Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's Controversial Day 1 DLC Earned $1 Million, Just on Steam

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's controversial $85 collection of day one DLC earned Ubisoft an extra $1 million on Steam, it's been reported.

That's according to Alinea Analytics' Rhys Elliott, who has published detailed sales information for the game's PC release. Ubisoft itself has officially trumpeted 2 million sales of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced across all platforms in just 24 hours.

While the game itself has been warmly received, fans have been less impressed by its optional extra packs, which total a collective $85 — more than the game itself.

"Come on Ubisoft you just couldn't hold yourself huh?!" wrote one player via Steam. "Releasing a 70 euro game and on the DAY of the release you slap us with 85 euros worth of DLC packs that are just not cosmetic but give you a gameplay advantage this is why piracy exist and I will be refunding!"

Backlash at the offering has dragged down the game's Steam user review average, with many players upset at the principle of Ubisoft launching Resynced with a more expensive DLC collection than the cost of the base game, as well as the fact that Resynced also highlights these extra packs to players in-game via a pop-up message.

The cheapest of these extra packs, the $4.99 Map Pack, reportedly has a 6.34% Steam attach rate — meaning that around 1 in 15 of players purchased it. (The pack, a mainstay of Assassin's Creed releases, highlights in-game collectibles without the need to discover their locations manually.)

Fewer people purchased the game's various $9.99 cosmetic packs, with an attach rate for each around 2% — around 1 in 50 players. These provide premium skin packs for either Edward Kenway himself or his Jackdaw ship, though offer no real gameplay advantage. Still, for an extra $1m in revenue, you can see why Ubisoft keeps making them.

"We've seen your feedback since launch, and we're reading all of it," a Ubisoft community spokesperson said in a response to the DLC backlash last week. "Thank you for caring this much about Black Flag Resynced. We want to be clear on one point: the standard edition is the full, complete experience. Every mission, every island, the full story and the complete world are all there, with nothing held back. The additional packs are entirely optional extras for players who want them, never a requirement to enjoy or complete the game. We'll keep listening as you play!"

"More than just a shinier version of the same game you remember, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced brings what was already one of the best games in the series up to today’s standards," IGN wrote in our Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced review, rating the game 9/10.

Before you dive into the Golden Age of Piracy, check out our guides on things to do first and tips and tricks to help Edward Kenway's journey be a smooth one. As you explore the Caribbean, make sure you don't miss a single collectible, especially the shanties to keep you and your crew entertained on the high seas. Blow other ships to smithereens with our naval combat guide and save Reales for your next Jackdaw upgrade to be the mightiest pirate you can be.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

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Summer Games Done Quick Cancels Sponsored SNK Stream Due to 'Human Rights Concerns'

Summer Games Done Quick canceled its sponsored stream with SNK, citing ethical concerns regarding the developer’s majority ownership by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

The cancellation occurred just two hours into the org’s speedrun of Metal Slug in a partnered celebration of the classic run-and-gun action shooter’s 30th anniversary.

The broadcast was interrupted with an announcement from the run's host, Twitch streamer Ateatree, who informed the game's speedrunning duo that he’d received a notice from GDQ regarding the stream.

“Due to ongoing concerns and statements from people watching, we do plan to rain check the rest of the runs for tonight. We all thank you very much for watching. Please be good to yourselves and each other," he said before the stream returned to an interim screen of the show's schedule.

We're so excited to be working with SNK to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Metal Slug with a speedrunning showcase!!

Tune in now and stay in touch on their socials!

Watch: https://t.co/yplBSxDmEz

FB: https://t.co/f0fdzqNmKT
TikTok: https://t.co/A2TompsFyR @METALSLUG_EN pic.twitter.com/oijwKOiYtY

— Games Done Quick (@GamesDoneQuick) July 12, 2026

Games Done Quick (GDQ) also published a statement to its official X account on July 12, explaining that this decision was made in part due to concerns from the speedrunning community regarding “human rights concerns tied to the Saudi government.”

GDQ also said it will neither accept funds from the sponsorship nor work with said sponsor again, arguing that the partnership “conflicted” with its values of “supporting human rights and inclusivity.”

The speedrunning charity group issued an apology to the community, saying it “failed to conduct the level of review our community should expect from us and that was an oversight we deeply regret and take full responsibility for.”

We have canceled our sponsored stream with SNK.

We have heard the concerns from our community regarding this partnership, specifically the company’s majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and the human rights concerns tied to the Saudi government.

— Games Done Quick (@GamesDoneQuick) July 12, 2026

“We especially want to apologize to the runners and our host on this stream, who had nothing to do with this decision and whose runs were disrupted as a result. This isn't a reflection on them and we are grateful for their understanding.”

Finally, GDQ promised to bolster its review process in regards to sponsors and partnerships, “including closer examination of companies’ ownership, to make sure they're aligned with our values.”

Japanese game developer and publisher SNK notably came under majority ownership by the MiSK Foundation in November 2020, a nonprofit organization owned by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.

In August 2021, MiSK Foundation CEO Badr bin Hamoud AlBadr was appointed as a director of SNK, and in the nearly six years since then, MiSK has gone on to acquire roughly 96% of the company.

SNK addressed concerns of Saudi involvement back in 2022, with producer and designer Yasuyuki Oda telling VideoGamesChronicle, “We're not a political company or anything like that, so it doesn't affect us in any way.”

"It has no – no – effect on our creative output. We have full freedom on what we want to create,” he added.

Summer Games Done Quick, the org’s annual charity speedrunning festival, ended on July 12, raising a grand total of $2,408,701 for Doctors Without Borders and bringing its 16th iteration to an end with a bang.

Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.

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LEGO Leak Reveals $200 Donkey Kong Arcade Cabinet

A fresh LEGO leak has revealed a $200 Donkey Kong Arcade Cabinet, reportedly due for release next month.

An image posted to the r/Legoleak reddit shows the detailed arcade machine set, complete with Donkey Kong, Jumpman (AKA Mario) and a captive Princess Peach, all in their familiar positions.

Several buttons and an arcade stick are present at the base of the machine, while its top is decorated with red "DONKEY KONG" letters. The set is listed as being for ages 18+ and containing 1,367 pieces, with an expected launch date of August 1.

Mario: 72051 Donkey Kong Arcade Set Image (via u/Gupytex)
by u/CarterBricks04 in Legoleak

While further images of the set are yet to surface, it does look like the creation will feature some form of interactivity — perhaps similar to the retro Super Mario NES set that allowed you to turn a crank and scroll through a classic Mario Bros. level. You could imagine dials or buttons here being used to make Jumpman, well, jump, or move barrels along levels.

The coming months are looking busy for fans of LEGO and Nintendo. A fresh wave of LEGO Pokémon sets are coming in October, including Munchlax, Arcanine and Rayquaza builds. Best of all, though, is the Poké Ball set that features minifigures for Red and Professor Oak.

And back in the world of video games, LEGO appears ready to announce a version of hit sim Cities: Skylines. A listing for LEGO Skylines recently popped up via a ratings board filing, though we're yet to see it made official.

Will you be buying the LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade set?

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

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Obsidian Director Blasts People 'Running Their Mouths' About How the Studio Has Changed Following Xbox Layoffs

Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler is tired of seeing "cold take artists" who are "running their mouths" about how the studio has changed following recent Xbox layoffs.

The developer responsible for directing The Outer Worlds 2, as well as a new unannounced project, made his feelings about the conversation surrounding Obsidian clear in a LinkedIn post (via Eurogamer). Noting that it's been "an extremely difficult week" for the team, he spent time bidding farewell to those who were let go before addressing those who have been "coming out of the woodwork to talk about" what the studio "is or what it isn't."

"Another difficult aspect is having to see a bunch of cold take artists coming out of the woodwork to talk about what Obsidian is or what it isn't," Adler said. "The number of times I've seen people, with no understanding of who has worked on our previous games or what they contributed, talk about how Obsidian isn't who they used to be... is staggering. Most of the time they are not just wrong, but spreading an enormous amount of misinformation."

Obsidian was one included in the laundry list of Xbox game developers caught in the line of fire when Microsoft announced widespread layoffs last week. At the time, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma described the cuts as "the most significant restructure" the gaming company has ever seen, resulting in 1,600 staff losing their jobs immediately, while another 1,600 are still yet to come throughout the financial year.

It's a restructure that saw studios Ninja Theory and Undead Labs enter terms with new ownership as Double Fine and Compulsion Games became independent. While the fate of Marvel's Blade developer Arkane Studios remains unclear, developers like ZeniMax Online, id Software, and Obsidian are said to have lost large chunks of their teams.

Amid uncertainty across Xbox, Adler is fighting back against those misrepresenting the talent Obsidian has gathered over the years. He said that, in many cases, "the people in lead or director roles are the same people that worked on games like The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, and New Vegas."

"Like, literally the same people," he added. "The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear.

"Is Obsidian the same as it was 20 years ago? No, of course not. Nothing stays the same. But the DNA at Obsidian is the same as it always was. The same DNA that created KotOR, New Vegas, NWN2, and Stick of Truth.

"I'm extremely proud of our history and I am also excited for who we have become."

Adler signed off, asking readers to remember that "people spouting off about Obsidian, running their mouths about who we are now vs. what we were then" are individuals who have "zero insight into how a game is made and who contributed to our previous games." Meanwhile, in the aftermath of last week's layoffs, Bloomberg reported that Obsidian recently canceled a sequel for its fantasy RPG, Avowed, and started work on a return to the Fallout universe with a new game led by Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer.

You can catch up on some of the other post-layoff news that has emerged here. For a look at what's going on at Bethesda, you can click here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

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The Best Deals Today: RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR Glasses, Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, Apple AirPods Pro 3, and More

A new weekend has arrived, and today, you can save on select LEGO sets, the RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR Glasses, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, the Criterion Collection Blu-ray Sale, and more. Check out our top picks for Sunday, July 12, below.

Save on RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR Glasses

Amazon has a Lightning Deal right now for the RayNeo Air 4 Pro Glasses, which can instantly transform your gaming or movie-viewing experience. The RayNeo Air 4 Pro are XR/AR glasses, with support for a 201-inch virtual display. It's as easy as plugging in the glasses via USB-C to any compatible device, and since there's no battery onboard, they're lightweight and can be brought anywhere.

LEGO Technic McLaren P1 for $379.99

The LEGO Technic McLaren P1 is a perfect choice for any car fan, and today, you can save $60 off this impressive set at Woot. As a LEGO Technic set, this 1:8 scale model recreates both the interior and exterior flawlessly. This 3,893-piece set includes the V8 piston engine, the opening doors, 7-speed gearbox, and more.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter for $44.99

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is the very first entry in the beloved Trails series, and this remake from last year brought new life into the original game. Considering 2nd Chapter is set to release later this year, this is a great time to pick up 1st Chapter if you've never had a chance to check it out.

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera for $9.99

You can save 82% off the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera today at GameStop, where units are available for just $9.99. The camera plugs into the top USB-C port of the Switch 2, allowing you to video chat with friends and family using GameChat. We're not likely to see this accessory drop any lower than this, so now is the time to grab this camera if you want to further enhance your Switch 2 experience.

50% Off Criterion Collection Sale

Barnes & Noble is having its 50% Criterion Collection sale right now, so this weekend is one of the best times of the year to pick up some new 4K Blu-rays. Oftentimes, these 4K transfers are overseen by the original Director, and there's always plenty of great extras included. I continue to buy Blu-rays from this collection, as time is running out to save big.

Ys X: Nordics - Deluxe Edition for $39.99

While Falcom is best known today for the Trails series, the Ys series is another great series made by the company. The Ys series has been running for almost four decades at this point, with 17 entries to date. The latest entry, Ys X: Nordics, is on sale this weekend for $39.99 at GameStop. If you're looking for a new action RPG to discover, look no further than this great game.

Nioh 3 for $47.49

Nioh 3 released in early February, and you can save $20 off a PS5 copy today at Amazon. In our 9/10 review, we wrote, "Nioh 3 delivers best-in-class combat that revitalizes the established formula with a fantastic split between Samurai and Ninja styles, as well as a triumphant move to an open-world structure."

Apple AirPods Pro 3 for $199.99

AirPods Pro 3 are a fantastic upgrade over the 2nd generation, bringing a built-in heart rate sensor, redesigned eartips for better noise cancellation, and improved sound quality. Right now, you can score a pair for only $199.99 at Amazon. I've had a pair since launch and have been incredibly happy with them, especially coming from the original AirPods Pro.

LEGO Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night for $136

Right now, Amazon has the Lego Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night set on sale for $136. You can recreate the iconic painting in Lego form, and there's even a Van Gogh minifigure! This 2316 piece set is an excellent way to add some art to any setup or room.

Chainsaw Man Season 1 Blu-ray for $49.84

Chainsaw Man's first season only officially released on Blu-ray as of late last year, so while this release is pretty recent, you can save $35 off today at Amazon. The Limited Edition packs in all twelve episodes of Season 1, featuring both Japanese and English audio. Plus, you'll also get a lenticular slipcase, a 72-page booklet of production material, and on-disc art galleries.

Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 Support Crossplay Between PS4 and PS5, Activision Confirms

Activision has clarified that its recently released Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 ports do in fact support crossplay between PS4 and PS5, following confusion from players online.

The official Call of Duty Update X/Twitter account confirmed how the feature works amid a flurry of posts from fans across social media. It comes with clarification that those across both PlayStation platforms will be able to play multiplayer with one another, while also sharing that Season Pass owners can matchmake with non-Season Pass owners, too.

"PS4 and PS5 players are able to matchmake with one another," Activision said. "There is no cross-platform play with PS3 or other hardware platforms."

📢 Call of Duty: #BlackOps & #BlackOps2 on PS4 / PS5

PS4 and PS5 players are able to matchmake with one another. There is no cross-platform play with PS3 or other hardware platforms.

Also, Season Pass owners are able to matchmake with non-Season Pass owners in both titles.

— Call of Duty Updates (@CODUpdates) July 11, 2026

When the publisher announced Iron Galaxy was developing PlayStation ports for the classic Black Ops games with plans to launch in July, fans didn't know what to expect. With so little information to go off of, it wasn't a shock to see disappointment sweep across the internet when the titles surprise-launched last week.

A low frame-rate cap and low resolution baffled fans and tech experts alike, but most were even more concerned by what appeared to be a lack of crossplay support between the new versions. Although fans would have been happy to see Activision confirm crossplay from the get-go, news that it is indeed supported in some capacity is better late than never.

Even as players criticize what have been dubbed bare-bones ports for the two 2010s Call of Duty games, it doesn't seem to have stopped fans from flocking to the new re-releases. Despite little information being shared pre-launch, both Black Ops 1 and 2 quickly rocketed to the top of the PlayStation Store's "Best Selling" tab. Each game is available for $39.99 (or $19.99 as a limited-time offer with PlayStation Plus), with their DLC priced at $29.99 each ($9.89 for PS+).

As Black Ops 1 and 2 take players on a trip down memory lane, Activision is charging forward with the first-person shooter series' next installment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. For more, you can check out IGN's original 8.5/10 review of Black Ops 1, and our 9.3/10 review of Black Ops 2.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

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The Best Deals Today: LEGO Technic McLaren P1, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, 4K Blu-rays, and More

A new weekend has arrived, and today, you can save on select LEGO sets, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, the Criterion Collection Blu-ray Sale, and more. Check out our top picks for Saturday, July 11, below.

LEGO Technic McLaren P1 for $379.99

The LEGO Technic McLaren P1 is a perfect choice for any car fan, and today, you can save $60 off this impressive set at Woot. As a LEGO Technic set, this 1:8 scale model recreates both the interior and exterior flawlessly. This 3,893-piece set includes the V8 piston engine, the opening doors, 7-speed gearbox, and more.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter for $44.99

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is the very first entry in the beloved Trails series, and this remake from last year brought new life into the original game. Considering 2nd Chapter is set to release later this year, this is a great time to pick up 1st Chapter if you've never had a chance to check it out.

50% Off Criterion Collection Sale

Barnes & Noble is having its 50% Criterion Collection sale right now, so this weekend is one of the best times of the year to pick up some new 4K Blu-rays. Oftentimes, these 4K transfers are overseen by the original Director, and there's always plenty of great extras included. I continue to buy Blu-rays from this collection, as time is running out to save big.

Ys X: Nordics - Deluxe Edition for $39.99

While Falcom is best known today for the Trails series, the Ys series is another great series made by the company. The Ys series has been running for almost four decades at this point, with 17 entries to date. The latest entry, Ys X: Nordics, is on sale this weekend for $39.99 at GameStop. If you're looking for a new action RPG to discover, look no further than this great game.

Battlefield 6 for $29.99

Battlefield 6 was one of the biggest multiplayer games of 2025, and today, you can pick up a physical copy for $29.99 at Target. In our 8/10 review of the multiplayer, we wrote, "Battlefield 6’s multiplayer action is expertly crafted, wrapped in a wonderful layer of destructibility that both looks great and materially affects the flow of combat. The gunplay is excellent, with weapons that are accurate enough to reward skilled shooting, but have just enough sway to promote a bit of careful thought while you take aim."

Nioh 3 for $47.49

Nioh 3 released in early February, and you can save $20 off a PS5 copy today at Amazon. In our 9/10 review, we wrote, "Nioh 3 delivers best-in-class combat that revitalizes the established formula with a fantastic split between Samurai and Ninja styles, as well as a triumphant move to an open-world structure."

LEGO Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night for $136

Right now, Amazon has the Lego Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night set on sale for $136. You can recreate the iconic painting in Lego form, and there's even a Van Gogh minifigure! This 2316 piece set is an excellent way to add some art to any setup or room.

Chainsaw Man Season 1 Blu-ray for $49.84

Chainsaw Man's first season only officially released on Blu-ray as of late last year, so while this release is pretty recent, you can save $35 off today at Amazon. The Limited Edition packs in all twelve episodes of Season 1, featuring both Japanese and English audio. Plus, you'll also get a lenticular slipcase, a 72-page booklet of production material, and on-disc art galleries.

Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

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