As reported Windows Central Treyarch is reportedly preparing to launch a new addition to the Call of Duty franchise, set to be another sequel in the Black Ops series. Slated for release in 2024, this latest installment is said to take players back to the early 1990s, specifically during the Gulf War. This setting promises a departure from the futuristic elements seen in some of the previous titles, focusing instead on the era's standard military technology. Treyarch is expected to offer a nuanced perspective of the war, featuring the special ops aspect of the conflict, a hallmark of the Black Ops series.

Zombies Mode: A Classic Returns with a Twist

A major highlight for fans of the series is the anticipated return of the round-based Zombies mode in the upcoming Black Ops game. While the specific format of this mode remains under wraps, there's speculation that it could either stick to the traditional round-based Zombies format or explore something more expansive, akin to Black Ops Cold War's Outbreak mode. This uncertainty suggests Treyarch may be experimenting with new concepts to keep this beloved mode fresh and engaging for both longtime fans and new players.

Early Access Expanding: More Content, Sooner

In an intriguing shift in its release strategy, Activision is reportedly planning to expand the early access model for the upcoming Call of Duty game. Following the trend set by Modern Warfare 2 and 3, where players could access the campaign early through digital pre-orders, this new approach could extend to other game modes, including Zombies. The early access period might also be lengthened, potentially offering players access to parts of the game weeks in advance rather than just a few days. This strategy not only builds anticipation but also provides dedicated fans with more opportunities to dive into the game ahead of its official release, slated for the usual late-fall slot next year.

In an exciting turn of events for fans of both Destiny 2 and The Witcher, Bungie has announced a unique crossover for the upcoming Season of The Wish. Players can look forward to a special addition of cosmetics inspired by the legendary monster-slayer, Geralt of Rivia, from CD Projekt Red's The Witcher series. This crossover represents a thrilling blend of two distinct gaming worlds, bringing a touch of The Witcher's dark fantasy to Destiny 2's sci-fi setting.

A Bounty of Witcher-Inspired Items

With the launch of Season of The Wish, Destiny 2 players will have the opportunity to adorn their guardians with a variety of Witcher-themed items. The game will introduce new armor ornaments, a Ghost shell, a ship, Sparrow, emote, and finisher, all bearing the distinctive aesthetic of Geralt. This array of items offers players a chance to reimagine their guardians with a touch of Geralt's iconic style, further enriching the Destiny 2 experience with these creative and unique additions.

Upcoming Season and Bungie's Recent Changes

The eagerly awaited Season of The Wish is set to debut on November 28, promising a host of new content and experiences for Destiny 2 players. While the pricing details for these Witcher-inspired cosmetics remain under wraps, anticipation is high among the gaming community. In other news, Bungie recently underwent significant changes, with approximately 100 employees laid off from various departments including communications, recruiting, legal, social media, and publishing. This restructuring comes amidst a period of growth and transformation for the company.

Fans of the Call of Duty series have reason to celebrate as the iconic map Shipment makes its return in Modern Warfare 3. Known for its fast-paced and intense gameplay, Shipment is a staple of the franchise, appearing in several previous titles. Its inclusion in MW3's Season One, confirmed by Sledgehammer Games, is a nostalgic nod to the series' rich history, promising to deliver the familiar, exhilarating combat experience that players have come to love.

Expanding the MW3 Experience with a Mix of Old and New Maps

In addition to Shipment, Modern Warfare 3 is set to introduce a variety of maps, including five new arenas specifically designed for a two-on-two game mode, reminiscent of the intense Warzone Gulag battles. These additions complement the four carry-forward maps from Modern Warfare 2, offering a perfect blend of classic and contemporary settings. The season will also see the debut of the new map Training Facility, adding another layer of excitement and challenge to the game.

Celebrating CoD's Legacy in Modern Warfare 3

The reintroduction of Shipment, along with other fan favorites like Terminal, Afgan, and Estate, underscores the developers' commitment to honoring the legacy of the Call of Duty franchise. These maps are not just layouts for combat; they are chapters in the game's history, each carrying memories and stories from past battles. By bringing these classic maps into the modern era, Modern Warfare 3 is bridging the gap between long-time fans and newcomers, offering a rich, diverse experience that celebrates the best of what Call of Duty has to offer. As the community gears up for another thrilling season, the blend of tradition and innovation in MW3 is set to captivate and engage players worldwide.

In a recent Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit, Sledgehammer Games, the developers behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, tackled various questions from the gaming community. However, they notably skirted around discussing Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM), a topic of significant interest among players. Despite the community's persistent queries about modifying or removing SBMM, the developers, likely bound by directives from Activision, did not address these concerns. Amidst these unaddressed issues, the game's movement, weapons, and maps continue to receive positive feedback from the majority of players.

Upcoming Changes: Non-Disbanding Lobbies and Weapon Meta

One significant change on the horizon for MW3 is the potential return of non-disbanding lobbies, a feature fondly remembered from earlier CoD titles. Sledgehammer Games revealed plans to test non-disbanding lobbies with a select group of players. If successful, this change might be rolled out to all players, reviving the classic Call of Duty experience of continuous play in the same lobby. Additionally, the developers emphasized their focus on weapon balancing, aiming for a dynamic weapon meta that evolves from season to season. This approach is intended to accommodate various playstyles within the community, ensuring both fairness and diversity in gameplay.

Improving Performance and Teasing Future Content

Sledgehammer Games also addressed ongoing technical issues like desync, hitmarker inconsistency, and lag, asserting their commitment to enhancing server and game performance. They confirmed that numerous improvements have already been implemented, with more in the pipeline. Looking forward, players can expect the introduction of shotguns and sniper rifles from past Modern Warfare series in future updates. Moreover, the team is working on another fix for the Gaia "Groot" skin and is continually addressing issues such as packet burst. These updates and fixes indicate Sledgehammer's ongoing efforts to refine the gaming experience and respond to player feedback in Modern Warfare 3.

The Call of Duty League is set to ignite enthusiasm among its fans with the announcement of the maps and modes for the upcoming 2024 season. In an intriguing blend of past and present, the league will initially feature exclusively remastered maps from Modern Warfare 2 (2009), now part of Modern Warfare 3, for its initial lineup. This decision marks a significant nod to the franchise's history, evoking a sense of nostalgia while offering a fresh competitive environment.

Modes of Play: A Trio of Competitive Challenges

Continuing with a tried and tested formula, the 2024 season will see players engage in three distinct modes: Hardpoint, Control, and Search and Destroy. Each mode presents its unique strategic and skill challenges, promising a diverse and dynamic competitive landscape. The initial map pool comprises six maps, each carefully selected to enhance the gaming experience across these modes. While this selection currently excludes downloadable content maps, the league has a history of expanding its map pool, leaving the door open for future additions.

Navigating the Dynamics of Classic Maps in Modern Play

The choice of classic maps, while steeped in nostalgia, raises interesting considerations for gameplay, particularly in terms of spawn systems and map dynamics. Certain maps like Terminal and Highrise have been subjects of player feedback regarding their compatibility with updated respawn modes. The league's response to these concerns, including potential adjustments to improve playability in a competitive setting, remains a focal point of interest. Additionally, there's anticipation around the integration of popular maps from the previous year, such as Mercado Las Almas and Farm 18, into the MW3 framework. Whether these additions will materialize, keeping the focus solely on the current game cycle, or if they will bring a familiar terrain back into the competitive fold, is a matter of keen speculation among players and fans alike.

As spotted by Eurogamer, a recent LinkedIn profile update by a former Gearbox Software employee has unintentionally revealed potential sequels to two popular game titles, Borderlands 4 and Tiny Tina's Wonderland 2. Gearbox Software, renowned for its Borderlands series and Tiny Tina's Wonderland spin-off, has left fans eagerly awaiting news of any upcoming installments. The absence of updates since the release of Borderlands 3 in 2019 and Tiny Tina's Wonderland in 2022 has fueled curiosity about the future of these beloved franchises. However, this accidental revelation from a former studio technical director's LinkedIn profile has sparked excitement among fans.

Unveiling the Sequels in a LinkedIn Work History

The LinkedIn profile of the former Gearbox employee provided a surprising glimpse into the studio's plans. Within their work history at Gearbox, the employee had overseen a team and contributed to the development of Borderlands 4 and Tiny Tina's Wonderland 2, utilizing Unreal Engine 4. While this revelation suggests that these titles are indeed in the works, it's important to note that the development process is likely in its early stages. Gamers might need to exercise patience, as it could be several years before these sequels see the light of day.

The Dilemma of Early Announcements

The accidental leak of Borderlands 4 and Tiny Tina's Wonderland 2 raises questions about when and how game developers should officially announce their projects. In the past, some developers have faced criticism for revealing titles too early in the development cycle. An illustrative example is Bethesda's announcement of Elder Scrolls 6 in 2018, which remains unreleased five years later. Todd Howard, a prominent figure at Bethesda, has expressed regret over the early announcement, attributing it to fan pressure. The extended development time for Starfield suggests that fans may need to exercise patience as they await the release of Elder Scrolls 6.

While the accidental disclosure on LinkedIn has excited fans, it's essential to approach these revelations with cautious optimism. The world of game development is often marked by twists and turns, and the road to release can be a lengthy one. For now, fans of Borderlands and Tiny Tina's Wonderland can eagerly anticipate the future while keeping an eye out for official announcements from Gearbox Software.

Naughty Dog, the acclaimed developer, is set to release The Last of Us Part II Remastered for the PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024. This eagerly anticipated remaster promises to offer both new and returning players the definitive way to experience the emotional and gripping sequel to the original, which was initially released in 2020.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered comes packed with exciting new features and game modes. One of the standout additions is the "No Return" mode, a roguelike survival experience that introduces randomized encounters, allowing players to test their skills in fresh, challenging scenarios. This mode offers a variety of playable characters, each with unique traits to suit different playstyles. Players will navigate a series of stealth and combat encounters against a range of enemies, with unexpected twists adding excitement to each confrontation. As you progress, you can unlock new characters, skins, and more to customize your runs and compete on a global leaderboard in the Daily Run.

Fans of the original game's guitar-playing sequences will be pleased to hear about the new "Guitar Free Play" mode. This mode lets you strum the strings of various unlockable instruments, apply audio FX pedals to modulate your performance and play as different characters in different in-game locations, allowing you to create a personalized musical experience.

A Deeper Dive Behind the Scenes

The Last of Us Part II Remastered offers players an exclusive look behind the scenes with a new set of "Lost Levels." These levels provide insight into the game's development and include developer commentary to provide context and a deeper understanding of the creative process. This unique addition allows players to explore early-development slices of the game, offering new glimpses into the world of Part II.

Additionally, director's commentary from Neil Druckmann, narrative lead Halley Gross, and actors Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Laura Bailey has been newly recorded and is included across the campaign's cutscenes. This commentary offers valuable insight into the story and characters that have captivated both the development team and fans.

Enhanced Graphics and Immersive Features

The remastered version takes full advantage of the PlayStation 5's capabilities. It features enhanced graphics, including native 4K output in Fidelity Mode, 1440p upscaled to 4K in Performance Mode, and an Unlocked Framerate option for VRR-supported TVs. Players can expect increased texture resolution, improved shadow quality, animation sampling rate, and more, bringing the world of The Last of Us Part II to life with greater richness and detail.

The PlayStation 5's power and features are also harnessed for improved loading times. DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are integrated to further immerse players in the game's combat and exploration moments.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered ensures that the award-winning suite of accessibility options from the original is retained. New additions include Descriptive Audio and Speech to Vibrations, which uses the DualSense controller to indicate character speech and cadence. Speedrun Mode, previously included in The Last of Us Part I, makes its way to Part II Remastered, allowing players to compete for the best times.

Preorders and Upgrades

Preorders for The Last of Us Part II Remastered will be available from December 5. Existing owners of The Last of Us Part II on PlayStation 4 can upgrade to the digital version of Part II Remastered for $10 USD at launch. They can also import their saves from the original game to continue their journey with Ellie and Abby.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered promises to be the definitive way to experience this emotionally charged and visually stunning game. Don't miss out on the opportunity to relive or discover the captivating story of Ellie and Abby when it launches on PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024.

In a significant move to enhance online safety, Epic Games has introduced a new voice reporting feature in Fortnite. This addition is designed to offer players a method to report inappropriate behavior in voice chats, enhancing the overall gaming experience and community well-being.

Epic Games' latest feature is particularly focused on safeguarding young players. For gamers under 18, the voice chat monitoring is automatically activated, continuously recording voice chats. The only way to circumvent this recording is by either muting the microphone or disabling voice chat entirely. This proactive approach ensures that younger players are less exposed to potentially harmful interactions, aligning with the broader industry trend of prioritizing online safety for minors.

Reporting Mechanism and Privacy Measures

The reporting process involves capturing the last five minutes of a voice chat, which is then securely uploaded to Epic's servers for review by moderators. This system operates on a rolling basis, ensuring that only the most recent interactions are captured and older recordings are automatically deleted. For adults, the feature offers customization options within the audio settings, allowing them to decide their level of participation. Epic emphasizes the confidentiality and security of these voice clips, which are automatically erased after 14 days or once the review process is concluded, unless legal reasons necessitate longer retention.

Epic Games Joins Industry Trends in Online Safety

This initiative by Epic Games mirrors efforts by other major gaming companies like Microsoft, Riot Games, and Sony, who have all implemented similar voice chat recording tools to combat inappropriate behavior in online gaming environments. Additionally, Epic has introduced age ratings for all playable content in Fortnite, furthering its commitment to providing a safe and age-appropriate gaming environment. This move signals a significant step in the gaming industry's ongoing efforts to create safer, more inclusive online spaces.

Navigating a vast gaming library just got easier with the latest GeForce NOW app update. The update introduces a much-anticipated feature: Xbox Game Sync. This allows members to link their Xbox accounts with GeForce NOW, seamlessly integrating their owned games into the GeForce NOW streaming library. The sync also extends to PC Game Pass titles, making it an ideal complement for subscribers of the GeForce NOW Ultimate bundle. Alongside this, the update enhances the experience for Ubisoft+ subscribers. By linking their Ubisoft+ accounts, members can launch supported Ubisoft+ titles directly from the GeForce NOW app, automatically populating their library with familiar favorites. The latest app version, 2.0.58, also expands its game session diagnostic tools, offering codec information and stream quality metrics to ensure optimal gaming sessions. These enhancements collectively enrich the cloud gaming experience, bringing ease and efficiency to game management and selection.

Exclusive Membership Bundle: GeForce NOW Meets PC Game Pass

In a thrilling development for gamers, NVIDIA has unveiled a unique offer that combines the best of cloud gaming with the extensive library of PC Game Pass. For a limited period, every six-month subscription to GeForce NOW's Ultimate membership will include an additional three months of PC Game Pass at no extra cost. This exclusive bundle, valued at $30, opens up a world of high-quality Xbox PC titles, playable on powerful GeForce RTX 4080 cloud rigs. Gamers can dive into beloved series like Age of Empires, DOOM, and Forza, experiencing them at stunning resolutions of up to 4K and frame rates up to 240 fps, thanks to NVIDIA Reflex technology. This limited-time offer promises to redefine the cloud gaming landscape, delivering unprecedented performance and variety.

Weekly Game Additions and Exclusive Rewards

GeForce NOW continues to expand its already extensive game library with the addition of 18 new titles this week, ensuring that members have a steady stream of fresh content to explore. Alongside this expansive game catalog, GeForce NOW is also offering an exclusive reward for Guild Wars 2, available only to its members. This special treat adds another layer of excitement and exclusivity to the GeForce NOW experience, promising unique in-game benefits for loyal gamers. With these continuous updates and perks, GeForce NOW solidifies its position as a dynamic and ever-evolving cloud gaming service, catering to the diverse preferences and interests of its global gaming community.

The latest playlist update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has launched, bringing a nostalgic experience for players with the introduction of Terminal 24/7. This dedicated playlist centers around the beloved airport map, known for its intense combat and memorable moments. Players can indulge in various modes such as Kill Confirmed, Domination, Hardpoint, and Team Deathmatch, recreating the classic warfare scenarios reminiscent of the 2009 gaming era. This update caters to long-time fans, offering a trip down memory lane with the return of iconic features like Harriers and AC-130s.

Modern Warfare 2 Mosh Pit: Reviving Classic Maps

Adding to the retro feel, the update also introduces the Modern Warfare 2 Mosh Pit playlist, featuring a selection of four popular maps from the previous year's MW2 installment. Maps like Farm 18, Crown Raceway, Shoot House, and Mercado Las Almas are now exclusively available in this playlist, allowing players to explore a variety of modes set in these familiar terrains. This move not only adds diversity to the gameplay but also honors the legacy of the Modern Warfare series.

Experimental Playlist: Testing New Features

Perhaps the most intriguing addition is the Experimental Playlist, a unique space where developers test out innovative game modes and features. This week, players can engage in all MW3 maps across respawn modes like TDM, Domination, Hardpoint, and Kill Confirmed, now enhanced with highlighted outlines around both friendly and enemy players. This feature aims to provide a fresh perspective on gameplay, though initial reactions suggest the outlines are subtle. The Experimental Playlist serves as a testing ground, inviting players to experience and provide feedback on these potential game changes.

As the developers at Sledgehammer Games continue to experiment and evolve the game, players can expect weekly rotations of playlists, introducing new combinations of maps and modes. The current additions are now live in MW3, offering players the opportunity to dive into these updated experiences before the next round of changes rolls out. Whether you're a veteran of the series or a newcomer, these updates promise a dynamic and engaging return to the battlefield.