One of the most infamous items in Call of Duty is the riot shield, and it's making its Black Ops 6 debut--but not how you might think.

Now that the Season 4 update has gone live, the new battle pass is out, too, and one of the rewards is a riot shield-themed finishing move. As you can see in the video below, the finishing move animation involves the attacker smacking their foe with the shield and then hitting them with a pipe. The finishing move is called "On the Ground" and it's on page 9 of the battle pass.

People have pointed out that it appears to be the Call of Duty: Vanguard-era riot shield that's now in Black Ops 6.

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Hitman: World of Assassination is a beautiful game when it comes to virtual tourism, and one of the best destinations in the game is currently available for free. Sapienza--the quaint Italian coastal town from the 2016 Hitman game--is currently being given away as part of the free-to-play Hitman: World of Assassination starter pack. Normally, this edition of the game only gives you a barebones experience with the ICA training missions--and Sapienza on its own is a $10 purchase--but for the low price of absolutely nothing, it can be yours if you claim it before 9 AM PT / 1 PM ET on May 30.

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Even after nine years, Sapienza is still regarded as one of the all-time best Hitman maps. It has everything you could ask for, from beautiful architecture to secret underground labs, and there are multiple ways to take care of the targets in this map. These range from booting scientist Silvio Caruso off of a cliffside after you feed him tainted spaghetti to disguising yourself as his therapist and smothering him to death with a pillow.

As mentioned above, you're only getting Sapienza and the ICA missions in this download. Hitman: World of Assassination has a confusing pricing model, as there are currently five different editions of the game to purchase with varying levels of content spread across them. World of Assassination is a compilation of Hitman 1-3, the soft reboot of the game series that began in 2016.

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Kaitlyn Dever made a big impact on The Last of Us Season 2, and she seems to be poised to have an even bigger role in The Last of Us Season 3. But the actress who portrays Abby on the show recently revealed that she needed a little CGI help in her one of her first episodes on the show.

While speaking with The Los Angeles Times, Dever noted that a spider bit her face while she was at home in-between her episodes on The Last of Us Season 2. Apparently it was so noticeable that only computer generated imagery could get rid of it in time.

"It's in the first episode with the Fireflies," recalled Dever. "I had gone home for a few weeks and got a spider bite on my cheek. I thought it was a pimple. It was not a pimple. It was a huge spider bite and... I hate to use this word, but it was oozing. And the CGI is amazing. You can't even tell it is there. I still have a scar on my face because they had to cut it out."

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There can often be a romanticized mystique to games in which you're a solo watchman or explorer--games like Firewatch and Subnautica have always been compelling to me for that reason. The Last Caretaker seems to scratch a similar itch, having you take on the role of the last hope of humanity: a sentient machine. It's an intriguing premise for a sci-fi survival action-adventure, and one that's dripping with atmosphere and mystery. After seeing a 40-minute preview of The Last Caretaker, I'm hooked. I want to play more, if for no other reason than to figure out what's going on.

The debut title for Finnish game studio Channel37, The Last Caretaker sees you play as the titular machine, who has awoken after centuries to find themselves in the room of a facility long devoid of power. As you explore, you find more machines like you, now powerless and frozen in place--some so old that they're falling apart like decomposing corpses. A voice tells you that you're the last of these caretakers and it's your responsibility to continue the mission of revitalizing humanity, who fled from a flooded Earth centuries ago to live in space stations. You can't make babies in space, so the caretakers must grow new humans and send them up to the stations to keep humankind going. You're given a ship and tasked with sailing the endless sea in search of the research stations and labs that will allow you to locate and grow the last embryos, as well as a means of fixing, fueling, and launching a rocket that will take the grown humans into space.

You'll spend a lot of time out on the water, traveling from one station to another.

How did the world end? No idea. Is humanity still alive in the massive space stations orbiting the Earth? Unknown. Are we truly the only caretaker bot still functioning, and why were we kept in sleep mode for so long while the other machines were evidently activated long ago? Who could say. These mysteries and more can be investigated while you're completing your tasks, and keeping a careful eye out for collectibles can uncover logs of humankind's last few years on Earth, and provide answers about your own origins.

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Severance, the popular psychological thriller produced and sometimes directed by Ben Stiller, would make for a good video game. That's according to Stiller and Severance star Adam Scott.

Stiller told Variety that it would "be great to have a Severance video game," while Scott concurred. "I think it lends itself to one," he said.

No game based on Severance has been announced, however, or even teased, but there is an official minigame based on Severance you can play online. You can also play a video game called Severance in the form of 2001's action-adventure game Severance: Blades of Darkness, but it has nothing to do with the Apple TV+ show.

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Bandai Namco Entertainment and From Software have released patch notes for Elden Ring Nightreign's day-one update. The patch notes post also suggests that certain players with high-end PC may run into performance issues while playing Elden Ring Nightreign.

Bandai Namco says the goal of this update, which brings the multiplayer Elden Ring spin-off to Version 1.01, is to "improve gameplay and stability." On that front, Bandai says it is making some pre-release balance adjustments and bug fixes while also adjusting the handling of player-controlled characters.

The notes don't go into too much more detail than that, though, as you can see the whole list of patch notes below:

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A federal court has blocked US President Donald Trump's plans to institute major global tariffs, a plan announced in April that sent global markets into a frenzy. Trump attempted to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to implement the tariffs, but a three-judge panel rejected this. What all of this means for the Switch 2 and other gaming products, however, is unknown at the moment.

The ruling said Trump may still be able to implement import taxes of 15% for 150 days on certain countries where the US is in a major trade deficit, however.

The US government may have to refund companies that paid the tariffs. George Mason University professor Ilya Somin, who worked on a related tariff case, told Politico, "Anybody that has had to pay tariffs so far will be able to get them refunded."

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HBO's The Last of Us recently concluded its second season with a dramatic cliffhanger. Naturally, viewers are eager to see what happens next, and specifically how Abby's story unfolds.

Actress Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, has now teased Season 3, saying she doesn't know much but understands that it's "crazier" than Season 2. Dever also discussed one of the show's most memorable and intense sequences, including the context surrounding it of losing her mother just before filming.

This story contains major spoilers.

In Episode 2 of Season 2, Abby kills Joel (Pedro Pascal) with a golf club. It's a brutal and bloody scene, and one that elicited plenty of strong reactions from viewers. Dever said she checked the online discourse after the episode aired and found that the reaction was "more positive" than she thought it would be.

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Doom: The Dark Ages launched earlier this month, and if you've already finished the Doom Slayer's prequel journey through Hell and a bizarre cosmic dimension, you don't have to stop ripping and/or tearing just yet. Bethesda and Kramer Guitars have partnered to create three guitars based on the game, and they're every bit as flashy and intense as the Slayer--but you'll have to be lucky to get one.

The three guitars, which appear to be functionally identical and sport different Doom-related visual designs, are classic Kramer, featuring a Floyd Rose bridge and a single humbucker. The brand was well known in the '80s for its shred-friendly axes, and the aesthetic certainly pairs well with a game as violent and over the top as Doom.

Glowing eyes not included

"The unique designs were carefully applied with multiple layers of paint across several weeks, and each focus on one of the powerful weapons in your arsenal: the Atlan, Serrat the Dragon, and the Doom Slayer himself," reads the official announcement. They were created by illustrator Luke Preece, whose other work includes Gears of War: E-Day and art for bands like blink-182 and Metallica.

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Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo (Digital Standard Edition)

$14.39 with Green Man Gaming XP (was $20)

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Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo (Standard and Collector's Editions)

$35-$60

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With so many games available at any given time, it's not uncommon to get hit with some choice paralysis when you're looking for something new to play. One game you might want to check out is Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, as this cute little blend of metroidvania exploration and Zelda-like adventuring is currently doing big numbers on the Steam charts.

It's not too expensive either, as the game has received a launch week discount for its standard digital edition. In case you'd prefer something more tangible, physical copies of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo are also available for Switch and PS5. The digital edition normally retails for $20, but for the first week, but it has been discounted by 10% on Steam. Green Man Gaming has the best deal here, as members of the XP rewards program can score the game for just $14.39.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo (Digital Standard Edition) $14.39 with Green Man Gaming XP (was $20)

Described as a "Yoyovania" by its developers, the game features a character-driven story, rival entrepreneurs making a killing in the crime business, and hundreds of secrets to discover. As the the self-declared yoyo master Pippit, you'll have to master your deadly toy if you want to stand a chance against the Pipistrellos, powerful crime lords looking to remove Pippit's aunt, Madame Pipistrello, from her position as leader. There are several districts to explore as you pick up new yoyo tricks, and like any good metroidvania, upgrading your skillset will allow you to reach new areas in this game.

Another neat feature here is that you can alter how your skills work by equipping badges, and you can also make use of passive abilities offered by a shady loan shark. The game even features a soundtrack by Yoko Shimomura, the composer responsible for memorable scores in games like Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Bowser's Inside Story, and the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4.

See on Green Man Gaming Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo (Standard and Collector's Editions) $35-$60

For the physical editions, you can choose from a $35 standard edition or a $60 collector's edition that comes with an adorable plushie of Pippit.

• Switch Standard Edition -- $35
• Switch Collector's Edition -- $60
• PS5 Standard Edition -- $35
• PS5 Collector's Edition -- $60

See at Amazon Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Collector's Edition

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Earlier this week, CD Projekt Red confirmed that the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel is now in pre-production. For the moment, the project is also being internally called Cyberpunk 2. However, the newfound foreword momentum doesn't mean that Cyberpunk 2 will be arriving anytime soon. CDPR co-CEO Michał Nowakowski has indicated that the sequel may be years away from release.

"Our journey from the pre-production to the final release date takes four to five years on average," Nowakowski said during CD Projekt Red's investor presentation (via GamesRadar). "Having said that, and keeping in mind that each project is unique and there are many variables that influence the final outcome, I will not lead you into specific years."

If that leads Cyberpunk 2 to a 2030 or 2031 release date, that means it would arrive a decade or longer after Cyberpunk 2077 was released. It's also likely to fall in the next generation of consoles, presumably on PlayStation 6 and whatever comes after Xbox Series X|S.

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Elden Ring Nightreign is just hours away from release, and streaming platform Twitch is beginning to make assets and rewards available to viewers, streamers, and content creators.

By simply watching Nightreign streams, you can earn a new global emote that can be used in any creator's chat. For those who like to clip important, funny, tense, or interesting moments in their favorite streamer's content, a unique badge is available. A second, separate badge is available for streamers who join up and make use of Twitch's streaming together feature, where creators can join their Twitch chats and collaborate on stream.

The three Twitch rewards for the Nightreign launch event.

You can earn the badges between May 29 and June 6 by doing the following:

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Today is the last day you can play Dauntless before it shuts down for good. The free-to-play monster hunting game has been around since 2019, but after a change in studio ownership and sweeping layoffs, Dauntless will no longer be playable in any form after today.

Often compared to Monster Hunter, but more beginner-friendly, Dauntless was generally well-reviewed when it first released in 2019 after just over a year in early access. The game was an early adopter of cross-progression and cross-play, initially releasing across PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

In 2023, developer Phoenix Labs was quietly acquired by blockchain company Forte Labs, around the same time as the company laid off around 9% of its workforce. Further layoffs and a game cancellation followed in 2024, and most recently the company laid off the majority of its workforce, shortly before it was announced that Dauntless would be shutting down.

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The next season of South Park, season 27, premieres on July 9, just a few days after making the jump to Paramount+ from HBO Max. Fans are a bit concerned about the move, however, as several episodes will be banned from the new streaming platform. This includes episodes from seasons 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, and 17. It’s an unfortunate move, though it’s not without precedent for the streaming service. A controversial episode of Nathan For You--another Comedy Central series--is banned on Paramount+ even though it’s available on other networks like HBO. This has led to an increase in popularity for South Park Blu-rays and DVDs, which contain all episodes in their original, unedited format. More than a dozen episodes are likely to be banned from the streaming service, so if you’d like the most comprehensive collection of South Park content, you’ll need to spring for a physical Blu-ray. But with 27 seasons under its belt, there are a lot of different products to wade through. So, to help, we’ve put together a list of the best products to help you navigate all your options. From single-season releases and box sets to specials and movies, here’s a look at all the South Park Blu-rays available now.

See all South Park Blu-rays at Amazon

Note that, in some cases, it might be more affordable to pick up individual South Park seasons on DVD than it is to pick up the Blu-ray collections. Conversely, some Blu-rays are also on sale for less than their DVD counterparts. For example, Season 15 (Blu-ray) is discounted to $13.19 while the DVD version $15. Pricing is subject to change--Amazon frequently runs deals on Blu-rays--so be sure to check all formats before making a purchase.

South Park: Season 15, Seasons 1-5, and Season 2South Park Box Sets

If you want to grab as many episodes as you can in a single bundle, check out the many South Park Blu-ray and DVD collections. These include multiple seasons each, making it easy to snag dozens of episodes along with some special features and exclsuive packaging. The only season not included in these box sets is the latest, Season 26, but you'll find Blu-ray and DVD versions of South Park Season 26 listed in the single-season section.

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Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Collector's Edition

$130 (was $230)

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Marvel's Spider-Man 2

$40 (was $70)

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Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition

$40 (was $70) | $20 for Miles Morales

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Spider-Man fans can save on all three of Insomniac Games' superb Spider-Man games for PS5 during PlayStation's Days of Play 2025 sale. Deals on Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Miles Morales: Ultimate Edition allow newcomers to dive into the trio of open-world action-adventure titles for only $80 total. If you're a huge Spidey fan, you'll want to check out the massive discount on Marvel Spider-Man 2's Collector's Edition.

On sale for $130--a savings of $100--this PlayStation Direct-exclusive edition comes with a 19-inch statue of Venom alongside Peter and Miles, a steelbook case, and the $80 Digital Deluxe Edition. PS Direct offers free shipping on all orders. You could put some of cash you're saving toward Dark Horse's Deluxe Limited Edition Spider-Man 2 Art Book, which is on sale for nearly 50% off at Amazon.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Collector's EditionSee Days of Play 2025 Deals at:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• PlayStation Direct
• Best Buy
• Target

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Splatoon is celebrating its 10-year anniversary today, May 28, 2025. Below, we examine how it reached outside the realm of video games for its unique blend of inspirations.

It is easy to understand Splatoon as a riff on prior video games. It's a multiplayer shooter produced in the years after competitive shooters started to dominate online play. But it subverts type, offering something tuned for children and families, rather than teens and young adults. Its cartoon style and emphasis on objectives other than "kill" or "hold this position" set it apart from most other games of its ilk. But Splatoon's originality goes deeper. It proves that the strangest and most exciting ideas emerge when you look outside of regular avenues of video games, like wildlife, pop music and street fashion, and borrow what you can from them.

Nintendo didn't start development of Splatoon with the intention to make a family-friendly multiplayer shooter. Former CEO Satoru Iwata said in an interview the developers wanted to create "a new kind of game, without worrying about trying to fit into existing game genres." From that initial seed came 70 ideas, which the team narrowed down to Splatoon. Its unique flavor comes in part from that wide-open approach. To be fair, this is an interview for promotional purposes, conducted by Nintendo employees with an active stake in making the best impression possible. Who knows how much of this is the unvarnished truth? But it is still striking how little video game terminology shows up and how many of the design questions raised are ones of intuition and common sense.

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Microsoft announced today that it is rolling out a beta version of Copilot for Gaming to mobile platforms. Testers on iOS and Android can now try out Microsoft's first attempt at integrating an AI assistant with its Xbox platform.

In a blog post, Microsoft shared that users of the beta version of the Xbox app for mobile can now try out Copilot for Gaming's chatbot functionality. The AI assistant is designed to link into your Xbox account and be able to answer questions about your Xbox history, current gameplay, games in general, and other topics.

Copilot for Gaming is now in beta on the Xbox mobile app (via Microsoft).

Microsoft suggests that Copilot will be able to answer particularly specific or context-sensitive questions, such as advice on certain encounters in games, guidance on improving your Gamerscore, or particularly rare Achievements in certain games. Right now, Copilot incorporates your Xbox profile with information gathered from Bing searches, but Microsoft says that deeper personalization is in development. It's currently unclear exactly how often and in what way Copilot will be gathering information from profiles, and Microsoft has yet to explain how its answers might cite sources that it crawls while searching Bing. Finally, while Copilot is currently reactive--it waits for you to ask it something--Microsoft also states that proactive guidance for in-game activity is in the works.

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Earlier this year, Nintendo noted that one of the ways it intends to fight Switch 2 scalpers is by producing enough consoles to meet the demand. It's an admirable goal, but there's almost always someone willing to pay ludicrous amounts of money to get a Switch 2 from scalpers. Now, Nintendo has laid out how it's going to make things harder for scalpers to connect with would-be customers.

Nintendo has announced a partnership with a handful of Japan's top "flea market" sites--Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, Yahoo Flea Market, and Rakuten Rakuma--to limit the reach of Switch 2 resellers and scalpers. As noted by Autmaton, Yahoo Auctions is even prohibiting any Switch 2 listings in the immediate future.

The partnership between Nintendo and the associated flea market outlets lets them work together to take down Switch 2 listings that go against the sites' terms of service, penalize sellers who violate those rules, and lay the groundwork for "a collaborative system for sharing information."

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A new first-person, open-world RPG is climbing the Steam charts, and it may be a good choice for those who have already blasted through Oblivion Remastered and are looking to continue scratching that Skyrim itch.

Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon is $45 and fully released on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 on May 23, having been in early access since 2023. It looks to have found an audience on Steam in particular, where as of writing it's the number three best-selling game and is only a few spots below Oblivion Remastered on the most-played charts. It also sports "Very positive" reviews on the platform.

Heavily influenced by first-person RPG games like Skyrim and Oblivion, Tainted Grail takes place in a dark fantasy world inspired by Arthurian legend. It features branching storylines and morally ambiguous choices where players will shape the future of King Arthur's now ruined kingdom, according to the game's Steam page.

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Electronic Arts has confirmed it's cancelling its upcoming Black Panther game and closing its developer. Cliffhanger Games, which was only opened in 2023 to make the Black Panther game, is now shuttered. EA previously signed a deal with Marvel for multiple games, and an Iron Man title is still coming.

EA boss Laura Miele said in a memo obtained by IGN that the company is cancelling the game and closing the studio to "sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities."

EA's Black Panther game is not going forward.

Additionally, EA is laying off staff on its mobile and "central" teams, though the exact number of affected staff is unknown. This follows on from a previous round of layoffs in April that affected around 300 people and led to the reported cancellation of a Titanfall game.

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