your binder.

Pokémon Center’s Enhanced Booster Display Box is the one to grab for preorder exclusives. It comes with a bonus N’s Reshiram illustration rare card—a little extra flex for your collection.

What Makes Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together Special?

The Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together expansion is a nod to fans who've been in it for a long time. Remember Gym Heroes?

This set revives the much-loved Trainer's Pokémon cards, spotlighting the bond between iconic Trainers and their Pokémon.

Cards like N's Zoroark ex, Hop's Zacian ex, and Iono's Bellibolt ex aren't just cool to look at; they call back to the late '90s and early '00s Pokémania. We're all for that here.

What's even better? This expansion ditches the overload of secret rares that made recent sets feel overwhelming.

Instead, Journey Together keeps things tight, making tracking what you want to pull easier. Whether it's an illustration rare, a special art card, or one of those hyper-rare gold beauties, you can finally open packs without feeling like you need a flowchart to figure out what's in the set.

Prismatic Evolutions - Released Jan. 17 2025

Prismatic Evolutions, kicked off 2025, and it’s all about Eevee and its many evolutions. This set is doing things differently, which is probably why stock sells out as soon as it comes in.

This is another 151 situation, but there's plenty of stock refeshes coming throughout 2025. You won’t find these cards in the usual booster packs.

Instead, they’ll be released in boxed sets throughout the year, each packed full of exclusive cards celebrating Eevee and friends. With over 175 cards, including unique designs and new game mechanics, Prismatic Evolutions is shaping to be a hit with collectors and competitive players alike.

Rare Cards and Collector’s Highlights

For collectors, Prismatic Evolutions isn’t short on treasures. Each Eevee evolution has its special illustration and hyper-rare gold Pokémon ex card, making them must-haves for anyone building a showcase-worthy collection.

The set includes 32 illustration rares featuring detailed artwork for Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, so plenty of eye candy is here. With so many unique finishes and designs, it’s bound to make a few waves among fans.

Between the fresh artwork, inventive mechanics, and the undeniable charm of Eevee and friends, Prismatic Evolutions is set to be one of the year’s standout sets. Collectors and players alike will find something to love here, from stunning illustration rares to powerful new game cards that can make a real difference in play.

What Makes Prismatic Evolutions Special?

This set brings some new gameplay tricks and visually striking designs. The big attraction is the debut of Stellar Tera Pokémon ex cards, which showcase Eevee and each of its evolutions with Terastal-inspired art.

These aren’t just nice to look at—they come with moves that need multiple energy types to activate, encouraging players to build balanced, flexible decks. And for the first time, Eevee’s ex card can evolve into other ex forms, giving trainers even more options to play with.

Collectors will appreciate some cool new reverse holo designs featuring Poké Ball and Master Ball patterns that pop on any card. And if you’re into rare cards, six ACE SPEC Trainer cards are in the set, limited to one per deck.

Each one packs a serious punch in gameplay—like the MAX Rod ACE SPEC card, which lets players retrieve up to five Pokémon or Energy cards from their discard pile. On top of that, Prismatic Evolutions features a mix of ultra-rare illustration cards, gold-edged rares, and special art that takes these cards to another level.

Pokémon TCG Sets From 2024

Released on November 8, 2024, Surging Sparks was last Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet series main expansion for 2024.

Adapted from the Japanese sets Supercharged Breaker and Paradise Dragona, this expansion combines the raw power of electric Pokémon with the majestic strength of Dragon-types like Alolan Exeggutor ex and Latias ex.

With over 250 cards, including new ACE SPEC cards and Stellar Tera ex Pokémon, Surging Sparks has exciting new additions that will shake up the competitive scene and include some epic chase cards for collectors.

Beyond the headlining Pikachu ex, Surging Sparks offers a diverse range of powerful cards, including nine regular ex Tera Pokémon, 23 illustration rares, and six golden secret rares, making it a must-have for any serious Pokémon TCG fan.

Stellar Crown: September 13 2024

Stellar Crown is set to launch on September 13, 2024, as the seventh main expansion in the Scarlet & Violet series. This highly anticipated set introduces the Legendary Pokémon Terapagos and a new wave of Stellar-type Tera Pokémon. With over 170 cards, including over a dozen new Pokémon ex and a variety of Trainer and ACE SPEC cards, Stellar Crown is packed with powerful new mechanics and stunning artwork.

Fans can look forward to the first English appearances of Illustration Rare cards for classics like Squirtle and Bulbasaur, alongside chase cards like Special Illustration Rare versions of Hydrapple ex, Galvantual ex, and Terapagos ex. This set also introduces innovative strategies with cards like Briar, Sparkling Crystal, and the ACE SPEC Stadium card Great Tree, which could revolutionize Tera-focused decks.

Shrouded Fable August 2, 2024

Shrouded Fable brings Pokémon from the Mochi Mayhem mission to the TCG. This set features woodcut-style illustration rares and introduces new ex-cards for Pecharunt and The Loyal Three. With unique cards and showcase collections, Shrouded Fable promises to be a visually stunning and strategically rich set.

Twilight Masquerade (May 24)

Twilight Masquerade is inspired by the Teal Mask DLC from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This set features four different Ogerpon ex cards, each with unique types and abilities based on the mask it wears. New Ace Spec cards are also introduced, adding strategic depth to the game.

Stay tuned for more exciting Pokémon TCG releases throughout 2024. With each set bringing unique themes and mechanics, there's something for every fan to enjoy. While waiting, why not check out today's best Pokémon TCG deals? That's right, we're that awesome!

Paldean Fates Set (January 26th – February 23rd)

Paldean Fates released in three waves, offering a unique approach with no individual booster packs. Instead, products like the Elite Trainer Box and Premium Collections provided a variety of boosters and exclusive cards. The set's focus on Shiny and Baby, Shiny Pokémon with vibrant foil treatments, made it a hit among collectors and players alike.

Combined Powers Premium Collection (Late February 2024)

This collection brought back exclusive cards from the 2023 Pokémon TCG Classic set, offering a more affordable way to acquire these Legendary Pokémon. With foil variants and multiple booster packs, it was a must-have for collectors and competitive players.

Mabosstiff ex Box (Late February 2024)

This box features the Dark-type Pokémon Mabosstiff ex and its Basic form, Maschiff. It provides powerful cards with efficient energy costs. Including four booster packs, it's a practical addition for players looking to strengthen their Dark decks.

Houndoom and Melmetal ex-Battle Decks (February 23)

These ex-Battle Decks were perfect for intermediate players. They offered ready-to-play decks focused on specific Pokémon types. The balanced design and included accessories made them great for refining strategies and exploring new deck combinations.

Paldea Adventure Chest (March 1st, 2024)

Though aimed at younger fans, the Paldea Adventure Chest included valuable promo cards and fun accessories. The high price might be a barrier for some, but the unique contents and attractive packaging made it a delightful addition to any collection.

2023 World Championship Decks (March 1)

These decks offered a glimpse into the strategies of world champions, providing excellent value with powerful cards and themed accessories. While not tournament-legal, they were ideal for casual play and honing advanced tactics.

Ninetales and Zapdos Deluxe ex Battle Decks (March 22)

Arriving on March 22nd, the Deluxe ex Battle Decks feature Ninetales ex and Zapdos ex. These decks are designed for experienced players and include a Pokémon coin, themed playmat, damage counters, condition markers, a strategy sheet, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Temporal Forces (March 22)

Temporal Forces, releasing on March 22nd, is the next main set following Paradox Rift. It includes booster packs, boxes, and two Elite Trainer Boxes, each with its exclusive foil promo card and themed accessories. This set continues exploring time-based mechanics, offering exciting new cards and gameplay possibilities.

Iono Premium Tournament Collection (April 5th, 2024)

The Iono Premium Tournament Collection, launching on April 5th, celebrates the popular Supporter Iono with themed accessories, booster packs, and four Iono cards, including a full art variant. This collection is ideal for fans looking to enhance their decks with powerful support cards and stylish accessories.

Grafaiai ex Box (April 5)

Releasing alongside the Iono Premium Tournament Collection, the Grafaiai ex Box includes:

  • A foil Grafaiai ex card.
  • An oversized version.
  • A holographic Shroodle card.
  • Four booster packs.
  • A Pokémon TCG Live code card.

We also have a full preview schedule available for Magic the Gathering, if you're interested in cracking on with some other trading card games this year.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

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Avatar: The Last Airbender's MTG Commander Bundle is Finally Back in Stock at Amazon Today

Whether you love or hate Magic's Universes Beyond lineup, it's hard to deny how excellent the Avatar: The Last Airbender set is looking so far. Everything I've seen is filling me with confidence, so here's hoping it comes out remarkably well after launch.

It's been a little hard to find the set reliably in stock recently, but that's all changed today. Amazon just went through a massive restock of the set in the build-up to the Black Friday sales next month, and it's even thrown together some fairly notable discounts on preorders as well.

For starters, the elusive Commander Bundle, which previously went out of stock remarkably fast when preorders originally went live, is back and available to order again.

It costs $109.99, contains 9 Play Boosters and one Collector Booster, and also includes classic Commander staples like Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Swiftfoot Boots, and more. Note that there are no Avatar Commander Decks, but this new product type somewhat aims to fill the gap.

Single collector boosters are also back in stock, for now at least. If you've got the cash to pay for them, they're $37.99 each! If you're feeling flush, go for it, as I expect these will sell out fast once again.

Finally, the immensely popular Scene Box 1 - The Black Sun Invasion is also back at Amazon for $41.99. Pick these up while you still can!

Now lets move on to the discounts. First up, it's the Avatar Play Booster Box, which is down to $169.99 right now at Amazon. This was previously $209.70, so it's 20% off the list price.

You can also save on the Jumpstart Booster Boxes, down to $126.88, previously $167.76, and the Avatar Beginner Box, which is currently $32.99, down from $36.99.

Should You Wait for Black Friday?

In my honest opinion, I don't think so. The Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set is already looking to be immensely popular among both Magic and Avatar fans, so I'm half expecting most of these to sell out again before the official Black Friday sales even kick off.

Now is the time to secure your preorders at the best price possible, especially since Amazon won't charge you a penny until shipment, and also has a price promise guarantee so you won't miss out if the prices drop any further between now and release day.

Robert Anderson is Senior Commerce Editor and IGN's resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.

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Capcom Gets Behind Nintendo Switch 2 With Resident Evil Requiem Switch 2 Pro Controller, the First Ever Resident Evil Amiibo, and a RE7, RE8, RE Requiem Generation Pack

Capcom is throwing the full force of Resident Evil Requiem at the Nintendo Switch 2 with a number of exclusive announcements for the console.

First up is the Resident Evil Requiem-themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which Nintendo will release alongside the game on February 27, 2026. It's the first Switch 2 game to get its own Pro Controller, and it's up for preorder at Best Buy, costing $99.99.

Next is the Resident Evil Generation Pack, due out for Nintendo Switch 2, which contains:

  • Resident Evil Requiem
  • Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition
  • Resident Evil Village Gold Edition

And finally, the first ever Resident Evil amiibo is on its way in the form of Grace Ashcroft, the game’s playable character. It’s due out summer 2026. Of course, given the speculation around Leon also being a playable character in Resident Evil Requiem, fans are wondering if a Leon amiibo is also in the works.

It’s a big day for Resident Evil Requiem announcements. Preorders are now live, and we have confirmation of the in-game bonuses for the Deluxe Edition.

As we’ve said, there is a a huge amount of speculation about Leon being a playable character alongside Grace in Resident Evil Requiem, but there’s no official mention of Leon in today’s announcements. We did get a new Road to Requiem overview trailer, below, which includes brief snippets of footage.

While we wait to find out about Leon, we’ve got plenty more on Resident Evil Requiem to keep you going, including the director of the game explaining why Western fans are more likely to play in first-person, and how the developers can’t tell if the game’s actually scary any more.

Back at Gamescom, we chatted with director Akifumi Nakanishi on a range of topics — the game's supersized monster, Lisa Trevor, and Raccoon City! — while avoiding the elephant in the room: the continued absence of Leon S. Kennedy.

Resident Evil Requiem arrives for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S on February 27, 2026.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

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Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition Includes Lady Dimitrescu Costume for Grace, Preorders Get Apocalypse Costume

Capcom has opened preorders for Resident Evil Requiem and in doing so confirmed the various editions of the game and their bonuses.

Preorders come with the Apocalypse costume for playable character Grace. It rekindles memories of 2004 movie Resident Evil: Apocalypse, starring Milla Jovovich as Alice.

The deluxe edition, meanwhile, includes five costumes, one of which is Lady Dimitrescu for Grace, and two screen filters, one of which is Apocalypse. You also get four weapon skins, two charms, a custom sound pack (Raccoon City Classic), and additional in-game files (Letters from 1998).

Lady Dimitrescu is of course the star of 2021's Resident Evil Village, a character who broke out from the confines of the franchise to become a genuine mainstream hit in the run up to the game's launch. The gigantic vampiric monster, played by American theatre actress Maggie Robertson, ended up fronting Capcom's Resident Evil Village marketing campaign, such was the excitement online about the character.

And finally, the steelbook deluxe edition of Resident Evil Requiem includes the full game, everything in the deluxe edition, and a premium steelbook and lenticular card.

There is a a huge amount of speculation about Leon being a playable character alongside Grace in Resident Evil Requiem, but there’s no official mention of Leon in today’s announcement. We did get a new Road to Requiem overview trailer, below, which includes brief snippets of footage.

While we wait to find out about Leon, we’ve got plenty more on Resident Evil Requiem to keep you going, including the director of the game explaining why Western fans are more likely to play in first-person, and how the developers can’t tell if the game’s actually scary any more.

Back at Gamescom, we chatted with director Akifumi Nakanishi on a range of topics — the game's supersized monster, Lisa Trevor, and Raccoon City! — while avoiding the elephant in the room: the continued absence of Leon S. Kennedy.

Resident Evil Requiem arrives for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S on February 27, 2026.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

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Battlefield 6 Season 1 Map Blackwell Fields in the Firing Line as Players Report Being Killed From as Far Away as Enemy HQ Spawn Points

Battlefield 6 Season 1 is here, and players have already turned their attention to one major issue: Blackwell Fields.

The California sun-soaked fields of EA and Battlefield Studios’ first new post-launch map are home to an army of oil pumpjacks, smoky hills, and an orange tint that blankets every scrap of metal and radio tower. It also happens to be what some believe is “hands down the worst map in the game” if not “the worst map in BF history.”

This week's Season 1 launch was meant to be the first in a long line of exciting moments for Battlefield players. Instead, it’s kicked off seasonal updates on a sour note, as fans flock to criticize Blackwell Fields as a wasteland that suffers from a lack of cover for infantry and vehicles alike.

“I can't count the amount of times I spawn on this map and instantly have direct vision of the enemies capturing points,” one dissatisfied Battlefield 6 player said. “You get shot at from every angle on this map, there's never a break. People can just spawn and start shooting you straight away.”

"My playstyle is engineer class and I blow up armored vehicles, but I cant even get into cover in this map without getting shot from ALL sides," another popular post explained. "The massive open areas makes it a sniper haven and every other class is just trashed."

Despite its relatively large battles, Battlefield 6’s Conquest mode seems to suffer the most when it comes to Blackwell Fields, as players report facing enemy fire from as far away as enemy HQ spawn points. Pilots for air vehicles, specifically, report having a hard time on the new Season 1 map. Despite being considered one of the larger maps Battlefield 6 has to offer, opponents with the right hardware can still lock onto some jets before they’ve even taken off.

“This is fantastic,” one Reddit user jokes. “I was hoping for more maps where Helis are useless.”

“No no, they are perfect nice garage helicopters,” another user teases. “You keep them nice and clean in the hangar.

“It's not helicopter season yet.”

These Blackwell Fields balance issues only add fuel to the fire that is the conversation surrounding map sizes in Battlefield 6, but many have expressed dissatisfaction with the map regardless of game mode. Even smaller objective-based game modes in downsized versions of Blackwell Fields still feature those orange visuals, leading to even more chaotic moments as bullets fly through dense environments obscured by smoke.

“I played a round of breakthrough which was decent and one of conquest which was a disaster,” one Steam user commented. “The visibility is already so bad in this game no matter what settings you use, the red/orange tint that this map have it's a disaster.”

Although the stray comment praising Blackwell Fields and its cinematic feel can be found if you look hard enough, it seems most players online would trade atmosphere if it meant BF Studios would fix what they feel are one-sided battles and suffocating gun fights. Of course, it’s only been one day since Season 1 launched for Battlefield 6, so opinions could shift after they spend more time with the new map.

Me on Blackwell fields pic.twitter.com/03GkOb6pAd

— Lou (@louallen026) October 28, 2025

It's unclear if Blackwell Fields will receive any changes, but EA and BF Studios have proven to be responsive when it comes to fan feedback so far. Even if Blackwell Fields continues to be a sore spot for the community, Season 1 will at least deliver a new, less orange map in the form of Eastwood come November 18.

Numerous updates, big and small, have arrived since Battlefield 6 launched for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S October 10. Included in the list of past tweaks are toned down green highlights for a controversial skin, and reverted ticket sizes for Conquest.

As the team works to iron out the kinks in Battlefield 6 Season 1, they'll also continue to deliver updates for Battlefield REDSEC and its battle royale mode. The standalone experience launched yesterday and is facing its own issues, as players have taken to the Steam reviews section to call for changes to its battle pass and queue options.

Meanwhile, check out our full list of all currently available Battlefield 6 multiplayer maps. Those looking to brush up on their online skills can also read our multiplayer tips and tricks guide.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

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The Witcher: Season 4 Review

This is a non-spoiler review for all eight episodes of The Witcher: Season 4, premiering October 30 on Netflix.

It's another good-not-great season for The Witcher, as the spotlight Netflix series lands its most anticipated season since the first, thanks to a huge headlining actor swap wherein Liam Hemsworth replaces Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia. Season 4 continues the show's tradition of being a completely serviceable fantasy adventure with credible action and compelling characters, though now with a main story that feels more streamlined and focused as we barrel toward the end. Season 4 is actually better than Season 3, though not quite good enough to warrant that full extra point.

Season 4 is also the most plain so far, and there's a clumsiness to the finale that may make you feel like the season should have either ended sooner or sprung for a ninth episode to resolve a few moments that don't land well as seasonal cliffhangers; it just didn't feel like a proper end point. Season 4 features three separate season-long adventures, each belonging to one of our main Witcher trio: Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri.

These separate journeys, which keep the trio apart, harken back to the first season, though without all that Dunkirk-ian non-linear structure. There is a new framing device that I won't spoil for you, but aside from that, Season 4 is just a straightforward odyssey comprised of an injured Geralt trudging through the war-torn Continent looking for Ciri, Ciri adopting a new found family in "the Rats," and Yennefer recruiting any magical woman she can find in an effort to take down Vilgefortz. It's probably the simplest Witcher run yet.

Adapting Andrzej Sapkowski's third book in the Witcher saga, Baptism of Fire (with some tweaks, naturally), Season 4 stumbles under the strain of being filmed back to back with the fifth and final season. We really do just follow these three stories from the first episode until the eighth, and they barely lock arms with one another. While there are a few chapters that have big enough or divergent enough elements to make them stand out as notable encapsulated episodes, Season 4 on the whole just feels like part one of a split final season; it's one big "TBD." The fifth season will now have to contend with all the leftovers here and settle things on the Wild Hunt front, the wrath of whom is totally absent this year.

Liam Hemsworth is fine but also, yes, you need some time to get used to him as Geralt.

Okay, so how is Liam Hemsworth? That's probably what everyone's come here to check on, honestly. Do we have a Temu Geralt on our hands? Well, it's certainly not a lateral actor trade in terms of star power, as shitty as that sounds, but there are a handful of things to consider here when I say that Liam Hemsworth is fine but also, yes, you need some time to get used to him as Geralt. That happens with any big casting change, like going from Andy Whitfield to Liam McIntyre on Spartacus...if we're sticking with titular characters and Australian actors. Can a new actor come in and nail all the Geralt-isms? Of course. Geralt is grim and gruff and usually only emotes on micro levels, but that doesn't mean we as viewers didn't form an attachment to the way Geralt looked with Cavill at the helm. You do build a relationship with an appearance, no matter what.

I will say that the series does a little, ahem, Peacemaker-style trickery with the integration of Hemsworth into the lore, for those who saw what they did with the opening of Peacemaker: Season 2. But also, for the most part, Hemsworth's Geralt barely interacts with his "family" in Season 4, instead building a ragtag "hansa" of allies as he heads to rescue Ciri from Emperor Emhyr (even though we know she ain't with him). The point here is that we're not immediately forced to accept Hemsworth in Geralt's most loving and nurturing form, like where we found Cavill at the top of Season 3.

Geralt's story here, plucked from Baptism of Fire, actually creates the best "break" spot you could hope for in an actor swap situation. Geralt's playing hurt (after getting dropped by Vilgefortz), he's meeting new people and forming new relations, and he's making a handful of drastic emotional realizations, fundamentally becoming a new version of Geralt. Would it have been more rewarding to watch Cavill make these shifts as Geralt? Absolutely. But, as the old adage goes: It is what it is. If there had to be a new White Wolf, this was an adequate transition.

Another element to consider is how much the Witcher is not on The Witcher anymore. The show has always had dozens of characters, but it felt the most like an ensemble in Season 3, with Geralt occupying less screen time than ever before. Season 4 continues this situation, since not only is Geralt just one of the three main quest lines, but his own story amasses a full adventuring party: Joey Batey's Jaskier and Meng'er Zhang's Milva are joined by Danny Woodburn's Zoltan, Linden Porco's Percival, and the return of Jeremy Crawford's Yarpen and Eamon Farren's Cahir. The cherry on top? Laurence Fishburne's wise, amiable, and vampiric Regis. Even in Geralt's own Season 4 story, he is but one of many.

Geralt's path through ravaged villages and impromptu violence is a good one, shared nicely with his cohorts old and new. They meet monsters, human and supernatural, experiencing triumphs and setbacks, while Geralt opens up more and more to his need for love and community. The addition of Fishburne's Regis gives Geralt someone new to confide in and heed as he continues to more readily accept others as assets and not burdens. It's Yennefer, though, who has the biggest and best adventure this season, as she aims to form a sorceress army to take on that bastard Vilegfortz, who now has full control of all magical portal travel. Yen's is also a crowded thread filled with Phillipa, Fringilla, Triss, Sabrina, Istredd, and more, all of whom participate in the biggest and best set piece of the season, near the mid-point, at the Battle of Montecalvo. It's a blow-out that reminds us that The Witcher excels at magical mayhem.

But even without this big sorcery spectacle, Yen's goal here is the most direct, dangerous, and earnest. She's transforming into a trusted leader and (like Geralt's quest) embracing elements that are building her into a legendary figure. She and her perilous crucible dominate the sixth episode, "Twilight of the Wolf," while Geralt's best moments lie in the seventh episode, "What I Love I Do Not Carry." Ciri has the messiest seasonal exploits of the three in an awkwardly balanced adventure with the Rats, that shady thieving bunch of outcasts who found her last year. Not only are there now six more new characters to follow, but the push and pull of "them rejecting Ciri/Ciri rejecting them" grows tiresome.

Ciri, now going by Falka, is clearly going through it, trying to reinvent herself while at the same time being unsure of who her old self was. Does she care about the Rats above everyone else now? Does she still know right from wrong when it comes to their nomadic plundering? Is she full of rage and hyper-violence in a way that frightens the rest of them? Instead of settling in with them, the season keeps her bouncing around too much, to the point where we ourselves wind up not caring about most of them. Christelle Elwin's Mistle is the touchstone, however, as Ciri bonds with her the most (in sexual ways, even) .

Mistle then, in a way, becomes the "one we might care about" in this lengthy Rats journey that just doesn't click as well as the Geralt and Yen stories. It's not bad per se, and neither is Freya Allan as Ciri, but for the first few episodes, if you don't know the books, you'll be like, "okay, when does the clearly superior Ciri ditch these fools?" All that being said, the Rats story does gift us a delicious new villain in Sharlto Copley's bounty hunter, Leo Bonhart. He, like Fishburne, is a boon for the season; Bonhart is so vile and spindly that you can't wait for someone to take him apart. But he's also, like, the best fighter we've seen, so you fear for anyone who steps up to him.

The Witcher: Season 4 has more successes than missteps, but as a season, it feels incomplete and just part of a larger tapestry for the show's endgame. Netflix made a business model that's destroying the concept of episodic TV by wanting everything to feel like one ongoing movie. Still, we've gotten seasons of Netflix shows that feel like their own; this does not. It feels like we should be getting Part 2 a month from now.

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AU Deals: Some Spooky Good Halloween Discounts on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Games Today

Sometimes I look at my games library and wonder if I’ve accidentally started a museum of not-gonna-replay-that masterpieces. But here I am again, staring at some irresistible price tags to expand the haul even further. The latest round of sales spans everything from haunting detective stories to chaotic co-op mayhem, and these are the highlights worth clicking "add to cart" on.

Contents

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I'm using a ninja grenade to light a 27-candle cake baked for Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, the rooftop-skulking stealthfest where patience was paramount. I was hooked on this from day one, squinting at my CRT through the darkness, convinced I was the deadliest shadow since Batman got moody.

At the turn of the millennium, Tenchu felt and played like nothing else. It asked us to not fight but rather drop from a pagoda beam, slice a throat, and vanish before angry samurai could respond. It warranted a double playthrough, too, thanks to dual protagonists (Rikimaru was super stoic, and Ayame was all sass). And the grappling hook, while ubiquitous now in our modern gaming, was an incredibly novel and useful tool in '98. Package all of that with a supremely funky soundtrack, and Tenchu was more or less a PS must-own that deserves to rise again.

Aussie birthdays for notable games.

- Hexen (PC) 1995. Redux

- Wild Guns (SNES) 1996. Redux

- Donkey Kong Land III (GB) 1997. eBay

- Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (PS) 1998. eBay

- Call of Juarez (PC) 2006. eBay

- Pure (PC,PS3,X360) 2008. eBay

- Sunset Overdrive (PC,XO) 2014. Get

Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch

On Nintendo, Hades II offers god-tier roguelike action that blends mythological drama with tight combat and impeccable music. Developer Supergiant somehow made dying feel rewarding. Meanwhile, Disco Elysium - The Final Cut remains one of the smartest RPGs ever written, its dialogue trees branching wider than your average moral compass.

Banger Must-owns
Bucketlist stuff

Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

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Exciting Bargains for Xbox

Over on Xbox Series X, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden tells a love story that punches through the afterlife with emotional weight and supernatural flair. It’s from the creators of Life is Strange, so bring tissues. Then there’s Immortals of Aveum, which delivers spell-slinging combat that feels like a shooter wearing a mage’s robe.

Xbox One players get an absolute steal in Mafia: Def. Ed., which modernises a mobster classic with a noir touch that still drips atmosphere. Soulcalibur VI is also swinging hard, letting you duel with both swords and hilariously over-the-top character customisation.

Must Plays to Own
Timeless crown jewels

Or just invest in an Xbox Card.

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Pure Scores for PlayStation

On PS5, Rise of the Ronin offers a feudal Japan odyssey that borrows some of Team Ninja’s finest swordplay, while Resident Evil Village keeps me paranoid in all the best ways with its gothic horror vibes. The Tall Vampire Lady lives rent-free in my nightmares.

PS4 owners shouldn’t skip Batman: Arkham Col., which remains the gold standard for superhero brawling. Meanwhile, Spyro Reignited Trilogy still nails that retro glow-up, and hearing Tom Kenny back as Spyro hits pure nostalgia.

All-Timers Worth Tracking
Not current, but amazing

Or purchase a PS Store Card.

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Purchase Cheap for PC

Finally, on PC, Hogwarts Legacy Del. is your golden ticket to spell-slinging escapism, with a meticulous open world that’s pure fan service. Control: Ult. Ed. remains a benchmark for surreal, physics-driven storytelling that somehow looks even better on high-end rigs.

Or just get a Steam Wallet Card

Legit LEGO Deals

LEGO-wise, Wicked Shiz University is a delightful little display piece that feels like a lost Hogwarts offshoot, while One Piece Going Merry Ship is a must for Straw Hat fans chasing a challenging and detailed build.

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Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that's worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.

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RuneScape Dev Really, Really Wants Its Players to Vote in Favor of Removing the Game's Least Popular Microtransactions

RuneScape developer Jagex is considering removing one of the game's least popular, yet most pervasive, layers of microtransactions. But instead of just making the decision itself, it's letting its entire playerbase vote on whether or not to ditch them entirely.

Oh, and the vote is definitely rigged. But it's...rigged in the players' favor?

Currently, the modern version of RuneScape (also known as RuneScape 3) features a number of different types of microtransactions, including a major feature called Treasure Hunter. Very basically, Treasure Hunter allows players to obtain keys in various ways, which are used to open treasure chests and receive items of varying rarity. Though it is possible to obtain small numbers of keys without spending money, far more are obtainable for players who spend money on the game. Over time, this has led to players complaining that Treasure Hunter is essentially a pay-to-win mechanic, since players can obtain items that give them large amounts of experience points through Treasure Hunter, effectively encouraging players to spend more to level up characters quickly.

There have been other issues with Treasure Hunter over the years as well, as well as its predecessor microtransaction "Squeal of Fortune", but the ability to essentially pay to bypass gameplay is by far the most controversial. In fact, Jagex even experimented with removing the feature in part back in July, when it disabled microtransactions for a week. A follow-up survey run by the studio suggested that 65% of players felt positively or neutral about the change.

So today, Jagex sent out a press release stating that it was launching a community vote to "decide the future of RuneScape's microtransactions." The developer has launched a page on its website that allows players to vote to remove Treasure Hunter from the game entirely, simultaneously removing over 220 associated items, including the experience points boosting items that have caused issues in the past. Jagex says it will remove Treasure Hunter from the game if the poll receives over 100,000 votes.

“This vote is one of the most important moments in RuneScape’s history," said Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy in a statement. "Starting right now, players will cast the deciding vote on the future direction of the game. Since Squeal of Fortune was introduced in 2012, and subsequently Treasure Hunter in 2014, our approach to monetisation has, over time, eroded some of the integrity at the heart of RuneScape.

"The most concerning elements of our MTX systems have been those that allowed players to bypass core gameplay, skipping over the depth, challenge, and sense of discovery that make RuneScape truly special. While these systems have helped fund the game, they’ve done so at a cost to something far greater: the integrity of our worlds. This vote is about correcting that, and taking a step toward designing experiences that are fair, rewarding, and built to last.”

It's critical to point out though that Jagex's poll really isn't a poll at all. It's a button players can press if they want to vote in favor of removing Treasure Hunter. There's no option for players to vote "no", Jagex will simply implement the change if 100,000 people total vote in favor. And the page itself makes it pretty dang clear that Jagex wants players to vote for this. Using language such as suggesting those who vote "yes" want to "see an integrity-led RuneScape powered by your own accomplishments" and the presence of multiple green "Vote Yes Now" buttons all down the page are, uh, not exactly subtle. Nor is the fact that Jagex seems pretty ready to implement this, as if it already knows what the result would be.

But while a clearly-rigged non-poll sounds bad, it's also critical to note that players actually do seem to want this to happen. Over on the RuneScape subreddit, players are ecstatic. The top comment on the Jagex mod's official post announcing the vote simply says "Holy based", followed by "I can't believe I lived to see this", and many, many more comments along those lines. In fact, the positivity is overwhelming. While some players seem skeptical that they'll meet the 100,000 vote requirement, others are confident, even suggesting the OSRS (Old School RuneScape) players might support the poll as well, just on principle. It seems as though they needn't worry. At the time this piece was written, the poll had been up for just four hours, and had already reached 50,000 votes. For context, Jagex says on its website that there have been over 320,000,000 RuneScape accounts created over the years...though how many of those are active is a very different question (Old School RuneScape recently surpassed 240,000 players this past August).

Overall, this seems like a positive, long-needing, and welcome change for the RuneScape community. It's just a little weird that it's being framed as a poll, when the desired outcome for both players and developer is pretty obvious. There is a potential reading of this as simply a move for positive PR, specifically given that Jagex was acquired just last year, Bellamy was instated as a new CEO just this past March, and he's already had a bad round of headlines over canceling annual in-game Pride events.

Players have until November 12 to vote if they would like to remove the microtransactions, and can continue voting beyond the 100,000 needed numbers to express support for the change. Removing Treasure Hunter won't fully remove all microtransactions from the game, with cosmetics and bonus XP items with set caps to help curb exploits will remain.

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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Aussie Streaming Guide: The Best TV & Movies for November 2025

November’s snuck up again, bringing with it that magical mix of lazy evenings, snack runs, and endless streaming temptation. Between the festive flicks, fresh originals, and the shows everyone’s been nagging you to catch up on, I’ve found plenty to keep your eyes glued to the screen. So, consider this your all-in-one binge guide; a handpicked lineup of the best films and series streaming across Australia right now. Clear your weekend, claim the couch, and prepare to sink into some seriously satisfying escapism.

Table of Contents

New in November on Foxtel and Binge

TV litter pick: The Death of Bunny Munro : A look at the life of a perpetually libidinous travelling salesman who uses his door-to-door beauty products to meet new partners.

Movie litter pick: Last Breath – 2 Nov : Just as wild and tense as you’d expect from a movie starring Woody Harrelson, Finn Cole, and Simu Liu as saturation divers determined to risk their lives after one of their own becomes marooned.

What notable movies are coming to Binge?

  • Last Breath – 2 Nov
  • Dog Man – 2 Nov
  • Fools Rush In – 4 Nov
  • Drop – 9 Nov
  • Novocaine No Pain – 21 Nov
  • Sidelined 2: Intercepted – 28 Nov

What notable series are coming to Binge?

  • All Her Fault – 7 Nov
  • DMV – 11 Nov
  • The Great British Bake Off S16 – 18 Nov
  • The Death of Bunny Munro – 20 Nov

Sign up for a free 14–day Binge trial

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New in November on Netflix

TV litter pick: Stranger Things 5: Vol. 1 – 27 Nov : Vol. 1 will begin in the aftermath of season four's apocalyptic events, with the rifts open in Hawkins, Vecna at large, and the town under military quarantine.

Movie litter pick: Frankenstein – 7 Nov : This del Toro take is a haunting reimagining of the classic tale about a brilliant but egotistical scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his tragic creation.

What notable movies are coming to Netflix?

  • Shrek – 1 Nov
  • Shrek 2 – 1 Nov
  • Shrek The Third – 1 Nov
  • Home Alone 2 – 1 Nov
  • Home Alone – 1 Nov
  • Frankenstein – 7 Nov
  • A Merry Little Ex-Mas – 12 Nov
  • The Accountant – 12 Nov
  • Being Eddie – 12 Nov
  • Champagne Problems – 19 Nov
  • Train Dreams – 21 Nov
  • Jingle Bell Heist – 26 Nov

What notable series are coming to Netflix?

  • Squid Game: The Challenge S02 – 4 Nov
  • Death by Lightning – 6 Nov
  • Selling The OC S04 – 12 Nov
  • The Beast in Me – 13 Nov
  • A Man on the Inside S02 – 20 Nov
  • Fisk S03 – 24 Nov
  • Stranger Things 5: Volume 1 – 27 Nov

Secure your subscription to Netflix

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New in November on Disney+

TV litter pick: Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films – 7 Nov : Get a first look at the upcoming “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, concept art, and interviews with cast and filmmakers.

Movie litter pick: Fantastic Four – 5 Nov: Set against the backdrop of a ’60s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family must defend Earth from a space god and his enigmatic herald.

What notable movies are coming to Disney+?

  • Joy to the World – 1 Nov
  • Fantastic Four – 5 Nov
  • Life-Size – 7 Nov
  • Love+War – 7 Nov
  • The Worst Trip Around the World – 7 Nov
  • Seventeen: Our Chapter – 7 Nov
  • LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails – 14 Nov
  • A Very Jonas Christmas Movie – 14 Nov
  • Wrath: A Seven Deadly Sins Story – 21 Nov
  • Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember – 24 Nov

What notable series are coming to Disney+?

  • Ancient Aliens S21 – 5 Nov
  • Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation – 5 Nov
  • Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films – 7 Nov
  • Kiff S02 – 26 Nov
  • Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends S04 – 26 Nov
  • The Beatles Anthology – 26 Nov

Sign up for Disney Plus

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New in November on Apple TV+

TV litter pick: Pluribus – 7 Nov : In this Vince Gilligan production we meet Carol Sturka, the most miserable person on Earth who must save the world from happiness.

Movie litter pick: The Family Plan 2 – 21 Nov : The Morgan family's Christmas vacation is interrupted by a mysterious ghost from Stan's past who wants to take over his father's business.

What notable movies are on Apple TV+?

  • Come See Me in the Good Light – 14 Nov
  • The Family Plan 2 – 21 Nov

What notable series are coming to Apple TV+?

  • Pluribus – 7 Nov
  • Palm Royale S02 – 12 Nov
  • Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age – 26 Nov
  • Wondla S03 – 26 Nov

Sign up for a free 7–day trial of Apple TV+

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New in November on Amazon Prime Video

TV litter pick: The Mighty Nein – 19 Nov : A group of fugitives and outcasts must learn to work together after an arcane artifact capable of reshaping reality falls into the wrong hands.

Movie litter pick: Karate Kid: Legends – 3 Nov : After moving to New York City with his mother, kung fu prodigy Li Fong struggles to let go of the past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates.

What notable movies are coming to Prime Video?

  • Jane Austen Wrecked My Life – 1 Nov
  • Karate Kid: Legends – 3 Nov
  • Materialists – 10 Nov
  • Playdate – 12 Nov
  • Hurry Up Tomorrow – 15 Nov
  • Tinsel Town – 28 Nov

What notable series are coming to Prime Video?

  • Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy – 5 Nov
  • Maxton Hall: The World Between Us Season 2 – 7 Nov
  • BAT-FAM – 10 Nov
  • Malice – 14 Nov
  • The Mighty Nein – 19 Nov

Sign up for a free 30–day Prime Video trial

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New in November on Stan

TV litter pick: Robin Hood - Nov 2 : After the Norman invasion of England, Rob, a Saxon forester's son, and Marian, a Norman lord's daughter, fall in love and unite to fight for justice.

Movie litter pick: Bullet Train - Nov 9 : A hitman codenamed "Ladybug" has a simple smash-and-snatch objective become complicated when rival assassins come to ride the same rails.

What notable movies are coming to Stan?

  • You Again - Nov 1
  • 27 Dresses - Nov 8
  • Bullet Train - Nov 9
  • Civil War - Nov 10
  • The Exorcist: Believer - Nov 10
  • Halloween Kills - Nov 12
  • Becoming Bond - Nov 16
  • Cinderella Man - Nov 15
  • Me, Myself & Irene - Nov 22
  • Little Women - Nov 28
  • Terminator: Dark Fate - Nov 29
  • Bump - Nov 30
  • Five Nights at Freddy's - Nov 30

What notable series are coming to Stan?

  • Robin Hood - Nov 2
  • Power Book IV: Force - Nov 7
  • The Iris Affair - Nov 13
  • Black Shore - Nov 18
  • He Had It Coming - Nov 20
  • Bel Air - Nov 25

Score your free 30–day trial of Stan

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IGN is now on Flash, live and on demand. Stream the latest and trending news for video games, interviews, videos, and wikis. Check it out here.

Adam Mathew is our Aussie streaming savant. He also games on YouTube.

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Battlefield REDSEC Review in Progress

After a few long sessions since yesterday’s surprise launch of Battlefield REDSEC, the free-to-play battle royale spin-off of Battlefield 6, it’s clearly coming after other grounded-ish military battle royales like PUBG and Call of Duty: Warzone. Hiding a fun mission structure within its streamlined familiarity — as well as an entire non-BR game mode — I’ve had the most fun when its map, called Fort Lyndon, is used to push the boundary beyond the requisite ever-shrinking storm. I still need some more time in the fray to nail down a final opinion, especially since most of the random squadmates I’ve matched up with in the main BR modes haven’t exactly been playing as a team. But for now, the squad-based, elimination-driven, free-for-all Gauntlet mode has impressed me more than the battle royale option itself.

With destructible environments, the ultimate buzzword (levelution), powerful vehicles that can alter the tide of battle or serve as fun chokepoints, and a baked-in squad system, Battlefield 6 seems like a perfect fit for a battle royale mode. But so far, REDSEC’s translation of Battlefield’s role-based structure feels like a shallow, if fun, take on the genre. Its hasn’t offered much yet to fully draw me away from Fortnite’s cartoonish chaos and electrifying events or separate itself from the likes of PUBG or Warzone beyond using Battlefield 6’s weapons and the Frostbite Engine. On the surface, REDSEC seems intent on reviving the rote 360-era conversation about shooters with a washed-out color palette because it seems so similar to its contemporaries.

Thankfully, REDSEC’s compelling mission structure takes a rewarding cleaver to the otherwise ho-hum military BR doldrums. They’re kind of like the missions and bounties you’d find in Fortnite, but with better rewards and more diverse challenges. Even with otherwise uncooperative squadmates, I found myself planting bombs and capturing waypoints to reap the benefits of well-communicated rewards. That seems to be REDSEC’s secret sauce: each in-game mission pops up like clockwork after a few minutes, only requiring a few button presses to get you to the next simple target.

Hinging on classic military FPS objectives like babysitting a planted bomb or picking up an important file so you can transmit its signal back to home base, these smaller sidequests add order to the otherwise chaotic pace of conquering the battlefield. Completing an objective will always come with some kind of supply drop. I really like how these drops are handled, offering a clearly communicated reward before accepting the mission, since some will alert nearby players to your presence.

In contrast, Gauntlet expands each of these extra objectives into full-fledged game modes, pitting a handful of four-player squads against each other to rack up the most points on each objective. The mode and objective will change throughout each of the four rounds, with the lowest-performing squads getting eliminated until only two remain. Rotating through different named locations within Fort Lyndon, each game mode uses a piece of the map and works more like a mish-mash between Fall Guys and a squad-based, free-for-all version of traditional Battlefield that’s easily been my favorite part of REDSEC for now.

Battlefield REDSEC’s slow-rolling storm just hasn’t done much to incentivize me toward a hard objective or new destination, but its mission structure usually got me (and any uncooperative squadmates) moving in the right direction towards otherwise flat attempts at the #1 spot so far. I’ll need more time to complete missions and snipe away at opponents across the map before delivering a final verdict, but for now, REDSEC at least has some unexpectedly interesting things going for it.

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Are We Sure Absolute Batman Doesn't Kill People?

We've known from the start that Absolute Batman is a much more brutal and violent alternative to DC's more traditional takes on the Dark Knight. He pretty much has to be when he lives in a corrupted world where the deck is utterly stacked against him and his fellow heroes. But after reading Absolute Batman Annual #1, we're starting to wonder. Is there a limit to how far Absolute Batman will go? Does this Batman actually kill?

Read on for a breakdown of what happens in Absolute Batman Annual #1 and why this Batman takes things further than any other version, even the hyper-violent Batman of the Arkham games.

Warning: Beware of spoilers ahead for Absolute Batman #1!

While the main Absolute Batman series is currently exploring the feud between Batman and this universe's terrifying incarnation of Bane, the annual flashes back to an earlier period in the young hero's career. In this story by writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson (of Skybound Transformers fame), Batman wages a one-man war against a group of white supremacists who have targeted a homeless encampment.

Early on, Bruce is shown buying equipment for the coming battle. He asks the seller if the weapons are non-lethal, to which the seller refers to them as more "less lethal." That doesn't seem to faze Bruce at all, one sign that maybe he won't be too broken up if he leaves a few dead bodies in his wake.

Later, when the battle begins in earnest, Batman pulls absolutely no punches in combating the white supremacists. One ringleader finds his arm broken in a truly grotesque fashion. Another is hit with several Batarangs in his eyes, only for that to be swiftly followed up with a brutal knee to the face. As many fans have pointed out, Absolute Bats seems to borrow some moves from AEW star Kenny Omega's playbook, from the V Trigger to the One-Winged Angel (Johnson is famously very fond of professional wrestling).

Later, Batman goes even harder still, crashing his enormous Batmobile (basically a repurposed construction vehicle) into a building where the white supremacists flee and torching many with a flamethrower. At some point, it becomes hard to imagine some of these people don't die from the sheer ferocity of Batman's assault.

But is that the idea? Bruce's actions are contrasted by those of a pacifist priest who implores him to realize that violence isn't the answer. This stirs up memories of Bruce's dead father Thomas, who once praised his young son for his compassion. It's even revealed that Thomas and the priest once participated in the same protest against police brutality together. Haunted by those memories, Batman can do nothing but hang his head in shame. His mission is successful, but at what personal cost?

While this issue doesn't make it explicit, it could be inferred that Absolute Batman didn't start out with a firm no-killing rule. Perhaps that only came as a result of the lingering guilt Bruce feels over his actions in this issue. In Absolute Batman #1 (which takes place after the annual), Agent Alfred Pennyworth observes Batman using incredible discipline in his battles with the Black Mask Gang. He has no qualms about breaking bones and severing limbs, but he takes care not to leave anyone with mortal injuries. Again, it seems he wasn't always so discriminating.

Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo

What do you think? Was Absolute Batman a killer when he started out? Will he kill again in order to end the threat of Bane or Joker? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

For more on Absolute Batman, find out why Absolute Joker is a fundamentally different character and see why artist Nick Dragotta wants an anime series.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.

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The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Intel Core Ultra 9 RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Laptop Drops to $1,757

Lenovo has dropped the price on one of its best equipped gaming laptops to its lowest price ever. The Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 gaming laptop, featuring an OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, and RTX 5070 Ti GPU, is down to $1,757.49 after coupon code: "EXTRAFIVE". That's over $600 off in combined savings. The RTX 5070 Ti is a powerful mobile GPU that will easily run game you throw at it, even on the display's upgraded 1600p native resolution.

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Gen 10 RTX 5070 Ti Laptop for $1,757

This particular configuration is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Both the RAM and SSD are user-upgradeable. The Legion Pro boasts solid build quality and materials with an aluminum top lid and a sturdy plastic bottom chassis. The gorgeous 16" OLED display features a 2.5K 189ppi resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, HDR 1000 True Black certification, and 100% DCI-P3 color space. This new 2025 model has also been updated with the Wi-Fi 7 standard. Connectivity options include a Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1, a USB Type-C port with up to 100W of Power Delivery, an RJ45 ethernet port, and an HDMI 2.1 port.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is a top performing CPU

The HP Omen Max is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 24-core processor with a max turbo frequency of 5.4GHz. This is the second most powerful Intel mobile CPU currently available (the Ultra 9 285HX has a slightly higher clock speed) and goes toe to toe with AMD's flagship Ryzen 9 9955HX processor. The new AMD 9000 series X3D mobile GPUs are supposedly faster, but they are limited to the most expensive laptops ($4,000 and up).

The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti mobile GPU can handle the most demanding games

The RTX 5070 Ti mobile GPU is comparable in performance to the previous generation's RTX 4080 and pulls ahead of it in games that support DLSS 4. It should be able to handle even the newest and most demanding games like Ghost of Yotei, Battlefield 6, and Borderlands 4 on the native 2560x1600 resolution.

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.

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HBO Max Doesn't Have a Free Trial, But You've Got Options

Since HBO Max joined the streaming service wars, it has been a force to be reckoned with due to the extensive Warner Bros. media library. Home to culture-forming shows (Games of Thrones, The Last of Us, The Sopranos, etc.) and movie sagas (The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Mad Max, the DC Universe, the Dune Saga, etc.), HBO Max continues to be one of the best streaming services out there.

As streaming has evolved throughout the years, services have been changing in structure, content rights, and pricing. Despite the increase in competition, HBO Max does not currently offer a free trial. So if you're hoping to hop on really quick just to watch the new Superman movie without paying anything, you're out of luck.

That being said, HBO Max and Disney have joined forces to create a new affordable super-bundle that gives users access to HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu in one billing cycle. It's one of the best HBO Max deals available, especially after the most recent price hike.

Can You Get HBO Max for Free in Other Ways?

Although HBO Max doesn't have an official free trial, you can still technically get it "free" through other means. Users who sign up for an annual DashPass membership through DoorDash will gain access to HBO Max (with ads) at no additional cost. This grants those users upwards of $240 in annual value for only $96/year.

HBO Max Bundles

If you already have Hulu or Disney+, you can also save on an HBO Max subscription with the newest streaming bundle. The Max/Hulu/Disney+ bundle starts at $19.99/month, saving you over $150 a year (over $300 for the ad-free plan) compared to paying for the three plans individually.

What HBO Max Alternatives Have Free Trials?

Luckily, if you are looking for a free streaming service trial, there are still multiple competitors that offer quality content and a chance to sample their streaming library for free. Check out these various alternatives below:

For more ways to cut down your streaming bill, take a look at our guide to the best streaming bundles of 2025. You can also check out more of our free trial explainers below:

Connor Sheppard is an Oregon-grown culture writer for IGN with previous work on The Manual. Intrigued from a young age by pop culture and movies, he has developed into an experienced critic and consumer of all things media. From his time earning a bachelor's degree in digital communications at Oregon State University, he found a love for writing and appreciating specific actors and directors in the many films he watches.

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Save $125 Off PlayStation 5 Consoles with IGN Rewards

The holiday season is almost here, meaning it's the perfect time to buy a gift for a friend, family member, or yourself. If you're a fan of video games, there is arguably no better gift than a brand-new console. The PS5 has firmly hovered around MSRP this year, but for a limited time, you can save $125 off select PlayStation 5 consoles with IGN Rewards!

Save $125 Off Select PlayStation 5 Consoles!

PlayStation 5 is home to numerous games from both PlayStation Studios and third-party developers. This year, the biggest releases for PS5 included Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Lost Soul Aside, and more. If you've yet to play this console generation's biggest games, there has never been a better time to hop in and see what the hype is about.

To claim this discount, you need to be a member of IGN Rewards. This is completely free — all you need to do is sign up for an IGN account to be eligible for this reward. Head over to the IGN Rewards page linked above, claim the reward, and you'll receive a coupon code that can be redeemed at PlayStation Direct for $125 off!

This reward is set to end on Friday, October 31, at 2:00 PM PT, so be sure to claim it before it's gone.

About IGN Rewards

IGN Rewards is a free platform that allows IGN readers to access free giveaways, discounts, and offers. You'll only need to create an IGN account to be eligible for the program. If you'd like to further your IGN Rewards experience, you can check out IGN Plus, where you can earn monthly games, ad-free browsing, and so much more.

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Get October’s Humble Choice for $10 (for a Limited Time)

Humble Choice is always a good deal for PC gamers who like a variety of game types. But the online storefront just launched a promo code that gets you October’s Humble Choice games for just $10, rather than the usual $14.99. All you have to do is enter promo code SPOOKY25 at checkout, and you’ll save $5. This month’s eight-game lineup is pretty great, with Atomic Hearts, V Rising, System Shock, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town, and more. Read on for the details.

Humble Choice - October 2025

Here’s the full list of PC games included in this months’ Humble Choice:

  • Atomic Heart
  • V Rising
  • System Shock
  • Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
  • Cryptmaster
  • Shogun Showdown
  • Hotel Renovator
  • Caravan SandWitch
  • One Month of IGN Plus

All of the games are delivered in the form of Steam codes. Most of the games are excellent as well. Our critics gave V Rising and System Shock a 9/10, while Atomic Hearts got an 8/10. From our Atomic Heart review: "This is a lengthy, tough, and terrific-looking shooter that has us bathing in the blood and gears of elaborately designed enemies both biological and robotic and dispatching them with an impressive set of combat options."

Humble Choice is a gaming subscription that gets you a new bundle of PC games each month. So if you don’t want to continue getting a new bundle each month, you’ll have to cancel your subscription, which is easy enough to do (I’ve done it myself). Anytime a bundle I want is on offer, I sign back up and then cancel after I’ve gotten my games, just to ward off future unwanted auto-payments as I have enough subscriptions in my life.

Members also get a few other benefits from a Humble Choice subscription. You save up to 20% off other games on Humble Store, depending on how long your subscription has been active (it starts at 10% off with one month). You also get access to more than 50 classic DRM-free games in the Humble app (the current lineup includes A Short Hike, Getting Over It, and more.

Finally, 5% of your membership fee is donated to a worthy cause each month. This month’s charitable organization is Whale and Dolphin Conservation.

While we’re on the subject of game deals at Humble, the PC game storefront is also running the Humble Halloween Mega Sale, with big savings on tons of games, including Alan Wake 2 for $14.99, Silent Hill 2 for $45.49, and many more.

Disclosure: Humble Bundle is owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of IGN. Humble Bundle and IGN operate completely independently, and no special consideration is given to Humble Bundle announcements or promotions for coverage.

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.

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Remedy CEO Steps Down Following FBC: Firebreak's Sales Flop

Remedy Entertainment's CEO has resigned, leaving the new CEO of the developer of Control and Alan Wake to reassure investors after weak sales of FBC: Firebreak left the company significantly lowering its revenue expectations for the year and writing off the game's development costs.

In its quarterly earnings report issued today, Remedy revealed that it recognized a €14.9 million ($17.4 million) impairment charge representing most of the development costs as well as purchased publishing and distribution rights for FBC: Firebreak.

In total, Remedy's revenue decreased 32% year-over-year, to €12.2 million ($14.2 million). Remedy says this was largely driven by lower development fees coming in than last year at this time, during which it received revenue from Annapurna related to development work it did on Control 2. Remedy also revealed that it was revising its revenue expectations for the year: while previously Remedy expected revenue and operating profit to increase year-over-year and be positive, it now expects revenue to increase, but its operating profit to decrease and be negative. No exact numbers were shared.

Alongside this, CEO Tero Virtala has stepped down after nine years in the position. He is succeeded in the interim by board chairman Markus Mäki, who has stepped down from his chairman role and been replaced by Henri Österlund.

In comments by Mäki shared with investors, he stated that while Remedy would continue "working on features which enhance player value" and would keep true to its shared roadmap for Firebreak, the studio has moved development resources elsewhere going forward. Mäki also attempted to reassure investors that Firebreak was not a total loss:

"We have also found positive sides from FBC: Firebreak," he said. "Our first multiplayer product launch was technically successful in a cross-platform environment, and our publishing team has built capabilities which support the releases of our future self-published titles."

FBC: Firebreak was Remedy's first ever self-published game, and while the studio claims it technically succeeded, it also admitted last quarter that it "underperformed" on Steam and that the company was "unsatisfied" with its commercial reception. In today's earnings, Remedy stated that Breakpoint improved the game's sales only "marginally."

We gave FBC: Firebreak a 6/10, saying that it was a "compelling co-op shooter that, despite its good looks, doesn't have the depth to keep things interesting long-term."

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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The CyberpowerPC AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC Drops to Just $1,699 at Walmart

Walmart just dropped the price yet again on a powerful prebuilt gaming PC. The CyberPowerPC gaming PC, featuring a liquid cooled AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU and GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, is on sale for $1699 shipped. This prebuilt was originally priced at $2,300, but it went down to $1900 during October Prime Day and another $200 starting this week. This is the best price I've seen so far for a 9800X3D and 5070 Ti combo.

CyberPowerPC AMD 9800X3D RTX 5070 Ti PC for $1,699

The CyberPowerPC gaming PC (model number SLC7700WST) is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, 32GB of DDR5-6000MHz RAM, and a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD. The system is cooled by a total of four 120mm airflow fans in addition to the three 120mm fans that are part of the 360mm liquid cooling system. It's all housed in a CyberPowerPC rebadged Lian-Li Prism 321V ATX midtower PC case with panoramic glass windows.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Was Made for Gamers

According to Passmark, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the second fastest gaming CPU available right now trailing just behind the pricier 9900X3D. It features a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache This is an absolute monster of a processor for gaming, especially at this price point. It's pretty much better than any Intel processor out right now in terms of gaming performance. It doesn't have as many cores as some other modern day CPUs, but keep in mind that most games can't utilize more than eight cores. Check out our AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review.

The RTX 5070 Ti GPU Has Excellent 4K Gaming Performance

The RTX 5070 Ti offers the best bang for your buck in terms of 4K gaming performance. It performs neck-and-neck with the previous generation RTX 4080 Super and pulls ahead in any game that supports DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation. It is fully capable of running any game in 4K at 60fps. It also has 16GB of VRAM like the RTX 5080, making it viable for AI work. Check out our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU review by Jacqueline Thomas for our hands-on impressions.

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.

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