The Epic Games Store’s extensive Holiday Sale is in full swing, featuring a daily giveaway of free games. Starting on December 19, players can add a substantial free game to their library. Destiny 2: Legacy Collection, comprising three expansions, is available for free on the Epic Games Store until December 20.
Epic Games Store Holiday Sale 2023: Discounts and Free Games Galore
Commencing on December 19, the Epic Games Store is set to feature a daily giveaway of free games, with notable titles likely to be unveiled on Christmas Day. Throughout the giveaway period until January 4, 2024, users can anticipate a mix of AAA and indie games to enhance their gaming library.
In tandem with the free game offerings, the Holiday Sale 2023 on the Epic Games Store boasts enticing discounts on popular titles such as Alan Wake II, FC 24, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Hogwarts Legacy, Red Dead Redemption 2, Mortal Kombat I, and more. Additionally, users will receive a 33% discount coupon applicable to any purchase exceeding $14.99 (approximately INR 1,249) during the sale. This coupon can be applied to already discounted games, providing users with additional savings, or utilized for purchasing multiple games at an attractive bundled price.
Here are some standout deals on games featured in the Epic Games Holiday Sale 2023:
Game
Price
Alan Wake II
INR 2198.4 (20% off)
FC 24
INR 1399.6 (60% off)
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
INR 1749.3 (60% off)
Dead Island 2
INR 1979.4 (40% off)
Hogwarts Legacy
INR 2399.4 (40% off)
Mortal Kombat 1
INR 2699.4 (40% off)
Payday 3
INR 1679.25 (25% off)
Red Dead Redemption 2
INR 1,055.67 (67% off)
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
INR 1,749.50 (50% off)
Dead by Daylight: Ultimate Edition
INR 1,374.50 (50% off)
LEGO 2K Drive
INR 1,121.67 (67% off)
The Last of Us Part I
INR 2,679.33 (33% off)
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
INR 2,399.40 (40% off)
Dead Space
INR 1,199.60 (60% off)
God of War
INR 1,649.50 (50% off)
Claim Destiny 2: Legacy Collection for free on the Epic Games Store
The Destiny 2: Legacy Collection encompasses three expansions—Shadowkeep (2019), Beyond Light (2021), and The Witch Queen (2022). It features 37 potent Exotic weapons, 15 Exotic armor pieces, and provides access to the Stasis subclass. You can now acquire the game for free on the Epic Games Store.
Users of X/Twitter experienced a notable link outage in the last few hours, causing clicks on links to lead to error pages. This widespread issue affected the platform, but as of now, it seems to have been resolved, and links on X/Twitter are functioning properly again. Reports of problems began around 1 pm ET, as noted by IGN’s sister site Downdetector. While the main site initially appeared normal, attempting to click on links within articles resulted in an error message, indicating that the page was down. Notably, ads on the platform appeared unaffected by the outage.
Users encountered an error page when attempting to click on links to external websites during the outage.
This marks the second time this year that X/Twitter has experienced such an outage. In early March, TechCrunch reported a similar incident where links and images were disrupted on the platform. The company attributed the outage to “an internal change that had some unintended consequences.” Platformer later revealed that the error was made by the sole engineer remaining on the reliability engineer team after significant layoffs at the company.
As of now, the official X Support account has not issued a statement on the recent outage. X Corp. CEO Linda Yaccarino and X Corp. owner Elon Musk have also not provided any comments.
Hogwarts Legacy Conjures Up a Challenge for Call of Duty and Rockstar’s US Sales Reign
For over a decade, Call of Duty has reigned supreme, year after year, atop the US video game sales charts. Only Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V dared to break its streak. But now, a new challenger has emerged from the mists of Hogwarts: Hogwarts Legacy.
Circana’s monthly report paints a surprising picture. Modern Warfare 2 may have secured November’s top spot, but for the year so far, it’s Hogwarts Legacy that holds the crown. And with its current momentum, the magical title could very well finish 2023 as the undisputed champion.
This potential upset would mark a historic shift. Since 2008, when Rock Band ruled the charts, the top spot has belonged exclusively to either Call of Duty or a Rockstar game. Hogwarts Legacy’s potential victory would rewrite the script, proving that even the mightiest franchises can be dethroned by a captivating new world.
So, brace yourselves for a thrilling battle between veteran titans and a rising star. Will Call of Duty and Rockstar reclaim their dominance, or will Hogwarts Legacy etch its name in the annals of US video game history? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain: the competition has never been more magical.
So, what’s the scenario here? Is Hogwarts Legacy simply performing exceptionally well, or is Call of Duty facing a downturn this year? According to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, it’s a bit of both. Piscatella, in conversation with Circana, confirms that Hogwarts Legacy has indeed showcased remarkable performance, further boosted by its recent launch on the Switch. It secured the second-best-selling spot on the Switch in dollar sales for November, following only Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
On the flip side, full game dollar sales for Modern Warfare 3 are trailing behind Modern Warfare 2’s performance from the same period last year, influenced by various factors, including its slightly later launch in the year. Piscatella clarifies, “It’s not to say that Modern Warfare 3 is doing poorly (it is already the 2nd best-selling game of 2023 after all), but no, it is not currently meeting what Modern Warfare II did a year ago.”
Hardware Experiences Significant Decline in 2023
While headlines might be dominated by Hogwarts Legacy’s magical ascent, a closer look at Circana’s latest report reveals a more complex picture for the November game sales landscape. Here are some key takeaways:
Hardware Hits a Slump:
Overall hardware sales dipped 24% year-over-year in November, with all current-gen consoles experiencing over 20% declines in dollar sales. Even the ever-resilient Switch saw a dip, likely due to its age and growing anticipation for new hardware. Analyst Mat Piscatella offers a nuanced perspective, reminding us that last year’s November saw consoles finally meeting pent-up demand after supply constraints. So, while the year-on-year numbers look rough, the bigger picture shows a market adjusting after a period of elevated supply. This “comp issue,” as Piscatella aptly puts it, is expected to linger in December but settle out by January.
Software Sees Surprises:
Despite the hardware dip, the software side offered some interesting highlights. Super Mario RPG Remake, fueled by physical sales alone (Nintendo keeps its digital sales under wraps), debuted at No.7, proving the enduring appeal of classic RPGs. Anime fans rejoiced with Naruto X Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections entering at No.12, while Star Ocean: The Second Story R secured a spot at No.17. Discounts also played a role, with God of War: Ragnarok experiencing a chart boost thanks to a 50% Black Friday discount, and Just Dance 2024 leaping from No.73 in October to No.20 in November, likely for the same reason.
A Year-End Shuffle:
While Hogwarts Legacy might be stealing the spotlight, the November report paints a broader picture of a market in flux. Hardware sales are adjusting after a year of supply constraints, and software continues to offer diverse opportunities for success. As we head towards December and the holiday season, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and who emerges as the ultimate champion of the year-end sales battle.
So, the next time you see a headline about the “death” of hardware or the dominance of a single game, remember, the story behind the numbers is often richer and more nuanced than it appears. Stay tuned for further updates on the ever-evolving landscape of the video game industry!
Image Credit: Circana
In the realm of hardware, the PlayStation 5 maintains its position as the best-selling platform of 2023 in both units and dollar sales, closely trailed by the Switch. However, for the month of November, the Xbox Series secured the second spot.
The comprehensive insights into the full-year performance across these categories are anticipated in January with Circana’s annual report and analysis. Worth mentioning is the absence of Grand Theft Auto 6 data, as Take-Two Interactive no longer supplies the necessary information to be included in Circana’s charts. Regardless of Hogwarts’ potential victory this year, Call of Duty is expected to resume its dominance in Circana’s rankings in the years to come. Business as usual.
According to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, the absence of Alan Wake 2 from the top 20 sales charts is primarily due to data reporting challenges. Circana relies on data from physical retailers and select digital data provided by publishers and storefronts. Notably, certain publishers, like Nintendo, do not share digital sales data with Circana. In the case of Alan Wake 2, since it had no physical release and its publisher Epic Games doesn’t provide digital sales data to Circana, the sales performance remains undisclosed. Piscatella did mention that Alan Wake 2 ranked 147th on Xbox Series and 115th on PlayStation 5 in Monthly Active Users (MAUs) in November, offering some insight, but the complete sales picture remains unclear. Ampere Analysis’ Piers Harding-Rolls estimates that globally, on consoles alone, Alan Wake 2 sold approximately 850,000 copies by the end of November.
Our global Alan Wake 2 sales estimate across console end of Nov is ~850k
Think there will be a fair amount of interest at a reduced price, and then there is sub service inclusion down the line (I assume)
The absence of Alan Wake 2 from the top 20 sales charts is attributed to data reporting challenges, with Circana relying on incomplete data from physical retailers and select digital sources. Notably, publishers like Nintendo and Epic Games, which don’t share digital sales data, contribute to the incomplete picture. Mat Piscatella mentioned that Alan Wake 2 ranked 147th on Xbox Series and 115th on PlayStation 5 in Monthly Active Users (MAUs) in November, offering partial insight. According to Ampere Analysis’ Piers Harding-Rolls, Alan Wake 2 sold around 850,000 copies globally on consoles alone by the end of November. While this figure may seem relatively low, comparing it to Remedy’s previous title Control, which sold two million units in its first year, provides context. Control’s sales included a physical release, but even with that, only 10% were reported as digital. The decision to forgo a physical edition for Alan Wake 2 might have saved Remedy money, and word-of-mouth could play a significant role in its success over time. Remedy has not responded to requests for comment.
In response to a viral topless stream featuring an OnlyFans model, Twitch has updated its sexual content guidelines. The changes now permit “artistic depictions of nudity,” including erotic dances, body writing, and content that highlights certain body regions, as long as it is properly labeled. The updated guidelines also address nudity in gaming, differentiating between prohibited pornographic games and those with incidental nudity. The move has sparked discussions and humor on social media under the trending term “Artistic Nudity.”
Twitch has faced ongoing challenges in managing sexual content on its platform
Twitch has encountered ongoing challenges in managing explicit content, with incidents like the “hot tub meta” in 2021, where streamers engaged in suggestive behavior in jacuzzis. In 2022, Twitch removed a feature that was exploited to promote explicit content on its front page. Recently, an OnlyFans model named Morgpie garnered attention for seemingly appearing topless on a stream while cleverly staying within Twitch’s guidelines. This incident sparked discussions among Twitch users, prompting the platform to clarify its rules. Despite operating within the terms of service, Morgpie faced a ban shortly after the incident. The ambiguity in Twitch’s guidelines and the ensuing debates highlight the ongoing struggle to strike a balance on the platform. Twitch is now seeking feedback and considering personalized viewer settings for the future.
GodLike Esports, a prominent name in BGMI esports, faced a setback as they did not secure a spot in the Battlegrounds Mobile Pro Series 2023 finals. This unexpected turn left their fans disappointed, prompting Jonathan to issue a statement explaining the situation.
Jonathan of GodLike Esports addresses the team’s exit from BMPS 2023
Jonathan, a member of GodLike Esports and a renowned content creator, shared an Instagram story acknowledging the challenging year for him and the team. Despite facing numerous obstacles, he expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering love and support. Jonathan described this period as the “lowest point” in his life but maintained a positive outlook, assuring that he is not retiring and will persist until he achieves his goals. He affirmed, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Credit: Jonathan Gaming (via AFK Gaming)
GodLike Esports has faced a challenging year, with limited reasons for celebration apart from their victory in the IQOO Pro Series. Following that success, the team struggled to regain momentum, consistently finishing below the 16th rank in the subsequent six tournaments, as noted by AFK Gaming. With only one victory throughout the year, fans had higher expectations, especially with star names like Jonathan and Abhijeet ‘Ghatak’ Andhare associated with the team.
Abhijeet ‘Ghatak’ Andhare, a prominent figure associated with GodLike Esports, has decided to part ways with the team.
In a recent announcement, GodLike Esports bid farewell to Abhijeet ‘Ghatak’ Andhare, their esteemed coach. The organization released a heartfelt tribute video, recognizing Ghatak’s invaluable mentorship and his significant contributions to the team’s victories in events like the PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2021, Skyesports Championship 3.0, IQOO Pro Series, and more.
A former Rockstar developer has made an attempt to clarify why Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release on PC after its initial launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. The recently unveiled trailer confirmed a 2025 release date for GTA 6, but the limited platforms at launch—specifically, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S—stirred controversy within the PC gaming community. PC gamers now find themselves in the dilemma of waiting for the PC release or opting for a console version initially. In response to the mixed reactions from PC gamers, Mike York, a former Rockstar animator, provided insights into the potential reasoning behind Rockstar’s decision in a new video.
“The reason why a PC port comes later and not the first thing that comes out is because they want to prioritize what sells,” York explained. “Most of the time, especially in the past, PlayStation was the big seller. PlayStation was the console to have. It sold more than any other console for the most part. Everybody’s playing PlayStation.”
York mentioned that for GTA 5, Rockstar prioritized the PS3, developing the Xbox 360 port simultaneously before addressing the PC version post-launch. GTA 5 initially launched on PS3 and Xbox 360 in September 2013, followed by releases on PS4 and Xbox One in November 2014. The PC version arrived later in April 2015, and versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S launched in March 2022.
York’s argument delves into the challenges of developing a PC version for a complex and extensive game like GTA, considering the multitude of potential hardware configurations. He emphasizes the extensive testing required for a quality PC launch, making it the primary reason why Rockstar tends to release PC versions after the console counterparts, a pattern expected to continue with GTA 6.
In emphasizing the challenges of developing a PC port, former Rockstar developer Mike York highlighted the crucial aspect of distinct architectures and components. He explained that PlayStation and Xbox consoles have uniform hardware, making testing more straightforward. However, the vast diversity in PC setups, including different CPUs, GPUs, and memory usage, creates complexities. York stressed the necessity for extensive testing on various PC configurations, making it a more intricate and resource-intensive process compared to console testing, where the game is tested on a more standardized platform. The variability in PC setups poses potential challenges and increases the need for rigorous testing to ensure compatibility and performance across diverse systems.
Regardless of the circumstances, York urged PC gamers to extend the “benefit of the doubt” to Rockstar and refrain from sending angry messages to the staff regarding the GTA 6 launch plans.
“I heard one guy say, ‘it’s not rocket science.’ But it might be harder than rocket science in some situations. Like, literally,” York emphasized. “This stuff is very complicated, with the coding and the different things you have to do in order to get it to work properly, and all the testing you have to do.
“So, don’t get mad at the developers or come at them and be upset. Just try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Try to give them the time to hopefully deliver these ports. Go in the comment sections on these and say hey, it’s okay guys, take your time. Take your time! Let the developers know it’s okay to take their time so they can deliver the best game they can to you.”
Counter-Strike 2 recently faced a security vulnerability related to HTML injection exploits, potentially exposing players’ IP addresses. A prompt response from the development team led to the swift patching of this vulnerability.
The security flaw in Counter-Strike 2 allowed attackers to exploit HTML injection, putting players at risk of having their IP addresses exposed. This issue raised concerns about potential privacy breaches and the need for a quick resolution.
Following the identification of the vulnerability, the development team acted promptly to address the security concern. The subsequent patch ensured that players were protected from HTML injection exploits, safeguarding their IP addresses and maintaining the integrity of the gaming experience.
This incident highlights the significance of rapid response and proactive security measures in online gaming platforms to protect players’ privacy and maintain a secure gaming environment.
theres an exploit in cs2 which allows you to use javascript for example to embed images in lobby invites and votekicks by adding a javascript line in your steam @valvesoftware@CounterStrike pls fix :3 pic.twitter.com/TRV0JCJc12
Valve Resolves HTML Injection Flaw in Counter-Strike 2, Preventing Exploits that Exposed Players’ IP Addresses
Valve has reportedly addressed and fixed a significant HTML injection flaw in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) that was being exploited to inject images into games, potentially exposing players’ IP addresses. Initially mistaken for a severe Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, it was clarified as an HTML injection flaw, specifically allowing the injection of images.
CS2 utilizes Valve’s Panorama UI, a user interface heavily reliant on CSS, HTML, and JavaScript for design. The flaw involved the misuse of HTML injection to insert images into the kick voting panel. While some users exploited it for harmless amusement, others took advantage of the vulnerability to extract IP addresses of fellow gamers in the match.
Valve Takes Swift Action to Fix HTML Injection Exploit in Counter-Strike 2
By utilizing the tag, malicious actors could trigger a remote IP logger script, logging the IP address of every player exposed to the vote kick. This information could potentially be misused, leading to actions like launching DDoS attacks to disconnect players from the ongoing match.
Valve responded promptly by releasing a small 7MB update that reportedly fixes the vulnerability, ensuring that any entered HTML is sanitized to a regular string. This prevents the rendered user interface from displaying injected HTML and minimizes the risk of further exploitation.
BleepingComputer has reached out to Valve for confirmation on the effectiveness of the update but has not received a response as of yet. Notably, a similar but more critical bug was discovered in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s Panorama UI in 2019, allowing HTML injection via the kick feature and presenting a potential remote execution of commands through JavaScript.
Following earlier hints, Sony has officially introduced the arrival of PlayStation VR 2 in India, nearly a year after its global launch. The company not only disclosed the VR headset’s price but also provided information on where customers can make their purchases. Here are all the details you need to know about the Sony PlayStation VR headset.
The Sony PlayStation VR2 headset is set at ₹57,999 and will be accessible through prominent retailers and online platforms such as Shop At SC, Amazon India, Flipkart, Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, and others. Additionally, the Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle will be available in India at ₹61,999. This package includes a PlayStation Store voucher code for Horizon Call of the Mountain, the VR installment in the renowned Horizon series developed by Guerilla Games and Firesprite.
The PS VR2, launched on February 22, 2023, debuted with an impressive lineup of 40 titles. This cutting-edge headset delivers 4K resolution output, HDR capability, and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, among other next-gen features.
The PS VR2 headset, available for multiple platforms, received high acclaim and was awarded an outstanding score, stating, “With top-notch visual quality and immersive tactile Sense controllers, PlayStation VR2 represents a quantum leap over its predecessor, setting a new standard for console VR gaming.”
If you’re contemplating the acquisition of the PlayStation VR2, IGN provides a guide suggesting the initial games you should consider exploring.
Amid the barrage of launch announcements, PlayStation India’s social media posts are inundated with numerous queries regarding the availability of the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Collector’s Edition in India. Pre-order customers are still eagerly anticipating its arrival.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the latest offering from Activision, promises to be a pinnacle for long-term CoD enthusiasts. However, after completing the campaign, only the ‘latest title’ part holds true from that claim. Playing on the PlayStation 5 without graphics customizations, the game maintained a smooth 60 fps throughout, yet imperfections emerged during transitions between cutscenes and gameplay. These issues extended to the installation process, casting a shadow on a AAA title from a renowned game developer and publisher. Explore the intricacies in my comprehensive review of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Initial Hiccups: The journey began with the daunting task of downloading the game. Despite offering the option to download only the Campaign, the game insisted on updating Multiplayer and Warzone as well upon launch. This contradicts the initial choice and raises questions about the purpose of providing such an option. Furthermore, the game’s substantial size, occupying 170GB on the PlayStation 5, adds to the frustration. Accessing the Campaign mode during the download process was impossible without simultaneously downloading Multiplayer and Warzone, causing confusion and inconvenience. The overall experience was marred by multiple restarts and ongoing updates, creating a disappointing prelude to the gaming experience.
Dynamic yet Lackluster Narrative:
Upon launching the game, the action-packed commencement of the campaign piqued my interest. However, gameplay innovations were scarce, with the ascenders being the sole noteworthy addition. For seasoned players familiar with the series, the reunion of Task Force 141 was undoubtedly a highlight. The game strategically utilized established characters, continuing the narrative from the previous title (Modern Warfare 2) and incorporating elements from the free-to-play offering Warzone. While this approach caters to Call of Duty enthusiasts, it poses challenges for newcomers, making it intricate and perplexing to immerse oneself in the franchise’s storyline.
Overall, the characters, especially members of Task Force 141—John “Soap” MacTavish, John Price, Gary “Roach” Sanderson, Farah Karim, Kyle “Gas” Garrick, and Simon “Ghost” Riley—contributed to a compelling narrative with noteworthy dialogues and exceptional voice acting. The antagonist, Vladimir Makarov, emerged as a well-established villain in the franchise, characterized by his intelligence, cunning nature, and utter lack of morals—a perfect embodiment of chaos befitting the game’s theme. His return added depth to the narrative.
Despite a promising storyline, Activision fell short in its presentation. Throughout my gameplay, the narrative lacked the captivating allure I anticipated. Some sequences and dialogues felt mundane, contributing little to the overall story. Additionally, the campaign’s brevity was a drawback, leaving it feeling more like a brief episode than a comprehensive Call of Duty campaign. Even with exploration, the 14 campaign missions raced by too swiftly. While certain moments, like the Flight sequence, stood out, the overall experience lacked the consistency needed to make it truly memorable.
Performance of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: Throughout my playthrough, the game maintained consistent performance, with no noticeable frame drops except for the mentioned choppiness during transitions between gameplay and cutscenes. This issue likely stemmed from the cutscenes playing at a lower frame rate than the actual game.
Value for Money: Priced at INR 5,599 across all platforms—PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC—with no regional pricing in India, the game’s value proposition is a matter of contention. For players primarily interested in the campaign, the title falls short in justifying its cost. The campaign offers a mere 6-8 hours of gameplay with a lackluster story and minimal innovation. While the multiplayer aspect may attract most players, the hefty price tag includes the campaign, and Activision seems to have missed the mark in delivering a compelling single-player experience for the asking price.
The Verdict: Modern Warfare 3’s campaign disappoints, committing a cardinal sin for a globe-trotting action thriller—it’s dull. What could have been an intriguingly woven mystery turns out to be a lackluster web, reminiscent of a dusty cobweb at the back of a shed. The narrative fails to live up to past standards, featuring underdeveloped story moments that clash with attempts to introduce new open combat missions. Despite commendable gunplay, top-tier graphics, and sound design, the overall experience feels like a shinier but less nuanced version of familiar gameplay. If this represents the current standard for Call of Duty campaigns, perhaps taking a year or two to reset and elevate the bar would be a wise move.
