Online virtual communications app Discord has raised $100 million more in funding and has achieved a $7 billion valuation. This puts Discord theoretically more valuable than some game companies. Discord, an online app that lets friends connect in voice calls or chat rooms and includes integration with video game launchers like Steam, raised $100 million in investor funding after Discord doubled its user base from a year ago according to Techcrunch. This shows investors are clearly considering Discord a valuable company with estimates of the company’s worth hitting $7 billion. Compare that to the valuation of certain game developers like Bethesda which Microsoft acquired for $7.5 billion. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=discord-game-store-images&captions=true"] Valuations, however, are approximate figures based on several financial factors and attempt to reflect the true cost of a company. This valuation is subject to fluctuation based on changes in the market or the company. But valuations serve as a good barometer, and Discord’s value is now comparable to that of Bethesda, or even bigger than studios like 2K ($3.22 billion) or Capcom ($3.44 billion). However, the upper levels of game developers can reach as high as $80 billion such as in the case of Nintendo. But companies like Ubisoft (~$11 billion), EA (~$22 billion), and Activision Blizzard (~$30 billion) are worth more than Discord.  And even compared to other enterprise apps, Discord is dwarfed by companies like Slack which was acquired by Salesforce for $27.7 billion. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, apps like Discord which connect friends and users virtually online have only become more important. Originally marketed as a tool for gamers, including launching its own games store, Discord has shifted considerably into a more all-purpose service for artists, communities, gamers, and more. In 2019 Discord shut down its game store to focus on its core business. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Online virtual communications app Discord has raised $100 million more in funding and has achieved a $7 billion valuation. This puts Discord theoretically more valuable than some game companies. Discord, an online app that lets friends connect in voice calls or chat rooms and includes integration with video game launchers like Steam, raised $100 million in investor funding after Discord doubled its user base from a year ago according to Techcrunch. This shows investors are clearly considering Discord a valuable company with estimates of the company’s worth hitting $7 billion. Compare that to the valuation of certain game developers like Bethesda which Microsoft acquired for $7.5 billion. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=discord-game-store-images&captions=true"] Valuations, however, are approximate figures based on several financial factors and attempt to reflect the true cost of a company. This valuation is subject to fluctuation based on changes in the market or the company. But valuations serve as a good barometer, and Discord’s value is now comparable to that of Bethesda, or even bigger than studios like 2K ($3.22 billion) or Capcom ($3.44 billion). However, the upper levels of game developers can reach as high as $80 billion such as in the case of Nintendo. But companies like Ubisoft (~$11 billion), EA (~$22 billion), and Activision Blizzard (~$30 billion) are worth more than Discord.  And even compared to other enterprise apps, Discord is dwarfed by companies like Slack which was acquired by Salesforce for $27.7 billion. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, apps like Discord which connect friends and users virtually online have only become more important. Originally marketed as a tool for gamers, including launching its own games store, Discord has shifted considerably into a more all-purpose service for artists, communities, gamers, and more. In 2019 Discord shut down its game store to focus on its core business. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Today, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto hosted a very special Nintendo Direct where he tours the newly finished Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal Studios Japan. Miyamoto went around the park to highlight the biggest attractions, including the Mario Kart ride. Super Nintendo World is a theme park based on, you guessed it, Nintendo. In collaboration with Universal Studios, the first park is set to open in Japan with versions of Super Nintendo World set to come to North American parks afterward. Aside from entire structures built to resemble levels and areas from Super Mario World, the park utilizes a wrist band that attendees can wear and use to interact with various attractions around the park. A QR code can also be scanned and connect your smartphone to a special Super Nintendo World app. Check the video below for the full tour. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/super-nintendo-world-direct-presentation"] For example, wearing the wrist band, attendees can “punch” a power block and earn a digital coin that will be saved to your smartphone. Miayamoto says there are several secrets hidden around the park that will utilize the wrist band, and that the coins may unlock some kind of reward as well. The wristbands also function like amiibo and will apparently be useable with your Nintendo Switch after you take them home. Along with coins, other items like keys can also be stored in the smartphone app which can presumably unlock even more secrets. These interactive elements are called “Activities.” If you find three keys you can unlock a special activity — a battle with Bowser Jr. Miyamoto also gave a brief tour of the 1-Up Factory, the gift store with exclusive Mario merchandise that can only be purchased at the park. Miyamoto says that some items were developed in collaboration with Nintendo developers. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=super-nintendo-world-direct-screenshots&captions=true"] After some brief stops at the restaurants where Mario-themed food will be served, Miyamoto ended his tour with the Mario Kart ride, a roller-coaster where attendees work together to fight Bowser. There’s also an AR-glasses component to the ride. Super Nintendo World is set to open in Japan on February 4, 2021. The park will also open in other locations including Los Angeles, California; Orlando, Florida; and Singapore in the future. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Today, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto hosted a very special Nintendo Direct where he tours the newly finished Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal Studios Japan. Miyamoto went around the park to highlight the biggest attractions, including the Mario Kart ride. Super Nintendo World is a theme park based on, you guessed it, Nintendo. In collaboration with Universal Studios, the first park is set to open in Japan with versions of Super Nintendo World set to come to North American parks afterward. Aside from entire structures built to resemble levels and areas from Super Mario World, the park utilizes a wrist band that attendees can wear and use to interact with various attractions around the park. A QR code can also be scanned and connect your smartphone to a special Super Nintendo World app. Check the video below for the full tour. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/super-nintendo-world-direct-presentation"] For example, wearing the wrist band, attendees can “punch” a power block and earn a digital coin that will be saved to your smartphone. Miayamoto says there are several secrets hidden around the park that will utilize the wrist band, and that the coins may unlock some kind of reward as well. The wristbands also function like amiibo and will apparently be useable with your Nintendo Switch after you take them home. Along with coins, other items like keys can also be stored in the smartphone app which can presumably unlock even more secrets. These interactive elements are called “Activities.” If you find three keys you can unlock a special activity — a battle with Bowser Jr. Miyamoto also gave a brief tour of the 1-Up Factory, the gift store with exclusive Mario merchandise that can only be purchased at the park. Miyamoto says that some items were developed in collaboration with Nintendo developers. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=super-nintendo-world-direct-screenshots&captions=true"] After some brief stops at the restaurants where Mario-themed food will be served, Miyamoto ended his tour with the Mario Kart ride, a roller-coaster where attendees work together to fight Bowser. There’s also an AR-glasses component to the ride. Super Nintendo World is set to open in Japan on February 4, 2021. The park will also open in other locations including Los Angeles, California; Orlando, Florida; and Singapore in the future. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Yoshitaka Amano, the artist known for his illustrative art of the Final Fantasy series, has contributed once again to the DC comics universe with a new variant cover for Harley Quinn #1.

Harley Quinn writer Stephanie Phillips shared the artwork on Twitter this past Thursday.

By the way, here's the full Yoshitaka Amano Harley Quinn #1 cover.  pic.twitter.com/bJ8TKcaHpj

— Stephanie Phillips (@Steph_Smash) December 17, 2020

 

The art style is definitely Amano’s, with its watercolor, art nouveau, and woodblock print influences. Take out the tattoos and DC iconography (like the smoke taking the shape of Superman) and it could easily pass for one of Amano’s illustrations of Final Fantasy characters.

This isn’t the first time Amano has worked with DC, though. The artist previously illustrated Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman: The Dream Hunters, a sidestory in the Sandman universe set in ancient Japan.

Harley Quinn #1 hits comic store shelves on March 23, 2021.

[poilib element="accentDivider"]

Blogroll image credit: Yoshitaka Amano and DC Comics.

Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/bird for IGN.

Yoshitaka Amano, the artist known for his illustrative art of the Final Fantasy series, has contributed once again to the DC comics universe with a new variant cover for Harley Quinn #1.

Harley Quinn writer Stephanie Phillips shared the artwork on Twitter this past Thursday.

By the way, here's the full Yoshitaka Amano Harley Quinn #1 cover.  pic.twitter.com/bJ8TKcaHpj

— Stephanie Phillips (@Steph_Smash) December 17, 2020

 

The art style is definitely Amano’s, with its watercolor, art nouveau, and woodblock print influences. Take out the tattoos and DC iconography (like the smoke taking the shape of Superman) and it could easily pass for one of Amano’s illustrations of Final Fantasy characters.

This isn’t the first time Amano has worked with DC, though. The artist previously illustrated Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman: The Dream Hunters, a sidestory in the Sandman universe set in ancient Japan.

Harley Quinn #1 hits comic store shelves on March 23, 2021.

[poilib element="accentDivider"]

Blogroll image credit: Yoshitaka Amano and DC Comics.

Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/bird for IGN.

Welcome back to Game Scoop!, IGN's weekly video game podcast. Our Game of the Year Nominees have been announced, so it's time for your Omega Cops -- Daemon Hatfield, Tina Amini, Sam Claiborn, and Justin Davis -- to discuss, Animal Crossing, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Ghost of Tsushima, Hades, Half-Life Alyx, The Last of Us Part 2, Spider-Man Miles Morales, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and more. Watch the video above or hit the link below to your favorite podcast service. Listen on: Apple Podcasts YouTube Spotify Stitcher   Find previous episodes here!

Welcome back to Game Scoop!, IGN's weekly video game podcast. Our Game of the Year Nominees have been announced, so it's time for your Omega Cops -- Daemon Hatfield, Tina Amini, Sam Claiborn, and Justin Davis -- to discuss, Animal Crossing, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Ghost of Tsushima, Hades, Half-Life Alyx, The Last of Us Part 2, Spider-Man Miles Morales, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and more. Watch the video above or hit the link below to your favorite podcast service. Listen on: Apple Podcasts YouTube Spotify Stitcher   Find previous episodes here!

Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red says it intends to refund players out of the company’s own pocket if they can’t get refunds from other stores.

In a tweet posted Friday morning, CD Projekt Red updated its initial post about Cyberpunk 2077 refunds, stating that their “intention is for every owner of a physical copy, or a digital copy bought at retail, who has valid proof of purchase (and sends us an email at helpmerefund@cdprojektred.com within the time window) to receive a refund. We will do this out of our own pocket if necessary.”

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/cyberpunk-a-red-flag-for-cross-gen-games-next-gen-console-watch"]

CD Projekt Red also stated it is asking players who can’t get a refund from the store they bought it from to email CDPR by December 21.

CDPR said that the company will provide next steps for people requesting refunds after the request submission window closes. CDPR reiterated that digital versions of Cyberpunk 2077 will still need to be refunded through their respective platforms.

If you’re unsatisfied with your copy of Cyberpunk 2077, here’s how to request a refund on PS4 and Xbox. Xbox recently expanded its refund policy to allow for Cyberpunk 2077 returns.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/sony-pulls-cyberpunk-2077-from-ps-store-will-offer-refunds"]

The Cyberpunk 2077 refund debacle continues after CD Projekt Red’s messy messaging. Sony has pulled Cyberpunk 2077 down from the PlayStation Store, although previously purchased copies are still playable. CD Projekt Red has promised players that it is working on bringing Cyberpunk 2077 back to the PS Store “as soon as possible.”

IGN also has an exhaustive Cyberpunk 2077 wiki, including a huge interactive map of Night City and quest walkthrough.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN. Get cyberpunked with him on Twitter.

Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red says it intends to refund players out of the company’s own pocket if they can’t get refunds from other stores.

In a tweet posted Friday morning, CD Projekt Red updated its initial post about Cyberpunk 2077 refunds, stating that their “intention is for every owner of a physical copy, or a digital copy bought at retail, who has valid proof of purchase (and sends us an email at helpmerefund@cdprojektred.com within the time window) to receive a refund. We will do this out of our own pocket if necessary.”

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/cyberpunk-a-red-flag-for-cross-gen-games-next-gen-console-watch"]

CD Projekt Red also stated it is asking players who can’t get a refund from the store they bought it from to email CDPR by December 21.

CDPR said that the company will provide next steps for people requesting refunds after the request submission window closes. CDPR reiterated that digital versions of Cyberpunk 2077 will still need to be refunded through their respective platforms.

If you’re unsatisfied with your copy of Cyberpunk 2077, here’s how to request a refund on PS4 and Xbox. Xbox recently expanded its refund policy to allow for Cyberpunk 2077 returns.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/sony-pulls-cyberpunk-2077-from-ps-store-will-offer-refunds"]

The Cyberpunk 2077 refund debacle continues after CD Projekt Red’s messy messaging. Sony has pulled Cyberpunk 2077 down from the PlayStation Store, although previously purchased copies are still playable. CD Projekt Red has promised players that it is working on bringing Cyberpunk 2077 back to the PS Store “as soon as possible.”

IGN also has an exhaustive Cyberpunk 2077 wiki, including a huge interactive map of Night City and quest walkthrough.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN. Get cyberpunked with him on Twitter.