E3: All Of Halloween 2017's Best In-Game Events And Updates - Overwatch, Pokemon Go, GTA 5, More
One thing you can count on every October, aside from a bunch of big game releases, are developers releasing Halloween-themed updates and events. Halloween is just about here, and already we've seen a number of such announcements, and some of these events are already underway.
With so much going on, it can be difficult to keep track of everything that's happening. Given that many of these events, such as Overwatch's Halloween Terror, provide you with a limited amount of time to obtain items you can use year-round, you'll want to stay on top of how and when you can expand your collection. We've compiled a list of many of the Halloween-themed events happening in games this month--there's also a Halloween sale on Steam--and we'll continue to update this as more are announced. Check everything out below, and let us know what you'll be playing (as well as any we missed) in the comments.
Absolver
As part of a broader update that also introduces a new prestige system and more equipment, Absolver's 1.08 patch also has something for Halloween lovers. Nine new masks are now available, six of which are Halloween-themed, allowing you to give yourself the look of a creepy owl, a messed-up skeleton, or a bunch of melted candles, among other things.
- Dates
- Available now
- Further Reading
Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Activision will host a monthlong event in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare called Willard Wyler's Halloween Scream that features several different components. Each week, players will be able to pick up a free Halloween Supply Drop by logging in, as well as a Halloween-themed cosmetic item on each Friday. Halloween gear and loot, such as a zombie-themed Rig skin, will also be up for grabs.
Additionally, Gesture Warfare mode--where you take out opponents by doing things like pinching your fingers--returns for a limited time. Carnage, one of the maps in the Retribution DLC, will be free to all players from October 12 until November 1 in a special playlist that runs only that map and offers double XP. Finally, Boss Battle will allow DLC owners to tackle a different Zombie episode's final fight each week.
- Dates
- Now - November 1
- Further Reading
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Witches Festival is back in The Elder Scrolls Online, offering double XP and a variety of themed elements. Special loot is available from boss monsters (like Witches Festival recipes and pumpkin or scarecrow masks), while there are also spooky items for purchase in the Crown Store--maybe the most notable of which is the Exorcised Coven Cottage. You can also change your appearance to something more seasonal, and event achievements are available for those who haven't unlocked them in past years.
- Dates
- Now - November 1 at 7 AM PT (10 AM ET/3 PM BST; 1 AM AEDT on November 2)
- Further Reading
Entropia Universe
The Halloween Mayhem event in Entropia Universe presents players with the chance to get special weapons and armor, as well as to take part in an item hunt. Joining a Halloween instance--designated by the points on the map located in the gallery above--will place you outside of a graveyard, and looting special Halloween items awards you with points. The players who earn the most during the course of the event will win various prizes.
- Dates
- Now - November 6
- Further Reading
The Escapists 2
The Escapists 2 gets in on the Halloween fun, but it does so through a premium DLC pack. The Wicked Ward adds a horror-themed prison to escape from in addition to themed customizations, items, and crafting recipes. It's priced at $4/£2.79 and is included with the season pass.
- Dates
- Available now
Final Fantasy XIV
The All Saint's Wake event is now live in Final Fantasy XIV. The seasonal event brings back the Continental Circus, and there are new things to do by talking to the special Adventurers' Guild investigator in Old Gridania. Taking part in the event allows you to unlock new gear (like a werewolf head) and items (such as a pumpkin pie set tabletop item).
- Dates
- Now - November 1 at 7:59 AM PT (10:59 AM ET/4 PM BST; 2 AM AEDT on November 2)
- Further Reading
For Honor
For its first Halloween on the market, For Honor is celebrating with a special Feast of the Otherworld event. This allows players to participate in the Endless March mode, where you're squaring off against hordes of skeletons. There's also new gear, emotes, and masks (which go in a new customization slot) to earn by taking part.
- Dates
- Now - November 2
- Further Reading
Fortnite
Both the PvP and PvE sides of Fortnite get some attention with its Fortnitemares update. The PvE side is where much of Halloween-themed content comes into play, as there are special enemies, weapons, and other things to check out. But a variety of Halloween cosmetics are on sale on the store to help players distinguish themselves from the competition.
- Dates
- Available now
- Further Reading
Gears Of War 4
The Coalition is marking Halloween in Gears of War 4 in a variety of ways. As the video above reveals, Friday the 13th marks the return of Skorge, the Locust general who will make an appearance as a skin. Later in the month, players can jump into a special multiplayer playlist that adorns everyone with a pumpkin head, or take part in a special mode called Phantom Dodgeball. The Coalition has also teased "a few extra surprises," of which Skorge is likely one.
- Dates
- October 13 (Skorge)
- October 27 - TBA (pumpkin heads, Phantom Dodgeball)
- Further Reading
Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar hasn't gone all-out for Halloween in Grand Theft Auto V, although it has released a new mode that it's connecting to the holiday. A new Adversary mode named Condemned is now available where one player is marked for death, and the only way to save themselves is to kill another player. Everyone competes to be the last person standing; double GTA$ and RP are available until November 6. And it has even less to do with Halloween, but this same update provides free GTA$ and adds a weaponized vehicle, Vigilante, that is basically the Tim Burton version of the Batmobile, so it's a good time to log on.
- Dates
- Now - November 6 (Condemned bonuses)
- Further Reading
Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 brings back the Shadow of the Mad King event this year. This consists of multiple elements, including a decorated version of Lion's Arch, new armor and weapon skins to collect, and a special jumping puzzle in the Mad King's Clock Tower. You can also head to the Mad King's Labyrinth for some limited-time, spooky activities and take part in the Lunatic Inquisition PvP event. Or you can meet up with King Oswald Thorn, who is said to have "deadly tricks up his sleeve."
- Dates
- Now - November 7
- Further Reading
Hacktag
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Hacktag has received an update dubbed the Hackoween Special, which introduces a significant amount of new content. There's a new mission type, Boss Takedown; 24 new levels spread between Boss Takedown and Data Scavenger; new co-op mini-games; and five new characters. You'll also see characters wearing some Halloween outfits.
- Dates
- Available now
Hearthstone
Part of Hearthstone's Halloween celebration is tied to Fireside Gathering events. Hallow's End-themed real-life meet-ups will take place over the course of more than a month, and a free Warlock hero (Nemsy Necrofizzle) is available for attending certain ones. She'll continue to be available even after Hallow's End concludes.
For those who can't make it to an event, there's still plenty happening in-game. For one week, players can get a Whispers of the Old Gods card pack and an Arena ticket just for logging in. The following week, logging in rewards a Knights of the Frozen Throne card pack and another Arena ticket. A special dual-class Arena mode will also be available for a limited time. Here's how Blizzard explains it: "At the start of every Arena run, players choose a Hero, a Hero Power from another class, and then choose cards from both of those classes in addition to neutral cards. That's not all though: each of the nine classic Hearthstone Heroes will attend their Arena games in costume!"
Finally, players will be able to take on the Headless Horseman in a special Tavern Brawl. You'll wear a costume that dictates what cards you have available and grants a passive power that will help you defeat him.
- Dates
- Now - November 5 (Fireside Gatherings, Dual Class Arena)
- October 24 at 9 AM PDT - October 30 at 11:59 PM (Whispers of the Old Gods freebie)
- October 31 at 12:01 AM PDT - November 5 at 11:59 PM (Knights of the Frozen Throne freebie)
- October 25-28 (special Tavern Brawl)
- Further Reading
Heroes Of The Storm
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