Former Microsoft executive Sajid Farooq and former Red Dead Redemption 2 dev James Rackliffe have partnered with AAA game veterans to create ILHAM, a new game studio. The gaming industry has seen plenty of changes over the past few years.

Some of the developers who have spent time shaping the landscape of the industry through AAA hits like Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 are planning new projects leveraging those skills. Several factors could have led creators to want to take a bit more control of the game development process that they have been an integral part of for a long time.

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What Is The New Project Developers Are Working On

Developers with years of knowledge to share with rising talent appear to be putting more effort toward the creation of fresh IPs produced by new companies, such as Stig Asmussen’s new studio Giant Skull, which is working on a new single-player action game with some of the talent behind the God of War and Star Wars Jedi games. Another studio has been created with a new game in the offing.

Former Microsoft executive Dr. Sajid Farooq and Red Dead Redemption 2 developer James Rackliffe have founded ILHAM, a studio that will focus on producing titles with perspectives from Middle Eastern and Indian Subcontinental cultures.

Farooq, who previously worked as a lead at DirectX, believes that gamers are craving fresh ideas, and he has joined forces with Rackliffe, who has experience as an EA director and with technical QA work on modern gaming classic Red Dead Redemption 2.

Also Read: BioWare Has No Plans For Dragon Age: The Veilguard DLC

ILHAM Working On An Open-World Game

The first game by ILHAM is described as an AA open-world survival title for PC and consoles, and the developers are intent on pushing "the limits of both the genre and the players themselves," hinting that the experience will not only have a lot of depth, but challenges for experienced gamers to try out something new.

Although strong narrative-led games such as The Last of Us and Resident Evil 7 are highly praised entries in the survival gaming genre, neither offers a glimpse into the slice of culture that ILHAM plans to offer with its new game. Creating a survival game that comes with a compelling narrative along with complex and fulfilling gameplay mechanics is a difficult task, but several veteran developers appear to be teaming up to form new studios with these goals.

Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser created Absurd Ventures, which is intent on offering gamers another fresh story-driven adventure IP. With ILHAM, James Rackliffe has expressed a desire to explore Middle Eastern lore and mysticism in a way that current games rarely explore.

Fortnite’s latest Chapter 6 era, set to kick off in December, will live on a fresh battle royale island themed around Japan. That’s according to persistent leaks reported by some of the game’s most reliable tipsters, and concept art for new Fortnite characters that has been public since earlier this year.

Recently, regular Fortnite leakers Shiina and Wensoing both reported the game’s Chapter 6 Japanese theme as now beyond all doubt, based on in-game files found within the new Chapter 2 Remix update. This includes the game’s Chapter 6 skybox, and references to locations like shrines, wetlands, rivers, and plains.

Also Read: Prime Gaming November 2024 Free Games List Revealed

When Is the Next Era OF Fortnite Starting?

In-game now, fans believe the loading screen shows a teaser for a Japanese environment in the top left - note the large red circle and blossom petals floating on the surface of the water.

Fortnite’s previous map, features throughout this year during its Chapter 5 phase, was based around Ancient Greece. Throughout 2024 it featured the arrival of a mysterious stone hand, the appearance of the Underworld and Mount Olympus, and the antics of many Greek gods interacting with a powerful version of Pandora’s Box. The next era of Fortnite will kick off in December - but not before another live event pushing the game forward.

Just days ahead of the launch of the next season, a lot of information about what’s coming to Fortnite has emerged. While we might be going back to Chapter 2 for a month, there are plenty of new changes coming, including some key Fortnite Battle Pass changes.

Also Read: Elder Scrolls Game Shutting Down, Gets Delisted On Steam

Fortnite Battle Pass Changes To Happen Next Season

The Battle Pass is central to gameplay in the game, a pass to grind upward. Users can unlock more cosmetics if they get the premium tier that even includes several skins. However, unlocking them has always been quite structured. Players are usually required to complete quests and play consistently to unlock what they want.

Soon, some Fortnite Battle Pass changes are coming into effect. For one thing, these changes will enable players to combine the Passes for each of Fortnite’s different modes, like Lego Fortnite. However, it’ll also let players pick and choose their rewards a bit more. These are the changes that are coming according to Fortnite leakers.

The Fortnite Battle Pass has been a central part of the experience for almost all Fortnite seasons. With the next big update, we can witness some changes. Starting with the core way players interact with the pass, battle Stars are on the way out.

Blizzard has rolled out a new hotfix update for Diablo 4, which includes small tweaks and changes involving player health. The update comes as players are currently in the middle of Season 6, which has been one of the biggest seasonal content updates Diablo 4 has seen since originally launching back in June 2023.

Diablo 4 officially started its Season 6 content on October 7, 2024, a season that was advertised as one of the game’s biggest yet. Filled with new items, features, and details, Diablo 4’s Season 6’s biggest change is found within the game’s new Vessel of Hatred expansion, which also launched in October.

Alongside new enemies and challengers, Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred includes a new class, the Spiritborn, which has given players a new way to take on story missions, side quests, and dungeons. Fast-forward a few weeks later, and developer Blizzard has shipped a new Diablo 4 update that fixes a few issues affecting gameplay and progression.

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Diablo 4 November 4 Hotfix Details

• Fixed an issue that caused Obducite to drop outside of a Nightmare Dungeon after activating a Sigil
• Fixed an issue that caused player health to be stuck on 1 after using a Scroll of Escape once an Impending Doom occurred in the Dark Citadel.
• Various server performance and stability improvements.

Also included in Diablo 4’s new November update is a fix for an issue that caused player HP to be stuck on 1 if they used a Scroll of Escape after an Impending Doom occurred inside the Dark Citadel.

The Dark Citadel is a battle players can experience at the end of Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion, which acts as the game’s first group raid activity. Alongside these two key bug fixes are a few changes that aim to improve Diablo 4’s server stability.

Also Read: Final Fantasy 14 Crossroads Finally Has a Release Date

Final Fantasy 14 Crossroads Finally Has a Release Date

Final Fantasy 14’s Crossroads patch finally has a release date, the first major update for the MMO following the launch of Dawntrail. This update will bring several new bits and pieces, including the Yuweyawata Field Station dungeon, Chaotic Alliance Raids, and more role quests.

"Players who have completed all Dawntrail role quests or all Wachumeqimeqi quests will be able to enjoy a finale to wrap up their respective stories," the Final Fantasy team explained. And that’s just a sneak peek of everything coming to Final Fantasy 14 on Crossroads’ release.

Recently, Final Fantasy 14's Naoki Yoshida addressed the personal abuse sent toward Wuk Lamat's voice actor, stating it "breaks my heart." Wuk Lamat was a fresh character brought in by Dawntrail but failed to strike the chords with some players. This turned ugly when voice actor Sena Bryer got transphobic abuse for her portrayal.

Microsoft has announced its Xbox Game Pass line-up for the first half of November, which will be headlined by Metal Slug Tactics, Goat Simulator Remastered, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

But users will only get these new titles included in their subscription on day one if they are an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscriber, or if they are a continuing member of Xbox Game Pass from before Microsoft’s recent changes.

Otherwise, the month’s line-up includes a selection of games already available to members of the above subscription options, that are now available to the new Xbox Game Pass Standard tier.

Also Read: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Still Has No Launch Date

Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass titles for November are:

• Metal Slug Tactics (Cloud, Console, and PC) - 5th November (Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass)
• Go Mecha Ball (Console) - 6th November (Now with Game Pass Standard)
• Harold Halibut (Xbox Series X S) - 6th November (Now with Game Pass Standard)
• The Rewinder (Console) - 6th November (Now with Game Pass Standard)
• Turnip Boy Robs a Bank (Console) - 6th November (Now with Game Pass Standard)
• Goat Simulator Remastered (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X S) - 7th November (Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass)
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X S) - 19th November (Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass)
   

Xbox Game Pass games leaving on 15th November:
 

• Dicey Dungeons (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Dungeons 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Goat Simulator (PC)
• Like a Dragon: Ishin! (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Persona 5 Tactica (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Somerville (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Also Read: Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 Update Fixes Black Screen Glitch

Xbox Planning To Set Up Shop on Android

After a US court ruling earlier this week that Google must open its Play Store to enable third-party app stores and alternative payment options, Microsoft is moving swiftly to slide into this slightly open door.

Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, posted on X that the ruling will give more choices and flexibility to users. "Our mission is to allow more players to play on more devices so we are thrilled to share that starting in November, players will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox App on Android," Bond wrote.

Due to the court order requiring Google to stop forcing apps to use its billing system and enable third-party app stores inside Google Play itself, Microsoft now aims to offer Xbox games directly through its app. Most games will likely not run directly on Android, but a revamped Xbox Android app could also directly stream bought or subscribed games to Android devices.

The early years of Assassin’s Creed saw players explore both the past and the modern-day through its protagonist Desmond Miles, and while recent games have focused less on the person inside the Animus, Ubisoft plans to address that in the future.

During a recent interview, Assassin’s Creed boss Marc-Alexis Coté talked about how recent games struggled to create a meaningful connection between the past and the future. In the game’s context, ancient history is recreated through the Animus, a VR machine that taps into a subject’s DNA and enables them to experience the genetically inherited memories of an ancestor.

Also Read: Assassin's Creed Shadows Gameplay Deep Dive: Improved Animations, One-Hit Stealth, New Parkour, and More

Assassin Creed’s Modern-Day Story To Have New Story

"Desmond's journey was at the heart of the modern-day conflict driving the search for powerful Isu artifacts--Pieces of Eden--that could change the course of history," Coté told Eurogamer. "Ending Desmond's arc was a difficult decision, and afterward, the modern storyline struggled to find its footing."

To address this, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will lay the groundwork for the future of the series, as it’ll be integrated inside Assassin’s Creed Infinity, a hub presented as the in-game Animus that will host the ongoing modern-day narrative.

"The groundwork for this new direction will take shape with Assassin's Creed Shadows, which will lay the foundation for this narrative evolution that will grow in the years to come," Coté said.

Originally slated to launch in October, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was delayed to February 14, 2025. The developer said at the time that the delay was made to provide the developers more time to fine-tune the game, and Assassin's Creed Shadows' early access has also been canceled.

Also Read: Assassin's Creed Shadows: Everything You Need to Know

Ubisoft Won’t Give Early Access Of Assassin’s Creed Shadows

If Assassin’s Creed Shadows had stayed on schedule, it would have been launched just within a month. Instead, shadows were pushed back to an early 2025 release. Now, players who buy the Assassin’s Creed Shadows collector’s edition won’t be getting early access to the game.

According to Insider Gaming, Ubisoft confirmed the cancelation of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ early access during a Discord Q&A session. The company also restated that it will not be moving forward with its plans of implementing season passes.

Consequently, the price of Assassin’s Creed Shadows collector’s edition will be dropped from $280 to $230. The collector’s edition will still come with a steel book, an art book, a statue, and more. However, there could be additional changes to those products before the final release.

Mythic Brawlers in Brawl Stars are a rare catch and can be exceptional picks for one roster, as they can not only deliver an edge in the arena through their special abilities but can also offer many advantages that set them aside from the rest of the Brawlers in the game.

With over 80 Brawlers to pick from, gamers may have to go through various playstyles till they find a character that fits them most. However, it is recommended to keep at least one Mythic in the roster to secure more wins.

Also read: Brawl Stars Classic Update: New Brawlers, Hypercharges, Game Modes, And More

Mythic Brawlers in Brawl Stars that Can Elevate One's Gameplay

Currently, there are 28 Mythic Brawlers in Brawl Stars. Each of them comes with unique abilities that can turn the tables on the battlefield in many ways.

Here are the best Mythic Brawlers you should pick to elevate your gameplay in November 2024:

Max

As one of the Support class Mythic Brawlers in Brawl Stars, Max stands tall with the maximum attack power of 640 per projectile, and she launches 4 of them. Max has a health pool of 6600 at max level, which is massive for her class.

Most notable professionals use her and is a must-pick on most rosters in Brawl Stars, which makes her a very reliable Mythic Brawler.

Byron

Another Support class Mythic Brawler, Byron is a great pick for the roster with various abilities that can contribute to an easy victory on Brawl Stars. Byron is a comfortable pick for most maps, which comes with an attack power of 760 per second at maximum level and lasts up to 2 seconds.

With a health pool of 4800, he becomes a dangerous foe to deal with, when playing with a weak roster of Brawlers.

Lily

Finishing the list with the most powerful Mythic Brawler in the game, Lily comes as a force to be reckoned with her 8200 health pool at maximum level and 2120 attack power.

Lily is one of the Assassin class Mythic Brawlers in Brawl Stars that can aid the team in gaining space quickly, while also helping the roster eliminate opponents swiftly. Moreover, her Super also allows gamers to backstab enemies with a lot of damage.