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In the 02/19/2017 edition:

Here's What's New And Leaving Hulu In March 2017

By Chris Pereira on Feb 19, 2017 12:09 am

March is fast approaching, and Hulu has now announced what new content is set to arrive during the month, as well as what's on its way out.

Terminator 2, Carrie, and Top Gun are among the movies coming to Hulu on March 1. All four part of Hulu's National Treasure series--a British show unrelated to the Nic Cage movies--also debut right at the start of the month.

Terminator 2
Terminator 2

In terms of TV additions, we'll see Season 3 of Steven Universe on March 10, Season 2 of Fargo on March 17, Season 2 of Fear the Walking Dead on March 21, Season 7 of Archer on March 28.

As for what's leaving, There Will Be Blood, Vanilla Sky, The Italian Job, The Da Vinci Code, and the first two Jackass movies are all on their way out at the end of March.

You can get the full rundown on Hulu in March below.

Coming to Hulu in March

Available March 1

  • National Treasure: Complete Four-Part Series (Hulu Original)
  • 13 Going on 30 (2004)
  • 52 Pick Up (1986)
  • A Company Man (2013)
  • A Simple Plan (1998)
  • The Adventure of Buckaroo Banzai (1984)
  • The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
  • American Heart (1993)
  • American Sasquatch Hunters: Bigfoot in America (2013)
  • Ancient Aliens Origins (2016)
  • And While We Were Here (2013)
  • Badges of Fury (2013)
  • Battle Ground (2013)
  • The Big Kahuna (2000)
  • Born to be Blue (2015) (*Showtime)
  • Carrie (1976)
  • The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)
  • Cavemen (2014)
  • Charlie Bartlett (2008)
  • Clueless (1995)
  • Code 46 (2013) (*Showtime)
  • Commitment (2013)
  • Confession of Murder (2014)
  • The Courier (2012)
  • Curse of the Zodiac (2007)
  • The Cutting Edge (1992)
  • The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold (2006)
  • Dead Man's Bounty (2008)
  • Doomsday Book (2012)
  • Dummy (2003)
  • Eastern Bandits (2014)
  • Enemy at the Gates (2001) (*Showtime)
  • The Final Cut (2004) (*Showtime)
  • Flash Point (2008)
  • Floating City (2012)
  • The Fog (2005)
  • The Four (2012)
  • The Gambler (2014)
  • Gang Related (1997)
  • The Ghost Writer (2010) (*Showtime)
  • The Guillotines (2013)
  • Hannibal (2001)
  • I Love You Phillip Morris (2009) (*Showtime)
  • Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport (2000)
  • The Karate Kid (1984)
  • The Karate Kid 3 (1989)
  • The Karate Kid: Part 2 (1986)
  • Kid Cannabis (2014)
  • Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
  • King of the Mountain (1981)
  • The Kings of the Streets (2012)
  • The Last Tycoon (2012)
  • Legend of Kung Fu Rabbit (2011)
  • Little Big Soldier (2010)
  • Lost Highway (1997) (*Showtime)
  • Lost in Thailand (2014)
  • The Man from Nowhere (2010)
  • Miami Vice (2006)
  • Mr. Majestyk (1974)
  • Mystery Road (2013)
  • New World (2013)
  • Ninja Masters (2009)
  • Not Suitable for Children (2012)
  • On the Job (2014)
  • Ordinary People (1980) (*Showtime)
  • The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
  • Pele: Birth of a Legend (2016) (*Showtime)
  • Penelope (2008)
  • Possums (1998)
  • Radio Days (1987)
  • Requiem for a Dream (2000) (*Showtime)
  • Saving General Yang (2013)
  • Shaolin (2011)
  • Shark Babes (2015) (*Showtime)
  • Slightly Single in LA (2013)
  • Special ID (2014)
  • Staying Alive (1983)
  • The Substitute 2: School's Out (1998)
  • The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All (1999)
  • The Substitute 4: Failure is not an Option (2001)
  • The Substitute (1996)
  • Surf's Up (2007)
  • The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3 (2009)
  • Tai Chi Hero (2012)
  • Tai Chi Zero (2012)
  • Terminator 2: Judgment day (1991)
  • The Thieves (2012)
  • Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000)
  • Top Gun (1986)
  • Up in the Air (2009)
  • Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
  • A Viking Saga: The Darkest Days (2013)
  • War of the Arrows (2011)
  • What's Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993)
  • The Wrath of Vajra (2013)
  • Young Detective Dee (2014)

Available March 2

  • Last Girl Standing (2015) (*Showtime)

Available March 3

  • Young Ones (2014)

Available March 4

  • La Piloto: Series Premiere (Univision)
  • Out of the Furnace (2013) (*Showtime)
  • House of D (2004)

Available March 5

  • The Adventures of Dr. Buckeye Bottom: Season 1 Premiere (National Geographic)
  • Food Chains (2014)

Available March 6

  • Making History: Series Premiere (Fox)
  • The Real Housewives of New York City: Complete Season 8 (Bravo)
  • Time After Time: Series Premiere (ABC)
  • ChickLit (2016)
  • A Gamer's Life (2016)

Available March 8

  • Uncensored with Michael Ware: Complete Season 1 (National Geographic)

Available March 9

  • Burning Blue (2013)
  • Tom Papa: Human Mule (2016)

Available March 10

  • The Catch: Season 2 Premiere (ABC)
  • Kicking & Screaming: Series Premiere (Fox)
  • Steven Universe: Complete Season 3 (Cartoon Network)

Available March 11

  • Angie Tribeca: Complete Season 2 (TBS)
  • American Jihad (2010) (*Showtime)

Available March 13

  • Future Baby (2016)

Available March 15

  • Sheriff Callie's Wild West: Complete Season 2 (Disney Jr.)
  • Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)

Available March 16

  • NHL Road to the Outdoor Classics Ep. 1 (2016)

Available March 17

  • Counterfeit Cat: Complete Season 1 (Disney XD)
  • Fargo: Complete Season 2 (FX)
  • Mr. Pickles: Complete Season 2 (Adult Swim)
  • A Bronx Tale (1993) (*Showtime)
  • Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
  • The Truth about Emmanuel (2013)

Available March 19

  • Happy Birthday (2016)
  • The Suspect (2013)

Available March 20

  • Fear Inc. (2016)

Available March 21

  • Dancing with the Stars: Season 24 Premiere (ABC)
  • Fear the Walking Dead: Complete Season 2 (AMC)
  • The Twins: Happily Ever After: Series Premiere (Freeform)
  • American Romance (2016)

Available March 23

  • Big Cat Week: Season 7 Premiere (National Geographic)
  • Shots Fired: Series Premiere (Fox)
  • NHL Road to the Outdoor Classics Ep. 2 (2017)

Available March 24

  • The Powerpuff Girls: Complete Season 1 (2016) (Cartoon Network)

Available March 26

  • Love & Vets: Complete Season 1 (National Geographic)

Available March 27

  • Skinwalkers (2006)

Available March 28

  • Archer: Complete Season 7 (FX)

Available March 29

  • Harlots: Season 1 Premiere (Hulu Original)
  • Star vs. The Forces of Evil: Complete Season 2 (Disney XD)

Available March 30

  • Imaginary Mary: Series Premiere (ABC)
  • NHL Road to the Outdoor Classics Ep. 3 (2017)

Available March 31

  • Dangerous Curves (1988)
  • Disgraced (2008) (*Showtime)

Leaving Hulu in March

March 5

  • Those Who Can't (TruTV)

March 6

  • Ink Master (Spike)

March 7

  • Impastor (TV Land)

March 31

  • Amelie (2001)
  • Barbershop (2002)
  • Beverly Hills Vamp (1989)
  • Blaze You Out (2013)
  • Cold War (2012)
  • Curse of the Starving Class (1994)
  • The Da Vinci Code (2006)
  • Deadly Blessing (1981)
  • Eyes of an Angel (1994)
  • The Gift (2000)
  • The Horse Whisperer (1998)
  • The Italian Job (2003)
  • Jackass: The Movie (2002)
  • Jackass Number Two (2006)
  • King Kong (1976)
  • Last Night (199)
  • Little Ninjas (1990)
  • Malibu Beach (1978)
  • Malibu High (1979)
  • Nukie (1988)
  • The Patriot (1986)
  • The Piano (1994)
  • Psychic (1992)
  • Senorita Justice (2004)
  • Shakespeare in Love (1998)
  • Shooters (2003)
  • Silent Tongue (1993)
  • Six Weeks (1982)
  • Snatch (2000)
  • Stranger in the House (1997)
  • There Will Be Blood (2007)
  • Vanilla Sky (2001)

This Weird Nier: Automata Video Tries A Different Approach To Attracting Preorders

By Chris Pereira on Feb 18, 2017 11:15 pm

Promotional videos encouraging fans to preorder an upcoming game are generally pretty formulaic: Show off the game with a cinematic or gameplay, remind people of the release date, done. This new one for the Square Enix-published Nier: Automata goes a different route.

As you can see below, the video features game director Yoko Taro in his signature mask along with Platinum Games designer Taura Takahisa. The latter is wearing a special Emil t-shirt, which Taro says you'll receive by preordering Automata (or getting your hands on the Day One edition) for PS4 in Europe. That's when the standard marketing handbook goes out the window.

Taro hands Takahisa the microphone and proceeds to steal the shirt, then rolls around on the ground with it while repeating, "Nier: Automata t-shirt!" over and over. He then punctuates all of this by saying, "S*** Square Enix."

The preorder/Day One edition offer is only available through select retailers in Europe, including Amazon UK. At least at this point, it doesn't appear to be available in North America; Amazon US only lists digital bonuses for picking up the Day One edition. These include the Machine Mask accessory, Grimoire Weiss Pod, Play System Pod skin, Retro Grey Pod skin, Retro Red skin, and Cardboard Pod skin.

Automata launches for PS4 on March 7 in North America and March 10 in Europe and Australia; a PC version is also on the way this year. A demo is available now on the PlayStation Store, and you can see 30 minutes of gameplay in a recently released video.


New Borderlands Pop Toys Coming, See The Mock-Ups Here

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 06:50 pm

In conjunction with the New York Toy Fair this weekend, toy company Funko has announced the next series of Borderlands Pop figures and more.

Posted to the Funko blog, the images show a number of mock-ups for the toys, including Emperor Claptrap, Tiny Tina, Lilith the Siren, and Zero, as well as a Rock Candy figure for Mad Moxxi.

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All of these figures are "coming soon," though Funko did not announce any specific dates. You can see them all in the gallery above.

Funko's existing lineup of Borderlands Pop toys include figures for Handsome Jack, Psycho, Mad Moxxi, and regular Claptrap.

As for the Borderlands series, Gearbox president Randy Pitchford confirmed Borderlands 3 in April 2016 during PAX East. "Obviously, there is going to be another Borderlands," he said at the time, explaining that it may not be called that.

Borderlands 3 was originally announced in January 2015, at which time Pitchford referred to it as "the big one." Take-Two later clarified that this game is being developed "specifically for next-gen," indicating it will launch for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, as well as presumably PC.

The Borderlands franchise debuted in 2009 with the original Borderlands and its sequel Borderlands 2 arrived in 2012. A third game, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, was released in 2014 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 before being ported to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 through the Handsome Collection in 2015. Pitchford said in the Glixel interview that the Borderlands series has now reached 30 million copies sold, across all entries.

For more on Funko toys, check out the stories below.


New Final Fantasy 7 Remake And Kingdom Hearts 3 Images Revealed

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 06:26 pm

New images from Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Remake and Kingdom Hearts III have arrived. Director Tetsuya Nomura shared the pictures during the Magic Monaco 2017 event.

After the presentation, Square Enix shared these on its Twitter page. You can see them all below.

The Final Fantasy VII Remake is in development for PlayStation 4, while Kingdom Hearts III is in the works for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Square Enix hasn't announced release dates for either.

Recently, suggested the Final Fantasy VII remake was still far off. He did, however, say he hoped to show both of his projects off in 2017, something he's now done at Magic Monaco.

"Last year, I didn't put out much information on either title, but this year I want to show our progress at an event somewhere," he said. "The release of the titles themselves have still have a way to go. But there are many titles releasing this year, if you can wait for any 'surprises.'"

In other news, some new art for the Final Fantasy VII Remake was released last month as part of the Final Fantasy 30-year anniversary event.


Castle Rock: Watch The First Teaser For The New JJ Abrams/Stephen King Series

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 06:03 pm

The first teaser for the new Hulu series Castle Rock has arrived. The show, which is based on the works of writer Stephen King and produced by JJ Abrams and his Bad Robot studio, gets its name from the town Castle Rock that is referenced in a number of King's novels. The first teaser contains references to Shawshank Redemptioni, It, and Misery, among others.

"The anthology will weave together characters and themes from those novels that use the Castle Rock location," according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Each season will follow a different set of characters and storylines while interjecting themes and specific characters from previous seasons."

There is no word yet on how many episodes will be in the first season, when it will arrive, or who will star in it. This being a story from Stephen King, you can bet it's going to be scary.

In its own tweet, Bad Robot said about the upcoming Castle Rock show, "What is the hoax in the forest?"

This isn't the first time Abrams and King have teamed up for a Hulu series, as they worked together for 2016's JFK time-travelling drama 11.22.63.


Star Citizen Alpha 2.6.1 Is Out Now, See The Patch Notes Here

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 05:48 pm

Big news for Star Citizen, as developer Cloud Imperium Games has released the next major update for the ambitious PC space game. Alpha 2.6.1 is out now, the developer announced on its website.

The patch is mostly focused on bug fixes for Star Marine, Arena Commander, and Crusader. But that's not all it does.

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"It also includes a number of 'quality of life' improvements for the game, updates to Spectator Mode, new implementations of our continuing network code updates, a brand new version of the Super Hornet, and the first implementation of our Multi-Region Server Support," Cloud Imperium said.

As announced previously, Star Citizen's Multi-Region Server system lets players choose between servers in the US, Europe, and Australia; this should hopefully lead to better network connections.

With the update applied, players should see "2.6.1-506099" in their launcher. The studio added that people are advised to delete their USER folder for the Star Citizen Live client.

"The USER folder can be found (in default installations) at C:\Program Files\Cloud Imperium Games\StarCitizen\Public," the developer explained.

Star Citizen is the most successful crowdfunded project of any kind in history, with more than $143 million contributed to the campaign so far.

Here are the full patch notes for Alpha 2.6.1, as posted on the Star Citizen website:

Game Systems:

Arena Commander Balance Changes

  • To unify scoring with Star Marine, player kills are now scored separately to Vehicle Damage.
  • Revenge kills and Resurgence awards have been removed from Arena Commander for the moment.
  • Lowered the spawn rate of pirates in Pirate Swarm slightly to provide a less drastic difficulty curve.
  • Improved the weapons issued to the Aces in Pirate Swarm mode.
  • The number of missiles and countermeasures awarded from pickups in Arena Commander game modes have been lowered.
  • Only currently dead players will be resurrected after a boss wave in Multiplayer Pirate or Vanduul Swarm, no additional lives will be provided.
    • This is to better balance the modes now that repair and restock pickups are available in the game mode.
  • Suicide in Arena Commander now carries a score of -200 points.
  • Updated the shields and fuel for the Constellation variant in Pirate Swarm.

Star Marine Balance Changes

  • Revenge kills and Resurgence awards have been removed from Star Marine for the moment.
  • In-match loadout customization is now implemented!
    • During a Star Marine match, while your character is dead, you will have the option to change out your loadout before respawning.
  • Additional dialog lines during matches have been added.
  • FPS weapons have received a balance pass to improve viability.
  • Added a +25 Hemorrhage scoring bonus for causing another player to bleed.
    • This bonus is not awarded if you cause yourself to bleed.
  • Multiple changes have been made to both OP Station Demien and Echo Eleven maps.
    • These changes are to help prevent spawn camping and balance times between control points, as well as plugging up exploits.

Leaderboards

  • In-game leaderboards are now implemented for both Arena Commander and Star Marine, so you can now review your standings in any given game mode within the game client!

Spectator Mode and Camera Changes

  • With 2.6.1, we have made vast improvements to camera behavior and now allow players to enter our Pure Spectator Mode.
  • Pure Spectator Mode can now be entered through Private lobbies by starting a match by checking the "Join as Spectator" box next at the bottom of the screen.
  • There are new cinematic submodes available to Spectator Mode, including First Person View and Focused Action Cam.
  • Cinematic cameras, in and out of Pure Spectator Mode, should now better align with the player you are watching.
    • This includes ensuring your target is facing upright, and behaving appropriately when encountering walls or barriers.
  • Cameras should now properly Save and Load views regardless of map or mode type excluding Crusader.
  • Advanced Camera Controls have been improved to be more precise and smoother in transition.
  • Fixed an issue where players could not move or adjust their camera if they died while exiting their ship.
  • Made saving and loading of cameras persist between game sessions.

Ships:

  • The Super Hornet has received a full visual update, encompassing art, animation, damage states, and VFX.
  • Ship weapons, mounts, and turrets have received a health buff so they won't be as easily destroyed by splash damage.
  • The jerk levels of ships should now better scale with boost.
  • Ship SCM speeds have been re-adjusted to provide a greater range of speed between ships.
  • Projectile speeds have been tweaked, so that targeting pips of different weapon types will be closer together for easier targeting.
  • The Retaliator, Starfarer, and the 85x have had a pass to improve interior culling and graphic performance.
  • The Mustang series has had an optimization pass to improve graphical performance.
  • Pilot facial idle animations have been added for all ship variants!

Technical:

Groundwork aspects of our ongoing network refactor have come online – the first iteration of Network Message Ordering.

  • Strictly Ordered Network Messaging moves the game away from CryNetwork client-server handling of networked objects, over to our new token system with a strict priority system for managing messaging between client and server nodes.

Mega Map

  • The new Mega Map system allows for much quicker loading time when switching between maps.
  • In this initial release it will only be enabled for single player maps (Hangars and single-player Arena Commander), but we will be expanding this to include multiplayer maps in a future release.

Multi-Region Servers

  • We now have servers available in the US, Europe, and Australia!
  • You can choose what region you would like to connect to via an optional drop-down, when connecting to any multiplayer instance.
  • Selecting "All" will currently default to the best available region, but that will change as we build and improve on the functionality of our region support.

Updates and Fixes

Star Systems:

Crusader

  • Fixed a number of lighting culling issues in Port Olisar EZ Hab.
  • Fixed an issue where the Crusader ASOP terminal would sometimes incorrectly provide a "All Pads are Full" message.
    • This does not fix issues where the landing pads are blocked by debris from destroyed ships, or full from disused ships not despawning.
  • Fixed the missing audio for the weapons shop door in GrimHEX.
  • Improved the atmospheric audio around GrimHEX and the Crusader shops.
  • Fixed an issue with the GrimHEX lift audio would play in a continuous loop.
  • Removed the scavenging sites from the asteroids around the ICC Probe Mission 2.
  • Fixed a number of issues with missing audio for the Yela wreckage sites.

Area 18, ArcCorp

  • NPCs in customs now have a selection of random animations instead of being very creepily synchronized.

Hangars

  • Fixed some audio clipping problems in Revel & York Hangar.
  • Fixed an issue where part of the Khartu-Al flair model was sticking out of the display case.
  • Fixed a number of lighting issues on the three Race maps.
  • Fixed a number of lighting issues in the VFG Industrial and Aeroview Hangar.
  • Removed the elevator UI from the Hangar elevator.
    • Users will need to proceed through the game menus to transition from Hangar to ArcCorp or Crusader.

Game Systems:

Arena Commander

  • General Bug Fixes
    • The size of Pickups (repair/refuel/reload) in Arena Commander should now scale based on distance from player, rather then distance of the camera.
    • Fixed an issue where the characters head would disappear after their ship was destroyed.
    • Stage cameras for Spectate mode in Arena Commander maps should now be correctly accessible.
    • Fixed an issue where players in Arena Commander games could not go into the negatives on their score.
    • Fixed an issue where ships damaged or killed via missiles were granting excessive score.
    • Audio cues have been added for collecting pickups in Squadron Battle.
  • Race Mode
    • Fixed a number of shader issues in Old Vanderval that would trigger screen tearing before the first checkpoint.
    • Removed the invincible antenna that protruded from buildings into the primary race routes on all tracks.
  • Pirate and Vanduul Swarm
    • Fixed an issue where a second Warlord would sometimes spawn in Vanduul Swarm after Wave 3.
    • Fixed some issues with the Vanduul Swarm AI flying into the map boundary too often.
    • Pirate Gladiator's in Pirate Swarm now have the correct paint job.
  • UI
    • Fixed an issue where the kill feed in Pirate Swarm would sometimes show the same kill twice.
    • Fixed the naming and numbering conventions for the AI pilots in Pirate Swarm.
    • Fixed an issue where completing Pirate Swarm, Wave 18 would give the "defeat" message.
    • The UI for the Arena Commander Loadout customization has received a polish pass to clean up minor visual style problems and ensure consistent behavior.

Star Marine

  • Audio
    • Fixed an issue in OP Station Demien where external audio could be heard in the Mess Hall.
    • The audio from grenade impact collision has been made much more audible.
    • The audio for grenade hold (the cooking beep) has a shorter range.
    • Made a number of tweaks to footstep audio in both Echo Eleven and OP Station Demien.
    • Fixed an issue where player death audio would play twice while in third-person camera view.
    • Fixed an issue where the "Respawning" audio would play too soon.
    • Star Marine simulation voices should now be correctly adjusted by the announcer audio option in game menus.
    • Fixed an issue where the audio in multiplayer matches would become corrupted in very large firefights.
    • Made many small audio tweaks throughout OP Station Demien.
    • Idle audio for the MediPen dispensers in Echo Eleven have been added to match those on OP Station Demien.
  • Fixed a number of dialog cues for the announcer when a match ends in a draw.
  • General Bug Fixes
    • Fixed an issue where dead players could sometimes continue capturing a point in Last Stand.
    • Fixed an issue where the explosive canisters in OP Station Demien and Echo Eleven would fall through the map after exploding.
    • Fixed an issue where a match would go into a fourth round if one round in Last Stand had ended in a draw, even if the other two rounds had been won by the same team.
    • Made some changes to the death camera in Star Marine to prevent instances of the camera going through collision or the player body.
    • Fixed a number of small collision issues with props around OP Station Demien.
    • Fixed an issue where the light sources on Echo Eleven would sometimes follow players around in EVA.
    • Fixed some issues with projectile bounce and ricochet in Echo Eleven.
    • Many cosmetic art updates and tweaks have been made to OP Station Demien and Echo Eleven.
    • Fixed an issue where the radar and weapon sights would not reappear after respawn in Star Marine.
  • Loadout Customization
    • Fixed an issue where the loadout customization would sometimes lock players out from entering a Private match.
    • Fixed an issue where all the weapon images were missing scopes in loadout customization.
    • Fixed an issue where players could quickly toggle between teams and end up in the loadout of the opposite team.
    • Fixed an issue where players could acquire 2 or more primary weapons on a Light loadout if the drop action was interrupted prematurely.
    • The Star Marine models in the loadout editor now move and scale more appropriately for the screen resolution.
  • Scoreboard/Leaderboard
    • Fixed an issue where the scoreboard would remember the number of kills between rounds, allowing players to get a revenge kill at the start of a round.
    • Players will now be correctly penalized for suicide, even if they have recently been damaged by an enemy.
  • UI
    • UI notifications for control points having been taken or lost in Last Stand are much more prominent.
    • Score notifications now appear when a character suicides.
    • Made the friendly/hostile player indicator (known colloquially as "The Dorito") less immediately visible, and fixed a number of issues where the indicator for Hostile players was visible despite no line of sight.
    • Grenade indicator now appears as soon as a nearby grenade is armed, not just when it is thrown.
    • Players who are dead at the end of a round will now be able to correctly see the results and scoreboard.
    • Fixed an issue where grenades were missing from Visor HUDs.

Social Module

  • Parties formed for private Star Marine and Arena Commander matches should now persist match-to-match rather then break up after a single match.
  • Chat will now work correctly inside of Arena Commander and Star Marine lobbies.
  • Fixed an issue where all contacts would appear as "Online" inside of a Star Marine lobby, regardless of their actual status.
  • Fixed an issue where players could talk or type in the chat window even when it appeared disabled and hidden.
    • This caused a number of issues with players loosing control of their characters during the match.
  • Fixed an issue where the /addignore would not correctly ignore tells from the ignored player.
  • Fixed an issue where accepting a party invite to a Star Marine or Arena Commander match would not correctly pull the player from PU or Hangar.
  • Fixed an issue where players could not accept or decline a game invite while on the Arena Commander loadout editor screen.

Ships:

  • Some ships had unlimited and near-instant acceleration in decoupled mode. This has been fixed.
  • Fixed an issue where the Rattler missile would fail to deploy rockets.
  • Fixed an issue where players would hear the ship start up audio on respawn, if they died while piloting the Sabre Comet, Gladius Valiant, Hornet Wildfire, or Avenger Titan Renegade.
  • Fixed an issue where the self-destruct audio siren would sometimes not trigger.
  • Fixed an issue where the look reticle would incorrectly reappear after cycling cameras, even if gimbal lock was active.
  • Made some tweaks to the audio for shield activation and deactivation.

Individual Ships

  • 300 Series
    • Size 1-3 missile racks can now be equipped on the 300i, 315p, and 325a variants, as appropriate for their respective available hardpoints.
  • 85x
    • Fixed an issue where the pilot arms would look highly stretched or out of position from the flight yoke.
  • Argo MPUV
    • Fixed an issue where the interior cockpit glass would reflect the exterior environment.
  • Aurora (All)
    • Fixed an issue where the landing gear would disappear instead of going through the correct retraction animations.
    • All Aurora variants can now equip Size 1-4 missiles, as appropriate for their respective available hardpoints.
  • Caterpillar
    • Certain ship animations could be interrupted prematurely, causing some issues with doorways and elevators. This has been fixed.
    • Fixed a number of animation issues with the rear turret of the Caterpillar.
    • Made some changes to the VFX flashes of Caterpillar shields being hit for better pilot visibility.
    • Fixed an issue where the interior of the ship would seem to disappear when looking back into the ship from cargo module 01.
  • Constellation Phoenix
    • The toilet can now be accessed.
  • Cutlass Black
    • Improved the audio mix for the Cutlass thrusters.
    • Fixed a number of issues with missing collision audio for the Cutlass.
    • Fixed an issue where the Cutlass Black thrusters were missing VFX.
  • Freelancer
    • Fixed an issue where the UI prompt to open the side door on the ship and the prompt to climb the ladder were both missing.
  • Gladius
    • Fixed a number of collision issues with the pilots left arm.
  • Herald
    • Fixed an issue where the interior of the ship would disappear if you stood in a specific location.
    • Made some visual tweaks to the Herald thrusters VFX.
    • Fixed an issue where a Herald pilot would lose control of the ship if another player sat in the copilot seat.
  • Hornet (All)
    • Fixed an issue where the bottom maneuvering thrusters were invisible.
    • Fixed an issue where the exhaust over the top rear right maneuvering thruster was misaligned.
  • P-52 Merlin
    • Added missing thruster deactivation audio.
  • Reliant
    • Fixed an issue with the Reliant thruster audio was not playing correctly.
  • Vanduul Scythe
    • Fixed an issue where the cockpit audio was out of sync with the entry and start up animations.
  • Vanguard (All)
    • Fixed an issue where visareas in a map would be visible when viewed through the cockpit window.
    • Fixed an issue where the interior lighting of the Vanguard Warden and Hoplite were part of the exterior prefab.
  • Vanguard Hoplite
    • Fixed an issue where the right-hand weapon on the Vanguard turret wasn't pitching or animating correctly.

First Person:

  • Bullets should now appropriately penetrate limbs to hit other targets in applicable situations.
  • Projectile mass has been lowered to prevent the moving of corpses via gunfire.
  • Fixed an issue where one player could shoot the gun of another player if they both picked up the gun at the same time
  • Fixed an issue where the gun magazine could become offset if the character was looking around excessively while reloading.
  • Fixed an issue where sprint would not continue if shift was held while transitioning in and our of EVA.
  • Fixed an issue where the character animations could break while trying on clothing.

Weapons and Combat

  • Fixed an issue where combat signals would animate in contorted ways when holding an energy rifle.
  • Fixed an issue with the low cover pistol animations for characters.
  • Fixed an issue where character models would stretch and warp when unholstering and entering ragdoll.
  • Fixed an issue where hit reactions would play for damage taken by bleedout.
  • Fixed an issue where a character would be locked into aim-down-sights if they transitioned out of EVA while aiming down sights.
  • Made some tweaks to the blood splatter visual effects when shot.
  • Improved charging sound while in depressurized environments for the Arrowhead Sniper Rifle.

General Animations

  • Fixed an issue where players could pass through a wall by vaulting over a nearby object.
    • Players will now be blocked from vaulting if they would land inside of geometry.
  • Fixed an issue with the animations when a character would heal while on a ladder.
  • Fixed an issue where character faces would continue animating after death.
  • Cleaned up the leg animation transitions when a character jumps while moving.
  • Fixed an issue where rolling while prone and in the third person camera would cause excessive camera rotation.

User Interface:

  • Fixed an issue where the mouse cursor was offset from the actual visual location whenever client screen resolution was not at 16:9.
  • Fixed an issue where the Ship Computer Verbosity in the audio options would reset after a client restart.
  • Players can now disable the cinematic missile chase camera in the game options menu.
    • Game Settings → Cinematic Cameras
  • Added a warning message when a lobby or party invite is sent to a player who is already in a lobby.
  • Fixed an issue where the "Switch Teams" button was present in private matches, even when the game mode was not set for a "team" game.
  • The updated pause/ESC menu has been implemented.

Player HUD

  • Trying on a flightsuit or armor in the shops will no longer cause the first person HUD to start floating.
  • Fixed an issue where the helmet radar would disappear after exiting a vehicle.
  • Fixed an issue where several armor suits had two radar displays hooked up.
  • Fixed an issue where pressing "F10" while a dead would result in the character and helmet disappearing.
  • Fixed the mobiGlas visor so it would no longer clip out of frame at different resolutions.
  • Fixed an issue where viewing the mobiGlas in 3rd person would make the players head and helmet disappear.
  • Fixed an issue where the HUD warning for a incoming missile would not disappear.
  • Fixed an issue where players could not move or adjust their camera if they died while exiting their ship.
  • Added a MediPen count to the player HUD.

Keybindings

  • Coupled and Decoupled space brake can now be bound to separate or the same keybinding based on user preference, they are not automatically bound to the same key.
  • Prone and Crouch can now work correctly as either a toggle or hold, and the keybinding for both can be edited in the Keybindings again.
  • Fixed an issue where players could not crouch on the default XBOX 360 control mapping.

Technical:

  • Fixed an issue where players would sometimes load into Star Marine Elimination with a persistent black screen.
  • Fixed a number of client crashes in Arena Commander, Star Marine, Crusader and Hangar.
  • Fixed a number of server crashes.
  • Fixed a number of performance issues related to the Drake Caterpillar.
  • Made a cleanup pass on graphic detail levels for the Broken Moon map to improve performance.


Terraria Passes 20 Million Units Sold, Future Plans Teased

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 05:26 pm

Developer Re-Logic has announced that its Terraria series has now passed 20 million copies sold.

This milestone was achieved at the end of 2016, the studio said in a forum post on its website (via Polygon). The $20 2D sandbox game originally launched in May 2011 for PC, before coming to mobile devices and consoles later through a partnership with publisher 505 Games.

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"We owe so much of that to the amazingly strong and loyal support of each member of our community," Re-Logic said. "To say that we are ecstatic about how our little game has grown--in content, in quality, and in success--is putting it mildly!"

Re-Logic teased that the Terraria franchise has "so much life left in it."

"We cannot wait to share those plans with you in the months and years to come," the developer said.

Re-Logic shared some other stats that explain how much Terraria has grown over the years. At launch, there were around 250 items; now, there are about 3,800. There were 6 NPCs at launch and 25 now. Three bosses at launch in 2011 and 16 now. Check out more stats here on Re-Logic's website.


Weekly Recap: Nintendo Switch Unboxing, 10 Best-Selling January Games Revealed, E3 2017 Plans

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 05:25 pm
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It's the weekend again! Here's a recap of all the big stories and some you may have missed.

THE BIG STUFF:

The Nintendo Switch does not officially launch for a few more weeks, but some people already have their hands on the system, it seems. Units have appeared in the wild, and people are uploading unboxing videos that provide the first look at retail systems. [Full story]

The NPD Group this week announced the Top 10 best-selling games of January 2017 in the United States. Capcom's Resident Evil 7 came out on top. Rounding out the top five were Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Grand Theft Auto V, Battlefield 1, and NBA 2K17. In terms of hardware, Sony's PS4 won the month, outselling all other home consoles. [Full story]

E3 2017 is still a few months away, but now we know more about it. This week, Microsoft announced that it's moving its show to the Sunday before E3, while Bethesda confirmed that it will have a briefing and it will take place on Sunday as well. EA's briefing could happen that day, too. Buckle up! [Full story]

THE OTHER STUFF:

CD Projekt Red, the developer behind The Witcher series, continues to grow. The Polish developer is now worth more than $1.6 billion, apparently. Get the full story here.

Here's the wacky and wonderful opening cinematic for Nintendo Switch launch title Super Bomberman R.

Ever wonder what Mad Max: Fury Road cars would look like if they had eyes from Pixar's Cars series? Wonder no more!

Bungie is working with MacFarlane toys for a new toy line based on Destiny. Check out some of the figures here; they go on sale later this year alongside Destiny 2.

MLB The Show 17 is adding to and expanding the Diamond Destiny mode for this year's game; watch a video and read this blog post to get all the details.

Former SOE boss John Smedley is heading up a new studio for Amazon located in San Diego. There is no word yet on what the studio is up to, but you can read this interview at GI.biz to find out more.

Did you forget about Homefront: The Revolution? Maybe this will bring you back. The game is getting a big update this spring--get all the details here.

Here's something pretty cool--just this week, Valve fixed a bug in Team Fortress 2 that's been in the game for more than 10 years. Learn more about it here at Engadget.

Here is a cool new trailer for Rare's Sea of Thieves that shows off the progress made in the latest alpha update. Lookin' good!

Entertainment Weekly has posted a gallery of images from the upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast movie starring Emma Watson. Take a look.

Sony this week published a lot of new gameplay footage for Nier: Automata and shared more details about the game. Catch up on all the news here.

My goodness. More than 3 billion DOTA 2 matches have been played. Wow. Get the full story here at TheScoreEsports.

Have a wonderful weekend!


Awesome Art Picks: Batgirl, Batman, X-Men, and More

By Tony Guerrero on Feb 18, 2017 02:30 pm

Each week we search and gather up the coolest comic book art you won't see in actual comics. The reason you won't is because professional artists often draw sketches for fun or commissions and post them on their websites, blogs, and Tumblrs. Some artists even arrange commissions through their sites so be sure to check them out. This is a way to see the artists working on one book draw characters from other comics or publishers.

Peter Nguyen posted X-Men related art on his Tumblr.

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Yildiray Cinar posted Logan and Hulk sketches on his Instagram.

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Todd Nauck posted a Deadpool/Spider-Man/Valentines Day Post-It Note sketch on his Tumblr.

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Greg Smallwood posted new art on his Instagram.

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Dustin Nguyen posted several Batman and Wildstorm related sketches (and one from Descender) on his Instagram.

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Ron Salas posted a Daredevil piece and a Gotham work-in-progress on his Tumblr.

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Khary Randolph posted a Batman commission on his Instagram.

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Chris Samnee posted sketches of Cyclops and Beast on his Instagram.

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Marcio Takara posted more daily sketches on his Tumblr including several Adventure Time characters.

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Chris Giarrusso put new art up for sale on his website.

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Denis Medri posted a (really cool) sketch of Mazinger on his Deviant Art page.

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Daniel HDR posted a Black Flash sketch on his Instagram.

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Mike Henderson posted new art on his Instagram.

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Andrew Robinson posted a Rocket Raccoon commission on his Instagram.

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That's it for this week. We'll have more awesome art next time.


For Honor Review Roundup [Update]

By Oscar Dayus on Feb 18, 2017 01:39 pm

Ubisoft's new medieval fighting game For Honor is out now, and as such, reviews have started hitting the web.

Unfortunately, the game has been hit by a number of issues, seemingly not allayed by the recent open beta. If you want to see some footage of the game running, check out our recent Let's Play of the closed beta, or over 10 minutes of the game on its highest PC settings.

GameSpot has a For Honor review in progress up--we'll be posting our final review once we've had a little more time to dive deep into the game's fighting mechanics. Until then, check out the roundup below. We'll continue to update this article as more final reviews come in.

  • Game: For Honor
  • Developer: Ubisoft
  • Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
  • Release: February 14
  • Price: US $60 / £45 / AU $100

GameSpot -- 8/10

"After slaying countless foes, it's clear the impact For Honor's combat has had; its fundamental tenets of discipline and restraint are bestowed upon you permanently, forever changing the way you perceive a melee-combat encounter in a game. In its highest moments, For Honor is difficult to put down. Its slow combat pace and narrative shortcomings might turn off those unwilling to take the time to dive deep into what it has to offer. However, make no mistake--those who do will be rewarded with some of the most satisfying multiplayer melee fighting conceived in recent years." -- Matt Espineli [Full review]

IGN -- 8/10

"For Honor has some dents in its shiny armor, such as the mediocre campaign, the frugal economy, and the snowballing victories in team modes. But it's hard to be mad too long when I consider that the melee combat system is second to none and a joy to learn, take your licks, and then learn some more. I could feel myself becoming a better warrior with this deep, flexible, and complete fighting system. The more I play For Honor, the more I want to play For Honor. I hope Ubisoft doubles-down on support, because it's something truly special." -- Brandin Tyrrel [Full review]

PC Gamer -- 74/100

"Outside of the fighting, however, For Honor is a needlessly bloated game. There's a lot of tediously granular customisation, a tacky free-to-play-style storefront selling in-game currency for real-world money, and a tangle of ugly, confusing menus to wrestle through before you can get into a battle. And as time goes on, and those stalwart, hardcore players continue to hone their skills, it'll be even more unwelcoming to newcomers. Stick with it, though, and you'll find a rich, tactical fighting game with wonderfully weighty combat and hidden depths to uncover. But if you want something accessible you can easily dip in and out of, you may want to swear fealty to another lord." -- Andy Kelly [Full review]

Eurogamer -- Recommended

"For Honor skews a bit too sharply towards defensive play at higher skill levels. Whatever the differences between characters, the safest approach is often to let the other person make the first move, then dodge or parry and deal out a vengeful drubbing. If the battle is not yet won, however, it's off to a bloodthirsty beginning, and it's worth bearing in mind the example of Rainbow Six: Siege - another terrific multiplayer effort from Ubisoft that wasn't all it could be at release. It's scruffier fixtures notwithstanding, this is one of the finest weapon-based fighting games I've encountered - a game of mindgames and reversals in which you'll savour nothing quite so much as a glorious defeat." -- Edwin Evans-Thirlwell [Full review]


PS4, Vita-Exclusive Danganronpa V3 Release Date Revealed

By Kallie Plagge on Feb 18, 2017 09:30 am

Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is arriving on PS4 and Vita in North America on September 26. It launches on September 29 in Europe.

Killing Harmony is the third main installment in the cult adventure series. It features a cast of 16 new characters trapped in a school and once again tasks you with solving murders as they happen (and playing minigames along the way).

The news comes alongside several other announcements from publisher NIS America. Disgaea 5 is coming to Nintendo Switch on May 23. Coming to the West for the first time is Cladun Returns: This Is Sengoku (PS Vita and Steam on June 6 in NA and June 9 in the EU). Two other games are getting Steam releases as well: Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy on March 27 and Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness on April 25.

In addition, NISA revealed five games for the West, including Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana.

A re-release of the first two Danganronpa games, 1-2 Reload, is coming to PS Vita and PS4 on March 14.


PS4, Vita Game Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Coming West

By Kallie Plagge on Feb 18, 2017 09:30 am

Action-RPG Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is coming to PS4, PS Vita, and Steam in Fall 2017, publisher NIS America revealed.

The latest in the Ys series was released for Vita in Japan in July 2016 and is set to come to PS4 there in May. Ys VIII is getting both physical and digital releases in the West with both English and Japanese audio as well as French text options.

NISA also announced several other new games:

  • Tokyo Tattoo Girls (Vita, Steam) -- TBD 2017
  • RPG Maker Fes (3DS) -- Summer 2017
  • Culdcept Revolt (3DS) -- Summer 2017
  • Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle (PS4) -- Summer 2017

In addition to new announcements, other NISA games got release dates. Disgaea 5 is coming to Nintendo Switch on May 23. Coming to the West for the first time are Cladun Returns: This Is Sengoku (PS Vita and Steam on June 6 in NA and June 9 in the EU) and Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (PS Vita and PS4 on September 26 in NA and September 29 in the EU). Two other games are getting Steam releases: Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy on March 27 and Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness on April 25.


Disgaea 5 Complete Gets Nintendo Switch Release Date

By Kallie Plagge on Feb 18, 2017 09:30 am

Disgaea 5 Complete will launch on Nintendo Switch on May 23 in North America, publisher NIS America announced. It will arrive in Europe on May 26.

The Switch version of 2015's Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance will include the full game as well as bonus content that came as DLC in the original PS4 version. It will not feature any new content.

NISA has also announced release dates for several other games. Two games are getting Steam releases: Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy on March 27 and Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness on April 25. Coming to the West for the first time are Cladun Returns: This Is Sengoku (PS Vita and Steam on June 6 in NA and June 9 in the EU) and Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (PS Vita and PS4 on September 26 in NA and September 29 in the EU).

In addition, NISA revealed five games for the West, including Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana.

Disgaea 5 was first released as a PS4 exclusive in 2015. Check out our review to see how we liked it then.


The Batman May Not Have A New Director Just Yet

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 08:18 am

Last week, it was reported that Warner Bros. was in discussions with Cloverfield and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves to direct the new standalone Batman movie.

Now, it looks like he may not direct it. According to The Hollywood Reporter's studio source, "negotiations have broken down" with Reeves.

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"The possibility, however, exists that talks could resume when heads cool. The studio is intent on making the movie no matter what as the Batman franchise has proven to bigger than one person," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Reeves recently finished shooting War for the Planet of the Apes, which is now in post-production.

In January, Ben Affleck announced that he would not direct the upcoming standalone Batman movie. Affleck will still star in the new Batman movie as the Caped Crusader.

"There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions. Performing this role demands focus, passion, and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require," Affleck said in January when he announced he wouldn't direct the movie.

In August last year, Affleck released some early test footage of Deathstroke, who is confirmed as the villain in the movie. Later, it was confirmed that Joe Manganiello had been cast in the role.

Affleck first played Batman in 2016's Batman v Superman. He'll play the character again in this summer's Justice League.


Logan Movie Review Roundup

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 08:12 am

With still a few weeks to go before it's due in theaters, reviews for Fox's newest Wolverine movie, Logan, started to show up today. To help you get an idea for if the movie is worth your time and money, we've collected some excerpts from reviews and posted them into a roundup.

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Unlike the previous Wolverine movies, Logan is rated R. Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman said he took a pay cut so the movie could get the Restricted rating; Fox executives said they were worried the movie might be boring.

For more on the critical reaction to Logan, go to GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

  • Film: Logan
  • Release Date: March 3
  • Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Boyd Holbrook, Dafne Keen, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant
  • Directed By: James Mangold
  • Rating: R
  • Runtime: 135 minutes

GameSpot

"Logan continually subverts your expectations, but in its impactful ending, it still somehow feels like the only way the movie--and Wolverine's long journey--could end. This is a film that elevates its genre, succeeding precisely because it's different, and because it strives to be the Wolverine movie fans have always wanted to see. Logan is a must-watch, and is not only a wonderful superhero movie, but a wonderful movie in its own right." -- Randolph Ramsay [Full review]

Variety

"It's Jackman who holds Logan together and gives the film its glimmer of soul. He has been playing this role, more or less nonstop, for 18 years, but he seems startlingly not bored by it. Better still, he's a more refined actor now than when he started, and in Logan he gets to play something rare in comic-book cinema: a powerhouse of animal rage who is slowly, agonizingly slipping away. By the end of the movie, he gets his muttonchops back and reminds you, once more, of what's great about this character--his hellbent quality, embodied in those flesh-ripping kills that are his way of making good on a mutant destiny he never asked for.

"No X-Men movie will ever be great (the material is too derivative), but Jackman, though he's the Superman of the bunch, has gone deeper into the alienation than any other mutant in the series. The end of Logan is genuinely touching, as Jackman lets you feel the character's strength and pain, and-- finally--his release." -- Owen Gleiberman [Full review]

The Hollywood Reporter

"Even as the film's energy drains in the later going, much like Logan's healing powers, and long after the fight scenes have lapsed into overkill, Jackman makes his superhero the real deal. The actor, who reportedly conceived the basic thrust of the story, takes the ever-conflicted Logan/Wolverine to full-blooded depths, and the result is a far more cohesive and gripping film than his previous collaboration with Mangold, 2013's The Wolverine." -- Sheri Linden [Full review]

Empire

"Yes, the Wolverine movie without 'Wolverine' in the title is definitely the best one yet: grown-up, ballsy, character-driven and grounded. It feels right that it should be the last one, but it also feels a bit of a shame." -- Dan Jolin [Full review]

Time

"The themes of Logan are ragingly topical, pointing in the direction of things that every decent American should care about right now. But themes aren't feelings or attributes or actions; they're almost not even ideas. They're not the explosions that shake you to the core, like the thunder of unease you feel after you've watched a movie like Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men, or that picture's natural predecessor, Ingmar Bergman's Shame. They're just things you make movies about.

"The great political movies of our time are yet to be made, and they will come. Logan, by either luck or prescience or some combination of both, feels political, but it's really just business as usual in the comic-book-movie game. It sounds the alarm about how dark the world really is, as if we were incapable of reading between the panels on our own." -- Stephanie Zacharek [Full review]

IGN

"Logan is in many ways an emotional, heavy picture, but it's also an uplifting one that reminds us that it's okay to fight for something more, something better. It's an amazing swan song for the Wolverine character, and for Jackman, and perhaps the best X-Men movie yet." -- Scott Collura [Full review]

USA Today

"Jackman has never been short on machismo, muscles or charisma in this role, and he brings all those to bear, plus a lot of heart, giving the surly icon a sendoff fans won't soon forget." -- Brian Truitt [Full review]

The Verge

"Of all the X-Men movies to date, it's the saddest and most serious, and the one that most challenges the familiar ideas of superhero narratives. But its uniqueness and its complete devotion to tragedy makes it feel like the most adult story this film series has ever told. The weight of graphic, grotesque violence hangs over the entire movie. But the daring emotional violence lingers longer, well after the lights go down on the final shot." -- Tasha Robinson [Full review]


Logan Review: Brutal And Affecting, Logan Is The Best X-Men Film To Date

By Randolph Ramsay on Feb 18, 2017 07:08 am

Logan is a welcome rarity in the ever increasing pantheon of superhero movies; it's one that has emotional weight. This third Wolverine solo outing and 10th X-Men film overall is atypical of both the genre and it's own franchise, and it's one that longtime fans of the character will love thanks to how closely it hews to the most iconic, brutal imagining of its title character. But even for those who have never been fans of the X-Men films, Logan is still an eminently worthwhile movie, skipping as it does the fantastical trappings of its peers to instead present a grim, violent, emotional, and altogether worthwhile experience.

Logan makes its intentions to buck superhero conventions clear from its opening scene. When we first see Logan (also known as Wolverine, or James Howlett, or Hugh Jackman in real life), he's asleep in a car, but is soon woken by a gang trying to steal the tires from his ride. The ensuing fight is neither pretty or flashy; Logan is slow, groggy, and limping, and when he finally does rouse the strength to dispense of his foes, it's brutal, bloody, and hard to watch. Afterwards, he stumbles to a roadside gas station bathroom to clean himself, and we see his scars, his wounds, his aging frame. This is not the ripped, impossibly quick to heal Wolverine of old. This is a broken man.

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The world set up in previous X-Men movies is broken, too. Set in 2029, Logan's world is one where mutants are all but extinct, where Charles Xavier's school is no more, and one where both he and Logan are eking out a meager existence along the US border near Mexico. Logan drives a limousine for a living, while Xavier's deteriorating mental condition forces him to be under sedation for long periods of time, lest his immense psychic powers go beyond the control of his now feeble mind. This is far from the glory days of the X-Men.

Into this mix a new element is introduced: a young girl with abilities and claws similar to Logan's, and one who's being pursued by a mercenary group led by Donald Pierce (played with a laconic Southern menace by Boyd Holbrook). Logan reluctantly agrees to help the girl (named Laura, better known as X-23 in the comics, and played by Dafne Keen), which pulls both he and Xavier back into a world of violence they had been trying to escape from. People don't really change, Pierce says at one point in the film, and it seems that despite Logan's best efforts, the Wolverine hasn't changed at all.

What is different, though, is Logan's approach to the superhero genre. This is a serious, grim world, both in its tone and its approach to on-screen violence. Wolverine's claws have never been so sharp and deadly as they are here, with his adamantium appendages severing limbs, impaling skulls, and perforating rib cages with bloody abandon. The film's R-rating is well-deserved, with the graphic nature of the battles in Logan often wince-inducing. And while the action in the movie stays relatively grounded, each of the fights are staged excitingly, with each of Logan's and X-23's stabs and slashes feeling impactful. There's even an outstanding action scene with Xavier, a stunning reminder of how dangerous the world's most powerful mind can be when it goes off the rails.

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But over and above its brutality, Logan excels because of its commitment to its characters, and the wonderful, resonant arcs they go through in this painful yet affecting story. The full weight of the previous nine films of the franchise makes seeing two beloved characters like Professor X and Wolverine at their lowest even more affecting. Xavier (played wonderfully by Patrick Stewart)--no longer the calm, caring father figure--is barely coherent, swears like a sailor, and calls Logan a disappointment. Logan (in another outstanding turn by Jackman), for his part, just wants to escape, whether that's through the money he's trying to scrounge up to buy a boat, or through the adamantium bullet he carries with him everywhere. X-23 is on the verge of being irrevocably damaged in the same way Logan is. These three characters, in their relationships and in the way they become a family, forms the emotional core of the film, and their rough journey is one filled with surprising emotional depth.

Logan continually subverts your expectations, but in its impactful ending, it still somehow feels like the only way the movie--and Wolverine's long journey--could end. This is a film that elevates its genre, succeeding precisely because it's different, and because it strives to be the Wolverine movie fans have always wanted to see. Logan is a must-watch, and is not only a wonderful superhero movie, but a wonderful movie in its own right.

The GoodThe Bad

Brutal and grim

A little too long
Outstanding performances from Jackman and Stewart
Emotional and genuinely affecting
Great soundtrack

New Lion King Movie Casts Its Simba And Mufasa

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 06:32 am

Disney's new Lion King movie has found two of its leads.

Director Jon Favreau (Iron Man, The Jungle Book) announced on Twitter today that Donald Glover will voice Simba, while James Earl Jones will return as Mufasa. Jonathan Taylor Thomas voiced young Simba in the 1994 original Lion King, with Matthew Broderick portraying the adult Simba.

In September 2016, when Favreau was announced as the director of the new Lion King, Disney said it was fast-tracking the film, though no premiere date has been announced yet.

Disney has been ramping up its production of live-action versions of animated classics of late. Some other recent examples include Maleficent, Cinderella, and most recently, The Jungle Book. The next one is Beauty and the Beast movie starring Emma Watson, which comes out in March.

The new Lion King has big shoes to fill, as the original made more than $968 million at the box office and won multiple Academy Awards, in addition to a pair of Grammy Awards for its soundtrack.

Disney and Favreau are also working on The Jungle Book 2, after last year's entry made $965.8 million worldwide. There are no release dates announced for The Lion King or The Jungle Book 2.


The Injustice 2 Closed Beta Ends Next Week

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 06:09 am

The ongoing closed beta for fighting game Injustice 2 will end on February 21, developer NetherRealm announced today.

"Thanks to all of our players who took part in the Injustice 2 online beta," reads a line from a Warner Bros. statement announcing the end of the beta. "We received a great deal of data that will help make the launch of our online modes the best they can be. Now it is time to get busy implementing the changes. That means unfortunately we will be turning off the beta on Tuesday February 21st . Get your games in this weekend!"

Looking ahead, the next Injustice 2 playable character will be announced on February 23. The latest character to be confirmed for Injustice 2 was Swamp Thing. Other confirmed playable characters for Injustice 2 so far include Batman, Blue Beetle, The Flash, Harley Quinn, Superman, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Deadshot, Gorilla Grodd, Aquaman, Robin, Cheetah, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Black Canary, and Atrocitus.

NetherRealm's Ed Boon has said the game will feature obscure characters.

Earlier this week, NetherRealm showed off female fighters Cheetah, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, and Black Canary in a new gameplay trailer. Another video focused exclusively on Black Canary and her devastating moves.

Injustice 2 launches for PS4 and Xbox One on May 16. In other news, an Injustice 2 mobile game has been announced.


Zelda Designers Talk About Listening To Fan Feedback

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 04:48 am

Two of the key minds behind the Legend of Zelda series have weighed in on the balance between listening to fan feedback and sticking true to what they know is good game design.

In an interview with Game Informer, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma said there was "a gap" between what he heard from fans and what he personally wanted to do with the new game, Breath of the Wild.

"I've felt like there are ways that the game should be and I've stuck to it for a very long time. But then, right before I started developing Breath of the Wild, I realized there is a gap between fan feedback and what my strategy was," he explained.

One example he provided was that one fan told him he enjoyed Skyward Sword but wanted a game more like Ocarina of Time where he could ride on his horse in a big open world.

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"And somewhere within myself, I felt the same way. So for Breath of the Wild, it's something that I definitely thought about," Aonuma explained.

Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto is also featured in the interview. He explained that that, while regular testing is important, it may not be enough on its own.

"In terms of gameplay, I've really stressed the importance of whitepaper testing or monitor testing to get feedback," he said. "But I've also conveyed to my team members that you can't just have somebody play and ask them, 'How was it?' I really think it's important to have an idea or a concept of what you want to convey in this game and what the monitor testing does is test whether that idea or concept has been conveyed. Were people able to understand it?"

Another interesting piece of insight from the interview is that Aonuma said he is personally looking forward to using the hang-glider in the game. He is afraid of heights in real life, so being able to do that from the comfort and safety of a video game is an exciting proposition.

The full interview is great; watch it here.

Breath of the Wild comes out on March 3 as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch; the game also arrives for Wii U on that day. In other news, Nintendo has announced a $20 DLC Pass for Breath of the Wild.


Here's Exactly When Horizon Zero Dawn Launches And Pre-Load Details

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 04:40 am

Horizon Zero Dawn, the next big PlayStation 4 exclusive from Killzone developer Guerrilla Games, is almost here. Sony today released a new trailer that reveals precisely when the game will be available to download from the PlayStation Store.

The action-RPG unlocks at 9 PM PT on Monday, February 27, which comes out to midnight ET on February 28. Additionally, Sony confirmed today that pre-loading begins 48 hours ahead of launch (via DualShockers).

Earlier this week, Sony talked about how Zero Dawn has the potential to become a new franchise for the company. Additionally, Sony believes main character Aloy, who is inspired by the Game of Thrones character Ygritte, could become a "PlayStation icon of the future."

For more on Zero Dawn, read all of GameSpot's previous stories and watch every video here.


Half-Life, Portal, Left 4 Dead Writer Leaves Valve

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 04:08 am

Valve veteran Erik Wolpaw has left the company. Following initial reports, Gamasutra confirmed that Wolpaw, whose writing credits include Half-Life 2: Episode One and Episode Two, as well as Portal and the two Left 4 Dead games, has exited the developer.

Wolpaw had worked at Valve since 2004. News of his departure originated today from another former Valve employee, Mark Laidlaw, who left Valve last year.

We don't know what Wolpaw is doing next, though Kotaku reports that he is on the writing team for Double Fine's Psychonauts 2.

In other news about Valve, founder Gabe Newell recently spoke with Gamasutra about the company's unusual--and highly successful--business structure.


The Purge 4 Release Date Announced, May Be A Prequel

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 03:47 am

Universal Pictures announced today that the fourth film in the horror series The Purge will hit theaters on Independence Day 2018--July 4, 2018. The franchise is of course themed around politics somewhat, so that date is surely no coincidence.

Entertainment Weekly reported the release date, adding that James DeMonaco, who has been behind the camera for the first three films, is not returning to direct the fourth. He will write the script, but a new director will take over. This person has not been named as of yet.

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The three previous films, The Purge (2013), The Purge: Anarchy (2014), and The Purge: Election Year (2016), have combined to make almost $320 million worldwide. The budgets have been small for each, at $10 million or less, so they've been smash hits from a business perspective.

The conceit for all of the movies is that crime is legal every year for a 12-hour period as part of an event called "The Purge."

DeMonaco told CinemaBlend last year that the fourth Purge movie may be a prequel.

"I would actually go back and I would try to talk about how it all started. That seems the natural next chapter in this, is to say, 'Alright, we've done this trilogy. We see how it got to this point of someone trying to end it--this presidential figure. Now let's go back and see how the f**k all this came about,'" he explained.

"How did this country get to a place where we were now accepting this kind of atrocity, this terrible thing, each year? I think there's something interesting in that," he added.

Are you looking forward to the new Purge movie? Let us know in the comments below!


New Justice League Image Shows Batman In A Fight

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 03:46 am

A new image from this year's superhero action movie Justice League has come online and it's pretty epic. Director Zack Snyder posted an image to his Vero account recently that shows Ben Affleck's Batman crashing down onto some enemies.

As Entertainment Weekly explains, Snyder's image included the mention of "C03," which is presumably a reference to the post-production studio Company 3. Snyder also wrote that he was visiting "Stefan," which is likely a reference to Stefan Sonnefeld, who worked on Batman v Superman and Wonder Woman. Go to EW to see the new Justice League image.

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Justice League also stars Henry Cavil as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Ezra Miller as Flash, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg. It hits theaters on November 16, 2017.

In other news, Snyder recently talked about how Superman will play a "big part" in Justice League.


Xbox One Price Drops To $250 To Match PS4 For A Limited Time

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 02:10 am

[UPDATE] In other Xbox One deals news, eBay is selling the 500 GB Xbox One S Minecraft bundle for only $200 right now. Go to the eBay page here (via Kotaku) to place an order.

The original story is below.

Microsoft today announced a $50 price cut on all Xbox One and Xbox One S systems, bringing the price of the console down to $250 to start. This temporary price cut is reportedly good until February 25.

The price cut matches Sony's temporary PS4 price drop to $250 that started February 12 and also runs until February 25. When Sony announced its PS4 price cut, it was only a matter of time before Microsoft followed, as it's done in the past.

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As mentioned, the Xbox One price cut is good on all Xbox One and Xbox One S bundles, including the 1 TB Xbox One S Halo Wars 2 system that launches today. Its list price is $350, but the discount brings it down to $300. It comes with a copy of the Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition, which unlocks today ahead of the RTS sequel's official release on February 21.

There are quite a few Xbox One S bundles available, including the 500 GB Battlefield 1 system that comes with that game and a one-month subscription to EA Access. It normally sells for $300 but is now available for $250 thanks to the price cut.

The $50 price cut on all Xbox One models is good at all major retailers in the US, including the Microsoft Store, Amazon, Target, GameStop, Best Buy, and Walmart.


Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare Double XP Weekend Begins Right Now

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 01:35 am

Here's a good reason to play Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare this weekend: Double XP for multiplayer. Activision announced today that it's hosting a Double XP weekend for the newest Call of Duty game starting today, February 17, and running through Tuesday, February 21 at 10 AM PT.

That's a pretty nice interpretation of the weekend; the extended time might have something to do with Monday being a federal holiday in the United States (President's Day).

Infinite Warfare's first expansion, Sabotage, launched at the end of January for PlayStation 4. It added four new maps and more Zombies content. It comes to Xbox One and PC later.

In other news about Infinite Warfare, Activision announced last week that the game failed to meet sales expectations, in part because the game's space setting did not resonate with some players.

The next Call of Duty game was confirmed last week. In development at Advanced Warfare studio Sledgehammer Games, the 2017 game will go back to Call of Duty's "roots."


Xbox One "Interactive Livestreaming" App Available For Some Testers Today

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 01:08 am

After acquiring it last year, Microsoft's plans for the streaming service Beam are now coming more into focus. In an Xbox Wire post, Beam's co-founder Matt Salsamendi announced that a Beam app is available to testers in the Xbox Insider Program right now before coming to everyone in the spring. The Beam app will be available on Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs.

What's unique about Beam is that it calls itself an "interactive livestreaming service." That means it allows people to watch and play along with livestreams as they're happening.

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Also in the Xbox Wire post, Salsamendi teased that Beam will announce more details about new "interactive capabilities" for the service at the Game Developers Conference. The show takes place February 27-March 3 in San Francisco, California.

Be sure to read the full Xbox Wire post to get more information on the Beam app for Xbox One and PC.

Xbox Insiders can also currently test things like the Xbox One's new guide and home screen. The new update, the Creators Update, will be available for everyone this spring after the testing phase.


Star Wars: The Last Jedi's Title Is Plural - Report

By Eddie Makuch on Feb 18, 2017 12:40 am

When Lucasfilm announced the title of Star Wars: Episode VIII last month--The Last Jedi--one of the major questions that popped up was whether or not "Jedi" was to be taken as singular or plural. Now, it's apparently been confirmed that it's plural.

According to Slashfilm, international translations for the movie confirm that Jedi in the case of The Last Jedi is plural, so it's a reference to more than one Jedi. This sounds like a small detail, but it could offer some clues as to the story for The Last Jedi, like whether or not the Jedi's days are numbered.

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Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is referred to as "the last Jedi" in the opening crawl to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Additionally, Yoda says to Luke on his deathbed in Return of the Jedi, "When gone am I, the last of the Jedi will you be." Now that we know Jedi is meant to be taken as plural, it seems that Luke is among the last group of Jedi and not necessarily the very last one. This is all very interesting when you consider that the connection between Luke and Rey (Daisy Ridley) is to be a major point of focus in The Last Jedi. Additionally, some new Last Jedi art released this week showed Rey wielding a lightsaber.

Here are a series of tweets that Slashfilm collected about The Last Jedi's pluralization.

Earlier this week, Lucasfilm announced that The Last Jedi writer-director Rian Johnson and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy will share new details on the movie during a panel at Star Wars Celebration in April. In other news, Johnson shared a behind-the-scenes image from the movie showing a series of Stormtroopers.

The Last Jedi arrives in theaters on December 15, 2017. It also stars Laura Dern, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis. Carrie Fisher filmed her Leia scenes for the movie before she passed away in December.


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