Destiny 2's first Season 2 Faction Rally has wrapped up, and we have a winner. New Monarchy has again emerged victorious, and that means its unique reward is now available for sale as part of Victory Week, which is underway on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
As with previous events, this means the Tower is now adorned with New Monarchy decorations to celebrate the win. The victor is determined based on the Faction that collectively earned the most rewards packages during the Faction Rally event. With New Monarchy coming out on top, it's the only one of the three Factions that is now selling its Winner's Offering: a Legendary auto rifle named Loquitor IV. Anyone can purchase it for 50,000 Glimmer, but those who pledged loyalty to New Monarchy during the event can do so for a mere 1,000 Glimmer.
Victory Week--and the ability to buy Loquitor IV or cash in Faction Tokens--runs from now until the weekly reset on January 30. On that day, we'll also see the first of many of the updates on the way for the game, including the release of Masterwork armor.
Update: WWE and Enzo Amore have parted ways less than one day after he was suspended amid allegations of sexual assault. In a statement on the company's website, it says, "WWE has come to terms on the release of Eric Arndt (Enzo Amore)." The original story continues below.
As WWE was celebrating the 25th anniversary of Raw, there was a notable face missing from the show: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore. That's because Amore has been suspended indefinitely from the company after allegations of sexual assault were made against him.
The situation was first brought to light on Twitter when a woman claimed she was raped by Amore--real name Eric Arndt--in October. According to the woman, two other people gave her cocaine, marijuana, and meth, leaving her impaired. She was then left alone with Amore, who allegedly assaulted her. As a result of the attack, the woman says she was admitted to a mental hospital.
Police in Phoenix, where the alleged assault took place, tell Pro Wrestling Sheet that they are investigating the matter. They also confirm being called to an area hospital in late October to look into the incident.
For their part, WWE released a statement on the situation. In it, the company says, "WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving sexual harassment or sexual assault. Until this matter is resolved, Eric Arndt (aka Enzo Amore) has been suspended." Amore's match has also been removed from the official Royal Rumble card.
Pokemon Go players now have a bunch of new Pokemon to add to their collections. Developer Niantic has added another batch of monsters from the Hoenn region to the popular mobile game, all of which can be found out in the wild beginning today, January 23.
This new batch consists of 23 more Pokemon that originally appeared in the series' third-generation titles, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Niantic hasn't specified which monsters have been added, but the developer shared a new piece of key art that features Aggron, Flygon, Lunatone, Solrock, Camerupt, and several other Pokemon.
Interestingly, the Legendary Pokemon Groudon can also be seen in the artwork. Groudon was the first Gen 3 Legendary to appear in Pokemon Go, but it was only available from December until January 15. It's unclear if Niantic is teasing a second run for Groudon or if the developer is simply referencing the fact that it's one of Go's Gen 3 Pokemon.
The first batch of Gen 3 Pokemon arrived in Pokemon Go last month and consisted of 50 monsters, including Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Wurmple, and others. An additional 20 Ice- and Water-types from Ruby and Sapphire were added several weeks later during Pokemon Go's holiday event. A new Gen 3 Legendary, Kyogre, is also available in Pokemon Go right now. Players can encounter the powerful Sea Basin Pokemon in Raid Battles until February 14.
Niantic recently kicked off a new series of real-world events for Pokemon Go called Community Days. The inaugural event took place this past weekend and gave players a chance to capture a special Pikachu that can use Surf. The next Pokemon Go Community Day is scheduled for February 24 and will feature the rare Dratini, though Niantic hasn't yet announced what special move the Dragon-type Pokemon will know.
How much reliance on pop culture and nostalgia is too much? Thanks to a new featurette for the upcoming movie Ready Player One, that's a question that may have an answer.
In Ready Player One, people escape from the overcrowded world of the future into a virtual reality landscape filled with their favorite characters and moments from throughout pop culture. As a movie, that lets characters like the Iron Giant and Freddy Krueger battle it out, while players race against the Back to the Future DeLorean, while King Kong destroys a city skyline.
For just about anyone who grew up in the 1980s or 1990s, the endless possibilities sound like a dream come true. As the three new teasers for the film below show, though, the fictional world created by the movie and Ernest Cline novel may be closer to reality than you realize.
"I suddenly saw a future that Ernest Cline, the writer of the book, envisions. It wasn't that far away from what I think is going to happen someday," director Steven Spielberg says in one featurette. "There's a dystopian society and the fabric of our economy is crumbling. It's a good time to escape, so virtual reality will be a super drug."
It remains to be seen if that possible future will become a reality, but it's hard not to see the draw of such a thing. Who wouldn't want to escape a world that's falling apart for one filled with your favorite things, if only for a moment?
Of course, before any of that happens there's going to be some serious upgrades to current virtual reality technology. After all, as much fun as Job Simulator and Farpoint are, they're still not enough to convince you to leave your real life behind. In the meantime, you'll have to settle for seeing this insane VR world on the big screen when Ready Player One hits theaters on March 30.
What happens when a copy of Thor: Ragnarok accidentally leaks online a month before its scheduled release? Naturally, it ends up being torrented far and wide as people attempt to get their hands on the latest Marvel movie.
According to TorrentFreak, thanks to a mix-up between Vudu and iTunes, the new Thor film was offered for download well before its planned February 20 release. How did that happen? In a now-deleted Reddit post, a user claims that after pre-ordering the movie on Vudu, they were given the option to download it on iTunes.
The snafu allegedly comes about due to the user's accounts being linked together via Movies Anywhere--the service that houses several video outlets under a single app. Somehow the wires between the two providers were crossed, enabling anyone who digitally pre-ordered the movie to access it early. From there, copies of the film stripped of its digital protection began popping up on torrent websites, in both 720p and 1080p resolution.
There's no telling what impact the illegal pirating of the film will have on its sales once it becomes officially available, but don't expect it to slow down anytime soon. Thus far, Disney, iTunes, and Vudu have yet to comment on the mistake.
The Hidden Ones is a story-driven expansion that sheds more light on the rise of the Assassin Brotherhood. It is set four years after the events of the main game and takes players to the new Sinai Peninsula region, where they'll have to "investigate a clash between a rebel faction and occupying Roman forces." The new trailer offers a glimpse at this conflict, showing Roman soldiers slaughter innocent Egyptians and raze cities while the eponymous Hidden Ones retaliate.
In addition to the new story chapter, The Hidden Ones introduces a variety of new items for players to acquire, including an outfit, two Legendary weapon sets, a pair of mounts, and other weapons. The expansion also raises the game's level cap to 45. Players who've purchased Assassin's Creed Origins' season pass will receive The Hidden Ones for no additional cost, while everyone else will be able to purchase it separately for $10.
The next DLC expansion for Assassin's Creed Origins, The Curse of Pharaohs, is scheduled to launch on March 6. That DLC introduces a brand-new storyline separate from the main game that pits players against famous pharaohs and Egyptian beasts. Like The Hidden Ones, the expansion will also add new outfits, gear, and weapons, these themed around ancient Egyptian mythology. The Curse of Pharaohs is likewise included in Assassin's Creed Origins' season pass or can be purchased individually for $20.
Beyond the two paid DLC expansions, Ubisoft is also releasing an educational Discovery Tour mode for Assassin's Creed Origins next month, on February 20. That mode will be available as a free update to players who already own the game (or as a standalone $20 download on PC), and it lets players explore the world without any combat or quests. Ubisoft will add daily guided tours curated by historians and experts to this mode for players to embark on and learn more about Egyptian society and history.
Xbox players can now find a new selection of game discounts on the Xbox Store. This week's Xbox One and Xbox 360 Deals with Gold aren't quite as extensive as last week's, but they include a handful of noteworthy titles, particularly for the newer console.
As always, the majority of this week's discounts are for Xbox One games, and unlike last week's selection of deals, all of these are exclusive to Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Battlefield 1 Revolution, which includes the base game and all of its available and forthcoming DLC, is $13.20 / £22; those who already own Battlefield 1 can purchase its Premium Pass for $15 / £12. Additionally, Battlefield 4 is $5 / £3.75, and the Battlefield Anniversary Bundle--which includes both Battlefield 1 and 4, along with their DLC expansions--is $50 / £45. Xbox One owners can also pick up the Battlefield 1 & Titanfall 2 Ultimate Bundle for $26.40 / £26.40.
Xbox 360 has a much slimmer lineup of discounts, and they are likewise all reserved for Gold subscribers. Two versions of Street Fighter IV are on sale this week: the standard game is $14 / £10.49, while Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition is $12 / £8. The Ultra Street Fighter IV update is also available for $7.49 / £6. The remaining deals include Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition ($3.74 / £2.49) and the Dark Elves add-on for Blood Bowl ($2.67 / £1.80).
All of the aforementioned discounts are only available this week and will expire at 3 AM PT / 6 AM ET on January 30. You can find the full list of this week's Deals with Gold on Major Nelson's blog.
Sony has announced God of War will launch for PlayStation 4 on April 20. The announcement was made on the PlayStation Blog, where a new trailer also made its debut. It focuses on Kratos as he grapples with trying to teach his son, Atreus, about restraint, responsibility, and consequence, which are all things Kratos learned the hard way in his previous life as a god-slayer.
Interestingly, his son isn't aware that Kratos is a deity, and is starting to face the same struggle with power and rage that his father did. Of course, there's also plenty of typical God of War eye candy on show, ranging from lush environments and sweeping vistas to towering monsters. Check it out below.
Also in the post, game director Cory Barlog detailed God of War's various special editions, as well as pre-order bonuses. Anyone that puts their money down for the game ahead of its release at participating retailers will get three legendary skins for Kratos's shield.
If you pre-order GameStop or EB Games, you'll also get the "Luck of Ages XP Boost," which grants +10 Luck and one Enchantment Slot. Luck increases the amount of experience and Hacksilver gained and lets you use abilities more often.
Click image to view in full screen
The Collector's Edition is $130 USD/$170 CAD (European price not yet available), and includes a 9-inch statue of Kratos and Atreus, a steelbook case, 2-inch Huldra Brothers carvings, a cloth map, and an art piece on its own. It also features the Death's Vow armor set, Exile's Guardian shield, an issue of the God of War digital comic, a digital artbook, and a dynamic theme.
The Stone Mason Edition, meanwhile, features all the content mentioned above, as well as the Stone Mason's ring, Mimir's Head talking keychain, a 2-inch Horse and Troll carving, and the Defender of the Chosen in-game shield. It costs $150 USD/$130 CAD.
Finally, the Digital Deluxe Edition has the full game, digital artbook, digital comic, dynamic theme, Death's Vow armor set, Exile's Guardian Shield, and--for those that pre-order--a Kratos and Atreus physical pin. This version will cost $70 USD/$90 CAD
You can take a look at all the versions, and their contents, in the gallery above or learn more about them here.
Having carved a path through the Greek gods, this new God of War title takes Kratos to a land dominated by Nordic gods and monsters. As the trailer above indicates, it will be a more intimate story about Kratos and his son. The game is also going to be much longer than its predecessors, taking 25-35 hours to beat.
Overwatch's new cosmetic update is nearly here, and Blizzard continues to show off more of the new items it will introduce to the shooter. We've now gotten another look at a new Legendary skin, this one for D.Va.
As showcased in the brief video below, you can see the new Black Cat D.Va skin. It gives the character long, blonde hair and a set of cat ears, while her mech is adorned with a heart that says "Cat Force." We also get a quick look at her outside of the mech, where you can see her redesigned outfit.
This is one of at least four new Legendary skins launching in Overwatch on Tuesday, January 23; the others include Lucio, Hanzo, and Pharah. Additionally, we've seen five new Epic skins that are coming along with new emotes and sprays. Blizzard is adding a ton of new cosmetic content to the game as part of an update that will make more items available through the base loot box. In other words, there will be more things to earn that aren't tied to limited-time events.
Tomorrow our cosmetics update arrives in Overwatch! Today's reveal: BLACK CAT D.VA (Legendary Skin) pic.twitter.com/5D9jgQDnWd
Also launching for Overwatch on January 23 is Blizzard World, the game's newest map. This takes the form of an amusement park based on Blizzard's other franchises, with areas themed around series like Diablo, Warcraft, and StarCraft. Meanwhile, the debut season of the Overwatch League is ongoing, and the game recently received a lot of new skins added based on its teams.
Nintendo has enjoyed a great deal of success with its Amiibo toy figure line. Those hoping for something similar for PlayStation's franchises are in luck, as a variety of well-known characters are set to be turned into figurines--albeit ones without any Amiibo-style in-game functionality.
As revealed on GameStop's website and the video below from the Spanish branch of retailer Game, at least seven different figures are coming in March as part of a new Totaku Collection line. These measure in at 10 cm (about 4 inches) and are described as "a unique series of highly detailed figurines from video game franchises past and present."
And indeed, they feature more modern titles along with some older PlayStation 1 classics. This first wave of figures includes Bloodborne's hunter, God of War's Kratos, LittleBigPlanet's Sackboy, Crash Bandicoot, and PaRappa the Rapper. We also get one that isn't technically a character--Wipeout's FX350 ship--and another that isn't explicitly from PlayStation-exclusive games in Tekken's Heihachi. You can see all of these in the gallery below.
In both the US and Spain, the figures will be available on March 23. In the US, they're priced at $10 a pop and will be available exclusively through GameStop and Think Geek. That makes them slightly cheaper than the MSRP of an Amiibo figure, although again, these can't be scanned or used to unlock things in games.
There's no word yet on when or if additional figures will also be released.
The Academy Awards are coming up in early March, and we've gotten a full list of nominations. While other awards shows, including the Golden Globes, can provide some insight into what to expect, there can still be surprises. There were some pleasant ones this year, such as nominations for Jordan Peele (Get Out) and Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) in the Best Director category. And then there's The Boss Baby.
Yes, The Boss Baby, the film in which Alec Baldwin plays a talking baby known as The Boss, is now an Oscar-nominated movie. Particularly since this means the acclaimed Lego Batman Movie was snubbed by the category, a number of people online have reacted with some mixture of anger, confusion, and... optimism.
if the boss baby can be nominated for an oscar i can do anything
Above and below, you'll find a sampling of Twitter's more entertaining reactions to the news--stand by for Part 2 on the day after the Oscars, should Boss Baby pull out the surprising win. We've also rounded up a full list of nominations from the Academy Awards, with Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water coming out on top at this stage with a total of 13. Get Out, Lady Bird, Darkest Hour, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri all had multiple nominations as well.
I seriously doubt that any of you chuckleheads groaning about "The Boss Baby" getting an Oscar nomination have actually seen it, because if you HAD you'd be much, much angrier.
stay tuned for news regarding a screening of the oscar nominated animated classic "the boss baby" on the projector in my living room. black tie only. thank u.
MY THERAPIST: How are you feeling? ME: I just think it's funny how The Boss Baby got an Oscar nom for best animated feature and The LEGO Batman Movie got snubbed I mean LEGO Batman was the first film in years to truly capture Batman's identity and internal struggle and—#Oscars
i can't believe boss baby got nominated in the category where they usually just give it to the Pixar movie and google "animated movies 2017" to fill out the rest of the noms
OH, COOL, WE'RE JUST GOING TO NOMINATE FERDINAND AND THE BOSS BABY OVER THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE AND GO ON ACTING LIKE WE'RE A VAGUELY RESPECTABLE SOCIETY???
New Releases continues into the end of January with a sampling of some of the hottest games dropping this week. Dragon Ball FighterZ is here to delight both anime and fighting game fans alike, while Monster Hunter World will let them team up to take down giant beasts together. RPG players can sink into the world of Lost Sphear, and horror addicts can settle into the terror of The Inpatient. The long-anticipated indie Iconoclasts is also finally launching after a storied development history.
Lost Sphear -- January 23
Available on: PS4, PC, Switch
Lost Sphear is the spiritual successor to 2016 indie darling I Am Setsuna, and it shares a similar art style and active-time battle system. New to the game are mech suits the party can wear while exploring the map and in battle, plus a memory system that changes how you rebuild the world.
If you want a horror game in January, you're in luck. This prequel to Until Dawn is made by the same studio, specifically for PlayStation VR. You'll step into the shoes of a Blackwood Sanatorium patient, making choices that affect your escape from or ultimate fate within the asylum.
Iconoclasts is an action-platformer seven years in the making, but you'll finally get to take control of protagonist Robin this week. Her handy wrench is good for solving puzzles, navigating the world, and even dismantling giant robot bosses.
Dragon Ball FighterZ -- January 26
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
It's not a stretch to call FighterZ the heaviest hitter this week, pun totally intended. It's a fighting game based on a beloved franchise, developed by the team behind the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series. With a roster spanning all eras of Dragon Ball, there's a champion here for everyone.
The latest in the monster-slaying series is the grandest adventure yet. All 14 weapon types from the previous games are back, plus new tools for exploring the world and toppling your foes. The zones are seamless too, letting you hunt monsters and bring home loot easier than ever before.
Microsoft has announced it is expanding Xbox Game Pass and will start releasing first-party Xbox One exclusives through the subscription service. Xbox Game Pass was launched last year and offers players unlimited download access to more than 100 Xbox One games for a monthly cost. Now it seems the service will be a cornerstone of Xbox's distribution plans going forward.
The first major game to be released on Xbox Game Pass the same day as its regular release will be Sea of Thieves, the much-anticipated open-world pirate game exclusive for Xbox One and PC. When it becomes available for purchase in a traditional fashion on March 20, Game Pass subscribers will get access on Xbox One. While they don't have set release dates yet, both State of Decay 2 and Crackdown 3 were mentioned as other Xbox One exclusives that will be coming to Xbox Game Pass at release. All games will still be available for purchase normally.
In the announcement, Xbox boss Phil Spencer also dropped some hints that the console's biggest franchises will be popping up on the subscription service too. "Future unannounced games from Microsoft Studios including new iterations of our biggest Xbox One exclusive franchises such as Halo, Forza, and Gears of War, [will be available] on the same day they launch," he said. While details about a possible Halo 6 are slim and no new Forza or Gears of War games have been officially announced, it gives fans hope that something big is coming for each in the future.
Microsoft has also announced a new subscription offer for Xbox Game Pass. GameStop and other retailers will start offering six-month Xbox Game Pass subscription cards, starting March 20. The cards will cost $60 (matching Game Pass's existing fee of $10/month), but will mean you don't need a credit card to subscribe.
"We've only scratched the surface of the opportunity this new model brings to the industry and what we can deliver to our fans. We firmly believe Xbox Game Pass will be a catalyst to create new opportunities for game developers and publishers to innovate in the way games are developed and delivered, leading to entirely new ways to play," said Spencer.
Monster Hunter World launches for PS4 and Xbox One at the end of this week, and like many other titles nowadays, it'll require an update on release day. Capcom recently shared details about the game's day-one patch, which adds a couple of features and will be required to play the game online.
According to the official Monster Hunter World website, the version 1.01 update will weigh in at roughly 815 MB, though the exact file size will likely vary depending on which console you're playing the game on. Most importantly, the update adds online multiplayer, event quests, chat, and other online features, meaning you won't be able to play Monster Hunter World online with other players or download any additional content until you've installed the patch.
In addition to the online features, the 1.01 update makes some unspecified bug fixes and adds a Gallery mode to Monster Hunter World's main menu, which allows you to re-watch any cutscenes you've witnessed in the game. Last, but certainly not least, the patch introduces Poogies, the adorable pet piglets that have appeared throughout the series. Once players have reached a certain point in the story, a Poogie will appear in Astera's tradeyard. You can pet the Poogie and form a bond with it, and once it warms up to you, you can carry it in your arms around Astera to help you locate hidden treasure.
The sixth update for the Xbox One version of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds has been released, and it continues to iron out bugs and refine the game's inelegant controls. Although there are no major new features in the patch, it nonetheless comes as a welcome refinement.
In terms of controls, PUBG now has a new auto-run option; when you're standing still, you can click the left stick twice to turn it on. Meanwhile, the inventory screen will let you drop a weapon you have equipped by pressing Y, and the ability to rotate through grenades by pressing right on the d-pad is back. Finally, if you have the inventory screen open, you can now cancel a casting action (such as drinking an energy drink).
Various, unspecified crash fixes and optimization improvements are also made in this update, along with a number of bug fixes. The camera now shakes less when you're riding around as a passenger in a vehicle, map markers will be updated for teammates when they're moved, and collision problems with the buildings around the military base have been addressed.
All of these changes are now live on Xbox One, where PUBG remains in the early access Game Preview program. There's still no word on how soon we'll see some of the major additions, like the desert map, arrive from the PC version, which exited early access last month. You can check out the full patch notes, courtesy of the official PUBG website, below.
Gameplay
Auto-run function has been added (from a standstill, double clicking L3 will activate auto-run)
Players can now drop equipped weapons with Y button when inventory screen is active
Grenades can once again be cycled by tapping right on D pad
Players can now cancel casting actions while the inventory screen is active
Optimization
Continued optimizations and crash fixes
Option
Game controller guide has been updated
Bug fixes
Buildings around the Military Base have had their collision adjusted
Camera shake when riding as a passenger in vehicles has been reduced
Inventory character models have returned to their normal stance
Fixed a camera issue created by unintended Aim Down Sights and Free Look interactions
"A" button will no longer refresh game results screen
Team UI will now correctly show the proper direction teammates are facing over larger distances
Player changes to markers on the in-game map will now be properly applied to their teammate's in-game map
Fixed an issue where switching to throwables under certain conditions left the player empty-handed
Adjusted character positioning when exiting vehicles and parachutes
Confirming a leak that happened last week, Samsung has officially unveiled its 860 Pro and 860 Evo SSDs. In terms of performance, the high-end drives aren't quite as fast as the company's 960 Pro and 960 EvoNVMe solutions released in late 2016, but they both come in the more accessible 2.5-inch SSD form factor and are advertised to offer top-tier SATA III-based speeds.
In terms of performance, Samsung claims the 860 Pro is rated to reach read speeds of 560MB/s and write speeds of 530MB/s. In a practical sense, this is basically the limit of how fast SATA III-based SSDs will go. The more affordable 860 Evo is rated to reach slightly lower read and write speeds of 550MB/s and 520MB/s, respectively.
Both drives come in a variety of storage sizes. The 860 Pro will be available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB options. The 860 Evo will be available in 250GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB sizes.
Samsung is able to deliver large amounts of solid-state storage through its V-NAND technology, which consists of layers of 3D NAND memory stacked on top of each other to reach higher densities. The drives also offer up to 4GB of LPDDR4 mobile DRAM and come with a new, faster MJX controller.
Samsung 860 Pro and 860 Evo Specs
Unlike the 860 Pro, the 860 Evo will also be available in mSATA and M.2 form factors in addition to the 2.5-inch standard. This will allow you to squeeze the drive into small form factors like ultra-thin notebooks.
The 860 Pro starts at $140 and the 860 Evo starts at $95. More pricing information can be found on Samsung's website.
This year's Oscar nominations have been announced. Guillermo Del Toro's fantasy drama The Shape of Water leads the pack with 13 nominations, and there was also a strong showing from Get Out, Lady Bird, Darkest Hour, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Best Picture nominees include Call Me By Your Name, Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, Get Out, Lady Bird, and The Shape Of Water. Best Actor nods went to Timothy Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name), Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread), Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour), and Denzel Washington (Roman J. Israel, Esq). Best Actress nominees this year include Sally Hawkins (The Shape Of Water), Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Margot Robbie (I, Tonya), Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird), and Meryl Streep (The Post).
You can see a full rundown of categories and nominees below. You can also find a full breakdown off all the 2018 Oscar nominees on ET. The 90th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 4.
90th Academy Awards Nominees
BEST FILM
Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread
The Post
The Shape Of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
BEST DIRECTOR
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape Of Water
BEST ACTRESS
Sally Hawkins
Frances McDormand
Margot Robbie
Saoirse Ronan
Meryl Streep
BEST ACTOR
Timothy Chalamet
Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Kaluuya
Gary Oldman
Denzel Washington
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Big Sick
Get Out
Ladybird
The Shape Of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Call Me By Your Name
The Disaster Artist
Logan
Molly's Game
Mudbound
ANIMATED FEATURE
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Coco
Ferdinand
Loving Vincent
SONG
Mudbound
Call Me By Your Name
Coco
Marshall
The Greatest Showman
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Abacus
Faces Places
Icarus
Last Men In Aleppo
Strong Island
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Edith & Eddie
Heavne Is A Traffic Jam
Heroin(e)
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
On Body & Soul
Loveless
The Square
A Fantastic Woman
The Insult
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe
Woody Harrelson
Richard Jenkins
Christopher Plummer
Sam Rockwell
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mary J Blige
Allison Janney
Lesley Manville
Laurie Metcalf
Octavia Spencer
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Beauty and the Beast
Blade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
The Shape Of Water
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Mudbound
The Shape Of Water
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Beauty & The Beast
Darkest Hour
Phantom Thread
The Shape Of Water
Victoria & Abdul
BEST SOUND EDITING
Baby Driver
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape Of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
BEST SOUND MIXING
Baby Driver
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape Of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
(basically, both sound categories have the same films nominated!)
ESports are a fascinating, complicated business. There are various leagues, tournaments, championships, and invitationals for an array of popular multiplayer games. Players travel the world participating in various events, while fans follow them avidly on livestreams and in crowded arenas. But despite eSports' popularity, they have remained, in the grand scheme of things, a relatively small community. Blizzard Entertainment wants to change that.
Two weeks ago, the legendary developer launched the inaugural season of Overwatch League. As opposed to the fractured structure of other eSports leagues, the OWL represents specific cities around the world: Shanghai, Seoul, New York, and London, to name a few. They each have their own rosters of Overwatch pros competing to be the first OWL champions.
Blizzard's hope is that the new league will evolve eSports and push it into mainstream appeal. It wants to let fans associate with their teams easier, whether they come from Los Angeles, Houston, or Florida. It wants to build identities around its teams that go beyond the individual players involved. Activison Blizzard also spending a lot of money to reach that goal.
In the video above, we interviewed people involved with the Overwatch League, from the players, to the owners, to the game's creators themselves. We discussed how big of a risk the whole endeavor is, and what they want to come from it, both as individuals, and as a collective group. Between the money and time involved, OWL is a massive risk. With our latest behind-the-scenes video, we dive into every aspect of Blizzard's big gamble.
Although Robocop is widely considered one of the best sci-fi movies of the 1980s, most fans would agree that the subsequent sequels and remakes have been disappointing. But it has now been reported that a new film is on the way, with original writer Ed Neumeier involved with its development.
Neumeier revealed that the plan was to make a sequel to the 1987 original, and hinted that it might ignore everything else. "We're not supposed to say too much," he told Zeitgeist. "There's been a bunch of other Robocop movies and there was recently a remake. [But] I would say this would be kind of going back to the old Robocop we all love, starting there and going forward. So it's a continuation really of the first movie in my mind. So it's a little bit more of the old-school thing."
This is the first news about a new Robocop movie since 2015. Back then it was reported that the plan was to make a sequel to the 2014 remake. However Neumeier's comments suggest that this is no longer the case.
Monster Hunter World is just days away from launching on PS4 and Xbox One, while a PC release is also coming later this year. But Capcom has so far not announced a Nintendo Switch version of the open-world game. The game's co-directors, Kaname Fujioka and Yuya Tokuda, have now stated why they haven't yet brought Monster Hunter World to Nintendo's hybrid console, and if it could happen in the future.
"We don't have any plans for the Switch at the moment," the pair told IGN. "Part of the reason is that the title has been in development for almost four years. At the time we had to commit to our hardware choices, we decided on using the most powerful current generation consoles available at the time, which was PS4 and Xbox One. So [the decision was made] before the Switch was even announced or on sale.
"It's also because for every title we decide what [hardware is the best fit] for the concept. We don't just look at everything. It's more like, 'If we want to achieve this kind of game concept, where's the best place to achieve that?' For this title, the PS4 and Xbox One were the best fit for us."
Monster Hunter World is coming to PS4 and Xbox One this Friday, January 26. Be warned: the game requires a day-one patch that's pretty important, since you won't be able to play online without it. The 1.01 update will weigh in at roughly 815 MB, though the exact file size will likely vary depending on which console you're playing on. Most importantly, the update adds online multiplayer, event quests, chat, and other online features, meaning you won't be able to play Monster Hunter World online with other players or download any additional content until you've installed the patch.
This is an especially exciting week for game releases, as two of the year's most anticipated titles, Monster Hunter World and Dragon Ball FighterZ, are both set to launch on January 26. The latter is the new 2.5D Dragon Ball fighting game from Arc System Works, the studio behind Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, and it looks to be one of the best titles based on Akira Toriyama's popular anime and manga series.
In GameSpot's Dragon Ball FighterZ review in progress, critic Peter Brown called the game "an exciting revitalization of Dragon Ball Z's glory days." He added, "Even if you think Dragon Ball is old hat, and even if you're intimidated by fighting games, there's a good chance you'll be drawn into the explosive action and personalities that expertly evoke the anime's infectious spirit."
Other reviews for Dragon Ball FighterZ have also begun appearing online ahead of the game's release this Friday, and they've been similarly positive. We've collected a sample of Dragon Ball FighterZ reviews in our roundup below, which we'll continue to update as more reviews are published closer to the game's release. In the meantime, you can take a wider look at what critics think of Dragon Ball FighterZ on GameSpot sister site Metacritic.
"FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre." -- Peter Brown [Full review in progress]
IGN -- 8.5/10
"Between the accessible auto combos, homing attacks, and simplified command inputs, Dragon Ball FighterZ is an inviting gateway into the world of fighting games for newcomers--whether you're a Dragon Ball fan or not. Those easy controls can open the door to some spammy behavior, but just as often it's satisfying in a way that does right by the Dragon Ball name. Dragon Ball FighterZ has enough depth and complexity to glow as brilliantly as a Super Saiyan." -- Mitchell Saltzman [Full review]
EGM -- 9/10
"While there have been many fighting games based on the Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball FighterZ marks a modern approach through the means of fast-paced action. From its breathtaking visuals to ease of gameplay mastery, the new fighter is a good stepping stone to expand the fan base of the genre. However, it may not satisfy players who are looking for complexity." -- Evan Slead [Full review]
Game Informer -- Review in Progress
"The more I delve into training mode, the more I learn about FighterZ, which is great; before playing the full game, I was a little afraid Arc System Works was going to go a bit too simple to appeal to casual Dragon Ball fans, and I'm happy to be proven wrong. Despite the simple control scheme, there are plenty of ways you can approach your opponent, and I never felt completely helpless, or that any one option was overwhelmingly powerful. Complete novices will still have to do some genre learning, but the fundamentals are simple enough that it won't be too much of a chore." -- Suriel Vazquez [Full review in progress]
Eurogamer -- Review in Progress
"Dragon Ball FighterZ, then, is the fighting game for everyone. Sure, it's a fast-paced game, and with three-versus-three action the screen can get pretty busy at times, but Arc System Works' effort to make the combat accessible means pretty much anyone can pick up their favourite few characters from Dragon Ball and get them to do cool and exciting stuff straight away. A few minutes spent in training mode and you'll find yourself doing combos that approach the 100-hit mark--just from a few basic input commands." -- Wesley Yin-Poole [Full review in progress]
VideoGamer -- Review in Progress
"We've still got to do some online testing when the servers are up, but the offline lobby for Dragon Ball FighterZ suggests this is going to be a good 'un. Whether or not you like fighting games or Dragon Ball, extremely dramatic villains and hench dudes with giant hair hurling fireballs at each other (all set to unceasing guitar solos) is kind of inherently enjoyable." -- Alice Bell [Full review in progress]
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon launched for 3DS back in November, marking the mainline series' swan song on Nintendo's dual-screen handheld. As it did for the original Sun and Moon versions, The Pokemon Company is continuing to support the pair in the months following their release with free items and Pokemon. The company has a lot of giveaways lined up for 2018, which it has dubbed the Year of Legendary Pokemon, though those certainly won't be the only freebies players can expect to find this year.
We've rounded up all of the free distributions currently running for Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon below, many of which are also open to Sun and Moon players. We'll be updating this list as more giveaways are announced, so check back often to see what free items and Pokemon you can get. In the meantime, you can learn more about the latest Pokemon games in our rundown of everything new in Pokemon Ultra Sun And Ultra Moon. We also break down the differences between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, if you're still unsure of which version to pick up.
Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon Free Gifts
Dialga/Palkia -- Feb. 2-28
Kicking off the Year of Legendary Pokemon are the Space and Time Pokemon, Palkia and Dialga. The two are being distributed in the US at GameStop from February 2-28, while UK residents can pick them up from participating Game stores. The Legendary you receive will depend on which version you have: players with either Sun or Ultra Sun receive Palkia, while those playing either Moon or Ultra Moon get Dialga. You'll need to redeem your download code by May 23 to claim the Legendaries.
Magearna
Unlike most other gift Pokemon, the Mythical Steel/Fairy-type, Magearna, is not available through the Mystery Gift feature, but via a QR code, which is compatible with Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. After defeating the Elite Four and completing the main story, you can use the QR Scanner to scan the code below. Once you've done that, visit the Antiques shop in Hau'oli City and pick your Magearna up from the deliveryman waiting there.
Celebi -- Ends Sep. 21
Players who purchase either Pokemon Gold or Silver from the 3DS Eshop by September 21, 2018 will receive a bonus download code for the Mythical Pokemon Celebi. The code can be redeemed in Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon. We've outlined the steps you need to take to find and redeem the code here.
Arc System Works' Dragon Ball FighterZ is almost here. The game recently had an open beta that will be available again before launch, and we recently showed off every super move. In the video above, you can see Easter eggs and every Dragon Ball Z-inspired finishing scene we've found so far.
These "Dramatic Scenes" recreate iconic moments from the series when certain stage, team, and fighting conditions are met. For example, landing the KO as Goku in a match against Frieza can trigger the famous Mighty Blast of Rage (or Angry Kamehameha) from the series.
Dragon Ball FighterZ follows a 3v3 format similar to more recent Marvel vs. Capcom games. It has a new story mode that seems to take place sometime after the Universe 6 Saga, and it introduces a brand-new character, Android 21. You can find out more about what to expect in our Dragon Ball FighterZ review in progress.
PS4 had tons of triumphs in 2017, with platform exclusives like Persona 5 and Horizon Zero Dawn gaining critical acclaim and legions of fans. It looks like it's full steam ahead for Sony in 2018, with many more PlayStation 4 exclusives on the books. To get a look at some of the gameplay that's in store for the coming year, check out the video above.
As far as blockbuster releases, Spider-Man is set to be one of the biggest for the console in 2018. The game will be packed with lots of physics-defying action that promises to be a delight for fans of the series. God of War will be back, with this entry into the series taking Kratos to a land dominated by Nordic gods and monsters. Another epic title, PS2's Shadow of the Colossus, will get a remake on PlayStation 4.
Detroit: Become Human is coming this year, too. The new project from Heavy Rain developer Quantic Dream and director David Cage allows you to shape the outcome of the story based on your choices during calm and intense scenes. The game will explore the relationships between people and artificial intelligence in a world where robots look and sound exactly like humans. If you're in the mood for something straight up scary, instead, survival horror game Days Gone, about a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic world, is coming this year.
The holidays may be over, but you can still find plenty of deals on games if you're looking for something new to play. Many digital storefronts are holding New Year sales to usher in 2018, and that includes the Humble Store, which has now kicked off its annual winter sale.
You'll have until 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET on January 25 to take advantage of the above discounts. Many publishers such as Ubisoft and Bethesda are also holding separate sales in the digital store, giving you a ton of options to choose from. You can find the full list of discounted games on Humble's website.
It's just past the middle of the month, meaning two more free Xbox games for January 2018 have gone live on the Microsoft Store. Xbox One owners with an active Xbox Live Gold subscription can pick up both titles, while one of them is also playable on Xbox 360.
On Xbox One, it's the zombie-slaying action game Zombi that's free, which is the updated version of Wii U launch game ZombiU. Those on Xbox 360 can pick up co-op action game Army of Two, which is also playable on Xbox One through backwards compatibility.
You can see the full January 2018 Games With Gold lineup below. February's games have not been announced as of yet, but we'll report back as soon as they are.
January 2018 Games With Gold
Xbox One
Back to the Future: The Game - 30th Anniversary Edition (December 16 - January 15)
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III (January 1-31)
Likewise, 2018 is shaping up to be a great year for the hybrid console, too. In the video feature above, we run through the year's most anticipated games. There are those that we already know well, like Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2; sequels to beloved niche games, such as No More Heroes follow-up Travis Strikes Again; and those that we know virtually nothing about, like Fire Emblem, which is an exciting question mark given the franchise's pedigree. We also have a gallery looking at these games, as well as dives into the most anticipated PS4 games, Xbox One games, and PC games of the year.
Xbox One may have had a slimmer lineup of exclusive games than either PS4 or Nintendo Switch in 2017, but the new year is certainly shaping up to be a busier one for Microsoft's console. Following the launch of its powerful Xbox One X last November, Microsoft is turning its attention to expanding its roster of first-party titles, with a solid selection of games that can only be found on Xbox One (and PC, thanks to the company's Play Anywhere program) lined up throughout the year.
In the video above, we take a look at the most anticipated games coming exclusively to Xbox One in 2018. On top of some titles that we've already known about for quite some time, such as Sea of Thieves, the anticipated pirate game from storied developer Rare, Xbox One owners have a slate of exciting games to look forward in the coming months, from high-profile releases like State of Decay 2 and Crackdown 3 to some intriguing indie titles like Ashen and The Last Night. You can also see all of the year's big Xbox One exclusives in our gallery.
Those certainly aren't the only big games coming to Xbox One this year, as a number of major multiplatform releases like Red Dead Redemption 2 are slated to arrive in the next few months. Microsoft will also continue to bolster the Xbox One's library by making even more original Xbox games backwards compatible. The first batch of original Xbox games arrived back in October and added classics like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Ninja Gaiden Black, and Microsoft has said that another selection will be available sometime this spring.
2018 is here, and January is bringing with a variety of new content to streaming services. Amazon has announced all of the movies and TV shows coming to Prime Video this month--and there is some great content coming to kick off the New Year. [Update: Due to the shutdown of Anime Strike, Amazon Prime Video is also now home to some of its anime content.]
The 10th season of the BBC's sci-fi show Doctor Who arrived on January 1, along with Darren Aronofsky's chilling drama Requiem for a Dream. Also now out is Sam Mendes' Oscar-nominated (and very sad) movie Revolutionary Road and David Fincher's thriller Zodiac. Quentin Tarantino's first movie, Reservoir Dogs, also came to Amazon Prime on January 1.
Coming on January 12 is the first season of the Amazon Original show Electric Dreams, which stars Bryan Cranston, Anna Paquin, Timothy Spall, and Steve Buscemi. At the end of the month, you'll be able to see the new 2017 entry in Vin Diesel's xXx franchise, The Return of Xander Cage. You can see Amazon Prime's full lineup below, as rounded up and compiled by GameSpot sister site CNET.
New to Amazon Prime, January 2018
January 1
The 2018 Rose Parade Hosted by Cord & Tish (Amazon original)
All is Lost
American Ninja
Assassination
Avenging Force
Babel
Baby Mama's Club
Black Rain
Brothers
Burning Blue
But I'm a Cheerleader
Capote
Coming Soon
Cool World
Cross Bronx
Dangerous Curves
Drop Dead Sexy
Doctor Who, season 10
Evolution
Flawless
Freedom Writers
Hamlet
Highway
Horsemen
Hustle & Flow
Invaders from Mars
Love and Death
Love Story
Murphy's Law
Platoon Leader
Pretty Bird
Primitive
Requiem for a Dream
Reservoir Dogs
Revenge of the Ninja
Revolutionary Road
Richard the Lionheart
Show of Force
Six Degrees of Separation
Step Into Liquid
Street Smart
The Perfect Weapon
The Presidio
The Wraith
Thelma & Louise
Uncommon Valor
Words and Pictures
Zodiac
January 5
The Devil's Double
January 6
Grimm, season 6
January 7
A Ghost Story
January 9
Prime Suspect: Tennison, season 1
January 12
Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, season 1 (Amazon original)
We're now well into January, but it's not too late to grab the free games that are now available for PlayStation Plus subscribers. January's allotment of free PS Plus games are out now on the PlayStation Store, meaning that titles like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Batman: The Telltale Series have temporarily dropped to the low, low price of free for paying subscribers.
Mankind Divided is the headlining PS4 freebie this month. The dystopian cyberpunk role-playing game casts you as Adam Jensen and tasks you with catching a terrorist group, which you can do by being a stealthy detective or a tech-enhanced killing machine, or some mixture of both.
As for Telltale's Batman game, this is the first season of the story and puts players in tricky situations as both Bruce Wayne and his crime-fighting alter-ego. The decisions you make will have some consequence on the relationships around you, and the overall story.
Other PS4 freebies in January include the wacky and fun party game That's You! (if you're outside of North America) and StarBlood Arena (which requires PlayStation VR). Additionally, PS Vita's free games, Uncanny Valley and Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness, are both free on PS4, too. You may have to "purchase" Psycho-Pass on PS4 and PS Vita separately, however, since it is not normally part of Sony's Cross-Buy scheme. Note that in Europe and Australia, Psycho-Pass is only free on PS Vita, not PS4. Finally, PS3 owners get Sacred 3 and The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 for free.
You can see January 2018's full PS Plus lineup--covering PS4, PS3, and Vita--below, or you can claim them on the PlayStation Store.
January 2018 Free PS Plus Games
PS4
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Batman: The Telltale Series
StarBlood Arena (PS VR required)
Uncanny Valley
That's You! (Europe and Australia only)
Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness (US only)
PS3
Sacred 3
Book of Unwritten Tales 2
PS Vita
Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness
Uncanny Valley
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