State of Decay 2’s Xbox Series X/S Optimizations Are Now Available

State of Decay 2's latest update brings optimizations for both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, including "lightning-quick load times, improved world and shadow detail, and a responsive 60 frames-per-second presentation at up to 4K resolution." Announced on Xbox Wire, this update also adds a new Lethal difficulty that developer Undead Labs has "tuned right to the edge of impossible." Open-world resources are much scarcer, enemies hit much harder, and the blood plague is even deadlier. Plague hearts are also growing everywhere, and destroying one no longer offer safety from other nearby zombie hordes. Additionally, the special "freak" zombies have been swapped for their blood plague variants. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/05/17/state-of-decay-2-review"] Lethal Difficulty also brings with it new achievements for a total of 100 Gamerscore, and aspects of this new difficulty can be mixed and matched with Custom Difficulty so players can create their perfect apocalyptic scenario. State of Decay 2 will also get the Stay Frosty Pack which adds over a dozen winter-themed items that can be earned through in-game challenges or discovered in the open world. This pack includes winter-camouflage weapons and outfits and the ability to use the new Maintenance Bench facility mod to minimize weapon breakage while in the field. The Stay Frosty Pack, like all State of Decay 2 bounty packs, is available free of charge but is only available for a limited time. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-xbox-one-games-fall-2020-update&captions=true"] State of Decay 2's Xbox Series X/S optimizations join other first-party Microsoft games that take advantage of the next-gen systems like Gears 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Sea of Thieves. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

State of Decay 2’s Xbox Series X/S Optimizations Are Now Available

State of Decay 2's latest update brings optimizations for both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, including "lightning-quick load times, improved world and shadow detail, and a responsive 60 frames-per-second presentation at up to 4K resolution." Announced on Xbox Wire, this update also adds a new Lethal difficulty that developer Undead Labs has "tuned right to the edge of impossible." Open-world resources are much scarcer, enemies hit much harder, and the blood plague is even deadlier. Plague hearts are also growing everywhere, and destroying one no longer offer safety from other nearby zombie hordes. Additionally, the special "freak" zombies have been swapped for their blood plague variants. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/05/17/state-of-decay-2-review"] Lethal Difficulty also brings with it new achievements for a total of 100 Gamerscore, and aspects of this new difficulty can be mixed and matched with Custom Difficulty so players can create their perfect apocalyptic scenario. State of Decay 2 will also get the Stay Frosty Pack which adds over a dozen winter-themed items that can be earned through in-game challenges or discovered in the open world. This pack includes winter-camouflage weapons and outfits and the ability to use the new Maintenance Bench facility mod to minimize weapon breakage while in the field. The Stay Frosty Pack, like all State of Decay 2 bounty packs, is available free of charge but is only available for a limited time. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-xbox-one-games-fall-2020-update&captions=true"] State of Decay 2's Xbox Series X/S optimizations join other first-party Microsoft games that take advantage of the next-gen systems like Gears 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Sea of Thieves. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Fortnite: Epic Games Not Planning on In-Person Tournaments for 2021

Epic Games has announced that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it does not plan to hold in-person Fortnite events in 2021, including the Fortnite World Cup, but will continue to host online competitions throughout the next year. Revealed in a blog post, Epic states that while its "intent is to eventually hold global in-person tournaments again," its "priority for any such event is the health and safety of our players and staff." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/03/fortnite-chapter-2-season-5-zero-point-update-guide"] The Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) will continue throughout 2021, and the Chapter 2 - Season 5 FNCS is currently planned for February 4. The FNCS party size is also now being standardized to Trios for the "foreseeable future," but Epic may "alter the scoring and/or qualification formats season by season." This announcement follows Fortnite's Galactus event that led into Chapter 2 - Season 5. The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda/The Child are also part of this season's Battle Pass. Alongside The Mandalorian, Kratos from God of War has also become a playable skin, and he arrives with the full Oathbreaker Set that includes the Guardian Shield Glider, Leviathan Axe Pickaxe, Mimir Back Bling, and a custom Kratos emote. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/04/fortnite-kratos-skin-reveal-trailer"] For more on Fortnite, check out the Fortnite Crew - a new monthly subscription service that comes with a Battle PAss and exclusive outfits. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Fortnite: Epic Games Not Planning on In-Person Tournaments for 2021

Epic Games has announced that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it does not plan to hold in-person Fortnite events in 2021, including the Fortnite World Cup, but will continue to host online competitions throughout the next year. Revealed in a blog post, Epic states that while its "intent is to eventually hold global in-person tournaments again," its "priority for any such event is the health and safety of our players and staff." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/03/fortnite-chapter-2-season-5-zero-point-update-guide"] The Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) will continue throughout 2021, and the Chapter 2 - Season 5 FNCS is currently planned for February 4. The FNCS party size is also now being standardized to Trios for the "foreseeable future," but Epic may "alter the scoring and/or qualification formats season by season." This announcement follows Fortnite's Galactus event that led into Chapter 2 - Season 5. The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda/The Child are also part of this season's Battle Pass. Alongside The Mandalorian, Kratos from God of War has also become a playable skin, and he arrives with the full Oathbreaker Set that includes the Guardian Shield Glider, Leviathan Axe Pickaxe, Mimir Back Bling, and a custom Kratos emote. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/04/fortnite-kratos-skin-reveal-trailer"] For more on Fortnite, check out the Fortnite Crew - a new monthly subscription service that comes with a Battle PAss and exclusive outfits. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

WW84: First Reactions Praise the Film’s Exciting Story and Inspiring Message

A handful of critics were able to see Wonder Woman 1984 yesterday, a full three weeks before the highly-anticipated DC film hits both theaters and HBO Max on December 25 (where it will be the first HBO Max title to support 4K) - and the online buzz is wildly positive! Below you'll be able to see a bunch of glowing first reactions to the Patty Jenkins-helmed follow up to the 2017 DCEU smash hit, calling the '80s-set story a beautiful, uplifting, heartwarming movie that -- honestly -- just might be what we all need these days. The first of these reactions come from IGN's own Jim Vejvoda and Terri Schwartz... Amy Ratcliffe shared those same sentiments about the film while Germain Lussier also called the film "ambitious" and "incredibly exciting." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=maxwell-lord-and-his-connection-to-wonder-woman-explained&captions=true"] FANDOM's Eric Goldman, CinemaBlend's Eric Eisenberg, Gamespot's Mike Rougeau, and more also felt like the movie's message, and inspiring hero, felt like a shining light in these turbulent times. Don't worry, there are even more luminous statements below. None of these are official reviews, of course, just some snapshots of enthusiastic early screening reactions. WW84, starring Gal Gadot, features the return of Chris Pine's Steve Trevor while a 1980s Diana faces off against Kirsten Wiig's Cheetah and Pedro Pascal's Maxwell Lord. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/04/the-pros-and-cons-of-wbs-industry-shaking-move"]

WW84: First Reactions Praise the Film’s Exciting Story and Inspiring Message

A handful of critics were able to see Wonder Woman 1984 yesterday, a full three weeks before the highly-anticipated DC film hits both theaters and HBO Max on December 25 (where it will be the first HBO Max title to support 4K) - and the online buzz is wildly positive! Below you'll be able to see a bunch of glowing first reactions to the Patty Jenkins-helmed follow up to the 2017 DCEU smash hit, calling the '80s-set story a beautiful, uplifting, heartwarming movie that -- honestly -- just might be what we all need these days. The first of these reactions come from IGN's own Jim Vejvoda and Terri Schwartz... Amy Ratcliffe shared those same sentiments about the film while Germain Lussier also called the film "ambitious" and "incredibly exciting." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=maxwell-lord-and-his-connection-to-wonder-woman-explained&captions=true"] FANDOM's Eric Goldman, CinemaBlend's Eric Eisenberg, Gamespot's Mike Rougeau, and more also felt like the movie's message, and inspiring hero, felt like a shining light in these turbulent times. Don't worry, there are even more luminous statements below. None of these are official reviews, of course, just some snapshots of enthusiastic early screening reactions. WW84, starring Gal Gadot, features the return of Chris Pine's Steve Trevor while a 1980s Diana faces off against Kirsten Wiig's Cheetah and Pedro Pascal's Maxwell Lord. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/04/the-pros-and-cons-of-wbs-industry-shaking-move"]

Cyberpunk 2077 Global Release Times Revealed

CD Projekt Red has shared the exact timing as to when players can begin their adventures in Cyberpunk 2077. Cyberpunk 2077's Twitter revealed that the game's release for PC and Google Stadia players will be simultaneous across the globe at 12am GMT on December 10. For Pacific Time and Eastern Time, Cyberpunk 2077 will be released at 4pm and 7pm on December 9, respectively. EoVEcJCW8AIXqLR For those planning on playing on Xbox One or PlayStation 4, or via backward compatibility on Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, Cyberpunk 2077 will unlock at midnight in your local time zone on December 10. Preloads of Cyberpunk 2077 have already begun on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, and will be available on Tuesday, December 8 for PS4 and PS5. On December 7 at 3am PT/6am ET/12pm CET, Cyberpunk 2077 will be available for preload on GOG, and at 8am PT/11am ET/5pm CET, preload will become available on Steam and Epic Store. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/19/cyberpunk-2077-the-final-preview"] To help with the wait for Cyberpunk 2077's release date, be sure to check out the launch party being held digitally on Twitter, how cross-saves work between Xbox One-Xbox Series X/S and PS4-PS5, the story so far, and our final preview after 16 hours with Cyberpunk 2077. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Cyberpunk 2077 Global Release Times Revealed

CD Projekt Red has shared the exact timing as to when players can begin their adventures in Cyberpunk 2077. Cyberpunk 2077's Twitter revealed that the game's release for PC and Google Stadia players will be simultaneous across the globe at 12am GMT on December 10. For Pacific Time and Eastern Time, Cyberpunk 2077 will be released at 4pm and 7pm on December 9, respectively. EoVEcJCW8AIXqLR For those planning on playing on Xbox One or PlayStation 4, or via backward compatibility on Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, Cyberpunk 2077 will unlock at midnight in your local time zone on December 10. Preloads of Cyberpunk 2077 have already begun on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, and will be available on Tuesday, December 8 for PS4 and PS5. On December 7 at 3am PT/6am ET/12pm CET, Cyberpunk 2077 will be available for preload on GOG, and at 8am PT/11am ET/5pm CET, preload will become available on Steam and Epic Store. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/19/cyberpunk-2077-the-final-preview"] To help with the wait for Cyberpunk 2077's release date, be sure to check out the launch party being held digitally on Twitter, how cross-saves work between Xbox One-Xbox Series X/S and PS4-PS5, the story so far, and our final preview after 16 hours with Cyberpunk 2077. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Monster Hunter Pulled from Chinese Theaters Over Offensive Slur

Paul W.S. Anderson's Monster Hunter, which is set to hit theaters in the U.S. on December 25, is already causing a fair amount of controversy in China, where it's already been released. Per Variety, the film has been pulled from theaters after its opening day, and is currently being censored by Chinese regulators, due to "a ten second-long exchange in the film that patriotic local viewers say 'insults China.'" Monster Hunter, which stars Milla Jovovich and is based on the hit game from Capcom, "enjoyed midnight screenings in the small hours of Friday local time, and officially debuted in Chinese cinemas on Friday, Dec. 4." The film is now being pulled from local theaters all around China because of an exchange that was, reportedly, intended to be a light-hearted scene. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/14/monster-hunter-exclusive-official-trailer"] Variety states that Monster Hunter made up approximately 25% of all film screenings in China on Friday. That number has now fallen to around .07%. One notice that was sent to cinemas read: "A new version is being produced overnight, and should be the one screened...Theaters should please strictly observe that the old version should not be further screened a single time." Right now though, despite that notice, Variety is stating that "the release of even a censored version is effectively halted." In the wake of this, "Chinese users have quickly flooded the video game’s Steam page with hundreds of angry, negative reviews." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/25/monster-hunter-behind-the-scenes-with-artemis-milla-jovovich"] Apparently, the scene in question is a dumb, pun-y exchange between two characters that unwittingly made Chinese moviegoers think was "a reference to an old, racist schoolyard rhyme insulting Asians." The situation was seemingly made worse by the translation, which was localized in a way that was a "reference to a Chinese colloquialism," causing some viewers to deem the moment an insult. In the film, Jovovich plays Natalie Artemis, the leader of a group of soldiers who gets transported from their world into that of the Monster Hunter video games. Jovovich's Artemis teams up with The Hunter (Tony Jaa) and his boss, The Admiral (Ron Perlman). [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=monster-hunter-movie-images&captions=true"]

Monster Hunter Pulled from Chinese Theaters Over Offensive Slur

Paul W.S. Anderson's Monster Hunter, which is set to hit theaters in the U.S. on December 25, is already causing a fair amount of controversy in China, where it's already been released. Per Variety, the film has been pulled from theaters after its opening day, and is currently being censored by Chinese regulators, due to "a ten second-long exchange in the film that patriotic local viewers say 'insults China.'" Monster Hunter, which stars Milla Jovovich and is based on the hit game from Capcom, "enjoyed midnight screenings in the small hours of Friday local time, and officially debuted in Chinese cinemas on Friday, Dec. 4." The film is now being pulled from local theaters all around China because of an exchange that was, reportedly, intended to be a light-hearted scene. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/14/monster-hunter-exclusive-official-trailer"] Variety states that Monster Hunter made up approximately 25% of all film screenings in China on Friday. That number has now fallen to around .07%. One notice that was sent to cinemas read: "A new version is being produced overnight, and should be the one screened...Theaters should please strictly observe that the old version should not be further screened a single time." Right now though, despite that notice, Variety is stating that "the release of even a censored version is effectively halted." In the wake of this, "Chinese users have quickly flooded the video game’s Steam page with hundreds of angry, negative reviews." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/25/monster-hunter-behind-the-scenes-with-artemis-milla-jovovich"] Apparently, the scene in question is a dumb, pun-y exchange between two characters that unwittingly made Chinese moviegoers think was "a reference to an old, racist schoolyard rhyme insulting Asians." The situation was seemingly made worse by the translation, which was localized in a way that was a "reference to a Chinese colloquialism," causing some viewers to deem the moment an insult. In the film, Jovovich plays Natalie Artemis, the leader of a group of soldiers who gets transported from their world into that of the Monster Hunter video games. Jovovich's Artemis teams up with The Hunter (Tony Jaa) and his boss, The Admiral (Ron Perlman). [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=monster-hunter-movie-images&captions=true"]