Blizzard yesterday announced that Overwatch will see its PvP mode reduced from 6v6 to 5v5 when Overwatch 2 is released – and its a move that's left many professional players of the game worried about their future in the esport, and dismayed about the way it was announced. In a 2-hour livestream, the Overwatch team announced the change, which will see one Tank class role removed from PvP games. At the same time, the Tank role as a whole is being adapted for Overwatch 2, with many characters seemingly due to receive major changes to their playstyle. Following the announcement, multiple Tank players in the official Overwatch League signalled their dismay not just at having to relearn their chosen characters for the highest levels of play, but also at the potential for being dropped from their rosters. Many also pointed out that they weren't consulted by Blizzard ahead of the changes being made or announced. Philadelphia Fusion player Poko summed up the feeling: "Any fellow tank player scared for their job ?"

Any fellow tank player scared for their job ?

— Poko (@poko) May 20, 2021

Poko was by no means alone in his worry. Vancouver Titans Tank player Frdwnr took to Twitter to say, "unbelievably disrespectful to make this decision and completely remove a role that people gave up years of their lives to achieve - not all your favorite tank players will disappear but lots will.  and not once were pro players made aware of this or asked on their philosophies." In a follow-up, Frdwnr acknowledged that the move could end up making casual play more fun in the long run, "but the fact that many of my friends or people i admire will be out of jobs is just disrespectful." Atlanta Reign's Gator bemoaned the fact not just that the change was being made, but that it's been announced during an Overwatch League season: "Imagine spending 5 years to perfect your role.....Just for it to be deleted while knowing your role does not translate to another your expected to give all you got till the end of season" London Spitfire's Hadi added that it's "really frustrating that this stuff can just get decided with like [Platinum-ranked players] testing it, not asking high ranked players or pros". San Francisco Shock's Matthew DeLisi showed less outrage, but was wistful about what was being lost in the change: "As for whether or not 5v5 is good for the game, I won't pretend to know the answer. But coordinating with a tank, building synergy and dominating is probably one of the most fun things I've done in a game". [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/overwatch-2-new-york-map-5v5-pvp-reveal"] It's a pretty unprecedented situation in the relatively young world of professional esports. While live games regularly make changes that affect their esport participants, there have been few as fundamental to both how a game plays, and how its professional sport equivalent is structured. Pro players won't be able to stick with the original Overwatch either, as both the original and the sequel will include a single, linked PvP experience. With Overwatch 2 unlikely to launch until 2022 at the earliest, the PvP changes won't be made for some time, and no announcement has been made by the Overwatch League (or its teams) as to how the changes will affect rosters and the competition as a whole. We've contacted the League for comment. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Blizzard yesterday announced that Overwatch will see its PvP mode reduced from 6v6 to 5v5 when Overwatch 2 is released – and its a move that's left many professional players of the game worried about their future in the esport, and dismayed about the way it was announced. In a 2-hour livestream, the Overwatch team announced the change, which will see one Tank class role removed from PvP games. At the same time, the Tank role as a whole is being adapted for Overwatch 2, with many characters seemingly due to receive major changes to their playstyle. Following the announcement, multiple Tank players in the official Overwatch League signalled their dismay not just at having to relearn their chosen characters for the highest levels of play, but also at the potential for being dropped from their rosters. Many also pointed out that they weren't consulted by Blizzard ahead of the changes being made or announced. Philadelphia Fusion player Poko summed up the feeling: "Any fellow tank player scared for their job ?"

Any fellow tank player scared for their job ?

— Poko (@poko) May 20, 2021

Poko was by no means alone in his worry. Vancouver Titans Tank player Frdwnr took to Twitter to say, "unbelievably disrespectful to make this decision and completely remove a role that people gave up years of their lives to achieve - not all your favorite tank players will disappear but lots will.  and not once were pro players made aware of this or asked on their philosophies." In a follow-up, Frdwnr acknowledged that the move could end up making casual play more fun in the long run, "but the fact that many of my friends or people i admire will be out of jobs is just disrespectful." Atlanta Reign's Gator bemoaned the fact not just that the change was being made, but that it's been announced during an Overwatch League season: "Imagine spending 5 years to perfect your role.....Just for it to be deleted while knowing your role does not translate to another your expected to give all you got till the end of season" London Spitfire's Hadi added that it's "really frustrating that this stuff can just get decided with like [Platinum-ranked players] testing it, not asking high ranked players or pros". San Francisco Shock's Matthew DeLisi showed less outrage, but was wistful about what was being lost in the change: "As for whether or not 5v5 is good for the game, I won't pretend to know the answer. But coordinating with a tank, building synergy and dominating is probably one of the most fun things I've done in a game". [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/overwatch-2-new-york-map-5v5-pvp-reveal"] It's a pretty unprecedented situation in the relatively young world of professional esports. While live games regularly make changes that affect their esport participants, there have been few as fundamental to both how a game plays, and how its professional sport equivalent is structured. Pro players won't be able to stick with the original Overwatch either, as both the original and the sequel will include a single, linked PvP experience. With Overwatch 2 unlikely to launch until 2022 at the earliest, the PvP changes won't be made for some time, and no announcement has been made by the Overwatch League (or its teams) as to how the changes will affect rosters and the competition as a whole. We've contacted the League for comment. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

The original Xbox came out nearly twenty years ago this year, and a credits Easter egg on its dashboard has lain undiscovered for that entire time. Kotaku received a tip from a developer who worked on the original Xbox console, who explained how to trigger the secret, which displays a credits scene listing those who worked on the Xbox Dashboard. Kotaku tested out the trick and confirmed it does, in fact, work. To access this newly discovered Easter egg, you will need to go to "Music," and insert an audio CD. On the Audio CD screen, you'll need to select "Copy," then click "Copy" again and then choose "New Soundtrack." It will then ask you to rename the soundtrack title, which you need to rename 'Timmyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!' (yes, with exactly 26 Ys) [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/05/21/xbox-dashboard-easter-egg-found-20-years-later"] Once the console finishes copying the tracks, head back to the main menu on the console's dashboard, click on "Settings," then "System Info." A new screen listing will appear that was not previously there, and it contains a list of four members that were a part of the "Xbox Dashboard Team." This is not the only Easter egg you can find on the original Xbox. There is a more commonly known Easter egg, which you can activate by going into the audio CD ripping screen on the console, and naming the new rip "<<Eggsβox>>" which would trigger a hidden credit roll. However, according to the original Xbox creator Seamus Blackley, there appears to be at least one more undiscovered Easter egg for the console. It has something to do with the console's boot animation, but we'll need to find out more about that in the future. If you want to learn more curiosities about the original Xbox, it's very much worth checking out our Podcast Unlocked special with Phil Spencer, Peter Moore and Blackley, with the three Xbox legends revealing many stories about the creation of Microsoft's machine. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

The original Xbox came out nearly twenty years ago this year, and a credits Easter egg on its dashboard has lain undiscovered for that entire time. Kotaku received a tip from a developer who worked on the original Xbox console, who explained how to trigger the secret, which displays a credits scene listing those who worked on the Xbox Dashboard. Kotaku tested out the trick and confirmed it does, in fact, work. To access this newly discovered Easter egg, you will need to go to "Music," and insert an audio CD. On the Audio CD screen, you'll need to select "Copy," then click "Copy" again and then choose "New Soundtrack." It will then ask you to rename the soundtrack title, which you need to rename 'Timmyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!' (yes, with exactly 26 Ys) [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/05/21/xbox-dashboard-easter-egg-found-20-years-later"] Once the console finishes copying the tracks, head back to the main menu on the console's dashboard, click on "Settings," then "System Info." A new screen listing will appear that was not previously there, and it contains a list of four members that were a part of the "Xbox Dashboard Team." This is not the only Easter egg you can find on the original Xbox. There is a more commonly known Easter egg, which you can activate by going into the audio CD ripping screen on the console, and naming the new rip "<<Eggsβox>>" which would trigger a hidden credit roll. However, according to the original Xbox creator Seamus Blackley, there appears to be at least one more undiscovered Easter egg for the console. It has something to do with the console's boot animation, but we'll need to find out more about that in the future. If you want to learn more curiosities about the original Xbox, it's very much worth checking out our Podcast Unlocked special with Phil Spencer, Peter Moore and Blackley, with the three Xbox legends revealing many stories about the creation of Microsoft's machine. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

The original Xbox came out nearly twenty years ago this year, and a credits Easter egg on its dashboard has lain undiscovered for that entire time. Kotaku received a tip from a developer who worked on the original Xbox console, who explained how to trigger the secret, which displays a credits scene listing those who worked on the Xbox Dashboard. Kotaku tested out the trick and confirmed it does, in fact, work. To access this newly discovered Easter egg, you will need to go to "Music," and insert an audio CD. On the Audio CD screen, you'll need to select "Copy," then click "Copy" again and then choose "New Soundtrack." It will then ask you to rename the soundtrack title, which you need to rename 'Timmyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!' (yes, with exactly 26 Ys) [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/05/21/xbox-dashboard-easter-egg-found-20-years-later"] Once the console finishes copying the tracks, head back to the main menu on the console's dashboard, click on "Settings," then "System Info." A new screen listing will appear that was not previously there, and it contains a list of four members that were a part of the "Xbox Dashboard Team." This is not the only Easter egg you can find on the original Xbox. There is a more commonly known Easter egg, which you can activate by going into the audio CD ripping screen on the console, and naming the new rip "<<Eggsβox>>" which would trigger a hidden credit roll. However, according to the original Xbox creator Seamus Blackley, there appears to be at least one more undiscovered Easter egg for the console. It has something to do with the console's boot animation, but we'll need to find out more about that in the future. If you want to learn more curiosities about the original Xbox, it's very much worth checking out our Podcast Unlocked special with Phil Spencer, Peter Moore and Blackley, with the three Xbox legends revealing many stories about the creation of Microsoft's machine. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

The original Xbox came out nearly twenty years ago this year, and a credits Easter egg on its dashboard has lain undiscovered for that entire time. Kotaku received a tip from a developer who worked on the original Xbox console, who explained how to trigger the secret, which displays a credits scene listing those who worked on the Xbox Dashboard. Kotaku tested out the trick and confirmed it does, in fact, work. To access this newly discovered Easter egg, you will need to go to "Music," and insert an audio CD. On the Audio CD screen, you'll need to select "Copy," then click "Copy" again and then choose "New Soundtrack." It will then ask you to rename the soundtrack title, which you need to rename 'Timmyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!' (yes, with exactly 26 Ys) [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/07/02/podcast-unlocked-201-3-xbox-bosses-share-secrets-of-the-consoles-past"] Once the console finishes copying the tracks, head back to the main menu on the console's dashboard, click on "Settings," then "System Info." A new screen listing will appear that was not previously there, and it contains a list of four members that were a part of the "Xbox Dashboard Team." This is not the only Easter egg you can find on the original Xbox. There is a more commonly known Easter egg, which you can activate by going into the audio CD ripping screen on the console, and naming the new rip "<<Eggsβox>>" which would trigger a hidden credit roll. However, according to the original Xbox creator Seamus Blackley, there appears to be at least one more undiscovered Easter egg for the console. It has something to do with the console's boot animation, but we'll need to find out more about that in the future. If you want to learn more curiosities about the original Xbox, it's very much worth checking out our Podcast Unlocked special with Phil Spencer, Peter Moore and Blackley, with the three Xbox legends revealing many stories about the creation of Microsoft's machine. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

A VR conversion mod for Red Dead Redemption 2 has been created and is now available in early access. If you own Red Dead Redemption 2 and a capable gaming PC, you can try the mod for yourself via the Patreon of developer Luke Ross. Those who subscribe at the £8 a month tier will be able to download an early version of the mod and any future prototypes. Bear in mind that Red Dead Redemption 2 mods might not play well with Red Dead Online, and could get you banned. This is strictly for the single-player component of the game. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/10/25/red-dead-redemption-2-review"] Ross previously created the R.E.A.L. virtual really mod for Grand Theft Auto 5, and this Red Dead conversion is similar, allowing players to experience the whole game in virtual reality. "Red Dead Redemption 2 can now be played in VR from start to finish," Ross's Patreon reads. "50 to 160 hours of amazing gameplay that can finally be experienced the way we VR fans always wanted!!" You can see footage of the mod in action as part of this video from Virtual Reality Oasis, who plays the games seated while using a Valve Index HMD and a gamepad. UploadVR also has written impressions of the mod, noting that it can be played in first and third-person. In other Red Dead news, Red Dead Online recently landed on Xbox Game Pass as part of the May library update. Rockstar recently announced that GTA 5 and GTA Online woule be receiving next-gen upgrades on November 11, for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

A VR conversion mod for Red Dead Redemption 2 has been created and is now available in early access. If you own Red Dead Redemption 2 and a capable gaming PC, you can try the mod for yourself via the Patreon of developer Luke Ross. Those who subscribe at the £8 a month tier will be able to download an early version of the mod and any future prototypes. Bear in mind that Red Dead Redemption 2 mods might not play well with Red Dead Online, and could get you banned. This is strictly for the single-player component of the game. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/10/25/red-dead-redemption-2-review"] Ross previously created the R.E.A.L. virtual really mod for Grand Theft Auto 5, and this Red Dead conversion is similar, allowing players to experience the whole game in virtual reality. "Red Dead Redemption 2 can now be played in VR from start to finish," Ross's Patreon reads. "50 to 160 hours of amazing gameplay that can finally be experienced the way we VR fans always wanted!!" You can see footage of the mod in action as part of this video from Virtual Reality Oasis, who plays the games seated while using a Valve Index HMD and a gamepad. UploadVR also has written impressions of the mod, noting that it can be played in first and third-person. In other Red Dead news, Red Dead Online recently landed on Xbox Game Pass as part of the May library update. Rockstar recently announced that GTA 5 and GTA Online woule be receiving next-gen upgrades on November 11, for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

A VR conversion mod for Red Dead Redemption 2 has been created and is now available in early access. If you own Red Dead Redemption 2 and a capable gaming PC, you can try the mod for yourself via the Patreon of developer Luke Ross. Those who subscribe at the £8 a month tier will be able to download an early version of the mod and any future prototypes. Bear in mind that Red Dead Redemption 2 mods might not play well with Red Dead Online, and could get you banned. This is strictly for the single-player component of the game. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/10/25/red-dead-redemption-2-review"] Ross previously created the R.E.A.L. virtual really mod for Grand Theft Auto 5, and this Red Dead conversion is similar, allowing players to experience the whole game in virtual reality. "Red Dead Redemption 2 can now be played in VR from start to finish," Ross's Patreon reads. "50 to 160 hours of amazing gameplay that can finally be experienced the way we VR fans always wanted!!" You can see footage of the mod in action as part of this video from Virtual Reality Oasis, who plays the games seated while using a Valve Index HMD and a gamepad. UploadVR also has written impressions of the mod, noting that it can be played in first and third-person. In other Red Dead news, Red Dead Online recently landed on Xbox Game Pass as part of the May library update. Rockstar recently announced that GTA 5 and GTA Online woule be receiving next-gen upgrades on November 11, for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

A mysterious Expedition within No Man's Sky has led to a very unexpected discovery - Mass Effect's iconic ship, the Normandy SR-1, is now inside the game. As part of the new Expeditions feature, players have been taking part in a new timed event, the Beachhead Expedition. That expedition has taken players across multiple planets, solving puzzles and, eventually, receiving a mission called "Anomalous Research", which calls for players to track "a pattern in time, a strange signal emerging across multiple realities". It turns out, that signal has been coming from the Normandy. By completing the Expedition's five stages, players will earn the ship as an S-class freighter. Sadly, it's not a directly pilotable ship, but it's likely to become the jewel of many players' fleets. Check out how it looks in the trailer below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/05/21/no-mans-sky-mass-effect-normandy-trailer"] The Expedition is only available to complete until May 31, so if you want to add the Normandy to your game, make sure to jump in soon. Developer Hello Games teases that it will have more surprises throughout the rest of the year, so this might not be the only unexpected addition we get. The tie-in comes alongside the release of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, which makes multiple changes and improvements to the classic RPG trilogy, alongside some smaller details that fans are loving. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=mass-effects-normandy-in-no-mans-sky&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.