Earlier this month, Capcom invited a select number of players to join in on a closed beta test for a PvP experience meant to celebrate 25 years of the iconic Resident Evil franchise. That testing period is set to go live next week, but we do have our first look at what those players will enjoy with Capcom's reveal of RE: Verse. 

While many players enjoyed Project Resistance, a spin-off multiplayer experience set within the Resident Evil universe, RE: Verse is an all-out PvP journey that pits iconic characters against one another. In the video below, Capcom's Tsuyoshi Kanda revealed our first look at RE: Reverse, including a shootout between Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. 

The above trailer starts off with a Leon Kennedy running through a seemingly abandoned station, donning that familiar RPD gear. As he prepares to go through an open doorway, he's confronted by none other than Claire Redfield. In this world, however, they aren't allies, they're enemies, and that PvP flare kicks off with a comedic Western-style shootout closeup before the two fire rounds into one another. 

In our first look at the multiplayer spin-off, we see staples throughout the franchise like Mr. X, Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and more. With special attacks modeled after real moves in-game, RE: Verse is a kill or be killed online adventure that allows fans to harness their inner...well, whoever! 

RE: Verse was created specifically to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Resident Evil franchise on March 22 and it is one of "many" ways Capcom intends to celebrate with fans. The studio promises that even more surprises are on the way in the coming months, making it an incredibly exciting time to be a horror fan. 

There was so much revealed today, including more gameplay, a PS5-exclusive demo, and so much more. To catch up on all of the revelations ala Resident Evil Village, check out our previous coverage here. As for the game itself, Resident Evil Village arrives on May 7, 2021 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Netflix is continuing on its gaming adaptations streak with a new animated CGI series called Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness. While we've known about the upcoming show for a while now, we have yet to learn more about what it will be like beyond a few stills and the initial teaser trailer. In a world set a few years after the events of Resident Evil 4, Capcom shared another new look at the upcoming Resident Evil show with a second video. 

Netflix has previously teased the new series, saying "When biohazards run wild, only a pair of veteran zombie slayers can get the job done," reads the social media caption alongside the still reveal. Netflix also states that this will be set within the canon of Capcom's universe and that it will be arriving sometime next year." 

The latest teaser trailer can be seen below, showing off more of Leon and Claire, at the end of the showcase: 

The upcoming animated series will take place a few years after the events of Resident Evil 4, seeing both Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield together once more to face off against a brand new outbreak. While Capcom did not confirm when the new series will air, we do at least have a small trailer to tide us over until more is revealed in the coming months. 

While enticing, the latest look at the upcoming series didn't really offer a feel for what's to come, which makes sense given that it is a teaser, but the "horror series with a sci-fi twist" definitely looks appealing. Animated also seems to be the way to go with an adaptation such as this, but only time will tell how this show fares when paired up against Netflix's many other projects. 

Thoughts on today's Resident Evil Village and anniversary reveals? What has you the most excited? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! 

If you’re reading this, chances are you already own way too many Pop figures and are peeping this article for an excuse to add just one more figure to your already crowded shelf or cabinet. That’s totally okay, of course; collecting things is fun! Funko Fair 2021 is kicking off with a new line of figures ripe for pre-ordering. As such, we’ve gathered some of the coolest Pops based on gaming and pop (ah) culture as a whole. Your wallet can thank us later. 

First up is Eivor from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Unfortunately, only the male variant is available, but he should look good sitting next to you as you upgrade your homestead or help a weird lady fart better. 

Next up is Wolf, the hero of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. That game is really hard, so hopefully getting your hands on one of these bad boys is a bit easier. 

Let’s be honest, if you love Pop figures and Pokémon, collecting is just in your blood. So combine both habits with these new versions of Pikachu, Psyduck, Meowth, and a silver Bulbasaur.

Because I like wrestling and Reiner made the foolish mistake of assigning me this article, I snuck this bad boy in. Marvel at “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Rock facing off inside of a 2000s era Monday Night Raw ring.

Dragon Ball fans probably don’t have enough Goku Pop figures, so here’s another Goku to Goku with your Goku.

Who you gonna call? This Egon Spengler Pop figure, that’s who! 

Speaking of rebounds, how about that Dennis Rodman? I would have gone with his Double Team incarnation, but this probably conjures fonder memories of the basketball legend. Plus, this is Funko we're talking about; you know Double Team Rodman is probably on the way. 

Star Wars' Rey and Kylo Ren aren't packaged together, which is a mistake since they're canonically sweethearts or something. Smooches don't lie no matter how awkward or unnecessary. Anyway, here they are looking worse for wear after enduring months of bad Rise of Skywalker reviews. 

There's plenty more where these came from, so be sure to check out Funko's full sale catalog (which updates frequently as figures are announced) to find that perfect figure for you and yours. For more cool Pop figures, check out this series based on Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales. 

The Xbox Live Gold membership is getting a price increase and the common reaction to the news is anger when comparing the 12-month membership to that of PlayStation Plus. For current 12-month members and for those interested in the Game Pass Ultimate, here is what you need to know about the Live service changes and what that means for you as the player. 

[UPDATE]: Xbox issued a statement saying "Today was not great. We always try to do our best for you and today we missed the mark. We hear you, and we're reversing our Xbox Live Gold pricing updates. 

Xbox Live first launched 18 years ago and allows for players to enjoy online components of games, exclusive savings on first and third-person titles, and freebies every single month. Up until now, the PlayStation Plus and Live memberships were in sync regarding pricing, though that's about to change with the recent announcement. The price of a Live membership has increased depending on the term you purchase.

To begin, here are the new prices: 

• 1 month for $10.99 ($1 increase)
• 3 months for $29.99 ($5 increase)
• 6 months for $59.99 ($20 increase)

For those that currently have a Live membership that is 12 or 6 months in length, there will be no price change. When it's time to renew, the current price will be the price players pay. 

This move has many in the industry divided, both professionally and on the consumer side. We've previously talked about how Sony and Microsoft are taking wildly different approaches to this new generation of gaming, with PlayStation focusing on more traditional value with hardware and Xbox taking a more ecosystem-centric focus. You can learn more about that here.

The intent behind this appears to be focused on generating even more value for the Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate, two services that have been met with positive acclaim since their introduction. With the Ultimate bundle including Xbox Live, the value does not lie within the standalone service any longer. With the Game Pass offering even more financial accessibility in terms of gaming with its low monthly fee, expanding library of free (no additional cost) games, including first party exclusives on day one (made even more valuable with the recent acquisitions made), the Live service has become antiquated.

Microsoft has been steadily adding to the Game Pass' value since it was first introduced and the company could have continued to grow this service without raising any prices for it to continue its value growth. Could a price hike for the Ultimate Pass happen? Sure, anything is possible, but that doesn't fall inline with the current mission statement, which is to make a fully integrated ecosystem designed to make it easier to play the games players want to play. 

That being said, despite the near-universal praise for the Game Pass and its Ultimate service, many haven't strayed beyond the Xbox Live membership because it has been a staple for nearly two decades and the Xbox One generation didn't offer enough of a reason to jump into what the Pass offers. With the ZeniMax acquisition on the way to finalization and more studio acquisitions on the horizon, now is the time for Microsoft to show players why this new direction matters.

In order to do this, Microsoft needed to make a show of how antiquated the Live service has become on its own. But with raising the price, many can opt to stay in with the service should they choose (many of which can stay at the current price if they are already members of the 6-12 month programs) while others see the hike as a startling change, which then encourages them to see "just what the Ultimate Pass is and is it worth it?" 

With each month, the Live-only subscription numbers have dwindled, showing a massive pivot towards the Game Pass and its Ultimate option. People are saying that this move is making them cancel their Live memberships, but what many fail to realize is that this decision is the entire goal of a move like this. The value isn't there anymore for players on a wider scale or for Microsoft as a business, at least in terms of motivation behind a move like this.

Currently, I believe that the Xbox Game Pass and Ultimate is the truly one of the best offerings currently in gaming. From PC to console to even mobile, the evolving library and potential with future acquisitions makes it something is almost a no-brainer for Xbox fans. New titles? Free, no additional costs. Older favorites? Free, no additional costs. This price hike, despite being unfortunate as is the case with any price increase, is the logical next step for building the Xbox ecosystem to be a true industry standard. 

While this move makes sense and should not come as a surprise, it is important to note that this move isn't the most consumer-friendly in terms of households that may be lower-income or many households with players that aren't "dedicated gamers", a demographic that benefits from services like these. As a person in a lower-income household, I understand that this move isn't going to be the most popular with everyone and that concerns are absolutely valid. With that in mind, it's not anti-consumer for the reason that many think, though it's not entirely pro-consumer either when looking at a wider scope.

You can learn more about the price increase and what that means for you with the official Xbox announcement right here.