By Tamoor Hussain on Jul 13, 2018 09:44 pm
Alongside the launch of Fortnite Season 5 on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile comes a brand-new Battle Pass featuring a bunch of new cosmetics. These range ranging from Outfits (Fortnite's parlance for skins) and Back Bling to Gliders and Contrails. For avid players, this means it's time to start the unlock grind all over, but is it worth the time and effort? We'll let you decide for yourself. We've put together a look at all of the skins, bling, trails, and gliders that have been added in the latest update, so you can take a look at them and decide whether you really want them. If you're new to Fortnite (where have you been?) and not familiar with how the Battle Pass works, here's what you need to know courtesy of developer Epic Games: "Play to level up your Battle Pass. The more you play, the more rewards you earn. Level up faster by completing Weekly Challenges. Earn up to 100 rewards worth over 25,000 V-Bucks (typically takes 75 to 150 hours of play). You can purchase the Battle Pass anytime during the season for 950 V-Bucks." So, to get the rewards, all you've got to do is buy a Battle Pass in-game and then play as much as you can. If you're interested in these rewards, you're better off buying the Battle Pass soon, as you'll receive XP bonuses that will speed up your progression throughout the season. As mentioned above, you can also boost the process by doing weekly challenges, which net you bonus Battle Stars. The first week of Season 5's challenges are up, and you can find a guide on where to find the Risky Reel treasure map and where to search floating lightning bolts. These items featured in this gallery are just a few of the unlocks available in the Battle Pass, there's also sprays, emotes, and more. You can see everything in the Fortnite Season 5 Battle Pass here. Finally, the patch that ushered in the new season introduces new gameplay mechanics, changes some of the map, and makes a number of tweaks to the way the game plays and performs, so make sure to read the full Fortnite Season 5 update patch notes. You'll find a new, golf kart-style vehicle that lets you drive around with a full squad, while the map adjustments see a number of significant changes; most notably, there's a huge desert area that replaces Moisty Mire.
By Mat Elfring on Jul 13, 2018 07:20 pm
It's time for another WWE PPV, and dual-branded events have taken away the PPV fatigue we've been feeling the past year. This time around, things are going to get extreme on Sunday, July 15 when WWE's latest PPV, Extreme Rules, comes to the WWE Network. The show will take place at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, and there are plenty of crazy stipulations during the evening that should make this an event to remember, like James Ellsworth hanging from a shark cage. This will be the eighth major WWE event of the year, including the bizarre Greatest Royal Rumble PPV back in April. Last year, WWE produced 16 PPVs, but only four of them were dual-branded--meaning both superstars from Raw and Smackdown appeared on them. Now, in 2018--post-Wrestlemania 34--all WWE PPVs are dual-branded, which will cut down on the amount of events the company holds, which was every two weeks at times. WWE will be holding special events, like the previously mentioned Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and October's Super Show-Down in Australia. In total, WWE has 14 PPVs planned for 2018. Extreme Rules This PPV may give WWE fans some insight as to what's happening August 19 at Summerslam, which will once again take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. A few of the matches that happen here may even happen again next month. One of the newest rivalries that has legs to carry into next month is Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens. While their steel cage match is the first, big, sanctioned match for their rivalry, it won't be their last, regardless of the outcome. In addition to the Monster Among Men taking on Owens in a cage, the rivalry between former Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins and and current title holder Dolph Ziggler continues at Extreme Rules and has a good chance to carry into Summerslam as well. The two wrestlers have put on stellar matches in their previous meetings with each other, and a 30-minute iron man match is the perfect way to showcase both of their talents and build on the stories WWE has been setting up the past couple of months. Start Time - 12 AM BST (July 16)
- 7 PM ET
- 6 PM CT
- 5 PM MT
- 4 PM PT
Per usual, a Kickoff Show will air on the WWE Network--and most likely YouTube--one hour prior. As of this writing, there are eleven matches on the card for the evening, one of which will be on the Kickoff. Everyone who's getting ready for Extreme Rules has their favorites to win each match, and GameSpot is no different. We've gone through the upcoming card and decided with great certainty who will win each of these matches. There may be a few title changes for the evening, but one thing is for sure: it's going to be a Happy Rusev Day, no matter who wins. Make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday, July 17 for live coverage of WWE's Extreme Rules as well as some followup pieces as well. If you're looking for more wrestling, check out some rumors about the PPV and these WWE movie cameos you might have missed.
The New Day vs. Sanity (Tables Match) (Extreme Rules Kickoff)
Kicking off the whole Extreme Rules event is New Day vs. newcomers Sanity in a tables match. The two have been at each other's throats for the past few weeks, so they'll have a chance to put each other through tables in the opening match of the evening. Sanity is still new and could use a good push, so I'm giving the win to them. Our prediction: Sanity wins Second prediction: Nikki Cross shows up
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens (Steel Cage Match)
For months, I was waiting for Strowman to enter the main event picture and take the title off of Brock Lesnar. Additionally, after Chris Jericho left WWE, I was waiting for a storyline that was worthy of Kevin Owens' talent. The WWE Creative Gods have finally answered my prayers. After being trapped inside a port-a-potty and flipped over--which is Strowman's specialty--Owens found himself on the Extreme Rules card with the Monster Among Men in a steel cage match. This is perfect for this storyline, and it's easily one of the best-built matches on the card. No matter the outcome, the audience will be the winner. However, this is a rivalry I want to see continued into Summerslam, especially since Lesnar isn't going away any time soon, so an Owens win makes sense here to have him continuously taunt Strowman, who will demand a rematch. Our prediction: Owens wins
Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley
In the continuing saga of "Who Does Vince Think The Audience Will Buy As Brock's Next Opponent?" Bobby Lashley has stepped up to the plate. However, he has to get through Roman "I'm Always The #1 Contender Regardless Of My Win/Loss Record" Reigns. As much as I don't care for Lashley, I'd much rather see him in a main event picture over Reigns, if those are our only choices right now. Do we really need to see Lesnar/Reigns again? At least with Lashley, we'll get to see more than just six Superman Punches for 15 minutes. And Lashley has the build, strength, and durability to last against "The Beast." Our prediction: Lashley wins
Finn Bálor vs. "Constable" Baron Corbin
Maybe it's just me--I hope not--but Baron Corbin dropping the "Lone Wolf" gimmick and becoming the "Constable" for Stephanie McMahon has reinvigorated his career. This should be a fun match and maybe even one of the surprises of the evening. While I want Balor back in the main event picture, this rivalry has legs, and because of that, I'm giving the win to Corbin in hopes it continues into Summerslam. Our prediction: Corbin wins
Deleters of Worlds (c) vs. The B-Team
(For the Raw Tag Championship) Raw's tag team division is a bit of a mess. It feels like it's in this weird holding pattern, and there's just not a lot of hype around it. Something needs to change, and while a win for The B-Team may not be the kick in the butt the division needs, it's a push in the right direction for now. Our prediction: The B-Team wins
The Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs. Team Hell No
(For the Smackdown Tag Championship) Smackdown's tag division isn't much better than Raw's. The Bludgeon Brothers have run through the entire division on the Tuesday night show, and it's made all attempts at someone else winning the title futile in the process. Luckily, Team Hell No is back and provided some hope for Smackdown's tag team scene. While I'm hoping this is all another stepping-stone to get Bryan to take on Miz at Summerslam, I think Bryan and Kane have a chance to win the titles. Our prediction: Team Hell No wins
Carmella (c) vs. Asuka (with James Ellsworth suspended above the ring in a Shark Cage)
(For the Smackdown Women's Championship) After more wacky James Ellsworth antics on the July 10 episode of Smackdown, General Manager Paige decided that his meddling had gone far enough, and during Extreme Rules, he will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage, so Carmella and Asuka can have a fair fight. Originally, I assumed Ellsworth would accidentally help Asuka. However, the stipulation will still affect the finish in some way. My new prediction is that Ellsworth will somehow find a way to cheat--maybe he has brass knuckles he tosses down to Mella--getting her disqualified and giving Asuka the win. However, Asuka won't win the belt, and the two will have a rematch at Summerslam. New prediction: Asuka wins by DQ See original prediction below. Hopefully, I'm not the only person who is excited James Ellsworth is back, even though Carmella doesn't need him around anymore. Obviously, Ellsworth will be involved, even though Carmella and Asuka could easily have a great match on their own. In a perfect world, this would be a great match to showcase Carmella and have her look like a champion who could stand on her own. However, I have a feeling Ellsworth is going to ruin it for her, and Asuka will somehow get the win. Our prediction: Asuka wins after Ellsworth interference goes wrong
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Seth Rollins (30-Minute Iron Man match)
(For the Intercontinental Championship) Remember when Dolph Ziggler won the United States Championship and abandoned it? Well, now he's the Intercontinental Champion, and I'm surprised he didn't walk away from this one as well. Ziggler and Seth Rollins have been putting on some stellar matches, so an Iron Man bout feels like the perfect fit. This is going to be a close one, but I'm giving Ziggler the win. Our prediction: Dolph Ziggler wins
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Nia Jax (Extreme Rules match)
(For the Raw Women's Championship) Nia Jax will get her rematch for the Raw Women's Championship after Alexa Bliss cashed in her Money in the Bank contract last month. Jax, as champion, didn't work exceptionally well the first time, primarily because she was switched from face to heel in order to take on Ronda Rousey, which made no sense. Until her character can get back on track, Bliss should and will remain champion. Our prediction: Alexa Bliss wins
Jeff Hardy (c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura
(For the United States Championship) After spending the past couple months kicking AJ Styles in the groin, Shinsuke Nakamura has moved on to challenge Jeff Hardy for his United States Championship. This has to be a turning point for Nakamura. His character is working so well as a heel, and he's got to win a title sooner or later. A long-term rivalry between these two would be great, but it needs to start with a Nakamura win. Our prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura wins
AJ Styles (c) vs. Rusev
(For the WWE Championship) Happy Rusev Day! Anyone else feel like this match came out of left field? Sure, Rusev has a huge following behind him as of late, and at some point, he should be back in the title picture, but this feels a little too quick. AJ Styles has been a phenomenal champion for Smackdown, and it's just not time for the title to go to someone else yet. Our prediction: AJ Styles wins
By Array on Jul 13, 2018 04:08 am
Every year, San Diego Comic-Con brings memorable moments with the casts and creators of the biggest movies and TV shows on the planet. Whether it's Marvel Studios trotting out its latest Avengers, Warner Bros. talking about the future of its DC universe, or the cast of Game of Thrones working hard to say absolutely nothing about what's to come on the HBO series, there's something for practically any type of fan to be found at SDCC. Some moments transcend being "just another thing happening at Comic-Con," though. Sometimes the networks and studios surprise even the most jaded of fans with once-in-a-lifetime experiences that would be hard to recreate ever again. Then again, sometimes, the strangest and most memorable moments come from fans themselves, for better or worse. After all, just about any longtime Comic-Con goer has a story about where they were the time one fan stabbed another with an ink pen in Hall H--including GameSpot's own Mat Elfring, who happened to be in the next row?. GameSpot has looked back on years of Comic-Con panels, activations, and appearances to determine which moments are the absolute craziest. How many of these surreal experiences were you actually there for and what's your personal most insane SDCC moment? Sound off in the comments below after you take a look at our ranked list.
15. James Cameron brings the first Avatar footage to SDCC
Say what you will about Avatar, but director James Cameron knew he was making something special with that film and let Comic-Con know as much when he debuted 25 minutes of footage from the movie during an appearance in Hall H. As you probably know, Avatar went on to become the biggest grossing movie of all time. Still, it started in San Diego and is a perfect example of how special the exclusive sneak peaks inside of Hall H can be. -- Chris E. Hayner
14. Rhys Ifans hates everything
There's more than one strange Rhys Ifans story about his first and only trip to San Diego Comic-Con, while promoting The Amazing Spider-Man. The tale many recount is how the actor, who played the villain in the 2012 Spider-Man film, was arrested on a charge of battery over an alleged confrontation with security. While the charge was eventually dropped, it was the only thing regarding Ifans anyone talked about, which is strange given his other Comic-Con moment. While appearing onstage with his Spider-Man co-stars, the actor was clear about his feelings for those attending the event. "You people disgust me, with your self-important justifications for your stunted development and your elaborate, mask-ridden drag shows," he said to the audience. "It's sad wretches like you who have made it well-nigh impossible to earn a living as an actor without either making dick jokes or putting on fetish wear and calling it a 'superhero costume.'" During the rant, he also claimed to be "drunk as a lord" before capping the moment off with, "I hate you all. Goodnight." -- Chris E. Hayner
13. Edgar Wright takes us to the movies
2010 was a pretty big year for me while working San Diego Comic Con--you'll find out later why. On the Friday of the show, I spent the entire day, open to close covering the panels inside Hall H. Closing out the day was the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World panel--a movie coming out a month later. During the panel, everyone received a Scott Pilgrim button, and everyone in my row had one different than mine; it was a "1-Up" button. At the end of the actual panel, Edgar Wright said that if your button had a "1-Up" symbol on it, you got to go with him to an early screening of Scott Pilgrim, along with the cast, who had yet to see it for themselves. So, I, along with a couple hundred lucky folks got to go to the movies. I sat right behind Edgar Wright and Michael Cera. It was a cool experience. However, I learned a valuable lesson: don't go to movies at Comic-Con. People will loudly talk through the whole thing. --Mat Elfring
12. Loki takes over Hall H
He may be a villain most of the time, but it's hard to imagine a more beloved character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe than Loki. Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of the god of mischief is just too perfect to hate, even when he derails an entire Hall H panel and runs off Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige before spending a few minutes turning the audience into his army and unleashing the first trailer for Thor: The Dark World. -- Chris E. Hayner
11. Bryan Cranston's Breaking Bad cosplay
If Bryan Cranston is going to cosplay and walk the San Diego Comic-Con floor, who better to dress as than...Bryan Cranston? When taking the stage with his Breaking Bad co-stars, the actor was a spitting image of his on-screen character Walter White. However, he quickly revealed that it was actually not his face, but an incredibly lifelike mask he was wearing. "It was extremely fun," Cranston said. "It was the most fun I've ever had walking the floor, taking a lot of pictures and trying to use a higher voice." So if you managed to get a selfie with a truly great Walter White cosplayer in 2013 at SDCC, it's possible you were actually posing with the actor himself. -- Chris E. Hayner
10. Karen Gillan shows off her bald head
When Karen Gillan commits to a role, she's not messing around. Fans learned that when the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy hit Comic-Con to promote the movie in 2013. When asked about portraying a bald Nebula when she had long red hair, Gillan snatched her wig off and revealed she'd shaved her head for the role. In the chaos of the moment, she even tossed the wig into the audience, which drove the crowd wild. The actress also admitted she was concerned before taking the clippers to her cranium. "I was a little worried that I was going to look like an overgrown fetus," she said. -- Chris E. Hayner
9. Andrew Garfield cosplays as himself
Whether you like The Amazing Spider-Man or not, it's hard to argue that star Andrew Garfield was a true fan of the comic books the film was based on. If you don't believe that, look no further than his first appearance at Comic-Con to promote the movie. What, at first, looked like an over-excited fan in attendance commandeering the microphone in a Spider-Man costume, was unmasked to reveal it was the actor himself. "You have no idea how much this means to me," he said. "I've always wanted to come here as a fan and this is my first time, so here I am as a fan." He even quoted Stan Lee. I dare you not to love Andrew Garfield for that alone. -- Chris E. Hayner
8. Twilight changes the game when it comes to Hall H
Hall H has been the main stage of San Diego Comic-Con since it first started being used in 2004. It's the biggest hall available and becomes home to the biggest and most popular movies and TV shows every year. In 2008, though, Hall H was forever changed, and the credit for that goes to--of all things--Twilight. The second film in the Twilight franchise, New Moon, brought the series to Hall H in 2008 and with it came the Twihards. For the first time, fans lined up the night before to secure a seat in Hall H just to get the chance to see the stars of their favorite movies in person. Since then, it hasn't stopped. Take a stroll around the convention center in the middle of the night during Comic-Con and you'll be sure to find people camped out to see whatever is happening the next day in Hall H. Whether that's a good thing or not depends on how much you enjoy sleeping on the ground. -- Chris E. Hayner
7. Supernatural brings a rock concert to their panel
The cast of Supernatural is practically Comic-Con royalty at this point. The show has appeared at every single San Diego Comic-Con since 2007 and routinely packs Hall H with fans of the series. In 2017, though, it was the show's 11th panel at the annual event and it went the extra mile in giving a special treat to fans. After a video played of stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles driving to San Diego to meet the fans, the familiar opening vocals of Carry On Wayward Son--an important song on the show--could be heard before the lights came up to reveal that rock band Kansas was there to perform it live. Lots of crazy things have happened in Hall H, but a rock concert was a rarity. Even Metallica didn't perform when they held a panel for their 3D movie Through the Never. Tenacious D did, though, in 2005. -- Chris E. Hayner
6. The Dark Knight's Joker invades San Diego
One of the best things about 2007's Comic-Con actually happened outside of the convention center. While The Dark Knight didn't have a panel in Hall H--or any panel at all--the event did serve as the beginning of the movie's massive viral marketing campaign, which saw the Joker's phone number written in the sky, tons of people running around San Diego in Joker face paint, and a massive scavenger hunt that led fans to a teaser trailer for the film. Viral marketing campaigns have been done for a variety of movies over the years, but none as well as The Dark Knight. And it all started with a sea of clowns storming the streets of San Diego, trying to find the trailer for a Batman movie. What's more Comic-Con than that? -- Chris E. Hayner
5. A Batman/Superman movie is announced
Alright, maybe the movie didn't turn out like we all hoped it would. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will go down in history as being, well, nowhere near the best Batman or Superman film. The excitement around it, though, was palpable. When Zack Snyder came to the Warner Bros. presentation at Comic-Con in 2013 to thank fans for supporting Man of Steel, those in attendance had no idea what to expect when the lights went down and Superman's iconic logo appeared on the screen. Surely this was a sequel to Man of Steel, right? Wrong, because moments later Batman's logo appeared behind it to confirm that a film starring both of DC's top superheroes was going to become a reality. This was the stuff of fanboy and fangirl dreams. Finally, we'd be getting a World's Finest film! Alas, you remember how that went. Still, hearing the excitement of the audience when that bat appears still shakes me to my core. -- Chris E. Hayner
4. The first Iron Man trailer kicks off the MCU
Believe it or not, Comic-Con existed before the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That must seem crazy, given the massive presence Marvel Studios tends to have at the annual event, but it's true. In fact, the MCU didn't arrive until 2008 when Iron Man director Jon Favreau stopped by to talk about the film. Fans weren't expecting much, though, as filming on Iron Man had wrapped up merely days before. So fans were delighted when Favreau told then he brought a clip from the film to show. Instead, what was shown was a four-minute trailer from the film, showing Robert Downey Jr. in all of his Tony Stark glory. Just like that, a universe was born. -- Chris E. Hayner
3. Star Wars fans get a live concert
In 2015, Star Wars was the thing everyone at Comic-Con cared about most. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was heading to theaters that December and Disney brought the film to Hall H to get fans riled up. The panel included the full cast, some new footage, and even a live example of how some of the movie's creatures worked. Still, this was all just the pre-show for what was to come. At the end of the panel, director JJ Abrams invited everyone in attendance to a live Star Wars concert outside of the convention center. Together with the cast, fans walked to the event and spent the night listening to Star Wars music performed live, while swinging around lightsabers and creating a truly unique moment. It even ended with a firework spectacular.
2. The Avengers assemble for the first time
Over the years Marvel Studios has become known for their Comic-Con surprises. Whether it's the first Iron Man trailer in 2007 or Brie Larson making a special appearance to announce she would be playing Captain Marvel in 2016, the people at Marvel love to drop the mic when it comes to their panels. In 2010, though, Marvel even outdid themselves. After panels for Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, Samuel L. Jackson stepped up to the podium and introduced the cast of Marvel's Avengers for the first time. It was the perfect Comic-Con moment as the Avengers assembled while the audience went completely insane. Over the years, Marvel Studios has been good about bringing its casts to Comic-Con, which must be tricky when they get so big. It will never get better than this, though. -- Chris E. Hayner
1. The stabbing heard 'round the con floor
In 2010, I was working my very first Comic-Con as a freelancer for Whiskey Media's Comic Vine. I, along with GiantBomb's Matt Rorie, spent all day in Hall H, covering all the July 24 panels from Resident Evil: Afterlife to Paul and beyond, but everyone in the hall was there for the Marvel panel, which would actually have the cast of the film on stage for the first time. Right before the Paul panel, I heard people yelling about 20 feet away from me. Back a row, and the next section over, I saw a group of people standing around someone. Even though I was pretty close to the action, I couldn't figure it out, so I went on Twitter to find out what was going on. Someone got stabbed in the eye with a pen or a pencil. By the time I made my way over to see what was happening, the person who was stabbed was on a stretcher and being taken to the hospital. I found out from someone sitting next to them that the two were fighting over a seat, things got heated, and one dude stabbed another in the eye. I'd like to point out that in this hall, which sits over 6,000 people, we were sitting 3/4ths of the way back from the stage. We did not have good seats. 2018 marks the 9th year in a row I'll be covering Comic-Con, and nothing has even come close to topping that moment. Is that weird to say? That someone getting stabbed in the eye is a moment that can be topped? -- Mat Elfring
By Kevin Wong on Jul 13, 2018 03:21 am
These fans took it too far.
Less than 40 years ago--when fans still thought professional wrestling was real--things were simpler. Fans cheered the good guys and booed the bad guys. They accepted the narrative at face value. And even if savvy fans knew there was some funny business going on, they played along. But today, fans know too much. It's led to a post-modern mess, where instead of criticizing the heels for cheating or cheering the heroes for winning, fans react to the performers behind those characters. And correspondingly, when fans heckle, they cut deeper and meaner than ever before. Here are 7 times that WWE fans took things too far, when they decided they'd rather be the worst type of troll rather than a genuine spectator. And if you liked this list, be sure to check out our galleries on WWE Urban Legends and WWE Superstars trolling their fans. And check back at Gamespot Universe on July 15, when WWE Extreme Rules airs live on the WWE Network. We'll be covering the event all evening.
7. An NXT Takeover Audience Cannot Shut Up For 30 Seconds
At the first NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, Triple H wanted to do something special for the show's opening. He would start the show in the ring of the Barclays Center, with the lights down, and give a monologue. Then, when he raised his arms, the house lights would go up, revealing the a full house of cheering NXT fans. Pretty cool idea right? Triple H asked the Brooklyn crowd to stay silent for 30 seconds, to sell the illusion that the arena was empty before the lights came up. Unfortunately, as you can see from watching this clip, they didn't listen, and chanted for everything from Chyna to CM Punk. There is even an unverified report that fans chanted for Chris Benoit, the former WWE Superstar who killed his wife, his son, and himself. This is why we can't have nice things.
6. The WWE Divas Receive Some Ugly Chants
The Raw after Wrestlemania has a notoriously rowdy, chant-heavy crowd filled with hardcore WWE fans, many of whom traveled for hundreds or thousands of miles to be there. But the crowd in San Jose after Wrestlemania 31 took the cake, and not in a good way. Usually, the anti-Cena portion of the crowd chants, "Cena sucks!" But when Nikki Bella (who's dating Cena), Brie Bella (who's married to Daniel Bryan), Natalya (who's married to Tyson Kidd), and Naomi (who's married to Jey Uso) were performing in the ring, some fans chanted, "You suck Cena!" "You suck Bryan!" "You suck Tyson!" and "You suck Uso!" It was an embarrassment, and eventually, the rest of the crowd started chanting "We love Divas!" to drown them out.
5. The WWE Universe Heckles the New Universal Title Belt
At WWE Summerslam (2016), Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon unveiled the new, Raw-exclusive, WWE Universal Championship title belt. The first holder would be either Seth Rollins or Finn Balor, based on the outcome of that evening's title match. But the look of the belt didn't sit right with some fans. The Brooklyn crowd booed and heckled the belt. And this would have been tolerable had it stopped there. Instead, the fans continued booing and chanting "This belt sucks!" for the entire subsequent match. Later, both Mick Foley and Seth Rollins would log onto social media and chastise the fans for their behavior.
4. Roman Reigns Haters Hijack the Hall of Fame
The WWE Hall of Fame is an event when nearly every WWE Superstar drops his or her schtick for several hours, to honor the veterans who paved the way for their profession. It's expected that the audience conducts itself similarly; formal wear is encouraged, and WWE reminds the audience to be respectful at all times. Unfortunately, a group of Roman Reigns haters couldn't hold themselves together. And when the camera panned over to Reigns in the crowd, they booed loudly, even though he was simply there, out of character, to pay his respects to his forebears. The first time, no one was affected, and Reigns even showed some humor about it. But the second time, the reaction was so loud that inductees The Rock 'n' Roll Express, at what should have been a career-defining moment, thought they were being booed instead of Reigns.
3. Dean Ambrose Fans Hate On Renee Young
It's not easy being a WWE Superstar on social media; these performers put up with a lot of verbal abuse and sexual harassment on a daily basis. But WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose has a devoted female fanbase that is outright vicious to his wife, WWE commentator Renee Young. Young commented on it once, in an Instagram post where she called her adult trolls "maniacs," and said this about her younger tormentors: "I really wish people could focus on more important things in their lives, rather than stay up way past your bedtimes on a school night and try and tear down other people. It's exhausting and it's stupid and it's so sad." Even Summer Rae once had to step in on Young's behalf: "TO EVERYONE IN THESE COMMENTS: I feel so so very sorry for most of you. The fact that you actually take your OWN precious time out of your day to make these lame comments is so weird. Like REALLY odd. Kinda creepy even that the infatuation with someone's personal life of a person you don't know could be THAT strong."
2. Fan Tries To Knock Eddie Guerrero Off A Ladder
Back in the day, fans would jump over the barricade, but it would be for (debatably) more noble reasons; if you think it's real, and your favorite wrestler's life is at risk, why wouldn't you try and interfere? But nowadays, there's no excuse. Fans who jump the barricades are simply looking to make a spectacle and hijack the show. The worst fans put the health and lives of the performers in danger. In 2002, Eddie Guerrero was defending the Intercontinental Championship against Rob Van Dam in a ladder match on Raw. And an Oilers jersey-clad fan jumped in the ring and tried to knock Guerrero off the ladder. Fortunately, Guerrero jumped off the ladder before it went flying. He even got a punch and a kick in on his attacker, before the referee Earl Hebner and the security guards dragged him out of the ring.
1. Crazed Fan Tosses a Briefcase at Roman Reigns' Head
Again, a fan put a performer's health in danger. This time, it took place in Victoria, B.C.; Roman Reigns was wrestling at a live house show against Bray Wyatt, when a Money in the Bank briefcase replica went sailing through the air, striking Reigns in the back of the head. Reigns was knocked woozy, and he spent some time recovering in the corner of the ring before finishing the match. The fan, meanwhile, was arrested, and although no one pressed charges, he was banned from all future WWE live events.
By Dan Auty on Jul 13, 2018 03:19 am
Everyone loves a hero, but let's face it, the reason many movies are our favorites are because of the villains. Without a great bad guy for the heroes to go up against, a film can seem undramatic and uninteresting, and while some big stars are reluctant to be overshadowed by a villainous performance, the smart ones know that their roles are enhanced by a worthy adversary. The rise of the superhero movie and the return of Star Wars continues to prove this--complex, fascinating characters such as Thanos, Killmonger, and Kylo Ren are every bit as interesting as the more traditional heroes they face. The 1990s was a decade of big action movies, glossy thrillers, and huge star-studded comedies. Some of the most acclaimed actors in cinema, TV, and theater realised that there was great money to be made by going bad--especially if you were British--and many of the biggest films were defined by their villains. It often wasn't a decade for subtlety, and it did seem at times as if some of the biggest Hollywood stars were attempting to outdo each other in terms of how over-the-top their performances could get. But equally, there were some truly remarkable performances, and some of the most iconic movie villains of all time were seen on screen in this decade. This was an era where playing a psychopathic cannibal genius or an deranged ankle-smashing fan could win you an Academy Award, and portraying a truly evil real-life character could kickstart your career. So here's a look at the greatest movie villains of the 1990s, ranked in order of how iconic, insane, and memorably evil they were.
25. Tom Ripley – The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Played by Matt Damon Ripley is the charming, devious sociopath at the centre of five novels by Patricia Highsmith. He's been portrayed several times on screen, but never quite as disturbingly as by Matt Damon in the huge underrated The Talented Mr. Ripley. Damon's inherent charisma and likability is key to making Ripley so effective, as he works his way through privileged society using charm, guile, and cold-blooded murder.
24. Castor Troy – Face-Off (1997)
Played by Nicolas Cage Who doesn't love Nicolas Cage when he goes full crazy? In John Woo's wild action classic, he plays homicidal psycho Castor Troy, who is on a mission to destroy the life of cop Sean Archer (John Travolta). This involves literally switching faces with his nemesis, allowing him to infiltrate Archer's family and treat us to the glorious sight of John Travolta playing Cage in full crazy villain mode.
23. Mr. Benedict – Last Action Hero (1993)
Played by Charles Dance The self-referential action comedy The Last Action Hero was a big flop on release, but it's actually aged pretty well. These days Charles Dance is best known for playing Tywin Lannister on Game of Thrones, but his role as Mr. Benedict is huge fun. Benedict starts the movie as the villain of the action epic Jack Slater IV, before a kid named Danny is transported inside the film and Benedict becomes an actual threat. Dance has a blast playing with the clichés of the Hollywood action villain, and his ever-changing glass eye is a great touch.
22. Ivan Korshunov – Air Force One (1997)
Played by Gary Oldman Gary Oldman made something of a name for himself playing villains in the 1990s. There was True Romance's Drexyl and The Fifth Element's Zorg, but best of all was Ivan Korshunov, the Russian terrorist who hijacks Air Force One and holds the President hostage. Of course, the President is played by Harrison Ford so we're never in any doubt who's going to win, but along the way Oldman has delicious fun as the crazed Korshunov, a merciless killer who will murder innocent men, women, and children in his pursuit of his ideals. Oldman brings out the complexities of the character, a man who knows what he does is morally wrong but believes it's his duty to do so.
21. Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Played by Ray Park While many fans were disappointed by the first of George Lucas's Star Wars prequels, most were in agreement that Darth Maul was a fantastic new villain. He looked amazing, he had a double-ended lightsaber, and his few scenes in the movie were some of the best in the whole series, in particular the final duel with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn. And although it would've been great to see even more of him in the movie, it's just how sparingly he is used that makes him so effective.
20. Bodhi – Point Break (1991)
Played by Patrick Swayze Bodhi is, on paper, clearly a villain--he's the leader of a gang of bank robbers with over 50 major crimes to their names. But there are few bad guys as likeable as this charming, adrenaline-chasing criminal, who just wants to shake off the shackles of modern society and make enough money to fund his thrill-seeking lifestyle. It's hard to think of an actor who could've pulled off this role as well as Patrick Swayze, who makes us root for Bodhi throughout, while still showing that he is prepared to commit acts of violence if needed to get the job done. No wonder Keanu Reeves' undercover cop Johnny Utah is as reluctant as we are to stop Bodhi from doing what he does best.
19. Harry and Marv – Home Alone (1990)
, Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)
Played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern With the possible exception of Dr. Evil, this pair of bungling curlers are easily the most incompetent villains on this list. Constantly outwitted by young Kevin in the first Home Alone movie, they endure more pain and abuse than most victims in a horror movie, and return for even more in the sequel. Joe Pesci plays Harry, hilariously riffing on his villainous persona from movies such as Goodfellas, while Daniel Stern is his hapless sidekick Marv.
18. Dr. Evil – Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Played by Mike Myers Has there ever been an evil villain more evil than Dr. Evil? His very name would suggest not. The power-crazed bad guy in the Austin Powers movies hatches some of the most evil plans ever devised, including destroying the world with such terrible devices as the Alan Parsons Project, attaching lasers to sharks, making every volcano in the world explode at once, and holding the world to ransom for as much as a million dollars.
17. Vincenzo Coccotti – True Romance (1993)
Played by Christopher Walken Christopher Walken only appears in True Romance for a single scene, but it's the best of the entire film. Coccotti is a mob boss who is on the trail of Clarence Worley (Christian Slater), who has stolen a huge bag of cocaine from him. He tracks him as far as his father Clifford (Dennis Hopper), and gives a chilling, horribly racist speech before executing him. Walken's performance, Quentin Tarantino's dialogue, and Tony Scott's direction combine to make Coccotti's few onscreen minutes truly unforgettable.
16. Cyrus the Virus – Con-Air
Played by John Malkovich Con-Air delivered an entire plane full of villains, who are being transported across the country. But it's Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom who is the movie's stand-out, an insane master criminal and the the mastermind behind the plan to seize control of the plane. John Malkovich excels at bringing a combination of menace and intelligence to his role. While the movie is utterly ridiculous, with many of the other characters portrayed as cartoonish bad guys, Malkovich makes the role work by playing it absolutely straight.
15. Mrs. Mott – The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992)
Played by Rebecca De Mornay Vengeful nanny Peyton Flanders--aka Mrs. Mott--will stop at nothing to extract her revenge on Claire Bartel, who she believes caused the death of her husband and unborn child. Chillingly played by Rebecca De Mornay, what makes Mott so scary is the way that her evil plan unfolds right under the noses of her intended victims. She wins over Clare's kids and tries to seduce her husband, before eventually resorting to good old-fashioned attempted murder.
14. Max Cady – Cape Fear (1991)
Played by Robert De Niro Max Cady was already one of the best movie villains long before De Niro took on the role in 1991. The original 1963 Cape Fear featured an unforgettable performance from another acting powerhouse named Robert (in the case, Mitchum), but thankfully De Niro was able to give the character his own terrifying spin in Martin Scorsese's remake. Cady is a violent criminal who leaves prison and starts tormenting the family of his former attorney, who buried evidence to ensure he was convicted. De Niro brings everything to table to ensure that no one was thinking of Mitchum was watching Scorsese's update. The actor is known for giving everything to his role and Cape Fear was no exception; his workout regime reportedly took his body fat down to 4%, and he paid $20,000 to have his teeth ground down to make him seem more menacing. That's commitment to villainy.
13. Nino Brown - New Jack City (1991)
Played by Wesley Snipes Nino Brown is one of those villains who is so damn cool that it's easy to forget he's a ruthless drug dealer whose business causes untold misery for the neighbourhood around him. Wesley Snipes's powerful charisma elevates what could have been a fairly standard gangster yarn, making Nino a fascinating, complex character who turns the street to his advantage and constantly outsmarts both the cops and his competitors. (Honourable mention: Snipes also gave a wildly entertaining bad guy performance as Simon Phoenix, the psychotic villain in the Stallone 1994 sci-fi favorite Demolition Man.)
12. Howard Payne – Speed (1994)
Played by Dennis Hopper Dennis Hopper gave one of the memorable villainous performances of the 1980s in David Lynch's Blue Velvet, and while Speed's Howard Payne isn't quite as terrifying, he was still a great bad guy. Payne is a calm, controlled, yet deeply disturbed man, seemingly without any remorse and guilt as he holds the city to ransom via his outlandish bomb threats. He's also got one of the decade's great catchphrases: "Pop quiz, hotshot!"
11. Hedra Carlson – Single White Female (1992)
Played by Jennifer Jason Leigh Stalkers and obsessed fans have long made for some the most unnerving villains in movies, but Single White Female's Hedra Carlson took it to a new level. Obsessed with her new flatmate Allie (Bridget Fonda), Hedra starts dressing like her and begins to infiltrate her life in a variety of disturbing ways. Jennifer Jason Leigh is perfectly cast as the dark side to the more wholesome Allie, and if you ever wanted to see someone get murdered by a stiletto in the eye, this is the movie for you.
10. Amon Goeth - Schindler's List (1993)
Played by Ralph Fiennes There are plenty of "fun" villains on this list, but in terms of truly despicable characters that existed in real life, there are few more terrifying than Amon Goeth. The commandant of the Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp in Steven Spielberg's harrowing masterpiece is brought chillingly to life by Ralph Fiennes, who understands that the character needed to be much more than just an evil villain to make him truly effective. What we get is a multi-layered portrayal of a man driven by his duty to an evil regime, but who is complex and conflicted, particularly in his relationship with his Jewish maid.
9. Scar – The Lion King (1994)
Voiced by Jeremy Irons Disney's animated films have featured some of the most memorable villains in cinema--think Shere Khan, Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Queen Grimhilde. The Lion King's Scar is up there with the best. Jeremy Irons is perfectly cast as this sneering, scheming big cat, who will stop at nothing to rule Pride Rock--including planning to kill his own brother and nephew.
8. Catherine Tramell – Basic Instinct (1992)
Played by Sharon Stone Basic Instinct made Sharon Stone a star, and her character, murderous femme fatale Catherine Tramell, is one of the screen's all-time great villains. A best-selling novelist whose violent books suspiciously mirror a series of real-life crimes, Tramell uses her seductive powers to manipulate the useless men around her. Ice-pick, sir?
7. T-1000 – Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Played by Robert Patrick Arnold Schwarzenegger's terrifying portrayal of the titular cyborg killing machine in James Cameron's 1984 classic The Terminator created a dilemma--how do you make an even scarier adversary for the sequel? Wisely, Cameron didn't try to make an even bigger Terminator for Terminator 2. As played by Robert Patrick, The T-1000 was tall but slim and looked like he wouldn't be much of a match for Arnold, now playing a 'good' Terminator. But T-1000's shapeshifting liquid metal tech, combined with his speed and unrelenting pursuit of John and Sarah Connor, made for a truly worthy adversary.
6. John Doe - Se7en (1995)
Played by Kevin Spacey While many villains grab our attention by being loud and over-the-top, the serial killer at the heart of David Fincher's classic Se7en goes the other way. John Doe is calm, collected, and quietly spoken, and he approaches his terrible crimes with what he believes is absolute logic and commitment to a moral code. In a movie filled with graphic and disturbing imagery, the scenes near the end, as he is driven out into the desert so he can complete his masterplan, are the scariest of the whole film.
5. Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin – Batman Returns (1992)
Played by Danny De Vito While the villain that many fans would most associate with Tim Burton's Batman movies is probably Jack Nicholson's Joker in 1989's Batman, the follow-up delivered an even greater antagonist. In the hands of Danny De Vito, Penguin became a ranting, obese, terrifying maniac, who plans to kidnap the newborn babies of Gotham and drown them in the sewer. Batman Returns remains the darkest and strangest Batman movie to date, and Penguin is its perfect villain.
4. Annie Wilkes – Misery (1990)
Played by: Kathy Bates Like many of the characters on this list, Annie Wilkes could easily have been a cartoonish madwoman were it not for the brilliance of the performance behind it. Annie Wilkes is the crazed villain of this classic Stephen King adaptation, who keeps her favourite author Paul Sheldon prisoner in her house while demanding he rewrite his latest novel for her. Bates rightly won an Oscar for her performance, which effortlessly moves from calm and rational to fearsome and unforgettably scary.
3. Agent Smith – The Matrix (1999)
Played by Hugo Weaving Perhaps the coolest bad guy on this list, Hugo Weaving took a character that on paper could've been a bit boring and made him one of the most iconic villains of all time. With his calm demeanour, smooth voice, and amazing martial arts powers, Smith is a dark, relentless entity who will stop at nothing to maintain the Matrix.
2. Sheriff of Nottingham – Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991)
Played by Alan Rickman It's still amazing to think that Alan Rickman was a relatively unknown stage actor when he took his first movie role in 1988 and delivered one of the all-time great movie villains--Die Hard's Hans Gruber. Three years later, he did the same for the next decade. In the hugely successful, star-studded retelling of the Robin Hood legend, Rickman absolutely steals the show as the smooth, sarcastic, combustible Sheriff of Nottingham. While Gruber was a tightly controlled performance, Rickman lets rip with this one, making sure that he is bigger, louder, and more awesomely villainous than anyone who has played the Sheriff before or after.
1. Hannibal Lecter – Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
Played by Anthony Hopkins Anthony Hopkins wasn't the first actor to play Hannibal Lecter on-screen. But as good as Brian Cox's performance in 1986's Manhunter was, it was Hopkins that defined the role. Lecter remains imprisoned for much of the movie, but while it's Buffalo Bill who carries out the movie's most graphic crimes, it's Hannibal the Cannibal who emerges as the movie's most terrifying villain. Hopkins is so calm and composed that it's a shock when we finally see him as the monster that we have been told about, stabbing and biting his way out of prison in one the most gruesomely ingenious escapes you'll ever see.
By Chris Reed on Jul 13, 2018 02:25 am
Do you enjoy video games? Do you like saving money? If you answered yes to both of those questions, you've come to the right place. We've been tracking all the best video game deals for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, and have gathered the best of the bunch right here. So, let's see what kinds of great games we can buy for cheap this week. This week you can find video game sales going on at Best Buy, GameStop, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and the Nintendo Eshop, to name just a few. Regardless of your platform of choice, there's a good chance you'll find a deal on a game you want. The biggest sale going on this week by far is the Mid-Year Sale on the PlayStation Store. It has low prices on (literally) hundreds of games ranging from indie titles to AAA blockbusters. So if you're in the market for PS4, PS3, or PS Vita games, that's definitely one to check out. Sales are great, but nothing beats free games, right? If you're a PlayStation Plus member who hasn't picked up July's set of free games, you can get all the info you need here. Xbox Live Gold subscribers have their own set of games they can download for free this month as well. And PC gamers aren't left out in the cold, either. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get tons of free PC games from Twitch this month. But if you're looking for specific suggestions on the best deals on the best games this week, keep on reading. We dug through all the sales to find the best deals all over the place. Some links to supporting retailers are automatically made into affiliate links, and GameSpot may receive a small share of those sales.
Free PC Games
If you're an Amazon Prime subscriber with a gaming PC, you'll definitely want to hit up Twitch.tv each day this month between now and July 18. All told, Prime members get 21 free games in July. You might want to hurry though, because the games are only available for a limited time, and some have already expired. And if you're not a member? We have a free solution to get you the games, too.
Mega Man Core Series (Xbox One)
Fans of the Blue Bomber are looking forward to Mega Man 11--especially considering how good it looks. That game doesn't come out until the fall, so now's a great time to catch up on every installment of the core series, which happens to be on sale on Xbox. Mega Man Legacy Collection bundles games 1-6 together, and the sequel contains games 7-10.
Assassin's Creed Origins (PS4)
If you missed out on last year's Assassin's Creed game because you'd grown tired of the series (or you just didn't get around to it), now is a great time to take a chance. This excellent, sprawling game is set in Ancient Egypt and will keep you busy for many hours.
Grand Theft Auto V (PS4, Xbox One)
It may be one of the best-selling games of all time, but not everyone has a copy of Grand Theft Auto V on a modern console. If you've been meaning to pick it up--maybe to play through the story, maybe to see what GTA: Online is all about--now is your chance. It's on sale at GameStop for $20.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole (Switch)
The foul-mouthed kids from South Park are at it again in another acclaimed RPG, this time with a very punny name.
Monster Hunter World (PS4, Xbox One)
Monster Hunter World is a huge action-RPG that has you hunting down imposing beasts on a quest for all the best loot. It's on sale for a great price this week at GameStop.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Switch)
Want to see Mario shoot a gun? You can in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, a turn-based tactical game starring the Mushroom Kingdom gang and the crazy old Rabbids.
Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition (PS4, Xbox One)
Get ready for the online-focused game Fallout 76 coming later this year by playing the single player-focused Fallout 4. For just $30, you can get the Game of the Year Edition that comes with all the DLC.
Star Wars Battlefront II (PS4, Xbox One)
Now that the loot box storm has settled with EA having changed the way microtransactions work in Star Wars Battlefront II, it's a good time to jump in. It's a fun shooter that you can grab for $20 this week.
By Matt Espineli on Jul 13, 2018 12:47 am
Going Battle Royale
Both PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite have experienced massive success. As a result, battle royale games are quickly evolving, moving past the genre's humble beginnings as mods for large-scale survival games, like Minecraft and ARMA 2, and into fresh new territory. More and more new games in the genre are getting released every week; this year alone is packed with a slew of new battle royale games that aim to push the genre further by expanding its foundational elements and mechanics. To ensure you're kept up to date on all the latest battle royale games, we've compiled 19 of the biggest battle royale games releasing in 2018. Below you can find a full list releasing this year. In addition, you find out more details on each game in the feature ahead by clicking through to their game pages. Battle Royale Games Of 2018While there's plenty of battle royale games out there, we've decidedly narrowed it down in our list above to the ones most worth looking into this year. Many of the latest battle royale games are expanding upon it by throwing new mechanics into the mix. Some games add in spectator elements and dynamic environmental effects, while others are taking the experience to VR. It's exciting to see how some developers are pushing the genre to entirely new directions. There are also battle royale games this year are opting for a more traditional approach. Games like Europa and Mavericks: Proving Grounds are sticking to the last person standing approach but across different scales and with additional mechanics, like dynamic environmental effects and higher player counts. These games offer veteran players fascinating situations to test their skills. Even the biggest gaming franchises are incorporating battle royale into its repertoire. The upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Battlefield 5 have battle royale-like modes. We can only imagine what other popular franchises plan to introduce the mode at E3 2018. Regardless of what you prefer, it's safe to say that there is likely a new battle royale game for you. But which one are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check back often as we update this feature with even more new battle royale games as they get announced.
The Culling 2
The Culling 2 approaches the battle royale formula with real-world weapon ballistics, a more complex melee combat system, and customizable perks. It supports up to 50 players. Release Date: Available July 10
Battlefield 5 | PS4, Xbox One, PC
During EA's E3 2018 press conference, Battlefield V developer DICE confirmed that a battle royale mode will be available in the game at some point. DICE creative director Lars Gustavsson stated that games like Fortnite and PUBG are popular among the developer's employees. The idea to add a battle royale mode to Battlefield V came from conversations DICE developers were having about the game inside the studio as opposed to being a directive that EA handed down to the studio, he suggested. Release Date: TBA (Mode expected to release sometime after October 11 launch)
Fear the Wolves | PC, PS4, Xbox One
Fear the Wolves is a battle royale game set in an apocalyptic Chernobyl-like wasteland. It brings an interesting twist to the formula by introducing unpredictable weather cycles. In addition, there are radioactive zones that players can only explore with the proper gear. Release Date: PC Early Access TBA 2018 (Console version expected to launch in 2019)
Rapture Rejects | PC
Rapture Rejects is an upcoming battle royale game set in the popular Cyanide & Happiness cartoon universe. Unlike its contemporaries, the game sets players in a hellish otherworld where God has abandoned humanity, and the only option left is to kill until only one person is left standing. Release Date: TBA 2018
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 | PS4, Xbox One, PC
The upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is going to feature a battle royale mode. Dubbed Blackout, the new mode pits players against each other in a fight to be the last one standing. Where it differs from other battle royale games, however, is that it draws heavily on previous Black Ops titles. Developer Treyarch says it wanted to create a battle royale mode "the Black Ops way," and to that end, it has incorporated elements from the entire series into the mode. Release Date: October 12
Battlerite Royale | PC
Battlerite Royale is an upcoming mode for the team-based arena brawler where 20 players fight on a map 30 times larger than the game's standard arena mode map. You can play solo or as a pair, with 27 distinct heroes to choose from. The rules are standard fair as a battle royale game: drop in, gather supplies, kill people, and come out as the last person alive. Platforms: PC | Release Date: Summer 2018 (Standard Game is Available Now)
Maelstorm | PC
Maelstorm offers an interesting spin on the battle royale genre. Rather than take on the format of a first-person or third-person shooter, the game focuses on naval combat in a fantasy setting. You're pitted against 15 other players in a a battle to be the last "ship" standing. While you fight off other players and NPC ships, there are also sea monsters to worry about that'll attempt to sink you. And if the game's premise isn't enough to pull you in, it also offers progression and loot systems to keep you invested in and outside of battle. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access
Egress
Egress is an RPG battle royale game with a Soulsborne-like combat system. It's set in an alternate universe that combines visuals elements from Victorian-era architecture, Lovecraftian mythology, and Retrowave. Release Date: TBA 2018
H1Z1 | PC (PS4 and Xbox One Versions Coming Soon)
Formerly known as H1Z1: King of the Kill, H1Z1 is the battle royale version of the zombie-survival sandbox game, Just Survive. It pits 150 players against each other in a last-man-standing deathmatch; players can choose to play solo, with a partner, or in groups of five. In addition to the game's standard battle royale mode, H1Z1 features a mode called Auto Royale, where four players drive a car into battle, collecting power-ups in order to emerge the last team driving. Platforms: PC | Release Date: Available Now
Proxima Royale
Proxima Royale is a sci-fi-themed battle royale where up to 60 players duke it out in a last "robot" standing conflict on an alien planet. The game is in early access, having had a few closed alphas over the past month or so. Release Date: TBA
SOS | PC
SOS offers something unique: it requires a microphone, and your social skills and sense of showmanship will be put to the test. Each player has to present themselves in an interesting way to stand out and earn the favor of a live audience. Each game is broadcast live online via the social gaming platform Hero, with spectators voting on possible in-game events like supply drops or bombing runs. The main goal is to find one of four relics spread across the map, and then signal for extraction and make it onto a helicopter. This sounds simple on paper, but 15 other players are also striving to accomplish the same goal, and with only a few seats on the helicopter, you're going to need to be clever and ruthless if you want to survive. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access
Realm Royale | PC, PS4, Xbox One
Realm Royale is a 100-player battle royale spin-off of Paladins: Champions of the Realm. It takes on qualities similar to other battle royale games, but attempts to redefine them by introducing mechanics from hero shooters, with myriad playable characters, each with their own unique skills and abilities. In addition, it emphasizes cooperative play, as it's designed to be played primarily in four-person squads. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access
The Darwin Project | PC, Xbox One
The Darwin Project is a third-person competitive multiplayer battle royale game with more of an emphasis on survival than its competitors. In order to win, you must endure extreme weather conditions, while tracking opponents and setting up traps in order to be the last one left alive. It's most noteworthy quality is that it incorporates reality TV show elements into its gameplay, like spectator interaction and a show director who controls varying aspects of the arena. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access and Xbox One Game Preview program
Mavericks: Proving Grounds | PC
Mavericks: Proving Grounds is an first-person battle royale game where up to 400 players do battle in a highly dynamic environment. For example, you can set fire to a map, tactically spreading it to others parts of the map to either damage other players or cut them off. In addition, the game promises more intelligent mission systems, social hubs, and a player-driven narrative that informs your experiences playing the game. Release Date: TBA 2018 (Beta opens Summer 2018)
Islands of Nyne | PC
Islands of Nyne is a sci-fi-themed first-person battle royale game that's more skill-driven than its competitors. Based on how well you play, you'll earn special armor sets and weapon skins for your character. There's also a player betting system, which allows you to use in-game credits to place bets on individual players or teams during a match to win more equipment or skins. Release Date: TBA 2018 (Currently in Closed Alpha, which you can get into by pre-ordering the game)
Dying Light: Bad Blood | PC, PS4, Xbox One
Dying Light: Bad Blood is a standalone battle royale-esque expansion of the critically acclaimed Dying Light. It seems an almost unexpected release, but apparently it was made by developer Techland due to numerous fan requests. In Bad Blood, six players are dropped into random locations around the map in a race to acquire enough samples from several powerful infected zombies. As you take down these special zombies, you'll collect samples and potentially level up your character--boosting their health, agility, and attack power. The first one to acquire all the samples and escape in the evac chopper wins. Release Date: TBA 2018 (a Global Playtest is schedule for sometime this year, which you can sign up for via the Dying Light website)
Europa | PC
Europa is Chinese publisher Tencent's contribution to the battle royale genre. Unlike its competitors, the game will feature real-time weather, underwater exploration, environmental kills, and destructible cover. Whether Europa releases anywhere besides China remains to be seen. Release Date: TBA 2018 in China only
Survival Games: Battle Royale | PC
Survival Games: Battle Royale retains the genre's tried and true premise, but provides some twists of its own. Maps are procedurally generated and you must keep track of your stats and hunger as you fight to be the last one standing. In addition, the game sports a map editor that allows you design your own custom battle royale arenas. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access
Stand Out: VR Battle Royale | PC (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive)
Playing a battle royale game in VR sounds like a huge challenge, but developer raptor lab is looking to make it happen with Standout: Battle Royale VR. In order to survive a match, you'll literally have to crouch down to avoid enemy and lean in and out of cover to get a clear line of sight on opponents; you can even reach out and snatch a magazine from a player's hands. Release Date: Available Now via Steam Early Access
Fractured Lands | PC
Fractured Lands sets the 100-player battle royale formula in a Mad Max-inspired post-apocalyptic wasteland. The game features classic genre mechanics, like resource management and tactical first-person shooting. However, it also sports an emphasis on car combat and vehicle customization. Release Date: Available Summer 2018 via Steam Early Access (Available now in Closed Beta)
By Matt Espineli on Jul 13, 2018 12:41 am
The Xbox One launched in November 2013 and Microsoft has managed to secure a fair amount of quality exclusives for the console. With games like Halo 5: Guardians, Cuphead, and Forza Motorsport 7, the console offers a wide variety of fantastic experiences you can only get on Xbox, as well as PC thanks to Microsoft's Play Anywhere program. And thanks to the Xbox One X, the Xbox One family features the most powerful console on the market. Microsoft has been criticized often for its lack of exclusives, which Xbox boss Phil Spencer has acknowledged in the past, saying "We need to grow, and I look forward to doing that. Our ability to go create content has to be one of our strengths. We haven't always invested at the same level. We've gone through ups and downs in the investment." He commented further: "That meant we had to stop doing some other things in order to create room for that. And that's just kind of the nature of running a business," Spencer said. "One of the things that I wanted to do when I came into this job ... one of the things was our first-party and how I thought about needing to--this is an unfair word, but I'll say 'rework' our first-party. Regretfully, that meant certain things that we were doing, I thought we needed to do something different. It meant getting back to what I think is a core and building from that." However, Microsoft recently took action at E3 2018, announcing it has acquired or established five new studios to work under the Microsoft Studios umbrella. While Microsoft might be looking to improve its first-party output, Xbox One does have a lot of quality games you won't find on any other console. Click ahead to view GameSpot's highest-rated Xbox One exclusives since the console's launch. The titles listed here are in alphabetical order and in no way reflects our own personal editor rankings of each game. The list only includes games we've awarded an 8/10 or higher. In addition, we've limited the feature based on console exclusivity, so you'll see a few games in this gallery that are also available on PC; remasters are all fair game too. While the Xbox One is home to a variety of awesome exclusive games, you can also play a wealth of past-generation exclusives thanks to the console's backwards compatibility feature. A few notable standouts are Crackdown, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. But if you're curious what other Xbox and Xbox 360 exclusive games you can play on Xbox One, be sure to check out our feature detailing the 36 best backwards compatible games. What are some of your favorite Xbox One exclusives? Doesn't matter if they're critically acclaimed or super underrated. Let us know about them in the comments below. Be sure to check out our lists of the best Nintendo Switch console exclusives and PS4 console exclusives as well.
#IDARB
We gave the game an 8/10. In our #IDARB review, Tyler Hicks wrote, "For me, the game's thrilling competition is more than enough to earn the stamp of approval. #IDARB doesn't look like much, but it brings a feast to the table. It stands as proof that all it takes to make a fantastic game, even with today's available technology, is a solid set of core gameplay mechanics with inherent depth."
Cuphead
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Cuphead review, Peter Brown wrote, "Cuphead has been a longtime coming, and it's great to see that it lives up to its initial promises. It's beautiful to look at, and with a pitch-perfect soundtrack, it flawlessly captures the era its developers so clearly revere. It's also an intense action game that pulls no punches. It could benefit from a few tweaks, and two-player co-op doesn't feel like the valuable addition you might imagine, but Cuphead remains a rare, unique game that truly stands out."
Dance Central Spotlight
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Dance Central Spotlight review, Shaun McInnis wrote, "Indeed, Dance Central Spotlight feels like an admission that sometimes you just can't be all things to all people. Rather than beef up the feature list, Harmonix has taken the opposite approach: it's slimmed down the game, offered way more value, and removed the obstacles between you and just getting out there and dancing. It's a different take on Dance Central, but the party is just as fun as ever."
Fantasia: Music Evolved
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Fantasia: Music Evolved review, Kevin VanOrd wrote, "I wish for more from Fantasia: Music Evolved, but that's because it is already such a delight to watch, to hear, and to perform. The game is more pop than Pachelbel; I have visions of entire Mahler symphonies released as future downloadable content, even though I know that Avicii and Lady Gaga are DLC priorities. Until that dream comes true, I am more than content with Fantasia, which makes me feel like a graceful performance artist, a skillful sorcerer, and a master musician all at once."
Forza Horizon 2
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Forza Horizon 2 review, Kevin VanOrd wrote, "Forza Horizon 2 is hardly lacking in stuff to do, though the best events extol the driver/car relationship, either by demanding precise control, or by reminding you, once again, of its virtual mantra: "Cars are awesome and you're awesome!" Forget the forgettable jams emanating from the various rock and electronica radio stations you can tune to; that's music for Gary, but not for me. No, Horizon 2 is about careening into the sunset while Beethoven symphonies blast from your speakers, as if you might leap off the edge of the Earth and straight into the arms of God."
Forza Horizon 3
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Forza Horizon 3 review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "With Forza Horizon 3, Turn 10 and Playground Games affirm the series' status as the driving game for everyone. The new emphasis on off-road options isn't at the expense of traditional races, thanks to the sheer volume of activities. All the while, Playground Games' calculated kitchen-sink design philosophy and rich reward system persistently tempt you to explore beyond your comfort zone, whether it's gifting your first Ariel Nomad buggy or reminding you that stunt races can impress thousands of fans. Enhancing your own brand might feel like a strange motivation to hit the road, but pulling off sick e-drifts on a mile-long series of curves makes the PR work worthwhile."
Forza Motorsport 6
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Forza Motorsport 6 review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "As merely the second installment for the Xbox One, Forza Motorsport 6 not only keeps up with the high bar set by Forza 5, it capitalizes on that foundation of quality. The Mod system and the weather effects are reasons enough for Forza 5 enthusiasts to seriously consider this sequel and the abundance of difficulty and assist options makes Forza 6 an immensely accessible driving simulation for newcomers."
Forza Motorsport 7
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Forza Motorsport 7 review, Miguel Concepcion wrote, "By the time I had logged a couple dozen hours in Forza 7, the confluence of environmental and driving realism unexpectedly inspired me to recreate real-life racing events like the famous 1996 Zanardi pass at Laguna Seca. These are the kinds of experiments that Forza 7 inspires, thanks in part to the game's variety and flexibility. Even with an imperfect roster and a selection of modes that doesn't compare to the comprehensiveness of Forza 6 at launch, Forza Motorsport 7 is still a feature-rich and competition-diverse bundle of racing events that keep you coming back for more. The ability to control the weather to create rich, painterly cloudy backdrops goes a long way in making up for the lack of zombie modes and the Toyota MR2."
Halo 5: Guardians
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Halo 5: Guardians review, Mike Mahardy wrote, "In some ways, Halo 5 is the boldest Halo yet. The franchise's multiplayer is at its peak, with a mode I'm sure I'll return to several times over. But then there's the campaign, which introduces fluid new movement and open level design, yet can't tell a coherent story to match. There are signs of a phenomenal shooter here, but certain narrative aspects feel underdeveloped, holding the franchise's newest sequel back from true excellence. Like Spartan Locke and his team, 343 is chasing after something bigger than itself, and with Halo 5: Guardians, it comes close. Now if only it could reach out its arm and take hold."
Sunset Overdrive
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Sunset Overdrive review, Peter Brown wrote, "Insomniac Games has crafted an excellent game in Sunset Overdrive. It's not without a few niggling issues, but you'll be too busy enjoying yourself to care. You can compare it to games like Crackdown, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Ratchet and Clank, but by combining the best elements of those games into a single package and injecting it with an anything goes, rock and roll attitude, you'll never think of it as anything but a singular achievement that stands tall on its own merits. It's one of the best games on the Xbox One, and a refreshing shot of merriment."
Ori and the Blind Forest
We gave the game a 9/10. In our Ori and the Blind Forest review, Kevin VanOrd wrote, "It's important, however, not to mistake Ori and the Blind Forest for being simply beautiful. It certainly is--but it is also unceasingly clever. It consistently surprises you with new tricks: gravitational divergences, new ways to move through its spaces, and carefully designed levels that require you to think quickly and respond. It is not as snappy as, say, a typical Mario platformer, seeking instead a broader gameplay arc stretching across a single, interconnected world. It's a superb and thematically consistent approach that allows Ori and the Blind Forest to build joy on a bed of heartache, adding a new layer of mechanical complexity with each ray of hope."
Rare Replay
We gave the game an 8/10. In our Rare Replay review, Peter Brown wrote, "Much of Rare Replay is old material, but that's OK when so many of Rare's games easily stand the test of time. Getting the chance to play its classics in an easily accessible package is worth celebrating, whether you've played them before or always wished you could. And you should, if you haven't had the chance. Rare's games have a way of speaking to you with respect. They embrace video game conventions and rarely take themselves too seriously. Expressive characters warm your heart and catchy and complex soundtracks stick with you long after you turn off your console. Rare Replay is a great way to experience some of the best games from the studio's past, and the new videos that document Rare's storied history are the icing on the cake; it's just a shame that you can't access them from the start."
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