Communication is key to success in PUBG, and the ping system lets y??????????????????????????ou quickly share vital information with your friends.

Whether you're playing on your PC or console??, you can use the ping option to mark enemies, items, and locations for your allies. Being on a voice chat helps, but a simple ping reduces the need for words between you and your buddies. Let's look at how the system works on both PC and consoles.

How to use the Ping function in PUBG

Whether you're playing on a PC or console, the core function of Ping is the same. It helps your buddy see something they haven't but you have. To ping, you can ?use the Middle Mouse button, and the object/enemy/location will be highlighted on the map.

On consoles, you'll need to aim at the object/enemy and press the RB/Right Bumper button to mark. While the system ??is easier to manage on a PC with a mouse, those on controllers can make good use of it if they know what they're doing.

The ping system has been improved in previous updates, which lets you mark almost anything in PUBG. Here are the three main uses of the ping inside ?a game.

• Mark enemies - This makes eliminating enemies easier, as your ally will know precisely where to look. This is even more useful if someone does the spotting with a sniper rifle, as it's easier to spot from a distance and alert your friends.
• Mark objects - This can include any type of loot and chests. You can also mark airdrop crates that often include valuable gear and consumables.
• Mark a location—This is highly useful if you're not on voice chat and playing with strangers. Pinging a location on the map will help you let your team know where you're planning to go.

That's pretty much it when it comes to PUBG's ping system. In some tight contests, they can become a big difference-maker while securing a valuable drop or ??finishing off an enemy from a distance.

The post How to Ping objects and enemies in PUBG appeared first on Destructoid.

Fortnite has a grip on gamers, and Epic Games has laid plenty of groundwo??rk to get to that point. With the new changes to item availability on the game’s battle pass, it makes it clear that longevity is a part of the plan there. All of this does beg the quest??ion: how many more years does this game have?

How do live-services stay alive?

From now on in Fortnite, items that show up in the battle pass might be added to the in-game shop at least 18 months after its respective battle pass expires. This takes care of two things at once by sating fans who are annoyed about potentially missing out, while incentivizing early purchases. 18 months is a long time to wait, and each new battle pass means stacking on another one and a half years to the assumption that the game will survive. Considering the rampant layoffs affecting the gaming world, even hitting the Epic Games team, this might seem insane. There is no clear answer to how long Fortnite intends to stay alive for, but we can intuit a general idea based on all the components that make up the experience.

There are few games that have genuinely stood the test of time in such a way. As the years go by, however, it seems more like that’s the space this game wants to be in. As of 2024, World of Warcraft is still immensely popular, hitting active user numbers of seven million as it nears its 20th year online. Games like Maplestory and Final Fantasy 14 have shown similar ambitions for longevity, and what al??l of these games have in common is that they’re MMOs.

Being an MMO may not be the only way to keep players coming back, but for the live-service model, these trends show that it might be the best. How does that factor into Fortnite? (yes, we’re still talking about Fortnite). Part of it has to do with its consistently high player count and emphasis on interaction. Fortnite isn’t exactly an MMO, but it’s getting there. 

Constant reinvention

The game’s been making lots of changes. Fortnite is no stranger to reinvention. The type of game that was shown off in 2017 is largely different from what its userbase enjoys now. Fortnite: Save the World highlighted PvE co-op action. The game’s building mechanics stemmed from those survival elements. Now, building is used almost entirely in a strategic and competitive context as Fortnite has transformed. The focus that most players have is on the battle royale elements, which it’s best known for. Epic Games has thrown in a particularly addictive gaming loop with the feeling of risk and reward that keeps players coming back for more, which is great, but even games known for longevity and fun loops have ended. Overwatch and Counter Strike are shining examples here. 

Part of what sets Fortnite apart is the way that its battle pass functions. Along with the recent changes, its basic format that offers free players ways to accessorize and tweak their experience provides a level of investment. If you played last season, you may have come across some neat summer back bling or weapon wraps. Wanting to see those in action and searching for new stuff adds to all of this. It can all get stale though, so what comes after that?

How to keep the hype going

What is there to do? Can things be changed without fundamentally uprooting the experience and alienating its dedicated fans? Ideally, the live service game provides constant ways to keep things fresh. This has been Fortnite’s domain, and luckily, it won’t have to worry about getting old for some time. Fortnite Rocket Racing, LEGO Fortnite (which largely borrows from its Save the World fundamentals), and Fortnite Festival are all new ways to enjoy what Epic Games has to offer. Disney has shown interest, building an experience within the game that players have yet to see. It feels like all of this is happening because Fortnite is no longer just a game, it’s a platform. 

Fortnite is consistently offering new ways to play while refining what its players love. Keeping it fresh seems to be what’s best here. Games like Apex Legends appear stifled, especially considering the fact that there aren’t many ways to play it. The fundamentals are all the same, and that’s not to imply that one game is better than the other, but Fortnite does offer variety in a way that it??s contemporaries don’t have figured out?? fully. 

So how many years does Fortnite really have?

You can’t get tired of the game as fast if there’s meaningfully different games to play inside of it. That’s why there’s always so much to do in Roblox and Minecraft, which have lasted 18 and 13 years respectively. Seven-year-old Fortnite intends to become a pillar in the same way as those giants if gamers don’t already consider it one. If you were sick of Fortnite, it may be time to acce??pt that it’s not going anywhere, because from the looks of it, Epic Games is just getting started.  

The post Fortnite’s item shop change begs the question: how many more years does the game have? appeared first on Destructoid.

In the four years of Warzone, we've competed in battle royale matches across eight maps, but which is the best, and which would we rather forget? I've ranked every Warzone battle royale map from worst to best.

For this list, we've included the larger battle royale maps and the smaller ones generally used for Resurgence modes. Of course, the bigger maps do play a little differently than their more compact companions, but Warzone is Warzone and I feel you can accurately compare them based on map design, and overa?ll fun.

S??o, strap in for a trip down memory lane as I take you throug??h every map in the battle royale's history.

8. Caldera - Warzone's worst map

When I'm?? writing a list like this, I sometimes feel bad placing something as "worst." Sometimes the thing isn't that bad, but the things above them are just so good that they end up in that ?spot.

This is not one of those occasions. Caldera is, without question, the lowpoint of Warzone, and is universally despised by players. The map is far too big to begin with, and this issue is compounded by a severe lack of buildings and settlements across the island. Sometimes it felt like you were play?ing a hiking simulator rather than a battle royale, and the openness of Caldera meant you were constantly getting sniped.

Visibility on this map was poor and there wasn't enough cover, but perhaps worst of all was the fact that it replaced Warzone's best map (more on that later.) Perhaps it never stood a chance when it was following the King of Warzone, but it certainly wasn't what fans wanted, ??and it is not looked back on fondly.

7. Fortune's Keep

Now this one does feel a little harsh, as I don't dislike Fortune's Keep. Unfortunately, though, I couldn't rank it any higher, as for me, it just crosses that threshold of being ?a little ??too small. I always felt that it was too hectic, and the nature of the layout drove people to land at the Keep POI, which meant the start of matches were always manic.

It's original ru???n was just five months between June and Nov. 2022, although it returned in Feb. 2024. I just find Fortune's Keep a little forgettable, and while it's generally not bad and I don't mind many of the POIs, it just doesn't have enough to rank any higher on my list.

6. Ashika Island

Ashika Island is one of the best Resurgence maps in Warzone, a??nd is visually completely different from everything else. Set somewhere in the Pacific Asia region, the island is full of ancient-looking buildings, while the POIs are varied and nicely spread apart.

The only thing that keeps Ashika Island from being near the business end of this list is the fact that it's so dark and gloomy compared to other maps on this list. It does give it a unique aesthetic, but it also can mak??e it harder to see enemies dressed in greys and blacks, and with the level of competition in this list, that's enough to send you down the rankings.

5. Urzikstan

This was a hard one, and I almost had it at number four on this list, but I've always found that when I'm dropping into Urzikstan I find it hard t??o differentiate some of the locations, and generally find the layout to be a little confusing.

Still, this is a solid battle royale map, but perhaps the POIs could have been a little more interesting, and the east of the map could have used some love. There's plenty of cover though, and lots ??of looting opportunities, so it's still well worth your time.

4. Al Mazrah

Al Mazrah is Warzone's largest map, but the developers did a great job to not make it feel that way. Instead, Al Mazrah feels like a really well-balanced offering, with a mixture of new and interesting POIs such as Tarq Village dotted alongside classic Modern Warfare 2 locations like Quarry.

There are some areas that could do with a few more buildin??gs or POIs, especially the west side which becomes quite empty??. once you get past the Caves. Having the Observatory sitting high on a hill in the middle of the map is nice, and Al Mazrah City is a fun hot-drop if you fancied immediate action.

Unfortunately, Al Mazrah was removed in Dec. 2023, a?nd we don't know when we'll see it again.

3. Rebirth Island

Put your pitchforks down for a second—I still think Rebirth Island is really good. It's one of Warzone'??s most popular maps ever for a reason, and I have so many fond memories of playing on it during the first two years of the battle royale's lifespa?n.

After a two year absence, it returned in April 2024, and if it wasn't for its reappearance, it actually might be higher on my list. While I still really like Rebirth Island, I do now accept that I had been looking back on it with rose-tinted glasses, and when you play now it feels a little cramped. The layout doesn't really lend itself to different kinds of combat either, it's just close-quarte?rs gunfights all the time. That's why it takes third on my list, which is still a go??od performance if you ask me.

2. Vondel

For me, Vondel is the best of Warzone's small maps. Based on Amsterdam, it's unlike anything else in the game, with canals flowing through the area, and incredible POIs. University, Castle, and? Stadium are three of my absolute favorites on this map, but there really isn't a bad location, and the built-up natu??re of the city mixed with long roads and open canals creates the perfect mix of short and long-range action.

In my opinion, it's the most fun you can have playing Warzone today, and if you haven't tried it yet, ?I beg you to give it a go??. You won't regret it.

1. Verdansk - Warzone's best map

The original, and the best. Four years after it first appeared in Warzone, Verdansk still sits at the top of the mountain, and deserves every drop of praise it gets. It came during a period of time where we all truly needed it, and captured our hearts. Who doesn't have awesome memories of dropping Superstore with their buddies, or taking on an enemy squad ??in Storage Town?

You may accuse me of looking a?t Verdansk with rose-tinted glasses, the same way I did with Rebirth? Island, but I don't believe I am. The flow of matches on Verdansk felt so nice, and the layout created opportunities for all different kinds of combat. Rotations were easy, the layout was simple, and the buildings were interesting.

It truly is the best that Warzone has ever seen, and we can only hope the rumors of its return with Black Ops 6 end up being true.

The post Every Warzone map ranked from worst to best appeared first on Destructoid.

Some folks would have you believe that adding a focus on vehicles somehow makes this chapter of Fortnite the worst yet. There's a lot of talk that Epic has forgotten what Fortnite is, but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's some fans, I think, that have forgotten what Fortnite is supposed to be. Wrecked has been, by far, ?the best Fortnite I've p??layed to date.

Not everyone wants cars to be nerfed

Did Ninja quit the game again this season? Well, don't worry! He'll flip a coin to decide if he's back next season or not. Sure, the sweatiest players on Twitch might be complaining about changes. The rest of us seem to understand that this season rules. This is a game about change, and i??ts the job of players to adapt. You'll see tons of replies like this on posts that don't even have anything to do with the vehicles.

How to deal with enemy cars

The fact is, every season of Fortnite has a theme, and that always means big changes. This is a game about having an open toybox to play with. That means new toys are coming and going all the time. Fewer cars have killed me so far this season than Water bending in any given play session last season. Cars aren't broken, far from it. There are several strategies when dealing with them, and if people we?re more patient, they'd find that out.

The Nitro-powered rocket fists are perhaps the best weapon for dealing with cars. Not only can they knock a car off track, or even flip it into the air, but they're great for maneuvering. A lot of people complain about Nitr?o boosting cars, but they seem to forget that they can also boost themselves. Doing so gives you a hell of a speed and endurance buff to make dodging cars and their weapons an absolute breeze. Combine those two, and you're a car-smashing, air-dashing machine. Can you honestly tell me that anything about that sounds "unfun?"

Nevermind that cars have been in Fortnite forever. When I started back in Chapter 3, cars had parts you could equip to them. The only thing missin??g were the weapons. In reality, those vehicle weapons aren't much better than having your teammates gun out the window anyway. But after Chapter 3, vehicles became boring. Even just the week before this chapter, I was talking to my squad about how much we missed throwing off-road wheels and cattle-catchers to cars. We missed the chance for customization and taking ownership of vehicles. It was a ton of fun in Chapter 3, and I'm so, so glad it's back and better in Chapter 5.

If you want some more ideas on how to counter this new car meta, allow me to lend a few ideas. Are you running solo? If so, that means other solo people in a car need someone to operate their turrets. My experience is that hopping into an enemy car makes for fun bedfellows. Nobody seems to mind?? me helping take the gun to mow down our mutual enemies on the island.

Cars are the best distraction

I've found that, more often than not, cars are a better distraction than a weapon. One of my squadmates loves hopping out of a vehicle and taking a good vantage point. While I drive around to catch enemy fire, he picks them off from a short distance. In the screenshot here, you can see me pulling up in my sweet boss-car that I stole. While the bus's owner was firing a heavy turret at me driving, my squadmate snuck up from behind. A couple magnum rounds later, and we have a new bus to add to our collection. (Th?en our other squadmate accidentally blew it up by hitting it with his car! Chaos!)

Dealing with cars is better with certain guns. The Huntress DMR is ideal for sniping drivers. The Magnum is a good tool for busting tires and doing massive damage to the vehicle. The rocket-bow is the best weapon fo?r doing a great amount of damage and throwing cars off course. Again, all of that combined with Nitro works great. I would like to, again, recommend having a set of Nitro fists on hand at all times.

Epic Games did announce that they're un-vau??lting Boogie Bombs, which should help in the m??eantime. I'm curious if an unintended side effect will be boogie-bombing people to limit their movement and then hitting them with your car. It sounds like the EMP grenades from previous seasons will also be showing up soon, which will probably do a lot to ruin the car meta altogether. It'll be a shame that Epic listens to the sweaty players who can't adapt to change. So many of us are having a great time running into one another at full speed, then rocket-punching each other into oblivion.

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Remember the burst assault rifle Warzone meta from a few years back? People were using the M16 and AUG like it was nobody's business. Fortunately, their incredibly high damage output was nerfed into the ground, leaving us with a few fairly useless weapons for a long time. However, a new conversion kit turns the M16 into a fully automatic assault rifle. Here's how to build the automatic M16 loadout for Warzone, which also received a buff recently.

How to get the JAK Patriot conversion kit for the M16

First and foremost, you'll need to unlock the JAK Patriot conversion kit for the M16 assault rifle. Without it, the gun isn't viable in Warzone. The fastest way to unlock it is by focusing on the weekly challenges in multiplayer. However, if you don't own Modern Warfare 3 or just don't want to play regular multiplayer, there are weekly challenges for Warzone and Zombies game modes too.

Simply complete five of the eight available wee??kly challenges for the current week (6) of Season 3. Once you've done that, the JAK Patriot will be available when you go to create an M16 loadout.

Best fully automatic M16 loadout

Once you've equipped the JAK Patriot, the other attachments are ones you might know by now. Many meta-builds for guns use similar attachments, as they're significantly better than others. However, the best full-auto M16 class uses an alternate ammunition type, which is unusual. You can a??lso s?wap out the under barrel for an optic if you don't like the iron sights, as the recoil isn't too bad.

• Casus Brake Muzzle
• 5.56 High Velocity Ammunition
• Bruen Pivot Vertical Grip Under Barrel
• 60 Round Magazine
• JAK Patriot Conversion Kit

Community testing has found this version of the M16 to be one of the fastest time-to-kill assault rifles in Warzone right now. The DG-58 LSW?? is still the absolute meta, but the full-auto M16 is a close competitor for t?he first time in a long time.

The post New fully automatic M16: Best Warzone loadout appeared first on Destructoid.

Finally, the reign of the HRM-9 as the Warzone meta SMG is over. It's been a while since we had the opportunity to use just about anything else. Now, there are a few options, though most prefer the Striker-9, the WSP-9 is also viable. It's got mobility, close-range damage, and is ??shockingly accurat?e. The recent buffs it received made it one of the best options.

The WSP-9 received a buff in Call of Duty Warzone

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone recently underwent their midseason 'Reloaded' update for Season 3. With it came a large number of changes to guns, including nerfing the Warzone meta weapons for the last few months. However, the underrated and underutilized WSP-9 also received a small b??uff, and it's one of the best close-range options in battle royale and Resurgence game modes?.

According to the developer patch notes, ??the WSP-9's sprint-to-fire time was decreased from 110 ms to 66 ms, a 44% decrease. In other wo??rds, you'll be able to pull it up and shoot more quickly than before while on the move. That's exactly what you need in a versatile SMG.

How to build the best WSP-9 loadout for Warzone

As for the loadout, it isn't anything out of the ordinary for the WSP-9. Many builds require similar attachments, but the WSP-9 really doesn't need any help with recoil control. Instead, m??ost of these items focus on mobility and damage output, making it excellent in nearly all situations.

• ZEHMN35 Compensator Muzzle
• HISS Short Light Barrel
• DR-6 Handstop Underbarrel
• 50 Round Magazine
• JAK Glassless Optic or optic of your choosing

If you're not a fan of the Striker meta, or just want another SMG option in your arsenal, this WSP-9 loadout is the perfect option. Flying around? Rebirth?? Island with this lightweight mobility gun is always fun for you slide-cancel fiends.

The post Best buffed WSP-9 SMG loadout build for Warzone appeared first on Destructoid.

During Season 3 of Call of Duty: Warzone, not much has changed. Every once in a while we get a new, completely overpowered weapon to use for a week or two before it gets nerfed to infinity. Hopefully, that's coming soon. In the meantime, you might as well take advantage of the KV Broadside conversion kit while you can, yo?ur enemies aren't going to have a problem killing you with it.

What is the KV Broadside conversion kit?

If you aren't familiar, the KV Broadside is a shotgun in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. It's not that special to be honest, just a regular shotgun that's good up close and not?-so-good from further away, as y?ou'd expect. However, there's a new conversion kit that turns the shotgun into a battle rifle, making it fully automatic and giving it much better range.

Using the conversion kit doesn't change the ammo type, so you'll still have to stow away shotgun ammo to use it. Additionally, it only comes with 20 rounds per magazine, which is quite low for taking on four-person squads in Warzone. For playing trios, duos, or solos, however, it's more than? enough. Especially when you see how quickly the gun actually kills.

Best KV Broadside conversion kit loadout for Warzone

During our testing, three-plated enemies were able to withstand just a few shots from the converted KV Broadside. Six shots to kill in the body, with even fewer depending on how many headshots you hit on a fully-plated enemy. Sin??ce the gun is fully automatic, that is a very fast time-to-kill that's worth using. It's not the best for very long distance fights, but close-to-mid-range is the Broadside's bread a??nd butter.

We'd recommend this build for Resurgence game modes, as regula??r battle royale requires too much long-range s??hooting.

• VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor Muzzle
• Bruen Heavy Support Underbarrel
• Demo-X2 Grip (Rear)
• JAK Jawbreaker conversion kit
• MK.3 Reflector or optic of your choosing

If the iron sights are fine for you, feel free to skip the optic and choose a stock that lessens recoil or increases aim??ing stability. For most, however, an optic will help a lot with killing enemies at a distance.

The post How to build the KV Broadside conversion kit OP loadout for Warzon?e appeared first on Destructoid.

Finding the best loadout in Warzone is the only way to ensure you're winning gunfights. For some, pinpointing the right weapon is a nearly impossible task, especially if you don't own Modern Warfare 3. If you do own the previous Call of Duty installment, Modern Warfare 2, there is an S?MG that's viable on the battl??efield.

What is the best MW2 SMG for Warzone?

For season 3 of Warzone in the Modern Warfare 3 era, the best MW2 SMG is the FSS Hurricane. It wa?s always a decent option, but it's currently able to compete with some of the meta options. No, it's not meta, and certainly won't beat the HRM everyone is using right now. However, it provides consistent and easy accuracy, a fast time-to-kill, and excellent mobility.

If you don't have MW3 guns leveled up, or just want a huge change of pace from all the MW3 weapons, the FSS Hurric??ane is a good choice. With the newly unlockable JAK Cutthroat stock, it's a whole new gun.

Best FSS Hurricane loadout for Warzone

Building the FSS Hurricane SMG from MW2 for Warzone requires some familiar attachments and one new one. The latest unlockable aftermarket part??, the JAK Cutthroat stock is essential for building the gun. Here's the best loadout right now:

• Zehmn35 Compensated Flash Hider Muzzle
• Schlager PEQ Box IV Laser
• XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop Underbarrel
• Sakin ZX Grip Rear Grip
• JAK Cutthroat Stock

These attachments provide optimal mobility and decent range for an SMG. The FSS Hurric??ane is versatile enough to pair with a sniper if you're feeling accurate today. It also has a high headshot multi??player, so every shot to the head will speed up the time-to-kill quickly, rewarding great aim with fast kills. Try it out and see how it feels.

The post Best MW2 SMG loadout for Warzone MW3 Season 3 appeared first on Destructoid.

A recent update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone improve??d the old M16 a lot. Although the M16 isn't from the current version of the game, some older guns are still receiving updates. The burst rifle still isn't good enough to take over as the new?? meta, but the best M16 loadout is worth trying if you're interested.

Modern Warfare 2 M16 gets buffed in Season 3 update

The April 16 update for Warzone season 3 improved the M16 in a few ways. However, it's a Modern Warfare 2 weapon so be sure to look there for it when creating a loadout. Not many Warzone weapons are viable right now if they're from the previous game. The M16 certainly isn't the?? ?best, but it's not bad either.

Here's how the M16 changed in the recent update, according to the patch notes:

• Decreased horizontal and vertical recoil by 20%
• Decreased gun kick by 20%
• Decreased visual recoil by 18%

As you can see, the M16 went from a wild and difficult-to-control weapon to a nearly perfectly still one. Shooting it quickly and hitting targets is no longer an issue. Its biggest problem now is damage, which will require about three or four hits to down someone with full plates in Warzone. Keep an eye out for a damage buff in the futur??e, as that'll instantly make the M16 a top-tier optio??n.

Best M16 loadout for Warzone Season 3

The newly buffed M16 from Modern Warfare 2 can be built out in a number of ways. How?ever, this particular loadout will provide the best?? damage at all ranges and excellent recoil control. It's extremely easy to use, so players of all skill levels can give it a shot.

• VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor Muzzle
• 14" Carbine Shroud Barrel
• Bruen Heavy Support Grip Underbarrel
• 60 Round Magazine
• JAK Glassless Optic or optic of your choosing

Try these attachments on the M16 and use it in the firing range. Make sure to put three armor plates on the dummies before firing. This will give you an idea of the time to kill before you waste your loadout on it in an actual match. You'll find it's not going to kill as quickl??y as the SOA Subverter or Holger 556, for example, but the accuracy and range might be worth it for some??.

The post How to build a newly buf?fed ??M16 loadout for Warzone appeared first on Destructoid.

The Holger 556 assault rifle has been right on the cusp of the Warzone meta for most of Season 3. However, other weapons have been superior for a few reasons. Now, with a small update on April 16, a slight Holger 556 buff makes it one of the best mid-to-long range options?? in the game.

How did the Call of Duty update improve the Holger 556?

With the recent update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone, the Holger 556 got a little better. To be more specific, the update 'adjusted recoil and gun kick to decrease deviation, allowing a more predictable pattern,' according to the patch notes.

In short, this means it'll be easier to control when you're firing it. Instead of the recoil being all over the place and nearly uncontrollable at times, the Holger 556 now provides a predictable recoil pattern you can learn and easily adjust to while shooting. This instantly makes it one of the best ranged options in Warzone alongside the Ram-7 and SOA Subverter.

Best Holger 556 Warzone build after update

Despite a more predictable recoil pattern, every Holger 556 user will still need the optimal build for Warzone. As always with Call of Duty weapons, nothing is at its best?? until it has the best attachments. Here's how to put together the best loadout for the newly buffed weapon:

• VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor Muzzle
• Chrios-6 Match Barrel
• Bruen Heavy Support Grip Underbarrel
• 40 Round Magazine
• JAK Glassless Optic (or optic of your choosing)

With these attachments equipped, the Holger 556 delivers high damage, good bullet velocity, and very easy-to-control recoil. It's easily capable of competing with any automatic weapon in the game at mid-to-long range, and should be one of your loadout options in Warzone thanks to the new update.

The post How to bui?ld a newly buffed Holger 556 loadout for ??Warzone appeared first on Destructoid.

While playing Warzone Season 3 on Rebirth Island, the returning fan-favorite Resurgence maps, you'll find plenty of places to resupply on ammo. With the fast pace of the game mode, it's easy to run around firing your weapon and run out quic??kly. Or, dropping back in after a death can leave you stranded without resources. Don't lose a fight because you don't have bullets, use the six ammo resupply stations located around the map.

What is an ammo resupply station?

In Call of Duty: Warzone, whether you're playin?g the stan??dard battle royale or Resurgence mode, ammo resupply stations are located all over the map. They're even indicated on the mini map when you're nearby b??y an image of a few bullets. They're extremely useful, especially if you've just returned from death, whethe??r it be from the gulag on Urzikstan or a respawn on Rebirth Island.

Resupply stations are the large crates that you walk up to and press your action button to get ammo. It automatically fills your current weapon's ammo types. So i??f you're holding an assault rifle and SMG, you'll get that ammo type. Unlike the usable field upgrade that resupplies your ammo, these stations do not replenish your tactical or lethal item slots.

Where to resupply ammo on Rebirth Island

If your team is pinned down somewhere?? on Rebirth Island, or you just need a new place to drop, it's often a good idea to head toward an ammo resupply station. If you land near one, you only need to open a crate or two to find a weapon, then click on the station and you'll be ready for a fight. It's the quickest way to make sure you're right back in the action.

Here's where to find them on Rebirth Island:

1. Stronghold - In this point of interest (POI), the resupply station is located in the building inside a small room near some lockers.
2. Factory - Don't get confused by the many floors of Factory's building. The ammo can be found right inside the middle door on the bottom floor if you're coming from the buy station, or the side near the boat.
3. Control Center - This POI is one long, connected building with a few floors to fight on. However, the ammo cache is actually outside against the wall, right between where the two parts of the building are separated by a small bridge above.
4. Between Dock and Industry - The only ammo resupply station not located directly in a named POI. This one is in the small building located near a buy station to the right of Dock and left of Industry, if you're facing the water from Prison.
5. Chemical Engineering - Chemical's ammo resupply station is also located on the bottom floor against the wall inside the building, but closer to the Bioweapons side than the Harbor side.
6. Bioweapons - The final ammo resupply station is near the Bioweapons building, which has a few floors and can be a bit confusing to traverse searching for it. It's outside against a small wall on the side facing the water.

In addition to ammo stations being marked on your in-game map, Call of Duty also has a handy online version of the map. With it??, you can turn on or off the PO?I names, landmarks, and boundaries. It's very useful if you're looking for something specific that seems unreachable or confusing.

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As with every new season of Call of Duty: Warzone, Season 3 is adding a ton of new content. Players can look forward to ne??w weapons, the return of Rebirth Island, and much m??ore. However, there's one interesting part that's be??en neglected for quite some time: standard Battle Royale. Players have started to complain, and it's getting a little fru??strating to see such a lack of love given to the BR game mode and Urzikstan map.

All new Season 3 Warzone content is for Resurgence

The developers finally gave us a glimpse into what's coming with the big Season 3 content update on April 3. Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer players are ecstatic, as there's plenty to love about the new content and changes. Additionally, those who primarily play Resurgence game modes in Warzone should be pleased too. However, the big-map gam??e mode, Battle Royale, remains the same.

• Rebirth Island, a fan-favorite Resurgence map is making i??ts return. Some changes to the map will keep it fresh while providing the same fast-paced gameplay players grew to love during previous iterations of the game.
• New modes and gameplay features include variants for Resurgence, and Rebirth Island specifically. The game mode will now have Biometric Scanners, Smart Displays, and Weapon Trade Stations around the map. There will also be variable conditions during different times of the day, a new Champion's Quest, and 'infil strikes.' These strikes are meant to change the gameplay, as they can do things like knock over the lighthouse and crash it into prison, creating all new ways to fight and move around the Points of Interest (POIs).
• Warzone Ranked Play - Ranked play continues with Season 3, only now it's moving from the Fortune's Keep Resurgence map to Rebirth Island.

There are also a host of other changes and updates which are all almost entirely made for Resur??gence game modes??. Unfortunately, it looks like players like me who love the big-map Battle Royale on Urzikstan are forgotten.

Is anything new coming to Urzikstan?

In the long list of updates coming with Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone Season 3, only a select few apply to Urzikstan. The first is a new game mode called Boot Camp, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's a Warzone training ground for new players, where they can drop in and fight against bots in the regular Battle Royale game mode. In quads-only, 20 players and 24 bots will face off in a noob-friendly version of the Urzikstan game mode. Player, weapon, and battle pass XP is very limited in this game mode so exp?erienced players can't farm for fast leveling.

Next, Urzikstan and Vondel are both getting a new event added to their gulag system. Fighting to the death is no longer the only option, as both players can now agree to leave together. When two ladders drop from the roof, both players can climb out to safety, or lie to the other and kill them before they escape. A similar mechanic was present in the gulag of previous Warzone versions, which was removed and now added back.

Lastly, some bunkers have now opened on Urzikstan, as t??hey did on Verdansk and Caldera in the past. What's inside is unknown as of yet, but the devs warn of imminent threats lurking in the area. We'd wager there are valuable rewards inside, if you're able to get past whatever is in the way. As with every BR map to date, Urzikstan needed its bunker to open, get loot, and hide in. Though it doesn't provide anything new to gameplay or the map itself, it's an easy way for the devs to get 'new content' into Urzikstan??.

Warzone Battle Royale needs the Resurgence treatment

As you can see, there's quite a bit more significant content coming to other game modes for Season 3. The standard Battle Royale players are undoubtedly feeling left out. The list of missing content available elsewhere contin??ues growing with each passing season.

• Ranked mode is still only available in Resurgence. Without a big-map ranked mode in Season 3, it looks like we're, at minimum, another few months away from ever seeing it again.
• One map is still the only option while playing Battle Royale game modes. Resurgence players now have another map, Rebirth Island, to enjoy alongside Vondel, Fortune's Keep, and Ashika Island. Urzikstan isn't bad, but would anyone complain about a rotation of it with Verdansk and Caldera? Or maybe even a brand new map?
• A lack of POI changes or the new infil strikes happening on Rebirth Island. Although bunker access is always a fun Easter egg to discover with some cool rewards, it doesn't change the way the map plays. Urzikstan has gone mostly unchanged for a long time. It needs new or heavily altered POIs, which seemingly could happen the same way it is on Rebirth Island based on time of day and other factors. Though that would obviously be on a much larger scale.
• No new or exciting equipment, like a frequently suggested Blackout grapple gun or another innovative, game-changing item. Even when things come out, it's often recycled, like the portable buy stations from Caldera.

Some big name streamers have even taken to Twitter to voice their displeasure with the lack of changes or ranked mode in big-map Battle Royale. One even said it seems like the devs are "going all-in on Resurgence," which is certainly a difficult point to argue. Has Call of Duty truly forgotten about standard Battle Royale? Or is something huge in the works that we're not allowed to know about yet? We hope it's the latter, but we'll have to wait until at least Season 4 before anything exciting in Warzone can come to fruition.

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Season 3 of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone is on the way. On April 3, the seasonal challenges, battle pass, and more will completely reset. Additionally, the new season comes with plenty of new content including the classic Rebirth Island map for Resurgence and a few new multiplayer maps.?? Ho??wever, they've also snuck a few new weapons into the ever-growing list of options for players.

MW3 and Warzone Season 3 offers 4 new weapons

Nearly every season of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone gains a few new toys to play with. Season 3, which begins April 3, is no different. This time, we're getting a new Assault Rifle, Sniper, SMG, and melee weapon, one of w?hich will be added during the season. All four new weapon options are obtainable through the brand-new battle pass when Season 3 starts.

FJX Horus (SMG) - Unlocked from completing Sector 8 of the battle pass, the FJX Horus is a brand ?new lightweight SMG. It's 'ultra-compa?ct' and provides excellent close-quarters damage and maneuverability. It's likely to play similar to the Swarm players have used for a while. It is said to have 'class-leading mobility' which means the movement kings will love getting their hands on it.

MORS (Sniper) - Unlocked from completing Sector 4 of the battle pass, the MORS is a new sniper rifle? for Season 3. It's a single-load railgun capable of delivering bullets to its target quickly thanks to incredible velocity and penetration. MORS is an acronym for Military Operated Rail Sniper, and excels in damage and handling. The downside will undoubtedly be the reload time, which is required after each shot is fired.

BAL-27 (Assault Rifle) - Although the roadmap says the BAL-27 is unlocked through the battle pass, Call of Duty'??s blog says the method of unlocking it is redacted for now. We do know it will be unavailable at the start of Season 3, entering the fray likely sometime during mid-season. The bullpup AR gains increased fire rate over time, w??ith the first four shots being slower but more accurate than the subsequent ones. It will be available with a 60-round magazine and is excellent for close-range combat.

Gladiator (Melee) - A new knife, unlockable through Sector 15 of the battle pass. It's meant to rival the Karambit and other small knives for pure mobility. The Gladiator provides extremely fas?t movement speed and melee speed, which will come in handy. As you might expect, you'll have to get as close as possible for the Gladiator to be effective.

MW3 and Warzone Season 3 new aftermarket parts

In addition to the new weapons coming in Modern Warfare 3's Season 3, there are more aftermarket parts on the way too. As with Season 2, everything is earnable through weekly challenges. Each week, you'll have to complete five of the provided challenges to get the corresponding ??aftermarket part.

JAK Revenger Kit (BP50) - Conversion kit turns the BP50 into a close-quarters weapon using 9mm ammo, a shortened receiver, a?nd a high-capacity magazine.

JAK Cutthroat (MCW, MTZ, M4, AMR9) - 3D-printed stock offers speed and stability while aiming ??down the sights of all compatible weapons.

JAK Jawbreaker (KV Broadside) - Converter to turn the shotgun into an even harder-hitting and full??y-automatic Battle Rifle.

JAK Shadow Titan Kit (Bruen MK9) - The conversion kit turns the Bruen MK9 into a smaller ??and suppressed weapon with 300 blackout ammo.

JAK Patriot (M16) - The JAK Patriot converter turns the M16 into a full-auto rifle with? better recoil control and aim stability than the standard version.

Wardens (Lockwood MK2) - Turns the Lockwood MK2 Marksman Rifle into akimbo shotguns, replicating the comically overpowered Model 1887 shotguns from the original Modern Warfare 2.

JAK Atlas Kit (AMR9)?? - Using the Atlas Kit for the AMR9 will make it into a highly accurate 5-round burst weapon that uses more lethal 556 ammunition??.

Photonic Charge Barrel (MORS) - The final aftermarket part is for the new sniper coming with Season 3, the MORS. It turns it into what is essentially a Spartan Laser from Halo 3. Hold down the trigger to charge it and release it to let out a single, high-powered energy projectile. The?? method to unlock th??is attachment has not been revealed, though it likely ties into the weekly challenges.

Three of the four new weapons for Season 3 of Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone will be earnable at launch through the battle pass. For everything else, you'll have to wait until mid-season or work hard on those weekly challenges. It looks like Se??ason 3 is going to be filled with some crazy gun metas, based on what's coming.

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The long-awaited return of the fan-favorite Resurgence Warzone map, Rebirth Island, is almost here. Finally, as we're past the halfway point of Season 2, the developers released a trailer showing off the latest version of the classic Blackout map based on Alcatraz. Here ??come the?? Rebirth Island sweats.

Welcome back to prison

For the first time in a while, Warzone players will be able to drop into Rebirth Island on April 3. With the launch of Season 3 of Warzone and Modern Warfare 3, the beloved map is returning. A trailer revealed the details, which include a few changes, or at least that's what everyone online seems to think. After Warzone Mobile launched with Rebirth Island recently, many players believed it to be a mater of time before the stan?dard game received the same content.

Notable Rebirth Island changes

Twitter users and others around the internet have discovered a few changes from screenshots and trailers revealing Rebirth Island for Warzone Season 3. First, in the trailer, it looks like the lighthouse is knocked down, falling directly into the prison building. As a result, it's likely we see one of the changes we're used to with every Warzone map, giant holes in the ground.

Though nothing is certain yet, this would take out part of the downstairs office space and stairs leading up to the roof on one side of the prison. Additionally, it removes the gigantic lighthouse tower many players liked to drop in and camp on, which is great. One screenshot shows the lighthouse in place to be a new platform for climbing up to the prison's roof. Some have speculated on a type of dynamic destruction since the lighthouse and prison are shown standing normally and broken up, but we won't know ?until April 3.

As you can see from the map above, it doesn't look like there are any new or different notable POIs. Twitter use?rs also thought they saw a new, albeit very small, buildin??g between Chemical Engineering and Harbor, but it's unconfirmed and difficult to tell. The Resurgence map returns to Call of Duty: Warzone on consoles and PC with Season 3 on April 3.

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In the brief history of Call of Duty: Warzone, there have been a few different maps and variations of the game?.

Throughout its lifecycle, players have enjoyed certain eras of the battle royale much more than others. While everyone has their own opinion, most agree that one specific Resurgence mode map, and one particular sniper rifle meta, were the best time to play the game. Now, an emoji-eye tweet from the official Call of Duty account might be hinting at a return in Modern Warfare 3's Warzone Season 3.

Rebirth Island could return in Season 3

On Sunday, March 24, 2024, the official Call of Duty Twitter account randomly replied to two very old videos from popular streamers and players. One was from Call of Duty League caster Maven, to which the CoD Twitter simply replied with the eyes emoji. Warzone fans who saw it immediately st?arted breaking down the clip, which was posted on May 25, 2022, to figure out what the tweet was hinting toward.

As we approach the end of Season 2 in Modern Warfare 3, the developers obviously want to start revealing new content. What better time than now? That's why they've replied to Maven's tweet while he's playing on Rebirth Island, a fan-favorite map modeled after the real-life Alcatraz prison. It originally came out in Blackout, the battle royale in Black Ops 4, but gained immense popularity during the early days of Warzone. Many players exclusively played it over the big map modes, but o??ther Resurgence maps have just not been as fun to play.

But that's not all that was similar about both clips to which Call of Duty replied.

Is the KAR98K returning to Warzone?

We'll admit, that this part of the theory is a little more of a stretch than Rebirth Island's return. After all, the map is now live in Warzone Mobile, and there have been rumors swirling of its return for quite some time. But is the popular bolt-action sniper coming back to the game? The KAR98K has been in many iterations of Call of Duty over the years, but it was also one of the best weapons to use in the early Warzone days.

It had incredibly fast aim-down-sight speed, didn't affect movement speed much, and could one-shot down with a headshot from just about any distance. Although we doubt that kind of power will return since snipers have been nerfed so much, fans are still excited to see the KAR98K make its debut in Modern Warfare 3. Both clips the Twi?tter account replied to were using the sniper rifle, so it's certainly a possibility.

Lastly, both tweets Call of Duty responded to contained the phrase 'rebirth reaper'. Could this be hinting toward something too? Or was it just an easy way to search for tweets of clips from Rebirth Island? Time will tell, as Season 3 is set to begin in early April.

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In the most recent version of the Call of Duty battle royale mode, Warzone, players can earn a nuke. Just like in multiplayer, which requires 30 kills without dying, a nuke ends the match and results in an instant win. However, 30 kills without dying in Warzone is too tall an order, so there are other ways to get a nuke in MW3 Warzone.

How to unlock a Warzone nuclear bomb Champion's Quest

The Champion's Quest in Warzone is the mission you unlock when a nuke is available. In the previous iteration of Call of Duty, it was more commonly known as 'the nuke contract'. Additionally, the previous method of earning a shot at the Champion's Quest is still ava??ilable, but another (easi?er) method is possible too.

???Unlock the Champion's Quest by doing one of the following:

• Win 5 Warzone games in a row
• Win 30 Warzone games total

Once either of these objectives is completed, you'll unlock the Champion's Quest nuke contract. You can start the contract as soon as you enter your next game of Warzone, though you aren't forced to do it right away.

How to complete the nuke contract

Once you've earned the Warzone nuke contract, the quest location is marked by a gold crown on your map. Head there and start t?he contract if you're ready, and it'll immediately ask you?? to locate and pick up a Geiger counter. Like the contract, it's marked in gold on your map, only it'll appear as a telephone with wings on the sides. Once you have it, check your map for the green zone now marked. You'll have to make your way there and find a special cache to loot, which gives you the Beryllium element.

You'll repeat this process until you've got Beryllium, Tritium, and Plutonium, the three elements required to build a Warzone nuke. Tritium is inside a safe you'll have to drill into, and Plutonium is earned by sho??oting down a helicopter carrying it. With all three elements in-hand, you'll now have to make your way to the marked bomb site location on your map. Then, someone in your squad will have to approach the bombsite and arm the nuke, and everyone else needs to be ready ?to fight.

You'll have to defend the bombsite for two minutes before detonation. During this time, other teams can disarm the bomb or wipe your squad. Killing your entire team allows another team to take the contract for themselves. However, if you're still stand?ing when two minutes is up, everyone on the map will die and your team will earn a Champion's Victory.

Best Warzone loadout for getting a nuke

While playing Call of Duty: Warzone, there are loads of different ways to play. Some players like to be aggressive and earn as many kills as possible. Others like to hide in a corner or a ??rooftop and wait for others to pass before destroying their prey. Earning a nuke contract is all about getting the win.

If the Champion's Quest is your primary goal, forget about kills and everything else in the game. Moreover, winning is much easier when you're not playing aggressive. Pushing after enemy players in buildings, hot-dropping, and doing other kill-earning tasks are sure to get you killed faster most of the time. For winning games, all that matters is being the last man standing, and this loadout will give you the best chance at doing so.

RAM- 7

• Casus Break Muzzle
• Cronen Headwind Long Barrel
• Bruen Heavy Support Underbarrel
• 60 Round Drum
• HVS 3.4 Pad Stock

HRM-9

• Zehmn35 Compensator Muzzle
• Thorn-90 Barrel
• DR-6 Handstop
• 50 Round Drum
• Folding Stock

Equipment

• Throwing Knives - A one-hit kill and instant finisher on downed players. The best lethal option right now.
• Smoke Grenades - Stocking up on smokes in your inventory throughout a match is essential. You'll want to smoke the armed bomb almost constantly to stay safe while defending it.

Perks

• Double Time - Longer tactical sprint duration and recharge it more quickly. Getting to each Champion's Quest objective fast is vital.
• Sleight of Hand - Reload faster. You don't want to get caught in the open while reloading, especially with only seconds remaining on the nuke countdown or in the final circle of your fifth straight win.
• Tempered - Reduce the required number of armor plates to be at full armor from three to two. Like Sleight of Hand, this perk helps keep you ready to shoot and defend yourself, rather than sliding more armor plates into your vest.

Using this loadout will undoubtedly help in winning some gun fights and getting where you need to go quickly in Warzone. However, it's still up to your gun skill, positioning, and a little bit of luck to squeak out five straight wins or a total of 30. After that, good luck with the Champio??n's Quest nuke contract, you're going to need it.

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There's no Batman, Luke Skywalker, or Jack Skellington in Fortnite's new OG Season. However, Fortnite has received its busiest day ever, receiving over 44.7 million players on Saturday, Nov??ember 4, blowing the development team ?away.

Players spent a lot of time in Fortnite last weekend

"We're blown away by the response to #FortniteOG," said the game's official Twitter page. "Y??esterday was the biggest d??ay in Fortnite’s history with over 44.7 MILLION players jumping in and 102 MILLION hours of play."

The new OG season takes players back to the beginning of the battle royale mode. It brings back beloved locations like Tilted Towers, Greasy Grove, and Snobby Shores into the experience. This has obviously attracted fans to return to?? the game.

The classic Assault Rifle, Pump Shotgun, and Hunting Rifle are back. In addition, you can use the Damage Trap, Grappler,? and Boogie Bomb. The latter is my personal favorite, as it forces your opponents to dance if they get hit by the grenade. You can also ride around in a Shopping Kart or an All Terrain Kart.'

If you're a regular Fortnite player, you can utilize the Reboot Rally. This is an incentive to ??get returning friends into t?he action. If you finish certain goals with them, you can get the Skerran Glider and more rewards.

Fans have reacted strongly

Fortnite news social media account HYPEX reposted a funny video with the returning shopping kart that has received 17.4 milli??on views. It says, "NAH FORTNITE IS SO BACK." It has a hilarious laugh that doesn't fail to make you smile as the shopp?ing kart single-handedly takes out two party members. Popular streamer Ninja has retweeted the post as well, likely bringing in more players to the battle royale.

Meanwhile, streamer Nick Eh 30 shared an impressive feat in-game. The clip has received over one m?illion views. "I have missed the OG season, let me tell you," Nick said with a laugh, decimating two enemies simultaneously. "I love it."

On social media and around the world, there is ??a buzz around Epic Games' battle royale now more ??than ever.

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The beans have new friends in Buzz and Woody, as these two characters arrive in a Fall Guys-Toy Story crossover this week. The official Twitter page announced the news on Monday. Epic Games has p?rovided no specific timing. This comes shortly after the announcement of a price hi??ke of the in-game currency Show-Bucks last week.

It seems likely that this Fall Guys Toy Story crossover may replace the current Fame Pass, which has Final Fantasy XIV characters running around in this unusual battle royale. If you are reading this on Monday, you still have time to get the ??Fame Pass and unlock at least some of the characters like the Fat Chocobo.

According to Epic Games, the price of Show-Bucks will be going up on October 27 for the United States and other territories. For example, you'll need to pay $8.99 for 1,000 Show-Bucks. Thankfully, it seems like this Toy Story promotion could arrive before that timeframe.

The bump in Show-bucks also arrives in the wake of layoffs at parent company Epic Games. Last? week, it cut 16% of its ??workforce, around 830 employees.

"For a while now, we've been spending way more money than we earn, investing in the next evolution of Epic and growing Fortnite as a metaverse-inspired ecosystem for creators," said Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney in an official blog post. "I had long been optimistic that we could power through this transition without layoffs, ??but in retrospect I see that this was unrealistic."

Epic Games and Disney have collaborated before

It hasn't been fully confirmed yet how these layoffs have affected the Mediatonic team. But the Fall Guys publisher Epic Games and Disney have collaborated many times. Fall Guys has previously featured characters from Encanto and The Jungle Book. In Fortnite, you can play as Star Wars heroes like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. We've also been able to shoot foes as Captain America and The Hulk in Fortnite.

Disney continues to keep Toy Story in the limelight. Back in June 2023, the kart racer Disney Speedstorm added Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and Bo Peep in its second season. That game currently has Aladdin characters you can unlock.

With all these crossovers, it makes you wonder if we'll hear more about the fifth Toy Story movie soon.

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The free-to-play My Hero Academia Ultra Rumble is launching on September 28, as announced by publisher Bandai Namco on Thursday. The anime-based battle royale will be avai??lable on all major platfor??ms, including the Nintendo Switch.

18 characters, both heroes and villains, will be available at launch. This includes the recent additions of Eijiro Kirishima, Momo Yaoyorozu, and Ibara Shiozaki. You'll unlock these through in-game currency and pulls. Todoroki, fresh from his appearance in Fortnite, is also in this battle royale.

A Twitter (X) follower campaign for My Hero Ultra Rumble

Bandai Namco has also announced a Twitter (X, ugh) follower campaign. If the account gets 10,000 new followers from now until Septembe??r 27, everyone will get the following as in-game rewards:

• +1,000 followers = 1,000 Agency Points
• +3,000 followers = Three Roll Tickets pulls
• +5,000 followers = 2,500 Hero Crystals
• +7,000 followers = Five Roll Tickets pulls
• +10,000 followers = One character ticket (which is an instant unlock)

My Hero Academia: Ultra Rumble is a 24-player battle royale that has you compete in teams of three. Each ??character has their own unique moves to bring to the table. For example, Bakugo has his explosive fists, while Yaoyorozu can summon ranged cannon fire.

You can mix and match heroe?s and villains to create the?? best team. Like many other battle royale games, there are costumes to unlock too.

For example, the first Mission Event will give Uraraka a red and orange look while Tsuyu has a stealthy black and purple design. There will be three events per season that have you "[completing] objectives to earn limited-time rewards," according to the game's official Twitter account.

Additional outfits can also be retrieved by using Roll Tickets and Hero Crystals. My Hero Academia Ultra Rumble ??hopes to leave a mark duri??ng this busy gaming season.

Animes and RPGs are such a great power couple, however, so hopefully one day My Hero Academia will receive a roleplaying game inspired by the Persona series in the future. That's simply a wish though.

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There are a bunch of new Fortnite My Hero Academia characters in the game, as ??announced Tuesday by Epic Games. You can now play as Shoto Todoroki, Eijiro Kirishima, and Mina Ashido from the anime's Class 1-A. Todoroki is available by himself, while the other two are included in a bundle. Additionally, characters can now create an Ice Wall, in addition to using the Deku Smash.

Todoroki, Kirishima, and Ashido are available on Fortnite's Item Shop. Todoroki himself comes with two costumes and is 1,500 VBucks. There's a bundle with him and three other items, such as the Cold-Hot Hitters and U.A.?? Uniform weapon skin, for 2,4?00 VBucks.

Ashido and Kirishima are ??1,500 VBucks separately or 2,800 VBucks together. That 2,800 VBucks bundle also comes with the Cultural Festival Dance, Red Ri?ot Thrashers, Red Riot Shield, and Acid Axe.

Fortnite players can also find the Ice Wall ability, in addition to the Deku Smash as an item pic??k-up. You can score them easily from the All Might supply drop, which has the former hero's face on the balloon. The Ice Wall can protect your friends or slip up players as an offensive attack.

Additionally, there are quests focused on My Hero Academia. These include finding All Might supply drops, damaging foes with the Deku Smash, and causing fire damage to structures around the world. If you finish enough of these quests, you'll g??ain an instant level-up.

Deku, Bakugo, and Uraraka are currently not on the Fortnite Item Shop at the time of writing, but they'll may join the lineup soon if you missed them the first time. Epic Games likely wants to go all-in with this Fortnite My Hero Academia collab.

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Don't Pay to Play

Gaming can quite quickly become an expensive hobby. The non-stop conga line of fantastic games this year has made it harder than ever to play without hurting your wallet. Not every worthwhile experience has a price tag ??on it, however. With the following PS5 titles, you'll have a blast without spending a cent.

[caption id="attachment_387340" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Respawn Entertainment.[/caption]

10. Apex Legends

When it comes to free-to-play games, fans of first-person shooters have more than enough to pick from. Apex Legends is a battle-royale style game featuring a cast of characters serving as either Recon, Support, Skirmisher, Assault, or Controller. With a good variety of guns and maps, it is a title tha?t easily hooks players for hours at a time.

[caption id="attachment_387345" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Bungie.[/caption]

9. Destiny 2

Yet another first-person shooter appears on the list in the form of Destiny 2. It has managed to remain relevant thanks to constant expansions, including Lightfall in 2023. With Sony's acqui?sition of Bungie, it appears the franchise ?will be supported for a long time to come.

[caption id="attachment_387344" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Digital Extremes.[/caption]

8. Warframe

The third-person shooter Warframe was first released in 2013, and it has maintained popularity since. It uses a mix of both procedurally generated and fixed levels that have players using guns and stealth. With new expansions regularly released, it's always a good time to start playing Warframe.

[caption id="attachment_387342" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

7. Sky: Children of Light

Sky is a game that is best experienced instead of described. Players who enjoyed titles like Journey and Flower will instantly fall in love with Sky. Much like the aforementioned titles, Sky features a minimalistic style of storytelling along with multiplayer elements implemented in unexpected ways. Play Sky, it may be the best thing you do all week.

[caption id="attachment_387339" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Maxis Studios.[/caption]

6. The Sims 4

The popular life simulation game The Sims 4 went free-to-play in 2022, breathing new life into a somewhat dated game. Although the controls on consoles are occasionally awkward, The Sims 4 is definitely worth playing. It has earned its longevity through its expansive gameplay, detailed character ??creator system, and quirky humor that has characterized the franchise for years.

[caption id="attachment_387343" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Epic Games.[/caption]

5. Fortnite

It's hard to make any free-to-play list without including Fortnite. Over five years after its initial release, it has since grown into a phenomenon encompassing celebrities, music concerts, and various other gaming franchises. Nevertheless, it r?emains ol' relia?ble when it comes to exciting battle royale gameplay.

[caption id="attachment_387359" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image by Blizzard.[/caption]

4. Overwatch 2

The first-person shooter Overwatch 2 is one of the most popular games of its type around. Gameplay is fast-paced?? and fun, with a learning curve that's not too steep. The player base is?? very active, ensuring you can jump into the action at any time.

[caption id="attachment_387341" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

3. Rocket League

When it comes to addictive gameplay, it's hard to do better than Rocket League. Released in 2015, it has players playing soccer with rocket-powered vehicles. It has since developed a competitive scene, though casual players can still eas??ily join at any time. In 2020, it went free-to-play, opening the game to an even wider audience.

[caption id="attachment_387338" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

2. Fall Guys

Fall Guys launched in August 2020, and it was an immediate record-breaking hit. Though it may not make as many headlines in 2023, Fall Guys is still a silly battle royale game with an active user base. Much like the show Takeshi's Castle, pl??ayers are tasked with completing an assortment of games and obstacle courses. Little beans are the competitors, which makes things all the more sillier.

[caption id="attachment_387336" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

1. Astro's Playroom

Astro's Playroom is bundled with the PS5, and it familiarizes players with the features of the DualSense, as well as the blinding speed? o??f the console's SSD. It is, without a doubt, a must-play for every PS5 owner, and years later it remains one of the best showcases of the PS5's abilities.

The game features gorgeous visuals that reference many classic PlayStation franchises, and the platforming gameplay is both fun and varied. The only wish now is that the PSVR 2 receives a similar title.

There is a good variety of free-to-play games available on PS5, and they'll satisfy fans of sports games, shooters, and platformers. Upcoming free-to-play games to look out for include the soccer game UFC, as well as the MMORPG Throne and Liberty.

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It's Ghost

Nintendo has announced that it will be delisting Bandai Namco's fun Paccle Royale, (no, it doesn't work, does it?), title Pac-Man 99 this fall. Currently avai??lable from the Nintendo eShop as a ben?efit to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, the game will be unable to download from October 8.

Players who own either paid edition of the game �em> Pac-Man 99 Deluxe Pack or Pac-Man 99 Mode Unlock �will still be able to access CPU Battle, Time Attack, and Blind Score Attack in an offline capacity. Additionally, all purchased themes and cosmetic items will still be available. All online services for the title are to be suspended, however, which is pretty frustrating given that this is the foundation of the Pac-Man 99 gimmick.

No reason was given for the decision because Nintendo gon' Nintendo, but the title hasn't seen quite the same level of success as its sibling, Tetris 99, which launched back in the fall ??of 2019. There could also be an expiring license issue, given the pill-popper's torrid legacy with red tape. Or, Nintendo could simply be doing it because why not? It be that way sometime??s.

Pac-Man 99 is available now on Nintendo Switch, players wishing to enjoy the offline modes after delisting will need to pick up the Pac-Man 99 Deluxe Pack or Pac-Man 99 Mode Unlock.

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The battle royale's servers will stay open, though

Vampire: The Masquerade's battle royale is winding down. Developer Sharkmob has announced it is ending further development on Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt.

Fully launched from Early Access in April 2022, the studio says  in today's blog post that Bloodhunt did not reac?h the "critical mass" of players it needed to s??ustain development.

"Ever since launch, we have been on a journey to excite and delight our players, however, while we have an amazing and very engaged community, we haven’t been able to reach the critical mass needed to sustain development. This has led us to the decision to stop further development of Bloodhunt."

The Bloodhunt servers, however, will stay live for as long as the game has an active community, Sharkmob says. The studio is working on some solutions for sustaining the game long-term, including an in-game player voting system to "regularly unlock new things and keep Bloodhunt fresh." Those will arrive in the upcoming ?final update. After that, patches will only cover maint??enance.

Currency purchasing will be turned off on September 26. Prior to that, Sharkmob plans to implement a way to earn in-game tokens so players can continue playing and unlocking cosme?tics past the shut-off.

"While we are as sad as you are that Bloodhunt development has now come to an end, please know that this was a difficult decision to make, and we take th??is experience with us in the development of coming games," said the stu?dio.

On the hunt

Bloodhunt was certainly a different take on the genre. Despite it not clicking with me, I did see at least a few people get into it, and I like seeing fresh ideas in a space that's become as crowded as battle royales had become when Bloodhunt fully launched in April 2022.

Many live service games have come and gone over the last few years, though. Fellow battle royale Hyper Scape shut its doors last year. And the start of 2023 saw the closure of multiple live service projects, from Rumbleverse and Knockout City to Apex Legends Mobile.

Still, I look forward to seeing what the Bloodhunt crew does next. It sounds like those who enjoy the? vampire battle royal??e will, at least, still have ways of taking part in it well after Sharkmob has moved on.

The post Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt is ending development appeared first on Destructoid.

Cash on Delivery

It's time to take the money and run and gun, as Infinity Ward is prepping a new update for its popular battle royale title Call of Duty Warzone 2.0, which sees a return for the frantic heist mode, Plunder. The mode is scheduled to go live on all platforms ??today, alongside a new, bug-smashing patch.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSasrsV9jA?o&ab_channel=PlayStat?ion

One of the initial two modes that launched with Call of Duty Warzone back in 2020, Plunder tasks teams of players with snatchin??g up bags of cash and transporting them to a central drop-off point, while simultaneously defending their horde from the sticky fingers of the opposing team members. It's a frenetic running battle that can turn on a? dime, and requires strong synergy, efficient movement, and, as always, a precise aim. Warzone players will no doubt be pleased to see the challenging side-game return.

In addition to Plunder's comeback, Infinity Ward has released an update to both Warzone 2.0 and Modern Warfare 2 proper, featuring an array of bug fixes pertaining mostly to errors in the U.I. and HUD systems. In regards to CoD gameplay itself, the new patch adds more ammo caches to the Zaya Observatory in multiplayer map Ground War, and reduces the number of available lasers for the arsenal-running Gunfight mode. You can check out the full patch notes over on the official Call of Duty blog.

Call of Duty Warzone 2.0 is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platfo?rms.

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Where we droppin', Bingo?

Epic Games juggernaut battle royale title Fortnite is about to get 100% more swoon-factor, as Resident Evil cuties Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield are ready to grace The Ever-Decreasing Circle with their own unique bra?nd of firepower and charged sexuality??.

The iconic duo, who made their first appearance in Capcom's legendary survival horror release, Resident Evil 2, are the l?atest crossover characters to join Fortnite's literal who's who of pop culture stars. R.P.D. officer Leon comes equipped with his trusty assault knife and attache case Back Bling, though is sans his hip jacket, instead rocking his latter-g?ame combat wear.

The fairer Redfield, much like Leon, is stylized after her Resident Evil 2 remake design, and is wearing her bootcut jeans and scarlet biker jacket combo. Claire is repping the Raccoon City Police Department's many locked doors with her R.P.D. Back Bling, and is wielding a special pickaxe stylized as a red-and-white umbrella �A tribute to the terrible bio-weapons manufacturer behind the fal??l of Raccoon City.

The Raccoon City Survivors pack featuring Leon & Claire is available now in Fortnite for 2,100 V-Bucks. And for much more of Mr. Kennedy, (no, not the wrestler), you can check out the long-awaited Resident Evil 4 remake, which launches on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platfo??rm?s March 24.

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Looking down the barrel of a gun, son of a gun...

Fans of Epic Games' Fortnite are currently picking apart new rumors that an all-new first-person mode is in the works for the battle royale juggernaut, with established leakers suggesting that the new perspective on Fortnite's cartoonish chaos will be ar?riving in the game's next season.

Fortnite has been a third-person battler ever since its initial launch in 2017, back when perhaps none of us had any idea of what a staggering global success Epic Games' venture was set to become. While some weapons in the game world already come equipped with first-person "iron sights", this supposed new mode would see player?s explore the gam??e world directly through the eyes of their avatar �from first drop to failure.

//twitter.com/HYPEX/statu?s/1631821256688300033?s=20

Several credible Fortnite leakers have lent weight to the rumor, including @HYPEX, @GMatrixGames, @ShiinaBR, and @iFireMonkey. The new mode would certainly bring a whole new perspective, (literally), to the massively multiplayer scrapper, and perhaps the ever-encroaching storm will seem even more concerning when you're looking at the dang thing with your own two eyes... or Robocop's, or Ryu's, or Bruce Campbell's, or Jinx's, or whichever of the baffling choice of pop-culture figures you have purchased for your own trip into Fortnite's litany of islands.

While there is currently no launch date for the third season of Fortnite, the current season is scheduled to end this week, on Wednesday, March 8 to be precise, so we can probably expect official word on Chapter 4 Season 3 and its contents very ???soon.

Fortnite is available now on PlayS??tation, PC, Xbox, Ninte??ndo Switch, and mobile platforms.

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Baton Rouge studio decimated in shock announcement

Electronic Arts has reportedly fired the testing team for its blockbuster hero shooter Apex Legends �According to a report by Kotaku, the publisher released the entirety of its Baton Rouge-based testing team �believed to be some 200 workers �in ??an 'out of the blue' Zoom call held?? yesterday.

News of the layoffs came suddenly when affected employees took to social media, understandably stunned and upset at the event. According to other former workers, speaking anonymously with Kotaku, the team was called to an urgent, mandatory call with contracting agency Magnit Global at 08:00 on Tuesday morning, where they were informed that the entire Baton Rogue Apex Legends QA team was being disbanded, effective immediately??.

//twitter.com/TopMarx420/status/??1630658992337829890?s=20

Reportedly, QA team management was? unaware of the coming events, and thus no preparations had been put in place f?or the handling of the announcement or the termination of the employees. It is claimed that affected staff were then asked to collect their belongings under security supervision and leave the office. Full-time supervisors on the team will be afforded a 60-day severance.

In an email to Kotaku,?? EA was typically mechanical when referencing the sud?den layoffs.

"As part of our ongoing global strategy, we are expanding the distribution of our Apex Legends testing team and ending testing execution that’s been concentrated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, impacting services provided by our third-party provider," wrote the publisher. "Our global team, in?clusive of remote playtesters across the U.S., enables us to increase the hours per week we’re able to test and optimize the game and reflects a commitment to understand and better serve our growing community around the world."

??"Testing games is an integral part of delivering the best experiences for ??our players."

EA Lays Off Over 200 Apex Legends Testers Over Zoom Call [Kotaku]

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Last Deadite Standing

Load up your boomstick and oil your chainsaw arm, as developer Saber Interactive has announced that its getting ready to launch an all-new gore-filled endeavor for its sloshy scrapper Evil Dead: The Game �The "Splatter Royale" mode will be ??launching on all p??latforms as soon as this Thursday, February 2.

Splatter Royale, as you might have guessed from the moniker, is Evil Dead's unique take on the "Last Person Standing" Battle Royale genre enjoyed and popularized by such titles as Fortnite, PUBG, and Call of Duty Warzone. In the case of Ash Williams & his wild-eyed, tool-toting pals,? Splatter Royale will see up to 40 pla??yers come together to throwdown in a hyper-violent, sinner-takes-all massacre.

//twitter.com/EvilDeadTheGam?e/status/1620200430532976641?s=20&t=bJM2_lv6cwemhDjJ77Q2KQ

Saber Interactive has not offered up much information about this new mode at the time of writing, but one can assume that Splatter Royale will allow players to choose from a selection of Evil Dead: The Game's varied roster of survivors before fighting it out tooth, nail, and shovel in a ?bloodthirsty effort to be the mightiest Deadite slayer?? of them all. I got Mia!

Once Saber Interactive fully lifts the lid on Splatter Royale, we'll be sure to give you a heads-up on all of the head-cleaving details. Evil Dead: The Game is a?vailable now on PlayStation, PC, and X?box platforms.

The post Evil Dead: The Game launches ‘Splatter Royale’ mode this week appeared first on Destructoid.

We missed you, 1v1

Warzone 2.0 brought about a whole host of changes to Call of Duty's beloved battle royale mode, but the most divisive of them all has to be the new version of the Gulag, which changed from a 1v1 fight to a 2v2 with the introduction of the sequel. As if it wasn't already hard enough contending with two enemies instead of one, especially if you have a teammate who is AFK, uncooperative, etc., they also added a Jailer with a minigun for you to contend with, too. It's clear to me why this was one of the least popular changes that came along with Warzone 2.0.

Thankfully we won't have to put up with it for very much longer, though, because Infinity Ward has announced on Twitter that they're reverting the Gulag back to its former 1v1 glory. This change is scheduled to be implemented along with the Season 2 update for both Warzone 2.0 and Modern Warfare II, which we learned y??esterday has been delayed by two weeks. I guess this gives us yet another reason to look for?ward to the game's second season, along with bug fixes, a new Raid episode, and new game modes, just to name a few of the upcoming features.

//twit??ter.com/InfinityWard/status/161613341118971??0848

Season 2 is officially dropping on February 15, as per a tweet from the Call of Duty Twitter account yesterday, so we only have to deal with the 2v2 shenanigans for a little while l?onger. It's nice that they wanted to branch out and try something new to keep things feeling fresh, but unfortunately, this turned out to be more of a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" situation.

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And, of course, Luisa is in the mix

Mediatonic has launched one final event to round out the 2022 season of its madcap multiplayer title, Fall Guys �Now available on all platforms, the coming weekend will give Disney-lovin' beans the opportunity to bag three character skins pulled from the studio's excellent 2021 feature, Encanto.

Three members of the Madrigal family have received the battle royale bean treatment, namely the quirky Mirabe?l, the mysterious Uncle Bruno (complete with rat!), and, everybody's favorite, the mighty Luisa! In addition, a new Wearable allows players to don the Madrigal Miracle Candle �a symbol of pure love that is able to bestow seemingly impossible magic on the family's descendants. Just watch out for hot wax on the ol' noggin.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX7mR39H3rg&??;t=51s&ab_channel=PlayStation

In addition to these four skins, players can also purchase two new emotes �featuring some sweet dance steps, as well as a selection of nicknames and nameplates. The Fall Guys Encanto DLC is available to purchase from the Fall Guys in-game ?store from now until January 3, so move fast if you want to make sure that Luisa finds her way to the crown. And woe betide anybody standing in her way.

Oh, and if you haven't seen Encanto, perhaps check it ?out this weekend. It's marvelous.

Fall Guys is available now on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch plat?forms.

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