The Halo: Combat Evolved remake, Campaign Evolved, updates the 2001 sci-fi FPS for modern times, and it appears Halo Studios went to significant lengths to touch up the visuals for the Unreal Engine 5-developed game.

Game director Greg Hermann said during a roundtable interview attended by Polygon, that "Every asset has been touched or modified or reviewed in some way as we brought it forward."

Many wondered if Halo Studios employed some kind of artificial intelligence tool to help with this, but Microsoft has not confirmed one way or another, stating only that there was no mandate that the studio needed to use AI. In any event, executive producer Damon Conn said, "We've done everything we can to make sure that we preserve the heart of Halo as we rebuild and retouch everything."

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Video game crossovers and collabs are nothing new, but in many cases, they are predictable. That is not the case with the latest gaming crossover, as 2K has announced that Borderlands 4 is invading PGA Tour 2K25. These two franchises having the same owner is about all they have in common.

Season 4 of PGA Tour 2K25 will include a "Mayhem on the Greens" event that brings Borderlands to the golf sim. "Mayhem on the green incoming!!" Borderlands developer Gearbox said.

The Mayhem on the Greens event begins Wednesday, October 29, but neither 2K Sports nor Gearbox have provided any details about what to expect from it. The teaser art shows a Psycho character wielding a special type of golf club that looks like it was made in the wasteland.

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The Chronicles of Narnia 75th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

$61.59 (was $75) | Releases October 28

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The Chronicles of Narnia Deluxe Hardcover Box Set

$55.15 (was $140) | Released July 22

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The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the most beloved and widely read children's fantasy series of all time. With over 100 million copies sold since its 1950 debut, there has been no shortage of print editions to pick from, but the brand-new collector's edition may be the coolest, budget-friendly edition yet. In celebration of the C.S. Lewis classic's 75th anniversary, HarperCollins created an eye-catching hardcover omnibus that could make for a lovely gift this holiday. The Chronicles of Narnia Deluxe Edition is available for $61.59 (was $75) at Amazon during launch week.

The Deluxe Edition omnibus is arriving just a few months after The Chronicles of Narnia Deluxe Hardcover Box Set, which is on sale for only $55.15 (was $140). It's one of four different box set editions released for Narnia's 75th Anniversary. Another standout is the Full-Color Collector's Edition for $44.57 (was $91).

The Chronicles of Narnia 75th Anniversary Deluxe Edition $61.59 (was $75) | Releases October 28

The 75th Anniversary Deluxe Edition features Aslan, the King of Narnia, on a metallic dust jacket with shimmering effects. The book itself has a red cover with foil-stamped gold accents and the wardrobe portal on the cover. The custom red page edges feature an emblem representing each of the seven books in the series. On the interior covers, you'll find new fully illustrated, color maps of Narnia and its surrounding regions.

Like previous omnibus editions of The Chronicles of Narnia, the seven novels in the series clock in at 768 pages total. The book measures 6.3 x 2.1 x 9.1 inches. The paperback omnibus remains in print today and is available for only $15, which is 50% off its list price. We'd recommend looking at the sample pages of the paperback omnibus to see if you're okay with the somewhat small typeface.

Here's the list of novels included in the omnibus:

1. The Magician's Nephew
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
3. The Horse and His Boy
4. Prince Caspian
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
6. The Silver Chair
7. The Last Battle

See at Amazon The Chronicles of Narnia Deluxe Hardcover Box Set $55.15 (was $140) | Released July 22

The Chronicles of Narnia Deluxe Hardcover Box Set comes with a slipcase with vibrant artwork featuring Aslan. As mentioned, this hardcover set launched in July with a fairly high $140 list price. The current $55.15 price is an all-time-low for the box set; it was selling for close to $80 earlier this month.

You'll miss out on the fancy metallic cover, decorative page edges, and foil-stamped case, but the Deluxe Hardcover Box Set is a better choice for kids and anyone who is concerned about the readability of the omnibus edition's typeface.

The individual hardcover editions have similarly sized pages (6 x 9 inches), but together the seven novels are 1,668 pages--more than double the page count of the omnibus. If you compare the sample pages for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to the omnibus, you'll notice the individual hardcovers in this box set use larger fonts.

HarperCollins also published a paperback version of the new box set, though it's not much cheaper than the nicer hardcover collection.

If you opt for paperback copies, you should check out the Full-Color Collector's Edition, which launched in May with alternate covers and color versions of the illustrations found throughout the series.

And for portable, pocket-sized editions, consider the mass market paperback box set, which was also published in May.

The Chronicles of Narnia Box Sets (2025)

• Deluxe Hardcover Box Set -- $55.15 ($140)
• Paperback Box Set -- $38.52 ($77)
• Full-Color Collector's Edition -- $44.57 ($91)
• Pocket-sized Box Set -- $38.46 ($77)

See at Amazon More Narnia Box Sets The Chronicles of Narnia Deluxe Hardcover Box Set

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It's been three years since God of War: Ragnarok was released, and if there's a follow-up game on the horizon then Sony's done a good job keeping it under wraps. It seems like a safe bet that there will eventually be another God of War game, and if there is, Christopher Judge wants it to take place in Egypt.

Judge--who first rose to fame for starring in Stargate SG-1 as Teal'c--has voiced Kratos since God of War in 2018. The original games set Kratos against the Greek pantheon of gods, while the last two games centered on the Norse gods. For a new title, Judge recently disclosed that he would like to return to some of the Egyptian mythology from Stargate.

"Because I became best known as Teal'c from Stargate, to go to Egypt would be a completion of my circle," said Judge during his recent appearance at MCM London Comic Con (via GamesRadar). "But whatever is decided--wait… if there is another game, I have no doubt that no matter what pantheon it is, it will be great."

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It's been almost two-and-a-half years since a video game has made as big of a splash at US retail as Pokemon Legends: Z-A. A new report states the RPG put up unit and dollar sales for a boxed game that haven't been seen since The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in May 2023.

Circana's Mat Piscatella pointed out Pokemon Legends: Z-A's "massive US launch at retail" on BlueSky. This comes just days after The Pokemon Company announced the game had sold 5.8 millions copies in its first week. Piscatella did note that the US figures don't include copies bundled with Switch 2.

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Stranger Things VHS Diorama: Eleven vs. Demogorgon

$30 | Releases November 30

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The final season of Stranger Things kicks off on November 26, and unsurprisingly, the series is getting some cool new merch to celebrate its ending. If you're a Stranger Things fan--or you're looking to do some easy shopping for the Stranger Things fan in your life--then you'll want to check out this new Stranger Things VHS Diorama recreating the pivotal moment in the first season when Eleven faces down the Demogorgon creature. The collectible releases on November 30--just a few days after the first batch of the final episodes hit Netflix--and preorders are available for $30 at Amazon.

Stranger Things VHS Diorama: Eleven vs. Demogorgon $30 | Releases November 30

The Stranger Things VHS Diorama: Eleven vs. Demogorgon is a transforming display that resembles a VHS tape when closed, and opens to reveal a highly detailed 3D classroom scene, where Eleven has the Demogorgon pinned to the wall with her telekinetic powers. Fans will notice plenty of fun details, like Eleven's classic season one appearance, realistic wear and tear on the VHS label, and several accessories. The collectible is manufactured by Console Heroes, who previously made several Sega Genesis console dioramas for games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Altered Beast.

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For more Stranger Things gift ideas, there are lots to choose from currently. For something pocket-sized, Funko's Itty Bitty Pops are quite cute, and they come in a playset modeled after the Byers' house. Priced at $24.84 (was $28), this comes with figures of Upside Down Will and Eleven with Goggles inside of a multi-room display that's mirrored by its Upside Down version. You can have a little house party with a few more Stranger Things Itty Bitty Pops, as this four-pack offers regular Will, Barb, and the Demogorgon together for $14.89. A mystery Pop figure is also included, and they're all packaged inside a cute display shelf.

Funko has also released a Stranger Things advent calendar for $57, and this lets you celebrate the festive season with 24 unique Funko Pocket Pops. Each day lets you add another resident of Hawkins--or the Upside Down--to your collection. Looking to do some model-building? This replica of the Creel House for $33 is an easy-to-assemble 3D model that you'll build from 20 EPS foam sheets. You don't need any glue or tools, and the instructions show exactly what you need to do to bring the creepy mansion to life.

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Actor Liam Hemsworth takes over the role of Geralt from Henry Cavill for the upcoming fourth and fifth seasons to close the show out, but Hemsworth originally had some reservations about joining the cast.

He told RadioTimes that he was feeling "pretty reluctant" to sign on after he was first approached for the part. "[I had] a lot of concerns and questions about it all. I was a big fan of the video game and then I watched the series, and was a fan of the series, and I read the books," he said.

What specifically was he hesitant about? Hemsworth said it had to do with how the Netflix series already had an established and passionate fan base that enjoyed watching Cavill in the role.

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Obsidian Entertainment's space-RPG The Outer Worlds 2 launches on October 29 for consoles and PC, but if you shelled out $100 for the Premium Edition, you're probably playing the game right now. You also probably got an in-game message mocking you for your consumerist habits, with the game citing a "flaw" in you.

As spotted by GamesRadar, Redditor disenchantor took to the game's subreddit to share a hilarious pop-up they got. For buying the Premium Edition, disenchantor revealed they have a "consumerism flaw," as the game dragged them for spending so much money.

"The Earth Directorate found a flaw in you! Consumerism," the screenshot disenchantor shared reads. "You're the reason our marketing works. Promotions and sales have riddled your brain, and you're more interested in buying the next big thing than financial planning."

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Microsoft revolutionized online multiplayer in the console space with Xbox Live in 2002. And ever since then, playing games online has come at a cost for Xbox owners. But that might not be the case going forward with the next-gen Xbox system, according to a new report.

Windows Central states that "the current plan is for the next Xbox specifically to have no paywall for multiplayer." This would be a notable change, as an (at least) Xbox Game Pass Essential subscription is needed for online multiplayer for Xbox at this time. However, Microsoft doesn't charge for access to free-to-play multiplayer games, like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone--two of the most popular games in the world.

Another reason for this possible change comes from the fact Windows Central reports that the next-gen Xbox will offer a console experience combined with a full Windows PC interface, if desired. As such, like the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, the next-gen Xbox would then allow access to various PC storefronts, such as Steam and Battle.net. If Microsoft were to keep charging for online multiplayer, then the theory goes those owners might just forgo the Xbox Store and utilize Steam instead on the device.

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The new Battlefield battle royale game has been officially confirmed. The game, called Battlefield: RedSec, will launch on October 28 at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET. As rumored, it will be free-to-play.

Battlefield Studios announced a battle royale game or mode based on Battlefield 6 a long time ago, and has allowed testers to play it already, but this is the first time the developer is revealing its name, release date, and business model. All of these key details leaked already.

The name RedSec appears to be a shorter version of "Redacted Sector," based on the teaser art.

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Next month's PlayStation Plus games for November 2025 are expected to be revealed on October 29, but it looks like one of them may have leaked early. According to Dealabs' billbil-kun, PS Plus subscribers who missed out on grabbing Stray the last time it was available through the subscription service will have a new chance to do so from next week.

The Annapurna Interactive-published game was a day-one release for PS Plus Extra in July 2022, and it was removed from the PS Plus library one year later. Developed by BlueTwelve, the game is set in a dystopian future where humanity has seemingly vanished, and as a stray cat that has become separated from its family, players explore a city full of robots and other hostile organisms on their way back home.

"Stray expertly embodies the abilities of its feline protagonist to create a captivating puzzle adventure in an engrossing post-apocalyptic world," Alessandro Barbosa wrote in GameSpot's Stray review.

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Fortnite's long-awaited and heavily rumored collaboration with The Simpsons is seemingly right around the corner. The official Simpsons account posted a video today of the fictional aliens Kang and Kodos invading the world of Fortnite, reminding people to look out for an in-game event on November 1 at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET.

This is just the latest tease for the upcoming Simpsons collaboration. The official Fortnite social media channels recently posted an image of the Fortnitemares logo, but altered with graffiti to say "Fartnitemares" and the message "Eat my shorts." It was signed "El Barto," which is Bart's alter ego.

Kang and Kodos have arrived in Fortnite with a message for all of you humans, be sure to tune in-game on Nov 1 at 11AM ET. pic.twitter.com/vPtecL3LDN

— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) October 27, 2025

Previous leaks have suggested that Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, Moe, Krusty, Ned, and Kang and Kodos are all coming to Fortnite in the new season. There may also be a whole new Fortnite map for the event, featuring popular Springfield locations like the nuclear power plant and Moe's Tavern.

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With the reveal of Halo: Campaign Evolved arriving next year for consoles and PC, developer Halo Studios has come forward to say that, while no one on the development team was required to use generative AI, they're not opposed to using it as the "tool" that it is.

In an October 24 interview with Rolling Stone, executive producer Damon Conn and game director Greg Hermann spoke about the development of Halo: Campaign Evolved. When asked whether Halo Studios used AI in any capacity, whether that be retouching assets or rebuilding environments, Conn explained that AI can streamline workflows, but people create the games.

"I want to be very clear … People are creative. People make games. AI can improve workflows. It can do things for the game," Conn said. "But I want to be very specific and clear that the people are the ones who are creating the game, and there’s an opportunity to improve a workflow, or something along those lines, we’ll look at it again. It really should be additive to the creation of a game."

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Halo coming to PlayStation 5 is "a win for the future" of the series, according to one Xbox employee. Senior social marketing manager Josh Stein made this remark after Halo: Campaign Evolved was announced recently for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. He added, "More Spartans = More Fun."

"Halo on PlayStation means bigger battles, stronger community, and more love for the franchise. This is a win for the future of Halo and those that love it, new and old," Stein said, sharing green and blue heart emojis meant to signify Xbox and PlayStation.

Halo: Campaign Evolved will mark the sci-fi franchise's debut on a PlayStation platform, and people have a lot of strong feelings about this. One of the original Halo developers is embracing the remake, while another says it has issues. The response has gone all the way to the White House, with the office posting a meme of Donald Trump as Master Chief wielding an Energy sword. Trump has jokingly taken credit for ending the so-called "console war," with Halo now finally coming to PlayStation.

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Activision has released a new entry in its "Replacer" series of Call of Duty ads, this one featuring Terry Crews and Nikki Glaser play forensic agents who attend a crime scene because the real forensic teams is off playing Black Ops 7. Actor Peter Stormare originally brought the Replacer character to life, but a previous ad shot him into space with Jake Paul, so Crews and Glaser are stepping in for the time being.

Things go pretty sideways in this new video, as the characters played by Crews and Glaser are obviously in way over their heads. Crews finds a severed thumb on a table and freaks out when he sees a dead body. Check out the video below.

This video is titled "Crime Scene," and we're expecting there to be many more of these videos in which Crews and Glaser step in to "replace" a bunch of other people in their occupations.

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Marcus Lehto, who co-created the Halo universe and designed Master Chief himself, has weighed in on the recently announced Halo 1 remake. In short, he's loving what he's seeing.

For Lehto, he said the game is "gorgeous" and "feels genuine" to the original, which was released back in 2001 for the Xbox.

"My honest impression of seeing the new Halo Campaign Evolved is this: I absolutely love where this is going. The game looks and feels genuine. It's gorgeous in a way I wish we could have built it originally back in 2001. It warms my heart to see Halo CE like this," Lehto said.

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Following the announcement that Halo: Campaign Evolved will be coming to PS5 as well as Xbox Series X|S and PC, GameStop has leveraged its position as a "Neutral Entity" to declare the decades-long console wars officially over.

According to a tongue-in-cheek statement posted to X by GameStop, the company attributes the beginning of the "ongoing and increasingly petty conflict known as The Console Wars" to the release of Halo: Combat Evolved as an Xbox-exclusive title in 2001. Now that Microsoft has announced that a remake of that title, Halo: Campaign Evolved, will come to PlayStation 5 in 2026, GameStop has called the official end to the infamous console wars.

"All claims to exclusivity are hereby dissolved. Console loyalists are instructed to cease hostilities, disband militias, and enjoy this new era of gaming," the directive from GameStop reads.

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Last week, a major AWS outage took down gaming behemoths like Fortnite and Roblox and caused wide chaos by also impacting important services and programs outside of the gaming world. The cause of the outage has now been identified, revealing that the massive outage was the result of a single software bug.

As initially reported while Amazon was trying to figure out the cause of the 15-hour outage, the problem originated in DynamoDB, AWS's DNS management system. As reported by PC Gamer, the issue originated with DNS Enactor, a component of DynamoDB that constantly updates domain lookup tables to stay on top of load balancing as conditions change.

The bug started when the DNS Enactor started to lag, and "experienced unusually high delays needing to retry its update on several of the DNS endpoints." The DNS Planner continued to generate new plans, and while the first Enactor was delayed, a second DNS Enactor began to implement those plans.

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The Halo franchise is turning 25 next year, and Halo Fest is being revived with a convention and concert to celebrate the milestone. The event is set to take place next December in Seattle, with tickets going on sale soon.

Halo Studios announced the event at this year's Halo World Championship, promising a convention that will cater for twice as many attendees as the HWC usually allows for. Halo Fest has been held three times before: the first in 2010 as an event hosted by GameStop to promote the release of Halo Reach, the second in 2011 as part of Pax Prime 2011, and the third as a standalone event in 2014.

The plans for Halo Fest 2026 are far more ambitious than any of its previous iterations--it's set to be a three-day event, with the first day being an official Halo concert held at the Benaroya Hall, followed by a two-day convention held at the Seattle Convention Center's Summit Building. The convention plans to tie in many of the community attractions usually hosted at the Halo World Championship, including the "Community Stage, voice actors in attendance, cosplay contest, meetups, and more."

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Raven Software has released its plan for Call Of Duty: Warzone's year ahead, as Season 01 alongside Black Ops 7 draws closer. The studio has some exciting new and reworked features in the works for COD's battle royale spin-off, including large map rotation, the new Blackout experience on Avalon, and some new modes that will test experimental features like wall jumping and grappling hooks.

In a news update posted to X, Raven leads with the news that large map rotation for Battle Royale will arrive early next year. "While it wasn't previously realistic for us to host multiple large maps, we've since taken the steps necessary to support it," the developer says. The feature won't launch with Black Ops 7 unfortunately, but it is being targeted for early 2026.

Resurgence is due for a shakeup, with Raven acknowledging that the mode has "started to feel a bit stale." As part of the refresh, the new Haven's Hollow map will launch for Resurgence in Season 01, with map rotation to be added shortly after launch. While the initial rotation will include just Rebirth Island and Haven's Hollow, the developer plans to bring back past maps--including an improved version of Fortune's Keep. In response to complaints about Rebirth Island, the map will also be getting a refresh in Season 02.

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