Donald Trump's Official Twitch Channel Suspended

Twitch has suspended President Donald Trump’s official Twitch channel citing a violation of Twitch’s community guidelines against hateful conduct. A suspension is not the same as a ban, but it’s unclear when President Trump’s Twitch channel will be reinstated. In a statement provided to IGN, a Twitch spokesperson said, “Hateful conduct is not allowed on Twitch. In line with our policies, President Trump’s channel has been issued a temporary suspension from Twitch for comments made on stream, and the offending content has been removed.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/03/02/trump-to-meet-with-game-industry-execs"] Twitch defines Hateful Conduct on its platform as any “content or activity that promotes, encourages, or facilitates discrimination, denigration, objectification, harassment, or violence based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or serious medical condition or veteran status, and is prohibited. Any hateful conduct is considered a zero-tolerance violation.” Trump’s Twitch channel rebroadcasted multiple rallies that Twitch cited as violations of this rule. One was a recent rebroadcast from his 2016 campaign rally where he said:

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people. But I speak to border guards and they tell us what we’re getting. And it only makes common sense. It only makes common sense. They’re sending us not the right people.”

Twitch cited a second comment made during a Twitch stream from Trump’s Tulsa Rally:

“Hey, it’s 1:00 o’clock in the morning and a very tough, I’ve used the word on occasion, hombre, a very tough hombre is breaking into the window of a young woman whose husband is away as a traveling salesman or whatever he may do. And you call 911 and they say, “I’m sorry, this number’s no longer working.” By the way, you have many cases like that, many, many, many. Whether it’s a young woman, an old woman, a young man or an old man and you’re sleeping.”

Twitch told the President’s team when the channel was started last year that, “Like anyone else, politicians on Twitch must adhere to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. We do not make exceptions for political or newsworthy content, and will take action on content reported to us that violates our rules.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/03/08/president-trumps-violence-in-video-games-highlight-reel"] Several other politicians have Twitch channels, including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Trump’s suspension from Twitch comes on the same day Reddit banned subreddits deemed as propagating hateful content, including the r/The_Donald subreddit which is not officially associated with the President. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. Blogroll photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr. Some rights reserved.

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Call of Duty: Warzone Update to Add Limited Time 200-Player Matches

Call of Duty: Warzone will soon be getting a new limited-time 200 Player Battle Royale mode that will allow 50 Quads of Operators to fight for victory. This new mode will arrive alongside a brand new Season Four Reloaded update on June 29 at 11pm PT and on June 30 at 2am ET/7am BST that will also add a new weapon, map, operator, and much more. Warzone currently supports up to 150 players, and this new limited time Quads mode will allow for 50 more players. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/11/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-warzone-official-season-four-trailer"] The update will have a download size of 22-36 GB for owners of the full version of Modern Warfare, with console owners needing a secondary 3.5 GB download. Free-to-Play Warzone players can expect a download of 22-30 GB. According to Activision, once these updates are finished, there will be "a reduction to the overall footprint on their machines." There will also be new Supply Run Contracts in Warzone. Once activated, your team will be directed to a nearby Buy Station. If it is reached in time, a discount on Buy Station purchases will be applied. Juggernaut Royale mode will also become available. In this mode, there will be airdropped care packages that will allow players to become the Juggernaut with a mini-gun and high armor. Once a Juggernaut is defeated, a new care package will drop, giving someone else a chance to become the fearsome soldier. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=call-of-duty-modern-warfare-and-warzone-season-4-screenshots&captions=true"] A Spotter Scope will also be put around Verdansk. While sniper scopes can be spotted by other players by the glint of sunshine when they are used, this new scope has none of that. If found, players can can the environment and find enemies without as much fear as using a regular scope. Speaking of Snipers, the Rytec AMR will also make its way to Modern Warfare's multiplayer modes and is a ".50 caliber-chambered beast." It is "one of the deadliest semi-automatic anti-material rifles an Operator can get their hands on." On the multiplayer front, the Cheshire Park map will become available and allow players to travel to urban London, England to visit a "picturesque garden and conservatory." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/11/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-warzone-season-four-battle-pass-trailer"] Lastly, Team Defender returns to multiplayer after being introduced almost 10 years ago and brings back the variant of Capture the Flag where there is only one flag between both teams. [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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The Force Is Strong With These Minimalist Star Wars Posters

One of many reasons Star Wars has embedded itself in our collective consciousness is through its iconic imagery, made all the more recognizable by its clean, minimalist shapes that create instantly recognizable silhouettes (like the shadow of Darth Vader that made The Phantom Menace's teaser poster so effective), so it's no surprise that minimalist designer and illustrator S. Preston has drawn inspiration from a galaxy far, far away for his new line of artwork. IGN can exclusively reveal Preston's three latest designs, featuring R2-D2, Boba Fett, and Darth Vader, building on his previous work which showcased BB-8 and the Millennium Falcon. Check out the officially licensed designs in the slideshow below. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=star-wars-minimalist-prints-by-s-preston&captions=true"] Preston is well known for creating minimalist takes on Major League Baseball's mascot designs and ballparks, and the artist shares a little of the inspiration in his work here: "Mascots are for kids. When I set about to create a collection of mascot art, I really wanted to capture the playfulness and joy that a young fan gets when they meet a mascot or character.  Partially inspired by Wilson, the neighbor in Home Improvement, my collection of minimalist mascots are meant to capture your attention by “peeking” over the art.  Over the years, thousands of sports fans have added my minimalist mascot artwork in their kids rooms and I’m crazy excited that LucasFilm decided to introduce my minimalist mascot artwork into a galaxy far, far away.” The prints are now available through Preston's website with a 10% discount for IGN readers using code IGN10. Get the details on the prints below: Open Edition Poster Prints - Officially licensed artwork of Lucasfilm, Ltd. - 11x17 on enhanced matte paper. - 12x12 on enhanced matte paper Both retail $30 Limited Edition Prints - Officially licensed artwork of Lucasfilm, Ltd. - Hand numbered and signed by the artist. - Certificate of Authenticity included. - Optional framing available. Medium - 14x20 print on archival fine-art paper. - Limited to 350 Large - 24x36 print on archival fine-art paper - Limited to 100 For more Star Wars goodies, check out Hasbro's new Mandalorian and Star Wars Rebels Black Series figures, see the Funko versions of Knights of the Old Republic villains Darth Revan and Darth Malak, and read the first chapter Star Wars: The High Republic - Light of the Jedi. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/20/hasbros-baby-yoda-animatronic-figure-in-action"]

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Crash Bandicoot 4: New Gameplay Shows New Tricks, Returning Moves

After years and years of entries that tried but often didn’t quite capture the magic of the original trilogy, we’re actually getting a proper Crash Bandicoot 4. Crash 4: It’s About Time comes from developers Toys for Bob, who have a long history with platformers, most recently tackling the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. With our first look at Crash Bandicoot 4 gameplay and details, we saw some of the various time-hopping locales Crash and Coco will venture off to. Thanks to a bit of new, exclusive footage, which you can watch in the video breakdown above, we can also see how a level will flow, and many of the new moves, ideas, and returning gameplay tricks Crash 4 will bring later this year. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-first-screenshots&captions=true"] This pirate-themed level takes Crash from the seaside shore through a seeming pirate cove to a cavernous end-of-level treasure area. And, thankfully, a lot of the staples of the Crash experience appear intact, which Toys for Bob has said is a key component of why they called this Crash 4. Wumpa, Aku Aku, Nitro, and TNT crates all return as collectibles and hazards around the world. There’s also a few new crates thrown into the mix, including one that spits fire in several directions, as well as a golden Wumpa fruit crate at the end of the level. Speaking of the end of the level, in true Crash original trilogy form, we’ve got a crate counter tallying your success in aiming to 100% the level by smashing every crate in sight. It’s a familiar touchstone, but an important one. And another seemingly returning aspect is time trials, as a stopwatch appears at the start of the level. Toys for Bob’s Lou Studdert in an interview with IGN told us the team is focused on really enriching Crash 4 with replayability in the same way that players could find reasons to keep going back to levels in the original Crash games. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/22/crash-bandicoot-4-first-gameplay-details"] Of course, this time, they’re working with modern console technology, and the impressive detail and design work proves it. There’s a great bit of character enemy behavior early on, as Crash spin-slaps a foe into one of these new enemies sporting whirlwinds around them, which causes that foe to arc on the wind and take out another enemy. Combo kills in Crash have always been a joy to discover, and this one hopefully hints at some intriguing combinations to come. The scope of the levels is also showcased in the middle, rope-sliding section, which offers a look at one of Crash’s main new techniques. But as he’s sliding and flipping around these ropes, you can see much more of the level unfurl below him. There’s a whole series of platforming challenges for Crash to face on the lower deck of this level, and it speaks to Toys for Bob’s efforts to offer expansive, larger levels than the original trilogy could. And last but not least, I just really wanted to point out this crate with a shark on it. Is there a shark in the crate, is it a crate that will eventually house a shark, or is it a crate filled with food, toys, or costumes for sharks? [caption id="attachment_2373606" align="alignnone" width="720"] What's in the shark box!?[/caption] Crash 4 will take the series to new worlds on October 2, when It’s About Time comes to PS4 and Xbox One. For more on Crash 4, check out the initial reveal trailer, and learn about other major gameplay details set for the sequel. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, Host of Podcast Beyond!, and lifelong Crash Bandicoot player. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

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Xbox Series S Will Reportedly Be Revealed in August

A new report claims the much-rumoured Xbox Series S (or Xbox Lockhart) will be revealed in August, after it was originally scheduled for an E3 announcement. According to Eurogamer's sources, Microsoft had originally pegged June as its announcement month for the alleged lower priced, lower powered version of the Xbox Series X, using an E3 showcase as a space to explain the console while showing it playing the same next-gen games as the more powerful console. The site now reports that Series S will get its own reveal - presumably in an Inside Xbox-like showcase - in August. That supports a previous Venturebeat report. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/10/xbox-lockhart-seems-real-but-is-it-out-this-year-unlocked-447"] Some reports have suggested that the Series S reveal was originally planned to remain in June - to fit in as part of the monthly updates branded by Microsoft as Xbox 20/20 - before being pushed back. However, Eurogamer says its sources indicate that this month's series of technical updates on elements like Smart Delivery was always the plan for June. The next confirmed major beat for Xbox 20/20 is a July showcase of first-party games. Xbox Series S increasingly looks to be a reality, with the original rumours now supported by the discovery of Windows OS code that references its Lockhart codename. [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.

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Ghostbusters: Afterlife Leaves Open the Possibility of Sequels

Dan Aykroyd has suggested that Ghostbusters: Afterlife sets up a new generation that could potentially lead to more supernatural sequels in the future. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Aykroyd praised Afterlife director Jason Reitman, the son of original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman, for his care in "passing the DNA of the first two movies directly to the new generation" by introducing a fresh team of paranormal investigators to continue the legacy. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/09/ghostbusters-afterlife-official-trailer"] "It's just a lot of fun to see these terrific young actors slinging the old Cadillac around and having the equipment in their hands," Aykroyd admitted. "The story that develops from that is scary and funny and heartfelt and also funny. And it feeds into the possibility of more follow-ups with this group and with others who want to join." While Ghostbusters: Afterlife largely focuses on handing the proton packs over to a new generation of 'busters, several members of the original cast are also said to be reprising their roles. In fact, Aykroyd said that the OGBs made sure that Harold Ramis, who died in 2014, was well represented in the new film. "To have that formation without that man standing right there on the line with us was a pretty serious adjustment," Aykroyd recalled of shooting without his former co-star. "He will be very well represented in the new film, I can tell you that. He's very honorably represented." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ghostbusters-afterlife-trailer-breakdown&captions=true"] Filmmaker Jason Reitman said that the forthcoming film will tie directly into the original movie from 1984. The new characters are a family made up of Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace. The mother inherits a farm from a father she didn't know. However, the family soon discovers that this farm, which is tucked away in a small Oklahoma town, is littered with world-saving, ghostbusting equipment. Ghostbusters: Afterlife was originally set to haunt theaters on July 10, 2020, but the threequel has been pushed back to March 5, 2021, in light of the industry-wide shutdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

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The Last of Us Part 2: Director on the Sequel's Ambitious Story

By the end of the original The Last of Us, developer Naughty Dog asks players, as Joel, to commit morally challenging acts that, whether you agree they’re the right thing to do, you at least understand where the character is coming from. For The Last of Us Part 2, Naughty Dog aimed to achieve a similar sense of empathy through playing on a larger scale on the sequel. Massive spoilers for The Last of Us Part 2 follow. If you haven’t finished playing, turn back now! [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/12/the-last-of-us-part-2-review"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Speaking to IGN ahead of The Last of Us Part 2’s release, director Neil Druckmann explained the philosophy the team took with the original game, and how it led to Part 2’s key goals. “You don't necessarily agree with what [Joel’s] doing, but we saw that the majority of people understood what he's doing and now they're role-playing as him,” Druckmann said. “'I might not do this but I understand why Joel would. So I'm going to see the world through his eyes.’ There's something unique about the empathy that is created in video games, it's wholly unique. “Can we build a whole experience around this concept,” Druckmann said, explaining what he and the team ventured out to do with Part 2. “Can we make you hate someone to such a degree that you want to hurt them in really horrible ways for what they've done to you? And then all of a sudden make you play as them and, the challenge was, can we get you to empathize?” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-last-of-us-part-2-review-screenshots&captions=true"] Of course, Part 2 includes the dramatic gameplay shift of its second half, putting players in control of Abby, first introduced early in the sequel as someone successfully hunting Joel to kill him. The second half, both in the present and in flashbacks, explores Abby’s life and motivations, which Druckmann explained allowed them to dive into the themes of revenge from multiple perspectives. “I don't know if you're going to like [Abby] necessarily. We hope you do, but can we really get you to understand them? And that's where the second half of the game [goes], you're playing as someone that goes on their own journey of redemption. You get to see revenge from two sides,” he said. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/how-long-is-the-last-of-us-part-2"] And moreso than just exploring revenge, which is what most of The Last of Us Part 2’s early marketing focused on, Druckmann explained how the dual perspectives allowed them to explore the flip side of that — forgiveness. “It's a game about empathy and forgiveness and getting past grief and seeing other people for the more complex human beings they are. That's what got us excited about making this,” Druckmann said. Stay tuned to IGN for more from Druckmann on the sequel, and if you haven't already be sure to check out IGN's The last of Us Part 2 review. For more on the Naughty Dog sequel, read our dive into The Last of Us Part 2's accessibility features, how much The Last of Us Part 2 sold in its debut weekend, and why the sequel probably won't get DLC. And if you're playing, be sure to check out IGN's comprehensive The Last of Us Part 2 guide for help with collectibles, Trophies, and more. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, Host of Podcast Beyond!, and can't stop hearing Pearl Jam in his head now. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

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Super Nintendo World Theme Park Opening Delayed Indefinitely

The Super Nintendo World theme park's opening has been indefinitely delayed in Japan. Universal Studios Japan is planning to postpone the opening of its upcoming Nintendo-theme land in Osaka as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to NHK World-Japan. The theme park, which is heavily based on Nintendo's Mario franchise, is nearly complete. This includes not just construction of the land, but themed rides and restaurants as well. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=super-nintendo-world-press-conference-images&captions=true"] The park was originally set to open in July but because of COVID-19, the park's opening has been delayed indefinitely, likely to give Universal Studios time to review the pandemic landscape and determine a safer opening date. Because construction on the land is near complete, it's unlikely this delay was made in order to give the company more time to work on the park itself. Because of the popularity of Nintendo, Mario, and the idea of a new land opening within Universal Studios Japan, the company is expecting an increased number of visitors to the park. This poses an even larger threat to the safety of guests in the midst of a pandemic. As such, Universal Studios Japan said it is unsure of when the new Nintendo-themed land will open. The rest of Universal Studios Japan opened on June 8 to guests from the local Kansai area. It also limited guest numbers by half of its standard capacity. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/06/08/super-nintendo-world-japan-teaser-trailer"] It may not be open, but there are still plenty of ways to get a glimpse of the park. Check out this new image that shows multiple areas of the land. After looking at that, read about how the Super Nintendo World theme park might expand beyond Mario in the future. The eastern US version of this Nintendo-themed land is coming to the new Epic Universe theme park planned for Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Here are some ways to help 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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Hyper Scape: Ubisoft Reportedly Ready to Reveal New Battle Royale

Ubisoft is reportedly raring up to tease a new FPS Battle Royale game called Hyper Scape. The information arrives thanks to a thread from esports insider, Slasher, who has learned from sources that Ubisoft is reportedly prepared to tease the game later on Monday. According to Slasher's sources, the game was code-named Prisma Dimensions but will run with the title Hyper Scape, and is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal.

Sources: today Ubisoft will tease a new game code-named "Prisma Dimensions", which is actually a new AAA multiplayer fast-paced FPS Battle Royale from Ubisoft Montreal (R6, AC) named Hyper Scape pic.twitter.com/2hza3P7rz1

— Rod "4475 SR & Immortal peak" Breslau (@Slasher) June 29, 2020

An image shown in the thread appears to offer our first glimpse of the game and its apparent "futuristic virtual world." The game will apparently be free to play for both PC and consoles, with crossplay functionality. The thread also notes that the game is set to enter a closed beta period next week, with a full launch planned on July 12. As detailed in the thread, Hyper Scape has reportedly been built in partnership with Twitch and one of the game's features allows Twitch chat to, "directly impact the game live with game-changing events." Ubisoft's digital summer showcase, Ubisoft Forward, is set to air next Sunday, July 12. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

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The Umbrella Academy: New Poster Includes Season 2 Easter Eggs

The Umbrella Academy Season 2 is coming in just over a month, and a new poster is offering us a few hints at what's to come. The poster (below), shows the seven members of the Academy, each sporting a pair of sunglasses, with each reflection offering a clue at Season 2's contents. From the looks of it, we'll be getting more looks back at the Academy's childhoods, as well as protests, a declaration of war, and more. The show will return to Netflix on July 31, and we've already seen a set of character posters and first-look images. Here's everything we know about Season 2 ahead of its release. An adaptation of Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's comic book series ofthe same name, The Umbrella Academy follows the lives of a dysfunctional family of superheroes. It proved a huge hit for Netflix, which reported that 45 million households had watched the show, and quickly ordered a second season. We awarded the first season an 8.5 review, calling it "hilariously twisted, subversively stylish, and surprisingly poignant". We named it as one of the best new TV series of 2019, and one of the best comic book series - it was named the IGN's People's Choice in both categories. [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.

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Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Director Plans to Revisit Story in 'Anime Form'

Edgar Wright has spoken about the possibility of revisiting Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World as an anime project, saying there are "plans" to expand the franchise, though nothing is official yet. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Wright revealed that he had been involved in ongoing talks with Scott Pilgrim comic creator Bryan Lee O'Malley and the film's executive producer Jared LeBoff about revisiting the material in "an animation way," as opposed to following up with a direct sequel to the 2010 film. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/11/17/director-styles-movie-lists-cinefix"] "There's some plans — and there's nothing official yet — but there are some plans to revisit the material in an animation way," Wright admitted in the retrospective piece. "We've been talking with Bryan and with Jared for a while [about]: What if we did something with the books in anime form? It's being discussed as we speak." In the same interview, O'Malley expressed his interest in returning to the world of Scott Pilgrim, saying that he would "like to revisit the characters [in comic form] and see what they're up to." In fact, he said that he had already sketched an alternate version of Scott with "a huge beard" early in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=top-25-best-anime-series-of-all-time&captions=true"] Whichever format this new project could potentially take, it is highly unlikely to be developed as a direct big-screen follow-up to the Michael Cera-starring film adaptation, as Cera himself admitted that "when a movie doesn't really explode at the box office, it's hard for anybody to get behind a sequel." Critics and fans of the Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series raved about the film adaptation after its release, but that adulation didn't translate to high box office returns. On an estimated budget of $60 million, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World took in a paltry $47.7 million worldwide. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

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Harry Potter RPG Reportedly Due in Late 2021

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's Harry Potter RPG is reportedly set to be released in late 2021 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, although the developers are said to be "rattled" by such issues as the COVID-19 pandemic, J.K. Rowling's controversial comments, and the possible sale of the Warner Bros. video game publishing business. As reported by Bloomberg, this Harry Potter RPG has been long-rumored but never officially confirmed. While there was a supposed gameplay leak in 2018, Warner Bros. has yet to introduce this much-anticipated title to the world at large. This project is said to let players become wizards in a "vast, open world re-creation og Hogwarts and its surrounding areas." Two anonymous sources close to the project have revealed to Bloomberg that the project is "very real" and that it is in development by Disney Infinity studio Avalanche Software in Salt Lake City, Utah. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/10/05/our-leaked-harry-potter-rpg-theories-beyond-highlight"] The sources have confirmed that that leak from 2018 was authentic, but many of the rumors that have come after are false. It was also said that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the possible sale of the Warner Bros. video game publishing business, and the "fierce backlash against the franchise's creator," the game still remains on track for its release next year. There is anxiety at the studio, however, especially due to the aforementioned comments by J.K. Rowling that are "widely viewed as transphobic." According to one person, the studio's management has still not addressed the controversial words by Rowling. Many spoke out against Rowling's comments, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, two of the stars from the Harry Potter films. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/11/24/best-25-harry-potter-characters"] Rowling is still very involved in most things Harry Potter, although one of the sources said that she has "very little direct involvement" in this project. Felicia Grady, the managing editor of the popular Harry Potter fan site MuggleNet wrote an e-mail to Bloomberg stating that this controversy is "likely to diminish some of the anticipation of the game." "Based on what I’ve seen from fans, I do believe that Rowling’s comments have had some effect on the level of excitement they have for the Harry Potter RPG or other upcoming content,” Grady wrote. “We’ve seen comments from fans who no longer wish to support Rowling or the brand financially.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-harry-potter-universes-most-fantastic-beasts&captions=true"] The possible sale of the Warner Bros. video game publishing business is also of big concern because, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Kanterman, expensive projects can be the "most at risk of cancellation in the event of a sale," especially one that has been in development for so long. These issues have caused WB to shift its plans regarding the reveal of the project, which was originally going to appear during E3 2020. The new plan, according to those familiar with such things, is to unveil the new Batman game in August at the DC FanDome and then focus on the Harry Potter RPG at a later date. These plans, however, were made prior to Rowling's comments. [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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Ubisoft CEO Promises to 'Personally Follow' Misconduct Reports, Two Execs Reportedly Placed on Leave

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has promised to "personally follow" each of the recent reports of sexual misconduct at the company, while two of its vice-presidents, among others, have allegedly been placed on leave as a result of the reports. In a letter to staff obtained by Business Insider, Guillemot writes that he has been "profoundly affected" by the multiple reports of sexual impropriety and abuse emerging from Ubisoft. "These actions are in total contradiction with our values ​​and with what I want for Ubisoft", Guillemot's letter continues. "The company we hold dear must offer a welcoming and respectful environment, allowing everyone to flourish. I will not accept anything less." Guillemot said the company was setting up a multidisciplinary working group (with an external partner) in order to "come up with better solutions and tools to detect, report and resolve any incident or serious problem without delay and in an impartial manner." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/24/assassinss-creed-valhalla-creative-director-is-stepping-down-amid-cheating-allegations"] Separately, Bloomberg reports that vice-presidents Tommy François and Maxime Béland, as well as several other employees, have been placed on administrative leave as allegations of misconduct from multiple sources are investigated. Bloomberg reports that many Ubisoft employees have expressed skepticism over whether appropriate action will be taken, with some pointing out that some of these allegations are not new, and have been reported to HR in the past without result. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla creative director Ashraf Ismail has already stepped down from his role on the project after he was accused of engaging in extramarital affairs. It's unclear what his status as an Ubisoft employee is at this time. [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.

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PlayStation Plus Games Announced for July 2020

Sony has announced that NBA 2K20, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Erica will be July 2020's PlayStation Plus free games. In addition, today, June 29, is the 10 year anniversary of the launch of PlayStation Plus. Announced on PlayStation.Blog, all three of these games will be available from July 7 - August 3. As for how Sony is celebrating 10 years of PlayStation Plus, it will be offering a free PS4 theme for a limited time, and a free online multiplayer weekend that will start on July 4 at 12:01am - July 5 at 11:59pm in your local timezone. PlayStation also shared a look back graphic of PS Plus through the years. Some interesting facts shown are that Wipeout HD was one of the first games given to PS Plus Members, June 2012 saw the introduction of monthly games, over 1,000 games have been offered through the service globally, and there are over 41.5 million users as of March 31, 2020. It also revealed that the Top 5 Monthly Games Redeemed from PS Plus Globally are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Sonic Forces, Shadow of the Colossus, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, and Destiny 2. The Top 5 Online Multiplayer Games Played by PS Plus Members Globally are Grand Theft Auto V, Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Destiny, and Call of Duty: Black Ops IV. In our review of NBA 2K20, we said "NBA 2K continues its tradition of upping already tremendous gameplay, emulating the real-life sport in ways that didn’t seem possible just years ago." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/09/nba-2k20-review"] In our review of Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, we said "Rise of the Tomb Raider hasn’t lost its luster a year after its initial release. Bundled together with all of the content released so far, Lara’s already-packed adventure is now even bigger." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/10/10/rise-of-the-tomb-raider-20-year-celebration-review"] Erica is a "feature-length cinematic experience" that follows Erica, a "brave young lady plagues with nightmare's of your father's murder." When traumatic events are brought back to light via new clues, you must figure out the "shocking truth behind this devastating tragedy. This news follows PlayStation Plus' June 2020 lineup that included both Call of Duty: World War II and Star Wars Battlefront 2. [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 wishes PlayStation Plus a happy 10th birthday. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

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Harley Quinn: DC Reveals Stylish New Digital-First Series

Harley Quinn is getting a new comic book series, but with a twist. DC has revealed Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red, a digital-first anthology series where every story is rendered in only those three colors. Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red will feature a rotating team of creators, with the first story written and drawn by Harleen creator Stjepan Šejić. Dubbed "Harleen: Red," this story is a spinoff from that DC Black Label book and will offer a deeper look at Harleen Quinzel's troubled mind. You can check out a preview of that story in the slideshow gallery below: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=harley-quinn-black-white-red-gives-harley-a-stylish-makeover&captions=true"] The series will span 14 chapters in all, with upcoming stories featuring the likes of Harley co-creator Paul Dini, Harley Quinn New 52 team of Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner and Chad Hardin, Miles Morales: Spider-Man writer Saladin Ahmed, Dial H for Hero artist Joe Quinones and History of the Marvel Universe artist Javier Rodriguez. Much like DC's Batman: Black & White series, Harley Quinn: Black + White+ Red is aimed at allowing creators to put a personal artistic spin on the character in a continuity-free setting. “This is such a cool series with killer art,” said DC Executive Editor Mark Doyle in a statement. “Senior Editor Chris Conroy had the idea to riff on the classic Batman: Black & White series but to do it with Harley in that irreverent, fun way that only Harley can do—and DC Digital First seemed like the perfect format to tell these stories.” The series' first chapter is available to purchase now on ReadDC.com, ComiXology and other digital comics retailers, with new chapters releasing every Friday. DC hasn't yet announced whether Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red will be released in print form, but based on past digital-first projects, we'd assume a print series will follow later in 2020. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/26/joker-war-why-batmans-worst-enemy-is-finally-ready-to-finish-their-game"] This is just the latest digital-first series DC has added to its lineup in recent months. DCeased: Hope at World's End is a spinoff of the original zombie-centric series, one that fleshes out a lost period of time from the first story. The publisher also expanded its digital-first program to feature daily new releases, spotlighting popular heroes like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. For more on what's new in the DCU, find out how Dark Nights: Death Metal is tying together 80 years of history and learn more about what's coming in the epic Batman: Joker War crossover. [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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