Tuesday, September 18, 2018

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In the 09/19/2018 edition:

Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Adds Two More Games

By Steve Watts on Sep 19, 2018 12:25 am

Xbox One's backward compatibility list has just received two new additions, including a cult favorite from Double Fine. The 2009 action-strategy game with a dose of metal influence, Brutal Legend, is the latest to join the line-up. It's flanked by Greg Hastings Paintball 2.

Brutal Legend was a relatively big-budget project from Double Fine, featuring the voices of Jack Black and Tim Curry along with a bigger, more ambitious campaign story than some of its other releases. The GameSpot Brutal Legend review gave kudos to its humorous writing and world-building, but noted that the side missions were a bit dull. Greg Hastings Paintball 2 is a smaller release, having gotten only a handful of mixed reviews on GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

As always, any new games are playable on your Xbox One immediately. If you own the disc version you can pop it into your console, and if you own it digitally it should be available for download at no additional charge.

Xbox One backwards compatibility was a major feature announcement when it debuted in 2015, and since then Microsoft has been steadily adding to the list. It now boasts tons of Xbox 360 games, and even some original Xbox games as well. Check out our complete list to see if your favorite games have made the cut so far.


What Are Captain Marvel's Powers? The New Movie Trailer Gives Some Insight

By Chris E. Hayner on Sep 19, 2018 12:25 am

The first trailer for Captain Marvel has finally arrived after what seems like forever. At long last, Marvel Cinematic Universe fans have gotten a look at Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) in action as the superhero--along with a peek at the aliens she'll be fighting.

For who that don't follow the comics closely, though, you might be wondering what kind of powers Captain Marvel has. As can be seen in the opening seconds of the trailer, she is clearly impervious to most damage. Falling from space through a Blockbuster Video would kill any normal human.

In the comics, Carol has not only superhuman durability, but the strength and stamina to match--think Captain America, but even more powerful. As for weaponry, she has the ability to fire photon blasts from her hands, which can be seen in the trailer. She's also capable of absorbing massive amounts of energy.

One power from the comics not seen in the movie is flight. Given that Carol Danvers was a highly-regarded pilot before becoming Captain Marvel, there's something wonderful about flight being one of her powers. Since the movie has given her a similar backstory, chances are that particular power will be on display in the film.

Whatever the case, it's clear that Captain Marvel is one of the most exciting additions to the MCU yet. It's no wonder she's who Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) paged at the end of Avengers: Infinity War.

Captain Marvel is in theaters on March 8, 2019. For more about the movie, check out our scene-by-scene breakdown of the first trailer and the fun Easter egg found in the poster.


Destiny 2 Update Out Now With Iron Banner, Here Are The Patch Notes

By Chris Pereira on Sep 18, 2018 11:59 pm

The latest update for Destiny 2 has arrived. Patch 2.0.3 is available now, coinciding with the debut of the new Iron Banner--the first since the release of Forsaken. Here's what's new in the update.

Although you won't find any major new features, there is one quality-of-life adjustment you'll really appreciate if you've reached the Dreaming City. Petra, who serves as the vendor and quest giver for the area, has relocated and is now found right near the Dreaming City's sole landing zone. That means you won't have to hoof it all the way to The Strand each day in order to get bounties from her before you can really get the action started. This is an annoyance in various locations, but Petra was certainly the worst of the bunch.

Elsewhere in the patch notes, Bungie notes that it's fixed the issue with the Offering to the Oracle--an item that was previously lost if your inventory was full when obtaining it. Now, if you're full up on consumables, it'll be sent to the Postmaster.

Daily clan bounties, which had been bugged and were repeating every day for a full week, should now be rotated daily. Activity reconnection has been added for the Competitive playlist in Crucible, allowing you to rejoin an ongoing match you're disconnected from. However, this feature has been at least temporarily removed from Gambit, so as to allow the missing slot to be filled in by a new player more quickly than was possible before.

Other changes of note: Hand cannon recoil on PC has been fixed, and the Dragonfly Regalia armor now correctly comes with a Masterwork slot. You can check out the full patch notes below. If you're diving into Iron Banner, check out our gallery of all the new Iron Banner gear.

Destiny 2 Update 2.0.3 Patch Notes

Sandbox

Armor

  • Dragonfly Regalia armor now comes with a Masterwork socket

Weapons

  • Fixed an issue where Hand Cannons were not using the correct recoil stats for players on PC
  • Heavy Guard and Swordmaster's Guard now function correctly on Adaptive Swords

Activities

PvE

  • Io
    • Fixed an issue where players could be returned to orbit during the final battle of "The Long Play"
    • Fixed an issue where players would sometimes not receive a Seed of Light after interacting with the tree at the end of the mission "Visions of Light"
  • Strikes
    • Fixed an issue where the post-game carnage report would not show at the end of strikes launched via strike-specific Director nodes

Triumphs

General

  • Temporarily removed the "Trace Rifle Mastery" Triumph for platforms where players could not complete all objectives
  • This Triumph will be changed in a future release to be available on all platforms
  • Changed the Persistent Blaze emblem variant to require 40 Mastery Triumphs

Crucible

General

  • Activity reconnection has been enabled in the Competitive playlist
    • Players who are disconnected from Destiny 2 servers will have an opportunity to reconnect to their match under the following conditions:
  • The match is still active
  • A connection to the match can be reestablished
    • Players who rejoin matches will NOT be penalized for quitting a match should a rejoin complete successfully

UI

  • The player state display now appears in Competitive versions of Control and Clash.

Gambit

General

  • Activity reconnection has been disabled in the Gambit playlist to allow for faster backfilling of lopsided teams

Items & Economy

General

  • Fixed an issue where the Traveler's Chosen Sidearm could not be dismantled or transferred to the vault
  • Fixed an issue where BrayTech RWP Mk. II was granting weapon mods when dismantled
  • Fixed an issue where Fossilized Hermaion Blossoms were not being granted from strikes

Collections

  • Replaced the Traveler's Chosen Sidearm with damaged version
  • Removed the Iris Pulsator Ghost Shell from Collections, as it is not currently available

Dreaming City

  • The bounty "Audience with the Queen" now takes time to abandon, so it cannot be abandoned accidentally
  • The Offering to the Oracle item now goes to the Postmaster if the player's consumables inventory is full

Clans

  • Daily clan bounties should now rotate at the daily reset, rather than weekly


Captain Marvel Poster Contains A Furry Easter Egg

By Dan Auty on Sep 18, 2018 11:39 pm

Marvel fans had much to celebrate today, with the debut of the first trailer for the upcoming Captain Marvel and a brand-new poster. With so much happening in the trailer, it's understandable if you didn't spend long looking at the poster. But eagle-eyed fans might have spotted something to the left of the image hidden in the shadows. Is that a cat?

The feline infiltrator was spotted by io9's Jill Pantozzi, who adjusted the brightness of the poster image to reveal the back-end of what seems to be a cat, disappearing off the side of the image. You can check out the original tweet here, and look at a highlighted version below.

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Of course, there would need to be a reason for a cat to appear on the poster, and there's every suggestion that this is in fact Chewie, Captain Marvel's faithful pet. Chewie was first introduced in Marvel comic books in 2006 when Carol Danvers left Earth to go exploring the galaxy, and she gave Chewie that name because she reminded her of Chewbacca from Star Wars.

During a subsequent encounter with the Guardians of the Galaxy, it was revealed that Chewie isn't in fact a cat at all, but an alien species known as a Flerken. Flerkens are dangerous animals with scary inter-dimensional powers, leading Rocket Racoon to attempt to kill Chewie. Luckily she escaped, but not before laying 117 eggs which soon hatched into an ridiculously large brood. How much of Chewie's powers we'll see in the movie remains to be seen, but it's a great touch to include her on the poster.

Captain Marvel hits theaters on March 6, 2019. Its cast includes Brie Larson as Carol Danvers and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, plus Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn, DeWanda Wise, Gemma Chan, and Clark Gregg. For more check out our guide to everything we know so far about Captain Marvel.


Red Dead Redemption 2's Massive World Further Detailed

By Eddie Makuch on Sep 18, 2018 11:17 pm

Red Dead Redemption 2's massive open world is beginning to come into focus. Rockstar Games has updated the game's website to include new information on the "frontier, cities, and towns" that players will find in the upcoming western.

It appears there will be a great diversity of locations in Red Dead Redemption 2. One of the locations is Valentine, in The Heartlands of New Hanover. This is a "raucous, rough-and-tumble town," featuring livestock auctions. These auctions "attract traders, ranchers, cowboys, gamblers, outlaws and prostitutes from far and wide, all looking to make some money, raise some hell, and have a good time."

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Another location is Annesburg, in Roanoke Ridge, New Hanover. This is a mining town next to the Lannahechee River. "Working conditions are terrible for little play, and many men have lost their lives down the pit," reads a line from the town's description.

Players can also travel to a city called Saint Denis in a different region called Lemoyne. Described as a "bustling city," the region is populated with "businessmen, socialites, sailors, laborers, beggars, and thieves" living together.

There are also snowy regions, like the Grizzlies in Ambarino, as well as a bayou town called Lagras with alligators in the water. Go to Rockstar's website to see a rundown of the locations you can explore in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Red Dead Redemption 2 launches on October 26 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. In addition to a campaign, the game will have a multiplayer mode featuring PlayStation-exclusive content.


When Does Nintendo Switch Online Launch? System Update And Maintenance Time Confirmed

By Steve Watts on Sep 18, 2018 11:05 pm

Nintendo's first paid online service is just hours away, but you may notice a short interruption in online service while it gets rolled out. The Switch online launch will be preceded by a period of server maintenance, after which you'll be able to jump in, sign up for the service, and play some of the classic games being offered.

The Nintendo Support page says that the 6.0 update will go up at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET, followed by a three hour maintenance period. Once the maintenance completes, around 8 PM PT / 11 PM ET, you can log on to purchase your Nintendo Switch Online membership, but you'll need to update to version 6.0 first.

Nintendo Switch Online offers a free trial week, after which you'll be charged if you don't cancel. It will cost $4 for one month, $8 for a three-month period, and $20 for a 12-month period. You can also get a 12-month family plan for $35. The online service will be required to play most Switch games online, though some like Fortnite are getting a special exception. The online service also offers cloud saves, but it's not universal and you'll lose your saves if you let the subscription lapse.

The service will also launch with a selection of classic NES games for download. It will host 20 upon launch tonight, with more planned to come next month. Check out our wrap-up of everything we know for more details.


Avatar: The Last Airbender Getting Live-Action Remake On Netflix

By Steve Watts on Sep 18, 2018 10:35 pm

The beloved Nickelodeon cartoon series Avatar: The Last Airbender is getting another reincarnation: this time as a live-action series at Netflix. The original creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are attached as executive producers and showrunners, and are promising to do this one right--with some pointed commentary at the 2010 live-action film.

"We're thrilled for the opportunity to helm this live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender," DiMartino and Konietzko said in the announcement. "We can't wait to realize Aang's world as cinematically as we always imagined it to be, and with a culturally appropriate, non-whitewashed cast. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build upon everyone's great work on the original animated series and go even deeper into the characters, story, action, and world-building."

That statement is a not-too-subtle jab at the M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender, which was criticized in part for a whitewashed cast. The movie was generally panned for more than just casting problems, though, and was widely criticized for an overstuffed story and stiff, languid action sequences--a far cry from the fluid martial artistry depicted in the animated series.

Avatar: The Last Airbender premiered on Nickelodeon in 2005 and ran for three seasons, gaining a passionate fanbase. It followed the adventures of Aang, the latest incarnation of the legendary Avatar--the one being on the planet who could master all four essential elements. He emerged to a world that had been ravaged by war, including a violent purge of his own people, the Airbenders. It was followed by a sequel series, The Legend of Korra, which featured a fiery young woman as the new Avatar reincarnation after Aang passed away. The series has also spawned a wide variety of graphic novels and an upcoming young-adult novel.


Last Chance For Fortnite Season 5 Skins, Challenges, And Rewards

By Kevin Knezevic on Sep 18, 2018 10:22 pm

We're now in the final days of Fortnite Season 5, which means a whole new season and other big changes are just around the corner for the popular battle royale game. That also means this is your last opportunity to complete Season 5 challenges and unlock any remaining Battle Pass rewards if you still haven't on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile.

As it has done in previous seasons, Epic released 10 weekly batches of challenges for players to complete throughout Season 5. For this season, the tasks were divided up into two categories--Free and Battle Pass--so even those who haven't purchased a Battle Pass, which was typically the only way to gain access to the challenges, could be able to complete some and earn rewards.

Season 5 is slated to run until September 25, meaning you have until then to finish up any remaining challenges. If you need help getting them done--or would just like some pointers on how to clear them as quickly as possible--we've assembled guides for each weekly set of missions in our complete Fortnite Season 5 challenge roundup. You can also see all of the items and cosmetics you can earn by completing the challenges in our Season 5 rewards gallery.

Week 10's challenges arrived on September 13, and as usual, they featured a mix of straightforward tasks (like dealing damage to opponents and consuming enough apples or mushrooms) as well as some slightly more involved ones. One of the trickier challenges has you searching for Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces in basements; we've put together a guide of their locations here. You can see the full list of Week 10 challenges below.

Epic recently rolled out Fortnite's 5.40 content update, which introduced another new weapon to the game's ever expanding arsenal: the Suppressed Assault Rifle, a new gun that lets you take out other players stealthily. The update also moved the Drum Gun into the vault.

Fortnite Week 10, Season 5 Challenges

Free

  • Search Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces in Basements (7) -- 5 Battle Stars
  • Consume Apples or Mushrooms (20) -- 5 Battle Stars
  • Hard: Eliminate Opponents (10) -- 10 Battle Stars

Battle Pass

  • Search Chests in Salty Springs (7) -- 5 Battle Stars
  • Deal Damage to Opponents (5000) -- 5 Battle Stars
  • Search Between a Covered Bridge, Waterfall, and the 9th Green -- 10 Battle Stars
  • Stage 1: Eliminate Opponent in Pleasant Park (1) -- 10 Battle Stars

Why Game Of Thrones Season 8 Is Taking So Long

By Eddie Makuch on Sep 18, 2018 10:16 pm

The HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones premiered in 2011, with new seasons arriving on a yearly basis through the seventh season in 2017. Season 8, the show's last, won't premiere until 2019, meaning fans are waiting longer than ever between seasons.

But why the wait? Showrunner David Benioff said at the Emmys (where it won Best Drama) that the long wait is due in part to the size and scope of the final season.

"The final season is taking a long time because it's the biggest thing we've ever done. Even though it's six episodes, it took us ... it was nearly a full year in Belfast either prepping it or actually shooting it," he said. "I think it's quite extraordinary what the crew and these actors have created. And I think when people see it they're going to understand why it took so long."

Benioff stressed that no one went on vacation or slacked off during production. The long production was needed because the final season is so ambitions, Benioff said. "The last season is far beyond what we've ever attempted before," he explained. "And it's taken a really f**king long time. I hope it will be worth it."

While there are only six episodes in the final Game of Thrones season, each one might be as long as a movie. And it sounds like there will be some epic sequences, as one of the battles required 55 consecutive nights of shooting.

The eighth and final Game of Thrones season is set to premiere sometime in 2019. Author George R.R. Martin recently said he believes the show could have run for 11, 12, or even 13 seasons, though he understands that Benioff and D.B. Weiss want to go do new things.


First Captain Marvel Trailer Is Here With Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, More

By Eddie Makuch on Sep 18, 2018 10:11 pm

The first full trailer for Captain Marvel will be released on Tuesday, September 18. Star Brie Larson will appear on the morning show GMA to present the trailer, apparently. GMA airs on ABC, whose parent company is Disney, so it all checks out. [Update: The Captain Marvel trailer has arrived; you can check out our breakdown for all the details.]

Larson will presumably be on hand to give an interview about Captain Marvel, so check back soon with GameSpot to see the trailer and get all the other new details.

In addition to Larson in the title role, Captain Marvel--which is set in the 1990s--stars a two-eyed, digitally de-aged Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Jude Law as a Kree commander, Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser, and Gemma Chan as Minn-Rrva. You can see a full breakdown of who's in the movie here.

Captain Marvel hits theaters on March 8, 2019. It will be followed sometime in April with the release of Avengers 4.

For lots more on Captain Marvel, check out GameSpot's rundown of everything we know about it and how it's connected to the next Avengers movie.


Save Big On Xbox One Exclusives In This Week's Digital Game Sale

By Chris Reed on Sep 18, 2018 10:06 pm

Each week brings a new set of deals on Xbox One games on Microsoft's digital storefront. This week's selection includes big discounts on games published by Microsoft, along with a smattering of other deals. In short, a lot of fantastic games are on sale for up to 75% off, so there's a good chance you can save money on something you've been wanting to play (though some of the discounts require an Xbox Live Gold subscription). Let's take a look at what Xbox One games are on sale between now and September 24.

Most of the killer deals this week are on first-party titles, so now's a great time to pick up any you've missed. The entire core Halo series is on sale, with Halo: The Master Chief Collection ringing in at $22.50 / £15 and Halo 5: Guardians on sale for $15 / £11. If you prefer combat of the tactical variety, you can snag Halo Wars: Definitive Edition for $10 / £8 or the sequel for $20 / £15.

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Microsoft's other big shooter franchise is also on sale, with the remastered Gears of War: Ultimate Edition down to $8 / £6 and Gears of War 4 for $16 / £13. If you want to fill in the blanks between those two games, you can also pick up each of the backward-compatible Xbox 360 installments for 60% off.

Both of this year's Xbox One console exclusives are also on sale. Sea of Thieves is down to $39 / £32.50, while State of Decay 2 is just $20 / £16. And if FOMO of a certain Insomniac-developed PS4 exclusive has you down in the dumps, you can pick up the Spider-Man developer's Xbox One game Sunset Overdrive for a mere $6 / £5.

You'll find more discounts below, and you can peek at the full list of deals right here.


Fortnite Nintendo Switch Bundle Offers A Skin And Some Extra Freebies

By Steve Watts on Sep 18, 2018 10:03 pm

Fortnite has already been available on Nintendo Switch for months, but Nintendo will offer a special bundle promoting the game next month. Available starting on October 5, the Nintendo Switch: Fortnite - Double Helix Bundle includes the system, game download, and some special gear for use in the game.

The Double Helix Set that comes packaged in the bundle includes a unique outfit, back bling, glider, and pickaxe, along with 1,000 V-bucks that can be used to purchase a Battle Pass for extra in-game items. The whole bundle is priced at $300 USD, the same price as a standard Nintendo Switch console.

Given that Fortnite is a free-to-play game, and the console bundle doesn't have any kind of special Fortnite color scheme, the real added value is the in-game freebies. A thousand V-bucks is valued at roughly $10, and the extra character items are a little extra bonus on top. That puts this bundle roughly in-line with other recent bundle announcements, like the Smash Bros. Ultimate Bundle and Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee Bundle. Both of those cost roughly the same as a system plus their respective game, and they include a little added value with special paint jobs.

Fortnite just updated to version 5.41 earlier today, offering a handful of new items and tweaks. Make sure you grab the remaining Season 5 Challenges soon, because time is running out.


Forza Horizon 4 Vehicle List Includes James Bond DLC Cars

By Jordan Ramée on Sep 18, 2018 09:55 pm

Xbox has announced that Forza Horizon 4 has gone gold. The announcement also contained information about the game's demo, as well as the reveal that Horizon 4's Day One Car Pack contains vehicles from both old and recent James Bond films. [Update: We've now gotten a trailer for the Bond car DLC, which you can watch below. It showcases each vehicle and even briefly attempts to recreate an iconic moment from the movie that each one comes from.]

The Forza Horizon 4 demo is currently available on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. You'll have access to all four of the seasons in the demo, allowing you to drive through the open-world Britain hub and complete challenges in a diverse assortment of environments. Of the game's 450-plus cars, you have access to about 10.

If you have Mixer, you can start earning Influence in the Forza Horizon 4 demo that you can use in the main game. Influence is Horizon 4's version of measuring progression, and can be accrued in the main game by exploring, racing, performing stunts, and taking photos. If you watch someone playing the Horizon 4 demo through a Mixer stream, you'll gain Influence. You can also earn Influence by streaming Horizon 4, and you'll get larger rewards for attracting more viewers.

When Horizon 4 launches, a Day One Car Pack will release alongside it. Called the Best of Bond Car Pack, the DLC includes 10 of Bond's famous vehicles from his past films, two Bond-inspired outfits for your driver, and six exclusive quick chat phrases you'll be able to use in multiplayer. The pack can be bought separately, or comes included in Forza Horizon 4's Ultimate Edition.

Here's the full list of what comes in the pack:

  • 1964 Aston Martin DB5 inspired by Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), GoldenEye (1995), Skyfall (2012), and Spectre (2015)
  • 1969 Aston Martin DBS from On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
  • 1974 AMC Hornet X Hatchback from The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)
  • 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
  • 1981 Citroën 2CV6 from For Your Eyes Only (1981)
  • 1986 Aston Martin V8 from The Living Daylights (1987)
  • 1999 BMW Z8 from The World is Not Enough (1999)
  • 2008 Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace (2008)
  • 2010 Jaguar C-X75 from Spectre (2015)
  • 2015 Aston Martin DB10 from Spectre (2015)

According to Microsoft, several of the cars can use the gadgets seen in the films while in Forzavista mode. "For example, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 will feature numerous gadgets such as revolving number plate and extendable bumper rams," Xbox wrote. "In addition, the Lotus Esprit S1 will feature a special body kit option inspired by the 'Wet Nellie' submarine vehicle from The Spy Who Loved Me."

Forza Horizon 4 releases on October 2 for Xbox One and PC. If you pre-order the Ultimate Edition, you'll get to play Forza Horizon 4 four days earlier on September 28.


Fortnite On Nintendo Switch Doesn't Require An Online Subscription

By Kevin Knezevic on Sep 18, 2018 09:43 pm

Nintendo is rolling out its paid online service for Switch very soon, and once it's live, you'll need to have a subscription in order to continue playing most Switch games, such as Splatoon 2 and the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, online with others. However, a handful of games will be exempt from this requirement, including Epic's massively popular battle royale game, Fortnite.

Just as on PS4 and Xbox One, you won't be required to have an online membership to play Fortnite online on Switch, even after the system's paid service launches. As Nintendo clarified in an FAQ on its support website, Fortnite is one of the few online multiplayer titles that can be played without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Nintendo didn't specify what other games will be playable without a Nintendo Switch Online membership, although this will presumably extend to other free-to-play titles as well, such as Paladins and the upcoming Warframe. On its website, the company has been adding disclaimers at the bottom of pages for games that require a subscription to help you see if you'll need to pay to continue playing that title online.

If you've yet to pick up a Switch, Nintendo recently announced a new Fortnite: Double Helix Switch bundle. It retails for the same price as standard Switch--$300--and comes with the console, a game download of Fortnite, and a Double Helix Set, which includes a unique outfit, back bling, glider, pickaxe, and 1,000 V-bucks. The bundle goes on sale beginning October 5.

The Nintendo Switch Online service, meanwhile, launches on September 18, following the release of Switch's 6.0 update. On top of the ability to play online, subscribers will get access to a library of NES games and other perks, such as cloud saves and special offers. You can find more information about the service in our roundup of everything we know about Nintendo Switch Online.


Captain Marvel Release Date, Cast, And Who Everyone Is Playing

By Meg Downey on Sep 18, 2018 09:42 pm

Sure, we've known about Captain Marvel's imminent arrival in the MCU--the movie has a release date of March 8, 2019--for a while now. But if you're anything like us, the whole thing didn't start feeling real until very recently. With our first official look at Carol and her crew of cohorts, both alien and human alike, we've finally been able to nail down and definitely confirm a number of rumored roles and character appearances that have been swirling around the internet for what feels like forever.

We've also got more info on the plot than ever before. In case you need a refresher, it goes like this. Carol Danvers is a human who, in the comics (and we can assume in the movie as well) had her genes spliced with the genes of the superpowered alien race, the Kree, which in turn gave her an incredible array of superpowers. Now, according to Entertainment Weekly's cover story, Captain Marvel will be picking up with this process (or whatever the live-action adaptation of it winds up being) already over and done with. Carol's already left Earth, embraced her newfound Kree heritage, and has been training with the Kree military outfit known as the Starforce under an "enigmatic commander" played by Jude Law. In all likelihood, Law will be playing the Kree hero, Captain Mar-Vell, but we'll get to that in a second.

EW reported that the movie will pick up with Carol returning to Earth only to find herself beset upon by another alien society, this time in the form of the Skrulls, a race of powerful shapeshifters known to infiltrate and destabilize planets by impersonating their inhabitants.

Oh, right, and all of this is set in the 1990s, an almost entirely unexplored era of the MCU, home to only a small handful of flashbacks and oblique on-screen references which leaves plenty of room for Carol to work. We also know that we're going to be seeing the 1990s version of SHIELD (complete with a digitally de-aged, two-eyed Samuel L. Jackson), meaning there's a pretty strong chance for whatever happens in Captain Marvel to dramatically and forever alter the way we see the MCU in the modern day. Expect a lot of dot-connecting and circling back to all those little moments in the last ten years worth of movies that are about to be put in an entirely new light.

Now that we've got some more information (and some official confirmation), here is the list of exactly who is playing who in Captain Marvel. You can check out the first Captain Marvel trailer and our breakdown for more.

Brie Larson -- Carol "Captain Marvel" Danvers

An airforce pilot turned superhero, Carol has spent some time away from Earth as a member of the Kree military unit the Starforce. As the most powerful superhero in the Marvel Universe, Carol represents the ultimate bridge between cosmic and terrestrial--and she's returning to earth to prove it as she faces off against a secret Skrull invasion in the 1990s. You might recognize Larson from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Room.

Jude Law -- "Enigmatic Kree Commander" (Mar-Vell? Yon-Rogg?)

We have yet to officially confirm just who Law's character actually is, but it's long been assumed he would be playing Mar-Vell, a Kree soldier who wound up with a soft spot for Earth after he was eventually exiled from his homeworld. Alternatively, Law could be playing Yon-Rogg, a Kree zealot and commander in the military. Law has previously appeared in big budget franchises like Sherlock Holmes and The Young Pope.

Ben Mendelsohn -- Talos

Previously, it had been assumed Mendelsohn joined the cast as Yon-Rogg, but EW's first look has confirmed his role as Talos, a powerful Skrull commander and leader of the invasion on Earth. Mendelsohn recently appeared in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Ready Player One.

Lee Pace -- Ronan the Accuser

We've actually met Pace's Ronan before, back in Guardians of the Galaxy where he was working with Thanos to hunt down the Infinity Stones. Now we're going to see him in a brand new light, hopefully stripped of his genocidal urges, working as a Kree judge. Pace is reprising the role, but you'll also recognize him from the TV show Halt and Catch Fire.

Gemma Chan -- Minn-Erva

A Kree geneticist and member of the Starforce who became obsessed with modifying and purifying the Kree genetic code, Minn-Erva wanted desperately to advance her race by any means necessary, even if it meant crossing some serious ethical lines. Chan recently appeared in Crazy Rich Asians.

Samuel L. Jackson -- Nick Fury

You don't have to be an MCU fan to know exactly who Nick Fury is anymore--he's been a part of this whole thing from the very start. Finally making a major return after his post-credits-only appearance in Avengers: Infinity War, Jackson will be digitally de-aged to look like his 1990s self for this movie.

Clark Gregg -- Phil Coulson

One of the breakaway fan favorites of the MCU, Coulson hasn't actually been in the big screen universe for a while now, having made the transition to the small screen Agents of SHIELD TV show. That's about to change, however, with Coulson set to pop in, digitally de-aged like Jackson, to work in 1990s SHIELD.

Lashana Lynch -- Maria Rambeau

Rumors of Lynch's role have been swirling since her casting announcement with most fans assuming she would be playing Monica Rambeau, another woman to hold the superhero codename Captain Marvel for a time. It turns out this was partially correct--Lynch will actually be playing Maria, Monica's mother, who uses the air force call sign "Photon," another one of Monica's heroic code names. Lynch can be found in the TV shows Still Star-Crossed and Bulletproof.


Captain Marvel Trailer Delivers Cosmic Action And Earthbound Mystery

By Dan Auty on Sep 18, 2018 09:03 pm

The first trailer for Captain Marvel is here. Brie Larson stars in the upcoming Marvel movie, which is set for release in March 2019. She is the first female superhero to headline a film within the MCU and is joined by Jude Law, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ben Mendelsohn.

The trailer opens with Captain Marvel--aka Carol Danvers--falling to Earth, straight into a Blockbuster rental store, which is keeping with the movie's '90s setting. We see flashes of her intergalactic life as part of Starforce, and then how she comes to terms with a new life on Earth--which includes punching an old lady. The trailer doesn't really give much away in terms of plot, but we do see some of the main characters, including Mar-Vell (Law) and a younger, eyepatch-free Nick Fury (Jackson). Check it out above.

This trailer follows the first batch of images that were released earlier this month. Captain Marvel is directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, and the cast also includes DeWanda Wise (She's Gotta Have It), Gemma Chan (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them), Lee Pace (Halt and Catch Fire), and Clark Gregg, who is making his return to the MCU as SHIELD Agent Phil Coulson.

Earlier this month, Larson told Entertainment Weekly what we can expect from her character. "She can't help but be herself," she said. "She can be aggressive, and she can have a temper, and she can be a little invasive and in your face. She's also quick to jump to things, which makes her amazing in battle because she's the first one out there and doesn't always wait for orders. But the [not] waiting for orders is, to some, a character flaw."

Captain Marvel hits theaters on March 6, 2019. For more, check out our guide to the movie's cast and everything we know about the movie so far.


Game Of Thrones, Black Mirror, Westworld Win At Emmy Awards

By Dan Auty on Sep 18, 2018 08:52 pm

HBO and Netlix were the biggest winners at the 70th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which took place last night, September 17. Both channels took home the most number of prizes between them, with HBO's Game of Thrones winning the award for best drama series.

This was the third time Game of Thrones has won Best Drama award, having previously triumphed in 2015 and 2016. Peter Dinklage also took home his third Emmy for best supporting actor in the hit fantasy show, while Bill Hader and Henry Winkler, the stars of HBO's acclaimed Barry, won best lead and supporting actors in a comedy. The best supporting actress in a drama award went to Thandie Newton for Westworld, another HBO show.

Claire Foy, who starred in the first two season of Netflix's The Crown, won best actress in a drama. Netflix also won prizes for Black Mirror, Godless, and Seven Seconds, while Amazon scored no fewer than five awards for the comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Elsewhere, Matthew Rhys won best actor in a drama series for The Americans, Ryan Murphy won best director of a limited series of movie for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, and RuPaul's Drag Race took home the prize for Best Reality Competition.

Check out the full list of nominees and winners below.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Brian Tyree Henry, Atlanta
  • Louie Anderson, Baskets
  • Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live
  • Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
  • Alec Baldwin Saturday Night Live
  • Tony Shalhoub The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Henry Winkler Barry (HBO)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Zazie Beetz, Atlanta
  • Laurie Metcalf, Roseanne
  • Leslie Jones, Saturday Night Live
  • Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Aidy Bryant Saturday Night Live
  • Betty Gilpin GLOW
  • Kate McKinnon Saturday Night Live
  • Megan Mullally Will & Grace

Writing for a Comedy Series

  • Donald Glover, "Alligator Man," Atlanta
  • Stefani Robinson, "Barbershop," Atlanta
  • Alec Berg and Bill Hader, "Chapter One: Make Your Mark," Barry
  • Liz Sarnoff, "Chapter Seven: Loud, Fast and Keep Going," Barry
  • Alec Berg, "Fifty-One Percent," Silicon Valley
  • Amy Sherman-Palladino, "Pilot," The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Pamela Adlon, Better Things
  • Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie
  • Allison Janney, Mom
  • Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
  • Issa Rae, Insecure
  • Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Directing for a Comedy Series

  • Donald Glover, "FUBU," Atlanta
  • Hiro Murai, "Teddy Perkins," Atlanta
  • Bill Hader, "Chapter One: Make Your Mark," Barry
  • Jesse Peretz, "Pilot," GLOW
  • Mike Judge, "Initial Coin Offering," Silicon Valley
  • Amy Sherman-Palladino, "Pilot," The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
  • Ted Danson, The Good Place
  • Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Donald Glover, Atlanta
  • Bill Hader, Barry
  • William H. Macy, Shameless

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Adina Porter, American Horror Story: Cult
  • Letitia Wright, Black Museum (Black Mirror)
  • Merritt Wever, Godless
  • Sara Bareilles, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
  • Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
  • Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Jeff Daniels, Godless
  • Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstart Live in Concert
  • Finn Wittrock, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
  • Ricky Martin, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
  • Edgar Ramírez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
  • Michael Stuhlbarg, The Looming Tower
  • John Leguizamo, Waco

Writing for a Limited Series or Movie

  • Kevin McManus and Matthew McManus, American Vandal
  • Scott Frank, Godless
  • David Nicholls, Patrick Melrose
  • Tom Rob Smith, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
  • David Lynch and Mark Frost, Twin Peaks
  • William Bridges and Charlie Brooker, USS Callister (Black Mirror)

Directing for a Limited Series or Movie

  • Scott Frank, Godless
  • David Leveaux and Alex Rudzinski, Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert
  • Barry Levinson, Paterno
  • Edward Berger, Patrick Melrose
  • Ryan Murphy, "The Man Who Would Be Vogue," The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
  • Craig Zisk, "9/11," The Looming Tower
  • David Lynch, Twin Peaks

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Cult
  • Edie Falco, Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders
  • Jessica Biel, The Sinner
  • Michelle Dockery, Godless
  • Regina King, Seven Seconds
  • Laura Dern, The Tale

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Antonio Bandera, Genius: Picasso
  • Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose
  • Jeff Daniels, The Looming Tower
  • John Legend, Jesus Chris Superstar Live in Concert
  • Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Vesace: American Crime Story
  • Jesse Plemons, USS Callister (Black Mirror)

Writing for a Variety Special

  • Full Frontal With Samantha Bee Presents: The Great American* Puerto Rico (*It's Complicated)
  • John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous
  • Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady
  • Patton Oswalt: Annihilation
  • Steve Martin & Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Life

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  • Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Game of Thrones
  • Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
  • Matt Smith, The Crown
  • Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
  • Joseph Fiennes, The Handmaid's Tale
  • David Harbour, Stranger Things

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  • Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
  • Vanessa Kirby, The Crown
  • Ann Dowd, The Handmaid's Tale
  • Thandie Newton, Westworld
  • Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things
  • Alexis Bledel, The Handmaid's Tale
  • Yvonne Strahovski, The Handmaid's Tale

Writing for a Drama Series

  • David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, "The Dragon and the Wolf," Game of Thrones
  • Phoebe Waller-Bridge, "Nice Face," Killing Eve
  • The Duffer Brothers, "Chapter Nine: The Gate," Stranger Things
  • Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, "Start," The Americans
  • Peter Morgan, "Mystery Man," The Crown
  • Bruce Miller, "June," The Handmaid's Tale

Directing for a Drama Series

  • Alan Taylor, "Beyond the Wall," Game of Thrones
  • Jeremy Podeswa, "The Dragon and the Wolf," Game of Thrones
  • Jason Bateman, "The Toll," Ozark
  • Daniel Sackheim, "Tonight We Improvise," Ozark
  • The Duffer Brothers, "Chapter Nine: The Gate," Stranger Things
  • Stephen Daldry, "Paterfamilias," The Crown
  • Kari Skogland, "After," The Handmaid's Tale

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

  • Jason Bateman, Ozark
  • Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
  • Ed Harris, Westworld
  • Matthew Rhys, The Americans
  • Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us
  • Jeffrey Wright, Westworld

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

  • Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
  • Keri Russell, The Americans
  • Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale
  • Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
  • Claire Foy, The Crown
  • Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld

Reality Competition Program

  • The Amazing Race
  • American Ninja Warrior
  • RuPaul's Drag Race
  • Top Chef
  • The Voice

Variety Sketch Series

  • At Home With Amy Sedaris
  • Drunk History
  • I Love You America
  • Portlandia
  • Saturday Night Live
  • Tracy Ullman Show

Variety Talk Series

  • The Daily Show With Trevor Noah
  • Full Frontal With Samantha Bee
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!
  • Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
  • The Late Late Show With James Corden
  • The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Limited Series or Movie

  • The Alienist
  • The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
  • Genius: Picasso
  • Godless
  • Patrick Melrose

Comedy Series

  • Atlanta
  • Barry
  • Black-ish
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • GLOW
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Silicon Valley
  • Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Drama Series

  • Game of Thrones
  • Stranger Things
  • The Americans
  • The Crown
  • The Handmaid's Tale
  • This Is Us
  • Westworld

Television Movie

  • Fahrenheit 451
  • Flint
  • Paterno
  • The Tale
  • USS Callister (Black Mirror)

NBA 2K Playground 2 Gets Release Date And New Trailer

By Tony Wilson on Sep 18, 2018 08:45 pm

NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 was supposed to arrive on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC this May, but it's now officially launching on October 16. You can see the arcade sports game in action in the trailer above.

As it turns out, that delay was due to developer Saber Interactive finalizing a publishing deal with 2K--hence the "2K" now in the game's name. It's a deal which Saber CEO Matthew Karch says has been very positive for the game. "The most fundamental change is that it's just been improved in every aspect and every facet," he told GameSpot. "Overall, thanks to our collaboration with 2K, this is the game we would have wanted to make had we been able to pull this off in round one. This would have been an ideal way to launch the franchise."

The partnership has allowed Saber Interactive to make use of 2K's licenses, including music tracks and former NBA player likenesses that otherwise wouldn't appear in the game. It's also put the team in close contact with Visual Concepts, the 2K studio currently developing NBA 2K19. This has given Saber the opportunity to receive critical feedback while developing Playgrounds 2.

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As for what's new in the sequel, Playgrounds 2 features improved dribbling and rebounding, new courts and players, and signature moves that make big-name NBA players feel unique. Perhaps most importantly, it also includes four-player online multiplayer with dedicated servers.

"One of the major issues we had with the [first] game was [that] the online play suffered from considerable lag," Karch added. "We implemented a dedicated server solution to eliminate that." You can read more about the first game in GameSpot's NBA Playgrounds review.


Nintendo Switch Online's NES Games Can Be Played Offline For A Week

By Kevin Knezevic on Sep 18, 2018 08:44 pm

Nintendo's online subscription service for Switch is almost here, and one of the benefits you get for subscribing is access to a library of NES games. Each of these classic titles supports some form of online play, whether that be competing directly against another player in Balloon Fight or taking turns controlling the action in a traditionally single-player title, but up until now, it has been unclear whether or not the NES games could be played offline. It turns out they can, but there's a slight caveat.

According to the FAQ page on Nintendo's website, the NES games included in the Nintendo Switch Online service can be played offline for up to seven days. That means you'll periodically need to "check in" online every week in order to verify that you still have an active subscription and maintain your access to the games.

20 NES titles will be available once the Nintendo Switch Online service launches on September 18, including some of the console's most iconic games, with additional titles coming each month. As previously mentioned, each NES game supports online multiplayer; in single-player titles, you'll be able to switch between who's controlling the game, or the second player can use a hand-shaped cursor to point out hints and applaud certain actions. You can take a look at the complete launch lineup below:

  • Balloon Fight
  • Baseball
  • Donkey Kong
  • Double Dragon
  • Dr. Mario
  • Excitebike
  • Ghosts'n Goblins
  • Gradius
  • Ice Climber
  • Ice Hockey
  • The Legend of Zelda
  • Mario Bros.
  • Pro Wrestling
  • River City Ransom
  • Soccer
  • Super Mario. Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros. 3
  • Tecmo Bowl
  • Tennis
  • Yoshi

In addition to the NES library, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will be able to back up their Switch data via cloud saves; however, not all Switch games will support the feature, and you'll need to have an active membership in order to keep your cloud saves. There will also be "special offers" exclusive to Switch Online subscribers, such as a pair of NES-shaped Joy-Cons for use with the aforementioned NES titles.

Nintendo will offer Switch Online subscriptions in three increments; you'll also have the option to purchase an annual family plan, which will extend the service's benefits to up to eight Nintendo Accounts across multiple consoles. When the service launches, you'll be able to sign up for a seven-day free trial, but if you don't cancel before the trial period ends, it will automatically turn into a one-month subscription. You can read more about the service in our roundup of everything we know about Nintendo Switch Online.


Get Four Free PC Games Right Now From GOG

By Chris Reed on Sep 18, 2018 07:41 pm

Good news, PC gamers. The online retailer GOG is giving away four games for free right now. It's unclear when they'll go back up to regular price, so if you like free stuff and you have a PC capable of rendering the pixels of retro games, you'll want to pick these up as soon as possible.

The games in question are all from the 1990s. You can grab Tyrian 2000, Shadow Warrior Classic Complete, Stargunner, and Bio Menace without spending a dime. And as with all GOG games, they come DRM-free.

Tyrian 2000 is a fast-moving vertical shooter that has you flying through space and blasting enemy ships with a customizable array of weapons. Shadow Warrior is a first-person shooter from 3D Realms, the makers of Duke Nukem 3D. Stargunner is a side-scrolling space ship shooter, and Bio Menace is an action platformer.

Basically, if you like shooting things in the pre-polygon era, you're going to have a good time. And even if you don't care for the games, at least you didn't spend any money on them.

If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can also pick up September's free PC games from Twitch right now. These include The Adventure Pals, Guild of Dungeoneering, Gunpoint, and more. And if you're an Overwatch player, also be sure to grab your free Golden Loot Box.


Diablo 3: Eternal Collection's Nintendo Switch Release Date Announced

By Kevin Knezevic on Sep 18, 2018 07:38 pm

Blizzard has announced a release date for the recently announced Nintendo Switch version of Diablo III: Eternal Collection. The acclaimed dungeon crawler arrives on Nintendo's hybrid console in North America and Europe on November 2, and it retails for $60 / £50. The game is available now for pre-order from various retailers and the Switch Eshop; if you pre-purchase it from the latter, you'll receive up to 300 Gold Points.

As its name implies, the Eternal Collection packs in all of the updates and post-release content Blizzard has released for Diablo III to date. Along with the base game, the package includes the Reaper of Souls expansion as well as Challenge Rifts, Kanai's Cube, and the Rise of the Necromancer pack, which introduced the Necromancer class to the game. Adventure Mode is also unlocked from the start.

On top of that, the Switch edition of Diablo III: Eternal Collection comes with a handful of exclusive Legend of Zelda-themed crossover items, including a Cucco pet, a Triforce portrait, and a set of Majora's Mask-inspired wings. Players will also be able to customize their gear to look like the King of Evil using a Ganondorf transmog.

Unlike most Switch ports, the Switch version of Diablo III was developed in-house at Blizzard. It supports multiple controller configurations, including the Switch Pro Controller and a single Joy-Con, and utilizes the upcoming paid Nintendo Switch Online service for online multiplayer and cloud saves. The game also runs at 60 frames per second in both handheld and docked modes; it displays at 720p in the former and 960p in the latter.

We recently got to go hands-on with the Switch version of Diablo III and thought it was an exciting way to play the action RPG. "Diablo III has continually gotten better with age, and experiencing it in this new format was a fresh way to dive back into the dungeon-crawler," wrote Alessandro Fillari. You can see how the game looks running on Nintendo's console in the video above.


Assassin's Creed Odyssey Season Pass Announced, Includes Remastered Assassin's Creed 3 And More

By Kevin Knezevic on Sep 18, 2018 07:35 pm

The next installment in Ubisoft's stealth-action series, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, launches for PS4, Xbox One, and PC in only a few weeks. Ahead of its release, the publisher has announced its DLC plans for the game, and they include an extensive amount of free and paid content set to arrive later this year and into the next.

With no new Assassin's Creed game coming in 2019, Ubisoft will support Odyssey with a regular stream of post-launch content. First, the publisher will roll out additional story missions called The Lost Tales of Greece to all players for free. These missions will be released "regularly" between the game's paid DLC episodes and "will feature familiar faces and new characters from the world of Assassin's Creed Odyssey," according to Ubisoft.

In addition to that, all players will be able to take part in daily and weekly contracts, and a new epic ship or mercenary will appear each week. Ubisoft will also release a free Discovery Tour mode like the one added to last year's title, Assassin's Creed Origins, which will allow players to explore the game world and learn more about Ancient Greece without taking on any enemies or quests. A New Game Plus mode and other content drops, like new mythical creatures to battle, are also in the works.

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Those who purchase the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Season Pass, meanwhile, will receive even more content. First, Season Pass owners will have access to two "major" storylines broken up into three episodes apiece. The first arc, called Legacy of the First Blade, will begin this December and "will introduce players to the first hero to wield the iconic hidden blade." The second story arc, The Fate of Atlantis, kicks off Spring 2019 and is centered around the fabled sunken city.

On top of that, players who purchase the Season Pass will receive two remastered Assassin's Creed games: Assassin's Creed III and its previously Vita-exclusive spin-off, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation. The Season Pass costs $40 and is also included in the game's Gold, Ultimate, Spartan and Pantheon Editions. You can read more about each in our Assassin's Creed Odyssey pre-order guide.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey releases for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 5. Ubisoft recently shared the game's minimum and recommended specs for PC. Unlike previous installments in the series, Assassin's Creed Odyssey places a much greater emphasis on player choice--for both better and worse as we learned in our recent hands-on time with the game.


Fortnite Adds New Item Ahead Of Season 6

By Kevin Knezevic on Sep 18, 2018 07:30 pm

We're in the waning days of Fortnite Season 5, but developer Epic still has some new content in store for the popular battle royale game before Season 6 officially arrives. We've gotten our first glimpse at one upcoming item courtesy of Fortnite's in-game news feed, and it looks like it could shake the game up fairly dramatically. [Update: As teased, the Port-a-Fortress has arrived in Fortnite as part of the 5.41 update, along with a new item for Playground and another limited-time mode, Soaring Solos.]

A listing has appeared in Fortnite's News section for an item called the Port-a-Fortress. According to the feed, the item is "coming soon" to the game, presumably as part of this week's update. Based on its name, it sounds like an enhanced version of the Port-a-Fort, a portable item introduced earlier this spring that can spawn a fort a few seconds after being thrown.

Based on the Port-a-Fortress's accompanying description, it sounds like it works similarly to the Port-a-Fort. "Toss down the Port-a-Fortress and take defense to new heights," the description reads. You can get a glimpse of the item below.

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Epic has been introducing new items to Fortnite on an almost weekly basis. Last week, the developer rolled out the 5.40 content update, which added the Suppressed Assault Rifle. The studio has also periodically removed weapons from the game's arsenal and put them into the Vault; most recently, Epic vaulted the Drum Gun. However, weapons that have been removed from Fortnite could potentially return to the game down the line.

Season 5 of Fortnite is scheduled to wrap up on Tuesday, September 25, making this your last chance to complete any remaining challenges you need to do before Season 6 kicks off. Epic has released 10 weekly sets of challenges throughout Season 5; you can find all of them and tips on how to complete them in our Fortnite Season 5 challenge roundup. You can also see the items you can earn for finishing challenges in our Season 5 rewards gallery.


Nintendo Switch Online Launches Today, Here's Everything You Need To Know

By Chris Reed on Sep 18, 2018 06:43 pm

Nintendo fans have had it good for a long, long time. Unlike Xbox and PlayStation owners, they've never had to pay to play their games online. This free period, like all good things, is coming to an end. With the launch of Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo will begin charging for online play.

As with Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, anyone who wants to get the most out of their Switch will all but have to subscribe. (Note: this doesn't affect Wii U or Nintendo 3DS owners; online service for those systems will remain free). And while it's not ideal having to pay for something you used to get for nothing, you won't have much of a choice.

Here's a look at everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch Online.

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Pricing

First, some good news: Nintendo Switch Online costs significantly less than the competition. While you have to pay $60 for a year's subscription to Sony and Microsoft's services, Nintendo only charges $20. You can pre-order a subscription here. Here's the breakdown of pricing for a single account holder.

  • One month -- $4
  • Three months -- $8
  • One year -- $20

If you have multiple people in your house who want their own accounts, you'll need to spring for the family plan. It costs $35 per year and allows up to eight people to play online.

Now let's take a look at what you get for your money.

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Online Play

Once Nintendo Switch goes live, you won't be able to play games like Mario Tennis Aces, Splatoon 2, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online without a subscription. The same goes for third-party games like the upcoming port of Diablo 3: The Eternal Collection.

Nintendo has yet to offer any official word on whether free games like Fortnite will require Nintendo Switch Online once the service goes live. But if you look at the Eshop page for online first-party games like Mario Tennis Aces, you'll see Nintendo has added a disclaimer warning that online play will require a subscription once the service goes live in September. Free games like Fortnite and Paladins don't have the disclaimer, so it's possible they won't require a subscription.

Nintendo Switch Online App

Some games, like Fortnite, have voice chat built in. Unfortunately, many games--including Nintendo's first-party titles--don't. And while voice chat is a standard built-in feature for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live, that's not the case with Nintendo Switch Online.

This feature is already in place, but to talk with other players while playing online, you need to download the Nintendo Switch Online app (you can grab it here: iOS, Android). Yes, you'll need two separate devices to play and talk to people online.

Save Data Cloud Backup

If you were to lose your Nintendo Switch and buy a new one right now, all of your save data would be gone forever. But with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, most of your save data is backed up on Nintendo's servers.

Unfortunately, it's not all sunshine and cool breezes when it comes to Nintendo's cloud saves. Some games don't support online save data, and if you let your subscription lapse, you could lose your saves.

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Access to Classic NES Games

PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscribers get free games each month they can download and play on their respective systems. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will get a similar benefit, but with much older games.

When Nintendo Switch Online launches, subscribers will get access to a selection of 20 classic NES titles. The games will also have added online play, so you won't need your second player to be in the same room with you. Here's the launch lineup of NES games.

  • Balloon Fight
  • Baseball
  • Donkey Kong
  • Double Dragon
  • Dr. Mario
  • Excitebike
  • Ghosts 'n Goblins
  • Gradius
  • Ice Climber
  • Ice Hockey
  • The Legend of Zelda
  • Mario Bros.
  • Pro Wrestling
  • River City Ransom
  • Soccer
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros. 3
  • Soccer
  • Tecmo Bowl
  • Tennis
  • Yoshi

Nintendo has also announced what games are coming to the service through the end of the year. In October, we'll get Solomon's Key, NES Open, and Super Dodge Ball. November will bring Metroid, Mighty Bomb Jack, and Twinbee. In December, Nintendo will add Wario's Woods, Ninja Gaiden, and Adventures of Lolo.

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Special Offers

Nintendo will also offer exclusive special deals and offers to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. So far, the company has detailed two of these offers. One is a download code for exclusive in-game Splatoon 2 gear that will be available for anyone with a 12-month membership. The other is the ability to purchase the Switch-compatible NES controllers seen above.

That's all we know so far about Nintendo Switch Online. Presumably, more information will be available as the release date nears.

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The Complete Nintendo Switch Buying Guide

By Chris Reed on Sep 18, 2018 06:39 pm

Thanks to its ability to be played on a TV or on the go, the Nintendo Switch is the most versatile gaming console available right now. It's also home not only to Nintendo's first-party games, but also a growing number of third-party and indie gems on the Eshop. All of which is to say that if you don't own a Switch yet, there's a good chance you're considering adding one to your gaming setup. To make sure you cover all of the essentials, here's everything you need to get up and running on Nintendo Switch.

Console

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Compared to buying an Xbox One and PS4, choosing which Switch to buy is relatively easy because it only comes in one internal hardware configuration. But that doesn't mean you won't have to make any choices. The Switch comes in two different color options, so you'll have to decide if you want your console and controllers to be gray, or if you want to add a splash of color with the red and blue Joy-Con option.

Additional Joy-Cons are available in an array of colors, but the Switch console mainly comes in either gray or red/blue. Read our full Nintendo Switch review for more details about the pros and cons of the Switch's hardware.

Games

You won't find much to do on your Switch without adding some games to your collection. Here are some of the best Nintendo Switch games available now.

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Super Mario Odyssey -- 10/10

"Odyssey is sustained beyond its major milestones not only through colorful worlds and hidden challenges, but through the sheer joy of controlling Mario, who's never felt more responsive or dynamic in action. Even with everything new that's been introduced, Nintendo's forward-thinking platformer retains the series' classic handcrafted appeal, which is even more impressive when you realize how densely packed each kingdom is." -Peter Brown [Read the full review]

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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -- 10/10

"No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It's a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery--which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience." -Peter Brown [Read the review]

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Splatoon 2 -- 8/10

"At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you're new to the game, it's a fantastic place to jump in." - Kallie Plagge [Read the full review]

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- 9/10

"For Mario Kart fans, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe might look like more of the same with small Double Dash-inspired tweaks. But thanks to a series of updates both big and almost unseen, it's the version of Mario Kart to get... It plays beautifully on Switch in both handheld and docked mode, and its core racing is as exciting as ever. And, most notably, it completely revamps the original's lackluster Battle Mode, rounding out an already great racing game." - Kallie Plagge [Read the full review]

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Octopath Traveler -- 8/10

"Despite the lackluster stories that pull you through the world, Octopath thrives on its character progression and the temptations of high-level challenges and rewards. The promise of new jobs, exciting boss fights, and powerful gear will inspire you to poke around every corner, and there are no shortage of discoveries to strive for. And all the while, you're treated to one of the most interesting and effective re-imaginings of a retro aesthetic around." -Peter Brown [Read the full review]

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Bayonetta 2 -- 10/10

"Bayonetta 2's combat is so expertly constructed, and its presentation so joyously insane, that you'd have to try so very hard to get bored of it all. In a year filled with the promise of ever more elaborate experiences on all the shiny new hardware, that Bayonetta 2--a homage to classic game design and escapism--should be the most fun I've had playing a game all year is unexpected." -Mark Walton [Read the review]

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Stardew Valley -- 9/10

"The sheer number of things to accomplish in Stardew Valley can keep you interested beyond the original three in-game years you need to reach the end of your story... And that's truly what makes Stardew Valley such a lovely experience, it encourages you to go out and be the best you can be, in whichever task that brings you the most joy. Stardew Valley motivates naturally, with blissful optimism." -Mary Kish [Read the full review]

Read our regularly-updated list of the best Nintendo Switch games so far for even more suggestions.

Services

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The Switch's paid online service isn't live yet, but once Nintendo Switch Online launches in September, you'll have to pay $20 at least per year to take most games online. You'll also get access to a selection of classic NES games with new online capabilities.

Accessories

Perhaps more than any other console on the market, the Nintendo Switch is an accessory-friendly device. That's mostly because of its hybrid nature as an at-home console and a handheld you can take on the go. Each use case lends itself to different accessories. Here are some you might want to consider.

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Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The Switch comes with a Joy-Con Grip to make your Joy-Cons feel as much like a standard controller as possible. Even so, it's not the most ergonomic piece of hardware. If you play lots of games on your TV--or if you just want a controller that fits better in your hands, buying the Pro controller is the way to go.

Extra Joy-Cons

Whether you want to adorn your Switch with different colors or you want to bring in a couch co-op partner (or competitor), you can't go wrong by stocking up on additional Joy-Cons.

Carrying Case

What good is a portable device if you don't take it on the go? This Nintendo Switch carrying case offers terrific protection for your device, plus offers plenty of room for games and pockets for cables or other accessories.

Screen Protector

Nice screen you've got there; it would be a shame if something happened to it. With any portable device, it's likely to take a beating from time to time. Protect your Switch's screen from scratches with an affordable screen protector like this.

Additional Dock

One great thing about the Switch is how easy it is to hook up to other televisions. Adding a dock to a second TV makes it even easier.

Headset

The Switch is a fantastic gaming machine, but its onboard speakers leave much to be desired. Sidestep that issue by investing in a quality headset like this one.


Fortnite Keeps Being Cited In Divorces

By Steve Watts on Sep 18, 2018 06:33 pm

Fortnite has quickly become a global phenomenon, but like any popular pasttime too much of a good thing can have an impact on relationships. The AV Club reports that UK divorce service Divorce Online claims that the game has been cited in a staggering 200 divorce proceedings this year. That's said to be roughly 5% of all British divorces in 2018.

There's reason to be skeptical that the blame for these broken marriages can be chalked up to Fortnite all by itself, though. As The Independent notes, the data didn't show Fortnite being cited as the only or even necessarily the primary reason behind the divorce. Fortnite is cited alongside "other online games," so while it's a particularly popular one, it's probably not solely responsible for all of the cited divorces. Plus, the report suggests that digital addictions in general are the problem. Those can include online pornography, online gaming, and excessive use of social media.

Of course, this report was only from one divorce service, in one country, and just this year. Fortnite is a global phenomenon, so it could actually be coming up even more, not less. As with any technology or game, the key is to make time for hobbies along with real life responsibilities and relationships.

The 5.41 patch for Fortnite just went live earlier today. You have just a few days left to complete the Season 5 challenges before the game rolls over into Season 6. If you're rushing to get through them all--having come to an understanding with your spouse--check out our challenge locations and Week 10 Jigsaw puzzle locations. Your reward will be some sweet loot and a comfortable and happy marriage.


Fortnite Update 5.41 Adds Spiky Stadium, Port-A-Fortress; Patch Notes Released

By Oscar Dayus on Sep 18, 2018 04:10 pm

Epic Games continues to expand Fortnite: Battle Royale with new updates every week, and the latest patch is no different. Update 4.51 adds the Spiky Stadium to the Playground mode, along with a new Port-a-Fortress item for all Battle Royale variants. In addition, a new LTM has been introduced: Soaring Solos.

Spiky Stadium is a deployable arena found in red Supply Drops in Playground only. It contains Bouncers and Damage Traps, and Epic says the item is designed to promote creativity amongst the community as it thinks up new activities.

Port-a-Fortress, meanwhile, instantly spawns a huge fortress for you to defend from. It comes in Legendary rarity only, and can be found in Vending Machines, chests, Supply Drops, and Supply Llamas. It appears similar to a previously-introduced item, the Port-a-Fort, except much larger.

Finally, Soaring Solos is a new mode that Epic describes as "classic Battle Royale with gliders that can be re-deployed by pressing Jump when falling from large heights." For more on the latest Fortnite update, check out the full patch notes below, via Epic Games.

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Fortnite: Battle Royale Update 4.51 Patch Notes

Limited Time Mode: Soaring Solos

Classic Battle Royale with gliders that can be re-deployed by pressing Jump when falling from large heights.

Playground

We've introduced a new consumable to the Playground LTM that will allow you to spawn an entire Spiky Stadium. We were inspired by the amazing things you've been making within Playground, and cannot wait to see what you create as we continue to build out the future of creative mode in Fortnite.

  • Limited Time Item: Spiky Stadium
    • Present in Playground only, found in red Supply Drops (along with a ton of impulse grenades).
    • Builds a 7x11 sized stadium full of Damage Traps and Bouncers.

Weapons And Items

  • Port-a-Fortress
    • It's huge!
    • Builds instantly.
    • Includes built-in Bouncers for an easy exit.
    • Legendary Rarity.
    • Found in Vending Machines, chests, Supply Drops, and Supply Llamas.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed an issue where there was a slight delay when consuming multiple Small Shield Potions.
  • The Grappler will no longer result in an inability to change equipment.

Gameplay

  • Reduced the edit button hold timing when using a controller.
    • Old School from 0.25s to 0.2s.
    • Quick Builder from 0.25s to 0.2s.
    • Combat Pro from 0.25s to 0.2s.
    • Builder Pro from 0.25s to 0.15s.
  • The Storm wall no longer destroys structures during the last few circles of the match.

Audio

Bug Fixes

  • Reload audio for the Double Barrel Shotgun no longer plays twice.

UI

  • Unsupported characters within in-game names will now show up as �, rather than the fallback debugging font glyph that was previously used. Loading the fallback font was causing long hitches for clients, so we've disabled it.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed an issue causing the reticle to not appear until after you've switched weapons.
  • Added new generic icons to represent console and desktop platforms for cross-platform play.

Art And Animation

  • Added edge glow to wall bounce pads, only visible from the reverse side. This is to help players recognize when a wall bounce pad is on the opposite side of a ledge in front of them.

Bug Fixes

  • CUBE visual effects will no longer get stuck after a player has left the area.
  • The Grill Sergeant Outfit will now render properly in-game.
    • This fixes the issue where players were seeing a floating head and pickaxe.

Assassin's Creed Obstacle Course Coming To Sydney

By Eddie Makuch on Sep 18, 2018 11:58 am

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed obstacle course, the Assassin's Creed Challenge, is coming to Australia. Ubisoft Australia announced that the Challenge will be available for anyone to try at Metcalfe Park in Sydney on October 5 and 6.

Similar to the Assassin's Creed obstacle course that Ubisoft brings to North American events like Comic-Con, the Sydney course is described as a "full size parkour course with obstacles inspired by the moves of a master assassin..."

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This obstacle course was designed to look like something out of ancient Greece, which is the setting for October's Assassin's Creed Odyssey. It has six stages, which replicate things you will do in the game such as climbing, swinging, and balancing on things.

As you might have guessed, the final section is the "Leap of Faith," where participants jump off a seven-meter platform to a safe landing zone below. Those who successfully complete the entire course will get a Spartan helmet inspired by the game.

Ubisoft partnered with Microsoft for this promotion, and there will be 16 Xbox One X game stations available at the event for people to play Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Ubisoft is giving away three Odyssey-themed Xbox One X consoles, one each people who upload the best photo, best video, and best cosplay to Instagram and tag it with #AssassinsCreedChallenge.

You can register for the free event here on Eventbrite. It runs from 10 AM to 5 PM on October 5 and 9 AM to 5 PM on October 6. There will also be food trucks.

Odyssey launches on October 5 for PS4 and Xbox One. It will also be available on Nintendo Switch, but only in Japan.


New Kingdom Hearts 3 Trailer, Cover Art Revealed

By Eddie Makuch on Sep 18, 2018 11:02 am

Square Enix has released a new trailer for the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts III. An extended version of the Big Hero 6 video released earlier this month, the new video is presented in Japanese but you can use closed captions to get English subtitles.

The video showcases numerous familiar Disney characters such as classic ones like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck, as well as Baymax, Elsa, and Jack Sparrow. They appear alongside Kingdom Hearts series protagonist Sora. The video also shows off Sora's Big Hero 6 keyblade transformation, so be sure to look out for that and other new elements.

Additionally, the Kingdom Hearts III cover art designed by Tetsuya Nomura has been released. The beautiful art showcases a number of different characters staring into a colourful sky.

Kingdom Hearts 3 is set to release on January 29, 2019 on Xbox One and PS4. For more, check out all of GameSpot's previous written and video content here.


Games Of Thrones Could Have Gone For Many More Seasons, GRRM Says

By Eddie Makuch on Sep 18, 2018 09:39 am

HBO's Game of Thrones ends with its eighth and final season next year, but that's not what author George R.R. Martin would have wanted. He told Variety at the Emmys that his books contain more than enough material for additional seasons; the show could have gone for 11, 12, or 13 seasons, Martin said.

"We could have gone to 11, 12, 13 seasons," he said. "But I guess [showrunners DB Weiss and David Benioff] wanted a life. If you've read my novels, you know there was enough material for more seasons."

Asked directly why Game of Thrones the TV show is ending, Martin said, "I don't know." That's a question better answered by Weiss and Benioff, the author said.

Martin added that, Weiss and Benioff always wanted for Game of Thrones to run for seven seasons, so Martin and the team were successful in getting them to agree to go to eight. Martin also shared that he originally wanted the show to run for 10 seasons.

Weiss and Benioff are keeping busy. Earlier this year, Disney announced that it hired the duo to produce a new series of Star Wars films, though we haven't learned anything about them yet.

Also in the interview, Martin praised the Game of Thrones cast, and said he understands that they are eager to get on with their lives and play different parts.

While Game of Thrones is ending, HBO is working on five different spinoffs. Some are set just 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, while others take place 5,000 years before the hit show.

Game of Thrones picked up nine Emmys this year, including Best Drama and a Best Supporting Actor win for Peter Dinklage.


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