The Activity Cards that appear as part of the PS5 user interface were created by Sony in response to player complaints about single player gaming. A new report from Vice details an internal Sony document that the company used to explain its new Activities and game help systems. The documents reportedly begins with Sony explaining that “single player is thriving” and that PlayStation owners regularly spend more time playing offline games than online ones. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/15/first-look-at-the-ps5-ui"] To ensure offline games were better catered to, Sony had gathered some criticism of single player gaming which needed to be addressed on PS5. The problems included players saying they “don't play unless I have 2+ free hours” because of being unsure of how long a game may ask of them, that they “Forgot what I was doing in this game last time”, and that it “Takes a lot of time to scan through long help videos when stuck”. Players were also concerned about using social tools because of game spoilers. In response, the document presents the PS5 Activity Cards. As you may know, Activities provide on-screen card prompts for different aspects of a game, often along with an estimated time for completion. When playing Spider-Man: Miles Morales, for example, you can see that a side quest will take five minutes, or a main quest that will need 45 minutes. These cards will then take you directly to those activities. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=what-works-and-what-doesnt-about-the-ps5&captions=true"] In addition, Cards can be used to provide game help, and the PS5 features more tools to keep spoiler content under wraps so as not to ruin other players’ experiences. For more on the PS5's unique features, check out our pages on PS5's Game Switcher, our hidden feature guide, and our comprehensive PS5 wiki guide. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

The Activity Cards that appear as part of the PS5 user interface were created by Sony in response to player complaints about single player gaming. A new report from Vice details an internal Sony document that the company used to explain its new Activities and game help systems. The documents reportedly begins with Sony explaining that “single player is thriving” and that PlayStation owners regularly spend more time playing offline games than online ones. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/15/first-look-at-the-ps5-ui"] To ensure offline games were better catered to, Sony had gathered some criticism of single player gaming which needed to be addressed on PS5. The problems included players saying they “don't play unless I have 2+ free hours” because of being unsure of how long a game may ask of them, that they “Forgot what I was doing in this game last time”, and that it “Takes a lot of time to scan through long help videos when stuck”. Players were also concerned about using social tools because of game spoilers. In response, the document presents the PS5 Activity Cards. As you may know, Activities provide on-screen card prompts for different aspects of a game, often along with an estimated time for completion. When playing Spider-Man: Miles Morales, for example, you can see that a side quest will take five minutes, or a main quest that will need 45 minutes. These cards will then take you directly to those activities. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=what-works-and-what-doesnt-about-the-ps5&captions=true"] In addition, Cards can be used to provide game help, and the PS5 features more tools to keep spoiler content under wraps so as not to ruin other players’ experiences. For more on the PS5's unique features, check out our pages on PS5's Game Switcher, our hidden feature guide, and our comprehensive PS5 wiki guide. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

A substantial operating system update has landed on the Xbox Series X and S and the Xbox One family of systems, providing users with custom dynamic backgrounds and the ability to preload Xbox Game Pass games. You can see the full update notes on the Xbox Wire website, which digs into the ins and outs of the first major update for Xbox Series X|S. [caption id="attachment_244644" align="aligncenter" width="720"] The six new dynamic themes available with the new Xbox OS update.[/caption] Preloading for Game Pass means that if you're anticipating a game that is launching on Game Pass in the future, you can choose to download it ahead of time so there are no bumps in the road on launch day. In addition, akin to Netflix, the Xbox Game Pass app on console or mobile now has a 'Coming Soon' section that will tell you what games are arriving in the near future. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/05/xbox-series-x-review"] Alongside the Game Pass preloads are six new dynamic backgrounds, which each pay homage to previous Xbox consoles, including one with concentric circles that harkens back to the days of the Xbox 360. The update also adds special filters for your game library that allow you to sort by games optimised for the Xbox Series X and S. There is also now a new UI tag that lets you know when a game is utilising Auto HDR, which displays when you open the Guide menu. You'll also be able to check your achievements in the Game Activity tab, accessed by pressing the Xbox button. In other Xbox news, Microsoft is working to figure out why PS5 is outperforming the Series X in certain games. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

A substantial operating system update has landed on the Xbox Series X and S and the Xbox One family of systems, providing users with custom dynamic backgrounds and the ability to preload Xbox Game Pass games. You can see the full update notes on the Xbox Wire website, which digs into the ins and outs of the first major update for Xbox Series X|S. [caption id="attachment_244644" align="aligncenter" width="720"] The six new dynamic themes available with the new Xbox OS update.[/caption] Preloading for Game Pass means that if you're anticipating a game that is launching on Game Pass in the future, you can choose to download it ahead of time so there are no bumps in the road on launch day. In addition, akin to Netflix, the Xbox Game Pass app on console or mobile now has a 'Coming Soon' section that will tell you what games are arriving in the near future. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/05/xbox-series-x-review"] Alongside the Game Pass preloads are six new dynamic backgrounds, which each pay homage to previous Xbox consoles, including one with concentric circles that harkens back to the days of the Xbox 360. The update also adds special filters for your game library that allow you to sort by games optimised for the Xbox Series X and S. There is also now a new UI tag that lets you know when a game is utilising Auto HDR, which displays when you open the Guide menu. You'll also be able to check your achievements in the Game Activity tab, accessed by pressing the Xbox button. In other Xbox news, Microsoft is working to figure out why PS5 is outperforming the Series X in certain games. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Charlie Brooker, the creator of Black Mirror, is working on a mockumentary about 2020 for Netflix. The news comes from an interview with Hugh Grant over at Vulture, in which he revealed that he’s playing a role in Brooker’s latest project. “Charlie Brooker [the creator of Black Mirror] has written a mockumentary about 2020,” he said. “It’s for Netflix, and I am a historian who’s being interviewed about the year. I’m pretty repellent, actually! And you’ll like my wig.” Black Mirror made waves for being a darkly satirical look at the technological horrors we have invited into our everyday lives. 2020, as a year, has been packed with horrors that will no doubt make perfect fodder for Brooker’s sensibilities. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/01/05/top-10-black-mirror-episodes"] While Black Mirror is Brooker’s international success story, he’s known in the UK for his series of end-of-year round-ups for BBC that ran from 2010 to 2106, in which he took a comical look at the year’s events, often highlighting the worst elements. Called the 'Wipe' shows, Brooker made an edition earlier this year called Antiviral Wipe, focused on COVID-19. It will be interesting to see Brooker take a more creatively licensed approach to 2020 in mockumentary format. Earlier this year, Brooker noted that Black Mirror season 6 is not coming any time soon. “At the moment, I don’t know what stomach there would be for stories about societies falling apart,” he said at the time, and noted that he was writing more comedy scripts. Perhaps this mockumentary - despite its presumably dark pandemic inspiration - is what he was alluding to. All of Black Mirror can be seen on Netflix, including the latest season 5, which we gave a glowing review. It's currently unclear if Brooker's 2020 mockumentary is due for release in the year it's satirizing. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Charlie Brooker, the creator of Black Mirror, is working on a mockumentary about 2020 for Netflix. The news comes from an interview with Hugh Grant over at Vulture, in which he revealed that he’s playing a role in Brooker’s latest project. “Charlie Brooker [the creator of Black Mirror] has written a mockumentary about 2020,” he said. “It’s for Netflix, and I am a historian who’s being interviewed about the year. I’m pretty repellent, actually! And you’ll like my wig.” Black Mirror made waves for being a darkly satirical look at the technological horrors we have invited into our everyday lives. 2020, as a year, has been packed with horrors that will no doubt make perfect fodder for Brooker’s sensibilities. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/01/05/top-10-black-mirror-episodes"] While Black Mirror is Brooker’s international success story, he’s known in the UK for his series of end-of-year round-ups for BBC that ran from 2010 to 2106, in which he took a comical look at the year’s events, often highlighting the worst elements. Called the 'Wipe' shows, Brooker made an edition earlier this year called Antiviral Wipe, focused on COVID-19. It will be interesting to see Brooker take a more creatively licensed approach to 2020 in mockumentary format. Earlier this year, Brooker noted that Black Mirror season 6 is not coming any time soon. “At the moment, I don’t know what stomach there would be for stories about societies falling apart,” he said at the time, and noted that he was writing more comedy scripts. Perhaps this mockumentary - despite its presumably dark pandemic inspiration - is what he was alluding to. All of Black Mirror can be seen on Netflix, including the latest season 5, which we gave a glowing review. It's currently unclear if Brooker's 2020 mockumentary is due for release in the year it's satirizing. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Peter Dinklage has been attached to Legendary’s upcoming reboot of The Toxic Avenger. Deadline reports that Dinklage is set to star in the reboot of the 1984 low-budget splatter film, which will be directed by Macon Blair, who previously helmed Netflix’s I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore. No details have been provided on casting, so it’s unclear if Dinklage is set to play The Toxic Avenger’s protagonist, Melvin Ferd. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2014/05/22/x-men-days-of-future-past-peter-dinklage-interview"] The 1984 original follows Melvin Ferd, a janitor who is submerged in toxic waste in an accident and emerges as a disfigured but incredibly strong superhuman. While schlocky and camp, The Toxic Avenger dealt with environmental and societal issues while also parodying the superhero genre. While it was unsuccessful at launch, The Toxic Avenger went on to be a cult classic and spawned a four-film franchise, animated TV show, spin-off, video game, and even a musical. The reboot will be produced by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, the directors of the 1984 original. Peter Dinklage is, of course, most famous for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones, for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2020 for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. While we were not so keen on the final season of Game of Thrones, the series as a whole is still fondly remembered and Dinklage’s performance is a huge part of that. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Peter Dinklage has been attached to Legendary’s upcoming reboot of The Toxic Avenger. Deadline reports that Dinklage is set to star in the reboot of the 1984 low-budget splatter film, which will be directed by Macon Blair, who previously helmed Netflix’s I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore. No details have been provided on casting, so it’s unclear if Dinklage is set to play The Toxic Avenger’s protagonist, Melvin Ferd. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2014/05/22/x-men-days-of-future-past-peter-dinklage-interview"] The 1984 original follows Melvin Ferd, a janitor who is submerged in toxic waste in an accident and emerges as a disfigured but incredibly strong superhuman. While schlocky and camp, The Toxic Avenger dealt with environmental and societal issues while also parodying the superhero genre. While it was unsuccessful at launch, The Toxic Avenger went on to be a cult classic and spawned a four-film franchise, animated TV show, spin-off, video game, and even a musical. The reboot will be produced by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, the directors of the 1984 original. Peter Dinklage is, of course, most famous for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones, for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2020 for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. While we were not so keen on the final season of Game of Thrones, the series as a whole is still fondly remembered and Dinklage’s performance is a huge part of that. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

The latest patch for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has boosted Weapon XP earn rates across Multiplayer and Zombies, following player complaints about slow progression. The change was revealed as part of Treyarch's latest patch notes, which detail the changes to Weapon XP as well as a few other bug fixes across Zombies and the new Nuketown '84 map. "Coming out of last week’s 2XP + 2WXP event, we’ve made some additional tuning changes to global Weapon XP earn rates across the board," the notes read. "Starting today, you’ll now level up your weapons and unlock more attachments faster than the previous standard rate in both MP and Zombies." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/17/call-of-duty-black-ops-cold-war-multiplayer-review"] The article notes that there was an issue, specifically in the Die Maschine Zombies mode, that was "causing lower-than-targeted Weapon XP earn rates in solo matches and in later rounds." Treyarch has a few "2WXP events" planned for December to make up for it. The patch has also fixed an "out-of-bounds gap" in the new Nuketown 84 map. Here's how to complete the Nuketown Easter Egg in Black Ops Cold War, if you're still searching for the solution. Previously, the pace at which your weapons would upgrade in Cold War was slow, especially by comparison to previous games. Last week, players took to Reddit to note the disappointing EXP Rates in-game, especially in Zombies. Throughout the month of November, players like Reddit user Evchev have reported getting more than 1000 eliminations with a weapon without reaching the final rung of Weapon XP progression.  Hopefully, these issues will now be fixed with the latest patch, and players can make up for the time lost with Treyarch's upcoming Double XP events. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

The latest patch for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has boosted Weapon XP earn rates across Multiplayer and Zombies, following player complaints about slow progression. The change was revealed as part of Treyarch's latest patch notes, which detail the changes to Weapon XP as well as a few other bug fixes across Zombies and the new Nuketown '84 map. "Coming out of last week’s 2XP + 2WXP event, we’ve made some additional tuning changes to global Weapon XP earn rates across the board," the notes read. "Starting today, you’ll now level up your weapons and unlock more attachments faster than the previous standard rate in both MP and Zombies." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/17/call-of-duty-black-ops-cold-war-multiplayer-review"] The article notes that there was an issue, specifically in the Die Maschine Zombies mode, that was "causing lower-than-targeted Weapon XP earn rates in solo matches and in later rounds." Treyarch has a few "2WXP events" planned for December to make up for it. The patch has also fixed an "out-of-bounds gap" in the new Nuketown 84 map. Here's how to complete the Nuketown Easter Egg in Black Ops Cold War, if you're still searching for the solution. Previously, the pace at which your weapons would upgrade in Cold War was slow, especially by comparison to previous games. Last week, players took to Reddit to note the disappointing EXP Rates in-game, especially in Zombies. Throughout the month of November, players like Reddit user Evchev have reported getting more than 1000 eliminations with a weapon without reaching the final rung of Weapon XP progression.  Hopefully, these issues will now be fixed with the latest patch, and players can make up for the time lost with Treyarch's upcoming Double XP events. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.