It seemed likely that Red Dead Redemption 2 would be a hit, but Rockstar claims it has surpassed even lofty expectations. The company announced that it achieved $725 million during its opening weekend, making it one of the biggest launches of all time--not just in video games, but in terms of all entertainment.In the announcement, Rockstar boasted that this is the "single biggest opening weekend in the history of entertainment," outpacing movies like Avengers: Infinity War which made $257 million in its opening weekend. (Of course, movie tickets cost significantly less than a new game at $60-100.)This puts it in second-place for sales in its first three days to another Rockstar game, Grand Theft Auto V, which achieved $1 billion. But since those first three days started on a Tuesday, it isn't an opening weekend, which is the spin Rockstar is using to boast about Red Dead. Take-Two previously said it expected Red Dead to fall short of GTA5 sales. Other achievements from the big launch include several records for digital sales on PlayStation Network: the most pre-orders, biggest day-one full game sales, and most sales in the first three days.If you're one of those millions who picked up Red Dead 2 already, check out our tips for beginners and read all about what to do with your legendary bear pelt. If you're still on the fence or deciding on a platform, read up on which console performs better, and check out GameSpot's Red Dead Redemption 2 review. "Red Dead Redemption 2 is an excellent prequel, but it's also an emotional, thought-provoking story in its own right, and it's a world that is hard to leave when it's done," wrote critic Kallie Plagge.Info from Gamespot.com

Nintendo has released its latest round of global sales data as of September 30, and once again its slate of first-party games ran the field. While the top five Nintendo Switch games all continued their steady success and remained in place relative to each other, the bottom half of the list was scrambled by some newcomers that have joined the list.The biggest change is from Mario Tennis Aces, which rocketed to number six on the list with 2.16 million copies, after debuting in the number ten spot as of June 30. Kirby Star Allies, which cracked the list in March figures, has now tied Arms for the number seven slot at 2.1 million. The re-release of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze also made the list with 1.67 million.There's a notable drop from the fourth and fifth spots, making those first four--Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Splatoon 2--the mega-hits in the Switch library. Those will be the ones most difficult to dethrone, while the rest of the spots are likely to continue shuffling.On the 3DS the list is less dynamic. All ten games have retained their exact positions as the system puts out fewer new releases, and the pace of new purchases appears to have slowed as well. Between March and September, for example, Pokemon X/Y sold an additional 50,000 copies. That's steady success for a franchise that has already sold in the tens of millions, but the system is definitely starting to show its age. Check below for the full list.Nintendo SwitchSuper Mario Odyssey -- 12.17 millionMario Kart 8 Deluxe -- 11.71 millionThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -- 10.28 millionSplatoon 2 -- 7.47 million1-2 Switch -- 2.64 millionMario Tennis Aces -- 2.16 millionArms -- 2.10 millionKirby Star Allies -- 2.10 millionDonkey Kong: Tropical Freeze -- 1.67 millionXenoblade Chronicles 2 -- 1.53 million3DSMario Kart 7 -- 17.04 millionPokemon X/Y -- 16.29 millionPokemon Sun/Moon -- 16.10 millionPokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire -- 14.06 millionNew Super Mario Bros. 2 -- 12.61 millionSuper Mario 3D Land -- 11.96 millionAnimal Crossing: New Leaf -- 11.69 millionSuper Smash Bros. for 3DS -- 9.24 millionPokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon -- 7.51 millionTomodachi Life -- 6.20 millionInfo from Gamespot.com

The Game of Thrones prequel has found its star. Naomi Watts has been cast as the lead character in the prequel pilot for HBO, Variety reports. This series takes place thousands of years before Game of Thrones, and Watts' character is said to be "a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret." [Update: Following Watts, HBO has added another person to the Game of Thrones prequel cast.]The pilot was penned by Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass) and is aiming to begin filming in early 2019. It was the winning pitch out of five, though HBO hasn't ruled out using one of the other scripts for some purpose. This series "chronicles the world's descent from the Golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour."Watts' involvement adds serious star power to the pilot, though if this is the Westeros we know, she may not see the series through to its conclusion. The first season of Game of Thrones starred Sean Bean as Ned Stark, who ostensibly seemed to be the main character of the series. But in a rug-pulling that set the tone for the entire series, he was executed before the very first season was finished. We'll have to see how far Watts makes it.Watts is known for her roles in Mulholland Drive, The Ring, and King Kong. She's currently signed on to play Gretchen Carlson in a Showtime limited series about Roger Ailes, and most recently appeared in the revival of Twin Peaks.The Game of Thrones prequel is one of several spin-off series HBO has planned to help fill the gap once the series goes off the air. Its final season has already wrapped and will air next year. The new mobile game, Reigns: Game of Thrones, may even contain some Season 8 hints.Info from Gamespot.com

Sony has raised its earnings outlook, thanks largely to the success of its PlayStation business. The company raised its profit outlook for the current fiscal year to 870 billion yen ($7.72 billion), an increase from the prior forecast of 670 billion yen ($5.9 billion). It also raised its revenue forecast to 8.7 trillion yen, from 8.6 trillion.Bloomberg reports that the revised forecasts are largely the result of success in the PlayStation division. Between the record success of Spider-Man and several third-party games, PS4 is helping stabilize the company as its smartphone business faces uncertainty. This comes just after Sony previously lifted its forecast in July due to the success of God of War.Analysts predict sales of third-party games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will help bolster it as well. Rockstar's own sales figures announced today suggest Red Dead 2 is the hit they expect. Fortnite also helped boost the brand, since spending on in-game items increased over the summer while kids were home from school, and that revenue is shared with Sony.Damian Thong, an analyst with Macquarie Group said this will be "the best year for the PlayStation for first party games and overall profitability of the platform."Game and network service sales were up 116.9 billion yen ($1 billion), and the company has now reached a total of 34.3 million PlayStation Plus users as of the end of the quarter on September 30. Operating profit for PlayStation alone rose 65% from a year ago, and sales for the September quarter rose 27%. PlayStation isn't the only part of the business helping Sony's bottom line, though. Roughly half of the increase is reportedly due to Sony's purchase of EMI Music Publishing.Info from Gamespot.com

There are a lot of variables that go into having a successful season in Football Manager. You have to contend with the delicate balancing act of keeping your team's morale high, deftly navigating the transfer market to make astute signings, developing players on the training ground, and rotating your squad to micromanage the risk of injuries, among other things. It's a unique challenge geared towards racking up points on the pitch, yet all of these disparate aspects must first be built atop a solid foundation that begins with pieces on a whiteboard. Tactics are the bedrock of any great team, and Football Manager 2019 gives you more control and flexibility over how your team plays than ever before.While not a complete overhaul, the granular redesign of the tactics interface opens up your strategic options and tactical pliability. The composition of each team's playstyle is now broken up into three distinct phases: in possession, in transition, and out of possession. Your options in possession will be familiar to anyone who's ever played Football Manager in the last few years, dealing with facets of your team's approach play and plan of attack once you enter the final third. The transitional phase is perhaps the most exciting for the budding Pep Guardiolas and Maurizio Sarris of the virtual dugout, allowing you to decide how your team reacts when both losing the ball and winning it back; while your options out of possession let you set where on the pitch you want your team to engage the opposition and how high or low you want your defensive line to be stationed. All of these additional choices feed into a transparent approach to the tactics module that removes a lot of the previous guesswork that went into creating your team's identity. If you want your team to press high up the pitch and counter once you've won possession, that option is now just a couple of mouse clicks away.To give you a better feel for how potential tactics are constructed, there are now a number of preset tactics too. These ostensibly recreate generic real-life strategies like possession control and parking the bus, while also featuring distinct philosophies such as Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's Gegenpressing, Tiki-taka, and the Italian Catenaccio. Choosing a preset isn't a simple plug-and-play solution, however, since you still need to consider your squad's strengths, weaknesses, and composition of player roles for any of these tactics to be successful. It's no use asking a team with a low collective work rate to press for 90 minutes unless you want them dead on their feet, just like asking a non-league side to play expansive passing football isn't going to result in a beautiful Barcelona-esque style. Instead, these presets provide a practical baseline to teach you how forging tactics in Football Manager 2019 works, allowing you to borrow, learn from, and expand upon these ideas yourself.This is beneficial for both veterans and newcomers alike because it provides a clearer understanding of how each instruction can affect your team's makeup, as well as being a necessary complement to Football Manager 2019's tactical redesign. It's not a perfect renovation--implementing something as simple as a midfield pivot, for instance, still isn't an option--but it ditches a lot of the restrictive elements of past games, and impacts the game in a positive way that also lays down building blocks for further improvements in the future.Elsewhere, your work between the orange cones at the training ground has been completely overhauled. Training sessions were previously presented in fairly broad strokes, compartmentalizing each area into straightforward groups of attacking, defending, fitness, tactical, team cohesion, and ball control. Football Manager 2019 expands upon training in a way that's initially overwhelming, introducing you to a customizable plan of up to three sessions per day that allow you to select from an exhaustive list of training drills and exercises. You can opt to work on areas such as your team's defensive shape, numerous types of set pieces, chance creation, chance conversion, ball retention, endurance, and even extra-curricular activities such as community outreach and team bonding, which both improve your squad's teamwork.It all seems a bit too much at first, but the comprehensive--albeit wordy--tutorial does a decent job of explaining how everything works, and after a few games training is likely to become an integral part of your pre-match preparation when it was previously viewed as an afterthought. Have a big game coming up against a free-scoring team? Spend the week working on various defensive drills that can potentially counteract their attacking style. Playing some minnows in the cup? Dedicate your training to chance creation and finishing to keep your offensive players sharp. Or you can always have your backroom staff handle all of this themselves. You can engage with as much or as little of Football Manager 2019 as you please.Additional choices feed into a transparent approach to the tactics module that removes a lot of the previous guesswork that went into creating your team's identityOf course, all of this groundwork eventually culminates in front of a packed stadium on a Saturday afternoon, and the 3D match engine has undergone some tangible improvements as well. The most noticeable of these is the way the ball now dips and curls through the air in a much more authentic manner. You'll see diminutive playmakers lift the ball over a high defensive line with some cute backspin, and free kicks that bend and nestle in the top corner of the net as though they were off the foot of David Beckham in his prime. It makes for more dynamic passing moves and generally improves the flow of play.Mistakes, on the other hand, have always been part and parcel of Football Manager's DNA--whether it's a centreback misjudging the flight of the ball, a goalkeeper dropping a cross, or a striker blazing a shot over from six yards out--and now referees are fallible, too. VAR and goal-line technology have been included for league and cup competitions that utilize them (such as Serie A and the newly licenced Bundesliga), and they add an extra layer atop each high-intensity match. There's a specific heart-dropping moment that occurs when you're celebrating a goal only to see the referee on his way over to the video assistant to make sure there wasn't a missed foul or offside call in the buildup. It's another feature that maintains Football Manager's attention to detail.Touchline shouts, however, are still needlessly vague, but the immediate feedback you receive after issuing one makes them a viable tactical option. Players are generally more intelligent as well, holding their runs when they know they're offside, and picking out the right pass when inside the opposition's penalty area. There are still some legacy issues that persist, such as the high percentage of goals that are scored from crosses, which usually stems from fullbacks not being particularly adept at stopping opposing wingers. You'll also see players dribble into advantageous positions only to stop dead in their tracks to give a defender time to recover, and defensive mistakes are sometimes a little too frequent. These can be frustrating, but they don't dominate the match day experience like they often have in the past.All of this contributes to Football Manager hitting its prime, like a 28-year old striker. The tactical redesign--while not as thorough as some may have wanted--improves clarity and gives you more control over how you want your team to play, while the match engine and newfound emphasis on training enhance your work in the tactics room by bringing all of your ideas to fruition. These are meaningful changes that push the simulation further, making it feel like you can really impose your footballing philosophies on a team. Watching your players score a goal by completing a sweeping move in the exact way you envisioned is an absolute joy that no other sports game can match, and it's a more viable feat now because of these additions.It's still not the most welcoming game for newcomers, stacking systems upon systems upon systems, but for veterans and those willing to put in the effort to learn, there's never been a better time to hop in and entrench yourself in the virtual dugout. Football Manager 2019's tweaks will have you happily settling in for another mammoth play session of juggling egos, pipping your rivals to the signing of a wonderkid, and smashing in a 90th-minute winner to capture a league title in triumphant fashion. Info from Gamespot.com

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 now has microtransactions, at least on PlayStation 4. The game has introduced the virtual currency Call of Duty Points, which you can buy with real money and spend on items for Black Ops 4 multiplayer, Zombies, and Blackout.As developer Treyarch explained in a Reddit post, Call of Duty Points can be spent on a number of things, including Nebulium Plasma for the Zombies mode. You can also spend Call of Duty Points on new Special Orders in the Black Market, while another option is to spend them to instantly advance through the Black Market tiers, which gets you additional cosmetics. Black Ops 4's tier system looks and operates very similarly to Fortnite's model, with timed events and seasons that offer cosmetic items in tiers. Unlike Fortnite, however, Black Ops 4 is a paid game, and some are taking issue with the system in Black Ops 4.It costs 100 Call of Duty Points to acquire a tier. Call of Duty Points can be purchased in varying allotments, including 100 Call of Duty Points ($1), 2,400 Call of Duty Points ($20), and 5,000 Call of Duty Points ($40).Everyone who downloads the Call of Duty Companion app and logs in gets 500 Call of Duty Points right away. Players who purchase the $50 USD Black Ops 4 Pass get an additional 1,000 Call of Duty Points and 300 Nebulium Plasma.Call of Duty Points were introduced to the series with 2015's Black Ops 3 through the Black Market system. The microtransactions have been in each new Call of Duty game since, so it is no surprise that they're back again with Black Ops 4. Call of Duty Points stay with your account and move between titles, so if you had some leftover from Call of Duty: WWII or another previous title, they should show up in your account for Black Ops 4.Call of Duty Points are currently exclusive to the PS4 edition of Black Ops 4; they'll become available on Xbox One and PC next week, Treyarch said in its Reddit post.In other news, a new patch for Black Ops 4 is out now and it makes a number of weapon balance changes and more. You can see the full patch notes here.Info from Gamespot.com

A sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 epic Gladiator is on the way, it appears.According to reports from Deadline and other sites, Scott is returning in some capacity for the sequel, which is said to follow the story of the character Lucius, who is the son of Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen in the 2000 film) and the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).Russell Crowe's starring character, Maximus, died at the end of the earlier movie. Lucius the character was said to be heavily affected by the actions and moral character of Maximus.According to Deadline, Scott is eager to direct the new Gladiator, while The Town and Hunger Games writer Peter Craig is said to be attached as a writer. Musician Nick Cave wrote a script for Gladiator 2 in which Maximus was a time-traveler, but it appears the studio wanted to go in a different direction. The original film was produced by DreamWorks, but Paramount is stepping in for the sequel.2000's Gladiator was a huge hit. It picked up more than 10 Oscar nominations and won five, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. The movie made more than $460 million at the box office.It sounds like very early days for Gladiator 2, or whatever it ends up being called. As of yet, there are no other details available about the cast, story, or timeline for its release.Info from Gamespot.com

It's shocking the amount of stuff you can find in Red Dead Redemption 2. Heck, the Stranger missions, Legendary animals, and camp side-activities were already enough as it is. But it seems another major discovery has been made, and it's not what you'd expect. UFOs were one thing, but this is another entirely.To keep you from getting spoiled, we're going to be vague with the details of this discovery. It's really worth seeing it through the end so you can experience it yourself. The objective of this mission is quite simple: find five mysterious writings scattered across Saint Denis. Once you've found all those, you'll get a map that points you to an alleyway near the church in town. However, in order to trigger the event properly, you need to visit at night. If you really want to know what it is, hover your mouse over the text below:You find five mysterious writings that inevitably lead you to finding an actual vampire. Seriously. A vampire!Below we detail the locations of all five mysterious writings, as well as provide directions on how to get to the alleyway by the Saint Denis church. You can find the writings in any order, but for the sake of clarity, we've numbered them to make it easier to follow. Massive props to Luke Lawrie of steviror, who deserves all the credit for being able to discern these clues and find them all across town. With bizarre stuff like this, it seems there's no shortage of secrets tucked away in Red Dead Redemption 2, so if you've discovered something crazy, be sure to let us know about it in the comments below.Clue 1"I drink from the maiden and I live again in the dead. The heart of the king of blood."The first clue is located on the building just above the secondper "N" in "Saint Denis" on the map. You'll see it written on the wall of a red building with white doors.Clue 2"I feed again. The blood of life. The circle has begun."The second clue is near the Saint Denis market place where the local Fence and Trapper are. It's tucked away in an alleyway behind a gate where there are some neatly stacked barrels.Clue 3"Five bones under the perfect star. Nosferatu with Dominica will become mortal again."The third clue is located by the Butcher and General Store on the southwestern side of town. It's on the other side of the shops, tucked away under an overhang.Clue 4Oh sweetest of napes, may your blood remain forever on my lips. Six there will be before the lust is sated."The fourth clue is found directly north of the post office, tucked away in a corridor. Look to the shot above to chart a path to its locations.Clue 5With one long kiss, I draw the life from her and await the outpost of advancing day."The final clue is found on another wall of the building the previous clue was written on. Simply head up north to get to it, but you'll likely have to run around the building to reach it. This building complex is a bit of a labyrinth but stick with it and you'll find it eventually.The Big Reveal As stated above, you'll get a map once you've gathered all the clues. It's a tad vague in the direction it's trying to point you, but it's ultimately trying to get you to go to a secluded alleyway to the west of the General Store and Butcher. However, the special event won't trigger until nighttime, so be sure to advance time at the local saloon. Once it's night, head to the alleyway and prepare yourself for a bizarre event that defies expectations.Info from Gamespot.com

Fallout 76 is a very different kind of Fallout game, with a new focus on multiplayer across a massive open world. Bethesda is putting it through its paces with a beta test releasing very soon, and you can join in to help explore the wastes and gather technical feedback before its official launch. However, while pre-ordering is your ticket to the beta, it won't necessarily get you in quickly. Here's everything to know about the beta.When does the beta start?The beta for Fallout 76 began on October 23 on Xbox One, and then expand to PC and PlayStation 4 the following week on October 30. Pre-loading for the Xbox One version is now available. Upcoming sessions are planned for October 27 and 28, as detailed in our Fallout 76 beta schedule guide.Even if you've received a code, though, you may not necessarily be invited to the first wave. Bethesda plans to start small to stress test the game and expand slowly, so your actual start date may vary.A separate pre-beta stress test also took place starting on October 13. That one was exclusive to Xbox One Insiders who have pre-ordered the game, and even then fulfilling those criteria only entered them into the pool of possible participants. Players of this stress test were under NDA and unlike the beta, game progress was not saved.How long will the beta last?Bethesda has not given a specific end-date for the beta, but it has explained that the servers won't be available 24/7 during the beta period. The studio says it will be running "targeted time frames" to force interested players together at the same time, which in turn will mark a better technical test. The game may be available for 4-8 hours on any given day, with Bethesda making adjustments and fixes during the off periods. This process will repeat until a few days before launch on November 14.How do I get in?The beta will be available exclusively for those who pre-order the game across PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Digital pre-orders will be entered into the pool automatically, while physical pre-orders will receive a code to enter into the accounts page once the beta has gone live on your platform of choice.It's important to note that this code is not the beta code you enter to access the actual game download. Instead, the pre-order code is the one you enter into Bethesda's system to be put into the pool for code distribution. A separate code, which gives you access to the install, will follow at a later time as Bethesda rolls out its invites.In the meantime, you can be sure you're prepared by creating a free Bethesda.net login. Also, make sure you have an active Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus membership if you're playing on either console, since those will be required to access the online-only game.Is the beta the full game?The Fallout 76 beta is the full experience, and Bethesda says it is currently planning to allow players to carry progress over into the full game. However, console players will need to redownload the launch version, whereas PC players will not need to download a new version upon launch. The beta will be 45 GB.How do I submit feedback?Bethesda is inviting feedback across its variety of social media channels.What else will I get for pre-ordering?Aside from beta access, pre-ordering will get you 500 Atoms--Fallout 76's in-game currency. Atoms allow you to purchase cosmetic items from the shop. Bethesda has indicated that Atoms will be plentiful, but as we haven't seen the shop or prices yet, it's hard to say just how far 500 Atoms will go.Info from Gamespot.com

Fortnite's Halloween event this year has kicked off in style with "Fortnitemares," an ongoing world event that offers special challenges and spooky cosmetic items. With the release of today's new update, the event is live across both the Battle Royale and Save the World modes, so no matter which flavor of Fortnite you prefer you can find something to do. Here's everything you need to know about the new event.What Is It?Fortnitemares is an ongoing event lasting from October 23-November 26, introduced in the patch update 6.20. It offers exclusive cosmetic items and special world events with new enemies, including lots to do across its two modes.In a special playlist in the the PvP mode Battle Royale, you'll face off against cube monsters that operate very similarly to the Save the World zombie-like creatures. The mysterious Cube spawned this legion of AI cube monsters, which will attack you if you get too close. Defeating them can get you some random loot and shield power. This is notably the first time the PvP mode has been invaded by AI enemies. Completing special challenges, some of which focus on defeating these AI enemies, can earn you a whole new type of cosmetic items and some special gear. There's also a limited-time weapon you can use; you can read about all of this in the patch notes.Separately, in the PvE Save the World mode, Hexsylvania returns with new story quests. Just logging onto Save the World during the Fortnitemares event will earn you some skins. Save the World isn't going free-to-play this year as previously planned, but founder's packs are currently half-priced.Fortnitemares Battle Royale ChallengesFortnitemare challenges are set to alternate every few days through the end of the event period, so you'll have to check back often to maximize your rewards. Currently the first set of challenges is live. Many are self-explanatory, but click below for more detailed guides on more complex challenges.Destroy Cube Monsters (200) -- 500 XPDeal damage with Assault Rifles or Pistols to Cube Monsters (5,000) -- 500 XPVisit a Corrupted Area in different matches (7) -- 500 XPDance at different Gargoyles (5) -- 500 XPNew Items And CosmeticsThe biggest new addition to Fortnitemares are the permanent rewards, including a whole new type of cosmetic. The centerpiece is the new Deadfire skin, a "reactive skin" that changes based upon your play in a given match that will cost you 2,000 V-Bucks. It's joined by the Shackled Stone Back Bling and Dark Shard pickaxe (1,200 V-Bucks), which are both "reactive cosmetics."Alongside this skin, Epic has also introduced the Shackled Stone Back Bling to go along with it, and the Dark Shard pickaxe can also be found in the in-game store. Both of these items are called "reactive cosmetics." The Deadfire skin is available for 2,000 V-Bucks, while the Dark Shard harvesting tool costs 1,200 V-Bucks.The 6.20 update also added a new Six Shooter weapon, and the ability to redeploy Gliders. Info from Gamespot.com

Red Dead Redemption 2's release has come for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Those who prefer to play games on PC may be rewarded with their patience eventually, but as of now we have no indication that Red Dead 2 will ever come to PC. That doesn't mean there is no hope at all, though.So far the studio has given no official indication of a PC port incoming. There was some hope when a programmer seemingly outed a PC version online, but it remains unclear if that was merely a mistake. [Update: The latest glimmer of hope for PC fans comes via Rockstar Intel, which reports that the Red Dead 2 companion app includes references to PC in its code. It's possible these don't mean anything or are being misinterpreted, but it does bear noting.]The most recent Rockstar game, Grand Theft Auto V, did make the jump to PC after its initial console release. Following its original release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, Rockstar released upgraded Playstation 4 and Xbox One ports the following year, and then a PC port in 2015. Those later ports were widely lauded for their improved technical underpinnings, and the PC version has enjoyed an active mod community.Red Dead Redemption 2 appears very similar to GTAV in key ways. It's a technical powerhouse that's already pushing the current console generation to its limit. While the Xbox One X came out ahead in a performance analysis, both it and the high-end PS4 Pro were said to be hitting the upper limits of their processing power. We may be on the verge of another console generation to debut in the next few years, so a port to those with some added bells and whistles could make sense. And if that happens, a PC port would be likely as well. Plus Red Dead 2 is already receiving positive reviews and helping Take-Two's stock price, so another shot in the arm from a port would be welcome for the company.Then again, Rockstar has been inconsistent with ports in general and PC support more specifically. The original Red Dead Redemption never made the trip to PC, and in fact is still only available on PS3 and Xbox 360--along with Xbox One, via backwards compatibility.Red Dead Redemption 2 could come to PC in a matter of years, but for the time being, your best bet is to saddle up on the current generation of consoles. If you need some help recalling the events of the first game, check out our story recap. Your console decision may come down to performance--keeping in mind that Xbox One X performed the best in a test, but PS4 has exclusive content for 30 days.Info from Gamespot.com

Red Dead Redemption 2 has released, and along with it comes the mobile companion app. The app links up with your copy of the game and helps you keep track of your location with an interactive map, along with a handful of other features so you can take the Old West with you around in your pocket.The map lets you set waypoints and track your position in real-time. Aside from that handy widget, you can also view the game journal, shop for clothing, check your game progress, and read the game manual. It also links up with Rockstar's Social Club. The app itself is free on both iOS and Android, but both versions offer a $10 in-app purchase of the official strategy guide. The social club integration may be a boon to your gang of outlaws when Red Dead Online launches in November.Perhaps most significantly, the companion app's code includes references to PC, according to Rockstar Intel. Whether this signals the development of Red Dead 2 for PC remains to be seen, but it does provide those hoping for that to happen with some small reason to get excited.If you're a no-good scoundrel in need of more creative methods of getting ahead in the world, check out our full list of known cheats. And keep in mind some of those side missions have a time limit and can expire if you don't get to them quickly enough.To get started on the right foot, check out our list of essential tips for beginners, and refresh yourself on the story from the first game. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive and ambitious game, and as noted in our review, it stands on its own even without knowing the details of John Marston's story."While Red Dead Redemption was mostly focused on John Marston's story, Red Dead 2 is about the entire Van der Linde gang--as a community, as an idea, and as the death rattle of the Wild West. It is about Arthur, too, but as the lens through which you view the gang, his very personal, very messy story supports a larger tale," wrote critic Kallie Plagge. "Some frustrating systems and a predictable mission structure end up serving that story well, though it does take patience to get through them and understand why. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an excellent prequel, but it's also an emotional, thought-provoking story in its own right, and it's a world that is hard to leave when it's done."Info from Gamespot.com

We're now nearly a week past the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2, and if you pre-ordered the game or bought of its special editions, you may be wondering just how and when you get your respective bonuses. As you might expect from the way the story unfolds, these goodies aren't immediately bestowed upon you. The game's first chapter sets up many of the mechanics and story information you'll need, so you'll have to progress past at least that point before you can start to access any of these extras.To get your hands on any of it, you'll need to first enter a code to enable the bonuses. Those codes can be found on slips included with your game disc (or as a bonus alongside your download). Even after entering the codes, though, these things won't necessarily be accessible immediately. In case you're wondering where to find your loot, we've compiled a list of the goodies below.War Horse -- The War Horse bonus is included with all pre-orders of Red Dead Redemption 2. It's accessible once you've progressed through the story mode enough to browse the available horses in the Stables.Dappled Black Thoroughbred -- This special horse is included in Special and Ultimate editions. Like the War Horse, it's accessible once you can browse the Stables.Eagle Talon Talisman and Iguana Scale Trinket -- Both of these bonuses are included in all Special and Ultimate editions, and they can be equipped at the start of Chapter 2. The Eagle Talon Talisman can be found in the Wardrobe and the Iguana Scale Trinket is in the Satchel under the Kit tab.Nuevo Paraiso Gunslinger Outfit -- This outfit is included in Special and Ultimate editions. You can access it through your Wardrobe after completing Chapter 1.Volcanic Pistol, Pump Action Shotgun, and Lancaster Varmint Rifle -- These specialty guns are included with Special and Ultimate Editions. They can be picked up for free at any Gunsmith after completing Chapter 1.Bank Robbery Mission and Gang Hideout -- These are both available for Special and Ultimate editions. The Del Lobos gang hideout can be found in the world during story progression. The Bank Robbery Mission will also be available through story progression, and the game will notify you when it becomes available. If you miss the opportunity, you can find it in the Story menu to replay it.Info from Gamespot.com

Microsoft has plans to expand the Game Pass subscription service from Xbox One to PC. CEO Satya Nadella reportedly mentioned during an earnings call that bringing Game Pass to PC will help increase the strength of the Xbox brand.Ars Technica reports that Nadella didn't give any indication of when to expect the subscription to expand, or if it would be included within the same all-you-can-eat price as the Xbox version. It would make some sense for the service to be all-encompassing, given that its current "Play Anywhere" initiative has made PC and Xbox versions of games available across both platforms regardless of where you bought it.On the Xbox One, though, Game Pass has an isolated marketplace for such a service, competing only somewhat with the more niche EA Access. A PC subscription service would face competition from other similar monthly services at various price tiers. An Xbox One Game Pass subscription currently costs $10 a month. Expanding that pass to include PC games could come through an optional extra fee without paying for an entirely separate subscription.Microsoft made a bold play for Game Pass by announcing early this year that it would feature all first-party games, on the day of release. That has included big names like Sea of Thieves and Forza Horizon 4. The company also works with publishers to introduce a new slate of third-party Game Pass games every month, and the list is growing pretty large. It also made Game Pass part of its All Access plan, which bundles the console, Game Pass, and Xbox Live Gold together.Meanwhile, Sony appears to be keen on competing with Microsoft, changing its PlayStation Now service to allow players to download games. PlayStation Now had been a strictly streaming service, which Microsoft will be exploring in more depth next year with Project xCloud.Info from Gamespot.com

Pirates of the Caribbean has become one of Disney's longest running modern franchises, in part because of the iconic character Johnny Depp created, Captain Jack Sparrow. Now it appears Captain Jack may have sailed his last voyage, as the franchise is facing a possible reboot without Depp's involvement.Speaking to Daily Mail, producer Stuart Beattie strongly suggested the franchise is moving in a different direction for the sixth installment. Beattie was the screenwriter behind the original breakout hit, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and has remained on with writing and producing credits for subsequent films due to the use of his characters."I think [Depp]'s had a great run," said Beattie. "Obviously he's made that character his own and it's become the thing that he's most famous for now. It's been great for him and it's been great for us."In the same interview, he implied his own involvement in the franchise is over, which would suggest that the studio is done using his characters and ready to start from a clean slate. "There's that saying, 'Don't frown because it's over, smile because it happened.' The fact that they're rebooting something that you did means that you did something that was worth rebooting. It's an honor to be rebooted."While the original films focused heavily on the love story of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley), Depp's Jack Sparrow took on a life of its own and he became a primary focus of the other two films in that original trilogy, which wrapped up the Turner-Swan story. From there, the Jack Sparrow character went on to lead in two more films: 2011's On Stranger Tides and 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales. A sixth film is currently in production.Info from Gamespot.com