Ubisoft has confirmed the next chapter in the Assassin's Creed series will be Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which will see players visiting the (long-rumored) Viking Age.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla sees players taking on the role of Viking raider Eivor, who leads their clan from their native home of Norway to the the shores of Dark Ages England - with a hope of settling for good. But resistance from the Saxons won't exactly make it easy.

With less of an emphasis on stealth, Valhalla introduces new features such as raids, settlement management and customization. It looks like the bloodiest entry to date and we can't wait to get our hands on it when it releases for current and next-gen consoles in "Holiday 2020".

And we won't have to wait long until we see Assassin's Creed Valhalla in action, as Ubisoft has confirmed we'll get a first-look at gameplay during Microsoft's Xbox Series X gameplay reveal on May 7.

We're more than ready for our latest fill of action-packed history and can't wait to see how the series' stunning locations look on next-gen consoles. So, without further ado, here's everything we know so far about Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

[UPDATE: Here's how to watch the Xbox Series X gameplay reveal. Read on to find out more.]

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next chapter in the Assassin's Creed series
• When can I play it? "Holiday 2020" (so between October and December 2020)
• What can I play it on? Xbox Series X, PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Stadia and PC

Assassin's Creed Valhalla release date

Assassin's Creed Valhalla will release "Holiday 2020" (so sometime between October and December) to coincide with the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. 

The game will release for Xbox Series X, PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Stadia and PC, and will be an Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Store exclusive on PC. In addition, Assassin's Creed Valhalla will be available on Ubisoft's subscription service UPLAY+. 

• PS5 vs Xbox Series X: what we know so far

Assassin's Creed Valhalla trailers

Ubisoft debuted the Assassin's Creed Valhalla world premiere trailer on April 30. Check it out below: 

Assassin's Creed Valhalla news and rumors

Below we've gathered all the biggest news and rumors about Assassin's Creed Valhalla for your perusal:

More coming at Xbox Series X gameplay reval
Microsoft is hosting a Xbox Series X gameplay reveal on May 7 and Assassin's Creed Valhalla will be one of the titles present. 

Ubisoft has confirmed that the game's first gameplay trailer will premier during the course of the livestream which is dedicated to the third-party titles that will be coming to Xbox Series X.

Want to watch all the action live? Then check out our handy guide on how to watch the Xbox Series X gameplay reveal.

Voice actors revealed
Creative Director Ashraf Ismail has revealed the voice actors for female and male Eivor: Danish actors Cecilie Stenspil and Magnus Buun. With Ubisoft leaning into the RPG elements of Assassin's Creed and making dialogue choices really matter, it's likely we'll be hearing a lot of them. 

Norway and England will feature
In an interview with BBC Click, creative director Ashraf Ismail has confirmed that the game, set in the 9th century, will take players between Norway and England, with the majority of the action taking place in England's four different kingdoms. 

“Norway is quite big on its own but if we talk about England specifically, that's where the majority of the game takes place. We have four kingdoms in England so it's Northumbria, East Anglia, Mercia, and Wessex. We have major cities like Winchester, London, York - or Jorvik at the time period.” 

Present day playable
In an interview with Eurogamer, lead producer Julien Laferrière confirmed the present day will be playable. 

"We've found a way to blend the present day into a new type of experience for players," Laferrière said. "And present day is playable - I can confirm that."

No co-op
Ubisoft has confirmed Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a single-player game.

Raven animal companion
In Assassin's Creed Odyssey, players had an eagle companion that could scout out areas from above. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, you'll have a raven companion which will have new abilities. 

Romance available
Assassin's Creed Valhalla will have romance options, however it's not clear whether players will be able to romance everyone, regardless of gender.  

Epic Games Store exclusive
The PC version of Assassin's Creed Valhalla is only available on Epic Game Store and Uplay, which we expect will ruffle more than a few feathers.

Pre-orders and special editions
Gold, Ultimate, and Collector’s Editions of Assassin's Creed Valhalla are available - with pre-orders open now. 

The Gold Edition of the game includes the base game and the Season Pass. The Ultimate Edition includes the base game, the Season Pass and the Ultimate Pack giving access to players to exclusive customization content: the Berserker Gear Pack, the Berserker Settlement Pack, the Berserker Longship Pack, along with a Set of Runes to improve weapons or gears.

The Collector’s Edition includes the base game, the Season Pass, the Ultimate Pack, the high-end Ubicollectibles replica of Eivor and her Drakkar, a Collector’s Case, a Steelbook with a unique artwork, a numbered certificate of authenticity, a Viking Statuette of Eivor with his raven and Dane axe, exclusive lithographs as well as a Selected Soundtrack of the game. The Collector’s Edition is available exclusively on the Ubisoft Store.

In addition, fans who pre-order Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will receive at launch an additional mission 'The Way of the Berserker', in which players will join a legendary Norse Berserker on his quest for revenge.

Choices matter
Elements such as political alliances, combat decisions, and dialogue choices will influence the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla - so choose carefully.

Bloodier than ever
Assassin's Creed Valhalla looks considerably more brutal than previous entries in the series, with the trailer depicting bloody massacres on English soil. It seems like stealth is no longer the priority in this game and instead we'll see more in the way of violent raids and destruction.

More RPG elements
According to Ubisoft, Valhalla introduces new features such as raids, the ability to grow your settlement and build power, and the ability to increase your influence in this new brutal, dark world. These raids will allow you to collect resources needed to upgrade your settlement.

As your village grows, you'll be able to add new buildings such as a barracks, blacksmith and tattoo parlour - all available to customize and ugprade.

Customization
Players will have the option to play as either a male or female Eivor, with new customization options being introduced that allow you to customize your Eivor's hair, tattoos, war paint and gear.

Story
Here's Ubisoft's description of the story:

"Driven from Norway by endless wars and dwindling resources in the ninth century AD, players will lead Eivor’s clan of Norsemen across the icy North Sea to the rich lands of England’s broken kingdoms. 

"Players must carve out a new future for their clan, reliving the ruthless fighting style of Viking warriors with a revamped combat system that includes the ability to dual-wield weapons against a greater variety of enemies than ever before. 

"To secure resources players can lead raids to select locations using their longship to earn much-needed riches and resources. As the Vikings begin to settle in their new home, they encounter resistance from the Saxons including King Aelfred of Wessex, who denounces them as heathens and looks to be the sole ruler of a civilized England. Against all odds, Eivor must do what is necessary to keep Valhalla within reach."

Release window and platforms
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is due to release"Holiday 2020" (so sometime between October and December this year) to coincide with the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Ubisoft has confirmed Valhalla will release for Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PS4, Stadia, and for PC - it will also be available on Ubisoft's subscription service: UPLAY+.

15 studios working on Valhalla
According to a tweet by Ubisoft Montreal, 15 studios around the world are working on Assassin's Creed Valhalla. 

Viking Age
As rumored, Assassin's Creed Kingdom will take place in the Viking Age. This became clear when BossLogic began drawing Viking-themed art on the Assassin's Creed reveal Twitch stream - but the name also gives it away.

• New games 2020: the biggest games coming to console and PC

If you've finished Final Fantasy 7 Remake, you may be wondering when Part 2 of the game will be releasing.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a re-imagining of classic '90s JRPG Final Fantasy 7. But, rather than releasing the remake as one single title, developer Square Enix has opted to release the remake as a series of games instead - with the first part releasing in April, 2020.

While Square Enix announced in November 2019 that development on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 has started, the company hasn't confirmed a release date for the second part of the game; and, unfortunately, we're expecting a wait of at least a few years.

While we wait, we've rounded up everything we know about Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 so far, including news, rumors and what we're hoping to see in the second game.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The second part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake
• When can I play it? TBC
• What can I play it on? TBC but likely PS4 and PS5
• How many parts will Final Fantasy 7 Remake have? This hasn't been confirmed

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 release date

While we know that Square Enix has already started work on Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, the developer hasn't confirmed when it will release. But it looks like it'll be a while before we get to play it. 

Final Fantasy 7 Remake didn't release until five years after it was announced. However, we're not expecting another five year wait for part 2 as Square Enix has now built the foundation of the game. In addition, a a Square Enix representative told IGN that "the development team is planning the volume of content for the second part of the series, and that the team anticipates that the development of the second game will be more efficient".

While we don't think we'll be waiting for not waiting as long as five years, it will definitely be a few years before we see the second part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

Square Enix has previously compared Final Fantasy 7 Remake to Final Fantasy 13 - which released (essentially) in three parts, with roughly a two year gap between each of the entries. If Final Fantasy 7 Remake is going to be anything like that, then we're looking at around a two year wait until part 2 - meaning we may not see it until at least 2022.

• How to beat Roche in Final Fantasy 7 Remake
• How to beat Airbuster in Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 news and rumors

Production has already started
In November 2019, director Tetsuya Nomura announced that work on Final Fantasy 7 Part 2 has already started.

"We’ve already begun working on the next one as well, but I’m confident that playing through this title will expand your expectations just like the world that extends beyond Midgar," Nomura said.

Hints in Final Fantasy Remake about what's coming next
In an interview with Famitsu (translated by DualShockers) Final Fantasy 7 Remake producer, Yoshinori Kitase, teased that there are hints in the game that allude to what may happen in the the second part.

"With this first game, we showed how there is great potential for the future, and we included many hints regarding what’s coming next," Kitase said. "I’m looking forward to seeing the fans’ theories on social media regarding what could happen now."

• Check out our Final Fantasy 7 Remake review
• How to beat Reno in Final Fantasy 7 Remake
• How to beat Rude in Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2: what we want to see

• Best RPGs 2020: the top role-playing titles for console and PC

Don't worry, this article contains no spoilers for The Last of Us 2.

Huge spoilers for The Last of Us 2 have leaked online, revealing key story details about Naughty Dog's highly-anticipated sequel.

These spoilers are rumored to have been leaked by a former Naughty Dog employee who allegedly posted a video containing the spoilers on YouTube after a payment dispute with the developer went awry. However, it's worth noting that this hasn't been confirmed. 

The spoilers pretty much reveal the game's entire plot, including a level list and cutscene footage. But, we're not going to share any of the details here, instead we're going to advise you on how to avoid The Last of Us 2 spoilers - and why you shouldn't be reading them in the first place.

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• Best PS4 games: the most essential PlayStation 4 releases
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Why you shouldn't share spoilers

We're all hungry for information on The Last of Us 2, but we strongly advise not to share the spoilers that have emerged. 

For one thing, you may want to know the ins and outs of the game's story but others may not - its not fair to take their first-hand experience of the game away from them. Many players want to go into The Last of Us 2 with their eyes closed, experiencing the story and characters as Naughty Dog intended, including all the twists and turns. After all, we've been waiting for this sequel for years. So, if you're going to read them, then go ahead but don't push spoilers in the face of others.

Secondly, spoilers with this level of detail are a kick-in-the-face to the teams that worked on the game. Naughty Dog employees have worked tirelessly on The Last of Us 2, with reports of crunch, to bring fans this game experience - so players can enjoy the game the way the developer intended.

Then there's the legal risk. If these spoilers did come from someone inside Naughty Dog who broke an NDA, sharing the information on social media could put you at a legal risk. Although there is no risk to people in reading these leaks, readers should take care to not re-publish them. Spoilers for a game as big as The Last Of Us 2 often spread quickly on social media, so people must avoid indulging in this by sharing posts or articles because this could be classed as copyright infringement.

How to avoid The Last of Us 2 spoilers on social media

If, like us, you want to avoid The Last of Us 2 spoilers on social media then here are some steps you can take to try and reduce the risk of stumbling on any. 

Twitter
The best way to avoid spoilers on Twitter is to mute words. Although it's worth noting that nothing is full-proof, muting words should greatly reduce the risk of stumbling on any The Last of Us 2 spoilers.

Here's the steps to take to mute The Last of Us 2 spoilers:

• Open Twitter 
• On desktop, select the three dots at the bottom left of your screen and click 'Settings and Privacy'
• On mobile, click on your face on the top left-hand corner, then select 'Settings and Privacy' from the menu that appears on the left
• Select 'Notifications' then 'Muted', followed by 'Muted Words'
• On desktop, a small plus sign should be visible on the top right-hand side of the screen - click that to add muted words
• On mobile, an 'Add' button should appear at the bottom right-hand side of the screen - click that to add muted words
• This then brings you to a screen that allows you to type in words or phrases you want muted
• You're going to want to mute phrases like "The Last of Us 2", "The Last of Us: Part 2", "Naughty Dog", The Last of Us spoilers", "Spoilers" and anything else related to the game you can think of
• In the 'Mute From' section, we advise muting these word 'From Anyone', from your 'Home Timeline' and from 'Notifications' - to be extra safe. 
• Under 'Duration', we would say to mute these words for '7 days' as the spoilers should be less rampant by then but you're not muting The Last of Us 2 news forever

Facebook
You can now mute words from your timeline on Facebook too but his will only mute certain words in comments, not in posts, it would seem. 

Here's how to mute words on Facebook:

• Go to 'Settings and Privacy' from the device you're using 
• Select 'Settings' then 'Timeline and Tagging'
• Under 'Timeline' select 'Hide comments containing certain words from your timeline'
• You can then add the words or phrases you would like muted from comments - hit 'add' after each one
• Again, we advise muting phrases like "The Last of Us 2", "The Last of Us: Part 2", "Naughty Dog", The Last of Us spoilers", "Spoilers" and anything else related to the game you cant think of
• When you're done, make sure to select 'Save Changes'

Outside of muting words in comments, we suggest 'snoozing' any pages you like or follow (or friends) that you think could post spoilers.

You can do this by clicking the dots beside someone's post, then select 'Snooze x for 30 days'.

If you want to be super safe then avoid social media for the next couple of days. In addition, we advise you avoid the likes of Reddit and Resetera too - just in case. 

• PlayStation 5: release date, specs, news and rumors

Nintendo has confirmed that over 160,000 Nintendo Network accounts have been hacked, following an investigation into reports that Nintendo Accounts were being hacked en masse.

According to a blog post by Nintendo Japan (translated by Google), over 160,000 Nintendo Network accounts have been hacked since the beginning of April. 

"This time, using a login ID and password information obtained illegally by some means other than our service, a phenomenon that seems to have been made by impersonating the "Nintendo Network ID (* 1, NNID)," explained the post.

An Nintendo Network ID is different to a Nintendo account in that it is used to make purchases on the Wii U and 3DS, while a Nintendo account is needed to make purchases on the Switch. But many players have both accounts linked to each other to allow them to combine eShop funds across devices. Nintendo has now abolished the ability to log in via NNID, and will subsequently reset passwords for Nintendo Network IDs and Nintendo accounts that may have been affected.

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The investigation was launched after many online Nintendo Account holders reported receiving messages alerting them to unauthorized account access. The issue was occurring in multiple countries and, in some cases, hackers were using hijacked account's saved PayPal details to purchase in-game currencies, such as Fortnite’s VBucks.

Here's what to do

According to Nintendo, you will be notified by email that your password has been reset. However, Nintendo is encouraging users to change the password they had. 

Nintendo also advises users who have logged into their account via NNID to log in with their Nintendo account email address / login ID after the next login.

While Nintendo reassures customers that there is no credit card information that has been viewed, it does admit that anyone who has the same password for their Nintendo account as they do for their Paypal may still be at risk of having their balance and registered credit card / PayPal illegally used at My Nintendo Store or Nintendo eShop. 

The company advises setting different passwords for your NNID and Nintendo account if this is the case. If you do spot any unauthorized purchases in your purchase history, related to your Nintendo account, then the company advises conducting an "individual investigation" and cancelling the purchase. 

"We will respond. Please wait as we will proceed with the procedure in sequence," Nintendo says.

But that's not all, Nintendo is also encouraging users to set up two-step verification for their accounts.

How to set up two-step verification on Nintendo Switch

• Go to the Nintendo Account website and sign in to your Nintendo Account
• Select 'Sign-in and Security Settings'
• Scroll down to 'Two-Step Verification' and click 'Edit'
• Select 'Enable Two-Step Verification'
• Click 'Submit' to have a verification code sent to your registered email address
• If you want to change your email address then select 'Email Address' under 'User Info'
• Enter the verification code from the email, then Submit
• Install the free Google Authenticator app on your smart device - via Google Play or App Store
• Use the smart device app to scan the QR code displayed on your Nintendo Account screen
• A six-digit verification code will appear on your smart device, enter the verification code into the field under 'Step 3' on the Nintendo Account screen, then press 'Submit'
• A list of backup codes will appear, copy and paste these somewhere safe - a backup code will be needed if you can't access the Google Authenticator app
• Click 'I have saved the backup codes', then 'OK'
• Once two-step verification is enabled, you will need to log in using both your password and a code sent to your smart device via the Google Authenticator app

It's as simple as that, but it's worth noting that two-step verification is not available for child or supervised accounts.

• Where to buy a Nintendo Switch: where you can still order a Switch Lite right now

Microsoft has patented the Xbox Series X logo, but it's quite a big departure from previous designs.

Spotted on Reddit by Windows Central, an official trademark listing for the Xbox Series X logo was filed on April 16, 2020, showing a very different look to what we've seen for Microsoft's consoles to date.

The logo shows the word 'Series' in a vertical formation, next to a stylized 'X'. It's a more mature and minimalist design for Xbox, but it's somewhat simplistic and – in our opinion – looks more suited to a sports brand. 

However, this minimalist, futuristic approach is something we should probably expect from Microsoft when it comes to the Xbox Series X. After all, the console's design is a radical departure from what we seen with the Xbox One, with the Series X sporting a gaming PC tower design. 

And Sony seems to be taking a similar approach with the PS5, suggesting these consoles are no longer playthings but masterful gaming machines.

• Xbox Series X games: all the games rumored and confirmed for the next Xbox
• Xbox Series X vs PS5: what we know so far
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Logos are a-changing

We can't help but miss the Xbox One's logo, though obviously a new generation means new branding. 

According to the patent, this is the Xbox Series X logo we'll see on everything from the console itself to clothing, keychains, toys and even kitchen utensils. Although, we think Microsoft is just trying to cover all bases and it's unlikely we'll see an Xbox Series X spatula anytime soon. 

Microsoft hasn't officially confirmed the logo yet, but we're expecting the company will unveil it, alongside plenty of other juicy details, at the Xbox Series X's official reveal that's rumored to take place in May. 

• The world is ready for an Xbox Series X All-Digital edition

There's been a noticeable shortage of Nintendo Switch stock recently, with the Switch selling out at an unprecedented rate at almost all retailers, and making it near impossible to get hold of Nintendo's hybrid console. And we may finally know why.

According to a report by Motherboard (via VGC), a bot may be partly responsible for this stock shortage in North America. The report claims that a free open-source tool called 'Bird Bot' has emerged, which quickly purchases Nintendo Switch consoles as soon as they're back in stock for users of the tool.

A Discord community has even been set up for users to trade tips on how to use the bot most effectively, with some using the bot to resell consoles they purchase for a profit. After all, we've been eye-watering prices for the Nintendo Switch due to the high demand and stock shortages. 

• Best Nintendo Switch games: the most essential Switch releases
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• The cheapest Nintendo Switch bundle deals and prices in April 2020

How does it work exactly?

Bird Bot reportedly notifies those who have signed up for the tool as soon as Nintendo Switch stock is in at select retailers, it then automatically adds the console to the user's basket and completes the checkout process, giving them a huge advantage over other customers - and likely resulting in stock selling out quicker.

Motherboard reports that over 1000 users have joined the Bird Bot Discord server.

While most of the community are using the bot to buy a console for themselves, resellers are also prominent in the community. The high demand for the Nintendo Switch is likely to due to Covid-19 pandemic, allowing resellers to take advantage of bots such as this to charge consumers extortionate rates.

We don't condone using bots like these to purchase Switch consoles, especially for security reasons.

So, if you're still in search for a Switch console, then check out our page on where to buy a Nintendo Switch, which is updated regularly with which retailers currently have Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite stock. 

• Nintendo may be working on a dual-screen Switch – here's why that's a great idea

Rumors that a Nintendo Switch Pro is on the horizon have been floating around for a while now. Leaks suggest this new Nintendo Switch could boast upgraded hardware with improved graphics and processing power, providing a premium version of the console for avid gamers. 

Nintendo hasn't confirmed a Switch Pro is in the works, and the company has ruled out any hope of a new Switch console releasing in 2020. So, hungry for a morsel of information, dataminers have dug into the Nintendo Switch's new firmware, and it looks like there could in fact be more than one new Nintendo Switch console on the horizon, including one with a dual-screen.

That's right, we could see a new Nintendo Switch with a dual-screen, much like the 3DS had. And, while this hasn't been confirmed by Nintendo, a dual-screen Switch would be the logical next-step for Nintendo and a brilliant one. Let me tell you why.

• Best Nintendo Switch games: the most essential Switch releases
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• Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite: is bigger really better?

What the datamine actually uncovered 

Now, lets get this out of the way first, Datamining isn't always reliable, and - in laymen terms - involves tech-savvy fans digging into software to find clues about what a company may have cooking. In this case, dataminers dug into the Nintendo Switch's firmware version 10.0.0 and posted their findings on Resetera. JershJopstin on Resetera found some titbits on a docked-only console (codenamed 'Calcio') and some sort of non-mobile device (codenamed 'Copper'). 

However, Twitter user @hexkyz also datamined the firmware and found that it adds preliminary support for a new hardware model called 'nx-abcd'. For reference, Nintendo allegedly gives all its consoles model names alongside codenames. So, for example, the Switch Lite was 'Hoag' or 'nx-abcc', while 'Copper' and 'Calcio' are 'nx-abcb'.

Dataminers claim they can identify the form factors these names tend to take - well they think they have. The theory is that whatever the codename begins with translates to what type of hardware the device will be, with 'I' standing for integrated (hybrid), 'C' standing for console and 'H' for handheld. So the original Switch's codename is 'Icosa' while the refreshed Switch is 'Iowa'. With 'nx-abcd' being a new form factor, without a codename, it seems like no one is quite sure what type of hardware it could be quite yet.

However the datamine did reveal that, whatever this new hardware is, it looks like it'll have a secondary display of sorts added exclusively to the model. Leading some to speculate that this new hardware may be a dual-screen Switch - and I hope that's the case.

A true 3DS successor

The Nintendo Switch is great and all but, since it was released in September 2019, I've always preferred the Switch Lite. For one, I never dock a Switch and am drawn more to the Switch's portability than anything else - it's something I don't get with my PS4 or Xbox One.

So when the Switch Lite came along, I was thrilled. Finally my small hands could actually hold a Switch comfortably, without elbowing others on public transport. The compact size is a feature I've always loved about handheld consoles - and typically a given - and, as innovative as the hybrid Switch is, it just wasn't small enough.

But, the Switch Lite still only has one screen, and cramming everything onto its small screen can sometimes prove a bit of a pain. In games such as Breath of the Wild, I find myself squinting to see the map in the corner. I can't help but think it would be easier if the mini-map, menu and other cluttering features were perhaps out of the way - on another screen perhaps.

The 3DS did this brilliantly through its dual-screen (even if the 3D nature of it was a bit rubbish), allowing you to focus on the game on one screen, while your map and inventory etc were on the other screen. It also allowed for a smaller device that small-handed folk like me could easily carry it around - it even fit in a pocket.

Clam up

There's speculation that this rumored dual-screen Switch model may inherit the 3DS's clam-like design, allowing you to fold up the console easily and stow it away. It would make sense, keeping with Nintendo's history of these types of handheld consoles. 

And, regardless of whether the company actually made the Switch smaller, if this foldable dual-screen was implemented in the Switch Lite, it would essentially make the screen the console already has bigger - while likely only making the device slightly bulkier. However, I can't see how this would work with the original Switch.

But, before I get carried away, it is worth noting a couple of things that somewhat burst this 3D successor bubble. For one, Nintendo hasn't confirmed any new Switch consoles are in the pipeline. Secondly, there's no evidence this dual-screen hardware will exist or that it's even a handheld console. 

But perhaps the biggest obstacle to a dual-screen, 3DS-like Switch is that it would be a major hardware revision. It would likely require developers to make a port for either the dual-screen version or the single-screen version, as making a game for both would probably be too labor intensive and the interface for both consoles would be very different.

If Nintendo chose to make dual-screen exclusive versions of games, it would would splitting the Switch player base. So unfortunately the only realistic way a dual-screen Switch could be introduced is if the Switch is phased out and the dual-screen version acted as the true next-next-generation Switch, beyond even a Nintendo Switch Pro.

And for that reason, unless the Switch is phased out and that's the true next-NEXT generation Switch, beyond a Pro, I can't see it happening... and it probably won't.

The fact that the console codename doesn't fall into the form factor that other Switch devices have has lead some to speculate that the rumored new hardware is neither a handheld device or a console - maybe something else entirely like VR or AR.

But I'm still holding out hope that I'll be able to comfortably fold up a new Nintendo Switch device and store it in my pocket - someday.

• The cheapest Nintendo Switch bundle deals and prices
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Microsoft is offering PC users a free 4K Xbox Series X wallpaper pack ahead of the next-gen console's release later this year.

This free wallpaper pack is a theme for your desktop that features 16 premium 4K images of the Xbox Series X. The theme cycles through each of the images, pausing on each for a select amount of time, before showing you another beautiful promo shot.

It's worth noting that this theme is only available to those with a Windows PC - sorry, Mac users.

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• Xbox Series X launch could be online only - here's why that's for the best

How to claim your free Xbox Series X wallpaper pack

Here's what to do to claim your free wallpaper pack:

• Go to the wallpaper pack's listing here
• Select 'Get' on the right hand side of the screen
• You should get a prompt asking for your Microsoft Store app to open
• Sign into Microsoft Store if you aren't already
• The Microsoft Store should automatically go to the listing, select 'Get' again
• Your wallpaper pack should download

And here's how to apply it:

• Go to your PC 'Settings' and select 'Personsalization'
• Select 'Themes'
• Under 'Change Theme' your new Xbox Series X wallpaper pack should appear
• Simply click on the 'Xbox Series X' theme and voilà!

Once you've applied the theme you can customize how long each image is held for, how it fits to the screen and if the images are shuffled or not - just go to 'Bakground' under 'Personalization' setting.

• Xbox Series X games: all the games rumored and confirmed for the next Xbox

Sony recently announced that The Last of Us 2 had been indefinitely delayed due to logistical issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic, but developer Naughty Dog is working to release the highly-anticipated sequel as soon as it can.

That's according to Naughty Dog vice president Neil Druckmann, who retweeted a fan-made trailer for the game, and said the developer is "working hard with Sony" to get the game to fans "as soon as possible".

You can check out the tweet below:

While The Last of Us 2 is pretty much finished, with Naughty Dog taking this time to iron out final bugs, the game was delayed due to logistical issues. It's likely these surround the shipping of the game, as Square Enix faced similar problems around the release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

At the time the delay was announced, a Naughty Dog statement said that the developer couldn't launch the game to its satisfaction and that it wanted to ensure that all players could enjoy the Last of Us 2 "around the same time".

The Last of Us 2 was due to release on May 29, having already been pushed back from February, but Naughty Dog hasn't announced a new release date yet.

However, Druckmann's comments suggest we hopefully won't have to wait too long until we see The Last of Us 2. Even with the game delayed, we're not expecting it to be pushed beyond 2020 – instead it's possible we'll see a delay of a few months while shipping schedules return to normal.

However, right now it's hard to predict exactly when that will be.

• New games 2020: the biggest games coming to console and PC

Rockstar Games hasn't officially announced GTA 6 is in the works but, with a new console generation on the horizon and Red Dead Redemption 2 out of the way, we're expecting a new Grand Theft Auto game to be in the pipeline - we just don't know when we'll see it. 

There's been heaps of rumors and leaks about GTA 6 over the past few years, but hype is now at a fever pitch as we rocket towards the PS5 and Xbox Series X's release, with some expecting Rockstar to announce the next GTA sometime in 2020. 

However, there's not been a peep from the developer, and fans are getting pretty desperate for information. Which led to one group of pranksters putting together an elaborate April Fool's Day plan: fake the GTA 6 announcement.

Now there have been plenty of unlikely leaks, rumors and countdowns surrounding GTA 6 - we've even debunked some of them to stop fans getting their hopes up. But few GTA 6 hoaxes see such planning as that of Joe Designs and his cohorts, who faked a GTA 6 logo, teaser trailer and announcement stream - all for April Fool's Day. 

Editor's Note: TechRadar does not condone Joe Designs actions. This piece aims to show that you can't always believe every leak and rumor you see on the internet. We at TechRadar aim to provide authority when it comes to leaks and rumors, but treat all speculation with scepticism. 

Putting the plan together

GTA fans were originally expecting an announcement for GTA 6 to take place on March 21, with a trailer expected to drop on March 25. 

As we pointed out at the time, this was highly unlikely given that Rockstar Games hadn't teased anything itself or made any official statement that an announcement was coming. And, as expected, those dates passed with no announcement made. 

However, with GTA 6 hype at a fever-pitch, Joe O'Shea (aka Joe Designs) and his friends decided that now was as good as any to roll out an elaborate fake GTA announcement that they had been considering for a few months. 

"I think even for us, it started out quite small initially, and then we kept throwing ideas in. And then it grew."

Joe's friend Zach has a penchant for grabbing old, inactive usernames on sites and handing them over to other people. It just so happened that, a few months prior to the prank, Zach got his hands on the GTAVI username on Twitch. This sparked an idea, where Zach wanted to create a logo for GTA 6 to trick people into thinking an announcement was on the way.

"If you're going to try and fool people, the most realistic thing Rockstar would do in that situation would not be a logo on a black screen with a rubbish countdown," Joe O'Shead explains to TechRadar. "They would big it up."

Zach contacted Joe, who does freelance graphic design for YouTubers, and asked him to create a logo. Within 15 minutes Joe had created the logo you see above, but they wanted to take it that step further.

"In my head I was thinking 'yeah, I can do you a logo - but I could do a lot more than just a logo'," Joe tells TechRadar. "If we did a little bit more, there's a chance that this could take off as a good April Fool's joke.

"I think even for us, it started out quite small initially, and then we kept throwing ideas in. And then it grew."

The plan turned into a fully formed idea: they would set up a 24 hour Twitch stream counting down to their fake GTA 6 announcement, complete with a teaser trailer to really get fans excited.

The stream went live on March 28, and was ran by another friend, Ryan, who had a PC capable of running a 24 hour Twitch stream. 

Obvious signs

There were several points where Joe didn't think the plan would work. After all, the logo had been designed in 15 minutes and included a fake skyline he found online and a blacked out image of Jason Statham. The music playing in the background of the stream was also from GTA: Vice City - after all, some rumors suggest GTA 6 will be set in Miami.. 

There were plenty of clues but, according to Joe, few people picked up on them.

But that's not to say everyone believed the hoax, the majority of viewers clocked on straight away, but that didn't stop many from hoping that this could be the real deal. Nor did it stop 125,000 people viewing the stream.

"I don't think that the graphics were 100% convincing," Joe tells us. "The fact that there's so much hope probably adds to that and makes it a little bit more believable." 

The Twitch stream chat was torn between those who called it fake, and others defending the stream.

"I think people are so hopeful for a new game that they're willing to accept things a little bit more," Joe told us. "If they took a step back and asked themselves if it makes sense, they'd probably realize: it doesn't. They want the game so desperately that it's like a mild delusion."

Rumbled by Rockstar

The plan was going better than the threesome had expected, with viewership improved by news outlets, and a popular YouTuber, covering the stream. This was further helped by the group sewing the seeds of the fake announcement stream in GTA forums and through social media.

But the question remained: what would they do when the countdown ended?

"Because there was three people: me, Zach and Ryan, there was a bit of a conflict of interest between what we were going to do," Joe tells us. "I was very much in the mindset that I wanted to keep it going forever, I wanted to keep it under wraps and never reveal it."

While some members of the group wanted to simply throw their names up on the screen when the countdown ended, Joe had another idea. He wanted to make another trailer, using remastered GTA: Vice City shots, which subtly cited Summer 2021 as the GTA 6's release window. 

But then Rockstar caught on to the stream and the jig was up - and reactions among the group differed.

"I think people are so hopeful for a new game that they're willing to accept things a little bit more."

"Zach was a bit taken back by it, he didn't expect it to go this far," Joe tells us. "I think he was half-happy and half-worried about the whole thing. Ryan didn't want anything to do with it anymore."

Joe was personally happy with the development, hoping that Rockstar being in stream would add authenticity, but Ryan wanted to pull the plug - primarily due to Rockstar's history of legal action. So, just two days after it went up, the GTA 6 fake announcement stream was taken down on March 30. Two days before April Fool's Day.

To try and prevent legal pursuit from Rockstar, the group released a statement on the stream which clarified that they are fans of the series and they had no malicious intentions with their joke. That didn't stop the community from theorizing that Rockstar had sent the group a cease and desist order.

"The truth is: no one has done anything," Joe explains. We still have the account and we could stream from it right now if we wanted to."

The reaction of the community to the group's joke was mixed: ranging from well-humored to death threats. Some even accused the group of using the prank for their own monetary gain, with the aim to gather subscribers, before selling the account on to someone else.

"If we wanted we could have used it maliciously," Joe tells TechRadar. "But I think because it was an April Fool's they're a bit more calm about it. But I think the minute we decided to do anything else with the stream, that would be taking the mick."

A lesson learned?

Joe and his cohorts never made it to their planned April Fool's unveiling, and they very nearly missed legal action from Rockstar Games, but the thing Joe has taken away most from the hoax is not to believe every leak and rumor you see. 

"It seems like something that happens once in a blue moon," Joe explains. "So the fact that we did it and it worked in the way that these things do makes me wonder what I'm reading online and if it's entirely true.

"Anyone can do it, regardless of their intentions. So, be a bit more aware."

But does Joe feel guilty about the fans that were the collateral damage in the prank?

"The intention was it was an April Fool's joke and my pride comes from the fact my work was to a standard that a game company could have done that logo," he tells us. "But obviously I do feel massively guilty for those people who were looking forward to it."

TechRadar contacted Rockstar Games for comment but received no response.

Joe created an video where he explains how the plan came together, which you can watch here. 

• New games 2020: all the biggest games coming to console and PC

Sony recently announced the DualSense controller, the gamepad you'll be using with the PlayStation 5 when the highly-anticipated console releases later this year. And while the DualSense boasts plenty of interesting new features such as a built-in mic, haptic feedback and a controversial new design, a lot of fans were wondering: does it still have the audio jack?

In Sony's official DualSense controller images, an audio jack can't be seen, leading some to worry whether the company has done away with the feature entirely. 

However, a PlayStation product manager on Twitter has confirmed that the DualSense controller does have an audio jack - we just couldn't see it in the images.

Why is an audio jack so important?

The inclusion of an audio jack doesn't seem like a big deal, but actually it's one of the DualShock 4 controller's best features - having been missing from the DualShock 3 controller. 

An audio jack allows players to plug a compatible gaming headset into their controller, so you don't need a wireless one or to sit super-close to your TV to plug it into the console itself. 

The original Xbox One controller didn't include an audio jack, instead requiring players to buy an adapter so they could use their own gaming headset, and proving that it's a small but wonderful quality-of-life feature that we want to see in all controllers.

The fact that the DualSense controller has an audio jack means that players can hopefully continue to use their own gaming headsets with the new console (and gamepad), so you should be able to experience the PS5's "immersive" Tempest 3D audio without having to pick up a new headset - or adapter.

We're still waiting to hear if this 3D audio will work on all audio devices but, for now, we know we'll still be able to plug in headsets.

• PS5: release date, specs, news and confirmed features

The Xbox Series X release date is fast approaching, but with Covid-19 seeing basically any mass-gathering events canceled for the foreseeable future, questions have been raised about whether Microsoft will hold a physical launch event as it has in the past. In short: it's not looking likely.

Earlier this week, a tweet circulated that stated Microsoft will be transitioning "all external and internal events to a digital-first experience through July 2021." However, in a statement to Eurogamer, a Microsoft spokesperson clarified that the company is adjusting its event calendar due to the pandemic, stating that:

"For the remainder of 2020 we are embracing the opportunity to experiment with new platforms to provide our partners, customers and developers the highest quality, digital-first experiences."

• Xbox Series X vs PS5: what we know so far
• Xbox Series X games: all the games rumored and confirmed for the next Xbox
• Xbox Series X controller: release dates, news and confirmed features

This reportedly applies to Microsoft-organized events, while the company's appearance at trade shows such as Gamescom will be decided on a case-by-case basis. 

This suggests that the Xbox Series X launch will be online-only, rather than a physical event. But that could be for the best.

Would a digital Xbox Series X launch event be better?

Xbox console launches are usually a pretty big, global affair. For the Xbox One launch, Microsoft held huge (and often bizarre) physical events in major cites around the globe. There was street entertainment and free music gigs in New York, while a giant, zombie-filled Xbox One appeared in Vancouver, and the first Xbox One to be sold at retail was guarded by sharks in a New Zealand aquarium.

The launch campaign spectacle is a big part of building fans' excitement for a console's release, as is the main live launch. Having attended previous Microsoft events, the pizzazz of a live, physical show is hard to beat. The reality, however, is that the majority of people usually end up watching it all unfold via a stream anyway. Would a digital Xbox One launch event really be so different?

For one, a digital event will be more accessible. Those who, for whatever reason, can't make their way to an Xbox launch event in-person will be on equal ground with everyone else – as we'll all be watching via a live stream.

In addition, a digital Xbox Series X launch would allow Microsoft to focus all it's energy into making a kickass stream. Instead of trying to entertainment a live audience and a online one, Microsoft could make an exciting online-only experience – one that's as accessible to players as it is to the press.

Nintendo has shown with its Direct streams that announcements can be made effectively – and still build up huge hype – when done online.

It's worth noting that Microsoft hasn't officially ruled out a physical Xbox Series X launch, but if an online-only event is on the cards, we're still excited to see what's in store.

• PS5: release date, specs, news and features

Sony has pulled the Last of Us: Part 2 and Iron Man VR from the PlayStation Store,  while refunding those who pre-ordered either game digitally.

Both games were due to release for PS4 in May, with The Last of Us 2 due for release on May 29 and Iron Man VR due to release on May 15. However, the company recently announced that both games have been delayed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

And it looks like we may not be see either game releasing anytime soon, as Iron Man VR and The Last of Us 2 have both been pulled from the PlayStation Store (via VG247). Initially the company had only removed the pre-order options from the games' listings, but now both listings have been removed completely.

• Best PS4 games: the most essential PlayStation 4 games
• PS5: release date, specs, news and rumors
• PS5 vs Xbox Series X: what we know so far

This is the second time the highly anticipated Last of Us sequel has been delayed since it was announced in 2016.

Sony is issuing refunds to anyone who pre-ordered either game digitally. However, there's no word on whether those who have pre-ordered the Last of Us 2 or Iron Man VR physical editions will also be issued a refund.

How to get your refund

Fortunately, you don't have to request a refund. According to the PlayStation Support page, those who pre-ordered Iron Man VR or The Last of Us 2 digitally will receive an automatic refund, with PlayStation advising customers to check their emails for more details.

However, as we've said above, this only applies to digital pre-orders through the PlayStation Store and currently there has been no update on how, or if, this will affect physical pre-orders.

• How The Last Of Us raised the bar for video game narratives

Exercise can be boring, so sometimes it's nice to spice up your workout with a fitness game. The best fitness games have you breaking a sweat and feeling the burn, but most importantly they're fun. 

Fitness games allow you to marry your gaming hobby with something that's good for your health - which you may need to remind yourself when you're in a sweaty pile on the floor afterwards.

So here are the best fitness games – old and new – that will get your heart rate up, improve your flexibility, help with strength training and even get you dancing like no one is watching.

• The best PS4 prices, bundles and deals
• The cheapest Nintendo Switch bundle deals and prices
• The best Xbox One prices, bundles, sales and deals

Ring Fit Adventure

Ring Fit Adventure is marketed as a game first and exercise second, but it'll certainly put you through your paces. 

The action-RPG game sees you squatting, crunching and downward-dogging your way to success, as you set out on a quest to defeat a hench, bodybuilding dragon called Dragaux. And that's just the story mode, there are also plenty of mini-games and individual workouts to focus on specific parts of your body.

In order to play Ring Fit Adventure, you need the Ring Fit device (like a pilates ring), but this handily comes packaged with the game.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Peripherals needed: Ring Fit

Fitness Boxing

If you don't want to shell out for Ring Fit Adventure then Nintendo Fitness Boxing could be a good alternative. The Switch game offers you workouts overseen by a virtual trainer, where you use your Joy-Con motion controllers to perform punches and dodging maneuvers, with the difficulty increasing gradually over time. 

The game uses your weight and height to estimate your fitness age and calorie burn, setting the routine, length and intensity of these workouts based on this, however these can be adjusted if you're not happy. It's a great workout for those who want a fairly-straightforward boxing workout without all the bells and whistles.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Peripherals needed: None

Beat Saber

Beat Saber isn't marketed as a fitness game - but it sure should be. The VR rhythm game sees you ducking and dodging while swinging your arms to slice the blocks flying your way - all to some amazing tunes. It's one of the best VR games on the market for a reason.

The beauty of Beat Saber is that you don't really notice the physical exertion you're putting into it because it's so much fun - but you'll certainly feel it tomorrow.

Platforms: PS4 and PC

Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required - these depend on platform you're playing on.

Zumba: Burn It Up

Yet another fitness game offering from Nintendo, Zumba: Burn It Up is the newest addition to the Zumba video game series. Burn It Up essentially offers you a private Zumba lesson in your home, with 30 high-energy classes to get your heart-pumping and some great tunes for you to shake your hips to.

It's an official Zumba product that features real-life instructors, so you know it's legit. Plus, you can get up to three friends to join you for the tortur- sorry, fun. 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Peripherals needed: None

• Pick up Zumba: Burn it Up from the Nintendo Store

Wii Fit Plus

Now, we know what you're going to say: "Wii Fit is old". Well, actually, we've included some older fitness games on this list because you may want to drag your old consoles out of the closet, brush off the dust and get your fill of exercise - without having to pay out for the latest game and its peripherals. 

Wii Fit Plus is the enhanced version of Wii Fit, offering Wii Fit's original games alongside a bunch of 'new' games that help you work on aerobics, strength, balance and yoga. You can play these games, create your own fitness regimes or take part in specialized routines - and what's more, there are some multiplayer activities that allow you to play (and workout) with friends.

Wii Fit Plus is a classic and, even if you don't already have one, you can pick up a Wii Fit Balance Board for pretty cheap nowadays. 

Platforms: Wii

Peripherals needed: Wii Balance Board

Wii Sports

Ok so, Wii Sports isn't exactly on the same level as the likes of Zumba when it comes to getting you moving- but it's still a fitness game. Wii Sports offers five sports to play: baseball, bowling, tennis, golf and boxing. You use your Wii remote to mimic the actions you would do if you were actually taking part in the sport.

In addition, there are training and fitness modes available that monitor players' progress. Plus, you don't have to play alone! All the activities are available to play multiplayer so you can beat your pal at tennis without having to step on the court.

Platforms: Wii

Peripherals needed: None

Just Dance 2020

Prefer to get your exercise through the medium of dance? Then Just Dance 2020 is just the ticket. The most recent addition in long-running dance series includes tunes from artists such as Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X and Ariana Grande that will keep you grooving for hours on end - and building up one heck of a sweat. 

You don't even need motion controls or a console camera necessarily, as downloading the Just Dance Controller app will allow you to track all your moves through your smartphone. Smart.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii (surprisingly), PS4, Xbox One and Stadia

Peripherals needed: PS Move and PlayStation Camera, Xbox Kinect, or Just Dance Controller app

Knockout League

Another VR fitness game that will put you through your paces, Knockout League is an arcade-style boxing game that sees you immersing yourself in the fight. The game uses 1:1 tracking of your head and hands, so you'll need to make sure you duck and dodge every punch that comes your way - while landing some of your own.

But it's not all that serious, some of your competitors are a tad.. out of the ordinary. So expect to go mano a mano with a moustached octopus, pirate and many more wacky fighters.

Platforms: PS4 and PC

Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required – these depend on platform you're playing on.

• Pick up Knockout League from the PlayStation Store

BoxVR

BoxVR is a bit like Beat Saber meets Fitness Boxing. It's described as a "VR workout app" and offers rhythm-inspired boxing workouts that see you hitting marks while ducking and dodging obstacles. 

BoxVR offers a range of workouts from short three-minute bursts up to 20 minute+ endurance workouts, which are sure to give you a heart-pumping cardio workout. Plus, workouts are regularly updated to stop things from getting stale.

Platforms: PS4 and PC

Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required - these depend on platform you're playing on.

• Pick up BoxVR from PlayStation Store or Steam

Sports Champions 2

Another oldie, but Sports Champions 2 is essentially Sony's version of Wii Sports. The fitness game allows you to take part in six activities: skiing, tennis, boxing, golf, bowling, and archery. Again similarly to the Wii, you use PlayStation Move controller to mimic the actions of each sport. 

Platforms: PS3

Peripherals needed: PlayStation Move and PlayStation Camera

• Pick up Sports Champions 2 from PlayStation Store

• Should you buy a PS4 or Xbox One right now?

Sony has been drip-feeding us information about the PlayStation 5 and, while we don't know much about which games we'll be playing or how the console will look, we have a pretty good idea about what the PS5 is packing under its hood and what features it will boast.

The PS5 is shaping up to be an extremely powerful next-gen console and, the more we learn about it, the more excited we get for its release in late 2020.

But what is the key information to know about the PS5? We've put together a list of the five most exciting PS5 features we've heard about so far.

• PS5 vs Xbox Series X: what we know so far
• PS5 games: all the games rumored and confirmed for the PlayStation 5
• Here are 5 things you need to know about Xbox Series X
• Xbox Series X: release date, design, specs and launch titles

1. PS5 loading times will be super fast

The PS5's ultra-fast SSD will drastically reduce loading times. Mark Cerny, the lead system architect for the PS5, previously showcased how the SSD will shorten loading times, using Marvel's Spider-Man as an example. 

On the PS4 Pro, the game took 8.10 seconds to load, whereas on the PS5, the loading time was reduced to a mere 0.8 seconds.

SSDs have more bandwidth, so data can be loaded from the SSD when it’s needed, rather than heaps of potentially needless data being loaded into RAM. That means that load times will be hugely reduced and booting up from standby should be generally much faster, too.

2. Immersive 3D audio tech

Sony has created it

Sony has created its own audio technology for the PS5 called the Tempest 3D Audio Engine. It uses custom-built hardware as well as software algorithms to make in-game audio sound more realistic and true-to-life. In other words, it'll be much more immersive. 

The difference, says Cerny, is that the custom solution will work with all stereo headphones on the market, and eventually soundbars, TV speakers and home entertainment systems – unlike Dolby Atmos.

3. Backwards compatibility with PS4 games

The PS5 will be backwards compatible with PS4 games. According to Cerny, "almost all" of the top 100 PS4 games will be playable at launch. But what PS4 games will be included? According to Cerny, those top 100 games are being ranked by playtime, but we don't know exactly which games will make the cut.

Sony hasn't yet confirmed if the PS5 is backwards compatible with PS3, PS2 or the original PlayStation, but it doesn't look likely. So far, the company has only focused on speaking about backwards compatibility with PS4. 

4. 4K UHD Blu-ray drive

The PS5 will have a 4K Blu-ray player built-in. That means your PS5 will essentially act as a home entertainment system as well as a gaming console.

While a Blu-ray player was included in the PS3 (and was largely considered as being crucial to the format’s success) the next evolution, a 4K Blu-ray player, was lacking in the PS4 and PS4 Pro. So we're beyond pleased to see the feature making a return, as it means that cinephiles won't need to have a separate Blu-player player set up alongside their PlayStation 5.

5. Instantly launch you into multiplayer mayhem

The PS5 ultra-fast SSD will allow us to install and remove parts of games rather than the full product. You'll also be able to access those parts separately instantaneously, launching directly into gameplay. In other words, Sony's next-gen console will let players jump straight into aspects of different games (such as match-making, continue save game etc) without having to boot up the full game.

PS5's operating system will allow players to set "templates," meaning you could be able to jump into a game's match-making, for example, straight from your home screen; preventing the need to take steps such as booting up an entire game and selecting particular games modes. It would also make it easier for players to quickly jump between the games they have installed.

Mark Cerny revealed this direct-gameplay-launching system in last year's Wired interview, explaining that Sony wants players to be able to jump into games with little obstacle. 

"We don't want the player to have to boot the game, see what's up, boot the game, see what's up," Cerny said. "Multiplayer game servers will provide the console with the set of joinable activities in real time."

• PS5 specs: why Sony faces an uphill battle