Skyrim, 4 Other Bethesda Games Get FPS Boost on Xbox Series X and S
You may have heard that Xbox Game Pass has now added 20 of Bethesda’s most popular games, thanks to the newly minted partnership between the companies. More good news: Some of them are getting an FPS boost courtesy of the Xbox Series X and Series S.
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Special Edition, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Dishonored: Definitive Edition, and Prey are all getting the option to boost their framerate. Xbox’s Larry Hryb and Jeff Rubenstein shared the announcement and details during Friday’s recording of the official Xbox podcast.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/12/xbox-bethesda-joins-the-xbox-family-trailer"]
If for any reason you actually prefer to play the games at their original framerates, Rubenstein confirmed that players will be able to toggle the setting on their consoles. Rubenstein added that players can expect an “increase from 30 up to nearly 60 frames per second” when FPS boost is activated. The boost will require you to update your system to the latest version.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/12/xbox-game-pass-play-20-iconic-bethesda-games-trailer"]
If Xbox and Bethesda’s newly established marriage have you excited, we should be hearing more when Xbox holds an event of its own later this summer. It’s clear that Microsoft is invested in bringing Bethesda’s biggest franchises to Xbox as exclusives, with Xbox head Phil Spencer reaffirming as much this week. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN.Skyrim, 4 Other Bethesda Games Get FPS Boost on Xbox Series X and S
You may have heard that Xbox Game Pass has now added 20 of Bethesda’s most popular games, thanks to the newly minted partnership between the companies. More good news: Some of them are getting an FPS boost courtesy of the Xbox Series X and Series S.
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Special Edition, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Dishonored: Definitive Edition, and Prey are all getting the option to boost their framerate. Xbox’s Larry Hryb and Jeff Rubenstein shared the announcement and details during Friday’s recording of the official Xbox podcast.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/12/xbox-bethesda-joins-the-xbox-family-trailer"]
If for any reason you actually prefer to play the games at their original framerates, Rubenstein confirmed that players will be able to toggle the setting on their consoles. Rubenstein added that players can expect an “increase from 30 up to nearly 60 frames per second” when FPS boost is activated. The boost will require you to update your system to the latest version.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/12/xbox-game-pass-play-20-iconic-bethesda-games-trailer"]
If Xbox and Bethesda’s newly established marriage have you excited, we should be hearing more when Xbox holds an event of its own later this summer. It’s clear that Microsoft is invested in bringing Bethesda’s biggest franchises to Xbox as exclusives, with Xbox head Phil Spencer reaffirming as much this week. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN.Meteorite Piece Found in Africa Could Be From an Ancient Planet
Erg Chech 002[/caption]
Its igneous texture indicates that Erg Chech 002 was formed by way of a volcano, which, as Science Alert points out, likely means it could have once been a piece of the crust of a protoplanet, which is the scientific term for a tiny or dwarf planet. Because of this, it was classified as an achondrite, which is quite rare. As noted by Science Alert, of thousands and thousands of meteorites discovered on Earth, only 3,179 are achondrites, according to the Meteoritical Bulletin Database.
Most achondrites are basaltic, but Erg Chech 002 is what's known as andesite, something University of Western Brittany geochemist, Jean-Alix Barrat, discovered upon further inspection of the meteorite as noted in his research team's report. Barrat and his team determined by examining the radioactive decay of Erg Chech 002's aluminum and magnesium isotopes that those two elements formed in the meteorite around 4.565 billion years ago, which makes it older than our 4.54-billion-year-old Earth, as noted by Science Alert.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/08/scientist-says-object-that-flew-by-earth-could-have-been-made-by-aliens-ign-news"]
This makes Erg Chech 002 the oldest magmatic rock ever analyzed, according to the research team's report, and sheds light on how the crusts of ancient protoplanets like that where Erg Chech 002 originated were formed.
Barrat's team compared the way Erg Chech 002 interacts with light, otherwise defined as spectral characteristics according to Science Alert, with asteroids in the Solar System and how they interact with light, but they couldn't find any link between the two. This doesn't necessarily indicate that Erg Chech 002 is from a different universe, but rather, that the protoplanet or type of protoplanet from which it originated from is no longer present in the Solar System.
Science Alert says it's likely that Erg Chech 002's home protoplanet was merged into other space rocks. The publication also notes that because of Erg Chech 002's age and how close it is in age to Earth, other rocks from its protoplanet might have helped form our planet.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=cosmos-possible-worlds-gallery&captions=true"]
For more science, read how researchers are learning more about how Mars may have formed and then read about a mini-moon orbiting Earth discovered by astronomers. While no signs of Krypton, errr life, were discovered on Erg Chech 002 — sorry, Superman fans — scientists have discovered possible signs of life on Venus detected as far back as 1978.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. Meteorite Piece Found in Africa Could Be From an Ancient Planet
Erg Chech 002[/caption]
Its igneous texture indicates that Erg Chech 002 was formed by way of a volcano, which, as Science Alert points out, likely means it could have once been a piece of the crust of a protoplanet, which is the scientific term for a tiny or dwarf planet. Because of this, it was classified as an achondrite, which is quite rare. As noted by Science Alert, of thousands and thousands of meteorites discovered on Earth, only 3,179 are achondrites, according to the Meteoritical Bulletin Database.
Most achondrites are basaltic, but Erg Chech 002 is what's known as andesite, something University of Western Brittany geochemist, Jean-Alix Barrat, discovered upon further inspection of the meteorite as noted in his research team's report. Barrat and his team determined by examining the radioactive decay of Erg Chech 002's aluminum and magnesium isotopes that those two elements formed in the meteorite around 4.565 billion years ago, which makes it older than our 4.54-billion-year-old Earth, as noted by Science Alert.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/08/scientist-says-object-that-flew-by-earth-could-have-been-made-by-aliens-ign-news"]
This makes Erg Chech 002 the oldest magmatic rock ever analyzed, according to the research team's report, and sheds light on how the crusts of ancient protoplanets like that where Erg Chech 002 originated were formed.
Barrat's team compared the way Erg Chech 002 interacts with light, otherwise defined as spectral characteristics according to Science Alert, with asteroids in the Solar System and how they interact with light, but they couldn't find any link between the two. This doesn't necessarily indicate that Erg Chech 002 is from a different universe, but rather, that the protoplanet or type of protoplanet from which it originated from is no longer present in the Solar System.
Science Alert says it's likely that Erg Chech 002's home protoplanet was merged into other space rocks. The publication also notes that because of Erg Chech 002's age and how close it is in age to Earth, other rocks from its protoplanet might have helped form our planet.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=cosmos-possible-worlds-gallery&captions=true"]
For more science, read how researchers are learning more about how Mars may have formed and then read about a mini-moon orbiting Earth discovered by astronomers. While no signs of Krypton, errr life, were discovered on Erg Chech 002 — sorry, Superman fans — scientists have discovered possible signs of life on Venus detected as far back as 1978.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. Batman: The Court of Owls Coming to the DC Animated Universe
Gotham City is changing. After Mayor Hill is killed by a mysterious assailant, Batman finds himself tracking down an ancient order that’s long been buried under the streets of Gotham: The Court of Owls. But what does this group have to gain from the death of Mayor Hill…and how can Deadman help the Dark Knight? Will the clues lead Batman to an ancient Gotham City legend?The Court of Owls was first introduced in DC's 2011 Batman comic, which revealed them to be a shadowy organization of Gotham elites that has controlled Gotham's underworld for centuries through the use of undead assassins called Talons. The Court of Owls storyline was later loosely adapted for the 2015 animated film Batman vs. Robin. The group is also featuring in the upcoming video game Gotham Knights, which takes place in the aftermath of Batman's apparent death. As with the previous series, Batman: The Adventures Continue Season II will debut in digital form first, followed by print issues collecting two digital chapters each. Look for the first digital chapter to debut on DC Universe Infinite, comiXology and other digital platforms on May 6, with the first print issue following on June 1. If you need a dose of BTAS nostalgia to tide you over until May, check out our IGN Inside Stories mini-doc about Batman Beyond: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/batman-beyond-the-classic-nobody-wanted"] [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.
Batman: The Court of Owls Coming to the DC Animated Universe
Gotham City is changing. After Mayor Hill is killed by a mysterious assailant, Batman finds himself tracking down an ancient order that’s long been buried under the streets of Gotham: The Court of Owls. But what does this group have to gain from the death of Mayor Hill…and how can Deadman help the Dark Knight? Will the clues lead Batman to an ancient Gotham City legend?The Court of Owls was first introduced in DC's 2011 Batman comic, which revealed them to be a shadowy organization of Gotham elites that has controlled Gotham's underworld for centuries through the use of undead assassins called Talons. The Court of Owls storyline was later loosely adapted for the 2015 animated film Batman vs. Robin. The group is also featuring in the upcoming video game Gotham Knights, which takes place in the aftermath of Batman's apparent death. As with the previous series, Batman: The Adventures Continue Season II will debut in digital form first, followed by print issues collecting two digital chapters each. Look for the first digital chapter to debut on DC Universe Infinite, comiXology and other digital platforms on May 6, with the first print issue following on June 1. If you need a dose of BTAS nostalgia to tide you over until May, check out our IGN Inside Stories mini-doc about Batman Beyond: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/batman-beyond-the-classic-nobody-wanted"] [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.
Apex Legends Nintendo Switch Review
In a sense, Apex Legends is not the same game that we reviewed back in February 2019--the roster of playable characters has doubled to 16, three full maps are in rotation, and several different modes (including ranked) are included. There's also a story that's delivered weekly via map changes and comics that have built the game's lore. Additional features have been implemented, like clubs for players to join, cross-play support, and limited-time events. On top of all that, seasonal content introduces substantial meta changes, daily/weekly challenges, and rewarding battle passes, transforming Apex Legends into something greater.
And yet, despite these adjustments, the core of Apex Legends remains intact. It's still a squad-based battle royale that encourages teamwork with an excellent ping system, where you begin each match picking from a roster of hero characters that possess unique abilities in order to fulfill different roles in battle. The core principles that made Apex Legends work so well back when it first launched haven't changed over two years later.
All of which is to say, Apex Legends is still really fun and worth jumping into if you haven't yet. And now you're able to do so on Nintendo Switch. But just because you can play Apex Legends on Switch does not mean you should. This port works, but only in the loosest sense of the term; this is the worst way to play Apex Legends.
Continue Reading at GameSpotApex Legends Nintendo Switch Review
In a sense, Apex Legends is not the same game that we reviewed back in February 2019--the roster of playable characters has doubled to 16, three full maps are in rotation, and several different modes (including ranked) are included. There's also a story that's delivered weekly via map changes and comics that have built the game's lore. Additional features have been implemented, like clubs for players to join, cross-play support, and limited-time events. On top of all that, seasonal content introduces substantial meta changes, daily/weekly challenges, and rewarding battle passes, transforming Apex Legends into something greater.
And yet, despite these adjustments, the core of Apex Legends remains intact. It's still a squad-based battle royale that encourages teamwork with an excellent ping system, where you begin each match picking from a roster of hero characters that possess unique abilities in order to fulfill different roles in battle. The core principles that made Apex Legends work so well back when it first launched haven't changed over two years later.
All of which is to say, Apex Legends is still really fun and worth jumping into if you haven't yet. And now you're able to do so on Nintendo Switch. But just because you can play Apex Legends on Switch does not mean you should. This port works, but only in the loosest sense of the term; this is the worst way to play Apex Legends.
Continue Reading at GameSpotPlanet-Size X? Marvel Teases a Major X-Men Storyline in June 2021
Art by Pepe Larraz. (Image Credit: Marvel)[/caption]
If you've been following the X-Men line in the months since the X of Swords crossover wrapped, you probably have some inkling of what the Hellfire Gala is. Now that the population of Krakoa is swelling and Cyclops and Jean Grey have officially reestablished the X-Men as a team, the mutant race is celebrating its ascendancy as a global superpower. But more than ever, different factions within and without Krakoa are jockeying for power, so this won't be any ordinary party. Each of the 12 X-books published in June will unfold over the course of a single night as the mutant race wines and dines the outside world and new alliances and rivalries are forged.
“Make no mistake—this is an X-Men book drawn by superstar artist Pepe Larraz. It is absolutely the most important issue of the month,” Editor Jordan D. White teases in Marvel's press release. "Pepe is absolutely the star of the X-line and he is doing the most amazing work of his career. You cannot miss this."
Planet-Size X #1 will release on June 16, 2021.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/09/marvels-x-men-now-have-a-bold-new-status-quo-ign-now"]
In other comic book news, Colin Trevorrow's leaked Star Wars: Episode IX script has been adapted into a fan comic, and an upcoming graphic novel aims to reveal the truth behind the story of notorious serial killer Ed Gein.
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Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.Planet-Size X? Marvel Teases a Major X-Men Storyline in June 2021
Art by Pepe Larraz. (Image Credit: Marvel)[/caption]
If you've been following the X-Men line in the months since the X of Swords crossover wrapped, you probably have some inkling of what the Hellfire Gala is. Now that the population of Krakoa is swelling and Cyclops and Jean Grey have officially reestablished the X-Men as a team, the mutant race is celebrating its ascendancy as a global superpower. But more than ever, different factions within and without Krakoa are jockeying for power, so this won't be any ordinary party. Each of the 12 X-books published in June will unfold over the course of a single night as the mutant race wines and dines the outside world and new alliances and rivalries are forged.
“Make no mistake—this is an X-Men book drawn by superstar artist Pepe Larraz. It is absolutely the most important issue of the month,” Editor Jordan D. White teases in Marvel's press release. "Pepe is absolutely the star of the X-line and he is doing the most amazing work of his career. You cannot miss this."
Planet-Size X #1 will release on June 16, 2021.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/09/marvels-x-men-now-have-a-bold-new-status-quo-ign-now"]
In other comic book news, Colin Trevorrow's leaked Star Wars: Episode IX script has been adapted into a fan comic, and an upcoming graphic novel aims to reveal the truth behind the story of notorious serial killer Ed Gein.
[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.