IGN Video Games

IGN Video Games

Marvel's Avengers Developer Clarifies XP Progression Changes, Fans Remain Unconvinced

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 09:20 AM PST

Update 03/08/2021: Crystal Dynamics has has clarified how XP progression will change in Marvel's Avengers, accepting that it had caused confusion in its first announcement of the move. On Reddit, the official developer account for the game wrote, "We did not change XP to increase grind for grind's sake. Our initial blog was not comprehensive enough to convey what we were doing and why....so we caused confusion,…we get it." In the clarification, the developer explains that the progression curve will now mean that players level up faster than before at low levels, and take longer than before at higher levels – it estimates later levels will take 2-4 missions for each level, rather than once or more per mission as can happen in the current version. More powerful enemies will also  offer additional XP, further incentivising fighting them. In all, Crystal Dynamics expects that reaching maximum level with heroes will take around 3-5 hours longer than before the changes. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-avengers-screenshots&captions=true"] While it's certainly a clearer picture of the changes, fans on Reddit broadly remain unconvinced by the changes' usefulness to the game. The top-rated reply to the post comes from antca87, who puts it simply: "This is a terrible move. Leveling up was never the issue. The lack of content was." Last week, we wrote about how the move represents Avengers fixing the wrong problems. "In a year's time," reads the piece, "I want to look back and see the success it's become. For that to happen though, there needs to be better communication with fans, and a genuine back and forth regarding the issues fans have with the game. Of all the complaints I've seen about Marvel's Avengers, none were about how surprisingly quick leveling up your heroes can be, but almost all have been about the dearth of fun to be had once you've done that." The XP changes come alongside next-gen versions of the console game, and the addition of Hawkeye content. Besides the promise of PlayStation exclusive Spider-Man content, long-delayed endgame missions, and Black Panther content, very little is known about the future of the game beyond that. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Leveling up your heroes in Marvel's Avengers will take longer after Crystal Dynamics announced it will be changing the way XP progression will work. On March 18 the newest DLC character Hawkeye is set to be released alongside the next-gen versions of Marvel's Avengers. But Crystal Dynamics is also changing up some key progression mechanics along with how random cosmetic drops will work. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/marvels-avengers-next-gen-capabilities-trailer"] In a new developer's blog, the Marvel's Avengers team shared that the current XP progression curve "isn't really a curve at all." Whereas most RPGs increase the amount of XP required to level up as players get stronger, Marvel's Avengers' XP system is linear and static. "This has led to pacing issues, such as skill points currently being rewarded too fast, which may be confusing and overwhelming to newer players," says Crystal Dynamics in the blog.

To fix this, Marvel's Avengers will begin increasing the amount of XP required to level up starting at around level 25. The required XP will increase the closer players get to level 50, which is the current max level. Crystal Dynamics says players looking to max their characters quickly can try and grind before March 18, when the update is set to go live.

As for cosmetics, Marvel's Avengers is getting rid of random cosmetics entirely. Starting today, random cosmetic item drops will be temporarily removed and they'll re-appear later in the cosmetic vendor and can be purchased through Units. On the r/PlayAvengers subreddit, players are somewhat divided on the XP rework. Some argue that characters don't even begin to feel good to play until level 50 and that adding more grind to progression isn't a solution. Others say this change will only impact new players and that easing them into characters through a longer progression will breed more familiarity with the game's systems. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-marvel-superhero-game-review&captions=true"] Crystal Dynamics has shared some of the changes coming to the native next-gen version of Marvel's Avengers on PS5, including native 4K resolution or 60FPS checkerboard 4K (in performance mode) as well as improved load times, higher-resolution textures, and more. Check out the full next-gen details here. You can also find out everything about Operation Hawkeye - Future Imperfect here, or check out IGN's Avengers review here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor.

How to Tell If Your Pokemon Cards Are Worth Money

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 09:00 AM PST

If you collected Pokemon cards in your youth, chances are you have an old shoe box storing your collection somewhere in mom's basement. Rare Pokemon cards have been known to sell for hundreds if not thousands of dollars, but how can you tell if your cards are actually worth anything? Here's how to determine if your Pokemon cards are valuable collector's items or just a pile of cardboard nostalgia. We're going to cover the two main factors that go into determining a Pokemon card's value (rarity and condition) and then explain how to learn a card's worth and where you can exchange it for money.

Pokemon Card Rarity

Anyone who has ripped open a Pokemon booster pack knows the thrill of flipping through the stack to see if a much sought-after rare card awaits them inside. Rare cards are the most valuable cards printed by Pokemon, and there have been quite a few different kinds released over the years. There are numerous factors that go into determining just how rare a card is. The black symbol in the bottom corner of a Pokemon card denotes its rarity: a circle is common, a diamond is uncommon, and a star is rare. Traditionally the star is black, but a card with a star of an alternate color such as white or gold means it's ultra rare. [caption id="attachment_248177" align="alignnone" width="720"]1 rarity Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption] A card bearing a first edition mark on the side means it's from the first print run of a card set, which gives it extra value. [caption id="attachment_248186" align="aligncenter" width="300"]2 first edition Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption] If a card is holographic, it's worth even more. [caption id="attachment_248178" align="alignnone" width="720"]3 holo vs non holo Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption] Over the years, new card types have been introduced that look quite a bit different than your standard Pokemon card. These rare cards have names like Pokemon EX, Pokemon GX and Pokemon V/MAX and are unmistakable thanks to the holographic art taking up the entire card. [caption id="attachment_2481865" align="alignnone" width="300"]Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com. Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption] There are standard versions of these cards, full arts, rainbow-colored secret rares, and shiny versions, all of which have their own set value. [caption id="attachment_248178" align="alignnone" width="720"]4 kinds of rarity Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption] All of these different card types can be a lot to process for the uninitiated, so you can easily figure out which card you have by searching for it online using the set number found in the bottom corner. [caption id="attachment_2481866" align="alignnone" width="300"]Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com. Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption] There are other factors that can make a card valuable aside from what symbol is printed on it. Cards featuring popular Pokemon are eagerly sought after by fans, creating a high demand that increases value. Some popular Pokemon include:
  • Charizard
  • Blastoise
  • Rayquaza
  • Pikachu
  • Mewtwo
  • Umbreon
  • Lugia
Cards that are especially good in the game are often worth more, as well. [caption id="attachment_2481867" align="alignnone" width="300"]Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com. Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption] Then there are limited-edition cards only obtainable by attending special events, entering contests, and competing in tournaments -- these are some of the most valuable cards a Pokemon collector can obtain. We'll cover these in more detail below. Sorting your collection by these rarity types is a good starting point to identify the cream of the crop. These cards can then be appraised further to discover their true worth. Don't worry if most of your cards aren't rares that are worth big money, that's completely normal. If you find yourself with many cards not worth selling as singles, they can still be sold in bulk. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/03/05/10-best-legendary-pokemon"]

Pokemon Card Condition

Once you've figured out which cards in your collection are rare enough to consider selling, the next step is to assess their condition. Any card you think may have value should be stored in a protective sleeve and kept out of direct sunlight to preserve its condition. A perfect mint or near-mint condition card will usually sell for full price, while any flaws will cause it to lose value. There are obvious flaws such as scratches, bends, and tears, usually caused by playing with the cards or not storing them properly. This kind of damage can severely lower the value of a card. Then there are minor imperfections, such as centering and chipping, that are a result of how well the card was printed. These flaws are less impactful on value and are usually only factored in when having the card professionally graded.

Special Cards to Keep an Eye Out For

Aside from the various rares mentioned above, there are a few unique traits worth looking out for that can mean a Pokemon card has high value. These are often printing errors or limited distribution that led to a card becoming extremely precious to collectors. Sometimes these cards look no different than others of the same kind at first glance and require special attention to identify, so look carefully!

Shadowless

You may have heard the term "Shadowless" tossed around when referring to extremely valuable Pokemon cards. For example, a Shadowless Base Set Charizard card typically sells for a few thousand dollars on eBay. But what does this term mean and how can you tell if your card is Shadowless? After the first print run of Base Set Pokemon cards, a drop shadow was added to the art box to spruce up the design a bit. Therefore, all of the cards from the original print run are referred to as Shadowless. Shadowless cards have become collector's items because only a small amount of them exist. Look closely at the border of your Base Set cards. If there's no shadow visible along the edge, then you have a Shadowless card. [caption id="attachment_248178" align="alignnone" width="241"]8 shadowless Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption]

Tournament and Promo Cards

Not all Pokemon cards come from booster packs. Some of the rarest Pokemon cards were only given out as tournament prizes or promotional giveaways. These cards usually bear a stamp on the art to identify where they came from or have a special promo star in the bottom corner, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for these sorts of markings on your cards. Some of these special cards were quite commonplace back in the day--such as the promotional Mew card given out in 1999 to those who bought tickets for Pokemon: The First Movie-- so they're not worth more than a few dollars now. [caption id="attachment_2481868" align="alignnone" width="300"]Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com. Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption] But some, like the 2011 and 2012 Tropical Beach card from the Pokemon World Championships, can easily fetch hundreds of dollars. [caption id="attachment_2481869" align="alignnone" width="300"]Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com. Card image courtesy of PKMNcards.com.[/caption]

Error Cards

Certain cards have spelling errors, formatting issues, misprints, or other mistakes that turn an otherwise unremarkable card into a rare collector's item. For example, an unlimited 1999 Pokemon Base Blastoise with "Stage" missing in the top right corner is referred to as "Stage Error Blastoise" and can go for thousands. There are dozens and dozens of various error cards that have popped up over the years, so it may take you a while to check your collection for them, but it may be worth it if you wind up finding one. While some errors are common and not worth much, certain ones are extremely valuable to collectors. Check out this list to see if you have a particularly rare error card. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/27/iconic-pokemon-recreated-in-dreams"]

How to Cash in On Your Pokemon Cards

Now that you've gone through your cards and identified which may have value, it's time to see how much they're actually worth and put them up for sale. As you might expect, one of the easiest ways to check the value of a card is to look it up on an auction site like eBay. Make sure to look at completed listings to see how much the card actually sold for. Other useful sites are ones like TCGPlayer and TrollAndToad, which act as digital storefronts for game shops and individuals selling cards. Once you look up a card, you can check the Market Price for an idea of how much it's currently worth. Like eBay, these sites allow you to sell your cards for a fee. [caption id="attachment_2481788" align="alignnone" width="720"]A snapshot of Charizard cards on TCGPlayer. A snapshot of Charizard cards on TCGPlayer.[/caption] Once you know how much your cards are worth, you can either make a listing on one of these sites to sell them, or you could visit a card shop or flea market to haggle in person, whatever it takes to get the very best price for your Pokemon cards. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joshua is a Senior Editor and Producer of Features at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Star Wars are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you'll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.

Six Days In Fallujah Publisher Seemingly U-Turns on Politics Comments

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 08:02 AM PST

Six Days In Fallujah publisher Victura has said that it understands the events of its game are "inseparable from politics", somewhat contradicting the comments of company CEO Peter Tamte last month. In February, Tamte said the game is not attempting to "make a political commentary about whether or not the war itself was a good or a bad idea," and "will not grapple with the political machinations that led to the titular conflict." The comments drew criticism for, among other things, seemingly displaying a wish to remove important context from a game about a real-life battle in which more than 100 members of the military, over 1,000 insurgents, and at least 800 civilians were killed. Victura today released a statement that seems to walk back on Tamte's remarks. It begins, "We understand the events recreated in Six Days in Fallujah are inseparable from politics." The statement continues:

"The stories in Six Days in Fallujah are told through gameplay and documentary footage featuring service members and civilians with diverse experiences and opinions about the Iraq War. So far, 26 Iraqi civilians and dozens of service members have shared the most difficult moments of their lives with us, so we can share them with you, in their words.

"The documentary segments discuss many tough topics, including the events and political decisions that led to the Fallujah battles as well as their aftermath. While we do not allow players to use white phosphorous as a weapon during gameplay, its use is described during the documentary segments.

"During gameplay players will participate in stories that are given context through the documentary segments. Each mission challenges players to solve real military and civilian scenarios from the battle interactively, offering a perspective into urban warfare not possible through any other media.

"We believe the stories of this generation's sacrifices deserve to be told by the Marines, Soldiers and civilians who were there.

"We trust you will find the game -- like the events it recreates -- to be complex."

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/articles/ex-bungie-devs-new-old-fps-is-controversial-unlocked-482"] While it seems apparent that Victura's statement has been released to counter some of the aforementioned criticism, it has provided no surrounding explanation for the timing of the post, nor includes any mention of Tamte's previous comments. Tamte himself has not yet commented, and the statement is not attributed to any member of Victura in particular. We've contacted the publisher for comment. Six Days In Fallujah was announced and cancelled in 2009 after criticism of its approach, before being revived for a 2021 release. The publisher has previously insisted that the game is not an Army recruiting tool. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Stronghold Warlords Review

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 08:00 AM PST

For 20 years now, the Stronghold series has fortified itself in an interesting place somewhere between a city builder and a more traditional real-time strategy. Stronghold Warlords continues this tradition with a new flavor as it takes us, for the first time in the series, to the battlefields of ancient and medieval East Asia. But as an RTS, it feels like it's still living in the mists of the past. And the city building, while it can be an interesting and almost zen little puzzle, often feels at odds with the goal of straightforwardly conquering your enemies.

The biggest, often refreshing difference between a Stronghold game and, say, Warcraft or StarCraft, is in how it pushes you to think about space. You're going to be turning an open plot of land into an impressive, thriving walled city... assuming no one razes it to the ground first. And it's not just the availability of natural resources you need to worry about. Decisions like placing your main stockpile close to resource collection areas can have a big effect on the efficiency of your economy, and keeping your people happy later on will partly depend on how many of your buildings are in the radius of temples. You really have to try and picture how everything is going to fit together, on top of building out your defenses to maximize your home field advantage. It does a good job of scratching that Tetris-y itch and making long-term planning pay off.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=20099252&captions=true"]

That's been true of the series as a whole, but Warlords has added a new wrinkle in that you can choose whether to keep your people in line through love or fear. One building chain will let you construct torture racks and other unsubtle symbols of oppression, which make your workers work faster but demoralize your armies and reduce your popularity. The other offers creature comforts that will inspire the troops and endear you in the hearts of the commoners, but also lowers their resource output since they're spending too much time playing lawn darts or whatever. I enjoyed the tension this created because I could see how much productivity I could squeeze out of my people and also keep each new stronghold from feeling like a repeat of the last.

[poilib element="quoteBox" parameters="excerpt=You%20can%20choose%20whether%20to%20keep%20your%20people%20in%20line%20through%20love%20or%20fear."]Keeping happiness at least somewhat positive is important because it's the only way your population will grow, and raising taxes to afford higher-tier units is only possible if you're giving something back in return, like more rice rations or fancy new silk duds. This helps your cities feel like a bit more than just a collection of peasants dumping gold in a pile to fund your armies like in a traditional RTS. But once those armies get on the move, that's sort of all it boils down to.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/stronghold-warlords-siege-weapon-reveal-trebuchets-mortars-ballista-video"]

Combat in Stronghold Warlords is at its best during sieges, whether you're on the attacking or the defending side. All the modular pieces you can construct your walls and towers from allow for some interesting and clever set-ups to maximize your advantages against a larger force, especially if you know a thing or two about how real castles were designed in these eras. And figuring out how to take on an enemy fortress, probing for weak spots and choosing your opportunities carefully, can be exciting as well. Field battles just aren't as interesting, though.

[poilib element="quoteBox" parameters="excerpt=Fights%20are%20very%20old-school%20Age%20of%20Empires%20in%20their%20pacing%20and%20scale."]There is a huge gap in movement speed between lower-tier skirmishers and the tanky imperial troops you can get later in the tech tree, which does allow a savvy commander to outmaneuver a more potent army and win the day. But overall, these fights are very old-school Age of Empires in their pacing and scale. It's not terrible, it just feels very behind the times compared to more recent RTSes like Northgard or Total War. And the art doesn't help. While the grand keeps and shining pagodas are detailed and attractive, these low polygon, flat-looking unit models could be outshone by something like the original Company of Heroes, which came out almost 15 years ago.

[poilib element="poll" parameters="id=9f995dec-ea67-42c8-afd7-220daaa5dce3"]

Each of the six single-player campaigns, which are around six to 10 hours long, take you to a different time and place in history, they only seem like distinct factions because most missions limit what you can build. In multiplayer and skirmish vs AI, on the other hand, that distinction is lost: not only are the unit rosters identical for each army, your Imperial Swordsmen will always speak Chinese even if you're playing as the Vietnamese. Genghis Khan can hire Ninja and Samurai units just as easily as his rival, the shogun, can get Mongol horse archers. There's a little bit of visual variation in architecture, but overall, it's all a weirdly homogenous abstraction of a setting that spans an entire continent and over a thousand years of history.

[poilib element="quoteBox" parameters="excerpt=Genghis%20Khan%20can%20hire%20Ninja%20and%20Samurai%20units%20just%20as%20easily%20as%20his%20rival%2C%20the%20shogun%2C%20can%20get%20Mongol%20horse%20archers."]Some of the voice acting is definitely pretty iffy, too. The main advisor character in the campaign, especially, sounds like a really cartoonish, potentially offensive stereotype of a fussy Chinese bureaucrat. It's similar in tone to the somewhat over-the-top and playful depictions of historical figures the series has dabbled with previously, but when it's applied to a non-European character, it's hard not to wince any time he opens his mouth. The leaders themselves, while exaggerated, at least don't sound like caricatures.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/stronghold-warlords-warlords-system-deep-dive-video"] At least the mission objectives have good variety and nod to some interesting historical battles. They definitely play fast and loose with history, but keep it interesting by alternating between more traditional base building, a few that have you trying to take down a castle with a fixed army and no ability to replenish troops, and some that are purely focused on building up your economy while defending a castle. Those last ones are the most fun, especially when combined with the system of militarily or diplomatically vassalizing AI warlords on each map to grant you various bonuses. It made me wish there was some kind of horde mode for skirmish or multiplayer, which could have taken the strongest part of Warlords and made it endlessly replayable.

Kelly Marie Tran and Cissy Jones in Conversation

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 08:00 AM PST

It's International Women's Day and to celebrate we decided to pair two women at the top of their field in the video game and entertainment space to have a conversation about their careers, what they're working on, advice for newcomers, and a lot more. Please enjoy actress Kelly Marie Tran, known for her roles in Star Wars The Last Jedi, Sorry For Your Loss, and most recently, Raya and the Last Dragon out now in theaters and on Disney+, in conversation with BAFTA award-winning voice actress Cissy Jones, known for her roles in Firewatch, The Owl House, and Call of the Sea. [ignvideo url=" https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/08/kelly-marie-tran-in-conversation-with-cissy-jones"] [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Xbox Still Has Unannounced Games Coming in 2021

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 07:12 AM PST

Xbox Director of Program Management Jason Ronald has made clear that there are unannounced Xbox games scheduled for release in 2021. Speaking on an Iron Lords Podcast episode about the Xbox Series X and S, Ronald was asked what game he was most looking forward to in the year ahead, to which he replied, "Not all games that are releasing this year have been announced." While not specifically referencing Xbox Games Studios games, the remark has sparked speculation about whether Ronald is referring to games coming from Microsoft's owned studios – or even its soon-to-be owned studios, given its acquisition of Bethesda has taken major steps forward over the weekend. Ronald didn't elaborate on the point. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=all-2021-games-with-confirmed-release-dates&captions=true"] The 2021 Xbox lineup already has heavy hitters like Halo Infinite and Psychonauts 2 on the way but, clearly, Microsoft is planning to add more to the roster. Interestingly enough, Xbox Marketing boss Aaron Greenberg recently said at the start of the month that there was "nothing coming soon" with regards to major game announcement events, so perhaps don't expect these mystery games to be revealed in the extremely near future. In other Xbox news, Series X, S and Xbox One are getting an upgraded browser that can seemingly play Google Stadia games. The Biden administration is currently reviewing the supply chains that are causing shortages in supply for the Xbox Series X and S, as well as the PS5. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/05/xbox-series-x-review"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Rust Finally Gets its Console Launch This Spring

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 07:00 AM PST

Several years after it was initially announced to be coming to consoles, competitive survival title Rust at last has a clear release window on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One -- it's coming this spring. Though no specific date has been given, Double Eleven announced today that Rust's console debut would take place this spring following an ongoing closed beta. It also showed off a new trailer illustrating the experience on console. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/08/rust-console-launch-reveal-trailer"] Rust first launched on Steam back in 2013 but has recently seen a new surge in popularity due to numerous content creators picking the game up. It was first announced for consoles at the end of 2019 with a 2020 release window, but was delayed in 2021 due to challenges with remote working last year. It was rated by the ESRB on consoles in January, leading many to rightfully speculate that the console launch was imminent. Just last month, Rust saw the addition of a new softcore mode to the game to help it appeal to more casual players -- possibly a response to Rust's increased popularity -- while the game's regular survival mode remains ruthless as ever. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine. Correction: A previous version of this article cited the announcement as coming from original PC developer Facepunch, but the console version is being developed and published by Double Elven.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Gets July Release Date

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 06:53 AM PST

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin will launch on July 9, 2021 for Nintendo Switch and PC. The news was revealed during the Monster Hunter Digital Event, where we also learned that the game will launch simultaneously worldwide. The RPG spin-off will receive a deluxe edition, which contains special armour and hairstyles for the player character and a set of cute Nergigante and Pukei-Pukei outfits for Navirou, your Felyne companion. Players who pre-order the game will also receive a special Kamura Maiden outfit for Ena, another ally to the player in Wings of Ruin. A trio of Monster Hunter Stories 2 amiibo is also on the way based on Ena, Razewing Ratha and Tsukino. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a story-led RPG within the Monster Hunter universe, revealed by Capcom during a Nintendo Direct back in September 2020. We scored the first Monster hunter Stories an 8.9 upon its release in 2017, calling it "so much more than just a spin-off." The other focus of today's Monster Hunter Digital Event is Monster Hunter Rise,  which is set to launch on March 26, 2021. Here are 24 things you should know about the game ahead of its launch, and our final preview of the game, calling it "a game that prioritizes enjoyable action above all else." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/23/monster-hunter-rise-the-final-preview-ign-first"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

God of War: Fallen God #1 Exclusive Preview

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 06:00 AM PST

While it remains to be seen if God of War: Ragnarok is still releasing in 2021 as promised, fans can look forward to at least one new God of War project this year. Dark Horse is about to launch its next God of War tie-in comic, Fall God, and IGN has an exclusive preview of the opening chapter. God of War: Fallen God aims to fill in a major missing period in the bloody career of Kratos. This four-issue series is set in between the events of God of War III and 2018's God of War, promising to shed light on what happened to Kratos after slaughtering Zeus and Athena and what led him to try his hand at being a husband and father again. Check out the slideshow gallery below for a closer look inside Fallen God #1: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=god-of-war-fallen-god-1-exclusive-preview&captions=true"] Here's Dark Horse's official description for the series:
God of War: Fallen God follows Kratos after conquering Zeus and thwarting Athena. Believing himself to be finally free of his bondage, he sets sail for the desert in an attempt to distance himself from his home and his shame only to find his rage and guilt follow close behind. Kratos rages against the one foe that has proven to be unconquerable—himself. But a war against oneself is unwinnable, and only invites madness.

Fallen God reunites the creative team behind the previous God of War comic, writer Chris Roberson and artist Tony Parker. They'll also be joined by colorist Dan Jackson, letterer John Roshell and cover artist Dave Rapoza. Look for the first issue to release on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

God of War: Ragnarok was first announced in September 2020 as part of Sony's Playstation 5 event. The game's first teaser trailer promised a 2021 release date, though there's been little update in the months since. For now, learn more about the state of Playstation Studios in 2021 and see all the big games slated for release in 2021.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/god-of-war-ragnarok-teaser-trailer"]

[poilib element="accentDivider"]

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Super Nintendo World Osaka Will Open On March 18

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 04:00 AM PST

Super Nintendo World in Osaka will open on March 18, Nintendo has revealed. The opening of the park was delayed on numerous occasions due to the impact of COVID-19, but a tweet from the official Japanese Nintendo account broke the revised launch date, which is later this month. The park was originally revealed in 2015, and its grand opening was initially planned for the Summer of 2020, as revealed alongside a music video featuring a new song from Charli XCX and Galantis. Shigeru Miyamoto hosted a special Nintendo Direct in December of 2020 taking a tour of the fully-constructed park, highlighting attractions such as the Mario Kart ride. For more details, check out our article covering 8 ways in which your visit to Super Nintendo World will be gamified. Here's a better look at the area map of the park, as well as merchandise and cafe items. Just last week, the opening of the Orlando variant of the Super Nintendo World park was delayed to 2025 after economic uncertainty caused delays in the park's construction – Hollywood and Signapore versions of the park are also on the way. Elsewhere, Nintendo is collaborating with Illumination on a Super Mario Bros. animated movie, which is pegged to launch in 2022. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/super-nintendo-world-direct-presentation"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Microsoft-Bethesda Acquisition Takes Two Major Steps Towards Completion

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 03:59 AM PST

Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax (which includes Bethesda) has taken two major steps towards completion, after being approved by both the European Commission and the SEC. In the US, the SEC – the country's agency in charge of preventing market manipulation – published a notice of effectiveness, which acts as a declaration that a company registration has been accepted. In this case, it was accepting an S-4 registration, which marks a merger or acquisition. The European Commission, meanwhile, has provided an Article 6(1)(b) decision, which approves the merger without changes or opposition, and says it "does not raise serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common market." A statement from the EC reads: "The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the combined entity's limited market position upstream and the presence of strong downstream competitors in the distribution of video games. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/29/bethesdas-todd-howard-hard-to-imagine-elder-scrolls-6-as-an-xbox-exclusive"] While neither approval makes the merger official, and Microsoft and ZeniMax have not yet made statements, these represent major steps forwards for the $7.5 billion USD deal, which brings Bethesda Game Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango GameWorks and more into the Microsoft fold. EU documents previously suggested that Microsoft was setting up a new subsidiary, Vault to complete the deal, although it's still unclear if this is simply a holding business, or a more formal studios brand (in the same vein as the existing Xbox Game Studios). Microsoft isn't actively planning Bethesda's future until the acquisition is complete, but we're heard a lot about its intentions. While Bethesda and its studios will continue to run semi-independently, Microsoft wants Bethesda games to be "first, better, or best" on Xbox. "[I]f you think about something like Game Pass," said Xbox CFO Tim Stuart last year, "if it shows up best in Game Pass, that's what we want to see, and we want to drive our Game Pass subscriber base through that Bethesda pipeline." Much of the interest around the deal lies around whether Bethesda games will become Xbox exlusives. Both sides have said this will likely be a case-by-case decision, but Bethesda boss Todd Howard previously explained that it's "hard to imagine" The Elder Scrolls 6 being a full exclusive. We've contacted Microsoft for comment on the approvals. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Prison Escapee Recaptured After He Tried to Buy Call of Duty

Posted: 08 Mar 2021 03:08 AM PST

A prison escapee has been recaptured after coming out of hiding to buy Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War. As reported by Kotaku, Clint Butler had been hiding from UK police since November, having fled from Spring Hill prison in Buckinghamshire, where he was serving a 17-year sentence for robbery and firearms offences. West Midlands Police spotted Butler and a friend out in Birmingham city centre in January and, after a scuffle, cuffed the former prisoner. When asked why Butler was in the city centre during the UK's current lockdown measures, Butler's friend told the police "I've come to get the new Call of Duty because I can't sit around in lockdown." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/12/black-ops-cold-war-multiplayer-gameplay-pc"] Butler has had his sentence extended by 19 months following the act. "Quite why he decided to risk being returned to prison by making the idiotic decision to come into town during lockdown with a friend to buy a video game will remain a bit of a mystery," West Midlands Police Superintendent Nick Rowe said. Butler escaped from Spring Hill open prison on November 28, and the public had been warned not to approach him. Officers were alerted to Butler and his friend when they suddenly changed direction having seen them and, when challenged, Butler gave a fake name before attacking the officers. He was subdued with help from local security guards, and was sent back to prison. Activision recently revealed that owners of a 500 GB PlayStation 4 may "need to make room" to fit both Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War and Modern Warfare/Warzone on one system. For more information on the topic, check out our article covering growing video game install sizes. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Valheim: How to Locate, Summon, and Defeat Eikthyr

Posted: 07 Mar 2021 10:02 PM PST

Super Mario 3D World: How to Unlock Rosalina

Posted: 07 Mar 2021 04:47 PM PST

Xbox Series X/S Is Getting an Upgraded Browser That Can Play Google Stadia

Posted: 07 Mar 2021 11:09 AM PST

Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One consoles will soon be getting a new upgraded Microsoft Edge Chromium-powered browser that is capable of playing Google Stadia. As reported The Verge, testers in Xbox's Alpha Skip-Ahead group can now access this new version of Edge, and while it still doesn't have full mouse and keyboard support and is a bit buggy, it appears much better than the current solution. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/17/the-biggest-games-coming-in-2021"] One benefit of a Chromium browser on Xbox is allowing it to work with browser-based streaming services like Google Stadia and Amazon Luna. Additionally, even though Xbox consoles have native access to Xbox Game Pass, this could theoretically also allow for Xbox's Cloud Gaming through a browser once Microsoft adds support for it in Spring 2021. Furthermore, this should allow for improved compatibility with browser-based games and services like Skype and Discord through the web. This early version also includes the same or a similar sync engine used on Edge, which allows for extensions, vertical tabs, Collections, and most other featured found on Edge's desktop version. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-games-to-play-on-xbox-series-xs&captions=true"] While Google may have shut down Stadia's internal studios, the streaming service is still running and is set to get "more than 100 games" in 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Valheim: How to Find, Mine, and Smelt Every Metal

Posted: 07 Mar 2021 10:00 AM PST
Posted by: at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)