Thanks to the tireless efforts of countless scientists, programmers and other experts, the dreaded Y2K bug wound up being more a minor nuisance than the civilization-ending disaster some feared. But what if that weren't the case? What if the Y2K bug did, in fact, wreak havoc across the globe and bring humanity to its knees? That's the premise of the new Image Comics series Deep Beyond, a sci-fi horror saga set in an alternate world where the worst case scenario did come to pass. IGN can exclusively debut new interior art from Deep Beyond #1 ahead of its February release. Check out these pages in the slideshow gallery below: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=deep-beyond-1-exclusive-preview&captions=true"] In the world of Deep Beyond, the remnants of humanity cling to life years after the millennium bug decimated civilization, with a small band of scientists keeping the survivors from total annihilation. In this world, even greater horrors are waiting to finish off what's left of society, especially after a lone researcher is lost in the oceanic abyss. The series is a collaboration between co-writers Mirka Andolfo (Mercy) and David Goy, artist Andrea Broccardo (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra) and colorist Barbara Nosenzo (The Ballad of Halo Jones). “This comic book could appear a little different from what I've written before, but in fact, certain themes that are a constant of my whole production come back: contemporary social (or in this case environmental) issues without being preachy but always entertaining the reader, mixed with the right dose of humor to release the tensest and dramatic moments," Andolfo told IGN. "And the fact I have to write for an artist that will put my script to paper was an occasion to flex new creative muscles, so to speak. So a great experience that I think made me improve as a scriptwriter.” “The world we created in DEEP BEYOND is a devastated one, in which nature takes back its spaces, and it is about a planet at the same time different and tragically similar (potentially) to the one we know," said Goy. "The human race is the main protagonist but also a great menace for the planet, and this will show in unexpected ways.“ Broccardo added, "“After working on a globally known sci-fi scenario like Star Wars, it was a pleasure and an honor creating graphically a whole new world that was a little retro-futuristic, but also immensely plausible.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/04/what-to-expect-from-marvel-in-2021"] Deep Beyond will run for 12 issues, with the first chapter scheduled for release on February 3, 2021. For more promising new comics debuting this year, check out IGN's 21 most anticipated comics of 2021, find out more about DC's Future State crossover and learn what major plot twist will transform Daredevil this year. [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.

Brad Venable – who provided his voice acting talents to Devil May Cry 5, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, multiple anime series and more – has died aged 43. Multiple members of the voice acting community have today posted tributes to Venable, having been given permission to share the news by Venable's wife. No cause of death has been announced at time of publish.

You saw the best in all of us and brought it out. You treated me like family, and called me your little brother. You motivated & inspired us. Our bond & friendship these past few years is something I will treasure forever. I love you @bradvenable I miss you brother pic.twitter.com/URPRVRgPro

— Brian Olvera @ Home Studio (@LiveStudioBrian) January 8, 2021

With the permission of his wife, I'm posting this video for you @bradvenable. Once I can gather my thoughts tomorrow, I'll record them when I'm not a goddamn mess. You'll tell me to let it all out, but man, if I do, I'd be crying forever. My brother. I love you so much. pic.twitter.com/S8x7fEjiTD

— Darrel J Delfin (@DarrelJDelfin) January 8, 2021

Very sad to have lost one of the nicest and most giving talents in the voiceover business. @bradvenable was a sweetheart of a man and would help you with anything you needed. Ridiculously talented and a real treasure. R.I.P. Brad. I will miss our chats. #voiceovers #voiceover

— Terry Daniel (@voiceoversbytd) January 8, 2021

If you didn't know @bradvenable, you were missing out. He was kind to every single person he knew. I don't think he gave himself the credit he deserved, but he was always there to be supportive of his colleagues, no matter what stage they were at in their career.

— Erica Mendez (@tsunderica) January 8, 2021

Among many other parts, Venable played V's familiar Griffon in Devil May Cry 5, as well as playing roles in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold Wars, the recent Demon's Souls remake, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. He also played Daz in the English dub of Attack on Titan, and played roles in My Hero Academia, Hunter x Hunter, and Dragon Ball Super. IGN sends its condolences to Venable's family and friends. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News.

Treyarch has confirmed that a mid-season update for Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War will arrive on Thursday, January 14, adding new maps and modes to the game's Multiplayer and Zombies modes. The January 7 Patch Notes update on the Treyarch blog confirms a few details about the mid-season Cold War content drop. One of the major introductions is a new Fireteam map called Sanatorium. This map will complement a new Fireteam mode called Dropkick, a 6 v 6 battle where players must "fight for control of the nuclear codes". [caption id="attachment_245944" align="aligncenter" width="720"] The new Sanatorium map coming to Cold War on January 14.[/caption] Elsewhere, Zombies players can enjoy tweaks to the Cranked mode, where "every zombie killed resets the timer counting down to your demise". In the PlayStation exclusive Onslaught mode, the Black Ops 2 map Raid has been added to the pool, as well as new Dark Aether intel for players to collect as they fight the horde. In other Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War news, check out our article covering how the game was made from home during a pandemic. If you're still trying to tackle the easter egg in Die Maschine, check out our handy guide for a walkthrough of all the steps. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Treyarch has confirmed that a mid-season update for Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War will arrive on Thursday, January 14, adding new maps and modes to the game's Multiplayer and Zombies modes. The January 7 Patch Notes update on the Treyarch blog confirms a few details about the mid-season Cold War content drop. One of the major introductions is a new Fireteam map called Sanatorium. This map will complement a new Fireteam mode called Dropkick, a 6 v 6 battle where players must "fight for control of the nuclear codes". [caption id="attachment_245944" align="aligncenter" width="720"] The new Sanatorium map coming to Cold War on January 14.[/caption] Elsewhere, Zombies players can enjoy tweaks to the Cranked mode, where "every zombie killed resets the timer counting down to your demise". In the PlayStation exclusive Onslaught mode, the Black Ops 2 map Raid has been added to the pool, as well as new Dark Aether intel for players to collect as they fight the horde. In other Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War news, check out our article covering how the game was made from home during a pandemic. If you're still trying to tackle the easter egg in Die Maschine, check out our handy guide for a walkthrough of all the steps. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

SNK Corporation has formally revealed The King of Fighters XV by debuting gameplay and showing off six characters. The game will launch later this year. The announcement was initially postponed on Wednesday and suffered a brief delay. Characters shown off in a new trailer (below) include K', Kyo Kusanagi, Leona, Benimaru, Shun'ei and Mai Shiranui. Not much in the way of detail is added, but we get a good look at the game's visual style, which looks to be a little more stylised than KOF 14. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/08/the-king-of-fighters-xv-official-gameplay-reveal"] Following the reveal trailer, KOF XV Creative Director Eisuke Ogura and Producer Yasuyuki Oda revealed a little more about how the game will play when it launches in 2021. "We're focusing on keeping the series' staple of being fast-paced while also adding elements to make it more exciting," Ogura notes. The developers are currently "brushing up features and optimizing the game," but plan to ship in 2021. Another trailer for The King of Fighters XV will land next week to supplement the reveal. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=king-of-fighters-xv-6-screenshots&captions=true"] Today's trailer also included news on King of Fighters 14 Ultimate Edition - out now digitally - a new release for King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match on PS4, and then revealed Cham Cham and The Last Blade 2's Hibiki Tanake as DLC characters for the Samurai Shodown Season 3 Pass. Samurai Shodown will also receive a game reblance in March. KOF XV was announced during EVO 2019, and we got our first glimpse of the game back in December 2020, which revealed that in addition to the characters mentioned above, Benimaru would be playable. It's not clear what platforms the game will be available on just yet. Here's our review of King of Fighters 14, which debuted in 2016. We scored it an 8, noting its "dated graphics and dodgy netcode". [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

SNK Corporation has formally revealed The King of Fighters XV by debuting gameplay and showing off six characters. The game will launch later this year. The announcement was initially postponed on Wednesday and suffered a brief delay. Characters shown off in a new trailer (below) include K', Kyo Kusanagi, Leona, Benimaru, Shun'ei and Mai Shiranui. Not much in the way of detail is added, but we get a good look at the game's visual style, which looks to be a little more stylised than KOF 14. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/08/the-king-of-fighters-xv-official-gameplay-reveal"] Following the reveal trailer, KOF XV Creative Director Eisuke Ogura and Producer Yasuyuki Oda revealed a little more about how the game will play when it launches in 2021. "We're focusing on keeping the series' staple of being fast-paced while also adding elements to make it more exciting," Ogura notes. The developers are currently "brushing up features and optimizing the game," but plan to ship in 2021. Another trailer for The King of Fighters XV will land next week to supplement the reveal. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=king-of-fighters-xv-6-screenshots&captions=true"] Today's trailer also included news on King of Fighters 14 Ultimate Edition - out now digitally - a new release for King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match on PS4, and then revealed Cham Cham and The Last Blade 2's Hibiki Tanake as DLC characters for the Samurai Shodown Season 3 Pass. Samurai Shodown will also receive a game reblance in March. KOF XV was announced during EVO 2019, and we got our first glimpse of the game back in December 2020, which revealed that in addition to the characters mentioned above, Benimaru would be playable. It's not clear what platforms the game will be available on just yet. Here's our review of King of Fighters 14, which debuted in 2016. We scored it an 8, noting its "dated graphics and dodgy netcode". [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Amid new speculation caused by comments from a Duracell spokesperson, IGN understands that there is no deal forcing Xbox to use AA batteries in its controllers. Speaking to Stealth Optional, Duracell UK marketing manager Luke Anderson sparked speculation by saying, “There’s always been this partnership with Duracell and Xbox… It’s a constant agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have in place [...] [The deal is] for OEM to supply the battery product for the Xbox consoles and also the controllers’ battery. So that [deal is] going to go on for a while… it’s been going on for a while and I think it needs to go for a while [more].” Many took this to mean that the deal mentioned was the sole reason that Xbox uses AA batteries in its controllers, and some speculated that it could change that fact once the deal finishes. However, sources tell IGN that this is inaccurate. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/05/xbox-series-x-controller-review"] Duracell batteries are included with Xbox controllers, and Xbox has indeed been a part of Duracell OEM, a partnership program run by the battery manufacturer, but that appears to be a byproduct of Microsoft's decision to use AA batteries, rather than the cause of it. Contacted for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson said: “We intentionally offer consumers choice in their battery solutions for our standard Xbox Wireless Controllers. This includes the use of AA batteries from any brand, the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, charging solutions from our partners, or a USB-C cable, which can power the controller when plugged in to the console or PC.” That message echoes the words of, Xbox Series X designer Jason Ronald last year, when he explained why Xbox controllers still use AA batteries, saying that it was ultimately about flexibility for players. Neither Anderson nor Duracell OEM replied to a request for comment from IGN by time of publish. [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.

Amid new speculation caused by comments from a Duracell spokesperson, IGN understands that there is no deal forcing Xbox to use AA batteries in its controllers. Speaking to Stealth Optional, Duracell UK marketing manager Luke Anderson sparked speculation by saying, “There’s always been this partnership with Duracell and Xbox… It’s a constant agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have in place [...] [The deal is] for OEM to supply the battery product for the Xbox consoles and also the controllers’ battery. So that [deal is] going to go on for a while… it’s been going on for a while and I think it needs to go for a while [more].” Many took this to mean that the deal mentioned was the sole reason that Xbox uses AA batteries in its controllers, and some speculated that it could change that fact once the deal finishes. However, sources tell IGN that this is inaccurate. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/05/xbox-series-x-controller-review"] Duracell batteries are included with Xbox controllers, and Xbox has indeed been a part of Duracell OEM, a partnership program run by the battery manufacturer, but that appears to be a byproduct of Microsoft's decision to use AA batteries, rather than the cause of it. Contacted for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson said: “We intentionally offer consumers choice in their battery solutions for our standard Xbox Wireless Controllers. This includes the use of AA batteries from any brand, the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, charging solutions from our partners, or a USB-C cable, which can power the controller when plugged in to the console or PC.” That message echoes the words of, Xbox Series X designer Jason Ronald last year, when he explained why Xbox controllers still use AA batteries, saying that it was ultimately about flexibility for players. Neither Anderson nor Duracell OEM replied to a request for comment from IGN by time of publish. [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.

Update: Nintendo has confirmed the outage is now over, and IGN has been able to access the Nintendo eShop (and download the Monster Hunter demo). [poilib element="accentDivider"] The Nintendo eShop is currently down for unscheduled "emergency maintenance", which may be due to demand for the recently released Monster Hunter Rise demo. The eShop has been down for at least 4 hours at time of writing, with Nintendo's Japanese customer support Twitter account repeatedly apologising for the issues, but offering no timescale for a fix. While neither Nintendo or Capcom has specifically commented on the connection, the outage coincides with the release of the demo for Monster Hunter Rise, which includes two quests and two tutorials for the upcoming Switch exclusive. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/07/monster-hunter-rise-hunting-a-mizutsune-gameplay"] Yesterday's Monster Hunter live broadcast revealed a number of new monsters and details about the game, including the fact that a new ability will let you ride monsters (an ability you can test in the demo). The demo weighs in at 1.6GB, and quests can be played a maximum of 30 times before its February 1 closure date. If you can't download, we've got videos of the Great Izuchi quest, and the Mizutsune quest for you to check out. If you're interested in buying the game before it arrives on March 26, here's what comes in each edition of Monster Hunter Rise. [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.

Update: Nintendo has confirmed the outage is now over, and IGN has been able to access the Nintendo eShop (and download the Monster Hunter demo). [poilib element="accentDivider"] The Nintendo eShop is currently down for unscheduled "emergency maintenance", which may be due to demand for the recently released Monster Hunter Rise demo. The eShop has been down for at least 4 hours at time of writing, with Nintendo's Japanese customer support Twitter account repeatedly apologising for the issues, but offering no timescale for a fix. While neither Nintendo or Capcom has specifically commented on the connection, the outage coincides with the release of the demo for Monster Hunter Rise, which includes two quests and two tutorials for the upcoming Switch exclusive. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/07/monster-hunter-rise-hunting-a-mizutsune-gameplay"] Yesterday's Monster Hunter live broadcast revealed a number of new monsters and details about the game, including the fact that a new ability will let you ride monsters (an ability you can test in the demo). The demo weighs in at 1.6GB, and quests can be played a maximum of 30 times before its February 1 closure date. If you can't download, we've got videos of the Great Izuchi quest, and the Mizutsune quest for you to check out. If you're interested in buying the game before it arrives on March 26, here's what comes in each edition of Monster Hunter Rise. [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.