Rainbow Six Siege's big Operation Para Bellum update is nearly here. Following its recent stint on the Siege test server, Ubisoft has now confirmed when the expansion will roll out for the live game, and it happens very soon.
Operation Para Bellum will go live for all platforms--PS4, Xbox One, and PC--on Thursday, June 7. As is typically the case, those who've purchased the Siege season pass will receive access to Para Bellum's two new Operators, Alibi and Maestro, immediately at launch, while all other players will be able to unlock them one week later, beginning June 14.
Alibi and Maestro are the 39th and 40th Operators to arrive in Siege, and both are Defenders hailing from the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale counterterrorism unit. Alibi can deploy holographic decoys of herself to distract opponents, while Maestro can lay down a bulletproof turret to block access to key areas of the map.
In addition to the aforementioned Operators, Operation Para Bellum introduces Villa, the 20th map to arrive in the game thus far. Ubisoft describes Villa as the game's "most tactical map to date." It is a luxurious mansion located in the Italian countryside, and it features "wide staircases, narrow tunnels, and secret hatches."
The update also introduces a number of gameplay and balance adjustments. Most notably, the Clubhouse map has been reworked, and several Operators are getting the bulletproof camera as a secondary gadget. Echo in particular is also seeing some notable tweaks, receiving a second Yokai drone and other buffs.
Rounding out the update is the new Pick & Ban system, which will be available in custom games and allows players to counteract opponents by banning certain Operators from play. You can read more about Operation Para Bellum in the full patch notes shared on the official Siege website. You can also watch us play several matches of Siege with Alibi and Maestro on the new Villa map.
Smite and Paladins developer Hi-Rez has released battle royale spinoff called Realm Royale. The free game, which is in Early Access, is available now on Steam.
As you will immediately notice, Realm Royale is inspired by Paladins, the studio's hero shooter that itself bears a resemblance to Blizzard's Overwatch. What separates Realm Royale from Fortnite and other battle royale games is that you always play in a four-player squad, and you can choose from five different classes that have their own unique perks and abilities. For example, the Mage class can cast spells and do damage from far away, while the Warrior is a frontlines fighter. The Engineer class can create defensive barriers to shield their squad from attacks.
Another feature that Realm Royale has that other battle royale games don't is what's called "Disenchant." When you see weapons on the ground, you can disenchant them to turn them into shards. You can then take those shards to a forge on the map to craft legendary-level armor, weapons, and abilities. However, when you're crafting something, a plume of smoke emerges from the forge which everyone on the map can see. Additionally, you can ride a horse in Realm Royale; your move, Fortnite.
Realm Royale is free, and while microtransactions may be added later, none are in the game now. As mentioned, this is an Early Access game, so it is unfinished and could be buggy at times. Hi-Rez said it has big plans to expand and evolve Realm Royale over time, and as such, it will stay in early access until it is finished. There are currently five classes, 17 weapons, and 25 abilities in Realm Royale, which supports 100 players (divided into teams of four). All of the core gameplay is in the game currently, though Hi-Rez warned that it is not in a fully polished state right now. Things like player levels and cosmetics you can unlock will be added later.
Hi-Rez has launched Smite and Paladins on console, but there is no word yet on if Realm Royale will come to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
We'll soon be halfway through 2018, and in terms of cinema, there's already been a mix of huge hits, critical smashes, and inevitably, a few disappointments. Black Panther,Avengers: Infinity War, and Deadpool 2 have smashed records, and there's another Marvel movie--Ant-Man and the Wasp--still to come. While Solo: A Star Wars Story has proved to be a commercial disappointment, there's still plenty of other big movies due this summer, including the sixth Mission: Impossible movie, Fallout, and this month's Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Beyond these big tentpole franchises, other crowd-pleasing favourites are set to return. There DC's Aquaman and Pixar's The Incredibles 2, plus Skyscraper, from cinema's busiest star, Dwayne Johnson. And who isn't excited to see Jason Statham fight a giant shark in The Meg? The first of Sony's Spider-Man spin-offs arrives in the shape of Venom, we'll find out if there's life in the Predator franchise, and the classic Halloween series returns just in time for, well, Halloween. So here's what you can look forward to over the rest of the year...
Ocean's Eight
The long-awaited reboot of the hit heist comedy series, Ocean's Eight showcases an all-female team, led by Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), sister of George Clooney's Danny Ocean from the previous trilogy. She assisted by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Helen Bonham Carter, Rihanna, and Mindy Kaling, and the first trailer suggests that it will match the fast-moving funny style of the earlier movies. It's directed by Gary Ross (The Hunger Games).
Release date: June 8
Hereditary
A Quiet Place has become 2018's first horror smash, and it could soon be joined by Hereditary. There's plenty of buzz about this tale of a family which move into the house of a dead grandmother and find themselves under threat from grandma's ghost. Which all sounds extremely generic, but early reports suggest that the movie is anything but, and uses its familiar set-up to deliver something truly unexpected and terrifying. The cast is led by Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne, and it's directed by first-timer Ari Aster. We'll find out just how scary it is when it arrives in June.
Release date: June 8
The Incredibles 2
Pixar's long-awaited sequel to its 2004 superhero family smash The Incredibles was originally set for a 2019 release but having switched places with Toy Story 4, we now get it a whole year earlier. Although the first teaser gives little away, we do know a few plot details. At Disney's D23 convention this summer, director Brad Bird revealed that the movie take place immediately after the end of the first movie, and will focus more on Elastigirl's superhero adventures, while Mr. Incredible is now a stay-at-home dad, trying to deal with the increasingly powerful baby Jack-Jack. Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Samuel L. Jackson all reprise their roles, with Toy Story veteran John Ratzenberger playing the villainous Underminer.
Release date: June 15, 2018
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Jurassic World wasn't just the fourth part in a series of big dinosaur movies; it was an absolute box office monster, and currently stands as the fourth biggest film of all time. For the follow-up, acclaimed Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona takes over from Colin Trevorrow, who remains on-board as producer and co-writer. Meanwhile Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard reprise their roles. Trevorrow has described the movie as a "Spanish horror thriller"(in reference to Bayona's earlier hit Mama) but most exciting is the return of Jeff Goldblum, who starred in Steven Spielberg's original Jurassic Park way back in 1993.
Release date: June 22
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
The drug cartel thriller Sicario was one of the most gripping movies of recent years, and hopes are high for this follow-up. Director Denis Villeneuve and star Emily Blunt aren't returning, but the movie is in good hands. Director Stefano Sollima is best known for the brilliant Italian crime drama series Gomorrha, and Benicio Del Toro is set to reprise his role as a former undercover agent turned morally ambiguous enforcer Alejandro. This time the movie focuses on attempts by the CIA to incite an all-out war between rival drug gangs in Mexico; writer Taylor Sheridan has said that "if Sicario is a film about the militarization of police and that blending over, this is removing the policing aspect from it."
Release date: June 29
The First Purge
The Purge series has proved to be one of the most successful horror franchises of recent years, and expectations are high for this fourth entry. The First Purge looks set to continue the mix of scares, action, and biting social commentary. As the title indicates, it's a prequel that looks at the creation of the single night of legalised crime known as The Purge, and the first trailer suggests that it's lost none of its gory, satirical bite.
Release date: July 4
Ant-Man and The Wasp
The first Ant-Man was a welcome contrast to the likes of The Avengers and Captain America: Civil War. As much of a heist comedy as a superhero movie, it featured a winning lead role from Paul Rudd and put the emphasis much more on character and humor than huge CG-driven action sequences. With Avengers: Infinity War due in May, Ant-Man and the Wasp should be a good follow-up two months later. Evangeline Lily reprises her role as Hope Van Dyne, who now fights alongside Ant-Man as The Wasp, with Michael Douglas and Michael Pfeiffer as her parents. We don't know what direction the movie will go in this time, just that director Peyton Reed promises "an entirely different genre template."
Release date: July 6
Bleeding Steel
Action legend Jackie Chan might have slowed down a little in terms of the insane stuntwork he puts himself through, but last year's impressive thriller The Foreigner showed that the 63-year-old star can still deliver the goods. His latest movie is Bleeding Steel, a futuristic tale in which Chan plays a special agent trying to protect his daughter from biotech mutants. No one is expecting a movie to match the heights of Chan's earlier classics, but it looks like it will deliver an entertaining mix of action, sci-fi-thrills, and enjoyably idiotic storytelling.
Release date: July 6
Skyscraper
Another of Dwayne Johnson's 2018 action epics, this China-set thriller stars Johnson as a retired FBI hostage rescue agent who now works as a security assessor for the world's biggest skyscraper. While the first trailer doesn't reveal the specific dangers he must face while working in the world's most advanced building, we know they involve explosions, shooting, and lots of jumping. That said, it looks a bit less comedic than many of The Rock's other movies, as evidenced by the fact he has a prosthetic leg and a greying beard. All will be revealed in July.
Release date: July 13
The Equalizer 2
The Equalizer might not be one of Denzel Washington's most notable movies, but the gritty revenge thriller was nevertheless a big hit back in 2014. The Equalizer 2 arrives in July, and it's the first time that Denzel has ever appeared in a sequel. The first trailer delivers plenty of action, as Denzel's retired CIA operative sets out to avenge the death of a friend in suitably brutal style. We've seen a similar set up in many movies in recent years, from John Wick and Jack Reacher to the Taken series, but director Antoine Fuqua is hot from the massive success of The Fate of the Furious and is sure to deliver the violent goods.
Release date: July 20
Mission Impossible 6: Fallout
The Mission: Impossible series might be more than 20-years old, but on-set injuries aside, star Tom Cruise shows no signs of slowing down. Fallout sees Rogue Nation's Chris McQuarrie return to the directors chair, with Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, and Alec Baldwin all reprising their roles from previous movies. Superman star Henry Cavill joins the cast, as does his controversial moustache. Expect plenty of insane action.
Release date: July 27
Teen Titans Go! To The Movies
The irreverent animated DC comedy Teen Titans Go! continues to be a hugely entertaining and popular show, and 2018 sees the release of both a fifth season and a new movie. In keeping the self-referential tone of the show, Teen Titans Go! to the Movies see the Teen Titans discover that all the other superheroes in the DC universe have had their own movies, so they set about trying to find both a director to make their film and a suitably threatening supervillain to fight. Lego Batman star Will Arnett will voice the evil Slade, while The Good Place's Kristen Bell is the filmmaker who wants to bring their story to the big screen.
Release date: July 27
The Meg
Based on the best-selling 1997 novel, this big-budget shark thriller has been in development for several years and finally arrives this summer. Expendables star Jason Statham plays an expert diver who faces off against a 70-foot monster shark which is causing mayhem off the coast of China. The recent shark movie The Shallows was a great small-scale thriller with a limited location, but with a budget in excess of $150 million, expect The Meg to deliver something way more spectacular.
Release date: August 10
BlacKkKlansman
Director Spike Lee has never shied away from controversial material--classic movies such as Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever, and Malcolm X addressed issues of race and relationships within American society, while his recent Chi-Raq was a musical that addressed inner-city gun violence. BlacKkKlansman is his highest profile movie in years, and is produced by Get Out's Jordan Peele. It's the amazing but true story of a black FBI agent who managed to infiltrate the KKK in the 1970s, and rave reviews from the Cannes Film Festival suggest a mix of smart comedy and powerful social drama. It stars John David Washington, son of regular Lee collaborator Denzel, plus Adam Driver, fresh from his role as Kylo Reno in the recent Star Wars movies. It's also got one of the best posters of the year so far--we can't wait.
Release date: August 10
The Happytime Murders
If nothing else, you can be guaranteed that you won't see another movie like The Happytime Murders in 2018. It's a comedy cop thriller, in which two mismatched detectives are thrown together to solve a series of grisly murders--so far, so generic. he difference here, however, is that many of the cast are foul-mouthed, drug-taking, sex-crazed puppets. Melissa McCarthy is among the human actors, who teams up with a horny blue cop, and the first trailer that was released this week is a hysterical, jaw-dropping, seriously NSFW delight. And if that wasn't enough, the movie is directed by Brian Henson, son of Muppet and Sesame Street creator Jim Henson. What would Fozzie think?
Release date: August 17
Slender Man
Slender Man is the fictional horror character that first appeared as a viral internet myth in 2009 and has gone onto become a notable part of modern pop culture. It's somewhat surprising that it's taken nearly a decade for an official Slender Man movie to be made, but 2018 finally sees Hollywood's take on this urban legend. The movie's first trailer makes it looks like a pretty traditional teen horror movie, with disappearing kids, freaky long-haired children, spooky woods, and lots of weird, quickly cut imagery. But there are plenty of horror fans who have been waiting a long time to see the character on screen, and director Sylvian White is not a newcomer to the genre, having previously directed such horror TV shows such as The Originals and Sleepy Hollow.
Release date: August 24
The Nun
James Wan's The Conjuring was one of most successful horror movies of recent years, inspiring not only a prequel, but two spin-offs focusing on spooky doll Annabelle. The latest movie in this horror series is The Nun. It's set before the other four movies in the series so far, and focuses on the investigation into the earlier life (and death) of Valak, the terrifying demon nun from The Conjuring 2. Wan co-wrote the screenplay, and it's directed by Corin Hardy, who previously helmed the acclaimed low-budget shocker The Hallow and is about to start shooting the remake of The Crow. Expect plenty of scares.
Release date: September 7
Peppermint
Jennifer Garner is best known for her kick-ass lead role in JJ Abram's CIA thriller show Alias, which ran for five seasons between 2001 and 2006. In recent years, she's taken on more comedic and dramatic roles, but Peppermint sees her make a welcome return to the world of action. It's directed by Taken's Pierre Morel, and it definitely taps into that vein of gritty revenge-filled violence that the likes of Liam Neeson, Denzel Washington, and Keanu Reeves have found big success with over the last decade. Garner plays a woman who wakes from a coma to find her family dead and vengeance very much on her mind, and the first trailer suggests it's going to be satisfyingly brutal ride.
Release date: September 7
The Predator
Although the original Predator is an '80s action classic, the movies that have followed have ranged from interesting but flawed (Predator 2) to completely terrible (Alien vs Predator). The Predator is writer/director Shane Black's attempt to get the franchise back on track. Black's impressive resume ranges from writing Lethal Weapon to directing Iron Man 3, and as a young actor he even had a role in original Predator. Black himself has said that he only agreed to make the film if he could do it on a big, blockbuster scale, while still delivering the sci-fi horror goods. The first trailer arrived in May, and it looks like it will give the fans exactly what they have been hoping for.
Release date: September 14
Venom
Although the deal between Disney and Sony has ensured that Spider-Man is currently part of the former's Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie right to the character ultimately remain with Sony. As a result, the studio is launching its own interconnected universe of characters from the canon of Spidey comic-books. Venom is first up; it stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a photographer who ends up with superpowers after he is taken over by the alien parasite of title. It's directed by Zombieland's Ruben Fleischer, and the impressive supporting cast includes Michelle Williams, Woody Harrelson, and Riz Ahmed.
Release date: October 4
First Man
Given Neil Armstrong is the most famous astronaut ever, it's surprising that he's never had his own biopic until now. First Man is set between 1961 and 1969 and tells the story of Armstrong's preparations for his history-changing journey to the moon. It stars Ryan Gosling as the man himself and is helmed by Gosling's La La Land director Damien Chazelle. The impressive cast also includes Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler, Jon Bernthal, and Pablo Schreiber.
Release date: October 12
Johnny English Strikes Again
While it's unlikely that a third Johnny English film was high on anyone's most-anticipated movies list for 2018, the previous two spy spoofs were major box office hits, earning more than $320 million worldwide. Johnny English Strikes Again sees Mr. Bean actor Rowan Atkinson return as the inept superspy, who this time must thwart a master hacker. As the first trailer reveals, English travels to France with his loyal sidekick Bough to track his enemy down--and also launch missiles at French cyclists. Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson co-stars, alongside Olga Kurylenko, who appears to be parodying her role in the 2008 James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.
Release date: Fall 208.
Halloween
The Halloween series might be one of longest-running and most profitable horror franchises in movie history, but most fans would agree that every entry hasn't necessarily been a good one. The last time Michael Myers stalked the screen was in Rob Zombie's hugely divisive remakes a decade ago, but now, on the 40th anniversary of John Carpenter's original movie, the killer also known as The Shape is back. Plot details for this latest Halloween are under wraps, but it's got an impressive pedigree. It's directed by acclaimed indie auteur David Gordon Green and produced by Blumhouse Films, which has scored major successes in recent years with the likes of Get Out, Paranormal Activity, and the Purge movies. Original star Jamie Lee Curtis returns, and if that wasn't enough, Carpenter himself is creatively involved and potentially providing another iconic soundtrack. Could this be the Halloween reboot that finally gets it right?
Release date: October 19
Bohemian Rhapsody
This biopic of Queen legend Freddie Mercury has been in development for many years, with various directors and stars attached to the project. Even when the cameras started rolling the problems didn't stop--director Bryan Singer was fired by the studio during production, to be replaced by British filmmaker Dexter Fletcher. But the movie is now finished and set for release in November. Mr. Robot star Remi Malek takes on the role of the iconic frontman, and it charts the rise of the band through the '70s to their world-conquering success in the '80s. It's produced by the band, and the trailer suggests that it might be more a celebration of the music than a look at the darker side of Mercury's life. But it looks like an absolute must-see for Queen fans.
Release date: November 2
The Grinch
The classic Dr. Seuss story How the Grinch Saved Christmas was adapted into a hit Jim Carrey movie 18 years ago, and a new animated version hits the screen in November. Doctor Strange and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch will provide the voice of the Holiday-hating title character, and the first trailer arrived last week. The movie was actually meant to be released last year, but the trailer is colourful and fun and the movie will hopefully be worth the wait.
Release date: November 9
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The Harry Potter series might have finished in 2011, but the wider movie universe goes from strength to strength. The success of 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them led to the announcement of a further four movies, the first of which arrives in November. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander, with Jude Law as the young Dumbledore, who enlists the help of Newt to help defeat the dark wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). David Yates directs once more, from a screenplay by Potter creator JK Rowling.
Release date: November 16
Widows
Ocean's Eight isn't the only high-profile heist movie coming our way in 2018. Widows is the latest film from Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave) and is written by Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn. The movies focuses on four women whose husbands are killed in a failed heist, who then decide to finish the job themselves. It's based on a British TV show of the same name from the 1980s, and the star-studded cast includes Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson, and Get Out's Daniel Kaluuya. Films like 12 Years and Shame proved that McQueen can deliver prestigious, acclaimed dramas, so hopes are high that he is equally adept at making edgy crime thrillers.
Release date: November 18
Creed 2
While most thought that the legendary movie boxer Rocky Balboa had finally hung up his gloves, the 2015 spin-off Creed not only gave the character one of his finest movies, it paved the way for director Ryan Coogler to get the job of directing Marvel's wildly successful Black Panther. Coogler won't be back for the sequel, but star Michael B. Jordan is, once again playing the son of the original movies' Apollo Creed. Rocky creator and star Sylvester Stallone is back too, as both co-star and co-writer. Steven Caple Jr. directs this time, and it's rumoured that Creed 2 will bring back another iconic character from the original series--Rocky IV's Russian powerhouse Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).
Release date: November 21
Robin Hood
Ridley Scott's 2010 version of the the Robin Hood myth wasn't a critical or commercial success, but that hasn't stopped yet another version of the story heading to screens in 2018. This time we have a younger Robin, with Kingsman star Taron Egerton in the lead role. The cast also includes Jamie Foxx as Little John and Rogue One's Ben Mendelsohn as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and it's directed by TV director Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror). The first trailer is suitably action-packed, but we'll find out in November if this Hood is any good.
Release date: November 21
Ralph Breaks the Internet
The 2012 animated comedy Wreck-It Ralph was a critical and commercial hit, and the sequel arrives in November. It focuses on the arcade game villain-turned-hero of the title, who this time enters the internet after the arcade his game lives in goes online. John C. Reilly is the voice of Ralph, with Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Taraji P. Henson, and James Corden also part of the voice cast.
Release date: November 21
Mortal Engines
While Peter Jackson's first post-Hobbit directorial effort is yet to be revealed, he is heavily involved with this upcoming sci-fi adventure. Jackson produces and co-writes alongside his regular collaborator Fran Walsh, while Christian Rivers--who has worked with Jackson since his early horror days--makes his directorial debut. Mortal Engines is an adaptation of the first of four YA novels written by Philip Reeve and is set in a post apocalyptic steampunk world where motorised cities-on-wheels are at war with one another. As you'd expect from Jackson, it all looks truly spectacular, and if the storytelling matches the level of visual invention, it should make a lavish treat this Christmas.
Release date: December 14
Aquaman
The DC universe has had a bumpy ride so far, with only Wonder Woman connecting with both audiences and critics. But there's every reason to be hopeful that Aquaman could do the same. Director James Wan is a skilled genre operator, whether delivering crowd-pleasing horror (Saw, The Conjuring) or blockbuster action (Furious 7), and there's a killer cast that includes Patrick Wilson, Willem Defoe, Nicole Kidman, and '80s action icon Dolph Lungren, plus Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Amber Heard as Mera. Wan recently debunked the rumour that the film would be overstuffed with multiple villains, and promises an "emotional and powerful" origin movie.
Developer Bungie has finally revealed Destiny 2's big year-two expansion. It's called Forsaken, and it launches on September 4. Just like The Taken King for the original Destiny, Forsaken is a standalone expansion you'll have to buy separately even if you purchased Destiny 2's expansion pass. In fact, you can even buy a new "annual pass" to pre-order three additional content releases that will come out after Destiny 2: Forsaken.
Forsaken's story will bring players back to the Reef to fight off a group of powerful enemies who broke out of prison. The expansion also introduces a number of changes to Destiny 2, including a new mode called Gambit, as well as major changes to weapons, mods, and Masterworks. The idea is to keep players coming back once they've reached the endgame.
If you're ready to pre-order Destiny 2: Forsaken, you'll probably want to know what your options are. We've gathered all the info you need below.
Warning
Before diving into any of this, you should know that in order to play any of these versions of Destiny 2: Forsaken, you'll already need to own Destiny 2 and Expansions I and II. The core game and expansions are not included in any of the packages below.
Destiny 2: Forsaken Pre-Order Bonus
With that out of the way, if you pre-order Destiny 2: Forsaken at participating retailers, you'll receive Cayde's Exotic Stash. It contains the following items.
Ace of Spades Last Hand Exotic Ornament
Queen of Hearts Exotic Ship
Standoff Exotic Emote
Shades of Cayde-6 Armor Shaders
Destiny 2: Forsaken Standard Edition
The standard edition comes with the Forsaken expansion and nothing else. Here's where you can pre-order the standard edition right now.
This purchase does not include the Forsaken expansion. Instead, it offers standalone access to everything included in the annual pass. That means you get bonus rewards, as well as three "premium content releases" expected to arrive in winter 2018, spring 2019, and summer 2019.
The digital deluxe edition comes with the game, the annual pass, and the Awoken Legend Set, which includes Wrath Majestic Legendary Bow Ornament, Dirge Paladin Emblem, and Vestian Ghost Shell.
The upcoming Spawn film won't bother wasting time recounting the character's origin story, according to Todd McFarlane. The creator, who is pulling double-duty as writer-director for the 2019 film, says he's finds movies that spend time on the backstory "exhausting."
"I can't do it. I can't do it," McFarlane told Comic Book. "I've seen too many movies that spend way too much time for the set-up." To illustrate his point, he referenced another gruff anti-hero. "Why do you think Wolverine was so popular? Because we didn't know who he was for a long, long time. And that's what made him cool. And you can argue that it's like he became a little bit less cool... once you actually gave the origin away, right? I sort of liked him when he was like a mystery."
In both the comics and the film, Spawn is a CIA black ops agent who was betrayed and murdered. After finding himself in Hell for all of his killing of innocents, he makes a bargain with a demon to return to earth to see his wife. But bargains with demons rarely go as planned, so he's sent back hideously disfigured, trapped in his suit, and years after his wife has moved on with her life.
This is similar to comments McFarlane made when the casting of Jamie Foxx was announced, saying he wanted to do a trilogy and didn't intend for the first film to be an origin story. In fact, it sounds like the character of Spawn might not just lack an origin story, but almost any story whatsoever. McFarlane has compared this take on the character to a horror film.
"The scariest movies, from Jaws to John Carpenter's The Thing, or The Grudge and The Ring, the boogeyman doesn't talk," McFarlane said. "It confuses people because of the comic book industry, and because they all default into their Captain America mindset, and I keep saying, no, get into John Carpenter's mindset or Hitchcock. This is not a man in a rubber suit; it's not a hero that's going to come and save the damsel. It's none of that. At the end of the movie, I'm hoping that the audience will say either, is this a ghost that turns into a man, or is it a man that turns into a ghost?"
Destiny 2's upcoming expansion Forsaken is coming to E3 2018, and now we've learned more about what Bungie has in store for the show. During the Forsaken reveal livestream today, Bungie confirmed that the game's new multiplayer mode, Gambit, will be playable on the show floor. Not only that, but Bungie plans to reveal more of Forsaken's story during the event.
Gambit being playable on the show floor is a big deal because E3 is now open to the public, so anyone going to the event can try it before launch in September. Gambit is Destiny 2's much-hyped PvE/PvP hybrid mode where two teams of four fight against waves of AI enemies in their own environment, separate from the other side. Enemies drop motes that you collect and deposit into a chamber of sorts which in turn sends more enemies to the other side's area. At a certain point, one player from each time can "invade" the opposing team's area, putting further pressure on them.
It sounds like fun, in part because you don't necessarily have to be the most proficient shooter to get a win. And there is a further element of strategy because you have to choose how to spend your time between killing AI enemies, collecting motes, depositing them, and invading the other side.
Regarding the story in Destiny 2: Forsaken, little is known, though Bungie did confirm that it takes players back to the Reef. However, it has now "fallen to lawlessness." Throughout the story you will investigate the unrest and "explore new regions, awaken new powers, and earn powerful weapons."
During the livestream, Bungie said Forsaken has a "western revenge" vibe. Bungie also showed off a new six-shooter holster and boot spurs that look like they're out of a Clint Eastwood movie. We don't know any more about what Bungie plans to reveal about Forsaken's story at E3, but with so little information out there, fans will be eager to hear whatever Bungie has to share.
Another notable takeaway about Forsaken's story content is that it was created by co-developer High Moon Studios, not principal studio Bungie. Activision executive Byron Beede did confirm, however, that High Moon worked in partnership with Bungie on the new story content.
Activision does not have an E3 2018 briefing of its own, but Destiny 2 announcements over the years have come on Sony's stage, so that could happen again this year. Activision has a partnership with Sony to give PlayStation gamers access to some Destiny 2 content first.
For more on Destiny 2: Forsaken, check out GameSpot's recent stories below.
By Anonymous on Jun 05, 2018 11:30 pm The Forsaken expansion is bringing a ton of new content to Destiny 2 on PC, Xbox One, and PS4, while it looks like we'll be hearing about Hitman 2 very soon.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James face will be dominating the cover of NBA 2K19 20th Anniversary Edition. James is no stranger to appearing on the cover of these games, having been featured as the cover athlete of NBA 2K14 when he was still playing for the Miami Heat.
It comes as no surprise that the image of James is a cropped, close-up of his face. The man can choose to opt out of his contract this summer, and plenty of people believe he'll utilize the opportunity. Considering NBA 2K's recent history of dealing with cover athletes changing teams right before game shipment, it was smart to use a picture of James that doesn't advertise what team he's playing for. NBA 2K18's cover athlete, Kyrie Irving, was initially photographed in his Cavs' jersey just prior to his off-season trade to the Boston Celtics. He had to be photoshopped into his Celtics jersey.
This anniversary edition will also feature a variety of LeBron James-themed extras. Most of these goodies will be digital, such as a special LeBron James MyTeam card, LeBron James MyCourt customizations, and 25 pairs of LeBron James-themed Nike shoes. However, buying NBA 2K19 20th Anniversary Edition will also let players nab some physical merch, including a LeBron James poster, sticker sheet, and wristband.
NBA 2K19 launches September 11, but players who pre-order the 20th Anniversary Edition will be able to play the game four days earlier on September 7. Both versions will come to PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch. Anyone who decides to play the game on PS4 or Xbox One can download NBA 2K19: The Prelude on August 31 if they want to get a head start on their MyCareer modes.
Destiny 2's Forsaken expansion will launch on September 4, developer Bungie announced today during a livestream event. The expansion, which follows the Warmind add-on in May, is a big one. As outlined in a mini-documentary that you can see in the embed above, Forsaken adds a lot to Destiny 2.
As rumoured, Forsaken takes players back to the Reef as part of a story that Bungie is keeping quiet about for now. What Bungie did say is that Forsaken's story has a western revenge theme, and that it begins with a prison break with Cayde-6. More details on the story are coming at E3 next week.
Forsaken also makes a number of changes to weapons, starting with the fact that the Kinetic slot can now have shotguns. There is also a new mod system coming, along with an updated Masterwork system that lets you level up your guns over time. There is also a brand-new weapon coming to Destiny 2 in the form of a bow and arrow.
What's more, Forsaken adds new Super abilities, one of which is called Fire Knives and it allows you to do exactly what that sounds like. Another is a giant hammer that you can slam down to turn into a fire tornado. Additionally, the Void Warlock can now teleport and then explode.
The new, much-hyped multiplayer mode coming in Destiny 2 Forsaken is called Gambit. It's a competitive PvE mode where you fight against AI enemies. They drop motes that you then load into a chamber that sends a blocker over onto the other team's area. At a certain point one players can actually invade the other side's area and do damage that way.
The new raid in Forsaken is called Dreaming City. It has more bosses than any previous Destiny raid, and it has a massive roam area like Dreadnaught with puzzles and secrets to explore. More activities will be added to the raid over time.
Finally, Forsaken is adding Collections, which is a way to track all of the items you can acquire as you play. You can look at sets, see how to go and get it. You can just see how many weapons there are. Also coming to Destiny 2 are Triumphs, which track your achievements and accomplishments, as well as new Exotics.
Forsaken costs $40 by itself, while you can also get it with the new Annual Pass for $70. For more on Destiny 2: Forsaken, check out GameSpot's recent stories below.
A new month has arrived, which means a new slate of games are on the horizon. Between the excitement of E3 2018 and this month's upcoming releases, gaming fans have a lot to look forward to in June. This month sees some notable titles arrive on each platform, from the Switch port of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus to a new Mario sports game and the latest title from Life Is Strange developer Dontnod.
As always, we've rounded up a list of the biggest games launching this month below, giving you a handy way to keep track of what's in store for Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC in June. For a broader look at all of the major games coming to each platform throughout the rest of the year, be sure to check out our comprehensive list of game release dates in 2018.
Jurassic World Evolution (PS4, Xbox One, PC) -- June 12
Arriving on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on June 12, Jurassic World Evolution is a theme park sim that challenges players with managing their own Jurassic Park. They can choose which types of dinosaurs they'd like to hatch and what types of attractions and amenities they'd like to build to attract guests to their park. The game also features Jeff Goldblum reprising his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm.
This month's big Switch release is Mario Tennis Aces, the first Mario sports game to arrive on Nintendo's hybrid console. Developed by Camelot, the studio behind every previous Mario Tennis game, Aces introduces a number of new mechanics, such as the time-slowing Zone Speed and the powerful Zone Shots. It also features the first story mode in the series since 2005's Mario Tennis: Power Tour.
Rounding out this month's biggest releases is The Crew 2. Ubisoft's open-world racing game arrives on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on June 29, and it builds upon its predecessor with a few new mechanics, most notably vehicle transformations. In this installment, players can switch between a car, boat, plane, or other vehicles on the fly to seamlessly race across different types of terrain.
As if there weren't enough Souls games already, Bandai Namco has announced the release date for its Souls-like RPG, Code Vein. The game is scheduled to launch on September 28, following the releases of Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (September 4), Spider-Man (September 7), Shadow of the Tomb Raider (September 12), and the Spyro Reignited Trilogy (September 21). It seems September is a pretty jammed-packed month this year, and E3 2018 is still just a week away.
Back in October of last year, we had a chance to check out Code Vein, saying, "Dubbed 'anime Dark Souls' by many, it draws heavy influence from From Software's acclaimed Souls series, most notably in its difficulty." Around the same time, we learned that Code Vein will not feature an easier difficulty setting. Instead, you'll be able to "freely change your character's Blood Code during the course of the game, allowing you adjust your character's stats to adapt to new challenges."
And, of course, in similar Souls fashion, Code Vein will feature online co-op. "You can send out a distress signal to summon a different player," but "this player will have to fulfill 'certain conditions,' although it's unclear what these conditions will be." We'll have a few months to see what those conditions are.
Code Vein will be available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
An unannounced Diablo project of some sort is officially in development, Blizzard has revealed. A job listing on the company's website confirms as much, although--this being a job posting and not a proper announcement--there aren't any real details about what to expect.
The job opening is for a dungeon artist on the Diablo franchise, but the game is listed as an "unannounced project." The description makes it clear upfront that this position will be working on something new: "The minions of Hell are growing stronger... We're working on a new, unannounced Diablo project."
The remainder of the post doesn't offer much else, although it sounds as if this new project won't dramatically deviate from the typical look of a Diablo game. "The ideal candidate works well in an environment of peers who are passionate about working on the dark gothic world of Diablo, making great games, killing millions of monsters and getting loot," it states.
Blizzard has not announced any new Diablo games to date, although this isn't the first job opening to suggest one might be in the works. Whether this new project is a full-on sequel like Diablo 4 or something else remains to be seen. But with little in the way of major content updates for Diablo III released in the past few years outside of the Rise of the Necromancer DLC, fans have been holding out hope that something new was in the works.
There's no indication of when we'll be hearing official details about the project. E3 2018 is right around the corner, but there's been no word that the company plans to unveil a new game there. We'll report back whenever we do hear more. Meanwhile, we're still waiting to hear about the rumored Diablo III for Switch.
By Anonymous on Jun 05, 2018 10:30 pm Co-op Team, Assemble! Some super special guests are joining us for E3 2018 on our GameSpot Co-Op Stage! Join us as we team up with Kinda Funny, WWE Superstars The New Day, Funhaus, What's Good Games and more!
Microsoft has reset its weekly sale, so a whole new batch of Xbox One and Xbox 360 games are available for discounted prices. You'll need to have an Xbox Live Gold account to qualify for some of the deals (indicated with an asterisk below), but others are available to everyone. Let's dive in and see what games are on sale this week--but don't wait too long, because they go back to full price on Monday, June 11.
Rockstar games are the headliners this week, with Red Dead Redemption down to $10 / £8. Now is a good time to play (or re-play) the game, seeing as the sequel is heading our way in October and there seem to be a lot of narrative through-lines between the two games. It also recently got a 4K update for Xbox One X.
Also discounted this week are the acclaimed RPGs Divinity: Original Sin ($10 / £9) and Torment: Tides of Numenera for ($15 / £12). If you're feeling in the mood for a fright, you can grab Goosebumps: The Game for $8 / £6. You can find the full list of games on sale here, or see more of our picks below.
Jean Luc, Ben, and Michael duke it out in Blazblue Cross Tag Battle on launch day.
The Forsaken expansion is bringing a ton of new content to Destiny 2 on PC, Xbox One, and PS4, while it looks like we'll be hearing about Hitman 2 very soon.
Co-op Team, Assemble! Some super special guests are joining us for E3 2018 on our GameSpot Co-Op Stage! Join us as we team up with Kinda Funny, WWE Superstars The New Day, Funhaus, What's Good Games and more!
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