Sea of Thieves officially broke its record player count in June, three years after Microsoft Studios published the open-world high seas adventure game.

According to a statement published on the Sea of Thieves website, ships on Sea of Thieves' waters were at a record-breaking levels in June this year, with over 4.8 million players turning on the game. Executive producer Joe Neate said that the studio had been "bowled over" from the response of the Sea of Thieves community, which had returned en masse for the release of Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life.

"From your reactions on social media to your fan art and stories of exploring the five new Tall Tales, it’s been amazing – and all this excitement resulted in our busiest ever month on the seas, with June seeing 4.8 million active pirates out on the water!" said Neate.

Season 3's Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life welcomed Disney's Captain Jack Sparrow to the game in a free expansion to players. As one of many titles available to subscribers of Xbox Game Pass, Sea of Thieves' popularity likely drafted in buccaneers used to playing a range of different franchises.

In the wake of the game's success, Creative Director Mike Chapman offered a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the development team.

"I'm so proud of all the work that the team has done and we've been so blown away by the player reaction to this," he said. "We've loved watching along and we've just loved the speculation and the content being created that we've seen. But most of all, hearing your stories and the memories that are created by playing through with your friends or playing with your family, that is absolutely invaluable to us, it means the world to us, it makes all our work completely worthwhile."

In the wake of record numbers of pirates taking to the seas, Creative Director @ChappersChapman offers a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the team for our community’s response to Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life. Cheers! https://t.co/XKPjJZy7kY pic.twitter.com/NZhtKFC2hf

— Sea of Thieves (@SeaOfThieves) August 17, 2021

Chapman finished his speech by saying that Rare will use the game's recent momentum to keep building out and enriching the Sea of Thieves experience further. Chapman teased fans by concluding that there were a number of further additional adventures that the team are hoping to bring fans in the future.

If you're just setting sail in the latest Sea of Thieves expansion, then make sure to check out our top tips for getting started in A Pirate's Life. Alternatively, if you'd like to sea more from the game, take a look at this piece which explains how you can find a Monkey Island Easter Egg in the game.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. He can often be found playing the accordion in his pirate band, The Seven C's. You can follow him on Twitter.

Rocket League developer Psyonix has announced some new content coming to the PlayStation versions of the game – most notably that the popular free-to-play game will soon offer new graphical settings and 120Hz gaming to PS5 owners.

As detailed in the latest PlayStation Blog, beginning tomorrow PS5 owners will be able to play the game at a refresh rate of 120Hz. Additionally, Psyonix confirmed that it is adding two different graphical modes: Quality and Performance mode, which you can toggle via the game's video settings menu.

When running the game in Quality mode, Rocket League will run in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second with high dynamic range (HDR). However, HDR will only be enabled if you have an HDR10-compatible display and connect the PS5 to the display using an HDMI 2.0 cable or newer. Additionally, you need a 4K monitor or TV to run this high resolution, though Psyonix notes that if a 1080p display is being used, the game will "render at 1080p subsampled from 4K."

Performance mode will allow the game to run at 2688×1512 resolution — 70% of full 4K at 120 frames per second with HDR. While the gameplay does not run at full 4K resolution, the game's user interface will run in 4K. To experience the game in 4K UHD, you will need a 4K display, though 1080p monitors and TVs running this graphical setting will render the game at 180p supersampled from the 2688×1512 resolution. Additionally, gaming and HDR's high refresh rate will require a compatible display and an HDMI 2.1 cable.

A new update for PS5 is not the only thing coming to Rocket League, though. Psyonix also detailed in the same blog post that the game is adding some Ratchet & Clank-themed content into the game with a free Ratchet & Clank bundle available to both PS4 and PS5 players starting tomorrow and will be free to claim until January 3, 2022.

Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Dataminers have unearthed a range of leftover assets from The Last of Us Part 2 which show off a range of multiplayer files, as well as a possible nod to what could have been a battle royale mode.

The multiplayer assets were spotted by Speclizer, a dataminer who posted the finds in a comprehensive video on their YouTube channel. A "listen mode device", and "handheld-TV" were found within the scrapped multiplayer assets, which may potentially have aided players' senses within the game. They also found a "collar" asset, which suggests that dogs could have featured in the game's multiplayer.

Speclizer was also able to piece together assets that suggest that a multiplayer map could have been in production for the game that would have been large enough for a battle royale-style game mode. The dataminer said that they had also found a "compass" and "player count" in the development footage for the game - the latter of which is particularly prevalent in battle royale games.

Assets linked to multiplayer equipment in the find suggest that players might have had access to tier-levelled armour. Whilst this far from confirms that a battle royale was in production, it's a system similar in style to that used by Apex Legends and PUBG, where players are granted varying degrees of health benefits by helmets and armoured vests.

There's a bunch of news articles coming out on my TLOU 2 Multiplayer assets video and I didn't get to show the armour, backpack and helmet models in the video so here's some screenshots! There are different levels of armour *battle royale* This is level 3 with a stealth backpack. pic.twitter.com/BZzeP2arEd

— Speclizer (@Speclizer_) August 17, 2021

Naughty Dog confirmed in 2019 that The Last of Us Part 2 would not include an online mode. The company tweeted at the time saying that this was in part due to the highly ambitious nature of its single-player campaign. Despite opting not to include multiplayer, the company did note that players would eventually be able to experience the team's "online ambition" at a later date.

Earlier this year, job listings revealed that Naughty Dog was hiring for a multiplayer game that is built for "longevity". Whether or not that project is a standalone version of The Last of Us' Factions multiplayer is unclear. However, a battle royale mode set in series' post-apocalyptic world paired with the established Factions gameplay could add some unique and interesting features to the battle royale realm.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

A new trailer has been released for Star Wars: Visions, an original series featuring stories from seven visionary Japanese anime studios, available to stream on Disney+ on September 22.

Lucasfilm and Disney+ just debuted the first full trailer for Star Wars: Visions, offering fans a glimpse of the different animation styles that will appear throughout the nine animated shorts of the series. Each episode provides a fresh take on Star Wars, with some stories set within the existing timeline and others more loosely connected to the franchise. Watch below:

The trailer shines a saber on the various shorts that have been created by some of the biggest Japanese anime studios such as Production I.G. and Studio Trigger, as well as relative newcomers such as Geno Studio and Science SARU, with each team delivering their signature animation and storytelling styles to share a unique vision of the galaxy far, far away.

The collection of tales in the new Disney+ anthology series showcase everything from Samurai-esque Jedi and Sith battling it out in The Duel, to an electric rock opera featuring Jabba the Hutt for Tatooine Rhapsody, and The Ninth Jedi, which will tell the first new Star Wars story set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, though it might not be canon.

"[The] stories showcase the full spectrum of bold storytelling found across Japanese animation; each told with a freshness and voice that expands our understanding of what a Star Wars story can be, and celebrates a galaxy that has been such an inspiration to so many visionary storytellers," executive producer James Waugh said in a statement.

In addition to the trailer, StarWars.com revealed the Japanese and English dub cast of the series, which includes a star-studded lineup of franchise veterans and all-new talent such as Temuera Morrison, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Neil Patrick Harris, Simu Liu, Alison Brie, David Harbour, Henry Golding, George Takei, and Lucy Liu, among many, many more.

Star Wars: Visions will premiere on Disney+ on September 22, just over a week before LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales debuts on the streamer. The Halloween-themed special from Lucasfilm and LEGO is set to deliver a "treat" to the Disney+ library on October 1, with an all-new terrifying tale set after the events of Episode 9.

Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

It's hard to believe it's been 35 years since James Cameron's Aliens hit theaters, but such is the passage of time. To celebrate this occasion, Nerf is releasing a special edition blaster based on the M41A used by the Colonial Marines in the film. Check out the gallery below to get a better look at this awesome replica.

The Blaster "launches 2 different kinds of darts," both Elite and Mega darts, with an LCD counter built into the blaster itself so "so you'll know when it's time to reload." Included with the Blaster are 10 Elite and 4 Mega darts, and the whole thing comes in a really slick package featuring the emblem of the United States Space Command Colonial Marine Corps., a schematic-style illustration on the inside cover, and evokes the look of a beaten piece of futuristic military surplus.

The Nerf LMTD Aliens M41A Pulse blaster is available to preorder today at GameStop and HasbroPulse. In Canada, it will be available at EB Games. If you're a Nerf fan, an Aliens fan, or both, this is a great pick-up.

If you're hungry for more of the Alien universe, the upcoming FX Alien television series will remain grounded in "the aesthetic that was established by Ridley Scott." This blaster is a perfect representation of that gritty, terrible future, but in a fun form factor that will scare your cat.

Seth Macy is Executive Editor, IGN Commerce, and just wants to be your friend.

Scuf Gaming, the company best-known for customizing high-end gamepads, has announced its first two controllers with a design based on Microsoft's official Xbox Series X|S controller.

The Scuf Instinct and Instinct Pro are compatible with Xbox Series X|S, PC, and mobile devices. Both gamepads feature four paddles on the back of the controller. Unlike the other controllers released by Scuf, such as the Prestige Xbox One controller (which also works on Series X|S), or the Vantage PS4 controller, the paddles on the Instinct and Instinct Pro are smaller, with placement similar to the Xbox Elite and Elite Series 2 controllers.

Both controllers offer three different button remapping profiles, wired and wireless connection support, a 3.5mm audio jack, a removable D-pad, and interchangeable thumbsticks. Additionally, both controllers have a removable faceplate, meaning you can change the color of your controller by removing the controller's chassis.

Although both controllers look very similar, there are two differences between both controllers. Only the Instinct Pro offers adjustable instant triggers, which Scuf says are supposed to act as a "mouse click for faster shots." And a performance grip for a non-slip feel aimed at gamers who enjoy extended gameplay sessions.

Instinct and Instinct Pro are the Scuf's first Xbox Series X|S-designed controllers since the ninth-gen console switch over, though older controllers will still work with the latest console. While it is unknown when the company plans to release, let alone unveil a third-party DualSense controller, Corsair's CEO confirmed that Scuf is working on its own version of the PS5 controller during its Q1 earnings call in May.

The Instinct and Instinct Pro are available for purchase now, exclusively on Scuf's official website. The Instinct's retail price starts at $170, while the Instinct Pro starts at $200.

Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Ubisoft Singapore, the studio currently working on Skull & Bones, is being investigated by a national watchdog for fair and progressive employment practices over claims of sexual harassment and workplace discrimination.

Singapore's Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) told The Straits Times that on July 23 it had received anonymous feedback to media articles "about allegations of workplace harassment and unfair treatment" at Ubisoft's Singapore studio.

That feedback was received by TAFEP just days after an investigation by Kotaku was published, featuring interviews with over twenty current and former Ubisoft Singapore staff. Sources reported a broad range of issues affecting the studio in recent years, ranging from discriminatory racial pay disparities, sexual harassment, and bullying by managers. The majority of the toxic work conditions allegedly featured under the studio's previous Managing Director Hugues Ricour.

When questioned about the allegations at a press event on August 6, The Straits Times reports that recently appointed studio Managing Director, Darryl Long, said "It's very important that we can talk about these things and that we acknowledge what's going on in our industry right now [...] We need to start to change the way we are perceived and the way we act internally as well."

Per The Straits Times, Long said that Ubisoft Singapore does not accept discrimination, harassment, or misconduct of any kind. The studio has reportedly hired a third-party agency to look into complaints. "We have taken concrete action to formalize how misconduct is dealt with," said Long. He did acknowledged that the studio has seen "some challenges over the past decade" and that there is "still work to be done about [its] culture".

In Singapore, misconduct regarding workplace discrimination on the basis of characteristics such as age, gender, race, religion, and language can result in severe sanctions for a company. If found guilty, not only could TAFEP require the studio to implement new policies to prevent future incidents, but the Ministry of Manpower could also prohibit the company from applying for new work passes for foreign workers for up to a maximum of two years.

News of the harassment claims come at a tumultuous time for a number of studios within the games industry. Hundreds of Ubisoft employees from around the globe recently signed an open letter asserting solidarity with Activision Blizzard staff as employees from the latter company staged a walkout in protest of the response their company’s leadership had made to the lawsuit that highlighted harassment, inequality, and more within the company.

With the investigation surrounding Ubisoft Singapore still in its early stages, TAFEP has urged anyone with knowledge of workplace criminal conduct, be it assault, harassment, or otherwise, to report incidents to the police.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Update: Riot responded to IGN with the following statement.

"Notices are being sent to former employees to confirm that Riot’s severance agreements have never in any way prohibited speaking to government agencies. Riot has never and will never retaliate against anyone for talking to any government agency. In fact, our standard severance agreement has included the following language for many years (predating Kotaku's original reporting and any involvement from the DFEH)."

The court went out of its way to say sending these notices in no way indicates any judgement against Riot on the DFEH allegations, and the judge recognized that Riot has always maintained that our agreements allow people to make government complaints.

Riot also included a screenshot of the whistle-blower protection section its says is in its standard severance agreement. It says:

"Nothing in this agreement prohibits you from reporting possibly violations of federal or state law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or making other disclosures that are authorized or protected by law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization of the Company or its legal team to make any such reports or disclosures, and you are not required to notify the Company that you have made such reports or disclosures."

Riot added that clarification notices is specific to former employees who signed severance or settlement agreements. Riot says it will file a response through the courts today.

The original story continues below.

California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing - the agency behind a recent lawsuit against Activision Blizzard – has accused Riot Games of stalling over sending notice to its workers about their right to speak with the government. It follows a separate investigation into the results of a gender discrimination lawsuit at the League of Legends developer.

As reported by Axios, a government press release reports that the DFEH has asked the Los Angeles Superior Court to compel Riot Games to comply with a June 4 court order requiring the company to send notice to its workers about their rights to speak with the government agency. The notice from the company would detail workers' rights to speak with the government department and participate in any action against Riot Games without fear of retaliation.

The report states that, following a company-wide investigation of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sex discrimination at Riot Games in 2019, the studio announced that it had reached settlement agreements with around 100 women who had waived their claims and rights without notice of the government's actions. Following an official request by the government in January 2021 to review the agreements, they were eventually received in April. The DFEH says that upon review, the documents suggested that employees at Riot Games who had signed the settlement could not voluntarily speak with the government about violations within the workplace - a factor that if found to be true would infringe upon anti-retaliation and anti-interference provisions in state legislation.

DFEH Director Kevin Kish recently spoke about the settlements. “Agreements that attempt to bar individuals from filing a complaint or assisting in a DFEH case run afoul of the anti-retaliation and anti-interference provisions of the Fair Employment and Housing Act," said Kish. “Employers cannot impose a penalty on people who engage in protected activity under statutes enforced by DFEH. The very existence of such agreements has a chilling effect on the willingness of individuals to come forward with information that may be of importance to the DFEH as it seeks to advance the public interest in the elimination of unlawful employment discrimination and harassment.”

The court reportedly ordered Riot Games to give its workers notice on June 4 that would detail their right to speak to the government. The notice informs workers that they are able to "freely cooperate, participate, and obtain potential relief, if awarded,” in the DFEH's pending action. It also states that “Riot Games cannot retaliate or take any adverse action against [them] for speaking with DFEH, participating in DFEH pending action, or obtaining potential relief in such action.” In addition, “Riot Games cannot require [any worker] to either notify the company or obtain permission before speaking with DFEH,” and that “[i]t is unlawful for [any] employer to retaliate against [workers] for speaking to the government or otherwise voluntarily participating or cooperating in government proceedings.”

The Verge reports that Riot denies the DFEH's claims, and says nothing in its documentation suggests that employees could not speak to the government.

The DFEH's pending action against Riot Games is separate from the current ongoing lawsuit that the department has against Activision Blizzard. The lawsuit was filed on July 20 alleging a toxic 'Frat Boy' work culture in which female employees were the subject of unequal pay and sexual harassment. A number of developments surrounding the landmark case have taken place, including a walkout by Activision Employees in protest at the response the company’s leadership made to the lawsuit, and the departure of Blizzard President J. Allen Brack, who was said to be “leaving the company to pursue new opportunities.”

We recently spoke to developers across Activision Blizzard in an in-depth report that details more about this time of reckoning for Activision Blizzard, and the many employees who work within its studios.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Ray Fisher has asserted that he will not be returning to the Cyborg role until he gets an apology from Warner Bros. and DC Films President Walter Hamada.

No Load Time posted a clip from a Q&A with Fisher at last weekend's MEGACON Orlando, where the actor spoke candidly about Justice League, the Snyder cut, Warner Bros. and more. During the session, Fisher answered numerous questions, including one from the podcast's host who asked what it would take for him to reprise the Cyborg role again in the DCEU.

"That's a complicated question," Fisher admitted, giving it some further consideration before delivering an answer (around the 13:55 mark in the video). "I think, ultimately, how people spend their money determines what happens and what does not happen in this business, and particularly in comic books, DC, and all of that."

"For me, there's a lot of stuff behind the scenes," he continued. "Obviously, I've not been shy about talking about all of the things that have occurred over the last year, the back and forth that I've had personally and publicly with Warner Bros. Pictures, Walter Hamada, and the rest of the crew over there.

"I think it all starts with an apology from Warner Bros. side of things," Fisher added. "There's a lot of really gnarly stuff that has gone down, especially publicly. What Walter Hamada and Warner Bros. Pictures attempted to do, professionally and personally, during one of the most crucial years for Black people in the history of really humanity, is just unacceptable."

Fisher went on to say that he would not be supporting any Walter Hamada production until an apology is issued. He acknowledged that it was a difficult situation to be in because he's a "DC fan through and through" who "loves the characters," though he recognized that "sometimes you've got to give up what you love to do what's right."

WarnerMedia confirmed last year that the Justice League investigation had concluded and that "remedial action" had been taken over Fisher's claims about his treatment on set and Joss Whedon's alleged behavior. It remains unclear what "remedial action" was taken, though Fisher observed on Twitter that it included "some we've seen, and some that is still to come."

Zack Snyder has gone on the record several times to speak about Fisher's importance to Justice League's story. This importance was eventually restored when DC released the Snyder cut of Justice League on HBO Max. This version uses no footage shot by Whedon and restores several original scenes and lines that were cut from the 2017 theatrical release.

Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

Note: This article has been updated to credit the podcast responsible for posing the question to Ray Fisher at the MEGACON event.