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Source: Sucker Punch Productions / Ghost of YōteiThe PlayStation had something to say during its latest State of Play presentation. PlayStation saved the best for last with the announcement of Ghost of Yōtei, the long-awaited sequel to Sucker Punch’s epic samurai adventure, Ghosts of Tsushima.Ghost of Yōtei introduces a new hero, Atsu, and is the studio’s first game built from the ground up for the PS5 and, of course, the PS5 Pro.“This is also Sucker Punch’s first game built from the ground up for PlayStation 5, and we’re excited to build on the visual foundation we established in Ghost of Tsushima by making the world feel even more real, Andrew Goldfarb, Sucker Punch Productions Community Manager said on the PlayStation Blog. “We have massive sightlines that let you look far across the environment, whole new skies featuring twinkling stars and auroras, even more believable movement from wind on grass and vegetation, and more improvements we’ll share in the future. Our new setting also gives us the opportunity to introduce new mechanics, gameplay improvements, and even new weapons.”Goldfarb says to expect more information on the game that arrives in 2025.Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered was one of the worst-kept secrets coming into today’s State of Play, so seeing it wasn’t a shocker.When it launched on the PS4 seven years ago, the game was already deemed a graphical masterpiece, and it looks even better now that it has been remastered to take advantage of the power of the PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles.Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered launches on October 31. The captivating story and awe-inspiring post-apocalyptic world returns alongside a host of technological improvements, visual enhancements, and upgraded features. It also includes The Frozen Wilds content, a vast expansion featuring additional lands, skills, weapons, and machines. Take a look at the announcement trailer below.Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered features over 10 hours of re-recorded conversation, mocap and countless graphical improvements that bring the game to the same visual fidelity as its critically acclaimed sequel Horizon Forbidden West. The game’s lush world includes frozen mountains, dense jungles, and arid deserts with stunning new visuals and 4K1 graphics and travelling between settlements is now lightning-fast.The story’s many compelling characters have been upgraded, bringing them in line with current generation advances in character models and rendering. We hope that improved animation, lightning, textures and more will make new and existing fans excited to dive into the action!The audio in the game has also been enhanced. It takes advantage of the PS5 DualSense controller with native support for PlayStation 5 Pro.The game will also be released on October 31. For those who already own it, upgrading to the remastered version will only cost $9.99.We got our fourth trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds, which will be released on February 28, 2025. The latest trailer shows off the game’s main monster, which serves as the catalyst for the events in the game’s main story, leading to the formation of the Forbidden Lands Research Commission.Monster Hunter Wilds is a beautiful-looking game that delivers the monster-hunting fun that fans of the franchise have come to expect.Keep it locked on HHW Gaming because we went hands-on with Monster Hunter Wilds and will share our thoughts in the coming days.Until then, you can see the other announcements from the State of Play in the gallery below.

1. PlayStation 5 Pro Console – Game Lineup Sizzle

Debuted during State of Play, here’s a look at some of the games that are being enhanced by the PS5 Pro – including a few titles that we’re revealing in this sizzle recap.
With the PlayStation 5 Pro console, the world’s greatest game creators can enhance their games with incredible features like advanced ray tracing, super sharp image clarity for your 4K TV, and high frame rate gameplay. That means you get to play PS5 games with the most impressive visuals ever possible on a PlayStation® console, and with 2TB of SSD storage included, your favorite games will be ready and waiting for you to jump right in for your next awesome adventure.
PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) Get super sharp image clarity on your 4K TV using AI enhanced resolution for ultra-high definition play with astonishing detail.
Optimized Console Performance Reach higher and more consistent frame rates for silky smooth gameplay with support for 60Hz and 120Hz displays.
Advanced Ray Tracing Experience next level realism with ray traced reflections, shadows, and high-quality global illumination as you explore stunning game worlds.
Feature only available on select PS5 games that have been enhanced for PS5 Pro when compared with PS5®. PS5 Pro enhanced features will vary by game. A portion of the SSD is reserved for system software and other functions so the available SSD capacity may vary.

2. Chroma Collection | PS5

Introducing the Chroma Collection – iridescent PlayStation 5 accessories that shine, shimmer, and shift colour from every angle.
Choose from the chic Chroma Pearl, vivid Chroma Indigo or fresh Chroma Teal – three mesmerizing colours for the DualSense wireless controller and matching PS5 console covers.
Pre-orders for the Chroma Collection will begin on October 3, 2024, with Chroma Pearl and Chroma Indigo accessories launching on November 7, 2024, followed by the launch of Chroma Teal accessories starting on January 23, 2025.

3. Stellar Blade – NieR: Automata DLC & Updates

Worlds collide in the upcoming Stellar Blade x Nier: Automata collaboration, coming later this year.
An all-new Photo Mode coming to Stellar Blade — choose your favorite poses, expressions, and filters to create the perfect shot!
Keep the vibe alive with the full Original Soundtrack, over 180 tracks from Stellar Blade now available on select streaming services.

4. LEGO Horizon Adventures – Pre-Order Trailer

Aloy’s colorful new adventure is coming to PlayStation 5 on 14 November, 2024! Pre-order from 3 October onwards on your platform of choice to get a LEGO version of the iconic Shield-Weaver outfit in-game.

5. Dynasty Warriors Origins – Overview Trailer

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, coming January 17, 2025!

6. Fortnite DualSense Controller Reveal

Defy the Storm as you build, battle, create and Unleash the Fun with the DualSense  Wireless Controller – Fortnite  Limited Edition.
Starring Fishstick and Peely, and emblazoned with illustrations of fan-favourite characters, this colourfully vibrant eye-catching design encapsulates the wildly energetic Fortnite spirit enjoyed by players worldwide.
So, where we droppin’ today?
Pre-orders will begin on October 3, 2024.

7. Towers of Aghasba – Gameplay Trailer

Towers of Aghasba launches into Early Access November 2024.
Towers of Aghasba is an action-adventure builder game set in a unique fantasy world. Players are challenged to rebuild their civilization and the ecosystem, maintaining a balance between the two.

8. Fear the Spotlight – Release Date Reveal

Fear the Spotlight will be releasing on PS5 and PS4 October 22nd, 2024.
Fear the Spotlight is a creepy love letter to classic 90s horror experiences with a focus on rich storytelling, puzzle solving, and a tense atmosphere. This is a perfect narrative horror game for those new to the genre. Fear the Spotlight is developed by Cozy Game Pals and published by Blumhouse Games.

9. Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered

Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered launches December 10th!
Experience the epic conflict of Kain and Raziel in original form or with remastered graphics.
Pre-order today!

10. Hitman World of Assassination – Announcement Trailer

The World of Assassination is coming to PlayStation VR 2. With 21 locations, full dual wielding and intuitive gestures, the possibilities are endless. Everything is a weapon in a creative assassin’s hands.

11. Alan Wake 2 – Lake House Expansion

Dive into a harrowing survival horror experience with the latest expansion for Alan Wake 2, set in an eerie new location on the shores of Cauldron Lake. Within the Federal Bureau of Control’s research station, the Lake House, a catastrophic event has occurred, where reckless experiments have caused reality to collide with the Dark Place. 
This expansion unfolds parallel to the main game, putting you in the shoes of FBC agent Kiran Estevez, portrayed by Janina Gavankar. 

12. Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Mage Build Deep Dive

BioWare breaks down the Mage build showcased in the recently revealed Dragon Battle gameplay trailer.
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, you will save the battered world of Thedas and unite the Veilguard: your team of seven companions, each with their own rich lives and deep backstories. As you become the leader, you will be able to select from different races, combat classes, customized appearances, and playstyles: all allowing you to play how you want to play.
This bold, heroic adventure is built to deliver on what BioWare is best known for: rich storytelling, fantasy worldbuilding, companions & fellowship, and a world where you matter. Dragon Age: The Veilguard arrives October 31, 2024.

13. Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Blighted Dragon Gameplay Trailer

The blighted gods have unleashed a fearsome dragon on Thedas. It’s up to you, as Rook, to use all your tactical skills and abilities in the fight – whilst commanding your companions in battle with the ability wheel – to fight smart and deliver the most devastating attacks and combos to bring the gigantic beast down.
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, you will save the battered world of Thedas and unite the Veilguard: your team of seven companions, each with their own rich lives and deep backstories. As you become the leader, you will be able to select from different races, combat classes, customized appearances, and playstyles: all allowing you to play how you want to play.
This bold, heroic adventure is built to deliver on what BioWare is best known for: rich storytelling, fantasy worldbuilding, companions & fellowship, and a world where you matter. Dragon Age: The Veilguard arrives October 31, 2024.

14. Fantasian Neo Dimension – Release Date Announcement Trailer

ANTASIAN Neo Dimension is available for pre-order on PS5 and PS4™ today, launching on December 5th, 2024.
The Father of FINAL FANTASY, Hironobu Sakaguchi, and renowned composer Nobuo Uematsu return to deliver an original RPG story.
Embark on an multi-dimensional journey to reclaim your lost memories and save the world from the mechteria infection.

15. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – Radical Reptiles DLC Announce/Launch

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge unveils a brand new Radical Reptiles DLC, available now on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Radical Reptiles introduces two fan-favorites as playable fighters: Radical surfer and trusted friend to the Turtles: Mondo Gecko Physics student turned reptilian rapscallion: Mona Lisa Whether it’s by dealing righteous damage on a skateboard or launching deadly chemical concoctions, this powerhouse duo is ready to rumble with the Foot Clan!
And that’s not all! A free update is also available for all players: a rockin’ Remix mode of the official soundtrack featuring amazing guest artists: Lead Remixer: Sean Bialo Guest Remixers Anamanaguchi – Panic In The Sky! Button Masher – Rumble In The Zoo Jake Kaufman – It Won’t Fly! Keiji Yamagishi – The Lost Archenemies Tomoya Tomita – A Few Screws Loose.

16. Lunar Remastered Collection – Announce Trailer

Get ready—The LUNAR Remastered Collection is coming to PlayStation!
Embark on thrilling adventures within the enchanting worlds of LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete! These two cherished JRPGs have delighted gamers for generations. Now, in this definitive remastered edition, experience enhanced graphics, audio, and quality-of-life improvements that make the journey even more magical!

17. Palworld – Launch Trailer

Palworld, with over 25 million players worldwide, is finally available on PS5!
Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called “”Pals”” in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!

18. ArcheAge Chronicles – First Announce Trailer

Unveiling ‘ArcheAge Chronicles’: Dive into a new era with ArcheAge Chronicles, the online action RPG set 50 years after the original. Embark on epic adventures, engage in enhanced combat, and explore vast, uncharted worlds filled with strategic battles and rich storytelling. Customize your housing, master life skills, and uncover new realms in this dynamic universe. Get ready to conquer challenges and unravel ancient mysteries in ArcheAge Chronicles.

19. Metro Awakening – Release Date Trailer

Pre-order to receive the exclusive Field Medic item pack, or save 10% by choosing the Deluxe Edition, including a 48-hour early access.
Metro Awakening is a story-driven first person adventure built exclusively for VR that blends atmospheric exploration, stealth and combat. Powered by the immersive features of PlayStation 5, PS VR2 and Dual Sense, Metro Awakening offers you the most immersive METRO experience yet written by series creator Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Awakening takes you deep into the origin story of Khan, one of Metro’s most beloved characters, once known as Serdar.
Driven by the need to find and save his wife Yana, Serdar is forced to embrace the unknown to battle bandits, mutants, and other lurking horrors. Reload manually, charge your gear, and scavenge to survive in this intense and immersive VR journey. Sometimes, to prevent something worse, you must become the thing we fear.

20. Hell is Us – Gameplay Reveal Trailer

If war is the closest we get to hell on Earth, it’s because Earth harbors the worst of demons: humankind.
Discover the first Gameplay footage of Hell is Us , an action-adventure game set in a war-torn country, where players must unravel the mysteries of their past and confront the human darkness that fuels the chaos.
Hell is Us will be available on PlayStation 5 in 2025.

21. The Midnight Walk – Reveal Trailer

Embark upon The Midnight Walk in this dark fantasy adventure from the minds behind Lost in Random. Become The Burnt One, befriend a lost lantern creature named Potboy, and use his flame to light your way through a conflicting world of wonder and terror. Coming to PS5 and PS VR2, Spring 2025!

22. Astro Bot – Speedrun and Special Bots Add-On Trailer

Play Will Find A Way with ASTRO BOT. Gear up for a supersized space adventure with ASTRO BOT! Charge into a brand-new, supersized adventure with ASTRO across more than 50 exciting and diverse worlds.

23. Sonic x Shadow Generations

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Source: SEGA / Sonic X Shadow Generations / Sonic Central 2024
The fourth Sonic Central livestream event was full of announcements regarding everything Sonic The Hedgehog coming in the future.
The live stream event, which kicked off Tuesday at noon Eastern time, gave fans a glimpse into the world of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.

While it was short on video game-related announcements, there were still a handful of reveals involving Sonic, his buddies, plus his rival Shadow.
Sonic X Shadows Generations Gets Another Trailer & Other Goodies

A new story trailer for the upcoming game was revealed. We also got more cinematic and gameplay footage focusing on Shadow’s standalone campaign, which hints at some time-traveling adventure involving Shadow chasing down Maria.

Fans can also look forward to a 3-part animated prologue called Dark Beginnings that will “delve into the origins of Shadow’s past.” The first episode, “Shadow and Maria,” will air on 9/25, followed by episode two, “Finding The Way,” on 10/03, and episode three, “To The Ark,” on 10/10.

Those who pre-order a physical edition of Sonic x Shadow Generations will get Gerald Robotnik’s 24-page booklet when the game becomes available when the game arrives on October 25.

Sonic Teams Up With DC Comics For An Epic Crossover

Starting in March 2025, Sonic and his buddies will get a DC Comics makeover. Shadow will, of course, don the cape and cowl as Batman, Sonic will suit up as The Flash, Tails will become Cyborg, Knuckles will become Superman, Amy will become Wonder Woman, and Silver the Hedgehog will become Green Lantern.
Sonic Is Coming To Top Golf

You can join Sonic on the golf course virtually soon at a Top Golf near you. Sonic-themed virtual golf courses allow players to avoid obstacles and collect rings like the blue blur by hitting golf balls.
A Behind The Scenes Look At Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is shaping up to be the biggest film in the movie franchise. Not only are all the favorites from the first two films returning, but you can now add Keanu Reeves to the mix, voicing fan-favorite Shadow The Hedgehog.
No new footage from the film was shown, but the team behind the project promised plenty of easter eggs for fans to look out for and shared more information on the film’s plot.

Also announced was Sonic Rumble coming this winter to PC and mobile; Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is getting more Sonic downloadable content, a Sonic motorbike helmet, LEGO collaborations, and more.

Plenty of Sonic for the foreseeable future.

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Source: Sony / PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection
For now, the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection has silenced the negative discourse around the PS5 Pro.
On Thursday, Sony unveiled its fantastic homage to the PS One, putting a retro spin on the base PS5 Slim and recently announced PS5 Pro consoles and accessories.
“To celebrate this 30th anniversary milestone, we had to create something that honored the history and joy that PlayStation has brought us all,” PlayStation platform business CEO Hideaki Nishino said in a video announcing the collection.
Both consoles and all of the accessories are in the iconic PlayStation gray. The chef’s kiss is the addition of the old-school PlayStation logo and a USB-C charging cable that looks like the PS One’s controller cord.

Source: Sony / PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection
The PS5 Pro bundle will feature two DualSense Edge controllers, a controller charging stand, a console stand, a sticker, and a matching cover for those who purchase the Pro removable disc drive.
Source: Sony / PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection
The iconic PS One touch also blesses the PS5’s remote play companion, the PlayStation Portal, and the DualSense Edge pro controller.
We Expect This Bundle To Be Pricey
Sony has not revealed a price for this bundle, but we will not be shocked if it costs an arm and a leg. Pre-orders for the bundle begin on September 26th, and if you want one, you had better move fast because Sony is only making 12,300 of these bad boys.
The response to the collection, specifically the PS5 Pro, has been night and day compared to the fallout when the mid-gen refresh was first announced.

LOL.

You can see more reactions in the gallery below.

1. Yes, yes they did

2. Pretty much

3. PlayStation got one here

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
With the rise of handheld gaming with the Nintendo Switch OLED and Valve Steam Deck, computer company Asus released a new portable PC that makes it possible to play more of your favorite games on-the-go.

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Retailing for $799.99 at Best Buy, the Asus ROG Ally X is a handheld gaming PC that offers speedy and powerful performance with its built-in AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, a sharp 7-inch touchscreen display with Full HD 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz for silky smooth motion and gameplay, a long battery life of up to five hours per charge and impressive 1TB of on-board storage for more games and apps.

The Asus ROG Ally X is a powerful portable gaming PC that runs Windows 11 with access to popular gaming apps, such as Xbox Game Pass (with three months of free service included), Nvidia GeForce Now, Steam, Battle.net, PlayStation Remote Play and more.

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This means you can play your favorite video games, like Hi-Fi Rush, Forza Horizon 5, World of Warcraft: The War Within, Baldur’s Gate 3, Helldivers 2, Star Wars Outlaws, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and others, on-the-go wherever there’s Wi-Fi available.

Asus

Asus ROG Ally X

On its board, the Asus ROG Ally X has all of the buttons and triggers needed to get the most out of your gameplay, including four action buttons, two bumpers, two triggers, two analog sticks and an eight-directional D-pad for precision movement. It even has two mappable macro buttons around back for quick hits and more options.

Meanwhile, if the retail price is too high for you, then Best Buy also has the Asus ROG Ally that was released in 2023 on sale for $549.99, $100 off its list price. It features the same processor, operating system and 7-inch display as the X model, but has less storage space at 512GB, a smaller battery, less memory, and a four-directional D-pad instead of eight.

Now available at Best Buy and Asus, the Asus ROG Ally X is priced at $799.99. In the meantime, watch a trailer for the handheld PC, below:

Additionally, if you need a case for your new Asus ROG Ally X, the WaterField Designs Magnetic Gaming Case is one of the best ways to keep your handheld gaming PC in pristine condition. It’s large enough to carry the device, as well as a few accessories. The case starts at $84 and comes in four colors, such as black, blue, white and chocolate.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

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Source: John Keeble / Getty / Pokémon Company / Nintendo
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have finally taken legal action against the developer of Palworld.
Spotted on Reuters, Nintendo, and The Pokémon Company hit Tokyo-based Pocketpair Inc., developer of Palworld, also called by gamers “Pokemon with guns,” an infringement lawsuit on Wednesday.
Per Reuters:
The lawsuit, filed with the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, seeks an injunction and compensation for damages on the grounds that the game, made by Tokyo-based Pocketpair Inc, infringes multiple patent rights.
The lawsuit comes months after the game’s January release, quickly becoming one of the year’s biggest hits. In the action/survival game, players use guns to capture and train cute creatures called Pals to help them complete missions and build their bases.
Pocketpair confirmed it received the lawsuit Wednesday, noting that it does not know precisely what patents were infringed upon.
The studio said in a statement that it would begin appropriate legal proceedings and look into Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s claims.
“It is truly unfortunate that we will be forced to allocate significant time to matters unrelated to game development due to this lawsuit,” Pocketpair said.

Palworld has been on Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s radar since January, with both companies saying they would look into the game since January.
Millions of dollars later and a partnership with Sony to license the game globally later, Nintendo has finally said aht aht aht.
As expected, this lawsuit has sparked plenty of conversations on social media.
You can see those reactions in the gallery below.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
D&D fans: Lego has a new Lego Dungeons & Dragons Minifigures six-pack available that would make just about any D&D fan, tabletop gaming enthusiast or Lego lover very happy.

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Available at Amazon, the Lego Dungeons & Dragons Minifigures (item No. 66765) set — which is listed in the top five “Best Sellers in Building Toys” category on Amazon — features six random characters for your next D&D campaign play. It’s priced at $29.99.

And if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order now and get a pair of blue light glasses delivered to your home in less than two days thanks to Prime Delivery.

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Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video and Prime Gaming; fast free shipping in less than two days; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market; access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day and Black Friday — and more.

In addition, the Lego Dungeons and Dragons Minifigures (6-pack) is ready to buy at Target.

Lego

Lego Dungeons & Dragons Minifigures (Six-Pack)

There are 12 D&D Minifigures in total. However, this set includes six random characters, such as Tiefling Sorcerer, Elf Bard, Halfling Druid, Dwarf Barbarian, Dragonborn Paladin, Aarakocra Ranger, Gith Warlock, Mind Flayer, The Lady of Pain or Szass Tam.

Mix and match with Lego D&D sets, or add them to any Lego set, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild/Ocarina of Time, Wicked: Emerald City, Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr sets and others, because that’s just part of the fun!

The Lego Dungeons & Dragons Minifigures (6-pack), which is made for builders ages 5 and up, goes for $29.99 and is available for at Amazon and Target.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the seventh installment in the Black Ops series (and the twenty-fourth mainline Call of Duty installment overall), drops for Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on Friday, Oct. 25.

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Ready for pre-order for $69.99 at Target, Black Ops 6 is a first-person shooter with open-world elements from Treyarch, Raven Software and Activision.

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And if you’re a Target Circle member, you can order now and get Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 delivered straight to your home in two days.

Not a member? Sign up for a free membership to take advantage of all that Target Circle has to offer, including access to “deal of the day” products, instant savings on select items, three months of Apple TV+ to watch hit originals, access to exclusive shopping events — such as Target’s Deal Days and early Black Friday deals — and other perks.

If you want to take it a step further, you can sign up for the Target Circle Card (with no annual fee), which offers an extra 5% discount on all purchases, two-day free shipping with no order minimums and more. Learn more about the Target Circle Card here.

In addition, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available for pre-order at Walmart and Amazon.

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Sony PS5

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’

Release date: Oct. 25

Activision

Xbox Series X

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’

Release date: Oct. 25

Set during the Gulf War in Kuwait in the ’90s, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 follows a CIA operative assembling a team of agents to help him take down Pantheon, a secret organization that wants to launch an apocalyptic weapon.

The new games features a single-player campaign, multiplayer action and fan-favorite round-based zombie mode.

Dropping on Friday, Oct. 25, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 comes out for PS5 and Xbox Series X. The game is available for pre-order right now for $69.99 at Target, Walmart and Amazon. In the meantime, watch the gameplay trailer, below.

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Source: BlueTwelve Studio / Annapurna Interactive / Stray
Annapurna Interactive, the game company best known for publishing indie titles like Stray and Neon White, no longer has a staff.
According to Bloomberg, Annapurna Interactive’s entire staff quit after failing to convince Megan Ellison to let them spin off Annapurna Studio’s gaming division into a new company.
“All 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team collectively resigned,” former president Nathan Gary and staffers said to Bloomberg. “This was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make, and we did not take this action lightly.”
A spokesperson for Annapurna said existing games and projects will remain under the company.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gary along with Annapurna Interactives coheads Deborah Mars and Nathan Vellat would be leaving the company.
The website also reports the company planned to “integrate its in-house gaming operations with the rest of Annapurna’s divisions, which include film, TV and theater.”
Hector Sanchez, the former head of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine games business and a cofounder of Annapurna’s gaming division, revealed last month that he would be president of interactive and new media at Annapurna.
Annapurna is no stranger to success. After releasing award-winning films like Her, American Hustle, and Zero Dark Thirty , the company looked to duplicate that success in gaming.
The company announced in 2020 that it would begin developing its own games, launch an in-house animation division in 2022, and work on a film based on Stray.
Last month, Annapurna partnered with Remedy Entertainment to explore ways to bring popular games Control and Alan Wake to television and theaters.
As expected, the reaction to the news of Annapurna Interactive’s entire staff walking has shocked the video game community.
You can see those reactions below.

2. We had a very similar reaction the news

3. It sure does suck

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Although the PlayStation 5 was released just a few years ago in Nov. 2020, Sony announced an upgrade to the company’s PlayStation 5 Pro gaming console coming near the end of 2024. Simply called the PlayStation 5 Pro, the new system promises more realistic graphics, smoother motion and deeper detail for gamers.

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Priced at $699.99, the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro (Digital Edition) gaming console is available for pre-order on Thursday, Sept. 26. It’s set for release a few weeks later on Thursday, Nov. 7.

The PS5 Pro is designed for better performance with high refresh rate 4K TVs and gaming monitors with enhanced AI-upscaled Ultra HD video output of up to 120Hz. This means games will look and move smoother and more fluid without lag or giving up video quality.

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The new gaming console also features advance ray tracing, which means in-game reflections, shadows and illuminations will look more realistic with stunning graphics. This adds to the game’s immersion, so it feels more true to life.

Sony

Sony PlayStation 5 Pro

Meanwhile, all PS5 games — including Astro Bot, Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, The Last of Us, Part II and more — are compatible with the PS5 Pro, which doubles storage capacity from 1TB to 2TB on-board. The gaming console also featured faster Wi-Fi connectivity for quicker downloads, cloud gaming play and data transfers.

The PS5 Pro comes with Sony’s PS DualSense Wireless Controller, which is the best gaming controller for detailed haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. However, if you’d like to add a 4K Ultra HD disc drive, it goes for an additional $79.99. Moreover, a vertical stand for the system goes for a $29.99 add-on.

In addition, all PS5 accessories — such as the PS Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds, PS Pulse Elite Wireless Gaming Headset, PS Portal, PSVR2 Headset and PS Access Controller — work with the PS5 Pro.

Available for pre-order on Thursday, Sept. 26, the new Sony PlayStation 5 Pro is priced at $699.99 with release on Thursday, Nov. 7.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

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Source: PlayStation / PS5 Pro
Sony’s worst-kept secret, the PS5 Pro, is officially here, and it’s sparking a social media discussion that the PlayStation 3 missed out on when it was first revealed.
During a very brief technical presentation, PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny proudly helped unveil the mid-gen refresh, which he boasts will give players the high frame rates they have been longing for on a console.
The PS5 Pro features a much larger GPU, improved Ray Tracing, and custom hardware for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. The companies take on machine learning.
The technical presentation confirmed the PS5 Pro leaks design-wise. It is a taller version of the latest PS5 Slim model, but it has three stripes on both sides of the console.
Via the PlayStation Blog, Hideaki Nishino, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Platform Business Group, broke down the console’s performance specs:

Upgraded GPU: With PS5 Pro, we are upgrading to a GPU that has 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5 console and 28% faster memory. Overall, this enables up to 45% faster rendering for gameplay, making the experience much smoother.
Advanced Ray Tracing: We’ve added even more powerful ray tracing that provides more dynamic reflection and refraction of light. This allows the rays to be cast at double, and at times triple, the speeds of the current PS5 console.
AI-Driven Upscaling: We’re also introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-driven upscaling that uses a machine learning-based technology to provide super sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail.

The PS5 Pro is also a disc-less console and includes a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. The vertical stand is sold separately.
Source: PlayStation / PS5 Pro
These Games Will Be Enhanced For PS5 Pro
We also what games will be getting the “PS5 Pro Enhanced” designation, and they will be Alan Wake 2, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Demon’s Souls, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Gran Turismo 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, The Crew Motorfest, The First Descendant, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, and more.

How Much Does It Cost?
As expected, the PS5 Pro won’t be cheap; it’s going to cost you a lot of money if you want to play with improved graphics and frame rates.
How much, you ask? The PS5 Pro will cost $699.99 / £699.99 / €799.99 / ¥119,980.
Well damn.
As you can imagine, the reactions to the price have many looking at PlayStation with a “you bugging” face and asking why they priced the console so high.
“The PS5 Pro has lines across the middle of the console which are a nod to the lines Sony executives were doing when they priced the thing,” one post on X, formerly Twitter, reads. 
Another user on X wrote, “YOU GUYS ARE SELLING THE DISC DRIVE SEPARATELY FOR A $700 DOLLAR CONSOLE!?!? WE HAVE TO PAY OVER $800 TO GET THE FULL PS5 PRO EXPERIENCE!?! THERE’S JUST NO WAY THEY THOUGHT THIS WAS OK!!!”
Some folks are defending the console’s price.
“Dudes who spent 1500$ on a graphics card are telling you that a more compelling ps5 with better hardware is not worth 6-700$,” a post on X read. 
Another post defending the console’s steep price reads, “Get yourself a PC if you got it like that. I just spent $423 on a CPU alone to fix a microcoding issue. Yet, $700 gaming console is just too bonkers for you – cmon now lol.”
Still ahead of the console’s November 7, 2024 release, the general consensus is PlayStation is bugging. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.

4. Peep this

5. Howling