Square Enix’s surprising side-step into the world of battle royale with Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier is an effort to reach out to players who are not traditional fans of the JRPG series, says FF7 Remake creative director Tetsuya Nomura. Talking to Famitsu, Nomura said “the fan demographics for long running IP series do tend to become quite fixed, making it something of a challenge for us to appeal outside of that existing fan group.” “I think that many in the core audience for [the battle royale genre] will not know about FFVII or maybe even never have played a Final Fantasy game at all,” he continued. “I do want people to discover an interest in the world of FFVII from this game.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/25/final-fantasy-vii-the-first-soldier-teaser-trailer"] Nomura admits that Square Enix has no real experience in the battle royale field, but intends on ensuring that The First Soldier is done with “no half measures”. He notes that the project’s producer, Shoichi Ichikawa, is a big player of battle royale games and will provide the expertise, while Nomura himself will only provide “inexpert feedback”. “I can safely make my reckless proposals, knowing that [Ichikawa-san] is there to keep them in check,” he said. From Nomura’s perspective, the main focus of The First Soldier will be on gameplay and balance. While little is known of the details of how The First Soldier will play, Nomura reveals that it uses a Job system, influenced by classic Final Fantasy games. These job “styles” will provide unique skills and abilities, and so sound akin to the characters of Apex Legends. For more from Final Fantasy 7, check out Nomura’s latest comments on plans for FF7 Remake DLC, as well as the reveal of the PS5 version, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

This week in GTA Online, claim double rewards in Special Vehicle Work, special login bonuses, tons of Arena War discounts, and more.

Koelnmesse has announced that Gamescom 2021 will be a hybrid event, with in-person and digital sections. The team behind the huge European gaming show asked the community what they wanted from this year's event, using feedback to inform how the Cologne convention would take shape in 2021. "In addition to the digital aspects, the possibility of trying out the latest games on-site and diving into the gaming world form an integral part of Gamescom," the release reads. "This is why Gamescom 2021 is going to be staged as a hybrid event and thus unite the best of both worlds, physical and digital." Gamescom 2021 will take place from the 25th to the 29th of August 2021 and feature an entertainment area similar to previous years, albeit with "a reduced amount of on-site visitors," where attendees will be able to test new games on-site. This will be complemented by a "digital queue management system" to control crowds. There will also be an event area that offers space to host esports competitions and cosplay contests, as well as an expanded business area to provide trade visitors with "optimal networking conditions" under current conditions. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/27/gamescom-2020"] Gamescom's digital output will be "further developed" in tandem, with Koelnmesse looking to create "a central meeting point on the web for gaming fans all over the globe." Those exhibiting at the event will be able to "organize their participation flexibly," and Gamescom shows such as Opening Night Live will also return. The show is being built around a set of #B-SAFE4business construction, hygiene and social distancing measures to safeguard its attendees amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "In late summer, we are striving to make an on-site Gamescom event possible for the gaming fans again at last. We will hereby be placing a focus on the superfans and the on-site testing of the latest games this year," said Felix Falk, Co-Organizer of Gamescom. "At the same time, Gamescom 2021 will once again reach millions of people worldwide as a result of the further developed digital offers. The results of the community surveys confirm this concept, which we have developed in close cooperation with many of the most important exhibitors." Gamescom's approach is in contrast to E3 2021, which will be a digital-focused event, with a live event seemingly cancelled according to LA city documents. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake creative director, Tetsuya Nomura, has said that Square Enix has no plans for FF7 DLC, and that the studio’s focus is on completing the next game in the series. Talking to Famitsu, Nomura said “We do not have any plans for DLC at this time. Sorting out the development environment on PS5 for FFVII Remake Intergrade, meant that moving on to developing the sequel was much smoother. We are now prioritizing the roadmap for completing the next game.” "If we do need to think about more DLC then it will probably come after [the sequel] is finished," he added. Furthermore, Nomura clarifies that the upcoming additional content for the PS5 version of FF7 Remake, which features returning original character Yuffie, is technically not considered DLC by the team. “Due to the nature of the upgrade system, it resulted in us having to label the new Yuffie sections as ‘DLC’,” Nomura said. “However, the original intent was to create a PS5 version of FFVII Remake and not to produce DLC.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/25/final-fantasy-7-remake-intergrade-reveal-trailer"] Those who play the Intergrade PS5 version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake when it releases on June 10 will find that the new Yuffie chapter features new materia and summons, that Nomura said are “just” for this episode. Additionally, while players will only be able to control Yuffie directly, they will be able to switch between two different modes for her companion, Sonon. By tapping L2, you will be able to make Sonon act independently with AI, or switch to a mode where he follows commands in unison with Yuffie. Together, the two characters are able to perform combination moves. For more, check out the news that Final Fantasy 7 Remake is now available with PS Plus, but that this version will not be upgradable to the PS5 Intergrade version. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Update: The Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy is officially announced at the Square Enix Presents event. Get all three Crystal Dynamics Tomb Raider games for a special sales price of $19.99 before the sale ends and the trilogy cost goes up to $49.99. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Original Story: A bundle containing all of Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal's modern Tomb Raider games appears to have been released early ahead of this evening's Square Enix Presents showcase. The Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy has appeared on both the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store, and you can purchase it right now. The package contains Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, as well as all of the "definitive edition content" from each of the games. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/08/17/shadow-of-the-tomb-raider-the-making-of-a-tomb-raider-trailer"] The store listings say that the trilogy bundle will be playable on the Xbox Series X and S and the PlayStation 5 as well as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. It's not clear just yet whether the bundle is coming to PC or other platforms too. It's currently listed at £17.99/$19.99 on the Microsoft Store for a limited time, with the RRP being £44.99/$49.99. It's thought that the bundle will be formally revealed during tonight's Square Enix Presents live stream. In the run-up to the show, Square Enix has said that there will be announcements relating to "Tomb Raider's 25th Anniversary" alongside news about Marvel's Avengers and Life is Strange. Earlier this year, a lost remake of the original Tomb Raider was discovered and made partially playable. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo have joined other stars in congratulating Zack Snyder on the long-awaited release of Justice League. The Russo brothers were amongst the first wave of comic book movie luminaries to share words of encouragement for Zack Snyder's Justice League, which is now available to stream on HBO Max. "From two superhero junkies to another, so excited that your vision has been truly realized," the MCU filmmakers wrote in a tweet. "Much respect. We'll be watching along with everyone else..." Ryan Reynolds also featured among several industry names tweeting support for the Snyder cut, together with Batman director Matt Reeves, Cyborg co-creator Marv Wolfman, Justice League actor Ray Fisher, Deadpool co-creator Rob Liefeld, The Incredible Hulk writer Zak Penn, and Darkseid actor Ray Porter who called the movie "a masterpiece" as he expressed gratitude to all those who "fought for it."

From two superhero junkies to another, so excited that your vision has been truly realized. Much respect. We’ll be watching along with everyone else... @ZackSnyder #SnyderCut https://t.co/ULICbcc4TO

— Russo Brothers (@Russo_Brothers) March 17, 2021

Happy #StPatricksDay and good luck to the #SnyderCut on @HBOMax! pic.twitter.com/ain5Y4ivPN — Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) March 17, 2021

What a long, painful, epic journey to this day, my friend. But you did it. So happy your vision is finally being shared with the world, @ZackSnyder . Can't wait to see... #ZackSnydersJusticeLeague

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) March 18, 2021

As the comic book writer/daddy of Cyborg and Deathstroke, congratulations. You definitely did them justice. @ZackSnyder — Marv Wolfman (@marvwolfman) March 17, 2021

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/15/zack-snyders-justice-league-review"]

This is for those that fought.

This is for those that believed. This belongs to each and every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now let’s break the internet.#Snydercut https://t.co/EqTLjYMnrw — Ray Fisher (@ray8fisher) March 18, 2021

Let me be clear.... I FREAKING LOVED @ZackSnyder JUSTICE LEAGUE!!! So did my wife and my son! It’s a spectacular adventure! The #ReleasetheSnyderCut movement is the biggest fan movement I’ve ever experienced! Happy to take part!

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) March 16, 2021

i had the pleasure of watching #TheSnyderCut at IMax thanks to @ZackSnyder this is an entirely different work, a new movie, an epic piece of film making. its so epic it gives you chills and leaves a lump in your throat. its eveything people wanted and more.

— Zak Penn (@zakpenn) March 11, 2021

Hours later, still buzzing. Not because I’m in it, because it is a masterpiece. Thank you to the people who believed and fought for it. Thank you @hbomax. Most of all, thank you @ZackSnyder.#ForAutumn

— Ray PΩrter (@Ray__Porter) March 16, 2021

Snyder is hosting an official watch party for his R-rated Justice League on the Scener platform at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT to celebrate the movie's highly anticipated release. Attendees of the fan-focused event must have an active HBO Max account in order to join the fan screening of the movie and catch the exclusive Q&A session with Snyder and his special guests. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=justice-league-snyder-cut-all-the-known-differences-from-the-theatrical-version&captions=true"] In our review of Snyder's Justice League, we said that it "is a surprise vindication for the director and the fans that believed in his vision. With a mature approach to its superhero drama, better-realized antagonists, and improved action, Snyder's version of Justice League saves the movie from the dustbin of history, something that likely only could've happened on a streaming platform like HBO Max." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Alienware has revealed the world's first gaming laptop with Cherry MX mechanical keyboards. The company's m15 R4 and m17 R4 laptops will be the first to feature this mechanical keyboard. Alienware says this collaboration with Cherry MX, a German keyboard switch maker, began over three years ago with a shared goal of creating a "binary mechanical switch experience" and shrinking it down into something that works with a laptop's smaller design. [caption id="attachment_2487755" align="alignnone" width="720"] Alienware m15 and m17 Laptops with Cherry MX Mechanical Keyboards, Photo Credit: Alienware[/caption] Cherry MX's standard mechanical switches were too tall at 18.55 millimeters, as were its low profile switches that come in at 11.9 millimeters, so the company worked with Alienware to design new ultra-low profile switches that are only 3.5 millimeters tall. After over 160 switch prototypes, the two companies landed on its ultra-low profile design that's inspired by the upward-opening gull-wing door of the DeLorean sports car seen in Back to the Future. "This original mechanical switch delivers a full 1.8mm of key travel in a self-cleaning mechanism tested for 15 million keystrokes per key," Alienware said in its announcement. "Along with its durability, you can count on constant and accurate performance, with its two-piece keycap structure and gold-based cross-point contact system ensuring absolute precision and wobble-free keystrokes." Alienware says all of this was accomplished without changing the dimensions of its "thinnest notebooks to date." [caption id="attachment_2487756" align="alignnone" width="720"] Cherry MX Switch Comparison, Photo Credit: Alienware[/caption] "In addition to keeping the keyboard safe from freezing up with 100% anti-ghosting and NKRO (n-key rollover), gamers can optimize their notebooks with fully programmable keys for macro key assignments and AlienFX per-key RGB backlighting with up to 16.8 million brilliant colors," the announcement reads. These new Cherry MX mechanical keyboards can be found in Alienware's m15 R4 and m17 R4 gaming laptops, which offer 10th Generation Intel Core processors and GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080. It will cost $150 extra to add the Cherry MX mechanical keyboard to these laptops. IGN reviewed the Alienware m15 back in 2019 before it had the Cherry MX switches and gave it a 9 out of 10. Read why in IGN's Alienware m15 gaming laptop review. Check out IGN's list of the best gaming keyboards in 2021 after that and then read IGN's list of the best gaming laptops in 2021, which includes the Alienware m15 R4. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

Sony has provided a first look at the new controllers for PlayStation VR 2, which will combine finger tracking with the PS5's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to provide "a much deeper sense of presence and stronger feeling of immersion in VR experiences." Revealed on the PlayStation Blog, the new controllers ditch the old-school PlayStation Move wand design for a more ergonomic set of peripherals that fit around the user's hands. The new controllers are "orb" shaped and allow for a more natural fit, without constraining the player's fingers. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=playstation-vr-2-controllers-4-images&captions=true"] As for the new features available, the peripherals will adopt a lot of the best features from the PS5 DualSense, including Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback to bolster immersion and add tension to inputs. Finger touch detection will also be implemented, in a similar manner to Valve's Knuckle controllers. Essentially, the controller will be able to detect your fingers without the need to press buttons. Sony says this will allow for "more natural gestures" during gameplay. The controllers will also feature a tracking ring at their base and will be tracked by the PlayStation VR 2 headset instead of the PlayStation Camera. Each side features an analogue stick, a grip button, a trigger button and two button inputs. The left controller also has a Create button whereas the right controller will feature the Options button. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/23/playstation-vr-2-announced-ign-now"] Sony says that prototypes of these new controllers "will be in the hands of the development community soon," adding that there's "still so much to share about the next-generation of VR on PS5." PlayStation VR 2 was confirmed back in February of this year, where we learned that the new headset will connect to the PS5 via a single wire and feature a better resolution and field of view. Sony also said that it wouldn't launch this year. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Sony has provided a first look at the new controllers for PlayStation VR 2, which will combine finger tracking with the PS5's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to provide "a much deeper sense of presence and stronger feeling of immersion in VR experiences." Revealed on the PlayStation Blog, the new controllers ditch the old-school PlayStation Move wand design for a more ergonomic set of peripherals that fit around the user's hands. The new controllers are "orb" shaped and allow for a more natural fit, without constraining the player's fingers. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=playstation-vr-2-controllers-4-images&captions=true"] As for the new features available, the peripherals will adopt a lot of the best features from the PS5 DualSense, including Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback to bolster immersion and add tension to inputs. Finger touch detection will also be implemented, in a similar manner to Valve's Knuckle controllers. Essentially, the controller will be able to detect your fingers without the need to press buttons. Sony says this will allow for "more natural gestures" during gameplay. The controllers will also feature a tracking ring at their base and will be tracked by the PlayStation VR 2 headset instead of the PlayStation Camera. Each side features an analogue stick, a grip button, a trigger button and two button inputs. The left controller also has a Create button whereas the right controller will feature the Options button. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/23/playstation-vr-2-announced-ign-now"] Sony says that prototypes of these new controllers "will be in the hands of the development community soon," adding that there's "still so much to share about the next-generation of VR on PS5." PlayStation VR 2 was confirmed back in February of this year, where we learned that the new headset will connect to the PS5 via a single wire and feature a better resolution and field of view. Sony also said that it wouldn't launch this year. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Hardcore Henry director Timur Bekmambetov is set to adapt Julian Terry's Animal Crossing horror short 'Don't Peek' into a full-length feature film. According to Deadline, Terry is returning to direct the feature film adaptation of his horror short while Bekmambetov, who helmed Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, is set to adapt the story and produce the picture with Majd Nassif under Bekmambetov's production banner Bazelevs. Creative executive Pavel Bozhkov is also onboard to oversee the project. Don't Peek made its official world premiere on March 15, the first day of SXSW Online, after a small team of people led by Terry created the film using a Blackmagic pocket camera during quarantine last year. The short film follows a young woman, played by Katie Cetta, who "discovers a frightening video game character intent on crossing into the real world." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/05/animal-crossing-new-horizons-exploring-march-trailer"] It's fair to say that after you've watched it, you may think twice about playing Animal Crossing late at night. However, if you're feeling brave enough, then you might want to turn your attention to New Horizons, a game that IGN called an "expanded, polished, next-generation reboot," where you can escape to a deserted island and explore, create, and customize your very own paradise. There's plenty to do in paradise but if you're stuck for ideas, then you may want to check whether you have collected all of K.K. Slider's songs or see how many Sanrio items you've spotted in the game. If the Sanrio collaboration isn't your thing, perhaps you'd like to take a look at the Mario-themed items that you can buy to possibly share your own Mushroom Kingdom creation with the community. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=animal-crossing-new-horizons-super-mario-items&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter. Correction: An original version of this story didn't make clear that Julian Terry is returning to direct the feature film adaptation of Don't Peek. Timur Bekmambetov is attached to the project as a producer. The story has been edited to highlight this correction.