Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – a very important sequel (Activision)
The Friday letters page tries to work out if the Persona 6 leak is real, as a reader details his encounter with Forza Horizon 6’s bowie knife99.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Another year So Activision has unveiled this year’s new Call Of Duty and… I feel nothing. I get that they haven’t had the time to make something that’s a response to the unpopularity of Black Ops 7, and Modern Warfare 4 is just whatever random game was going to come out this year anyway, but that’s their fault.
Any sensible publisher would take a year, or two, out to fix the problem and come back with something that fixed the issues, or at least tried to. Even Ubisoft did that, with Assassin’s Creed. But because Activision has wasted decades of success, by not having any other games to fall back on, if Call Of Duty ever flops, they can’t do anything. They have to release a new Call Of Duty game this year, and every year, or their profits take a tumble.
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Like another reader said, I don’t know why they didn’t do something simple like change its name to something other than Modern Warfare 4, but I guess if it’s got Captain Price in it they’re kind of stuck with it. From what they’ve said so far I don’t see this turning anything around for Call Of Duty. If anything I think it’s going to sink it even further. Suggs
GOTY bait Considering how many highly-rated games we’ve had this week I can’t help wondering what would happen if GTA 6 didn’t end up as the accepted Game of the Year. I can’t see it happening, as I think most sites would be too scared to mark it at less than 10/10, for fear of what angry fans would do.
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I doubt it will be actually bad but there’s a formula to Rockstar games and I feel it’s getting a bit old. Ironically, the exit of Dan Houser and the other high-up people over the last decade is probably the best chance, I feel, that it will do something new or interesting.
I personally would never give any GTA or Red Dead Redemption game more than 8/10, but obviously I haven’t played GTA 6 yet. But of all the things we’re expecting from it, I don’t think radical reinvention is top of the list. Kemp
Nightmare driver Yeah, we’ve all been taken out by that bad boy on Forza Horizon 6 over the last week or so. He’s dreaming himself into a lot of the cars that come around the corners for the kill, usually when you change car and try and move off! They need to add a black and red stripey sweater to the costumes and a sharp baseball glove.
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I wrote in a couple of times about Yellow Magic Orchestra being the daddy of computer games tunes music. Low and behold, they have got a track on the Japanese radio station there and it’s awesome.
Take a bow please Playground Games, take a bow, son! Nick The Greek
Movie magic This week’s release of 007 First Light got me thinking about movie licensed games. Which film/film franchise has spawned the most games and how many of those games have been any good? The answer that first came to mind was Star Wars and despite the quality of the films notably dropping after the initial trilogy, that series has inspired some classic or at least good games.
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Alien and Aliens have inspired a fair amount of decent titles also. If we can conveniently forget about Colonial Marines, there’s been Alien: Isolation and Alien Resurrection on the PS1. I recall an enjoyable Alien 3 title on the Game Gear and there was a good Aliens game way back on the ZX Spectrum.
I’ve always been wary of games based on films, since the use of a well-known movie license is no guarantee of a game’s quality, so it’s nice to see that First Light has reviewed well. I’ve played a few Bond games over the years, although I can’t remember any of them being amazingly good. Michael Veal (@msv858)
GC: You never played GoldenEye 007?
Now that’s a sandcastle (big boy bent)
Summer gaming Lovely weather and even lovelier to play the bright vibrant Pokémon Pokopia in, but I find I have the urge to build something nice or epic every time I boot it up now… Oh well, worse problems to have I suppose.
Anyway, was just an excuse to share some of my complete and ongoing builds, Psyduck is a very lucky ducky! big boy bent
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Gamera attacks (big boy bent)
Three bad games Just managed to get myself a physical copy of Starfield on the Xbox Series X. I have avoided everything about it and just remember it scoring mediocre scores on release. Have the updates improved on it since release?
I’ll get round to it at some stage, so it would be nice to know that it’s something to look forward too.
I’m currently slogging through Darksiders 3, which isn’t anywhere near as good as 2 but it’s still OK, on story difficulty.
I’ve also started The Surge 2 as I got it for three quid. It’s OK so far. Still die a lot, just like the first game but progress is made inch by inch.
On the plus side, I got Resident Evil 4 remake, so it’s not all bad. I’m liking it more than I thought I would. Bobwallett
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GC: Nothing is going to improve the intrinsic faults of Starfield. Even one of the designers admits it’s not very good.
Suspicious concept I hate that one of the explanations for the Persona 6 leaks probably being AI is that Atlus may have actually used AI to make some of the concept art. Even if they haven’t other developers have, they’ve admitted it.
How is that saving any time or money? AI can’t invent anything new, it can only rehash (aka steal) what already exists. Were these companies paying their artists so much that getting rid of just a couple of them – the ones that used to make the concept art – had a massive effect on their bottom line? Somehow I doubt it.
For what it’s worth I think the leak is fake just based on the fact that it all seems too neat and perfect in terms of including character names and super generic locations. Pretending to point a camera at a screen seems suspicious to me too, since that’s an obvious way to try and obscure the images a bit and hide anything obviously fake. Korbie
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Familiar gameplay Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light. Released within a week of each other, both scored 9s, deservedly so. Stellar reviews everywhere. But, it has to be said that, although some new stuff is in there, most of the gameplay mechanics have been seen and done before. Still, they are great games nevertheless and quality usually sells.
GTA 6, coming late November. The most eagerly anticipated game ever. Bigger, better? Hopefully, yes. Innovative? Probably not much. Might well fry the servers when it kicks off, though. I do sincerely hope that it lives up to the hype and expectation and turns out to be one of the best games ever made.
And this is a bit of a problem for the video games industry. Most everything has been done to death. Not a great deal turns up that I haven’t seen somewhere else already and I’ve been playing since Space Invaders. Having said that, it has been a good year so far, with more to follow later on.
If they keep making games of this quality then I’ll keep buying them. Unless I get priced out of the next gen market. And therein lies another problem for the gaming sector. Rising hardware prices. 800 or 900 quid for a PlayStation 6/Xbox Next? If that turns out to be the launch price for this new round of consoles then it looks like I’ll be going retro and backlog. Paul C. PS: Looking forward to the, ever so slightly derivative, Assetto Corsa Rally and Le Mans Ultimate on Xbox Series X in late 2026/early 2027. PPS: Any concrete news about the more than likely a bit derivative Splinter Cell game that is supposedly in development? Haven’t heard anything about it for ages.
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GC: 007 First Light might not be very innovative mechanically but the mixture of component parts, and how they’re presented, is very unique. There isn’t a new Splinter Cell game in development, as far as anyone knows, but a remake of the first game was announced five years ago and apparently isn’t cancelled… yet.
Inbox also-rans I was going to say I don’t see why Rayman Legends needs a remake but I guess adding 3D is a big change. It’s a big step though and it’s going to look bad if those bits are worse than the 2D sections. Focus
I never had any intention of getting a Steam Deck but a £200 price increase is insane and makes me very worried about the price of the PlayStation 6. Especially as a new PC is now also out of the question. Could be a good time for streaming to step in though… Zeiss
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Ghana, meanwhile, boast serious talent, including Antoine Semenyo, who scored 17 Premier League goals this season but veteran coach Carlos Queiroz must get the best out of him here.
Date, kick-off time and venue
England vs Ghana is scheduled for a 9pm BST kick-off on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
The match will take place at the Boston Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Where to watch England vs Ghana for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One with coverage starting at 8pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via BBC iPlayer or the channel’s website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, featuring expert analysis from Dom Smith at the ground.
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Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer and their websites.
England vs Ghana team news
Declan Rice and Harry Kane are fit and available for this game, after Tuchel confirmed Rice’s substitution was precautionary, while Kane, pictured with his leg strapped, said he felt physically “good” after the game.
Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Jarell Quansah, Nico O’Reilly, Dan Burn, Djed Spence, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon
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Home run: Declan Rice in training on Saturday
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Ghana’s star man is Semenyo, but Kamal Deen Sulemana and Inaki Williams offer a threat going forward, while Coventry’s Thomas Brandon-Asante assisted Yirenkyi after coming on, so could start.
They have Thomas Partey available after he was denied entry to Canada and missed their Panama opener.
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Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang, Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Derrick Luckassen, Elisha Owusu, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Prince Kwabena Adu, Iñaki Williams, Jordan Ayew
England vs Ghana prediction
England’s second-half display after Tuchel’s half-time intervention produced a dynamic attacking display alien to most people who have watched the Three Lions at the World Cup over the decades.
Ghana were lucky to beat a stolid Panama, so an England win is a foregone conclusion – almost.
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Head to head (h2h) history and results
England vs Ghana match odds
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As many of us head to the seaside to enjoy the nice weather, there are five common habits that could lead to fines of up to £2,500.
These include illegal beach camping, pocketing pebbles, using disposable barbecues, allowing dogs to roam freely, and littering.
Camping on the beach
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While appealing to many, camping remains illegal across much of England’s coastline without permissions.
This is enforced by major landowners such as the National Trust and the Crown Estate.
Visitors caught camping illegally could face fines of up to £1,000.
Taking pebbles
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It seems like a small issue, but taking pebbles, rocks, or plants is also an offence under the Coastal Protection Act 1949, with similar fines in place.
Disposable barbecues
BBQs are banned by many coastal authorities because of the fire and environmental risks they pose.
Visitors who ignore the ban may receive a fixed penalty notice of round £100.
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If you want to bring a picnic, experts recommend using ready‑made food, cold boxes and reusable containers instead of trying to cook on the beach.
Letting dogs roam freely
Dog restrictions are also in place on several beaches under Public Space Protection Orders.
On some beaches, including Roker and Seaburn in Sunderland, dogs are banned from designated sections between 10am and 6pm during the summer months.
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Owners who breach these rules risk a fine of up to £100.
However, not every shoreline is off‑limits, with some stretches of Northumberland coast – such as parts of Bamburgh and Alnmouth – allow dogs all year, often off‑lead in designated areas.
Littering
The final warning on the list, carries the heaviest penalty, with fines reaching £2,500 in serious cases.
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Prosecution is also possible for repeat or persistent offenders.
North Tyneside Council recently placed beach‑toy recycling boxes made from reclaimed pallets along parts of the seafront, encouraging visitors to donate old plastic toys instead of abandoning them on the beach.
Cape Verde pulled off another stunning shock at the 2026 World Cup as they held Uruguay to a dramatic 2-2 draw in Miami.
The team had already produced a remarkable 0-0 draw with European champions Spain in their opening game, and they added another point to their tally as they took advantage of mistakes in Uruguay’s defensive line.
The man appeared to have a “medical emergency” on board the plane which saw him allegedly bite a passenger and start “trying to fight everybody” triggering the pilot to make an emergency call
A pilot was forced to make a chilling call to air traffic controllers before landing on Sunday as a man allegedly bit another passenger on board.
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The American Airlines flight was landing in Philadelphia when the passenger was “trying to fight everybody” and suddenly got out of control.
Audio from the call from the pilot heard him say: “I don’t know if he’s hallucinating or whatever, but he just bit a passenger, and he’s trying to fight everybody.”
He then requested emergency medical crews and law enforcement before telling a controller in an audio recording obtained by CBS News, “what a day, huh?”
The controller wished him a happy Father’s Day and he responded: “I’ll be sure to tell my daughters about this one.”
American Airlines said in a statement the passenger was experiencing a medical issue, and a medical professional on the plane assisted him before the flight landed.
According to tracking sight FlightAware the flight left Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier in the morning, and landed just before 10 am ET.
The news of the passenger’s behaviour follows other incidents onboard flights recently.
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On a Frontier Airlines flight a man allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit mid-flight, having to be held down by passengers and crew members.
The plane bound for Guatemala City was flying at 36,000 feet at the time of the incident.
On a Lufthansa flight a female passenger attacked somebody on board and it had to make an emergency landing.
Sharp, fearless and brimming with confidence, Lamine Yamal drifted past defenders with ease and injected life into Spain’s attack. There was a sense of inevitability about what would follow.
When the breakthrough came, it was fittingly his.
A low cross flashed across goal and Lamine Yamal arrived at the back post, sliding in to convert and score his first World Cup goal.
The Atlanta stadium erupted as fans cheered, danced and chanted Lamine Yamal’s name. This was the superstar they had come to see.
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Guillem Balague, speaking on 5 Live, said he saw Lamine Yamal walking out looking around like he had just conquered the world.
“Is it arrogance? Or confidence? A mixture of both,” he said. “He is the chosen one, he wants to be the chosen one.
“He is so happy in the role he is taking on as leader of the team. He told me once that his joy when he plays football is seeing the same reaction when he used to play five-a-side.’
Lamine Yamal became the seventh player in history to score at a World Cup before turning 19, and only the second aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a match, the other being a 17-year-old Pele for Brazil against Wales in 1958.
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Wayne Rooney was highly complementary of the teenager – the comparisons to Lionel Messi inevitable.
Lamine Yamal has broken many of Messi’s records at Barcelona and now he has pipped him on the global stage, too – the Argentine was just shy of his 19th birthday when he netted his first World Cup goal in 2006, the Spaniard has done it two weeks younger.
“For Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the application and dedication they’ve had is the reason they are both playing in this World Cup,” the former England forward told Match of the Day. “They have done everything right. Hopefully Lamine Yamal can do that.
“What is really impressive to me is when Messi came in to that Barcelona team, there was some top players and a crossover with Ronaldinho.
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“[Lamine Yamal] has come in to the Barcelona and Spain team and it is his team, he is the main man.
“Everyone is looking to him to win. [He was] a big part of winning the Euros and will be a big part of this World Cup. That is what really impresses me, he is taking the pressure on at such a young age. You hope he can do that for the next 15, 20 years.”
Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, said last week that Atkinson claimed he did not know the midnight curfew was in operation after the completion of a game. In response, Key said the details had been communicated via the Team England Player Partnership – an umbrella group representing those with central contracts – and were widely known.
“Countries such as Germany, Ireland, Italy and several other European destinations are attracting increasing interest from Indian students because of lower tuition costs, favourable post-study work pathways, strong employment prospects and a more attractive overall value proposition,” said Mayank Maheshwari, co-founder and COO of University Living, a student accommodation platform.
Officers were called to the beach after concerned members of the public saw the men on Sunday afternoon, June 21.
Police in Northern Ireland were called to reports of men “believed to have a knife” on a beach – only to find they were preparing for a barbecue.
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Families had been out enjoying the summer sun at Portstewart Strand, near Coleraine, in County Derry on the country’s north coast when a number of people spotted one of the men carrying the knife.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have moved quickly to allay fears after speaking with the men and discovering the innocent intentions behind the incident, reports Belfast Live.
Several officers were dispatched to the scene but it was quickly de-escalated. No crimes were recorded but officers did remove the knife which will be destroyed.
In a statement, PSNI said: “Police received a report of a number of men – one of whom was believed to have a knife – in the Portstewart Strand area on Sunday afternoon, 21st June.
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“Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene where they spoke with the men.
“A subsequent search of the men’s van established that they had been preparing barbecue at the beach and the knife was being used for this purpose.
“No criminal offences were noted, however the knife was removed for disposal. No further police action was taken.”
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Bowie, who was recently made an MBE for services to radio and charity in the west of Scotland, said: “The Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow deserves a special kind of star power, so it was an honour to share a few tips with Scotland’s own global superstar, Sam Heughan, and help get him ready for the occasion.
Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to find the back of the net in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo in the World Cup earlier this week, but Michael Owen has defended the former Manchester United forward
Michael Owen has come to Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s defence following the forward’s display in Portugal’s World Cup opener. Ronaldo failed to get on the scoresheet as his side were held to a 1-1 draw with DR Congo earlier this week.
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Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves broke the deadlock for Portugal on Wednesday before Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa levelled things up before half-time.
Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes of the Group K encounter, and the 41-year-old will be eager to help steer his nation to three points in their next outing against Uzbekistan on Tuesday evening.
The Al Nassr star’s display has sparked considerable debate, particularly after Lionel Messi netted a hat-trick for Argentina 24 hours earlier in their 3-0 victory over Algeria.
Now, Owen has stepped in to defend Ronaldo and outlined what Portugal must do to unlock the best from the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, alongside a prediction for the country’s upcoming clash with Uzbekistan.
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“It did not help Cristiano Ronaldo that Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick the night before Portugal played, but I’m not having the criticism of him.,” Owen stated in the Daily Mail.
“Portugal weren’t great in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo and a lot of the fallout has been around Ronaldo and him being a problem for them.
“But hasn’t he always played like this, to a degree? He has never been a player, especially in recent years, who involves himself in the game. He will be there for the big moments, though. If he’s not scoring, it’s too easy to blame Ronaldo. At 41, he is going to be questioned.
“But how many times has this happened and he’s shut everyone up in the next game? If you’re picking Ronaldo then you have to accept what he is there for – and I wouldn’t be surprised if he responds with a hat-trick of his own against Uzbekistan.”
Following the stalemate with DR Congo, Ronaldo took to social media to deliver a pointed message to Portugal supporters ahead of the rest of their World Cup campaign.
“Not the start we wanted, but this is far from over,” Ronaldo posted on Instagram earlier this week. “Head up and focus on the next game.”
After facing Uzbekistan, Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates will then take on Colombia on Saturday night in their concluding World Cup group stage match.
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
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