Split Fiction and It Takes Two developer Hazelight Studios will never put microtransactions in its games, according to director Josef Fares.

In an interview with MinnMax, Fares also said that Hazelight Studios isn't available for bigger publishers to buy it out. "Hazelight is not for sale. I mean, we will always do what we do, and we love what to do period," Fares explained. "And we will never be on the stock market as well; get that in, period. And we will never have microtransactions, bullshit, no shit, just make games. Period."

Recently, Fares also said that Hazelight won't make live-service games either. Microtransactions are common to in live-service games, as studios and publishers who make them want a recurring stream of revenue.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Monster Hunter Wilds has officially launched, and on PC, and it is smashing through several records. At the time of writing, the game has reached over 1.2 million concurrent players on Steam alone--according to Steam's charts--beating the all-time player peak numbers set by the previous two Monster Hunter games by a very wide margin. It's also the second-most-played game on Steam currently, beaten only by Counter-Strike 2, which is a free-to-play game.

In comparison, Monster Hunter World had a peak player-count of 334,684 players on Steam in 2018, while Monster Hunter Rise reached a peak of 231,360 players in 2022. What makes this even more impressive is that Monster Hunter Wilds has beaten the impressive release day records set by Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077, as both of those games reached 1.1 million concurrent players on their respective launch days. This also makes Monster Hunter Wilds only the eighth game in Steam history to break the 1 million concurrent players mark.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Grand Theft Auto 5's long-awaited enhanced upgrade on PC finally arrives on March 4. Ahead of that, existing GTA 5 players can pre-load the free upgrade via the Rockstar Games Launcher or Steam.

Additionally, existing owners can now transfer their story mode progress to the new edition of GTA 5 for PC through a new option found in the Pause menu. Scroll down to see a quick rundown of how to pre-load the new edition of GTA 5 for PC and how to transfer your saves to the new version.

GTA 5's new enhanced edition on PC brings over the changes, improvements, and additions from the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions, including better graphics, faster loading times, and lots more.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Command & Conquer community is in for a treat, as EA has released the source code for four classic C&C games, as well as adding Steam Workshop support and releasing further modding tools for other titles in the franchise.

In collaboration with community creator Luke "CCHyper" Feenan, EA has released the fully recovered source code for the original Command & Conquer (aka Tiberian Dawn), C&C Red Alert, C&C Renegade, and C&C Generals--along with its expansion pack, Zero Hour. The source code for the games is available on EA's GitHub page under a GPL license, which grants users the right to run, study, share, or modify the software.

"Over the past year I have been working alongside the amazing C&C stakeholders here at EA to restore the Perforce source code archives for the C&C games back to buildable states, which now provides us with the ability to patch these classic games in a deeper way going forward," CCHyper said of his collaboration with the C&C team at EA. "As a long time modder, it was amazing to finally get a chance to deep dive into the source code for these games and see how they work!"

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Studio Ghibli fans can now add the massive All-in-One Edition of the Spirited Away Film Comic to their bookshelf. The 856-page hardcover omnibus collects all five volumes of the previously out-of-print comic book adaptation of Spirited Away. Individual volumes in the Studio Ghibli Film Comic series are hard to find for reasonable prices, but the newly issued All-in-One Editions offer a budget-friendly solution for this issue. Spirited Away's Film Comic omnibus was published earlier this week with a list price of $35, but fans can grab a copy for $29.75 at Amazon right now.

See all Studio Ghibli Film Comics Spirited Away Film Comic: All-in-One Edition $29.75 (was $35)

Spirited Away is the third Studio Ghibli Film Comic to receive an All-in-One Edition in recent months. My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service Film Comic omnibuses retail for $30 each but are available for $28.59 and $24.84, respectively. Ghibli fans can preorder the Ponyo Film Comic: All-in-One Edition for $30 ahead of its June 24 release.

• Spirited Away Film Comic: All-In-One Edition (Released February 25) -- $29.75 ($35)
• My Neighbor Totoro Film Comic: All-in-One Edition— $28.59 ($30)
• Kiki's Delivery Service Film Comic: All-in-One Edition -- $24.84 ($30)
• Ponyo Film Comic: All-in-One Edition (Releases June 24) -- $30

See at Amazon

These graphic novels are notable because they use the original film animation cells for illustrations. They've all been rearranged and reformatted to look like comic book and manga panels with full-color illustrations. Spirited Away clocks in at a total of 856 pages, while My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service are 584 pages each. Ponyo's All-in-One Edition is 592 pages.

For anyone who adores the art direction of Studio Ghibli movies, this is a pretty great way to "pause" a film so that you can focus on the smaller details of these beautifully animated stories. Because these comics use original cells and illustrations from the movies, they really can be viewed as reasonably priced art books, too.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Chainsaw Man is one of the biggest anime hits of the 2020s, and with a new movie scheduled to arrive later this year, now is as good a time as any to check out the manga it's based on--especially while the massive 11-volume Chainsaw Man Manga Box Set for just $56 at Amazon (was $100). Thanks to the deal, you can pick up the majority of the manga series at a big discount, but we don't know how long this deal will last, so grab it while you can.

Chainsaw Man: Volumes 1-11 Box Set $56 (was $100)

This box set includes 11 of the 18 Chainsaw Man manga volumes currently available. Along with the books, the collection includes an exclusive double-sided full-color poster, and everything comes packaged in a vibrant slipcase.

See at Amazon Chainsaw Man Volume 18 $11.15 (was $12) | Releases on May 6

While the Chainsaw Man Box Set is a great way to start the series, you'll need to purchase the rest of the volumes separately. Volumes 12-17 are all available now, while Volume 18 will release on May 6 and is available to preorder at Amazon for $11.15 (was $12). Check the list below for all the Chainsaw Man manga volumes.

See at Amazon

Chainsaw Man follows devil-hunter Denji on his quest to pay off inherited debts and escape poverty. After being ripped apart by zombies, Denji is saved by Pochita, a dog-like devil that merges with his corpse and resurrects him, transforming him into the titular Chainsaw Man. Denji begins to take on dangerous demons as part of the government group, allowing him to live a life he never thought was possible. But with sinister forces watching him, devils causing chaos, and a massive conspiracy unfolding in the background, Denji has his work cut out for him as he tries to balance his selfish desires with helping the people he cares about.

All Chainsaw Man Manga Deals All Chainsaw Man manga at Amazon

• Chainsaw Man Volumes 1-11 box set -- $56 ($100)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 1 -- $6.67 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 2 -- $8.39 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 3 -- $8 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 4 -- $8.53 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 5 -- $9.88 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 6 -- $10.75 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 7 -- $9.29 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 8 -- $10.89 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 9 -- $7.36 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 10 -- $9 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 11 -- $8 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 12 -- $9.58 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 13 -- $8 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 14 -- $9.58 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 15 -- $9.60 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 16 -- $9.58 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 17 -- $9.58 ($12)
• Chainsaw Man Vol. 18 -- $11.15 ($12) | Releases May 6

More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders

• The Biggest Upcoming Games That You Can Preorder Now
• SanDisk 1.5TB MicroSD Card Is Steeply Discounted At Amazon - Expand Your Steam Deck Storage
• Xbox Series X|S Owners Can Save Big On Western Digital's 1TB Expansion Card
• + Show More More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Links (5)
• Amazon-Exclusive Pokemon TCG Premium Collection Gets Huge Limited-Time Discount
• Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set Returns Next Month
• Nintendo Alarmo Now Available At Major Retailers - Mario Will Wake You Up For $100
• New Nintendo Switch OLED Value Bundle Comes With Super Mario Bros. Wonder
• Final Fantasy X Magic: The Gathering Set Is Up For Preorder

Fighting games aren't exactly known for having the best storylines, but the Injustice series, which is set in an alternate version of the DC comics universe, is an exception. Not only has the in-game storyline spanned two games so far, but its also been adapted and expanded into its own DC comics line. While the series has seen multiple collections already, the second run, aptly titled Injustice 2, will soon be collected into a massive hardcover omnibus edition. The Injustice 2 Omnibus Edition releases May 20, and preorders are available for $125 at Amazon.

Injustice 2 Omnibus Edition | Releases May 20 $125

Written by Tom Taylor--who also penned the first two years of the award-winning Injustice: Gods Among Us comic books--the Injustice 2 comics pick up shortly after the end of the first game. With the evil parallel-universe Superman of the first game locked up in a super-jail, Batman now works on rebuilding the planet after it endured five years of hell under the Man of Steel's rule. Of course, new threats reveal themselves, and Earth's heroes must once again rise up to protect its people. The omnibus includes Injustice 2 issues 1-36 and Injustice 2 Annual 1 and 2.

Preorder at Amazon

If you haven't read the original Injustice series yet, you can pick up an omnibus edition at a very good price through Amazon right now, as it's available for $50 (was $125). Injustice: Gods Among Us Omnibus Edition Volume One covers the first three years of the series, and it charts the fall of Superman after he's tricked by the Joker and ends up destroying Metropolis city and accidentally killing his family, sending him into a villainous rage. Batman quickly becomes the leader of a resistance group, and it's not long before all hell breaks loose between the two former friends.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

It's been a long time since MercurySteam released an original game, but the studio behind Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread has finally revealed a first look at its upcoming dark fantasy action-RPG Blades of Fury. In the announcement trailer below, players are introduced to Aran de Lira as he prepares to face his destiny head-on against some dangerous foes. Luckily for Aran, he's well-armed with weapons of his own creation.

In the game's backstory, Aran is the firstborn of the King's Ward, and he's forced to take a stand after the recently crowned Queen Nerea uses dark magic to solidify her power in the kingdom. Thanks to Nerea's spell, all steel in the kingdom has been turned to stone, and only the evil creatures at her command have the divine metal that can obliterate any normal weapon used against them.

That's why Aran will have to forge his own weapons to counter the divine metal's power, and there are several different weapons that can be chosen. Players will have to determine which weapons are most effective against the wide variety of monsters they encounter in the game. Picking the wrong weapon could have grave consequences and leave Aran unable to defeat his foes.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

While the comedic duo of Bill Murray and Harold Ramis might be best known for films like Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day, their first team-up was for the 1981 satirical military movie, Stripes, which will soon be available on 4K Blu-ray with a steelbook case. The 4K restoration of the theatrical and extended cuts releases on April 29 and is available to preorder now for $50. Stripes is the latest Bill Murray classic to get the Limited Edition Steelbook treatment. Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters also have steelbook editions, both of which are discounted at Amazon.

Stripes Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Digital) $50

Stripes follows cab driver John Winger (Murray) who decides to join the army after he has a hell of a bad day. Joined by his best friend, the two slackers quickly run afoul of their drill sergeant, get into mischief, and almost start World War Three. Stripes had a stacked cast at the time, as in addition to Murray and Ramis, the movie also starred John Candy, John Larroquette, Bill Paxton, and other notable actors of the era.

This is a two-disc set, and it comes with several bonus materials like the original theatrical trailer, deleted scenes, director's commentary, and more. Here's the full list of what's on each disc:

Disc One (4K)

• Theatrical cut
• Extended cut
• English Dolby Atmos
• 40 Years of Stripes With Bill Murray and Ivan Reitman Reunion Special
• Theatrical trailer

Disc Two (Standard Blu-ray)

• Theatrical cut
• Extended cut
• 1983 TV version of the film in standard definition
• Director's commentary with Ivan Reitman and writer Dan Goldberg
• 11 Deleted and extended scenes
• Stars and Stripes documentary

In addition to 4K and 1080p Blu-ray discs, this release comes with a voucher to claim the digital version of Stripes.

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart

Continue Reading at GameSpot

All journeys begin with a single step, and this concept rings true in Monster Hunter Wilds. When you first start out, you only have weak, low-rank gear. However, you'll slowly but surely acquire the materials that you need as you progress. Here's our guide to help you determine the best items to craft in Monster Hunter Wilds, at least for the first few hours of your adventure.

Table of Contents [hide]

• The best early-game items to craft in Monster Hunter Wilds
  • Weapon option: Bone Tree -> Quematrice Tree and Lala Barina Tree
  The best early-game items to craft in Monster Hunter Wilds

  Monster Hunter Wilds, similar to its predecessors, is all about hunting down beasts, gathering their materials, making better gear, and hunting down even stronger beasts. This process is oft-repeated throughout the campaign and the endgame, which is why it's also important to determine how you'll go about progression early on. For this particular guide, we opted to focus on craftable weapons, armor, and consumables that we feel are viable for those who are just starting out.

  Weapon option: Bone Tree -> Quematrice Tree and Lala Barina Tree

  Before you decide to smash gigantic creatures in the head, we encourage you to take a look at our best weapons guide. We've detailed the ideal armaments that you can use depending on your preferred role or playstyle. Also, be sure to try out some moves and combos at the Training Area.

  Continue Reading at GameSpot

Metroid Prime Remastered

$30 (was $40)

See at Walmart

With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond expected to release sometime this year, now's a great time to revisit or experience the Retro Studios series for the first time. The ideal place to start is Metroid Prime Remastered, an overhauled version of the original GameCube classic rebuilt with gorgeous graphics and modernized controls on Switch. Metroid Prime Remastered released in February 2023, but it still almost always sells for its $40 MSRP. It's one of the Switch exclusives that doesn't appear in official sales, which makes Walmart's current deal all the more notable. The retailer is offering an exceedingly rare discount that drops the price of Metroid Prime Remastered to only $30 (was $40), which is the best deal we've seen for the must-play adventure.

Amazon may have briefly matched Walmart's deal, as Prime Remastered is now sold out at Amazon. Walmart's listing doesn't make it clear that the game normally costs more than $30, but you'll find it for its regular $40 price at Best Buy and Target. We wouldn't expect this deal to be available for long, so grab a copy while you can.

Metroid Prime Remastered $30 (was $40)

Despite the name, Metroid Prime Remastered feels more like a remake--and a faithful one at that. The alien ruins and wilderness of Tallon IV have been rebuilt with gorgeous new models and high-resolution textures and not only match the original game's art direction, but enrich its atmosphere. The gameplay and level designs are identical to the original, barring a few welcome changes like new control options, including a modernized control schemes that mirrors the standardized first-person shooter layouts most players are familiar with--though the the original control scheme and gyro-based aiming are also available.

See at Walmart

While these changes make Metroid Prime Remastered the definitive way to play, and highlight how good the original core gameplay still is. As Steven Petite says in our Metroid Prime Remastered review, "It's an experience that has aged like fine wine, and is every bit as intoxicating now as it was 20 years ago."

Continue Reading at GameSpot

While Nintendo still hasn't announced a firm release date for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, we now know when the Metroid Prime Trilogy's retrospective book will be published. Initially revealed last fall with a Summer 2025 release window, Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective is now slated for June 24, according to Amazon's newly updated store page. The 212-page hardcover book is available to preorder for $45 (was $50). If you preorder now, you'll be eligible for any future discounts Amazon offers prior to release.

Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective

$45 (was $50) | Releases June 24

Preorder at Amazon

Heads up: If you haven't played Metroid Prime Remastered on Nintendo Switch, Walmart is selling physical copies for $30 (was $40). Metroid Prime Remastered is almost never discounted, and Walmart's 25% discount is the best deal we've seen for the superb remaster.

Metroid Prime's Visual Retrospective was created by premium guidebook publisher Piggyback, the team behind the gorgeous strategy guides for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The publisher worked directly with Nintendo and Retro Studios to create the upcoming Metroid Prime Retrospective. The hardcover book includes a stitch binding and etched metallic foil cover art featuring Samus Aran's iconic Varia suit. The artwork is printed on high-quality, sheet-fed art paper.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The next big video game movie is A Minecraft Movie, which comes to theaters this April. A new trailer for the video game film has arrived, and it provides the best look at the movie so far.

The new trailer teases out some of the story and the wacky hijinks along the way, like when Jason Momoa's character fights a chicken. We also see Jennifer Coolidge's character for the first time, and get more silly scenes with Jack Black's character, Steve. What's more, this trailer shows off the main villains, who hail from the Nether, a hell-like dimension filled with hostile mobs. The leader of the Nether and specifically the Piglin is the character Malgosha, who is voiced by Rachel House (Moana, Hunt for the Wilderpeople).

There are loads of Minecraft Easter eggs in the trailer, too, so check out the trailer for yourself and see what you can spot.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Pokemon series has been around for decades, and it remains incredibly popular. The Pokemon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, who has led the company since 1998, said in an interview that he sees no end in sight.

He told the BBC today--Pokemon Day--that if The Pokemon Company can stay disciplined and continue to release products that people enjoy, he sees no reason why the company would slow down.

"If we continue focusing on our mission, Pokemon can probably continue to its 50th or 100th anniversary," he said. "But if we become complacent and go with the flow, that's when Pokemon will go downhill."

Continue Reading at GameSpot

For those who have watched the hit AppleTV+ show Severance and thought, "macrodata refinement sure looks fun," you're in luck. A new in-browser macrodata refinement "game" lets you refine mysterious numbers just like the characters in the show do, and you, too, have no idea what it's for or why you are doing it.

The game can be played in your browser over at lumon-industries.com, transforming your computer or phone into an official Lumon MDR workstation. Just like in the show, certain groups of numbers will start to stand out, allowing you to drag your mouse cursor over them. This collects the numbers and sorts them into various bins (unlike in the show, the game does this part automatically). It's all extremely simple. Numbers get big. Scary even. Then you just highlight them and profit. Praise Kier!

Once you get the hang of it, you do go into a bit of a flow state like the characters in the show do, as groups of numbers start to rapidly grow larger and practically beg for refinement. A percentage bar at the top of the screen shows you how close you are to "completing" the game. At 75%, the screen transforms into a dance party hosted by Lumon severed floor supervisor Mr. Milchick.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

As part of Microsoft's shift towards bringing more Xbox games to other consoles, Forza Horizon 5 was announced as one of the next titles to hit PlayStation 5 back in January. Now, Xbox Game Studios has revealed that Forza Horizon 5 will be arriving on PS5 on April 29. In a new trailer for the game, players are invited to revisit the Horizon Realms, which includes locations that were previously only available for a limited time, as well as the new Horizon Stadium Circuit.

Since the game is pulling into its new home on Sony's flagship console, Forza Horizon 5 is getting PlayStation Trophies, in-game badges, and accolades that can allow players to unlock new cars. All of the perks from the previously released versions of the game will be included at launch, including almost 900 cars and 40 themed updates. However, the paid expansions, Rally Adventure and Hot Wheels, will still be sold as separate DLC.

Cross-play will be supported in Forza Horizon 5, as players on PS5 can take on their counterparts on Xbox Series X|S and PC. The new content created for the PS5 version--including Horizon Worlds--will be available across all platforms as well.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Curious about how to fix Seikret controls in Monster Hunter Wilds? The Seikret is your trusty bird mount. Think of them as somewhat akin to a Chocobo, except they can carry a ton of loot, including your secondary weapon. Unfortunately, trying to steer your Seikret can prove to be more challenging than the final boss itself, and you'll probably find this fowl's movement mechanics to be pretty foul. Thankfully, we have a guide here to help you with this issue.

How to fix Seikret controls in Monster Hunter Wilds

By default, the Seikret has an auto-move action. While mounted, all you need to do is press the up button on your controller's D-pad or the tab key on your keyboard. This causes the Seikret to automatically follow an optimal path straight to a waypoint or anything spot you've marked down on the map.

However, there's also a glaring problem here, because the Seikret, whether they're on auto-mode or manual mode, will continue to move forward even if you're not pressing anything. This can be very annoying, especially if you want to collect herbs or pick up ores.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Bloodborne Complete Edition Guide (Hardcover)

$54 (was $60) | $48.59 if eligible for coupon

See at Amazon

Bloodborne fans can get the official hardcover guidebook for as low as $48.59 at Amazon. The hardcover book is discounted to $54 for all shoppers, but you might be able to get it for $48.59. Amazon is offering an additional 10% off for select customers. The promotion appears to be exclusive to shoppers in the Midwest, so if you don't see a coupon box to click, the offer isn't available in your region.

Future Press reissued the expanded version of its comprehensive Bloodborne guide last October. The publisher sold out of its inventory months ago, and Amazon has sold out on multiple occasions, too. At the time of writing (February 27), Bloodborne Complete Edition Guide is available from Amazon.

This doorstopper of a book clocks in at 744 pages, which is roughly 200 pages more than the 2017 Collector's Edition Guide. This is because the Complete Edition also includes The Old Hunters expansion, which received its own 224-page physical guide in 2015. Along with everything you need to know to 100% the base game and DLC, the guide includes concept art, a deep dive into the lore of Yharna, an interview with director Hidetaka Miyazaki, and a reference index for in-game lore.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

A Good Snowman is Hard to Build is a delightful Sokoban-like puzzle game that challenges you to build a snowman in increasingly complex environments. Originally released in 2015, for the game's 10th anniversary, developer Draknek & Friends decided to implement a unique weather-based pricing system in lieu of its normal price of $15.

As spotted by VGC, over on the game's Itch.io page, the developer has dubbed the new model "pay what the temperature is." The price on Itch.io is set according to the current temperature in London in degrees Celsius every hour--for example, at the time of writing, the temperature is currently 8.3 degrees, meaning that the game is $8.30. This of course means that the game will be cheaper at night and during the colder winter months, and significantly more expensive during the summer months, which you might call thematically appropriate. In the case that London falls to 0 degrees Celsius or lower, the game will be free.

Because platforms like Steam don't allow this sort of price tomfoolery, this scheme is exclusive to the Itch.io storefront. The developers joke that those who are upset by its use of Celsius can opt to pay for Fahrenheit or Kelvin instead by using Itch.io's "pay what you want" feature. (For comparison, the current price would be $46.94 in Fahrenheit and $281.45 in Kelvin). Draknek & Friends are currently working on its new game, The Electrifying Incident, which stars the same monster as A Good Snowman is Hard to Build.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

In 2017, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene carved out a space for himself in the battle royale genre with PUBG: Battlegrounds. Later this year, Greene's new title, Prologue: Go Wayback, is sending players up against an enemy they can't simply shoot or kill. As shown in the new trailer below, Prologue is a survival game in which there's nothing more dangerous to the player than the brutally cold weather and the harsh environment of the woods.

Prologue's 64-square-km maps are procedurally generated, with millions of possible combinations. The goal of each game is to live long enough to reach a weather station that's randomly located in each map. To do so, players will have to scrounge for supplies and gear, battle hunger and thirst, and take shelter from the elements to prevent their untimely demise. The cold itself is your primary adversary, and there's more than one way it can kill you. For example, slipping on some icy terrain can sometimes lead to a fatal end. And if you happen to be outside during a blizzard, it may go very badly for you.

While the weather can be overwhelming, Prologue will give players the tools to help them recognize when the temperatures are going to rapidly drop or when they need to immediately find shelter. Players can also fix items they find and temporarily take refuge in cabins. But staying in one place isn't a long-term strategy, and extraction is only possible at the weather station.

Continue Reading at GameSpot