Surely this can't keep happening

The most bonkers pattern in video game leaks has happened again. Not a leak of a video game, mind you. But a leak of classified military information in order to win a fight on an internet forum for War Thunder, a game about tanks.

This is somehow the third time this has happened on the War Thunder forums. The first happened in July 2021, as a War Thunder player posted classified documents in an eff??ort to prove a point about one of the in-?game tanks.

Later that year, the same thing happened again. A player got into an argument about a French battle tank, and to win the sparring match, they posted a part of the tank manual. It led to this message from the moderators, via Kotaku:?? "Guys its not funny to leak classified Documents of modern equipment you put the lives of many on stake who work daily with the Vehicles! Keep in Mind that those documents will be deleted immediately alongside sanctions. Tha??nks for reading!"

Now, as detailed by the UK Defense Journal, it seems to have happened a third time. A forum user posted documents about a Chinese DTC10-125 round. Forum moderators swiftly removed the post, saying "materials related to the DTC10-125 are classified ??in China."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjG3rOKGWGc

Tanks for the memories

We won't share the images here, obviously. But it is absolutely wild that this keeps happening. Video game forums can always get a bit weird, bu??t leaking classified info? is a bit much.

War Thunder development has since banned the user, and sent a statement over to Kotaku:

"Our community managers immediately banned the user and deleted his post, as the information on this particular shell is still classified in China. Publishing classified information on any vehicle of any nation at War Thunder forums is clearly prohibited, and the game develop??ers never use it in their work.

"While we understand that our players want the game to be as realistic as possible, we’re kindly asking them not to do anything illegal and jeopardise their safety, as well as safety of our community team members. The developers of War Thunder do their best to resear??ch i??nformation on vehicles using legally available tools, and scandals like this are clearly not useful for our efforts."

It's good that the team is so swift at handling such a bizarre situation. I'd guess it's not what they initially signed up for when becoming moderators of a video game forum. Maybe third time's the charm in teaching War Thunder forum-goers to stop leaking information?

The post Classified militar?y info?? once again leaks out on a tank game forum appeared first on Destructoid.

Project rebooted by Highwire Games

Over a decade ago, Konami announced that it was working with developer Atomic Games on new tactical shooter Six Days in Fallujah, which would recount the real-life story of the Second Battle of Fallujah - a horrifying urban conflict that took place in the winter of 2004 as part of the Iraq War and remains mired in controversy to this day. In the face of negative publicity, and despite Konami's insistence its title would present a respectful and non-sensationalized "??documentary" of t??he brutal encounter, the plug was pulled on the project in 2009.

Today, 11 years since the unfinished release was consigned to the vault, publisher Victura and developer Highwire Games have announced their intentions to reboot the project, re-opening development on Six Days in Fallujah with an eye to releasing the cancelled title on PC and consoles la?ter ?in 2021.

"Sometimes the only way to understand what's true is to experience reality for yourself," says former Marine Sergeant Eddie Garcia, who initially proposed the idea for Six Days in Fallujah, having fought in the battle themselves. "War is filled with uncertainty and tough choices that can't be understood by watching someone on a TV or movie screen make these choices for you. Video games can help all of us underst?and real-world events in ways other media can't."

"It's hard to understand what combat is actually like through fake people doing fake things in fake places," says Victura CEO Peter Tamte on the official website. "This generation showed ??sacrifice and courage in Iraq as remarkable as any in history. And now they're offering the rest of us a new way to understand one of the most important?? events of our century. It's time to challenge outdated stereotypes about what video games can be."

Perhaps pre-empting the return of negative press, Victura stresses that Highwire is working closely with "over 100" former and current soldiers who were involved in the Battle of Fallujah, with the aim of ensuring that Six Days in Fallujah is "the most authentic military shooter to date" with the game's narrative and characters "[telling] these military and civilian stories with the integrity they deserve." Victura will release further information about Six Days in Fallujah in the coming weeks and months.

The post Over a decade after its cancellation, the controversial Si?x Days in Fallujah is b??ack in development appeared first on Destructoid.

Ready for deployment at long last

Two of Call of Duty's finest characters - Farah Karim and Nikolai - will finally arrive as playable operators in Season Six of both Modern Warfare and its accompanying battle royale title, Warzone.

Farah made her series debut in 2019's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. A passionate, fearless freedom fighter and founder of the Urzikstan Liberation Force, Farah has a deeply held and personal interest in seeing the toppling of the invading Russian forces. Farah is one of the highlights of the Modern Warfare campaign, and it is staggeri??ng that it has taken almost a year to see her playable debut.

A Call of Duty veteran, Nikolai has featured in multiple Modern Warfare releases. Nikolai is a Russian informant who has helped out Captain Price and his squad on numerous occasions when there was nowhere else to turn, often transporting himself right into the thick of battle at huge personal risk. Despite his common appearances in CoD lore, little i??s known of Nikolai's true past and identity.

A new cinematic trailer sees Farah and Nikolai team up for a deadly stealth operation, held within a dank system of subterranean tunnels. This video also seemingly confirms the addition of a new subway system to the Warzone ma?p, a locale that has been the subject of rumour among the CoD community in recent times.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Warzone are available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

The post Farah and Nikolai are finally headed to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and War??zone appeared first on Destructoid.

Horror shooter not ready to lie down just yet

British developer Rebellion has announced that its undead Nazi shooter Zombie Army 4: Dead War will receive a further two seasons of DLC content, extending the life, (or is that "afterlife), of the multiplayer team t??itle ??into 2021.

Rebellion announced the content in a new video - which you can check out below. Seasons two and three will bring with them a fresh slew of characters, enemies, weapons and maps, alongside expanded campaign chapters. Previous DLC drops have seen our rag-tag band of heroes venture into darkest Transylvania, and even into forgotten subterranean cities, while on their q?uest to ??eradicate every trace of the Undead Reich.

There is still some season one content to arrive in the coming weeks, including a zoo-based Horde map and a crossbow pistol pack. Season two will then follow later in 2020, with season three launching at some point in 2021. Specific details regarding the new content will be revealed closer to release, but the video ??does contain a sneak peek at some of season two's new locations. There will be a mix of paid and free goodies included in both seasons.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

Two ??more seasons of Zombie Army 4: DLC are on the way [The Sixth Axis]

The post Zombie Army 4: Dead War to receive two mo?re seasons of content appeared first on Destructoid.

Bury the Undead Reich

Rebellion has released the third and final chapter of Zombie Army 4: Dead War's story expansion Hell Cult. Available to purchase now on all platforms, Deeper Than Hell adds a new story chapter, new weapons, and an all-new? difficulty setting for hardened zombie-poppers.

Following on from the previous chapter, Blood Count, Deeper Then Hell sees our mob of ragtag heroes travel into a subterranean arch?aeological dig, where it appears The Reich had been attempting to tap into some great evil from generations past. Not only will players have to contend with armies of rotting Nazis, but it seems that the guardians of the ruins themselves are none-too-pleased with this violent incursion into their resting place. It's been a long and frightening journey, soldier, but the end is in sight. Fight on.

Alongside this climatic story chapter, the Deeper Than Hell DLC also includes a new character in the form of French resistance fighter Maria. On the boom-boom front, new sidearm weaponry includes the highly penetrative Luger P08 and the devastating Shotgun Pistol. Yeah, you heard me right. Also included are a selection of "Wrapping Paper" skins for your favourite boomsticks and an all-new "Brutal" difficulty mode, which will no doubt test the mettle of even the most veteran Zombie Army players.

Deeper Than Hell is available to purchase for around $7, or comes included with the Zombie Army 4 season pass. Zombie Army 4: Dead War is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

The post Deeper Than Hell is the final chapter of Zombie Army 4’s ‘Hell Cult’ campaign appeared first on Destructoid.

Landmark moment for 11-bit studios

In a particularly groundbreaking moment for the medium of gaming, 11 bit studios' acclaimed release This War of Mine has been designated "recommended reading" by the Polish Educational System. Originally released back in 2014, This War of Mine deals with the besieg??ed city of Pogoren, Graznavia, tasking players with the survival of a handful of citizens, huddled tog?ether beneath the chaos with meager food and supplies.

This new motion is the result of a campaign by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and the country's Ministry of Education, who have determined that the award-winning game has brought significant value to Poland's cultural heritage. This War of Mine will now feature in a variety of school and college programs, and will feature in classes related to the human sciences: sociology,?? ethics, philosophy and history.

"Games are a work of culture. Modern ones, natural and attractive for the young gen??eration. Games speak a language instinctively understandable by them - the language of interaction," said 11-bit studios CEO Grzegorz Miechowski in a press statement. "Using this language, games can talk about everything - emotions, truth, the fight between good and evil, humanity, suffering. They are similar to literature in that regard, however, they use the aforementioned language of interaction... I’m proud to say 11 bit studios' work can add to the development of education and culture in our country. This can be a breakthrough moment for all artists creating games all around the world."

This War of Mine is availabl??e now on PS4, PC, X??box One, Switch, and mobile platforms.

The post This War o??f Mine bec?omes recommended reading in the Polish educational system appeared first on Destructoid.

We are going to have to act, if we want to live in a different world

Command & Conquer represents a watershed moment in the strategy genre. There had been titles of its kind before, but Westwood Studios' military base-builder was, undeniably, a key moment in opening the niche genre up to a more mainstream audience. Thus, for many, Command & Conquer was the first strategy game they had ?ever played.

Originally, C&C was an alternate take on Westwood's previous release, Dune II, having repurposed many gameplay elements and mechanics from the 1992 DOS classic. But in the ensuing decades, C&C has written its own legend, thanks in no small part to its fast-paced gameplay, tongue-in-??cheek FMV sequences, hard rockin' soundtrack, and ready availability on consoles, a market often shied by the majority of map-based strategy titles.

Swiftly learning that fantasy was key to inviting in a wider audience, C&C gradually shifted from standard "grunts 'n' tanks" action to scenes of warfare that included missile-firing dolphins, psychic schoolgirls, screaming mechanical spiders, and Jenny McCarthy as a top-tier Black Ops commando. It's C&C's universe now, we're all just living it.

But today we return to a quainter time – when the series was still finding its footing – courtesy of the recently released Command & Conquer Remastered Edition. This double pack features fresh takes on the series' first two entries: Command & Conquer (1995) and Command & Conquer Red Alert (1996). Let's fi?nd out if these classics still deserve the Nod of approval.

Command & Conquer Remastered Collection (PC)
Developer: Petroglyph
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: June 5, 2020
MSRP: $19.99

From the moment the player first fires up Command & Conquer Remastered Collection, it's very clear that developer Petroglyph is going above and beyond to get the nostalgia fires burning. Opening with the classic Westwood Studios logo, the player is then treated to a phony '90s installation process, complete with sound card selection – SoundBlaster 16, we hardly knew thee. This process then culminates with an upgrade to 4K resoluti?ons, the stuff of a madman's dream back in 1995. The famous "channel-hopping" FMV intro fires up, and ?we're off to war once again.

Overall, this fake installation sequence is a metaphor for this remaster in its entirely. C&C Remastered is a nostalgia-fueled product that wishes to deliver an experience almost exactly as fans remember, but polished with subtle gameplay tweaks, progressive control options, and a splendid visual and audio overhaul. These additions bring both Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert – along with bundled expansions Covert Ops, Counterstrike, and Aftermath, and even the console-exclusive missions – marching int??o 2020.

Once out on the battlefield, the decades just melt away, with C&C feeling immediately comfortable. The vibrant visual upgrade gives the soldiers, vehicles, buildings, and torrid landscapes a whole new lease of life, while remastered sound makes the famous voice samples and unit acknowledgments crystal-clear (kudos to original EVA actor Kia Huntzinger, who returned to re-record her indelible U.I. dialogue). C&C Remastered's target objective is to provide an experi?ence that looks, sounds, and feels new, while still retaining the beat-by-beat gameplay of its forefathers. It is a goal that the package delivers with accuracy and pas??sion.

C&C Remastered features a slew of custom options that allow the player to fine-tune features old and new to find their gameplay "sweet spot." Players have control over multiple elements of C&C Remastered, from visuals and audio, to new mechanics, game speed, key bindings, and more. You want the original lo-fi sound samples? You can have them; A new build-queuing mechanic? You got it; Want to fully configure your mouse buttons? You can. C&C Remastered offers a deep level of customisation, allowing each player to adjust both titles to their needs, whether they want the nostalgia? dial on low, or cranked right up to 11.

These configurable options are vital because, undeniably, C&C's gameplay has become dated. Though groundbreaking on release, it's a simple fact that 25 years have since past, and the strategy genre has made enormous strides in that time. As such, while purists will relish the restrictions placed upon them for their Tiberium-based battles, newcomers may be shocked at the overall simplicity of old-school C&C action. But, by offering a wide range of customisable options, C&C is afforded the potential for modernisation without even once compromising on its decidedly retro? gaming experience.

Unfortunately, not every element of C&C Remastered can be brought up to scratch. Despite being given a smudgy filter, C&C's famous FMV sequences look mostly atrocious. These sequences were never intended to b?e seen outside of a low-res PC window, let alone on a 4K widescreen monitor, so this is an almost unavoidable blemish. As a wonderful bonus, original rehearsal footage is unlocked throughout the campaign, giving fans a fun look at the quaint fi?lm shoots that brought Seth, Kane, Stalin, Tanya, and Albert Einstein to life.

It would be a crime not to make mention of C&C Remastered's fantastic soundtrack, which features not only original and remastered versions of the memorable tunes of yesteryear, but also includes a selection of brand new tracks, recorded by original composer Frank Klepacki and his band "The Tiberian Sons." Over two decades later, C&C's score still holds up marvelously. Even its occasionally cheesy '90s samples still raise a smile. A jukebox? option lets players custom-build their own setlist out of both game??s' scores, so you can personally DJ your base-destroying, body-burning mayhem.

Expanding on this customisation factor, C&C Remastered also includes not only a Map Editor for homespun missions, but also contains the original source code for both Tiberium Dawn and Red Alert. This exceptional decision by Electronic Arts opens up a whole new future for both titles, allowing the die-hard community to create entirely new missions, campaigns, units, and more. C&C Remastered is good enough as a standard gaming experience but, for the franchise faithful??, it is also a tool?box that opens up worlds of possibility.

Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is now a flag-bearer for how to do a remaster correctly. By including a slew of options – and heavily emphasising player customisation – Petroglyph has created a nostalgia trip that can be as old-school or as progressive as each player desires. C&C Remastered successfully walks a fine line of bringing these vintage strategy sims up-to-date, while never losing sight of the limitations that initially made them all-time classics. The package is a little pricey at $20, but for C&C fans, modders, and video game historians, it's well wort?h its w??eight in Tiberium crystals.

Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is a masterclass in how to re-energise a classic title. There's no denying that the 25-year-old gameplay doesn't quite hold up to its modern contemporaries, but with over 100 missions, progressive options, revamped multiplayer, and full mod support, C&C Remastered is both a solid package and a proud testament to Westwood Studios' genre-defining work. Now, about Red Alert 2...

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Command & Conquer Remastered Collection appeared first on Destructoid.

Step by step... Heart to heart...

Do you all remember the Xbox strategy title Toy Soldiers? If so, then Ubisoft has great news, as the franchise is set to return with Toy Soldiers 2: Finest Hour, currently in deve?lopment for PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch?.

Realised by Signal Studios back in 2010, Toy Soldiers was a staple of Xbox Live Arcade and saw battalions of miniaturised soldiers, vehicles, and encampments wage chaotic warfare on mom's kitchen table. It would receive several expansions and DLC add-ons, bringing new units, scenery and campaigns to the game, along with guest stars such as Assassin's Creed's Ezio Auditore.

Toy Soldiers 2: Finest Hour will be shifting the action to the events of World War II and will see a return to the scale-model strategy that made the original such a unique and fun concept - with raging battles taking place on land, sea, and in the air. A new website includes a short teaser video, which captures the nea??t, plasticky aesthet??ic of the franchise.

Alongside the sequel reveal, Ubisoft has also announced that the original Toy Soldiers titles are being remastered for Nintendo Switch. Toy Soldiers HD and Toy Soldiers: Cold War HD will feature both the original games, complete with all DLC, and?? spruced up with new content, tweake?d difficulty settings, and optimised control systems. No release date has been announced for the new sequel or either remaster.

Toy Soldiers 2: Finest Hour is i??n de??velopment for PS4, PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Toy Soldiers 2 announced alongside remaster [GameSpot]

The post Xbox Live favourite Toy ??Soldiers will return to?? the front line in new sequel appeared first on Destructoid.

Don't stay out after dark

Rebellion has released the latest DLC for Zombie Army 4: Dead War. Mission 2: Blood Count, available to purchase on ?all platforms now, represents the second chapter of the horror shooter's ongoing "Hell Cult" story campaign.

Blood Count sees our intrepid heroes travel to Transylvania, where they will investigate the Undead Reich's mysterious plan to burrow beneath an ominous gothic castle. Quite what lies in the soil, no-one knows, but surely anything buried deep in Transylvanian soil can't be too friendly. Players will have to fight their way through armies of ??zombies, including new bat-hybrid creepers, if they are to uncover the truth and throw a wrench in evil's plans.

Alongside the new story chapter, Blood Count will include a new?? player character, Werner, a former Nazi officer and master sniper who has turned rogue against his scumbag cohorts. Also included in the bundle is a powerful new secondary weapon, the Mortar Shotgun, a selection of gory new "Bloodsoaked" skins for your arsenal, and finally a selection of gas masks, ranging from creepy WWI examples to a bizarre kawaii endeavour.

Mission 2: Blood Count is available to purchase for around $7, or comes included with the Zombie Army 4's season pass. Zombie Army 4: Dead War is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

The post Zombie Army 4’s ‘Hell Cult’ campaign continues with Blood Count DLC appeared first on Destructoid.

Relive The Battle for Burger Town

It's still really distressing... It's been over 10 years, and it's still one of the most disturbing moments in the annals of video games. Despite the tell-tale "gaming" reminders (a quick glance around reveals a very repetitive use of character models), it's the little things: the cop who slowly draws his gun in disbelief; the guy trying to pull an injured loved one to safety; the hapless trio of tourists who think surrendering will save their lives. But ultimately, what actually causes?? the chills, is the rea?l-world relatability of the situation.

When talking about violence in video games, it's always the usual scapegoats that get name-checked – your Mortal Kombats and Resident Evils. But they're not really violent. They're violent like, say, The Running Man is violent. Modern Warfare 2's notorious "No Russian" is actually violent. And let's face it, we know exactly why it's so upsetting: it's representative of real-world atrocities, far detached from the comic-book safety of ??exploding zombies an?d decapitated ninjas featured in other "shocking" games.

Despite MW 2's toothless "This Game is Fictional" opening salvo, "No Russian" remains a little too close for comfort. That's why people are still talking about it. It's why I mentally recall the scene every time I visit an airport (not dissimilar to how Jaws af?fected a generation of beach-goers). And it's why today, over a decade later, it's still an indelible sequence to almost everyone who experiences it.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (PS4 [reviewed], PC, Xbox One)
Developer: Beenox
Publisher: Activision
Released: March 31, 2020 (PS4), April 30, 2020 (PC, Xbox One)
MSRP: $19.99

Given that Modern Warfare 2 sold well over 20 million copies in total, it almost seems redundant to relate the campaign's plot. But for those who didn't experience Infinity Ward's hugely anticipated follow-up to the genre-defining Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, here's a quick refresher: In the aftermath of the?? afo?rementioned airport massacre, an accusatory finger points at the United States, which leads to a full-on Russian invasion of North America.

With the country under siege and the U.S. "all out of friends," it's up to the country's Ranger Corp. to hold fast on the front line of suburbia, while black ops outfit Task Force 141 &ndash??; led by the hardened General Shepherd – must hurriedly uncover the truth behind the terrible incident that left hundreds of Russian civilians dead, and Uncle Sam carrying the blame.

While no one would suggest the original Modern Warfare was strictly believable, its sequel was definitely the entry that began the franchise's love affair with truly over-the-top action sequences. There's an irony that MW 2 presents the audience with a set-piece as brutal and somber as "No Russian" before bombarding them with snowmobile chases, a wild running battle through a favela, a sabotage mission on an oil rig, a trip to outer space and, perhaps best of all, a ridiculously explosive rescue mission at a Russian gulag. Every one of these scenes worthy of 007 or, perhaps more accurately, M?ichael Bay.

At the time of release, the ridiculousness of these missions turned off some parts of the fanbase, who felt MW 2 had gone too far over the brink with its "Hollywood movie" stylings. It's amusing to reflect on that today, given that the franchise has since taken a deep dive into jet-boots, plasma-rifles, spider-drones, and anti-gravity wall-running. Hell, by the time we came around to World War II once again, I was very surpri??sed how many fucking car chases my school textbooks had omitted.

But old Father Time has worked beautifully in MW 2's favour. Now its bombastic nature – compared to the Advanced Warfares that would follow in its stead – doesn't seem quite so jarring juxtaposed to CoDs past. Still as energising today as it was in 2009, Modern Warfare 2's campaign offers players engaging, intense, and exciting missions, filled with memorable moments, wild surprises, and Fast and Furious-level logic. Hell, today I can even watch Task Force 141's utterly insane solution to the Russ?ian invasion with a new tongue-in-cheek perspective, as opposed to the head-shaking disbeli?ef it received in 2009.

The story has been given a serious adrenaline shot by Beenox' amazing remaster work, which brings the last-gen visuals, textures, effects, and animations in line with more recent CoD releases. More than a simple "upscale and polish" job, every scene feels true to the original release, yet somehow new all at the same time. Boosted by the power of modern technology, MW2:R plays very cleanly, with crisp control, immersive sound, and stunning visuals, further enhanced in HDR and 4K resolutions for PS4 Pro users. Whether you know MW 2 like the back of?? your hand, or you're experiencing the campaign for the first time, it's still a crazy ride.

The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered package is a slim one. As the title suggests, it simply consists of the original campaign, but not its multiplayer mode or "Spec Ops" side-missions. The campaign does offer CoD's famously nihilistic difficulty options, as well as a huge list of classic and new trophies to unlock. Gathering the hidden intel dotted throughout the maps also unlocks a range of goofy settings, screen filters, and challenges – for example a hellish mode where every killed enemy drops a live grenade. Thanks. These features are obviously p?rovided to present longevity and/o??????????????????????????r replay value.

At $20, it's understandable that some may want to hold off for a discount, and it can't be denied that it's a shame we don't get to enjoy MW 2's legendary multiplayer mode again. But, to be fair, Activision has just released a great, free-to-play Call of Duty multiplayer experience, not to mention Modern Warfare (2019) has its own multiplayer elements, so the omission here is expected. Whether an (admittedly excellent) remaster of a single campaign is worth the asking price will likely come down to your dedication to the CoD franchise.

Time has been kind to Modern Warfare 2. The resonance of this particular entry is demonstrated with heartfelt passion in Beenox' high-gloss, finely-tuned remaster. While the overall package is slim and the asking price no doubt steep for some tastes, there's no denying that MW 2's provocative and exciting campaig??n has aged like wine, an explosive roller-coaster still worth riding.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provide?d by the pu?blisher.]}

The post Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign R??emastered appeared first on Destructoid.

Get back to the Gulag

There are new content updates in the works for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and its sister-release, Warzone. These updates were originally scheduled to have gone live this morning, but have now been delayed at the last minute for unspecified reasons. According to Infinity Ward, bo??th tit??les will now be updated "in the coming days."

The update includes a new map for Modern Warfare multiplay??er, Khandor Hideout. Designed for team-based play, the new locale features a dingy interior warehouse, and an outdoor area featuring more waist-high obstacles than you can shake a Molotov at. This map will also support the new 6v6 mode, which sounds like a blast for you and your chums.

Over in Warzone, the battle royale title is getting a selection of weapons from the Modern Warfare arsenal. These include the MK2 Carbine rifle, the 50 GS handgun, the EBR-14 marksman rifle, and finally the controversial 725 Shotgun, which had to be removed from Modern Warfare shortly after launch due to its scoped range and incredible stopping power. Not quit??e the monster it once was, it still packs a hefty wallop.

Finally, players can pick up a brand new operative, Talon, by spending COD Points. Reeking of "committee-produced cool," Talon joins the Coalition along with his faithful dog, Indiana, who will make their presence felt during Talon's finishing moves. Once purchased, Talon can be used in both Modern Warfare and Warzone.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Warzone are available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

Call of Duty Briefings [Official]

The post Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/War??zone update will add new operator, map, and weapons appeared first on Destructoid.

Fight for survival, and find out if you're worth it

Back in the heady days of 2017-2018, there was a concern among the gaming community that, in the wake of the unprecedented success of Epic Games' Fortnite, every vi?deo game brand under the sun was going to leap onto the "battle royale" bandwagon. Y'all remember the E3 m??emes, right? With Dolan? Yeah, you remember.

It didn't really turn out that way. Oh sure, many established franchises went straight for a piece of the Last Person Standing pie, whilst new IPs such as LawBreakers burst onto the scene to amazing... umm... Look, the point I'm making is, the whole industry did not go battle royale crazy. Today, Fortnite continues its dominance, while a few successful alternates such as EA's Apex Legends please their ??own dedicated audience. The genre is alive and well, and it didn't ruin video games forever.

Last week, like a bullet out of the blue, Activision launched a new entry in the genre, marrying the billion-dollar Call of Duty franchise with the grim mercenary appeal of originator PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. This isn't Acti's first rodeo, having previously tried its hand with Black Ops IV's "Blackout" mode. But Call of Duty: Warzone isn't quite the same animal. In fact, this free-to-play release intr?oduces features and innovations that help inject a new lease of life into the mass multiplayer shooter.

For the most part, Call of Duty: Warzone follows the tried-and-tested battle royale mechanics to a tee. 150 players parachute into the huge, desolate, and grim island of Verdansk in squads of three, before procuring weaponry on-site, and engaging in battle with over 100 players in intense sharp-shooting combat. But where Warzone excels over some of its predecessors is in its incredible depth of activity?? when it comes to finding and? earning weaponry.

While there's plenty of top-tier hardware laying about in loot boxes dotted throughout the map, there are also shops with which to purchase some real premium death-dealers, as well as the famous CoD perks (UAV, airstrikes, attack drones, and the like). If you really want to kit yourself out against the odds, then players can also earn or purchase airdrops which, when opened, allow access to your custom loadouts from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's standard multiplayer modes.

On top of this, players can find and accept "Contracts" around Verdansk. These are essentially side-quests, such as the capturing of buildings, or bounty-hunting specific players (sucks to be that guy). These Contracts not only reward you and your buddies well, but they add an extra level of activity, additional tasks beyond the stand??ard "search and destroy" battle royale gameplay.

Perhaps Warzone's finest feature – and I mean "finest" – is the fantastic "Gulag" mechanic. When you are killed in battle, you are captured and chucked into a grim, Alcatraz-style prison cell, ?along with all other recently-deceased players. Once here, you are thrown into a randomised one-on-one showdown with another unlucky sap. Should you lose this fight, it's essentially game over, but should you win, you are then re-spawned back into battle royale with one final chance for glory.

This is a great addition to the genre, not only offering players a second chance, but coming up with an exciting, engaging way to make them earn that chance, via a gimmick that perfectly fits inside the CoD universe. Even as the surviving team member, knowing that your running buddy is currently in the Gulag, and eagerly anticipating their possible return, adds a great tension of the unknown. The Gulag is not only Warzone's best innovation, but it could force other battle royale titles to step up their ideas in the next generation. It's a concept that sho??ws there is s?till much to be explored within the genre.

Alongside battle royale, Warzone has a second mode – Plunder – which is all about the mon-ay. In Plunder, players must gather up as much cash as possible, before depositing it on a helicopter at a nearby landing pad. But be warned, anyone killed immediately drops all of their cash, and the highest-earning players are eventually marked out as bounties. It's a much more frequently combative mode than battle royale, with deeper strategy beyond just hunkering down against the odds. I can imagine, played with a full team of friends on comms, that Plunder's frantic dash for cash – and desperate attempts to hold onto said cash – would be a riot.

Of course, all of these ideas and innovations count for nothing if the core game doesn't pass muster. As expected from the reliable Call of Duty brand, Warzone has few faults in regards to its fast, slick, and stable gameplay. Running on the same top-tier engine and assets that make up Modern Warfare, Warzone look??s and sounds fantastic. Presentation is excellent, with neat opening and victory sequences, and a miserable "dragged to the Gulag" cutscene that lends character and meat to the undeniably bare-bones "We're just hav??ing a massive scrap" setup.

The hollow husk of Verdansk feels like a thriving metropolis that collapsed in the space of a weekend, featuring a business district, marshland, storm drains, a military base, even a sports stadium. It's disquieting to the point of haunted, and the silence can be deafen??ing, jarring you into action with the crack of distant rifle fire – or the roaring engine of a party of killers, bearing down on you in one of the map's many abandoned vehicles.

Anyone comfortable with Modern Warfare's combat will be instantly at home in Warzone, which carries a similar pace and punch to MW's Ground War mode, without quite the same level of "pinned down" frustration. Time to Kill is managed by an important armour mechanic, which allows players to collect and apply up to three levels of armour, an absolute necessity in the thick of battle. Once naked – not literally – then at? the very least players have the comfort of knowing health is regenerative. That's not to be relied upon. Aim fast, aim well, put your mark down. You can be sure they'll do the same to you.

An important aside: Warzone's download latches onto the standard Call of Duty: Modern Warfare install, and on PS4 adds around 20GB of overall data. However, if you do not have MW installed, and just want to download Warzone, then you'll need a whopping 90-100GB of storage space – a shocking HDD footprint. So those with internet caps sho??uld ta??ke heed before they pull the trigger.

Call of Duty: Warzone is a welcome evolution of battle royale, which doesn't alter the core elements that make the genre so appealing, but does add innovative side-missions, comeback mechanics, and loot strategies, all painted over with a coat of Call of Duty's unmistakable million-dollar gloss. There's nothing really here to attract those who are already disinterested in the genre, but battle royale fans, particularly those who like their battles grounded in "real life," would do very well to check out CoD: Warzone. It costs nothing, and might???? well become your new addiction.

Call of Duty: Warzone is available to download now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

The post Call of Duty: Warzone is a slick evolution ?of battle royale appeared first on Destructoid.

The unholy 'Hell Cult' trilogy begins

Rebellion has released the first chapter of Zombie Army 4: Dead War's expansion campaign, Hell Cult. The DLC bundle includes a new campaign mission, character, and several new weapons and skins, along with a new map for ZA4's Horde Mode.

Set during events following the main campaign, Terror Lab sees our war-torn heroes exploring the science bunkers of the resurrected Reich. Whether alone or accompanied by up to three bu??ddies, players must clear out this grim hellhole, laying waste to the army of flesh-eaters within and uncovering the secrets behi?nd the undead Nazi menace.

The Terror Lab DLC bundle also introduces American Sea Captain Josiah, a classic bearskin outfit for Boris, and new death-dealing weaponry such as the M1 semi-auto carbine rifle and the PPSH-41 sub-machine gun. A Molten Lave skin adds a fiery tone to your arsenal, while the Undead Wood map ??provides a spooky backdrop for the relentless Horde mo?de.

Terror Lab can be purchased as a standalone bundle or is included with the Zombie Army 4: Dead War season pass. The second chapter, Blood Count, will launch in April, with the trilogy concluding in May. F??urther updates, including ?free modes and maps, can be expected over summer.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

The post Dare you visit Zombie Army 4’s horrific Terror Lab? appeared first on Destructoid.

Rat-a-Tat-Tat

Rebellion's co-op shooter Zombie Army 4: Dead War is now out of the trenches and ready to do battle on PS4, PC and Xbox One. The developer/publisher released one final trailer to showcase the sequel's chaotic, action-packed universe, where the living stand together to fend off a horde of soldiers that were once almost human.

Up to four players can squad up to take on a seemingly endless march of the undead, ranging from bog-standard zombie grunts and explosive-laden psychopaths to heavily armoured boss characters and even a zombie shark! Dead War con?tains a full co-op story campaign along with various side-attractions, inclu??ding that staple of the co-op shooter: Horde Mode.

Post-release, Rebellion has plans to pepper Dead War with multiple updates, adding new modes, characters, gear, maps and weaponry. Much like World War Z, Dead War l??ooks to be a shamelessly cathartic good time, and a wild way to spend a weekend with some pals. So if you fancy laying waste to the decaying remnants of the Reich, This could be a title worth setting your iron sights on.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

The post Zombie Army 4: Dead War? lets rip with frenzied launch? trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

Afterlife

Zombie Army 4: Dead War rises from the grave and comes shuffling onto PC and consoles in just a week. As such, developer Rebellion has already started building hype for the first wave of content which will be coming to the undead militar??y shooter post-release.

Season One of Dead War will include a self-contained side-campaign, Hell Cult, consisting of three individual chapters and feat?uring new enemies and an original storyline. For Horde fans, more maps can be expected, offering new and varied battlefields for you and your fri??ends to send the decaying Nazi menace on a one-way trip back into the ground.

Alongside the new campa?ign and Horde maps, sporadic content drops will add new characters, a powerful arsenal of fresh weapo?ns, and new charms, costumes and skins, keeping your Band of Brothers looking slick while they save the world from a fate beyond death.

The Horde maps will be available free to all players, but the Hell Cult campaign and other additions are paid DLC. A season pass is already available to purchase, and also comes included with the Zombie Army 4: Dead War Super Deluxe Edition

Zombie Army 4: Dead War launches on PS4, PC and Xbox One on February 4.

The post Zombie Army 4: Dead War d?igs up its post-launch c?ontent plans appeared first on Destructoid.

Zombie Shark... doo, doo, do-doo, do, doo,

With less than three weeks to go until the launch of creepy alt-history shooter Zombie Army 4: Dead War, developer Rebellion has released a new trailer showcasing the ghoulish, violent warfare that awaits fans of this strange series, a spin-off from the Sniper Elite titles.

The jam-packed trailer showcases many elements of Dead War, including characters, locations, an arsenal of explosive weaponry, special abilities and, of cour??se, the rotting hordes of the resurrected Reich. The undead will swarm?? parties of up to four players in intense, co-op gamplay, forcing them to stand their ground with immense firepower, environmental traps, and powerful, crowd-clearing elemental abilities.

As players grind their way through Dead War's 100??-rank system, they will unlock gear, item modifiers, weapon executions, upgrades, and mor??e. Multiple modes include a full co-op campaign and the obligatory Horde Mode, which promises to test the mettle of even the best players against wave after wave of dangerous enemies.

While essentially a mid-tier release, it might not be wise to sleep on Zombie Army 4: Dead War. It looks great, seems very creative in its monster design, and is stacked to the rafters with interesting locations, enemies, and weapons. Much like World War Z before it, Dead Army co??uld prove to be one of the surprise multiplayer experiences of 2020.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War launches February 4 on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

The post Zombie Army 4: Dead War looks gre?at in this feature-packed trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

Modern Gorefare

British developer Rebellion has announced a release date for the fourth entry in its grim shooter series Zombie Army. Dead War will be arriving on PS4,?? PC and Xbox One on February 4, 2020.

Expert sniper Karl, engineer Shola, steel-hearted tactician Jun and the heavyweight might of Boris are the team standing tall against the putrid horde of the undead Nazi menace, providing players with exciting and chaotic co-op multiplayer action. As expected from the team behind the Sniper Elite series, Zombie Army 4 will feature advanced shooting mechanics and more than its fair share of detailed gore ????effects. Bleurgh.

For dedicated franchise fans, a collector's edition will also be made available. This set includes the game in a steelbook casing, a soundtrack sampler, a 60-page art book, an "Undead Airman" character pack and, finally, a 10-inch figurine of a zombie shark, what else? This collector's edition is available to pre-order at GAME in the UK, priced at around £90.

For those of you who wish to go all in on content, a "Super Deluxe Edit?ion" comes loaded with all upcoming DLC. This includes three new campaign levels, four character packs, nine weapon bundles, as well as skins for your heroes and their tools of destruction.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War launches February 4 on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

The post Zombie Army 4: Dead War gets February release date and collector’s edition appeared first on Destructoid.

Trying to raise $1 million for the COD Endowment

For the past 10 years, Activision has spearheaded a charitable mission to help place veterans in new jobs once they transition to back to civilian life. Named the Call of Duty Endowment, this organization is responsible for helping approximately 54,000 for??mer military members start new careers. They want to ??get to 100,000 by 2024.

Activision is letting a couple of its franchises co-mingle for the good of the Endowment. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is getting a Call of Duty-themed airplan??e kart. The Firehawk is the only airplane-like kart in? the game. It's a $5 add-on, and all proceeds go directly to the Call of Duty Endowment.

It won't be around foreve?r, though. Activision's pulling it once it raises $1 million -- presumably at 200,000 sales (although maybe more if it's after Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony take their cut from storefront sales). Act quick if you want a unique kart? that goes toward a good cause.

Crash Team Rac??ing Nitro-Fueled and the Call of Duty Endowment Team Up to Bring Fans a New Kart for a Good Cause! [Activision]

We are thrilled to present the Firehawk kart, the first airplane-themed kart for Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled! Support vets with this special in-game item, available in the PlayStation™ Store, the Microsoft® Store, or the Nintendo eShop. Learn more: //t.co/5XzpbCunNM pic.twitter.com/lq02hhfw0t

— Call Of Duty Endowment (@CODE4Vets) October 4, 2019

The post Crash Team Raci?ng gets a limited-time Call of Duty kart that benefits the tr??oops appeared first on Destructoid.

TANK GIRL

Activision is set to show off Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's multiplayer later this week, but we now have some official details about what will be present in it. For starters, killstreaks are coming back into the fray and you'll be able to summon a tank as one of them. Whether you pilot it or not is yet to be seen, but this could end up bringing back some of that attack helicopter nonsense from Modern Warfare 2.

After a few years of being absent, it seems Activision feels Call of Duty just isn't the same without rewarding successive kills. I was actually pretty fond of how Black Ops 4 handled kill rewards, but I can't deny the rush of adrenaline that racking up kills brings. I'm one of the few to have acquired the tactical nuke in MW2 multiple times, so I might just have to challenge?? myself to get this stupid tank a few times.

Call of Duty [Twitter]

The post Call of Duty: Mo??dern Warfare reintroduces killstreaks, brings a big tank for one appeared first on Destructoid.

That's 'Apocalypse', nothing to do with World Wars

The zombies of Call of Duty's popular side-mode... er... "zombies", look set to bust out all over Black Ops 4, as a new event will see the living dead?? invade multiple modes in Treyarch's military shooter.

Operation Apocalypse Z, which comes to PS4 today, brings new content to all modes, along with a drop of new weapons and items, all tinged with the murky atmosphere of life beyond death. Multiplayer mode sees the return of The Reaper, a terrifying heavy-weapons battle bot from Black Ops III, ready to cut down opposition with The Scythe (which in reality is just a gi??gantic heavy machin??e gun.)

Battle Royale mode Blackout will see a spooky fog fall upon the map, while the creepy Alcatraz locale gets a new night-time variant. If that wasn't enough, a new mode, Alcatraz Portals Horde is good to go today. In the coming weeks, a further mode, Pandemic, and three new characters will be added, including the iconic Machete star Danny Trejo.

As for Zombies itself, well obviously that's getting the lion's share of the new content. This includes a new experience Alpha Omega and a slew of new elixirs, including some familiar favourites from Black Ops III. The coming weeks will add a mammoth new gauntlet as ?well as new beasties all wait??ing to get their noggins popped.

Alongside all of the above, Black Ops 4 will see some grisly character skins and weapons added to the black market. This includes the amusing "Backhander", which is essentially a disembodied zombie arm to slap your foes upside the head with. Japes. For full details on all of the Operation Apocalypse Z content, visit the official Black Ops 4 blog right here. The new co??ntent will head to PC and Xbox One soon.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

The post Call of? Duty: Black Ops 4 rocking the afterlife with Operation Apocalypse Z appeared first on Destructoid.

Undead legion rises again

[Update: During this morning's PC game presentation at E3, we saw official confirmtion of Zombie Army 4: Dead War, which will launch in 2020. You can check out an awesome new trailer below.? Take that, Zombie Hitler.]

A listing on Amazon's Spanish site may have jumped the gun on an upcoming announcement, seemingly revealing a new sequel in Rebellion's popular Zombie Army franchise. This ties in wit??h Rebellion's own intentions to reveal a "major unannounc??ed title" during E3 next week.

According to the (since removed) listing, Zombie Army 4: Dead War will feature an all-new campaign, which will see up to four players battle the undead Nazi menace across 1946 Europe. Zombie Army 4 will also feature "Epic weapons, skills and im?provements," along with the largest horde mode ever made and the return of the grisly X-ray camera.

The listing originally stated that Zombie Army 4: Dead War will be releasing on PS4 and Xbox One and will be receiving a collector's edition. No doubt we will be hearing more (officially) about thi??s creepy seque?l during E3's PC press event, which is taking place on the morning of June 10.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War surfaces on Amazon Spain [Metacouncil / Gematsu]

The post (Update) Zombie Army 4: Dead War seemingly confirmed by Amaz??on listing appeared first on Destructoid.

Summertime and the living is not so easy

Call of Duty fans may already be getting excited about the plethora of news and reveals pertaining to this year's new release, Modern Warfare, but that doesn't mean that A??ctivision's?? current entry in the military shooter franchise isn't still offering plenty of bang for your buck.

Now live on PS4 (with other platforms to follow soon), Black Ops 4 has begun its "Days of Summer" event, bringing a ton of content includin??????????????????????????g maps, vehicles, weapons, skins, and more to the game's multiplayer, Zombies, a?nd Blackout battle royale modes.

First up is the return of Grind, a popular skatepark-based map that will? be added to the standard multiplayer mode. Players will be able to duck in and out of the half-pipes as they lay waste to the opposition with weapons such as the Peacekeeper, Locus, S6 Stingray, and the ever-faithful Ballistic Knife. Also arriving is that mainstay of multiplayer shooter modes: Capture The Flag.

Zombies fans are getting a brand new gauntlet, "Labours of Hercules," complete with 30 new challenges to surmount. New Mastercrafts and attachments are also being made available, along with a slew of new Elixirs including Perkaholic, Near Death Experience, Reign Drops, and Shopping Free, all of?? which will help you on you monster-mashing adventures.

Blackout's battle roy?ale will get a new limited-time mode, Ground War, which will see an almighty battle between two teams of up to 50 players. Also keep your eyes peeled for a mighty new attack helicopter, ready to unleash the hot steel rain on opposing forces. In kee?ping with the spirit of the season, a variety of environmental features and colourful summer clothing is being added to the game, alongside water balloons and BBQ pits.

Arriving with all of the above is the usual run of balance tweaks and bug fixes. Days of Summer is a huge event, featuring so much more than can be listed here. Check out the official Black Ops 4 blog for full details, and remember to apply plenty of sunblock.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

The post C?all of Duty: Black Ops 4 kicks off its Days of Summer event on PS4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Washington's in for another headache

As part of Google's Stadia presentation today, it was revealed that tactical team shooter Tom Clancy's The Division 2 will be blowing up buildings ??and popping heads ?on the new game-streaming service come launch.

Already available on PS4, PC and Xbox One, The Division 2 has won over critics and fans with its ballistic gameplay, intense multiplayer firefights and bleak but immersive environments, as teams of mercenaries battle?? to fre?e Washington D.C. from oppressive forces.

Tom Clancy's The Division 2 is coming to Google Stadia later this year.

The post Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 blowing up on Google Stadia appeared first on Destructoid.

Live Large, No Charge

Activision has announced that players can experience Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's Blackout mode free of charge for one week. Blackout is, of course, CoD's take on the battle royale phenomenon that all the hip kids ar??e into right?? now.

The trial, which begins tomorrow, January 17, will let you jump into Blackout's maps and test your mettle against a glut of other players, either alone, with a pal, or in a small squad of four. An?? array of weaponry and vehicles are up for grabs, as well as plenty of hidey-holes and sweet sniper spots for those who prefer the stealth approach.

Whilst I haven't played it since launch, I found Blackout to be a very effective and well-executed (no pun intended) battle royale experience. It's definitely worth ch??ecking out if you're predisposed to FPS games in general. The trial is available on all platforms and will end on January 24.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

The post Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s Blackout mode gets a week’s free trial starting tomorrow appeared first on Destructoid.

50 on 50 battles

Just when you thought World War II shooters were dead and buried, out comes another one. Publisher Team17 has announced that online, massive scale, team-based first-person shooter Hell Let Loose will be hitting early access in early 2019. Being developed by brand new studio Black Matter, the game is set to be a semi-realistic, ultra-gritty take on the last great war with giga??ntic 50 on 50 matches.

Players will battle with their teams on 1:1 scale maps utilizing historically accurate firearms, over 20 different vehicles and even be taking orders from a player-controlled commander. Mixed in with the expected first-person gunplay is a tactical map that will allow a single pers??on to issue commands and orders to their team and?? possibly turn the tides of war in their favor.

The title is currently slated for release on PC only. No firm window has been given for its Steam launch, but you can already check out the Steam store page to stay up to date on news.

Team 17 to publish hundred-player WW2 shooter Hell Let Loose [Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

The post Hell Let ?Loose shows World War II shooters ?are back en vogue appeared first on Destructoid.

New operators, weapons and map

Ubisoft has announced that the latest content update for their strategic online shooter Rainbow Six Siege is now live in the game's PC test servers. Operation Wind Bastion, like Siege's previous seasons, brings new operators and locales t??o the twitchy, heart-stopping title.

As previously revealed, Operation Wind Bastion takes place in Morocco, bringing two homespun technicians into the fold. Defender Kaid is a mature gent who brings both years of expertise and his deployable Rtila Electroclaw, capable ??of giving a shocking charge to metallic objects such as shields, razor-wire and wall reinforcements

Attacker Nomad is a technically-minded young woman whose concussive rounds can litera?lly send the opposition flying. This air-bending wea??pon is perfect for clearing out ambushes, forcing people out of cover, or prepping a location for a fast and deadly breach.

The new map, ready for your door-staring, wall-punching needs is Fortress, a mudbrick kasbah set in southern Morocco. This multi-floor training facility features an accessible roof?? ,for those who like to drop in unannounced, some ideal perches for sniper-fans, as well as a layout custom-designed for flanking Attackers.

Ubisoft will keep watch over Operation Wind Bastion on the test servers and are encouraging players to pipe up with any issues or complaints they may have about the new content. Once satisfied that everything is in working order and that the balance is in check, Operation Wind Bastion will be rolled ?out on the main servers across all ??formats.

Rainbow Six Siege is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

The post Check out Rainbow Six Siege’s Operation Wind Bastion content, now live on PC test servers appeared first on Destructoid.

Operation Wind Bastion

The next two Operators have been revealed for Ubisoft's intense multiplayer title Rainbow Six Siege. Kaid and Nomad are headed to the wall-smashing shooter as part of Siege's next update; Operation Wind Bastion.

Officially revealed yesterday, new Defender Jalal "Kaid" El Fassi is a stoic gentleman and one of Siege's more-mature characters. Relying on good old fashioned skill (and a high armour ?level) to get the job done, Kaid is still not averse to utilising his handy electroclaw device. This gadget can be deployed in seconds to instantly electrify reinforced doors and windows, deployable shields and even razor wire.

Our second Operator was actually leaked a little early on the Siege subreddit, so details are? scarce, but Nomad is a Moroccan w?oman who, in her teaser trailer, appears to have the ability to fire off concussive rounds that literally blow people through the air. This is obviously similar tech to the way the "Smasher" enemy tossed you away during previous event "Outbreak".

Full details on Kaid, Nomad and Operation Wind Bastion are expected to be revealed at the Rainbow Six Siege Pro League Finals, which take place this weekend and can be watched right here on Twitch.

Rainbow Six Siege is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

The post Kaid and Nomad coming to Rainbow Six Siege to blow you a??way, literally appeared first on Destructoid.

'And they call me, Bulletproof'

Treyarch has dropped a major update on Activision's latest million-dollar shooter Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. The new patch, which is already live in-game, makes various adjustments to the roster, mechanics, and even the au??dio of the multiplayer epic.

First and foremost, Armor - which many players have been complaining about as far back as the first Beta - has been nerfed in both Blackout and stan??dard Multiplayer. Now, areas that have increase??d damage hitboxes, such as the chest and head, will not be as protected as they have been previously, preventing perfect sniper headshots leading to the target running around like they took a mosquito bite.

Speaking of weaponry, SMGs have taken a damage buff whilst Assault Rifles h??ave been nerfed, to bring both weapons into closer alignment with each other in close-quarters c?ombat. Specialist gear, for example Ajax' Ballistic Shield, has also seen respective balance adjustments.

Sound has also been redesigned. Now, like a lot of multiplayer shooters, enemy footsteps are louder than your teammates, hopefully removing the need to spin your head because you're being stalked, only to find it's actually your best buddy xX420UmadbroXX. If you want to check out the full, detailed list of changes, then visit the official Reddit page right here.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

The post Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s new update finally nerfs pesky armor appeared first on Destructoid.

Update hopes to cure online woes

Although Activision's latest money-maker Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 had a successful launch, some unfortunate server issues have reared there head in the weeks following release day. What with new battle royale ce??ntrepiece Blackout being added to the usual Multiplayer and Zombies modes, it seems a little more juice than usual is required to keep everything smooth.

As such, Treyarch has released a new patch, which hopes to combat problems with lag, kill-trading and randomly-spawning enemies. This new patch appears to have had some positive effect, with players reporting an improvement in overall stability, as well as an increase in server send rate. You can find the full notes right here.

The developer has stated that it will continue to work on server issues, hoping to get gameplay back to the sweet spot it was?? during the Multiplayer beta. ""It’s important that we roll out updates in a carefully staged process," said Treyarch in a statement. "As changes to networking infrastructure can potentially produc?e both positive and negative effects, and we need to monitor every update closely".

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Server update available now for Call of Duty:? Black Ops ??4 [Reddit]

The post Treyarch rol??ls out server patch for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Treyarch are on the case, though

Although new mechanics such as sprays and emotes have only just been added to Activision's latest blockbuster Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, it hasn't taken long for wily players to figure out a way to exploit th??em for nefarious needs??.

As exemplified in this clip, posted on Reddit, Black Ops 4 players quickly realised that, because the camera pulls out into third-person for the duration of an emote, this can give you a quick opportunity to freely? control the came??ra and check out your surrounding??s, including round corners and over walls. Pretty sneaky, sis.

Developer Treyarch are aware of the problem and are w??orki??ng on an update to lock the emote camera to first-person once engaged in battle. So ,if you want to see yourself, pulling off a fist-bump, taking a knee, or busting a sweet two-step, you might have to wait until you're back in the lobby.

This is how "Emote Pe??eking" works. Treyarch working on fix [Reddit]

The post Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 players using new emotes? to peek around corners and obs??tacles appeared first on Destructoid.