Microsoft Reportedly Interested in Buying TikTok After Trump Order

TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media video app that is under scrutiny from the Trump administration, is reportedly in talks with Microsoft and other companies to sell itself and part from its parent company ByteDance. As reported by The New York Times, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or Cfius, has been looking into ByteDance's 2017 purchase of Musical.ly, which would become TikTok. It has decided to "order ByteDance to divest TikTok, and the government is currently discussing the terms of its separation. White House officials have further said that "TikTok may post a national security threat because of its Chinese ownership." It is unclear if President Trump, who has been informed of the investigation, will focus the divestment order on TikTok's American operations or if it would include its more global business as well. Another option Trump could exercise would be using "the vast powers of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to bar certain foreign apps from American app stores." Furthermore, the Trump Administration is also considering if it should add ByteDance to the "entity list," which would bar it from purchasing American products and services without a special license. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/07/microsoft-conferences-to-go-digital-only-possibly-until-july-2021"] TikTok has explores other options to avoid a sell, including having a non-Chinese investor, like Sequoia Capital, SoftBank, and General Atlantic, purchase a majority stake from ByteDance. ByteDance's current valuation is around "$100 billion," according to research firm PitchBook, so any deal would indeed be a big one. TikTok's issues have been going on for months at this point, as lawmakers and the Trump administration have "questioned whether the app is susceptible to influence from the Chinese government, including potential requests to censor material shared on the platform or to share American user data with Chinese officials." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/30/microsoft-flight-simulator-final-preview"] “It is well established at this point that apps that have granular access to user data and location and other sensitive personal data are very much on the radar of Cfius and can cause significant national security concerns,” said John P. Kabaelo, a lawyer who represents companies in Cfius reviews. TikTok is currently used by more than 800 million people worldwide, and TikTok's Chinese offices have "swollen to thousands of employees." TikTok also has offices in New York and Los Angeles. TikTok has tried to fight these accusations and change its course, and has taken such action as hiring a top Disney executive, Kevin Mayer, to be its chief executive and pledging to publicly reveal the "algorithm that powers its app." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=halo-infinite-xbox-games-showcase-gameplay-reveal-screenshots&captions=true"] [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.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/318tdOY
via IFTTT

Teen Arrested for Twitter Hack That Affected Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and More

A 17-year-old from Tampa, Florida was arrested on Friday over the July 15 Twitter hack that affected the accounts belonging to high-profile users such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and more. Earlier this month, several prominent Twitter accounts were seemingly hacked to tweet out the same message about a fake giveaway for Bitcoin. Graham Ivan Clark was arrested as the “mastermind” of the attacks. He reportedly gained more than $100,000 in a single day from the hack. Clark was charged alongside two others. 22-year-old Nima Fazeli and 19-year-old Mason Sheppard. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Florida State Attorney Andrew Warren called the crime a “highly sophisticated attack on a magnitude not seen before.” Clark faces 30 charges including one count of organized fraud of more than $50,000, 17 counts of felony communications fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, 10 counts of identity theft, and one count of hacking and unlawful access to a computer in furtherance of a scheme to defraud. Following the Twitter hack, Twitter shut down the ability for some users to Tweet as it investigated the attack. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2XfQvkV
via IFTTT

Detective Pikachu Director Will Helm Beyond Good and Evil Movie for Netflix

Ubisoft's adventure game, Beyond Good and Evil, is getting a Netflix adaptation from Detective Pikachu director Rob Letterman. Ubisoft is also currently developing a long-awaited sequel, Beyond Good and Evil 2 for consoles. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter Letterman's The Beyond Good and Evil movie will reportedly be a mix of live-action and animation. The movie will be produced by Jason Altman and Margaret Boykin under the helm of Ubisoft Film & Television. This adaptation is early in development as the team is still searching for writers. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=beyond-good-and-evil-2-concept-art&captions=true"] Beyond Good & Evil is a cult-classic 2003 video game developed by Ubisoft about a young investigative journalist named Jade who works with an underground resistance movement. The game takes place in the year 2435 on the mining planet of Hillys, which is located in a far off section of the galaxy. Ubisoft is currently at work on a sequel to the game. As for whether or not the Netflix adaption will follow the storyline of the game, not much is known. It could be an adaption of the game's plot or a different story that takes place in the same universe. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/06/22/beyond-good-and-evil-2-gameplay-prototype-walkthrough"] Letterman's directorial debut came with DreamWorks Animation's Shark Tale featuring Will Smith back in 2004. He co-directed 2009's Monsters vs. Aliens before making his first live-action film, Goosebumps, starring Jack Black in 2015. The director is seemingly fusing his talent for animation and visual effects, which is where he began in the film industry, with his live-action directorial efforts considering this Beyond Good and Evil movie will be a hybrid of animation and live-action. Beyond Good and Evil joins a troupe of Netflix video game adaptations. Just yesterday, it was announced that John Wick creator Derek Kolstad is writing a Splinter Cell series for the streaming service. Earlier this month, Netflix announced a Dragon's Dogma anime coming this September. Earlier this year, Netflix released The Witcher, which is based on the same books the Witcher video game series is inspired by. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

from IGN News https://ift.tt/39KV0c0
via IFTTT

After Twitch's DMCA Music Takedowns, Here's What Streamers Can Do

Last month Twitch streamers found themselves hit with a wave of DMCA takedown requests for clips that feature licensed music. For creators with hundreds of clips saved featuring various music in the background, this became a huge headache as they were asked to manually remove violating clips, which for some could be as many as hundreds of videos saved.

What Is DMCA?

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a federal law that’s become quite infamous with the rise of social media services, particularly YouTube. Essentially, it gives the copyright owners the ability to call out unlicensed use of its products and request they be taken down. While YouTube creators are familiar with the DMCA Twitch’s situation is unique in that the requests seem to come all at once, very quickly. Twitch’s official Support account acknowledged the takedown requests, but simply advised users to remove those clips. For users with large archives, Twitch says it’s “working to make this easier.”

Twitch’s DMCA Guidelines

Twitch’s guidelines on DMCA states that “It is our policy to respond to clear notices of claimed copyright infringement that fully comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. In addition, we will promptly terminate without notice the accounts of those determined by us to be “repeat infringers”.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ninja-career-highlights&captions=true"]

How Does DMCA Affect Streamers?

The DMCA is infamous, but it’s also misunderstood. The Act primarily protects the interests of the copyright holder while also giving protections to digital platforms that would previously be liable for hosting copyrighted content that was uploaded without their knowledge. “Most people think of the DMCA as something used against infringers,” says David Hoppe, Managing Partner at SF-based Media/Tech law firm Gamma Law. “But actually DMCA takedown requests are not sent to infringers. DMCA takedown requests are sent by copyright owners to sites that have content posted by users, and that content infringes the copyright. This could be a product review on Amazon, an essay posted on Medium or a YouTube video, for example.” The purpose of the DMCA is to protect those platform owners, like YouTube or Twitch, from liability from the copyright holder, in case a user on the platform posts infringing content. “Any legitimate site will take a takedown request seriously and notify the user to take the content down so that the site will not have the risk of being sued by the copyright owner,” Hoppe says.”

Is there Free Music Twitch Streamers Can Use?

Owning an iTunes MP3 file or a Spotify Premium subscription doesn’t grant you the license to songs from those services. Streamers hoping to avoid a DMCA takedown may have better luck using royalty-free licenses through Creative Commons, or a variety of services that offer royalty-free music for generic use. Some streamers may look into commissioning custom tracks from musicians for exclusive use on their channel.

What Can Content Creators Do If They’re Hit With a DMCA Takedown Request?

Hoppe says that creators, like streamers, can send a counter-notice through the platform and their content will be put back up. “The copyright owner then has a limited time within which to file a lawsuit against the user. So if the creator gets a counter-notice back, they have to decide quickly whether it’s worth escalating to a lawsuit. Otherwise, the content could just stay up indefinitely.” While platform holders will followthrough with DMCA takedown requests, there are steps creators can take if their content is taken down. However, these extra steps could lead to further litigation. “The [content creator] will have to evaluate the legitimacy of the takedown request. If there is a credible claim that the creator’s content infringes on the other party’s copyright? If there is no credible basis, then the creator should file a counter-notice, and the site will be required to put the content back up. If it’s a closer call and there could be infringement, then the creator should consult a copyright lawyer and make the decision whether to file the counter-notice and possibly wind up in court.” [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/30e9L42
via IFTTT

Halo Infinite Multiplayer Is Free to Play, 343 Confirms

Following a leak, 343 Industries has confirmed that Halo Infinite's multiplayer will be free-to-play and will support 120fps on Xbox Series X. Halo's Twitter shared the news, saying "Halo is for everyone. We can confirm #HaloInfinite multiplayer will be free-to-play and will support 120FPS on Xbox Series X. More details will be shared later!" Earlier today, Smyths Toys leaked the news in its listing for Xbox Series X, highlighting the free-to-play news, 120 FPS, and "greatly reduced load times." While we have yet to learn much more about Halo Infinite's multiplayer, we did learn much more about its campaign at the Xbox Games Showcase, where 343 confirmed it will be running at a locked 60 FPS. Halo Infinite will also be more of a platform than a standalone entry, and this move to free-to-play only reinforces that this is what Halo will look like for the foreseeable future. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/23/halo-infinite-9-minutes-of-campaign-gameplay"] 343 Industries' confirmation of Halo Infinite's free-to-play future follows its open discussion on the community's mixed response on the latest Halo's graphics and visual style, a possible multiplayer beta, and microtransactions. Halo Infinite will be released alongside the Xbox Series X in Holiday 2020, but will also be available on PC and Xbox One. For more, be sure to check out more info on Halo Infinite's villain and story, as well as why this new entry is the perfect jumping on point for those new to the Halo franchise. [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 who can't wait and is so excited he just can't hide it. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2XchU6X
via IFTTT

Let's Talk About the Halo Infinite Backlash

Welcome back to Game Scoop!, IGN's weekly video game talk show. This week we're discussing Halo Infinite and the mixed responses to its gameplay reveal, the Nintendo gigaleaks, Ghost of Tsushima, and more. Watch the video above or hit the link below to your favorite podcast service. Listen on: Apple Podcasts YouTube Spotify Stitcher

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3154ZoK
via IFTTT

Michael Jackson Really Wanted to Play Professor X in 2000's X-Men

Before Patrick Stewart was cast as the mighty Marvel Comics telepath, "King of Pop" Michael Jackson pitched himself to the filmmakers to play Professor Charles Xavier in 2000's X-Men movie. That meeting was recounted as part of a larger exposé from The Hollywood Reporter on X-Men director Bryan Singer, which details a long pattern of unprofessional and allegedly abusive behavior on set and off that eventually saw Singer fired from directing Bohemian Rhapsody nearly two decades later. Michael Jackson met with Bryan Singer and a group of the filmmakers involved in the X-Men movie back in the spring of 1999. Jackson, who THR notes was wearing sunglasses and refused to shake hands, made his case for why he should play Professor Charles Xavier, mentor and leader of the X-Men, in what would become the first big Marvel movie blockbuster. [caption id="attachment_2387307" align="alignnone" width="720"] Michael Jackson in 1986's 3D sci-fi film Captain EO. (Credit: Disney)[/caption] Jackson, it must be remembered, was no stranger to acting, having portrayed the Scarecrow in 1978's The Wiz. He also acted in several of his extended music videos, such as "Thriller" and "Bad," and starred in the 1988 musical anthology film Moonwalker as well as the Francis Ford Coppola-directed, George Lucas-scripted fantasy short, Captain EO. X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner recalled telling Jackson at the X-Men meeting, "I said to him, 'Do you know Xavier is an older white guy?' ... And Michael said, 'Oh yeah. You know, I can wear makeup.'" [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=stars-who-were-almost-superheroes&captions=true"] Jackson's "elaborate presentation" to the X-Men team included showing the short film Ghosts, wherein Jackson plays an older white mayor at one point. THR claims Jackson was, "never seriously considered" for the role, citing one unnamed former film exec citing the late singer's child sex abuse scandal as one reason why: "Michael was already in the thick of all his allegations by X-Men." (It should be noted that THR also delves into the many sexual misconduct allegations against Bryan Singer in their piece.) [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/14/all-the-x-men-movies-ranked"] In the end, Patrick Stewart was cast as Professor X in 2000's X-Men, a role he continued to play until 2017's Logan. Michael Jackson's pitch to play Professor X isn't the only curious "what might have been" piece of X-Men casting history. Then-unknown Hugh Jackman replaced Dougray Scott as Wolverine, while Jim Caviezel was originally tipped to play Cyclops before James Marsden won the role. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2XfQP38
via IFTTT

Cicadas Are Being Infected With Fungus That Makes Them Zombies

Cicadas are succumbing to a parasitic infection that basically turns them into zombies. You read that right. The fungus scientifically known as Massospora has been infecting male cicadas for years, according to a journal from PLOS Pathogens as reported by LiveScience. It doesn't end there though. Much like a zombie army, the male cicada zombies begin to work toward growing their numbers by luring in other male cicadas using a flickering wing movement traditionally used by female cicadas to lure in male mates. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-sci-fi-movies&captions=true"] When the non-infected male cicadas attempt to mate with the infected cicada after being lured in, the Massospora is transferred and it begins to infect the new cicada by eating away at its abdomen. It replaces the abdomen with itself, which looks like a grouping of yellow spores. It's apparently not easy to spot this zombie-like transformation occur as the cicadas usually infected are of the Magicicada genus, which spend up to 17 years of their life underground at a time. Fortunately for the scientists behind the PLOS Pathogens report, they're able to track different populations of cicada emerging at different times through a cycle of years. Once the abdomen is transformed into a mass of spores, the now-zombified cicada will fly around and drop spores to infect even more cicada. As to how the Massospora controls this spore-dropping flight and the mating call that occurs after infection, scientists aren't yet sure which chemicals within the fungus are making that happen. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/30/scientists-revive-100-million-year-old-lifeforms-ign-now"] A non-infected cicada's life after emerging from the ground years and years after it is born would generally only last a few weeks. They mate, lay eggs, then die. When infected by the Massospora, their life is prolonged but considering they are zombies at that point, it's not really living. If you're clamoring for zombie-like science, read about how scientists are resurrecting 100-million-year-old underwater lifeforms. After that, read about how a bionic moon jellyfish was created by scientists earlier this year. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/33idlfl
via IFTTT

Scream 5: Courteney Cox Back for Franchise Return

Courteney Cox is reportedly set to return to the Scream movie universe. Cox will reprise her role as reporter Gale Weathers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was last seen in that role in 2011's Scream 4. This news comes two months after it was announced that David Arquette is set to reprise his role as Sheriff Dewey Riley in the fifth Scream movie. As for what Cox's involvement in the story will be, not much more is known. Considering that her role throughout the series has been to investigate the murders of Ghostface, it's easy to imagine that she'll probably be picking back up on the killer's trail. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-horror-movies&captions=true"] The news of a fifth Scream movie came earlier this year when it was reported that Spyglass Media Group would produce the film. The movie will be directed by Ready or Not's Matthew Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. As for what to expect, it's still unclear if this is a soft reboot with a continuation of the previous Scream movies or a hard reboot with no connection to what's come before. Betinelli-Olpin, Gillette, and Chad Villela are collectively known as horror film group, Radio Silence. This trio is responsible for last year's Ready or Not, which saw Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett direct and Villela produce. We gave Ready or Not a 7.6 out of 10 in our review. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/18/ready-or-not-red-band-trailer-1"] Lantern Entertainment acquired the rights to Scream after the company took control of film and TV Scream assets following a Weinstein Co. bankruptcy sale in 2018. Scream 5's production will shoot in Wilmington, North Carolina and casting is currently underway, according to THR. The first Scream — directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson — was released in 1996. It starred Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell, Cox, and Matthew Lillard, among others. The slasher "GhostFace" wore a mask inspired by Edvard Munch painting, The Scream, while preying on Campbell's character. The film made over $100 million at the domestic box office and spawned a number of sequels as well as an MTV television series. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

from IGN News https://ift.tt/30gFCBb
via IFTTT

Football Manager Will Release 'Later' Than Planned This Year

This year's Football Manager game will be released "a little later" than originally planned, according to developer Sports Interactive. In a statement put out by studio boss Miles Jacobson, it was explained that new games in the long-running sports series will be released this year, but they won't appear at the time originally planned, and will have slightly different features. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/18/football-manager-2020-announce-trailer"] "What I can confirm today is that, despite all the problems going on in the world, there will be new Football Manager games released later this year," said Jacobson. "They will be delivered a little later than we’d originally planned, but they’ll have exceptionally strong feature sets… albeit different to those we thought we’d settled on back in January when I completed my ‘dream feature set’." The delay is due, as so many have been this year, to the impact of COVID-19 and the enforcement of working from home. While Sports Interactive reports adding more than 20 new members of staff to its team during this unusual period, it has had to reassess development on "an almost weekly basis", which has resulted in changing scope, both up and downwards. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/29/euro-2020-in-football-manager-feat-football-ramble-daily-part-1"] Football Manager games traditionally release in November. With Sports Interactive saying that the new games will release this year, it seems sensible to assume that December could be the new target month. However, with no date given, it's impossible to know when this year's FM will land. For more Football Manager in the meantime, take a look at how we recreated the Euro 2020 tournament in FM 2020. You can also check out our Football Manager 2020 review. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

from IGN News https://ift.tt/316OAzX
via IFTTT

Anthem Next: BioWare Reveals Changes to Loot and Weapons

BioWare is still working towards a refreshed version of Anthem, dubbed Anthem Next. Today, BioWare Austin director Christian Dailey revealed some updates to loot and gear in his first blog post since announcing his involvement leading Anthem to its next stage. The bulk of Dailey’s new blog post was dedicated to the changes BioWare Austin is trying out in regards to loot and weapons. This includes a more frequent and satisfying loot drop system, as well as a faster power ramp. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-bioware-game-review&captions=true"] Here are some of the changes Dailey outlined in the new Anthem blog post. Respect Your Time

• Increase the frequency of Loot Drops
• Loot is viable more often; All items are better and more competitive, but there’s still a chance of getting something exceptional
• All loot rarities have strategic value throughout progression

Embrace Choice

• You can pursue specific loot without relying on randomness alone; Quests; Specialized Vendors; Unique Loot Tables
• Modify your loot, including rerolling inscriptions and leveling up items

Create a Rewarding Loot Experience

• Loot feels exciting and more noticeable when it drops, and is celebrated when collected
• Rare enemies (aka “walking treasure chests”) create exciting moments to get a burst of loot all at once

Keep it Accessible and Immediate

• Reveal and equip loot right away
• Complete revamp of the equipment sheet – including a detailed stat sheet (not shown)
• The equipment sheet can be accessed from anywhere, allows you to easily see what you have equipped in each slot

Reliability of Equipment and Rewards

• Each item has an inscription “budget”, based on its Power and Rarity
• No more useless items because they were missing must-have inscriptions (see “Increased weapon dmg by +225%”)
• Exceptional items are about getting the exact types of bonuses you want, instead of maxing values on every bonus

Scale for the Future

• Your power cap can be easily increased, and the loot system scales accordingly
• Advanced telemetry data allows us to identify trends and make meaningful balance changes

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=anthem-next-developer-update&captions=true"] The Anthem team in Austin is also exploring ways to make gunplay feel more responsive, and even the efficacy of introducing melee items and builds. New equipments and weapons are also on the way. Dailey stresses that these aren’t easy fixes and that implementing changes will take time. The timeline has also no doubt been affected by the ongoing COVID pandemic. Anthem was released in 2019 and was BioWare’s foray into the live-service space. Unfortunately, critical response to Anthem was mostly negative, which has led to BioWare Austin taking over the project and build an updated version. Other parts of BioWare are currently working on a new Dragon Age title. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2BMMkoZ
via IFTTT

Battletoads Release Date Announced

Microsoft has announced that Battletoads will be available on Xbox Game Pass or to purchase on Xbox One and PC on August 20, 2020. The release date was revealed on Xbox Wire alongside a brand new trailer, and it shows more of the game that brings back Zitz, Rash, and Pimple for the first time in 26 years. This newest Battletoads adventure is developed by Dlala Studios, and is supported by series creator Rare. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/31/battletoads-official-release-date-trailer"] For those unfamiliar with Battletoads, it follows Zitz, Rash, and Pimple as they fight of "the Dark Queen and her abominable allies, in action that takes place across a variety of beat 'em up, platforming, and racing stages." The original Battletoads was known for its difficulty, but Dlala is giving players more options in how they want to play. These options include couch co-op and multiple difficulty settings that will "suit everyone from Tadpole to Battletoad." Battletoads features a hand-animated art style and "pays homage to the stylish, self-aware cartoon of the late '90s." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=battletoads-release-date-announcement-screenshots&captions=true"] In our hands-on of the new Battletoads, we said that while it's still tough, it is no longer sadistic, and "It felt like playing as Dante, or pre-fatherhood Kratos, and I mean that in a good way." [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.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2EtHHRF
via IFTTT

The Last of Us TV Producer Says HBO Series Will 'Enhance' the Original Game

The Last of Us HBO series producer Craig Mazin has promised that the TV show adaptation will not "undo" the popular Naughty Dog PlayStation game. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Chernobyl Special, Mazin, the creator of the remarkable miniseries about the 1986 Soviet nuclear disaster, opened up about the current project that he is working on with Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann, as he explained the careful process behind adapting The Last of Us for television, assuring fans that they plan to "expand" the source material rather than "undo" it. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/12/07/the-last-of-us-2-ellie-and-joels-journey"] "I think fans of something worry that, when the property gets licenced to someone else, those people don't really understand it, or are going to change it," Mazin explained. "In this case, I'm doing it with the guy who did it, and so the changes that we're making are designed to fill things out and expand, not to undo, but rather to enhance." As a self-proclaimed fan of The Last of Us franchise, Mazin described the project as a "dream come true," though he also acknowledged the strong emotions that are attached to the iconic game and the challenges that can create for a small-screen adaptation. "We're creating anew and we're also reimagining what is already there to present a different format," he added. "It's kind of a dream come true for me. I'm a little bit scared because a lot of emotions connected to this game are rather intense. I think I'm probably going to go hide in a bunker for a while because you can't make everyone happy!" [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-last-of-us-hbo-series-8-actors-who-could-play-joel-and-ellie&captions=true"] Shortly after The Last of Us HBO series was announced, Mazin promised that the character of Ellie would still be gay on the TV show and explained why the story, overall, worked better as an ongoing series rather than a standalone movie, as this project is replacing the film adaptation that Sony previously announced back in 2014. Instead, Sony Pictures Television has now teamed with PlayStation Productions to co-produce the upcoming series, which recently scored its first episode director. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3gjsZe5
via IFTTT

Green Hornet Animated Series From Kevin Smith in the Works

Kevin Smith has signed on to develop a Green Hornet animated series for WildBrain, the kids' entertainment company behind Peanuts and Inspector Gadget. Deadline reports that the newly announced family-friendly series will be set in a contemporary time and will follow the adventures of a new Green Hornet and Kato - the son and daughter of George W. Trendle and Fran Striker's original 1930s crime-fighting duo - who will rev up the engine of the Black Beauty and head out on the road to patrol the streets of Century City. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://ift.tt/2K97TAz] "It's an honor to escort the legendary Green Hornet and Kato into their very own animated series for the first time in the rich history of these iconic pop culture characters," said Smith. "We'll be telling a tale of two Hornets – past and future – that spans generations and draws inspiration from a lifetime spent watching classic cartoons and amazing animation like Batman: The Animated Series, Heavy Metal, and Super Friends. I can't believe WildBrain gave me this job and I can't thank them enough for the opportunity to extend my childhood a little longer." "We're thrilled to embark on a new animated Green Hornet series with Kevin, who has set up an incredibly rich world with a cast of amazing characters – especially Kato, who is no longer just a sidekick, but is now a strong female partner to the Green Hornet," added Stephanie Betts, WildBrain's EVP of content and current series. "With his ingenious talent and passion for superheroes and classic franchises, Kevin is the perfect creator to update the Green Hornet. We're excited to share the new Green Hornet and Kato with audiences worldwide." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=stars-who-were-almost-superheroes&captions=true"] Smith appears to have an affinity with The Green Hornet, as he was once attached to write and direct a feature film centered around the costumed character for Miramax. This project never actually made it to the big screen, though Michel Gondry later helmed Sony's 2011 adaptation, which starred Seth Rogen in the title role, Jay Chou as Kato, Cameron Diaz, and Christoph Waltz. Smith continued to buzz around the material and ended up turning the unused script for his Green Hornet feature film into a comic book series for Dynamite Entertainment. He wrote the first four-issue story arc of the series, which was published in 2010 to largely positive reviews. IGN praised the opening issue for paying "tribute to both the television and comic versions of the pulp adventurer while interjecting some modern sensibilities." In addition to the new animated series, Universal Pictures and Amasia Entertainment have recently teamed up to develop a feature film project titled The Green Hornet and Kato, which is expected to "launch an exciting new cinematic world for Britt Reid, Kato, and the Black Beauty." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3gfaOWU
via IFTTT

US House Votes Down Amendment to Stop Army Recruitment on Twitch

The House of Representatives has voted down an amendment designed to prevent the US Army from recruiting through video games, with U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) expressing concern at tech literacy within Congress. Ocasio-Cortez filed the measure earlier this month after backlash against the Army's activities on Twitch forced it to suspend activities on the livestreaming platform. The amendment would have stopped the military from using funds to “maintain a presence on Twitch.com or any video game, e-sports, or live-streaming platform.” Ocasio-Cortez opened her statement to the house by quoting the Marine Service, saying, "War is not a game". She continued by pointing out that the majority of viewers on Twitch are below recruitment age for the Army, and that the military was found to be linking to recruitment forms, not educational material on the service. 126 Democrat representatives voted for the amendment, but 103 Democrats, 188 Republicans and 1 Independent voted against it, putting an end to the proposal as it currently stands. Ocasio-Cortez has posted a thread of tweets (below) about the decision, and expressed concern about the level of tech literacy among those in Congress, and how that affects decisions such as this.

Imagine trying to explain to your colleagues who are members of Congress what Twitch is

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 30, 2020

"When our legislative bodies aren’t sufficiently responsive to tech, then that means we don’t have the tools required to protect people", Ocasio-Cortez wrote. "This is partially why companies know way more about you than you may even be aware of - bc it’s legal, and Congress is struggling to keep up." The New York representative did strike a hopeful note, however, pointing out that the majority of House Democrats voted in favour of the amendment. "That’s a really solid start for this being the first time this issue has been brought before Congress," she wrote, signalling a possible intent to bring similar proposals to Congress in future. CNN's Shannon Liao has said that the US Army and Navy have confirmed that they will continue to stream on Twitch. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2BQmy3m
via IFTTT

Halo Infinite: Multiplayer Will Be Free-To-Play, Says Retailer

Halo Infinite will feature a free-to-play multiplayer mode and run at up to 120 FPS on Xbox Series X, according to a retailer listing and other sources. Smyths Toys includes Halo Infinite in its listing for Xbox Series X, saying, "The legendary Halo series returns with the most expansive Master Chief campaign yet and a groundbreaking free-to-play multiplayer experience. Enjoy up to 120 FPS and greatly reduced load times creating seamless gameplay with Xbox Series X." The section in question has now been removed, but the image below shows it in its original form:Both sources for Windows Central and noted Xbox insider Klobrille have since supported the claim that Halo Infinite's multiplayer will be free-to-play. Klobrille adds that the 120 FPS is an aim for Arena mode on Xbox Series X, and that multiplayer will include a Battle Pass system, and feature types of customisation new to the Halo series. We've contacted Xbox for comment. We've heard previously that Halo Infinite's campaign will run at a locked 60 FPS, and the idea that multiplayer would both run and be released in a different fashion to the single-player portion fits with 343's plan for Halo Infinite to become more of a platform than a standalone game in the series. 343 has previously had to counter rumours that the multiplayer mode would not be released at launch, and yesterday addressed criticism of the game's visuals, saying "the team is working as quickly as possible on plans to address some of the feedback around detail, clarity, and overall fidelity." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/halo-infinite-9-minutes-of-campaign-gameplay"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3fhNjes
via IFTTT

Halo Infinite Developer Addresses Graphics Following Gameplay Reveal

Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries has addressed some of the biggest concerns following its Xbox Games Showcase reveal, including graphics, if there will be a multiplayer beta, and how the game will handle microtransactions. The answers to these questions and more were discussed on Halo Waypoint, and 343 came right out and acknowledged the feedback, both good and bad, that followed Halo Infinite's campaign gameplay reveal, beginning with the graphics. Community manager John Junyszek explained that there are "two key areas being debated around the community – overall art style and visual fidelity." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/23/halo-infinite-9-minutes-of-campaign-gameplay"]

"Based on our learnings from Halo 4, Halo 5, and Halo Wars 2 – along with strong community feedback – we decided to shift back towards the legacy aesthetics that defined the original trilogy. With Halo Infinite, we’re returning to a more ‘classic’ art style which was a key message going back to the very first reveal that garnered enthusiastic and positive responses. This translates to a more vibrant palette, “cleaner” models and objects with less “noise”, though it doesn’t mean less detail. While we appreciate this may not be everyone’s personal preference, we stand by this decision and are happy to see it resonating with so many fans around the world." "The second theme being discussed involves visual fidelity. Negative feedback in this area includes comments around characters and objects appearing flat, simplistic and plastic-like, lighting feeling dull and flat, and object pop-in. We’ve read your comments, we’ve seen the homemade examples of retouched content, and yes we’ve heard the Digital Foundry assessments. In many ways we are in agreement here – we do have work to do to address some of these areas and raise the level of fidelity and overall presentation for the final game. The build used to run the campaign demo was work-in-progress from several weeks ago with a variety of graphical elements and game systems still being finished and polished. While some of the feedback was expected and speaks to areas already in progress, other aspects of the feedback have brought new opportunities and considerations to light that the team is taking very seriously and working to assess. We don’t have firm answers or outcomes to share yet but the team is working as quickly as possible on plans to address some of the feedback around detail, clarity, and overall fidelity. The team is committed and focused on making sure we have a beautiful world for players to explore when we launch."

As for the Multiplayer Beta / Flighting, Junyszek reiterated what 343 head Chris Lee stated last week, saying their plans for a multiplayer beta have been impacted "in large part due to the challenges of working from home during the COVID-19." 343 is not sure a Beta will end up happening, but it is hoping "to have an opportunity for broader hands-on before release." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=halo-infinite-xbox-games-showcase-gameplay-reveal-screenshots&captions=true"] Microtransactions in Halo Infinite were confirmed back in 2018, but Junyszek reassured fans that Halo Infinite "will not include real-money loot boxes." This should come as a relief, especially considering the level of player customization that will be part of Halo Infinite. As Junyszek said, "If you liked the level of armor customization options in Halo: Reach, you will be pleased." There were many other smaller details in this Infinite Inquires post, including the reduction of Kill Barriers and "Return to Battlefield" zones in the campaign to encourage exploration in Halo Infinite's open world, and confirmation that the Battle Rifle (BR75) will be making a return. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/23/halo-infinite-step-inside-cinematic-teaser"] Additionally, the new grapple hook will make its way to multiplayer, but will function a bit differently and will be available as an item that can be picked up on the battlefield. Halo Infinite will be released on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC in Holiday 2020. For more on the latest Halo game, be sure to check out more details on its villain and story, why there won't be a Halo Infinite 2, and why Halo Infinite will be a perfect jumping on point for new players. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/23/the-complete-halo-saga-in-22-minutes"] [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.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3jQFFvj
via IFTTT

Amazon's Lord of the Rings Series Will Include These Classic Characters

Amazon's upcoming Lord of the Rings streaming series will purportedly include three classic characters previously depicted in the Peter Jackson-directed films. According to a tweet from TheOneRing.Net, Sauron, Galadriel and Elrond will appear on Amazon's Lord of the Rings series. Earlier reports pegged Morfydd Clark as playing the role of the young Galadriel, one of the great Elves of Middle-earth, portrayed by Cate Blanchett in the Peter Jackson movies. Hugo Weaving played Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, in those films. The villainous Sauron was played in humanoid form by Sala Baker, while Alan Howard voiced the antagonist in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Sauron, disguised as Necromancer, appeared in the Hobbit movies where he was played by Benedict Cumberbatch. The super-expensive show already has a multi-season commitment from Amazon. Production had begun earlier this year in New Zealand before shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Filming reportedly aims to resume in September. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/19/amazons-lord-of-the-rings-the-second-age-explained"] Amazon's Lord of the Rings takes place during Middle-earth's Second Age, a period only briefly seen in the Lord of the Rings movies. In our extensive breakdown of the Second Age, we said the setting "spans a long period of time in between the banishment of Morgoth (the original Dark Lord) and the first defeat of his servant Sauron. The Second Age is defined by key events like the rise and fall of the kingdom of Númenor, the creation of the Rings of Power and the formation of the Last Alliance that temporarily saved the world from Sauron's wrath." The long-lived, half-elven Elrond was the captain and herald of Gil-Galad, the High King of the Ñoldor, during the Second Age. During this time, Elrond fought in the War of the Last Alliance, which saw Men and Elves battling against Sauron. These events were depicted in Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring. In addition to Morfydd Clark as young Galadriel, Amazon's Lord of the Rings series cast includes Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=amazons-the-lord-of-the-rings-every-confirmed-actor&captions=true"]

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2Pcspmo
via IFTTT

Epic Games Store Finally Gets Achievements and Mod Support

The Epic Games Store is finally getting achievements and mod support. Epic Games Store users have been requesting achievements basically since the launch of the store in 2018 and it seems the feature is finally happening. Epic Games said on Twitter on July 29 that certain games will start displaying the achievements as they're unlocked, but it didn't name which games it's referring to. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=igns-top-25-modern-pc-games&captions=true"] "Certain games on the Epic Games Store may begin to display achievements as you unlock them," the tweet said. "This is an early version of the feature and you can expect to see changes & adjustments. We'll have more info to share on achievements in the future, so stay tuned!" Nothing more was said beyond that but the tweet does include a quick video showcasing what an achievement pop looks like in an Epic Games Store-launched game. You can check it out below.

Certain games on the Epic Games Store may begin to display achievements as you unlock them.

This is an early version of the feature and you can expect to see changes & adjustments. We'll have more info to share on achievements in the future, so stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/80dnoLYegV — Epic Games Store (@EpicGames) July 29, 2020

That same day, it was announced that the Epic Games Store would begin supporting mods and that MechWarrior 5:  Mercenaries would be the first game on the platform to support them. "We are extremely excited to announce that MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is the first game to participate in the Beta launch of Epic Games Store Mods," MechWarrior 5 developer Piranha Games said in a blog post. "With this release, discovering and installing MW5 Mods made by the amazing modding community will be easier than ever, integrated directly into the existing Epic Games Launcher." As noted by Piranha Games, the mods feature of the EGS is in beta. It's unknown at this time when the feature will leave beta. Their blog post highlights a few community-created mods that players can expect to utilize for MechWarrior 5. After giving that a look, read about how the Epic Games Store is the first real threat to Steam. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3hT6cq4
via IFTTT

2K's Non-Simuation NFL Games Will Feature Real-Life Players

2K has announced a partnership with OneTeam Partners and the National Football League Players Association to include "football's most prominent star players" in future NFL 2K games. 2K currently has "multiple football games in development" which will start launching in 2021, and this partnership will allow them to feature "the names, numbers, images and likenesses for over 2,000 current NFL players." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/10/nfl-2k-isnt-really-coming-back-ign-now"] The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 2K President David Ismailer noted that the partnership will bring "the biggest and best stars in football" to 2K's upcoming NFL titles. "We want to give fans experiences that are authentic, memorable and fun, and having a roster of real-life sports heroes through The Players Association and OneTeam is a huge part of delivering on that promise." EA penned a deal with the NFL in December 2004 to make Madden the only series able to use NFL teams and player names, but this partnership suggests that officially licensed players will also feature in NFL 2K games going forward. 2K stated in March of this year that its NFL games will be "non-simulation football game experiences," with titles, developers and release dates to be announced at a later date. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2XaWSG7
via IFTTT

Every Upcoming Movie and TV Game Adaptation, From Splinter Cell to Monster Hunter

With the news that Netflix will adapt Splinter Cell into an animated series, let's take a look at all the upcoming feature film and TV series adaptations of video game properties.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3gfBJlz
via IFTTT

Nintendo Works to Fix Game-Breaking Paper Mario Issue

Nintendo has promised to fix a game-breaking issue in Paper Mario: The Origami King that can keep players from progressing through the story. Light location spoilers for Paper Mario: The Origami King follow. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/14/paper-mario-the-origami-king-announcement-trailer"] On Mario and Olivia's journey to the last streamer in The Origami King, players have to collect four stamps for their Spring of Rainbows VIP card in the Shangri-Spa area. After you collect all four stamps from four different hot springs, you gain access to a secret fifth hot spring. However, once you enter the fifth hot spring, the Spring of Rainbows, you lose your VIP pass. And, the other four hot springs will not give Mario a second stamp, meaning it's impossible to regain the VIP pass after you've already used it. If you try to re-enter the Spring of Rainbows, Mario will once again be asked to show his VIP pass. So, if you leave the Spring of Rainbows before you accomplish your objective, you have no way to return to progress the story. Additionally, leaving the fifth spring automatically saves the game, effectively ruining your progress. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=paper-mario-the-origami-king-screenshots&captions=true"] In a statement to Polygon, a Nintendo representative said, "We are aware of reports about issues affecting some players of Paper Mario: The Origami King. We are working to resolve these issues and plan to address them in a software update. We apologize for any inconvenience." Nintendo did not say exactly when this issue will be fixed. So, for now, be sure to stay in the Spring of Rainbows until you accomplish your objective. If you want more details on this game-breaking issue, you can check out Nintendo Unity's video that walks through the process. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/15/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review"] For more on Paper Mario, you can read our Paper Mario: The Origami King review, where we said, "the latest game in the Paper Mario series delivers in some regards, but falls (unintentionally) flat in others." Or, you can read about how Paper Mario devs are no longer allowed to make new characters that "touch on the Mario universe." [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.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2X8djmo
via IFTTT

Netflix Commits to Splinter Cell Animated Series From John Wick Writer

Ubisoft and Netflix are partnering for an animated series adapting the Splinter Cell video game franchise. Derek Kolstad (the writer behind the John Wick movies) will write and executive produce the series. According to Variety, Splinter Cell has received a twi-season, 16-episode order from Netflix. Splinter Cell had long been in development as a feature film set to star Tom Hardy but the trade says that project is "currently considered inactive." The stealth game franchise -- which has spawned seven games as well as novels -- follows black ops agent Sam Fisher. He has been voiced by both Michael Ironside and Eric Johnson in the games. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-video-game-movie-in-development-almost&captions=true"] In addition to the John Wick franchise, Derek Kolstad's credits include Marvel's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Quibi's Die Hart. Kolstad is also scripting the feature film adaptation of the video game Just Cause. Netflix is no stranger to adapting video games, with The Witcher returning for a second season and a new prequel series The Witcher: Blood Origin in the works. The streaming giant is also developing a Cyberpunk 2077 anime and a Dragon's Lair movie starring Ryan Reynolds. So who do you want to voice Sam Fisher in the Netflix animated series? Michael ironside, Eric Johnson, or Tom Hardy? Let us know in the comments! [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/18/6-games-that-should-be-netflix-shows-up-at-noon"]

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2D6SCAm
via IFTTT

GTA Online: Score Double Rewards and Triple Points in Arena War This Week

This week in Grand Theft Auto Online, score Arena War bonuses, double rewards for participating in Survival Series, and a whole lot more.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2R0N7q7
via IFTTT

Batman: Death in the Family Release Date, Box Art and Movie Images

DC Showcase - Batman: Death in the Family is WBHE's first-ever venture into interactive storytelling. The animated shorts anthology will be released on Blu-ray & Digital on October 13, 2020.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/33dlEci
via IFTTT

Willow Sequel Series From Ron Howard Is in 'Active Development'

Ron Howard has shared an optimistic update about the Willow sequel series that he is attempting to bring to the Disney+ streaming service, although he also admitted that he hasn't been given a green light on the project just yet. Speaking to Andy Cohen on his Radio Andy Sirius XM show, Howard revealed that the Willow sequel is still in "active development" as the team behind the project are currently working through all of the early pre-production stages. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2012/12/13/willow-blu-ray-trailer"] "I was in a two-hour story meeting last night," Howard said, confirming that creative discussions are ongoing. "The writer Jon Kasdan is leading the charge. They have a great group of writers and it's in very active development. The scripts are going great. So, they have to get through the season and the budget. And so forth, there's no green light there yet, but I'm very optimistic about it. I love [Kasdan's] take on it." Howard, who directed the 1988 fantasy film, revealed that he and Kasdan had been in "really serious discussions" about a Willow follow-up a couple of months ago. At that time, he confirmed that the sequel would be a continuation of the original film rather than a reboot of the material, which would see actor Warwick Davis reprise his role as a more mature Willow Ufgood. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=hidden-gems-on-disney-plus-11-classic-movies-to-watch&captions=true"] Willow originated as a dark fantasy story from George Lucas. It tells the tale of an amateur wizard who is tasked with protecting a special baby from an evil queen who is attempting to take over the world. The film also stars Val Kilmer as Madmartigan, an egocentric mercenary who ultimately teams up with Willow to shield the child from the forces of darkness that threaten to destroy anyone who stands in the queen's path. The adventure-packed film was a modest financial success and earned two Oscar nominations for Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Visual Effects. Although it also earned two Razzie nominations for Worst Screenplay and Worst Supporting Actor. Willow's reviews were equally as mixed upon its release, however, the film's reputation has largely improved over time, with many now regarding it as a very entertaining fantasy epic. To find out more about the other Lucasfilms, check out our rundown of all of the ambitious movies that were not Star Wars. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2Xc4aJu
via IFTTT

Bruce Lee's Warrior Season 2 Trailer and Release Window Revealed

IGN can officially reveal that one of TV's best martial arts series is returning to Cinemax this fall. Warrior Season 2 will debut in October exclusively on Cinemax and MaxGo, featuring another batch of action-packed episodes. Here's how the premium network describes the upcoming season: "The series follows Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), a martial arts prodigy who emigrates from China to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances. After proving his worth as a fighter, Ah Sahm becomes a hatchet man for the Hop Wei, one of Chinatown’s most powerful Tongs (Chinese organized crime family). Season two follows rival Chinatown Tongs as they fight for dominance amidst the growing anti-Chinese fervor that threatens to destroy them all." Be sure to check out our exclusive first look at the second season of Warrior, with the exciting teaser trailer below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/30/warrior-season-2-exclusive-teaser-trailer-2020-andrew-koji-olivia-cheng"] In our Season 1 review, we said Warrior is "efficient, energetic, and enjoyable; It's American history brought to vivid life with so much punching." Back in 2019, executive producer Justin Lin (Fast & Furious, Star Trek Beyond) shared what initially attracted him to the Bruce Lee-inspired series: “I’ve always admired Bruce Lee for his trailblazing efforts opening doors for Asians in entertainment and beyond,” Lin explained. “So I was intrigued when Danielle [Woodrow] told me about the urban legend of his never-produced idea for a TV show and suggested we bring it to life. Then, when Shannon [Lee] shared with us her father’s writings – rich with Lee’s unique philosophies on life, and through a point of view rarely depicted on screen – Danielle and I knew that Perfect Storm had to make it." IGN can also exclusively reveal these never-before-seen images from Season 2, featuring Andrew Koji, Kieran Bew, Celine Buckens, Olivia Cheng, Dianne Doan, Dean Jagger, Langley Kirkwood, Hoon Lee. Jason Tobin, Dustin Nguyen, Maria Elena Laas, Miranda Raison, Tom Weston-Jones, Chen Tang, Joanna Vanderham, and Perry Yung in the gallery below: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=warrior-season-2-gallery&captions=true"] What do you think of the trailer? Let us know in the comments. Warrior Season 2 debuts on Cinemax and MaxGo in October 2020.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2D2Hncl
via IFTTT

HBO's Lovecraft Country: Episode Details and Debut Dates Revealed

HBO has released all-new episode details for Lovecraft Country, the upcoming supernatural horror series from executive producers Misha Green, Jordan Peele, and J.J. Abrams. ComingSoon.net has shared an overview of the first half of season one of Lovecraft Country, which outlines episode titles, plot synopses, and debut dates for the first five episodes of the highly anticipated new series, which is set to debut on HBO's premium cable network on Sunday, August 16. The series premiere will also be available to stream on HBO Max shortly after airing, with all subsequent episodes in the show's ten-episode run added to the platform each week. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/25/hbos-lovecraft-country-official-panel-comic-con-2020"] Check out the full episode details below:

Episode 1: Sundown (August 16 at 9:00 pm ET/PT)

Veteran and pulp-fiction aficionado Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) travels from the Jim Crow South to his South Side of Chicago hometown in search of his missing father Montrose (Michael Kenneth Williams). After recruiting his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) and childhood friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett) to join him, the trio sets out for "Ardham," MA, where they think Montrose may have gone looking for insight into Atticus' late mother's ancestry. As they journey across the Midwest, Tic, Leti, and George encounter dangers lurking at every turn, especially after sundown.

Episode 2: Whitey's on the Moon (August 23 at 9:00 pm ET/PT)

Inexplicably recovered from their terrifying night, Leti and George luxuriate in their new surroundings, while Atticus grows suspicious of their Ardham Lodge hosts – Christina Braithwhite (Abbey Lee) and her elusive father Samuel (Tony Goldwyn) – who unveil cryptic plans for Atticus' role in their upcoming "Sons of Adam" ceremony. Later, after Tic, Leti, and George stumble upon a clue that could lead them to Montrose, each takes an unwelcome walk down memory lane. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/05/hbos-lovecraft-country-teaser-trailer"]

Episode 3: Holy Ghost (August 30 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Hoping to mend her relationship with her sister Ruby (Wunmi Mosaku), Leti turns a ramshackle Victorian on Chicago's North Side into a boarding house – an endeavor that stokes neighborhood racism and awakens dormant spirits stuck in the house. Meanwhile, Atticus remains burdened by a guilty conscience as George's wife Hippolyta (Aunjanue Ellis) presses him for the full story of what happened in Ardham.

Episode 4: A History of Violence (September 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT)

After Christina mysteriously shows up at her doorstep, Leti confronts Atticus about his plan to surreptitiously return to Florida. Later, in search of missing pages to a crucial text, Leti, Tic, and Montrose head to Boston, with Hippolyta and Diana (Jada Harris) along for the ride. Back in Chicago, a handsome stranger nurses Ruby's disappointment over a squandered job opportunity.

Episode 5: Strange Case (September 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT)

After making a devil's bargain with William, Ruby steps into the charmed shoes of a white woman, but her transformation only fortifies her resentment of the racial divide. A betrayal by Montrose unleashes Atticus' pent up rage, leaving Leti deeply disturbed and sending Montrose into the comforting arms of his secret lover. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=20-hidden-horror-gems-worth-streaming&captions=true"] All five episodes have been penned by Misha Green, however, Jonathan Kidd and Sonya Winton joined her on episode five. Yann Demange directed the first episode while Daniel Sackheim helmed episodes two and three; Victoria Mahoney took over directorial duties for episode four and Cheryl Dunye stepped up to direct episode five of the subversive horror-drama, which has a monstrous new poster. Lovecraft Country debuts on HBO and HBO Max on August 16, 2020. For more on WarnerMedia's streaming service, read our review round-up of the best and worst HBO Max originals. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/2BGPlXQ
via IFTTT

Football Manager 2021 Is Still Coming This Year, But Later than Planned

Sports Interactive has announced that Football Manager 2021 is still coming this year, but will do so later than planned. Fans have been wondering about the whereabouts of Football Manager 2021 as word on it has been quiet. Studio director Miles Jacobson released a statement today to quell fans' fears on what that silence could mean, saying the game is still coming but will come out "a little later than we'd originally planned." Given the last five mainline Football Manager games have arrived in early November, it seems likely that this was the planned release window for this year's entry. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=21-football-manager-2020-screenshots&captions=true"] "What I can confirm today is that, despite all the problems going on in the world, there will be new Football Manager games released later this year," Jacobson said in a blog post. "They will be delivered a little later than we'd originally planned, but they'll have exceptionally strong feature sets...albeit different to those we thought we'd settled on back in January when I completed my 'dream feature set.'" Jacobson didn't expand on what that dream feature set would have been, nor what features have made it into the final version. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/29/euro-2020-in-football-manager-feat-football-ramble-daily-part-1"] Sports Interactive says it's taken a monumental effort to make Football Manager 2021's release possible this year and has required a lot of flexibility from the team. The game has changed scope on an almost "weekly basis" scaling both upward and downward, but Jacobson says it believes fans will appreciate all of the improvements and new features in this year's game. "Our games will be on more platforms and available on more stores than ever before when they're released later this year but, with regards to features and release dates, it's a little too early for us to talk about the specifics right now. Please cut us a little bit of slack and rest assured that we will once again deliver a set of games that provide hundreds of hours of entertainment and remain the best value for money on the market — and something to help you escape from the real world at the moment, at least for a while." While waiting for the latest iteration in the series, check out our thoughts on last year's game in our Football Manager 2020 review. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3hOCmmr
via IFTTT

Bulletstorm Dev Announces Next-Gen Action-Adventure Game Led By Just Cause 3 Director

Bulletstorm developer People Can Fly has announced that it is working on a next-gen action-adventure game led by Just Cause 3 director Roland Lesterlin. The game is currently untitled but it will be a AAA "highly ambitious, groundbreaking action adventure title" set to release on next-gen consoles — presumably Xbox Series X and PS5 — as well as streaming platforms and PC. This game is being led by People Can Fly head David Grijns and Lesterlin, who is serving as the creative director on the game. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] "There is electricity in the air at People Can Fly," studio CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski said in a press release according to Gematsu. "Last year, we announced the opening of our New York Studio and revealed Outriders for the first time. Today, we have surpassed 250 staff and are excited to announce the next chapter in the development of our company." The New York-based studio is currently working to hire dozens of new staff members over the next year for this untitled project. People Can Fly will be working with studios in Newcastle, Rzeszow, and Warsaw alongside a soon-to-be startup studio in Montreal. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/28/outriders-preview"] "Our intention from the beginning has been to expand People Can Fly into a multi-project studio and continue to build a global presence for our brand," Wojciechowski said. "We are making this unique moment with the presentation of PCF's refreshed visual identity. With the launch of the next-generation consoles later this year, we are incredibly excited about the future of People Can Fly and the games industry as a whole." People Can Fly is not only busy with this untitled AAA project but it's hard at work on its forthcoming game, Outriders, set to release this holiday season. In the meantime, read about how People Can Fly would love a second life for their Bulletstorm series. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

from IGN News https://ift.tt/338zCfv
via IFTTT

Cyberpunk 2077: CD Projekt Red Says There's No Beta Following Email Scam Attempts

CD Projekt Red has made clear that it has no plans for a Cyberpunk 2077 beta, after scam emails appeared to offer recipients the chance to join one. On Twitter, the Cyberpunk 2077 account made clear that recent emails promising beta access were not legitimate. The developer also made clear that any official communication to fans or content creators would come from a CDProjektRed.com address, never from a third-party.

1/2 If you recently received an email claiming to be granting you beta access to Cyberpunk 2077, it's not from us. Unfortunately, there have been more of these being sent out over the past few weeks. When we contact you via email, it'll always come from @ cdprojektred com address

— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) July 30, 2020

It's not clear what the scammers were hoping to gain from unuspecting Cyberpunk fans, but it seems likely that it would have asked for login details for gaming accounts. It goes without saying that you should be vigilant for anyone trying the same in your email inbox. When asked if there were official plans for a Cyberpunk 2077 beta, the account replied: "We do not have plans for that. Sorry!" [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/cyberpunk-2077-night-city-wire-episode-1-full-broadcast"] We shouldn't have to wait too long for more Cyberpunk information, even if we aren't getting a hands-on for ourselves – at the end of June, it was said that we'd be getting a second episode of Night City Wire (the game's digital news broadcast) in "just a few weeks". Some of our number were lucky enough to play 4 hours of Cyberpunk 2077, and we offered rundowns of both what the prologue holds for us, and what secrets the open world of Night City holds in its darker corners. Cyberpunk 2077 will be released for Xbox One, PS4 and PC on November 19 (following a delay), and will get a "robust" next-gen upgrade for PS5 and Xbox Series X in 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/cyberpunk-2077-how-2-ign-editors-played-it-differently"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3hIXr1E
via IFTTT

Disney Pixar Announces New Animated Film Luca

Disney and Pixar have announced a new original animated film called "Luca," which will open in theaters next summer. As the official Twitter announcement reveals, the film will tell the story of "a boy named Luca as he experiences an unforgettable summer in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera." Variety reports that Luca is set to leap into theaters on June 18, 2021.

Just Announced: Disney & Pixar’s all-new film “Luca.” Directed by Enrico Casarosa & produced by Andrea Warren, the film will introduce a boy named Luca as he experiences an unforgettable summer in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera. “Luca” opens in theaters summer 2021. pic.twitter.com/qXhnOVAFJ0

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) July 30, 2020

The coming-of-age film is set to be directed by Enrico Casarosa, who previously directed the 2011 Pixar short La Luna about a young boy who helps his father and grandfather harvest stars from the moon. Andrea Warren will serve as a producer on the upcoming feature-length film. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-disney-and-pixar-animated-movie&captions=true"] "This is a deeply personal story for me, not only because it's set on the Italian Riviera where I grew up, but because at the core of this film is a celebration of friendship. Childhood friendships often set the course of who we want to become and it is those bonds that are at the heart of our story in Luca," Casarosa said in a statement. "So in addition to the beauty and charm of the Italian seaside, our film will feature an unforgettable summer adventure that will fundamentally change Luca." Luca joins a long line-up of animated movies currently in the works at Disney. Pixar's Soul was originally scheduled to hit theatres this summer, but it was pushed back from its original June 19, 2020 date to November 20, 2020 following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This shift in the theatrical release schedule prompted Disney to postpone the release of Raya and the Last Dragon from November 25, 2020 to March 12, 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3geAeEd
via IFTTT

Animal Crossing: New Horizons' New Update Has Turned a Glitch Into a Feature

The Version 1.4 Summer Update of Animal Crossing: New Horizons has turned one of the game's most useful glitches into a feature. As spotted by the @ACWorldBlog Twitter account, you can now remove the HUD when using the NookPhone Camera App by clicking in the right analogue stick on your Joy-Con. Earlier in July, a glitch that allowed players to remove the HUD was itself removed, leading to a backlash from fans and content creators, who were using the tweak to capture footage and screenshots of the game without the visually busy elements of the interface. Now they'll be relieved that Nintendo has been listening, and has brought the glitch back into the game as a feature.

The past Camera App Glitch allowing you to remove the HUD has now been added as a native feature in Version 1.4 of Animal Crossing: New Horizons! Simply press in the right analog stick to remove the user interface. Thank you Nintendo!! #ACHH pic.twitter.com/wGC0xVhV0z

— Animal Crossing World (@ACWorldBlog) July 30, 2020

We reviewed Animal Crossing: New Horizons upon its launch in March of this year, scoring it a 9 and calling it "an expanded, polished, next-generation reboot of a classic." In other New Horizons news, here's the full skinny on the latest content update, which has brought fireworks and dreaming to the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/3hLe24I
via IFTTT

Microsoft Flight Simulator Is Coming To Steam, VR Support Coming Later This Year

Microsoft Flight Simulator will launch on Steam, and VR support is coming later this year as part of a free update. "Microsoft Flight Simulator for PC will support VR via the HP Reverb G2. This will be available later this fall," head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann revealed during a press briefing. In an accompanying post on the Xbox blog, it was announced that the game will be coming to Steam on launch day as well as Windows 10 and Xbox Game Pass for PC, which is currently in beta. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/30/microsoft-flight-simulator-san-francisco-to-las-vegas-full-flight-gameplay"] Neumann has told Eurogamer that VR support will come to other headsets beyond the Reverb G2 later down the line. "We're going to bring it to all the devices - all the common ones," Neumann told Eurogamer. "It's just going to take a few more months after that." During the same briefing, Neumann described Microsoft Flight Simulator as "an ever-changing, ever-evolving platform" with more features and more planes arriving in the years to come. Following the game's launch, the team at Asobo is "aiming to release something meaningful every month." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=32-of-microsoft-flight-simulators-37000-airports&captions=true"] Free world updates will arrive every two to three months and focus on a specific area of the globe, with custom airports and missions. Free sim updates will address community wishlist features in between. Asobo is also planning paid DLC for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Neumann mentioned helicopters and heliports as a potential focus. Our preview of Microsoft Flight Simulator arrived earlier today - check out why we're calling it "the perfect quarantine game" here. If you're still not sated, check out 6 epic landing challenges from the game that will make any seasoned pilot quake with fear. Microsoft Flight Simulator launches on August 18th for PC. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/30a90ZQ
via IFTTT

Riot Games' LEC Partnership With Saudi City Fiercely Criticized

Riot Games is facing criticism after announcing that the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) will partner with Neom, a $500 billion, smart-city founded by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Muhammad bin Salman. Although touted as a city of the future in a press release announcing news of the partnership, Neom has been reportedly built atop forced evictions. This is on top of existing criticism against the Saudi Arabian government in regards to its treatment of LGBT peoples, as well as bin Salman’s links to the assassination of a Washington Post journalist. All of this has led to the swift condemnation of the sponsorship from high-profile voices in the League of Legends community, as well as from Riot employees.

This is disappointing because this is the LEC. It's my team, my product, my managers, my office.

My family. My home. This isn't someone far away in HQ that I don't know. This is devastating because I know who made these choices and I feel silenced. — Froskurinn (@Froskurinn) July 29, 2020

“Incredibly disappointed in Riot today and am baffled at how we could possibly support this,” tweeted Alex Shahmiri, brand lead for Arcane, Riot’s upcoming animated series. “[The partnership] does not reflect the company that I started at six years ago and goes against so much of the progress we’ve been trying to make in the last few years.”

Incredibly disappointed in Riot today and am baffled at how we could support this, does not reflect the company that I started at six years ago and goes against so much of the progress that we’ve been trying to make in the last few years. https://t.co/R9N7d09NnS

— alex shahmiri (@RiotAstryx) July 29, 2020

The Rioters Against Forced Arbitration group, which was started following the allegations that Riot fostered a toxic and sexist workplace, also tweeted out against the partnership.

Riot’s decision to partner with NEOM flies in the face of all the progress that Rioters have worked hard to make over the past few years. Please join us in voicing your support for ending this partnership at #NoToNEOM #RiotGames

— Rioters Against Forced Arbitration (@RiotersAFA) July 29, 2020

IGN has reached out to Riot for a comment. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

from IGN News https://ift.tt/39CEJpD
via IFTTT