Although the huge successes of Deadpool and Logan proved that high-profile R-rated genre movies can score big at the box office, most big-budget movies continue to carry lower ratings to ensure larger audiences. However, Blade Runner fans can relax about the upcoming sequel.
The official MPAA rating for Blade Runner 2049 states that it will be rated R for "violence, some sexuality, nudity, and language." The original 1982 film was also rated R, but given the sequel's huge budget--some estimates put it at more than that of Deadpool and Logan combined--the decision to release it with an R rating clearly carries some risk.
Director Denis Villeneuve previously spoke about his intention to make a more adult movie. In December, he told Screen Daily: "My producers are finding it fun to remind me that it will be one of the most expensive R-rated independent feature films ever made."
Blade Runner 2049 stars Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Jared Leto, and Robin Wright. The synopsis for the movie reads, "Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years."
Although PlayStation VR has generally been the cheapest VR headset, its normal price still isn't cheap. At $400 for the headset alone (you also need a camera and motion controllers), it'll still set you back quite a bit. Right now, though, you can pick up a bundle of the headset, camera, and three PSVR games for just $300.
This is one of the better deals we've seen yet. The camera usually sells for $60, so even just between the headset and the camera, this bundle saves you $160. On top of that, you also get Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, RIGS, and PlayStation VR Worlds.
The bundle is available at Amazon right now with the code PSVRGAMES. Add the headset and camera bundle to your cart, enter the code, and the discount is applied at checkout. Amazon will then email you codes for the three games after you buy the bundle.
To use the headset, you'll also need a PS4, and many games also support PS Move controllers. The controllers can be found on Amazon for around $40 a piece.
Earlier this summer, developer Playtonic Games released a big update for the PC version its retro-inspired platformer, Yooka-Laylee, which made a long list of improvements to the game that smooth over the entire experience. Today, the developer announced that the update is now also available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Among the myriad changes Playtonic made to the game is a new optional camera system, which gives players much greater control over how it's positioned. This is certainly a welcome feature, as the original camera was one aspect we took issue with in our Yooka-Laylee review.
In addition to the new camera system, the update also makes improvements to the game's flying and first-person aiming controls, gives players the ability to skip cutscenes and dialogue, introduces an option for shorter "gibberish" voice acting, and much more. Playtonic outlined the full list of changes it made to the game on its website, but some of the more notable ones include:
Pagies have added signposts to Hivory Towers to help guide players to new worlds
Design tweaks to all arcade games
Improved speed when scrolling through Totals Menu
New moves section added to pause menu, with image guide
Restart option added in the pause menu during arcade games and Kartos challenges
"Sonar-able" objects now have clearer visual identity
Laser move no longer requires player to crouch
Improved Transformation controls
Minecart control and hitbox improvements
Improved Rampo boss fight
Performance improvements
A Nintendo Switch version of Yooka-Laylee is also on the way, though Playtonic hasn't announced a release date for it yet. Last week, however, the developer tweeted a photo of the game running on Nintendo's console and said it "hope[s] to have more news" regarding that version soon. Playtonic has confirmed that all of the changes it introduced in today's update will be present in the Switch release on day one.
Hearthstone's latest expansion, The Knights of the Frozen Throne, is available now, and that means the first set of single-player missions have unlocked as well. While previous expansions either introduced a set of new cards to the game or offered up some adventures, the Frozen Throne combines both concepts along with a new Hero card type and the Lifesteal keyword. You can see all of the 135 new cards in our feature here.
Following a prologue mission that unlocks after you buy your first pack, you'll step into the Lower Citadel to face the first three bosses. You'll earn a Legendary card for beating the prologue, and completing the first full set of single-player challenges will net you a Frozen Throne card pack.
Blizzard laid out the timing for the remaining single-player sets as follows:
Battle for Icecrown Citadel: The Upper Reaches | August 17 at 10 AM PDT (that's 6 PM in the UK or 3 AM on Friday August 18 in the AU)
Showdown with the Lich King: The Frozen Throne | August 24 at 10 AM PDT (that's 6 PM in the UK or 3 AM on Friday August 25 at 3 AM in the AU)
If you want to try out the battles completely on your own, then you should skip the next part of this story. But if you're looking for a little extra help, we have some tips for how to overcome the expansions icy foes from Hearthstone lead mission designer Dave Kosak provides a few tips below. And check out our dev interview for an in-depth discussion of Hearthstone's RNG, the new Hero cards, and bringing in new players.
Lord Marrowgar
"In WoW, you had to kill the Bone Spikes quickly to save your teammates. We tried to capture that sense of urgency in Hearthstone with the Bone Spike minions that Marrowgar summons. If they aren't dealt with in one turn, they'll deal a LOT of damage to your hero.
"Marrowgar also has a crazy Hero Power, 'Skeletal Reconstruction,' that heals him to full. The challenge here is to craft a deck capable of killing a boss in a single turn, while also having answers to the bone spikes—a fun challenge with many possible solutions."
Deathbringer Saurfang
"Deathbringer Saurfang's passive Hero Power, 'Blood Rune,' presents players with a unique challenge: he can only be damaged by weapons. Build a deck, steel yourself, and step into the ring for an epic slugfest!
"Everyone who fought Saurfang in WoW remembers the Blood Beasts. You couldn't let those things touch you, or the boss would heal. In Hearthstone, Saurfang's Blood Beast minions heal him at the end of his turn. You'll need a weapon-heavy deck to take down Saurfang, but don't forget to deal with his blood beasts immediately."
Lady Deathwhisper
"When players start this mission, they'll notice two things: Lady Deathwhisper's insane health and armor pool, and the GIANT dragon on their board. Valithria is a 30/5 minion, but she can only attack when at full health.
"Lady Deathwhisper's Hero Power, 'Whisper of Death,' will reduce all of your minions to 1 Health. While it's a good idea to bring a lot of healing spells and minions for this mission, players may come up with other creative solutions to this deckbuilding challenge."
Koei Tecmo has revealed a new character and shared more details about how the story unfolds in Dynasty Warriors 9, the next major instalment in the series for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. While the game will take place in an open world (a first for the series), the story will be broken down into several chapters that revolve around a series of situations and battles based on real historical events in ancient China.
"The story of the Three Kingdoms will be presented over ten riveting chapters, each reflecting changes in the balance of power in the world and in the available actions to the player. Each Chapter takes the player a step deeper into the impressive military and political machinations of the era, beginning with the Yellow Turban Rebellion through the ultimate unification of China," said developer Koei Tecmo.
Players will experience the events through their chosen character's eyes and deal with their personal struggles and progression. You can see some of the game's dynamics and characters in these just-released screenshots below, including a preview of brand-new character Xun You.
Dynasty Warriors 9 still features the series' traditional hack-and-slash style combat and includes all 83 of the characters from Dynasty Warriors 8, but with new gameplay and combat mechanics in addition to the open-world map. You can read all about those new mechanics and get a look at the gameplay in action here.
There's still no release date for Dynasty Warriors 9, but we do know it will come out in Japan first and will be preceded by other spinoff games in the series. Warriors All-Stars is due out August 29 on PS4 and PC, and Fire Emblem Warriors is coming to Nintendo Switch this fall.
A new patch for Playerunknown's Battlegrounds went live for everyone today. Although it's not one of developer Bluehole's big monthly updates, it still includes some important fixes and improvements.
The patch launched yesterday on beta servers, but Bluehole announced today on Twitter that it has gone live to everyone. Probably the most important features of the patch are improvements to client optimization, including better performance on 6-core and higher CPUs and a more optimized UI.
However, the update also includes some changes that you'll likely notice more readily, such as better animation when throwing a grenade while prone and a new mini-map and world map marker for the character you are spectating. The patch also "improves the wrist positions on the steering wheel," so we can only assume that Bluehole is making sure that all players drive at 10 and 2. You can see the full patch notes below.
Pokemon Sun and Moon players have another chance to get their hands on some rare items. Nintendo is distributing another batch of free Mega Stones via Mystery Gift right now.
As before, this set is available to players around the globe through a universal code. The four Mega Stones Nintendo is giving away this time are for Gardevoir, Gallade, Lopunny, and the mythical Pokemon Diancie. However, none of the aforementioned Pokemon can be found in the wild in Sun and Moon, so players hoping to use the items in battle will need to transfer their corresponding Pokemon from a previous title or obtain them through trading.
To claim your Mega Stones, select the Mystery Gift option from the game's menu screen and choose to receive your gift "via code/password." Input the code "POYONG" when prompted and you'll be able to pick up the items from the deliveryman waiting inside any of the games' Pokemon Centers. Nintendo hasn't announced how long this distribution will run, so players should act fast and download the Mega Stones while they can.
Xbox One's Gamerscore offers players a way to compare their Achievements with friends, but for those who only play a small number of titles, it doesn't necessarily reflect their level of skill or the amount of time they've devoted to a game. Because of this, Microsoft has teased that a significant change is on the way to better showcase a gamer's accomplishments.
Speaking to Windows Central, Xbox corporate vice president Mike Ybarra revealed that Microsoft is working on "something that fundamentally changes" its approach to Achievements. "[W]e are working towards a bigger, more meaningful change about somebody's gaming accomplishments in history, as a gamer on Xbox," Ybarra said.
"[W]e can do a lot more to reflect and let people show their gaming history and their status," he explained. "Whether it's somebody who only plays multiplayer in Halo 5 at a professional level, maybe they only have 2,000 Gamerscore, you want to be able to celebrate that person. You want people to be in the know. This person doesn't play a lot of games, but they're world top ten at Halo 5.
"[W]e're going to go big in the area of letting people show off and represent their gaming history and the type of gamer that they are, far more than we do with Gamerscore," Ybarra said. As for what form this new system will take, Ybarra offered very few details. He did, however, assure that it wouldn't replace the current Gamerscore system but "complement" it.
Achievements aren't the only Xbox One feature getting an overhaul; a big update is in store for the console. Among other changes, it will ramp the system's Home screen to focus on "speed, customization, and expression." That update is scheduled to release later this year.
The next console in the Xbox family, Xbox One X, launches on November 7 for $500. Those who attend the Gamescom expo in Germany will have a chance to go hands-on with the system. Microsoft has also outlined a number of live streams and events it will be hosting prior to Gamescom, including an Age of Empires live stream that will offer "some exciting news that fans will not want to miss."
Like his co-star Daisy Ridley, John Boyega was largely unknown when he was cast in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The story is very different now, and anticipation is high for his return as Finn in The Last Jedi. Boyega spoke recently about the role, and what fans can expect from the upcoming Star Wars movie.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Boyega revealed some new plot details and explained that Finn would continue to be a reluctant hero. "It got really real for him," he said. "He just wants to get away and not be involved. His intention in the first place was to go to the Outer Rim. He was brought back [in The Force Awakens], but this is his chance to get away and perhaps find Rey and go off together. He's trying to do that at first."
Boyega also explained that he would be featured alongside one of the new characters being introduced into The Last Jedi, the Resistance mechanical Rose Tico, played by Kelly Marie Tran.
"He's a hero to people like Rose, who fight for the Resistance because their homes have been destroyed by the First Order," he said. "He appreciates the adoration for a second, but when he meets her, Finn is trying to escape the whole war. He's trying to leave. And she comes in and basically gives him a depiction of himself that wasn't necessarily true."
Microsoft has rolled out the next set of weekly deals on Xbox Live. Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb rounded these up on his blog, and we've collected some of the Xbox One and Xbox 360 deals below for you to see.
Hearthstone's latest expansion, Knights of the Frozen Throne, releases for all players soon. Blizzard has outlined exactly when it will unlock in regions around the world and shared a schedule for how its single-player content will be rolled out.
Knights of the Frozen Throne won't be available simultaneously worldwide. It will first launch in the Americas, and if everything goes right, it will then unlock in Asia, and then finally in Europe. As a result, Blizzard's estimated release times for Asia and Europe aren't until tomorrow morning, August 11. Here's what time it should be playable by for everyone:
The primary addition in this expansion are 135 new Knights of the Frozen Throne Cards, a selection of which you can see in the gallery above. A new Lifesteal keyword allows you to be healed based on the damage a card deals, while there are also new Legendary Hero cards. When played, these provide your character with a new ability and look. You can read more about all of this in our recent chat with Blizzard about designing the new expansion.
But there's also new single-player content included, and it will be free for everyone. It consists of a prologue, two wings of three boss fights each, and a final battle against the Lich King, with some rewards available for completing certain parts. These Icecrown Citadel missions will be released over the course of the next two weeks. The unlock schedule follows below.
Rise of the Knights of the Frozen Throne: Prologue & Lower Citadel
Americas Region: August 17 10:00 AM PDT / 1 PM EDT
Asia Region: August 18 5:00 AM KST
Europe Region: August 18 12:01 AM CEST
Showdown with the Lich King: The Frozen Throne
Americas Region: August 24 10:00 AM PDT / 1 PM PDT
Asia Region: August 25 5:00 AM KST
Europe Region: August 25 12:01 AM CEST
If you haven't already done so, Blizzard still has a special pre-order offer going on for Knights of the Frozen Throne. You can pre-purchase 50 packs at a discounted price of $50, which will also get you a special card back.
Electronic Arts is once again attempting to revive the NBA Live series this year. Today, EA announced the details of an upcoming demo and revealed NBA Live 18's cover star, but more interesting is a sizable discount being offered.
Anyone who pre-orders NBA Live 18 will get 33% off--dropping its price in the US from $60 to $40. That's an unusual offer for any company, and certainly not the type of thing you'd expect to see from EA. But it's a smart move given the dominance that the NBA 2K series has over the market--an edge in price can only help to boost sales, as EA found over a decade ago when competitors like NBA 2K5 and NFL 2K5 were released for only $20.
EA today also revealed that Houston Rockets guard James Harden, the runner-up for this past season's MVP award, will be the game's cover star. (NBA 2K18 has Kyrie Irving on the cover, who may not be a Cleveland Cavalier for much longer.) Harden is technically on the cover twice; as pictured above, the artwork emphasizes that NBA Live 18 allows you to play more than just standard NBA games.
With just over a month to go before release, an NBA Live 18 demo will launch on PS4 and Xbox One tomorrow, August 11. It lets you play a standard game that features a rematch of the NBA Finals, with the Golden State Warriors facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will also allow you to check out The Rise, which serves as a prologue for The One mode. This is one of the new additions for this year's game, described as a "way to pursue your legacy, centered on the player and defined by your choices." As with NBA 2K18 and its Prelude release ahead of launch, progress you make in the demo can transfer to the full game. During the demo, limited-time live events will take place that offer "special rules, rewards, and characters."
NBA Live 18 launches on September 15. That's four days before NBA 2K18, although pre-orders for that game provide early access that also begins on September 15.
In Moons of Madness, players experience various episodes of characters pushed to their psychological limits in remote and isolated areas on Earth and beyond. Forced to contend with their past and the horrors that stalk them, many of the stories will offer a personal, and haunting tale of the human condition, while also focusing on the larger horrors at play. Infusing elements of Lovecraftian fiction-with a focus on body horror, isolation, and nihilism--and along with the narrative and introspective style of characters found in story focused adventure games--Moons Of Madness plans to show how a number of different characters deal with the darkness inside of them, as they confront the larger terrors of the unknown.
Set in proposed series of interconnected series of stories, Moons Of Madness tells different sides of larger story, all of which are related in themes of mental illness, and how a darker force within the universe may be connected. Speaking with designer Aaron Dintino and producer Natascha Röösli at Rock Pocket Games, they discussed the genres that have inspired the game, and the style of stories they want to tell in the upcoming horror adventure game.
"We've been trying to stay away from something that is super linear," said Dintino the designer. "It's more like having the player explore the environment and investigate. To really get a feel for the area and get a better context for the story and the character. It's very much inspired by the classic point-and-click adventure games. Throughout this journey for Shane Newhart [the lead character of the Mars story], we learn more about his family's history of mental illness, and how it's affected him personally and the people around him."
While some stories will be more modest in scope, others will take players off-planet, and into places where humanity has only scratched the surface of exploring. In this particular story, players find themselves in the boots of Shane Newehart, an astronaut on the planet Mars. Set in the near future, the Astronaut must deal with technical issues plaguing Earth's manned mission to the surface of the red planet, but he'll soon learn that there are deeper horrors ready to pick apart his already fragile psyche, which has been wracked with guilt and depression due to his family's history of mental illness.
Similar to titles like Firewatch and SOMA, Moons of Madness relies heavily on environmental story telling and dialog between multiple characters. There are many items to interact with, some of which Shane has an attachment to--such as pictures from home and notes to himself. Along the way, he'll get responses from his partner Orson, who will ask him questions, mostly casual and friendly, while others somewhat personal. Though Shane can either respond to or ignore outright, oftentimes how you react to them is more telling--which will come out in a variety of strange results through dialog or other interactive moments. While this approach isn't that all unique, the setting certainly adds a certain amount of flavor to the experience, giving it a stronger sense of isolation and calm--which of course is soon disrupted.
Though despite the focus on scares, and featuring characters with issues relating to their mental health, the developers don't wish to use mental illness as a crutch to justify the horrors happening in the game. While it is used to illustrate the character's current mental state, they don't plan to use it ways that would fall into horror cliches where those suffering from mental illnesses are in constant distress.
"Above all, we didn't want to antagonize people who suffer from metal illnesses," said producer Natascha Röösli. "We found that in a lot of horror games, that people who suffer from illnesses are portrayed in a negative light. We definitely want to show that in a different way. So it's more there to tell the story of the main characters, and the experiences they're going through. To see them being confronted by their past, in the face of this other force."
As you explore Mars and repair several solar energy panels, Shane's mental state will begin to unravel, imagining instances where he'll talk to his partner Orson, and the sudden appearance of constructs that shouldn't be there. The Astronaut will have to solve some interesting puzzles involving the equipment lying around--such as restoring power to rigs and elevators, and other things that just don't belong on Mars--while also trying to stay engaged to his partner and what they have to say. While it starts off fairly calm and collected, it soon descends into dark territory. Since he's out on Mars, the main character must continually monitor his oxygen, which will drain quicker during some of the more tense moments.
While Moons Of Madness is still a ways off, it's interesting to see more titles try to reexamine horror and its focuses. Though there's still a jump-scare or two to be had in the game, this Lovecraft-influenced game has much more going on, and it plans to show that though character moments and how their past connects to their present state. From there, it's a dark decent into the horrors of man's subconscious, and the forces that lurk in the further reaches of the universe.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm publisher Square Enix is promising the upcoming game's story will be full of raw emotion as the player guides main character Chloe Price. In a newly released video, Square Enix claims the game's soundtrack will play an important part in telling Chloe's story.
"Life is Strange is a game that evokes a lot of emotion in people and, alongside great storytelling and characterization, [its music] plays a huge role in this," said Square Enix's Jon Brooke, adding that's why the developer turned to indie band Daughter to create the game's music. You can hear the band explain how music fits into the story in the new video below.
"We loved the story on first read as it centers around realistic female lead characters who are emotional, intelligent, sensitive and badass in equal measure. I think the characters themselves have really inspired the soundscapes we have created," said Elena Tonra, Daughter's lead singer.
Before the Storm is the prequel to the critically acclaimed game Life is Strange. It focuses on Chloe Price, who was introduced in the previous game as character Max Caulfield's friend. Set three years before Life is Strange, the game will tell Chloe's story, much of which will revolve around her struggles following the death of her father and her relationship with the character Rachel.
The soundtrack, called Music from Before The Storm, will be released on September 1 and features all the tracks from the game plus more songs from Daughter. It comes out just a day after Life is Strange: Before the Storm's first episode, called Awake, is released for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. You can preorder the entire game, which is comprised of three episodes, for $17. There's also a deluxe edition for $25 that includes a bonus episode, a mixtape mode, and an exclusive outfit pack.
Earlier this month, GameSpot sat down with Life is Strange: Before the Storm's developers to talk about making the game and why it will be only three episodes. You can read our full interview here.
Headquarters supports up to 48 people at the same time. Players can take part in a lot of activities, but first, here is how Game Informer explains its setup: "Headquarters takes place in a 'D+3' zone (three days after D-Day), showing off the launching grounds of major Allied operations. The space is filled with supplies, vehicles, and more. The HQ gives you many options for spending time in between multiplayer rounds."
In Headquarters, you can open loot boxes that include cosmetic items. Players who watch you open something will earn "prizes" as well, the magazine reported.
Also in Headquarters, you can access The Pit, which is a 1v1 space where you can apparently go head-to-head to test your skills. If you've played a multiplayer shooter and gotten the better of someone, you've probably been asked to go 1v1 and see what happens then. Apparently, The Pit is a way to give players a means to do that.
Additionally, Headquarters has proximity-based voice chat, so you can talk to others who are also hanging out in the space between matches. There is also a firing range where you can try out weapons, and the range has targets for multiple difficulties. There are also watermelons in the firing range, because why wouldn't there be, and you can challenge players to a contest in the firing range.
Here are some other details about Headquarters from Game Informer's story:
There are daily and weekly quests you can take on to earn rewards.
Players who take part in all the social elements stand to get more supply drops.
You can look at leaderboards, check your mail, inspect other players' attributes, use emotes, check up on Call of Duty news, or watch streams from inside a virtual theatre.
You can group up from inside Headquarters and head into multiplayer or zombies as a group.
You can "kick a few objects around," hopefully a soccer ball.
You can sit down and watch the 1v1 Pit matches.
There will be "dynamic events" in Headquarters, too, one example being an "aerial scramble that drives players to anti-air guns to fend off the base from enemy aircraft.
There could be seasonal events in Headquarters.
The game's cosmetic items aim to be authentic and genuine for the time period.
The full Game Informer story is absolutely stacked with so many more details about Call of Duty: WWII, from its campaign, to multiplayer, and Zombies. You can pick it up today.
It might surprise you to realize that Fallout 4 doesn't have some kind of Game of the Year-style edition available, as both Fallout 3 and New Vegas do. For a game that received a great deal of acclaim and was so wildly popular following its November 2015 release, it's the sort of thing that seems inevitable--and, indeed, we'll soon finally see one.
Bethesda has announced Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition, a bundle of the game with all six of its DLC expansions: Nuka-World, Vault-Tec Workshop, Contraptions Workshop, Far Harbor, Wasteland Workshop, and Automatron. Buyers will also get to take advantage of the various updates that have been released since Fallout 4's launch, such as mod support and Survival mode.
The Game of the Year Edition will be available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One on September 26. Bethesda tells GameSpot it will be priced at $60.
Alongside this version, those who missed out on the hard-to-find Pip-Boy Edition will have another chance to get their hands on it: A "limited number" will be sold in North America at select (but unspecified) retailers. The Pip-Boy Edition famously includes a wearable wrist mount, which you can slot your phone into with the Fallout app to mimic the Pip-Boy your character wears in the Fallout games. This new version of it is priced at $100, includes the Game of the Year Edition, and also launches on September 26.
The success of last year's Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them showed that a hit film property can have life beyond the end of the main series. The Hunger Games and Twilight franchises were hugely profitable for Lionsgate, and it has now been reported that the studio is looking to continue them.
As reported by Variety, Lionsgate boss Jon Feltheimer recently spoke about the studio's plans for both series and explained that they would only proceed with the approval of Twilight author Stephenie Meyer and Hunger Games creator Suzanne Collins, respectively.
"There are a lot more stories to be told, and we're ready to tell them when our creators are ready to tell those stories," he said.
This isn't the first time that plans for more Hunger Games movies has been discussed. In 2015, Feltheimer said that the studio was "actively looking at some development and thinking about prequel and sequel possibilities." Vice chairman Michael Burns subsequently stated that the franchise "will live on and on," and he suggested that further movies might take the form of prequels.
The final Hunger Games movie was Mockingjay Part 2, which opened in November 2015. In total, the franchise grossed more than $2.9 billion worldwide. The Twilight saga drew to a close in 2012, having made in excess of $3.3 billion worldwide.
A movie version of William Gibson's hugely influential sci-fi novel Neuromancer has been in development many times over the years, but has yet to make it to the screen. It has now been reported that another attempt is being made to adapt the classic book, with Deadpool's Tim Miller tapped to direct.
According to Deadline, Miller and his VFX studio Blur will develop the movie at Fox. Miller was initially set to direct Deadpool 2 for the studio, but disagreements with star and producer Ryan Reynolds led to his departure in October last year. The site reports that Fox has been looking for a major project for Miller since then. X-Men producer Simon Kinberg is set to produce.
Miller is the latest filmmaker to be attached to a potential Neuromancer movie. Directors Chris Cunningham and Chuck Russell previously worked on different versions of a script, while music video director Joseph Kahn was attached to the project in 2007. The film got closer in 2010 when Vincenzo Natali (Cube, Splice) was hired to work on it. His version was still in development as late as 2013, with a script co-written by Gibson.
Neuromancer was first published in 1984. It tells the story of a veteran computer hacker who is hired by a mysterious employer to perform a dangerous, almost-impossible hack. The novel is now considered one of the most important works of the cyberpunk genre and is also notable for popularizing the term "cyberspace."
In Friday the 13th, the survival horror game based on the classic horror film franchise, one player assumes the role of iconic serial killer Jason and must hunt down seven others playing as hapless camp counselors. However, he isn't the only one capable of murder; camp counselors can kill one another as well using the various weapons they find. This has led some players to deliberately kill their teammates during online matches--an issue that has become so prevalent that publisher Gun Media will be removing the feature in a future patch.
The publisher announced the decision in a post on Reddit. "[T]he biggest thing we've heard from our community with the game are issues pertaining to rampant team-killing that has unfortunately been abused by players on all platforms," the post begins. "While the mechanic's intent is designed to promote life-or-death experiences into each and every game you play, the reality has turned into more of a Battle Royale scenario to a point our team feels a change needs to be made."
Following the game's next patch, "Public Games will no longer allow counselor team-killing through weapons use against other counselor players," meaning shotguns, machetes, and other weapons that camp counselors can wield will no longer have any effect on their teammates. However, players can still kill one another by running them over with a car. "We decided on this as the alternative was abused during our beta where users would simply stand in front of the car, effectively blocking it from moving," the publisher explains.
"Our team believes that the ability to hurt other counselors is something that this game should have as it adds tension and requires players to make tough calls," Gun says. "However, we do not believe this should be a mechanic that is abused by players to the point where the vast majority of our current communications from fans are complaints of rampant/unwarranted team-killing/griefing/trolling."
Still, while team-killing may be disappearing from public matches, it doesn't appear to be the end of the mechanic entirely; it will still be allowed in private sessions for the time being, "with the hope of better options in the future."
Many video games offer players the chance to step into the shoes of a powerful hero, but few depict the gravity of the role like Megaton Rainfall, a first-person "superhero sim" from independent developer Pentadimensional Games. Today, Pentadimensional released a new trailer for the ambitious title and announced its PlayStation 4 release date: September 26.
Megaton Rainfall places players in the role of an "indestructible interdimensional superbeing." You'll have to use your immense powers to defend Earth from alien invaders, but your superhuman abilities can inadvertently destroy the people you're charged with protecting. "Each new superpower you gain has a dark side you must avoid," the developer says in a post on the PlayStation Blog. "Your basic shot destroys entire buildings every time you miss your target. Your telekinesis can prevent enemy grenades from damaging the humans, but it can also send vehicles careening down the street. The gigaton blast can destroy an enemy mothership… or the entire city."
Pentadimensional says it sought to capture the "unprecedented freedom of movement" of being a superhero with Megaton Rainfall, and as such the game features immense, destructible environments that players can freely fly around. At the beginning, you'll be limited to exploring the Earth, "from the bottom of the ocean to the stratosphere," but during the course of the game you'll gain the ability to "fly to the Moon or walk across the surface of the Sun."
Megaton Rainfall is also coming to PC via Steam, though Pentadimensional hasn't announced a release date for that version. PS4 players can play through entire game using PSVR, and the title will feature PS4 Pro support for 4K resolution. GameSpot got to try Megaton Rainfall in 2015 and called it "probably the most accurate Superman simulator."
Following its exclusivity period on PS4, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare's third major DLC is available for Xbox One and PC. Players on all platforms can now download the Absolution map pack, which adds a handful of new stages to the popular shooter, as well as a new chapter in the Zombies experience.
The Zombies map is the biggest draw of the Absolution DLC. Called "Attack of the Radioactive Thing," this chapter is inspired by 1950s-era monster movies and features guest voice work from Ike Barinholtz (Neighbors, Suicide Squad) and Cassandra Peterson (Elvira: Mistress of the Dark). According to Activision, "Players will fight against a new array of zombie enemies across a ravaged beach town where a government science experiment has transformed the residents into flesh-devouring zombies and introduced a new biological menace into the city."
The DLC also adds four new maps to the shooter. The first, Bermuda, is a shanty town "created around the remnants of a crashed ship." Permafrost is a close-quarters map set in a frozen cityscape. Fore is a mini-golf course that features "magical forests, giant creamsicles, and elevated castle walls." The final map, Ember, is a remake of Resistance from Modern Warfare 3.
In the gallery below, you'll find every Knights of the Frozen Throne card that's on the way. These include cards with a new keyword, Lifesteal, which heals players based on the damage that it does. There are also Legendary Hero cards, which replace your character with a modified Death Knight version when played; these come with a new ability and look.
In addition to new cards, Knights of the Frozen Throne includes new single-player content--something the most recent expansion, Journey to Un'Goro, did not. Earlier this year, Blizzard made changes to how new expansions and single-player Adventures are rolled out. Knights of the Frozen Throne's single-player component is different than those in the past, as it comes with a set of free missions, including a prologue, two wings of three boss fights each, and a final battle against the Lich King. Completing the prologue will net you a random Legendary Hero card, while finishing each wing will also get you a card from the expansion. If you make your way through everything, you'll also obtain a card pack.
A special, one-time pre-order offer is available for Knights of the Frozen Throne, allowing you to buy 50 card packs for $50. Doing so also gets you a special card back, pictured above along with some new artwork.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar is an upcoming video game continuation of the popular '90s comic book series Battle Chasers. The game is a turn-based RPG, and it's now received a new trailer with heavy Thundercats inspirations. The animated short was made by Powerhouse Animation, the studio behind Netflix's Castlevania TV series, and shows off a brand new character: Alumon the Devil Hunter. Take a look for yourself above.
"Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a love letter to one of our favorite genres of gaming: the JRPG," Airship Syndicate said in its Kickstarter pitch. "We grew up playing legends like Final Fantasy, Suikoden, Chrono Trigger, and Phantasy Star. While many greats continue to come from Japan, very few western developers are creating them. With your help we're going to change that."
Nightwar takes place in a lost continent called The Grey Line, where "nothing has ever come from, or survived entering." Players take control of a character called Gully and "her unlikely band of adventurers" as they venture into the territory and attempt to find her father, a great hero called Aramus who went into the Grey Line but has not yet returned.
Familiar faces from the Battle Chasers universe such as Garrison, Knolan, and Monika will return. Gameplay is built on many familiar genre pillars such as Active Initiative Bars, Mana, and special abilities.
The dev explains: "The turn-based combat in Battle Chasers is inspired by the great JRPGs of years past, with three major features: the Dual Mana system; an Active Initiative Bar with random buffs and debuffs; and momentum-shifting super attacks called Battle Surges."
Battle Chasers: Nightwar is coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 3, while a Nintendo Switch release is also coming at an as-yet-unknown date. For more, take a look at some gameplay here.
Pokemon Go has received an exciting new creature: shiny Pikachu is now catchable in the wild! The downside is that the Pokemon is only available in Japan right now, with no word as yet on a worldwide release.
As you can see below, the shiny version of Pikachu is pretty similar to standard Pikachu, except maybe with a little more fake tan--he's looking pretty orange. The creature is significant for being only the third shiny monster available in Pokemon Go, after shiny Magikarp and shiny Gyarados. Shiny Pikachu do, of course, evolve into shiny Raichu.
Wild shiny Pikachu has been found spawning at The Pokemon Company's "Pikachu Outbreak" event in Yokohama! No word yet on worldwide release! pic.twitter.com/d3dqoutCPf
In other Pokemon Go news, a new update is out now, bringing with it a number of bug fixes and re-introducing Team Instinct's leader, Spark. Check out the full Pokemon Go patch notes here.
Riz Ahmed, who played Bodhi Rook in Star Wars: Rogue One, is reportedly being considered for a part in the Spider-Man spinoff movie Venom starring Tom Hardy. According to Variety, Ahmed is in "early talks" to join Venom. Sources told the site that Ahmed will play a "popular" character from the Marvel series, though the identity was not disclosed.
The Venom movie, which is due out in October 2018, is being made by Sony, which owns the rights to Spider-Man and associated characters. Marvel had to strike a deal with Sony to allow Spidey to become part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Spider-Man: Homecoming and last year's Captain America: Civil War. However, Spider-Man will not be in Venom.
Gangster Quad and Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer is attached to direct the untitled Venom movie.
The first images from this Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones have come online, giving fans a glimpse at what's to come on the fifth episode airing on August 13.
[SPOILERS FOLLOW BELOW]
The images show Tyrion walking across a battlefield, Dany and Jon having what looks like a serious conversation, Sam and Gilly at a table together, and Varys and Tyrion have a deep chat about ... something. You can see them all in the gallery above.
"Ron is such a legend, and he knows exactly what the vision for what he is doing is … [but Phil and Chris] hired us, so you sort of feel like, 'I know I'm not your first choice …' And you worry about that," Glover said.
"To be honest, I don't know exactly what happened. I feel like I was the baby in the divorce, or the youngest child. The oldest child is like, 'We know what's happening, but we are keeping you out of it.' And I'm just like, [Glover's voice rises several octaves] 'Was that scene good? How did you feel?'"
The untitled Han Solo movie is apparently still on track to arrive on schedule in May 2018. The film explores how the space smuggler got the name "Han Solo." Principal photography for the film began this past February.
Alden Ehrenreich plays Solo, while Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke and The Hunger Games' Woody Harrelson also star in it.
The full interview with Glover is in-depth and very fascinating, touching on many other elements of his life, career, and more. You can read the full thing here.
While you have to wait until 2018 to see the Han Solo movie, Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theatres in December. New images have been released--you can see them here.
Netflix has announced another high-profile project. Joel and Ethan Coen, the Oscar-winning directors behind movies like Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and No Country for Old Men, are bringing their new western show The Ballad of Buster Scruggs to the streaming service.
An anthology series, the TV program will premiere in 2018. The Coen brothers are writing and directing, with production done by Annapurna Television.
Here is the official description, written by Netflix: "The Western anthology will feature six tales about the American frontier told through the unique and incomparable voice of Joel and Ethan Coen. Each chapter will feature a distinct story about the American West."
Tim Blake Nelson, who starred in the Coen brothers movie O Brother, Where Art Thou, is the only confirmed actor for The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
"We are streaming motherf**kers!," Joel Coen and Ethan Coen said in a statement.
Netflix original content VP Cindy Holland added, "The Coens are visionary directors, masterful storytellers, and colorful linguists. We are thrilled for Netflix to become home to the full range of their talents."
Following the announcement of the first seven city-based Overwatch League team owners last month, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Blizzard today announced two more. Jack Etienne, the owner of eSports organization Cloud9, bought the team for London. Additionally, Stan and Josh Kroenke of sports and media behemoth Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, purchased the second team based in Los Angeles.
There are now teams in Boston, New York, Miami-Orlando, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Seoul. Los Angeles now has two, as Immortals already secured the first LA spot as part of the initial Overwatch League team ownership announcement.
You might not know the Kroenke's by name, but their Kroenke Sports & Entertainment company owns or has a significant investment in traditional sports teams like the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), and Colorado Avalanche (NHL), as well as the professional football club Arsenal. So they are a very big deal, to say the least.
"The Overwatch League continues to have great momentum,"Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement. "They will enhance our ability to celebrate and reward players and fans in Los Angeles, London, and beyond."
Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime added: "Overwatch is a global game, with heroes--and players--from around the world, so it's important to us that as many Overwatch League fans as possible have local or regional teams to root for."
Josh Kroenke said in his own statement that he was blown away by Blizzard's "vision and strategy" for the Overwatch League. Etienne, meanwhile, said he "couldn't be happier" to be partnering with Blizzard for the London Overwatch League team.
The Overwatch League is the first major international pro eSports league with a city-based structure. This is a big step for competitive gaming, as it brings it more in line with traditional sports leagues, though Overwatch League is unique in that teams from different countries will compete in certain events.
Here is a rundown of the first nine Overwatch League team owners.
Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots (Boston)
Jeff Wilpon, Co-Founder and Partner of Sterling.VC and COO of the New York Mets (New York)
Noah Whinston, CEO of Immortals (Los Angeles)
Ben Spoont, CEO and Co-Founder of Misfits Gaming (Miami-Orlando)
Andy Miller, Chairman and Founder of NRG Esports (San Francisco)
NetEase (Shanghai)
Kevin Chou, Co-founder of Kabam (Seoul)
Stan and Josh Kroenke, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Los Angeles)
As for the number of teams that Blizzard hopes to have in the Overwatch League, Nanzer wouldn't give a specific number, though he said you can expect the league to grow in size to become similar to the size of traditional sports leagues. By comparison, MLB has 30 teams and the NFL has 32.
Announced at Blizzcon last year, the Overwatch League will kick off later this year. For the league's first season, matches will take place at a venue in the Los Angeles area, as the local squads take the time they need to create their own local venues. There will eventually be home and away matchups, just as with traditional sports. Full details on the schedule and ticket sales opportunities will be announced later this year.
Overwatch League teams will make money through ticket sales, advertising, and broadcast rights revenue. According to Blizzard, this money will be shared evenly, though local teams get to keep all the revenue from their home territory and venue up to "a certain amount." If/when this figure is eclipsed, a percentage will be given to a shared league revenue pool. Another element here is that franchises can operate and make money from five non-professional events in their home region every year.
Additionally, there will be league- and team-based Overwatch content sold in the game, with 50 percent of revenue going to a shared revenue pool for all teams.
A new patch for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has arrived, but it doesn't add any features or functionality to the Nintendo Switch racing game. Update 1.21., released today, fixes a problem that could make it take longer to get back to the lobby in some situations.
The one-line patch notes read (via Nintendo Everything): "Corrected an issue that prolonged the time to return to the lobby after races near the start and end times of online tournaments."
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