Latest news with #CallOfDuty
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Xbox unveils ROG Ally handhelds and 'Black Ops 7' at Games Showcase 2025
At the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft made one thing crystal clear: the future of gaming is about you. With an ambitious lineup of first-party titles, groundbreaking hardware reveals, and a renewed focus on cross-platform accessibility, the showcase delivered a future-forward vision. But two highlights rose above the rest—the introduction of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds and the world premiere of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Xbox is stepping into the handheld arena—boldly. Teaming up with ASUS, Microsoft unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, two new devices that bring Xbox's expansive gaming ecosystem into the palm of your hand. Set to launch during the 2025 holiday season in select markets, the handhelds are designed to combine the freedom of Windows with the power of Xbox gaming. What makes the Xbox Ally series a game-changer isn't just mobility. It's that every title shown at the showcase—including AAA blockbusters and indie darlings—will run on Xbox Ally. The devices also support Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing seamless transitions between console, PC, and handheld with cross-save and cross-achievement support. Even better? The Xbox Ally will support libraries from Xbox, and other major PC storefronts, making it one of the most versatile gaming handhelds to date. Pricing and pre-order details are expected in the coming months. One of the most jaw-dropping moments of the showcase was the reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7—a direct sequel that continues the psychological warfare-heavy narrative thread woven through Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6. Set in 2035, Black Ops 7 plunges players into a fractured world teetering on the edge of total collapse. A new villain manipulates not only world powers but minds themselves—weaponizing fear and chaos in terrifying new ways. Fans of the franchise can expect a deeper dive into the Mason family legacy, with David Mason leading the charge in this narrative-driven campaign. But the real innovation lies in the Co-op Campaign—a first for the series—which allows players to team up through the story, adding fresh depth to Black Ops' already legendary storytelling. Alongside that comes a multiplayer suite with near-future tech, brand-new maps, and the return of Round-Based Zombies, now set in the eerie heart of the Dark Aether. While the full gameplay reveal is coming later this summer, this teaser has already set the internet ablaze. Xbox, Anywhere and Everywhere Every game at the showcase—from The Outer Worlds 2 and Gears of War: Reloaded to indie follow-ups like Super Meat Boy 3D and High on Life 2 —is part of the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative. Buy once, play across Xbox consoles, PC, and the new Xbox Ally family, with your progress intact. It's a unified ecosystem aimed at breaking barriers and putting games in your hands—literally. And while Xbox's 25th anniversary in 2026 looms large, promising Fable, Forza, Gears of War: E-Day, and 'the return of a classic that's been with us since the beginning,' 2025 is already looking like one of Xbox's most transformative years yet. Between the promise of mobile-grade freedom, console-grade performance, and genre-defining franchises like Black Ops embracing bold, new ideas, Xbox has drawn the blueprint for the future of gaming—and it's one you can carry in your backpack. The message is clear: wherever you are, Xbox is ready to play.
The Verge
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Verge
Seagate's new 4TB Xbox expansion card costs more than the Xbox Series S
Seagate has announced a new 4TB version of its storage expansion card for the Xbox Series X and S consoles. It's the first time the company has introduced a new capacity since launching 2TB and 512GB versions of the expansion card in late 2021. The 4TB card is available starting today through Seagate's online store and Best Buy for $499.99, but is discounted to $429.99 as part of a limited-time launch promotion. For comparison, the Xbox Series S starts at $379.99, while the Xbox Series X starts at $599.99. But, the added storage may be required by folks with large libraries of games. Depending on the options and expansions you install, games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Microsoft Flight Simulator can easily gobble up hundreds of gigs of storage each. You can increase the Xbox's storage capacity using an external drive connected over USB, but to play games directly from an SSD, without having to move files around, requires the storage expansion cards. You may want to wait for a price drop, though. The 2TB version of the card was originally priced at $399.99, but is now listed on Seagate's online store for $249.99, with a current promotion bringing it down to $219.99. For nearly three years, Seagate was the only company offering expandable storage cards for the Xbox Series X and S, but in mid-2023 Western Digital introduced its own. Its current pricing and capacities are comparable to Seagate's offerings. Western Digital hasn't yet introduced a 4TB option. Although the added competition did help bring the price of Seagate's expansion cards down, they're still more expensive than storage expansions for the PlayStation 5, which allows you to use any SSD as long as it meets certain performance requirements. Not only does Western Digital already sell a PS5-compatible 4TB SSD for $339.99, it also offers an 8TB option, although that will set you back a steep $699.99.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' to Star Milo Ventimiglia, Kiernan Shipka and Michael Rooker; New Game Follows David Mason in Year 2035 (EXCLUSIVE)
Microsoft's Activision is shaking up its long-running 'Call of Duty' franchise with a break from tradition and some A-list stars. At the conclusion of Xbox Games Showcase 2025 on Sunday, 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' was unveiled as the next planned 'CoD' game from Treyarch and Raven Software. With the debut of 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 6' just last fall, this marks the first time ever that two 'Black Ops' installments have been released back to back in the life cycle of the 'Call of Duty' franchise. More from Variety Xbox Ally Handheld Console to Launch This Year From Microsoft 'Deadpool' VR Game Starring Neil Patrick Harris Set From Meta Quest, Marvel New 'Game of Thrones' PC Strategy Game 'War for Westeros' to Launch in 2026 Variety has learned that 'Black Ops 7,' which is set in 2035, more than four decades after the events of 'Black Ops 6,' will star Milo Ventimiglia, Kiernan Shipka and 'CoD' alum Michael Rooker as voice and its motion capture actors. Ventimiglia will play David Mason, a protagonist previously introduced in 'Black Ops 2,' while Shipka has been cast as Emma Kagen, and Rooker is reprising his 'Black Ops 2' role of Mike Harper. Though the casting news comes amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike against major video game publishers, including Activision, Variety has confirmed 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' is not a struck title and work on the game has not been impacted by the actors union's work-stoppage. Activision marketing chief Tyler Bahl described casting Ventimiglia as David Mason (who will receive a subtle makeover so the character is more to Ventimiglia's likeness) as the right fit for 'an iconic character from the franchise and one of the fan favorites' from 'Black Ops 2.' 'And then we brought in Kiernan Shipka, which we're super excited about and is red hot right now, to play this character called Emma Kagen,' Bahl told Variety. 'It's a new character, and she is a CEO of this organization called The Guild, and we think her performance will really blow people away. And then finally, Michael Rooker, is returning to the franchise reprising his role as Mike Harper from 'Black Ops 2,' and I think our fans, you know, will be excited to see him, you know, come back and return to the franchise, you know, because he hasn't been here in a while.' Per the game's description, 'In 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7,' Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending 'Black Ops' ever. Developed as the next evolution of 'Black Ops,' this is the first-ever consecutive release within the series, set more than 40 years after the events of 'Black Ops 6.' The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare following the events of 'Black Ops 2' and 'Black Ops 6.' Wielding cutting-edge technology, David Mason and his team must fight back against a manipulative enemy who weaponizes fear above all else.' The game is a co-op campaign and, like 'Black Ops 6,' will include round-based zombies. 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' will be released across Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and on PC via Xbox PC, and Steam. The game will be available at launch through Xbox's Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscriptions. 'Usually at this point in time, we would have teased everything that's coming out. And I think in a lot of ways we're setting this up more like a Beyonce album dropping; nobody's going to know about it, or nobody's going to see it coming,' Bahl told Variety. 'The whole goal was to really do something different, and for us to zag and show up in a unique way. And one way of doing that is almost not doing any pre-promotion and giving it to players in a really unexpected way.' Watch the teaser trailer for 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' below. Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
Geek Culture
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Recap – ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 7', ‘Persona 4 Revival', ‘Beast of Reincarnation' & More
Another year, another celebration of gaming's biggest season. The Summer Game Fest 2025 slate got the hype going with highly anticipated reveals and notable standouts, including Resident Evil Requiem and Stranger Than Heaven , but there's still plenty more summer goodness to spare. Making a return to the stage is Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase, which has a lot to offer for 2025 and beyond. Alongside a 30-minute pre-show, the main presentation got its fair share of the spotlight, unveiling world premiere trailers, new game announcements, and updates to existing titles in spades. While some were expected highlights, others like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 , There Are No Ghosts at the Grand , and Beast of Reincarnation came as a pleasant surprise for fans. Here's a recap of all the announcements that were unveiled during the event, arranged in order of appearance (least to most recent). Saving the best for the last, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to be 'the most mind-bending' entry in the franchise to date, featuring 'near-future weaponry', a co-op campaign, a multiple mode with new maps, and the next chapter in its Zombies mode. David Mason, protagonist of 2012's Call of Duty: Black Ops II and son of Alex from the first game, leads the narrative, with the usual dollops of guns and ammunition laying in wait. No release date was announced for the shooter. The brainchild of Psychonauts 2 developer, Double Fine Productions, Keeper presents an intriguing premise: a walking lighthouse with a seabird companion. More notably, the game is touted as a 'story told without words' that, when coupled with a beautiful trailer showing a forest, a well-lit cave, and a robot-populated village, makes it a highly enticing prospect. It comes to life on 17 October. In a double treat for fans, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Final Fantasy XVI are both coming to Xbox – the first in Winter 2025, and the latest numbered entry, available now. A new Invincible brawler, based on Robert Kirkman's comic books and its animated series adaptation, is on the way – and it promises to be as bloody as the source material. Slated for release in 2026, Invincible VS is a three-versus-three experience that will bring together heroes and villains alike, including Omni-Man, Atom Eve, Thula, Bulletproof, and of course, the titular hero himself. Life at sea is about to get more exciting, as Season 17 of Sea of Thieves introduces a new faction to its sandbox, entitled The Smuggler's League, new Voyages, and plenty of 'explosive' loot. The Smugglers ' Tide update sets sail this August. It's a revival, all right. Persona 4 Revival has been revealed as the remake of Atlus' beloved JRPG title, but not much else is known, including a release date, new and improved features, and the like. There are some glimpses of updated footage, though, spotlighting Samegawa Floodplain, Mysterious Fox's shrine, the Inaba Shipping District, and the game's protagonist running through the streets of Inaba. The second remaster of the original 2006 title, Gears of War: Reloaded returns on 26 August 2025 with support for 4K gameplay at 120 frames per second (FPS), cross-play and cross-production on all platforms, all the post-launch maps from previous editions, and split-screen co-op functionality. At Fate's End comes across as a visual stunner, but that's hardly surprising when Spiritfarer developer Thunder Lotus is at the helm. Back to fuel emotions and break some hearts, the action-adventure title pits princess Shan, wielder of the God Sword Aesus, against her siblings not just in combat trials, but also 'dialogue, psychological insight, and hard-won knowledge of shared history'. Here's even more responsibility to bear – it promises various endings, so the future of your family lies in your hands. The story-driven game drops in 2026. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 offers no shortage of content for newcomers and franchise veterans, including new skaters, 'gnarlier tricks' and 'an ever sicker soundtrack', alongside cross-platform online multiplayer for up to eight individuals, a new HAWK mode, different activities with the Competitive playlist, and more. The roster also includes several up-and-rising starlets in the scene, from Yuto Horigome and Chloe Covell to Rayssa Leal and… Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ' Michelangelo? The skating action is set to kick(flip) off on 11 July. The creature-catching momentum isn't stopping anytime soon, with Pawprint Studio's Aniimo bringing its own twist to the genre. Launching in 2026, the free-to-play open world ARPG casts players as Pathfinder, who have to 'collect, evolve, and twine with magical creatures' called…you guessed it, Aniimo. Of note is the Twinning feature, which lets them merge with their Aniimo and unlock more abilities, different perspectives, and 'new and unique ways to play' – whatever that means. Fancy some downtime in the middle of post-apocalyptic chaos? Offering a chance to experience the cosier side of Appalachia, the Fallout 76: Gone Fission update brings fishing to players, who can try various combinations to hook various catches. Common fish, prized Axolotls, and Local Legends are all available for angling, but note that different bait, weather conditions, fishing rods, and locations will spawn fish types. The summer pastime is now live. The follow-up to 2023's Planet of Lana revisits a beautifully-crafted art style to chronicle a new adventure – one that sees returning protagonists Lana and her companion Mui navigating a strange world after a robot invasion. Alongside the same side-scrolling elements from before, players can also expect more puzzle solving, refined stealth mechanics, new agility-based challenges, and a profound sci-fi story. Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf releases next year. Stealth is the name of the game in Mudang: Two Hearts , a tactical action game that imagines a near future where North and South are on the verge of reunification, only for a mysterious terrorist group to attack the South Korean National Assembly. Cue cinematic brawls, climbing up pipes, knife attacks, and more adrenaline-pumping scenes. Two characters will take centre stage when it launches sometime in 2026: an elite North Korean special forces operative called Ji Jeong-tae, and K-pop idol GAVI. Age of Mythology: Retold – Heavenly Spear puts Japanese mythology into focus, introducing a new campaign about Yasuko and 12 new gods, 'each with unique god powers, divine technologies, and myth units drawn from centuries of legend'. The expansion arrives this fall. Music and mystery are at the heart of Friday Sundae's narrative-driven game There Are No Ghosts at the Grand , but don't expect it to be your run-of-the-mill experience. Releasing in 2026, the first-person cosy hotel fixer-upper entry sends players to The Grand, a dilapidated hotel in an eastern English village, who are tasked to restore it back to its former glory within 30 days and nights. The catch? A mixed bag of genre influences, be it uncovering secrets, including the player character's, or exploding old furniture. Don't Nod, best known for Life is Strange , is taking off to space for its upcoming sci-fi stint. Aphelion , developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency, follows two astronauts who crash land on an alien planet, complete with some sliding, leaping, and anti-gravity movements. It will be out sometime in 2026. A new zone awaits in The Elder Scrolls Online: Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1 , available now on PC and Mac, and on 18 June on consoles. The next chapter in the adventuring journey grants free access to the Update 46 base-game patch, including the new Subclassing system that allows the mix-and-match of Skill Lines, and adds the Hero's Return system that provides in-game rewards to help returning players get back on their feet. The first original horror title from Bloober Team, the developers behind Silent Hill 2 Remake , is looking gloriously grotesque. Taking players through unsettling post-apocalyptic environments inspired by existing Polish district Nowa Huta, it brings Orphans – 'twisted, body-horror monstrosities born from humanity's darkest nightmares'– to life, and there's a catch: don't let them merge with other Orphans. Autumn 2025 is when the thrills hit. Obsidian's tiny garden survival title, quite literally, is getting a follow-up – this time, with caterpillars posing a new threat. Like its predecessor, Grounded 2 sees the same teen heroes having to craft tools for survival again, although they are now able to leap on the back of insects and enjoy a free ride. The sequel will be available to play next month. The wait continues for InXile Entertainment's Clockwork Revolution , first revealed two years ago but has since gone quiet. Set to arrive 'in due time', the time-bending steampunk shooter is highly evocative of BioShock Infinite , except that it features the setting of Avalon, is run by a woman, and a lot of decision-making. 'By travelling back to key moments, your interactions and choices will have a butterfly effect on the deep, narrative-driven world and characters of Avalon, causing them to change and react in unprecedented ways,' reads the 2023 description for the game. Pokémon developer Game Freak is swapping the Pokéballs out for a sword, with Beast of Reincarnation showcasing action RPG gameplay that represents a departure from its usual fare. It follows the sword-wielding Emma the Sealer, who teams up with a wolf companion to save humanity from extinction in a post-apocalyptic future. The title is due out in 2026. Indy can never catch a break, it seems. The fedora-wearing professor will soon crack the whip when 4 September 2025 rolls around, marking the start of a new adventure brought on by The Order of Giants, the first expansion for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle . Set during the events of the first game in Rome, it sees players outwitting a dangerous cult and uncovering 'the dark legacy of Nephilim giants' while encountering 'stunning new locations, intricate puzzles, terrifying new foes and more.' It's slice-and-dice gore galore in Ninja Gaiden 4 , as new protagonist Yakumo slams a rocket-propelled giant hammer into an enemy, and plunges a drill staff into another. Returning character Ryu Hayabusa also stole some of the spotlight, dealing devastating damage with his Dragon Katana and Izuna Drop. The slashing action kicks off 21 October 2025. Super Meat Boy is back, and he's making a leap to 3D. The protein-packed hero returns to navigate more hardcore platforming challenges in Super Meat Boy 3D , featuring an isometric perspective, a mix of 3D and 2.5D design, and vibrant visuals. Say hello to circular saws, thorns, the ability to clone yourself (or so it appears), and more. The upcoming entry releases in early 2026. As its title suggests, The Blood of the Dawnwalker is all about vampires. Having former CD Projekt Red developers at the helm, however, means there's a touch of The Witcher flavouring, joined by some cool parkour action and a flashy combat ability that seems to pull from Dishonored 's Blink mechanic. Coen leads the narrative as a Dawnwalker who treads the line between day and night. The RPG is scheduled for a 2026 release. The ROG Xbox Ally X has finally gotten an official reveal, and it lends a portable touch to the Xbox gaming experience. Armed with impulse triggers, an AMD Ryzen AI Z2A Extreme processor (or an AMD Ryzen AI Z2A for the ROG Xbox Ally), and 24GB / 16GB of storage, the device includes Xbox Play Anywhere, Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Game (Beta), Remote Play for easy access on the go without compromising on performance. The first wave of release kicks off in Holiday 2025. A young Sophia is front and centre of Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy , set 15 years before the events of the first game. In it, the fan-favourite character from Requiem , the second title in the franchise, is seen escaping from an army of mysterious pursuers as she embarks on a quest to discover the secrets of her past. But that isn't the only threat standing in her way. The threequel introduces Minotaur's Island, a mysterious locale with ancient puzzles, maxes, and trials. Get ready to embrace themes, places, and eras that have never been explored before when it arrives in 2026. Hailing from Squanch Games, founded by Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland, High on Life 2 is the trippy sequel to the foul-mouthed title with talking guns, sporting elements that fans from the original will recognise: action-packed gameplay, quirky humour, weird firearms, and cartoony, kaleidoscopic visuals. The wacky first-person shooter is slated for launch sometime this winter. The universe needs a hero, but beggars can't be choosers, so it'll have to make do with an agent of the Earth Directorate. Aunt Cleo serves as the main narrator in a new trailer for The Outer Worlds 2 , teasing mysterious rifts, more colonised planets, and its signature snarky humour. Expect explosions, gunfire, and plenty of digs at capitalism when the sequel returns to orbit 29 October 2025. Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
CNET
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Dives Back Into the Shadows With Mason and Menendez
Sunday was Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase, where the company revealed its upcoming portable handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally, and a slew of upcoming games. The show ended with the first look at the next Call of Duty title, Black Ops 7. The trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was short, taking place in a futuristic setting with robots and holographic displays. David Mason, played by Milo Ventimiglia, is featured throughout the trailer, which quickly shifts to a strange landscape -- on par with the Black Ops series, where hallucinations caused by military weapons and torture are common themes. According to the game's official page, the year is 2035 and violent conflict and psychological warfare have thrown the world into chaos. The game follows the events of 2012's Black Ops 2, where Mason was introduced as a character, and 2024's Black Ops 6. While other Call of Duty games tend to focus on certain eras of warfare, such as World War II and the Iraq War, the Black Ops series focuses on secret missions typically conducted by the US and range from the Cold War era to more modern and even futuristic times. Black Ops 2 took place in 2025, while Black Ops 6 was set in 1991. All the Black Ops games have certain storyline ties with returning characters and antagonists. In the trailer, David says "Menendez," which is likely Raul Menendez, the villain of Black Ops 2. In that game, he was a Nicaraguan drug lord and leader of the terrorist group Cordis Die. At the end of the game, players ultimately decided whether to spare or kill Menendez, which raises the question of whether Mendez is alive or if this is some hallucination by David. No official release date for Black Ops 7 has been announced, but if it follows the same release pattern as other Call of Duty games, expect it to come out in October. As Microsoft owns the rights to the Call of Duty franchise, the game should be available on Game Pass when it's launched on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles. It will also be available on PS4 and PS5.
