Activision has denied reports claiming Call of Duty accounts were hacked, following claims on the internet saying there was a major data breach. In the past week, numerous claims online reported that as many as 500,00 Activision accounts were hacked. Reports of this hack spread online across social media and various Call of Duty online communities, with many urging users to reset their passwords and add two-factor authentication (2FA).

If you think you may be at risk, please check out these helpful step-by-step tips to safeguard your account https://t.co/2XHHpcVS4i. pic.twitter.com/rTnCMaWBAX

— Activision Support (@ATVIAssist) September 22, 2020

While 2FA and resetting passwords are always recommended, even when there's no mass data breach, Activision says these reports are inaccurate. In a statement issued on Twitter, Activision writes, “Reports suggesting Activision Call of Duty Accounts have been compromised are not accurate. We investigate all privacy concerns. As always we recommend that players take precaution to protect their Activision accounts, as well as any online accounts, at all times. You will receive emails when major changes are made to your Call of Duty accounts. If you did not make these changes, please be sure to follow the steps provided.” It’s unclear where these hacking reports originated, but they spread far enough for Activision to issue an official statement denying the reports. In any case, if you did receive an email claiming your account has been changed without your knowledge, we recommend resetting your password. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/call-of-duty-black-ops-cold-war-gameplay-trailer"] Activision is readying the release of the next Call of Duty, Black Ops Cold War. IGN has previews for Black Ops Cold War’s single-player campaign and a review-in-progress of the Black Ops Cold War multiplayer alpha. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

This week in Red Dead Online, stalk the Legendary Owiza Bear and Legendary Ridgeback Spirit Bear, claim discounts and rewards, and more.

Xbox Series X and S preorders have gone live, but seem to be causing problems for some retailers, with almost all major US digital retailers - including Microsoft's own store - experiencing issues at time of writing. IGN sister site DownDetector reports that Best Buy's website is experiencing significant problems, with many reporting that they're not able to see search results or haven't yet seen the Series X and S listings go live. DownDetector also says Amazon is experiencing problems, although it's not clear if the company's preorders are going live late, or if there are loading errors. Target is also reportedly suffering issues, with IGN staff members reporting that units added to the cart aren't appearing, or are being reported as though there are more than the 1 allotted console per user. GameStop is currently serving an "Access Denied" error message, and the Microsoft Store website is serving a 503 error message. Many are also reporting that Walmart has run out of stock, but IGN staff members have reported that reloading the page can return a working preorder link - despite a small spike in reports, DownDetector does not currently list Walmart as experiencing issues. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-xbox-series-x-games&captions=true"] None of the retailers in question have yet made a statement about the problems being suffered, but we'll update you as we learn more – and the IGN Deals Twitter account is offering up-to-the-minute updates. PS5 also suffered preorder problems, leading to Sony apologizing and promising that more units are on the way. Microsoft delivered on its promise to offer an exact preorder time for Xbox Series X and S, but there's a chance that led to strain problems for retailers, causing today's issues. Yesterday, we heard that physical GameStop locations may be allocated limited stock of Xbox consoles. Xbox Series X retails at $499 USD / £449 / $749 AUD, while Xbox Series S comes in at $299 USD / £249.99 / $499 AUD. Both Xbox Series consoles will be released on November 10. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Giancarlo Esposito has teased future seasons of The Mandalorian, saying there's still "so much to explore" within the huge universe of the Disney+ Star Wars series. In a recent appearance on People's Emmy Awards pre-show, Esposito, who portrays the villainous Moff Gideon in the series, spoke about the potential to build upon the "groundwork" that has already been established in The Mandalorian's first season and the upcoming second season - which is officially set to start streaming on Disney+ on October 30. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/15/the-mandalorian-season-2-trailer"] "We're living in a universe that is huge and there’s so much to explore," Esposito explained, teasing the potential to delve deeper into the show's biggest mysteries. "So I think this show is going to lay the groundwork for the depth and breadth that's gonna come in Season 3 and Season 4, where you're really gonna start to get answers." A third season of The Mandalorian was rumoured to be in development earlier this year, however, this is the first time that someone directly connected with the production has referenced the possibility of the show being renewed for future seasons, though it doesn't necessarily mean that all of the show's big secrets will be kept fully under wraps in the second season. "The next season of The Mandalorian is going to be very interesting because you're going to start to find out the power of The Child, what The Child really means," Esposito said. "You'll start to uncover the origins of the Darksaber that Moff Gideon has and how that plays into previous Star Wars history connected to The Clone Wars and other shows. You'll start to get a real dramatic sense of the territory." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-actor-and-character-confirmed-for-the-mandalorian&captions=true"] The Mandalorian recently picked up a camtono of Emmy Awards for its cinematography, production design, sound editing and sound mixing, as well as a big win for its outstanding special visual effects. Season 2 of The Mandalorian debuts on Disney+ in October. Until then, we invite you to dig through the archives and take a look at our detailed breakdown of all the characters and cameos in the series so far, including some exciting reveals from the first trailer for the new season, as well as the latest details about Temuera Morrison's role in the second series of the show. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Bithell Games (Thomas Was Alone, John Wick Hex) has announced its third Bithell Short, The Solitaire Conspiracy, which arrives on Steam on October 6. Announced on Twitter, The Solitaire Conspiracy will be a stylish take on the classic solo card game, complete with extra powers and effects, with time attack and skirmish modes and... a full story campaign. If you want it even more unique, that story campaign features full FMV cutscenes featuring IGN alum Greg Miller in the role of a spy agency analyst called Jim Ratio.

So... what if Solitaire, but extra, with powers and a full FMV storied campaign, time attack and skirmish modes!https://t.co/y2ajsbnNqL

The third Bithell Short: The Solitaire Conspiracy. Coming October 6th. Wishlist now, and help us make a splash on launch day. pic.twitter.com/P12191zW4I — Mike Bithell (@mikeBithell) September 22, 2020

According to the game's Steam page, you play games of solitaire to guide home the scattered agents of a compromised agency, Protego. "Guided by Protego’s only remaining analyst, Jim Ratio (Greg Miller)," reads the description, "you must master the unique powers of each crew in a game of tactical Solitaire like none you’ve ever played before. Guide your crews home in a tale of intrigue where nobody can be trusted. Keep your cool in a world of AI spies and cyber-enhanced operators." Bithell Shorts are smaller, experimental games released between Bithell's bigger projects. Bithell makes clear that this isn't connected to the last two Shorts, Subsurface Circular and Quarantine Circular. It's a brand new storyline, meaning no prior knowledge is required. Except maybe knowledge of playing endless Solitaire on Windows 95, that probably helps. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

If you purchase the Ultimate Edition of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales to get Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered on the PS5, you won't be able to transfer a save from the PS4 version of the game. Marvel's Spider-Man developer Insomniac Games revealed the news on Twitter, as well as providing more details about how the remastered version of the 2018 game will work in a series of replies to fan queries. If you plan to continue from where you left off on the PS4, you're out of luck, as it looks like the two games will be separate entities, meaning your current-gen save won't be compatible. However, this does mean that Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered will offer a separate trophy list, which is great news if you're a Platinum hunter keen to replay the game on PS5.

Saves won’t transfer from the original game to the Remaster

— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) September 20, 2020

Insomniac also confirmed that Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered won't receive a physical release, and will only be available as a download voucher or a digital download, depending on which version of the Ultimate Edition of Spider-Man: Miles Morales you purchase. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a PS5 launch game, swinging into action on November 12 in the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea and November 19 everywhere else. The game is also coming to PS4 with a 'next-gen upgrade path' for players who make the jump to next-gen later down the line. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/spider-man-miles-morales-gameplay-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.  

FIFA 21 will not receive a demo this year so that the game's developers can focus on "delivering the best full game experience." EA Sports took to Twitter to reveal the news, noting that players can still get early access to the game by subscribing to EA Play. FIFA's yearly demo is a long-standing tradition, which is why this news might be shocking to some fans of the veteran football series. "We've made the decision to focus our development team's time on delivering the best full game experience for current & next-gen consoles," EA's statement reads. If you still wish to check out the game ahead of launch, EA Play subscribers will be able to jump in and trial FIFA 21 for 10 hours from October 1, ahead of the game's official release date on October 9.

We aren't releasing a demo for FIFA 21.

Instead we've made the decision to focus our development team's time on delivering the best full game experience for current & next-gen consoles. We look forward to EA PLAY members jumping in 10 days from now and launching the game Oct 9. — EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) September 21, 2020

If you pre-order the FIFA 21 Ultimate or Champions edition, you'll also be able to access the game three days early on October 6. And if you pick up the current-gen version of FIFA 21, you'll be able to upgrade to the PS5 or Xbox Series X version at no extra cost due to EA's Dual Entitlement system. In other FIFA 21 news, check out our article covering the improvements headed to Career Mode this year. [poilib element="accentDivider" Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Action-FPS Bright Memory is "currently in development" for the launch of  Xbox Series X and S, with its already-announced follow-up, Bright Memory: Infinite to follow next year. Announced on the Playism Game Show stream, one-man developer FYQD announced that the game was in development and that he's "trying to do it at launch". Alongside that announcement, the developer also confirmed that the game's follow-up, Bright Memory: Infinite will come to PC and Xbox Series X in 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/the-first-18-minutes-of-bright-memory-pc-gameplay"] Bright Memory is a melee-and-ranged FPS developed in FYQD's spare time and released on Steam in 2019. The game combines a cyberpunk storyline with classic action game combat and environmental puzzles. Originally envisaged as the first episode in a series, FYQD has now decided to remake Bright Memory and significantly extend it, calling the new game Bright Memory: Infinite. Infinite was announced and shown off for Xbox Series X at an Inside Xbox showcase in May - we called it one of our favourite Series X games shown on the day. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

An Arizona man recently made $6,000 by selling a vintage t-shirt from Disney's 1992 animated film Aladdin. Corbin Smith, 27, sold the 28-year-old shirt on the Virtual Flea, a livestream for vendors to sell their used goods since most flea markets have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As chronicled by the Wall Street Journal, Smith was hoping to score $2,000 for the Aladdin shirt featuring Robin Williams' Genie. Smith, who goes by the handle @TheHeatBroker, bought the shirt for $500 back in December.

That “someone” would be me lol https://t.co/RY27LTkE20

— Corbin (@CorbinGMH) September 17, 2020

Smith saw the bids rise from $1 to, eventually, the winning sum of $6,000. “Before that moment happened, I’ve never had more than like $4,800 to my name,” Smith told the paper. “And I made more than that off one piece of cloth.” The Aladdin shirt was purchased by @ShirtCheck, whom the Journal describes as "a shadowy buyer with a growing reputation in the vintage tee community." ShirtCheck, aka Josh Adams, bought the Aladdin shirt as a long-term investment; he's reportedly spent $10,000 so far acquiring vintage movie and TV shirts. According to the Journal, "Adams believes he holds one of the world’s largest collection of movie and TV shirts and in the coming weeks he plans to open 'Varlago,' an online shop that will also offer guidance for upstart sellers and written content around his mammoth collection." The scarcity of product and nostalgia for particular films and shows drive the market for these vintage tees, with some shirts never being available in stores back in the 1990s. Indeed, many were shirts made solely for the production crews that worked on the movies. Now, these old shirts are highly sought after by scrutinous collectors and dealers in the vintage movie merch market. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-disney-animated-movies&captions=true"] If you're interested in buying movie and TV show t-shirts for a lot less than $6,000 then shop at the IGN Store. What's the most you would spend on a vintage shirt? And for which film or TV show? Let us know in the comments.

It turns out most Vikings weren't as fair-haired and blue-eyed as legend and pop culture have led people to believe. According to a new study on the DNA of over 400 Viking remains, most Vikings had dark hair and dark eyes. (Sorry, Chris Hemsworth and Travis Fimmel.) Nature's study sequencing the genomes of 442 Viking remains from Viking-inhabited areas like northern Europe, Italy, and Greenland -- human remains dated between 2400 B.C. to 1600 A.D. and which were buried with a variety of Viking artifacts -- reveals far more genetic diversity than previously thought about the people who came from the land of the ice and snow. The Vikings, after all, were a scattered group whose sea-faring for trade, exploration, and conquest saw them settle far and wide during the Viking Age that lasted from roughly 700 A.D. to 1100 A.D. Not only did many of the studied Vikings turn out to not be blond or blue-eyed, their genetic admixture shows they weren't a distinct ethnic group but rather a mix of various other groups, "with ancestry from hunter-gatherers, farmers, and populations from the Eurasian steppe." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/vikings-season-6-official-clip-comic-conhome-on-ign"] The study revealed which Scandinavian countries influenced outside regions the most. "The Danish Vikings went to England, while the Swedish Vikings went to the Baltic and the Norwegian Vikings went to Ireland, Iceland, and Greenland," according to the University of Copenhagen's Ashot Margaryan. Three particularly genetically diverse areas -- one in modern Denmark, and one apiece on the Swedish islands of Gotland and Öland -- were likely key trading centers. The conclusions of this genetic analysis suggest the very idea of being a Viking was likely more a way of life or job. As Science Alert puts it:

"(The) results also reveal that during the Viking Age, being a Viking was as much a concept and a culture as it was question of genetic inheritance, with the team finding that two Viking skeletons buried in the Northern Isles of Scotland had what looks to be relatively pure Scottish and Irish heritage, with no Scandinavian influence, at least not genetically speaking, that is."

“These identities aren’t genetic or ethnic, they’re social,” archaeologist Cat Jarman informed Science magazine. “To have backup for that from DNA is powerful.” And as Science magazine also highlights, "several individuals in Norway were buried as Vikings, but their genes identified them as Saami, an Indigenous group genetically closer to East Asians and Siberians than to Europeans." Fascinatingly, the DNA study also revealed that two of the remains found hundreds of miles apart -- one in the U.K. and one in Denmark -- turned out to be a pair of cousins! For more Vikings coverage, discover what showrunner Michael Hirst recently revealed to us about what's in store for Vikings' final season and why the sequel series, Valhalla, will be on Netflix instead of the History Channel. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=movies-and-shows-to-prepare-you-for-valhalla&captions=true"]