PlayStation’s Lineup Adds Another Exciting Exclusive

BEYOND! On this week's episode of IGN's PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano to dive into some recent PlayStation news and answer your questions. The duo jumps into the recent news that Jade Raymond is starting her own studio that is working in partnership with PlayStation, and how that approach mirrors recent PlayStation third-party exclusive plans. Especially in light of the Bethesda acquisition with Xbox, the show breaks down what we think of Sony's recent strategies on PlayStation exclusives, and where we expect the company to go. Additionally, we answer some viewer and listener questions, including plenty of discussion about whether Sony needs to create a Game Pass competitor, whether PlayStation Now could be that competitive service, and how Sony could be leveraging its games streaming service in a better way. Additionally, we talk about PlayStation exclusives you might have overlooked, Brian's continued experience with Yakuza and Jonathon's journey with Sekiro, plus much more. Watch the new episode above! [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-ps5-games&captions=true"] Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday. For more on PS5, check out our PS5 console review and our PS5 wiki guide for tips on how to best use your system. And for more Beyond, be sure to watch the first episode of our Bloodborne let's play! [poilib element="poll" parameters="id=6dd2b926-8863-4080-99b2-d08eb61f67f6"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Super Nintendo World’s Mario Kart Ride Was First Built as an Actual Video Game

Super Nintendo World is a theme park land celebrating video games, so it's probably not too much of a surprise that its designers recreated the entire park in VR, and created its centrepiece Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge ride as a playable, virtual attaction inside a game engine. But it is still very cool. Speaking during a press conference about the opening of Super Nintendo World Osaka today, Universal Creative executives were asked how the new park uses technology to take theme park design into a new age. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=60-photos-from-our-super-nintendo-world-visit&captions=true"] After they discussed more generally how technology could let the park evolve, global executive producer Tom Geraghty added a juicy detail: "We used the technology, also, in the design process. We built the entire land in VR and the design team could look around at a place and get sightlines and figure out where to move elements. "Mario Kart was built in a game engine, so while [senior vice president Thierry Coup] was back in the States he could actually drive Mario Kart in a game engine, and give us notes in Japan." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/super-nintendo-world-direct-presentation"] Given Universal and Nintendo want you to visit their parks sometime, I very much doubt we'll be getting a public release of that game version anytime soon - but it turns out it has other benefits beyond just being fun for its designers. Coup added that the game engine design means the ride can evolve over time more easily: "Because it's in a game engine, we can keep updating, upgrading, putting new characters [in], changing themes, changing actions on the fly. So if there's a special event, anything we want to release can be done overnight if we really wanted to. That makes it so much more flexible – it freshens up the experience. Every time you come back you could experience something new and exciting." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=super-nintendo-world-merch&captions=true"] That's primarily possible because, while Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge is a traditional track-based ride, it uses augmented reality along the way to conjure up enemies and scenery. These are presumably what could be upgraded or remixed on separate days. Super Nintendo World opens today in Osaka, Japan, with versions of the same park coming to Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore and Epic Universe in Orlando (but that last one might not open until 2025). [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.

Justified Team to Develop Elmore Leonard Novel for FX, Timothy Olyphant Rumored to Return

The team behind Justified is reportedly developing a new TV series that could bring back actor Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens. Variety reports that the series would be based on the book City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit. The show is reportedly in early development, and no deal has been reached with Olyphant. The character Raylan Givens is not the main star of the book City Primeval and doesn't appear to be in the book at all. However, City Primeval's author, Elmore Leonard, created the Raylan Givens character for other stories before the character appeared on Justified. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/20/why-timothy-olyphant-is-wearing-boba-fetts-armor-in-the-mandalorian-season-2-ign-now"] Justified featured U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who is assigned to his hometown in Kentucky after a controversy cost Givens his last station in Florida. The City Primeval novel is about a different detective in Detroit, Michigan trying to take down a serial killer who keeps getting away with his crimes. Justified ran from 2010 to 2015 and featured Olyphant in every episode. The creator of Justified, Graham Yost, will executive produce City Primeval. The showrunners for City Primeval will be Michael Dinner and Dave Andron, who were executive producers and writers on Justified. Dinner will direct for the series as well. City Primeval is in development at FX, which is the same network that broadcast Justified. All episodes of Justified are currently available to stream on Hulu in the USA. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-tv-shows-of-the-decade-2010-2019&captions=true"] Olyphant recently showed up in the first episode of season 2 of The Mandalorian and acted alongside Chris Rock in Fargo season 4. Olyphant and Rock will next appear in David O. Russell's upcoming movie with Anya Taylor-Joy, Christian Bale, Mike Myers, and Margot Robbie. IGN revisited Justified as part of our Binge It! series. We said, "Justified boasts a spectacular roster of character actors as both allies and antagonists, and every season is buoyed by the strength of its villains." Justified also made our list of the best TV shows of the decade. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN.

Everything Coming to Disney+ in April 2021

To kick things off this month, Disney+ is releasing four more episodes of Marvel's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, including the Season 1 finale, which is set to debut on April 23. Be sure to check out our full Falcon and the Winter Soldier Season 1 release schedule so you don't miss a single episode. The streamer is also dropping plenty of Star Wars content this month, such as the entire run of Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars series, and Star Wars: Ewoks. Both animated series will be available to binge on Disney+ on April 2. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/16/marvels-the-falcon-and-the-winter-soldier-the-mantle-of-captain-america"] And just in time for Earth Day 2021, Disney+ will debut its Secrets of Whales documentary on April 22, which "plunges viewers deep within the epicenter of whale culture to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of five different whale species: orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals, and sperm whales. Filmed over three years in 24 locations, throughout this epic journey, we learn that whales are far more complex and more like us than ever imagined," according to a synopsis from Disney. Check out the slideshow gallery below for a spotlight of some of the most notable April Disney+ releases, followed by the full list: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=disney-spotlight-april-2021&captions=true"]

Friday, April 2

  • Disney Secrets of Sulphur Springs: No Time Like the Present (S1)
  • Disney Walk the Prank (S1)
  • Disney Walk the Prank (S2)
  • Disney Walk the Prank (S3)
  • Higglytown Heroes (S1)
  • Higglytown Heroes (S2)
  • The Island at the Top of the World
  • Third Man on the Mountain
  • The Last Ice
  • Made in a Day (S1)
  • Secrets of the Zoo (S4)
  • Sharks of the Bermuda Triangle
  • The Big Year
  • Night at the Museum
  • Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
  • Caravan of Courage
  • Ewoks: The Battle for Endor
  • Star Wars: Clone Wars - Volume I
  • Star Wars: Clone Wars - Volume II
  • Star Wars: Ewoks (S1)
  • Star Wars: Ewoks (S2)
  • The Story of the Faithful Wookiee
  • The Falcon and The Winter Soldier - Episode 103
  • The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Episode 102 "Dusters"

Friday, April 9

  • Disney Future-Worm!
  • Disney Kick Buttowki: Suburban Daredevil (S1)
  • Disney Kick Buttowki: Suburban Daredevil (S2)
  • Disney Secrets of Sulphur Springs: Time After Time (S1 Finale)
  • Man of the House
  • Mark Twain and Me
  • Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale
  • Cesar Millan: The Real Story
  • The Falcon and The Winter Soldier - Episode 104
  • The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers - Episode 103 “Breakaway”

Friday, April 16

  • Treasure Buddies
  • White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf
  • National Geographic: Earth Moods Volume I
  • Primal Survivor (S5)
  • The Kid Who Would Be King
  • RIO
  • Big Shot - Premiere Episode 101 "Pilot"
  • Earth Moods - Premiere
  • The Falcon and The Winter Soldier - Episode 105
  • The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers - Episode 104 “Hockey Moms”

Thursday, April 22 - Earth Day

  • Secrets of the Whales - Premiere

Friday, April 23

  • Disney Junior Puppy Dog Pals (S3)
  • Disney Liv and Maddie (S1)
  • Disney Liv and Maddie (S2)
  • Disney Liv and Maddie (S3)
  • Disney Liv and Maddie: Cali Style (S4)
  • Disney My Music Story: Sukimaswitch
  • Being the Queen
  • Baby’s Day Out
  • The Falcon and The Winter Solider - Finale
  • The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers - Episode 105 “Cherry Picker”
  • Big Shot - Episode 102 "The Marvyn Korn Effect"

Friday, April 30

  • Adventures in Wonderland
  • Disney Ducktales (S3)
  • Disney Junior Mira
  • Oklahoma!
  • Marvel Studios: Assembled - The Making of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
  • The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers - Episode 106 “Spirit of the Ducks”
  • Big Shot - Episode 103 “TCKS”
[poilib element="accentDivider"] David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He's also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

Hourman: Warner Bros. Reportedly Developing Movie Based on DC Comics Superhero

An Hourman movie is reportedly in development with a writing team already at work on the script. Deadline reports that Gavin James and Neil Widener are writing the Hourman movie. The two are also reportedly writing a sequel to San Andreas starring Dwayne Johnson under the production company Chernin Entertainment. Chernin is also reportedly developing the Hourman movie, which Deadline says is their first DC Comics project. An Hourman TV series was in development at The CW in 2013. CW President Mark Pedowitz told IGN in 2014 that scripts for an Hourman show were being written, but the show never materialized. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=who-are-the-justice-society-of-america&captions=true"] Hourman would eventually appear as part of the Justice Society of America in the CW series, Legends of Tomorrow played by Patrick J. Adams and in the Stargirl series played by Lou Ferrigno, Jr. and Cameron Gellman. Hourman first appeared in 1940 in Adventure Comics #48 by writer Ken Fitch and artist Bernard Baily. The original comic featured a scientist named Rex Tyler who develops a vitamin that provides superhuman strength for one hour. The scientist decides to use the vitamin to fight crime as the superhero Hourman. The Superhero will appear in the upcoming animated movie, Justice Society: World War II voiced by Matthew Mercer. The movie will be released digitally on April 27 followed by a 4K Blu-ray release on May 11. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/justice-society-world-war-ii-exclusive-clip-wonder-woman-vs-the-nazis-ign-fan-fest-2021"] DC Films is planning on releasing up to four big movies a year in theaters starting in 2022 and two smaller movies a year for streaming on HBO Max. We know a Blue Beetle movie directed by Angel Manuel Soto is officially on the way, and a Superman movie will be written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and produced by J.J. Abrams. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN who is preparing for a four-hour binge at 3 AM when Justice League drops tonight.

Dying Light 2 Update: Aiming for 2021 Launch, Devs Promise More Updates Soon

Techland has released a new video with updates about Dying Light 2's development, and it includes a new snippet of gameplay and the reveal that the studio is aiming to release the game this year. Word on Dying Light 2's release has been quiet since the game was indefinitely delayed back in 2020, but the video published today by Techland ends with a 2021 splash card. As for when the game might release this year, there's no other, specific info at this time. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/17/dying-light-2-2021-development-update"] "This is a huge and complex project and we needed time to make sure it will live up to our vision," a developer in the video says. "All of us here are putting our hearts into delivering a game that you will keep playing for months. We will be ready to start talking about Dying Light 2 very, very soon." Dying Light 2 lead designer, Tymon Smektala, said in the video that the team at Techland "needs your trust and support as this is what motivates us, especially now when the circumstances are hard for everyone." He said the team is proud to have such a devoted fan base, no matter how they express their feelings — this is an allusion to the beginning of the video where the team reads some angry-sounding tweets from fans directed at them — and he asks for fans to be patient for "just a bit longer." The video then cuts to about 30 seconds of gameplay, as seen above, before it fades to a 2021 splash screen, which seems to suggest Techland is aiming to release Dying Light 2 this year. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/09/dying-light-2-gameplay-trailer-e3-2019"] This video comes just weeks after reports came out that the development of Dying Light 2 was hindered by alleged studio turbulence, including a reported bullish, autocratic tier of upper management that has led to numerous staff members walking away from the project and the studio. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes

Marvel Boss Kevin Feige Denies Chris Evans Will Return as Captain America

Marvel Studios head, Kevin Feige, has now publicly denied that Chris Evans will return as Captain America. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Feige told the publication he thinks that rumor was already dispelled by Evans himself. Evans cheekily denied the rumor he'd be returning to the MCU as Captain America back in January with a tweet that read "News to me" about the rumor. If that wasn't enough, Feige has now denied the rumor as well. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/25/falcon-isnt-captain-america-in-falcon-and-the-winter-soldier"] "I rarely answer no to anything anymore because things are always surprising me with what happens, but that rumor, I think, was dispelled rather quickly by the man himself," Feige told Entertainment Weekly. Sorry Cap fans — it seems Evans is done with the role. There's always the possibility, though, that both Evans and Feige are playing coy about this, but as the Marvel boss said, he doesn't usually answer "no" to anything, and considering he did to this rumor, it doesn't seem a reprisal like that from Evans is in the cards. Just because Evans isn't returning as Captain America, though, doesn't mean the legacy of the character won't be felt in the future of the MCU. In fact, Disney Plus' upcoming series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will explore what it means to take over from Captain America. Watch the series' head writer, Malcolm Spellman, talk to IGN about how the legacy of Captain America looms large over The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and then read our thoughts on the characters' last hoorah in the MCU in IGN's Avengers: Endgame review. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/14/the-falcon-and-the-winter-soldier-timeline-so-far"] For more about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, check out this story about how Spellman thinks the series will spark fewer fan theories than WandaVision. Watch the final trailer for the series ahead of its March 19 debut after that. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes

The Russo Brothers Directed the Newest Fortnite Trailer

It turns out the start of Fortnite's latest season brought in some familiar directors to helm the explosive Season 6 cinematic reveal trailer. As revealed by Variety, the Russo Brothers directed the Zero Crisis trailer, which launched the start of Fortnite Chapter 2: Season 6 yesterday after the single-player Zero Crisis finale mission. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/09/from-spider-man-to-cherry-tom-holland-on-challenging-himself-in-the-russos-drama"] "It's been fantastic working with the team at Epic," the duo said in a statement to Variety. "Fortnite holds a unique place in pop culture, and we think Donald Mustard (Epic Games' chief creative officer) is a visionary storyteller who continues to take us all into unexplored territory." Mustard said his team and the Russo Brothers, whose latest film is the Tom Holland-starring Cherry, worked together to "write, storyboard, and direct not only the opening cinematic, but also much of the character setup in Chapter 2 Season 6 that has yet to be revealed," according to Variety. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/16/fortnite-chapter-2-season-6-zero-crisis-story-cinematic-trailer"] This isn't the first time the director duo has worked with Epic Games. They brought Thanos into the game as a Fortnite x Avengers: Infinity War crossover event. That crossover happened after the Russo Brothers reached out directly to Epic. "Over the past few months, while we were editing Infinity War, we'd take breaks to hop on and get in a few games," Joe Russo said. "And then we started thinking, 'How cool would it be to have some kind of Avengers-Fortnite mashup? So we stalked Donald [Mustard]." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/05/07/fortnite-gets-avengers-infinity-war-crossover"] Check out the Russo Brothers-directed Zero Crisis story cinematic trailer and then check out this gameplay from the single-player Zero Crisis finale event. Be sure to watch the Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 6 battle pass trailer if you're planning to jump into the game this season and then check out IGN's Fortnite Primal crafting guide after that. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes

60 Photos From IGN’s Super Nintendo World Visit in Japan

Super Nintendo World opens today at Universal Studios Japan, and IGN Japan was on hand for a press preview the day before to check out the new Goomba-infested area. Check out this gallery to see how USJ has brought the colorful world of Mario and friends to life! [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=60-photos-from-our-super-nintendo-world-visit&captions=true"] Attractions at the park area include the Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure rides, and iconic locations such as Bowser’s Castle and Peach’s Castle have been reproduced in vibrant colors. There are also a ton of interactive spots around the new zone where guests can collect coins, stamps and keys that are stored in a Power-Up Band on your wrist and collected in the official USJ smartphone app. As you can see in our photos, our team had fun collecting these achievements, meeting Mario and Luigi and disappearing down a few Warp Pipes! Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Studio Japan in Osaka on March 18. Japan is currently restricting entry for foreign passport holders until further notice as a COVID-19 countermeasure. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/super-nintendo-world-direct-presentation"] For more on Nintendo's global theme park plans, be sure to read up on the Orlando Super Nintendo World's new launch year. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Sony Offering 10 PS4 Games, Including Horizon Zero Dawn, for Free

Sony will add 10 additional games to its Play at Home program, including Horizon: Zero Dawn, in the coming weeks. The first nine games will be available for free to own and download starting next week on March 25. Those games are: Abzu, The Witness, Enter the Gungeon, Subnautica, Rez Infinite, Moss, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Paper Beast, and Thumper. Then, starting April 19, Horizon: Zero Dawn Complete Edition will be available to download for free. The first nine games will be available for free to download until April 22 and Horizon: Zero Dawn will be available until May 14. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/11/horizon-forbidden-west-horizon-2-reveal-trailer-ps5-reveal-event"] Rez Infinite is PSVR compatible as is Thumper, but Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Moss, and Paper Beast require PSVR. Players will still be able to download these PSVR-exclusive games even if they don't own a PSVR headset — they just won't be able to actually play them. While Sony's Play at Home is a worldwide initiative, it's important to note that Subnautica, The Witness, Abzu, Rez Infinite, Moss, Thumper, and Paper Beast will not be available to download in China. Enter the Gungeon won't be available in China either, nor will it be available in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand. Alongside these 10 games, Sony is offering up an extended trial of Funimation. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/10/05/astro-bot-rescue-mission-review"] "Don't forget: in participating countries, we're also offering an extended trial of Funimation (or Wakanim, depending on region), a joint venture of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex of Japan," the announcement from Sony reads. "The anime-focused subscription service includes shows such as My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Attack on Titan, and Fruits Basket." The extended Funimation trial begins on March 25 and ends on April 22. Sony's announcement says it will have more Stay at Home information to share soon. Earlier this month, Sony made 2016's Ratchet & Clank available to download for free as part of Stay at Home and last year, it did the same with Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes