Activision Has Banned Over 50,000 Call of Duty: Warzone Cheaters

Activision has confirmed over 50,000 accounts have been permanently banned from Call of Duty: Warzone for cheating. The publisher revealed the figure in a new post on the Activision Games Blog. “There’s no place for cheating in games,” the company stated. “Warzone has zero tolerance for cheaters.” Activision stressed that cracking down on cheating is something it has been heavily focused on but conceded that “it isn’t always something we discuss publicly.” According to Activision, security teams monitor Call of Duty: Warzone “24/7” to investigate and identify cheating, and that “[p]lans are underway to streamline the UI for a more seamless reporting experience.” “We recognize that there’s no single solution for combating cheaters, it’s a constant enforcement every day, 24/7,” continued the statement. “Rest assured, we’re committed to ensuring a fun and fair experience for everyone.” [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://ift.tt/3bAJBey] IGN’s review called Call of Duty: Warzone thoroughly enjoyable in spite of the serious concessions to depth made in the name of instant gratification, but there is one element unique to its design that may be somewhat troubling to experienced fans of existing battles royale. In other Call of Duty news, the long-rumoured Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Remastered is official and out right now, but it’s exclusive to PS4 for 30 days (and doesn’t include multiplayer). [poilib element="accentDivider"] Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter every few days @MrLukeReilly.

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Astro Gaming Working With Microsoft to Make Existing Headsets Compatible With Xbox Series X

It was recently revealed that the Xbox Series X will not feature an S/PDIF optical audio out port, which has raised concern for many about how they'll be able to utilize existing headsets. Astro Gaming, known for its high-end gaming headsets, revealed via Twitter that it is working closely with Microsoft to update the firmware for MixAmp Pro TR, A50 + Base Station, and A20 headsets prior to the launch of Xbox Series X later this year. Astro claims this update will "include the ability to deliver game surround sound & voice chat via USB" bypassing the need for an optical audio port. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=9-new-xbox-series-x-images&captions=true"] The firmware updates will be available across the current lineup of Astro headsets, as well as the previous generation A50 headset. Astro also confirmed that an update to the A50 Gen 2 headset is "not planned at this time" meaning those with older headsets appear to be out of luck.

We are working with our partners at Microsoft to roll out a firmware update for MixAmp Pro TR, A50 + Base Station and A20 headsets by launch of Xbox Series X. This update will include the ability to deliver game surround sound & voice chat via USB. Stay tuned for future updates. pic.twitter.com/W65AXflRvk

— ASTRO Gaming (@ASTROGaming) March 31, 2020

Without a proper optical audio out port, Xbox Series X will instead deliver audio through HDMI 2.1 which has increased bandwidth to carry up to 8K visuals and Dolby Atmos audio through a single cable. Since HDMI has become the standard for most audio equipment and televisions it's not surprising that Microsoft opted to remove the optical audio port this time around. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/20/ps5-vs-xbox-series-x-full-spec-analysis-next-gen-console-watch"] When asked about plans for headset support on PS5, Astro said on Twitter it is waiting for additional information from Sony and will "make a separate compatibility statement" once that information becomes available. Currently, the PS4 does include an optical audio out port, so it will be interesting to see if Sony omits this on PS5. Xbox Series X and PS5 are both expected to launch this holiday season, although both consoles may be in limited supply due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Still not sure which console you're going to get? Check out our chart breaking down the key differences. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matthew Adler is a News and Features writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter and watch him stream on Twitch.

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Marvel Replaces Black Widow Composer Late Into Post-Production

It looks as though Marvel has replaced the composer for the upcoming Black Widow film. According to Film Music Reporter, Lorne Balfe has been composing music for this new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Scottish composer's previous credits include Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Bad Boys for Life, The LEGO Batman Movie, and 12 Strong. Balfe is also a regular contributor of additional music to films scored by Hans Zimmer, including The Dark Knight, Sherlock Holmes, Inception, Rush, and many more. Balfe was also behind the soundtracks for many video games, such as Assassin's Creed III, and worked with Hans Zimmer on the score for Beyond: Two Souls. Black Widow won't be Balfe's first MCU project; he's also credited for additional music alongside Ramin Djawadi for the original Iron Man.   [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/09/black-widow-official-final-trailer"] It appears Balfe will replace Alexandre Desplat who was confirmed to be working on the film earlier this year. Desplat is an Oscar-winning composer who worked on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Parts 1 & 2 and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He was also hired by Disney to work score Star Wars: Rogue One but was later replaced after reshoots. This is pretty late in the films post-production to be replacing the composer as Black Widow was initially set to hit theatres on May 2020 in the United States. It has since been delayed to an unconfirmed date due concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus. This reportedly won't affect the MCU timeline despite being the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-delayed-movie-due-to-coronavirus-so-far&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"]Hope Corrigan is an Australian freelance writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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Gloomhaven Sequel Frosthaven Revealed, Hits $3 Million on Kickstarter in Hours

Frosthaven, the sequel to the hit 2017 board game, and makeshift doorstop, Gloomhaven, has raised close to $4 million in hours on Kickstarter. Frosthaven is a stand-alone campaign set in the Gloomhaven world. Characters from the original Gloomhaven and its expansions — Forgotten Circles and the upcoming Jaws of the Lion — are compatible with the sequel campaign, though Frosthaven will be adding 16 new characters which are, in turn, backward compatible. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=frosthaven-new-classes-and-icons&captions=true"] Like the original Gloomhaven, players can expect a massive box for Frosthaven full of map boards, scenario books, and hundreds of game pieces. Gameplay in Frosthaven will be similar to anyone familiar with Gloomhaven. Players form parties and explore a vast world where players’ choices dictate the scenario in permanent and lasting ways. Some new mechanics in Frosthaven include loot tokens as gold is not as valuable in the sequel and frozen north. There are also buildings in which players can build up using resources for new chance opportunities. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=frosthaven-enemy-artwork-and-mini-sculpts&captions=true"] There’s also a new puzzle mechanic where players must solve a puzzle book that will reveal the history of the Northern Coast. The developers warn that the puzzles can only be solved after digging through the entire game. Finally, the campaign will cycle through two seasons: Summer and Winter. While summer months will make the campaign similar to Gloomhaven, winter will make the game and world more dangerous. Frosthaven already smashed its $500,000 Kickstarter campaign goal, but there’s still a whole month to check out the project if you’re interested. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

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Bethesda Cancels QuakeCon 2020

Bethesda has announced that QuakeCon 2020 has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the cancellation, Bethesda is looking for "other ways to celebrate the spirit of QuakeCon this August." In a statement posted to Twitter, Bethesda shared its "difficult decision to cancel this year's QuakeCon." This year would have marked the 25th anniversary of the con. "The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and players will always be our top priority, and in these times it felt wrong to be talking about a gathering when gathering is the last thing any of us should be doing right now," reads the statement. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-to-play-while-stuck-at-home&captions=true"] With E3 2020 being canceled for the first time in the event's history, it's not surprising to see Bethesda electing to cancel QuakeCon 2020. However, while this year's gathering has been canceled, Bethesda has assured fans that it looks forward to celebrating the return of the event next year. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/25/how-coronavirus-is-impacting-the-games-industry"] Earlier today, Gamescom organizers released a statement saying that the event would still be taking place digitally if not physically. On the other hand, some events like GDC have announced new dates for later in the summer. The events above are just a few of the many that have been impacted by the coronavirus – to see a more detailed list, check out our article on every game event affected by COVID-19. Additionally, there have been a handful of movie releases and shows delayed globally. With platforms like Steam receiving massive amounts of players while everyone is stuck at home, now is the perfect time to work your way through that pile of games you've been meaning to try out. Be sure to check out our favorite games to play while you're stuck at home, as well as every game IGN has given a 10/10. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Andrew Smith is a freelance contributor with IGN. Follow him on Twitter @_andrewtsmith.

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Zach Braff, Donald Faison Announce Scrubs Rewatch Podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends

Two of our favorite TV doctors are back on the job. Scrubs stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison are reuniting for a weekly rewatch podcast called Fake Doctors, Real Friends With Zach + Donald. As revealed by Entertainment Weekly, Fake Doctors, Real Friends is produced by iHeartMedia and sees Braff and Faison revisit each episode of the hit medical sitcom and provide a running commentary track. The duo will reminisce about their experiences filming the episodes and their personal friendship, as well as answer fan questions about the show. Future episodes of Fake Doctors, Real Friends will feature guest stars, including Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence. "We started thinking of doing this for the people who did watch the show, fans of Zach and I who are wondering what we're doing and how we're doing," Faison told EW. "This is a great place to check-in and hopefully enjoying conversations between two best friends." "It's almost like DVD commentary," Braff said. "We'll sit around and talk about funny stories and things we remember behind the scenes." The new podcast comes a decade after Scrubs ended its nine-season run (seven seasons on NBC and the final two on ABC). For the majority of its run, the series revolved around Braff's John "J.D." Dorian and Faison's Christopher Turk, along with Sarah Chalke's Elliot Reid, three up-and-coming doctors moving up the ranks at the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital. The series was heavily retooled for Season 9, with both J.D. and Turk becoming teachers and the focus shifting to a new group of med school students. Braff told EW the two have every intention of making it all the way to Season 9 during the course of the podcast. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-tv-show-cancelled-or-announced-to-be-ending-in-2020&captions=true"] With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing much of the entertainment industry to a standstill, this is the latest example of celebrities trying to entertain fans by looking back at their past work. Other examples include director Zack Snyder releasing a revealing new commentary track for Batman v Superman and Power Rangers designer Sanit Klamchanuan revealing what the Green Ranger might have looked like in a sequel. For more Scrubs nostalgia, why not check out IGN's list of the 10 best Scrubs episodes? [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/11/19/scrubs-donald-faison-accuses-epic-of-jacking-his-dance-in-fortnite"] The first episode of Fake Doctors, Real Friends With Zach + Donald is available now on all podcast apps. New episodes will air on a weekly basis. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

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Why Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Doesn't Include Multiplayer

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered is out now on PlayStation 4 (as a 30-day console exclusive), but players can only access the single-player campaign. That’s because Activision and Infinity Ward are trying to keep the full Call of Duty multiplayer experience within last year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/31/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered-official-trailer"] In a blog post explaining their decision to only release the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 single-player campaign, Activision explained that “the focus has been to bring players together seamlessly in one unified online multiplayer playground,” meaning Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019. Activision says that last year’s Call of Duty already saw the return of classic maps like Rust, Shipment, Crash, and Vacant, as well as past locations in Warzone like Gulag and Boneyard. The company seems to be hinting that this is the strategy for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 maps going forward as well. “Rather than release a separate, multiplayer experience as a standalone pack, Activision and Infinity Ward are looking to bring more classic map experiences to new life within the Modern Warfare universe as it continues to grown and build over time,” Activision said. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ranking-every-call-of-duty-single-player-campaign&captions=true"] Potentially, this could mean special playlists in Modern Warfare or Warzone that add classic multiplayer maps from older Modern Warfare games. While IGN checks out Modern Warfare 2 Remastered, you can read our original Modern Warfare 2 review, or check out IGN’s review of last year’s new Modern Warfare and Warzone. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

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Ubisoft Announces Month of Free Games, Game Trials to Include Assassin's Creed, Rayman, and More

Ubisoft announced it will provide a month-long series of free game trials, discounts, and other offers to support people staying at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. The promotion begins with Rayman Legends, which is available to download and keep for free beginning today, March 31, until April 3. The game is free through Uplay, and is available to download with no cost on PC. Ubisoft said that offers from other popular franchises, such as Just Dance and Assassin's Creed, will be announced later in April on Ubisoft's website. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2013/08/26/rayman-legends-video-review"] As for free trials, Ubisoft is currently offering trials for Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, Trials Rising, The Crew 2, Ghost Recon: Wildlands, and The Division, with many of the trials available on consoles in addition to PC. A representative from Ubisoft said that they hope the free games and trials encourage people to play their part and stay home during the COVID-19 outbreak. The company also participated in Twitch Stream Aid last weekend. If you're considering playing Rayman Legends, you can check out IGN's Rayman Legends review, where we said, "Rayman Legends is a fantastic example of why platformers will never stop being fun." Finally, IGN is encouraging safety and positivity for all of our readers during this pandemic. Read our tips on how to help, and stay safe, during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/25/will-you-go-all-digital-during-the-covid-quarantine"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Logan Plant is a news writer for IGN, and the Production Assistant for Nintendo Voice Chat, IGN's weekly Nintendo show. You can find him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant.

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Minecraft Dungeons Release Date Announced

Mojang has announced the official release date for Minecraft Dungeons, a new dungeon crawler set in the Minecraft universe. The new spinoff will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Game Pass on May 26. Minecraft Dungeons is a spinoff of Mojang’s popular online crafting game. Instead of building whatever your imagination comes up with, Minecraft Dungeons is an action-adventure game where players explore partially procedurally generated dungeons and take on monsters and puzzles while hunting for treasure. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=2020-platform-exclusives&captions=true"] Unlike RPG dungeon crawlers, Minecraft Dungeons doesn’t have a class system. So players can use any item or equipment regardless of their chosen profession. Minecraft Dungeons also supports both local and online co-op for up to four players. Mojang says there will be additional content coming down the pipeline, including two upcoming DLC packs which are included in the Hero Edition, and potential cross-platform co-op between Xbox One and other consoles. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/09/29/minecraft-dungeons-announce-trailer"] Minecraft Dungeons is just one spinoff of Minecraft, the other being Minecraft Earth, an AR mobile game currently available in Early Access. For more, check out IGN’s review of Minecraft, or our Minecraft wiki for our full coverage and walkthroughs. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

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Hypersonic Vehicles to be Launched From World's Biggest Airplane

The world's biggest plane will launch vehicles capable of going hypersonic or, in other words, Mach 5, as reported by Space.com. Stratolaunch is the company behind the world's largest airplane. Known as the Stratolaunch Carrier, this plane is described by the company as, "a revolutionary launchpad for hypersonic and aerospace vehicles." It's flown using six Boeing 747 engines with a payload capacity of over half a million pounds and its wingspan stretches to 385 feet. It stands 50 feet tall and its 103,256 square-foot hangar will soon serve as the launch pad of Stratolaunch's hypersonic vehicles capable of going five times the speed of sound. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=stratolaunch-hypersonic-vehicles-and-planes&captions=true"] "Our hypersonic testbeds will serve as a catalyst in sparking a renaissance in hypersonic technologies for our government, the commercial sector and academia," a quote from Stratolaunch CEO W. Jean Floyd reads on the company's website. The Carrier will launch Stratolaunch Talon As, Talon Zs, and the Black Ice vehicle. The Talon A is described as a, "fully reusable, autonomous, liquid rocket-powered Mach 6-class hypersonic vehicle...(that) will conduct over 1-minute of hypersonic flight testing" before gliding back autonomously to land on a standard airplane runway. The vehicle is also capable of autonomous takeoff. The Carrier can carry three Talon A vehicles at a time due to the Talon A's weight of 6000 pounds and wingspan of just 28 feet. Other vehicles the Carrier will one day haul include the Talon Z, which is currently in development, and the Black Ice, which is described on the Stratolaunch website as a, "fully reusable space plane that enables advanced on-orbit capabilities and cargo return." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=best-virtual-reality-adventure-movies&captions=true"] The current Black Ice vehicle has been designed for cargo, but a follow-up development is in progress designed to transport crew. The Stratolaunch Carrier has only flown once, with that flight taking place in April of last year and was a 2.5 hour test flight. Stratolaunch was originally a company founded in 2011 by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Allen died in 2018 and the company was sold to an unknown buyer the following year. Allen's vision for the Stratolaunch was to launch satellites, according to Space.com, and while the company isn't launching satellites today, it will one day launch vehicles that could serve as satellites amongst many other things. Vehicles capable of Mach 5 used to be a thing of the past, with it being more sci-fi than reality and referenced in various movies. See what facets of sci-fi have transitioned into reality by watching the 100 best science fiction movies and looking back on films such as Galaxy Quest, which talk often of space crafts in relation to real-life situations in the movie. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

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Xbox Games With Gold for April 2020 Announced

The April 2020 Xbox Games with Gold free games lineup has been announced, with Project CARS 2 and Fable Anniversary leading the way. CARS 2 and Fable will be available on Wednesday, April 1, while the Knights of Pen and Paper Bundle and Toybox Turbos will be free to download starting April 16. Revealed by Xbox, all of the above games will be free to download during the month of April with an active Xbox Live subscription. To download, simply look for the Games with Gold tab on your Xbox homepage. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=igns-top-25-xbox-one-games&captions=true"] Project CARS 2 was first released in 2017 and features 189 vehicles, 140 tracks, and 60 different locations to race through. In our Project CARS 2 review, we said, "The handling has been tuned to a T, the content is excellently curated, and the amount of variety and racing available in it is delightfully daunting." Project CARS 2 will be available to download from April 1 to 30 on Xbox One. Fable Anniversary is the 2014 remaster of the original 2004 Fable: The Lost Chapter and is complete with new textures, models, and lighting. In our Fable Anniversary review, we said, "The strange and beautiful world of Albion, with all its weird idiosyncrasies and wildly varied accents, is as absorbing and lovably, peculiarly British as it ever was." Fable Anniversary is available for download from April 1 to 15 on Xbox One and 360. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/19/28-big-xbox-games-coming-in-2020"] The Knights of Pen and Paper Bundle can be downloaded from April 16 to May 15 on Xbox One and includes both the original game and it's sequel. If you're not familiar with the series, it's a turn-based RPG that originally released on mobile devices and was later ported to consoles. Closing out the April 2020 Xbox Games with Gold lineup is Toybox Turbos, available from April 16 to 30 on Xbox One and 360. Complete with 35 customizable vehicles and 18 crazy tacks, you'll be able to experience tabletop racing like never before. If you haven't already, be sure to download any games from Games With Gold from last month before it's too late. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Andrew Smith is a freelance contributor with IGN. Follow him on Twitter @_andrewtsmith.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Is Official and Out Now

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered is no longer just a (badly kept) secret; it’s out now on PS4, and yes: No Russian is still in it. Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered has an exclusivity period on PS4, and will launch on PC and Xbox One later, although you can pre-purchase now. The remaster has been handled by Beenox, and supports up to 4K resolution in HDR. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/09/29/history-of-awesome-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2"] Activision announced the game today at the moment of its official launch. The game remasters the whole Modern Warfare 2 story campaign, including the infamous No Russian mission, as well as other fan favourites such as Takedown. As the title implies, this is a remaster of just the campaign, and there are no multiplayer modes included. Purchases of MW2 Remastered also unlock a free Underwater Demo Team Classic Ghost bundle for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, which provides the UDT Ghost Operator skin, two weapon blueprints, a weapon charm, new finishing move, voice quip, animated calling card, emblem and two Battle Pass tier skips. The official launch comes after a couple of days of leaks and problems, most notably in Germany. A trailer was leaked due to a listing for the game going live on the German PlayStation Store. Furthermore, it looks like the short duration the listing was live may also have allowed some players to purchase and download the game, as the past 24 hours have seen a few streamers playing Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered on Twitch. Streams of the game have all seemingly been isolated to German users, and footage of the entire game has been available online. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-call-of-duty-review&captions=true"] Rumours of Modern Warfare 2 Remastered run further back than just the last couple of days. Recent reports began due to a datamine of Modern Warfare (2019), which revealed then-unknown details about Warzone and an MW2 remaster. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

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Wasteland 3 Delayed to August

Wasteland 3 has been delayed to August 28, as developer inXile faces the "new logistical challenges" of working from home amid the coronavirus pandemic. The RPG was previously scheduled to be released on May 19. In a letter posted to Twitter, inXile studio head Brian Fargo explained the staff began working from home "some weeks ago," and the challenges of operating in that new environment ultimately led to the delay. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-big-xbox-games-coming-in-2020&captions=true"] The three extra months of development time will be spent on addressing beta feedback, as well as general "optimization, polishing and refinements, and making sure we have an awesome co-op experience," according to Fargo. Wasteland 3 was announced in 2016 alongside a Fig-hosted crowdfunding campaign, which was completed in just three days. During development, inXile was acquired by Microsoft, though Wasteland 3 will still be released on PlayStation 4, in addition to Xbox One and PC. For more on the turn-based RPG, check out IGN's recently published Wasteland 3 preview. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/26/wastelands-3-preview-surviving-the-frozen-apocalypse"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.

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Every Major IGN Mario Review Ever

Since 1985's Super Mario Bros., Mario has had many adventures and has entertained millions around the world. With the report that Nintendo is planning on re-releasing most of Mario's 35-year back catalogue this year on Nintendo Switch, we thought we'd look back at every main Mario game that IGN has reviewed. IGN has given the Mario franchise three 10s, 13 scores above 9, and has never scored a main Mario game below a 7. Check out each and every review in the slideshow below. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-super-mario-review-ever&captions=true"] Let us know which game has been your favorite in the comment section below! [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

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Red Dead Online: Take on the Name Your Weapon Showdown Series This Week

This week in RDO, participate in the new Name Your Weapon Showdown Series, and claim bonuses for Collecting and Bounty Hunting.

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Resident Evil Resistance Beta Hits PS4 and Steam

After a short delay, the Resident Evil Resistance beta is now live on PlayStation 4 and Steam. The beta was originally supposed to release on March 27 across all platforms but was unexpectedly postponed on all platforms except for Xbox. Capcom has not elaborated on why the beta was delayed on PS4 and Steam, except saying on Twitter that there were "technical issues" that came up, and that the team was "working to resolve the issue" as soon as possible. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=resident-evil-3&captions=true"] The Resistance beta will be live until April 3, when the Resident Evil 3 Remake is set to launch worldwide. While everything seems to be mostly on track for the worldwide release, Capcom has announced that physical editions of RE3 could be delayed in Europe. If you're not familiar with Resistance, it's a 4 vs 1 multiplayer mode, where four players try to survive against a "Mastermind." If you're one of the four survivors, your goal is simple – survive. If you're the Mastermind, your objective is to set various traps and obstacles to try and prevent survival. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/27/resident-evil-3-jill-valentine-trailer"] So far, Capcom has confirmed there will be four Masterminds playable at launch: Daniel Fabron, Annette Birkin, Alex Wesker, and Ozwell E. Spencer, each with their own unique set of abilities. Additionally, there will be two playable maps, one set in a casino and another in prison. While you're waiting for release day, be sure to check out everything we know about the Resident Evil 3 Remake and our single-player review, where we said, "With a sublimely detailed world and breakneck survival-horror gameplay, Resident Evil 3 is just as good as its 2019 predecessor." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Andrew Smith is a freelance contributor with IGN. Follow him on Twitter @_andrewtsmith.

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Gamescom Will Go Ahead 'At Least In a Digital Format'

Gamescom will take place this year, according to the event's organizers, but whether or not that event will be exclusively digital or not is still under review. Gamescom is one of the largest video game conferences in the world and unlike other events in the space, namely E3, it hasn't yet announced a cancellation or postponement of its 2020 show as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The companies behind the show, Koelnmesse and the German Games Industry Association, otherwise known as Game, jointly posted a statement Tuesday to let consumers and developers alike know that Gamescom will take place in some form this year. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-to-play-while-stuck-at-home&captions=true"] "Millions of fans worldwide are excited about Gamescom 2020," Game Managing Director Felix Falk said in a statement. "That is why we are determined to celebrate the latest news, announcements and world premieres together with the community again this year at the end of August. In view of the corona crisis, we are now expanding all digital formats at full speed so that gamescom 2020 can at least take place digitally in any case." Falk said fans can expect Opening Night Live and the Gamescom Now Portal to return as the event determines how to expand its digital strategy. Gamescom will still take place from August 25 to August 29 with the Devcom Developer Conference still set for August 22 through August 24. A mid-May evaluation will take place to determine how Gamescom can move forward with its usual Cologne-based presence, if at all. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/25/how-coronavirus-is-impacting-the-games-industry"] "If an on-site event is possible, there will also be more information at that state with regard to which changes need to be made in order to fully ensure the health of all visitors," the statement reads. "This has been arranged with the largest exhibitors, therefore all gamescom plans are continuing at full speed." Organizers will ensure that visitors and exhibitors receive refunds for paid tickets and other payments should the event go full-digital. Theme parks, movie productions, and some of the largest game conferences in the world have been cancelled or shut down for the time being as a result of the virus. Whether or not Gamescom's physical conference exhibition will join the list of cancelled or postponed events remains to be seen. Check out some of the ways you can help others and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

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Epic Games Offers $1M Reward for Evidence of Houseparty Hack

Epic Games is offering a $1 million reward to the first person who can prove that a commercial smear campaign targeted at Houseparty, a social network Epic owns, has been put together. Houseparty is a "face-to-face" social network that allows users to group video chat and play games together. Epic Games purchased Houseparty last year. Originally reported by the BBC, Houseparty believes it's under attack by a "paid commercial smear campaign" meant to harm the company. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-to-play-while-stuck-at-home&captions=true"] Wanting to discover if that's really the case, the company has offered a $1 million bounty to the first person to provide evidence that such a campaign is taking place.

We are investigating indications that the recent hacking rumors were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty. We are offering a $1,000,000 bounty for the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign to bounty@houseparty.com.

— Houseparty (@houseparty) March 31, 2020

This bounty for evidence comes after a a slew of online rumors that allege the Houseparty app exposes vulnerabilities to personal information found on other services like Netflix and Spotify. BBC reported that several Twitter users posted screenshots claiming to show that after downloading the Houseparty app, they were locked out of things like Netflix, Spotify, and personal bank accounts. The Houseparty app does not request access to personal information on your phone like you'd find after downloading something like Facebook, which requests access to your phone's microphone and camera. Epic Games has since released a statement on the matter declaring that no evidence has been found. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/25/how-coronavirus-is-impacting-the-games-industry"] "We've found no evidence to suggest a link between Houseparty and the compromises of other unrelated accounts," an Epic Games spokesperson told BBC. "As a general rule, we suggest all users choose strong passwords when creating online accounts on any platforms." Houseparty's popularity has risen with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising from an average of 130,000 downloads a week in February to two million a week in March, according to BBC. For more on Epic Games, read about how the Epic Games Store generated $680 million in its first year. Here are some ways to help others and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

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Hobbs & Shaw 2: Dwayne Johnson Confirms Sequel Is in Development

Dwayne Johnson has confirmed that a sequel to 2019's Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw is in active development. Screen Rant reports that Johnson, who starred alongside Jason Statham in the Fast & Furious spin-off last year, firmed up early sequel plans while responding to his fans on a recent Instagram Live Q&A. "We are developing now the next film, the next [Hobbs & Shaw] movie, and I'm pretty excited about it," the actor confirmed. "[We] just gotta figure out the creative right now, and the direction we're going to go." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/02/fast-furious-presents-hobbs-shaw-end-credits-scenes-explained"] Johnson went on to thank fans for making the first movie "a huge success." Hobbs & Shaw may not have quite reached the same box office heights that the F&F franchise achieved with its most recent sequels, but the action-packed feature still managed to race up to an impressive $759 million worldwide on a reported budget of $200 million. In our review of Hobbs & Shaw, we said the film proves the "franchise still has places to go and people to see" despite being "the most removed stylistically and thematically from the first Fast & the Furious." We praised Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, and Vanessa Kirby for ensuring that there's still fun to be had in a F&F movie "not centred around cars or racing." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/02/fast-furious-presents-hobbs-shaw-stars-on-those-surprise-cameos"] That said, the stunt-packed buddy movie left several plot threads unresolved for a potential sequel to pick up, including the identity of the leader of the terrorist organization Eteon, who still remains a threat at the end of the film, and cameo appearances from Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Hart, who may have been positioned for larger roles in the sequel. "I'd love to see Ryan Reynolds come into the next Hobbs & Shaw. I think he would be a great team member," Johnson previously told IGN. "I'd love to see Kevin Hart come into the next Hobbs & Shaw. The goal in this one was to set up what the future teams would look like. And who I felt people would find it really appealing to see Hobbs with and create this new unique team." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dwayne-the-rock-johnsons-10-best-movies&captions=true"] Meanwhile, Fast & Furious 9, the next instalment in the long-running film franchise, recently had its release date pushed back by almost a year, from May 2020 to April 2021, in response to actions taken in the film industry concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). For a list of recommendations on how best to help, and stay safe, during the Coronavirus pandemic, please read our resource guide. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

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The Outer Worlds Will Release On Switch This June

Obsidian Entertainment has announced that its latest space-faring RPG, The Outer Worlds, will launch on Nintendo Switch on June 5. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/07/30/the-outer-worlds-nintendo-switch-announcement-trailer"] The Switch version of the game will be available both digitally and physically. Obsidian revealed on its website that the cartridge version will require a day one patch to optimise gameplay, provide higher resolution textures, and a number of other fixes. The patch size is yet to be finalised, but it's expected to be up to 6GB, so Switch players will require that free space to play. Publisher Private Division was forced to delay the release of The Outer Worlds on Switch due to the impact of COVID-19. Originally it was due to release on March 6, meaning it has experienced a three month delay. This puts the Switch release eight months later than its console and PC counterpart. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=20091934&captions=true"] The wait will hopefully be worth it, though. Our The Outer Worlds review praised the game, with particular emphasis placed on its characters and skills. Provided it runs well on the Switch, then it'll be a great addition to the console's RPG library. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

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Animal Crossing Fan Creates Helpful Database For Custom Designs

An entrepreneurial Animal Crossing fan has made a database for sharing fan-made custom designs. The news arrives thanks to a post from Reddit user plump_tomato who posted a video of their website in action to the Animal Crossing subreddit. The website's creator then followed up with a link to what is currently known as Nookpedia, a growing database of custom designs made by players in Animal Crossing. You can check out the website here and search by title for certain designs, like this excellent Psyduck hat. You can also filter your searches depending on what clothing item you're looking for if you want to create a custom ensemble. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/16/animal-crossing-new-horizons-review"] If you'd like to upload a design yourself, you'll have to unlock the Able Sisters tailoring shop in New Horizons. For more information on how to do that, check out our handy guide.  Once you've got Able and Sable in your town, you can use the Pro Design tool (redeem some Nook Miles for it!) to create a piece and then use the kiosk at the back of the Able Sisters shop to download and upload your designs. Simply enter the code above each image on Nookpedia to drag that design into your game. "I figured that now would be a good time to post this as everyone is starting to unlock the Able Sisters,"  the website's creator explained on Reddit. It's been noted that the site is experiencing issues due to all the traffic, but give it some time and you should be able to dig into the database full of incredible custom art. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-animal-crossing-game-review&captions=true"] For more on Animal Crossing, check out our review of New Horizons, which we called an "expanded, polished, next-generation reboot" of the franchise. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

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Pong Quest Exclusive Gameplay Trailer

If you ever wonder what one of the paddles in Pong would be like if they were the hero of an adventure game, well, Atari has an answer for you. Pong Quest is an RPG that stars a pong paddle who ventures through dungeons based on Atari classics to save Pong World from a mysterious threat. Check out the exclusive debut gameplay trailer below. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/31/pong-quest-exclusive-gameplay-trailer"] As you can see from the trailer, the boring old Pong paddle has been given a bit of a design upgrade. No longer a blank, white vertical block, the Pong paddle now sports a more friendly design and it can change its appearance through upgrades and cosmetics. While there are elements of the classic Pong gameplay where players move up or down to deflect an incoming projectile, there are some interesting remixes. Each dungeon looks to feature some unique gameplay quirk inspired by classic Atari games like Centipede or Asteroids. There will also be a multiplayer mode where up to three players can play against one another using specialized PONG balls with unique abilities. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=atari-vcs&captions=true"] “PONG as an RPG is something completely unexpected, but wonderful in execution,” Atari’s COO Jean-Marcel Nicolai said in a statement. “We are thrilled to bring PONG Quest to life to honor the classic IP and bring the beloved gameplay to a new generation of players and RPG fans.” PONG Quest will be available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Aside from PONG Quest, Atari is working on a new console called the Atari VCS. Atari also announced a line of gaming-themed hotels. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

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UK Daily Deals: Get 6-Months of Disney Plus for Free with this O2 100GB SIM-Only Plan

Our spotlight deals for the day include a new SIM-only deal from O2 that also includes Disney+, a top offer on Amazon Fire for Kids Unlimited, and the best Xbox Game Pass deals, lining up with the Game Pass addition of Nier Automata: Become As Gods Edition on April 2. The best O2 SIM-only deal at the moment costs £20 per month and includes 100GB data with unlimited calls and texts. Not only that, but you'll also be bagging 6-Months worth of Disney+, worth £35.94 if you were paying the monthly £5.99 fee. Other deals for the day include a discount on Amazon for Kids Unlimited, which is now only £0.99 for 3-months. A 3-month Xbox Game Pass subscription is also available for just £9.99 at the moment, which will grant you access to over 100 games including Nier Automata very soon. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest deals on games, tech and accessories.

O2 SIM-Only Deal: £20/Month, 100GB Data, and 6-Months of Disney+

New O2 customers can currently sign up for a mobile or SIM-only contract and get six months of Disney+ for free. One of the best SIM-only deals available right now is the 100GB data plan, now only £20 per month with unlimited calls and texts. This is a 12-month contract as well, so there is less commitment to the plan in comparison to other deals that require up to two years of payments. Existing customers can also upgrade their plans to get the six months for free or get Disney+ for effectively £3.99 a month when signing up through O2 Extras.

Latest O2 SIM-Only Deals

• 100GB SIM-Only Plan: £20/month, unlimited calls and texts, FREE 6-month Disney+ subscription
• 20GB SIM-Only Plan: £15/month, unlimited calls and texts, FREE 6-month Disney+ subscription
• Disney+ for £3.99/Month - Existing O2 Customers

Amazon Fire for Kids Unlimited: 3-Month Family Plan for £1

Looking to entertain the kids while at home? Amazon has just reduced Fire for Kids Unlimited down to £0.99 for a 3-month family plan. The all-in-one subscription service provides access to thousands of kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, Audible books and games on compatible Fire and Kindle devices. With easy-to-use parental controls for finding the balance between education and entertainment, Fire for Kids Unlimited could be exactly what you're looking for right now.

Save at Amazon

• Fire for Kids Unlimited 3-Month Family Plan - £0.99
• Fire for Kids Unlimited 1-Year Family Plan - £15.99

Nier Automata Coming to Xbox Game Pass in April: Here are the Latest Deals

Xbox Game Pass will be getting Nier Automata: Become As Gods Edition on April 2. The Become as Gods edition of the game includes new outfit options for 2B, 9S, and A2, and sub-quests not in the original game, among other cosmetic add-ons. It was recently announced by Square Enix alongside details about the Nier Replicant remake that was in development. If you're looking to play Nier Automata on Xbox One, new members can join Xbox Game Pass for £1 at the moment. Current or previous members, on the other hand, will want to check out the latest Game Pass offers we could find.

Play Nier Automata on April 2

• Xbox Game Pass 3-Month Membership - was £23.99, now £9.99

Secretlab Gaming Chairs Stay-At-Home Deals: Save with This Code

These Secretlab 2020 gaming chairs are currently discounted in a great sale. Save up to £126 on these top gaming chairs, perfect for long sessions and optimal comfort while you play. Already discounted by £100, you can save an extra £25 at the moment with code 25STAYHOME20. The Secretlab THRONE is down to just £234, while the TITAN chair is now just £324, dropping from the £450 list price.

Use Code 25STAYHOME20

• Secretlab TITAN Gaming Chair - was £450, now £349
• Secretlab THRONE Gaming Chair - was £350, now £259

Save up to £60 on Amazon Smart Devices Right Now

Amazon currently has a great sale on its smart devices, such as the 4K Fire Stick and Amazon Echo devices. If you want to stream TV and films on your TV in 4K, then this is a great chance to pick up the Fire TV Stick up at a discount as well. It is now only £29.99, £20 down from the regular price. There is also an Amazon Echo Show 8 on sale right now, currently down to just £59.99 which is £60 off the list price of £119.99. If you're looking for a smaller or more affordable smart device for your living space, the Echo Dot has also on sale for £24.99.

Save at Amazon

• Amazon 4K Fire TV Stick - was £49.99, now £29.99
• Amazon Echo Dot -  was £49.99, now £24.99
• Amazon Echo Show 8 -  was £119.99, now £59.99

Best VPN Deals While Working From Home: ExpressVPN

There couldn’t be a better time to sign up to ExpressVPN, as the 12-month plan now comes with an extra 3-months, absolutely free. VPN services are now an essential part of a positive online experience. Whether you’re online banking, streaming US Disney+, or simply browsing the web, VPNs can be a pivotal partner in ensuring online privacy and peace-of-mind. For only £5.91 per month, ExpressVPN provides a number of features for an incredibly low price. But, just in case you don't fall in love with the service, there is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch US Disney+ or Netflix in the UK

• ExpressVPN 15-Month Plan ⁠— £5.91/month (£88.49 for first 15-months)

Huawei P40 Announced: Free Huawei Freebuds 3 with Preorders

Huawei has launched three new devices to follow on from the Huawei P30 series. For now, however, UK users will only be able to preorder the Huawei P40 and P40 Pro. The Huawei P40+ seems to be missing from most UK retailers at the moment.

The P40 and P40 Pro will be in consumer's hands on April 7, so there isn't too much of a wait for the brand new handsets. Both feature a long rectangular back camera bump, very similar to the new Galaxy S20, alongside some incredibly impressive internal specs. All preorders on the new devices will currently come with a free set of Huawei Freebuds 3 worth £149.99.

Best Preorder Deals

• Huawei P40: 22GB (5G), £26 per month, £225 upfront
• Huawei P40: 25GB (5G), £43 per month, £25 upfront
• Huawei P40 Pro: 24GB (5G), £43 per month, £125 upfront

Disney+ Now Streaming in the UK, Watch The Mandalorian with a Free Trial

Now that Disney+ has finally launched in the UK, it is time to access the massive vault of Disney content. If you haven't signed up yet you can pick up a 7-day trial right now, which means you can watch the first two episodes of The Mandalorian for free. There is plenty of notable content now available to stream on Disney+, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, and much more.

7-Day Free Trial

• Disney+ 7-Day Free Trial - New Customers
• Disney+ Monthly Membership - £5.99/month

£50 off McAfee Total Virus Protection for 10 Devices

Protect yourself from the latest threats such as ransomware, viruses, malware, and more with this latest deal from McAfee. With up to £50 off the latest device protection plans, there couldn't be a better time to ensure your devices are safe and ready to use. Each plan features an advanced password manager, with up to five licenses on the 10 device plan, alongside performance optimisation, and encrypted storage. McAfee even promises viruses removed or your money back. In case you weren't already convinced, there is also 24/7 tech support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on your purchase.

Save up to £50

• McAfee 10 Device Protection - was £89.99, now £39.99 (Save £50) - OUR PICK
• McAfee 5 Device Protection - was £79.99, now £29.99 (Save £50)
• McAfee 1 Device Protection - was £59.99, now £19.99 (Save £40)

More Gaming Deals:

• Cyberpunk 2077 (PC) - was £69.99, now £35.99 (Preorder)
• Cyberpunk 2077 (Xbox One) - was £69.99, now £42.99 (Preorder)
• The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr - was £39.99, now £17.99
• 3-Month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate - was £29.99, now £20.99
• 12 Month Subscription PlayStation Plus - was £49.99, £41.99
• Pokemon Sword (Nintendo Switch) - was £49.99, now £39.99
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo Switch) - was £49.99, now £39.99
• Dragon Ball FighterZ (PC) - was £44.99, now £9.99
• BioShock: The Collection (Nintendo Switch) - £39.99 (Preorder)
• Borderlands Legacy Collection (Nintendo Switch) - £39.99 (Preorder)

More Tech Deals:

• Smarty 100GB SIM-Only Plan: £15/month, 100GB Data, unlimited calls and texts
• Avengers Infinity War Replica Thanos Infinity Gauntlet - was £99.99, now £59.99
• 5G Mobile Broadband - £29/month, FREE upfront, unlimited 5G
• 4G Mobile Broadband - £22/month, FREE upfront, unlimited 4G
• Google Nest Hub - was £119, now £59

Follow IGN UK Deals on Social Media

• Twitter: @IGNUKDeals
• Facebook: @IGNUKDeals

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Ghost Recon: Breakpoint's Friend Pass Lets You Invite A Friend To Play For Free

Owners of Ghost Recon: Breakpoint can invite their friends to play co-op with them for free, as part of a new Friend Pass promotion for the game. The news was revealed in a blog post from Ubisoft, which went into further detail about the scheme and revealed that the game will also be receiving a free trial. "If you've purchased any edition of the game, the Friend Pass allows you to invite up to three friends at a time who don't own the game to join your session and play co-op with you for free," the blog post reads. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/10/ghost-recon-breakpoint-review"] Breakpoint's Friend Pass will be available to those who own the game on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, with the promotion running until the 16th of June. Prospective players who don't own Ghost Recon: Breakpoint will need PS Plus or Xbox Live Gold to play with the host, as well as the trial version of the game which is available now on the Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, Ubisoft Store and Epic Games Store. The trial entitles players to six hours of playtime, but won't tick down if you're playing in co-op and utilizing the Friend Pass system. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/06/tom-clancys-ghost-recon-breakpoint-what-is-breakpoint-gameplay-trailer"] Those who took advantage of the game's free weekend that kicked off on March 26th will have to be invited using the Friend Pass system and won't be entitled to the trial version of Ghost Recon: Breakpoint if they played for the aforementioned six hours during the promotional free weekend. However, you can progress further past this point in the new trial if you purchase the game or use the Friend Pass system - your progression saves will be kept regardless. For more on Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, check out this video on all the changes that have arrived as part of the Immersive Mode update.  [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

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Netflix's Tiger King Ignites Search for New Leads in 1997 Cold Case

The wildly popular Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness has prompted a Florida sheriff to make a fresh appeal for new leads in the cold case of Don Lewis, Carole Baskin's second husband, who disappeared in 1997. In a tweet on Monday, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister recognized that it was a "good time to ask for new leads," as he called upon the public to come forward with information that could potentially lead to answers in the unsolved case.

Since @netflix and #Covid19 #Quarantine has made #TigerKing all the rage, I figured it was a good time to ask for new leads. #CaroleBaskin #DonLewis #Netflix #Tiger #BigCatRescue #JoeExotic #TigerKingNetflix #HCSO pic.twitter.com/LHoJcBZVOI

— Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) March 30, 2020

Self-made millionaire Jack Donald "Don" Lewis married animal rights activist Carole Baskin in 1991, and together they ran the Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary in Tampa before he vanished without a trace on August 18, 1997. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/31/netflixs-tiger-king-murder-mayhem-and-madness-season-1-review"] In the series, Joseph Maldonado-Passage (aka the Tiger King, aka Joe Exotic), who is currently serving a 22-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted for two charges of attempted murder-for-hire against Baskin, insinuates that Baskin murdered and fed her late husband, Don Lewis, to the tigers. However, to this day, Baskin refutes the claim and no charges have ever been brought against her regarding those allegations. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=best-true-crime-shows-and-movies-to-watch-online&captions=true"] Tiger King consists of seven episodes running 40-50 minutes each and was released on March 20 on Netflix. In our review of Tiger King, we called it "a fascinating and depressing look inside a community of big cat fanatics," which would make a worthy addition to the watchlists of "true crime fans hungry for something different." For those people that have already watched the hit show, read our follow-up piece to find out what happened to the colourful characters featured in the true-crime docuseries and take a look at our rundown of recommendations of other true crime shows and movies that are available to stream now. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

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Uncharted, Morbius, Ghostbusters Delayed; Sony Sets New 2021 Dates

Sony Pictures has rescheduled a swath of their 2020 movie releases --including Uncharted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Morbius -- to various dates next year in light of the industry-wide shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The studio officially announced Monday that Uncharted, which halted production just days before filming was to begin, from March 5, 2021 to October 8, 2021. Sony and Marvel's Morbius, which was to have opened July 31st this year, has now pivoted to March 19, 2021. An unspecified Sony/Marvel title that was slated for 10/08/2021 is now TBD. It's possible this film is the sequel to Spider-Man: Far From Home, as star Tom Holland has been poised to shoot the delayed Uncharted first before segueing to the MCU sequel. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-delayed-movie-due-to-coronavirus-so-far&captions=true"] Another summer 2020 release, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, has shifted from July to March 5, 2021. See all the new Sony release dates below:

• Greyhound (Columbia Pictures) – TBD (from 6/12/2020)
• Fatherhood (Columbia Pictures) – 10/23/2020 (from 1/15/2021)
• Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (Columbia Pictures) – 1/15/2021 (from 08/07/2020)
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Columbia Pictures) – 03/05/2021 (from 07/10/2020)
• Sony/Marvel Morbius (Columbia Pictures) – 03/19/2021 (from 07/31/2020)
• Uncharted (Columbia Pictures) – 10/8/2021 (from 03/05/2021)
• Untitled Sony Marvel (Columbia Pictures) – TBD (from 10/08/2021)

Interestingly, Sony's release date changes don't include Venom 2 so we can assume for now that it remains on track to open this October barring any further developments in the COVID-19 crisis. Get full details on every movie and show delayed or affected by the coronavirus, and learn when some of these delayed films may resume production. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://ift.tt/3a4kIbe]

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Here Are the Best Places to Land in Fortnite Chapter 2

We've identified a few of the best places to land in Fortnite Chapter 2 which will hopefully ensure a victory royale!

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Night of the Living Dead Movie Night with Greg Nicotero - WFH Theater Episode 2

Here at IGN, we're always looking for new ways to bring our community together to embrace what we're most passionate about. That's why we're so excited to debut Watch From Home Theater, a new weekly live show we'll be hosting on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. E.T. to unite some of your favorite IGN personalities and special celebrity guests to have a digital movie night together with you. For our second episode, we'll be joined by Greg Nicotero for a special live stream of horror classic Night of the Living Dead! The Walking Dead executive producer and special-effects mastermind will be joining IGN's Clint Gage and other IGN talent as we are able to watch the seminal 1968 George A. Romero film, which Nicotero credited as single-handedly creating the "mythology of the modern zombie." We'll be able to share the full Night of the Living Dead movie with you through this stream for free thanks to it being available in the public domain. This episode's guests will be watching and talking along with the movie through the same stream, so if you would like to watch Night of the Living Dead separately on another device, you can watch along with us through the free options below:

• Tubi (free)
• Sling (free)
• Shudder (free)
• Google Play ($2.99 SD rental)

Want to tune in to IGN's WFH Theater? Here's what you need to know!

When: Wednesdays at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET Where: Catch the stream on IGN.com, IGN's YouTube and Cinefix's YouTube, IGN's Twitter and IGN's Facebook How: Participate in the chat by joining us in IGN's new Discord server! Who: Host Clint Gage and a rotating group of IGN staff and celebrity guests

This isn’t just a show or an opportunity to watch a movie; it’s a hangout with passionate people who share one thing in common -- their love of film. Each week, we'll invite our viewers to join in the conversation using our WFH Theater Discord channel to chat with our host, Clint Gage, as well as our celebrity guest and IGN staff. With running commentaries that range from insightful to silly, each viewing will take on a life of its own based on each film. If you missed our first episode, you can watch our live commentary of The Invisible Man with director Leigh Whannell below in its entirety! [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/25/watch-the-invisible-man-w-director-leigh-whannell-watch-from-home-theater"] Have any questions for us in the meantime? Drop them in the comments below and we'll do our best to answer before showtime. We're excited to watch with you!

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PS5, Xbox Series X Could Face Launch Shortages

Despite the various delays the movie and TV industries have seen in both major releases and production due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the gaming industry hasn’t shown much sign of slowing down just yet. In fact, one of this year’s biggest games, Cyberpunk 2077, is confirmed to still be on track for its September release date despite CD Projekt Red now working from home. All the same, one question has loomed over the industry given how massive of a year 2020 is meant to be — will the coronavirus impact the production of the next-gen consoles, and could the PS5 and Xbox Series X even be delayed beyond their planned holiday releases? As far as any launch delays go, the answer remains as uncertain as the extent of COVID-19’s impact on the world, and given how far out these consoles are meant to launch. But with the recent Xbox Series X and PS5 tech reveals, both companies have not announced adjusted releases and seem bullish on hitting their holiday 2020 launches. However, as the reality of the coronavirus’ impact spreads across all industries and around the world, analysts have spoken to IGN about the possibility that the next generation could at the very least see shortages. Six analysts and analyst firms spoke with IGN about the possibility of these consoles seeing possible delays. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/27/ps5-xbox-series-x-no-delay-concerns-yet-next-gen-console-watch"]

Could Next-Gen Consoles Be Delayed to 2021?

Speaking to IGN via email, several analysts agreed on one thing — the coronavirus is likely to have some effect on the production of the new consoles, the extent of which remains unknown. DFC Intelligence noted that the sheer amount of uncertainty that hangs over this new console generation makes the short term ramifications hard to predict. “The current amount of uncertainty is unprecedented. We expect that demand will be greater than supply, probably by a significant margin. The only certainty is uncertainty and anyone who says otherwise has a crystal ball we don't have access to,” DFC said. The gaming industry overall has certainly seen the effects an increase in demand as countries adopt shelter-in-place orders. Steam just had its highest day of concurrent players ever — just around 20 million players online simultaneously. PlayStation, meanwhile, has decided to limit game download speeds in major markets like North America and Europe. It’s worth noting that Sony is also home to the fourth-best-selling home console of all time with 100 million PS4s in homes across the world. YouTube has adopted a similar policy to Sony’s, defaulting to standard quality playback worldwide for at least a month. Everyone’s feeling the strain on their networks as more people access online entertainment from their homes simultaneously across the globe. “At some point, if product is limited or price of components becomes too high, Sony and Microsoft will have to make a tough decision about whether to launch in very short supply or delay launch until the supply chain is comfortably running. We do not expect this decision to be made in the short-term.” Echoing those sentiments, Wedbush Securities’ managing director of equity research, Michael Pachter, isn’t expecting a delay either. “It’s highly likely that we will be well past the curve of the virus in most areas where manufacturing takes place by the time manufacturing must commence in June,” Pachter told IGN via email. “That suggests that both consoles will be in stock by November, so I don’t expect a delay in their respective launches.”

A Delay May Not Be Likely, But What About Limited Availability?

Both Sony and Microsoft have recently issued comments around COVID-19’s impact on the production of their respective consoles, and neither indicates any need for long-term concern. Even retailers like Gamestop have said they see “no indication” of outright PS5 and Series X delays on the way. Despite reassurances from the companies themselves that all will be fine, the very uncertain nature COVID-19’s curve in each country across the world means so much is still up in the air. With the situations in majorly impacted regions like North America, China, and more changing by the day, many analysts do see at least some impact on the console launches — perhaps in the form of a constrained launch. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=9-sequels-that-would-make-ps5-a-force-to-reckon-with&captions=true"] In a statement provided to IGN that was also sent to Niko’s clients, senior Niko analyst Daniel Ahmad says he sees the situation as very dependent on the next few months. The company also noted that the reality of so many factories producing parts for these consoles means any definitive prognostication is unclear at this time. “The closure of factories since the Lunar New Year and the slow return to work for many will result in minor global console shortages in Q2 2020 and beyond. We do not expect significant shortages in Q2 as console sales are seasonal and most sell-through takes place towards the end of the year.” “If the coronavirus outbreak is contained within the next month or two then we would expect console manufacturers to be able to meet demand for the holiday quarter, both for current gen consoles and next gen console launches,” Niko’s statement reads. “If manufacturers are unable to operate at full capacity before the end of Q2 2020 we could see an impact on the launch of next gen console launches, with either limited supply or delayed releases becoming the likely outcomes.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=xbox-series-x-reveal-images&captions=true"] That’s ultimately the biggest factor in how launches might be impacted — when COVID-19 can be contained enough to allow production and work to resume at a normal pace. While the curve of China’s number of infected cases has flattened in comparison to other countries and, according to the New York Times, the nation claims to be significantly halting the spread of COVID-19, there are also serious concerns about its reported numbers. The Times reports that, as China is starting to lift lockdowns, its number of cases is reportedly not counting those testing positive for COVID-19 without symptoms, which could indicate a larger, undocumented spread. Meanwhile, Japan initially suspended the Olympic 2020 games, with the event now set to take place a year later in July 2021. And America has now become the country with the highest number of COVID-19 cases worldwide, with more than 86,000 confirmed cases. The Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluations predicts a continued rapid rise of cases in the US through at least May, with a peak in April, followed by a steady, smaller stream of new COVID-19 cases through to August, where its projections end. The range of manufacturing may not take place in the most impacted countries, but parent and wider companies themselves may still feel that impact. Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty has said, “Each studio is facing unique challenges and constraints depending on its particular location, and many of our external development partners around the world are similarly affected.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/20/ps5-vs-xbox-series-x-full-spec-analysis-next-gen-console-watch"] Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games, who had initially spoken to IGN about a possible console launch delay, saw the strong showings of Series X and PS5 tech as a relieving sign that both companies will push through to a holiday release. “I was skeptical about the PS5 release schedule because of Sony's silence at first,” Toto said. “But as Microsoft already reconfirmed ‘Holidays 2020’ as the launch date, there is no other way for Sony than to keep up. “They will not watch their top competitor gobble up holiday sales while they sit on the sidelines with the PS4.” Even if there are issues in manufacturing, Toto believes Microsoft will remain on course. “At least for Microsoft and at least for now, the coronavirus-related dents to the supply chain seem to be manageable as far as the next-gen roll-out goes,” he said.

How Worried Are Consumers?

Speaking with IGN via email, Spiketrap, an analyst firm co-founded by former X-Play host Adam Sessler that tracks online social sentiment, took a snapshot of online discourse and found that, at least through the first few weeks of March, fans don’t seem particularly worried about console delays. Spiketrap’s data, viewable in the graph above, saw only about 1,300 online engagements around the idea of a delay, specifically after DFC Intelligence’s thoughts on the possibility were first published. The relevant conversation has largely been around either COVID-19 or AMD, the manufacturers behind chipsets in both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, the conversation has remained minimal online, with only one day in March peaking above 300 engagements on the topic. That said, we’d still like to hear from you all directly: are you concerned about console scarcity and possible delays? Specifically, would you be willing to purchase a re-sold console online if you can’t get one at launch, or would you be willing to wait for new consoles at a later date? Cast your vote in the poll below, which, as of press time, sees nearly 90% of voters willing to wait until consoles are available rather than buying a higher-priced resell on eBay or a similar site. [poilib element="poll" parameters="id=0b3e594c-eec7-4b02-b6af-101b2b4c6b64"] We discussed these analysts’ insights in the last episode of our weekly show Next-Gen Console Watch, which you can catch with new episodes on IGN on Fridays at 6 am PT and 9 am PT. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, a panelist on Next-Gen Console Watch, and host of Podcast Beyond! Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

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