704Games and publisher Motorsport Games have announced NASCAR Heat 5, the latest in the popular series of NASCAR racing games. The latest NASCAR Heat features Chase Elliott on the cover and includes a career mode that lets you progress through the Xtreme Dirt, Gander Trucks, and Xfinity Series before reaching the NASCAR Cup Series. It includes 34 officially licensed race tracks, esports support, a new track-testing mode that lets you learn each course, and more. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=nascar-heat-5-screenshots&captions=true"] NASCAR Heat 5 will be available on July 10 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC and include split-screen local multiplayer and 40-player online races. A Gold Edition of NASCAR Heat 5 will launch on July 7. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan, catch him on Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.

704Games and publisher Motorsport Games have announced NASCAR Heat 5, the latest in the popular series of NASCAR racing games. The latest NASCAR Heat features Chase Elliott on the cover and includes a career mode that lets you progress through the Xtreme Dirt, Gander Trucks, and Xfinity Series before reaching the NASCAR Cup Series. It includes 34 officially licensed race tracks, esports support, a new track-testing mode that lets you learn each course, and more. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=nascar-heat-5-screenshots&captions=true"] NASCAR Heat 5 will be available on July 10 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC and include split-screen local multiplayer and 40-player online races. A Gold Edition of NASCAR Heat 5 will launch on July 7. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan, catch him on Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.

Xbox will be a part of our summer showcase this June, along with EA, CD Projekt Red, and more.

Xbox will be a part of our summer showcase this June, along with EA, CD Projekt Red, and more.

Xbox has announced Xbox 20/20, a programme of monthly updates on the future of Xbox, beginning with this week's Inside Xbox broadcast. A July episode will focus on looking at first-party Xbox Series X games from Xbox Game Studios. Xbox will also be joining IGN's Summer of Gaming showcase in June. Jerret West, CVP of Gaming Marketing at Xbox explained the format: "Starting with the May 7th episode of Inside Xbox, we will be showcasing what happens next in the world of Xbox, every month, which is why we’re calling it 'Xbox 20/20.' These monthly moments will take place throughout the rest of the year and will be a way for us to engage, connect and celebrate with you about what’s in store for the next generation of gaming, including what’s next for Xbox Series X, Xbox Game Studios, Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud. Every month will bring something different. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for more details." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=assassins-creed-valhalla-first-screenshots&captions=true"] West offered more details about the Inside Xbox this Thursday. As expected, the show will focus on third-party games for Xbox Series X, and include a look at gameplay from Assassin's Creed Valhalla. It will also "be confirming games that utilize our new Smart Delivery feature, which ensures that you always play the best version of the games you own for your console, across generations. And all the games you’ll see will be Xbox Series X Optimized, meaning they are built to take advantage of the powerful Xbox Series X features that make games look and feel incredible, including 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second, DirectStorage, hardware-accelerated DirectX raytracing, super-fast load times and much more." If you want to get prepared for all the news, here's where to watch the May 7 Inside Xbox. The June drop for Xbox 20/20 is still unannounced, but we're happy to confirm that Xbox will be a part of IGN's Summer of Gaming showcase next month, joining the likes of CD Projekt Red, EA, 2K and more to make brand new announcements with us. July will include first looks at what's to come from Microsoft's various owned studios. "In July, we will dedicate time to focus on the incredible games coming from Xbox Game Studios", says West. "A number of our studio teams are looking forward to sharing first looks at new gameplay, insights from development teams being optimized for Xbox Series X, and brand-new game announcements. We cannot wait to share this initial look at what some of those teams are working on." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/03/ign-announces-summer-of-gaming-showcase-for-june"] West also used the blog post to make a series of commitments for Xbox this year, given the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 crisis:

• "Our goal remains to launch Xbox Series X and 'Halo Infinite' this holiday
• All 15 Xbox Game Studios teams are hard at work on next-generation games for Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass
• The best development teams around the world are working hard to have their games ready to play on Xbox Series X this holiday
• For PC players, we plan to support the community by making all of our major releases at launch available with Xbox Game Pass for PC, including 'Halo Infinite,' 'Wastelands 3' and of course, Microsoft Flight Simulator.
• We have new updates and titles lined up for Xbox Game Pass for console and PC
• We’re expanding Project xCloud into new countries and on new devices—and later this year Project xCloud and Xbox Game Pass will come together, enabling you and your friends to play together in more ways."

  Xbox Series X is scheduled to be released during Holiday 2020. Right now we know the Xbox Series X specs, we have an educated guess on its price based on those specs, and a full comparison with PS5. What we know far less about is Xbox Series X games, but we have a list of confirmed and rumoured titles for the next-gen console. Here's how you can help and stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter.  

Xbox has announced Xbox 20/20, a programme of monthly updates on the future of Xbox, beginning with this week's Inside Xbox broadcast. A July episode will focus on looking at first-party Xbox Series X games from Xbox Game Studios. Xbox will also be joining IGN's Summer of Gaming showcase in June. Jerret West, CVP of Gaming Marketing at Xbox explained the format: "Starting with the May 7th episode of Inside Xbox, we will be showcasing what happens next in the world of Xbox, every month, which is why we’re calling it 'Xbox 20/20.' These monthly moments will take place throughout the rest of the year and will be a way for us to engage, connect and celebrate with you about what’s in store for the next generation of gaming, including what’s next for Xbox Series X, Xbox Game Studios, Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud. Every month will bring something different. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for more details." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=assassins-creed-valhalla-first-screenshots&captions=true"] West offered more details about the Inside Xbox this Thursday. As expected, the show will focus on third-party games for Xbox Series X, and include a look at gameplay from Assassin's Creed Valhalla. It will also "be confirming games that utilize our new Smart Delivery feature, which ensures that you always play the best version of the games you own for your console, across generations. And all the games you’ll see will be Xbox Series X Optimized, meaning they are built to take advantage of the powerful Xbox Series X features that make games look and feel incredible, including 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second, DirectStorage, hardware-accelerated DirectX raytracing, super-fast load times and much more." If you want to get prepared for all the news, here's where to watch the May 7 Inside Xbox. The June drop for Xbox 20/20 is still unannounced, but we're happy to confirm that Xbox will be a part of IGN's Summer of Gaming showcase next month, joining the likes of CD Projekt Red, EA, 2K and more to make brand new announcements with us. July will include first looks at what's to come from Microsoft's various owned studios. "In July, we will dedicate time to focus on the incredible games coming from Xbox Game Studios", says West. "A number of our studio teams are looking forward to sharing first looks at new gameplay, insights from development teams being optimized for Xbox Series X, and brand-new game announcements. We cannot wait to share this initial look at what some of those teams are working on." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/03/ign-announces-summer-of-gaming-showcase-for-june"] West also used the blog post to make a series of commitments for Xbox this year, given the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 crisis:

• "Our goal remains to launch Xbox Series X and 'Halo Infinite' this holiday
• All 15 Xbox Game Studios teams are hard at work on next-generation games for Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass
• The best development teams around the world are working hard to have their games ready to play on Xbox Series X this holiday
• For PC players, we plan to support the community by making all of our major releases at launch available with Xbox Game Pass for PC, including 'Halo Infinite,' 'Wastelands 3' and of course, Microsoft Flight Simulator.
• We have new updates and titles lined up for Xbox Game Pass for console and PC
• We’re expanding Project xCloud into new countries and on new devices—and later this year Project xCloud and Xbox Game Pass will come together, enabling you and your friends to play together in more ways."

  Xbox Series X is scheduled to be released during Holiday 2020. Right now we know the Xbox Series X specs, we have an educated guess on its price based on those specs, and a full comparison with PS5. What we know far less about is Xbox Series X games, but we have a list of confirmed and rumoured titles for the next-gen console. Here's how you can help and stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter.  

What Happened, a new first-person psychological horror game set in a high school and starring a high school student named Stiles, has been announced. It is due for release on PC via Steam in July, with console versions due out later. Players "will guide high school student Stiles through the dark corridors of his own mind as he struggles with his demons, real and imagined," according to Poland-based developer Genius Slackers (Katnappe will be publishing). "The mental realm that Stiles inhabits is unforgiving, with twisted memories lining the hallways of his mind. As players help Stiles solve puzzles and escape the clutches of his demons, the game will subtly respond to the empathy they show him." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=what-happened-screenshots&captions=true"] You can view the announcement trailer for What Happened at the top of this page, and check out screenshots just above. Horror games continue to be in fashion, with recent examples including the reveal of the PT-inspired Dread X Collection and the launch of Daymare 1998. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan, catch him on Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.

What Happened, a new first-person psychological horror game set in a high school and starring a high school student named Stiles, has been announced. It is due for release on PC via Steam in July, with console versions due out later. Players "will guide high school student Stiles through the dark corridors of his own mind as he struggles with his demons, real and imagined," according to Poland-based developer Genius Slackers (Katnappe will be publishing). "The mental realm that Stiles inhabits is unforgiving, with twisted memories lining the hallways of his mind. As players help Stiles solve puzzles and escape the clutches of his demons, the game will subtly respond to the empathy they show him." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=what-happened-screenshots&captions=true"] You can view the announcement trailer for What Happened at the top of this page, and check out screenshots just above. Horror games continue to be in fashion, with recent examples including the reveal of the PT-inspired Dread X Collection and the launch of Daymare 1998. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan, catch him on Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.

A decision report from the Australian Classification Board has revealed numerous details regarding Cyberpunk 2077’s handling of adult content and themes. The document, which provides the game an adults-only R 18+ classification, reveals that CD Projekt Red’s latest RPG is going to be a gnarly trip to Night City. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/08/27/cyberpunk-2077-gameplay-demo-taking-out-the-scavengers"] Much of the classification report focuses on sex, and explains that Cyberpunk 2077 features first-person perspective sex scenes. These are non-interactive, but feature nudity ranging from “breast and buttock” to “full frontal female nudity”. No mention is made of frontal male nudity. Sex can be initiated with male or female NPC prostitutes, or with other consensual characters. The report is censored to prevent spoilers, but it seems to suggest that sex workers can be solicited in the world akin to how they can be approached in Grand Theft Auto, while other characters can be engaged without a service transaction, perhaps via romance-based dialogue or dating quests. The report also details a quest in which the player visits a sex shop. “Mannequins are posed inside glass cabinets in various sexual positions, including a simulation of rear-entry sex,” it describes. “Other, smaller cabinets contain a variety of sex toys or devices, including a number of oversized phallic-shaped dildos.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=100-new-cyberpunk-2077-screenshots-gangs-characters-and-playstyles-revealed&captions=true"] In regards to darker themes, the report also details a scene in which the player examines someone who is implied to be the survivor of a sexual assault. While it is clearly stated that sexual violence is never shown, the report does explain that themes of sex, violence, and sexual violence are “at times, inextricably linked within the narrative”. As for violence, it appears that Cyberpunk 2077 will deliver near Soldier of Fortune-levels of blood, gore, and evisceration. Gunfire wounds cause “generous blood mists and sprays, and may also result in the severing of limbs and, in some cases, decapitations.” The most damage can be inflicted on NPC corpses, with the report using an example of a shotgun being used to dismember a dead character. “Corpses may also be eviscerated if the player uses an automatic weapon,” states the report, “with large mists of blood rising and, in some cases, stylised injury detail including bone and entrails being visible.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/05/24/7-cyberpunk-games-to-play-before-cyberpunk-2077"] The report makes no mention of drug use, but the Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter account recently confirmed that “2077 does have drugs.” It’s going all-out cyberpunk, basically, which you’d expect considering the name. Recently Cyberpunk 2077’s lead quest designer responded to a fan on Twitter regarding the first details on the game’s adult content, saying “You surprised? We don’t f**k around.” You’ll be able to see more from Cyberpunk 2077 during IGN’s Summer of Gaming, which will feature new reveals from the RPG in June. This year will also see Cyberpunk 2077 grace the very last special edition Xbox One X. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

A decision report from the Australian Classification Board has revealed numerous details regarding Cyberpunk 2077’s handling of adult content and themes. The document, which provides the game an adults-only R 18+ classification, reveals that CD Projekt Red’s latest RPG is going to be a gnarly trip to Night City. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/08/27/cyberpunk-2077-gameplay-demo-taking-out-the-scavengers"] Much of the classification report focuses on sex, and explains that Cyberpunk 2077 features first-person perspective sex scenes. These are non-interactive, but feature nudity ranging from “breast and buttock” to “full frontal female nudity”. No mention is made of frontal male nudity. Sex can be initiated with male or female NPC prostitutes, or with other consensual characters. The report is censored to prevent spoilers, but it seems to suggest that sex workers can be solicited in the world akin to how they can be approached in Grand Theft Auto, while other characters can be engaged without a service transaction, perhaps via romance-based dialogue or dating quests. The report also details a quest in which the player visits a sex shop. “Mannequins are posed inside glass cabinets in various sexual positions, including a simulation of rear-entry sex,” it describes. “Other, smaller cabinets contain a variety of sex toys or devices, including a number of oversized phallic-shaped dildos.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=100-new-cyberpunk-2077-screenshots-gangs-characters-and-playstyles-revealed&captions=true"] In regards to darker themes, the report also details a scene in which the player examines someone who is implied to be the survivor of a sexual assault. While it is clearly stated that sexual violence is never shown, the report does explain that themes of sex, violence, and sexual violence are “at times, inextricably linked within the narrative”. As for violence, it appears that Cyberpunk 2077 will deliver near Soldier of Fortune-levels of blood, gore, and evisceration. Gunfire wounds cause “generous blood mists and sprays, and may also result in the severing of limbs and, in some cases, decapitations.” The most damage can be inflicted on NPC corpses, with the report using an example of a shotgun being used to dismember a dead character. “Corpses may also be eviscerated if the player uses an automatic weapon,” states the report, “with large mists of blood rising and, in some cases, stylised injury detail including bone and entrails being visible.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/05/24/7-cyberpunk-games-to-play-before-cyberpunk-2077"] The report makes no mention of drug use, but the Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter account recently confirmed that “2077 does have drugs.” It’s going all-out cyberpunk, basically, which you’d expect considering the name. Recently Cyberpunk 2077’s lead quest designer responded to a fan on Twitter regarding the first details on the game’s adult content, saying “You surprised? We don’t f**k around.” You’ll be able to see more from Cyberpunk 2077 during IGN’s Summer of Gaming, which will feature new reveals from the RPG in June. This year will also see Cyberpunk 2077 grace the very last special edition Xbox One X. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.