Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 comes out later this month, but there's a surprise that many potential players didn't see coming. According to a page on Battle.net, Modern Warfare 2 players will be required to provide a phone number connected to a valid data plan. Additionally, VOIP and prepaid numbers won't work.

This decision is apparently part of a company-wide initiative at Activision Blizzard to fight toxic behavior in its multiplayer games. We saw the policy in action last week at Overwatch 2's launch, which led to controversy. In theory, this requirement will prevent abusive players (such as smurfs and boosters) from making new accounts, which means they'll be held accountable for their actions.

However, restricting VOIP and prepaid numbers might stop hackers from worming their way back into the system, but it also has the unfortunate side effect of blocking people who rely on such services from playing the game entirely. Given that Overwatch 2 is supposedly a free-to-play game, this would seem contrary to the company's intentions. Additionally, given that prepaid phones are often cheaper than their competition, this policy definitely hits poor and underprivileged people the hardest, as well as kids who are too young to own their own phones.

The easy line to draw from Wild Hearts--the upcoming hunting game from publishers EA and Koei Tecmo and developer Omega Force is Capcom's Monster Hunter. Wild Hearts is a game about exploring large open areas, alone or with two other players, to take down gigantic monsters that move around the map as you fight them. And the developers don't entirely shy away from that comparison--but they're aspiring to do something much more than replicate Monster Hunter.

Speaking with Koei Tecmo's directors, Kotaro Hirata and Takuto Edagawa through a translator, they acknowledged the relationship, saying, "When you're making a hunting game, Monster Hunter is a huge presence in the genre, so we can't say we drew on it for a strong inspiration, but it's not like we didn't know it was there while we were making our game."

The comparison is appropriate as the games share many similarities, but developer Omega Force has explored the genre before with a few games in the Toukiden series. In those games, like in Monster Hunter and Wild Hearts, you hunt giant monsters to harvest them for material which can be used to upgrade your equipment. Despite that lineage in the genre, Omega Force is quick to say that Wild Hearts is not an extension of that world. "Unfortunately, there is no overlap. This is a completely new IP for us. We know that some of our fans were hoping it would have some overlap with Toukiden, but it doesn't," Hirata and Edagawa said. Wild Hearts and Toukiden exist in two separate universes, but Wild Hearts has allowed Omega Force to pick up where it left off in the genre in a big, well-funded way, while exploring an impressive crafting system called Karakuri that makes it stand apart.

We're just a few days away from the launch of Scorn, a new first-person survival horror game that's exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and PC. If you're interested in picking up the slice of unnerving horror for PC, you can get a great preorder discount on Fanatical. With promo code FANATICAL667, you'll snag a Steam key for Scorn for just $33.59, down from its $40 retail price. You can also save big on the Deluxe edition by using the same promo code.

Based on the trailers thus far, Scorn features plenty of disturbing designs, bio-organic weaponry, and persistent threats that'll test your fight-or-flight responses. Developed by Ebb Software, you'll need to explore unsettling maze-like lands and experience true desolation in a realm that hides secrets, weapons, and items that can help you on your quest.

DragonForce's 2006 rock epic single Through the Fire and the Flames is now finally playable in one of the hottest music games of the year, Trombone Champ. Thanks to some modding work done by DerpyChap, every sick lick and unbelievable guitar solo has been translated into a series of actions that looks downright impossible to perfectly nail.

On the plus side, seeing a miniature trombonist struggle to keep pace with a song designed to murder the fingers of any guitarist who tackles it, is absolutely hilarious. You can see the end result for yourself in the video below, but it's worth noting that this is likely going to be the weirdest version of Through the Fire and the Flames that you've ever heard.

In case you missed it when it first launched last month, indie rhythm game Trombone Champ has been a viral hit with its mix of cute visuals and hilarious takes on popular songs through the famous brass instrument. A challenging game in which you maneuver your avatar around so that they can honk, hoot, and toot in time with the music flowing past you, the game has inspired a modding scene that has expanded on the 20 tracks present in Trombone Champ.

It's Monday and that can only mean one thing: We're back for another week of Wordle guides. After a long weekend, it's time to get back into the swing of things, and we're here to make sure you do that by getting the Wordle correct. To start out the week, players are met with a challenging Wordle. The word itself isn't uncommon, but the spelling of it will surely have players searching for hints after a few guesses. If you haven't started the October 10 Wordle just yet, then you can check out our list of recommended starting words. However, if you're already past the starting point and visiting this article, then you're likely in need of some help.

That's where we can come in. Below, players will find two tips for today's Wordle on October 10. We've also spelled out the full answer for players that might not find the hints too helpful.

We'll begin with a couple of hints that directly relate to the answer, but won't give it away.

Netflix has released a new trailer for Wednesday, a new series focusing on the titular Addams family member--along with the trials and tribulations of high school as well as learning how to step out of her mother's intimidating shadow and become her own woman. The series is scheduled for a November 23 debut.

One of the biggest reveals in this new trailer is that Fred Armisen (Our Flag Means Death, Saturday Night Live) will be taking on the role of Uncle Fester. Armisen joins the previously announced Jenna Ortega as the titular Wednesday Addams, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Luis Guzman as Gomez, Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley, George Burcea as butler Lurch, and Christina Ricci as Ms. Thornhill--who also appears in the trailer, a teacher in Wednesday's school, Nevermore Academy.

It's time for things to get a little extreme as WWE is hosting the PLE/PPV Extreme Rules. However, unlike previous versions of this event, WWE is making Extreme Rules 2022 special: Every match has a gimmick. Check below for our live coverage of every match and a review to go along with it. Right now, you can watch the Kickoff Show below for free.

Taking place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, some of your favorite WWE wrestlers will appear in this very streamlined event, as there are only six matches on the card. One of the most-anticipated bouts on the card is Bianca Belair defending her Raw Women's Championship against Bayley in a ladder match. Of course, there's a very good chance we'll see Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai of Damage CTRL cause problems for Belair.

After @Iyo_SkyWWE stole a victory from @AlexaBliss_WWE, the brutal efforts of #DamageCTRL gave @itsBayleyWWE critical moments heading into her #WWERaw Women’s Title Ladder against @BiancaBelairWWE at #ExtremeRules. pic.twitter.com/IzSOez9pRX

There could also be some huge surprises over the course of the evening. No, we probably won't see someone drive a tractor to the ring again, but there have been a lot of rumors that the current White Rabbit mystery happening on WWE programming may be leading to the return of Bray Wyatt. However, it's also been reported to be like a dozen other wrestlers, so who knows. But considering Extreme Rules used to be called "The Horror Show," and that was a whole thing with The Fiend, maybe Wyatt is returning?

An Overwatch 2 community manager took to the game's official forums to share an Overwatch 2 status update. The post outlines some of player's biggest concerns with the game's tumultuous launch, as well as lays out how Blizzard intends to address these issues.

The first issue the post addressed was Overwatch 2's SMS requirement. Prior to the update, all Overwatch 2 players were required to connect their phone to their Battle.net account in an effort to hold individuals more accountable for cheating or bad behavior. However, after many players expressed frustration with the system and criticized it for being exclusionary, Blizzard has all but eliminated the policy for existing players.

"The majority of our console community (players who already had Overwatch connected to their Battle.net account, including any console player who has played since June 9, 2021) no longer need to meet SMS Protect requirements," Blizzard wrote. "Any PC player who ever played the original Overwatch has this requirement removed."

Xerneas makes its return to Pokemon Go Gyms near you for a limited-time appearance in five-star raid battles. This legendary Pokemon is appearing after its counterpart, the embodiment of destruction Yveltal, leaves raids during Pokemon Go’s Evolving Stars event.

Xerneas is appearing as the only five-star raid boss in Pokemon Go from 10 AM local time on October 8, 2022 and will remain available to battle in raids until the same time on October 20. Raids do not generally follow a set schedule, and Xerneas raids will appear randomly at Gyms around the world during this time period, but you will receive a notification from the game when a raid is about to begin nearby.

Your best chance to find Xerneas raids is during the two Raid Hours in which the Life Pokemon will be featured. Every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7 PM local time, the majority of Gyms host five-star raids for Trainers to work together to take down. The two Raid Hours that will occur while Yveltal is available to challenge will be on October 12 and 19. As with all raids, you’ll need your free daily Raid Pass or a Premium Battle Pass to join a raid in person, or a Remote Raid Pass to join a raid remotely.